Princeton
Probably very few cities in Illinois, small or large, present a more attractive appearance to the eye of the stranger than Princeton. Her streets and alleys are clean and well kept; her homes are models of neatness and thrift; and her business houses rank with towns and cities of a much larger growth. Her beautiful lawns and luxurious expanse of shade trees make her at once the pride and joy of her citizens. Her people are intellectual, scholarly and progressive; many of them came from that sturdy New England stock that has ever made its influence felt on the side of energy, economy and perseverance. Others came from the middle west, bringing with them that strong inherited character that has ever developed in that region of the country, while still more are the product of our own beloved commonwealth.
Thus this heterogenous mingling of climes and conditions has evolved a population that is at once stable and unique. Its location could hardly be more favorable. It stands upon a slightly undulating prarie, with good drainage advantages, surrounded with the richest kind of soil, where all of the great agricultural products grow in extravagant proportions. Her people are prosperous and contented, for they are located in the great Mississippi Valley, the acknowledged garden of the world. Its geographical situation as described by the records, also by Bradsby's history, is about as follows: Princeton is on section 16, township 16, range 9. It was first surveyed August 23, 1832, by B.M. Hayes, and the first plat was made by John P. Blake. The sixteenth section, being school land, was under the management of the school trustees, who were at that time Roland Moseley, John Musgrove and John P. Blake. The people petitioned the trustees to sell said section and divide the proceeds. Accordingly the trustees made the subdivisions of the same. The central part of the town was divided into lots of four acres and a fraction; and the north part of the town into four and eight-acre lots, while the northeast quarter was divided into thirty seven-acre tracts, and the east, two hundred acres were divided into four, nine and eighteen-acre lots. The trustees made their report of the subdivisions September 17, 1832, and acknowledged the same before John M. Gay, justice of the peace. This was the first legal instrument ever recorded in what is now Bureau county, and it was recorded by Warren Hooper, recorder of Putnam county, March 22, 1833. The second document recorded was a deed from George Churchill, of Madison county, Illinois, to James McKinney, conveying the northeast quarter of section 19, township 14, range 9 (Wheatland). This piece of land had been sold by the state to Churchill on the 19th day of February, 1830. The third transfer of real estate was that of the pre-emption right of Leonard Roth to Jesse Perkins, in which Roth quit-claims east half of the southest quarter and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 24, township 15, range 9 (Arispie), for which he received six hundred dollars. This bears date of November 13, 1833. The same date the record shows that David Jones sold to Jesse Perkins a quit-claim to the east half of the northwest quarter of section 19, township 15, range 10, for the sum of fifty dollars. The records show that the Governor Reynolds signed a deed to lot 31 in Princeton, conveying the same to Washington Webb for the consideration of five dollars. This is the lot where the jail now stands. During the year Webb sold the same to Jerry Parsons for one hundred dollars. On January 2, 1834, Governor Reynolds deeded to W.O. Chamberlain lt 30, Princeton, for two and one-half dollars. In May, 1834, Chamberlain sold the same to Fred Haskell for thirty dollars. Lot 117, containing eight acres, was sold by Governor Reynolds in January, 1834, for twenty dollars. Lot 118 was sold the same day at the same price. September 17, 1834, Daniel Shelley and his wife Susanna sold to Brown and John Searl his pre-emption to one-half of the sourtheast of section 3, township 15, range 10, for one hundred and twenty-five dollars. John Musgrove bought lot 2, Princeton, in January, 1834, containing four acres, for ten dollars. September, 1834, Aaron Gunn sold to Jonathan Holbrook for five hundred dollars a quit-claim to the southwest quarter of section 24, township 18, range 10 (about where La Moille now stands). July 14, 1834 the government land office, at Galena, made the first sale of land which was in section 33, township 11, range 9. Elisha Wood was the purchaser. We have given a few of the first purchases made in the county, thinking it might be of interest to some, at least, of our readers to note the evolution in prices of Bureau county property.
The naming of the township of Princeton was the priveledge of the three trustees, Roland Moseley, John Musgrove and John P. Blake. When these men came together to act upon the subject of christening this new legal division of land, each one had a favorite name to present. It is only natural when one wanders away from the scenes of his early life that he should feel a longing for something that looks or sounds like home, so it was with the school trustees of what is now Princeton. They each presented the name of their choice, but could come to no agreement; finally it was decided that is should be settled by lottery. Each man was to write the name of his choice upon a piece of paper and place it in a hat, and a stranger, being blind-folded, should make the drawing. Mr. Musgraove, coming from New Jersey, and being loyal to her classic institution, wrote upon his slip Princeton, and as it had been agreed that the first name drawn should settle the question, there was quite a little excitement in the preparation for the deciding contest. Matters were finally arranged and the bandage placed over the eyes of the drawer and he was led up to the hat wherein the papers had been placed and with outstretched hand he stood ready to decide the great and momentous question of christening the first born of the future Bureau county. At last the word was given, the drawing was made, while those interested stood with abated breath, awaiting the result which was soon announced by the declaration that upon the slip of paper drawn by the blind-folded man Princeton was plainly written, and so we today have the classic name of Princeton for the legal center of Bureau county. Princeton, for many years has enjoyed the distinction of being one of the literary centers of the state. She has the proud record of organizing and putting in successful operation the first township high school in Illinois. It is surely a city of quiet and pleasant homes.
Although we have written in regard to the naming of this city, its first incorporation was as a village in March, 1838. The vote taken at that time resulted in twenty for and none against the measure. Notwithstanding we have given the names in another part of this volume, of those who voted at this election, it seems proper that they should appear in this conncection. The names were as follows: Andrew Smith, Stephen Wilson, William, H. Wells, Noah Wiswell, Cyrus Langworth, John Long, Robert C. Masters, Samuel Triplett, John Walter, Butler Denham, John Houghton, Joseph Smith, Robert Stewart, John H. Bryant, Justin H. Olds, Thomas S. Elston and Robert T. Templeton. As near as can be ascertained these men comprised all of the voting population at that time. It casts a tinge of sorrow and gloom over one's thoughts when he realizes that out of all that number, who were so active and interested in this community, at that early date, not one is now living. All have passed over the river of time and joined the great majority "in that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns," but such is life. We are born, we live, we die, and each generation in its turn passes off the stage of action and leaves life's field to the stewardship of those who follow.
The first justices of the peace were Thomas Elston, Aquilla Triplett, Robert C. Masters and Joseph Waldo. In 1857 a new or amended charter went in force and Princeton was known as a town, with nearly all the prerogatives of a city charter. The first officers under the town organization were elected on April 6, 1857; President, Ebenezer White; trustees, L.P. Estjohn, Elijah Dee, Jedediah Pain, P.N. Newell and Daniel McDonald. The first meeting of the new council was held in Judge Ballou's office, at which time the president and coucil took the oath of office it being administered by Levi North, police magistrate. The second meeting was held in the office of J.I. Taylor; at this meeting George H. Phelps was elected clerk, P.N. Newell, treasurer; David Norton, marshal, and George W. Stone, constable. The first board of health under the new charter was composed of William Bacon, Fr. W.C. Anthony, Samuel Wood, Ephriam Fellows and S. Fried, and the fire wardens were Charles S. Boyd, E.G. Jester, William Grant, Jacob Fetrow and A.S. Chapman. Charles S. Allen was prosecuting attorney.. The last official act of this first council of the town of Princeton, was to vote "that an oyster supper be given the present members of the council and sorporation officers at the expense of the town." The clerk made no record of the condition, appearance or of the final separation of this self-sacrificing band of officials; neighter did he make a note of the cost of this magnificent banquet, spread at the expense of the town, but by the authority of the outgoing council.
Princeton remained under this charter until 1884, when she flung her banner to the breeze and stood before the world in all the paraphernalia and dignity of a full-fledge city. The offices of president and clerk, from 1857 to 1884, were filled by the following named persons:
1858- Benjamin L. Smith, president; James K. Rennick, clerk.
1859- R. R. Templeton, president; James K. Rennick, clerk
1860- R. R. Templeton, president; Charles J. Peckham, clerk.
1861- R. T. Templeton, president; Charles J. Peckham, clerk.
1862- R. T. Templeton, president; Charles J. Peckham, clerk.
1863- George Crossley, president; P. W. Ferris, clerk.
1864- Robert T. Templeton, president; J.W. Templeton, clerk.
1865- William Mercer, president; J.P. Richardson, clerk.
1866- Milo Kendall, president; J.W. Templeton, clerk.
1867- Milo Kendall, presidnet; J.W. Templeton, clerk,
1868- Milo Kendall, president; J.W. Templeton, clerk.
1869- Jacob T. Thomspson, president; J.W. Templeton, clerk.
1870- Jacob T. Thompson, president; T.J. Phelps, clerk.
1871- James T. Thompson, presidnet; T. J. Phelps, clerk.
1872 James S. Eckles, president; M.N. Trimble, clerk.
1873- James S. Eckles, president; M.N. Trimble, clerk.
1874- Milo Kendall, presidnet; SW. Rouswell, clerk.
1875- Milo Kendall, president; J.A. Thompson, clerk.
1876- Charles Baldwin, presidnet; W.W. H. Herron, clerk.
1877- Charles Baldwin, presidnet; W.W. Herron, clerk.
1878- Josiah Milligan, president; J.A. Thompson, clerk.
1879- Charles Baldwin, presidnet; J.A. Thompson, clerk.
1880- A.H. Thompson, president; J.A. Thompson, clerk.
1881- A.H. Thompson, president; R.B. Paddock, clerk.
1883- S.G. Paddock, presidnet; R.B. Paddock, clerk.
On November 30, 1883, an election was held to decide whether Princeton should remain under it old charter or be organized with a city form of government. The vote was as follows: Six hundred votes were cast, four hunred and ninety-one for, and one hundred sixt-nine against, making a majority in favor of a city charter three hundred and twenty-two. At this time Princeton had a population of three thouand six hundred and ten. The vote was canvassed and declared to the citizens January 7, 1884. After taking the census the board proceeded to divide the city into four wards. The first ward is bounded on the east and south by the city limits, on the west by the cet=nter of Main street, and on the north by the south line of Crown street, from the center of Main street to the east of Church street, and thence by the south line of lot 112 (original town) to the west side of Fourth street, and thence by the north line of Virgil street to the east of Homer street, and thence by a line due east to the city limits. The second ward is bounded on the west and south by the city limits and on the east by center of Main street, on the north by center of Putnam street.
Third ward, bounded on the east and north by city limits, on the east by center of Main street. The fourth ward is bounded on north and east by city limits, on the east by center of Main street and on the south by center of Putnam street. The fourth ward is bounded on north and east by city limits, on the west by center of Main street and on south by north line of First wqrd. The ordinance clling for election of city officers fixed the day of election on the third Tuesday in April, 1884. The ordinance provided for an election of mayor, two aldermen from each ward, a marshal, city clerk, attorney and treasurer. The officers chosen on this first election were as follows: Justus Stevens,mayor; I.O. Brokaw, city clerk; W. Henderson, city attorney; Atherton Clark, marshal; Daniel H. Smith, treasurer; aldermen, First ward, E.A. Washburn, A. C. Best; Second ward, Milo Kendall, James S. Eckles; Third ward, Ami L. Davis, Elias C. Finnell; Fourth ward, W. H. Mesenkup, Phillip Wolfsberger.
On Janueary 18, 1885, Mayor Stevens' office was made vacant by death. On January 31, 1885, Milo Kendall, by a vote of the council, was elected mayor and served until th April election. Princeton for many years suffered, in common with other prairie towns, on account of muddy roads. The soil being of a rich black mold made the roads almost impassable in times of great rainfall. How to better the condition of our streets and roads was the subject much discussed. Early in the fifties a plank road was contemplated from Peru to Dixon, and the road was completed most of the way to Arlington, in this county, but the projector soon found that is was not feasible as it required repairing even before they culd finish half the distance, so the project was dropped. But the people were not satisfied to wade through mud if it could be avoided, and the sugmect of the betterment of our thoroughfares was stil much in evidence.
Justus Stevens, one of Bureau county's far-seeing and public-spirited men, strongly advocated graveling the streets; but others said no, it will be a waste of time and money to put gravel on a street where heavy teaming done. Finally, in the year 1876, Mr. Stevens was elected member of the town coucil and was made chairman of the street committee. Mr. Stevens saw his opportunity and had the courage to improve it. Accordingly taking the responsisbility for the result upon himself, he ordered Main street from the Court House square to the deppot graveled. The experiment was a great success and far exceeded what was claimend for it. This was the beginning of Bureau county's splendid roadways. Today the graveled highways of our county are noted all over the state and to the enterprise and strong personality of Justus Stevens the people of this county pay homage as they glide along over these transformed public roads.
