|
Shannon is located in Carroll County, in the North West comer of the state of Illinois. Shannon is approximately 129 miles from Chicago and nearly 224 miles from the state capitol in Springfield. The closest towns to Shannon are Lanark (7 miles away), and Mt. Carroll (the Carroll County seat - 17 miles away).
In 1900, Shannon Township's population was nearly one thousand inhabitants. About one half of the town's adults were immigrants from Germany and Ireland; the remainder were native born and were primarily from Pennsylvania. By 1900, Shannon had paved sidewalks and there was even talk of paving the town streets. Electricity was still in its infancy with only a few houses in the city of Shannon properly electrified. Most Shannon homes were still lit by gas or kerosene. Fireplaces and kitchen stoves were the norm for heating and cooking. Telephones had been in use since the 1880's, but the device was still not common. Most town businesses and professionals had a telephone, including the town sheriff's office, but those who lived on farms, for the most part, did not. Local transportation was usually by foot, horseback or by horse drawn carriage. For longer journeys to places like Freeport (12 miles) or Mount Carroll, most Shannonites would take the train. 19th century .~ roads were mostly unpaved and subject to washouts and snow blockage. The automobile or "horseless carriage" was occasionally seen in larger cities such as Mount Carroll but .was still very much a novelty in Shannon.
At the turn of the century, Shannon was still a very rural community and the principal businesses were agricultural or agriculture dependent. "Farmer" and "farm laborer" were the most common occupations enumerated for males on the 1900 census. Other occupations listed by the census taker are: merchant, doctor, wagon maker, carriage painter, clergy man, watch repairer, lumber merchant and well driller. While most women are listed as "keeping house", a few are listed working as teacher, music teacher, saleswomen, butter maker and servants. Religion had an important place in the Shannon Community. Among the larger denominations represented were: Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics and a sizable group of Mennonites or "Church of the Brethren". In addition to the usual Sunday services many of the Protestants denominations held religious revivals throughout the year with outdoor tent meetinis and in some cases baptisms in nearby rivers. Throughout the late 19th and early 20 century, the Temperance movement played a strong part in Shannon's religious and political life. The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was key to Shannon voting to restrict liquor licenses on a number of occasions (such as the vote of 1884). Not everyone in Shannon, however, was for restricting or abolishing the sale of liquor; this was especially so in Shannon's sizable German and Irish communities. Both of these ethnic groups had different attitudes toward alcohol consumption than the native born easterners. As a consequence, beer and liquor continued to be sold within the township and Shannon's male saloon customers were still able to imbibe. Shannon's license restrictions like those of other towns in Carroll County waxed and waned until the 18th Amendment when the entire State of Illinois and the nation gave prohibition an extended trial.
Shannon citizens (like much of rural Illinois) tended to vote Republican; although the town's one newspaper the Shannon Express had often endorsed Democrats. Township government was elected and was composed of a mayor, city council, clerk and a city Marshall. Most offices were voluntary and officeholders only received a per diem or fee for service for special tasks. The exceptions were the City Marshall and a police officer who were paid a monthly salary. Taxes were apportioned based upon acreage and ownership of land. The American Civil War was still a living memory for the citizens of Shannon. In 1900, there were still dozens of families of veterans who had lost fathers and sons in the nation's greatest tragedy. Dozens more bore the wars awful physical scars and terrible memories. Shannon's Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Holden Putnam Post # 646, had nearly 30 dues paying members. These old former soldiers and sailors met monthly to meet and discuss their common problems and to offer each other mutual support. Together, the Post 646 members successfully lobbied their local and nationals elected representatives for more equitable pension laws and pensions increases. Throughout the year Post members often took part in local ceremonies and parades. Each Memorial Day, Post 646 members would journey to Shelley and Brethren Cemeteries. There they would assemble with appropriate ceremony and speeches, and they would lay flowers on the graves of old colleagues and the war dead. In a world with no televisions, radios or DVD players, entertainment was, by necessity, either amateur or professional shows. Theatrical companies which appeared fairly regularly, toured Carroll County, Newspaper articles about the shows and their players were followed by eager readers. In 1900 new inventions, such as the automobile, were still the subject of local skepticism,
Shannon was for the most part a very quiet place and the local newspaper could claim no deaths, no accidents, no drunkenness, no sickness-nothing has happened in our little town during the past week... long may it be so We know we have the finest town in the country." The local newspaper's column does report a few drunks on occasion and the intermittent, rowdy youth near the town's saloons, Sometimes the paper had some horrific items as well. In 1886, Carroll County residents woke to find Shannon City Marshall, Patrick Reddington, had been murdered by an insane barber named Charles Lashelle. Lashelle was quickly caught tried, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. In prison, Lashelle was killed by another inmate, who claimed, he was doing God's work. This however, was the exception, and for most of the 19th century Shannon remained, a tranquil and law-abiding community. Perhaps the best way to conclude and sum up life in 19th century Shannon Township is to append two pieces from the Shannon Express, detailing town life for April 23, 1881 & the other from July 7, 1898 describing Shannon Township's 4th of July festivities: THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Mr. Charles Pyatt was in town last Monday. Miss Kitty Moran bas been visiting in Freeport School opened last Monday for a tenn of eight weeks. A number of Shannonites were in Mt. Carroll on Tuesday. Miss Alice Cook has returned from a week visit to Lanark. H.D. Bentley has sold R.W. Henley of the village a fine piano. The attendance at the caucuses Monday night was very large. Rev. J. B. Rife and family will spend a week with friends in Wisconsin. W.A. Hepfer has moved to the first house south of the Methodist Church. The Easter services of at the Catholic Church were more then usually interesting. Rev. L. A. Sites will preach morning and evenings at the Presbyterian Church, tomorrow. There will be a meeting of the Supervisors at Mount Carroll, on the 28 inst. Extra copies of The Express containing the tax list for 1880 can be obtained at this office. Found-- A large bottle of perfume which the owner can have by paying for this notice. Rev. M. Cooley of Lanark preached an able sermon last Sunday evening at the Presbyterian Church. Rev. W. A. Unangst of Davis will preach tomorrow at the Evangelical Church. The annual celebration of the Odd Fellows, for 1881 will be held at Rochelle, on the 26th inst. The Barber Shop has been moved a few feet to the eastward to make way for a well on the west side. Hot coffee and lunch on short notice at Mrs. Springstead's. Mrs. Emily Speenberg has given Thomas J. Sizer a warranty deed for lot 5 block 9 in Shannon. The Young people of Shannon enjoyed a pleasant Party at the Red Ribbon Hall Thursday evening. Giblers band of Freeport furnished the music. The delinquent tax list published in this issue of the Express has occupied so much of our time this week that we were unable to give the usua1 amount of loca1 news. The school report is unavoidably crowded out this week. It will appear fur two weeks in the next issue. Please remember we are "Boss Head Quarters" for: Teas, Green and Roasted Coffees, Syrups and Dried and Canned Fruit etc. Gee M. Lashell The Rev. Mr. S.A,. Miller the new Evangelical Minister will not fill his appointment until after the Rev. Rife's removal, which will be about the first of May. Wanted - A girl to do general house work. Family small and good wages. German preferred. B. Israel, Lanark DJ. The weather has been fine during most of the week and farmers have improved the time by plowing wherever a dry spot could be found. The first plowing of the season was done last Saturday. Before purchasing Boys boots and shoes or ladies or Misses and children's footwear you are respectfully invited to examine my custom made goods, every pair warranted. I have cheap goods if you must bave them. Geo. M. Lashell Choice confectionary, oranges and lemons at Mrs. Springstead's. Peter Speenburg is confined to the house from a bilious attack: was very sick yesterday. Luscious Oysters in all styles at Groves bakery. Had all the temperance men working on the street on Election Day as Mr. Speenburg did the laugh would have been on the other side. For a nice oyster stew go to S.T. Grove. Mr. Lang is getting his new building well underway and will soon have it ready for his fumily and market. When complete it will add much to the beauty of that part of town. Fresh Oysters just received at the bakery. Stephen Thometz, has sold to M. Richards part of lot 1 in block 26 village of Shannon and part of the Southeast quarter of 18, 25, range 7 fur S 2, 700. For Evergreen trees call on Mr. Nutt two miles north of Shannon. The Jury in the liquor case of S. Thometz, appealed from the lower court and tried befure Judge Eustace last week assessed a fine of tWo hundred dollars. The Spring Stead case has been held over until next term of court. A good grade of Bull for sale - two years old past. J. Naughey Mr. John Rodgers is the champion parsnip-raiser in the vicinity and has some fine specimens ftom his gardens will show. A parsnip measuring tWenty inches in length and fifteen in circumference is considerable but John raises plenty of them Fresh pies, cookies and cakes always on hand at Mrs. Springstead's Restaurant. Those who attended the lecture last Monday evening by John Moffat speak of it as one of the best entertainments of the season. Some are of the opinion thatexce1led the lecture of De. Thomas. The election excitement prevented many ftom attending and the house was not full. The proceeds were too small to divide and turned over to the lecturer. Miss Sophia Glasser has opened a dress making establishment at Miss Osgood's millinery store where it will be a pleasure to meet her many mends and acquaintances who may wish to patronize her. She is prepared to do all kinds of dressmaking on short notice and at moderate prices. The city election was an extremely quiet affair. The vote was very light and resulted in the election of the entire ticket. Trustees: M. Schauer received 78 votes, J.F. Franklin 72, and J. Kraker 70 against: C. Hines 65, J.S. LasheU 63, and Jacob S. Shelly 63 For Clerk William Dodds 136 votes no opposition. For Police Magistrate: John Rodgers 68, Wrn. Rummel 64. Go to Mrs. Springstead's Restaurant for fresh canned goods of all kinds Tomatoes, Boston Baked Beans, Sugar com, Lima Beans, Fresh Mackerel, Fresh Columbia Salmon, Sardines, Union Oysters, Oranges and Lemons. The snow has had its day for this year in obstmcting public roads and at the present time floods seem to predominate especially so along the Rock River. The washing away of a culvert east of Durand and the water in some places to the depth offour feet on several miles of track has caused the suspension of trains ftom the east for nearly a week. The Pecatonia River at Freeport has been very high converting all the low lands near the depot into vast lake endangering the bridges at that place. During the absence of Mr. Scheffler at Freeport last Sunday his little boys seven and nine years old thought it would be fine to go to Freeport and see him. They immediately set out on foot and trudged along the railroad for four miles when Mr. Biles met them and brought them back to town. Just at dark the youngest boy was missed and search being made could not be found. An alarm was raised about 11: 0 clock p.rn. when citizens turned out to hunt the lost boy. After the experience of the morning it was thought he might have started again to find his father and a hand car was at once started toward Freeport to overtake the little traveler. Eight miles ftom home they overtook the little fellow cane in hand making good time fur Freeport. His mother was soon rejoiced to see her lost boy. Mr. Scheffler wishes to thank everyone for their kindness in searching for his little Georgie.
Shannon Broke all Previous Records In Her Fourth of July Celebration of 1898 A complete Success in Every Particular and an Honor to Its Citizens As will be seen by the opinions of our business men and the village clergy the Nation's birthday was celebrated by the liberty loving people in a very appropriate and suitable manner. The day was all that could be wished for as it was hot in the sun and cool in the shade. The business houses and residences were beautifully decorated and the streets were lined with trees which presented a very pleasing appearance, and the village fathers deserve a great amount of credit for it. Mayor Cook, W. S. Cowen, Dr. W.A. Thometz, Geo. T. Sherwood spared no time or pains to have all the arrangements perfected before the morning of the Fourth and their efforts were crowned with complete success. A very fitting tribute is paid by one who visited Shannon and printed in the Freeport Journal Tuesday evening "This pretty little city has had many Fourth of July celebrations in her history, but the one yesterday far surpassed anything the village has ever attempted. The committees in charge of the affair did good work and the results of their labor were very gratifying. Shannon justly claims to be one of the prettiest towns in Carroll County and the village looked unusually attractive yesterday. The business houses were decorated with flags and bunting and the streets were lined with large shade trees cut from the neighboring woods. The crowds began to arrive early and the morning trains from Freeport and Savannah brought immense crowds." The parade lined up as follows:
The procession was formed at 9:30 and started to parade through the principal streets at 10 0' clock, and was an imposing sight. The parade was in the charge of W.S. Cowen as Chief Marshal and Dr. Thometz, Geo Sherwood, G. W. Whitmore and H. T, Mitchell, his assistants. It was a creditable affair and kept the marshals busy, and was followed to the park by a large crowd where the sham battle took place. This was one of the main features of the day and was enjoyed by everyone who witnessed it. There was one decoration that is deserving of special mention and that is the residence of Dr. R. C. Miller. The house was beautifully decorated with flags and bunting completely encircling the large porch the main entrance being decorated in an arch over a portrait of Wm. McKinley, and on every front, projection and point of view the American Flag was afloat. To the front of a tent of red, white and blue was staked the words "Remember the Maine 266" draped in mourning to represent our brave heroes. A cot was placed in the tent for the wounded, stacks of arms two in number, over the photos of Dewy and Sampson, campfIre over which the old "iron kettle" hung and was a very attractive feature. When this point was reached a salute was fired and the sham battle was started. After the parade the crowd assembled at Shannon's beautiful park where there was excellent music by the Glee Chorus, Dewey Four and the bands. There was a reading of . the Declaration ofIndependence by Miss Fannie Gettemy and the oration by Rev. B.A. Dickens who is an eloquent speaker and delivered a pleasing address. The piece of music entitled" My Sweetheart went down with the Maine" sung by Miss Cora Healy accompanied by the Shannon Band was a great surprise in the way the music to most to our citizens, and was a treat to the music loving people and elicited a great deal of favorable comment. Miss Healy was loudly applauded. After announcements by Mayor Cook, an adjournment was taken for dinner. The afternoon was devoted to athletic sports, and at 1 :30 the Rockford and Glena ball teams were escorted to the park by the Shannon band and about 500 people witnessed and exciting game of ball. The Game was a good one and full of sharp plays and wound up with a decidedly hot finish, Galena winning by a score of 11 to 7. The races were the next thing Foot race-- Plash, Pried and McCracken, Mt. Carroll, Puterbaugh Lanark, Coundly Shannon. Plash won first money, Puterbaugh second Cloundly of Shannon won the third money instead of Pried. The results of this race were given out wrong.
 Boys bicycle race under 15 years--- Chas. Staunton, Gust. Nohe, A. Schofield Mt. Carroll; Joe Thometz, F. Cheesman Shannon, Thometz won fIrst; Cheeseman second; Schonfeild third. The free for all amateur bicycle race distance 2 miles- W. W. Whitmore Shannon; B.A. Emmert; W.E. Blinkley Lanark, Whitmore was first, Emmert second. Blinkley didn't show up. This race caused a great deal of excitement. As every man, women and child in Lanark liked Si Emmert the crowd from that place fully and were eager that he should win. The esteem in which he was held in his town made his defeat the harder to bear for when they saw Whitmore leading Emmert by about 100 yards on the home stretch they thought there was surely something wrong with him and he finally rode over the scratch safe and sound but a little in the rear. One young gentleman from Lanark who plays a prominent part in the Gazette offered to bet $ 5 to a 10 cent cigar in the forenoon that Si Emmert would beat Whitmore by two blocks but after the race he was nowhere to be found he disappeared as if by magic. The rest could not understand how it happened. Billy Whitmore is now the fastest rider in the county . Biscuit race-Won by G. Weinmoring Wheelbarrow race-Won by Wm. Brink Rock Creek was awarded the first prize for the largest delegation it having thirty teams in ~parade . Geisemman & Neisemeir received the first prize for the best. decorated wagon representing their business in the parade. Before the display of fireworks Andrew Ludwig arose and read a synopsis of the beautiful song, "My Sweetheart Went down with the Maine." Miss Cora Healy sung it with the band accompanied to a large crowd. The fireworks were all that could be desired and are acknowledged to be the best in Northwestern llIinois. The Committees have never been published. They are as follows: Committee on Finance-R.M. Cook Committee on Program-Dr. M. A. Thometz, W.S. Cowen, G.T. Sherwood, P.L. Huber Committee on Arrangements-G. W. Whitmore, Joe Kraker Committee on Music-H.L. I,(uter What the business men, village. trustees and ministers said when asked their opinion. B.F. Shiley- The Fourth was all right but Santiago was better. It was certainly a success. The most orderly crowd we have ever had here. A. Diehl- Take all in all it was a pleasant affair. The military companies done well for the time they had. Sampson's present to the United States on its anniversary was the best of alL John Kraker - Never had any better everything was good and everybody seem to enjoy themselves. Rev. Father Beuter- I think the fireworks were grand; everything went off from first to last. I must say the procession was very imposing; order could not have been better in such a great crowd. B. E. Brown - The celebration was a good one. Better then I had any idea could be gotten up in such a small town. The Committees were all right. Geo.C. Byers- So far as I can see the celebration was an entire success and a credit to the people in the manner which it was carried out. Dr. R.C. Miller-The large gathering was without any exception the most mannerly I have ever seen, forcibly reminding me of the one great family and we certainly are under obligation to the surrounding county. David Boyd- All had a good time it was a good day. Harry Cook- The celebration was first class, the best behaved crowd I have seen in the town, no drunkenness and boisterous noise for such a large crowd. The committee deserves praise. A.S. Babb- I think it was one of the grandest successes of anything ever held in Shannon and the Committee deserves a great deal of the credit. J.J. Glasser- It was a marked success I couldn't say anything to the contrary. Ed. Burt- I think the celebration was a real success. John Knorr - I think it was a grand affair. I want to say I am glad their were no arrests made. Dr. J.1. Smith - It was the nicest and cleanest crowd we have ever had in town, I think a good deal of the credit is due to the head of the present city administration. Ed. Wicke - I think: the. 4th was fIne had all I could do. Marshall Reddington- We made no arrest; had no occasion to make any at all. The behavior of the crowd could not have been more orderly; I was surprised as there was not even the sign of a fIght. No one go drunk in Shannon but some got off the train in Shannon feeling pretty rich. A good word often times saves lots of trouble. My men were instructed in the morning to enforce the law and the crowd seemed to understand it. Theo. Solt- It was one of the best behaved crowds I have ever seen. There seems to be nothing left undone by the committee, nor nothing overdone it was just right. Aden Byers- The celebration was allO.K. Chas. Doll- The Fourth was good the fIreworks were the best I have ever seen in America W.W. Booth- I didn't have a chance to see much, but from what they say it was the best ever held in the county the committee did excellent and deserves lots of credit A. Williams- The Celebration was good; better then I expected heard many praises of our little city was a good for the town. No arrests were made. J. H. Osbourne - It was a hummer everything up to date and all connected deserve credit the fireworks were good. S. Coundly- It was all right I have no knick coming. R. M. Telfer- You don's need to ask me about it at all. Henry Melchoir- It was a good celebration I enjoyed it. Our Village fathers are to be commended for the way they had the town cleaned up and the old residents say the streets were in better shape then on any similar occasions heretofore. The success of the celebration proved that Shannon has some citizens who are loyal to the best interest of the town,
|
What was Shannon like in late 19th century? Using the 1880 and 1900 census and news accounts from local papers, it is possible to put together a picture that reflects something of what daily life was. like for Shannon residents.
The town of Shannon is a relatively new city. Shannon Township owes its foundation to William Shannon (1819-1877). William Shannon at various times earned his living as a pharmacist and a banker, but it was as a land speculator that in 1859 he acquired the land where his namesake city is now situated. When the Western Union Rail Road (W.U.R.R.) was projected to run through Carroll County, William Shannon had the foresight to purchase the highest elevated land in Carroll County. Shannon saw a need for a town and set about making things happen. After securing the location of his future town and rail station, Shannon offered land to W.U.R.R for their station and named the new township after himself. To induce others to purchase at his site, he subdivided his land and sold it at liberal terms. He quickly disposed of enough lots to purchasers that by 1870 the town of Shannon was a small, but established township. Shannon, III had a population of 714 in 1880 and 1,000 in 1900. William Shannon, like many early entrepreneurs, was for ever restless. In 1877 he left Shannon for good, intending to settle in Kansas, "when an early death tenninated his enterprise".
Sports were popular in Shannon, especially baseball and bicycle racing. Shannon amateur teams often played their larger neighbors at Freeport and Mount Carroll with success. The Shannon Volunteer Fire Department often gave exhibition of its skills and competed against other fire organizations for awards and notoriety. Self improvement was also very popular and the township sponsored frequent academic and rhetoric exercises for students. By the turn of the century, Shannon public school students could stay in their hometown to complete high school and graduate. Classes were small and most graduating classes by the turn of the century were under 10 students. Another form of popular entertainment was marching bands. Shannon's band was popular and demonstrated its musical expertise quite often.
Although Shannon was a small rural community, it was sometimes touched by larger problems, e.g., such as a large fire in 1894 and the great cyclones and storms of 1898. These catastrophic events destroyed many buildings and killed large numbers of animals and some of the Carroll County citizens as well.
