Jerseyville, Illinois History

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Jerseyville To-day

Benevolent Societies

D’Arcy Lodge U. D. AF&AM was organized Sept. 12, 1863 with the following officers: J. L. WHITE, W.M., John N. SQUIER, S.W., Wm. B. NEVIUS, J.W. The name of the lodge was changed Sept. 12, 1864 to Jerseyville Lodge and a charter was granted the following October to Jerseyville Lodge No. 394. In 1882 the lodge purchased the third story of the Hamilton store building on state street then owned by J. C. BARR and A. W. CROSS and remodeled the same to suit their purposes, and have since had elegant quarters for their meetings. The lodge has an active membership of about 80. Jerseyville Chapter No. 140 Royal Arch Masons was organized Oct. 7, 1870 with 18 Charter members. The Chapter rents the use of the apartments of the Blue Lodge.

Jerseyville Lodge No. 53 I.O.O.F. was instituted May 3, 1849. The five charter members were Peyten C. WALKER, A. C. HUTCHINSON, Dr. Jas. BRINGHURST, Samuel COHEN and C. H. ROBERTS. The first hall used was erected in 1851 on North State street, and was occupied until 1871, when the lodge took possession of their new hall on the third floor of the Vandervoort building on West Pearl street. This hall they used until 1887, when it was burned in the great fire that year. Steps were soon taken for the erection of a new hall; the necessary funds were subscribed and a lot was purchased on the southeast corner of Washington and Pearl streets, upon which was erected the handsome three story building, a view of which may be seen in this paper. The lot, building and furnishing cost about $11,000. The upper floor is dedicated to lodge purposes, and is elegantly fitted up and supplied with all modern conveniences. The active membership is about 80.

Jerseyville Encampment No. 20, I.O.O.F. was instituted July 6, 1852, suspended in 1859, and was reorganized in 1867, and now has a flourishing membership. Additional societies in Jerseyville now working, are the Knights of Honor A.O.U.W., Sons of Temperance, I.O.M.A., Modern Woodmen, Lowe Post No. 295 G.A.R., W.C.T.U., Sons of Veterans Camp and Western Catholic Union Society.

Loan and Building Associations

There are two loan and building associations at Jerseyville in active operation, which have done much for the upbuilding of the city. In late years several additions have been made to the city, and these associations have largely supplied the means for the erection of numerous houses thereon, many of them being tasty and attractive. These enterprises are under the best management, and have officers chosen from among our best citizens.

The oldest of these associations is what is known as “The Jerseyville Building Loan and Homestead Association,” a corporation with an authorized capital stock of $500,000, shares $100 each. Stock subscribed and issued now in force:

1st Series of stock now in force: $97,000.00
2d Series of stock now in force: $48,200.00
3d Series of stock now in force: $30,800.00
4th Series of stock now in force: $17,900.00
5th Series of stock now in force: $23,500.00
Total stock in force: $217,400.00

A new series will be started in December next. The stock is held by about 250 holders, mostly residents of Jerseyville. It has loans in force amounting to the sum of $35,000. These loans have been made in large measure to persons for the purpose of building or purchasing homes, or to pay off encumbrances against their homes.

Stock in the 1st series sells at an advance of $4.00 more per share than has been paid in upon it.

Board of Directors: Walter E. CARLIN, Judge Marcus E. BAGLEY, Harry A. SHEPHARD, Stephen H. BOWMAN, Adam A. GOODRICH, Henry C. LEAK, Geo. H. STURDEVANT, J. K. CADWALADER and Daniel J. MURPHY. Officers: Hon. Walter E. Carlin, President; Harry A. Shephard, Treasurer; Robert T. Brock, Secretary.

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