The Destination- Jersey County,
Illinois
A map of Illinois shows that Jersey County, just 40 miles
north of the western gateway of St. Louis, was a favored location for Irish immigrants in western
Illinois. This western prairie with fertile farm fields was the destination of the Allens.
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| Foreign Immigration in Illinois 1860 (a) |
Grafton
Jersey County’s port town of Grafton was well situated at
the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, on the east side of the
river. Like St. Louis, it was a steamship port, bringing in passengers and goods and shipping out local products- wood, grain, and other produce. Grafton was also a major center for fishing; in the 1800's it was the largest freshwater fishing port on the Mississippi. It also hosted a thriving boat
building industry. These aspects of the town must have reminded the Allen's of the old seaports of Ireland. Limestone quarries provided an abundance of building materials for the
growing towns in the area. The city already had a population of 10,000 in 1850
and soon boasted a number of stores, banks, blacksmith and wagon/harness shops, an ice house, a butcher, watchmaker, and physicians. It also had a fine flour mill; important for local wheat farmers. Besides being a center for commerce, Grafton was a place of entertainment. During the days of the steamboat and quarry as many as 26 saloons operated in the town, many catering to the Irish and German immigrants. The fun loving city hosted parades with brass bands and the sound of a calliope pierced the air whenever the showboats came to town. (1)
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| Early Grafton (b) |
Jerseyville
Twenty miles north of Grafton lay the town of Jerseyville, the county seat.
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| Jersey County Townships (c) |
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| Jersey County Courthouse 1872-1884 (d) |
A writer arriving in 1852 described his impression of the town.
Jerseyville was the county seat,
set in the midst of rolling prairie, with woodlands to the north and west. The town had broad streets, lined with “magnificent
shade trees.” The town was set off in orderly blocks. Businesses were situated
on two streets, near the court house, and a half mile from the railway (by 1869
the town was served by the Chicago, Alton, and St. Louis railroad.) Churches
met the needs of a number of denominations. The yards of the residences
displayed trees, shrubs, and flowers. A stage coach came daily from Alton, bringing mail, and providing public transportation.
By 1869, the town had grown much larger, and had two newspapers serving the population.
Merchants included a milk man, carriage and wagon shops,
blacksmiths, saddleries and harness makers, grain dealers, a photographer, dentists,
barbers, butchers, lawyers, bankers, and doctors. There was a postmaster, telegraph operator,
and public officials; sheriff, notary public, surveyor, circuit clerk, etc. Some of the merchants are described below; here the Allen's would have done their shopping in what was likely weekly trips to town.
Mr. Beardslee (business began in
1859) “On the counters and shelves of his well-stocked establishment may
be found everything new and fashionable or time honored and serviceable. His
stock can be relied on as fresh and desirable, embracing all classes of goods
in the dry goods line, as well as a fine assortment of hats and caps, boots and
shoes, ready made clothing, general notions &c”
Mr. Squier- a new business in 1869- offered household
furniture- including white marble topped bureaus and wash stands (a type of
which I remember in the farm house)
Mr. Casavant- “He keeps a full line of the best make of gold
and silver watches, especially the American and Elgin; jewelry of every form
and finish, or modern and antique design, embracing bracelets, finger rings,
plus, brooches, studs, seal rings, lava and jet jewelry, precious tones,
&c., as well as clocks of all descriptions. Being a thorough and practical
workman he undertakes the repairing of watches or clocks with the full
assurance of doing it right.”
Mr. Calm- “He has studied the wants of the community, and
knows just how and what to buy in order to please his large and constantly
increasingly array of customers. This stock consists of dress goods for the
winter trade, embracing everything from ten cent calico to costly silks and
laces, white goods, hosiery; the best of custom-made boots and shoes, gaiters
and boots for the ladies, and copper-toed shoes and boots for the school boy.”
He also carried “serviceable and fashionable hats, caps, and gentlemen’s and
youth’s clothing.
Mr. Roesch- “His stock embraces everything usually found in
a first class drug store - paints, oils, patent medicines, perfumeries,
notions, &c., and his drugs especially can be relied on at all times as
being pure and fresh. Mr. Roesch is a practical pharmaceutist of no ordinary
ability, thoroughly understanding the art of compounding medicines, sometimes
so dangerous. In addition to his regular trade Mr. Roesch keeps the only news
depot in the city, and always has on hand the latest news, sporting and
literary papers, magazines, &c. Also a good stock of stationery.”
Mr. Voorhees and Malott- “Their stock of groceries embraces
everything in the staple and fancy line, including teas, coffees, sugars,
spices, &c., in addition to which they have a full line of provisions, and
also of stoneware, wooden, willow, glass and queensware.”
Mr. Leigh- (in business since 1853) was a baker and
confectioner, and carried pies, cakes, and bread made freshly every day, as
well as toys and other goods.
Mr. Brant- carried cigars and tobacco.
Mr. Selby- carried books (including school books)
stationary, and musical instruments and sheet music.
The Hassett brothers- carried lumber and building materials.
This bustling county seat was just a few miles to the east of English Township, and it was here that the Allens settled.
Sources:
1-A Walking Tour of Historic Grafton (http://www.visitalton.com/theme/frontend/files/guides/grafton-walking-tour.pdf) Visitalton.com,. N. p., 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
Illustrations:
Jersey
County ILGenWeb, copyright Judy Griffin 2004. In keeping with our policy of
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material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit
or for other presentation without express permission by the contributor(s).
a-
b- "Mason's Landing" A Walking Tour of Historic Grafton Visitalton.com,. N. p., 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
c- Solutions, LRS. ' Illinois Township By County | Township Officials Of Illinois '. Toi.org. N. p., 2015. Web. 22 Apr. 2015.
d- Hamilton's History of Jersey County 1919
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