Harrison and Henry D Dills in Quincy, Illinois:
In 1834, after a brief stay in Danville, Il, Harrison Dills built himself a log cabin and blacksmith quarters in Quincy when he was 23. Besides building wagons for sale, he invented a diamond edged plough to withstand the hard, unploughed soil along the Mississippi River. Harrison quickly made himself known locally, attending church and a desired member of the newly formed mason lodge. In 1836, his big break came when the US federal government hired him to shoe 500 ponies for the "Black Hawk Indians" after Native Americans formed alliances to fight against a government intent on relocating tribes further west of the Mississippi River. A few years earlier in 1828, a young Abraham Lincoln was elected captain of the local militia to chase Black Hawks warriors although without success. By the 1830s, Black Hawk approached the government in Wash, DC, to protest the mistreatment of the natives. One of many concessions given as retribution, included use of a blacksmith to look after their horses. This was the first big break for Harrison who established himself as a skilled blacksmith, inventor, entrepreneur, and spokesman in western Illinois although America's Whose Who [1899], listed him as "known capitalist". He remained active in politics and public affairs throughout his time in Illinois and while lost his bid for State Senator in 1862, he attended the convention to re elect President Lincoln in 1864.
The year was 1836 when Harrison fulfilled his first task for the US Government and other government opportunities were yet to come. That year was important for Harrison as his younger brother Henry D Dills followed him to Quincy from Ohio and quickly got work as a plasterer and was credited for some of the fine masonry work on Governor Woods estate in the quickly growing city.
Weekly Herald Quincy, Illinois - November 10 1899: PASSING OF A PIONEER
Harrison Dills, Formerly of Quincy, Dies at Warrensburg. He was 87 years of age and came to Quincy before 1834 - Some of the incidents of his life... was Marshal in a memorable procession to Columbus.
Beers & Messick received a telegram this morning from Warrensburg, Mo. announcing the death of Harrison Dills. The remains will arrive here for internment tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Mr. Dills was 87 of age. He came here when there were only a few log huts and a clump of underbrush. In the History of Quincy, Old Times and Old Stories, he is mentioned a prominent factor in local affairs as far back as 1854 and describes the procession that was formed at the public square here to march to Columbus, where a county convention was being held. The delegates were lined up in the parade by Levi B Allen, Jacob Gruell, and Harrison Dills. First there came a troop of horses, two abreast. Then came a large yellow wagon pulled by four horses. In it was seated the band of the Quincy Grays, the vehicle being surmounted by the Harrison and Tyler flag. This was followed by a cannon from which fluttered the United States flag, bearing the picture of a log cabin with a coon skin painted upon its side. Then came a canoe mounted on wheels, to represent the sobriquet of General Harrison, "Old Tippecanoe". About mid ship of the craft was a barrel of hard cider with the essential gourd attached. In the rear seat sat George Chapman, the cooper, with a paddle in his hands going through the motion of paddling his own canoe. After the canoe came a long train of carriages carrying flags and bringing up the rear were tow mail coaches. Of the one hundred and forty-one delegates appointed to this Columbus convention and who participated in that memorable parade only a very few are living, probably not to exceed three or four. Harrison Dills was a prominent man on that occasion as on many others in the early days of Adams County. Mr. Dills married the second time about twenty-five years ago and with his wife and children left here eighteen year ago for Kansas, wher he resided a short time and then located in Warrensburg, Mo. During his residence here he followed a variety of pursuits. He was a blacksmith by trade, but for a long time was engaged in the grocery and general merchandising business. He was postmaster for one term and held other office of public trust in the county. He was one of the oldest Masons in the city and retained his membership in Bodley lodge up to the time of his death. For several years he held the office of past grand master and past grand treasurer of the grand lodge of the state and was an important factor in all matters pertaining to Masonic work. He is survived by his widow and three sons, Howell, employed at the plant of the J. Knittel Show Case Co., this city; George, postmaster of the California Soldiers' Home; and Charles [Harrison F Dills], of the U.S. Army. Mrs. J. P. Beers, Misses Mary, Lucia B, and Laura P. Summers of this city, are nieces of the deceased, and James H. Summers, a nephew.
Quincy, Ill http://livinghistoryofillinois.com/.../History%20of%20the... it was estimated that in 1809, there were less than 50,000 American Indians and about 9,000 whites in the territory that became Illinois. In 1813, mounted rangers attacked and destroyed an Indian village on what became the site for Quincy, Ill. The cruel attack was in retaliation for injuries frontier pioneers had suffered and the natives were driven northward into Iowa. This led to a war orchestrated by chieftain Black-hawk a few years later. Time had passed when Quincy was settled and the US government hired Quincy blacksmith Harrison Dills in 1835 to shoe "500 ponies for the Blackhawk Indians" as part of the retribution after the federal government struck a deal to end of a drawn out war. Another point of interest was that a young Abraham Lincoln was elected captain of a militia to chase down the Blackhawk warriors in the 1820s though unsuccessfully. Lincoln who started his career as a congressman received correspondence from Dills [1849] when the Postmaster position was open in Quincy as he wanted the job though fellow mason Abraham Jonas gained the prestigious assignment... Quincy was also the place where Lincoln was nominated to run for the Republican ticket in 1860 and where Dills ran for State Senate in 1862 under the "Union Committee" [Republican Party]. Harrison Dills, who had already served as Illinois Grand Master [1857-8] lost his bid as did most Republicans at the time but continued to support Lincoln in his second term of 1864.
Dills moved from his native state of western Virginia to Ohio and on to Illinois in 1832, initially settling in Danville. In 1833-4, he moved to Quincy, Illinois, where he opened a blacksmith shop. In 1835, he married Laura Parsons. In 1839, he became a member of Engine Company No. 1 of the Quincy Fire Department. When the Illinois General Assembly incorporated Quincy as a city in 1840, Dills was among the first street commissioners. In 1850, he was working as a blacksmith and owned real estate valued at $10,000. In 1855, Dills laid out the village of La Prairie in the north-eastern portion of Adams County. In 1860, he was employed as a grocer and owned real estate valued at $50,000 and had a personal estate of $4,000. In May 1865, Dills became postmaster of Quincy. A devoted Mason, Dills was among those that organized the first grand lodge in Illinois, which met in Jacksonville in 1840. He was a charter member of the Bodley Lodge of Quincy, the oldest Masonic lodge in the state. He gradually advanced in rank, becoming grand master in 1857 and grand treasurer in 1863.” Quincy Herald, Mon, Aug 16 1900: Members of Old Family - Brother Dills pay a visit to their old home town. - After a visit of a few days in their old home town Messrs. George A and Henry [Howell] C Dills left for the west, last night, the former for Los Angeles and the latter for Kansas City. The Messrs. Dills were born in a log cabin in located in what is now the alley between Maine and Hampshire and fifth and sixth streets. Later they moved to the next block east to a brick residence that was afterwards move 300 feet north to make room for the building now occupied on the ground floor by JF Daughterty & Co., undertakers, and on the upper floors by the trades unions as Labour hall. The moving of the brick residence was the first undertaking of the kind in the city and attracted large crowds while it was being accomplished. The Messrs. Dills are the sole survivors of the family of eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Dills. Harrison Dills came to Quincy in 1834 [from Danville, Il] and for many years was one of the foremost citizens of the village. He was a land agent and wholesale grocer and in 1865 was appointed postmaster, an office he filled to the satisfaction of the patrons of the office. He was one of the first members of Masonic fraternity in Quincy and when he died had attained the highest rant in the order. His son, George, is a 32d degree Mason. George, still hale and hearty, is postmaster at the National Soldiers' Home in Los Angeles. He is a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted early in the conflict as a member of the 10th Illinois infantry. He continued to make his home here until about 30 years ago when he went west and has in the interim made his home in California. In front of the Miller & Arthur drug store, Sunday afternoon, he held an informal levee and introduced by Ben Miller, met many friends who either remembered him or his family and were pleased to meet him and talk over old times. He has a remarkably clear memory on matters relating to the old time in Quincy and is full of reminiscences of the period immediately preceding the election of Lincoln, including the campaign between Lincoln and Douglas.
Here are articles from Quincy newspapers chronicling the activities of Harrison Dills and his family:
Weekly Herald Quincy, Illinois - November 10 1899: PASSING OF A PIONEER
Harrison Dills, Formerly of Quincy, Dies at Warrensburg. He was 87 years of age and came to Quincy before 1834 - Some of the incidents of his life... was Marshal in a memorable procession to Columbus.
Beers & Messick received a telegram this morning from Warrensburg, Mo. announcing the death of Harrison Dills. The remains will arrive here for internment tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Mr. Dills was 87 of age. He came here when there were only a few log huts and a clump of underbrush. In the History of Quincy, Old Times and Old Stories, he is mentioned a prominent factor in local affairs as far back as 1854 and describes the procession that was formed at the public square here to march to Columbus, where a county convention was being held. The delegates were lined up in the parade by Levi B Allen, Jacob Gruell, and Harrison Dills. First there came a troop of horses, two abreast. Then came a large yellow wagon pulled by four horses. In it was seated the band of the Quincy Grays, the vehicle being surmounted by the Harrison and Tyler flag. This was followed by a cannon from which fluttered the United States flag, bearing the picture of a log cabin with a coon skin painted upon its side. Then came a canoe mounted on wheels, to represent the sobriquet of General Harrison, "Old Tippecanoe". About mid ship of the craft was a barrel of hard cider with the essential gourd attached. In the rear seat sat George Chapman, the cooper, with a paddle in his hands going through the motion of paddling his own canoe. After the canoe came a long train of carriages carrying flags and bringing up the rear were tow mail coaches. Of the one hundred and forty-one delegates appointed to this Columbus convention and who participated in that memorable parade only a very few are living, probably not to exceed three or four. Harrison Dills was a prominent man on that occasion as on many others in the early days of Adams County. Mr. Dills married the second time about twenty-five years ago and with his wife and children left here eighteen year ago for Kansas, wher he resided a short time and then located in Warrensburg, Mo. During his residence here he followed a variety of pursuits. He was a blacksmith by trade, but for a long time was engaged in the grocery and general merchandising business. He was postmaster for one term and held other office of public trust in the county. He was one of the oldest Masons in the city and retained his membership in Bodley lodge up to the time of his death. For several years he held the office of past grand master and past grand treasurer of the grand lodge of the state and was an important factor in all matters pertaining to Masonic work. He is survived by his widow and three sons, Howell, employed at the plant of the J. Knittel Show Case Co., this city; George, postmaster of the California Soldiers' Home; and Charles [Harrison F Dills], of the U.S. Army. Mrs. J. P. Beers, Misses Mary, Lucia B, and Laura P. Summers of this city, are nieces of the deceased, and James H. Summers, a nephew.
Quincy, Ill http://livinghistoryofillinois.com/.../History%20of%20the... it was estimated that in 1809, there were less than 50,000 American Indians and about 9,000 whites in the territory that became Illinois. In 1813, mounted rangers attacked and destroyed an Indian village on what became the site for Quincy, Ill. The cruel attack was in retaliation for injuries frontier pioneers had suffered and the natives were driven northward into Iowa. This led to a war orchestrated by chieftain Black-hawk a few years later. Time had passed when Quincy was settled and the US government hired Quincy blacksmith Harrison Dills in 1835 to shoe "500 ponies for the Blackhawk Indians" as part of the retribution after the federal government struck a deal to end of a drawn out war. Another point of interest was that a young Abraham Lincoln was elected captain of a militia to chase down the Blackhawk warriors in the 1820s though unsuccessfully. Lincoln who started his career as a congressman received correspondence from Dills [1849] when the Postmaster position was open in Quincy as he wanted the job though fellow mason Abraham Jonas gained the prestigious assignment... Quincy was also the place where Lincoln was nominated to run for the Republican ticket in 1860 and where Dills ran for State Senate in 1862 under the "Union Committee" [Republican Party]. Harrison Dills, who had already served as Illinois Grand Master [1857-8] lost his bid as did most Republicans at the time but continued to support Lincoln in his second term of 1864.
Dills moved from his native state of western Virginia to Ohio and on to Illinois in 1832, initially settling in Danville. In 1833-4, he moved to Quincy, Illinois, where he opened a blacksmith shop. In 1835, he married Laura Parsons. In 1839, he became a member of Engine Company No. 1 of the Quincy Fire Department. When the Illinois General Assembly incorporated Quincy as a city in 1840, Dills was among the first street commissioners. In 1850, he was working as a blacksmith and owned real estate valued at $10,000. In 1855, Dills laid out the village of La Prairie in the north-eastern portion of Adams County. In 1860, he was employed as a grocer and owned real estate valued at $50,000 and had a personal estate of $4,000. In May 1865, Dills became postmaster of Quincy. A devoted Mason, Dills was among those that organized the first grand lodge in Illinois, which met in Jacksonville in 1840. He was a charter member of the Bodley Lodge of Quincy, the oldest Masonic lodge in the state. He gradually advanced in rank, becoming grand master in 1857 and grand treasurer in 1863.” Quincy Herald, Mon, Aug 16 1900: Members of Old Family - Brother Dills pay a visit to their old home town. - After a visit of a few days in their old home town Messrs. George A and Henry [Howell] C Dills left for the west, last night, the former for Los Angeles and the latter for Kansas City. The Messrs. Dills were born in a log cabin in located in what is now the alley between Maine and Hampshire and fifth and sixth streets. Later they moved to the next block east to a brick residence that was afterwards move 300 feet north to make room for the building now occupied on the ground floor by JF Daughterty & Co., undertakers, and on the upper floors by the trades unions as Labor hall. The moving of the brick residence was the first undertaking of the kind in the city and attracted large crowds while it was being accomplished. The Messrs. Dills are the sole survivors of the family of eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Dills. Harrison Dills came to Quincy in 1834 [from Danville, Il] and for many years was one of the foremost citizens of the village. He was a land agent and wholesale grocer and in 1865 was appointed postmaster, an office he filled to the satisfaction of the patrons of the office. He was one of the first members of Masonic fraternity in Quincy and when he died had attained the highest rant in the order. His son, George, is a 32d degree Mason. George, still hale and hearty, is postmaster at the National Soldiers' Home in Los Angeles. He is a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted early in the conflict as a member of the 10th Illinois infantry. He continued to make his home here until about 30 years ago when he went west and has in the interim made his home in California. In front of the Miller & Arthur drug store, Sunday afternoon, he held an informal levee and introduced by Ben Miller, met many friends who either remembered him or his family and were pelased to meet him and talk over old times. He has a remarkably clear memory on matters relating to the old time in Quincy and is full of reminiscence of the period immediately preceding the election of Lincoln, including the campaign between Lincoln and Douglas.
Q Whig, Sat Dec 7, 1839: Corporation proceedings... Ordered, that voucher no 124 for $17.40 be given Mr. Dills for building a bridge at the foot of Main Street...
Quincy Whig, Sat June 6, 1840: Pursuant to adjounment the city council met at the Court House, May 9th, 1840. Present: His Honor the Mayor, and Ald Jones, Sborn, and Ralston. The standing committee on frire department made the following report which was adopted. The said committee to who was referred bill for making hose carriage, beg leave to recommend that voucher No. 1 be granted to H. Dills for the sum of $35, and that voucher No.2 be issued in favor of Timothy Rogers for the sum of $16...
Q Whig, Wed. June 19, 1844: Wm H Tandy and Harrison Dills were then proposed for Sheriff - upon balloting the result was Tandy 10 Dills 7. Som Mr. Tandy was nominated as the candidate for Sherriff... On motion of H Asbury, SM Bartless, and H Dills.
Q Whig, wed, Feb 7th 1844: BLACKSMITHING The subscriber having taken the shop formerly occupied by H Dills, corner of sixth and Hampshire Streets, is prepared to execute all kind of work in his line and upon terms to meet the times. Plough making particularly attend to and warranted to suit purchasers. Having engaged Messrs L Slack and S Hovey, I feel confident my work cannot be excelled. RS Hilliard.
In 1840, Harrison Dills had already been in the blacksmith business for six years and sold a lot of wagons besides his own diamond edge plough. "TO THE FARMERS. I have on hnad a number of ploughs for the spring season which I will sell low for cash, also waggons made and Ironed to order of the best materials and on good terms. Call and see for yourselves. Corner sixth and Hampshire St. H DIlls ALSO- I will remind some of my patrons that they must pay up the old score, or they can't be trusted in future. Quincy, Feb 15 1840" Quincy Whig Jan 18th, 1840: Last Notice: All persons indebted to me since the 15th of January last [year], are respectfully requested to call and settle their bills or note before the first of Jan 1840, or they will be sued without respect to persons - if you will do this, you will oblige yours, H Dills Quincy, Dec 21, 1839.
1846: When the Mormons crossed into Illinois, The Dills family were part of those who were charitable when they were escaping an angry mob in Missouri. However, they were encouraged to found their own community several miles away as impact of a flood of immigrants would have disrupted the town and the local operations. After another mob action resulted in violence leading to the death of prophet Smith and his brother, Dills introduced legislation to keep the Mormons out of Illinois after they moved on. The group knew that other settlers were at odds with them especially after Joseph Smith was becoming political and rumours of bigamy had been circulating by 1842. According to historians, they had contemplating leaving the State before the mob violence. Though the violence that occurred was initiable, it was decided that in light of violation of local and federal law, the Mormons were not welcome to return after they moved on early in 1845. Quincy Daily Whig – November 11, 1846: “Monday, Nov 2nd, Mr Harrison Dills then addressed the meeting and offered the following additional resolutions: That we do most solemnly protest against any resolutions, holding out inducements for the people called Mormons, to return to this State or even this city. Mormons who have lately left this State, were not caused to remove on account of their religious belief, but for the violation of the laws of this State [agreed upon with a few dissenting voices].
Mormons Quincy Whig. Wed Nov 11, 1846
Mon, Nov 2nd. Excerpt from Public Meeting. Report and resolutions of the committee of ten - Voice of the People - Law & Order Triumphant!
"Mr. Harrison Dills then addressed the meeting and offered the following additional resolutions: Resolved. Tha we do most solemnly protest against and Resolutions offered to our City Council in any way, holding out inducements for the people called Mormons to return to this State or even this city. Resolved. That the people called Mormons who have lately left this State, were not caused to remove on account of their religious belief, as asserted by some anonymous writers in the public papers, but for the violation of the laws of this State and for that only.
The meeting was then severally addressed by A Jonas, CA Warren and IN Morris, in favor of the resolutions which a separate vote was taken on each of the resolutions reported by the committee and those offered by Mr Dills, most of which wre adopted by acclamation: and one or two with but few dissenting voices. "
Q Whig Sat,Sep 22, 1838: Military Notice. By order of Col. JB Johnston, all persons subject to Military Duty in Quincy precinct, running 2 miles north, 2 miles south, and 1-2 miles east of the township line are notified to attend a general muster at Payson, on the 17th day of September. H Dills, Captain Aug 25, 1838.
CASH! CASH! All persons indebted to me are respectfully requested to call and pay their notes and accounts by the 15th of this month or be left with an officer for collection. Jan 5, 1839. N.B. I still carry on the Blacksmithing Business at the old stand on the corner of Sixth and Hampshire street. HD
In 1840, Harrison Dills had already been in the blacksmith business for six years and sold a lot of wagons besides his own diamond edge plough. "TO THE FARMERS. I have on hand a number of ploughs for the spring season which I will sell low for cash, also waggons made and Ironed to order of the best materials and on good terms. Call and see for yourselves. Corner sixth and Hampshire St. H Dills ALSO- I will remind some of my patrons that they must pay up the old score, or they can't be trusted in future. Quincy, Feb 15 1840"
The following ad was published regularly from 1852 onward although H Dills was placing ads for land sales in 1849. By 1855, Harrison Dills amassed large tracks of land in western Illinois besides lands in Missouri:
Quincy Herald. Mon Oct 9th, 1854: "LANDS AND TOWN LOTS. Office corner of Sixth and Hampshire street, Quincy, Ill. - We have commenced the business of dealing in real estate in this city and country generally. We are prepared to buy and sell city lots and lands in the country. Land warrants located and the land purchased if desired. Particular attention paid to procuring the patent title for occupants of the Military Tract. Our experience and facilities for information are such that we think we can give satisfaction to any person having business of this description. Give us a call, H Dills & Co."
In 1854 Harrison was also President of the Board of Trustees for the English and German Seminary" built through public funds and the Episcopal - Methodist church. The ciricculum offered a wide variety of subjects from languages to music and art.
In the mid 1850s, Harrison ran a title company and also purchased large portions of land in western Illinois besides Missouri and Kansas. He had back taxes to pay in Coatsville and LaPrairie and began to sell off some of his investments. He also purchased property in Missouri and Kansas besides areas in Illinois.
Q Herald jan 14, 1856: Quincy, Jan 2nd, 1856. At the office of H Dills and Co. the first meeting of the corporators of the Quincy wood and coal company was held. Present of the above named corporators: Holmes, Ashbury, Rogers, Wheeler, Marsh, Dills, Sullivan and Wood... Samuel Holmes Esq. was appointed Chairman... The foregoing indicates that the corporators of the Quincy wood and coal Company are desirous of making a start in a direction which it hoped may result in benefitting our city. In order that the committee to examine into coal deposits may enable them to pay for making a thorough examination of coal deposits on and near our railroad, it will be necessary for them to raise money and as the subject is one of general interest to all our citizens, the committee will wait upon our people to solicit this kind of aid, without which the will be unable to proceed in the work assigned them and in which they have no more individual or personal interest beyond that common to other citizens. In the late 1850s when the northern Whigs broke from the southern Whigs over the issue of slavery, the northerners reorganized and called themselves Republicans though the opposition referred to them as “black republicans” which was met to be insulting.
In an early gatherings of Republicans in Quincy [Adams County] the local news published the proceedings and here’s an excerpt:
“Mr. Dills climbed up on the No. 5. He said the meeting was ready for business and called upon Joahna [Abraham Jonah – friend of Lincoln] to state what the Republican population had come there for. The Republicans were told that they had rallied at the call of the Central Committee to nominate an aldermanic candidate, and elect ten delegates. My. Wood then nominated H. Klusmeyer for Secretary – Mr. Klusmeyer declined. Mr. Dills (from the perch on the engine) nominated W. Koenig. Mr. Koenig was elected. Mr. K very naturally, wanted some paper. AS search was made but the engine was out of stationary. The Secretary made a sortie on the neighbourhood in search of paper. In something less than an hour he returned with supplies and using the engine tongue for a desk, proceeded to take notes. Joshua Wood nominated F.W. Menke for Alderman…”
Quincy Whig and Republican, Sat morning Oct 25, 1862; Republican and Union Nominations, For State Treasurer WILLIAM BUTLER - For Superintendent of Public Instruction NEWTON BATEMAN - For Congress - State at large E.C. INGERSOLL - For Representative in Congress, 4th District, CHARLES B. LAWRENCE - For State Senator HARRISON DILLS - For members of the General Assembly JOSEPH TURNER, JAMES E. KIRKPATRICK - For Sheriff JOHN A WHITE - For Coroner ANDREW REDMAN
Note: On this page is a testimonial on the behalf of Harrison Dills by MM Bane, Payson, Oct 18, 1862; "His character and patriotism are alike above suspicion... reputation as a man of sense and a Christian gentleman. All good men, who in this hour of trial soar above politic, can conscientiously and proudly support such a man for the office of State Senator..."
By 1862, Harrison Dills continued to serve as treasurer for the Free Masons in Quincy, after having served as Illinois Grand Master [1857-58]. He ran unsucessfully for State Senator on the newly formed Republican and Union Party. There were more democrats than republicans in the region although the Whig and Republican Weekly back him. "Our Nominee for State Senator: The Union Commitees of Adams and Hancock counties have agreed on the name of Harrison Dills of this city, for State Senator. This nomination we can sustain most heartily. Mr DIlls is a man of energy, capacity, and integrity and earnest and reliable Union man - wich we learn is more than can be said of his opponent. Mr. DIlls is widely known, is at home with the people, is an effective speaker, and will proceed at once to canvass the district. He will speak tonight at Liberty, with Judge Lawrence and at the ther places where Judge L has made appointments as well in Hancock County. His Tory opponent will not by any means walk over the course. If all Union men are to to their inerest Mr. Dills will be elected." Col MM Bane [Hancock County]: "If it would not be considered impertinent in me, I will suggest that I have heard the name of Harrison Dills mentioned in connection with the position you so generously tender me. I know nothing of Mr. DIlls' political notions, nor should we care to know so long as we are sure that his devotion to the Union and the Contitution of our Fathers overtops all former party connections or predilections. His character and patriotism are alike above suspicion; anything however which I might say of Mr. Dills will not add to his reputation as a man of sense, and a Christian gentleman. All good men, who in this hour of trial soar above politics, can consscientuously and proudly support such a man for the office of State Senator. No man need fear that Harrison Dills will aid in sending a man to the United States Senate who will spend his time in senseless harangues on the lovely subject of "negro equality," or embarrass the government at every step of its progress by pleading for the constitutional right of rebels whose glistening bayonets can be seen on every hit top around the capitol...
At the time, Afro-Americans escaping slavery began moving north by any means possible to create a better life for themselves. While the "black republicans" [former Northern Whigs] railed against slavery as had Methodist leader, John Wesley, segregation was the rule of the day. There was not a forceful campaign to relocate the new residents although Abraham Lincoln offered to return blacks to Africa if desired. Black church leaders wanted to remain where they were besides willingness to fight for the rights laid out in the Constitution and Lincoln obliged.
"H Dills being loudly called for, came forward and addressed the meeting. He proposed a plan for disposing of the negroes, which was for Father Abraham to use them in crushing out this wicked rebellion, and then send them down to Mexico to serve a writ of ejectment upon Maximillian, and if they like the country, to keep it as their reward. Great credit is due Mr. Dills for his efforts in conducting the canvass of Adams County in behalf of the Union ticket during the presidential campaign.
Harrison Dills was adamant regarding liberty for all and by 1850, supported legislation against slavery in the new west. Although it was common for communities to gather on racial and cultural levels, it was acceptable to work together on business levels. As a businessman, Methodist, Free Mason, and Northern Whig/Republican, Dills promoted self-reliance and offered equal pay to black soldiers during the Civil War. At the time, there were still laws were place regarding mixed marriage although white settlers and native Americans were already cohabitating and starting families. Settlers from various backgrounds were encouraged to work together in Quincy, which earned the area as a safe place for the "underground railroad" for those who escaped slavery.
The newly elected "Black" Republicans agreed that all Union soldiers should receive the same pay and treated fairly for their loyalty. President Lincoln summons Black church leaders and offered to allow passage back to Africa for those who arrived against their will. Harrison Dills had also proposed that black American soldiers fighting a war with Maximillian along the borders of Mexico, should be able to cease and own liberated land but neither came to fruition. Afro-Americans were promised equality as American citizens by President Lincoln but it was not fully realized in the States for another hundred years, until various civil laws were challenged and removed.
"Mormons Quincy Whig Wed Nov 11, 1846: Mon, Nov 2nd. Excerpt from Public Meeting. Report and resolutions of the committee of ten - Voice of the People - Law & Order Triumphant!
"Mr. Harrison Dills then addressed the meeting and offered the following additional resolutions: Resolved. That we do most solemnly protest against and Resolutions offered to our City Council in any way, holding out inducements for the people called Mormons to return to this State or even this city. Resolved. That the people called Mormons who have lately left this State, were not caused to remove on account of their religious belief, as asserted by some anonymous writers in the public papers, but for the violation of the laws of this State and for that only.
The meeting was then severally addressed by A Jonas, CA Warren and IN Morris, in favour of the resolutions which a separate vote was taken on each of the resolutions reported by the committee and those offered by Mr Dills, most of which were adopted by acclamation: and one or two with but few dissenting voices. "
In 1840, Harrison Dills had already been in the blacksmith business for six years and sold a lot of wagons besides his own diamond edge plough. "TO THE FARMERS. I have on hand a number of ploughs for the spring season which I will sell low for cash, also waggons made and Ironed to order of the best materials and on good terms. Call and see for yourselves. Corner sixth and Hampshire St. H Dills ALSO- I will remind some of my patrons that they must pay up the old score, or they can't be trusted in future. Quincy, Feb 15 1840"
The following ad was published regularly from 1852 onward although H Dills was placing ads for land sales in 1849. By 1855, Harrison Dills amassed large tracks of land in western Illinois besides lands in Missouri:
Quincy Herald. Mon Oct 9th, 1854: "LANDS AND TOWN LOTS. Office corner of Sixth and Hampshire street, Quincy, Ill. - We have commenced the business of dealing in real estate in this city and country generally. We are prepared to buy and sell city lots and lands in the country. Land warrants located and the land purchased if desired. Particular attention paid to procuring the patent title for occupants of the Military Tract. Our experience and facilities for information are such that we think we can give satisfaction to any person having business of this description. Give us a call, H Dills & Co."
In 1854 Harrison was also President of the Board of Trustees for the English and German Seminary" built through public funds and the Episcopal - Methodist church. Mormons
Quincy Whig. Wed Nov 11, 1846 Mon, Nov 2nd. Excerpt from Public Meeting. Report and resolutions of the committee of ten - Voice of the People - Law & Order Triumphant! "Mr. Harrison Dills then addressed the meeting and offered the following additional resolutions: Resolved. That we do most solemnly protest against and Resolutions offered to our City Council in any way, holding out inducements for the people called Mormons to return to this State or even this city. Resolved. That the people called Mormons who have lately left this State, were not caused to remove on account of their religious belief, as asserted by some anonymous writers in the public papers, but for the violation of the laws of this State and for that only.
The meeting was then severally addressed by A Jonas, CA Warren and IN Morris, in favour of the resolutions which a separate vot was taken on each of the resolutions reported by the committee and those offerd by Mr Dills, most of which wre adopted by acclamation: and one or two with but few dissenting voices. "
The following ad was published regularly from 1852 onward although H Dills was placing ads for land sales in 1849. By 1855, Harrison Dills amassed large tracks of land in western Illinois besides lands in Missouri:
Quincy Herald. Mon Oct 9th, 1854: "LANDS AND TOWN LOTS. Office corner of Sixth and Hampshire street, Quincy, Ill. We have commenced the business of dealing in real estate in this city and country generally. We are prepared to buy and sell city lots and lands in the country. Land warrants located and the land purchased if desired. Particular attention paid to procuring the patent title for occupants of the Military Tract. Our experience and facilities for information are such that we think we can give satisfaction to any person having business of this description. Give us a call, H Dills & Co."
In 1854 Harrison was also President of the Board of Trustees for the English and German Seminary" built through public funds and the Episcopal - Methodist church. The curriculum offered a wide variety of subjects from languages to music and art
Daily Whig and Republican, Tues, Jan 7th, 1868 Dills & Brooker dealers in Books and Stationery, Newspapers, Periodicals, & etc. Post office News Depot, 165 Maine St.
Quincy Herald, Wed Jun 20, 1860 The Quincy Coal Company. Some 4 or 5 years since Messrs Dills, Edwards & Haxel procured a charter from the Legislature for the incorporation of the Quincy Coal Company, to which tere has not been much attention paid until since the first of last April, when the corporation commenced working their mine in earnest. Yesterday Mr H Dills showed us one of the finest specimens from the mine of this company, that we ever saw and he assures us that it is a fair sample of the coal mined by this company. The mine is situated half a mile east of Coatsburg, 100 feet from the railyard track and 132 feet below the surface of the earth....
Q Herald jan 14, 1856: Quincy, Jan 2nd, 1856. At the office of H Dills and Co. the first meeting of the corporators of the Quincy wood and coal company was held. Present of the above named corporators: Holmes, Ashbury, Rogers, Wheeler, Marsh, Dills, Sullivan and Wood... Samuel Holmes Esq. was appointed Chairman... The foregoing indicates that the corporators of the Quincy wood and coal Company are desirous of making a start in a direction which it hoped may result in benefitting our city. In order that the committee to examine into coal deposits' may enable them to pay for making a thorough examination of coal deposits on and near our railroad, it will be necessary for them to raise money and as the subject is one of general interest to all our citizens, the committee will wait upon our people to solicit this kind of aid, without which the will be unable to proceed in the work assigned them and in which they have no more individual or personal interest beyond that common to other citizens.
Quincy Herald Sep 1, 1859: New Grocery Store. No 161 Maine: New Grocery Store. 161 Naube street, use door east of Post Office, North side in H Dills new building. Just opened a large and well selected stock of Staple and Lancy Groceries to which we most respectfully invite the attention of consumers and dealers. We design selling at small profits! We shall make it a pint to satisfy those with whom we trade that they may deem it to their interest to deal with us. To retain grocers - We would say, please call and examine before purchasing as we flatter ourselves that we can give as good bargains as any other house. Dills & Stahl. Quincy Ill Aug 19, 1859
Quincy Herald, Thurs, Nov 3, 1859: Dissolution of partnership. The co partnership in the grocery business heretofore existing between the subscribers under the name Dills & Staht, has been this day dissolved by mutual consent. The business of the late firm will be closed by Harrison Dills who alone is authorized to use the name of the firm. Sep 21, 1859. The grocery business will be continued by H Dills at the same place and he hopes to receive his share of the orders of his friends and the public.
July 14, 1860:In 1860, Harrison Dills was a grocer and ran a title company among other business ventures. He was also active in politics. "Mr. Dills, the chairman of the county committee, made some remarks full of good humour and telling hits at the copperhead democracy. Mr. Dills has entered into this canvass with his whole soul, and will show the result of his labours in an increased Union vote in the county" Oct 22, 1864 "Union Men Attention! We want entire concert of action in this race for Freedom and National existence. I place at your control, for the use of the County Central Committee and the State and other organizations that are working to promote a common object, The salvation of our Government... Let us see there the faces of live Union men for anypurpose that will forward our cause. God never gave men a better cause to fight for. Let us all meet and let us in Quincy show the spirit that in evidence." Harrison Dills, Esq. Chairman Union Central Committee of Adams County, Oct. 1, 1864
July 14, 1860: In 1860, Harrison Dills was a grocer and ran a title company among other business ventures. He was also active in politics. "Mr. Dills, the chairman of the county committee, made some remarks full of good humor and telling hits at the copperhead democracy. Mr. Dills has entered into this canvass with his whole soul, and will show the result of his labors in an increased Union vote in the county" Oct 22, 1864 "Union Men Attention! We want entire concert of action in this race for Freedom and National existence. I place at your control, for the use of the County Central Committee and the State and other organizations that are working to promote a common object, The salvation of our Government... Let us see there the faces of live Union men for any purpose that will forward our cause. God never gave men a better cause to fight for. Let us all meet and let us in Quincy show the spirit that in evidence." Harrison Dills, Esq. Chairman Union Central Committee of Adams County, Oct. 1, 1864
Quincy Whig Republican, Sep 21, 1861: For Rent. A dwelling house on Maine Street between 6th and 7th streets containing 10 or 12 rooms. Also, a dwelling house on 5th street between Broadway and Spring, containing 6 rooms. WD McCann at Dills Store, 161 Maine street.
Q Herald, Mon Nov 2, 1863: LAST CALL BEFORE DRAFT! See the President's Proclamation. United States Recruiting Service Office. 161 Maine Street, Quincy, Ill... I am authorized to enlist as follows: For men who have served 9 months and been honorably discharged, $402 Bounty and Premium. For all others, $302 Bounty and Premium. Also monthly pay, $13 per month. In addition to the above, each recruit is furnished provisions, clothing, and medical attendance, and is paid in cash for such parts of his allowance of clothing as he does not draw. If any recruit is honourable mustered out of the service before his time expires, he will ceieve the full Bounty, the as if he had served the full time. There will be paid to each recruit before leaving the general rendezvous, 75 Dollars, the remainder of the Bounty with other pay in instalments. All persons presenting themselves and accepted, will be sent to such regiment as they select free of cost to the recruits. HARRISON DILLS recruiting agent 4th district. Q Whig Sep 17, 1864
Q Whig and Republican, Sat, Mar 18th 1865: Change of Officers - Among the new appointments published in Chicago papers, is that of Harrison Dills Esq., Post Master in this city. We understand that Mr. D has also received a letter from Gen. Harding notifying him of the fact.
Quincy Whig Sat, Apr 8, 1865: In this city on the 31st of March, of typhoid fever, Mrs LAURA, wife of Harrison Dills, Esq.. in the 49th year of her age. In the death of Mrs. Dills, Quincy loses one of its oldest inhabitants, she having settled here with her father's family in 1820. Society loses one of its best loved members and brightest ornaments: th ME Church on of its truest, most devoted and consistent members for a period of near 30 years. But it is in the family circle especially that her loss is irreparable- here she was indeed the angel of the household. Preminently true in the relations of life, she was especially so in the relation of wife and mother. Indeed, her devotion to her little Ella, who preceded her a few days to the better land, doubtless laid the foundation for the disease that to her proved fatal. As a ministering angel at the beside of the sick, and in attention to the wants of the poor, as an earnest worker in every charitable and benevolent enterprise, she is justly entitled to that high eulogy pronounce by the Savior upon one of her sex: "she hath done what she could"...
Quincy Whig, Sat, May 20th, 1865: Post Office Change - Harrison Dills Esq., the newly appointed Postmaster for Quincy, took formal possession of the office yesterday morning. He succeeds Mrs. Abraham Jonas, who has filled the unexpired term of her husband since his decease. Mr. Dills enters upon the discharge of duties of his new position with the earnest wish and confident hope of all that nothing reasonable will be left undone to satisfy and accommodate the public. He will personally superintend the business of the office, and se that everything is conducted properly. We hope soon to have a Post Office as well gegulated as an in the country.
Pst Office Improvements - Much needed improvements are in progress at the Post Office. The nuber or drawers and boxes is to be increased, and other desirable changes made in the internal arrangement. It is gratifying to see our new Post Master thus early setting to work to render the public such postal facilities as the importance of the business justly requires. Mr Dills informs us that he is going to put in 320 additional boxes and l74 drawers, and have the whole painted up in splendid style. Such an addition we think, will accommodate all who desire to pay the extra trifle for the increased convenience of having boxes and drawers. Since the assumption of the duties by our new Post Master, we have always been able to procure our mail upon the opening of the Post Office in the morning, which to us is a decided advantage and we have no doubt equally so to the community in general. The following is the Post Office force as at present organised. Postmaster, Harrison Dills: Deputy Postmaster, Wm. A Miller; Chief Clerk, George A Dills; Mailing Clerk, Michael Weltin' General Letter Delivery Clerk, Wm. Kinkle; Box and Drawers, Richard W. Nance. - Notes: Geo Dills served as postmaster in Santa Monica, Ca at the Soldier Home in 1908.
Q Whig Sep 17, 1864 Union County Convention.... On motion , delegates present were authorized to cast the entire vote of their respective delegations... Harrison Dills was then elected chairman of the Committee... On motion, the Convention proceeded to nominated candidates to the Legislature, when Harrison Dills in a few patriotic remarks nominated Nehemiah Bushnell of Quincy, as one of the candidates for the position...
Quincy Whig Dec 2, 1865: Wooden Mail Bags - The perfection of excellence in mail bags seems to have been reached in the invention of Marshal Smith, ass. postmaster at St. Louis, patented in 1863 and 4. It is a wooden box strongly ironed, some two or three feet in length and about six inches wide and deep. The interior is divided off by sliding partitions, properly labelled for the different post offices along a route, with a large division at one end for through mail. This, letters are carried without being jumbled up and tumbled about, as is unavoidably the case when put into leather bags. Several of these wooden mail bags are now in use on the routes leading to and from this city, and may be seen at the post office. Mr. Dills informs us that there is no doubt about their being brought into general use as soon as their merits are properly appreciated by the authorities.
Q Whig, Mon, Sep 4, 1865: Soldiers' celebration in Ursa - The soldiers' festival which had been announced to be held at Ursa last Friday "came off" with all the accessories which constitute a complete success. The day itself was propitious, the intense heat of the sun being moderated by a clouded sky, while all the arrangements were perfected in a manner which evinced not merely the interest of the people engaged in it, but exhibited a devotion of labor and a liberality of contributions which were creditable in the highest degree to the patriotic citizens and friends of the soldier who conceived and managed it... The services of the Quincy Brass Band had been engaged for the day, and were put in requisition in the progress to the stand as well as to enliven the proceedings upon it... At the close of the proceedings already noticed, an adjournment was had for dinner to the excellence and abundance of which too much praise cannot be awarded. After the dinner the people returned to the speaker's stand, where there was more speaking, introduced by Mr. Dills of this city, and more music and singing. Mr. Dills recounted the services of Adams county in the war, and made a brief speech, full of enthusiasm and good feeling. He was followed by Mr Adams, a private in the 78th, Capt. UH Keath and Lt. Col. Morton of this city, who pulled the "plug" from their mouths, and opened a scorching fire in fount on the enemies who had steadily maintained a fire in their rear while battling their more open and respectable enemies on the battle field...
"Oct 1872 N. Bushnell and 15 others requested that permission be given to Harrison Dills and associates to make and establish a coal yard and sheds upon the ground belonging to the city on the west side of Front, between Maine and Jersey to lay side tracks upon the same for the accommodation of coal yard." Bushnell was a local lawyer in Quincy and represented Harrison Dills as a legal council. "Oct 1872 N. Bushnell and 15 others requested that permission be given to Harrison Dills and associates to make and establish a coal yard and sheds upon the ground belonging to the city on the west side of Front, between Maine and Jersey to lay side tracks upon the same for the accommodation of coal yard."
Q Whig, Thurs, June 26, 1884: SKIPPED OUT. Sioux City, June 25 - Adolph Dills a German farmer, living in Wolf Creek township, Adams co, seduced a 13 year old girl, daughter of a neighbour named Groop. The girl becoming en client. Dills endeavoured to have her married to his 12 year old son. Failing in this, he took the girl and left, also taking his boy along. Warrants have been sworn out and officers will attempt to capture the runaways. There is no clue to their whereabouts. Dills is an old resident and has a grown up family. There is much indignation in the neighbourhood.
Quincy Whig, Fri, June 6 1890: A HAPPY REUNION. With pleasure we are permitted the privilege of noting the celebration of the 78th birthday of Mr. Harrison Dills at his home 1 mile south of Redfield, in Bourbon county, Kansas, on Tuesday, May 13, 1890. Mr. Dills, a brother and wife of Maitland Mo., Mr. D Lester, a brother in law and wife, and Miss Bessie Smiley, a niece of Plainville, Adams county, Ill, Mrs. JF Lyons, of Newton, Kansas, also Mr. JM Morgan and family, Mr A wagy and wife and Mr. John Whitsett, of Bourbon county Kansas making a goodly company of old friends to visit Mr. Dills. How pleasant amid the busy trials of life to stop for a time, at one of the stepping stones, to visit to cheer, and encourage those who are going down the hill of life.
Quincy Daily Journal, Wed, Sep 16, 1908: FORMER QUINCY WOMAN IS DEAD:
Mrs. Harrison [Francis] Dills, widow of one of Quincy's early day - Mrs Harrison Dills, the widow of a pioneer Quincy citizen and one of her first postmasters, died in Redfield, Kansas, Sunday, aged 81. Mr Dills died in 1899... He was postmaster here when the postoffice was located on Fourth street near Maine, and later on Maine, between Sixth and Seventh. His home was at Sixteenth and Kentucky, which residence the late Senator Albert Wells bought from him. Mrs. Dills died of heart disease after a two weeks' illness. She was born in this county and is survived by one son, Harry Dills and two stepsons, H.C. of Kansas City, and G.A., of California [Santa Monica]...
1908 Fort Scott, Kan. newspaper: Mrs. FE [Francis Electa] Dills died at 6:15 o’clock last evening at her home in Redfield. She had been sick with heart disease for two weeks and being 81 years old, her age made it impossible to save her life. She is survived by Harry Dills and two step sons Howell Cobb Dills of Kansas City and George A Dills of California. Mrs. Dills was born in in Adams county, Illinois near Quincy. She was a sister of Mrs. Morgan who recently died at Baldwin and was buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery at Redfield. Another sister, Mrs. Foster, lives at Redfield. Mrs Dills remains will be laid to rest in Mt. Zion Cemetery tomorrow, Rev. Shuler of Redfield, conducting the ceremony. HC Dills of Kansas City will attend the funeral. He arrived today and has the funeral arrangement in charge. Mrs. Dills was a highly respected and much beloved old lady and a great number will do her honour on the occasion of her obsequies.” Fort Scott Republican 8 Sep 1908: Mrs Frances Electa [Gooding] Dills, one of the best known elderly ladies in Redfield passed away Sunday evening at 6:15 at her home in Redfield, after an illness of two weeks with heart disease. Mrs. Dills was 81 years of age and had resided in Bourbon county for many years. She became a Christian at the age of 13 years and was baptised by Peter Cartright. At 22 years of age she was married to Rev. Wilkins [Wilson?] of Illinois. He died in 1865 and two years later, was united in marriage to Harrison Dills at Quincy, Ill. Mr. Dills passed to the great beyond in 1899. She is survived by one son, Harry Dills, and two step sons, Howell Cobb Dills of Kansas City and George A Dills who resides in California. A sister, Mrs. Morgan, recently died at Baldwin and was buried at Mount Zion cemetery near Redfield. Another sister, Mrs. Forster of Newton was at her bedside at the time of her death. The funeral will be held today and the remains of Mrs. Dills will be laid to rest in Mount Zion cemetery. Notes: Francis was born in July 1828 in Adams, Illinois, to Nancy J McCorkle, age 22, and William Brown Gooding, age 24. Both she and Harrison were widowers when they married Harry F Dills and besides their children Harrison Francis Dills B: 1870 and William Dills B: 1871, there were children from Harrison and Laura Parsons Dills born in Quincy, Illinois [Ella died days apart from mother Laura although Fannie cared for her step children after she married Harrison in 1867].
The Quincy Herald Wed. July 11, 1866: The Whig and Col. Bane -
The Whig [Republican newspaper] is out in reply to my article. It insists there is no occasion for the Colonel to speak out on the issue of the day - that the loss of his arm in service is enough to entitle him to the office of Assessor and it is for him that reason alone. Will the Whig tell us why it is that it did not advocate and does not now advocate the appointment of Capt. Piggott to the office of Post-master of this city. He was in the war and standing in the thickest of the fight had one of his legs shot off. It is true he is an Irishman, but surely the Whig is not hostile to him for that reason. A man who fought as nobly as the Captain did for his adopted country should not be cast off in consequence of his birthplace, for that was an event over which he had not control. The Captain is a gentleman of the most exemplary moral character, and everybody here knows hi is far better qualified for the place than our present postmaster, who was not in the war, except as contractor, in which capacity he was so unfortunate to lose money in consequence of the Government refusing to accept his rotten beans & etc. Besides Postmaster, Dills is rich and Captain Piggott is poor, yet Col. Harding thought proper to have the office given to the former when the latter wanted it. Come, come Mr. Whig, let us see you carry out your doctrine. If you are for Bane because he lost an arm, be for Piggott, for he lost a leg. There is no comparison between his character and qualifications and Mr. Dills'. The one fought nobly for his county when the other was striving to fee him on rotten beans while he was doing it that he might make a great profit... Lost limbs seem to be a very good argument when there is political trouble ahead, but in the case of poor Piggott, it wound not answer. He is suffered to hobble about to do as much for Col. Harding as Mr. Dills. If Dills ever did anything for his country during the war, will not someone be good enough to point it out? Piggott did. "ONE THAT KNOWS" [Unnamed writer] Note: Harrison stepped down from his role as postmaster after one term although the community was pleased with the updates he made to the business including housing it in his new building. Also, ailments from beans could have been from mould from unproper storage if not from contaminated water affecting soldiers. Dried beans would give off a rancid odor and alert kitchen workers.
Harrison Dills, the first master of Bodley, passes away at Warrensburg, Mo... Prominent in Quincy years ago... remains will arrive here this morning [Quincy, Ill. Nov 1999]
"Although he left here, he is still remembered by the older citizens as a prominent factor in the early commercial and political history of Quincy. Mr. Dills was 87 years of age, and had been in feeble health for some years past... was prominent in Masonic affairs and first worshipful master of Bodley Lodge No.1 - the Nestor of all Masonic organizations in the State." Three surviving sons Howell [Quincy], George - postmaster in Santa Monica, Ca Soldiers Home, and Harrison Francis in Regular Army of US.
The funeral of the late Harrison Dills: strictly Masonic nature with Bodley lodge No. 1 in charge. Conducted by Most Worshipful Charles F. Hitchcock, grand master of the grand lodge of Illinois, of Chicago. Dills was closely interwoven with the history of Masonry of Illinois. Was one of the organizers of the first grand lodge in Illinois which met in Jacksonville in 1840. He was a past grand master of the Illinois lodge and for years grand treasurer. He was the last remaining charter members of Bodley lodge which is the oldest lodge in Illinois.
Harrison Dills
"The State belonged to Sam Wiggins when Illinois organized. They borrowed $180,000 from Wiggins who owned a ferry in St. Louis [MO] and he paid 33 cents for it. People paid [Wiggins] back $2 for every $1 they got... In 1836, the state organized a bank which made enough money to pay Sam Wiggins off. The Banks - one day a settler would have a pocket full of money and the next day he couldn't get a dinner with what he had."
After the fire of 1874 which claimed most of HD's downtown buildings, he didn't think much of the insurance companies that didn't compensate him properly per agreement. He took them to court over it as he felt they were corrupt.
HARRISON DILLS, superintendent of the Arkansas Valley Fence Company for the manufacture of G Frey's Combination Fence, with or without Barbs; this business was started July 4, 1882, and has many difficulties to contend with, but has steadily been gaining ground. At present, November, 1882, they employ five hands, two machines capable of turning out 160 rods of fence per day, and with the present prospects will have to add another machine. the fence gives general satisfaction, being entirely stock and dog proof; is used largely for sheep corrals, thus perfectly securing sheep from the ravages of dogs and wolves. the fence is gotten up in different styles suitable for parks, yards, ornamental grounds, poultry yards, etc. Mr. Dills was born in Virginia, May 13, 1812, and in 1832 located in Quincy, Ill., where he was engaged in the manufacture of ploughs, and made the first Diamond Plow ever made in that State. From 1846 to 1848, he was in the employ of the Government in the supply department, furnishing Quartermaster and Commissary stores for the troops during the Mexican war, and in 1861, when the war broke out, went into the Government employ again the same capacity, supplying Commissary and Quartermaster stores wherever they were required. Was at the first battle of Bull Run,. and Belmont, where Gen. Grant fought his first battle; and at Perryville, Ky. Was a delegate to the convention in Baltimore in 1864, that nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency the second time, and was Postmaster of Quincy, Ill., in 1866 and 1867, under William L. Dennison, Postmaster General; and in 1882 came West, locating and starting his present business in Newton, Harvey County. Mr. Dills is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged since 1837, and is also an ardent Mason with a membership dating back to 1835; he was a member of the convention that formed the first Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois in 1840, and the first elected junior warden of that body and was grand master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1857 and 1858. He has been twice married, first in 1835, and has three children by this marriage -- George A., Howell and Verella K. His first wife dying in 1867, he married Mrs. Francis E. Gooding; they have one son -- Harrison Francis Dills. Harrison Dills [aka Dils] was born 13 Mar 1812 Parkersburg, Wood, West Virginia and was married twice in Quincy, Illinois and died 3 Nov 1899 in Warrensburg, Johnson Co, Missouri though body was brought across the Mississippi River to Quincy for burial. His brother Henry raised a family with Elisabeth Thompson Dills in La Prairie, Illinois before moving west to Fairfax, Missouri where they passed away. Dills, Harrison
One of his earliest civil duties after coming to Quincy, Illinois [1833/34] as a blacksmith/woodworker was to help form the first fire department in the area.
On Jan 20, 1838, HD and other leaders assembled tools including 11 ladders, 6 fire hooks, and a dozen buckets. A couple years later, they got a fire wagon which took some time to get. At the time, Harrison also led the charge to collect money to rebuild the local sawmill [Hubbard sawmill] after a fire. In those days, most construction were mostly timber thus a fire department was important to frontier towns of the old west.
Dills moved from his native state of western Virginia to Ohio and on to Illinois in 1832, initially settling in Danville. In 1833/34, he moved to Quincy, Illinois, where he opened a blacksmith shop. In 1835, he married Laura Parsons. In 1839, he became a member of Engine Company No. 1 of the Quincy Fire Department. When the Illinois General Assembly incorporated Quincy as a city in 1840, Dills was among the first street commissioners. In 1850, he was working as a blacksmith and owned real estate valued at $10,000. In 1855, Dills laid out the village of La Prairie in the north-eastern portion of Adams County. In 1860, he was employed as a grocer and owned real estate valued at $50,000 and had a personal estate of $4,000. In May 1865, Dills became postmaster of Quincy. A devoted Mason, Dills was among those that organized the first grand lodge in Illinois, which met in Jacksonville in 1840. He was a charter member of the Bodley Lodge of Quincy, the oldest Masonic lodge in the state. He gradually advanced in rank, becoming grand master in 1857 and grand treasurer in 1863."
Q Whig Wed, April 12, 1865: The Union Meeting last night. On motion Harrison Dills was appointed chairman, and Col. Wm A Schmitt was appointed secretary. Mr. Dills then stated the object of the meeting to be the nomination of candidates for City officers to be voted for next Monday... For Collector, Michael Piggott was nominated by acclamation... Note: Piggott was a Union Republican and owned an ice cream shop., Piggott & Cannell Ice Cream Rooms. Green Tree Ice Cream Saloon was the competition June 24th "Piggott & Cannell are determined not to be outdone by any similar establishment in the city. Their spacious and neatly furnished hall has 18 tables, capable of accommodating from 50 to 70 persons at a time. Ready waiters are on hand and the best [ice cream] served up in style. Give them a call on Maine street, 1 door west of the Unitarian Church.
Harrison Dills lived on small wooden building a log cabin and built a blacksmith shop when he settled in Quincy, Ill. in 1834. After he married Laura Parsons, he had a brick home built and later had it moved 300 yards enabling an extension to be added as they had children. In 1868, three years after Laura died, he commissioned a stately Swiss style home to be built on the corner of Kentucky and 16th Street, Quincy: https://www.instantstreetview.com/@39.927805,-91.390347,20.06h,1.6p,1z,Ai4CXAShzD_JMbA3qPYsOg
In 1870, two years after the Harrison Dills home was built, Harrison [58] declared himself retired with 110,000 tied up in real-estate and 3,000 in personal estate holdings though conservative estimates since he owned a coal mine business and part of downtown Quincy besides undeveloped lands.
Q Herald, Sun, March 28, 1875: A Herald reporter went out into the 4th ward last evening and hunted up the Republican primary. The meeting was held at the No.5 engine house. Joshua S Wood called the meeting to order and nominated H Dills for Chairman. Mr. Dills went through. As there was no chair, Mr. Dills climbed up on the No 5 engine, and roosted on the suction pipe... Mr. Dills
According to Quincy Herald, Sat May 31, 1879, Harrison was owing $3,000 in back payments to Almeron Wheat who held a note for the Quincy property between 6th and 7th street and Maine and Hampshire.
No comments:
Post a Comment