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 left Danville to open a blacksmith business in Quincy in 1834.
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, where 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.
Harrison married Laura Parson 3 Sep 1835. She died in 1865, and he remarried to Francis E Gooding in 1867. They had two children, Harrison Francis and William, who died as an infant. Harrison had 11 offspring although most died before age 40.
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.
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 adjournment 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. Mr. Tandy was nominated as the candidate for Sherriff... On motion of H Asbury, SM Bartless, and H Dills.
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" 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.
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.
QWhig, Wed. June 19,1844: Wm H. Tandy and Harrison Dills were then proposed for Sheriff - upon balloting, the result was Wm Tandy 10 - H Dills 7. So Mr. Tandy was nominated as the candidate for Sheriff.
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. 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. "
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 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"
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 La Prairie 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 perosonal 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 neighborhood 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 Tresurer WILLIAM BUTLER - For Superintenent 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 Assmbly 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 unsuccessfully 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 Committees 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 - which 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 there 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 interest 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 Constitution 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 conscientiously 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, segregationism 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 Maxamillian, 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 presidental 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 co-habitating 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 Wedn 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" Q Whig, Oct 19, 1895: Barry lodge, No.54 was organized by brother Harrison Dills of Quincy, Ill...
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 purchassed 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. Wedn 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. "
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 Stationary, 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 there has not been much attention paid until since the first of last April, when the incorporators 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 perosonal 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 dorr 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 sissolved 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 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
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
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 honourably 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 receive 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 ornamants: 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. Abroaham 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 Smilth, ass. postmaster at St. Louis, patented in 1863 and 4. It is a wooden box strongly ironed, some two or three feet in lenght and about six inches wide and deep. The interior is divided off by sliding partitions, properly labelled for the differnet post offfices 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 postoffice. 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 liberatlity 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 grogress to the stand as well as to enliven the procceedings 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 speak's stand, wher 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...
Quincy Herald, Wed, Sep 25, 1867: Corner Stone Ceremonies - Order of procession at thelaying of the cornerstone of the Railroad Bridge, Sep 25th... The Sir Knights of Quincy and all visiting, will convene at the Court House, and 1 o'clock PM where the lines will be formed and marched to Masonic Hall, for the purpose of exhorting the Grand Lodge to the foot of Maine Street, where boats will be in readiness to convey them to Pier no. 5, where the corner stone will be laid with Masonic ceremonies. After the laying of the corner stone addresses will be made... Harrison Dills, AW Blakesley, WE Oven, Jos. Robbins, Committee... on same page - George A Dills dealer in BOOKS AND STATIONERY, Newspapers, periodicals, etc Post Office News Depot, 165 Maine Street, First door west of Post Office, Quincy.
Quincy Whig, Sat, Dec 12, 1868: Building Statistics - Growth of the City of Quincy during the Past Year. 300 BUILDING ERECTED AT A COST OF NEARLY A MILLION AND HALF DOLLARS: We lay before our readers this morning, a carefully prepared statement of the number, character, and cost of the new buildings erected in Quincy during the past year, obtained with much labor from the architects and builders. In one of two instanced neither architect of builder would furnish us any information whatever, and we consequently obliged to make our own estimate in such cases. The growth of our city the past year, as compared with that of two years ago, is very gratifying to everyone who has the interest of Quincy at heart. A glance at the business blocks erected upon Maine and Hampshire streets, is alone sufficient to prove the stability of this growth, and the determination of our capitalists to place Quincy in the foremost rank for the beauty of her architecture and durability of her buildings. PRIVATE RESIDENCES. Our report includes a list of all the dwelling houses erected during the past year, together with such as have been remodelled or added to, and so far as could be ascertained showing the cost of the same where it exceeds five hundred dollars. Improvements costing less are not include in the report, it being found impracticable to obtain a full statement of the "jobbing business". PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND STORES. The number of public buildings and business blocks erected in the city the past year has been greater, and the architectural skill displayed more varied and pleasing, than at any former period. We give a full list of these, with a short description of the principal ones. The new Catholic Church edifice, corner of Maine and Eight streets, though not yet completed, deserves special mention. We have been favored with a view of the plan and elevations of this magnificent structure, and obtained the various dimensions etc., bindly furnished by the architect, Mr George Raby. Length from front on Maine Street to the reader of the church, 150 feet breadth, 67 feet; height of external walls, 45 feet; height of interior from floor to ceiling, nearly 60 feet; the sanctuary is raised above the floor about two feet, and is approached by wide steps extending the whole width of the church; it is enclosed by a stupendous Gothic arch fifty feet hight, supported on beautifully enriched Corinthian cap and bas and treble segmented columns, spring from which are two smaller Gothic mouldesd archesabout thirty-five feet high, forming an appropriate recess for the side alters. Inside of the centre arch is the segmental and cobed sanctuary, the wall and ceiling of which will be appropriately frescoed with representations of the resurrection of Our Lord, etc. The high alter standing in the centre will be surmounted with a gilt cross perforated closely for jets of gas so that it will have the appearance of being literally one mass of glitering jewels twenty-five feet high. The appearance of the whole of this portion cannot fail to strke the beholder with admiration and awe. Ther are two fine circular archways from the santuary to the vestry and retiring room. Immediately on top of the steps opposite the hight and side altars is a beautiful filigre iron railing, moulded and capped, extending from one side of the church to the other. The pulpit will be on one side of the church, and is constructed to glde on a tramway to the cenre at pleasure. The confessional is on the left, opposited the pulpit, and in proximity to the high altar. The interior of the church is one open and uninterrupted enclosure without a column to detract from the vastness of the space; it is enclosed with a treble segental arched ceiling spanning the whole width of the church and resting on fourteen large and beautiful Corithian capped pilasters against the walls, from the top of which again springs fourteen Gothic groined arches intersecting with the main ceiling and forming the recesses for fourteen Gothic headed windows. Thes arches will have a peculiar and beneficial effect upon the acoustics of the church. There are three broad aisles from each side of which the pews are approached; the church will contain about 1200 in the body and 400 in the gallery, which is at the north end of the church and where the organ and choir are situated. Underneath the rear portion of the church is a splendid lecture room about sixty feet square and twelve feet hight, approached by a treble flight of stone steps which has an imposing appearance. The furnace cellar is sixty feet long and twelve feet wide, and is arched, making it fire proof, and the flues are so arranged as to give heat to the church above in winter and a cooling draft in summer. The ventilation has been particularly attended to, having four large ventilators constructed in the ceiling, in the centre of each is a moon gas-light of 120 jets, throwing a flood of subdued light over every portion of the interior, thus obviating the necessity of using chandeliers or gas braces. The inside of the tower is eighteen feet square with a large Gothic-head vestibule doorway leading into the church, and two flights of stairs to the gallery. The roof will weigh 100 tons, and is self-supporting. The exterior of the church is Gothic architecture, constructed of brick, and Quincy and Chicago stone dressings.
Two story frame dwelling house, corner of Sixteenth and Kentucky streets, for Harrison Dills, Esq. This building has many of the characteristics of the Swiss style in its exterior finish. J.H. Jones, builder; cost $7,000...
"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."
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.
Q Herald, Wed Jan 8, 1868: ... The committee to whom was referred the petition of H Dills, Esq, in relation to Dills alley, reported that they found that Harrison Dills in the rection of the post office building had encroached one foot on the alley, and that as a matter of justice to Mr. Didder, who contemplates building on the east side of said alley, they recommend the adoption of the following which was unanimously agreed to: Ordered that all that part of Dills' alley, which wis bounded as follows, to wit: being one foot east from the southwest, corner of lot five, in block six, in Wheelock's addition to the city of Quincy, running thence east on the north line of Maine street one foot thence north or northerly on a line parallel with the west line of said lot one hundred feet, thence west one foot, and south or south westerly on a line parallel with said west line of said lot one hundred fee to the place of beginning, by an alley of said city, and that Henry Ridder be permitted to use and occupy the same, and to erect a building thereon.
Q Herald, Feb 2, 1868: The Quincy Skating Park is open for the season. The sign board in Dills & Brooker's show window, in the Street Cars and other places will tell when the flag is up, and whenever the flag is up, the Park is open for skating.
Q Whig, Sat, June 19, 1869: LEAD MINING IN MISSOURI By the following from the Central Missouri Advertiser, Boon, Mo.. it will be seen that Illinoisans are engaged in developing the mineral wealth of that section of the State: La Mine, Cooper County, Mo June 7, 1869, Messrs Caldwell &Stahl: I sent you a sample of lead ore that Mr. Harrison Dills is getting out of a lode he has struck here. He brought several practical miners to test the mineral wealth of Cooper county. I believe that he has succeeded to his most sanguine expectations. Tome Melvinney struck ths lead, and hurrahed lustily for Cooper county. He says he will take stock in Cooper. He is getting chunks from the size I sent you to such as would weigh one hundred and sixty pounds, as rich as lead ore gets to be. It is not a pity that the citizens of Cooper had to wait for a gentleman from Illinois to test the riches of our county. Mr Dills says, if he had quarter for them, he would set forty meant to work immediately... WL Scott. The specimens found are take from a farm recently purchased by Mr. Harrison Dills of this city... A gentleman from Galena, who has seen much of lead mining , and who saw a specimen of the ore, says it is very rich, and after inquiring the character of the ground, the direction of the lead, & etc, was inclined to the opinion that the ore existed in large quantities. The company, we understand, propose soon to erect a smelting furnace on their grounds, and me hope at no distant day, to record the fact that lead is manufactured in Cooper county.
Q Herald, Tues, Aug 1, 1876: The citizens on Maine street between Sixth and Seventh are complaining of the occupants of the Dills building. One building is occupied by a saloon and two or three houses of prostitution.
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 post office 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 Cartwright. At 22 years of age she was married to Rev. Wilkins of the Illinois conference. He died in 1865 and two years later she 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 poin it out? Piggott did. "ONE THAT KNOWS" [Unnamed writer]
Note: Harrison decided not to seek another term for Post Master but was appreciated for the improvements to the Post Office in Quincy, Illinois. By 1866, he was already well established for his varied accomplishments in business and local affairs. In 1867, after marrying Francis E Gooding, he hired builders for a large family home on 16th and Kentucky Street in Quincy. He lived in a small log cabin when he opened his blacksmith business in Quincy, circa 1834.
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 feble 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 plows, 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, Postmater 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 Verela K. His first wife dying in 1867, he married Mrs. Francis E. Gooding; they have one son -- Harrison, Jr. Harrison Dils aka Dills 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.
Harrison 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."
Quincy Whig, Sat, Dec 4, 1841: "Married, - In this county on the 25th Nov by the Rev. R Haney, Mr. HENRY D DILLS to Miss ELIZABETH THOMPSON, all of Adams county. The reader may well suppose, from the fact that the names of the parties are given in capitals, that the printer received something extra on this occasion - which was the fact, and in the shape of a cake of large size, handsomely ornamented with flowers and sweet "fixins" and bearing upon it's surface, the long to be remembered word, "Whig" for which the parties have the best wishes of the printers. We should not be surprised if Mr. Dills' example was speedily followed by some of the "craft", for we have heard more talk about the girls among the youngsters in the office, since the cake has come to hand, than we have heard before, since we were a young man." Henry's brother Harrison was mentioned on the same page as he advertised his business regularly: "Harrison Dills' bill for fixing city plough was referred to the committee on accounts, and voucher ordered to be issued for the balance due him for iron work on posts and public square fence in June $15 00." Note: Harrison's blacksmith shop was situated on the corner of sixth and Hampshire St since 1834 where he made ploughs and waggons to order.
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 built a log cabin and 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 fronting Maine Street. 27 June 1879. It appears that he and wife Francis were selling off properties in Quincy before moving west. They also sold their home on 16th and Kentucky to a friend, Senator Wells.
Q Herald, Tues, Dec 18, 1917: The Masonic fraternity of Quincy used rented rooms until the temple was erected on 628-630 Maine and later remodelled by SS Kresge 10 Cent establishment. There are a collection of books made to Bodley Lodge and the donor was Harrison Dills at the age of 87 an honoured citizen of Warrensburg, Mo. The gift was in the form of neatly and substantially bound reprints of grand lodge proceedings the oldest of date 1857 and including 1858, '62, '75, and '77. Bodley is the eldest lodge in Illinois and pardonly proud of the "No. 1" on its charter. The first charter was Aug, 1835 until it closed over issues in the Mason's organization. Five years later in Oct, 1840, the reorganized Free Mason's charter was organized in Jacksonville, and a new charter was issued to Bodley lodge with serial number 1.
Quincy Herald Whig, Wed, Nov 25, 1959: Masons Observe Lodge Centennial. West Point, Ill., Nov 25 - The centennial celebration of Dills lodge no. 259 Monday night was attended by near 100 Masons including the grand master of Ill. Paul R Stevens, who was speaker of the evening, and his secretary, Edward Chipman, both of Rushville... Everett Lawrence of Quincy, past grand master, introduced Stevens... A souvenir program containing a history of the lodge was compiled by Harold Weid, Secretary.
Q Herald Whig, Sun, Feb 24, 1974: On Jan 29, 1874 fire broke out in the two story frame buildings on the north side of Maine Street between 6th and 7th,west of Beuhrer's bakery. Harrison Dills who lived on the northeast corner of 16tha and Kentucky, came here in 1834 from Virginia, locating at 6th and Hampshire. In 1855 he was in charge of the Land Office on southwest corner of that intersection. He served a postmaster from March 11, 1865 to August 20, 1866, and was known as a capitalist and real estate dealer, and was quite wealth... Everyone blamed Chief Engineer John Ayers for not tearing down the frame buildings to save the brick buildings, although it was known that he had his hands full with a thousand problems including bursting hose, a disabled steamer, and dry cisterns... The three Harrison Dills buildings on Maine Street destroyed in the recent fire, were to be rebuilt.... Henry D Dills notes: Tunis Dils' son Henry left Illinois for Missouri in 1882 and after years in Illinois settled in Missouri where he took up farming. He did masonry work for 20 years in Quincy including plastering and details for Gov. Woods' house and the Quincy House. Henry built a house on Kentucky and 8th Street in 1842 but had to rebuild after most of the house collapsed whilst the cellar was being dug by workers...
In 1879, Henry was one of the citizens of La Prairie, Illinois to have a biography in the "Northeast Directory".
"DILLS, HENRY D., farmer and stock raiser; was born in Parkersburg, Va., Jan.15,1816; came to this county [Adams] April 30, 1836. He has 175 acres of land, valued at $7,000; married Elizabeth Thompson. She was born in Athens county, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1823. They have 12 children, 10 living [see below].
They emigrated from Virginia to Ohio when Henry ws 2 years old, lived there 10 years; thence to Adams county, and lived in Quincy until 1857; worked at the plastering business for 20 years; worked on Gov. Woods' house, also the Quincy House. There were but few houses in the city; has shot squirrels on the seminary grounds...
Mrs. Dills was in Quincy in 1833, when it was not larger than LaPrairie. The Courthouse was a log house; it was burnt down, and 4 prisoners were brought to her father's house for safe keeping. When they came here their whole effects would not amount to a hundred dollars.
He [Henry] built a house on Kentucky and 8th street in 1842 which is still standing. He came here in limited circumstances, by industry and economy has made himself and family a good home.
Quincy Whig, Thurs, June 26 1890: Marion Dills of Maitland, Mo, is in the city. He was operated on for cataract by Dr. Woods yesterday.
Q Herald, Thurs, Jan 28, 1915: Something about folks you know... Mrs. R.E. Dills of 217 Chestnut Street and her daughter, Ida, were the involuntary hostesses at a most delightful party yesterday afternoon. Members of the Women's Guild of Vermont Street Baptist church to the number of 27, surprised them and spent the afternoon. The Dills expect to go to California soon to make their home, and the party was in the nature of a farewell...
Quincy Herald Mon, Mar 29th, 1926: Elbert Dills formerly of Payson, died at 1:30 o'clock Monday morning at St. Mary's hospital. Mr. Dills after being ill for some time, was removed to the hospital Sunday. He was born in Ohio 79 years ago but had lived the greater part of his life in this vicinity. He is survived by two sisters, Miss Milly Dills of Yakima, Wash and Mrs Lon Kelly of Maitland Mo, 5 brothers, Rollie Dills of Maitland, and Fred, Harry, Hubert and Marion of Yakima.
Richard D Dills: My parents Richard and Betty Coleman-Dills enjoying a day out in San Francisco 80 years ago. They married and started a family there when my dad was stationed at the Presidio during WW2. After their 3rd child was born, they moved just outside the city to San Bruno, Ca where they raised 6 boys and one girl.
Leroy A Dills: Leroy Anthony Dills was born 2 July 1893, in Redfield, Kansas. He married Florence Geneve Blackwell on 12 April 1916 and raised 3 children, Bernice, Richard, and Victor Dills. Roy died 23 February 1983, in Los Altos, California at the age of 89. My grandpa Dills, LeRoy Anthony Dills, was an early influence and someone I enjoyed being around growing up. He began working for the railroad in 1910 and was sent to Kansas City, Mo to attend art college between 1913-16. During that time, he met Florence Geneva Blackwell at church and the couple married in 1916. When he resumed his work in Kansas, the couple lived in an out of commission train car before they could afford their own home. He was born 2 July 1893 in Redfield, Kansas to Harrison "Harry" F and Myrtle E [Romans] Dills and their eldest son.
Harry F Dills: An early challenge was to find out what came of Harry Dills after my grandpa asked me to find out what happened to his dad. I was unable to find answers until after my grandpa died since VA records were kept private until his dad's second wife passed away.
When Geo Washington crossed the Delaware to invade a British camp near Trenton NJ, the Diltz/Dilts families were farmers although several supported the colonists during the Revolution to become a free nation. When President Jefferson accused former VP Aaron Burr for conspiring to separate States, ancestor Tunis Dils attended the "Trial of the Century" in Richmond after being part of the Virginia militia that camped out at Blennerhassett Island as ordered. During the Civil War, son Harrison Dills who had already served as Grand Master of Illinois Free Masons, was responsible for providing troops with provisions and pay checks. His sons George and John were stationed in Cairo, Ill. and both got ill from contaminated water. Harrison's youngest son, Harry, joined the Army in 1898-99 during the Mexican-American War [pictured below as group photo was showing tallest and shortest in company standing at 5'4"]. It went against the wishes of his father, who wanted him to remain in Kansas as he was already raising a family. Years later after Harry and wife Myrtle divorced, Harry remarried and fathered three sons including Donald Dills of Louisiana who inherited his rifle who passed it on to my eldest brother Richard who had the bayonet. https://harrisondills.wordpress.com/.../the-great.../
Howell Cobb Dills: Howell Dills had established himself in Kansas City, Mo and brought his father's remains to Quincy Ill for a Masonic burial in Nov 1899. Prior to Harrison's death on the 3rd, Howell looked after him for 10 days beforehand. I am not sure if brothers George A or Harry F Dills received anything from the estate. Howell kept in touch with half-brother Harry's wife and children until his death. Rosetta, daughter of Fern Dills deceased, was adopted by grandmother, Myrtle Romans-Dills and went to Howell's home to help tidy up a house full of heirlooms, the family bible, and strong box of stocks, property rights, etc. Nephew LeRoy stayed with him when attending art college [1913-16] and believed that Howell's inheritance from his father's will was illegally removed by lawyers after his death. Great nephew Richard Dills remembered his parents and siblings getting a box of festive goodies each Christmas until Howell's died after a brain hemmorage wnen he tripped down front stairs in 1935. Howell was a cabinet maker in Quincy before moving to KC serving as a janitor in 1904. He eventually bought a house after becoming a paint mixer for Electric RR. Howell kept in touch with half brother Harry and family who said that Howell had a houseful of antiques. I would love to learn what happened to his estate. My grandfather speculated that his uncle's brain haemorrhage [17 Oct 1936] had to do with someone pushing him on stairs since there were only 3 steps from ground level. Also, family were not allowed to inspect the property [2237 Elmwood] before all the valuables were removed from his home in Kansas City. Nephew LeRoy who lived with Howell [1910-13], believed that lawyers divided the contents of the estate and why he didn't trust them. I do not think that he or other family members were informed. Howell's father was among the wealthiest in Illinois although some structures were destroyed by fire in the 1870s in downtown Quincy, Ill. Before leaving Ill, Harrison sold land and purchased properties in Mo and Ks. Without ordering the will of Harrison, I think that Howell inherited much of what his dad left behind although wife Francis and two other sons were living when he died in Warrenton, Missouri, 100 miles from Quincy where Howell brought his body.
My g grandfather, Harrison Francis Dills was born to Francis and Harrison in January 1870. Their second son Willie died at a small child. Francis first married to William Wilson in 1850 and was widowed in 1866. Francis was the daughter of William Brown Gooding and Nancy Jones McCorkle had 5 sisters and 1 brother: Evaline, Mary, Malvina, Sophia, Ann I, Isabella, and William McKendree Gooding. Their parents were born in Kentucky and were early settlers in Adams County, Illinois. https://harrisondills.wordpress.com/.../francis-electa.../ Harrison Dills, was known as Dils in Parkersburg, western Virginia, until moving west, setting in Quincy, Illinois. He considered himself "Dutch" American, although part of his line was German. His grandmother, Arianthe Tunison Dils was from one of the early Dutch families to reach the shores of America. His great-grandfather, Philip Dilts, had inherited land in New Jersey before settling in Fayette Co, PA and finally to Wood Co. WVa where he died in 1801. It is said that Dilts were also known as Diltz in New Jersey though old records also record "Dilss" as a spelling. Both my grandfather Roy Dills and historians of those Dils who settled in Pennsylvania and western Virginia from New Jersey, maintain that the earliest family in the States were known as Diltz. "The successful man is the one who does his whole duty in that stage of life to which he has been called... One may be rich and successful, but the world owes the greatest debt to those who, starting in the more humble walks, accomplished great and lasting good for humanity." Helen Bushnell Fogg 1894 - (granddaughter)
Helen gave her high school graduation speech in June 1894 in Quincy, Illinois before she moved with her father Major George Fogg and sister Lillian to Tacoma, Washington. Their mother Katherine V Dills passed away in 1886. Whilst her father was superintendent of the Illinois Sailor and Soldiers Home, the family moved on the premises in 1893. A resident of Quincy in 1868 after graduating from Harvard College. He became a successful attorney in Quincy and resumed his practice in Tacoma until his death in 1906. Helen who sang and acted in school among helping with charity events, went on to be a teacher in Tacoma. Helen married Oscar Torrance of Dayton Washington.
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Harrison Dills
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 feble 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.
DILS GRAVEYARD (Old Dils Graveyard)
They came and found a wilderness.
They strove, they forged, they wrought,
An lo, from out their cares and stress
Left monument, by gold ne'er bought.
(R. H.)
The Old Dils Graveyard lies over two miles from the uttermost
limit of the Parkersburg of one hundred years ago, yet it is now
inside its eastern suburb. On my first visit to this burying ground,
soon after coming to Parkersburg, in December, 1913, I wrote:
"The graveyard encloses about one half acre on a flat, one
corner (the southeast) sloping over, so as to be intersected by
two steep hollows, three or four rods long, with graves on the
point between.
The southwest corner has the oldest graves, dating back to the
Twenties and Thirties (and earlier), with the name of Dils most
common. Creel and Foley seem connected with the Dils family,
who lived about one fourth mile north." (It was less than a fourth
of a mile, and east to the old Dils homestead or farm.)
The farm was approximately a mile wide, and reached from the
north of Holmes Run to the Kanawha River. Many of the bodies
have been removed from the graveyard, and most of the graves
have no name, simply flagstone markers. (Frequently, even that
is absent.)
The Dils graveyard is one of the very old cemeteries of Wood
County, but not the oldest, even of the Parkersburg settlement.
The oldest marked grave I found here is that of "James Foley,
July 8, 1808."
There was a burying ground here several years prior to that
date, however, but nothing to show the date of the first grave.
Philip Dils (Dilts, they first spelled it, Diltz wo) was
buried here in 1801.
He was the owner of the surrounding hills and valleys, and made
the first improvement on lower Worthington Creek, unless there
were squatter cabins before him.
There is no way of fixing the date of Dils' coming, but it was
probably not far from 1797. He bought fourteen hundred acres
of land of Thomas Clare, and gave farms to each of his six
children, five of whom came with him, and four settled on the
land before Wood County was organized, in 1800.
The Dils graveyard was at first (probably) a family burying
ground, used later also by the Foleys, who intermarried with
the Dilses, and to some extent by other neighbors.
Later, the boundaries were extended, and the spot became a
public cemetery. After the building of the Northwest Turnpike,
in 1837, the grounds were enlarged so as to reach its line.
There was no legal title for the ground, however, until March
24th, 1870, when James M. Stephenson, the then owner of
that part of the old Dils farm, deeded to David H. Dils,
William M. Evans, Andrew Murdy, and K. B. Stephenson,
a tract of land which was - as described in deeds for lands
adjacent -
Harrison Dills Some people envied me for being well off but I started my blacksmith shop with little more than some tools passed on through my grandfather plus the ambition and drive needed to make something of myself. It was difficult settling in the untamed west though the snakes and wildlife weren't the hardest challenges. Several of my loved ones were lost to fever including my infant daughter Laura Ann who died August '42 as an infant in Quincy. My father Tunis passed over Febuary 1845 in Quincy, followed by Ellenora and my beloved wife Laura after nursing her fever in 1865. My daughter Kate [Katherine Vercella] lived long enough to bring two beautiful daughters into the world [Lillian Kathrine "Kitty" and Helen Bushnell "Nellie" Fogg]. She and my son John R Dills [who died in '87] had their lives cut short to the illnesses of the day. Thankfully, besides my grandchildren, George, Howell, and Harry were able to live to old age.
Republican primary [Quincy, Ill]: The meeting was held at the No.5 engine house. Joshua Wood called the meeting to order, and nominated Harrison Dills for Chairman. Mr. Dills went through. As theres was no chair, Mr. Dills climbed up on the No. 5 engine, and roosted on the suction pipe. He said the meeting was ready for business and called on Joshua to state what the Republican population had come there for. They had rallied at the call of the Central Committee to mominate an aldermanic candidate and elect 10 delegates...
Mr. Dills nominated W. Koenig for secretary and he was elected. Mr. K wanted some paper but engine house was out of stationery. In less than an hour he returned with supplies and proceeded to take notes...
H. Dills (still on the engine) suggested that the meeting instruct the delegates to vote for WB Hauworth for Mayor. A Republican wanted Mr. Dills to run for Mayor. Mr. Dills excused himself, remarking that the party wanted a "two-story" man. He thought he wasn't tall enough. The Republican said he was a "one story" man and they wanted a "two-story" Mayor.
My father Tunis, wife Laura, our three daughters, and one of our sons died in Quincy, Illinois before I left town. I came their as a young man and opened a blacksmith shop where I invented a diamond head plough. Over the course of 50 years I gave myself to the community and was buried there in 1899 though spent my final years in Warrensburg, Missouri.Sep 16, 1908 Quincy, Illinois : Francis Electa [Gooding] Dills died last Sunday in Redfield, KS at the Dills homestead at age 81. She had been sick with heart disease for two weeks.. She was born in Adams Co. near Quincy and married Harrison Dills who was postmaster a half a century ago. The Dills family was one of the best known not only in Quincy, but throughout this section of country.
Her sister Mrs. Morgan recently died at Baldwin and was buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery at Redfield. Another sister, Mrs. Foster lives in Redfield. Howell C Dills of Kansas City, will attend the funeral. She is survived by one son, Harry Dills and two step-sons, Howell of KC and George A. Dills of Los Angeles, Ca.
Mrs. Dills was highly respected and much beloved lady and a great number will do her honor on the occasion of her obsequies.
Parkersburg WVa was known as Newport, Va in the early days when my great grandfather Philip [Dilts] passed away. The Dils Cemetery where he was buried in 1801 is still there and his will [first registered in Wood County] is still intact. My grandfather William died just before I was born [1764-1811] but grandma [Arianthe Tunison Dils] was still around when I was growing up. She was born in Readington,NJ [area where Dilts are from], in 1758 and died in Parkersburg in July '46.My father Tunis had Dutch roots from his parents though the Dilts-Diltz family lived in the hills of Westerwald east of Cologne before Holland and New Jersey [1750s]
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Harrison Dills
HARRISON DILLS
Grand Master 1857
Bom May 13, 1812 Died November 1, 1899
Brother Dills was bom in Parkersburg, Virginia (now West Vir-
ginia) on May 13, 1812 and came to Ilhnois in 1832. He spent his
first two years in Danville and in 1834 moved to Quincy; here he lived
until 1881, when he moved to Kansas. Soon after he settled in War-
rensburg, Missouri.
He petitioned Bodley Lodge U.D. on July 2, 1836 and received the
Entered Apprentice degree on August 6; Fellowcraft on November 5;
Master Mason on February 4, 1837. He was elected Senior Warden
June 24, 1839 and Master June 3, 1842. He was elected Senior Grand
Warden in 1856 and Grand Master in 1857.
He was exalted in Quincy Chapter No. 5 in 1854 and held some
office nearly every year thereafter. He was King and acting High
Priest in 1857 but was never elected High Priest.
340 Freemasonry in Illinois
On February 8, 1861 he received the Templar Order in Beauseant
Commandery U.D. (No. 11), being one of the first class. This was
three days after the commandery dispensation was issued.
He was elected Grand Treasurer in 1862 and served for eleven
years.
He died in Warrensburg, Missouri on November 1, 1899 at the age
of 87 years. He was a delegate to the convention that formed the
Grand Lodge and thus had been a member of that body for 59 years.
He was buried with Masonic honors at Quincy, Illinois.
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Harrison Dills The Grand Master then read the following address:
Brethren of tlie Grand Lodge: [Oct 1900]
In April, A. D. 1840, the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Ac-
cepted Masons of Illinois, completed its organization in the village of
...See more
07 December 2010 at 10:38 · Like
Harrison Dills
While chairman of the Union Central Committee of Adams County, I also was a recruiting Agent in the 4th District to encourage Union enlistment from 1861-65. Soldiers got a monthy pay of $13 besides food and clothing which I supplied as the US Government authoried. [ 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] I ran for State Senator in the '60s but didn't win my bid
http://lincolnpapers2.ncsa.illinois.edu/1849/04/210429.pdf
lincolnpapers2.ncsa.illinois.edu Harrison Dills
I became postmaster after Abraham Jonas' family reliquished the post. Jonas was a lawyer and politician that I'd worked with on committees and he was a personal friend of Lincoln.
http://lincolnpapers2.ncsa.illinois.edu/1849/02/210353.pdf
lincolnpapers2.ncsa.illinois.edu
Quincy sits on the banks of the Mississippi River, at the westernmost point in Illinois. The site was home to Sauk, Fox and Kickapoo Native American tribes. Quincy’s founder, John Wood, came west from Moravia, New York in 1818 and settled in the Illinois Military Tract. Wood purchased 160 acres from a veteran for $60 and the next year became the first settler in what was originally called "Bluffs," and by 1825 would be known as Quincy. Wood was later elected Lieutenant Governor of Illinois in 1856 and became Governor in 1860 upon the death of elected Governor William Henry Bissell. In 1825 Quincy became the Adams County seat, both named in honor of the newly-elected U.S. President, John Quincy Adams. Five thousand members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Mormons, were driven from their homes in Missouri and arrived in Quincy during the winter of 1838-1839. Though vastly outnumbered by the new arrivals, the residents of Quincy provided food and shelter for the Mormons until Joseph Smith led his followers 40 miles up river to the settlement of Nauvoo. Quincy’s earliest settlers, primarily from New England in origin, were joined by a wave of German immigrants in the 1840s. The new residents brought with them much needed skills for the expanding community. The matter of slavery was a major religious and social issue in Quincy’s early years. The Illinois city’s location, separated only by the Mississippi River from the slave state of Missouri, made Quincy a hotbed of political controversy. Dr. Eells House, at 415 Jersey, was considered station number one on the Underground Railroad from Quincy to Chicago. Quincy grew rapidly in the 1850s. In the 1850s steamboat arrivals and departures made Quincy’s riverfront a beehive of activity. Quincy was a site for the sixth Senatorial debate by U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas and his challenger, Abraham Lincoln. Quincy was the largest city in which Lincoln and Douglas appeared. The Civil War brought increasing prosperity to Quincy. By 1870, Quincy passed Peoria to become the second largest city in Illinois. A massive railroad bridge across the Mississippi River had been completed, and Quincy was linked by rail to Omaha, Nebraska, Kansas City and points west.
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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 Harrison Dills [1812-99] purchased lot 163 in block 10 of Woodland Cemetery, Quincy, Ill. He was born in Parkersburg, WVa and died in Warrensburg, Mo. His son Howell brought his body across the Mississippi River for a wake and burial. A large crowd attended the service. Adams Co. Historian, Wilbur Gleckler wrote, "I enjoyed reading about your family history. Very interesting and one to be proud of. Thanks for sharing.
Where Laura Dills is buried, I do not know. I checked the cemetery books our society has published and do not find her. Vermont Street Church where her funeral took place is located at 8th and Vermont Streets. I'm not aware there was ever a cemetery near the church. There used to be a cemetery in the 18th and Maine or 20th and Maine Streets that was relocated. Whether all buried there were dug up and reburied I don't know. As the city moved eastward the burials in the cemetery were relocated however some may not have. Unmarked graves, deteriorated markers, etc."
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 plows, 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, Postmater 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 Verela K. His first wife dying in 1867, he married Mrs. Francis E. Gooding; they have one son -- Harrison, Jr. Harrison Dils aka Dills 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
Born: 1812-05-13 Parkersburg, West Virginia
Died: 1899-11-01 Missouri
Flourished: 1849-02-19 Quincy, Illinois Harrison Dills [Dils] was a true pioneer of the old west who lead his descendants into the 20th century though he died across the Mississippi River across from Quincy, in Missouri in November 1899.
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.
In Parkersburg, West Virginia, where Harrison Dills spent his childhood [eldest son of Tunis Dils], tradition says the family were of Dutch stock. Interesting that he had a Dutch accent as his ancestors had been in America for 60 years. His grandmother, Arianthe [Tunison] Dils was from one of the earliest Dutch families in New World and likely influenced Harrison as a child after his mother died...
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." https://papersofabrahamlincoln.org/persons/DI39035 Harrison Dills who relocated to Quincy in 1833, opened a blacksmith shop and developed a diamond edged plow before John Deere [also an Illinois resident] came up with his. https://djdills.blogspot.com/2013/05/etymology.html https://harrisondills.wordpress.com/ https://www.facebook.com/dillsdils/
"Quincy was named after President John Quincy Adams. Early in 1825, the Illinois Legislature created a new county in West Central Illinois and named it Adams. A commission named the existing village as county seat, calling it Quincy, and to complete the use of his name, the public square was called “John’s Square.” EARLY HISTORY "In 1819, John Wood of Moravia, NY bought 160 acres of military tract land for $60, and would later found Quincy, which at the time was coined Bluffs. In 1825, it was renamed Quincy and became the seat of government for Adams County, both named after newly elected President John Quincy Adams. The city would incorporate as a city nearly two decades later, in 1840.
In 1838, many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fled persecution in Missouri and found shelter in Quincy. Despite being vastly outnumbered by Mormon refugees, residents provided food and lodging for the displaced people. Joseph Smith then led his followers 40 miles upstream to Nauvoo, Illinois in hopes of finding a permanent home. Also in 1838, Quincy sheltered the Pottawatomie tribe as they were forcibly relocated from Indiana to Kansas.
The 1850s and 1860s brought increased prosperity to Quincy, as steamboats and railroads linked Quincy to places west, often the destination of migrants. The founding of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad in 1855 and construction of a rail bridge in Quincy was a major drive for creating a transportation hub in the region and furthered commerce. It is during this time that the population of the city grew enormously, from a little under 7,000 in 1850 to 24,000 by 1870, helping Quincy surpass Peoria in becoming the second-largest city in the state (at that time).
In 1858, three brothers founded one of the largest breweries in the United States in Quincy’s 9th & York area. In the early part of the 20th century, Dick Bros brewery was larger than Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, Missouri. When the Dick brothers built their original brewery, it had an annual capacity of about 1,500 barrels of lager beer; within the next 15 years, it would produce about 70,000 barrels. Prohibition and finally the effects of WWII caused the brewery to be auctioned off under bankruptcy in 1951.
In 1860, Quincy founder and Lieutenant Governor John Wood inherited the governorship of Illinois. At the time, he was overseeing business interests and the construction of his mansion. The Illinois legislature allowed him to stay in Quincy during his tenure, effectively making Quincy a “second” capitol for the state. His absence from the official Governor’s office in Springfield provided Abraham Lincoln a space for planning his Presidential run.
The matter of slavery was a major religious and social issue in Quincy’s early years. The Illinois city’s location, separated only by the Mississippi River from the slave state of Missouri, which was a hotbed of political controversy on the issue, made Quincy itself a hotbed of political controversy on slavery. Dr. Richard Eells, who was a staunch abolitionist, built his home in Quincy in 1835 and sheltered runaway slaves on their way to Chicago. His home became a major stop on the Underground Railroad. The divide over slavery climaxed in 1858 when Quincy hosted the sixth Senatorial debate by U.S. Senator Stephen Douglas and his challenger, Abraham Lincoln. With an estimated crowd of 12,000 in attendance, Quincy was the largest community at which Lincoln and Douglas debated.
The Civil War brought many changes and following the Reconstruction Era, Quincy was selected as the location for Illinois’ first Veteran’s Home in 1886.
Throughout the 19th Century, Quincy had grown from a backwater hamlet along the Mississippi River to become one of the state’s most important cities and ports. It was during the early decades of the 20th Century that many of the city’s historic buildings in the Downtown Quincy Historic District were constructed, including the city’s first skyscraper, the Western Catholic Union Building, in 1925." https://www.quincyil.gov/cit…/quincy-history/historic-photos https://www.quincyil.gov/city-…/quincy-history/early-history Historical Quincy newspapers published in the years 1835 through May, 1926 are now available online and there are many articles mentioning Harrison and Henry Dills https://www.quincylibrary.org/newspaper-archive/
In 1838, many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fled persecution in Missouri and found shelter in Quincy. Despite being vastly outnumbered by Mormon refugees, residents provided food and lodging for the displaced people. Joseph Smith then led his followers 40 miles up from Quincy to Navarro...
Obituary notes of Harrison Dills:
Postmaster. Mason. Named Grand Junior Warden of Bodley Lodge No. 1. Nestor of all Masonic organizations in Illinois, at one point in time. Married Laura Parsons 3 September 1835 in Adams county Illinois. Married Frances E. Gooding, the widow Mrs. William Wilson, 16 October 1867 in Adams county Illinois.
Harrison Dills came to Quincy in 1834, 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, for a number of years. He was one of the first members of the Masonic fraternity in Quincy, and when he died, had attained the highest rank in the order. His son George is a 32nd degree Mason.
- The Quincy Daily Herald, Monday, August 16, 1909; page 4. (Article about his sons moving 'west.')
Harrison Dills, a former postmaster of this city and a Mason of high standing, died this morning at his home in Warrensburg Missouri. His son, Howell, of this city, received word some ten days ago that his father was very ill, and went over to see him, staying with him until death occurred.
This morning, he telegraphed to Beers & Messick that the remains would arrive here tomorrow morning for burial.
He formerly lived at Sixteenth and Kentucky streets in this city, and will be remembered by the older citizens of Quincy. In Masonic circles, he stood high; and those who knew the old gentleman will be sorry to learn of his death. In the early days, he was quite a prominent figure in this community; but had been away from here for some years.
- The Quincy Daily Journal, Friday, November 3, 1899; page 7.
The past life of the late Mr. Dills was closely interwoven with the history of Masonry in Illinois. He was one of the organizers of the first grand lodge in this state, which met in Jacksonville in 1840. He was a past grand master of the Illinois lodge, and for years, was the grand treasurer.
He was the last of the charter members of Bodley lodge of this city, and its first grand master. When it is understood that Bodley is the oldest lodge in the state, it will be seen that his Masonic record goes back a long ways.
His funeral today will no doubt be largely attended by the Masons of Quincy, as well as some of the members of the grand lodge, who will be present. The beautiful and solemn rites of the order will be impressively observed, as the remains are consigned to their last earthly resting place in Woodland.
- The Quincy Daily Whig, Sunday, November 5, 1899; page 3.
NB: Multiple funeral and burial notices place Harrison Dills who d. 1899 at Woodland in Quincy Illinois. He owns a plot at Woodland (see interment note.) However, many burials' exact plot locations at Woodland (and many other cemeteries of the day) were either not kept track of at the time, or those records were later lost. What Woodland interment information (the cem./canvass) we have today was put together in the 20th century. As the site FAQ states: sometimes the only record of a burial is from other sources, such as obituaries and funeral notices.
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.
Q Whig Mon June 19, 1865: A New Establishment Piggott & Cannell, dealers in confectionery, fruits, ice cream, lemonade, soda water, cigars, & etc.. Refreshment Saloon for Ladies and Gentlemen open every day and evening until 11 PM (Sundays excepted)
"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." Bushnell was a local lawyer in Quincy and represented Harrison Dills as a legal council.
https://quincypublicil.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=dills%20dutch&i=f&d=01011838-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=the_daily_quincy_herald_usa_illinois_quincy_18750328_english_4&df=1&dt=10
Q Herald Whig, Sun, Feb 24, 1974: On Jan 29, 1874, fire broke out in the two-story frame building son the north side of Maine Street between 6th and 7th, west of Beuhrer's confectionery. Before the engines could arrive the flames had spread to the buildings on the west occupied by Henry Hartung, and Henry Aldag, both cigar merchants, and the Eisenstein saloon, and on the east to the large three-story Harrison Dills building, occupied by Behrer's bakery. Harrison Dills, who lived on the northeast corner of 16th and Kentucky, came here in 1834 from Virginia, locating at 6th and Hampshire. In 1855 he was in charge of the Land Office on the southwest corner of that intersection. He served as postmaster from March 11, 1865 to August 20, 1866, and was known as a capitalist and real estate dealer, and was quite wealthy. https://quincypublicil.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=good%20templar%20lawsuit%20dills&i=f&d=01011838-12312021&m=between&ord=k1&fn=quincy_herald_whig_usa_illinois_quincy_19740224_english_21&df=1&dt=1
Q Herald, Sun, Mar 6, 1881; Frances E Dills and Harrison Dills to Alexander Blauser, pt of s hf of sw sec 30, Payson tp; $6,000 [Dills sold Illinois properties as they were moving west].
Q Whig, Sat, May 7, 1881: AT MOUNT STERLING. Mrs. Dills of this city , an accomplished vocalist, assisted by her sister, Miss C. M. Morgan and several ladies and gentlemen, will give a grand vocal and instrumental concert at the Opera-house in Mount Sterling on the evening of May 26. It promises to be a rare musical treat for the Mt. Sterling people.
Q Whig, Tues, May 31, 1881: STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF ADAMS Circuit Court; Anna W. Dills vs. George A. Dills. At appearing by affidavit on file.. defendant George A Dills resides out of this state.. above named returnable on the first day of the next June term to be holden at the courthouse in Quincy, on the 3rd Monday in the month of June, 1881, and that unless said defendant be and appear before the circuit court on the return day and answer the said complainant's bill of complaint, the allegations thereof will be taken as confessed against him.. 11 day of May, 1881 Q Herald, Thurs June 23, 1881; Anna W. Dills was granted a divorce from her husband George A. Dills.
Q Herald, Sat Oct 15, 1881; Henry D Dills to Dainiel W Hoyt, sw 160 ac, sec 18, North East township, $6,700. [brother Harrison had already left Quincy to go west and Henry settled in Maitland, MO
Q Herald, Wed, Dec 21, 1881: A SAD ACCIDENT. About 9 o'clock yesterday morning, Mrs. M.L. Dills who was employed at John Wessel's confectionery establishment on Hampshire street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, fell through a hatch way from the second floor into the cellar. Mrs. Dills commenced work at Wessel's Monday to assist during the holiday rush. Just before the accident she went up to the second floor and in returning, failed to notice the hatchway and walked into it. No one saw her fall and it was several minutes after when Oscar Heintz the book keeper heard moans in the cellar. He made an investigation and found the unfortunate victim of the accident lying where she fell, unable to move. The employees of the house were summoned and she was brought up to the first floor and a physician was summoned. It was found that she was seriously injured and that it would be impossible to convey her home in a carriage. A stretcher was prepared and Mr. Wessels and others carried her to her home, where she was made as comfortable as possible. Dr Nickerson, the attending physician, found upon examination that her spine was injured. He feared that the injury would result in paralysis of the lower limbs. Mrs. Dills is a widow and has two children. She was in straightened circumstances, and it was to support her children that she sought work. The employees at Wessels', upon hearing of her condition, raised $40 at once to assist here. This sum will be increased by other benevolent citizens. The Herald calls the attention of charitable people of Quincy to the case of Mrs. Dills. Here is an opportunity for doing good. Mrs. Dills need assistance for herself and children and should be promptly given. Q Whig, Thurs, Dec 22, 1881, WORSE THAN REPORTED. Mrs Dills, who met with the accident at Mr Wessll's confectionary establishment, was hurt more severely than at first reported. Her spine was badly injured, and she is in serious condition.
Q Herald Whig, Sun Aug 11, 1996: Mail service cam to pioneer Quincy in 1825: The first mail to arrive in the little settlement of Quincy was from Carrollton, by the way of Alas, in the year 1825. Col. James Black of Vandalia was the first appointed postmaster. But a few days residence disgusted him with the primitive surrounding and he left, deputizing Judge Henry H Snow to be postmaster. Judge Snow kept the post office in John Woods' log cabin at the foot of Delaware Street. At that time the mail was kept in a pine chest...........
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