Leonard, J. W. The Industries of Saint Louis. Her Relations as a Center of Trade. Manufacturing Establishments and Business Houses . St. Louis: J. M. Elstner and Co., 1887. [format: book], [genre: narrative]. Permission: St. Louis Mercantile Library
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=leonard.html

EAST St. LOUIS had its origin in a settlement made by Capt. James Pigott, who, in 1797, established a ferry at this point between the east and west banks of the river. Illinoistown, as East St. Louis was originally named, was laid out in the autumn of 1817, and in November of that year a number of lots in the town were disposed of at auction and private sale. This town is now the southeast portion of the city of East St. Louis. Many new divisions were added from time to time, and at an election held April 1, 1861, the citizens changed the name of the town from Illinoistown to East St. Louis. In 1865 the government of the town was changed by the adoption of a city charter, and J. B. Bowman was elected the first mayor on April 3d of that year.

The city has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth in industrial importance and material prosperity. It is the center of a vast railroad system, radiating in all directions, and connected by means of the great Mississippi bridge with St. Louis, with which it is identified by a strong community of interests, and to the prosperity and commercial importance of which it is a large contributor. Many large manufacturing establishments are located in East St. Louis, which has all the advantages and resources for the successful prosecution of every description of industrial enterprises.

The present officers of the City of East St. Louis are M. M. Stephens, Mayor; John W. Renshaw, Treasurer; John Meyer, City Clerk; Michael Walsh, Marshal; James W. Kirk, City Auditor, and E. R. Davis, City Attorney. The legislative government of the city is vested in a city council, over which the Mayor presides, and composed of eight aldermen, the present incumbents being as follows: First Ward — D. C. Marsh and W. W. Russell; Second Ward — Louis Menges, Jr., and Dr. C. F. Strecker; Third Ward — Robert Cunningham and Martin Egan; Fourth Ward — Mark Bird and John V. Tefft. The stated sessions of the Council occur on the second Tuesdays of April, June, August, October and December. The regular standing committees of the XXIII Council are as follows: Ways and Means — Messrs. Tefft, Russell, Strecker. Menges. Jr.; Claims — Messrs. Marsh, Strecker, Tefft, Cunningham; Streets and Alleys — Messrs. Russell, Strecker, Egan, Bird; Police — Messrs. Strecker, Marsh, Egan, Tefft; Fire and Water — Messrs. Egan, Russell, Strecker, Menges. Jr.; Railroads — Messrs. Tefft, Strecker, Egan, Marsh; Public Buildings and Grounds — Messrs. Russell, Egan, Strecker, Bird. Litigation — Messrs. Marsh, Strecker, Tefft, Cunningham.

The Mayor, Mr. M. M. Stephens, was elected to his position in response to a demand for reform in the financial administration of the city, and is devoting his attention, with efficient aid from the Council, to the task of retrenchment, the solution of the debt problem, and the development of the material interests of the city.

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