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Home of the Betsey Ann Bell

The Brown’s nearest neighbors were the Nathan Scarritts, who lived on Scaritt’s Prairie, a distance of some six or seven miles south, where Godfrey, Illinois is now located.

Over next decade, the new settlement saw the arrival of many newcomers. William Brewer, from Virginia, arrived in 1828, as did Aaron Hussong. In 1830, Michael Brown moved to the area from Upper Alton, and John Andrews, a Virginian, arrived. James B. Pinckard, Sr., came as a permanent resident in 1831, in 1833, Herman Griggs arrived and 1836 saw the arrival of James Palmer, Oscar A. Chase and Nathan D. Barber.

In 1836 Oliver Brown considered platting a town, but he was persuaded to sell 280 acres for $3,500, to a group lead by Nathan Scarritt, who promptly laid out a town of 40 acres and called in Bristol, after a city in England.

Soon after, in the same year of 1836, Herman Griggs had much the same idea and laid out another town north of Bristol and called it Brighton after an English town in Massachusetts. Great rivalry arose between the two promoters, Scarritt and Griggs.

The financial recession of 1837 changed the situation however. During Gov. Joseph Duncan’s term of office, the Illinois legislature began spending on bank and internal improvement schemes that almost bankrupted the state. At the height of the extravagant spending, the legislature made extensive plans for railroads throughout the state one of which would have passed through Bristol. Hopes in Bristol ran high.

However, it was a staggering and fatal blow to the new town of Bristol when the schemes failed. The promoters sold out their entire tract of 280 acres for $1,000 to Mr. Daniel Nelson, who immediately sold half to James Weir Gilson.

The information presented here is not intended to be a complete history of Brighton, Illinois.

Anyone wishing to read the complete history can purchase a copy of Mrs. Bentley’s book for $10 at the Brighton Library or the Brighton History Museum.

Additional information and historic photos on the website, were provided by June Wilderman, President, Brighton Heritage Group.

Credits

First Post Office—1837

Dan Blodgett, first Brighton Postmaster appointed March 11, 1837

Betsey Ann Bandstand

THE FIRST PIONEERS COME

During the last year of Illinois Gov. Edward Cole’s term, and two years before the Rutledges of New Salem built their cabin on the Sangamon River, Brighton’s first settlers came. Only half a century before, the Declaration of Independence had been signed.

In February of 1826, Oliver Brown and William Cowan came from Carrollton, Illinois and erected a cabin sixteen feet square. They selected a peaceful and inviting location, slightly elevated, in a densely set oak forest. The cabin stood very close to where the Betsey Ann Band Stand is now located. Michael Brown, a nephew of Oliver’s came to assist him.

Oliver Brown set out a peach orchard near the creek, which flowed through the area. Initially Brown claimed squatter rights, but the land was “entered” in 1829 at the Edwardsville Land Office.

Bristol suffered final and complete extinction when a United States Post Office was established on March 11, 1837, in the town of Brighton, with Daniel Blodgett appointed first postmaster. Since there was another Bristol in Illinois, the two towns combined and took the official name of Brighton.

BUSINESS OF YESTERYEAR

First Franz Meat Market.

Mrs. Bruno Franz at right.

Old Reliable Meat Market.

In 1857, Mr. Peter and Rev. Horatio Nelson erected a building on the west side of Main Street. Later Daniel Blodgett bought the building and ran a combined grocery store and post office.

C. W. Heidemann Market

Around the same time, Mr. John Burton built a frame building, on Market Street. The building was owned by G. W. Gilson.

In 1868, Gilson sold the building to C. W. Heidemann, who carried a complete line of groceries, clothing, boots and shoes.

In 1903 Mr. Heidemann sold the business to Mr. & Mrs. Gustav Isenberg. After Mr. Isenberg’s death in 1907, Mrs. Rosa Isenberg continued to run the business with the help of her son Oliver.

C. W. Isenberg Store, formally the C. W. Heidemann Market. About 1903

One of the earliest businesses in Brighton was established in 1837 by Nathan Scarritt when he built Hill House. He stocked it with goods and placed Daniel Blodgett in charge. Scarritt’s business however, floundered for several years due to the lack of a railroad in town.

Business was revived on July 4th, 1852 when the Chicago & Alton Railroad ran its first train through Brighton.

In the fall of 1853, Richard H. Peter and John Moore opened a mercantile business south of the Chicago & Alton tracks. This was housed in a two story brick building.

In 1923, Mr. Arthur Farrell purchased the store, and he and Mrs. Farrell served the public for seventeen years, before retiring in 1940. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Oertel ran the business for less than a year and in 1941, Mr. Farrell sold the business to Mr. & Mrs. Louis Mouser, who ran the business for many years. After Mr. Mouser’s death, Mrs. Mouser and her son Marvin continued to run the business.

In 1959 the store was sold to Wayne Weiss, who ran an A.G. store, known as Wayne’s Market. This building is the oldest store still standing in Brighton.

Blacksmiths

The “smithy” business is one of Brighton’s very oldest. The first blacksmith shop was set up by William Sarius in 1849. Mr. Sarius came to Brighton from Germany and opened his shop in the southwest section of Brighton. Assisting Mr. Sarius were his two sons, William Jr. and Gustav. After his death, son William continued in the shop, but Gustav opened his own on Market Street in 1867.

In 1892 another building was erected, which had an amusement hall above, in which various social functions were held. This was known as “Sarius Hall”.

For many years Market Street rang with the pleasant sound of a hammer on the anvil. The sledges weighed as much as 12 or 16 pounds and required a very strong man to swing them all day. The skilled blacksmith was a much sought after craftsman who worked in both wood and metal.

First blacksmith shop, about 1849.

William Sarius, assisted by his sons, William Jr. and Gustav.

Charles E. Lampert followed his father-in-law, Gus Sarius in the business. Upon retirement in 1938, Mr. Lampert said, “After shoeing horses and sharpening plow shears for 26 years, I think I shall quit and call it a day”. When Mr. Lampert retired, it was the end of one of the oldest businesses in the village.

Brand’s Cooperage

In 1871 William Brand built a cooperage shop, and manufactured barrels. George W. Hilliard bought barrels for his cider, the “Old Mill” for its flour and Bruno Franz for his apples. In 1892 Mr. Brand retired from business and in 1902 the cooperage was torn down.

William Brand’s Cooperage, 1871.

Franz’s Meat Market

The oldest meat and poultry business in Brighton was established by Bruno Franz, who came from Strasburg, Germany in 1870. He first opened a dry goods store on Ransom Street and built a home on Center Street, across from the C. W. Heidemann Market.

By 1875, Mr. Franz turned to the meat and poultry business and marketed in the front of his home.

In time he owned a slaughter house, two barns and an ice house on South Market Street. A great deal of shipping was done to St. Louis supplying restaurants and the Union Market. Bruno Franz established a St. Louis firm in 1898. Mr. Franz dies in 1909 and Mrs. Franz and her son, Emil carried on until her death in 1911.

After his mother’s death, Emil Franz continued to run the business under the name of “Old Reliable Meat Market”, and served the public well for another 27 years, retiring July 4, 1938. From 1875 to 1938, the people of Brighton bought their steaks from the Franz’s.

C. A. Martin Groceries & Hardware

George Mundy erected a building on Main Street in 1861 from which he operated a grocery business. When Mr. Mundy retired from the business, his sons-in-law carried on under the name of French and Bean.

Mr. French ran the business alone, and when he retired his daughter, Mrs. Carrie A. Martin took over the business and ran it as C. A. Martin Groceries & Hardware.

C. A. Martin Groceries & Hardware

Mrs. Martin eventually sold her store in 1919 to John L. Ash who operated it for two years, after which he sold the business to Jones and Ziegenbein in August of 1921. Milton Ziegenbein became the sole proprietor in 1925.

After a disastrous fire, the store was moved to North Street, where Mr. Ziegenbein continued to do business until 1952, when he sold the store to John Hauter, who operated it until 1955.

In 1955, Cal Vonnahmen bought the business from Mr. Hauter and operated the store under the name Cal’s A.G. Market.

Mr. Schroeder and his son, Victor held the John Deere contract from 1911 to 1955, one of the oldest dealers in the St. Louis area.

In 1917 Victor became sole proprietor, but in February of 1918 was called into the service of Word War I. The father again took over the business, assisted by his daughter Anita, and carried on until Victor’s return in May of 1919.

Victor resumed operation of the business and served the public well until his retirement in 1955.

EARLY SCHOOLS

In 1832, Miss Charlotte Sherman became the first teacher in the township and it was in Mr. Oliver Brown’s smoke-house that the school was held. It was a primitive beginning, indeed, and was without order or arrangement. The curriculum consisted mainly of the “Three R’s” … Readin’, Ritin’ and Rithmetic.

F. W. Schroeder Implements, 1905.

Miss Sherman gathered her pupils around her in Brown’s smoke-house and held school only three months during the summer. The following summer, Mrs. L. P. Stratton began teaching in a log cabin school south of town, then located on what was known as the Harrison Farm.

In the fall of 1834 the settlers built a log school house, 16 feet by 18 feet, which served as a subscription school. The tuition was two dollars per quarter for each pupil. Thirty were enrolled, but at the end of the quarter, Mr. Stratton had collected only $45 for compensation. The site of the school was owned by the government, and when Mr. John Squires purchased the land he expected to get possession of the school for his dwelling, but the citizen builders thought otherwise.

In the dead of night, the school was moved “log by log” and put on “safe” ground, and learning continued as usual.

In 1854, a one-story frame school was erected on Main and Vine Streets and was painted white. The building also served as the “meeting house” for the Methodists while their church was being built.

In 1860, the increase in population demanded a more adequate building, and two rooms, one above the other were erected in front of the school on Main and Vine. Henry Clay Gooding served as the principal.

In the summer of 1862, Principal Gooding and sixteen of his pupils enlisted in the Union Army, and served for three years in Company D, of the 122nd. Illinois Volunteers.

Brighton Public School, 1854.

Brighton Academy

On August 22, 1878 Professor Hills, a former member of the faculty of Dartmouth College, came to Brighton and established an institution of higher learning, which he chose to call the “Brighton Academy”.

The Brighton Academy lasted long enough to have one graduating class. Commencement was held in the Presbyterian Church in May, 1881. There were four graduates in the class.

When the Academy closed the school district acquired it for school purposes.

Nathaniel Hills’ Academy, 1880—1881.

Brighton High School

In 1881 the Brighton High School was organized with Professor E. C. Hill as Principal. The first graduation took place in the Presbyterian Church in May, 1883. Those graduating were: Miss Frances Boulter, Miss Bertha Boulter and Miss Alberta Simmons.

New Brick School House

In 1906, it was voted to erect a $15,000 modern school, fully equipped, and large enough to accommodate all students from grades one to eight, as well as four years of high school. The old buildings were sold and the district voted to buy the old Academy grounds for the new school.

On July 4th, 1907, the corner stone of the new brick school house was laid in a grand ceremony performed by Hibbard Masonic Lodge No. 249.

First graduating class of Brighton High School, 1883.

From the left, Miss Alberta Simmons, Miss Frances Boulter and Miss Bertha Boulter.

New brick Grade School, 1907

Schroeder’s Farm Implements

F. W. Schroeder built his implement building in 1905. It was located along side the Chicago and Alton railroad track. He dealt in farm implements, carrying Champion Harvesting Machines and Rock Island farm tools, and later John Deere implements.

BRIGHTON HISTORY

Official Website of the Village of Brighton, Illinois

Photos by Betty Wilderman tty.digitalmemories@gmail.com