U^ HbTuiilCAL DISCOURSE: |Ql5B29j iBlMEMOKATIVE OF TffE SETTLEMENT OF GALESBURG, pri^ T\^ THE FIRST CHURCH OF GALESEURG CTTJlSrE 22, 1866. By Rev. FLAVEL BASGOM, A iOK.VER PASTOK OF THE CHVr.OH. A N D A STATISTICAL PAPER By Rev. FKEDERICK T. PERKINS, GALESBURG, ILL.: REE PRESS BOOK AND JOB PRINTING HOUSE. 1866. Glass f5A<^ Book_ -^..-P^a HISTORICAL DISCOURSE: COMMEMORATIVE OF THE SETTLEMENT OF GALESBURG. DELIVERED IN THE FIRST CHURCH OF GALESBURG, CTTJISrDEl 22, 1866. B y REV. FLAYEL BASOOM, A Former Pastor op the Church. AND A STATISTICAL PAPER By REV. FREDERIC T. PERKINS, Present Pastor of the Church. GALESBURG, ILL. FREE PRESS BOOK AND JOB PRINTING HOUSE. The ladies of the First Church in Galesburg, remembering all the \7ay in which the Lord had led their Pioneer Fathers and Mothers, resolved to commemorate thesettlem'fent of the place. The notice of the proposed celebration, published in the Free Press of June 17th, through the Chairman of their committee, Miss M. A. West, contains the following state- ment: "The First Church of this city propose commemorating the settlement of Galesburg by a " Historical Celebration on the 22d day of June. Thirty years ago this month, Galesburg " was founded by a noble band of men and women, who left home and friends in the East, not " in search of wealth, but simply to do good, by founding a village and a school, which should " be lights in a dark place. " One by one these fathers and mothers are passing from us; with them will die very much " that is valuable of the early history of this place. "We deem it therefore a duty to collect this history now while we may, for their names '* and the memory of their deeds we would not willingly let die." In preparing for the celebration, they engaged the Rev. Flavel Bascom— a former pastor of the church— to deliver a Historical Discourse, and the Rev. F. T. Perkins— the present pas- tor—to prepare a Statistical Paper, respecting the growth and business of the city. At the appointed time— June 22d, 1866— a congregation of old settlers and others gathered in the First Church, at 3 o'clock p. M., and listened to the following Discourse and Paper. J 6 I HISTORJCAL DISCOURSE Colonization has always been one of God's Providential agencies for peopling the earth, and promoting a better civili- zation. Emigration has its disadvantages and dangers. Sol- itary families removing from the precincts of Christian civil, ization, into regions destitute of religious and educational Institutions, are liable to grow indifferent to learning and religion, and to drift in the direction of barbarism. This dangerous tendency is fully illustrated in the state of so. ciety in some sections of our Western country, where, remote from the atmosphere of social refinement, intellectual culture and religious sentiment, people that once had higher aspi- rations, have ceased to think of those things which are pure and lovely and of good report, and have become grovelling in their tastes, dissolute in their sentiments, and godless in their lives. But organized civilization aims to carry the influences of Christian civilization into new communities and to plant there the germs of religious and educational institutions, which shall spring up and keep progress with the growth of society, and ultimately fill the community with their preci- ous fruits. If this can be done, the evils of solitary emigra- tion are not only avoided, but some advantages are gained ' of great value. Evils exist in old communities, and to^eme- dy them is not easy. Public sentiment is there conservative of wrong as well as right, customs are stereotyped, and he who sets himself to put away existing evils and reform so- HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. ciety, needs a power that can remove mountains. But where a new community is planted on virgin soil, it is easier to commence right, and form the sentiment and the habits of that community in conformity to right principles. The old shackles of custom are more easily broken, and old abuses discarded. When God therefore, as if despairing of bringing the whole race forward together in a process of intellectual and religious culture, called Abraham, with a small select com- pany from Ur, of the Chaldees, to go into Canaan, his object was by establishing a new community there, to secure an improved state of society, and raise up a community that should be the salt of the earth. It would be easy to show from history that by organized emigration, the arts and sciences, the blessings of civil liberty and true religion have been propagated in the world and preserved in all ages. The settlement of New England by Christian Colquies from Great Britain is an ever memorable example of the glorious possibilities of good from this instrumentality. Not only were important towns, and settlements, and churches built up by original colonies from the old world, but these settle- ments were ever sending out new colonies from themselves, to people new towns, and build up all the institutions of civilized and Christian communities. It was this mode of settlement, under the blessing of God, that made New Eng- land what it is, in intelligence and piety. And thus New England has been able to furnish no small portion of the intelligence and sterling moral principle that has saved the nation. It is not surprising that the descendants of the Pilgrims should have been inclined to settle the valley of the Missis sippi by colonies. In this way early settlements were made in Ohio, which were eminently successful, e. g., at Marietta on the south, and in many localities on the reserve. In this section of our own State, numerous colonies from different Eastern States were planted from twenty-live to HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. thirty-five years ago, with different objects and various doo-rees of success. Princeton was founded by a colony from Hampshire and Hamden counties, Massachusetts. Wethersfield and Andover were colonies from Connecticut. Tremont and Delaware were colonies from Boston and Providence. Other places less prominent had a similar origin. But the Galesburg colony has always maintained a pre-eminence among kindred enterprises, and has achieved a success which no other has yet attained. I account for this fact mainly on two principles : 1st. The object of this colony was prominently and distinctively philanthropic, benevolent and Christian. Its founders designed to water others, and God has watered them. They aimed to jDlant a Christian community, to maintain a high-toned Christian morality, and they found that godliness was profitable unto .all things having the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come. 2d. The plan of this colony was more complete. Its affairs were systematized, with a wise adaptation of means to the end in view. An enterprise with such an object and such a plan, attracted to itself a class of men who could appreciate its importance, and were able to carry out its design, w^ithout faltering, or turning aside. Such men engaged in such a work, are in the way to secure God's blessing, for they are laborers together with him. In this view of the case the prosperity of Galesburg and of its inhabitants is no marvel. Let other communities learn from it the secret of success. It is thirty years this month, since the earliest pioneers of this colony arrived with their families and commenced those labors which in the meantime have changed a desert into a populous city^ distinguished for its religious and literary insti- tutions, and commercial prosperity. It is a fitting time for the surviving founders of such institutions and of such a community, to commemorate the laying of their foundations, and to set up their monument to the praise of Him who hitherto hath helped them. HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. The conception of this enterprise originated, as is well known, with the Kev. George W. Gale, then residing in Oneida coRnty, New York. Mr. Gale had been connected with the Oneida Institute, in which many valuable young men had been put forward in a course of study, toward the ministry, and he had become deeply interested in providing more ample means for the christian education of the youth of both sexes, in order to meet the wants of our country and the world. He conferred with his brethren, and was strengthened by their approval and aided by their sugges- tions. As early as 1834 he seems to have matured a well developed plan for planting a colony at the West, to be a center of intellectual and moral illumination. In speaking of the motives by which he and his associates were edu- cated, Mr. Gale says : " Their views were not restricted tq benefitting their own descendants. The object which gave birth to the enterprize was that of diffusing over an impor- tant region of country, at an early period of its settlement, the combined influence of education and religion." The plan of the colony was a remarkable combination of philanthropy and sagacity. It was based upon the assumption that the religious, educational and social advantages which the plan contemplated, would greatly enhance the value of the wild lands in the vieinity of their town. These lands were to be purchased by the col- ony at the^government price, and sold to individual members or other purchasers at four times their first cost, and the profit thus accruing was to endow their College in its vari- ous departments. And the purchaser of every eighty acre lot received a scholarship entitling the holder to twenty -five years' tuition. The original design was to raise by subscription, $40,000, and purchase a whole township. If this amount had been raised and a whole township purchased at Government price, it would have still left more than $11,000 in the Treasury for College purposes, and when the subscribers HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. had all received their lands at an average of $5 per acre, it would have left 15,000 acres of land as the property of the College. The town site was also to be located on College land, which would of itself furnish no inconsiderable endowment for an infant institution. The unquestionable wisdom of the plan is demonstrated by the fact, that, although but about one-half of the sum originally contemplated was ever received from subscribers, and only 10,746 acres of land purchased for the colony, yet on this greatly diminished scale of operations, the enterprise has proved eminently successful. In the summer of 1835, about thirty subscribers to the plan of a colony having been obtained, an exploring Committee was appointed, consisting of Nehemiah West, Thomas Gilbert, and Timothy B. Jervis. They spent some months ill traveling through the West, particularly in Northern Indiana and Northern Illinois, and returned with- out being able to recommend any location as fully meeting the wishes and plans of the colony. They were, however, favorably impressed with this section of Illinois, and believed that in this vicinity a suitable tract of land might be found. One of the Committee purchased a farm for himself in the vicinity of Knoxville, feeling confident that the colony would purchase around him. The Committee recommended that a purchasing Committee be immedi- ately sent out, prepared to make further explorations and secure by actual purchase the most suitable tract ot* land they could find in this part of the State. That Committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. Mr. Gale, Sylvanus Ferris, Nehemiah West, and Thomas Simmons, who soon set out on their important mission. At Detroit they were obliged to leave Mr. Gale on account of his illness, and Mr. Samuel Tompkins, who was in company with one of the Committee, was requested to act in Mr. Gale's place. The Committee arrived at Knoxville about the middle of Octo- ber, 1855, and their attention was soon directed to this tract HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. of prairie, adjacent to the South, side of Henderson Grove which the exploring Committee seem not to have visited. Thej decided at once to purchase it in connection with two improved farms, and a tract of timber in the grove. The money invested in the purchase fell a little short of $15,000. On the 7th of the succeeding January, 1836, the stock- holders of the colony met at Whitesboro, heard the report of their Committee, and appointed a Board of Trustees of their embryo College, consisting of John Waters, Sylvanus Ferris, H. H. Kellogg, Thomas Simmons, John C. Smith, Walter Webb, G. W. Gale, N. West, Isaac Mills, and Samuel Tompkins, " Prairie College " was selected as the name of their institution, and Galesburg the name of the village. — Arrangements were made for appraising the lands, and distributing them to the stockholders and selling to new purchasers ; for laying out the village, and appraising the lots and bringing them into market, reserving Col- lege grounds, and lots for a Church, a parsonage and a Cemetery. Steps were taken toward procuring at an early day, material for a College building, the erection of a steam saw-mill and of a public house. As early in the Spring of 1836 as arrangements could be made, the Pioneers of the Colony began their long and weary pilgrimage to the land of promise; a part with their own teams, and a part by water, in their own canal boat through the I^ew York and Erie canal from Utica to Buffalo ; on Lake Erie to Cleveland ; by the Ohio canal to Portsmouth ; thence by the Ohio, Missis- sippi and Illinois rivers to Copperas Creek, the landing nearest to their destination. The voyage was long, their progress was slow, the boat was crowded, the weather was warm, the alternations of scorching heat by day, and chilly dampnes by night, necessarily subjected them to HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. sickness, which very few if any escaped. Three died early after their arrival, Smith, Mills, and Lyman, strong men, valuable in counsel and efficient in labors. Their loss was deeply felt, their survivors were afflicted but not discouri^ged, cast down, but not in despair. They were well aware that men die, but God lives and his cause does not fail. In the autnmn of 1836 more than thirty families were temporarily located in cabins on the South side of Sender- son Grove, where they spent the first winter preparing to improve their farms, and to commence the building of their village the next season. Then and there was planted the germ of this city with its noble institutions, and of the thriving community by which the city is surrounded. Had a Directory of Log City (as their temporary settlement was called) been published that winter, it would have contained the following names : Geo. Avery, H. T. Avery, M. Cham- bers, L. Chappel, C. S. Colton, H. Conger, L. E. Conger, P. Dunn, Geo. Ferris, H. Ferris, C. Finch, Rev. Geo. W. Gale' L. Gay, D. Griffith. A. Goodell, Wm. Hamblin, J. Raskins,' Mrs. Plitchcock, A. Kendall, J. Kendall, E. U. King, K H. Losey, H. Lyman, J. Mills, J. McMullen, R. Payn'e, Mrs. Phelps, Philemon Phelps, P. Richardson, E. Eoot, J. Simmons, T. Simmons, J. C. Smith, E. Swift, Job. Swift, S. Tompkins, A. Tyler, Rev. J. Waters, D. Wheeler, J. G West, N. West, H. Wilcox. The Spring of 1837 witnessed the arrival of B. Allen, D. Allen, K Allen, S. Allen, F. Buckingham, Dr. J. Bunce,' L Colton, E. Farnham, S. Ferris, JS". O. Ferris, Wm. Ferris, W. Holyoke, A. Martin, H. H. May, J. C. Prentice, L. San' derson, R. Skinner. Other families came in the autumn of 1837, but the families and individuals named above founded the colony. And now commenced in earnest the stern, long protracted labors and trials, incident to the building up of such a com- munity in such circumstances, labors and trials that can 10 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. never be appreciated but by actual experience. The major- ity of the first settlers had but limited pecuniary resources, and these were soon swallowed up in current family expenses, in building thgir houses and improving their farms. In the meantime, that memorable financial crash had occurred, which involved the whole country and espe- cially the West in the'greatest embarrassment. Business was stagnant; farmers produce was a drug in the market and would scarcely pay for transportation. Markets were dis- tant, and for a considerable portion of the year quite inac- cessable. Privation, in respect to very many of the comforts of life, was therefore unavoidable. Money was so exceedingly difficult to be obtained for anything the settlers had to spare, that they became accustomed to its absence, and learned to transact most kinds of business without it. They were exceedingly accommodating in their trafiic with each other. Great ingenuity was 'developed in the barter of their commodities, and where this failed, long credits con- tributed to their convenience. But for taxes and postage, neither the barter nor credit system would answer, and often letters from distant loved ones were suffered to remain a con- siderable time in the post-office for the want of twenty-five cents, which was then the postage on all our Eastern correspondence. The first goods were sold in the settlement by Mr. 0. S. Colton, who opened at the Grove in 1836, on a scale corresponding to the size of the infant community. The next year he removed his store to the village, on the West side of the Public Square, and on the North of Main street he built his store and dwelling under the same roof. In that building, for almost a score of years, a growing mercan- tile business was conducted ; remunerative to the proprietor and at the same time a great convenience to the commmiity. But only those of my hearers who remember what it was to go a shopping in Galesburg in those early times can realize HISTOKICAL DISCOURSE. 11 the difference between then and now. The advantage in some respects, was certainly on the side of those tinles The merchant was better satisfied, for ho had bnt little compeution and large profits. And the customer had much less diiBcultj m satisfying himself that he had found the best article in town. That could speedily be done. He was not expected to pay anything down for his purchases No matter how low his funds were, he need not go empty away Goods were to be had without money, if not without price As to pnce, the pioneer merchants of the West sometimes claimed that they made but one per cent, profit. What Zy bought tor one dollar they sold for two, and that was gain ing one dollar on every hundred cents. And what customer could grudge them so small a profit, when pay-day was so distant? But alas! those pay days, however long delayed, would come, and their approach was not among the smalles trials of pioneer life. In their social feelings and habits, the early settlers of Gaesburg were exceedingly free and cordial. Though many o* them had been strangers to each other till they were brought together here, they were so homogeneous in their principles and aims as to inspire mutual confidence and fra- ternal attachment fiom their first acquaintance. Then there were no classes of society, aad no artificial rules of etiquette o restrain the freedom of social intercourse. No particular ety e of hvmg was requisite to admission into the best g-ests, this was no obstacle to their receiving and entertain- ing company. Boxes, trunks and benches made convenient was the tashioM in the best of families bJ^^!' ''?"":- '" P'""^'^'" '''' ^^^'°^ binds the early settle s to each other in very strong attachments. Their hard.h and privations teach them to sympathize with each other and their mutual dependence trains them to hab- HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. society to be tou,. y ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^"^;rB:trd\e atsoonltW .^t flo. Wd and LTt 'thel own raising, they begin to be proud and env. TtW quarrel and ha.e lawsuit., and there . no mor Tood society Probably his theory of good soc.e y was S^twi:; radical and eirerne, but like other radical ideas "C:;:r;!^:KC;ie^ and —rs 0. the Jj;Z the Jnding of an ^^ ^^^e^ ^^^^ cable expense to the pupil T>i f F^^^^^^ J^,.^ ,.,3,,,, RiP-ht of for amoment. iheir earnesi t; trd the accomplishment of this pait of their pi • ^^T e first winter, while yet occupying the rude ^^ ^ I Oity," with such accommodations as y^^^'lXZ\^^ school was taught by a S-^'-- ^^^J ;,' L institu- coinmon and academic branches. A charter tor -" -^"te"nr:?" ir r^ar^r c'olfege. rmer:s::;:::e^Ln.r-e-.^.^ than thirty pupils. In ^^^S Mr.^ professor of Rhet- President of the institution, Mr. Gale, 1*^0 esor oric and Moral PUiiosophy, and ^-^ ^osey ^ ad l^her^_ conducted the Preparatory '^'^P^^^'^.^^Sge was fully niatics and Natural sciences. In 1841 the CoUe . organized and a promising class^n^red^-^-^^ HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 13 man year. Mr, Grant, in the meantime having been appointed Professor of Languages. In 1843 the institution met with a severe loss by fire. Their building which had been erected for the special benefit of the Female depart- ment, at an expense of more than $5,000, was burned, with, out insurance. In 1844 the East College building: was erected, and the West College the year following, after the same plan. Besides the Lecture and Eecitation rooms, Library, etc., these two buildings were designed to accom- modate about forty students with rooms for study. In 1850 both these buildings were enlarged and their accommodations greatly improved at a considerable expense. In 1857 the Central College building and Female Seminary were built at an expense of about $80,000. At that time the whole endowment of the institution was estimated at not less than $400,000, and all the donations it had received from sources outside of the colony had been scarcely $50,- 000. In 1845 Mr. Kellogg retired from the Presidency and Mr. Blanchard succeeded him. Under his administration the first class of nine young men was graduated, five of whom became ministers, two of these foreign mission- aries, two physicians, one Professor in College and one farmer. In 1851 the first class of three graduated from the Female Collegiate department, a three years' course of study having been provided for under the instruction of the College Faculty, with Professor Hitchcock and a Female Principal devoted wholly to this department. This depart- ment has compared favorably with the other in numbers and schollarship, and has fully justified the wisdom of the founders of the College in providing with like liberality for the education of both sexes. Previous to the last financial disaster in 1857, the College had attained to very great prosperity. The value of its endowment far surpassed the most sanguine expectations of its founders. The intersection of two important Railroads X4 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. at this point had so stimulated all kinds of business as to attract a large population, and transform a small interior village into a flourishing city. This brought the College lands into requisition and greatly enhanced their value, Yaluable lands which were originally appropriated condi- tionally to a Theological Seminary, by the failure of that condition, reverted to the general funds of the College. In the meantime the Railroad Depot having been located upon their border, those lands became city lots, and were sold by the foot instead of the acre. The reputation which the place had acquired by the character of its society, and of its Eeligious and Literary institutions attracted a class of population which had in themselves the elements of thrift and prosperity. And while the College shared largely in the general prosperity, it contributed no less to promote it. The establishment of a Theological Seminary as a part of the Educational System of this place, was prevented by a plan long since formed ^ and not yet realized by our Presbyterian brethren, of building up a Denominational Seminary at Galena. Thence the location was changed to Chicago or Lake Forest, and finally, I believe, to Car- linville, to which place it was invited by the prospect of endowment from lands secured at an early day by Dr. Blackburn. The Manual Labor feature of the College proved to be less valuable than was anticipated. A few of the early pupils aided themselves to srome extent by Horticultural and Mechanical labors. But experience, the surest test of theories, did not justifiy a reliance upon the labors of the pupils during term time, as their chief resource for defraying their expenses. Manual labor therefore gradually fell into neglect, and finally was dropped from the name of the institution by an amendment of the charter. The faith and patience, and self-denial with which the HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 15 Faculty of the College struggled through the long years of poverty and trial, which covered at least one half of its his- tory, commend them to the lasting gratitude of all the friends of Christian education. Their nominal salaries were very inadequate, and these were generally largely in arrears* When paid they were sometimes in College Scrip, which was current only at a considerable discount. But God gave them endurance and brought them through their straits into a large place, and rewarded them for all their sacrifices. And now their works follow them in the precious fruits gathered from the seed they sowed. The able scholars, the earnest and efficient men and women whom they instructed, are now conferring manifold blessings upon the world by their influence. The early classes in the institution, were of like spirit with their teachers, and in full sympathy with the principles and objects of the colony. Long may this spirit and these principles be cherished among the successive generations of pupils that shall walk these classic halls ; and never may the public sentiment of the*^' College cease to be in harmony with the objects and ends for which the colony was founded. How inadequate the idea entertained by most peo- ple of the magnitude of the work of founding a Col- lege. In the early settlements of the West almost every colony and nearly every ambitious town, aspired to be a seat of learning ; and many were the charters obtained for Colleges, with the expectation apparently that they would grow as spontaneously as a tree, when once planted. Not long since, a town not a hundred miles irom here, adver- tised itself as a very eligible site for a College. Through its local weekly newspaper it informed the world that if any person desired to build a College, they would do well to examine the advantages of that locality before selecting any other site, as if the building up of a College was like establish- ing a store, or erecting a manufactory, or starting a newspaper. IQ HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. No one that has not tried it, can conceive of the outlay of faith, patience, toil, care, and money demanded in making np a well ordered and adequately endowed College. Society lit- tle knows how much it is indebted to those who have done such a work. There are men now in this community, and some have passed away, who have for a long series of years borne burdens of care, solicitude and responsibility in look- ing after the finances, and other material interests of this College, for which money could but poorly compensate them. And yet they have done it without fee or commission, and ometimes without thanks. May God reward them. There have graduated from the male department of Knox College, 131. Of these 38 became Ministers, 3 Foreign Missionaries, 24 Lawyers, and quite a number Professors and Teachers. One hundred and eighteen have graduated from the Female Collegiate department, many of whom are filling stations of great usefulness in society. The aggregate of the names found on the catalogues of the academic depart- ment during the period of its existence, is T687. Of whom almost one-half have been females. But, as many of the pupils continue through several years and the same names appear in several successive catalogues, it is estimated that but about 5,000 differrerit persons have been instructed for a longer or shorter period in some of the departments of the institution. The good influences thus put forth in operation are widely diffused, and are acting on society at points distant from each other and in manifold ways. The Infinite mind alone can comprehend the results. About one-third of the gentlemen graduates, and not far from the same proportion of the young gentlemen connected at different times with the Academy, have performed valua- ble military service to their country in the late rebellion. Not one so far as is known has fought against his country. A most unhappy strife in the Board of Trustees for some years circumscribed the usefulness of the institution, and HISTORICAL DISCOUKSB. 17 brought all its interests into peril. But the storm has spent its fury and the College still lives, we trust to bless the world through a long series of unborn generations. Let the friends of the institution learn wisdom from their experience, and henceforth strive only to secure the great ends of its foun- ders ; the promotion of sound learning, scriptural morality, and pure religion. Time will doubtless convince us all, as it already has some of us, that the strife grew not out of wicked designs, so much as of human infirmities, that the provocation was not all on one side, nor the forbearance and purity of motive monopolized by one party. In the meantime, a second insti- tution of learning, not on the programme of the colony, has sprung into existence, and has attained to a good degree of prosperity and an influential position in the State. The Universalists in this place and vicinity, encouraged by the liberal donations of their friends abroad, and especially of B. Lombard, Esq., established Lombard University in 1852. They have an able Faculty, and one good building well filled with pupils. The institution is for both sexes. Galesburg has also introduced the system of Graded Public Schools, and by providing able teachers, and erecting a noble building, evinces a determination to educate the whole population. In the infant settlement at " Log City," public worship on the Sabbath was established very soon after the arrival of the first families, with preaching when practicable. Mr. Gale was their first stated supply, xissisted by Kev. John T. Avery, he held a series of meetings during the first winter, and the spirit of God owned and blessed the effort in the conversion of several of the youth in the congregation. They organized their Church on the 25th of February, 1836, consisting of eighty-two members. Mr. Waters and Mr. Gale officiated on the occasion, assisted by Mr. Noel, of Knoxville, who represented Schuyler Presbytery. The 18 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. Church was Presbyterian in its name and ecclesiastical rela- tions, but contained a strong Congregational element, out of deference to which, the modes of administering its affairs, were somewhat modified, from the beginning. During the summer of 1837, some families having pre. pared residences in the village removed hither, and then public worship was held alternately, here and at the grove. The first room used for Sabbath worship in Galesburg, was a store-room built by Deacon Chambers, on Main street and afterward used for mercantile purposes. In the winter of 1839 the first Academy building was used for religious meet, ings, which were thenceforward constantly held there until this house was opened for worship in 1846. The seven years in which the Church worshiped in the old Academy were memorable as a period of spiritual prosperity and almost constant progress. Many were the seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord there enjoyed, and of not a few now in Heaven, and of many on their way thither, it may be said, *^ihis and that man was born there." Although worship was commenced in this house in the summer of 1846, it was not finished and dedicated till the beginning of 1848. For some three years after this it was the only house for public worship in the village, and Christians of every denomination were accustomed to worship together here- in 1851 the adjoining Lecture room was built, which has been a great convenience for social worship, for a session room and for meetings of general interest, but miscellaneous Id character. Professor Gale, with the aid of Rev. Mr. Waters, was acting pastor of the Church the first three years. Mr. Foote supplied the pulpit for one year. Mr. Gale then resumed his pastoral labors for a year, and was succeeded by President Kellogg, who was stated supply for two years. For the next year the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Messrs. Marsh, Waters, and Hollister. From May 1844 till the end HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. ^9 of 1845, Eev. Mr. Parker was acting pastor. Mr. Kellogg then was installed as pastor, and officiated till the failure of his health in the spring of 1847. President Blanchard suc- ceeded him in his ministerial and pastoral labors, and gave place to Mr. Bascom in December, 1849, whose pastorate closed in May, 1856. His successor was Eev. Charles M. Tyler, whose pastoral relation to the Church continued about three years. Mr. Barnard was then stated supply for six months, and was succeeded by the jDresent pastor, Eev. F. T. Perkins, who already lacks but little of hav- ing reached the length of the longest pastorate which had preceded his. Long may it be before history shall give us the name of his successor. If the Church has not been edified by the ministry of these thirty years, surely it has not been for the lack of variety. In 1845 the government of the Church was modified and an accommodation plan adopted, which secured to both Congregationalists and Presbyterians their preferences, and gave the Church a double ecclesiastical connection.' In 1856 the term Presbyterian was dropped from her name, and she has since been known as the first Church of Christ, having withdrawn from Presbytery a year or two before! In May, 1854, the second Presbyterian Church was organ- ized with thirty members, dismissed from this Church for this purpose ; and in December of the same year the Old School Presbyterian Church was organized with eighteen members. In November, 1855, the first Congregational Church was organized with fifty members, most of whom were dismissed from this Church to join the new organization The Methodist Episcopal Church, the Baptist and the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran were organized in the order now named, in 1847, 1848 and 1852. In October, 1856, a Swedish Methodist and also a Colored Methodist Church were organized and subsequently an Episcopal Church, a German Lutheran, a Colored Baptist, and a Eoman Catho- 20 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. lie. A Universalist Church has also held a somewhat prominent position in the place for about twelve or Hf- teen years. Thus we see, while this spacious house of worship met the wants of all Galesburg fifteen years ago, fourteen houses, several of which are spacious and handsome edificeS; are now demanded. If such increased church accommodations are really needed and filled, it indicates a degree of , growth and prosperity, both temporal and spiritual, which is rarely witnessed. This Church truly deserves to be called the Mother of Churches, and of some of her ofi'spring she may well be proud, while some of the younger generation around her, would probably prefer to trace their lineage to a source more remote, if not more illustrious. The present membership of the Church is 362, still making her a little larger, as she always ought to be, than any of her descendants. This Church has always been self-sustaining. Though planted in a new and uncultivated missionary field, her rela- tion has always been that of a nursing mother to the feebler and more destitute, rather than a recipient of other's bounty. This Church and colony have from the beginning taken high and unequivocal ground on the questions of Reform which have agitated the nation. The original colony and the early settlers were of one heart and one mind, in this respect. At their meeting in Whitesboro, the winter before the settlement was begun, a committee, consisting of Smith, West, and Tompkins, was appointed to report what measures should be taken to guard the morals of the colony. I do not find a formal report of this committee, but I do find that a prohibition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicat- ing drinks on the premises, is inserted in every title deed of real estate, sold by the colony, and forfeiture to the College is the penalty of violating that condition. I infer that this very important safe-guard to the morals of Galesburg was thus early recommended by that committee. Wise fore- thought! Precious legacy to those that shall come after them ! Let Galesburg prize the precious inheritance received irom the founders of the place, of exemption from the curse of the Liquor traffic ; and let her hand down to cominc gen- erations, that inheritance unsullied. Shame on the descend- ants or successors of such men as founded this colony that shall ever consent to sell their birth-right of Temperance and of uncompromising hostility to the Liquor traffic. Total abstmence from intoxicating drinks and opposition to slavery have been a condition of membership in this Chnrch from the beginniDg. The members and the ministry of this Church have a ways been in favor of carrying radical anti-slavery princi- ples mto politics as well as into religion. They have insisted on voting as well as praying for liberty. And she has done what she could to save the country, and give liberty to her oppressed millions, not only by her prayers and votes but by sending into the army her full quota of brave soldiers who knew how to fight the battles of freedom. It only remains now to address a few words of conc^rat- ulation to the surviving founders of Gaiesburg and o'f its noble institutions. My friends, yours has been a favored lot It was a kind Providence that chose you for such a work as God has permitted you here to accomplish. You have been benefactors of your country and of mankind. Not only this community, but the world owes you a debt of gratitude or the m^ral heroism with which you gave yourselves to this work ; for the faith and patience with which you prose- cuted It; for the self denial and fortitude with which you enoured hardness, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. You have not forgotten, and we will not forget, the long years in which you had to labor and wait for the realization ot your hopes. The early history of your enterprise seemed a day of small things ; hope was often deferred ; embarrass, ments trials and discouragements were multiplied and pro- longed But the bow of promise always spanned your si^y, and hope was an anchor to your souls. The leaders and 22 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. prominent actors in your enterprize are worthy of great praise ; but they deserve not all the honor ; it is the rank and file in the army which receive and give the hard blows that bring the victory. And so it has been with the toiling farmers, the industrious mechanics, and the patient and work- ing housewives, that have fought the battles of this thirty years' struggle, and achieved the victory which we celebrate to-day. I congratulate you on your success ; and in the name of the community, and of the thousands who have shared the advantages of your institutions, I thank you for all you have done and suflered for their benefit. And in your behalf, I thank God that he has spared you to this day to wit- ness the results of your enterprise. Did I say results ? Ah ! these are not yet developed. What we see and rejoice in to-day are only some of the first fruits ; the full harvest will be reaped by successive generations, long after you have gone. And the full value of the results can be known only in eternity. But beware my friends, that you cherish not the spirit that says : " This is great Babylon that I have built." Eemember always, that he that planteth is nothing, and he that vvatereth is nothing, but God that giveth the increase. To God belongs all the glory of your achievements, Many with whom you started this enterprise, are not here to-day. You cherish their memory with unusual ten- derness and affection ; you went with them to the house of God, and took sweet counsel with them in the days of dark- ness and trial ; and you rejoiced with them inseasons of pros- perity and of spiritual refreshing. Would that time would permit me to speak fitting words of eulogy for each. But it is not needful ; their very names recall the history of their lives, and their best eulogies are your memories of what they were. Smith, Mills, and Lyman, fell on the threshold of your enterprise. Swift, West, and Conger, bore with you the heat and burden of the day for a few years and then went early to their reward. Bergen, Prentice, McMullen, Goodell, Holyoke, Williams, Dunn, Weeks, Willard, HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 23 Leonard, and Gary, are cherished in your memories as brothers beloved. Ferris, Bunce, Waters, and Gale, were strong pillars in the edifice you were rearing. But they, too, having finished their work, have gone to their rest. Nor will you forget Spencer, whom you first learned to love as a pious, active Christian pupil in your Academy, and afterward as a minister, honored of God, in leading many souls among you to the Saviour. Others, who were for a time identified with you, have been called to other fields, and still five to labor elsewhere for the same cause. Among this class the names of Kellogg, Foote, Parker, and Blanchard, will always be prominent in your grate- ful recollections. May they long live to serve God and their gen- eration as faithfully and successfully as they did with you. Mr. Kellogg had, from the beginning, aided the interests of the colony by his judicious counsels and bis liberal pecuniary assis- tance. While he was President of the College, and while pastor of the Church, his whole heart, influence, and resources were enlisted in putting forward the interests of the colony, and in accomplishing its grand designs. His unselfish and magnani- mous services deserve a lasting remembrance. How wonderful has been the period of time, covered by your enterprise ! Wbat changes have transpired; what progress has been made in the useful arts, in the facilities of travel, and of transmitting intelligence ! Wbat growth of our country has been witnessed ; what progress in our State within these thirty years. Well do you remember the political parties, and the political questions of thirty yeap ago. Where are they now ? You remember the first votes you gave for an anti-slavery ticket. It seemed a day of small things on your side, but now your principles govern Congress, and rule tLe Nation. You remember those anti-slavery prayer meetings in the old Acad- emy. Look which way you would for help to the slave, you could see only a dead wall high as Heaven. No door of hope was opened, but you believed that he who opened the Red Sea for the deliverance of his ancient people from oppression, could bring Liberty to our oppressed millions, with a migbty hand and an outstretched arm. You there prayed 24 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. in foitli, and by terrible things in righteousness God has answered you. " Jehovah has triumphed, his people are free." In view of what you have been permitted to witness in your day and generation, what may you not hope for in the future 1 This world is to be disenthralled, reclaimed, and regenerated. The bright visions of prophecy are to be realized. All shall know the Lord, and the earth shall be filled with His glory. As you close up your earthly labors, let it be in the full confidence that tlie Kingdom of God shall universally prevail ; and in thankfuhiess that you have been per- mitted to do something to prepare the way for its coming and triumpli. STATISTICAL PAPER Business here began in 1836, with tls-e purchase of 10,746,81-100 acres of land for $14,821,10-100; which, with the expenses of exploration, amounted to $16,559,7-100. In 1836 colonists began to take possession, and to build log cabins at Henderson Grove. During that season building was the principal business of our Pioneer Fath- ers. Within a year "Log City" was of some renown. Like other cities "with room enough in the great world outside — "Log City" bad too great a population for its accommodations. Hence three or four families were crowded into a single cabin. One Philemon Phelps, not following the fashions of the *'city," went out in the country in the autumn of '36, and on the open prairie built the first frame house; a house known in "modern times" as the old '* Holyoke house." It stood on the lot now covered by Mr. Mathews' new brick store, occupied by Mr. Hawkinson, on Main street, east of Prairie. Besides building cabins the colonists, during that summer, raised a little corn, a few potatoes and garden vegetables on tlje "colony farm," purchased a few cows, and went seventy miles to mill. During the cold winter of 1836-Y those men and women had a good time amid their many privations, to meditate on something good for this portion of Illinois. "With the spring of '3Y came new families and an increase of business. Geo. Avery built the second frame house, which was afterwards moved out into the world to the lot now occupied by his present residence of brick. The old house, still stands across the way a little east of its former position, a relic of olden times, covered now as then with " Hoosier boards" — boards rived and shaved about a yard in length. During the summer, "The Prairie" says Mr. Gale " was the theater of a busy activity in the erection of build- ings and opening of farms." Mr. Gale's statement that the Academy building was erected during this year (1837) must be a mistake ; for the account books of the College show that it could not have been commenced till about June, nor completed before December of 1888. A settlement had been fairly made ; it consisted of those who came in 1836 — 173 individuals, and those who came in the spring of 1837 — 59 individuals — total 232. Of these 165 or 71 per cent, are still living ; of those then married 26 STATISTICAL PAPER. nearly 60 per cent, are still living ; of those then unmarried over 80 per cent. These are remarkable facts ; those families had been accustomed to the comforts of good Eastern homes. Here they lived in log cabins made of green timber, in one case without a floor, and with several families in a cabin, experi- encing a winter so unusually cold that old "Hoosiers" and " Suckers" insis- ted that the Yankees brought it along with them. Then, too, some of these men had passed the middle of life. One, Mr. Chambers, was fifty years old, and yet, after thirty years, 70 per cent, are still living. Of men then regarded as within the shadows of age, we have now with us, Deacons Simmons, Tompkins, and Chambers. Long — long — may the good men remain — bright lights in the Church of God. A few years after the settlement of this colony, agentleman, in a stage coach pronounced all Illinois so unhealthy that there was not a place in it where a family of children could be raised. Mr. W. Selden^Gale replied to liim: " In the place where I live, fifty-three children were born in the first two years of the settlement, of whom fifty-two are living." It is not easy to realize that we have among us so large a number of men and women who remember when between the high ground known as the "Knox place," two and a half-miles south-east of us, and Henderson Grove, three and a half-miles north-west; there was nothing but wild prairie grass and rosin weed, not a tree or shrub, nothing to obstruct the vision, excepting the cabin of Mr. Luther Gay, a little this side of the grove, a low cabin, yet, as standing out on a naked prairie, it so loomed up that for years it was called the *' Light- house.^^ Those Pioneers were mostly Christians, and strictly temperate in all their habits. Their remarkable longevity asserts that temperance and godliness are profitable unto all things. Besides, these Pioneers had a great idea ; they came for a good work, and were cheerful and happy amid their trials — never happier — so they say ; and hence, like the older Pilgrims, they were of such stuff as not, because of trials, to wish themselves back again. Such men had a right to live ; a right resting on a Divine promise. The population of Galesburg in 1846 was about 800; in 1856 — 4000; and in 1866—8000, or, including the township, 9000. Galesburg has had a healthy growth, Half a township in 1835 cost $16,559 1 On the same basis assessments in Total assessments in 1849 64,945 1866 would bo $1,600,00 " 1855 399,700 | This property es-timated at its full value, would amount to at least $3,000,000. The lot on which stands tlie store of Innes, Murdoch & Co., 66x112 feet, cost them $7000. The mercantile business of Galesburg was commenced in the spring of 1837 by C. S. Colton, in a log cabin at the Grove. After a few months he removed to the building which he had erected for his dwelling and store on the corner of the public square, now occupied by his large brick block. STATISTICAL PAPER. 27 In that store he did most of the business of the town for ten years. A por- tion of that old store now stands on Chambers street between Main and Xorth, revealing through the paint the name, "C. S. Colton" on one end, and on the street side, "Books, Stationery, Paints, etc., etc." In its chimney are some of the first brick made in Galesburg. Knoxville and Henderson were the places for trade during those years. For a long time if one wanted apiece of stove pipe he was obliged to go to Knoxville, perhaps to Farmington, and sometimes even for thread and needles. In 1840 Mr. Colton went into the pork trade ; and collected from the two counties of Knox and Warren, 192 hogs — all he could buy. These were driven to Warsaw, slaughtered and shipped to New Orleans, at a loss of ten per cent. In 1841 he purchased 1250, and made nothing. In 1842 the standard price of hogs was one dollar and fifty cents a hundred. There were no beef cattle to be had. Dealers fi'om Ohio bought and drove off the steers, as dealers from this State have gone to Arkansas and Texas for young stock to be driven home and fatted for market. Wheat was carted to Chicago. and sold at 45 to 50cts per bushel. In the meantime Mr. Chambers opened a store on the corner of the Square, now occupied by Olmsted & Downs. Then followed several unsuccessful attempts at the mercantile business ; till Mr. Johnson, of Knoxville, established a branch store here. Then came the Willards who built up a good business. During the second decade the business of the place was constantly increasing with the tide of population, and growing prosperity of the College. At the end of this perfbd all were alive, many were building air castles, some were running wild with speculation. A brilliant bubble had been blown all over this Western country. Groat cities were about to spring out of the ground; everybody was soon to become rich. Railroads were to run in every direction ; and Galesburg become a great city. How that great bubble burst in 1857 is well remembered, and the depression that followed ; with the embar- rassments and losses growing out of the miserable " wild cat" banks and " stump tail" currency which so cursed this State. During the last decade the business of our city has had a marked growth. The following figures, obtained from the U. S. Assessor, or directly from busi- ness parties, though given in round numbers, closely approximate to the actual amount of business done here in twelve months : Stock and Produce trade $1,000,000 Dry Goods 545,000 Cloths and Clothing 2^0,000 Boots and Shoes (outside of Dry Good stores) ;5.'),000' Fancy Goods andToys 47,000 Groceries ^ 460,000 Hardware 154,000 Agricultural articles $125,000 Drugs, etc 60,000 Crockery (outride Grocery stores) 12,000 Musical lustruments 40,000 Sewing Machines 5,000 Books and Stationery 30,000 Lumber, 5,000,000 feet 185,000 Leather 18,000 Amount, exclusive ef many smaller intorosts $3,606,000 28 STATISTICAL TAPER. MANUFACTURES : NO. OF ME\ EMPLOYED. WAGES. PBODUCTS. ' Wagpus and Plows 50 $35,000 $53,000 Corn Planters 150 * 96,000 $200,000 Sugar Mill, Hay Press, Valve ) ^^^ .^ „„„ Ain nnn and Foundry Establishments/ -^^^ '^'^^^ ^^'^^^ Furniture 22 12,000 45,000 (Including both manufactured ) , and sold) j ' Harness, Shoes, Household Goods.. 41 26,000 80,93T Brick (part of a year) 40 8,500 20,000 Preparing Hemp for Market 25 10,000 25,000 Marble Head Stones 11,000 Pumps 6,787 Candy 1,668 Sorghum, 14 000 gallons 14,000 Soap 25,000 Gents' Clothing 60,000 Millinery 40,000 Photographs $12 000 Picture Frames $4000 16,000 Total $1,038,-392 As the party of Hugh Conger and Nehemiah West were approaching the chosen site for their colony, on the first of June, 1836, they stopped for the night near what is now called Victoria. They were short of provisions. The family where they called had no meal. Corn was ground in a hand mill, and "corn dodgers" made for supper. The next day dealing out their scanty supplies to the younger members of the party, they made their way, weary and hungry, to Henderson Grove, gathered up what they could for supper from the Hoosier families scattered through the " timber ;" and took their first meal from a table, consisting of a door from an old Hoosier cabin, resting on boxes. There was so little wheat in this region then that a colonist in some instances spent a week ingathering up half a dozen bushels of it; and then spent another week in carrying it to Andover, (thirty miles) or further to Oquaka and waiting his turn for his "grist," orev^en seventy miles to a steam mill at Pekin. There was indeed a mill nearer, "Roger's mill," more recently known as "Olmsted's." But in diy times it could not grind. Now, if you wish it, mills right at your door can grind for you 1,000 bushels in twenty-four hours. When all running, our mills grind daily 400 bushels of wheat, and 100 bushels of corn; proceeds for a year about $250,000. There were slaughtered for our consumption last year lY60beef cattle ; 859 sheep ; 443 hogs ; making the business of our meat markets amount to $100,000. The growth of our city is shown by the increase of its Post Office business. A newspaper paragraph recently stated that among the worthy deeds which an aged couple had never done was the mailing of a letter. * For eight months. During the summer months many of these men work as carpenters. t Some of the furniture of the Pioneers was easily made, as a "spring bedstead" with but one post. Taking the corner of a log cabin, bore holes in the logs for three corners, set up a pust for the fourth, then with the sides and ends set in and fastened, lay across "Hoosier boards," with a good spring to them and you have a luxury as compared with a "pwttc7je»» bed." The rule for travellers in the early days was one puncheon to a man. The story is that a company was so crowded one night, that they could lie only on one side; and as one rose in the night, the rest improving the chance for relief, turned back, so that on seeking his pun- cheon again, the man up could get in only as he waked the whole row and set them up edgewise. STATISTICAL PAPER. 29 They had existed. So have Egyptian mummies. A friend of mine was asked not long ago, in North Carolina, if he thought the United States Government would ever catch Jefferson Davis. Semi-civilized communities have little use for mails. As communities rise in civilization they read and write, and still rise as they increase their correspondence. The business of this office has always been large for the population. The colonists for a year went to Knoxville for their mails; and brought them thence once a week on horseback. During the winter of 1837--8, the people of "Log City " took their letters from the window-sill of Kev. Mr. Gale ; and paid twenty-five cents for a letter from the East, and this for each separate piece of paper, however light or small. It was not long before the colonists rejoiced in a semi-weekly and then a tri- weekly mail. When Mr. Wm. H. Holcomb, of Knoxvile, advertised his stage to run from Peoria to Oquawka, and touch at certain flourishing villages, Galesburgwas not named. After much difficulty the colonists obtained an office, and a mail direct. The mails were not heavy in those days, consisting only of a few letters, a few cop- ies of the New York Observer, Evangelist, and New York Express, bringing the news two or three Aveeks old. Mr. W. Selden Gale, who was postmaster in 1850-3, remembers when on a Monday morning, an unusually larj^e mail of one hundred letters was sent off. The income of the office did not probably exceed $1500 during either of these years. The returns from this office for the quarter ending March 31st, 1866, as fur. uihsed by the postmaster, C. E. Carr, Esq., through his chief clerk, Mr. George Colville, present the following facts : "Quarterly sales of stamps and stamped envelopes $2,455,07 " amount of unpaid postage collected 230,60 " " " postage upon regular newspapers and magazines 95,94 Upwards of 2,000 regular newspapers are received weekly, from all parts of the country, for delivery to subscribers. Among religious papers the Inde. pendent stands first, with 110 subscribers. Number of boxes rented nearly 1,000. Gross receipts of PostoflBce quarterly (average) $3,021,05 Net " to U. S. after defraying expenses of oflBce 1,925,30 Number of letters received per week for delivery 5,083 '« " " " " quarter for delivery 66,079 And for a year considerably over a quarter of a million. Of this number are delivered 981 out of every thousand ; the remainder, less than two per cent, of the whole, being advertised as "unclaimed," and eventu- ally finding their way back to the writers through the Dead Letter office. The number of letters sent from the Galesburg postoffice, will average, all the year 'round, the same as that of those received — from five to six thousand weekly. About the same number as in the case of letters received, fail from various causes to reach the parties addressed, and are returned to the writers through the Dead Letter office. The money order system is of recent date ; but the business is steadily on the increase. For the quarter ending March 31st, 1866, the aggregate amount 30 STATISTICAL PAPER. of the orders issued (all in small sums) footed up $1,974,49-100 — of orders paid, $1,110,26. The office ranks as the third or fourth in the State, and the literary charac- ter of our people — as shown in the items of letters received and sent — will challenge any town of like size to produce its equal. Many letters also go directly through the mail car. Besides what comes through the postoffice, news agents distribute Daily Papers 270 Weekly Political Papers 200 Illlustrated Papers 300 Weekly Miscellaneous Pamphlets 60 Monthly Magazines 250 Total of different publications regularly taken outside of the PostoflBce 1,070 During the late war the citizens of Galesburg expended from $4,000 to $5,000 a year for daily news. OUR RAIL ROADS. Not till long after the settlement of this place was there any railroad west of the Alleghanies. Our Pioneer Fathers were about eight weeks coming hither from Vermont ; six weeks from Central New York. For several years a merchant's trip to New York took eighteen or twenty days ; four to six days to Chicago. A trip to Chicago and back, with a loaded wagon, required two weeks. When the Michigan canal was opened you seemed quite near to Chi- cago ; you could reach that village — as it then was — by stage to Peoria ; steam- boat to La Salle ; then by canal boat ; in forty-eight hours — about the time now required to reach New York. From the slow and hard wagon, to the stage and steamer, was a great change. But what a change from the coach to one of Pullman's magnificent $20,000 sleeping cars — splendid as a palace — easy as a cradle — gently rocking one to sleep at ten o'clock in the evening — giving him pure air to breathe all night — enabling him to rise in Chicago with the sun — wash and prepare for business as if at a first-class hotel. The first railroad idea here was for a track to Peoria. Fifteen years ago a charter was obtained for a road from Peoria to Oquawka, to run two and a half miles south of Galesburg ; with a station at Knoxville and another eight miles distant, on the county line, leaving this place — nowhere, but five miles from Knoxville. Our citizens plead for a station at this point, and offered to take stock to the amount of $20,000. They thought only of reaching Peoria, and market by rail and Illinois river. There was also a charter for a road from Quincy to La Salle — in words not to run JEast of Knoxville, and in thought not to run West of that place. Again Galesburg was left out in the cold. Despairing of accommodation from either road, if ever built, the people here determined to reach the Rock Island road at Sheffield. A correspondence was opened; meetings were held ; an organization formed ; a charter secured, small subscriptions obtained ; the route surveyed, and Mr. C. M. Carr put into the field as agent to wake up the people. Still the enterprise dragged. Many stood looking towards Peoria. The Rock Island company failed to " know their day." STATISTICAL PAPER. 31 But earnest men and stern difficulties were educating the public mind and stretching it on beyond Sheffield to Aurora — the terminus of the Chicago and Aurora road — and preparing for a strike direct to Chicago. Fortune turned on a single incident, a casual meeting in Boston, of Mr. C. S. Colton with Mr, Grimes, of Iowa — now U. S. Senator — and Mr. Wadsworth, President of the Chicago and Aurora road. Thus was secured important aid at each end of the proposed road. Soon after this, Mr. Brooks, President of the Michigan Central, and Mr. Joy, the first and present President of our road, were enlisted. Eastern capital was now obtained, and the road made certain. The first charter was enlarged; the road was built and, in 1854, opened. Finally, in order that the Peoria and Oquawka road might be finished, the ** Military Tract " road, as our road was first called, had to buy it. The C. B. & Q., now has 400 miles of road. This passage of history is given to show what Galesburg enterprise had to do to secure this great road. The railroad business at this point is important. Taking the month of May as an average month, the amount of Merchandise shipped from this point dur- ing the last year was 40,831,1*76 lbs., on whica was charged a freight of $104,554,64. Our stock and grain dealers ship largely from other points. At this station the shipments for the year ending June 1st, 1866, have been Grain 400 000 bushels I Sheep 200 head Cattle 2 600 head Horses 50 " Hogs 9 000 " I Broom Corn 685 000 lbs. Cash collected on freight received, for the year $136,882,67. This department has employed seventeen hands, and paid for their labor $10,200 for the year. It would be a fact of interest, if known, how many, during the first ten years after the settlement of the place, started on a journey. The number of passengers by rail from Galesburg in the year ending April 30th, 1862, was 28,651 ; in the year ending April 30th, 1866, was 82,555. Increase of travel in four years, 53,904. The following statement from Superintendent Hitchcock shows the increase of business in the train department : TRAIN MEN EMPLOYED AT GALESBURG, MAT, 1856. NO. Conductors 7 Baggage Man 1 ......1. ........."!....! Brakemen 7 AMOUNT. ...354 50 ... 35 00 ...182 49 Total amount.. 15. .$571 TRAIN MEN EMPLOYED AT GALESBURG, MAT, 1866. KO. Passeuger Conductors 11 ^ „_ Freight " 37 .......!..I Baggage Men 9 „ _ „, Passenger Brakemen 9 ." !.'.".*.. ..!!ir."7_""'.." Freight " 75 .' ....!."-......."."......"."..... Total amount - „. 141. AMOUNT. .. 712 36 ..2 652 19 .. 430 62 „. 338 06 ..3 119 39 .$7 252 61 Amount of wages for twelve months ^87 031 32 32 STATISTICAL PAPER. The carpenter's department has done a large amount of work. The present extensive Freight House, and Carpenter's Shop, were built in 1855; the large Passenger House in 1856 ; the Locomotive Repair Shop, 50x150, in 1861-2. Th'fe Car Shop was burned and rebuilt, 50x180, in 1863. At different times other buildings have been erected, as the present oflfice building, storage buildings, and an engine house with stalls for thirty-five engines. This department employed during the fall of 1863 and the year '64, an average of 180 men. It now has an average of seventy-five men, on a yearly pay of $32,200. Arrangements are being made to dig a large well, sufficient to supply all the water that may be needed for many years, at a cost of from |8, 000 to $10,000. Other improvements are contemplated, to meet the demands of the increasing business of the road. LOCOMOTITE DEPARTMENT. The Locomotive department of the C. B. & Q. R. R., at Galesburg, employs from 230 to 240 men of all classes ; whose pay ranges from $1 30 to $3 40 per day. Average monthly expenditure for labor „....ll 311 00 '• " " " material 4 720 00 " " " " oil, &c 2 580 00 $18 561 00 THE EXPENDITURES FOR THE TEAK ENDING APRIL 30, 1866. Labor on engines 48 927 81 I Oil and waste on engines 11 107 80 Material on " 34 319 13 | — Making a total expense on engines of. $94 354 74 Labor on track, buildings, cars, etc..40 135 63 I Oil & waste used on build'gs, cars.-. 19 251 23 Material used on •' " 22 160 63 | $81 547 49 For Engineers, Firemen, and Wipers, etc., one year $46 670 00, Making a total of Labor 135 733 44 I Mak'g a total of oil, tallow, rags 30 359 03 " " Material 56 479 76 | Total ., - $222 572 23 TRACK DEPARTMENT. The number of men employed in the Track Department at Galesburg is 60- These are regular men and work steadily the whole year round. Most of these are men with families, and hence probably spend or leave all their earnings in Galesburg, thus materially contributing to the wealth of the place. The aggregate pay of these men was $30,475,00. In addition to these regu- lar men, there were employed in Galesburg, in the construction and extension of side-tracks, etc., etc., twenty men for about seven months, at an expense for labor, teams, in grading, etc., etc., of about $Y,500,00; a good share of which was paid to men who are permanent residents here. There were about one and one-half miles of new side-track and extensions to side-tracks laid in Galesburg during the past year. The cost of material for these constructions was $18,000. THE CAR DEPARTMENT. This department has employed during the year, on an average, 81 1-6 men ; average pay per month, $47,09 ; amounting in the year to $45,863,53. Value of material used in repairs, $79,107,65 ; total, $124,971,18. STATISTICAL PAPER. 33 I TELEGRAPH. "When this prairie was purchased for a town, Prof. Morse had not asked Con- gress for aid to enable him to test his great discovery. Not till 1844 was the telegraph put into successful operation between Washington and Baltimore. Mr. Tubbs furnishes the following statement: "In May, 1856, the Illinois and Mississippi Telegraph Company owned one wire from Chicago to Burlington — 201 miles — with ten offices. Receipts of Galesburg office about one-fifth their present amount. In May, 1866, the Illinois and Mississippi Telegraph Company owned one wire from Chicago to Keokuk — 250 miles ; another from Chicago to Mendota — 85 miles — thence over the Illinois Central Railroad to Dunleith, " The Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad (the ooly road in the West owning their own telegraph) have one wire over the entire length of their road and its branches ; a second wire from Chicago to Mendota, which will be extended to Galesburg this fall, (1866); a third wire for the accommodation of the general offices in Chicago from their passenger depot, foot of Lake street, via South Branch Freight Depot to their extensive docks. "Total number of miles of wire owned by the road, 513 ; total number miles on line of road, 805 ; number of offices, 59. " We claim as complete a system of Train Dispatching as any road in the country. The present business of the road could not be done over a single track without it. Since its adoption — two years ago — not a wheel has been off the track, chargeable either directly or indirectly to it. " The number of messages received and sent at the Galesburg office in May^ 1856, was 176; in May, 1866, 11,780. Office employees, June, 1856, operators one, messengers one ; June, 1866, operators and train dispatchers, six ; battery and delivery clerks, two. Office salaries June, 1856, $30,00 ; June, 1866, $721,00." These figures are full of meaning. Many a dispatch contained a great his- tory— onof single telegraih fortunes turn. In no other so brief a form is there, or can there be, condensed so much of thought, emotion, and business, as in the telegrams of the day. EXPRESS. Another marked fact of a kindred character is found in the Express Busi- ness at this point. The business done at this office for the month of January, 1855, amounted to $78,00. This was the first year of the Express Business at this point. The amount in the month of January, 1866, or eleven years later, is $3,477, an increase of $2,399. Taking January as a fair average, the business for the year amounts to $29,724. Business now, could not dispense with the Telegraph or Express. Thanks to the gentlemeuly officials of the road for aid, cheerfully rendered, in obtaining these facts. Mr. Sellon, in a brief history of Galesburg published in 1857, states that the 34 STATISTICAL PAPER. whole number of men employed in the several departments of the road, at Galesburg, was 145. The number now employed, including Express men, is 634. Their annual wages amounting to $364,694,12. This Railroad business itself reveals much in regard to the business of the city. It is not strange that the stock of the C. B. & Q. E. R., which in 18fiO was only 38 cents, is now in 1866, 115 cents. As this portion of our State is rapidly developing ; as railroad lines are extending Westward from Burlington and Quincy to the Missouri river, to be connected with the great National Pacific Road— who will grow bold enough to predict the value of the C. B. & Q., stock in 18*76? Many minor interests have not been looked into for lack of time. But in the facts here given we have some results worthy of thought. Using round num- bers for convenience, we have of laborers — mostly mechanical (including the R. R. men) eleven hundred, with wages amounting to $660,000. We have an aggregate of business Stock and Produce $1 600 000 1 Flouring Mills $250 000 Mercantile 2 C06 000 Meat Markets 100 000 Manufactures 1 038 000 Total $4 994 OOO It is fair to state the aggregate as |5,000,000, exclusive of many smaller branches of business, and also of the heavy Railroad business. Our business though increasing, is sound and healthy. Speculation for the future is not the work of these figures. They give the facts of the present. What now exists is far beyond the anticipations of the good men and women who looked over this prairie thirty years ago. But not for gain, not for any- thing less than a sound Christian education, did our Pioneer Fathers come. This should still be the great end. What we do to build up noble characters in ourselves, and in the generations to come, in the millions to dwell on this old magnificent '* Military Tract," is the great thing. In 1S36-7, a school was taught at the Grove, both in the common and acad- emic branches, by Prof. Losey and Miss Lucy Gay. Another school was opened in the winter of 1837 by Miss Fanny Hitchcock, (Mrs. Hayner) in a small-house — erected for this purpose — on the farm of Mr. Leonard Chappel, East of Mr. Samuel Hitchcock's. A singing school was also there taught. Prof. Churchill states that " a public school was opened in the winter of 1839, in the second story of the Academy "building — then just completed — the one now occupied by Mr. Nelson as a furniture store— at the time it stood on the corner of Main and Cherry, -where the First National Bank is ,to be built this summer. "The first teacher was Mr. Van Meter, the man who has been so long at the head of the Howard Mission, N. Y, City. In a short time it was removed to a store building owned by Matthew Chambers, frontiuj^ what is now the Public Square — then wild prairie. In 1839 or '40, the first public school house was built under the direction of C. S. Colton. As the floor was inclined, all the old scholars will remember this building as a capital place to slide down hill in the spaces between the seats. Among the many teachers who held rule in this STATISTICAL PAPER. 35 house from 1840 to 1850, were Eli Farnham, Esq., James H, Noteware, since Superintendent ot Public Schools for Kansas, Mr. McCall, for many years a teacher in the South, and recently deceased, Mr. Marshal De Long, Mr. H. Guston, Mr, Deberard, Geo. Churchill, and ladies not a few. A bout the year 1850 the district was divided and new school houses were built to accommo- date the rising generation. This sub-division went on till 1856, when there were in the town eight districts." During the year 1856, "these districts" — says Mr. J. B. Roberts, the present Superintendent of Public Schools — " were consolidated with a view to more efficient management and a better classification of the schools. No well devised measures for the promotion of these objects, however, were attempted until the year 1859. These measures were but partially successful, from the fact that the Board of Directors were limited in their powers, and still more in the means at their command. What could be done under these disabilities and with miserably poor and insufficient school accommodations, was done. In the year 1861, the schools were organized under a special charter from the Leg- islature, greatly enlarging the powers of the School Board, which now consists of six instead of three members. In the year 1865, these powers were still further enlarged by an amendment to the charter. The School Board have it now in their power, by an enlightened and liberal policy, to make the public schools no less the pride and honor of the city than its higher institutions of learning have been in the past. ''During the School year just closed, there have been taught between fifteen and sixteen hundred different pupils. The average membership has been from nine hundred to a thousand. The number of teachers employed in '64 and '65 was eighteen. During the past year the number has been less, owing to limited school accommodations, as rooms previously occupied could no longer be rented. The public school buildings of Galesburg will seat 586 pupils. It will readily be understood why several of the schools have had only half-day ses- sions. The new edifice, when completed, will increase the number of sittings by about seven hundred. This building, aside from being the best proportioned and most comely structure of any kind in the city, will be, in its internal arrangements and appointments as perfect as possible. It will contain ten large school rooms, a hall for general exercises, public entertainments, and some smaller rooms to be used as recitation rooms and offices. The system of ventilation is novel, but proved by experience to be the most perfect yet devised. It is calculated that the entire body of air in each school room can be changed every twenty minutes without opening a door or window. It is expected that this building will be completed within the present year, at a cost of $40,000. Its stone tablet bearing the date " 1866," will be looked upon by generations to come as marking the completion of one of the noblest enter- prises in the history of our city." Prairie College (now Knox)'was the object for which Christian men and women organized and built up this colony. 36 STATISTICAL PAPER. This institution is still in its infancy, having graduated its first class just twenty years ago. Still it has done a good work, as the following statistics furnished by Prof. Churchill, plainly show :