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HISTORICAL
ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF
ILLINOIS
EDITED BV
Newton Bateman, LL. D. Paul Selby, A. M.
AND HISTORY OF
SANGAMON COUNTY
BY
Special Authors and Contributors
Paul Selby, Editor
V^olume II
( Part One)
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
M U N S E L L PUBLISHING COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
1912
TO NEW YORK
?UBLK LiBRiRY
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TI-i-DEN FOUNDATIONg
R 1926 L
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year
iyl2. by Munsell I'ublistiing Company.
in the office of the liibrarian of Congress at Washington
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
,.\.jf
503-^
STARXE, Alexander, Secretary of State and
State Treasurer, was born in Philadelphia, Pa.,
Nov. 21, 1813; in the spring of 1836 removed to
Illinois, settling at Griggsville, Pike County,
where he opened a general store. From 1839 to
"42 he served as Commissioner of Pike County,
and, in the latter year, was elected to the lower
house of the General Assembly, and re-elected in
1844. Having, in the meanwhile, disposed of his
store at Griggsville and removed to Pittsfield, he
was appointed, by Judge Purple, Clerk of the
Circuit Court, and elected to the same office for
four years, when it was made elective. In 18.53
he was elected Secretary of State, when he
removed to Springfield, returning to Griggsville
at the expiration of his term in 1857, to assume
the Presidency of the old Hannibal and Naples
Railroad (now a part of the Wabash sj'stem).
He represented Pike and Brown Counties in the
Constitutional Convention of 1863, and the same
year was elected State Treasurer. He theieujjon
again removed to Springfield, where he resided
until his deatli. being, with his sons, extensively
engaged in coal mining. In 1870, and again in
1873, he was elected State Senator from San-
gamon County. He died at Sjjringfield, March
31. 1886.
STATE BANK OF ILLINOIS. The first legis-
lation, having for its object the establishment of
a bank vvitliin the territory which now consti-
tutes the State of Illinois, was the passage, by
tlie Territorial Legislature of 1816, of an act
incorporating the "Bank of Illinois at Shawnee-
town, with branches at Edwardsville and Kas-
kaskia. ■' In the Second General As.sembly of
the State (1830) an act was passed, over the
Governor's veto and in defiance of the adverse
judgment of the Council of Revision, establish-
ing a State Bank at Vandalia with branches at
Shawneetovvn, Edwardsville, and Brownsville in
Jackson County. This was, in effect, a rechartcr-
ing of the banks at Shawneetowii and Edwards-
ville. So far as the former is concerned, it .seems
to have been well managed ; but the official
conduct of the officers of the latter, on the basis
of charges made by Governor Edwards in 1836,
was made the subject of a legislative investiga-
tion, which (although it resulted in nothing)
seems to have had some basis of fact, in view of
the losses finally sustained in winding up its
affairs — that of the General Government amount-
ing to 8.')4,000. Grave charges were made in this
connection against men who were then, or
afterwards became, prominent in State affairs,
including one Justice of the Supreme Court and
one (still later) a United States Senator. The
experiment was disastrous, as, ten years later
(1831), it was found necessary for tlie State to
incur a debt of §100,000 to redeem the outstand-
ing circulation. Influenced, however, by the
popular demand for an increase in the "circu-
lating medium," the State continued its experi-
ment of becoming a stockholder in banks
managed by its citizens, and accordingly we find
it, in 183.), legislating in the same direction for
the establishing of a central "Bank of Illinois"
at Springfield, with branches at other points as
might be required, not to exceed six in number.
One of these branches vvas established at Van-
dalia and another at Chicago, furnishing the first
banking institution of the latter cit}'. Two
years later, when the State was entering upon
its scheme of internal improvement, laws were
enacted increasing the capital stock of these
banks to .S4, 000,000 in the aggregate. Following
the example of similar institutions elsewhere,
they suspended specie jjaynients a few months
later, but were protected by "stay laws" and
other devices until 1843, when the internal
i;nprovement scheme having been finally aban-
doned, they fell in general collapse. The State
ceased to be a stock-holder in 1843, and the banks
were put in course of liquidation, though it
required several years to complete the work.
STATE CAPITALS. The first State capital of
Illinois was Kaskaskia, where the first Territorial
L3gislature convened, Nov. 35, 1813. At that
time there were but five counties in the State —
St. Clair and Randolph being the most important,
and Kaskaskia Ijeing tlie county-seat of the
latter. Illinois was admitted into the Union as a
State in 1818, and the first Constitution provided
that the seat of government should remain at
Kaskaskia until removed by legislative enact-
ment. That instrument, however, made it obli-
gatory upon the Legislature, at its first session,
to petition Congress for a grant of not more than
four sections of laud, on which should be erected
a town, wliich should remain tlie .seat of govern-
ment for twenty years. The petition was duly
presented and granted; and, in accordance with
the power granted by tlie Constitution, a Board
of five Commissioners selected the site of the
present city of Vandalia, then a point in the
wilderne.ss twenty miles north of any settle-
ment. But so great was the faith of speculators
in the future of the proposed city, that town lots
were .soon .selling at 81(i0 to S780 each. The Com-
missioners, in obedieiu« to law, erected a plain
two-story frame building — scarcely more than a
commodious shanty — to which the State ollices
were removed in December, 1830. This building
504
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
was burned, Dec. 9, 1823, and a brick .structure
erected in its place. Later, wlien tlie question of
a second removal of the cajutal began to be agi-
tated, the citizens of Vandalia assumed the risk
of erecting a new, brick State House, costing
$16,000. Of this amount .50,000 was reimbursed
by the Governor from the contingent fund, and
the balance (SIO.OOO) was appropriated in 1837,
when the seat of government was removed to
Springfield, by vote of the Tenth General Assem-
bly on the fourth ballot. The other places receiv-
ing the principal vote at tlie time of the removal
to Springfield, were Jacksonville, Vandalia,
Peoria. Alton and Illiopolis — Springfield receiv-
ing the largest vote at each ballot. The law
removing the capital ajipropriated §.50,000 from
the State Treasur_v, provided that a like amount
should be raised by private subscription and
guaranteed by bond, and that at least two acres
of land should be donated as a site. Two State
Houses have been erected at Springfield, the first
cost of the present one (including furnishing)
having been a little in excess of §4,000,000.
Abraham Lincoln, who was a member of the
Legislature from Sangamon County at the time,
was an influential factor in securing the removal
of the capital to Springfield.
STATE DEBT. The State debt, which proved
so formidable a burden upon the State of Illinois
for a generation, and, for a part of that period,
seriously checked its prosperity, was the direct
outgrowth of the internal improvement scheme
entered upon in 1837. (,See Infernal Improvement
Polieij. ) At the time this enterprise was under-
taken the aggregate delit of the State was less
than .$400,000 — accumulated within the preceding
six years. Two years later (1838) it had increased
to over §0, .500, 000, while the total valuation of
real and personal property, for the purposes of
taxation, was less than §60,000,000, and the aggre-
gate receipts of the State treasury, for the same
year, amounted to less than §150,000. At the
same time, the disbursements, for the support of
the State Government alone, had grown to more
than twice the receipts. This disparity continued
until the declining credit of the State forced upon
the managers of public afl'airs an involuntary
economy, when the means could no longer be
secured for more lavish expenditures. The first
bonds issued at the inception of the internal
improvement scheme sold at a premium of 5 per
cent, but rapidly decline<l until they were hawked
in the markets of New York and London at a dis-
count, in some cases falling into the hands of
brokers who failed before completing their con-
tracts, thus causing a direct loss to the State. If
the internal improvement-scheme was ill-advised,
the time chosen to carry it into eff'ect was most
unfortunate, as it came simultaneously with the
panic of 1887, rendering the disaster all the more
complete. Of the various works undertaken by
the State, only the Illinois & Michigan Canal
brought a return, all the others resulting in more
or less complete loss. The internal improvement
scheme was abandoned in 1839-40, but not until
State bonds exceeding §13,000.000 had been
issued. For two years longer the State struggled
with its embarrassments, increased by the failure
of the State Bank in February, 1842, and, by that
of the Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown, a few
months later, with the proceeds of more than two
and a half millions of the State's bonds in their
possession. Thus left without credit, or means
even of paying the accruing interest, there were
those wlio regarded the State as hopelesslj' bank-
rupt, and advocated repudiation as the only
means of escape. Better counsels prevailed, how-
ever; the Constitution of 1848 put the State on a
basis of strict economy in the matter of salaries
and general expenditures, with restrictions upon
the Legislature in reference to incurring in-
debtedness, while the beneficent "two-mill tax"
gave assurance to its creditors that its debts
would be paid. While the growth of the State,
in wealth and population, had previously been
checked by the fear of excessive taxation, it now
entered upon a new career of prosperity, in spite
of its burdens— its increase in population, be-
tween 18.50 and 1860, amounting to over 100 per
cent. The movement of the State debt after 1840
— when the internal improvement scheme was
abandoned — chiefly by accretions of unpaid inter-
est, has been estimated as follows: 1842, $15,-
637,9.50; 1844, §14,633,969; 1846, §16,389,817; 1848,
§16,661,795. It reached its maximum in 1853—
the first year of Governor Matteson's administra-
tion — when it was officiall}' reiMrted at §16,734,-
177. At this time the work of extinguishment
began, and was prosecuted under successive
administrations, except during the war, when
the vast expense incurred in sending troops to
the field caused an increase. During Governor
Bissell's administi-ation, the reduction amounted
to over §3.000,000; during Oglesby's. to over five
and a quarter million, besides two and a quarter
million paid on interest. In 1880 the debt had
been reduced to .§281,0.59.11, and, before the close
of 1882, it had been entirely extinguished, except
a balance of §18..500 in bonds, which, having been
called in years previously and never presented foi
HISTOllICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
505
payment, are supposed to have been lost. (See
Macalister and Stebbiiis Boiidf:.)
STATE (iUARDIAJiS FOR (JIBLS, a bureau
organized for the care of female juvenile delin-
quents, by act of June 2, 1893. The Board consists
of seven members, nominated by the Executive
and confirmed by the Senate, and who consti-
tute a body politic and corporate. Not more than
two of the members may reside in the same Con-
gressional District and, of the seven members,
four must be women. (See also Home for Female
Juvenile Offenders.) The term of office is six
years.
STATE HOUSE, located at Springfield. Its
construction was begim imder an act passed by
the Legislature in February, 1867, and completed
in 1887. It stands in a park of about eight acres,
donated to the State by the citizens of Sjjring-
field. A provision of the State Constitution of
1870 prohibited the expenditure of any sum in
excess of $3, .500,000 in the erection and furnishing
of the building, without previous approval of such
additional expenditure by the people. This
amount proving insuflficient, the Legislature, at
its session of ISS."), passed an act making an addi-
tional appropriation of .§531,712, which having
been approved by popular vote at the general
election of 1886, the expenditure was made and
the capitol completed during the following year,
thus raising the total cost of construction and fur-
nishing to a little in excess of §4,000,000. The
building is cruciform as to its ground plan, and
classic in its style of architecture; its extreme
dimensions (including porticoes), from north '.to
south, being 379 feet, and, from east to west, 286
feet. The walls are of dressed Joliet limestone,
while the porticoes, which are spacious and
lofty, are of sandstone, supported by polished
columns of gray granite. The three stories of
the building are surmounted by a IMansard roof,
with two turrets and a central dome of stately
dimensions. Its extreme height, to the top of
the iron flag-staff, which rises from a lantern
springing from the dome, is 304 feet.
STATE NORMAL UMVERSITY, an in.stitu
lion for the education of teachers, organized
under an act of the General Assembly, passed
Feb. 18, 1857. This act placed the work of
organization in the hands of a board of fifteen
persons, which was styled "The Board of Educa-
tion of the State of Illinois," and was constituted
as follows: C. B. Denio of Jo Daviess County;
Simeon "Wright of Lee; Daniel Wilkins of Mc-
Lean ; Charles E. Hovey of Peoria ; George P. Rex
of Pike; Samuel W. Moulton of Sbelbv; John
Gillespie of Jasper; George Bunsen of St. Clair;
Wesley Sloan of Pope; Ninian W. Edwards of
Sangamon ; John R. Eden of Moultrie ; Flavel
Moseley and William Wells of Cook; Albert R.
Shannon of White; and the Superintendent o\.
Public Instruction, ex-ofiicio. The object of the
University, as defined in the organizing law, is
to qualify teachers for the public schools of the
State, and the course of instruction to be given
embraces "the art of teaching, and all branches
which pertain to a common-school education ; in
the elements of the natural sciences, including
agricultural chemistry, animal and vegetable
physiology ; In the fundamental laws of the
United States and of the State of Illinois in
regard to the rights and duties of citizens, and
such other studies as the Board of Education may,
from time to time, prescribe." Various cities
competed for the location of the institution,
Bloomiugton being finally selected, its bid, in-
cluding 100 acres of land, being estimated as
equivalent to §141,725. The corner-stone was
laid on September 29, 1857, and the first building
was ready for permanent occupancy in Septem-
ber, 1860. Previously, however, it had been
sufficiently advanced to permit of its being used,
and the first commencement exercises were held
on June 29 of the latter year. Three years
earlier, the academic department had been organ-
ized under the charge of Charles E. Hovey. The
first cost, including furniture, etc., was not far
from §200,000. Gratuitous instruction is given to
two pupils from each county, and to three from
each Senatorial District. The departments are ;
Grammar school, high school, normal department
and model school, all of whicli are overcrowded.
The whole number of students in attendance on
the institution during the school yeav, 1897-98,
was 1,197, of whom 891 were in the normal
department and 306 in the practice school depart-
ment, including representatives from 86 coun-
ties of the State, with a few pupils from other
States on the payment of tuition. The teaching
faculty (including the President and Librarian)
for the same year, was made up of twenty-six
members — twelve ladies and fourteen gentlemen.
The expenditures for the year 1897-98 aggregated
S47,(i2ti.92, against §()6,.528.09 for 189(!-97. Nearly
§22,000 of the amount expended during the latter
year was on account of the construction of a
gymnasium building.
STATE PROPERTY. The United States Cen-
sus of 1890 gave the value of real and personal
property belonging to the State as follows: Pub-
lic lands, §328,000; buildings, .§22.164,000; mis-
50G
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
cellaneous property, §2,650,000— total, $35,143,000.
Tlie land may be subdivided thus: Camp-grounds
of the Illinois National Guard near Springfield
(donated), $40,000; Illinois and Michigan Canal,
S1()S,000; Illinois University lands, in Illinois
(donated by the General Government), .S41.000, in
Minnesota (similarly donated), .579.000. The
buildings comprise those connected with the
charitable, penal and educational institutions of
the State, besides the State Arsenal, two build-
ings for the use of the Appellate Courts (at
Ottawa and Mount Vernon), the State House,
the Executive Mansion, and looks and dams
erected at Henry and Copperas Creek. Of the
miscellaneous jiroperty, 8l''0,000 represents the
equipment of the Illinois National Guard; .$1,959, -
000 the value of the movable property of public
buildings; .?550,000 the endowment fund of the
University of Illinois; and §21,000 the movable
property of the Illinois & IMichigan Canal. The
figures given relative to the value of the public
buildings include only the first appropriations
for their erection. Considerable sums have
since been expended upon some of them in repairs,
enlargements and improvements.
STATE TREASl'RERS. The only Treasurer
of IlUnois during the Territorial period was John
Thomas, who served from 1813 to 1818, and
became the first incumbent under the State
Government. Under the Constitution of 1818
the Treasurer was elected, biennially, by joint vote
of the two Houses of the General Assembly ; by
the Constitution of 1818, this officer was made
elective by the people for the same period, witli-
out limitations as to number of terms; under the
Constitution of 18T0, the manner of election and
duration of term are unchanged, but the incum-
bent is ineligible to re-election, for two years
from expiration of the term for which he may
have been chosen. The following is a list of the
State Treasurers from 1818 to 1911, ■with term of
each in office: .John Thomas, lSlS-19; Robert K.
McLaughlin, 1819-2.3; Abner Field, 182.3-27; James
Hall, 1827-31; John Dement, 1831-36; Charles
Gregory, 1836-37; John D. Whiteside, 1837-41;
Milton Carpenter, 1841-48, John Moore, 1848-57;
James Miller, 1857-59; William Butler, 1859-63;
Alexander Starne, 1863-65; James H. Beveridge,
1865-67; George W Smith, 1867-69; Erastus N.
Bates, 1869-73; Edward Rutz, 1873-75; Thomas S.
Ridgway, 1875-77; Edward Rutz, 1877-79, John C.
Smith, 1879-81; Edward Rutz, lSSl-83; John C.
Smith, 1883-85; Jacob Gross, 1885-87; John R.
Tanner, 1887-89; Charles Becker, 1889-91; Edward
S. Wilson, 1891-93; Rufus N. Ramsay, 1893-95;
Henry Wulff, 1895-97; Hcnni' L. Hertz, 1897-99;
Floyd K. ^^^littemore, 1899-1901 ; Moses O. William-
son, 1901-03; Fred A. Basse, 1903-05; Len Small,
190.5-07; John F. SmuLski, 1907-09; Andrew Russcl,
1909-11; E. E. Mitchell, 1911—.
STAUNTOX, a village in Macoupin County, on
the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis and \\'al)ash Rail-
ways,36 miles northeast of St. Louis; an agricultural
and mining region; has two banks, churches and a
weekly jiaper. Pop. (1900), 2,786; (1910), 5.048.
STEGER, a \illage in Cook and Will Counties,
on the C. & E. I. R. R. ; has some local industries
and one weekly paper. Pop. (1900), 2,161.
STEEL PRODUCTION, In the manufacture
of steel, Illinois has long ranked as the second
State in the Union in the amount of its output,
and, during the period between 1880 and 1890,
the increase in production was 241 per cent. In
1880 there were but si.x steel works in the State ;
in 1890 these had increased to fourteen ; and the
jjroduetion of steel of all kinds (in tons of 2,000
pounds) had risen from 254,569 tons to 868,250.
Of the 3,837,039 tons of Bessemer steel ingots, or
direct castings, produced in the United States in
1890, 22 per cent were turned out in Illinois,
nearly all the steel produced in the State being
made by that process. From the tonnage of
ingots, as given above, Illinois produced 633,360
pounds of steel rails, — more than 30 per cent of
the aggregate for the entire countrj-. This fact
is noteworthy, inasmuch as the competition in
the manufacture of Bessemer steel rails, since
1880, has been so great that many rail mills have
converted their steel into forms other than rails,
experience having proved their production to
any considerable extent, during the past few
years, unprofitable except in works favorably
located for obtaining cheap raw material, or
operated under the latest and most approved
methods of manufacture. Open-hearth steel is
no longer made in Illinois, but the manufacture
of crucible steel is slightly increasing, the out-
put ill 1890 being 445 tons, as against 130 in 1880.
For purposes requiring special grades of steel the
product of the crucible process will be alwaj's
in demand, but the high cost of manufacture
prevents it, in a majority of instances, from
successfully competing in price with the other
processes mentioned.
STEPHEXSOX, Benjamin, pioneer and early
politician, came to Illinois from Kentucky in
1809. and was appointed the first Sheriff of
Randolph Countj' by Governor Edwards under
the Territorial Government: afterwards served
^^ ^^f^^^^C^Z^^^
iHl NEW YC*t
WBLIC LIBRART
A8T0R -^tnoi
\VJJ»Mt( re: NOAT(ot,4
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
507
as a Colonel of Illinois militia during the War of
1812; represented Illinois Territory as Delegate
in Congress, 1814-16, and, on his retirement from
Congress, became Register of the Land Office at
Edwardsville, finally dying at Edvvardsville — Col.
James W. (Stephenson), a son of the preceding,
was a soldier during the Black Uawk War, after-
wards became a prominent politician in the north-
western part of the State, served as Register of
the Land Office at Galena and, in 1838, received
the Democratic nomination for Governor, but
withdrew before the election.
STEPHE\SON, (Dr.) Benjamin Franklin,
physician and soldier, was born in Wayne
County, 111., Oct. 30, 1822, and accompanied his
parents, in 1825, to Sangamon County, where the
family settled. His early educational advantages
were meager, and he did not study his pi'ofession
(medicine) until after reaching his majority,
graduating from Rush Medical College, Chicago,
in 1850. He began practice at Petersburg, but,
in April, 1862, was mustered into the volunteer
army as Surgeon of the Fourteenth Illinois
Infantry. After a little over two years service he
was mustered out in June, 1864, when lie took up
his residence in Springfield, and, for a year, vv-as
engaged in the drug business there. In 1865 lie :
resumed professional practice. He lacked, tenac-
ity of purpose, however, was indifferent to money,
and always willing to give his own services and
orders for medicine to the poor. Hence, his prac-
tice was not lucrative. He was one of the leaders
in the organization of the Grand Army of the
Republic (wliich see), in connection with which
he is most widely known; but his services in its
cause failed to receive, during his lifetime, the
recognition which they deserved, nor did the
organization promptly flourish, as he had hoped.
He finally returned with his family to Peters-
burg. Died, at Rock Creek, Menard, County, 111.,
August 30, 1871.
STEPHENSON COUNTY, a northwestern
county, with an area of 573 sciuare miles. The
soil is rich, productive and well timbered. Fruit-
culture and stock-raising are among the chief
industries. Not until 1827 did the aborigines quit
the locality, and the county was organized, ten
years later, and named for Gen. Benjamin
Stephenson. A man named Kirker, who had
been in the employment of Colonel Gratiot as a
lead-miner, near Galena, is said to have built the
first cabin witliin the pre.sent limits of what was
called Hurr Oak Grove, and set hini.self up as an
Indian-trader in l.'^2r>. Imt only remained a short
time. He was followed, tlie next year, by Oliver
W. Kellogg, who took Kirker's place, built a
more pretentious dwelling and became the first
permanent settler. Later came William Wad-
dams, the Montagues, Baker, Kilpatrick, Preston,
the Goddards. and others whose names are linked
with the county's early history. The first house
in Freeport was built by William Baker. Organi-
zation was effected in 1837, the total poll being
eighty-four votes. The earliest teacher vi-as Nel-
son Martin, who is said to have taught a school
of some twelve pupils, in a house whicli stood on
tlie site of the present city of Freeport. Popula-
tion (1S90), 31,.33S; (1900), 34,933: (1910), 30, 821.
STERLING, a flourishing city on the north
bank of Rock River, in Wiiiteside County. 109
miles west of Cliicago, 29 miles east of Clinton,
Iowa, and .52 miles east-nortlieast of Rock Island.
It has ample railway facilities, furnished by the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Sterling &
Peoria, and the Chicago & Northwestern Rail-
roads. It contains fourteen churches, an opera
house, high and grade schools, Carnegie library.
Government postoffice building, three banks,
electric street and interurban car lines, electric
and gas lighting, water-works, paved streets and
sidewalks, fire department and four newspaper
offices, two issuing daily editions. It has fine
water-power, and is an important manufacturing
center, its works turning out agricultural imple-
ments, carriages, paper, barbed-wire, school furni-
ture burial caskets, pumps, sash, doors, etc. It
also has the Sterling Iron Works, besides foundries
and machine shops. The river liere flows through
charming scenerv-.' Pop. (1900), 0,309; (1910), 7,467.
STEVENS, Bradford A., ex-Congressman, was
born at Boscawen (afterwards Webster), N. H.,
Jan. 3, 1813. After attending schools in New
Hampshire and at Montreal, he entered Dart-
mouth College, graduating therefrom in 1835.
During the six years following, he devoted him-
self to teaching, at Hopkinsville, Ky., and New
York City. In 1843 he removed to Bureau
County, 111., where he became a merchant and
farmer. In 1868 he was chairman of the Board
of Supervisors, and, in 1870, was elected to Con-
gress, as an Independent Democrat, for the Fifth
District.
STEVENSON, Adlai E., ox-Vice-President of
the United States, was born in Christian County,
Ky., Oct. 23, 1885. In 1852 he removed with his
parents to Bloomington, McLean County, 111.,
where the family settled; was educated at the
Illinois Wesleyan L^niversity and at Centre Col-
lege, Ky., was admitted to the bar in 1S58 and
began practice at Metamora. Woodf.ird County,
508
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
where he was Master in Chancery, 1861-65, and
State's Attorney. 1865-69. In 1864 he was candi-
date for Presidential Elector on the Democratic
ticket. In 18G9 Ixe returned to Bloomington,
where he ha.s .since resided. In 1874, and again
in 1876, he was an unsuccessful candidate of his
part}- for Congress, but was elected as a Green-
back Democrat in 1878, though defeated in 1880
and 1882. In 1877 he was appointed by President
Hayes a member of the Board of Visitors to
West Point. During the first administration of
President Cleveland (1885-89) he was First Assist-
ant Postmaster General; was a member of the
National Democratic Conventions of 1884 and
1893, being Chairman of the Illinois delegation
the latter year. In 1893 he received his party's
nomination for the Vice-Presidency, and was
elected to that office, serving until 1897. Since
retiring from ofiBce he has resumed his residence
at Bloomington.
STEWARD, Lewis, manufacturer and former
Congressman, was born in Wayne Count}', Pa.,
Nov. 20, 1824, and received a common school
education. At the age of 14 he accompanied his
parents to Kendall County, 111., where he after-
wards resided, being engaged in farming and the
manufacture of agricultural implements at
Piano. He studied law but never practiced. In
1876 he was an unsuccessful candidate for Gov-
ernor on the Democratic ticket, being defeated
by Shelby M. CuUom. In 1890 the Democrats of
the Eighth Illinois District elected him to Con-
gress. In 1802 he was again a candidate, but was
defeated by his Republican opponent, Robert A.
Childs, by the narrow margin of 27 votes, and,
In 1894, was again defeated, this time being pitted
against Albert J. Hojikins. Mr. Steward died at
his home at Piano, August 26, 1896.
STEWARDSON, a town of Shelby County, at
the intersection of the Toledo, St. Louis & Kan-
sas City Railway with the Altamont branch of
the Wabash, 12 miles southeast of Shelbyville;
is in a grain and lumber region; has a bank and
a weekly paper. Pop. (1900), 677: (1910), 720.
STICKNEY, William H., pioneer lawyer, was
born in Baltimore, Md. , Nov. 9, 1809, studied law
and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati in
1831, and, in Illinois in 1834, being at that time a
resident of Shawneetown; was elected State's
Attorney by the Legislature, in 1839, for the cir-
cuit embracing some fourteen counties in the
Bouthern and southeastern part of the State ; for
a time also, about 1835-36, officiated as editor of
"The Gallatin Democrat,"' and "The Illinois
Advertiser, '■ published at Shawneetown. In 1846
Mr. Stickney was elected to the lower branch of
the General Assembly from Gallatin County, and,
twenty-eight years later — having come to Chi-
cago in 1848 — to the .same body from Cook
County, serving in the somewhat famous Twenty-
ninth Assembly. He also held the office of
Police Justice for some thirteen years, from 1860
onward. He lived to an advanced age, dying in
Chicago, Feb. 14, 1898, being at the time the
oldest surviving member of the Chicago bar.
STILES, Isaac Newton, lawyer and soldier,
born at Suffield, Conn., July 16, 1883; was ad-
mitted to the bar at Lafayette, Ind., in 1855,
became Prosecuting Attorney, a member of the
Legislature and an effective speaker in the Fre-
mont campaign of 1856; enlisted as a private sol-
dier at the beginning of the war, went to the
field as Adjutant, was captured at Malvern Hill,
and, after six weeks' confinement in Libby
prison, exchanged and returned to duty : was
promoted Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel,
and brevetted Brigadier-General for meritorious
service. After the war he practiced his profes-
sion in Chicago, though almo.st totally blind.
Died, Jan. 18, 1895.
STILLMAN, Stephen, first State Senator from
Sangamon County, 111., was a native of Massachu-
setts who came, with his widowed mother, to
Sangamon County in 1820, and settled near
Williamsville, where he became the first Post-
master in the first postoffice in the State north of
the Sangamon River. In 1822, Mr. Stillman was
elected as the first State Senator from Sangamon
County, serving four years, and. at his first session,
being one of the opponents of the pro-slavery
Convention resolution. He died, in Peoria, some-
where- between 1835 and 1840.
STILLMAN VALLEY, village in Ogle County,
on Chicago Great Western and the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul Railways; site of first battle
Black Hawk ^^'ar: has graded schools, creameries,
a bank and a newspaper. Pop. about 400.
STITES, Samuel, pioneer, was born near
Mount Bethel, Somerset County, N. J., Oct. 31,
1776; died, August 16, 1839, on his farm, which
subsequently became the site of the city of Tren-
ton, in Clinton County, 111. He was descended
from John Stites, M.D., who was born in Eng-
land in 1595, emigrated to America, and died at
Hempstead, L. I., in 1717, at the age of 122 years.
The family removed to New Jersey in the latter
part of the seventeenth century. Samuel was a
cousin of Benjamin Stites, the first white man to
settle within the present limits of Cincinnati, and
various members of the family were prominent in
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the settlement of the upper Ohio Valley as early
as 1788. Samuel Stites married, Sept. 14, 1794,
Martha Martin, daughter of Ephraim Martin,
and gi-and- daughter of Col. Ephraim Martin, both
soldiers of the New Jersey line dm-ing the Revo-
lutionary War — with the last named of whom
he had (in connection with John Cleves Symmes)
been intimately associated in the purchase and
settlement of the Miami Valley. In 1800 he
removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1803 to
Greene County, and, in 1818, in company with his
son-in-law. Anthony Wayne Casad, to St. Clair
County, 111., .settling near Union Grove. Later, he
removed to O'Fallon, and, still later, to Clinton
County. He left a large family, several members
of which became prominent pioneers in the
movements toward ^Minnesota and Kansas.
STOLBRAND, Carlos John Mueller, soldier,
was born in Sweden. May 11, 1821; at the age of
18, enlisted in the Royal Artillery of his native
land, serving through the campaign of Schleswig-
Holstein (1848) ; came to the United States soon
after, and, in 1861, enlisted in the first battalion
of Illinois Light Artillery, finally becoming Chief
of Artillery under Gen. John A. Logan. Wlien
the latter became commander of the Fifteenth
Army Corps, Col. Stolbrand was placed at tlie
head of the artillery brigade; in February, 1805,
was made Brigadier-General, and mustered out
in January, 1866. After the war he went South,"
and was Secretary of the South Carolina Ctfnsti- ,
tutional Convention of 1868. The same year he
was a delegate to the Republican National Con-
vention at Chicago, and a Presidential Elector.
He was an inventor and patented various im-
provements in steam engines and boilers; was
also Superintendent of Public Buildings at
Charleston, S. C, under President Harrison.
Died, at Charleston, Feb. 3, 1894.
STONE, Daniel, early lawyer and legislator,
was a native of Vermont and graduate of Middle-
bury College ; became a member of the Spring-
field (111.) bar in 1833, and, in 1836, was elected
to the General Assembly— being one of the cele-
brated "Long Nine" from Sangamon County, and
joining Abraham Lincoln in his protest against
a series of pro-slavery resolutions which had been
adopted by the House. In 1837 he was a Circuit
Court Judge and, being assigned to the north-
western part of the State, removed to Galena,
but was legislated out of office, when he left the
State, dying a few years later, in Essex County,
N. J. '
STONE, Horatio 0., pioneer, was horn in
Ontario (now Monroe) County, N. Y., Jan. 2,
1811 ; in boyhood learned the trade of shoemaker,
and later acted as overseer of laborers on the
Lackawanna Canal. In 1831, having located in
Wayne County, Mich., he was drafted for the
Black Hawk War, serving twenty-two days under
Gen. Jacob Brown. In January, 1835, he came
to Chicago and, having made a fortunate specu-
lation in real estate in that early day, a few
months later entered upon the grocery and pro-
vision trade, which he afterwards extended to
grain ; finally giving his chief attention to real
estate, in which he was remarkably successful,
leaving a large fortvme at his death, which
occurred in Chicago, June 20, 1877.
STONE, (Rev.) Luther, Baptist clergyman,
was born in the town of Oxford, Worcester
County, Mass., Sept. 26, 1815, and spent his boy-
hood on a farm. After acquiring a common
school education, he prepared for college at Lei-
cester Academy, and, in 1835, entered Brown
University, graduating in the class of 1839. He
then spent three years at the Theological Insti-
tute at Newton, Mass. ; was ordained to the
ministry at Oxford, in 1843, but, coming west the
next year, entered upon evangelical work in
Rcrpk^ Island, Davenport, Burlington and neigh-
• boring .towiis. Later, he was pastor of the First
Baptist Church at Rockford, 111. In 1847 Mr.
Stone came to Chicago and established "The
Watchman of the Prairies," which survives to-
day under the name of "The Standard," and has
become the leading Baptist organ in the West.
After six years of editorial work, he took up
evangelistic work in Chicago, among the poor
and criminal classes. During the Civil War he
conducted religious services at Camp Douglas,
Soldiers' Rest and the Marine Hospital. He was
associated in the conduct and promotion of many
educational and charitable institutions. He did
much for the First Baptist Church of Chicago,
and, during the latter years of his life, was
attached to the Iinmanuel Baptist Church,
which he labored to establish. Died, in July,
1890.
STONE, Melville E., journalist, banker. Man-
ager ot Associated Press, born at Hudson, 111.,
August 18, 1848. Coming to Chicago in 1860, he
graduated from the local high school in 1867,
and, in 1870, acquired the sole proprietorship of
a foundry and machine shop. Finding him.self
without resources after the great fire of 1871, he
embarked in journalism, rising, tluough the suc-
cessive grades of reporter, city editor, assistant
editor and Washington correspondent, to the
position of editor-in-chief of his own journal.
510
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
He was connected with various Chicago dailies
between 1871 and 1875, and, on Christmas Day
of the latter year, issued the first number of "The
Chicago Daily News." He gradually disposed of
his interest in this journal, entirely severing
his connection therewith in 1888. Since that
date he has been engaged in banking in the city
of Chicago, and is also General Manager of the
Associated Press.
STONE, Samuel, philanthropist, was born at
Chesterfield, Mass., Deo. 0, 1798; left an orphan
at seven years of age, after a short term in Lei-
cester Academy, and several years in a wholesale
store in Boston, at the age of 19 removed to
Rochester, X. Y., to take charge of interests in
the "Holland Purchase," belonging to his father's
estate ; in 1843-49, was a resident of [Detroit and
interested in some of the early railroad enter-
prises centering there, but the latter year re-
moved to Milwaukee, being there associated with
Ezra Cornell in telegraph construction. In 1859
he became a citizen of Chicago, where he was
one of the founders of the Chicago Historical
Society, and a liberal patron of many enterprises
of a public and benevolent character. Died, May
4, 1876.
STOCKTON, a village of Jo Daviess County, on
the CliicagoXireat Western R.R. Pop. (1910), 1,096.
STOXINGTOX, a village of Christian County;
on the Wabash Railroad in a farming and coal
mining district. Pop. (1910), 1,118.
STOREY, Wilbur F., journalist and news-
paper publisher, was born at Salisbury, Vt. , Dec.
19, 1819. He began to learn the printer's trade
at 12, and, before he was 19, was part owner of a
Democratic paper called "The Herald," published
at La Porte, Ind. Later, he either edited or con-
trolled journals published at Mishawaka, Ind.,
and Jackson and Detroit, Mich. In January,
18G1, he became the principal owner of "The
Chicago Times," then the leading Democratic
organ of Chica.go. His paper soon came to be
regarded as the organ of the anti-war party
througliout the Northwest, and, in June, 18G3,
was suppressed by a military order issued by
General Burnside, which was subsequently
revoked by President Lincoln. The net result
was an increase in "The Times' " notoriety and
circulation. Other charges, of an equally grave
nature, relating to its sources of income, its char-
acter as a family newspaper, etc., were repeatedly
made, but to all these Mr. Storey turned a deaf
ear. He lost heavily in the fire of 1871, but, in
1872, appeared as the editor of "Tlie Times,"
then destitute of political ties About 187G his
health began to decline. Medical aid failed to
afford relief, and, in August, 1884, he was ad-
judged to be of unsound mind, and his estate was
placed in the hands of a conservator. On the
27th of the following October (1884), he died at
his home in Chicago.
STORKS, Emery Alexander, lawyer, was born
at Hinsilale, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., August
12, 1835; began the study of law with his father,
later pursued a legal course at Buffalo, and, in
1853, was admitted to the bar ; spent two years
(1857-59) in New York City, the latter year re-
moving to Chicago, where he attained great
prominence as an advocate at the bar, as well as
an orator on other occasions. Politically a
Republican, he took an active part in Presidential
campaigns, being a delegate-at-large from Illinois
to the National Republican Conventions of 1868,
'72, and '80, and serving as one of the Vice-Presi-
dents in 1872. Erratic in habits and a master of
epigram and repartee, manj' of his speeches are
quoted with relish and appreciation by those who
were his contemporaries at the Chicago bar.
Died suddenly, while in attendance on the Su-
preme Court at Ottawa, Sept. 12, 1885.
STRAWX, Jacob, agriculturist and stock-
dealer, born in Somerset Countj-, Pa., May 30,
1800 ; removed to Licking County, Ohio, in 1817,
and to Illinois, in 1831, settling four miles south-
west of Jacksonville. He was one of the first to
demonstrate the possibilities of Illinois as a live-
stock state. Unpretentious and despising mere
show, he illustrated the virtues of industry, fru-
gality and honesty. At his death — which occurred
.\ugust 23, 1S65 — he left an estate estimated in
value at about 81,000,000, acquired by industry
and business enterprise. He was a zealous
Unionist during the war, at one time contributing
SlO,(JOO to the Christian Commission.
STREATOR, a city (laid out in 1868 and incor-
porated in 1882) in the southern part of La Salle
County, 93 miles southwest of Chicago; situated
on the Vermilion River and a central point for
five railroads. It is surrounded by a rich agri-
cultural country, and is underlaid by coal seams
(two of which are worked) and by shale and
various clay products of value, adapted to the
manufacture of fire and building-brick, drain-
pipe, etc. The city is thoroughly modern, having
gas, electric hghting, street railways, water-
works, a good fire-department, and a large, im-
proved public park. Churches and schools are
numerous, as are also fine public and i^rivate
buildings. One of the chief industries is the
manufacture of glass, including rolled-plate,
HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
511
window-glass, flint ami Bohemian ware and glass
bottles. Other successful industries are foundries
and machine shops, flour mills, and clay working
establishments. There are several banks, and
three daily and weekly papers are published here.
The estimated property valuation, in 1884, was
Sr3,0()O,000. Streator boasts some handsome
public buildings, especially the Government post-
office and the Carnegie public library building,
both of which have been erected within tlie past
few years. Pop. (1890), 11,-114; (1910), 14,2.53.
STREET, Joseph M., pioneer and early politi-
cian, settled at Shawneetown about 1812, coming
from Kentucky, though believed to have been a
native of Eastern Virginia. In 1827 he was a
Brigadier-General of militia, and appears to have
been prominent in the affairs of that section of
the State. His correspondence with Governor
Edwards, about this time, shows him to have been
a man of far more than ordinary education, with
a good opinion of his merits and capaljilities. He
was a most i^ersistent applicant for office, making
urgent appeals to Governor Edwards, Henry Clay
and other politicians in Kentucky, Virginia and
Washington, on the ground of his poverty and
large family. In 1827 he received the offer of
the clerkship of the new county of Peoria, but,
on visiting that region, was disgusted with the
prospect; returning to Shawneetown, bought a
farm in Sangamon County, but, before the close
of the year, was appointed Indian Agent at
Prairie du Chien. This was during the difficul-
ties with the Winnebago Indians, upon which he
made voluminous reports to the Secretary of
War. Mr. Street was a son-in-law of Gen.
Thomas Posey, a Revolutionary soldier, who was
prominent in the early history of Indiana and its
last Territorial Governor. (.See Posey, (Gen.)
Thdtnan.)
STREETER, Alson J., farmer and politician,
was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1823;
at the age of two years accompanied his father to
Illinois, the family settling at Dixon, Lee County,
He attended Knox College for three years, and,
in 1849, went to California, where he spent two
years in gold mining. Returning to Illinois, he
purchased a farm of 240 acres near New Windsor,
Mercer County, to which he has since added sev-
eral thou.sand acres. In 1872 he was elected to
the lower house of the Twenty-eighth General
Assembly as a Democrat, but, in 1873, allied him-
self with the Greenback party, whose candidate
for Congress he was in 1878, ami for Governor in
1880, when he received nearly 3,000 votes more
tlian his party's Presidential nominee, in Illinois.
In 1884 he was elected State Senator by a coali-
tion of Greenbackers and Democrats in the
Twenty-fourth Senatorial District, but acted as
an independent during his term. Died Nov. 24, 1901.
STROXO, William Emerson, soldier, was born
at Granville, N. Y., in 1840; from 13 years of age,
spent his early life in Wisconsin, studied law and
was admitted to the bar at Racine in 1861. The
same 3'ear he enlisted under the first call for
troops, took part, as Captain of a Wisconsin Com-
pan}', in the first battle of Bull Run; was
afterwards promoted and assigned to duty as
Inspector-General in the West, participated in
the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, being
finally advanced to the rank of Brigadier-Gen-
eral. After some fifteen months spent in the
position of Inspector-General of the Freedmen's
Bureau (186.)-()C), he located in Chicago, and
became connected with several important busi-
ness enterprises, besides assisting, as an officer on
the stafif of Governor CuUom, in tlie organization
of the Illinois National Guard. He was elected
on the first Board of Directors of the World's
Columbian Exposition, and, while making a tour
of Europe in the interest of that enterprise, died,
at Florence, Italy, April 10, 1891.
STUART, John Todd, lawyer and Congress-
man, born near Lexington, Ky., Nov. 10, 1807 —
the son of Robert Stuart, a Presbyterian minister
and Professor of Languages in Transylvania
University, and related, on the maternal side, to
the Todd family, of whom Mrs. Abraham Lincoln
was a member. He graduated at Centre College,
Danville, in 1826, and, after studying law, re-
moved to Springfield, 111., in 1828, and began
practice. In 1832 he was elected Representative
in the General Assembl}', re-elected in 1834, and,
in 1836, defeated, as the Whig candidate for Con-
gress, by Wm. L. May, though elected, two years
later, over Stephen A. Douglas, and again in 1840.
In 1837, Abraham Lincoln, who had been
studying law under Mr. Stuart's advice and
instruction, became his partner, the relation-
ship continuing until 1841. lie served in the
State Senate, 1849-.")3, was the Bell-Everett
candidate for Governor in 1860, and was
elected to Congress, as a Democrat, for a third
time, in 1862, but, in 1864, was defeateil by
Shell)y M. Cullom, his former pupil. During the
latter years of his life, Mr Stuart was head of the
law firm of Stuart, Edwards & Brown. Died, at
Springfield, Nov. 28, 1885.
STURGES, Solomon, merchant and banker,
was born at Fairfield, Conn., April 21, 1796, early
manifested a passion for the sea and in 1810,
512
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
made a voyage, on a vessel of which his brother
was captain, from New York to Georgetown,
D. C, intending to continue it to Lisbon. At
Georgetown lie was induced to accept a position
as clerk with a Mr. Williams, where he was
associated with two otlier youtlis, as fellow-em-
ployes, who became eminent bankers and
capitalists— W. W. Corcoran, afterwards the
well-known banker of Washington, and George
W. Peabody, who had a successful banking career
in England, and won a name as one of the most
liberal and public-spirited of pliilanthropists.
During tlie War of 1812 young Sturges joined a
volunteer infantry company, where he had, for
comrades, George W. Peabody and Francis S.Key,
tlie latter author of the popular national song,
"The Star Spangled Banner." In 1814 Mr.
Sturges accepted a clerkship in the store of his
brother-in-law, Ebenezer Buckingham, at Put-
nam, Muskingum County, Ohio, two years later
becoming a partner in the concern, where he
developed that business capacity which laid tlie
foundation for his future wealth. Before steam-
ers navigated tlie waters of the Ohio and Missis-
sippi Rivers, he piloted flat-boats, loaded with
produce and merchandise, to New Orleans, return-
ing overland. During one of his vi.sits to that
city, he witnessed the arrival of the "Washing-
ton," the first steamer to descend tlie Mississippi,
as. in 1817, he saw the arrival of the "Walk in-
the- Water" at Detroit, the first steamer to arrive
from Buffalo — the occasion of his visit to Detroit
being to carry funds to General Cass to jiay off
the United States troops. About 1849 he was
associated witli the construction of the Wabash
& Erie Canal, from the Ohio River to Terre Haute,
Ind., advancing money for the prosecution of the
work, for which was reimbursed by the State. In
1854 he came to Cliicago, and, in partnership
with his brothers-in-law, C. P. and Alvah Buck-
ingham, erected the first large grain-elevator in
tliat city, on laud leased from the Illinois Central
Railroad Company, following it, two jears later,
by another of equal capacity. For a time, sub-
stantially all the grain coming into Chicago, by
railroad, passed into these elevators. In 18.57 he
established the private banking house of Solomon
Sturges & Sons, which, shortly after his death,
under the management of his son, George Stur-
ges, became the Northwestern National Bank of
Chicago. He was intensely patriotic and, on tlie
breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, used
of his means freely in support of the Govern-
ment, equipping the Sturges Rifles, an independ-
ent company, at a cost of §30,000. He was also a
subscriber to the first loan made l)y the Govern-
ment, during this period, taking §100,000 in
Government bonds. While devoted to his busi-
ness, he was a hater of shams and corruption, and
contributed freely to Christian and benevolent
enterprises. Died, at the iiome of a daughter, at
Zanesville, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1864, leaving a large
fortune acquired by legitimate trade.
STURTETANT, Julian Munson, D.D., LL.D.,
clergyman and educator, was born at Warren,
Litclifield County, Conn., July 26, 1805; spent his
youth in Summit County, Ohio, meanwhile pre-
paring for college; in 1822, entered Yale College
as the classmate of the celebrated EUzur Wright,
graduating in 1826. After two years as Princi-
pal of an academy at Canaan, Conn. , lie entered
Yale Divinity School, graduating there in 1829;
tlieu came west, and, after spending a year in
superintending the erection of buildings, in De-
cember, 1830, as sole tutor, began instruction to a,
class of nine pupils in what is now Illinois Col-
lege, at Jacksonville. Having been joined, the
following year, by Dr. Edward Beecher as Presi-
dent, Mr. Sturtevant assumed the chair of Mathe-
matics, Natural Philosopliy and Astronomy,
wliicli he retained until 1844, • when, by the
retirement of Dr. Beecher, he succeeded to the
offices of President and Professor of Intellectual
and Moral Philosophy. Here he labored, inces-
santly and unselfishly, as a teacher during term
time, and, as financial agent during vacations,
in the interest of the institution of which he had
been one of the chief founders, serving until 1876,
when he resigned tlie Presidency, giving his
attention, for the next ten years, to the duties of
Professor of Mental Science and Science of Gov-
ernment, which he had discharged from 1870.
In 1886 he retired from the institution entirely,
having given to its service fifty-six years of his
life. In 1863, Dr. Sturtevant vieited Europe in
the interest of the Union cause, delivering effec-
tive addresses at a number of points in England.
He was a frequent contributor to the weekly
religious and periodical press, and was tlie author
of '"Economics, or the Science of Wealth" (1876)
— a text-book on political economy, and "Keys
of Sect, or the Church of the New Testament"
(1879), besides frequently occupying the pulpits
of local and distant churches — having been early
ordained a Congregational minister. He received
the degree of D.D. from the University of Mis-
souri and that of LL.D. from Iowa University.
Died, in Jacksonville, Feb. 11, 1886.— Julian M.
(Sturtevant), Jr., son of the preceding, was born
at Jacksonville, 111.. Feb. 2, 1834; fitted for col-
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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
513
lege in the preparatory department of Illinois
College and graduated from the college (proper)
in 1854. After leaving college he served as
teacher in the Jacksonville public schools one
year, then spent a year as tutor in Illinois Col-
lege, when he began the study of theology at
Andover Theological Seminary, graduating there
in 1859, meanwhile having discharged the duties
of Cliaplain of the Connecticut State's prison in
1858. He was ordained a minister of the Con-
gregational Church at Hannibal, Mo., in 1860,
remaining as pastor in that city nine years. He
has since been engaged in pastoral work in New
York City (1869-70), Ottawa, 111., (1870-73) ; Den-
ver, Colo., (1873-77); Grinnell, Iowa, (1877-84);
Cleveland, Ohio, (1884-90); Galesburg, 111.,
(1890-93), and Aurora, (1893-97). Since leaving
the Congregational church at Aurora, Dr. Sturte-
vant has been engaged in pastoral work in Chi-
cago. He was also editor of "The Congrega-
tionalist" of Iowa (1881-84), and, at different
periods, has served as Trustee of Colorado,
Marietta and Knox Colleges; being still an
honored member of the Knox College Board.
He received the degree of D.D from Illinois
College, in 1879.
STROA'OHUKST, a ^^llage of Henderson County
on the A., T. & S. F. R. R. ; in rich agricultui'al dis-
trict; has a bank and weekly paper. Pop. (1910), 762.
SUFFRAGE, in general, the right or privilege
of voting. The qualifications of electors (or
Voters), in the choice of public officers in Illinois,
are fixed by the State Constitution (Art. VII.),
except as to school officers, which are prescribed
by law. Under the State Constitution the exer-
cise of the right to vote is limited to persons who
were electors at the time of the adoption of the
Constitution of 1848, or who are native or natu-
ralized male citizens of the United States, of the
age of 21 years or over, who liave been residents
of the State one year, of the county ninety days,
and of the district (or precinct) in which they
offer to vote, 30 days. Under an act passed in
1891. women, of 31 years of age and upwards, are
entitled to vote for school officers, and are also
eligible to such offices under the same conditions,
as to age and residence, as male citizens. (See
Elections; Australian Ballot.)
SULLIVAN, a city and county-seat of Moultrie
County, 25 miles southea.st of Decatur and 14
miles northwest of Mattoon ; is on three lines of
railway. It is in an agricultural and stock-rais-
ing region; contains two State banks, flour and pliin-
ing mills and three weekly newspapers. Pop.
(1890), 1,468; (1900), 2,399; (1910), 2,621.
SULLIYAN, William K., journalist, was born
at Waterford, Ireland, Nov. 10, 1843; educated at
the Waterford Model School and in Dublin ; came
to the United States in 1863, and, after teaching
for a time in Kane County, in 1864 enlisted in the
One Hundred and Forty-first Regiment Illinois
Volunteers. Then, after a brief season spent in
teaching and on a visit to his native land, he
began work as a repoiter on New York papers,
later being employed on "The Chicago Tribune"
and "The Evening Journal," on the latter, at
different times, holding the position of city edi-
tor, managing editor and correspondent. He
was also a Representative from Cook County in
tlie Twenty-seventh General Assembly, for three
years a member of the Chicago Board of Edu-
cation, and appointed United States Consul to the
Bermudas by President Harrison, resigning in
1893. Died, in Chicago, January 17, 1899.
SULLIVAJfT, Michael Lucas, agriculturist,
was born at Franklinton (a suburb of Columbus,
Ohio), August 6, 1807; was educated at Ohio
University and Centre College, Ky., and — after
being engaged in the improvement of an immense
tract of land iulierited from his father near his
birth-place, devoting much attention, meanwhile,
to the raising of improved stock — in 1854 sold his
Oliio lands and bought 80,000 acres, chiefly in
Champaign and Piatt Counties, 111,, where he
began fariuing on a larger scale tlian before. The
enterprise proved a financial failure, and he was
finally compelled to sell a considerable portion of
his estate in Champaign County, known as Broad
Lands, to John T. Alexander (see Alexander,
John T.), retiring to a farm of 40,000 acres at
Burr Oaks, 111. He died, at Henderson, Ky., Jan.
29, 1879.
SUMMIT, a village m Cook County on the
Chicago & .\lton Railroad. 11 miles southwest of
Cliicago, in a farming and popular residence dis-
trict. Pop. (1910), 949.
SUMNER, a city of Lawrence County, on the
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 19 miles
west of Vincennes, Ind. : has a fine school house,
four churches, two banks, two Hour mills, tele-
phones, and one weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890),
1,037; (1900), 1,268; (191(1), l,4l:i.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUKLIC INSTRUC-
TION. The office of State Superintendent of
Public Instruction was created by act of the
Legislature, at a special session held in 1854, its
duties jirevious to that time, from 1845, having
been discharged by the Secretary of State as
Superintendent, ex-officio. The following is a list
of the incumbents from the date of the formaj
614
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
creation of tho office down to tlie present time
(1911), with the date and duration of term of
eacli Niiiiau W. Edwards (by appointment of
the Governor), 1854-07; William H. Powell (by
election), 1857-59; Newton Bateman, 1859-63;
John P. Brooks, 1863-65; Newton Bateman,
18G5-75; Samuel W. Etter, 1875-79; James P.
Slade, 1879-83; Henry Raab, 1883-87; Richard
Edwards, 1887-91; Henry Raab, 1891-95; Samuel
M. Inglis, 1895-98; James H. Freeman, June,
1898, to January, 1899 (by appointment of the
Governor, to flU the unexpired term of Prof.
Inglis, who died in office, June 1, 1898); Alfred
Bayliss, 1899-1907; Francis G. Blair, 1907—.
Previous to 1870 the tenure of the office was
two years, but, by the Constitution adopted that
year, it was extended to four years, the elections
occurring on the even years between those for
Governor and other State officers except State
Treasurer.
SUPREME COURT, JUDGES OF THE. The
following is a list of Justices of the Supreme
Court of Illinois who have held office since the
organization of the State Government, with the
period of their respective incumbencies: Joseph
Phillips. 1818-23 (resigned); Tliomas C. Browne,
1818 48 (term expired on adoption of new Con-
stitution) ; William P. Foster, Oct. 9, 1818, to
July 7, 1819 (resigned), John Reynolds, 1818-25;
Thomas Reynolds (vice Phillijis), 1822-25; Wil-
liam Wilson (vice Foster) 1819-48 (term expired
on adoption of new Constitution) ; Samuel D
Lockwood, 1825-48 (term expired on adoption of
new Constitution) ; Theophilus W. Smith, 1825-42
(resigned); Thomas Ford, Feb. 15, 1841, to Au-
gust 1, 1842 (resigned) ; Sidney Breese, Feb. 15,
1841, to Dec. 19, 1842 (resigned)— also (by re-elec-
tions), 1857-78 Cdied in office) ; Walter B. Scates,
1841-47 (re.signed)— also (vice Trumlnill), 1854-57
(resigned); Samuel H. Treat, 1841-55 (resigned);
Stephen A. Douglas, 1841-42 (resigned); John D.
Caton (vice Ford) August, 1842, to March, 1843—
also (vice Robinson and bj' successive re-elec-
tions), May, 1843 to January, 1864 (resigned) ;
James Semple (vice Breese), Jan. 14, 1843, to
April 16, 1843 (resigned) ; Richard M. Young (vice
Sinith), 1843-47 (resigned) ; John M. Robinson
(vice Ford), Jan. 14, 1843, to April 27, 1843 (died
in office); Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., (vice Douglas),
1843-45 (resigned) — also (vice Young), 1847-48;
James Shields (vice Semple), 1843-45 (resigned) ;
Norman H. Purple (vice Tliomas), 1843-48 (retired
under Constitution of 1848) ; Gustavus Koerner
(vice Shields), 1845-48 (retired by Constitution);
William A. Denning (vice Scates), 1847-48 (re-
tired by Constitution) ; Lyman Trumbull, 1848-53
(resigned); Ozias C. Skinner (vice Treat), 1855-58
(resigned); Pinkney 11. Walker (vice Skinner).
1858-85 (deceased); Corydon Beckwith (by ap-
pointment, vice Caton), Jan. 7, 1864, to June 6,
1864; Charles B. Lawrence (one term), 1864-73;
Anthony Thornton, 1870-73 (resigned); John M.
Scott (two terms), 1870-88 ; Benjamin R. Sheldon
(two terms), 1870-88; William K. McAllister,
1870-75 (resigned) ; John Scholfield (vice Thorn-
ton), 1873 93 (died); T. Lyle Dickey (vice
McAllister), 1875-85 (died); David J. Baker (ap-
pointed, vice Bree.se), July 9, 1878, to June 2,
1879— also, 1888-97: John H. Mulkey, 1879-88;
Damon G. Tunnicliffe (appointed, vice Walker),
Feb. 15, 1885, to June 1, 1885; Simeon P. Shope,
188-5-94, Joseph .M. Bailey. 1888-95 (tlied in office),
Alfred M. Craig, 1873-1900; Jesse J. Phillips (vice
Scholfield), 189.3-1901 (deceased); Joseph N. Carter,
1S94-1903; James B. Ricks (vice-Phillips), 1901-06;
Carroll C. Bosgs, 1897-1906; Benjamin .M. Magruder,
18S.5-1906; Jacob \V. Wilkin, 1888-1907 (decea,-3ed);
Guy C. Scott, 1903-09 (deceased). The following
are the present incumbents (1911) arranged in order
of Districts, with period for which each has been
elected: .\lonzo K. Vickers; William H. Farmer,
1906-15; Frank H. Dunn (vice Wilkin), 1907-15;
George A Cooke (vice Scott), 1909-12; John P.
Hand, 1900-18; James H. Cartwright (\'ice Bailey),
1895-15: Orrin N. Carter, 1906-15. Under the
Constitution of 1818, Justices of the Supreme
Court were chosen by joint ballot of the Legis-
lature, but under the Constitutions of 1848 and
1870, by popular vote for terms of nine years
each. (See Judicial System; also sketches of
individual members of the Supreme Court under
their (iroper names )
SURVEYS, EARLY GOVERXMENT. The first
United States law passed on the subject of Gov-
ernment surveys was dated. May 20, 1785. After
reserving certain lands to be allotted by way of
pensions and to be donated for school purposes,
it provided for the division of the remaining pub-
lic lands among the original thirteen States.
This, however, was, in effect, repealed by the Ordi-
nance of 1788. The latter provided for a rectan-
gular system of surveys ■which, with but little
modification, has remained in force ever since.
Briefly outlined, the system is as follows: Town-
ships, six miles square, are laid out from principal
bases, each township containing thirty-six sec-
tions of one square mile, numbered consecutively,
the numeration to commence at the upper right
hand corner of the township. The first principal
meridian (84° 51' west of Greenwich), coincided
THE .Vi.* :. :»c
PDBLIC 'fr.^ART
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
515
with the line dividing Indiana and Ohio. The
second (1" 37' farther west) had direct relation
to surveys in Eastern Illinois. The third (89" 10'
30" west of Greenwich) and the fourth (90° 29'
56" west) governed the remainder of Illinois sur-
veys. The first Public Surveyor was Thomas
Hutchins, who was called "the geographer."
(See Hutchins, Thomas.)
SWEET, (Gen.) Benjamin J., soldier, was
born at Kirkland, Oneida County, N. Y., April
24, 1833 ; came with his father, in 1848, to Sheboy-
gan, Wis , studied law, was elected to the State
Senate in 1859, and, in 1861, enlisted in the Sixth
Wisconsin Volunteers, being commissioned Major
in 1862. Later, he resigned and, returning home,
assisted in the organization of the Twenty-first
and Twenty-second regiments, being elected
Colonel of the former; and with it taking part in
the campaign in 'Western Kentucky and Tennes-
see In 1863 he was assigned to command at
Camp Douglas, and was there on the exposure,
in November, 1864, of the conspiracy to release
the rebel prisoners. (See Camp Douglas Conspir-
acy.) The service which he rendered in the
defeat of this bold and dangerous conspiracy
evinced his courage and sagacity, and was of
inestimable value to the country. After the
war. General Sweet located at Lombard, near, ,
Chicago, was appointed Pension Agent at Chi-
cago, afterwards served as Supervisor of Internal
Revenue, and, in 18T2, became Deputy Commjs-.
sioner of Internal Revenue at Washington. Died; ■
in Washington, Jan. 1, 1874. — Miss Ada C.
(Sweet), for eight years (1874-82) the efficient
Pension Agent at Chicago, is General Sweet's
daughter.
SWEETSER, A. C, soldier and Department
Commander G. A. R., was born in Oxford County,
Maine, in 1839; came to Bloomington, 111., in
1857; enlisted at the beginning of the Civil War
in the Eighth Illinois Volunteers and, later, in the
Thirty-ninth, at the battle of Wierbottom
Church, Va , in June, 1864, was shot through
both legs, necessitating the amputation of one of
them. After the war he held several offices of
trust, including those of City Collector of Bloom-
ington and Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue
for the Springfield District; in 1887 was elected
Department Commander of the Grand Army of
the Republic for Illinois. Died, at Bloomington.
March 23, ls96.
SWETT, Leonard, lawyer, was burn near
Turner, Maine, August 11. 1825, was educated at
Waterville College (now Colby University), but
left before graduation , read law in Portland, and,
wliile seeking a location in the West, enlisted in
an Indiana regiment for the Mexican War, being
attacked by climatic fever, was discharged before
completmg his term of enlistment. He soon
after came to Bloomington, 111., where he became
the intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln and
David Davis, traveling the circuit with them for
a number of years He early became active in
State politics, was a member of the Republican
State Convention of 1856, was elected to the
lower house of the General Assembly in 1858,
and, in 1860, was a zealous supporter of Mr, Lin-
coln as a Presidential Elector for the State-at
large. In 1863 he received the Republican
nomination for Congress in his District, but was
defeated. Removing to Chicago in 1865, he
gained increased distinction as a lawyer, espe-
cially in the management of criminal cases. In
1873 he was a supporter of Horace Greeley for
President, but later returned to the Republican
party, and, in the National Republican Conven-
tion of 1888, presented the name of Judge
Gresham for nomination for the Presidency.
Died, June 8, 1889.
SWIGERT, Charles PhlUp, ex-Auditor of Pub-
lic Accounts, was born in the Province of Baden,
Germany. Nov. 27, 1843, brought by his parents
to Chicago, 111., in childhood, and, in his boy-
'ho(5d, attended the Scammou School in tliat city.
In 1804 his family removed to a farm in Kanka-
kee County, where, between the ages of 12 and
■18,*he assisted his father in "breaking" between
400 and 500 acres of prairie land. On the break-
ing out of the war, in 1861, although scarcely 18
years of age, he enlisted as a private in the Forty-
second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and, in April,
1863, was one of twenty heroic volunteers who
ran the blockade, on the gunboat Carondelet, at
Island No. 10, assisting materially in the reduc-
tion of that rebel stronghold, wliich resulted in
the capture of 7,000 prisoners At the battle of
Farraington, Miss., during tlie siege of Corinth,
in May, 1862, he had his right arm torn from its
socket by a six-pound cannon-ball, compelling his
retirement from the army. Returning home,
after many weeks spent in hospital at Jefferson
Barracks and Quincj', 111 , he received his final
discharge, Dec. 21, 1862. spent a year in school,
also took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Com-
mercial College in Chicago, and having learned
to write with his left hand, taught for a time in
Kankakee Count}' ; served as letter-carrier in Chi-
cago, and for a year as Deputy County Clerk of
Kankakee County, followed by two terms (1867-
69) as a student in the Soldiers' College at Fulton,
516
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
111. The latter year he entered upon the duties
of Treasurer of Kankakee County, serving, by
successive re-elections, until 1880, when he re-
signed to take tlie position of State Auditor, to
which he was elected a second time in 1884. In
all these positions Mr. Swigert has proved him-
self an upright, capable and high-minded public
official. During his later years his residence was in
Chicago, where ho died .June 30, 190.3.
SWING, (Rev.) Uavid, clergyman and pulpit
orator, was born of German ancestry, at Cincin-
nati, Ohio, August 33, 1836. After 1837 (his
father dying about this time), the family resided
for a time at Reedsbm'gh, and, later, on a farm
near Williamsburgh, in Clermont County, in the
same State. In 18.53, having graduated from the
Miami (Ohio) University, he commenced the
study of theology, but, in 1854, accejjted the
position of Professor of Languages in his Alma
Mater, which he continued to fill for thirteen
years. His first jiastorate was in connection with
the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Chi-
cago, which he assumed in 1860. His church
edifice was destroyed in the great Chicago fire,
but was later rebuilt. As a preacher he was
popular ; but, in April, 1874, he was placed on trial,
before an ecclesiastical court of his own denomi-
nation, on charges of heresy. He was acipiitted
by the trial court, but, before the appeal taken by
the prosecution could be heard, he personally
withdrew from affiliation with the denomination.
Shortly afterward he became pastor of an inde-
pendent religious organization known as the
"Central Church," preaching, first at McVicker's
Theatre and, afterward, at Central Music Hall,
Chicago. He was a fluent and popular speaker
on all themes, a frequent and valued contributor
to numerous magazines, as well as the author of
several volumes. Among his best known books
are "Motives of Life," "Truths for To-day," and
"Club Es.says." Died, in Chicago, Oct. 3, 1894.
SYCAMORE, the coimty-seat of De Kalb
County (founded in 1836), 56 miles west of Chi-
cago, at the intersection of the Chicago & North-
western and the Chicago Great Western Rail-
roads; lies in a region devoted to agriculture,
dairying and stock-raising. The city itself con-
tains several factories, the principal products
being agricultural implements, flour, insulated
wire, brick, tile, varnish, furniture, soap and
carriages and wagons. There are also works for
canning vegetables and fruit, besides two creamer-
ies. The town is lighted by electricity, and has
high-pressure water-works. There are several
churches, graded public schools, two weekly
papers and a young ladies' seminary. Population
(1900), 3,653; (1910), 3,926.
TAFT, Lorado, sculptor, was born at Elmwood,
Peoria County, 111, April 29, 1860; at an early
age evinced a predilection for sculpture and
began modeling; graduated at the University of
Illinois in 1880, tlien went to Paris and studied
sculptm'e in the famous Ecole des Beaux Arts
until 1885. The following year he settled in Chi
cago, finally becoming associated with the Chi-
cago Art Institute. He has been a lecturer on
art in the Chicago University. Mr. Taft fur-
nished the decorations of the Horticultural Build-
ing on the World's Fair Grounds, in 1893.
TALCOTT, Mancel, business man, was born
in Rome, N. Y., Oct. 13, 1817; attended the com-
mon schools imtil 17 years of age, when he set
out for the West, traveling on foot from Detroit
to Chicago, and thence to Park Ridge, where he
worked at farming until 1850. Then, having
fiiUowed the occupation of a miner for some time,
in Califoi'nia, with some success, he united with
Horace M. Singer in establishing the firm of
Singer & Talcott, stone-dealers, which lasted dm--
ing most of his life. He served as a member of
the Chicago City Council, on the Board of County
Commissioners, as a member of the Police Board,
and was one of the founders of the First National
Bank, and President, for several years, of the
Stock Yards National Bank. Liberal and public-
spirited, he contributed freely to works of
charity. Died, June 5, 1878.
TALCOTT, (Capt.) William, soldier of the
War of 1812 and pioneer, was born in Gilead,
Conn., March 6, 1774; emigrated to Rome, Oneida
County, N. Y., in 1810, and engaged in farming;
served as a Lieutenant in the Oneida County
militia during the War of 1812-14, being stationed
at Sackett's Harbor under the command of Gen.
Winfield Scott. In 1835, in company with his
eldest son, Thomas B. Talcott, he made an ex-
tended tour tlu'ough the West, finally selecting a
location in Illinois at the junction of Rock River
and the Pecatonica, where the town of Rockton
now stands— there being only two white families,
at that time, within the present limits of Winne-
bago County. Two years later (1837), he brought
his family to this point, with his sons took up a
considerable body of Government land and
erected two mills, to which customers came
from a long distance. In 1838 Captain Talcott
took part in the organization of the first Congre-
gational Church in that section of the State. A
zealous anti-slavery nvan, he supported James G.
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
517
Birney (the Liberty candidate for President) in
1844, continuing to act with that party until the
organization of tlie Republican party in 1856;
was deeply interested in the War for the Union,
but died before its conclusion, Sept. 2, 1864. —
Maj. Thomas B. (Talcott). oldest son of the pre-
ceding, was born at Hebron, Conn , April 17,
1806; was taken to Rome, N. Y., by liis father in
infancy, and, after reaching maturity, engaged
in mercantile business with his brother in Che-
mung County ; in 1835 accompanied his father in
a tour through the West, finally locating at
Rockton, where he engaged in agriculture. On
the organization of Winnebago County, in 1836,
he was elected one of the first County Commis-
sioners, and, in 1850, to the State Senate, serving
four years. He also held various local offices.
Died, Sept. 30, 1894.— Hon. Wait (Talcott), second
son of Capt. William Talcott, was born at He-
bron, Conn., Oct. 17, 1807, and taken to Rome,
N. Y., where he remained until his 19th year,
when he engaged in business at Booneville and,
still later, in Utica; in 1838, removed to Illinois
and joined his latiier at Rockton, finally
becoming a citizen of Rockford, where, in his
later years, he was extensively engaged in manu-
facturing, having become, in 1854, with his
brotlier Sylvester, a partner of the firm of J. H.
Manny & Co., in the manufacture of the Manny
reaper and mower. He was an original anti-
slavery man and, at one time, a Free-Soil candidate
for Congress, but became a zealous Republican
and ardent friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he
employed as an attorney in the famous suit of
McCorniick vs. the Manny Reaper Companj' for
infringement of patent. In 1854 he was elected
to the State Senate, succeeding his brother,
Thomas B. , and was the first Collector of Internal
Revenue in the Second District, appointed by Mr.
Lincoln in 1862, and continuing in oilice some
five years. Though too old for active service in
the field, during the Ci\'il War, he voluntarily
hired a substitute to take his place. Jlr. Talcott
was one of the original incorporators and Trus-
tees of Beloit College, and a founder of Rockford
Female Seminary, remaining a trustee of each
for many years. Died, June 7, 1890. — SylT.ester
(Talcott), third son of William Talcott, born at
Rome, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1810; when of ago, engaged
in mercantile business in Chemung County ; in
1837 removed, with other members of the family,
to Winnebago County, 111., where he joined his
father in the entry of Government lands and the
erection of mills, as already detailed. lie became
one of the first Justices of the Peace in Winne-
bago County, also served as Supervisor for a
number of years and, although a farmer, became
interested, in 1854, with his brother Wait,
in the Manny Reaper Company at Rockford.
He also followed the example of his brother,
just named, in furnishing a substitute for the
War of the Rebellion, though too old for service
himself Died, June 19, 1885.— Henry Walter
(Talcott), fourth son of William Talcott, was
born at Rome, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1814; came with
his father to Winnebago County, 111., in 1835, and
was connected with his father and brothers in busi-
ness. Died, Dec. 9, 1870.— Dwight Le>Yis (Tal-
cott), oldest son of Henry W^alter Talcott, born
in Winnebago County; at the age of 17 years
enlisted at Belvidere, in January, 1864, as a soldier
in the Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; served
as provost guard some two months at Fort Picker-
ing, near Memphis, and later took part in many
of the important battles of that year in Missis-
sippi and Tennessee. Having been captured at
Campbellsville, Tenn. , he was taken to Anderson-
ville, Ga., where he suffered all the horrors of
that famous prison-pen, until March, 1865, when
he was released, arriving at home a helpless
skeleton, the day after Abraham Lincoln's assas-
sination. Mr. Talcott subsequent!}' settled in
Muscatine County, Iowa.
TALLULA, a prosperous village of Menard
County, on the Jack.sonville branch of the Chi-
cago & Alton Railway, 24 miles northeast of
Jacksonville; is in the midst of a grain, coal-
mining, and stock-gi-owing region; has a local
bank and newspaper. Pop. (1900), 639; (1910). 742.
TAMAROA,a village in Perry County, situated
at the junction of tlie Illinois Central with the
Wabash, Chester ct Western Railroad, 8 miles
north of Duquoin, and 57 miles east-southeast of
Belleville. It has a bank, a newspaper office, a
large public school, five churches and two flour-
ing mills. Coal is mined here and exported in
large quantities. Pop. (1900), 853; (1910), 910.
TAMAROA Si MOUNT VERXON RAILROAD.
(See ^Vuha!ih, Clwslcr cf- Western Railroad.)
TANNER, Edward Allen, clergyman and edu-
cator, was born of New England ancestry, at
Waverly, 111., Nov. 29, 1837— being the first child
who could claim nativity there; was educated
in the local schools and at Illinois College,
graduating from the latter in 1857; spent four
years teaching in his native place and at Jack-
sonville; then accepted the Professorship of
Latin in Pacific University at Portland. Oregon,
remaining four years, when he retin-ned to bis
Alma Mater (1865), assuming there tiic chair of
518
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
Latin and Rhetoric. In 1881 he was appointed
financial agent of the latter institution, and, in
1882, its President. While in Oregon he had
been ordained a minister of the Congregational
Churcli, and, for a considerable period during
his connection witli Illinois College, officiated as
Cliaplain of the Central Hospital for the Insane
at Jacksonville, besides supplying local and
other pulpits. He labored earnestly for the
benefit of the institution under his charge, and,
during his incumbency, added materially to its
endowment and resources. Died, at Jackson-
ville, Fel). 8, isn3.
TAJTNER, John R., Governor, was born in
Warrick Countj-, Ind., April 4, 1844, and brought
to Southern Illinois in boyhood, where he grew
up on a farm in the vicinity of Carbondale,
enjoying only such educational advantages as
were afforded by the common school; in 1863, at
the age of 19, enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Illi-
nois Volunteers, serving until June, 1865, when
he was transferred to the Sixty-first, and finally
mustered out in September following. All the
male members of Governor Tanner's family were
soldiers of the late war, liis father dying in a
rebel prison at Columbus, Jliss., one of his bro-
thers sufliering the same fate from wounds at Nash-
ville, Tenn. , and another brother dying in hospital
at Pine Bluff, Ark. Only one of this patriotic
famil}', besides Governor Tanner, still survives —
5Ir. J. M. Tanner of Clay County, who left the
service with the rank of Lieutenant of the Thir-
teenth Illinois Cavalry. Returning from the
war, Mr. Tanner established liimself in business
as a farmer in Clay County, later engaging suc-
cessfully in the milling and lumber business as
the partner of his brother. The public positions
held by him, since the war, include those of
Sheriff of Clay County (1870-73), Clerk of the Cir-
cuit Court (1872-76), and State Senator (1880-83).
During the latter year he received the appoint-
ment of United States Marshal for the Southern
District of Illinois, serving until after the acces-
sion of President Cleveland in 188.5. In 1886, he
was the Republican nominee for State Treasurer
and was elected by an unusually large majority ;
in 1891 was appointed, by Governor Fifer, a
member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commis-
sion, but, in 1893, received the appointment of
Assistant United States Treasurer at Chicago,
continuing in the latter office until December,
1893. For ten years (1874-84) he was a member
of the Republican State Central Committee, re-
turning to that bodj' in 1894, when he was chosen
Chairman and conducted the campaign which
resulted in the unprecedented Republican suc-
cesses of that year. In 1896 he received the
nomination of his party for Governor, and was
elected over Gov. John P. Altgeld, his Demo-
cratic opponent, by a plurality of over 113,000.
Died after expiration of his term. May 23, 1901.
TANNER, Tazewell B., jurist, was born in
Henry County, Va., and came to Jefferson
County, 111., about 1846 or '47, at fir.st taking a
position as teacher and Superintendent of Public
Schools. Later, he was connected with "The
Jeffersonian," a Democratic paper at Mount Ver-
non, and, in 1849, went to the gold regions of
California, meeting with reasonable success as a
miner. Returning in a year or two, he was
elected Clerk of the Cii'cuit Court, and, while in
tlie discharge of his duties, prosecuted the study
of law, finally, on admission to the bar, entering
into partnership with the late Col. Thomas S.
Casey. In 1854 he was elected Representative in
the Nineteenth General Assemblj', and was in-
strumental in securing the appropriation for the
erection of a Supreme Court building at Mount
Vernon. In 1863 he served as a Delegate to the
State Constitutional Convention of that year; was
elected Circuit Judge in 1873, and. in 1877, was
assigned to duty on the Appellate bench, but, at
the expiration of his term, declined a re-election
and resumed the practice of his profession at
Mount Vernon. Died, March 25, 1880.
T.\XATION, in its legal sense, the mode of
raising revenue. In its general sense its purposes
are the support of the State and local govern-
ments, the promotion of the public good by
fostering education and works of public improve-
ment, the protection of society by the preser-
vation of order and the punishment of crime, and
the support of the heljiless and destitute. In
practice, and as prescribed by the Constitution,
the raising of revenue is required to be done "by
lev3-ing a tax by valuation, so that every person
and corporation shall pay a tax in proportion to
the value of his, her or its property — such value
to be ascertained by some person or persons, to be
elected or appointed in such manner as the Gen-
ei'al Assembly shall direct, and not otherwise."
(State Constitution, 1870 — Art. Revenue, Sec. 1.)
The person selected under the law to make this
valuation is the Assessor of the county or the
tiiwnship (in counties under township organiza-
tion), and he is required to make a return to the
County Board at its July meeting each 3-ear — the
latter having authoritj- to hear complaints of tax-
payers and adjust inequalities when found to
exist. It is made the duty of the Assessor to
JOHN M- DOLE
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
519
include in his return, as real-estate, all lands and
the buildings or other improvements erected
thereon; and, under the head of personal prop-
erty, all tangible effects, besides moneys, credits,
bonds or stocks, shares of stock of companies or
corporations, investments, annuities, franchises,
royalties, etc. Property used for school, church
or cemetery purposes, as well as public buildings
and other property belonging to the State and
General Government, municipalities, public
charities, public libraries, agricultural and scien-
tific societies, are declared exempt. Nominally,
all property subject to taxation is required to be
assessed at its cash valuation ; but, in reality, the
valuation, of late years, has been on a basis of
twenty-five to thirty-three per cent of its esti-
mated cash value. In the larger cities, however,
the valuation is often much lower than this,
while very large amounts escape assessment
altogether. The Revenue Act, passed at the
special session of the Fortieth General Assembly
(1898), requires the Assessor to make a return of
all property suliject to taxation in his district, at
its cash valuation, upon which a Board of Review
fixes a tax on the basis of twenty per cent of
such cash valuation. An abstract of the property
assessment of each county goes before the State
Board of Equalization, at its annual meeting in
August, for the purpose of comparison and equal-
izing valuations between counties, but the Board
has no power to modify the assessments of indi-
vidual tax-payers. (See State Bocnd of Equali-
zation.) This Board has exclusive power to fix
the valuation for purposes of taxation of the
capital stock or franchises of companies (except
certain specified manufacturing corporations) , in-
corporated under the State laws, together with the
"railroad track" and "rolling stock" of railroads,
and the capital stock of railroads and telegraph
lines, and to fix the distribution of the latter
between counties in which they lie. — The Consti
tution of 1848 empowered the Legislature to
impose a cajjitation tax, of not less than fifty
cents nor more than one dollar, upon each free
white male citizen entitled to the right of suf-
frage, between the ages of 21 and 60 years, but the
Constitution of 1870 grants no such power,
though it authorizes the extension of the "objects
and subjects of taxation" in accordance with tiie
principle contained in the first section of the
Revenue Artitdo. — Special assessments in cities,
for the construction of .sewers, pavements, etc.,
being local and in the form of benefits, cannot
be said to come under the head of general tax-
ation. The same is to be said of revenue derivd
from fines and penalties, which are forms of
punishment for specific offenses, and go to the
benefit of certain specified funds.
TAYLOR, Abner, ex-Congressman, was a native
of Jlainc, and a resident of Chicago. He had been
in active business all liis life as contractor, builder
and merchant, and, for some time, a member of
the wholesale dry-goocls firm of J. V. Farwell &
Co., of Chicago. He was a member of the Thirty-
fourth General Assembly, a delegate to the
National Republican Convention of 1884, and
represented the First Illinois District in the Fifty-
first and Fifty-second Congresses, 1889 to 1893.
He was one of the contractors for the erection of
the new State Capitol of Texas. Died Ai.ril 1.3, 1903.
T.IYLOR, Benjamin Fninklin, journalist, poet
and lecturer, was born at Lowville, N. Y , July
19, 1819; graduated at Madison University in
1839, the next year becoming literary and dra-
matic critic of "The Chicago Evening Journal"
Here, in a few years, he acquired a wide reputa-
tion as a journalist and poet, and was much in
demand as a lecturer on literary topics. His
letters from tlie field during the Rebellion, as
war correspondent of "The Evening Journal,"
won for him even a greater popularity, and were
complimented by translation into more than one
European language. After the war, lie gave his
attention niore unre.servedl}- to literature, his
principal works appearing after that date. His
jniblioations in book form, including both prose
and poetrj', comprise the following "Attractions
of Language" (1845); "January and June"
(18.53); "Pictures in Camp and Field" (1871),
"The World on Wheels" (1873); "Old Time Pic-
tures and Slieaves of Rhyme" (1874). "Songs of
Yesterday" (1877); "Summer Savory Gleaned
from Rural Nooks" (1879); "Between the Gates"
—pictures of California lite — (1881); "Dulce
Domum, the Burden of Song" (1884), and "Theo-
philus Trent, or Old Times in the Oak Openings,"
a novel (1887). The last was in the hands of the
puljlishers at his death, Feb. 27, 1887. Among
his most popular poems are "The Isle of the Long
Ago," "The Old Village Choir," and "Rhymes of
the River." "Tlie London Times" complimented
Mr. Taylor with the title of "The Oliver Gold-
smith of America."
TAYLOR, Etlmund Dick, early Indian-trader
and legislator, was born at Fairfield C. H., Va.,
Oct. 18, 1802 — the son of a commissary in the
army of the Revolution, under General Greene,
and a cousin of General (later, President) Zachary
Taylor; left his native State in his yoiith and. at
an early day, came to Springfield. 111., where he
520
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
opened an Indian-trading post and general store ;
was elected from Sangamon County to the lower
branch of the Seventli General Assembly (1830)
and re-elected in 1832 — the latter year being a
competitor of Abraham Lincoln, whom he
defeated. In 1834 he was elected to the State
Senate and, at the next session of the Legislature,
was one of the celebrated "Long Nine" who
secured the removal of the State Capital to
Springfield. He resigned before the close of his
term to accept, from President Jackson, the ap-
pointment of Receiver of Public Jloneys at Chi-
cago. Here he became one of the promoters of
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (1837),
serving as one of the Commissioners to secure
subscriptions of stock, and was also active in
advocating the construction of the Illinois &
Michigan Canal. The title of "Colonel," by
which he was known during most of liis life, was
acquired by service, with that rank, on the staff
of Gov. John Reynolds, during the Black Hawk
War of 1832. After coming to Chicago, Colonel
Taylor became one of the Trustees of the Chicago
branch of the State Bank, and was later identified
with various banking enterprises, as also a some-
what extensive operator in real estate. An active
Democrat in the early part of his career in Illi-
nois, Colonel Taylor was one of the members of
his party to take ground against the Kansas-Neb
raska bill in 1854, and advocated the election of
General Bissell to tlie governorship in 18.56, In
1860 he was again in line with his party in sup-
port of Senator Douglas foi the Presidency, and
was an opponent of the war policy of the Govern-
ment still later, as shown by his participation in
the celebrated "Peace Convention" at Spring-
field, of June 17, 1863. In the latter years of his
life he became extensively interested in coal
lands in La Salle and adjoining counties, and,
for a considerable time, served as President of the
Northern Illinois Coal & Mining Company, his
home, during a part of this period, being at
Mendota. Died, in Chicago, Dec. 4, 1891.
TAYLORVILLE, a city and county-seat of
Christian County, on the South Fork of the Sanga-
mon River and on the Wabash Railway at its
point of intersection with the Springfield Division
of tlie Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern. It is
about 27 miles southeast of Springfield, and
28 miles southwest of Decatur. It lias several
banks, flovu- mills, paper mill, electric light and
gas plants, water-works, two coal mines, carriage
and wagon shops, a manufactory of farming
implements, two daily and weekly papers, nine
churches and five graded and township high
schools. Much coal is mined in this vicinity.
Pop. (1890), 2,839; (1900), 4,248; (1910), .5,446.
TAZEWELL COUNTY, a central county on
the Illinois River; was first settled in 1823 and
organized in 1827; has an area of 650 square miles
— was named for Governor Tazewell of Virginia.
It is drained by the Illinois and Mackinaw Rivers
and traversed by several lines of railway. The
surface is generally level, the soil alluvial and
rich, but, requiring drainage, especially on the
river bottoms. Gravel, coal and sandstone are
found, but, generally speaking. Tazewell is an
agricultural county. The cereals are extensively
cultivated; wool is also clipped, and there are
dairy interests of some importance. Di.stilling is
extensively conducted at Pekin. the county-seat,
which is also the seat of other mechanical indus-
tries. (See also Pekin.) Population of the
county (1890), 29..i.5fi: (1900), 33,221; (1910). 34,027
TEMPLE, John Taylor, M.D., early Chicago
physician, born in Virginia in 1804. graduated in
medicine at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1830, and,
in 1833, arrived in Chicago. At this time he had
a contract for carrying the United States mail
from Chicago to Fort Howard, near Green Bay,
and the following year undertook a similar con-
tract between Chicago and Ottawa. Having sold
these out three years later, he devoted his atten-
tion to the practice of his profession, though
interested, for a time, in contracts for the con-
struction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Dr.
Temple was instrumental in erecting the first
house (after Rev. Jesse Walker's missionary
station at Wolf Point), for public religious
worship in Chicago, and, although himself a
Baptist, it was used in common by Protestant
denominations. He was a member of the first
Board of Trustees of Rush Medical College,
though he later became a convert to homeopathy,
and finally, removing to St. Louis, assisted in
founding the St. Louis School of Homeopathy,
dying there, Feb. 24. 1877.
TENURE OF OFFICE. (See Elections.)
TERKE HAUTE, ALTON & ST. LOUIS
RAILROAD. (See St. Louis, Alton & Terre
Haute Railroad.)
TERRE HAUTE & ALTON RAILROAD (See
St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad.)
TERRE HAUTE & INDIANAPOLIS RAIL-
ROAD, a corporation operating no line of its own
within the State, but the lessee and operator of
the following lines (which see): St. Louis,
Vandalia & Terre Haute, 158.3 miles; Terre
Haute & Peoria, 145.12 miles; East St. Louis
& Carondelet, 12.74 miles — total length of leased
UANE M=DOLE
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
521
lines in Illinois, 316. IG miles. The Terra Haute
& Indianapolis Railroad was iueorporated in
Indiana in 1847, as the Terre Haute & Rich-
mond, completed a line between the points
named in the title, in 18.52, and took its present
name in 186(). The Pennsylvania Railroad Com-
pany purchased a controlling interest in its stock
in 1893.
TERRE HAUTE A. PEORIA RAILROAD,
(Vandalia Line), a line of road extending from
Terre Haute. Ind., to Peoria, 111., 14,5.13 miles,
with 28.78 miles of trackage, making in all 173.9
miles in operation, all being in Illinois— operated
by the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Com-
pany. The gauge is standard, and the rails are
steel. (History. ) It was organized Feb. 7, 1887,
successor to the Illinois Midland Railroad. The
latter was made up by the consolidation (Nov, 4,
1874) of three lines: (1) The Peoria, Atlanta &
Decatur Railroad, chartered in 1809 and opened in
1874; (2) the Paris & Decatur Railroad, chartered
in 1861 and opened in December, 1872 ; and (3) the
Paris & Terre Haute Railroad, chartered in 1873
and opened in 1874 — the consolidated lines
assuming the name of the Illinois Midland Rail-
road. In 1886 the Illinois Jlidland was sold under
foreclosure and, in February, 1887, reorganized
as the Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad. In 1892 .
it was leased for niuetj'-nine years to the Terre '
Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company, and is
operated as a part of the "Vandalia System."
The capital stock (1898) was §3,764,200; funded
debt, S2,280,000,total capital invested, .$6,227,481.
TEUTOPOLIS, a village of Effingham County,
on the Vandalia Railroatl line, four miles east of
EfSngham, is a strictly agricultural region and
was originally settleil by a colony of Germans
from Cincinnati. Population (1900), 498; (1910),
592.
THOMAS, Horace H., lawyer and legislator,
was born in Vermont, Deo. 18, 1831, graduated at
Middlebury College, and, after admission to tlie
bar, removed to Chicago, where he commenced
practice. At the outbreak of the rebellion he
enlisted and was commissioned Assistant Adju-
tant-General of the Army of the Ohio. At the
close of the war he took up his lesidence in Ten-
nessee, serving as Quartermaster upon the staff
of Governor Brownlow. In 1867 he returned to
Chicago and resumed practice. He was elected
a Representative in the Legislature in 1878 and
re-elected in 1880, being cho.sen Speaker of the
House during his latter term. In 1888 he was
elected State Senator from the Sixth District,
serving during the sessions of the Thirty-sixth
and Thirty-seventh General Assemblies. In
1897, General Thomas was appointed United
States Appraiser in connection with the Custom
House in Chicago. Died March 17, 1904.
THOMAS, Jesse Burgess, jurist and United
States Senator, was born at Hagerstown, Md.,
claiming direct descent from Lord Baltimore.
Taken west in childhood, he grew to manhood
and settled at Lawrenceljurg, Indiana Territory,
in 1803 ; in 1805 was Speaker of the Territorial
Legislature and, later, represented the Territory
as Delegate in Congress. On the organization of
Illinois Territory (which he had favored), he
removed to Kaskaskia, was appointed one of the
first Judges for the new Territory, and, in 1818,
as Delegate from St. Clair County, presided over
the first State Constitutional Convention, and, on
the admission of the State, became one of the
first United States Senators — Governor Edwards
being his colleague. Though an avowed advo-
cate of slavery, he gained no little prominence
as the author of the celebrated "Missouri Com-
promise," adopted in 1820. He was re-elected to
the Senate in 1823, serving until 1829. He sub-
sequently removed to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where
he died by suicide. May 4, 1853. — Jesse Burgess
^Thomas-). Jr., nephew of the United States Sena-
tor of the same name, was born at Lebanon, Ohio,
Jilly 31, 1806, was educated at Transylvania
University, and, being admitted to the bar,
located at Edwa.rdsville, 111. He first appeared
in connection with public affairs as Secretary of
the State Senate in 1830, being re-elected in 1833 ;
in 1834 was elected Repre.sentative in the General
A.ssembly from Madison County, but, in Febru-
ary following, was appointed Attorney-General,
serving onlj' one year. He afterwards held the
position of Circuit Judge (1837-39), his home being
then in Springfield; in 1843 he became As.stn-i-
ate Justice of the Supreme Court, by appointment
of the Governor, as successor to Stephen A. Doug-
las, and was afterwards elected to the same
office by the Legislature, remaining until 1848.
During a part of his professional career he was
the partner of David Prickett and William L.
May, at Springfield, and afterwards a member of
the Galena bar, finally removing to Chicago,
where he died, Feb. 21, 1850.— Jesse B. (Thomas)
third, clergyman and son of the last named; born
at Edwardsville, III., July 29, 1832; educated at
Kenyon College, Ohio, and Rochester (N. V.)
Theological Seminary; practiced law for a lime
in Chicago, but finally entered the Baptist minis-
try, serving churches at AVaukegan. 111., Brook-
lyn, N. Y., and San Francisco (1862-69). He
522
HISTORICAL ENX^YCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
then became pastor of the Michigan Avenue Bap-
tist Clmrch, in Chicago, remaining until 1874,
when he returned to Brooklyn. In 1887 he
became Profe.ssor of I5iblical History in the
Theological Seminary at Newton, Mass., where he
has since resided. He is the author of several
volumes, and, in 1806, received the degree of D.D.
from the old University of Chicago.
THOMAS, John, pioneer and soldier of the
Black Hawk War, was born in Wythe County,
Va., Jan. 11, 1800. At the age of 18 he accom-
pauietl his parents to St. Clair County, 111., where
the family located in what was then called the
Alexander settlement, near the present site of
Shiloh When he was 22 he rented a farm
(although he had not enough money to buy a
horse) and married. Six years later he bought
and stocked a farm, and, from that time forward,
ra])idly accumulated real property, until he
became one of the most extensive owners of farm-
ing land in St. Clair County. In early life he
was fond of military exercise, holding various
offices in local organizations and serving as a
Colonel in the Black Hawk War. In 1824 he was
one of the leaders of the party opposed to the
amendment of the State Constitution to sanction
slavery, was a zealous opponent of the Kansas-
Nebra,ska bill in 1854, and a firm supporter of the
Republican party from the date of its formation.
He was elected to the lower house of the General
Assembly in 1838, '62, "64, "72 and '74; and to the
State Senate in 1878, serving four j'ears in the
latter body. Died, at Belleville, Dec. 16, 1894, in
the 9.5th year of his age.
THOMAS, John R., ex-Congressman, was born
at Mount Vernon, 111., Oct. 11, 1846. He served
in the Union Army during the War of the Rebel-
lion, rising from the ranks to a captaincy. After
his return home he studied law, and was admit-
ted to the bar in 18G9. From 1872 to 1876 he was
State's Attorney, and, from 1879 to 1889, repre-
sented his District in Congress. In 1897, Mr.
Thomas was appointed by President McKinley
an additional United States District Judge for
Indian Territory. Ilis home is now at Vanita,
in that Territory.
THOMAS, William, pioneer lawyer and legis-
lator, was born in what is now Allen County,
Ky., Nov. 22, 1802; received a rudimentar}- edu-
cation, and served as deputy of his father (who
was Sheriff), and afterwards of the County Clerk ;
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1823;
in 1826 removed to Jacksonville, 111., where he
taught school, served as a private in the Winne-
bago War (1827), and at the session of 1828-29,
reported the proceedings of the General Assem-
bly for ''The Vandalia Intelligencer" ; was State's
Attorney and School Commissioner of Morgan
Count)' ; served as Quartermaster and Commis-
sary in the Black Hawk War (1831-32), first under
Gen. Joseph Duncan and, a year later, under
General Whiteside ; in 1839 was appointed Circuit
Judge, but legislated out of office two years later.
It was as a member of the Legislature, however,
that he gained the greatest prominence, first as
State Senator in 1834-40, and Representative in
1846-48 and 1850-52, when he was especially influ-
ential in the legislation which resulted in estab-
lishing the institutions for the Deaf and Dumb
and the Blind, and the Hospital for the Insane
(the first in the State) at Jacksonville — serving,
for a time, as a member of the Board of Trustees
of the latter. He was also prominent in connec-
tion with many enterprises of a local character,
including the establishment of the Illinois Female
College, to which, although without children of
his own, he was a liberal contributor. During
the first year of the war he was a member of the
Board of Army Auditors by appointment of Gov-
ernor Yates. Died, at Jacksonville, August 22,
1889.
THORNTON, Anthony, jurist, was born in
Bourbon Count}', Ky., Nov. 9, 1814 — being
descended from a Virginia family. After the
usual primary instruction in the common schools,
he spent two 3'ears in a high scbool at Gallatin,
Tenn., when he entered Centre College at Dan-
ville, Ky., afterwards continuing his studies at
Miami University, Ohio, where he graduated in
1834. Having studied law with an uncle at
Paris, Ky., he was licensed to practice in 1836,
when he left his native State with a view to set-
tling in Jlissouri, but, visiting his uncle. Gen.
William F. Thornton, at Shelby ville, 111., was
induced to establish himself in practice there.
He served as a member of the State Constitutional
Conventions of 1847 and 1862, and as Represent-
ative in the Seventeenth General Assembly
(18.50-52) for Shelby County. In 1864 he was
elected to the Thirty-ninth Congress, and, in
1870, to the Illinois Suprciue Court, but served
only until 1873, when he resigned. In 1879
Judge Thornton removed to Decatur, 111., but
subsequently returned to Shelbj'ville, where
he died Sept. 10, 1904.
THORNTON, WlUiam Fitzhngh, Commissioner
of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, was born in
Hanover County, Va., Oct. 4, 1789; in 1806, went
to Alexandria, Va. , where he conducted a drug
business for a time, also acting as associate
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
523
editor of "The Alexandria Gazette." SuUse-
quently removing to Washington City, he con-
ducted a paper there in the interest of Jolm
Quincy Adams for tlie Presidency. During the
War of 1812-14 he served as a Captain of cavalry,
and, for a time, as .staff -officer of General Winder.
On occasion of the visit of Marquis La Fayette to
America (1824-2.5) he accompanied the distin-
guished Frenchman from Baltimore to Rich-
mond. In 1829 he removed to Kentucky, and,
in 1833, to Shelby vi lie, 111., where he soon after
engaged in mercantile business, to which he
added a banking and brokerage business in 1859,
with which he was actively associated until his
death. In 1830, he was appointed, by Governor
Duncan, one of the Commissioners of the Illinois
& Michigan Canal, serving as President of the
Board until 1842. In 1840, he made a visit to
London, as financial agent of the State, in the
interest of the Canal, and succeeded in making a
sale of bonds to the amount of §1,000,000 on Avhat
were then considered favorable terms. General
Thornton was an ardent Whig until the organi-
zation of the Republican party, when he became
a Democrat. Died, at Slielbyville, Oct. 21,
1873.
TILLSON, John, pioneer, was born at Halifax,
Mass., March 13, 1796; came to Illinois in 1819,
locating at Hillsboro, Montgomery County, where
he became a prominent and enterprising operator
in real estate, doing a large business for eastern
parties ; was one of the founders of Hillsboro
Academy and an influential and liberal friend of
Illinois College, being a Trustee of the latter
from its establishment until his death ; was sup-
ported in the Legislature of 1827 for State Treas-
urer, but defeated by James Hall. Died, at
Peoria, May 11, 18.J3.— Christiana Holmes (Till-
son), wife of the preceding, was born at Kingston,
Mass., Oct. 10, 1798; married to John Tillson in
1822, and immediately came to Illinois to reside ;
was a woman of rare culture and refinement, and
deeply interested in benevolent enterprises.
Died, in New York City. May 29, 1872.— Charles
Holmes (Tillson), son of John and Christiana
Holmes Tillson, was born at Hillsboro, 111., Sept.
15, 1823; educated at Hillsboro Academy and
Illinois College, graduating from the latter in
1844; stuilied law in St. Louis and at Transyl-
vania University, was admitted to the bar in St.
Louis and practiced there some years — also served
several terms in the City Council, and was a
member of the National Guard of Missouri in the
War of the Rebellion. Died, Nov. 25, 1.805.—
John (Tillsim), Jr., another son, was born at
Hillsboro, 111., Oct. 12, 1825; educated at Hills-
boro Academy and Illinois College, but did not
graduate from the latter; graduated from Tran-
sylvania Law School, Ky., in 1847, and was
admitted to the bar at Quincy, 111., the same
year; practiced two years at Galena, when he
returned to Quincy. In 1861 he enlisted in the
Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, became its
Lieutenant-Colonel, on the promotion of Col. J. D.
Morgan to Brigadier-General, was advanced to
the colonelcy, and, in July, 1865, was mustered
out with the rank of brevet Brigadier-General;
for two years later held a commission as Captain
in the regular army. During a portion of 1809-70
he was editor of "Tlie Quincy Whig"; in 1873
was elected Representative in the Twenty-eighth
General Assembly to succeed Nehemiah Bushnell,
who had died in office, and, during the same year,
was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for
the Quincy District, serving until 1881. Died,
August 0, 1892.
TILLSON, Rohert, pioneer, was born in Hali-
fax County, Mass., August 12, 1800; came to Illi-
nois in 1822, and was employed, for several years,
as a clerk in the land agenc}' of his brother, John
Tillson, at Hillsboro. In 1820 he engaged in the
mercantile business with Charles Holmes, Jr., in
St. Louis, but, in 1828, removed to Quincy, 111.,
where he opened the first general store in that
city; also served as Postmaster for some ten
years During this period he built the first two-
story frame building erected in Quincy, up to
that date. Retiring from the mercantile business
in 1840 he engaged in real estate, ultimately-
becoming the proprietor of consiilerable property
of this character; was also a contractor for fur-
nishing cavalry accouterments to the Government
during the war. Soon after the war he erected
one of the handsomest business blocks existing
in the city at that time. Died, in Quincy, Dec.
27, 1892.
TINCHER, John L., banker, was born in Ken-
tucky in 1821 ; brought by his jiarents to Vermil-
ion County, Ind., in 1829, and left an orphan at
17; attended school in Coles County, 111 , and
was employed as clerk in a store at Danville,
1843-53. He then became a member of the firm
of Tincher & English, merchants, later establish-
ing a bank, which became the First National
Bank of Danville. In 1864 Mr. Tincher was
elected Representative in the Twenty-fourth
General Assembly and, two years later, to the
Senate, being re-elected in 1870. He was also a
member of the State Constitutional Convention
of 1869-70. Died, in Springfield, Di>c. 17. 1871,
524
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS.
wliile in attendance on the adjourned session of
that year.
TIl'TOX, Thomas F., lawyer and jurist, was
born in Franklin County, Ohio, August 29, 1833;
and wa.s a resident ot McLean County, 111., from
the nfce of 10 years, his last home being in
Bloomington. lie was admitted to the bar in
1857, and, from January, 1867, to December, 1868,
was State's Attorney for the Eighth Judicial
Circuit. In 1870 he was elected Judge of the
same circuit, and under the new Constitution,
was chosen Judge of the new Fourteenth Circuit.
From 1877 to 1879 he represented the (then)
Thirteenth Illinois District in Congress, but, in
1878, was defeated by Adlai E. Stevenson, the
Democratic nominee. In 1891 he was re-elected
to a seat on the Circuit bench for the Bloomington
Circuit, but resmned practice at the expiration
of his term in 1897. Died l-'eb. 7, 1904.
TISKILWA, a village of Bureau County, on the
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 7 miles
southwest of Princeton; has creameries and
cheese factories, churche.s, school, library, water-
works, bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1910), 857.
TODD, (Col.) John, soldier, was born in Mont-
gomery County, Pa., in 1750; took part in the
battle of Point Pleasant, Va., in 1774, as Adju-
tant-General of General Lewis; settled as a
lawyer at Fincastle, Va., and, in 1775, removed
to Fayette County, Ky., the next year locating
near Lexington. He was one of the first two
Delegates from Kentucky County to the Virginia
House of Burgesses, and. in 1778. accompanied
Col. George Rogers Clark on his expedition
against Kaskaskia and Vincennes. In Decem-
ber, 1778, he was appointed by Gov. Patrick
Henry, Lieutenant Commandant of Illinois
Coimty, embracing the region northwest of the
Ohio River, serving two years; in 1780, was again
a member of the Virginia Legislature, where he
procured grants of land for public schools and
introduced a bill for negro-emancipation. He
was killed by Indians, at the battle of Blue
Licks, Ky., August 19, 1782.
TODD, (Dr.) John, physician, born near Lex-
ington, Ky., April 27, 1787, was one of the earli-
est graduates of Transylvania Universit}', also
graduating at the Medical University of Phila-
delphia ; was appointed Surgeon-General of Ken-
tucky troops in the War of 1812, and captured at
tne battle of River Raisin. Returning to Lex-
ington after his release, he practiced there and
at Bardstown, removed to Edwardsville, 111., in
1817. and, in 1827, to Springfield. v,-here he had
been appointed Register of the Land OfiBce by
President John Quincy Adams, but was removed
by Jackson in 1829. Dr. Todd continued to reside
at Springfield until his death, which occurred,
Jan. 9, 1865. He was a grandson of John Todd,
who was appointed Commandant of Illinois
County by Gov. Patrick Henry in 1778, and an
uncle of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln.— John Dlair
Smith (Todd), son of the preceding, was born at
Lexington, Ky., April 4, 1814; came with his
father to Illinois in 1817 ; graduated at the United
States Military Academy in 1837, serving after-
wards in the Florida and Mexican wars and on
the frontier; resigned, and was an Indian-trader
in Dakota, 1856-61 ; the latter year, took his
seat as a Delegate in Congress from Dakota,
then served as Brigadier-General of Volun-
teers, 1861-62; was again Delegate in Congress
in 1863-65, Speaker of the Dakota Legislature
in 1867, and Governor of the Territory, 1869-71.
Died, at Yankton City, Jan. 5, 1872.
TOLKDO, a village and the county-.seat of
Cumberland County, on the Illinois Central Rail-
road; founded in 1854; has five churches, a graded
school, two banks, creamery, flour mill, elevator,
and two weekly newspapers. There are no consider-
. able manufactorie.s. the Icatiing industry in the
surrounding countrj' being agriculture. Pop. (1900),
818; (1910), 900.
TOLEDO, CIXCINIVATI & ST. LOUIS RAIL-
ROAD. (See Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas Citg
Railroad.)
TOLEDO, PEORIA & WARSAW RAILROAD.
(See Toledo. Peoria & Weslern Railway.)
TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILROAD.
(See Toledo. Peoria & Western Raihcai/.)
TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY,
a line of railroad wholly within the State of Illi-
nois, extending from Effner. at the Indiana State
line, west to the Mississippi River at Warsaw.
The length of the whole line is 230. 7 miles, owned
entirely by the company. It is made up of a
division from Effner to Peoria (110.9 miles) —
which is practically an air-line throughout nearly
its entire length — and the Peoria and Warsaw
Division (108.8 miles) with branches from La
Harpe to Iowa Junction (10.4 miles) and 0.6 of a
mile connecting with the Keokuk bridge at
Hamilton. — (Histoet.) The original chai-ter for
this line was granted, "in 1863, under the name of
the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad ; the main
line was completed in 1868, and the La Harpe &
Iowa Junction branch in 1873. Default was
made in 1873, the road sold under foreclosure, in
1880, and reorganized as the Toledo, Peoria &
Western Railroad, and the line leased for i9}4
7,
H
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
525
years to the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway
Compaii}'. The latter defaulted in July, 1SS4,
and, a year later, the Toledo, Peoria & Western
was transferred to trustees for the first mortgage
bond- holders, was sold under foreclosure in
October, 1886, and, in March, 1887, the present
company, under the name of the Toledo, Peoria
& Western Railway Company, was organized for
the purpose of taking over the property. In 1893
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company obtained a
controlling interest in the stock, and, in 1S04. an
agreement, for joint ownership and management,
was entered into between that corporation and
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com-
pany. The total capitalization, in 1898, was
$9,712,433, of which $4,076,900 was in stock and
$4,895,000 in bonds.
TOLEDO, ST. LOUIS & KANSAS CITY RAIL-
ROAD. This line crosses the State in a northeast
direction from East St. Louis to Humrick, near
the Indiana State line, with Toledo as its eastern
terminus. The length of the entire line is 450.73
miles, of which 179V4 miles are operated in Illi-
nois. — (History.) The Illinois portion of the
line grew out of the union of charters granted to
the Tuscola, Charleston & Vincennes and the
Charleston, Neoga & St. Louis Railroad Com-
panies, which were consolidated in 1881 with
certain Indiana lines under the name of the
Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad. During
1883 a narrow-gauge road was constructed from
Ridge Farm, in Vermilion County, to East St.
Louis (173 miles). In 1885 this was sold under
foreclosure and, in June, 1886, consolidated with
the main line under the name of the Toledo, St.
Louis & Kansas City Railroad. The whole line
was changed to standard gauge in 1887-89, and
otherwise materially improved, but, in 1893,
went into the hands of receivers. Plans of re-
organization have been under consideration, but
the receivers were still in control in 1898.
TOLEDO, WABASH & WESTERN RAIL-
ROAD. (See Wabash Railroad.)
TOLONO, a village in Champaign County, situ-
ated at the intersection of the Wabash and the
Illinois Central Railroads, 9 miles south of Cham-
paign antl 37 miles east-northeast of Decatur. It
is the busitio.ss center of a prosperous agricultural
region. The town has several churches, a graded
school, a bank, some manufactories and a weekly
newspaper; much grain is shipped here. Pop.
(1890), 902; (1900), 845; (1910), 700.
TOLrCA, a city of Marshall County, on the
Atchison, Topcka & Santa Fe and the Toluca,
Marrniottc & Northern U. Rs., 10 miles southwest
of Wenona; has two coal mines and two weekly
papers. Pop. (1910), 2,407.
TONTY, Chevalier Henry de, explorer and sol-
dier, born at Gaeta, Italy, about 1650 What is
now known as the Tontine system of insurance
undoubtedly originated with his father. The
younger Tonty was adventurous, and, even as a
youth, took part in numerous land and naval
encounters. In the course of his experience he
lost a hand, which was replaced by an iron or
copper substitute. He embarked with La Salle
in 1678, and aided in the construction of a fort at
Niagara. He advanced into the country of the
Illinois and establisljed friendly relations with
them, only to witness the defeat of his putative
savage allies by the Iroquois. After various
encounters (chiefly under the direction of La
Salle) with the Indians in Illinois, he returned
to Green Bay in 1681. The same year — under La
Salle's orders — he began the erection of Fort St.
Louis, on what is now called "Starved Rock" in
La Salle County. In 1682 he descended the Mis-
sissippi to its mouth, with La Salle, but was
ordered back to Mackinaw for assistance. In
1684 he returned to Illinois and successfully
repulse^:! the Iroquois from Fort St. Louis. In
1686 he again descended the Mississippi in search
of La Salte. Disheartened by the death of his
commander and the loss of his early comrades,
he took up his residence with the Illinois Indians.
Among Ihem he was found by Iberville in 1700,
as a hunter and fur-trader. He died, in Mobile,
in September, 1704. He was La Salle's most efl5-
cient coadjutor, and next to his ill-fated leader,
did more than any other of the early French
explorers to make Illinois known to the civilized
world.
TOPOGRAPHY. Illinois is, generally speak-
ing, an elevated table-land. If low water at
Cairo be adopted as the maximum depression, and
the summits of the two ridges hereinafter men-
tioned as the highest points of elevation, the alti-
tude of this table land above the sea-level varies
from 300 to 850 feet, the mean elevation being
about 600 feet. The State has no mountain
chains, and its few hills are jmsbably the result
of miequal denudation during the drift ei)0ch.
In some localities, particularly in the valley of
the Tipper Mississippi, the streams have cut
(Channels from 200 to 300 feet deep through the
nearly horizontal strata, and here are found pre-
cipitous scarps, but, for the most part, the
fundamental rocks are covered by a thick layer
of detrital material. In the northwest there is a
broken tract of uneven ground; the central por-
520
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
'tion of the State is almost wliolly flat prairie,
and, in the alluvial lands in the State, there are
many deep valley.s, eroded bj^ the action of
streams. The surface generally slopes toward
the south and southwest, but the uniformity is
broken by two ridges, which cross the State, one
in either extremity. The northern ridge crosses
the Rock River at Grand Detour and the Illinois
at Split Rock, with an extreme altitude of 800 to
S.W feet above sea level, though the altitude of
Mount Morris, in Ogle County, exceeds 900 feet.
That in the .south consists of a range of hills in
the latitude of Jonesboro, and extending from
Shawneetown to Grand Tower. These hills are
also about 800 feet above the level of the ocean.
The highest point in the State is in Jo Daviess
County, just south of the Wisconsin State line
(near Scale's Mound) reaching an elevation of
1,2.57 feet above sea-level, while the highe.st in
the south is in the northeast corner of Pope
County — 1,046 feet — a .spur of the Ozark moun-
tains. The following statistics regarding eleva-
tions are taken from a report of Prof. C. W.
Rolfe, of the University of Illinois, based on
observations made under the auspices of the Illi-
nois Board of World's Fair Commissioners: The
lowest gauge of the Ohio river, at its mouth
(above sea- level), is 268. .58 feet, and the mean
level of Lake Michigan at Chicago 581.28 feet.
The altitudes of a few prominent points are as
follows: Highest point in Jackson County, 695
feet; "Bald Knob" in Union County, 985; high-
est point in Cook County (Barrington), 818; in La
Salle County (Mendota), 747; in Livingston
(Strawn), 770; in Will (Monee), 804; in Pike
(Arden), 790; in Lake (Lake Zurich), 880; in
Bureau, 910; in Boone, 1,010; in Lee (Carnahan),
1,017; in Stephenson (Waddam's Grove), 1,018;
in Kane (Briar Hill), 974; in Winnebago, 985.
The elevations of important towns are : Peoria,
465; Jacksonville, 602; Springfield, .596; Gales-
burg, 755; Joliet, 537; Rockford, 728; Blooming-
ton, 821. Outside of the immediate valleys of
the streams, and a few isolated groves or copses,
little timber is found in the northern and central
portions of the State, and such growth as there
is, lacks the thriftiness characteristic of the for-
ests in the Ohio valley. These forests cover a
belt extending some sixty miles north of Cairo,
and, while they generally include few coniferous
trees, they abound in various species of oak,
black and white walnut, white and yellow pop-
lar, ash, elm, sugar-maple, linden, honey locust,
Cottonwood, mulberry, s3'camore, pecan, persim-
mon, and (in the immediate valley of the Ohio)
the cypress. From a commercial point of view,
Illinois loses nothing tlirough the lack of timber
over three-fourths of the State's area. Chicago
is an accessible market for the product of the
forests of the upper lakes, so that the supply of
lumber is ample, while extensive coal-fields sup-
ply abundant fuel. The rich soil of the prairies,
with its abundance of organic matter (see Geo-
logical Formations), more than compensates for
the want of pine forests, whose soil is ill adapted
to agriculture. About two-thirds of the entire
boundary of the State consists of navigable
waters. These, with their tributary streams,
ensure sufficient drainage.
TORRENS LAND TITLE SYSTEM. A system
for the registration of titles to, and incumbrances
upon, land, as well as transfers thereof, intended
to remove all unnecessary obstructions to the
cheap, simple and safe sale, acquisition and
transfer of realty. The system has been in suc-
cessful operation in Canada, Australia, New Zea-
land and British Columbia for many years, and
it is also in force in .some States in the American
Union. An act providing for its introduction
into Illinois was first passed by the Twenty-
ninth General Assembly, and approved, June 13,
1895. The final legislation in reference thereto
was enacted by the succeeding Legislature, and
was approved, May 1, 1897. It is far more elabo-
rate in its consideration of details, and is believed
to be, in many respects, much better adapted to
accomplish the ends in view, than was the origi-
nal act of 1895. The law is applicable only to
counties of the first and second class, and can be
adopted in no county except by a vote of a
majority of the qualified voters of the same — the
vote "for" or "against" to be taken at either the
November or April elections, or at an election
for the choice of Judges. Thus far the only
county to adopt the system has been Cook, and
there it encountered strong opposition on the
part of certain parties of influence and wealth.
After its adoption, a test case was brought, rais-
ing the question of the constitutionality of the
act. The issue was taken to the Supreme Court,
which tribunal finally upheld the law. — The
Torrens system substitutes a certificate of regis-
tration and of transfer for the more elaborate
deeds and mortgages in use for centuries. LTnder
it there can be no actual transfer of a title until
the same is entered upon the public land regis-
ter, kept in the office of the Registrar, in which
case the deed or mortgage becomes a mere power
of attorney to authorize the transfer to be made.
upon the principle of an ordinary stock transfer.
HISTORICAL ENCyCLOPEDIxV OF ILLINOIS.
527
or of tlie registration of a United States bond,
the actual transfer and public notice thereof
being simultaneous. A brief synopsis of the pro-
visions of the Illinois statute is given below;
Recorders of deeds are made Registrars, and
required to give bonds of either $.50,000 or .§200,-
000, according to the population of the county.
Any person or corporation, having an interest in
land, may make application to any court having
chancery jurisdiction, to have his title thereto
registered. Such application must be in writ-
ing, signed and verified by oath, and must con-
form, in matters of specification and detail, with
the requirements of the act. The court may refer
the application to one of the standing examiners
appointed by the Registrar, who are rec^uired to
be competent attorneys and to give bond to ex-
amine into the title, as well as the truth of the
applicant's statements. Immediately upon the
filing of the application, notice thereof is given
by the clerk, through publication and the issuance
of a summons to be served, as in other proceed-
ings in chancery, against all persons mentioned
in the petition as having or claiming any inter-
est in the property described. Any person inter-
ested, whether named as a defendant or not, may
enter an appearance within the time allowed. A
failure to enter an appearance is regarded as a
confession by default. The court, in passing
upon the application, is in no case bound by the
examiner's rejiort, but may require other and
further proof ; and, in its final adjudication, passes
upon all questions of title and incumbrance,
directing the Registrar to register the title in the
party in whom it is to be vested, and making
provision as to the manner and order in whicli
incumbrances thereon shall appear upon the
certificate to be issued. An appeal may be
allowed to the Suj)reme Court, if prayed at the
time of entering the deci-ee, upon like terms as
in other cases in chancery; and a writ of error
may be sued out from that tribunal within two
years after the entry of the order or decree.
The period last mentioned may be said to be the
statutory period of limitation, after which the
decree of tlie court must be regarded as final,
although safeguards are provided for those who
may have been defrauded, and for a few other
classes of persons Upon the filing of the order
or decree of the court, it becomes the duty of the
Registrar to issue a certificate of title, the form
of which is pre.scribed by the act, making such
notations at tlie end as shall show and preserve
the i)riorities of all estates, mortgages, incum-
brances and changes to which the owner's title is
subject. For the purpose of pre.serving evidence
of the owner's handwriting, a receipt for the
certificate, duly witnessed or acknowledged, is
required of him, which is preserved in the Regis-
trar's office. In case any registered owner
should desire to transfer the whole or any part of
liis estate, or any interest therein, he is required
to execute a conveyance to the transferee, which,
together with the certificate of title last issued,
must be surrendered to the Registrar. That
official thereupon issues a new certificate, stamp-
ing the word "cancelled" across the surrendered
certificate, as well as upon the corresponding
entry in liis books of record. When land is first
brought within the operation of the act, the
receiver of the certificate of title is required to
pay to the Registrar one-tenth of one per cent of
the value of the land, the aggregate so received
to be deposited with and invested by the County
Treasurer, and reserved as an indemnity fund
for the reimbursement of persons sustaining an}'
loss through any omission, mistake or malfea-
sance of the Registrar or his subordinates. The
advantage claimed for the Torrens system is,
chiefly, that titles registered thereunder can be
dealt with more safely, quickly and inexpensively
than under the old system ; it being po.ssible to
close the entire transaction within an hour or
two, without the need of an abstract of title,
while (as the law is administered in Cook County)
the cost of transfer is only .S3. It is asserted that
a title, once registered, can be dealt with almost
as quickly and cheaply, and quite as safely, as
shares of stock or registered bonds.
TOULOJi^ the county-seat of Stark County, on
the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad, 37 miles north-
northwest of Peoria, and 11 miles southeast of
Galva. Besides the county court- house, the town
has five churches and a high school, an academy,
steam granite works, two banks, and one weekly
paper. Population (1880), 907; (1890), 94o; (1900),
1,0.57: (1910), 1,208.
TOWER HILL, a village of Shelby County, on
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis and
the Baltimore & Ohio Soulhwestern Railroads, 7
miles east of Pana; has bank, elevators, coal mines
and one weekly pai)er. Pojj. (1910), 1,040.
TOWNSHEND. Kiohard W., lawyer and Con-
gressman, was born in Prince George's County,
Md., April 30, 1810. Between the ages of 10
and 18 he attended public and private schools
at Washington, D. C. In 18,58 he came to
Illinois, where he began teaching, at tlie same
time reading law with S. S. Marshall, at Jtc-
Leansboro, where he was admitted to the bar
528
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
in 1862, and where he began practice. From 1803
to 1808 lie was Circuit Clerk of Hamilton County,
and, from 1808 to 1872, Prosecuting Attorney for
the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. In 1873 he removed
to Shawneetown, where he became an officer of
the Gallatin National Bank. From 1C64 to 1875
he was a member of the Democratic State Cen-
tral Committee, and a delegate to the National
Democratic Convention at Baltimore, in 1873.
For twelve years (1877 to 1889) he represented
his District in Congress: was re-elected in 1888,
but died, March 9, 1889, a few days after the
beginning of his seventh term.
TRACY, John M., artist, was born in Illinois
about 1843 ; served in an Illinois regiment during
the Civil War; studied painting in Paris in
1866-76 ; established himself as a portrait painter
in St. Louis and, later, won a high reputation as
a painter of animals, being regarded as an author-
itj' on the anatomy of the horse and the dog.
Died, at Ocean Springs, Miss., March 20, 1893.
TREASURERS. (See State Treasurers.)
TREAT, Samuel Hiibbel, lawyer and jurist,
was born at Plainfield, Otsego County, N. Y.,
June 21, 1811, worked on his father's farm and
studied law at Richfield, where he was admitted
to practice. In 1834 he came to Simngfield, 111.,
traveling most of the way on foot. Here he
formed a partnership with George Forquer, who
had held the offices of Secretary of State and
Attorney-General. In 1839 he was appointed a
Circuit Judge, and, on the reorganization of the
Supreme Court in 1841, was elevated to the
Supreme bench, being acting Chief Justice at the
time of the adoption of the Constitution of 1848.
Having been elected to the Supreme bench under
the new Constitution, he remained in office until
March, 1855, when he resigned to take the posi-
tion of Judge of the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Illinois, to which he
had been appointed by President Pierce. This
position he continued to occupy until his death,
which occurred at Springfield^ March 37, 1887.
Judge Treat's judicial career was one of the long-
est in the history of the State, covering a period
of forty-eight years, of which fourteen were
spent upon the Supreme bench, and thirty-two
in the position of Judge of the United States Dis-
trict Court.
TREATIES. {See Greenville, Treaty of; Indian
Treaties.)
TREE, Lambert, jurist, diplomat and ex-Con-
gressman, was born in Washington, D. C, Nov.
29, 1832, of an ancestrj- distinguished in the War
of the Revolution. He received a superior clas-
sical and professional education, and was admit-
ted to the bar, at Washington, in October, 185.5.
Removing to Chicago soon afterward, his profes-
sional career has been chiefly connected with
that city. In 1864 he was chosen President of
the Law Institute, and served as Judge of the
Circuit Court of Cook County, from 1870 to 1875,
when he resigned. The three following years he
spent in foreign travel, returning to Chicago in
1878. In that year, and again in 1880, he was
the Democratic candidate for Congress from the
Fourth Illinois District, but was defeated by his
Republican opponent. In 1885 he was the candi-
date of his party for United States Senator, but
was defeated bj' John A. Logan, by one vote. In
1884 he \\ as a member of the National Democratic
Convention which first nonainated Grover Cleve-
land, and, in July, 1885, President Cleveland
apjjointed him Minister to Belgium, conferring
the Russian mission upon him in Sei:>tember, 1888.
On March 3, 1889, he resigned this post and
returned home. In 1890 he was appointed by
President Harrison a Commissioner to the Inter-
national ^lonetary Conference at Washington.
The year before he had attended (although not as
a delegate) the International Conference, at Brus-
sels, looking to the suppression of the slave-trade,
where he exerted all his influence on the side of
humanity. In 1893 Belgium conferred upon him
the distinction of "Councillor of Honor"' upon its
commission to the WorkPs Columbian Exposi-
tion. In 1896 Judge Tree was one of the most
earnest opjjonents of the free-silver policy, and,
after the Spanish- American War, a zealous advo-
cate of the policy of retaining the territory
acriuired from Spain. Died October 9, 1910.
TREiMOXT, a town of Tazewell County, on the
Peoria Di\-ision of the Cleveland, Cincinnati,
Chicago & St. Louis Railway, 9 miles southeast of
Pekin; has two banks, two telephone exchanges,
and one newspaper. Pop. (1910), 782.
TRENTON, a town of Clinton County, on the
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 31 miles
east of St. Louis; in agricultural district; has
creamery, milk condensery, two coal mines, six
churche.'i. a public school and one newspaper. Pop.
(ISOO), 1,384; (1900), 1,700; (1910), 1,694.
TROY, a city of Madison County, on the Terre
Haute & Indianapolis Railroad, 21 miles northeast
of St. Louis; has coal mines, a bank and a news-
paper. Pop. (1900), 1,080; (1910), 1,447.
TRUITT, James Madison, lawyer and soldier,
a native of Trimble County, Ky., was born Feb.
12, 1842, but lived in Illinois since 1843, his father
having settled near Carrollton that year; was
.IAMi;S I.. McKKE
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
529
educated at Hillsboro and at McKendree College ;
enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventeenth
Illinois Volunteers in 1863, and was promoted
from the ranks to Lieutenant. After the war he
studied law with Jesse J. Phillips, now of the
Supreme Court, and, in 1872. was elected to the
Twenty-eighth General Assembly, and, in 1888, a
Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket.
Mr. Truitt has been twice a prominent but unsuc-
cessful candidate for the Republican nomination
for Attorney-General. His home is at Hillsboro,
where he is engaged in the practice of his profes-
sion. Died July 36, 1900.
TRIIMBrLL, Lyman, statesman, was born at
Colchester, Conn., Oct. 12, 1813, descended from
a historical family, being a grand-nephew of
Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, of Connecticut, from
whom the name "Brother Jonathan" was derived
as an appellation for Americans. Having received
an academic education in his native town, at the
age of 16 he began teaching a district school near
his home, went South four years later, and en-
gaged in teaching at Greenville, Ga. Here he
studied law with Judge Hiram Warner, after-
wards of the Supreme Court, and was admitted to
the bar in 1837. Leaving Georgia the same year, he
came to Illinois on horseback, visiting Vandalia,
Belleville, Jacksonville, Springfield, Tremont and
La Salle, and finally reaching Chicago, then a
village of four or five thousand inhabitants. At
Jacksonville he obtained a license to practice
from Judge Lockwood, and, after visiting Michi-
gan and his native State, he settled at Belleville,
which continued to be his home for twenty years.
His entrance into public life began with his elec-
tion as Representative in the General Assembly
in 1840. This was followed, in February, 1841,
by his appointment by Governor Carlin, Secre-
tary of State, as the successor of Stephen A.
Douglas, who, after holding the position only two
months, had resigned to accept a seat on the
Supreme bench. Here he remained two years,
when he was removed by Governor Ford, March
4, 1843, but, five years later (1848), was elected a
Justice of the Supreme Court, was re-elected in
1852, but resigned in IS.'iS on account of impaired
health. A year later (18.54) he was elected to
Congress from the Belleville District as an anti-
Nebraska Democrat, but, before taking his seat,
was promoted to the United States Senate, as the
successor of General Shields in the memorable con-
test of 185.5, which resulted in the defeat of Abra-
ham Lincoln. Senator Trumbull's career of
eighteen years in the United States Senate (being
re-elected in 1801 and 1807) is one of the most
memorable in the history of that body, covering,
as it does, the whole history of the war for the
Union, and the period of reconstruction which
followed it. During this period, as Chairman of
the Senate Committee on Judiciary, he had more
to do in shaping legislation on war and recon-
struction measures than any other single member
of that body. While he disagreed with a large
majority of his Republican associates on the ques-
tion of Andrew Johnson's impeachment, he was
always found in sympatliy with them on the vital
questions affecting the war and restoration of the
Union. The Civil Rights Bill and Freedmen's
Bureau Bills were shaped by his hand. In 1873
he joined in the "Liberal Republican" movement
and afterwards co-operated with the Democratic
party, being their candidate for Governor in
1880. From 1803 his home was in Chicago,
where, after retiring from the Senate, he con-
tinued in the practice of his profession until his
death, which occurred in that city, June 25, 1896.
TUtr MILLS. These were a sort of primitive
machine used in grinding corn in Territorial and
early State days. The mechanism consisted of an
upright shaft, into the upper end of which were
fastened bars, resembling those in the capstan of
a ship.. Into the outer end of each of these bars
was driven a pin. A belt, made of a broad strip
of ox-hide, twisted into a .sort of rope, was
stretched around these pins and wrapped twice
around a circular piece of wood called a trundle
head, tlirough which passed a perpendicular flat
bar of iron, which turned the mill-stone, usually
aboiit eighteen inches in diameter. From the
upright shaft projected a beam, to which were
hitched one or two horses, which furnished the
motive power. Oxen were sometimes employed
as motive power in lieu of horses. These rudi-
mentary contrivances were capable of grinding
about twelve bushels of corn, each, per day.
TULEY, Murray Floyd, lawyer and jurist, was
born at Louisville, Ky., March 4, 1827, of English
extraction and descended from the early settlers
of Virginia. His father died in 1833, and, eleven
years later, his mother, having married Col.
Richard J. Hamilton, for many years a prominent
lawyer of Chicago, removed with her family to
that city. Young Tuley began reading law with
liis step-father and completed his studies at the
Louisville Law Institute in 1847, the .same year
being admitted to the bar in Chicago. About the
same time he enlisted in the Fifth Illinois Volun-
teers for service in the Mexican War, antl was
commissioned First Lieutenant. The war having
ended, ho settled at Santa Fe, N. M., where he
530
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
practiced law, also served as Attorney-General
and in the Territorial Legislature. Returning to
Chicago in 1854, he was associated in practice,
successively, with Andrew Harvie, Judge Gary
and J. N. Barker, and finally as head of the firm
of Tuley, Stiles & Lewis. From 1869 to 1873 he
was Corporation Counsel, and during this time
framed the General Incorporation Act for Cities,
under which the City of Chicago was reincor-
porated. In 1879 he was elevated to the bench
of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and re-
elected every six years thereafter, his last election
being in 1897. He died Dec. 25, 1905, during liis
fourth term, some ten years of his incumljency
having been spent as Chief Justice.
TUNMCLrFFE, Damon ii,, lawyer and jurist,
was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., August 20,
1839; at the age of 20, emigrated to Illinois, set-
tling in Vermont, Fulton County, where, for a
time, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He
subsequently studied law, and was admitted to
the bar in 1853. In 1854 he established himself
at Macomb, McDonough County, where he built
up a large and lucrative practice. In 1868 he
was chosen Presidential Elector on the Repub-
lican ticket, and, from February to June, 1885,
by appointment of Governor Ogle.sby, occupied a
seat on the bench of the Supreme Court, vice
Pinkney H. Walker, deceased, who had been one
of his professional preceptors. Died Deo. 20, 1901.
TURCHIN, John Basil (Ivan Vasilevitch Tur-
chinoff), soldier, engineer and author, was born
in Russia, Jan. 30, 1823. He graduated from the
artillery school at St. Petersburg, in 1841, and
was commissioned ensign ; participated in the
Hungarian campaign of 1849, and, in 1852, was
assigned to the staff of the Imperial Guards;
served through the Crimean War, rising to the
rank of Colonel, and being made senior staff
officer of the active corps. In 1856 he came to
this country, settling in Chicago, and, for five
years, was in the service of the Illinois Central
Railway Company as topographical engineer. In
1861 he was commissioned Colonel of the Nine-
teenth Illinois Volunteers, and, after leading his
regiment in Missouri, Kentucky and Alabama,
was, on July 7, 1863, promoted to a Brigadier-
Generalship, being attached to the Army of the
Cumberland until 1864, when he resigned. After
the war he was, for six years, solicitor of patents
at Chicago, but, in 1873, returned to engineering.
In 1879 he established a Polish colony at Radom,
in Washington County, in this State, and settled
as a farmer. He was an occa.sional contributor to
the press, writing usually on military or scientific
subjects; was the author of the "Campaign and
Battle of Chickamauga." Died Juno 18, 1901.
TURNER (now WEST CHIC.IGO), a town and
manufacturing center in Win field Township, Du
Page County, 30 miles west of Chicago, at the
junction of two divisions of the Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincy, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern and the
Chicago & Northwestern Railroads. The town
has a rolling-mill, manufactories of wagons and
pumps, and railroad repair shops. It also has five
churches, a graded school, and two newspapers.
Pop. (1900), 1,877; with suburb, 3,270.
TURNER, (Col.) Henry L., soldier and real-
estate operator, was born at Oberlin, Ohio,
August 36, 1845, and received a part of his edu-
cation in the college there. During the Civil
War he served as First Lieutenant in the One
Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Volunteers, and
later, with the same rank in a colored regiment,
taking part in the operations about Richmond,
the capture of Fort Fisher, of Wilmington and of
Gen. Joe Johnston's army. Coming to Chi-
cago after the close of the war, he became con-
nected with the business office of "The Advance,"
but later was employed in the banking house of
Jay Cooke & Co., in Philadelphia. On the failure
of that concern, in 1872, he returned to Chicago
and bought "The Advance," which he conducted
some two years, when he sold out and engaged in
the real estate business, with which he has since
been identified — being President of the Chicago
Real Estate Board in 1888. He has also been
President of the Western Publishing Company
and a Trustee of Oberlin College. Colonel Turner
is an enthusiastic member of the Illinois National
Guard and. on the declaration of war between the
United States and Spain, in April, 1898, promptly
resumed his connection with the First Regiment
of the Guard, and finally led it to Santiago de
Cuba during the fighting there — his regiment
being the only one from Illinois to see actual serv-
ice in the field during the progress of the war.
Colonel Turner won the admiration of his com-
mand and the entire nation by the manner in
wliich he discharged his duty. The regiment
was mu.stered out at Chicago. Nov. 17, 1898, when
he retired to private life.
TURNER, John Bice, Railway President, was
born at Colchester, Delaware County, N. Y., Jan.
14, 1799; after a brief business career in his
native State, he became identified with the con-
struction and operation of railroads. Among the
works with which he was thus connected, were
the Delaware Division of the New York & Erie
and the Troy & Schenectady Roads. In 1843 he
LEVINA I. McKEE
31
•'ON*
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
531
came to Chicago, having previously purchased a
large body of land at Blue Island. In 1847 he
joined with W. B. Ogden and others, in resusci-
tating the Galena & Cliicago Union Railway,
which had been incorporated in lb36. He became
President of the Company in 18.50, and assisted in
constructing various sections of road in Northern
Illinois and Wisconsin, which have since become
portions of the Chicago & Northwestern system.
He was also one of the original Directors of tlie
North Side Street Railway Company, organized
in 18.59. Died. Feb. 26, 1871.
TURNER, Jonathan Baldwin, educator and
agriculturist, was born in Templeton. Mass., Dec.
7, 1805; grew up on a farm and, before reaching
his majority, began teaching in a country school.
After spending a short time in an academy at
Salem, in 1837 he entered the preparatory depart-
ment of Yale College, supporting himself, in part,
by manual labor and teaching in a gymnasium.
In 1829 he matriculated in the classical depart-
ment at Yale, graduated in 1833, and the same
year accepted a position as tutor in Illinois Col-
lege at Jacksonville, 111., which had been opened,
three years previous, by the late Dr. J. M. Sturte-
vant. In the next fourteen years he gave in-
struction in nearly every branch embraced in the
college curriculum, though holding, during most
of this period, the chair of Rhetoric and English
Literatiore. In 1847 he retired from college
duties to give attention to scientific agriculture,
in which he had always manifested a deep inter-
est. The cultivation and sale of the O.sage orange
as a hedge plant now occupied his attention for
many years, and its successful introduction in
Illinois and other Western States — where the
absence of timber rendered some substitute a
necessity for fencing pm-poses — was largely due
to his efforts. At the same time he took a deep
interest in the cause of practical scientific edu-
cation for the industrial classes, and, about 1850,
began formulating that system of industrial edu-
cation which, after twelve years of labor and
agitation, he had the satisfaction of seeing
recognized in the act adopted by Congress, and
approved by President Lincoln, in July, 1862,
making liberal donations of public lands for the
establishment of "Industrial Colleges" in the
several States, out of which grew the University
of Illinois at Champaign. While Professor Tur-
ner had zealous colaborers in this field, in Illinois
and elsewhere, to him, more than to any otlier
single man in the Nation, belongs the credit for
this magnificent achievement. (See Education,
and University of Illinois.) He was also one of
tlie chief factors in founding and building up
the Illinois State Teachers' Association, and the
State Agricultural and Horticultural Societies.
His address on "The Millennium of Labor,"
delivered at the first State Agricultural Fair at
Springfield, in 1853, is still remembered as mark-
ing an era in industrial jjrogress in Illinois. A
zealous champion of free thought, in both political
and religious affairs, he long bore the reijroach
which attached to the radical Abolitionist, only
to enjoy, in later years, the respect universally
accorded to those who had the courage and
independence to avow their honest convictions.
Prof. Turner was twice an unsuccessful candidate
for Congress — once as a Republican and once as
an "Independent" — and wrote much on political,
religious and educational tojjics. The evening of
an honored and useful life was spent among
friends in Jacksonville, which was his home for
more than sixty years, his death taking place in
that city, Jan. 10, 1899, at the advanced age of
93 years.— Mrs. Mary Turner Carriel, at the pres-
ent time (1899) one of the Trustees of the Univer-
sity of Illinois, is Prof. Turner's only daughter.
TURNER, Thomas J., lawyer and Congress-
man, born in Trumbull County, Ohio, April 5,
181.').- -Leaving home at the age of 18, he spent
three., years in Indiana and in the mining dis-
tricts about Galena and in Southern Wisconsin,
locating fn Stephenson' County, in 1836, where he
was admitted to tlie bar in 1840, and elected
Probate Judge in 1841. Soon afterwards Gov-
ernor Ford appointed him Prosecuting Attorney,
in which capacity he secured the conviction and
punislunent of the miurderers of Colonel Daven-
port. In 1846 he was elected to Congress as a
Democrat, and, the following year, founded "The
Prairie Democrat" (afterward "The Freeport
Bulletin"), the first newspaper published in the
county. Elected to the Legislature in 1854, he
was chosen Speaker of the House, the next year
becoming the first Mayor of Freeport. He was a
member of the Peace Conference of 1861. and, in
May of that year, was commissioned, by Governor
Yates, Colonel of the Fifteenth Illinois Volun-
teers, but resigned in 1862. He served as a mem-
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70,
and, in 1871, was again elected to the Legisla-
ture, where he received the Democratic caucus
nomination for United States Senator against
General Logan. In 1871 he removed to Chicago,
and was twice an unsuccessful candidate for the
office of State's Attorney. In February, 1874, he
went to Hot Springs, Ark., for medical treatment,
and died there, April 3 following.
532
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
XrSCOLA, a city and the county-seat of
Douglas County, located at the intersection of the
Illinois Central and two other trunk lines of rail-
way, 23 miles south of Champaign, and 36 miles
east of Decatur. Besides a brick court-house it
has five churches, a graded school, a national
bank, two weekly newspapers and two establish-
ments for the manufacture of carriages and
wagons; in a farming district. Pop. (1S90), 1,897;
(1900), 2,.5G9; (1910), 2,453.
TUSCOLA, CHARLESTON & VINCENNES
RAILROAD. (See Toledo. Sf. Louis & Kansas
City Ra ilroad. )
TUTHILL, Richard Stanley, jurist, was born
at Vergennes, Jackson County, 111., Nov. 10, 1841.
After passing through the common schools of his
native county, he took a preparatory course in a
high school at St. Louis and in Illinois College,
Jacksonville, when he entered Middlebury Col-
lege, Vt., graduating there in 1863. Immediately
thereafter he joined the Federal army at Vicks-
burg, and, after serving for some time in a com-
pany of scouts attached to General Logan's
command, was commissioned a Lieutenant in the
First Michigan Light Artillery, with which he
served until the close of the war, meanwhile
being twice promoted. During this time he was
with General Sherman in the march to Meridian,
and in the Atlanta campaign, also took part with
General Thomas in the operations against the
rebel General Hood in Tennessee, and in the
battle of Nashville. Having resigned his com-
mission in May, 1865, he took up the study of
law, which he had prosecuted as he had opportu-
nity while in the army, and was admitted to the
bar at Nashville in 1866, afterwards serving for
a time as Prosecuting Attorney on the Nashville
circuit. In 1873 he removed to Chicago, two
years later was elected City Attorney and re-
elected in 1877 ; was a delegate to the Republican
National Convention of 1880 and, in 1884, was
appointed United States District Attorney for
the Northern District, serving until 1886. In
1887 he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of
Cook County to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Judge Rogers, was re-elected for a full
term in 1891, and again in 1897.
TYNDALE, Sharon, Secretary of State, born in
Philadelphia, Pa.. Jan. 19, 1816; at the age of 17
came to Belleville, 111., and was engaged for a
time in mercantile business, later being employed
in a surveyor's corps under tlie internal imjirove-
ment system of 1837. Having married in 1839,
he returned soon after to Philadelphia, where he
engaged in mercantile business with his father ;
then came to Illinois, a second time, in 1845, spend-
ing a year or two in business at Peoria. About
1847 he returned to Belleville and entered upon a
course of mathematical study, with a view to
fitting himself more thoroughly for the profession
of a civil engineer. In 1851 he graduated in
engineering at Cambridge, Mass., after which he
was employed for a time on the Suubury & Erie
Railroad, and later on certain Illinois railroads.
In 1857 he was elected County Surveyor of St.
Clair County, and, in 1861, by appointment of
President Lincoln, became Postmaster of the city
of Belleville. He held this position until 1864,
when he received the Republican nomination for
Secretary of State and was elected, remaining in
office four years. He was an earnest advocate,
and virtually author, of the first act for the regis-
tration of voters in Illinois, passed at the session
of 1865. After retiring from oflSce in 1869, he
continued to reside in Springfield, and was em-
ployed for a time in the survey of the Oilman,
Clinton & Springfield Railway — now the Spring-
field Division of the Illinois Central. At an early
hour on the morning of April 29, 1871, while
going from his home to the railroad station at
Springfield, to take the train for St. Louis, he was
assassinated upon the street by shooting, as sup-
posed for the purpose of robbery — his dead body
being found a few hours later at the scene of the
tragedy. Mr. Tyndale was a brother of Gen.
Hector Tyndale of Pennsylvania, who won a
high reputation by his services during the war.
His second wife, who survived him, was a
daughter of Shadrach Penn, an editor of con-
siderable reputation who was the contemporary
and rival of George D. Prentice at Louisville, for
some years.
"UNDERGROUND RAILROAD," THE. A
history of Illinois would be incomplete without
reference to the unique system which existed
there, as in other Northern States, from forty to
seventy years ago, known by the somewhat mys-
terious title of "The Underground Railroad."
Tlie origin of the term has been traced (probably
in a spirit of facetiousness) to the expression of
a Kentucky planter who, having pursued a fugi-
tive slave across the Ohio River, was so surprised
by his sudden disappearance, as soon as he had
reached the opposite shore, that he was led to
remark, "The nigger must have gone off on an
xmderground road." From "underground road"
to "underground railroad," the transition would
appear to have been easy, especially in view of
the increased facility with which the work was
performed when railroads came into use. For
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
533
readers of the present generation, it may be well
to explain what "The Underground Railroad"
really was. It may be defined as the figurative
appellation for a spontaneous movement in the
free States — extending, sometimes, into the
slave States themselves — to assist slaves in their
efforts to escape from bondage to freedom. The
movement dates back to a period close to the
Revolutionary War, long before it received a
definite name. Assistance given to fugitives
from one State by citizens of another, became a
cause of complaint almost as soon as the Govern-
ment was organized. In fact, the first President
himself lost a slave who took refuge at Ports-
mouth, N. H., where the public sentiment was
so strong against his return, that the patriotic
and philosophic "Father of his Country" chose
to let him remain unmolested, rather than "excite
a mob or riot, or even uneasy sensations, in the
minds of well-disposed citizens." That the mat-
ter was aheady one of concern in the minds of
slaveholders, is shown by the fact that a provision
■was inserted in tlie Constitution for their concili-
ation, guaranteeing the return of fugitives from
labor, as well as from justice, from one State to
another.
In 1793 Congress passed the first Fugitive Slave
Law, which was signed by President Washing-
ton. This law provided that the owner, his
agent or attorney, might follow the slave into
any State or Territory, and, upon oath or affi-
davit before a court or magistrate, be entitled
to a warrant for his return. Any i^erson who
should hinder the arrest of the fugitive, or who
should harbor, aid or assist him, knowing him
to be such, was subject to a fine of SoOO for each
offense. — In 18.50, fifty-seven years later, the first
act having proved inefficacious, or conditions
having changed, a second and more stringent
law was enacted. This is the one usually referred
to in disciissions of the subject. It provided for
an increased fine, not to exceed $1,000, and im-
prisonment not exceeding six months, with
liability for civil damages to the party injured.
No proof of ownership was required beyond the
statement of a claimant, and the accused was not
permitted to testify for himself. The fee of the
United States Commissioner, before whom the
case was tried, was ten dollars if he found for
the claimant: if not, five dollars. This seemed
to many an indirect form of bribery: clearly, it
made it to the Judge's pecuniary advantage to
decide in favor of the claimant. The law made
it possible and easy for a white man to arrest,
and carry into slavery, any free negro who could
not immediately prove, by other witnesses, that
he was born free, or had purchased his freedom.
Instead of discouraging the disposition, on
the part of the opponents of slavery, to aid fugi-
tives in their efforts to reach a region where
they would be secure in their freedom, the effect
of the Fugitive Slave Law of 18.50 (as that of 179.3
had been in a smaller degree) was the very oppo-
site of that intended by its authors — unless,
indeed, they meant to make matters worse. The
provisions of the act seemed, to many people, so
unfair, so one-sided, that they rebelled in spirit
and refu.sed to be made parties to its enforce-
ment. The law aroused the auti-sla\'ery senti-
ment of the Nortli, and stimulated the active
friends of the fugitives to take greater risks in
their behalf. New efforts on the part of the
slaveholders were met by a determination to
evade, hinder and nullify the law.
And here a strange anomaly is presented. The
slaveholder, in attempting to recover his slave,
was acting within his constitutional and legal
riglits. The slave was his property in law. He
had purchased or inherited his bondman on the
same plane with his horse or his land, and, apart
from the right to hold a human being in bond-
age, regarded his legal rights to the one as good
as the other. From a legal standpoint his posi-
tion was impregnable. The slave was his, repre-
senting so much of money value, and whoever
was instrumental in the loss of that slave was,
both theoretically and technically, a partner in
robbery. Therefore he looked on "The Under-
ground Railway" as the work of thieves, and en-
tertained bitter hatred toward all concerned in its
operation. On the other hand, men who were,
in all other respects, good citizens — often relig-
iously devout and pillars of the church — became
bold and flagrant violators of the law in relation
to this sort of property. They set at nought a
plain provision of the Constitution and the act of
Congress for its enforcement. Without hope of
personal gain or reward, at the risk of fine and
imprisonment, with the certainty of social ostra-
cism and bitter opposition, they harbored the
fugitive and helped him forward on every
occasion. And why? Because they saw in him
a man, with the same inherent right to "life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness" that they
themselves possos.sed. To them this was a higher
law than any Legislature, State or National, could
enact. They denied that there could V)e truly
such a thing as property in man. Believing that
the law violated human rights, they justified
themselves in rendering it null and void.
534
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
For the most part, tlie "Underground Rail-
road" operators and nromoters were plain,
obsouie men, without hope of fame or desire for
notoriety. Yet there were some wliose names
are conspicuous in history, such as Wendell
Phillips, Thomas Wentvvorth Higginson and
Theodore Parker of Massaclmsetts ; Gerrit Smith
and Thurlow Weed of New York: Joshua R.
Giddings uf Ohio, and Owen Lovejoy of Illinois.
These had their followers and sympatliizers in
all the Nortliern States, and even in some por-
tions of the South It is a curious fact, that
some of the most active spirits connected with
the "Underground Railroad" were natives of the
South, or had resided there long enough to
become thoroughly acquainted with the "insti-
tution." Levi Coffin, who had the reputation of
being the "President of the Underground Rail-
road" — at least so far as the region west of the
Ohio was concerned — was an active operator on
the line in North Carolina before his removal
from that State to Indiana in 1836. Indeed, as a
system, it is claimed to have had its origin at
Guilford College, in the "Old North State" in
1819, though the evidence of tliis may not be
conclusive.
Owing to the peculiar nature of their business,
no official reports were made, no lists of officers,
conductors, station agents oi' operators preserved,
and few records kept which are now accessible.
Consequently, we are dependent chiefly upon the
personal recollection of individual operators for
a historj' of their transactions. Eacli station on
the road was the house of a "friend" and it is
significant, in this connection, tliat in every
settlement of Friends, or Quakers, there was
sure to be a house of refuge for the slave. For
tills reason it was, perhaps, that one of the most
frequently traveled lines extended from Vir-
ginia and Maryland through Eastern Pennsyl-
vania, and then on towards New York or directly
to Canada. From the proximity of Ohio to
Virginia and Kentucky, and the fact that it
offered the sliortest route through free soil to
Canada, it was traversed by more lines than any
other State, although Indiana was pretty
thoroughly "grid-ironed" by roads to freedom.
In all, however, the routes were irregular, often
zigzag, for purposes of security, and the "con-
ductor" %vas any one who conveyed fugitives from
one station to anotlier The "train" was some-
times a farm-wagon, loaded with produce for
market at some town (or depot) on the line, fre-
quently a closed carriage, and it is related tliat
once, in Oliio, a number of carriages conveying
a large party, were made to represent a funeral
procession. Occasionally the train ran on foot,
for convenience of side-tracking into the woods
or a cornfield, in case of pursuit by a wild loco-
motive.
Then, again, there were not wanting lawyers
who, in ca.se the operator, conductor or station
agent got into trouble, were ready, without fee or
reward, to defend either him or his human
freight in the courts. These included such
names of national repute as Salmon P. Chase,
Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Sumner, William H.
Seward, Rutherford B. Hayes, Richard H. Dana,
and Isaac N. Arnold, wldle, taking the whole
country over, their "name was legion." And
there were a few men of wealth, like Thomas
Garrett of Delaware, willing to contribute money
by thousands to their assistance. Although
technically acting in violation of law — or, as
claimed by themselves, in obedience to a "iiigher
law" — the time has already come when there is a
disposition to look upon the actors as, in a certain
sense, heroes, and their deeds as fitly belonging
to the field of romance.
The most comprehensive collection of material
relating to the history of tliis movement has
been furnished in a recent volume entitled, "The
Underground Railroad from Slavery to Free-
dom," by Prof. Wilbur H. Siebert, of Ohio State
University ; and, while it is not wholly free from
errors, both as to individual names and facts, it
will probably remain as the best compilation of
history bearing on this subject — especially as the
principal actors are fast passing away. One of
the interesting features of Prof. Siebert's book is
a map purporting to give the principal routes
and stations in the States northwest of the Ohio,
yet the accuracy of this, as well as the correct-
ness of personal names given, has been questioned
by some best informed on the subject. As
miglit be expected from its geographical position
between two slave States — Kentucky and Mis-
souri — on the one hand, and the lakes offering a
highway to Canada on the other, it is naturally
to be assimied that Illinois would be an attract-
ive field, both for the fugitive and his sympa-
thizer.
The period of greatest activity of the system in
this State was between 1840 and 1861 — the latter
being the year when the pro-slavery party in the
South, by their attempt forcibly to dissolve the
Union, took the business out of tlie hands of the
secret agents of the "Underground Railroad,"
and — in a certain sense — placed it in the hands
of the Union armies. It was in 1841 that Abra-
HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
535
ham Lincoln — then a conservativr opponent of
the extension of slavery — on an appeal from a
judgment, rendered by the Circuit Court in Taze-
well County, in favor of the holder of a note
given for the service of the indentured slave-
girl "Nance," obtained a decision from the
Supreme Court of Illinois upholding the doctrine
that the girl vras free under the Ordinance of
1787 and the State Constitution, and that the
note, given to the person who claimed to be her
owner, was void. And it is a somewhat curious
coincidence that the same Abraham Lincoln, as
President of the United States, in the second
year of the War of the Rebellion, issued the
Proclamation of Emancipation which finally
resulted in striking the shackles from the limbs
of every slave in the Union.
In the practical operation of aiding fugitives
in Illinois, it was natural that the towns along
tlie border upon the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers,
should have served as a sort of entrepots, or
initial stations, for the reception of this class of
freight — especially if adjacent to some anti-
slavery community. Tliis was the case at Ches-
ter, from which access was easy to Sparta, where
a colony of Covenanters, or Seceders, was
located, and whence a route extended, by way of
Oakdale, Nashville and Centralia, in the direction
of Chicago. Alton offered convenient access to
Bond County, where there was a community of
anti-slavery people at an early day, or the fugi-
tives could be forwarded northward by way of
JerseyviUe, Wave.rly and Jacksonville, about
each of which there was a strong anti-slavery
sentiment. Quincv, in spite of an intense hos-
tility among the mass of the community to any-
thing savoring of abolitionism, became the
tlieater of great activity on the part of the
opponents of the institution, especially after the
advent there of Dr. David Nelson and Dr. Rich-
ard Eells, botli of whom had rendered themselves
obnoxious to the people of Missouri by e.xtending
aid to fugitives. The former was a practical
abolitionist who. having freed his slaves in his
native State of Virginia, removed to I\Iissouri and
attempted to establish Marion College, a few miles
from Palmyra, but was soon driven to Illinois.
Locating near Quincy, he founded the "Mission
Institute" there, at which he continued to dis-
seminate his anti-slavery views, while educating
young men for missionary work. The "Insti-
tute" was finally burned by emissaries from Mis-
souri, while three 3'oung men who had been
connected with it, having been caught in Mis-
souri, were condemned to twelve years' confine-
ment in the penitentiary of that State — partly on
the testimony of a negro, although a negro was
not then a legal witness in the courts against a
white man. Dr. Eells was prosecuted before
Stephen A. Douglas (then a Judge of the Circuit
Court), and fined for aiding a fugitive to escape,
and the judgment against him was finally con-
firmed by the Supreme Court after his death, in
1853, ten years after the original indictment.
A map in Professor Siebert's book, showing the
routes and principal stations of the "Undergound
Railroad," makes mention of the following places
in Illinois, in addition to those already referred
to: Carlinville, in Macoupin County; Payson
and Mendon, in Adams; Washington, in Taze-
well ; Metamora, in Woodford ; Magnolia, in Put-
nam; Galesburg, in Knox; Princeton (the home
of Owen Lovejoy and the Bryants), in Bureau;
and many more. Ottawa appears to have been
the meeting point of a number of lines, as well
as the home of a strong colony of practical abo-
litionists. Cairo also became an important
transfer station for fugitives arriving by river,
after the completion of the Illinois Central Rail-
road, especially as it offered the speediest way of
reaching Chicago, towards which nearly all the
lines converged. It was here that the fugitives
could be most safely disposed of by placing them
upon vessels, which, without stopping at inter-
mediate ports, could soon land them on Canadian
soil.
As to methods, these differed according to cir-
cujiistances, the emergencies of the occasion, or
the taste, convenience or resources of the oper-
ator. Deacon Levi Morse, of Woodford County,
near Metamora, had a route towards JIagnolia,
Putnam County; and his favorite "car" was a
farm wagon in which there was a double bottom.
The passengers vvere snugly placed below, and
grain sacks.fiUed with bran or otlier light material,
were laid over, so that the whole presented the
appearance of an ordinary load of grain on its
way to market. The same was true as to stations
and routes. One, who was an operator, says:
"Wherever an abohtionist happened on a fugi-
tive, or the converse, there was a station, for the
time, and the route was to the ne.\t anti-slavery
man to the east or the north. As a general rule,
the agent preferred not to know anything beyond
the operation of his own immediate section of the
road. If he knew nothing about the operations
of another, and the other knew nothing of his,
they (M)uld not be witnesses in court.
We have it on the authority of Judge Harvey B.
Ilurd, of Chicago, that runaways were usually
536
HISTOUICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
forwarded from that city to Canada by way of the
Lakes, there being several steamers available for
that purpose. On one occasion thirteen were
put aboard a vessel under the e3'es of a United
States Marshal and his tleputies. The fugitives,
secreted in a woodshed, one by one took the
places of colored stevedores carrying wood
aboard the ship. Possibly the term, "There's a
nigger in the woodpile," may have originated in
this incident. Thirteen was an "unlucky num-
ber" in this instance — for the masters.
Among the notable trials for assisting runaways
in violation of the Fugitive Slave Law, in addi-
tion to the ca.se of Dr. Eells, already mentioned,
were those of Owen Lovejoy of Princeton, and
Deacon Gushing of Will County, both of whom
were defended by Judge Jas. H. Collins of Chi-
cago. John Hossack and Dr. Joseph Stout of
Ottawa, with some half-dozen of their neighbors
and friends, were tried at Ottawa, in 1859, for
assisting a fugitive and acquitted on a techni-
cality. A strong array of attorneys, afterwards
widely known through the northern part of the
State, appeared for the defense, including Isaac
N. Arnold, Joseph Knox, B. C. Cook. J. V. Eus-
tace, Edward S. Leland and E. C. Earned. Joseph
T. Morse, of Woodford County, was also arrested,
taken to Peoria and committed to jail, but
acquitted on trial.
Another noteworthy case was that of Dr.
Samuel Willard (now of Chicago) and his father,
Julius A. Willard, charged with assisting in the
escape of a fugitive at Jacksonville, in 1848, when
the Doctor was a student in Illinois College.
"The National Corporation Reporter," a few
years ago, gave an account of this affair, together
with a letter from Dr. Willard, in wliich he states
that, after protracted litigation, during which
the case was carried to the Supreme Court, it was
ended by his pleading guilty before Judge Samuel
D. Lockwood, when he was fined one dollar and
costs —the latter amounting to twenty dollars.
The Doctor frankly adds: "My father, as well
as myself, helped many fugitives afterwards."
It did not always happen, however, that offenders
escaped so easily.
Judge Harvey B. Hurd, already referred to,
and an active anti-slavery man in the days of the
Fugitive Slave Law, relates the following: Once,
when the trial of a fugitive was going on before
Justice Kercheval, in a room on the second floor
of a two-story frame building on Clark Street in
the city of Chicago, the crowd in attendance
filled the room, the stairway and the adjoining
sidewalk. In some way the prisoner got mixed
in with the audience, and passed down over the
heads of those on the stairs, where the officers
were unable to follow.
In another case, tried before United States
Commissioner Geo. W. Meeker, the result was
made to hinge upon a point in the indictment to
the effect that the fugitive was "copper-colored."
The Commissioner, as the story goes, being in-
clined to favor public sentiment, called for a large
copper cent, that he might make comparison.
The decision was, that the prisoner was "off
color," so to speak, and he was hustled out of the
room before the officers could re arrest him, as
they had been instructed to do.
Dr. Samuel Willard, in a review of Professor
Sieberfs book, published in "The Dial" of Chi
cago, makes mention of Henry Irving and Will-
iam Chauncey Carter as among his active allies
at Jacksonville, with Rev. Bilious Pond and
Deacon Lyman of Farmington (near the present
village of Farmingdale in Sangamon County),
Luther Ran.som of Springfield, Andrew Borders
of Randolph County, Joseph Gerrish of Jersey
and William T. Allan of Henry, as their coadju-
tors in other parts of the State. Other active
agents or promoters, in the same field, included
such names as Dr. Charles V. Dyer, Philo Carpen-
ter, Calvin De Wolf, L. C. P. Freer, Zebina East-
man, James H. Collins, Harvey B. Hiu-d, J. Young
Scammon, Col. J. F. Farnsworth and others of
Chicago, whose names have already been men-
tioned; Rev. Asa Turner, Deacon Ballard, J. K.
Van Dorn and Erastus Benton, of Quincy and
Adams County ; President Rufus Blanchard of
Knox College, Galesburg; John Leeper of Bond;
the late Prof. J. B. Turner and Elihu Wolcott of
Jacksonville; Capt. Parker Morse and his four
sons — Joseph T., Levi P., Parker, Jr., and Mark
— of Woodford County; Rev. William Sloane of
Randolph ; WiUiam Strawn of La Salle, besides a
host who were willing to aid their fellow men in
their aspirations to freedom, without advertising
their own exploits.
Among the incidents of "Underground Rail-
road" in Illinois is one which had some importance
politically, having for its climax a dramatic scene
in Congress, but of which, so far as known, no
full account has ever been written. About 1855,
Epiiraim Lombard, a Mississippi planter, but a
New Englander by birth, purchased a large body
of prairie land in the northeastern part of Stark
County, and, taking up his residence temporarily
in the village of Bradford, began its improve-
ment. He had brought with him from Mississippi
a negro, gray-haired and bent with age, a slave
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
537
of probably no great value. "Old Mose," as lie
was called, soon came to be well known and a
favorite in the neighborhood. Lombard boldly
stated that he had brought him there as a slave ;
that, by virtue of the Dred Scott decision (then
of recent date), he had a constitutional right to
take his slaves wherever he pleased, and that
"Old Mose" was just as much his property in
Illinois as in Mississippi. It soon became evident
to some, that his bringing of the negro to Illinois
was an experiment to test the law and the feel-
ings of the Northern people. This being the case,
a shrewd play would have been to let him have
his way till other slaves should have been
brought to stock the new plantation But this
was too slow a process for the abolitionists, to
whom the holding of a slave in the free State of
Illinois appeared an unbearable outrage. It was
feared that he might take the old negro back to
Mississippi and fail to bring any others. It was
reported, also, that "Old Mose" was ill-treated;
that he was given only the coarsest food in a
back shed, as if he were a horse or a dog, instead
of being permitted to eat at table with the family.
The prairie citizen of that time was very par-
ticular upon this point of etiquette. The hired
man or woman, debarred from the table of his or
her employer, would not liave remained a day.
A quiet consultation with "Old Mose" revealed
the fact that he would hail the gift of freedom
joyously. Accordingl}-, one Peter Risedorf, and
another equally daring, met him by the light of
the stars and, before morning, he was placed in
the care of Owen Lovejoy. at Princeton, twenty
miles away. From there he was speedily
"franked" bj- the member of Congress to friends
in Canada.
There was a great commotion in Bradford over
the "stealing" of "Old Mose. " Lombard and his
friends denounced the act in terms bitter and
profane, and threatened vengeance upon the per-
petrators. The conductors were known only to a
few, and they kept their secret well. Lovejoy's
part in the affair, however, soon leaked out.
Lombard returned to Mississippi, where he
related his experiences to Mr. Singleton, the
Representative in Congress from his district.
During the next session of Congress, Singleton
took occasion, in a speech, to sneer at Lovejoy as a
"nigger-stealer, " citing the case of "Old Mose."
Mr. Lovejoy replied in his usual fervid and
dramatic style, making a speech wliich ensured
his election to Congress for life — "Is it desired to
call attention to tliis fa(^t of my assisting fugitive
slaves?" he Siiid. "Owen Lovejoy lives at Prince-
ton, 111., three-quarters of a mile east of the
village, and he aids every slave that comes to his
door and asks it. Thou invisible Demon of
Slavery, dost thou think to cro.ss my humble
threshold and forbid me to give bread to the
hungry and shelter to the homeless? I bid you
defiance, in the name of my God!"
With another incident of an amusing charac-
ter tliis article may be closed : Hon. J. Young
Scammon. of Chicago, being accused of conniving
at the escape of a slave from officers of the law,
was asked by the court what he would do if sum-
moned as one of a posse to pursue and capture a
fugitive. "I would certainly obey the summons,"
he replied, "but — I sliould probably stub my toe
and fall down before I reached him."
Note.— Those who wish to pursue the subject of the
" Underground Railroad " in Illinois further, are referred
to the work of Dr. Siebert, already mentioned, and to the
various County Histories which have been Issued and may
be found in the public libraries; also for interesting inci-
dents, to " Reminiscences of Levi Coflin," Johnson's
"From Dixie to Canada," I'etit's Sketches, ".Still, Under-
groimd Railroad," and a ]iamiihlet of the same title by
James H. Fairchild, ex-President of Oberlin College.
UNDERWOOD, WllUam H., lawyer, legislator
and jurist, was born at Schoharie Court House,
N. Y., Feb. 31, 1818, and, after admission to the
bar, removed to Belleville, 111., where he began
practice in 1840. The following year he was
elected State's Attorney, and re-elected in 1843.
In 1846 he was chosen a member of the lower
house of the General Assembly, and, in 1848-54,
sat as Judge of the Second Circuit. During this
period he declined a nomination to Congress,
although equivalent to an election. In 1856 lie
was elected State Senator, and re-elected in 1860.
He was a member of the Constitutional Conven-
tion of 1869-70, and, in 1870, was again elected to
the Senate, retiring to private life in 1872. Died,
Sept. 23, 1875.
UNION COUNTY, one of the fifteen counties
into which Illinois was divided at the time of its
admi.ssion as a State — having been organized,
under the Territorial Government, in Januaiy,
1818. It is situated in the southern division of
the State, bounded on the west by the Jlississippi
River, and has an area .of 400 square miles. The
eastern and interior portions are drained by the
Cache River and Clear Creek. The western part
of the county comprises the broad, rich bottom
lands lying along the Mississippi, but is subject
to frequent overflow, while the eastern portion is
hilly, and most of its area originally lieavily tim-
bered. The county is esjiecially rich in nunerals.
Iron-ore, lead, bituminous coal, clialk, alum and
538
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
potter's clay are found in considerable abun-
dance. Several lines of railway (the most impor-
tant being the Illinois Central) either cross or
tap the couuty. The chief occupation is agri-
culture, although manufacturing is carried on to
a limited extent. Fruit is extensively cultivated.
Jonesboro is the county-seat, and Cobden and
Anna important shipping stations. The latter is
the location of the Southern Hospital for the
Insane. The population of the county, in 1890,
was 31,529. Being next to St. Clair, Randolph
and Gallatin, one of the earliest settled counties
in the State, many prominent men found their
first home, on coming into the State, at Jones-
boro, and this region, for a time, exerted a strong
influence in public affairs. Pop. (1910), 21,8.50.
UMO\ LEAGUE OF AMERICA, a secret poUt-
ical and patriotic order which liad its origin
early in the late Civil War, for the avowed pur-
pose of sustaining the cause of the Union and
counteracting the machinations of the secret
organizations designed to promote the success of
the Rebellion. The first regular Council of the
order was organized at Pekin, Tazewell County,
June 25, 1862, consisting of eleven members, as
follows: John \V. Glasgow, Dr. D. A. Cheever,
Hart Montgomery, Maj. Richard N. Cullom
(father of Senator Cullom), Alexander Small,
Rev. J. W. M. Vernon, George H. Harlow (after-
ward Secretary of State), Charles Turner, Col.
Jonathan Merriam, Henry Pratt and L. F. Gar-
rett. One of the number was a Union refugee
from Tennessee, who dictated the first oath from
memory, as administered to members of a some-
what similar order which had been organized
among the Unionists of his own State. It sol-
emnly pledged the taker, (1) to preserve invio-
late the secrets and business of the order; (2) to
"support, maintain, protect and defend the civil
liberties of the Union of these United States
against all enemies, either domestic or foreign,
at all times and under all circumstances," even
"if necessary, to the sacrifice of life"; (3) to aid
in electing only true Union men to offices of
trust in the town, county. State and General
Government; (4) to assist, protect and defend
any member of the order who might be in peril
from his connection with the order, and (5) to
obey all laws, mles or regulations of any Council
to which the taker of the oath might be attaclied.
The oath was taken upon the Bible, tlie Decla-
ration of Independence and Constitution of the
United States, the taker pledging his sacred
honor to its fulfillment. A special reason for the
organization existed in the activity, about this
time, of the "Knights of the Golden Circle," a
disloyal organization which had been introduced
from the South, and which afterwards took the
name, in the North, of "American Knights" and
"Sons of Liberty. " (See Secret Treasonable Soci-
eties.) Three months later, the organization had
extended to a number of other counties of the
State and, on the 25th of September following,
the first State Council met at Bloomington —
twelve counties being represented — and a State
organization was effected. At this meeting the
following general officers were chosen: Grand
Pre.sident — Judge Mark Bangs, of Marshall
County (now of Chicago) ; Grand Vice-President
— Prof. Daniel Wilkin, of McLean ; Grand Secre-
tary — George H. Harlow, of Tazewell; Grand
Treasurer — H. S. Austin, of Peoria, Grand Mar-
shal— J. R. Gorin, of Macon; Grand Herald —
A. Gould, of Henry; Grand Sentinel — John E.
Rosette, of Sangamon. An Executive Committee
was also appointed, consisting of Joseph MediU
of "The Chicago Tribune"; Dr. A. J. McFar-
land, of Morgan County: J. K. Warren, of Macon;
Rev. J. C. Rj'bolt, of La Salle; the President,
Judge Bangs: Enoch Emery, of Peoria; and
John E. Rosette. Under the direction of this
Committee, with Mr. Medill as its Chairman,
the constitution and by-laws were thoroughly
revised and a new ritual adopted, which materi-
ally changed the phraseology and removed some
of the crudities of the original obligation, as well
as increased the beauty and impressiveness of
the initiatory ceremonies. New signs, grips and
pass-words were also adopted, which were finally
accepted by the various organizations of the
order throughout the Union, which, by this time,
included many soldiers in the army, as well as
civilians. The second Grand (or State) Council
was held at Springfield, January 14, 1863, with
onh- seven counties represented. The limited
representation was discouraging, but the mem-
bers took heart from the inspiring words of Gov-
ernor Yates, addressed to a committee of the
order who waited upon him. At a special ses-
sion of the Executive Committee, held at Peoria,
six days later, a vigorous campaign was
mapped out, under which agents were sent
into nearly every county in the State. In Oc-
tober, 1862, the strength of the order in Illi-
nois was estimated at three to five thousand;
a few months later, the number of enrolled
members had increased to 50,000 — so rapid
had been the growth of the order. On March
25, 1863, a Grand Council met in Chicago—
404 Councils in Illinois being represented, with
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
539
a number from Oliio, Indiana, Michigan, Wiscon-
sin. Iowa and Minnesota. At tliis meeting a
Committee was appointed to prepare a plan of
organization for a National Grand Council, which
was carried out at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 30tli
of 3Iay following — the constitution, ritual and
signs of the Illinois organization being adopted
with sUght modifications. The icvised obligation
— taken upon the Bible, the Declaration of Inde-
pendence and the Constitution of the United
States — bound members of the League to "sup-
port, protect and defend the Government of the
United States and the fla,g thereof, against all
enemies, foreign and domestic," and to" bear true
•faith and allegiance to the same"; to "defend
the State against invasion or insurrection"; to
support only "true and reliable men" for offices
of trust and profit; to protect and defend
worthy members, and to preserve inviolate the
secrets of the order. The address to new mem-
bers was a model of impressiveness and a powerful
appeal to their patriotism. The organization
extended rapidly, not only throughout the North-
west, but in the South also, especially in the
army. In 1864 the number of Councils in IlUnois
was estimated at 1.300, with a membership of
17.5,000; and it is estimated that the total mem-
bership, throughout the Union, was 2,000,000.
The influence of the silent, but zealous and effect-
ive, operations of the organization, was shown,
not only in the stimulus given to enlistments and
support of the war policy of the Government,
but in the raising of supplies for the sick and
wounded soldiers in the field. Within a few
weeks before the fall of Vicksburg, over .$2.'5,000 in
cash, besides large quantities of stores, were sent
to Col. John Williams (then in charge of the
Sanitary Bureau at Springfield), as the direct
result of appeals made through circvilars sent out
by the officers of the "League." Large contri-
butions of money and supplies also reached the
sick and wounded in hospital tlirougli the medium
of the Sanitary Commission in Chicagcj. Zealous
efforts were made by the opposition to get at the
secrets of tlie order, and, in one case, a complete
copy of the ritual was published by one of their
organs; but the effect was so far the reverse of
what was anticipated, that this line of attack was
not continued. During the stormy session of the
Legislature in 1863, the League is said to have
rendered effective service in protecting Gov-
ernor Yates from threatened assassination. It
continued its silent but effective operations until
the complete overtlirow of the rebellion, when it
ceased to exist as a [lolitical organization.
UNITED STATES SENATORS. The follow-
ing is a list of United States senators from Illinois,
from the date of the admission of the State into
tlie Union until 1899, with the date and duration
of the term of each: Ninian Edwards, 1818-34;
Jesse B. Thomas, Sr., 1818-29; John McLean,
1834-2.5 and 1829-30; EUas Kent Kane, 1835-35;
David Jewett Baker, Nov. 12 to Dec. 11, 1830;
John M. Robinson, 1830-41 ; William L. D. Ewing,
183.5-37; Richard M. Young, 1837-43; Samuel Mc-
Roberts, 1841-43; Sidney Breese, 1843-49; James
Semple, 1843-47; Stephen A. Douglas, 1847-61;
James Shields, 1849-55; Lyman Trumbull, 1855-73;
Orville H. Browning, 1861-63; William A. Rich-
ardson, 1863-65; Richard Yates, 1865-71; John A.
Logan, 1871-77 and 1879-86; Richard J. Oglesby,
1873-79; David Davis, 1877-83; Shelby M. Cullom,
first elected in 1SS3, and re-elected four times, his
fifth term expiring in 1912; Charles B. Farwell,
1887-91; John McAuley Palmer, 1891-97; William
E.Mason, 1897-1903; Albert J. Hopkins, 1903-09;
William Lorimer, 1900 — .
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (The New). One
of the leading educational institutions of the
country, located at Chicago. It is the outgrowth
of an attempt, put forth by the American Educa-
tional Society (organized at Washington in 1888),
to supply the place which the original institution
of the same name had been designed to fill. (See
University of Chicago — Tlie Old.) The following
year, Mr. John D. Rockefeller of New York ten-
dered a contribution of §600, 000 toward the endow-
ment of the enterprise, conditioned upon securing
additional pledges to the amount of .S400,000 by
June 1, 1890. The offer was accepted, and the
sum promptly raised. In addition, a site, covering
four blocks of land in the city of Chicago, was
secured — two and one-half blocks being acquired
by purcliase for $282,500, and one and one-half
(valued at .5135,000) donated by Mr. Marshall
Field. A charter was secured and an organiza-
tion effected, Sept. 10, 1890. Tlie Presidency of
the institution was tendered to, and accepted by,
Dr. Williaiu R. Harper. Since that time the
University has been the recipient of other gener-
ous benefactions by Mr. Rockefeller and others,
until the aggregate donations (1898) exceed §10,-
000,000. Of this amount over one-half has been
contributed by Mr. Rockefeller, while he has
pledged liimself to make additional contributions
of 82,000,000, conditioned upon the raising of a
like sum, from other donors, by Jan. 1,1900. The
l)uildings erected on tlie campus, prior to 1896,
iurlude a dieniical laboratory costing .8183,000: a
lecture liall, •?150,000; a physical laboratory
540
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
$150,000; a museum, $100,000; an academy dor-
mitory, §30,000; three dormitories for women,
,?ir)0,U00; two dormitories for men, $100,000, to
whicli several important additions were made
during 1896 and 97. The faculty embraces over
150 instructors, selected with reference to their
fitness for their respective departments from
among tlie most eminent scholars in America and
Europe. Women are admitted as students and
graduated upon an equality with men. The work
of practical instruction began in October, 1892,
with 589 registered students, coming from nearly
every Northern State, and including 250 gradu-
ates from other institutions, to which accessions
were made, during the year, raising the aggregate
to over 900. The second year the number ex-
ceeded 1,100; the third, it rose to 1,7.50, and tlie
fourth (1895-96), to some 2,000, including repre-
sentatives from every State of the Union, besides
many from foreign countries. Special features
of tlie institution include the admission of gradu-
ates from other institutions to a post-graduate
course, and the University Extension Division,
which is conducted largely by means of lecture
courses, in otlier cities, or through lecture centers
in tlie vicinity of the University, non-resident
students having the privilege of written exami-
nations. The various libraries embrace over
300,000 volumes, of which nearly 60,000 belong
to what are called the "Departmental Libraries,"
besides a large and valuable collection of maps
and pamphlets.
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (The Old), an
educational institution r.t Chicago, under the
care of the Baptist denomination, for some years
known as the Douglas University. Senator
Stephen A. Douglas offered, in 1854, to donate ten
acres of land, in what was then near the southern
border of the city of Chicago,' as a site for an
institution of learning, provided buildings cost-
ing $100,000, be erected thereon within a stipu-
lated time. The corner-stone of the main building
was laid, July 4, 1857, but the financial panic of
that year prevented its completion, and Mr. Doug-
las extended the time, and finally deeded the
land to the trustees without reserve. For eighteen
years the institution led a precarious existence,
struggling under a heavy debt. By 1885, mort-
gages to the amount of §320,000 having accumu-
lated, the trustees abandoned further effort, and
acquiesced in the sale of the property under fore-
closure proceedings. The original plan of the
institution contemplated preparatory and col-
legiate departments, together with a college of
law and a theological school.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, the leading edu-
cational institution under control of the State,
located at Urbana and adjoining the city of
Champaign. Tlie Legislature at the session of 1863
accepted a grant of 480,000 acres of land under
Act of Congress, approved July 2, 1862, making an
appropriation of public lands to States — 30,000
acres for each Senator and each Representative in
Congress — establishing colleges for teaching agri-
culture and the mechanic arts, though not to the
exclu.sion of classical and scientific studies. Land-
scrip under this grant was issued and placed in
the hands of Governor Yates, and a Board of
Trustees appointed under the State law was organ-
ized in March, 1867, the institution being located
the same year. Departments and courses of study
were established, and Dr. John M. Gregory, of
Michigan, was chosen Regent (President). — The
landscrip issued to Illinois was sold at an early
day for what it would bring in open market,
except 25,000 acres, which was located in Ne-
braska and Minnesota. This has recently been
sold, realizing a larger sum than was received
for all the scrip otherwise disposed of. The entire
sum thus secured for permanent endowment ag-
gregates 6613,026. The University revenues were
further increased by donations from Congress to
each institution organized under the Act of 1862,
of §15,000 per annum for the maintenance of an
Agricultural Experiment Station, and, in 1890, of
a similar amount for instruction — the latter to be
increased §1.000 annually until it should reach
§25.000.— A mechanical building was erected in
1871, and this is claimed to have been the first of
its kind in America intended for strictly educa-
tional purposes. What was called "the main
building" was formally opened in December,
1873. Other buildings embrace a "Science Hall,"
opened in 1892; a new "Engineering Hall," 1894;
a fine Library Building, 1897. Eleven other prin-
cipal structures and a number of smaller ones
have been erected as conditions required. The
value of property aggregates nearly §2,500,000, and
appropriations from the State, for all purposes,
previous to 1904, foot up §5,133,517.90.— Since
1871 the institution has been open to women.
The courses of study embrace agriculture, chem-
istry, polytechnics, military tactics, natural and
general sciences, languages and literature, eco-
nomics, household science, trade and commerce.
The Graduate School dates from 1891. In 1896
the Chicago College of Pharmacy was connected
with the University: a College of Law and a
Library School were opened in 1897, and the same
year the Chicago College of Physicians and ^Sur-
G
Z
CO
2!
O
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
541
Kenns was affiliated as the College of Jledicine — a
School of Dentistry being added to tlie latter in
1901. In 1885 the State Laboratory of Natural
History was transferred from Normal, 111., and an
Agricultural Experiment Station entablished in
1888, from which bulletins are sent to farmers
throughout the State who may desire them. — The
first name of the Institution was "Illinois Indus-
trial University," but, in 1885, this was changed
to "University of Illinois." In 1887 the Trustees
(of whom there are nine) were made elective by
popular vote — three being elected every tv,-o
years, each holding office six j-ears. Dr. Gregory,
having resigned the office of Regent in 1880, was
succeeded by Dr. Selim H. Peabody, who had
been Professor of Meclianical and Civil Engineer-
ing. Dr. Peabod}' resigned in 1891. The duties
of Regent were then discharged by Prof. Thomas
J. Burrill until August, 11^94, when Dr. Andrew
Sloan Draper, former State Superintendent of
Public Instruction of the State of New "York, was
installed as President, serving until 1904. — The
corps of instruction (1904) includes over 100 Pro-
fessors, 60 Associate and Assistant Professors and
200 Instructors and Assistants, besides special
lecturers, demonstrators and clerks. The num-
ber of students has increased rapidly in recent
years, as shown by the following totals for suo-
ces.sive years from 1890-91 to 1903-04, inclusive:
519; 583; 714; 743; 810; 853; 1,075: 1,582; 1,824;
2,234; 2,505; 2,933: 3,289; 3,589. Of the last num-
ber, 3,271 were men and 718 women. During
1903-04 there were in all departments at Urbana,
2,547 students (256 being in the Preparatory Aca-
demy) ; and in the three Professional Departments
in Chicago, 1,042, of whom 694 were in the Col-
lege of Medicine, 185 in the School of Pharmac}',
and 163 in the School of Dentistry. The Univer-
sity Library contains 63,700 volumes and 14,500
pamphlets, not including 5,350 volumes and
15,8.50 pamphlets in the State Laboratory of Nat-
ural Hi.story.^ — Tlie University occupies a con-
spicuous and attractive site, embracing 220 acres
adjacent to the line between Uibana and Cham-
paign, and near the re.sidence portion of the two
cities. The athletic field of 11 acres, on whicli
stand the gymnasium and armory, is enclosed
with an ornamental iron fence. The campus,
otherwise, is an open and beautiful park with
fine landscape effects.
UNOHCUNIZED COUXTIES. In addition to
the 103 counties into which Illinois is divided,
acts wore passed by the General Assembly,
at diiTerent times, providing for the organiza-
tion of a number of others, a few of wliiih
were subsequently organized under different
names, but the majority of which were never
organized at all — the proposition for such or-
ganization being rejected by vote of the people
within the proposed boundaries, or allowed to
lapse by non-action. These unorganized coun-
ties, with the date of the several acts authorizing
them, ;,nd the territory which they were in-
tended to include, were as follows: Allen
County (1841) — comprising portions of Sanga-
mon, Morgan and Macoupin Counties ; Audobon
(Audubon) County (1843) — from portions of Mont-
gomery, Fayette and Shelby; Benton County
(1843) — from Morgan, Greene and Macoupin;
Coffee County (1837) — with substantially the
same territory now comprised within the bound-
aries of Stark County, authorized two years
later; Dane County (1839) — name changed to
Cliristian in 1840; Harrison County (18.5.5) —
from McLean, Champaign and Vermilion, com-
prising territory since partially incorporated
in Ford County; Holmes County (1857) — from
Champaign and Vermilion; Marquette County
(1843), changed (1847) to Highland — compris-
ing the northern portion of Adams, (this act
was accepted, with Columbus as the county-
seat, but organization finally vacated) ; Michi-
gan County (1837)— from a part of Cook; Milton
County (1843) — fi-om the south part of Vermil-
ion; Oka%v County (1841) — comprising substan-
tially the same territory as Moultrie, organized
under act of 1843; Oregon County (1851) — from
parts of Sangamon, Morgan and Macoupin Coun-
ties, and covering substantially the .same terri-
tory as proposed to be incorporated in Allen
County ten years earlier. Tlie last act of this
character was passed in 1867, when an attempt
was made to organize Lincoln County out O-
parts of Champaign and Vermilion, but whicU
failed for want of an affirmative vote.
UPPER ALTON, a city of Madison County,
situated on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, about
IJ miles northeast of Alton— laid out in 1816. It
lias several churches, and is the seat of Shurtleff
College and the Western Military Academy, the
former founded about 1831, and controlled by the
Rajitist denomination, Beds of excellent clay are
found in the vicinity and utilized in pottery
manufacture. Pop. (1900), 2,373; (1910), 2,i)lS.
UPTOX, Ocor^o Putnam, journalist, was born
at Roxlniry. Mass., Oct. 25, 1834; graduated from
Brown University in 1854, removed to Chicago
in 1855, and began newspaper work on "The
Native American," the following year taking
tlio place of city editor of "The Evening Jour-
542
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
nal." In 1863, Mr. Upton became musical critic
on "The Cliicago Tribune." .serving for a time
also as its war correspondent in the field, later
(about 1881) taking a place on the general edi-
torial staff, which lie still retains. He is regarded
as an authority on musical and dramatic topics.
Mr. Upton is also a stockholder in, and, for sev-
eral years, has been Vice-President of the "Trib-
une'' Company. Besides numerous contributions
to magazines, his works include: "Letters of
Peregrine Pickle" (1S69) ; "Memories, a Story of
German Love," translated from the German of
Ma.x Muller (1879) ; "Woman in Music" (1880) ;
"Lives of German Composers" (3 vols. — 1883-84);
besides four volumes of standard operas, oratorios,
cantatas, and symphonies (188.5-88).
URB.\NA, a flourishing city, the county-seat
of Champaign County, on the "Big Four," the
Illinois Central and the Wabash Railways: 130
miles .south of Chicago and 31 miles west of Dan-
ville; in agricultural and coal-mining region.
The mechanical industries include extensive rail-
road shops, manufacture of brick, suspenders and
lawn-mowers. The Cunningham Deaconesses'
Home and Orphanage is located here. The city
has water-works, gas and electric light plants,
electric car-lines (local and interurban), superior
schools, nine churches, three banks and three
newspapers. Urbana is the seat of the University
of Illimiis. Pop. (1900), .5,7-28; (1910), 8,24.3.
DSREY, William J., editor and soldier, was
born at W^ashington (near Natchez), Miss., May
16, 1837; was educated at Natchez, and, before
reaching manhood, came to Macon County, 111.,
where he engaged in teaching until 1846, when
he enlisted as a private in Company C, Fourth
Illinois Volunteers, for the Mexican War. In
1855, he joined with a Mr. W^ingate in the estab-
lishment, at Decatur, of "The Illinois State Chron-
icle, " of which he soon after took sole charge,
conducting the paper until 1861, when he enlisted
in the Tliii'ty-fifth Illinois Volunteers and was
appointed Adjutant. Although born and edu-
cated in a slave State, Mr. Usrey was an earnest
opponent of slavery, as proved by the attitude of
his paper in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska
Bill. He was one of the most zealous endorsers
of the proposition for a conference of the Anti-
Nebraska editors of the State of Illinois, to agree
upon a line of policy in opposition to the further
extension of slavery, and, when that body met at
Decatur, on Feb. 23, 1856, he served as its Secre-
tary, thus taking a prominent part in the initial
steps which resulted in the organization of the
Republican party in Illinois. (See Anti-Nebraska
Editorial Coni^ention.) After returning from
the war he resumed his place as editor of "The
Chronicle," but finally retired from newspaper
work in 1871. He was twice Postmaster of the
city of Decatur, first previous to 1850, and again
under the administration of President Grant;
served also as a member of the City Council and
was a member of the local Post of the G. A. R.,
and Secretary of the Macon County Association
of Mexican War Veterans. Died, at Decatur,
Jan. 20, 1894.
UTIC.\, (also called North Utica), a village of
La Salle Comity, on the Illinois & Michigan
Canal and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railway, 10 miles west of Ottawa, situated on the
Illinois River opposite "Starved Rock," also
believed to stand on the site of the Kaskaskia
village found by the French Explorer, La Salle,
when he first visited Illinois. "Utica cement" is
produced here; it also has several factories or
mills, besides banks and a weekly paper. Popu-
lation (1890), 1,094; (1900), 1,1.50; (1910), 976.
VAN ARNAM, John, lawyer and soldier, was
born at Plattsburg, N. Y., March 3, 1820. Hav-
ing lost his father at five years of age, he went to
live with a farmer, but ran away in his boyhood;
later, began teaching, studied law, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in New York City, beginning
practice at Marshall, Mich. In 1858 he removed
to Chicago, and, as a member of the firm of
Walker, Van Arnam & Dexter, became promi-
nent as a criminal lawyer and railroad attorney,
being for a time Solicitor of the Chicago, Burling-
ton & Quincy Railroad. In 1862 he assisted in
organizing the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh
Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned
its Colonel, but was compelled to resign on
account of illness. After spending some time in
California, he resumed practice in Chicago in
1865. His later years were spent in California,
dying at San Diego, in that State, April 6, 1890.
VAN1>ALIA, the principal city and county-seat
of Faj-ette County. It is situated on the Kas-
kaskia River, 30 miles north of Centralia, 62
miles south by west of Decatur, and 68 miles
east-northeast of St. Louis. It is an intersecting
point for the Illinois Central and the St. Louis,
VandaUa and Terre Haute Railroads. It was the
capital of the State from 1830 to 1839, the seat of
government being removed to Springfield, the
latter year, in accordance with act of the General
Assembly passed at the session of 1837. It con-
tains a court house (old State Capitol building),
six churches, two banks, three weekly papers, a
^On^t^.^.^ /.yh7.^6
''f
T'L'
r vjj
HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
543
graded school, flour, saw and paper mills, foundry,
stave and heading mill, carriage and wagon
and brick works. Pop. (190(1), 2,(36.5; (1910), 2,974.
VANDEVEER, Horatio M., pioneer lawyer,
was born in Washington County, Ind., March 1,
1816 ; came with his family to Illinois at an early
age, settling on Clear Creek, now in Christian
County ; taught school and studied law, using
books borrowed from the late Hon. John T. Stuart
of Springfield ; was elected first County Recorder
of Christian County and, soon after, appointed
Circuit Clerk, filling both offices three years.
He also held the oflice of County Judge from 1848
to 1857 ; was twice chosen Representative in the
General Assembly (1843 and 1850) and once to the
State Senate (18(52); in 1846, enUsted and was
chosen /Captain of a company for the Mexican
War, but, having been rejected on account of the
quota being full, was appointed Assistant-Quarter-
master, in this capacity serving on the staff of
General Taylor at the battle of Buena Vista.
Among other offices held by Mr. Vandeveer, were
those of Postmaster of Taylorville. blaster in
Chancery, Presidential Elector (1848), Delegate
to the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and
Judge of the Circuit Court (1870-79). In 1868
Judge Vandeveer established the private banking
firm of H. M. Vandeveer & Co., at Taylorville,'
which, in conjunction with his sons, he continued
successfully during the remainder of his life.
Died, March 12, 1894.
VAN HORNE, William C, Railway Manager
and President, was born in Will County, 111.,
February, 1843 ; began his career as a telegraph
operator on the Illinois Central Railroad in 1856,
was attached to the Michigan Central and Chi-
cago & Alton Railroads (1858-72), later being
General Manager or General Superintendent of
various other lines (1872-79). He next served as
General Superintendent of the Chicago, Milwau-
kee & St. Paul, but soon after became General
Manager of the Canadian Pacific, which he
assisted to construct to the Pacific Coast; was
elected Vice-President of the line in 1884, and its
President in 1888. His services have been recog-
nized by conferring upon him the order of
knighthood by the British Government.
VASSEl'R, Noel C, pioneer Indian-trader, was
born of French parentage in Canada, Dec. 25,
1799; at the age of 17 made a trip with a trading
party to the West, crossing Wisconsin by way of
the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, the route pursued
by Joliet and Marquette in 1673 ; later, was associ-
ated with Gurdon S. Hubbard in the service of
the American Fur Company, in 1820 visiting the
region now embraced in Iroquois County, where
he and Hubbard subsequently established a trad-
ing post among the Pottawatomie Indians,
believed to have been the site of the present town
of Iroquois. The way of reaching their station
from Chicago was by the Chicago and Des
Plaines Rivers to the Kankakee, and ascending
the latter and the Iroquois. Here Vasseur re-
mained in trade until the removal of the Indians
west of the Mississippi, in which he served as
agent of the Government. While in the Iroquois
region he married Watseka, a somewhat famous
Pottawatomie woman, for whom the town of
Watseka was named, and who had previously
been the Indian wife of a fellow-trader. His
later years were spent at Bourbonnais Grove, in
Kankakee County, where he died, Dec. 13, 1879.
TENICE, a city of Madison County, on the
Mississippi River opposite St. Louis and 3 miles
north of East St. Louis ; is touched by six trunk
lines of railroad, and at the eastern approach to
the new "Merchants" Bridge," with its round-
house, has two ferries to St. Louis, street car line,
electric lights, water-works, some manufactures
and a newspai>er. Pop. (1900), 2,450; (1910), 3,718.
VENICE & CARONDELET RAILROAD. (See
Louisville, Evcnsville & St. Louis (Consolidated)
Railroad.)
VERMILION COUNTY, an eastern county,
bordering on tlie Indiana State line, and drained
by the Vermilion and Little Vermilion Rivers,
from which it takes its name. It was originally
organized in 1836, when it extended north to
Lake Michigan. Its present area is 882 square
miles. The discovery of salt springs, in 1819,
aided in attracting immigration to this region,
but the manufacture of salt was abandoned
many years ago. Early settlers were Seymour
Treat, James Butler, Henry Johnston, Harvey
Lidington, Gurdon S. Hubbard and Daniel W.
Beckwith. James Butler and Achilles Morgan
were the first County Commissioners. Many
interesting fossil remains have been found,
among them the skeleton of a mastodon (1868).
Fire clay is found in large quantities, and two
coal seams cross the county. The surface is level
and the soil fertile. Corn is the chief agricultural
product, although oats, wheat, rye, and potatoes
are exten.sively cultivated. Stock-raising and
wool-growing are important industries. There
are also several manufactories, chiefly at Dan-
ville, which is the county-seat. Coal mining
is carried on extensively, e.specially in the vicin-
ity of Danville. Population (1880), 41,588; (1890),
49,905; (1900), 65,035; (1910), 77,990.
544
niSTOPJCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
TERMILIOX RIVER, a tributary of the Illi-
nois; rises in Ford and the northern part of
McLean County, and, running northwestward
through Livingston and the southern part of
La Salle Counties, enters the Illinois River
nearly opposite the city of La Salle ; has a length
of about 80 miles.
TERMILIOX RIVER, an affluent of the Wa-
bash, formed by the union of the North, Middle
and South Forks, which rise in Illinois, and
come together near Danv-.Ue in this State. It
flows southeastward, and enters the Wabash in
Vermilion County, Ind. The main stream is
about 28 miles long. The South Fork, however,
which rises in Champaign County and runs east-
ward, has a length of nearly 75 miles. The
Little Vermilion River enters the Wabash about
7 or 8 miles below the Vermilion, which is some-
times called the Big Vermilion, by way of
distinction.
VERMONT, a village in Fulton County, at
junction of Galesburg and St. Louis Division of
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 34
miles north of Beardstown ; has a carriage manu-
factory, flour and saw-mills, brick and tile works,
electric light plant, besides two banks, four
churches, two graded schools, and one weekly
newspaper. An artesian well has been sunk here
to the depth of 2,600 feet. Pop (1910), 1,118.
VERSAILLES, a town of Brown County, on
the Wabash Railway, 48 miles east of Quincy; i.?
in a timber and agricultural district; has a bank
and weekly newspaper. Pop. (1910), 557.
VIENNA, the county-seat of Johnson County,
situated on the Cairo and Vincennes branch of
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis
Railroad. 36 :ailes north-northwest of Cairo. It
has a court house, several churches, a graded
school, banks and two weekly newspapers.
Pop. (1S90), 828; (1900), 1,217; (1910), 1,124.
VIGO, Francois, pioneer and early Indian-
trader, was born at Mondovi, Sardinia (Western
Italy), in 1747, served as a private soldier, first at
Havana and afterwards at New Orleans. When
he left the Spanish army he came to St. Louis,
then the military headquarters of Spain for Upper
Louisiana, where he became a partner of Com-
mandant de Leba, and was extensively engaged
in the fur-trade among the Indians on the Ohio
and Mississippi Rivers. On the occupation of
Kaskaskia by Col. George Rogers Clark in 1778,
he rendered valuable aid to the Americans, turn-
ing out supplies to feed Clark's destitute soldiers,
and accepting Virginia Continental money, at
par, in payment, incurring liabilities in excess of
§20,000. This, followed by the confiscation policy
of tlie British Colonel Hamilton, at Vincennes,
where Vigo had considerable property, reduced
him to extreme penury. H. W. Beckwith says
that, towards the close of his life, he lived on his
little homestead near Vincennes, in great poverty
but cheerful to the last He was never recom-
pensed during his life for his sacrifices in behalf
of the American cause, though a tardy restitution
was attempted, after his death, by the United
States Government, for the benefit of his heirs.
He died, at a ripe old age, at Vincennes, Ind.,
March 22, 1835.
VILLA (tROYE, a village of Douglas County on
the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, eight miles
northeast of Tuscola. Pop. (1910), 1,828.
VINCENNES, Jean Baptiste Bissot, a Canadian
explorer, born at Quebec, January, 1G88, of aris-
tocratic and wealthy ancestry. He was closely
connected with Louis Joliet — probably his
brother-in-law, although some historians say that
he was the latter's nephew. He entered the
Canadian army as ensign in 1701, and had a long
and varied experience as an Indian fighter.
About 1725 he took up his residence on what is
now the site of the present city of Vincennes,
Ind., which is named in his honor. Here he
erected an earth fort and established a trading-
post. In 1726, under orders, he co-operated with
D'Artaguiette (then the French Governor of Illi-
nois) in an expedition against the Chickasaws.
The expedition resulted disastrously. Vincennes
and D'Artaguiette were captured and burned
at the stake, together with Father Senat (a
Jesuit priest) and others of the command.
(See also D'Artaguiette; French Oovernors of
IllillOh'S.)
VIRDEN, a city of Macoupin County, on the
Chicago & Alton and the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroads, 21 miles south by west from
Springfield, and 31 miles east-southeast of Jack-
sonville. It has five churches, two banks, two
newspapers, telephone service, electric lights,
grain elevators, machine shop, and extensive coal
mines. Pop. (1900), 2,280; (1910), 4,000.
VIRGINIA, an incorporated city, the county-
seat of Cass County, situated at the intersection of
the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis, with the Spring-
field Division of tlie Baltimore & Ohio South-
western Railroad, 15 miles north of Jacksonville,
and 33 miles west-northwest of Springfield. It
lies in the heart of a rich agricultural region.
There is a flouring mill here, besides manu-
factories of wagons and cigars. The city has two
National and one State bank, five churches, a
TTyuj ^j^j^^cttA^ ^-^.&^?lx^
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
545
high school, and two weekly papers. Pop. (1890),
1,602; (1900), 1,600; (1910), 1,501.
YOCKE, William, lawyer, was born at Min-
den, Westphalia (Germany), in 1S39, the son of a
Government Secretary in the Prussian service.
Having lost his father at an early age, he emi-
grated to America in 1S06, and, after a short
stay in New York, came to Chicago, where he
found employment as a paper-carrier for "The
Staats-Zeitung," meanwhile giving his attention
to the study of law. Later, he became associated
with a real-estate firm; on the commencement
of the Civil War, enlisted as a private in a
threeinonths' regiment, and, finally, in the
Twenty-fourth Illinois (the first Hecker regi-
ment), in which he rose to the rank of Captain.
Returning from the army, he was employed as
city editor of "The Staats-Zeitung," but, in
1865, became Clerk of the Chicago Police Court,
serving until 1869. Meanwhile he had been
admitted to the bar, and, on retirement from
office, began practice, but, in 1870, was elected
Representative in tlie Twenty-seventh General
Assembly, in which he bore a leading part in
framing "the burnt record act" made necessary
by the fire of 1871. He was still later engaged
in the practice of his profession, having been,
for a number of years, attorney for the German
Consulate at Chicago, also serving, for several
years, on the Chicago Board of Education. Mr.
Vocke was a man of liigh literary taste.s, as shown
by his publication, in 18G9, of a volume of poems
translated from the German, which has been
highly commended, besides a legal work on
"The Administration of Justice in the United
States, and a Synopsis of the Mode of Procedui-e
in our Federal and State Courts and All Federal
and State Laws relating to Subjects of Interest
to Aliens," which has been published in the Ger-
man Language, and is highly valued by German
lawyers and business men. Mr. Vocke was a
member of the Republican National Convention
of 1872 at Philadelphia, which nominated General
Grant for the Presidency in 1872. Died May 3, 1907.
VOLK, Leonard Wells, a distinguished Illinois
sculptor, born at Wellstown (afterwards Wells),
N. Y., Nov. 7, 1838. Later, his father, who was
a marble cutter, removed to Pittsfield, Mass.,
and, at the age of 16, Leonard began work in his
shop. In 1848 he came west and begaTi model-
ing in clay and drawing at St. Louis, being only
self-taught. He married a cousin of Steplien A.
Douglas, and the latter, in 183.5, aided him in
the prosecution of his art studies in Italy. Two
years afterward he settled in Chicago, where ho
inodeled the first portrait bust ever made in the
city, having for his subject his first patron — the
"Little Giant." The next year (18;")8) he made a
life-size marble statue of Douglas. In 1860 he
made a portrait bust of Abraham Lincoln, which
passed into the possession of the Chicago His-
torical Societj' and was destroyed in the great fire
of 1871. In 1868-69, and again in 1871-73, he
revisited Italy for purposes of study. In 1867 he
was elected academician of the Chicago Academy,
and was its President for eight years. He was
genial, companionable and charitable, and always
ready to assist his younger and less fortunate pro-
fessional brethren. His best known works are the
Douglas Monument, in Chicago, several soldiers'
monimients in different parts of the country,
the statuary for the Henry Keep mausoleum at
Watertown, N. Y. , life-size statues of Lincoln
and Douglas, in the State House at Springfield,
and numerous portrait busts of men eminent
in political, ecclesiastical and commercial life.
Died, at Osceola, Wis., August 18, 1895.
VOSS, Arno, joiu'nalist, lawyer and .soldier,
born in Prussia, April 16, 1831 ; emigrated to the
United States and was admitted to the bar in
Chicago, in 1848. the same year becoming editor
of "The- Staats-Zeitung"; was elected City
Attorney > in^ 18.52, and again in 1853 ; in 1861
became Major of the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, but
afterwards assisted . in organizing the Twelfth
Cavalry, of which he was commissioned Colonel,
still later serving with his command in Vir-
ginia. He was at Harper's Ferry at the time of
the captiu:e of that place in September, 1863, but
succeeded in cutting liis way, witli his command,
through the rebel lines, escaping into Pennsyl-
vania. Compelled by ill-health to leave the serv-
ice in 1863, he retired to a farm in Will County,
but, in 1869, returned to Chicago, where he served
as Master in Chancery and was elected to the
lower branch of the General Assembly in 1876,
but declined a re-election in 1878. Died, in Chi-
cago, March 33, 1888.
WABASH, CHESTER & WESTERN RAIL-
ROAD, a railway running from Chester to Mount
Vernon, 111., 63.33 miles, with a branch extend-
ing from Chester to Menard, 1.5 miles; total
mileage, 64.83. It is of standard gauge, and
almost entirely laid with 60-pound steel rails. —
(History.) It was organized, Feb. 30, 1878. as
successor to the Iron Jlountain, Chester & East-
ern ILiilroad. During the fiscal year 1893-94 the
Company purchased the Tamaroa & Jloimt Ver-
non Railroad, extending from Jlount ^'ernon to
546
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
Tamaroa, 22.5 miles. Capital stock (1898), $1,-
2,i0,000; bonded indebtedness, §090,000; total
capitalization, S2,028,.573.
WABASH COUNTY, situated in the southeast
corner of tlie State ; area 220 square miles. The
county was carved out from Edwards in 1824,
and the first court house built at Centerville, in
May, 1826. Later, Mount Carmel was made the
county -seat. (See Mount Carmel.) The Wabash
Eiver drains the county on the east; other
streams are the Bon Pas, Coffee and Crawfish
Creeks. The surface is undulating with a fair
growth of timber. The chief industries are the
raising of live-stock and the cultivation of cere-
als. The wool-crop is likewise valuable. The
county is crossed by the Louisville, Evansville &
3t. Louis and the Cairo and Vincennes Division
of the Cleveland. Cincinnati, Chicago & St.
Louis Raib-oads. Population (1880), 4,945; fl890),
11,866; (1900), 12,.'^S:5; (1910), 14,91.3.
WABASH RAILROAD, an extensive raihoad
system connecting the cities of Detroit and
Toledo, on the east, with Kansas Citj' and Council
Bluffs, on the west, with branches to Chicago, St.
Louis, Quincy and Altamont, 111., and to Keokuk
and Des Moines, Iowa. The total mileage (1898)
is 1,874.96 miles, of which 677.4 miles are in Illi-
nois—all of the latter being the property of the
company, besides 176.7 miles of yard-tracks, sid-
ings and spurs. The company has trackage
privileges over the Toledo, Peoria & "Western (6.5
miles) between Elvaston and Keokuk bridge, and
over the Chicago, Burlington & Quinc}- (21.8
miles) between Camp Point and Quincy. — (His-
tory.) A considerable portion of this road in
Illinois is constructed on the line upon which the
Northern Cross Railroad was projected, in the
"internal improvement" scheme adopted in 1837,
and embraces the only section of road comjdeted
imder that scheme — that between the Illinois
River and Springfield. (1) The construction of
this section was begun by the State, May 11,
1837, the first rail laid, May 9, 1838, the road
completed to Jacksonville, Jan. 1, 1840, and to
Springfield, May 13, 1842. It was operated for a
time by "mule power," but the income was in-
sufficient to keep the line in repair and it was
finally abandoned. In 1847 the line was sold for
§21,100 to X. H. Ridgely and Thomas Mather of
Springfield, and by them transferred to New
York capitalists, who organized the Sangamon &
Morgan Railroad Comimny, reconstructed the
road from .Springfield to Naples and opened it for
business in 1849. (2) In 1853 two corporations
were organized in Ohio and Indiana, respectively,
under the name of the Toledo & Illinois Railroad
and the Lake Erie, Wabash & St. Louis Railroad,
which were consolidated as the Toledo, Wabash
& We.stern Railroad, June 25, 1856. In 1858
these lines were sold sejjarately under foreclo-
sure, and finally reorganized, under a special char-
ter granted by the Illinois Legislature, under the
name of the Great Western Railroad Company.
(3) The Quincy & Toledo Railroad, extending
from Camp Point to the Illinois River opposite
Meredosia, was constructed in 1858-59, and that,
with the Illinois & Southern Iowa (from Clay-
ton to Keokuk), was united, July 1, 1865, with
the eastern divisions extending to Toledo, the
new organization taking the name of the main
line, (Toledo, Wabash & Western). (4) The
Hannibal & Naples Division (49,6 miles), from
Bluffs to Hannibal, Mo., was chartered in 1863,
opened for business in 1870 and leased to the
Toledo, Wabash & Western. The latter defaulted
on its interest in 1875, was placed in the hands
of a receiver and, in 1877, was turned over to a
new company under the name of the Wabash
Railway Company. (5) In 1868 the company,
as it then existed, promoted and secured the con-
struction, and afterwards acquired the owner-
ship, of a line extending from Decatur to East St.
Louis (110.5 miles) under the name of the Deca-
tur & East St. Louis Railroad. (6) The Eel River
Railroad, from Butler to Logansport, Ind., was
acquired in 1877, and afterwards extended to
Detroit under the name of the Detroit, Butler &
St. Louis Railroad, completing the connection
from Logansport to Detroit. — In November, 1879,
the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Com-
pany was organized, took the property and con-
solidated it with certain lines west of the
Jlississippi, of which the chief was the St. Louis,
Kansas City & Northern. A line had been pro-
jected from Decatur to Chicago as early as 1870,
but, not having been constructed in 1881, the
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific purchased what was
known as the Chicago & Paducah Railroad,
uniting with the main line at Bement, and (by
way of the Decatur and St. Louis Division) giv-
ing a direct line between Chicago and St. Louis.
At this time the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific wai
operating the following additional leased lines:
Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur (67.2 miles); Hannibal
& Central Missouri (70.2 miles); Lafayette, Mun-
cie & Bloomington (36.7 miles), and the Lafayette
Bloomington & Muncie (80 miles). A connection
lietween Chicago on the west and Toledo and
Detroit on the east was established over the
Grand Trunk road in 1882, but, in 1890. the com-
UISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
547
pany constructed a line from Montpelier, Ohio, to
Clark, Ind. (149.7 miles), tlieuce by track lease
to Chicago (17.5 miles), giving an independent
line between Cliicago and Detroit by what is
known to investors as the Detroit & Chicago
Division.
The total mileage of the Wabash, St. Louis &
Pacific system, in 1884, amounted to over 3,600
miles; but, in May of that year, default having
been made in the payment of interest, the work
of disintegration began. The main line east of
the Mississippi and that on the west were sepa-
rated, the latter taking the name of the "Wabash
Western." The Eastern Division was placed in
the hands of a receiver, so remaining until Jlay,
1889, when the two divisions, having been
bought in by a purchasing committee, were
consolidated under the present name. The total
earnings and income of the road in Illinois, for
the fiscal year 1898, were §4,403,631, and the
expenses $4,836,110. The total capital invested
(1898) was $139,889,643, including capital stock
of $53,000,000 and bonds to the amount of .?81,-
534,000.
WABASH EIYER, rises in northwestern Ohio,
passes into Indiana, and runs northwest to Hun-
tington. It then flows nearly due west to Logans-
port, thence southwest to Covington, finally
turning southward to Terre Haute, a few miles
below which it strikes the western boundary of
Indiana. It forms the boundary between Illinois
and Indiana (taking into account its numerous
windings) for some 200 miles. Below Vincennes
it runs in a south-.southwesterly direction, and
enters the Ohio at the south-west extremity of
Indiana, near latitude 37° 49' north. Its length
is estimated at 557 miles.
WABASH & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD.
(See Illinois Central Railroad.)
WABASH, ST. LOUIS & PACIFIC RAIL-
ROAD. (See Wabash Railroad.)
WABASH & WESTERN RAILROAD. (See
Wabash Railroad.)
WAIT, William Smitli, pioneer, and original
8ugge,stor of the Illinois Central Railroad, was
born in Portland, Maine, March 5, 1789, and edu-
cated in the public schools of his native place.
In his youth he entered a book-publishing house
in which his father was a partner, and was for a
time associated with the publication of a weekly
paper. Later the business was conducted at
Boston, and extended over the Eastern, Middle,
and Southern States, the subject of this sketcli
making extensive tours in the interest of the
firm. In 1817 he made a tour to the West,
reaching St. Louis, and, early in the following
year, visited Bond County, 111., where he made
his first entry of land from the Government.
Returning to Boston a few months later, he con-
tinued in the service of the publishing firm until
1830, when he again came to Illinois, and. in
1821, began farming in Ripley Township, Bond
County. Returning East iu 1824, he spent the
next ten years in the employment of the publish-
ing firm, with occasional visits to Illinois. In
1835 he located permanently near Greenville,
Bond County, and engaged extensively in farm-
ing and fruit-raising, planting one of the largest
apple orchards in the State at that early day. In
1845 he presided as chairman over the National
Industrial Convention in New York, and, in
1848, was nominated as the candidate of the
National Reform Association for Vice-President
on the ticket with Gerrit Smith of New York,
but declined. He was also prominent in County
and State Agricultural Societies. Mr Wait has
been credited with being one of the first (if not
the very first) to suggest the construction of the
Illinois Central Railroad, which he did as early
as 1835; was also one of the prime movers in the
construction of the Mississippi & Atlantic Rail-
road^now the "Vandalia Line" — giving much
time to the latter enterprise from 184G for many
years, and was one of the original incorporators
of the St. Louis & Illinois Bridge Company.
Died, July 17, 1865.
WALKER, Cyrus, pioneer, lawyer, born in
Rockbridge County, Va., May 14, 1791; was taken
while an infant to Adair County, Ky., and came
to Macomb, 111., in 1833, being the second lawyer
to locate in McDonough County. He had a wide
reputation as a successful advocate, especially in
criminal cases, and practiced extensively in the
courts of Western Illinois and also in Iowa. Died,
Dec. 1, 1875. Mr. Walker was uncle of the late
Pinkney H. Walker of the Supreme Court, who
studied law with him. He was Whig candidate
for Presidential Elector for the State-at-large in
1840.
WALKER, James Barr, clergyman, was born
in Philadelphia, July 29, 1805; iu his youth
served as errand-boy in a country store near
Pittsburg and spent four years in a printing
office ; then became clerk in the office of Mordecai
M. Noah, in New York, studied law and gi'adu-
ated from Western Reserve College, Ohio ; edited
various religious papers, including "The Watch-
man of the Prairies" (now "The Advance") of
Chicago, was licensed to preach by tlie Presbytery
of Chicago, and for some time was lecturer on
548
HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
"Harmony between Science and Revealed Reli-
gion" at Oberlin College and Chicago Theological
Seminary. He was author of several volumes,
one of which — "The Philosophy of the Plan of
Salvation," published anonymously under the
editorship of Prof. Calvin E. Stowe (1855) — ran
through .several editions and was translated into
five different languages, including Hindustanee.
Died, at Wheaton, 111., Marcli 6, 1887.
WALKER, James Monroe, corporation lawyer
and Railway President, was born at Claremont,
N. H., Feb. 14, 1820. At fifteen he removed with
his parents to a farm in Michigan ; was educated
at Oberlin, Ohio, and at the University of Michi-
gan, Ann Arbor, graduating from the latter in
1849. He then entered a law office as clerk and
student, was admitted to the bar the next year,
and soon after elected Prosecuting Attorney of
Washtenaw County; was also local attorney for
the Michigan Central Railway, for which, after
his removal to Chicago in 1853, he became Gen-
eral Solicitor. Two years later the firm of Sedg-
wick & Walker, whicli had been organized in
Micliigan, became attorneys for the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and, until his
death, Mr. Walker was associated with this com-
pany, either as General Solicitor, General Counsel
or President, filling the latter position from 1870
to 1875. Mr. Walker organized both the Chicago
and Kansas City stock-yards, and was President
of these corporations, as also of the Wilmington
Coal Company, down to the time of his death,
which occurred on Jan. 23, 1881, as a result of
heart disease.
WALKER, (Rev.) Jesse, Methodist Episcopal
missionary, was born in Rockingham County,
Va., June 9, 1766; in 1800 removed to Tennessee,
became a traveling preacher in 1802, and, in
1806, came to Illinois under the presiding-elder-
ship of Rev. William McKendree (afterwards
Bishop), locating first at Turkey Hill, St. Clair
County. In 1807 he held a camp meeting near
Edwardsville — the first on Illinois soil. Later,
he transferred his labors to Northern Illinois;
was at Peoria in 1834; at Ottawa in 1825, and
devoted much time to missionary work among
the Pottawatomies, maintaining a school among
them for a time. He visited Chicago in 1836, and
there is evidence that he was a prominent resident
there for several years, occupying a log house,
which he used as a church and living-room, on
"Wolf Point" at the junction of the North and
South Branches of the Chicago River. While
acting as superintendent of the Fox River mis-
sion, his residence appears to have been at Plain-
field, in the northern part of Will County. Died,
Oct. 5, 1835.
WALKER, Pinkney H., lawyer and jurist,
was born in Adair County, Ky., June 18, 1815.
His boyhood was chieflj' passed in farm work and
as clerk in a general store ; in 1834 he came to Illi-
nois; settling at Rushville, where he worked in a
store for four years. In 1838 he removed to
Macomb, where he began attendance at an acad-
emy and the study of law with his uncle, Cyrus
Walker, a leading lawyer of his time. He was
admitted to the bar in 1839, practicing at Macomb
until 1818, when he returned to Rushville. In
1853 he was elected Judge of the Fifth Judicial
Circuit, to fill a vacancy, and re-elected in 18.55.
This position he resigned in 1858, having been
appointed, by Governor Bissell. to fill the vacancy
on the bench of the Supreme Court occasioned by
the resignation of Judge Skinner. Two months
later he was elected to the same position, and
re-elected in 1867 and '76. He presided as Chief
Justice from January, 1864, to June, '67, and
again from June, 1874, to June, "75. Before the
expiration of his last term he died, Feb. 7, 1885.
WALL, George Willard, lawyer, politician and
Judge, was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, April 22,
1839; brought to Perry County, 111., in infancy,
and received his preparatory education at McKen.
dree College, finally graduating from the Uni-
versity of Michigan in 1858, and from the
Cincinnati Law School in 1859, when he began
practice at Duquoin, 111. He was a member of
the Constitutional Convention of 1863, and, from
1864 to '68, served as State's Attorney for the
Third Judicial District ; was also a Delegate to the
State Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. In
1873 he was an unsuccessful Democratic candi-
date for Congress, although running ahead of his
ticket. In 1877 he was elected to the bench of
the Third Circuit, and re-elected in '79, '85 and
'91, much of the time since 1877 being on duty
upon the Appellate bench. His home is at
Duquoin.
WALLACE, (Rev.) Peter, D.D., clergyman
and soldier; was born in Mason County, Ky.,
April 11, 1813; taken in infancy to Brown
County, Ohio, where he grew up on a farm until
15 years of age, when he was apprenticed to a
carpenter; at the age of 20 came to Illinois,
where he became a contractor and builder, fol-
lowing this occupation for a number of years. He
was converted in 1835 at Springfield, 111., and,
some years later, having decided to enter the
ministry, was admitted to the Illinois Conference
as a deacon by Bishop E. S. Janes in 1855, and
t:-'v *t%'i/ yojif
PUSi-IC U6RART
Tl -
*>=' « fXOl
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
549
placed in charge of the Danville Circuit. Two
years later he was ordained by Bishop Scott, and,
in the next few years, held pastorates at various
places in the central and eastern parts of the
State. From 1867 to 1874 he was Presiding Elder
of the Mattoon and Quincy Districts, and, for six
years, held the position of President of the Board
of Trustees of Chaddock College at Quincy, from
which he received the degree of D.D. in 1881.
In the second year of the Civil War he raised a
company in Sangamon County, was chosen
its Captain and assigned to the Seventy-third
Illinois Volunteers, known as the "preachers'
regiment" — all of its ofiicers being ministers. In
1864 he was compelled by ill-health to resign his
commission. While pastor of the church at Say-
brook, 111., he was offered the position of Post-
master of that place, which he decided to accept,
and was allowed to retire from the active minis-
try. On retirement from office, in 1884, he
removed to Chicago. In 1889 he was appointed
by Governor Fifer the first Chaplain of the Sol-
diers' and Sailors" Home at Quincy, but retired
some four 3'ears afterward, when he returned to
Chicago. Dr. Wallace was an eloquent and
effective preacher and continued to preach,- at'
intervals, until within a short time of his decease,
which occurred in Chicago, Feb. 21, 1897, in his"
84th year. A zealous patriot, he frequently
spoke very effectively upon the political rostrum.
Originally a Whig, he became a Republican on
the organization of that party, and took pride in
the fact that the first vote he ever cast was for
Abraham Lincoln, for Representative in the Legis-
lature, in 1834. He was a Knight Templar, Vice-
President of the Tippecanoe Club of Chicago,
and, at his death. Chaplain of America Post, No.
708, G. A. R.
WALLACE, William Heury Lamb, lawyer and
soldier, was born at Urbaua, Ohio, July 8, 1821 ;
brought to Illinois in 1833, his father settling
near La Salle and, afterwards, at Mount Morris,
Ogle County, where young Wallace attended the
Rock River Seminary ; was admitted to the bar in
1845 ; in 1846 enlisted as a private in the Fir.st Illi-
nois Volunteers (Col. John J. Hardin's regiment),
for the Mexican War, rising to the rank of Adju-
tant and participting in the battle of Buena Vista
(where his commander was killed), and in other
engagements. Returning to his profession at
Ottawa, he served as District Attorney (18.52-56),
then became partner of his father-in-law. Col.
T. L3'le Dickey, afterwards of the Supreme Court.
In April, 1861, he was one of the first to answer
the call for troops by enlisting, and became Colo-
nel of the Eleventh Illinois (three-months'
men), afterwards re-enlisting for three years.
As commander of a brigade he participated in
the capture of Forts Henry and Donelsou, in Feb-
ruarj-, 1862, receiving promotion as Brigadier-
General for gallantry. At Pittsburg Landing
(Shiloh), as commander of Gen. C. F. Smith's
Division, devolving on him on account of the
illness of his superior officer, he showed great
courage, but fell mortally wounded, dying at
Charleston, Tenn., April 10, 1863. His career
promised great brilliancy and his loss was 'greatly
deplored. —Martin R. M. ( Wallace), brother of
the preceding, was born at Urbana. Ohio, Sept.
29, 1829, came to La Salle County, 111., with his
father's family and was educated in the local
schools and at Rock River Seminary ; studied law
at Ottawa, and was admitted to the bar in 1856,
soon after locating in Chicago. In 1861 he
assisted in organizing the Fourth Regiment Illi-
nois Cavalry, of which he became Lieutenant-
Colonel, and was complimented, in 1865, with the
rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After the
war lie served as Assessor of Internal Revenue
(1866-69); County Judge (1869-77) ; Prosecuting
Attorhev (1SS4); and, for many years was one of
ihc _JUstices of the Peace of the city of Chicago.
.D'i&f March 8, 1902.
WALNUT, a to^n of Bureau County, on the
Iferidota and Fulton branch of the Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy Railroad, 36 miles west of
Mendota; is in a farming and stock-raising dis-
trict; has two banks and two newspapers. Popu-
lation (1900), 791; (1910), 763.
WAR OF 1812. Upon the declaration of war
by Congress, in June, 1812, the Pottawatomies,
and most of the other tribes of Indians in the
Territory of Illinois, strongly sympathized with
the British. The savages had been hostile and
restless for some time previous, and blockhouses
and family forts had been erected at a number
of points, especially in the settlements most
exposed to the incursions of the savages. Gov-
ernor Edwards, becoming apprehensive of an
outbreak, constructed Fort Russell, a few miles
from Edwardsville. Taking the field in person,
he made this his headquarters, and collected a
force of 250 mounted volunteers, who were later
rtnnforced by two companies of rangers, under
Col. William Russell, numbering abovit 100 men.
An independent company of twenty-one spies, of
which .Tohn Reynolds — afterwards Governor —
was a member, was also formed and led by Capt.
Samuel Judy. The Governor organized his little
army into two regiments under Colonels Rector
550
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
and Stephenson, Colonel Russell serving as
second to the commander-in-chief, other mem-
bers of his staff being Secretary Nathaniel Pope
and Robert K. McLaughlin. On Oct. 18, 1812,
Governor Edwards, with his men, set out for
Peoria, where it was expected that their force
would meet that of General Hopkins, who had
been sent from Kentucky with a force of 2,000
men. En route, two Kickapoo villages were
burned, and a number of Indians unnecessarily
slain by Edwards" party. Hopkins had orders to
disperse the Indians on the Illinois and Wabash
Rivers, and destroy their villages. He deter-
mined, however, on reaching the headwaters of
the Vermilion to proceed no farther. Governor
Edwards reached the head of Peoria Lake, but,
failing to meet Hopkins, returned to Fort Russell.
About the same time Capt. Thomas E. Craig led
a party, in two boats, up the Illinois River to
Peoria. His boats, as he alleged, having been
fired upon in the night by Indians, wlio were har-
bored and protected by the French citizens of
Peoria, he burned the greater part of the village,
and capturing the population, carried them down
the river, putting them on shore, in the early part
of the winter, just below Alton. Other desultorv
expeditions marked the campaigns of 1813 and
1814. The Indians meanwhile gaining courage,
remote settlements were continually harassed
by marauding bauds. Later in 1814, an expedi-
tion, led by Major (afterwards President) Zachary
Taylor, ascended the Mississippi as far as Rock
Island, where he found a large force of Indians,
supported by British regulars with artillery.
Finding himself unable to cope with so formida-
ble a foe. Major Taylor retreated down the river.
On the site of the present town of Warsaw he
threw up fortifications, which he named Fort
Edwards, from which point he was subsequentlj'
compelled to retreat. The same year the British,
with their Indian allies, descended from Macki-
nac, captured Prairie du Chien, and burned Forts
Madison and Johnston, after which they retired
to Cap au Gris. The treaty of Ghent, signed
Dec. 24, 1814, closed the war, although no formal
treaties were made with the tribes until the year
following.
WAR OF THE REBELLION. At the outbreak
of the Civil War, the executive chair, in Illinois,
was occupied by Gov. Richard Yates. Immedi-
ately upon the issuance of President Lincoln's
first call for troops (April 15, 1861), the Governor
Issued his proclamation summoning the Legisla-
ture together in special session and, the same
day, issued a call for "six regiments of militia,"
the quota assigned to the State under call of the
President. Public excitement was at fever heat,
and dormant patriotism in both sexes was
aroused as never before. Party lines were
broken down and, with comparativelj- few excep-
tions, the mass of the people were actuated by a
common sentiment of patriotism. On April 19,
Governor Yates was instructed, by the Secretary
of War, to take possession of Cairo as an important
.strategic point. At that time, the State militia
organizations were few in number and poorly
equipped, consisting chiefly of independent com-
panies in the larger cities. The Governor acted
with great promptitude, and, on April 21, seven
companies, numbering 59.5 men, commanded by
Gen. Richard K. Swift of Chicago, were en route
to Cairo. The first volunteer corapiny to tender
its services, in response to Governor Yates' proc-
lamation, on April 16, was the Zouave Grays of
Springfield. Eleven other companies were ten-
dered the same day, and, by the evening of the
18th, the number had been increased to fifty.
Simultaneously with these proceedings, Chicago
bankers tendered to the Governor a war loan of
§500,000, and those of Springfield, §100,000. The
Legislatui'e, at its special session, passed acts in-
creasing the efficiency of the militia law, and
provided for the creation of a war fund of §2,-
000,000. Besides the six regiments already called
for, the raising of ten additional volunteer regi-
ments and one battery of light artillery was
authorized. The last of the six regiments,
apportioned to Illinois under the first presidential
call, was dispatched to Cairo early in May. The
six regiments were numbered the Seventh to
Twelfth, inclusive — the earlier numbers. First to
Sixth, being conceded to the six regiments which
had served in the war with Mexico. The regi-
ments were commanded, respectively, by Colonels
John Cook, Richard J. Oglesby, Eleazer A. Paine,
James D. Morgan, William H. L. Wallace, and
John McArthur, constituting the "First Brigade
of Illinois Volunteers." Benjamin M. Prentiss,
having been chosen Brigadier-General on arrival
at Cairo, assumed command, relieving General
Swift. The quota under the second call, consist-
ing of ten regiments, was mustered into service
within sixty days, 200 companies being tendered
immediately. Many more volunteered than could
be accepted, and large numbers crossed to Mis-
souri and enlisted in regiments forming in that
State. During June and July the Secretary of
War authorized Governor Yates to recruit twenty-
two additional regiments (seventeen infantry and
five cavalry), which were promptly raised. On
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS.
551
July 33, the day following the defeat of the Union
army at Bull Run, President Lincoln called for
500,000 more volunteers. Governor Yates im-
mediately responded with an offer to the War
Department of sixteen more regiments (thirteen
of infantry and three of cavalry), and a battalion
of artillery, adding, that the State claimed it as
her right, to do her full share toward the preser-
vation of the Union. Under supplemental author-
ity, received from the Secretary of War in
August, 1861, twelve additional regiments of in-
fantry and five of cavalry were raised, and, by De-
cember, 1861, the State had 43,000 volunteers in
the field and 17,000 in camps of instruction.
Other calls were made in July and August, 18ii3,
each for 300,000 men. Illinois' quota, under both
calls, was over 53,000 men, no regard being paid
to the fact that the State had ahead)- furnished
16,000 troops in excess of its quotas imder previ-
ous calls. Unless this number of volunteers was
raised by September 1, a draft would be ordered.
The tax was a severe one, inasmuch as it would
fall chiefly upon the prosperous citizens, the float-
ing population, the idle and the extremely poor
having already followed the army's march, either
as soldiers or as camp-followers. But recruiting
was actively carried on, and, aided by liberal
bounties in many of the counties, in less than a
fortnight the 53,000 new troops were secured, the
volunteers coming largely from the substantial
classes — agricultural, mercantile, artisan and
professional. By the end of December, fifty nine
regiments and four batteries had been dispatched
to the front, besides a considerable number to fill
up regiments already in ohe field, which had suf-
fered severely from battle, exposure and disease.
At this time, Illinois had an aggregate of over
135,000 enlisted men in the field. The issue of
President Lincoln's preliminary proclamation of
emancipation, in September, 1863, was met by a
storm of hostile criticism from his political
opponents, who — aided by the absence of so
large a proportion of the loyal pojjulation of the
State in the field — were able to carry the elec-
tions of that year. Consequently, when the
Twenty-third General Assembly convened in
regular session at Springfield, on Jan. 5, 18G3, a
large majority of that body was not only opposed
to both the National and State administrations,
but avowedly opposed to the further prosecution
of the war under the existing policy. The Leg-
islature reconvened in June, but was prorogued
by Governor Yates Between Oct. 1, 18G3, and
July 1, 1864, Ki.OOO veterans re-enlisted and
87,000 new volunteers were enrolled; and, by the
date last mentioned, Illinois had furnished to the
Union army 344,496 men, being 14.596 in ex-
cess of the allotted quotas, constituting fifteen
per cent of the entire population. These were
comprised in 151 regiments of infantry, 17 of
cavalry and two complete regiments of artillery,
besides twelve independent batteries. The total
losses of Illinois organizations, during the war,
has been reported at 34,834, of which 5,874 were
killed in battle, 4,030 died from wounds, 33,786
from disease and 3,154 from other causes^being
a total of thirteen per cent of the entire force of
the State in the service. The part which Illinois
played in tlie contest was conspicuous for patriot-
ism, promptness in response to every call, and
the bravery and efficiency of its troops in the
field — reflecting honor upon the State and its his-
torj'. Nor were its loyal citizens — who, while
staying at home, furnished moral and material
support to the men at the front — less worthy of
praise than those who volunteered. By uphold-
ing the Government — National and State — and
bj- their zeal and energj' in collecting and sending
forward immense quantities of supplies — surgical,
medical and other — often at no little sacrifice,
they contributed much to the success of the
Union arms. (See also Camp Douglas; Camp
Douglas Conspiraci/: Seci-et Treasonable Soci-
eties. )
W.VR OF THE REBELLION (History of Illi-
nois Regiments). The following is a list of tlie
various military organizations mustered into the
service during the Civil War (1861-65), with the
terms of service and a summary of the more
important events in the hi.story of each, while
in the field:
Seventh Infantry. Illinois having sent six
regiments to the Mexican War, by courtesy the
numbering of the regiments which took part in
the war for the Union began with number
Seven. A number of regiments which responded
to the first call of the President, claimed the right
to be recognized as the first regiment in the
field, but the honor was finally accorded to that
organized at Springfield by Col. John Cook, and
hence his regiment was numbered Seventh. It
was mu.stered into the service, April 35, 1861, and
remained at Mound City during the three months'
service, the period of its first enlistment. It was
subsequently reorganized and mustered for the
tliree years' service, July 35, 1861, and was
engaged in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh,
Corinth, Chei'okee, Allatoona Pass. Salkahatchie
Swamp, Bentonville and Columbia. The regi-
ment re-enlisted as veterans at Pulaski, Tenn.,
552
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
Dec. 22, 1863; was mustered out at Louisville,
July 9, 1865, ami paid off and discliarged at
Springfield, July 11.
Eighth Infantry. Organized at Springfield,
and mustered in for three mouths' service, April
26, 1861, Richard J. Oglesby of Decatur, being
appointed Colonel. It remained at Cairo during
its term of service, when it was mustered out.
July 25, 1861, it was reorganized and mustered in
for three years" service. It participated in the
battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Port Gibson,
Thompson Hill, Raymond, Champion Hill, Vicks-
burg, Brownsville, and Spanish Fort ; re-enlisted
as veterans, March 31, 1864; was mustered out at
Baton Rouge, May 4, 1866, paid off and dis-
charged, Jlay 13, having served five years.
Ninth Infantry. Mustered into the service
at Springfield, April 26, 1861, for the term of
three months, under Col. Eleazer A. Paine. It
was reorganized at Cairo, in August, for three
years, being composed of companies from St.
Clair, Madison, Montgomery, Pulaski, Alexander
and Mercer Counties ; was engaged at Fort Donel-
son, Shiloh, Jackson (Tenn.), Meed Creek
Swamps, Salem, Wyatt, Florence, Montezuma,
Athens and Grenada. The regiment was mounted,
March 15, 1863, and so continued during the
remainder of its service. Mustered out at Louis-
ville, July 9, 1865.
Tenth Infantry. Organized and mustered
into the service for three months, on April 29,
1861, at Cairo, and on July 29, 1861, was mustered
into the service for three years, with Col. James
D. Morgan in command. It was engaged at
Sykeston, New Madrid, Corinth, Missionary
Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw,
Chattahoochie, Savannah and Bentonville. Re-
enlisted as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864, and mustered
out of service, July 4, 1865, at Louisville, and
received final discharge and pay, July 11, 1865,
at Chicago.
Eleventh Infantry. Organized at Spring-
field and mustered into service, April 30, 1861,
for three months. July 30, the regiment was
mustered out, and re-enlisted for three years'
service. It was engaged at Fort Donelson,
Shiloh, Corinth, Tallahatchie, Vieksburg, Liver-
pool Heights, Yazoo City, Spanish Fort and
Fort Blakely. W. H. L. Wallace, afterwards
Brigadier-General and killed at Sliiloh, was its
first Colonel. Mustered out of service, at Baton
Rouge, July 14, 1865 ; paid off and discharged at
Springfield.
Twelfth Infantry-. Mustered into service
for three years, August 1, 1861; was engaged at
Columbus, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Lay's
Ferry, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw,
Nickajack Creek, Bald Knob, Decatui', Ezra
Church, Atlanta, AUatoona and Goldsboro. On
Jan. 16, 1864, the regiment re-enli.sted as veter'
ans. John McArthur was its first Colonel, suc-
ceeded by Augustus L. Chetlain, both being
promoted to Brigadier-Generalships. Mustered
out of service at Louisville, Ky., July 10, 1865,
and received final pay and discharge, at Spring-
field, July 18.
Thirteenth Infantry. One of the regiments
organized under the act known as the "Ten Regi-
ment Bill" ; was mustered into service on May 24,
1861, for three years, at Dixon, with John B.
Wyman as Colonel; was engaged at Chickasaw
Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vieksburg, Jackson, Mis-
sionary Ridge, Rossville and Ringgold Gap.
Mustered out at Springfield, June 18, 1864, hav-
ing served three years and two months.
Fourteenth Infantry. One of the regiments
raised under the "Ten Regiment Bill," which
anticipated the requirements of the General
Government by organizing, equipping and dril-
ling a regiment in each Congressional District in
the State for thirty days, unless sooner required
for service by the United States. It was mustered
in at Jacksonville for three years. May 25, 1861,
under command of John M. Palmer as its first
Colonel ; was engaged at Shiloh, Corinth, Meta-
mora, Vieksburg, Jackson, Fort Beauregard and
Meridian ; consolidated with the Fifteenth Infan-
try, as a veteran battalion (both regiments hav-
ing enlisted as veterans), on July 1, 1864. In
October, 1864, the major part of the battalion
was captured by General Hood and sent to
Andersonville. The remainder participated in
the "March to the Sea," and through the cam-
paign in the Caroliuas. In the spring of 1865 the
battalion organization was discontinued, both
regiments having been filled up by recruits. The
regiment was mustered out at Fort Leaven-
worth, Kan., Sept. 16, 1865; and arrived at
Springfield, 111., Sept. 22, 1865, where it received
final payment and discharge. The aggregate
number of men who belonged to this organization
was 1,980, and the aggregate mustered out at
Fort Leavenworth, 480. During its foiur years
and four months of service, the regiment
marched 4,490 miles, traveled by rail, 2,330 miles,
and, by river, 4,490 miles — making an aggregate
of 11,670 miles.
Fifteenth Infantry'. Raised imderthe "Ten
Regiment Act," in the (then) First Congressional
District; was organized at Freeport, and mus-
/^^-^^
Tin Hw rt)«
PUBlii f.fHRARTi
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
553
tered into seiTice, May 24, 1861. It was engaged
at Sedalia, Sliiloli, Corinth, Metamora Hill,
Vicksburg, Fort Beauregard. Champion Hill,
AUatoona and Bentonville. In March. 1864, the
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and, in July,
1864, was consolidated with the Fourteenth Infan-
try as a Veteran Battalion. At Big Shanty and
Ackworth a large portion of the battalion was
captured by General Hood. At Raleigh the
Veteran Battalion was discontinued and the
Fifteenth reorganized. From July 1, to Sept. 1,
1865, the regiment was stationed at Forts Leaven-
worth and Kearney. Having been mustered out
at Fort Leavenworth, it was sent to Springfield
for final payment and discharge — having served
four years and four months. Miles marched,
4,299; miles by rail, 2,403, miles by steamer,
4,310; men enlisted from date of organization,
1,963; strength at date of muster-out, 640.
Sixteenth Infantry. Organized and mus-
tered into service at Quincy under the "Ten-Regi-
ment Act," May 24, 1861. The regiment was
engaged at New Madrid, Tiptonville, Corinth,
Buzzards' Roost, Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw Moun-
tain, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek,
Atlanta, Savannah, Columbia, Fayetteville,
Averysboro and Bentonville. In December,
1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans; was
mu.stered out at Louisville. Ky., July 8, 1865,
after a term of service of four years and three
months, and, a week later, arrived at Spring-
field, where it received its final pay and discharge
papers.
Seventeenth Infantry. Mustered into the
service at Peoria, 111., on May 24, 1861; was
engaged at Fredericktown (Mo. ), Greenfield
(Ark.). Shiloh, Corinth. Hatchie and Vicksburg.
In May, 1864, the term of enlistment having
expired, the regiment was ordered to Springfield
for pay and discharge. Those men and officers
who re-enlisted, and those whose term had not
expired, were consolidated with the Eighth Infan-
try, which was mustered out in the spring of 18G6.
Eighteenth Infantry. Organized under the
provisions of the "Ten Regiment Bill," at Anna,
and mustered into the service on May 28, 1861,
the terra of enlistment being for three j'ears.
The regiment participated in the capture of Fort
McHenry, and was actively engaged at Fort
Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth. It was mustered
out at Little Rock, Dec. 16, 1865, and Dec. 31,
thereafter, arrived at Springfield, 111., for pay-
ment and discharge. The aggregate enlistments
in the regiment, from its organization to date of
discharge (rank and file), numbered 2.043.
Nineteenth Infantry. Mustered into the
United States service for three years, June IT,
1861, at Chicago, embracing four companies
which had been accepted under the call for three
months' men; participated in the battle of
Stone River and in the Tullahoma and Chatta-
nooga campaigns; was also engaged at Davis'
Cross Roads, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and
Resaca. It was mustered out of service on July
9, 1864, at Chicago. Originally consisting of
nearly 1,000 men, besides a large number of
recruits received during the war, its strength at
the final muster-out was less than 350.
Twentieth Infantry. Organized, May 14,
1861, at Joliet, and June 13, 1861, and mustered
into the service for a term of three years. It
participated in the following engagements, bat-
tles, sieges, etc.: Fredericktown (Mo.), Fort
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Thompson's Planta-
tion, Champion Hills, Big Black River, Vicks-
burg, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. Afte.v
marching through the Carolinas, the regiment-
was finally ordered to Louisville, where it was
mustered out, July 16, 1865, receiving its final
discharge at Chicago, on July 24.
Twenty-first Infantry. Organized under
the "Ten Regiment Bill," from the (then) Sev-
enth Congressional Di.strict, at Mattoon, and
mustered into service for three years, June 28,
1861. Its first Colonel was U. S. Grant, who was
in, command until August 7, when he was com-
missioned Brigadier-General. It was engaged
at Fredericktown (Mo.), Corinth, Perry ville, Mur-
freesboro. Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Jonesboro,
Franklin and Nashville. The regiment re-enlisted
as veterans, at Cliattanooga. in February, 1864.
From June, 1864, to December, 1865, it was on
duty in Texas. Mustered out at San Antonio,
Dec. 16, 1865, and paid off and discharged at
Springfield, Jan. 18, 1806.
Twenty-second Infantry. Organized at
Belleville, and mustered into service, for three
years, at Casey ville. III, June 35, 1861; was
engaged at Belmont, Charleston (Mo.), Sikestown,
Tiptonville, Farmington. Corinth, Stone River,
Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New
Ho|)e Church, and all the battles of the Atlanta
canii)aign, except Rocky Face Ridge. It was
mustered out at Springfield, July 7, 1864, the vet-
erans and recruits, whoso term of service had not
expired, lieing consolidated with the Forty-second
Regiment Illinois Infantry Volunteers.
Twenty-third Infantry. The organization
of the Twenty-third Infantry Volunteers com-
meiu'ed. at Chicago, under the popuUir name of
554
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
the "Irish Rrigade," immediately upon the
opening of hostilities at Sumter. The formal
muster of the regiment, under the command of
Col. James A. Mulligan, was made, June 1.5, 1801,
at Chicago, wlien it was occupying barracks
known as Kane's brewery near the river on
West Polk Street. It was early ordered to North-
ern Missouri, and was doing garrison duty at
Lexington, when, in September, 1861, it surren-
dered with the rest of the garrison, to tlie forces
under the rebel General Price, and was paroled.
From Oct. 8, 1861, to June 14, 1863, it was detailed
to guard prisoners at Camp Douglas. Thereafter
it participated in engagements in the Virginias,
as follows: at South Fork, Greenland Gap, Phi-
lippi, Hedgeville, Leetown, Maryland Heights,
Snicker's Gap, Kernstown, Cedar Creek, Win-
chester, Cliarlestown, Berryville, Opequan Creek,
Fisher's Hill, Harrisonburg, Hatcher's Run and
Petersburg. It also took part in the siege of
Richmond and the pursuit of Lee, being present
at the surrender at Appomattox. In January
and February, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as
veterans, at Greenland Gap, W. Va. In August,
1864, the ten companies of the Regiment, then
numbering 440, were consolidated into five com-
panies and designated, "Battalion, Twenty-third
Regiment, Illinois "Veteran Volunteer Infantry."
The regiment was thanked by Congre.ss for its
part at Lexington, and was authorized to inscribe
Lexington upon its colors. (See also Mulligan,
James A.)
Twenty-fourth Infantry, (known as the
First Hecker Regiment). Organized at Chicago,
with two companies — to-wit: the Union Cadets
and the Lincoln Rifles — from the three months'
service, in June, 1861, and mustered in, July 8,
1861. It participated in the battles of Perry ville,
Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Resaca, Kenesaw
Mountain and other engagements in the Atlanta
campaign. It was mustered out of service at
Chicago, August 6, 1864. A fraction of the regi-
ment, whioli had been recruited in the field, and
whose term of service had not expired at the date
of muster-out, was organized into oue company
and attached to the Third Brigade, First Divi-
sion, Fourteenth Army Corps, and mustered out
at Cauip Butler, August 1, 1865.
Twenty-fifth Infantry. Organized from
the counties of Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Vermil-
ion, Douglas, Coles, Champaign and Edgar, and
mustered into service at St. Louis, August 4, 1861.
It participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone
River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, in the
siege of Corinth, the battle of Kenesaw Moun-
tain, the siege of Atlanta, and innumerable skir-
mislies; was mustered out at Springfield, Sept. 5,
1864. During its three years' service the regi-
ment traveled 4,963 miles, of which 3,353 were on
foot, tlie remainder by steamboat and railroad.
Twenty-sixth Infantry. Mustered into serv-
ice, consisting of seven companies, at Springfield,
August 31, 1861. On Jan. 1, 1864, the regiment
re-enlisted as veterans. It was authorized by the
commanding General to inscribe upon its ban-
ners "New Madrid" ; "Island No. 10;" "Farming-
ton;" "Siege of Corinth;" "luka;" "Corinth —
3d and 4th, 1862;" "Resaca;" "Kenesaw;" "Ezra
Church;" "Atlanta;" "Jonesboro;" "Griswold-
ville;" "McAllister;" "Savannah;" "Columbia,"
and "Bentonville." It was mustered out at
Louisville, July 30, 1865, and paid off and
discharged, at Springfield, July 38 — the regiment
having marched, during its four years of service,
6,931 miles, and fought twenty -eight hard battles,
besides innumerable skirmishes.
Twenty-seventh Infantry. First organized,
with only seven companies, at Springfield,
August 10, 1861, and organization completed by
the addition of three more companies, at Cairo,
on September 1. It took part in the battle of Bel-
mont, the siege of Island No. 10, and the battles
of Farmington, Nashville. Murfreesboro, Chicka-
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge,
Resaca, Calhoun, AdairsviUe, Dallas, Pine Top
Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain, as well as in
the investment of Atlanta; was relieved from
duty, August 35, 1864, while at the front, and
mustered out at Springfield, September 20. Its
veterans, with the recruits whose term of serv-
ice had not expired, were consolidated with the
Ninth Infantry.
Twenty-eighth Infantry. Composed of
companies from Pike, Fulton, Schuyler, Mason,
Scott and Menard Counties; was organized at
Springfield, Augu.st 15, 1861, and mustered into
service for three years. It participated in the
battles of Shiloh and Metamora, the siege of
Vicksburg and the battles of Jackson, Mississijjpi,
and Fort Beauregard, and in the capture of
Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile. From
June, 1864, to March, 1866, it was stationed in
Texas, and was mustered out at Brownsville, in
that State, March 15, 1866. having served four
years and seven months. It was discharged, at
Springfield, May 13, 1866.
Twenty-ninth Infantry. Mustered into serv-
ice at Springfield, August 19, 1861, and was
engaged at Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and in the
sieges of Corinth, Vicksburg and Mobile. Eight
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
555
companies were detailed for duty at Holly Springs,
and were there captured by General Van Dorn,
in December. 18f)2, but were exclianged, six
months later. In January, lfS64, the regiment
re-enlisted as veterans, and, from June, 1S64, to
November, 1805, was on duty in Texas. It was
mustered out of service in that State, Nov. 6,
186.5, and received final discharge on November 28.
Thirtieth Infantry. Organized at Spring-
field, August 28, 1861 ; was engaged at Belmont,
Fort Donelson, the siege of Corinth, Medan
Station, Raymond, Cliampion Hills, the sieges of
Vicksburg and Jackson, Big Shanty, Atlanta,
Savannah, Pocotaligo, Orangeburg, Columbia,
Cheraw, and Fayetteville; mustered out, July
17, 1865, and received final payment and discharge
at Springfield, July 37, 1865.
Thirty-first Infantry. Organized at Cairo,
and there mustered into service on Sept. 18,
1861 ; was engaged at Belmont, Fort Donelson,
Shiloh, in the two expeditions against Vicks-
burg, at Thompson's Hill, Ingram Heights, Ray-
mond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Big Shanty,
Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station and
Jonesboro; also participated in the "March to
the Sea" and took part in the battles and skir-
mishes at Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville and
Bentonville. A majority of the regiment re-
enlisted as veterans in March, 1864. It was
mustered out at Louisville, July 19, 1865, and
finally discharged at Springfield, July 23.
Thirty-second Infantry. Organized at
Springfield and mustered into service, Dec. 31,
1861. By special authority from the War Depart-
ment, it originally consisted of ten companies of
infantry, one of cavalry, and a battery. It was
engaged at Fort Donelson, Sliiloh, in the sieges
of Corinth and Vicksburg, and in the battles of
La Grange, Grand Junction, Metamora, Harrison-
burg, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek,
Allatoona, Savannah, Columbia, Cheraw and
Bentonville. In January, 1864, the regiment
re-enlisted as veterans, and, in June, 1865, was
ordered to Fort Leavenworth. Mustered out
there, Sept. 16, 1865, and finally discharged at
Springfield.
Thirty-third Infantry. Organized and mus-
tered into service at Springfield in September,
1861: was engaged at Fredericktown (Mo.), Port
Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, the
assault and siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jackson,
Fort Esperanza, and in the expedition against
Mobile. Tlie regiment veteranized at Vicksburg,
Jan. 1, 1864 ; was mustered out, at tlie same point,
Nov. 34, 1865, and finally discharged at Spring-
field, Dec. 6 and 7, 1865. The aggregate enroll-
ment of the regiment was between 1,900 and
2,000.
Thirty-fourth Infantry. Organized at
Springfield, Sept. 7, 1861 ; was engaged at Shiloh,
Corinth. Murfreesboro, Rocky Face Ridge, Re-
saca. Big Shanty, Kenesaw Jlountain, Atlanta,
Jonesboro, and, after participating in the "March
to the Sea" and through the Carolinas, took part
in the battle of Bentonville. After the surrender
of Johnston, the regiment went with Sherman's
Army to Washington, D. C, and took part in the
grand review. May 24, 1865; left Washington,
June 13, and arrived at Louisville, Ky., June 18,
where it was mustered out, on July 12 ; was dis-
cliarged and paid at Chicago, July 17, 1865.
Thirty-fifth Infantry. Organized at De-
catur on July 3. 1861, and its services tendered to
the President, being accepted by the Secretary of
War as "Col. G. A. Smith's Independent Regi-
ment of Illinois Volunteers," on July 23, and
mustered into service at St. Louis, August 13. It
was engaged at Pea Ridge and in the siege of
Corinth, also participated in the battles of Perry-
ville. Stone River, Chickamauga, MLssionaiy
Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas and
Kenesaw. Its final muster-out took place at
Springfield. Sept. 27. 1864. the regiment having
marched (exclusive of railroad and steamboat
transportation) 3,056 miles.
Thirty-sixth Infantry. Organized at Camp
Hammond, near Aurora, 111., and mustered into
service, Sept. 33, 1861, for a term of three years.
The regiment, at its organization, numbered 965
officers and enlisted men, and had two companies
of Cavalry ("A" and "B"), 186 officers and
men. It was engaged at Leetown, Pea Ridge,
Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, the siege
of Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face
Ridge. Re.saca. Adairsville, New Hope Church,
Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jones-
boro, Franklin and Nashville. Mustered out.
Oct. 8, 1865. and disbanded, at Springfield, Oct.
37. liaving marched and been transported, during
its term of service, more than 10.000 miles.
Thirty-seventh Infantry. Familiarly kno'vn
as "Fremont Rifles''; organized in August, 1861,
and mustered into service, Sept. 18. The regi-
ment was presented with battle-flags by the Chi-
{■ago Board of Trade. It participated in the
battles of Pea Ridge, Neosho, Prairie Grove and
Chalk Bluffs, the siege of Vicksbmg. and in the
battles of Yazoo City and Morgan's Bend. Id
October, 1863. it was ordered to the defense of the
frontier along the Rio Grande; re-enlisted as
556
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
veterans in February, 1864; took part in tlio
siege and storming of Fort Blakely and tlie cap-
ture of Mobile; from July, 1865, to May, 1S60,
was again on duty in Texas; was mustered out
at Houston, Jlay IT), 1866, and finally discharged
at Siiringfield, Slay 31, having traveled some
17,000 miles, of which nearly 3,300 were by
marching.
Thirty-eiohth Infantry. Organized at
Springfield, in September, 1861. The regiment
was engaged in the battles of Fredericktown,
Perryville, Knob Gap, Stone River, Liberty Gap,
Chickamauga, Pine Top, Kenesaw Mountain,
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville;
re-enlisted as veterans in February, 1864; from
June to December, 1865, was on duty in Louisi-
ana and Texas; was mustered out at Victoria,
Texas, Dec. 31, 1865, and received final discharge
at Springfield.
Thirty-ninth Infantry. The organization of
this Regiment was commenced as soon as the
news of the firing on Fort Sumter reached Chi-
cago. General Thomas O. Osborne was one of its
contemplated field officers, and labored zealously
to get it accepted under the first call for troops,
but did not accomplish his object. The regiment
had already assumed the name of the "Yates
Phalanx" in honor of Governor Yates. It was
accepted by the War Department on the day
succeeding the first Bull Run disaster (July 23,
1861), and Austin Light,of Chicago, was appointed
Colonel. Under his direction the organization was
completed, and the regiment left Camp Mather,
Chicago, on the morning of Oct. 13, 1861. It par-
ticipated in the battles of Winchester, Malvern
Hill (the second), Morris Island, Fort Wagner,
Drury's Bluff, and in numerous engagements
before Petersburg and Richmond, including the
capture of Fort Gregg, and was present at Lee's
surrender at Appomattox. In the meantime the
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, at Hilton Head,
S. C. , in Septemlier, 1863. It was mustered out
at Norfolk, Dec. 6, ISGo, and received final dis-
charge at Chicago, December 16.
Fortieth Infantry. Enlisted from the coun-
ties of Franklin, Hamilton, Wayne, White,
Wabash, Marion, Clay and Fayette, and mustered
into service for three years at Springfield,
August 10, 1861. It was engaged at Shiloh, in
the siege of Corinth, at Jackson (Miss.), in the
siege of Vicksburg. at Jlissionary Ridge, New
Hope Church, Black Jack Knob, Kenesaw Moun-
tain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Ezra Chapel, Gris-
woldville, siege of Savannah, Columbia (S. C),
and Bentonville. It re-enlisted, as veterans, at
Scottsboro, Ala., Jan. 1, 1864, and was mustered
out at Louisville, July 24, 1865, receiving final
discharge at Springfield.
Forty-first Infantry. Organized at Decatur
during July and August, 1861, and was mustered
into service, August 5. It was engaged at Fort
Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, the second
battle of Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg and
Jackson, in the Red River campaign, at Guntown,
Kenesaw Mountain and Allatoona, and partici-
pated in the "March to the Sea." It re-enlisted,
as veterans, March 17, 1864, at Vicksburg, and
was consolidated witli the Fifty-third Infantry,
Jan. 4, 1865, forming Companies G and H.
Forty-second Infantry. Organized at Chi-
cago, July 23, 1861 ; was engaged at Island No. 10,
the siege of Corinth, battles of Farmington,
Columbia (Tenn.), was besieged at Nashville,
engaged at Stone River, in the Tullahoma cam-
paign, at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky
Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope
Church, Pine and Kenesaw Mountains, Peach
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station,
Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. It re-
enlisted, as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864; was stationed
in Texas from July to December, 1865 ; was mus-
tered out at Indianola, in that State, Dec. 16,
1865, and finally discharged, at Springfield, Jan.
13, 1866.
Forty-third Infantry. Organized at Spring-
field in September, 1861, and mustered into
service on Oct. 13. The regiment took part in
the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and in the
campaigns in West Tennessee, "Mississippi and
Arkansas; was mustered out at Little Rock,
Nov. 30, 1865, and returned to Springfield for
final pay and discharge, Dec. 14, 1865.
Forty-fourth Infantry. Organized in Au-
gust, 1861, at Chicago, and mustered into service,
Sept. 13, 1861 ; was engaged at Pea Ridge,
Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Slielby-
ville, Tullalioma, Chickamaviga, Missionary
Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Rocky Face Ridge,
Adairsville, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kene-
saw Mountain, Gulp's Farm, Chattahoochie
River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro,
Franklin and Nashville. The regiment re-enlisted
as veterans in Tennessee, in January, 1864.
From June to September, 1865, it was stationed
in Louisiana and Texas, was mustered out at
Port Lavaca, Sept. 35, 1865, and received final
discharge, at Springfield, three weeks later.
Forty-fifth Infantry. Originally called
the "Washburne Lead Mine Regiment"; was
organized at Galena, July 23, 1861, and mustered
SUv^&I^ ^^Volja;..
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
557
into service at Chicago, Dec. 25, 1861. It was
engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of
Corinth, battle of IMedan, the campaign against
Vicksburg, tlie Jleridian raid, the Atlanta cam-
paign, the "March to the Sea," and the advance
through the Carolinas. The regiment veteran-
ized in Januar}-, 1864; was mustered out of serv-
ice at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 186.5, and arrived
in Cliicago, July 15, 1865, for final pay and dis-
charge. Distance marched in four years, 1,750
miles.
Forty-sixth Inf.\ntry. Organized at Spring-
field, Dec. 28, 1861 ; was engaged at Fort Donel-
son, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, battle of
Metamora, siege of Vicksburg (where five com-
panies of the regiment were captvired), in the
reduction of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley,
and the capture of Mobile. It was mustered in
as a veteran regiment, Jan. 4, 1864. From May,
1865, to January, 1866, it was on duty in Louisi-
ana ; was mustered out at Baton Rouge, Jan. 20,
1866, and, on Feb. 1, 1866, finally paid and dis-
charged at Springfield.
Forty-seventh Inf.\ntry'. Organized and
mastered into service at Peoria, 111., on August
16, 1801. The regiment took part in the expe-
dition against New Madrid and Island No. 10;
also participated in the battles of Farmington,
luka, the second battle of Corinth, the capture
of Jackson, the siege of Vicksburg, the Red
River expedition and the battle of Pleasant Hill,
and in the struggle at Lake Chicot. It was
ordered to Chicago to a.ssist in quelling an antici-
pated riot, in 1864, but, returning to the front,
took part in the reduction of Spanish Fort and
the capture of IMobile; was mustered out, Jan.
21, 1866, at Selma, Ala., and ordered to Spring-
field, where it received final pay and discharge.
Those members of the regiment who did not re-en-
list as veterans were mustered out, Oct. 11, 1864.
Forty-eiohth Infantry. Organized at Spring-
field, September, 1861, and participated in battles
and sieges as follows: Fort Henry and Fort
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth (siege of), Vicksburg
(first expedition against), Missionary Ridge, as
well as in the Atlanta campaign and the "March
to the Sea." The regiment re-enlisted as veter-
ans, at Scottsboro, Ala., Jan. 1, 1864; was mus-
tered out, August 15, 1865, at Little Rook, Ark. ,
and ordered to Springfield for final di.seharge,
arriving, August 21, 1865. The distance marched
was 3,000 miles; moved by water, 5,000; by rail-
road, ;!,4,50~total, 11,4.50.
Forty'-ninth Infantry. Organized at Spring-
field, 111., Dec. 31, 1861; was engaged at Fort
Donelson, Shiloh and Little Rock; took part in
the campaign against Meridian and in the Red
River expedition, being in the battle of Pleasant
Hill, Jan. 15. 1864; three-fourths of the regiment
re-enlisted and were mustered in as veterans,
returning to Illinois on furlough. The non-
veterans took part in the battle of Tupelo. The
regiment participated in the battle of Nashville,
and was mustered out, Sept. 9, 1865, at Paducah,
Ky., and arrived at Springfield, Sept, 15, 1865,
for final payment and discharge.
Fiftieth Infantry'. Organized at Quincy, in
August, 1861, and mustered into service, Sept. 13,
1861 ; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the
siege of Corinth, the second battle of Corinth,
Allatooua and Bentonville, besides many minor
engagements. The regiment was mounted. Nov.
17, 1863; re-enlisted as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864, was
mustered out at Louisville, July 13, 1865, and
reached Springfield, the following day, for final
pay and discharge.
Fifty'-first Infantry'. Organized at Chi-
cago, Dec. 24, 1861 ; was engaged at New Madrid,
Island No. 10, Farmington, the siege of Corinth,
Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge,
Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Ken&saw
Mountain, Peach • Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jones-
boro, .Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. The
regiment was mustered in as veterans, Feb. 16,
■1864; from July to Septepiber, 1865, was on duty
in Texas, and mustered out, Sept. 25, 1865, at
Camp Irwin, Texas, arriving at Springfield, 111.,
Oct. 15, 18G5, for final payment and discharge.
FiFTY'-SECOND INF.A.NTRY-. Organized at Ge-
neva in November, 1861, and mustered into serv-
ice, Nov. 19. The regiment participated in the
following battles, sieges and expeditions : Shiloh,
Corinth (siege and second battle of), luka. Town
Creek, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Lay's Ferry,
Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain,
Nickajaok Creek, Decatur, Atlanta, Jonesboro
and Bentonville. It veteranized, Jan. 9, 1864;
was mustered out at Louisville, July 4, 1865,
and received final payment and discharge at
Springfield, July 12.
Fifty-third Infantry. Organized at Ottawa
in the winter of 1861-62, and ordered to Chicago,
Feb. 27, 1862, to complete its organization. It
took part in the siege of Corinth, and was engaged
at Davis' Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, in the
Jleridian campaign, at Jackson, the siege of
Atlanta, the "Jlarch to the Sea,'" the capture of
Savannah and the campaign in the Carolinas,
including the battle of Bentonville. The regi-
ment was mustered out of servii^e at Louisville,
558
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
July 22, 18G5, and received final discharge, at
Chicago, July 28. It marched 2,855 miles, and
was transported by boat and cars, 4,108 miles.
Over 1,800 officers and men belonged to the regi-
ment during its term of service.
Fifty-fourth Infantry. Organized at Anna,
in November, 1861, as a part of the "Kentucky
Brigade," and was mustered into service, Feb.
18, 1802. No complete history of the regiment
can be given, owing to the loss of its official
records. It served mainly in Kentucky, Tennes-
see, Mississippi and Arkansas, and always effect-
ively. Three-fourths of tlie men re-enlisted as
veterans, in January, 1804. Six companies were
captured by the rebel General Shelby, in August,
1864, and were exchanged, the following De-
cember. The regiment was mustered out at
Little Rock, Oct. 15, 1865 ; arrived at Springfield,
Oct. 26, and was discharged. During its organi-
zation, the regiment had 1,342 enlisted men and
71 commissioned officers.
Fifty-fifth Infantry. Organized at Chi-
cago, and mustered into service, Oct. 31, 1861.
The regiment originally formed a part of the
"Douglas Brigade,"' being chiefly recruited from
the young farmers of Fulton, MoDonough,
Grundy, La Salle, De Kalb, Kane and Winnebago
Counties. It participated in the battles of Shiloh
and Corinth, and in the Tallahatchie campaign;
in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas
Post, around Vicksbui-g, and at Missionary Ridge ;
was in the Atlanta campaign, notably in the
battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Jouesboro. In
all, it was engaged in thirty-one battles, and was
128 days under fire. The total mileage traveled
amounted to 11.965, of which 3,340 miles were
actually marched. Re-enlisted as veterans, while
at Larkinsville, Tenn.,was mustered out at Little
Rock, August 14, 1865, receiving final discharge
at Chicago, the same month.
Fifty-sixth Infantry. Organized with com-
panies principally enlisted from the counties of
Massac, Pope, Gallatin, Saline, White, Hamilton,
Franklin and Waj'ne, and mustered in at Camp
Mather, near Shawneetown. The regiment par-
ticipated in the siege, and second battle, of
Corinth, the Yazoo expedition, the siege of
Vickslmrg — being engaged at Champion Hills,
and in numerous assaults ; also took part in the
battles of Missionary Ridge and Resaca, and in
the campaign in the Carolinas, including the
battle of Bentonville. Some 200 members of the
regiment perished in a wreck off Cape Hatteras,
March 31, 1865. It was mustered out in Arkan-
sas. August 13, 1865.
FiFTY'-SEVENTH INFANTRY. Mastered into serv-
ice, Dec. 20, 1861, at Chicago; took part in the
battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, the siege of
Corinth, and the second battle at that point ; was
also engaged at Resaca, Rome Cross Roads and
Allatoona; participated in the investment and
capture of Savannah, and the campaign through
the Carolinas, including the battle of Benton-
ville. It was mustered out at Louisville, July 7,
1805, and received final discharge at Chicago,
July 14.
FiFTY-EiGHTH INFANTRY. Recruited at Chi-
cago, Feb. 11, 1863; participated in the battles of
Fort Donelson and Shiloh, a large number of the
regiment being captured during the latter engage-
ment, but subsequently exchanged. It took part
in the siege of Corinth and the battle of luka,
after which detachments were sent to Springfield
for recruiting and for guarding prisoners.
Returning to the front, the regiment was engaged
in the capture of Meridian, the Red River cam-
paign, the taking of Fort de Russey, and in many
minor battles in Louisiana. It was mustered out
at Montgomery, Ala., April 1, 1866, and ordered
to Springfield for final pa3'ment and discharge.
FiFTY-NiNTil Infantry. Originally known as
the Ninth Missouri Infantry, although wholly
recruited in Illinois. It was organized at St.
Louis, Sept. 18, 1801, the name being changed to
the Fifty-ninth Illinois, Feb. 12, 1863, by order of
the War Department. It was engaged at Pea
Ridge, formed part of the reserve at Farmington,
took part at Perryville, Nolansville, Knob Gap
and Murfreesboro, in the TuUahoma campaign
and the siege of Chattanooga, in the battles of
IMissionary Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, Kingston,
Dallas, Ackworth, Pine Top, Kenesaw Mountain,
Smyrna, Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin and
Nashville. Having re-enlisted as veterans, the
regiment was ordered to Texas, in June, 1865,
where it was mustered out, December, 1865,
receiving its final discharge at Springfield.
Sixtieth Infantry. Organized at Anna, 111.,
Feb. 17, 1862; took part in the siege of Corinth
and was besieged at Nashville. The regiment
re-enlisted as veterans while at the front, in
January, 1804; participated in the battles of
Buzzard's Roost. Ringgold. Dalton, Resaca,
Rome, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw
Mountain, Nickajack, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta,
Jonesboro, Averysboro and Bentonville; was
mustered out at Louisville, July 31, 1805, and
received final discharge at Springfield.
Sixty-first Infantry'. Organized at Carroll-
ton, 111., three full companies being mustered
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
559
in, Feb. .5, 1862. On February 21, the regiment,
being still incomplete, moved to Benton Bar-
racks. JIo. , where a sufficient number of recruits
joined to make nine full companies. Tlie regiment
was engaged at Shiloh and Bolivar, took part
in the Yazoo expedition, and re-enlisted as veter-
ans early in 18C4. Later, it took part in the battle
of Wilkinson's Pike (near Murfreesboro), and
other engagements near that point ; was mustered
out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 8, 1865, and paid
off and discharged at Springfield, Septem-
ber 27.
SiXTT-SECOND Infa^'TRY. Organized at Anna,
111., April 10, 1862; after being engaged in several
skirmishes, the regiment sustained a loss of 170
men, who were captured and paroled at Holly
Springs, Miss., by the rebel General Van Dorn,
where the regimental records were destroyed.
The regiment took part in forcing the evacuation
of Little Rock; re-enlisted, as veterans, Jan. 9,
1864 ; was mustered out at Little Rock, 5Iarch 6,
1866, and ordered to Sjiringfield for final payment
and discharge.
Sixty-third Infantry. Organized at Anna,
in December, 1861, and mustered into service,
April 10, 1862. It participated in the fir.st invest-
ment of Vicksburg, the capture of Richmond
Hill, La., and in the battle of Missionary Ridge.
On Jan. 1, 1864, 272 men re-enlisted as veterans.
It took part in the capture of Savannah and in
Sherman's march through tlie Carolinas. partici-
pating in its important battles and .skirmishes;
was mustered out at Louisville. July 13. 186.5,
reaching Springfield, July 16. The total distance
traveled was 6,453 miles, of which 2,250 was on
the march.
Sixty-fourth Infantry. Organized at Spring-
field, December, 1861, as the "First Battalion of
Yates Sharp Shooters." The last companj' was
mustered in, Dec. 31, 1861. The regiment was
engaged at New Madrid, the siege of Corinth,
Chambers' Creek, the second battle of Corinth,
Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, the
siege of Atlanta, the invastment of Savannah and
the battle of Bentonville; re-enlisted as veterans,
in January, 1864 ; was mustered out at Louisville,
July 11, 1865, and finally discharged, at Chicago,
July 18.
Sixty-fifth Infantry. Originally known as
the "Scotch Regiment"; was organized at Chi-
cago, and mustered in. May 1, 1862. It was cap-
tured and paroled at Harper's Ferry, and ordered
to Chicago; was exchanged in April, 1803; took
part in Burnside's defense of Knoxville; re-en-
listed as veterans in March, 1864, and participated
in the Atlanta campaign and the "March to the
Sea."' It was engaged in battles at Columbia
(Tenn.), Franklin and Nashville, and later, near
Federal Point and Smithtown, N. C, being mus-
tered out, July 13, 1865, and receiving final pay-
ment and discharge at Chicago, July 26, 1865.
Sixty-sixth Infantry. Organized at Benton
Barrack.s, near St. Louis, Mo., during September
and October, 1861 — being designed as a regiment
of "Western Sharp Shooters" from Illinois, Mis-
souri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana and
Ohio. It was mustered in, Nov. 23, 1861, was
engaged at Mount Zion (Mo.), Fort Donelson,
Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, luka, the second
battle of Corinth, in the Atlanta campaign, the
"March to the Sea'' and the campaign through
the Carolinas. The regiment was variously
known as the Fourteenth Missouri Volunteers,
Birge's Western Sharpshooters, and the Sixty-
sixth riinois Infantry. The latter (and final)
name was conferred by the Secretary of War,
Nov. 20, 1862. It re-enlisted (for the veteran
service), in December, 1863, was mustered out at
Camp Logan, Ky., July 7, 1865, and paid off and
discharged at Springfield, July 15.
Sixty-seventh Infantry. Organized at Chi-
cago, June 13, 1862, for three months' service, in
respon.se to an urgent call for the defense of
Washington. The Sixty -seventli, by doing guard
duty at the camps at Chicago and Springfield,
relieved the veterans, who were sent to the front.
Sixty-eighth Infantry. Enlisted in response
to a call made by the Governor, early in the sum-
mer of 1862, for State troops to serve for three
months as State Militia, and was mustered in
early in June, 1862. It was afterwards mustered
into the United States service as Illinois Volun-
teers, by petition of the men, and received
marching orders, July 5, 1862 ; mustered out, at
Springfield, Sept. 26, 1862 — many of the men re-
enlisting in other regiments.
Sixty-ninth Infantry. Organized at Camp
Douglas. Chicago, and mustered into service for
three months, June 14, 1862. It remained on
duty at Camp Douglas, guarding the camp and
rebel prisoners.
Seventieth Infantry. Organized at Camp
Butler, near Springfield, and mustered in, July 4,
1862. It remained at Camp Butler doing guard
duty. Its term of service was three months.
Seventy-first Infantry. Mustereil into serv-
ice, July 26, 18()2, at Chicago, for three months.
Its service was confined to garrison duty in Illi-
nois and Kentucky, being luustereu out at Chi-
cago, Oct. 29, 1862.
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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
Seventy-second Infantry. Organized at Chi-
cago, as tlie First Regiment of tlie Cliicago Board
of Trade, and mustered into service for three
years, August 23, 1863. It was engaged at Cliam-
pion Hill, Vicksburg, Natcliez, Franklin, Nash-
ville. Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely; mustered
out of service, at Vicksburg, August 6, 1865, and
discharged at Chicago.
Seventy-third Infantry. Recruited from
the counties of Adams, Champaign, Christian,
Hancock, Jackson, Logan, Piatt, Pike, Sanga-
mon, Tazewell and Vermilion, and mu&teied into
service at Springfield, August 21, 1862, 900 strong.
It participated in the battles of Stone River,
Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge,
Resaca, Adairsville, Burnt Hickory, Pine and
Lost Mountains, New Hope Church, Kenesaw
Jlountain. Peach Tree Creek, Spring Hill, Frank-
lin and Nashville ; was mustered out at Nashville,
June 12, 1865, and, a few days later, -vent to
Springfield to receive pay and final discharge.
Seventy-fourth Infantry'. Organized at
Rockford, in August. 1862, and mustered into
service September 4. It was recruited from Win-
nebago, Ogle and Stephenson Counties. This regi-
ment was engaged at Perryville, Murfreesboro
and Nolansville, took part in the TuUahoma
campaign, and the battles of Missionary Ridge,
Resaca, Adairsville. Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain,
Tunnel Hill, and Rocky Face Ridge, the siege of
Atlanta, and the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin
and Nashville. It was mustered out at Nashville,
June 10. 186-5, with 343 officers and men, the
aggregate number enrolled having been 1.001.
Seventy-fifth Infantry-. Organized at
Dixon- and. mustered into service, Sept. 2, 1862.
The regiment participated in the battles of Perry-
ville, Nolansville, Stone River, Lookout Mountain,
Dalton, Resaca, Marietta.Kenesaw, Franklin and
Nashville; was mustered out at Nashville, June
12. 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago, July
1, following.
Seventy-sixth Infantry. Organized at Kan-
kakee, 111. , in August, 1862, and mustered into the
service, August 22, 1862; took part in the siege of
Vicksburg, the engagement at Jack.son. the cam-
paign against Meridian, the expedition to Yazoo
City, and the capture of Slobile, was ordered to
Texas in June, 1865, and mustered out at Galves-
ton, July 22, 1865, being paid off and disbanded
at Chicago, August 4, 1865— having traveled
10,000 miles.
Seventy-sevf.n'''w Infantry. Organized and
mustered into service. Sept. 3, 1862, at Peoria;
was eng.Tsred in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou,
Arkan.sas Post, the siege of Vicksburg (including
the battle of Champion Hills), the capture of
Jackson, the Red River expedition, and the bat-
tles of Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill ; the
reduction of Forts Gaines and ]Morgan, and the
capture of Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile.
It was mustered out of service at Mobile, July
10, 1865, and ordered to Springfield for final pay-
ment and discharge, where it arrived, July 22, 1865,
having participated in sixteen battles and sieges.
Seventy'-eighth Infantry-. Organized at
Quincy, and mastered into service, Sept. 1, 1862;
participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mis-
sionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome,
New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Averysboro and
Bentonville ; was mustered out, June 7, 1865, and
sent to Chicago, where it was paid off and dis-
charged, Jime 13, 1865.
SEVENTY--NINTH INFANTRY. Organized at Mat-
toon, in August, 18G2, and mustered into service,
Augu.st 28, 1862; participated in the battles of
Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mis-
sionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kene-
saw Mountain, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta,
Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Franklin and Nashville; was
mustered out, June 12, 1865; arrived at Camp
Butler, June 15, and, on June 23, received final
pay and discharge.
Eightieth Infantry". Organized at Centralia,
111., in August, 1862, and mustered into service,
August 35, 1863. It was engaged at Perryville,
Dug's Gap, Sand Mountain and Blunt's Farm,
surrendering to Forrest at the latter point. After
being exchanged, it participated in the battles of
Wauliatchie, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca,
Adairsville, Cassville, Dallas, Pine Mountain,
Kenesaw Jlountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek,
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and Nash-
ville. The regiment traveled 6,000 miles and
participated in more than twenty engagements.
It was mustered out of service, June 10, 1865, and
proceeded to Camp Butler for final pay and
discharge.
EIGHTY--FIRST INFANTRY'. Recruited from the
counties of Perry, Franklin, Williamson, Jack-
son, Union, Pulaski and Alexander, and mustered
into service at Anna, August 26, 1862. It partici-
pated in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond,
Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, and
in the siege and capture of Vicksburg. Later,
the regiment was engaged at Fort de Russey,
Alexandria, Guntown and Nashville, besides
assisting in the investment of Mobile. It was
mustered out at Chicago, August 5, 1864.
ANTHONY M(JHR
MAUIA A MdllH
WII.IIWI \ \I(i|lI!
PUBLIC lA^KAl^^
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
561
Eighty-second Infantry. Sometimes called
the "Second Hecker Regiment," in honor of Col-
onel Frederick Hecker, its first Colonel, and for
merly Colonel of the Twenty-fourth Illinois
Infantry — being chiefly composed of German
members of Chicago. It was organized at Spring-
field, Sept. 36, 1862, and mustered into service,
Oct. 33, 1863; participated in the battles of
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Or-
chard Knob. Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New
Hope Church, Dallas, Marietta, Pine Mountain,
Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Bentonville ; was
mustered out of service, June 9, 1865, and
returned to Chicago, June 16 — having marched,
during its time of service, 3,. 503 miles.
Eighty-third Infantry. Organized at Mon-
mouth in August, 1863, and mustered into serv-
ice, August 31. It participated in repelling the
rebel attack on Fort Donelson, and in numerous
hard-fought skirmishes in Tennessee, but was
chiefly engaged in the performance of heavy
guard duty and in protecting lines of communi-
cation. The regiment was mustered out at Nash-
ville, June 36, 1865, and finally paid oft and
discharged at Chicago, July 4, following.
Eighty-fourth Infantry. Organized at
Quincy, in August, 1863, and mustered into serv-
ice, Sept. 1, 1862, with 939 men and officers. The
regiment was authorized to inscribe upon its
battle-flag the names of Perryville, Stone River,
Woodbury, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain,
Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Dalton, Buzzard's
Roost, Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Moun-
tain, Smyrna, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Sta-
tion, Franklin, and Nashville. It was mustered
out, June 8, 1865.
Eighty-fifth Infantry. Organized at Peoria,
about Sept. 1, 1863, and ordered to Louisville. It
took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River,
Chickamauga, Knoxville, Dalton, Rocky-Face
Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dallas, Kenesaw, Peach
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Ben-
tonville, Goldsboro and Raleigh ; was mustered
out at Washington, D. C. , June 5, 1865, and
sent to Springfield, wliere the regiment was
paid off and discliarged on the 30th of tlie same
month.
Eighty-sixth Infantry. Mastered into serv-
ice, August 27, 1862, at Peoria, at which time it
numbered 923 men, rank and file. It took part
in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mis-
sionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome,
Dalla,s, Kenesaw, Peacli Tree Creek, Jonesboro,
Averysboro and Bentonville; was mustered out
on June 6, 1865, at Washington, D. C, arriving
on June 11, at Chicago, where, ten days later, the
men received their pay and final discharge.
Eighty-seventh Infantry. Enlisted in Au-
gust, 1863; was composed of companies from
Hamilton, Edwards, Wayne and White Counties ;
was organized in the latter part of August, 1863,
at Shawneetown; mustered in, Oct. 3, 1863, the
muster to take effect from August 3. It took
part in the siege and capture of Warrenton and
Jack.son, and in the entire campaign through
Louisiana and Southern Mississippi, participating
in the battle of Sabine Cross Ruads and in numer-
ous skirmishes among the bayous, being mustered
out, June 16, 1865, and ordered to Springfield,
where it arrived, June '34, 1865, and was paid oil
and disbanded at Camp Butler, on July 2.
Eighty-eighth Infantry. Organized at Chi-
cago, in September, 1862, and known as tlie
"Second Board of Trade Regiment." It was
mustered in, Sept. 4, 1862 ; was engaged at Perry-
ville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary
Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, AdairsviUe,
New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Mud Creek,
Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground,
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Franklin
and NashviUe; was mustered out, June 9, 1865,
at Nashville, Tenn., and arrived at Chicago,
June 13, 1865, where it received final pay and
discharge, June 22, 1865.
Eight Y->'iNTH Infaj^try. Called the "Rail-
road Regiment".; was organized by the railroad
companies of Illinois, at Chicago, in August,
1862, and mustered into service on the 37th of
that month. It fought at Stone River, Chicka-
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Knoxville, Resaca,
Rocky Face Ridge, Pickett's Mills, Kenesaw
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro,
Lovejoy's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia, Frank-
lin and Nashville; was mustered out, June 10,
1865, in the field near NashviUe, Tenn. ; arrived
at Chicago two days later, and was finally dis-
charged, June 24, after a service of two years,
nine months and twenty -seven days.
Ninetieth Infaj<try. Mustered into service
at Chicago, Sept. 7, 1863; participated in the siege
of Vicksburg and the campaign against Jackson,
and was engaged at Slissionary Ridge, Resaca,
Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw
Mountain, Marietta, Nickajack Creek, Rosswell,
Atlanta, Jonesboro and Fort McAllister. After
the review at Washington, the regiment was
mustered out, June 6, and returned to Chicago,
June 9, 1865. where it was finally discharged.
Ninkty-first Infantry. Organized at Camp
Butler, near Springfield, in August, 1862, and
562
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
mustered in on Sept. 8, 1863; participated in the
campaigns against Vicksburg and New Orleans,
and all along the southwestern frontier in
Louisiana and Te.xas. as well as in the investiture
and capture of Mobile. It was mustered out at
Mobile, July 12, 180."), starting for home the same
day, and being finally paid off and discharged on
July 38, following.
Ninety-second Inf-4.stry (Mounted). Organ-
ized and mustered into service, Sept. 4, 1862,
being recruited from Ogle, Stephenson and Car-
roll Counties. During its term of service, the
Ninety-second fras in more than sixtj' battles and
skirmishes, including Ringgold, Chickamauga,
and the numerous engagements on the "March
to the Sea," and during the pursuit of Johnston
through the Carolinas. It was mustered out at
Concord, N. C. , and paid and discharged from the
service at Chicago, July 1(1, 1865.
Ninety-third 1nf.\ntry. Organized at Chi-
cago, in September, 1862, and mustered in, Oct.
13, 998 strong. It participated in the movements
against Jackson and Vicksburg, and was engaged
at Champion Hills and at Fort Fisher; also was
engaged in the battles of Missionary Ridge,
Dallas, Resaca, and many minor engagements,
following Sherman in his campaign though the
Carolinas. Mustered out of service, June 23,
186.5, and, on the 25th, arrived at Chicago, receiv-
ing final payment and discharge, July 7, 1865, the
regiment having inarched 2,55-1: miles, traveled
by water, 2,396 miles, and, by railroad, 1,337
miles — total, 6,087 miles.
Ninety-fourth Infantry. Organized at
Bloomington in August, 1863, and enlisted wholly
in McLean County. After some warm experi
ence in Southwest Missouri, the regiment took
part in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and
was. later, actively engaged in the campaigns in
Louisiana and Texas. It participated in the cap-
ture of Mobile, leading the final assault. After
several months of garrison duty, the regiment was
mustered out at Galveston, Texas, on July 17,
1865, reaching Bloomington on August 9, follow-
ing, having. served just three years, marched 1,200
miles, traveled by railroad 610 miles, and, by
steamer, 6,000 miles, and taken part in nine bat-
tles, sieges and skirmishes.
Ninety-fifth Inf.vntry. Organized at Rock-
ford and mustered into service, Sept. 4, 1862. It
was recruited from the counties of McHenry and
Boone — three companies from the latter and
seven from the former. It took p.art in the cam-
paigns in Northern Mississippi and against Vicks-
burg. in the Red River expedition, the campaigns
against Price in Missouri and Arkansas, against
Mobile and around Atlanta. Among the battles
in which the regiment was engaged were those
of the Tallahatchie River, Grand Gulf, Raymond,
Champion Hills, Fort de Ru.ssey, Old River,
Cloutierville, Mansura, Yellow Bayou, Guntown,
Nashville, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Kenesaw
Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Atlanta, Ezra
Church, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and Nash-
ville. The distance traveled by the regiment,
while in the service, was 9,960 miles. It was
transferred to the Forty-seventh Illinois Infan-
try, August 25, 1865.
Ninety-sixth Inf.vntry. Recruited during
the months of July and August, 1862, and mus-
tered into service, as a regiment, Sept. 6, 1862.
The battles engaged in included Fort Donelson,
Spring Hill. Franklin, Triune, Liberty Gap,
Shelbyville. Chickamauga, Wauhatchie, Lookout
Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Rocky Face Ridge,
Resaca, Kingston, New Hope Church, Dallas,
Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, .Smyrna
Camp Ground, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Rough
and Ready, Jonesboro. Lovejoy's Station, Frank-
lin and Nashville. Its date of final pay and dis-
charge was June 30, 1865,
Ninety-seventh Infantry. Organized in
August and September, 1862, and mustered in on
Sept. 16; participated in the battles of Chickasaw
Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion
Hills, Black River, Vicksburg, Jackson and
Mobile. On July 29, 1865, it was mustered out
and proceeded homeward, reaching Springfield,
August 10, after an absence of three years, less a
few days.
Ninety-eighth Inf.yntry. Organized at Cen-
tralia, September, 1862, and mustered in, Sept. 3 ;
took part in engagements at Chickamauga, Mc-
Minnville, Farmington and Selma, besides many
others of less note. It was mustered out, June
27, 1865, the recruits being transferred to the
Sixty-first Illinois Volunteers. The regiment
arrived at .Springfield, June 30. and received final
payment and discharge, July 7, 1865.
Ninety-ninth Infantry. Organized in Pike
County and mustered in at Florence, August 23,
1862; participated in the following battles and
skirmishes: Beaver Creek, Hartsville, Magnolia
Hills. Raymond, Champion Hills, Black River,
Vicksburg, Jackson, Fort Esperanza. Grand
Coteau, Fish River, Spanish Fort and Blakely:
days under fire, 62; miles traveled, 5,900; men
killed in battle, 38; men died of wounds and
disease, 149; men discharged for disability, 137;
men deserted, 35; officers killed in battle, 3;
HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
563
offi(!ers died, 2; officers resigned, 26. Tlie regi-
ment was mustered out at Baton Rouge, July 31,
1860, and paid off and discharged, August 9,
following.
One Hundredth Inf.\ntry. Organized at
Joliet, in August, 1862, and mustered in, August
30. The entire regiment was recruited in Will
County. It was engaged at Bardstown, Stone
River, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and
Nashville ; was mustered out of service, June 13,
1865, at Nashville. Tenn., and arrived at Chicago,
June 15, where it received final payment and
discharge.
One Hundred .*^nd First Infantry. Organ-
ized at Jacksonville during the latter part of tlie
month of August, 1862, and, on Sept. 2, 1802,
was mustered in. It participated in the battles
of Wauhatchie, Chattanooga, Resaoa, New Hope
Church, Kenesaw and Pine Mountains, Peach
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Averysboro and Bentonville.
On Dec. 20, 1862, five companies were captured
at Holly Springs, Miss., paroled and sent to
Jefferson Barracks, Mo. , and formally exchanged
in June, 1863. On the 7th of June, 1865. it was
mustered out, and started for Springfield, wliere,
on tlie 21st of June, it was jmid off and disbanded.
One Hundred and Second Infantry. Organ-
ized at Knoxville, in August, 1862, and mustered
in, September 1 and 2. It was engaged at Resaca,
Camp Creek, Burnt Hickory, Big Shanty, Peach
Tree Creek and Averj'sboro; mustered out of
service June 0, 1865, and started home, arriving
at Chicago on the 9th, and, June 14, received
final payment and discliarge.
One Hundred and Third Infantry. Re-
cruited wholly in Fulton Countj', and mustered
into the service, Oct. 2, 1862. It took part in
the Grierson raid, the sieges of Vicksburg, Jack-
son, Atlanta and Savannah, and the battles of
Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Dal-
las, Kenesaw Mountain and Griswoldsville; was
also in the campaign through the Carolinas.
The regiment was mustered out at Louisville,
June 21, and received final discharge at Clii-
cago, July 9, 1865. The original strength of
the regiment was 808, and 84 recruits were
enlisted.
One Hundred and Fourth Infantry. Organ-
ized at Ottawa, in August, 1862, and composed
almost entirely of La Salle County men. The
regiment was engaged in the battles of Harts-
ville, Chickamauga, Lookout Jlountain. Mission-
ary Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Utoy
Creek, Jonesboro and Bentonville, liesides many
severe skirmishes; was mustered out at Washing-
ton, D. C. , June 6, 1865, and, a few days later
received final discharge at Chicago.
One Hundred .\nd Fifth Infantry. Mus-
tered into service, Sept. 2, 1862, at Dixon, and
participated in the Atlanta campaign, being
engaged at Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and
Atlanta, and almost constantly skirmishing,
also took part in the "March to the Sea" and the
campaign in the Carolinas, including the siege of
Savannah and the battles of Averysboro and
Bentonville. It was mustered out at AVashing-
ton, D. C. , June T, 1865, and paid off and dis-
charged at Chicago, June 17.
One Hundred and Sixth Infantry. Mus-
tered into service at Lincoln, Sept. 18, 1862,
eight of the ten companies having been recruited
in Logan County, the other two being from San-
gamon and Menard Counties. It aided in the
defense of Jackson, Tenn., where Company "C"
was captured and paroled, being exclianged in
the summer of 1863; took part in the siege of
Vicksburg, the Yazoo expedition, the capture of
Little Rock, the battle of Clarendon, and per-
formed service at various points in Arkan.sas. It
was mustered out, July 12, 1865, at Pine Bluff,
Ark., and arrived at Springfield, July 24, 1865,
wliere it received final payment and discharge
One Hundred and Seventh Infantry. Mus-
tered into service at Springfield, Sept. 4, 1862;
was composed of six companies from DeWitt and
four companies from Piatt County. It was
engaged at Campbell's Station, Dandridge,
Rocky- Face Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain,
Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville and
Fort Anderson, and mustered out, June 21, 1865,
at Salisbury, N. C, reaching Springfield, for
final payment and discharge, July 3, 1865.
One Hundred and Eighth Infantry. Organ-
ized at Peoria, and mustered into service. August
28, 1862; took part in the first expedition against
Vicksburg and in the battles of Arkansas Post
(Fort Hindman), Port (iibson and Champion
Hills ; in the captuie of Vicksburg, the battle of
Guntown, the reduction of Spanish Fort, and the
capture of Mobile. It was mustered out at Vicks-
burg, August 5, 1865, and received final discharge
at Chicago, August 1 1.
One Hundred and Ninth Infantry. Re-
cruited from Union and Pulaski Counties and
mustered into the service, Sept. 11, 1862. Owing
to its numlxjr being greatly reduced, it was con-
solidated witli the Eleventh Infantry in April,
1863. (See Eh'ivnth Infantry.)
One Hundred and Tenth Infantry. Organ-
ized at Anna and mustered in, Sept. 11, 1862; was
564
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
engaged at Stone Ricer, Woodbury, and in
numerous skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee.
In Maj', 1803, the regiment was consolidated, its
numbers having been greatly reiluced. Subse-
quently it participated in the battles of Chicka-
mauga and Slissionary Ridge, the battles around
Atlanta and the campaign through the Carolinas,
being present at Johnston's surrender. The regi-
ment was mustered out at Washington, D. C,
June 5, 1865, and received final discharge at
Chicago, June 10. The enlisted men whose term
of service had not expiretl at date of muster-out,
were consolidated into four companies and trans-
ferretl to the Sixtieth Illinois Veteran Volunteer
Infantry.
One Hundred and Eleventh Infantry. Re-
cruited from Marion, Clay, Washington, Clinton
and Wayne Counties, and mustered into the serv-
ice at Salem, Se2Jt. 18, 1862. The regiment aided
in the capture of Decatui', Ala. ; took jjart in the
Atlanta campaign, being engaged at Resaca,
Dallas, Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro ; partici-
pated in the "March to the Sea"' and the cam-
paign in the Carolinas, taking part in the battles
of Fort McAllister and Bentonville. It was mus-
tered out at Washington, D. C, June 7, 1865,
receiving final discharge at Springfield, June 37,
having traveled 3,736 miles, of which 1,836 was
on the march.
One Hundred and Twelfth Infantry. Mus-
tered into service at Peoria, Sept. 20 and 23,
1863 ; participated in the campaign in East Ten-
nessee, under Burnside, and in that against
Atlanta, under Sherman; was also engaged in
the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville,
and the capture of Fort Anderson and Wilming-
ton. It was mustered out at Goldsboro, N. C,
June 30, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago,
July 7. 1865.
One Hundred and Thirteenth Infantry.
Left Camp Hancock (near Chicago) for the front,
Nov. 6, 1863; was engaged in the Tallahatchie
expedition, participated in the battle of Chicka-
saw Bayou, and was sent North to guard prison-
ears and recruit. The regiment also took part in
the siege and capture of Vicksburg, was mustered
out, June 20, 1865, and finally discharged at Chi-
cago, five days later.
One Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry.
Organized in July and August, 1862, and mustered
in at Springfield, Sept. 18, being recruited from
Cass, Menard and Sangamon Counties. The regi-
ment participated in the battle of Jackson (Miss.),
the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and in the
battles of Guntown and Harrisville, the pursuit
of Price through Missouri, the battle of Nash-
ville, and the capture of Mobile. It was mustered
out at Vicksburg, August 3. 1865, receiving final
payment and discharge at Springfield. August 15,
18U5.
One Hundred and Fifteenth Infantry.
Ordered to the front from Springfield, Oct. 4,
1802 ; was engaged at Chickamauga, Chattanooga,
Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Resaca and in all
the principal battles of the Atlanta campaign,
and in the defense of Nashville and pursuit of
Hood; was mustered out of service, June 11,
1805, and received final pay and discharge, June
23, 1865, at Springfield.
One Hundred and Sixteenth Infantry.
Recruited almost wholly from Macon County,
numbering 980 officers and men when it started
from Decatur for the front on Nov. 8, 1863. It
participated in the battles of Cluckasaw Bayou,
Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Black River
Bridge. Jlissionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Big
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Stone Mountain,
Atlanta, Fort McAllister and Bentonville, and
was mustered out, June 7, 1865, near Washington,
D. C.
One Hundred and SErsNTEENTH Infantry.
Organized at Springfield, and mustered in, Sept.
19, 1862; jiarticiijated in the Meridian campaign,
the Red River expedition (assisting in the cap-
ture of Fort de Russey), and in the battles of
Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Franklin,
Nashville. Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. It
was mustered out at Springfield, August 5, 1865,
having traveled 9,376 miles, 3,307 of which were
marched.
One Hundred and Eighteenth Infantry.
Organized and mustered into the service at
Springfield, Nov. 7, 1802 ; was engaged at Chicka-
saw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Cham-
pion Hills, Black River Bridge, Jackson (Miss.),
Grand Coteau, Jackson (La. ), and Amite River.
The regiment was mounted, Oct. 11, 1863, and
dismounted, May 23, 1805. Oct. 1, 1865, it was
mustered out, and finally discharged, Oct. 13.
At the date of the muster-in, the regiment num-
bered 820 men and oflScers, received 383 recruits,
making a total of 1,103; at muster-out it num-
bered 533. Distance marched, 3,000 miles; total
distance traveled, 5,700 miles.
One Hundred and Nineteenth Infantry.
Organized at Quincy, in September, 1862, and
was mustered into the United States service,
October 10; was engaged in the Red River cam-
paign and in the battles of Shreveport, Yellow
Bayou, Tupelo, Nashville, Spanish Fort and Fort
J?fT^2^^^^^
PUBLIC LIBRARY
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TILOgv ' NDATIOW*
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
565
Blakely. Its final muster-out took place at
Mobile, August 26, 1865, and its discharge at
Springfield.
One Hundred and Twentiety Infantry.
Mustered into the service, Oct. 28, 1862, at Spring-
field ; was mustered out, Sept. 7, 1865, and received
final payment and discharge, September 10, at
Springfield.
One Hundred and Twenty-first Infan-
try. (Tlie organization of this regiment was not
completed.)
One Hundred and Twenty-second Infan-
try. Organized at Carlinville, in August, 1862,
and mustered into the service, Sept. 4, with 960
enlisted men. It participated in the battles of
Tupelo and Xashville, and in the capture of
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and was mustered
out, July 15, 18G5, at Mobile, and finally dis-
charged at Springfield, August 4.
One Hundred and Twenty-third Infan-
try. Mustered into service at Mattoon, Sept. 6,
1862; participated in the battles of Perry ville,
Milton, Hoover's Gap, and Farmington ; also took
part in the entire Atlanta campaign, marching
as cavalry and fighting as infantry. Later, it
served as mounted infantry in Kentucky, Tennes-
see and Alabama, taking a prominent part in the
capture of Selma. The regiment was discharged
at Springfield, July 11, 1865 — the recruits, whose
terms had not expired, being transferred to the
Sixtj'-first Volunteer Infantry.
One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Infan-
try. Mustered into the service, Sept. 10, 1862, at
Springfield ; took part in the Vicksburg campaign
31*1 in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond and
Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, the
Meridian raid, the Yazoo expedition, and the
capture of Mobile. On the 16th of August, 1865,
eleven days less than three years after the first
company went into camp at Springfield, the regi-
ment was mustered out at Chicago. Colonel
Howe's hi.story of the battle-flag of the regiment,
stated that it had been borne 4, 100 miles, in four-
teen skirimishes, ten battles and two sieges of
forty -seven days and nights, and thirteen days
and nights, respectively.
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Infan-
try. Mustered into service, Sept. 3, 1862; par-
ticipated in the battles of Perryville, Chicka-
mauga. Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain,
Peach Tree Creek. Atlanta and Jonesboro. and in
the "Ma''ch to the Sea" and the Carolina cam-
paign, being engaged at Averysboro and Benton-
ville. It was mustered out at Washington, D. C,
June 9, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago.
One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Infan-
try. Organized at Alton and mustered in, Sept. 4,
1862, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg.
Six companies were engaged in skirmish line, near
Humboldt, Tenn., and the regiment took part in
the capture of Little Rock and in the figlit at
Clarendon, Ark. It was mustered out July 12, 1865.
One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Infan-
try. Mustered into service at Chicago, Sept. 6,
1862; took part in the first campaign against
Vicksburg, and in the battle of Arkansas Post,
the siege of Vicksburg under Grant, the capture
of Jackson (Miss.), the battles of Missionary
Ridge and Lookout Mountain, the Meridian raid,
and in the fighting at Resaca, Dallas. Kenesaw
Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro; also accom-
panied Sherman in his march through Georgia
and the Carolinas, taking part in the battle of
Bentonville ; was mustered out at Chicago June
17, 1865.
One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infan-
try. Mustered in, Dec. 18, 1862, but remained
in service less than five months, wlien, its num-
ber of officers and men having been reduced from
860 to 161 (largely by desertions), a number of
officers were dismissed, and the few remaining
officers flftd men- were formed into a detachment,
and, transferred^ to another Illinois regiment.
One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Infan-
try. Organized at Pontiac, in August, 1862, and
mustered ihto the .service Sept. 8. Prior to May,
1864, the regiment was chiefly engaged in garri-
son dut}'. It marched with Sherman in the
Atlanta campaign and through Georgia and the
Carolinas, and took part in the battles of Resaca,
Buzzard's Roost, Lost Mountain, Dallas, Peach
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Averysboro and Benton-
ville. It received final pay and discharge at Chi-
ca'-o, June 10, 1865.
One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry.
Organized at Springfield and mustered into
service, Oct. 25, 1862; was engaged at Port Gib-
son, Cliampion Hills, Black River Bridge, Vicks-
burg, Jack.sun (Miss.), and in the Red River
expedition. While on this expedition almost the
entire regiment was captured at the battle of
Mansfield, and not paroled imtil near the close of
the war. The remaining officers and men were
consolidated with the Seventy-seventh Infantry
in Jan\iary, 1865, and participated in the capture
of Mol)ile. Six montlis later its regimental re-
organization, as the One Hundred and Thirtieth,
was ordered. It wius mustered out at New
Orleans, August 15, 1805, and discliarged at
Springfield, August 31.
566
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOK.
One Hundred and Thirty-first Infan-
try. Organized in September, 1863, and mus-
tered into the service, Nov. 13, with HIT) men,
exclusive of officers. In October, 1863, it was
consolidated with the Twenty-ninth Infantry,
and ceased to exist as a separate organization.
Up to that time tlie regiment had been in but a
few conflicts and in no pitched battle.
One Hundred and Thirty-second Infan-
try. Organized at Chicago and mustered in for
100 days from June 1, 186-1. The regiment re-
mained on duty at Paducah until the expiration
of its service, when it moved to Chicago, and
was mustered out, Oct. 17, 1864.
One Hundred and Thirty' -third Infan-
try. Organize<l at Sj^ringfleld, and mustered in
for one hundred days, Slay 31, 1864 ; was engaged
during its term of service in guarding prisoners
of war at Rock Island ; was mustered out, Sept.
4, 1864. at Camp Butler.
One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Infan-
try. Organized at Chicago and mustered in,
May 31, 1864, for 100 days; was assigned to
garrison duty at Columbus, Ky., and mustered
out of service, Oct. 25, 1864, at Chicago.
One Hundred and Thirty'-fifth Infan-
try". Mustered in for 100-days' service at Mat-
toon, June 6, 1864, having a strength of 852 men.
It vFas cliiefly engaged, during its term of service,
in doing garrison duty and guarding railroads.
It was mustered out at Springfield, Sept. 28, 1804.
One Hundred and Thirty'-sixth Infan-
try. Enlisted about the first of May, 1864, for
100 days, and went into camp at Centralia, 111.,
but was not mustered into service until June 1,
following. Its principal service was garrison
duty, with occasional scouts and raids amongst
guerrillas. At the end of its term of service the
regiment re-enlisted for fifteen days; was mus-
tered out at Springfield, Oct. 32, 1864, and dis-
charged eight days later
One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Inf.\n-
try'. Organized at Quincy, with ex-Gov John
Wood as its Colonel, and mustered in, June 5,
1864, for 100 days. Was on duty at Memphis,
Tenn , and mustered out of service at Spring-
field. 111.. Sept. 4, 1864.
One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Inf.\n-
TRY Organized at Quincy, and mustered in,
June 21. 1864, for 100 days; was assigned to garri-
son duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and in
Western Missouri. It was mastered out of serv-
ice at Springfield, 111., Oct. 14, 1864.
One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Infan-
try". Mustered into service as a 100-day's regi-
ment, at Peoria, June 1, 1864; was engaged in
garrison duty at Columbus and Cairo, in making
reprisals for guerrilla raids, and in the pursuit of
the Confederate General Price in Missouri. The
latter service was rendered, at the President's
request, after the term of enlistment had expired.
It was mustered out at Peoria, Oct. 35, 1864, hav-
ing been in the service nearly five months.
One Hundred and Fourtieth Infantry.
Organized as a 100-days' regiment, at Springfield,
June 18, 1864, and mustered into service on that
date. The regiment was engaged in guarding
railroads between Jlemphisand Holly Springs. and
in garrison duty at Memphis. After the term of
enlistment had expired and the regiment had
been mustered out, it aided in the pursuit of
General Price through Missouri ; was finally dis-
charged at Chicago, aftev serving about five
months
One Hundred and Fortv^-first Infan-
try. Mustered into service as a 100-days' regi-
ment, at Elgin, June 16, 1864 — strength, 842 men;
departed for the field, June 27, 1864; was mus-
tered out at Chicago, Oct. 10, 1864.
One Hundred and Forty'-second Infan-
try. Organized at Freeport as a battalion of
eight companies, and sent to Camp Butler, where
two companies were added and the regiment
mustered into service for 100 days, June 18, 1864.
It was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., five days later,
and assigned to duty at White's Station, eleven
miles from that city, where it was employed in
guarding the Mempliis & Charleston railroad.
It was mustered out at Chicago, on Oct, 27, 1864,
the men having voluntarily served one month
beyond tlieir term of enlistment.
One Hundred and Forty'-third Infan-
try". Organized at Slattoon, and mustered in,
June 11, 1864, for 100 days. It was assigned to
garrison duty, and mustered out at Mattoon.
Sept. 36, 1864.
One Hundred and Forty'-fourth Inf.^^-
TRY. Organized at Alton, in 1864, as a one-year
regiment; was mustered into the service, Oct. 21,
its strength being 1, 159 men. It was mustered
out, July 14, 1865.
One Hundred and Forty'-fifth Infan-
try. Mustered into service at Springfield, June
9, 1864; strength, 880 men. It departed for the
field, June 12, 1864; was mustered out, Sept. 23,
1864.
One Hundred and Forty'-sixth Infan-
try. Organized at Springfield, Sept. 18, 1864. for
one year. Was assigned to the duty of guarding
drafted men at Brighton, Quincy, Jacksonville
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
567
and Springfield, and mustered out at Springfield,
July 5, 186.5.
One Hundred and Forty-seventh Infan-
try. Organized at Chicago, and mustered into
service for one year, Feb. 18 and 19, 1865; was
engaged chiefly on guard or garrison duty, in
scouting and in skirmishing with guerrillas.
Mustered out at Nashville, Jan. 23, 18G6. and
received final discharge at Springfield, Feb. 4.
One Hundred and Forty-eighth Infan-
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 21, 1805, for
the term of one year ; was assigned to garrison
and guard duty and mustered out, Sept. 5, 1805,
at Nashville, Teuu ; arrived at Springfield, Sept.
9, 1865, where it was paid off and discharged.
One Hundred and Forty-ninth Infan-
try'. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 11, 1865,
and mustered in for one year; was engaged in
garrison and guard duty ; mustered out, Jan. 27,
1866, at Dalton, Ga. , and ordered to Springfield,
where it received final payment and discharge.
One Hundred and Fiftieth Infantry.
Organized at Springfield, and mustered in, Feb. 14,
1865, for one year; was on duty in Tennessee and
Georgia, guarding railroads and garrisoning
towns. It was mustered out, Jan. 16, 1800, at
Atlanta, Ga., and ordered to Springfield, where it
received final payment and discharge.
One Hundred and Fifty'-first Infantry.
This regiment was organized at Quinc}', 111.,
and mustered into the United States service,
Feb. 23J» 1805, and was composed of companies
from various parts of the State, recruited, under
the call of Dec. 19, 1864, It was engaged in
guard duty, with a few guerrilla skirmishes, and
was present at tlie surrender of General War-
ford's arnij', at Kingston, Ga. ; was mustered out
at Columbus, Ga. , Jan. 24, 1806, and ordered to
Springfield, where it received final payment and
discharge, Feb. 8, 1866.
One Hundred and Fifty-second Infan-
try'. Organized at Springfield and mustered in,
Feb. 18, 1805, for one year; was mustered out of
service, to date Sept. 11, at Memphis, Tenn., and
arrived at Camp Butler, Sept. 9, 1865, where it
received final payment and discharge.
One Hundred and Fifty-third Inf.an-
TRY. Organized at Chicago, and mustered in,
Feb. 27, 1865, for one year; was not engaged in
any battles. It was m'ustered out, Sept. 15, 1865,
and moved to Springfield. 111., and, Sept. 24,
received final pay and discharge.
One HuNniiKi) and Fifty-fourth Infan-
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 21, 1805,
for one year. Sept. 18, 1865, the regiment was
mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., and ordered to
Springfield for final payment and discharge,
where it arrived, Sept. 23; was paid ofl: and dis-
charged at Camp Butler, Sept. 29.
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infan-
try. Organized at Springfield and mustered in
Feb. 28, 1805, for one year, 904 strong. On Sept.
4, 1865, it was mustered out of service, and moved
to Camp Butler, where it received final pay and
discharge.
One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Infan-
try. Organized and mustered in during the
months of February and March, 1805, from the
northern counties of the State, for the term of
one year. Tlie officers of the regiment have left
no written record of its history, but its service
seems to have been rendered chiefly in Tennessee
in the neighborhood of Memplus, Nashville and
Chattanooga. Judging by the muster-rolls of
the Adjutant-General, the regiment would appear
to have been greatly depleted by desertions and
otherwise, the remnant being finally mustered
out, Sept. 20, 1805.
First Cavalry'. Organized — consisting of
seven companies, A, B, C, D, E, F and G — at
Alton, in 1861, and mustered into the United
States service, July 3. After some service in
Missouri, the regiment participated in the battle
of Lexington, in that State, and was .surrendered,
with the remainder of the garrison, Sept. 20, 1861.
The officers were paroled, and the men sworn not
to take up arms again unci) discharged. No ex-
change having been effected in November, the
non-commissioned officers and privates were
ordereil to Springfield and discharged. In June,
1803, the regiment was reorganized at Benton
Barracks, Mo., being afterwards employed in
guarding supply trains and supply depots at
various points. Mustered out, at Benton Bar-
racks, July 14, 1862.
Second Cavalry. Organized at Springfield
and mustered into service, August 12, 1801, with
Company M (wliich joined the regiment some
months later), numbering 47 commissioned offi-
cers and 1,040 enlisted men. This munber w;is in-
creased bj' recruits and re-enlistments, during its
four and a half year's term of service, to 2,336
enlisted men and 145 commissioned officers. It
was engaged at Belmont ; a portion of the regi-
ment took part in the battles at Fort Henry,
Fort Donelson and Shiloli, anotlier portion at
Merriweather's Ferry, Bolivar and Holly Springs,
and partici])ated in the investment of Vicksburg.
In January, 1864, the major i)art of the regiment
re-enlisted as veterans, later, participating in the
368
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
Red River expedition and the investment cif Fort
Blakely. It was mustered out at San Antonio,
Tex., Nov. 33, 1865, and finally paid and dis-
charged at Springfield, Jan. 3, 18G6.
Third Cavalry. Composed of tvi^elve com-
panies, from various localities in tlie State, the
grand total of company officers and enlisted men,
nnder the first organization, being 1,433. It was
organized at Springfield, in August, 1801 ; partici-
pated in the battles of Pea Eidge, Haines" Bluff,
Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hills,
Black River Bridge, and the siege of Vicksburg.
In July, 1864, a large portion of the regiment re-
enlisted as veterans. The remainder were mus-
tered out, Sept. 5, 1864. The veterans participated
in the repulse of Forrest, at Mempliis, and in the
battles of Lawrenceburg, Spring Hill, Campbells-
ville and Franklin. Fi-om May to October, 1865,
engaged in service against the Indians in the
Northwest The regiment was mustered out at
Springfield, Oct. 18, 1865.
Fourth C.\.v.alry. Mustered into service,
Sept. 26, 1861, and participated in the battles of
Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Shiloh; in the
siege of Corinth, and in many engagements of
less historic note ; was mustered out at Springfield
in November, 1864. By order of the War Depart-
ment, of June 18, 1865, the members of the
regiment whose terms had not expired, were con-
solidated with the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry.
Fifth Cavalry. Organized at Camp Butler,
in November, 1861 ; took part in the Jleridian
raid and the expedition against Jackson, Miss.,
and in numerous minor expeditions, doing effect-
ive work at Canton, Grenada, Woodville, and
other points. On Jan. 1, 1864, a large portion of
the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. Its final
muster-out took place, Oct. 37, 1865, and it re-
ceived final payment and discharge, October 30.
Sixth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield,
Nov. 19, 1861; participated in Sherman's advance
upon Grenada; in the Grierson raid through Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana, the siege of Port Hudson,
the battles of Mo.scow (Tenn), We.st Point (Miss.),
Franklin and Nashville ; re-enlisted as veterans,
Blarcli 30, 1864; was mustered out at Selma, Ala.,
Nov. 5, 1865, and received discharge, November
20, at Springfield.
Se\-enth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield,
and was mustered into service, Oct. 13, 1861. It
participated in the battles of Farmington, luka,
Corinth (second battle) ; in Grierson's raid
through Mississippi and Louisiana; in the en-
gagement at Plain's Store (La.), and the invest-
ment of Port Hudson. In March, 1864, 388
officers and men re-enlisted as veterans. The
non-veterans were engaged at Guntown, and the
entire regiment took part in the battle of Frank-
lin. After the close of hostilities, it was stationed
in Alabama and Mississippi, until the latter part
of October, 1865 ; was mustered out at Nashville,
and finally discharged at Springfield, Nov. 17,
1865.
Eighth Cavalry. Organized at St. Charles,
111., and mustered in, Sejit. 18, 1861. The regi-
ment was ordered to Virginia, and participated
in the general advance on Manassas in March,
1863; was engaged at Mechanicsville, Gaines'
Hill, Malvern Hill, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Middle-
town, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericks-
burg, Sulphur Springs, Warrenton, Rapidan
Station, Northern Neck, Gettysburg, Williams-
burg, Funkstown, Falling Water, Chester Gap
Sandy Hook, Culpepper, Brandy Station, and in
many raids and skirmishes. It was mustered
out of service at Benton Barracks, Mo., July 17,
1865, and ordered to Chicago, where it received
final pa3-ment and discharge.
Ninth Cavalry Organized at Chicago, in
the autumn of 1861, and mustered in, November
30 ; was engaged at Cold water, Grenada, Wyatt,
Saulsbury, Moscow, Guntown, Pontotoc, Tupelo,
Old Town Creek, Hurricane Creek, Lawrence-
bm-g, Campellsville, Franklin and Nashville.
The regiment re-enlisted as veterans, March 16,
1864 ; was mustered out of service at Selma, Ala. ,
Oct. 31, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, where
the men received final payment and discharge.
Tenth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield in
the latter part of September, 1861, and mustered
into service, Nov. 25, 1861; was engaged at Prairie
Grove, Cotton Plant, Arkansas Post, in the
Yazoo Pass expedition, at Richmond (La.),
Brownsville, Bayou Metoe, Ba3-ou La Fourche
and Little Rock. In Februarj-, 1864, a large
portion of the regiment re enlisted as veter-
ans, the non-veterans accompanying General
Banks in his Red River expedition. On Jan. 27,
1865, the veterans, and recruits were consolidated
with the Fifteenth Cavalry, and all reorganized
under the name of the Tenth Illinois Veteran
Volunteer Cavalry. Mustered out of service at
San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 22, 1865, and received
final discharge at Springfield, Jan. 6, 1866.
Eleventh Cavalry. Robert G. Ingersoll of
Peoria, and Basil D. Meeks, of Woodford County,
obtained permission to raise a regiment of
cavalrj', and recruiting commenced in October,
1861. The regiment was recruited from the
counties of Peoria. Fulton, Tazewell, Woodford.
570
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
out in November and December, 1865, at Leaven-
worth, Kan. Gov. Jolm L. Beveridge, who had
previously been a Captain and Major of the
Eighth Cavalry, was the Colonel of this regi-
ment.
First Light Artillery. Consisted of ten
batteries. Battery A was organized under the
first call for State troops, April 31, 1861, but not
mustered into the three years' service until July
16; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh,
Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the sieges of
Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the Atlanta cam-
paign ; was in reserve at Champion Hills and
Nashville, and mustered out July 3, 186.'j, at
Chicago.
Battery B was organized in April, 1861, en-
gaged at Belmont. Fort Donelson, Shiloh, in the
siege of Corinth and at La Grange, Holly Springs,
Memphis, Chickasaw Baj'ou, Arkansas Post, the
siege of Vicksburg, Mechanicsburg, Richmond
(La.), the Atlanta campaign and the battle of
Nashville. The Battery was reorganized by con-
solidation with Battery A, and mustered out at
Chicago, July 2, 1865.
Battery D was organized at Cairo, Sept. 3, 1861 ;
was engaged at Fort Donelson and at Shiloh,
and mustered out, July 38, 1865, at Chicago.
Battery E was organized at Camp Douglas and
mustered into service, Deo. 19, 1861 ; was engaged
at Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Gun-
town, Pontotoc, Tupelo and Nashville, and mus-
tered out at Louisville, Dec. 34, 1864.
Battery F wa,s recruited at Dixon and mus-
tered in at Springfield, Feb. 25, 1862. It took
part in the siege of Corinth and the Yocona
expedition, and was consolidated with the other
batteries in the regiment, March 7, 1865.
Battery G was organized at Cairo and mus-
tered in Sept. 38, 1861 ; was engaged in the siege
and the second battle of Corinth, and mustered
out at Springfield, July 24, 1865.
Battery H was recruited in and about Chicago,
during January and February, 1863; participated
in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, and
in the Atlanta campaign, the "March to the
Sea," and through the Carolinas with Sherman.
Battery I was organized at Camp Douglas and
mustered in, Feb. 10, 1863; was engaged at
Shiloh, in the Tallahatcliie raid, the sieges of
Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the battles of
Chattanooga and Vicksburg It veteranized,
March 17, 1864, and was mustered out, July 26.
1865.
Battery K was organized at Shawneetown and
mustered in. Jan. 9, 1863, participated in Burn-
side's campaign in Tennessee, and in the capture
of Knoxville. Part of the men were mustered
out at Springfield in June, 1865, and the re-
manider at Chicago in July.
Battery M was organized at Camp Douglas and
mustered into the service, August 12, 1863, for
three years. It served through the Chickamauga
campaign, being engaged at Chickamauga; also
was engaged at Missionary Ridge, was besieged
at Chattanooga, and took part in all the im'por-
tant battles of the Atlanta campaign. It was
mustered out at Chicago, July 24, 1864, having
traveled 3,103 miles and been under fire 178 days.
Second Light Artillery. Consisted of nine
batteries. Battery A was organized at Peoria,
and mustered into service. May 33, 1861 ; served
in Missouri and Arkansas, doing brilliant work
at Pea Ridge. It was mustered out of service at
Springfield, July 27, 1865.
Battery D was organized at Cairo, and mustered
into service in DecemVjer, 1861 ; was engaged at
Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson,
Meridian and Decatur, and mustered out at
Louisville, Nov. 21, 1864.
Battery E was organized at St. Louis, Mo., in
August, 1861, and mustered into service, August
30, at that point. It was engaged at Fort Donel-
son and Shiloh, and in the siege of Corinth and
the Yocona expedition — was consolidated with
Battery A.
Battery F was organized at Cape Girardeau,
Mo., and mustered in, Dec. 11, 1861; was engaged
at Shiloh, in the siege and second battle of
Corinth, and the Meridian campaign; also
at Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro. It was
mustered out, July 37, 1865, at Springfield.
Battery H was organized at Springfield, De-
cember, 1861, and mustered in, Dec. 31, 1861; was
engaged at Fort Donelson and in the siege of
Fort Pillow; veteranized, Jan. 1, 1864, was
mounted as cavalry' the following summer, and
mu-stered out at Springfield, July 29, 18G5.
Battery I was recruited in Will County, and
mustered into service at Camp Butler, Dec. 31,
1861. It participated in the siege of Island No.
10, in the advance upon Cornith, and in the
battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout
Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga.
It veteranized, Jan. 1, 1864, marched with Sher-
man to Atlanta, and thence to Savannah and
through the Carolinas, and was mustered out at
Springfield.
Battery K was organized at Springfield and
mustered in Dec. 31, 1863; was engaged at Fort
Pillow, the capture of Clarkston, Mo., and the
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
571
siege of Vicksburg. It was mustered out, July
1-t, 1863, at Chicago.
Battery L was organized at Chicago and mus-
tered in, Feb. 28, 1862; participated in the ad-
vance on Corintli, the battle of Hatchie and the
advance on the Tallahatchie, and was mustered
out at Chicago, August 9, 1865.
Battery M was organized at Chicago, and mus-
tered in at Springfield, June, 1862; was engaged
at Jouesboro, Blue Spring, Blouutsville and
Rogersville, being finally consolidated with
other batteries of the regiment.
Chic.voo Board of Trade Battery. Organ-
ized through the efforts of the Chicago Board of
Trade, wliioli raised §1.5,000 for its equipment,
within forty-eight hours. It was mustered into
service, August 1, 1862, was engaged at Law-
renceburg, Slurfreesboro, Stone River, Chicka-
mauga, Farraington, Decatur (Ga. ), Atlanta,
Lovejoy Station, Nashville, Selraa and Columbus
(Ga. ) It was mustered out at Chicago, June 30,
1865, and paid in full, July 3, having marched
5,268 miles and traveled by rail 1,231 miles. The
battery was in eleven of the hardest battles
fought in the West, and in twenty-six minor
battles, being in action forty-two times wliile on
scouts, reconnoissances or outpost duty.
Chicago Mercantile Battery. Recruited
and organized under the auspices of the Mercan-
tile Association, an association of prominent and
patriotic merchants of the City of Chicago. It
was mustered into service, August 29, 1862, at
Camp Douglas, participated in the Tallahatchie
and Yazoo expeditions, the first attack upon
Vicksburg, the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege
of Vicksburg, the battles of Magnolia Hills,
Champion Hills, Black River Bridge and Jackson
(Miss.); also took part in Banks' Red River ex-
pedition; was mustered out at Chicago, and
received final payment, July 10, 1865, having
traveled, by river, sea and land, over 11,000
miles.
Springfield Light Artillery. Recruited
principally from tlie cities of Springfield, Belle-
ville and Wenona, and mustered into service at
Springfield, for the term of three years, August
21, 1862, numl)ering 199 men and officers. It
participated in the capture of Little Rock and in
the Red River e.xpedition, and was mustered out
at Springfield, 114 strong, June 30, 1865.
Cogswell's Battery, Light Artillery.
Organized at Ottawa, III., and mustered in. Nov.
11, 1861, as Company A (Artillery) Fifty-third
Illinois Volunteers, Colonel C\isluiian command-
ing the regiment. It participated in the
advance on Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, the
battle of Missionarj- Ridge, and the capture of
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, near Mobile. The
regiment was mustered out at Springfield, August
14, 1865, having served three years and nine
months, marched over 7,500 miles, and partici-
pated in seven sieges and battles.
Sturges Rifles. An independent company,
organized at Chicago, armed, equipped and sub-
sisted for nearly two months, by the patriotic
generosity of Mr. Solomon Sturges ; was mustered
into service. May 6, 1801 ; in June following, was
ordered to West Virginia, serving as body-
guard of General McClellan; was engaged at
Rich Mountain, in the siege of Yorktown, and in
the seven days' battle of the Chickahominy. A
portion_of the company was at Antietam, the
remainder having been detached as foragers,
scouts, etc. It was mustered out at Washington,
Nov. 25, 1862.
WAR, THE SP.VNISH - AMERICAN. The
oppressions and misrule which had character-
ized the administration of afl'airs by the Spanish
Government and its agents for generations, in the
Island of Cuba, culminated, in April, 1898, in
mutual declarations of war between Spain and
the United States. The causes leading up to tliis
result were the injurious efl'ects upon American
commerce and the interests of American citizens
owning property in Cuba, as well as the constant
expense imposed upon the Government of the
United States in the maintenance of a large navy
along the South Atlantic coast to suppress fili-
bustering, superadded to the friction and unrest
produced among the people of this country by the
long continuance of disorders and abuses so near
to our own shores, which aroused the sj'mpathy
and indignation of the entire civilizeil world.
For three years a large proportion of the Cuban
population had been in open rebellion against the
Spanish Government, and, while the latter had
imported a large army to the island and sub-
jected the insurgents and their families and
sympathizers to the grossest cruelties, not even
excepting torture and starvation itself, their
policy had failed to bring the insurgents into
subjection or to restore order. In this condition
of affairs the United States Government had
endeavored, through negotiation, to secure a miti-
gation of the evils complained of, by a modifica-
tion of the Spanish policy of government in the
island ; but all suggestions in this direction had
either been resented by Spain as unwarrantable
interfereiK^e in her affairs, or promises of reform,
when made, had been as invariably broken.
572
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
In the meantime an increasing sentiment had
been growing up in the United States in favor of
conceding belligerent rights to the Cuban insur-
gents, or tlie recognition of their independence,
which found expression in measures proposed in
Congress — all offers of friendly intervention by
the United States having been rejected by Spain
with evidences of indignation. Compelled, at
last, to recognize its inability to subdue the insur-
rection, the Spanish Government, in November,
1897, made a pretense of tendering autonomj- to
the Cuban people, with the privilege of amnesty
to the insurgents on laying down their arms.
The long duration of the war and the outrages
perpetrated upon the helpless "reconcentrados, "
coupled with the increased confidence of the
insurgents in the final triumph of their cause,
rendered this movement — even if intended to be
carried out to the letter — of no avail. The
profiler came too late, and was promptly rejected.
In this condition of affairs and with a view to
greater security for American interests, the
American battleship Maine was ordered to
Havana, on Jan. 24. 1898. It arrived in Havana
Harbor the following day, and was anchored at a
point designated by the Spanish commander. On
the night of February 1.5, following, it was blown
up and destroyed by some force, as shown by after
investigation, applied from without. Of a crew
of 3.j4 men belonging to the vessel at the time,
260 were either killed outright by tlie explosion,
or died from their wounds. Not only the Ameri-
can people, but the entire civilized world, was
shocked by the catastroijhe. An act of horrible
treachery had been perpetrated against an
American vessel and its crew on a peaceful mis-
sion in the liarbor of a profassedly friendly na-
tion.
The successive steps leading to actual hostili-
ties were rapid and eventful. One of the earliest
and most significant of the.se was tlie passage, by
a unanimous vote of both houses of Congress, on
March 9, of an appropriation placing §50,000,000
in the hands of the President as an emergency
fund for purposes of national defense. This was
followed, two days later, by an order for the
mobilization of the army. The more important
events following this step were: An order, under
date of April .'J, withdrawing American consuls
from Spanish stations ; the departure, on April 9,
of Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee from Havana;
April 19, the adoption by Congre.ss of concurrent
resolutions declaring Cuba independent and
directing the President to use the land and naval
forces of the United States to put an end to
Spanish authority in the island; April 20, the
sending to the Spanish Government, by the Presi-
dent, of an ultiiiiatuiu in accordance with ihia
act; April 31, the delivery to Minister Woodford,
at Madrid, of his jiassports without waiting for
the presentation of the ultimatum, with the
departure of the Spanish Minister'from Wasliing-
ton ; April 2.3, the issue of a call by the President
for 125,000 volunters; April 24, the final declara-
tion of war by Spain ; April 25, the adoption by
Congress of a resolution declaring that war had
existed from April 21; on the same date an order
to Admiral Dewey, in command of the Asiatic
Squadron at Hongkong, to sail for Manila with a
view to investing that city and blockading
Philippine ports.
The chief events subsequent to the declaration
of war embraced the following: May 1, the
destruction by Admiral Dewey's squadron of the
Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila; May 19,
the arrival of the Spanish Admiral Cervera's fleet
at Santiago de Cuba; May 25, a second call by
the President for 75,000 volunteers; July 3, the
attempt of Cervera's fleet to escape, and its
destruction off Santiago; July 17, the surrender
of Santiago to the forces under General Shafter;
July 30, the statement by the President, through
the French Ambassador at Washington, of the
terms on which the United States would consent
to make peace ; August 9, acceptance of the peace
terms by Spain, followed, three days later, by the
signing of the peace protocol; September 9, the
appointment by the President of Peace Commis-
sioners on the part of the United States; Sept. 18,
the announcement of the Peace Commissioners
selected by Spain; October 1, the beginning of the
Peace Conference by the representatives of the
two powers, at Paris, and the formal signing, on
December 10, of the peace treaty, including the
recognition by Spain of the freedom of Cuba,
with the transfer to the United States of Porto
Rico and her other West India islands, together
with the surrender of the Philippines for a con-
sideration of §20,000,000.
Seldom, if ever, in the history of nations have
such vast and far-reaching results been accom-
plished within so short a period. The war,
which practically began with the destruction of
the Spanish fleet in Manila Harbor — an event
which aroused the enthusiasm of the whole
American people, and won the respect and
admiration of other nations — was practically
ended by the surrender of Santiago and the
declaration by the President of the conditions of
peace just three months later. Succeeding
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
573
events, up to the formal signing of the peace
treaty, were merely the recognition of results
previously determined.
History op Illinois Regiments.— The part
played by Illinois in connection with these events
H)ay be briefly summarized in the history of Illi-
nois regiments and other organizations. Under
the first call of the President for IS.j.OOO volun-
teers, eiglit regiments — seven of infantry and one
of cavalry — were assigned to Illinois, to which
was subsequently added, on application through
Governor Tanner, one battery of light artil-
lery. Tlie infantry regiments were made up
of the Illinois National Guard, numbered
consecutively from one to seven, and were
practically mobilized at their home stations
within forty-eight liours from the receipt of the
call, and began to arrive at Camp Tanner, near
Springfield, the place of rendezvous, on April 26,
the day after the issue of the Governor's call.
The record of Illinois troops is conspicuous for
the promptness of their response and the com-
pleteness of tlieir organization — in this respect
being unsurpassed by those of any other State.
Under tlie call of May 25 for an additional force
of 75,000 men, tlie quota assigned to Illinois was
two regiments, which were promptly furnished,
taking the names of the Eighth and Ninth. The
first of these belonged to the Illinois National
Guard, as the regiments mustered in under the
first call had done, while the Ninth was one of a
number of "Provisional Regiments" which had
tendered their services to the Government. Some
twenty-five other regiments of this class, more or
less complete, stood ready to perfect their organi-
zations should there be occasion for their serv-
ices. The aggregate strength of Illinois organi-
zations at date of muster out from the United
States service was 12,280—11,789 men and 491
officers.
First Reqiment Illinois Volunteers (orig-
inally Illinois National Guard) was organized at
Chicago, and mustered into the United States
service at Camp Tanner (Springfield), under tlie
command of Col. Henry L. Turner, May 13, 1898;
left Springfield for Camp Tliomas (Chickamauga)
May 17; assigned to First Brigade, Third
Division, of the First Army Corps; started for
Tampa, Fla., June 2, but soon after arrival there
was transferred to Picnic Island, and assigned to
provost duty in place of the First United States
Infantry. On June 30 the bulk of the regiment
embarked for Cuba, but was detained in the liar-
bor at Key West until .July 5, when the vessel
sailed for Santiago, arriving in Guantanamo Bay
on the evening of the 8th. Disembarking on
the loth, the whole regiment arrived on the
firing line on the 11th, spent several days and
nights in the trenches before Santiago, and
were present at the surrender of that city
on the 17th. Two companies had previously
been detached for the scarcelj' less perilous duty
of service in the fever hospitals and in caring
for tlieir wounded comrades. Tlie next month
was spent on guard duty in tlie captured city,
until August 25, when, depleted in numbers and
weakened by fever, the bulk of the regiment was
transferred by hospital boats to Camp Wikoff, oa
Slontauk Point, L. I. The members of the regi-
ment able to travel left Camp Wikoff, September
8, for Chicago, arriving two days later, where they
met an enthusiastic reception and were mustered
out, November 17, 1,235 strong (rank and file)— a
considerable number of recruits having joined the
regiment just before leaving Tampa. The record
of the First was conspicuous by the fact that it
was the only Illinois regiment to see .service in
Cuba during the progress of actual hostilities.
Before leaving Tampa some eiglity members of the
regiment were detailed for engineering duty in
Porto Rico, sailed for that island on July 12, and
were among the first to perform service there.
The First sufl:ered severely from yellow fever
while in Cuba, but, as a regiment, while in the
service, made a brilliant record, wliich was highly
complimented in the oflBcial reports of its com-
manding officers.
Second Regiment Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry (originally Second I. N. G.). This regi-
ment, also from Chicago, began to arrive at
Springfield, April 27, 1898 — at that time number-
ing 1,202 men and 47 officers, under command of
Col. George M. Moulton; was mustered in
between May 4 and May 15 ; on May 17 started
for Tampa, Fla., but en route its destination was
clianged to Jacksonville, where, as a part of the
Seventh Army Corps, under command of Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee, it as.si.sted in the dedication of
Camp Cuba Libre. October 25 it was transferred
to Savannah, Ga., remaining at "Camp Lee" until
December 8, when two battalions embarked for
Havana, landing on tlie 15th, being followed, a
few days later, by tlie Third Battalion, and .sta-
tioned at Camp Columbia. From Dec. 17 to Jan.
11, 1899, Colonel Moulton served as Cliief of
Police for the city of Havana. On March 28 to 80
the regi.nent left Camp Columbia in detach-
ments for Augusta, G.a., where it arrived April
5, and was mustered out, April 20, 1,051 strong
(rank and file), and returned to Chicago. Dur-
574
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
ing its stay in Cuba the regiment did not lose a
man. A liistory of this regiment has been
written by Rev. H. W. Bolton, its late Chaplain.
Thikd Regiment Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, composed of companies of the Illinois
National Guard from the counties of La Salle.
Livingston, Kane, Kankakee, SIcHenry, Ogle,
Will, and Winnebago, under command of Col.
Fred Bennitt, reported at Springfield, with 1,170
men and .50 officers, on April 27 ; was mustered
in Jlay 7, 1898; transferred from Springfield to
Camp Thomas (Cliickamauga), May 14; on July
22 left Cliickamauga for Porto Rico; on the 28th
sailed from Newport News, on the liner St. Louis,
an-iving at Ponce, Porto Rico, on July 31 ; soon
after disembarking captured Arroyo, and assisted
in the capture of Guayama, which was the
beginning of General Brooke's advance across
the island to San Juan, when intelligence was
received of the signing of the peace protocol bj-
Spain. From August 13 to October 1 the Third
continued in the performance of guard duty in
Porto Rico ; on October 22, 986 men and 39 offi-
cers took transport for home by way of New York,
arriving in Chicago, November 11, the several
companies being mustered out at their respective
home stations. Its strength at final muster-out
was 1,273 men and officers. This regiment had
the distinction of being one of the first to see
service in Porto Rico, but suffered severely from
fever and other diseases during the three months
of its stay in the island.
Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, com-
posed of companies from Champaign, Coles,
Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Faj-ette, Jackson,
Jefferson, Montgomery, Richland, and St. Clair
counties; mustered into the service at Spring-
field, May 20, under command of Col. Casimer
An del; started immediately for Tampa, Fla., but
en route its destination was changed to Jackson-
ville, where it was stationed at Camp Cuba Libre
as a part of the Seventh Corps under command of
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee; in October was transferred
to Savannah, Ga., remaining at Camp Onward
until about the fiist of January, when tlie regi-
ment took ship for Havana. Here the regiment
was stationed at Camp Columbia until April 4,
1899, when it returned to Augusta, Ga. , and was
mustered out at Camp Mackenzie (Augusta), May
2, the companies returning to their i-espective
home stations. During a part of its stay at
Jacksonville, and again at Savannah, the regi-
ment was employed on guard duty. While at
Jacksonville Colonel Andel was suspended by
court-martial, and finally tendered his resigna-
tion, his place being supplied by Lieut. -Col. Eben
Swift, of the Ninth.
Fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry was the first regiment to report, and was
mustered in at Springfield, May 7, 1898, under
command of Col. James S. Culver, being finally
composed of twelve companies from Pike, Chris-
tian, Sangamon. McLean, Montgomery, Adams,
Tazewell, Macon, Morgan, Peoria, and Fulton
counties; on May 14 left Springfield for Camp
Thomas (Cliickamauga, Ga. ), being assigned to
the command of General Brooke; August 3 left
Cliickamauga for Newport News, Va., with the
ex])ectation of embarking for Porto Rico — a
previous order of July 26 to the same purport
having been countermanded; at Newport News
embarked on the transport Obdam, but again the
order was rescinded, and, after remaining on
board thirty-six hours, the regiment was disem-
barked. The next move was made to Lexington
Ky., where the regiment — having lo.st hope of
reaching "the front" — remained until Sept 5,
when it returned to Springfield for final muster-
out. This regiment was composed of some of the
best material in the State, and anxious for active
service, but after a succession of disappoint-
ments, was compelled to return to its home sta-
tion without meeting the enemy. After its arrival
at Springfield the regiment was furloughed for
thirty days and finally mustered out, October 16,
numbering 1,213 men and 47 officers.
Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In-
fantry, consisting of twelve companies from the
counties of Rock Island, Knox, Whiteside, Lee_
Carroll, Stephenson, Henry, Warren, Bureau, and
Jo Daviess, was mustered in May 11, 1898, under
iMiiimand of Col. D. Jack Foster; on May 17 left
Springfield for Camp Alger, Va. ; July 3 the
regiment moved to Charleston, S. C, where a
part embarked for Siboney, Cuba, but the wliole
regiment was soon after united in General
Jliles" expedition for the invasion of Porto Rico,
landing at Guanico on Jul3- 25, and advancing
into the interior as far as Adjunta and Utuado.
After several weeks' service in the interior, the
regiment returned to Ponce, and on September 7
took transport for the return home, arrived at
Springfield a week later, and was mustered out
November 25, the regiment at that time consist-
ing of 1,239 men and 49 officers.
Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry
(known as the "Hibernian Rifles"). Two
battalions of this regiment reported at Spring,
field, April 27, with 83 officers and 765 enlisted
men, being afterwards increased to the maxi
HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
575
mum ; was mustered into the United States serv-
ice, under command of Col. Marcus Kavanagh,
May 18, 1898; on May 28 started for Camp Alger,
Va. ; was afterwards encamped at Thoroughfare
Gap and Camp Meade ; on Sej)teiuber 9 returned
to Springfield, was furloughed for thirty days,
and mustered out, October 20, numbering 1,200
men and 49 officers. Like the Fifth, the Seventh
saw no actual service in the field.
Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry (col-
ored regiment), mustered into the service at
Springfield under the second call of the Presi-
dent, July 23, 1898, being composed wliollj' of
Afro- Americans under oflicers of their own race,
with Col. John R. Marshall in command, the
muster-roll sliowing 1,195 men and 70 officei's.
The six companies, from A to F, were from Chi-
cago, the other five being, respectively, from
Bloomington, Springfield, Quincy, Litchfield,
Mound City and Metropolis, and Cairo. The
regiment having tendered their services to
relieve the First Illinois on dut}' at Santiago de
Cuba, it started for Cuba, August 8, by way of
New York ; immediately on arrival at Santiago,
a week later, was assigned to duty, but subse-
quently transferred to San Luis, where Colone,
Marshall was made military governor. The
major part of the regiment remained here until
ordered home early in March, 1899, arrived at
Chicago, March l.j, and was mustered out, April
3, 1,226 strong, rank and file, having been in
service nine months and six days.
Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry was
organized from the counties of Southern Illinois,
and mustered in at Springfield under the second
call of the President, July 4-11, 1898, under com-
mand of Col. James R. Campbell ; arrived at
Camp Cuba Libre (Jacksonville, Fla.), August 9;
two months later was transferred to Savannah,
Ga. ; was moved to Havana in December, where
it remained until May, 1899, when it returned to
Augusta, Ga., and was mustered out there, May
20, 1899, at that time consisting of 1,095 men and
46 officers. From Augxista the several companies
returned to their respective home stations. Tlie
Ninth was the only "Provisional Regiment" from
Illinois mustered into the service during the
war, the other regiments all belonging to the
National Guard.
First Illinois Cavalry was organized at Clii-
cago immediately after the President's first call,
seven companies being recruited from Cliicago,
two from Bloomington, and one each from
Springfield, Elkhart, and Lacon; was mustered in
at Springfield, May 21, 1898, under command of
Col. Edward C. Young; left Springfield for Camp
Thomas, Ga., May 30, remaining there until
August 24, when it returned to Fort Slieridan,
near Chicago, where it was stationed until October
11, when it was mustered out, at that time con-
.sisting of 1,158 men and 50 officers. Although
tlie regiment saw no active service in the field, it
established an excellent record for itself in respect
to discipline.
First Engineering Corps, consisting of 80
men detailed from the First Illinois Volunteers,
were among the first Illinois soldiers to see serv-
ice in Porto Rico, accompanying General Miles'
expedition in the latter part of Jul}-, and being
engaged for a time in the construction of bridges
in aid of the intended advance across tlie island.
On September 8 they embarked for the return
home, arrived at Chicago, September 17, and
were mustered out November 20.
Battery A (I. N. G.), from Danville, 111., was
mustered in under a special order of the War
Department, May 12, 1898, under command of
Capt. Oscar P. Yaeger, consisting of 118 men;
left Springfield for Camp Thomas, Ga., May 19,
and, two months later, joined in General Miles'
Porto Rico expedition, landing at Guanico on
August 3, and taking part in the affair at Gua
yama on the 12th. News of peace having been
received, the Battery returned to Ponce, where
it remained until September 7, when it stai-ted
on the return home by way of New York, arrived
at Danville, September 17, was furloughed for
sixty days, and mustered out November 25. The
Battery was eijuipped with modern breech-load-
ing rapid-firing guns, oi^erateil b)' practical artil-
lerists and prepared for effective service.
Naval Reserves. — One of the earliest steps
taken by the Government after it became ap-
parent that hostilities could not he averted, was
to begin prejiaration for strengthening the naval
arm of the service. Tlie existence of tlie "Naval
Militia," first organized in 1893, placed Illinois in
an exceptionally favorable position for making a
prompt response to the call of tlie Government, as
well as furnishing a superior class of men for
service — a fact evidenced during the operations
in the West Indies. Gen. John JIcNulta, as head
of tlie local committee, was active in calling the
attention of the Navy Dep.artment to the value of
the service to be rendered by this organization,
which resulted in its being enlisted practically as
a bod}', taking the name of "Naval Reserves" —
all but eighty-eight of the number passing the
physical examination, the places of these l)eir\g
promptly filled by new recruits. The first de-
576
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
tachment of over 200 left Chicago May 2, under
the oommaud of Lieut. -Com. John M. Hawley,
followed soon after by the remainder of the First
Battalion, making the whole number from Chi-
cago' 400, with 207, constituting the Second Bat-
talion, from other towns of the State. The latter
was made up of 147 men from Moline, 58 from
Quincy, and 62 from Alton — making a total from
the State of G67. This does not include others,
not belonging to this organization, who enlisted
for service in the navy during tlie war, which
raised the whole nmiiber for the State over 1,000.
The Reserves enlisted from Illinois occupied a
different relation to the Government from that
of the "naval militia" of other States, which
retained their State organizations, while those
from Illinois were i-egularly mustered into the
United States service. The recruits from Illinois
were embarked at Key West, Norfolk and New
York, and distributed among fifty-two different
vessels, including nearly every vessel belonging
to the North Atlantic Squadron. They saw serv-
ice in nearly every department fi'om the jjosition
of stokers in the hold to that of gunners in the
turrets of the big battleships, the largest number
(60) being assigned to the famous battleship Ore-
gon, while the cruiser Yale followed with 47; the
Harvard with 33 ; Cincinnati, 27; Yankton, 19;
Franklin, 18 ; Jlontgomery and Indiana, each, 17 ;
Hector, 14; Marietta, 11; Wilmington and Lan-
caster, 10 each, and others down to one each.
Illinois sailors thus had the privilege of partici-
pating in the brilliant affair of July 3, which
resulted in the destruction of Cervera's fleet oflf
Santiago, as also in nearly every other event in
the West Indies of less importance, without the
loss of a man while in the service, although
among the most exposed. They were mu.stered
out at different times, as they could be spared
from tlie service, or the vessels to which they
were attached went out of commission, a portion
serving out their full term of one year. The
Reserves from Chicago retain their organization
under the name of "Naval Reserve Veterans,"
with headquarters in the Masonic Temple Build-
ing, Chicago.
WARD, James H., ex-Congressman, was born
in Chicago, Nov. 30, 1853, and educated in the
Cliicago public schools and at the University of
Notre Dame, graduating from the latter in 1873.
Tliree years later he graduated from the Union
College of Law, Chicago, and was admitted to
the l)ar. Since then he has continued to practice
his profession in his native city. In 1879 he was
elected Supervisor of the town of West Chicago,
and, in 1884, was a candidate for Presidential
Elector on the Democratic ticket, and tlie same
year, was the successful candidate of his party
for Congress in the Third Illinois District, serv-
ing one term.
AVIXXEBAGO INDIANS, a tribe of the Da
cota, or Sioux, stock, which at one time occupied
a iwrt of Northern Illinois. The word Winne-
bago is a corruption of the French Ouinebe-
goutz, Ouimbegouc, etc., the diphthong "ou"
taking the place of the consonant "w," which is
wanting in the French alphabet. These were,
in turn, French misspellings of an Algonquin
term meaning "fetid," which the latter tribe
applied to the Winnebagoes becau.se they had
come from the western ocean — the salt (or
"fetid") water. In their advance towards the
East the Winnebagoes early invaded the country
of the Illinois, but were finally driven north-
ward by the latter, who surpassed them in num-
bers rather than in bravery. The invaders
settled in Wisconsin, near the Fox River, and
here they were first visited by the Jesuit Fathers
in the seventeenth century. (See Jesuit Rela-
tions.) The Winnebagoes are commonly re-
garded as a Wisconsin tribe; yet, that they
claimed territorial rights in Illinois is shown by
the fact that the treaty of Prairie du Chien
(August 1, 1829), alludes to a Winnebago village
located in what is now Jo Daviess County, near
the mouth of the Pecatonica River. While, as a
rule, the tribe, if left to itself, was disposed to
live in amity with the w-hites, it was carried
away by the eloquence and diplomacy of
Tecuinseh and the cajoleries of "The Prophet. "
General Harrison especially alludes to the brav-
ery of the Winnebago warriors at Tippecanoe'
which he attributees in part, however, to a super-
stitious faith in "The Prophet." In Jime or
July, 1827, an unprovoked and brutal outrage by
the whites upon an unoffending and practically
defenseless party of Winnebagoes, near Prairie
du Cliien brought on what is known as the
'Winnebago War." (See Winnebago War.)
The tribe took no part in the Black Hawk War,
largely because of the great influence and shrewd
tactic of their chief, Naw-caw. By treaties
executed in 1832 and 1837 the Winnebagoes ceded
to the United States all their lands lying east of
the Mississippi. They were finally removed west
of that river, and, after many sh if tings of loca-
tion, were placed upon the Omaha Reservation in
Eastern Nebraska, where their industry, thrift
and peaceable disposition elicited high praise
from Government officials.
THE NEW r0J«L,
PUBLIC If = f:ASt
Md
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
577
WARNER, Vespasian, lawyer and Member of
Congress, was born in De Witt County, 111., April
23, 1843, and has lived all his life in his native
county — his present residence being Clinton.
After a short course in Lombard University,
while studying law in the office of Hon. Law-
rence Weldon, at Clinton, he enlisted as a private
soldier of the Twentieth Illinois Volunteers, in
June, 1861, serving until July, 1866, when he was
mustered out with the rank of Captain and
brevet Major. He received a gunshot wound at
Shiloh, but continued to serve in the Army of
the Tennessee until the evacuation of Atlanta,
when he was ordered North on account of dis-
ability. His last service was in fighting Indians
on the plains. After the war he completed his
law studies at Harvard University, graduating in
1868, when he entered into a law partnership
with Clifton H. Moore of Clinton. He served as
Judge-Advocate General of the Illinois National
Guard for several years, with the rank of Colonel,
under the administrations of Governors Hamil-
ton, Oglesby and Fifer, and, in 1894, was nomi-
nated and elected, as a Republican, to the
Fiftj'-fourth Congre.ss for the Thirteenth District,
being re-elected in 1896, and again in 1898. In
the Fifty-fifth Congress, Mr. Warner was a mem-
ber of the Committees on Agriculture and Invalid
Pensions, and Chairman of the Committee on
Revision of the Laws.
WARREN, a village in Jo Daviess County, at
intersection of the Illinois Central and the Chi-
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railways, 26 miles
west-northwest of Freeport and 27 miles east by
north of Galena. The surrounding region is
agricultural and stock-raising : there are also lead
mines in tlie vicinity. Tobacco is grown to some
extent. Warren has a flouring mill, tin factory,
creamery and stone quarries, a State bank, water
supply from artesian wells, fire department, gas
plant, two weekly newspapers, five churches, a
high school, an academy and a public library.
Pop. (1890), 1,172; (1900), 1,327.
WARREN, Calviu A., lawyer, was born in
Essex County, N. Y., June 3, 1807; in his youtli,
worked for a time, as a typographer, in the office
of "The Northern Spectator," at Poultney, Vt.,
side by side with Horace Greeley, afterwards the
founder of "The New York Tribune.'' Later, he
became one of the publishers of "The Palladium"
at Ballston, N. Y., but, in 1832. renK)ved to
Hamilton Comity, Oliio, where he began the
study of law, completing his course at Transyl-
vania University, Ky., in 1834, and beginning
practice at. Batavia, Ohio, as the partner of
Thomas Morris, then a United States Senator
from Ohio, whose daughter he married, thereby
becoming the brother-in-law of the late Isaac N.
Morris, of Quincy, 111. In 1836, Mr. Warren
came to Quincy, Adams County, III, but soon
after removed to Warsaw in Hancock County,
where he resided until 1839, when he returned to
Quincy. Here he continued in practice, either
alone or as a partner, at different times, of sev-
eral of the leading attorneys of that city.
Although he held no office except that of Master
in Chancery, which he occuiiied for some sixteen
years, the possession of an inexliaustible fund of
humor, with strong practical sense and decided
ability as a speaker, gave him great popularity
at the bar and upon the stump, and made him a
recognized leader in the ranks of the Democratic
party, of which he was a life-long member. He
served as Presidential Elector on the Pierce
ticket in 1852, and was the nominee of his party
for tlie same position on one or two other occa-
sions. Died, at Quincy, Feb. 22, 1881.
WARREN, Hooper, pioneer journalist, was
born at Walpole, N. H. , in 1790 ; learned the print-
er's trade on the Rutland (Vt.) "Herald"; in
1814 went to Delaware, whence, three years later,
he emigrated to Kentucky, working for a time
on a paper at Frankfort. In 1818 he came to St.
Louis and worked in the office of the old "Mis-
souri Gazette" (the predecessor of "The Repub-
lican"), and also acted as the agent of a luiiilieir
company at Cairo, 111. , wlien the whole popula-
tion of that place consistetl of one family domi-
ciled on a grounded flat-boat. In March, 1819,
he established, at Edwardsville, the third paper
in Illinois, its predecessors being "The Illinois
Intelligencer," at Kaskaskia, and "The Illinois
Emigrant," at Shawneetown. The name given
to the new paper was "The Spectator," and the
contest over the effort to introduce a pro-slavery
clause in the State Constitution soon brouglit it
into prominence. Backed bj- Governor Coles,
Congressman Daniel P. Cook, Judge S. D. Lock-
wood, Rev. Thomas Lippincott, Judge Wni. H.
Brown (afterwards of Chicago), George Churchill
and other opponents of slavery, "The Spectator"
made a sturdy fight in opposition to the scheme,
which ended in defeat of the measure b_v the
rejection at the polls, in 1824, of the ]iroposition
for a Constitutional Convention. Warren left
the Edwardsville paper in 182.'>, and was. for a
time, associated with "The National Crisis," an
anti-slavery pajier at Cincinnati, but soon re-
turned to Illinois and established "The Sangamon
Spectator" — the first paper over published at the
878
HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
present State capital. This he sold out in 1829,
and, for the next three 3'ears, was connecteQ
with "The Advertiser and Upper Mississippi Her-
ald," at Galena. Abandoning; this field in 1832,
he removed to Hennepin, where, within the next
five years, he held the offices of Clerk of the Cir-
cuit and County Commissioners' Courts and ex-
officio Recorder of Deeds. In 1836 he began tlie
publication of the third paper in Chicago — "Tlie
Commercial Advertiser" (a weekly) — which was
continued a little more tlian a year, when it was
abandoned, and he settled on a farm at Henry,
Marshall County. His furtlier newsjiaper ven-
tures were, as the associate of Zebina Eastman, in
the publication of "The Genius of Liberty," at
Lowell, La Salle County, and "The Western
Citizen" — afterwards "The Free West" — in Chi-
cago. (See Eastman, Zebina, and Limdy, Ben-
jamin.) On the discontinuance of "The Free
West" in 1856, he again retired to his farm at
Henry, where he spent the remainder of his days.
While returning home from a visit to Chicago,
in August, 1864, he was taken ill at Mendota,
dying there on the 22d of the month.
WARREN, John Esaias, diplomatist and real-
estate operator, was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1826,
graduated at Union College and was connected
with the American Legation to Spain during the
administration of President Pierce; in 1859-60
was a member of the Minnesota Legislature and,
in 1861 62, Mayor of St. Paul; in 1807, came to
Chicago, where, while engaged in real-estate
business, he became known to the press as the
author of a series of articles entitled "Topics of
the Time." In 1886 he took up his residence in
Brussels, Belgium, where he died, July 6, 1896.
Mr. Warren was author of several volumes of
travel, of which "An Attache in Spain" and
"Para" are most important.
WARREN COUNTY. A western county,
created by act of the Legislature, in 1825, but
not fully organized until 1830, having at that time
about 350 inhabitants ; has an ai'ea of 540 square
miles, and was named for Gen. Josejih Warren.
It is drained by the Henderson River and its
affluents, and is traversed by the Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy (two divisions), the Iowa
Central and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Railroads. Bituminous coal is mined and lime-
stone is quarried in large quantities. The county's
early development was retarded in consequence
of having become the "seat of war," during the
Black Hawk War. The principal products are
grain and live-stock, although manufacturing is
carried on to some extent. The county-seat and
chief city is Monmouth (which see). Roseville
is a shipping point. Population (1880), 22,933.
(1890), 21,281; (1900), 23,163; (1910), 23,313.
WARREN, a village of Jo Daviess County on
the 111. Cent, and the Chi., Mil. & St. Paul Rys.;
lead is extensively mined in vicinity; has a large
creamery and some factories. Pop. (1910), 1,331.
WARSAW, a principal town in Hancock
County, and admirably situated for trade. It
stands on a bluff on the Mississippi River, some
three miles below Keokuk, and about 40 miles
above Quincy. It is the western terminus of the
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway, and lies 116
miles west-southwest of Peoria. Old Fort
Edwards, established by Gen. Zacliary Tajdor,
during the War of 1812, was located within the
limits of the present city of Warsaw, opposite the
mouth of the Des Moines River. An iron
foundry, a large woolen mill, a plow factory
and cooperage works are its principal manufac-
turing establishments. The channel of the Missis-
sippi admits of tlie passage of the largest steamers
up to this point. Warsaw has several churches, a
system of common schools com])rising one high
and three grammar schools, a national liank and
one weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 3,105;
(1890), 2,721; (1900), 2,335; (1910), 2,254.
WASHBURN, a village of Woodford County, on
a branch of the Chicago & Alton Railway 25 miles
northeast of Peoria; has lianks and a weekly paper;
the district is agricultural. Population (1890),
598; (1900), 703; (1910), 777.
WASHBURNE, Elihu Benjamin, Congressman
and diplomatist, was born at Livermore, Maine,
Sept. 23, 1816; iu early life learned the trade of a
printer, but gradviated from Harvard Law School
and was admitted to the bar in 1840. Coming
west, he settled at Galena, forming a partnership
with Cliarles S. Hempstead, for the practice of
law, in 1841. He was a stalwart Whig, and, as
such, was elected to Congress in 1852. He con-
tinued to represent Ids District until 1869, taking
a prominent ])osition, as a Republican, on the
organization of that party. On account of his
long service he was known as the "Fatlier of the
House," administering the Speaker's oath three
times to Schuyler Colfax and once to James G.
Blaine. He was appointed Secretary of State by
General Grant in 1869, but surrendered his port-
folio to become Envoy to France, in which ca-
pacity he achieved great distinction. He was the
only official representative of a foreign govern-
ment who remained in Paris, during the siege of
that city by the Germans (1870-71) and the reign
of the ''Commune." For his conduct he was
HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
579
honored by the Governments of France and Ger-
many alike. On his return to the United States,
he made his home in Chicago, where he devoted
his latter years chiefly to literary labor, and
where lie died, Oct. 22, 1887. He was strongly
favored as a candidate for the Presidency in 1880.
WASHINGTON, a city in Tazewell County,
situated at the intersection of the Chicago &
Alton, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroads. It is 31
miles west of El Paso, and 13 miles east of Peoria.
Carriages, plows and farming implements con-
stitute the manufactured output. It is also an
. important shipping point for farm products. It
has electric light and water-works plants, eight
churches, a graded school, two banks and two
weekly papers. Pop. (1900), 1,459; (1910), 1,.530.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, an interior county of
Southern Illinois, east of St. Louis; is drained by
the Kaskaskia River and the Elkhorn, Beaucoup
and Muddy Creeks; was organized in 1818, and
has an area of 557 square miles. The surface is
diversified, well watered and timbered. The soil
is of variable fertility. Corn, wheat and oats
are the chief agricultin-al products. Manufactur-
ing is carried on to some extent, among the products
being agricultural implements, flour, carriages
and wagons. The most important town is Nash-
ville, which is also the county-seat. Popula-
,tion (1900), 19,526; (1910), 18,759. Washing-
ton was one of the iifteen counties into which
Illinois was divided at the organization of the
State Government, being one of the last three
created during the Territorial period — the other
two licing Franklin and Union.
WATERTOWN, a village in Rock Island County,
on the Mississippi, 5 miles east of Moline. The
Illinois Western Hospital for the Insane, located
here on an elevation a quarter of a mile from the
river, is reached by a switch from the C, B. & Q.
Ry. Pop. of the village (1910), 525.
WEST CHICAGO, in Du Page County, on the
C, B. & Q. and C. & N. W. Rys., 30 miles west of
Chicago; has railroad repair shops, various manu-
factures and two weekly papers. Pop. (1910), 2,;i7S.
WATERLOO, the county-seat and chief town
of Monroe County, on the Illinois Division of the
Mobile & Ohio Railroad, 24 miles east of south
from St. Louis. The region is chiefly agricultural,
but underlaid with coal. Its industries embrace
two flour mills, a plow factory, distillery, cream-
ery, two ice plants, and some minor concerns.
The city has munici])al water and electric light
plants, four churches, a graded school and two
newspapers. Pop. (1900), 2,114; (1910), 2,091.
WATERMAN, Arba Nelson, lawyer and jurist,
was born at Greensboro, Orleans County, Vt. ,
Feb. 3, 183(5. After receiving an academic edu-
cation and teaching for a time, he read law at
Montpelier and, later, passed through the Albany
Law School. In 1861 he was admitted to the
bar, removed to Joliet, 111., and opened an office.
In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the One Hun-
dredth Illinois Volunteers, serving with the
Army of the Cumberland for two years, and
being mustered out in August, 1864, with the
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. On leaving the
army. Colonel Waterman commenced practice in
Chicago. In 1873-74 he represented the Eleventh
Ward in the City Council. In 1887 he was elected
to the bench of the Cook County Circuit Court,
and was re-elected in 1891 and, again, in 1897. In
1890 he was assigned as one of the Judges of the
Appellate Court.
WATSEKA, the county-seat of Iroquois County,
situated on tlie Iroquois River, at the mouth of
Sugar Creek, and at the intersection of the Chi-
cago tt Eastern Illinois and the Toledo, Peoria &
Western Railroads, 77 miles south of Chicago, 46
miles north of Dan\nlle and 14 miles east of
Gihnan. It has flour-mills, brick and tile works
and foundries, besides several churches, banks, a
graded .school and two weekly newspa|5ers. Artesian
well water is obtained by boring to the depth
of 100 to 160 feet, and some 200 flo^\-ing streams
from these shafts are within the city limits. Pop.
(1890), 2,017; (1900), 2,.505; (1910), 2,476.
WATTS, Amos, jurist, was born in St. Clair
County, 111., Oct. 25, 1821, but removed to Wash-
ington County in boyhood, and was elected County
Clerk in 1847, "49 and '53, and State's Attorney
for the Second Judicial District in 1856 and '60;
then became editor and proprietor of a news-
paper, later resuming the practice of law, and, in
1873, was elected Circuit Judge, remaining in
office until his death, at Nashville, 111 Dec. 6,
1888.
WAUKEGAN, the county-seat and principal
city of Lake County, situated on the shore of
Lake Michigan and on the Chicago i^- North-
western Railroad, about 36 miles north by west
from Chicago, and 50 miles south of Milwaukee:
is also the northern terminus of the Elgin, Joliet
& Eastern Railroad and comiected by electric
lines with Chicago and Fo.x Lake. Lake Michigan
is about 80 miles wide opposite this point.
Waukegan was lirst known as "Little Fort."
from the remains of an old fort that stooil on its
site. The principal i)art of the city is built on a
blutf, which rises abruptly to the height of about
580
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
fifty feet. Between the bluff and the shore is a
flat tract about 400 yards wide which is occupied
by gardens, dwellings, warehouses and manu-
factories. The manufactures intrude steel-wire,
refined sugar, scales, agricultural implements,
brass and iron products, sash, doors and blinds,
leather, beer, etc. ; the city has paved streets, gas
and electric light plants, three banks, eight or
ten churches, graded and high schools and two
daily and one weekly newspaper. A large trade in
grain, lumber, coal and dairy products is carried
on. Pop. (1900), 9,420; (1910), 16,069.
WAUKEGAIV & SOUTHWESTERN RAIL-
WAY. (See Elgin, Juliet & Eatiicin Railway.)
WAVERLY, a city in Morgan County, 18 miles
southeast of Jacksonville, on the Jacksonville &
St. Louis and the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis
Railroads. It was originally settled by enter-
prising emigrants from New England, whose
descendants constitute a large proportion of tlie
population. It is the center of a rich agricultural
region, has a fine graded school, six or seven
churches, two banks, one weekly newsi)ai)er; also
brick and tile works, flour mills and elevators.
Pop. (1890), 1,337; (1000), 1.573; (1910), 1,538.
WAYNE, (Gen.) Anthony, soldier, was born in
Chester Coimty, Pa., Jan. 1, 1745, of Anglo-Irish
descent, graduated as a Surveyor, and first prac-
ticed his profession in Nova Scotia. During the
years immediately antecedent to the Revolution
he was prominent in the colonial councils of his
native State, to which he had returned in 17G7,
where he became a member of the "Committee of
Safety." On June 3, 1776, he was commissioned
Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Penns3'lvania
troops in the Continental army, and, during the
War of the Revolution, was conspicuous for his
courage and ability as a leader. One of his most
daring and successful achievements was the cap-
ture of Stony Point, in 1779, when — the vi-orks
having been carried and Wayne having received,
what was supposed to be, his death-wound— he
entered the furt, supported by his aids. For this
service he was awarded a gold medal by Con-
gress. He also took a conspicvious part in the
investiture and capture of Yorktown. In October,
1783, he was brevetted Major-General. In 1784
he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature.
A few years later he settled in Georgia, which
State he represented in Congress for seven
months, when his seat was declared vacant after
contest. In April, 1793, he was confirmed as
General-in-Chief of the United States Army, on
nomination of President Washington. His con-
nection with Illinois history bpgan sliortly after
St. Clair's defeat, when he led a force into Ohio
(1783) and erected a stockade at Greenville,
which he named Fort Recovery ; his object being
to subdue the hostile savage tribes. In this he
was eminently successful and, on August 3,
1793, after a victorious campaign, negotiated the
Treaty of Greenville, as broad in its provisions as
it was far-reaching in its influence. He was a
daring fighter, and although Washington called
him ■ 'prudent," his dauntlessness earned for him
the sobriquet of "Mad Anthony." In matters of
dress he was punctilious, and, on this account,
he was sometimes dubbed "Dandy Wayne." He
was one of the few white officers whom all the
Western Indian tribes at once feared and re-
spected. Tliey named him "Black Snake" and
"Tornado." He died at Pi'esque Isle near Erie,
Dec. 15, 1796. Thirteen years afterward his
remains were removed by one of his sons, and
interred in Badnor churchyard, in his native
county. The Pennsylvania Historical Society
erected a marble monument over his grave, and
appropriately dedicated it on July 4 of the same
year.
WAYNE COUNTY, in the southeast quarter of
the State; has an area of 720 square miles; was
organized in 1819, and named for Gen. Anthony
Wayne. The county is watered and drained by
the Little Wabash and its branches, notably the
Skillet Fork. At the first election held in the
county, only fifteen votes were cast. Early life
was exceedingly primitive, the first settlers
pounding corn into meal with a wooden pestle,
a hollowed stump being used as a mortar. Tlie
first mill erected (of the antique South Carolina
pattern) charged 25 cents per bushel for grinding.
Prairie and woodland make up the surface, and
the soil is fertile. Railroad facilities are furnished
by the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis and the
Baltimore & Ohio (Southwestern) Railroads.
Corn, oats, tobacco, wheat, hay and wool are tlie
chief agricultural products. Saw mills are numer-
ous and there are also carriage and wagon facto-
ries. Fairfield i.s the county-seat. Population
(1S90), 23,806; (1900), 27,626; (19101, 25.697.
WEAS, THE, a branch of the Miami tribe of
Indians. They called themselves "We-wee-
hahs, " and were spoken of by the French as "Oui-
at-a-nons" and "Oui-as." Other corruptions of
the name were common among the British and
American colonists. In 1718 they had a village
at Chicago, but abandoned it through fear of
their hostile Jieighbors, the Chipi^ewas and Potta-
watomies. The Weas were, at one time, brave
and warlike; but their numbers were reduceil by
Cy^-cy/c^t^^^^^i^ (^X^^<
THS ,\jw YOtir
T/L-i.
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
581
constant warfare and disease, and, in the end,
debauchery enervated and demoralized them.
They were removed west of the Mississippi and
given a reservation in Miami County, Kan. This
they ultimately sold, and, under the leadership
of Baptiste Peoria, united with their few remain-
ing brethren of the Miamis and with the remnant
of the lU-i-ni under the title of the "confederated
tribes," and settled in Indian Territory. (See also
Mia m is: Pia n Icesli a irs. )
WEBB, Edwin B,, early lawyer and politician,
was born about 1802, came to the vicinity of
Carmi, White County, 111., about 1828 to 1830,
and, still later, studied law at Transylvania Uni-
versity. He held the office of Prosecuting
Attorney of White Count}', and, in 1834, was
elected to the lower branch of the General
Assembl}', serving, by successive re-elections,
imtil 1842, and, in the Senate, from 1842 to "46.
During his service in the House he was a col-
league and political and personal friend of
Abraham Lincoln. He opposed the internal
improvement scheme of 1837, predicting many
of the disasters which were actually realized a
few years later. He was a candidate for Presi-
dential Elector on the Whig ticket, in 1844 and
'48, and, in 1852, received the nomination for ,
Governor as the opponent of Joel A. Matteson. ■
two years later, being an unsuccessful candidate
for Justice of the Supreme Court in opposition to
Ju/lge W. B. Scates. While practicing law at
Carmi, be was also a partner of his brother in
the mercantile business. Died, Oct. 14, 1858, in
the 56th year of his age.
WEBB, Henry Livingston, soldier and pioneer
(an elder brother of James Watson Webb, a noted
New York journalist), was born at Claverack,
N. Y., Feb. 6, 1795; served as a soldier in the
War of 1812, came to Southern Illinois in 1817,
and became one of the founders of the town of
America near the mouth of the Ohio ; was Repre-
sentative in the Fourth and Eleventh General
Assemblies, a Major in the Black Hawk War and
Captain of volunteers and, afterwards, Colonel of
regulars, in the Mexican War. In 1860 he went
to Texas and served, for a time, in a semi mili-
tary capacity under the Confederate Govern-
ment; returned to Illinois in 1869, and died, at
Makanda. Oct. 5, 1876.
WEJJSTER, Fletcher, lawyer and soldier, was
born at Portsmouth, N. H., July 23, 1813; gradu-
ated at Harvard in 1833, and studied law with
his father (Daniel Webster) ; in 1837, located at
Peru, 111., where he practiced three years. His
father having been appointed Secretary of State
in 1841, the son became his private secretary,
was also Secretary of Legation to Caleb Gushing
(Minister to China) in 1843, a member of the
Massachusetts Legislature in 1847, and Sm-veyor
of the Port of Boston, 1850-61 ; the latter year
became Colonel of the Twelfth Massachusetts
Volunteers, and was killed in the second battle
of Bull Run, August 30. 1802.
WEBSTER, Josepli Dana, civil engineer and
soUlier, was born at Old Hampton, N. H.,
August 25, 1811. He graduated from Dart-
mouth College in 1832, and afterwards read
law at Newburyport, Mass. His natural incli-
nation was for engineering, and, after serv-
ing for a time in the Engineer and War offices,
at Washington, was made a United States civil
engineer (1835) and, on July 7, 1838, entered the
army as Second Lieutenant of Topographical
Engineers. He served through the Mexican
War, was made First Lieutenant in 1849, and
promoted to a captaincy, in March, 1853. Thir-
teen months later he resigned, removing to Chi-
cago, where he made his permanent home, and
soon after was identified, for a time, with the
proprietorship of "The Chicago Tribime." He
was President of the commission that perfected
the Chicago sewerage system, and designed and
executed the raising of the grade of a large por-
tion of the cit}- from two to eight feet, whole
blocks of buildings being rai:ied bj- jack screws,
while new foundations were inserted. At the
outbreak of the Civil War he tendered hfs serv-
ices to the Government and superintended the
erection of the fortifications at Cairo, 111., and
Paducah, Ky. On April 7, 1861, he was com-
missioned Paymaster of Volunteers, with the
rank of Major, and, in February, 1862, Colonel of
the First Illinois Artillery. For several months
he was chief of General Grant's staff, participat-
ing in the capture of Forts Donelson and Henry,
and in the battle of Shiloh, in the latter as Chief
of Artillery. In October, 1862, the War Depart-
ment detailed him to make a sm'vey of the lUi
nois & Michigan Canal, and, the following month,
he was commissioned Brigadier-Genei'al of
Volunteers, .serving as Military Governor of Mem-
phis and Superintendent of military railroads.
He was again chief of staff to General Grant
during the Vicksburg caiui)aign, and, from 1864
until the close of the war, occupied the .same
relation to General Sherman. He was brevetted
Major-General of Volunteers, March 13, 1865, l)ut.
resigning Nov. 6, following, returned to Chicago,
where he spent the remainder of his life. From
1869 to 1872 ho was A.s.sessor of Internal Revenue
582
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
there, and, later, Assistant United States Treas-
urer, and, in July, 1873, was ajipointed Collector
of Internal Revenue. Died, at Chicago, March
13, 1876.
WELCH, William R., lawyer and jurist, was
born in Jessamine County, Ky., Jan. 33, 1838,
educated at Transylvania University, Lexington,
graduating from the academic department in
1847, and, from the law school, in 18.51. In 1864 he
removed to Carlinville, Macoupin County, 111.,
which place he made his permanent home. In
1877 he was elected to the bench of the Fifth
Circuit, and re-elected in 1879 and "85. In 1884
he was assigned to the bench of the Appellate
Court for the Second District. Died, Sept. 1,
1888.
WELUON, Lawrence, one of the Judges of the
United States Court of Claims, Washington,
D. C, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in
1839 ; while a child, removed with his parents to
Madison County, and was educated in the com-
mon schools, the local academy and at Wittenberg
College, Springfield, in the same State; read law
with Hon. R. A. Harri-son, a prominent member
of the Ohio bar, and was admitted to practice in
1854, meanwhile, in 1853-53, having served as a
clerk in the office of the Secretary of State at
Columbus. In 18,54 he removed to Illinois, locat-
ing at Clinton, DeWitt County, where he engaged
in practice ; in 1800 was elected a Representative
in the Twenty-second General Assembly, was
also chosen a Presidential Elector the same year,
and assisted in the first election of Abraham
Lincoln to the Presidency. Early in 1861 he
resigned his seat in the Legislature to accept the
position of United States District Attorney for
the Southern District of Illinois, tendered him by
President Lincoln, but resigned the latter office
in 1806 and, the following j'ear, removed to
Bloomington, where he continued the practice of
his profession until 1883, when he was appointed,
by President Arthur, an Associate Justice of the
United States Court of Claims at Washington —
a po.sition wluch he occupied until his death.
Judge \\eldon was among the last of tliose who
rode the circuit and practiced law with Mr. Lin-
coln. From the time of coming to the State in
1854 to 1860, he was one of Mr. Lincoln's most
intimate traveling companions in the old
Eighth Circuit, which extended from Sangamon
County on the west to Vermilion on the east, and
of which Judge David Davis, afterwards of the
Supreme Court of the United States and United
States Senator, was the presiding Justice. The
Judge held m his memory many pleasant remi-
niscences of that day, especially of the eastern
portion of the District, where he was accustomed
to meet the late Senator Voorhees, Senator Mc-
Donald and other leading lawyers of Indiana, as
well as the historic men whom he met at the
State capital. Died April 10, 1905.
WELLS, Albert W., lawyer and legislator, was
born at Woodstock, Conn., May 9, 1839, and
enjoyed only such educational and other advan-
tages as belonged to the average New England
boy of that period. During his boyhood his
family removed to New Jersey, where he attended
an academy, later, graduating from Columbia
College and Law School in New York City, and
began practice with State Senator Robert Allen
at Red Bank, N. J. During the Civil War he
enlisted in a New Jersey regiment and took part
in the battle of Gettysburg, resuming his profes-
sion at the close of the war. Coming west in
1870, he settled in Quincy, 111., where he con-
tinued practice. In 1886 he was elected to the
House of Representatives from Adams County,
as a Democrat, and re-elected two years later.
In 1890 he was advanced to the Senate, where,
by re-election in 1894, he served continuously
until his death in office, March 5, 1897. His
abilities and long service — covering the sessions
of the Thirty-fifth to the Fortieth General Assem-
blies — placed him at the head of the Democratic
side of the Senate during the latter part of his
legislative career.
WELLS, William, soldier and victim of tlie
Fort Dearborn massacre, was born in Kentucky,
about 1770. When a boy of 13, he was captiued
by the Miami Indians, whose chief. Little Turtle,
adopted him, giving him his daughter in mar-
riage when he grew to manhood. He was highly
esteemed by the tribe as a warrior, and, in 1790,
was present at the battle where Gen. Arthur St.
Clair was defeated. He then realized that he
was fighting against his own race, and informed
his father-in-law that he intended to ally himself
with the whites. Leaving the Miamis, he made
his way to General Wayne, who made him Cap-
tain of a companj' of scouts. After the treaty of
Greenville (1795) he settled on a farm near Fort
Wayne, where he was joined by his Indian wife.
Here he acted as Indian Agent and Justice of the
Peace. In 1813 he learned of the contemplated
evacuation of Fort Dearborn, and, at the head of
thirty Jliamis, he set out for the post, his inten-
tion being to furnish a body-guard to the non-
combatants on their proposed march to Fort
Wayne. On August 13, he marched out of the
fort with fifteen of his dusky warriors behind
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
583
him, the remainder bringing up the rear. Before
a mile and a half had been traveled, the party fell
into an Indian ambuscade, and an indiscrimi-
nate massacre followed. (See Fort Dearborn.)
The Miamis fled, and Captain Wells' body was
riddled with bullets, his head cut off and his
heart taken out. He was an uncle of Mrs. Heald,
wife of the commander of Fort Dearborn.
WELLS, William Harvey, educator, was born
in Tolland, Conn., Feb. 27, 1812; lived on a farm
until 17 years old, attending school irregularly,
but made such progress that he became succes-
sively a teacher in the Teachers' Seminary at
Andover and Newburyport, and. finally. Principal
of the State Normal School at Westfield, Mass.
In 1856 he accepted the position of Superintend-
ent of Public Schools for the city of Chicago,
serving till 1864, when he resigned. He was an
organizer of the Massachusetts State Teachers'
Association, one of the first editors of "The
Massachusetts Teacher" and prominently con-
nected with various benevolent, educational and
learned societies ; was also author of several text-
books, and assisted in the revision of "Webster's
Unabridged Dictionary." Died, Jan. 21, 188,5.
WENONA, city on the eastern border of Mar-
shall County, 20 miles south of La Salle, has
zinc works, public and parochial schools, a
weekly paper, two banks, and five churches. A
good quality of soft coal is mined liere. Popu-
lation (1890), 1,0.53; (1900), 1,486; (1910), 1,442.
WENTWORTH, John, early journalist and
Congressman, was born at Sandwich, N, H.,
March 5, 1815, graduated from Dartmouth Col-
lege in 1836, and came to Chicago the same year,
where he became editor of "The Chicago Demo-
crat," which had been e-stabUshed by John Cal-
houn three years previous. He soon after became
proprietor of "The Democrat," of which he con-
tinued to be the publisher until it was merged
into "The Chicago Tribune," July 24, 1864. He
also studied law, and was admitted to the Illinoi.s
bar in 1841. He served in Congress as a Demo-
crat from 1843 to 1851, and again from 1853 to
1855, but left the Democratic party on the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise. He was elected
Mayor of Chicago in 1857, and again in 1860,
during his incumbency introducing a number of
important mviuii-ipal reforms; was a member of
the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and twice
served on the Board of Education. He again
represented Illinois in Congress as a Republican
from 1865 to 1.S67 — making fourteen years of
service in that body. In 1872 he joined in the
Greeley movement, but later renewed liis alle-
giance to the Republican party. In 187^ ;.dr. Went-
worth publislied an elaborate genealogical work
in thi-ee volumes, entitled "History of the Went-
worth Family." A volume of "Congressional
Reminiscences" and two by him on "Early Chi-
cago," published in connection with the Fergus
Historical Series, contain some valuable informa-
tion on early local and national history. On
account of his extraordinary height he received
the sobriquet of "Long John," by which he was
familiarly known throughout the State. Died,
in Chicago, Oct. 16, 1888.
WEST, Edward JM., merchant and banker, was
born in Virginia, May 2, 1814; came with his
father to Illinois in 1818; in 1829 became a clerk
in the Recorder's office at Edwardsville, also
served as deputy postmaster, and, in 1833, took a
position in the United States Land Office there.
Two years later he engaged in mercantile busi-
ness, which he prosecuted over thirty years —
meanwhile filling the office of County Treasurer,
ex-officio Superintendent of Schools, and Delegate
to the Constitutional Convention of 1847. In 1867,
in conjunction with W. R, Prickett, he established
a Ijauk at Edwardsville. with which he was con-
nected until his death, Oct. 31, 1887. Mr. West
officiated frequently as a "local preacher" of the
Methodist Church, in which capacity he showed
much ability as a public speaker.
WEST, Mary Allen, educator and philanthro-
pist, was born at Galesburg, 111., July 31, 1837;
graduated at Knox Seminary in 1854 and taught
until 1873, when she was elected County Super-
intendent of Schools, serving nine j^ears. She
took an active and influential interest in educa-
tional and reformatory movements, was for two
years editor of "Our Home Monthly," in Phila-
delphia, and also a contributor to other journals,
besides being editor-in-chief of "The Union Sig-
nal,"' Chicago, the organ of the Woman's Chris-
tian Temperance Union — in which she held the
position of President ; was also President, in the
latter da3's of her life, of the Illinois Woman's
Press Association of Chicago, that city having
become her home in 1885. In 1802. Miss West
started on a tour of the world for the benefit of
her health, but died at Tokio, Japan, Dec. 1. 1892.
WESTERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE,
an institution for the treatment of the insane,
located at Watertown, Rock Island County, in
ac^cordance with an act of the General Assembly,
approved. May 22. 1895. The Thirty-ninth Gen-
(^ral Assembly niaile an a|)propriation of SKIO.OOO
for the erection of fire-proof V)uildings. while
Rock Island County donated a tract of 400 acres
684
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
of land valued at $40, 000. The site selected by the
Commissioners, is a commanding one overlooking
the Jlississippi River, eight miles above Rock
Island, and five and a half miles from Moline, and
the buildings are of the most modern style of con-
struction. Watertown is readied by two lines of
railroad — the Cliicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy — besides the
Mississippi River. The erection of buildings was
begun in 1896, and they were opened for the
reception of patients in 1898. They have a ca-
pacity for 800 patients.
WESTERN MILITARY ACADEMY, an iusti
tution located at Upper Alton, Madison Countj-,
incorporated in 1892; has a faculty of eight mem-
bers and reports eighty pupils for 1897-98, with
property valued at .§70,000. The institution gives
instruction in literary and scientific branches,
besides preparatory and business courses.
WESTERN NORJIAL COLLEGE, located at
Bushnell, MoDonough County; incorporated in
1888. It is co-educational, has a corps of twelve
instructors and reported 500 pupils for 1897-98,
300 males and 200 females.
WESTERN SPRINGS, a village of Cook
County, and residence suburb of the city of Chi-
cago, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail-
road, 15 miles west of the initial station.
Pop. (1000), 662; (1910), 90.5.
WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,
located in Cliicago and controlled by the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church. It was founded in 188:3
through the munificence of Dr. Tolman AVlieeler,
and was opened for students two years later. It
has two buildings, of a superior order of archi-
tecture — one including the school and lecture
rooms and the other a dormitory. A hospital
and gymnasium are attached to the latter, and a
school for boys is conducted on the first floor of
the main building, which is known as Wheeler
Hall. The institution is under the general super-
vision of "Rt. Rev. William E. McLaren, Protes-
tant Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Illinois.
WESTFIELD, village of Clark County, on Cin.,
Ham. & Dayton R. R. , 10 m, s.-e. of Charleston;
seat of Westfield College; has a bank, five
churches and one newspaper. Pop. (1910), 927.
WEST SALEM, a town of Edwards Coimty, on
the Peoria-Evan.s\-ille Div. 111. Cent. R. R., 12
miles northeast of .41bion; has a bank and a weekly
paper. Pop. (1900), 700; (1010), 725.
WETHERELL, Emma Abbott, vocalist, was
born in Chicago, Upj^. 9, 1849; in her childhood
attracted attention while singing with her father
(a poor musician) in hotels and on the streets in
Chicago, Peoria and elsewhere; at 18 years of
age, went to New York to study, earning her way
by giving concerts en route, and receiving aid
and encouragement from Clara Louisa Kellogg;
in New York was patronized by Henry Ward
Beecher and others, and aided in securing the
training of European masters. Compelled to sur-
mount many obstacles from poverty and other
causes, her after success in her profession was
phenomenal. Died, during a professional tour,
at Salt Lake City, Jan. 5, 1891. Miss Abbott
married her manager, Eugene Wetherell, who
died before her.
WHEATON, a city and the county-seat of Du
Page County, situated on the Chicago & North-
western Railway, 25 miles west of Chicago. Agri-
culture and stock-raising are the chief industries
in the surrounding region. The city owns a new
water- works plant (costing S60,000) and has a
public library valued at §75,000, the gift of a
re-sident, Mr. John Quincy Adams; has a court
house, electric light plant, sewerage and drainage
system, seven churches, three graded schools,
two weekly newspapers and a State bank. Wheaton
is the seat of Wheaton College (which see). Popu-
lation (1880), 1,160; (1S90), 1,622; (1900), 2,345;
(1910), 3,423.
WHEATON COLLEGE, an educational insti-
tution located at Wheaton, Du Page County, and
under Congregational control. It was founded
in 1853, as the Illinois Institute, and was char-
tered under its present name in 1860. Its early
existence was one of struggle, but of late years it
has been established on a better foundation, in
1898 having §54,000 invested in productive funds,
and property aggregating §1:36 000. The faculty
comprises fifteen professors, and, in 1898, there
were 331 students in attendance. It is co-edu-
cational and instruction is given in business and
preparatory studies, as well as the fine arts,
music and classical literature.
WHEELER,David Hilton, D.D., LL.D., clergy-
man, was born at Ithaca, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1829;
graduated at Rock River Seminary, Mount
Morris, in 1851; edited "The Carroll County
Republican" and held a pi'ofessorship in Cornell
College, Iowa, (1857-61) ; was United States Con-
sul at Geneva, Switzerland, (1861-66) ; Professor of
English Literature in Northwestern University
(1867-75); edited "The Methodist" in New York,
seven years, and was President of Allegheny
College (1883-87); received the degree of D.D.
from Cornell College in 1867, and that of LL.D.
from the Northwestern University in 1881. He
is the author of "Brigandage in South Italy"
'ntnr^cjfi^
ASTJ«
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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIKOIS.
58A
(two volumes, 1864) and "By-Ways of Literature"
(1883), besides souie translations.
WHEELER, Hamilton K., ex-Congressman,
was born at Ballstou, N. Y., August o, 1848, but
emigrated with his parents to Illinois in 1853;
remained on a farm until 19 years of age, his
educational advantages being limited to three
months' attendance upon a district school each
year. In 1871, he was admitted to the bar at
Kankakee, where he has since continued to prac-
tice. In 1884 he was elected to represent the Six-
teenth District in the State Senate, where he
served on many important committees, being
Chairman of that on the Judicial Department.
In 1893 he was elected Representative in Con-
gress from the Ninth Illinois District, on the
Republican ticket.
WESTVILLE, a village of Vermilion County, on
the C. & E. I. and "Big Four" Rys., 8 miles north
of Danville; a coal mining region. Pop. (1910), 3,607.
WHISTLER, (Maj.) John, soldier and builder
of tlie first Fort Dearborn, was born in Ulster, Ire-
land, about 1756 ; served under Burgoyne in the
Revolution, and was with the force surrendered
by that officer at Saratoga, in 1777. After the
peace he returned to the United States, settled at
Hagerstown, Md., and entered the United States
Army, serving at first in the ranks and being
severely wounded in the disastrous Indian cam-
paigns of 1791. Later, he was promoted to a
captaincy and, in the summer of 1803, sent with
his company, to the head of Lake Michigan;
where he constructed the first Fort Dearborn
within the limits of the present city of Chicago,
remaining in command until 1811, when he was
succeeded by Captain Heald. He received the
brevet rank of Major, in 1815 was appointed
military store-keeper at Newport, Ky., and after-
wards at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis,
where he died, Sept. 3, 1839. Lieut. William
Whistler, his son, who was with his father, for a
time, in old Fort Dearborn — but transferred, in
1809, to Fort Wayne — was of the force included
in Hull's surrender at Detroit in 1813. After
his exchange he was promoted to a captaincy, to
the rank of Major in 1836 and to a Lieutenant-Colo-
nelcy in 1845, d3"ing at Newport, Ky., in 1863.
James Abbott McNiel Whistler, the celebrated,
but eccentric artist of that name, is a grandson
of the first Major Whistler.
WHITE, George E., ex-Congressman, was born
in Massachusetts in 1848; after graduating, at the
age of 16. he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-
seventh Massachusetts Veteran Volunteers, serv-
ing under General Grant in the campaign
against Richmond from the battle of the Wilder-
ness until the surrender of Lee. Having taken a
course in a commercial college at Worcester,
Mass., in 1867 he came to Chicago, securing em-
ployment in a lumber yard, but a year later
began business on his own account, which he has
successfully conducted. In 1878 he was elected
to the State Senate, as a Republican, from one of
the Chicago Districts, and re-elected four years
later, serving in that body eight years. He
declined a nomination for Congress in 1884, but
accepted in 1894, and was elected for the Fifth
District, as he was again in 1896, but was
defeated, in 1898, by Edward T. Noonan, Demo-
crat.
WHITE, Horace, journalist, was born at Cole-
brook, N. H., August 10, 1834; in 1853 graduated
at Beloit College, Wis., whither his father had
removed in 1837 : engaged in journalism as city
editor of "The Chicago Evening Journal," later
becoming agent of the Associated Press, and, in
1857, an editorial writer on "The Chicago Trib-
une," during a part of the war acting as its
Washington correspondent. He also served, in
1856, as Assistant Secretary of the Kansas
National Committee, and, later, as Secretary of
the Republican State Central Committee. In
1864 he purchased an interest in "The Tribune,"
a year or so later becoming editor-in-chief, but
retired in October, 1874. After a protracted
European' tour, he united with Carl Schurz and
E. L. Godkin of "The Nation," in the purchase
and reorganization of "The New York Evening
Post," of which he is now editor-in-chief.
WHITE, Julius, soldier, was born in Cazen-
ovia, N. Y., Sept. 39, 1816; removed to Illinois
in 1836, residing there and in Wisconsin, whei-e
he was a member of the Legislature of 1849 ; in
1861 was made Collector of Customs at Chicago,
but resigned to assume the colonelcy of the
Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, which he
commanded on the Fremont expedition to South-
west Slissouri. He afterwards served with Gen-
eral Curtiss in Arkansas, participated in the
battle of Pea Ridge and was promoted to the
rank of Brigadier-General. He was subsequently
assigned to the Department of the Shenandoah,
but finding his position at Martinsburg, W. Va.,
untenable, retired to Harper's Ferry, voluntarily
serving under Colonel Miles, his inferior in com-
mand. When this post was surrendered (Sept.
15, 18G3), he was made a prisoner, but released
under i)art)le; was tried by a court of inquiry at
his own re(]uest. and acquitted, the court finding
that he liad acted with courage and capability
686
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
He resigned in 1804, ami, in Jhirch, 186."i, was
brevetted Jlajor-Cieneral of Volunteers. Died,
at Evanston, May Vi, ISUO.
WHITE COUNTY, situated in the southeastern
quarter of tlie Slate, and bounded on tlu^ east hy
the Wabasli River; was organized in 181G, being
the tenth county organized during the Territorial
period: area, 500 square miles. The county is
crossed by three railroads and drained by the
Wabash and Little Wabash Rivei's. The surface
consists of prairie and woodland, and the soil is,
for the most part, highly productive. The princi-
pal agricultural products are corn, wheat, oats,
potatoes, tobacco, fruit, butter, sorghum and
wool. The principal industrial establishments
are carriage factories, saw mills and flour mills.
Carmi is the countj'-seat. Other towns are En-
field, Grayville and Norris City. Population
(1890), 25,005; (1900), 25,386; (1910), 23,052.
WHITEHALL, a city in Greene Comity, at the
intersection of the Chicago & Alton and the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads, 65 miles
north of St. Louis and 24 miles south-southwest
of Jacksonville; in rich farming region; has
stoneware and sewer-pipe factories, foundry and
machine shop, flour mill, elevators, wagon shops,
creamery, water system, sanitarium, heating,
electric light and power system, nurseries and
fruit-supply houses, and two poultry packing
hou.ses; also has five churches, a graded school,
two banks and two newspapers — one issuing daily
edition. Pop. (1900), 2,030; (1910), 2,8.54.
WHITEHOl'SE, Henry John, Protestant Epis
copal Bishop, was born in New York City, August
19, 1803; graduated from Columbia College in
1821, and from the (New York) General Theolog-
ical Seminary in 1834. After ordination he was
rector of various parishes in Pennsylvania and
New York until 1851, when he was chosen Assist-
ant BLshop of Illinois, succeeding Bishop Chase
in 1852. In 18G7, by invitation of the Archbishop
of Canterbury, he delivered the opening sermon
before the Pan-Anglican Conference held in
England. During this visit he received the
degree of D.D. from Oxford University, and that
of LL.D. from Cambridge. His rigid views as a
churchman and a disciplinarian, were illustrated
in his prosecution of Rev. Charles Edward
Cheney, which resulted in the formation of the
Reformed Epi.scopal Church. He was a brilliant
orator and a trenchant and unj'ielding controver-
.sialist. Died, in Chicago, August 10, 1874.
WHITESIDE COUNTY, in the northwestern
portion of the State bordering on the Mississippi
River; created by act of the Legislature passed in
183(i. and named for Capt. Samuel Whiteside, a
noted Indian lighter; area, 670 scpiaro miles. The
surfa(-e is level, diversified by prairies and wood-
land, and the soil is extremely fertile. The
county-seat was first fixed at Lyndon, then at
Sterling, and finally at Morrison, its pre.sent
location. The Rock River crosses the county
and furnishes abundant water power for numer-
ous factories, turning out agricultural imple-
ments, carriages and wagons, furniture, woolen
goods, flour and wrapping paper. There are also
distilling and brewing interests, besides saw and
planing mills. Corn is the staple agricultural
product, although all the leading cereals are
extensively grown. The principal towns are
Morrison, Sterling, Fulton and Rock Falls. Popu-
lation (1S90), 30,854; (1900), 34.710; (1910), 34..507.
WHITESIDE, William, pioneer and soldier of
the Revolution, emigrated from the frontier of
North Carolina to Kentucky, and thence, in 1793,
to the pre.sent limits of Monrce County, 111.,
erecting a fort between Cahokia and Kaskaskia,
which became widely known as "Whiteside
Station." He served as a Justice of the Peace,
and was active in organizing the militia during
the War of 1813-14, dying at the old Station in
1815. — Jolin (Whiteside), a brother of the preced-
ing, and also a Revolutionary soldier, came to
Illinois at the same time, as also did YYilliam B.
and Samuel, sons of the two brotheis, respec-
tively. All of them became famous as Indian
fighters. The two latter served as Captains of
companies of "Rangers" in the War of 1813,
Sanuiel taking part in the battle of Rock Island
in 1814, and contributing greatly to the success
of the day. During the Black Hawk War (1832)
he attained the rank of Brigadier-General.
Whiteside County was named in his honor. He
made one of the earliest improvements in Ridge
Prairie, a rich section of Sladison County, and
represented that count3- in the Fir.st General
Assembly. William B. served as Sheriff of Madi-
son County for a number of years. — John D.
(Whiteside), another member of this historic
family, became very prominent, serving in the
lower House of the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and
Fourteenth General Assemblies, and in the Sen-
ate of the Tenth, from Monroe County; was a
Presidential Elector in 1830, State Treasurer
(1837-41) and a member of the State Constitu-
tional Convention of 1847. General Whiteside, as
he was known, was the second of James Shields
in the famous Shields and Lincoln duel (so-called)
in 1842, and, as such, carried the challenge of the
former to Mr. Lincoln. (See Duels. )
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
587
WHITINU, Lorenzo D., legislator, was born
in Wayne Count}-, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1819; came to
lUinois ill 1838, but did not settle there perma-
nently until 1849, when he located in Bureau
County. He was a Representative from that
county in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly
(1869), and a member of the Senate continuously
from 1871 to 1887, serving in the latter through
eight General Assemblies. Died at his home
near Tiskilwa, Bureau County, 111., Oct. 10,
1889.
WHITING, Bichard H., Congressman, was
born at West Hartford. CVmn., June 17, 1820, and
received a common school education. In 18G2 he
was commissioned Paymaster in the Volunteer
Army of the Union, and resigned in 1866. Hav-
ing removed to Illinois, he was appointed Assist-
ant Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Fifth
Illinois District, in February, 1870, and so contin-
ued until the abolition of the office in 1873. On
retiring from the Assessorship he was appointed
Collector of Internal Revenue, and served until
March 4, 1875. when he resigned to take his seat
as Republican Representative in Congress from
the Peoria District, to which he had been elected
in November, 1874. After the expiration of his
term he held no public office, but was a member
of the Republican National Convention of 1884.
Died, at the Continental Hotel, in New York
City, May 24, 1888.
WHITNEY, James W., pioneer lawyer and
early teacher, known by the nickname of "Lord
Coke"; came to Illinois in Territorial days (be-
lieved to have been about 1800) ; resided for some
time at or near Edwardsville, then became a
teacher at Atlas, Pike County, and, still later, the
first Circuit and County Clerk of that county.
Though nominally a lawyer, he had little if any
practice. He acquired the title, by which he was
popularly known for a quarter of a century, by
his custom of visiting the State Capital, during
the sessions of the General Assembly, when
he would organize the lobbyists and visit-
ors about the capital — of which there were an
unusual number in those days — into what was
called the "Third House." Having been regu-
larly chosen to preside imder the name of
"Speaker of the Lobby," he would deliver a mes-
sage full of practical hits and jokes, aimed at
members of the two houses and others, which
would be received with cheers and laughter.
The meetings of the "Third House," being held
in the evening, were attended by many members
and visitors in lieu of other forms of entertain-
ment. Mr Whitney's home, in his latter years,
was at Pittsfield. He resided for a time at
Quincy. Died, Dec. 13, 1860, aged over 80 years.
WHITTEMORE, Floyd K., State Treasurer, is
a native of New York, came at an early age, with
his parents, to Sycamore, 111., where he was edu-
cated in the high school there. He purposed
becoming a lawyer, but, on the election of the
late James H. Beveridge State Treasurer, in 1864,
accepted the position of clerk in the office.
Later, he was employed as a clerk in the banking
house of Jacob Bunn in Springfield, and, on the
organization of the State National Bank, was
chosen cashier of that Institution, retaining the
position some twenty years. After the appoint-
ment of Hon. John R. Tanner to the position of
Assistant Treasurer of the United States, at Chi-
cago, in 1892, Mr. Whittemore became cashier in
that office, and, in 1805, Assistant State Treas-
rure under the administration of State Treasurer
Henry Wulff. In 1898 he was elected State
Treasurer, receiving a plurality of 43,450 over
his Democratic opponent. Died March 4, 1907.
WICKERSHAM, (Col.) Dudley, soldier and
merchant, was born in Woodford County, Ky.,
Nov. 32, 1819; came to Springfield, 111., in 1843,
and served as a member of the Fourth Regiment
Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's) through
the Mexican W'ar. On the return of peace he
engaged in the dry-goods trade in Springfield,
until 1801, when he enlisted in the Tenth Regi-
ment Illinois Cavalry, serving, first as Lieutenant-
Colonel and then as Colonel, until May, 1864,
when, his regiment having been consolidated
with the Fifteenth Cavalry, he resigned. After
the war, he held the office of Assessor of Internal
Revenue for several years, after which he en-
gaged in the grocery trade. Died, in Springfield,
August 8, 1898.
WIDEN, Raphael, pioneer and early legislator,
was a native of Sweden, who, having been taken
to France at eight years of age, was educated for
a Catholic priest. Coming to the United States
in 1815, he was at Cahokia, 111., in 1818, where,
during the same year, he married into a French
family of that place. He served in the House of
Representatives from Randolph County, in the
Second and Third General Assemblies (1820-24),
and as Senator in the Fourth and Fifth (1824-28).
During his last term in the House, he was one of
those who voted against the iiro-slavery Con-
vention resolution. He died of cholera, at Kas-
ka.skia, in 1833.
WIKE, Scott, lawyer and ex-Congressman, was
born at Meadville, Pa., April C, 18.34; at 4 years
of age removed with his i)arents to Quincy, 111.,
588
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
and, in 1844, to Pike County. Having gi-aduated
from Lombard University, Galesburg, in 1857, he
began reading law with Judge O. C. Skinner of
Quincy. He was admitted to the bar in 1858.
but. before commencing practice, spent a year at
Harvard Law School, graduating tliere in 1859.
Immediately thereafter he opened an office at
Pittsfield, 111., and has resided there ever since.
In ix)litics he has always been a strong Democrat.
He served two terms in the Legislature (1863-67)
and, in 1874, was clio.sen Representative from his
District in Congress, being re-elected in 1888 and,
again, in 1890. In 1893 he was appointed by
President Cleveland Third Assistant Secretary
of the Treasury, wliich position he continued
to fill imtil March, 1897, when he resumed the
practice of law at Pittsfield. Died Jan. 15, 1901
WILEY, (Col.) Benjaniiii Ladd, soldier, was
born in Smithfield, Jetferson County, Ohio,
March 25, 1821, came to Illinois in 1845 and began
life at Vienna, Johnson County, as a teacher.
In 1846 he enlisted for the Mexican War, as a
member of tlie Fifth (Colonel Newby's) Regiment
Illinois Volunteers, serving chiefly in New
Mexico until mustered out in 1848. A year later
he removed to Jonesboro, where he spent some
time at the carpenter's trade, after which he
became clerk in a store, meanwhile assisting to
edit "The Jone.sboro Gazette" until 1853; then
became traveling salesman for a St. Louis firm,
but later engaged in the hardware trade at
Jonesboro, in which he continued for several
years. In 1856 he was the Republican candidate
for Congress for the Ninth District, receiving
4,000 votes, while Fremont, the Republican can-
didate for President, received only 825 in the
same district. In 1857 he opened a real estate
office in Jonesboro in conjunction with David L.
Phillips and Col. J. W. Ashley, with which he
was connected until 18G0, when he removed to
Makanda, Jackson County. In September, 1861,
he was mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel of the
Fifth Illinois Cavalry, later serving in Missouri
and Arkansas imder Generals Steele and Curtiss,
being, a part of the time, in command of the First
Brigade of Cavalry, and, in the advance on Vicks-
burg, having command of the right wing of
General Grant's cavalry. Being disabled by
rheumatism at the end of the siege, he tendered
his resignation, and was immediately appointed
Enrolling Officer at Cairo, serving in this capac-
ity until Slay, 1865, when he was mustered out.
In 1869 he was appointed by Governor Palmer
one of the Commissioners to locate the Southern
Illinois Hospital for the Insane, and served as
Secretary of tlie Board until the institution was
opened at Anna, in May, 1871. In 1869 he was
defeated as a candidate for County Judge of
Jackson Count}', and, in 1872, for the State Sen-
ate, by a small majority in a strongly Democratic
District; in 1876 was the Republican candidate
for Congress, in the Eighteenth District, against
William Hartzell, but was defeated by only
twenty votes, while carrying six out of the ten
counties comprising the District. In the latter
years of his life, Colonel Wiley was engaged quite
extensively in fruit-growing at Makanda, Jack-
son Count}', where lie died, March 23, 1890.
WILKIE, Franc Bangs, journalist, was born
in Saratoga County, N. Y., July 2, 1830; took a
partial course at Union College, after which he
edited papers at Schenectadj', N. Y. , Elgin, 111.,
and Davenport and Dubuque. Iowa ; also serving,
during a part of the Civil War, as the western
war correspondent of "The New York Times."
In 1863 he became an editorial writer on "The
Chicago Times," remaining with that paper,
with the exception of a brief interval, until 1888
— a part of the time as its European correspond-
ent. He was the author of a series of sketches
over the nom de plume of "Poliuto," and of a
volume of reminiscences under the title,
"Thirty-five Years of Joiu-nalism, " published
shortly before his death, which took place, April
12, 1893.
WILKIX, Jacob W., Justice of the Supreme
Court, was born in Licking County, Ohio, June
7, 1837 ; removed with his parents to Illinois, at
13 years of age, and was educated at McKendree
College ; served three years in the War for the
Union ; studied law with Judge Scholfield and
was admitted to the bar in 1866. In 1873, he was
chosen Presidential Elector on the Republican
ticket, and, in 1879, elected Judge of the Circuit
Court and re-elected in 1885 — the latter year
being assigned to the Appellate bench for the
Fourth District, where he remained until his
election to the Supreme bench in 1888, being
re-elected to the latter office in 1897. His home
was at Danville. Died April 3, 1907.
WILKIXSOX, Ira 0., lawyer and Judge, was
born in Virginia in 1822, and accompanied his
father to Jacksonville (1835), where he was edu-
cated. During a short service as Deputy Clerk of
Morgan Count}', he conceived a fondness for the
profession of the law, and, after a cour.se of study
under Judge AVilliam Thomas, was admitted to
practice in 1847. Richard Yates (afterwards Gov-
ernor and Senator) was his first partner. In 1845
he removed to Rock Island, and, six years later,
I-.. *ST,.
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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
689
was elected a Circuit Judge, being again closen
to the same position in 1861. At the expiration
of his second term he removed to Chicago.
Died, at Jaclcsonville, August 24, 1894.
WILKINSON, John P., early merchant, was
born. Dec. 1-1, 1790, in New Kent County, Va.,
emigi-ated first to Kentucky, and, in 1838, settled
in Jacksonville, 111., where he engaged in mer-
cantile business. Mr. Wilkinson was a liberal
friend of Illinois College and Jacksonville Female
Academy, of each of which he was a Trustee
from their origin until his death, which occurred,
during a business visit to St. Louis, in December,
1841.
WILL, Conrad, pioneer physician and early
legislator, was born in Philadelphia, June 4, 1778;
about 1804 removed to Somerset Coimty Pa., and,
in 1813, to Kaskaskia. 111. He was a physician
by profession, but having leased the saline lands
on the Big Muddy, in the vicinity of what after-
wards became the town of Brownsville, he
engaged in the manufacture of salt, removing
thither in 1815, and becoming one of the founders
of Brownsville, afterwards the first county-seat
of Jackson County. On the organization of
Jackson County, in 1816, he became a member of
the first Board of County Commissiofiers, and, in
1818, served as Delegate from that county in the
Convention whicli framed the first State Consti-
tution. Thereafter he served continuously as a
member of the Legislature from 1818 to '34 — first
as Senator in the First General Assembly, then
as Representative in the Second, Third, Fourth
and Fifth, and again as Senator in the Sixth,
Seventh, Eighth and Ninth— his career being
conspicuous for long service. He died in office,
June 11, 1834. Dr. Will was short of stature,
fleshy, of jovial di.sposition and fond of playing
practical jokes upon his associates, but very
popular, as shown by his successive elections to
tlie Legislature. He has been called "The Father
of Jackson County." Will County, organized by
act of the Legislature two years after his death,
was named in his honor.
WILL COUNTY, a northeastern county, em-
bracing 8.50 square miles, named in honor of Dr.
Conrad Will, an early politician and legislator.
Early explorations of the territory were made
in 1839, when white settlers were few. The bluff
west of Joliet is said to have been first occupied
by David and Benjamin Maggard. Joseph
Smith, the Mormon "apostle," expounded his
peculiar doctrines at "the Point" in 1831. Sev-
eral of the early settlers fled from the country
during (or after) a raid by the Sac Indians.
There is a legend, seemingly well supported, to
the effect that the first lumber, sawed to build
the first frame house in Chicago (that of P. F. W.
Peck), was sawed at Plainfield. Will County,
originally a part of Cook, was separately erected
in 1836, Joliet being made the county-seat.
Agriculture, quarrying and manufacturing are
the chief industries. Joliet, Lockport and Wil-
mington are the principal towns. Population
(1890), G2,nn7; (1900), 74,704; (1910), 84,371.
WILLABD, Frances Elizabeth, teachei- and
reformer, was born at Cluirchville, N. Y. , Sept.
38, 1839, graduated from the Northwestern
Female Colle.ge at Evanston, 111., in 1859, and, in
1862, accepted the Professorship of Natural
Sciences in that institution. During 1860-67 she
was the Principal of the Genessee Wesleyan
Seminary. The next two years she devoted to
travel and study abroad, meanwhile contribut-
ing to various periodicals. From 1871 to 1874 she
was Professor of ^-Esthetics in the Northwestern
University and dean of the Woman's College.
She was always an enthusiastic champion of
temperance, and, in 1874, abandoned lier profes-
sion to identify herself with the Woman's Chris-
tian Temperance Union. For five years she was
Corresponding Secretary of the national body,
and. from 1879, its President. While Secretary
she organized the Home Protective Association,
and prei)ared a petition to the Illinois Legislature,
to which nearly 200,000 names were attached,
asking for the granting to women of the right to
vote on the license question. In 1878 she suc-
ceeded her brother, Oliver A. Willard (wlio had
died), as editor of "The Chicago Evening Post,"
but, a few months later, withdrew, and, in 1882,
was elected as a member of the executive com-
mittee of the National Prohibition party. In
1880 she became leader of the Wliite Cross Move-
ment for the protection of women, and succeeded
in securing favorable legislation, in tliis direc-
tion, in twelve States. In 1883 she founded the
World's Christian Temperance Union, and, in
1888, was chosen its President, as also President
of the International Council of Women. The
latter years of her life were spent chiefly abroad,
much of the time as the guest and co-worker of
Lady Henry Somerset, of England, during which
she devoted much attention to investigating the
con<lition of women in the Orient. Jliss Willard
was a prolific and liiglily valued contributor to
the magazines, and (besides numerous pamphlets)
publislied several volumes, including "Nineteen
Beautiful Years" (a tribute to her si.ster);
"Woman in Temperance"; "How to Win," and
500
IIISTOIUCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
"Woman in the Pulpit." Died, in New York,
Feb. IS, 1808.
WILLAHI), Samiul, A.M., M.l»., LL.It.. pliy-
sician and educator, wa.s born in Lunenberg,
Vt., Dec. 30, 1821— the lineal descendant of Maj.
Simon Willard, one of the founders of Concord,
Mass., and prominent in "King Philip's "War,"
and of his son. Rev. Dr. Samuel Willard, of the
Old South Cluircli, Boston, and seventh President
of Harvard College. Tlie subject of this sketch
was taken in his infancy to Boston, and, in 1831,
to CarroUton, 111., where his father pursued the
avocation of a druggist. After a preparatory
course at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, in 1836
he entered the freshman class in Illinois College
at Jacksonville, but withdrew the following year,
re-entering college in 1840 and graduating in the
class of 1843, as a classmate of Dr. Newton Bate-
man, afterwards State .Superintendent of Public
Instruction and President of Ivnox College, and
Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, now of Elmira, N. Y.
The next year he spent as Tutor in Illinois Col-
lege, when he began the study of medicine at
Quincy, graduating from the Medical Department
of Illinois College in 1848. During a jiart of the
latter year he edited a Free-Soil campaign paper
("The Tribune") at Quincy, and, later, "The
Western Temperance Magazine" at the same
place. In 1849 he began the practice of his pro-
fession at St. Louis, but the next j-ear removed
to CoUinsville, 111. , remaining until 18.57, when he
took charge of the Department of Languages in
the newly organized State Normal University at
Normal. The second year of the Civil War (1862)
he enlisted as a private in the Ninety-seventh
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was soon after
commissioned as Surgeon with the rank of Major,
participating in the campaigns in Tennes.see and
in the first attack upon Vicksburg. Being dis-
abled by an attack of paralysis, in February, 1863,
he was compelled to resign, when he had sufKci-
ently recovered accepting a position in the office
of Provost Marshal General Oakes, at Spring-
field, where he remained until the close of the
war. He then became Grand Secretary of the
Independent Order of Odd-Fellows for the State
of Illinois — a position which he had held from
18.56 to 1862 —remaining under his second appoint-
ment from 186.5 to '69. The next year he served
as Superintendent of Schools at SpringfieUl,
meanwhile assisting in founding the Springfield
public library, and serving as its first librarian.
In 1870 he accei)ted the professorship of History
in the West Side High School of Chicago,
which, with the exception of two years (1884-86),
he continued to occujiy for more than twenty-
five years, retiring in 1898. In tlie meantime,
Dr. Willard has been a laliorious literary worker,
having been, for a considerable period, editor, or
assistant-editor, of "The Illinois Teacher," a con-
tributor to "The Century Magazine" and "The
Dial" of Chicago, be.sides having published a
"Digest of the Laws of Odd Fellowship" in six-
teen volumes, begun while he was Grand Secre-
tary of the Order in 1864, and continued in 1873
and "83; a "Synopsis of History and Historical
Chart." covering the period from B. C. 800
to A. D. 1876 — of which he has had a second
edition in course of preparation. Of late years
he has been engaged upon a "Historical Diction-
ary of Names and Places," which will include
some 12,000 topics, and which promises to be the
most important work of his life. Previous to the
war he was an avowed Abolitionist and operator
on the "Underground Railroad," who made no
concealment of his opinions, and, on one or two
occasions, was called to answer for them in
prosecutions under the "Fugitive Slave Act."
(See "Underground Railroad.") His friend
and cla.ssmate, the late Dr. Bateman, says of
him: "Dr. Willard is a sound thinker; a clear
and forcible writer; of broad and accurate
scholarship; conscientious, genial and kindly,
and a most estimable gentleman."
WILLIAMS, Archibald, lawyer and jurist,
was born in Montgomery County, Ky., June 10,
1801 ; with moderate advantages but natural
fondness for study, he chose the profession of
law, and was admitted to the bar in Tennessee
in 1828, coming to Quincy, 111., the following
year. He was elected to the General Assembly
three times — serving in the Senate in 1833-36, and
in the House, 1836-40 ; was United States District
Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, bj'
appointment of President Taylor, 1849.53; was
twice the candidate of his party (the Whig) for
United States Senator, and appointed by Presi-
dent Lincoln, in 1861, United States District
Judge for the State of Kansas. His abilities and
high character were widely recognized. Died,
in Quincy, Sept. 31, 1863 — His son, John H., an
attornej- at Quincy, served as Judge of the Cir-
cuit Court 1879-85.— Another son, Ahrnliam Lin-
coln, was twice elected Attorney-General of
Kansas.
WILLIAMS, Erastiis Smith, lawyer and ju-
rist, was born at Salem, N. Y., May 23, 1821. In
1843 he removed to Chicago, where, after reading
law, he was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1854
he was appointed Master in Chancery, which
HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
591
office he filled until 1863, wlien he was elected a
Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
After re-election in 1870 he became Chief Justice,
and. at the same time, heard most of the cases on
the equity side of tlie court. In 1ST9 he was a
candidate for re-election as a Republican, but
was defeated with the party ticket. After his
retirement from the bench he resumed private
practice. Died, Feb. 24, 1884.
WILLIAMS, James R., Congressman, was
born in White County, 111., Dec. 27, 1850, at the
age of 25 graduated from the Indiana State Uni-
versity, at Bloomington, and, in 1876, from the
Union College of Law, Chicago, since then being
an active and successful practitioner at Carmi.
In 1880 he was appointed Master in Chancery and
served two years. From 1883 to 1886 he was
Count}- Judge. In 1892 he was a nominee on
the Democratic ticket for Presidential Elector.
He was elected to represent the Nineteenth Illi-
nois District in the Fifty-first Congress at a
special election held to fill the vacancy occasioned
by the death of R. W. Townshend, was re-elected
in 1800 and 1892, but defeated by Orlando Burrell
(Republican) for re-election in the newly organ-
ized Twentieth District in 1894. In 1898 he was
again a candidate and elected to the Fifty-sixth
Congress.
WILLIAMS, John, pioneer merchant, was
born in Bath County, Ky., Sept. 11, 1808; be-
tween 14 and 16 years of age was clerk in a store
in his native State; then, joining his parents,
who had settled on a tract of land in a part, of
Sangamon (now Menard) County, 111., he fouml
employment as clerk in the store of Major Elijah
lies, at SiJringfield, whom he succeeded in busi-
ness at the age of 22, continuing it without inter-
ruption until 1880. In 1856 Mr. Williams was
tlie Republican candidate for Congress in the
Springfield District, and, in 1861, was appointed
Commissary-General for the State, rendering
valuable service in furnisliing supplies for State
troops, in camps of instruction and while jsroceed-
ing to the field, in the first j-ears of the war ; was
also chief officer of the Illinois Sanitary Commis-
sion for two years, and, as one of the intimate
personal friends of Mr. Lincoln, was chosen to
accompany the remains of tlie martyred President,
from Washington to Springfield, for burial.
Liberal, enterprising and public-spirited, his name
was associated with nearly every public enter-
prise of importance in Sjiringfield during his
business career — being one of the founders, and,
for eleven years President, of the First National
Bank; a chief promoter in the construction of
what is now the Springfield Division of the Illi-
nois Central Railroad, and the Springfield and
Peoria line; a Director of the Springfield Iron
Company ; one of the Commissioners who con-
structed the Springfield water-works, and an
officer of the Lincoln Monument Association,
from 1865 to his death. May 29, 1890.
WILLIAMS, Xorman, lawyer, was born at
Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 1, 1833, being related, on
both the paternal and maternal sides, to some of
the most prominent families of New England.
He fitted for college at Union Academy, Meriden,
and graduated from the University of Vermont
in the class of 18.55. After taking a cour.se in
the Albany Law School and with a law firm in
his native town, he was admitted to practice in
both New York and Vermont, removed to Chi-
cago in 1858, and, in 1860, Ijecame a member of
the firm of King, Kales & Williams, still later
forming a partnership with Gen. John L, Thomp-
son, wliich ended with the death of the latter in
1888. In a professional capacitj' lie assisted in
the organization of the Pullman Palace Car Com-
pany, and was a member of its Board of Directors ;
also assisted in organizing the Western Electric
Company, and was prominently identified with
the Cljicago Telephone Conipan}' and the Western
. Uniaii-. Telegraph Company. In 1881 he served as
. the United. States Commissioner to the Electrical
Exposition at Paris. In conjunction with his
brother (Edward H. W^illiams) he assisted in
founding tlie public library at Woodstock, Vt.,
which, in honor of his father, received the name
of "The Norman Williams Public Library."
With Col. Huntington W. Jack.son and J. Mc-
Gregor Adams, Mr. Williams was named, in the
will of the late John Crerar, as an executor of the
Crerar estate and one of the Trustees of the
Crerar Public Library, and became its first Presi-
dent ; was also a Director of the Chicago Pub-
lic Library, and trustee of a number of large
estates. Mr. Williams was a son-in-law of the
late Judge John I). Caton, and his oUlest daughter
became the wife of Major-General Wesley Mer-
ritt. a few months before his death, wliich oc-
curred at Hampton Beach. N. 11., June 19, 1899
— his remains being interred in liis native town
of Woodstock, Vt.
WILLI.\MS, Robert Ebcnezer, lawyer, born
Dec. 3, 1825, at Clarksville, Pa., his grandfatliers
on both sides being soldiers of the Revolutionary
War. In 1830 his parents removed to Washing-
ton in the same State, wliere in boyhood he
worked as a mechanic in his father's shop,
attending a common school iu the winter until
ftdu
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
he readied the age of 17 years, when he entered
Washington College, remaining for more than a
year. He then began teaching, and, in 1845
went to Kentucky, where he pursued the business
of a teacher for four years. Then he entered
Bethany College in West Virginia, at the same
time prosecuting his law studies, but left at the
close of his junior year, when, having been
licensed to practice, he removed to Clinton,
Texas. Here he accepted, from a retired lawyer,
the loan of a law library, which he afterwards
purchased; served for two years as State's Attor-
ney, and, in 1856, came to Bloomington, 111.,
where he spent the remainder of his life in the
practice of his profession. Much of his time was
devoted to practice as a railroad attorney, espe-
cially in connection with the Chicago & Alton and
the Illinois Central Railroads, in which he
acquired prominence and wealth. He was a life-
long Democrat and, in 1868, was the unsuccessful
candidate of his party for Attorney-General of
the State. The last three years of his life he had
been in bad health, dying at Bloomington, Feb.
15, 1899.
WILLIAMS, Samuel, Bank President, was born
in Adams County, Ohio, July 11, 1830; came to
Winnebago County, 111., in 1835, and, in 1843,
removed to Iroquois County, where he held vari-
ous local offices, including that of County Judge,
to which he was elected in 1861. During his
later years he had been President of the Watseka
Citizens" Bank. Died, June 16, 1896.
WILLIAMSON, Eollin Samuel, legislator and
jurist, was born at Cornwall, Vt., May 33, 1839.
At the age of 14 he went to Boston, where he
began life as a telegraph messenger boy. In
two years he had become a skillful operator, and,
as such, was employed in various offices in New
England and New York. In 1857 he came to
Chicago seeking employment and, through the
fortunate correction of an error on the part of
the receiver of a message, secured the position of
operator and station agent at Palatine, Cook
County. Here he read law during his leisure
time without a preceptor, and, in 1870, was
admitted to the bar. The same year he was
elected to the lower House of the General
Assemblj- and, in 1873, to the Senate. In 1880 he
was elected to the bench of the Superior Court of
Cook County, and, in 1887, was chosen a Judge
of the Cook County Circuit Court. Died, Au-
gust 10, 1889.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, in the southern part
of the State, originally set off from Franklin and
organized in 1839, The county is well watered.
the principal streams being the Big Muddy and
the South Fork of the Saline. The surface is
undulating and the soil fertile. The region was
originally well covered with forests. All the
cereals (as well as potatoes) are cultivated, and
rich meadows encourage stock-raising. Coal and
.sandstone underlie the entire county. Area, 440
square miles; population (1880), 19,324: (1890)
22,226; (1900), 27,790; (1910), 45,098.
WILLIAMSVILLE, village of Sangamon Coun-
ty, on Chicago & Alton Railroad, 12 miles north
of Springfield; has a bank, elevator, 3 churches, a
newspajjer and coal-mines. Pop. (1910), 600.
WILLIS, Jonathan Clay, soldier and former
Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner, was born
in Sumner County, Tenn., June 27, 1836; brought
to Gallatin County, 111., in 1834, and settled at
Golconda in 1843; was elected Sheriff of Pope
County in 1850, removed to Metropolis in 1859,
and engaged in the wharf-boat and commission
business. He entered the service as Quarter-
master of the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteers in
1861, but was compelled to resign on acooimt of
injuries, in 1863 ; was elected Representative if
the Twenty-sixth General Assembly (1868),
appointed Collector of Internal Revenue in 1869,
and Railway and Warehouse Commissioner in
1893, as the successor of John R. Tanner, serving
until 1893.
WILMETTE, a village in Cook County, 14 miles
north of Chicago, on the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad, a handsome suburb of Chicago on the
shore of Lake Michigan ; principal streets paved
and shaded with tine forest trees; has public
library and good schools. Pop. (1910), 4,943.
WILMINGTON, a city of Will County, on the
Kankakee River and the Chicago & Alton Rail-
road, 53 miles from Chicago and 15 south-south-
west of Joliet; has considerable manufactures,
two National banks, a graded school, churches
and one newspaper. Wilmington is the location
of the Illinois Soldiers' Widows' Home. Popu-
lation (1S90), 1,576; (1900), 1,420; (1910), 1,450.
WILSON, Charles Lush, journalist, was bom
in Fairfield County, Conn., Oct. 10, 1818, edu-
cated in the common schools and at an academy
in his native State, and, in 1835, removed to Clii-
cago, entering the employment of his older
brothers, who were connected with the construc-
tion of the Illinois & Jlichigan Canal at Joliet.
His brother, Richard L., having assumed charge
of "The Chicago Daily Journal" (the successor
of "The Chicago American"), in'1844, Charles L.
took a position in the office, ultimately securing
a partnership, which continued until the death
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
593
of his brother in 1856, when he succeeded to the
ownership of the paper. Mr. Wilson was an
ardent friend and supporter of Abraham Lincohi
for tlie United States Senate in 1858, but, in 1860,
favored the nomination of Mr. Seward for the
Presidency, though earnestly supporting Mr. Lin-
coln after his nomination. In 1861 he was
appointed Secretary of the American Legation at
Loudon, serving with the late Minister Charles
Francis Adams, imtil 1864, wlien lie resigned and
resumed his connection with "The Journal." In
1875 Iiis health began to fail, and three years
later, haviug gone to San Antonio, Tex., in the
hope of receiving benefit from a change of cli-
mate, he died in that city, March 9, 1878.—
Richard Lush (Wilson), an older brother of the
preceding, the first editor and publisher of "The
Chicago Evening Journal," the oldest paper of
consecutive publication in Chicago, was a native
of New York. Coming to Chicago with his
brother John L., in 1834, they soon after estab-
lished themselves in biisiness on the Illinois &
Michigan Canal, then in course of construction.
In 1844 he took charge of "The Chicago Daily
Journal" for a publishing committee which had
purchased the material of "The Chicago Ameri-
can," but soon after became principal proprietor.
In April, 1847, while firing a salute in honor of
the victory of Buena Vista, he lost an arm and
was otherwise injured by the explosion of the can-
non. Early in 1849, he was appointed, by Presi-
dent Taylor, Postmaster of the city of Chicago,
but, having failed of confirmation, was compelled
to retire in favor of a successor appointed by
Millard Fillmore, eleven months later. Mr.
Wilson published a little volume in 1843 entitled
"A Trip to Santa Fe," and, a few years later,
a story of travel under the title, "Short Ravel-
lings from a Long Yarn." Died, December, 18.56.
— John Lush (Wilson), another brother, also a
native of New York, came to Illinois in 1834, was
afterwards associated with his brothers in busi-
ness, being for a time business manager of "The
Chicago Journal;" also served one term as Sher-
iff of Cook County. Died, in Chicago, April 13,
1888.
WILSON, Isaac Grant, jurist, was born at
Middlebury, N. Y., April 26, 1817, graduated
from Brown University in 1838, and the same
year came to Chicago, whither his father's
family had preceded him in 1835. After reading
law for two years, he entered the senior class at
Cambriilge (Mass.) Law School, graduating in
1841. In August of that year he opened an
office at Elgin, and, for ten years "rode the cir-
cuit." In 1851 he was elected to the bench of
the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit to fill a vacancy,
and re-elected for a full term in 1855, and again
in "61. In November of the latter year he was
commissioned the first Colonel of the Fifty-
second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but resigned,
a few weeks later, and resumed his place upon
the bench. From 1867 to 1879 he devoted him-
self to jjrivate practice, which was largely in
tl>e Federal Courts. In 1879 he resimied his seat
upon the bench (this time for the Twelfth Cir-
cuit), and was at once designated as one of the
Judges of the Appellate Court at Chicago, of
which tribunal he became Chief Justice in 1881.
In 1885 he was re-elected Circuit Judge, but died,
about the close of his term, at Geneva, June 8,
1891.
WILSON, James tirant, soldier and author,
was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, April 28, 1832,
and, when only a year old, was brought by his
father, William Wilson, to America. The family
settled at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where James
Grant was educated at College Hill and under
private teachers. After finishing his studies he
became his father's partner in business, but, in
1855, went abroad, and, shortly after liis return,
removed to Chicago, where he founded the first
literary paper established in the Northwest. At
the outbreak of tlie Civil War. he disposed of his
journal to enlist in the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry,
of which he was commissioned Major and after-
wards promoted to the colonelcy. In August,
1863, while at New Orleans, by advice of General
Grant, he accepted a comiuission as Colonel of
the Fourtli Regiment United States Colored
Cavalry, and was assigned, as Aid-de-camp, to
the staff of the Commander of the Department of
tlie Gulf, filling this post until April, 1865.
When General Banks was relieved. Colonel Wil-
son was brevetted Brigadier-General and placed
in command at Port Hudson, resigning in July,
1865, since which time his home has been in New
York. He is best known as an author, having
published numerous addresses, and being a fre-
quent contributor to American and European
magazines. Among larger works which he lia.s
written or edited are "Biographical Sketches of
Illinois OflScers" ; "Love in Letters"; "Life of
General U. S. Grant"; "Life and Letters of
Fitz Greene Halleck"; "Poets and Poetry of
Scotland"; "Bryant and His Friends", and
"Apiileton's Cyclopedia of American Biograpliy. '
WILSOX, James Harrison, soldier and mili-
tary engineer, was born near Shawneetown. III.,
Sept. 2, 1837. His grandfather. Alexander Wil-
604
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
son, was one of the pioneers of Illinois, and
his father (Harrison Wilson) was an ensign dur-
ing the War of 181'^ and a Captain in the Black
Hawk War. His brother (Bluford Wilson)
served as Assistant Adjutant-General of Volun-
teers during the Civil War. and as Solicitor of the
United States Treasury during the "whisky ring''
prosecutions. James H. was educated in the
common schools, at McKendree College, and
the United States Military Academy at West
Point, graduating from the latter in 1860, and
being assigned to the Topographical Engineer
Corps. In September, 1861, he was promoted to
a First Lieutenancy, then served as Chief Topo-
graphical Engineer of the Port Royal expedition
until March, 1863; was afterwards attached to
the Department of the South, being present at
the bombardment of Fort Pulaski; was Aid-de-
camp to McClellan. and participated in the bat-
tles of South Jlountain and Antietam ; was made
Lieutenant-Colonel of Volunteers in November,
1862; was Chief Topographical Engineer and
Inspector-General of the Army of the Tennessee
until October. 1863, being actively engaged in
the operations around Vicksburg; was made
Captain of Engineers in May, 1863, and Brigadier-
General of Volunteers, Oct. 31, following. He
also conducted operations preliminary to the
battle of Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, and
for the relief of Knoxville. Later, he was placed
in command of the Third Division of the cavalry
corps of the Army of the Potomac, serving from
May to August, 1864, under General Sheridan.
Subsequentl}' he was transferred to the Depart-
ment of the Mississippi, where he so distinguished
himself that, on Aprit 30, 1865, he was made
Major-General of Volunteers. In twenty-eight
days he captured five fortified cities, twenty-
three stands of colors, 288 guns and 6,820 prison-
ers — among the latter being Jefferson Davis. He
was mustered ovit of the volunteer service in
January, 1866, and, on July 28, following, was
commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty-
fifth United States Infantry, being also brevetted
Major-General in the regular army. On Dec. 31,
1870, he returned to civil life, and was afterwards
largely engaged in railroad and engineering oper-
ations, especially in West Virginia. Promirtly
after the declaration of war with Sjxiin (1898)
General Wilson was appointed, bj' the President,
Major-General of Volunteers, serving until its
close. He is the author of "China: Travels and
Investigations in the Middle Kingdom" ; "Life of
Andrew J. Alexander"; and the "Life of Gen.
U. S. Grant," in conjunction with Charles A.
Dana. His home, in recent years, has been in
Xew York.
WILSON, Jtdin M., lawyer and jurist, was
born in New Hampshire in 1803, graduated at
Bowdoin College in 1834 — the classmate of Frank-
lin Pierce and Nathaniel Hawthorne; studied law
in New Hami^shire and came to Illinois in 1835,
locating at Joliet; removed to Chicago in 1841,
where he was the partner of Norman B. Judd,
serving, at different periods, as attorney of the
Chicago & Rock Island, the Lake Shore & Michi-
gan Southern and the Chicago & Northwestern
Railways; was Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas of Cook County, 18r)3-.')9, when he became
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Chicago,
serving until 1868. Died, Dec. 7, 1883.
WILSOX, John P., lawyer, was born in White-
side County, 111., July 3, 1844; educated in the
common schools and at Knox College, Galesburg,
graduating from the latter in 1865; two years
later was admitted to the bar in Chicago, and
speedily attained prominence in his profession.
During the World's Fair period he was retained
as counsel by the Committee on Groimds and
Buildings, and was prominently connected, as
counsel for the city, with the Lake Front litiga-
tion.
WILSOJf, Robert L., early legislator, was born
in Washington County, Pa., Sept. 11, 1805, taken
to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1810, graduated at Frank-
lin College in 1831, studied law and, in 1833,
removed to Athens (now in Menard County), HI. ;
was elected Representative in 1836, and was one
of the members from Sangamon County, known
as the "Long Nine," who assisted in securing the
removal of the State Capital to Springfield. Mr.
Wilson removed to Sterling, Whiteside County,
in 1840, was elected five times Circuit Clerk and
served eight years as Probate Judge. Immedi-
ately after the fall of Fort Sumter, he enlisted as
private in a battalion in Washington City under
command of Cassius M. Clay, for guard duty
until the arrival of the Seventh New York Regi-
ment. He subsequently assisted in raising
troops in Illinois, was appointed Paymaster by
Lincoln, serving at Washington, St. Louis, and,
after the fall of Vicksburg, at Springfield— being
mustered out in November, 1865. Died, in White-
side County, 1880.
WILSOX, Robert S., lawyer and jurist, was
born at Montrose, Susquehanna Count}', Pa., Nov.
6, 1813; learned the printer's art, then studied
law and was admitted to the bar in Allegheny
County, about 1833; in 1836 removed to Ann
Arbor, Mich. , where he served as Probate Judge
REV. FATHER OCONNER
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
505
ami State Senator ; in 1850 came to Chicago, was
elected Judge of the Recorder's Court in 1853,
and re-elected in 1858, serving ten years, and
proving "a terror to evil-doers." Died, at Law-
rence, Mich., Dec. 23, 1883.
WILSON, William, early jiu-ist. was born in
Loudoun Coimty, Va., April 27, 1794; studied law
with Hon. John Cook, a distinguished lawjer,
and minister to France in the earlj- part of the
century; in 1817 removed to Kentucky, soon after
came to Illinois, two years later locating in White
County, near Carmi, wliich continued to be his
home dui'ing the remainder of his life. In 1819
he was appointed Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court as successor to William P.
Foster, who is described by Governor Ford as
"a great rascal and no lawyer,"' and who held
office only about nine months. Judge Wilson
was re-elected to the Supreme bencli, as Chief-
Justice, in 1825, being then only a little over 30
years old, and held office imtil the reorganization
of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of
1848 — a period of over twentj'-nine years, and,
with the exception of Judge Browne's, the long-
est term of service in the historj' of the court.
He died at his home in White County, April 29,
1857. A Whig in early life, he allied himself
with the Democratic party on the dissolution of
the former. Hon. James C. Conkling, of Spring-
field, says of him, "as a writer, his style was clear
and distinct; as a lawyer, his judgment was
sound and discriminating."
WINCHESTER, a city and county-seat of Scott
County, founded in 1839, situated on Big Sandy
Creek and on the line of the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad, 29 miles south of Beard.stown
and 84 miles nortli by west of St. Louis. While
the surrounding region is agricultural and largely
devoted to wheat growing, there is some coal
mining. Winchester is an important shipping-
point, having three grain elevators, two flouring
mills, and a coal mine employing fifty miner,s.
There are four Protestant and one Catholic
church, a court house, a high school, a graded
school building, two banks and two weekly news-
papers. Population (1880), 1,626; (1890), 1,.542;
(1900), 1,711; (1910), 1,639.
WINDSOR, a city of Shelby County at the
crossing of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago &
St. Louis and the Wabash Railways, 11 miles
northeast of Shelbyville; in ap;ric\iltin-al district; has
bank and one paper. Pop. (I'.IOO), SGO; (1910), 9S7.
WINES, Frederick Howard, clergyman and
sociologist, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., April
9, 1838, graduated at Washington (Pa.) College
in 1857, and, after serving as tutor there for a
short time, entered Princeton Theological Semi-
nary, but was compelled temporarily to discon-
tinue his studies on account of a weakness of
the eyes. The Presbytery of St. Louis licensed
him to preach in 1860, and, in 1862, he was com-
missioned Hospital Chaplain in the Union army.
During 1862-64 he was stationed at Springfield,
Mo., particijiating in the battle of Springfield on
Jan. 8, 1863, and being personally mentioned for
bravery on the field in the official report. Re-
entering the seminary at Princeton in 1864, he
graduated in 1865, and at once accepted a call to
the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church of
Springfield, 111., which he filled for four years.
In 1869 he was appointed Secretary of the newly
created Board of Commissioners of Public Chari-
ties of Illinois, in which capacity he continued
until 1893, when he resigned. For the next four
years he was chiefly engaged in literary work, in
lecturing before universities on topics connected
with social science, in aiding in the organization
of charitable work, and in the conduct of a
thorough investigation into the relations between
li(|uor legislation and crime. At an early period
he took a prominent part in organizing the
various Boards of Public Charities of the United
States into an organization known as the National
Conference of Charities and Corrections, and, at
the Louisville meeting (1883), was elected its
President. At the International Penitentiary
Congress at Stockholm (1878) he was the official
delegate from Illinois. On his return, as a result
of his observations while abroad, he submitted
to the Legislature a report strongly advocating
tlie construction of the Kankakee Hospital for
the Insane, then about to be built, upon the
"detached wai-d" or "village" plan, a departure
from then existing methods, which marks an era
in the treatment of insane in the United States.
Mr. Wines conducted the investigation into the
condition and number of the defective, depend-
ent and delinquent classes throughout the coun-
try, his report constituting a sejjarate volume
under the "Tenth Census," and rendered a simi-
lar service in connection w-ith the eleventh
census (1890). In 1887 he was elected Secretary
of the National Prison Association, succeeding to
the post formerly held by his father, Enoch Cobb
Wines, D. D., LL.D. .\fter the inauguration of
Governor Tanner in 1897, he resumed his former
position of Secretary of the Hoard of Public
Charities, remaining until 1899, when lie again
tendered his resignation, having received the
appointment to the position of Assistant Director
696
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
of the Twelfth Census, which he held 2 years. He
is the author of "Crime and Reformation" (1895) ;
of a vohiminous series of reports ; also of numer-
ous pamphlets and brochures, among which may
be mentioned "The County Jail System; An
Argument for its Abolition" (1878) , "The Kanka-
kee Hospital" (1882); "Provision for the Insane
in the United States" (1885); "Conditional
Liberation, or the Paroling of Prisoners" (1886),
and "American Prisons in the Tenth Census"
(1888). Died .Jan. .31, 1912.
WINES, Walter B., lawyer (brother of Freder-
ick H. Wines), was born in Boston, Mass., Oct.
10, 1848, received his primary education at Willis-
ton Academy, East Hampton, Mass., after which
he entered Middlebury College, Vt., taking a
classical course and graduating there. He after-
wards became a student in the law department
of Columbia College, N. Y., graduating in 1871,
being admitted to the bar the same year and
commencing practice in New York City. In 1879
he came to Springfield, 111., and was, for a time,
identified with the bar of that city; was engaged
some years in literary and journalistic work in
Chicago; died at Minneapolis, Minn., July 31, 1901.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY, situated' in the
"northern tier." bordering on the Wisconsin
State line; was organized, under an act passed in
1836, from La Salle and Jo Daviess Counties, and
has an area of 540 square miles. The county is
drained by the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers.
The surface is rolling prairie and the soil fertile.
The geology is simple, the quaternary deposits
being underlaid by the Galena blue and buff
limestone, adapted for building purposes. All
the cei'eals are raised in abundance, the chief
product being corn. The W^innebago Indians
(who gave name to the county) formerly lived
on the west side of the Rock River, and the Potta-
watomies on the east, but both tribes removed
westward in 1835. (As to manufacturing intei'-
ests, see Rockfoi-d.) Population (1880), 30,505;
(1890), .39,938; (1900), 47,845; (1910), 63,153.
WINNEBAGO WAR. The name given to an
Indian disturbance which had its origin in 1827,
during the administration of Gov. Ninian
Edwards. The Indians had been quiet since the
conclusion of the War of 1812, but a few isolated
outrages were sufficient to start terrified "run-
ners" in all directions. In the northern portion
of the State, from Galena to Chicago (then Fort
Dearborn) the alarm was intense. The meagre
militia force of the State was summoned and
volunteers were called for. Meanwhile, 600
United States Regular Infantry, under command
of Gen. Henry Atkinson, put in an appearance.
Besides the infantry, Atkinson had at his disposal
some 130 mounted sharpshooters. The origin of
the disturbance was as follows; The Winne-
bagoes attacked a band of Chippewas, who were
(by treaty) under Government potection, several
of the latter being killed. For participation in
this offense, four Winnebago Indians were sum-
marily apprehended, surrendered to the Chippe-
was and shot. Meanwhile, some dispute had
arisen as to the title of the lands, claimed by the
Winnebagoes in the vicinity of Gale'ia, which
had been occupied by white miners. Repeated
acts of hostility and of reprisal, along the Upper
Mississippi, intensified mutual distrust. A gather-
ing of the Indians around two keel-boats, laden
with supplies for Fort Snelling, which had
anchored near Prairie du Chien and opposite a
Winnebago camp, was regarded by the whites as
a hostile act. Liquor was freelj' distributed, and
there is historical evidence that a half-dozen
drunken squaws were carried off and shamefully
maltreated. Several hundred warriors assembled
tc avenge the deception which had been practiced
upon them. They laid in ambush for the boats
on their return trip. The first passed too rapidly
to be successfully assailed, but the second
grounded and was savagely, yet unsuccessfully,
attacked. The presence of General Atkinson's
forces prevented an actual outbreak, and, on his
demand, the great Winnebago Chief, Red Bird,
with six other leading men of the tribe, sur-
rendered themselves as hostages to save their
nation from extermination, A majority of these
were, after trial, acquitted. Red Bird, however,
unable to endure confinement, literally pined to
death in prison, dying on Feb. 16, 1828. He is
described as having been a savage of superior
intelligence and noble character. A treaty of
peace was concluded with the Winnebagoes in a
council held at Prairie du Chien, a few months
later, but the affair seems to have produced as
much alarm among the Indians as it did among
the whites. (For Winnebago Indians seepage 576.)
WINXETKA, a village of Cook County, on the
Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 16V4 miles
north of Chicago. It stands eiglitj- feet above
the level of Lake Michigan, has good schools
(being the seat of the Winnetka Institute), sev-
eral churches, and is a popular residence town.
Pop. (1890), 1,(179; (1900), 1,833; (1910), 3,168.
WINSTON, Frederick Hampton, lawyer, was
born in Liberty County, Ga., Nov. 20, 1830, was
brought to Woodford County, Ky., in 1835, left
an orphan at 12, and attended the common
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
597
schools until 18, when, returning to Georgia, he
engaged in cotton manufacture. He finally
began the study of law with United States Sena-
tor W. C. Dawson, and graduated from Harvard
Law School in 1853 ; spent some time in the office
of W. M. Evarts in New York, was admitted to
the bar and came to Chicago in 1853, wliere he
formed a partnersliip with Norman B. Judd,
afterwards being associated with Judge Henry
W. Blodgett; served as general solicitor of the
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Chicago,
Rock Island & Pacific and the Pittsburgh, Fort
Wayne & Chicago Railways — remaining with the
latter twenty years. In 1885 he was appointed,
by President Cleveland, Minister to Persia, but
resigned the following year, and traveled exten-
sively in Russia, Scandinavia and other foreign
countries. Jlr. Winston was a delegate to the
Democratic National Conventions of 1868, '7(i and
'84; first President of the Stock Yards at Jersey
City, for twelve years President of the Lincoln
Park Commission, and a Director of the Lincoln
National Bank. Died Feb. 19, 1904.
WISCONSIN CENTRAL LINES. The Wiscon-
sin Central Company was organized, June 17,
1887, and subsequently acquired the Minnesota,
St. Croix & Wisconsin, the Wisconsin & Minne-
sota, the Chippewa Falls & Western, the St.
Paul & St. Croix Falls, the Wisconsin Central, the
Penokee, and the Packwaukee & Montebello Rail-
roads, and assumed the leases of the Milwaukee
& Lake Winnebago and the Wisconsin & Minne-
sota Roads. On July 1, 1888, the company began
to operate the entire Wisconsin Central system,
with the exception of the Wisconsin Central
Railroad and the leased Milwaukee & Lake Win-
nebago, which remained in charge of the Wis-
consin Central Railroad mortgage trustees until
Nov. 1, 1889, when these, too, passed under the
control of the Wisconsin Central Company. The
Wisconsin Central Railroad Company is a re-
organization (Oct. 1, 1879) of a company formed
Jan. 1, 1871. The Wisconsin Central and the
Wisconsin Central liailroad Companies, tliough
differing in name, are a financial unit; the
former holding most of the first mortgage bonds
of the latter, and substantially all its notes, stocks
and income bonds, but, for legal reasons (sucli as
the protection of land titles), it is necessary that
separate corporations be maintained. On April
1, 1890, the Wisconsin Central Company executed
a lease to the Northern Pacific Railroad, but this
was set aside by the courts, on Sept. 27, 1893, for
non-payment of rent, and was finally canceled.
On the same day receivers were appointed to
insure the protection of all interests. The total
mileage is 415.46 miles, of which the Company
owns 358.90— only .10 of a mile in Illinois. A
line, 58.10 miles in length, with 8.44 miles of
side-track (total, 66.54 miles), lying wholly within
the State of Illinois, is operated by the Chicago &
Wisconsin and furnishes the allied line an en-
trance into Cldcago.
WITHKOW, Thomas F., lawyer, %vas born in
Virginia in March, 1833, removed with his parents
to Ohio in childhood, attended the Western
Reserve College, and, after the death of his
father, taught school and worked as a printer,
later, editing a paper at Mount Vernon. In 1855
he removed to Janesville, Wis. , where he again
engaged in journalistic work, studied law, was
admitted to the bar in Iowa in 1857, settled at
Des Moines and served as private secretary of
Governors Lowe and Kirkwood. In 1860 he
became Supreme Court Reporter; served as
Chairman of the Republican State Central Com-
mittee in 1863 and, in 1866, became associated
with the Rock Island Railroad in tlie capacity of
local attorney, was made chief law officer of the
Company in 1873, and removed to Chicago, and,
in 1890, was promoted to the position of General
Couu.sel. Died, in Chicago, Feb. 3, 1893.
WOLCOTT, (Dr.) Alexander, early Indian
Agent, was born at East Windsor, Conn., Feb.
14, 1790; graduated from Y'ale College in 1809,
and, after a course in medicine, was commis-
sioned, in 1812, Surgeon's Mate in the United
States Army. In 1820 he was appointed Indian
Agent at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), as suc-
cessor to Charles Jouett — the first Agent — who
had been ajipointed a United States Judge in
Arkansas. Tlie same year he accompanied Gen-
eral Lewis Cass and Henry Schoolcraft on their
tour among the Indians of the Northwest; wa.s
married in 1823 to Ellen Marion Kinzie, a
daughter of Col. John Kinzie, the first perma-
nent settler of Chicago ; in 1825 was appointed a
Justice of the Peace for Peoria County, which
tlien included Cook County; was a Judge of
Election in 1830. and one of the purcliasers of a
l>lock of ground in the heart of the present city
of Chicago, at the first sale of lots, held Sept. 27,
1830, but died before tlie close of the year. Dr.
Wolcott appears to have been a high-minded aiul
honorable man, as well as far in advance of the
mass of pioneers in point of education and intel-
ligence.
WOMAN'S MEDICAL COLLE(SE OF CHI-
CACiO. (See Kortlnvestern Uiiivvrsity Woman's
Medical School.)
698
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
WOMAN SrFFRA(;E. (See Suffrage.)
WOOD, Benson, lawyer and Congressman, was
born in Susquehanna County. Pa., in 1839; re-
ceived a common scliool and academic education ;
at the age of 20 came to Illinois, and, for two
years, taught school in Lee County. He then
enlisted as a soldier in an Illinois regiment,
attaining the rank of Captain of Infantry; after
the war. graduated from the Law Department of
the old Cliicago University, and has since been
engaged in the practice of his profession. He
was elected a member of the Twenty-eighth Gen-
eral Assembly (1ST2) and was a delegate to the
Republican National Conventions of 1876 and
1888 ; also served as Mayor of the city of Effing-
ham, where he now resides. In 1894 he was
elected to the Fifty-fourth Congress by the
Republicans of the Nineteenth District, which lias
uniformly returned a Democrat, and, in office,
proved himself a most industrious and efficient
member. Mr. Wood was defeated as a candidate
for re-election in 1896.
WOOD, John, jiioneer, Lieutenant-Governor
and Governor, was born at Moravia, N. Y., Dec.
20, 1798 — his father being a Revolutionary soldier
who had served as Surgeon and Captain in the
army. At the age of 21 j-ears young Wood re-
moved to Illinois, settling in what is now Adams
County, and building the first log-cabin on the site
of the present city of Quincy. He was a member
of the upper house of the Seventeenth and Eight-
eenth General Assemblies, and was elected Lieu-
tenant-Governor in 1859 on tlie same ticliet with
Governor Bissell, and served out the unexpired
term of tlie latter, who died in office. (See Bis-
sell, William H.) He was .succeeded by Richard
Yates in 1861. In February of that year he was
appointed one of the five Commissioners from
Illinois to the "Peace Conference" at Wash-
ington, to consider methods for averting
civil war. The following May he was appointed
Quartermaster-General tor the State by Governor
Yates, and assisted most efficiently' in fitting out
the troops for the field. In June, 1864, he was
commissioned Colonel of the One Hundred and
Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers (IOC-days' men)
and mustered out of service the following Sep-
tember. Died, at Quincy, June 11, 1880. He
was liberal, patriotic and public-sijirited. His
fellow-citizens of Quincy erected a monument to
his memory, which was appropriately dedicated,
July 4, 1888.
WOODFORD COUKTY, situated a little north
of the center of the State, bounded on the west
by the Illinois River; organized in 1841; area.
556 square miles. The surface is generally level,
except along the Illinois River, the soil fertile
and well watered. The county lies in the north-
ern section of the great coal field of the State.
Eureka is the county seat. Other thriving cities
and towns are Metamora, Minonk, El Paso and
Roanoke. Corn, oats, wheat, potatoes and barley
are the jirincipal crops. The chief mechanical
industries are flour manufacture, carriage and
wagon-making, and saddlerj- and harness work.
Pop. (1900), 21,822; (1910), 20,.30(5.
WOODHl'LL, a village of Hcnr County, on
Keithsburg Inaneh Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad, 15 miles west of Galva; has a bank,
electric lights, water works, brick and tile works,
six churches and weekly pa])er. Pop. (1910), 692.
WOODMAN, Charles W., lawyer and Congress-
man, was born in Aalborg, Denmark, March 11,
1844; received his early education in the schools
of his native country, but took to the sea in 1860,
following the life of a sailor until 1863, when,
coming to Philadelphia, he enlisted in the Gulf
Squadron of the United States. After the war,
he came to Chicago, and, after reading law for
some time in the office of James L. High, gradu-
ated from the Law Department of the Chicago
University in 1871. Some j^ears later lie was
appointed Prosecuting Attorney for some of the
lower courts, and, in 1881, was nominated by the
Judges of Cook County as one of the Justices of
the Peace for the city of Cliicago. In 1894 he
became the Republican candidate for Congress
from the Fourth District and was elected, but
failed to secure a renomination in 1896. Died, in
Elgin A.sylum for the Insane, March 18. 1898.
WOODS, Robert Mann, was born at Greenville,
Pa., April 17, 1840; came with his parents to Illi-
nois in 1842, the family settling at Barry, Pike
County, but subsequently residing at Pittsfield,
Canton and Galesburg. He was educated at
Knox College in the latter place, which was his
liome from 1849 to '58: later, taught school in
Iowa and Missouri until 1861, when he went to
Springfield and began the study of law with
Milton Hay and Shelby M. CuUoni. His law
studies having been interrupted by the Civil
War, after spending some time in the mustering
and disbursing office, he was promoted by Gov-
ernor Yates to a place in the executive office,
from which he went to the field as Adjutant of
the Sixt3'-fourth Illinois Infantry, known as the
"Yates Sharp-Shooters." After participating,
with the Army of the Tennessee, in the Atlanta
campaign, he took part in the "JIarcli to the
Sea," and the campaign in the Carolinas. includ-
DANIEL OCUOWLKY
[TO.":;", -•?"
lOHt
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
693
ing the siege of Savannah and the forcing of tlie
Salkahatchie, wiieie he distinguished himself, as
also in the taking of Columbia, Fayetteville,
Cheravv, Raleigh and Bentonville. At the latter
place lie had a liorse shot under him and won the
brevet rauk of JIajor for gallantry in the tield,
having previously been commissioned Captain of
Company A of his regiment. He also served on
the staffs of Gens. Giles A. Smith, Benjamin F.
Potts, and William W. Belknap, and was the last
mustering officer in General Sherman's army.
In 1867 Major Woods removed to Chicago, where
he was in business for a number of years, serving
as chief clerk of Custom House construction
from 1872 to 1877. In 1879 he purchased "The
Daily Republican" at Joliet, which he conducted
successfully for fifteen years. While connected
with "The Republican," he served as Secretary of
the Illinois Republican Press Association and in
various other positions.
Major Woods was one of the founders of the
Grand Army of the Republic, whose birth-place
was in Illinois. (See Grand Army of the Repub-
lic; also Stephenson. Dr. B. F.) When Dr.
Stephenson (wlio had been Surgeon of the Four-
teenth Illinois Infantry), conceived the idea of
founding sucli an order, he called to his assist-
ance Major Woods, wlio was then engaged in
writing the histories of Illinois regiments for the
Adjutant-General's Report. The Major wrote
the Constitution and By-laws of the Order, the
charter blanks for all the reports, etc. The first
official order bears his name as the first Adjutant-
General of the Order, as follows:
headciuarters department of illinois
Grand Army of the Republic,
Springfield. III., April 1, 1866.
General Orders '
Nn. I. 1 The following named officers are hereby
appointed and assigned to duty at these headquarters. They
wili be obeyed and respected accordingly;
Colonel Jules U. Webber, A.D.C. and Chief of .Staff.
Colonel John RI. Snyder, Quartermaster-General.
Major Robert M. Woods. Adjutant-General.
Captain John A. LiKhtfoot. Assistant Adjutant-General.
Cap'ain John S. Phelps, Aid-de-Camp.
By order of B. P. Stephenson, Department Commander.
Robert M. Woods,
Adjutant-General.
Major Woods afterwards organized the various
Departments in the West, and it has been con-
ceded that he furnished the money necessary to
carry on tlie work during the first six months of
the existence of the Order. He has never
accepted a nomination or run for any |)olitical
ofHce, but is now engaged in financial business in
Joliet and Chicago, witli his residence in tlie
former place.
WOODSOX, David Meade, lawyer and jurist,
was born in Jessamine County, Ky., May 18,
1806; was educated in private schools and at
Transylvania University, and read law with his
father. He served a term in the Kentucky Legis-
lature in 1833, and, in 1834, removed to Illinois,
settling at Carrollton, Greene County. In 1839
he was elected State's Attorney and, in 1840, a
member of the lower house of the Legislature,
being elected a second time in 1868. In 1843 he
was the Whig candidate for Congress in the
Fifth District, but was defeated by Stephen A.
Douglas. He was a member of the Constitutional
Conventions of 1847 and 1869-70. In 1848 he was
elected a Judge of the First Judicial Circuit,
remaining in office until 1867. Died, in 1877.
WOODSTOCK, the county-seat of McHenry
County, situated on the Chicago & Northwe.stern
Railway, about 51 miles northwest of Chicago
and 32 miles east of Rockford. It contains a
court house, eight churches, four banks, three
newspaper offices, foundry and machine sliops,
planing mills, canning works, pickle, cheese and
butter factories. The Oliver Typewriter Factory
is located here; the town is also the .seat of the
Todd Seminary for boys. Population (1890),
1,683; (1900), 2,.')02; (1010), 4,.'«1.
WORCESTER, Linus E., State Senator, was
born in Windsor, Vt., Dec. 5, 1811, was educated
in the common schools of his native State and at
Chester Academy, came to Illinois in 1836, and,
after teaching three years, entered a dry goods
store at Whitehall as clerk, later becoming a
partner. He was also engaged in various other
branches of business at different times, including
the drug, hardware, grocery, agricultiu'al imple-
ment and lumber business. In 1843 he was
appointed Postmaster at Whitehall, serving
twelve years ; was a member of the Constitutional
Convention of 1847, served as County Judge for
six years from 1853, and as Trustee of the Insti-
tution for the Deaf and Dumb, at Jacksonville,
from 1859, by successive reappointments, for
twelve years. In 1856 he was elected, as a Demo-
crat, to tlie State Senate, to succeed John M.
Palmer, resigned; was re-elected in 1860, and, at
the session of 1865, was one of the five Demo-
cratic members of that body who voted for the
ratification of the Emancipation Amendment of
tlie National Constitution. He w;is elected
(^lunty Judge a second time, in 1863, and re-
elected in 1867, served as <lelegate to the Demo-
cratic National Convention of 1876, and, for more
than thirty years, was one of the Directors of the
Jacksonville branch of the Chicago & Alton
000
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
Railroad, serving from the organizatiou of the
corporation until his death, which occurred Oct.
19, 1891.
WORDEN, a village of Madison County, on the
AVabash and the Jacksonville, Louisville & St.
Louis Railways, 33 miles northeast of St. Louis.
Pop. (1890), 522; (1900), 544; (1910), 1,082.
WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. An
exhibition of the scientific, liberal and mechan-
ical arts of all nations, held at Chicago, between
May 1 and Oct. 31, 1893. The jiroject had its
inception in November, 1885, in a resolution
adopted by the directorate of the Chicago Inter-
State Exposition Company. On July 6, 1888, the
first well defined action was taken, the Iroquois
Club, of Chicago, inviting the co-operation of six
other leading clubs of that city in "securing the
location of an international celebration at Chi-
cago of the 400th ahniver.sary of the discovery of
America by Colmubus." In July, 1889, a decisive
step was taken in the appointment by Mayor
Cregier, under resolution of the City Council, of
a committee of 100 (afterwards increased to 356)
citizens, who were charged with the duty of
promoting the selection of Chicago as the site for
the Exposition. New York, Washington and St.
Louis wei'e competing points, but the choice of
Congi'ess fell upon Chicago, and the act establish-
ing the World's Fair at that city was signed by
President Harrison on Ajjril 35, 1890. Under the
requirements of the law, the President appointed
eight Commissioners-at-large, with two Commis-
sioners and two alternates from each State and
Territory and the District of Columbia. Col.
George R. Davis, of Chicago, was elected Direc-
tor-General by the body thus constituted. Ex-
Senator Thomas M. Palmer, of Michigan, was
chosen President of the Commission and John T.
Dickinson, of Texas, Secretary. This Commis-
sion delegated much of its power to a Board of
Reference and Control, who were instructed to
act with a similar number appointed by the
World's Columbian Exposition. The latter
organization was an incorporation, with a direc-
torate of forty-five members, elected annually by
the stockholders. Lyman J. Gage, of Chicago,
was the first President of the corporation, and
was succeeded by W. T. Baker and Harlow N.
Higinbotham.
In addition to these bodies, certain powers were
vested in a Board of Lady Managers, composed
of two members, with alternates, from each
State and Territory, besides nine from the city
of Chicago. Mrs. Potter Palmer was chosen
President of the latter. This Board was particu-
larly charged with supervision of women's par-
ticipation in the Exposition, and of the exhibits
of women's work.
The supreme executive power was vested in
the Joint Board of Control. The site selected
was Jackson Park, in the South Division of Chi-
cago, with a strip connecting Jackson and
Washington Parks, known as the "Midway
Plaisance,"' which was surrendered to "conces-
sionaires'' who purchased the privilege of giving
exhibitions, or conducting restaurants or selling-
booths thereon. The total area of the site was
033 acres, and that of the buildings — not reckon-
ing those erected by States other than Illinois,
and by foreign governments — was about 300
acres. Wlien to this is added the acreage of the
foreign and State buildings, the total space
under roof approximated 350 acres. These fig-
ures do not include the buildings erected by
private exhibitors, caterers and venders, which
would add a small percentage to the grand totaL
Forty-seven foreign Governments made appropri-
ations for the erection of their own buildings and
other expenses connected with official represen-
tation, and there were exhibitors from eighty-six
nations. The United States Government erected
its own building, and appropriated $500,000 to
defraj' the expenses of a national exhibit, besides
82,500,000 toward the general cost of the Exposi-
tion. The appropriations by foreign Governments
aggregated about §6,500,000, and those by the
States and Territories, §6,130,000— that of Illinois
being §800,000. The entire outlay of the World's
Columbian Exposition Company, up to March 31,
1894, including the cost of preliminary organiza-
tion, construction, operating and post -Exposition
expenses, was .§37,151,800. This is, of course,
exclusive of foreign and State expenditures,
which would swell the aggregate cost to nearly
.§45,000,000. Citizens of Chicago subscribed
§5,608,206 toward the capital stock of the Exposi-
tion Company, and the municipality, §5,000,000,
which was raised by the sale of bonds. (See
Tliirfi/'Si.rth General Assembly.)
The site, while admirably adapted to the pur-
po.se, was, when chosen, a marshy flat, crossed
by low sand ridges, upon which stood occasional
clumps of stunted scrub oaks. Before the gates
of the great fair were opened to the public, the
entire area had been transformed into a dream of
beauty. Marshes had been drained, filled in and
sodded ; driveways and broad walks constructed ;
artificial ponds and lagoons dug and embanked,
and all the highest skill of the landscape garden-
er's art had been called into play to produce
MAP OF
THE GROUNDS OF THE
yjOjKLyS pOj^UM^IAJM EXJ'OpiJION
Arrangemem
IjIAI
Jaz.iarof 1 J
Nations fT
Entrancf
Bazaar of
Nations
^^yOULJLJLlLJLj,
1 Lploorisli; ; Turkish rjTCH '. '. R.R.Statian S
, -| __[Palace ! . Village | ItETTiEMtNT , r"? / j! H
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
601
varied and striking effects. But the task had
been a Herculean one. Tliere were seventeen
principal (or, as they may be called, depart-
mental) buildings, all of beautiful and ornate
design, and all of vast size. They were known
as the Manufacturers' and Liberal Arts, the
Machinery, Electrical, Transportation, Woman's,
Horticultural, Mines and Mining, Anthropolog-
ical, Administration, Art Galleries, Agricultural,
Art Institute, Fisheries, Live Stock, Dairy and
Forestry buildings, and the JIusic Hall and Ca-
sino. Several of these had large annexes. The
Manufacturers' Building was the largest. It was
rectangular (1087x787 feet), having a ground
area of 31 acres and a floor and gallery area of
44 acres. Its central chamber was 1280x380
feet, with a nave 107 feet wide, both hall and
nave being surrounded by a gallery 50 feet wide.
It was four times as large as the Roman Coliseum
and three times as large as St. Peter's at Rome ;
17,000,000 feet of lumber, 13,000,000 pounds of
steel, and 2,000,000 pounds of iron had been used
in its construction, involving a cost of §1,800,000.
It was originally intended to open the Exposi-
tion, formally, on Oct. 21, 1892, the quadri-centen-
nial of Columbus' discovery of land on the
Western Hemisphere, but the magnitude of the
undertaking rendered this impracticable. Con-
sequently, while dedicatory ceremonies were held
on that day, preceded by a monster procession and
followed by elaborate pyroteclmic displays at
night, May 1, 1893, was fixed as the opening day
— the machinery and fountains being \nit in oper-
ation, at the touch of an electric button by Presi-
dent Cleveland, at the close of a short address.
The total number of admissions from that date
to Oct. 31, was 27,.530,460— the largest for any
single day being on Oct. 9 (Chicago Day) amount-
ing to 701,944. Tlie total receipts from all sources
(including National and State appropriations,
subscriptions, etc.), amounted to S28,l.')l,108.7.5,
of which §10,020,330.70 was from the sale of tick-
ets, and §3,099,581.43 from concessions. The
aggregate attendance fell short of that at the
Paris Exposition of 1889 by about 500,000, while
the receipts from the sale of tickets and con-
cessions exceeded the latter by nearly §5,800,000.
Subscribers to the Exposition stock received a
return of ten per cent on the same.
The Illinois building was the fir.st of the State
buildings to be completed. It was also the
largest and most costlj', but was severely (-riti-
cised from an architectural standpoint. The
exhibits showed the internal resources of the
State, as well as the development of its govern-
mental system, and its progress in civilization
from the days of tlie first pioneers. The entire
Illinois exhibit in the State building was under
charge of the State Board of Agriculture, who
devoted one-tenth of the appropriation, and a like
proportion of floor space, to the exhibition of the
work of Illinois women as scientists, authors,
artists, decorators, etc. Among special features
of the Illinois exhibit were: State trophies and
relics, kept in afire-proof memorial hall; the dis-
play of grains and minerals, and an immense
topographical map (prepared at a cost of §15.000),
drafted on a scale of two miles to the inch, show-
ing the character and resources of the State, and
correcting many serious cartographical errors
previously undiscovered.
WORTHEN, Amos Henry, scientist and State
Geologist, was born at Bradford, Vt., Oct. 31,
1813, emigrated to Kentucky in 1834, and, in 1830,
removed to Illinois, locating at Warsaw. Teach-
ing, surveying and mercantile business were his
pursuits until 1842, when he returned to the
East, spending two years in Boston, but return-
ing to Warsaw in 1844. His natural predilections
were toward the natural sciences, and, after
coming west, he devoted most of his leisure time
to the collection and study of specimens of
mineralogy, geology and conchology. On the
organization of the geological survey of Illinois
in 1851, he was appointed assistant to Dr. J. G.
Norwood, then State Geologist, and, in 1858, suc-
ceeded to the office, having meanwliile spent
three years as Assistant Geologist in the first Iowa
survey. As State Geologist lie publislied seven
volumes of reports, and was engaged upon the
eighth when overtaken by death. May 0, 1888.
These reports, wliich are as compreliensive as
tliey are voluminous, have been reviewed and
warmly commended by tlie leading scientific
periodicals of this country and Europe In 1877
field work was discontinued, and the State His-
torical Library and Natural History Museum were
established. Professor Worthen being placed in
charge as curator. He was the author of various
valuable scientific papers and member of numer-
ous scientific societies in this country and in
Europe.
W0RTHI\«T01V, Mcholas Ellsworth, ex-Con-
gressman, was born in Brooke County, W. Va.,
March 30, 1830, and comideted his education at
Allegheny College, Pa., .studied Law at Jlorgan-
town, 'Va., and was admitted to the bar in 1800.
He is a resident of Peoria, and, by profession, a
lawyer; was County Superintendent of Schools
of Peoria Countv from 1808 to 1872, and a mem-
602
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
ber of the State Board of Education from 1869 to
1872. In 1883 he was elected to Congress, as a
Democrat, from the Tenth Congressional District,
and re-elected in 1884. In 1886 he was again a
candidate, but was defeated by his Republican
opponent, Philip Sidney Post. He was elected
Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judicial District in
1891, and re-elected in 1897. In 1894 he served
upon a commission appointed by President Cleve-
land, to investigate the labor strikes of that year
at Chicago.
WRKJHT, John Stephen, manufacturer, was
born at Sheffield, Mass., July 16, 1815; came to
Chicago in 1833, with his father, who opened a
store in that city ; in 1887, at his own expense,
built the first school building in Chicago; in 1840
established "The Prairie Farmer," which he con-
ducted for many years in the interest of popular
education and progressive agriculture. In 18.52
he engaged in the manufacture of Atkins' self-
raking reaper and mower, was one of the pro-
moters of the Galena & Chicago Union and the
Illinois Central Railways, and wrote a volume
entitled, "Chicago: Past, Present and Future,"
published in 1870. Died, in Chicago, Sept. 36, 1874.
WULFF, Henry, ex-State Treasurer, was born
in Jleldorf, Germany, August 34, 1854; came to
Chicago in 1863, and began his political career as
a Trustee of the town of Jetferson. In 1866 he
was elected County Clerk of Cook County, and
re-elected in 1890 ; in 1894 became the Republican
nominee for State Treasurer, receiving, at the
November election of that year, the unprece-
dented plurality of 133,427 votes over his Demo-
cratic op]ionc'nt. Died Dec. 27, 1907.
WTASET, a town of Bureau Count\-, at the
Intersection of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railways,
7 miles southwest of Princeton. Population (1900),
902; (1910), 872.
WYLIE, (Rev.) Samuel, domestic missionary,
born in Ireland and came to America in boyhood ;
was educated at the University of Pennsylvania
and the Theological Seminary of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church, and ordained in 1818.
Soon after this he came west as a domestic mis-
sionary and, in 1830, became pastor of a church
at Sparta, 111. , where he remained until his death,
March 20, 1873, after a pastorate of 53 years.
During his jjastorate the church sent out a dozen
colonies to form new church organizations else-
where. He is described as able, eloquent and
scholarly.
WTMAN, (Col.) John B., soldier, was born in
Massachusetts, July 13. 1817, and educated in the
schools of that State until 14 years of age, when
he became a clerk in a clothing store in his native
town of Shrewsbury, later being as.sociated with
mercantile establishments in Cincinnati, and
again in his native State. From 1846 to 1850 he
was employed successively as a clerk in the car
and machine shops at Springfield, Mass., then as
Superintendentof Construction, and, later, as con-
ductor on the New York & New Ha\en Railroad ,
finally, in 1850, becoming Superintendent of the
Connecticut River Railroad. In 1852 he entered
the .service of the Illinois Central Railroad Com-
pany, assisting in the survey and construction of
the line under Col. R. B. Mason, the Cldef Engi-
neer, and finally becoming Assistant Superin-
tendent of the Northern Division. He was one
of the original proprietors of the town of Amboy,
in Lee County, and its first Jlajor, also serving
a second term. Having a fondness for military
affairs, he was usually connected with some mili-
tary organization — while in Cincinnati being
attached to a company, of which Prof. O. M.
Mitchell, the celebrated astronomer (afterwards
Major-General Mitchell), was Captain. After
coming to Illinois he became Captain of the Chi-
cago Light Guards. Having left the employ of
the Railroad in 1858, he was in private business
at Amboy at the beginning of the Civil War in
1861. As Assistant-Adjutant General, by appoint-
ment of Governor Yates, he rendered valuable
service in the early weeks of the war in securing
arms from Jefferson Barracks and in the organi-
zation of the three-months' regiments. Then,
having organized the Thirteenth Illinois Volun-
teer Infantry — the first organized in the State
for the three years' service — he was commis-
sioned its Colonel, and, in July following, entered
upon the duty of guarding the railroad lines in
Southwest Missouri and Arkansas. The follow-
ing year his regiment was attached to General
Sherman's command in the first campaign
against Vicksburg. On the second day of the
Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, he fell mortally
wounded, dying on the field, Dec. 38, 1862. Colo-
nel Wyman was one of the most accomplished
and promising of the volunteer soldiers sent to
the field from Illinois, of whom so many were
former employes of the Illinois Central Rail-
road.
WYOMING, a town of Stark County, 31 miles
north-northwest from Peoria, at the junction of
the Peoria branch Rock Island & Pacific and the
Rushville branch of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railway ; has two high schools, churches,
two banks, flour mills, water-works, machine
♦ STJB
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
603
shop, and two weekly newspapers. Coal is minetl
here. Population (1900), 1,277; (1910), 1,506.
XE>'IA, a \-illage of Claj- County, on the Balti-
more & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 87 miles
east of St. Louis. Pop. (1900), SCO; (1910), 6.34.
YATES CITY, a village of Knox County, at the
junction of the Peoria Division of the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, with the Rushville
branch, 23 miles southeast of Galesburg. The
town has banks, a coal mine, telephone exchange,
school, churches and a newspaper. Pop. (1890),
6S7; (1900), 6.J0; (1910), 586.
YATES, Henry, pioneer, was born in Caroline
County, Va., Oct. 29, 1786— being a grand-nephew
of Chief Justice John Marshall ; removed to Fa-
yette County, Ky., where he located and laid out
the town of Warsaw, which afterwards became
the county-seat of Gallatin County. In 1831 he
removed to Sangamon County, 111., and, in 1832,
settled at the site of the present town of Berlin,
which he laid out the following year, also laying
out the town of New Berlin, a few years later, on
the line of the Wabash Railway. He was father
of Gov. Richard Yates. Died, Sept. 13, 1865. —
Henry (Yates), Jr., son of the preceding, was born
at Berlin, 111., March 7, 1835 ; engaged in merchan-
dising at New Berlin; in 1862, raised a company
of volunteers for the One Hundred and Sixth
Regiment Illinois Infantrj', was appointed Lieu-
tenant-Colonel and brevetted Colonel and»Briga-
dier-General. He was accidentally shot in 1863,
and suffered sun-stroke at Little Rock, from
which he never fully recovered. Died, August
3, 1871.
YATES, Richard, former Governor and United
States Senator, was born at Warsaw, Ky., Jan.
18, 1815, of English descent. In 1831 he accom-
panied his father to Illinois, the family settling
first at Springfield and later at Berlin, Sangamon
Ccnmty. He soon after entered Illinois College,
from which he graduated in 1835, and subse-
quently read law with Col. John J. Hardin, at
Jacksonville, which thereafter became his home.
In 1842 he was elected Representative in the Gen-
eral Assembly from Morgan County, and was
re-elected in 1844, and again in 1848. In 1850 he
was a candidate for Congress from the Seventh
District and elected over Maj. Thomas L. Harris,
the previous incumbent, being the only Whig
Representative in the Thirty-second Congress
from Illinois. Two jears later he was re-elected
over John Calhoun, but was defeated, in 1854,
by his old oijponent, Harris. He was one of the
most vigorous opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska
Bill in the Thirty-third Congress, and an early
participant in the movement for the organization
of the Republican party to resist the further
extension of slavery, being a prominent sjjeaker.
on the same platform with Lincoln, before the
first Republican .State Convention held at Bloom-
iugton, in May, 1856, and serving as one of the
Vice-Presidents of that body. In 1860 he was
elected to tlie executive chair on the ticket
headed by Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency,
and, by his energetic support of the National
administration in its measures for the suppression
of the Rebellion, won the sobriquet of "the Illi-
nois War-Governor." In 1865 he was elected
United States Senator, serving until 1871. He
died suddenly, at St. Louis, Nov. 27, 1873, while
returning from Arkansas, whither he had gone,
as a United States Commissioner, by appointment
of President Grant, to inspect a land-subsidy
railroad. He was a man of rare ability, earnest-
ness of purpose and extraordinary personal mag-
netism, as well as of a lofty order of patriotism.
His faults were those of a nature generous,
impulsive and warm-hearted.
YORKVILLE, the county-seat of Kendall
County, on Fox River and Streator Division of
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 12 miles
south we.st of Aurora; on interurban electric line;
has water-power, electric lights, a bank, churches
and weekly jiaper. Pop. (1900), 413; (1910), 4:!1.
YOUNdi, Brigrliam, Mormon leader, was born
at Whittingham, Vt., June 1, 1801, joined the
Mormons in 18;U and, the next year, became asso-
ciated with Joseph Smith, at Kirtland, Ohio, and,
in 1835, an "apostle." He accompanied a con-
siderable body of that sect to Independence, Mo.,
but was driven out with them in 1837, settling
for a short time at Quincy, 111., but later remov-
ing to Nauvoo, of which he was one of the foun-
ders. On the assassination of Smitli, in 1814, he
became the successor of the latter, as head of the
Mormon Church, and, the following year, headeil
the exodus from Illinois, which finally resulted in
the Mormon settlement in Utah. His subsequent
career there, where he vias appointed Governor
by President Fillmore, and, for a time, success-
fully defied national authority, is a matter of
national rather than State history. He remained
at the head of the Mormon Church until his
death at Salt Lake City, Augu.st 29, 1877.
YOUNU, Richard .Monta-oiiiery, United States
Senator, was born in Kentucky in 1796, studied
law and removed to Jonesl)oro, 111., where ho was
admitted to the bar in 1817; served in the Second
604
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
General Assembly (1820-22) as Representative
from Union County; was a Circuit Judge, 1825-27;
Presidential Elector iu 1828; Circuit Judge again,
1829-37; elected United States Senator in 1837 as
successor to W. L. D. Ewiug, serving until 1843,
when he was commissioned Justice of the Su-
preme Court, but resigned in 1847 to become
Commissioner of the General Land Office at
Washington. During the session of 1850-51, he
served as Clerk of the National House of Repre-
sentatives. Died, in an insane asylum, iu Wash-
ington, in 1853.
YOUNO MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION,
first permanently organized at Chicago, in 1858,
although desultory movements of a kindred char-
acter had previously been started at Peoria,
Quincy, Chicago and Springfield, some as early
as 1854. From 1858 to 1872, various associations
were formed at different points throughout the
State, which were entirely independent of each
other. The first effort looking to union and
mutual aid, was made in 1872, when Robert
Weidensall, on behalf of the International Com-
mittee, called a convention, to meet at Blooming-
ton, November 6-9. State conventions have been
held annually since 1872. In that of 1875, steps
were taken looking to tlie appointment of a
State Secretary, and, in 1876, Charles M. Morton
assumed the office. Much evangelistic work was
done, and new associations formed, the total
number reported at the Champaign Convention,
in 1877, being sixty-two. After one year's work
Mr. Morton resigned the secretaryship, the office
remaining vacant for three years. The question
of the appointment of a successor was discussed
at the Decatur Convention in 1879, and, in April,
1880, I. B. Brown was made State Secretary, and
has occupied the position to the present time
(1899). At the date of his appointment the
official figures showed sixteen associations in Illi-
nois, vvith a total membership of 2,443, and prop-
erty valued at $126,500, including building funds,
the associations at Chicago and Aurora owning
buildings. Thirteen officers were employed,
none of them being in Chicago. Since 1880 the
work has steadily grown, so that five Assistant
State Secretaries are now employed. In 1886, a
plan for arranging the State work under depart-
mental administration was devi.sed, but not put
in operation until 1890. The present six depart-
ments of supervision are: General Supervision,
in charge of the State Secretary and his Assist-
ants; railroad and city work; counties and
towns; work among students; corresponding
membership department, and office work. The
two last named are under one executive head,
but each of the others in charge of an Assistant
Secretary, who is responsible for its development
The entire work is under the supervision of a
State Executive Committee of twenty-seven
members, one-third of whom are elected annually.
Willis H. Herrick of Chicago has been its chair-
man for several years. This body is appointed
by a State convention composed of delegates
from the local Associations. Of these there were,
in October, 1898, 116, with a membershii^ of
15,888. The value of the property owned was
§2,. 500, 000. Twenty -two occupy their own build-
ings, of which five are for railroad men and one
for students. Weekly gatherings for young men
numbered 248, and there are now representatives
or correspondents in 665 communities where no
organization has been effected. Scientific phys-
ical culture is made a feature by 40 associations,
and educational work lias been largely developed.
The enrollment in evening classes, during 1898-99,
was 978. The building of the Chicago branch
(erected in 1898) is the finest of its class in the
world. Recently a successful association has
been formed among coal miners, and another
among the first grade boys of the Illinois .State
Reformatory, while an extensive work has been
conducted at the camps of the Illinois National
Guard.
ZAXE, Charles S., lawyer and jurist, was born
in Cumberland County, N. J., March 2, 1831, of
English and New England stock. At the age of
19 he emigrated to Sangamon County, 111., for a
time working on a farm and at brick-making.
From 1852 to '55 he attended McKendree College,
but did not graduate, and, on leaving college,
engaged in teaching, at the same time reading
law. In 1857 he was admitted to the bar and
commenced practice at Springfield. The follow-
ing year he was elected City Attorney. He had
for partners, at different times, William H.
Herndon (once a partner of Abraham Lincoln)
and Senator Shelby M. Cullom. In 1873 he was
elected a Judge of the Circuit Court for the Fifth
Judicial Circuit, and was re-elected in 1879. In
1883 President Arthur appointed him Chief Jus-
tice of LTtah, where he has since resided, though
superseded by the appointment of a succe.ssor by
President Cleveland. At the first State elec-
tion in Utali, held in November, 1895, he was
chosen one of the Judges of the Supreme Court
of the new Commonwealth, but was defeated
for re-election, by his Democratic opponent, in
1898.
SCENES IN SOUTH I'AHK.
WORLD'S FAIR BUILDINGS.
The Peristyle. Atlmiuistration Building. German Building.
The Fisheries.
SUPPLEMENT.
The following matter, received too late for insertion In the body of this work. Is added In the form of a supplement
COGHLAN, (Capt.) Joseph Bullock, naval
officer, was born in Kentucky, and, at tlie age of
15 years, came to Illinois, living on a farm for a
time near Carlyle, in Clinton Coimty. In 1860 he
was appointed by his uncle, Hon. Philip B.
Fouke — then a Representative in Congress from
the Belleville District — to the Naval Academy at
Annapolis, graduating in 1863, and being pro-
moted through the successive grades of Ensign,
Master, Lieutenant, Lieutenant-Commander, and
Commander, and serving upon various vessels
until Nov. 18, 1898, when he was commissioned
Captain and, in 1897, assigned to the command
of the battleship Raleigh, on the Asiatic Station.
He was thus connected with Admiral Dewey's
squadron at the beginning of the Spanish-Ameri-
can War, and took a conspicuous and brilliant part
in the affair in Manila Bay, on May 1, 1898, %vhich
resulted in the destruction of the Spanish fleet
Captain Coghlan's connection with subsequent
events in the Philippines was in the highest
degree creditable to liimself and the country.
His vessel (the Raleigh) was the first of Admiral
Dewey's squadron to return home, coming by
way of the Suez Canal, in the summer of 1899, he
and his crew receiving an immense ovation on
their arrival in New York harbor.
CRANE, (Rev.) James Lyons, clergyman,
army chaplain, was born at Mt. Eaton, Wayne
County, Ohio, August 30, 1833, united with the
Methodist Episcopal Church at Cincinnati in
1841, and, coming to Edgar County, Illinois, in
1843, attended a seminary at Paris some three
years. He joined the Illinois Conference in 1846,
and was assigned to the Danville circuit, after-
wards presiding over charges at Grandview, Hills-
boro, Alton, Jacksonville, and Springfield— at the
last two points being stationed two or more
times, besides serving as Presiding Elder of the
Paris, Danville, and Springfield Districts. The
importance of the stations which he filled during
his itinerant career .served as evidence of his
recognized ability and popularity as a preacher.
In July, 1861, he was appointed Chaplain of tbe
Twenty-first Regiment Illinois Volimteers, at
that time commanded by Ulysses S. Grant as
Colonel, and, although he remained with the
regiment only a few months, the friendship then
established between him and the future com-
mander of the armies of the Union lasted through
their lives. This was shown by his appointment
by President Grant, in 1869, to the position of
Postmaster of the city of Springfield, which came
to him as a personal compliment, being re
appointed four years afterwards and continuing
in office eight years. After retiring from tho
Springfield postoffice, he occupied charges at
Island Grove and Shelby ville, his death occurring -
at the latter place, July 29, 1879, as the result of
an attack of paralysis some two weeks previous.
Mr. Crane was married in 1847 to Miss Elizabeth
Mayo, daughter of Col. J. Mayo — a prominent
citizen of Edgar County, at an early day— his
wife surviving him some twenty years. Rev.
Charles A. Crane and Rev. Frank Crane, pastors
of prominent Methodist churches in Boston and
Chicago, are sons of the subject of this sketch.
DAWES, Charles Gates, Comptroller of the
Treasury, was born at Marietta, Ohio, August 37,
1865; graduated from Marietta College in 1884,
and from the Cincinnati Law School in 1886;
worked at civil engineering during his vacations,
finally becoming Chief Engineer of the Toledo &
Ohio Railroad. Between 1887 and 1894 he was
engaged in the practice of law at Lincohi, Neb.,
but afterwards became interested in the gas busi-
ness in various cities, including Evanston, IlL,
which became his home. In 1896 he took a lead-
ing part in securing instructions by the Republi-
can State Convention at Springfield in favor of
tlie noniination of Mr. McKinley for tlie Presi-
dency, and during the succeeding campaign
served as a member of the National Republican
Committee for the State of Illinois. Soon after
the accession of President JIcKinley, he was
appointed Comptroller of the Treasury, a position
605
606
HISTORICAL ENCYCLiOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
which he now holds. Mr. Dawes is tlie son of
R. B. Dawes, a former Congressman from Oliio,
and the great-grandson of JIanasseh Cutler, who
was an inlluential factor in the early history of
the Nortliwest Territory, and lias been credited
with exerting a strong influence in sliaping and
securing the adoption of the Ordinance of 17a7.
DISTIN, (Col.) William L., former Depart-
ment Commander of Grand Army of the Repub-
lic for the State of Illinois, was born at
Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 9, 1843, his father being of
English descent, while his maternal grandfather
was a Colonel of the Polish Lancers in the army
flf the first Napoleon, who, after the exile of his
leader, came to America, settling in Indiana.
The father of the subject of this sketch settled at
Keokuk, Iowa, where the son grew to manhood
and in February, 1863, enlisted as a private in the
Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, having been twice
rejected previously on account of physical ail-
ment. Soon after enlistment he was detailed for
provost-marshal duty, but later took part with
his regiment in the campaign in Alabama. He
served for a time in the Fifteenth Army Corps,
under Gen. John A. Logan, was subsequently
detailed for duty on the Staff of General Raum,
and participated in the battles of Resaca and
Tilton, Ga. Having been captured in the latter,
he was imprisoned successively at Jacksonville
^Ga.), Montgomery, Savannah, and finally at
Andersouville. From the latter he succeeded in
effecting his escape, but was recaptured and
returned to that famous prison-pen. Having
escaped a second time by assuming the name of
a dead man and bribing the guard, he was again
captured and imprisoned at various points in Mis-
sissippi until exchanged about the time of the
assassination of President Lincoln. He was then
so weakened by his long confinement and scanty
fare that he had to be carried on board the
steamer on a stretcher. At this time he narrowly
escaped being on board the steamer Sultana,
which was blown up below Cairo, with 2,100
soldiers on board, a large proportion of whom lost
their lives. After being mustered out at Daven-
port, Iowa, June 28, 1805, he was employed for a
time on the Des Moines Valley Railroad, and as a
messenger and route agent of the United States
Express Company. In 1872 he established liim-
self in business in Quincy, 111., in which he
proved very successful. Here he became prom-
inent in local Grand Army circles, and, in 1890,
was unanimously elected Commander of the
Department of Illinois. Previous to this he had
been an officer of the Illinois National Guard, and
served as Aid-de-Camp, with the rank of
Colonel, on the staff of Governors Hamilton,
Oglesby and Fifer. In 1897 Colonel Distin was
appointed by President McKinley Sui-veyor-Geu-
eral for the Territory of Alaska, a position which
(1899) he still holds.
DUMMEll, Henry E., lawyer, was born at
Hallowell, Maine, April 9, 1808, was educated in
Bowdoin College, graduating there in the class of
1827, after which he took a coirrse in law at Cam-
bridge Law School, and was soon after admitted
to the bar. Then, having spent some two years
in his native State, in 1833 he removed to Illinois,
settling first in Springfield, where he remained six
years, being for a part of the time a partner of
John T. Stuart, who afterwards became the first
partner in law of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Dum-
mer liad a brother, Richard William Dummer,
who had preceded him to Illinois, living for a
time in Jacksonville. In 1838 he removed to
Beardstown, Cass County, wliich continued to be
his home for more than a quarter of a century.
During his residence there he served as Alder-
man, City Attorney and Judge of Probate for
Cass County ; also represented Cass County in the
Constitutional Convention of 1847, and, in 18G0,
was elected State Senator in the Twenty-second
General Assembly, serving four years. Mr.
Dummer was an earnest Republican, and served
that party as a delegate for the State-at-large to
the Convention of 1864, at Baltimore, which
nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency a
second time. In 1864 he removed to Jackson-
ville, and for the next year was the law partner
of David A. Smith, until the death of the latter
in 1865. In the summer of 1878 Mr. Dummer
went to Mackinac, Mich. , in search of health, but
died there August 12 of that year.
ECKELS, James H., ex-Comptroller of the
Currency, was born of Scotch-Irish parentage at
Princeton, 111., Nov. 22, 1858, was educated in
the common schools and tlie high school of his
native town, graduated from the Law School at
Albany, N. Y., in 1881, and the following year
began practice at Ottawa, 111. Here he con-
tinued in active practice imtil 1893, when he was
appointed by President Cleveland Comptroller of
the Currency, serving until May 1, 1898, when he
resigned to accept the presidency of the Com-
mercial National Bank of Chicago. Uv. Eckels
manifested such distinguished ability in the dis-
charge of his duties as Comptroller that he
received the notable compliment of being
retained in office by a Republican administration
more than a year after the retirement of Presi-
i^J> 0l^e.,.-^J^
"''A^us^!
^^fi
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
607
dent Cleveland, while his selection for a place at
the head of one of the leading banking institu-
tions of Chicago was a no less marked recognition
of his abilities as a financier. He was a Delegate
from tlie Eleventh District to the National
Demociatic Convention at Chicago in 1893, and
repiesented the same district in the Gold Demo-
cratic Convention at Indianapolis in 18'J6, and
assisted in framing the platform there adopted —
■which indicated his views on the financial ques-
tions involved in that campaign. Died Apr. 14, 1908.
FIELD, Daniel, early merchant, was born in
Jefferson County, Kentucky, Nov. 30, 1790, and
settled at Golconda, 111., in 1818, dying there in
1855. He was a man of great enterprise, engaged
in merchandising, and became a large land
holder, farmer and stock-grower, and an extensive
shipper of stock and produce to lower Mississippi
markets. He married Elizabeth Dailey of
Charleston, Ind., and raised a large family of
children, one of whom, Philip D., became Sheriff,
while another, John, was County Judge of Pope
County. His daughter, Maria, married Gen.
Green B. Raum, who became prominent as a
soldier during the Civil War and, later, as a mem-
ber of Congress and Commissioner of Internal
Revenue and Pension Commissioner in Wash-
ington.
FIELD, Green B., member of a pioneer family,
was born within the present limits of the State of
Indiana in 1787, served as a Lieutenant in the
War of 1813, was married in Bourbon County,
Kentucky, to Miss Mary E. Cogswell, the
daughter of Dr. Joseph Cogswell, a soldier of the
Revolutionar3' War, and, in 1817, removed to
Pope County, Illinois, where he laid off the town
of Golconda, which became the county -seat. He
served as a Representative from Pope County in
the Fir.st General Assembly (1818-20), and was
the father of Juliet C. Field, who became the
wife of John Raum; of Edna Field, the wife of
Dr. Tarlton Dunn, and of Green B. Field, who
was a Lieutenant in Third Regiment Illinois
Volunteers during the Mexican War. Mr. Field
was the grandfather of Gen. Green B. Raum,
mentioned in the preceding paragrajih. He died
of yellow fever in Louisiana in 1823.
GALE, Stephen Francis, first Chicago book-
seller and a railway promoter, was born at
Exeter, N. H., March 8, 1813; at 15 years of age
became clerk in a leading book-store in Boston;
came to Chicago in 1835, and soon afterwards
opened the first book and stationery establish-
ment in that city, which, in after years, gained
an extensive trade. In 1843 the firm of S. F.
Gale & Co. was organized, but Mr. Gale, having
become head of the Chicago Fire Department,
retired from business in 1845 As early as 1846
he was a.ssociated with W m. B. Ogden and John
B. Turner in the steps tlien being taken to revive
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (now a
part of the Chicago & Northwestern), and, in
conjunction with these gentlemen, became
responsible for the means to purchase the charter
and assets of the road from the Eastern bond-
holders. Later, he engaged in the construction
of the branch road from Turner Junc'iion to
Aurora, became President of the line smd ex-
tended it to Mendota to connect with the Illinois
Central at that Point.' These roads afterwards
became a part of the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy line. A number of years ago Mr. Gale
returned to his old home in New Hampshire,
where he has since resided.
HAY, John, early settler, came to the region of
Kaskaskia between 1790 and 1800, and became a
prominent citizen of St. Clair County. He was
selected as a member of the First Legislative
Council of Indiana Territory for St. Clair County
in 1805. In 1809 he was appointed Clerk of the
Common Pleas Court of St. Clair County, and
was continued in office after the organization of
the State Government, serving until his death at
Belleville in 1845.
HAYS, John, pioneer settler of Northwest Ter-
ritory, was a native of New York, who came to
Cahokia, in the "Illinois Country," in 1793, and
lived there the remainder of his life. His early
life had been spent in the fur-trade about Macki-
nac, in the Lake of the Woods region and about
the sources of the Jlississippi. During the War
of 1813 he was able to fm-uish Governor Edwards
valuable information in reference to the Indians
in the Northwest. He filled the office of Post-
master at Cahokia for a number of years, and was
Sheriff of St. Clair County from 1798 to 1818.
MOULTON, (Col.) Georgo M., soldier and
building contractor, was born at Readsbiug, Vt.,
March 15, 1.S51, came early in life to Chicago, and
was educated in the schools of that city. By pro-
fession he is a contractor and builder, the firm of
which he is a member having been connected
with the construction of a number of large build-
ings, including some e.xtensive grain elevators.
Colonel Moulton became a member of the Second
Regiment Illinois National Guard in June, 1884,
being elected to the office of Major, which he
retained until January, 1893, when lie was
apiioiuted Inspector of Rifle Practice on the .staff
of General Wheeler. A year later he was con»
608
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
missioned Colonel of the regiment, a position
which he occupied at tlie time of the call by the
President for troops to serve in the Spanish-
American War in April, 1898. He promptly
answered the call, and was sworn into the United
States service at the head of his regiment early
in May. The regiment was almost immediately
ordered to Jacksonville, Fla., remaining there
and at Savannah, Ga., until early in December,
when it was transferred to Havana, Cuba. Here
he was soon after appointed Chief of Police for
the city of Havana, remaining in office until the
middle of January, 1899, when he returned to his
regiment, then stationed at Camp Columbia, near
the city of Havana. In the latter part of March
he returned with his regiment to Augusta, Ga.,
where it was mustered out, April 26, 1899, one
year from the date of its arrival at Springfield.
After leaving the service Colonel Moulton
resumed his business as a contractor.
SHERMAN, Lawrence ¥., legislator and
Speaker of the Forty-lirst General Assembl}-, was
born in Miami Count}', Ohio, Nov. 6, 1858 ; at 3
years of age came to Illinois, liis parents settling
at Industry, McDonough County. When he had
reached the age of 10 years he went to Jasper
County, where he grew to manhood, received his
education in the common schools and in the law
department of McKendree College, graduating
from the latter, and, in 1881, located at Macomb,
McDonough County. Here he began his career
by driving a team upon the street in order to
accumulate means enabling him to devote his
entire attention to his chosen profession of law.
He soon took an active interest in jx)litics, was
elected County Judge in 1886, and, at the expira-
tion of his term, formed a partnership with
George D. Tunnicliffe and D. G. Tunnicliffe,
ex-Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1894 he was
a candidate for the Republican nomination for
Representative in the General Assembly, but
withdrew to prevent a split in the party; was
nominated and elected in 1896, and re-elected in
1898, and, at the succeeding session of the
Forty-first General Assembly, was nominated
by the Republican caucus and elected Speaker,
as he was again of the Forty -second in 1901.
VINYARD, Philip, early legislator, was born
in Pennsylvania in 1800, came to Illinois at an
early day, and settled in Pope County, which he
represented in the lower branch of the Thirteenth
and Fourteenth General Assemblies. He married
Miss Matilda McCoy, the daughter of a prominent
Illinois pioneer, and served as Sheriff of Pope
County for a number of years. Died, at Gol-
conda, in 1862,
SUPPLEMENT NO. IT.
BLACK HAWK WAR, THE. The episode
known in history under the name of "The Black
Hawk War," was the most formidable conflict
between the whites and Indians, as well as the
most far-reaching in its results, that ever oc-
curred upon the soil of Illinois. It takes its
name from the Indian Chief, of the Sac tribe.
Black Hawk (Indian name, Makatai Meshekia-
kiak, meaning "Black Sparrow Hawk"), who
was the leader of the hostile Indian band and a
principal factor in the struggle. Black Hawk
had been an ally of the British during the War
of 1812-15, served with Tecumseh when the lat-
ter fell at the battle of the Tliames in 1813, and,
after the war, continued to maintain friendly re-
lations with his ' British father." The outbreak
in Illinois had its origin in the construction
put upon the treaty negotiated by Gen. William
Henry Harrison with the Sao and Fox Indians
on behalf of the United States Government, No-
vember 3, 1804, under which the Indians trans-
ferred to the Government nearl}- 15,000,000 acres
of laud comprising the region lying between the
Wisconsin River on the north, Fox River of Illi-
nois on the east and southeast, and the Mississippi
on the west, for which the Government agreed to
pay to the confederated tribes less than 52,500 in
goods and the insignificant sum of 81,000 per an-
num in perpetuity. While the validity of the
treaty was denied on the part of the Indians on the
ground that it had originally been entered into by
their chiefs under duress, while held as prisoners
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
609
uuder a charge of murder at Jefferson Barracks,
during ivliicli they had been kept in a state of con-
stant intoxication, it had heen repeatedly reaf-
firmed by parts or all of the tribe, especially in
1815, in 1816, in 18'22 and in 1823, and finally recog-
nized by Black Hawk himself in i831. The part of
the treaty of 1804 which was the immediate cause
of the disagreement was that which stipulated
that, so long as the lauds ceded under it remained
the property of the United States (that is, should
not be transferred to private owners), ' 'the Indians
belonging to the said tribes shall enjoy the priv-
ilege of living or hunting ujwn them." Al-
though these lauds had not been put upon the
market, or even surveyed, as "squatters" multi-
plied in this region little respect was paid to tlie
treaty rights of the Indians, ijarticularly with
reference to those localities where, by reason of
fertility of the soil jir some other natural advan-
tage, the Indians had established something like
permanent homes and introduced a sort of crude
cultivation. This was especially the case with
reference to the Sac village of "Saukenuk" on
the north bank of Rock River near its mouth,
where the Indians, when not absent on the chase,
had lived for over a century, had cultivated
fields of corn and vegetables and had buried their
dead. In the early part of the last century, it is
estimated that some five hundred families had
been accustomed to congregate here, making it
the largest Indian village in the West. As early
as 1823 the encroachments of squatters on the
rights claimed by the Indians under the treaty
of 1801 began ; their fields were taken possession
of by the intruders, their lodges burned and their
-women and children whipped and driven away
during the absence of the men on their annual
hunts. The dangers resulting from these con-
fiicts led Governor Edvi-ards, as early as 1828, to
demand of the General Government the expul-
sion of the Indians from Illinois, which resulted
in an order from President Jackson in 1829 for
their removal west of the Mississippi. On appli-
cation of Col. George Davenport, a trader of
much influence with the Indians, the time was
extended to April 1, 1830. During the preceding
year Colonel Davenport and the firm of Davenport
and Farnham bought from the United States Gov-
ernment most of the lands on Rock River occupied
by Black Hawk's band, with the intention, as has
been claimed, of permitting the Indians to remain.
This was not so understood by Black Hawk, who
was greatly incensed, although Davenport olTored
to take other lands from the Government in ex-
change or cancel the sale — an arrangement to
which President Jackson would not consent. On
their return in the spring of 1830. the Indiana
found whites in possession of their village. Pre-
vented from cultivating their fields, and their
annual hunt proving unsuccessful the following
winter proved for them one of great hardship.
Black Hawk, having made a visit to his " British
father" (the British Agent) at Maiden, Canada,
claimed to have received words of sympathy and
encouragement, which induced him to determ.ine
to regain possession of their fields. In this he
was encouraged by Neapope, his second in com-
mand, and by assurance of support from White
Cloud, a half Sac and half Winnebago — known
also as " The Prophet " — whose village (Prophet's
Town) was some fort}' miles from the mouth
of Rock River, and through whom Black Hawk
claimed to have leceived promises ot aid in gunS;
ammunition and provisions fi"om the British.
The reappearance of Black Hawk's band in the
vicinity of his old haunts, in the spring of 1831,
produced a wild panic among the frontier settlers.
Messages were hurried to Governor Reynolds,
who had succeeded Governor Edwards in De-
cember previous, appealing for protection against
the savages. The Governor is.sued a call for TOO
volunteers " to remove the band of Sac Indians "
at Rock Island beyond the Mississippi. Al-
though Gen. E. P. Gaines of the regular army,
commanding the military district, thought tlie
regulars sufficiently strong to cope with the situa-
tion, the Governor's proclamation was respondea
to by more than twice the number called for
The volunteers assembled early in June, 1831, at
Beardstown, the place of rendezvous named in
the call, and having been organized into two regi-
ments under command of Col. James D. Henr} and
Col. Daniel Lleb, with a spy battalion under Gen.
Joseph Duncan, marched across the country and,
after effecting a junction with General Gaines'
regulars, appeared before Black Hawk's village on
the 2.")th of June. In the meantime General
Gaines, having learnel that the Pottawatomies,
Winnebagos and Kickapoas had promised to join
the Sacs in their uprising, asked the assistance of
the battalion of mounted mtn previously offered
by Governor Reynolds. The combined armies
amounted to 2,500 men, while the fighting force
of the Indians was 800. Finding himself over-
whelmingly outnumbered. Black Hawk withdrew
under cover of night to the west side of the Missis-
sippi After burning the village, (ieneraUiaines
notified Black Hawk of his intention to pursue
and attack his band, which had the effect to
bring the fugitive chief to the General's head-
CIO
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
quarters, where, on June 30, a new treaty was
entered into by which he bound himself and his
people to remain west of the Mississippi imless
permitted to return by the United States. This
ended the campaign, and the volunteers returned
to their homes, although tlie affair had produced
an intense excitement along the whole frontier,
and involved a heavy expense.
The next winter was spent by Black Hawk and
his band on the site of old Fort Madison, in the
present State of Iowa. Dissatisfied and humil-
iated by his repulse of the previous year, in disre-
gard of his pledge to General Gaines, on April 6,
1833, at the head of 500 warriors and their fam-
ilies, he again crossed the Mississiijpi at Yel-
low Banks about the site of the present city of
Oquawka, fifty miles below Rock Island, with the
intention, as claimed, if not permitted to stop at
his old village, to proceed to the Prophet's Town
and raise a crop with the Winnebagoes. Here he
was met by The Prophet with renewed assurances
of aid from the Winnebagoes, which was still
further strengthened by promises from the Brit-
ish Agent received through a visit by Neapo]3e to
Maiden the previous autunm. An incident of this
invasion was the effective warning given to the
white settlers by Shabona. a friendly Ottawa
chief, which probably had the effect to prevent
a widespread massacre. Besides the towns of
Galena and Chicago, the settlements in Illinois
north of Fort Clark (Peoria) were limited to some
thirty families on Bureau Creek with a few
cabins at Hennepin, Peru, LaSalle, Ottawa, In-
dian Creek, Dixon, Kellogg's Grove, Apple Creek,
and a few other points. Gen. Henr}' Atkinson,
commanding the regulars at Fort Armstrong
(Rock Island), having learned of the arrival of
Black Hawk a week after he crossed the Missis-
sippi, at once took steps to notify Governor Rey-
nolds of the situation with a requisition for an
adequate force of militia to cooperate with the
regulars. Under date of April 16, 1832, the Gov-
ernor issued his call for "a strong detachment of
militia " to meet by April 22, Beardstown again
being named as a place of rendezvous. The call
resulted in the assembling of a force which was
organized into four regiments under command of
Cols John Da Witt, Jacob Fry, John Thomas and
Samuel M. Thompson, together with a spy bat-
talion under Maj. James D. Henry, an odd bat-
talion under Maj. Thomas James and a foot
battalion under Maj. Thomas Long. To these were
subsequently added two independent battalions
of mounted men. under command of Majors
Isaiah Stillmau and David Baile}-, which were
finally consolidated as the Fifth Regiment undei
command of Col. James Johnson. The organiza
tion of the first four regiments at Beardstown
was completed by April 27, and the force under
command of Brigadier-General Whiteside (but
accompanied by Governor Reynolds, who was
allowed pay as Major General by the GeneraV
Government) began its march to Fort Armstrong,
arriving there May 7 and being mustered into the
United States service. Among others accompany-
ing the expedition who were then, or afterwards
became, noted citizens of the State, were Vital
Jarrot, Adjutant-General; Cyrus Edwards, Ord-
nance Ofliicer; Murray McConnel, Staff Officer,
and Abraham Lincoln, Captain of a company of
volunteers from Sangamon County in the Fourth
Regiment. Col. Zachary Taylor, then commander
of a regiment of regulars, arrived at Fort Arm-
strong about the same time with reinforcements
from Fort Leavenworth and Fort Crawford. The
total force of militia amounted to 1,935 men, and
of regulars about 1,000. An interesting storj- is
told concerning a speech delivered to the volun-
teers by Colonel Taylor about this time. After
reuiinding them of their duty to obey an order
promptly, the future hero of the Mexican War
added: "The safety of all depends upon the obe-
dience and courage of all. You are citizen sol-
diers; some of you may fill high offices, or even be
Presidents some day — but not if you refuse to do
j'our dut3^ Forward, march!" A curious com-
mentary upon this speech is furnished in the fact
that, while Taylor himself afterwards became
President, at least one of his hearers — a volunteer
who probably then had no aspiration to that dis-
tinction (Abraham Lincoln) — reached the same
position during the most dramatic period in the
nation's history.
Two days after the arrival at Fort Armstrong,
the advance up Rock River began, the main force
of the volunteers proceeding by land under Gen-
eral Whiteside, while General Atkinson, with
400 regular and 300 volunteer foot soldiers, pro-
ceeded by boat, carrying with him the artillery,
provisions and bulk of the baggage. Whiteside,
advancing by the east bank of the river, was the
first to arrive at the Prophet's Town, which,
finding deserted, he pushed on to Dixon's Ferry
(now Di.'con), where he arrived May 13. Here he
found the independent battalions of Stillman and
Bailey with ammunition and supplies of which
Whiteside stood in need. The mounted battalions
under command of Major Stillman, having been
sent forward by Whiteside as a scouting party,
left Dixon on the 13th and. on the afternoon of
>-«-^ <yK-^^^^ ckJL^'^^^^^^^*—^
Maky
T+t-
ATtO»
HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
611
the next day, went into camp in a strong position
near the mouth of Sycamore Creek. As soon dis-
covered, Black Hawk was in camp at the same
time, as he afterwards claimed, with about forty
of his braves, on Sycamore Creek, three miles
distant, while the greater part of his band were en-
camped with the more war-like faction of the Pot-
tawatomies some seven miles farther north on the
Kishwaukee River. As claimed by Black Hawk
in his autobiography, having been disappointed in
his expectation of forming an alliance with the
Winnebagoes and the Pottawatomies, he had at
this juncture determined to return to the west
side of the Mississippi. Hearing of the arrival of
Stillmau's command in the vicinity, and taking
it for granted that this was the whole of Atkin-
son's command, he sent out three of his j'oung
men with a white flag, to arrange a parlej' and
convey to Atkinson his offer to meet the latter in
council. These were captured by some of Still-
man's band regardless of their flag of truce, while
a Jiarty of five other braves who followed to ob-
serve the treatment received by the flagbearers,
were attacked and two of their number killed, the
tlie other three escaping to their camp. Black
Hawk learning the fate of his truce party was
aroused to the fiercest indignation. Tearing the
flag to pieces with wliich he had intended to go
into council with the whites, and appealing to his
followers to avenge the murder of their comrades,
he preiiared for the attack. The rangers num-.
bered 275 men, while Black Hawk's band has Been
estimated at less than forty. As the rangers "
caught sight of the Indians, they rushed forward
in pell-mell fashion. Retiring behind a fringe
of bushes, the Indians awaited the attack. As
the rangers approached, Black Hawk and his
party I'ose up with a war whoop, at the same time
opening fire on their assailants. The further
liistory of the affair was as much of a disgrace to
Stillman's command as had been their desecra-
tion of the flag of truce. Thrown into panic b5'
their reception by Black Hawk's little band, the
rangers turned and, without firing a shot, began
the retreat, dashing through their own camp and
abandoning everything, which fell into the hands
of the Indians. An attempt was made by one or
two officers and a few of their men to check the
retreat, but witliout success, the bulk of the fu-
gitives continuing their mad rush for safety
through the night until they reached Dixon,
twenty-five miles distant, while many never
stopped until they reached their homes, forty
or fifty miles distant. The casualties to the
rangers amounted to eleven killed and two
wounded, while the Indian loss consisted of two
spies and one of the fiag-bearers, treacherously
killed near Stillman's camp, ihis ill-starred af-
fair, which has passed into history as "Stillman's
defeat," produced a general panic along the fron-
tier by inducing an exaggerated estimate of the
strength of the Indian force, while it led Black
Hawk to form a poor opinion of the courage cf
the white troops at the same time that it led to
an exalted estimate of the prowess of his own
little band — thus becoming an important factor
in prolonging the war and in the bloody ma.ssacres
which followed. Whiteside, with his force of
1,400 men, advanced to tlie scene of the defeat
the next day and buried the dead, while on the
19th, Atkinson, with his force of regulars, pro-
ceeded up Rock River, leaving the remnant of
Stillman's force to guard the wounded and sup-
plies at Di.xon. No sooner had he left than the
demoralized fugitives of a few days before de-
serted their post for their homes, compelling At-
kinson to return for the protection of his base of
supplies, while Whiteside was ordered to follow
the trail of Black Hawk who had started up the
Kishwaukee for the swamps about Lake Kosh-
konong, nearly west of Milwaukee within the
present State of Wisconsin.
At this point the really acti\'e stage of the
campaign be,gan. Black Hawk, leaving the
women and children of his band in the fastnesses
of the swamps, divided his followers into two
bands, retaining about 200 under his own com-
mand, while the notorious half-breed, Mike Girty,
led aband of one hundred renegadePottawatomies.
Returning to the vicinity of Rock Lsland, he
gathered some recruits from the Pottawatomies
and Winnebagoes, and the work of rapine and
massacre among the frontier .settlers began. One
of the most notable of these was the Indian
Creek Massacre in LaSalle County, about twelve
miles north of Ottawa, on May 21, when sixteen
persons were killed at the Home of William
Davis, and two young girls — Sylvia and Rachel
Hall, aged, respectively, 17 and 1.5 years — were
carried away captives. The girls were subse-
quently released, having been ran.somed for $2,000
in horses and trinkets through a Winnebago
Chief and surrendered to .sub-agent Henry
Gratiot. Great as was the emergency at this
juncture, the volunteers began to manifest evi-
dence of dissatisfaction and, claiming that they
had served out their term of enlistment, refused
to follow the Indians into the swamps of Wis
consin. As the result of a council of war, the
voluiiieers were ordered to Ottawa, where they
G12
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
were mustered out on May 28, In- Lieut. Robt.
Aiulerson, afterwards General Anderson of Fort
Sumter fame. Meanwhile Governor Reynolds had
issued his call (with that of 1831 the third,) for
2,000 men to serve during the war. Gen.
Winfield Scott was also ordered from the East
■with 1,000 regulars although, owing to cholera
breaking out among the troops, they did not
arrive in time to take part in the campaign. The
rank and file of volunteers responding under the
new call was 3,148, with recruits and regulars
then in Illinois making an army of 4,000. Pend-
ing the arrival of the troops under the new call,
and to meet an immediate emergency, 300 men
were enlisted from the disbanded rangers for a
period of twenty days, and organized into a
regiment under command of Col. Jacob Frj-,
with James D. Henry as Lieutenant Colonel and
John Tliomas as JIajor. Amon.g tho.se who en-
listed as privates in this regiment were Brig.-
Gen. Whiteside and Capt. Abraham Lincoln. A
regiment of five companies, numbering 195 men,
from Putnam County under command of Col.
John Strawn, and another of eight companies
from Vermilion County under Col. Isaac R.
Moore, were organized and assigned to guard
duty for a period of twenty days.
The new vokmteers were rendezvoused at Fort
Wilbourn, nearly opposite Peru, June 15, and
organized into three brigades, each consisting of
three regiments and a spy battalion. The First
Brigade (915 strong) was placed under command
of Brig. -Gen. Alexander Posey, the Second
under Gen. Milton K. Alexander, and the third
under Gen. James D. Henry. Others who served
as officers in some of these several organizations,
and afterwards became prominent in State his-
tory, were Lieut. -Col. Gurdon S. Hubbard of the
Vermilion Count}' regiment; John A. McClern-
and, on the staff of General Posey ; Maj. John
Dement; then State Treasurer ; StinsonH. Ander-
son, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor; Lieut. -
Gov. Zadoc Casey; Maj., William McHenry;
Sidney Breese (afterwards Judge of the State
Supreme Court and United States Senator) ; W.
L. D. Ewing (as Major of a spy battalion, after-
wards United States Senator and State Auditor) ;
Alexander W. Jenkins (afterwards Lieutenant-
Governor) ; James W. Semple (afterwards United
States Senator) ; and William Weatherford (after-
wards a Colonel in the Mexican War), and many
more. Of the Illinois troops, Posey's brigade
was assigned to the duty of dispersing the Indians
between Galena and Rock River, Alexander's sent
to intercept Black Hawk uji the Rock River,
while Henry's remained with Gen. Atkinson at
Dixon. During the next two weeks engage-
ments of a more or le.ss serious charaetei were
had on the Pecatonica on the southern border of
the present State of Wisconsin; at Apple River
Fort fourteen miles east of Galena, which was
successfully defended against a force under Black
Hawk himself, and at Kellogg's Grove the next
day (June 25), when the same band ambushed
Maj. Dement's spy battalion, and came near in-
flicting a defeat, which was prevented by
Dement's coolness and the timely arrival of re-
inforcements. In the latter engagement the
whites lost five killed besides 47 horses which had
been tetliered outside their lines, the loss of the
Indians being sixteen killed. Skirmishes also
occurred with varying results, at Plum River
Fort, Burr Oak Grove, Sinsiniwa and Blue
Mounds — the last two within the present State of
Wisconsin.
Believing the bulk of the Indians to be camped
in the vicinity of Lake Koshkonong, General
Atkinson left Dixon June 27 with a combined
force of regulars and volunteers numbering 2,600
men — the volunteers being under the command
of General Henr}'. They reached the outlet of the
Lake July 2, but found no Indians, being joined
two days later by General Alexander's brigade, and
on the Cth by Gen. Posey's. From here the com-
mands of Generals Henry and Alexander were
sent for supplies to Fort Winnebago, at the Port-
age of the Wisconsin ; Colonel Ewing, with the
Second Regiment of Posey's brigade descending
Rock River to Dixon, Posey with the remainder,
going to Fort Hamilton for the protection of
settlers in the lead-mining region, while Atkin-
son, advancing with the regulars up Lake Koshko-
nong, began the erection of temporary fortifica-
tions on Bark River near the site of the present
village of Fort Atkinson. At Fort Winnebago
Alexander and Henry obtained evidence of the
actual location of Black Hawk's camp through
Pierre Poquette, a half-breed scout and trader
in the employ of the American Fur Company,
whom they employed with a number of Winne-
bagos to act as guides. From this point Alex-
ander's command returned to General Atkinson's
headquarters, carrying with them twelve day's
provisions for the main army, while General
Henry's (600 strong), with Major Dodge's battalion
numbering 150, with an equal quantity of supplies
for themselves, started under the guidance of
Poquette and his Winnebago aids to find Black
Hawk's camp. Arriving on the 18th at the
Winnebago village on Rock River where Black
HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
613
Hawk and his band liad been located, their camp
was found deserted, the Winnebagos insisting
tiiat they had gone to Cranberry ( now Horicon)
Lake, a lialf-day's raarcli up the river. Messen-
gers were immediately dispatched to Atkinson's
headquarters, thirty-five miles distant, to ap-
prise him of this fact. When they liad proceeded
about half the distance, they struck a broad,
fresh trail, which proved to be tliat of Black
Hawk's band headed westward toward tlie iV'Iis-
sissippi. The guide having deserted them in
order to warn his tribesmen that further dis-
sembling to deceive the whites as to
the whereabouts of the Sacs was use-
less, the messengers were compelled to follow
him to General Henry's camp. The discovery pro-
duced the wildest enthusiasm among the volun-
teers, and from this time-events followed in rapiil
succession. Leaving as far as possible all incum-
brances behind, tlie pursuit of the fu^iiives was
begun without delay, the troops wading tlirougli
swamps sometimes in water to their armpits.
Soon evidence of the character of the flight the
Indians were making, in the shape of exhausted
horses, blankets, and camji equipage cast aside
along the trail, began to appear, and straggling
bands of Winnebagos, vvlio had now begun to
desert Black Hawk, gave information that tlie
Indians were only a few miles in advance. On
the evening of the 20tli of July Henry's forces
encamped at "The Four Lakes," the present
site of the city of Sladison, Wis. , Black Hawk's
force lying in ambush the same night seven or
eight miles distant. During the next afternoon
the rear-guard of the Indians under Neapope was
overtaken and skirmishing continued until the
bluffs of the Wisconsin were reached. Black
Hawk's avowed object was to protect tlie passage
of the main body of his people across the stream.
The loss of the Indians in these skirmishes has
been estimated at 40 to G8, while Black Hawk
claimed that it vvas only six killed, the loss of
the whites being one killed and eight wounded.
During the night Black Hawk succeeded in
placing a considerable number of the women and
chililren and old men on a raft and in canoes
obtained from the Winnebagos, and sent them
down the river, believing that, as non-combat-
ants, they would be permitted by the regulars
to pass Fort Crawford, at the mouth of the Wis-
consin, undisturbed. In this he was nu.staken.
A force sent from the fort under Colonel Kitner to
intercept them, fireil merciles.sly u]ion the help-
less fugitives, killing fifteen of their number,
while about fifty were drowned and thirty-two
women and children made prisoners. The re-
mainder, escaping into the woods, with few ex-
ceptions died from starvation and exposure, or
were massacred by tlieir enemies, the Meuomi-
nees, acting under white officers. During the
night after the battle of Wisconsin Heights, a
loud, shrill voice of some one speaking in an un-
known tongue was heard in the direction where
Black Hawk's band was supposed to be. This
caused something of a panic in Henry's camp, as
it was supposed to come from some one giving
orders for an attack. It was afterwards learned
that the speaker was Neapope speaking in the
Winnebago language in the hope that he might
be heard by Poquette and the Winnebago guides.
He was describing the helpless condition of his
people, claiming that the war had been forced
upon them, that their women ami children were
starving, and that, if permitted peacefully to re-
cross the Mississippi, they would give no further
trouble. Unfortunately Poquette and the other
guides had left for Fort Winnebago, so that no
one was there to translate Neapope's appeal and
it failed of its object.
General Henry'sforcehavingdiscoveredthat the
Indians Iiad escaped — Black Hawk heading with
the bulk of his warriors towards the Mississippi —
spent the next and day night on the field, but on
the following day (July 23) started to meet General
Atkinson, who had, in the meantime, been noti-
fied of the pursuit. The head of their columns
met at Blue Mounds, the same evening, a com-
plete junction between the regulars and the
volunteers being effected at Helena, a deserted
village on the Wisconsin. Here by using the
logs of the deserted cabins for rafts, the army
cro.ssed the i-iver on the 37th and the '2Xth and the
pursuit of black Hawk's fugitive band was re-
newed. Evidence of their famishing condition
was found in the trees stripped of bark for food^
the carcasses of dead ponies, with hero and there
the dead body of an Indian.
On August 1, Black Hawk's depleted and famish-
ing band reached the Mis.sissippi two miles below
the mouth of the Bad Ax, an insignificant
stream, and immediately began trying to cross
the river; but having only two <u- three canoes,
the work was slow. About the middle of the
afternoon the steam transport, "Warrior," ap-
peared on the scene, having on board a score of
regulars and volunteers, returning from a visit
to tlie village of the Sioux Chief, Wabasha, to
notify him that his old enemies, the Sacs, were
headed in that direction. Black Hawk raised the
white Hag in token of surrender but the officer
614
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
in command claiming tliat he feared treacliery or
an ambusli, demanded that Black Hawk should
come on board. Tliis he was unable to do, as he
had no canoe. After waiting a few minutes a
murderous fire of canister and musketry was
opened from the steamer on the few Indians on
shore, who made such feeble resistance as they
were able. The result was the killing of one
white man and twenty-three Indians. After this
exploit tlie "Warrior" proceeded to Prairie du
Chien, twelve or fifteen miles distant, for fuel.
During the night a few more of the Indians
crossed the river, but Black Hawk, .seeing the
hopelessness of further resistance, accompanied
by the Prophet, and taking with him a part}' of
ten warriors and thirty-five squaws and children,
fled in the direction of "the dells" of the Wis-
consin. On the morningof the 2d General Atkin.son
arrived within four or five miles of the Sac
position. Disposing his forces with the regulars
and Colonel Dodge's rangersin the center, the brig-
ades of Posey and Alexander on the right and
Henry's on the left, he began the pursuit, but
was drawn by the Indian decoys up the river
from the place where the main body of the
Indians were trying to cross the stream. This
had the effect of leaving General Henry in the rear
practically without orders, but it became the
means of making liis command the prime factors
in the climax which followed. Some of the spies
attached to Henry's command having accidental-
ly discovered the trail of the main bodj' of the fu-
gitives, he began tlie pursuit without waiting for
orders and soon found himself engaged with some
300 savages, a force nearly equal to liis own. It
was here that the only tiling like a regular battle
occurred. The savages fouglit with the fury of
despair, while Henry's force was no doubt nerved
to greater deeds of courage by the insult which
they conceived had been put upon them by Gen-
eral Atkinson. Atkinson, hearing the battle in
progress and discovering that he was being led
off on a false scent, soon joined Henry's force
with his main army, and the steamer " Warrior,"
arriving from Prairie du Cliien, opened a fire of
canister upon the pent-up Indians. The battle
soon degenerated into a massacre. In the course
of the three hours through which it lasted, it is es-
timated that l.'iO Indians were killed by fire from
the troops, an equal number of both sexes and
all ages drowned while attempting to cross the
river or by being driven into it. while about .'JO
(chiefly women and children) were made prison-
ers. The loss of tlie whites was 20 killed and 13
wounded. When the "battle" was nearing its
close it is said that Black Hawk, having repented
the aljandonment of his people, returned within
sight of the battle-ground, but seeing the slaugh-
ter in progress which he was powerless to avert, he
turned and, with a howl of rage and horror, fie<l
into the forest. About 300 Indians (mostly non-
combatants) succeeded in crossing the river in a
condition of exhaustion from hunger and fatigue,
but tliese were set upon by the Sioux under Chief
Wabasha, through the suggestion and agency of
General Atkinson, and nearlj' one-half their num-
ber exterminated. Of the remainder many died
from wounds and exhaustion, while still others
perished while attempting to reach Keokuk's band
who had refused to join in Black Hawk's desper-
ate venture. Of one thousand who crossed to the
east side of tlie river with Black Hawk in April,
it is estimated that not more than LW survived
the tragic events of the next four months.
General Scott, having arrived at Prairie du Chien
early in August, assumed command and, on
August 1.5, mustered out the volunteers at Dixon,
111. After witnessing the bloody climax at the
Bad Axe of his ill-starred invasion. Black Hawk
fled to the dells of the Wisconsin, where he and
the Pi"opliet surrendered themselves to the Win.
nebagos, by whom they were delivered to the
Indian Agent at Prairie du Chien. Having been
taken to Fort Armstrong on September 21, he
there signed a treaty of peace. Later he was
taken to Jefferson Barracks (near St. Louis) in
the custody of Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant
in the regular army, where he was held a captive
during the following winter. The connection of
Davis with the Black Hawk War, mentioned by
many historians, seems to have been confined to
this act. In April, 1S33, with the Prophet and
Neapope, he was taken to Washington and then
to Fortress Monroe, where they were detained as
prisoners of war until June 4, when they were
released. Black Hawk, after being taken to many
principal cities in order to impress him with the
strength of the American nation, was brought to
Fort Armstrong, and there committed to the
guardian.sliip of his rival, Keokuk, but survived
this humiliation only a few years, dying on a
small reservation set apart for him in Davis
County, Iowa, October 3, 1838.
Such is the story of the Black Hawk War, the
most notable struggle with the aborigines in Illi-
nois history. At its beginning both the State
and national authorities were grossly misled by
an exaggerated estimate of the strength of Black
Hawk's force as to numbers and his plans for
recovering the site of his old village, while
HISTOEICAL EK CYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
615
Black Hawk ha.d conceived a low estimate of the
numbers and courage of liis white enemies, es-
pecially after the Stillman defeat. The cost of
the war to the State and nation in money has been
estimated at §3,000,000, and in sacrifice of life
on both sides at not less than 1.200. The loss of
life by the troops in irregular skirmishes, and in
massacres of settlers by the Indians, aggregated
about 250, while an equal number of regulars
perished from a visitation of cholera at tlie
various stations within tlie district atfected by
the war, especially at Detroit, Chicago, Fort
Armstrong and Galena. Yet it is the judgment
of later historians that nearly all this sacrifice of
life and treasure might have been avoided, but
for a series of blunders due to the blind or un-
scrupulous policy of ofiicials or interloping squat-
ters upon lands which the Indians had occupied
under the treaty of 1804. A conspicious blunder —
to call it by no harsher name — was
the violation by Stillman's command of the
rules of civilized warfare in the attack made
upon Black Hawk's messengers, sent under
flag of truce to request a conference to settle
terms under which he might return to the west
side of the Mississippi — an act which resulted in
a humiliating and disgraceful defeat for its
authors and proved the first step in actual war.
Another misfortune was the failure to understand
Neapope's appeal for peace and permission for his
people to pass bej-oud the Mississippi the niglit
after the battle of Wisconsin Heights; and tlie
third and most inexcusable blunder of all, was
the refusal of the officer in command of the
"Warrior " to respect Black Hawk's flag of truce
and request for a conference just before the
bloody massacre which has gone into hi.story
under the name of the '' battle of the Bad Axe."
Either of these events, properly availed of, would
have prevented much of the butchery of that
bloody episode which has left a stain upon the
cage of history, although tliis .statement implies
no disposition to detract from the patriotism and
«;ourage of some of the leading actors upon whom
Wie responsibility was placed of protecting the
frontier settler from outrage and massacre. One
of the features of the war was the bitter jealousy
engendered by the unwise policy pursued by
General Atkinson towards some of tlie volun-
teers — especially the treatment of General James
D. Henry, who, although subjected to rejieated
sliglits and insults, is regarded b}' Governor Ford
and otliers as the real hero of the war. Too
brave a soldier to slnrk any i-e.sponsibility and
too modest to exploit his own deeds, he felt
deeply, the studied purpose of his superior to
ignore him in the conduct of tlie campaign— a
purpose which, as in tlie affair at the Bad Axe,
was defeated by accident or by General Henry's
soldierly sagacity and attention to duty, although
he gave out to the public no utterance of com-
plaint. Broken in health by the hardships and
exposures of the campaign, he went South soon
after the war and died of consumption, unknown
and almost alone, in the city of New Orleans, less
two years later.
Aside from contemporaneous newspaper ac-
counts, monographs, and manuscripts on file
in public liljraries relating to this epoch in State
history, the most comprehensive records of the
Black Hawk War are to be found in the " Life of
Black Hawk," dictated by himself (1834) ; Wake-
field's "History of the War between the United
States and the Sac and Fox Nations" (1834);
Drake's" Life of Black Hawk" (1854); Ford's
"History of Illinois" (1854); Reynolds' " Pio-
neer History of Illinois; and "My Own Times";
Davidson & Stuve's and Moses' Histories of Illi-
nois; Blanchard's " The Northwest and Chicago" ;
Armstrong's "The Sauks and the Black Hawk
War," and Reuben G. Thwaite's "Story of the
Black Hawk War" (1802.)
CHICA(iO HEIGHTS, a village in the southern
part of Cook County, twenty-eight miles south of
the central part of Chicago, on the Chicago &
Eastern Illinois, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern and
the Michigan Central Railroads; is located in an
agricultural region, but has some manufactures
as well as good schools — also has two weekly news-
papers. Pop. (1000), 5,100; (1910), 14,525.
tiRAXITE CITY, in Madi.son County, located
five miles north of St. Louis on the lines of the
Burlington; the Chicago & Alton; Cleveland,
Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis; Chicago, Peoria
& St. Louis (Illinois), and the Wabash Railways.
It is adjacent to the Merchants' Terminal Bridge
across the Missi-ssippi and has considerable manu-
facturing and grain-storage business; has two
new,x|iapors. Pop. (1900), 3,122; (1910), 9,903.
C'K'ERO, a city and township of Cook County,
adjacent to and west of (he city of Chicago, and
lies between Oak Park on the north and Bervvyn on
the south; is a i)opular residence section and has long
r<\sistcd annexation to Chicago. Pop. (1910), 14,557.
FOREST I'AUK (formerly Ilurlcm), a vilUigc
and suliurl) of Chicago, on the line of the C. ct N. W.
K. R., 9 miles west of the terminal station; is a
favorite residence section. Pop. (1910), 6,594.
HAKVEV, a city of Cook County, and an im-
portant manufacturing suburb of the citj' of Chi-
616
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
cago, three miles southwest of the southern city
limits. It is on the line of the Illinois Central
and the Chicago & Grand Trunk Kail\va_ys, and
has extensive manufactures of harvesting, street
and steam railway machinery, gasoline stoves,
enameled ware, etc. ; also has one newspajter and
ample school facilities. Population (1900), 5,395.
IOWA CENTRAL RAILWAY, a railway line
having its principal termini at Peoria, 111., and
Manly Junction, nine miles nortli of Mason City,
Iowa, with several lateral branches making con-
nections with Centerville, Newton, State Center,
Story Cit}-, Algona and Northwood in the latter
State. Tlie total length of line owned, leased
and opei'ated by the Company, officially reported
in 1899, was 508.98 miles, of which 89.76 miles-
including 3.5 miles trackage facilities on the
Peoria & Pekin Union between Iowa Junction
and Peoria — were in Illinois. The Illinois divi-
sion extends from Keithsburg — where it enters
the State at the crossing of the Mississippi — to
Peoria. — (History.) The Iowa Central Railway
Company was originally chartered as the Central
Railroad Company of Iowa and the road com-
pleted in October, 1871. In 1873 it passed into
the hands of a receiver and, on June 4, 1879, was
reorganized under the name of the Central Iowa
Railway Company. In 5Iay, 1883, this company
purchased the Peoria & Farmington Railroad,
which was incorporated into the main line, but
defaulted and passed into the hands of a receiver
December 1, 1886; tlie line was sold under fore-
closure in 1887 and 1888, to the Iowa Central
Railway Company, which had effected a new
organization on the basis of §11,000,000 common
stock, §6,000,000 preferred stock and $1,379,635
temporary debt certificates convertible into pre-
ferred stock, and §7,500,000 first mortgage bonds.
Tlie transaction was completed, tlie receiver dis-
charged and the road turned over to the new
company, 5Iay 15, 1889.— (Fin.\ncial). The total
capitalization of the road in 1899 was §21,337,5.58,
of wliich §14,159,180 was in stock, §6,650,095 in
bonds and §528, 283 in other forms of indebtedness.
The total earnings and income of the line in Illi-
nois for the same j'ear were §532,568, and the ex-
penditures §566,333.
SPARTA, a city of Randoljih County, situated
on the Centralia & Chester and the Mobile &
Ohio Railroads, twenty miles northwest of Ches-
ter and fifty miles southeast of St. Louis. It has
a numlier of manufacturing establishments, in-
cluding plow factories, a woolen mill, a cannery
and creameries; also lias natural gas. The first
settler was James JlcClurken, from South Caro-
lina, who settled here in 1818. He was joined by
James Armour a few years later, who bought
land of McClurken, and togetlier they laid out
a village, which first received the name of Co-
lumbus. About the same time Robert G. Shan-
non, who had been conducting a mercantile busi-
ness in the vicinity, located in the town and
became the first Postmaster. In 1839 the name
of the town was changed to .Sparta. Mr. McClur-
ken, its earliest settler, appears to have been a
man of considerable enterprise, as he is credited
with having built the first cotton gin in this vi-
cinity, besides still later, erecting saw and flour
mills and a woolen mill. Sparta was incorporated
as a village in 1837 and in 1859 as a city. A col-
ony of members of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church (Covenanters or "Seceders'') established
at Eden, a beautiful site aliout a mile from
Sparta, about 1822, cut an important figure in
tlie history of the latter place, as it became tlie
means of attracting here an industrious and
thriving population. At a later period it became
one of the most important stations of the "Under-
ground Railroad" (so called) in Illinois (which
see). The population of Sparta (1890) was 1,979;
(1900), 2,041; (1910), 3,081.
WEST FRANKFORT, a city of Franklin County,
on the line of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Rail-
road; is a rich coal mining region and has some
manufactures. Pop. (1910), 2,111.
WITT, a city of Montgomery County on the " Big
Four" and C. & E. I. R. R., 10 miles northeast of
Hillsboro; in mining district. Pop. (1910), 2,170.
WEST HAMMOND, a village situated in the
northeast corner of Thornton Township, Cook
County, adjacent to Hammond, Ind., from which
it is separated by the Indiana State line. It is on
the Michigan Central Railroad, one mile south of
the Chicago City limits, and lias convenient ac-
cess to several other lines, including the Chicago
& Erie; New York, Chicago & St. Louis, and
Western Indiana Railroads. Like its Indiana
neiglibor, it is a manufacturing center of much
importance, was incorporated as a village in
1892, and has grown rapidly within the last few
years, having a population, according to the cen-
sus of 1900, of 2,93.5.
SANGAMON COUNTY
M O R G A N
**^<
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rT/^
rg^
. A'^
5
History of Sangamon County
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
SANGAMON COUNTY THE TWENTY-FIEST IN ORDER
OF OEGANIZATION — ITS IMPORTANCE RECOGNIZED
BY EARLY EXPLORERS — PRONOUNCED BY GOV.
JOHN REYNOLDS AS "THE MOST BEAUTIFUL
COUNTRY IN THE VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI"
— REV. JOHN M. peck's FORECAST OF SPRING-
FIELD AS THE FUTURE STATE CAPITAL.
(By Paul Selby) ;; .
History consists largely of combined bi<^-
raphy. While biography deals with personal
details, History, in its most comprebnsive form,
deals with the consolidated results of personal
effort combined with si^ecial causes and natural
events.
The twenty-flrst county in order of organiza-
tion of the one huiulred and two now composing
the State of Illinois, Sangamon County, in point
of historical and political importance is second
to no other in the State. Its central location
and the superiority of its soil and other natural
resources gave to this region a prominence
which was widel.v recognized before the date
of Its organization ninety years ago. This Is
illustrated by the statements of explorers,
biographers and historians of that period.
Ferdinand Ernst, a German traveler who
visited this region in ISIO. and whose remiiiis-
<ences are quoted from freely in Chapters lit
and VI, of this volume, had his enthusiasm
aroused by what he called "the beautiful land of
the Sangamon" and after reviewing it, indulged
in the optimistic declaration — "I do not believe
that any one State in all .Vmorica is SO highly
favored by Nature, in every resiject, as the
State of Illinois."
Of no less significance is the statement of
Gov. Reynolds, one of the early pioneers of what
was then called "The Illinois Country." and
most widely acquainted with the State, as a
whole, during a later i^eriod. In "My Own
Times," referring to the period (about 1S22-24),
when many new counties were being organized,
Gov. Reynolds says :
"About this time Sangamon County became
famous and known all over the West as the
mo.st beautiful country in the valley of the
Mississippi. It acquired a great reputation,
as it deserved, for its exceedingly fertile soil
,,..„,*nd- flue'tiiiibep, which last advantage attracted
iS''iiiim]&rOus. respectable and wealthy population
■'■;>Ji<i'iinlveikticft'y wlio settled in it. The first
settlement commenced in 1819. The Indians,
ImVg •befoiie *a >:wlute man saw the Sangamon
';t'uiijitJ\v,iAvei'e'' apprised of its fertility and rich
products. In the Pottawatomie language,
Sangamon means 'the where there is plenty
to eat." According to our parlance, it would be
termed 'the laud of milli and honey.'" (Rey-
nold's "My Oicn Times," p. 151.)
According to Reynolds, the Indian name by
which the Sangamon was known in 1812, was
"Sain-quee-nKm." and there were tlien said to
be "Kee-ka-i)oo" villages on its branches. Sur
rounded for a time by different Indian tribes,
not always friendly with each other, but to
wliom this region was accessible, it seems to
have Ijecn a sort of neutral ground, which these
tribes entered at different i)eriods for hunting
|uir|Kises and wliere they established temporary
SfttlcnioMts.
Lewis C. Beck, autlior of "Beck's Gazetteer
of Illinois and .Missouri." published in 182.'?. re-
ferring to Sangamon County, which had been
organized two years previous, and where the
first permanent settlement had been made only
fiinr years earlier, says :
G17
618
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
"The County of Saiigamoii, siii(;e its first
settlement, lias been justly esteemed the most
desirable tract in the State, and it consequently
has been settled with a rapidity heretofore
unequaled. Previous to 1819. not a white in-
habitant was to be found on the waters of the
Sangamon; at present (1823) the population
amounts to near 5,000, while not a single acre
of land has yet been brought Into market. The
Sangamon River, which has a northeasterly
course (toAvard its head waters) through the
southern part of this county (as it then existed),
may at a trilling expense be made navigable
for nearly 2W miles ; it is now obstructed by
timber. This stream passes through a tract of
country which is unexcelled in fertility."
This dream of the Sangamon as a navigable
water-way was exijerimented upon in 18.32 — as
will be described in another chapter — but proved
a failure. This, however, did not check the
development of a more ample system of trans-
portation in the county, as shown by the exis-
tence at the present time of eight different
lines of railroad penetrating its territory.
At the time mentioned in "Beck's Gazetteer,"
Sangamon County, besides its present dimen-
sions, included all the teiTitory now embraced
within the present counties of Cass, Menard,
Mason. Logan and Tazewell. v\-ith portions of
Woodford, Marshall, Putnam, a strip from
the \A'e.s.tern iMrt of McLean, a small
section of the western part of Maeou
and more than half of Christian County — its
eastern border extending north along the Third
Principal Meridian to the Illinois River at what
is now the western border of La Salle County,
and its area embracing all the territory north
of its present .southern lioundarj- and west of
the Third Principal Meridian to the Illinois
River, except the territory now embraced in
Morgan and Scott Counties — ^the total area
being nearly 4,S00 square miles. By subsequent
changes at different periods up to 18.39, when
Logan. Menard and Dane (now Christian)
Counties were organized. Sangamon County was
reduced to its present dimension of 87.5 square
miles.
lu connection with this period tlie following
reference in Rev. John M. Peck's "Gazetteer of
Illinois" (1834) to the village of Springfield,
and foreshadowing its future develoiiment. will
be of interest : "Situated not far from the
geograi)hical center of the State, and surrounded
by one of the richest tracts of country in the
great western valley, it is thought by some that,
should the seat of government be removed from
Vandalia, it will find a location at this place" — ■
a forecast that was realized in the removal of
the State Capital to Springfield by act of the
Legislature in 1837.
While the development of the natural re-
sources of Sangamon County is a matter- of just
l>ride to its citizens, there is no feature of its
history that will appeal to the interest of a
larger class of citizens of this and other States
than the i-oster of noted names that have been
so intimately interwoven in both State and
national history. For more than seventy years
the political center of the State, Springfield has
been the oflicial home of a larger number of
distinguished citizens identified with public
affairs than any other city of the Middle-West.
Yet the name of Abraham Lincoln, during the
twenty-five years of his career preceding his
entrance upon his duties as Chief Magistrate
of the nation a resident of Springfield, will,
through all time, stand at the head of this list,
not only in his own State but throughout the
Nation.
To this honored list Sangamon County has
contributed its full share In the civic councils
of the State and the Xation, as well as in the
military field, the professions and business en-
terprises ; but as these will he treated more
fully in other chapters and the biographical
department, it is not necessary here to enter into
personal detail. It is hoped that this volume
will preserve, in somewhat adequate form, a
record of past events and personal history that
will be of interest and value to future genera-
tions.
CHAPTER II.
PREHISTORIC ABORIGINES.
PREHISTORIC CONDITIONS — NO RECORD OF DISCOV-
ERY UNTIL THE COMING OF THE WHITE MAN — •
NATURAL PRODUCTS UNIFORM DEMANDS OF THE
HUMAN BEING PREHLSTOBIC TRIBES WHO OCCU-
PIED THE AMERICAN CONTINENT CONDITIONS
I.IXCm.X MONTMICX'l', (lAK KIDC.I'. C I'M ICTKR V, Sl'K INC.IM l-:i.l )
5
"■Si
y.
u
Z
X
H
HISTORY OP SANGAMON COUNTY
619
AND MODES OF LIFE — CHANGES THAT HAN-E BEEN
WROUGHT BY TIME — INDIAN RELICS AND MONU-
MENTS — THEIR RELIGION, LEGENDS AND TRADI-
TIONS — PRESENT DAY CHANGES AND A FORECAST
OF THE FUTURE.
(By Eawaid W. Payne)
"Write a Prehistoric History of Central Illi-
nois" — a Strange request, quite a complimeut,
with, "you are just the one to do it," etc., but
when you realize it uot only requires a very
vivid imagination but probably stronger and
more elastic treatment, have tried to calculate
the value of the compliment.
A geologist can tell you many things that hap-
pened since the great ice-pack melted and left
the hills and fields around us to be smoothed
over by rains and floods, to be covered with
black soil, and still further changed and altered
by the effect of winds, water and vegetation up
to the present time. And a forester can take
a monarch of the woods and tell many things
that happened long before Columbus discovered
America, afterwards buying it from the people
that had held it for thousands of years.
It is one of the peculiar traits of the white
race that no discovery ever took place, or at
least was recorded, until the white man saw fit
to do the discovering. ^^^liIe I do not claim to
be an anthropologist. I have paid some attention
to the subject, but only as a relaxation. Just
as you would turn out from a smooth finished
pike-road into a dark, winding, rough timber
drive — an old abandoned log route, in among
the low boughs, ferns and shi-ubbery — and after
a half hour's pleasure, although scratched and
brushed, you are back on the main road in better
spirits, ready for a fresh start.
The sycamore is a stately tree, tall, erect and
solid to the core, but it is governed by certain
conditions. Unlike the cottonwood, its seed is
not carried far by the wind and its thin bark,
affording no protection from the fire, prevents
it from being a pioneer of the prairies. Its seed
is not carried by the .squirrels or birds, and
rarely by the hoofs of animals, so the stalely
sycamore, as the water is practicall.v the onl.v
carrier of its seed, is forced to live along the
streams, although it enjoys the fresh air ami
sunshine of the prairie as well. And, as the
sycamore is so firml.v held and restrained, just
so the human race is held and reverted, espe-
cially so prior to rapid transit by railroads.
horses and other means. In fact, we are only
a species of lobster, dwelling at the bottom of
a sea of air — knowing little more beyond the
surface of that sea than the real lobster knows
of what lies beyond his domain of sea-water.
Man requires water and food continually, and
he must naturally remain where they are to be
found. We do not wonder at having for break-
fast grapefruit from Florida, broiled salmon
steak from the Columbia River, cakes made
from wheat flour produced in the Saskatchewan
Valley, mixed with corn meal from Illinois, with
\'ermont maple syrup, grapes and nuts from
Cilifoniirt and, possibly a banana from Central
America. Such a meal was never dreamed of
in prehistoric times : perhaps you remember the
\ ery interesting little story and the great reward
the Arab received who sent the large and deli-
cious red and white cherries to the invalid
king, hundreds of miles over the desert, by car-
rier pigeons, each cherry neatly enclosed in a
little silken bag.
On account of these restrictions we have the
"Shore People" that live along the ocean beach ;
they are educated and trained for thousands of
generations to live there, like the sea-gull, and
cannot very well live anywhere else. The enor-
mous shell heaps that these people left are
remarkable. Then we have the "Fish People."
for example ; those that have lived for ages on
the salmon along the Columbia River; they have
lull developed bodies, Init undeveloped and pecu-
liar looking legs, from living in boats and
canoes.
Again, we have the "Plains People." who live
with the buffalo. The buffalo provided them
houses, clothing, thread, tools, implements, and
nearly ovei-j-thing they required; they moved
with the buffalo, eating meat and seldom any-
thing else the year round; in fact, they were
human wolves. Next were the "Northern Woods
People,'' or "Timber Indians;" they lived on
lish, game, nuts, berries, roots and wild vegeta-
tion, but not cultivating the soil on account of
lis poor quality and the short seasons; also they
were required to keep on the move, more or less,
for game and new hunting grounds.
A little further south were the "Wild Rice
People." a very similar people to the "Timber
Indian." with wild rice (that is. wild to us) as
I heir staple food; well advanced and workers
in hammered copper.
Next we have the "Corn Pet>ple." the class
620
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COl'NTY
lliat cultivated tlie ;-uil and did not have to Iseep
ou tlie move iu pursuit of game. They stored up
graiu for winter use, aud were not forced to
undergo, at times, tlie same hardships that the
"Game People" were forced to meet ; they were
:i superior race because their couditious, good
food and permanent location, enabled them to
become so. In fact, through Illinois and South-
ern Indiana the flint-hoe is found everywhere,
more so than in any other part of the western
continent, and wherever you will find the hoe
or its present descendant, the Sattley Plow, you
will find a good class and most invariably a
verj- superior race.
Such were the "Cliff Dwellers" and the Aztecs
of Mexico, who were probably of Chinese origin,
while the northern Indians were ixissibly of that
vast horde that menaced China on the North
for thousands of years — the people that the
Great Wall was built to keep in restraint. Aud,
no doubt, even when the Great Wall was built,
this country had been occupied for a long i>eriod.
^VTiile it is a common belief that our prehistoric
people were Asiatics, yet the ruins In Central
and South America may have been ruins when
the pyramids were new.
You have, no doubt, watched on your lawn a
"tribe" of busy little ants, in Central Africa
you can find a similar ant hill, with a similar
lot of busy little workers. Did our ants come
from Africa, or did the African ants come from
this country? It is simply Impossible to say.
That is about as much as we know of the
"Thumb-animals." who later advanced aud were
dignified by the name of the "Fire People."
In iirehistorie times, when the spear, arrow
and battle-axe were the weapons of the world,
one man was about as good as another. Inter-
course was almost impossible. Might ruled, but
change came, and a rapid one, when brain and
knowledge commenced to rule and spread with
the help of gunpowder and leaden bullets ; and
we are' rapidly nearing the age when the auto-
matic gun and central fire cartridge will be
unnecessary for the further advancement of
what we call civilization.
Our Indians traveled by canoe — the creeks
and streams were their highways. The country
was wet and swampy ; cross country traveling
was difficult and at times imix)ssible, especially
as there were no pack animals, the llama of
Peru being the only domestk-ated animal on the
American continent. It was a veritable Indian
Heaven; the streams were alive with fish, the
woods aud fields with game, the greatest resort
in the world for all kinds of water fowl, grouse,
prairie chicken, wild turkey, quail, and many
other kinds of game. The woods were full of
many kinds of wild fruits, berries, acorns aud
nuts — a paradi.se. In fact, the Indian Heaven
of the Cherokee, the Osage and other tribes
of the Indian nation, rests upon the traditions
.•uid memories of this Central Illinois and part
of Indiana, handed down through many genera-
tions to the present.
The white man little realizes that he is now
living in another man's heaven. When the
"Red Man," or rather the "Red Woman." man-
aged to raise a little patch of corn, and after
tending it with flint hoes and keeping and guard-
ing it with the help of a lot of wolf dogs, from
the wild animals and birds, and the corn was
matured enough for food, the whole tribe held
a corn dance and gave thanks to the great and
good Spirit for all their blessings, and while
many a modern farmer working with improved
machinery and horses, raises more corn than all
the Indians in central Illinois, it is very doubt-
ful if he is as sincere in his "Thanksgiving
Day" as were those simple wibl people, and
though the white man has polluted the streams,
killed the fish and wild game, cut down the nut
bearing trees, and worn out the soil, it is still
one of the most prosperous lands on earth.
The education of these people was strictly a
business one, to swim, run, fight, to use the bow,
spear and battle axe, to trap, hunt and fish, all
to meet the two requirements, protection and
fond, and at times, a little clothing.
There Is hardly a farmer in Central Illinois
who has not plowed np many arrows and spear
points on his farm ; in fact, this entire country
is strewn with them. The.v were not wasted
by the Indian, but were gathered np after a
hunt and re-used. The beveled .saw-tooth point,
the last step of the Stone Age, is very common,
showing, without doubt, that these people were
a somewhat superior class.
All along the creeks and streams in central
Illinois, wherever you find a beautiful location,
especially at the top of the bluff or hill at the
bend, you will find everywhere the low mound,
now probably only two feet In height, although
originally much higher, and probably fifteen
to thirty feet in width, marking the resting
place of a chief or prominent members of the
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
621
uearby vilhigo. as well as the lookout or watclj
tower from wliicli the signal fires at uight sent
out the wireless message of alarm, repeated dur-
iug the (lay by slender columns of smoke reach-
ing towards the sky. the pillar of fire and cloud
that led the Israelites out of the laud of Egyjit
and out of the house of bondage.
Is It not singular and could there possibly be
any connection in the fact that an Indian has
never been made a slave?
Very little remains in these mounds and sci-
ence will gain nothing by any further investi-
gation; perhaps .vou may pick up a beautifully
made and polished tomahawk, surely too light
and small for use. just a little toy, a week's
work at least, possibly for a little four year old
boy : or you may find an exquisitely braided
broken strand of hair, evenly and carefully en-
twined with little copper rings; that is all
except the roots of the wild flowers growing
there and, as you stand on the beautiful siiot.
you wonder who planted the first wild rose.
These aborigines had their trials, hardships
and troubles .lust the same as their followers of
the present day, only they were different as to
impure food, transi>ortation, (for instance, rail-
road crossings), and the diseases caused by im-
pure air and unventilated homes. The little
three-cornered .shari) flint found everywhere,
especially in Gardner and Salisbury Townships,
the tip of a |ioisoned arrow — the arrow that is
used only to kill other human beings — tells its
story. They were quick and deadly in effect
and, in the miderbrush and undergrowth of the
forest, were jireferred in after .years to fire-
arms.
The streams were the boundary lines and
limits of their possessions, whidi were usuall.v
lespected, as it was not safe to go beyond them.
When one crossed the river it meant going into
strange lands ■•uid among strange ])eoiile; death
meant the crossing nt' I he river, and. as at
that time a day"s journey was from ten to
thirty miles, you can readil.y see how much
smaller tlie world is today. Every tribe had its
own dialect (u- language, and at that period the
same conditions prevaileil all over the world:
even in Kngland and Oennnny, it was difficult
for the jieoiile of one village lo understand the
language of those living in another only twent.v-
five miles away of even less.
There is nolliing for ns to learn Ircmi these
people, no supi'rior kunwlcdL-'c in any line that
wovild now be worth anything to us. There
were no pigmies or dwarfs. They knew nothing
i<( metal work excepting hannnered copiier, had
no knowledge of hardening copper; they knew
nothing of cast iron: in fact, it has been im-
[lossible to find where they had even melted lead
before the advent of the white man. Their
blankets, baskets, bead-work, quill-work are
works of art, and some of their carvings on stone
and slate are exquisitely well done. They
tanned leather as well as it is done today.
They had a universal sign language, and or-
ilinary correspondence was carried on by many
tribes b.v sign or picture writing.
1'liere was no distinct or separate race of
nionnd builders. We are all mound builders.
Even after the discovery of granite cutting tools
we cling to mound building — the pyramids are
nnly mounds — public opinion has prevented the
flat grave custom in our cemeteries. Xearl.v
everything remarkable or sensational said or
written about these people is merely "Ileaii
Noise" or "Big Smoke."
Among these peoiile a man did not build his
own monument; there was no monument other
than that his friends built for him. If these
customs existed today, many of us would have
•n hole in the ground as a marker. How many
of us would have a monument, a mound of
earth, that would cost at least .$2.").0OO to build
with modern methods and machinery-? Making
,-i compari.son with the actual labor, the Lincoln
Monument would be a very ordinary headstone
in comparison with some of the mounds along
the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Truly, there
must have been other heroes here ages ago as
there are today, all brought up and raised on
the golden yellow corn, the greatest gift of the
(;reat Spirit to his people. The mounds tell
ns so. and also that these people had a great
lo\e not only for their dead but for the beau-
tiful in nature. The.v had a great respect even
for the graves of their enemies, and would not
disturb them, while the white race, who at least
once ,1 week reverently bow their heads and
repeat that they believe in the resurre<'(ion
of the body, are the only people that cut u|> and
sell their cemeteries into pnlilic building lots,
.VII their work, except stone, has long since
decayed and disappeared. Their bone needles,
tools and Implements of wood, tlieir lieautifully
tanned leather, their woven blankets and
feathercloth are gone. Occasionally shell beads
622
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
and i)earl.s are fouud, but !<o old that they have
lost all their luster and beauty.
Their stone chert, commonly called flint work,
is very artistic and lieautitul, showing art, taste
and talent aside from a great deal of patience
and labor.
At that time the world was made for men. the
males spent their lives in idleness, indolence
and amusement, the females in close restraint
In youth, then a period of license and revelry,
then a life of drudgery and old age, not so very
different from that of today among a class.
Their religion was varied and simple ; .spirits
were everj-where ; signs and omens were com-
mon among them and governed their actions,
just as they did our ancestors at the same
period. Many of them believetl in a Great and
Good Spirit and a happy hunting ground — that
was all. Strange to say, it is the religion that
is even now gradually, but surely, spreading and
taking possession of this country — and that. too.
without a minister, missionary, Bible, prayer,
hymn or discordant clanging bell. They had
many weird so-called legends or traditions
about the creation and other subjects, but noth-
ing any more astonishing or unreasonable than
Jonah and the Whale, to which our "great
thinkers" still cling.
They had their medicine men and they certainly
had various kinds of treatments, but when it is
ei5timated that at the present time O.j per cent
of all Illnesses will get well without a doctor,
that !>7i/. per cent will get well with a doctor,
and that 2\<, to 5 per cent of the patients will
die anyway whether they have a doctor or uot,
one can readily see that the Indian medicine
man had just about an even break with Chris-
tian Science, and that he was not many laps
behind the average physician. In one respect
his charges were very reasonaljle, and there were
not many serious operations.
Many of them refused to believe that God
would send to them a missionary or messenger
direct from lieaven that could not speak their
language, because many of their jieople were in
heaven and. if it were possible that they were
not, they did not care to go there. Were they
ignorant, stupid or right?
But changes are going on now as ever before.
In a comparatively few years our ancestors
will be known merely as a people from Europe
with strange beliefs and superstitions, destruc-
tive and wasteful, ever ready to kill, using
domesticated wild animals, wearing weird head
coverings and heavy and strange looking cloth-
ing ; curing all kinds of disease with pills, pow-
ders and liquids taken into the stomach ; a peo-
ple that knew nothing but lator — that lived in
unventil.-ited houses; and used locks, bars, bolts
and fences; a civilization (?) full of the disso-
lute and criminal class; i)auper.s, feeble-minded
and insane — in fact, a horde of "white devils"
that drove the "i-ed devils" out — and that will
be all.
CHAPTER III.
IXDIAXS I\ SANGAMON COUNTY.
EVIDENCE or OCCUPANCY DISTRIBUTION OF TRIBES
ON ILLINOIS SOIL AT DIFFERENT PERIODS — THE
.SANGAMON COUNTR\' A "HAPPY HUNTING
GROUND" KICKAPOO INDIAN FORT IN MCLEAN
COUNTY CONDITIONS IN THE EARLY PART OF
THE LAST CENTURY — ALEXANDER ROBINSON'S
STORY OF A KICKAPOO VILLAGE ON THE SANGA-
MON — GOV. JOHN REYNOLD'S MARCH THROUGH
THE SANGAMON COUNTRY' IN 1S12 THE OLD IN-
DIAN TRAIL DESCRIBED BY ZIMRI A. ENOS — VISIT
OF FERDINAND ERNST, A GERMAN EXPLORER, IN
1819 — HIS DISCOVERY OF AN INDIAN CAMP ON
SPRING CREEK — INDL\N VILLAGES IN ISLAND
GR0^^3 AND CURRAN TOWNSHIPS — ACQUISITION OF
INDIAN LANDS — THE SANGAMON REGION IN-
CLUDED IN THE PURCHASE AT EDWARDSVILLE IN
181S.
While there is lack of specific information
regarding the date of occupancy and location
of Indian villages in the "Sangamon Country,"
there is abundant evidence that bands belong-
ing to various tribes frequently roamed over
Ibis region, engaged either in warfare or in
lumting on the prairies and in the forests along
the Sangamon and its tributaries. A map show-
ing the distribution of principal tribes on Illi-
nois soil about the time of the coming of the
early French explorers (107.3-82) locates the
Kickapoos in the northwestern part of wliat is
now the State of Illinois; the Illinois tribes
OLD MILLNtw SALEM, MENARD CO: ILL
IWMERE LINCOLN RAN A FLAT BOAT,
LINCOLN'S GROCE.RY.
SALEM. MENARD CO- ILLINO!
RUINS OrSALtM liOTF L
LINCOLN'S BOARDING HOUSL)
SALEn. rENARD CO, ILL
KOR SALE ev -LiNjl^ STftTE PE^lSTCP ■ SPRlNaFlELD.
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
623
(including the Peorias, Kasliusliias. Caholvias,
Tamaroas, and Mitcliigamis) in tlie west be-
tween the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and
on both sides of the Illinois ; the Miamis in the
eastern section with the Pianlsashaws still far-
ther east on both sides of the Wabash ; the
Weas just south of Lake Michigan and the Pot-
tawatomies still farther north along the west-
ern shore of Lake Michigan in both Illinois
and Wisconsin. At that period what is now
Central Illinois was an unexplored region, the
knowledge of the French explorers being limited
to the eountiy along the lakes and the principal
sti'eams — the Mississippi, the Illinois, Wabash
and the Ohio — which furnished them means of
water transportation, the only methods of travel
for long distance then employed by the first
white invaders. Moses' "History -of Illinois"
sa.vs : "The Kickaiwos and Mascoutins. nomi-
nally the same, were found by Allouez, in 1070,
near the mouth of Fox River in Wisconsin.
They subsequently worked their way, in opposi-
tion to the Piankashaws (on the east) and Illi-
rrois (on the west), southward to the river of
the latter name, thence south to the Kankalcee,
and still later, fighting their way to the Ver-
milion, the headwaters of the Okaw, and on to
Sugar Creek, and their principal village at
Mackinaw, McLean County."
Coming down to a later period, and in ac-
cordance with the changes just described, a
map in Moses" "History." showing the location
of tribes in the Illinois Country in 1812— the
period of the last war with Great Britain —
presents them as follows : Kiekaiwns in the
southern central division ; Pottawatoniies to the
north between the Illinois and Mississippi Riv-
ers and on the upper Illinois; Sacs and Foxes
in the northwest and on the upper Mississippi ;
the Winnebagos in the northern part of tlie
State and east of the Sacs and Foxes; the Illi-
nois Tribes in the iiartially settled counties oast
of the Mississii)|ii from the vicinity of Kaskas-
kia northward to the point where the Macoupin
River empties into the Illinois; and the Piank-
ashaws in the southeastern part of the State —
although by that time it is claimed that most of
the Piankasb.-iws liiid removed to the southwest.
The Miamis, who had occupied a considerable
extent of country west of the Piankashaws
and north to Lake Michigan, also had removed
eastward to Indiana and Western Ohio. What
is niiw the Sangamon region, from its location.
may have been a sort of neutral (or "happy
hunting ground"), entered at different times by
representatives of various neighboring tribes.
Yet there are also traditions that there were
some bitter struggles between different Indian
bands, making it a sort of "Dark and Bloody
(iround," of which there is some evidence fur-
nished in the vicinity of "Old Town'' or "Kiek-
aiKJo Indian Fort" in McLean County. As a
rule, however, the early settlers in Sangamon
County seem to have got along i)eacefull,v with
tlieir Indian predecessors.
Dr. Edwin James, the scientist and interpre-
ter who accompanied Col. Stephen H. Long in
his explorations among the Western Indians
about 181!>22. quotes Alexander Robinson —
the I'ottawatomie half-breed chief, for sixty
years after the Fort DearboTu massacre a resi-
dent of Chicago and vicinit.y — as saying in ref-
erence to Indian fortifications in Central Illi-
nois: "He (Robinson) had heard of one made
by the Kickapoo and Fox Indians on the Sanga-
Uioii River, a stream running into the Illinois.
The fortification is distinguished by the name
Et-na-ta-ek. It is known to have served as an
intrenchment to the Kickapoos and Foxes who
were met there and were defeated liy the Pot-
tawatomies. the Ottawas and the Chi])pcwas.
No date is assigned to this transaction. We
understood that the Et-na-ta-ek was near the
Kickaix)o village on the Sangamon."
Gov. John Reynold's Reminiscences. — Espe-
cially reliable testimon.v as to Indian occupation
of this region about the time of the War of
1S12. is furnished by former Gov. John Rey-
nolds, who, as a pioneer of 1800 and later a
"Ranger" of Centi-al Illinois, was brought into
]i('rsiinal contact with the Indians of that period.
In llic introductory chapter of his "Pioneer His-
tiiry of Illinois" Gov. Reynolds says: ".\ small
but energetic tribe of Kickaiioos resided on the
east side of Illinois between the Illinois and
Wabash Rivers, and including the Sangamon
KiMT and the country thereabouts. Some
lived in villages near the lOlkhart Grove and
on the ."Mackinaw River. They claimed rela-
lionsbip with the Pottawatoniies. and iierhaps
the Sauks and Fo.xes also."
In another volume ("My Own Times") Gov.
Reynolds gives the following account of a march
through the Sangamon Country of a force of
abcait 'M>0 nioti, including two companies of
"Rangers" (of wliidi <;<iv. Keyniilds was a mem-
624
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
ber), luustereJ at Fort Kussell near Edwards-
ville, and led under coiumaud of Gov. Edwai^ds,
to the vieiuity of Lake Peoria for the purpose
of destroying the Indian villages in that region.
This movement occurred about two mouths
after the capture of Fort Dearborn, and the
])rineipal sufferers from the expedition were the
liands of Black Partridge and Gomo, two chiefs
who had been especially active in their efforts
to prevent the Dearborn ma.si>acre. Referring
to the march through what is now Sangamon
County, Gov. Reynolds says : "We crossed the
Sangamon River east of the present Springfield
and passed not far east of Elkhart Grove. At
this day this grove presented a beautiful and
charming prospect. It was elevated and com-
manded a view over the natural prairies for
many miles around. We next reached an old
Indian village on Sugar Creek (a branch of the
Sangamon) where we saw on the bark of the
wigwams much iiainting. generally the Indians
scalping the whites."
This exhibition of the Indian spirit, no doubt
greatly excited the indignation of the "Rangers"'
and inci-eased the bitterness of the attack made
on the villages of Black Partridge and Gomo,
although they had no responsibility for the
murderous character displayed by tlie former
occupants of these wigwams.
The Old Indian Tkail in Sangamon County.
— The following reminiscence of "The Old In-
dian Trail" through Sangamon County from
Peoria to St. Louis, taken from the papers of
the late Zimri A. Enos. of Springfield, as pub-
lished in the "Journal of the Illinois State His-
torical Society" for July, 1911, will be of special
interest in this connection, as it refers (more
fully) to the route followed by Gov. Edwards'
army in the march from Fort Russell to Peoria
in 1812, as described in a quotation fi-om Gov.
Reynolds' "My Own Times" in a preceding por-
tion of this chapter :
"This trail, according to my understanding,
was the route which the army under Gov. Ed-
wards, in 1812. followed in their march from
Fort Russell, near Edwardsville, to Peoria, and
which route is designated in one of the early
records of Sangamon County as the Old Ed-
wards Trace, and Clear Lake is therein men-
tioned as a place on the line of the Trace. This
trail or trace should, as an interesting matter
of history, lie definitely established, before all
evidence of its location is gone. I have a gen-
eral idea of the route of the trail or trace from
Edwardsville as far north as Elkhart, derived
from a per.sonal knowledge of fixed points in it,
the topography or character of the country over
which it passed and, in the manner in which the
Indians usually selected their routes, following
the high ground or dividing ridges in the prai-
rie, Iieading streams and avoiding passing
through heavy timbers as much as possible, and
seldom pursuing a straight line. I know that
the path, from the house to the stable on a farm
seven miles north of Edwardsville (which was
settled in 1817), was and is now the line of
the Old Trail. And in 1833 I traveled the Old
Trail from Honey Point, north about eight
miles, to where Zanesville now is ; the trail was
east of and considerably further out in the prai-
rie than the wagon road between the same
places, and was then very distinct. From Fort
Russell north, for about eighteen miles to the
old watering plac-e at the head of Paddock
Creek, a short distance north-east of the town
of Bunker Hill, the trail ran iu a generally
straight course through the prairie along the
dividing ridge between the waters and timbers
of Paddock Creek on the east and Indian Creek
on the west, thence in a northeast course through
the prairie to the points of timber at the head
of Dry Creek (designated in old times as Honey
Point), and thence to the head of timber on
Horse Creek (the three creeks running into Ma-
coupin Creek on the west), and thence north to
Macoupin point, the little grove of timber at the
head of Macoupin Creek — thence north through
the prairie and between the timber lines of
Brush Creek. Horse Creek and South Fork of
the Sangamon River on the east and Sugar
Creek on the west, entering Round Prairie and
crossing the Sangamon River between the
mouths of Sugar Creek and the South Fork —
thence by Clear Lake and through the prairie
to Buffalo Hart Grove — thence on the divide be-
tween the waters of Lake Fork on the east and
Wolf Creek on the west to Elkhart Grove —
thence to the Rocky Ford of Salt Creek in the
S. E. corner of Section 0. T. 19 N., R. 3 W,—
thence north to an Indian village on the north
side of Salt Creek at either Kickapoo or Sugar
Creek, and thence to Peoria. After the crossing
of Salt Creek, of the route from there on to
Peoria. I have no information or definite idea.
"This route of the trail, for over 100 miles
from Edwardsville to Salt Creek (with the ex-
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
625
eeptiou of tbe Sangaiuou River and timber),
crossed no stream of any size and passed tlirough
little timber, followed nearly the water-sheds or
divides of the streams throngh the prairie. The
Hon. Wm. H. Herndon, in his lifetime, claimed
a little variation of the route as above described,
asserting that it crossed Sugar Creek from
Round Prairie and passed along the west side
of the Sangamon River, through German prai-
rie, crossing the river at or near the site of
Bogues' old mill in the N. E. corner of the S.
K. quarter of Section 6. T. 16 N., R. 4 W.,
Third P. M., and thence north on the west side
of Wolf Creek Timber to Elkhart Grove, in
Sections 7 and 18, T. 18 X., R. 3 W. He stated
that his father settled in German prairie in
1821, five miles northeast from Springfield, and,
at that date, an Indian trail was not far from
their cabin and he frequently saw the Indians
traveling it. Both routes may have been trails
that were traveled b.v the Indians. Since writ-
ing the foregoing, I have discovered on the old-
est known map of the Illinois Territory (now in
the Historical State Library), a surprisingly ac-
curate delineation of that part of the Sangamon
River «nd the Lake Fork northeast of Spring-
field, and between the two streams an Indian
village marked thereon, in location exactly fit-
ting Buffalo Hart Grove. . . . The line of
this Old Indian Trail was the wagon route of
most of the early settlers of Sangamon County,
and is accurately located in the subdivision sur-
veys of Townships 9 and 10 North, Range 6
West, Third P. M., made by the U, S. Deputy
Surveyor in 1818, and gives the distances from
the section corners at which the section lines
north and south and east and west intersected
the trail. These connections of the survey lines
with the trail w-ere made in conformity with
the general instructions l-ssued by the Surveyor
General to all deputy surveyors ; but these two
townships are the only ones on the line of the
trail where any attention was paid to this in-
struction. Mr. .Toseph Stafford informs me that.
when a boy riding in company with a grown
brother along the road on the nan-ow divide
between Horse Creek and Sugar Creek, his
brother called his attention to and pointed out
the line of the old Indian trail a little to the
side of the road."
Visit of a Gebm.\x Explorer ix ISIO. — An-
other interesthig story of exploralion of tlie
Sangamon Country, in which evidence is given
of the presence of Indians within the limits of
what is now Sangamon County, is told in the
"Travels in Illinois in 1819" of Ferdinand
Ernst, a German explorer who visited this re-
gion during that year, and from which some
liberal extracts are quoted in another chapter
in this volume. Mr. Ernst had visited Edwards-
vllle, Vandalia and a number of other points In
Southern Illinois, and having had his atten-
tion called to the beauties of the Sangamon
Country, as he says, "started uixm a journey to
view the wonderful land upon the Sangamon
before I (he) returned to Europe." After leav-
ing Vandalia, on the .second day, he found him-
self on Sugar Creek, in what is now Sangamon
Count.v. where Robert Pulliam had erected the
first cabin in 1817, but which he did not
permanently occupy until two years later. The
next day. after traveling some distance toward
the northwest, with the intention of reaching
the mouth of the Sangamon River, Mr, Ernst
says : "On the other side of Sriring Creek is a
camping ground of Indians, whence the ground
rises to gentle hills where we found two springs
shaded simply by a few trees. The water of
these two brooks flows swift and clear through
the luxuriant prairie, the high grass of which
readies above the head of the horsemen. From
these two little brooks rises a plain which ex-
tends to Richland Creek." The mention In this
connection of the two brandies of Spring Creek,
and later of Richland Creek, would indicate that
the region passed over by Mr. Ernst in this
.iourney was in the vicinity of the present vil-
lage of Curran, and that the site of the Indian
iam]i was a few miles west of the present city
<il' Springfield.
Indians in Island Grove and Curran Town-
ships.— At the time of settlement of Island
Grove in 1818, It is stated that there were two
Indian villages in what now constitutes Island
Grove Township, one on Skillet Fork, a branch
of Spring Creek, and another at the head of the
Grove near the west line, with alwut 300 Indians
ill each. One of these may have been the vil-
l.ige or "camp" discovered by Mr, Ernst in his
visit to this region in ISIO. Tlie Indians are
said to have been remnants of the Pottawatomie
.ind Delaware tribes.
In the "History of Sangamon County" (1S81)
.Tohn Smith, then still living In the vicinity of
Gurran, and who came to Sanganioji County with
his parents in 1822, is quoted as authority for
626
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
the statfiiKMit tliut ';t\vo tlimisaiiil Iiulians
camped on Lick Creek soou after the arrival of
his father's family there iu 1S22, and remained
abont two weeks," also that "they were very
friendly."
In eonsonani r witli this is the statement made
in local history that when Maj. Elijah lies, the
first merchant in Springtield, came and there
opened np the first store in .July, 1821, "Indians
were about as nmnerous as whites, and his sales
to the different races were about equal." The
Indians, it is said, paid for goods with furs
and dres.sed deer skins, while the wliites paid
in silver coin, home-made jeans, beeswax, honey
and butter."
Indian Lands. — Beginning with the treaty of
Greenville (17!).')) negotiated by Gen. Anthony
Wayne with the Wyandots. Delawares. Ottawas.
Chippewas, Miamis, Shawnees, I'ottawatomies.
Kaskaskias, Eel Rivers, Kickapoos and Pianka-
shaws — for the first time including all the prin-
cipal tribes in Illinois and as far east as Ohio —
the United States entered upon a general line
of policy in reference to the acquisition of
Indian lands which later was followed. While
this treaty related nominally to nearly 12.-
000,000 acres of land north of the Ohio and east
of the Mississiiitii — with recognition by the In-
dians of the rights of the early French settlers
to the lands they then occupied, and absolute
conveyance to the Government of numerous
tracts, including among the most important tliose
within the territory of Illinois at the moutlis
of the Chicago and Illinois Rivers and about
the sites of Fort Clark (Peoria) and Fort Mas-
sac — in consequence of later concession to the
Indians of indefinite occupancy and until
further sales, its chief feature was agreement,
on the part of the Indians, to relinquisli their
claims to lands, in future, only to the General
Government. As a consequence future land
cessions from different tribes and at different
periods, in some eases (in whole or in part)
covered the same areas, due to the fact that
different tribes were at times claimants of the
same tracts.
The most imix)rfant later treaties affecting
Illinois lands were : first, one concluded by
Gov. William Heni-y Harrison, with the Kas-
kaskias (representing themselve.s, the Cahokias
and Mitchigamis), at Vincennes, August 1?,.
1803, and covering an area of 8,911,850 acres;
second, the treaty of Edwardsville. negotiated.
(according to Mose.s' "History of Illinois," with
the Peorias and other Illinois tribes, and accord-
ing to Washbnrne, in a note to the "Edwards
Papers,' with the Kickapoos) by Gov. Nlnlan
Edwards and Auguste Chouteau in September,
181S, and covering (5,805.280 acres; and third,
the treaty at Chicago, with the Pottawatomies,
Cliippewas and Ottawas, embracing .5.104,900
acres. The first of these treaties related to
lands in Southern Illinois, the second to lands
in the southern and central parts of the State,
and the third and last to lands iu Northern Illi-
nois, covering the last sale of Indian lands in
the State just before the removal of the In-
dians west of the Mississippi. If these had em-
Iiraced separate subdivisions, the total area
would have covered 20,882,000 acres, or nearly
:;2.5(iO square miles — considerably more than
one-half the area of the whole State. The fol-
lowing statement of the boundaries of the pur-
chase made at Edwardsville in September, 1818,
will be found of Interest in this connection :
"Beginning at the confluence of tlie Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers; thence up the Ohio to the
mouth of Saline Creek about twelve miles below
the mouth of the Wabash ; tlienee along the
dividing ridge between the watere of said creek
and the Wabash, to the general dividing ridge
between the waters which fall into the Kaskas-
kia River; thence along the said ridge until it
readies the waters which fall into the Illinois
River; thence down the Illinois to its confluence
with the Mississijipi and down the latter to the
beginning."
This would indicate that the Edwardsville
jiurchase covered nearly the whole of Southei-n
Illinois, as well as the central p.irt of the State,
and evidently included nnich of the territory
embraced in iirevious purchases, especially the
Harrison purchase of 1S0.3 — the object being to
wipe out all Indian claims. Tlie eastern bound-
iiry of this jiurchase extended northward be-
tween the tributaries of the Wabash and Kas-
kaskia Rivers, through Lawrence and Champaign
Counties, to the head waters of the Illinois
and down tliat stream to the Mississippi, thus
iiK luding the territory now embraced in Sanga-
aion and adjoining counties — its area of S.SRO,-
280 acres (or 10.727 square miles) amounting
to nearly one-fifth of the entire State, although
tliere is reason to believe much of this region
had been acquired by previous purchases. Local
history furnishes evidence that this purchase
SANGAMOX RI\]{R
SANGAMON RIVI;R
mm
cari'h.\ti-;r'S mill
L^
KEEDY-S DISTI1.L1:RV
HOUSE \vin-;Ri-: hon. lvman TKiMKrix was married
COENTRV CUB, SPRINGEIEED
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
627
marki'd the begiuning of white settlements in
Sangamon County, which really became active
in 1S19.
CHArTER IV.
FIRST GOVERNMENT IN ILLINOIS.
FIRST GOVERNMENT OF ILLINOIS TERRITORY ESTAB-
LISHED BY THE FRENCH IN 171.S MILITARY
CHARACTER AND REGION IT OCCUPIED — FORT
CHARTRES ITS HEADQUARTERS CESSION OF NEW
FRANCE TO ENGLAND IN 176.3 KASKASKIA BE-
COMES THE CAPITAL — WAR OF THE REVOLUTION
CAPTURE OF KASKASKIA BY' COL. GEORGE
ROGERS CLARK TERRITORY' NORTHWEST OF
THE OHIO BECOMES "ILLINOIS COUNTY'" AND
IS ATTACHED TO VIRGINIA — IT IS CEDED TO
THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND NORTHWEST
TERRITORY' ORGANIZED — ^SUBSEQUENT CHANGES — ■
ILLINOIS TERRITORY' ORGANIZED IN 1809 KAS-
KASKIA REMAINS THE CAPITAL CONSTITU-
TIONAL CONVENTION OF ISIS ILLINOIS ADMIT-
TED AS A STATE — CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION
[JOKING TO THE SELECTION OF A NEW STATE
CAPITAL.
(By Clinton L. Conlding.)
The earliest government set up within the
liounds of what is now known as the State of
Illinois was in 1718. under the "Company of the
West," an association formed in Paris under a
grant from the King of France for the govern-
ment and e.\pIoitation of New France, then
claimed by the PYench, and which included the
northern i>nrtion and much of the great nn-
kiiov\'n interior of the North American continent.
This government was militao' in character and
its head(|uarters were at Fort Chartres near
Kaskaskia in the Great American Rottom. This
fort was naincil after the Due de Chartres, son
of the Regent of France. .V French Comandant
was then Governor of the Illinois Country.
When New France, which included the Illinois
Country, was, by the Treaty of Paris in 17(5:!.
ceded to (ireat Rritain. (his commandant was
succeeded in 17(i."> by a Captain of the Fiiglisli
Army as governor, and in 1772 the seat of gov-
ernment was removed to Kaskaskia, which place
is called by Ford, in his "History of Illinois,"
the ancient seat of empire for more than one
liundred and fifty years, both for the French
and American inhabitants." Originally it was
a village of the Illinois Indians, then a mission,
and then a French trading post. It was the
first capital of the Territory of Illinois and
afterwards of the State until in 1819, and at the
time of its transfer to England was a place of
iibont seven hundred inhabitants. The whole
poimlation of what is now the State of Illi-
iKiis (lid not then exceed three thousand. The
\\'ar of the Revolution between the colonies
and the mother country commenced with the
fight at Lexington, Mass., in April, 177.5. This
was followed by the Declaration of Inde-
pendence on July 4, 177G, and the General Gov-
ernment was so closely engaged in the conduct
of the war along the Atlantic seaboard, that it
could not send forces to attack the British out-
posts in the West. At tliis juncture Colonel
George Rogers Clarke of Virginia volunteered
to lead an expedition against these western out-
posts, and on the night of July 4, 1778, he, act-
ing under a commission from the Governor and
Council of Virginia, wtli a small force of men
surprised the British garrison of Kaskaskia,
and without bloodshed caiitured the town and
the fort at that place.
In October of the same year the Virginia
House of Delegates passed an Act organizing
all the counti-y west and north of the Ohio River
into the "Illinois County," which embraced the
territoiy now included in the States of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the
[lortion of Minnesota east of the Missis.sippi
River, a territory larger than Great Britain and
Ireland. On Deeembei- 12, 1778, Patrick Henry,
Governor of Virginia, at Williamsburg, then rne
cariital of that State, and so of the Illinois
Country, cnnunissioned Colonel 'Jnlm Todd of
Kentucky as County Lieutenant or Commandant
of the new c(mnty, which he at once proceeded
fo organize as a county of the State of Vir-
ginia, the county seat and headcpiarters of the
commandant being at Kaskaskia. The laws of
Old France, motlified by local customs and con-
ditions, constituted the law of the land, which
was adnnnistored by magistrates, the proceed-
ings and records lieing iu'eserved in the French
language. Later, however, the troops being
wilbdrawn. anarchy and confusion prevailed.
628
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
the established order f:iiled and there was no
stable system of government in force for some
years. In 17S4 the State of Virginia trans-
ferred all her claim to this vast territory to
the United States, and the claims of Connec-
ticut and Massachusetts to what is now the
northern part of Illinois were also relinquished.
This organization of Illinois County legally
ceased In 17S2. and there was no goveniment
resting on ixwitive enactments of law from then
until in 1T!)0. The people in and about Kaskas-
kia appealed most earnestly to Congress for the
establishment of a better government. At last
Congress passed the celebrated Ordinance of
1787 for the government of the "Northwest Ter-
ritory, of which the Illinois Country formed a
part. Gen. Arthur St. Clair was appointed the
first Governor, and established the seat of gov-
ernment at Marietta on the Ohio River in 1788,
although the first Territorial Legislature in
1799 met at what is now Cincinnati. Gov. St.
Clair did not reach Kaskaskia until in 1790
when he organized the County of St. Clair,
which then comprised, as part thereof, more
than half of the present State of Illinois. This
county had two county seats, Kaskaskia and
Cahokia, but in 1795 the disputes between these
rival seats of government, together with other
causes, led to the formation of the second
county of Randolph, with Kaskaskia as its
county seat.
Illinois Territory ORG.\^^ZED — First Capi-
tal.— By Act of Congress. May 7, 1800, the
Northwest Territory was divided into two Ter-
ritories, Ohio and Indiana, what is now the
State of Illinois being a part of the latter. The
capital of Indiana Territory was Post Saint Vin-
cent, now Vincennes. In 1809 Congress divided
the Territory-, the western part being called the
Territory of Illinois. Its boundaries were then
the same as the present State except that on the
north it extended to the Canada line. Kaskas-
kia was made the capital of the new territory
until otherwise directed. Here the first Terri-
torial Legislature convened November 25. 1812.
The building then used as the eapitol is de-
scribed as a rough building in the center of a
square in the Village of Kaskaskia. The body
of this building was of uncut limestone, the
gables and roof of the gambrel style, of un-
painted boards and shingles, with dormer win-
dows. The lower fioor. a long cheerless room,
was fitted up for the House, whilst the Council
sat in the small chamber above. This build-
ing was, during the French occupancy of the
country prior to 1763, the headquarters of the
militarj- commandant. In 1838 this house was a
mass of ruins. This building was the eapitol
during the existence of Illinois as a Territory
and in it the State Government was organized.
Rev. John M. Peck, in his Gazetteer, says:
"In olden time Kaskaskia was to Illinois what
Paris is at this time to France. Both were in
their resi^ective days the great emporium-s of
fashion, gayety and, I must say, happiness also.
Kaskaskia for many years was the largest town
west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was a
tolerable place before the existence of Pittsburg,
Cincinnati or New Orleans."
It was the commercial c-enter of the great in-
terior valley of the Mississippi River. Twice a
year the surplus products of the region were
sent by fleets of keel boats to New Orleans,
whence on their return three months later they
brought back rice, manufactured tobacco, cot-
ton goods and other fabrics and .such other com-
modities as the simple wants of the inhabitants
required.
Fort Chartres and Kaskaskia were built on
the soft alluvial soil of the American Bottom
and the sites of both places have now been
almost entirely swept away by the waters of
the Mississippi River.
Admission into the LTnion. — Illinois w.is ad-
mitted into the Union in accordance with an
enabling act jxissed by Congress and approved
.\pril IS, 1818, entitled "An Act to enal)le the
people of Illinois to form a Constitution and
State Government, and for the admis.sion of
such State into the Union on an equal footing
with the Original States."
The Constitutional Convention of the State
provided for by this act met at Kaskaskia and
on August 20, ISIS, adopted what is known as
the Constitution of 1818, and on December .3,
1818. by resolution of Congress, this constitu-
tion was approved and the State declared ad-
mitted to the Union.
Section 13 of the Schedule to this Constitu-
tion of 1818. provided as follows :
"The seat of Government for the State shall
be at Kaskaskia, until the General Assembly
shall otherwise provide. The General Assembly,
at their first session, holden under the authority
of this Constitution, shall petition the Congress
of the Tinted States to grant to this State a
quantity of land, to consist of not more than four
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
629
nor less thau one section, ov to give to tliis State
the I'igtit of preemption in tlie pureluise of tlie
said quantity of land, the said land to be sit-
uate on the Kaskaskia River, and as near as
may be east of the Third Principal Meridian on
said river. Should the prayer of such petition
be granted, the General Assembly, at their next
session thereafter, shall provide for the appoint-
ment of five Commissioners to make the selec-
tion of said land so granted, and shall further
provide for laying out a town upon the said
land so selected, wliicli town, so laid out. shall
I'e the seat of government of this State for the
term of twenty years. Should, however, the
prayei- of said petition not be granted, the Gen-
eral Assembly shall liaxe power to make such
provision for a permanent seat of government
as ma.v be necessary, and shall fix the same
where they may think best."
Tlie members of this convention, evidently
foreseeing the future immigration to the north-
em part of the State, and the consequent
shifting of the center of ixipulation in that
dlreetiou. Inserted this limitation of twenty
years to the location of tlie second State capital.
While the seat of government was located at
Kaskaskia the State owned no State House
there, but i-ented three rooms at the rate of
lour dollars per day in which to hold the ses-
sions of the first General Assembly, of which
the Senate consisted of fourteen members and
the House of Representatives of twenty-eight.
CHAPTER V.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
I'lIIMITIVE NATIRAL CONDITIONS — LAPSE OF TIME
FROM THE COMIXO OF MARQUETTE TO FIRST
SETTLEMENT IN SANOAMON COUNTY — DIFFICUL-
TIES OF TRAVEL — ARRIVAL OF THE PULLIAM PARTY
IN 1S17 — LATER COMING OF ZACIIARIAH PETER —
RAPID INFLUX OF SETTLERS FROM 1S1.S CHAR-
ACTER OF THE PIONEERS — DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES
AND CONDITIONS — REV. J. L. CRANE'S DESCRIPTION
OF A LOfi-CABlN HOME — RESIDENTS OF SPRING-
FIELD WHEN IT BECAME THE COUNTY' SEAT —
FIRST COURT HOUSE AND JAIL — ELI.IAH ILES THE
FIRST MERCHANT — SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES —
.SOCIAL LIFE AND AMUSEMENTS — FIRST FRATER-
NAL ORGANIZATION— FOOD CONDITIONS— WILD
GAME— MALARIAL DISEASE.S— ilAYOR ILES" TES-
TIMONY AS TO STANDARD OF FIRST SETTLERS
A PUGILLSTIC ENCOUNTER.
(By Charles P. Kane.)
Those who have dwelt long in the Sangamon
\alley affectionately regard it as one of the
choicest regions of earth, an attachment which
win be winked at and even cordially sanctioned
by any making only a casual survey of the
beauty and fruitage of this delectable land.
Without the rugged majesty of mountains or the
solemn spell of wide bordering seas to enhance
its charm, still Its milder comeliness strongly
apijeals to both eye and heart. The broad ex-
panse of level or gently undulating surface is
well watered by the river and its branching
tributaries. Primitively the streams were
fringed with dense thickets of shrub and wood,
which have since been greatly wasted by the
assaults of the practical farmer. The soil of
this valley Is of rare fertility and most bounti-
fully repays the care and labors of husbandry.
At present a teeming population thrives upon Its
nourishing bosom, wliose numbers, wealth and
culture grow apace.
Yet for ages this fair domain lay unsought
by civilized men. Nearly a century and a half
elapsed after Marquette and .Toilet in 107.'!
guided their pioneering canoes down the Missis-
sippi and up the Illinois, before a white man
erected the rudest dwelling in the territory now
defined as the County of Sangamon.
To quote from the address of Hon. Cliarles A.
Ke.yes, delivered to the Old Settlers' Society Au-
gust 14, 1900, "Less than one hundred years
ago. the Sangamon Country was practically a
wilderness, with no inhabitants save the Indian,
the elk, the buffalo, the American deer, the black
bear, the panther, the wolf, the wild cat, the
wild horse, the wild turkey .ind the prairie
chicken. The gentleman fox, l)oth gray and red,
delayed his coming until the advance of civil-
ization."
Hon, Millon Hay, speaking lo the same society
August 20, 1879, declares lliat "these regions
were not considered so inviting as to cause a
rush or haste in their settlement ; doubt existed
as to whether a prairie country was habitable,
and the impression generally prevailed that its
characteristics were those of a desert."
The dilTicultios of travel and want of lueana
630
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
(if triiiisiiortafiou long ileterrt'il lionieseekers
li-oiu i>ressiiig ou to the froutier lands of Central
Illinois. The earliei5t comers, having no roads
to follow, no chart or compass to point their
conrse, were often lost in the woods or on the
prairies and confided in the instinct of their
animals to guide them to water, ilany were
ill supplied with horses and wagons, so that
members of the party walked and rode by turns ;
occasionally a horse or an ox died by the way,
;; most serious and irreparable loss. One of the
(lid pioneers thus relates his own experience:
"My wife and child in anus were- placed iiixm
a horse with a bed and bed clothing ; a second
horse bore the cooking utensils and two chairs ;
upon a third myself and child were mounted ;
and so equipped we journeyed to our future
home on the Sangamon."
At length the fullness of time is come. After
ages of waiting the wilds of the Sangamon are
to be taken and subdued by the aggressive
Anglo-Saxon, and eventually to become the de-
lightful home of a thriving multitude. In the
autumn of 1810, a group of four or five herds-
men, like the first flight of birds that herald
the approaeli of a new season, appeared in the
southern part of the county and built the first
cabin within its present borders. The ne.-jt
spring, like homing birds, they went to the
South again, leaving their solitary cabin in the
woods. At this date Illinois had not been ad-
mitted into the t'nion, and more than four
years later the county of Sangamon was estab-
lished by law.
Robert I'uUiani was a native of Virginia,
born April 12, 177(5. about three months prior
to the adoption of the Declaration of Inde-
fenden(_e. AVith his father's fanuly he emi-
grated to Kentucky and thence to Illinois, arriv-
ing at what was then known as the New Design
settlement, now a part of Monroe County.
After several changes of residence to points
in Illinois and Missouri, Mr. Pulliam in 181.5 re-
moved to St. Clair County. 111. One year later,
with two or three employes, including oue
woman, a sister of one of the men named
Strickland, who accompanied the party as cook,
Jlr. Pulliam drove a herd of cattle northward
for grazing, and upon arriving at Sugar Creek
timber, built the first cabin In the county as
before naiTated, It was erected October 20,
1.S17, on the tract designated by a subsequent
government survey as the south-west quarter
of Secti(ju 21, in Township Fourteen North,
Range Five West of the Third Principal Me-
ridian, about ten and oue-half miles south nf
the City of Springfield. The next spring he
drove his cattle South, but in 1810 returnetl
with his family to find his cabin on Sugar
Creek snugly occupied by Mr. Zachariah Peter.
The premises were promptly surrendered and
the Pulliams became permanent residents there.
.Mr. Peter afterward served as one of the Com-
missioners to locate the county seat of the new
County of Sangamon.
Mr. Pulliam was married to Mary Stout,
who w;is born April 0, 1770 — the locality not
known. They had six children, and many of
their descendants still reside in the county.
.Mr. Pulliam died July 31, 18.38, and his widow,
.luly 1, 1847.
Inmiediately following the advent of Mr.
Pulliam, a number of immigrants entered the
county, no less than a score of them in 1818,
many with families, and thereafter a swelling
tide flowed in. The southern part was occupied
earliest as most of the newcomers were from
Southern Illinois, primarily from Kentucky,
Virginia and Tennessee, and naturally were in-
fluenced to seek a location as near to the South
iis might be conveuient. Good report of a de-
siralile new land rapidly spread to the far
South and East.
Well defined roads and lines of travel were
now oijened up by government officials and an
increasing procession of pioneers. Elijah lies in
1.S21 heard that "commissioners had staked
out a road'" from Vincennes to the Sangamon
Valley. He followed the stakes fi-om Vandalia,
favoring his horse liy walking and leading It
much of the way. till he could see the timber
of Sugar and Horse Creeks on the headwaters
of the Sangamon.
Seven years later Hon. John T. Stuart sought
a new home at Springfield. As he pursued the
same course that lies had traveled, he saw men,
women and children, with all kinds of domestic
animals, following every conceivable fashion of
conveyance. Some rode ou horsebaclv. some in
carriages or wagons, and many trudged along ou
foot.
Despite the disparity between the limited tim-
ber tracts and the prairies, outreaching in all
directions, early settlers unanimously chose to
locate in the timber. The sod was thiddy
matted, the wild grass grew luxuriant and tall
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
631
on the open eounti-j-, anil no plow had yet l)een
invented to cleave it ; it was therefore dis-
carded as unfit for tillage. The argument was
made that should the country ever become well
populated, proprietors iu iwssession of the tim-
ber would have the residue at their mercy ; for
where could fuel, fencing or building material
be procured except of them. The opinion was
franlily expressed that the prairie lands would
never be purchased of the Government; that
they were not worth the taxes, and would
forever remain common pasture grounds for
owners of land near the woods ; and so, with
axe and grubbing hoe, the invaders bravely as-
sailed the thickets, felled the trees and plowed
among the stumps. How have the introduction
of steel plows and the development of our coal
industries discredited the confident forecast of
our ancestors !
The vanguard of the army that came up to
possess the Sangamon Valley were uot men of
wealth, but ratlier such as desired, by the
strength of .youth, to wrest a competence from
the w^lde^ness or, at maturer age, ventured to
retrieve fortunes that had failed. They ex-
pected to endure hardship and without flinching
encoimtered the jirivations that marked frontier
life in Illinois ninety years ago. Money was
scarce and little used. Necessarily resort was
had to hunting and agriculture as about the only
vocations which promised a livelihood. Wild
game was plentiful, but there were no railways,
telegraphs or newspapers ; no cultivators, no
planting, reaping or tlireshing machines, no mills
or factories. Only the simplest farming im]ile-
ments were obtainable ; corn was cultivated
largely with the hoe, small grains were sou-n
broadcast from the liand, harvested with scythe
and cradle, threshed with flails and winnowed
by tossing in a sheet or canvas, or by other
device equally inartificial. But things must l>e
done. One father saw, with something of dis-
may, that he nnist not only make his children's
shoes but tan the leather as well. And so
he did.
Rude fabrics turned out liy tlie spinning
wheels and looms of cabin homes supplied the
artless raiment of I he liousohold. Women ac-
quired a cleverness iu tlH> manufacture of home-
made stuffs, and i)repared from minerals and
the juices of l)ark, leaves and lierries, varied
dyes to add life and color to tlie flannels, jeans
and linseys woven for family wear and tear.
Garments for men as well as women and chil-
dren, were cut and neatly sewed by wives and
daughters, oftentimes before the spacious blaz-
ing hearth, or by the light of grease dip or
tallow c-andle, which the same hands had molded
that so deftly plied the needle. Early settlers
are unanimous and emphatic in their eulogy of
(lie women of those times, and declare their
courage, patience and enterprise beyond praise.
They met every obligation conditions imposed
upon them, discharged every duty without com-
plaint. A gentleman who became a leading
citizen and whose family was one of the most
])rominent in Springfield in after years, first
saw his wife at the washtub and her beauty
at once made a deep impression upon him.
Professionally she engaged in school-teaching and
was a lady of fine presence and culture. Her
liusband, after her death iu the 'sixties, bore
testimony that her natural mental endowments
were superior to his own. Such was the qual-
ity of many of the pioneer wives of the Sanga-
mon regions. In laying the foundations of
civilized society there their aid was indis-
pensable.
The dwellings erected were built of logs,
chinked and daubed with clay, roofed with clap-
bi;>ards and floored with puncheons, the smooth
side ui), the roinid side down. A capacious fire-
place was constructed of stone and clay at the
side, and the broad chimney continued upward
made of sticks and mud.
Rev. J. L. Crane, author of "The Two Cir-
cuits," thus refers to the interior of an old
time cabin: "The door was left ajar, not for
ventilation but light; iwles were hanging a few
inches from the ceiling, thickly encircled with
ring, string and circular cuts of pumpkin, hung
there to dry. On your left as you faced the
fire, were three or four shelves, wliich contained
(lueensware, tin-cups and pans. A small stool
under the shelves held the water bucket. In
wliicli floated an old l)rown gourd. There was
no window willi glass in the house, but opposite
the door a log was cut f)ut, where a window was
(■x]iected to be." A wood rail fence, rigged with
stakes and riders for increased height and
stability, enclosed plow land and door yard; the
latter was entered by a stile instead of a gate.
Within tlie yard the householder dug his well
unci walled 11 with broken rock. A section from
a large hollow tree-trunk served as a curb and
the tall sweep stood by for lowering the iron-
632
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
bound bucket to tliu water. f<o conmionly it was
iu the beginning.
In tlie process of occuiialion settlers became
sufficiently numerous at .-ittractive points to
constitute distinctive neigbborhods, which were
named from some natural features of the local-
ity. Thus early became known the settlements
of Richland, Fancy Creek, Wolf Creek and
Buffalo Hart in the Xorth, German Prairie and
North Fork in the East, Sugar Creek and Lick
Creek iu the South and Island Grove in the
West. But in April, 1821, when the temporary
county-seat was located and named Springfield,
it is said the Commissioners were largely in-
tiuenced in their choice by the discovery that
this was the only settlement in the county large
enough to entertain the officials, law.yers and
litigants, who were expected to attend terms
of court. At this date there were residing within
two miles of the stake, set to mark the location
of the county-seat, nine families, who are named
by lies as follows: John Kelly. William Kelly,
Andrew Elliot, Jacob Ellis, Levi Ellis, John
Lindsay, Abram Lauterman. Samuel Little and
Mr. Dagget. These were the families with
whom it was hoped the Judge, practitioners and
clients would find shelter until other accommo-
dations were provided. The County Commis-
sioners imparted an impetus of growth to the
town by indulging iu the extravagance of a
Court House costing, complete and finished ac-
cording to contract and specifications, the re-
markable sum of seventy-two dollars and fifty
cents. The ,1ail ran into higher figures, having
been constructed at an expense to the public of
eighty-four dollars and seventy-five cents. This
was not the work of children, but the achieve-
ment of men struggling with limitations.
The development of these neighborhood settle-
ments called for other factors of civilization.
Tt opened the way for the fixing of trading
iwints, for the store, the mechanic, the school
house, the church. Accordingly. I51i.iah lies
erected the first merchandising estalilishment in
the county near the historic stake fixing the
count,y-seat. The store building was eighteen
feet square with sheds on the sides for shelter:
the sides were made of hewn logs, roofed with
boards ui»n whidi heavy poles were laid "to
keep the boards from blowing off." Mr. lies
purchased a stock of goods in St. Louis, which
was transiwrted to the site of Beardstown by
water, and thence by wagons to Springfield. His
trade witli the Indians was almost as large as
with the whites, and extended over au area
reaching from the Illinois River on the west,
to Champaign County ou the east, and from
Trazewell County on the north to Macoupin on
the south. Many customers came eighty miles
to trade. They \vere poor, says Mr. lies, and
their purchases were light but a more honest
and industrious class never settled a new
country. .
The first mill was built by Daniel Liles ou
Horse Creek, a rude contrivance without a
covering and operated in fair weather. Stones
picked up in the viciuity functioned as burrs
and a team of horses supplied the power. The
capacity of the mill, intended for grinding corn
only, was from eight to ten bushels per day.
Farmers came thirty and forty miles, and iu
such numbers that often a wait of several days
for a turn at the mill was necessary.
Schools from the beginning were regarded as
a prime necessity. In the absence of any pub-
lie provision for educating children, subscription
schools were started, in which a tuition fee was
subscribed for each student, to be collected by
the pedagogue, who was also entitled to the
privilege of "boarding "round," or by turns,
among his i)atrons. "Keei>ing the teacher" was
variously regarded as an honor or a burden,
according to the temper or dis]X)sition of the
host.
Log school houses were iirovided by all the
thriving settlements. One of them is thus de-
scribed by a <|uondam pupil : "A rectangular
building of logs, at one end of which was the
teachers desk, at the other the indispensable
great fire-place piled with blazing wood. The
desks consisted of a wide board, extending
across the room and supported at convenient
height for books or writing. Along behind the
desk was a puncheon seat, smooth side up.
upheld by crossed sticks for legs and extending,
like the desk, entirely across the room. Here
the principles of reading, writing and ciphering
were inculcated, and advanced pupils were in-
structed in the mysteries of geography and
Murray's grammar. Spelling matches afforded
an opportunity for the ambitious to engage in
combats of erudition, and the whole neighbor-
hood turned out to see some champion spell
down the school, and any outsiders, as well,
who cared to risk their reputations rashl.v. .\t
this school a custom had grown up among the
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
633
big boys of locking out the teacher at Christmas
holidays and keeping him out until he had
treated all around to whisky and sugar. The
teacher usually yielded and often the boys be-
came unsteady on their feet. One day a gritty
.iionng Scot from Edinhurg University, whom the
whirligig of time had tossed out upon the
frontier, came and offered to teach for the
ensuing term. The customary measures were
being taken to lock him out at Christmas, but
the display of a pistol at the official desk and
the stern countenance of the taciturn Scotchman
induced an abandonment of the usual holiday
program."
Special subscription schools for writing or
singing were common, the singing school being
very popular with the youug folks, where the
social propensity received cultivation along with
learning "to sing by note."
The people of Sangamon County have always
favored the thorough education of their chil-
dren, but not always at public expense. When
the public school system was established in 1854
there was serious and excited opposition.
There were many to whom the righteousness
of taxing one man to educate another's children
did not appear to be axiomatic. Happily the
public school has now firmly entrenched itself
in the esteem of the whole people.
The church met with cordial welcome from
the early settlers. The Methodists led at Spring-
field l\v organizing in 1821. soon followed b.v
the Presbyterians. Baptists. Disciples and
others. At meeting the men always sat on one
side of the house (or aisle) and the women on
the other ; the minister lined out the hymns, and
the congregation sang with right good will, and
delighted thereafter to hear an hour and a half
.sermon. For they did not hear sermons every
Sunday, and, with little to divert, the church
l)erhaps held the general interest and drew the
Iieople together more than anything el.se.
Cliurches sprang up in every part of the county
and were loyally and affectionately main-
tained.
Social life in the new community claimed its
due. Xeighliors felt for each other a sentiment
f>l' warm and cordial attachment. Tliey en-
.loyed each other sincerel.v and sought occasions,
in a thrifty wa.v, to combine pleasure with
Ijractical profit. The ladies, for example, had at
their homes gatherings called "bees," to which
all nearby dames were invited to spend tlio day
and assist at some lionsehold task requiring an
enlarged force to perform. Such were the wool
pickings, the sewing bee, the quilting of bed
covers or sewing cari>et rags: the husking bee,
in which the young people joined with the
understanding that the finder of the first red
ear, if a .vouth, was entitled to kiss the girl
of his choice; if a girl, the enterprising gentle-
man who could catch her first might demand a
similar salute. On these occasions most boun-
tiful repast refreshed the laborers.
The old play of the maiden and the swain
was re-enacted — yet more than a play. In
their cabins, with captivating grace, young
ladies entertained young gentlemen, albeit they
were sturdy tillers of the soil. They were mar-
ried and given in marriage as of old. The
first wedding in the county or its territory was
that of Philo Beers and Martha Stillman, cele-
brated November 2, 1820, on Fancy Creek,
Rev. Stephen England officiating as minister.
Sangamon County liad not then been legally
constituted, but formed part of Madison Count.v.
A license to perform the ceremony was obtained
at Edwardsville, the county seat of Madison
County, sixty miles away. Tradition has it that
both white and red men were guests at the
bridal feast.
The secret social orders were not neglected.
Sauganio Lodge No. 9, of Free Masons, ob-
tained a charter bearing date October 25, 1822,
to meet at Springfield, Stephen Stillman acting
as Master, Dr. Gershom .Tayne as Senior and
John Moore as Junior Warden. Stillman a[)-
peared to be an active citizen in those early
days. Beside having the honor of being brother
to Martha Stillman, the first bride in the county,
he was one of the Justices ap|x>intpd upon the
organization of the county, was Postmaster.
served upon the grand jury that indicted Van
Noy, Sangamon's first homicide, and represented
the county as State Senator in the General
Assembly which convened at Vandalia, the old
capital, in 1824. Dr. .layne 0[>ened the first
doctor's office in Springfield in 1820.
The pioneer did not suffer from want of food.
Both forest and prairie contributed generously
to his family table. A boarder (one of eight)
at one of the nine cabins constituting Springfield
when the historic stake was driven, notes the
following as his hill of fare: "Fresh milk and
butter, corn bread baked on a hoe (hence hoe-
cake), lioney. venison, turkey, itralrle chicken.
634
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
quail, squirrel, fish, occasionally pig, and all the
\egetables raised in this climate. Deer were
plentiful ; if we wanted venison one of the boys
would go to the grove and kill a deer."
The fowl and game mentioned above were
wild, as was also the honey. .V day's hunt in
the woods -would result in a rich reward of plun-
der from the bee-tree's sweet store. Cattle and
hogs gave little trouble. A bell was put on the
cow, the pig was marked by cropping his ear
and tail, — each owner having a private mark, —
after which the live-stock grazed upon the wild
grass, or munched herbs, acorns and nuts in the
timber, until wanted by their masters at milk-
ing or killing time.
Health is a prime consideration, always and
everywhere. The great foe of good health in
new Illinois was commonly termed chills and
fever. They were intermittent and tenacious.
He was deemed a fortunate citizen who escaped
his attack of ague and complete discomfiture
as a con.sequence. After long and bitter ex-
Iierience the populace grimly settled down to
large doses of quinine in the fall and a two-
weeks' course of sassafi-as tea in the spring, as
the most effective remedial agencies to be
adopted. Malarial conditions, probably arising
from the decay of rank vegetation and stagnant
water on the imdrained flats, have been so cor-
rected in later years as to cause this exasperat-
ing scourge largely to disappear.
The testimony borne by JIajor lies to the good
character of the early settlers has been re-
corded. Mi\ Hay insists they possessed the
average virtues of mankind. Kindness of dis-
position was necessitated by the hardshijis many
were called upon to endure and the meagerness
of resources in time of trouble. But a few
would steal, some were given to brawls and
violence, .some meanly slandered their neigh-
liors ; the far greater number sincerely sought
to lay the foundation of an orderly society,
having respect to the laws botli of heaven and
earth. Multiplied schools and churches mingled
their evidence with that of the somber whipping
post, where tender hearted Sheriff Henry laid
the lash on the bare back of the culprit thief
as lightly as possible.
Conditions generally tended to cultivate brav-
ery, fortitude, self-reliance and shrewdness.
The wolf prowled about, more alarming perhaps
to children than men ; startled women encoun-
tered panthers in the woods and bold hunters
told of having slain the American lion close by,
some specimens which measured eleven feet
from tip to tip; an occasional Indian, approach-
ing with stealthy tread suddenly appeared at
the door, bringing to mind terrible tales of the
cruelty and treachery of his race; and solitude,
voiceless except with strange notes of the wilder-
ness, gravely oppressed the isolated family when
father was away.
Under such circumstances it is not to be won-
dered at that strong fearless men were conceded
a kind of pre-eminence, nor that some of the
coarser sort should boast of their prowess and
swagger because of their strength. Now and
then a bully would appear, and tyranically
domineer over his associates, until compelled to
observe a more rational behavior by some public-
spirited Samson who could beat reason into him.
Xo less a personage than Abraham Lincoln once
officiated in an affair of this kind. It is re-
lated as a legend of the olden time, that one
Jerry Buckles, of the Lake Fork settlement, be-
longing to a fighting family, had established his
supremacy as "the best man in the country."
Hearing that .\ndrew McCormick of Springfield
bore the reputation of a powerful athlete and
was the acknowledged chief at the game of
fistcuffs about town. Buckles came to Springfield
and challenged McCormick to a pugilistic en-
counter. JlcCormick appeared reluctant to en-
gage and requested his challenger not to bother
him. But Buckles insisted they should fight.
Suddenly McCormick seized his antagonist and
threw him over a horse rack into the street.
As soon as he could rise from the ground after
his signal discomfiture. Buckles put out his
hand, acknowledged McCormick was the better
man and asked him to take a drink. MK'or-
mick was later elected to the State Legisla-
ture, and was one of "the Long Nine" so instru-
mental in the removal of the capital from
Yandalia to Springfield.
Many in those days preferred settling their
differences by a trial of physical strength to ad-
justing their quarrels through the courts — ^the
latter procedure being regarded with contempt
as indicative of the mollycoddle.
Every portion of the North, South and East
in our country contributed to the peopling of
Sangamon County. Their coalescence resulted
in the estaWishnient of a sane, intelligent and
enterprising connnunity. from which sprang
men of distinguished ijarts, some of whom at-
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
635
t.iiued national fame. This chapter is not in-
tended to be biographical nor a chronicle of
events, but purports rather to set forth some
of the conditions and influences which molded
the society of later days. It may be closed
appropriately by quoting a suggestive paragraph
from Clark E. Carr :
"The great characters which Illinois has given
to the world could never have been evolved
from any other than a pioneer life. They will
never again be equaled in our country until
there appears some equally potential pioneer
movement. It may be In morals, it may be In
politics, it may be in society ; but it must be
such an awakening as takes men out of them-
selves and beckons them toward new and un-
explored regions of thought and aspiration."'
CHAl'TER VI.
COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND
GOVERNMENT.
SANGAMO.N COUNTY ORGANIZED IN 1821 — ORIGINAL
BOUNDARIES AND AREA — SUBSEQUENT REDUC-
TIONS AND PRESENT AREA — FIRST ELECTION AND
FIRST OFFICERS — COUNTY SEAT LOCATED — FIRST
COURT HOUSE AND JAIL — LAND OFFICE ESTAB-
LISHED — COUNTY' BOUNDARIES CHANGBD IN 1S24
A COUNTY SEAT CONTEST — SPRINGFIELD BECOMES
THE PERMANENT SEAT OF JUSTICE — DONATION
AND SALE OF LOTS SECOND AND THIRD COURT
HOUSES — LOCATION OF STATE CAPITAL — COURT
AND COUNTY OFFICES IN RENTED BUILDING
FOURTH COURT HOUSE ERECTED IN 1845 — NEW
STATE CAPITOL — OLD STATE HOUSE BECOMES
PRESENT COUNTY BUILDING — ENLARGEMENT AND
DESCRIPTION COURTS AND PUBLIC OFFICES.
(By (ieorge E. Keys.)
.Sangamon County was organized by act of the
Legislature, approved January .30, 1821, from
portions of Madison and Bond Counties, its
boundaries, as originally defined, being as
folldws: From the northeast corner of Town 12
North. 1 West of the Third I'rincipal Meridian,
extending north with that meridian to the Illinois
River; thence down the middle of the Illinois
River to the mouth of Balance or Negro (now
Indian) Creek; up saiil creek to its hea<l : thence
through the middle of the prairie dividing the
waters of the Sangamon and Mauvais Terre to
the northwest corner of Town 12 North, 7 West
of the Third Principal Meridian ; thence east
along the north line of Town 12 to the place of
beginning. This included all the territory in
what constitutes the present counties of Cass,
Menard, Logan, Mason, Tazewell, and parts of
Christian, Macon, McLean, Woodford, Marshall
and Putnam, making a total area of approxi-
mately 4.N0O square miles. This has been re-
duced by successive changes resulting in the crea-
tion, between 1824 and' 1841, of five entire new
counties and parts of six others from the original
territory of Sangamon County, and bringing the
latter down to its present area of 875 square
miles.
Election of County' Commissioners. — The
first election was held in the new county, April
2, 1821, at the house of John Kelly, the first
settler on the site of the present city of Spring-
field, the definition of locality at that time be-
ing "on Spring Creek." William Drennan,
Zacliariah Peter and Rivers Cormack were then
elected County Commissioners and at once en-
tered upon the duties of their office. Plolding
their first meeting the next day, they appointed
Charles R. Matheny (head of the well-known
Matheny family). Clerk of the County Commis-
sioners' Court, a position which he held until
his death in 1.S39. He also held, for a time by
appointment, the otfices of Circuit Clerk, Re-
corder and Probate Judge.
A week l.-iter, on April 10th, the Commission-
ers held their second meeting, at which they
proceeded "to fix a temporary seat of justice for
the county," which they designated as "a certain
point in the prairie near John Kelly's field, on
the waters of Spring Creek, at a stake marked
Z. V. D.." and adding that they "do further agree
that the said county seat lie called and known
by the name of Si)riiigfield." This point is de-
scribed as having been what is now the north-
west corner of Second and Jefferson Streets in
the present city of Springfield, the first court
house being erected on the same spot.
The First Court House. — This meeting was
attended by Commissioners Peter and Drennan,
and on the same date they entered into a con-
tract with Mr. Kelly to construct a building to
he u.sed as a court house, .\ccording to the
specifications this was to be built of logs, twenty
()3li
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
feet ill length, mie story liigli, with "planlj floor,
a good cabin vciof, a door and window cut out,
tlie work to he completed by the first day of
May. next." for which Kelly was to receive a
conipeiisatioii of .$42.r)0. As this part of the
worli aiiproached completion, the Commissioners
entered into a further contract with Jesse Bre-
vard to Hiiisli tile court house in tlie followins;
manner, to-wit : "To lie chinked outside and
(lauhed inside: hoards sawed and nailed on the
inside cracks; a good, sufficient door shutter to
he made with good plank and hung with good
iron hiuges, with a latch : a window to be cut
out faced and rased: to contain nine lights, with
a good sufficient shutter hung on the outside : a
tire-place to be cut out seven feet wide, and a
good sutticieut wooden chimney, built with a
good sufficient back and hearth" — the whole to
be finished b.v the first of September following.
For this iiart of the work Brevard was allowed
.$20..j0. which, with .$9.00 for some other items,
including the .Tudge's seat and bar, and the
.$42,."0 on the Kelly contract, made the total cost
of the structure $72..50.
First Jail. — The Commissioners" Court as-
sembled in the newly constructed court house on
June 4, 1821, and on the same day entered into
an agreement with Robert Hamilton to build a
county jail to be completed by the first Monday
in Seiiteniber next, for which he was to receive
in compensation .$S4,7.'!i. This building was to
lie twelve feet scpiare. constructed of square
hewed logs, with a good cabin roof and with a
window cut eight inches square between two
logs, and protected by iron bars, and otherwise
strengthened for the confinement of persons ac-
cused of crime,
.\hout this time the count.v was divided into
four election districts or precincts named re-
spectively, Sangamon, Springfield, Richland and
Tnion. and two overseers of the iX)or were ap-
pointed for each with three trustees to represent
the couut.v-at-large.
The amount of taxalile projiery, as returned
to the County Commissioners' Court in July,
1S23, was $129,112,"iO,
Land Office Established. — A Government
Land OSice was established at Springfield in
1S2.3 and the first land entries on the site where
the village was situated, were made the same
year by Eli.iah lies, Pascal P. Enos, D. P. Cook
and Thomas Cox — Enos and Cox being, resiiect-
ivelv at that time. Receiver and Registrar of the
Land Office. These lands emhraeed the four
quarter-sections X'Ornering at Second and Jeffer-
son Streets. When the first town plat was
made in 1822, the town was given the name
"Calhoun," but the Government having in the
meantime established a postoffice there by the
name of Springfield, the name Calhoun was
droi>ped.
P.orNDABiEs Changed. — By act of the General
Assembl.v of December 2.3, 1824, the area of
Sangamon Count.v was modified and its bound-
aries changed, by cutting off the portion of the
original county north of Town 20, and a portion
embracing the present County of Cass on the
west, reducing the area by one-half. By this
arrangement Sangamon County embraced what
is now Menard County, a portion of Ma.son.
about two-thirds of Logan and one-half of
Christian.
CoixTV Skat Contest. — Aliout this time
there arose a sharp struggle over the issue look-
ing to the iiermanent location of the county seat.
The contestants in this struggle were Spring-
field, then in teniix>rar.v possession of the prize,
and Sangarao. a village favorably situated on the
.south bank of the Sangamon River about seven
miles northwest of Springfield. In the cam-
paign of 1824. J. H. Pugh and William S. Hamil-
ton were competing candidates for Representa-
tive in the General Assembly. Pugh as a cham-
pion of Springfield and Hamilton as an advocate
for Saugamo. Wliile Hamilton was elected,
Pugh went to ^■andalia as a lobbyist and suc-
ceeded in having the following citizens of other
counties appointed commissioners permanently
to locate the county seat. viz. ; James Mason,
Rowland T, Allen, Charles Gear and John R,
Sloo, A provision in the act authorizing the lo-
cation required, that the proprietors of the site
selected should make a donation to the county
of at least thirty-five acres as the site of a
county building and to assist in the cost of con-
struction. The Commissioners met on March
18, l.S2;j, and after visiting and making an In-
spection of the competing points, declared in
fa\-or of fixing the permanent location at Spring-
field. Messrs. lies, Enos and Cox, already
mentioned as having made entries of laud on
contiguous sections In what is now the heart of
the city of Springfield, at the first land sale,
made a donation of forty-two acres, thus exceed-
ing the amount required b.v act of the Legis-
Intiire. The land was deedetl to the County
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HISTORY OF SAXGAMON COUNTY
637
Commissiouei's, aiul after Ijeinj; officially platted
liy Thomas M. Neal, an early lawyer of Spriug-
flekl, with the exeeptiou of one square (that
which became the Capitol Sciuare and is now
occupied by the present court house), was or-
dered to be sold, the sale taking place May 2 and
3, 1825, with Neale as crier and Erastus Wright
as clerk, the prices of the lots then sold ranging
from $10.25 to $40.
A Second Court House. — ■ In July, 1825, the
County Commissioners passed an order isrovid-
iug for the erection of a new Court house, the
structure to he of brick and two stories in
height, the cost not to exceed $3,000 — a provision
of the order being to the effect that one-half of
the cost should be met by private subscriptions.
This provision, however, failed and the project
was abandoned. In September following a con-
tract was entered into for the construction of a
frame building at a cost of $449. and in addi-
tion of $70 for the construction of flues raising
the total cost to $519. This building was
erected on the northeast corner of Adams and
Sixth .Streets, where the Farmers National
Bank now stands. The old log court house of
1821 was sold at auction about this time for $32,
a little less than half the original cost.
Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the
schedule of the property to be assessed under
the order of Commissioners' Court, issued in
1827, included as taxable property "slaves and
indentured or registered negro or mulatto
Servants."
The Third Court House. — The second Court
house having served for five j'ears, in Februar.v,
IS30, steps were taken for the erection of a brick
building, the County Coiirt appointing three
commissioners to have charge of the work.
Contracts were entered into for this purpose, of
which $4,641 was on account and $2,000 for \\ood
work, making a total of .$G.S41. This edifice was
i-ompletcd early in 1S3], being located in the
center of the imblic si|uare, which afterwards
became the location of the State Capitol and is
the seat of the present Court House. It is de-
scribed as a square building, two stories in
height, with a hip-roof and a cupola rising on
the center. From this time there was a tendency
for business houses to collect as a most desir-
able location alwut the public scpiares.
.St.\te CAPnAT,. — The location of the State
Ca|iital at Springlicld in ]s:!7 brought another
change in public buildings. To the pledge of the
citizens of .Springfield to contribute $50,000 to
the cost of a capitol building, there was added
the resiwnsibility of furnishing a site for the
same. This was finally settled by the selection
<if the public square then occupied by the third
coiu-t house upon which to erect a new State
Ilou.se. It was also prescribed by the same act
that the State should have the use of the old
State House until the new one should be com-
jileted. The land for the new capitol site was
secured at a cost to the city of $70,000 and con-
veyed to the State, with the $200,000 iiaid by the
county for State property, making the total cost
to the city and county, of the transfer of the
capitol location $270,000. Although the property
obtained from the State was paid for in 1807,
the actual transfer did not take place until the
partial completion of the new State House in
.lanuary, 1870, the old building having been in
use by the State, in the meantime, for nearly
nine years. The original cost of the old State
House was $240,000, of which Springfield con-
tributed $50,000, besides the site. It is estimated
that the interest on the sum paid for the old
State House between the time paid and the date
of actual possession, would have amounted to
.•<14(i,(M)0, increasing the actual cost to $340,000.
In .lanuary, 1870, the new State Capitol hav-
ing been so far completed as to make it possible
to use it for office purposes, the old building was
taken possession of by the county and, in 1899,
was enlarged by raising the entire building in
order that a lower story might be added without
destroying the original form. The changes in-
volved an expenditure of $175,000, making the
total cost — without interest on sum i)aid for the
building while it remained in possession of the
State— $375,000.
The building has three full stories besides
ample basement for storage and heating pur-
poses, with a hall on the fourth floor dedicated to
the use of the Grand Army of the Republic. The
other floors furnish ample acvonunodations for
the Circuit and I'robate Courts, Board of Super-
visors and other county otlicers. The building is
123 by 90 feet in dimensions, and 1.54 feet In
height to the top of the flag-staff. It is of pure
Doric style of architecture, and it is a matter of
pride to the citizens of Sangamon County that
the stone for its construction was obtaini^d from
ipiarries within the limits of the county.
Courts and I'lni.ic OrKlCKRs. — Statistics re-
garding courts in Sangamon County will be
638
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
found in chapters on "Bonch and Bar" and "Po-
litical Represeutation," in other iwrtions of
this volume.
City of Springfield. — Springfield was incor-
porated as a town iu 1S32 and as a city iu 1S40.
It has an altitude of 599 feet, and according to
statistics of 1911, has an area of S.6 square
miles ; 103.10 miles of surve.ved streets, of which
G8.16 miles are paved ; 08.33 miles of sewers ;
within its limits 30 miles of single track street
railroads ; 77 miles of gas mains ; nine parks
with a total area of 440.87 acres ; Water Works
with a capacity for 8,000,000 gallons daily and
102 miles of water mains, the value of the plant
being $800,000. The assessed valuation of prop-
erty within the city limits in 1910 was $47,088,-
648, with a bonded indebtedness of $825,800.
CHAPTER VII.
SOME HISTORIC REMINISCENCES.
A GERMAN TRAVELERS TOUR THROUGH ILUNOIS IN
1819 — TRANSI-ATION OF HIS STORY AS TOLD IN
THE GERMAN LANGUAGE — TRIP FROM VANDALIA
TO THE SANGAMON COUNTRY ENTHUSIASTIC DE-
SCRIPTION OP "THE BEAUTIFUL LAND OF THE
SANGAMON" — HIS VISIT TO THE SUGAR CREEK
SETTLEMENT — DISCOVERY OF AN INDIAN CAMP
GROUND ON SPRING CREEK CROSSES THE SANGA-
MON RIVER AND REACHES ELKHART GHOYE —
VISITS THE LATHAM FAMILY — ^AN OPTIMISTIC
VIEW OF THE FUTURE OF ILLINOIS AND ITS
WATERWAY' FACILITIES — NAVIGABILITY OF THE
SANGAMON RIVER IS TESTED THE STEAMER
TALISMAN BEACHES PORTLAND, THE LOCAL PORT
OF SPRINGFIELD ^AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION
AND CELEBRATION OF THE EVENT NEWSPAPER
COMMENT — THE STEAMER BACKS OUT AND THE
EXPERIMENT IS NEVER REPEATED.
(By Paul Selby.)
Some especially interesting reminiscences of
early explorations in Illinois — including a tour
through the "Sangamon Country" — are furnished
in a volume from the pen of Mr. Ferdinand
Ernst, a German traveler who visited this
counti-j' in 1S19, and a report of whose explora-
tions was published in the German language
iu Berlin in 1823. For the following excerijts
from this volume the writer is indebted to a
translation contributed by Prof. E. D. Baker, of
McKendree College, and published in "No. 8,
Publications of the Historical Library of Illi-
nois. 1903."
After having si)ent some time at Edwards-
ville, Vandalia, and other points in Southern
Illinois, Mr. Ernst determined to extend his
tour to the "Sangamon Country," of the beauties
of which he had heard much in his travels. In
a letter under date of Vandalia, September 10,
1819, soon after the location of the State capi-
tal there, and near the date of the Edwards-
ville treaty, ceding the Indian lands in Central
Illinois to the Government, he writes :
"In the vicinity of this town (Vandalia) is a
large amount of fine lands, but every one is
full of praise for those which lie about sixty
to eighty miles northward upon the river San-
gamon."
As the title to lauds, including Vandalia had
already been obtained from the Indians. Mr.
Ernst concluded to build a log house there,
about the same time having bought several lots
in the future State capital. He then says :
"As soon as the building was far enough
advanced that my companion was able to finish
it alone, I started upon a journey to view the
wonderful land upon the Sangamon before I re-
turned to Europe. On the 27th of August, I, ac-
companied by a guide, set out upon this little
journey. We were both mounted and had filled
our portmanteaus as bountifully as possible with
food for man and horse, because upon such a
journey in those regions, one cannot count upon
much. A fine, well-traveled road leads thither
from Edwardsville. In order to reach this, we
rode out from Vandalia across Shoal Creek,
and then northward into the prairie. We left
the forest about the sources of Sugar and Silver
creeks to the south, and in the vicinity of the
groves about the sources of the Macoupin we
came upon this road. We now touched upon
points of timber on some branches of this river,
which extend from the Illinois River through
the greater part of the State from west to east
and disappear about the source of the Okaw
(Kaskaskia) and upon the banks of the Wabash.
This great prairie is the dividing line of the
waters flowing southward to the Mississippi and
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
639
uorthward to the Saufjamou ; but It is, how-
ever, of uo eousiderable elevation. East of the
road are some lal^es or swamps, from which the
two branches of Slioal Creeii receive their first
water. The entire region south of this prairie
elevation is especially distinguished by the eleva-
tion of the prairie and by the smoothness and
fertility of the land ; however, no spring or
river water is to be found anywhere iu it. In
general the few springs which may iwssibly be
there occur only iu the bordering timber. . . .
"As soon as one arrives upon the elevation and
northern side of this prairie, the grass of the
prairie changes and the ground becomes visibly
better. The river banks decline in a gentle
slope from the prairie to the water, and are
likewise covered with woods, which also shows
the greater fertility of the soil. We find here
in the State of Illinois almost the same variety
of woods that are found iu Ohio ; and I found
in addition to the soft maple, the sugar tree,
which, in its leaves, differs but little from it.
The inhabitants regard the latter as far better
for the production of sugar.
"On Sugar Creek, where we passed the second
night, we found, right at the point of timber,
a family who had not yet finished their cabin.
Half a mile farther three families had settled
near an excellent spring, aud here we passed
the night. Upon this little stream, which, about
fifteen miles to the north of its source, empties
into the Sangamon, about sixty farms have been
laid out, indeed all since this spring of 1S19.
They have only broken up the sod of the prairie
with the plow aud planted their corn, and now
one sees these splendid fields covered, almost
without exception, with corn from ten to fifteen
feet high. It is no wonder that such a high
degree of fruitfulness attracts men to bid defi-
ance to the various dangers aud inconveniences
that might, up to this time, present themselves
to such a settlement. And one can, therefore,
predict that possibly no region in all this broad
America will be so quickly populated as this.
Nevertheless, one must regard as venturesome
dare devils all settlers who thus early have lo-
cated here, for they trespassed upon the posses-
sions of the Indians and ran the risk of being
driven out or killed during the great annual
hunt of the Indians, if that treaty at Edwards-
ville had not fortunately been made. . . .
If now all these considerations and actual
dangers could not restrain them from migrating
to this territory, this, then, is the most con-
vincing proof of its value, aud that it is justly
styled 'the beautiful land of the Sangamon.' "
(The point visited by Mr. Ernst at this time
was evidently in the immediate vicinity of the
home of Robert Pulllara, the first settler of
Sangamon County, who came to this region and
erected a cabin on Sugar Creek in 1817, al-
though he did not bring his family here until
some two years later. Mr. Ernst's narrative
continues :)
"From Sugar Creek we turned immediately
westward with the intention of reaching the
point where the Sangamon empties into the
Illinois, and there crossing the former to the
north bank. We crossed Lake Creek (by 'Lake
Creek' here mentioned is evidently meant what
is now known as Lick Creek, which empties
into Sugar Creek about six miles south of
Springfield), then the two branches of Spring
Creek, both of which flow iu the open prairie
— a thing which I had never before seen here
iu America. On the other side of Spring Ci'eek
is a camping ground of Indians, whence the
prairie rises to gentle hills, where we found
two springs shaded simply by a few trees. The
water of these brooks flows swift and clear
through the luxuriant prairie, the high grass
of which reaches above the head of the horse-
man. From these two little brooks rises a plain
which extends to Richland Creek."
(The reference here to the two branches of
Spring Creek — ^Big Spring and Little Spring
Branch — indicates clearly the portion of Sanga-
mon County through which Mr. Ernst's trip ex-
tended, passing northwestwardly through the
vicinity of the present town of Curran toward
Richland Creek, which flows eastwardly from
Pleasant Plains, in the northwest corner of the
county, to Salisbury, and near there empties
into the Sangamon. After spending the night
at the home of a farmer named Shaffer, Mr.
Ernst proceeded northward and in the vicinity
of Richland Creek found three or four other
farms, but owing to the intense heat and being
compelled to travel through dense forests and
underbrush, he found it necessary to abandon
his projected trip to the mouth of the Sangamon,
some twenty-five or thirty miles distant. His
story is here continued:)
"We were now obliged to proceed farther up
the river, and between the mouths of Sugar and
Spring Creeks we found a crossing where there
640
HISTORY OF san"Ga:\I()n county
was a cauoe in which we crossed and lei the
horses swim alongside. The hank of the river
is here abotit fifty feet high, measured from
the surface of the Sangamon, where a broad
plain is formed — a grand spot for the founding
of a city. ... As soon as we had left the
timber of the Sangamon, upon the other bank,
we came into another large prairie where a not
insignificant hill covered with timber attracted
our attention. It was Elkhart (Grove). This
place is renowned on account .of its agreeable
and advantageous situation. A not too steep
hill, about two miles in circuit, provided with
two excellent springs, is the only piece of tim-
bered land in a prairie from six to eight miles
broad."
.\s Mr. Ernst's narrative says that his cross-
ing of the Sangamon took place between the
mouths of Sugar and Spring Creeks — the loca-
tion of the latter (the more westerly of the
two) being directly north of the eastern portion
of the city of Springfield — it is evident that the
crossing occurred at some point northeast of
Springfield, and that in order to reach this
iwint he must have passed near or over the
site of the present city, where the Kelly broth-
ers became the first settlers during the same
year (1S19). The Mr. Latham, whom Mr. Ernst
met at Elkhart Hill, was James Latham, the
head of the well-kuowu Latham family, who
settled there — now the southwest corner of Lo-
gan County — in 1819, and two years later, after
the organization of the original Sangamon
County, became the first Probate Judge of the
county. Except Peoria. Elkhart was then recog-
nized as the most northly settlement in Illinois
east of the Mississippi River, and it was not
until this year that a final permanent settle-
ment of Peoria was made. Elkhart later be-
came the home of John Dean Gillett, a success-
ful agriculturist and stock-grower of Illinois.
From the conditions existing as he saw them
at the time, Mr. Ernst took it for granted that
the Sangamon River must be permanently navi-
gable for a distance of "at least 3(»0 miles from
its union with the Illinois" — although its head-
waters had not then been explored. He was
also deeply impressed (as were the French ex-
plorers) with the possibilities of a water-way
connection between the Illinois and Lake Michi-
gan by the construction of "a 12-mile canal,"
and as show-n by the following quotation, took
an especially optiniislic view of the future of
Illinois as a State :
"By means of this canal'' (between the Illi-
nois and Lake Michigan), "inlaid navigation
would be opened up from New York to New
Orleans, a distance of .S.OOO English milest
Such an internal water-way not only does not
exist at the present time in the whole world,
but it will never exist anywhere else. Besides,
this State enjoys the navigation of its boundary
and internal rivers amounting to 3.094 miles,
and all are placed in conununication with each
other through the Mississippi. In short. I do not
believe that any one State in all America is so
hiyhlij favored hy nature in every respect as the
State of Illinois."
Later, after giving evidence of his faith in
the future of Illinois and its future capital by
the purchase of town lots at Vandalia. Mr.
Ernst took a trip to the Missouri, and then
up the Mississippi (past Alton) to the mouth
of the Illinois and some distance up that stream.
Of the latter he says : "There is certainly no
river in North America better adapted to navi-
gation up stream than the Illinois." Then, after
again alluding to the possibilities of a union of
Lake Michigan with the Illinois, he turns to the
Missouri with the prediction —
"The Missouri River ma.v possibly at some
time become the channel through which the
Americans will carry on their commerce in the
Pacific Ocean with China. There is already
much talk about the Government putting in
sliaiJe the not very long road between the
sources of the Missouri, over the Wliite i Rocky)
Jlountains. to the headwaters of the Cohunbia,
which emiities into the Pacific. ... In any
event, this road to the Pacific will be the short-
est and. in the future, the safest and most pass-
able. What flourishing cities St. Louis and
New Orleans will become '."
AVhile, if the writer of this entertaining story,
of more than ninet.v years ago. had lived to the
present da.v, he might not have seen his picture
of a road connecting the navigable waters of the
Missouri and Columbia realized, he would have
seen it more than transformed into a reality
by the connecting of the shores of the Atlantic
and the Pacific by more than one continental
line of railroad — then not dreamed of — and the
problem of uniting the waters of Lake Michigan
and the Illinois already solved, ,\nd, although
he foresaw with unerring accuracy the astonish-
ncJii'y i&.Yiui",j
n^UiJ/lp ^
m
jL-^^f^-»^
-i,£^/
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
641
iiig (U'Vt'loiiiiii'iit of St. Louis and Xew Orleans,
tbere was not even a hint of the future nietroiKi-
lis of the Central West and the second city
on the American continent except the mention
of Cliicago River as the gateway to the lakes.
Except as a military station Chicago was not
then in existence.
A STEAMBOAT TRIP UP THE SANGAMON.
(By Clinton L. Conkling.)
In the early days the water ways were the
main avenues of communication and efforts were
made to navigate every stream to the highest
point possible. As attempts were made to navi-
gate the Kaskaskia River, on whose banks the
first and second capitals of the state were lo-
cated, so were efforts made to navigate the
Sangamon and with not dissimilar results.
In the "Sangamo Journal" of January 2G.
18.32. there appears a letter from Vincent A.
Bogue. written in Cincinnati and addressed
to Edward Mitchell, Esq., 'of Springfield. Mr.
Bogue says he will attempt the navigation of
the Sangamon River if he can find a suitable
boat, and expresses the opinion that if he suc:
ceeds it will revolutionize the freight busii^ess.
This is an editorial paragraph from the "Spring-
field Journal" of February 16, 1832:
"Navigation of the Sangamo. — We find the
following advertisement iu the 'Cincinnati Ga-
zette" of the 19th ult. We hope such notices
will soon cease to be novelties. We seriously be-
lieve that the Sangamon River, with some little
improvement, can be made navigable for steam-
boats for several mouths In the year."
Here Is the advertisement :
"For Sangamo River, Illinois. — The splendid
upper cabin steamer, Talisiiuui. J. M. Pollock,
Master, will leave for Portland, Springfield, on
the Sangamon River, and all the intermediate
iwrts and landings, say Beardstown, Naples. St.
Louis, Louisville, on Thursday, February 2. For
freight or passage, apply to Capt. Vincent A.
Bogue, at the Broadway Hotel, or to Allison
Owen."
The same boat was advertised iu the St. lyouis
papers.
.\fter the above notices appeared in the "Jour-
nal." the citizens of Springfield and svu'round-
ing countr.v held a public meeting. February
14. 18.'{2, and ap|iointed a conunittee to meet
-Mr. Bogue with a suitable iniiiilier of hands to
assist iu clearing the river of obstructions.
.\nother eounnittee was apiminted to collect sub-
scriptions to defray the expense. "The Journal''
of March Sth announces the arrival of the
steamer at Meredosia. where its further pro-
gress was obstructed by Ice. The "Sangamo
Journal" of March 2!), 1832. says:
"On Saturday last the citizens of this place
(Springfield) were gratified by the arrival of
the steamboat Talisniiw. J. W. Pollock, Master,
of l.JO tons burthen, at the Portland landing,
opposite this town. (Portland was at the south
side of the Sangamon River, between where the
bridges of the Chicago & Alton and the Illinois
Central Railroads now stand.) The safe arrival
of a boat of the size of the Talisman, on a river
never before navigated by steamer, had created
much solicitude, and the shores for miles were
crowded by our citizens. Her arrival at her
destined iwrt was balled with loud acclamations
and full demonstrations of pleasure. Wben
Capt. Bogue located his steam-mill on Sangamon
River, twelve months ago, and asserted bis de-
termination to land a steamboat there within a
year, the idea was considered chimerical by
some, and utterly impracticable by others. The
experiment has been made, and the result has
been as successful as the most enthusiastic
could expect; and this county owes a deep debt
of gratitude to Capt. Bogue for getting up the
exi^edition, and his never tiring and unceasing
efforts until the end was accomplished. Capt.
Pollock, who is naturally warm and enthusiastic,
entered fully into the feeling of our citizens,
who visited the mouth of tlie river to render
any and every assistance In tbeir power : and
nmch credit is due him for his perseverance and
success. The boat experienced some didicnlty
from drifts, and leaning timber ou shore, wliicli
made her ,trip somewhat tedious. The result
has clearly demonstrated the practicability of
navigating the river by steamboats of a proper
size : and, by the expenditm-e of .f2.(MMi in re-
moving logs and drifts and standing timber, a
steamboat of 80 tons burthen will make the
trip in two days from Beardstown to this |)lace.
The citizens of Beardstown manifested great
interest for the success of the enterprise, and
some of them accompanied the boat until the
result was no longer doulitful. 'I'be.v [u-oposiHl
the cutting of a conunnnication or canal from
the bluffs to tbeir landing — about five miles —
642
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
whereby .seventy-five miles of navigation may be
saved, and offered one tliousand dollats to assist
in completing it. It is to be hoped that the next
Legislature will afford some aid in making the
river safe and pleasant in its navigation.
Springfield can no longer be considered an in-
land town. We have no doubt but within a few
months a boat will be constructed for the special
purpose of navigating the Sangamo River. The
result which must follow the successful termina-
tion of this enterprise, to our county and to
those counties lying in its neighborhood, it would
be impossible to calculate. Here is now open
a most promising field for the exercise of every
branch of honest industry. We congratulate
our farmers, our mechanics, our merchants and
professional men for the rich harvest in pros-
pect, and we cordially invite emigrating citizens,
from other States, whether rich or poor, if so be
they are industrious and honest, to come hither
and partake of the good things of Sangamo.''
A ball was gotten up in honor of the arrival,
and several yards of machine poetry appeared In
the next number of the "Journal," detailing the
various incidents connected with the wondrous
event. The boat was unloaded aud immediately
started on its return, but the river had so fallen
and brought the water within so narrow a chan-
nel, that it was impossible to turn it around,
and rhe officers and crew were compelled to back
it out the entire distance. The only mention
ever made of the boat afterwards was a news-
paper report that the Talisman was burned at
the wharf in St. Louis in the latter part of the
next April. No attempt was ever made after
that to bring a boat up the river, and thus ended
the dream of navigating the Sangamo.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE SECOND STATE CAPITAL.
FIRST SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT
KASKASKIA PETITION FOE SITE FOB A NEW
CAPITAL GRANTED BY CONGRESS COMMISSION-
ERS FOE SELECTION OF SITE AND ERECTION OF
STATE HOUSE APPOINTED BY THE LEGISLATURE
VANDALIA SELECTED AND INCORPORATED IN 1821
— STORIES REGARDING CHOICE OF SITE AND NAME
— QUESTION OF NAVIGABILITY' OF KASKASKIA
RIVER — STATE HOUSE BURNED AND THIRD SES-
SION HELD IN CHURCH BUILDING AND PRIVATE
DWELLING CITIZENS OF VANDALIA ERECT A SEC-
OND STATE CAPITOL — THIS GIVES PLACE TO A
NEW BUILDING IN 1S36.
(By Clinton L. Conkling. )
The first session of the General Assembly for
the State of Illinois convened at Kaska.skia Octo-
ber 5, 1818, remaining in session eight days,
when it was adjourned to January 18, 1819.
This body adopted the petition to Congress pre-
scribed by the Constitution, requesting a grant
(if land, which was comi^lied with by act of Con-
gress ou March 3, 1819, gi-anting a tract of four
sections — ^the largest amount mentioned in the
petition — to be selected by the State for the
establishment thereon of the seat of government
for a period of twenty years. During this same
session of the General Assembly, an act was
passed (which was approved March 30, 1819)
providing for removal of the State capital. This
act, aftei" expressing satisfaction with the com-
pliance of Congress with the petition submitted
by the State Legislature, provided as follows :
1. For the apiwiutment by joint ballot of
both i>ranches of the Legislature of five Com-
missioners "to select a suitable site whereon to
fix the seat of government of this State," each
commissioner pledging him.self "to be governed
alone by the interest of this State" in discharg-
ing -the duties of his office.
2. That the Commisslonerai, "or a major
part of them," should within not less than
"three months from the official publication of the
act of Congi-ess," select the lands as prescribed,
"said land to be situate ou the KasUaskia River,
and as near as may be east of the Third Prin-
cipal Jleridiau on said river."
3. That "as soon as practicable" the descrip-
tion of the land selected should be transmitted
"to the Registrar and Receiver of the Land
Office In whose district" the land should be sit-
uated, or to any other officer as may be re-
quired by act of Congress.
1. That the Commissioners should have the
]X)wer to employ a skillful surveyor to lay off a
towTi on said land, clioose a name for the same
and di-aw upon the State treasury for compen-
sation for the surveyor.
TIf'. NEW YOM
PUBLIC LIBRARY
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
643
5. The Commissioners were "authorized and
required to sell one hundred and fifty lots (not
more than ten lots to he on the puhlie square)
to the highest hidder," after advertising the sale
not less than six weeks — the lots to be paid for
in cash, or on credit, with appi-oved security of
six, twelve or eighteen months; also that the
Commissioners be emjMwered to receive money
from the sale of lots, giving bond and security
for the same (on approval of the Governor), in
double the amount received, ixiyable to the
State within 'one month after receipt of the
same.
6. The Commissioners were empowered to
give deeds of conveyance for all lots sold, with
warranty on the part of the State.
7. As soon as practicable after the platting
of the town as a State capital, the Commission-
ers were required to secure a contract for the
erection of "a suitable house for the reception
of the General Assembly at their next stated
session," the building to be two stories in height
with capacity far the accommodation of both
houses,- — the House of Representatives in the
lower stoi-y and the Senate in the upper, „Tjithr
rooms for clerks, etc. — the same to be eomplet^dv
at least six months before the next session. ' ;-
8. The eighth section prescribed that the
next ses.sion should be held in the new capital
building, and that this place should remain the^
capital for twenty years.
Sections 9 and 10 prescribed the methods of
calling meetings of the Commission and the re-
porting of proceedings of the same to the Gen-
eral Assembly; the 11th provided that the sum
required for the erection of a temix>rary state
house should be paid out of money received
from' the sale of lots; and the 12th (and last)
fixed the compensation of the Commissioners,
for the time actually spent in the public service,
at three dollars per day.
Under the act of March 30, 1819, Samuel
Whiteside, of Madison County ; Levi Compton,
of Edwards County ; William Alexander of Mon-
roe County ; Thom;as Cox, of Union County, and
Guy W. Smith, of Edwards County, were a|>
pointed Commissioners to carry out its provi-
sions, which they did by selecting Sections 8,
9, IG and 17, in Township 16 North, Range 1
East of the Third P. M. and located the capitol
thereon. They caused a portion of these tracts
to be surveyed in July, 1819, into town lots re-
sen-iug a block on which the capitol building
should be erected.
It is said that while the Commissioners were
making their way along the west bank of the
Ivaskaskia River (now the Okaw) in search of
a .site, that one of the party shot a deer which
fell at the ti-unk of a large oak tree. They
cooked a portion of the animal for their dinner
and, while partaking of this repast, they de-
cided that the new capitol building should stand
on the exact sixit where the deer fell. It was
So located-
The Commissioners named the town thus lo-
cated in the midst of the wilderness, and twenty
miles from any settlement, Vandalia.
In reference to this incident, (iov. Ford, in his
"History of Illinois," says: "After the place
had been selected, it became a matter of great
interest to give it a good sounding name, one
which would jdease the ear, and at the same
time have the classic merit of perpetuating the
memory of the ancient race of Indians by whom
the country had first been inhabited. Tradi-
tion says that a wag, who was present, sug-
■gested-to. the Commissioners that the "Vandals"
. weW' "a powerful nation of Indians, who once
~ iijiaabited the- b;mks of the Kaskaskia River,
and that "Vandalia," formed from their name,
AVouia'perpetuate the memoi-j- of that e.xtinct but
renowned.' ijeople. The suggestion pleased the
Commissioners, the name was adopted and they
thus proved that the name of their new city
(if they were fit representatives of their con-
stituents) would better illustrate the character
of the modern than the ancient inhabitants of
the country."
The Commissioners reported their acts at the
next Genei-al Assembly and the same were ap-
proved by the following act of the Legislature :
"An Act approving .\nd confirming the pro-
ceedings OF THE VAND.\LI.\ COMMISSIONERS, AND
FOB OTHER PURPOSES, Approved January -7, 1821.
"Section 1. Be it enacted by the (Jeneral As-
sembly, etc.. That all the acts and proceedings
of the C'onmussioners appointed by the last Gen-
eral Assembly, to select four sections of laud,
granted to this State by the act of Congress of
the ;kl of March, 1S19, "An Act for the removal
of the seat of goveniment of the State of Illi-
nois," as well as such as relate to the seIe<'tions
made by them, of Sections S, 9, IC and 17 in
Townsliij) (i .North of Range 1. East of the Third
Piiiuipal Jleridian. .ms tliose relating to other
oh.jccis of tlieir .-ipiiointment. be and the sjime
aro hereb.v approved and confirmed; and the
said Town of Vandalia, laid out by the said com-
044
HISTORY OF SAXGAJION COIXTV
missionci's on ii;irt of said lour se<'tioiis. is here-
by declared to lie the jieriiianeiit seat of Ki>veni-
lueiit of the State of Illinois, for twenty years
from and after the tirsl Monday of Dereinher.
1820."
The lirst caiiilol building was a iilaiu two
Story frame house of ittde architecture and lo-
cated on the corner of Fifth and Johnson
Streets in Vandalia. The lower floor consisted
of one room for the House of Representatives
and a i>Iace for the passjige and stairway to the
second floor. The second floor consisted of two
rooms the larger for the Senate Chamber and
the smaller for the Council of Revision. The
Secretary of State, Auditor and Treasurer oc-
cuiiied rented olEees elsewhere in the town. No
ceremonies were observed in laying the corner-
stone of this unsightly stnacture.
The State Archives, constituting one s-mall
wagon load, were moved in December. 1820,
from KasUaskia to Vandalia by Sidney Breese,
then Clerk to the Secretary of State, but after-
ward a Justice of the Supreme Court, for which
service he received $25. The first session of the
Sec-oud General Assembly met in the first capi-
tol building owned by the State December 4,
1820. After the removal of the capital Kaskas-
kia rapidly declined in imixn'tauce and, from a
town of several thousand inhabitants, became a
mere hamlet and has since almost entirely dis-
ai>i)eared.
Soon after the location of the capital at Van-
dalia, a bill w,as introduced into the Legis-
lature iiroviding for the navigation of the Kas-
kaskia from its mouth to Vandalia. Quite a
number of the members of the General Assem-
lily were in favor of the measure. When the
bill reached the Senate and had been considered
for some time, pro and con, the Hon. Peter War-
len. then a Senator from Shelby County, arose
and addressed the President of the Senate as
follow.s:
"Mr. President : ^^^lat do these members
know about the Kaskaskia River? I live on the
banks of that stream, and I say to you and the
members of this august body, that turtles have
been known to run aground in that stream, and.
further, that I can go on a sis weeks Ciirousal
and lay flat on my belly, and drink it dry from
its source to its month."
This settled it and the Kaskaskia is not navi-
gable to this day. In this respect it is not un-
like the Sangamon River.
In the Act of the (Jeneral Assembly of 1S21
ini-or|K)raling I lie Towii of Vandalia the I'.oard
of Trustees of the Town were authorized "to
employ some skillful r>ersou to paint the State
House in a neat and workmanlike manner, and
to make such alterations in the chimneys of the
house as they might deem nec-essary ; and it
was also made their duty "to take [ws-sessiou of
and keep in good repair the Stale House during
each ami every recess of the Gener.il Assembly."
On December 9, 182.3, during the third session
of the Legislature held at Vandalia, this build-
ing was destroyed by fire. After the fire the
Senate for the rest of its session occupied a
building erected for divine worship liy all de-
nominations, but which was afterwards sold to
the Presbyterian Church. This liuilding was sit-
uated on the north side of the ])ublic sipiare but
was afterwards removed to a side street and is
still standing.
It was afterwards in the tower of this first
church edifice erected in Vandalia, that the first
Protestant church bell in Illinois was hung.
Tlie bell bears the following inscription:
"ILLINOIS RIGGS
TO THE PRE.SBYTERIAX CONGREG.iTlOX OF
VANDALIA. l.Snn."
-Miss Riggs was a daughter of Itomulus Riggs,
a merchant of Philadelphia who had extensive
business dealings in Illinois and became the
owner of a large amount of lauds in the State.
The French Catholics had several Ijells in their
monasteries and churches at Kaskaskia and in
the neighboring villages. This Vandalia bell is
still in possession of the Presliyterian Church
in that city. The donor, now Mrs. Illinois Riggs
Graff, is (1910) still living in Philadelphia.
This church building was erecteil pursuant to
an act of the (Jeneral Assembly, approved June
12, 1S23. by which the (Jovernor was authoriz.eil
to convey to certain persons as trustees, a tract
of ground for a graveyard, and also to convey
to them five lots in the town of Vandalia. "for
the purix)se of erecting a hou.se for divine wor-
ship, which shall be free to all denominations
to preach in." On one of the lots the building
was to be placed and the other lots were to be
sold to pay for the t-ost of the building.
.Vfter the burning of the first capitol building
the House of Representatives finished their ses-
sii>n in a private house. The General Assembly
does not apjioar to have taken any steps innne-
diately for re-building the caiiitol. The second
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
645
state House, however, was built by the citizens
of Vaiidalia in the summer of 1824, and was a
two-stoiY brick structure, costing about $15,000,
of which amount the citizens of Vandalia con-
tributed $.3,000. advancing the money for the bal-
ance, which the .State refunded in the fall of
that year. The corner-stone of this edifice was
also laid without, public ceremony. In this
building the General Assembly continued its ses-
sions until the erection, iu the summer of 18.36,
of a third building, still standing in the public
square in the City of Vandalia, and now occu-
pied as a court bouse for Payette County but
known as the Old Capitol Building.
This last building was not erected by the
State Imt was built by three private citizens
of Vandalia on their own responsibility and,
for the most jmrt, out of their own private
funds. Without warrant of law but by common
consent, they tore down the old brick building
erected twelve years before, and used the ma-
terial, so far as it was available, in the con-
struction of the new capitol.
Governor Duncan, in his message to the Tenth
General Assembly (December, 1836), says: "In
consequence of the dilapidated and falling con-
dition of the Old State House, the public officers,
mechanics and citizens of this place (Vandalia),
believing that tlie Legislature would have no
place to convene or hold their session, have
Iinilt the house you now occupy. This work
lias been done in a time and under circum-
stances which evinces an industry, zeal and pub-
lic-spirit that does honor to the place and c-om-
mands our grateful acknowledgment : and I
hope their services and expen.ses will be
promptly remunerated,"
The cost of this building was about .$16,000, of
which amount $6,000 was repaid by Governor
Duncan out of the contingent fund of the State
and .$10,000 advanced by three private citizens
referred to. This was done by them in order
to co\interact a movement, then on hand, to re-
move the i-apital from Vandalia. The State
afterwiir<ls re-imhursed them, however. A
goodly portion of the constructive material, ex-
cept the brick and shingles, is said to have
been olitained without leave from the United
States Government, which was at that time en-
gaged iu constructing the National Road and
building bridges over the openings in the grad-
ing across the bottom east of the town and
iicross tile Kaskaskia River at lliat iioint.
CHAPTER IX.
jrO\-E.MEXT FOR A THIRD CAPITAL.
AGIT.\TI0X BEGI>'S FOR SELECTIOJf OF A NEW .STATE
CAPITAL — QUESTION SUBMITTED TO POPULAR
VOTE IX 1834 ALTON RECEIVES THE LARGEST
VOTE BUT NO FINAL ACTION IS TAKEN — THE
"LONG NINE" FROM SANGAMON COUNTY IN THE
TENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY — THE INTERNAL IM-
PROVEMENT ISSUE MOVEMENT FOR SELECTION
OF A NEW ST.\TE CAPITAL SUCCESSFUL — .\CT PRO-
VIDING FOR VOTE IN JOINT SESSION OF THE LEG-
ISLATtJBE SPRINGFIELD WINS ON FOURTH BAL-
LOT SUPPLEMENTAL ACT RELATING TO DONATION
OF SITE FOR CAPITOL BUILDING BY CITIZENS OF
SPRINGFIELD AND APPOINTING COMMISSIONERS
FOR ERECTION OF SAME — 'I.A.ST DAYS OF THE CAPI-
TAL IN VANDALIA AND ITS DECLINE IN POPULA-
TION — THE REMOVAL TO SPRINGFIELD WIDELY AP-
PROVED BY THE PRESS OF THE STATE — ENTHUSI-
ASTIC CELEBRATION OF THE EVENT IN SPRING-
FIELD.
(By Clinton L. Conkling. )
In 18.3.3 strong efforts were being made in the
northern part of the State — which was filling
rapidly with settlers — for the removal of the
capital northward. The geographical center of the
State was aliout twenty miles east of Springfield,
where is now the Village of Illiopolis. a dis-
tance of .sixt.v miles north of Vandalia. By
the terms of the Constitution and the first act
of the General Asseml)l.v. this removal could not
be made until the ex]iiration of twent.v .vears
after the first day of Decemljer. 1820. This did
not, however, prevent Vandalia from asserting
her claim with a number of other cities. The
following act was approved by the. General As-
sembly February 5, 1833 :
"An Act permanently to locate the seat of
Government of Illinois.
"Br it enacted, that at the next election to be
held in the several counties of the State for
memliers of the Lcgislatin'e. there shall he
o])en('d .-it each place of voting a book, in which
shiill lie entered the votes of the (inalified voters
in favor of the following nameil places, as their
choice for the permanent location of the seat of
govermneiit of this Stale, after the expiration of
the time prescrilied by tlie constitution for its
646
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
rfiiiaiiiiiif; at Vaiidalia. tn-wlt : The st'Ographi-
i/al center of tlie State, Jacksonville in Morgan
Connty, SlH'infjfield in .Sangamon Connty, Alton
in Madison County, Vanrtalia in Fayette Connty.
and Peoria in Peoria Connty. Tlie place or
point receiving the highest number of votes
shall forever remain the seat of government for
the State of Illinois."
At the next general election held August 4,
1834, in the several counties for members of the
Legislature, the vote was as follows: The
Geographical Center received 7r»0 votes; Jack-
sonville, 273 ; SiiringfieUl. 7,03.'^i ; Peoria, 423 ;
Alton 8.157; Vandalia 7.780. Although Alton
received the highest number of votes and was
entitled under the Act of 1,8.33 to be made the
permanent seat of government, this fact was
never ofiieially declared, no appropriation for a
new state house was made, and so far as the
public records show, the vote was never can-
vassed nor the matter referred to during the
entire session of the Ninth General Assembly.
During the year 1835 and 1836. the removal
of the capital from Vandalia was freely dis-
cussed. At that time the United States Gov-
ernment was engaged in building the old Cum-
berland or National Road through Illinois, and
it was a question whether it should be built
we.st from Vandalia to St. Louis or to Alton.
The people of the southern portion of the State
were nearly unanimous for St. Louis, while the
people of the noi'tliern part of the State were
in favor of Alton. The feeling became quite
warm. The Vandalhi people favored St. Louis,
which so irritated the Alton people that, when
the matter of the removal of the capital came
up in the General Assembly of 183G-37 and
they became convinced they could not get the
capital, they threw their influence to Springfield
in order to get even with Vandalia on account
of the National Road question. They were also
influenced by the help given by the members
of the General Assembly from Sangamon County
whereby the terminals of three railroads were
located at Alton under the Internal Improve-
ment Acts.
In the Legislature of 1830-37 Sangamon
County had two Senators and seven Representa-
tives. They averaged six feet in height and
were known as the "Long Nine." Archer G.
Herndon and Jol) Fletcher were in the Senate
and Abraham Lincoln. Ninian W. Edwards,
John Dawson, Andrew AlcCormick, Dan Stone.
William F. Klkin and Robert L. Wilson in the
Hou.se. Their combined height was fiftv-four
leet. Mr. Lincoln was ".six feet four inches,
nearly."'
At that time Sangamon was the second county
in point of population in the State, being ex-
ceeded in 1S40 by Morgan by nearly 5,000.
For some time the i^eople of Springfield hud
been preparing to urge its claims to become the
capital city of the State, and these men were
chosen. Senators and Representalives, with this
purpose in view. Prior to the meeting of the
Tenth General Assembly, a furore for public
improvements swept over the State. The people
at many public meetings demanded that rail-
roads, canals and state highways be constructed
and operated at public expense, utterly ignoring
the fact that there was neither population nor
commerce sufficient to sujjport these enterprises.
linder this pre.ssure of public opinion, many leg-
islators were elected to that General Assembly
upon this is.sue of public improvements.
The members from any given loc'ality were
ready to trade or "log roll" for votes favoring
the construction of a railroad, canal or mail
route through their own particular c-ounty. The
members from Sangamon County gave their spe-
cial attention to securing votes for the selection
of Springfield as the capital. This singleness
of puriKJse, with help .iudiciously given to others
in the advancement of their projects, produced
a favorable impression for Springfield. In Feb-
ruary. 1837. the Legislature passed a bill entit-
led "An Act to establish and maintain a general
system of Internal Improvements." This was
lollowed by two supplemeutaiy acts passed the
next month.
These acts appropriated upwards of ten mil-
lions of dollars from the public treasury for the
construction of railways and for the improve-
ment of watenvays and of the "Great Western
Mail Route." The constniction of the Illinois
& Michigan Canal was also authorized. For
many years the burden of this improvident and
reckless legislation rested heavily upon the
State, destroyed its credit, retarded its improve-
ment and gave opixirtunity for qnestionable
transactions which tarnished its fair fame.
This bill was disapproved by Governor Dun-
can and the Council of Revision, but the friends
of Springfield finally effected such a c-ombina-
tion that that city was selected as the capital
while the Internal Improvement act was passed
over the Governor's veto.
^liile the internal improvement bill was jjend-
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
647
ing the "Long Xine'" were busy. Tliey said lit-
tle or nothing in reference to locating proposed
railroads, liut would assist other localities,
where votes could be secured for locating the
caiiital at Springfield. The result was tlie pas-
sage of '"An act permanently to locate the seat
of government for the State of Illinois." which
was approved at \'andalla. Febi-uary 25. 1S37.
This law provided for a joint session of the two
houses, on the 28th of the same month, to select
.1 situation. An appropriation of fifty thousand
dollars was made to commence building the State
liouse. The law also declared that no place
should be chosen unless its citizens contributed
at least $50,000 to aid in the w-ork, and not less
than two acres of land, as a site for the capitol
buiUling.
This act was as follows:
An Act permanently to locate the seat of
government of the state of illinois.
See. 1. Be it enacted by the people of the
State of lUinois represented in the General As-
sembly, That the two Houses of the General As-
sembly shall meet in the Hall of the House of
Representatives on the 28th day of February,
1837, at ten o'clock A. M. and then and there
proceed by joint vote to select some suitable
point or pbice for the iiermanent location of the
seat of government f(ir the State of Illinois;
Prorided further, that said election shall not
continue more than one da.v.
See. 2. Each member shall be at liberty to
vote for whatever point or place he may choose;
and no i>oint or place shall be deemed selected
until it shall have received a majority of all
Hie votes given.
Sec. 3. In ease no point or place shall re-
ceive a majority of all the votes given on the
first vote, the two Houses shall continue to vote
until some point or place shall receive such ma-
jority ; Prorided, that this section shall not be
constmed to prevent an adjournment from day
to day.
Sec. 4. \\^ien any point or place shall have
received a majority as aforesaid, such point or
place shall be and remain the jiermancnt loca-
tion of Ibe Sent of (Jovcrnment for the Slate of
Illinois, from and after the time for which it is
fixed at \'aMdalia shall have expired, and the
sum of fifty thousand dollars is liereby appro-
priated for the puriwse of erecting a State
House and other needful buildings (if any)
which shall be expended under the direction of
three Conunissioners to be a])|iointed by the
jiresenl General .\ssembly ; Prorided. that this
acl shall be null and void unless the sum of
fitly lliousand dollai's lie donated by individuals
an(l secured by bonds and security to be ap-
Iiroved of by Ibe (Jovernor and made payable to
the State Treasurer, to become due at such
times as the Governor shall direct; which bunds
shall be executed and filed with the State Treas-
urer, on or befoi-e the first day of May next,
and which donation is especiall.v designed to
meet the appropriation hereinbefore made, and
shall be applied exclusively and immediately
to that object, and also, unless sufficient quan-
tity of ground not less than two acres, upon
which to erect public buildings be donated and
conveyed to the State without expenses to the
State of Illinois.
See. 5. An Act entitled "An act iiermanent^y
to locate the Seat of Government of Illinois "
approved Februai-y 5. 1833, is hereby repealed :
Prorided. however, that if the General Assembly
shall fail to select a point for the Seat of Gov-
ernment as provided for in this act, then and in
that case this section shall be void and of no
effect. This General Assembly reserves the
right to repeal this act at any time hereafter.
Approved, February 25, 1837.
Accordingly on February 28, 1837, at 10:00
o'clock A. JI., the two Houses met in joint ses-
sion and. on the fourth ballot, Springfield was
chosen as the new capital receiving 73 votes, a
majority over all competitors. Altogether
twenty-nine different places were voted for.
The ballots were as follows :
1st. 2nd. 3rd. 4th.
Springfield 35 43 53 73
Jacksonville 14 15 9 i
Vandalia 10 15 10 15
Peoria 16 12 11 6
Alton 15 10 14 6
Scattering 25 7 15 7
Tlliopolis 10 3
lUiopolis at this time was a "pai«^r town" of
mannnoth proportions, covering 8.0(Xl acres laid
out by Governor Duncan, John Taylor, Eli C.
l'.laid;enship and the Sangamo Land Company
r.ear the site of tlie village of the same name.
In the following month Commissioners to erect
the new State House were appointed by the
following act :
"An Act supplemental to an act to per-
manently LOCATE THE SeAT OP GoVERN.MENT OF
Illinois.
"Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the p(><)(ile of the
State of Illinois represtMited in the (Jenerai .Vs-
sembly, That the county conunissioners' court of
Sang.-unon County is hereby authorized and em-
powered to convey to Ibe (iovernor of llu> State
of Illinois, for the use of Ihe iicuple of s;iid State,
all that piece or parcel of ground sitmite, lying
and being in Ihe town of Springfield, coimty of
Sanganmn and State of Illinois, known as the
"public s(iuare," containing two and a half acres,
be the siime more or less, ui>on which jnece or
jiarcel of ground when conveyed as aforesaid
648
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COCXTV
shiill be i-rci-ted a State House and other iieees-
war.v iHiblic Iniildiuirs foi' the State of Illinois.
Arehibakl Job, of the County of Jlorgan. A. G.
Henry. Thomas Houf;han. (Hoijan). of Sanga-
mon C'ount.v, are hereby aiii»i>inte(l Comniis-
sionei-s to superintend the erection of the pub-
lic buildings afores;iid. who. l)efore they enter
upon the diseharse of their duty, shall enter
into bond to the Governor of this State, with
ai)i>roved security in tlie penalty of ten thou-
sand dollars each, conditioned for the faithful
Iierforuiance of their duties, and shall severally
take an oath, that they will well and truly and
diligently discharge all their duties as Commis-
sioners to superintend the erection of public
buildings. They shall cause to be erected a
building of suitable size for a State House, upon
the most a]ii)roved and convenient plan and pro-
viding the necessary offices and eouuuittee
rooms for public use. Said commissioners shall
stipulate for all payments to be made out of
the fund api>roi>riated for that purpose and no
other, and they shall be allowed three dollars
l^er day for their services, out of the same fund.
Sec. 2. If the County Commissioners' Court of
Sangamon County shall fail to convey the lot of
land herein contemplated, the said Commission-
ers shall procure a suitable and convenient lot
of ground for the irarposes aforesaid.
Approved od ilarcli. 18.37.
Dr. Hogan declined to act as Commissioner
and in 1839, William Herndon was appointed to
fill the vacancy. This couuuission was legislated
out of office in 1810 and a new one appointed
consisting of the Secretar.v of State, Auditor and
U'reasurev, who were then. Jame.s Shields, Ly-
man Trumljull and Jlilton Cariwnter.
At the last session of the Legislature held
at Vandalia, the Act of February 19, 1839. was
passed giving to the President and Trustees of
the Town of Vandalia and to the County of Fay-
ette, to be owned, occupied and used by the said
coriwration and eount.v in severalt.v, the house
on the Public Square in Vandalia theretofore
used as a State House. The west half was to be
used as a court house and the east half for
school purposes by the town of Vandalia. Some
of the stoves, chairs and tables' out of the State
House were given to the county, and the re-
mainder were to be sold b.y the President and
Truster's of the Town and the proceeds to be
invested in a library for the use of the inhabi-
tants. The Square was to remain forever a
Public Square. The remaining lots owned b.v
the State .situated on the original grant from the
United States Government and not otherwise
appropriated, were directed to be sold by the
county and the proceeds to be used in the mak-
ing or repairing of bridges in the county of
Fayette.
At this time Vandalia had a population of
about 2,.o00, but after the removal of the capital
the iKjpuIation rapidly declined. Duriug the in-
terval between 1819 and 18.>5. the only means
of transiwrtation in and out of Vandalia was b,v
the old wagon roads in wagons, carriages, bug-
gies and stages. It was an imiMrtant ix)st on
the Overland Stage Line, which conveyed pas-
sengers and the mails in the old style six-horse
Concord coaches. The approach of the mail
coach was heralded by the blowing of a horn
b.v the driver as It approached the town, and
was the signal for the male iwpulation to as-
semble at the postotfice and the stage stand.
In Januar.v. 185.5, the Illinois Central Railroad
was completed to Vandalia. and thereafter it
had better means of communication with other
parts of the state.
In the early days the County Court licensed
the taverns and fixed the charges of the land-
lord to his customers. The following is an in-
dication of the articles demanded and the prices
at which they were served during the days that
the members of the Legislature patronized the
taverns in Vandalia :
For breakfast or supper 2.5c
For dinner STVoC
For night's lodging 121^0
For horse feed 18%c
For horse for night 50e
For I'U pt. rum, wine or French brandy 37VaC
For Vi pt. peach or apple brandy 25c
For V2 pt. gin 25c
For ^'2 pt. cordial 25e
For 14 pt. of cherry bounce 25c
For V. pt. of whisky \2i'2C
After the removal of the capital, the popula-
tion of Vandalia declined until, in I8.50. it did not
have more than 300 inhabitants. The only
thing that kept it alive was the fact that it
was the termination of the National Road, this
road never having been brought farther west.
At that time the old State House was in a
very dilapidated condition. The floors In the
lower part were largely gone and cattle and
stock of all kinds sought shelter therein from
the weather. The county in 1857 acquired the
ownership of the whole building, which was re-
modeled and is now in an excellent state of
preservation. Since then various improvements
3
Tb
PUBLIC
LIBRART
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
649
have been made and the building is still serving
as the Court House lor the county of Fayette.
Dui'ing the time the capital was at Vandalia
it was the social center of the State. Its prom-
inent residents were composed of families
originating from the old Puritan stock of the
East and from the wealthy and aristocratic
families of the South. Taken altogether, a
more cultured, refined and intelligent group of
people was never congregated in so small a
place as Vandalia was at that time. It was the
custom of the society people from nearly every
part of the State to spend their winters there
during the sessions of the Legislature, during
which time there was one continuous round of
receptions, balls, parties and private theat-
ricals.
Celebration in Springfield. — The "Spring-
field Journal" of March 4, 1S37, contains the fol-
lowing reference to the act of the Legislature :
"On Tuesday last the Legislature selected
Springfield as the future seat of Government of
the State — a result which, as a matter of course,
was hailed by our citizens with universal ac-
clamation. Mingled with the natural re-
joicing which is felt and manifested by our
citizens is a feeling of gratitude to the members
of the Legislature, and renews an Increased
confidence in those who have made the selection
with exclusive reference to the interests of the
State and the convenience of its citizens. It is
no slight ground for our confidence to have
seen the Legislature deciding a question so ex-
citing and involving so many interests with an
entire disregard to party considerations ; and we
cannot but exult that the representatives of
the people have been just enough to determine
the question on its merits, wise enough to per-
ceive the propriety of the choice they have made,
.•:nd firm enough to act on their convictions
promptly and effectually."
The "Chicago Advertiser," of that day, said:
"We congratulate our friends at Springfield on
the selection of that place as the future seat of
(Jovernment, — a selection no less judicious from
its central position than for the public spirit
and enterprise of its inhabitants."
The following is from tiie Chicago Democrat
of about the same date :
"Location of the Capital. — Upon the fourth
balloting Springfield, in Sangamon County, was
selected as the future Capital of the State. No
town lould have satisfied a greater portion of
our citizens. It is rather south of the geographi-
cal center, but the salubrity of its climate, and
its facilities for accommodation will amply repay
a little extra traveling."
At the other end of the State there was equal
acquiescence In the change, as shown by the
following from the "Shawneebowu Journal :"
"The Legislature has wisely settled the ques-
tion of the seat of government It is perma-
nently located at Springfield: and, not only from
its central position, but from its situation in
the heart of the richest part of Illinois, we ap-
prehend that it will suit the entire approbation
of the people of the State."
Among the incidents ' in connection with the
removal of the seat of government from Van-
dalia to Springfield, was a "public dinner" given
to the members of the Legislature and other
distinguished citizens of the State, "as a tribute
of respect for the faithful performance of their
public duties." The dinner was prepared by
Col. Six)tswood, at the Rural Hotel.
We copy the following in reference to it from
the files of the Journal :
"The cloth having been removed, the follow-
ing among other toasts were offered and re-
ceived with great glee:
"The State of Illinois — Fertile in her soil,
rich in every natural advantage ; when the
measure of her greatness shall be full, she will
stand the fairest and tallest of the Sisters of
this Great Republic.
"The Legislature of the State of Illinois —
Their duty has been nobly done ; may smiling
faces and joyful hearts greet them as they re-
turn to their homes.
"0. H. Browning, Senator from Adams County
— When the column and the dome of the Capitol
shall be raised aloft, as we gaze upon Its beauty
and its grandeur, Sangamon in her gladness,
will remember him as introducing into the
Senate the bill locating the seat of Government.
That pillar, that dome, shall be his monu-
ment."
.\rter the music had ceased and the cheering
had subsided, Mr. Browning rose and answered
this complimentary toast in the happiest man-
ner. He had regarded the location of the seat
of Government as a matter in which the people
of the whole State were interested; that, from
its central iiosition, from the beauty and fer-
tility of the country, from its great natural
;idv:int:igi's. the people's interests required this
650
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
location at Springfield. He believed a large
majority of the i)eopIe were iu favor of its
present location. He said on this subject he
bad voted solely with reference to his Important
duties as a representative of the people. "But,
gentlemen,"' said he, "the sentiment just given
does injustice to your own delegation. It was
to their judicious management, their ability,
their geutlemauly deixirtment, their unassuming
manners, their con.stant and untiring labor for
your interests, that you have now to cougratulate
yourselves and the State, that this long un-
settled question is determined ; and that, in your
beautiful town will soon arise the Capitol of
Illinois — alike your pride and the pride of all
its citizens. And when it shall be accomplished
— when the column and the dome shall be reared
aloft, the attention of the people from all the
other States will be drawn to your capital,
and you will feel its influence in developing the
great advantage of .your county and your town,
will feel its effects in a growth and ]iopulation
which you can hardly anticipate." Mr. Brown-
ing concluded by offering the following toast :
"h'prhiijfielfl — The magnificence of the Capitol,
wheu completed, will make her the pride, as
the hospitality of her citizens has already made
her the favorite of our State."'
"The 'Lotifi yUic' of Old ^(iiinaiiioii — Well
done good and faithful servants."
••Col. McCIcriiaiid — The efficient Canal Com-
missioner — May he live to see the waters of
Lake Michigan mingle with tl-.ose of the
Illinois."
Col. McClernand offered the following in
reply :
"IntcnuiJ liiijirorciiiciits — Identified with the
)iiYisperity of the State."
••Old Hnnnanion — United we stand, divided we
fall."
'•The Iiitcniiil liiiiiidreiiieiit Siintem — Can
only be sustained by wisdom and prudence."
By A. Lincoln. Esq. : "All our Frieuds — They
are too numerous to be now named individually,
while there is no one of them who is not too
dear to be forgotten or neglected."
By S. A. Douglas, Esq. : "The last winter's
legislation — may its results prove no less
lieneficial to the whole State than they have
to our town.''
By S. T. Logan, E.sq. : "The System of In-
ternal Improvement adopted by the last Legis-
lature. The best mode of rearing to perfection
would be a liberal iiruning of the sujierfluous
branches."
Judge Thomas presided as President at the
(able, and Maj. lies as Vice President. The
(ordiality and gowl feeling on the occasion may
have lieen equalled, but never was surpassed.
The dinner was jirovided in haste; but it
ja-oved to be "a feast of reason and a flow of
soul."
Tradition says that something stronger than
water was used iu drinking the toasts on that
occasion, as there was not a man to be found
after the festival who could tell who made the
last speech.
CHAPTKi; X.
SPRINGFIELD THE PERMANENT CAPITAL.
LAST SESSION OF THE GENER.\L ASSEMBLY IN VAN-
DALIA — THE STATE ARCHIVES REMOVED TO
SPRINGFIELD FIRST MEETING OF THE LEGISLA-
TURE IN THAT CITY IN DECEMBER, 1839 THE
.STATE CAPITOL BEING UNFINISHED, THE SES-
SIONS ARE HELD IN DIFFERENT CHURCHE.S —
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. JOSEPH GILLESPIE AND
.STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS AS MEMBERS CONTRIBU-
TION OF SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS MEN TO COST OF
CAPITOL BUILDING PLANS AND COST OF STRUC-
TURE LAY-ING OF THE CORNER-STONE JULY' 4,
1837 — COL. E. D. BAKER ORATOR OF THE DAY —
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING — DLSTINGUISHED
MEN WHO HAVE ADDRESSED AUDIENCES IN ITS
HALLS.
I By Clinton L. Conkling.)
The last (Jeneral Assembly to meet in Yan-
dalia was the Eleventh, which c-onveued iu
that city December 3, 18.38, remaining iu session
until March 4. 1839. when it adjourned. During
the latter part of the year the State archivesi
were removed to the new State capital, the
Un what purports to be a list of the State prop-
erty left in the abandoned State house biiildine in
Vahdalia, on the removal of the capital to Sprinsrfield.
the following illustrates the simplicity of furnishinRS
with which Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A, Douglas.
Orville H. Browning. Edward D. Baker. John J.
Hardin, James Shields and other statesmen of that
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
651
work being accomplished liy tlie use of wagons
tor traiisiwrtatiou. there lieing then no railroads
in operation in Illinois, although the Northern
Cross Railroad (now the Wahash) was in
course of construction between Meredosia and
Jacksonville.
On December tith of the latter .vear this Leg-
islature reassembled at Springtield for a seconud
session, which was the first held in the new
State Capital, continuing until February 3d fol-
lowing.
As the new capitol building was not com-
pleted in time for this session, the House of
Representatives met in the Second Presbyterian
Church on Fourth Street near Monroe, the
locality being now known as Xos. 217 to 219
South Fourth Street. The building was then
quite new and was the largest church edifice
in the whole central and northern part of the
State. It was built of brick, had a square
belfry and a gallery around three sides of the
interior, but had not yet been occupied for
church purposes. This building was torn down
in 1875.
The Methodist Cliurch, a small frame struc-
ture on the southeast corner of Fifth and Mon-
roe Streets, was used as the meeting place for
the Senate and St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
then a wooden building, was used by the Su-
preme Court.
At the .succeeding sjiecial session of the Leg-
islature, begun November 23, 1840, the House
of Representatives met in the Methodist Church,
but on the second day a resolution was passed,
"that the Senate be respectfully requested to ex-
change places of convening with this House
for a short time, on account of the impossibility
of the House di.scharging its business in so small
a jilace as the Methodi.st Church." The ex-
change was made and the House moved over to
the Second Presliyterian (Miurch.
period had been accustomed lo disliai'fie their duties
as h'i;islators ;
Twenf.v-nine tables for members of assembly.
Foul* Iienchos.
Ninet.v-foiu' chairs.
One small chair.
One press to preserve papers.
Two ilcsks for clerks.
Tlwec chairs and one bench.
Tw(t stov<'s,
Twi'nt.v-fivc cork ink stands.
t>ne pi'Wtcr ink stand.
T\velv<? sand bo.\es.
Twenty-three tin candle sticks and oni' iron candle
stick.
'I'lirec tin pails and six tin cups.
TluM-e pairs ircm ton;;s.
Six pairs of andirons.
At this si)ecial session the Whigs were in-
terested in preventing a sine die adjournment,
( because they desired to protect the State Hank
which had been authorized in l.s:!8 to .suspend
specie pa.vment until after the ad.iournment of
the next session of the Genral Assembly), and
to this end they sought to break the quorum.
All the Whigs walked out, except Abraham Lin-
<iiln and Joseph Gillespie, who were left be-
hind to demand a roll-call when deemed ex-
pedient. A few members were brought in by
the Sergeant-at-arms. Lincoln and Gillespie
perceiving that there would be a quoriun if they
lemained, started to leave, but tinding the doore
locked. Lincoln raised a window and both
junqied out — an incident, as Mr. Ilerndon says,
which Linc-oln "always seemed willing to
forget."
Springfield, at the time of the location of
the seat of government, (/ontained .some eleven
hundred inhabitants.
It was not an easy matter to agree uiif)n a
location. If land was selected far enough from
the existing business (o be cheap, the fifty
thousand dollars could not be raised. Those
already in business around the Square refused
to contribute, because the State House, being
.so much larger and more attractive, would draw
I)usiness after it, thus depreciating the value
(if their propert.v. It was finally determined
that the only practical way was to demolish
tlie court house and use the site for the State
House.
L'nder this arrangement the busine.ss men
around the Square pledged themselves to con-
tribute to the fund to the extent of their ability.
The citizens as reipiired by the act pledged
the sum of Ji;.j(),orK>. This was a very large sum
lor such a comnninit.v to rai.se. besides fur-
nishing the ground, and many of the mcjii-
bers of the Legislature thought it to bo un-
reasonable to refpiire so great an amount.
I)iu-ing the sjiecial session of 1839 Stephen A.
Dougl.is, then a ineinl)er from Morgan County,
lirojiosed to bring in a liill releasing tlie citizens
from the p.iynient of the [iledge. Abraham Lin-
coln, however, objected and, though full.v ap-
lireci.ating the kindly feelings that pronqited
the jiroposal, insisted that the mimcy sliduld
and would be paid. The bill was nui Intro-
duced. .\rr;ingemenls were made for i>aying
Ihc .-imnunt in three iiist.-illmenls. The two
first jiaymenls were made without any great
652
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
(liffic-ully. Ill tlie uieuuwbile the hard times
of ISoT bad swept over the whole country aud
financial ruin had come to many of the citizens.
Under these circumstances, the money to pay
the last installment was borrowed from the
State Bank of Illinois on a note signed by
one hundred and one of the best citizens. Soon
after this the State Bank failed but the note
was finally paid off with internal improvement
scrip, which, after the failure of the internal
imiirovement system, at one time fell to four-
teen cents on the dollar in the market. This
scrip the State afterwards redeemed dollar
for dollar.
The original note is preserved in The Ridgely
National Bank. The following is a copy :
"9;lG,66t;.67 Springfield, March 22, 1S38.
"One year after date, we, the undersigned,
or either of us, promise to pay to the President,
Directors and Company of the State Bank of
Illinois, sixteen thousand, six hundred and
sixty-six dollars and sixty-seven cents, for
value received, negotiable aud payable at the
bank, in Springfield, witb interest until paid,
at the rate of six per centum per annum, pay-
able semi-annually."
John Hay
h. Higby
•Tosepb Thayer
William Thornton
M. O. Reeves
W. P. Grimsley
William Wallace
John B. Watson
C. H. Ormsby
Moses Coffman
Geo. Pasfleld
B. C. Webster
S. M. Tinsley
Thomas Mather
Thos. Houghan
D. Prickett
J. Calhoun
Josiah Francis
Washington lies
Joel Johnson
C. B. Francis
Wm. S. Burch
J. M. Shackleford
B. Ferguson
Benjamin Talbott
Jesse Cormack
C. R. Matheny
William Butler
I". C. Canedy
Jos. Klein
P. C. Latham
A. G. Henry
Ninian W. Edwards
John T. Stuart
Jonas Whitney
Erastus Wright
John Todd
E. D. Baker
A. Lincoln
Ephraim Darling
Jona. Merriam
Ira Sanford
Charles Ai-nold
John L. Turner
Joshua F. Amos
Sullivan Conant
And. MeOlellan
.\lexander Shields
A. Trailer
C. C. Phelps
R. R. Zimmerman
William Hall
James L. Lamb
M. L. Knapp
B. C. Johnson
Thomas Moffett
John F. Rague
Simeon Francis
Nathaniel Hay
Robert Irwin
Virgil Hickox
George Trotter
Stephen T. Logan
Robert Allen
James R. Gray
J. Adams
J. S. Britten
W. B. Powell
F. C. Thompson
E. M. Henkle
James W. Keyes
Wm. Porter
Wm. H. Marsh
W. Ransdell
Joshua S. Hobbs
John G. Bergen
B. S. Clement
Garret Elkin
John Capps
Alexr. Garret
Gershom Jayue
T. M. Neale
William G. Abrams
Dewey Whitney
M. Mobley
Foley Vaughn
Abner Y. Ellis
N. A. Rankin
S. H. Treat
Elijah lies
Henry F. Luckett
James P. Langford
Henry Cassequin
J. M. Gabaniss
James Maxcy
Z. P. Cabaniss
E. G. Johns
Amos Camp
Thos. J. Goforth
Benj. F. Jewett
W. M. Cogwill
This note appears to have been finally paid
February 19, 1S46.
Nine plans for the new State House were sub-
mitted to the commissioners. That of John F.
Rague of Springfield, and Singleton, of St.
Louis, was selected. Three hundred dollars was
paid for these plans. The estimated cost of
the building was $120,000. By the time it was
finally completed in 1853 it is said to have
cost $260,000. In addition in 1854 $20,000 was
appropriated for enclosing and embellishing the
grounds about the building, so as to "correspond
with and be equal to the courthouse square in
the city of Chicago."
As provided by the supplemental act the
County Commissioners of Sangamon County,
conveyed to Governor Joseph Duncan the block
in Springfield known as the "public square."
The deed is recorded in Book K, page 503, In
the Recorder's ofiice. A subsequent deed to per-
fect the title in the State was made to Gover-
nor French in 1847 and is recorded in Book Y,
page 581. The brick court house, erected in the
middle of the Square in 1831 at a cost of about
$7,000, was torn down to make room for the
new State House.
The stone for the new building was taken
ADNA EMERSON PHELPS
H. EMERSON I'lllJ.I'S
MRS II KMllIiSdX I'lli:i.I'S
H''cVZr
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
653
from what is known as the "State House
Quarry," then the property of Leroy L. Hill,
located on Sugar Creels, about six miles south
of Springfield. It cost one dollar a load at the
quarry and was brought to the town by ox
teams. It is said that there was barely enough
rock in the quarry to finish the building.
The corner stone of the State House was
laid on the Fourth of July, 1S37. The day was
celebrated • in Springfield with imusual eclat.
The military companies of the town, and Capt.
Neale"s newly organized company of horse,
under command of Major E. D. Baker, were
early on parade. A /c» dc joic was fired at
sunrise. After various evolutions of the mili-
tary in the forenoon they partook of dinner in
the grove, furnished by Mr. \V. W. Watson.
In the afternoon a procession was formed at
the First Presbyterian Church of members of
the Mechanics' Institute, with banner displayed,
and citizens who were escorted to the Methodist
Church by the military, where Mr. Wiley deliv-
ered an appropriate address; after which the
procession again formed and moved to the public
square. The imposing ceremony of laying the
corner stone was then performed. The Com-
mittee for that purpose were A. G. Henry, Act-
ing Commissioner : J. F. Rague, President of
the Mechanics Institute : B. Ferguson. Vice
President : Abner Bennet, Secretary : Oapt. G.
Elkin, of Sharp shooters; Capt. E. S. Phillips,
Lieut. Wm. M. Cowgill. .1. S. Roberts, .1. N.
Francis of Artillery.
The corner-stone being put in place. Majoi
E D. Baker (afterwards United States Senator
from Oregon, and who was killed at Balls
Bluff near the begiiming of the Civil War,
being then a Colonel in the I'nion .\rniy ) de-
livered an eloquent address. At the close "the
welkin rang with huzzas — a salute was fired, and
the ])eople and the military retired highly
gratified with the proceedings of the day."
When the building was completed it was
looked upon with wonder and admiration by
the people. It was considered to be a model of
architectvn-al beauty and to l)e amply suflicient
for the needs of the State for all time to come.
By many it was deemed a monument of ex-
travagance and far l)eyond the needs of the
Government. But in less than a generation it
became wholly inadequate for the needs of
the State, and was considered as unshapely and
unworthy of the great State of Illinois.
The architecture is of the Doric order. It
is 123 feet long, 90 feet wide, with porticoes on
the north and south projecting 11% feet. In
the basement were storage rooms. On the first
floor in the northwest corner was the office of
the Secretary of State. Xext south was the
State Library and in the soufhwest corner was
the oflice of the Auditor of State. In the south-
east corner was the Treasurer's office. Then
came the Supreme Court Room, where also the
Clerk of that Court had his desk, while the
northeast corner room contained the law library.
The west side of the second story was entirely
taken up with the Hall of Representatives, a
very fine room with a gallery on the east side.
In the north part of the east side was the
Senate Chamber, while in the southeast corner
was the Governor's private office. On the north
and south sides were small rooms for various
purposes. 'I'he main entrances were on the
north and south sides and opened into what was
called the "rotunda," from which in the center
rose two flights of stairs, meeting half way up
and again dividing and so reaching the second
floor.
The lower and upper rotundas and the legis-
•lative halls, when the General Assembly was not
-in session, were for many .years used for public
ftinctions of many kinds. Horticultural Society
shows, church fairs and suppers, revival and
other religious meetings. i)ublic funerals, wan-
deriiig lecturers, conventions of all sorts and,
most of all, political conventions and meetings
each had their turn. In the Hall of Represen-
tatives Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas
debated questions of state and the former de-
livered, on the occasion of his nomination to
the United States Senate in June, l.S."),«;, his
memorable speech in which he said:
••\ house divided against itself cannot stand.
I believe this government cannot endure i>er-
manently, half slave and half free."
In the (Jovernor's room, Mr. Lincoln received
his visitors after his nomination and before
bis departure for Washington in ISC.I. and in
its anteroom U. S. Grant waited many an hour
for his appointment in the volunteer army. In
1865 Mr. Lincoln's remains lay in state in this
same Hall of Itepresenlatives where he ha<l so
iil'teii .-ulilressed his fellow-citizens on ninllers
(]f pulilir I'ducern. Here, loo. Jolm .^. I/igan,
as a vouiig man. Ilic idul nr Ihe ladies who
054
HLSTORY OF SANGAMON COL'NTY
llu-oiified the jjiilleries to hear liim siie.-ik. first
came into State-wide notice.
CIIAITIOU XI.
PRESKXT C.VPITOL Bfll.DTXO
GROWTH OF SPRINGFIELD — AGITATION FOB REMOVAL
OF THE STATE CAPITAL — STRUGGLE OF 1SC5-G7 —
PROPOSEIi REMOVAL TO PEORIA OTHER CANDI-
DATES — BILL FOR ERECTION OF NEW BUILDING IN
SPRINGFIELD ADOPTED — ^OPPOSITION OF CHICAGO
PAPERS — ACT UPHELD BY SUPREME COURT CITI-
ZENS OF SPRINGFIELD CONTRIBUTE NEW SITE AND
COUNTY TAKES OVER OLD BUILDING — GROUND
BROKEN AND CORNER STONE LAID IN 18<3S —
LATER APPROPRIATIONS AND PROGRESS OF WORK —
PLANS OF ARCHITECT LIST OF STATE HOUSE
COMMISSIONERS — PEORIA RENEWS ITS STRUGGLE
IN 1871 — ^PROJECTED TEMPORARY REMOVAL TO
CHICAGO DEFEATED BY THE GREAT CONFIj^GRA-
TION — FINAL APPROPRIATION AND COMPLETION
OF BUILDING DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT STATE
CAPITOL — STATUARY AND DECORATIONS.
(By Clinton L. Couldiug.)
Dnvin;; tlie period from 18.37 to 1807 the
poiinlation of Siirin.<;field increased from eleven
hundred to seventeen thousand, and tlie State
from less than half a inilliim to nearly two and
a lialf millions, while the wealth of the State
increased in much .sieater proportion. The
northern iiortion of the State partieuarly had
grown in ]K>pulation an<l wealth. Ohieaso. from
a small tijwu of four thousand people, had be-
come a city of a quarter of a million. The
capitol bulldini; was too small for the various
officers and bureaus, many of whom had to
oecup.v rented ([uarters in various places in
Springfield.
For .some years tlie iinestion of moving the
capital had been spoken of. and time and again
members of the Legislature threatened to in-
troduce bills fur this purpose, but for years the
diplomacy and good management of the mem-
bers from Sangamon County, assisted by the
citizens, averted the movement until in 18ii.").
when a hill to remove the seat of government
to I'eoria was introduced in the Senate. Chi-
cago, Jack.souville and Decatur, al.so, set up their
claims. The "Chicago Tribune," with many
other papers, favored the removal. Lack of
liotel accommodations and exorbitant charges
were the main arguments, self-interest in each
ease was the chief motive. The Senate S[)ec'ial
Committee, to whom the bill was referred, re-
ported it back for favorable action, but when
it reached the House it was laid on the table
by a vote of (Jl to Hi.
In the meanwhile the citizens of Springfield
built, what, for that day, was a mo.st elegant
and commodious hotel, "the Lelaud."' and thus
removed one objection, but the agitation in-
creased, and seeing that the question must be
met. Sangamon County, in the fall of ISUG,
elected to the lower House one of her most
<apable and public-spirited citizens, the Hon.
James C. Coukling. Back of and supporting
him was a large and well organized body of
the most influential citizens of Springfield.
The Board of Supervisors agreed to purchase
for $200,000 the old State House and square for
a court house. The city offered to donate the
Mather lot, some six or eight acres, which cost
.stlL'.dOO. The Legislature met on January 7,
1m;T. The members received every attention.
They were invited to numerous social gatherings
and receptions arranged by the ladies of the
city, who also attended the sessions of the two
hon.ses and made themselves agreeable to the
members. The Iceland was opened with a grand
ball and supper to which all were invited. To
the invitations to these private functions a few
of the members, by way of regrets, sent un-
signed notes saying. "Too late, the capita! is
moving." The bill for the erection of a new
State House was introduced and. from the first,
met much opposition, but its enemies could not
coiubine effectively against its passage, because
they were too much interested in the strife for
the location of an Industrial University, for
whicli a congressional grant had been made in
1802. Jacksonville. Pekin, Lincoln. Blooming-
ton and Chicago wanted to divide the fund ;
while the eastern part of the State was for
C'hamiiaign. The south wanted the new i)enl-
tentiary anil Chicago wanted many things. So
fin.ally tlie opposition was narrowed down to
the efforts of Decatur, which offered ten acres
of land and one million dollars in money from
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
655
Macon County, which sum was nearly (mi'-halt'
the assessed valuation of all the laud in the
county. This great offer is said to have heen
hacked by the Illinois Central Railroad. This
effort to sell the location of the capital to tlie
highest bidder was loolied upon unfavorably by
many. One niemlier in derision introduced a
bill to dislocate the capital, and which pro-
vided for a peregrinating Legislature by rail-
road to stoji at every place where a notice ap-
peared that legislatiou was wanted. The very
]iersons named to superintend the erection and
disburse the fund were so distributed as to gain
friends for tlie bill. Besides all else. Springfield
was said to l)e historic ground, the home and
last resting place of Aliraham Lincoln.
On February 2.".. IStiT. the General Assembly
passed an Act for the erection of a new State
House. The Governor was authorized to convey
to the county of Sangamon and the City of
Springfield the e.xisting capitol and square for
$200,000 and. the site for the new capitol. The
cost was limited to three million dollars, and
the act named a board of seven Commissioners
to carry out its jirovisions in superintending the
erection of the building.
The "Chicago Times" and "Tribune" continued
l)itterly to denounce the measure; nor was De-
catur willing to accept the situation. On May
13, 1807, at her suggestion and cost, the Suiierior
Court at Chicago, in a proceeding by </"'/ irtir-
raiito. removed the Counnissioners hohling thai
they were ofticcrx whose appointment, under the
constitution, should have been made by the
fjovernnr and confirmed by the Senate, and
who could not be designated in the bill as had
been done, thus rendering the act void. On
appeal the Supreme Court in the following
Seiitember reversed the decision of the court
at Chicago, and held that the Commissioners
were not olHccrs and were rightfully entitled
to carry out the law.
The act contained an emergency clause and
the Connnissioners (iroceeded to their work with-
out delay. On .March 11. 1808, ground was
broken for the new building. On .June 11th the
first stone was laid, and on October .">, 1808,
the corner stone was laid by the Masonic Fra-
ternity, .Tudge John V. Caton making tlie prin-
cijial address — an eloquent and scholarly essay
of historic value. In Septeml)er, 1800, (he
loinidation was completed at a cost of nearly
half a nullion dollars; in 1870 the Capitol was
first ocrupied in an untinislied rondition ; in
188."« the final appropriation was made and it
was completed in 1888.
In resiwnse to an adverti.sement by the first
I'.oard of Commissioners offering a premium of
.t;:'..(i(i() for the best design for the building,
twenty-one designs were submitted, from which
that of John C. Cochrane, of Chicago, was ac-
cepted July 2, 1807, and in January, 1808, Mr.
Cochrane was appointed Architect and Superin-
tendent of the work, on a contract of two and
one-half per cent, of the cost of the building,
and W. D. Clark, of Davenport, was appointed
assistant superintendent. In 1S8(> Alfred H.
I'inqueuard. of the firm of Cochrane & I'inque-
nard. undertook the personal supervision of the
work, and acted as resident supervising archi-
tect until his death, November 10, 1870. M. E.
Bell, who had been appointed .Vssistant Sur)erin-
tendent in 1S74, vice W. D. Clark, assumed the
jiersonal supervision after the death of Mr.
I'inquenard.
The first appropriation, $4.")0,000, made in 1807,
was wholly exhausted before the completion of
I lie foundation, which cost .f4(M,080.07. In 1,80!),
a further appropriation was made of $4."'>(),000 ;
in 1871, !(;0<Ml,(MlO more: in 187:!, .$l,(MiO,fMlO, and
in ls7."i, .t;8(M).()(M). These appropriations made a
total of three aud one-half million dollars, the
limit ti.wd by the constitution of 1870. l)e,vond
which the Legislature could not go without a
\(>te of the peiiple ratifying furtlier appropria-
tion. In 1877, an appropriation of $.">;n,712.
contingent uiwn approval of tlie people, was
made for the completion of tlie State House, and
submitted at the Novemlier election of that year.
The proix)sitiou received but 8(t,222 atfirmative
votes out of a total of 389,180 cast at the elec-
tion. Again in 1881. a similar appropriation
was made and again snbniitted at the election
in Xovenilier. 1882, and was .igaiii defeated,
receiving but 231,0:52 votes oiO of a total of
.":',2,."i8;!. Again in 1884. tlie .same proposition
was one more submitted to a vote at the Novem-
ber eleclion. and secured the endorsement of
the iii>ople, receiving :!."i4,7iM) votes out of a total
of 073,080. June 20, ISSTi. an act was jvassed
lo render effective the act of 188:5. and the final
ap|iri>|irialic>ii of .*.":11,712 was made available
after October 1. lS8."i. .V new State House com-
mission was appointed by the (iovernor to super-
iiilcnil its ex]ieii(Iiture, aud the Capitol was com-
plclcd in 18,S8, twenty -one years after its build-
656
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
ing was authorized. The several appropriations
euuuierated above, togetlier with smaller sums
appropriated during the progress of the work,
as well as during the years when work was
practically suspended — made for repairs, for
protection and preservation of work already
done, for vaults, laying walks upon the grounds,
planting trees, and other items not, perhaps,
properly chargeable to the first cost of building —
amounted in the aggregate to nearly four and
one-half million dollars.
The first Board of State House Commisislou-
ers, named in the act of 1867, consisted of seven
members, as follows : John W. Smith. John J.
S. Wilson, Philip Wadsworth. James C. Robin-
son, Wm. T. Vandeveer, Wm. L. Hambleton, and
James H. Beveridge. March 12. 1867, Jacob
Bunn was appointed, vice John J. S. Wilson,
and on the organization of the Board was elected
President of the Commission. In 1869 the
Board, by act of the General Assembly, was re-
duced to three members, and the Governor re-
apiwinted Jacob Bunn, James C. Robinson and
James H. Beveridge. of the old commission, to
constitute tbe new Board, of which Mr. Bunn
was made President and Mr. Beveridge, Secre-
tary. In 1871 Mr. Robinson resigned his ap-
jwlntment and John T. Stuart was named to fill
the vacancy. These Commissioners continued to
act until 1877. at which time, there being no
funds available for further work on the building,
they were relieved by act of the General As-
sembly from further duty. After the favorable
vote of 1884, ratifying the legislative appropria-
tion of 1883, Governor Hamilton appointed.
December 30, 1884, a new Board, consisting of
General John Cbok, Rheuna D. Lawrence and
John O'Xeill ; but on the assembling of the
Legislature, the Senate failed to confirm these
appointments, and Governer Oglesby appointed
George Kirk, William Jayne and John Mc-
Creery. who directed the expenditure of the
final appropriation and the completion of the
building.
This great work, continuing through twenty-
one years, was not carried forward without
delays and embarrassments. From the first
there was a strong element in the State op-
posed to the construction of the building. At
first this opposition was confined to interested
localities that sought the location of the capital
elsewhere, but as times got "hard" and the ap-
jtropriations began to mount into the millions.
I he oinNjsition became more wide-spread and of
deeper significance. As early as 1871, petitions
carrying 40,000 names, were presented to the
General A.ssembly, asking that further appro-
priations be withheld until the questions of loca-
tion and cost could be submitted to a vote of
the people.
Chicago, in protest against the inadequate
accommodations of the old building and the slow
progress of the new one, invited the Twenty-
seventh General Assembly to hold its adjourned
session in that city, offering suitable as.iembly
halls, executive and committee rooms free of
charge to the State. This offer, in spite of the
constitutional provision that all sessions of the
General Assembly must be held at the capital,
was accepted by joint resolution of the Assem-
bly. The great confiagration which, in 1871.
swept away all the public buildings of Chi-
cago, prevented the carrying out c£ this plan
and avoided the possible complications which
might have arisen on account of it. From 1875
to 1885 no appropriation was made available for
prosecuting the work, and for about eight .ears
no progress was made toward the completion of
the building, nothing being attempted between
1877 and 1885 except to protect the work done
previous to that time. The last of the appro-
priation of 1885 was expended in 1888.
While Sangamon County bought and received
a deed for the old State House and Square in
1867, it did not get possession until January,
1876, when the State vacated the building.
A further appropriation of .$600,000 was asked
in this year. The bill passed the Senate. The
Chicago press, using the occasion as a lever
to help the canal and Illinois River improve-
ment, attacked the measure. Startling develop-
ments in regard to the building contracts, the
character of the work, etc., were threatened but
never materialized. Indeed no real charge of
fraud or graft was ever made in connection
with the building of this State House. How-
ever, the removal of the capital was advocated.
Peoria offered to re-imburse the State the full
amount (.$805..S03.O8) already expended on the
new building, to donate ten acres of land on the
bluff overlooking the Illinois River and the lake
for a new site, and to furnish rent free for
five years' acconnnodations for the General As-
sembly during the construction of a new' build-
ing in that city. The two houses accepted
an invitation to Peoria and were dined and
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
(5ro7
wined aud feted to the fullest extent, and all
that money, influence and diplomacy could do
were used at Springfield to defeat the appro-
priation bill.
Peoria had large delegations of her best
citizens here. Springfield naturally was greatly
stirred and again, as she had been compelled
to do many times before under threat of the
removal of the capital, mustered her friends,
who constituted a majority in the House, but her
opponents, by clever parliamentary tactics, ex-
tended debates and speeches on wholly foreign
matters, prevented action until the time of ad-
journment, April 17th, came.
A special session of the Legislature was
called for May 24th to consider, among other
matters, the appropriation for continuing the
work on the State House. The Peoria lobby,
aided by others from different parts of the
State, were on hand. The people of Springfield
were present in force. The fight was hard and
prolonged. The same tactics as before were
employed by the opposition. Slowly, day by
day, the bills were advanced under tlie rules
until, at 10 o'clock at night, June 7th, the bill
was finally passed in the House by a vote of
100 yeas to 74 nays. The next day the Senate
passed the House bill which, being liuly ap-
proved by Governor Palmer, became a law. This
act provided for a bond of the citizens in the
penal sum of ?500,000, conditioned that the
obligors procure such additional ground as the
State might require, not exceeding four acres,
to be demanded within two years after the
building should be ready for use.
Description of Building. — The present capitol
building, in the form of a Latin cross, is of the
composite order of architecture in which modern
effects of utility and convenience are combined
with the strength and beauty characteristic of
ancient styles of building. The circular founda-
tion, ninety-two and a half feet in diameter,
upon vihieh the great dome rests, starts twenty-
five and a half feet below the grade line, based
upon the solid rock ; and the w^alls supporting
the dome are seventeen feet in thickness from
the foundation to the floor of the first story.
The foundation for the outer walls is eleven
to sixteen feet below the grade line, these walls
being nine feet thick up to the first floor.
The foundation walls are all built of a granular
magnesian limestone of unqnestioned strength
.iud durability, obtahied from the Sonora ijuar-
ries of Hancock County. The outer walls of the
superstructure are constructed of Niagara lime-
stone, the lower story from the quarries of
Joliet aud the upper stories from Lemont. The
labor of the convicts at the Joliet penitentiary
was utilized under a special act of the Legis-
lature in quarrying this stone. The extreme
length of the building from north to .south is
;i79 feet, and from east to west 268 feet. The
height from ground line to top of dome Is 361
feet, and to tip of flag staff, 405 feet — higher,
exclusive of the flag staff, by 74 feet, than the
dome of the National Capitol at Washington.
The building consists of basement, first, .second
and third stories, gallery fioor and dome. The
basement is used for vaults, engine rooms, car-
penter shop, and store-rooms for various pur-
poses. The first floor is devoted largely to
offices for various State Boards, the War
Museum and the offices of the Adjutant Gen-
eral. The second floor (called the main floor
I'y the architect, and originally reached from
the outside by a broad flight of marble steps
on the east front) contains the executive offices,
the east wing being occupied by the Governor's
suite of rooms on the north side and the Secre-
tary of State's on the south ; the north wing
by the State Board of Public Charities, the
Board of Agriculture and Agricultural Museum
on the east side, and the offices of the Auditor
and Ti-easurer on the west; the west wing by
the Attorney General's office on the north side,
the Law Library in the west end, while the
south side of this wing and the west side of
the south wing were formerly devoted to the
Supreme C^urt, which now occupies a magnifi-
cent building of its own on the east side of
Second Street, opposite the Capitol Square.
'J'he east side of the south wing is occupied by
the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
and various departments of the office of the Sec-
retary of State.
On the third floor the nortli wing is occupied
liy the Senate Chamber, the south wing by the
Hal) of the House of Representatives, the east
wing l)y tlie State Historical Society and other
offices, and the west wing by the State I>il)rary.
'I'here a«' also numerous committee rooms,
while the gallery floor and mansard story are
wholly occuided by conimittee room.s.
The iioiiicos of the east and north fronts,
supjiorled by massives arches and columns of
Joliet liiucsloMc and stately pillars of |X)lished
658
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
Fox IsliUKl sraiiitc. with the gigantic hut jier-
fectly iji'DportioiuJil .iml ;jraceful dome, con-
stitute the nntahk' arrliiteeturiil features of
the outer huildint;. wliile tlie niannitieent
rotunda and grand stairway of the interior
were the special pride of tlie architects and
builders. The second, third and fourth floors
are reached by two sets of elevators and st.air-
ways on opposite sides of the front (east)
entrance, and on the east side of the main ball,
furnishing convenient access to the Assembly
Room and most important offices.
The floors of the rotund.i and of the corridors
are mosaic work of different colored marble.
The walls of the rotunda in the first and second
stories and to the spring of the arches, as well
as the arches themselves, are of .solid stone
faced with Bedford blue limestone and Missouri
red granite. The grand stairway, leading from
the second floor to the third, constructed of
solid marble, with columns, pilasters, arches,
rails, balusters, wainscoting and soffits con-
nected with it. also of solid marble, was, at the
time of its construction, considered superior, in
design, material and finish, to any similar stair-
way in the world. The iwli.shed columns in the
second story of the rotunda are of llissouri red
granite, with bases of blue granite and rich
foliated caps of Tuckahoe marble. The wain-
scoting of the corridors ()f vari-colored marbles,
domestic and imported (including white Italian.
Alps green, Lisbon, Glens Falls, old Tennessee,
Concord, and other varieties), artistically pan-
eled, is a piece of work unexcelled for beauty
and durability. The ceilings of the principal
rooms are heavily ]ianeled and tastefuly deco-
rated, those formerly occupied by the Sui)renie
Court room and the Assembly Halls being par-
ticul.irly worthy of note.
The paintings and statuary intended to adorn
the interior are not in keeping with the archi-
tectural beaut.v of the building, though some of
the work is of unquestioned merit. The panels
of the main corridor of the first floor are
decorated with paintings illustrative of scenes
and events closely connected with the early
history of the State, such as old Fort Chartres
on the Mississippi. Starved Rock on the Illinois,
old Fort Dearborn. New Salem in the time of
Tjincoln. General Grant taking command of
the troops at Cairo at the beginning of the Civil
War. Marquette .nnd .Joliet in a confei-ence with
the Indians during the earliest recorded ex-
ploration of Illinois in 1G73 and Governor Ctoles
liberating his slaves as they drift down the
Ohio river in a tlat boat on their immigration
to Illinois. A large painting, representing Col,
(ieorge Rogers Clark negotiating a treaty with
the Illinois Indians, fills the large i)anel on the
wall above the landing of the grand stairwa.v.
Full length portraits of Lincoln and Douglas are
found in the Hall of tlie House of Representa-
tives, and of Washington .-ind Lafayette in the
State Library, while portraits of all the Gover-
nors of the State are on the walls of the Gov-
ernor's office.
On the second floor are marble statues of
Lincoln. Douglas and Governor Wo<id. and high
up ou the walls of the rotunda on pedestals near
the base of the inner dome, are heroic bronze
casts of eight men prominent in the civil and
military history of the State: Xinian Edwards,
Governor by appointment and re-apiK)intment
during the entire Territorial jieriod. 1800 to
ISIS, and third (Governor of the State; Shad-
rach Bond, the State's first Governor; Ed-
ward Coles, the second Governor ; Sidney
Breese, .Judge of the Supreme Court of the
State fin- many years, and United States Sena-
tor: Lyman Trumbull, United States Senator
and eminent jurist; V. S. Grant, c(immauder of
all the arnues of the Union at the close of the
Civil War and afterwards twice elected to the
presidency ; John A. Logan, Major General of
Volunteers during the civil war, and afterwards
for many years United States Senator — a
lirilliant figure in the military and iwlltical his-
tory of the State; and William R. Morrison,
eminent as a statesman and a soldier.
Still above these statues, and just at the base
of the inner dome, is a series of allegorical and
historical pictures in bas-relief, of conceded
artistic merit. Among them are the discussion
of the stamp act. in the Vii-ginia House of
Burgesses, with Patrick Henry as the central
figure, making his memorable address, and
Washington and RicJiard Henry Lee among
his attentive auditoi's ; the evacuation of York-
town by the British forces: Beter C.'irtwright.
the pioneer preacher, conducting a religious
service in a "settler's" cabin ; the surrender of
Black Hawk at Prairie du Chien ; and a joint
debate between those giants of the political
forum, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Doug-
las, in their great campaign of IS.'iS. In these
historical representations all of the figures are
■ J^.i
OFl'ICERS' HEADurARTKRS, I. X. (i., CAMP IJXCOLX, SPRIXCFIELD
ARTILLKRV, I. X. G., CAM!' IJXCOLX, SPKIXGI' II'XD
HISTOKY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
659
suiiiiosed to lie portraits of bistoripjil chiirac-
tei's. JIauy of tliem are easily recognizeil, but
others it seems impossible to identity, as the
yiftetl artist, T. Xioolai, who designed and exe-
cuted the work, dying before it was wholly com-
pleted, left no key to the different groups so
grajihically represented.
At the time of its construction there wjis no
public building in the United States, excejit the
Capitol at Washington, to compare with it in
.size, cost or elegance ; and now thirty-tive years
after the drawing of the plans by which it was
built — not excepting the New York twenty-
nnllion State Capitol — there are few buildings
in the country surpassing it for architectural
beauty or which more adequately serve the
laupose for which they were intended.
CHAI'TEK XII.
STATIC I'ROrERTY.
TKOPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE IN S.4NGAM0N
(DUXTY — REAL ESTATE, DATE AND PURPOSE OF
ACQUISITION — ^SITES FOR TWO STATE CAPITOLS
CONTRIBUTED BY CITIZENS OF SPRINGFIELD THE
GOVERNOR'S MANSION THE OLD STATE ARSENAL
— CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRESENT STATE CAPITOL
BEGUN IN 18C7 — TOTAL COST — HEATING PLANT
AND PRESENT STATE ARSENAL — SUPREME COURT
BUILDING — BIOIX)GIC'AL I^BORATORY'.
(By Ethan Allen Snively.)
Tile removal of the State Capital to Spring-
field from Vandalia is elsewhere discussed. With
the removal came the necessity of redeeming
the obligations incurred in furnishing necessaiT
ground fur I lie ei-ection of the capitol building.
.\s the State grew and the necessity arose for
the purchase of other grounds or the receipt
of the same by donation, they were acipiircd
until now the State is the most iinpoi-tant land-
holder in the county.
The first piece of real est;\te owned by the
State was the )iroperty in the center of the
city cif Siiringfield still known as the "Public
Siiniire." II w.-is il leil to the State by the
County Commissioners on JIarch 11, iS:!7.
Early in 1847 some defect was disciivered in
the deed, and the County Commissioners made a
new deed covering the same property. In Feb-
ruary. 1S47, the Legislature passed an .-ict legal-
izing both deeds.
Tlie second ijiece of real est,-ite owned in the
county by the State was a bit in the old
Hutchinson Cemetery. This was lot 1.S2 and
was deeded to the State on the 2rith of Maich,
1847, and was utilized for the burial of several
citizens from other parts of the State who had
been prominent in public affairs.
The third piece of real estate owned by the
State was the property now used as the loca-
tion for the Governor's mansion. This was pur-
chased on the 24th of May, 1853, from Nicholas
Uidgely. The consideration for this iireperty
was ii!4,."i00.
The fourth piece of real estate owned in the
county was the property known as the old
Arsenal. This was located on North Fifth
Street, occupying fifty-seven and a half feet
front on North Fifth Street by one hundred
and fifty-two feet deep. It was purchased of
Ninian Edwards, for the sum of $700, the deed
bearing date .Tune 13, 1,S.>".
The Legislature of IStu decided to build ;i
new State house, and the proiierty upon which
the present State capitol is located was donated
to the State by the city of Springfield, the public
square and old capitol building being sold to
the county and the former State hou.se being
now occupied as a court house. The State in-
curred no cost in the acquisition of the site for
new State Caiiitol, but the City of Springfield
paid seventy thousand dollars for the same.
The total cost of the building, with later repairs
and improvements h.as aggregated approximate-
ly .');4.."i( 10.000. (See preceding ch.-ipter.)
The sixth piece of real estate owned by the
State embraced lots 20. .30, 42 and 43 in Oak
Ridge Cemetery, which were donated as a burial
place for Governor William II. ISissell ami
family. This deed was executed .Vpril 23, 1807.
The seventh piece of real estate within the
count.v, owned by the State, was that upon which
is situ.-ited the power Jilant used for furuisliing
beat and light for use in llu' State House and
thi' Supreme Court building. Tliis was pur-
chased .Inly 1«, 1873.
The eiglith piece of real estate owned by the
State in the county was the property known aa
GBO
HISTORY OP SANGAMON COUNTY
Camp Liiicolu. This uoiupiises oue hundred aud
sixty acres situated northwest of the city, and
It cost over sixteen thousand dollars.
The ninth piece of property owned by the
State is that upon which the present State
Arsenal and Armory are situated. It consists
of an entire block except the part previously
acquired by the State for the heating plant.
This ground was donated to the State by citi-
zens of Springfiekl, who paid for it the sum of
forty-two thousand dollars.
The tenth piece of property owned by the
State is the site of the Supreme Court Build-
ing. This property is situated on the south-
east corner of Capitol Avenue and Second Street,
fronting 2.57 feet on the former and 347 feet
on the latter. The cost of the land was .$16,000,
with the cost of the building making a total of
.$.350,000.
The eleventh piece of property owned by the
State is a tract of land containing fortj' acres,
located two miles north of the city and which
is used as a State Biological Laboratoi-y.
These several acquisitions were authorized
by special acts of the General Assembly, and
the actual transfer in each case being made by
formal deed of conveyance which is a matter
of ofBcial record, it is not deemed necessary
to quote these documents in this connection.
The history of the acquisition of property for
State Capitol purposes has also been treated
quite fully in the chapters relating to the loca-
tion and transfers of the State Capital at dif-
ferent periods.
While the State is the owner of extensive
property in other districts — including the Illi-
nois and Michigan Canal, Illinois TTniversity
property, the sites and buildings used as State
charitable, educational, reformatory and penal
institutions, and the original Supreme Court
(now Appellate Court) buildings at Ottawa and
Mt. Vernon, these do not come within the scope
intended to be covered b.v this chapter.
This also applies to the "State Fair Grounds,"
wliieh, from tlie name, might he assumed to be
State property. These grounds, as shown by
the following extracts from the Records of
Sangamon County, were acquired as follows :
" At a special meeting of the Board of Su-
pervisors of Sangamon County, Illinois, held
November 21, 1893, a resolution was adopted by
a unanimous vote, authorizing the conveyance,
in the name of the County of Sangamon, to the
Illinois State Board of Agriculture of the west
half of the .southe.ist quarter of Section 15,
Town It; North, Range 5 West of the Third
I'rincipal Meridian, except about one acre, used
for school purposes.
"Also a part of the east half of the .south-
east quarter of Section 15, Town 16 North,
Range 5 West of the Third Principal Meridian,
containing 75.68 acres, containing in all 154.68
acres ; conditioned that there be held by the said
State Board of Agriculture an annual State
Fair, but in case it should neglect to hold the
said Fair upon said grounds for two consecutive
years, the title and full right of possession to
said grounds, with the improvements thereon,
shall 'ipso facto' revert to and vest in said
lounty of Sangamon."
In connection with the above conveyance, and
as a part of the consideration for the location
of the Fair at Springfield, the County Board of
Supervisors made an appropriation of $50,000
to the State Board of Agriculture, for the pur-
pose of erecting buildings on said grounds, to
be paid on or before the 1st of May, 1894. In
piirsuance of the above action, the conveyance
was dul.v made, on January 2, 1894, and a deed
executed by the Chairman of the Board of Su-
pervisors, A, P. Lorton, attested by the Clerk
of the Board, S. M. Rogers, ex-officio, and Coun-
ty Clerk, of Sangamon County.
(Recorded Deed Record. Volume 93, Page 401,
Sangamo)! Coiintii Records.)
CHAPTER XIII.
POLITICAL PARTIES IN ILLINOIS
EARLY PAKTY CONDITIONS — ANTI-SLAVERY CONTEST
OP 1822-24 — "JACKSON republicans" the
CHAMPIONS OF SLAVERY EXTENSION INTO ILLI-
NOIS — THEY- TAKE ON THE NAME DEMOCRATIC —
FIRST STATE CONVENTION AT VANDALIA IN 1S32 —
SUBSEQUENT PARTY" HISTORY — THE WHIG PARTY
— ANTI-SLAVERY' ORGANIZATIONS — ANNEXATION
OP TEXAS AND THE WILMOT PROVISO — COM-
PROMISE MEASURES OF 1850 THE KANSAS-NE-
BRASKA ACT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE BEPUBLI-
COX'KRNOR'S MANSION, SI'H1N( IFIELD
I\l'i:HlnH (loVKRXiiHS \l AXSIoX. Sl'I! IM ill Mil >
LKl.A.M) HOTEL, SPRIXGKIELD
HISTORY OP SANGAMON COUNTY
661
CAN PARTY — OBGANIZATIOK IN ILLINOIS — MINOR
PARTY ORGANIZATIONS.
(By Paul Selby.)
From its central location geographically, and
its political prominence as the State capital, it
is but natural that Springfield should early have
become a popular point for important conven-
tions and mass meetings, especially of a polit-
ical character. This was illustrated during
the presidential campaign of 1840, the year
following the removal of the State capital
from Vandalia, William Henry Harrison being
then, for a second time, the Whig candidate
for the presidency and elected in opposition to
Martin Van Bureu. Harrison tlien received
2,000 votes in Sangamon County to 1.24U for Van
Bureu. while the latter received a smaller
plurality in the State of Illinois than any other
Democratic oandidate for tlie presidency be-
tween 1S24 and 1856.
Early Party Conditions. — Previous to 1835
political parties in Illinois, as well as in West-
ern States generally, were in a chaotic condition,
the principal issues of a national character be-
ing a protective tariff, a national bank and iu-
ternal improvements, the attitude on these ques-
tions of what became the Whig party being in
the affirmative, while that of their opponents
was in the negative. These were measures sup-
ported by Henry Clay, while Abraham Lincoln,
in a brief speech made in the presence of his
friends at New Salem, Menard County, after
his first election to the General Assembly in 1S34,
announced that they expressed his "sentiments
and political principles." On minor issues vot-
ers were influenced largely by local interest or
the personal popularity of the candidate.
A Period of Evolution. — After the passing
away of the "Federalists," which followed the
election of James Monroe to the presidency in
1816, it is generally conceded that for several
years there was practically but one organized
party, the "Republican," its principles, if not its
name, largely inherited from Thomas JetCer.son,
but in 1828, the year of Andrew Jackson's first
election to the presidency, there came a split in
the party, the supporters of Jackson being
known as "Jackson Republicans,' 'and their op-
ponents (then supporters of John Quincy Ad-
ams) as "National Republicans," Henry Clay be-
coming principal leader of the latter. The is-
sues most vigorously advocated by the .Tackson
Republicans during this period were the doctrine
of "State Rights," as enunciated in the resolu-
tion of 179S, and the right to "rotation in office "
so vigorously enforced by Andrew Jackson, on
the ground that "to the victors belong the spoils."
In the campaign of 1832 the Jackson Republi-
cans took on the name "Democratic," and, fol-
lowing their example, the National Republicans
before 1S3(> became the "Whig" party, the name
having been freely used fur some years pre-
vious.
First State Convention. — According to the
history of "Political Parties in Illinois," by J.
McCan Davis, jiublished in the "Illinois Blue
Book" for 1907. the National Republicans are
entitled to the distinction of having held the
first State Convention in Illinois, which met at
Vandalia September 19, 1S32. and which had
been preceded by the nomination of Henry Clay
as the Republic-an candidate for the presidency
at Baltimore in December, 1831. The Vandalia
convention was composed of political friends of
Mr. Clay, chosen as delegates by mass meetings
of citizens of the several counties of the State,
as was the case with most of the delegates to
the first convention of the present Republican
party at Bloomington in 1856. Besides indors-
ing Henry Clay as their candidate for the Presi-
dency, the Vandalia convention adopted a series
of resolutions favoring the principles alluded to
in a preceding paragraph in this chapter, and
which, it has been claimed, "may be called the
first party platform ever drafted in Illinois."
It also appointed a Central Committee of five
members, and nominated five candidates for
Presidential Electors (one for each Congi-essional
District and two for the State-at-large) , Elijah
lies being named for the Sangamon District.
It has also been claimed that a Democratic
State Convention was held at Vandalia in 1835
or 1836 (there being some discrepancy or in-
definiteness of statement on this point), at which
John Calhoun and Peter Cartwright were dele-
gates from Sangamon Count.v — the latter a short
time previously having aliandoned the National
Republican i)arty. From this time on for the
next twenty years, the Whig party uniformly
secured a majority vote in Sangamon County
for its candidates for President and State officers,
as well as for members of the General Assem-
bly and local offices. The same rule applied dur-
ing this period to Congressmen for the Sanga-
mon District from 1S38 to is.'ij. with the excep-
tion of one term (that of 1840-51) when Thomas
662
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
li. Harris, a soldier <>( tlit' Mexicini War, de-
feated Jud^e Steplieu T. Logan, of SauKamon
("oiiiity. the latter, however, receivin;; a majority
in his own county. .\t this election the State
retained its rank with one Whig Congressman,
by the election of Col. Edward S. BaUer, also
an ex-soldier of the Mexican War, and previously
Congressman from the Springfield District. In
ISDO the Sangamon District resnmed its place
in the Whig colnnui. which it retained for four
years, with Kichard Yates — later the War Gov-
ernor — «is its Kejiresentative. This was dne to
the rapid increase in population in the central
part of the State, a large proportion of which,
especiall.v in Sangamon County, came from Ken-
tucky and other border Southern States. (The
roll of State officers and Congressmen from the
district, of which Sangamon County formed a
part, will be given in the succeeding chapter in
this volume.)
Anti-Slaverv Ok(i.\nizations. — The laherty
and the Free-Soil parties had respectively a brief
existence as political organizations, the former
taking part in the campaigns of 1840 and 1S44.
and the latter as Free-Soil Democrats in 1848
and 1S.j2. hut in 18.j(! being merged into the
newly organized Itepuhlican jiart.v. Popularly
known as "Abolitionists," neither of these organ-
izations ever gained much numerical strength in
Sangamon County; although a few prominent
citizens, of whom Erastus Wright was one, were
advocates of the abolition of slaver.v. In a few
northern counties of the State this doctrine re-
ceived a more zealous advocacy, and occasionall.v
Its supiiorters secured the election of a member
of the Legislature. One of these was the late
Judge Henrj- W. Blodgett, who in the early
'.50s was elected as an Anti-Slavery Representa-
tive in the General Assembl.y from the Lake
County District, while William B. Plato, as Sen-
ator from the Kane County District, occupied a
similar position.
A Period of Politic.\Tj IJevolutiox. — With the
accession of Texas and other Mexican provinces
as new territory of the United States following
the Mexican War, there came an increased agi-
tation on the subject of slavery. This was due
largely to the belief in many of the Northern
States, that the chief motive influencing the ad-
ministration and its most zealous supporters in
advocacy of the war jiolicy of that period, was
a desire for the acquisition of more slave terri-
tory. The lack of unanimity in p.arties on this
issue was strikingly illustrated in the votes
taken in Congx'ess, during the Mexican War, on
what was called the "Wilmot Proviso," i)rovid-
ing that, "as an exiiress and fundamental condi-
tion to the aciiuisitiou of any territory from the
Keiiulilic of Mexico . . . neither slavery nor
involuntar.v servitude shall exist in any part of
said territory." This "proviso" was offered by
David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania, as an amend-
ment to a bill making appropriations for secur-
ing jieace and the purchase of territory from
Mexico, and the ballot in the House-Conunittee
of the Whole stood s.3 votes for to fi4 against it,
only three members (all Democrats) from free
States voting in the negative. On the bill
being reported to the House, the motion that
it lie upon the table was defeated by 79
yeas to 03 nays, and the bill finally passed that
body without further division. Two of the three
Democrats from free States voting against the
measure were Stephen A. Douglas and John A.
McClernand. of Illinois, while two Whigs from
Kentucky (evidently friends of Henry Clay)
voted in its favor. The Senate failed to take
any action on this measure, so the issue col-
lapsed. This proposition was taken up in the
sul)se(pient session of Congress, and Abraham
Lincoln claimed that he voted for it 42 times.
The next step in this line consisted in the
adoption of the Compromise Bill of ISuO. intri-
duced by Henr.v Clay, while serving his last
term in the T'nited States Senate. One of the
principal objects of this bill was to fix the status
of territory acquired from Mexico, under it
California being admitted as a free State, while
other portions were organized as Territories,
with the condition that their status as free or
slave States should l)e subject to the will of
the people as to the adndssion of slavery on
adoption of State constitutions.
While the object of the Comiiromise of lS,jO
was to establis"li more friendly relations between
the northern and southern portions of the L'nion,
the Fugitive Slave Law — which was the fifth
in a series of six different measures constituting
what was called the "Onmibus Bill" — with its
stringent provisions relating to the return of
fugitive slaves from free States to their masters,
produced a directl.v opposite effect in sectious
of the Pnion averse to slavery. As a conse-
quence political agitation grew more earnest and
the ])rocess of party disorganization assumed in-
creased activity. Although for fourteen years
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
663
the Wilis; lepresentatiou in Congress had been
limited to one member, in 1852 it secured four
out of a total of nine, indicating the popular
change then going on, especially in the northern
half of the State.
It was duriug this year (1852) that the Whig
party, as such, cast its last vote for President,
the defeat of Gen. Winfield Scott as its candi-
date and the passage by Congress, two years
later, of the Kansas-NelirasUa Act, with the
chaotic conditions following, resulting in its dis-
solutiou and the organization of a new party.
For a time following this period what was known
as the "American" or ''Know Nothing" party had
a brief but sensational existence. This was the
outgrowth of a- .secret organization known as
"Know-.Nothings," made np of native-born citi-
zens of the Tnited States who were opposed to the
election to ottiee of persons of foreign birth, and
requiring a residence of twenty-one years as a
qualificatiou for citizenship. This organization
owed its existence largely to a class of local poli-
ticians, wlio, foreseeing the dissolution of other
parties, took advantage of the situation to be-
come leaders of a new organization. Its devel-
opment began about 18.54. and it became cpiite
active, carrying local elections, especially in cit-
ies, and in 185G nominated, as its candidate for
President, Millard Fillmore, who as Vice Presi-
dent had filled out the unexpired term of Zach-
ary Taylor, after the death of the latter in 1S50.
It secured the electoral vote of only one State —
Maryland — and as its secret methods and princi-
ples became more widely known, it dw^iudled
into insignificance, although in the border and
the Southern slave States, maintaining some ac-
tivity through the support of former Whigs who
were reluctant to identify themselves with the
Democratic party. In ]8(;o it took on the name
of the "Constitutioual Union" party, with John
Bell, of Tennessee, and Edward Everett, of
Massachusetts, as candidates for President and
Vice I'resident. With the advent of the Civil
War this new party vi-eut out of existence, its
niemliers identifying themselves with tlii' demo-
cratic (or Secession) part.v, or, in a few in-
stances, retaining the n.-mie of I'nionists. tliough
suppressing their opinions or compelled to move
northward.
In ISCO the Democralic party was divided into
two factions. After an eight days' session <if
the regular Democratic Convention held at
Charleston. S. C, in .\pril cif tliat year, with-
out success in the nomination of a candidate
for President, a majority of tlie delegates from
Southern States (representing in whole or part
nine States) withdrew, and the remainder be-
ing unable to select a candidate under the two-
thirds rule, adjourned to meet in Baltimore on
June 18th following. At this time delegates
from four other slave States and from one
free State (Indiana) withdrew, with the re-
sult that Senator Douglas was nominated for
I'resident by the remainder by an almost unani-
mous vote, while John C. Breckinridge, who
liecame a leader in the secession movement, re-
ceived the nomination of the seceding faction.
This, of course, proved an important factor in
the Presidential election of that year, as the
two factions of the party, if united, would have
had a large plurality on the pojinlar vote. This
division in the ranks of the Democratic party
continued during the war period, the southern
branch of the party becoming almost unani-
mously Secessionists, while the northern wing
was divided into "War" and "Anti-War Demo-
crats" — .some of the latter becoming members
of the "Golden Circle," an organization in sym-
pathy with the rebellion.
In 1872 came another breach in the party
ranks, when a majority of the party, after
repudiating their principles in opposition to the
"reconstruction policy" and other measures of
previous Republican administrations, accepted
Horace Greeley, a former Anti-Slavery, or (as
he had been called by his Democratic oppo-
nents) "Abolition" leader, as their candidate for
President under the name "Liberal Republican."
This, as was to be expected, proved a failure,
and, although the party won the Presidency in
1S84, it was uniformly defeated for National and
State offices in Illinois until 1802. when it car-
ried both in Illinois — two years earlier, however,
in what is called the "off-year," having elected
its candidates in Illinois for State Treasurer and
Superintendent of Public Instruction."
In 1S9G came another partial break. No. ."{. in
the Democratic party, this being the year of the
first nomination for President of William J.
Bryan, a native, and former jiopular citizen of
Illinois. This division grew out of what was
called the "Hi to 1" or "free-silver" issue, the
regular convention liaving adojjted a platform
demanding "the free and milimited coinage of
both silver and gold, al the present legal rate
of sixletMi lo one." This iiroposition was vigor-
664
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
ously opposed by a considerable braucb of tbe
party, with the result that Gen. John M. Pal-
mer was nominated for President, "making the
race" as a "Gold Democrat," although many of
the most zealous advocates of the principle
for which he stood, realizing the impossibility
of his election, cast their votes for William Mc-
Kiuley, the Republican candidate, for President.
This condition continued in somewhat modified
form during Mr. Bryan's second campaign in
1900, many former Democrats thus becomiug
permanently allied with the Republican party.
The Republican Party. — While hostility to
the extension of slavery Into free territory had
been growing for years, as shown in the his-
tory of the "Free-Soil" and "Abolition" parties,
this took on an especially active character im-
mediately after the passage, in May, 1S54, of the
Kansas-Nebraska act, which had been intro-
duced by Senator Douglas, repealing the Mis-
souri Compromise and opening the way for the
spread of slavery into all territory not under
State government north of 39 degrees 30 min-
utes north latitude. According to the testimony
of Henry Wilsou of Massachusetts, afterwards
Vice President of the United States, a group
of Seuators and Representatives in Congress met
in the city of Washington on the evening after
the final passage of the Nebraska bill, and de-
cided that the time had arrived for the organ-
ization of a new party, and are said to have
favored the name Republican. It is also claimed
that, as early as March 29th of the same year
— more than one month before the pasage of the
Nebraska act— Maj. Alvin E. Bovay, of Ripon,
Wis., In a public meeting, had suggested the
adoption of that name by the opponents of
slavery extension, and it is a matter of record
that the first State Convention to take this
step was held at Jackson, Mich., on July 6th
of that year. In Illinois, Senator Douglas' home
State, the agitation was wide-spread, but espe-
cially active in the northern section where the
anti-slavery element from Eastern and Northern
Middle .States was the largest. So, in anticipa-
tion of the election of State Treasurer iu No-
vember following, and the election of United
States Senator by the next General Assembly.
a movement was started for the holding of a
State Convention of opponents of the Nebraska
act. In the absence of any party organization,
this finally took the form of a propositiou for
the meeting of opponents of that measure, to be
held in Springfield on October 4, 1854, this be-
iug the period during which the Second State
Fair was to be held, and which was considered
a favorable occasion for securing a representa-
tion from different parts of the State. When
on the afternoon of the day mentioned, a num-
ber of citizens who had contemplated taking
part in the proposed convention met in the State
House, they found the Hall of Representatives
already occupied by a mixed assemblage who
had gathered to listen to speeches by Senator
Douglas and others, Hon. Lyman Trumbull,
who was elected to the United States Senate
during the next session of the General As-
sembly, being a speaker on that afternoon in
reply to Douglas, and Abraham Lincoln in the
evening. The "extremists," as they have been
called by some professed historians who knew
nothing of the actual character of those who
had come together to take part in the Anti-
Nebraska meeting — held a meeting in the Sen-
ate Chamber late in the afternoon and effected
an organization, with A. G. Throop, of Chicago,
as President, also appointing a Committee to
draft a series of resolutions and suggest a can-
didate for State Treasurer, the only officer to
be elected that year, after which they adjourned
to meet the next morning. When the conven-
tion reassembled on the morning of the .5th of
October, the committee on resolutions submitted
its report and Hon. John E. McClun, of Mc-
Lean County, was named for State Treasurer,
but later withdrew, Mr. James Miller, also of
Bloomington, being accepted as his successor.
Although then defeated, Mr. Miller was re-
nominated two years later and elected. A State
Central Committee was also appointed, of which
Abraham Lincoln was named as a member, but
it never formally organized. Both of the papers
then published iu Springfield being hostile to
the movement, — one being an organ of the Whig
party and the other Democratic — no accurate
report of the proceedings was published by
either, the former ignoring the convention al-
together, and the latter, instead of the actual
platform, publishing a series of radical resolu-
tions favoring the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia, which had been adopted
by a county convention in the northern part of
the State. It was this set of resolutions which
Senator Douglas quoted against Lincoln in the
first of his series of debates with the latter
at Ottawa in 185S, but the bogus character of
I
I
-I
THE N&W rOM
PUBLIC LIBRART
HISTORY OP SANGAMON COUNTY
665
which Liucoln exposed iu the debate at Fieeyuit
one week later — an event which proved a seri-
ons embarrassment to Douglas during the re-
mainder of that campaign. Briefly summarized
this platform covered the following points: (1)
Condemnation of the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise; (2) Affirmation of the constitu-
tional right of Congress to exclude slavery from
the Territories; (3) "That, as freedom is Na-
tional and slavery sectional and local, the ab-
sence of all law on the subject of slavery
presumes the existence of a state of freedom
alone;" (4) That "slavery can exist in a Terri-
tory only by usurpation and violation of law ;"
(5) Concession to all of the States of the rights
"included in the sacred compact of the Con-
stitution;" (G) Denial of antagonism or hos-
tility towards citizens of Southern States: (7)
Their recognition 'as kindred and In'ethren of
the same family, having a common origin," with
the hope for "a common and glorious destiny :"
(is) in "fraternal spirit," inviting the people of
the South to aid "in restoring the action of the
Government to its primitive usage," as "the only
guaranty of future harmony" and "perpetuation
of the Union." In conclusion the platform in-
dorsed the polic.v of ri\er and harbor improve-
ments and urged cooperation of the States in
behalf of free labor and free soil. In spite of
the vituperation and denunciation with whieli
the advocates of this policy were assailed it
is doubtful if the convention of any party. Re-
publican or otherwise, e^er put forth a mure
conservative platform, one which would com-
mand more general approval to-day or has been
more thoroughly vindicated in national history.
Although Mr. Lincoln did not immediately join
in this organization, he was more thoroughly
in sympathy with its opinions than he was then
aware, while at the time he recognized Its sup-
porters as "Republicans."
The next important step toward the organ-
ization of the Republican party in Illinois came
in the holding of a convention of Anti-Nebraska
editors at Decatur in 1S5(!. Of this conven-
tion an article on the history of "Political Par-
ties in Illinois," by J, McCan Davis, in the
"Blue Book" of Illinois (1907) says:
"Karly in 1856 it became clear to Lincoln, as
it did to all of those opiwsed to the Nebraska
act, that a new party must be formed. Late
in December, 185,5, the 'Morgan .lonrnal,' edited
by Paul Selby, suggested a meeting of Anti-
Nebraska editors, to outline a policy to be pur-
sued iu the campaign of the year about to open.
There was a ready response from the Anti-
Nebraska newspapers. The convention was held
iu Decatur, February 22, 1856, Mr. Selby was
made Chairman and W. J. Usrey, editor of the
Decatur Chronicle, was Secretary.
The call for this convention received the in-
dorsement of tweuty-flve Anti-Nebraska editors,
but owing to a heavy snow storm which oc-
curred the night before the meeting, causing
a blockade on some of the railroads, only about
a dozen arrived in time to be present at the
opening, although two or three came iu later
in the day, and were present at a banquet given
in the evening by the citizens of Decatur, at
which Richard J. Oglesby presided and Abra-
ham Lincoln delivered the principal speech. Mr.
Lincoln had been in conference during the day
with the Committee on Resolutions — of which
Dr. Charles H. Ray, then editor of the "Chicago
Tribune," was Chairman — and, no doubt, exerted
an influence In framing the platform reported
to the convention and adopted by that body
as a whole. On national Issues this platform
followed the general principles outlined in that
adopted at Springfield two years earlier, pro-
testing against the introduction of slavery in
free territory and demanding the restoration
of the Missouri Compromise. An additional feat-
ure was a declaration in favor of the widest
toleration in matters of religion and in prac-
tical protest against the doctrines of "Know-
Nuthingism" — a result which was due to the
personal influence of Mr. Lincoln, after a per-
sonal conference with Mr. George Schneider,
a member of the Committee on Resolutions and
then editor of the "Staats-Zeitung" of Chicago,
a leading German anti-slavery paper of the
West. A resolution recommending that "a State
delegate convention be held in Bloomington on
Thursday, the 29th day of May" following, and
naming a "State Central Committee" to issue
a call for the same, was al.so adopted. This
couunittee. after a change of three of its mem-
bers on account of absence or other causes, dis-
charged its duty In the manner prescribed.
When the Bloomington convention met, it
adopted a platform advocating the same prin-
ciples wbiih had been eiuniciated l)y the con-
vention at Springfield in October. 1854, and
had been indorsed by the editorial convention
at Decatur in February. It was this couven-
60G
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
tion before which Mr. I.iiirohi delivered his cele-
lirat<'d "lost speech," and which later Domiuated
a State ticket, headed by Wm. H. Bissell, for
Governor, which was elected iu November fol-
lowing. About the same time (1S57) the Dred
Scott decision, sustaining the right to hold
slaves, like any other property, indefinitely in
free territory, aroused a strong sentiment
throughout the North against the further ex-
tension of sla^iery. And thus it was that the
Republican party in Illinois was born, and which
has since won every general State election ex-
cept that of 1S92. and a majority in every Na-
tional election except those of 1856 and 1892.
It is a matter of curious interest that, while
the name Republican in modern days has been
regarded by its opponents as synonymous with
"Abolition." the most zealous champions of the
introduction of slavery In Illinois during the
historic campaign of 1822-24 were known as
Jackson "Republicans." and the leading organ
in favor of that measure at Edwardsville, 111.,
was the "Illinois Republican." The only issue
of the opponents of slavery at that time was
simply retention of the )irovision of the Ordi-
nance of 1787 and perpetuated in the enabling
act of 1818. excluding slavery from Illinois ter-
ritory, f'oming down to a later period it is an
equally curious fact that, while the Republi-
can party of to-day owes its existence to the
passage of the Nebraska Act of 1854. that meas-
ure led to the final defeat of the party which
was responsible for its enactment after a ijuar-
ter of a century of almost uninten'upted control
of the National Government, just as the policy
of the advocates of secession, in the effort to
perpetuate slavery, resulted in the total aboli-
tion of that institution as the outcome of the
Civil War. And thus it devolved upon the
Republican iiarty to preserve the Union and
reestablish it on a basis of prosperity such
as it never before had enjoyed, as shown by
the development of the iiast half century.
Minor Party Organizations. — It is fitting in
this connection to make some mention of several
parties which, while at different periods they
have received the supjwrt of a small proportion
of voters iu Sangamon County, have had a brief
existence, or have exerted little intluence on
public affairs except in cooperation with some
other party organizations. Owing to dissatisfac-
tion on the part of a considerable number of
Republicans with the administration of Presi-
dent Grant during his fir.st term, an attempt
was made iu 1872 to organize a Liberal Repub-
lican party, which resulted in the nomination of
Horace Greeley for President, a number of
former Republicans in Illinois taking part in
this movement. As this followed the defeat of
the Democratic party in three successive elec-
tions, including the Civil War period and the
first four years thereafter — a result attributed
to the hostility of that party to the war policy
of the Government — Greeley was accepted as the
candidate of the larger portion of the Demo-
cratic party under the name of Liberal Republi-
can-Democrat, with several other Republicans on
the National and State tickets, while a smaller
faction supported what was called a "Regular"
or "Straight-out" Democratic ticket. The greater
part of those who had been original Republi-
cans resumed their party affiliations in the next
campaign, while a considerable number who had
been Democrats before the war period, retained
their permanent association with that party.
What was known as the "Independent Reform
party." composed largely of former Democrats,
was formed in 1874 and held a State Conven-
tion in Springfield, its chief issues being oppo-
sition to the National Banking law and advocacy
of a tariff for revenue only. It nominated can-
didates for State Treasurer. Superhitendent of
Public Instruction, and in the Springfield Dis-
trict for Congress, which were later indorsed
by the 'Democratic-Liberal" party, but failed of
election.
The "Greenback party" took on its organiza-
tion in lS7(i. following promptly the enactment
of a law under President Hayes' administration
for resumption of specie payments. In a Na-
tional Convention held In Philadelphia during
that year, it took the name "Independent Na-
tional iiarty," indorsing the policy of making
notes ("greenbacks") issued by the General Gov-
ernment "full legal tender" for all obligations,
except under special contracts. It maintained
its existence through three national campaigns
until 18S4. when it practically went into dis-
solution, its supporters generally retaining the
name of "Greenbackers," however, for some time
later.
The "Prohibition party." having as its prin-
cipal issue restriction of the liquor traffic, has
maintained a more or less active organization,
THE PRK'KETT COAT OF ARMS
THE GIBSON COAT OF ARMS
Motto — "Ready, Aye Ready"
THE .K )HNSTONE COAT OF ARMS
Motto— "The Flying Spur"
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
667
with (■uii(liil;ites for National and State oiflees
since 1872. While the total vote has shown a
moderate increase, and the main issue has ap-
pealed to the sympathy of many members of
other parties, the Prohibition party has met
with success in Illinois only in the occasional
election of one or two members of the Legisla-
ture. The largest rote cast in Illinois was in
1904, when its candidate for Governor received
35,446 votes.
The "Union Lalior party" came into existence
iu 1S8S as a successor of the Greenback party,
nominating A. J. Streeter, of Illinois, as its
candidate for President, on a platform demand-
ing a circulating medium to be "issued directly
to the people without the intervention of banks,
or loaned to citizens upon land security at a
low rate of interest." also favoring the free
coinage of silver. As its name indicates, its
policy was to unite the Tnion Labor element in
support of tlie measures of the Greenback party,
while its declaratioii in fAvor of "free coinage
of silver" came eight years in advance of the
adoption of the "free-silver" platform by the
Democratic party in 1896.
The "People's" or "Populist" party was the
outgrowth of a movement started in ISSO by
a Farmers' Alliance Convention held in Florida.
In iNliO it took on the name of "Farmers' Mutual
Benefit Association" in Illinois, and by the elec-
tion of three members of the House of Repre-
sentatives lield the balance of power in the
General Assembly, which resulted in the election
of Gen. .Tohn M. Palmer to the T'nited States
Senate iu IMH. In 1S06 and in 1000 it ac-
cepted William .1. Bryan as its candidate for
President, Imt in 1004 nominated a candidate
of its own for President.
Besides those already mentioned other parties
whirli liave had a lirief or somewhat extended
existence in Illinois, as shown by the election
records of the past twenty years, include llie
following: Tlie "Socialists" (with Eugene \.
Debs as its regular leader), "Socialist Labor,"
"Independent Democratic," "Socialist Demo-
cratic." "Continental" and ''Independence." Tlic
vote received by each of these in Sangamon
('<iiiiily al Ilic l]i',.'liest lias amounted to only a
few liniidi'cd al .-uiv single election.
CHAPTEIt XIV.
XOTABLE POLITICAL CAMPAKiXS.
IMPORTANT CAMPAIGNS AiS'D THEIR INFLUENCES
ON FUTURE NATIONAL AND STATE HISTORY THE
PRO-SLAVERY CONTEST OF 1822-24 — SANGAMON
COUNTY- AGAINST A PRO-SLAVERY' STATE CONSTI-
TUTION — THE JACKSON CAMPAIGNS OF 1828 AND
1832 — LOG CABIN MASS MEETING AT SPRINGFIELD
IN 1840 — CAMPAIGNS OF 1848-56 LINCOLN
NAMED FOR UNITED STATES SEN.\TOR IN 1858 — ■
LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATES — LINCOLN NOMINATED
FOR THE PRESIDENCY- — HIS NOTIFICATION AND AC-
CEPTANCE — WIDE AWAKE RALLY' IN SPRINGFIELD
■ — ELECTION AND DEPARTURE FOR WASHINGTON —
VOTE OF SANGAMON COUNTY' FOR PRESIDENT AND
GOVERNOR FROM 1832 TO lOtlS — SOME NOTABLE
STATE CONVENTIONS.
(By .1. JlcCan Davis.)
As an appendix to the history of political par-
ties, in which Sangamon County has been so
important a factor, it is fitting that some men-
tion should be made of the most notable cam-
paigns and events connected therewith. In the
light of its Influence on future history, the
most important measure upon which a popular
vote was cast in the early years of county his-
tory was the cjuestion of calling a State Con-
vention in 1824, which had for its object the
legalization of slavery in Illinois, The total
vote of the county on this issue was 875, of
which only 153 votes were iu favor of the meas-
ure and 722 against — a result indicating that,
while the county was then strongly Democratic
:ind its population composed largely of inuni-
giants from border slave States, popular scnli-
iiient on this subject was independent.
In the election campaigns of both 1S24 and
1828 Andrew Jackson and John (Juincy Adams
were the principal leaders, the former as the
candidate for President of what was then the
i;cp"'i'i<"a" party and the latter of the renniant
iif I he Federalists. In 18.32 (Jen. Jackson won
over Henry Clay in Sangamon County by a vote
of ],03r) to 810 for the latter. Abraham Lin-
coln was a candidate for tln> first time lor
Ki'presentativc in the Gener.il .Vssembly during
I he year jnst iiii'iil icmcil. Inn for the only time
ill his life railed of election. (Other citizens of
668
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
Sangamou County who, durius tliis period and
later, were elected to National and State offices
will be mentioned, as well as Kepreseutatives
in Congress, later on in tlie succeeding chapter. )
During that period and until the adoption of
the Constitution of 1S4S. the office of Governor
was filled by election in what is now called the
"off-year" — that is, the second year after the
presidential election — while the election of county
officers occurred at more irregular periods, the
State elections being then held every four years
on the first Monday in August, and the Presi-
dential in November. The first year in which
the Democratic and Whig parties were fairly
organized in the manner in which they continued
to exist until the campaign of 1S52, was 1S36,
when Van Bureu was the candidate of the
former for President and William Henry Hai'ri-
son of the latter, Harrison then receiving a
majority in Sangamon County of 5<i0 out of a
total vote of 2,366. This marlced the standing
of Sangamon County in the Whig column, which
continued until after the dissolution of the Whig
party following the election of 1S52. The most
active campaign during this period was that of
1S40 — known as the "Log-cabin and Hard-cider
campaign" — which resulted in the election of
Harrison by the country at large, the vote of
Sangamon County being then 2.000 for Harrison
to 1,249 for Van Buren. .\ memorable incident
of that campaign was a mass-meeting held in
the city of Springfield in June, 1840, this being
the year after Springfield had become the State
capital. Of this meeting. Moses, in his "Illinois :
Historical and Statistical." gives the following
interesting account :
"Twenty thousand people, nearly five per cent,
of the entire population of the State, attended
the meeting, among whom was a delegation from
Chicago. . . . Securing fourteen of the best
teams available and four tents, they captured
the government yawl, whicli they rigged up as a
two-masted ship and placed on a strong wagon
drawn by si.v fine grey horses. Thus equipped.
with four sailors on board, a band of music, and
a six-pounder cannon to fire salutes, with Cap-
tain (afterward Maj. Gen.) David Hunter in
command as Chief Marshal, they started with
flying colors on their journey. . . . They
were seven da.vs making the triji. Their vessel
was a wonder to the inhabitants along the
route, many of whom bad never seen anything
of the kind. At Springfield it divided the at-
tention of the masses with a huge log-cabin.
twelve by sixteen feet, constructed on an im-
mense truck whose wheels were made of solid
wood, cut from a large tree. The latter was
driven by thirty yoke of oxen ; a couple of
coons were playing in the branches of a hickory
sapling at one corner ; and a barrel of hard-
cider stood by the door, whose latch-string was
hanging out. The brig was presented to the
Whigs of Sangamon County, in an able speech,
by William Stuart, of the 'Chicago American,'
in return for which the Chicago delegation was
presented with a live grey eagle, in an eloquent
address by E. D. Baker, at the critical por-
tion of which, when he described the eagle's
flight as emblematic of the election of Harri-
son, the 'nol)le bird' responded to the sentiment
by rearing its head, expanding its wings and
giving a loud cry. The applause of the im-
mense crowd was correspondingly wild and en-
thusiastic. The entire trip consumed three
weeks' time, but was enjoyed by the party from
first to last."
C'AMP.iiGN.s OF 1S48-56. — An especially note-
worthy campaign was that of 1S48, when Zach-
ary Taylor, a hero of the Mexican War, was
elected as the Whig candidate for President over
Lewis Cass, Democrat. The vote of Sangamon
County then stood 1.S43 for Taylor to 1,336 for
Cass and 47 for Van Bureu as a Pree-Soiler.
The plurality in Illinois for the Democratic
candidate in that campaign was 3,253 — the
smallest for a Democratic candidate for Presi-
dent from the campaign of 1840 up to the final
defeat of that party in 1860.
A campaign of historic interest was that of
18.52 in which two soldiers of the Mexican War
— Gen. Winfield Scott. Whig, and Franklin
Pierce, Democrat — were opposing candidates for
the Presidency. Scott received a somewhat
smaller majority in Sangamon County than
that received by Taylor four years earlier, while
the Democratic majority in the State was in-
creased in the same proportion. The defeat
of the Whig party in this campaign, with the
chaotic condition produced by the passage of the
Kansas-Nebi'aska act and the repeal of the Mis-
souri Compromise two years later, brought about
the practical dissolution of the Whig party.
The contest in the General Assembly in 1855
for the seat in the United States Senate then
occupied by James Shields, and following the
first election after the passage of the Nebraska
act, was the leading political event of this pe-
riod. Abraham Lincoln was the choice of a
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
669
large majority of the Anti-Nebraska members,
ineltidiug practically all the AVhigs in that body,
auil ou the first ballot in joint session of the
two Houses received 45 votes to 41 for Shields,
5 for Lymau Trumbull, 2 for Gustavus Koerner
and one each for six other candidates. The
vote cast for Trumbull on the first ballot came
from five Anti-Nebraska Democrats, and if added
to that for Lincoln, would have been sufficient
to insure his election. On the ninth ballot
Trumbull's vote had increased to 35, while
Lincoln's had been reduced to IS. In the mean-
time Gov. Matteson had become the Democratic
candidate, receiving 47 votes. Lincoln, then
foreseeing the possibility of Matteson's election,
advised his friends to vote for Trumbull, which
they did, the tenth ballot resulting in 51 votes
for Trumbull to 47 for Matteson, and one for
Archibald AVilliams of Quincy, an Anti-Nebraska
Whig — Mr. Trumbull thus winning his first elec-
tion for the seat which, by two subsequent elec-
tions, he filled for eighteen years.
The election of 1856 marked the advent of
the newly organized Republican party in both
State and National affairs. While John C. Fre-
mont as candidate for President was defeated
by James Buchanan, Democrat, William H. Bis-
sell, an ex-soldier of the Mexican War. and
former Democratic Member of Congress, was
elected Governor with the rest of the State
ticket, thus marking the beginning of Republican
rule in State affairs, which continued iniinter-
ruptedly (with the exception of State Treasurer
and Superintendent of Public Instruction for
a few terms) up to 1892. In this election the
Democratic candidate for Governor received a
plurality in Sangamon County over Bissell of
only 387, against 863 for Buchanan (Democrat)
for I'resident.
Lincoln N.\med for U. S. Senator. — An event
of especial interest in connection with Sangamon
County history was the nomination of Abraham
Lincoln for United States Senator by the Re-
publican State Convention which met at Spring-
field June 17. 1S58. for the purpose of nomi-
nating candidates for State Treasurer and Super-
intendent of Public Instruction. After nomi-
nating James Miller and Newton Bateman for
these offices, respectively, the convention adopted
(he following resolution:
■'[{esohcd, That Abraham Lincoln is the first
and only choice of the Republicans of Illinois
for the United States Seuate, as the successor
to Stephen A. Douglas."
It was in the evening following this con-
vention that Mr. Lincoln delivered his celebrated
"house-divided-against-itself" speech, in the old
Hall of Rrepresentatives, before an audience of
whom many were startled by his predictions and
logical argument. His views were severely crit-
icised by his political opponents and even by
some of his friends, all of whom have since
been compelled to recognize the foresight and
sagacity then shown by the future President —
nothing short of a prophecy of future events
in which he was destined to play a most con-
spicuous part within the next seven years. This
led directly to the famous Lincoln-Douglas de-
lates within the next four months, and while
Lincoln failed of election to the senatorship,
these debates resulted in his election to the
Presidency two years later and his final preser-
vation of the Union.
Nominated fob the Presidency. — Of all polit-
ical events undoubtedly that of deepest interest
to citizens of Springfield up to the time it
occurred, was the nomination of Mr. Lincoln
for the Presidency in 1860. While he had made
no active campaign in his own liehalf, his can-
didacy was vigorously launched in the State
Convention which met at Decatur, May 9, of
that year, and at which Richard Yates was
nominated for Governor. This was just one
week before the meeting of the National Con-
vention in Chicago. That body remained in
session three days, and on the third ballot taken
on the third day Lincoln came within two and
one-half votes of receiving the nomination. By
consequent changes he had a decided majority,
and his nomination was made unanimous.
During the days when the Convention was
in session, Mr. Lincoln remained at his home
or in his office, in occasional consultation with
his friends, discussing the situation and re-
ceiving occasional intelligence from Chicago. Of
an interview which took place in the office of
the late James C. Conkling, one of Lincoln's
closest friends, who had just returned from
Chicago on the morning of May 18th — the day
the final vote was taken — ^Mr. Clinton L. Conk-
ling (the son of James C), in a contribution
to the Illinois State Historical Society, says:
"There was an old settee by the front win-
dow on which were several buggy cushions. Mr.
Lincoln stretched himself upon this settee, his
670
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
head ou a cusliion and his feet over the end
of the settee. For a long time they talked
about the convention. Mr. Lincoln wanted to
know what had been done and what Mr. Conk-
liug had seen and learned and what he believed
would be the result of the convention. Mr.
Coukling replied that ilr. Lincoln would be
nominated that day; that, after the conversa-
tions he had had and the information he had
gathered in regard to Mr. Seward's candidacy,
he was satisfied that Mr. Seward could not
be nominated, for he not only had enemies in
other States than his own, but had enemies at
home ; that if Mr. Seward was not nominated
on the first ballot, the Pennsylvania delegation
and other delegations would immediately go
to Mr. Lincoln and he would be nominated.
"Mr. Lincoln replied that he hardly thought
this could be possible and that, in case Mr. Se-
ward was not nominated on the first ballot, it
was his judgment that Mr. Chase of Ohio or
Mr. Bates of Missouri would be the nominee.
They both considered that Mr. Cameron of Penn-
sylvania stood no chance of nomination. Mr.
Coukling in response said that he did not think
it was possible to nominate any other one ex-
cept Mr. Lincoln under the existing conditions,
because the pro-slavery part of the Republican
party then in the convention would not vote
for Mr. Chase, who was considered an aboli-
tionist, and the abolition part of the party would
not vote for Mr. Bates, because he was from a
slave State, and that the only solution of the
matter was the nomination of Mr. Lincoln.
"After discussing the situation at some length,
Mr. Lincoln arose and said. 'Well, Coukling, I
believe I will go liack to my office and practice
law.' He then left the office. . . .
"In a very few moments after Mr. Lincoln
left I learned of his nomination (just how I
do not now remember), and rushed after him.
I met him on the west side of the Square before
anyone else had told him and to my cry, 'Mr.
Lincoln, you're nominated,' he said, 'Well, Clin-
ton, then we've got it,' and took my outstretched
hand in both of his. Then the excited crowds
surged around him and I dropped out of sight."
Lincoln Notified of his Nomination. — Of the
formal announcement which came to Lincoln the
next day. Miss Tarbell, in her "Life of Abraham
Lincoln," sa.vs :
"Thirt.v-six hours after Lincoln received the
news of his nomination, an evening train from
Chicago brought to Springfield a company of dis-
tinguished-looking strangers. As they stepped
from their coach cannon were fired, rockets set
off, bands played, and enthusiastic cheering went
up from a crowd of waiting people. A long and
noisy procession accompanied them to their hotel
and later to a modest two-storied house in an
unfashionable part of the town. The gentle-
men whom the citizens of Springfield received
with such demonstration formed the committee,
sent by the Republican National Convention to
notify Abraham Lincoln that he had been nomi-
nated as its candidate for the President of the
United States.
"The delegation had in its number some of
the most distinguished workers of the Repub-
lican party of that day: Mr. George Ashmun,
Samuel Bowles, and Governor Boutwell of
Massachusetts, William M. Evarts of New York.
Judge Kelley of Pennsylvania, David K. Cartter
of Ohio. Francis P. Blair of Missouri, the Hon.
Gideon Welles of Connecticut, Amos Tuck of
New Hampshire, Carl Schurz of Wisconsin.
Only a few of these gentlemen had ever seen
Mr. Lincoln and to many of them his nomina-
tion had been a bitter disappointment.
"As the committee filed into Mr. Lincoln's
simple house there was a sore misgiving in more
than one heart, and as Mr. Ashmun, their chair-
man, presented to him the letter notifying bim
of his nomination they eyed their candidate with
critical keenness. . . . Mr. Ashmun finished
his speech and Mr. Lincoln lifting his head be-
gan to reply. The men who watched him
thrilled with surprise at the change which passed
over him. His drooping form became erect and
firm. The e.ves lieamed with fire and intelli-
gence. Strong, dignified and self-possessed, he
seemed transformed liy the simple act of self-
expression.
"His remarks were brief, merely a word of
thanks for the honor done him, a hint that he
felt the responsibility of his position, a promise
to respond formally in writing and the expres-
sion of a desire to take each one of the com-
mittee by hand, but his voice was calm and
clear, his bearing frank and sure. His auditors
saw in a flash that here was a man who was
master of himself. For the first time they under-
stood that he whom they had supposed to be
little more than a loquacious and clever State
politician, had force, insight, conscience, that
their misgivings were vain. 'Why, sir, they
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
671
tuUI me he was a rough clinmoud," suit! Gov-
ernor Boutwell to oue of Lincoln's townsmen,
'Xothing could have been in better taste than
that speech.' And a delegate who had voted
against Lincoln in the convention, turning to
Carl Schurz, said, 'Sir, we might have done a
more daring thing, but we certainly could not
have done a better thing,' and it was with that
feeling that the delegation, two hours later, left
Mr. Lincoln's home, and it was that report they
carried to their constituents.
"But one more formality now remained to
complete the ceremony of Abraham Lincoln's
nomination to the presidency, — his letter of ac-
ceptance. This was soon written. The candi-
dates of the opposing parties all sent out letters
of acceptance in ISGO which were almost polit-
ical platforms in themselves. Lincoln decided
to make his merely an acceptance with an ex-
pression of his intention to stand by the party's
declaration of principles. He held himself
rigidly to this decision, his first address to the
IJepublican party .being scarcely one hundred
and fifty words in length. Though so short,
it was prepared with painstaking attention. He
even carried it when it was finished to a. Spring-
field friend. Dr. Newton Bateman. the State
Superintendent of Education, for correction.-
" 'Mr. Schoolmaster,' he said, 'here is my let-
ter of acceptance, I am not very strong pu gram-
mar and I wish you to see if it is all right. I
wouldn't like to have any mistakes in it.'
"The doctor took the M.S. and, after reading
it, said: 'There is only one change I should
suggest, Jlr. Lincoln ; you have written, 'It
shall be my care to not violate or disregard it
in any part,' you should have written 'not to
violate." Never split an infinitive, is the rule.'
"Mr. Lincoln took tlie manuscript, regarding
it a moment with a puzzled air, 'So you think
I had lietter |)Ut those two little fellows end to
end, do you';' he said as he made the change."
(Miss Tarbell's "Life of Lincoln." pp. 3.")'J-3(>1.)
Mr. Lincoln's Letter of Acceptance. — The
following is the letter, addressed to President
Ashmnn, by which Mi-. Lincoln, a few days
later, formally announced his acceptance of the
nomination :
"Springfield, HI., May 23, iSOO.
"Hon. GcHjrge Ashnnin,
I'rcKidciit of tlic Ri'inililicun Xational Conrcn-
lidii :
"Sir: I accejit tlie nomination tendered me by
the Convention over which you presided, and of
which I am formally apprized in the letter of
yourself and othere, acting as a eonuuittee of
the Convention, for that purpose.
"The declaration of principles, and which ac-
companies your letter, meets my approval ; and
it shall be my care not to violate, or disregard
it, in any part.
"Imploring the assistance of Divine Provi-
dence, and with due regard to the views and
feelings of all who were representatives in
the Convention ; to the rights of all the States
and Territories, and the people of the nation ;
to the inviolability of the Constitution, and the
perpetual Union, harmony and prosperity of all,
I am now happy to cooperate for the practical
success of the principles declared by the Con-
vention.
"Your obliged friend and fellow citizen,
"A. Lincoln."
A Wide Awake Rally at Springfield.— There
were immediately extensive organizations of the
"Wide Awake'' supijorters of Lincoln through-
out the Northern States. Of a mass meeting
held at Springfield in August. Miss Tarbell gives
the following account :
"In many of the States great rallies were
held at central points, at which scores of Wide-
Awake,- clubs and a dozen popular speakers were
present. The most enthusiastic of all these was
held in Mr. Lincoln's own home, Springfield,
on August S. Fully 75.000 people gathered for
the celebration, by far the greater number com-
ing across the prairies on horseback or in wagons.
A procession eight miles long filed by Mr. Lin-
coln's door. Mr. E. B. Washburne. who was
with Mr. Lincoln in Springfield that day. says
of this mass meeting :
" 'It was one of the most enormous and im-
pressive gatherings I had ever witnessed. Mr.
Lincoln, surrounded by some intimate friends,
sat on the balcony of his humble home. It
took hours for all the delegations to file be-
fore him, and there was no token of enthusiasm
wanting. He was deeply touched by the mani-
festations of per.sonal and political friendships,
and returned all his salutations in that off-hand
and kindly manner which belonged to him. I
know of no demonstration of a similar char-
acter that can compare with it except the re-
\ iew by Napoleon of his army for the invasion
of Russia, about the same season of the year
e72
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
ill ISl-'. "—Miss Tarbell's ''Life of JJiicohi," p.
372.)
The Election. — During the campaign wliich
followed, Mr. Lincoln spent the time, at his
home in Springfield and in personal headquar-
ters which had been assigned to him in the
State House with the late John G. Nicolay as
his private secretary, devoting his attention to
the study of conditions to correspondence with
friends and in some cases, replying to the in-
quiries of sectional opponents. Besides Lincoln
the candidates in the field were Stephen A.
Douglas (Democrat), also a citizen of Illinois
and former resident of Springfield, John Bell
(Constitutional Unionist) and John C. Breck-
inridge (Democrat), residents of Southern
States. The election in November resulted in
the success of Mr. Lincoln, and after three
months more spent at his home, on February 11,
18<il, he left Springfield to assume the duties
of his office in Washington on Mai'ch 4th fol-
lowing. Of this event, Nicolay and Hay, in
their "Aliraham Lincoln : A History,"' give the
following description :
Departure foe WASHI^fGT0N. — "Early Monday
morning (the 11th) found Mr. Lincoln, his fam-
ily, and suite at the rather dingy little railroad
station in Springfield, with a throng of at least
a thousand of his neighbors who had come to
bid them good-liye. It was a stormy moniiiig.
which served to add gloom and depression to
their spirits. The leave-taking presented a scene
of subdued anxiety, almost of solemnity. Mr.
Lincoln took a position in the waiting-room,
where his friends filed past him. often merely
pressing his hand in silent emotion.
"The half-finished ceremony was broken in
upon by the ringing bells and rushing train.
The crowd closed about the railroad car into
which the President-elect and his party made
their way. Then came the central incident of
the morning. The bell gave notice of starting :
but as the conductor paused with his hand lifted
to the bell-Tope, Mr. Lincoln appeared on the
platform of the car, and raised his hand to
command attention. The bystanders bared their
heads to the falling snowflakes, and standing
thus, his neighbors heard his voice for the last
time, in the city of his home, in a farewell ad-
dress so chaste and pathetic, that it reads as
if he already felt the tragic shadow of fore-
casting fate:
" 'My friends : no one, not in my situalion.
can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this
parting. To this place, and the kindness of'
these people, I owe evei-ything. Here I have
lived a quarter of a century, and have pa.ssed
from a young to an old man. Here my children
have been bom and one is buried. I now leave,
not knowing when or whether ever I may re-
turn, with a task before me greater than that
which rested upon Washington. Without the
assistance of that Divine Being who ever at-
tended him, I cannot succeed. With that as-
sistance, I cannot fail. Trusting in Him. who
can go with me and remain with you, and be
everywhere for good, let us confidently hope
that all will be well. To his care commend-
ing you. as I hope in your prayers you will
commend me, I bid you an affectionate tare-
well.'
"The Presidential party which made the whole
journey consisted of the following persons : Mr.
Lincoln, Mrs. Linc-oln, their three sons, Robert
T., William and Thomas ; Lockwood Todd, Dr.
W. S. Wallace, John G. Nicolay. John Hay, Hon.
N. B. Judd, Hon. David Davis, Col. E. V. Sum-
ner. Maj. David Hunter. Capt. George W. Haz-
ard, Capt. John Pope, Col. Ward H. Lamon, Col.
E. E. Ellsworth, J. M. Burgess, George C.
Latham, W. S. Wood and B. Forbes. Besides
these a considerable number of other personal
friends and dignitaries accompanied the Presi-
dent from Springfield to Indianapolis, and places
beyond."
Si;bsequent Events.— The history of four
years of Civil War which followed, covers too
large a field for attempted description in this
connection. The election of Lincoln in 1S64 over
George B. Mct'lellan, his I>eniocratic opponent,
came as an indorsement by the loyal citizens of
the Republic of his policy for the preservation
of the Union, and this was further vindicated
by the final triumph in the surrender of Lee
at Appomattox on the 0th of .\pril. 1SC5. This
lias been further vindicated by the deveIoi:iment
of a reunited Nation during the last half cen-
tury, while his assassination five days after Lee's
surrender, is now deplored by many who were
liis most bitter enemies.
The election of Grant in 1S6S as Lincoln's
chosen successor, and again in 1872, in a time
of peace, came as a further indorsement of
Lincoln's policy, which Grant had so effectively
supported as commander in the field.
HISTORY OP SANGAMON COUNTY
673
Sangamon County Vote for President and
GovEENOK, 1S32-190S. — As a rule since the war
Ijeriod and up to 1892 Sangamon County Lad
recorded a majority vote for tlie Democratic
candidates tor Pi-esident and Governor, but at
the election of 1S96, the record was changed,
and the majority has since been uniformly on
the other side. Until the adoption of the Con-
stitution of 1S4S, the elections of President and
Governor occurred on different years — with a
period of two years between them — the election
of State officials taking place on the first Mon-
day of August, and that of President on the
Tuesday after the first Monday In November.
Since 1848 these elections have talien place on
the same day in November.
The following lists show the vote of Sanga-
mon County for these two offices from 1S32 to
1908, with the plurality or majority for each
candidate receiving the highest vote.
NOVEMBER, 1832
For President
Andrew Jackson (Dem.) 1,035 225
Henry Clay (Whig) 810
august, 1S34
For Governor
Joseph Duncan 807 213
William Kinney GS4
James Adams 593
R. K. McLaughlin 45
NOVEMBER, 1836
For President
Wm. Henry Harrison (Whig) 1,463 560
Martin Van Buren (Dem.) 903
AUGUST, 1838
For Governor
Cyrus Edwards (Whig) 1,856 455
Thomas Carliu (Dem.) 1,401
NOVEMBER, 1840
For President
Wm. Henry Harrison (Whig) 2,000 751
Martin Van Buren (Dem.) 1,249
AUGUST, 1842
For Governor
Joseph Duncan (Whig) 1,588 ,371
Thomas Ford (Dem.) 1,217
NOVEMBER, 1844
For President
Henry Clay ( Whig) l,S37 4(!6
James K. Polk (Dem.) 1,371
AUGUST, 1846
For Governor
F. M. Kilpatrick (Whig) 1,421 386
A. G. French (Dem.) 1,035
MAECH, 1848
On New State Constitution
For 1,817 617
Against 200
NOVEMBER, 1848
For President
Zachary Taylor (Whig) 1,943 607
Lewis Cass (Dem.) 1,336
Martin Van Buren (Free-Soil) 22
NOVEMBER, 1852
For President
Wiufield Scott (Whig) 2,125 519
Franklin Pierce (Dem.) 1,606
John P. Hale (Free-Soil) 22
For Governor
Edwin B. Webb (Whig) 2,217 602
Joel A. Matteson (Dem.) 1,615
L. B. Knowlton (Free-Soil) 21
NOVEMBER, 1856
For President
James Buchanan (Dem.) 2,475 863
Millard Fillmore (Am.) 1,612
John C. Fremont (Rep.) 1,174
For Governor
Wm. A. Richardson (Dem.) 2,519 287
Wm. H. Bissell (Rep.) 2,232
B. S. Mon-is (Am.) 390
NOVEMBER, 1860
For President
Stephen A. Douglas (Dem.) 3,598 42
Abraham Lincoln (Rep.) 3,556
John Bell (Union) 130
.fohn C. Breckinridge (So. Dem.) .. 77
For Governor
Richard Yates (Rep.) 3,609 8
J. C. Allen (Dem. ) 3601
Scattering 131
674
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
NOVEMBEB, 1SC4
For President
George B. McClelhui (Dem.) 3,945 380
Abraham Liucolu (Eeii.) 3,505
For Governor
James C. Robinson (Deiu.) 3,941 363
Richard J. Oglesby (Union Keii.) .. 3,578
NOVEMBER, 1SG8
For President
Horatio Seymour (Dem.) -l.STS 4C4
Ulysses S. Grant (Rep.) 4,411
For Governor
John R. Eden (Dem. ) 4,SS2 404
John M. Palmer (Rep.) 4,418
NOVEMBEK, 1872
For Prcsitleiit
Horace Greeley (Lilieral-Dem.) .. 4,.3S2 233
U. S. Grant (Hep.) 4,149
Charles O'Connor (Dem.) 09
For Governor
Gustavus Koerner (Liberal-Dem.) . . 4,483 312
Richard J. Oglesby (Rep.) 4.171
NOVEMBER. 1870
For President
Samuel J. Tildeu (Deui.) 5,847 996
Rutherford B. Ha.ves (Rep.) 4,.851
For Governor
Lewis Steward (Dem.) 5.712 098
Shelby M. Cullom (Rep.) 5,014
NOVEMBER, 1880
For President
Winfiekl S. Hancock (Dem.) 0.196 720
James A. (iartieUl (Ueii.) 5.470
James B. Weaver ((ir.'liU. ) 238
For Governor
Lyman Trumlmll (Dem.) 0.203 794
Shelby M. Cullom (Rep.) 5,476
A.J. Streeter (Gr.'bk.) 234
NOVEMBER. 1884
For President
Grover Cleveland (Dem.) 0.840 833
James G. Blaine, (Rep.) 0.007
John P. St. John (Pro.) 173
Benj. F. Butler (Gr.'bk.) 72
For Governor
Carter H. Harrison (Dem.) 7,022 1,127
Richard J. Oglesby (Rep.) 5,895
J. B. Hobbs (Pro.) ." 173
Jesse Harper (Gr.'bk.) 46
NOVEMBER, 18SS
For President
Grover Cleveland (Dem.) 7,148 712
Benj. Harrison ( Rep. ) 6,436
Clinton B. Fisk (Pro.) CSl
A. J. Streeter (Uu. Lab.) 50
For Governor
John M. Palmer (Dem.) 7,397 1,109
Joseph W. Fifer (Rep.) 6,288
David H. Harts (Pro.)
Willis J. Jones (Labor)
NOVEMBER, 1892
For President
Grover Cleveland (Dem.) 7,6(55 656
Benj. Harrison (Rep.) 0.009
Bidwell (Pro.) 779
James B. Weaver (I'eo.) 181
For Gorernor
John P. AltgelU (Dem.) 7,008 511
Joseph AV. Fifer ( Rep. ) 0.097
Robert R. Link (Pro.) 750
Nathan M. Barnett (Peo.) 151
NOVEMBER. 1890
For President
William McKinley (Rep.) 8,998 432
Wm. Jennings Bryan (Dem.) 8,500
Lovering ( Pro. ) 243
Palmer ( Ind. Dem.) 98
Scattering 39
For Governor
John R. Tanner (Rep.) 8.830 273
John P. Altgeld (Dem.) 8,503
Geo. W. Gecre (Pro.) 279
Wm. S. Forman (Gold-Dem.) 93
Scattering 13
NOVEMBER. 1900
For President
William McKinley (Rep.) 9,7(30 270
Wm. Jennings Biyan (Dem.) 9,499
Wooley (Pro.) 33S
Eugene V. Debs (Soc. Dem.) 38
Maloney (Soc. Lab.) 23
Scattering 23
pi
<
z
^ THE NEW rcj?c
r •< 3 1
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
675
For Governor
Richard Yates (Rep.) t>,70S 330
Samuel Alscliuler (Deiu.) 0,45'J
Viseher V. Barnes (Pro.) 275
Ilerniau C. Perry (Soc. Deui.) 33
I.oiiis P. Hoffman (Soe. Lab.) 20
Scattering .- 21
NOVEMBER, 1004
For I'ri'sidciit
Tlieodore Itonsevelt (Reii.) 1U,(J3S 3,0G7
Alton B. Parker (Dem.) 7,571
Swallow (Pro.) SIS
Eugene V. Debs (Soc.) 637
Corregan (Soc. Lab.) SO
Watson (Peo.) 130
llalcomb (Continental) -3
For Gorcnior
Charles S. Deneen (Rep.) 10.30G 2,S74
Lawrence H. Stringer (Dem.) .... 7.."i22
Robert H. Pattou (Pro.) 1.174
John Collins (Soc.) 5.jU
I'hilip Veal (Soc. Lab. i ¥3
James Hogan (Peo. ) 02
Andrew G. Specht (Continental) .. -.21
NOVEMBER, lOOS
For President
Wm. H. Taft (Rep.) 10.422 1,07.1 .
Wm. J. P.r.van (Dem.) 0,351 '
Chafin ( Pro. ) (i26
K. Y. Debs (Soc.) 4,5S
Gilhoiise (Soc. Lab.) 31
IILsgen (Ind.) 25
Tnrne.v (Un. Cliris. ) 7
Watson (I'eo.) 14
For Governor
Adhii E. Stevenson (Dem.) 10..5S1 1,400
Charles .S. Deneen (Reii.) 0.172
I )aniel R. Slieen (Pro.) 72:i
James H. Brower Sec.) 435
(i. A. Jennings (Soc. Lab.) 28
Ceo. W. McCasUrin (Iii<l.) 22
Some NoTAiii.E St.\te (.'onventio.ns. — With few
e.xcejitions. State Conventions of the two leading
political parties t(ir the last half century have
been held in the cily of Springfield. One of
(lie must nieniorabU' of these was the Reimbli-
can Convention which met on Jlay 19, ISSO, for
the purpose of nominating candidates for State
otlices, and naming deleg.-ites to the Xalional
Convention to be lield in Chicago in June fol-
lowing. While there was a sharp struggle over
the nomination for Governor, the leading Is-
sue was the choice of delegates to the National
Convention who would support (jJen. V. S. Grant
for a third term for President. The late Gen.
Green B. Raum presided, while Gen. John A.
Logan was the principal leader of the Grant
forces, receiving the support of a majority of
the ex-soldiers of whom a considerable number
were members of the eouventiou. The principal
contest occurred over the admission of contest-
ing delegates from three districts in Cook
County, this resulting in the admission of the
Grant delegates by a vote of 341 to 201, and
still later the delegates appointed to the Na-
tional Convention were insti-ueted to vote for
Gen. Grant by 399 for to 285 against. When
the issue came before the National Convention,
contesting delegates (IS in number) were ad-
mitted to that body from nine districts, by a
vote of 385 to 353 — a difference of 32 votes. If
the IS Grant delegates had been admitted, this
would have increased the 300 votes which stood
for Gen. Grant in the convention to 324, and re-
duced, the opposition vote liy the same number
and thus secured the nomination of Grant for
a third term. As <a consequence of this struggle
in the State Convention, that body remained in
session- three days before completing tlie nomi-
nation of candidates for State offices, while the
National Convention remained in session four
days, completing its deliberations by the nomi-
nation of James A. Garfield for President on
tlie .34th ballot.
The second noteworth.v State Convention,
breaking all i)revious records for number of
da.vs in session, was that of the Republican
party in ]i)04. This body met in the State
.\rmory in Springfield on May 12fh, and after
remaining in session until May 20th (nine days)
without result, took a recess of ten days. On
the second day of the first session six candidates
were put in nomination for Governor, whidi
later was incre.-ised l)y one. Frank O. Lowdeii.
Charles S. Deneen and (Un-. Richard Y'ates l)e-
came the leading candidates, and liy Ma.v 20tli
lifty-eight ballots had been taken without suc-
cess. On reassembling May 31 the struggle was
renewed and conthnied quite actively until June
."!. when after some negotiations. Gov. Yates
withdrew, .Mr. Deneen then being nominated by
a vote of 057 'i. to .522 ',4 for Lowdcn, 21 for
\'e.'ipasian Warner and 1 for Yates.
676
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
CHAPTER XV.
POLITICAL REPRESENTATION.
CITIZENS OF SANGAMON COUNTY WHO HAVE OCCU-
PIED IMPORTANT POSITIONS OF PUBLIC TRUST —
ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN FRONT RANK — LIST OF
STATE OFFICERS UNITED STATES SENATOBS —
CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND CONGRESS-
MEN WHO WERE CITIZENS OF SANGAMON COUNTY
— FORMER CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY WHO
SERVED IN OTHER STATES — PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTORS — LEGISLATIVE APPORTIONMENTS —
LIST OF SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM 1823 TO 1912 — SOME
MOST NOTABLE CITIZENS — THE "LONG KINE" —
COL. E, D. BAKER, JOHN T. STUART, JUDGE
STEPHEN T. LOGAN, MILTON HAY AND OTHERS —
DELEGATES TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS —
SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN HAY — ADJUTANTS
GENERAL.
(By Dr. William Jayne.)
The political and official records of Sangamon
'county are especially ricli in the list of its dis-
tinguished Citizens who have served the county,
the State or the Nation in positions of public
trust. The name of Abraham Lincoln will al-
ways stand In the front rank of this class. Prom
the humble position of a pioneer farmer's boy,
"rail-splitter," salesman in a country grocery,
and flat boatman, he gradually rose to the rank
of a leading lawyer, State legislator, member of
Congress, distinguished debater on national is-
sues and finally President during the most tragic
period in the Nation's history, dying at the hand
of an assassin as a martyr to the preservation
of the Union, which, by unanimous judgment,
be did so much to accomplish.
State Officers. — Beginning with State offi-
cers, Sangamon County has furnished only one
Governor— Shelby M. Cullom— 1S77 to 1SS3,
when he became United States Senator. In this
respect Sangamon County has fallen behind St.
Clair and Madison Counties, each of which fur-
nished two Governors, and Morgan and Cook,
which, respectively, have been represented by
three executives.
Of other State officials the following were resi-
dents of Sangamon County at the time of their
election or apiwintment : Secretary of State —
George Forquer (by appointment), 1825-29;
Auditor of Public Accounts — Orlin H. Miner,
1864-69 ; State Treasurer — William Butler, 1859-
63 ; Alex. Starne, 1863-65 ; Floyd K. Whittemore,
1899-1901; Attorney General— Ninian W. Ed-
wards (by appointment), 1834-35; David B.
Campbell, 1846-67; State Superintendent of Pub-
lic Instruction — Ninian W. Edwards (by ap-
iwintmeut), 1854-57; John P. Brooks, 1863-65;
Newton Bateman, 1865-75. Dr. Bateman had
previously served two terms (1859-63) while a
resident of Morgan County.
United States Senators. — The i-oster of
United States Senators who have been residents
of Sangamon County, embraces the names (with
terms of incumbency, of James Shields (one
term, 1849-55) ; Shelby M. Cullom, now serving
his fifth term (1883-1913) ; and John M. Palmer,
one term 1891-97). Others who have served In
this capacity, and who have been intimately as-
sociated with Springfield history, though not
resident here at the time of their service, in-
cluded Stephen A. Douglas and Lyman Trumbull,
the latter being Senator for three terms and ex-
ceeded only by Senator Cullom.
Some of those already named and other former
citizens of Sangamon County who have served
in similar positions — executive or Congres-
sional — in other States, include the folowing :
James Shields, Governor (by appointment) of
Oregon Territory, 1848-49, later (1856-59)
United States Senator from Minnesota, and still
later (for six weeks in 1879) United States Sen-
ator by appointment from Missouri ; Col. Ed-
ward D. Baker, United States Senator from
Oregon, 1860-61. when he resigned to enter the
Union Army, was killed at Ball's Bluff, Octo-
ber 21, 1861 ; Alvin Saunders, appointed by Pres-
ident Lincoln Territorial Governor of Nebraska
serving 1861-66, and later (1877-83) United
States Senator from that State; Dr. William
.layne, appointed by President Lincoln Governor
of Dakota Teritory in 1861, in 1862 became Dele-
gate to Congress from that Territory for one
term : Henry Clay Warmoth, after the Civil War,
Congressman from Louisiana and later (1868-72)
Governor of that State; Fred T. Dubois, son of
former State Auditor, Jesse K. Dubois, served
two terms as Delegate in Congress from Idaho
Territory, and two terms as United States Sena-
tor after Idaho became a State. Col. E. D.
Baker, of this class was, in the judgment of the
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
G77
writer, the most i)icturesque character among
all the public men and political leaders who
have represented Sangamon County on the held
of battle, at the bar, in the lecture hall, on the
stump and hi the council chambers of the State
and the Nation. Impulsive, brilliant and enthu-
siastic, he was the best extemixiraneous speaker
he has listened to. Though not "to the manor
born." he was a devoted and affectionate son
of his State and Nation. He w'as a soldier in
three wars and a member of Congress from three
different constituencies, serving at different
periods in both Houses of Congi-ess and from
two different States. The tragic and fatal end-
ing of his career, which he met at Ball's Bluff
in October, 1801, intiicted a calamity upon the
Nation. One of the most brilliant speeches of
his life was made in reply to the champions of
secession iu the early stage of the rebellion, and
in favor of the preservation of the Union, and
James G. Blaine, in his volume entitled, "Twenty
Years in Congress," says of Senator Baker,
"probably no member ever served in the Senate
who, from so sliort a jierlod. left so splendid a
name."
Congressional Apportionments. — Under the
Constitution of 181S and until 1832, Illinois con-
stituted only one Congressional District. Sanga-
mon County, from its period of organization in
1821, being rei)resented, as was the rest of the
State, by David P. Cook (first a resident of
Kasl^askia and later of Belleville and Edwards-
ville) until 1827, and then liy .losejih Duncan, of
Morgan County. In 1832 the county became a
part of the Third (northern) District, extending
from Greene County on the south to Cook
County on the north and embracing all the terri-
tory north and west of the Illinois River. Sub-
sequent apportionments made it successively a
part of the following Districts : Apportionment
of 1843, part of the Seventh (or last) District;
that of 1852 dividing the State into nine Dis-
tricts with Sangamon as part of the Sixth; that
of 1861, creating thirteen Districts with Sanga-
mon in the Eighth ; that of 1872, establishing
nineteen Districts with Sangamon in the
Tweffth; in 1882, it liecame a part of the Thir-
teenth, in a total of twenty ; in 1893, part of the
Seventeenth ont of twenty-two; and in 1901
(the last apportionment up to the present time)
a portion of the Twenty-first District out of a
total of twenty-five.
Represkntative.s in Congress. — Going back
to the beginning of this period, besides those al-
ready mentioned as having served as Represen-
tatives in Congress from the District of which
Sangamon then formed a part, it is fitting that
special mention should be made of citizens of
Sangamon County who have since served in the
same capacity up to the present time. This list
would include William L. May, an early lawyer,
who came from Kentucky, served one year as
Representative in the General Assembly from
Morgan County and, in 1834, as a resident of
Sangamon County, was elected Representative
iu Congress as successor to Joseph Duncan, of
Jacksonville, who had resigned to accept the
governorship. Mr. May was reelected succes
sively for two regular terms, serving iu all five
.years (18.34-39). Mr. May was succeeded by
Col. John T. Stuart, who had won distinction
as a leading lawyer in Illinois, and who served,
iu all, three terms (viz.: 1839-43 and 1863-05).
Edward D. Baker, already mentioned as a prom-
inent lawyer, soldier and United States Senator
at a later period from Oregon, was elected in
1844, but served only a part of his term (1845-47)
when he resigned to become Colonel of the
Fourth Illinois during the Me.tican War. John
Henry, of Jacksonville, by appointment served
out the unexpired term of Col. E. D. Baker, his
Iieriod of active service covering only four weeks
when he was succeeded by Abraham Lincoln,
who was elected in 1840 and whose tenn in the
Thirtieth Congress expired Marcli 3, 1849.
The next period to be tilled by a resident of
Sangamon County, was occupied by John A. Me-
Olernand. elected for two terms (1859-63), but
resigned during his last term to enter the Union
service. McClemand was succeeded by Col.
John T. Stuart for a third term (1803-65) and
the latter by Shelby M. CuUom, whose period of
service covered three terms (186.5-71). Other
later Representatives from the Springfield Dis-
trict have been : James C. Robinson, two terms
(1871-75) ; William M. Springer, ten terms
(1875-95) ; James A. Connolly, elected for two
terms, first as successor to William M. Springer
(1895-99), but twice declined a nomination, also
sen-ed with distinction as United States Dis-
trict .\ttorney for the Southern District of Illi-
nois for thirteen years, and as a veteran of
Civil War filled the ottice of Department Com-
mander of the Grand Army of the Republic
1910-11 ; Benjamin F. Caldwell, of Chatham.
Sangamon Comity, four terms (1899-1905 and
678
HISTORY OP SANGAMON COUNTY
1007-0'Jj ; ami James M. Graham, the iireseut
incumbent (1012), elected for two terms (1909-
13). lu all, the aggregate incumbency of citi-
zens of Sangamon County as Representatives in
Ctongress within a period of ninety years (1S23-
1913) has covered a total of sixty-five years,
while citizens of other counties in the District of
which Sangamon formed a part, have served in
same capacity, twenty-live years. The latter
class include: Daniel P. Cook, two terms (1823-
27) ; Joseph Duncan, of Morgan (1827-34) ; Col.
John J. Hardin, of Morgan (1n43-4.'5) ; Thomas
L. Harris, of Menard, three terms (1849-.J1 and
1S55-59) ; Kichard Yates, of Morgan, two terms
(1851-55) ; and Zeno J. Itives, of Montgomery
County, one term (1905-07).
Presidential Electors. — The roster of Presi-
dential Electors at different periods embraced
the following names from Sangamon Count.v :
John Calhoun (Dem.). 1844 and 1852; James C.
Conkling (Rep.) 18(;0 and 18U4 : George A. San-
ders (Rep.), 1872; J. Otis Humphrey (Rep.),
1884. Gen. John M. Palmer, then a citizen of
Macoupin County, but afterwards of Sangamon
County, was a I'residential Elector for the
the State-at-Large on the Republican ticket in
1860, while Shelby M. Cullom was a candidate
for Presidential Elector on the Fillmore (Amer-
ican) ticket in 1S5G. An evidence of the wide
recognition of Abraham Lincoln's influence in
the ranks of his iwrty is shown in the fact that
he was three times the nominee of the Whig
party, and once of tlie Republican party, for
Presidential Elector, namely : as a Whig in 1840,
'44 and '.")2, and as a Repulilican in 1856 — a rec-
ord probably not equaled by any other politician
in State history.
Legisl.\tive AiTORTioxsiENTS. — ApiMrtlon-
ments of Senators and Representatives in the
General Assembly have been less uniform than
those fixing representation in Congress, as
they have been sub.iect to changes in the State
Constitutions and State laws at irregular inter-
vals. Tntil the adoption of tlie Constitution of
1870, Senatorial and Representative Districts
were, as a rule, separate and distinct from each
other, and, owing to Irregular increase in popu-
lation in different portions of the State and lack
of uniformity in number of members and ratio
of representation, freauent changes were made
by special legislation between various census
periods. Between 1821 and 1841 five different
legislative apportidnnients were made, and in the
absence of convenient records, it would be diffi-
cult to trace the connection of Sangamon County
with various districts. By the adoption of the
Constitution of 1848, Sangamon Ijecame a part
of tlie Twelfth Senatorial District with Mason
and Menard Counties entitled to one Senator ; in
18.54 Sangamon and Morgan constituted the Fif-
teenth District, and in 1861, with Logan and
Tazewell it constituted the Eleventh District.
During the same i)eriod (1848-61) the Repre-
sentative Districts were as follows: l"nder
two apportionments (1848 and 1854) the county
constituted the Twenty-sixth District entitled
to two Reiiresentatives, but in 1861, Sangamon
and Logan were united as the Twentieth Dis-
trict with two members.
The Constitution of 1870 introduced a radical
change, making the Senatorial and Representa-
tive Districts identical as to territory and fixing
the number of Districts within the State at fifty-
one, each entitled to one Senator and three Rep-
resentatives — making a total for the State of
51 Senators and 153 Representatives. Under
this arrangement Sangamon County has stood by
successive apportionments as follows : 1.872-82.
constituted the Thirt.v-fiffli District; 1882-1901.
as the Thirty-ninth District, and 1901-12, with
Logan County constituting the Forty-fifth Dis-
trict.
Members of the General Assembly, as they
have served in different sessions of that body
from Sangamon County since the date of county
organization in 1821, have been as follows :
Third General Assemhiij — Representative,
James Sims.
Fourth Gciicrut Asf<ciiih]ti — Senator. Stephen
Stillman ; Representative, William S. Hamilton.
Fiftli General Assemhly — Senator, Elijah lies ;
Representatives, Job Fletcher, Mordecai Mobley,
Jonathan H. Pugh.
Sixth General Asscmhlu — Senator, Elijah lies;
Representatives. Peter Cartwright. William F.
Elkin. Jonathan H. Pugh.
Screnth General Assemljlij. — Senator, Elijali
lies; Representatives, John Dawson, Jonathan
H. Pugh, Edmund D. Taylor.
Eifilith General Assemhlii. — Senators George
Forquer and Elijah lies ; Representatives. Peter
Cartwright. Achilles Morris. John T. Stuart. Ed-
mund D. Taylor.
Xi)itli General Asscnihlji. — Two Senators. Job
Fletcher (vice E. D. Taylor, resigned), and
Archer G. Herndon (vice Forquer, resigned) ;
KM.IAll A. I'lUM.VES
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
679
Kepresentativos. William Car]ienter, Juliii Uaw-
sou, Abraham Lincoln, John T. Stuart.
Tenth General Asseinhli/. — Senators, Job
Fletcher, Archer G. Herudon ; Representatives,
John Dawson, Ninian W. Edwards, William F.
Elkin, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew McCorniack,
Daniel Stone (resigned and succeeded by Thomas
J. Nauce), Robert L. Wilson.
Eleventh General Assemhly. — Senators, Job
Fletcher, Archer G. Herndon ; Representatives,
Edward D. Baker (vice N. W. Edwards), John
Calhoun, John Dawson, Ninian W. Edwards,
William F. Elkin, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Mc-
Cormack.
Twelfth General AssemTjli/. — Senators, Edward
D. Baker, Archer G. Herndon ; Representatives,
James M. Bradford, James N. Brown, John
Darnielle, .Tosiah Francis, Abraham Lincoln.
TItirtccnth General Assenibhi. — Senators, Ed-
ward D. Baker. Reuben LLirrison ; Representa-
tives. James X. Brown, William Caldwell, Will-
lam Hickman, Stephen T. Logan.
Fourteenth General Assembly. — Senator, Nin-
iau W. Edwards ; Representatives, Job Fletcher,
William D. Herndon, Steplien T. Logan, Joseph
Smith.
Fifteenth General Asscnibli/. — Senator, Nin-
ian W. Edwards: Representatives. James N.
Brown. Rezin H. Constant. Stephen T. Lofian,
Benjamin West. ,
Sixteenth General Assemhhj. — Senator. John
T. Stuart: Representatives. Xinian W. Edwards.
John W. Smith.
Seventeenth General Asscnibli/. — Senator.
John T. Stuart; Representatives. Xinian W. Ed-
wards. Preston Breckenridgo. James C. Conk-
ling (vice Edwards, resigned).
Eif/hteenth General Assembly. — Senator, James
M. Ruggles (of Mason County) ; Representatives,
Pascal P. Enos. James N. Brown.
yinelrcntli General .Is.'ienibly. — Senator. Jo-
seph Jlorton (of Morgan County) : Representa-
tives. Stephen T. T/jgan. Jonathan M. Daniel
(vice Lincoln, who declined election).
Tn-entieth General As.tenibly. — Senator, Cyrus
W. VanDereu; Representatives. James J. Ale-
gredy. Shelby M. Culloni.
Tn-enty-first General .■\.tsenihly. — Senator. C.
W. \'anDeren: Representatives. James W. Bar-
rett. Daniel Short.
Twcnty-seeond General .A s.<iejnbly. —iieiMitor,
WilliaM] Jayne: Representatives. Shelby M. Cul-
loni, Xornian M. Broadwell.
Ticenty-third General Assembly. — Senator,
Colby Knapp (of Logan County) ; Representa-
tives. Ambrose M. Miller (of Logan County),
and Charles A. Keyes (of Sangamon).
Tuenty-fourtli General Assembly. — Senator.
John B. Cohrs (of Tazewell) : Representatives.
Ambrose M. Miller (Logan), and James W. Pat-
ton (Sangamon).
Twenty-fifth General Assembly. — Senator,
John B. Cohrs (Tazewell) ; Representatives,
James C. Conkling (Sangamon), Willis McGal-
liard (Logan).
Twenty-sixth General Assembly. — Senators,
Aaron B. Xicholson (Logan) ; Reijresentatlves.
John Cook (Sangamon), Silas Reason (Logan).
Ticenty-scventh General Assembly. — Senators,
Aaron B. Nicholson, Alex Starne (vice Xichol-
son) ; Representatives, Charles H. H. Rice, Will-
iam M. Springer, Xinian R. Taylor.
Twcnty-eitihtti General Assembly. — Senator,
Alexander Starne; Representatives. Alfred Oreu-
dorff, Milton Hay, Shelby M. CuUoni.
Twenty-ninth General Assembly. — Senator,
William B. Shutt ; Representatives, Joseph L.
Wilcox, Fred Gehring, Shelby M. Cnllom.
Thirtieth General Assembly. — Senator, Will-
iam E. Shutt ; Representatives. John Foutch,
John Mayo I'almer. Dewitt W. Smith.
■ Thirty-first General Assembly. — Senator, Will-
iam E^ Shutt; Representatives. William L.
Gro.ss. Jolin C. Snigg, Carter Tracy.
Tlnrty-second General Assembly. — Senator,
William E. Shutt; Representatives, A. X. J.
Crook. D. W. Smith, James M. Garland.
Thirty-tliird General Assembly. — Senator,
Lloyd F. Hamilton : Representatives, David T.
Littler, Benjamin F. Caldwell. George W. Mur-
ray.
TJi irtll-fo art h G eneru I Assem h ly. — Sena tor,
Lloyd F. Hamilton ; Representatives. B. F. Cald-
well. Charles A. Keyes. Charles Kern.
Thirty-fifth, General Assembly. — Senator Will-
iam E. Shutt; Iteiiresentalives. Albert L. Con-
verse, Wiley E. Jones. D.ivid T. Littler (re-
signed ) .
Thirty-sid-tti General .[ssi-mbly.- Senator. Will-
iam E. Shutt; Representatives. Andrew J.
Lester. Wiley E. Jones, Albert L. Converse.
'Ihirty-serenth General x4..wc»i 6/;/.— Senator.
Bcnjaniin F. Caldwell : Representatives. Edward
L. Merritt, Frank II. Jones. .Tolin S. Lyman.
Thirty-eiyhth General Assembly. — Senator,
Benjamin F. Caldwell; Rei"'<'se'itatives. Edward
680
HISTORY OP SANGAMON COUNTY
L. Mt'i-ritt. Lansley St. A. Whitley, II. Clay
Wilson.
'I'll lit ti-niiith General Asxviiililij. — Senator, Da-
vid T. Littler; Representatives. Charles E. Selliy,
Edward L. Merritt, William J. Butler.
Fortieth General Assembly. — Senator, David
T. Littler ; Repre.sentatives. Charles E. Selby,
Abner G. Murray, George L. Harusberger.
I'orty-flrst General Asseniblii. — Senator, George
W. Funderburk ; Harry A. Kuniler. John A. Vin-
cent, kS. p. V. Arnold.
Forty-second General Assembly. — Senator,
George W. Funderburk ; Representatives. Sam-
uel H. Jones, J. A. Wheeler, Redick M. Ridgely.
Forty-third General Assembly. — Senator.
Thomas Rees ; Representatives, John A. Wheeler.
Abner G. Murray, William 8. Lnrton (Morgan).
Forty-fourth General Assembly. — Senator,
Thomas Rees; Representatives, Frank J. Heinl
(Morgan), Charles Fetzer. William S. Lnrton
(Morgan) .
Forty-fifth General Asscnibli/. — Senator, Logan
Hay; Representatives, Frank J. Heinl (Morgan),
Charles McBride, Charles Schernierhorn.
Forty-sixth General Assembly. — Senator, Lo-
gan Hay ; Representatives, Thomas E. Lyon.
Harry W. Wilson, Benjamin F. Morris.
Forty-seventh General Assembly. — Senator.
Logan Hay ; Representatives, Thomas E. Lyon.
James P. Morris, James M. Bell.
Some Personai, Mention. — The list of early
members of the General Assembly includes many
who bore an important part in the early history
of Illinois and other States. One of these was
William S. Hamilton, who served as the second
Representative in the General Assembly from
Sangamon County (1824-2(5), a son of Alexan-
der Hamilton, one of the founders of the Ameri-
can Republic, a close friend and adviser of
George Washington and Secretary of the Treas-
ury during Washington's administration. Will-
iam S. Hamilton later became a prominent citi-
zen of Wisconsin Territory, engaged in lead-
mining in the southwestern part of the State,
served in the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature,
but removed to California in 1849, where he died
a year later, and where a monument was, some
.years later, erected to his memory.
Elijah lies, the second and (for several years)
State Senator, was Springfield's first merchant,
a soldier in the Winnebago and Black Hawk
Wars, and a public-spirited citizen of Spring-
Held, who left a deep impress upon the history of
both the city and Sangamon County.
George Forquer. early lawyer and half-brother
of Gov. Thomas Ford, served as Secretary of
State and Attorney General, and in each branch
of the General Assembly from Sangamon County.
In view of the number of official positions which
he occupied, he was recognized as one of the
able men of his time.
Jonathan II. Pugh, the second lawyer to lo-
cate in Springfield, was recognized as a. man of
brilliant parts and in the ten years of his resi-
dence in Sangamon County (1823-33) served
four terms in the General Assembly and was
once a candidate for Congress in opposition to
Joseph Duncan. His career was cut short by
his death in 1833.
Sangamon County has had few more promi-
nent citizens than Peter Cartwright, who, as a
pioneer citizen and Methodist minister, won a
wide reputation. Although he served two terms
us Representative in early General Assemblies,
and was once a candidate for Congress (as the
unsuccessful opiwneut of Abraham Lincoln in
1846), he devoted his life to his professiou as a
zealous itinerant of the Methodist denomination.
Of those who have served Sangamon County
in both branches of the General Assembly, none
have left a more lasting impression on local
and State history than the famous "Long Nine"
who, in the session of 1837, secured the removal
of the State Capital from Vaudalia to Spring-
field. This body was made up of Job Fletcher
and Archer G. Herndon, Senators, and John
Dawson, Ninian W. Edwards, William F. Elkiu.
Abraham Lincoln, Andrew McCormack. Dan
Stone and Robert L. Wilson, Representatives —
all citizens of Sangamon County, and constituting
the largest number of Representatives in the
two Houses that ever attended the same session
from this county except that of two years later
(the Eleventh General Assembly) which was
composed of the same number.
Of those who came into public life about the
same time or soon after, none won higher dis-
tinction than Col. E. L). Baker, whose career has
already been referred to quite fully in connec-
tion with the list of Illinois Congressmen; Col.
John T. Stuart, a leading lawyer. Congressman
and member of both branches of the Legisla-
ture ; and Stephen T. Logan, lawyer, jurist, for
five terms Representative in the General As-
sembly, Member of the Constitutional Convention
■
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MRS. ELIJAH A IM UVINES
THE NEW fC*C
PUBLIC UBRART
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
681
of 1S47, delegate to repeated National Couveu-
tious, including that of 1S(J0 in Cliicago, by
which Abraham Lincoln was nominated for his
first term as President, and member of the
I'eace Conference called at Washington in Feb-
ruary, 1S61. Judge Logan is conceded to have
been one of the ablest lawyers eouuected with
the Illinois State Bar, as well as member of
the General Assembly, and It is worthy of men-
tion in this couuection that two of his sons-in-
law (Milton Hay and Stephen T. Littler) served
with distinction in the same body, while his
grandson and namesake (Hon. Logan Hay) is
present Senator (llill) from the same county.
Referring more fully to the record of Milton
Hay, it is safe to say that no one ever served his
constituency more efficiently and unselfishly thau
he, both in the General Assembly and the Con-
stitutional Convention of which he was a lead-
ing member in 1SC9-70. For years a close ad-
viser of successive occupants of the executive
chair, he rendered the State most valuable serv-
ice, without ever having his name mixed up,
even by suspicion, with anything in the shape
of modern "graft."
In connection with agricultural int«;rests no
member ever rendered more valua-blp 'service
thau Hon. James N. Bro\vii. for four years a
Representative in the General Assembly for San-
gamon County, and a leading factor in the
founding of the Illinois State Agricultural So-
ciety, which he served for two terms as its first
President.
Constitutional Conventions. — Sangamon
County has been represented in successive State
CVjnstitutional Conventions since that of 3S18.
as follows :
CUmvcnt'wn of IS'p'. — John Dawson, James H.
Matheny, Nlnian W. Edwards. Stephen T. Logan.
Convention of IStH. — P.eii.iamin S. Edwards,
James D. Smith.
Convention of 1S69-70. — Milton Hay. Samuel
C. Parks (of Logan County).
Diplomatists. — In the field of diplomacy no
representative has ever served the Nation more
ably and efficiently than the late Col. John Hay,
for many years Secretary of Legation for the
I'nited States at various European Courts, and
for nearly seven years (1S9S-1905) Secretary of
State under the administrations of Presidents
McKinley and Roosevelt.
Robert T. Lincoln, son of President I,incoln.
served as Secretary of War for one term by
appointment of President Garfield, and as Am-
bassador to Great Britain under President Har-
rison.
Edward L. Baker, for many years editor of
the ■'Illinois State Journal," at Springfield, also
served with special success for nearly twenty-five
years as United States Consul at Buenos Ayres,
South America.
Military Department. — It is impossible in
this connection to present anything like a com-
plete i-oster of citizens of Sangamon County,
who, in various official positions, won distinction
during the various wars in which citizens of the
county participated. For this the reader is re-
ferred to the chapter on -"Indian and Mexican
Wars" and "Civil and Spanish-American Wars."
The following is a list of tho.se who have served
as Adjutant-General in couuection with the State
Government: Moses K. Anderson (1839-57);
Thomas S. Mather (1S5S-61), became Colonel of
the Second Artillery, and retired with the rank
of Brigadier General; Hubert Dilger (1SIJ9-73) ;
Edward L. Higgins (1873-75) ; Jasper K. Reece
(1891-93) ; Alfred Orendorff (1893-96) ; Jasper
N. Reece (1897-1902).
Gen. Isham N. Haymie, who served as a Brig-
adier General during the latter years of the
Civil War, was appointed Adjutant General as
a citizen of Alexander County in 1865. and it
devolved upon him to issue the first edition of
the Adjutant General's report for the war period.
He then became practically a citizen of Sanga-
mon County and there died in 1868.
CHAPTER XVI.
BENCH AND BAR.
JUDICIAL POWERS UNDER CO.NSTITUTION OF 1818
FIRST SUPREME COURT — ELECTION OF SUPREME
AND CIRCUIT .lUDOES BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
— FIRST CIRCUIT COURT IN SANGAMON COUNTY' —
SUBSEQUENT CHANGES — ABOLITION OF CIRCUIT
JUDGE SYSTEM — SUPREME JUDGES ASSUME JURIS-
DICTION CREATION OF THE FIFTH CIRCUIT —
LATER CHANGES IN CIRCUITS OF WHICH SANGA-
MON COI'NTY FORMED A PART .JUDICIARY REVO-
LUTION OF 1841 — JUSTICES MADE ELECTIVE BY
POPULAR VOTE UNDER CONSTITUTION OF 1847 —
682
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
OCCUPANTS OF THE CIRCUIT BENCH IN SANGA-
MON COUNTY AT DlFrERENT PERIODS — PROBATE
AND COUNTY COURTS — BAR OF SANGAMON COUNTY
■ — SKETCHES OF PROMINENT MEMBERS — NOTED
LAWYERS FROM OTHER COUNTIES WHO HAVE
PRACTICED IN SANGAMON COUNTY — ROSTER OF
THE SANGAMON COUNTY' BAR, 1910.
(By Hon. James A. Connolly.)
Under the constitution of 1818, tlie judicial
powers of the State were "vested in one Su-
preme Court and such inferior courts as the Gen-
eral Assembly shall, from time to time, ordain
and establish." The Supreme Court was to
hold its sessions at the seat of government, and
to consist of a Chief Justice and three Asso-
ciate Justices, chosen by joint vote of both
branches of the General Assembly, this arrange-
ment to remain in force until after the session
of the General As.sembly for the year 1824, when
that body was emiiowered to increase the number
of Justices, the members of both the Supreme and
the inferior courts being elective In the same
manner. Under this arrangement the State was
divided into four Grand Divisions or Districts,
each being under the jurisdiction of one Justice
of the Supreme Court, and by an act approved
February 11, 1821, Sangamon County, with St.
Clair, Madison. Greene, Pike and Montgomery
Counties, constituted the First Judicial Circuit.
The first term of the Sangamon Circuit Court was
held May 7th following, at the bouse of John
Kelly, on the present site of Springfield, besides
John Ueyuolds as presiding Justice, there being
present Charles R. Matheny. Clerk ; John Taylor.
Sheriff; and Henry Starr, Prosecuting Attorney,
pro tem.
The first suit was that of Samuel Irv\in rs.
Roland Shepherd, for trespass, but it was dis-
missed at cost of plaintiff. Three indictments
were returned by the Grand Jury, two for assault
and battery and one for riot, but trials were
postponed to the next term of court, and this
ended the business.
By act of the Legislature, approved Febmary
17, 1823, Montgomery County was detached from
the original circuit and Morgan and Fulton
Counties added, by further changes made
December 29, 1824, the circuit becoming Sanga-
mon. Pike, Fulton, Morgan. Greene and Mont-
gomery Counties. At this time the State was
divided into five circuits, and a Circuit Judge ap-
I)ointed for each, John York Sawyer being as-
signed as presiding Judge to the First Circuit,
An incident in connection with Sawyer's official
life, related in Palmer's History of the "Bench
and Bar of Illinois." was the whipping (under
the law then in force) of a man convicted of
petty larceny, while the attorney for the alleged
criminal was absent from the court room to ob-
tain some authorities to support his claim for a
new trial. On the return of the lawyer, the
Judge listened to the appeal for a new trial
until the convicted party informed his attorney
that he had already received one punishment
and did not wish to undergo another.
Tender the provisions of an act, approved
January 12, 1827, the Circuit Judges were legis-
lated out of office, the Justices of the Supreme
Court then a.ssuming jurisdiction of the circuit
courts. The First Circuit then embraced the
counties of Peoria, Fulton, Schuyler, Adams,
Pike, Calhoun, Greene, Morgan and Sangamon,
with Justice Samuel D. Lockwood, of the Supreme
Court, as presiding Justice for the circuit. An-
other change came in 1829, when by act of
January Sth of that year, the territory north-
west of the Illinois River was organized as the
Fifth Judicial Circuit, with Richard M. Young
as Circuit Judge, the other circuits being still
IH'esided over by Justices of the Su|)reme Court.
Under this arrangement Sangamon County still
formed a part of the First Circuit, the other
counties embraced in the circuit being Pike, Cal-
houn, Greene, Macoupin, Morgan, Macon and
Tazewell, McLean being added thereto two years
later. Xo further changes were made until 18.3.0,
when by a general reorganization Pike County
was detached. At the same time (by act of
January 7, 1S35) the system of Circuit Judges
was re-established, the State being then divided
into six circuits, the First Circuit being other-
wise unchanged. Stephen T. Logan, of Spring-
field, became the first Circuit Judge under this
arrangement, being elected by joint vote of the
LegLslature in 1835. Two years later he re-
signed and was succeeded tiy William Brown, of
Jacksonville, who held oflice only four months,
being commissioned March 20th, and resigning
July 20, 1837. His successor was Jesse Burgess
Thomas, Jr., who resigned in 1830, being then
succeeded by William Thomas, who was com-
missioned February 25th of that year.
During the latter year (by an act approved
February 25) the State was divided into nine
circuits, Sangamon County constituting a part
of the Eighth, the other counties being McLean,
Macon, Tazewell, Menard, Logan, Dane (now
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
683
Cbiistiaii) auil Livingston. Stephen T. Logan
was again chosen Circuit Judge, heing c-ommis-
sioned February, 1839, but holding office ouly
three months when he resigned and, on May 27th,
was succeeded by Samuel H. Treat, who con-
tinued iu office until February 15, 1841, when
lie was promoted to Justice of the Supreme Court,
the office of Circuit Judge having then (by act of
February 11, 1841) been abolished This step
resulted from the attitude of the partisan ma-
jority iu the State Legislature in opposition to
two decisions of the Supreme Court (then con-
sisting of a Chief Justice and three Associate
Justices). One of these decisions denied the
right of the Governor to appoint, without ap-
proval of the Senate, a man to the office of
Secretary of State, when the incumbent intended
to be ousted had been apiwinted under the Con-
stitution without delining its tenure, there being
no direct charge ciuestioniug his good behavior.
The other decision was a denial of the right of
aliens — a large majority of whom were pro-
fessed Democrats — to vote under the State law
without naturalization. This led to the passage
of an act providing for the election (by joint vote
of the General Assembly) of five additional
Justices of the Supreme Court, that body then
assuming charge of the circuit courts. The addi-
tional Judges selected under this act were
Thomas Ford, Sidney Breese, Walter B. Scales.
Samuel IL Treat, and Stepheu A. Doughis — all
Democrats and all of them, with the exception
of Douglas, then occupying seats on the circuit
bench. Thomas Ford (one of the appointees and
afterwards Governor), iu his "History of Il-
linois," mildly speaks of this act as "a confessedly
violent and somewhat revolutionary measure,
wliicli could never have succeeded except iu times
(if great party excitement.''
Fnder this "revolutionary" act the Justices of
I lie Supreme Court again assumed jurisdiction of
tlie circuit courts. Judge Treat, who was then a
resident of S|iringfield, presiding over the courts
of Saiigamou Couiily. This continued until ISIS,
when, by the adoption of the Constitution of that
year, Circuit Judges were elective by poiiular
vote, each for a term of six years, but not eli-
gible to election "to any other office of public
trust or profit in this State or the United States,
during the term for which they are (were)
elected, nor for one year thereafter." By the
same Constitution the State was also divided
into nine Judicial Circuits, Sangamon Counly
again being assigned to the Eighth Circuit, In
which there was no change. David Davis, of
Bloomingtou, a close friend of Abraham Lincoln,
was elected as the first Judge under this organ-
ization, retaining this position by successive re-
elections until November, 1802, when he resigned
to acceiit a seat on the Supreme Bench of the
I'liited States, to which he was aiipointed liy Mr.
Jjincoln.
Iu 185;! the Eighth Circuit Court \\'as composed
of Sanganion, Logau, JIcLeau. Woodford, Taze-
well, DeWitt, Champaign and Vermilion Coun-
ties. On February 11, 1857, another change was
made, Sangamon County then becoming a part
of the Eighteenth Circuit, with tlie counties of
Macoupin. Montgomery and Christian, McLean
('ouiity having thus been eliminated from the cir-
cuit embracing Sangamon County, the connection
of Judge David Davis with the Circuit Courts of
the latter ceased, the position of presiding Justice
being theu occupied by Edward Y. Rice, of Mont-
gomery County, who remained in office by re-
election until August 20, 1870, when he resigned.
In April. 1S(!9, however, Sangamon, with Macou-
)iin County, constituted the Thirtieth Circuit,
Benjamin S. Edwards, of Springfield, becoming
the presiding Justice of the new circuit for fif-
teen months, when he resigned, being succeeded
liy John A. MeClernand. who filled out the un-
expired term of Edwards, serving from July 12.
1S70. to June, 1873.
By act of March 28. 1S73. the State was divided
into twenty-six circuits, with the counties of
Sangamon. .Macoupin, Shelliy. Christian. Fayette
and Montgomery constituting the Xineteeuth Cir-
cuit, and Charles S. Zane, of Springfield, was
elected the first Judge of the new circuit. An-
other change came in 1877, when the State was
divided into thirteen circuits with three Judges
in each, thus reducing the circuits to one-half the.
original number by consolidating iKirtions of ad-
jacent circuits, and increasing the wliole number
of Justices to thirty-nine. Under this arrange-
ment .Sangamon County became a part of the
Fiftli Circuit, the other counties being Christian.
Macoupin, Shelby and .Montgomery. Horatio >L
\andeveer, of Taylorville. wlio was then a Judge
of the Twentieth Circuit embracing Christian,
thus became a Judge of the new circuit, while
Wiiliani K. Welch, of Oarlinvill(\ was ele<te<l
during the same year (1877) as the third Judge.
Judge Vandeveer retired at the close of his term,
being then succeeded by Jes.se J. I'hillips. of
Ilillsboro. who served until ISO:!, wlicii he became
ail Associate Justice of Hie Supreme Court, his
684
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
iuiiiii'diiite successor on the circuit bench Ijeing
K. U. Shirley, of Carliuville. Juilge Zane re-
mained iu otiice until 1SS4, when he resigned to
accept the iwsition of Chief Justice of Utah Ter-
ritory, being then succeeded on the bene-h in
Illinois by William L. Gross, by apiioiutmeut of
the Governor, to fill out Zane's unexpired term
of less than one year. Judge Welch, after one
re-election, served until his death in 1888, his
successor being Jacob Foulke, of 'N'andalia. In
1885 James A. Oreighton was elected as successor
of Judge Zane, and has remained iu otiice by
successive re-elections to the present time (1911),
a ijeriod of twenty-seven years. Judge Foulke
remained in office from 1888 to 1897, and Judge
Shirley from 1803 to the present date.
Under a reapportionment in 1897. the State
was divided into seventeen circuits exclusive of
Cook County, Sangamon County then becoming a
part of the Seventh Circuit, the other counties
embraced within the circuit being Macoupin, Mor-
gan, Scott, Greene and Jersey. At the election
lield iu June of the same year, James A. Creigh-
ton of Springfield, Robert B. Shirley, of Oarlin-
ville, and Owen r. Thompson, of Jacksonville,
were elected Judges for the regular term of six
years, and since that date no change has been
made in the list of occupants of the bench for
the Springfield Circuit, Judges Creighton. Shir-
ley and Thompson having been re-elected in 190:-!
and again in 1909.
(For ijersonal sketches of John Reynolds,
Charles R. Matheny, Samuel D. Lockwood, Rich-
ard M. Young, Stephen T. Logan, Jesse Burgess
Thomas. Jr., William Thomas, Samuel H. Treat.
Sidney Breese, Walter B. Seates. Stephen A.
Douglas, Thomas Ford, David Davis, Abraham
Lincoln. Edward Y. Rice. Benjamin S. Edwards.
John A. McClernand. Charles S. Zane, Horatio
M. Vandeveer. William R. Welch, Jesse J. Phil-
lips, William L. Gross and James A. Creighton.
mentioned in the order here named in the pre-
ceding iwrtion of this chapter, see the "Historical
Enci/ciopcdia" iwrtion of this work.)
Probate and County Courts. — James Latham
was the first Probate Judge of Sangamon County,
having been appointed by the Governor under an
act of the Legislature approved February 10.
1821, and held the first term of court June 4,
1821. Mr. Latham was born in Loudoun County.
Va.. in 1768, emigrated to Kentucky when a
young man. there married Mary Briggs and in
1819 came to Illinois, locating at Elkhart Grove,
then a part of Sangamon County, but now in
Logan County. Mr. Latham served as Prol).ite
Judge only a few months, being then appointed
Superintendent of the Indians about Fort Clark
(Peoria), whither he removed, and where he died
December 4, 1826.
Zachariah Peter, who was the succes.sor of
Judge Latham, was also a native of Virginia,
but spent his boyhood in Kentucky and in 1818
came to Sangamon County, locating in Ball Town-
ship ; was one of the three Commissioners ap-
pointed by the Legislature to locate the tempo-
rary seat of justice of Sangamon County, also
filling a number of important offices. He died in
Springfield August 5, 1864.
Charles R. Matheny succeeded to the office of
Probate Judge in 1822, which he continued to
occupy for three years, serving also as Circuit
Clerk. I£ecorder and County Clerk. Before com-
ing to Sangamon County he served in tlie Terri-
torial Legislature and also in the Second State
Legislature. He was head of one of the historic
families of Spilngfleld, dying there iu 1839 while
County Clerk, which office he had held for eigh-
teen years.
James Adams, reputed to be the first lawyer to
come to Sangamon County, held the office of Pro-
bate Judge from 182.5 to 1S43. Iieing succeeded by
James Motfett. also an early attorney, who held
the office from 1843 to 1849, just after the adop-
tion of the Constitution of 1848.
Under this constitution counties not having
adopted township organization were under local
jurisdiction of a Board consisting of a Ctount.v
Judge and two Associate .Justices, uiwn the former
devolving the duties of Probate Judge, and Judge
Moffett then became County Judge, serving four
years. The Associate Judges had jurisdiction as
Justices of the Peace for the countj'. In 1853
John Wickliffe Taylor was elected to succeed
Judge Moffett. Judge Taylor was a native of
Kentucky, and after coming to Springfield, 111., in
1833, where he spent one year, located on a farm
in Cartwright Township, where he lived at the
time of his election. His immediate successor,
elected in 1857, was Wm. D. Power, who was
born in Bath County. K.v.. in 1821, and the same
year was brought to Sangamon County, where he
gi'ew to manhood. He was reelected County
Judge in 1861. liut died In office March 2. 1863,
Norman M. Broadwell then being elected his suc-
cessor and serving out his unexpired term of
t^o .years.
:^:#^
s//^-^/^^^
^f^E SfEv Ycsit
.3X\ » ; :
HISTORY OP SANGAMON COUNTY
685
Willi;iiu I'rescott succeedfd Jiulgf I'-roadwell,
serving from 1865 to 1809, being succeeded by
A. N. J. Crook 1869-73.
By the adoption of township organization in
Sangamon County in 1800, the oflSce of Associate
Justice was abolislied and the administration of
bx-al affairs was intrusted to a Board of Super-
visors representing the respective townships, the
County Judge, however, being still retained as
Judge of Probate. Uuder i)rovisiou of the Cou-
stitution of 18T0, county courts were created
having jurisdiction of all matters of probate, and
made a court of record. A. N. J. Crook was,
therefore, the tirst County Judge having juris-
diction under the new law.
James II. Slatheny was elected County Judge,
as successor to Judge Crook, in 1873. by successive
reelections serving continuously uii to the date
of his death, September 7. IS'.io. Judge Matheny
was born iu St. Clair County, III., in 1818, a son
of Charles R. Matheny, the first Ctounty Clerk of
Sangamon Countj- : was a member of the Consti-
tutional Convention of 1847, and for some time
from 1852, was Clerk of the Circuit Court, after
which he liegan the practice of law. During the
Civil War he was cdnunissioned Lieutenant Cti]-
onel of the One Hundred Fourteenth IlliniiTs ^ii^
unteers, and after the siege of Vicksbur^^ ^r^-e^l,-
one year as Judge Advocate, when he risigirerl.
The following is a list of County and probate.
Judges, who have served in Sangamon si^ee- the
death of Judge Matheny, with term of oflSee-:
COnXTY JCDGES, TEKM.
Robert L. McGuire. .Sept. 12. 1800, to nee. 1, ISOO
r,eo W. Murray. .. .Nov. 26, 1800, to Dec. 1, 1804
fh.irles P Kane Nor. 28. 1804, to Dec. 1, 1808
Geo. W. Murray Dec. 3, 1808, to Dec. 1. 1010
.Tohn B. Weave'r . . . . Nov. 3. 1010, still In office.
PROBATE JUDGES. TEIl.M.
Wm. H. Colby Nov. 10, 1002, to .Tune 10, 1004
Clarence A. .Tones. .Aug. 20, 1004, to ,Tiine 30, lOOS
Henry A. Stevens ... Nov. 12, 1008. to .Tuly 26. 1010
W. Edgar Sampson. July 30, 1010, to Nov. 5. 1010
C. H. Jenkins Nov. 28, 1010, still in office.
BAlt (»F SANGAMON COUNTY.
James .Vdams is reported to have been the first
attorney -at-biw to settle in Sangamon County,
lie was ,-1 niili\c "( llartfcUMl, Conn., born in 180.3,
and. aflcT having spent bis boyhood in O.swego,
N. Y.. laiiic lo Springfield in I.HlM : in 1S23 was
nprxiinted Justice of Ihe I'eaie, l.-iter served in the
Winnebago and Black Hawk \V;irs, and in 1S41
was elected Probate Judge, dying .\ugust 11.
1843.
Jonathan II. Pngh, the second attorney in the
county, eame from Bath County, Ky.. and in
1823 located in Springfield, having previously
spent some time iu Bond County, 111., from which
he served one term in the State Legislature. lie
was a mau of much ability and after coming to
Sangamon County, served two terms as Ilepre-
sentative in the General Assembly (1820-30), and
later one term (1830-32) from Fayette County,
having then taken up his residence at Vandalia,
the State capital. He was an unsuccessful can-
didate for congress in opiwsition to Joseph Dun-
can in 1831. being then an advocate of the con-
struction of a railroad instead of the Illinois and
Michigan Can.il. He died in 1833.
Thomas JI. Neale, a native of Fauipiier Comity,
Va.. born in 17110, in boyhood was brought by his
parents to Bowling Green, Ky.. at sixteen years
of age enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812,
and after studying law and being admitted to the
bar at Bowling Green, in 1824 came to Spring-
tiehl and at once entered practice. During the
Wimiebago War of 1827, he served as Colonel of
the infantry companies raised in Illinois, and
after the Black Hawk War was elected Surveyor
jof Sangamon County, one of his first acts being
. th6- 'uppolntment of .\braham Lincoln as his
"deputy. 'His death occurred August 7, 1840.
James M. Sti'ode arrived in Sangamon County
; fron'i Iveivtuck.i,V in 1823 and, after spending a
f ew. ,.yeai-.s -here, removed to Nortliern Illinois,
being connected with the history of both Chi-
cago and Galena, his death occurring at the
latter iilace. He was the first State Senator from
Cook County, serving from 1832 to 1S30, also reiv
resenting Jo Daviess County during the last half
of his term.
William S. Hamilton, son of the noted .\lex-
ander Hamilton, came to Sangamon County pre-
vious to lS2.'"i, and although he had received his
training at West Point, became connected with
the courts at Springfield ; .also served one term
(182.'i-20) as Representative in the General As-
sembly from Sangamon County.
Thomas Moffett. from Bath County, Ky., came
to Springfield in 1820 and after being engaged
iu teaching two years, meanwhile devoting his
leisure hours to studying law, was adnntted to
the bar, being the first person to receive such a
license in the county. He also served as Ser-
geant duriiig the Winnebago "war scare," ami as
Ca|itain in the Black Hawk War; was County
Connuissioner two years. Judge of Probate from
68(5
HLSTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
1H4;; lu llio aduptiun or tlii' Coiistituliun of 184S,
wheu he was eleeteil County Judge for a four
years' term. Judge Moffett, as he was always
known in his later life, was a ruling elder in the
Second Presbyterian church of Si)riiigtield, and a
man of high reputation, his death occurring in
1877.
Williani Mundall had .1 brief career in the
Sangamon Courts, hut little of a historic character
concerning him has been preserved.
(ieorge Forquer, the older half-brother of Gov.
Thomas Ford, and a law.^■er of recognized ability,
was for .sometime prominently connected with
Sangamon County, rather officially, however, than
professionally. Coming from his native place in
Western Pennsylvania, about 1804, after spend-
ing some twenty years in Monroe County, 111.,
where he had once been elected Representative
in the General Assembly, he later occupied the
ofhce of Secretary of State and Attorney-General,
each for a period of four years ( 1825-8.''. ) , and still
later (lS33-:'.7) served one term as State Senator
from Sangamon County.
Benjamin Mills and Henry Starr, the former
from Massachusetts and the latter from New
Hampshire, both for a time residents of Edwards-
ville. 111., were occasional practitioners before
the Sangamon Circuit Courts about this time, and
had a wide reputation for superior training and
ability. Mills later went to Jo Daviess County
and served one term in the Legislature from that
county, and, in 1834, was the candidate on the
Whig ticket for Congress from the Third (then
the Northern Illinois) District, but was defeated
by William L. May of Springfielil. He is said to
have died in 1835.
John Todd Stuart, in his closing years head of
the well-known law tirm of Stuart, Edwards &
Brown, and .justly ranking as the Xestor of his
I)rofession in Sangamon County, was born in Fay-
ette County. Ky., November 10, 1807, the son
of Robert and Hannah (Todd) Stuart, the latter
a relative of the Todd family of which Mrs.
Mary (Todd) Lincoln was a member. Mr. Stuart
spent his early life on tlie home farm, later en-
tering Centre College at Danville, Ky., and grad-
uating from the classical department at nineteen
years of age. He then began the study of law
with Judge Breck at Richmond, Ky.. continuing
thus employed two years, when (in 1828) he
started on horseback for the "Sangamo Country."
going by way of Frankfort. Ky.. and there se-
curing a license to practice, proceeded on his .tour-
ney, ten days later arriving at the future State
capital. There he made his permanent home
and built up an e.xtensive practice, which was
probably continued for as long a period as th:it
of any other lawyer in the State of Illinois. He
became an early associate of Abraham Lincoln,
who began the study of law under his advice and
in 1837 they entered into partnership, which was
continued until 1841. He served two terms as
Representative in the General Assembly (1832-
30), was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress
on the Whig ticket in 1830, but was elected as an
opponent of Stephen A. Douglas in 1838 and re-
elected two years later, served one term In the
State Senate (1848-52), in 1800 was candidate
tor Governor on the Bell and Everett ticket, lu
1802 elected to Congress for a third term and
in 1804 defeated for the same office by Shelby
M, Cullom. Originally a Whig, on the dissolu-
tion of that party he became identified with the
Democratic party, but was conservative in liis
opposition to the iwliey of the Republican party.
His death occurred November 28, 1885.
One of the earliest comers after John T. Stuart
was William L, May, a Keutuckian by birth,
who came from his native State to Edwardsville.
111., thence to Jacksonville, and from there to
Springfield in 1820. by appointment as Receiver
of the Land Ofhce at the latter place. Before
coming to Siiringfield he served one term as Rep-
resentative in the General Assembly aud later
(1834 aud 1830) was twice elected to Congress,
in 1838 was a law partner of Stephen T. Logan
and the same .vear was defeated for renomina-
tion for Congress l)y Stephen A. Douglas, who
was then just entering upon his iwlitical career
but who was himself defeated as a candidate
for Congress by John T. Stuart. Mr. May later
became a resident of Peoria and finally died in
California.
David Prickett, who came soon after Air.
May. was a native of Franklin County. Ga., and
a relative of the pioneer Prickett family of
Edwardsville, 111., where he was admitted to the
bar in 1821, became I'robate Judge and served
one term as Representative in the General As-
sembly from Madison County, was aide-de-camp
of Gen. John D. Whiteside in the Black Hawk
"war scare" of 1831, and in 1S37 was elected
State's Attorney for the Sangamon District, later
served as Treasurer of the Illinois and Michigan
Canal Commission, and occupied a number of
other official positions, at the time of his death
LOUISA PUKVINES
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
687
in 1847 being Assistant C'ierlv of tlie Hcnise of
Representatives at Springfield.
Etlward J. I'hillips. wlio came abmit the same
time as Prielvett, is described tiy his contempo-
raries as a niau of preiwssessiug appearance,
but remained in legal practice but a short time,
then becoming an officer of the State Bank. Ed-
ward Jones, another belonging to this period,
was a native of Georgetown, D. C, was atlinitted
to the Bar before reaching his nineteenth year,
and the same year (1830) came to Springtield.
111., and entered practice as the partner of
George Forqiier, took part in both campaigns of
the Black Hawk War, iu 1834 was appointed
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Tazewell County
and afterward engaged in the practice of his
profession at Pekin ; also served as Captain of
a Company iu Col. E. D. Baker"s regiment during
the first year of the Mexican War. finally dying
December 20, 1857.
Others who came after those just mentioned,
and between 1S30 and 1840, included Henry E.
Diimmer, Stephen T. Logan, John D. Urquhart.
Daniel Stone. Josephus Hewitt, Charles Emmer-
son, Stephen A. Douglas, .Jesse B. Thomas, Jr.,
Edward D. Baker, David B. and Antrim Ciuup-
liell. \. T. Bledsoe, Schuyler Strong, Xiniaji W.
Edwards, James C. Conkling and W. J. iiate-
wood. Mr. Dummer, who was a native of
Maine, came in 1832, soon after entered into
partnership with John T. Stuart, a year or two
later removed to Jacksonville and still later to
Beardstowu, where he spent several years,
then returning to Jacksonville, where he died
about 1877. He was a man ot high character
and superior ability, and left behind him a rep-
utation for integrity and capability in his pro-
fession. The career of Stephen T. Logan, in
length of identification with Sangamon Counts-
legal history, comes second only to that of Col.
John T. Stuart, of whom he was a compeer in
public and otlicial life. Sketches of botli can be
found in the •'Bistorical IJiwyclopedia" (Vol. I)
of this work. The most important arrival
(though not recognized as such at the time)
was that of Abraham Lincoln, the future Eman-
cipator of a race and Preserver of the I'nion,
who came in 183G and was admitted to the Bar
during the following year. Daniel Stone, also
mentioned in this list, was a close friend of Lin-
coln, and listed as one of the "I>ong Nine," wlio
became an Important factor in securing the
transfer of the State capital to Springfield dur-
ing the session of the General Assembly of 1837.
During the next decade were added to the
roster of the Sangamon County Bar the follow-
ing names : Silas W. Robbins, Charles R. Willis,
Benjamin West, James Shields, Levi Davis, A.
K. Smede, Benjamin S. Edwards, James H.
Mathen.v, David Logan (son of Stephen T.), Wil-
liam L Ferguson, Elliott B. and William H.
Heradon, William Walker and Vincent Ridgely,
several of whom had spent their youth or early
manhood in Springfield. Besides these two
groups personally identified with the Sangamon
Bar. it is fitting that mention should be made of
tho.se who, while residents of other cities, were
accustomed to visit Springfield in connection
with the practice of their ijrofessiou, and were
]iromiuent in State history. These would in-
clude such names as William Thomas and Col.
.John J. Hardin of Jacksonville ; Alfred W. Cav-
arly, of Carrollton ; Judge David Davis of
Bloomington ; Orville H. Browning, Archibald
Williams and William A. Richardson, of Quiney;
William A. Minshall of Rushville; Cyrus Walker
of Macomb ; Anthony Thornton of Shelbyville ;
.Joseph Gillespie of Edwardsville; Mahlon D.
Ogden. Hugh T. Dickey, Justin Butterfield, lOben-
ezer Peck and J. Young Scammon of Chicago;
Josiah J^ambotn and Usher F. Linder. both At-
torne.vs General of the State. Samuel McRob-
crts, Sidney Breese and Lyman Trumbull, all of
whom — besides Douglas, Shields, Richardson,
Baker and Davisi. already mentioned — ^^became
Cuited States Senators, and all but one (Col. E.
I). Baker, who fell at Ball's Bluff, during the first
year of the Civil War) at different periods rep-
resenting the State of Illinois. With the name
of Abraham Lincoln heading this list, and those
of Gov. Richard Yates, Shelby M. Cullom and
Gen. John M. Palmer being added thereto at a
later period, there are few cities iu any other
State which could present such a galaxy of nota-
ble names so closely identified with its local
history.
With the increase of Springfield and Central
Illinois in population in the early 'fifties, lawyers
practicing in the Sangamon Circuit Courts be-
came more closely identified with the local Bar
and largely increased in number. According to
the Bar records for that i)eriod, the following
names wore added to the list between 18.">1 and
18(>1, viz.: John A. McClertumd, L. B. Adams,
Xorman XL Broadwell, David A. Brown, W. J.
688
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
Hl;uU. W. .1. Ciiiikliiij;. rriMiiu il^ (iilison. .1. K.
Kipsetlt*. .1. 15. Wliite. O. W. Sliult, 'I'licniias Lowis,
L>. .AKWilliMins. Cliark's \V. Kcjes, Sliolby M.
Culloui. L. Kosetto, A. McWilliaius, .1. K. Thomp-
son, Charles S. Zaiie, William Caiiipbcll. J. It.
Bail, G. W. Besore, S. S. Whitcluust, ,1. D. Ilall,
Christopher C. Brown. .lohn E. Denn.v, Miltou
Ila.v, L. V. McCrillis. .1. \V. .Moffett. Charles B.
Brown, S. C. (Jilison. T. S. Mather, T. C. Mather,
H. G. Re.vuold.s. Eugene E. (iross. L. C. Boyn-
ton, A. B. Ives, C. M. Morrisun, ,Iosei(h Wallaic,
Speed Biiller. Edward F. Leonard and William
I're.scolt. The ne.Kt decade (1801-71), including
the Civil War ]ierind. showed a smaller increase,
as indicat(Ml hy the following list: Lawrence
Weldon. William M. Springer. J. K. W. Bradley,
W. P. Olden. A. X. J. Crook. James E. Dowling,
A, W. Hayes. Ki.-hmoud Wolcott, L. II. Bradley,
J. A. Chestnut, ,1. C. Crowley, William Fowler,
.laines W. ration, ({(orge C. Marcy. William E.
Shutt and Alfred Orendorff.
The period between 1871 and 1881 saw a somc-
■what larger increase, including the location of a
number in Springfield from other points in the
State and the addition of several who had re-
sumed their legal studies after the close of the
war. The list foots up as follows : David T. Lit-
tler, J. A. Kennedy. L. F. Hamilton, James C.
Robinson, Winfield S. Collins. A. L. ICnapp, Ber-
nard Stuve, Bluford Wilson, Loren Hassou, Rol>
ert Allen. Thomas C. Austin. John F. Barrow,
S. D. Scholes. W, P. Emery. Charles 11. Rice.
Charles D. Harvey, Roheit II. Ilazlett, Robert
L. McGuire. John M. Palmer and John Mayo
Palmer, Alonzo W. \\'ood. Charles W. Brown.
Clinton L. Conkling. Enoch Harpole, Wm, L.
Gross, E, D. Matheny. J. C. Lanphier, Henry II.
Rogers. George A. Sanders. J. C. Snigg. Ezr.i W.
White. Cliarles P. Kane and Henry B. Kane.
Others immeiliately connected with this grouj)
or closely following in date of admission to the
Sangamon Bar included the following:
Frank W. Bennett. Collins & Sprague. Jolni H.
Guun. Ralph W. Ha.vnes, W. F. Houston, Frank
II. Jones. J. R. II. King. James H. Matheny. Jr.,
Albert Salzeustein. I^anie Yredenburg. Joseph
Wallace. Walter B. Wines, and Riclimond Wol-
cott.
Lawrence Wclilon came to Springlicld from
Clinton. 111., in conse<iuence of his ai>pointnient
by President Lincoln. U. S. District Attorney for
the Southern District of Illinois in ISGl : had
served in the Legislature from Dewitt County
llic same y<-,\v and was chosen a Presiilcnl ial
IClector in lS(i(). His later years were siient as
.Vssoeiate Justice of the United States Court of
Claims In Washington, where he died April lo,
1905.
John E. Rosette was a native of Delaware,
Ohio, was admitted to the Bar at Colundius,
Ohio, in 1800. and came to Springfield. HI., in
18.").~>, where he practiced his i>rofe.ssion several
years, meanwhile for a time editing a Republican
paper in Springfield during the Civil War, but
later removed and died some years since.
After holding the office of Circuit Judge for ten
years for the Springfield Circuit, Judge Charles
S. Zane was apiKiinted Chief Justice of Utah
Territory iu 1S8.3, and at the first State election
in Utah was chosen one of the Justices of the
Sufireme Court: has since continued to reside in
that State, iiracticing his profession at Salt Lake.
Eugene L. (Jross was a native of Starkville,
Herkimer County, X. V.. born iu 183(3, came with
his parents to Illinois in 1844, read law at Kuox-
ville and was admitted to the Bar in 1857, com-
ing to Sl)ringfiel(l a yciir later and in 1865 was
chosen by the City Council to revise the city ordi-
nances. Later in con.iunction with his brother
William L. he jaiblished a Digest of the Law
of Illinois, which then became known as Gross'
Revised Statutes. He was a man of sui>erior
literary training and ability, but died of consump-
tion June 4, 1874.
Ma.i. Bluford Wilson, born at Shawneetowu,
111.. Xovember 20. 1841, after taking a course
in McKendree t'ollcge. was a law student in the
University of Michigan in 18<;2. when he enlisted
in the One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Vol-
unteers, was ai)i)oiuted Adjutant and in May,
1S(!.3, became Assistant Adjutant Genera! on the
staff of Gen. Michael N. Lawler. later serving iu
the same capacity on the staffs of Gens. Dana
and Eugene .V. Carr. and being brevetted as
Major for gallant service. After the war he re-
sumed his legal studies, was admitted to the
bar in 1807, and during the administration of (Jen.
(irant was appointed U. S. District Attorney for
the Southern District of Illinois and later Solic-
itor of the Treasury iu Washington, where he
m;ule a notable record as a supjxtrter of the
policy of Secretary B, H. Bristow in the war
against the -Whisky Ring." On his retirement
he engaged iu practice in Springfield, but for a
time has devoted considerable attention to the
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
689
promotion of railroad enteriirises in Southern
Illinois.
Among those members of tlie Springfield Bar
who established themselves in the practice of
their profession just before the Civil War. none
attained a higher rank than the late Christopher
O. Brown, who was born near the village of
Athens, Menard County, but then In Sangamon
County, October 21, 1834, a member of a well-
known pioneer family. Mr. Brown obtained his
academic education at Hillsboro and Springfield,
later took a course in the Transylvania Law
School at Lexington, Ky., and was admitted to
the bar in 1857, three years later becoming a
member of the firm of Stuart, Edwards & Brown,
which partnership continued some twenty-five
years until disrupted by the death of Col. John
T. Stuart, the head of the firm, in 1SS5. With
some changes in partnership, he continued the
practice of his profession until his own death,
Ma.v 6, 1904, an event deeply deplored by a large
circle of friends.
William E. Shutt, a native of Loudoun County,
Va., bom May 5, 1842, wag admitted to the bar
in 18G2, and as partner of James C. Robinson and
A. L. Knapp, both iirevious members of Congress,
and later as a member of the firm of Palmer,
Robinson & Shutt, became one of the most prom-
inent members of the Sangamon County bar.
Mr. Shutt held a number of imixjrtant offices,
including Mayor of the city of Springfield about
18(58, three terms as State Senator and in 1893
was appointed by President Cleveland United
States Attorney for the Southern District of
Illinois, later, while in partnership with Gen.
John M. Palmer, becoming district attorney for
the Illinois Central Railroad, and still later as
general counsel for the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road, also served for a time as Referee in Bank-
ruptcy. His death occurred April 7, 1908.
Lloyd F. Hamilton, belonging to the same pe-
riod as Mr. Shutt, is a Kentuckian by nativity,
but was reared in Tazewell County, III., grad-
uated from the Law Department of Michigan
University in IStiO. and was admitted to the bar
during the same year, locating in Springfield.
Mr. Hamilton served as Oity Attorney of the city
of Springfield (1800-70), later one term as State's
Attorney for Sangamon County and 1882-8(i as
State Senator — is still in practice.
Thomas C. Mather, for several years of the
firm of Scholes & Mather, and who belongi'd In
the i)ost-war period, established for himself
a high reputation as a lawyer, during his later
years being the partner of Maj. James A. Con-
nolly. His career was cut short unexi>ectedly
by his death about 1889.
Of the late Gen. Albert Oreudorff, who occu-
pied a number of prominent positions, including
one term as Representative in the General As-
sembly, Adjutant-General during the adminis-
tration of Gov. Altgeld, and candidate for State
Treasurer, a fuller sketch will be found in the
Biographical Department of this volume.
Richmond Wolcott was a native of Jackson-
ville. 111., was there educated and during the
Civil War enlisted in the Tenth Illinois Infantry,
being successively promoted to the rank of First
Lieutenant and Captain ; after the war completed
his studies and was admitted to the bar, locating
at Springfield. He died several years ago.
Others of a later date include William A. Vin-
cent, who came to Springfield with his parents
in 1808, received his literary education in the
Ohio Wesleyan University, graduated from the
law department of Columbia College, N. Y., in
1879, and during the same year was admitted to
the bar by the Supreme Court and began practice
in Springfield ; about 188") was appointed by Pres-
ident Cleveland Chief Justice of the United
States Court of Xew Mexico, and after retiring
from that office removed to Chicago, where he
still resides.
James A. Creighton, for twenty-five years a Jus-
tice of the Circuit Court in the Springfield Dis-
trict, is a native of White Count.v, 111., was edu-
cated in the Southern Illinois College at Salem,
111., in March. 1870, was admitted to the bar,
and in 1877 came to Siiringfield and for a time
was a partner of the late Alfred Oreudorff in the
practice of his profession, in 1885 was elected
Judge of the Circuit Court, vice Charles
S. Zane, and has retained that office contin-
uously to the present time.
Charles P. Kane, born in Springfield December
25, 1850, was educated in the public .schools of
his native city, graduating from the High School
in 1808, then studied law with Messrs. Hay,
Greene & Littler, and was admitted to the bar
in 1877. In 1878 he was elected City Attoraey,
serving by successive reelections until 1881, later
served one term (1884-88^ as County Judge, and
in 1892 was candidate on the Republican ticket
for Congress, He is a prominent member of
the Masonic fraternity and has served as Grand
Counnander of the Knights Templar.
690
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
James M. Grabaiu, a native of Ireland, was
liorn April 14, 1S52, came to America in 1867
and was educated in the jmblic schools, at Val-
paraiso (Ind.) Normal School and the State
Iniversity of Illinois, later lieing engaged in
teaching for several years, when (in 1SS2) he
removed to JIaeon County, from that county
served one term (1SS4-SU) in the lower branch
of the General Assembly, then came to Spring-
field and in ISSti becanjc -a ]iartner of S. I).
Scholes in the practice of law, in 1892 was
elected State's Attorney on the Democratic
ticket, serving one term. In 1908 he was elected
Representative In Congi'ess from the Spring-
field District and reelected in 1910. (A fuller
slietch will be found in the Biographical De-
partment of this volume.)
H. Clay Wilson, born in Daviess County, Ky.,
July 2, 1S5C, removed with his parents to In-
diana in 1858, was there educated in the local
schools and Danville (Ind.) Normal College,
graduating from the latter in Iss^; then came
to Sangamon County, III., and after being en-
gaged in teaching there some years, in 1886 be-
gan reading law with Clinton L. Conkling, and
in 1888 was admitted to the bar. He later con-
tinued teaching for a time but in 1890 began
practice ; in 1892 was elected Representative in
the General Assembly on the Republican ticket,
serving one term, and has been twice ( 1908 and
1910) the Republican candidate for Congress.
being defeated by 1,500 to 1,700 plurality, but in
each cai5e carrying his own county. (See fuller
sketch in Biographical Department.)
Charles E. Selby. born in Lancaster. Ohio, Octo-
ber 7. 1855, attended the common schools and
Danville (Ind.) Normal School; for eight .vears
was engaged in teaching, but in 1875 coming to
Springfield, 111., read law with Oukllng & Grout,
in 1888 was admitted to the liar, and in 1892
entered into partnership with S. D. Scholes. The
same year he was the Republican candidate for
State's Attorney in Sangamon County, in 1894 was
elected Representative in the General Assembly
and was reelected two years later, serving two
terms.
Did si>ace permit some further personal notes
would be added in this connection, but in view
of the space already occupied and the fact that
man.v individual sketches of surviving members
of the Bar will be found in their jiroper place
in the body of this volume, this is not deemed
necessary.
In addition to the members of the Sangamon
Count.v Bar, who during their career occupied
positions uix)n the bench (and who have already
been mentioned in connection with the liistory
of Courts), personal sketches of a long list will
be found iu alphabetical order and convenient
for reference in Volume I {"Historical Encyclo-
pedia of Illinois") of this work. These will be
found to include the following : Col. Edward D.
Baker, Norman M. Broadwell, Antrim Campbell,
.lohn A. Chestnut. James C. Conkling, Clinton
L. Conkling. James A. Connolly, Shelby M. Cul-
loni, Levi Davis, Ninian W. Edwards, George For-
(juer. Norman L. Freeman, Henry S. Greene.
William L. tiross, William S. Hamilton, Milton
Hay, William H. Herndon, David T. Littler,
James H. Matheuy. Sr., William L. May, Ben-
.iamin Mills, Thomas M. Neale, John M. I'almer,
David I'rickett, Jonathan H. Pugh, Joseph C.
Robinson, James Shields, William M. Springer,
Daniel Stone, and Lawrence Weldon. LawTers
from other localities accustomed to practice before
the Sangamon County Courts, and whose per-
sonal records are given in the same connection,
embrace the names of Orville H. Browning, Jus-
tin Butterfield, John J. Hardin, Josiah Lamborn.
Fsher F. Linder. William A. Miushall, J. Young
Seammon, Cyrus Walker. Archibald Williams and
others.
George A. Sanders, a native of Williamstown.
Mass., born July 4, 1^6, was there educated,
graduating from Williams College, and then com-
ing to Illinois engaged in educational work as
Sui)erintendent of Schools at Centralia. Later
he began the study of law with Messrs. Swett &
Orme at Bloomington, in December, 1860, was
admitted to the bar and began practice at Cen-
tralia. which he continued until 1869, when he
became Assistant State Treasurer under State
Treasurer Erastus N. Bates, with whom he re-
mained two terms and with Edward Rutz, the
.successor of Bates, one term, making iu all six
years in the same capacity. On retiring from
the State Treasurer's office in 1875, he resumed
his practice in Springfield, which he continued
until his death, April 8, 1909. Mr. Sanders was
chosen Presidential Elector in 1872, and served
one term as City Attorney of the city of Spring-
field ; was a member of both the State and Na-
tional Bar Associations, having once served the
former as delegate to the latter.
J Otis Humphrey, present Justice of the United
States District Court for the Southern District
^ THE NEW yo«f
^^^QllC LfBRART
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
691
of Illinois, was boni iu Morgau Couuty, 111.. De-
cemlier 30, 1850, grew up on a farm in Auburn
Township, Sangamon County, received liis lit-
erary training in the Virden Higli School anil
Shurtleff College. ITjiper Alton, then studied law
and was admitted to the bar in 1880, for two
years served as law clerk in the offlce of the
Railway and Warehouse Commission, and in
1883 became the partner of Henry S. Greene, one
of the leading attorneys of Central Illinois.
From the beginning Judge Humphrey's develop-
ment in his profession was rapid, and he soon at-
tained a high rank as a lawyer and political
leader; in 1884 was chosen a Presidential Elector
on the Blaine ticket, in 1896 was a delegate to
the Republican National Convention, in 1897 was
appointed by President McKinley United States
District Attorney for the Southeni District of
Illinois, and in 1901 was commissioned Judge of
the United States Court for the same District, a
Ix)sition which he still holds. Judge Humphrey
is President of the Lincoln Centennial As.socia-
tion and presided at the Lincoln Centennial
celebration in Springfield on February 12. 19U9.
John S. Schnepp, Mayor of the city of Spring-
field, was born in Sangamon County near Spring-
field, August 2ti. 1,81)7. and there sjient bis boy-
hood on a farm and for a time was a resident of
Christian County. At eighteen years of a'g^-Iu'
came to Springfield and there attended a German
school for a time, later became a student at the
Central Normal University, Danville. Ind., from
which he graduated in 1887; subsequently was
engaged in teaching one year, after which he en-
tered the law deiiartment of the Wesle.van Uni-
versity at BliXMnington. 111., graduating there-
from and being admitted to the Bar in 1890. He
then engaged in practice in Springfield, and in
1909 was elected Mayor of the city, in 1911 was
reelected under the nmniclpal commission form
of government and bus established a record f(n-
independence anil ethciency.
Bernard Stuve. who was widely known as a
physician, lawyer and author, was born in Vccbt.-i,
Duchy of Oldenliurg. Germany. September 10.
1829, at four years of age was brought by his
parents to .Vnicrica and gained his early educa-
tion at Minster, Auglai/.e County, Ohio, where the
family first settled ; a few years after the death
of his father from cholera in 1847, took a course
in the Medical College in Cincinnati, whence be
went to 'rciniessce intending to engage in prai'-
lii-e. 1p\iI hipI lindiiig the sitnation as repri'scntcil,
retnrned north, locating at Benton, near Cafie
Girardeau, Mo., where he spent eighteen months
in successful practice. Then, having completed
his medical course at Cincinnati in ISol. he re-
moved to Evansville. Ind.. and there engaged for
a time in practice in partnersliip with a local
physician, subsequently spending some time at
Carml, White Couuty, 111., and still later at
Hickman, Ky,, whence he came atwut the begin-
ning of the Civil War to lUlopolls, Sangamon
County. Removing thence to Springfield in ISOG,
be took up the study of law, graduating from the
Chicago Law School in 1808. and being then
admitted to the bar in Sangamon County. Tak-
ing a deep interest in historical matters, he soon
afterward became associated with Alexander
Davidson in the preparation of what is known as
"Davidson & Stuve's History of Illinois." the
most ample and comprehensive State history
Issued u|i to that time. A second and revised
edition of this work was gotten out in 1884. Dr.
Stnve's last years were spent in practical retire-
ment in Springfield, meanwhile taking a deep
interest in the Illinois State Hl.storical Society,
of vv'hieh he was a member.
In 1857, while a resident of Carnii, 111., Dr.
Stuve married Miss Mary Illinois Wilson, a
daughter of Hon. William Wilson, a Justice of
the Supreme Court of Illinois for some twenty-
five years, and until the adoption of tlie Con-
stitution of 1847. Dr. Stuve's death occurred
April 11. 1903. and that of his wife on February
7. 1904. leaving one sou and three daughters, of
whom only one of the latter is now living. Dr.
Stuve was reared In the faith of the Roman
Catholic church, but while still adhering to the
principles of Christianity, he early dissolved his
connection with that denomination, being known
as a man of liberal views and high moral prin-
ciples. His wife was a memlier of the I'resliy-
terian cliurcb.
Edmund Burke, attorney-at-law. and State's
Attorney. Sangamon C^)unty. was Uirn in Buf-
falo, that county, in 1870. was educated in the
public schools and in the law department of
University of Michigan. Ami Arbor, graduating
from the latter in the class of 189.8. Then
being admitted to the bar, he began practice
in the city of Springfield, and at once took an
active pari in iiolltics, identifying himself with
the Democratic party. After being engaged
in practice for a period of ten year.s, in 1908
lie i-cifived the nominal inn as candidate for
692
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
State's Attorney oii the Democriitic ticket, and
was elected for a term of four years (1;kj8-12).
With the aid of two assistants he has filled
that office to the present time and has estalilished
for himself a reputation for ability and indejiend-
ence.
Of the members of the Sangamon County Bar,
as it exists today, none has achieved a wider
reputation in his professicni and tilled a larjrer
place in official history than Ma.i. .lames Austin
Connolly. Born in Newark. X. .1., M.irch 8,
1842, he came with his parents to Morrow County.
Ohio, there grew up ou a farm, receiving liis
education in the public schools and Selby Acad-
emy at ChestenMlle. and later beginning the
study of law w-ith Judge Dunn at Mt. Gilead in
the same county. In 1859, between seventeen
and eighteen years of age. he was admitted to
the bar. and after practicing with his precejitor
one year, in 1800 came to Charlest(ni. 111., estalj-
lishing himself in his profession there, but two
.years later enlisted iu the One Hundred and
Twenty-third Illinois Infantry, holding success-
ively the rank of Captain and Major, and after
nearly three years of service, being finally mus-
tered out with the brevet rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. June 28. 180.5. Among the noted eng.-ige-
ments of the Civil War in wliich he toolc part
was the memorable liattle. of Chattanooga.
iu Novemlier 1803, later was assigned to
duty as Division Inspector of the Four-
teenth Army Corps, and participated in
Sherman's March to the Sea and the
Grand Review at Washington, which marked the
close of the war. Then returning to his home
at Charleston he resumed the practice of his
jirofession, but seven years later entered into
active politics, serving two terms (1872-70) as
Representative iu the General Assembly from
the Coles County District ; in 1870, by appoint-
ment of President Grant became United States
District Attorney for the Southern District of
Illinois, by .successive reaiiiHiintnients serving
until 188r). when he retired after the accession of
(irover Cleveland to the presidenc.v. but in 188!)
was reappointed to the same position by Pres-
ident Harrison — serving iu all thirteen and a
half years. Among the important cases with
which he had to deal while in the office of United
States District Attorney was the celebrated
Whisky Ring case, which he conducted on Ijehalf
of the Government i)ersoually and alone. In
1880, Major Connolly was the Republican candi-
date for Congress iu the Springfield District, but
was defeated by less than 1,000 votes in a district
normally Democratic by more than .3,000. In
1888 he declined a renomination, but in the Re-
publican State Convention of that year received
a highly comi)limentai-j- vote for Governor. In
1804 he was again nominated for Congre.ss from
the Springfield District and was this time elected
over the late W^m. M. Springer, who had held
the position for twenty years. Two years later
JIaj. Connolly was reelected to Congress, but in
1808 declined a renomination and has since de-
voted his attention to the practice of his pro-
fession, in the meantime, however, holding the
honorable position of Department Commander of
the Grand Army of the Republic one term
(1010-11). Besides the G. A. R.. he is identified
with the Masonic Fraternity, the Benevolent Pro-
tective Order of Elks and the Loyal Legion. On
February 9. 1803, while a soldier in the army, he
was married at Gambler, Ohio, to Miss Mary
Dunn, a lady of intelligence and refinement, and
sister of Judge Dunn, his former preceptor and
first law-partner.
(Paul Selby.)
SANGAMON COUNTY BAR, 1910.
The following is a list of members of the San-
gamon County Bar as it existed in 1910 :
Adams. Alfred.
Allen. Walter M.
Andrus. Charles S.
Armstrong. J. F.
Ayres, George E.
Barber. Clayton J.
Barber, John A."
Barnes, Carey E.
Bartlett. E. R.
Bean. William A.
Bernard. Adolph F.
Bierman. C. C.
Bone. Eugene E.
Bradford. William A.
Branson. Edward R.
Breese. Sidney S.
Briggle, Charles G.
Brown. Stuart.
Burke. Ednumd (State's
Attorney).
Butler, William J.
Caldwell, James E.
Catron, Bayard L.
Chapin. Edwin L.
Child, Henry L.
Christopher. Cornelius J.
Coleman. Louis G.
Condon. Thomas J.
Conkling. Clinton L.
Connolly, James A.
Converse, Henry A.
Cummins. Stephen H.
Dowling. James E.
Drennan. Frank P.
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
693
Eckstein, Michael.
Fain, William E.
Ferns, Thomas F.
Fitzgerald, Arthur M.
Flood, John P.
Friednieyer, John G.
Fullenwider, H. Ernest
Galeener, Wilbur F.
Galligan, Bart.
Gard, Charles E.
Garretson, James T.
George, Gilbert J.
Gibbs, Charles S.
Gillespie, George B.
Graham, James J.
Graham, James M.
Hall, Hubert K.
Hamilton, Lloyd F.
Harris, Oscar E.
Harts, Harry B.
Harts, Peter W.
Hatch, Frank L.
Hay. Logan.
Hayues, Ralph W.
Henkel, Myron F.
Heni-j-, Edward D.
Herndon, Gray.
Hoff, Alonzo.
Irwin, Edwin F.
Irwin, Oramel B.
Jarrett, Thomas L.
Jones, Clarence A.
Kane, Charles P.
Kelly, James Y. Jr.
Kenney, George W.
Kilbride, Thomas M.
King, John L.
Laird, Orley E.
Laird. Samuel.
Lanjihier, Jolm C.
Lawlcr. William J.
Lewis, Warren E.
Loomis, Webuer E.
Lyon, Thomas E.
McAuulty, R. H.
MoOrath, Timothy.
Mcfiuire, Robert L.
McKeown, Davis.
Masters, Hardin W.
Masters, Thomas D.
Matheny, James II.
Matlieny, Robert.
Mel in, Carl .V.
Milieu, Daisy.
Monroe, Basil D.
.Monroe. Earl D.
.Miirgan, George M.
Mortimer, C. Fred.
Murray, Abuer G.
Xelms, W. H.
Xorthcott. William A.
Xutt, Roy A.
Orr. James R.
Orr, Walter A.
Patton, James H.
I'atton. Robert H.
Patton, William L.
Perkins, Joseph B.
Perry, Elmer A.
I'feifer, John M.
I'uttiug, Oscar J.
Quiuian, T. William.
Reilly, James.
Robinson, Edward .S.
Salzeustein, Albert.
.Sampson, W. Edgar.
Schnepp, John S.
Hcholes, .Samuel D.
.Scholes, .Sauuiel D. Jr.
.Seeley. Roy M.
.Selljy, Charles E.
Sheelian. John W.
Shelley, Wesley W.
Shutt, William E.
Smith, Elbert S.
Snigg, John.
Snigg. John P.
Stevens, Albert D.
Summer, Albert T.
Summers, Charles P.
Templeman, James W.
Trutter. Frank L.
Vancil, Burke.
Warren, Pliil B.
Watson, Sidney P.
Weaver, Jolm P..
Wiglit. %Saniuel A.
Williams, A. Morse.
Wilson, Bluford.
Wilson. Henry ('.
Wines, William St. Jolm,
Winterbotham, Joseph E.
Wood, (ieorgc A.
Wixxlrufl', .Marion (".
Yates, Richard.
CHAPTER XVII.
TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
ADOPTION or TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION — LIST OF
COilMISSIONERS AND FIRST SUBDIVISIONS — NEW
OROANIZATION GOES INTO EFFECT IN ISOl — SUB-
SEQUENT CHANGES INDIVIDUAL HISTORY OF THE
TWENTY-SEVEN TOWNSHIPS NOW CONSTITUTING
SANGAMON COUNTY' — PRESENT AREA AND DATE OF
ORGANIZATION OF EACH — EARLY SETTLERS AND
TIME OF ARRIVAL — PART WHICH THEY PLAYED IN
DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY PERSONAL
SKETCHES SOME FIRST EVENTS — INDUSTRIES
AND PUBLIC UTILITIES — VILLAGES AND RAILROADS
— SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES — ^BANKS AND NEWS-
PAPERS — PRESENT POPULATION OF VILLAGES AND
TOWNSHIPS.
In accordance with a petition submitted to the
County Board, consisting of the County Judge
and two Associate Justices, on June 5, ISOK), an
election was ordered to be held on November tjth
of that year, on the question of the adoption of
Township Organization uuder the general act of
the Legislature of ISoO. The result was a total
of 4,(I.jO votes for the measure to .3.191 against,
and John S. Bradford, John Gardner, Sr., and
Joseiih Campbell were appointed Commissioners
to divide the county into townships which were
organized under the following names : Auburn,
Ball, Buffalo Hart, Campbell, Cartwright, Clear
Lake, Cooper, Cottou Hill, Curran, Gardner,
lUioiKjlis, Island Grove. Loami, Mechanic-sburg,
Power (now Fancy Creek), Pawnee, Rochester,
Sackett, Springfield, Talkington, Williams, Wood-
side — Xew Berlin Township being later formed
out of a part of Island Grove, Wheal licld irom
part of Illioiwlis, and Capital Township from
a part of Springfield Township. Other changes
which have since been made include Diveriion.
l.iineville and Ma.Kwell Townships.
The history of early schools in the several
townships, having l)een treated (luite fully in
the chapter on "Public Schools," it has not been
considered necessary to repeat It in this con-
ned ion.
For convenieMce of relVrenoe, the sketches of
694
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
individual towiisliip iu this eliapter are arrauged
in aliihabetical order.
AUBURN TOWNSHIP.
Auburn Townsliiii, uue of tlie soutboru tier of
townships iu Sangamon County, is bounded on the
north by Chatham Township, east by Divornon,
west by Talkingtou and south by JIacoupin
County. As originally organized in 1861, the
towiiship embraced its jireseut area of 36 square
miles, consisting of Congressional Township 13
N., R. 6 W., but in 1S60, two tiers of sections
from the western part of Pawnee Township were
added to Auburn. This arrangement continued
until July 13, 189C, when on the organization of
the new township of Divernon, these sections
were transferred to the latter, constituting Us
western portion. Consisting largely of prairie
land with level or mojlerately undulating surface,
Auburn Township occupies a part of the county
especially well adapted to agricultural i>urposes,
and being well supplied with transportation i)y
the passing of the Chicago & Altou Railroad
through its central portion, is one of the most
prosperous portions of the county. The head-
waters of Sugar Creek furnish the principal
natural supplies of water for stock and irriga-
tion purposes.
The first settlement within the present limits of
the township began in 1818, when John Ellis,
James Black and Samuel A^aneil came to this
locality, the two first named settling on Sec-
tions 15 and 14, respectively, and Mr. Vancil on
Section 11 southeast of the site of the present
village of Auburn. John Wallace came about the
same time and settled near the northeast corner
of the township — was about fifty years of age
when he arrived in November, 1818. and died
in 1828. Henry Gatlin, who came in 1818, settled
near what was known as the "Gatlin Springs,"
now the "Hayden Springs."
Among those who came in 1810 appear the
names of George Lfltt. William Wood, Jesse
Wilson. Joseph Thomas and Thomas Black. In
1820 came James Nuckolls and Edward White,
the latter soon after selling his claim to John
Durley. Mr. Nuckolls was a native of Botetourt
County, Va., Iwrn in 1777, came to Madison
County, 111., in 1818. and two years later to
Auburn Township. Sangamon County, where he
died in 1859. James and George Wallace came
from South Carolina in 1822, the former dying iu
1840 and the latter in Macon County about 1845.
Robert Crow, a native of Wythe County, Va.,
came from Christian County, Ky., also in 1822,
and died September 23, 1840.
Other early settlers in the township were :
Robert Orr, George Winmer and John Kessler in
1826, the latter establishing the first blacksmith
shop iu the township ; James Fletcher, Samuel
McElvain and Micajah Organ in 1828, and Jere-
miah Abell and John Roach in 1829. Mr.
McElvain was a soldier of the War of 1812 and
engaged in the Battle of New Orleans, was a
prominent citizen and ruling elder of the Pres-
l)yterian Church of Auburn from its organization
in his house, in 1830, until his death in 1848. Mr.
Organ came from Jessamine County, Ky., .and
after remaining in the township a number of
years, removed to Virdeu, Macoupin County,
where he died. Thomas Black, already men-
tioned as one of the settlers in Auburn Town-
ship in 1810, was born in South Carolina in 1768,
married Edith A. Pyle in Christian County. Ky.,
and moved thence to Southern Illinois in 1811,
shortly before the earthquake of that .year.
Alarmed by that phenomenon, they returned to
Kentucky, but later came back to Southern Illi-
nois, and finally to Sangamon County, settling
in the northwest corner of Aul>urn Township.
His wife died in 1822. and he subsequently mar-
ried Mrs. Rebecca Viney (iicc Shiles), his own
death occurring iu 1851. Alvin Crous, born iu
JIadisou County, Ky., as a young man removed
to Humphreys County, Tenn.. where he married
Margaret Forbes, subsequently moved to John-
son County, Ky., and from there in January,
1829, to Sangamon County, 111., settling in Au-
burn Township, where he died in 1849.
One of the most notable early settlers of Au-
liurn Township was James Pattou, who was born
in the city of Baltimore, March 17, 1791, in child-
hood was taken by his parents to Staunton, Va.,
and iu 1708 to Clark County. Ky. -After having
served an apprenticeship to the tanning business,
in 1810, lie joined his parents, who had preceded
him to Christian County. Ky., where he married
Polly Husliand in 1815, five years later coming
to Auburn -Township, Sangamon County, 111.,
arriving in the sirring of 1820. His wife having
died in 1844, he was twice married thereafter,
first to Mrs. Lettie Nifong, who died in 1856, and
second to Mrs. Elizabeth Gregory, who died in
1875. Soon after coming to Sangamon County
FRANK REISCH, SR.
I^ISCH
gRewiNG Qo.
GEORGE REISCH, SR.
JOSEPH REISCH
GEORGE REISCH, JR
THE «RW YOBf
PUBLIC LIBRARY
I T ' L - '^ "
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
695
Col. Pattou established a tannery and supijlied
a wide extent of country with leather. An enter-
prising, public-spirited citizen, he established a
high reputation in his community. He died
September 12, ]877, on the farm where he first
settled on coning to Sangamon County, leaving
a large number of descendants, most of whom re-
side in Sangamou County.
Johan Jac-ob Ranch was born in Stuttgart.
Germany, .July 25, 1790, and came to America in
1818, arriving in Philadelphia on a sailing vessel
after a voyage of eleven weeks. After having
beeu subjected to a species of fraud by a man
to pay for his passage in return for labor, he was
conii)elled to allow himself to be sold at auction
in order to raise the necessary sum of .$70. The
lowest bid was for three years' service, and he
was immediately taken to Alabama and there
subjected to a condition more horrible than negro
slavery. During much of the time he was em-
ployed in boat-building, earning many times over
the sum paid by his master. Conditions having
become intolerable, .some six months before the
expiration of his term of service he managed to
escape, finally reaching Muhlenberg, Ky., where
he found some German ijeople who gave him em-
ployment, and he soon became able to clothe
himself and began to save money. In 1824 he
there married I'auline Foley, soon after built a
saw-mill on a small stream, but desiring "to
avoid any further connection with the institu-
tion of slavery, in October, 1820, he came to
Sangamon County and bought three quarter-
sections of land on the southern border of the
county between Auburn and Virden. Here he
built a saw-mill which proved a great benefit to
the community. A man of industry and high
moral principle, he achieved a wonderful success,
at the time of his death on Xovember 25, 1843,
at the age of only a little more than forty-seven
years, leaving enough land to make a good farm
for each of his children.
Joseph Foley was born in I.ogan Cminly, Ky.,
where he married, and in 1829 came to Sangamon
County, settling near his brother-in-law. .lolian
Jacob Uauch. He served as Justice of the I'eace
for a number of years and, at the time of his
death on August 17, ISOO, left his heirs the title
to ;{,(M)0 acres of land, of wliicli 2.. 5(1(1 .-icres were
in one body.
James Wallace was born in Fendleton District.
S. C, in 177(>. Ills parents, being Scol<li Fres-
byterlnns and Whigs — or sniiiiorters of the Dec-
laration of Indeijendence — were driven from their
homes by the Tories, and his birth occurred in a
camp. In early manhood he went to Nova
Scotia and there married, but in 1810 returned
to South Carolina. Having lived long enough
in a free country to appreciate the perils of slav-
ery, in Xovember, 1822, he came to Sangamon
County. 111., locating one mile south of the pres-
ent village of Auburn. He later moved to Macou
County, dying there in 1845.
CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. — The date of the first
religious exercises in Auburn Township is not a
matter of record, but Hev. James Simms, Rivers
McCormack and Feter Cartwright, pioneer Metlio-
(lists ; Elder Simon Lindley, a Baptist, and Rev.
.T. G. Bergen, a I'resbyteriau, were early church
workers in this vicinity. The first church organi-
zation is said to have been Old School Fresliy-
terian, the organization being effected at the
home of Samuel McElvain in 1830, while the first
church building was erected by that denomination
in 1845. It was a modest frame structure, lo-
cated in the edge of the woods just west of
Crow's Mill, but later was moved to the village
of Auburn, where it was used as a dwelling house.
R.\H,K0.\DS. — Three railroads enter Auburn
Township, the Chicago & Alton, the Jackson-
ville Southeastern branch of the Chicago, Bin--
Jington & Quincy crossing the southwestern
corner, and the Chicago & Illinois Midland, ex-
tending from Auburn eastward, via Pawnee to
Taylorville, Christian County. The interurban
electric line of the Illinois Traction System also
parallels the (.'hieago & Alton steam line.
Mills. — ^^The first grist-mill in the township ( a
horse-mill) was built by James Sims, on the
north part of the Wiuemau farm, ea.st of the jires-
ent village of Auburn.
The first water-mill tor sawing liunlicr was
ererted in l.S25-2() by Robert Crow on Sugar
Creek, a niile northeast of .Vuburn village, and
was subse(|uently rebuilt and a run of burrs
added by K. and W. D. Crow, sons of Robert.
\ second water-mill (liolli saw and grist) was
built by Jacob Ranch, about six miles above the
Crow's mill, and soon after a third mill between
the two l)y J;\ines Waliaic". These have all dis-
appeared.
In 1.s.",8 .\sa and (Jeorge Eastman erected the
first sleam-niill (a grist-nnll) on the branch a
mile norlh of the village of .\uburn. The ma-
chinery was finally removed to Springfield.
Messrs. Bond & Elv erected an extensive steam
696
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
flouriuf; mill within the vilhif^e, in 1850. at a
cost of $15,000, hut it proved a financial failure,
and in 1SU4 the machinery was used by J. U.
Grove in fitting out a new mill in Carlinville.
Some First Events. — The first marriage in the
township was that of Gideon Vaneil to Phoebe
Wilson in JIarch. 1S20, Rev. James Sims otli-
ciating, and a daughter born to them in 1821 is
.supposed to have furnished the tirst birth in the
township.
The tirst death was that of Mrs. Elizabeth
Wallier, daughter of Samuel Vaucil, who died in
the fall of 1819, and was buried in the Wiumor
burying ground. An incident connected with the
death of Jlrs. Wall^er was the discovery of a
prairie fire approaching the cabin in which she
lay dying, surrounded by members of the family.
By vigorous effort in beating out the fire in the
grass and by the u.se of water, the fire was pre-
vented from getting possession of the cabin, but
all the hay that had been stacked for the winter
feeding of stock was destroyed.
The first tau-yard in the township was estal)-
lished by James Patton in 1820.
The first orchards were planted in 1825 by
Rol)ert Crow and Philip Winenian.
Auburn, the only incoriwrated village of Au-
burn Township, has an interesting histoi-y. The
original town of that name was laid out in 18.35,
by Asa and George Eastman on land purchased
from Messrs. Godfrey & Gilman, merchants of
Alton, and located near the northern border of
the township, about a mile north of the site of
the ijresent village. It occupied a hand.some lo-
cation and, in 1840, had five or six dwellings and
a two-story tavern, built by the Eastmans but
managed by a man named Swaney, who traveled
a great deal and is supposed to have been a pro-
fessional gambler. During his last trip he mys-
teriously disappeared, his remains being found
some mouths later near Ewington, Effingham
County, where it was .sujiposed he had been mur-
dered in revenge by some victim.
The Eastmans and a number of other promi-
nent citizens of Sangamon County resided at the
original Auburn for a number of years, but fin-
ally removed to other places, the Eastmans locat-
ing in Springfield, where Asa Eastman was a
prominent business man. On the contruction of
the Alton & Sangamon Railroad (now the Chicago
& Alton) the line was located .some di.stauce east
of the village, and there was then a sharp struggle
over the location of the railroad station, which
finally resulted iu the success of the younger
candidate.
The new village, a mile further south, was
platted and recorded on Februai-y 24, 1853, by
Philip Wineman, the proprietor, on the northeast
quarter of Section 10, under the name of "Wine-
man." In the meantime Asa Eastman, having
become proprietor of the land embraced in the old
village, secured the passage by the Legislature
of an act vacating the corporation, sold the land
to Madison Curvey, and it was transformed into
a farm.
Additions had been made to the new village by
Winenian and others, but the popularity of the
n;une "Auburn"' is shown by the fact that, during
the session of the Legislature of 1804-05. an act
was passed wiping out the name "Wineman," and
inconiorating the village under the name of its
old rival, the first election under the new char-
ter occurring iu the spring of 1805. The census
tables show a steady increase iu population, the
growth between 1890 and 190O apjiroximating
fifty per cent. Auburn was incoriiorated as a
city in 1905, and according to the census of 1910
had a population of 1.814.
There are two other railway stations within
Auburn Township — both on the line of the Chicago
& Alton Railroad — Sefton Station, north of Au-
burn and near the northern border of the town-
.ship. and Thayer, about four miles south of Au-
burn. Thayer was incorporated as a village in
1901 and in 1910 had a population of 1,012.
There are two banks in Auburn, the Auinirn
State Bank and the Farmers' State Bank, each
having a capital stock of $25,000. The city also
has one weekly paper, the "Auburn Citizen,"
which is the oldest paper in the county outside of
Springfield. M. L. Gordon, editor and proprietor.
Population of Auburn Township (1910), 3,851.
BALL TOWNSHIP.
Ball Township, situated directly south of
Springfield, in the second tier of townships north
of the .southern border of Sangamon County, -was
organized iu March, 1801. and named for .James
A. Ball, a citizen of the township who was a
native of Madison County. Ky.. came to Sanga-
mon County iu 1825, and was a soldier iu the
Winnebago and Black Hawk Wars. It contains an
area of 3S% square miles, including the whole of
Town 14 N., R. 5 W. of the Third Principal
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
697
Meridian, except two and a quarter sections from
west side of tbe Congressional Tounsliip which
has heeu attached to Chatham Townshi]). To Ball
Township has been accorded the credit of being
the location chosen by the first white settler in
Sangamon County. This is generally conceded to
have been Robert Pulliam, although there has
been some disagreement between writers on San-
gamon County history as to the exact date of his
coming to the county, some claiming that this
was lu the year 1S16, and others one year later
—the fall of 1817. The Old Settlers' Society of
Sangamon County, which, however, is re-
garded as the best authority on questions of this
character, have accepted the latter year as most
probable, and had it inscribed on a bronze tablet
attached to a column at the south front of the
Court House in Springfield, and dedicated De-
leniber 2, 1911, in commemoration of that event
and in honor of Mr. Pulliam's memory.
Robert Pulliam w-as born in Henry, Va., April
12, 1776, his father, William Pulliam, and family,
emigrating to Kentucky, and thence to the New
Design Settlement in what is now Monroe County,
111., later spending some time at Cape Girardeau,
Mo., (then a part of the Si)anish possessions)
and finally locating in Rand(]li>h County, 111.,
where the town of Red Bud now stands. In
1802 he began the improvement of a farm in
St. Clair County, four miles east of the present
site of the city of Belleville, but a year later
settled in the American Bottom a few miles
south of Alton, married Mary Stout in 1804, in
1S15 returned to St. Clair County, and in 1817,
in company with two or three hired men, made
a trill north, finally selecting a site on Sugar
Creek, due south from the jiresent city of Spring-
field, where he built a cabin. In the spring of
ISIS he returned to his old home in St. Clair
County, where he remained one year when he
came with his family to Sangamon County. He
found the cabin he had built in 1817 occupied
by Zachariah Peter, another early settler, but
Mr. Pulliam olitained possession, and there re-
sided until liis death in the vicinity of Carlin-
ville, .Inly ;'>1, 1,S;'.S. his wife dying in 1S47. He
is described by Gov. Reynolds as a man nf fine
physique and strong character, as shown liy his
subnnssion to the amputation of one ol' his legs
by a country doctor without tlic aid (if ana's-
Ibclli's. Originally a Baptist. h<' Inter iniilcd
with the .Methodist Church. ,ind built one of the
first nulls in Sangamon County driven by a tread-
wheel with motive power furnished by horses
or oxen. He also installed probably the first
cotton-gin in that locality. The first meeting of
the Sangamon County Old Settlers' Association
was held on the site of the Pulliam cabin, in
August, 1859.
The next group of early settlers in the Ball
Township district came in 1818. These consisted
of William Dreunan and his half-brother, Joseph
Drenuan, his son-in-law, Joseph Dodds, and
George Cox, who, leaving portions of their fam-
ilies in the vicinity of Alton, came with their
teams, farming implements and younger members
of their families, fitted for manual labor, under
the pilotage of William Moore, an Indian Ranger,
and began opening up farms on Sugar Creek in
the vicinity of the Pulliam Settlement. They
liuilt two cabins, one occupied by Joseph Cox and
the other by the Drennans and Dodds, and as
usual with settlers of that period, shunning the
prairies, cleared and planted some fifteen acres of
timber land, which they cultivated in common.
Later they attempted to break some of the prairie
soil with a wooden mold-board plow, but this
Iiroved a failure. Following the playful example
of one of the boys, they cut off the grass from a
small section of prairie that had been included in
the field, and cutting holes in the sod, planted it
with corn and pumpkin seeds. The result is
claimed in some of the early histories to have been
a surprising success, the crop proving twice as
great as that obtained from the land that had
been cleared of timber. The Drennans, Cox and
Dodds brought their families the next year, all
except Dodds having previously erected cabins.
The latter, however, was compelled to live in a
rail-pen until a cabin was built. George Cox
died in 1819. William Drennan. the lieail of this
colony, died in 1847, while his wife survived him
many years. Joseph Drennan passed away in
1865 and his widow in 1866. Jo.sopli Dodds. the
son-in-law of William Drennan. survived until
1860, bis wife having passed away in 185.1. Both
of tlie Drennans and Dodds were infiuential cit-
izens and left large families, and many of tlieir
descendants still survive in Sangamon Count.v.
After the coming of tlie Drennans and the
Dodds, settlement in the region now embraced in
Ball Township, increased quite rapidly, as its ad-
vantages as an agricultural district, with favor-
able water supplies for stock, had attracted wide
attention. Among the arrivals in this period
were those of Thomas Black, who came in 1819.
698
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
settled near the Auburn Township line, and soon
after built a distillery and a horse-mill which
were widely patronized ; James Anderson, a na-
tive of Virginia, who had silent some time in Ken-
tucky and Indiana, came in 1820, settled on Sec-
tion 33, but later moved to the North Fork of the
Sangamon, and there died in 1828 ; Louis Laugh-
lin came with his family in 1821, settled on Sec-
tion 29, where he remained fifteen years, when
he removed to Wisconsin, leaving behind him
the reputation of being one of the first Aboli-
tionists in Sangamon County. Alexander and
John Ritchie came in 1822, settled on Section 33,
the former removing to Texas (where he died
about 1844), and the latter to Iowa.
One of the most noted comers about this time
was Job Fletcher, Sr.. who arrived in 1819. and
on the night of his anuval was called upon to
write the will of George Cox, who came to Sang-
amon County with the Drennan and Dodds fam-
ilies in 1818. This was the first will put on
record from Sangamon County, but registered
at Edwardsville, Sangamon County territory
then composing a part of Madison County.
Fletcher was born in Randolph County. Va.. in
1793. spent some years with his widowed mother
in Kentucky ; served six months in the War of
1812 and assisted to bury the dead on the Iiattle-
field of Tippecanoe ; married Mary Kerchner, a
native of Virginia in 1818, and came to what is
now Ball Township November 11, 1819. Mr.
Fletcher is said to have bought from Maj. Elijah
lies the first window-glass sold in Springfield,
and is believed to have taught the first school in
Sangamon County, being also a teacher in a Sun-
day School organized in his neighborhood by the
Rev. J. M. Peck. He served as Representative
in the General Assembly from Sangamon County
for two terms (the Fifth and Fourteenth General
Assemblies), and three sessions (Ninth, Tenth
and Eleventh General Assemblies) as Senator.
While in the Tenth General Assembly he was
classed as one of the famous "Long Nine," of
which Abraham Lincoln was a prominent mem-
ber, and during this period took a prominent
part in securing the removal of the State Cap-
ital from Vandalia to Springfield. Mr. Fletcher
died September 4, 1872, within half a mile of the
place where he settled in 1819.
Others who came soon after Pulliam and the
Drennans, and about the same time as Mr.
Fletcher, were Abram Pease, bom on the Island
of Martha's Vineyard, in 1791, married Orpha
Southwiek in New York, served in the War of
1812, and in 1818 came to the Ball Township
district with the family of Jesse Southwiek ; John
Taylor, a native of Danville, Ky., came first to
Madison County, 111., and in 1819 to the Sugar
Creek Settlement in Sangamon County ; John
Brownell, born in Rhode Island in 1800, after
spending his boyhood in Seneca, N. Y., came west
with the family of William Seely and, in July,
1819, reached Sangamon County, where, in 1821,
he married Nancy Pulliam ; James Sims, born
in Virginia, was taken by his parents to South
Carolina, and after his marriage there, spent
some time in Kentucky, thence coming to St.
Clair Ounty, and to Sangamon County in 1820.
Mr. Sims built a mill, run by horse power ; quar-
ried stone of the same kind of which tlie first
State House in Springfield was built, and served
as the first Representative in the State Legisla-
ture from Sangamon County, later resided in
Morgan County, and as a Methodist preacher
organized the first circuit in Sangamon County.
George Brunk, a native of Miami County, Ohio,
came in 1821. at the age of seventeen years,
later entered eighty acres of land to which he
brought his mother and step-father, Thomas
Royal, and the rest of the family in 1824 ; Job
F. Harris, born in Rockbridge County. Va., in
1798, spent his bo.vhood with his parents in
Barreon County, Ky., there learned the cabinet-
making trade and in 1816 came to St. Louis,
later made a trip with a party of trappers from
New Orleans to the Rocky Mountains, returning
in the fall of 1818, and in 1S22 came' to Sanga-
mon County, served in the Winnebago War of
1827, and died July 29, 1806; Anthony Deardorff,
a native of Pennsylvania, cainr from Franklin
County. Ohio, in 1823. Arrivals in the Ball
Township district during the year 1824 .were
quite numerous, including Thomas Royal, the
.step-father of George Brunk ; Joseph Logsdon,
from JIadisou County, Ky., later went to Mis-
souri and thence to Texas, dying in 1848 on the
way to California ; Peter Deardorff, a brother
of Anthony, and coming with his brother-in-law.
George Brunk; David Brunk, a brother; Gilbert
Dodds, a native of South Carolina, resided some
years in Tennessee and Caldwell County, Ky.,
.joined his brother Joseph, who had preceded him
six years, served as pastor of the Cumberland
Presbyterian church on Sugar Creek, finally dy-
ing near Petersburg, Menard County, May 3.
1872. Other later comers were James A. Ball,
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
699
for wiiom Ball Towiisliip was nanietl. and who
came in 1825 (see opening jiaragrapli in this
sketch of Ball Township) ; William Burtle, a
native of Maryland who, after livinsr many years
in Kentuclvy. came with his family to Sangamon
County in 1820. his son. William. Jr.. becoming
a jirominent citizen, a teacher, an office-holder
and one of the early Presidents of the Sangamon
County Old Settlers' Society ; Zaehariah Ogden,
originally from Frederick City, Md., came from
Kentucky to Sangamon County in 1827, and
tliere died in 1SG9 : James Simpson, born in Mary-
land, came from Kentucky in 1S2S : George Jlof-
titt, a native of Augusta County. Va., came from
Christian County. Ky.. in 1829. and died in
1800; Richard Simpson, a native of Maryland,
spent some years in Kentucky, came to Sanga-
mon County in 1830. and a year later removed
to Christian County, where he and his wife died;
David H. Herniou. born in Wilkes County. X. C,
married in Grant County, Ky.. and came to San-
gamon County in October, 1830. two months be-
fore the "deep snow" and endured all the perils
of that memorable winter ; Jacob Greenawalt, a
native of Kentucky, also came in October, 1830,
later spent some time in Putnam County, biit re-
turning to Sangamon in 1830, died there in 1863 ;
John Fletcher, a younger brother of Job Fletcher,
came from his native State of Virginia, and in
1830 joined his elder brother who had preceded
him eleven years ; Daniel Easley. born in Stokes
County, X. C, October IS. 1773. spent some
thirty years of his early life in Caldwell County.
Ky.. came to Sangamon County in 1830, and died
at Auburn, that county, February 13, 1874, aged
one hundred years, three months and twenty-five
(lays. All the immigrants, so far mentioned, are
understood to have settled in what is now Ball
Township. In 1829 a colony consisting of over
sixty persons from Ohio came to Ball Township.
Some of the leading uieniliers of this colony
were Absalom Meredith and family. Isaac and
David Clark and their families, a Mr. Snell and
others. Some other early settlers were Joseph
Dixon, Joseph Gatlin. l>aviil Ford, Eddin Lewis
and AVilliam Kads.
One of the mosl widely known families of
Sangamon County and Hall Township, of a later
Iieriod, is tliat of I'hilenion Stout, whose father,
Philemon Stoul, Sr„ came to Sangamon County
in 1S.'',0 and died January 21. 1840. and the
niotlicr. Mrs. PeneloiH" (.\ndersipn) Slmil. in No-
venil)er, 1800. The parents were natives of Xew
Jersey, but emigrated to Scott County. Ky., where
Philemon Stout, Jr., was born April 10, 1822,
and married Melissa Shoup, also of a prominent
Ball Township family. Philemon Stout, Jr., had
been identified with Ball Township seventy-four
years, where he became one of tlie largest land-
owners in Sangamon County, and wliere he
died October 1, 1910.
The principal stream in Ball Township is Sugar
Creek, which enters the township near the south-
western corner, and flows through the township,
passing out near the northeastern corner. Its
tributaries. Grindstone. Panther and Lick Creelcs,
empty into Sugar Creek within the township,
the main stream being a branch of the Sangamon
Kiver, while Bishop Creek, which passes through
the Southeast corner of the townsliip. empties
into the South Fork of the Sangamon. The first
bridge across Sugar Creek was built b.v Thomas
Black and his neighbors, of hewn timbers, about
1827, but was located in Auburn Township near
the Ball Township line.
Ball Township being a strictly agricultural re-
gion and there being no railroad line within its
limits — except a section of about two miles of
the Chicago & Alton, passing through the north-
western corner — until the construction of the
Springfield-St. Louis branch of the Illinois Cen-
tral, which passes through the entire length of
this township from north to south, there has
been little tendency to the development of vil-
lages. There was a village projected in the
northeastern quarter of the township by George
R. Spotswood, in 1837, under the name Mazeppa,
but beyond the fact that it had a small store for
a short time, there was little evidence of village
life, (ilenarm. a railway station on the Illinois
Central, near the southern border of the town-
ship, is the only village in the township, although
Chatham, a slalion on the Chicago cS: Altou Rail-
road, is near tlu' western border of the township,
and Cotton Hill, on the Illinois Central, is just
north of the line between Ball and Woodside
Townshl|is.
.\ Ileal fr.inie building, for the ]Mir])(ise of a
Town llall. was er<'cled in 1S70. on the east
bank of Sugar Creek, nul far I'roni the site of
the Robert Pulliam cabin, and near the center
of the township. The poiMllalion of the town-
sliip :i( ((iiclin;; In the census of 191(1, was 898.
700
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
BUFFALO HAUT TOWNSHIP.
Buffalo Hart Towusbii), iu the northeastern
part of Sangamon County, was organized, with
Its present dimensions, in 18G1, receiving its
name from Buffalo Hart Grove, where the first
settlement was made. It comprises the southern
half of Town 17 Xorth, Range o West, with four
sections from the next tier north, making a total
of 22 sections, and is bounded on the north by
Logan County, east by Lanesville Township, south
by Mechanicsburg and west by Williams. It is
watered b.r tributaries of Wolf Creek on the
west and the headwaters of Clear Creek on the
south, and with the exception of Buffalo Hart
Grove, consisting of less than one-sixth of the
area, is made up of prairie land. The name
Buffalo Hart is claimed to be derived from the
animals — the Buffalo and the Hart — which
flourished iu this region in aboriginal days. The
surface, as it looks towards Lake Fork and Mt.
Pulaski, in Logan County, is rather undulating.
The first settlement was made in the township
in 1824 by William Bridges and Charles Moore,
who were followed a year later by Robert K.
Burns. Others who came at a later period,
most of them with families, were James L.vnn,
John Constant, Robert Cass, William P. Lawson.
Thomas Greening. John Robinson, James T.
Robinson, Adam Starr, Robert McDaniel, Thomas
Dunn, John St. Clair and Aubum Ridgeway.
William Bridges, who was born in South Car-
olina, April 28, 17S7, spent his boyhood and his
youth successively in Kentucky and Ohio, in the
latter State marrying Martha Martin, whose par-
ents were connected with the tragic history of
Strode's fort, in Kentucky, from which they es-
caped during an attack by the Indians, while
other occupants, chiefly women and children,
were massacred and the fort burned. Mr.
Bridges served one .year in the War of 1812, then
moved to Fa.vette County, Ind., and in 1824 to
Sangamon County, 111., settling in Buffalo Hart
Grove. He was a gunsmith and blacksmith, but
about 1830 moved to some other locality and
died there.
Charles Moore came from one of the .Southern
States, built a cotton-gin on the east side of
Buffalo Hart Grove in 1823 or 1824, which he
managed for a number of years, when he moved
north. He had been a Revolutionary soldier,
and while going to draw his pension, the stage
in which he was riding upset, causing his death.
Robert E. Burns was born in Washington
County, Va., March 28, 1709, lived for a time in
Clarke County, Ky., where, in 1825, he married
Patsy Cass, and immediately set out for Sanga-
mon County, 111., where he arrived in October of
that year and settled iu Buffalo Hart Grove.
They had two children who grew to maturity,
Robert Franklin, born July 11, 1832. and dietl
.July 11, 1852, and Elizabeth who married John
T. Constant. Mr. Burns died May 24, 1880.
James Lynn, who came in the fall of 1825,
was a native of Rowan County, N. C, born Feb-
ruary 24, 1788 ; in 1809 moved to Muhlenberg,
Ky.. later served eighteen months in the War of
1812, and was severely wounded by a gunshot, in
Canada. In 1814 he married Sarah DePoyster
in Butler County, Ky.. and after spending one
year with his parents in North Carolina, in 1815
removed to BaiTeu County, Ky., and in the fall
of 1825, to Sangamon County, 111., settling in the
north part of Buffalo Hart Grove. Indians were
still numerous in this region at that time, but
gave the settlers no trouble. Mr. Lynn died
March 11, 1860.
John Constant, born in Clarke County, Ky.,
September 17, 1781, in 1802 married Susan Ed-
monston, and in October, 182G, came to Buffalo
Hart Grove, Sangamon County, where he lived
but nine years, dying November 18, 1835, his
widow surviving him until March 18, 1804.
Robert Cass, who came to Sangamon County
with John Constant iu October, 1820, was born
in Iredell County, N. C, in 1708 or '69, the son
of James Cass, a native of England, who in ac-
cordance with the arbitrary methods of the
British Government at that time, in his boyhood
had been "pressed" into the naval service, in
consequence of his early separation from his
famil.v even forgetting his own name, but being
known as James Cast. After his separation
from the British navy he came to Phil-
adelphia, later settled in Iredell Count.v, N. C,
where he married and reared a family, and then
moved to Clarke County, Ky. There he met two
Englishmen by the name of Cass, one of whom
proved to be his brother and the other his cousin,
and be thus learned his true name. Robert Cass,
the son and immigrant to Illinois, married in
Iredell County, N. C, in 1790. Lucy Riley, and
they had one child before coming to Clarke
County, Ky., and four later. His wife died in
February, 1809, and April 26, 1810, he married
Marj- Boggs, who bore him two children there.
(2,^/^--^^^^/'fi
THF. NEW TOUf
i^MBLlC LIBRARY
iSTJR •.«>*01
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
701
The family came to Sangamon County iu 1820,
and there lie cliea July 0, 1852, his wife having
preceded him about twelve years.
William P. Lawison, Iwrn iu Kentucky in 1704,
was there married iu 1820 to Priscilla Duncan,
who died iu 1824, and iu 1826 to Frances Dunn.
In 1828 they came to Buffalo Hart Grove, Sanga-
mon County, where they reared a large family,
and where Mrs. I^awson died in 1807. Two of
their daughters married members of the Cass
family, and .Mr. I>awson siR'Ut the last years of
his life with his children.
Thomas A. Greening, born in Fauiiuier County.
Va.. November 19, 17!>8, in 18<>4 was talcen by
his parents to Cumberland Gap, Tenn., and in
1808 to Clarke County, Ky. ; was a soldier in the
War of 1812. and iu 1816 married Elizabeth
Dawson and finally moved to Montgomery Coun-
ty. Mo., whence in the fall of 1830 they came to
Sangamon County, 111., and spent the winter of
the "deep snow" in what is now Buffalo Hart
Township. In 1831 they moved to Loami Town-
ship, where Mr. Greening died in 1835.
John Robinson, who was a native of Virginia,
married Nancy Robbins in Maryland, spent sev-
eral years in Delaware and later in Kentucky,
and thence came iu 18.30 to Sangamon. locating
in Buffalo Hart Grove, where he died in ]S41._ .
James T. Robinson was born iu Yorlv,shir§^ .
England, January 21, 1808, came to New -York .
in 1829, and after traveling through NewrEug-
land and Canada, iu December. 1830, came to.
Buffalo Hart Grove in Sangamon County, - in
time to witness the "deep snow." In the spring
of 1832, having occasion to visit the East, he em-
barked on the steamer "Talisman" at the time
it made the famous trip up the Sangamon River
to a ix)int ojiposite the city of Springfield. Mr.
Robinson died December 8. 1871.
Barton Robinson, also a native of Yorkshire,
England, studied medicine and obtained his de-
gree from a medical college in London, and in
December, 1.S31, joined his brother. James T..
in Buffalo Hart Grove. He later assisted Jabez
Capps in laying out the town of Mt. I'ulaski in
Logan County, but in 1S5S moved to Lynn Coun-
ty, Kan.
.\dani Starr, born in Cnlpi'|icr County, \'a.,
when a young man, went with his parents to
Bourbon County. Ky., and later married Mary
Carson in Clarke County, that State. In 1828,
with his wife and their family of eight children,
he came to Sangamon County, 111., beconung a
resident of Buffalo Hart Grove, where he died
in 1852.
After 1852 immigration to the r>uffalo Hart
region became quite rapid.
The Springtield St. Louis Division of Illinois
Central Railroad crosses Buffalo Hart Township
from southwest to northeast, Buffalo Hart Sta-
tion on that line being the only village in the
township.
CniiRCHEs AND SCHOOLS. — The first religious
services in the township were held in the summer
of 1820 at the hou.se of James Lynn, by a trav-
eling minister of the Methodist church, the only
persons present besides the preacher being Mr.
and Mrs. Lynn and Mr. and Mrs. Burns. Sub-
sequently ministers of other denominations vis-
ited, holding services in private dwellings and
school iKnises. In 18.32 two ministers from
England of the Episcopal denomination — Dr. Bar-
ton Robinson and a Mr. Davis — having settled
in this viciinty. proceeded to erect a chapel on
Section 29, in w'hich services were held by them,
and later by representatives of other denomina-
tions, but the attempt to effect church organi-
zation proving unsuccessful, the building was
later used by other denominations and for school
inirposes. No other church edifice was built in
the tOTyijshjp until 1807, when a union church
was erected on the site of the old chapel at a
cost of |2,400, and used for services Ijy different
denoniination.s. A Methodi.st class was organ-
ized at an early day.
The first school in the township was taught
by Kennedy KIncade in the summer of 182!>, iu
one room of the first cabin erected by John Con-
.stant. and the ne.xt during the following sununer
by a Mr. Blue in a log house on the southeast
quarter of Section 20. The first building for
school puriKJSos — a log cabin — ^vas erecti>d on
the farm of Mr. Constant in 18;!3. and the first
school in it was taught by Eliza Mood.
.SoMi! First Events. — The first marriage in
what is now Buffalo Hart Township was that
cif Isaac I>. Skinner and Harriet h. Constant,
which took place .Vugust 1.3. 1829. and their
first child was b(U-n Jamiary 10, 1.8.31, the winter
of the "deep snow." During a visit to his father
in .\ugust, 1S31. Mr. Skinner died, and his
widow later married James \V. Langston, wlio
(lied in 180/).
Tlie first liirth in the townsliip was that of
Martha, daughter of James Lytui. horn Decem-
ber 20, 1820, but died September 25, 18.30.
702
HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
Tile fii'St death in the lown.sliip was that ol;
John Ridgeway, iu JIarch, 1827.
The first frame house was the chapel erected
by Robinsoii and Davis in 1832.
Robert E. Burns erected the first frame dwell-
ing house in 1839, and it stood for many years.
John Constant erected the first brick dwelling
house iu 1829, 
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