1918 Annals - Galesburg
By Martha Farnham Webster
The annals of Galesburg are cherished in the hearts of her children. The
children of the Founders, their children, and their children's children, for
generations to come, may well look back with emotions of pride and
veneration upon the successful fulfillment of a worthy purpose by those men
and women of sterling worth and noble achievement — the Founders of
Galesburg — the Colonists of 1836-37.
The founding of Galesburg was the fulfillment of a dream which took hold
upon the fancy of the Rev. George W. Gale of Whitesboro, N. Y., and which
held him under its potent spell until it became a ruling passion with him.
It came to him not only as a "dream, in a vision of the night when deep
sleep falleth upon man," but by day and by night, for many days and nights
in succession it held in thrall, until no longer able or willing to ignore
its influence, he yielded to its spell and gave up a work which he had
successfully promoted for seven years and devoted his every talent and
energy to the carrying out of a plan which had been maturing in his thought
and seeking fulfillment at his hand.
Before entering into a discussion of this plan, viz., a scheme for the
founding of an institution of learning somewhere in the far, unknown western
country which had begun to stretch forth beckoning hands to the substantial
citizens of New York and New England to come out and possess the land, let
us learn something of the previous history of that man who was above all
others the founder of the town, the college, and the church, and whose name
set as a signet in the name of our fair city, shall be held in honored
remembrance so long as the city itself remains.
George Washington Gale was born in Stanford, Dutchess County, New York,
December 3, 1789. He was the only son and the youngest child of his parents,
and was of frail constitution and delicate health. At eight years of age he
was left an orphan to the care of his older sisters, of whom there were
eight, all of them well-married and living in the home neighborhood.
Naturally their oversight of the young, only brother was most tender and
loving, but it was also tinged with the austerity which characterized the
rigid methods of family government in that period. They kept him constantly
employed, either in study, or in the thousand nameless duties that fall to
the lot of a willing and obedient boy on a large farm.
George Gale was ambitious and much devoted to study, and at an early age he
entered Union College in Schenectady, N. Y., successfully completed the
course of study and was graduated with honor. From Union College he went to
Princeton Theological Seminary, then, as now, one of the leading Theological
schools of this country. But his health did not permit him to complete the
course of study in the Seminaiy, and greatly to his regret, he was compelled
to leave the school, hoping, however, to return at some future time to
finish his course. This he did in 1819, at thirty years of age. In the
meantime he had been licensed to preach, and during the period of rest from
his studies, he labored as a Home Missionary in a comparatively new
territory in northern New York. During this period he was actively engaged
in evangelistic work and was the means of organizing a number of churches in
that territoiy. Returning to Princeton and completing the course there, he
immediately thereafter accepted a call to the church at Adams, Jefferson
County, N. Y., riding thither on horseback from Princeton, New Jersey.
After a time failing health again compelled Mr. Gale to give up his work,
and he resigned from this, his first and last regular pastorate, much to the
regret of all. Seeking health in a milder climate, he went to Virginia and
spent some months there. His experiences in the South and his contact and
intercourse with people of a different type broadened his vision and taught
him lessons which were of value to him in later years. Step by step he was
led into experiences which would especially fit him for taking up the
crowning work of his life.
Improved in health, Mr. Gale returned to New York, but found himself still
unable to take up the duties of a pastorate. He therefore found a temporary
home in a comfortable old-fashioned house on a small farm in Oneida County,
N. Y. This old farm house proved to be the source and inspiration of the
dream to which we have referred — the dream which led him on to the
establishment of a school for young men with limited means, and later to the
development of a plan which resulted in the founding of Knox College and the
City of Galesburg.
Briefly, the plan was to provide an opportunity for young men of small
means, or of no means at all, to secure an education; preferably for those
who had the gospel ministry in view. He invited young men of the
neighborhood to come to him for instruction. Half a dozen young men
responded, and to these he gave instruction and furnished books, while they
each agreed to perform three hours' daily work upon the farm in return.
The plan was a success, and attracted much attention with the result that
after a time with the aid of interested friends, he founded a school in the
village of Whitesboro, Oneida County, New York, which bore the name of
Manual Labor Institute. This experiment proved to be the germ and the
gradual development of the project which resulted in the organization of the
Galesburg colony and the founding of Knox College.
Mr. Gale remained with the school at Whitesboro for seven years. In 1834 he
retired from the management and entered into a new scheme looking toward the
founding of an institution of learning in the far away western country, then
so largely unoccupied or even unexplored.
He carefully prepared a "Circular and Plan" clearly setting forth his
enlarged scheme. (This interesting document is quoted in full, beginning at
page 9 in the volume entitled "Seventy-five Significant Years — The Story of
Knox College," prepared by the writer of these annals at the request of the
trustees of Knox College.)
Mr. Gale sent out his circular and set about securing subscriptions to his
enterprise, making a personal canvass among his friends in Central and
Eastern New York, striving to interest both clergymen and laymen in the plan
in which he himself was so deeply and vitally interested. In the early part
of the year 1835, he had secured a sufficient number of subscriptions to
justify an organization of the effort, and the action was therefore taken
which was to be of such untold influence and importance in the years to
come.
An organization was accomplished in the First Presbyterian Church in Rome,
New York, on the 6th of May, 1835. A Prudential Committee was selected which
was composed of six men who were empowered to fill out their number to
eleven members. These six men were Walter Webb of Adams, Nehemiah West of
Ira, Thomas Gilbert of Rome, John C. Smith of Utica, George W. Gale of
Whitesboro, and H. H. Kellogg of Clinton. Where should the new enterprise be
located ? Where should be found the ways and means for carrying it to
completion? These were the questions which involved long and earnest
discussion on the part of this committee.
An exploring committee must be named. Who should be selected to undertake
this highly important and responsible work? The choice fell upon Nehemiah
West, Thomas Gilbert and T. B. Jervis for the exploring committee, and the
Rev. George W. Gale was to enlist families and secure funds for the new
colony.
By June, 1835, about one-half of the proposed sum was subscribed; that is,
about $20,000. Only about $6,000 of this was ever paid. But, having "set
their hands to the plow," the promoters of this enterprise would not turn
back, and so, on the 6th day of June, 1835, was held in Rome, N. Y., the
first meeting of the subscribers. Of that meeting the Rev. John Waters,
afterward a conspicuous figure in the Galesburg colony, was made chairman
and T. B. Jervis, secretary. The following were appointed trustees of the
fund: Messrs. Walter Webb, Nehemiah West, Thomas Gilbert, John C. Smith, G.
W. Gale and H. H. Kellogg; and as already stated, Rev. George W. Gale was
general agent.
Thirty-three persons had given their approval to the plan and had subscribed
$21,000 toward carrying it into execution, but only about half the names on
that orginal subscription list became permanent names on the records of the
colony. The list contained, of course, the names which have been mentioned
above in connection with the various committees, and others, making
forty-six in all, many of the names never appearing in the annals of the
colony. (A list of the original subscribers may be found on page 12-13 in
the volume to which reference has been made, "Seventy-five Significant
Years." The book may be found in the Galesburg Public Library and the
Library of Knox College, the State Historical Library at Springfield, Ill.,
and the Library of Memorial Continental Hall, Washington, D. C.)
The exploring committee was instructed to explore the prairie state of
Indiana and Illinois between the fortieth and forty-second degrees of north
latitude, with reference to the best location for the proposed settlement.
The instructions give evidence of shrewd calculation on the part of those
who drafted them and are so explicit In every detail that unwise or
ill-advised action on the part of the committee could scarcely have been
possible. (An interesting outline of these instructions may be found on page
15 of "Seventy-five Significant Years.")
The committee went out as instructed, explored the regions designated, fixed
upon a location in Knox County in the State of Illinois, and returning made
their report to the subscribers at their second meeting, August 19, 1835.
The report was accepted and a purchasing committee was appointed, consisting
of Rev. George W. Gale, Silvanus Ferris and Nehemiah West. Their
instructions were to purchase not less than twenty sections of land and as
much more as their funds would allow, one-tenth of which must be timber and
the rest prairie, and for which the government price of $1.25 per acre was
to be paid. Three sections should be reserved for college and village
purposes and the rest sold to actual settlers at $5.00 per acre. The surplus
thus accruing was to constitute the endowment of the college; while the
proceeds from the sale of village lots were to be used toward the endowment
of a Female Seminary.
And so the purchasing committee set out upon that final mission in this
great enterprise — the purchase of the land on which now stands the fair
city of Galesburg as a monument to their wise and far-sighted investment.
The story of the journey of the purchasing committee is most interestingly
told in a letter written by Nehemiah West, one of the committee, to a
relatives, immediately after his return from the trip. We quote portions of
the letter. After describing the experiences of the journey, some of them
perilous and all of them interesting and which occupied three months for the
round trip, he referred to the purchase of the site selected by the
exploring committee; he says: "We proceeded to Illinois and after examining
all the places visited by the committee in the spring, we selected a
location in the county of Knox, lying nearly central between the Illinois
and Mississippi rivers in the Military Tract, 150 miles southwest from
Chicago and about 40 miles west of Peoria. We purchased about 20,000 acres
nearly in a square form, mostly prairie. It is a fine tract of land in a
very healthy country, well-watered and supplied with abundance of stone and
coal. We surveyed it out into lots of eighty acres each, agreeable to our
plan of distribution among subscribers.
In the center we laid off three contiguous sections of 640 acres each, for
college and village purposes — two for the college and one for the village —
stuck the stakes of our college building and returned home. * * * We have
about thirty families, all pious, who are to settle together, so you see we
have the prospect of a good society and the facilities for educating our
children. We expect to start with our families as soon as the roads are
passable in the spring. I have a log cabin ready to move into till I can
build and 40 acres broken up all ready for any kind of grain. We expect to
break and fence 200 or 300 acres of the college land next season and sow it
to wheat.
Crop Conditions
Thirty bushels to the acre is the usual product for the first crop. It is
worth six shillings per bushel, eighty bushels to the acre of corn, worth
two shillings per bushel, but it is worth more to feed, as pork is worth
$4.00 per cwt. to send to New Orleans." The last paragraph quoted gives us
an idea of the crop conditions of that period and the financial returns
which the early settlers received from their produce.
Comparative Prices, 1836-1918
In 1836 wheat sold for between $1.40 and $1.50 per bushel; corn sold for 50
cents per bushel and hogs for $4.00 per hundred. Now, in 1918, wheat is
worth $2.10 per bushel, corn $1.50 per bushel and hogs are selling for
$20.00 per hundred weight, and therefore, now, as then, the farmers find
that corn is "worth more to feed" than to sell.
The First Company Sets Out for "The West."
As early in the spring of 1836 as the roads would permit, "the advance guard
of the army of occupation" under the leadership of Nehemiah West, left their
pleasant homes in New York and started westward. They journeyed in strong,
well-built, canvas covered wagons drawn by patient, plodding horses. Their
rate of progress was that of about as many miles per day as the average
railway train covers in an hour. Four long weeks measured their slow and
toilsome length before the new home was reached and they beheld "the city of
their dreams."
The First Dwellings
And what did they look upon? Not a city of comfortable homes, of schools and
churches and business houses, as were their own familiar Utica and Albany,
not even the pretty, peaceful village nestling at the foot of the green
hills from which they turned their faces as they bade good-bye to home and
friends; but just a few rude log cabins standing in the outskirts of a
"stretch of timber" that bordered an apparently limitless expanse of
trackless, treeless prairie. These cabins were located three and one-half
miles northwest of the center of the site of their future city of Galesburg.
They had been built and occupied by settlers coming up from Kentucky and
other parts of the south, who had within the five or six years previous
fringed the grove with a tier of farms and had then vacated their cabins
presumably for more commodious quarters. There were not enough of these
cabins to accommodate even the first party that arrived, but they
distributed themselves as best they could until they could build cabins for
themselves, and in their turn vacate those they found to be occupied by a
succession of later arrivals who came during the summer and fall of 1836 and
the spring of 1837. Some of the young people slept in corn cribs belonging
to the cabins, or were housed in tents made of boughs until a sufficient
number of cabins could be built for the shelter of all who came; albeit they
must be crowded to the extent of two and three families in a single room of
these rude buildings.
"Log City"
The cluster of cabins which thus sprang up along the edge of Henderson
Grove, and scattered for a mile or more along the woodland trail, came to be
known in the history of the colony as "Log City," a name revered and honored
in the hearts of all true and loyal descendants of the Founders.
Description of the First Cabins
Prof. George Churchill of Knox College in one of his historical papers says:
"It would astonish a modern builder to examine one of these mansions. Some
of them were built without as much as a single nail or pane of glass in the
entire structure. Log walls were chincked with mud, outside chimney
constructed of sticks and clay, with upper aperature so large as not only to
give egress to the smoke, but ingress to the light when the cabin door was
shut. Doors made of split boards fastened with wooden pins to a wooden
hinge; a puncheon floor, and roof covered with shakes (narrow strips of
wood) held down by heavy log riders.
First Rude Furnishings
The furniture was at first as rude as the cabins. Boxes, barrels and short
logs were the chairs, a larger box the table, and a one-post bed stood in
one corner of the room."
Shipments of Furniture Long Delayed
One reason for the utter crudeness of the furniture thus described, and the
lack of household conveniences of all kinds was the fact that their goods
were shipped by water and were delayed many weeks after the colonists
themselves had arrived on the scene. The "one-post bed" referred to above
was constructed in this way: A pole was mortised into a log at the end of
the room at a proper distance from the corner to measure the width of the
bed. Another pole was mortised into the side wall at the distance of a bed's
length. The two poles which came together at a right angle were supported by
a third upright post which constituted the only outer support. Ropes were
interlaced across and around these poles forming by their network a
foundation for a straw bed, the popular mattress of that day. A straw or
husk or hay mattress made a fragrant wholesome resting place, providing the
filling of the ticks was replenished often enough to meet sanitary
requirements. A third bed was often made between the two corner beds by
placing four "chests" side by side. These chests were a necessary article in
the household furniture of every family. They contained the wearing apparel
of the family, and every time an article stored in them was needed, the
bedding had to be removed. The one room was equipped with a stove for
cooking and heating purposes, or sometimes with only a fireplace. One of the
stoves in a Log City home has been thus described: The stove was in the
shape of an oblong box with one large opening in the center of the top;
directly underneath this was the firebox with a wide, projecting hearth in
front where the hoecakes were toasted.
In these crowded, crude, and necessarily unsanitary quarters they cooked,
and ate, and slept and suffered all kinds of privations and hardships, but
remained strong in courage and hope. The manner of housing and furnishing
was only a temporary "make shift" until their furniture arrived and more
comfortable houses could be built. Before the winter drew near they were all
comfortably housed in log cabins, sufficient in number and capacity for
their immediate needs. The cold weather of the autumn of 1836 found 175
residents in Log City busily preparing for the coming winter. During the
winter the men were busy getting timber ready for the houses to be built on
the prairie in the spring. After the first sawmill was put up, house
building began in good earnest.
First Saw Mill in 1837
A steam saw mill was built on colony land in Henderson Grove by John Kendall
and was completed in 1837. Previous to the completion of this mill sawed
lumber for building was only obtainable by hauling logs from Henderson Grove
to Knoxville, and paying for the mill work with two-thirds of the boards.
Naturally it was greatly to the advantage of the colonists to have their own
saw mills located upon colony land. The next year the Ferris brothers.
Western, Olmsted, and William, sons of Silvanus Ferris, built the second
mill two miles northwest of the Kendall mill, and shortly afterward a third
saw mill was erected in Galesburg by Nehemiah West, Erastus Swift, and
George W. Gale. This mill was located on the north side of Ferris Street
between West and Academy. Although located four miles from the nearest
timber the output of this latter mill was in great demand and found ready
use at the point where it was turned out. And doubtless the combined output
of the three mills was needed to meet the demands of the colonists who were
building their village and their farm houses upon the prairies during these
first busy years from 1836 to 1840. The houses upon the prairie were, with
an exception, frame houses, albeit they were plain and modest in their
structure. An early settler in writing of these buildings says, "In the
early days of the Galesburg settlement few villages in Illinois could boast
of painted houses and the white dwellings of the embryo city attracted the
pleased attention of eastern travelers. This distinction was rendered
possible by the oil mill built and operated by Leonard Chappell on Kellogg
street, between Main and Ferris. There oil might be had in exchange for flax
seed raised on the farms."
The first dwelling house built upon the site of the city of Galesburg was
that of William Holyoke, and it stood on the lot now occupied by the Mathews
block, between Prairie and Kellogg streets, and on the north side of Main
street. A frame house built at Log City and occupied by Riley Root and his
family was placed upon large sleds and in that way removed to the village on
the prairie and located upon the lot at the northwest corner of Main and
Cherry streets in the block now occupied by the Farmers' and Mechanics'
Bank, the Rearick Hardware Store, etc.
The First Meeting House
The log cabin of Hugh Conger has the distinction of having been the first
meeting house of the colonists, it being more commodious than some of the
others, as was necessary for his family of seven children. But before the
cold weather of their first winter set in a more commodious and comfortable
building was provided which was designed for both church and school
purposes.
First Building for Both Church and School Purposes
This was a two-room building with a wide door between the rooms in which the
speaker stood so as to be readily seen and heard from both rooms. It was
constructed of split timbers, roofed with split shakes, floored with split
boards, and when the saw mill began to run, ceiled upon the inside with
rough basswood boards and the space between the clapboards and the ceiling
filled with saw-dust. Professor Churchill says: "It would not be much out of
the way to say that in this very building the first terai of Knox College
was held with Professor Nehemiah H. Losey as principal and Miss Lucy Gay as
assistant."
First Public School Building
It also served the purpose of a public school and was the only building for
that purpose until the following year, or possibly two years, when the first
public school building devoted primarily and especially to that purpose was
erected in the new village on the prairie. It stood on the northeast corner
of the public square facing the south. It could boast of one feature of the
most approved and up-to-date type; that is, the floor was inclined from the
front to the rear of the room, so that the teacher standing or seated by his
desk at the further end could readily supervise the deportment of the
pupils.
First Public School Teacher
Among the many who held sway over this school from 1840 to 1850 were Eli
Farnham, who had the distinction of being the first teacher of the first
public school in Galesburg; James H. Noteware, afterward superintendent of
public schools for the State of Kansas; Marshall Belong, one of the most
popular and successful teachers of the early day, in this vicinity; George
Churchill, prince of teachers from the very beginning of his long career in
the school and class-room; and Henry McCall, whose wife and daughter. Miss
Ida McCall, many years thereafter, were both of them, and for a number of
years both at the same time, the honored and beloved teachers of many
successive classes in Knox Academy.
Development of Galesburg Public Schools
From that small beginning the Galesburg Public School system has developed
and increased until it has reached the following proportions: In the fall of
1918 there are twelve buildings with a total enrollment of 3,721 pupils. The
High School is a modem, well-equipped building of forty-four rooms. The
grade buildings range in size from four to thirteen rooms. There are one
hundred twenty-eight instructors and supervisors and fifteen secretaries and
other helpers, making in all one hundred forty-three upon the pay roll. The
school buildings with the exception of the High School and the Central
Primary are named in honor of the two most distinguished men our state has
given to the nation; for Presidents and Professors in our Colleges, and for
substantial citizens who have given efficient service upon the board of
trustees in the colleges, and the board of education in the Public schools.
These are the names:
Names of Public School Buildings
Lincoln, Douglas, Weston, Bateman, Churchill, Hitchcock, Cooke, Farnham,
Silas Willard and L. T. Stone. An attractive and finely equipped gymnasium
was completed during the summer of this centennial year, and to this
building is given the name of the W. L. Steele Gymnasium, in memory of the
lamented superintendent of our city schools who for thirty-three years
devoted himself untiringly and with pronounced success to the improvement
and the upbuilding of these schools and died in May, 1918, just previous to
his voluntary retirement from the active service which he had so well
performed.
But to go back to the autumn of 1837. At this time so many had moved out to
their farms or to the village upon the prairie, that the church services
were held alternately at the grove and at the village, in the latter place
the meetings being held in a store building which was owned by Matthew
Chambers and was located at the intersection of Main street with the Public
Square, east of the Square and on the south side of Main street.
Population of the Town at the Close of 1837.
By the close of 1837 there was a community numbering 232. Of these 175 came
in 1836 and 57 in 1837. Besides these there were at least two families
belonging to the original colony who settled elsewhere. Mr. Thomas Gilbert
settled in Knoxville and Mr. Isaac Wetmore in Ontario. But the colonists of
1836 and 1837 were the original "Old Settlers," and these were they who,
building themsetlves, "their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor,"
into the structure of the College, the Church, and the community, won for
themselves the distinctive title of "The Founders." As a matter of historic
interest interest and for purposes of information to further inquirers we
give below the names of the colonists of 1836 and 1837, the "Founders of
Galesburg."
Names of Colonists — 1836
The first company who arrived on the second day of June, 1836, consisted of
the following persons: Mr. and Mrs. Nehemiah West and their five children;
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Conger and seven children; Miss Elizabeth Hudson; Mr.
Barber Allen and his son, Daniel; and the young men, John G. West and Abram
Tyler.
The First Wedding, August 31, 1836
Miss Elizabeth Hudson and Mr. Henry Ferris were the principals in the first
wedding of the colony. They were married August 31, 1836, only two months
after the arrival of Miss Hudson. Mr. Ferris had spent the previous winter,
that of 1835-1836, in one of the log cabins in Henderson Grove, and was on
the ground to welcome the first company on its arrival. There is a
difference of opinion as to whether he lived entirely alone in his cabin, or
had the company of another man, one of the Goodell family.
Other Companies Arrive
The names of other colonists who arrived with their families during the
summer and fall of 1836 are the following: Messrs. George and H. Troop
Avery, their mother and sisters; Mathew Chambers; Leonard Chappell; C. S.
Colton; Patrick Dunn; Caleb Finch; Lusher Gay; Daniel Griffith; Abel
Goodell; William Hamblin; John Haskins; Mrs. Sarah Warner Hitchcock, a widow
and her sons, Elam and Samuel; the two Kendall brothers, Adoniram and John;
Elisha King; John McMullen; Isaac Colton; Roswell Payne; Riley Root; Thomas
Simmons; Erastus and Job Swift; Daniel Wheeler, and Henry Willcox. The most
of them had families of two or more little children. Two of the young men
were married during the summer or fall of 1836. This list does not include
the members of the canal boat company who arrived about August 1, 1836, Rev.
George W. Gale with his wife and family of young children arrived quite late
in the fall of 1836.
"The Canal Boat Company," 1836.
The historic "canal boat trip" of the summer of 1836 was made up of a series
of vicissitudes and disasters seldom paralleled in the annals of pioneer
emigration. The company numbered thirty-seven and included men, women and
children ranging in age from an infant of six weeks to men and women of
forty or fifty years. The persons making up this party were: Captain John C.
Smith and wife (Mr. Smith being one of the subscribers to Mr. Gale's
enterprise, and the promoter of this water trip for the party); Miss
Catherine Ann Watson, a neice of Mrs. Smith, and two little sons of Dr.
Grant, a Nestorian missionary who came under their care; Mr. and Mrs. Mills,
two sons and a daughter; Miss Hannah Adams, a sister of Mrs. Mills; a girl
named Mariah Fox, and a negro boy named Harry, who was under the charge of
Mr. Mills; Mr. Lyman, his wife, two sons and two daughters; Mr. Orrin
Kendall, his wife and two little sons; John Kendall; N. H. Losey, his wife,
and one child; Henry Hitchcock, a brother of Mrs. Losey; Mrs. Clarissa
Phelps, two daughters and one son, two nieces and a nephew (the children of
Riley Root); John Bryan and a negro who steered the boat. The disastrous
experiences of this party are related in Chapter VI of the book entitled
"Seventy-five Significant Years," to which we have previously referred. They
are of pathetic and tragic interest.
Arrivals in Spring of 1837
In the spring of 1837 a number of substantial citizens with their families
arrived to swell the population of the little community. Among them were the
following, the most of them married and with children of various ages:
Silvanus Ferris (although one of the chief promoters of the enterprise, he
was one of the later arrivals), his sons William and Olmstead, both of them
married; Mr. Ferris' son-in-law, Dr. James Bruce; J. P. Frost, the founder
of the Frost Manufacturing Company, and wife; Eli Farnham and wife; H. H.
May, the inventor of the first steel plow, and wife; Agrippa Martin and
family; Levi Sanderson and family; Junius Prentice and family; Sheldon
Allen, wife and infant son; Jonathan Simmons and wife; Harvey Jerauld;
Western Ferris; N. 0. Ferris; George Ferris and possibly others. One section
at least of this group of families was six weeks on the way. Judging from
the record of the names of the towns and villages touched along the route,
their line of travel was much the same as that followed by the Michigan
Central railroad today.
Methods of Travel Then and Now
The early methods of travel were as we have seen, slow, wearisome and
hazardous. They were in almost overwhelming contrast to the luxurious
service and the rapid transit afforded by the railroads, the ocean liners,
the private motor cars, and most amazing of all, the air craft of the
present day. Many have made the mistake of concluding that the Galesburg
colonists traveled from the East in wagons drawn by ox teams. This is not
true. They came either in wagons covered with canvas to protect them from
the weather and drawn by strong horses, or by the water route which included
in its devious course the Erie canal, Lake Erie, the Ohio canal, the Ohio
River, and the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Some of the men who came
singly came by water as far as Chicago, which was then a village of a few
hundred inhabitants, and then by horseback the remainder of the way.
The Pioneers from the Southern States The southerners who settled along the
outskirts of Henderson Grove five or six years previous to the coming of our
colonists made the journey on horseback bringing with them their personal
belongings and such small articles of furniture as they could carry upon
pack horses. A remarkable example of pioneer enterprise and intrepid
adventure may be found in the case of Mrs. Henrietta Brown, the widowed
mother of eight sons and daughters who grew up to be prominent and useful
citizens in the townships adjacent to Henderson Grove. When the spirit of
emigration took hold upon a group of her friends and neighbors, substantial
citizens of the ''Kentucky Blue Grass Country," she joined their ranks and
with her children, ranging in age from an infant to young manhood and
womanhood, she journeyed from Kentucky with a train of horses of the fine
old Kentucky stock, sufficient in number to transport herself and her
children, the family clothing and bedding and a few pieces of furniture. The
children who were too small to ride alone, and the younger ones too numerous
to ride upon the horse with their mother were suspended in panniers swung
across the backs of the pack horses.
The First Fort in Knox County
Upon the tract of Government land which Mrs. Brown acquired which was
located about seven miles N. W. of Galesburg, the first fort or stockade in
Knox County was erected. This served the purpose of a dwelling for her
family and a place of refuge for the neighbors in case of alarm from the
Indian bands who roamed the prairie at that period. Later, when that
building became too small to protecting the increasing population, another
fort was built upon the premises of her son-in-law, Peter Franz, and was
located about one-half the distance between the first fort and the present
site of Galesburg. Two other forts erected in Knox County in that early
period as protection against the Indians were located respectively on
Section 10 in Henderson Township and S. E. of Knoxville in Orange Township.
The forts N. W. of the site of Galesburg were called Fort Aggie and Fort
Lewis.
The First Store
The first store in the community was conducted by one of the colonists from
Maine, Mr. Chauncey S. Colton, who came in the season of 1836. It is said
that, with true Yankee thrift and enterprise, he began to sell goods in one
end of the log cabin of one of the Kentucky settlers, with whom he and his
family were quartered until his store building about a mile farther west, in
the Log City neighborhood, could be completed. This building is described as
an 8 by 10 foot structure in which Mr. Colton displayed a varied assortment
of goods — "a department store" in embryo. But about this nucleus he
gathered a fortune as the years passed by, until he became one of the
wealthiest men of his day in this section of the state. As the homes upon
the prairie were occupied Mr. Colton removed his stock of goods to a
building on the northwest corner of the intersection of Main street and the
Public Square in the village which building also served the purpose for his
family for a number of years.
Others Stores
During that same season other stores were opened by Mathew Chambers and Levi
Sanderson who also carried on a thriving and prosperous business and were
reckoned among the moneyed men of the county.
Commercial Development Along All Lines
The mercantile business thus started has developed along all lines suited to
household needs until Galesburg with its various wholesale and retail
business houses has become the commercial center for a large area of one of
the richest tracts of country in the state.
First Academy Building
Late in the fall of 1838 the first Academy building was finished and
occupied. It stood where the First National Bank building now stands, on the
northeast corner of Main and Cherry streets. Years ago it was moved farther
north to the middle of the block, facing Cherry street, and was at first
used as a private residence, and afterward as a boarding house. This
historic structure was demolished early in the spring of 1918, and is now
only a memory.
With the Academy building completed and occupied by an academic department
of forty students and a corps of teachers, it began to look as if Mr. Gale's
great idea was about to be realized. The college had entered upon its career
of usefulness. But since it could not spring into being fully equipped it
must first be established upon a strong and durable foundation. That
foundation was the preparatory school, the Academy.
First Knox College Faculty
The first faculty of the college was composed of five members. They were the
following: Rev. Hiram H. Kellogg, President; Rev. George W. Gale, Acting
Professor of Languages; Nehemiah H. Losey, A. M., Professor of Mathematics
and Natural Science; James H. Smith, A. B., Tutor; Miss Julia Chandler,
Preceptress of the "Female Department." After the required training in the
Academy the first Freshman class was ready to enter upon the regular college
curriculum in the fall of 1841, five years after the arrival of the
colonists at "Log City."
First Knox Commencement
In June, 1846, the first Knox Commencement Day occurred, and a class of nine
young men was graduated. Of these, five became ministers, two of whom were
foreign missionaries, two became physicians, one a professor in college, and
one a farmer. Dr. Jonathan Blanchard, who became President of the college in
1845, had the distinction of presiding over this first notable occasion and
with this event the Idea had fully materialized, the dream came true.
Numbers Then and Now
Some figures by way of comparison will show the development of the college
up to the present time. The first college faculty numbered five. The faculty
at the beginning of the school year, 1918, numbered 24. The first graduating
class numbered 9; the class of 1918 numbered 50. Presumably the first
Freshman class numbered 9, although we have not the figures at hand. The
Freshman class in the fall of 1918 numbered 292. Of these 235 were inducted
into the Student's Army Training Corps, according to the new order of things
throughout the entire country in consequence of the "World War." There were
in all 301 new students of whom 288 were men. A large number of men who
would naturally have swelled the ranks of the other classes had enlisted for
active service in the army and were either in the training camps or had gone
"overseas."
Lombard College
In the year 1851, another college was founded in Galesburg by the
Universalists, of which denomination there were a number of influential
families among the early settlers. The intention was at first to make it
more of a preparatory school than a college, and it was to be known as the
Illinois Liberal Institute. Accordingly on February 15, 1851, a charter was
granted to this new enterprise under that name. In 1852 the school opened
its doors to pupils in a new building which was erected on the northwest
comer of Tompkins and Seminary streets. The first faculty was composed of
two teachers, the Rev. Paul Raymond Kendall and a lady assistant who not
long afterward became his wife. Between sixty and seventy pupils were at
first enrolled. Dr. Kendall was President and his wife, who was a lady of
versatile accomplishments was able to assist him in the various branches
taught.
Dr. J. V. N. Standish
In 1854, John Van Ness Standish, a descendant of Captain Myles Standish of
"Pilgrim" fame, was added to the faculty. He was a native of Vermont and a
graduate of Norwich University. From the time of his arrival in Galesburg to
the present time, for a period of seventy-four years, the presence among us
of this honored citizen has been a powerful influence and aid in the
up-building of our city. Educational, moral, reformatory, philanthropic,
beneficent, and all other measures looking toward our city's growth and
well-being have been vigorously, untiringly, and generously supported by
him. For forty-one years he has been President of the Park Board, and in
that office and also as City Forester, his labors for the beautifying of our
city have been of inestimable value. Had he accomplished no other work
during his long and fruitful life, that which he has done for the
improvement and beautifying of Galesburg would have won for him the tribute:
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
Mrs. Harriet Augusta Standish
His wife, who as Miss Harriet Augusta Kendall, a cousin of the President,
came also to join the faculty of the new enterprise in 1854, was a woman of
very superior mental attainments and culture. After her marriage to Dr.
Standish she became his inspirer, his helper, and his counselor in all his
undertakings. She joined with him in large gifts for educational purposes,
and beautiful Standish Park, the Knox campus, Lombard campus, and many
private grounds in our city are a monument to their mutual plans and
personal efforts. "Should you seek their monument, look about you." In 1855
the building of the Liberal Institute was burned to the ground, and a new
project for the school came to the front. Its trustees decided that in
planning for a new and better building, plans for the school should also be
enlarged.
Benj. Lombard, Sr.
They began to solicit funds with the new building, the higher standards, and
the enlarged course of study as their objective. Mr. Benjamin Lombard, Sr.,
a wealthy Universalist of a neighboring town promised to give $20,000 to the
enterprise, providing the trustees would raise $15,000 and give his own name
to the school. Arrangements were finally made for carrying out this plan,
and a new charter was secured naming the school Lombard University. This is
the name which its charter still bears, although some years ago the trustees
voted to drop the name University, (as their plans for University courses
had not been realized), and call it simply Lombard College.
New Location Chosen
The new building was located upon an eighty acre tract, lying one mile S. E.
of the original site which gave ample space for such additional buildings as
they might need. Mr. Lombard offered to pay for this ground if the trustees
would purchase it and locate the building there. The deed was given to the
trustees by Lorentus E. and Mary W. Conger and the purchase price was
$3,200.
Dr. Standish is authority for the statement that no college in this section
of the country and possibly not one throughout the entire land has been
erected under such trying and adverse conditions because of the entire lack
of financial resources with which to meet the expense of construction. Mr.
Lombard's gift which was large for that day was not available until near the
close of the year 1856.
The building was erected by degrees, or in sections as it were. After
exhausting the slender means at hand at the beginning of the work, the
building waited until further funds could be solicited to meet further
expenditures. For example, the foundation was laid, the first story put up,
the walls temporarily roofed with boards, and the workmen dismissed until
President Kendall could make a tour of the surrounding towns and
country-side presenting the needs of the institution, and urgently
soliciting contributions, however small, so that the work might go on. Then
the walls of the second story were laid and the work again stopped until a
second canvass could be made. Finally the third story was finished and
permanently roofed, and the skeleton of the shapely structure awaited for
many months the interior finishing of partitions, plastered walls and
permanent floors.
Lombard's First Commencement — Prof. Standish Presides
The Commencement exercises of the year 1857 were held in the building
temporarily fitted up for the occasion, and Professor Standish, then acting
President while President Kendall was out soliciting funds, conferred the
degrees upon a graduating class of five members. Their names were Fielding
Bond, Floyd G. Brown, James H. Chapin, Edward D. Lunn and David Scott Wick.
Two of these young men died in early manhood and the other three became
prominent in public and professional life.
Divinity School
A Divinity School was for some years connected with '' institution, but a
number of years ago, it was removed to Chicago University, and Dr. Lewis
Beals Fisher, the President, was placed in charge of it while a new
President was chosen for the college.
Lombard S. A. T. C.
The present faculty numbers twenty-two, and the college is one of the units
of the Student's Army Training Corps, as a result of our country's
participation in the great "World War."
The First Church
Up to about 1840 the material growth of the Church was noteworthy for so
comparatively brief a period. The organization of the church had been
effected in February, 1837, when sixty-four united with the church by letter
and eighteen by profession, making eight-eight on the first enrollment. At
the close of a series of revival meetings which followed the occupancy of
the new Academy building as a place of worship, fifty-eight names were added
to the membership of the church, and its moral power was greatly
strengthened.
A New Church Building
Early in the forties it became evident that a "meeting house" must be built.
The Academy building erected in 183 > was found to be entirely too small for
the gathering congregations for in those days everybody attended church. The
history of the meetings and discussions which were held in planning for the
ways and means of providing for a new and ample building in those days of
great privation and rigid economy form a most interesting chapter in the
annals of the colony, but there is not space for it here.
Plans Adopted
A plan for the new building was finally adopted. It was to be sixty feet
wide by eighty feet long, and twenty-four feet high from floor to ceiling.
As they sat in their unpretentious Academy building and discussed and
compared dimensions it seemed to some of them that the height was
overwhelming, for the room in which they were assembled measured eight feet
"between joists," and twenty-four feet would be three times as high as that
room, which would be absurd.
Work of Building Commenced
The original dimensions, however, were adopted and the work commenced. After
a time, for lack of money and material, the construction was discontinued;
and for months lengthening into years the material which had been gathered
lay in unsightly heaps completely filling the southwest corner of the square
near the unfinished structure. The building was finally completed
sufficiently to be used for the Commencement exercises of 1846. It was not
wholly enclosed and not seated, but temporary seats of rough planks and a
temporary platform were provided. There was to be still further delay before
it was finished. In 1848, the building was at last completed and
arrangements were made to dedicate it on Baccalaureate Sunday of
Commencement week. The date was June 25th.
President Blanchard preached the sermon and Father Waters offered the
dedicatory prayer. He, it was, who with the other members of the purchasing
committee, thirteen years before, had kneeled with uncovered head upon the
unbroken prairie and dedicated the new enterprise to the Lord, imploring His
favor and blessing upon it, and upon all who in all time to come should be
connected with it. The momentous events of the intervening years and the
interesting and impressive exercises of that occasion were in part an answer
to that prayer.
At two o'clock of the same day Dr. Gale preached the Baccalaureate sermon
and Rev. J. R. Walker gave the address before the Society of Religious
Inquiry connected with the College. It was truly a strenuous day for those
who attended the entire series of services.
Professor Churchill says of this building subsequent to its completion and
dedication: "For many years, as there was no other room in the village so
capacious, it was used, not alone for religious meetings, but for musical
concerts and scientific lectures, temperance lectures, anti-slavery
lectures, and conventions, and mass meetings held in the interests of many
of the great reforms of the day. The most eloquent pulpit and platform
orators who graced the lecturere's rostrum in the hey-day of its glory
always found the old First Church ready to give them welcome. Among those
who have lectured there were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edward Everett, Henry Ward
Beecher, Wendell Phillips, John B. Gough, and many others of worldwide fame.
Many a time I have seen the house so crowded on such occasions that it was
almost impossible for the speaker to make his way up the aisle to the
platform."
Development of Religious Life in the Community
Since the dedication and occupancy of that First Church of Galesburg, which
was a notable achievement for that early period in this section of Illinois,
the development of the organized religious life of the community has kept
pace with the increase in the population. At the present time there are 16
Protestant churches with a total enrollment of between 6,000 and 7,000
resident members, all of them having upon their rolls non-resident members,
who for various reasons, have not severed their connection with the
Galesburg Church. These figures represent a church membership equal to about
one-fourth of the population. There are also two Roman Catholic churches
with a combined membership of somewhat more than 2,000. This includes the
baptized children as well as the adults.
Hospitals, Etc., At Present Time
Added to these strictly religious organizations are our philanthropic and
beneficent institutions which always go hand in hand with the church. There
are two Hospitals; an active and efficient Free Kindergarten Home; an
Association Home for the care and comfort of boys and girls too old to be
cared for by the Kindergarten, the Young Men's Christian Association, and
the Catherine Club, a delightful home for young women who need the
atmosphere and the protection of a home in a strange city. The buildings
belonging to all of these above mentioned institutions are fine, up-to-date,
well equipped buildings. A Day Nursery has also been recently started for
the purpose of caring for babies and small children whose mothers are
obliged to labor during the day, and have no one with whom to leave their
helpless children while they are away from home.
Galesburg Railway Service
In 1854 the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad completed its line from
Chicago to Galesburg, and in due course of time this city became an
important division station on that great rail way system. The first train
reached the town on December seventh between seven and eight o'clock in the
morning. The impetus which the varied and far-reaching activities of this
road have given to the commercial and industrial life of our city has been
of inestimable value as a factor in its growth and development. Later, in
1886, the great Santa Fe system (which according to Clark E. Carr is one of
the greatest railway systems in the world), surveyed its line through
Galesburg, and established one of its important stations here, thus
contributing in a large degree to our influence and prosperity. Not every
inland prairie town can boast of having given the right of way to two of the
greatest trans-continental railway lines of the world, over which tourists
and traffic must of necessity unceasingly roll in their passage between the
Atlantic and Pacific seaboards.
Notable Events in Galesburg
Galesburg has been the scene of many notable events, some of them involving
national and even international issues. Conspicuous among these was the
great Lincoln-Douglas Debate of October 7, 1858. This was one of a series of
debates between those two great men and pronounced political rivals, Abraham
Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. These were held at different points
throughout the state during the summer and autumn of 1858. The occasion for
these notable political discussions known in history as the Lincoln-Douglas
Debates was the candidacy of the two men for election to the United States
Senate, and the question at issue was the momentous question of slavery,
which had became a national issue.
Col. Clark E. Carr in his book, "The Illini", says in reference to these
debates: "It may be said of this contest that the Constitution of the United
States was the platform and the whole American people the audience, and that
upon its issue depended the fate of a continent."
Galesburg in the Civil War
The outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861, aroused Galesburg to a high pitch of
patriotic enthusiasm and devotion. Many of the best and noblest of her sons
offered themselves to the service of their country and quite a number of
them were called upon to make the "supreme sacrifice," while others suffered
from disease and wounds, and the horrors of confinement and starvation in
southern prisons, carrying with them for the remainder of their lives the
physical effects of their distressing and disabling experience. Among the
soldier volunteers were a large number of students from Knox and Lombard
colleges. This greatly depleted the enrollment and interrupted the
prescribed courses of study in both these institutions from the depressing
effects of which they did not soon rally. Too much cannot be said in
appreciation of the loyal and sympathetic support of the men in the field by
their kindred and friends who remained at home. Especially is this true of
the women of Galesburg who were at once organized as .a working unit under
the name of "The Soldiers' Aid Society," working as systematically,
untiringly and effectively as do the women of today under the organization
of the Red Cross.
Again and yet again were the homes of Galesburg and vicinity opened to
receive their dying and their dead, but still undaunted the women toiled on,
making garments, scraping lint, tilling comfort bags, packing boxes of
supplies of all kinds, and writing letters to the soldiers in hospitals and
camp.
The reports which have been preserved of the activities of "The Soldiers'
Aid Society of Galesburg" and its auxiliaries speak eloquently and
thrillingly, and with a touching pathos, of the work of the mothers and
sisters, even of the little children in their juvenile societies, for the
relief and comfort of the brave boys in blue who had gone out from their
midst. The story of what was accomplished for their aid reads like a
romance. (A more detailed account of the activities of the women of
Galesburg during the Civil War may be found in A. J. Perry's History of Knox
County, in the section entitled, "Woman's Work in Knox County," prepared at
the request of Mr. Perry by the writer of these annals) .
Company C — Illinois National Guards
In the spring of 1893 Galesburg again responded to our country's call for
the defense of the honor of the government, in the war which is known in
history as the Spanish-American War.
Company C of the 6th Regiment, Illinois National Guards, an organization of
Galesburg and Knox County men; a thoroughly organized, well-drilled,
efficient company of one hundred men, promptly responded to the summons and
held themselves in readiness to obey marching orders.
On the evening of the 28th of April they were entrained for Springfield with
the expectation that they would soon be called into active service in Cuba
and Porto Rico.
At this call to arms the whole city was aroused as it had not been before
since the days of the Civil War. A great throng, estimated at 10,000 or more
of our citizens, gathered first at the armory, where the men of Company C
were assembled, and again at the Burlington Station where they were to
entrain, to give them last messages of farewell and God-speed.
According to an account of the event given in the columns of the
Republican-Register of that date, "the scene growing out of their departure
was one such as is witnessed but few times in the life of a generation."
On July 26th following, colored men and boys, more than a score in number,
also went forth into their country's service, and were given an enthusiastic
send-off by the citizens of the city.
Company C, because of its past record during times of strikes and riots, and
also because of its manly and patriotic attitude in the present crisis, was
one of whom our city was justly proud. During their service abroad, which
happily proved to be but brief, they made a remarkable record in more than
one respect.
After some weeks spent in camp, they were ranked among the best of the
Illinois troops, they were sent across to Cuba to have a hand in the
campaign against the City of Santiago. With other picked men they were
assigned to a very important duty in the final charge. The final charge,
however, never was made, because of the surrender of the city.
Then came the order to proceed to Porto Rico and our men were among the
first of the American troops to arrive there. It is claimed that the men of
Company C were the very first of our soldiers to set foot upon that island.
They took part in the campaign there and although the Company suffered no
loss in killed or wounded, they suffered greatly from diseases incident to
the climate, from distressing unsanitary conditions, from insufficient and
improper food and from lack of suitable camping privileges and equipment.
Many of them were sick, almost unto death, and all of them returned
emaciated and worn, bearing the marks of great hardships and suffering.
The company took part in but one battle, that of July 25th, and but one
skirmish on the following day.
After four months of service, the 6th Regiment was ordered home, and our men
with the others embarked from Ponce, Porto Rico, for the United States.
Naturally there was great rejoicing when the news came that they had set
sail for home, and large plans were laid for their reception upon their
arrival in their home city.
They arrived on Wednesday September 21st, amidst the rejoicing and
acclamations of thousands of citizens who had gathered at the Burlington
Station and lined the streets for blocks, to express to them their welcome
home.
The plans which had previously been made for their reception were
successfully carried through in detail.
They included a banquet given them at the Universalist Church by the Army
and Navy League, and public exercises at the First M. E. Church, with
addresses of welcome and appreciation by Mayor Cooke, Congressman Prince,
President John H. Finley of Knox College, Chaplain Ferris of the 6th
Regiment, the Rev. Dr. Geistweit of the First Baptist Church and others.
Captain T. Leslie McGirr, who so successfully led his men through the entire
campaign that they returned home without the loss of one, was called upon to
speak, and he responded in behalf of his company.
His men enthusiastically gave him three cheers as he arose to speak and
again when he had finished, a fine tribute to his popularity with them.
In the months immediately following their return home other courtesies in
the way of public recognition and appreciation were extended to the men of
Company C.
Notable among these was an elaborate reception and dinner given by the
Ladies' Society of the First Presbyterian Church, which was most complete,
beautiful and soul-inspiring in every detail. The dining hall and audience
room in the church were most elaborately and appropriately decorated with
the national colors, artistically arranged in many unique and beautiful
designs expressive of the welcome of the church to their brothers who had so
bravely represented them in the country's hour of need.
After a most appetizing dinner during which hospitality and good cheer
abounded, the company adjourned to the audience room for the crowning
feature of this delightful occasion. This consisted of speech-making,
gift-giving and singing by a male quartette.
Miss Belle Beatty presided during the evening's program and after a few
appropriate words of welcome and appreciation for their honored guests, the
men of Company C, she introduced Mrs. George A. Lawrence, the President of
the Ladies' Society.
Mrs. Lawrence made an address to the men which was replete with patriotic
fervor and with serious and convincing argument and utterance regarding the
obligations and the high privileges of American Citizenship, she warmly
commended the part which they had so nobly played in fulfilling such
obligations and rising to such privileges. After referring to the military
maps, charts and tactics which had guided them in their recent campaign, she
spoke of the Bible as embodying in its teachings the only sure and safe
chart and rule of practice, which if loyally followed would successfully
guide one through the great battle of life.
She then presented to the Company, a large and beautiful Bible, handsomely
bound in flexible covers, for their desk at the Company's Headquarters.
Needless to say, the address made a deep and serious impression upon the
men, and the gift was received with great applause.
Mrs. John H. Finley, the wife of President Finley of Knox College, then
addressed them. Her remarks very fittingly and skillfully led up to the
presentation of a large and beautiful silk flag for the use of the Company,
which was enthusiastically received by them. Mrs. Finley also presented to
each one of the men a booklet with red covers, tied with blue ribbon in
which was printed upon white paper in blue lettering, a poem written by Dr.
Finley, descriptive of their trip to Porto Rico and return.
Captain T. L. McGirr fittingly responded to all these courtesies and
accepted the gifts in behalf of the men of Company C.
Following this. Dr. W. Hamilton Spence, the pastor of the church, made the
address of the evening, which was characteristically eloquent, inspiring and
helpful.
And so this most enjoyable and noteworthy occasion came to a close as a
befitting climax to the series of welcoming events which had been accorded
the patriotic men of Company C, I. N. G.
In commemoration of the part which Galesburg took in the Spanish-American
War our city takes a just pride in a fine old Spanish Cannon, a gift from
the U. S. Government to Post 45, G. A. R., through whose efforts, ably
supplemented by the personal work of our Congressman George W. Prince, this
souvenir was secured from the authorities at Washington.
It was given by the government to Post 45, G. A. R., and was erected by the
city upon a site on the east side of our Central Park at the head of Main
Street.
This cannon is made of the finest metal and was cast in Spain in 1740. It
was, among others, sent across to the island just previous to the outbreak
of the war to help in the reinforcement of the fort upon San Juan Hill. When
Col. Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders charged up the hill and
captured the fort, thirteen of these guns fell into the hands of the
Americans and were sent to Washington as trophies.
The inscription upon it is in ancient Latin, and at the time of its erection
in our park the inscription was translated by the late Professor Albert Hurd
of Knox College and by Dr. J. V. N. Standish, an accomplished linquist and
for more than forty years the President of the Park Board.
Galesburg- "A Convention City"
Many patriotic and political rallies, especially during the period of the
Civil War, and many state and national conventions have chosen Galesburg as
a rallying point because of its importance and influence both as to its
advantageous location and as to those great moral and educational forces
which make for the well-being of a nation and which this community, in years
gone by, has possessed in full measure.
Galesburg Made the County Seat
In the year 1873 the County Seat was removed from Knoxville to Galesburg.
This action followed a long controversy during which rival claims for the
honor of being the executive center of the county were vigorously supported
by opposing factions representing Knoxville and Galesburg. Up to that date
the County seat had been located in Knoxville, which, because of its
beautiful situation and its honorable record as a community, was eminently
worthy of the distinction. But it suffered the disadvantage of remoteness
from the more populous sections of the county and from the superior railroad
facilities which Galesburg enjoyed because of being an important division
station on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy road. Moreover Galesburg was
more accessible as a distributing center for the products of the rich
agricultural areas of the county. All things considered it was in every
respect better situated to be the seat of government, and the better
judgment of the citizens of the county finally prevailed, the majority
voting in favor of the transfer. This decision was of course in every way
advantageous to Galesburg, while at the same time it is a matter of regret
that the civic prosperity of Knoxville suffered in consequence. The change
of location necessitated the building of a new court house, and this was
accomplished in the years 1884-86.
A stately, handsome, and well equipped building was erected in the east half
of the city park which was donated by the city for that purpose. The
business of the county has already outgrown the capacity of this large
structure, and plans are maturing for its enlargement and improvement.
Industrial Development
The manufacturing industries of Galesburg had their beginning in the little
machine and repair shop of J. P. Frost, one of the colonists of the spring
of 1837. His small venture has increased and developed throughout the years
and is now known as the Frost Manufacturing Company, which ships the output
of its great machine and boiler shops to all parts of the United States and
to many foreign lands. Around this have sprung up factories and shops of
various kinds suited to commercial and household needs till there are now
about 50 manufacturing establishments in our city. The number includes
machine, boiler and repair shops, planing mills, flour mills, garment
factories, automobile factories, welding works, Coulter Disc works, rug
factories, candy and ice cream factories, both wholesale and retail,
bottling works, etc., etc.
Galesburg As A Music Center
Galesburg has always been at the fore-front as a musical center. At a very
early date in its history it commenced its musical career under the
instruction and leadership of Samuel Bacon.
This Prince of Music Masters, sweet singer and skillful violinist, came at
regular intervals to give instruction to large classes, or "schools" as they
were then called and to give concerts and lead choruses to the delight of
enthusiastic pupils and an appreciative community. He was the predecessor of
men of no mean reputation in the field of musical leadership. One by one
they have had their day and passed on, using their own methods, winning
their own honors, and leaving each his own impress upon a large and
enthusiastic following.
Knox Conservatory of Music
Last, but by no means least among them is our own Prof. Wm. F. Bentley, who
for thirty-three years has been the popular director of the Knox
Conservatory of Music and the supporter, promoter and director of the
musical activities of Galesburg. Under Dr. Bentley's efficient management
the Knox Conservatory of Music has become one of the leading musical
institutions of the state and its graduates have become prominent as musical
educators and artists all over the United States.
Other Schools of Music
There have recently been established two other schools of music in
Galesburg, one in connection with the "School of Three Arts" at Lombard
College under the direction of Madame Anna Groff Bryant, and the other "The
Maude Alma Main School of Fine Arts," founded and conducted by Miss Main.
The success and reputation of all these schools have been greatly enhanced
by the able co-operatin of an efficient corps of teachers in each department
of the different schools.
Especially is this true in the Knox Conservatory of Music, where John Winter
Thompson, Mus. D., head of the Organ and Theory Department, and Miss Blanche
M. Boult, Professor of Pianoforte, have been for a quarter of a century or
more Dr. Bentley's loyal colleagues.
And so through the medium of these annals we have brought our favored city
adown the "long, long trail" which has been blazed for us by a succession of
historic events from the beginning to the present time. It would have been
pleasant sometimes to take the more devious route, to discover the hidden
trails, to linger by the way-side gathering souvenirs of the past and to
revel among the fascinating romances which "half concealed and half
revealed" have beckoned to us here and there as alluring possibilities in
the pioneer experiences of our colonists and their descendants. But these
are forbidden indulgences. The journey has been a pleasant one although the
enjoyment has been tinged with regret that many persons places, objects and
events which were worthy of remembrance have been passed without mention
because of lack of space; and we regretfully leave them to the chroniclers
of the future.
With congratulations to all who have in any way contributed to that which
has already been achieved, and with a challenge to our city to see to it
that the future shall witness still better and greater achievements, we
leave her to the enjoyment of her many privileges and unusual opportunities,
her churches and colleges, her schools and happy homes, her exceptional
musical advantages, her literary and social prestige, her commercial and
industrial advancement, her superior facilities for travel and
transportation; and all things else that have contributed to the development
of Galesburg into a city fitted to be the seat of the legislative and
executive activities of our rich and prosperous county of Knox of the great
state of Illinois in this her centennial anniversary of A. D. 1918.
Extracted 14 Dec 2017 by Norma Hass from Annals of Knox County: Commemorating Centennial of Admission of Illinois as a State of the Union in 1818, published in 1921 by the Centennial Historical Association, Knox County, Illinois, The Board of Supervisors, pages 73-99.
