Vermont Township

2004 Newspaper Article about Vermont, Illinois

Excerpt about Vermont Twp. taken from the History of Fulton County (1879)

History's Heyday

Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois, Sunday, February 8, 2004, E1-E2
Story by Brenda Bowen, photographs by Leslie Renken (pictures not included)

     Madge Wanderski was working in real estate in Chicago when she heard of a new listing in the tiny Fulton County village of Vermont.
     Intrigued by the Robert Dilworth home, Wanderski and her husband, Don, drove downstate to see the house, and they haven't looked back to the big city since.
     "We took a ride one Sunday and fell in love, and here we are," Wanderski said. The immense, stately three-story home is one of 16 Vermont homes or businesses listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. The program identified and protects more than 80,000 buildings and other structures throughout the country.
     Some of the old elegant homes such as the Stapleford-Hoover-Whitney House on North Main Street, the first of the village's high-style residences are chapters in Vermont's rich and colorful history. Completed circa 1855 the home is one of 13 that were placed on the National Register in November 1996.
     Other significant homes, such as the Harvey Lee Ross House on South Main and the Joab Mershon House on West Fifth Street, were completed in 1857 and 1859, respectively, by some of Vermont's mercantile "giants", according to a web site - Vestige of a Gilded Age - devoted to Vermont. [http://www.outfitters.com/illinois/fulton/vermont/vestige.html]
     Now home to about 800 people, Vermont was once a hub of commerce and trade. The first settler came to the area in 1832.
     Brothers James and Joseph Crail bought 80 acres of land and sold the parcels, which sparked the growth of the village in 1835.
     According to a book about the history of Vermont, the village was named by Abraham Williams, who bought the naming rights with a gallon of whiskey. It's said that Williams named the new village "Vermont" in honor of his home state.
     Vermont thrived for several decades when businessmen came to town and built homes showcasing their financial achievement, said Vermont resident Vernon C. Thompson, Jr., who helped research the book about Vermont's history.
     By mid-19th century, the town had grown into a meat
packing center.
     "Wagons of salt pork were being hauled to the wharves of the Illinois River at Browning, to feed a hungry nation, forming the basis of several local fortunes. The village sported seven pork packing firms, mills and tanneries saw mills and brickyards, two hotels, a bank, and numerous mercantile houses," according to a web site devoted to the village's historical draw.
     The issue of slavery divided the town. Abraham Lincoln once stayed at the Thomas R. Hamer home, though Vermont wasn't a scheduled stop on the trip he was taking around the state in 1858.
     Several homes in the village were stops on the Underground Railroad, providing a safe passage for slaves as they made their way to Galesburg, according to the town's history.
     A famous visitor to Vermont arrived in 1888 and never left. Leo the Lion, part of the Ringling Brothers Circus, died of fever while the circus was in town and was buried in Vermont, complete with a headstone bearing his name.
     The arrival of railroads in the area shifted economic focus away from Vermont and onto other communities. But seeds of history had already been planted in many of the ornate homes built during Vermont's first few decades.
     Thompson said the history of Vermont was part of the reason he was shopping for an older home in the village when his home at 408 W. Fifth St. came on the market in 1978.
     "I'm interested in architectural history," Thompson said. His home was built by an affluent businessman named Joab Merchand for his daughter, Rebecca.
     Wanderski said the history of her home and its community drew her family here.
     "It seems impressive to have something that's been here for so long," she said of her house at 606 E. Fifth St.
     "It's graceful. It sits all by itself and stands out".
     The Wanderskis have never altered their house, which was built in the Italianate style for Dilworth in 1872.
     "It's exactly the way it was (in 1872)," Wanderski said of the exterior. "It's never been painted."
     Thompson said the 1990 addition to the National Register of the village's Masonic hall, which was built in 1892, was "kind of an impetus" for other additions. The other structures, including homes and the downtown district, were added to the registry after the Masonic hall.
     The hall is considered one of the most elaborately decorated rural fraternal halls in the state. It was
designed with an anteroom, off of which was the main lodge room to the east and a dining and social room to the west, according to its web site.
     The east chamber of the hall remains decorated as it was originally designed, with the walls panelled and the ceiling coffered in fabricated, pressed sheet metal. Metallic gilding provides accent.
     National Register of Historic Homes historian Paul Lusignan said the concept of entire communities looking into local history and trying to get listed on the registry is a trend that's gained momentum in recent years.
     "More and more, we're finding that the whole community is interested" in preservation, Lusignan said.
     It was a 1996 village-wide study in Vermont that led to the addition of most properties now listed on the registry. State funding sometimes allows comprehensive studies to be done by one engineer.
     Lusignan said there are benefits for properties listed on the registry.
     "First and foremost, it's an honorary program, (but) there are economic incentives," he said.
     Having several properties on the registry is usually good for tourism, he said. Federal grants can also be
obtained for rehabilitating properties on the registry.
     Lusignan said the homes listed in Vermont are special because they are some of the first homes built in the village.
     Thompson said he has a lot of pride in his community and its history, but he feels uncertain about the outlook for preservation of it in the future.
     "The economics of a village like Vermont today are
probably not sufficient for many people to want to spend their time preserving (homes)," Thompson said. "We're just so far off the beaten path."
     However, Thompson said he wants to be optimistic about the prospects for preserving the rich history of his community.
     "We'll just have to let the future take its course," he said. "We'll see what happens."

This excerpt was taken from the History of Fulton County, published by Chas. C. Chapman & Co. in 1879, pages 897-903.

One of the best improved townships in Fulton county is the one the history of which we now write; yet to attempt a history of the township separate and distinct from that of the town would be to recapitulate or repeat in a great measure what is to be said of the town of Vermont. Hence with a few references to some of the leading historical items of the township, we will pass to the history of the town.

It is probable that Moses Davis was the first settler to locate in the township, who came as early as 1832 and erected his cabin one-half mile southwest of where the town of Vermont is located. The first Church was that of the Protestant Methodist denomination, and was organized in 1843. The society erected a building the same year. The first school-house was built in 1836 on the Public Square in Vermont. It was constructed of hewn logs. James Spicer taught the first school in the same year. The first saw-mill in the township was built by Job Bogue in 1838 or '39. The first grist-mill was built by Rhodes Dilworth in Vermont in 1840. The first tannery was erected by James Boyle in 1843. On the farm of Jonathan Bogue stands the first barn that was ever erected in the township. It was built by Jesse Cox about the time of Job Bogue's settlement in this township.

By 1844 there were quite a number of settlers in the tp. Among them were Isaac Cadwallader, John Evans, the Deane family, Stephen Lindsey, Josiah Zull, Thomas Holmes, J. P. and J. W. Powell, Wm. Marshall, Mr. Chaddock and others.

At this date and previously there were no frame houses in the township and very little land under cultivation, and supplies for settlers were obtained at Lewistown and St. Louis. A horse-mill located on Spoon river and a little water mill on Potatoe creek, built by Mr. P. Williams in 1832, supplied the settlers with their grist. Considerable time, however, was consumed by the pioneers in securing a sufficient quantity, of meal to run the family larder.

As immigration set in rapidly westward, the township soon became thickly settled by an industrious, energetic people whose enterprise has brought Vermont to the front rank among the townships of the county. Among the leading farmers of Vermont township outside the town who have contributed most largely to the development of the resources of the county, we mention the names of Jonathan Bogue, T. C. Robinson, Joseph Robinson, J. W. Robinson, J. H. Marshall, John Fleming, Samuel Etnier, Isaac Cadwallader, Abraham Kost, Granville Wright, Nicholas Hipsley, J. D. and Geo. W. Powell, Reuben Kinsey (who planted the first vineyard), Charles Russell, Evan Fremont, Thos. Holmes and others.

The simplicity of agricultural implements in early days may be more readily conceived from the following incidents, as related by W. G. Clark: The old wooden mold-board plow then in general use would not scour in the tough prairie soil, and Talman Litchfield, disgusted at having to clean his plow every rod or two, offered to deed 50 acres of land to any one who would produce a plow that would scour itself. Mr. Clark, who was then in very limited circumstances, thought this an excellent opportunity to obtain some real estate without expense, and accordingly he and Warren Vail, a blacksmith, manufactured one which was very similar to those now in use. It worked exceedingly well, keeping itself perfectly bright. This was the first really improved plow in Vermont township. Mr. Litchfield was now asked to fulfill his agreement and deed the land ; but this he refused to do. Consequently a lawsuit was undertaken, and a sort of mock trial was had in the old log school-house at Vermont, where much joking, laughing speech-making and flowing of whisky ended the contest.

As illustrative of the happiness of some of the pioneers, the following was told by Mr. Cassidy, of this township: During the earliest settlement of this country there dwelt at Barker's Grove a man named Osborn, who lived alone in a small cabin. When the deep snow of 1830-1 fell his humble abode was almost obliterated under a heavy drift of snow. As the snow remained upon the ground for several months, some of those who had settled in his vicinity became uneasy about him ; and having discussed the matter among themselves, they determined-to rescue the man or furnish him provisions. Accordingly several citizens, laden with provisions, made their way over the crust that had formed upon the snow to his cabin. When within a short distance of his house, they heard the sound of a violin, and when they entered the rude home, the supposed corpse, or at least invalid, was found with his face wreathed in smiles and enjoying the sweet strains of his violin, and his only visible means of support was one, solitary half-gallon of corn meal.

VERMONT.

This is one of the most attractive and beautifully situated towns in Fulton county. It contains many as handsome residences as can be found anywhere in this part of the State. As an old land-mark of this county, the history of its growth, past and present, will no doubt be appreciated by those who have been instrumental in its growth and by those whose settlement in the county has been of recent date. As much of our history is obtained from the original pioneers who came from the sunny South and the enterprising East, we shall, before entering upon any detailed description of Vermont, mention the names and dates of arrival of many whose honorable record and business thrift have made them respected in the community, where many years of trying and eventful life have brought them their reward.

James J. Crail came here in March, 1833, and settled permanently in 1834; Joab Mershon located here during the autumn of 1838, James Dilworth in 1837, Henry Nelson in 1836, Eliakim Kirkbride in 1839, Ezra Dilworth in 1837, Dr. Wm. H. Nance in 1841, S. F. Hoopes in 1841, James A. Russell in 1847, Col. Thos. Hamer in 1845, Edward and Patterson Hamer in 1854, Cephas Toland about the year 1841, Emer Dilworth in 1837, Robert Dilworth was born in the township in 1833 and was brought into town in 1839, Edward Webster settled here in 1850, and others.

James and Joseph Crail were the founders of Vermont. They were Kentuckians by birth and came from Indiana to Vermont in 1833, as above stated, but did not locate permanently until the following year. They had purchased an 80-acre tract of land, which is now within the corporate limits of the town ; and seeing the necessity of a town in this part of the county, they determined on founding one. Assisted by Jonas Rawalt, County Surveyor, who at present resides in Orion township, in 1835 they began a preliminary survey for the town, and ere long the 80 acres just mentioned was platted into town lots. These lots sold quite readily and at fair prices to the few pioneers who then dwelt within the limits of Vermont township. Jas. Crail built the first dwelling, which was a small frame building, and is now occupied by Mrs. Margaret Collins. Mr. Joseph Crail, a brother of the well-known James J. Crail who resides in Vermont, and who died in Kansas several years ago, erected the second residence. The first store building was erected in 1837 by Mr. G. Reeves.

Digressing a little from detailing first occurrences, we will relate the circumstances under which Vermont was named. In early day the " little brown jug " was thought to be an indispensable article among the pioneers. Mr. Crail was at a loss to know what the name of the town should be. At the general sale of lots, which was held shortly after the laying out of the town, much discussion and jesting was indulged in on this point; for, be it known, the early settlers were inveterate jokers, and they never lost an opportunity for a little fun. Abitha [Abraham] Williams, said to be an eccentric character, proposed to Mr. Crail that if the naming of the town was left to him he would see that a gallon of whisky would be forthcoming. The proposition was accepted and the bidders for lots when they were sold partook freely, and then, as now, no doubt, some felt considerably exhilarated. Mr. Williams was a native of the Green Mountain State, and accordingly selected for the name of the town " Vermont," in honor of his State. Jonas Rawalt, the surveyor, had suggested the name of "Meridian," owing, no doubt, to his knowledge of latitude and longitude, and as the town was located only one-half a mile from the fourth principal meridian.

During the autumn of 1837 Wm. Dilworth and Jesse Cox settled in the township, and the following year moved into the village. There were at that time perhaps a dozen buildings, log and frame, in the place. A postoffice, of course, was a necessity to the pioneers, and accordingly, in a rough round-log building in the vicinity of David Kirkbride's hotel, a postoffice was started. Wm. McCurdy and A. G. Frisbie were postmasters, and mail was carried once a week by A. G. Frisbie first, who made the trip to Bernadotte with a little mail bag thrown over his shoulders. After him James Crail was carrier. The trip was made on horseback, and often Mr. Crail carried the mail in his hat. The postage ranged according to distance, from 6 1/4 cents to 25 cents on each letter. In those days letters were not enclosed in envelopes, but were folded and sealed in a mysterious way and bore an undisguised appearance of quiet dignity. Very often considerable skirmishing around had to be done by the settlers to procure the necessary 25 cents to get the long looked-for letter from relatives hundreds of miles away.

In 1837 there were three small general stores in the place. Trade was quite limited, and the three merchants did not continue in business a great length of time. Wm. Dilworth started a general merchandise store in 1840, and the same year Rhodes Dilworth built the first steam mill, which is supposed to be the first in the Military Tract. Customers came from a distance of 50 or 60 miles to this mill. Goods were purchased from St. Louis, transported to the most convenient landings on the river and hauled from there in wagons. During the winter of 1838 salt sold as high as 6 1/4 cents per pound; subsequently it sold readily for 8 cents per pound. It was not long before the increased immigration began to tell upon the business and prosperity of the town. In 1838 Joab Mershon, poor and unknown, entered the town, and for several years engaged in shoemaking. In 1841, with a light capital but an abiding faith in the future prosperity of the town, he entered into business, erecting a two-story brick building on the east side of the Square. This was at the time the only store in the place, and from the start Mr. Mershon transacted a very good business. The following year Enos Monohan, a Christian preacher, bought a small building south of town and entered into competition with Mr. Mershon.

Previous to 1850 the several merchants of the place, besides those we have mentioned, were Edward Stapleford, who kept a general store, John J. Lynn and James Dilworth. In 1842 the American House was built by the present proprietor and J. W. Kelly. It was then 18 by 20 feet, and two stories in height, and erected of brick. It was looked upon by the citizens with something akin to pride. In 1840 a grist-mill was built by Rhodes Dilworth and William Fellon, west of the Square, 40 by 40 feet. This was a three-story frame building, and was really the main stay and hope of the town for some time. It brought many customers from the remote parts of this and adjoining counties, to the joy of its enterprising proprietors. About this time James Boyle erected a small building, and in connection with Robert Anderson built a tannery, which establishment boasted but little of the modern and improved machinery of this day, the process of tanning then requiring weeks. Being only moderately successful, they sold to Cephas Toland, who transacted quite a large and successful business. Still a second tannery was found to be necessary,—at least it was thought so. The proprietors of this one were Heizer & Stevens, who built a tan-yard in the western part of town.

In 1844 or '45 a saw-mill was erected. The first saw-mill was run by horse and ox tread power, but was turned into a steam gristmill in 1845. The saw-mill drew but little trade to the town and proved unprofitable to its owners, and accordingly it was converted into a carding-mill. This, it appears, was not a financial success, and accordingly the machinery for a distillery soon arrived and the manufacture of the ardent began. This was perhaps a more successful bid for a little of the hard-earned money of the pioneers. The distillery was run about 4 years and was then converted into what was known as the East Grist-Mill. About this time Benj. Swartz and John Evans ran a shoe-last factory. In 1846 a general merchandise store was opened by Winans & Smith; in 1849 by Stevens, Heizer & Winans.

For a time the town grew quite rapidly and it often presented a very busy aspect. As the westward flow of emigration was great, many were attracted to this pleasantly situated town. The surrounding country was fertile, the land easily cultivated and yielded large quantities of wheat and other cereals; and ere many years had rolled around, all the Congress and patent land in the township was occupied. Vermont enjoyed a season of prosperity lasting for several years. Main street was often crowded with teams, sometimes extending for a distance of half a mile, being a solid mass of wagons. Large quantities of pork were packed here in early day, which was hauled to landings on the river, put aboard steamboats and shipped south.

The following detailed account of the cholera of 1851 was prepared by Esquire H. S. Jacobs and published in the Lewistown Democrat June 5, 1879:

THE CHOLERA OF 1851.

It will be remembered that this scourge appeared in New Orleans in the fall of 1848, and raged there during the following winter. It made its appearance in St. Louis in February, 1849. The first case was attended by Prof. Barber, of McDowell's Medical College. The faculty laughed at him for pronouncing it cholera; but in a few days after Dr. Barber himself died with it. The doctors then gave the alarm, and great preparations were made to stay its progress. But it spread rapidly, and that, together with the great fire of May 17th which swept away a great part of the city, seemed to blight the prospects of the growing city. The cholera continued there during the summers of 1850—51.

About the first of June, 1851, Esq. Jechoniah Langston went from here to St. Louis on business. Soon after his return he was taken ill. Not knowing the disease to be cholera, the people attended to him as was the custom. He died on the 7th of June. The remains were taken to the church of which he was a member, and a funeral preached, the coffin opened, and the body viewed by those present. The weather was very warm, with southeasterly winds and frequent rains.

John McHenry and several of his family were taken down the day after Langston's death. There not being room in his house for all of them, he was taken to the Christian church, where he received all the care and attention that was possible; but he died shortly after. Four of his children died—Samuel on the 8th, Enos on the 10th, Thomas B. on the 12th, and Mary A. on the 17th of June. On the 12th a young man named Thomas Kent Woodward died at the American House, and on the same day another young man, a stranger, died at Nathan Searl's. On the 20th a young man by the name of Wm. Haney, employed as clerk for Dr. John Hughes, died. Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, wife of the Doctor, died on the 19th. Mrs. Mary E. Blanton, a friend of the Doctor and his family, was taken ill about this time and died on the 23d. Two colored boys also died at this house,—one on the 21st and one on the 23d. Wm. Boswell, a saddler, also died on the 21st.

Dr. Isaac B. Bacon, who had recently come to the place, and who had gained quite a reputation for his close attention to the sick, came home from the country with the disease about dark on the evening of the 27th, and died about daylight the next morning. James B. Fowler and a Mr. Frankenbury lost two children each about this time. Wm. P. and Rebecca J. Edie died on the 23d and 24th respectively. Grandfather Euclid Mercer was buried about this time. As the friends returned from his burial, the man who made his coffin (a Mr. Murphy) came for Dr. Nance to go and see his mother-in-law. The Doctor with I. B. Witchell went out there. The man met them at the door, and showed clear symptoms of cholera. They were both buried before 12 o'clock that night. John Kirkbride, a brother of David Kirkbride, died June 27th, on the farm beyond Sugar creek, in McDonough county, now owned by Robert Andrews. His brother Eliakim died in town a few days after. Mrs. Jane Andrews, mother of Robert, died at the house of Joseph Crail July 4th. Bird Anderson, brother of Mrs. Cephas Toland, was taken down about this time. He was thought to be dead, his coffin was prepared and preparations for his burial made. But he recovered and lived to serve his country faithfully in the war of 1861, removed to Kansas where he died five or six years ago. A young woman named Maria A. Patterson died at the Hayes House July 2d.  David Merrick died on his farm just west of town July 11th. Elizabeth, wife of John A. Craig and sister to Mrs. William Alexander, died on the 24th, and her sister, Mrs. Taylor, died soon after.  Oscar D., son of James A. and Elizabeth Russell, died Aug. 1st.  Julia A., wife of Wm. Hayes, died July 31st. Philip Weaver died August 27th; Elizabeth Davis August 6th, and Richard C. Johnson, brother of Mrs. T. Hamer and Mrs. J. A. Russell, on Sept. 3d. Lemuel Burson, one of those who waited on the sick during the whole time, was taken down among the last cases and went to join those he had helped to care for.

These are the names of a majority of those who died, although there were others whose names we could not get. There were also many others who recovered.

Mr. Witchell says he waited on some seventy cases. During the prevalence of this dread disease in our midst many cases of extreme sadness occurred, and some that were mirth-provoking—among the latter being a man who came to town with a lump of tar sticking under his nose. All business was suspended, except to furnish what was needed for the sick and dead. Mr. Mellor kept open the store of Stephens & Winans for that purpose.

During this trying time Mansfield Patterson kept the Hayes House, and kept his table set at all hours for those waiting upon the sick and dying.

In this, as in all cases of the prevalence of epidemic or contagious disease, a few persons took hold and in a systematic manner waited on and cared for every one of the sick during the whole time of this dreadful calamity, forgetting self and thinking only of the suffering around them. Most prominent among these were the following: Isaac B. Witchell, Cephas Toland, John Mathewson, Joseph B. Royal, H. S. Thomas, Mansfield Patterson, Wm. Mellor, C. B. Cox, Lemuel Burson and David Clark. Among the ladies who assisted in this noble work were Mrs. Elizabeth Westlake, Mrs. Martha Burr, Mrs. Sarah M. Witchell, Mrs. America Toland and Mrs. Patterson ; and many a poor sufferer had the benefit of their kind care and attention. But of these only Mrs. Toland and Mrs. Burr survive. Mr. Clark, after the cholera ceased here, went to Bluff City where the cholera soon made its appearance. He again waited on and nursed the sick, was himself taken down and died, being the last case.

Of all these it can truly be said, they did all that men and women could do during that trying time, and during all these 28 years since, those who survive have ever been ready and willing to aid the sick and relieve the distressed wherever and whenever their services were needed, and this without ostentation or display. Such self-sacrifice will never go unrewarded.

No person is more to be remembered for what he did during those trying days than Esq. H. S. Jacobs.

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