When was quincy il founded

Although lighting was originally intended for the Bayview Bridge during its construction phase, the actual installation of lights didn't occur until During the Mississippi River flood of , riverside businesses and industries suffered extensive damage when the river crested at a record The Memorial Bridge was closed from the end of June, due to water over its western approach.

On July 16, , the Bayview Bridge closed for 40 days when the river submerged the land on the west side of the Mississippi River at West Quincy, Missouri. A flood in June submerged much of Quincy's riverfront and low-lying regions not protected by the bluffs. Record Mississippi River levels occurred on June 22, The Red Cross accepted donations for Quincy and other communities in Adams County, as natural disaster funds were recently depleted. On Monday, July 13, , a storm with powerful straight-line winds pounded the city, prompting Mayor Kyle Moore to declare a state of emergency.

Many trees and buildings were severely damaged in the storm, including historic structures and Madison Park. Volunteers from nearby communities and states traveled to help clean up the city after the disaster, including some from Sioux City , Iowa. Having shared a history with the community, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a team of volunteers to also aid in the city's recovery.

As of the census of , there were 40, people, 17, households, and 9, families residing in the city. The population density was 2, There were 18, housing units at an average density of 1, The racial makeup of the city was Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1. There were 16, households out of which The average household size was 2. In the city, the population was spread out with The median age was 38 years. For every females there were For every females age 18 and over, there were About 9.

According to the census, Quincy has a total area of The city is situated on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Adjacent to Quincy, on the Missouri side of the river, is West Quincy , Missouri and a vast floodplain used primarily for farming.

East of Quincy lies the Quincy Hills geographic region, a region of hills that are similar to the Lincoln Hills in Missouri, where a mixture of rolling hills, woods, and farming shape the landscape.

Flat prairie lie north of Quincy and, as the Mississippi turns sharply to the southwest; bluffs, floodplain, and farmland lie to the south and southwest of the city. Geographically, Quincy is the largest city and central hub of the Tri-State region , encompassing western Illinois , northeastern Missouri, and southeastern Iowa. Quincy holds several suburbs on its borders or in close proximity.

North Quincy is the city's most populated suburb and lies to the north, beyond a rail line and creek. On the breaking out of the war with Mexico M1[r. Richardson, although just at the spring-tide of political preferment, with the honors and emoluments of office within his grasp, resolved to espouse the cause of his.

Raising a company, he at once went to the front and did noble service. Devoted to his men, a brave an: humane officer, on the field of Buena Vista he was for gallant conduct promoted to the position of Lieultenant Colonel by the unanimous voice of his regiment. Returning home with the laurels of the field, exalted honors awaited him, and lie was promptly elected to Congress to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge D ouglas.

Re-elected in , and for three successive terms immediately following, Col. Richardson continued in Congress until , and was a recognized leader of his party in that body. On his retirement from Congress, he was nominated by the Democracy of Illinois for Governor, but was defeated by Gov.

Bissell, the majority of the latter being only The administration of President Buchanan coming into power, he was in , appointed by the President Governor of the then territory of Nebraska.

This position however he retained only one year, when he again returned to Quincy. Here in he again received the nomination, and was again elected to Congress where he served until , when he resigned to accept a seat in the United States Senate to which he had been elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of the lamented Douglas.

The political complexion of the State and Nation having undergone a great change, and the Republican party being in the ascendant in both, at the expiration of his term in the Senate, Col. Richardson sought the retirement of his home in Quincy. Although this remarkable man has passed through the eventful and distinguished career here briefly sketched, he is still vigorous in mind and body, and is destined to yet do valuable service in the interests of the nation. A man of warm and generous impulses, of powerful intellect and bold ideas, Col.

Richardson has at all times wielded a giant influence with the masses, and has found few equals as a stump orator, while in the great councils of his party his native eloquence has been no less potent.

Few men have had more devoted followers in the arena of politics; and of all the great men with whom he has mingled, none have been more steadfast to principle and party than the Hon. With the large German element of Quincy it was not unnatural to suppose there would be an active demand for beer. Such is the fact, but it is a question whether the Germans, or other nationalities of Quincy consume tho most. One fact is apparent, that all classes of our citizens enjoy this beverage as heartily as those of Teutonic extraction.

But as the drink is decidedly, and by common consent German, Quincy with almost half its population German, could not well exist without a fair share of breweries for the manufacture of the same.

We have these then in abundance, and all are model establishments, one or two of them not being second to any in the west, in capacity and facilities for making beer.

In quality Quincy beer ranks with the best article manufactured, and hence the great and growing demand from abroad. All points on the railroads diverging from here, and also for a considerable distance up and down the Mississippi obtain their supplies from our breweries, and as far west as St. Joseph and Leavenworth the foaming beverage from Quincy establishments is sold. Each year witnesses an increase in the demand, and a consequent increase of the supply.

Several of our breweries have been compelled to add to their capacity annually for several years, so constantly has their trade augmented. The manufacturers in this line need make no exertion whatever to dispose of their beer, as almost invariably towards the close of the.

This trade moreover is destined to be permanent, for the men engaged in the business are of the energetic and enterprising type, who will not fail to maintain the reputation they have already established for the product of their breweries. The following are the firms now engaged in this branch of manufacture.

Fischer; A. Luther; J. One hundred and seventy hands also find employment in these establishments. One of the youngest enterprises in Quincy is the manufacture of paper, which is carried on successfully. Within a few years two extensive factories have been erected at an enormous expenditure of money, and fitted up with the best machinery and equipments to be had in the country. These factories have facilities for manufacturing all qualities of straw, wrapping and newspaper, and have, in the short time they have been in operation built up a splendid trade.

Only one is now in operation, although the other is ready to commence running at any time. In this trade our manufacturers. The past year has not been an active one in this branch, but with a few seasons of successful work, our mills will establish a reputation for the products of their establishments that will attract the trade to Quincy, and make it a leading paper mart.

There is every reason why it should be, as material and labor are obtained here cheaper than at rival points, and the facilities for manufacturing on the river bank are such as to induce others to embark in the enterprise. One thing alone is necessary to make the manufacture of paper profitable, and that is capital sufficient to run a mill steadily. The two mills now located here are model ones in every respect, and are owned and managed by men of business skill and enterprise. The firms are If.

At present, one of these mills being idle, no estimate of the amount of annual work done by them can be obtained. A history of the bar of Quincy would form an interesting volume, and to do full justice to the eminent men whose achievements in jurisprudence have shed lustre upon that distinguished body, would be a work worthy the most gifted pen in the land.

Here many of the ablest and most erudite lawyers of Illinois won their first laurels, and began the conflict of life in which they have won renown, reflecting credit and honor alike upon themselves and their chosen state. Pre-eminent among these chieftains of the bar whose fame has become national stands Hon.

Browning, the subject of this sketch. As early as Mr. Browning left his native state, Kentucky, and armed with his license, located in Quincy as a member of the bar. His reputation once established, a lucrative practice rewarded his fidelity and industry, and political honors sought him.

In August, , he was elected to the Senate of Illinois, and served four years in that body. About this time Nehemiah Bushnell, his present law partner, arrived in Quincy, and in the law partnership was. In Mr. Browning was again elected to the Stato Legislature, serving two years as a member of the House. He however allowed nothing to divert his attention from his law practice, but devoted himself assiduously to the interests of his clients.

With the intermission of making unsuccessful canvasses, as the Whig candidate for Congress, Mr. Browning, figured but little in the political arena from to Browning as the fittest person to succeed that lamented statesman in the Senate of the United States. Retiring from the Senate he opened a law office at the National Capital, associating himself with Senator Cowan of Pennsylvania.

He continued there until , when President Johnson reorganizing his Cabinet, called Mr. Browning to the responsible position of Secretary of the Interior. This position he retained until the close of Mr. Johnson's term, administering its voluminous affairs with signal success. Returning home, Mr. Browning had determined on a period of retirement and rest, after the arduous labors devolving on him while a Cabinet Officer, but his old friends and fellow citizens again made a requisition upon his time and talent by electing him a member of the Constitutional Convention of Illinois.

Thus briefly we have noted some of the events in the life of one of the distinguished men of the'country. Quincy may well be proud of so eminent a citizen, who having filled the most exalted stations in the gift of the State and Nation retires the acknowledged peer of the greatest statesman of his time. Page In matters of' public enterprise and public charity the citizens df Quincy have been as liberal as in private affairs.

Every city that has attained the size and importance of our own, finds within its borders numbers of young and helpless children who, without parents or friends, are obliged to seek protection and assistance at the hands of the public.

This being the case, our citizens, with a liberality proverbial in them, several years ago turned their attention to the cause of the orphans. Something over eleven years ago a society was formed among the members of ehe German Catholic Church in this city, and by an act of the Legislature it was incorporated under the name of St.

Aloysius Orphan Society. The society at once set to work with a zeal. The building was speedily completed and the society at once engaged a band of Sisters belonging to the order of " Sisters of Notre Dame" to assume control of the same. They began their work four years ago, and since that time have devoted themselves to the good work of caring for and educating the orphans placed under their charge. The Asylum is located on the cor.

The reception room is neat and convenient,-the parlor is large and airy and the dormitories are spacious and well ventilated and are furnished with neat and comfortable single beds for the use of the orphans.

The work room is devoted, we may say, exclusively to the use of girls, and they are taught here the use of the needle, and also gain an insight into household affairs. The room is appropriately furnished.

A school room, where they are given an ordinary English education, is an other interesting department of the asylum, and here the orphans, both boys and girls, are collected each day for intellectual training.

The result is that when they leave the institution, even though they have no immediate friends, they are prepared to battle through life and hew out a destiny for themselves. Aloysius Asylum, and here the little orphans are served with plain and substantial food, prepared by the good sisters.

That they are are amply provided, no better evidence is needed than the hearty appearance presented by them as they circulate through the building. Two dormitories are provided, one for the boys, the other for the girls. Tiers of single beds range through them, and as they are each surrounded with tidy curtains, they present a pleasant appearance. There is also a Chapel where the ceremonies of the Catholic church are daily held, and though orphans of every clime and creed are admitted to the asylum they are not obliged to profess the Catholic faith to receive its benefits, yet they are required to attend the services in the chapel each day in order that they may not interfere with the discipline of the establishment.

As we have said the asylum was erected by the St. Aloysious Orphan Society, but that society has been aided in its work of charity by the citizens of Quincy without regard to sect or nationality. Every one of our citizens have added their mite to the munificent sum expended by this society in the erection and maintainance of this institution that has been such a source of good in the community. The labor of conducting the establishment has devolved upon the Sisters in charge, who at present number seven, under the superiorship of Sister Mary Hypollita.

These Sisters have devoted their lives to the work of protecting and educating the young and helpless, and are zealously giving their time and talents to the cause. Whatever may be the opinion of the people in regard to the sect and or. Although we have devoted considerable space and time to the Sisters de Notre Dame and the Asylum under their control, still they have not been alone in the good work, nor is theirs the only one of the kind in our flourishing city.

Woodland Home was incorporated by an act of the Legislature of Illinois, on the 14th of February, On motion, Hon. John Wood was called to the chair, and 0. Browning appointed Secretary. Being thus organized, a constitution for the government of said corporation was unanimously adopted. Deciding afterwards to make the care of orphans and friendless women a speciality, they changed the name in , to the Woodland Home for Orphans and Friendless Women. From that time to this, regular meetings have been held, and each month one lady has devoted herself to the care and interests of the Home.

A very efficient 4. Its operations have been carried on amid great vicisitudes and discouragement. For years they had no building for a Home, and boarded their children in fanmilies where kind people could be found to care for and look after the moral and physical wants of the little ones. Many times the hindrances in their path seemed insurmountable, but a way was always made for their feet when the time came to go forward.

Now, after nearly sixteen years of arduous labor, they wish to testify to the care of God, and the sympathy and aid of the community. Though often brought very low, the barrel of meal was never quite wasted, and the garment has always been supplied which was needed to secure comfort or covering. It was, and still is the intention of the Society, to erect on the five acre lot purchased of lion.

John Wood for this purpose, suitable buildings for the Woodland Home. Hiram Rogers, Esq. Iere there is a large, commodious and well ventilated building, with 14 rooms and a yard feet square. The Society has at all times had more or less orphans and helpless friendless persons under its control. These children are all educated, and their moral training is.

Each Sabbath they attend the Congregational Sabbath School, and there are early imbued with the truths of religion. These two institutions are and should be the pride of our citizens as they are living monuments to our christian enterprise. They are the trumpets that speak the fame of a people, who out of the abundance of their possessions give to the friendless and destitute orphans, and who, in building here upon the banks of the mighty Mississippi a great city, have not forgotten the teachings of religion and humanity,.

Maitland Boon was born in Watertown, New York, in , and there, after leaving college began his experience in business. He first entered a drug house, and devoted himself to that business for two years, when an opportunity offering he accepted the position of discount clerk in the Union Bank of Watertown.

HEis time in this position was however brief, and at the expiration of two years he was called by the management of the bank to the important and responsible position of cashier.

This position Mr. Boon filled with credit to himself and profit to the institution, until , when he decided to cast his fortunes with the growing west. It was in this year that he came to Quincy and located. Tendered the position of cashier of the Bank of Quincy, he accepted, and during his connection with the same managed its affairs with a judgment and ability that stamped him as an able financier. Retiring from the bank, Mr. Boon established himself in the saddlery and harness business, conducting one of the most extensive manufactories of this.

During the war he did a mammoth business in the manufacture of army equipments, filling large contracts for the government. In the office of mayor of Quincy becoming vacant, Mr. Boon, then an alderman from the second ward, was appointed to that position, So ably did he fulfill the important trust confided to him, and so satisfactorily discharge its duties that in the following spring he was elected by an overwhelming majority to the mayorality. The last year he officiated as executive of the city with even greater success than the first, and won enthusiastic encomiums from citizens of both parties for his admirable management of city affairs.

Although a large share of his attention while mayor was unavoidably absorbed by city matters, Mr. Soon after the expiration of his term of office, Mr. Boon, feeling in common with many of the citizens of Quincy the necessity of having in our city a first-class hotel, obtained a lease of the famous Quincy House, then unoccupied, and after furnishing it in elegant style, and improving it in every department, opened it to the public.

For two years he has managed this house in admirable style, and won golden laurels as a successful and popular landlord. Although but 35 years, of age Mr. Boon has had a varied career as a business man and financier. A man of warm and generous impulses, of a genial and social nature, Maitland Boon is also a man of untiring energy and enterprise, making at once the valuable citizen and popular gentleman. Before the war several extensive distilleries were almost continually in operation and turned out annually immense quantities of highwines, besides feeding great numbers of cattle and hogs.

Even after the war had commenced, and the revenue system had been introduced, two of these establishments continued to operate night and day, consuming vast quantities of corn, and employing a large number of hands.

The operation of the revenue system, however, working disadvantageously to them, they were finally compelled to cease work, in order to save themselves. Dishonest manufacturers multiplied so rapidly throughout the country, and frauds upon the revenue were so extensive, that to manufacture highwines honestly, and at the same time make it profitable, was an impossibility. Since the reduction of the taxes and the perfection of the revenue system, they have occasionally operated for a short time, but have not run steadily or to their full capacity.

This is the more unfortunate at the present time, as it not only robs our farmers of a splendid market for their corn, but also throws a number of hands out of employment. One of the most important manufacturing interests of our city and one in which a vast amount of capital is invested, it has added large material wealth to Quincy. These firms are: Charles II. Very little work has been done this year, and we therefore make no estimate. This is another department of Quincy manufactures in which the superior skill and workmanship of our mechanics have won an enviable reputation for themselves and the city.

It is but a few years ago that some of our shrewdest citizens then engaged in the munufacture of carriages, concluded to retire from it, feeling that it was next to impossible to compete in this branch with eastern cities, where the work had been, through long years of experience, brought to a high degree of perfection.

Notwithstanding this, other indomitable spirits engaged in the enterprise, and followed it through years of experiment aud uncertainty to the pinnacle of success. Now it is one of the important branches of our manufactures, and has done as much as any one thing to introduce Quincy favorably to the outside world.

Wherever carriages bearing the brand of our factories are sold, and they are to be seen almost everywhere west of the Mississippi, and in the. This business has now become a marked success here, and carriages, buggies and vehicles from this market compete successfully with those from the famous factories of New Haven, Rochester, and Philadelphia. A large business is now also being done by our manufacturers in this line, in building coaches for the stage lines of the west, and also omnibusses.

In this particular they have achieved splendid success, and orders have been received from localities far removed from us for vehicles of this kind. For enterprise and activity, as well as thorough business skill, our carriage manufacturers yield the palm to no city in the Union, and are destined to build up an extensive trade all through the west. At present they are doing a large business and are kept actively at work with large forces of mechanics. The firms now engaged in this branch are:-E.

James M. Born in the then territory of Missouri, in , at the age of 22 he came to Quincy, and at once interested himself in not only carving out his own success, but also in forwarding our city commercially and socially. Obtaining an interest in a saw mill, he operated that for a time with decided success, and in had so commended himself to the voters of Adams County that he was elected Sheriff.

So admirably did he perform the duties of the office the first two years that he was chosen by his constituents for a second term, and continued in the responsible position until On retiring from the office, he embarked in the lumber business, with Amos Green, Esq. Success attended the firm, and in its career both members accumulated wealth with comparative rapidity. Pitman was elected as a representative to the Legislature, and in was returned to that body. While there he devoted himself assiduously to the interests of Quincy and Adams County, and by his.

Scarcely had his labors in the councils of the State ended when he was called to the mayoralty of Quincy in Managing the affairs of the city with the same skill and success that had characterized his own private matters, he was re-elected in , and retired with an enviable reputation for integrity and ability as an executive officer.

Only a short period of relaxation followed his 1retirernent from the municipal government of Quincy, when other responsibilities devolved on him. In he was elected by the Legislature warden of the State Penitentiary.

Htis success in this trying position, was if anything more marked than in any of his preceding offices, and the State owes him a debt of gratitude for the valuable services rendered while managing the Penitentiary. From the close of his term as warden until , Mr. Pitman mingled little in politics or public affairs, but in the latter year his fellow citizens again elected him to the office of mayor of Quincy, in the hope that his rare judgment and foresight might extricate the city from the many embarrassments that were overwhelming it.

Devoting himself for one year with the usual success to the work of relieving the city from the great burden of debt and taxation, he retired from the mayoralty, and at the same time from public life, preferring the ease and retirement of home to the bustle and din of political strife. We have said in a previous part of this work that in the manufacture of all kinds of machinery, Quincy took front rank among western cities, and as her boiler and sheet iron works are a part of this branch of manufactures, we claim the same superiority for them.

Managed and superintended by experienced and skillful mechanics, all work from their establishments is turned out in a style unsurpa'ssed any where.

The most difficult work known to the trade, has been done successfully here within the past few years, and those who had been in the habit of sending east for extra heavy work, under the impression that it could not be turned out in the west, are now having the same done in the most workmanlike and satisfactory manner at home, and at a vast saving of price and freight. The very best mechanics are employed in this line, and the most liberal enterprise is displayed by those engaged in the business.

From the territory west of the Mississippi a constant demand is made upon them for work, and this demand increases so rapidly that even in the dull season now about closing, they have been taxed to their full capacity to keep pace with it. Moreover each winter another heavy demand is made upon these establishments by the steamers that lay up here at the close of navigation. There are a large number of these, and all require more or less repairing and new work, which they can have done here in a more.

The St. The work done yearly by this company alone is an item of no small importance, and foots up handsomely. Her early settlers were men who came here to build up a model city, and with this object constantly before their minds, they aimed at the beginning to place the moral and social status of our city at the highest standard. To this commendable work none have devoted more time or money than John K. VanDoorn, and there are none in the community, but award him credit for earnest efforts in this noble cause.

Coming from his native state, Massachusetts, in , Mr. VanDoorn, then twenty-four years of age, commenced the manufacture of chairs with Mr. Mellcn, they being the two partners in the humble establishment known as the "chair factory. Soon after, he built a new mill on the site of the "Kimball Mill," and continued to operate it successfully, turning out a large quantity of lumber and building timber annually, until , in which year it was destroyed by fire. Previous to its destruction, however, he had purchased an interest in the extensive saw mill on the bay, and became a partner in the same with James Arthur,.

About this time a'. But while Mr. With the exception of Cairo, Quincy was the most important military point in the state and became a center of great military activity. Companies gathered here from various parts of the state to be organized into regiments. Manufacturers were busy in making munitions of war and orators made patriotic speeches and pastors preached patriotic sermons.

There were two hospitals established, and numbers of sick and wounded soldiers, were brought from the camps and battlefields. Two societies of women, "The Needle Pickets" and the "The Good Samaritans," organized to make provisions for the sick and wounded in hospital and camp. In Quincy was chosen as the site for a soldiers' and sailors' home for disabled Illinois veterans of the Mexican and Civil Wars. Quincy has always kept up with the modern innovations of the times. The Quincy Gaslight and Coke Company started providing light for homes and street lights since the s and Street Railway and Carrying Company laid its first track in from the post office on Maine Street to the northern city limits.

Franciscan friars arriving as missionaries in the late s responded to the need for education in frontier Illinois by founding St. Francis Solanus College in For several decades during the middle of the nineteenth century Quincy was the second largest city in Illinois primarily because of the commerce that its steamboat landings brought to the community.

Quincy had its rapid growth stunted when business activities swung away from the river and other industrial communities in the state experienced boom eras.

The economic contraction helped shaped contemporary Quincy. Its current population of just over 40, is not much higher than the 31, that lived in Quincy in Francis Hall of Quincy University is another example of German influence in the city's structures. Once housing some of Quincy's elite, many of the homes in these regions are influenced mainly by Victorian schools.

Known residents of this part of town included Richard Newcomb and city founder John Wood. Today, the Newcomb residence functions as the Quincy Museum and was once featured on the cover of National Geographic as "one of the most architecturally significant corners in the United States. In , Quincy resident W. George Metz commissioned George Behrensmeyer to design a Moroccan -style home overlooking the river.

It included a harem, courtyard, and reflecting pool. Today, the Villa Kathrine functions as the visitor's center. Quincy has a number of educational institutions within the city or close by. Quincy University is Quincy's most highly decorated school, and was established in the s.

On the city's east side, John Wood Community College is the regional community college. A campus of the technical school Vatterott College is located on Quincy's north side. The Quincy Park District was founded in when five commissioners were elected to govern the district. Today the board for the Park District is made up of seven volunteers who serve four-year terms.

Quincy Park District is made up of 1, acres ha which is divided into 26 parks. Washington Park was the first park in Quincy, IL. It is located downtown and sits on 4 acres 1. Clat Adams Bicentennial Park sits on the river and serves as the location for the 4th of July firework celebration. Quinsippi Island is accessible through the All-American Park and comprises acres 53 ha.

The island is also the location for the Log Cabin Village. Bob Mays Park sits on fifty acres of land and opened in The site of the first public pool was at Indian Mounds Park.

It also sits on 37 acres Another swimming pool can be found at Wavering Park. This park also has baseball and softball diamonds. Next to Wavering Park is Moorman Park where visitors can find more baseball and softball diamonds. Moorman Park sits on 80 acres 32 ha and includes a batting cage and mini golf course. One park that has tennis courts is the Reservoir Park where many city tennis tournaments are held. This is just some of the information regarding the parks in Quincy. Specialty areas include a cancer center, cardiovascular center, outpatient surgery center, Level 2 trauma center, and rehabilitation.

Blessing also operates the Blessing Rieman College of Nursing. Interstate 72 passes just south of Quincy. Its spur route, Interstate , passes just east of town. In recent years, the Prairie Trails Shopping Complex has been a focal point for development in this area.

Illinois Route Broadway is a main east-west artery from the Mississippi River bridges to Interstate Illinois Route 96 enters the city from the southeast and travels north through the east side of Quincy to U. Route Illinois Route 57 branches south from U. Eastbound U. Bayview bridge was constructed in , but was not built as a 4-lane bridge because of budget cuts, as the cable suspension made it unaffordable to build a 4-lane bridge.

Other groups claimed that business in the downtown part of Quincy would decline if the Memorial bridge was shut down. On the Missouri side, U. The Quincy Regional Airport is to Quincy's east, about 5 miles 8. Due to Quincy's close proximity to St. Louis , Cape Air offers 6 daily commuter flights that take less than an hour. Flight instruction, plane rentals and hangar space are also available at the Airport.

Longest Runway: 7, ft. Freight Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Norfolk Southern offer multiple freight trains daily and Burlington Junction Rail Road offers short line service many sites and development districts.

Amtrak Quincy is an Amtrak community with a rail station on the north side of town.