Amboy Township, Lee County Illinois
This claimed for a Frenchman named
Filamalee, that he was the first settler of Amboy Township and
that he lived in Palestine Grove about a mile south of Rocky
Ford. It has been said that in a burr oak stump, he placed
mortar and therein he pounded grain into meal and flour for
bread. He left the country as soon as settlers began reaching
the country, and John Dexter in 1835 became the first settler.
He came here from Canada and made his claim on the northwest
quarter of section 13. The cabin which he built immediately was
twelve feet square. In the spring of 1836, Mr. and Mrs. James
Doan came into what now is the township of Amboy. With them came
John Doan the father and Jemima sister of James. In the spring
of 1837, Andrew Bainter, brother-in-law to James Doan came in
and took a claim on the Sublette road. In October, 1837, Asa B.
Searls came up the Peoria road with a team of horses, bringing
with him Benjamin Wasson, from Peoria. Both were New York
people. Searls located on south half of section 14 and Wasson on
sections 14 and 15. Later Searls laid out Binghampton, a mile
east of the present city of Amboy. Nathan Meek settled near
Rocky Ford about 1837. Rocky Ford was so named from the ford
over Green River to the southwest of Amboy where Frederick R.
Dutcher afterwards established a store, a mill and a distillery
and where for a time a village of respectable proportions
flourished. Meek was not reputed to be a desirable citizen
during the days of the banditti. Three miles downstream he built
his corn cracker mill and ground com. He tried to make flour,
but failed. A sawmill had been built in this township much
earlier than in other sections of the county. When Mr. Searls
first came here Timothy Perkins and Horace Bowen operated one at
Rocky Ford, but later in the year, it was transferred to a man
named Lee. After a brief career, Lee sold to Mason. The latter
died and John Von Arnam (or Van Norman) secured it. In 1848,
Frederick R. Butcher purchased it.
In 1837, James Blair, and his sons,
William, Winthrop and Edwin came here, and settled on section
29. The same year, John S. Sawyer and his four sons erected a
cabin south of the Illinois Central shops. In 1841, Sawyer sold
part of his claim to Joseph Farwell and the remainder to Joseph
Appleton. Alexander Janes came in about 1837, but in a year or
so sold his claim to Chester S. Badger, and moved to Bureau
County. In 1838, Mr. Badger and his son, Simon, settled in this
township, and in 1839 Warren, an-other son, came out with the
mother and her two daughters, Sarah and Rowena (or Roena). But
Warren returned and remained in the East until 1842 only, when
he came back to Illinois and settled permanently here. Henry
Badger came in 1849. In the sum-mer of 1838, John C. Church,
Curtis Bridgeman, the latter's sons, Curtis and Urial, and
William Hunt arrived. In 1841, Jacob Doan came out from Ohio and
bought the claim made by Mr. Church, one mile south of Amboy.
Martin Wright also came in 1838, from Massachusetts. John
Fosdick, the Lee Center or Inlet blacksmith moved his smithy
over to Doan's place and that become the first in the township.
Later Fosdick returned to Lee Center, and Doan and Frederick
Bainter became proprietors and continued the business. Doan
invented a scouring plow and many were made by the firm.
In 1839, Cyrus Davis and his son, Cyrus
A. Davis, came here from Massachusetts and claimed a home on the
southeast quarter of section 15, later Wyman's addition to
Amboy. John and William Hook, brothers, located at Rocky Ford in
1840. Aaron Hook came two years before. The Joseph Farwell claim
on the northeast quarter of section 22 subsequently was platted
into the original town of Amboy. Jesse Hale came in 1841, and
Samuel and Lyman Bixby came here in 1844. Among others who came
to the neighborhood about this time, were, Joseph Appleton (41
or 42); Josiah Davis; Francis H. Northway (1844); Orris Adams
and family; David Searls, Alvan H. Thompson; Hiel Lewis (1842);
Miles and Joseph Lewis (1845); Seth W. Holmes (1846); Elijah and
Warren Hill; Henry C. Shaw, and John M. Blocker (1849).
The first public land sales were held at
the Dixon Land Office in the autumn of 1844. Prior to this time
of course, every person was a squatter. But as noticed already,
every community had its code under which lines were regulated;
settlers were protected in the peaceable enjoyment of their
claims and in the right to buy the same from the Government when
offered for sale, unhampered by speculators. The Amboy
association about 1837, centered around Inlet, of which Amboy
was a part at that time. Later, the settlers around Palestine
Grove organized and held meetings at the homes of Sherman Hatch
and William Dolan. In 1847, all need for this latter association
having vanished it was discontinued. While individual
associations existed everywhere, they all were confederated
together for any emergencies which may have arisen.
On the 16th of March, 1839, George E.
Haskell was chosen president of the claim association for Inlet
and Martin Wright, clerk. The committee elected consisted of
Ransom Barnes, D. H. Birdsall, Ozro C. Wright, Daniel M. Dewey
and Benjamin Whiteaker. March 20, 1841, Haskell and Wright were
reelected, and D. H. Birdsall, David Tripp, Daniel M. Dewey,
Charles Starks and Sherman Shaw were made the committee.
In the spring of 1850, April 2d, the
first annual town meeting was held in Amboy, Joseph Farwell
acted as moderator and Joseph B. Appleton as clerk. Miles Lewis
suggested that the new township be named Amboy and the name was
adopted. David Searls was made supervisor; J. B. Appleton, town
clerk; Martin Wright, assessor and A. H. Thompson, collector.
The old road from Peru to Grand Detour,
mentioned already was the first to run through Amboy Township.
The second ran from Inlet to Prophetstown, taking in Binghamton,
and Rocky Ford. Main Street today is that very road and the old
cotton-woods along the edges to mark its course, were planted by
Joseph Farwell.
In 1855, the Illinois Central railroad
was finished through Amboy to Freeport, and on February 1, it
was thrown open for traffic. The first train to reach Amboy was
in November, 1854.
During the session 1868-9 of the
Illinois Legislature, Alonzo Kinyon of Amboy was a member of the
lower House. During this session, he procured a charter for the
Chicago & Rock River Railroad Company to nm from Rock Falls to
Calumet. In 1869, Kinyon was elected president and on July 26,
1869, Amboy voted by 517 for, to 92 against, to issue township
bonds in aid of the road to the extent of $100,000. January 4,
1872, the road between Rock Falls and Amboy was finished and
June 19 it was finished to Paw Paw. Under Kinyon, shops and all
manner of good things for Amboy were promised, but when the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Company obtained possession
of the road, and connected it with the Chicago & Iowa road at
Shabbona, Amboy was doomed. The bonds were fought bitterly for
years. All sorts of subterfuges were resorted to in the efforts
made to escape service of process; but to no purpose. Their
payment had to come sometime. A settlement was made at last, and
not very long ago the last dollar was paid off. Many times the
burden became intolerable but with a sublime courage the
citizens stuck to it until every cent was paid.
Amboy always has been fortunate with her
school system. The same intelligence which pervaded Inlet, while
Amboy was a part of that precinct, has pervaded Amboy; teachers
and ministers and physicians, all men of rare intelligence, came
early to Amboy and they saw to it that the Amboy schools were
built on substantial foundations and presided over by good
teachers.
Lucy Ann Church was the first teacher to
teach in this township. The schoolhouse, built of logs, was
located on the Sublette road just south of the railroad
crossing. Leonard Pratt, John Carey, Ira Hale, David Hale and
Charlotte Doan followed Miss Church. The second school in the
township was the famous Wasson School, a frame building erected
over towards Lee Center, in 1845. In this school Misses Rowena
(or Roena) Badger and Roxy Wasson taught for a long while. John
Scott, an able teacher, H. E. Badger and Lyman C. Wheat also
taught there.
Later, the first school was moved
further south and located hear the Lewis place.
Private schools never were attempted to
any great extent. At Rocky Ford, a few irregular terms were
ventured, but in the face of failure, they were not continued.
Church services were furnished first by
Father Gorbus, a Methodist, who came over from the Indian Creek
country.
The next minister to appear so far as
known was a German Baptist named Father Hetchler. Rev. Curtis
Lathrop came along third. He was a Methodist. Father White, a
Methodist was next to appear.
In 1843, the Rev. Donaldson, assisted in
organizing a Congregational society, said to be the first in the
county. This was done at the house of Moses Crombie, and the
name adapted was "The Congregational Church of Palestine
Grove.'' Services were held for many years in the Wasson
schoolhouse. Rev. John Morrel was the first regular pastor. He
in turn was followed by Rev. Ingersoll, father of Robert G.
Ingersoll. Revs. Joseph Gardner and a Mr. Pierson followed
Ingersoll. Later this church moved to Lee Center. Many stories
are related of Rev. Ingersoll especially by Rev. Haney, the
Methodist circuit rider. From all, we can learn the gentleman
was rather opinionated and considerably belligerent.
The Palestine Grove Baptist Church was
another early church. In 1847, Rev. Charles Cross became its
pastor.
The Mormon Church attempted to secure a
foothold in this township and what is more, it was actually
secured. The first preacher, William Anderson, held his services
in John Hook's house. Both Joseph and Hyrum Smith came up here
often from Nauvoo. Joseph, the prophet, married a Miss Emma
Hale, sister to Alva Hale of Sublette, and David Hale and Mrs.
Benjamin Wasson of Amboy. Asa Searls was a boyhood acquaintance
of Smith, and had been a schoolmate. Smith visited his friends
and relatives here often. He made it a point always to preach
when here, using the log schoolhouse on the Sublette road. When
in the famous litigation of June, 1843, the Governor of
Missouri, sent a requisition over into Illinois for Smith's
arrest, the latter was visiting those relatives and friends in
Palestine Grove. An Illinois constable and the Missouri agent
came up here and arrested him. Smith fought desperately, but
after receiving many bruises, he was overpowered.
The crowd believed the proceedings were
entirely illegal and many followed Smith and his captors to
Dixon. It was agreed, however, that Smith was to return to
Nauvoo. But upon the discovery of the Missouri agent's design to
take the prisoner over to Missouri direct, a party of Mormons
collected and rescued the prophet. Immediately he was brought
triumphantly into Nauvoo. A writ of habeas corpus was issued and
Smith was released by Judge Stephen A. Douglas.
Aaron Hook who had gone to Nauvoo and
who had been ordained an elder, returned now, to Rocky Ford.
William Smith, another brother of the prophet came over to Lee
County from Nauvoo about this time and a very considerable
Mormon following was obtained in Lee County.
Among the number were the Hooks, Edwin
Cadwell, Wentworth Blair, Stephen Stone and David L. Doan.
It was a deplorable circumstance;
however, that none of the Smiths could get along with his
neighbors. This William Smith was no exception. He was arrested
here for bigamy, released and then he left the country.
In 1860, April 6th, the anniversary of
the founding of the church, the annual conference was held in
Amboy. Joseph Smith, Jr., was installed prophet and high priest
in the old Mechanics Hall, where the meeting was held.
Amboy Township was peopled early by
enterprising people. So soon as the settlers got their bearings,
they proceeded at once to build their homes and schools and
churches and then to establish villages for trading and
manufacturing purposes.
Binghamton was laid out by Asa B. Searls
and named in honor of Binghamton, New York. Its location was on
the southeast quarter of section 14. The date was April, 1848.
Warren Badger laid off some lots contiguous. Here Mr. Searls
opened and maintained the Binghamton House. He erected a store
as well and took into partnership Edward Waters. Later Henry
Potter bought the store and he in turn sold it to the Union
Company, a cooperative company, conducted by James H. Preston.
Robert G. Ingersoll was Mr. Searls' "hired man," for a
considerable period.
Binghamton became a flouring mill
center, John Dexter in 1844 built one on Green River and the
Badger brothers, Warren and Palmer, built another. The latter
was killed by a bank of earth falling on him and Chester Badger
took his place in the partnership. In 1858, Chester and Henry
Badger took over the property and introduced steam power instead
of water power. On Thursday night, July 18, 1872, the mill was
burned and a loss of $6,000 was sustained. The mill was rebuilt
and H. E. Badger and son took it over and operated it until the
evening of July 21, 1881, when it was struck by lightning and
burned. Loss $16,000; insurance $6,000.
John Doan started a plow factory which
he ran for a year and then sold it to Frederick Bainter. In 1846
another was started by the Shaws and Churches. One of the
factories, a quaint little limestone building testifies to the
business thrift of Binghamton, to this very day.
There were two blacksmith shops, a shoe
shop, a wagon shop, the ''Reed House,'' and in 1850 it had
secured from Shelburn the stage headquarters and the post
office. At this time Binghamton was one of the prosperous places
of the county.
Binghamton is one mile east of Amboy.
There the cemetery was established in the early day and in it,
Patience, wife of A. B. Searls, was first to be buried. She died
Dec. 19, 1846.
Rocky Ford was settled early and became
the center of manufacturing interests without being platted. The
old Indian trail from west to east crossed the river here.
Timothy Perkins settled here first. He and Horace Bowen erected
a sawmill, which passed successively into the hands of Lee,
Mason, Van Arnam (or Van Norman) and Dutcher. In 1849, Frederick
R. Dutcher platted the property and named the plat, Shelburn.
The river was the dividing line. Dutcher erected a distillery at
once and in 1853, he added a store. Jacob Doan next year put in
another store.
The Shelburn Manufacturing Company of
which Dutcher was president, put up a large flouring mill in
1856. It was combined with the distillery and Shelburn attracted
considerable trade and a large business was handled.
The mill was a stone building 60x60
feet, four stories high. The distillery was 40x140, two and a
half stories high. The dam was built of solid masonry, the whole
costing $65,000. Col. John B. Wyman for a time was an
influential member of the company.
In 1859, by reason of an explosion, the
south wall was partially thrown down and the boiler was hurled
thirty rods across the creek. The engineer, John Bentley was
injured badly. Loss $4,000. Ten years later the building was
destroyed by fire. A small section of wall stands today to
invite attention to the former glories of Shelburn. Beautiful
Rocky Ford cemetery is located here. It is owned by the Catholic
Church at Amboy.
When the Illinois Central was built,
Shelburn and Binghamton collapsed and became deserted villages.
The first postal facilities were
furnished by Dixon. Then Asa B. Searls became first postmaster
and the office was maintained in his house. Warren Badger
followed when Searls resigned. Dutcher was made postmaster of
Shelburn, but when Binghamton secured its removal, Dutcher
secured its reestablishment under the name of Equator.
Shelburn had all the opportunity to
lead. When the mail route was changed from Peoria to Peru,
Shelburn became the stage headquarters. Two lines were run, one
by Frink and Walker and another by Dixon and Andruss. But the
Binghamton people outgeneraled their rivals at every turn and
finally secured the stage lines. Midway between Binghamton and
Shelburn, stands Amboy, made by the entrance of the Illinois
Central railroad.
In 1851, a corps of engineers under
Roswell B. Mason ran lines through this locality. T. B.
Blackstone, had charge of the men between Dixon and Bloomington.
The town sites then were owned in many instances, by individuals
or companies, composed of stockholders of the Central. Very much
after present day methods they pursued the tactics of the
present day man. At first a farm two miles north of the present
depot, was bought and the company sent out word that the machine
shops for the new road were to be located there. Some stone was
hauled and the place actually was named Kepatau. This feint was
made for the sole purpose of securing another farm for the town.
The scheme worked very well and Amboy stands today just where
the Central people desired, on the ''Farwell place.''
In June, 1853, Michael Egan came here to
begin work on the station buildings. Plans for the machine shops
were made and Mr. Egan pushed their construction with rapidity.
Eighteen hundred and fifty-four became the birth year of Amboy.
Town lots were sold rapidly. Farwell's and Wyman's and Gilson's
additions were platted and residence lots went off rapidly. R.
D. Peironet and Samuel Goldman opened the first stores; the
first named had a small stock of knick-knacks. Goldman sold
clothing.
In the spring of 1854, Josiah Little
erected a store building which was opened in October and in
which a stock of drugs, hard-ware and groceries was sold; Wilcox
and Wooster followed with a dry goods and grocery store. Later,
Mr. Wooster bought the interest of his partner. During these
first formative years, Amboy grew very rapidly.
David Bainter was the first doctor to
settle here. William E. Ives, the first lawyer to settle here,
came in December, 1854. Alfred Tooker and James H. Filch came
the next year. Alonzo Kinyon, who read law here came about the
same time. Desirous of securing the facilities of a court,
Kinyon secured the passage of an act by the Legislature
establishing, The "Court of Common Pleas of the City of Amboy,"
with jurisdiction concurrent with the circuit court, cases of
murder and treason excepted. In 1869, Kinyon was elected judge
of this court and C. D. Vaughan was elected clerk. The court did
not prosper, however, and in 1874 the law was repealed.
Armed with a letter of introduction to
Stephen A. Douglas, Bernard H. Trusdell came to Amboy in 1858,
to practice law. Douglas had advised Amboy. Edward Southwick
moved here from Dixon, but died about the time Mr. Trusdell came
here. Norman H. Ryan came a little later. Both Trusdell and Ryan
became lawyers of renown.
Incorporation as a town followed soon.
In the winter of 1854-5, the town was incorporated. Allen E.
Wilcox became the first president of the board of trustees. H.
B. Judkins became the second clerk.
On Dec. 23, 1856, a citizens meeting was
held in Mechanics hall to consider the question of city
organization. J. B. Wyman, William E. Ives, Alonzo Kinyon and
Edward Southwick, were appointed a committee to draft a charter.
On the 30th at an adjourned meeting held at the Orient House,
the charter was reported, adopted section by section and then as
a whole. On Feb. 16, 1857, an act was approved and March 2 was
set for the election to adopt or ratify it. On the 8th
following, John B. Wyman was elected mayor. Orange D. Reed,
marshal; S. S. Stedman, E. S. Reynolds, J. R. Stevens, F. B.
Little, J. M. Davis and J. A. Jackson were elected aldermen. Two
hundred and thirty-four votes were cast. Daniel T. Wood was made
clerk; W. E. Ives, attorney; A. E. Wilcox, assessor; W. B.
Andruss, collector; Edward Little, treasurer and Arthur Pond,
surveyor.
In 1854-5, the post offices at Shelburn
and Binghamton were discontinued and Amboy secured the same.
Orange D. Reed was made first postmaster.
The first birth in the new village was
that of Medora Bell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bell, Aug.
29, 1854. The first birth in the township was that of Simon, son
of Mr. and Mrs. John Dexter in 1836; the second was that of
William C. Doan, son of James Doan, Oct. 16, 1837. The first
marriage in the village of Amboy was that of William C.
Bartlett, and Caroline Bartlett, Oct. 18, 1854. The first death
in the village was that of Almira Melissa, infant daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Stuart, Jan. 5, 1855.
Two tragedies occurred in Amboy. Owen
O'Connor shot and killed Dennis Allen, saloon keeper, Oct. 11,
1872. On April 18, 1873, John McGrath stabbed and killed Edward
Egan. A Negro killed another Negro in the passenger station by
striking with his fist.
Amboy has made several fights to secure
the county seat and always she has been vigilant to see that
Dixon obtained no advantages. For that reason, until the
erection of the present court-house, Dixon always had been
compelled to build and maintain the courthouse. In 1866, the
first effort was made. With Dr. George Ryon in the Legislature
it was conceded that her chances 'were better than an average.
But the effort failed. When it became known that the present new
courthouse was probable for Lee County, Amboy made another
desperate effort to secure the county seat; but this defeat was
more decided than the first. The removal of the division offices
and the shops from Amboy, had cut her population, while the
territory naturally tributory to Dixon, as well as Dixon herself
had been enjoying a long period of prosperity and increase in
population.
Amboy has been subjected to fearful
fires. The first big fire on the morning of Dec. 10, 1863,
originated under the brick city hall, three stories high. A
$35,000 loss followed; insurance, $14,000.
In 1864 a $45,000 fire followed;
insurance, $38,000. March 10, 1865, another big fire followed.
Other fires occurred April 2, 1868; April 25, 1871, and Aug. 25,
1871, the last one entailing a loss of $175,000; insurance,
$103,000. In this last fire John Shannon was burned to death. He
had been incarcerated in the city jail and was forgotten until
too late. Other fires of smaller degree have followed since, but
none of any magnitude.
After the railroad debt had been saddled
upon the community, the struggles of Amboy were hopeless, many
times. No money could be secured for improvements. The railroad
shops were taken away. The division offices were removed; yet
she struggled forward bravely, and beginning with the
administration of Mayor John P. Harvey, splendidly paved streets
made their appearance. Boulevard lamps followed. Now Amboy is
pushing, forward splendidly. I do insist, however, that the
splendid grasp which Mayor Harvey had of the situation and his
uncompromising efforts for order, beauty and business
development have been responsible very largely for the new Amboy
of today.
The Lewis families in Lee County are
descendants of George Lewis, who, with his brother John, came
from East Greenwich, County of Kent, England, about 1630, to
Plymouth, Mass.
George married Sarah Jenkins in England.
She was sister of Edward Jenkins, one of the earliest settlers
of Scituate, and ancestor of most of that name in New England.
George Lewis was a clothier by occupation and in religious
matters was a Separatist, or one of the Pilgrims, as
distinguished from the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
He went from Plymouth to Scituate, and thence to Barnstable,
being one of the early settlers of that town.
Nathaniel Lewis, Jr., as he is known in
the family genealogy, was a direct descendant of George Lewis,
and was born in Vermont May 27, 1769 and, with his wife (Esther
Tuttle), came to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, about the
year 1785. Six sons and six daughters were born to them in
Susquehanna County, and their names, date of birth, date and
place of death are as follows:
Esther, born June 2, 1793; married
Joshua McKune; died at Osceola, Wisconsin, Sept. 19, 1878.
Levi, born Nov. 9, 1796; died Sept. 28, 1857, at Amboy,
Illinois.
Lurena, born Dec. 22, 1798; married Augustus Trowbridge; died
Dec. 7, 1867, at Lee Center, Illinois.
Nathaniel C, born May 3, 1803; died Nov. 27, 1864, at Genoa,
DeKalb County, Illinois.
Sarah, born May 1, 1805; married Sabin Trowbridge; died Dec. 8,
1861, at Lee Center, Illinois.
Joseph, born April 15, 1807; died May 5, 1882, at Amboy,
Illinois.
Timothy P., born March 28, 1809; died Jan. 7, 1872, at Amboy,
Illinois.
Elizabeth, born Nov. 13, 1811; married Hezekiah McKune; died
Feb. 7, 1899, at Lee Center, Illinois.
Ann, born Feb. 4. 1814; married Austin B. Trowbridge; died Feb.
11, 1880, at Lee Center, Illinois.
Hiel, born Dec. 31, 1816; died April 28, 1880, in Amboy
Township, Lee County, Illinois.
Miles, born May 11, 1818; died Aug. 27, 1877, at Lee Center,
Illinois.
Olive, born June 17, 1823; married Alpheus G. Skinner; died Oct.
1, 1892, at China Township, Lee County, Illinois.
These twelve children of Nathaniel
Lewis, Jr., were all born in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania,
and all, with their families, came to Illinois between the years
1842 and 1845; and at one time, were all in Lee County,
Illinois.
Amboy
Of Today
By P. M. James
The city of Amboy has had its
vicissitudes and days of darkness and gloom; but, phoenix-like,
it is arising from the ashes of the dead past and with
confidence and assurance is now looking straight into the
future.
The removal of the Illinois Central
railroad shops and the heavy bonded indebtedness of the
township, voted for the construction of the Rock River railroad,
the two ghastly spectres which for many years hung like a
funeral pall over our people, are now matters of ancient
history.
The Illinois Central has in a measure
returned to Amboy, its monthly pay roll at the present time at
this place amounting on the average to $15,900 with bright
prospects for an increase in both pay roll and business and with
a strong probability that this company will again make this
place a regular terminal station. At the present time, the
company makes Amboy its freight terminal and it is here well
provided with side tracks and roundhouse. The business
transacted by this company at this place is summarized by its
gentlemanly agent, A. A. Carmichael, as follows:
Employees at station, 16; at roundhouse,
25; on section, 15; and on trains and engines, 140; making a
total of 196 and an average of over thirty thousand freight cars
are handled through the Amboy yard each month.
The Rock River railroad bonds have long
since been paid ($100,000), and long years of interest, and from
this time on the road constructed, now a branch of the Chicago,
Burlington and Quincy railroad, will be a good investment and a
source of income to the entire town, at least in the payment of
taxes, which for the year 1912 amounted for the township to the
sum of $2,692.46.
Amboy is also the western terminal of
the Northern Illinois Electric Railway Company which has its
road under construction from Amboy to DeKalb, and of which
twelve miles, reaching through Lee Center and Bradford to near
the Reynolds township line, are completed and in operation.
These three railways give Amboy excellent shipping facilities,
but the one thing that has during the past few years tended to
build up Amboy and its business interest has been the
development of the agricultural resources in this vicinity. By a
thorough system of drainage by means of tile and open ditches,
it has discovered that the farm lands in the vicinity of Amboy
may and have become very productive and as a result our business
men now look and depend on the farmer more than any other one
class of people. As these farms continue to improve in value and
productiveness it is but natural to believe that Amboy will be
benefited thereby.
City Government
The city of Amboy was originally
incorporated under a special charter Feb. 16, 1857, which was
amended Feb. 24, 1869, but on May 8, 1888, was reorganized under
the city and village laws of the state. The more marked
improvements during the past few years have been the
installation of a city water system, with the water supplied of
an excellent quality from an artesian well over two thousand
feet in depth, under Mayor George E. Young; the removal of the
old wooden awnings in the business section, the construction of
cement sidewalks and the installation of a general sewer system
under Mayor J. P. Johnson; the paving of the streets in the
business section, and the extension of water mains, sewers and
cement walks under Mayor John P. Harvey; and the installation of
the boulevard lighting system in the business section, and the
improving and rebuilding of the electric lighting system of the
entire city, under the present mayor, Fred N. Vaughan. The
present officers of the city government are as follows:
F. N. Vaughan, mayor; Messrs. W. J. Keho,
C. A. Fenstemaker, H. W. O'Toole, W. J. Edwards, T. B. Fisher,
James Briggs, Frank Brady, E. H. Barlow and A. J. Barlow,
aldermen; J. W. Kelleher, city marshal; F. A. Flach, city clerk;
Paul F. Reilly, city treasurer; William L. Leech, city attorney;
John M. Egan, Jr., city engineer; F. C. Vaughan, fire marshal;
Dr. E. A. Sullivan, health officer; V. B. Andnuss, water
commissioner;']S. H. Badger, J. C. MacKinnon and W. J. Edwards,
park commissioners.
Aesthetics
The civic pride of the citizens is shown
by the well painted homes, the well kept lawns and the care and
attention given street trees, shrubs and ornamental plants, by
reason of which Amboy always presents a neat and tidy
appearance. The city owns Green River Park, a tract of about
forty acres lying adjacent to the city on the east and which is
well shaded with native oak trees. This park is situated on the
banks of Green river, is well cared for by the city and is well
patronized, not only by the people of the city, but also by many
people from a distance.
Adjacent to this park on the south and
west are located the grounds and improvements of the Lee County
Fair Association with a half-mile track which is a joy to the
horsemen. During the fair the association is granted the use of
the park, and taken together they make an ideal place for the
annual gathering of the people of the entire county.
Hospital
Amboy Hospital, owned by the Amboy
Hospital Company, Incorporated, is located at the corner of
Plant and Division Street and is well equipped and has competent
nurses for the treatment and care of the sick and for surgical
operations, and is being much appreciated and well patronized by
our citizens. While it is owned and controlled as a private
corporation, yet its doors are always open for any legitimate
business and all reputable physicians and surgeons.
Schools
There are three school buildings in
Amboy, a pebble dash two-room building located on East Main
Street, a two-story brick building on West Provost Street, and a
two-story pressed brick high school building located near the
center of the city. Grades 1 to 4, inclusive, are taught in the
two first mentioned buildings, and grades 5 to 12 inclusive, are
taught in the high school building.
The high school has a regular four-year
course and includes household science, manual training and
agriculture. As to the character and standard of the work done
in the high school it is sufficient to mention the fact that
this school has been on the fully accredited list of the
University of Illinois for many years, and at the present time
its graduates may obtain seventeen credits or two more than are
required for admission to the university.
The board of education consists of Frank
P. Blocher, president; P. M. James, secretary; and Messrs. Fred
N. Vaughan, J. M. Egan Jr., G. A. Deming, C. H. Wooster and
Charles A. Zeigler. The teachers for 1913-14 are: Otis M.
Eastman, superintendent and principal of the high school; Misses
Myrtle Kenney, Ruth F. Keefer and Launa B. Robinson in the high
school; and in the grades. Misses Edna Washburn, Josie F. Keho,
Jennie Carroll, Margaret Hammond, Catherine Clark, Leota Dee
Brown and Lena Elois Scranton. Mr. Eastman and Miss Keefer are
from the University of Illinois; Miss Robinson from Wesley an
University of Bloomington, Illinois; and Miss Kenney a post
graduate of Southern Illinois Normal University; of the grade
teachers, three are Normal School graduates, and all have had
normal school training.
Churches
To accommodate the various religious
beliefs of her citizens Amboy is well supplied with church
organizations, as follows:
St. Patrick 's Catholic Church, with a
large brick edifice located on Jones street, and with Rev. T. J.
Cullen, priest, in charge; German Lutheran, located on Jones
street; Baptist on Mason street, Rev. Earl A. Riney, pastor;
Methodist Episcopal with a stone edifice on Mason street, Rev.
J. W. George, pastor; St. Luke's Episcopal, on Mason street;
Congregational, located at corner of Main and Plant streets,
with Rev. H. H. Appellman, pastor; and the Christian Science
occupy rooms in the Badger Block.
Newspapers
For many years Amboy has had two
newspapers, known as the Amboy News and the Amboy Journal, but
in October, 1913, the News Journal Company was incorporated and
took over and consolidated both plants and will continue
publishing the Amboy News.
The names of the directors and officers
of the News-Journal Company are as follows:
G. L. Carpenter, president; Philip
Clark, vice president; Andrew Aschenbrenner, H. H. Badger,
George P. Miller; and Mary J. Burnham, secretary-treasurer.
Banks
The First National Bank of Amboy, as
shown by its statement of Oct. 21, 1913, had a capital of
$100,000.00, a surplus and undivided profits amounting to
$107,690.16, and total assets of $1,155,724.17. The officers of
the bank are, Fred N. Vaughan, president; Elijah L. King, vice
president; H. H. Badger, cashier, and L. L. Brink and W. B.
Vaughan, assistant cashiers. The directors are F. N. Vaughan, E.
L. King, E. L. Price, H. W. Hillison, W. V. Jones, W. A. Green,
P. M. James, Philip Clark and H. H. Badger.
The Amboy State Bank was established in
December, 1912, with a capital of $25,000.00; on Oct. 22, 1913,
it reported assets to the amount of $84,624.14. The officers and
directors of the bank are: George P. Miller, president; F. W.
Harck, vice president; R. W. Ruckman, cashier; and Messrs. F. C.
Haley, Jarvis Leake,. George Malach, J. A. Jones, A. D. Fristoe,
R. W. Jamison and John Daehler.
Industrialism
The crying need in Amboy is the
establishment of industries that will furnish work for our young
people so that they will not be compelled to go elsewhere to
find employment.
The John P. Harvey Bridge and Iron Works
occupies commodious quarters with high grade machinery, and is
engaged in concrete and structural steel work. Mr. Harvey
employs ten men and his pay roll for labor for 1913 amounts to
$6,500.00 per year and material $10,500.00.
The Sanitary Creamery Company purchases
milk and cream and sells milk, cream and butter. It has twelve
employees in its service, and last year paid out $71,296.85 for
milk and cream and $7,118.00 for labor. The officers of the
company are P. M. James, president; H. H. Badger, vice
president, and J. C. MacKinnon, secretary-treasurer and general
manager.
The Entorf Filter Company, Amboy, Ill.,
was incorporated on April 17, 1913, with a capital stock of
$15,000.00. The company is engaged in the manufacture of the
Entorf water separating filter for gasoline, kerosene and
similar oils. The officers are Charles A. Entorf, president, and
Carl P. Baird, secretary-treasurer.
Masonic
Illinois Central Lodge, No. 178, A. F.
and A. M., with 112 members: W. B. Vaughan, W. M.; B. B. Lewis,
S. W.; J. C. MacKinnon, J. W.; V. B. Andruss, secretary; L. L.
Brink, treasurer; W. L. Berryman, S. D.; Andrew Myers, J. D.; W.
F. Graves, S. S.; Edward Morris, J. S.; W. F. Entorf, organist;
T. B. Fisher, chaplain; W. P. Long, tyler.
Amboy Chapter 194, R. A. M., with 104
members: W. J. Edwards, E. H. P.; John C. MacKinnon, K.; W. B.
Dewey, S.; John Reeves, secretary; W. P. Long, treasurer; J. H.
Ayres, C. H.; J. P. Johnson, P. S.; A. A. Carmichael, R. A. C.;
C. F. Dewey, M. 3 V.; F. C. Hegert, M. 2 V.; J. P. Brieiton, M.
1st W.; R. L. Virgil, sentinel; V. B. Andruss, chaplain; B. B.
Lyons, steward.
Amboy Order Eastern Star with 131
Members
Mrs. J. P. Honeycutt, W. M.; Mr. J. P.
Honeycutt, W. P.; Mrs. Mary Davis, A. M.; Mrs. Maude Brierton,
secretary; Mr. John Reeves, treasurer; Mrs. Clara Carmichael,
conductress; Mrs. Vera Peoples, A. C.; Miss Mae Searls, Ada;
Mrs. Grace Brink, Ruth; Mrs. Helen Vaughan, Esther; Mrs. Ella
Walters, Martha; Miss Mary Wood, Electa; Mrs. Fannie Doty,
Warder; V. B. Andruss, sentinel; Mrs. W. B. Dewey, marshal; Mrs.
Sarah Brierton, chaplain; Stella M. Klein, organist.
M. W. OF A.
Amboy Camp No. 158, W. M. of A.
Membership 120. E. H. Barlow, counsel; G. M. Finch, advisor; W.
P; Long, banker; W. B. Vaughan, clerk; E. J. Conderman, escort;
Charles Kastler, watch-man; Dr. C. A. Zeigler, physician; W. F.
Graves, C. W. Maine and Ai. Tuttle, managers, and R. L. Bissell,
sentry.
K. OF C.
Keenan Council No. 740, Knights of
Columbus, was instituted June 21, 1913, with forty-five charter
members, which has since increased to 147. The present officers
are:
Grand knight, William E. Clark; deputy
grand knight, John P. Canavan; chancelor, Charles W. Rabbitt;
financial secretary, John F. Hammond; advocate, D. M. Reilley;
treasurer, Paul F. Reilley; chaplain. Rev. T. J. Cullen;
lecturer. Rev. F. S. Porcella; inside guard, John J. Edwards;
outside guard, Lyman T. Callahan; trustees, Philip Clark, J. P.
Harvey and F. W. Meyer.
Amboy Commercial Club
Amboy Commercial Club has eighty members
and the officers and directors are as follows:
W. T. Berryman, president; H. H. Badger,
vice president; F. L. Doty, treasurer; B. B. Brewer, secretary;
G. L. Carpenter, W. E. Clark, D. L. Berry, directors.
This club was incorporated in 1911; has
commodious rooms in the Entorf building and is doing much for
the commercial interests of the city.
I O. O. F.
Green River Lodge No. 999, 1. O. O. F.
was instituted April 26, 1911, at Amboy. It has seventy members
at present time. Officers are: T. O. Clink, N. G.; Oscar
Wilhelm, V. G.; A. A..Virgil, secretary; J. F. Hook, treasurer;
R. S. Brown, warden; George I. Welch, conductor; E .S, Coates,
chaplain; J. S. Conkrite, inside guard; superintendents of N,
G., J. A, Church and L. A. Emery; superintendents to V, G., E,
H, Barlow and E. F. Barnes; W. L. Eddy, P. G.; R. L. Bissell,
representative; J. A. Church, Dept.
Lee County
Townships
This page is
part of a larger collection.
Access the full collection at
History of
Lee County Illinois
|