1882 History
Chapter 17 - Town of Nokomis
ITS LOCATION AND SETTLEMENT — THE FIRST STORES, MILLS AND OTHER BUSINESS — GRAIN TRADE OF NOKOMIS — MANUFACTURE OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS — SCHOOLHOUSES, ETC. — THE PRESS — RELIGIOUS HISTORY — THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES, PREACHERS, ETC., ETC.
"History enriches the mind, gratifies a worthy desire to be informed on past events, and enables us to avail ourselves of the experience of our predecessors."
By Rev. T. E. Spilman
IT is not expected that the simple narrative of these pages will be anything more than a mere record of events that have occurred within the limits of this quiet little town. To sketch its progress and improvement from the building of the first cabin to its present growth and prosperity, is the extent of our aim in this chapter. In the preceding chapter, the history of Nokomis Township has been given by another writer, and hence the village only will occupy our attention. In gathering statistics concerning early settlements, organization of churches, etc., it is sometimes difficult to find records which will give, with certainty and accuracy, the information wanted. While we have taken pains to secure facts, it is possible that in the following pages there are inaccuracies.
The town of Nokomis was settled as a village about the year 1855. It was laid out by T. C. Huggins, of Bunker Hill, Ill., and Capt. Simeon Ryder, of Alton, Ill., and it is beautifully situated on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, about twenty miles northeast of Hillsboro, the county seat. It was incorporated as a village March 9, 1867, and has since been incorporated as a town under special charter. It is the third town in the county in size of population, and is a place of considerable business, having a large grain trade.
The first store in the village was owned by Oliver Boutwell. He was bought out by H. F. Rood, who built another store in the year 1859. The first hotel was built by a Mr. Hart, and is the same building, which, with recent improvements, is now called the Eureka House, and stands north of the railroad. The second hotel was built by James Bone, in the year 1865, and burned down in 1881. The first physician locating in Nokomis was Dr. James Welch, who came to the place about the year 1859.
A flouring-mill was built in 1857, by Jewett & Wetmore. This mill, as well as the third one, which was built by Mulkey & Gamble, burned down. The second mill built, which is the one now standing, and doing good work, was built by Rhoades & Boxberger. It is now owned and operated by Hobson & Hartsock.
The first schoolhouse in Nokomis was a one-story frame, built in the year 1858, and served the wants of the town for educational purposes until the present handsome brick building, containing seven rooms, was erected in the year 1871. This edifice cost a little over 113,000, and is finished and furnished in the latest improved style.
The Nokomis Post Office was probably opened about the year 1856, and had for Postmaster Oliver Boutwell. In 1858, Mr. H. F. Rood took the position of Postmaster. He was followed about the year 1861 by W. F. Mulkey. Mr. Mulkey held the situation probably something less than a year, when the office came again into the hands of Mr. Rood, who conducted it until probably about the year 1864, when it came into the hands of Thomas Judson. The present Postmaster, D. P. Brophy, came into possession of the office in the year 1865, and is a faithful and efficient officer.
The grain trade was commenced in Nokomis probably as early as the year 1860, by H. F. Rood. In 1868, there were four parties buying grain; at the present time there are three. The country in the vicinity of Nokomis is a fine one for agriculture, and the grain market is good.
The oldest dwelling house standing in the town is probably the small building, made of logs, now boarded upon the outside, standing south of the lumber yard.
Nokomis has never been much of a manufacturing town, but has paid most of her attention to grain and merchandise. J. C. Runge & Bro. commenced the manufacture of agricultural implements about the year 1868. Their factory is now worked by a steam engine, of about eighteen-horse-power. They do quite a large business.
The Nokomis National Bank had its origin in the year 1872. Its Directors were James Pennington, A. E. McKinney, J. H. Beatty, T. Ernst, Jacob Haller, John Johns and C. W. Townsend. Its President was J. W. Beatty; Vice President, John Johns, and its Cashier, B. F. Culp. It commenced business with a capital of $50,000. It now has a surplus of $10,000. The President of the bank at this time is H. F. Rood; Vice President, George Taylor, and Cashier, Alfred Griffin.
Secret and benevolent institutions are represented in Nokomis by Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor. The society of Freemasons was organized in the year 1856, the Odd Fellows in 1866, and the Knights of Honor February 6, 1879. These organizations have comfortable halls, and appear to be in a nourishing condition.
Newspapers. — The first newspaper published in Nokomis was the Nokomis Advertiser, edited and published by Draper & Henderson. It was established in the year 1868, and had a free circulation. It was devoted largely to the land interest of the country.
About the year 1871, Messrs. Picket & White came to the place and commenced the publication of the Gazette. At this time the Advertiser was suspended, and the whole field given to the Gazette. The expenses of publication being greater than were anticipated, the concern was sold to meet encumbrances. A. H. Draper then, in 1873, commenced the publication of the Bulletin. Its career was closed in 1876.
After a time, the publication of the Bulletin was resumed, taken up at first by H. F. White, one of its former proprietors, and afterward passed through the hands of several successive publishers.
In 1877, E. M. Hulburt entered upon the publication of the Free Press, and in March, 1878, it was consolidated with the Gazette, and took the name of the Free Press Gazette, the consolidated paper being edited and published by E. M. Hulburt.
In 1880, H. M. Graden commenced the publication of the Nokomis Atlas, which closed its career in 1881.
In December, 1880, E. M. Hulburt began to publish a paper in the German language, called the Deutsch Amerikaner.
In the year 1881, Mr. Hulburt purchased, and has now in successful operation, a Campbell cylinder press.
The Free Press-Gazette, and the Deutsch Amerikaner, under the control of Mr. Hulburt, are the only papers now published in the town of Nokomis.
Churches. — In the year 1855, St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized at the village of Audubon, seven miles east from the present site of Nokomis, and was called Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Sometime afterward, an organization of the Lutheran Church was formed in Nokomis. A house of worship was built, being the first house of worship erected in Nokomis, the cost being about $4,500. This house was dedicated to the worship of God by the Lutheran Church October 21, 1866, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. M. M. Bartholomew. The two churches, the one at Audubon, and the one at Nokomis, were organized into one October 22, 1866, and called St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The names of those who signed the Constitution of this new organization were as follows: Christian Easterday, Anna M. Easterday, Daniel Easterday, Jane Easterday, Leonard Leas, Mary Leas, George Culp, Elizabeth Culp, Stephen L. Latimer, Joseph Miller, Isabella Miller, Solomon Miller, Samuel Friend, Martin V. Easterday, J. W. Russell, Martha B. Russell, Isaac F. Strider, Amos W. Easterday, Anna M. Easterday, Hannah M. Easterday, Benjamin F. Culp, Barbara A. Culp, Sophia Graden. The first pastor chosen by this church was Rev. M. M. Bartholomew. His successors have been Revs. John Rugan, M. L. Kunkelman, J. C. Wesner, D. M. Henkle, D. D., and John Booher, the present supply, a student not yet having completed his theological studies.
The first Elders chosen by the church were Leonard Leas and Joseph Miller. The first Deacons were S. L. Latimer and J. W. Russell. The church has a membership at present of fifty, and maintains a good Sunday school.
The Baptist Church of Nokomis was organized in the year 1856, by Rev. Mr. Hutsen, at a schoolhouse in what was known as Cottingham's Grove. The following are the names of those who at that time entered into the organization: Mason Jewett, Royal W. Lee, Christopher Jewett, Polly Lee, Jane Jewett, Melvina Wetmore, Mary Jewett and Marcusia Smith. The house of worship now occupied by this church in the town of Nokomis was built in 1870, and the first service held in it was on the 9th of July of the same year. The following ministers have been supplies of this church: Revs. R. R. Coon, Jacob V. Hopper, E. Jones, J. H. Mize and the present supply, Rev. S. G. Duff. The present membership is probably near fifty.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Nokomis had an imperfect organization as early as about the year 1857, and appointed as its Class-Leader James Watson. In the year 1860, the society was more perfectly organized by Rev. John E. Lindley, at that time supplying the Irving Circuit. About the year 1873, Mr. Lindley was appointed to the Nokomis Circuit, and died while in charge, February 19, 1875. His remains were buried in the cemetery near the town. The first sermon preached in Nokomis Township was by James L. Crane, a Methodist minister, about the year 1848. The house of worship now occupied by the Methodist Church was built in 1869, and dedicated November 14 of the same year.
The pulpit of the Methodist Church has been regularly supplied by the following ministers: Revs. Taylor, Kershner, John E. Lindley, P. Honnold, E. E. Copperthwait, S. H. Whitlock, Martin Miller, George Miller, J. M. West, T. M. Dillon, L. T. Janes, and the present pastor, J. W. Crane.
The roll of the original members has been imperfectly kept; but the following is probably nearly correct: Mr. Taylor, Jonathan G. Fellers, Margaret Fellers, Nancy Rood, Horace Graves, Ann Graves, Elias P. Baxter, Elizabeth Baxter, James Watson, Mary Watson, Solomon Smith, Mary F. Bone, Susan Brophy, John Hancock, Margaret Hancock, Alexander Vanhauten, Martha Jane Vanhauten, Stephen B. Waples. The present membership of the church is probably about one hundred and fifteen. A Sunday school is carried on the year round.
The Christian Church of Nokomis was organized by Rev. William Vanhooser in the spring of 1861, with the following members: John Lower, Mrs. Magdalena Lower, Miss Diana Lower, A B. Vanhooser, Mrs. Mary Vanhooser, Mrs. Mary Swords, F. M. Osborn, Mrs. E. C. Osborn, E. M. Thompson, Mrs. Ann Thompson, Miss Malissa Thompson, Rev. William Vanhooser, Mrs. Jane Vanhooser, W. F. Mulkey, Mrs. M. A. Mulkey, Milliam R. Vanhooser, J. A. Vanhooser, Miss R. A. Vanhooser, Miss N. E. Vanhooser, T. Patterson, Mrs. M. J. Patterson and Mrs. Maria Lant. At the time of organization, the congregation worshiped in the public schoolhouse. The present house of worship, at a cost of about $4,000, was completed and opened for worship in 1863. Rev. A. D. Northcut preached the dedicatory sermon, assisted in the service by Rev. Newton Mulkey.
The following ministers have been regularly employed as Pastors of the church: Revs. William Vanhooser, Abraham Martin, John Friend and James Ament. Rev. William Vanhooser has been re-employed, and is at present the Pastor of the church. Several other brethren have, for a few months at a time, also been supplies of the pulpit. The church has at present a membership of about fifty. Only five of the original members are now residents of the town.
The Presbyterian Church of Nokomis was organized by Rev. Joseph Gordon, in June, 1862, with the following members: Thomas Derr, David Nickey, Wilson Sible, Jane Nickey, Rebecca Matkin, Eglantine Strider, Rebecca Sible, Phoebe D. Derr, Nellie A. Derr, Irene B. Derr, Amanda E. Matkin, Nancy Yarnell. David Nickey was chosen Ruling Elder. Rev. Joseph Gordon was the first regular supply of the pulpit. His successors have been Revs. Gideon C. Clark, C. K. Smoyer, N. Williams, J. P. Mills, James Lafferty, D. L. Gear, and the present supply, T. E. Spilman.
This comprises a brief sketch of the town of Nokomis from its laying-out as a village to the present time. As both time and space were limited, we have confined ourself to a brief statement of facts, avoiding all unnecessary embellishments.
Extracted 14 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, published in 1882, pages 307-310.
