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Full text of "... History of De Witt county, Illinois. With illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers"

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977.301 
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1717995 


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3  1833  00864  7759 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2010  with  funding  from 

Allen  County  Public  Library  Genealogy  Center 


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■^HISTORY^- 


OF 


DE  WITT  COUNTY 


ILLITnTOIS.  ^ 


I    — -^^f  Mitlx  lllustrattotts  ^^- 


DESCRIPTIVE  OF  THE  SCENERY, 


{!)ioiirniil)i(til  ^(|ttc(|e$  of  $ome  of  tlie  |}rominettt  Jffen  anil  ptoiiecro, 


0^ 


BY 

PHILADELPHIA, 


,  ILL. 


1717995 

PREFACE 


'HE  PUBLISHERS  desire  to  return  their 
sincere  thanks  to  those  ivho  have  aided 
in  making  this  ivorh  thorough  and 
complete.  For  the  incidents  relative  to 
the  early  settlement,  we  are  indebted  to  a  feiv  earlv 
pioneers,  who  have  seen  a  ivild  frontier  county  develop 
into  a  wealthy  and popidous  community. 

For  other  facts  we  are  under  obligations  to  a  class 
of  intelligent  men,  loho,  amid  the  ordinary  pursuits  of 
life,  have  taken  pains  to  thoroughly  inform  themselves 
on  the  resources  of  their  county.  Among  those  who 
have  specially  contributed  to  the  completeness  of  the  his- 
tory of  De  Witt  county,  arc  John  J.  Mc  Graiv.  C.  H. 
Moore,  Orin  Wakefield,  Benjamin  Howard,  Abra- 
ham Sivearingen.  f.  H.  Randolph,  W.  R.  Carle,  S. 
P.  Glenn,  J.  P.  Dunham,  Thomas  Snell,  Wvi.  Fuller, 
Samuel  Magill,  Jacob  Walters,  C.  S.  Liscnbey,  James 
A.  PVilsoti,  County  Treasurer,  Alex.  L.  Barnett, 
County  surveyor,  Amos  Weedman,  Sheriff ;  fohn 
Warner,  Thomas  J'andeventer,  Jacob  Swigart,  Mrs. 
Rebecca  Gatnb^-el,  George  B.  Leme^i,  Edmund  W. 
Fruit,  Dr.    Goodbrake,  and  Wm.  J.  Rutledgc. 

Especially  do  we  acknoivledge  the  courtesies  ex- 
tended lis  by  A.  J '.  Liscnby,  coimty  clerk,  and  John 
T.  Carle,  circuit  clerk.  We  are  also  indebted  to  Miss 
Mary  S.  Welsh  for  her  scholarly  article  on  the  Com- 
mon Schools  of  the  County.  Among  the  chapters  most 
fruitful  in  interest  to  a  great  member  of  our  readers, 
will  be  found  those  which  treat  of  the  early  history  of  ' 


the  churches.  Many  persons  are  living  whose  fathers 
and  grandfathers,  in  the  humble  log  cabin,  which  ivas 
then  the  only  house  of  worship,  assisted  in  founding 
organizations  which  have  been  of  the  greatest  good  to 
subsequent  generations.  To  the  clergytnen  of  the  va- 
rious denominations,  and  to  many  of  the  older  tncmbers 
of  these  societies,  we  are  indebted  for  much  valuable  in- 
formation. 

The  editors  of  the  several  newspapers  have  also  ren- 
dered assistance  in  that  cheerful  manner  so  character- 
istic of  the  Journalistic  profession. 

We  have  endeavored,  with  all  diligence  and  carc- 
J Illness,  to  make  the  best  use  of  the  t?iaterial  at  our  co?n- 
mand.  It  has  been  classified  as  carefully  as  possible 
and  will,  we  are  assured,  be  a  great  help  to  the  public, 
as  a  book  of  reference. 

We  have  tried  to  preserve  the  incidents  of  pioneer 
history,  to  accurately  present  the  natm-al  features  and 
material  7-esources  of  this  portion  of  the  State,  and  to 
gather  the  facts  likely  to  be  of  most  interest  to  our  pres- 
ent readers,  and  of  greater  importance  to  coming  gen- 
erations. 

We  present  the  work  to  the  public,  trusting  that 
they  will  approve  our  labors.  If  our  7'eaderszvill  take 
into  consideration  the  magnitude  and  difficulties  of  the 
task,  we  feel  assured  of  a  favorable  verdict  on  our  un- 
dertaking, and  that  they  will  give  the  volume  a  gener- 
ous reception. 

The  Publishers. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS, 


COUNTY  HISTORY. 
Chapter  I. 

A  brief  Sketch  of  the  Northwest 
Territory — Geographical  Po  s  i- 
tion — Early  explorations-Early 
Settlements — Louisiana  P  u  r- 
chase — Discovery  of  the  Ohio — 
English  Explorations  and  Set- 
tlements--Campaign  of  1759 — 
Division  of  the  Northwest  Terri- 
tory—  Present   condition  of  the 

Norlhwest .  9 

Chapter  II. 

Brief  Historical  Sketch  of  Illinois 
Louis  LeGrand — Roi  De  France 
Et  De  Navarre  —  Regne — Le 
Neavieme  Avnl  1682.— The  first 
settlements  in  Illinois  — Found- 

■  ing  of  Kaskaskia — As  part  of 
Louisiana — Fort  Chartres  under 
French  Rule — Character  of  the 
early  French  Settlers — A  Pos- 
session of  Great  Britain— Con- 
quest by  Clarke — Land  Tenures 
—  Civil  Organization — Officers 
of  the  State  of  Illinois  from  1S09 
to  1S81 — Population  of  Illinois 

by  Counties 20 

Chapter  III. 

Geography,  Agricultural  Resour- 
ces, and  Railroad  Facilities  of 
LeWitt  County — Population- 
Typography  —  Hydrography  — 
Climate — Perennial  Springs — 
Mounds  —  Soil  —  Agriculture — 
Transportation  —  Railroads  of 
DeWitt  County- Railroad  Lands 

—Titles 30 

Chapter   IV. 

Geology  —  Subterranean  Lake — 
Coal  Fields — Natural  Curiosities 
— Economical  Geology.  ...  35 

Chapter  V. 
Fauna — Ungulata  or  Hoofed  Car- 
nivora  or  Flesh-Eaters — Roden- 
tia  or  Gwaners — Class  of  Aves, 
or  Birds— Birds  of  Prey— Ra- 
sores  or  Scratching  Birds — Gral- 
lators,  or  Wading  Birds — Nata- 
tores,  or  Swimming  Birds — In- 
sessories   or    Perching    Birds — 


Scansores,  or  Climbing   Birds- 
Class.    Reptilia  or  Reptiles  .  3 

Chapter  VI. 

Flora  — List  of   Native      Wood 

Plants— Grasses 4 


Chapter  VII. 
Pioneer.s  and  Early  Settlers  — 
Early  Settlement — to  the  People 
—The  Old  Guard— Summary- 
Illinois  State  Bank— Lyceum — 
Early  Marriages — First  Justices 
of  the  Peace— First  Constables 
Pioneer  County  Officials.  .    .  -13 

Chapter  VIII.  , 

Customs  of  Early  Days— Habits 
and  Modes  of  Living  of  the  Pio- 
neers and  First  Settlers— Trials 
and  Tribulations  of  Pioneer 
Jjife — Games,  Amusements,  etc., 


etc. 


Chapter  IX. 
Civil  History — Organization  of  De 
Witt  Coun  ty — Land  and  People 
— Pauperism — County  Govern- 
ment—Roster of  County  Officers 
First  Grand  Juiy— Courts    .  57 

Chapter  X. 
Bench  and  Bar — The  Bench — For- 
mer  Resident    Lawyers — Pres- 
ent Members  of  tlie  Bar.    .    .  82 

Chapieu  XI. 

The  Press— DeWitt  Courier— De 
Witt  County  Democrat — The 
Vindicator — Central  Transcript 
—Weekly  Central  Transcript— 

.  Clinton  Public — DeWitt  County 
Public  and  Central  Tran-script- 
The  Clinton  Union— The  Clin- 
ton Times— The  De  Witt  Regis- 
ter—The Clinton  Register— The 
Farmer  City  Republican— The 
Orthorspor — The  Farmer  City 
Journal — The  Farmer  City  Her- 
ald—The Farmer  City  Reporter 
—The  Public  Reaper— The  Real 
Estate  Index — The  Temperance 
Vidette— The  De  Witt  County 


Gazette— De  Witt  County  Mes- 
senger— The  Kenney  Register — 
The  Kenney  Record— The  Ken- 
ney Gazette 95 

Chapter  XII. 

Common    Schools— Origin   of  the 

School  System — Early  Schools 

in  the  County 102 

Chapter  XIII. 
Patriotism— Black  Hawk  War- 
Mexican  War — List  of  Volun- 
teers in  Mexican  War— War  for 
the  Union— Roll  call  Present 
and  Accounted  for — Seventh  In- 
fantry Regiment — Eighth  In- 
fantry Regiment  —  Thirteenth 
Infantry  Regiment— Fifteenth 
Infantry  Regiment — Twentietli 
Infantry  Regiment  —  Twenty- 
Fifth  Infantry  Regiment  — 
Twenty-Sixth  Infantry  Regi- 
ment—Thirty-Second Infantry 
Regiment-Thirty-Third  Inf  ty. 
Regiment— Thirty-Fourth  In- 
fiintry  Regiment-Thirty-Eightli 
Infantry  Regiment— T  h  i  rty- 
Ninth  Inf'ty.  Reg.— Forty-First 
Infantry  Regiment— Forty-Sec- 
ond Infantry  Regiment— Forty- 
Sixth  Infantry  Regiment— Fifty 
First  Infantry  Regiment— Fifty 
Second  Infantry  Regiment  — 
Fifty  Fifth  'Infantry  Regiment 
— Fifty  Seventh  Infantry  Regi  ■ 
ment  — Fifty-Eighth  Infantry 
Regiment  —  Sixty-Second  In- 
fantry Regiment — Sixty-Sixth 
Infantry  Regiment — Sixty- 
Eighth  Infantry  Regiment — 
Seventy-Ninth  Infantry  Regi- 
ment—One Hundred  and  Fifth 
Infantry  Regiment— One  Hun- 
dred and  Seventh  Infantry  Reg- 
iment—One Hundred  and  Thir- 
teenth Infantry  Regiment— One 
Hundred  and  Eighteenth  In- 
fantry Regiment— One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-Fourth  Infantry 
Regiment — One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-Fifth  Infantry  Regi- 
ment—  One       Hundred       and 


TIurty-Third  Infantry  Regiment 
— One  Hundred  and  Forti- 
etli  Infantry  Regiment— One 
Hundred  and  Forty-Fifth  In- 
fantry Regiment — One  Hundred 
and  Fifty-Fourth  Infantry  Regi- 
ment— Second  Cavalry  Regi  - 
ment — Fourth  Cavalry  Regi- 
ment— Seventh  Cavalry  Regi- 
ment—Eighth Cavalry  Regi- 
ment— Ninth  Cavalry  Regiment 
— Tenth  Cavalry  Regiment — 
Fourteenth  Cavalry  Regiment 
— Sixteenth  Cavalry  Regiment 
—  Seventeenth  Cavalry  Regi- 
ment— Fir.st  Regiment  Light 
Artillery  —  Second  Regiment 
Light  Arlillery 110 


Cu 


PTKIt    .XIV 


Ecclesiastical  History— The  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church — Clinton 
M.  E.  Cliurcli— Waynesville  M. 
E.  Churcli— Mt.  Tabor  M.  E. 
Church— Kenney  M.  E,  Church 
— Green  Valley  Society — Wa- 
pella  M.  E,  Church — Long  Point 
M,  E,  Church— Farmer  City  M, 
E,  Church— De  Witt  M,  E. 
Church  — Statistics  of  M.  E. 
Cturch  by  Pastoral  Cliarges — 
The  Protestant  Methodist 
Church — The  Baptist  Church — 
The  Second  Baptist  Cliurch  (col- 
ored)—  The  Liberty  Separate 
Baptist  Church  -New  Provi- 
dence Baptist  Church  -Christian 
Church— Old  Union  Christian 
Church— Rock  Creek  Christian 
Church — Long  Point  Christian 
Church  —  CI  I  n  1 0  n  Christian 
Church — Farmer  City  Christian 
Church — Wapella  Christian 
Church— Texas  Christian 
Church  —  Fairview  Christian 
Church — Harmony  Christian 
Church — Land  Christian  Church 
--The  Holy  Catholic  Church 
— Christian  Connection — Pres- 
byterian Church — Elm  Grove 
Presbyterian  Church— The  Uni- 
ted Brethren   in  Christ   .    .  133 


TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 


BIOGRAPHIES. 

Page. 

Arbogasf,  Daniel  H 236 

Barnett,  A^  L 177 

Bishop,  John  (deceased.)  ...  211 
Bishop,  Minerva     "         ...  211 

Bootli,  Wm 213 

Burford,  C 233 

Batler,  Kichard 175 

Calhoun,  W.  F 1S3 

Carle,  W.  R 26.5 

Cleai'wateis,  Nathan,  deceased   221 

Cool,  P.  V.  H 237 

Costly,  W.  H 331 

Camming,  Andrew  M.     .    .    .  237 

Davis,  Dr.  T.  W 267 

Davenport,  Eber 307 

Devore,  Wm.  C 239 

Dick,  Amos 201 

Edmiston,  Dr.  J.  A IM 

Ewing,  R,  M 239 

Ford,  C.  P 209 

Fruit,  Edmund  W 251 

Fuller,  Daniel 313 

Fuller,  Wm 193 

Gambrel  Rebecca 301 

Goodbrake,  Dr.  Christopher   .  181 

Graham,  Samuel 169 

Graham,  Geo.  B.    .    .'  .    .    .    .  167 

Graham,  W.  W 2.58 

Griner,  George  W 318 

Hammitt,  Mathew 307 

Harrold,  Jonathan 271 

Harrold,  Isam 273 

Herrick,  Capt.  Geo.  W.   .    .    .  238 

Hickman,  David  W 257 

Hirst,  James  ....  235 

Hyde,  M.  D.,  G.  W 197 

Jeffrey,   F.   M 305 

Johnson,  Elias 238 

Jones,  J,  B 303 

Jones,  John 235 

Lake,  D.  J.  J 259 

Lane,  TiUmon 325 

Lemen,  George  B 279 

Lisenby,  A.  V 187 

Lisenbey,  C.  S 329 

Ludinglon,  Hon.  Lewis    .    .    .  236 

Magill,  Samuel I'io 

McCord.W.  Y 231 

McGraw,  John  J 161 

Moore,  C,  H 1.59 

Moore,  W  M 319 

Moore,  Blish 281 

Palmer,  E.  H 185 


Pease,  F.  0.  .    .   . 
Porter,  D.  Edward 
Randolph,  J.  H.    . 
Randolph,  Wm,  (deceased) 
Razey,  A.  W.    .    .    . 
Rogers,  W.  0.    .    .    . 
Rucker,  Rev,  James  C 
Rutledge,  Wm.  J.  .    . 
Smallwood,  Geo.  D.  . 
Smith,  John    .... 
Snell,  Thomas    .    .    . 
Spencer,  R.  T.    .    .    . 

Spicer,M.  B 

Starkey,  J.  J.  S.,  M.  D, 
Swigart,  Jacob  .    . 
Taylor,  Thomas    . 
Trowbridge,  Jacob 
Turner,  Capt.  James  R 
Waggoner,  J.  H.  .    . 
Wakefield,  Orin    .    . 
Wallace,  Col.  Andrew 
Walker,  Robert 
Walters,  Jacob  . 
Warner,  John    . 
Watson,  H.  D.  . 
Weedman,  John  (i 
Weedman,  Asa  . 
Weedman,  John 
Weedman,  Amos 
Welch,  Chas.  M. 
Welch,  Mary  S. 
Wilson.  Jas   A. 


Page. 
Old  Log  School-House  ...  104 
S.  W.  Hutchin  ....  facing  256 
J.  H.  Randolph  ...  "  246 
Jacob  Trowbridge  .  .  "  258 
Dr.  J.  J.  Lake  ....  "  258 
E.  W.  Fruit  .  Between  250  &  251 


TOWNSHIP  HISTORY. 

Clintonia  Township 149 

Santa  Anna 214 

Rutledge 308 

Wagnersville 293 

De  Witt 285 

Harp 275 

Wapella 260 

Tunbridge 241 

Wilson 333 

Nixon 327 

Creek 321 

Barnett 315 

Texas 337 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

County  Map facing       9 

Public  Buildings  ...      '•         66 


M.  S.  Hendrick    . 
Dr.  C.  Goodbrake 
H.  B.  Taylor     . 
W.  W.  Weedman 
Henry  Brittin  . 
John  Taylor  .    . 
J.  B,  Rolofson  . 
Corneliu.s  Kelly 
Elisha    Helmich 
J.  W.  Karr    .    . 
James  S.  Todd  . 
Dr.  T.  W,  Davis   . 
John  Brown  .    . 
H.  D.  Watson    . 
George  W.  Griner 
Jacob  Swigart   . 
Nichols  &  North  Elevator 


facing  180 
"       180 


304 
304 
334 
338 
312 


274 
268 
318 


PORTRAITS. 

Barnett,  A.  L 177 

Bishop,  John 211 

Bishop,  Minerva 211 

Burford,  C 233 

Butler,  Richard 175 

Calhoun,  W.  F 183 

Carle.  W.  R 265 


Cle 


vate 


Marv  M 


Clearwaters,  Nathan    ....  221 

Costly,  W.  H 331 

Davis,  Dr.  T.  W 267 

Davis  Mary 267 

Dick,  Amos 201 

Dick,  Hattie 201 

Ford,  C.  P 209 

Fruit,  Edmund  W 251 

Fruit,  Isabel 251 

Fruit,  Thomas 255 

Fruit,  Elizabeth 255 

Fuller,  Daniel 313 

Fuller,  Wm 193 

Gambrel,  R;be jca 301 


Page. 
Goodbral<e,  Dr.  Christ  .  facing  181 

Graham,  Geo.  B 167 

Graham,  Samuel 169 

Harrold,  Isam 273 

Harrold,  Jonathan 271 

Hyde,  G.  W.,  M.  D 197 

Jones,  J.  B 303 

Lane,  TiUmon 325 

Lemen,  George  B 279 

Lisenbey,  C.  S 329 

Liseuby,  A.  V 187 

McCord,  W.  Y 231 

McGraw,  John  J 161 

McGraw,  Jemima 161 

Magill,  Samuel 165 

Moore.  Blish 281 

Moore,  C.  H 159 

Moore,  W.  M 319 

Palmer,  EH 185 

Pease,  F.  0 205 

Randolph,  J.  H 247 

Randolph,  Margaret  I.  .  .  .  247 
Randolph,  Wm.  (deceased)  .  .  249 
Rucker,  Rev.  James  C  .    .    .    .  191 

Rutledge,  Wm.  J 311 

Smallwood,  G.  D 189 

Smith,  John 223 

Smith,  Mary  D 223 

Snell,  Thomas 171 

Spicer,  M.  B 207 

Swigart,  Jacob 289 

Wakefield,  Orin 291 

Walker,  Robert 283 

Wallace,  Col.  Andrew  ....  253 

Wallace,  Esther 253 

Walters,  Jacob 335 

Warner,  John 163 

Watson,  H.  D 269 

Weedman,  Amos 195 

Weedman,  Asa 227 

Weedman,  John  (sen)  ....  225 

Weedman.  John 229 

Welch,  Mary  S 179 

Wilson,  Jas.  A 203 


List  of  Patrons 339 

Miscellaneous  Information  .  245 
Constitution  of  Illinois  .  .  .  248 
Declaration  of  Independence  255 
Constitution  of  United  States.  256 


INTRO  DFCTT  ox 


^2^E\V  sluiiies  are  more  interesting  and  protitable  to 
mankind  than  that  of  the  past  experiences,  deeds, 
thoughts  and  trials  of  the  human  race. 
The  civilized  man  and  the  untutored  savage  alike 
desire  to  know  the  deeds  and  lives  of  their  ancestors,  and 
strive  to  perpetuate  their  story.  National  patriotism  and 
literary  pride  have  prompted  many,  in  all  times,  to  write  and 
preserve  the  annals  of  particular  peoples. 

It  is  the  aim  of  this  work  to  collect  and  preserve  in 
enduring  and  popular  form  some  of  the  facts  of  the  early 
settlement  and  subsequent  growth  of  a  great  county  of  a 
grand  State.  The  families  whose  ancestors  were  early  on  the 
ground,  and  whose  members  have  made  the  county  what  it 
is,  are  worthy  of  remembrance ;  and  their  difficulties  and 
sorrows,  customs,  labors  and  patriotism,  should  not  be  allowed 
to  fall  into  oblivion.  By  a  knowledge  of  these  the  present 
generation  will  be  instructed,  and  the  future  will  be  guided. 

All  history,  if  properly  written,  is  interesting  ;  and  there 
is  not  a  country,  or  a  city,  or  a  hamlet, — nay,  we  might  say, 
not  a  family  or  an  individual  on  the  globe, — whose  history 
might  not  be  more  or  less  valuable  to  posterity. 

The  written  history  of  the  American  Continent  dates  back 
scarcely  four  centuries,  yet  within  that  comparatively  short 
period  its  pages  have  garnered  from  her  hills  and  mountains, 
from  her  grand  rivers  and  mighty  inland  seas,  valuable 
additions  to  the  world's  stock  of  knowledge. 

Like  the  Eastern  Continent,  our  own  has  its  historic 
points, — its  nuclei  around  which  cluster  the  memories  of 
heroic  deeds,  the  story  of  martyrs,  and  the  legends  of  a 
barbarous  past.  St.  Augustine,  Jamestown,  Plymouth  Rock, 
Quebec,  Montreal,  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia  and 
Detroit,  are  localities  about  which  gather  volumes  of  history. 


The  advance  of  civilization  ou  the  North  American  Con- 
tinent has  been  more  rapid  than  in  any  other  portion  of  the 
globe ;  and,  within  the  memory  of  living  men,  the  fairest  and 
richest  portions  have  been  wrested  from  the  dominion  of  the 
wilderness  and  the  savage,  and  changed  into  a  highly-culti- 
vated region,  filled  with  a  race  of  industrious  and  thriving 
people.  Prominent  among  the  localities  rich  in  historic  lore 
is  the  region  around  the  Mississippi  river.  It  early  claimed 
the  attention  of  two  of  the  most  powerful  nations  of  Europe, 
whose  pioneers  and  arant  couriers  were  boldly  pushing  into 
the  then  unknown  countries  lying  towards  the  "  Great  South 
Sea,"  eagerly  looking  for  gold  and  precious  stone.^,  for  fabled 
Eldorados  and  fertile  lands. 

To  collect  and  arrange  in  one  volume  these  various  frag- 
ments, this  abundant  material,  and  to  give  the  cream  of  all 
the  best  authors  who  have  treated  the  subject,  together  with 
all  additional  information  it  was  possible  to  obtain,  and 
present  it  in  readable  form,  has  been  the  ol)ject  of  the  pub- 
lishers of  the  present  work. 

The  traditions  of  the  Indians,  as  given  by  Heckewelder 
and  others,  have  been  quoted  quite  extensively,  and  as  an 
important  factor  in  the  sum  total  of  knowledge  concerning 
this  region ;  and  the  early  discoveries  of  Marquette,  La  Salle, 
Hennepin  and  other  French  adventurers  in  the  valley  of  the 
Mississippi  and  the  basin  of  the  great  lakes  of  the  Northwest, 
have  also  demanded  a  large  share  of  attention,  as  preliminary 
to  the  troubles  which  grew  out  of  the  conflicting  claims  of 
the  French  and  English  crowns,  resulting  in  a  contest  for 
supremacy,  and  in  which  not  only  all  the  contiguous  region, 
but  the  entire  French  and  English  possessions  in  America,  a 
large  share  of  Europe,  and  immense  regions  in  Asia  and  the 
islands  of  the  sea,  were  interested  and  involved. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Another  object  to  be  gained  by  this  work,  is  to  bring  to 
the  notice  of  the  people  the  immense  resources  which  a 
bountiful  Providence  has  bestowed  upon  them,  and  which  it 
becomes,  not  merely  a  privilege  to  use,  but  a  duty  to  improve. 
How  little  is  now  known  of  these  treasures,  and  how  greatly 
profitable  such  information  may  be,  needs  only  a  thought  to 
comprehend.  Our  fertile  soils,  our  noble  timber  trees,  our 
genial  climate,  our  inexhaustible  mineral  treasures,  and  our 
easy  facilities  for  commerce  are;  in  a  great  degree,  unknown 
even  to  our  own  population.  This  volume  seeks  to  develop 
an  appreciation  of  them,  and  to  stimulate  a  desire  to  improve 
and  extend  them. 

Then,  local  customs,  old  family  traits  and  anecdotes  are 
so  rich  in  interest  and  so  full  of  instruction  to  the  young, 
that  they  ought  never  to  be  forgotten.  These,  so  many  as 
time  and  diligence  could  gather,  are  here  recorded,  and  will 
be  found  to  form  no  unimportant  or  uilinstruclive  portion  of 
this  volume. 

Among  the  most  influential  agencies  in  building  a  nation, 
and  in  establishing  a  character  for  its  people,  are  the  efforts 
of  its  citizens  to  educate  their  children  and  to  provide  for 
social  religious  worship.  These  two  interests  will,  therefore, 
show  most  accurately  the  tastes,  the  habits  and  aspirations  of 


a  community.  Hence  they  have  been  made  prominent  in  the 
ensuing  narrative,  and  it  is  confidently  hoped  that  they  will 
not  only  interest  readers,  but  will  be  studied  and  appreciated. 

The  work  will  be  found  embellished  with  views  of  public 
and  private  property,  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  and  with 
portraits  and  biographies  of  many  of  the  prominent  men  of 
the  past  and  present. 

We  trust,  however,  that  it  will  be  the  means  of  preserving 
from  the  empire  oj  decay  a  host  of  incidents,  of  recollections, 
and  of  anecdotes,  relating  to  the  hardy  pioneers  and  first 
settlers  of  the  couuty,  which,  in  the  estimation  of  the  historian 
and  student  of  history,  are  of  priceless  value,  but  which 
otherwise  would  soon  fade  from  the  memories  of  the  living. 

Whether  this  has  been  well  done  is  not  for  us  to  say.  A 
generous  and  intelligent  public  must  decide.  It  is  not  per- 
mitted any  man  to  attain  perfection.  Its  region  lies  beyond 
our  reach.  We  feel,  howtver,  in  submitting  this  work  to  the 
inspection  of  the  patrons,  whose  public  spirit  made  possible 
its  preparation,  that  satisfaction  which  results  from  a  con- 
sciousness of  foithful  endeavor  and  an  earnest  desire  to  fulfill 
the  expectations  of  all. 

Our  work  is  accomplished,  and  its  result  is  submitted  to 
your  favorable  inspection. 


HISTORY 


DE    WITT    COUNTY,    ILLINOIS 


CHAPTER  I. 

A  BRIEF  SKETCH  OP  THE  NORTB-WEST  TERRITOBT. 
GEOGRAPHICAL   POGITION. 

^f  1734  the  North-we3tern  Territory  was  ceded  to  the 
United  States  by  Virginia.  It  embraced  only  the 
territory  lying  between  the  Ohio  and  Mississipi  rivers, 
and  north,  to  the  northern  limits  of  the  United  States. 
It  coincided  with  the  area  now  embraced  in  the  states  of  Wiscon- 
sin, Illinois,  Michigan,  Indiana,  Ohio,  and  that  portion  of  Min- 
nesota lying  on  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi  river.  On  the 
first  day  of  March,  1784,  Thoma.5  Jefferson,  Samuel  Hardy, 
Arthur  Lee,  and  James  Monroe,  delegates  in  Congress  on  the 
part  of  Virginia,  executed  a  deed  of  cession,  by  which  they 
transferred  to  the  United  States,  on  certain  conditions,  all  right, 
title  and  claim  of  Virginia  to  the  country  known  as  the  North- 
western Territory.  But  by  the  purchase  of  Louisiana  in  1803, 
the  western  boundary  of  the  United  States  was  extended  to  the 
Eocky  Mountains  and  the  Northern  Pacific  Ocean.  It  includes 
an  area  of  1,887,850  square  miles,  being  greater  than  the  united 
areas  of  the  Middle  and  Southern  states,  including  Texas.  Out 
of  this  magnificent  territory  have  been  erected  eleven  sovereign 
states  and  eight  territories,  with  an  aggregate  population  at  the 
present  time  of  13,000,000  inhabitants,  or  nearly  one-third  of  the 
entire  population  of  the  United  States. 

Its  rivers  are  the  largest  on  the  continent,  flowing  thousands 
of  miles  through  its  rich  alluvial  valleys  and  broad,  fertile 
prairies. 

Its  lakes  are  fresh-water  seas,  upon  whose  bosom  floats  the 
commerce  of  many  states.  Its  iar-Ctretching  prairies  have  more 
icres  that  are  arable  and  productive  than  any  other  area  of  like 
extent  on  the  globe. 

For  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  the  increase  of  population 
and  wealth  in  the  north-west  has  befen  about  as  three  to  one  in 
any  other  portion  of  the  United  Stat^. 

EARLY   EXPLORATIONS. 

In  the  year  1512,  on  Easter  Sunday,  the  Spanish  name  for 


which  is  Pascua  Florida,*  Juan  Ponce  de  Leon,  an  old  comrade 
of  Columbus,  discovered  the  coast  of  the  American  continent, 
near  St.  Augustine,  and  in  honor  of  the  day  and  of  the  blossoms 
which  covered  the  trees  along  the  shore,  named  the  new-found 
country  Florida.  Juan  had  been  led  to  undertake  the  discovery 
of  strange  lands  partly  by  the  hope  of  finding  endless  stores  of 
gold,  and  partly  by  the  wish  to  reach  a  fountain  that  was  said 
to  exist  deep  within  the  forests  of  North  America,  which  pos- 
sessed the  power  of  renovating  the  life  of  those  who  drank  of 
or  bathed  in  its  waters.  He  was  made  governor  of  the  region 
he  had  visited,  but  circumstances  prevented  his  return  thither 
until  1521 ;  and  then  he  w  "it  only  to  meet  death  at  the  hands 
of  the  Indians. 

In  the  meantime,  in  1516,  a  Spanish  sea-captain,  Diego  Mi- 
ruelo,  had  visited  the  coast  first  reached  by  Ponce  de  Leon,  and 
in  his  barters  with  the  natives  had  received  considerable  quan- 
tities of  gold,  with  which  he  returned  home  and  spread  abroad 
new  stories  of  the  wealth  hidden  in  the  interior. 

Ten  years,  however,  passed  before  Pamphilo  de  Narvaez  un- 
dertook to  prosecute  the  examination  of  the  lands  north  of  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  Narvaez  was  excited  to  action  by  the  late 
astonishing  success  of  the  conqueror  of  Montezuma,  but  he 
found  the  gold  for  which  he  sought  constantly  flying  before  him; 
each  tribe  of  Indians  referred  him  to  those  living  farther  in  the 
interior.  And  from  tribe  to  tribe  he  and  his  companions  wan- 
dered. They  suffered  untold  privations  in  the  swamps  and 
forests ;  and  out  of  three  hundred  followers  only  four  or  five  at 
length  reached  Mexico.  And  still  these  disappointed  wanderers 
persisted  in  their  original  fancy,  that  Florida  was  as  wealthy  as 
Mexico  or  Peru. 

Among  those  who  had  faith  in  that  report  was  Ferdinand  de 
Soto,  who  had  been  with  Pizarro  in  the  conquests  of  Peru-  He 
asked  and  obtained  leave  of  the  King  of  Spain  to  conquer 
Florida  at  his  own  cost.  It  w.is  given  in  the  year  1538.  With 
a  brilliant  and  noble  band  of  followers  he  left  Europe,  and  in 
May,  1538,  after  a  stay  in  Cuba,  anchored  his  vessels  near  the 


Che  old  English  "Pash"  or  Pass. 


'  Paacuft  Ftorida  "  is  the  "  Holy- 


JIISTORY  OF  DE  W'JTT  COUJS/TY,  ILLINOIS. 


coast  of  the  Peninsula  of  Florida,  in  the  bay  of  Spiritu  Santii, 
or  Tampa  bay. 

De  Soto  entered  upon  his  march  into  the  interior  with  a  deter- 
mination to  succeed.  From  June  till  Movember  of  1539,  the 
Spaniards  toiled  along  until  they  reached  the  neighborhood  of 
Appalachee  bay.  During  the  next  season,  1540,  they  followed 
tlie  course  suggested  by  the  Florida  Indians,  who  wished  them 
out  of  their  country,  and  going  to  the  north-east,  crossed  the 
rivers  and  climbed  the  mountains  of  Georgia.  De  Soto  was  a 
stern,  severe  man,  arid  none  dared  to  murmur.  De  Soto  passed 
the  winter  with  his  little  band  near  the  Yazoo.  In  April,  1541, 
the  resolute  Spaniard  set  forward,  and  upon  the  first  of  May 
reached  the  banks  of  the  great  river  of  the  West,  not  far  from 
the  35th  parallel  of  latitude.* 

A  mouth  was  spent  in  preparing  barges  to  convey  the  horses, 
many  of  which  still  lived,  across  the  rapid  stream.  Having 
successfully  passed  it,  the  explorers  pursued  their  way  north- 
ward, into  the  neighborhood  of  New  Madrid  ;  then  turning 
westward  again,  marched  more  than  two  hundred  miles  from  the 
Mississippi  to  the  highlands  of  White  river  ;  and  still  no  gold, 
no  gems,  no  cities — only  bare  prairies,  and  tangled  forests,  and 
deep  morasses.  To  the  south  again  they  toiled  on,  and  passed 
their  third  winter  of  wandering  upon  the  Washita.  In  the  fol- 
lowing spring  (1.542),  De  Soto,  weary  with  hope  long  deferred, 
descended  the  Washita  to  its  junction  with  the  Mississippi.  He 
heard,  when  he  reached  the  mighty  stream  of  the  west,  that  its 
lower  portion  flowed  through  endless  and  uninhabitable  swamps. 

The  news  sank  deep  into  the  stout  heart  of  the  disappointed 
warrior.  His  health  yielded  to  the  contests  of  his  mind  and  the 
influence  of  the  climate.  He  appointed  a  successor,  and  on  the 
21st  of  May  died.  His  body  was  sunk  in  the  stream  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi. Deprived  of  their  energetic  leader,  the  Spaniards 
determined  to  try  to  reach  Mexico  by  land.  After  some  time 
spent  in  wandering  through  the  forests,  despairing  of  success  in 
the  attempt  to  rescue  themselves  by  land,  they  proceeded  to  pre- 
pare such  vessels  as  they  could  to  take  them  to  sea.  From 
January  to  July,  1543,  the  weak,  sickly  band  of  gold-seekers 
labored  at  the  doleful  task,  and  in  Jul)'  reached,  iu  the  vessels 
thus  built,  the  Gulf  of  Me.^cieo,  and  by  September  entered  the 
river  Paunco.  One-half  of  the  six  hundred  f  who  had  disem- 
barked with  De  Soto,  so  gay  in  steel  and  silk,  left  their  bones 
among  the  mountains  and  in  the  morasses  of  the  South,  from 
Georgia  to  Arkansas 

De  Soto  founded  no  settlements,  produced  no  results,  and  left 
no  traces,  unless  it  were  that  he  awakened  the  hostilitj*  of  the 
red  man  against  the  white  man,  and  disheartened  such  as  might 
desire  to  follow  up  the  career  of  discovery  for  better  purposes. 
The  French  nation  were  eager  and  ready  to  seize  upon  any  news 
from  this  extensive  domain,  and  were  the  first  to  profit  bv  De 
Soto's  defeat.  As  it  was,  for  more  than  a  century  after  the 
expedition,  the  west  remained  utterly  unknown  to  the  whites. 

The  French  were  the  first  Europeans  to  make  settlements  on 
the  St.  Lawrence  river  and  along  the  great  lakfs.  Quebec  was 
fiiunded  by  Sir  Samuel  Champlain  in  IfiOS,  and  in  1609,  when 
Sir  Henry  Hudson  was  exploring  the   noble  river  which  bears 


>  De  Soto  probably  was  at  the  lo 
i3=issippi  Rio  Grande,  Great  Ri^ 


his  name,  Champlain  ascended  the  Sorelle  river,  and  discovered, 
embosomed  between  the  Green  mountains,  or  "  Verdmont,"  as 
the  chivalrous  and  poetic  Frenchman  called  them,  and  the  Adi- 
rondacks,  the  beautiful  sheet  of  water  to  which  his  name  is 
indissolubly  attached.     In  1613  he  founded  Montreal. 

During  the  period  elapsing  between  the  years  1607  and  1664, 
the  English,  Dutch,  and  Swedes  alternately  held  possession  of 
portions  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  jealously  watching  one  another, 
and  often  involved  in  bitter  controversy,  and  not  seldom  in  open 
battle,  until,  in  the  latter  year,  the  English  became  the  Sole 
rulers,  and  maintained  their  rights  until  the  era  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, when  they  in  turn  were  compelled  to  yield  to  the  growing 
power  of  their  colonies,  and  retire  from  the  field. 

The  French  movements,  from  the  first  settlement  at  Quebec, 
and  thence  westward,  were  led  by  the  Catholic  missionaries.  Le 
Caron,  a  Franciscan  friar,  who  had  been  the  companion  and 
friend  of  Champlain,  was  the  first  to  penetrate  the  western  wilds, 
which  he  did  in  1616*  in  a  birch  canoe,  exploring  Lake  Huron 
and  its  tributaries.     This  was  four  years  before  the  Pilgrims 


"Moore J  their  barl;  ( 


ildKeM-Englamislic 


Under  the  patronage  of  Louis  XIII.,  the  Jesuits  took  the  ad- 
vance, and  began  vigorously  the  work  of  Christianizing  the 
savages  in  1632. 

In  1634,  three  Jesuit  missionaries,  Brebeuf,  Daniel,  and  Lal- 
lemand,  planted  a  mission  on  the  shores  of  tlie  lake  of  the 
Iroquois  fprobably  the  modern  Lake  Simcoe\  and  also  esta- 
blished others  along  the  eastern  border  of  Lake  Huron. 

From  a  map  published  in  1660,  it  would  a])pear  that  the 
French  had,  at  that  date,  become  quite  familiar  with  the  region 
from  Kiagara  to  the  head  of  Lake  Superior,  ijicluding  consider- 
able portions  of  Lake  Michigan. 

In  1641,  Fathers  Jogues  and  Raymbault  embarked  on  the  Pene- 
tanguishine  Bay  for  the  Sault  St.  Marie,  where  they  arrived 
after  a  passage  of  seventeen  days.  A  crowd  of  two  thousand 
natives  met  them,  and  a  great  council  was  held.  At  this  meet- 
ing the  French  first  heard  of  many  nations  dwelling  beyond  the 
great  lakes. 

Father  Raymbault  died  in  the  wilderness  in  1642,  while 
enthusiastically  pursuing  his  discoveries.  The  same  year,  Jogues 
and  Bressani  were  captured  by  the  Indians  and  tortured,  and  in 
1648  the  mission  which  had  been  founded  at  St.  Joseph  was 
taken  and  destroyed,  and  Father  Daniel  slain.  In  1649,  the 
missions  St.  Louis  and  St.  Ignatius  were  also  destroyed,  and 
{  Fathers  Brebeuf  and  Lalleniand  barbarously  tortured  by  the 
'  same  terrible  and  unrelenting  enemy.  Literally  did  those 
zealous  missionaries  of  the  Romish  Church  "  take  their  lives  in 
their  hands,"  and  lay  them  a  willing  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of 
their  faith. 

It  is  stated  b}'  some  writer  that,  in  1654,  two  fur-traders  ac- 
companied a  baud  of  Ottawns  on  a  journey  of  five  hundred 
leagues  to  the  west.  They  were  absent  two  years,  and  on  their 
return  brought  with  them  fifty  canoes  and  two  hundred  and  fifty 
Indians  to  the  French  trading  posts. 
;  They  related  wonderful  tales  of  the  countries  they  had  seen, 
and  the  various  red  nations  they  had  visited,  and  described  the 
lofty  mountains  and  mighty  rivers  in  glowing  terms.     A  new 


t  De  Biadna  says  there  Jan  Jed  620  r 


♦Western  .\nnals. 


UISTOEY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


■impulse  was  given  to  tiie  spirit  of  adventure,  and  scouts  and 
traders  swarmed  the  frontiers  and  explored  the  great  lakes  and 
adjacent  country,  and  a  party  wintered  in  16o9-t>0  on  the  south 
shore  of  Lake  Superior. 

In  1600  Father  Mesnard  was  sent  out  by  the  Bishop  of 
Quebec,  and  visited  Lake  Superior  in  October  of  that  year. 
While  crossing  the  Keeweenaw  Point  he  was  lost  in  the  wilder- 
ness and  never  afte  rwards  heard  from,  though  bis  cassock  and 
breviary  were  found  long  afterwards  among  the  Sioux. 

A  change  was  made  in  the  government  of  New  France  in 
16(35.  The  Company  of  the  Hundred  Associates,  who  had  ruled 
it  since  1632,  resigned  its  charter.  Tracy  was  made  Viceroy, 
Courcelles  Governor,  and  Talon  Intendent.*  This  was  called 
the  Government  of  the  West  Indies. 

The  Jesuit  missions  were  taken  under  the  care  of  the  new  gov- 
ernment, and  thenceforward  became  the  leaders  in  the  movement 
to  Christianize  the  savages. 

In  the  same  year  (166.5)  Pierre  Claude  Alloiiez  was  sent  out 
by  way  of  the  Ottawa  river  to  the  far  west,  via  the  Sault  St. 
Marie  and  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  where  he  landed  at 
the  bay  of  Chegoimegon.  Here  he  found  the  chief  village  of 
the  Chippewas,  and  established  a  mission.  He  also  made  an 
alliance  with  them  and  the  Sac>s,  Fo.'ces  and  Iltlnoiii,f  against 
the  formidable  Iroquois-  Alloiiez,  the  next  year  (1666)  visited 
the  western  end  of  the  great  lake,  where  he  met  the  Sioux,  and 
from  them  first  learned  of  the  Mississippi  river,  which  they 
called  "Messipi."     From  thence  he  returned  to  Quebec. 

In  1668  Claude  Dablon  and  Jacqnes  Marquette  established 
the  mission  at  the  Sault  called  St.  Marie,  and  during  the  next 
five  years  Alloiiez,  Dablon  and  Marquette  explored  the  region 
of  Lake  Superior  on  the  south  shore,  and  extending  to  Lake 
Michigan.  They  also  established  the  missions  of  Chegoimegon, 
^t.  Marie,  Mackinaw  and  Green  Bay. 

The  plan  of  exploring  the  Mississippi  probably  originated  with 
Marquette.  It  was  at  once  sanctioned  by  the  Intendent,  Talon, 
who  was  ambitious  to  extend  the  dominion  of  France  over  the 
whole  West. 

In  1670  Nicholas  Perot  was  sent  to  the  West  to  propose  a 
congress  of  all  the  nations  and  tribes  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
lakes ;  and,  in  1671,  a  great  council  was  held  at  SaultSt.  Marie, 
at  which  the  Cross  was  set  up,  and  the  nations  of  the  great 
North-west  were  taken  into  an  alliance,  with  much  pomp  and 
ceremony. 

On  the  1.3th  of  May,  1673,  Marqnette,  Joliet,  and  five  voi/ar/eurs, 
embarked  in  two  birch  canoes  at  Mackinaw  and  entered  Lake 
Michigan.  The  first  nation  they  visited  was  the  "  Folles-Avomes," 
or  nation  of  Wild  Oats,  since  known  as  the  Menomonies,  living 
around  the  "Bale  des  Puans,"  or  Green  Bay.  These  people, 
with  whom  Marquette  was  somewhat  acquainted,  endeavored  to 
persuade  the  adventurers  from  visiting  the  Mississippi.  They 
represented  the  Indians  on  the  great  river  as  being  blood-thirsty 
and  savage  in  the  extreme,  and  the  river  itself  as  being  in- 
habited by  monsters  which  would  devour  them  and  their  canoes 
together.]; 

*  The  duties  nf  Intendent  Included  a  supervision  of  the  policy,  Justice,  and  fiuaDce 
of  tile  province. 

tThe  meaning  of  tiiis  word  is  said  to  be  "  Men." 

tSee  legejid  of  the  great  bird,  the  terriiile  ••  Piasa."  that  devoured  men,  and  was 
only  overcome  by  the  sacrifice  of  a  brave  younjchief.  The  roclis  above  Alton,  Illin- 
ois, have  some  rude  representations  of  this  monster. 


Marquette  thanked  them  for  their  advice,  but  declined  to  be 
guided  by  it.  Passing  through  Green  Bay,  they  ascended  the 
Fox  River,  dragging  their  canoes  over  the  strong  rapids,  and 
visited  the  village,  where  they  fiiund  living  in  harmony  together 
tribes  of  the  Miarnii,  Mascoatens  *  and  Kikabeax,  or  Kickapoos. 
Leaving  this  point  on  the  10th  of  June,  they  made  the  portage 
to  the  "  Ouinconsin,"  and  ilescended  that  stream  to  tlie  Mis.sis- 
sippi,  which  they  enteretl  on  the  17th  with  a  joy,  as  Marquette 
says,  which  he  could  not  express."  f  . 

Sailing  down  the  Mississippi,  the  party  reached  the  Des 
Moines  River,  and,  according  to  some,  visited  an  Indian  village 
some  two  leagues  up  the  stream  Here  the  people  again  tried  to 
persuade  them  from  prosecuting  their  voyage  down  the  river. 
After  a  great  feast  and  a  dance,  and  a  night  passed  with  this 
hospitable  people,  they  proceeded  on  their  way,  escorted  by  six 
hundred  persons  to  their  canoes.  These  people  called  themselves 
Illinois,  or  mini.  The  name  of  their  tribe  was  Pcnuica,  and 
their  language  a  dialect  of  the  Algonquin. 

Leaving  these  savages,  they  proceeded  down  the  river.  Pass- 
ing the  wonderful  rocks,  which  still  excite  the  admiration  of  the 
traveler,  they  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  another  great  river,  the 
Pekitanoni,  or  Missouri  of  the  present  day.  Tliey  noticed  the 
condition  of  its  waters,  which  they  described  as  ''  muddy,  rush- 
ing and  noisy." 

Passing  a  great  rock,  J  they  came  to  the  Ouabouskir/on,  or 
Ohio.  Marquette  shows  this  river  very  small,  even  as  compared 
with  the  niiiwis.  From  the  Ohio  they  passed  as  far  down  as  the 
Akam.5ca,  or  Arkansas,  where  they  came  very  near  being  de- 
stroyed by  the  natives  ;  but  they  finally  pacified  them,  and,  on 
the  17th  of  July,  they  commenced  their  return  voyage. 

The  party  reached  Green  Bay  in  September  without  loss  or 
injury,  and  reported  their  discoveries,  which  were  among  the 
most  important  of  that  age.  Marquette  afterwards  returned  to 
Illinois,  and  preached  to  the  natives  until  1675. 

On  the  18th  of  May  of  that  year,  while  cruising  up  the  eastern 
coast  of  Lake  Michigan  with  a  party  of  boatmen,  he  landed  at 
the  mouth  of  a  stream  putting  into  the  lake  from  the  east,  since 
known  as  the  river  Marquette.  He  performed  mass,  and  went  a 
little  apart  to  pray,  and  being  gone  longer  than  his  companions 
deemed  necessary,  they  went  in  search  of  him,  and  found  him 
dead  where  he  had  knelt.     They  buried  him  in  the  sand. 

AVhile  this  distinguished  adventurer  was  pursuing  his  labors, 
two  other  men  were  preparing  to  follow  in  his  footsteps,  and 
make  still  further  explorations,  and,  if  possible,  more  important 
discoveries.  These  were  the  Chevalier  Robert  de  la  Salle  and 
Louis  Hennepin. 

La  Salle  was  a  native  of  Rouen,  in  Normandy.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  a  seminary  of  the  Jesuits,  and  designed  for  the  ministry, 
but,  for  reasons  unknown,  he  left  the  seminary  and  came  to 
Canada,  in  1667,  where  he  engaged  in  the  fur  trade. 

Like  nearly  every  intelligent  man,  be  became  intensely  inte- 
rested in  the  new  discoveries  of  the  West,  and  conceived  the  idea 
of  exploring  the  passage  to  the  great  South  Sea,  which  by  many 
was  believed  to  exist.  He  made  known  his  ideas  to  the  Govern- 
or-General, Count  Frontenac,  and  desired  his  co-operation.  The 
Governor  at  once  fell  in  with  his  views,  which  were  strength- 
ened by  the  reports  brought  back  by  Marquette  and  Joliet,  and 


«  Prairie  India 


t  Marquette's  journal. 


t  The  grand  tower. 


1^ 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


advised  La  Salle  to  apply  to  ths  King  of  France  in  person,  and 
gave  him  letters  of  introduction  to  the  great  Colbert,  then  Min- 
ister of  Finance  and  Marine.  Accordingly,  in  l(J7o,  he  returned 
to  France,  where  he  was  warmly  received  by  the  King  and 
nobility,  and  his  ideas  were  at  once  listened  to,  and  every  possi- 
ble favor  shown  to  him. 

He  was  made  a  Chevalier,  and  invested  with  the  seigniory  of 
Fort  Catarocouy,  or  Frontenac  (now  known  as  Kingston),  upju 
condition  that  he  would  rebuild  it,  as  he  proposed,  of  stone. 

Returning  to  Canada,  he  wrought  diligently  upon  the  fort 
until  1677,  when  he  again  visited  France  to  report  progress. 
He  was  received,  as  before,  with  fiivor,  and,  at  the  instance  of 
Colbert  and  his  son,  the  King  granted  him  new  letters  patent 
and  new  privileges.  Oa  the  14th  of  July,  167S,  be  sailed  from 
Rjchelle,  accompanied  by  thirty  man,  and  with  Tonti,  an  Italian, 
for  his  lieutenant.  They  arrived  at  Quebec  on  the  13th  of  Sep- 
tember, and  after  a  few  days'  delay,  proceeded  to  Frontenac. 
Father  Lewis  Hennepin,  a  Franciscan  friar,  of  the  Recollet  sect, 
was  quietly  working  in  Canada  on  La  Salle's  arrival.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  ambition,  and  much  interested  in  the  discoveries  of 
the  day.  He  was  appointed  by  his  religious  superiors  to  accom- 
pany the  expedition  fitting  out  for  La  Salle. 

Sending  agents  forward  to  prepare  the  Indians  for  his  coming, 
and  to  open  trade  with  them,  La  Salle  himself  embarked,  on  the 
18th  of  November,  in  a  little  brigantine  of  ten  tons,  to  cross 
Lake  Ontario.  This  was  the  first  ship  of  European  build  that 
ever  sailed  upon  this  fresh-water  sea.  Contrary  winds  made  the 
voyage  long  and  troublesome,  and  a  month  was  consumed  in 
beating  up  the  lake  to  the  Niagara  River.  Near  the  mouth  of 
this  river  the  Iroqmis  had  a  village,  and  here  La  Salle  con- 
structed the  first  fortification,  which  afterwards  grew  into  the 
famous  Fort  Niagara.  On  the  26th  of  January,  1679,  the  keel 
of  the  first  vessel  built  on  Lake  Erie  was  laid  at  the  mouth  of 
the  Cayuga  Creek,  on  the  American  side,  about  six  miles  above 
the  fiiUs. 

In  the  meantime  La  Salle  had  returned  to  Fort  Frontenac  to 
forward  supplies  for  his  forthcoming  vessel.  The  little  barque 
on  Lake  Ontario  was  wrecked  by  carelessness,  and  a  large 
amount  of  the  supplies  she  carried  was  lost.  On  the  7th  of  Au- 
gust, the  new  vessel  was  launched,  and  made  ready  to  sail.  She 
was  about  seventy  tons'  burden. 

La  Salle  christened  his  vessel  the  "Griffiu,"in  honor  of  the 
arms  of  Count  Froatenac.  Passing  across  Lake  Erie,  and  into 
the  small  lake,  which  they  named  St.  Clair,  they  entered  the 
broad  waters  of  Lake  Huron.  Here  they  encountered  heavy 
storms,  as  dreadful  as  those  upon  the  ocean,  and  after  a  most 
temi)sstuous  passage  they  took  refuge  in  the  roadstead  of  Michilli- 
mackiuac  (Mackinaw"),  on  the  27th  of  August.  La  Salle  remained 
at  this  point  until  the  middle  of  September,  busy  in  founding  a 
fort  and  constructing  a  trading-house,  when  he  went  forward 
upon  the  deep  waters  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  soon  after  cast 
anchor  in  Green  Bay.  Finding  here  a  large  quantity  of  furs  and 
peltries,  he  determined  to  load  his  vessel  and  send  her  back  to 
Niagara.  On  the  18th  of  September,  she  was  sent  under  charge 
of  a  pilot,  wdiile  La  Salle  himself,  with  fourteen  men,*  proceeded 
up  Lake  ilicbigan,  leisurely  examining  its  shores  and  noting 
everything  of  interest.     Tonti,  who  had  been  sent  to  look  after 


stragglers,  was  to  join  him  at  the  head  of  the  lake.  Prom  the 
19th  of  September  to  the  1st  of  November,  the  time  was  occupied 
in  the  voyage  up  this  inland  sea.  On  the  last-named  day.  La 
Salle  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Miamis,  now  St.  Joseph. 
Here  he  constructed  a  fort,  and  remained  nearly  a  month  wait, 
ing  for  tidings  of  his  vessel ;  but,  hearing  nothing,  he  determined 
to  push  on  before  the  winter  should  prevent  hira.  On  the  3d 
of  December,  leaving  ten  men  to  garrison  the  fort,  he  started 
overland  towards  the  head-waters  of  the  Illinois,  accompanied 
by  three  monks  and  twenty  men.  Ascending  the  St.  Joseph 
River,  he  crossed  a  short  portage  and  reached  the  The-a-ki-ki, 
since  corrupted  into  Kunkakee.  Embarking  on  this  sluggish 
stream,  they  came  shortly  to  the  Illinois,  and  soon  after  found  a 
village  of  the  Itlinois  Indians,  probably  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
rocky  bluffs,  a  few  miles  above  the  present  city  of  La  Salle,  Illi- 
nois. They  found  it  deserted,  but  the  Indians  had  quite  a 
quantity  of  maize  stored  here,  and  La  Salle,  being  short  of 
provisions,  helped  himself  to  what  he  required.  Passing 
down  the  stream,  the  party,  on  the  4th  of  January,  came  to  a 
lake,  probably  the  Lake  Peoria,  as  there  is  no  other  upon  this 
stream.  Here  they  found  a  great  number  of  natives,  who  were 
gentle  and  kind,  and  La  Salle  determined  to  construct  a  fort. 
It  stood  on  a  rise  of  ground  near  the  river,  and  was  named 
Creve-Cccur*  (broken-heart),  most  probably  on  account  of  the 
low  spirits  of  the  commander,  from  anxiety  for  his  vessel  and 
the  uncertainty  of  the  future.  Possibly  he  had  heard  of  the  loss 
of  the  "  Griffin,"  which  occurred  on  her  downward  trip  from 
Green  Bay  ;  most  probably  on  Lake  Huron.  He  remained  at 
the  Lake  Peoria  through  the  winter,  but  no  good  tidings  came, 
and  no  supplies.  His  men  were  discontented,  but  the  brave 
adventurer  never  gave  up  hope.  He  resolved  to  send  a  party  on 
a  voyage  of  exploration  up  the  Mississippi,  under  the  lead  of 
Father  Hennepin,  and  he  himself  would  proceed  on  foot  to  Niag- 
ara and  Frontenac,  to  raise  more  means  and  enlist  new  men ; 
while  Tonti,  his  lieutenant,  should  stay  at  the  fort,  which  they 
were  to  strengthen  in  the  meantime,  and  extend  their  intercourse 
with  the  Indians. 

Hennepin  started  on  his  voyage  on  the  last  day  of  February, 
1680,  and  La  Salle  soon  after,  with  a  few  attendants,  started  on 
his  perilous  journey  of  twelve  hundred  miles  by  the  way  of  the 
Illinois  River,  the  Miami,  and  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontario,  to 
Frontenac,  which  he  finally  reached  in  safety.  He  found  his 
worst  fears  realized.  The  "  Griffin  "  was  lost,  his  agents  had 
taken  advantage  of  his  absence,  and  his  creditors  had  seized  his 
goods.  But  he  knew  no  such  word  as  fail,  and  by  the  middle  of 
summer  he  was  again  on  his  way  with  men  and  supplies  for  his 
band  in  Illinois.  A  sad  disappointment  awaited  him.  He  found 
his  fort  deserted,  and  no  tidings  of  Tonti  and  his  men.  During 
La  Salle's  absence  the  Indians  had  become  jealous  of  the  French, 
and  they  had  been  attacked  and  harassed  even  by  the  Iroquois, 
who  came  the  long  distance  between  the  shores  of  Lake  Ontario 
and  the  Illinois  River  to  make  war  upon  the  more  peaceable 
tribes  dwelling  on  the  prairies.  Uncertain  of  any  assistance 
from  La  Salle,  and  apprehensive  of  a  general  war  with  the  sav- 
ages, Tonti,  in  September,  1680,  abandoiied  his  position  and  re- 
turned to  the  shores  of  the  lakes.  La  Salle  reached  the  post  on 
the   Illinois   in   December,  1680,  or  January,   1681.        Again 


'  Annals  of  Hie  West. 


HISTORY  OF  LE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


13 


bitterly  disappoiuted,  La  Salle  did  not  succumlj,  but  resolved  to 
return  to  Canada  and  start  anew.  Tl''-  he  did,  and  in  June  met 
his  lieutenant,  Touti,  at  Mackinaw. 

Hennepin  in  the  meanwhile  had  me^  ivith  .strange  adventures. 
After  leaving  Creve-Cceur,  he  reached  the  Mi.s.sissippi  in  seven 
days ;  but  his  way  was  so  obstructed  by  ice  that  he  was  until  the 
11th  of  April  reaching  the  Wisconsin  line.  Here  he  was  taken 
prisoner  by  some  northern  Indians,  who,  however,  treated  him 
kindly  and  took  him  and  his  companions  to  the  falls  of  St.  An- 
"thony,  which  they  reached  on  the  1st  of  JIay.  These  falls  Hen- 
nepin named  in  honor  of  his  patron  saint.  Hennepin  and  his 
companions  remained  here  for  three  months,  treated  very  kindly 
by  their  captors.  At  the  end  of  this  time  they  met  with  a  band 
of  French,  led  by  one  Sieur  de  Luth,  *  who,  in  pursuit  of  game 
and  trade,  had  penetrated  to  this  country  by  way  of  Lake  Su- 
perior. With  his  band  Hennepin  and  his  companions  returned 
to  the  borders  of  civilized  life  in  November,  1680,  just 
after  La  Salle  had  gone  back  to  the  wilderness.  Hennepin  re- 
turned to  France,  where,  in  1684,  he  published  a  narrative  of 
his  wonderful  adventures. 

Robert  D3  La  Salle,  whose  name  is  more  closely  connected 
with  the  explorations  of  the  Mississippi  than  that  of  any  other,  was 
the  next  to  descend  the  river  in  the  year  1682.  Formal  posses- 
sion was  taken  of  the  great  river  and  all  the  countries  bordering 
upon  it  or  its  tributaries  in  the  name  of  the  King. 

La  Salle  and  his  party  now  retraced  their  steps  towards  the 
north.  They  met  with  no  serious  trouble  until  they  reached  the 
Chicka.saw  Bluffs,  where  they  had  erected  a  fort  on  their  down- 
ward voyage,  and  named  it  Prudhomme.  Here  Xia  Salle  was 
taken  violently  sick.  Unable  to  proceed,  he  sent  forward  Tonti 
to  communicate  with  Count  Frontenaa.  La  Salle  himself  reached 
the  mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph  the  latter  part  of  September.  From 
that  point  he  sent  Father  Zenobe  with  his  dispatches  to  represent 
him  at  court,  while  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  fur  trade  and 
to  the  project  of  completing  a  fort,  which  he  named  St.  Louis, 
upon  the  Illinois  River.  The  precise  location  of  this  work  is  not 
known.  It  was  said  to  be  upon  a  rocky  bluff  two  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  high,  and  only  accessible  upon  one  side.  There  are  no 
bluffs  of  such  a  height  on  the  Illinois  River  answering  the  de- 
scription. It  may  have  been  on  the  rocky  bluff  above  La  Salle, 
where  the  rocks  are  perhaps  one  hundred  feet  in  height. 

Upon  the  completion  of  this  work  La  Salle  again  sailed  for 
France,  which  he  reached  on  the  loth  of  December,  1683.  A 
new  man.  La  Barre,  had  now  succeeded  Frontenac  as  Governor 
of  Canada.  This  man  was  unfriendly  towards  La  Salle,  and 
this,  with  other  untoward  circumstances,  no  doubt  led  him  to  at- 
tempt the  colonization  of  the  Mississippi  country  by  way  of  the 
mouth  of  the  river.  Notwithstanding  many  obstacles  were  in  his 
path,  he  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  grant  of  a  fleet  from  the 
King,  and  on  the  24th  of  July,  1684,  a  fleet  of  twenty-four  ves- 
sels sailed  from  Rochelle  to  America,  four  of  which  were  destined 
for  Louisiana,  and  carried  a  body  of  two  hundred  and  eighty 
people,  including  the  crews.  There  were  soldiers,  artificers,  and 
volunteers,  and  also  "  some  young  women."  Discord  soon  broke 
out  between  M.  de  Beaujeu  and  La  Salle,  and  grew  from  bad  to 
worse.  On  the  20th  of  December  they  reached  the  island  of  St. 
Domingo. 


Joutel  *  was  sent  out  with  this  party,  which  left  on  the  4th  of 
February,  and  traveled  eastward  three  days,  when  they  came  to 
a  great  stream  which  they  could  not  cross.  Here  they  made  sig- 
nals by  building  great  fires,  and  on  the  13th  two  of  the  vessels 
came  in  sight.  The  stream  was  sounded  and  the  vessels 
were  anchored  under  shelter.  But  again  misfortune  overtook 
L.i  Salle,  aud  the  vessel  was  wrecked,  and  the  bulk  of  the  sup- 
plies was  lost  At  this  juncture  M.  de  Beaujeu,  his  second  in 
command,  set  sail  and  returned  to  France.  La  Salle  now  con- 
structed a  rude  shelter  from  the  timbers  of  his  wrecked  vessel, 
placed  his  people  inside  of  it,  and  set  out  to  explore  the  sur- 
rounding country  in  hope  of  finding  the  Mississippi.  He  was,  of 
course,  disappointed ;  but  found  on  a  stream,  which  is  named  the 
Vaches,  a  good  site  for  a  fort-  He  at  once  removed  his  camp, 
and,  after  incredible  exertions,  constructed  a  fortification  suffi- 
cient to  protect  them  from  the  Indians.  This  fort  was  situated 
on  Matagorda  Bay,  within  the  present  limits  of  Texas,  and  was 
called  by  La  Salle  Fort  St.  Louis. 

Leaving  Joutel  to  complete  the  work  with  one  hundred  men, 
La  Salle  took  the  remainder  of  the  company  and  embarked 
on  the  river,  with  the  intention  of  proceeding  as  far  up  as  he 
could.  The  savages  soon  became  troublesome,  and  on  the  14th 
of  July  La  Salle  ordered  Joutel  to  join  him  with  his  whole  force. 
They  had  already  lost  several  of  their  best  men,  and  dangers 
threatened  them  on  every  side.  It  would  seem  from  the  histo- 
rian's account  of  the  expedition  that  La  Salle  began  to  erect 
another  fort,  and  also  that  he  became  morose  and  severe  in  his 
discipline,  so  much  so  as  to  get  the  ill  will  of  many  of  his  people. 
He  finally  resolved  to  advance  into  the  country,  but  whether 
with  the  view  of  returning  to  Canada  by  way  of  Illinois,  or  only 
for  the  purpose  of  making  further  discoveries,  Joutel  leaves  in 
doubt.  Giving  his  last  instructions,  he  left  the  fort  on  the  12th 
day  of  .January,  1687,  with  a  company  of  about  a  dozen  men, 
including  his  brother,  two  nephews.  Father  Anastasius,  a  Francis- 
can friar,  Joutel,  and  others,  and  moved  north-eastward,  as  is 
supposed,  until  the  17th  of"  March,  when  some  of  his  men,  who 
had  been  cherishing  revengeful  feelings  for  some  time,  waylaid 
the  Chevalier  and  shot  him  dead.  They  also  slew  one  of  his 
nephews  and  two  of  his  servants. 

This  deed  occurred  on  the  20tli  of  March,  on  a  stream  called 
Cenis. 

In  1687,  France  was  involved  in  a  long  aud  bloody  war.  The 
Leiigue  of  Augsburg  was  formed  by  the  Princes  of  the  Empire 
against  Louis  XIV.,  and  England,  Spain,  Holland,  Denmark, 
Sweden,  and  Savoy  took  up  arms,  and  Louis  found  himself  bat- 
tling with  nearly  the  whole  of  Europe,  and  only  Turkey  for  an 
ally.     This  war  ended  with  the  peace  of  Ryswick  in  1697. 

No  material  ehaage  took  place  in  America,  but  the  colonists 
were  harassed  and  many  of  their  people  killed  or  carried  cap- 
tives to  the  Canadas.  In  1688,  the  French  possessions  in  North 
America  included  nearly  the  whole  of  the  continent  north  of  the 
St.  Lawrence,  and  the  entire  valley  of  the  Mississippi ;  and  they 
had  begun  to  establish  a  line  of  fortifications  extending  from 
Quebec  to  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  between  which  points 
they  had  three  great  lines  of  communication,  to  wit:  b)'  way  of 
Mackinaw,  Green  Bay,  and  the  AVisconsiu  River ;  by  way  of 
Lake  Michigan,  the  Kankakee  and  Illinois  Rivers ;  and  by  way 

•Joutel,  historian  of  the  voyage,  accompanied  La  Sulle.  and  subsequently  wrote 
his  "Journal  Hisiorique,"  which  was  published  in  Paris,  1713. 


14 


HISTORY  OF  DE   WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


of  Lake  Erie,  the  Maumee  and  Wabash  Rivers,  aud  were  pre- 
paring  to  explore  the  Ohio  as  a  fourth  route. 

lu  1699,  D'Iberville,  under  the  authority  of  the  crown,  disco- 
vered, ou  the  second  of  March,  by  way  of  the  sea,  the  mouth  of 
the  "  Hidden  River."  This  majestic  stream  was  called  by  the 
natives  "  Malbouchia,"  and  by  the  Spaniards,  "  La  Palissade," 
from  the  great  number  of  trees  about  its  mouth.  After  travers- 
ing the  several  outlets,  and  satisfying  himself  as  to  its  certainty, 
he  erected  a  fort  near  its  western  outlet,  and  returned  to  France. 
An  avenue  of  trade  was  now  opened  out,  which  was  fully  im- 
proved. 

At  this  time  a  census  of  New  France  showed  a  total  popula- 
tion of  eleven  thousand  two  hundred  and  forty-nine  Europeans. 
War  again  broke  out  in  1701,  aud  extended  over  a  period  of 
twelve  years,  ending  with  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  in  1713.  This 
also  extended  to  the  American  Colonies,  and  its  close  left  every- 
thing as  before,  with  the  exception  that  Nova  Scotia  was  cap- 
tured in  1710. 

In  171S,  New  Orleans  was  laid  out  and  settled  by  some 
European  colonists.  In  1762,  the  colony  was  made  over  to 
Spain,  to  be  regained  by  France,  under  the  consulate  of  Napo- 
leon. 

In  1803,  it  was  purchased  by  the  United  States,  for  the  sum 
of  fifteen  million  dollars,  and  the  territory  of  Louisiana  and  the 
commerce  of  the  Mississippi  river,  came  under  the  charge  of  the 
United  States.  Although  La  Salle's  labors  ended  in  defeat  and 
death,  he  had  not  worked  and  suffered  in  vaiu.  He  had  thrown 
open  to  France  and  the  world  an  immense  and  most  valuable 
country.  Had  established  several  ports,  and  laid  the  foundation 
of  more  than  one  settlement  there.  "  Peoria,  Kaskaskia  and  Ca- 
hokia  are  to  this  day  monuments  of  La  Salle's  labors  ;  for, 
though  he  had  founded  neither  of  them  (unless  Peoria,  which 
was  built  nearly  upon  the  site  of  Fort  Crevecceur),  it  was  by  those 
he  led  into  the  west  that  these  places  were  peopled  and  civilized. 
He  was,  if  not  the  discoverer,  the  first  settler  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley,  and  as  such  deserves  to  be  known  and  honored."* 

The  French  early  improved  the  opening  made  for  them,  and 
before  1693,  the  Reverend  Father  Gravier  began  a  mission 
among  the  Illinois,  and  became  the  founder  of  Kaskaskia.  For 
some  time  it  was  merely  a  missionary  station,  and  the  inhabitants 
of  the  village  consisted  entirely  of  natives  ;  it  being  one  of  three 
such  villages,  the  other  two  being  Cahokia  and  Peoria.  This  we 
learn  from  a  letter  written  by  Father  Gabriel  JNIarest,  dated 
"  Aux  Casoaskias,  Autrement  dit  de  I'lmmaculee  concepcion  dc 
la  Sainte  Vierge,  le  9  Novembre,  1712."  In  this  letter,  the 
■writer  tells  us  that  Gravier  must  be  regarded  as  the  founder  of 
the  Illinois  missions.  Soon  after  the  founding  of  Kaskaskia,  the 
missionary,  Pinet,  gathered  a  flock  at  Cahokia.f  while  Peoria 
arose  near  the  remains  of  Fort  Crevecreur.;); 

An  unsuccessful  attempt  was  also  made  to  found  a  colony  on 
the  Ohio.     It  failed  in  consequence  of  sickness. § 

In  the  north,  De  La  Motte  Cadillac,  in  June,  1701,  laid  the 


•  The  aiUhori 

iesin 

elation  to  La  Salle 

are  Hen 

epin  : 

a  n 

rrative 

pi.Wi 

shed  in 

he  name  of  To 
Sdifiantes). 

nti,   in 

1097 

but 

disclairc 

ed  by  h 

m.   (Charle 

roil  i,i 

3f^.- 

-Lettres 

t  Bancroft,  iii 

196. 

t  There  was  ar 

Old  P 

oria 

on  Iht 

North- 

vest  shor 

e  of thf 

lak 

e  o'f  thai  nam 

,  a  mile 

indahalf  ahove 

theou 

tlet. 

Frorr 

177S  to 

1796  the  1 

nhabita 

nts 

ea  this 

for  ^ 

ew  Peo- 

ia,  (Fort  Clark) 

at  the 

jutle 

Am 

rican  State  Pape 

s,  xviii 

476 

2  Western  Annnla^ 

foundation  of  Fort  Pontchartrain,  on  the  strait,  (le  Detroit),* 
while  in  the  southwest  efforts  were  making  to  realize  the  dreams 
of  La  Salle.  The  leader  in  the  last  named  enterprise  was  Le- 
moine  D'Iberville,  a  Canadian  ofiicer,  who  from  1694  to  1697 
distinguished  himself  not  a  little  by  battles  and  conquests  among 
the  icebergs  of  the  "  Baye  D'Udson  or  Hudson's  Bay." 

The  post  at  Vincenues,  on  the  Oubache  river,  (pronounced 
Wa-bii,  meaning  summer  cloud  moving  swiftly),  was  established 
in  1702.  It  is  quite  probable  that  on  La  Salle's  last  trip  he 
established  the  stations  at  Kaskaskia  and  Cahokia.  Until  the 
year  1750,  but  little  is  known  of  the  settlements  in  the  north- 
west, as  it  was  not  until  this  time  that  the  attention  of  the 
English  was  called  to  the  occupation  of  this  portion  of  the  new 
world,  which  they  then  supposed  they  owned.  Vivier,  a  mission- 
ary among  the  Illinois,  writing  "  Aux  Illinois,"  six  leagues  from 
Fort  Chartres,  June  8th,  1750,  says  :  "  We  have  here  whites, 
negroes,  and  Indians,  to  say  nothing  of  the  cross-breeds.  There 
are  five  French  villages,  and  three  villages  of  the  natives  within 
a  space  of  twenty-one  leagues,  situated  between  the  Mississippi 
and  another  river,  called  the  Karkadiad  ( Kaskaskia).  In  the 
five  French  villages  are,  perhaps,  eleven  hundred  whites,  three 
hundred  blacks,  and  some  sixty  red  slaves  or  savages.  The 
three  Illinois  towns  do  not  contain  more  than  eight  hundred 
souls  all  told.f  Most  of  the  French  till  the  soil.  They  raise 
wheat,  cattle,  pigs  and  horses,  and  live  like  jirinces.  Three 
times  as  much  is  produced  as  can  be  consumed,  and  great  quan- 
tities of  grain  and  flour  are  sent  to  New  Orleans." 

Again,  in  an  epistle  dated  November  17th,  1750,  Vivier  .says: 
"  For  fifteen  leagues  above  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  one  sees 
no  dwellings  *  *  *  *  New  Orleans  contains  black,  white  and 
red,  not  more,  I  think,  than  twelve  hundred  persons.  To  this 
point  come  all  kinds  of  lumber,  bricks,  salt-beef,  tallow,  tar,  skins, 
and  bear's  grease;  and  above  all  pork  and  flour  from  the  Illinois. 
These  things  create  some  commerce,  as  forty  vessels  and  more 
have  come  hither  this  year.  Above  New  Orleans  plantations  are 
again  met  with  ;  the  most  considerable  is  a  colony  of  Germans, 
some  ten  leagues  up  the  river.  At  Point  Coupee,  thirty-five 
leagues  above  the  German  settlement,  is  a  fort.  Along  here, 
within  five  or  six  leagues,  are  not  less  than  sixty  habitations. 
Fifty  leagues  farther  up  is  the  Natchez  post,  where  we  have  a 
garrison." 

Father  Marest,  writing  from  the  po.st  at  Vincennes,  maizes  the 
same  observation.  Vivier  also  says,  "  Some  individuals  dig  lead 
near  the  surface,  and  supply  the  Indians  and  Canada.  Two 
Spaniards,  now  here,  who  claim  to  be  adepts,  say  that  our  mines 
are  like  those  of  Mexico,  and  that  if  we  would  dig  deeper  wo 
would  find  silver  under  the  lead  ;  at  any  rate  the  lead  is  excellent. 
There  are  also  in  this  country,  beyond  doubt,  copper  mines,  as 
from  time  to  time,  large  pieces  have  been  found  in  the  streams."]; 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1750,  the  French  occupied  in  addition 
to  the  lower  Mississippi  posts  and  those  in  Illinois,  one  at  Du 
Quesne,  one  at  the  Maumee,  in  the  country  of  the  Miamis,  and 
one  at  Sandusky,  in  what  may  be  termed  the  Ohio  Valley.  In 
the  northern  part  of  the  north-west,  they  had  stations  at  St. 
Joseph's,  on  the  St.  Joseph's  of  Lake  Michigan,  at  Fort  Pont- 

•  Charlevoix,  ii.  284.  Le  Detroit  was  the  whole  strait  from  Erie  to  Huron.  The 
first  grants  of  land  at  Detroit,  i.  c.  Fort  Pontchartrain,  were  made  in  1707 

t  Lettres  Edifiantes  (Paris,  1781),  rii.  97-108. 
t  Western  Annals. 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


15 


chartrain  (Detroit),  at  Michillimackinac  or  Massillimacinac, 
Fox  Eiver  of  Green  Bay,  and  at  Sault  Ste.lMarie.  The  fondest 
dreams  of  La  Salle  were  now  fully  realized.  The  French  alone 
were  possessors  of  this  vast  realm,  basing  their  claim  on  discovery 
and  settlement.  Another  nation,  however,  was  now  turning  its 
attention  to  this  extensive  country,  and  learning  of  its  wealth 
began  to  lay  plans  for  occupying  it  and  for  securing  the  great 
profits  arising  therefrom. 

The  French,  however,  had  another  claim  to  this  country, 
namely,  the 

DISCOVERY   OP   THE   OHIO. 

The  largest  branch  of  the  Mississippi  river  from  the  east, 
known  to  the  early  French  settlers  as  la  belle-  rieiere,  called 
"  beautiful  "  river,  was  discovered  by  Robert,  Cavalier  de  La 
Salie,  in  1659.  While  La  Salle  was  at  his  trading  post  on  the 
St.  Lawrence,  he  found  leisure  to  study  nine  Indian  dialects,  the 
chief  of  which  was  the  Iroquois.  While  conversing  with  some 
Senecas,  he  learned  of  a  river  called  the  Ohio,  which  rose  in  their 
country  and  flowed  to  the  sea. 

In  this  statement  tlie  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries  were  con- 
sidered as  one  stream.  La  Salle,  believing  as  most  of  the  French 
at  that  period  did,  that  the  great  rivers  flowing  west  emptied  into 
the  Sea  of  California,  was  anxious  to  embark  in  the  enterprise  of 
discovering  a  route  across  the  continent.  He  repaired  at  once  to 
Quebec  to  obtain  the  approval  of  the  Governor  and  the  Intend- 
ent.  Talon.  They  issued  letters  patent,  authorizing  the  enter- 
prise, but  made  no  provisions  to  defray  the  expenses. 

At  this  juncture  the  seminary  St.  Sulpice  decided  to  send  out 
-missionaries  in  connection  with  the  expedition,  and  La  Salle 
offering  to  sell  his  improvements  at  La  Chive  to  raise  the  money, 
the  offer  was  accepted  by  the  Superior,  and  tsvo  th  lusand  eight 
hundred  dollars  were  raised,  with  which  La  Salle  purchased  four 
canoes  and  the  necessary  supplies  for  the  outfit. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  1669,  the  party,  numbering  twenty-four 
persons,  embarked  in  seven  canoes  on  the  St.  Lawrence.  Two 
adilitional  canoes  carried  the  Indian  guides. 

In  three  days  they  were  gliding  over  the  bosom  of  Lake  On- 
tario. Their  guides  conducted  them  directly  to  the  Seneca  vil- 
lage on  the  bank  of  the  Genesee,  in  the  viciuity  of  the  present 
city  of  Rochester,  New  York.  Here  they  expected  to  procure 
guides  to  conduct  them  to  the  Ohio,  but  in  this  they  were  disap- 
pointed. After  waiting  a  month  in  the  hope  of  gaining  their 
object,  they  met  an  Indian  from  the  Iroquois  colony,  at  the  head 
of  Lake  Ontario,  who  assured  them  they  could  find  guides,  and 
offered  to  conduct  them  thence.  On  their  way  they  passed  the 
mouth  of  Niagara  river,  when  they  heard  for  the  first  time  the 
distant  thunder  of  the  cataract.  Arriving  among  the  Iroquois 
they  met  with  a  friendly  reception,  and  learned  from  a  Shawnee 
prisoner  that  they  could  reach  the  Ohio  in  six  week.s.  Delighted 
with  the  unexpected  good  fortune,  they  made  ready  to  resume 
their  journey,  and  as  they  were  about  to  start  they  heard  of  the 
arrival  of  two  Frenchmen  in  a  neighboring  village.  One  of  them 
proved  to  be  Louis  Joliet,  afterwards  famous  as  an  explorer  in 
the  west.  He  had  been  sent  by  the  Canadian  government  to  ex- 
plore the  copper  mines  on  Lake  Superior,  but  had  failed  and  was 
on  his  way  back  to  Quebec. 

On  arriving  at  Lake  Superior,  they  found,  as  La  Salle  had 
predicted,  the  Jesuit  fathers,  Marquette  and  Dablon,  occupying 


the  field.  After  parting  with  the  priests.  La  Salle  went  to  the 
chief  Iroquois  village  at  Onondago,  where  he  obtained  guides 
and  passing  thence  to  a  tributary  of  the  Ohio  south  of  Lake 
Erie,  he  descended  the  latter  as  far  as  the  falls  of  Louisville. 
Thus  was  the  Ohio  discovered  by  La  Salle,  the  persevering  and 
successful  French  explorer  of  the  west  in  1669. 

When  Washington  was  sent  out  by  the  colony  of  Virginia  in 
17.5.3,  to  demand  of  Gordeur  de  St.  Pierre  why  the  French  had 
built  a  fort  on  the  Monongahela,  the  haughty  commandant  at 
Quebec  replied:  "  We  claim  the  country  on  the  Ohio  by  virtue 
of  the  discoveries  of  La  Salle,  and  will  not  give  it  up  to  the 
English.  Our  orders  are  to  make  prisoners  of  every  Englishman 
found  trading  in  the  Ohio  valley." 

ENGLISH    EXPLORATIONS   AND    SETTLEMENTS. 

We  have  sketched  the  progress  of  French  discovery  in  the 
Talley  of  the  Mississippi.  The  first  travelers  reached  that  river 
in  1673,  aud  when  the  year  1750  broke  in  upon  the  father  of 
waters  and  the  great  north-west,  all  was  still  except  those  little 
spots  upon  the  prairies  of  Illinois  and  among  the  marshes  of 
Louisiana. 

Volney,  by  conjecture,  fixes  the  settlement  of  Vincennes  about 
17.S5.*  Bishop  Brute,  of  Indiana,  speaks  of  a  missionary  station 
there  in  1700,  and  adds :  "  The  friendly  tribes  and  traders  called 
to  Canada  for  protection,  and  then  M.  De  Vincennes  came  with 
a  detachment,  I  think,  of  Carignau,  and  was  killed  in  1735."  "j" 
Bancroft  says  a  military  establishment  was  formed  there  in  1716, 
and  in  1742  a  settlement  of  herdsmen  took  place.  J  In  a  petition 
of  the  old  inhabitants  at  Vincennes,  dated  in  November,  1793, 
we  find  the  settlement  spoken  of  as  having  been  made  before 
1742.  §  And  such  is  the  general  voice  of  tradition.  On  the 
other  hand,  Charlevoix,  who  records  the  death  of  Vincennes, 
which  took  jjlace  amoug  the  Chickasaws,  in  1736,  makes  no 
mention  of  any  post  on  the  Wabash,  or  any  missionary  station 
there.  Neither  does  he  mark  any  upon  his  map,  although  he 
gives  even  the  British  forts  upon  the  Tennessee  and  elsewhere. 
Such  is  the  character  of  the  proof  relative  to  the  settlement  of 
Vincennes. 

Hennepin,  in  1663-4,  had  heard  of  the  "  Hohio."  The  route 
from  the  lakes  to  the  Mississippi,  by  the  Wabash,  was  explored 
1676,  II  and  in  Hennepin's  volume  of  1698,  is  a  journal,  said  to 
be  that  sent  by  La  Salle  to  Count  Frontenac,  in  1682  or  '83, 
which  mentions  the  route  by  the  Maumee^  aud  Wabash  as  the 
most  direct  to  the  great  western  river. 

In  1749,  when  the  English  first  began  to  think  seriously  of 
sending  men  into  the  west,  the  greater  portions  of  the  states  of 
Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  and  Minnesota 
were  yet  under  the  dominion  of  the  red  men.  The  English  knew 
however,  of  the  nature  of  the  vast  wealth  of  these  wilds. 

In  the  year  1710,  Governor  Spotswood,  of  Virginia,  had  ma- 
tured a  plan  and  commenced  movements,  the  objectof  which  was 
to  secure  the  country  beyond  the  Alleghenies  to  the  English 
crown.  In  Pennsylvania,  also.  Governor  Keith  and  James  Lo- 
gan, Secretary  of  the  Province  from  1719  to  1731,  represented 
to  the  powers  of  England  the  necessity  of  taking  steps  to  secure 
the  western  lands.     Nothing,  however,  was  done  by  the  mother 

*  Volney's  View,  p.  336.  t 

g  American  Sfate  Papers,  Kvi  .  ".: 
^  Now  called  .^Uami. 


IG 


EISrORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUA'TY,  ILLINOIS. 


country,  except  to  take  certain  diplomatic  steps  to  secure  the 
claim  of  Britain  to  this  unexplored  wilderness.  England  had 
from  the  outset  claimed  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  on  the 
ground  that  the  discovery  and  possession  of  the  sea  coast  was  a 
discovery  and  possession  of  the  country ;  and  as  is  well  known, 
her  grants  to  Virginia,  Connecticut,  and  other  colonies,  were 
through  from  "  sea  to  sea."  This  was  not  all  her  claims  ;  she  had 
purchased  from  the  Indian  tribes  large  tracts  of  land.  This  was 
also  a  strong  argument. 

In  the  year  1684,  Lord  Howard.  Governor  of  Virginia,  held  a 
treaty  with  the  five  nations  at  Albany.  These  were  the  great 
Northern  Confederacy,  and  comprised  at  first  the  Mohawks, 
Oneidas,  Onondagas,  Cayugas,  and  Senecas.  Afterward  the 
Tuscaroras  were  taken  into  the  confederacy,  and  it  became  known 
as  the  six  nations.  They  came  under  the  protection  of  the 
mother  country,  and  again  in  1701  they  repeated  the  agreement. 
Another  formal  deed  was  drawn  up  and  signed  by  the  chiefs  of 
the  National  Confederacy  in  1726,  by  which  their  lands  were 
conveyed  in  trust  to  England,  "  to  be  protected  and  defended  by 
his  majesty,  to  and  for  the  use  of  the  grantors  and  their  heirs." 
The  validity  of  this  claim  has  often  been  disputed,  but  never 
successfully.  In  177-1,  a  purchase  was  made  at  Lancaster  of 
certain  lands  within  the  '■  colony  of  Virginia,"  for  which  the  In- 
dians received  i."200  in  gold  and  a  like  sum  in  goods,  with  a 
promise  that  as  settlements  increased,  more  should  be  paid.  The 
commissioners  from  Virginia  at  the  treaty  were  Col.  Thomas  Lee 
and  Col.  William  Beverly. 

As  settlements  extended,  and  the  Indians  begau  to  complain, 
the  promise  of  further  pay  was  called  to  mind,  and  Mr.  Conrad 
Weiser  was  sent  across  the  Alleghenies  to  Logstowu.  In  1784,* 
Col.  Lee  and  some  Virginians  accompanied  him,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  ascertaining  the  feelings  of  the  Indians  with  regard  to 
further  settlements  in  the  west,  which  Col.  Lee  and  others  were 
contemplating.  The  object  of  these  proposed  settlements  was  not 
the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  but  the  monopoly  of  the  Indian  trade. 
Accordingly,  after  Weiser's  conference  with  the  Indians  at  Logs- 
town,  which  was  favorable  to  their  views,  Thomas  Lee,  with 
twelve  other  Virginians,  among  whom  were  Lawrence  and  Augus- 
tine, brothers  of  George  Washington,  and  also  Mr.  Hanbury,  of 
London,  formed  an  association  which  they  called  the  "  Ohio 
Company,"  and  in  1748  petitioned  the  king  for  a  grant  beyond 
tlie  mountains.  This  petition  was  approved  liy  the  English 
government,  and  the  government  of  Virginia  was  ordered  to 
grant  to  the  petitioners  half  a  million  of  acres  within  the  bounds 
of  that  colony  beyond  the  Alleghenies,  two  hundred  thousand  of 
which  were  to  be  located  at  once.  This  portion  was  to  be  held 
for  ten  years  free  of  quit-rent,  provided  the  company  would  put 
there  one  hundred  families  within  seven  years,  and  build  a  fort 
sufficient  to  protect  the  settlement.  The  company  accepted  the 
proposition,  and  sent  to  London  for  a  cargo  suited  to  the  Indian 
trade,  which  should  arrive  in  November,  1749.  Other  companies 
were  also  formed  about  this  time  in  Virginia  to  colonize  the  west. 
On  the  12th  of  June,  1749,  a  grant  of  800,000  acres  from  the 
line  of  Canada,  on  the  north  and  west,  was  made  to  the  Loyal 
Company,  and  on  the  29th  of  October,  1751,  another  of  100,000 
acres  to  the  Greenbriar  Company. t 

The  French  were  not  blind  all  this  time.     They  saw  that  if  the 


•  Plain  Facts,  pp.  4a,  120. 


t  Revised  Stalules  of  Virginia 


British  once  obtained  a  stronghold  upon  the  Ohio,  they  might 
not  only  prevent  their  settlements  upon  it,  but  in  time  would 
come  to  the  lower  posts,  and  so  gain  possession  of  the  whole 
country.  Upon  the  10th  of  May,  1744,  Vaudreuil,  the  French 
governor,  well  knowing  the  consequences  that  must  arise  from 
allowing  the  English  to  build  trading  posts  in  the  north-west, 
seized  some  of  their  frontier  posts,  to  further  secure  the  claims  of 
the  French  to  the  west.  Having  these  fears,  and  seeing  the 
danger  of  the  late  movements  of  the  British,  Gallisoniere,  then 
Governor  of  Canada,  determined  to  place  along  the  Ohio  evi- 
dences of  the  French  claim  to,  and  possession  of,  the  country. 
For  that  purpose  he  sent,  in  the  summer  of  1749,  Louis  Celeron, 
with  a  party  of  soldiers,  to  place  plates  of  lead,  on  which  were 
written  out  the  claims  of  the  French,  in  the  mounds  and  at  the 
mouths  of  the  rivers.  These  were  heard  of  by  William  Trent, 
an  Indian  commissioner,  sent  out  by  Virginia  in  1752,  to  treat 
with  and  conciliate  the  Indians,  while  upon  the  Ohio,  and  men- 
tioned in  his  journal.  One  of  these  plates  was  found  with  the 
inscription  partly  defaced.  It  bears  date  August  16th,  1749,  and 
a  copy  of  the  inscription,  with  particular  account,  was  sent  by 
De  Witt  Clinton  to  the  American  Antiquarian  Society,  among 
whose  journals  it  may  now  be  found.  These  measures  did  not, 
however,  deter  the  English  from  going  on  with  their  explora- 
tions. /^ 

In  February,  1751,  Christopher  Gist  was'^sent  by  the  Ohio 
Company  to  examine  its  lands.  He  went  to  a  village  of  the 
Twigtwees,  on  the  Miami,  about  150  miles  above  its  mouth. 
From  there  he  went  down  the  Ohio  River  nearly  to  the  falls,  at 
the  present  city  of  Louisville,  and  in  November  he  commenced 
a  survey  of  the  company's  lands.  In  1751,  peueral  Andrew 
Lewis  commenced  some  surveys  in  the  Greeubrisr  country,  on 
behalf  of  the  company  already  mentioned.  Meanwhile  the 
French  were  busy  in  preparing  their  forts  for  defence,  and  in 
opening  roads.  In  1752  having  heard  of  the  trading  houses  on 
the  Miami  River,  they,  assisted  by  the  Ottawas  and  Chippewas, 
attacked  it,  and,  after  a  severe  battle,  in  which  fourteen  of  the 
natives  were  killed  and  others  wounded,  captured  the  garrison. 
The  traders  were  carried  away  to  Canada,  and  one  account  says 
several  were  burned.  This  fort,  or  trading  liouse  was  called  by 
the  English  writers  Pickawillauy.  A  memorial  of  the  king's 
ministers  refers  to  it  as  "  Pickawellanes,  in  the  center  of  the  terri- 
tory between  Ohio  and  the  Wabash."  This  was  the  fii'st  blood 
shed  between  the  French  and  English,  and  occurred  near  the 
present  city  of  Piqua,  Ohio.  The  English  were  determined  on 
their  part  to  purchase  a  title  from  the  Indians  of  lands  which 
they  wished  to  occujiy,  and  in  the  spring  of  1752,  Messrs.  Fry,"" 
Lomax  and  Patton,  were  sent  from  Virginia  to  hold  a  conference 
with  the  natives  at  Logstown,  to  learn  what  they  objected  to  in 
the  treaty  at  Lancaster,  and  to  settle  all  difficult)  %«.  On  the  9th 
June  the  commissioners  met  the  red  men  at  Logstown.  This 
was  a  village  seventeen  miles  below  Pittsburgh,  upon  the  north 
side  of  the  Ohio.  Here  had  been  a  trading  point  for  many  years, 
but  it  was  abandoned  by  the  Indians  in  1750.  At  first  the 
Indians  declined  to  recognize  the  treaty  of  Lancaster,  but  the 
commissioners  taking  aside  Montour,  the  interpreter,  who  was  a 
son  of  the  famous  Catherine  Montour,  and  a  oliief  among  the  six 
nations,  being  three-fourths  of  Indian  blood,  through  bis  influence 

*  Aftprwsrds  Commnnder-in-Cliief  over  Washington,  at  the  commencement  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


17 


an  agreement  was  effected,  and  upon  the  13th  of  June  they  all 
united  in  signing  a  deed,  confirming  the  Lancaster  treaty  in  its 
fullest  extent.  Meanwhile  the  powers  beyond  the  seas  were  try- 
ing to  out-inanoeuver  each  other,  and  were  professing  to  be  at 
peace.  The  English  generally  outwitted  the  Indians,  and  secured 
themselves,  as  they  thought,  by  their  politic  conduct.  But  the 
French,  in  this  as  in  all  cases,  proved  that  they  knew  best  how 
to  manage  the  natives.  While  these  measures  were  taken,  another 
treaty  with  the  wild  men  of  the  debatable  land  was  also  iu  con- 
templation. And  in  September,  1753,  William  Fairfax  met  their 
deputies  at  Winchester,  Virginia,  where  he  concluded  a  treaty. 
In  the  month  following,  however,  a  more  satisfactory  interview 
took  place  at  Carlisle,  between  the  representatives  of  the  Iroquois, 
Delawares,  Shawnees,  Twigtwees,  and  Wyandots,  and  the  com- 
missioners of  Pennsylvania,  Richard  Peters,  Isaac  Norris,  and 
Benjamin  Franklin.  Soon  after  this,  no  satisfaction  being 
obtained  from  the  Ohio,  either  as  to  the  force,  position,  or  pur- 
poses of  the  French,  Robert  Dinwiddle,  then  Governor  of  Vir- 
ginia, determined  to  send  to  them  another  messenger,  and  learn 
if  possible  their  intentions.  For  this  purpose  he  selected  a  young 
surveyor,  who,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  had  attained  the  rank  of 
major,  and  whose  previous  life  had  inured  him  to  hardships  and 
woodland  ways  ;  while  his  courage,  cool  judgment,  and  firm  will, 
all  fitted  him  for  such  a  mission.  This  personage  was  no  other 
than  the  illustrious  George  Washington,  who  then  held  consider- 
able in'erest  in  western  lands.  He  was  twenty-one  years  old  at 
the  time  of  the  appointment.*  Taking  Gist  as  a  guide,  the  two, 
accompanied  by  four  servitors,  set  out  on  their  perilous  march. 
They  left  Will's  Creek,  where  Cumberland  now  is,  on  the  loth 
of  November,  and  on  the  22d  reached  the  Monongahela,  about 
ten  miles  above  the  fork.  From  there  they  went  to  Logstown, 
where  Washington  had  a  long  conference  with  the  chiefs  of  the 
six  nations.  Here  he  learned  the  position  of  the  French,  and 
also  that  they  had  determined  not  to  come  down  the  river  until 
the  following  spring.  The  Indians  were  non-committal,  they 
deeming  a  neutral  position  the  safest.  Washington,  finding  no- 
thing could  be  done,  went  on  to  Venango,  an  old  Indian  town 
at  the  mouth  of  the  French  Creek.  Here  the  French  had  a  fort 
called  Fort  Machault.  On  the  11th  of  December  he  reached  the 
fort  at  the  head  of  French  Creek.  Here  he  delivered  Gover- 
nor Dinwiddle's  letter,  received  his  answer,  and  upon  the  IGth 
set  out  upon  his  return  journey  with  no  one  but  Gist,  his  guide, 
and  a  few  Indians  who  still  remained  true  to  him.  They  reached 
home  in  safety  on  the  6th  of  January,  17.54.  From  the  letter  of 
St.  Pierre,  commander  of  the  French  fort,  sent  by  Washington 
to  Governor  Dinwiddle,  it  was  perfectly  clear  that  the  French 
would  not  yield  the  West  without  a  struggle.  Active  preparations 
were  at  once  made  in  all  the  English  colonies  for  the  coming  con- 
flict, while  the  French  finished  their  fort  at  Venango  and  strength- 
ened their  lines  of  fortifications  to  be  in  readiness.  The  Old 
Dominion  was  all  alive.  Virginia  was  the  center  of  great  activities. 
Volunteers  were  called  for,  and  from  the  neigliboring  colonies 
men  rallied  to  the  conflict,  and  everywhere  along  the  Potomac 
men  were  enlisting  under  the  Governor's  proclamation, — which 
promised  two  hundred  thousand  acres  on  the  Ohio.  Along  this 
river  they  were  gathering  as  far  as  Will's  Creek,  and  far  beyond 
'.his  point,  whither  Trent  had  come  for  assistance,  for  liis  little 
oand  of  forty-one  men,  who  were  working  away  in  hunger  and 

♦Sparks'  Washington,  Vol.  ii.,  pp.  42S-H7. 


want,  to  fortify  that  point  at  the  fork  of  the  Ohio,  to  which  both 
parties  were  looking  with  deep  interest.  The  first  birds  of  spring 
filled  the  forest  with  their  songs.  The  swift  river  rolled  by  the 
Allegheny  hillsides,  swollen  by  the  melting  snows  of  spring  and 
April  showers.  The  leaves  were  appearing,  a  few  Indian  scouts 
were  seen,  but  no  enemy  seemed  near  at  hand,  and  all  was  so 
quiet  that  Frazier,  an  old  Indian  trader,  who  had  been  left  by 
Trent  in  command  of  the  new  fort,  ventured  to  his  home  at  t'le 
mouth  of  Turtle  Creek,  ten  miles  up  the  Monongahela.  But 
though  all  was  so  quiet  in  that  wilderness,  keen  eyes  had  seen  the 
low  entrenchment  that  was  rising  at  the  fork,  and  swift  feet  had 
borne  the  news  of  it  up  the  valley,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
17th  of  April,  Ensign  Ward,  who  then  had  charge  of  it,  saw  upon 
the  Allegheny  a  sight  that  made  his  heart  sink; — sixty  batteaux 
and  three  hundred  canoes,  filled  with  men,  and  laden  deep  with 
cannon  and  stores.  The  fort  was  called  on  to  surrender  :  by  the 
advice  of  the  Half-King,  Ward  tried  to  evade  the  act,  but  it 
would  not  do.  Coutrecoeur,  with  a  thousand  men  about  him, 
said  '  Evacuate,'  and  the  ensign  dared  not  refuse.  That  evening 
he  supped  with  his  captor,  and  the  next  day  was  bowed  off  by  the 
Frenchman,  and,  with  his  men  and  tools,  marched  up  the  Mon- 
ongliahela."  The  French  and  Indian  war  had  begun.  The 
treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle,  in  1748,  had  left  the  foundries  b6„ween 
the  French  and  English  possessions  unsettled,  and  the  events 
already  narrated  show  that  the  French  were  determined  to  hold 
the  country  watered  by  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries:  while 
the  English  laid  claim  to  the  country  by  virtue  of  the  discoveries 
by  the  Cabots,  and  claimed  all  the  country  from  New  Foundland 
to  Florida,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  The  first  deci- 
sive blow  had  been  struck,  and  the  first  attempt  of  the  English, 
through  the  Ohio  Company,  to  occupy  these  lands  had  resulted 
disastrously  to  them.  The  French  and  Indians  immediately 
completed  the  fortifications  begun  at  the  fork,  which  they  had  so 
easily  captured,  and  when  completed  gave  to  the  fort  the  name 
of  Du  Quesne.  Washington  was  at  Will's  creek,  when  the  news 
of  the  capture  of  the  fort  arrived  He  at  once  departed  to  re- 
capture it.  On  his  way  he  entrenched  himself  at  a  place  called 
the  "Meadows,"  where  he  erected  a  fort  called  by  him  Fort 
Necessity.  From  there  he  surprised  and  captured  a  force  of 
French  and  Indians  marching  against  him,  but  was  soon  afler 
attacked  by  a  much  superior  force,  and  was  obliged  to  yield  on 
the  morning  of  July  4th.  He  was  allowed  to  return  to  Virginia. 
The  English  Government  immediately  planned  four  cam- 
paigns, one  against  Fort  Du  Quesne,  one  against  Nova  Scotia, 
one  against  Fort  Niagara,  and  one  against  Crown  Point.  These 
occurred  during  175.5-6,  and  were  not  successful  in  driving  the 
French  from  their  possessions.  The  expedition  against  Fort  Du 
Quesne  was  led  by  the  fiimous  Braddock,  who,  refusing  to  listen 
to  the  advice  of  Washington  and  those  acquainted  with  Indian 
warfare,  suffered  an  inglorious  defeat.  This  occurred  on  the 
morning  of  July  9th,  and  is  generally  known  as  the  battle  of 
Monongahela  or  "  Braddock's  defeat."  The  war  continued 
through  various  vicissitudes  through  the  years  1756-7,  when, 
at  the  commencement  of  1758,  in  accordance  with  the  plans  of 
William  Pitt,  then  secretary  of  state,  afterwards  Lord  Chatham, 
active  preparations  were  made  to  carry  on  the  war.  Three 
expeditions  were  planned  for  this  year:  one  under  General 
Amherst,  against  Louisburg ;  another  under  Abercrombie, 
against  Fort  Ticoiideroga ;  and  a  third  under  General  Forbes, 


18 


JIISTORY  OF  DE  W2TT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


against  rort  Du  Quesne.  On  the  26th  of  July,  Louisburg  j 
Eurreiuleretl  after  a  desperate  rej-istauce  of  more  than  forty  days, 
and  the  eastern  part  of  tlie  Canadian  possessions  fell  iutu  tlie 
hands  of  the  British.  Abereroiubie  captured  Fort  Froutenac, 
and  when  the  expedition  against  Fort  Du  Quesne,  of  which 
Wasliington  had  the  active  command,  arrived  there,  it  was 
found  in  flames  and  de-erted.  The  English  at  once  tooli 
possession,  rebuilt  the  fort,  and  in  linnur  of  their  illustrious 
statesman,  changed  the  name  to  Fort  Pitt. 

The  great  oljject  of  the  campaign  of  1759,  was  the  reduction 
of  Canada.     General  Wolfe  was  to  lay  siege  to  Quebec ;   Am- 
herst was  to  reduce  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point ;  and  General 
Prideaux  was  to  capture  Kiagara.     This  latter  place  was  taken 
in  July,  but  the  gallant  Prideaux  lost  his  life.     Amherst  cap- 
tured  Ticonderoga   and   Crown    Point,  without   a   blow ;    and 
Wolfe,  after  making   the   memorable   ascent   to   the   plains  of  " 
Abriiham,  on  September  13th,  defeated    Montcalm,  and   on    the 
18th   the   city  capitulated.     In  this  engagement,  Montcalm  and 
Wolfe   both   lost   their   lives.     De  Levi,  Montcalm's  successor, 
marched  to  Sillery,  three  miles  above  the  city,  with  the  purpose  j 
of  defeating  the  Englis!i,and  there,  on  the  28th  of  the  following 
April,  was  fought  one  of  the  bloodiest  battles  of  the  French 
and  Indian  war.     It  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  the  French,  and 
the  fall  of  the  city  of  Jlontreal.    The  Governor  signed  a  capitu-   ! 
lation  by  which  the  whole  of   Canada  was  surrendered   to    the   ' 
Englisli.     This   practicall)'  concluded  the  war,  but   it  was  not 
until  ITO.j  that  the  treaties  of  peace  between  France  and  Eng- 
land Were  signed.     This  was  done  on  the  10th  of  February  of 
that  year,  and  under  its   provisions  all   the   country  east  of  the   i 
Mississippi  and  north  of  the  Iberville  river  in  Louisiana,  were   \ 
ceded  to  England.     At  the  same  time,  Spain  ceded  Florida  to   > 
Great  Britain. 

On  the  13tli  of  .September,  1700,  Major  Robert  Rogers  was  \ 
sent  from  Montreal  to  take  charge  of  Detroit,  the  only  remaining  i 
French  post  in  the  territory.  He  arrived  there  on  the  S)th  of  j 
November,  and  summoned  the  place  to  surrender.  At  first  the 
commander  of  the  post,  Beletrc,  refused,  but  on  the  29th,  hearing 
of  the  continued  defeat  of  the  Frencli  army,  surrendered.  The 
North-west  Territory  was  now  entirely  under  the  English  rule. 
In  1702,  France,  by  a  secret  treaty,  ceded  Liuisiana  to  Spain, 
to  prevent  it  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  who  were 
becoming  masters  of  tlie  entire  West.  The  next  year  the  treaty 
of  Paris,  signed  at  Fontainbleau,  gave  to  the  English  the  domi- 
nion in  question.  Twenty  years  after,  by  the  treaty  of  peace  j 
between  the  L^nited  States  and  Enghmd,  that  part  of  Canada 
lying  south  and  west  of  the  great  lakes,  comprehending  a  large 
territory,  was  acknowledged  to  be  a  portion  of  the  United  States,  i 
In  1803  Louisiana  was  ceded  by  Spain  back  to  France,  and  by 
France  sold  to  the  United  States.  By  the  treaty  of  Paris,  the 
regions  east  of  the  Mississippi,  incluiling  all  these  and  other 
towns  of  the  north-west,  were  given  over  to  England  ;  but  they 
do  not  appear  to  have  been  taken  possession  of  until  176-5,  when 
Captain  Stirling,  in  the  name  of  the  Majesty  of  England,  estab- 
lished himself  at  Fort  Chartres,  bearing  with  Iiim  the  proclama- 
tion of  General  Gage,  dated  December  30th,  1764,  which  pro- 
mised religious  freedom  to  all  Catholics  who  wor.'hiped  here 
and  the  right  to  leave  the  country  with  tlieir  effects  if  they 
wished,  or  to  rera.ain  with  tlie  privileges  of  Englishmen.  During 
the  years  1775  and  1770,  b^-  the  operations  of  laud  companies  \ 


and  the  perseverance  of  individuals,  several  settlements  were 
firmly  established  between  the  AUeglienies  aud  the  Ohio  river 
and  western  land  .sjieculators  were  busy  in  Illinois  aud  on  the 
Wabash.  At  a  council  held  in  Kaskaskia,  on  July  5th,  1773, 
an  a:5sociation  of  English  traders,  calling  tliemselves  the  "  Illinois 
Land  Company,"  obtained  from  the  chiefs  of  the  Kaskaskia, 
Cahokia,  and  Peoria  tribes  two  large  tracts  of  land  lying  on  the 
east  side  of  the  Mississippi  river  south  of  the  Illinois.  In  1775 
a  merchant  from  the  Illinois  country,  named  Viviat,  came  to 
Post  Vincennes  as  the  agent  of  ttie  association  called  the  "Wa- 
bash Land  Company.''  On  the  8th  of  October  he  obtained  from 
eleven  Piankeshaw  chiefs  a  deed  for  37.497,600  acres  of  land. 
This  deed  was  signed  by  the  grantors,  attested  by  a  number  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Vincennes,  and  afterward  recorded  in  the  oflSce 
of  a  Notary  Public  at  Kaskaskia.  This  and  other  land  compa- 
nies had  extensive  schemes  for  the  colonization  of  the  West;  but 
all  were  frustrated  by  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary 
war.  On  the  20th  of  April,  1780,  the  two  companies  named 
consolid.ated  under  the  name  of  the  "United  Illinois  and  Wabash 
Land  Company;"  they  .afterwards  made  strenuous  efforts  to 
have  these  grants  sanctioned  by  Congress,  but  all  signally  failed. 
When  the  war  of  the  Revolution  commenced,  Kentucky  was  an 
unorganized  country,  there  beiug  settlements  within  her  borders. 

In  Hutcliins'  Topography  of  Virginia,  it  is  stated  that  at  that 
time  Kaskaskia  contained  80  houses,  and  nearly  1,000  white  and 
black  inhabitants,  the  whites  being  a  little  the  more  numerous. 
Cahokia  contained  fifty  houses,  300  white  inhabitants,  and  80 
negroes.  There  were  east  of  the  Mississippi  river,  about  the  year 
1771 — when  these  observations  were  made — "300  white  men 
capable  of  bearing  arms,  and  230  negroes."  From  1775  until 
the  expedition  of  Clark,  nothing  is  recorded  and  nothing  known 
of  these  settlements,  save  what  is  contained  in  a  report  made  by 
a  committee  to  Congress  in  June,  1778.  From  it  the  following 
extract  is  made :  "  Near  the  mouth  of  the  river  Kaskaskia,  there 
is  a  village  which  appears  to  have  contained  nearly  eighty  fami- 
lies from  the  beginning  of  the  late  Revolution  ;  there  are  twelve 
families  at  a  small  village  at  La  Prairie  Du  Roohcrs,  and  nearly 
fifty  families  at  the  Cahokia  village.  There  are  also  four  or  five 
families  at  Fort  Chartres  and  St.  Philip's,  which  is  five  miles 
further  up  the  river."  St.  Louis  had  been  settled  in  February, 
1764,  and  at  this  time  contained,  including  its  neighboring  towns, 
over  six  hundred  wliite  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  negroes.  It 
must  be  remembered  that  all  the  country  west  of  the  Mississippi 
was  under  French  rule,  aud  remained  so  until  ceded  back  to 
Spain,  its  original  owner,'wbo  afterwards  sold  it  and  the  country 
including  New  Orleans  to  the  L'nited  States.  At  Detroit,  there 
were,  according  to  Captain  Carver,  who  was  in  the  north-west 
from  1768  to  1770,  more  than  one  hundred  houses,  and  the  river 
was  settled  for  more  than  twenty  miles,  although  poorly  culti- 
vated, the  people  being  engaged  in  the  Indian  trade. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution,  the  British  held  every 
post  of  importance  in  the  West.  Kentucky  was  foumed  as  a 
component  part  of  Virginia,  and  the  sturdy  pioneers  of  the  West, 
alive  to  their  interests,  and  recognizing  the  great  benefits  of 
obtaining  the  control  of  the  trade  in  this  part  of  the  New  World, 
held  steadily  to  their  purposes,  aud  those  within  the  common- 
wealth of  Kentucky  proceeded  to  exercise  their  civil  privileges 
by  electing  John  Todd  and  Richard  Gallaway  burgesses,  to  rep- 
resent them  in  the  assembly  of  the  present  state.    The  chief  spirit 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY.  IILIXOIS. 


19 


in  this  far-out  colony,  who  liail  represented  her  the  "year  previous 
east  of  the  mountains,  was  now  meditating  a  move  of  unequalled 
boldness.  He  had  been  watching  the  movements  of  the  British 
throughout  the  north-west,  and  understood  their  whole  plan. 
He  saw  it  was  through  their  possession  of  the  posts  at  Detroit, 
Vincennes,  Kaskaskia,  and  other  places,  which  would  give  them 
easy  access  to  the  various  Indian  tribes  in  the  north-west,  that 
the  British  intended  to  penetrate  the  country  from  the  north  and 
south,  and  annihilate  the  frontier  fortresses.  This  moving,  ener- 
getic man  was  Colonel,  afterwards  General  George  Rogers  Clark. 
He  knew  that  the  Indians  were  not  unanimously  in  accord  with 
the  English,  and  he  was  convinced  that,  could  the  British  be 
defeated  and  expelled  from  the  north-west,  the  natives  might  be 
easily  awed  into  neutrality;  by  spies  sent  for  the  purpose,  he 
satisfied  himself  that  the  enterprise  against  the  Illinois  settle- 
ments might  easily  succeed.  Patrick  Henry  was  Governor  of 
Virginia,  and  at  once  entered  heartily  into  Clark's  plans.  The 
same  plan  had  before  been  agitated  in  the  Colonial  Assemblies ; 
but  there  was  no  one  until  Clark  came  who  was  sufficiently 
acquainted  with  the  condition  of  affairs  at  the  scene  of  action  to 
be  able  to  guide  them. 

Clark,  having  satisfied  the  Virginia  leaders  of  the  feasibility 
of  his  plan,  received  on  the  second  of  January  two  sets  of  instruc- 
tions: one  secret,  the  other  open.  The  latter  authorized  him  to 
proceed  to  enlist  seven  comp.i-u'es  to  go  to  Kcutu^Kv,  subject  to 
his  orders,  and  to  serve  thret  months  from  thei;  irrival  in  the 
west.  The  secret  order  authorized  him  to  arm  the  troops,  to 
procure  his  powder  and  lead  of  General  Hand,  at  Pittsburg,  and 
to  proceed  at  once  to  subjugate  the  country. 

With  these  instructions  Clark  repaired  to  "Pittsburg,  choosing 
rather  to  raise  his  men  west  of  the  mountains.  Here  he  raised 
three  companies  and  several  private  volunteers.  Clark  at  length 
commenced  his  descent  of  the  Ohio,  which  he  navigated  as  far  as 
the  falls,  where  he  took  possession  of  and  fortified  Corn  Island, 
between  the  present  sites  of  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  New 
Albam',  Indiana.  Remains  of  this  fortification  may  yet  be 
found.  At  this  place  he  appointed  Col.  Bowman  to  meet  him 
with  such  recruits  as  had  reached  Kentucky  by  tlie  southern 
route.  Here  he  announced  to  the  men  their  real  destination. 
On  the  24th  of  June  he  embarked  on  the  river,  his  destination 
being  Fort  Massac  or  Massacre,  and  thence  marclied  direct  to  Kas- 
kaskia. The  march  was  accomplished  and  the  town  reached  on 
the  evening  of  July  4.  He  captured  the  fort  near  the  village, 
and  soon  after  the  village  itself,  by  surprise,  without  the  loss  of 
a  single  man  or  killing  any  of  the  enemy.  Clark  told  the  natives 
that  they  were  at  perfect  liberty  to  worship  as  they  pleased,  and 
to  take  whichever  side  of  the  conflict  they  would,  and  he  would 
protect  them  from  any  barbarity  from  British  or  Indian  foes. 
This  had  the  desired  effect,  and  the  inhabitants  at  once  swore 
allegiance  to  the  American  arms,  and  when  Clark  desired  to  go 
to  Cahokia  on  the  6th  of  July,  they  accompanied  him,  and 
through  their  influence  the  inhabitants  of  the  place  surrendered. 
Thus  two  important  posts  in  Illinois  passed  from  the  hands  of 
the  English  into  the  possession  of  Virginia.  During  the  year 
(1779)  the  famous  '•  Land  Laws"  of  Virginia  were  passed.  The 
passage  of  these  laws  was  of  more  consequence  to  the  pioneers  of 
Kentucky  and  the  north-west  than  the  gaining  of  a  few  Indian 
conflicts.  These  grants  confirmed  in  the  main  all  grants  made, 
and  guaranteed  to  actual  settlers  their  rights  and  privileges. 


DIVISION   OF   THE   NORTH-WEST   TERRITORY. 

The  increased  emigration  to  the  north-west,  and  extent  of  the 
domain,  made  it  very  difficult  to  conduct  the  ordinary  operations 
of  government,  and  rendered  the  efficient  action  of  courts  almost 
impossible ;  to  remedy  this  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  divide  the 
territory  for  civil  purposes.  Congress,  in  1800,  appointed  a 
committee  to  examine  the  nutstion  and  report  some  means  for 
its  solution. 

This  committee  on  the  3d  of  March  reported:  "In  the  three 
western  countries  there  has  been  but  one  court  having  cognizance 
of  crimes,  in  five  years,  and  the  immunity  which  offenders  expe- 
rience attracts,  as  to  an  asylum,  the  most  vile  and  abandoned 
criminals,  and  at  the  same  time  deters  useful  citizens  from  making 
settlements  in  such  society.  The  extreme  necessity  of  judiciary 
attention  and  assistance  is  experienced  in  civil  as  well  as  in 
criminal  cases.  *  *  *  *  To  remedy  this  evil  it  is  expedient  to 
the  committee  that  a  division  of  said  territory  into  two  distinct 
and  separate  governments  should  be  made,  and  that  such  division 
be  made  by  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami  river, 
running  directly  north  until  it  intersects  the  boundary  between 
the  United  States  and  Canada." 

The  report  was  accepted  by  Congress,  and,  in  accordance  with 
its  suggestions,  that  body  passed  an  act  extinguishing  the  north- 
west territory,  which  act  was  approved  Jlay  7th.  Among  its 
provisions  were  these : 

"  That  from  and  after  July  4  next,  all  that  part  of  the  terri- 
tory of  the  United  States  north-west  of  the  Ohio  river,  which 
lies  to  the  westward  of  a  line  beginning  at  a  point  opposite  the 
mouth  of  the  Kentucky  river,  and  running  thence  to  Fort 
Recovery,  and  thence  Nortli  until  it  shall  intersect  the  terri- 
torial line  between  the  United  States  and-  Canada,  shall,  for  the 
purpose  of  temporary  government,  constitute  a  separate  territory 
and  bo  called  the  Indian  Territory." 

Gen.  Harrison  (afterwards  President),  was  appointed  governor 
of  the  Indian  Territory,  and  during  his  residence  at  Vincennes, 
he  made  several  important  treaties  witli  the  Indians,  thereby 
gaining  large  tracts  of  land.  The  next  year  is  memorable  in 
the  history  of  the  west  for  the  purchase  of  Louisiana  from 
France  by  the  United  States  for  815,000,000.  Thus  by  a  peace- 
ful manner  the  domain  of  the  United  States  was  extended  over 
a  large  tract  of  country  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  was  for  a 
time  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  north-western  government. 
The  next  year  Gen.  Harrison  obtained  additional  grants  of  land 
from  the  various  Indian  nations  in  Indiana  and  the  present 
limits  of  Illinois,  and  on  the  18th  of  August,  1804,  completed  a 
treaty  at  St.  Louis,  whereby  over  51,000,000  acres  of  land  were 
obtained. 

During  this  year.  Congress  granted  a  township  of  land  for 
the  support  of  a  college,  and  began  to  offer  inducements  for 
settlers  in  these  wilds,  and  the  country  now  comprising  the 
state  of  Michigan  began  to  fill  rapidly  with  settlers  along  its 
southern  borders.  This  same  year  a  law  was  passed  organizing 
the  south-west  territory,  dividing  it  into  two  portions, — the  terri- 
tory of  Kew  Orleans,  which  city  was  made  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment, and  the  district  of  Louisiana,  which  was  annexed  to  the 
domain  by  General  Harrison. 

On  the  11th  of  January,  1805,  the  territory  of  Michigan  was 
formed,  and  Wm.  Hull  was  appointed  governor,  with  headquar- 


20 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITl   COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


ters  at  Detroit,  the  change  to  lake  effect  June  30th.  On  the 
11th  of  that  month,  a  iiru  occurred  at  Detroit,  wliich  destroyed 
almost  every  building  in  the  place.  When  the  officers  of  the 
new  territory  reached  the  post,  they  found  it  in  ruins,  and  the 
inhabitants  scattered  throughout  the  country.  Rebuilding,  how- 
ever, was  commenced  at  once.  AVhile  this  was  being  done, 
Indiana  passed  to  the  .second  grade  of  government.  In  1809, 
Indiana  territory  was  divided,  and  the  territory  of  Illinois  was 
formed,  the  seat  of  government  being  fixed  at  Kaskaskia,  and 
through  her  General  Assembly  had  obtained  large  tracts  of  land 
from  the  Indian  tribes.  To  all  this  the  celebrated  Indian 
Tecumthe,  or  Tecumseh,  vigorously  protested,*  and  it  was  the 
main  cause  of  his  attempts  to  unite  the  various  Indian  tribes  in 
a  conflict  with  the  settlers.  He  visited  the  principal  tribes,  and 
Buoceeded  in  forming  au  alliance  with  most  of  the  tribes,  and 
then  joined  the  cause  of  the  British  in  the  memorable  war  of 
1812.  Tecumseh  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  the  Thames. 
Tecumseh  was,  in  many  respects,  a  noble  character, — frank  and 
honest  in  his  intercourse  with  General  Harrison  and  the  settlers  ; 
in  war,  brave  and  chivalrous.  His  treatment  of  prisoners  was 
humane.  In  the  summer  of  1812,  Perry's  victory  on  Lake  Erie 
occurred,  and  shortly  after,  active  preparations  were  made  to 
capture  Fort  Maiden.  On  the  27th  of  September,  the  American 
army,  under  command  of  General  Harrison,  set  sail  for  the 
shores  of  Canada,  and,  in  a  few  hours,  stood  around  tbe  ruins  of 
Maiden,  from  which  the  British  army  under  Proctor  had  re- 
treated to  Sandwich,  intending  to  make  its  way  to  the  heart  of 
Canada  by  the  valley  of  the  Thames.  On  the  29th,  General 
Harrison  was  at  Sandwich,  and  General  JIcArthur  took  posses- 
sion of  Detroit  and  the  territory  of  Michigan.  On  the  2d  of 
October  following,  the  American  army  began  their  pursuit  of 
Proctor,  whom  they  overtook  on  the  5th,  and  the  battle  of  the 
Thames  followed.  The  victory  was  decisive,  and  practically 
closed  the  war  in  the  northwest.  In  1806,  occurred  Burr's 
insurrection.  He  took  possession  of  an  island  in  the  Ohio,  and 
was  charged  with  treasonable  intentions  against  the  Federal  gov- 
ernment. His  capture  was  effected  by  General  Wilkinson,  acting 
under  instruction  of  President  Jefll-rson.  Burr  was  brought  to 
trial  on  a  charge  of  treason,  and,  after  a  prolonged  trial,  during 
which  he  defended  himself  with  great  ability,  he  was  acquitted 
of  the  charge  of  treason.  His  subsequent  career  was  obscure, 
and  he  died  in  1836.  Had  his  scheme  succeeded,  it  would  be 
interesting  to  know  what  efl^ect  it  would  have  had  on  the  north- 
western territory.  The  battle  of  the  Thames  was  fought  October 
6th,  181.3.  It  effectually  closed  hostilities  in  the  north-west, 
although  peace  was  not  restored  until  July  22d,  1814,  when  a 
treaty  was  made  at  Greenville,  by  General  Harrison,  between 
the  United  States  and  the  Indian  tribes.  On  the  24th  of  De- 
cember, the  treaty  of  Ghent  was  signed  by  the  representatives 
of  England  and  the  United  States.  This  treaty  was  followed 
the  ne.xt  year  by  treaties  with  various  Indian  tribes  throughout 
the  north-west,  and  quiet  was  again  restored. 

PKESENT   CONDITION    OF   THE   NORTH-WEST. 

In  the  former  chapters  we  have  traced  briefly  the  discoveries, 
settlements,  wars,  and  most  important  events  which  have  occurred 
in  the  lai-ge  area  of  country  denominated  the  north-west,  and  we 

*  American  State  Papers. 


now  turn  to  the  contemplation  of  its  growth  and  prosperity.  Its 
people  are  among  the  most  intelligent  and  enterprising  in  the 
Union.  The  population  is  steadily  increasing,  the  arts  and 
sciences  are  gaining  a  stronger  foothold,  the  trade  area  of  the 
region  is  becoming  daily  more  extended,  and  we  have  been 
largely  exempt  from  the  financial  calamities  which  have  nearly 
wrecked  communities  on  the  sea-board,  dependent  wholly  on 
foreign  commerce  or  domestic  manufacture.  Agriculture  is  the 
leading  feature  in  our  industries.  This  vast  domain  has  a  sort 
of  natural  geographical  border,  save  where  it  melts  away  to  the 
southward  in  the  cattle-raising  districts  of  the  south-west.  The 
leading  interests  will  be  the  growth  of  the  food  of  the  world,  in 
which  branch  it  has  already  outstripped  all  competitors,  and 
our  great  rival  will  be  the  fertUe  fields  of  Kansas,  Nebraska 
Coloi'ado,  Texas  and  New  Mexico. 

To  attempt  to  give  statistics  of  grain  productions  for  1880 
would  require  more  space  than  our  work  would  permit  ot^ 
Manufacturing  has  now  attained  in  the  chief  cities  a  foothold 
that  bids  fair  to  render  the  north-west  independent  of  the  outside 
world.  Nearly  our  whole  region  has  a  distribution  of  coal  mea- 
sure which  will  in  time  support  the  manufactures  necessary  to 
our  comfort  and  prosperity.  As  to  transportation,  the  chief 
factor  in  the  production  of  all  articles  except  food,  no  section  is 
so  magnificently  endowed,  and  our  facilities  are  yearly  increasing 
beyond  those  of  any  other  region. 

The  principal  trade  and  manufacturing  centres  of  the  great 
north-west  are  Chicago,  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  Indianapolis,  De- 
troit, Cleveland  and  Toledo,  with  any  number  of  minor  cities 
and  towns  doing  3  large  and  growing  business.  The  intelligence 
and  enterprise  of  its  people ;  the  great  wealth  of  its  soil  and 
minerals  ;  its  vast  inland  seas  and  navigable  rivers  ;  its  magnifi- 
cent railroad  system  ;  its  patriotism  and  love  of  country  will 
render  it  ever  loyal  in  the  future  as  in  the  past.  The  people  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley  are  the  keystone  of  the  national  union 
and  national  prosperity. 


CHAPTER  II. 

BRIEF  HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  ILLINOIS. 

T  Ls  necessary  to  treat  the  history  of  this  great  State 
briefly.  And  first  we  direct  attention  to  the  dis- 
covery and  exploration  of  the  Missimippi.  Hernando 
De  Soto,  cutting  his  way  through  the  wilderness  from 
Florida,  had  discovered  the  Mississippi  in  the  year  1542.  Wasted 
with  disease  and  privation,  he  only  reached  the  stream  to  die 
upon  its  banks,  and  the  remains  of  the  ambitious  and  iron-willed 
Spaniard  found  a  fitting  resting-place  beneath  the  waters  of  the 
great  river.  The  chief  incitement  to  Spanish  discoveries  in 
America  was  a  thirst  for  gold  and  treasure.  The  discovery  and 
settlement  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  on  the  part  of  the  French 
must,  on  the  other  hand,  be  ascribed  to  religious  zeal.-  Jesuit 
missionaries,  from  the  French  settlements  on  the  St.  Lawrence, 
early  penetrated  to  the  region  of  Lake  Huron.  It  was  from  the 
tribes  of  Indians  living  in  the  West,  that  intelligence  came  of  a 
noble  river  flowing  south.  Marquette,  who  had  visited  the  Chip- 
pewas  in  1668,  and  established  the  mission  of  St.  Mary,  now  the 
oldest  settlement  within  the  present  commonwealth  of  Michigan, 
formed  the  purpose  of  its  exploration. 


IZSTCBl:   CF  LE  Will  COUNIY,  ILLINOIS. 


21 


In  company  with  Joliet,  a  I'lir-trader  of  Quebec,  whn  liad  been 
designated  bj-  ]M.  Talon,  Intendeut  of  Canada,  as  chieftain  of  the 
exploring  party,  and  five  French  voyageurs,  Marquette,  on  the 
10th  of  June,  1673,  set  out  on  the  expedition.  Crossing  the 
water-shed  dividing  the  Fox  from  the  Wisconsin  rivers,  their 
two  canoes  were  soon  launched  on  the  waters  of  the  latter. 
Seven  days  after,  on  the  17th  of  June,  they  joyfully  entered  the 
broad  current  of  the  Mississippi.  Stopping  six  days  on  the 
western  bank,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Des  iloines  River,  to  enjoy 
the  hospitalities  of  the  Illinois  Indians,  the  voyage  was  resumed, 
and  after  passing  the  perpendicular  rocks  above  Alton,  on  whose 
lofty  limestone  front  are  painted  frightful  representations  of 
monsters,  they  suddenly  came  upon  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri, 
known  by  its  Algonquin  name  of  Pekitanoui,  whose  swift  and 
turbid  current  threatened  to  engulf  their  frail  canoes.  The  site 
of  St.  Louis  was  an  unbroken  forest,  and  fiirther  down,  the 
fertile  plain  bordering  the  river  reposed  in  peaceful  solitude,  as, 
early  in  July,  the  adventurers  glided  past  it.  They  continued 
their  voyage  to  a  point  some  distance  below  the  mouth  of  the 
Arkansas,  and  then  retraced  their  course  up  the  river,  arriving 
at  their  Jesuit  Mission  at  the  head  of  Green  Bay,  late  in  Sep- 
tember. 

Robert,  Cavalier  de  La  Salle,  whose  illustrious  name  is  more 
intimately  connected  with  the  exploration  of  the  Mississippi  than 
that  of  any  other,  was  the  next  tu  descend  the  river,  in  the  early 
part  of  the  year  1682.  At  its  mouth  he  erected  a  column,  and 
decorating  it  with  the  arms  of  France,  placed  upon  it  the  follow- 
ing inscription : 

LOUIS   LE   GP..\ND,    P.OI     DE   FP.ANXE   ET   DE    XAVARRE,    KEGXE  ; 
LE    XEUVIEME    AVEIL,    1682. 

Thus  France,  by  right  of  discovery,  lay  claim  to  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley,  the  fairest  portion  of  the  globe,  an  empire  in  extent, 
stretching  from  the  Gulf  to  the  Lakes,  and  from  the  farthest 
sources  of  the  Ohio  to  where  the  head  waters  of  the  Jlissouri  are 
lost  in  the  wild  solitudes  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  La  Salle 
bestowed  upon  the  territory  the  name  of  Louisiana,  in  honor  of 
the  King  of  France,  Louis  XIV. 

The  assertion  has  been  made  that  on  La  Salle's  return  up  the 
river,  in  the  summer  of  1682,  a  portion  of  the  party  were  left 
behind,  who  founded  the  villages  of  Kaskaskia  and  Cahukia,but 
the  statement  rests  on  no  substantial  foundation. 

THE    FIR.ST    SETTLEMENTS    IN    ILLINOIS. 

The  gentle  and  pious  Marquette,  devoted  to  his  purpose  of 
carrying  the  gospel  to  the  Indians,  had  established  a  mission 
among  the  Illinois,  in  1675,  at  their  principal  town  on  the  river 
which  still  bears  their  name.  This  was  at  the  present  town  of 
Utica,  in  La  Salle  County.  In  the  presen'ce  of  the  whole  tribe, 
by  whom,  it  is  recorded,  he  was  received  as  a  celestial  visitor,  he 
displayed  the  sacred  pictures  of  the  Virgin  INIary,  raised  an  altar, 
and  said  mass.  On  Easter  Sundav.  after  celebrating  the  mys^ry 
of  the  Eucharist,  he  took  possession  of  the  laud  in  the  name  of 
the  Saviour  of  the  world,  and  founded  the  "  Mission  of  the  Im- 
maculate Conception."  The  town  was  called  Kaskaskia,  a  name 
afterwards  transferred  to  another  locality. 

La  Salle,  while  making  preparations  to  descend  the  ilissis- 
eippi,  built  a  fort,  on  the  Illinois  River,  below  the  Lake  of  Peoria, 
in  February,  1680,  and  in  commemoration  of  his  misfortunes, 


bestowed  upon  it  the  name  of  Creucctntr,  "  broken-hearted." 
Traces  of  its  embankments  are  yet  discernible.  This  was  the 
first  military  occupation  of  Illinois.  There  is  no  evidence,  how- 
ever, that  settlement  was  begun  there  at  that  early  date. 

On  La  Salle's  return  from  this  exploration  of  the  Mississippi, 
in  1682,  he  fortified  "  Starved  Rock,"  whose  military  advantages 
had  previously  attracted  his  attention.  From  its  summit,  which 
rises  125  feet  above  the  waters  of  the  river,  the  valley  of  the 
Illinois  speeds  out  before  the  eye  in  a  landscape  of  rarest  beauty. 
From  three  sides  it  is  inaccessible.  This  stronghold  received  the 
name  of  the  Fort  of  St.  Louis.  Twenty  thousand  allied  Indians 
gathered  around  it  on  the  fertile  plains.  The  fort  seems  to  have 
been  abandoned  soon  after  the  year  1700. 

Marquette's  mission  (1675),  Crevecreur  (1680),  and  the  Fort 
of  St.  Louis  (1682),  embrace,  so  far,  all  the  attempts  made 
toward  effecting  anything  like  a  permanent  settlement  in  the 
Illinois  country.  Of  the  second  few  traces  remain.  A  line  of 
fortifications  may  be  faintly  traced,  and  that  is  all.  The  seed  of 
civilization  planted  by  the  Jesuit,  Marquette,  among  the  Illinois 
Indians,  was  destined  to  produce  more  enduring  fruit.  It  was 
the  germ  of  Kaskaskia,  during  the  succeeding  years  of  the 
French  occupation — the  metropolis  of  the  Jlississippi  Valley. 
The  southern  Kaskaskia  is  merely  the  northern  one  transplanted. 
The  Mission  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  is  the  same. 

FOUNDING    OF    KASKASKIA. 

On  the  death  of  Marquette,  he  was  succeeded  by  Alloiicz,  and 
he  by  Father  Gravier,  who  respectively  had  charge  of  the  Jlis- 
sion  on  the  Illinois  River.  Gravier  is  said  to  have  been  the  first 
to  reduce  the  principles  of  the  Illinois  language  to  rules.  It  was 
also  he  who  succeeded  in  transferring  Marquette's  Mission  from 
the  banks  of  the  Illinois  south  to  the  spot  where  stands  the 
modern  town  of  Kaskaskia,  and  where  it  was  destined  to  endure. 
The  exact  date  is  not  known,  but  the  removal  was  accomplished 
some  time  prior  to  the  year  161)0,  though  probably  not  earlier 
than  16S3. 

Father  Gravier  was  subsequently  recalled  to  Mackinaw,  and 
his  place  was  supplied  by  Bineteau  and  Piiiet.  Pinet  proved  an 
eloquent  and  successful  minister,  and  his  chapel  was  often  in- 
sufiicient  to  hold  the  crowds  of  savages  who  gathered  to  hear  his 
words.  Bineteau  met  with  a  fate  .similar  to  that  which  befell 
many  another  devoted  priest  in  his  heroic  labors  for  the  conver- 
sion of  the  savages.  He  accompanied  the  Kaskaskias  on  one  of 
their  annual  hunts  to  the  upper  Mississippi,  that  his  ]iastoral 
relations  might  not  suffer  intermission.  His  frame  was  poorly 
fitted  to  stand  the  exposure.  Parched  by  day  on  the  burning 
prairie,  chilled  by  heavy  dews  at  night,  now  panting  with  thirst 
and  again  aching  with  cold,  he  at  length  fell  a  victim  to  a  vio- 
lent fever,  and  "  left  his  bones  on  the  wilderness  range  of  the 
buffaloes."     Pinet  shortly  after  followed  his  comrade. 

Father  Gabriel  Jlorrest  had  previously  arrived  at  Kaskaskia. 
He  was  a  Jesuit.  He  had  carried  the  emblem  of  his  faith  to  the 
frozen  regions  of  Hudson's  Bay,  and  had  been  taken  prisoner  by 
the  English,  and  upon  his  liberation  returned  to  America,  and 
joined  the  Kaska-skia  Mission.  After  the  deaths  of  Bineteau 
and  Pinet,  he  had  sole  charge  until  joined  by  Father  Mermet 
shortly  after  the  opening  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

The  devotion  and  piety  of  Mermet  fully  equalled  those  of  his 
companion.     He  had  assisted  in  collecting  a  village  of  Indians 


22 


HISTORY  OF  DE   WITT  COUNTY,   ILLINOIS. 


and  Canadians,  and  had  thus  founded  the  first  French  port  on 
the  Ohio,  or,  as  the  lower  part  of  the  river  was  tlien  called,  the 
Wabash.  At  the  Kaskaskia  Mission  his  gentle  virtues  and  fervid 
eloquence  seiiu  not  to  have  been  without  their  influence.  "  At 
early  dawn  his  pupils  came  to  church  dressed  neatly  and 
modestly,  each  in  a  large  deer-skiu,  or  in  a  robe  stitched  together 
from  st^eral  skins.  After  receiving  lessons  they  chanted  canti- 
cles ;  mass  was  then  said  in  presence  of  all  the  Christians  iu  the 
place,  the  French  and  the  convert? — the  women  on  one  side  and 
the  men  on  the  other.  From  prayer  and  instruction  the  mission- 
aries proceed  to  visit  the  sick  and  administer  medicine,  and  their 
skill  as  physicians  did  more  than  all  the  rest  to  win  confidence- 
In  the  afternoon  the  catechism  was  taught  in  the  presence  of  the 
young  and  the  old,  when  every  one,  without  distinction  of  rank 
or  age,  answered  the  questions  of  the  missionary.  At  evening 
all  would  assemble  at  the  chapel  for  instruction,  for  prayer,  and 
to  chant  the  hymns  of  the  church.  On  Sundays  and  festivals, 
even  after  vespers,  a  homily  was  pronounced  ;  at  the  close  of  the 
day  parties  would  meet  in  houses  to  recite  the  chaplet  in  alter- 
nate choirs,  and  sing  psalms  until  late  at  night.  These  psalms 
were  ot\en  homilies  with  words  set  to  familiar  tunes.  Saturday 
and  Sunday  were  days  appointed  for  confession  and  communion, 
and  every  convert  confessed  once  in  a  fortnight.  The  success  of 
the  mission  was  such  that  marriages  of  French  immigrants  were 
sometimes  solemnized  with  the  daughters  of  the  Illinois  accord- 
ing to  the  rites  of  the  Catholic  Church.  The  occupation  of  the 
country  was  a  cantonment  of  Europeans  among  the  native  pro- 
prietors of  the  forests  and  the  prairies.*  A  court  of  law  was 
unknown  for  nearly  a  century,  and  up  to  the  time  of  Boisbriant 
there  was  no  local  government.  The  priests  possessed  the  entire 
confiilence  of  the  community,  and  their  authority  happily  settled, 
without  the  tardy  delays  and  vexatious  of  the  courts,  the  minor 
difficulties  which  threatened  the  peace  of  the  settlement.  Of  the 
fomilies  which  formed  part  of  the  French  population  in  the  early 
history  of  Kaskaskia,  there  is  some  uncertainty.  There  is,  how- 
ever, authority  for  believing  that  the  following  were  among  the 
principal  settlers:  Bazyl  La  Chapelle,  Michael  Derouse  (called 
St.  Pierre),  Jean  Baptiste  St.  Gemme  Beauvais,  Baptiste  Mon- 
treal, Boucher  de  Jlontbrun,  Charles  Danie,  Francois  Charles- 
ville,  Antoiue  Bicnvenu,  Louis  Bruyat,  Alexis  Doza,  Joseph 
Paget,  Prix  Pagi,  Michael  Antoyen,  Langlois  De  Lisle,  La 
Derroutte  and  Xoval.  ■'"■ 

AS   PAKT   OF   LOUISIANA. 

The  settlements  of  Illinois  had  been  a  separate  dependency  of 
Canada.  In  1711,  together  with  the  settlements  on  the  Lower 
Mississippi,  which  had  been  founded  by  D'Iberville  and  Bien- 
ville, they  became  united  in  a  single  province  under  the  name  of 
Louisiana,  with  the  capital  at  Mobile. 

The  exclusive  control  of  the  commerce  of  this  region,  whose 
boundless  resources,  it  was  believed,  were  to  enrich  France, 
was  granted  to  Anthony  Crozat,  a  merchant  of  great  wealth. 
"  Vre  permit  him,"  says  the  king  in  his  letters  patent,  "  to 
search,  open,  and  dig  all  mines,  veins,  minerals,  precious  stones 
and  pearls,  and  to  transport  the  proceeds  thereof  into  any  part  of 
Franco  for  fifteen  years."  La  Motte  Cadillac,  who  had  now 
become  royal  Governor  of  Louisiana,  was  his  partner.     Hopes 


of  obtaining  great  quantities  of  gold  and  silver  animated  the 
proprietors,  as  well  as  agitated  France-  Two  pieces  of  silver 
ore,  left  at  Kaskaskia  by  a  traveler  from  Mexico,  were  exhibited 
to  Cadillac  as  the  produce  of  a  mine  in  Illinois.  Elated  by  this 
prospect  of  wealth,  the  Governor  hurried  up  the  river  to  find 
his  anticipations  fade  aw.ay  in  disappointment.  Iron  ore  and  the 
purest  lead  were  discovered  in  large  quantities  ia  Missouri,  but 
of  gold,  and  silver,  and  precious  stones  not  a  trace  was  found. 
After  Crozat  had  expended  -12-5,000  livres,  and  realized  only 
300,000,  he,  in  1717,  petitioned  the  king  for  the  revocation  of 
his  charter.  The  white  population  had  slowly  increased  ;  and 
at  the  time  of  his  departure  it  was  estimated  that  the  families 
comprising  the  Illinois  settlements,  now  including  those  on  the 
Wabash,  numbered  three  hundred  and  twenty  souls. 

The  commerce  of  Louisiana  was  next  transferred  to  the 
Mississippi  Company,  instituted  under  the  auspices  of  the  notori- 
ous John  Law.  The  wild  excitement  and  visionary  schemes 
which  agitated  France  during  Law's  connection  with  the  Com- 
pany of  the  West,  and  while  at  the  head  of  the  Bank  of  France, 
form  the  most  curious  chapter  in  the  annals  of  commercial 
speculations.  These  delusive  dreams  of  wealth  were  based 
mainly  upon  the  reports  of  the  fabulous  riches  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley.  Attempts  to  colonize  the  country  were  conducted  with 
careless  prodigality.  Three  ships  landed  eight  hundred  emi- 
grants iu  August,  1718,  near  Mobile,  whence  they  were  to  make 
their  way  overland  to  the  Mississippi.  Bienville,  on  the  banks 
of  that  river,  had  already  selected  the  spot  for  the  Capital  of  the 
new  Empire,  which,  after  the  Regent  of  France,  was  named  New 
Orleans.  From  among  the  emigrants,  eighty  ccmvicts  from  the 
prisons  of  France  were  sent  to  clear  away  the  coppices  which 
thickly  studded  the  site.  Three  years  after,  in  1721,  the  place 
was  yet  a  wilderness,  overgrown  with  canebrakes,  among  which 
two  hundred  persons  had  encamped. 

Phillip  Renault-  was  created  Director-General  of  the  mines  of 
the  new  country,  and  an  expedition  was  organized  to  work  them. 
Renault  left  France,  in  1719,  with  two  hundred  mechanics  and 
laborers.  Touching  at  San  Domingo,  he  bought  five  hundred 
negro  slaves  for  working  the  mines.  On  reaching  the  Mississippi, 
he  sailed  to  Illinois,  the  region  in  which  gold  and  silver  were 
supposed  to  abound.  A  few  miles  from  Kaskaskia,  in  wdiat  is 
now  the  south-west  corner  of  Monroe  County,  was  the  seat  of  his 
Colony.  The  village  which  he  founded  received  the  name  of  St. 
Phillip's.  From  this  point  various  expeditions  were  sent  out  in 
search  of  the  precious  metals.  Drewry's  Creek,  in  Jackson 
County,  was  explored;  St.  Mary's,  iu  Randolph;  Silver  Creek, 
in  iMonroe ;  and  various  parts  of  St.  Clair  County,  and  other 
districts  of  Illinois.  On  Silver  Creek,  tradition  has  it  that  con- 
siderable quantities  of  silver  were  discovered  and  sent  to  France^ 
and  from  this  the  stream  has  its  name.  By  the  retrocession  of 
the  territory  to  the  crown,  Renault  was  left  to  prosecute  the 
business  of  mining  without  means.  His  operations  proved  a 
disastrous  failure. 

Si, 

FORT   CHAETKE9. 

Meanwhile  war  had  sprung  up  between  France  and  Spain, 
and  to  protect  the  Illinois  settlements  from  incursions  of  Spanish 
cavalry  across  the  Great  Desert,  it  was  thought  advisable  to 
establish  a  fort  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kaskaskia.  A  Spanish 
expedition  had,  indeed,  been  fitted  out  at  Santa   Fe,  but  their 


HISTORY  OF  LE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


23 


guides,  leading  it  by  mistake  to  the  Alissouri  Indians,  instead  of 
the  Osages,  enemies  instead  of  friends,  the  whole  party  was 
massacred,  with  the  exception  of  a  priest  who  escaped  to  relate 
the  fate  of  his  unfortunate  comrades.  Previous  to  this  La  Salle, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  visit  to  Paris,  had  shown  the  necessity  of 
building  a  chain  of  forts  from  Canada  to  the  Gulf,  in  order  to 
secure  the  territory  to  the  crown  of  France.  In  1720,  Boisbriant 
was  despatched  to  Illinois.  He  began  the  building  of  Fort 
Chartres,  long  the  strongest  fortress  on  the  Western  Continent, 
and  of  wide  celebrity  in  the  subsequent  history  of  Illinois. 

Fort  Chartres  stood  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi, 
seventeen  miles  north-west  of  Kaskaskia,  and  between  three  and 
four  miles  from  the  location  of  the  present  village  of  Prairie  du 
Eocher.  The  Company  of  the  West  finally  built  their  ware- 
houses here.  In  1721,  on  the  division  of  Louisiana  into  seven 
districts,  it  became  the  headquarters  of  Boisbriant,  the  first  local 
Governor  of  Illinois.  Fort  Chartres  was  the  seat  of  the  govern- 
ment of  Illinois,  not  only  while  the  French  retained  possession 
of  the  country,  but  after  it  passed  under  English  control.  When 
the  fort  was  built,  it  stood  about  one  mile  distant  from  the  river. 
In  the  year  1724  an  inundation  of  the  Mississippi  washed  away 
a  portion  iif  bank  in  front  of  the  fort. 

Captain  Philip  Pitman  visited  Illinois  in  1766.  He  was  an 
engineer  in  the  British  army,  and  was  sent  to  Illinois  to  make  a 
survey  of  the  forts,  and  report  the  condition  of  the  country, 
which  had  recently  passed  under  British  control.  He  published 
in  London,  in  1770,  a  work  entitled,  "The  present  State  of  the 
European  Settlements  on  the  Jlississippi,"  in  which  he  gives  an 
accurate  description  of  Fort  Chartres: 

"  Fort  Chartres,  when  it  belonged  to  France,  was  the  seat  of 
the  government  of  the  Illinois.  The  headquartei-s  of  the  Eng- 
lish commanding  oSicer  is  now  here,  who,  in  fact,  is  the  arbitrary 
governor  of  the  country.  The  fort  is  an  irregular  quadrangle- 
The  sides  of  the  exterior  polygon  are  four  hundred  and  ninety 
feet.  It  is  built  of  stone,  and  plastered  over,  and  is  only  de- 
signed for  defence  against  the  Indians.  The  walls  are  two  feet 
two  inches  thick,  and  are  pierced  with  loopholes  at  regular  dis- 
tances, and  with  two  port  holes  for  cannon  in  the  facies,  and  two 
in  the  flanks  of  each  bastion.  The  ditch  has  never  been  finished. 
The  entrance  to  the  fort  is  through  a  very  handsome  rustic  gate. 
Within  the  walls  is  a  banquette  raised  three  feet,  for  tho  men  to 
stand  on  when  they  fire  through  the  loopholes.  The  buildings 
within  the  fort  are,  a  commandant's  and  a  commissary's  house,  the' 
magazine  of  stores,  corps  de  garde,  and  two  barracks.  These 
occupy  the  square.  Within  the  gorges  of  the  bastion  are  a 
powder-magazine,  a  bake-house,  and  a  prison,  in  the  floor  of 
which  are  four  dungeons,  and  in  the  upper,  two  rooms  and  an 
out-house  belonging  to  the  commandant.  The  commandant's 
house  is  thirty-two  yards  long  and  ten  broad,  and  contains  a 
kitchen,  a  dining  room,  a  bed-chamber,  one  small  room,  five 
closets  for  servants,  and  a  cellar.  The  commissary's  house  is 
built  on  the  same  line  as  this,  and  its  proportion  and  the  distri- 
bution of  its  apartments  are  the  same.  Opposite  these  are  the 
store-house,  and  the  guard-house,  each  thirty  yards  long  and 
eight  broad.  The  former  consists  of  two  large  store-rooms, 
(under  which  is  a  large  vaulted  cellar),  a  large  room,  a  bed- 
chamber, and  a  closet  for  the  storekeeper.  The  latter  of  a  sol- 
diers' and  officers'  guard-room,  a  chapel,  a  bed-chamber,  a  closet 
for  the  chaplain,  and  an  artillery  store-room.     The  lines  of  bar- 


racks have  never  been  finished.  They  at  present  consist  of  two 
rooms  each  for  officers,  and  three  for  soldiers.  They  are  each 
twenty-five  feet  square,  and  have  betwixt  a  small  passage." 

Such  was  Fort  Chartres,  believed  at  the  time  to  be  the  most 
convenient  and  best-built  stronghold  in  North  America!  Just 
before  the  French  surrender,  forty  families  lived  in  the  neighbor- 
ing village,  in  which  stood  a  parish  church,  under  the  care  of  a 
Franciscan  friar,  and  dedicated  to  St.  Anne.  At  the  time  of  the 
surrender  to  the  English,  all,  with  the  exception  of  three  or  four 
families,  abandoned  their  homes,  and  removed  to  the  west  bank 
of  the  Mississippi,  preferring  the  government  of  La  Belle  France 
to  the  hated  English  rule,  ignorant  that  by  secret  treaty  the  ter- 
ritory west  of  the  Mississippi  had  been  ceded  to  Spain,  even  be- 
fore the  transfer  of  the  region  eastward  was  made  to  the 
English. 

But  the  glory  of  tho  old  fortress  soon  departed !  In  1756 
nearly  half  a  mile  intervened  between  Fort  Chartres  and  the 
bank  of  the  Mississippi.  A  sand  bar,  however,  was  forming 
opposite,  to  which  the  river  was  fordable.  Ten  j'ears  later  the 
current  had  cut  the  bank  away  to  within  eighty  yards  of  the 
fort.  The  sand-bar  had  become  an  island,  covered  with  a  thick 
growth  of  cottonwoods.  Tiie  channel  between  it  and  the  eastern 
bank  was  forty  feet  in  depth.  In  the  great  freshet  six  years 
after,  in  1772,  in  which  the  American  Bottom  was  inundated, 
the  west  walls  and  two  of  the  bastions  were  swept  away  in  the 
flood.  It  was  abandoned  by  the  British  garrison,  which  took  up 
its  quarters  in  Fort  Gage,  on  the  bluff  opposite  Kaskaskia, 
which  then  became  the  seat  of  government.  From  this  date  its 
demolition  proceeded  rapidly.  In  1820  the  south-east  angle  was 
still  remaining.  Only  vestiges  of  the  old  Fortress  can  now  be 
traced.  Much  of  the  stone  was  carried  away,  and  used  for 
building  purposes  elsewhere.  Trees  of  stately  growth  cover  the 
foundation!.  The  river  has  retreated  to  its  original  channel,  and 
is  now  a  mile  distant  from  the  ruins.  A  growth  of  timber  covers 
the  intervening  land,  where  less  than  a  century  ago  swept  the 
mighty  current  of  the  Father  of  Waters. 

UNDER   FEEXCn    RULE. 

During  the  few  years  immediately  succeeding  the  completion 
of  Fcirt  Chartres,  pros^rity  prevailed  in  the  settlements  between 
the  Kaskaskia  and  tho  Mississippi  rivers.  Prairie  du  Rocher, 
founded  about  tht^ear  1722,  received  considerable  accessions  to 
its  population.  Among  the  earliest  Frencli  settlers  to  make 
their  homes  here  were  Etieune  Langlois,  Jean  Baptiste  Blais, 
Jean  Baptiste  Barbeau,  Antoine  Louvier,  and  the  La  Compte 
and  other  families,  whose  descendants  are  still  found  in  that 
locality.  New  settlements  sprang  up,  and  the  older  ones  in- 
creased in  population.  At  Kaskaskia,  the  Jesuits  established  a 
monastery,  and  founded  a  college.  In  172.5  the  village  became 
an  incorporated  town,  ami  the  king,  Louis  XV.,  granted  the  in- 
habitants a  commons.  The  Bottom  land,  extending  upward 
along  the  Slississippi,  unsurpassed  for  the  richness  of  its  soil, 
was  in  the  process  of  being  rapidly  settled  by  the  larger  number 
of  new  arrivals  in  the  colony.  Fort  Chartres,  the  seat  of  gov- 
ernment and  the  headquarters  of  the  commandment  of  L^pper 
Louisiana,  attracted  a  wealthy,  and  for  Illinois,  a  fashionable 
population. 

After  having  been  fourteen  years  under  the  government  of  the 
Western  Company,  in  April,  17o2,  the  King  issued  a  proclama- 


24: 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


tion  by  which  Louisiana  was  declared  free  to  all  his  subjects,  and 
all  restrictious  on  cojnmerce  were  removed.  At  this  time  many 
flourishing  settlements  had  sprung  up  in  Illinois,  centering  about 
Kaskaskia,  and  the  inhabitants  were  said  to  be  more  exclu- 
sively devoted  to  agriculture  than  in  any  other  of  the  French 
settlements  in  the  West. 

M.  D'Artaguette,  in  1732,  became  commandant  of  Fort  Char- 
tres,  and  Governor  of  Upper  Louisiana.  Between  New  Orleans 
and  Kaskaskia  the  country  was  yet  a  wilderness.  Communica- 
tion by  way  of  the  Mississippi  was  interrupted  by  the  Chicka- 
saws,  allies  of  the  English  and  enemies  of  France,  whose  cedar 
barks  shooting  boldly  out  into  the  current  of  the  Mississippi, 
cut  off  the  connection  between  the  two  colonies.  It  was  in  an 
attempt  to  subdue  these  that  M.  D'Artaguette,  the  comniaudant, 
lost  his  life.  An  ofiBcer  arrived  at  Fort  Chartres  from  M.  Prer- 
rier,  Governor-General  at  New  Orleans,  in  the  year  1736,  sum- 
moning M.  D'Artaguette,  with  his  French  soldiers,  and  all  the 
Indians  whom  he  could  induce  to  join  him,  to  unite  in  an  expe- 
dition against  the  enemy.  With  an  army  of  fifty  Frenchmen,  and 
more  than  one  thousand  Indians  accompanied  by  Father  Senat  and 
the  gallant  Viucennes,  commandant  of  the  post  on  the  Wabash, 
where  now  stands  the  city  bearing  his  name,  D'Artaguette  stole 
cautiously  in  the  Chickasaw  country.  His  Indian  allies  were 
impatient,  and  the  commander  consented,  against  his  better 
judgment,  to  an  immediate  attack.  One  fort  was  carried — an- 
other— and  then  in  making  the  assault  on  the  third,  the  young 
and  intrepid  D'Artaguette  fell  at  the  head  of  his  forces,  pierced 
■with  wounds.  The  Indian  allies  made  this  reverse  the  signal  for 
their  flight.  The  Jesuit  Senat  might  have  fled,  Vineennes  might 
have  saved  his  life,  but  both  preferreil  to  share  the  fate  of  their 
leader.  The  captives  afterward  met  death  at  the  stake  under 
the  slow  torments  of  fire. 

La  Buissoniere  succeeded  as  commandant  at  Fort  Chartres. 
In  1739  a  second  expedition  was  undertaken  against  the  Chicka- 
saw country.  La  Buissoniere  joined  Bienville,  then  Governor- 
General  of  Louisiana,  with  a  force  of  two  hundred  Frenchmen 
and  three  hundred  Indians.  The  whole  force  under  Bienville 
was  twelve  hundred  French  and  five  hundred  Indians  and 
negroes.  His  men  suffered  greatly  from  malarial  fevers  and 
fivmine,  and  returned  the  following  spring  without  conquering  the 
Chickasaws,  with  whom  afterward,  however,  amicable  relations 
were  established. 

The  period  from  1740  to  17-30  was  one  of  great  prosperity  for 
the  colonies.  Cotton  was  introduced  and  cultivated.  Regular 
cargoes  of  pork,  flour,  bacon,  tallow,  hides  and  leather,  were 
floated  down  the  Mississippi,  and  exported  tlience  to  Prance. 
French  emigrants  poured  rajiidly  into  the  settlements.  Cana- 
dians exchanged  the  cold  rigors  of  their  climate  for  the  sunny 
atmosphere  and  rich  soil  of  the  new  country.  Peace  and  plenty 
blessed  the  settlements. 

La  Buissoniere  was  followed,  in  1750,  by  Chevalier  Macarty 
as  Governor  of  Upper  Louisiana,  and  Commandant  of  Fort 
Chartres.  Peace  was  soon  to  be  broken.  The  French  and 
English  war,  which  terminated  in  1759  with  the  defeat  of  Mont- 
calm on  the  plains  of  Abraham,  and  the  capture  of  Quebec, 
began  with  a  struggle  for  the  territory  on  the  L^pper  Ohio.  Fort 
Chartres  was  the  depot  of  supplies  and  the  place  of  rendezvous 
fur  the  united  forces  of  Louisiana,  and  several  expeditions  were 
fitted  out  and  dispatched  to  the  scene  of  conflict  on  the  border 


between  the  French  and  English  settlements.  But  France  was 
vanquished  in  the  struggle,  and  its  result  deprived  her  of  her 
princely  possessions  east  of  the  Mississippi. 

THAEACTER    OP   THE   EARLY   FRENCH   SETTLERS. 

The  early  French  inhabitants  were  -well  adapted  by  their  pe- 
culiar traits  of  character  for  intercourse  with  their  savage  neigh- 
bors of  the  forest,  with  whom  they  lived  on  terms  of  peace  and 
friendship.  For  this  reason,  the  French  colonists  almost  entirely 
escaped  the  Indian  hostilities  by  which  the  English  settlements 
were  repressed  and  weakened.  The  freest  communication  ex- 
isted between  the  two  races.  They  stood  on  a  footing  of  equal- 
ity. The  Indian  was  cordially  received  in  the  French  village 
and  the  Frenchman  found  a  safe  resting-place  in  the  lodge  of 
the  savage.  In  scenes  of  social  pleasure,  in  expeditions  to  remote 
rivers  and  distant  forests,  in  the  ceremonies  and  exercises  of  the 
church,  the  red  men  were  treated  as  brothers,  and  the  accident  of 
race  and  color  was  made  as  little  a  mark  of  distinction  as  pos- 
sible. Frequent  intermarriages  of  the  French  with  the  Indians 
strongly  cemented  this  union.  For  nearly  a  hundred  years  the 
French  colonists  enjoyed  continual  peace,  while  the  English  set- 
tlements on  the  Atlantic  coast  were  in  a  state  of  almost  constant 
danger  from  savage  depredations. 

It  was  doubtless  greatly  owing  to  the  peculiar  facility  with 
which  the  French  temperament  adapted  itself  to  surroundings 
and  the  natural  address  with  which  Frenchmen  ingratiated 
themselves  in  the  favor  of  the  savages,  that  this  happy  condition 
of  affairs  existed.  But  something  must  be  ascribed  to  the  differ- 
ence of  character  between  the  French  and  English  in  regard  to 
their  aggressiveness.  The  English  colonists  excited  the  jealousy 
and  fear  of  the  Indians  by  their  rapid  occupation  of  the  country. 
New  settlements  were  constantly  being  projected,  and  the  white 
population  pushed  farther  and  farther  into  the  wilderness. 
When  the  Indians  saw  their  favorite  haunts  broken  up,  and  their 
hunting  grounds  invaded,  a  natural  feeling  of  distrust  and  jeal- 
ousy led  them  to  warfivre  against  the  English.  With  the  French 
it  was  different.  There  was  but  little  disposition  to  found  new 
settlements,  or  occupy  the  wilderness.  They  were  essentially  a 
social  people,  and  the  solitary  life  of  a  pioneer  in  the  forest  was 
repugnant  to'their  disposition.  They  lived  in  compact  villages. 
Their  houses  were  in  close  proximity.  With  abundant  room  for 
spacious  streets,  they  yet  made  them  so  narrow  that  the  merry 
•\-ill.agers  could  converse  with  ease  across  the  street,  each  from 
his  own  cottage.  Hunting  was  a  favorite  pursuit,  and  the  chief 
means  of  support.  With  this  mode  of  life  the  French  were  con- 
tent. Ambition  failed  to  incite  them  to  conquer  the  wilderness, 
and  push  their  settlements  to  unknown  regions,  and  avarice  was 
wanting  to  lead  them  to  grasp  after  great  possessions.  The  de- 
velopment of  the  "  territorial  paradise,"  as  La  Salle  had  called 
the  region  through  which  he  passed  on  his  first  voyage  down  the 
Mississippi,  was  to  be  accomplished  by  another  race. 

A    rOSSESSION   OF   GREAT   BRITAIN. 

By  the  treaty  of  Fountainbleau,  1762,  the  vast  possessions  of 
France,  east  of  the  Mississippi,  with  the  exception  of  the  island 
of  New  Orleans,  passed  under  British  control.  Fort  Chartres 
and  the  other  Illinois  posts  were  surrounded  by  an  impenetrable 
barrier  of  hostile  savages,  friends  to  the  French  and  enemies  to 
the  English,  and  the  French   ofBcers  were  authorized  to  retain 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


25 


command  until  it  was  found  possible  for  the  English  to  take  pos- 
session. M.  Neyon  de  Villiers  was  commandant  of  Fort  Char- 
tres,  and  upon  his  retiring  in  1764,  St,  Ange  d'Bellerive  took 
upon  himself  the  duties  of  that  position.  It  was  the  time  of 
Pontiac's  conspiracy,  when  the  Indian  tribes,  inflamed  bj'  the 
savage  spirit  of  that  warrior,  were  precipitating  themselves  on 
the  English  settlements  from  Canada  to  Carolina.  The  French 
commandant  of  Fort  Chartres  was  besieged  for  arms  and  am- 
munition to  be  used  against  the  English  The  French  flag  was 
still  flying  over  the  Fort,  and  the  fact  of  the  territory  having 
been  ceded  to  Great  Britain  was  not  generally  known  except  to 
those  in  authority.  The  commandant  was  visited  by  embassies 
from  the  Illinois,  the  Delawares,  Shawnees  and  Miamis,  and 
finally  Pontiac  himself,  at  the  head  of  four  hundred  warriors, 
entered  the  council  hall.  St.  Ange  d'Bellerive,  unable  to  fur- 
nish arms,  offered  instead  his  good  will.  The  reply  was  received 
with  dissatisfaction.  The  Indians  pitched  their  lodges  about  the 
Fort,  and  for  a  time  an  attack  was  seriously  apprehended. 
Finally  Pontiac  dispatched  a  chosen  band  of  warriors  to  New 
Orleans  to  obtain  from  the  Governor  there  the  assistance  St. 
Ange  refused  to  grant. 

Pontiac  was  killed  a  few  years  after.  Disappointed  by  the 
failure  of  his  plans  against  the  English,  he  retired  to  the  solitude 
of  the  forests.  In  the  year  1769,  he  suddenly  made  his  appear- 
ance in  the  neighborhood  of  St.  Louis.  Arrayed  in  the  French 
uniform  given  hira  by  the  Marquis  Montcalm  a  short  time  pre- 
vious to  the  latter's  death  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham,  he  visited  St. 
Ange  d'Bellerive,  who  at  that  time  had  removed  from  Fort 
Chartres  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  had  become  one  of  the  principal 
inhabitants  and  commandant  of  the  Spanish  garrison.  While  at 
St.  Louis,  he  crossed  the  Mississippi  to  attend  a  social  gather- 
ing of  Indians  at  Cahokia.  Becoming  intoxicated  he  started  to 
the  neighboring  woods,  when  an  Indian  of  the  Ka^kaskia  tribe, 
bribed  by  an  English  trader  with  a  barrel  of  whiskey,  stole  up 
behind  him  and  buried  a  tomahawk  in  the  brain  of  the  renowned 
warrior.  St.  Ange  procured  the  body,  and  buried  it  with  all  the 
honors  of  war  near  the  fort  under  his  command  in  St.  Louis. 
The  tramp  of  a  great  city  now  sweeps  over  his  grave. 

Two  attempts,  on  the  part  of  the  English,  to  take  possession  of 
Illinois  and  Fort  Chartres,  had  been  made  by  way  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, but  hostile  Indians  on  the  banks  of  the  river  had  driven 
back  the  expeditions.  Meantime  a  hundred  Highlanders  of  the 
Forty-second  Regiment,  those  veterans  "  whose  battle  cry  had 
echoed  over  the  bloodiest  fields  of  America,"  had  left  Fort  Pitt, 
now  Pittsburg,  and  descending  the  Ohio,  appeared  before  Fort 
Chartres  while  the  forests  were  yet  rich  with  the  varied  hues  of 
autumn.  St.  Ange  yielded  up  the  citadel.  It  was  on  the  tenth 
day  of  October,  176.5,  that  the  ensign  of  France  on  the  ram- 
parts of  the  Fort  gave  place  to  the  flag  of  Great  Britain.  Kas- 
kaskia  had  now  been  founded  more  than  three-fourths  of  a 
century. 

On  the  surrender  of  Fort  Chartres,  St.  Ange  with  his  garrison 
of  twenty-one  soldiers  retired  from  the  country,  and  became 
commandant  at  St.  Louis,  an  infant  settlement  just  founded.  A 
large  number  of  the  French  residents  of  Kaskaskia  and  other  set- 
tlements refused  to  live  under  English  rule.  Many  of  the  wealth- 
iest families  left  the  country  ;  some  removed  across  the  Slississip- 
pi,  to  the  small  .'illage  of  Ste.  Genevieve,  under  the  impression 
that  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi  they  would  still  find  a 


home  under  the  government  of  France,  while  in  truth  that  ter- 
ritory  had  been  ceded  to  Spain  by  a  secret  treatv  in  1762. 
Others  joined  in  founding  the  city  of  St.  Louis.  The  French 
settlements  in  Illiuoi.s,  at  a  period  immediately  preceding  this 
date,  were  at  the  zenidi  of  their  prosperity.  From  that  day  the 
French  inhabitants  have  declined  in  numbers  and  influence.    In 

1765,  the  population  of  the  Illinois  settlements  was  computed  as 
follows :  White  men  able  to  bear  arms,  seven  hundred ;  white 
women,  five  hundred  ;  white  children,  eight  hundred  and  fifty  ; 
negroes,  nine  hundred ;  total,  two  thousand  nine  hundred  and 
fifty.  One-third  of  the  whites,  and  a  still  larger  proportion  of 
the  blacks,  removed  on  the  British  taking  possession.  A  popu- 
lation of  less  than  two  thousand  remained.  Few  English,  or 
Americans,  with  the  exception  of  the  British  troops,  were  in  the 
country. 

Captain  Stirling,  who  now  had  command  of  the  Fort,  issued  a 
proclamation  guaranteeing  the  inhabitants  the  liberty  of  the 
Catholic  faith,  permission  to  retire  from  the  country,  and  enjoy- 
ment of  their  full  rights  and  privileges,  only  requiring  an  oath 
of  fidelity  and  obedience  to  His  Majesty,  the  English  King. 
Captain  Stirling  died  some  three  months  after  his  arrival.  In 
the  period  that  elapsed  before  the  coming  of  his  successor,  St. 
Ange  d'Bellerive  returned  from  St.  Louis,  and  discharged  the 
duties  of  commandant.  Major  Frazier,  from  Fort  Pitt,  exercised 
for  a  time  an  arbitrary  power,  and  his  successor.  Col.  Reed, 
proved  still  worse.  He  held  the  ofiice  eighteen  months,  and 
during  that  time  aroused  the  hatred  of  the  settlements  by  his 
oppressive  measures.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wilkins  assumed  com- 
mand in  1768. 

Captain  Pitman,  to  whose  book  on  "  The  Present  State  of  the 
European  Settlements  on  the  Mississippi"  reference  has  already 
been  made,  gives  the  following  description  of  Kaskaskia,  as  it 
appeared  in  1766 : 

The  village  of  Notre  Dame  de  Cascasquias  is  by  far  the  most 
considerable  settlement  in  the  country  of  the  Illinois,  as  well 
from  its  number  of  inhabitants  as  from  its  advantageous  situa- 
tion. 

"  Mons.  Paget  was  the  first  who  introduced  water  mills  in  this 
country,  and  he  constructed  a  very  fine  one  on  the  river  Cascas- 
quias, which  was  both  for  grindiiig  corn  and  sawing  boards.  It 
lies  about  one  mile  frem  the  village.  The  mill  proved  fatal  to 
him,  being  killed  as  he  was  working  it,  with  two  negroes,  by  a 
party  of  Cherokees,  in  the  year  176-1. 

"  The  principal  buildings  are  the  church  and  the  Jesuits' 
house,  which  has  a  small  chapel  adjoining  it ;  these,  as  well  as 
some  of  the  other  houses  in  the  village,  are  built  of  stone,  and, 
considering  this  part  of  the  world,  make  a  very  good  appearance. 
The  Jesuits'  plantation  consisted  of  240  arpents  (an  arpeat  is 
8.5-100  of  an  acre)  of  cultivated  land,  a  very  good  stock  of  cat- 
tle, and  a  brewery  which  was  sold  by  the  French  commandant, 
after  the  country  was  ceded  to  the  English,  for  the  crown,  in 
consequence  of  the  suppression  of  the  order. 

"  Mons.  Beauvais  was  the  purchaser,  who  is  the  richest  of  the 
English  subjects  in  this  country;  he  keeps  eighty  slaves;  he 
furnishes  86,000  weight  of  flour  to  the  King's  magazine,  which 
was  only  part  of  the  harvest  he  reaped  in  one  year.  Sixty  five 
families  reside  in  this  village,  besides  merchants,  other  casual 
people,  and  slaves.     The  fort  which  was  burnt  down  in  October, 

1766,  stood  on  the  summit  of  a  high  rock  opposite  the  village 


20 


inSIOEYOFDL   Will  COUA'TY,  ILLINOIS. 


and  ou  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  It  was  an  oblong  quad- 
rangle, of  whieh  the  extreme  polygon  measured  290  by  251  feet. 
It  was  built  of  very  thick  square  timber,  and  dove-tailed  at  tlie 
angles.  An  officer  and  twenty  soldiers  are  quartered  in  the  vil- 
lage. The  officer  governs  the  inhabitants  under  the  direction  of 
the  commandant  at  Fort  Chartres.  Here  are  also  two  companies 
of  militia." 

Of  Prairie  du  Rocher,  Pitman  writes  that  "  it  is  a  small  village, 
consisting  of  twenty-two  dwelling-houses,  all  of  which  are  inhab- 
ited by  as  many  families.  Here  is  a  little  chapel,  formerly  a 
chapel  of  ease  to  the  church  at  Fort  Chartres.  The  inhabitants 
are  very  industrious,  and  raise  a  great  deal  of  corn  and  eveiy 
kind  of  stock.  The  village  is  two  miles  from  Fort  Chartres.  It 
takes  its  name  from  its  situation,  being  built  under  a  rock  that 
runs  parallel  with  the  Mississippi  river  at  a  league  distance,  for 
forty  miles  up.  Here  is  a  company  of  militia,  the  captain  of 
which  regulates  the  police  of  the  village." 

In  describing  the  distance  from  Fort  Chartres,  the  author, 
doubtless,  refers  to  Little  Village,  which  was  a  mile  or  more 
nearer  than  Prairie  du  Eoclier.  The  writer  goes  on  to  describe 
"  Saint  Philippe"  as  a  "  small  village  about  five  miles  from  Fort 
Chartres  on  the  road  to  Kaoquias.  There  are  about  sixteen 
houses  and  a  small  church  standing ;  all  of  the  inhabitants, 
except  the  captain  of  the  militia,  deserted  in  1765,  and  went  to 
the  French  side  (Missouri.)  Tiie  cajitain  of  the  militia  has 
about  twenty  slaves,  a  good  stock  of  cattle,  and  a  water  mill  for 
corn  and  planks.  The  village  stands  ou  a  very  fine  meadow 
about  one  mile  from  the  Mississippi. 

From  the  same  authority  we  learn  that  the  soil  of  the  country 
is  in  general  rich  and  luxuriant.  It  was  favorably  adapted  to 
the  production  of  all  kinds  of  European  grains,  which  grew  side 
by  side  with  hops,  hemp,  flax,  cotton  and  tobacco.  European 
fruits  arrived  to  great  perfection.  Of  the  wild  grapes  a  wiue 
was  made,  very  inebriating,  and  in  color  and  taste  much  like 
the  red  wine  of  Provence.  In  the  late  wars,  New  Orleans  and 
the  lower  parts  of  Louisiana  were  supplied  with  flour,  becfj 
wines,  hams,  and  other  provisions,  frjm  this  country.  At  pre- 
sent, its  commerce  is  mostly  confined  to  the  peltry  and  furs 
which  are  got  in  traffic  from  the  Indians;  for  which  are  received 
in  turn  such  European  commodities  as  are  necessar}'  to  carry  on 
that  commerce  and  the  su^iport  of  its  inhabitants." 

CONQUEST    BY    CLARKE. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  it  is  pro- 
bable that  the  British  garrison  (removed  in  1772  from  Fort 
Chartres  to  Fort  Gage,  opposite  Kaskaskia,)  had  been  with- 
drawn. Illinois  was  remote  from  the  theatre  of  action,  and  the 
colonists  were  little  disturbed  by  the  rumors  of  war  which  came 
from  the  Atlantic  coast.  The  French  inhabitants  were  rather  in 
sympathy  with  the  Americans  than  the  English,  but  probably 
understood  little  the  nature  of  the  struggle.  Illinois  belonged 
to  the  jurisdiction  of  Virginia.  George  Rogers  Clarke,  who 
visited  Kentucky  in  1775,  seems  to  have  been  the  first  to  com- 
prehend the  advantages  which  would  result  from  the  occupation 
of  Illinois  b_v  the  Americans.  He  visited  Virginia,  where  he 
laid  his  plans  before  Patrick  Henry,  the  Governor  of  the  State. 
Clarke  received  his  instructions,  January,  1778,  and  the  follow- 
ing month  set  out  for  Pittsburg.  His  insti'uctions  were  to  raise 
seven  comnanies  of  men,  but  he  could  only  succeed  in  enlisting 


four,  commanded  by  Cai>tains  Montgomery,  Bowman,  Helm, 
and  Harrod.  Ou  Corn  Island,  opposite  Louisville,  on  the  Ohio, 
Clarke  announced  his  destination  to  the  men.  At  the  mouth  of 
the  Tennessee,  a  man  named  John  Duff  was  encountered,  with  a 
party  of  hunters,  who  had  recently  visited  Kaskaskia,  and  also 
brought  the  intelligence  that  one  Rocheblave,  a  French  Cana- 
dian, was  in  command  at  that  point,  that  he  kept  the  militia  well 
drilled,  and  that  sentinels  were  posted  to  watch  for  the  "  Long 
Knives,"  as  the  Virginians  were  called,  of  whom  the  inhabitants 
were  in  terror.  Securing  his  boats  near  Fort  Massacre  (or 
Jlassae,)  Clarke  undertook  the  journey  across  the  country,  one 
hundred  and  twenty  miles,  to  Kaskaskia.  It  was  accomplished 
with  difBculty.  On  the  afternoon  of  flie  fourth  of  July,  1778, 
the  exhausted  band  of  invaders  came  to  the  vicinity  of  Kaskas- 
kia, and  concealed  themselves  in  the  hills  to  the  east  of  the  town- 
A'ter  dark  Clarke  proceeded  to  the  old  ferry-house,  three-fourths 
of  a  mile  above  the  village,  and  at  midnight  addressed  his  troops 
on  the  banks  of  the  river.  He  divided  his  force  into  three 
parties.  Two  were  to  cross  to  the  west  side  of  the  river,  and 
enter  the  town  from  different  quarters.  The  third,  under  the 
direction  of  Clarke  himself,  was  to  capture  the  fort  on  the  east 
side.  Kaskaskia  at  that  time  was  a  village  of  about  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  houses.  The  British  commander  last  in  charge 
bad  instilled  in  the  minds  of  the  people  tlu  impression  that  the 
Virginians,  otherwise  the  "Long  Knives,"  were  a  ferocious  baud 
of  murderers,  plundering  houses,  slaughtering  women  and  chil- 
dren, and  committing  acts  of  the  greatest  atrocity.  Clarke 
determined  to  take  advantage  of  this,  and  so  surprise  the  in- 
habitants by  fear  as  to  induce  them  to  submit  without  resistance. 
Clarke  effected  an  entrance  to  the  fort  without  difficulty.  The 
other  parties  at  a  given  signal  entered  Kaskaskia  at  the  opposite 
extremities,  and  with  terrible  outcries  and  hideous  noises,  aroused 
the  terrified  inbabitants,  who  shrieked  in  their  alarm,  "  The 
Long  Knives!'  'The  Long  Knives  arc  here!"  The  panic- 
stricken  townsmen  delivered  up  their  arms,  and  the  victory  was 
accomplished  without  the  shedding  of  a  drop  of  blood.  31. 
Rocheblave,  the  British  commandant,  was  unconscious  of  the 
presence  of  the  enemy,  till  an  officer  of  the  detachment  entered 
his  bed-chamber,  and  claimed  him  as  a  prisoner.  I:i  accordance 
with  his  original  plan  of  conquering  the  inhabitants  by  terror, 
and  then  afterward  winning  their  regard  and  gratitude  by  his 
clcmencj-,  Clarke,  the  next  day,  withdrew  his  forces  from  the 
town,  and  stcrnh*  forbade  all  communication  between  it  and  his 
soldiers.  Some  of  the  j^riucipal  militia  officers,  citizens  of  the 
town,  were  next  put  in  irons.  The  terror  now  reached  its  height. 
The  priest,  and  a  deputation  of  five  or  six  elderly  men  of  the 
village,  called  on  Clarke,  and  humbly  requested  permission  to 
assemble  in  the  church,  to  take  leave  of  each  other  and  com- 
mend their  future  lives  to  the  protection  of  a  merciful  God, 
since  they  expected  to  be  separated,  perhaps  never  to  meet 
again.  Clarke  gruflly  granted  the  privilege.  The  whole  popula- 
tion convened  at  the  church,  and  after  remaining  together  a  long 
time,  the  priest  and  a  few  others  again  waited  upon  the  com- 
mander of  the  American  forces,  presenting  thanks  for  the 
privilege  they  had  enjoyed,  and  desiring  to  know  what  fate 
awaited  them. 

Clarke  now  determined  to  lift  them  from  their  dcs]iair,  and 
win  their  gratitude  by  a  show  of  mercy.  "What!  "said  he; 
"  do  you  take  us  for  savages  ?     Do  you  think  Americans  will 


JIIsTOEY  OF  LE  WITT  COUXTY.   II.LIXOLS. 


strip  women  and  children,  and  take  broad  from  their  mouths  ? 
My  countrymen  disdain  to  malce  war  on  helpless  innocents." 
He  further  reminded  them  that  the  King  of  Finance,  their 
former  ruler,  was  an  ally  of  the  Americans,  and  now  fighting 
their  cause.  He  told  them  to  embrace  the  side  they  deemed 
best,  and  they  should  be  respected  iu  the  enjoyment  of  their 
liberty  and' the  rights  of  property. 

The  revulsion  of  feeling  was  complete.  The  good  news  spread 
throughout  the  village.  The  church-bell  rang  a  merry  peal,  and 
the  delighted  inhabitants  gathered  at  the  chapel,  where  thanks 
were  offered  to  God  for  their  happy  and  unexpected  deliverance- 
The  loyalty  of  the  inhabitants  was  assured,  and  ever  after  they 
remained  faithful  to  the  American  cause.  The  French  inhabi- 
tants of  Kaskaskia  were  readily  reconciled  to  a  change  of  gov- 
ernment. In  October,  1778,  the  Virginia  Assembly  erected  the 
conquered  territory  into  the  County  of  Illinois.  This  County 
embraced  all  the  region  north-west  of  the  Ohio,  and  five  large 
states  have  since  been  formed  from  it.  Colonel  Clarke  was 
appointed  military  commander  of  all  tlie  western  territory  north 
and  south  of  the  Ohio,  and  Colonel  John  Todd,  one  of  Clarke's 
soldiers,  who  next  to  Clarke  had  been  the  first  mau  to  enter  Fort 
Gage,  was  appointed  lieutenaut-commandant  of  Illinois.  In  the 
spring  of  1779,  Colonel  Todd  visited  Kaskaskia,  and_  made 
arrangements  for  the  oigauization  of  a  temporary  government. 
Many  of  the  French  inhabitants  of  Kaskaskia,  Prairie  du 
Rocher,  and  the  other  settlements,  readily  took  the  oath  of 
allegiance  to  Virginia.  Colonel  Todd  was  killed  at  the  famous 
battle  of  Blue  Licks,  in  Kentucky,  August,  1782,  and  Timothy 
de  Montbrun,  a  Frenchman,  succeeded  him  as  commandant  of 
Illinois  County.     Of  his  administration  but  little  is  known. 

LAND   TENURES. 

The  early  French  settlers  held  the  possession  of  their  land  in 
common.  A  tract  of  land  was  fixed  upon  for  a  Common  Field, 
in  which  all  the  inhabitants  were  interested. 

Besides  the  Common  Field,  another  tract  of  land  was  laid  off 
as  the  Commons.  All  the  villagers  had  free  access  to  this  as  a 
place  of  pasturage  for  their  stock.  From  this  they  also  drew 
their  supply  ot  fuel. 

Individual  grants  were  likewise  made.  Under  the  French 
system,  the  lands  were  granted  without  any  equivalent  considera- 
tion in  the  way  of  money,  the  individuals  satisfying  the  authori- 
ties that  tne  lands  were  wanted  for  actual  settlement,  or  for  a 
purpose  likely  to  benefit  the  community.  The  first  grant  of 
land,  which  is  preserved,  is  that  made  to  Charles  Danie,  May 
10th,  1722.  The  French  grants  at  Kaskaskia  extended  from 
river  to  river,  and  at  other  places  in  the  Bottom  they  commonly 
extended  from  the  river  to  the  bluff.  Grants  of  land  were  made 
for  almost  all  the  American  Bottom,  from  the  upper  limits  of 
the  Common  Eield  of  St.  Phillip's  to  the  loner  line  of  the  Kas- 
kaskia Common  Field,  a  distance  of  nearly  thirty  miles- 

The  British  commandants,  who  assumed  the  government  on 
the  cession  of  the  territory  by  France,  exercised  the  privilege  of 
making  grants,  subject  to  the  approval  of  his  Majesty,  the  King. 
Colonel  Wilkins  granted  to  some  merchants  of  Philadelphia  a 
magnificent  domain  of  thirty  thnu.sand  acres  lying  between  the 
village  of  Kaskaskia  and  Prairie  du  Rocher,  nuicli  of  it  already 
covered  by  French  grants  previously  made.  For  the  better  car- 
ryins;  out  their   plans,  the   British   officers,  and  perhaps  their 


grantees,  destroyed,  to  some  extent,  the  records  of  the  ancient 
French  grants  at  Kaskaskia,  by  which  the  regular  claim  of  titles 
and  conveyances  was  partly  broken.  This  British  grant  of  thirty 
tliousand  acres,  which  had  been  assigned  to  John  Edgar,  was 
afterward  patented  by  Ciovernor  St.  Clair  to  Edgar  and  John 
Murray  St.  Clair,  the  Governor's  sou,  to  whom  Edgar  had  pre- 
viously conveyed  a  moiety  by  deed.  Although  much  fault  was 
found  with  the  transaction,  a  confirmation  of  the  grant  was 
secured  from  the  United  States  government. 

When  Virginia  ceded  Illinois,  it  was  stipulated  that  the 
Fjench  and  Canadian  inhabitants,  and  other  settlers,  who  had 
professed  allegiance  to  Virginia,  should  have  their  titles  con- 
firmed to  them.  Congress  afterwards  authorized  the  Governor 
to  confirm  the  possessions  and  titles  of  the  French  to  their  lands. 
In  accordance  with  this  agreement.  Governor  St.  Clair,  in  1790, 
issued  a  proclagiation  directing  the  inhabitants  to  exhibit  their 
titles  and  claims  to  the  lands  which  they  held,  in  order  to  be 
confirmed  in  their  possession.  Where  the  instruments  were 
found  to  be  authentic,  orders  of  survey  were  i-ssued,  the  expense 
of  which  was  borne  by  the  parties  who  claimed  ownership.  The 
French  inhabitants  were  in  such  poverty  at  this  time  that  they 
were  really  unable  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  surveys,  and  a 
memorial  signed  by  P.  Gibault,  the  priest  at  Kaskaskia,  and 
eighty-seven  others,  was  presented  to  Ciovernor  St.  Clair,  praying 
him  to  petition  Congress  for  relief  in  the  matter.  In  1791, 
Congress  directed  that  four  hundred  acres  of  land  .should  b& 
granted  to  the  head  of  every  family  which  had  made  improve- 
ments in  Illinois  prior  to  the  year  1788.  Before  this,  in  1788, 
Congress  had  also  directed  that  a  donation  be  given  to  each  of 
the  families  then  living  at  either  of  the  villages  of  Kaskaskia, 
Prairie  du  Rocher,  Cahokia,  Fort  Chartres,  or  St.  Phillips. 
These  were  known  as  "  bead-right  "  claims. 

At  an  early  date,  si^eculatiou  became  active  in  the  land 
claims  of  different  kinds ;  bead-rights,  improvement  rights,  mili- 
tia rights,  and  fraudulent  claims  were  produced  in  great  num- 
bers. The  French  claims  were  partly  unconfirmed,  owing  to  the 
poverty  of  that  people,  and  these  were  forced  on  the  market 
with  the  others.  The  official  report  of  the  commissioners  at 
Kaskaskia,  made  in  1810,  shows  that  eight  hundred  and  ninety 
land  claims  were  rejected  as  being  illegal  or  fraudulent.  Three 
hundred  and  seventy  were  reported  as  being  supported  by  per- 
jury, and  a  considerable  number  were  forged.  There  are  fourteen 
names  given  of  persons,  both  English  and  French,  who  made  it 
a  regular  business  to  furnish  sworn  certificates,  professing  an 
intimate  knowledge,  in  every  case,  of  the  settlers  who  had  made 
certain  improvements  upon  which  claims  were  predicated  and 
when  and  where  they  were  located.  A  Frenchman,  clerk  of  the 
parish  of  Prairie  du  Rocher,  "  without  property  and  fond  of 
liquor,"  after  having  given  some  two  hundred  depositions  in 
favor  of  three  land  claimant  speculators,  "  was  induced,"  in  the 
language  of  the  report,  "  either  by  C(mipensation,  fear,  or  the 
impossibility  of  obtaining  absolution  on  any  other  terms,  to  de- 
clare on  oath  that  the  said  depositions  were  false,  and  that  iu 
giving  them  he  had  a  regard  for  something  beyond  the  truth." 

The  report  of  the  commissioners  raised  many  doubts  in  regard 
to  the  validity  and  propriety  of  a  number  of  confirmations  by 
the  Governors,  and  much  dissatisfivction  among  the  claimants ; 
and  in  consequence.  Congress,  in  1812,  passed  an  act  for  the 
revision  of  these  land  claims  in  the  Kaskaskia  district.     The 


28 


lllSJORY  OF  DE  WITl   COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


commissioners  under  tliis  law  were  Michael  Jones,  John  Cald- 
well and  Thomas  Sloo.  Facts  damaging  to  }>",roons  who  occu- 
pied positions  of  high  respectability  in  the  community,  were 
disclosed.  They  reported  that  the  English  claiiu  of  thirty  thou- 
sand acres  confirmed  by  Governor  St.  Clair  to  John  Edgar  and 
the  Governor's  son,  John  Murray  St.  Clair,  was  founded  in 
neither  law  nor  equity,  that  the  patent  was  issued  after  the 
Governor's  power  ceased  to  exist,  and  the  claim  ought  not  to  be 
confirmed.     Congress,  however,  confirmed  it. 

For  a  period  of  several  years,  emigration  was  considerably 
retarded  by  the  delay  iu  adjusting  land  titles.  The  act  of  Con- 
gress passed  in  1813,  granting  the  right  of  pre-emption  to  set- 
tlers, was  influential  in  bringing  the  public  lands  into  market. 
Emigrants  p<jured  into  the  country,  and  improvements  were 
rapidly  made. 

CIVIL   ORGANIZATION. 

The  history  of  Illinois  has  been  traced  while  a  possession  of 
France,  and  when  under  the  British  government ;  and  the  for- 
mation of  Illinois  as  a  County  of  Virginia  has  been  noted.  The 
several  States  afterwards  agreed,  on  the  adoption  of  the  Articles 
of  the  Confederation,  to  cede  their  claims  to  the  western  land  to 
the  General  government.  Virginia  executed  her  deed  of  cession 
March  1st,  1784.  For  several  years  after,  there  was  an  imper- 
fect administration  of  the  law  in  Illinois.  The  French  customs 
partly  held  force,  and  afliiirs  were  partly  governed  bv  the  pro- 
mulgations of  the  British  commandants  issued  from  Fort  Char- 
tres,  and  by  the  regulations  which  had  subsequently  been  issued 
by  the  Virginia  authorities. 

By  the  ordinance  of  1787,  all  the  territory  north-west  of  the 
Ohio  not  constituted  into  one  district,  the  laws  to  be  administered 
by  a  governor  and  secretary,  a  court  was  instituted  of  three 
judges.  A  general  assembly  was  provided  for,  the  members  to 
be  chosen  by  the  people.  General  Arthur  St.  Clair  was  selected 
by  Congress,  as  Governor  of  the  north-western  territory.  The 
seat  of  government  was  at  Marietta,  Ohio. 

In  the  year  179.5,  Governor  St.  Clair  divided  St.  Clair  County. 
All  south  of  a  line  running  through  the  New  Design  settlement 
{\n  the  present  County  of  Monroe )  was  erected  into  the  County 
of  Randolph.  In  honor  of  Edmund  Randolph  of  Virginia,  the 
new  county  received  its  name. 

Shadrach  Bond,  afterward  the  first  Governor,  was  elected  from 
Illinois,  a  member  of  the  Territorial  Legislature  which  convened 
at  Cincinnati,  in  January,  1799.  In  1800  the  Territory  of  In- 
diana was  formed,  of  which  Illinois  constituted  a  part,  with  the 
seat  of  government  at  Vincennes.  About  1806,  among  other 
places  in  the  West,  Aaron  Burr  visited  Kaskaskia  in  an  en- 
deavor to  enlist  men  for  his  treasonable  scheme  against  the 
government.  In  1805,  George  Fisher  was  elected  from  Ran- 
dolph County  a  member  of  the  Territorial  Legislature,  and 
Pierre  Menard  was  chosen  member  of  the  Legislative  Council. 

By  act  of  Congress,  1809,  the  Territory  of  Illinois  was  con- 
stituted. Ninian  Edwards  was  appointed  Governor  of  the  newly 
organized  Territory,  and  the  seat  of  government  established  at 
Kaskaskia.  Nathaniel  Pope,  a  relative  of  Edwards,  received 
the  appointment  of  Secretary. 

For  nearly  four  years  after  the  organization  of  the  Territorial 
Government  no  legislature  existed  in  Illinois.  Au  election  for 
representatives  was   held  on   the   eighth,  ninth,  and   tenth  of 


October,  1812.  Shadrach  Bond,  then  a  resident  of  St.  Clair 
County,  was  elected  the  first  Delegate  to  Congress  from  Illinois 
Pierre  Menard  was  chosen  from  Randolph  County  member  of 
the  Legislative  Council,  and  George  Fisher  of  the  House  of 
Representatives.  The  Legislature  convened  at  Kaskaskia  on 
the  twenty-fifth  of  November,  1812. 

In  April,  1818,  a  bill  providing  for  the  admission  of  Illinois 
into  the  Union  as  a  sovereign  State  was  passed  by  Congress.  A 
Convention  to  frame  a  Constitution  assembled  at  Kaskaskia  in 
the  following  July.  The  first  election  under  the  Constitution 
was  held  iu  September,  1818,  and  Shadrach  Bond  was  elected 
Governor,  and  Pierre  Menard,  Lieutenant  Governor.  Illinois 
was  now  declared  by  Congress  admitted  to  the  Union  as  on  equal 
footing  in  all  respects  with  the  original  States.  The  Legislature 
again  met  at  Kaskaskia  in  January,  1819.  This  was  the  last 
session  ever  held  at  Kaskaskia.  Vandalia,  the  same  year,  was 
selected  as  Capital  of  the  State.  It  was  stipulated  that  Vanda- 
lia was  to  be  the  Capital  for  twenty  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
period  it  was  changed  to  Springfield.  Below  we  give  list  of 
governors  and  chief  officers  of  Illinois. 

Illinois  was  constituted  a  separate  Territory  by  act  of  Con- 
gress, February  3d,  1809. 

OFFICERS  OF   THE   STATE   OF   ILLINOIS. 


FROM  1809, 


TO  1878. 


ILLINOIS    TERRITORY. 


Natlianiel  Pope Secretary  of  the  TLrritorv, March  7,  1809. 

Xinian  Edwards, Governor April  24,   1809. 

n.  H.  Ma.'jwcll, .\uditor  Public  Accounts, 1816. 

Daniel  P.  Cook "  '•  "  January  13,  1816. 

Joseph  Phillips Secretary December  17,   'lo. 

Robert  Blackwell, Auditor  Public  Accounts, April  5,  1817. 

Elijah  C.  Berry "  "  "  Augu.st  29,  1817. 

John  Thomas Treasurer 1818. 


STATE   OF    ILLINOIS. 


Rhadrach  Bond, Governor, 

Pierre  Menard Lieut-Governor, 

Elias  K.  Kane Secretary  of  State, 

Elijah  C.  Berry, Auditor  Public  Accounts, 

John  Thoma.s, Treasurer, 

Robert  K.  McLaughlin,...         "         

Edward  Coles, Governor, 

Adolphus  F.  Mubbard Lieut.  Governor, 

Samuel  D.  Lockwood, Secretary  of  State, 


,  1818. 


0,  1818. 

6,  1818. 

1818. 

1818. 

igust  2,  1819. 

ccmber,  1822. 

1822. 

18,1822. 

Abner  Field Trea.surer, January  14,  1823. 

David  Blaekwell Secretary  of  State, April  2,  1823. 

Morris  Birheck "  ■'  October   15,  1824. 

George   Forquer, "  "  January  15,  1825. 

Ninian  Edwards Governor December,  1826. 

William  Kinney Lieut-Governor, "  1826. 

James  Hall, Treasurer Febr'y.  12,  1827. 

Alexander  P.  Field, Secretary  of  State, Janiiary  23,  1829. 


EISTOBl  GF  DE  Will  COUNIY,  ILLINOIS. 


29 


John  Reynolds, Governor, December  9, 1S30. 

Zadock  Casey Lieut-Governor, "         9.  1830. 

John  Dement, Treasurer, February  5,  1831. 

James  T.  B.  Siapp, Auditor  Public  Accounts, August  27,  1831. 

Joseph  Duncan, Governor, December,  1834 

Alexander  M.  Jenkins. ...Lieut-Governor, "  1S34. 

Levi  Davis Auditor  Public  Accounts Nov.    IG,  1835- 

Charles  Gregory, Treasurer December  5,  1R36. 

John  D.  Whiteside, ''         Murch  4,  1837. 

Thomas  Carlin, Governor, December,  1838. 

Stinson  H.  Anderson, Lieut-Governor, "  1S3S. 

Stephen  A.  Douglas, Secretary  of  State, Xov.  30.  1840- 

Lyman  Truml>iill "  "  March  1,1841. 

Milton  Carpenter, Treasurer, "  1841. 

James  Shields, Auditor  Public  Accounts '"  1S4I. 

Thomas  Ford, Governor, December  8, 184'^. 

John  Moore, Lieut-Governor, "         8,  1842. 

Thomas  Campbell, Secretary  of  State March  6,  1843. 

William  L.D.Ewing Auditor  Public  Accounts, "       6,  1843. 

Thomas  H.  Campbell «      P.  A.  (to  fill  vac-mcy),     "     2Q,  184G. 

Augustus  C.  French, Governor, December  9, 1840. 

Joseph  B.  Wells, Lieut-Governor, "        0.  1S4G. 

Horaces.  Cooley,^ Secretary  of  State, ''       23,  ls4G. 

John  Moore. Treasurer,  (to  fill  vacancy), August  14,  1>'48. 

William  McMurlry, Lieut-Governor, January,  1849. 

David  L.  Gregg, Sec'y.  of  State  (to  fill  vacancy},April3.  1850. 

Joel  A.  Matteson, Governor, January.  1853 

Gustavus  Koerner, Lieut-Governor, "         1853. 

Alexander  Starne, Secretary  of  State, "         1853. 

Ninian  W.  Edwards Super't.  Public  Instruction, March  24,  1854. 

William  H.  Bissell, Governor, January  12,  1857. 

John  Wood, Lieut-Governor, ''       12,  1857. 

Ozias  M.  Hatch Secretary  of  State, ' 

Jesse  K.  Dubois Auditor  Public  Accounts, 

James  Miller, Treasurer, 

William  IL  Powell, Super't.  Public  Instruction, 

Newton  Bateman, "  "  

William  Butler, Treasurer  (to  fill  vacancy) Septe 

Kichard  ^ates, Governor, J:in' 

Francis  A.  IIofFman, Lieut-Governor, 

Ozias  M.  Hatch, Secretary  of  State, 

Jesse  K.  Dubois Auditor  Public  A.ccoiint=, 

William  Bnller Treasurer, 

Newton  Batoman. Super't.  Public  Instruction, 

Alexander  Starne. Treasurer, 

John  P.  Brooks, Super't   Public  Instruction ' 

liiebard  J.Oglesby, Governor * 

William  Bross, Lieut-Governor 

Sharon  Tyndale,  Secretary  of  State, 

Orlin  H.  Miner, Auditor  Public  Accounts, Dec.  12, 

J.anies  U.  Beveridge, Treasurer, Js 

Kewlon Bateman, Super't.  Public  Instruction Jc 


12,  185 


10, 

1859. 

bcr3,lS50. 

rv  14, 

I>iC.l. 

14 

1M.U. 

14 

1801. 

14 

1S61. 

14 

1861. 

14 

18GI. 

12 

1SG3. 

1-2 

1863. 

IG, 

186-5. 

16 

I860. 

16 

1S65. 

2,  1864. 

rv9, 

865. 

rv  10, 

1SC5. 

George  W.  Smith, Treasurer, January,  1S67, 

JulinM.  Palmer Governor January  11,  1869. 

John  Doushertv, Lieut-Governor, "       11,  1869. 

Edtt-ard  Ruraraell Seeretsry  of  State ''       11,  18G9. 

Cliarles  E.  Lippincott Auditor  Public  Accounts, "       H,  1S69. 

Erastus  X.  Bates, Trea-surer "       11,  1S69. 

Newton  B,ateman, Super't.  Public  Instruction, .January,  1871. 

ErastusN.  Bates Treasurer, Nov.  8,  1870. 

Kichard  J.  Oglesby, Governor January  13,  1873. 

Jolin  L.  Beveridge, Lieut-Governor,  "       13,  1873. 

George  H.  Harlow, Secretary  of  State "       13,  1873. 

Charles  E.  Lippincott,  ....Auditor  Public  Accounts, "       13.  1873. 

Edward  Eutz, Treasurer "       13,  1S73. 

John  L.  Beveridge, Governor, "       23,  1873. 

John  Early, Lieut-Governor, "       23,1873. 

S.  M.  Cullom Governor, "  8,1877. 

■Andrew  ShuuLin Lieut-Governor, ''  8,  1877. 

George  H.  Harlow, Secretary  of  State, "  8,1877. 

Edward  Eutz Treasurer "         8, 1877. 

T.  B.  Needles Auditor  Public  Accounts "  8,1877. 

S.  M.  Etter Super't.  Public  Instruction,....        "         8, 1877, 

J-P-Slade, "  •'  "         8!l879. 

J.  C.  Smith, Treasurer "  8,1879. 

S.  M.  Cullom Governor "        10.  1881. 

John  M.Hiuiiilton, Lieiit.-Govemor ■'        10.  ISSl. 

Henrv  D.  Dement .Secretary  of  .Sate, "        10,  18S1. 

Charles  P.  Swigert, .-Vuditor'PublicAccounts, "        10.1881. 

Edward  Eutz,.r Treasurer, "        10,  ISSl. 

Believing  that  it  will  be  interesting  to  the  younger  readers  of 
our  work,  we  subjoin  the  following  list  of  Presidents  of  the 
United  States : 

George  Washington Virginia 1780  to  1797,  eight  years. 

John  Adams Massachusetts 1797  to  1801,  four  years. 

Thomas  Jefferson Virginia 1801  to  1809,  eight  years. 

James  Madison Virginia 1809  to  1817,  eight  years. 

James  Monroe Virginia, 1817  to  1825.  eight  years. 

John  Quincy  Adams Massachusetts,, .,.18'25  to  1829,  four  years. 

Andrew  Jackson Tennessee, 1829  to  1837,  eight  years. 

Martin  Van  Buren New  "Vork, 1837  to   1841,   four  years. 

William  H.  Harrison Ohio 1841,  one  month. 

John  Tyler Virginia, 1841  to  184-5,   four  years. 

James  K.  Polk Tennessee 1845  to  1849,  four  years. 

Zachary  Taylor Louisiana, 1849  to  1859,  one  year. 

Millard  Fillmore New  York 18-50  to  18-53,  three  years. 

Franklin  Pierce NewDampshire,.1853  to  1857,  four  years. 

James  Buchanan Pennsylvania 18-57  to  1861,   four  year?- 

Ahraham  Lincoln,  (murdered'i..Tllinois ISGl  to  1865,  4  yrs,  1  mo. 

Andrew  Johnson,, Tennes.'ee, 1865  to  1869,  four   years, 

Ulysses  S,  Grant Illinois, 1869  to  1877,  eight  years. 

Eulherford  B.  Hayes Ohio 1877,  to  1831.  f.-ir  vears. 

James  .-i.- Garheld Ohio ISSl, 


FOP»XJL^TIO]>T   OF  ILILIjSTOIS,   BY  COUNTIES. 


1870. 


1S60. 


Adams 5G.3C2  59,t4S 

Alexander 10,504  14,809 

Bond l.-l,152  I4,ST3 

Boone 12,942  11,527 

Brown 12,205  13,044 

Bureau 32,415  33,189 

Calhoun C,.502  7,471 

Carroll „  10,705  10,805 

Cass 11,580  14,494 

Champaign , —  32,737  40,809 

Christian 20,363  23,232 

Clark - 18,719  21,000 

Clay 15,S75  10,105 

Clinton 10,285  18,718 

Coles 2.-.,2.1o  27,(155 

Cook  ai9,9C6  607,4r8 

Crawford 13,889  16,190 

Cumberland...  12,223  13,7(^2 

Do  Kalb 23,265  26,774 

De  Witt 14,7ia  17,014 

Doudass 1.3,484  15,657 

Du  Pago 16,086  19,187 


ISTO. 

Edgar 21,450 

Edwards 7,505 

Effingham 15,053 

Fayette 19,6,38 

Ford 9,103 

Franklin 12,052 

Fulton 38,291 

Gallatin 11,134 

Greene 20,277 

Grundy 14,938 

Hamilton 13.014 

Hancock 35.935 

Hardin. 5,113 

Henderson 12,562 

Henry 35,-506 

Iroquois 25,782 

Jackson 19,ra4 

Jasper 11,234 

Jefferson 17,804 

Jersey 15,054 

Jo  Daviess 27,820 

Johnson 11,248 


18,924 
23,243 
15,105 
10,129 
41,249 
12,802 


11..'.15 
20,f,s6 
1.5,546 
27,534 


1870. 


Kane    39,091 

Kankakee- 24,352 

Kendall 1A309 

Knox  30,522 

Lake 21,014 

LaS.-illc 60,792 

La^vTence 12,.J33 

Loo 27,171 

Livingston 31,471 

Logan  23,053 

MoDuiii-ush-  2i,'.n'i 

M.-n  -    -  J 

M   L 

M,  .1 

JIi 

Jl.ij       u  41       1 

Man.-n    2n  i  __■ 

Marshall 10,950 

Mason 16,184 

Massac 9,581 

Menard 11,735 

Mercer 18,769 


44,9-56 
24,001 
13,(ls4 
a^,3G0 
21,209 
70,4:0 
13,003 
27,194 
38,450 


1S7( 


Monroe 12,982  13,082 

Montgomery...  25,314  2S,OS6 

Slorgan 28,403  31,5W 

Moultrie 10,385  13.705 

Ogle 27.402  29.946 

Peoria 47,540  65,419 

Perry 13.723  16,008 

Piatt 10,953  15,583 

Pike -...  30.708  33,761 

Pope 11,437  13,256 

Pulaski 8,752  ■     9,507 

r    !n      6,280  6,555 

'■    -   '              20,859  25,691 

12,803  15,646 

i      ..i.-  29,783  38,314 

,=  :   '  !  ,      51,008  01,850 

S.iUnj  12,714  15,910 

Sangamon 46,352  52,902 

Schuyler 17,419  10,249 

Scott..: 10,530  10,745 

Shelby... 25,470  30,282 

Stark 10,751  11,209 


Stephenson 

30,C08 

31,970 

Tazewell 

27,903 

29,079 

Union .- 

10,518 

18,100 

Vermillion 

30,388 

41,000 

■Wabash 

8.841 

9,945 

Warren 

23,174 

2-2,940 

Washington ... 

17,599 

21,117 

Wayne 

19,758 

21,297 

10,846 

23,089 

Whitesides..... 

27,503 

30,8SS 

Will 

43,013 

63,424 

Williamson .... 

17,329 

19,326 

Wmnehftgo .... 
Woodford 

29,301 

30,518 

18,956 

21,630 

Total 

,539,891 3,078,709 

White,  3,032,174;  Colored,  46.- 
595,  including  214  Chinese,  and 
133  Indians. 


30 


HISTORY  OF  BE   ^\^ITT  CDUXTY,   ILLINOIS. 


CHAPTER   III. 

AXn    RAIL- 

Creek 

704 

1,018 

743 

1.022 

i.or.i 

1,104 
]  .437 

048 

064 

1.270 

1,064 

1.211 

De  Witt 

II;ir|. 

1,110 

1,077 

GEOGRAPHY. 

AGrJCl'LTVRAL    RESOURCES, 
ROAD  FACILITIES.       ' 

Wiipella,  (Townsliip),  .  . 
Village,  (Wapt-lla),.  .  . 
Nixon 

1.016 
3i7 

1,184 
302 
80) 

Santa  Anna, 

Texas 

S33 
893 

< 

2.106 
950 

E  WlXr  COUXTY  i3  situated  nearly  cen- 
tral iu  the  state,  the  g  'ographical  centre  of 
Illinois,  beiog.  located  but  a  few  miles  from 
the  southern  boundary.  It  lies  between  the 
fortieth  and  fnrtj'-first  parallels  of  north 
latitude,  and  is  bi-sected  by  the  twelfth  me- 
ridian west  from  Washington ;  while  the 
third  Principal  Meridian  forms  the  western 
b  lundary.  Its  greatest  length  from  east  to 
west  is  thirty  miles,  ami  from  north  to  south  sixteen  miles,  and 
contains  an  area  of  about  39.3  square  miles,  or  2.51,657  acres. 
In  compari-on  of  acres  of  improved  and  unimproved  lands,  there 
are  proHabli'  but  few  counties  in  the  state,  that  can  show  a 
better  record.  The  following  is  the  official  data  taken  from 
the  record  for  1880.  Acres,  improved  lands,  232,66'2;  va- 
lue, §3,188,091 :  Acres  unimproved,  18,995 :  value,  8142,799. 
Number  impr.ived  lots,  2,814;  value,  8273,239.  Unimproved 
lots,  1 ,393  ;  value,  816,721.  We  are  further  informed  by  Mr.  A. 
L.  Barnett,  the  first  and  present  surveyor  of  the  county,  that  De 
Witt  does  not  contain  a  single  acre  of  land  not  susceptible  of 
improvement.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  McL°an  ;  east  by 
Piatt,  south  by  Macon,  and  west  by  Logan  county.  Cliuton, 
the  capital,  is  situated  nearly  central,  and  equidistant  from  the 
two  great  cities  of  Chicago  and  St.  Louis,  baing  about  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  miles  from  each.  AVheu  the  county  was  organ- 
ized in  1839,  its  territory  was  considerable  in  excess  of  its  pre- 
sent boundaries.  Nearly  a  whole  town.ship  on  the  north-west  has 
been  lopped  off  and  joined  to  Logan,  while  on  the  south  and  east, 
quite  a  (jortion  of  territory  has  been  given  over  to  form  a  part  of 
what  is  now  Piatt  coanty.  It  embraces  seven  full,  and  si.'C  frac- 
tional parts  of  congres-sioual  townships,  making  thirteen  voting 
])recincts  as  follows:  Waynesville,  Wapella,  Wilson,  Rutledge, 
Santa  Anna,  De  Witt,  Harp,  C'liiitoiiia,  Barnett,  Tunbridge, 
Texas,  Creek,  and  Nixon. 

The  first  land  entries  were  made  the  3J  d.iy  of  November, 
1827,  as  fol  ows:  James  K.  Scott  entered  the  E  -2  of  the  N.  E.!, 
s  ction  27  ;  and  Samuel  P.  Glenn  the  E  \  of  the  S.  W.J,  sectioa 
26;  both  being  in  town  21,  range  1,  east.  Prior  to  the  first  of 
May,  1830,  there  were  not  to  exceed  2,500  acres  of  land  en- 
tered in  the  county. 

Population. — The  first  settlers  were  principally  Americius,  who 
were  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  The  present  nation- 
ality is  a  mixture  of  English,  Irish,  Swedes,  Germans,  and  a  few 
French,  and  Negroes.  The  former  largely  predominates.  Fifty- 
one  years  ago — 1830 — there  were  not  to  exceed  250  inhabitants 
within  the  present  limits  of  the  county.  Below  we  give  the  offi- 
cial census  of  the  several  decades,  from  1840  to  the  present  time. 
In  1840,  the  records  show  a  population  of  3,247 ;  1850,  males 
2,554,  females  (white)  2,447;  females  (colored)  1;  total,  5,002. 
The  following  is  the  census  by  townships  since  1860. 

1800.  1870.  1880. 

Barnett, 804  1,078  1,122 

(lintonia  (Township).  .    .    .      1,984  2.038  3.308 

City  (Clinton),  .    .        1,302  1.800  2,702 


Tunbridge, 636  1,105  1.005 

Waynesville 872  970  1.042 

Wilson 314  040  006 

Totals 12,182  10,.567  20.054 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  census  of  1840,  included 
that  p  Ttion  of  territory,  afterwards  lopped  off  from  the  east  and 
north-west,  which  has  already  been  mentioned-  From  the  fijre- 
going  table  it  is  easy  to  discover  the  gradual  and  healthy  growth 
of  the  c  'Uuty  in  population. 

Typography. — The  surface  of  the  country  presents  a  pleasing 
variety  of  gently  undulating  prairie  land,  interspersed  with 
belts  of  timber,  that  hug  the  water-courses  in  their  various  mean- 
derings.  Originally,  about  one-tenth  of  the  county  was  covered 
with  a  fine  growth  of  timber  consisting  of  oak,  walnut,  elm,  syca- 
more etc.  Along  the  creeks  the  surface;  is  somewhat  broken, 
and  at  various  points  assume  the  nature  of  small  bluffs,  especially 
along  the  Kickapoo  iu  the  north-west.  There  are  two  principal 
divides  or  water-sheds,  o je  lying  in  the  north  and  west,  between  the 
Kickapoo  and  Salt  Creek,  and  the  other  extending  along  south  of 
the  latter  creek,  midway  between  it  and  the  southern  boundary 
of  the  c  mnty.  In  many  pirts  of  the  state,  the  prairies,  from 
their  peculiar  forms  or  other  causes,  received  various  names  in 
an  early  day,  and  are  yet  familiarly  known  as  such.  But  one, 
however,  appears  in  De  Witt  county ;  and  it  is  doubtful  if  there 
are  half  a  score  of  people  to-day  that  could  name  or  locate  it.  It 
lies  between  the  north  and  south  forks  of  Salt  Creek,  and  is 
known  by  the  oldest  settlers  as  Pork  Prair'e.  Prior  to  the  con- 
struction of  the  rail.'oads,  or  any  artificial  drainage,  there  were 
a  few  acresof  land  that  were  not  considered  tillable,  and  were  com- 
monly known  as  Swamp  Lands.  In  1853,  the  governor  of  the 
state  appointed  Mr.  A.  L.  Barnett  county  surveyor,  to  ascertain 
and  report  to  the  State  the  number  of  acres  of  said  lands.  After 
making  a  careful  survey,  Mr.  Barnett  reported  but  2,000  acres, 
all  of  which  at  this  writing  is  under  cultivation,  or  susceptible  of 
improvement. 

Hydrography.— T\\e  cojnty  is  fairly  well  supplied  with  water 
courses  suitable  for  natural  drainage.  The  largest  and  most 
important  stream  is  Salt  creek,  which  enters  the  county  at  the 
north-east.  Here  two  branches.  North  and  South  fork,  trend  in 
a  south-westerly  direction  a  few  miles  apart,  when  they  unite  in 
the  southern  central  part  of  the  county.  These  form  the  main 
stream,  which  then  takes  a  westerly  course,  and  crosses  the  county 
line  at  Tunbridge  township.  The  Kickapoo  with  its  tributaries 
form  excellent  drainage  for  the  north-west.  Fish  of  fine  quality 
abound  in  these  streams,  and  afford  the  sportsman  ample  recrea- 
tion and  pleasure.  Bass,  croppy,  pike,  and  cat-fish  are  the 
principal  species.  Other  small  strc^ams  abound,  which  meander 
through  the  prairie  depressions,  and  finally  empty  their  waters 
into  Salt  creek. 

Artificial  drainage  is  now  being  carried  on  to  a  great  extent, 
especially  that  of  tiling.  But  a  few  years  ago  an  under-ground 
ditch  was  scarcely  thought  of,  and  much  less  practiced.  Time 
and  experience,  however,  has  developed  the  fact  that  if  the  bus- 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


31 


bandnian  would  prosper,  and  succeed  in  getting  out  of  tlie  soil 
what  it  is  capable  of  producing,  the  surface  must  be  made  warm  ; 
and  it  has  been  further  demonstrated,  that  man  can  do  nothing 
in  the  way  of  tillage  that  is  more  conducive  to  this  end  than  the 
sj'stem  of  under-drainage.  No  portion  of  the  state  is  more  largely 
engaged  in  the  work  of  tiling  than  the  fiirmers  of  De  Witt. 
Hundreds  of  miles  are  already  buried  beneath  the  fertile  prairies, 
branching  out  in  every  direction,  like  the  veins  of  the  human 
circulatory  system.  Thus  are  the  surface  waters  at  once  carried 
away,  leaving  the  soil  t<j  perform  its  complete  and  normal  func- 
tions. 

Clhnile. — The  climate  of  Central  Illinois  is  a  happy  medium 
between  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  and  specially  adapted  to 
the  raising  of  all  kinds  of  productions  peculiar  to  the  temperate 
zones.  The  winters  are  comparatively  short,  and  the  summer 
seasons  long  and  delightful.  Snow  falls  seldom  to  exceed  six 
inches  in  depth  ;  in  fact,  so  light  are  the  snows  that  the  covering 
needed,  so  necessary  to  the  production  of  winter  wheat,  makes 
this  cereal  an  uucertai  i  crop  ;  yet  it  is  largely  planted,  and  olten 
yields  very  remunerative  returns  to  the  husbandman. 

Perennial  Sprinys  abound  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  but 
are  mainly  found  along  or  near  the  water-courses ;  a  few,  how- 
ever, appear  upon  the  open  prairies.  The  largest  and  mo^t  im- 
portant spring  is  situated  on  the  premises  of  Mrs.  Weldon,  a 
few  miles  south-east  of  Clinton,  in  Creek  township.  It  gushes 
forth  in  considerable  quantities,  forming  quite  a  brook  of  ever- 
running  water.  This  spring  is  strongly  tinctured  with  sulphur, 
aud  the  same  may  be  said  of  nearly  all  others  in  the  county, 
but  few  consisting  of  pure  water.  In  dry  seasons  these  provi- 
sions of  nature  are  of  almost  incalculable  value  to  the  farmer 
and  stock-raiser. 

Mounds. — It  may  be  known  to  but  few  citizens  of  the  county 
that  they  have  within  their  territory  relics  of  a  pre-historic  race 
known  as  Mound  Builders;  but  from  the  best  authority  there 
are  unmistakable  evidences  that  such  is  really  the  case.  Men  of 
close  observation  and  scientific  knowledge,  after  careful  inves- 
tigation, have  pronounced  them  beyond  question  the  work  of  the 
same  race  that  have  left  evidences  of  their  existence  along  the 
Father  of  Waters,  and  other  portions  of  the  West.  The  largest 
of  these  is  found  in  the  south-west  corner  of  Clintonia  township, 
on  the  premises  owned  by  Bushrod  Munson.  It  is  oval  in  shape, 
from  eight  to  ten  feet  in  altitude,  and  thirty  yards  in  diameter. 
There  are  two  smaller  ones  within  bow-shot  of  the  former.  None 
of  these  have  been  excavated,  only  in  taking  portions  of  gravel, 
from  time  to  time,  from  their  sides.  It  may  be  asked,  why  do 
scientists  arrive  at  the  conclusion  that  these  are  really  artificial 
mounds?  This  question  can  be  answered  in  a  few  words.  In 
the  first  place,  they  are  rather  uniform  in  shape  ;  and  secondly, 
they  do  not  partake  of  the  same  nature  of  material  as  the  soil 
around  them.  The  bulk  of  their  substance  is  composed  of  sand, 
gravel,  and  numerous  small  stones,  the  same  as  may  be  found  in 
the  creek  bed  two  or  three  miles  distant.  Other  small  mounds 
are  seen  near  Salt  Creek,  in  Texas  township.  It  is  said,  and  by 
very  reliable  authority,  that  some  of  these  have  been  exhumed, 
and  human  bones  taken  from  their  interior  ;  hence  all  the  evi- 
dences go  to  show  that  the  extinct  race  of  centuries  ago  once 
roamed  over  the  prairies  and  through  the  forests  of  this  particu- 
lar territory.  Another  peculiarity  of  the  surface  near  some  of 
the  creek  bottoms  should  not  be  neglected  or  passed  by  in  this 
connection.  These  are  certain  depressions  of  a  rotund  shape, 
and  from  two  to  three  feet  in  depth.  In  an  early  day,  herds  of 
thousands  of  buffaloes  roamed  wild  over  this  part  of  the  Missis- 


sippi Valley.  Their  main  stamping  ground  was  near  the  river 
or  creek  bottoms.  Here  they  would  seek  the  shade  to  rest  and 
recreate.  The  theory  is,  and  a  very  plausible  one,  that  in  their 
numerous  stampings  and  wallowings  these  hollows  or  depressions 
were  formed.  To  the  student  of  history  and  the  scientist  these 
formations  are  familiarly  known  as  Buffalo  Wallows.  Years  and 
ages  may  glide  by,  yet  they  will  exist,  like  the  mounds  of  the 
unknown  race,  to  inform  the  historian  that  other  beings  and 
other  animals  once  inhabited  this  part  of  the  globe. 

Soil. — In  fertility  aud  richness  of  soil,  the  county  of  De  Witt 
is  probably  unsurpassed  by  any  in  the  State.  It  is  situated  in 
the  famous  "  Grand  Prairie,"  which  extends  through  the  cen- 
tral part  of  Illinois,  and  is  widely  known  as  the  garden  spot 
of  the  West.  Indeed,  it  possesses  but  one  drawback,  and  that 
consists  in  its  extreme  productiveness.  So  inexhiustible  is  it  in 
its  yield,  and  so  easy  of  cultivation,  that  the  average  farmer 
hardly  deems  it  necessary  to  give  it  proper  culture,  or  to  return 
to  the  soil  a  portion  he  has  received ;  in  other  words,  to  feed  as 
it  has  fed  him.  This  is  not  an  idle  thought,  but  one  that  it  may 
be  well  for  the  agriculturist  to  stop  and  consider.  It  may  be 
said  that  there  are  three  distinct  classes  of  soil,  to  wit,  the  prairie, 
the  timber  land,  and  the  creek  bottoms.  The  former,  which  con- 
stitutes about  nine-tenths  of  the  county,  is  a  black  peaty  loam, 
from  two  to  five  feet  in  depth,  and  commonly  known  as  a  vege- 
table decomposition,  the  formation  of  which  took  place  centuries 
ago,  thus  preparing  these  vast  plains  to  yield  abundant  crops  for 
the  present  generation  and  the  millions  yet  to  come.  The  timber 
land  is  more  or  Ifss  broken,  the  soil  of  which  has  a  light  yellow- 
ish color,  and  is  but  few  inches  in  depth.  It  contains  more  or 
less  lime,  aud  all  other  properties  necessary  to  produce  excellent 
wheat.  Indeed,  it  is  cousidered  the  most  valuable  land  for  this 
cereal,  aud  for  the  production  of  blue  grass,  of  any  soil  in  the 
county.  The  bottoms  are  composed  of  a  deep  sandy  loam,  com- 
bined with  silt-deposit,  aud  specially  adapted  to  the  raising  of 
corn.  The  bottom  lands  are  not  extensive,  but  when  not  incon- 
venienced by  overflow,  the  yield  of  maize  to  the  acre  exceeds 
that  of  the  prairies. 

Agriculture  and  HoriicuUure. — The  growth  and  prosperity  of 
a  country  depends  largely  upon  its  agricultural  resources ;  in 
fact,  the  world  could  not  move  if  it  were  not  for  this  industry. 
Nothing  is  truer  than  the  aphorism,  '"The  success  of  the  hus- 
bandman is  the  success  of  the  country."  He  is  the  bone  aud 
sinew  of  the  land,  the  engine,  as  ii  were,  that  drives  the  whole 
machinery  which  fosters  life,  gives  wealth,  and  creates  happiness 
for  mankind.  When  this  industry  fails,  famine,  misery,  and 
tears  prevail  in  the  land.  Ireland,  and  other  countries  of  Europe 
have,  in  times  pa.st,  been  striking  examples  of  the  famine  fiend ; 
but  thanks  to  a  kind  Providence,  in  our  own  country,  and  espe- 
cially in  central  Illinois,  have  the  people  never  had  to  know 
what  it  is  to  want  for  the  necessaries  of  life 

The  means  aud  facilities  for  tilling  the  soil,  a  half-century  ago, 
would  be  considered  a  burlesque  on  farming  to-day.  Then  they 
scratched  over  the  laud  as  best  they  could  with  the  old  wooden 
mould-board  plow,  aud  gathered  the  harvest  with  a  reap-hook. 
The  threshing  wa-s  as  .slow  and  laborious  as  the  reaping,  the  pro- 
cess being  by  tramping  out  the  grain  by  the  use  of  cattle,  or 
beating  it  from  the  straw  with  a  flail.  Presto  change  ;  fifty 
years  have  glided  by,  and  we  cast  our  eye  out  upon  the  prairie 
landscape,  aud  what  a  transition !  The  old  mould-board  has 
given  place  to  the  elegant  sulky-plow,  the  reap-hook  is  trans- 
formed into  the  wonderful  mechanism  known  as  the  self-binder, 
and  the  tramping  of  the  cattle  and  the  thud,  thud  of  the  flail 


32 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  CnUXTY,   IILIXOIS. 


have  yielded  to  the  steam-engine  and  the  hum  of  the  gigantic 
thresher.  The  change  in  the  variety  of  crops  raised  is  nearly  if 
not  quite  as  great  as  the  use  of  utensils.  Tiie  fir^t  settlers  were 
not  so  much  engrossed  in  money-making  and  money-getting  as 
the  people  of  to-day,  but  were  laboring  more  for  a  mere  sub- 
sistence. They  raised  patches  of  flax  and  some  cotton,  from 
which  products  they  manufactured  their  own  apparel.  Corn 
was  then  the  staple,  as  now,  but  produced  in  very  limited  quan- 
tities, as  transportation  facilities  were  so  meagre  that  it  was  not 
a  profitable  crop  only  as  it  was  used  for  home  consumption. 
Wheat  was  rarely  cultivated  in  the  early  days. 

As  already  stated,  corn  is  the  staple,  and  on  the  prairies  and 
bottom-lands,  no  portion  of  the  state  can  excel  De  Witt  in  the 
raising  of  this  cereal,  the  average  crop  yieldiug  from  forty  to 
fifty  bushels  per  acre,  and  often  far  exceeding  this  number. 
Wheat  of  an  excellent  quality  and  yield  is  raised,  especially  in 
the  timbered  lands.  The  prairie  is  not  considered  a  safe  or  sure 
ground  for  its  production.  The  soil,  though  very  rich,  is  too 
loose  and  spongy  to  protect  the  roots  of  the  wheat  during  the 
winter,  and  the  constant  freezing  and  thawing  peculiar  to  the 
spring  climate.  Yet,  in  the  years  1870  and  'SO,  the  average 
yield  was  upwards  of  twenty-five  bushels  per  acre.  These  extra 
crops  are  probably  due  to  the  climatic  peculiarities  of  those 
winters,  and  the  improved  methods  of  preparing  the  ground  and 
planting  the  seed.  Within  the  last  three  or  four  years  the  cul- 
tivating of  this  important  cereal  has  largely  increased,  in  fact  it 
has  nearly  doubled  in  acreage.  With  tlie  improvement  of  tilling 
which  is  now  so  rapidly  being  pushed  forward,  and  the  progress 
in  the  science  of  agriculture,  it  can  be  but  a  question  of  time 
when  wheat  will  be  as  certaiu  a  crop  in  this  county  as  corn  and 
oats  are  now.  The  Irish  and  sweet-potato  are  raised  with  excel- 
lent success,  and  form  a  very  important  part  of  the  agricultural 
industry.  Grasses  of  all  kinds  are  raised  in  abundance  ;  timothy, 
blue-grass,  red-top  and  clover  are  the  chief  varieties,  which  afford 
the  best  pasturage  for  stock,  and  furnish  a  choice  quality  of  hay 
for  the  market.  The  rich  soil  of  the  prairies  is  the  best  adapted 
to  the  growth  of  timothy  and  clover,  while  the  thinner  lands  of 
the  timber  are  utilized  with  great  advantage  for  grazing  cattle 
upon  the  bountiful  supply  of  blue-grass.  De  Witt  county  stands, 
probably,  second  to  none  in  the  state  in  the  careful  raising  and 
propagating  of  tine  draft-horses.  Many  are  shipped  annually 
to  various  parts  of  the  United  States.  Indeed,  this  branch  of 
business  is  made  a  specialty  by  some  of  the  leading  farmers  and 
stock-men.  The  Norman  stock  prevails,  which  are  descendaut-s 
of  the  famous  "Louis  Napoleon."  He  was  imported  from 
France  in  18.51,  by  Erastus  JNIartin  and  Charles  FuUington,  of 
Champaign  and  Union  counties,  Ohio,  and  afterwards  brought 
to  De  Witt  county,  Illinois,  by  A.  P.  Cushman  ;  was  purchased 
by  E.  Dillon  &  Co  ,  of  Bloomington,  in  whose  hands  he  died,  in 
1871,  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  j'ears.  When  young,  he  was  a 
dark  dapple-gray,  but  snow-white  at  his  death,  and  was  the  sire 
of  over  four  hundred  successful  stallions.  So  choice  was  the 
stock  of  this  noted  horse  that  the  county  fairly  took  the  lead  in 
this  noted  industry,  and  retains  it  at  this  time.  The  following  is 
a  showing  of  the  numbers  and  value  of  the  stock  raised  in  the 
county  for  1880:  Ilorocs,  7,.569,  value,  8188,175;  neat-cattle, 
14,147,  value,  81o.3,712;  mules  "95,  value,  820,642;  sheep, 
12,792,  value,  817,123;  hogs,  28,468,  value,  844.840. 

Hortindture  receives  but  little  attention.  But  few  climates 
are  better  adapted  to  the  raising  of  mo.st  fruits  than  Central  Illi- 
nois ;  the  soil  is  certainly  adequate  to  perform  its  part,  and  yet 


there  is  scarcely  enough  fruit  raised  annually  to  supply  home- 
demand.  Grapes  and  berries  grow  in  abundance,  and  that 
spontaneously;  apples,  pears,  plums  and  cherries  bear  fair  crops, 
with  but  small  labor  after  having  once  been  planted ;  peaches 
are  really  the  only  uncertain  fruit.  What  better  evidence  do  we 
need  to  prove  that  this  is  a  natural  fruit  country?  Young  trees 
shoyld  be  cultivated  for  several  years,  and  not  left  to  struggle 
for  themselves ;  old  or  middle-aged  ones  should  be  carefully 
pruned  at  least  once  a  year;  the  early  falling  fruit,  or  such  as  is 
not  marketed  or  used,  should  be  disposed  of  in  some  manner  to 
prevent  the  propagating  of  insects,  which  are  so  detrimental  to 
raising  good  and  perfect  fruit.  Many  good  orchards  abound  in 
the  county,  and  by  proper  pruning  and  culture,  they  could  be 
made  to  yield  double  the  usual  crop,  and  produce  by  far  a  more 
desirable  fruit. 

Tramportation  Facilities. — The  early  markets,  and  the  facili- 
ties of  transportation  were  as  inconvenient  as  the  produce  to  be 
moved  was  meager — all  things  were  in  keeping  and  consistent 
with  the  times.  The  first  market,  and  principal  trading  point 
was  St.  Louis  via  Pekin.  Goods  were  boated  up  the  Illinois 
river  to  the  latter  place,  and  then  carted  across  the  country  to 
the  little  hamleti  of  the  county. 

No  railroads,  and  scarcely  passable  highways  then  traversed 
this  section  of  the  country — verily,  "  Necessity  is  the  mother  of 
invention."  The  world  moves,  and  we  have  lived  to  see  and 
enjoy  the  Iron  Age.  Only  half  a  century  ago,  within  the 
memorv  of  man,  the  fir-it  step  was  made  that  has  revolutionized 
the  whole  world  of  traffic.  The  first  locomotive  engine  was  in- 
vented by  George  Stephenson,  of  England,  and  was  first  success- 
fully operated,  September  27th,  1825,  on  a  short  road  from 
Stockton  to  Darlington.  lu  1830  there  were  but  twenty-three 
miles  of  railroad  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  The  road  between 
Baltimore  and  Ellicott's  Mills,  Maryland,  eleven  and  one-half 
miles  in  length,  was  the  first  operated  road  for  passenger  trans- 
portation in  the  United  States ;  this  was  in  July  of  that  year. 
The  cars  were  drawn  by  horse-power,  the  locomotive  not  then 
having  been  introduced  at  that  time  within  the  States.  The 
coaches  were  open,  somewhat  resembling  the  common  carriage 
vehicles  of  that  date.  In  the  Baltimore  American  of  July,  1830, 
was  the  advertisement  of  this  road,  stating  that  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  cars  had  been  provided  to  accommodate  the  trading  pub- 
lic, and  that  a  brigade  (train  of  cars)  would  leave  the  depot  on 
Pratt  street  at  6  and  10  o'clock  A  M.,  and  at  3  and  4  o'clock 
P.  M.  ;  returning,  would  leave  the  depot  at  Ellicott's  Mills  at 
G  and  Si  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  12^.  and  6  o'clock  P.  M.  This 
time-card  was  accompanied  with  positive  orders,  prohibiting 
any  passengers  entering  the  cars  without  tickets;  also  with  a 
provision  for  engaging  cars  by  the  day,  if  parties  desired. 

The  first  railroad  constructed  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  was 
built  from  Illinoistown— now  East  St.  Louis — to  the  bluff,  a  dis- 
tance of  about  six  miles  across  the  American  Bottoms.  It  was 
constructed  in  ISil,  under  the  personal  supervision  and  efforts 
of  Governor  Reynolds,  Yha.\  Jarrot  and  a  few  others.  It  was 
expressly  built  for  the  purpose  of  transporting  coal  from  where 
it  cropped  out  at  the  bluff  to  the  St.  Liuis  market.  It  had  the 
wood  rail,  and  the  cars  were  pulled  by  horse-power.  In  speak- 
ing of  this  enterprise.  Governor  Reynolds,  in  his  history  entitled 
My  Own  Tim's  says :  We  had  not  the  means  nor  the  time  in 
one  year  to  procure  the  iron  for  the  rails  or  the  locomotive,  so 
we  were  compelled  to  work  the  road  without  iron,  and  with 
horse-power.  We  did  so,  and  delivered  much  coal  to  the  river. 
It  was  strange  how  it  was  possible  that  we  could   construct  the 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY;  ILLINOIS. 


33 


road  under  the  adverse  circumstances.  The  members  of  the 
company  and  I — one  of  them — lay  out  on  the  premises  of  the 
road  day  and  night  while  the  work  was  in  progression ;  and  I 
assert  that  it  was  the  greatest  work  or  enterprise  ever  performed 
in  Illinois  under  the  circumstances. 

The  first  line  of  railroad  built  in  the  state  in  which  the  loco- 
motive was  used,  was  the  Northern  Cross  Railway,  extending 
from  Quincy  to  Danville.  This  was  chartered  in  1837,  and  the 
first  locomotive  placed  upon  it  in  the  winter  of  1838-9,  running 
from  Meredosia  to  Jacksonville.  The  track  was  the  primitive 
strap-rail  style,  which  was  made  by  spiking  thin  straps  of  iron 
to  the  rail-beds.  The  engine,  as  well  as  the  road,  soon  became 
so  impaired  that  the  former  had  to  be  abandoned  and  the  horse- 
power substituted.  But  Illinois,  to  day,  leads  the  van,  has  out- 
stripped all  the  other  states  in  this  gigantic  enterprise,  and  now 
modestly  bears  the  honors  of  a  well-earned  success  in  the  mag- 
nitude of  internal  improvements. 

According  to  the  official  reports  of  1880,  Illinois  has  0,294 
miles  of  track,  constructed  and  equipped  at  the  cost  of 
$408,740,915,  thus  surpassing  every  other  state  in  the  Union  in 
miles  of  railroad.  If  within  less  than  half  a  century  such 
strides  have  been  made,  in  the  facilities  of  transportation,  what 
mind  can  conceive  the  condition  of  things  fifty  years  hence. 

EAILEOADS   OF    DE   WITT   COUNTY. 

Five  roads,  like  net-work,  now  traverse  the  county,  three  of 
which  center  and  cross  at  the  county  seat  as  follows :  Illinois 
Central  main  line,  Gillman,  Clinton  and  Springfield  branch  of 
Central  and  the  I.  B.  &  W.  The  latter  is  now  under  the  con- 
trol and  management  of  the  Wabash,  St.  Louis  &:  Pacific  Rail- 
way. The  G.  C.  &  S.  has  been  leased  by  the  Illinois  Central  for 
ninety-nine  years,  and  now  operated  by  said  road. 

lUinois  Central  Railroad. — The  main  line  of  this  road  enters 
De  Witt  County  on  the  north,  near  the  center  of  Wapella  town- 
ship, on  section  fifteen,  and  traverses  the  county  in  an  almost 
due  southerly  direction  through  the  township  of  Clintonia  and 
Texas^  The  most  important  station  on  the  road  in  this  county 
is  Clinton.  For  many  years  the  shops  of  this  road  were  located 
at  WapiUa.     They  were  sabseiuently  moved  ti  Chicago. 

The  Springfield  Branch.— The  Gillman,  Clinton  &  Springfield 
road  w.as  constructed  in  1871,  and  was  leased  to  the  Illinois 
Central  in  1878  for  the  term  of  ninety-nine  years.  This  is  one 
of  the  important  roads  traversing  th^  county.  It  enters  the 
county  from  the  west  on  section  30,  Tunbridge  township,  traverses 
the  county  in  a  north-easterly  direction  through  the  townships 
of  Tunbridge,  Texas,  Clintonia,  Harp,  De  Witt,  Rutledge  and 
Santa  Anna-  The  most  important  stations  on  this  line  in  this 
county  are  Clinton,  Farmer  City,  De  Witt  and  Kenney.  It  has 
always  been  the  policy  of  the  Central  road  to  foster  and  en- 
courage the  growth  of  the  country  through  which  it  passes. 
This  is  one  of  the  largest  corporations  in  Illinois,  and  a  brief 
sketch  would  not  fail  to  interest  our  readers. 

In  September,  1850,  Congress  passed  an  act,  and  it  was  ap- 
proved by  President  Fillmore,  granting  an  aggregate  of  2,595,053 
acres,  to  aid  in  building  this  road.  The  act  granted  the  right  of 
way,  and  gave  alternate  sections  of  land  for  six  miles  on  either 
side  of  the  road.  The  grant  of  land  was  made  directly  to  the 
State.  On  the  10th  of  February,  1851,  the  legislature  of  Illinois 
granted  a  charter  to  an  eastern  company,  represented  hy  Bantoul 
and  others,  to  build  it,  with  a  capital  stock  of  §1,000,000.  The 
road  was  completed  in  1854.  The  legislature,  in  granting  the 
charter,  aud  trauiferring  to  the  corporation  the  lands,  stipulated 
5 


that  seven  per  cent,  of  the  gro.ss  earnings  of  the  road  should  be 
paid  semi-annually  into  the  treasury  of  the  State  forever.     This 
wise  provision,  in  lieu  of  the  liberal  land-grant,  yields  a  hand- 
some annual  revenue  to  the  State;  also  that  in  the  event  of  war 
government  transportation  should  be  furnished  at  a  certain  re- 
duction from  the  prices  regularly  paid  by  the  general  govern- 
ment for  such  services.     The  proceeds  of  laud  sales  have  been 
regularly  applied  to  the  redemption  of  construction  bonds,  and 
it  is  significant  that  while  tho  original  issue  of  mortgage  bonds 
amounted  to  322,000,000,  that  amount  has  been  so  reduced  that 
in  1890  the  whole  issue  will  be  retired,  and  the  stockholders  will 
own  a  road  more  than  700  miles  in  length,  fully  equipped,  with 
no  outstanding  liability  other  than  the  share  of  capital.     It  may 
be  noted  here,  that  when  the  general  government  donated  lands 
to  the  States  of  Illinois,  Mississippi,  and  Alabama,  it  was  in- 
tended that  through  the  aid  derived  from  these  lauds  a  through 
artery  of  travel  should  be  established   between  the  Lakes  and 
the  Gulf-ports.     Had  the  war  not  supervened,  the  project  would 
then  have  been  carried  out  in  its  entirety,  and  the  North  and 
.South  movement  of  trafiic  would  have  been  fully  developed,  but 
the  enforced  delay  in  carrying  out  the  original  programme  was 
utilized  in  building  up  the  Stale  of  Illinois,  and  in  perfecting 
the  track   of  this   road.     The  re.sources  of  the  company  were 
taxed  to  their  utmost  capacity  during  the  war,  in   furnishing 
transportation  for  the  general  government ;  but  the  interests  of 
communities  along  the  line  were  carefully  watched,  and  a  local 
business  was  built  up,  which  in  volume  and  value  far  exceeded 
the  most  sanguine  expectation  of  the  proprietary.     Strict  atten- 
tion to  local  business  has  always  been  a  marked  characteristic  of 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  management,  hence  their  lands  have 
been  eagerly  sought  after ;   and  they  have  the  satisfaction   of 
knowing  that  the  value  of  the  road  is  not  dependent  entirely 
upon  its  identification  with  the  through  business  of  the  country, 
but  on  the  contribution  of  local  traffic,  which  shows  a  permanent 
aud  certain  increase.     Two  years  after  the  close  of  the  war,  in 
1867,  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company  leased  three  rail- 
ways in  Iowa,  "The  Dubuque  and  Sioux  City,"  "Cedar  Falls 
and  Minnesota,"  and  "  Iowa  Falls  and  Sioux  City  "  Railroads. 
The  last  named  road  was  not,  however,  completed  to  Sioux  City 
until  1871.     These  leased  lines  have  been  extensive  feeders  to 
the  Central ;  and  also  have  adiled  immensely  to  the  commerce 
of  Chicago,  and  have  been  great  auxiliaries  in  the  development 
of  Iowa  and  southern  Minnesota. 

On  the  opening  of  the  Vandalia  line,  the  Illinois  Central  made 
its  first  direct  advance  toward  securing  a  representation  in  the 
traffic  between  Chicago  aud  St.  Louis.  Two  through  trains  were 
run  daily,  lia  Etjingham.  In  1870,  on  completion  of  the  Belle- 
ville and  Illinois  Southern  Railroad  to  Du  Quoin,  the  southern 
^  business  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  originating  in  St.  Louis, 
1  was  transferable  from  Odin  and  Ashley,  the  former  connections 
with  the  Cairo  Short  Line.  Though  the  Illinois  Central  Rail- 
road put  in  a  car-hoist  at  Cairo,  to  obviate  the  difficulties  inci- 
dental to  the  difl'erent  gauge  of  the  southern  roads,  the  tedious 
transfer  between  Cairo  and  Columbus  militated  against  a  satis- 
factory development  of  through  business,  and  it  was  not  until 
1873,  by  completion  of  the  Mississippi  Central  Extension,  from 
Jackson  to  a  point  opposite  Cairo,  that  the  Illinois  Central  was 
enabled  to  compete  on  equal  terms  with  rival  routes  to  the  South 
for  the  business  of  the  Gulf  States.  This  extension  could  not 
have  been  built  without  the  aid  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
Company,  which  was  given  by  exchanging  one  million  of  Illinois 
1   Ceuli-al,  Jive  per  cent  sterling  bonds,  which  were  easily  negotiable 


34 


EISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


in  foreign  marliets,  for  live  millions  of  the  southern  bonds,  bear- 
ing seven  yjcr  cent,  annual  interest,  with  the  understanding  that 
the  difference  between  the  interest  of  the  sterling  and  the  south- 
ern bonds  should  constitute  a  sinking  fund  for  the  redemption 
of  the  bonds  at  maturity.  The  financial  jianic  of  1873,  com- 
bined with  other  local  causes,  prevented  the  line  between  New 
Orleans  and  Cairo  from  earning  sufficient  to  meet  the  annual 
interest  charges,  and  the  property  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a 
receiver,  where  it  remained  until  1877,  when  a  reorganization  of 
the  companies  resulted  in  placing  the  direct  control  in  the  hands 
of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company.  No  expense  has 
been  spared  to  put  the  road-bed  and  equipments  in  first-class 
condition.  About  the  same  time  the  Illinois  Central  Managers 
acquired,  on  favorable  terms,  possession  of  the  Oilman,  Clinton 
and  Springfield  Railroad,  and  thereby  secured  in  perp  tuity  the 
traffic  of  a  valuable  section  of  country  formerly  tributary  to 
competing  roads.  At  Durant,  309  miles  from  Cairo,  connection 
is  made  with  a  branch,  21  miles  in  length,  to  Kosciusko,  also  at 
Jackson  (Mississippi) ;  the  Vicksburg  and  Meridian  Railroad 
furnishes  a  line  to  Vicksburg,  and  thence  via  the  Vicksburg, 
Shreveport  and  Texas  Railroad  for  Monroe,  La.,  Shreveport 
and  all  points  on  the  Texas  and  Pacific  Railway.  The  Morgan's 
Louisiana  and  Texas  Railroad,  in  connection  with  steamers  from 
Brashear,  furnish  an  alternate  route  to  Galveston  and  other 
points  in  Texas.  I 

The  following  statistics  in  reference  to  the  physical  condition 
and  equipment  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  will  not  be 
devoid  of  interest : —  j 

MILES. 

Main  line-.  Cairo  to  La  Salle,  opened  for  business,  J.in.  Rtli,  ISoo,  308.99 

Galena  Branch,  La  Salle,  to  Dunkirk,  opened  June  12th,  ISoo  .  140  73 
Cliicago   Branch,  Chicago  to  Centralia  Junction,  opened  Sept. 

2Gth,  ISoti 249.78    I 

Spi-ingfielJ  Division,  Oilman  to  Springfiehi,  opened  in  Septem- 
ber, 1871, 111.47 

Total  length  of  Main  Line  an.l  Branches, 816.97 

Aggregate  length  computed  a-s  single  track, 833  OS 

Length  of  Sidings, 132. Ij8 

Total  length  of  track  owned  in  Illinuis 966.30 

Iowa  Division,  from  Dubuque  to  Sioux  City, 327.00    1 

Southern  Division,  from  Cairo  to  New  Orleans, 518.00    \ 

Minnesota  Branch,  from  Waterloo  to  Mono, 80.00 

Making  the  total  number  of  miles 1921.36 

The  line  between  Chicago  and  Cairo  is  operated  as  the  Chicago  I 
Division ;  that  between  Centralia  and  Dubuque  as  the  Northern 
Division,  and  the  Road  between  Oilman  and  Springfield  as  the 
Springfield  Division.  The  tracks  of  the  various  lines  are  mostly 
steel-rails,  the  road  beds,  especially  in  this  state,  are  ballasted 
with  rock,  the  rolling  stock  is  excellent,  and  the  road  throughout 
is,  in  all  parts,  first  class.  The  Main  Line  passes  through  the  \ 
richest  portion  of  the  state — and  is  the  greatest  thoroughfare  of 
travel  and  traffic  between  the  North  and  the  South. 

RAILROAD   LAND.?. 

Believing  that  there  are  many  farmers  in  De  "Witt  county 
who  desire  a  profitable  investment,  we  would  therefore  call  the 
attention  of  all  who  are  desirous  of  procuring  more  land,  or 
larger  farms  to  the  large  quantity  of  good  farming  land,  the 


Illinois  Centntl  Railroad  company  still  offer  for  sale,  along  their 
line  in  Marion,  Fayette,  Clinton,  Washington,  Jefferson,  Jackson, 
Perry,  Franklin,  Union,  and  Williamson  counties  in  this  state. 


The  titles  to  these  lands  offered  for  sale  is  as  perfect  as  human 
agency  can  make  it.  It  was  originally  donated  by  act  of  Con- 
gress to  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  by  an  act  of  the  State  Legisla- 
ture transferred  to  this  company  and  its  Trnstees.  No  incum- 
brance of  any  kind  whatever.  To  all  who  desire  in  good  faith 
to  examine  any  of  these  lands,  the  railroad  company  issues  half 
rate  tickets  on  any  of  their  own  lines  to  and  from  the  nearest 
points  to  the  laud,  and  if  such  ticket-holder  buys  even  a  forty- 
acre  tract,  they  will  allow  what  he  paid  for  such  ticket  as  part 
payment  on  the  purchase.  These  lands  are  productive,  the  cli- 
mate healthy,  and  prices  very  low — usually  from  SI  to  S8  per 
acre,  on  easy  terms,  and  a  low  rate  of  interest.  These  lands  can 
be  purchased  on  the  following  terms  : 

One  quarter  cash,  with  five  per  cent,  interest  for  one  year  in 
advance  on  the  residue ;  the  balance  payable  in  one,  two  and 
three  years,  with  five  per  cent,  interest  in  advance,  each  year  on 
the  part  remaining  unpaid.  For  example,  for  forty  acres  of  land 
at  $.5.00  per  acre,  the  payments  would  be  as  follows: 


Cash   payment    . 

.    .  $.50.00,  principa 

,    and   .?7..50   interest 

In  one  year,  .    . 

.    .    50.00 

•'        5,00 

In  two  years,  .    . 

.    .    .50.00 

2.50 

In  three  years,  . 

.    .    50.00 

§200.00  ?lo.00 

Or  the  same  land  may  be  bought  for  §180.00,  all  cash,  as  we 
deduct  ten  per  cent,  when  all  cash  is  paid.  Full  information  on 
all  points  relating  to  any  particular  locality  or  tract,  will  be 
furnished  on  application,  either  in  person  or  by  letter,  to 

P.  Daggy,  Land  Commissioner. 
Room  11,  No.  78  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Wabash,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific:  more  widely  and  commonly 
known  as  the  Wabash,  passes  through  five  townships  of  De  Witt 
county,  viz. :  Nixon,  Creek,  Texas,  Clintonia,  and  Barnett.  The 
principal  stations  on  the  line  of  the  road  in  this  county,  are 
Clinton,  Weldon,  Lane,  Hallsville,  and  Midland  City.  The 
road  passing  through  the  county  which  is  now  under  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Wabash,  was  finished  in  1873.  It  was  first  called 
the  Havana,  Macon  City,  Lincoln  and  Eastern.  It  afterwards 
assumed  the  name,  Champaign,  Havana  and  Western.  Subse- 
quently it  went  into  the  hands  of  the  I.  B.  and  W.,  and  in  the 
year'  1880,  was  leased  by  the  Wabash  for  ninety-nine  years. 
Through  a  system  of  consolidation,  unparalleled  in  American 
railways,  it  has  become  a  giant  among  them.  This  consolida- 
tion, it  is  estimated,  has  added  §50,000,000  to  the  value  of  bonds 
and  shares  of  the  various  companies  now  incorporated  in  the 
Wabash  system.  The  road  takes  its  title  from  the  river  of  that 
name,  a  tributary  of  the  Ohio,  which  in  part  separates  the  States 
Indiana  and  Illinois. 

For  convenience  in  management  and  operation,  the  road  is 
divided  into  two  grand  divisions,  the  eastern  and  western,  with 
headquarters  in  St-  Louis.  Under  its  new  name  it  has  rapidly 
extended  its  lines  east  and  west  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  at 
present  comprises  the  following  divisions,  with  termini  and 
lengths  as  presented  : 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


35 


EASTERN    DIVISION-. 

Toledo,  Ohio,  to  St.  Louis,  Mo., 43G  miles. 

Decatur,  111.,  to  Quincy,  111., lol  " 

Blufl:-.,  111.,  to  Hannibal,  Mo., 50  " 

Maysville,  III.,  to  Pitisfield,  111., (5  " 

Clayton,  111.,  to  Keokuk,  Iowa 49  '' 

Logansport,  Ind.,  to  Butler,  Ind., 93  *' 

Edwardsville,  111.,  to  Edwardsville  Crossing,    ...  10  '' 

Bement,  111.,  Chicago, 1.51  '• 

Decatur.  111.,  via  Campaign  to  Havana,  111.,  ....  131  " 

Peoria,  III.,  to  Jacksonville, S3  " 

Slate  Line,  111.,  to  Warsaw,  111., 227  " 

Total  miles  east  of  the  Miisissippl  river,  .    .    1387 

WESTERN   DIVI.SION. 

St.  Louis  to  Kansas  City 227  miles. 

Brunswick,  Mo.,  to  Council  Bluflfs,  Iowa, 224 

Eoseberry,  Mo.,  to  Clarinda,  Iowa, 22  '' 

Moberly,  Mo.,  to  Ottumwa,  Iowa, 131  '' 

North  Lexington,  Mo.,  to  St.  Joseph,  Mo 76  " 

Centralia,  Mo  ,  to  Columbia,  Mo., 22  " 

Salisbury,  Mo.,  to  Glasgow,  Mo l.j  " 

Ferguson,  Mo.,  to  Biddle  street,  St.  Louis, 10  " 

Total  miles  west  of  Mississippi  river 777     " 

Grand  total 21.58  miles. 

In  addition  to  this  a  branch  road  is  being  now  constructed  to 
Detroit,  Michigan,  which,  with  a  connection  whose  terms  are 
already  agreed  upon  with  the  great  railway  system  of  Canada, 
and  with  a  further  addition  of  double  steel  track,  thence  to  the 
seaboard,  will  make  this  the  most  stupendous  combination  known 
to  railway  systems.  The  management"  of  the  Wabash  have  re- 
cently secured  a  controlliog  interest  in  the  Iron  mountain  Rail- 
way, and  its  connection  with  the  systems  of  railways  of  Texas, 
and  the  south-western  States  and  Territories  will  greatly  increase 
its  earnings,  and  will  do  much  toward  populating  and  developing 
the  resources  of  the  great  south-west.  This  road  is  progressive 
in  every  respect,  The  finest  passenger  cars  on  the  continent  are 
run  on  its  lines,  and  every  effort  is  being  made  to  advance  the 
interests  of  its  patrons,  and  to  develop  the  material  growth  of 
the  country,  through  which  its  various  lines  pass. 

The  Illinois  Midland  Railroad  extends  almost  through  the 
■western  portion  of  the  county.  This  railway  is  a  consolidation 
of  the  Paris  and  Decatur  Railroad  Company,  incorporated  by 
charter  approved  February  18th,  1861 ;  the  Paris  Terre  Haute 
Railroad  Company,  incorporated  under  provisions  of  the  law  of 
March  1st,  1872,  and  the  Peoria,  Atlanta  and  Decatur  Railroad 
Company,  incorporated  March  1st,  1869.  On  September  19Lh, 
1874,  the  Peoria,  Atlanta  and  Decatur  Company  purchased  the 
Paris  and  Decatur,  and  the  Paris  and  Terre  Haute  Roads, 
and  on  November  4th,  1874,  changed  its  name  to  Illinois  Mid- 
land Railway  Company.  It  has  176  miles  of  track,  one  hundred 
and  sixty-eight  of  which  is  in  Illinois.  It  has  a  capital  stock  of 
$2,000,000,  and  its  total  income  for  1880,  was  8336,936  90. 

The  Indiana,  Bloomington  and  Western  cuts  across  the  north- 
eastern part  of  the  county  in  Santa  Anna  township.  This  com- 
pany is  the  result  of  a  consolidation  of  the  Indianapolis,  Craw- 
fordsville  and  Danville,  and  the  Danville,  Urbaua,  Bloomington 
and  Pekin  Railroads.  The  consolidation  was  effected  July  20th, 
1869,  and  the  main  line  opened  for  business  October  1st,  1869. 
The  western  extension  was  opened  in  1873.  It  holds  temporary 
lease-hold  privileges  over  the  Paris  and  Springfield  Railroad 
between  Pekin  and  Peoria,  paying  for  the  privileges  a  sum  based 
upon  the  freight  tonnage,  with  a  special  basis  for  passenger  traffic. 


Its  aggregate  length  of  track  is  234  miles,  144  of  which  is 
located  in  this  state.  The  capital  stock  invested  is  83,3:30,000, 
and  the  total  earnings  in  1880,  were  81,186,347.49. 

The  total  railroad  bonded  indebtedness  of  the  county  at  pre- 
sent is  817.5,000,  bearing  6  per  cent,  interest.  This  amount  is 
due,  entire,  to  the  Gillman,  Clinton  and  Springfield  Road.  In 
addition  to  this  there  is  also  a  township  indebtedness  to  this  road 
as  follows:  Cliutonia,  850,000;  De  Witt,  840,000;  Tunbridge, 
830,000 ;  Harp,  82.5,000.  The  following  townships  are  also  in- 
debted to  the  Havana,  Mason  City  and  Eastern  Railway.  Clin- 
tonia,  8-50,000;  Creek,  830,000;  Nixou,  825,000.  Ten  thousand 
of  the  bonds  of  the  former  township  will  be  paid  off  this  year, 
1881. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


1717995 


j)vs.*^^^y  EOLOGISTS  have  studied  closely  the  strata 
r^  ■i't  £J  f^^  beneath  the  earth's  surface,  and  evolved 
thereby  knowledge  that  is  rapidly  taking  its 
place  among  the  exact  sciences.  I'pheavals 
of  nature  haje  here  and  there  arranged  these 
strata  like  the  leaves  of  a  book,  inclined  at  an 
angle  of  forty-five  degrees,  to  be  read  by 
close  observers,  who  have  thereon  indulged 
much  speculation  regarding  the  age  of  the 
earth,  and  attempted  to  assign  to  natural  causes,  reaching  through 
almost  incalculable  stretches  of  time,  their  presence.  These 
observations  have  been  rewarded  by  a  general  acceptance  of  a 
classification  of  these  strata,  such  as  appears  in  the  text-books  of 
Geoloo-y  of  to-day.  Here  in  De  Witt  county  researches  have 
not  been  made  beyond  the  Quarternary,  or  uppermost  stratum, 
save  at  one  point,  where  the  carboniferous  system  has,  by  boring, 
been  penetrated,  simply  establishing  a  fact,  patent  to  all  geolo- 
gists, that  this  county  is  underlaid  with  a  wealth  of  coal  which 
only  demands  capital  and  pluck  in  its  exhumation  to  make  its 
mining  one  of  the  great  industries  of  her  people.  There  are 
represented  in  Illinois  the  Quarternary,  Tertiary,  Carboniferous, 
Devonian,  and  Silurian  systems.  Beneath  them  may,  and,  if 
generally  accepted  theories  be  true,  must  be  formations  of  other 
systems  antedating  these.  Nature's  terrible  throes  by  earthquake 
or  volcanic  action  have  spared  the  empire  State  of  the  VaUey, 
so  that  her  prairies  spread  out  in  beautiful  repose,  uninterrupted 
by  unsightly  masses  of  representations  of  long-past  ages. 

The  Quarternary,  or  uppermost  stratum,  is  possessed  of  greater 
economical  value  than  all  other  formations  combined,  thus  evi- 
dencing the  wisdom  of  the  Creator  in  His  preparation  of  the 
earth  for  the  habitation  of  man.  It  comprises  the  drift  and  all 
deposits  above  it,  of  whatever  quality  the  soil  may  be.  In  sci- 
entific terms,  it  includes  the  alluvium,  bottom  prairie,  blufi',  drift 
of  various  thicknesses,  which  crop  out  here  and  there  upon  the 
surface.  All  those  deposits  which  have  been  formed  since  the 
inauguration  of  the  present  order  of  things,  might  be  appropri- 
ately classified  under  the  head  of  Alluvium,  as  it  embraces  soils, 
pebbles  and  sand,  clays,  vegetable  mold,  all  of  which  are  found 
in  De  Witt  county.     Soils  are  a  well-known  mixture  of  various 


36 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,- ILLINOIS. 


comminuted  and  decomposed  mineral  substances,  combined  and 
mingled  with  decayed  vegetable  and  animal  remains,  and  com- 
posing those  ingredients  so  well  adapted  to  the  nourishment  of 
the  vegetable  kingdom.  They  are  formed  by  the  action  of  water 
in  form  of  rain  or  dew ;  by  atmospheric  changes  of  heat  and  cold  ; 
by  decay  of  vegetable  and  animal  matter.  Those  of  this  coun- 
ty are  very  deep  and  exceedingly  productive.  The  vegetable 
kingdom  has  contributed  largely  to  their  formation.  The  luxu- 
riant growth  of  prairie  grass,  high  as  a  man's  head  riding  horse- 
back (as  the  old  settlers  are  wont  to  say),  dying  with  the  touch 
of  frost  each  autumn  to  form  a  thin  layer  of  vegetable  mold,  or, 
being  burned  by  the  raging  fires  of  the  hazy  Indian  summer-time 
to  add  their  mite  of  alkali,  has  contributed  untold  wealth  to  the 
fertility  of  the  soil.  Here  and  there,  over  this  county,  are  clay 
formations  cropping  out  upon  the  surface,  kindly  inviting  the 
hand  of  industry  to  transform  their  barrenness  into  tile  and 
brick,  and  thus  contribute  to  the  general  good.  Immediately 
underneath  are  evidences  of  the  aqueous  agencies  in  pebble  and 
formative  sand  rock  measures,  only  waiting  to  become  useful  in 
various  ways  that  man's  inventive  genius  has  devised.  Upon 
the  surface  everywhere,  over  the  count}',  are  the  monuments  to 
the  existence  of  a  glacial  period,  in  form  of  great  boulders,  com- 
posed of  quartz,  feldspar,  mica,  and  hornblend.  We  look  upon 
these  massive  rocks,  and  note  nothing  in  common  with  the  for- 
mations surrounding  them.  Bedded  in  the  virgin  prairie  soil, 
poised  upon  its  surface,  their  composition  declares  them  of  diU'er- 
cnt  origin  from  other  rock,  and  the  abrasions  upon  their  surface, 
sometimes  in  deep  longitudinal  grooves,  oftentimes  well  rounded 
in  general  outline,  declare  in  plain  words  a  long  journey  thither- 
ward. Scientists  have  critically  examined  them.  Evidently  ihe 
storms  of  centuries  have  beaten  upon  them  where  they  stand,  and 
the  hand  of  time  has  broken  many  a  fragment  and  piled  them 
at  their  bases,  as  if  to  number  the  years  of  their  being.  Specu- 
lations have  been  indulged  as  to  their  mighty  journeyings  from 
the  far-ofl' North  land  during  an  age.when  Manitoba  waves  would 
have  been  hailed  as  the  breath  of  spring-time ;  an  age  when  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  existence  were  alike  impossible.  Borne  on 
before  the  resistless  power  of  slowly-moving  glaciers  or  icebergs, 
they  wore  dropped  here  and  there  on  far-stretching  prairies,  or 
carried  on  to  the  very  tops  of  mountains,  like  those  of  Missouri, 
where  their  piled  up  confusion  leads  to  the  idea  of  a  battle-field 
of  the  gods.  Who  can  number  the  ages  that  have  rolled  away 
since  it  paused  in  its  course,  or  measure  the  time  of  its  journey  ? 
or  who  assays  to  count  the  time  it  occupied  its  place  in  the  parent 
ledge  before  the  glacier  or  iceberg  wrenched  it  from  its  place 
and  bore  it  away  ?  Did  the  hardy  pioneers,  as  they  utilized  these 
boulders  as  burn-stones  in  their  primitive  mills,  think  that  they 
spoke  of  an  age  when  this  world,  which  now  rolls  on  in  glorious 
sunlight,  was  enveloped  in  mighty  avalanches  of  ice,  being  borne 
on^vard  by  centrifugal  force  from  the  poles  to  the  equator  ?  And 
yet  such  is  the  accepted  theory  as  to  their  presence.  Some  of 
the  larger  stand  like  silent  sentinels  iu  the  very  heart  of  fine 
rolling  prairies;  others,  again,  are  almost  wholly  embedded. 
Edom  Shugart,  when  he  built  the  first  mill  erected  in  this  county, 
on  Kickapoo  creek,  used  one  of  these  boulders,  about  two  and 
a  half  feet  in  diameter,  as  a  burr-stone,  and  on  trial  ground 
thirty  bushels  of  corn  in  two  hours.  The  second  one  thus  util- 
ized was  by  Henderson,  when  he  constructed  a  horse-mill,  in 
Tunbridge  township,  in  the  year  1830.  In  fact,  the  sole  depend- 
ence of  the  early  pioneers  were  these  same  "  prairie  dornicks,"  as 
they  denominated  these  monuments  to  an  age  of  more  than  arctic 
frigidity. 


The  prairies  themselves,  stretching  out  in  their  beauty, — nay, 
iu  silent  grandeur, — have  invited  man's  genius  to  assign  to  natural 
cause  their  origin,  and  declare  the  years  of  their  formation. 
Much  scientific  discussion  has  been  indulged  respecting  them. 
Prof.  Leo  Lesquereux,  in  report  of  the  State  Geologist  of  Illi- 
nois, asserts  that  they,  with  their  peculiar  surface  soil,  owe  their 
origin  to  the  same  causes  that  are  at  present  operating  to  form 
prairies,  though  on  a  less  extensive  scale.  The  black,  rich  soil 
is  doubtless,  he  says,  due  to  the  growth  and  decay  of  successive 
crops  of  vegetation,  which,  in  the  geological  ages  of  the  past, 
under  a  far  higher  temperature  and  more  favorable  atmospheric 
conditions  than  now  exi.st,  grew  to  an  extent  unknown  since  the 
appearance  of  man  upon  the  earth.  These  prodigious  crops  of 
plants  and  grasses  were  from  year  to  year  submerged,  and  becom- 
ing decomposed,  contributed  their  annual  accumulations  to  the 
surface  of  the  country.  By  the  continuation  of  this  process  for 
untold  centuries,  and  by  the  subsequent  recession  of  the  waters 
that  once  covered  the  eutire  Mississippi  Valley,  a  black,  mucky 
soil  was  formed,  and  the  whole  regiou  emerged  as  vast  swamps 
or  swales  interspersed  with  hills  and  valleys,  mountains  and 
table-lands.  These,  by  gradual  growth,  became  outlined  in  prai- 
ries. 

Other  authority  claims  their  formation  to  have  been  much 
more  recent  and  less  dependent  upon  aqueous  action  ;  that  the 
annual  growth  of  plant-life  as  everwhere  exhibited  on  these  level 
plains,  would,  iu  a  comparatively  few  centuries  of  time,  produce 
the  depth  of  soil  presented  by  our  prairies.  In  corroboration  of 
their  theory,  they  would  cite  you  to  the  fact  that,  underlying  these 
prairies,  are  deposits  of  sand  pebbles,  and  in  places  large  stones, 
whose  surfaces  have  been  abraded  by  action  of  water,  and  fur- 
ther, that  imprinted  upon  these  rocks,  and  imbedded  in  these 
gravel  pits,  are  animal  remains,  Molluscs  especially,  of  the  class 
denominated  Acephals,  embracing  the  orders  Bryozoa,  Brachi- 
opods,  Tunicata,  and  Samellibranchiates.  The  writer  has,  in  a 
cursory  examination  of  a  gravel  pit  passed  through  by  the  Wa- 
bash Branch  Railroad,  in  Creek  township,  found  Brachiopods, 
well  defined,  as  well  as  Samellibranchiates.  It  may  be  well  to 
define  ihese  terms,  to  make  his  meaning  yet  clearer.  The  Brachi- 
opods comprise  those  bivalve  moluscs  whose  two  valves  are  never 
equal,  but  are  always  equal  sided  ;  they  grow  attached  to  subma- 
rine bodies.  Samellibranchiates  are  lho.se  molluscs  which  have 
gills  in  lamella;.  To  this  class  belong  the  oyster,  fresh  water  and 
marine  clams,  and  the  like.  Unquestionably  these  formations 
are  indicative  of  a  vast  sea,  extending  throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  great  Mississippi  Valley.  Whether  the  more 
recent  deposits  were  the  beginnings  of  the  prairie  soils  or  not,  is 
a  matter  of  conjecture,  and  yet  undecided  by  scientists.  In 
places,  these  gravel  beds  are  surmounted  with  great  masses  of 
sand,  whioh  crop  out  upon  the  very  surface,  like  that  on  the 
farm  of  Benjamin  Mitchell,  about  two  miles  south-east  of  Clinton  ; 
then  again  they  are  beneath  a  deep  subsoil  of  clay,  on  which,  in 
turn,  rests  the  prairie  soil.  In  places  they  are  only  reached  after 
penetrating  a  bed  of  quicksand,  or  by  passing  through  a  cavern- 
ous structure  that  may  be  a  subterranean  lake.  In  support  of 
this  assertion  we  have  but  to  present  a  few  facts.  In  boring  for 
water  on  the  farm  of  Benjamin  Miller,  on  section  31  in  Creek 
township,  after  attaining  a  depth  of  sixty-eight  feet,  the  auger 
fell  from  its  attachments  through  several  feet  of  space ;  water, 
together  with  gas,  rushed  up  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  surface, 
and  since  then  the  well  has  affl^rded  a  never-failing  supply  of 
pure  water.  The  noise  made  by  the  fall  of  the  auger  was  dis- 
tinctly heard  at  the  house  some  hundred  yards  from  the  barn. 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY.  ILLIXOIS. 


37 


where  the  boring  was  done.  Again,  anywhere  in  the  vicinity  of 
Kenney,  this  lake  of  water,  if  lalie  it  be,  can  be  tapped  at  a 
depth  of  from  eighteen  to  twenty  feet,  after  reaching  tlie  clay 
subsoil  which  forms  the  base  of  the  prairie  soil.  In  reaching 
this  subterranean  lake,  there  is  passed  through  about  six  feet  of 
clay,  or  hard  pan,  then  twelve  feet  of  grave!,  which  forms  a 
roofing  over  the  water.  The  depth  of  the  water  varies  greatly. 
The  supply  is  simply  inexhaustible.  During  the  driest  time  of 
1881  no  diminution  in  the  supply  was  discernable.  Again,  in 
Farmer  City,  though  at  a  much  greater  depth,  the  same  con- 
ditions obtain.  In  the  vicinity  of  Clinton,  it  is-asserted,  the  same 
underground  stream  or  lake  has  been  penetrated.  That  it  is 
simply  a  stream  cannot  be  true,  since  it  has  been  tapped  at  so 
many  points,  and  that,  too,  in  so  many  points  of  the  compass. 
As  indicative  of  its  extensiveness,  it  may  be  stated  that  at  Macon, 
in  Macon  county,  on  the  28th  of  October,  1881,  two  young  men 
lost  their  lives,  by  reaching  this  lake,  in  digging  a  well,  at  a 
depth  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet.  As  recorded  in  a  Decatur 
paper,  "Fred  Wilde  and  William  Kalips  were  engaged  in  sink- 
ing a  well.  At  the  depth  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  the 
bottom  seemed  to  fall  from  under  them,  and  a  rushing  sound,  as 
of  mighty  waters,  was  heard  beneath  them.  They  seized  the 
bucket  and  gave  the  alarm,  and  were  being  drawn  up,  when  the 
gas  arising  from  the  auful  chasm  cau.sed  them  to  swoon  and  fall 
from  the  bucket."  Water  arose  in  this  well,  and  remains  sta- 
tionary at  a  depth  of  about  forty  feet.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that 
an  underground. cavern,  at  least,  extends  under  much  of  this  part 
of  the  State;  that  in  the  vicinity  of  Kenney  it  becomes  an  exten- 
sive reservoir  of  water  is  certain.  What  is  remarkable,  is  the 
fact  that  the  roofing  is  made  up  of  gravel  and  sand,  -  not  solid 
sand  rock,  but  sandstone  in  a  formative  state.  Elsewhere,  where 
underground  passages  or  caves  exist,  the  roofing  is  of  limestone, 
and  their  presence  as  vast  fissures  is  accounted  for  from  natural 
causes.  Not  so  hei-e.  The  existence  of  any  opening  below  gravel 
or  sand  is  an  anomaly.  The  causes  of  its  existence  is  a  nut  for 
the  geologist  to  crack. 

To  follow  up  and  read  aright  the  strata  that  have  been  pene- 
trated and  are  set  forth  elsewhere  in  this  chapter  would  be  of 
interest.  To  note  the  fossiliferous  forms  unearthed,  and  classify 
them  as  zoology  would  require,  or  the  plant  impressions,  and 
arrange  as  botany  would  dictate,  would  be  a  pleasure — would  carry 
one  back  into  the  vast  eternity  of  the  past,  an  eternity  as  vast  and 
as  incomprehensible  to  the  mind  as  the  eternity  of  the  future.  No 
mathematician  can  compute  the  years  since  coal,  the  stored-up 
sunshine  and  heat  evolver  for  the  coming  ages,  was  a  vigorous 
plant-life,  reveling  in  an  atmosphere  to  surcharged  with  carbon 
as  to  be  incapable  of  sustaining  other  form  of  existence;  and 
yet  the  coal  measures  would  carry  our  feeble  conceptions  back  to 
such  an  age.  The  testimony  of  the  rocks  beneath  our  feet,  when 
recognized  as  things  of  growth,  astound  as  they  encourage  us  to 
further  research.  When  the  earth  was  encompassed  in  an  air  of 
carbon,  doubtless  the  Creator  could  have  rolled  it  together  and 
brought  about  its  destruction  ;  but  it  was  to  be  fitted  for  beings 
endowed  with  reason — for  immortal  souls,  as  a  home,  hence  it 
pleased  Him  to  store  away  deep  beneath  the  rolling  waters  that 
left  the  sediment  of  ages  upon  it,  this  wondrous  plant-life  that  in 
turn  comes  forth  as  coal.  It  has  been  aptly  said,  that  "  coal  is 
to  the  world  of  industry  what  the  sun  is  to  the  natural  world, 
the  great  source  of  light  and  heat,  with  their  innumerable  bene- 
fits." It  furnishes  the  power  that  evolved  the  spirit  of  steam 
from  water,  which  in  turn  propels  the  machinery  run  in  the 
world's  material  interests;  it  weds  the  rough,  uncouth  ores  of 


the  mountains  to  the  various  arts  devised  by  man's  genius  ;  it 
renders  the  cold,  cheerless  winter  such  aid  as  dispels  its  gloom. 
Is  it  then  surprising  that  such  sums  as  have  been  expended  in  its 
search  have  been  employed  ?  In  De  Witt  county  everything 
known  geologically  points  to  and  indicates  its  presence. 

At  Farmer  City  a  coal  shaft  was  sunk  a  depth  of  163  feet, 
passing  through  clays,  gravel  and  quick-sand,  seemingly  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  subterranean  passage  elsewhere  spoken  of,  and 
which  was  insufficiently  guarded  against  by  the  use  of  heavy 
planks,  which  breaking  away,  inundated  the  shaft  completely. 
After  reaching  the  depth  of  163  feet,  the  projectors  were  deter- 
mined on  finding  the  depth  to  the  underlying  coal-fields,  by 
boring,  which  they  prosecuted  to  the  further  depth  of  476  feet 
11  inches,  through  the  following  strata  and  formations: 

FT.     IX. 

Blue  Chiy  Sli.-ift 1C3    7 

Hurd-pan  (iiiite  similar  to  tli.it  iiiiiiR-ili^itely  underlying 

the  prairie  soil IS 

Soap-stone  (gray  shale) 2 

Gray  sand  rock    .._^ ^    ^ 

Formative  lime  rock 12    S 

Red  clay 2 

Soap-stone  in  layers,  hard  and  sot't 18     2 

Black  shale.    .' 2     3 

Coal  (Brstveinl 1     15 

Fire  clay 8  10 

Gray  sand  rock ■  •  3  10 

Soap-stone   (argillaceous  shale) 2     1 

Hard  rock  (calcareous) S     1 

Soap-stone  .     .    .   ■ *  1 

Bluish  shale 2     6 

Tellow  clay 3    8 

Soap-stone 1 

Ked  clay 3 

Limestone 2    4 

Soap-stone 0     4 

Sand  rock 1     5 

Bluish  clay  shale 3 

Dark  slate "12 

Soap-stone  in  layers,  iiarJ  and  soft ■    •  20  10 

Hard  sand  rock 3     8 

Fire  clay 2  10 

Red  shale '     2 

Gray  slate 37     6 

D-aik  .clay  shale 12 

Soft  gray  sand  rock 2     6 

Bituminous  shale 93 

Coal,  second  vein •    .    -  ■ 1     o 

Fire  clay • 3 

Sand   rock 6 

Total  deith 476  11 

Thus  bv  this  boring  only  two  veins  of  coal  were  penetrated, 
neither  of  which  was  of  sufficient  thickness  to  warrant  its  mining. 
The  roofing  over  the  second  is  described  as  soap-stone,  with  a 
thin  layer  of  bituminous  shale.  The  use  of  the  term  soap-stone 
in  this  record  is  unfortunate,  since  it  is  quite  indefinite,  and  may 
be  any  of  the  many  varieties  of  shale.  The  writer  cannot  secure 
terms  more  definite,  save  in  two  or  three  cases  where  from  de- 
scriptions extended  him,  he  has  substituted  more  appropriate 
terms.  A  study  of  interest  would  be  the  age  of  these  forma- 
tions. Those  of  coal  can  be  computed  more  accurately  than  any 
othe  3.  It  has  been  calculated  that  thirty  feet  of  vegetable 
matter  would  be  required  to  form  one  foot  of  coal.  If  so,  the 
two  veins  passed  through  in  this  boring  would  indicate  a  depth 
of  ninety  feet  of  vegetable  matter.     To  accomplish  even  this 


38 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


how  vast  must  must  have  been  the  forest  growth  during  the  car- 
boniferous period ! 

To  the  south-west  and  north  the  coal  mining  is  carried  on  as 
an  industry  of  profit.  At  Decatur  coal  is  mined  at  a  depth  of 
six  hundred  and  eight  feet.  In  reaching  this  no  less  than  five 
different  strata  of  coal  were  passed  through.  May  not  two  of 
these  be  identical  with  those  penetrated  at  Farmer  City  ?  An 
analysis  of  the  record  kept  at  Decatur  may  aid  in  determining 
this  question.     A  record  is  subjoined  : 

FT.    IN. 

Surface  soil 6 

Gray  calcareous  clay 2-5 

Argillaceous  sand 5 

Tougli,  dry,  hard  cl.ay 1 

Quick-sand 3     6 

Black,  mucky  soil 2     6 

Argillaceous  sand 2 

Clay 3 

Greenish  sand 6 

Hard-pan — blue  clay II 

Chocolate-colored  soil 2 

Quick-sand  (requires  piping) 4 

Hard-pan,  calcareous  clay  and  gravel 24 

Quicksand 6     6 

Argillaceous  shale b2.    ii 

Bituminous  shale 3 

Gray  calcareous  shale 14 

Fine-grained  marly  sand-stone 1 

Gray  calcareous   shale 32 

Bituminous  shale 1 

Argillaceous  limestone '.    .    .  5 

Bed  sliale 2 

Argillaceous  limestone 17 

Calcareous  shale 2    6 

Bituminous  shale  and  coal  mixed 2 

Shale,  calcareous  and  brown 8     6 

Argillaceous  sand-stone  (slate  rock) 51 

Coal .  6 

Thus  coal  was  found  at  a  depth  of  two  hundred  and  ninety 
feet ;  that  at  Farmer  City  at  a  depth  of  two  hundred  and 
twenty-nine  feet.  Pursuing  this  inquiry  as  shown  by  the  record, 
■we  find : 

FT.  IN. 

Gray  argillaceous  shale 8    6 

Kodular  limestone,  of  cherty  appearance 9 

Shale,  calcareous  and  argillaceous 15 

Limestone 11 

Shales 10     6 

Limestone 6 

Shales,  alternating  in  kizd 64 

Biiuminous  shale 2 

Coal,  fine  quality 1     6 

Shales,  varied 43 

Limestone  (Carlinville) 8 

Shales,  bituminous  and  argillaceous 4    6 

Argillaceous  shale,  containing  iron  ore  nodular  ....        26 

Shale,  brown  and  calcareous .  20 

Limestone,  (argillaceous) 2 

Shales 42 

Impure   coal 1 

Shales 4 

Coal 9 

Gray  argillaceous  shale 10     5 

Very  hard  limestone,  with  pyrites 2     5 

Coal 4 

Gray  argillaceous  shale 14     5 

Marly  sand-stone 1     6 

Fine-grained  sand-stone 20 

Gray  shale ■    ■ S 

Coai 3    6 


The  vein  is  now  being  worked  producing  coal  of  a  superior 
quality.  At  a  depth  of  five  huudred  and  eighty  feet,  a  veiu  of 
salt  water  was  struck,  which  proved  almost  artesian,  since  in  a 
single  night  it  rose  to  the  height  of  five  hundred  feet.  Singular 
to  relate,  in  sinking  the  shaft,  it  was  not  encountered. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  it  is  more  than  possible  that  the  coal 
veins  penetrated  at  Farmer  City,  and  those  at  Decatur,  are  the 
same.  The  inference  .to  be  drawn  is,  go  deeper,  and  not  only  so, 
but  the  jjrobable  depth  is  easily  reckoned. 

Tile  Making. — This  is  an  industry  carried  on  quite  extensively 
in  this  county,  as  the  following  exhibit  of  manufactories  devoted 
to  such  work  will  show  : 

Clinton  Tile  Works,  F.  C.  Davidson,  proprietor  ;  capacity  for 
making  600,000  feet  per  annum. 

Lane  Station  Works,  Messrs.  Lane,  Brittin  &  Thompson,  pro- 
prietors ;  capacity,  250,000  feet  per  annum. 

De-Witt  Tile  Works,  Charles  Richter,  proprietor;  capacity, 
300,000  feet  per  annum. 

Karr  &  Downing's  Tile  works,  north  of  Wapella,  on  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  ;  capacity,  200,000  feet  per  annum. 

In  Waynesville  township,  two  factories,  owned  and  operated 
by  E.  Davenport ;  capacity,  200,000  feet  per  annum  ;  and  by  D. 
Atchison,  with  capacity  for  making  300,000  feet  per  annum. 

In  Tunbridge  township,  works  of  Messrs.  Bruaw  &  Quigley, 
proprietors  ;  cajiacity,  300,000  feet  per  annum. 

Farmer  City  Tile  Works,  operated  by  Joseph  Neal ;  capacity, 
350,000  feet  per  annum. 

In  Harp  township,  on  section  fourteen.  Works  owned  and 
operated  by  E.  R.  Ross,  with  a  capacity  for  making  1.50,000  feet 
per  annum. 

Thus  the  aggregate  capacity  of  these  works  reaches  over  twe 
and-a-half  million  feet  per  annum.  During  the  past  year  quite 
that  amount  was  manufactured  here,  most  of  which  is  dispoosd 
of  at  home. 

The  price  of  tiling  varies  according  to  diameter,  as  follows  : 
Tiling,    3  inches  in  diameter,  per  100  feet,     $10 

4  "  "  15 

5  "  "  22 

6  "  "  30 

7  "  "  40 
"  8  "  "  50 
"       10                   "                       "                 80 

Thus  far  the  demand  far  exceeds  the  supply.  The  coming 
year  will  witness  extensive  additions  to  the  works  already  in 
working  order  to  meet  this  demand. 


Natural  Curiosities. — The  field  of  the  Geologist  is  wide.  It 
not  only  reaches  down  through  the  evidences  of  past  ages,  but 
takes  care  of  surface  wonders  as  well.  In  De-Witt  county, 
curiosities  coming  within  its  domain  are  scarce,  but  perhaps 
worthy  a  mention.  On  section  11,  T.  19  R  4,  there  was  found, 
a  few  years  ago,  a  petrifaction,  remarkable  from  the  fact  that  it 
is  of  quite  recent  formation.  It  bears  evidences  of  having  been 
chopped  with  an  axe,  and  was  probably  used  as  a  pillar  to  one 
of  the  cabins  of  a  pioneer.  What  should  have  caused  a  piece 
of  timber  to  thus  change  from  woody  fibre  to  solid  rock  can  only 
be  conjectured.  Nature's  silent  chemists  are  ever  busy,  and  in 
her  vast  repository  are  re-arranging  crystalline  forms,  thereby 
giving  us  new  materials.  Carbon,  a  heavy,  deadly  gas,  sub- 
jected to  a  re-determination  of  its  particles,  presents  us  the  use- 
ful charcoal,  or  changed  again  gives  us  the  brilliant  diamond  ; 
so  too,  what  is  wood  to-day,  through  a  mysterious  law  of  nature, 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


39 


may  on  the  morrow  become  a  stoue,  which  we  simply  Ivcow  as  a 
petrifaction. 

Economical  Geology. — From  the  foregoing  brief  resume  of 
■what  has  been  accomplished  in  the  way  of  geologic  exploration 
in  this  county,  it  is  readily  seen  that  only  the  A.  B.  C.  of  what 
is  in  store  has  been  made  manifest.  Sand,  various  kiuds  of 
clays,  gravel,  have  been  used,  aud  coal  has  been  found,  although 
as  yet  not  in  workable  quantity.  That  the  time  is  not  far  dis- 
tant when  it  will  be  is  quite  certain.  The  first  utilized  rocks 
were  the  prairie  boulders  in  the  construction  of  mill-stones,  a  use 
long  since  abandoned  before  the  introduction  of  superior  burr- 
stone  rock  from  other  sections  of  the  country.  The  second  sub- 
stance to  be  used  in  home  arts  was  sand  from  various  quarries. 
Sand  of  a  superior  quality  has  been  an  article  of  shipment  from 
Mitchell's  bank  for  years.  The  third  article  availed  of,  was 
clay  in  the  manufacture  of  brick,  aud  then  succeeded  that  in  the 
making  of  tile.  It  has  been  demonstrated  that  tiling  proves 
beneficial,  not  alone  to  swampy,  mucky  soil,  but  to  high  or 
rolling  prairie  as  well,  hence  the  conclusion  that  its  use  is  yet  in 
its  infancy — that  tile  manufacturing  may  be  numbered  among 
the  standard  industries.  Potter's  clay  has  been  found,  but  no 
use  as  yet  has  been  made  of  it.  The  vast  gravel  beds  underlying 
the  greater  portion  of  the  county,  in  many  places  quite  near  the 
surface,  and  of  great  depth,  will  be  utilized  io  the  construction 
of  roadways.  There  is  no  reason  that  the  deep,  mucky,  miser- 
able roads  throughout  this  county  could  not  be  exchanged  for 
gravel  ways,  excelled  only  by  the  shall-roals  of  the  South 
Count  the  cost  of  making  roads  as  they  now  are,  together  with 
the  annual  expenditure  necessary  to  keep  them  in  repair  for  a 
period  of  twenty  years,  then  balance  against  this  outlay  that  ne- 
cessary in  taking  out  and  hauling  this  gravel  upon  them,  and 
thus  making  highways  both  durable  and  inviting,  and  the 
balance  will  be  in  favor  of  the  gravel  roads  from  a  financial 
stand-point. 

From  a  stand-point  of  comfort  no  comparison  can  be  insti- 
tuted. The  most  impsrtant  of  all  minerals  underlying  this 
county  is  coal.  Its  mineries  will,  in  the  near  future,  be  com- 
passed. Its  depth  is  a  grave  consideration  ;  the  passage  through 
and  walling  against  the  subterranean  waters  graver.  The  re- 
quired engineering  skill  will  be  forthcoming  in  the  near  future 
here,  as  it  has  when  equal,  if  not  greater  disadvantages  existed. 
Lastly,  in  this  summing  up  of  a  word  with  reference  to  the  sur- 
face soil.  Can  its  fertility  be  exhausted?  Does  the  farmer  raise 
less  corn  or  wheat  to  the  acre  now  than  when  the  first  furrows 
were  made  across  the  bosom  of  these  prairies  ? 

The  presence  of  ulniic  acid  in  great  quantities  in  this  soil  tends 
to  preserve  the  elements  of  its  fertility'  The  impermeability  of 
the  clayey  sub-soil  has  prevented  the  escape  of  these  elements, 
otherwise  the  surface-soil  would  be  lighter  in  character,  and 
practically  worthless  for  agricultural  purposes.  Further  than 
this,  the  sub-soil  itself  is  a  vast  repository,  as  has  been  practi- 
cally demonstrated,  of  the  very  elements  silica,  lime,  alumina, 
and  ammonia,  needed  as  fertilizers,  hence  deep  plowing  will  tend 
to  maintain  the  soil's  great  fertility.  Here  too  is  one  of  the  ad- 
vantages accruing  from  tiling  the  laud.  In  laying  the  tile  the 
sub-soil  is  disturbed,  part  of  it  is  spread  upon  the  surface,  and 
its  good  effects  are  noticeable  wherever  used. 


CHAPTER   V. 


E  apend  a  brief  sketch  on  the  Natural  His- 
tory, as  relating  to  the  animal  life  of  this 
county,  found  here  during  the  early  settle- 
ment of  the  county,  and  probably  for  some 
years  subsequent  thereto  The  most  im" 
portant  animals  indigenous  to  this  region 
are  the 

tJ>"GCLAT.V,   OR   HOOFED. 


Of  the  hoofed  animals,  one  of  the  most  prominent  is  the  Ameri- 
can Bison  {Bison,  or  Bos  Americanus,)  which  disappeared  from 
the  prairies  of  Illinois  before  the  arrival  of  the  white  man,  leaving, 
as  the  only  evidence  of  its  former  presence,  a  few  "  buffalo  wal- 
lows" in  certain  parts  of  the  state.  The  bison  is  a  large  animal, 
with  thick,  heavy  body,  short,  stout  legs,  short,  black  horns,  and 
black,  or  brown,  shaggy  hair.  Large  herds  of  these  animals  at 
present  roam  ovir  the  plains  at  the  eastern  base  of  the  Kocky 
Mountains.  Like  the  mastodon  and  other  ancient  animals,  the 
bison  is  destined  at  no  distant  day  to  become  extinct.  The 
American  Elk  (Cervus  Americanus),  next  to  the  moose,  is  the 
largest  deer  of  America.  It  is  remarkable  for  the  size  of  its 
antlers,  which  sometimes  grow  to  the  height  of  six  f>-et,  and 
W'  igh  from  forty  to  eighty  pounds.  The  animal  itself  is  about 
as  tall  as  an  ordinary  horse,  is  very  fleet,  and  has  wonderful 
powers  of  endurance.  It  long  ago  left  the  prairies  of  Illinois, 
and  is  now  found  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  United  States  and 
in  British  America.  The  deer  family  (  Cervidn)  has  had,  so  far 
as  is  known,  only  one  representative  in  this  region,  viz.:  the 
common  American  deer,  (  Cervus  Virginianu.^')  which  disappeared 
from  its  prairie  haunts  several  years  ago,  aud  is  found  in  the 
mountainous  regions  of  Missouri  and  the  unsettled  parts  of  other 
states.  Its  flesh  is  very  sweet  and  palatable,  and  it  is  highly 
prized  in  the  finest  markets,  where  it  commands  a  ready  sale 
at  the  highest  price. 

CABXIVOEI,   OR   FLE.-?H-EATEK.S. 

The  most  ferocious  animal  of  the  carnivorous  order,  common 
to  this  country,  is  the  wolf,  which  belongs  to  the  dog  family 
( Canidce).  There  were  formerly  two  species  of  this  animal  in 
De  Witt  county,  viz.:  the  prairie  wolf  (Cajiis  lalrans),  and  the 
common  American,  or  gray  wolf  (Cazii's  accident alis).  The  former 
is  small,  with  long  body,  elongat  d,  sharp  muzzle,  smooth  tongue, 
and  like  all  the  dog  family,  has  five-toed  fore-feet  and  four-toed 
hind  ones.  It  formerly  inhabited,  in  large  numbers,  the  wild 
prairie  regions,  but  latterly  has  disappeared  from  this  part  of  the 
state.  The  latter  is  large,  with  long,  slim  body,  long,  sharp 
muzzle,  smooth  tongue,  and  straight,  bushy  tail.  In  years  gone 
by  the  howling  of  these  wolves  was  the  evening  sereni.de  of  the 
pioneer  settlers,  and  foreboded  havoc  among  the  flocks  of  those 
times.  A  few  of  this  species  are  still  found  in  dense  woodlands 
and  unfrequented  thickets  on  the  prairies.  Two  species  of  fox 
{Vulpes)  are  found  here,  the  common  or  Gray  Fox  {Valpes  vul- 
garis), and  the  Red  Fox  (  Vulpes  fuleus).  The  former  are  still 
numerous  in  this  region  ;  the  latter,  rare.  Both  species  are  noted 
for  their  extreme  cunning,  and  their  predatory  habits.     Foxes 


40 


HISTORY  OF  HE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


are  readily  distinguished  by  their  slender,  pointed  muzzle,  long, 
bushy  tail,  and  the  eliptical  pupil  of  the  eye.  Of  the  Cat  family 
(Feliche),  the  only  two  indigenous  representatives  are  the  Ameri- 
can wild-cat  iLynx  rujm),  and  the  Canadian  lynx  (Lynx  cana- 
densis). The  former  was  very  common  during  the  early  history 
of  this  country.  It  was  about  thirty  inches  long,  of  a  pale 
rufous  color,  dappled  with  gray,  ears  black  on  the  out-ide,  tail 
short,  with  black  patch  above  the  end.  It  was  very  destructive 
to  Iambs,  kids,  poultr}',  etc.  It  has,  withiu  the  last  few  years, 
almost  disappeared.  The  lynx  was  never  common  in  Illinois, 
though  it  was  (.ccisionally  seen  thirty  years  ago,  and  even 
later.  It  is  about  forty  inches  long,  of  a  grayish  color,  streaked 
with  black;  ears  tipped  with  a  bunch  of  black  hairs,  and  tail 
very  short.  It  is  further  distinguished  by  having  one  molar  less 
that  the  true  cat,  in  each  side  of  the  upper  jaw.  It  is  extremely 
doubtful  whether  the  panther  (Felis  pardus),  ever  inhabited 
these  regions.  A  few  individual  members  of  this  genus  may 
have  been  seen  here  during  their  migrations  from  one  place  to 
another ;  but  that  this  animal  ever  had  any  permanent  habitation 
in  this  prairie  country  is  highly  improbable.  The  common 
Raccoon  (Proeynn  lutor)  is  one  of  the  most  familiar  wild  animals 
in  these  parts.  It  inhabits  the  timbered  regions,  generally  near 
some  stream  or  body  of  water,  to  which  it  resorts  for  food,  in 
the  shape  of  craw-fish,  frogs,  mussels,  etc.  It  also  feeds  upon 
roots,  berries,  young  corn,  "  roasting-ears,"  birds,  and  other 
small  animals.  This  animal,  from  the  end  of  its  nose  to  the  tip 
of  its  tail,  is  about  two  feet  long,  and  has  a  pointed  muzzle,  five 
toes  on  each  foot,  and  a  ringed  tail.  It  is  nocturnal  in  its 
habits,  and  in  cold  climates  passes  the  winter  in  a  partially 
torpid  state.  Its  fur  is  valuable.  The  raccoon  belongs  to  the 
family  of  Proeyonidre,  of  which  it  is  probably  the  only  represen- 
tative in  this  region.  There  is  no  evidence  at  hand  that  the 
Bear  family  (Ursidw)  ever  had  any  represtatives  in  this  county. 

The  Weasel  family  (Mustelidcc)  belong  to  the  well-known 
animals,  minks,  skunks,  otters,  common  weasels,  etc.,  most  of 
which  have  long,  slender  bodies,  five-toed  feet,  and  glands  which 
secrete  a  li'juid  of  very  disagreeable  odor.  Otters  and  minks 
are  hunted  for  their  furs,  which  are  very  valuable.  The  former 
are  amphibious,  and  are  at  present  rarely  seen.  Th>  costly  fur 
called  ermine  is  obtained  from  a  weasel  which  inhabits  the 
northern  parts  of  Europe  and  Asia. 

Weasels  are  brown  in  summer  and  white  in  winter,  the  tip  of 
the  tail  being  black.  The  color  of  minks  is  dark-brown,  or 
black,  throughout  the  year.  The  otter  {Lidra  canadensis)  is 
black,  and  is  noted  for  its  size  and  strength.  Its  toes  are 
webbed;  head  large  and  flat;  ears  short;  tail  slightly  flattened, 
and  nails  crooked.  It  is  aquatic,  and  subsists  on  fish.  Minks 
and  weasels  prey  on  birds,  poultry  and  small  animals  of  various 
kinds.  The  skunk  (Mephitis  Americani)  has  a  pointed  nose, 
bushy  tail,  and  is  nocturnal.  It  feeds  npon  beetles  and  other 
small  animals.  It  is  also  fond  of  eggs.  It  was  very  common  a 
few  years  ago,  but  like  most  of  the  wild  animals,  is  gradually 
disappearing.  Of  the  opossum  family  (Didelphidida),  the  only 
species  here  is  the  common  opossum  {Dide/plnjs)  Virginimm). 
Opossums  are  small  animals,  about  twenty  inches  long  to  the 
tail,  which  is  from  twelve  to  fifteen  inches  in  length,  nearly 
bare,  and  prehensile.  Its  hair  is  whitish  with  dark-brown  tips. 
When  captured  and  wounded,  it  feigns  itself  dead.  It  is  a 
marsupiiil,  or  pouched  animal,  and  carries  its  young,  which  at 
birth  weigh  only  a  few  grains,  in  a  ventral  pouch  situated  near 
its  hind-legs.  On  emerging  fnmi  this  pouch,  which  occurs  four 
or  five  weeks  from  birth,  the  young  twine  their  tails  around  that 


of  their  mother,  and  thus  supported  ride  on  her  back.  The  opos- 
sum lives  on  birds,  egg.s,  insects  and  other  small  animals.  This 
animal,  like  the  raccoon,  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the  United 
States  and  throughout  most  of  North  America. 

RODENTIA,   OR   GNAWERS. 

The  animals  of  this  order  are  easily  distinguished  by  their 
teeth.  In  the  front  part  of  each  jaw  they  have  two  chisel- 
shaped  incisors,  between  which  and  the  molars  is  a  considerable 
space  without  teeth,  these  animals  having  no  canines.  The 
largest  representative  of  the  rodents  ever  known  in  this  country 
is  the  American  beaver  (Castor  ca}iudensis),  and  it  is  very 
doubtful  whether  it  at  any  time  had  permanent  habitat  in  this 
county.  The  rats  and  mice  (Muridw)  constitute  the  most  nu- 
merous family  of  the  rodents.  They  number,  in  all,  about  three 
hundred  species  in  the  world. 

Their  uppearance  and  habits  are  too  well  known  to  require 
description  here.  The  black  rat  (Mas  rattan)  was  formerly  very 
common,  but  of  late  years  it  has  been  almost  extirpated  by  the 
brown,  or  Norway  rat  (Mas  dccumanus),  which  is  much  larger 
and  stronger. 

Of  the  mice  we  note,  as  found  here,  the  common  house-mouse 
(3fus  muscalas),  the  field-mouse,  the  meadow-mouse,  the  jumping- 
mouse  (Jaculus  hudsonius  of  ihe  family  JucuUdcc). — which  has  a 
body  about  three  inches  long  and  a  tail  six  inches, — and  the 
tree  mouse.  The  musk-rat  ( Ondatra  zibethicus),  allied  to  the 
beaver,  has  but  one  species.  This  animal  is  about  the  size  of  a 
cat,  and  has  a  strong,  musky  smell.  It  is  amphibious,  building 
its  mud  houses  in  ponds  and  shallow  lakes.  It  is  a  native  of 
North  America,  and  is  still  quite  common.  Its  fur,  like  that  of 
the  beaver,  is  valuable.  The  fur  of  the  latter  is  used  for  making 
the  finest  hats. 

The  squirrel  family  (Sciraridic)  is  represented  here  by  the  red 
(fox)  squirrel  (Sciarus  hudsoniu-<),  the  gray  squirrel  (Sciurus 
Carolinensis),  the  flying-squirrel  (Pteromys  mluceUa),  the  ground- 
squirrel  (Tamias  striatas),  the  gopher  (Spermaphilus),  the  prairie 
squirrel  and  the  woodchuck  or  ground-hog  {Arclomys  monax,)  all 
of  which  are  so  common  that  they  need  not  be  described. 

Of  the  hare  family  (Leporidw),  the  common  gray  rabbit 
(Lepsus  cunicul.us')  is  the  only  representative  now  inhabiting 
this  region.  It  is  very  ])rolific,  and  is  destined  to  propagate  its 
species  long  after  .some  of  the  animals  mentioned  shall  have  be- 
come extinct. 

Bats  and  moles — the  former  belonging  to  the  order  of  animals 
(Chiropetra),  the  latter  to  the  order  (In-eetivori) — are  still  very 
numerous.  Both  are  carniverous  (insectirorous),  and  during 
hibernation  are  semi-torpid. 

CLASS   OF   AVES,    OR    EIRDS. 

In  the  following  list  of  birds  indigenous  to  the  county,  the  old 
system  of  groups,  or  orders,  is  used  rather  than  the  new  classi- 
fication of  birds  adopted  provisionally  by  the  Smithsonian  Insti- 
tute at  Washington.  The  former,  as  it  contains  fewer  and  less 
difficult  technical  terms,  will,  it  is  believed,  be  more  readily 
understood  by  the  general  reader.  The  chief  characteristics  of 
all  the  birds  belonging  to  each  order  are  given  first,  and  ap- 
pended thereto  are  the  names  of  such  birds  of  the  order  as  are 
indigenous  to  this  region. 

EAPTORES,    OR   BIRDS   OF    PREY. 

These  arc  generally  of  large  size  and  stout  form  ;  bills  hooked 
and  very  strong  ;  claws  sharp  and  curved  ;  wings  extensive  and 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


41 


muscles  powerful;  females  larger  than  males;  live  in  pairs  and 
choose  their  mates  for  life  (?).  Under  this  order  and  belonging 
to  the  hawk  family  (Falconidm),  are  the  sparrow-hawk  ( Tianun- 
culus  alaiidarias) ;  swallow-tailed  hawk  {Xauderus  furcatus); 
hen-harrier  {Cirini,s  eyaneus) ;  gos-hawk  (Falco  palambaria.s) ; 
sharp  skinned  hawk,  red-tailed  hawk  (Buteo  borealis)  ;  red-shoul- 
dered hawk,  pigeon-hawk  (Falco  columbariim);  white-headed 
(."  bald  ")  eagle  (Halielus  leucocephalus  ;  ring-tailed,  or  golden 
eagle  {Aquila  chryaetos). 

To  the  owl  family  (Strigida)  belong  the  great  horned-owl 
(Bubo  Virgini:inus)  \  snowy  owl  (Strix  niia)  ;  barred  owl  (Sy)'- 
nium  nebulosmn,  or  hoot-owl  " ) ;  American  barn  or  screech-owl 
{Strix flamnue) ;  spotted  owl,  marsh  owl,  Kennicott's  (?J  owl. 

Of  the  Vulture  family  ( VuUuridai),  the  only  representative  is 
the  turkey-buzzard  (  Cathartes  aura) 

RASORES,   OK   SCRATCHING   BIRDS. 

Birds  of  this  order  are  characterized  by  their  stout  bodies, 
strong  legs  and  feet,  and  their  general  adaptation  to  living  on  the 
ground.  It  includes  the  wild-turkey  Meleagris  gallopavo),  prai- 
rie-hen (  Tetrao  cupido)  ruffled  grouse,  or  "  partridge  "  {Bonasa 
umbellus),  quail  (  Ortyx  Virginiaiius) ,  turtle-dove  (  Turlur  auritiis). 
wild  or  passenger  pigeon  (Ectopistes  migratoria) . 

GRALLATORS,   OR   WADING   BIRDS. 

These  have  long  necks,  long  bills,  very  long  and  slender  legs, 
and  slender  bodies.  Their  general  form  is  well  adapted  to 
wading.  This  order  includes  the  plover  ( Charadrius),  common 
snipe  {Scolopax gallinago),  American  woodcock  (Phi/oliela  7ninor\ 
Wilson's  snipe  {Gallinago  Wilsonii),  mud-hen  (Futiea  Ameri- 
cana), kill-dee  (Aegialifes  vocifer^is),  red-breasted  snipe  {0am- 
betta  melanoleuca),  tell-tale  snipe  {Oambctta  fiavipes),  water-rail 
{Rallus  aquaticus),  sand-hill  crane  (fffits  Canadensisi),  blue  crane 
{Grus  Amerieanus),  yellow-legged  and  upland  plover,  white 
crane  {Grus  albus),  and  heron  {Ardea  cinerea) 

N.\TATORES,    OR   SWIMMING    EIRD.S. 

They  are  broad  and  flat ;  feathers  compact  and  well  oiled ; 
legs  wide  apart ,  femur  short,  and  feet  webbed.  Under  this 
order  are  found  the  common  wild-goose  {Aiiser  Amerieanus) 
summer  or  wood  duck  (Aix  sponm),  Canada  goose  {Bermieala 
Canadensis),  American  swan  (Cygnvs  Amerieanus),  brand  goose, 
or  "  brant "  [Anser  Bernicla),  butter-ball  {Bucephala  albeola), 
mallard  {Anas  Boschas),  blue-winged  teal  (Boschas  crecca), 
American  widgeon  {M'ireca  Americana),  red-head  dnck  {Ay- 
ihaya  Americana),  canvass-back  duck  (?)  Ayfhaya  vallisneria) , 
green-winged  teal  {Nettion  Carolinensis) ,  pin-tail  duck  (Dafila 
acida),  trumpeter  swan  (Cygnus  bnccinator). 

INSESSORIES,   OR   PERCHING    BIRDS. 

The  perchers  differ  greatly  among  themselves  ;  all  have  three 
front-toes  and  a  single  hind-one ;  feet  well  adapted  to  perching. 
To  this  order  belong  the  majority  of  birds,  of  which  we  note,  as 
belonging  here,  the  wood-thrush  (  Turrfwi  m"ste&t?is\  mocking- 
bird {Mimus  polygloltus),  blue-bird  {Sialis  Wilsonii),  cat-bird 
(Mimus  Carolinensis),  robin  {Tardus  migratnrins),  brown  thrush, 
or  "thrasher"  {Tardus  rufus),  titmouse,  or  chickadee  {Parus 
atricapillus),  brown  creeper  {Certhia  familiaris),  nuthatch,  {Si'ta 
Carolinensis),  winter  wren  {Troglodytes  hyemalis),  cedar  bird 
{Ampelis  cedrorum),  rose-breasted  gosbeak  {Guiraca  ludovieiana), 
6 


chewink  {Pipilo  erythrnphthalmus),  meadow-lark  {Sturnella  mag- 
na), blue  jay  (cyanura  crisfata),  wren  (Troglodylei  domesfica) 
warblers  barn-swallow  { Hirundo  hordeorum),  bank-swallow 
{Cufyle  riparia),  blue  martin  { Prague  purpurea),  cardiual  red 
bird  Cardinalis  Virginianus),  field  sparrow  \Spizella pusilla),  in- 
digo bird  (  Cyauospiia  cjanea),  great  northern  shrike,  or  butcher 
bird,  {Collurio  borealis),  yellow,  or  thistle  bird  {Sylvitica  (estiva), 
swamp,  or  red-winged  black-bird  {Sturnus  prelalorius),  cow 
blackbird  (cow-bird")  common  blackbird  {Menda  munca), 
king  bird,  or  bee  martin  ( Tyranmis  Carolinensis),  raven  {Corvus 
corax),  common  crow  {Corvus  Amerieanus),  i-ummer  red-bird, 
{Pi/rangra  cestiva),  scarlet  tanager,  Baltimore  oriole  (Icterus 
Baltimore),  peewee,  or  Phu>be  bird,  (Sayorius  Juseus),  kingfisher 
(Ceryle  afcj/on),  ruby-throated  humming-bird  {Trocliilus colubris), 
yellow-billed  cuckoo  {Ciiculus  canorus),  ruby-crowned  kinglet, 
golden-crowned  kinglet,  whippoorwill  {Antrostomus  vociferus), 
grass  sparrow,  or  black-throated  bunting,  lark,  sparrow,  finch, 
snow-bird  {J unco  hyemalU),  chipping  sparrow  [Spizella  socialis), 
night  hawk  (Cliordeiles  popetuc). 

SCANSORES,   OR   CLIMBING   BIRDS. 

Birds  of  this  order  have  their  tues  in  pairs,  two  in  front  and 
two  behind.  Under  this  order  and  indigenous  to  this  county 
are  the  swift,  or  chimney-swallow  {Cypselus  pelasgim),  red- 
headed woodpecker,  ( Mclinerpes  erythrocephalus) ,  golden-winged 
wooilpecker  (  Calantes  auratus),  Carolina  paroquet  (Conurus  Caro- 
linensis), sap-sucker  {Picus  pubeseens) . 

(CL.4.SS)      REPTILIA,   OR   REPTILES. 

Under  this  class  we  find  represented  here  the  order  Testudi- 
nata,  or  turtles,  and  including  such  individuals  as  the  box- 
turtle  {Cistudo  virginea),  snapping-turtle  (Chelyara  serpentina), 
wood  tortoise  (  Glyptemys  insculpta),  and  soft  shelled  turtles,  in- 
cluding mud-turtles.  Of  the  order  Lacertia  (lizards),  the  common 
striped  lizard  (Ameiva  sexlineata)  is  the  only  representative  we 
have  found  here.  Under  the  order  ( Ophidia),  or  serpents,  we 
note  the  common  black-snake  {Bascanion  constrictor),  water- 
snake  (Serpens  aquatieus),Tatt\e-sna.ke{Crotalushorridus'),  moc- 
casin {Toxicapkis  atrapkcus),  copperhead  (Trigonocephalus  contor- 
Irix),  garter-snake  (Eutania  sirtalis),  house-snake,  joint-snake, 
blue  racer,  and  green  snake.  Of  these  the  rattlesnake,  copper- 
head and  moccasin  are  very  poisonous,  and  therefore  most  to  be 
dreaded.  The  blowing,  or  hissing  adder,  a  venomous  serpent,  is 
rarely  seen  here. 

The  class  Batrachia,  or  frogs,  has  as  representatives,  the  leopard 
frog  (Bana  haleeina),  bull-frog  (Rma  pipiens),  wood-frog,  tree- 
frog  ("  tree-toad, ")  {Ranajiyla),  marsh-frog  {Eana  palustris), 
common  toad  {Bufo  vulgaris)  tadpole,  salamander  {Amblystoma 
punetatuni),  triton,  or  water-newt  {Diemictylus  viridescens),  and 
mud  puppy  {Menobranchus  la/eralis). 

The  class  o{  Pisces,  or  fishes,  is  represented,  in  the  streams  of 
the  county,  by  the  white,  the  black  and  the  stribed  bass,  cat-fish, 
pike,  sturgeon  (rare),  gar,  goggle-eyed  perch,  sun-fish,  chub, 
white  perch  ("  croppie  "  ?),  white  and  black  suckers,  bufialo  and 
a  few  others  of  minor  importance. 


3S-5^ 


42 


mSTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


T  is  our  object,  in  this  chapter,  to  give,  in  a  suc- 
cinct manner,  a  catalogue  of  the  principal 
native  trees,  shrubs,  and  grasses  found  within 
the  limits  of  the  county. 

To  add  a  detailed  botanical  description  of 
each  plant,  or  of  all  the  genus,  species,  or  even 
families,  represented  here,  would  fill  a  large 
part  of  this  volume,  to  the  exclusion  of  other 
more  appropriate  matter.  By  way  of  preface, 
it  may  be  stated  that  vegetation  is  a  sure  index  of  the  character 
of  the  soil  in  which  it  is  growing.  No  class  of  persons  realizes 
this  fact  so  fully  as  does  the  practical,  observant  farmer.  If  he 
wishes  to  buy  uncultivated  land,  the  kinds  of  trees,  shrubs,  or 
grass  growing  in  the  locality  decide  for  him  the  approximate 
depth  and  fertility  of  the  soil,  and  the  consequent  value  of  the 
land  fur  agricultural  purposes.  According  to  its  flora  Illinois 
has  been  divided  by  botanists  into  three  parts:  the  heavily  tim- 
bered regions  of  the  south,  whose  dense  vegetation  is  remarkable 
for  its  variety  ;  the  central  portion,  which,  except  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  water-courses,  is  mostly  prairie,  and  noted  for  the  great 
number  and  variety  of  its  grasses  and  other  in<ligenous  plants; 
and  the  northern  section,  which  is  about  equally  divided  between 
woodland  and  prairie.  This  county  lies  within  the  great  prairie 
belt,  a  region  famous  for  the  fertility  and  depth  of  its  soil,  and 
the  luxuriance  of  its  flora.  Plants,  like  animals,  are  greatly 
influenced  in  their  growth  and  development  by  surrounding  cir- 
cumstances. As  man  and  the  domestic  animals  have  driven 
many  species  of  the  native  animals  from  this  region  so,  numer- 
ous kinds  of  indij^enous  plants  have  disappeared  before  the 
onward  march  of  civilization.  Hence,  we  find  to-day,  in  the 
fields  and  meadows,  few  of  the  grasses  and  other  plants  that 
flourished  in  their  native  beauty  here  fifty  years  ago.  Thus, 
under  the  great  laws  of  evolution  and  succession,  all  animated 
nature,  from  age  to  age,  moves  gradually  but  grandly  forward 
toward  the  eternal  destiny  which  the  Almighty,  in  the  beginning, 
ordained  for  all  His  creatures.    The  following  is  a  complete 


LIST   OF   NATIVE 

Acer  Sacch.arinnm,  Kock  Sugar  Ma- 
ple. 

A.  Nigrum,  Black  Sugar  Maple. 

A.  Dasycarpum,  Soft  Maple,  Silver- 
Leaf  Maple. 

A.  Negundo,  Bos  Elder,  Ash  Leaf 
Maple. 

JJsculus  Glabra,  Stinking  Buckeye. 

A.  Serrulata,  Smooth-Leaf  Alder. 

Anielanchier  Canaden.^is,  True  Ser- 
vice-Berry. 

Araorpha  Fruticosa,  False  Indigo 
Shrub. 

A.  Canescens,  Lead  Plant. 

Ampelopsis  Quinquefulia,  Virginia- 
Creeper.  ' 

Asimlna  Triloba,  Papaw. 

Betula  Nigra.  Kiver  or  Red  Birch. 

Carpinus  Americana,  Blue  Beach. 
Hornbeam. 


WOODY   PLANTS. 

Ceanothus  Araericauus.  Red  Root. 

C.  Ovalis,  Great  Red  Root. 

Cercis  Canadensis,  Judas  Tree,  Red 

Bud. 
Celastrus    Scandeus,    Bitter    Sweet, 

Wax  Work. 
Cellis  Occidentalis,  Hackberry. 
Cephalanlhus    Occidentalis,    Button 

Bush. 
Prunus  Virginiana,  Choke  Cherry. 
P.  Serotina,  Black  Cherry,  Cabinet 

Cherry. 
Cornus  Altemifolia,  False  Dogwood. 
C.  Sericea,  Kinnikinic. 
C.  Circinata.  Pigeon  Berry 
C.  Slolonifera,  "         Red  Osier. 

C.  Paniculata  " 

C.  Sanguinea,  " 

Corylus  Americana.  Hazelnut. 
C'raltegus  Coccinea,  Hawthorn. 


C.  Tomentosa  '' 

C.  Crus-galli 

Carya  Alba,  Shagbark  Hickory. 

C.  Sulcata, Thick  Sbellbark  Hickory. 

C.  Tomentosa,  White  Heart  Hick- 
ory. 

C.  Glabra,  Pignut  Hickory. 

Dirca  Palustris,  Leatherwood. 

Euonymus  Americanus,  Strawberry 
Tree. 

Fraxinus  Americana,  White  Ash. 

F.  Viridis,  Green  Ash. 

F.  Sambucifolia,  Black  Ash. 

F.  Quadrangulata,  Blue  Ash. 

Gleditschia  Triacanthos,  Three 
Thorned  Acacia,  Honey  Locust. 

Gynmocladus  Canadensis,  Kentucky 
Coffee  Tree. 

Hamamelis  Virginica,  Witch  Hazel. 

Juglans  Cinerea,  Butternut. 

J.  Nigra,  Walnut. 

Juniperus  Virginiana,  Red  Cedar. 

Lonicera  Grata,  Woodbine. 

Menispermuui  Canadense,Moonseed. 

Morus  Rubra,  Red  Mulberry. 

Oslrya  Virginica,  Ilup-Hornbeam, 
Iron-Wood. 

P.  Angulata,  Cotton  Tree. 

Platanus    Occidentalis,    Buttonwood 

Populus  Tremuloides,  Quaking  Asp, 
Aspen. 

P.  Monilifera,  Neclace  Poplar,  Cot- 
tonwood. 

Prunus  Americana.  Wild  Plum. 

Pyrus  Coronaria,  Crab  .\pple. 

Qtiercus  Macrocarpa,  Burr  Oak. 

Q.  Obtusiloba,  Post  Oak. 

Q.  Alba,  White  Oak. 

Q.  Prinu.s,  Swamp  Cliestnut  Oak. 

Q.  Bicolor,  Swamp  Wliite  Oak. 

Q.  Imbricaria,  Laurel  Leaf  Oak. 

Q.  Nigra,  Black  Jack  Oak. 

Q.  Tinctoria,  Yellow  Bark  Oak, 
Quercitron  Oak. 

Q.  Coccinea,  Scarlet  Oak. 

Q.  Rubra,  Red  Oak. 


Q.  Palustris,   Swamp  Spanish  Oak 

Pin  Oak. 
Rhus  Glabra,  Sumac. 
R.  Toxicodendron,  Climbing  Poons, 

Ivy. 
RibesCynosbati,  Prickly  Gooseberry. 
R.  Hirtellum,  Smooth  '• 

R.  RotundifoUum  " 

R.  Lacustre,  Swamp  '' 

R.  Floridum,  Black  Currant. 
Rosa  Lucida,  Prairie  Rose. 
R.  Blanda,  Wood  Rose. 
Salix  Tristis,  Rose  Willow. 
S.  Humilis,  Cone  Willow. 
S.  Eriocephala,  Silky  Head  Willow. 
S.  Nigra,  Black  Willow. 
S.   Fragilis,  Joint    Willow,    Brittle 

Willow. 
Sambucus  Canadensis,  Elderberry. 
S.  Pubens,  Red  Fruit  Elderberry. 
Sassafras  Officinale.  Sa-ssafras. 
Shepherdia  Canadensis,  Buffalo  Berry 
Smilax  Hispida,  Greenbrier. 
Spiraea  Opulifolia,  Vinebark  Spirrea- 
Spirjea  Tomentosa,  Hardback,  Wil- 

lo\F  Spireea. 
Staphylea       Trifoia,       Rattle-Bo.t, 

Wood  Bladder  Nut. 
Symphoricarpus  Vulgaris,  Coral  Ber- 
ry- 
Tecoraa  Radicans.  Trumpet  Creeper. 
Tiiia  Americana,  Bass- Wood. 
Ulraus  Fulva,  Red  Elm. 
U.  Americana,  White  Elm. 
U.  Racemosa,   Cork   Elm.   Hickory 

Elm. 
Viburnum  Prunifolium,  Black  Haw, 

Arrow  Wood. 
V.  Lentago,  Sheepberry. 
Vitis  Aestivalis,  .Summer  Grape. 
V.  Cordifolia,  Frost  Grape. 
Zanthoxylum  Americanum,  Prickly. 

Ash. 
Lendera  Benzoin,  Spice  Bush. 
Rubus  Slrigosus,  Red  Raspberry. 
"      Occidentalis.  Black  Raspberry 
"      Villosus,  Blackberry. 
Robenia  Pseudoeacia,  Black  Locust. 


Of  the  forest  trees  the  most  valuable  deserve  special  mention. 
Rock  Sugar  Maple  is  excellent ;  the  Black  Cherry  is  used  by 
cabinetmakers,  and  is  a  wood  of  good  color  and  grain.  The 
Shag-Bark  Hickory  is  perhaps  the  most  valuable  of  its  kind.  The 
White  Oak  is  much  used  in  making  furniture  and  agricultural 
implements.  The  Blue  Ash  is  capital  for  flooring.  The  Honey 
Locust  is  a  very  durable  wood,  and  shrinks  less  than  any  other 
in  seasoning.  The  Walnut  is  nearly  all  gone.  The  Plane  tree, 
or  .Sycamore,  is  used  by  cabinetmakers.  Of  the  Oak  family  the 
most  and  valuable  kinds  are  the  Burr  Oak,  Panel  Oak,  and  the 
Pin  Oak. 


In  the  following  list  of  grasses,  the  common  grain  plants,  not 
being  indigenous  to  the  county,  are  omitted.  Some  of  the  gr.asses 
given  are  not  native,  but  are  among  those  best  adapted  for  ani- 
mals;  hence  we  include  them  : 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


43 


Piileura  Pratense,  Timothy. 
Agrostis  Vulgaris,  Red-Top. 
Muhlenbergia  Diffusa,  Nimble  Will- 
CalaniagrostLsCanatlensis,  Blue-joint, 

a  native  grass  of  the  prairies, where 

it  grew  from  ten  to  fifteen  feet  in 

height. 
Dact_vii;i  Glomerata,  Orchard  Grass. 
Poa  Pratensis,  Kentucky  Blue-Grass- 
Poa  Compressa,  Wire-Gra-ss. 
Festuca  Elation,  Meadow  Fescue. 
Brjrnn  Sjciin'ts,  Common  Cheat. 
Phragmites     Communis,     Common 

Reed. 
Arundinaria     Macrosperma,    Large 
Caue. 


Loliura  Perenne,  Darnel  Rye-Grass 

Anthoxanthum  Odoratum,  Sweet- 
scented  Vernal  Grass. 

Phalai-is  Arunilinucea.  Rjed  Canary 
Grass. 

P.  Canariensis,  Canary  Grass. 

Panicum  Sanguinale,  Crab  Grass. 

Panioum  Glabrum.  Smooth  Panicum. 

Panicum  Capillare,  Witch  Grass. 

Panicum  Crus-galli,  Barnyard  Grass* 

Setaria  Glauca,  Common  Foxtail. 

S.  Viridis,  Bottle  Grass. 

S.  Italica,  Itallian  Millet. 

Andropogon  Scoparius,  (?)  Brown- 
Beard  Grass. 


CHAPTER   Vir. 


PIOXEERS  AND  EARLY  SETTLERS. 


I  HE  contents  of  these  pages  have  been  gathered 
with  patience  and  diligence  from  all  accessi- 
ble sources  of  information. 

A  complete  record  of  the  brave  men  who 
first  settled  in  this  county,  was  obtained 
from  two  honored  members  of  that  small 
band,  Mr.  J.  J.  McGraw,  and  his  friend, 
Mr.  A.  L.  Barnett. 
The  pioneers,  through  uureniitting  toil  and 
hardship,  through  sacrifice  and  danger,  have  made  possible  the 
degree  of  comfort  and  culture  now  enjoyed  by  many  thousands, 
and  jointly  with  the  settlers  of  other  sections,  have  assisted  and 
brought  about  the  progress  of  science,  letters  and  philosophy  in 
this  great  valley.  The  germ  of  our  beneficent  system  of  free 
schools  was  planted  by  their  hands,  and  nursed  by  their  care. 
They  brought  with  them  the  elevating  ceremonies  of  a  pure  re- 
ligion, and  the  great  idea.?  of  personal  freedom  and  the  brother- 
hood of  mankind. 

We  are  heirs  and  also  debtors  of  the  past-  It  is  not  creditable 
to  us,  that  we  so  easily  forget  our  great  obligation  to  the  hardy 
men  and  women  who  more  than  half  a  century  ago  traveled  west- 
ward into  this  part  of  the  great  Mississippi  valley,  and  changed 
the  wilderness  into  fertile  fields  of  plenty.  Most  of  their  num- 
bers have  gone  to  the  narrow  house  appointed  for  all  the  living, 
and  the  tombs  which  received  their  worn  frames,  received  with 
them  the  host  of  recollections,  anecdotes  and  reminiscences  of 
almost  priceless  value.  A  few,  blessed  with  stout  hearts  and 
robust  health,  frugal  and  virtuous,  still  survive,  and  by  their 
very  appearance  gladden  the  hearts  of  the  generation  of  this 
day,  for  whom  they  have  done  so  much.  From  them  have  beeu 
gathered,  directly  and  indirectly,  the  facts  recited  in  this  chapter. 
They  deserve  well  of  their  country ;  and  as  we  reap  the  grand 
harvests  their  hands  have  sown,  we  can  at  least  cause  them  to  feel 
that  they  are  held  in  high  honor,  and  that  their  deeds,  trials  and 
distresses  will  be  ever  held  in  grateful  remembrance. 

Before  speaking  more  specifically  of  the  pioneers  and  first 
settlers  of  De  Witt  county,  it  is  proper  to  speak  briefly  of  the 


Indians  who  roamed  over  this  land  at  the  time  the  pioneer  built 
his  hut. 

It  seejus  clear  tli  it  they  were  not  the  first  denizens  of  the  soil 
but  America  was  the  home  of  a  prior  race,  and  evidence  is  not 
wanting  that  this  race  was  preceded  by  another.  Of  the  race 
directly  preceding  the  Indians,  there  remains  but  a  meagre 
record.  A  few  mounds,  some  beads,  a  small  variety  of  earth- 
made  wares,  stone  hammers,  implements  for  dressing  skins,  and 
now  and  then  one  of  their  idols  of  religious  worship,  together 
with  a  few  articles  for  ornaments  are  all  of  their  domestic  life 
left  to  us. 

The  Indian  race  which  succeeded  the  mound-builders  was 
numerous,  less  than  a  century  ago,  but  we  know  little  of  them. 
They  were  a  race  of  hunters;  they  practis<:d  scarcely  any  of  the 
arts  of  peace.  They  were  sheltered  by  wigwams ;  they  had 
rarely  fixed  bouadarie.s  fir  their  tribes.  And  so  we  can  remem- 
ber ouly  a  brief  day  of  their  history.  They  preceded  us,  but  left 
the  county  no  better  for  their  labors.  We  can  scarcely  be  grate- 
ful. We  find  their  gimlets,  arrow-heads,  spear-heads,  flesh- 
scrapers,  spades  and  hammers,  all  made  of  stone,  and  demanding 
infinite  patience  for  their  manufacture.  They  delved  as  patiently 
as  their  neighbors,  the  beavers,  yet  despised  labor,  and  imposed 
it  as  a  degrading  burden  on  their  women.  We  alternately  pity 
and  despise  them  ;  even  admire  their  sublime  stoicism,  but  sicken 
at  their  abominable  cruelties.  We  use  the  maize  which  they 
sometimes  cultivated,  and  enjoy  the  smoke  of  the  tobacco  they 
taught  us  to  consume.  Their  modes  of  life  were  individual  rather 
than  social.  They  were  cunning  and  cruel,  cautious  and  brave. 
Like  the  lion,  they  sprang  unawares  from  ambush  upon  their 
victim,  and  from  a  lurking  place  would  speed  the  arrow  into  the 
back  of  an  enemy.  Yet  they  could  endure  torture  with  stoic 
indifference,  and  look  a  single  foe  in  the  face  with  Spartan  deter- 
mination. 

The  Kickapoo  Indians  occupied  this  portion  of  the  country 
before  the  advent  of  the  whites,  and  a  remnant  of  this  once  power- 
ful and  warlike  tribe  was  found  here,  when  the  first  settlements 
were  made.  This  tribe  was  at  peace  with  the  whites,  so  that 
there  are  no  blood  curdling  tales  of  midnight  attacks  on  defence- 
less settlements  to  recount.  Fully  ten  years  before  the  organi- 
zation of  the  county,  the  last  of  the  Kickapoos  had  been  removed 
to  their  reserve  in  the  eastern  part  of  Kansas.  Civilization  has 
subsequently  crowded  the  poor  remnants  of  the  Kickapoo  away 
from  their  beautiful  Kansas  home. 

E.\RLY   .SETTLEMENT. 

The  history  of  De  Witt  county  differs  from  that  of  many  sister 
counties  in  this,  that  its  pioneers  became  permanent  settlers. 
The  "  squatter,"  so  frequently  met  in  a  new  county,  was  of  rare 
occurrence  in  De  Witt. 

The  pioneer  proper  is  the  skirmisher  of  the  vanguard  of  civi- 
lization, and  rarely  goes  into  permanent  quarters.  He  sows  the 
seed,  but  leaves  others  to  gather  the  harvest.  He  is  never  happy, 
but  when  upon  the  frontier.  When  the  columns  of  those  seeking 
homes  app2ar,  he  plunges  deeper  into  the  western  wilderness. 
Let  him  not  be  despised.  His  mission  is  to  spy  out  the  land,  and 
direct  the  footsteps  of  the  swarming  millions  behind  him. 

Gov.  Reynolds,  in  his  history  of  Illinois,  says  of  the  pioneers : 

"They  were  rough  in  personal  appearance,  yet  kind,  social  and 
generous.  They  were  hunters  and  stock-growers,  and  confined 
their  agricultural  operations  chiefly  on  corn.  They  were  brave, 
prompt  and  decided  in  war,  yet  liberal  and  magnanimous  to  a 
defeated  and  subdued  foe.     They  were  hospitable  and  generous, 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


and  reaiiy  to  share  with  newly  arrived  strangers  their  last 
luaf." 

The  first  settlers  in  the  present  limits  of  De  Witt  county  were 
a  party  of  six  persons :  Zion  Shugart,  Edom  Shugart,  their 
mother,  Elisha  Butler,  and  his  wife  and  John  Coppenbarger,  of 
whom  the  only  living  member  is  Edora  Shugart,  who  now  resides 
in  Jlarysville,  Nebra  ka.  The  party  arrived  in  what  is  now 
section  7,  Tunbridge  township,  (on  the  Emily  Hays  farm),  on 
October  29th,  182-4.  They  put  up  a  hastily  constructed  log-cabin, 
and  made  ready  for  winter. 

During  the  winter  of  182 1,  Nathan  Vester,  with  a  large 
family,  moved  in  and  settled  a  short  distance  from  the  Shugarts, 
and  in  the  spring  John  Coppenbarger  moved  his  family  into  the 
neighb  irhood,  and  thus  was  commenced  the  settlement  of  that 
portion  of  the  Illinois  territory  now  known  as  De  Witt  county. 

During  the  winter  of  1824,  a  little  girl  of  Nathau  Vester  died, 
and  was  buried  on  the  hill,  near  Emily  Hay's  residence-  As 
there  was  no  lumber  in  the  country,  a  coffin  was  made  by  split- 
ting slabs  out  of  trees,  and  hewing  them  into  shape.  The  nearest 
settlement  to  the  Shugarts'  at  that  time,  was  the  residence  of  a 
man  named  Laughery,  ten  miles  down  Salt  creek,  in  what  is  now 
Logan  county. 

The  next  settlement  of  which  we  have  any  rec  ird  was  that  of 
John  Barr,  and  Prettyman  Marvell,  in  Big  Grove,  'now  Waynes- 
ville),  in  February,  1826.  After  them,  cajiie  Ezra  Knapp,  Ta- 
rusey  C'line,  Abram  Onstott,  Samuel  Glenn,  Benj.  Day,  Tim. 
aad  Samuel  Hoblit,  Hiram  Chapin,  Tilman  Lane,  Samuel  Curt- 
right,  Samuel  Spencer,  the  Scotls,  Josiah  Clifton,  Matthew  Mar- 
tin, and  others,  until  this  became  the  most  populous  settlement 
iu  the  county.  About  the  year  1832,  the  town  of  Waynesviile 
was  laid  out  by  George  Isam,  and  for  a  long  time  was  the  prin- 
cipal trading  point  of  the  county.  As  to  who  sold  the  first 
goods  in  Waynesviile,  there  has  been  discussion.  The  following 
account  is  given  by  Hugh  L.  Davenport,  and  it  is  considered 
correct : 

"  The  first  goods  that  were  sold  in  this  part  of  the  countrv,  I 
hauled  for  a  man  named  Jerre  Greenman,  who  kept  them  in  a 
log-house,  owned  by  a  man  named  Davis,  and  Thomas  Dunham 
was  his  clerk.  I  hauled  the  first  load  from  Pekiu,  on  the  Illinois 
river;  one  article  was  a  barrel  of  good  peach  brandv,  which 
found  some  warm  friends  soon  after  its  arrival.  Where  these 
goods  were  sold,  in  a  short  time  there  sprang  up  a  small  town, 
which  was  afterwards  called  New  Castle ;  it  was  located  near 
where  Atlanta  now  stands.  In  1831, 1  think  a  man  by  the  name 
of  Isam  laid  out  the  town  of  VVaynesville,  on  the  south  side  of 
Kickapoo  creek,  and  a  man  named  Post,  kept  the  first  goods 
there,  if  my  memory  is  correct." 

The  next  settlement  iu  the  county  was  made  iu  the  north-east 
part  of  the  county,  near  where  Farmer  City  now  stands,  in  what 
was  then  called  Hurley's  Grove,  about  the  year  1830.  Dennis 
Hurley,  Richard  Kirby,  Henry  Huddleston,  Nathan  Clearwater, 
and  Daniel  Webb,  being  the  earliest  settlers,  coming  in  the  order 
in  which  they  are  named. 

The  next  settlement  was  made  in  what  was  called  Fork 
Prairie,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  present  town  of  Marion  or  De 
Witt,  in  1831  and  1832;  the  first  settlers  being  Thos.  R.  Davis, 
James  Morris,  John  Miller,  Benj.  Lisenby,  Alex.  Dale,  Josiah 
Harp,  Chas.  McCord,  and  Hugh  Davenport. 

The  first  settlement  about  Clinton  was  made  by  Joseph  or 
Josiah  Clifton,  in  1830.  He  erected  a  cabin  on  what  is  now  known 
as  the  Pascal  Mills  farm,  one  mile  west  of  Clinton.  The  early 
settlers  of  this  county  were  generally    Kentuckians,  although 


there  were  a  few  from  some  of  the  other  southern  states.  They 
came  into  the  county  by  the  way  of  Springfield ;  the  route  from 
Kentucky  being  by  way  of  Indianapolis,  Danville,  Springfield, 
and  thence  up  the  streams. 

Coming  from  a  timbered  country,  they  held  the  prairies  as  of 
no  value,  and  settled  along  the  edge  of  the  timber,  thinking  that 
no  one  would  ever  settle  upon  the  prairies,  they  could  hold  it 
forever  for  grazing;  it  was  not  until  after  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad  was  built  through  the  county  that  the  prairies  became 
of  any  value.  The  prairies  in  those  days  are  represented  as  pre- 
senting a  lovely  sight  in  spriug  and  summer,  being  covered  with 
large  bright  flowers.  The  grass  grew  so  high  that  a  man 
riding  through  it  after  a  rain  was  literally  drenched.  The 
county  abounded  in  game,  and  for  years  there  was  scarcely  a 
day  that  the  settlers'  tables  were  not  bountifully  supplied  wiih 
venison  or  wild  tu  key.  The  early  settlers  had  few  wants  to 
supply,  being  simple  in  their  habits  and  dress.  Their  greatest 
difficulty  was  getting  bread-stuffs  ;  mills  being  few  and  far  be- 
tween, thej'  very  often  had  to  go  from  thirty  to  sixty  miles  to  get 
a  sack  of  corn  ground  They  were  a  social  and  hospitable  peo- 
ple, and  a  stranger  was  warmly  welcomed  and  aided  on  his  way, 
while  a  new  settler  was  helped  iu  building  his  cabin,  and  getting 
a  start  in  this  new  world.  As  an  illustration  of  the  character  of 
the  people  of  that  day,  we  give  an  incident  related  by  John  J. 
McGraw. 

Mr.  McGraw  and  a  neighbor  got  out  of  corn  one  winter,  and 
had  no  money  to  buy  any.  The  neighbor  said  he  thought  he 
could  get  some  from  John  Barr,  who  lived  near  Waynesviile. 
So  they  mounted  their  horses  and  rode  to  Barr's,  and  arrived 
towards  evening.  Upon  making  their  errand  known,  Mr.  Bair 
told  them  that  they  could  have  the  corn,  and  they  could  pay  for 
it  by  making  rails  in  the  spring.  Said  he,  "  A  man  came  along 
the  other  day,  and  wanted  to  buy  some  corn,  saying  he  had  the 
money  to  pay  for  it.  I  told  him  that  if  he  had  money  he  could 
buy  corn  almost  anywhere,  and  I  would  save  my  corn  for  some 
one  who  had  no  money."  McGraw  and  his  neighbor  shelled 
each  a  sack  of  corn,  and  the  next  morning  took  it  to  a  horse- 
mill  and  had  it  ground.  In  the  spring  they  paid  for  the  corn 
by  making  rails ;  and  Mr.  McGraw  says  he  never  made  better 
rails,  nor  gave  better  count,  than  he  did  in  paying  that  debt. 

The  nearest  post-office  was  Springfield,  and  the  postage  on  a 
letter  from  Kentucky  was  twenty-five  cents.  If  a  man  got  a 
letter  ouce  in  three  or  six  months,  he  thought  he  was  doing  well. 
They  really  had  no  market  for  their  produce,  Pekin,  bt.  Louis, 
and  Chicago  being  their  nearest  trading  point,  and  thirty  cents 
per  bushel  for  wheat  and  ten  cents  for  corn  was  the  ruling  price. 
Of  money  there  was  little  or  none,  all  transactions  being  carried 
on  by  trading.  For  a  number  of  years  there  was  little  more 
raised  than  was  necessary  for  home  consumption.  While  the 
early  settlers  suffered  from  lack  of  what  we  term  necessaries  of 
life,  they  performed  but  little  labor,  in  comparison  with  the  people 
of  to-day,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  life  in  their  way  better  than  we  of 
to-day,  while  their  simple  life  seemed  to  prolong  their  years,  as 
is  evidenced  by  many  of  the  early  settlers  who  are  living  in  this 
county  to-day.  Indeed  it  is  astonishing  to  see  how  closely  is  con- 
nected the  early  settlement  of  this  county  with  the  present  day, 
for  daily,  men  may  be  seen  on  the  streets  of  Clinton  who  have 
seen  this  county  grow  and  develop  from  a  wilderness  to  a  pro- 
ductive and  thickly-settled  county. 

A  history  of  De  Witt  county  without  an  account  of  the  "deep 
snow"  would  be  like  the  play  of  Hamlet  without  the  Prince  of 
Denmark,  and  a  short  description  of  it,  and  an  incident  which 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


45 


occurred  at  the  time,  as  related  by  one  who  passed  through  that 
remarkable  winter,  may  follow  here.  The  snow  commenced 
falling  about  the  8th  of  December,  1830,  and  snowed,  either  day 
or  night,  for  twenty-one  days,  until  it  was  four  feet  deep  on  a 
level  in  the  timber,  while  around  the  edge  of  the  groves  it  drifted 
from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  feet  high.  Several  settlers  from  the 
vicinity  of  where  Clinton  now  stands  were  over  to  a  mill  about 
two  miles  from  where  Waynesville  now  stands.  The  weather 
was  mild,  and  the  snow  fell  very  fast.  They  got  their  grist  and 
started  for  home.  At  that  time  there  was  no  house  from  the 
timber  on  Kickapoo  to  Ten-Mile  Creek,  near  Clinton,  a  di.-tance 
of  twelve  miles.  When  they  got  about  three  miles  from  Kicka- 
poo timber,  it  snowed  so  fast  that  they  could  not  see  any  distance 
before  them,  and  their  team  (two  yoke  of  oxen),  gave  out.  The 
wind  changed,  and  they  got  lost.  The  snow  was  from  two  to 
three  feet  deep,  and  it  began  to  get  very  cold,  and  their  clothes 
froze  hard  on  them.  They  did  not  see  any  timber,  and  could 
not  tell  which  way  they  were  going.  Finally  they  unyoked  their 
cattle,  and  let  them  go  their  own  way.  One  of  the  oxen  took  a 
straight  course,  and  they  followed  him  till  one  of  the  party,  John 
Clifton,  gave  out  and  laid  down.  The  other  two  dragged  him 
through  the  snow  and  cuffed  him  about  to  keep  him  awake. 
About  sunset  it  quit  snowing,  and  they  could  see  timber  and  a 
house  about  three  miles  away,  and  their  ox  guing  straight  towards 
it.  But  it  was  getting  colder,  and  their  pilot  gave  signs  of  giving 
out.  They  drove  the  ox  before  them  and  dragged  their  com- 
rade, the  ox  going  a  few  rods  and  then  stopping  to  rest,  while 
they  rubbed  their  comrade  and  cuffed  him  about,  to  keep  him 
and  themselves  from  freezing.  About  dark  a  crust  had  formed 
on  the  snow  hard  enough  for  a  man  to  walk  on  So  they  got 
their  sick  comrade  upon  his  feet,  and  left  the  ox,  to  walk  upon 
the  snow.  The  sick  man  was  the  first  to  get  to  the  house,  he 
being  the  lightest,  while  the  others  would  occasionally  break 
through  the  crust  down  into  four-feet  of  snow,  causing  them  hard 
labor  to  regain  their  footing  on  the  crust;  they  were  nearly 
frozen  to  death  by  the  time  they  got  to  the  house.  The  house 
was  that  of  John  Robb,  who  lived  on  Rock  Creek,  four  or  five 
miles  east  of  Waynesville.  They  got  their  oxen  to  the  house  in 
about  three  days ;  but  their  sled  and  meal  laid  where  they  left 
them  until  the  next  spring. 

The  names  of  the  three  men  were  Josiah  and  John  Clifton, 
and  David  Moffit.  "  The  snow  was  so  deep,  and  the  sharp  hoofs 
of  the  deer  penetrated  the  crust  so  easily,  that  we  could  ride  up 
to  them,  and  jump  from  our  horses'  backs  on  to  their  backs  and 
cut  their  throats  with  a  hunting  knife.  They  were  so  plenty,  we 
could  kill  all  we  wanted.  Our  corn  was  generally  out  in  the  field, 
and  we  had  to  wade  through  the  snow  up  to  our  wastes,  gather 
it  in  sacks,  and  carry  it  on  our  backs,  to  feed  our  stock,  make 
hominy,  or  pound  it  in  a  mortar. 

"The  wolves  g  ew  fierce,  and  attacked  man  and  killed  calves 
and  sheep,  carried  off  small  pigs,  c?me  close  to  our  houses  in 
daytime  and  killed  our  dogs." 

The  territory  now  embraced  by  De  Witt  county  was  first  em- 
braced in  Sangamon  county,  which,  in  the  early  hi-itory  of  the 
State,  embraced  all  the  northern  part  of  the  State-  Afterwards 
we  fell  unto  Tazewell  county,  which  was  again  divided  up, 
and  this  territory  was  placed  in  Macon  and  McLean  counties. 
Through  the  exertion  of  Hon.  James  Allen,  of  Bloomington, 
the  Legislature,  in  18.39,  passed  an  act  organizing  De  Witt 
county,  from  territory  taken  from  the  counties  of  Macon  and 
McLean;  the  county  line  between  those  two  counties  running 
four  miles  south  of  the  present  northern  boundery  of  De  Witt 
county. 


We  are  informed  by  the  old  settlers  that  they  could  have, 
very  easily,  gotten  another  tier  of  townships  from  Macon  county, 
embracing  the  present  town  of  Maroa ;  but  the  country  then 
presented  such  a  low,  flat  appearance,  that  it  was  thought  it 
would  never  be  settled  to  any  extent,  and  it  would  prove  more  a 
burden  than  an  advantage  to  a  new  c  juuty.  That  county  now 
produces  the  best  crops  of  corn  of  any  section  in  central  Illinois. 

The  county  then  embraced  what  is  now  known  as  Atlanta 
township  (then  known  as  Four  by  Six),  Blue  Ridge,  Goose 
Creek,  and  Sangamon  townships,  in  Piat  county. 

The  county  was  named  after  De  Witt  Clinton,  the  governor  of 
York  State. 

On  the  sixth  day  of  May,  1839,  an  election  was  held  for  county 
officers  and  for  permanent  location  of  county  seat,  when  four 
hundred  and  ninety-three  votes  were  cast. 

The  contest  between  Marion  and  Cliuton  was  hot ;  and  as  in 
those  days  voting  had  to  be  done  vim  voce,  it  may  be  said  that  a 
vast  deal  of  dodging  had  to  be  done.  The  founders  of  Marion 
were  as  ambitious  as  their  neighbors  in  Clinton,  and  the  magni- 
tude of  the  town  and  its  prospects  for  prosperity  had  been  her- 
alded to  the  world  by  advertisements  and  posters.  One  of  the 
latter,  dated  July,  1836,  is  as  follows:  — 

"  TO   THE   PEOPLE. 

"Marion  is  located  on  the  head  branches  of  Sangamon  River. 
The  first  glance  at  the  geographical  situat  on  of  this  town  is  suf- 
ficient to  discover  its  great  importance.  There  will  and  must  be 
one  great  central  town  in  Illinois  where  the  internal  improve- 
ments of  the  State  will  cross  and  intersect,  and  this  point  appears 
to  have  been  destined  by  nature  for  that  purpose.  High,  healthy, 
and  beautifully  undulating,  the  prairie  is  about  four  miles  across, 
nearly  surrounded  by  a  splendid  mill-stream,  which  affords  a 
number  of  seats-  Mills  are  now  building  and  contemplated 
which  will  be  ample  for  any  amount  of  lumber  for  building. 
The  timber  is  as  fine  as  can  be  found  in  the  Western  States,  and 
is  inexhaustible.  A  number  of  important  roads  already  cross  at 
this  point,  and  the  east  and  west  railroad,  now  locating,  passes 
near  enough  for  all  the  purposes  of  commerce.  The  north  and 
south  railroad  will  pass  directly  through  Marion.  The  first  house 
was  put  up  last  winter ;  it  is  already  quite  a  village,  affording  one 
store,  one  grocery,  and  a  number  of  dwellings,  and  others  now 
building.  Within  the  last  six  weeks  our  lauds  have  been  nearly 
all  taken,  and  such  is  the  present  prosperity  of  this  country,  that 
there  must  be  a  speedy  and  great  advance  on  property  in  a  short 
time. 

"  A  map  of  Marion  and  its  additions,  showing  its  streams  and 
the  prairie,  can  be  seen  at  the  room  of  Garrett,  Brown  &  Brother. 

"'  July  2d,  1836."  "  D-  Bobbins. 

We  have  already  mentioned  that  the  county  of  De  Witt  had  a 
voting  population  of  about  five  hundred  at  the  time  of  its  or- 
o-anization.  The  list  of  voters  contained  in  the  poll-books  of  the 
first  election  has  been  lost  with  those  books.  Hon.  John  J. 
McGraw,  for  what  purpose  he  does  not  now  remember,  took  a 
complete  census  of  all  the  voters  of  the  county  in  August,  1844. 

Thes3  lists  are  still  in  existence,  and  from  them  the  following 
data  are  culled  : 

Former  citizens  of  the  county  now  no  more  — Clinton  Precinct. — 
Levi  Spencer,  Lorenzo  D.  Scott,  Thomas  Bevan,  Thomas  Jenkins, 
James  Brown,  a  physician,  zealous  member  of  the  Lyceum  (see 
it) ;  Nelson  Davis,  a  teacher  ;  Poetan  Bennett,  Peter  De  Spain, 
at  one  time  county  treasurer ;  Greenberry  Hall,  John  McAboy, 


46 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Jonathan  Curtright,  Rufus  Mills,  Dawson  Beatly,  Darius  Hall, 
Josiah  Downen,  Thomas  Hutchin,  G.  W.  Cox,  Jacob  Krauish, 
Pascal  Mills,  Archibald  McCullough,  Thomas  Blalock,  William 
Neal,  Fred.  Troxel,  B.  R.  Warlield,  Isaac  Hutchin,  G.  \V.  Mills, 
Alfred  JIurphy,  Joseph  Malson,  W.  McPherson,  John  Lowry, 
Lewellen  Hickman,  John  Springer,  J.  B  Allsup,  Ezekiel  Lane, 
James  Ennis,  Joseph  Howard,  Thomas  Allsup,  Gabriel  Watt, 
R.  Richards,  Mahlou  Hall,  a  Virginian,  settled  on  section  33  in 
township  20  R.  1  East  in  1830 ;  was  in  1839  the  largest  land- 
holder in  the  county,  owning  1200  acres  of  land,  valued  at 
S4,600,  died  in  1850;  Reuben  Thomley,  VVil Ham  James,  Jesse 
Blankenship,  died  in  Mexico  in  the  service  of  the  U.  S.  ;  James 
Cantrall,  Henry  Cuudiff,  A.  Gideon,  William  Coppenbarger, 
James  French,  John  French  (a  great  tigliter,  and  addicted  to 
drinking;  many  amusing  anecdotes  are  told  of  him.  His  visits 
to  the  town  of  Clinton  had  frequently  ended  by  his  landing  in 
the  county  jail,  and  so  on  one  occasion  he  took  the  precaution  of 
spiking  the  key-hole  in  the  lock  on  the  jail-door,  by  driving  nails 
into  it,  thus  keepiug  out  of  the  dungeon  for  once.  The  usual 
fine  for  a  fist-fight  was  S3,  and  whenever  French  was  arrested  on 
a  charge  of  the  kind,  he  would  state  that  his  antagonist  was  the 
meanest  man  in  the  county.  He  had  occasion,  however,  to 
modify  this  asserdon  in  this  way:  Squire  J.  J.  McGraw,  iudig. 
naut  at  the  repeated  transgressions  of  French,  and  iu  ordtr 
to  make  a  more  lasting  impression  ou  the  mind  of  the  culprit, 
fined  him  at  one  time  some  S25  for  an  assault.  French  took  it 
to  heart,  and  whenever  afterwards  he  asserted  that  such  and  such 
•was  the  meanest  mau  of  De  Witt  county,  he  would  qualify  it  by 
stuttering  out,  (excepting  Scjiiire  John  J.  McGraw,  who  is  ten 
thousand  times  meaner),  John  Winn,  T.  J.  Mills,  John  Copijeu- 
barger,  Edward  Thornley,  John  Walker,  Jeremiah  Kellev,  James 
Stephens,  Joshua  Dale,  Henry  Fordice,  Solomon  Cross,  Benjamin 
Cross,  George  Carlock,  Calvin  Pain  (in  Mexican  war),  John 
Lane,  Sam.  Duncan,  William  Lowry,  Ralph  Rosencrans,  John 
:Miller,  Dudley  Richards,  Noel  Blankeusliip,  David  Hood,  W. 
Belford,  James  Henson,  Joseph  Pollock,  Hugh  Davenport, 
Jeremiah  Thompson,  Melvin  Lowry,  John  Clifton,  Reuben 
Parkhurst,  Alvin  Potter,  Moses  Kenney,  James  Lowrey,  Joha 
Hutchin,  James  Wilson,  Alex.  Dale,  James  S.  Brown,  Joel  E. 
King,  William  Wallace  i^in  Mexican  war,!,  Solomon  Ely,  Har- 
rison Lane,  B.  T.  Lowry,  Walter  Karr,  James  Sraallwood,  J.  B. 
Smallwood,  James  Pollock,  Samuel  Curtright,  E.  W.  Fears, 
Melvin  Lowry,  Daniel  McGennis,  Thomas  Lamb,  David  Willis, 
Major  Farris,  William  Coon,  Richard  Murphy  (in  Mexican  war 
was  a  brave  man,  and  rose  from  the  ranks  to  a  lieutenancy), 
Andrew  Wallace,  Henry  Brown,  Rob.  F.  Barnett  (shot  dead  by 
one  Hill),  Jefferson  T.  Cross, Thomas  Fruit,  Washington  Allsup, 
M-iles  Gray  (first  post-master  of  Clinton),  Joseph  Bowles,  Daniel 
Bauta,  Jetse  Stout,  W.  Cundiif  Tolbert  Allsup,  Hugh  Glenn, 
Henry  Summers,  B.  H.  Farris  (in  Mexican  war),  J.  P.  Mitchell, 
Daniel  Newcomb,  Franklin  Barnett,  John  W.  Scott,  W. 
Mitchell,  James  K.  Scott. 

The  following  have  been  lost  sight  of,  and  are  in  all  probability 
now  in  their  graves:  Johu  Davis,  Henry  Thomas,  Anderson 
Johnson,  Matthew  Harvey,  James  Hall,  Da  iel  French,  Thos. 
Coon,  Solomon  Miller,  Henry  Foster,  G.  W.  Karr,  J.  W.  Karr, 
Hiury  King,  Fleming  Lynch,  Newtou  Lynch,  Jacob  Cross,  John 
Thompson,  H.  Benuett,  Henry  Clerage,  T.  R.  Areherd,  Job. 
Clilton,  Lewis  A;kinson,  Joseph  Karr,  William  Matthews,  Phil. 
Farmer,  Guslavus  Shelley,  Dennis  Provine,  W .  A.  Knight, 
Joshui  Gardner,  L-onard  A.  Provine,  James  Tuttle,  and  Jame- 
son Wright. 


The  following  have  removed  from  the  county,  and  most  of  them 
are  known  to  be  living:  Burnell  Martin,  Kansas  ;  EliB.  Fruitt, 
Ohio;  Martin  Scott,  Mo.;  Matthew  Miller,  Mo.;  W.  Hutchin, 
H.  H.  Hall,  A.  B.  Wright,  Kansas;  Charles  Hutchin,  Landers 
SUtten,  R.  Peyton,  Mo.,  Wm  Clifton,  Vernon  Brown,  Uriah 
McKenney,  Kansas  ;  Elisha  Littler,  Kansas  ;  Murrell  Paine, 
Egbert  Hill,  Mo.  ;  Will.  Gadberry,  Mo.;  Johu  Bruner,  B.  Ely, 
Mo.;  Sidney  Gay,  Mo.;  Henry  Bowles,  William  Allsup,  Samuel 
Beebe,  Mo. ;  F.  G.  Paine,  the  probate  judge,  went  to  Texas ; 
Jacob  Silver?,  Texas;  Henry  Thompson,  Thomas  J  Rodgers, 
Jordan  Bantea,  David  Maiken,  Ervin  French,  Ky  ;  J.  M  Ftars, 
California;  Will.  Hickman,  Joel  Hall,  Mo.;  Sam.  Brown, 
Chicago  ;  Will.  Hill,  California. 

Of  those  two  hundred  and  thirty  voters  of  the  old  Clinton 
precinct,  living  there  iu  1844,  only  thirty-seven  survive;  the 
reader  will  find  their  names  under  the  heading  of  "  The  Old 
Guard,"  below. 

Wiiyen.n'itle  Precinct — Dead  Lid. — Absalom  Hamilton,  J.  B. 
Jones,  R  Pust,  J.  E.  Cantrall,  John  Zollar,  James  R.  Robb, 
John  Montgomery,  F.  S.  Harrison,  Z  P.  Cantrall,  David 
Wheeler  (a  physician),  George  Dyer,  Hugh  Bowles,  James  Barr, 
John  Hobbs,  J.  Elli.i,  Thomas  Bjrton,  James  T.  Morton,  Alien 
Turner,  W.  H.  Jones,  Jouathan  Ellington,  Robert  Turner, 
George  Bodkin,  Abel  Larison,  John  Turner,  Richard  McElhiney, 
Adam  Stevens,  John  Miller,  William  Dyer,  Jacob  Johnson,  J. 
H.  Morley,  Jesse  Griffin,  F.  M  .Jeflrey,  Thomas  Ackerson, 
John  McCantrall,  Wm.  JetFrey,  Elijah  Hull,  Sam.  Richards, 
George  Isham,  W.  Montgomery,  David  Montgomery,  John  Robb, 
E.  W.  Mathews,  Elisha  Bushnell,  Edward  Winn  Andrew  Brock, 
Isaac  W.  Jones,  R  S  Doolittle,  and  J  S  Atchinson. 

Lost  sight  of  awl  probably  dead. — 0.  W.  Young,  John  F. 
Buckner,  W.  Evans,  Will.  Branson,  William  Richards,  Darius 
Cody,  Johannes  Birgen,  Alfred  Miller,  A.  B.  Ireland,  John 
Simpkin,  A.  T.  Jones,  John  Ev^eland.  T.  D.  Cantrall,  D.  F. 
Grosh,  Edward  Morris,  J.  C.  Cantrall,  Thomas  Coffer,  John 
Scott,  Charles  Huffam,  J.  W.  Hamitt,  W.  L  Cjntrall,  M.  G. 
Williams,  John  Mclntire,  Charles  Ciok,  Isaiah  Che-^k,  Jonathan 
Williams,  Fred.  Eveland,  J.  C.  Macon,  Henry  Michael,  Joel 
Gray,  Garrett  and  Abram  Ackerson,  W.  Hall,  Xathauiel  Harris, 
W.  J.  Davis,  James,  McNeely,  Charles  Adkinson,  Benjamin 
Brock,  Jacob  F.  Sampson,  Josiah  Porter,  and  Hardin  Wallace. 
Removed  from  the  County. — J.  L.  Jennings,  Harrison  Maltby, 
Elisha  Butier,  Charles  IMaltby,  R.  E.  Port,  A.  X.  Dills,  Th.  C. 
Bergen,  John  Slatten,  Sam.  Haramet,  James  M.  Harrold,  Preston 
Butler,  Jerome  Gorine,  Johu  Christison,  G.  W.  Stipp,  Charles 
Giraves,  B.  W.  Gray,  Nathan  Eveland.  A.  D  Downey,  John 
Thissell.  Ezra  Thissell,  and  P.  Storey. 

Twenty-two  of  the  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  resident 
voters  of  1844  are  still  living  in  the  county.     See  Old  Guard. 

M'irion  Precinct,  Dead  Lid. — Jam^s  Martin,  George  Barns, 
W.  H.  Lifferty,  Benjamin  Church,  Peter  L^ar,  James  McDeed, 
Daniel  Bobbins,  John  McDeed,  B  S.  Day,  Gabriel  Benuett,  J. 
B.  Htigar,  E.  C.  Hirr.ild,  Sylvester  Griffia,  T.  E.  Sawyer,  S  .1. 
Despain,  William  Waldon,  John  Burt,  J.  B.  Williams,  S.  B. 
H  iblett,  Binj-imiu  L'siiiby,  Z  ;bulon  Cantrall,  R  )Jen  Line,  Mon- 
roe Thompson,  B.  D.  F.  Maple,  N.  C.  Caine,  John  E.  Day, 
Thomas  Lye,  John  Lash,  John  Wilsoo,  Nathan  Britton,  Henry 
Webb,  Joseph  Wilson,  Morris  Britton,  Ge.)rge  Barns,  W.  Mc- 
Kiuley,  Arthur  Jones,  Elihu  Gissfor.l,  .John  Lay  ton,  John  Dor- 
son,  C.  Webb,  ElwarJ  Wilson,  Michael  Troutmau,  Charles 
Parker,  Hiram  Chapin,  and  F.  S.  Rjbbins. — 4.5. 

Lost  sight  oj,  prob  Mj  de  id  — Ch.irles  Sawyer,  Thomas  Glenn, 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY.  ILLINOIS. 


47 


Nathan  Goodall,  R.  D.  Taylor,  Joshua  E  Jackson, G.  L- Tayhir, 
A.  W.  Haddock,  William  Hall,  William  Haus,  Daniel  Willard, 
Douglas  Spear,  E  W.  Wright,  Johu  Gutman,  H.  Sanger,  John 
Cooksey,  Jesse  E.  Sawyer,  Job  Rathboae,  George  Livingston, 
W.  E.  Walker,  Xathan  Birnan,  W.  E.  Sawyer,  Robert  Semple, 
Thomas  Williamson.  William  Walters  (sent  to  penitentiary  for 
perjury),  Joseph  Sample,  Charles  Richardson,  J.  M.  Storm,  W. 
Bsrnes,  David  Ripp,  Dav.  Vandeventer,  John  Britton,  and  G 
S.  Morrison. — 32. 

Removed  from  County. — James  A.  Lemon,  in  California;  J.  A. 
Jackson,  west ;  James  Harp,  Kansas  ;  James  Vandeventer,  west  ; 
Daniel  Baker,  Indiana ;  Thomas  Smith,  west ;  Alex.  Harp,  west ; 
J.  E.  Daugherty,  west ;  Hiram  Beebe,  west ;  Thomas  Swain, 
Bloomington ;  Heury  M.  White,  west ;  John  E.  Harris,  west ; 
P.  M.  Gideon,  north ;  Pleasant  Smith,  west ;  Greenbury  Donar, 
west ;  and  W.  R.  Detherage,  west. — 1 6. 

Thirty  of  the  original  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  voters  of 
Marion  precinct  are  still  living  in  the  county. 

Mount  Pleaeant  Precinct,  Dead  LiM. — Robert  H.  Pool,  Benja- 
min Newberry,  Peter  Arbogast,  Solomon  Hand,  Samuel  Brickey, 
Richard  Kirby,  John  McCord,  Timothy  Hurley,  William  Dan- 
ner,  David  White.  Edward  Covev,  Samuel  Danuer,  Thomas 
Gardner,  Absalom  Danner,  John  Danner,  Dennis  Harley,  Henry 
Barnes,  Lewis  Jackson,  Henry  Huddleson,  John  Smith,  Asa 
Weedman,  Preston  Webb,  Josiah  Davis,  Ambrose  Hall,  James 
Sternes,  John  Weedman,  Mathew  Johnson,  and  William  Y.  Mc- 
Cord.—28. 

Lost  sight  of ,  probably  dead. — William  Webb,  William  Pearson, 
A.  B.  Danner.  Ben.  Newbury,  N.  W.  Cox,  J.  P.  Williams,  Rob. 
Williamson,  Harrison  Blake,  Joseph  Brown,  Hiram  White,  and 
A.  F.  Rogers.— 11. 

Remov'd  from  County. — David  White  and  Phineas  Page,  west ; 
E.  Shinkle,  north  ;  Isaac  Parmeuter,  west ;  Byron  Covey,  west ; 
Patton  Camel,  west ;  and  W.  H.  McFall,  west. — 7. 

Eighteen  of  the  sixty-four  voters  of  Mount  Pleasant  precinct 
are  still  residing  in  the  county. 

Long  Point  Precinct,  Lend  List. — John  Scott,  F.  S.  Troxel, 
Homer  Buck,  J.  A.  Payne,  W.  Scott,  Abrani  Bash,  Samuel  Mar- 
tin, Will.  Lane,  Alfred  Eveland,  Elihu  Lane,  William  Morris, 
Henry  Troxel,  Adnan  Lane,  Samuel  Spencer,  Peter  Troxel,  Elijah 
Swearingen,  Amos  Nichols,  W.  Bowling.  Moses  Houghan,  George 
Hanger,  Alex.  Ellis,  Mitchell  Harrold,  Jacob  Harrold,  S.  F. 
Bowling,  John  Young,  William  Harrold,  and  Jonathan  Frisby. 
—27. 

Lost  sight  of,  probably  dead.  —Hiram  Riley,  David  Bash, 
Joseph  Winkle,  William  Downen,  William  Holsey,  Edward 
Philips,  Samuel  McElhaney,  W.  G.  Swearingen,  James  G. 
Hobbs,  J.  W.  Scott,  Benjamin  Withham,  and  James  Scott. — 12. 

Removed  from  the  County. — John  Chatham,  William  Chatham, 
J.  J.  Chatham,  Isaac  Chatham,  Andrew  Brumfield,  William 
Spencer,  Alex,  and  A.  K.  Scott,  William  Anderson,  James  An- 
derson, Wilson  S.  Fears,  and  Nathan  Lundy,  all  west. — 12. 

Fifteen  of  the  sixty-six  voters  of  Long  Point  in  1844  are  to 
this  day  residents  of  the  county. 

The  former  precinct  of  New  Castle,  not  being  now  a  part  of 
the  county,  is  omitted 

We  shall  now  introduce  the  names  of  the  surviving  pioneers 
and  early  settlers,  as  it  were. 

THE   OLD   GUARD. 

The  Van. — Abraham  Onstott,  S.  P.  Glenn,  Nathan  Clearwater, 
William  Adams,  Abraham  Swearingen,  Elijah  Watt,  and  Orriu 
Wakefield. 


Rank  and  File. — .John  J.  McGraw,  Allen  Wilson,  John  An- 
drew, Jacob  Bruuer,  H.  Bowles  (now  in  McLean),  Z.  H.  Blount, 
Anderson  Bowles,  Preston  Butler  (now  in  Macon),  S  C.  Baker, 
A.  L.  Barnett,  F.  M.  Broeck,  William  Bennett,  John  Blount, 
William  Bodkin,  J.  M.  Cox,  George  Clifton,  B.  L.  Cundiif, 
Joseph  Coppenbarger,  Wyatt  Cantrall,  Levi  Cantrall,  James 
Cook,  Z.  G.  Cantrall,  William  Cantrall,  J.  B.  Cain,  William 
Cottingham,  S.  Covey,  William  Cisca,  Peter  Crum,  H.  A.  Chapin, 
Thomas  Davenport,  Isaiah  Davenport,  David  Remus,  Daniel 
Dragstrem,  A.  M.  Dills  (now  in  Logan),  Squire  Davenport,  A. 
D.  Downey,  E.  O.  Day  (heavy  weight),  John  Doyle,  David  El- 
lington, Isaac  Ellington,  Thomas  Frisby,  Jerome  Garin,  L. 
Graves  (Bloomington),  B.  W.  Gray  (Pontiack),  Benjamin  How- 
ard, Samuel  S.  P.  Hufl;  William  Hays,  G.  L.  Hill,  John  Hum- 
phreys, Thomas  Hill,  William  Harp,  Jonathan  Harrold,  I.*am 
Harrold,  Ely  Harrold,  John  Jones,  Elias  lohnson,  John  Kelli- 
son,  Alex.  Kelley,  C.  S.  L'senbj-,  E.  G.  Lawrence,  George  Lemen, 
Charles  Leaper,  Benjamin  Mitchell,  John  Maxwell,  .James  W. 
McCord,  James  McCord,  John  Marsh,  Robert  McKiuIey,  Solo- 
mon Moore,  Harrison  Maltby  (in  Lincoln),  Ebenezer  Miller, 
Abram  Miller,  James  McAboy,  J.  L.  McMurry,  N.  W.  Peddi- 
cort  (Macon),  James  S.  Riley,  J.  M.  Richter,  D.  F.  Robbins, 
William  Rust,  W.  J.  Rutledge,  Thomas  Spainhour,  Sam.  Small- 
wood  (Decatur),  Isaac  Strain,  C.  W-  Slinker,  William  Summers, 
V.  N.  Sampson,  D.  B.  Smallwood,  Isaac  Suisher,  J.  B  Swearin- 
gen, Henry  Smith,  Daniel  Scott,  J.  H.  Swearingen,  John  Scott, 
William  Scott,  H.  Thompson  (in  Logan),  Heury  Thomas,  Samuel 
Troxell,  Thomas  Vandeventer,  T.  C.  Wright,  W.  W^illiams  (iu 
Jlacon),  John  Warner,  Elijah  Waldon,  Henry  Webb,  William 
Webb,  George  Weedman,  Jacob  Walters,  R.  D.  Webb,  James 
G.  Watson,  and  Peter  Walton. 


Of  the  623  voters  of  De  Witt  county  in  1844,  214  are  known 
to  be  alive  at  this  day,  December,  18^1  ;  122  of  whom  live  in 
De  Witt  county  or  its  immediate  vicinity;  275  of  those  623  are 
known,  and  134  others  are  supposed  to  be  dead. 

The  youngest  of  the  survivors  must  be  at  least  fifty-eight 
years  of  age  ;  many  have  crossed  the  three-score,  and  not  a  few 
have  gone  beyond  the  scriptural  three-score  and  ten.  De  Witt 
U  well  stocked  with  hale  and  hardy  old  men,  and  the  writer  was 
grejtiy  pleased  to  see  so  many  of  them  iu  what  might  be  called 
beauteous  old  age. 

The  pioneers  of  De  Witt  county  sent  a  number  of  their  men 
to  protect  the  State  against  the  inroads  of  hostile  Indians,  and 
in  Mav,  1832,  we  see  the  following  residents  of  the  county  take 
the  field  in  the  Black  Hawk  wir.  They  had  enlisted  in  Ciptain 
James  Johnson's  company— their  names,  as  far  as  could  be 
ascertained,  were  as  follows; 

Walter  Bowls,  3d  sergeant,  died  in  1865  by  his  own  hand  ; 
George  Coppenbarger,  corporal,  dead ;  Asher  Simpson,  now  a 
resident  of  Kansas;  Elisha  Butler,  dead;  G.  D;  Smallwood,  still 
living  in  DeWitt  county;  John  Henderson,  lelt  the  State  during 
the  civil  war ;  James  Funis,  dead  ;  John  Clifton,  returned  to  his 
native  state,  Kentucky  ;  John  Murphy,  dead  ;  S.  Troxel,  living  ; 
Thomas  Davenport,  still  hale  and  hardy,  and  ready  to  run  an- 
other foot  race  with  hi-s  friend  J.  J.  .\IcGraw,  who  defeated  him, 
then  considered  the  fleetest  man  in  the  State,  in  a  foot-race  fifty 
years  ago,  and  would  do  it  again  ;  William  Adams,  still  in  the 
county  ;  William  Hooper,  emigrated  to  Missouri,  and  Jos.  Clif- 
ton, dead. 

Another  and  a  very  interesting  feature  of  the  life  of  these 


48 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


pioneers  is  exhibited  in  the  minutes  of  their  early  Lyceum,  as 
they  call  a  debating  club  organized  in  autumn,  1839,  for  the 
purpose  of  improving  our  minds,  as  expressed  in  the  preamble  to 
their  simple  constitution. 

The  initiation  fee  was  12}  cents,  and  no  one  was  to  be  con- 
sidered a  member  until  his  "  bit"  was  contributed. 

Hon.  J.  J.  McGraw,  a  pioneer  in  the  forest  as  well  as  an  effi- 
cient, conscientious  and  respected  magistrate  and  county  officer, 
from  the  birth  of  the  county  to  this  very  day,  has  thoughtfully 
and  with  care  preserved  the  minutes  of  this  Lyceum. 

A  leaf  or  two  seem  to  have  been  lost,  and  we  could  not  learn 
the  subject  of  the  first  debate. 

On  the  26th  of  November,  however,  the  members  discussed 
the  following  question :  "  Which  would  be  the  more  politic 
course  under  now  existing  cireuiuitaaces  for  the  legislature,  to 
prosecute  or  to  abandon  their  Internal  Improvement  System  f  "  * 

The  debt  amounted,  per  capita,  to  $30,  and  the  share  of  De 
Witt  county,  with  its  3,247  inhabitants,  to  897,400. 

The  districts  of  which  the  present  county  of  De  Witt  formed 
a  part  in  1837  and  1838,  were  represented  by  George  Henshaw, 
of  McLean,  and  W.  G  Reddick,  of  Macon.  Both  voted  in  favor 
of  the  system  John  J.  McGraw  and  William  Dishou  had  pre- 
viously selected  the  parties  for  discussing  the  subject. 

William  Dishon,  William  Lowry,  Dr.  J.  C.  McPherson,  and 
F.  G  Paine  advocated  the  continuing  of  the  system,  while  J.  J. 
McGraw.  Charles  Maltby,  K.  H.  Fell,  Dr.  Thomas  Laughlin, 
and  Daniel  F'jurdice  argued  for  its  abandonment.  J.  W.  Sapp, 
E.  W.  Fears,  and  John  S.  Warfield,  who  had  also  been  called  on 
as  debaters,  were  marktd  "  absent." 

*  Tlie  impetus  to  the  system  of  internal  improvements  at  tlie  e.xpense, 
or  more  properly  speaking,  on  tlie  credit  of  the  state,  was  given  by  George 
Forquer,  a  senator  of  Sangamon  connty  in  1834 ;  his  plans,  however,  failed. 
J.  M.  Strode,  senator  of  all  the  country,  including  and  north  of  Peoria, 
had  a  bill  passed  in  183-5,  authorizing  a  loan  of  half  a  million  of  dollars 
on  the  credit  of  the  state.  This  loan  was  negotiated  by  Governor  Duncan 
in  1836,  and  with  this  money  a  commencement  was  made  on  the  Illinois 
canal  in  the  month  of  June  of  that  year.  The  great  town  lot  speculation 
had  reached  Illinois  about  that  time,  The  number  of  towns  multiplied  so 
rapidly,  that  it  seemed  as  though  the  state  would  be  one  vast  city.  All 
bought  lots,  and  all- dreamed  themselves  rich  ;  and  in  order  to  bring  people 
to  those  cities  in  embryo,  the  system  of  internal  improvements  was  to  be 
carried  out  on  a  grand  .scheme.  The  agitation  became  general,  and  the  in- 
difference of  the  busy  farmer  was  taken  for  tacit  consent.  The  legislature, 
in  1837,  provided  for  the  building  of  about  1,300  miles  of  railroads,  and 
voted  eight  railliona  of  dollars  for  that  purpose  ;  two  hundred  thousand  of 
which  were  to  be  paid  to  counties  not  reached  by  those  proposed  railroads 
as  an  indemnity.  In  order  to  complete  the  canal  from  Chicago  to  Peru, 
another  loan  of  four  millions  of  dollars  was  authorized.  And,  as  a  crown- 
ing act  of  folly,  it  was  provided  that  the  work  should  commence  simul- 
taneously on  all  the  proposed  roads  at  each  end,  and  from  the  crossings  of 
all  the  riveis. 

No  previous  survey  or  estimate  had  been  made,  either  of  the  routes,  the 
costs  of  the  works,  or  the  amount  of  business  to  be  done  by  them.  The  ar- 
guments in  favor  of  the  system  were  of  a  character  most  difficult  to  refute, 
composed  as  they  were  partly  of  fact,  but  mostly  of  prediction.  In  this 
way  it  was  proved,  to  general  satisfaction,  by  an  ingenious  orator  in  the 
lobby,  that  the  state  could  well  afford  to  borrow  a  hundred  millions  of  dol- 
lars, and  expend  it  in  making  internal  improvements. 

None  of  the  proposed  roads  were  ever  completed;  detached  parcels  of 
them  were  graded  on  every  road,  the  e.xcavations  and  embankments  of 
which  have  long  remained  as  a  memorial  of  the  blighting  scathe  done  by 
this  legislature. 

The  next  legislature  voted  another  $800,000  for  the  system.  A  special 
session  in  1S39  repealed  the  system,  and  provided  for  winding  it  up,  for  it 
had  become  apparent  that  no  more  loans  could  be  obtained  at  par.  Under 
this  system  a  state  debt  of  ?14, 237,348  had  been  created,  to  be  paid  by  a 
a  population  of  476,183  souls.— Gui'.  Ford's  History  of  Illinois. 


From  the  annexed  foot  note,  the  readers  will  observe  that  the 
question  itself  was  still  a  burning  "  one  at  the  time  of  the  de- 
bate." Most  of  the  participants  in  the  debate  have  paid  that 
tribute  to  nature  which  is  due  by  all  mortals.  Let  the  survivor 
or  survivors  recite  the  details.  Mr.  Woodard  and  Josiah 
Downing  acted  as  judges  and  decided  that  John  J.  McGraw  and 
his  side  had  produced  the  best  arguments.  That  same  night  the 
club  or  lyceura  prepared  a  by-law,  from  which  fact  it  is  to  be 
inferred,  that  the  club  had  previously  adopted  a  constitution. 
The  by-law  reads  as  follows :  "  Be  it  enacted  by  the  members  of 
thi<  lyceuni,  that  it  be  considered  a  breach  of  good  order  for  any 
person,  who  may  attend  the  meetings  of  said  body,  and  in  time 
of  business  not  to  keep  his  seat,  or  to  talk." 

The  next  meeting  was  ordered  to  be  held  on  the  fourth  of 
December  next,  and  one  question  to  be  discussed  was:  "  Would 
it  be  right,  as  things  now  exist,  for  the  legislature  to  legalize  the 
suspension  of  the  State  Bank  of  Illinois  ?"  It  was  arranged  that 
Charles  Maltby,  William  Dishon,  Dr.  Thomas  Laughlin,  Henry 
Dishou,  Daniel  Fourdice,  J.  S.  Warfield,  E.  W.  Fears,  and  R. 
Post  should  speak  in  favor  of,  and  K  H.  Fell,  Dr.  James 
Brown,  William  Lowry,  John  J.  McGraw,  F.  G.  Paine,  Dr.  J. 
C.  McPherson,  and  J.  W.  Sapp,  against,  the  proposed  measure. 
The  debate  was  conducted  with  some  feeling,  as  the  very  ques- 
tion at  issue  had  occupied  the  minds  of  all  people  for  years.  The 
judges  presiding  at  the  meeting,  James  Vandeventer  and  John 
Hughs,  could  not  agree.  The  president  of  the  club,  concurring 
with  Vandeventer,  decided  that  Charles  Maltby 's  side  had  the 
best  of  the  argument,  and  that  the  legislature  ought  to  legalize 
the  suspension  of  the  Bank.* 

*  Illinois  State  Bank — It  is  but  recently  that  the  United  States  has 
seen  a  new  party — ''  Greenback  party,''  for  short — spring  into  life,  with  the 
avowed  object  of  abolishing  the  use  of  gold  and  silver  as  measures  of  value, 
or  money,  and  substituting  for  it  their  fiat  money.  The  older  people  of 
our  state  have  had  some  experience  in  this  matter,  and  the  few  remarks  in- 
troduced here  are  intended  for  the  generation  now  starting  out  into  politi- 
cal life.  It  i.s  presumed  to  he  known  by  all,  that  almost  every  person  re- 
siding in  Illinois  about  the  year  1820  was  virtually  a  bankrupt;  that  is,  he 
could  not  jiay  any  debt,  however  small  it  was,  and  despite  his  possessing 
many  acres  of  land,  etc.,  simply  because  there  was  no  money  in  the  state. 
Well,  it  was  a  glorious  time  for  *'  fiat"  money,  and  the  legislature  created 
it,  by  chartering  a  bank,  the  Stale  Bank  of  Illinois,  without  a  dollar  in  its 
vaults,  and  wholly  on  the  credit  of  the  state.  It  was  authorized  to  issue 
notes  of  various  denominations.ditfering  from  the  notes  of  regular  banks  only 
in  being  made  interest-bearing  (2  per  cent,  per  annum)  and  payable  by  the 
state  in  ten  years.  The  bank  and  its  branches,  officered  by  men  appointed  by 
the  legislature  (politicians,  of  course,  and  not  business  men)  weredirected  by 
law  to  lend  its  bills  to  the  people,  to  the  amount  of  $100  on  personal  se- 
curity ;  and  upon  the  security  of  mortgages  upon  land  for  larger  sums. 
These  notes  were  to  be  received  in  payment  of  taxes,  costs,  fees,  salaries  of 
ofiicers,  etc.,  and  if  tendered  to  a  creditor,  and  by  him  refused,  the  debtor 
could  stay  the  collection  of  the  debt  due  him  for  three  years  by  giving  per- 
sonal security.  The  Solons  at  Vandalia  {mmen  et  omen]  actually  believed, 
that  these  notes  would  continue  to  be  worth  their  face  value  in  gold  or 
silver,  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States  was  requested 
by  a  resolution  of  the  legislature  to  receive  those  notes  into  the  land  offices 
in  payment  for  the  public  lands.  Governor  Ford  tells  an  amusing  anec- 
dote in  reference  to  the  adoption  of  this  resolution  in  the  State  Senate : 
"  When  it  was  put  to  the  vote  in  the  Senate,  the  old  French  Lieutenant- 
Governor,  Col.  Menard,  jiresiding  over  the  body,  did  up  the  business  as 
follows  :— Gentlemen  of  de.Senale,  it  is  moved  and  seconded  dat  de  notes 
of  dis  bank  be  made  land  office  money.  All  in  favor  of  dat  motion,  say 
aye,  all  against  it,  say  no.  It  is  decided  in  de  affirmative.  And  now, 
gentlemen,  I  bel  yon  one  hundred  dollars  he  nerer  be  made  land  offiee  money. 
The  banks  went  into  operation  in  1821,  and  their  officers,  finding  it  easier 
to  lend  than  to  refuse,  had  soon  scattered  some  $300,000  of  their  "  fiat  " 
throughout  the  state.  It  was  takm  at  first  at  75  cents  per  dollar,  but  soon 
came  down  to  25  cents.     A  large  number  of  people  who  had  *'  borrowed" 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


49 


On  the  11th  of  December,  the  question  : —  I 

"  Is  it  right,  in  any  case  to  use  dissimulation  ?  " 

"  Well,  George  Washington  could  not  tell  a  dissimulation,  and 
our  minutes  do  not  state  how  the  question  was  decided  ;  but  from 
subsequent  proceedings  one  might  infer  that  the  discussion  was 
'  spirited  'for  a  '  By-Law,'  creating  the  responsible  position  of 
a  prosecuting  attorney  was  enacted  that  very  day,  and  Charles 
Maltby  elevated  to  the  place.  William  Lowr_v  was  elected 
President,  and  John  J.  Mc  Graw,  Secretary  for  the  next  Jour  weeks, 
December  1],  1839.  How  Democratic!  Rotation  in  otfice,  12  , 
times  during  the  year." 

The  question : — 

"  Which  has  been  of  the  greatest  advantage  to  mankind  the 
discovery  of  the  art  of  printing,  or  that  of  the  magnetic  needle?' 
was  mooted  on  the  18th  of  December  and  decided  in  favor  of 
printing. — Henry  Cundiifand  Mr.  Long  acting  as  judges. 

H.  Dishon  proposed  for  discussion  at  the  next  meeting,  on  the 
27th  of  December,  the  question:  "Who  has  been  the  most 
imposed  upon,  the  Negro  of  the  United  States,  or  the  Indian?" 
J.  W.  Sapp  and  K.  H.  Fell  selected  the  speakers,  to  wit; — J. 
W.  Sapp,  W.  Dishon,  F.  G.  Paine,  Dr.  Laughliu,  Dr.  iMc  Pher- 
son,  John  Lowery  and  S-  M.  Richardson  for  the  Indian,  and 
K.  H.  Fell,  W.  Lowry,  H.  Dishon,  John  J.  Mc  Graw,  J.  S. 
Warfield,  William  Mitchell  and  Dr.  James  Brown,  for  the  Negro. 
E.  W.  Fears  and  D.  Fourdice,  acting  as  judges,  gave  the  follow- 
ing verdict :  "  We  believe  the  Indian  has  been  most  imposed  on." 

A  much  more  difficult  subject :  "  Which  has  the  greatest 
restraint  on  the  minds  of  mankind,  the  laws  of  nature  or  the  laws 
of  man?"  was  debated  on  the  3d  of  January,  1840.  Four 
of  the  members  appointed  to  speak  for  the  laws  of  nature  dodged 
the  work,  leaving  it  to  the  care  of  the  three  physicians,  Lnughlin, 
Brown  and  Mc  Pherson,  and  they  handled  the  subject  well.  They 
were  opposed  by  the  Dishons,  the  probate  judge,  the  clerk,  the 
recorder,  by  D.  Fourdice  and  J.  S.  Warfield,  who  got  worsted, 
the  President  deciding  in  favor  of  the  Doctors. 

F.  G.  Paine  was  elected  President,  K.  H.  Fell,  Secretary,  and 
Dan  Fourdice,  Prosecuting  Attorney.  It  was  resolved  to  devote 
next  Tuesday  evening  to  the  trial  of  those  members  of  the  Lyceum 
who  had  disobeyed  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  said  Lyceum. 
The  minutes  do  not  state  what  was  done  with  the  criminals 

The  question  :  "  Which  does  mankind  esteem  the  highest,  wealth 
or  education?"  was  discussed  on  the  16th;  Daniel  Fourdice, 
the  valiant,  William  Lowry,  John  Lowery,  Henry  Dishon,  the 
sage,  the  warlike  Warfield  and  the  sarcastic  Fell  broke  their 
lances  in  vain  for  education.  John  J.  Mc  Graw  and  the  three 
doctors,  speaking  for  wealth,  laid  them  out  on  the  sand,  so 
declared  by  F.  G.  Paine,  Harvey  Bradshaw  and  the  president, 
acting  as  Judges. 

Another  subject  of  interest,  now  and  then,  as  well  as  hereafter 
was  to  be  debated  at  the  next  meeting.  It  had  been  selected 
by  Dr.  Brown,  and  ^^'illiam  Lowry:  "Would  it,  or  would  it  not 
be  better  for  the  people  of  the  United  States  to  abolish  all  laws 
now  in  existence  which  compel  men  to  pay  their  contracts?  ' 

The  criminals  were  brought  to  justice  on  the  17th  of  January, 
to  wit :  John  S.  Warfield,  E.  W.  Fears  and  Dr.  Mc  Pherson, 
tried  on  a  charge  of  contempt,  and  fined  each,  12J  cents. 

from  the  banks,  of  course,  thought  that  their  transactions  with  the  banks 
terminated  then  and  there.  The  idea  of  ri:payiu(j  was.  and  remained  for- 
eign to  them.  The  real  troubles  commenced  four  or  five  years  later,  and 
the  history  of  the  state  from  then  for  a  period  of  almost  twenty  years  was  a 
series  of  financial  misery  and  disaster.  All  honor  to  James  Vandeventer 
and  H.  Dishon  (?)  the  president  of  the  Be  Witt  County  Lyceum  for  their 
decision. 
7 


The  Secretary  reported  an  income  of  81  25,  and  the  expendi- 
tures amounted  to  SI. 051,  leaving  a  balance  of  183  cents  in  the 
Lyceum's  cash  box. 

"  Would  it  not  be  better  to  abolish  capital  punishment  and 
substitute  imprisonment  for  life?" 

Strange  to  say.  this  question  was  decided  in'  favor  of  abolishing 
capital  punishment,  although  two  of  the  doctors  argued  in  favor 
of  retaining  this  mode  of  killing.  The  discus-iion  came  off  on  the 
31st  of  January;  two  new  men,  Josiah  Downen  and  Mr.  Cox 
acting  as  judges. 

February  Cth,  1840,  the  question  : — 

"  Which  is  the  stronger  passion,  love  or  anger  ?"  was  discussed. 
The  doctors,  or  a  majority  of  them,  were  on  the  love  part,  and 
were  defeated,  but  a  resolution  ^vas  passed,  to  discuss  this  question 
again  at  the  next  meeting — but,  alas,  there  was  no  next  meeting. 

The  Lj'Ceum  may  have  lived,  and  been  wide  awake,  but  the 
minutes  are  silent  in  regard  to  all  proceedings  until  January  6, 
1841.  A  meeting  was  then  held.  Miles  Gray  was  elected  Presi- 
dent, and  Harvey  Bradshaw,  Secretary.  This  seems  to  have 
been  a  re-organization  of  the  first  Lyceum,  many  of  whose  mem- 
bers re-appear,  to  wit :  J.  J.  Mc  Graw,  the  three  Doctors,  Charles 
Maltby,  Harvey  Bradshaw,  K.  H.  Fell,  J.  W.  Sapp,  William 
Dishon  and  F.  G.  Paine.  The  Liwry's,  Henry  Dishon,  Dan 
Fourdice,  Sheriff  Fears,  and  Warfield  are  missing,  while  Miles 
Gray,  the  old  post-master,  and  Eli  Fruit  seem  to  be  new  mem- 
bers. 

The  debates  commenced  again  on  the  14th  of  January,  1841 
when  it  was  decided,  "  That  Capital  Punishment  was  justifiable 
by  the  laws  of  justice  and  humanity."  The  three  doctors  had 
this  time  been -successful. 

The  next  subject  for  discussion  was  :  "  Does  the  credit  system 
as  it  now  exists,  promote  the  interest  of  the  country  or  not  ?"  but 
the  Lyceum  had  ceased  to  be ;  on  motion  of  Dr.  Laughlin,  the 
meeting  adjourned  !  Oh,  those  doctors  ! 

The  Lyceum  had  ended,  but  it  had  become  the  leaven  of  a 
new  organization. 

"  The  Adelphic  Society  of  Clinton,"  founded  in  November, 
1841,  by  William  Lowry,  John  Wealch,  J.  J.  McGraw,  Charles 
Maltby^  W.  W.  Williams,  C.  H.  Moore,  R.  Post,  and  D.  New- 
comb.  This  society  started  out  with  a  constitution  of  Six  Articles, 
subdivided  into  numerous  sections,  and  supplemented  by  a  large 
number  of  by-laws,  but  the  objects  sought  were  those  of  its  dead 
predecessor.  The  first  question  selected  for  discussion  is  being 
discussed  to  this  day,  to  u<it. :  "  Is  the  intemperate  use  of 
ardent  spirits  the  greatest  evil  amongst  mankind '!"  The  doctors 
were  divided  on  this  question.  Dr.  Brown,  iu  co:nmon  with  C. 
H.  Jloore,  J.  J.  McGraw,  and  others,  argued  it  was,  while  Dr. 
Laughlin,  Dan.  Newcomb  and  others,  said  no.  The  chair  and 
the  judges  decided  in  favor  of  Dr.  Brown.  Turnuig  to  state- 
economy,  our  intellectual  pioneers,  ou  the  18th  of  November, 
discussed  the  question  :  "  H;ive  chartered  institutions  been  bene- 
ficial to  our  county?"  and  proved  that  they  had  been  beneficial. 
"Should  capital  punishment  be  inflicted?"  This  question  was 
decided  in  the  negat'rve;  all  honor  to  the  judge  and  jury! 

At  the  next  meeting,  December  8th,  1841,  the  question: 
"Should  the  internal  improvement  system  of  the  State  of  Illinois 
be  abandoned  ?"  was  decided  in  the  negative.  At  a  club  meet- 
ing on  the  27th  of  December,  C.  H.  M  jore  gave  notice  that  he 
would  offer  for  adoption  at  the  next  meeting  the  following 
I  resolution  :  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  club,  that 
;  the  signs  of  the  times  do  not  indicate  the  perpetuity  of  our  re- 
publican  institutions."      The   club  met   again   on   the  30th  of 


50 


J I  IS  TORY  OF  DE   WJTT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


December,  when  the  above  resolution  was  brought  in,  and  on 
motion  of  R.  Post,  the  following  araendinent  to  the  above  reso- 
lution was  adopted,  to  wit. :  strike  out  the  words  "  republican 
institutions,"  and  insert  "  Federal  Institutions."  The  resolu  ion 
thus  amended,  was  after  a  most  animated  discussion  rejected. 
There  is  but  one  other  resolution  mentioned  in  those  minutes. 
It  was  brought  in  by  Wibiam  Lowry  :  "  Besotved,  That  it  is 
the  opinion  of  this  club,  that  immediate  measures  should  be 
taken  to  compel  the  State  bank  to  resume  specie  payment." 
The  resolution  wa^  lost,  and  so  were  the  minutes  of  later  pro- 
eetdin;.s  of  the  club. 

E.IKLY    5IAKRI.\OE.S. 

William  Jones,  Polly  Cantrall,  May  2d,  1830,  by  Josiah  Por- 
ter, Presbyterian  minister.  William  Clifton,  Partheny  Paine, 
June  loth,  1S39,  by  Kubert  Ilensun,  M.  G.  James  Brown, 
Milarea  Blount,  July  -Jth,  LSSil,  by  Pa.xton  Cummings,  M.  G. 
David  Hood,  Sarah  Ann  Brown,  August  2.5th,  1839,  by  J.  C. 
McPherson,  M-  G.  John  S  range,  Nancy  Scott,  August  22d, 
1839,  by  J.iha  Mjntg  )Hi.'ry,  Ju-stica  of  the  pjacj.  Janiei  G. 
Hobbs,  Mary  Hay,  Sept.  10th,  1839,  by  John  Montgomery, 
Justice  of  the  peace  Thomas  Davison,  Caty  Ann  Hoblett,  Oct- 
10th,  1839,  by  M.  S.  Hoblett.  Levi  Cantrall,  E.  G.  Robb, 
Oct.  loth,  1839,  by  Josiah  Porter,  Pastor  of  Waynesville.  J.  D. 
Morgan,  Miss  L.  Graves,  November  10th,  1839,  by  John  Hughes, 
Justice  of  the  peace  Jesse  Griffin,  Nancy  Stipp,  November 
10th,  1839,  by  David  Montgomery,  Justice  of  the  peace. 
W.  Wills,  Lyilia  Hurley,  November  14ih,  1839,  by  Henry 
Maynard.  W.  L.  Fruit,  Isabel  C.  Glenn,  December  31st,  1839, 
by  James  Glenn  Statistical  reports  of  subsequent  marriages 
are  given  in  the  chapter  on  Civil  History — under  the  sub- 
head   of  Land    and  Peojile. 

FIRST   JUSTICES   OF   THE    FE.YOE. 

Obadiah  Hooper,  John  Hughes,  Henry  Barns,  Marion 
precinct. 

Thomas  N.  Glenn,  Long  Point  precinct. 

Abraham  Manpiiso,  Sangamon  precinct. 

Malou  S.  Hoblett,  Peter  Crum,  Long  Point  Precinct. 

John  Smith,  Charles  H.  Simonson,  Clinton  precinct. 

John  Blontgomery,  Jeremiah  P.  Donham,  Orrin  Wakefield, 
Clarion  precinct. 

David  Montgomery,  ^Vaynesville  prec'nct. 

Jesse  McPherson,  Robert  H.  Pool,  Mt.  Pleasant  precinct. 

William  Anderson  was  also  an  acting  justice  of  the  peace. 
His  bond  however  is  not  on  file,  and  he  seems  to  have  been  a 
justice  for  McLean  county. 

FIRST    COXSTABLES. 

William  Gadberry,  Isaiah  S.  Davenport,  Alexander  Scott,  James 
M.  Cantrall,  Hiram  Crum,  John  Pratt,  Josiah  Harp,  Gabriel 
Bennett,  Samuel  Bevans,  Henry  Cuuditt',  Nathan  Brittain,  Wil- 
liam Morain,  Lucas  Graves,  Andrew  Scott,  Thomas  Blalaiek  (?). 

Having  mentioned  the  names  of  those  officers  of  the  peace,  it 
is  but  proper  to  recite  some  of  their  early  acts,  to  wit : 

Isaac  M.  Cudy  was  fined  six  dollars  for  contempt  of  court  by 
Esquire  Anderson  on  the  12th  of  September,  1839.  Isaac  paid 
his  fine.  Probably  the  first  case  of  contempt  of  court  in  the 
State  was  committed  by  Joseph  Marrie,  a  Frenchman,  in 
autumn  1794.  The  justice,  Jean  Dumonlin,  at  Cahokia,  pro- 
nounced the  fine,  when  Joseph  extended  a  very  insulting  invita- 
tion to  Dumonlin.  The  latter  jumped  upon  Monsieur  "and 
admitted  a  merciless "  thrashing.     Dumonlin  was  indicted  for 


assault  and  battery,  but  acquited.  Monsieur  Marrie,  who  had 
prosecuted  Dumonlin  in  the  name  of  the  State,  had  to  pay  the 
court  costs  besides. 

Hiram  Bernard,  assault  and  battery,  ten  dollars,  and  Daniel 
Fourdice,  two  cases  of  assault  and  battery,  sis  dollars,  all  by 
Squire  Anderson,  September  2,  1839.  Hiram's  battery  must 
have  been  of  a  more  violent  character  than  Daniel's  two.  cases. 

Henry  Summers,  October  12,  1839,  assault  and  battery,  three 
dollars,  and  John  French  on  December  2,  1839,  assault  and  bat- 
tery, twenty-five  dollars,  J.  C.  McPherson  justice  of  the  peace. 

Noah  Grant,  November  1,  1839,  assault  and  battery,  three 
dollars,  and  Cornelius  Cavey,  same  day  and  same  offence,  five 
dollars,  fines  assessessed  by  R.  H.  Pool,  J.  P. 

Daniel  G.  Craig,  fined  six  dollars  for  a.ssault  and  battery 
upon  the  body  of  Mary  Craig,  his  wife,  March  2,  1840,  Orrin 
Wakefield,  J.  P. 

Cost  of  the  county  government  in  pioneer  times,  I\Iay  to  De- 
cember, 1839:  Compensation  of  county-officers,  $221.00  ;  furni- 
ture for  court  house  and  office  rent,  §181.74  ;  roads,  $104.62  ; 
elections,  S.54.35  ;  paupers,  81.25  ;  total,  S562  96. 

1840-  Compensation  of  county  officers,  8768  35  ;  court  house 
expenses,  84766 ;  roads,  833.25;  elections,  890.70;  paupers, 
87.00;  guarding  and  dieting  prisoners,  836.37 ;  total,  8983.33. 

The  first  failure  to  pay  taxes  occurred  in  the  third  year  of  the 
county's  existence-  The  following  citizens  had  failed  to  make 
the  required  payment :  Daniel  Smith,  dead,  due  by  him,  40  ets.; 
H.  Hornbaker,  removed  to  Sangamon  county,  74  cts. ;  David 
Graham,  removed  to  Iowa,  81.15  ;  Xoah  Sneddaker,  removed  to 
Otawa,  46  cts. ;  Jesse  Dalby,  removed  to  Ohio,  81.00  ;  J.  C. 
Bellew,  removed  to  Bloomington,  67  cts. ;  Clark  Bousine,  re- 
moved to  Logan  county,  35  cts. ;  Ervin  Bergen,  dead,  46  cts. ; 
W.  W.  Allen,  removed  to  Tazewell  county,  80  cts. ;  total  loss, 
86  03. 

The  first  assessment  of  taxable  property  is  mentioned  in  the 
chapter  on  Civil  History.  The  readers  perceive  that  the  pioneers 
of  their  county  were  by  no  means  in  poor  circumstances,  a  large 
number  of  the  then  residents  had  good  farms.  About  35,000 
acres  of  land  had  become  taxable  by  having  been  entered  at  least 
five  years  previously.  The  lands  were  owned  by  about  one 
hundred  and  sixty  resident  and  fifty  non-resident  citizens,  and 
were  valued  at  over  8150,000.  Horses — not  numbered — were 
assessed  at  817,420,  and  cattle  at  811,600,  other  property  in  pro- 
poition,  the  totals  approximating  a  quarter  of  a  million  of 
dollars. 

A  few  capitalists  wore  met  in  the  county  at  that  time,  we  men- 
tion W.  Morris  with  8800,  Thomas  Ward  with  8400,  John  Hob- 
blett  with  8200,  Sam  Bevan  with  8100  at  interest. 

James  Glenn  was  credited  with  a  forty  dollar  watch — must 
have  been  a  gold  one.  A  number  of  taxpayers  were  sporting 
carriages,  for  instance,  S.  M.  Richardson,  the  merchant ;  Dr. 
Wheeler,  Daniel  Dragstrem,  Sam  Hammet.  R.  T.  Doolittle,  Joel 
Jackson,  Thomas  Ward,  Jos.  Cantrall,  F  G.  Paine,  the  probate 
judge,  and  E.  W.  Fears,  the  sheriff',  whos-e  carriage,  not  a 
very  expensive  one,  was  assessed  at  823.00. 

The  folloning  r-sidents  paid  taxes  on  81000.00  and  over,  viz.: 
Andrew  Brock,  John  Richards,  John  Miller,  William  Dyre, 
Adam  Stephens,  Sam  Hoblett,  Benjamin  Shipley,  John  Hoblett, 
M.  S.  Hoblett,  Charles  Counsil,  Stephen  Folty,  Sampson  Rees, 
John  Barr,  M.  L.  Knapp,  Zebulon  Cantrall,  David  Ellington, 
Samuel  Hammet,  Allen  Turner,Sarauel  Glenn, Thomas  M.  Glenn, 
Abraham  Onstott,  J.  S.  Strange,  John  Robb,  Thomas  Cuppy, 
Russell  Post;  George  Isham,  S.  M.  Richardson,  R.  T.  Doolittle, 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


51 


John  Slatten,  D.  H.  Lawrence,  T.  T.  Sampson,  J.  T.  Atchison, 
Z.  B.  Cautrall,  Prettyraan  Marvel,  Joshua  Cantrall,  Thomas 
Ward,  Abraham  Swf-aringen,  Fred  Troxell,  Jr.,  Juhn  Young 
Samuel  Spencer,  Peter  Crum,  Mahlon  Hall,  John  Humphrey  and 
others. 

r.ESIGN'ATIOX    liF    PIOSEER    (OrNTY    (irKIl  FAI.S. 

Several  of  the  pioneer  officers  nf  the  county  mu.«t  have  luokwl 
upon  their  respective  offices  with  disgust,  as  a  great  number  of 
resignations  w.  re  tendtred. 

The  treasurer's  office  was  not  coveted  at  all. 

J.  C.  McPherson,  the  first  treasurer  of  the  county,  resigned 
before  the  expiration  of  a  year.  He  certainly  could  not  have 
been  afraid  of  the  great  responsibilities  of  his  office,  for  he  never 
had  as  much  as  §2-5.00  in  the  county's  cash  box.  Peter  D.  Spain 
elect  d  treasurer  in  August,  1840,  threw  up  his  commission  on 
the  8th  day  of  Juue,  1841.  Charles  Maltby  beat  this  record  by 
one  day,  as  bis  resigna'i  n  was  filed  on  the  7th  of  June,  1842. 
E.  W.  Fears  held  out  three  months  longer  as  collector,  resigning 
on  the  5th  of  Sepember  of  that  year.  William  Mitchell  did  nut 
serve  that  long  by  two  week",  as  he  resigned  on  the  23d  of 
August.  He  too  had  been  treasurer.  F-  G.  Paine,  probate 
justice,  served  five  years  and  two  mouths.  He  chose  Independ- 
ence dav,  July  4,  1844,  for  the  date  of  his  resignation. 

Patriotic  resig  ation  of  Richard  Murphy:  — 

State  of  Illinois,      ) 
DeWitt  County,  j 

Mr.  J.  J.  McGraw,  Clerk  of  the  County  Court:  — 

Be  it  known  to  thee  that  I,  Richard  Murphy,  constable  of 
DeWitt  county,  do  hereby  resign  my  office  for  to  depart  for 
Mexico,  therefore  I  pray  thy  honor  to  receive  my  resignation 
this  June  11.  1845.  Richard  Murphy. 

PERSO>i  AL  MENTION. 
Judge  John    J.   McGraw. 

There  is  no  man  in  the  county  more  intimately  connected 
with  its  entire  history  than  the  honorable  judge,  this  fugleman  of 
the  Old  Guard.  None  has  ever  carried  the  three  score  and  ten 
with  better  grace  and  more  vigor  than  he,  the  very  picture  of 
healthful  beauty  in  age.  His  forty  years  in  the  harness  of  official 
life  scarcely  tell  on  him.  His  broad  shoulders  are  still  unbent, 
his  stalwart  arms  would  crush  a  foe  as  surely  now  as  half  a  cen- 
tury ago,  and  writing  these  lines,  methinks  I  could  see  that 
bright  old  face,  beaming  with  intellect  and  benevolence,  before 
me.  He  was  the  friend  of  Lincoln  in  our  days,  he  remembers 
the  festivities  of  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  Republic,  the  day 
on  which  the  sage  of  Monticello  closed  his  weary  eyes,  he  remem- 
bers the  visit  of  Gen.  Lafayette,  and  further  back,  in  his  school- 
boy days,  in  his  South  Carolina  home,  heard  the  proud  Albion 
had  triumphed  over  the  great  Napoleon  and  that  the  famous 
"  Old  Guard  "  had  died,  man  after  man,  on  the  fields  of  Waterloo. 

Born  in  South  Carolina  of  Irish  parents  in  the  year  1806, 
he  came  to  Illinois  in  1830,  and  as  stated  heretofore,  was  a  resi- 
dent of  what  is  now  De  Witt  County,  before  the  winter  of  the 
"  deep  snow."  At  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  County,  he 
was  elected  County  clerk  and  remained  in  that  office  until  1857. 
On  the  16th  of  May,  1839,  he  was  appointed  superintendent  of 
schools,  was  subsequently  elected  and  repeatedly  re-elected  to  said 
office  until  1855,  when  Lawrence  Weldou  succeeded  him,  served 
the  people  of  the  County  as  master  in  chancery  from  1839  until 
1865,  assisted  the  circuit  clerk  in  the  first  years  of  the  County's 
existence,  held  the  office  of  County  treasurer  by  app  intment 


during  a  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Jesse  C.  McPher- 
son, was  an  acting  and  active  justice  of  the  peace  during  that 
period  of  time,  was  elected  Couuty  judge  in  1877'  resigned  that 
office  April  12,  1881,  and  Ciucinnitus  like,  took  charge  of  the 
modest  office  of  justice  of  the  peace.  Such  is  McGraw!  The 
records  of  the  county  will  forever  show  the  careful  and  accurate 
work,  written  out  in  the  bold  John  Hancock  style,  of  this  her 
faithful  servant. 

The  readers  will  observe  that  there  is  no  gap  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  the  Couuty,  and  this  fact  i.-^  due  to  the  judge's  diligence 
and  conscientiousness. 

A  good  portion  of  the  ink,  with  which  the  maunscript  of  these 
sketches  is  written,  was  dipped  from  the  very  inkstand  carried 
hither  by  the  judge  in  his  saddle  bags  in  1830. 

THE  karnetts 

We  have  above  stated  that  the  original  settlers  of  De  Witt 
hailed  from  Kentucky  and  other  southern  states,  and  it  should 
be  said  to  their  credit,  that  none  of  them  made  an  effort  to  bring 
slaves  into  the  state,  which,  under  the  then  existing  laws  of  Illin- 
ois, could  have  been  done  very  easily.  But,  more  than  that, 
these  very  men  selected  Illinois  for  their  future  home  to  escape 
from  the  curses  of  the  institution  of  slavery.  William  Lowry,  of 
whom  we  shall  speak  below,  stood  not  alone  as  an  advocate  of  free- 
dom, but  had  the  support  of  the  Barnett's,  McGraw,  Hall,  Kenney, 
Wallis,  Bowles  and  others,  and  it  is  proper  that  a  few  words  be 
said  of  them.  The  Barnett  family  are  of  Scotch-Irish  stock,  and 
made  Virginia  their  home  in  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  cen- 
tury. Alexander  Barnett,  the  grandfather  of  Alexander  L.  Bar- 
nett, the  present  surveyor  of  De  Witt  County,  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia about  the  year  1754,  and  served  during  the  revolutionary 
war  as  regimental  surgeon  in  the  Virginia  continentals.  Some 
of  his  books  and  writings  are  still  in  the  possession  of  his  grand- 
son as  highly  treasured  relics.  Being  a  cotemporary  of  Thomas 
Jefferson  and  a  glowing  admirer  of  the  liberal  and  broad  views  of 
the  writer  of  the  declaration  of  independence,  he  firmly  resolved 
that  his  descendants  should  dwell  on  a  soil  not  tainted  with 
slavery.  He  did  not  get  to  see  this  land  of  freedom,  but 
in  his  will  he  arranged  that  his  sons  and  their  families  should 
carry  out  his  wishes.  In  those  days  a  father's  will  was  gospel  to 
his  children. 

Two  of  the  three  sons  of  Alexander,  Robert  and  William,  died 
without  issue,  a  daughter,  Eliza,  was  married  to  J.  G.  Brown, 
and  John,  the  surviving  sou,  and  the  sire,  of  the  Barnetts  in  De 
Witt,  was  intrusted  with  the  execution  of  the  old  Dr's  plans. 
The  family  had  removed  to  Kentucky  after  the  close  of  the  rev- 
olutionary war,  and  settled  in  Bourbon  county,  where  two  large 
farms,  one  of  390  and  one  of  320  acres,  were  purchased.  The 
former  was  the  homestead  of  the  old  man  Alexander,  and  the 
latter  that  of  hi-i  son  John.  It  was  arranged  in  the  will  of  Alex- 
ander, that  these  320  acres  should  be  sold,  and  the  money  thus 
realized  be  invested  in  real  estate  in  free  soil  for  the  benefit  of 
John's  and  his  sister's  desoendents,  and  the  390  acres  were  willed 
to  John  in  fee  simple.  John,  who  had  served  in  the  army  of  the 
U.S.  in  the  war  against  England,  in  1812  and  1813,  made  two  ex- 
ploring trips  through  Indiana  and  Illinois,  in  1829  and  1830,  and 
decided  to  locate  in  the  latter.  His  son  Franklin  had  accompanied 
him  on  his  second  expedition,  and  remained  in  Illinois — the  first 
Barnett  to  settle  in  the  present  limits  of  De  Witt  county.  He 
bought  160  acres  of  land  in  section  33,  T.  20,  R.  1,  east.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  4th,  5th,  6th,  7th  and  8th,  board  of  county 
commissioners  from   1841   to  1847.     He  removed  to  Kansas  in 


52 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


1874  or  1875.  One  of  his  sons,  Gideon,  is  still  a  resident  of  this 
county  in  Tunbridge. 

Roliert  F.,  the  oldest  sou  of  John  Barnett,  arrived  in  1832, 
and  settled  on  lands  previously  entered  by  his  father  in  Section 
34,  T.  20,  R.  1,  and  Sec.  2,  T.  19,  R.  1,  east.  Robert  represent- 
ed his  county  in  the  House  of  Representatives  in  the  r2th  Gener- 
al Assembly,  1840  to  1842,  in  the  Senate  of  the  13th  General  As- 
sembly, 1842  to  1844,  and  again  in  the  House  the  17th  General 
Assembly,  1850  to  1852.  For  years,  terra  after  term,  our  read- 
ers will  find  him  presiding  at  the  numerous  ses-ions  of  grand 
juries.  The  time  and  manner  of  his  death  is  mentioned  else- 
where. Five  sons  are  still  surviving  him.  Nathan  M.  as  super- 
visor of  Barnett  township,  wore  out  a  manJaimis  of  a  United 
States  Court,  as  he  expressed  it  How  it  was  done  will  be  told 
in  the  township  history.  His  brother  Lyman,  formerly  Sheriff 
of  De  Witt,  is  at  present  wearing  out  another  mandamus,  but  does 
it  in  a  less  unpleasant  way.  Alexander  L.  Barnett,  the  3d  son 
John,  born  Oct.  15,  1810,  came  to  De  Witt  in  1831,  and  made 
the  township  of  Clmtonia  his  home  in  1834. 

He  was  elected  county  surveyor  in  1839,  against  George  D. 
Smallwood,  after  quite  a  hot  contest,  and  was  re-elected,  terra 
after  term  until  1859,  when  he  retired  voluntarily  on  account  of 
failing  sight.  His  friends  gave  him  a  re^t  of  twenty  years,  when 
in  1879  they  re-elected  him  to  the  .■•arae  office.  Mr.  Barnett  was 
at  that  time  on  a  deer  hunt  in  Mi  .souri,  little  dreaming  that  theo- 
dolite and  Jacob's  stail'  were  again  awaiting  him  on  his  return. 
He  told  the  writer  but  a  day  ago,  that,  dispite  the  three  score 
and  ten  with  an  odd  one  added,  he  intended  to  serve  the  people 
to  the  end  of  his  term — providence  willing. 

It  should  also  be  stated  that  John  Barnett,  the  father  of  Rob- 
ert, Franklin  and  Alexander,  spent  the  eyeing  of  his  life  in  De 
Witt  county,  to  which  he  had  removed  from  Kentucky  years 
after  his  sons  had  come  there. 

William  Lowry,  whose  name  appears  in  the  roster  of  the  coun- 
ty officers,  merits  more  than  a  passing  notice.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  state  legislature  in  1822,  representing  the  county  of 
Clark.  This  legislature  had  succeeded  by  foul  means,  to  call  a 
convention,  with  the  avowed  purpose  of  introducing  or  more  prop- 
erly legalizing  the  system  of  slavery  in  this  state.  Lowry  voted 
in  opposition  to  this  measure  and  became  a  member  of  those  fa- 
mous "  Fifteen,"  w  ho  prepared  an  address  to  the  people  of  Illinois, 
in  which  they  boldly  denounced  slavery.  Speaking  of  it,  they 
say :  What  a  strange  spectacle  would  be  presented  to  the  civi- 
lized world,  to  see  the  people  of  Illinois,  yet  innocent  of  this 
great  national  sin,  and  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  all  the  blessings 
of  free  government,  setting  down  in  solemn  convention  to  delib- 
erate and  determine  whether  they  should  introduce  among  them 
a  portion  of  their  fellow  beings,  to  be  cut  off  from  those  blessings, 
to  be  loaded  with  the  chains  of  bondage,  and  rendered  unable  to 
leave  any  other  legacy  to  their  prosperity  than  the  inheritance  of 
their  own  servitude  1  The  wise  and  the  good  of  all  nations  would 
blush  at  our  political  depravity.  Our  professions  of  republican- 
ism and  equal  freedora  would  incur  the  derision  of  despots  and 
the  scorn  and  reproach  of  tyrants.  We  should  write  the  epitaph 
of  free  government  upon  its  tombstone."  The  address  closes 
with  the  following  pathetic  and  eloquent  appeal :  "In  the  name 
of  unborn  millions  who  will  rise  up  after  us,  and  call  us  blessed 
or  accursed,  according  to  our  deeds — in  ihe  name  of  the  injured 
sons  of  Africa,  whose  claims  to  equal  rights  with  their  fellow 
men  will  plead  their  own  cause  against  their  usurpers  before 
the  tribunal  of  eternal  justice,  we  conjure  you  fellow  citizens,  to 
ponder  upon  these  things." 


There  were  fifteen  members  of  the  legislature  who  signed  this 
appeal  to  the  people  of  Illinois,  to  wit:  Risdon  Moore  and 
Jacob  Ogle,  of  St.  Clair,  William  Kinkade,  from  Wayne,  George 
Cadwell,  of  Morgan,  Andrew  Bankson,  of  Washington,  Curtis 
Blakeman  and  George  Churchhill,  of  Madison,  Abraham 
Cairnes  of  Lawrence,  William  Lowry,  James  Sims,  of  Sangr- 
mon,  Daniel  Parker,  of  Crawford,  G.  T.  Pell,  of  Edwards, 
David  McGahey,  of  Crawford,  Stephen  Stillraan,  of  Sangamop, 
and  Thomas  Mather,  of  Randolph. 

The  strenuous  eftbrts,  the  undaunted  spirits  and  the  energetic 
labors  of  these  men  and  their  friends  have  saved  the  State  frora 
slavery.  The  stupendous  consequences  which  would  necessarily 
have  resulted  from  the  success  of  the  pro-slavery  party,  could  of 
course  not  be  realized  in  1822  ;  we,  who  have  lived  throughout 
the  civil  war  of  1861  to  1865,  may  now  contemplate  them  with 
a  silent  shudder. 

De  Witt  county  may  well  be  prjud  of  her  pioneer  AVilliam 
Lowry,  who  ra.ide  the  county  his  home  some  time  after  the  year 
1830.  Lowry  wasanative  of  Kentucky,  had  b3en  associatejudgeof 
Greenup  county,  and  came  to  Clark  county  at  an  early  day. 
After  the  organization  of  Edgar  county,  formerly  a  part  of 
Clark  county.  111  ,  Lowry  served  for  a  time  as  circuit  clerk,  and 
became  the  first  recorder  of  the  new  county  of  De  Witt,  on  the 
16th  of  May,  1839. 

James  Ki;xney,  a  Kentuckiau,  of  Scotch  Irish  descent,  a 
friend  of  John  Barnett,  located  in  town  19  R.  1,  about  the  year 
1834.     The  town,  laid  out  by  his  sons,  was  named  after  him. 

Andrew  Wallis,  (Wallace,)  another  pioneer  of  this  class, 
arrived  in  1831,  and  settled  in  Tunbridge  township.  Walli^, 
like  John  Barnett,  had  served  in  the  war  of  1812  and  1813. 
He  lived  to  a  high  old  age,  being  over  eighty  years  of  age  when  he 
was  called  to  the  grand  reveille  on  the  other  side  of  Jordan. 

Hugh  Bowles,  a  native  of  Bourbon  county,  Ky.,  came  to 
Sangamon  county,  111.,  in  1830,  and  removed  in  the  spring  of 
1831  to  what  is  now  called  Tunbridge  township,  De  Witt  county. 
He  served  as  county  commissioner  of  Macon  county  prior  to  the 
organization  of  De  Witt. 

PRExrYMAN  Marvel,  the  first  settler  of  Waynesville,  came 
from  Georgia  in  1825.  He  died  in  1842,  leaving  a  numeorous 
family,  most  of  whom  are  still  living  in  the  county.  His  widow 
married  again  in  1S47,  and  is  now  loved  and  honored  by  all,  the 
oldest  resident  of  the  county.  John  Barr,  her  brother,  came 
with  the  Marvel  family  to  Illinois,  and  is  now  a  resident  of 
Logan  county. 

The  Glenns,  who  followed  in  the  next  year,  were  from  South 
Carolina.  The  sire  of  the  family,  John  Glenn,  was  an  old  man 
when  he  arrived ;  he  remained  only  a  few  years.  Thomas  M. 
Glenn,  a  son,  had  come  with  his  father,  and  remained  in  the 
county  for  nearly  thirty  years.  Later,  about  the  year  1856,  he 
emigrated  to  Iowa.  S.  P.  Glenn,  another  son,  came  in  1827-  S. 
P.  was  a  man  of  family  at  the  time;  he  was  probably  the  first 
bona  fide  land  owner  in  De  Witt  county.  S.  P.  Glenn,  now  the 
patriarch  of  the  county,  represented  it  in  the  State's  legislature 
frora  1846  to  1848,  and  the  first  county  assessment  charges  hira 
with  the  ownership  of  a  watch  valued  at  forty  dollars ;  his 
watch  must  have  been  the  first  gold  watch  brought  into  the 
county. 

John  Donner  was  one  of  the  actual  froutierraen  who  never 
come  to  stay  until  death  overtakes  thera.  Donner  had  raade  the 
township  of  Santa  Anna  his  home  as  early  as  1830,  a  few  years 
later  he  folded  his  tent  and  continued  his  course  westward.  He 
is  said   to   have   perished   on  his  way  to  California   in   1846. 


HISIORY  OF  LE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


53 


Another  frontierman  named  Bridges  had  come  with  Doiiuer,  left 
even  before  Donner  did. 

Peter  Gideon  was  the  first  outspokui  abolitionist  of  the 
county. 

Nathan  Clearwater,  still  surviving,  will  be  mentioned 
elsewhere. 

The  Harps. — One  of  the  finest  townships  of  the  county  is 
named  after  them.  Tyre  and  Joseph  Harp  were  originally  from 
Tennessee,  and  had  first  lived  in  or  near  Waynesville.  The 
brothers  were  ardent  friends  of  public  education,  and  made  great 
personal  sacrifices  in  order  to  raise  funds  out  of  which  to  pay 
competent  teachers. 

Edom  Shugart,  one  of  the  first  five  white  people  in  the  coun- 
ty, taught  school  in  Harp's  dwelling  as  early  as  1836.  Edom 
is  still  livii'g,  he  resides  now  in  Nebraska. 

The  Harps  had  been  preceded  by  Solomon  Cross,  Jesse  Mulkey 
and  Isaac  Davidson. 

G.  B.  Lemen  arrived  in  18.36,  and  is  still  an  honored  citizen 
of  his  county,  which  he  repre.sented  in  the  constitutional  con- 
vention of  1847.  Mr.  Lemen  was  also  associate  county  justice 
from  1854  to  1857. 

Thomas  Davenport,  a  Kentuckian,  had  removed  with  his 
father  to  Illinois  as  early  as  1820,  and  made  De  Witt  his  home 
prior  to  the  "  deep  snow."  His  f  jot-race  with  Judge  McGraw 
some  fifty  odd  years  ago  is  mentioned  in  the  township  sketches. 

The  writer  saw  both  contestants  of  the  foot-race  of  1830  a  few 
days  ago,  and  would  be  ton  McGraw,  giving  odds  at  that. 

The  Cliftons  and  Liseuby's  arrived  iu  the  county  in  1830, 
the  former  were  Kentuckians,  the  latter  Carolinians. 

Reuben  Lisenby,  father  of  Abraham,  the  first  settler  in  Creek 
township,  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary  army,  and  had 
lost  his  life  in  the  service.  Abraham  Lisenby  died  within  a 
year  of  his  arrival  in  De  Witt,  when  Benjamin  Lisenby  became 
the  head  of  the  family. 

John  Miller,  from  Kentucky,  was  the  second  settler  or  pio- 
neer of  the  township. 

The  ScoTTS,  came  with  their  kinsman,  S.  P.  Glenn,  in  1827. 
They  were  Carolinians,  and  held  in  high  esteem  by  their  pioneer 
brethren.  James  K.Scott  represented  the  county  of  De  Witt  in 
the  state  legislature  for  two  consecutive  terms,  1842  to  1846. 

Abraha.ii  Onstott,  from  Kentucky,  arrived  in  182y,  and  has 
lived  now  almost  fifty-three  years  in  the  county. 

The  Robbs  came  from  Tennessee  in  1830,  and  the  Cantralls 
from  Virginia  in  1835. 

The  American  pioneer,  as  a  rule,  brings  up  a  large  family. 
Malthus'  Essay  on  Population,  and  the  evils  occasioned  by  a 
rapid  increase  of  population,  has  not  found  its  way  to  the  fron- 
tier. Contemplating  this  numerous  progeny — families  of  from 
eight  to  twelve  children  seem  to  have  been  the  rule — one  may 
suppose  that  Oliver  Goldsmith's  Vicar  of  Wakefield,  or  at  least 
the  first  sentence  of  the  first  chapter  was  put  into  practical  use. 
The  worthy  vicar  opens  his  memoirs  with  a  philosophical  re- 
mark, "  I  have  always  been  of  the  opinion,"  says  he,  "  that  he, 
who  marries  and  brings  up  a  large  family,  does  better  service  to 
the  state  than  he  who  continues  single  and  only  talks  of  popu- 
lation." Little  did  the  Vicar  at  the  time  dream  of  the  troubles 
and  sorrows  to  be  caused  to  him  by  a  wayward  daughter,  not  to 
speak  of  his  son  Moses,  who  sold  a  valuable  colt  for  a  number 
of  worthless  green  spectacles. 

The  reader  is  referred  to  the  historical  sketches  of  the  vat  ions 
townships,  and  the  biographical  department  of  this  work  for 


further  informatiou  as  to  our  pioneers  and  early  settlers,  their 
hardships  and  trials,  their  frugality  and  hospitality. 

The  few  who  remain  may  look  with  just  pride  upon  the 
present  prosperity  of  the  county.  Their  labors  have  not  been 
in  vain.  The  little  "  patch  "  of  corn  has  grown  into  immense 
fields  of  plenty,  beautiful  and  comfortable  habitations  occupy 
now  the  sites  of  the  windowless  log-hut,  stately  school-houses  are 
scattered  all  over  the  county,  and  Edom  Shugart,  the  pioneer 
teacher  of  the  county,  rejoices  to  hear,  in  his  Nebraska  home,  of 
the  prosperity  of  the  public  schools  in  De  Witt.  The  ox-cart  of 
the  early  times  is  not  seen  any  more.  The  substantial  wagon, 
the  giy  carriage  have  been  substituted,  not  to  speak  of  the  rail- 
roads traversing  the  couuty  in  all  directions. 


CHAPTER  Vlir. 


CUSTOMS  OF  EARLY  DAYS. 


HABITS    AND    MODES    OF    LIVING    OF   THE   PIONEERS   AND    FIRST 
SETTLERS. 


T  is  a  trite  but  true  proverb  that  "Times  change, 
and  we  change  with  them;"  and  it  is  well  il- 
lustrated by  the  changes  in  dress,  condition 
and  life  that  have  taken  place  in  this  county 
in  less  than  half  a  century.  AVe  doubt  not 
that  these  changes,  as  a  whole,  are  for  the 
better. 
.  To  the  old  man,  indeed,  whose  life-work  is 

■^p  accomplished,  and  whose  thoughts  dwell  mainly 

on  the  past,  where  his  treasures  are,  there  are 
no  davs  like  the  old  days,  and  no  song  awakens  so  responsive  an 
echo  in  his  heart  as  "  xVuld  Lang  Syne." 

The  very  skies  that  arch  above  his  gray  head  seem  less  blue  to 
his  dimmed  eye  than  they  did  when,  in  the  adoration  of  his  young 
heart,  he  directed  to  them  his  gaze ;  the  woods  appear  less  green 
and  inviting  than  when  in  the  gayety  of  boyhood  he  courted 
their  cool  depths ;  and  the  songs  of  their  feathered  inhabitants 
fall  less  melodiously  upon  his  ear.  He  marks  the  changes  that 
are  everywhere  visible,  and  feels  like  crying  out,  iu  the  language 
of  the  poet : 

"  Backward  turn,  backward,  oli,  Time  in  thy  flight !" 

It  is  natural  for  the  aged  to  sigh  for  a  return  of  the  past,  nor 
would  we  attempt  the  hopeless  task  of  convincing  them  that  with 
the  changes  of  the  years  there  have  come  also  an  increase  in 
happiness,  an  improvement  in  social  life,  progress  in  education, 
an  advancement  in  morality,  and  a  tendency  upward  in  all  that 
relates  to  the  welfare  of  mankind. 

We  may  learn  u.seful  lessons,  however,  from  a  study  of  that 
land  over  which  the  pardonable  and  fond  imagination  of  the 
old  settler  has  thrown  the  "  light  that  never  was  on  sea  or  land," 
if,  withdrawing  ourselves  from  the  dizzy  activities  of  the  present 
days,  we  let  the  old  settler  take  us  by  the  hand  and  lead  us  back 
into  the  regions  of  his  youth,  that  we  may  observe  the  life  of 
those  who  founded  a  grand  empire  in  a  great  wilderness.     Let 


54 


HISTORY  OF  BE   WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


us  leave  the  prow  of  the  rusliirig  s^hip,  from  which  may  be  dis- 
cerned a  mighty  future  rich  in  promises  ami  bright  with  hope, 
and  take  our  place  upon  the  stern,  and  gaze  backward  into  the 
beautiful  land  of  the  past. 

Xo  doubt  we  shall  he  led  to  regret  the  absence  among  us  of 
some  of  the  virtues  of  dwellers  in  those  early  days.  Gone  is  that 
free-hearted  hospitality  which  made  of  every  settler's  cabin  an 
inn  where  the  belated  and  weary  traveler  found  entertainment 
without  money  and  without  price.  Gone  is  that  community  of 
sentiment  which  made  neighbors  indeed  neighbors ;  that  era  of 
kindly  feeling  which  was  marked  by  the  almost  entire  absence 
of  litigation. 

Gone,  too,  some  say,  is  that  simple,  strong,  upright,  honest 
integrity  which  was  so  marked  a  characteristic  of  the  pioneer. 

So  rapid  has  been  the  improvement  in  machinery,  and  the 
progress  in  the  arts  and  their  application  to  the  needj  of  man, 
that  a  study  of  the  manner  in  which  people  lived  and  worked 
only  fifty  years  ago  seems  like  the  study  of  a  remote  age. 

It  is  importaut  to  remember  tliat  while  a  majority  of  settlers 
were  poor,  that  poverty  carried  with  it  no  crushing  sense  of  de- 
gradation like  that  felt  by  the  very  poor  of  our  age.  They  lived 
in  a  cabin,  it  is  true,  but  it  was  their  own,  aad  had  been  reared 
by  their  hands.  Their  house,  too,  while  inconvenient  and  far 
from  water-proof,  was  built  in  the  prevailing  style  of  architec- 
ture, and  would  compare  favorably  with  the  homes  of  their 
neighbors. 

They  were  destitute  of  many  of  the  conveniences  of  life,  and 
of  some  things  that  are  now  considered  necessaries;  but  they 
patiently  endured  their  lot  and  hopefully  looked  forward  to 
better.  They  had  plenty  to  wear  as  protection  against  the 
weather,  and  an  abundance  of  wholesome  food.  They  sat  down 
to  a  rude  table  to  eat  from  tin  or  pewter  dishes ;  but  the  meat 
thereon  spread — the  flesh  of  the  deer  or  bear  ;  of  the  wild-duck  or 
turkey  ;  of  the  quail  or  squirrel  was  superior  to  that  we  eat,  and 
had  been  won  by  the  skill  of  the  head  of  the  house  or  that  of  his 
vigorous  sons.  The  brf  ad  they  ate  was  made  from  corn  or  wheat 
of  their  own  raising.  They  walked  the  green  carpet  of  the  grand 
l)rairie  or  forest  that  surrounded  them,  not  with  the  air  of  a 
beggar,  but  with  the  elastic  step  of  a  self-respected  freeman." 

The  settler  brought  with  him  the  keen  axe,  which  was  indis- 
pensable, and  the  equally  necessary  ritle ;  the  first  his  weapon 
of  offence  against  the  forests  that  skirted  the  water-courses,  and 
near  which  he  made  his  home ;  the  second  that  of  defence  from 
the  attacks  of  his  foe,  the  cunning  child  of  the  forest  and  prairie. 
His  first  labor  was  to  fell  trees  and  erect  his  unpretentious  cabin, 
which  was  rudely  made  of  log-,  and  in  the  raising  of  which  he 
had  the  cheerful  aid  of  his  neighbors.  It  was  usually  from  four- 
teen to  sixteen  feet  square,  and  never  larger  than  twenty  feet, 
and  was  frequently  built  entirely  without  glass,  nails,  hinges 
or  locks. 

The  manner  of  building  was  as  follows :  First  large  logs  were 
laid  in  pcjsitiou  as  sills ;  on  these  were  placed  strong  sleepers, 
and  on  the  sleepers  were  laid  the  rough-hewed  puncheons,  which 
were  to  serve  as  floors.  The  logs  were  then  built  up  till  the 
proper  height  for  the  eaves  was  reached ;  then  on  the  ends  of 

'■  Tlie  whole  country,  nnw  dotted  with  smiling  farms  and  happy  villages,  ' 
traversed  by  railroads  and  telegraph-wires,  was  a  wilderness,  consisting 
chietiy  ol'  prairie,  which  stretched  away  in  billowy  vastness,  like  a  congealed 
ocean.  Along  the  water-courses  was  a  fringe  of  timber,  and  occasionally 
was  to  be  seen  a  grove.  The  immigrants  came  ;  some  in  carta,  the  children 
packed  like  sardines  in  a  bo.x  ;  some  in  wagons,  and  some  on  horse-back  I 
with  pack  horbes. 


the  building  were  placed  poles,  longer  than  the  other  end-logs, 
which  projected  some  eighteen  or  more  inches  over  the  sides, 
and  were  called  "  butting-pole  sleepers;  "  on  the  projecting  ends 
of  these  was  placed  the  "  butting-pole"  which  served  to  give  the 
line  to  the  first  row  of  clap-boards.  These  were,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  split,  and  as  the  gables  of  the  cabin  were  built  up,  were 
so  laid  on  as  to  lap  a  third  of  their  length.  They  were  often 
kept  in  place  by  the  weight  of  a  heavy  pole,  which  was  laid 
across  the  roof  parallel  to  the  ridge-pole.  The  house  was  then 
chinked,  and  daubed  with  a  coarse  mortar. 

A  huge  fire-place  was  built  in  at  one  end  of  the  house,  in 
which  fire  was  kindled  for  cooking  purposes,  for  the  settlers 
generally  were  without  stoves,  and  which  served  the  needed 
warmth  in  winter.  The  ceiling  above  was  sometimes  covered 
with  the  pelts  of  the  racoon,  opossum,  and  of  the  wolf,  to  add 
to  the  warmth  of  the  dwelling  Sometimes  the  soft  inner  bark 
of  the  baxs  wood  was  used  for  the  same  purpose.  The  cabin  was 
lighted  by  means  of  greased-paper  windows.  A  log  would  be 
left  out  along  one  side,  and  sheets  of  strong  paper,  well  greased 
with  coon-grease  or  bear-oil,  would  be  carefully  tacked  in. 

The  above  description  only  applies  to  the  very  earliest  times, 
before  the  rattle  of  the  saw-mill  was  heard  within  our  borders. 

The  furniture  comported  admirably  with  the  house  itself,  and 
hence,  if  not  elegant,  was  in  most  perfect  taste.  The  tables  had 
four  legs,  and  were  rudely  m  de  from  a  puncheon.  Their  seats 
were  stools  having  three  or  four  legs.  The  bedstead  was  in 
keeping  with  the  rest,  and  was  often  so  contrived  as  to  permit  it 
to  be  drawn  up  and  fastened  to  the  wall  during  the  day,  thus 
affording  more  room  to  the  family.  The  entire  furniture  was 
sitnple,  and  was  fratued  with  no  other  tools  than  an  axe  anrl 
augur.  Each  was  his  own  carpenter;  and  some  displayed  con- 
siderable ingenuity  in  the  construction  of  implements  of  agricul- 
ture, and  utensils,  and  furniture  for  the  kitchen  and  house. 
Knives  and  forks  they  sometimes  had,  and  sometimes  had  not. 
The  common  table-knife  was  the  pack-knife  or  butcher-knife.  * 
Horse-collars  were  sometimes  made  of  the  plaited  husk  of  the 
maize,  sewed  together.  They  were  easy  on  the  neck  of  the  hor.se, 
and  if  tug-traces  were  used,  would  last  a  long  while.  Horses 
were  not  used  very  much,  however,  and  oxen  were  almost  ex- 
clusively used.  In  some  instances  carts  and  wagons  were  con- 
structed or  repaired  by  the  self-reliant  settler ;  and  the  woful 
creakiugs  of  the  untarred  axles  could  be  heard  at  a  great  dis- 
tance. 

The  women  corresponded  well  with  the  description  of  the 
vtitiious  woman  in  the  last  chapter  of  Proverbs,  for  they  "sought 
wool  and  flax,  and  worked  willingly  with  their  hands."  They 
did  not,  it  is  true,  make  for  themselves  "  coverings  of  tapestry," 
nor  could  it  be  said  of  them  that  their  "  clothing  was  silk  and 
purple  ;"  but  they  "rose  while  it  was  yet  night,  and  gave  meat 
to  their  household,"  and  they  "girded  their  loins  with  strength 
and  strengthened  their  arms."  They  "  looked  well  to  the  ways 
of  their  household,  and  ate  not  the  bread  of  idleness."  They 
laid  "  their  hands  to  the  spindle  and  to  the  distafl^,"  and  "strength 
and  honor  were  in  their  clothing." 

In  these  days  of  furbelows  and  flounces,  when  from  twenty  to 
thirty  yards  are  required  by  one  fair  damsel  for  a  dress,  it  is  re- 
freshing to  know  that  the  ladies  of  that  ancient  time  considered 
eight  yards  an  extravagant  amount  to  put  into  one  dress.  The 
dress  was  usually  made  plain,  with  four  widths  in  the  skirt,  and 

*  Wooden  vessels,  either  dug  out  or  coppered,  and  called  "  noggens,"  were 
in  common  use  for  bowls,  out  of  which  each  member  of  the  family  ate  mush 
and  milk  for  supper.     A  gourd  formed  the  drinking  cup. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


56 


two  front  ones,  cut  gored-  The. waist  was  made  very  short,  and 
across  the  shoulders  behind  was  a  draw-string.  The  sleeves  were 
enormously  large,  and  tapered  from  shoulder  to  wrist,  and  the 
most  fashionable — for  fashion,  like  love,  rules  alike  the  "court 
and  grove " — were  padded  so  a?  to  resemble  a  bolster  at  the 
upper  part,  and  were  known  as  "  mutton-legs,"  or  "  sheep-shank 
sleeves."  The  sleeve  was  kept  in  shape  often  by  a  heavily 
starched  lining.  Those  who  could  afford  it  used  feathers,  which 
gave  the  sleeve  the  appearance  of  an  inflated  balloon  from  elbow 
up,  and  were  known  as  "pillow-sleeves." 

Many  bows  and  ribbons  were  worn,  but  scarcely  any  jewelry. 
The  tow  dress  was  superseded  by  the  cotton  gown.  Around  the 
neck,  instead  of  a  lace  collar  or  elegant  ribbon,  there  was  dis- 
posed a  copperas-colored  neckerchief. 

In  going  to  church  or  other  public  gathering  in  summer 
weather,  they  sometimes  walked  barefooted  till  near  their  desti- 
nation, when  they  would  put  on  their  shoes  or  moccasins.  They 
were  contented  and  even  happy  without  any  of  the  elegant  arti- 
cles of  apparel  now  used  by  the  ladies  and  considered  necessary 
articles  of  dress.  Ruffles,  fine  lace^,  silk  hats,  kid  gloves,  false 
curls,  rings,  combs  and  jewels,  were  nearly  unknown,  nor  did  the 
lack  of  them  vex  their  souls.  Many  of  them  were  grown  before 
they  ever  saw  the  interior  of  a  well-supplied  dry-g-oods  store. 
They  were  reared  in  simplicity,  lived  in  simplicity,  and  were 
happy  in  simplicity. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  speak  more  specifically  regarding 
cookery  and  diet.  Wild  meat  was  plentiful.  The  settlers  gener- 
ally brought  some  food  with  them  to  last  till  a  crop  could  be 
raised.  Small  patches  of  Indian  corn  were  raised,  which,  iu  the 
earliest  days  of  the  settlements,  was  beaten  in  a  mortar.  The 
meal  was  made  into  a  coarse  but  wholesome  bread,  on  which  the 
teeth  could  not  be  very  tightly  shut  on  account  of  the  grit  it 
contaiued.  Johnny-cake  and  pones  were  served  up  at  dinner, 
while  mush  and  milk  was  the  favorite  dish  for  supper.  In  the 
fire-place  hung  the  crane,  and  the  dutch-oven  was  used  in  baking. 
The  streams  abounded  in  fish,  which  formed  a  healthful  article 
of  food.  Many  kinds  of  greens,  such  as  dock  and  polk,  were 
eaten.  The  "  truck-patch  "  furnished  roasting-ears,  pumpkins, 
beans,  squashes  and  potatoes,  and  these  were  used  by  all.  Fur 
reaping-bees,  log-rollings  and  house-raisings,  the  standard  dish 
was  pot-pie.  Coffee  and  tea  were  used  sparingly,  as  they  were 
very  dear,  and  the  hardy  pioneer  thought  them  a  drink  fit  only 
for  women  and  children.  They  said  it  would  not  "  stick  to  the 
ribs."  Maple-sugar  was  much  used,  and  honey  was  only  five 
cents  a  pound.  Butter  was  the  same  price,  while  eggs  were  three 
cents  a  dozen.  The  utmost  good  feeling  prevailed.  If  one  killed 
hogs  all  shared.  Chickens  were  to  be  seen  in  great  numbers  around 
every  doorway  ;  and  the  gabble  of  the  turkey  and  quack  of  the 
duck  were  heard  in  the  laud.  Nature  contributed  of  her  fruits 
Wild  grapes  and  plumbs  were  to  be  found  in  their  season,  along 
the  streams. 

The  women  manufactured  nearly  all  the  clothing  worn  by  the 
family.  In  cool  weather  gowns  made  of  "  linsey-woolsey  "  were 
worn  by  the  ladies.  The  chain  was  of  cotton  and  the  filling 
of  wool.  The  fabric  was  usually  plaid  or  striped,  and  the 
differing  colors  were  blended  according  to  the  taste  and  fancy 
of  the  fair  maker.  Colors  were  blue,  copperas,  turkey-red,  light- 
blue,  etc.  Every  house  contained  a  card-loom  and  spinning- 
wheels,  which  were  considered  by  the  women  as  necessary  for 
them  as  the  rifle  for  the  men.  Several  different  kinds  of  cloth 
were  made.  Cloth  was  woven  from  cotton.  The  rolls  were 
bought  and  spun,  on  little  and  big  wheels,  into  two  kinds  of 


thread  ;  one  the  "  chain,"  and  the  other  the  "  filling."  The  more 
experienced  only  spun  the  chain  ;  the  younger  the  filling.  Two 
kinds  of  looms  were  in  use  The  most  primitive  in  construction 
was  called  the  "side-loom."  The  frame  of  it  consisted  of  two 
pieces  of  scantling  running  obliquely  from  the  floor  to  the  wall. 
Later,  the  frame  loom,  which  was  a  great  improvement  over  the 
other,  came  into  use. 

The  men  and  boys  wore  "jeans"  and  linsey-woolsey  hunting 
shirts.     The  "jeans"  were  colored  either  light-blue  or  butternut. 

Jlany  times  when  the  men  gathered  to  a  log-rolling  or  barn- 
raising,  the  women  would  a.ssemble,  bringing  their  spinning- 
wheels  with  them.  In  this  way  sometimes  as  many  as  ten  or 
twelve  would  gather  iu  one  room,  and  the  pleasant  voices  of  the 
fair  spinners  were  mingled  with  the  low  hum  of  the  spinning- 
wheels.     "  Oh  !  golden  early  days  ! " 

Such  articles  of  apparel  as  could  not  be  mauufactured  were 
brought  to  them  from  the  nearest  store  by  the  mail-carrier. 
These  were  few,  however.  The  men  and  boys,  in  many  instances, 
wore  pantaloons  made  of  the  dressed  skin  of  the  deer,  which  then 
swarmed  the  prairies  iu  large  herds.  The  young  man  who  de- 
sired to  look  captivating  to  the  eye  of  the  maiden  whom  he 
loved,  had  his  "  bucks"  fringed,  which  lent  them  a  not  unpleasing 
efl'ect.  INIeal-sacks  were  also  made  of  buck-skin.  Caps  were 
made  of  the  skins  of  the  wolf,  fox,  wild-cat,  and  musk-rat,  tanned 
with  the  fur  on.  The  tail  of  the  fox  or  wolf  often  hung  from  the 
top  of  the  cap,  lending  the  wearer  a  jaunty  air-  Both  sexes 
wore  moccasins,  which  in  dry  weather  were  an  excellent  substi- 
tute for  shoes.  There  were  no  shoemakers,  and  each  family 
made  its  own  shoes. 

The  settlers  were  separated  from  their  neighbors  often  by  miles.- 
There  were  no  church-houses  or  regular  services  of  any  kind  to 
call  them  together;  hence,  no  doubt,  the  cheerfulness  with  which 
they  accepted  invitations  to  a  house-raising,  or  a  log-rolling,  or  a 
corn-husking,  or  a  bee  of  any  kind.  To  attend  these  gatherings, 
they  would  go  ten  and  sometimes  more  miles. 

Generally  with  the  invitation  to  the  men  went  one  to  the 
women,  to  come  to  a  quilting.  The  good  woman  of  the  house 
where  the  festivities  were  to  take  place  would  be  busily  engaged 
for  a  dav  or  more  in  preparation  for  the  coming  guests.  Great 
quantities  of  provisions  were  to  be  prepared,  for  dyspepsia  was 
unknown  to  the  pioneer,  and  good  appetites  were  the  rule  and 
not  the  exception. 

"  The  bread  used  at  these  frolics  was  baked  generally  on  Jonny 
or  Journey-cake  boards,  and  is  the  best  corn-bread  ever  made. 
A  board  is  made  smooih,  about  two  feet  long,  and  eight  inches 
wide — the  ends  are  generally  rounded.  The  dough  is  spread  out 
on  this  board,  and  placed  leaning  before  the  fire.  One  side  is 
baked,  and  then  the  dough  is  changed  on  the  board,  so  the  other 
side  is  presented,  in  its  turn,  to  the  fire.  This  is  Jon;iv-cake,  and 
is  o-ood,  if  the  proper  materials  are  put  in  the  dough,  and  it  is 
properly  baked.'' — Eeynolda  History. 

At  all  the  log-rollings  and  house-raisings  it  was  customary  to 
provide  liquor.  Excesses  were  not  indulged  in,  however.  The 
fiddler  was  never  forgotten.  After  the  day's  work  had  been  ac- 
complished, out  doors  and  in,  by  men  and  women,  the  floor  was 
cleared  and  the  merry  dance  began.  The  handsome,  stalwart 
young  men,  whose  fine  forms  were  the  result  of  their  manly  out- 
door life,  clad  in  fringed  buckskin  breeches  and  gaudily  colored 
hunting-shirts,  led  forth  the  bright-eyed,  buxom  damsels,  attired 
in  neatly-fitting  linsey-woolsey  garments  to  the  dance,  their 
cheeks  glowing  with  health  and  eyes  speaking  of  enjoyment,  and 
perhaps  of  a  tenderer  emotion. 


60 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


The  following  description  of  a  "Shucking"  of  the  olden  time 
is  talien  from  Reynolds  Pioneer  History  of  Illinois: 

"  In  pure  pioneer  times  the  crops  of  corn  were  never  husked 
on  the  stalk,  as  is  done  at  this  day ;  but  were  hauled  home  in 
the  husk  and  thrown  iu  a  heap,  generally  by  the  side  of  the  crib, 
so  that  the  ears,  when  husked,  could  be  thrown  direct  into  the 
crib.  The  whole  neighborhood,  male  and  female,  were  iuvited 
to  the  shucking,  as  it  was  called.  The  girls,  and  many  of  the 
married  ladies,  generally  engaged  in  this  amusing  work. 

"  In  the  first  place  two  leading,  expert  huskers  were  chosen  as 
captains,  and  the  heap  of  corn  divided  as  nearly  equal  as  possi- 
ble. Rails  were  laid  across  the  pile  so  as  to  designate  the  divi- 
sion ;  and  then  each  captain  chose,  alternately,  his  eoi~ps  of 
huskers,  male  and  female.  The  whole  number  of  working  hands 
present  were  selected,  on  one  side  or  the  other,  and  then  each 
party  commenced  a  contest  to  beat  the  other,  which  was  in  many 
cases  truly  exciting.  One  other  rule  was,  that  whenever  a  male 
husked  a  red  ear  of  corn,  he  was  entitled  to  a  kiss  from  the  girls. 
This  frequently  excited  much  fuss  and  scuffling,  which  was 
intended  by  both  parties  to  end  in  a  kiss.  It  was  a  universal 
practice  that  iaffia,  or  Monongahela  whisky,  was  used  at  these 
husking  frolics,  which  they  drank  out  of  a  bottle,  each  one,  male 
and  female,  taking  the  bottle  and  drinking  out  of  it,  and  then 
handing  it  to  his  next  neighbor,  without  using  any  glass  or  cup 
whatever.  This  custom  was  common  and  not  considered  rude. 
Almost  always  these  corn-shucks  ended  iu  a  dance.  To  prepare 
for  this  amusement  fiddles  and  fiddlers  were  in  great  demand ; 
and  it  often  required  much  fast  riding  to  obtain  them.  One 
violin  and  performer  were  all  that  was  contemplated  at  these 
innocent  rural  games. 

"  Towards  dark,  and  ihe  stipper  half-over,  then  it  was  that  a 
bustle  and  confusion  commenced.  The  confusion  of  the  tongues 
at  Babel  would  have  been  ashamed  at  the  corn-shuckings.  The 
young  ones  hurrying  off  the  table,  and  the  old  ones  contending 
for  time  and  order.  It  was  the  case,  nine  times  out  of  ten, 
that  but  one  dwelling-house  was  on  the  premises,  and  that  used 
for  eating  as  well  as  dancing. 

'■  But  when  the  fiddler  commenced  tuning  his  instrument  the 
music  always  gained  the  victory  for  the  young  side.  Then  the 
dishes,  victuals,  table  and  all,  disappeared  in  a  few  minutes,  and 
the  room  was  cleared,  the  dogs  drove  out,  and  the  floor  swept  off 
ready  for  action.  The  floors  of  these  houses  were  sometimes  the 
natural  earth,  beat  solid,  sometimes  the  earth,  with  puncheons  in 
the  middle,  over  the  potato-hole,  and  at  times  the  whole  floor  was 
made  of  puncheons. 

"  The  music  at  these  country  dances  made  the  young  folks  al- 
most frantic,  and  sometimes  much  excitement  was  displayed  to 
get  on  the  floor  first.  Generally  the  fiddler  on  these  occasions 
assumed  an  important  bearing,  and  ordered,  in  true  professional 
style,  so  and  so  to  be  done ;  as  that  was  the  way  in  North  Caro- 
lina, where  he  was  raised.  The  decision  ended  the  contest  for 
the  floor.  In  those  days  they  danced  jigs  and  four-handed  reels, 
as  they  were  called.  Sometimes  three-handed  reels  were  also  i 
danced. 

"  In  these  dances  there  was  no  standing  still ;  all  were  moving 
at  a  rapid  pace  from  beginning  to  end.  In  the  jigs  the  by- 
standers cut  one  another  out,  as  it  was  called,  so  that  this  dance 
would  last  for  hours.  Sometimes  the  parties  in  a  jig  tried  to 
tire  one  another  down  in  the  dance,  and  then  it  would  also  last  a 
long  time  before  one  or  the  other  gave  up. 

"  The  cotillion  or  stand-still  dances  were  not  then  known. 

"  The  bottle  went  round  at  these  parties  as  it  did  at  the  shuck- 


ings,  and  male  and  female  took  a  dram  out  of  it  as  it  passed 
around.  No  sitting  was  indulged  in,  and  the  folks  either  stood 
or  danced  all  night,  as  generally  daylight  ended  the  frolic.  The 
dress  of  these  hardy  pioneers  was  generally  plain  homespun. 
The  hunting-shirt  was  much  worn  at  that  time,  which  is  a  con- 
venient working  or  dancing  dress.  Sometimes  dressed  deer-skin 
pantaloons  were  used  on  these  occasions,  and  mawkawsins — 
rarely  shoes  -  and  at  times  bare  feet  were  indulged  iu. 

"  In  the  morning  all  go  home  on  horse-back  or  on  foot.  No 
carriages,  wagons,  or  other  vehicles  were  used  on  these  occasions, 
for  the  best  of  reasons — because  they  had  none." 

Danciug  was  the  favorite  amusement,  and  was  participated  in 
by  all. 

"Alike  .ill  ages;  dames  of  ancient  days; 
Have  led  tbeir  cliildren  through  the  mirthful  maze. 
And  the  gray  grandsire,  skilled  in  jeslic  lore, 
Has  frisked  beneath  the  burden  of  three-score." 

The  amusements  of  that  day  were  more  athletic  and  rude  than 
those  of  to-day.  Among  the  settlers  in  a  new  country,  from  the 
nature  of  the  case,  a  higher  value  is  set  upon  physical  than 
mental  endowments-  Skill  in  wood-craft,  superiority  of  muscular 
development,  accuracy  in  shooting  with  the  rifle,  activity,  swift- 
ness of  foot,  were  qualifications  that  brought  their  possessors  fame. 
Foot  racing  was  often  practised,  and  often  the  boys  and  young 
men  engaged  in  friendly  contests  with  the  Indians  Every  man 
had  a  rifle,  and  kept  it  always  in  good  order;  his  flints,  bullet- 
molds,  screw-driver,  awl,  butcher-knife  and  tomahawk  were 
"fastened  to  the  shot-pouch  strap,  or  to  the  belt  around  the  waist. 
Target  shooting  was  much  practised,  and  shots  were  made  by  the 
hunters  and  settlers,  with  flint-lock  rifles,  which  cannot  be  ex- 
celled by  their  descendants  with  the  improved  breech-loaders  of 
the  present  day. 

At  all  gatherings,  jumping  and  wrestling  were  indulged  in, 
and  those  who  excelled  were  thenceforth  men  of  notoriety-  Cards, 
dice,  and  other  gambling  implements  were  unknown.  Dancing 
was  a  favorite  amusement.     It  was  participated  in  by  all. 

At  their  shooting-matches,  which  were  usually  for  the  prize  of 
a  t.urkev,  or  a  gallon  of  whisky,  good  feeling  generally  prevailed 
If  disputes  arose,  they  were  settled  often  by  a  square,  stand-up 
fight,  and  no  one  thought  of  using  other  weapons  than  fists.  They 
held  no  grudges  after  their  fights,  for  this  was  considered  unmanly. 
It  was  the  rule  that,  if  the  fight  was  between  two  persons,  the 
victor  should  pour  water  for  the  defeated  as  he  washed  away 
the  traces  of  the  fray,  after  which  the  latter  was  to  perform  the 
same  service  for  the  former. 

To  illustrate  the  ready  ingenuity  of  the  early  settlers,  devel- 
oped by  their  poverty,  and  remoteness  from  places  where  neces- 
saries could  be  purchased,  we  borrow  an  anecdote  from  "  Ford's 
History  of  Illinois,"  related  of  James  Lemon,  a  well-known 
pioneer  of  Monroe  county,  and  an  old  style  Baptist  preacher. 
A  farmer  by  occupation,  "He  manufactured  harness  as  they  were 
required.  Being  one  day  employed  in  plowing  a  piece  of  stubble 
ground,  on  turning  out  for  dinner,  as  was  his  wont,  he  left  the 
harness  on  the  beam  of  the  plow.  His  son,  not  diifering  from 
the  proverbial  minister's  boy,  perhips,  who  had  assisted  him  by 
removing  the  clogging  straw  from  the  plow  with  a  pitch-fork, 
remained  behind  loug  enough  to  conceal  one  of  the  collars,  that 
he  might  have  a  playing-spell  while  his  father  was  occupied  in 
making  another.  But  his  plot  failed  ;  on  returning  after  dinner 
and  missing  the  collar,  his  fiither,  reflecting  a  few  minutes, 
promptly  divested  himself  of  his  leather  breeches,  stufl'ed  the 
legs  with  stubble,  straddled  them  across  the  neck  of  the  horse 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


57 


for  a  collar,  and  plowed  the  remainder  of  the  day  bare-legged, 
requiring  the  assistance  of  his  truantly  inclined  boy  all  the 
time."  At  this  day,  to  provide  for  such  a  mishap,  half  a  day 
would  have  been  spent  in  going  to  town  after  another  collar. 

Pioneer  Mills. — Among  the  first  were  the  "  band  mills."  A 
description  of  one  will  not  prove  uninteresting.  The  plan  was 
cheap.  The  horse  power  consisted  of  a  large  upright  shaft,  some 
ten  or  twelve  feet  in  height,  with  some  eight  or  ten  long  arms  let 
into  the  main  shaft  and  extending  out  from  it  fifteen  feet.  Augur 
holes  were  bored  into  the  arms  on  the  upper  side  at  the  end,  into 
which  wooden  pins  were  driven.  This  was  called  the  "  big 
wheel,"  and  was,  as  has  been  seen,  about  twenty  feet  in  diameter. 
The  raw-hide  belt  or  tug  was  made  of  skins  taken  off  of  beef 
cattle,  which  were  cut  into  strips  three  inches  in  width  ;  these 
were  twisted  into  a  round  cord  or  tug,  which  was  long  enough  to 
encircle  the  circumference  of  the  big  wheel.  There  it  was  held 
in  place  by  the  wojden  pins,  then  to  cross  and  pass  under  a  shed 
to  run  around  a  drum,  or  what  is  called  a  "  trunnel-head,"  which 
was  attached  to  the  grinding  apparatus.  The  horses  or  o.xen 
were  hitched  to  the  arms  by  means  of  raw-hide  tugs.  Then, 
walking  in  a  circle,  the  machinery  would  be  set  in  motion.  To 
grind  twelve  bushels  of  corn  was  considered  a  good  day's  work. 

The  most  rude  and  primitive  method  of  manufacturing  meal 
was  by  the  use  of  the  Grater.  A  plate  of  tin  is  pierced  with  many 
holes,  so  that  one  side  is  very  rough.  The  tin  is  made  oval,  and 
then  nailed  to  a  board.  An  ear  of  corn  was  rubbed  hard  on  this 
grater  whereby  the  meal  was  forced  through  the  holes,  and  fell 
down  into  a  vessel  prepared  to  receive  it.  An  improvement  on 
this  was  the  Hand-mill.  The  stones  were  smaller  than  those  of 
the  "  band-mill,"  and  were  propelled  by  man  or  woman  power. 
A  hole  is  made  in  the  upper  stone,  and  a  staff  of  wood  is  put  in 
it,  and  the  other  end  of  the  staff  is  put  through  a  hole  in  a  plank 
above,  so  that  the  whole  is  free  to  act.  One  or  two  persons  take 
hold  of  this  staff  and  turn  the  upper  stone  as  rapidly  as  possible. 
An  eve  is  made  in  the  upper  stone,  through  which  the  corn  is  put 
into  the  mill,  with  the  hand  in  small  quantities  to  suii  the  mill, 
instead  of  a  hopper.  A  mortar,  wherein  corn  was  beaten  into 
meal,  was  made  out  of  a  large  round  log,  three  or  four  feet  long. 

The  picture  here  drawn  of  the  pioneers,  their  modes  of  living, 
their  customs,  and  amusements,  while  lacking  entire  complete- 
ness, we  feel  is  not  inaccurate  and  untruthful. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


CIVIL  HISTORY. 


ORGANIZATION   OF   DE   WITT   COUNTY. 


pie  to  an  extent  unknown  to  other  nations, 
nor  even  understood  by  them. 

It  is  said  that  the  Pole  imbibes  his  hatred 
against  oppressive  Prussia  with  the  milk  from 
the  breast  of  his  mother.  NVhy  not  say  then 
that  love  of  liberty  and  desire  for  self-gov- 
ernment have,  with  the  people  of  this  land, 
their  origin  in  so  beautiful  and  poetical  a  source?     The  very 


atmosphere  of  America  breathes  this  love  of  freedom,  and  the 
foreigner  arriving  on  its  shore  seems  to  inhale  it,  and  a  feeling  of 
self-reliance  with  it. 

When  the  United  States  had  become  a  hundred  years  old,  the 
glorious  day  was  celebrated  by  a  people  of  fifty  millions,  scat- 
tered throughout  three  thousand  five  hundred  counties.  Who 
can  foresee  in  how  many  more  counties  the  untold  millions  of 
1976  will  salute  the  second  centennial  in  festive  array  ? 

Meanwhile  the  American  pioneer,  scarcely  realizing  that  the 
prosperity  and  the  greatness  of  the  laud  are  largely  his  work,  will 
continue  his  march  west  and  south.  Log  cabins  will  spring  up, 
and  wilderness  be  converted  into  laughing  fields  of  plenty. 

The  pioneer  has  scarcely  become  settled,  when  his  innate  desire 
for  maintaining  law  and  home  government  urges  him  on  to  organ- 
ize a  new  county.  Counties,  even  in  this  State,  have  entei'cd  upon 
their  mission  as  such  with  less  than  a  hundred  families  residing 
in  their  respective  limits. 

Sometimes  other  motives  combine  with  this  desire  of  home-rule 
in  the  formation  of  counties, — the  spirit  of  speculation  is  also 
well  developed  in  this  people. 

And  thus  we  reach  De  Witt  county. 

"  This  would  be  a  beautiful  site  for  a  town  and  future  county- 
seat,"  said  A  to  F.  (in  1834),  when,  on  their  journey  from  Deca- 
tur to  Bloomington,  they  beheld,  about  midway  between  the  two 
cities,  the  lovely  mound  on  which  now  stands  the  public  school- 
house  of  Clinton.  "A  good  suggestion,"  or,  "a  capital  idea," 
said  F.  to  A.  A  quarter  section  of  land  was  soon  after  entered, 
and  the  to%vn  of  Clinton  laid  out  on  it  by  A.  and  F.  in  183.5. 

The  question  of  organizing  a  new  county  commenced  to  be 
agitated  in  course  of  time,  and  culminated  in  the  creation  of  the 
county  of  De  AVitt,  March  1st,  1839. 

Hon.  James  Allen,  of  McLean  county,  had  made  great  exer- 
tions to  have  the  Legislature,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  pass 
the  necessary  act. 

De  Witt  county  takes  the  8-lth  place  in  the  chronological  order 
of  the  one  hundred  and  two  counties  of  this  State. 

An  Act  fur  the  formation  of  De  Witt  County  : — 
Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois, represented  in  the  General  Assemby,  That  all  that  tract  of 
country  within  the  following  boundaries,  to  wit.  Beginning  at  the 
north-west  corner  of  section  numbered  eighteen,  in  township 
numbered  twenty-one  north,  in  range  numbered  one,  west  of  the 
third  principal  meridian,  and  running  thence  east,  on  the  section 
lines,  to  the  north-east  corner  of  section  thirteen,  in  township 
numbered  twenty-one  north,  in  range  numbered  six  east ;  thence 
south,  on  the  range  line  between  ranges  six  and  seven,  to  the 
township  line  between  townships  numbered  eighteen  and  nineteen 
north  ;  thence  west,  on  the  last-mentioned  township  line,  to  the 
third  principal  meridian  ;  thence,  north,  on  said  meridian  line, 
to  the  township  line  between  townships  numbered  twenty  and 
twenty-one  north ;  thence,  west,  on  the  last-mentioned  township 
line,  to  the  range  line  between  ranges  numbered  one  and  two  west ; 
and  thence,  north,  on  said  last-mentioned  range  line,  to  the  place  of 
beginning,  shall  constitute  a  new  county,  to  be  called  the  county 
of  De  Witt. 

Sec.  2.  For  the  purpose  of  permanently  establishing  the  seat 
of  justice  of  said  county,  the  legal  voters  thereof  shall  meet  at 
the  several  places  of  holding  elections  for  Representatives  and 
Senators  in  said  county  hereby  created,  on  the  first  Monday  in 
May  next,  and  proceed  to  vote  for  the  following  points,  to  wit : 
the  towns  of  Clinton  and  Marion,  of  said  county ;  and  the  place 


53 


IIISTOR  Y  01  BE  WITT  CO  UXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


receiving  the  largest  number  of  votes  givea  shall  be  the  estab- 
lished seat  of  justice  of  said  county- 

Sec  3.  The  legal  voters  of  said  county  shall,  at  the  same  time 
and  places  above  specified,  elect  one  Sheriff,  one  Coroner,  one 
Recorder,  one  Cjunty  Surveyor,  one  Probate  Justice,  one  Clerk 
of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court,  and  three  County  Commis- 
sioners, who  shall  hold  their  offices  until  the  next  succeeding 
general  election,  and  until  their  successors  are  elected  and  quali- 
fied ;  which  said  election  shall  be  conducted  in  all  respects  agree- 
able to  the  provisions  of  the  law  regulating  elections. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court 
of  said  couuty  to  give  at  least  thirty  days'  notice  of  the  time  and 
places  of  holding  said  elections  above  provided  for,  by  posting 
up  notices  thereof  at  least  in  six  public  places  in  the  county  ; 
and  the  returns  of  said  election  shall  be  made  to  said  Clerk  who 
gave  the  notice  as  aforesaid,  and  hy  him,  in  presence  of  one  or 
more  Justices  of  the  Peace,  shall  be  opened  and  examined ;  and 
thev  jointly  shall  give  to  the  persons  elected  County  Commission- 
ers, certificates  of  their  electinn,  and  shall  transmit  abstracts  of 
the  election  for  the  county  officers  to  the  Secretary  of  State,  as 
now  required  by  law. 

It  shall  further  be  the  duty  of  said  Clerk  and  Justice  or  Justices 
of  the  Peace,  as  the  case  may  be,  to  furnish  the  Clerk  of  the  County 
Commissioners'  Court  with  an  abstract  of  the  votes  given  for  the 
seat  of  justice  of  said  county  ;  which  said  alistract  shall  be  recorded 
in  the  record  of  tlie  proceedings  of  said  Commissioners'  Court, 
and  shall  forever  exist  as  evidence  of  the  established  seat  of  jus- 
tice of  said  county. 

Sec  5.  For  the  purpose  of  holding  said  elfction  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  present  judges  of  election,  tnjbraced  within  the 
limits  of  said  County,  t  >  act  as  judges  of  the  same:  Provided, 
however,  That  should  said  judges  decline  acting,  or  be  absent  on 
the  day  of  election,  the  qualified  voters  present  may  elect,  from 
among  their  own  numbers,  three  qualified  voters  to  act  as  judges 
of  said  election,  who  shall  have  power  to  appoint  two  persons  to 
act  as  clerks  as  in  other  cases. 

Sec.  6.  The  present  justices  of  the  peace  and  constables  era- 
braced  within  the  limits  of  said  County  shall  be  and  ai'e  hereliy 
continued  in  office  as  justices  and  constabks  of  said  County  of 
De  Witt  until  the  next  regular  election  of  justices  of  the  jieace 
and  other  county  officers. 

Sec.  7.  The  i^rojuietor  or  proprietors  of  the  town  where  the 
county  seat  may  be  located  as  aforesaid  shall  donate  the  sum  of 
two  thousand  dollars  payable  within  a  period  not  less  than  twelve 
nor  more  than  twenty-four  months  from  the  time  said  election 
shall  be  made  or  in  lieu  thereof,  at  their  discretion,  shall  grant 
and  convey  by  good  and  sufficient  warranty  deeds  town  lots  or 
other  lands  situated  in  or  about  the  town  where  the  Couuty  seat 
shall  be  so  located,  the  aggregate  value  of  which  shall  not  be  less 
than  two  thousand  dollars,  to  be  appraised  by  three  disinterested 
freeholders,  to  be  mutually  agreed  upon  by  the  proprietor  or  jjro- 
prietors  of  said  town  and  the  County  Commissioners  of  said  Coun- 
ty, provided  said  proprietor  or  proprietors  and  the  Couuty  com- 
missioners of  said  County  cannot  agree  upon  the  value  of  the 
same;  Proelded,  however.  And  said  donations  or  grants  are  upon 
this  express  condition,  that  the  court-house  and  public  offices  of 
said  County  shall  be  erected  on  the  present  established  public 
square  of  the  town  in  which  the  County  seat  may  be 
located. 

Sec  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  County  Commissioners' court, 
at  as  early  a  period  as  practicable,  to  approjjriate  said  two  thou- 
sand dollars  so  donated  as  aforesaid,  or  the  proceeds  of  said  real 


estate  granted  as  aforesaid,  as  the  case  may  be,  in  the  erection  of 
a  court-house  or  other  necessary  public  buildings,  for  which  pur- 
pose, should  the  donations  consist  of  real  estate,  the  County  com- 
missioners shall  have  power  to  dispose  of  said  real  estate  in  such 
manner  and  upon  such  terms,  as  they  may  deem  most  consistent 
with  the  public  interests. 

Sec.  9.  Said  county  shall  be  attached  to,  and  form  a  part  of, 
the  eighth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  until  the  county  seat  shall  be 
located  as  provided  in  this  act,  the  Circuit  and  County  Commis- 
sioners' Courts  shall  be  held  at  the  town  of  Marion. 

Sec.  10.  For  judicial  and  other  purposes,  said  county  shall 
continue  to  form  parts  of  McLean  and  Macon  counties  until 
organized  as  above  provided  for,  and  shall  continue  to  be  at- 
tached to  said  counties  in  all  general  elections  until  otherwise 
provided  for  by  law. 

Sec.  11.  After  the  election  of  county  officers  as  herein  ]iro- 
vided,  the  persons  elected  County  Commissioners  are  hereby 
authorized  to  administer  oaths  of  office  to  all  other  county 
oflicers;  and  the  said  County  Commissioners  shall,  within  ten 
davs  after  their  election,  meet  together  as  a  court,  lay  off  the 
county  into  precincts  and  justices'  di-tricts,  appoint  a  school 
Commissioner  of  the  county,  and  transact  any  other  business 
which  may  be  deemed  necessary. 

Sec.  12.  The  school  funds  belonging  to  tl>e  several  townships 
in  said  county,  together  with  all  interest  arising  out  of  said 
moneys  that  have  not  heretofore  been  expended  for  schools 
embraced  within  the  limits  of  the  counties  of  SIcLcan  and 
Macon  now  proposed  to  be  set  off  into  the  county  of  DeWitt, 
and  all  notes  and  mortgages  a])pertaining  to  the  same,  shall  be 
paid  and  delivered  over  to  the  school  commissioners  of  said 
county  of  DeWilt,  by  the  school  commissioners  of  the  counties 
of  McLean  and  Macon,  as  soon  as  said  county  shall  be  organized, 
and  the  commissioner  of  school  funds  shall  be  appointed  and 
qualified  according  to  law. 

Sec.  13.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  County  Commissioners  of 
said  county,  before  the  erection  of  public  buildings,  to  provide 
some  suitable  room  or  building  in  which  to  hold  the  Circuit  and 
County  Commissioners'  Courts.  The  inhabitants  residing  within 
so  much  of  the  territory  set  off  and  forming  a  portion  of  DeWitt 
county  as  are  now  within  the  bounds  of  Macon  county, 
shall  continue  to  be  and  constitute  a  part  of  the  taxable  in- 
habitants of  Macon  county  until  the  first  day  of  January, 
A.  D.,  1840. 

Approved  March  1st,  1839. 

(Signed)  Thomas  Carlin,  Governor. 

Tlie  county  was  represented  in  the  Constitutional  Convention 
of  1S47,  Ijy  lion  G.  B.  Lemen  ;  in  that  of  1862,  by  Hon.  T.  K. 
Webber — and  in  that  of  1870,  by  Hon.  Clifton  H.  Moore. 

In  1848  the  counties  of  De  Witt,  Tazewell,  JIcLean,  Logan, 
and  Macon  formed  the  Eleventh  senatorial,  and  De  Witt  and 
McLean  the  Twenty-ninth  representative  district. 

The  apportionment  of  1854  made  De  Witt,  Champaign, 
Piatt,  Moultrie,  Christian,  Shelby,  and  McLean  form  the  Six- 
teenth senatorial,  and  De  Witt,  Macon,  Piatt,  and  Champaign 
the  Thirty-sixth  representative  district. 

By  the  apportionment  of  1861,  De  Witt,  McLean,  Piatt,  Moul- 
trie and  Macon  formed  the  Tenth  senatorial,  and  De  Witt  and 
McLean  the  Thirty-eighth  representative  district. 

In  1870  De  Witt  remained  a  part  of  the  Tenth  senatorial,  and 
formed  a  representative  district — the  Fifty-second  in  itself. 
Since  1872,  when  the  state  was  divided  into  fifty-one  senatorial 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


district?,  to  elect  one  senator  and  three  representalives  each,  De 
Witt  and   Macon  have    formed  district  No.  Twenty-nine. 

De  Witt  county  was  represented  in  tlie  state  senate  by  John 
Moore,  from  1840  to  184-2;  R.  F.  Baniett,  from  1842  to  1844; 
G.  W.  Powers,  from  1844  to  184S ;  E.  C.  Smith,  of  Macon,  from 

1848  to  1850;  Ashel  Gridley,  of  McLean,  from  1850  to  18.54; 
Gabriel  R.  Jernigan,  of  Christian,  from  1854  to  1856 ;  Joel  S. 
Post,  of  Macou,  from  185G  to  18G0 ;  R.  J.  O^desby,  of  Macon ,  from 
1860  to  1862;  Isaac  Funk,  from  1862  to  1866;  W.  A.  Cheney, 
from  1866  to  1868;  .John  McNulta,  of  McLean,  from  1868  to 
1870  ;  Michael  Djuahue,  from  1870  to  1874  ;  J.  F.  Harrold,  from 
1874  to  1878  ;  and  W.  T.  Moffett,  of  Macon,  from  1868  to  date. 

In  the  House  of  representatives,  De  Witt  county  was  repre- 
sented by  R.  F.  Birnett,from  1840  to  1842;  James K.  Scott, from 
1842  to  1846,  (two  terms) ;  S.  P.  Glenn,  from  1846  to  1848  ;  J.  B. 
Price,  from  1848  to  1850 ;  Robt.  F.  Barnett,  from  1850  to  1852 ; 
J.  E.  Mcl'lun,  from  1852  to  1854;  H.  C.  Johns,  of  Macon,  from 
1854  to  1866  ;  Jerome  R.  Garin,  of  Macon,  from  1856  to  1858  ; 
Daniel  Stickel.  from  1858  to  1860 ;  Lawrence  Weldon,  from 
1860  10  1864 ;  Boynton  Tenney,  from  1862  to  1864 ;  John  War- 
ner, from  1864  to  1866;  Henry  S.  Green,  from  1866  to  1868; 
Jacob  Swigart,  from  1868  to  1870;  W.  R.  Carle,  from  1870  to 
1872  ;  Tilman  Lane,  from  1872  to  1874  ;  J.  H.  Tyler,  from  1874 
to  1875 ;  W.  L.  Chambers,  from  1876  to  1878  ;  J.  H.  Tyler  and 
G.  K.  Ingham,  from  1878  to  1880  ;  and  by  Lewis  Ludington, 
from  1880  to  date. 

It  is  remarkable  that  of  all  this  long  list,  there  is  but  one 
man  who  has  served  two  terms  in  succession,  to  wit- :  James  K. 
Scott.  R.  F.  Barnett  has  served  two  terms  in  the  house,  and  a 
half  term  in  the  senate.  J.  H.  Tyler  has  also  served  two  terms 
in  the  house. 

The  county  of  De  Witt  was  represented  as  part  of  the  third 
congressional  district  of  Illinois,  by  John  T.  Stuart,  of  Spring- 
field, in  the  26th  and  27th  Congress,  1839-1843,  by  Orlando  B. 
Ficklin,  of  Charleston  ;  in  the  28th,  29th,  and  SOth,  from  1843 
to  1849,  by  Timothy  R.  Yonng,  of  Marshall ;  in  the  31st,  from 

1849  to  1851,  by  Orlando  B.  Ficklin,  of  Charleston  ;  in  the  32d, 
from  1851  to  1853,  by  Jesse  O.  Norton,  of  Joliet ;  in  the  33d 
and  34th,  from  1853  to  1857,  and  by  Owen  Lovejoy,  of  Prince- 
ton, in  the  SSth,  36th,  and  37th,  from  1857  to  1863. 

As  part  of  the  8th  congressional  district,  De  Witt  was  rejire- 
sented  by  John  T.  Stuart,  of  Springfield  ;  in  the  38th,  from  1863 
to  1865,  by  Shelby  M.  Cullom,of  Springfield ;  in  the  39th,  40th, 
and  41st,  from  1805  to  1871  ;  and  by  James  C.  Robinson,  of 
Springfield,  in  the  42nd,  from  1871  to  1873.  As  part  of  the 
13th  congressional  district,  the  county  was  reprfsented  by  John 
McNulta,  of  Bloomington  ;  in  the  43d,  from  1873  to  1875,  by 
Adlai  E.  Stevenson,  of  Bloomington;  in  the  44th,  from  1875  to 
1877,  by  Thomas  F.  Tipton,  of  Bloomington ;  in  the  45th,  from 
1877  to  1879,  by  Adlai  E.  Stevenson  ;  in  Bloomfield,  in  the  46th, 
from  1879  to  1881,  and  by  Dieterich  C.  Smith,  in  the  47th,  from 
1881  to  1883.  None  of  the  citizens  of  De  Witt  county  have  ever 
represented  as  such  the  congressional  district  in  which  the  county 
forms  a  part.  Among  the  successful  presidental  electors,  how- 
ever, we  find  the  following,  De  Witteans,  to  wit- :  Lawrence 
Weldon  in  1860, — first  election  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and 
Michael  Donahue,  in  1876,  election  (?)  of  Rutherford  B.  Hayes. 
The  other  successful  electors  for  the  districts  of  which  De  Witt 
county  forms  a  part,  were  in  1840:  James  H.  Ralston,  in  1844: 
William  A.  Richardson,  in  1848 :  H  M.  Vandeveer,  in  1852 : 
Edward  Omelveny,  in  1856:  Milton  T.  Peters,  in  1864:  James 


C.  Conkling,  in  1868  :  Samuel  C.  Parks,  in  1872:  Hugh  Fuller- 
ton,  and  in  1880,  Jonathan  H.  Rowell. 

No  citizen  of  De  Witt  has  ever  graced  the  state  board  of 
equalization  Ijy  his  presence  as  member,  since  its  erection  in 
1867-'  Tne  politicians  of  the  county  seem  to  lack  ambition.  The 
county  certainly  has  the  very  best  of  material  from  which  to 
draw,  and  excellent  timber  wi  h  which  to  build. 

LAND    AND    TEOPLE. 

The  area  of  the  county  of  De  Witt,  in  its  present  boundaries, 
is  composed  of  seven  full  and  seven  fractional  townships,  embrac- 
ing two  hundred  and  fifty-two  thousand  four  hund.red  and  thirty 
acres  of  laud,  a  fraction  le.ss  than  395  square  miles, — not  675 
square  miles,  as  stated  by  Appleton's  American  Cyclopaedia.  A 
large  portion,  about  thirty-three  per  cent,  of  the  full  area  of  the 
land,  had  been  entered,  and  was  principally  owned  by  bona  fide 
residents  at  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  county.  Al)out 
11,000  acres  of  land  were  owned  by  non-residents  or  si)Cculators. 
These  lands  were  usually  assessed  a  little  higher  than  those  of 
the  actual  settlers  of  the  county, — a  policy  alway.s  to  be  expected 
in  "  new"  counties.  Mahlon  Hall,  mentioned  in  a  previous  chap- 
ter, was  the  largest  landholder  at  that  time :  he  owned  1 200 
acres  of  land,  assessed  at  84,600.  He  also  paid  taxes  on  eight 
hundred  and  sixty-three  dollars'  worth  of  personal  property. 
Besides  him,  there  were  two  resident  taxpayers  assessed  at  63,000, 
ten  at  over  82  000,  and  fifty-eight  at  over  one  thousand  dollars' 
worth  of  property,  both  real  and  personal.  Fifty-three  resident 
citizens  paid  taxes  on  personal  property  only.  The  first  election 
held  in  the  county  had  to  decide  the  question  of  where  to  locate 
the  County  seat,  and  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  a  full  vote  was 
brought  out.  The  poll-books,  however,  cannot  be  found,  and 
from  a  short  memorandum  made  in  the  records  of  the  County 
Commissioners  we  learn  that  493  citizens  voted  on  that  day, 
Mari;h  6th,  1839.  The  orignal  census  lists  of  1840  are  also  lost 
so  that  no  names  of  heads  of  families  could  be  obtained  from 
that  source.  The  writer  found,  however,  a  list  of  voters,  most 
carefully  compiled  on  the  29th  of  November,  1844,  by  Hon. 
John  J.  McGraw,  then  Clerk  of  the  County  Commissioners' 
Court  This  list  is  here  introduced  in  substitution  of  the  lost 
census  lists  of  1840.  It  is  arranged  by  election  precints,  and 
many  of  those  635  names  may  remind  the  survivors  of  persons 
and  events  they  have  not  thought  of  for  years. 

Clinton  rreciiict- -L,evi  Spencer,  Lorenzo  D.  Scott,  Thomas 
Bevan,  Thomas  Jenkins,  Benjamin  Howard,  James  Brown,  Ninian 
W.  Peddecord,  Burnel  Martin,  Nelson  Davis,  Eli  B.  Fruitt, 
Thomas  Devenport,  Poetan  Bennett,  John  Davis,  Henry  Thomas, 
Peter  D.  Spain,  Anderson  Johnson,  G.  Hall,  John  McAboy, 
Jonathan  Curtright,  Rufus  Mills,  Dawson  Beatty,  John  M.  Cox, 
Darius  Hall,  Martin  Scott,  George  Clifton,  Josiah  Downen, 
Thomas  Hutchin,  George  W.  Cox,  Jacob  Kranish,  Pascal  Mil- 
ler, Archibald  McCullough,  Nathan  Harvey,  Thomas  K.  Blad- 
lock,  James  Hall,  Wra.  Neal,  Harvey  Bradshaw,  Frederick 
Troxell,  Matthew  Mill-r,  B.  R.  Warfield,  William  Hutchin, 
Henry  H.  Hall,  Isaac  Hutchin,  Daniel  French,  Isaiah  Deven- 
port, George  W.  Mills,  Thomas  Coon,  Jacob  Bruner,  Alfred 
Murphey,  Joseph  Malson,  Wm-  McPherson,  Joshua  Fenton, 
John  Lowry,  Amos  B.  Wright,  Thomas  C.  Wright,  Lewelleu 
Hickman,  John  Springer,  James  L.  McMurry,  John  B.  Allsup, 
Solomon  Miller,  Ezekicl  Lane,  James  Enuis,  Charles  Hutchin, 
Landers  .Slatten,  Henry  Foster,  Joseph  Howard,  Thomas  Allsup, 
B.  L.  Cundiff,  Gabriel  Watt,  Thomas  Dunham,  Rolla  Richards, 


60 


HISTOEY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTl:,  ILLINOIS. 


George  W.  Karr,  John  W.  Karr,  Mahlon  Hall,  Reuben  Thorn- 
]y,  Wm.  James,  Jesse  Blaukinship,  James  Cantrail,  Henry 
King,  Henry  C'undiff,  Runisford  Peyton,  Armsted  Gideon.  Wm. 
Coppenbarger,  James  French,  John  Winn,  Wm.  Clifton,  Vernon 
Brown,  Thomas  J.  Mills,  John  Coppenbarger,  Uriah  McKenney, 
Edward  Tl'.ornby,  John  Walker,  James  Walker,  Jeremiah  Kel- 
ley,  Elisha  Littler,  James  Stephens,  James  McAboy,  Wilson 
Allen,  Joshua  Dale,  Fleming  Lynch,  Newton  Lynch,  Henry 
Fourdice,  Solomon  Cross,  Benjamin  Cross,  Skelton  K.  Cross, 
George  Carlock,  Jacob  Cross,  Thomas  Spaiuhoward,  Calvin 
Pain,  John  Lane,  Henry  Bour  Kain,  Samuel  S.  P.  Huff,  S. 
Duncan,  Murrell  Pain,  John  Thompson,  H.  Bennett,  Abram 
Miller,  Wm.  Lowry,  Ralph  Rosencrans,  Henry  Clerage,  John 
Miller,  Lemuel  Woodard,  Dudley  Richards,  Egbert  Hill,  Wm 
Gadberry,  John  Boyer,  Noel  Blankenship,  John  Bruner,  David 
Hood,  Wm.  Belford,  James  Henson,  Joseph  Pollock,  Hugh  Dev- 
enport,  T.  R.  Archard,  Bonarges  Ely,  J.  Thompson,  Melvin 
Lowry,  Job  Clifton,  Sidney  Gary,  Henry  Bowles,  John  Clifton, 
Ruben  Parkhurst,  William  Allsup,  Alvin  Potter,  Ebenezer  Mil- 
ler, Jloses  Kenney,  Samuel  Beebe,  Lewis  Atkinson,  James  Lowry, 
John  Hutchin,  Remus  Davis,  Thoma^  Wilson,  Alexander  Dale, 
Jacob  Silvers,  James  S.  Brown,  Joel  E.  King,  Joseph  Karr, 
William  Mathews,  William  Wallace,  Henry  Thompson,  Philo 
Farmer,  Thomas  J.  Rogers,  Jordon  Banta,  Solomon  Ely,  Har- 
rison Lane,  B.  T.  Lowry,  Walter  Karr,  James  Smallwood,  Sam- 
uel Smallwood,  John  B.  Smallwood,  James  Pollock,  William 
Williams,  Samuel  Curtright,  E.  W.  Fears,  John  French,  John  J. 
McGraw,  Melvin  Lowry,  Daniel  McGinnis,  Thomas  Lamb, 
David  Willis,  Gustavus  Skelley,  Major  Farris,  William  Hayes, 
Dennis  Proviue,  David  Maiken,  Erviu  French,  Wm  Coon,  J. 
]SL  Fears,  Isaac  Strain,  Joseph  Coppenbarger,  Charles  S.  Lisenby, 
Nathan  Cooper,  Wm.  A-  Knight,  Richard  Murphy,  Andrew 
Wallace,  Henry  Brown,  Robert  F.  Barnett,  Jeflerson  T.  Cross, 
Thomas  Fruit,  Washington  Allsup,  Joshua  Gardener,  William 
Adams,  .Samuel  H.  Martin,  Miles  Gray.  Joseph  Bowles,  William 
Hickman,  A.  L.  Barnett,  Z.  H.  Blount,  Daniel  Banta,  Jesse 
Stout,  Wm.  C'undiff,  Tolbert  Allsup,  N.  Murphy,  Leonard  Provin, 
Joel  Hall,  Anderson  Bowles,  Hugh  Glenn,  Henry  Summers,  B. 
H.  Farris,  Samuel  Brown,  John  P.  Mitchell,  Daniel  Newcomb, 
John  Warner,  George  L.  Hill,  Wm.  Hill,  Franklin  Barnett,  F. 
G  Paine,  James  Luttle,  John  W.  Scott,  Wm.  Mitchell,  James 
K.  Scott,  Jameson  Wright. 

WaynesviUe  Precinct — Abraham  Hamilton,  .L  L.  Jennings, 
J.  B.  Jones,  Harrison  Maltby,  Elisha  Butler,  O.  W.  Young, 
Charles  Maltby,  John  F.  Buckner,  R.  Post,  Daniel  H.  Dragstrem, 
R.  E.  Post,  Wm.  Evans,  J.  E.  Cantrail,  Wm.  Branson,  Wm. 
Richards,  Darius  Cody,  E  G.  Lawrence,  A.  N.  Dills,  Johannas 
Bergen,  Thos.  C.  Bergen,  John  Zollars,  Alfred  Miller,  James  C. 
Riley,  James  R.  Robb,  John  Slatten,  A.  B.  Ireland,  John  Simp- 
kin,  John  Montgomery,  F-  S.  Harrison,  Z.  P.  Cantrail,  Samuel 
Ilamet,  Cornelius  W.  Slinker,  David  Wheeler,  A.  T.  Jones, 
John  Barr,  George  Dyer,  James  M.  Ilarrold.  John  [Eveland, 
Preston  Butler,  Jerome  Gorin,  Thos.  D.  Cantrail,  Hugh  Bowles, 
D.  F.  Grosh,  James  Barr,  John  Hobbs,  Edward  Morris,  John 
Christison,  James  Ellis,  J.  C.  Cantrail,  Wyatl  Cantrail,  Thos. 
Burton,  Thos.  Coffer,  James  T.  Morton,  Geo.  W.  Stipp,  John 
Humphreys,  John  Scott.  Allen  Turner,  Wm.  H.  Jones,  Jonathan 
Ellington,  Samuel  C.  Baker,  Charles  Hutfam,  Jas.  W.  Hamitt, 
Robert  Turner,  Wm.  L.  Cantrail,  George  Bodkin,  Moses  G. 
Williams,  Abel  Larison,  John  Mclntire,  Charles  Cook,  John 
Turner,  Isaiah  Cheek,  Richard  McElbiney,  Adam  Stevens,  Jona- 
than  Williams,  John  Miller,  Wm.  Dyre,  Jacob  Jouson,  Levi 


Cantrail,  Squire  Devenport,  Charles  Graves,  Wm.  Summers, 
Thos.  Hull,  James  H.-Morley,  Jesse  Griffin,  F.  M.  Jeffrey,  Thos. 
Ackerson,  Linus  Graves,  B.  W.  Gray,  Wm.  Summers.  Jr., 
Frederick  Eveland,  John  Cantrail,  Wm.  Jeffrey  J.  C.  Macon, 
Henry  Michael,  Nathaniel  Eveland,  Elijah  Hull,  Joel  Gray, 
Garrett  Ackerson,  Abram  Ackerson,  Wm.  Hall, Samuel  Richards 
David  Ellington,  Nathaniel  Harris,  George  Isham,  Wm.  Mont- 
gomery, Wm.  J.  Davis,  Abraham  Onstott,  David  Montgomery, 
David  McNuley,  A  D.  Downey,  John  Robb,  B.  W.  Matthews, 
Elisha  Bushnell,  John  Thissell,  V  N.  Sampson,  Chas  Adkinson, 
Edward  Winn,  Ezra  Thissell,  .\ndrew  Brock,  Isaac  W.  Jones, 
Benjamin  Brock,  Isaac  Ellington,  F.  M.  Brock,  James  Cook, 
Jacob  F.  Sampson,  Z.  G.  Cantrail.  R.  S.  Doolittle,  Thos.  Frisby, 
Parmer  Story,  J.  S.  Atchinson,  Josiah  Porter,  Hardin  Wallace, 
Wm.  Cantrail. 

Niw  Culle  Pi-eciiiet. — Mjses  L.  Bjshnell,  James  Foley,  Wm. 
R.  Hulsey,  Spencer  Turner,  Andrew  Fogg,  Harvey  Turner, 
Cornelius  Lambert,  Samuel  Briggs,  John  Druly,  George  Guard, 
Joel  Hulsey,  Lemuel  Shipley, Charles  Council,  Benj.  Shipley,  E. 
H.  L.  C.  Dunegan,  Samuel  Sevan,  John  Gellatly,  Sampson 
Reese,  John  E.  Hoblitt,  James  Shipley,  John  Kensey,  James 
Hobblitt,  Samuel  Jones,  Cyrus  Tuttle,  John  Druly,  Samuel  Hob- 
litt, Sylvester  Strong,  Jesse  Hedges,  Isaac  A.  Dunnagan,  Eze- 
kiel  Hedges,  T.  J.  LaHson,  David  Mason,  James  Hedges,  A.  K. 
Marden,  Jonn  Mas(m,  Wm  Foley,  Archibald  V.  Gardner,  John 
Hoblitt,  James  JDowney,  John  Barr,  Henry  Williams,  J.  P. 
Dunham. 

Marion  Precinct. — James  A.  Lemon,  J.  A.  Jackson,  James 
Harp,  James  Martin,  D.  B  Sallwood,  William  Bennett,  James 
Vaudeventer,  Geo  Barns,  Wm.  H.  Lafferty,  John  M.  Richeler, 
Benj.  Church,  Peter  Lear,  Charles  Sawyer,  Thos,  Glenn,  D.  F. 
Robbins,  James  McDeed,  Daniel  Rjbbins,  John  McDeed,  Daniel 
Baker,  Thos.  Smith,  Nathaniel  Goodall,  R.  D.  Taylor,  E.  O. 
Day,  B  S.  Day,  Gabriel  Bennett,  J  hn  Blount,  Joshua  E  Jack- 
son, Alex.  Heap,  J.  B.  Hagar,  J.  E  Daugherty,  Solomon  Moore, 
Green  Lee  Taylor,  Hiram  Beebe,  Eli  Harrold,  Thos.  Swain,  A. 
W.  Haddock,  Sylvester  Griffen.  T.  E.  Sanger,  William  Hull,  Solo- 
mon Despain,  John  D.Huston,  Elijah  Walden,  Christian  Shelikle, 
Wm.  Walden,  Wm.  Rust,  John  Rust,  Wm.  Haus,  Daniel  Wil- 
lard,  Douglass  Spear,  John  B.  Williams,  E  W.  Wright,  John 
Gatman,  T.  B.  Hoblitt,  Benj.  Lisenby,  L.  Cantrail,  R)den  Lane, 
Monroe  Thompson,  B.  D.  F.  Maple,  Stillman  Sawyer,  Robert 
McKinley,  Johu  Cooksey,  N.  C.  Caine,  John  E.  Day,  Thos.  Dye, 
Henry  M.  White,  Henry  Webb,  Jesse  E  Sawyer,  John  Kelli- 
son.  Job  Rathtone,  Johu  Lash,  John  Wilson,  Geo.  Livingston, 
Win.  Webb,  Nathaniel  Button,  Henry  Webb,  Sr.,  Joseph  Wil- 
son, Wm.  E.  Walker,  Nathan  Boman,  Wm.  E.  Sawyer,  Thos. 
Yandeveuter,  Morris  Button,  Geo.  Weidman,  Geo.  Barns,  Wm. 
Bodkins,  Wm.  J.  Rutledge,  Benj.  Button,  J.  B.  Caine,  John  E. 
Harris,  Robert  Semple,  Thos.  Williamson,  John  Andrew,  Wm. 
Walters,  Joseph  Semple,  P.  M.  Gideon,  Charles  Richardson,  Wm. 
McKinley,  John  Marsh,  James  M.  Stone,  Wm.  Bernes,  David 
Ropp,  Arthur  Jones,  Henry  Arbogast,  Hugh  Arbogast,  Pleasant 
Smith,  Elish  Gussford,  Elijah  Watt,  Geo.  Lemen,  Isaac  Swisher, 
David  Vandeventer,  John  Button,  John  Layton  G  S.  Morrison, 
S.  Wateribrd,  John  Dorson,  C.  Webb,  Jacob  Walters,  Edward 
Wilson,  Charles  Day,  Michael  Troutman,  Wm:  Carew,  Chas. 
Parker,  S.  Donor,  Stillman  A.  Chapin,  James  McCord, 
Hiram  Chapin,  Wm  R  Deterager,  F.  S.  Robbins,  0.  Wake- 
field. 

Mount  Pleasant  Precinct. — R.  D.  Webb,  J.  B.  Swearingen, 
Robert  H.  Pool,  Joseph  C.  Egensou,  Benj   Newbery,  Peter  Ar- 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


61 


bogast,  Wm.  Webb,  John  Jones,  Solomon  Hand,  Samuel  Buckey, 
Richard  Kirby,  John  McCord,  Peter  Buckey,  David  White, 
Timothy  Hailey,  Phineas  Page,  Wm.  Banner,  David  White, 
Jr.,  Edward  Corry,  James  W.  McCord,  Samuel  Dauner,  Thos. 
Gardner,  Absolom  Dauner,  Henry  Smith,  Wra.  Pearson.  John 
Dauner,  Dennis  Harley,  Xathan  (Jlearwaters,  Henry  Barnes,  A. 
B.  Dauner,  Cornelius  Corry,  AVm.  Cottiugham,  Alex.  Heely, 
Ezekel  Shoukle,  Wm.  Harp,  Lewis  Jackson,  Elias  Johnson, 
Henry  Haddlesou,  Benj.  Mitchell,  Benj.  Newburg,  Jr.,  N.  W. 
Cox,  J.  P.  Williams,  John  Doyle,  Robert  Williamson,  Harrison 
Blake,  John  Smith,  Asa  Weedman,  Isaac  Parmeter,  Preston 
AVebb,  Byron  Corry,  S.  Corry,  Josiah  Davis,  Ambrose  Hall, 
Patton  Camel,  Joseph  Brown,  Wm.  H.  McFall,  Wm.  Watson, 
James  Sternes,  John  Weedman,  James  G.  Watson,  Peter  Wat- 
son, Mathew  Jackson,  Wm.  G.  McCord,  Hiram  White,  A.  F. 
Rogers. 

Long  Point  Precinct.— John  Scott,  Sr  ,  John  Chatham,  Hiram 
Riley,  Frederick  Troxel,  Homer  Buck,  J.  A  Payne,  Wm.  Scott, 
Abram  Bash,  David  Bash,  Wm.  Cisca,  Joseph  Winkle,  John 
Chatham,  Samuel  Martin,  Wm.  Chatham,  Daniel  Scott,  Isaac 
Chatham,  Andrew  Brownfield,  Wm.  Lane,  Alfred  Enland,  Alex. 
Scott,  Wm.  Spencer,  A.  K.  Scott,  Elihu  Lane,  Wm.  Morris, 
Henry  Troxel,  Wm.  Downen,  Wm.  Holsey,  Zebidee  Holsey,  Solo- 
mon Holsey,  AmosHoughman,  Adam  Lane,  Samuel  Spencer,  Ed- 
ward Philips,  Peter  Troxell,  Elijah  Swearingen,  Amos  Nichols, 
Samuel  McElhaney,  Wm.  Anderson,  John  H.  Swearingen,  James 
Anderson,  Wm.  Bowling,  Thos.  Jackson,  Abraham  Swearingen, 
Mosts  Houghman,  John  Scott,  Wm.  Scott,  George  Hanger,  Chas. 
Leaper,  Alex.  Ellis,  Samuel  P.  Gleason,  Peter  Crura,  John 
Maxwell,  AVm.  T.  Fears,  James  G.  Hobbs,  Mitchell  Harrold, 
Jacob  Harrold,  Jonathan  Harrold,  J.  W.  Scott,  S.  F.  Bowling, 
John  Young,  Samuel  Troxell,  Isam  Harrold,  Eli  Harrold,  James 
Johnson,  Wm.  Harrold,  Nathan  Lundy,  Jonathan  Frisby,  Benj. 
Withham,  James  Scott. 

The  United  States  census  of  1840,  taken  one  year  after  the 
organization  of  the  county,  furnithes  the  following  data  in  regard 
to  its  then  inhabitants.  The  population  amounted  to  3,247  sou's, 
586  of  which  were  heads  of  families.  The  census  mentions  one 
person  being  over  one  hundred  years  of  age,  without  naming 
said  person.  There  was  only  one  colored  person,  a  young  woman, 
in  the  county  at  that  time. 

Eight  hundred  and  seventy-five  adults  were  employed  in  agri- 
culture, eighty  in  mechanical  pursuits,  sixteen  were  merchants, 
and  nine  professional  men  of  learning.  Two  deaf  and  dumb, 
two  blind,  and  seven  insane  or  idiotic  persons  are  mentioned  in 
the  census  reports.  These  unfortunates  were  depending  on  pri- 
vate charity  for  maintenance,  as  the  authorities  of  the  county 
had  no  funds  whatever  at  their  disposal  to  provide  for  paupers 
The  county  at  th  .t  time  supported  eleven  schools,  attended  by 
four  hundred  and  seventy-four  pupils.  Three  hundred  and  six- 
teen adults  out  of  a  total  of  less  than  one  thousand  five  hundred 
were  unable  to  read  or  write. 

The  wealth  of  the  people  of  the  county  consisted  principally 
in  lands,  live  stock  and  agricultural  products. 

The  "squatter,"  so  frequently  met  with  in  new  counties,  is 
scarcely  observed  in  De  Witt;  fully  one-third  of  the  area  of  the 
county  had  been  purchased  from  the  United  States,  and  was 
owned  by  bona  fide  citizens  of  the  county  on  the  day  of  its  or- 
ganization. We  shall  here  introduce  some  statistics  in  reference 
to  the  area  of  the  various  congressional  townships,  and  the  quan- 
tity of  land  taken  up  or  entered  in  each  prior  to  the  1st  of  JNIarch, 
1839,  the  birth-day  of  the  county ; 


Acres  Purchased  o 

r  En- 

Designation 

f  Town 

hip. 

Notes  in  Acres. 

lered 

prior  to  Mar. 

Townsliip 

19-E 

1  E. 
2E. 
.SE 

23,233.07 
22,424..S1 
23,194.79 

10.440 
10.320 
4,680 

fr. 

"I 

4E, 

17,:!T'.>,3« 

440 

20 

1  E. 
2E. 
3E. 
4R 

22,7-"i7,"l 

21,I>:!2,U1 

21,.511,88 
21,1188.32 

6,280 
5.760 
11.880 
8.200 

fr.         " 

" 

f,-F. 

.5,1G7,09 

960 

fr. 

21 

1  E. 

1.5,021,48 

11,280 

fr. 
fr. 

2E. 
3E. 

1.5.M2I,41 
l.i,37li,23 

6,640 
620 

fr.         " 

4  E 

I.-),44(i,7S 

2,360 

fr. 

5E 
Total 

12,2.>5,49 

3,280 

252,429,73 

83,040 

Township  21,  Range  1  West,  was  a  part  of  the  county  at  that 
time,  and  half  of  its  territory,  viz.,  11.080  acres  had  been  entered 
prior  to  March  1,  1839. 

It  is  impossible  to  state  accurately  how  many  acres  were  under 
cultivation,  but  the  agricultural  products  of  the  year  indicate 
that  a  considerable  portion,  probably  eleven  or  twelve  thousand 
acres,  were  being  cultivated  during  the  year.  The  census  reports 
the  following  crops,  to  wit :  Wheat,  twenty-five  thousand  three 
hundred  and  seventy-four  bushels  ;  oats,  thirty-six  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  seventy-two  bushels;  rye,  eight  hundred  and  twenty 
bushels ;  Indian  corn,  two  hundred  and  eighty-five  thousand  five 
hundred  and  seventy  bushels  ;  potatoes,  eight  thousand  four  hun- 
dred and  twenty-one  bushels ;  hay,  seven  hundred  and  sixty-six 
tons  ;  flax  and  hemp,  seventeen  tons ;  tobacjo,  six  thousand  and 
fifty  pounds ;  sugar,  four  hundred  pounds.  Nine  thousand  two 
hundred  and  sixty-six  pounds  of  wool  had  been  clipped  off  five 
thousand  and  eighty-three  sheep.  Said  census  reports  further, 
one  thousand  four  hundred  and  thirty  four  horses,  four  thousand 
two  hundred  and  seventy-two  heads  of  cattle,  and  fifteen  thousand 
four  hundred  and  ninety-eight  hogs.  There  were  ten  retail 
stores  in  the  county,  with  a  capital  of  823,660  invested  ;  two 
tanneries,  with  S3,o00  capital ;  one  distillery  and  three  grist  and 
three  saw-mills  constituted  the  various  branches  of  industry 
rep-esented  in  the  county  at  that  early  day.  During  the  year 
1840  sixteen  houses  had  been  erected  in  the  county  at  an  expense 
of  about  nine  thousand  dollars. 

Comparing  the  statistics  as  taken  from  the  census  reports,  with 
the  county  assessments  of  1840,  the  following  may  be  added  : 
Thirty-five  thousand  acres  of  land,  or  about  two-fifths  of  all 
lands  entered,  were  assessed  at  one  hundred  and  fifty-four 
thousand  dollars— some  at  three  dollars,  some  at  four  dollars, 
and  the  lands  of  non-residents  at  five  and  six  dollars  per  acre. 
The  personal  property  was  valued  at  eighty-six  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars,  and  the  imp'oved  town  lots  in  the  county  at  six 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 

Land  sales  in  the  present  limits  of  De  Witt  county,  prior  to 
its  organization  as  such  : 

On  February  3,  1832.  Richard  Dogget  sold  to  Baron  T. 
Lowry  the  west  half  of  the  south-west  quarter  of  section  22,  in 
township  19,  range  2  east,  containing  80  acres,  for  S200.  This 
land  is  now  owned  by  Magill  Brothers,  is  assessed  at  81,200,  and 
worth  about  83,000. 

On  April  18,  1832.  William  Spitters  sold  to  John  Lowry  the 
east  half  of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  21,  in  township  19, 
range  2  east,  containing  80  acres,  for  8200.  This  tract  is  now 
divided  into  six  unequal  parts,  which  in  the  aggregate,  are  worth 
about  83,500. 


62 


EISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


On  September  25,  1832.  Jesse  Morris  sold  to  Alexander 
Purviance  the  west  half  of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  19, 
in  township  19,  o  east,  for  81.25  per  acre;  it  is  now  worth  fully 
SIO  per  acre. 

April  24,  1832.  Robert  Hamilton  sokl  to  Alexander  Pur- 
viance the  east  half  of  the  north-west  quarter  of  section  9,  town- 
ship 19,  range  3  east,  80  acres,  for  8140.  This  tract  belongs 
now  to  H.  C.  Sijainhour,  and  it  is  very  questionable  whether 
this  land  could  now  be  purchased  for  twenty  times  that  price. 

December  2o,  1832.  Hiram  Daniel  sold  to  Mahlou  Hall  the 
west  half  of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  34,  in  township  20, 
range  1  east,  80  acres,  for  8160.  This  tract  is  now  subdivided 
into  six  parcels  of  various  sizes,  it  is  assessed  at  81,000,  and  is 
worth  .S4,000. 

January  5,  1832.  Samuel  Curtright  sold  to  Mark  McPherson 
the  west  half  of  the  noith-west  quarter  of  section  32,  in  town- 
ship 21,  range  1  east,  for  §400,  So  per  acre.  This  quarter  section 
is  BOW  divided  into  twenty-seven  lots  and  tracts,  being  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  Waynesville.  Agricultural  lands  there- 
about are  assessed  at  820,  and  are  worth  845  to  850  per 
acre. 

Jannary  28,  1832.  Daniel  Venson  sold  to  ThomaS  Cuppy  the 
east  half  of  the  north-west  quarter  of  section  28,  in  township  21, 
range  1  east,  containing  80  acres,  for  8400.  The  land  now  be- 
longs in  part  to  M.  Fiuprock  and  Augustus  Ball,  is  assessed  at 
8900,  and  worth  about  82,400. 

February  20,  1832.  Fred.  Troxell  sold  to  Henry  Troxell  the 
north  half  of  the  east  half  of  the  north-east  quarter  of  section 
32,  in  township  21,  range  2  east,  40  acres,  for  840.  This  tract 
is  now  owned  in  part  by  Eli  Harrold  and  David  Troxell,  and  is 
worlh  845  per  acre. 

November  12,  1831.  Thomas  Cuppy  sold  to  George  Isham 
the  west  half  of  Jie  south-east  quarter  of  section  29,  in  township 
21,  range  1  ea-st,  for  8100,8125  per  acre.  This  tract  belongs 
now  to  James  Cook,  and  is  worth  833  per  acre. 

First  land  sdei  after  the  organization  of  the  county:  James 
Vandeveuter  sold  to  Thomas  Patterson  the  north-east  quarter 
of  section  27,  township  20,  range  3,  for  8040,  or  84  per  acre, 
June  7,  1839. 

Elijah  Watt  sold  to  Robert  Rosencrans  the  south-west  quarter 
of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  31,  and  the  north-west  quarter 
of  the  north-east  quarter  of  section  32,  all  in  town- hip  20,  range 
4,  for  8310,  on  May  21,  1839. 

Prettyman  Maxwell  sold  to  Thomas  Barr  the  south-west  quar- 
ter of  the  south-west  quarter  of  section  30,  in  township  21,  range 
1,  40  acres,  for  $75,  June  11,  1839. 

James  Nelson  sold  to  Henry  Summer  the  south-east  quarter  of 
the  south-east  quarter  of  section  32,  in  township  20,  range  2,  40 
acres,  for  8100,  June  12,  1839. 

These  prices  are  introduced  here  to  compare  them  with  the 
assessed  value  hereafter  to  be  mentioned,  and  to  show  that  the 
assessors  of  laSO  invariably  assessed  property  at  its  actual 
value. 

The  census  of  1850  enumerates  eight  hundred  and  ninety  two 
families  residing  in  eight  hundred  and  eighty-eight  dwelling- 
hou-es. 

The  occ  ipations  of  tho?e  heads  of  families  are  stated  to  have 
been  as  follows :  Five  hundred  and  ninety-one  farmers,  one 
hundred  and  fifty-one  mechanics,  thirtv-six  merchants,  nineteen 
engineers  and  millers,  ten  teachers,  ten  ministers,  nine  physicians, 
two  lawyers,  five  county  officers,  six  clerks,  two  tavern  keepers, 
fourteen  day-laborers,  and  thirty-seven  without  occupations. 


The  county,  had  then  nine  mills,  one  steam,  six  water,  and  two 
horse-power;  two  tanneries,  two  saddle  and  harness  shops,  two 
blacksmiths,  two  cabinet  makers,  and  one  wagon-shop. 

The  assessed  values  of  all  the  property  in  the  county  amounted 
to  $738,621,  an  increase  of  over  200  per  cent,  on  the  values  of 
1840,  viz.,  8244,000.  The  population  showed  an  increase  of  60 
per  cent. 

The  county  supported  forty-one  schools,  attended  by  nine 
hundred  and  forty-six  pupils.  The  public  funds  for  school  pur- 
poses were  still  very  limit  d,  and  the  schools  depended  almost 
exclusively  on  private  subscriptions. 

The  public  funds  expended  during  the  year  for  school  pur- 
poses amounted  to  8789.45,  by  which  only  thirty-six  of  the  pub- 
lic schools  were  benefitted,  five  not  receiving  any  support  from 
this  source.  In  some  of  the  districts  efibrts  had  been  made  to 
start  school  libraries,  and  the  year  1850  finds  fourteen  libraries, 
with  about  seven  hundred  volumes  in  the  aggregate.  The  census 
man  reports  one  pauper  in  the  county,  supported  by  the  county 
at  an  expense  of  8212  78  per  annum.  Some  marginal  remarks 
of  the  said  oflScer  may  find  room  here  also.  He  says :  "  The 
health  of  this  county  has  been  very  good,  only  twenty-four 
deaths  during  the  year.  The  county  is  in  the  central  part  of 
Illinois,  in  a  fine  farming  district ;  it  is  watered  by  Salt  Creek, 
running  from  east  to  west,  a  fine  stream  for  mills  ;  the  timber  ig 
of  an  excellent  quality  for  farming  purpos  s;  white,  black,  and 
burr-oak,  walnut,  hickory,  and  maple.  Stone  and  coal  are 
scarce ;  excellent  water  is  reached  by  digging  from  fifteen  to 
twenty  feet  into  the  ground.  The  prairies  are  covered  wiih  a 
fine  crop  of  grass.  Wages  are  as  follows :  Farm  hands  per 
month,  813  ;  day-laborers,  62]  cents  per  day  and  board,  or  87i 
without  it;  mechanics  receive  81-50  per  day  and  board,  which  is 
considered  to  be  worth  25  cents  per  day." 

Ten  years  later,  in  1860,  the  population  of  the  county  had 
increased  to  10,820,  fully  one  hundred  per  cent,  since  1850. 
Among  these  were  only  six  persons  of  color. 

The  census  of  1870  shows  a  population  of  14,768, — an  increase 
of  thirty-seven  per  cent.  The  chief  productions  of  1870  were 
118,185  bushels  of  wheat,  1,311,635  of  Indian  corn,  216,756  of 
oats,  88,1-0  of  potatoes,  20  289  tons  of  hay,  341,456  pounds  of 
butter,  and  96,916  of  wool,  39,790  acres  of  pasture,  14,938  of 
woodland,  10,719  of  cultivated  lands,  and  1217  of  acres  in  cities 
and  villages. 

The  value  of  the  products  enumerated  above  is  estimated  to 
have  been  81,-300,000,  to  which  may  be  added  the  value  of  the 
products  of  those  53,000  acres  not  mentioned  in  the  return=, 
amounting  iu  the  aggregate  to  8335  000. 

These  agricultural  statistics  of  1880  report  also  350  sheep, 
valued  af  Sltl59,  killed  by  dogs;  58,41S  pounds  of  wool  shorn  ; 
3035  fat  sheep  sold,  weighing  310,340  pounds  in  the  aggregate ; 
3413  cows  kept ;  112,612  pounds  of  butter,  320  pounds  of  cheese, 
and  19,370  gallons  of  railk  sold  ;  796  colts  foaled  during  the  year, 
and  399  horses  died  ;  3618  fat  cattle,  weighing  4,717,295  pounds, 
sold;  also  28,643  hogs,  weighing  6,851,837  pounds.  It  is  fur- 
ther reported  that  during  the  year  857,105  feet  of  drain-tiling 
had  been  laid  throughout  the  various  parts  of  the  county,  and 
that  698,788  feet  of  the  same  had  been  laid  previously. 

There  were  7873  horses,  12,067  head  of  cattle,  21,800  sheep, 
and  29,322  hogs,  12  carriage  factories,  1  large  flour  mill,  and  2 
manufactories  of  saddlery  and  harness. 

The  census  of  1880  gives  the  county  a  population  of  seventeen 
thousand  souls,  in  round  numbers.  The  statistics  of  said  census 
not  having  been  published  at  the  date  of  this  writing,  we  take 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


03 


the  county  assessment  of  1880  as  the  basiis  for  the  following  sta- 
tistics : — 

251,657  acres  of  land,  assessed  at      .         .  S3,8:!l,729 

4207  town  lots 414,1,SS 

Personal  property  of  every  description,     .  l,12o.246 
Railroad  property,  with  the  exception  of 

Illinois  Central  and  its  branches,        .  26<1,049 


Total, 


.     85,634,212 


The  assessed  value  of  property  is  about  forty  per  cent,  of  the 
actual  value,  hence  the  wealth  of  the  county  may  safely  be  esti- 
mated at  twelve  millions,  or  about  S700  per  capita, — a  splendid 
showing. 

The  agricultural  statistics  of  the  county  for  the  year  1880 
account  but  for  198,859  acres,  or  four-fifths  of  its  area.  They 
are  here  introduced  as  follows :  82,779  acres  of  corn,  having  pro- 
duced 2,714,168  bufhels;  12,776  acres  of  wheat  (winter),  pro- 
ducing 191,221  bushels;  1901  acres  of  spring  wheat,  18,209 
bushels;  15,203  acres  of  oats,  397,153  bushels;  2127  acres  of 
orchards,  91,938  bushels  of  fruit ;  2248  acres  of  rye,  37  742  bush- 
els ;  25  acres  of  barley,  329  bushels ;  309  acres  of  potatoes,  20,084 
bushels ;  14,418  acres  of  meadows,  producing  17,167  tons  of  hay  ; 
509   acres  of  all  other  field  productions,  valued  at  .?4,450. 

One-fifth  of  the  area  of  the  county  was  donated  to  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  Company,  about  the  year  1853,  and  as  this 
company  received  all  the  open  land  in  each  alternate  section,  it 
may  be  inferred  that,  prior  to  said  time,  three  fifths  of  the  land 
had  been  entered.  We  have  shown  above  that  83,000  acres  had 
been  entered  during  a  period  of  time  commencing  November 
1827  and  March  1830.  From  1839  to  1853  some  70,000  acres 
seem  to  have  been  entered. 

The  said  railroad  company  received  the  follosving  quantity  of 
lands,  to  wit : — 


In  range  1,  east. 
In  range  2.  east. 
In  range  3,  east, 
In  range  4,  east. 


9,555,65  acres. 
12,511,03  acres. 
14,598,12  acres. 
14,049,20  acres. 


Total, 


.       50,714,00 

Pauperism. — This  ugly  sore  on  the  body  politic  has  caused  the 
people  of  this  county  less  trouble  than  other  counties  had  to 
endure.  The  accounts  of  public  expenditures  at  an  early  day 
scarcely  mention  this  item,  and  when  mentioned,  the  amounts  of 
money  needed  and  expended  in  this  direction  are  very  small,  to 
wit :  SI  25  in  1839,  and  S7.0U  in  1840.  The  records  of  the 
county  do  not  mention  pauperism  at  all,  though  overseers  of  the 
poor  were  appointed.  A  county  farm,  that  had  been  intended 
for  an  asylum  for  the  helpless  at  an  early  day,  was  sold  again 
December  31st,  1860.  The  few  paupers  in  the  county  at  that 
time  were  farmed  out  under  contracts. 

Soon  after,  however,  it  became  necessary  to  provi<le  ampler 
means  to  meet  the  expenses  of  caring  for  paupers.  The  writer 
found  in  the  tax  levies  of  from  1862  to  1866  the  following 
amounts,  under  the  name  and  title  of  "Pauper  Fund,"  to  wit: 
82,112.83  for  1862;  81,365.34  for  1863;  §2,360.97  for  1864; 
83,349.54  for  1865  ;  and  82,729.57  fiir  1866,— amounting  in  the 
aggregate,  for  those  five  years,  to  811,918.25.  The  tax  levies 
for  all  other  expenditures,  with  the  exception  of  war  and  sinking- 
fund  taxes,  amounted,  during  those  five  years,  to  847,275.01. 
From  it  we  may  infer  that,  at  the  period  mentioned,  pauperism 
absorbed  twenty  per  cent,  of  the  county  tax.     In  1807,  1868, 


and  1869  no  mention  is  made  of  pauper  tax,  and  the  support  of 
paupers  was  treated  as  one  of  the  regular  branches  of  expendi- 
tures. In  1870  and  1871  a  heavy  pauper  tax,  amounting  to 
$7,152.16  and  $7,082.91  respectively,  was  levied.  About  the 
same  time  the  present  county  farm  was  purchased.  The  readi  r 
will  find  a  full  account  of  this  transaction  in  another  part  of  this 
chapter,  under  the  head  of  "'  Government." 

At  present  the  county  paupers  are  domiciled  on  that  farm, 
which  contains  two  hundred  acres  of  good  land,  and  is  provided 
with  ample  buildings,  representing  a  cash  vilue  of  at  least 
812,000.  The  land  is  productive,  and  provides  for  the  wants  of 
its  twenty-three  inmates  of  the  asylum,  six  of  whom  are  insane. 

W.  M.  Moore  took  charge  of  the  farm  in  March,  1879,  as 
Superintendent.  His  administration  has  been  very  successful, 
and  has  given  satisfaction  in  all  directions.  His  salary,  8900 
per  annum,  is,  like  the  salaries  of  all  oflicials  of  the  county, 
below  the  average  salaries  paid  in  the  State. 

INCREASE   OF   POPUL.VTION. 

We  have  seen,  in  the  foregoing,  a  population  of  3247,  in  1840, 
increase  to  5002  in  1850,  to  10,820  in  1860,  to  14,768  in  1870, 
and  to  17,014  in  1880. 

Records  of  births  and  deaths  not  having  been  kept  until 
recently,  it  is  impossible  to  state  how  great  the  natural  increase 
of  population  has  been. 

Marriages  were  solemnized  as  follows:  twelve  in  1839  ;  thirty- 
six  in  1840  ;  forty-one  in  1841  ;  thirty-three  in  1842  ;  forty-four 
in  1843;  twenty-four  in  1844  (must  have  been  an  off  year) ; 
twenty  nine  in  1845 ;  thirty-one  in  1846 ;  forty-sis  in  1847  ; 
thirty-five  in  1848;  fifty-two  in  1849;  sixty-one  in  1850;  fifty- 
two  in  1851 ;  sixty-eight  in  1852 ;  one  hundred  in  1853  ;  eighty- 
eight  in  1854 ;  one  hundred  and  nine  in  1855  ;  one  hundred  and 
twelve  in  1856 ;  ninety-four  in  1857;  one  hundred  and  thirteen 
in  18-58 ;  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  in  1859  ;  one  hundred  and 
four  in  1860;  one  hundred  and  twenty  in  1861 ;  seventy-eight  in 
1862  fwar) ;  seventy-three  in  1863  ;  one  hundred  and  eleven  in 
1864;  one  hundred  and  twenty  in  1865  ;  two  hundred  and  three 
in  1866  (boys  in  blue  are  home  again) ;  one  hundred  and  sixty 
in  1867 ;  one  hundred  and  forty-four  in  1868 ;  one  hundred 
and  fifty-three  in  1869;  two  hundred  and  eighty  in  1870;  one 
hundred  and  fifty-eight  in  1871  ;  three  hundred  and  six  (climax) 
in  1872 ;  one  hundred  and  six  y-f  mr  in  1873  ;  one  hundred  and 
ninety  in  '874  ;  one  hundred  and  fifty  in  }875  ;  one  hundred  and 
thirty-eight  in  1876;  and  one  hundred  and  fifty-one  in  1877; 
hundred  and  forty-five  in  1878 ;  one  hundred  and  seventy  in 
in  1879 ;  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  in  1880, — 4567  mar- 
riages in  forty-two  years. 

The  statistics  of  the  county  in  reference  to  births  and  deaths 
are  as  follows  : — 

Born  during  the  year  1S80, 339  children. 

Died  during  the  ye.ir  18S0, 98  persons. 

Natural  increase, 241 

This  increase,  equal  to  1  1-25  per  cent.,  corresponds  with  the 
general  average  of  the  nation.  It  does  not  seem  large, — 14  to 
1000, —  and  yet  it  would  double  the  population  in  about  sfxty-six 
years,  and  continued  at  the  rate,  it  would  produce  a  population 
of  about  four  millions  in  five  hundred  years. 

COUNTY   GOVERNMENT. 

The  civil  government  of  the  county  of  De  Witt  was  conducted 
by  boards  of  County  Commissioners,  consisting  of  three  members, 
from  the  date  of  its  organization.  May  15th,  1839>  to  December 


64 


HISTOBY  OF  BE  WITT  COVXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


1st,  1849.     The  administrative  duties  then  devolved  on  county   i 
courts,  composed  of  one  county  judge  and  two  associate  justices.    | 

In  l8o9  the  present  system — ^i)verameut  of  county  by  a  Board 
of  Supervisors — superseded  the  county  court*,  and  has  conducted 
the  affairs  of  the  county  ever  since. 

Before  entering  upon  a  recitation  of  the  acts  of  the  otEcers 
conducting  the  affairs  of  the  county,  we  shall  here  introduce  an 
alphabetically  arranged  list  of  the  various  officers  having  served 
the  people  of  the  county  in  the  forty-two  years  of  its  political 
life. 

ROSTEK  OF  COUXTY  OFFICERS  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 

Barnett,  Alexander  L  ,  County  Surveyor,  from  1839  to  1859,  and 

from  1879  to  date. 
Barnett,  Franklin,  County  Commissioner,  from  1841  to  1847. 
Bolin,  William,  Treasurer,  from  1845  to  1847,  and  Sheriff  from 

1848  to  1850,  aud  from  1852  to  1854. 
Blount,  Zeno  H  ,  Recorder,  1847  to  1849. 
Brown,  J.  S.  County  Surveyor,  from  ISGl  to  1863,  and  from 

1869  to  1875. 
Barnett,  Lyman,  Sherifl',  from  1874  to  1876. 
Booth,  W.  H.,  States  Attorney  since  1880. 
Campbell,  D.  B.,  States  Attorney,  from  1839  to  1849. 
Cantrall,  Zebulon,  District  Assessor  in  1840. 
Cottingham,  William,  County  Commissioner,  from  1846  to  1849. 
CundiU',  Henry,  Treasurer,  1847  to  1849. 
Clay,  Samuel  E  ,  Associate  Justice,  from  1857  to  1858,  when  he 

left  the  State. 
Carter,  S.   K.,  Superintendent  of  Schools,   1867  to  1869,  and 

States  Attorney  from  1872  to  1876. 
Campbell,  Barz.,  Sheriff,  from  1860  to  1862. 
Chambers,  W.  L.,  Circuit  Clerk,  1868  to  1872. 
Carle,  J.  T.,  Circuit  Clerk  since  1880. 
Dragstrem,  Daniel,  Assessor,  1839. 
De  Spain,  Peter,  Treasurer,  1840  to  1811. 
Banner,  William,  Associate  Justice  1849,  died  in  office  July  13th, 

1851. 
Donahue,  Michael,  Master  in  Chancery,  1865  to  1871. 
Deland,  James,  Circuit  Clerk,  to  fill  vacancy,  appointed  1880. 
Emerson,  Charles,  States  Attorney  1849. 
.Eads,  A.  A.,  County  Judge,  1861  to  1865. 
Ely,  Lafayette,  Coroner  since  1880. 
Fell,  K.  H.,  Circuit  Clerk,  1839  to  1841. 
Fears,  E.  W.,  Sheriff,  from  1839  to  1844,  and  also  Collector  of 

Revenue  in  1841  to  1843. 
Fuller,  William,  Sheriff,  1854  to  1856. 

Graham,   Samuel,   Associate   Justice,  from  1853  to  1859,  aud 
County  Judge  from  1865  to  1869. 
Green,  J.  M.,  Coroner,  1862  to  1864. 
Green,  H.  S  ,  States  Attorney,  1862.    ' 
Gardiner,  Thomas,  Jr.,  Sherifi',  1870  to  1874. 
Graham,  G-  B.,  Master,  since  1872. 
Graham,  W.  W.,  County  Clerk,  1873  to  1877. 
Ganibrel,  W.,  Treasurer,  1873  to  1877. 
Hall,  H.  H-,  Coroner,  1839  to  1844. 
Hughs,  John,  Commissioner,  1839  to  1841. 
Hall,  Darius,  Assessor,  1841,  and  Coroner  1876  to  1878. 
Hoblett,  T.  B.,  Commissioner,  1842  to  1845. 
Hamilton,  Absalom,  Assessor  in  1843,  and  Recorder  in  1847  to 

1849. 
llammitt,  A.  J.,  Treasurer,  1849  to  1851. 
Hall,  B.  F.,  Coroner,  from  1852  to  185S. 


Hull,  AVilliam,  Coroner,  from  1860  to  1862. 

Hand,  J.  S..  Superintendent,  1863  to  1867. 

Hickman,  W.  W.,  Coroner  in  1868. 

Howell,  J.  H  ,  States  Attorney,  1868. 

Hall,  Jonathan  R.,  County  Judge,  1869  to  1873- 

Hovey,  Lorenzo  D.,  Treasurer,  1871  to  1873- 

Hefferman,  William,  Coroner  in  1871. 

Harri.son,  W.  H ,  Circuit  Clerk,  1872  to  1880. 

Ingham,  J.  K.,  County  Judge  since  1881. 

Jones,  B.  T.,  Treasurer,  1861  to  1863. 

Kelly,  J.  J.,  School  Superintendent,  1859  to  1861,  and  Circuit 

Clerk  from  1860  to  1868. 
Kelly,  Thomas,  Treasurer,  1867  to  1871. 
Kelly,  W.  R.,  State  Attorney,  1876  to  1879. 
Lowry,  William,  Recorder,  1839  to  1841. 
Lafferty,  W.  H.,  Assessor  and  Collector  of  Revenue,  1839  to 

1841,  and  County  Judge  from  1857  to  1861. 
Lane,  Ezekiel,  Sheriff,  from  1850  to  1852. 
Lewis,  Robert,  Circuit  Clerk,  from  1852  to  1860. 
Lemen,  G.  B.,  Associate  County  Justice,  from  1854  to  1857. 
Lutterell,  G.  M ,  Treasurer,  from  1855  to  1857. 
Lamont,  W.  H.,  State  Attorney,  from  1858  to  1860. 
Lukin,  Oliver,  County  Surveyor,  from  1859  to  1861,  and  from 

1863  to  1865. 
Lisenby,  James,  Treasurer,  from  1859  to  1861,  and  County  Clerk 

from  1861  to  1869 
Lafferty,  J.  A ,  Sheriff,  from  1862  to  1864. 
Lisenby,  A.  V.,  County  Clerk  since  1877. 
McGraw,  John  J.,  County  Clerk  from   1839  to  1857,  County 

Treasurer /iro  tem.  in  1840,  School  Superintendent  in  1839 

to  1855,  Master  in  Chancery  from  1839  to  1865,  County 

Judge  from  1877  to  1881. 
Maxwell,  John,  County  Commissioner  in  1839,  four  mouths,  and 

again  from  1845  to  1849,  also  Associate  C'ouuty  Justice  from 

1849  to  1853. 
McPherson,  J.  C,  Treasurer,  1839  and  1840. 
Maltby,  Charles,  Treasurer  and  Assessor,  1841  and  1842. 
Mitchell,   William,  Treasurer  in  1843  and  1844,  Sheriff  from 

1846  to  1848. 
McCord,  W.  Y.,  Associate  County  Justice,  1851  to  1853. 
Meservay,  W.  N.,  Treasurer,  1853  to  1855. 
Merrymau,  H.  H.,  Sheriff,  1856  to  1858. 
McFarlaud,  Josiah,  Coroner,  1858  to  1S60. 
Martin,  S.  H.,  Probate  Justice*  1846  to  1849. 
Morlan,  J.  G.,  Coroner,  1864  to  1868. 
McHenry,  A.  D.,  Sheriff,  from  1864  to  1866,  and  from  1868  to 

1870. 
McMurray,  W.  C,  Sheriff,  from  1866  to  1S68. 
Newcomb,  Daniel,  Circuit  Clerk,  from  1841  to  1848. 
North,  W.  H.,  Superintendent  of  Schools,  1861  to  1863. 
Post,  Russell,  County  Commissioner,  1839  to  1842. 
Paine,  F.  G.,  Probate  Justice,  1839  to  1844. 
Pool,  R.  H,  Recorder,  from  1841  to  1843,  Treasurer  in  1842  and 

1843. 
Post,  Seth,  State  Attorney,  1849,  one  term. 
Pool,  Decatur,  Sheriff,  from  1858  to  1860. 
Porter,  Edward,  Treasurer,  from  1863  to  1867. 
Robbins,  F.  S.,  Assessor  in  1840. 
Richter,  J.  JL,  Coroner,  from  1844  to  1852. 
Robbins,  Daniel,  County  Judge,  1849  to  1857. 
Richardson,  David,  Surveyor,  from  1865  to  1867,  and  from  1875 

to  1879. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


65 


Swearingen,  Jolin,  Assessor  in  1839. 
Springer,  W.  T.,  Treasurer,  1S51  to  1S53. 

Stansbur)',   James  E.,  Treasurer,  from  1855  to  1857,  County 
Clerk  from  1S57  to  1802,  died  iu  office  three  mouths  after 
commencing  a  second  term. 
Tipton,  T.  F.,  State  Attorney,  1866  to  1868. 
Thomas,  Ezekiel,  Coroner,  1874  to  1876. 
Vandeventer,  .James,  County  Commissioner,  18.39  to  1846. 
Vanlue,  F.  JI  ,  School  Superintendent,  1869  to  1873. 
Van  meter,  E.  S.,  State  Attorney  since  1879. 
Wright,  W.  G,  County  Commissioner,  1S47  to  1849. 
Warner,  Johu,  Circuit  Clerk,  1848  to  1852. 
Watson,  C.  C,  Associate  Justice,  1853  to  1854. 
Weldon,  Lawrence,  School  Commissioner,  1855  to  1859. 
^Voodward,  Jesse  J ,  Associate  Justice,  1858  and  1859. 
Walker,  Robert,  County  Judge,  1873  to  1877. 
Welch,  Miss  Mary,  School  Superintendent,  1873  to  date. 
Weedman,  Amos,  Sheriff,  1876  to  date. 
Wilson,  James  A.,  Treasurer,  1877  to  date. 
Young,  W.  H,,  State  Attorney,  1860  to  1862. 
Fird  Board  of  County  Cummuisioners,  Mai/ 15,  1839,  to  Sept.  1839. 
John  Maxwell,  '^ 

James  Vandeventer,    ;-  Commmioners. 
John  Hughs,  J 

The  board  held  their  first  meeting  on  the  15th  of  May,  1839, 
at  Clinton,  which  town  had  been  established  as  the  county  seat 
by  a  public  election  held  on  the  6th  of  May. — Three  hundred 
and  thirteen  votes  had  chosen  Clinton,  while  one  hundred  and 
eighty  had  selected  Marion  as  the  county  seat-  The  abstract  of 
this  election  is  certified  to  by  Iv.  H.  Fell,  circuit  clerk  of  De 
Witt  county,  and  by  William  Anderson,  an  acting  justice  of 
the  peace. 

The  first  orders  made  by  the  board  had  reference  to  a  political 
subdivision  of  the  county  into  six  precincts,  to  wit.: 

Sangamon  precinct — Commencing  at  the  south-east  corner  of 
the  county,  thence  north  to  the  center  line  of  township  twenty, 
thence  west  one  mile,  west  of  division  line  between  range  four 
and  five,  thence  south  to  line  between  townships  eighteen  and 
nineteen,  thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Poll  to  be  at 
the  house  of  John  Madden,  and  John  Madden,  Ezra  Marcus, 
and  John  Mailer  to  be  judges  of  election. 

Mount  Pleasant. — Commencing  on  the  south-east  corner,  thence 
west  with  the  county  line,  one  mile  west  of  the  range  line  between 
four  and  five,  thence  south  of  the  county  line,  thence  with  the 
county  line  to  place  of  beginning,  with  poll  at  Mount  Pleasant. 
Richard  Webb,  John  Dener  and  Denis  Hurley  were  appointed 
judges  of  election. 

Marion. — Commencing  on  the  county  line  between  sections  35 
and  36,  township  19,  range  4  east,  thence  north  to  county  line, 
thence  west,  taking  two-thirds  of  range  number  three,  thence 
south  to  county  line,  thence  east  to  place  of  beginning,  with  poll 
at  the  town  of  Marion.  James  McCord,  Gabriel  Watt,  and 
Hiram  Chapin  were  appointed  judges  of  election. 

Clinton. — Commencing  on  the  south  line  of  the  county,  or 
county  line,  between  sections  32  and  33,  township  19,  north  of 
range  3  east,  thence  north  to  the  north-west  corner  of  section  16, 
township  20,  thence  west  to  county  line,  thence  south  with  the 
county  line  to  the  south-west  corner  of  the  county,  thence  east 
to  the  place  of  beginning,  with  poll  at  Clinton.  Henry  Brown, 
Andrew  Wallace,  and  Thomas  Fruit,  judges  of  election. 

Lonff  Point.  —  Commencing  at  the  north-west  corner  of  section 


9 


16,  township  20,  thence  north  to  county  line,  thence  west  with 
county  line  to  center  of  section  17,  township  21,  thence  south  to 
center  section  17,  township  20,  thence  east  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning, with  poll  at  the  house  of  Samuel  P.  Glenn.  William 
Hougham,  S-  P.  Glenn,  and  Samuel  Spencer,  jr ,  judges  of  elec- 
tion. 

New  Castle. — Cemraenciug  in  the  center  of  section  17,  in  town- 
ship 21,  north  of  range  1  east,  thence  south  with  the  said  center 
line  to  section  17,  in  township  20,  thence  west  to  county  line, 
thence  with  said  line  to  the  place  of  beginning,  with  poll  at  ISew 
Castle.  Andrew  Brock,  John  Hoblett,  sen.,  and  .John  Barr, 
judges  of  election. 

The  board  next  proceeded  to  organize  and  divide  the  county 
into  nineteen  road  districts,  and  to  appoint  the  following  citizens 
supervisors  of  public  roads,  to  wit.:  Joseph  Howard,  John  Hum- 
phries, Ambrose  Hall,  John  Lowry,  Isaac  Davenport,  Henry 
Distion,  William  Dye,  G.  D.  Smallwood,  Tyre  Harp,  William 
Pierce,  Abraham  Marins,  Andrew  G.  Winkler,  Samuel  Cline, 
Isaac  Swisher,  William  Bolin,  Allen  Turner,  George  Isham,  and 
T.  R.  Hoblet. 

The  various  roads  through  the  county,  designated  either  as 
state  or  as  county  roads,  were  declared  to  be  county  roads  of  the 
new  county  of  De  Witt. 

William  Lowry  (see  pioneers),  qualified  as  county  recorder, 
and  Fleming  G.  Paine,  took  the  oath  of  office  a^  probate  justice, 
the  clerk  of  the  court  of  county  commissioners,  John  J.  McGraw, 
was  appointed  school  commissioner;  Jesse  C  McPherson,  county 
treasurer,  and  W.  H.  Lafferty  collector  of  taxes  for  that  portion 
of  the  county  formerly  belonging  to  McLean  county.  The 
valuations  of  that — (the  northern) — part  of  the  county,  amounted 
to  one  hundred  and  fourteen  thousand,  seven  hundred  and 
eighty  six  dollars  ;  the  rate  of  tax  was  30  cents  per  hundred  dol- 
lars of  assessed  values.  The  prospective  revenue  for  the  first 
year  was  therefore  only  8344.35.  The  taxes  to  be  paid  on  the 
property  situated  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county,  formerly 
part  ot  Macon  county,  was  being  collected  by  the  authorities  of 
said  county.  More  than  one-half  of  the  first  year's  revenue  of 
the  county  of  De  Witt  was  thus  lost  to  the  county.  The  amount 
was  but  small,  yet  the  loss  was  felt  severely.  The  county  had 
to  enter  upon  its  mision  of  an  independent  corporation  in  a  de- 
pendent condition,  so  to  say,  ushered  into  existence  with  a  debt, 
in  embryo.  The  financial  condition  of  the  county  was  bad  in 
the  beginning,  nor  did  it  improve  for  years  thereafter.  The 
board  organized  a  seventh  precinct, — 

WaynesviUe — from  parts  of  New  Castle  and  Long  Point,  pre- 
vious to  the  regular  August  election,  and  appointed  Zebulon  G. 
Cantrall,  Thomas  Cuppy  and  David  Montgomery  judges  of 
election. 

Henry  Dishon  contracted  for  the  building  of  a  court-house,  to 
be  completed  by  September,  1S39,  and  for  which  the  county  was 
to  pay  to  him  the  sum  of  sixteen  hundred  and  four  dollars. 
E.  W.  Fears  appears  as  the  first  sheriff,  and  A.  L.  Barnett  as 
first  surveyor  of  the  county.  Daniel  H.  Dragstrem  was  ap- 
pointed constable  of  New  Castle  precinct. 

Second  Board  of  County  Commissioners. 
J.4.5IES  Vandeventer,  ") 
John  Hughs,  -  1839  to  1840. 

Ru.ssELL  Post,  J 

The  court  house  was  completed,  as  contracted  for,  and  was 
received  on  the  2d  of  September  by  the  commissioners.  The  con- 
tractor received  on  payment  two  county  bonds  of  .3302,00  each, 


6(j 


J I  [STORY  OF  DL  ■  WJTT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


due  in  18  and  36  months,  and  bearing  interest  at  the  rate  of 
twelve  per  cent,  per  annum.  These  two  bonds  remained  unpaid 
fur  many  j'ears' ;  the  county  managed,  however,  to  pay  the  12 
per  cent,  interest,  with  regularity. 

Preparations  were  now  made  to  hold  a  terra  of  the  circuit 
court  at  Clinton  ;  the  board  appointed  the  following  citizens  to 
constitute 

THK  FIRST  GRAND  JURY. 

Samuel  Hobblet,  John  Barr,  James  Downy,  John  Montgomery 
Matthesv  McElheny,  Thomas  M.  Glenn,  Frederick  Troxel, 
Daniel  Newcomb,  Thomas  Fruit,  Charles  JNI.  Simonsou,  Ambrose 
Hall,  William  Wright,  Franklin  Barnett,  John  Walker,  John 
Lowry,  Polly  Richards,  George  B.  Lemen,  James  McCord, 
John  Lane  John  Danner,  Preston  Webb,  John  S.  Madden,  and 
AVilliam  Baily. 

The  acts  of  this  and  other  grand-juries  are  mentioned  under 
the  heading  of  ■'  Circuit  Court."  to  which  our  readers  are  referred. 

The  proprietors  of  the  town  lots  of  Clinton  had,  in  accordance 
■with  the  act  of  the  legislature  creating  the  county  of  De  Witt, 
to  donate  to  the  county  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars,  either 
ia  money  or  in  real  estate,  to  be  appraised  by  competent  parties. 
The  question  of  the  location  of  the  county-seat  had  been  decided 
by  tJie  elections  above  mentioned.  From  the  number  of  votes 
cast,  493 — it  may  be  inferred,  that  all  voters  took  a  deep  interest 
in  the  raat'er,  and  no  one  seems  to  have  ab-taiaed  from  voting. 
The  feeling  between  the  rival  towns,  Marion  and  Clinton,  had 
become  rather  warm,  and  the  decision  of  the  Gth  of  May,  183d, 
was  by  no  means  considered  final  However,  the  C'lintonians 
had  it,  "'and  the  proprieiors  of  the  town  lots  were  ready"  to  ful- 
fill their  part  of  the  contract.  Hugh  Bowles,  Henry  Dishon 
and  J.  J.  McGraw  acted  as  appraisers  lor  the  projjrjetors  had 
chosen  to  donate  lots  in  lieu  of  the  two  thou-and  dollars  cash  to 
the  county,  In  consequence  of  the  appraisement  thus  had,  the 
following  deed  was  executed,  to  wit. : 

State  of  II,LI^'OIS  |  This  indenture  made  and  entered 
])e  Witt  County,  j  into  this  20th  day  of  September,  A.  D. 
1839,  between  Jesse  W.  Fell  and  Hester  V.,  his  wife,  of  the 
county  of  McLean,  and  State  of  Illinois,  of  the  first  part,  and 
James  Vandeventer,  John  Hughs  and  Kussell  Post,  County  Com- 
missioners of  the  county  of  De  Witt,  and  State  of  Illinois,  and 
their  successors  in  office  of  the  second  part,  Witnesseth,  that 
whereas  by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  .State  of  Illinois, 
entitled  an  act  for  the  formation  of  De  Witt  county,  it 
was  provided  among  other  things  that  the  proprietor  or  proprie- 
tors of  the  town  where  the  county  seat  should  be  established 
should  donate  to  the  said  county  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars, 
or  in  lieu  thereof,  at  their  discretion,  grant  and  convey  town  lots 
or  other  lands  situated  in  or  about  the  town  where  the  county- 
seat  should  be  located,  to  the  value  of  two  thousand  dollars;  and 
whereas,  the  county-seat  of  said  county  of  De  Witt  was,  in  man- 
ner prescribed  by  said  act,  established  at  the  town  of  Clinton  on 
the  first  Monday  in  May,  A.  D.  1^39.  Now,  therefore,  J.  W. 
Fell  and  Hester  Vernon  his  wife,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
said  town  of  Clinton,  in  considcraticn  of  the  premises  do,  give, 
grant,  bargain,  sell  and  convey  to  the  said  county  commissioners,  j 
and  their  successors  in  office,  for  the  u.se  of  and  in  trust  for  the 
inhabitants  of  said  county  of  De  Witt,  the  following  described  i 
loti,  to  wit. :  Lot  No.  4,  block  No.  1 ;  Lots  No.  1  and  2,  I 
in  block  No.  2 ;  Lots  No.  7  and  8,  in  block  No.  14;  Lots  No.  5, 
6,  and  8,  in  block  No.  20 ;  Lots  No.  3  and  4,  in  block  No.  20,  j 
and  Lots  No.  5,  6,  7  and  8,  in  block  No.  30,  all  of  said  town  of 


Clinton,  as  marked  and  tecorded  in  the  recorded  plot  thereof, 
with  all  the  privileges  thereunto  belonging,  or  in  any  wise  ap- 
pertaining. To  have  and  to  hold  the  aforesaid  lots  to  the  said 
county  commissioners  and  their  successors  in  office,  for  the  uses 
aforesaid  forever. 

And  I,  the  said  Jesse  W.  Fell,  for  myself  from  my  heirs,  ex- 
ecutors and  administrators,  do  covenant  to  and  with  the  said 
County  Commissioners  and  their  successors  that  I  will  forever 
warrant  and  defend  the  title  of  the  aforesaid  lots  against  the 
lawful  claims  of  myself,  my  heirs,  or  assigns,  and  against  the 
claim  of  every  other  person  or  persons  whatsoever.  In  testi- 
mony whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seals  the  day 
and  year  aforesaid. 

J.  W.  Fell.  [seal.] 

Hester  V.  Fell,     [seal.] 

This  deed  was  acknowledged  before  Geo  F.  Markley,  notary 
public  of  McLean  county,  111.,  on  the  21st  of  September,  1839, 
and  recorded  in  book  A,  on  pages  145,  14G  and  147,  Dewitt 
County  Records,  on  the  14th  of  March,  1840.  By  similar  deeds 
Peter  and  Evelina  A.  Withers  convey  to  the  county  lots  1  and  2 
in  block  20 ;  James  Allin  and  Catharine,  his  wife,  lot  5  in  block 
15,  lots  .5  and  6  in  block  IS,  lots  5,  6,  7  and  8  in  block  19,  lots  3 
and  4  in  block  30,  lots  3  and  4  in  block  29,  lots  5,  6,  7,  and  8  in 
block  25,  and  John  Anderson  the  Public  Square,  to  wit :  40  feet 
of  the  west  side  of  lot  No.  5  and  block  No.  9,  and  more  particu- 
larly described  as  follows :  Cojumencing  at  the  south-west  corner 
of  said  lot,  and  running  thence  north  123]  feet  to  the  north  side 
of  said  public  square,  thence  west  40  feet  to  the  place  of  be- 
ginning. 

Thus  the  county  obtained  possession  of  thirty-two  lots,  valued 
at  82,000,  or  St>2.o0  each,,  rather  a  fancy  price,  as  subsequent 
events  amply  proved.   . 

The  public  square  had  been  lad  out  and  properly  recorded  as 
such  on  the  1st  day  of  October,  1835,  almost  four  years  prior  to 
these  donations.  The  title  of  the  county  to  the  public  square  is 
imperfect  for  this  very  reason.  The  county  will  have  to  build  a 
new  court-house  sooner  or  later,  and  should  then  erect  it  on 
grounds  actually  owned  and  possessed  by  the  county.  Public 
squares  are  not  intended  for  buildings  of  this  or  any  other  kind, 
and  people  cannot  be  legally  taxed  to  erect  public  buildings  on 
real  estate  not  owned  by  the  authority  ordering  such  tax  levies 
to  be  made.  Besides,  it  may  be  said  that  the  ])resence  of  a  court- 
bouse  on  the  publie  square  is  detrimental  to  the  development  of 
the  city  in  all  other  directions. 

We  return  to  the  county  affairs. 

The  board  granted  the  prayer  of  D.ivid  Macon  to  erect  a  mill- 
dam,  five  and  one-half  feet  high,  across  Salt  creek,  on  the  north- 
west quarter  of  the  north-east  quarter  of  section  19  north,  range 
2  east.  R  Edwin  Post,  of  Waynesville,  obtained  license  to  re- 
tail liquors — the  first  license  granted  by  the  authorities  of  the 
county. 

The  board  next  proceeded  to  examine  into  the  financial  affairs 
of  the  county,  and  caused  the  treasurer,  J.  C.  MePherson,  to  sub- 
mit a  detailed  report  at  the  December  term,  1839.  This  rejiort 
is  still  on  file ;  we  give  it  in  full,  to  wit ; — 

REI'ORT  OF  J.  C.  Mc-rilERSOX,  Teeasuker. 
Br 

Amount  received  for  licenses ?     10  00 

Amount  received  for  fines 24  00 

Amount  received  in  town  lots,  .is  p;irt  of  donations  to  tlie  county 

from  proprietors  of  Clinton  ;  appraised  value 1,3G9  00 

One  promissory  note  in  liand  of  trtasurer 24  00 

?1,427  00 


/$^ 


PUBLIC    BU ILD  I NGS  ,   Da    Witt  County,  I  ll  . 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


67 


Cr. 

By  cash  paid  to  K.  IT.  Fell 

By  cash  jiaid  E.  W.  Fears  ;  services  as  slieril 

By  county  orders  due  and  unpaid 

By  courtdiotise  bonds  issued  Sept.  2,  18o9  . 
By  balance  m  favor  of  county 


GU-1 

UO 
.OS 

51,4-27 

0(1 

This  report  seems  to  have  given  full  satisfaction,  inasmuch  as 
the  couuty  had  a  surplus  of  Si79.5S  after  all  its  debts  had  been 
discharged  and  paid  in  full.  A  closer  examination  of  the  report 
will  develop  a  less  prosperous  and  plethoric  condition  of  the 
treasury.  The  treasurer  had  received  not  more  nor  less  than 
S34.00  into  the  treasury,  and  was  called  on  to  pay  8947.42, 
therewith  clearly  demonstrating  that  the  revenue  then  being 
eollected  would  barely  suffice  to  pay  one-third  of  the  county  in- 
debtedness. The  report  does  not  show  who  paid  those  SIO.OO 
for  license.s,  nor  who  had  been  fined.  It  is  to  be  presumed,  how- 
ever, that  the  fine  item  is  the  proceeds  of  eight  fist-fights,  the 
usual  fine  being  83,  until  Esquire  McGraw  raised  it,  as  will  be 
seen  in  our  chapter  on  Pioneers. 

The  promissory  note  has  remained  promissory  to  this  date  ;  it 
was  made  by  one  Bradshaw,  and  has  received  reinforcements  or 
compromises  in  the  shape  of  similar  notes ;  they  are  still  on  file 
in  the  county  clerk's  office  at  Clinton,  and  apt  to  remain  there. 
The  lot  item  of  81,369  has  long  ago  been  stripped  of  its  illusion. 

We  come  now  to  the  credit  items,  and  find  them  solid  and 
genuine ;  they  all  had  to  be  met,  and  were  met,  although  at  a 
much  later  day ;  the  court-house  bonds  were  redeemed  in  18.53. 

In  March,  1840,  the  board  appointed  Joseph  Bowles,  John 
Montgomerv  and  Daniel  Robbins  overseers  of  the  poor.  This 
office  proved  a  sinecure,  for  fortunately  thecounty  of  DeWitt  had 
but  few  if  any  paupers  in  its  limits  at  that  time.  The  first 
pauper  it  mentioned  in  the  census  reports  of  1850. 

McPherson  resigned  the  office  of  treasurer  on  the  17th  of 
March,  1844,  and  was  succeeded  by  John  J.  McGraw,  appointed 
treasurer  ^;ro  (em. 

The  board  ordered  a  road  tax  of  ten  cents,  and  road  laljor  of 
two  days. 

The  first  assessment  of  taxable  property  was  returned  to  the 
court  in  June,  1840,  by  John  Swearingen,  W.  H.  LafTerty  and 
Daniel  Dragstrem,  district  assessors,  who  received  seventy-two 
dollars  for  their  work.  These  officers  had  been  very  exact  and 
conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties.  The  assessed 
values  correspond  with  the  actual  values,  as  appears  from  deed 
records  and  administrators'  sale  of  personal  property  records. 
The  assessed  value  in  1840  was  8305,920.  The  tax  levy  was  30 
cents  per  100. 

W.  H.  Lafl'erty  was  appointed  census  commissioner  for  the 
county  at  the  June  term,  1840.  His  reports  seem  to  have  been 
lost  or  destroyed. 

Third  Board. 

John  HuGnr..«,  ') 

RUS.SELL  Post,  - 1840  to  1841. 

James  Vandevextee,  (re-elected)  ) 

The  necessity  of  having  a  proper  prison  at  the  county-seat  had 
become  more  and  more  apparent,  the  board  therefore  invited 
bids  for  the  building  of  a  jail,  to  wit: 

"  To  be  fourteen  feet  square  in  the  clear,  two  stories  high,  the 
lower  story  to  be  eight  feet,  the  upper  seven  feet  high ;  lower 
story  to  be  built  of  timbers  twelve  inches  square  ;  two  walls  with 
a  space  of  four  inches  between  said  walls,  said  space  of  four 


inches  to  be  filled  with  timbers  upright;  the  lower  floor  to  be 
laid  with  timbers  twelve  inches  square  ;  the  timbers  of  the  second 
floor  also  to  be  twelve  inches  square,  and  the  third  floor  to  be 
composed  of  timbers  ten  inches  thick." 

William  Dishon  took  the  contract,  and  completed  his  work 
June  1,  1841.  He  received  his  pay,  8900.00,  in  county  bonds, 
pavable  in  two  and  three  years,  bearing  interest  at  the  rate  of 
six  per  cent.  He  was  allowed  a  further  compensation  of  825.00 
for  some  extra  work  not  mentioned  in  the  contract. 

P.  De  Spain,  who  had  been  elected  treasurer  in  August,  1840, 
resigned  in  June,  1841,  the  vacancy  being  filled  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  Charles  ^laltby.  W.  H.  Lafl'erty  reported  to  have  com- 
pleted the  collection  of  the  county  revenue,  and  requested  to  be 
credited  with  837.64  of  delinquent  taxes.  From  this  it  would 
appear  that  the  net  revenue  of  the  county,  proceeding  from 
taxation  amounted  in  that  year  to  8880.12. 

E.  W.  Fears  was  appointed  to  collect  the  revenue  of  1841,  the 
tax  rate  being  40  cents,  and  the  assessed  value  had  increased  to 
8392,000. 

Foiirlh.  Board. 

Russell  Post,  ") 

J.vMES  Vaxdeventer,  - 18 tl  to  1S42. 

Fr.vnklix  Barnett.    3 

The  building  of  the  jail  had  increased  the  county  debt — the 
treasury  of  the  county  was  continually  out  of  funds ;  so  another 
slow  and  searching  examination  of  the  financial  condition  of  the 
county  was  resolved  upon. 

The  Treasurer,  Charles  :\raltby,  at  the  December  term,  1841, 
submitted  the  following  report : 

Cash  in  Treaisury, S3  31 

Bills  receivable 306  07 

Tax  bills  in  hands  of  collector 1,503  7.5 

Lots  in  Clinton,  unsold, 899  00 

Balance  due  from  proprietors  of  claims, 607  00 

Credit ; 

County  orders  unredeemed C30  69 

Court-house  bonds 60-t  00 

Jail  bonds W  00 

Balance  in  favor  of  county 1.2-Jl  4-t 

3,379  13    «3,370  13 

Here  is  the  same  state  of  afi'airs  mentioned  in  1839,  the  county 
assets  exceeding  its  liabilities  nearly  81250,  and  yet  no  money  to 
pay  or  redeem  county  orders  and  matured  bonds.  The  "  bills 
receivable"  mentioned  above  are  the  Bradshaw  notes,  etc.  From 
the  statement  above,  it  is  to  be  inferred  that  the  county  had,  up 
to  that  date,  realized  .about  8496  from  the  sale  of  Clinton  town 

lots. 

The  Treasurer  reports  further,  that  during  the  year  ending 
Kovember  30th,  1841,8979-84  had  been  issued  in  county  orders 
to  defray  the  current  expenses  of  the  county.  This  amount  is 
in  excess  of  the  county  revenue,  which,  as  seen  above,  could  not 
have  amounted  to  more  than  8880.  The  county  board  seems  to 
have  been  fully  aware  of  the  want  of  proper  economy  and  man- 
ao-ement  of  the  fiscal  affairs,  for  in  making  the  levy  for  the  ensu- 
ino-  year,  they  provide  for  an  amount  sufficient  to  pay  off'  unre- 
deemed orders  and  to  meet  current  expenses.  The  writer  does 
not  know  what  member  of  the  board  should  be  complimented  in 
the  premises,  and  would  merely  state  that  Franklin  Barnett  was 
the  new  member. 


68 


limiORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


This  financial  report,  like  the  one  of  December,  1839,  is  fol- 
lowed by  the  resignation  of  the  Treasurer,  June  1842,  when  R. 
H.  I'uol  was  appointed  Treasurer/)™  iem. 

Fifth  Board. 

James  Van'devexter,  ') 

Franklin  Baesett,      ■-  1842  to  1843. 

Timothy  B.  Hoelett,  ) 

The  financial  condition  of  the  county  continued  to  improve 
during  the  administration  of  this  board.  The  amount  of  unpaid 
county  orders  was  reduced  to  S305.07  ;  a  part  of  the  "  bills  re- 
ceivable," some  842-00,  were  collected,  and  the  total  amount  of 
expenditures  of  the  county  reduced  to  -S901.60.  There  had  been 
trouble  during  the  year  in  the  collection  of  the  revenue.  E.  W. 
Fears  had  resigned  the  office  of  collector,  and  was  succeeded  by 
William  Mitchell.  The  latter  neglected  to  file  a  bond,  and  was 
superseded  by  E.  W.  Fears,  in  September,  1843.  Mitchell  ren- 
dered a  full  and  succinct  account  of  collections  made  by  him  and 
paid  his  vouchers,  amounting  to  §791.88,  into  court,  as  required. 
The  collectors  of  the  county  performed,  for  many  years,  nearly 
all  the  official  functions  of  the  treasurers,  who  had  apparently 
no  duties  to  perform.  Collectors  would  disburse  the  county 
funds  in  the  payment  of  county  orders  and  juror  warrants,  and 
then  settle  their  accounts  with  these  vouchers,  by  paying  them 
directly  into  court.  The  county  board  would  then  examine  these 
vouchers,  count  them,  and  finally  burn  them.  From  the  finan- 
cial reports  introduced  here,  it  would  appear  that  the  treasurers 
of  the  county,  during  the  first  four  years  of  its  existence,  had 
handled  less  than  SlUO  in  cash,  and  that  they  received  no  com- 
pensation for  their  services.  There  were  not  less  than  seven 
treasurers  in  office  during  those  four  years,  and  all  of  them  but 
one,  R.  E.  Pool,  resigned  before  the  expiration  of  their  respective 
terms. 

The  financial  condition  of  the  county  having  materially  im- 
proved, the  board  reduced  the  annual  county  tax  to  twenty  cents 
per  one  hundred. 

Absalom  Hamilton  was  appointed  to  make  the  county  assess- 
ment for  the  year  1843. 

Sidh  Board. 
Franklin  Barnett,  "> 

Timothy  B.  Hoelett,  '  1843  to  1844. 

James  Vandev  enter,  re-elected.  3 
O.  Wakefield  was  appointed  overseer  of  the  poor,  and  agreed 
to  keep,  clothe,  feed  and  guard  a  certain  idiot — John  Bellew — 
for  8120.00  per  annum. 

The  county  tax  was  raised  to  thirty  cents,  as  the  financial 
statement  of  1843  exhibited  an  increase  of  county  indebtedness, 
and  consequently  a  depreciation  of  county  orders. 

From  March,  1844,  the  county  sheriffs  became  collectors  of 
revenue,  and  the  treasurers  became  assessors  by  virtue  of  their 
office. 

Seventh  Board. 
Timothy-  B.  Hoelett,  ^ 

James  Vandeventer,  '-    1844  to  1 845. 

Franklin  Barnett,  re  elected.  3 

During  the  year  the  citizens  of  the  county  were  greatly  agi- 
tated about  some  questions  in  reference  to  changing  the  county 
seat,  dividing  the  county,  or  making  additions  to  it. 

Presley  Williams  and  four  hundred  others  had  petitioned  the 
State  Legislature  to  make  Waynesville  the  county  seat. 


Another  petition,  signed  by  E.  W.  Wright  and  four  hundred 
and  seventy-six  others,  prayed  for  a  division  of  the  county ; 
while  B.  R.  Warfield  and  four  hundred  and  forty-one  others 
remonstrated  against  Wright's  petition. 

The  reader  will  perceive  that  this  petition  and  the  remon- 
strance against  it  aroused  the  most  profound  interest  of  all  citi- 
zens, for  there  appear  the  signatures  of  nine  hundred  and  thirty- 
nine  citizen/  attached  to  either  one  or  the  other  of  said  documents. 
Many  citizens  were  wholly  wrapped  up  in  the  business,  so  that 
they  signed  the  petition  as  well  as  the  remonstrance. 

John  J.  McGraw,  county  clerk  at  the  time,  careful  and  accurate, 
compiled  the  names  of  all  voters  of  the  county  by  precincts,  and 
stated  officially,  and  above  the  seal  of  the  court,  that  the  county 
of  De  Witt  counted,  in  August,  1844,  not  more  nor  less  than 
six  hundred  and  seventy-five  voters.  This  list  is  still  on  file  in 
the  clerk's  office, — our  chapter  on  Pioneers  contains  it  at  length. 

Another  petition,  headed  by  W.  E.  Sawyer  and  signed  by 
two  hundred  and  eighty  one  others,  prays  the  State  Legislature 
to  add  a  part  of  Logan  county  to  De  Witt.  Fred  Troxell  and 
three  hundred  and  forty-seven  others  remonstrated  against  Saw- 
yer's prayer,  saying  that  the  object  of  it  was,  first,  to  add  terri- 
tory to  the  county ;  next,  to  divide  the  county,  and,  finally,  to 
get  the  county  seat  away  from  Clinton. 

F.  G-  Paine,  probate  justice,  resigned  his  offi;e  on  July  4th, 
1844.  It  is  not  known  what  induced  him  to  tender  his  resigna- 
tion at  the  nation's  holiday,—  his  letter  seems  to  indicate  ill 
humor,  to  wit : — 

J.  J.  McGraw,  Esij.,  Clerk  of  the  Coun-ty  Commi.ssioners'  Court  : 

I  hereby  resign  the  office  of  Probate  Justice  of  ifie  Peace,  to  wllich  I 
was  comnjissloned  by  the  Governor  of  the  State  of  Illinois  Jor  the  county 
of  De  Wilt.  I  shali  refuse  to  do  business  in  that  office  from  and  after  the 
present  day.  You  are  therefore  authorized  to  issue  a  writ  of  election  to 
fill  my  vacancy, 

A  financial  statement,  dated  June,  184.5,  represents  an  indebt- 
edness of  S1624.31,  and  not  a  dollar  in  the  treasury.  The  avail- 
able assets  consisted  in  the  delimiueut  tax  list  for  the  current 
year,  amounting  to  $170.55. 

Eighth  Board. 

James  Vandeventer,  ^ 
Franklin  Barnett,      '-  1845  to  1846. 
John  Maxwell.  3 

The  first  inquest  of  the  county,  held  by  J.  H.  McPherson  on  the 
body  of  Matthew  K.  Martin,  occurred  during  this  administra- 
tion. The  reader  will  find  a  full  account  of  this  murder  case 
under  the  heading  of  "  Courts." 

There  is  nothing  further  of  any  interest  to  mention.  The 
county  debt  was  slowly  increasing  ;  it  amounted  in  June,  184G, 
to  $1959.54,  and  no  money  in  the  treasury. 

Ninth  Board 

Franklin  Barnett,      ~) 
John  Maxwell,  I  1846  to  1847. 

William  Cottingiiam,  j 
This  board  undertook  to  build  a  new  court-house.     The  Clerk 
was  instructed  to  invite  bids,  by  advertisements  in   Springfield 
papers.     John  Maxwell  protested  against  these  proceedings,  and 
had  his  protest  entered  upon  the  records,  as  follows: — 

"I,  John  Maxwell,  one  of  the  members  of  the  County  Commissioners' 
Board  of  De  Witt  County,  do  hereby  dissent  and  enter  my  most  solemn 
protest  against  the  majority  of  said  board  in  relation  to  the  building  of  a 
court-house,  or  receiving  proposals  for  the  same ;  jirsf,  believing  that  the 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COL'STY,  ILLIl^GIS 


09 


people  are  already  oppressed  with  taxation,  and  the  county  is  already  some 
twelve  or  fourteen  hundred  (over  two  thousand)  dollars  in  debt,  and  that  the 
people,  who  should  ever  rule,  have  not  been  consulted  on  the  subject; 
the»e,  with  many  other  reasons,  I  deem  sufficient  to  dissent  from  the  ma- 
jority, being  determined  to  do  no  act  of  this  kind  without  consulting  the 
people.'' 

The  fiscal  statement  of  June,  1S47,  shows  a  county  debt  of 
S-I1T.35,  with  §16.70  in  the  treasury  to  meet  it. 

Tenih  Board. 
John  Maxwell,  -\ 

William  Cottixoham.   -  1847  to  1848. 
W.  G.  Wright.  j 

Tiie  protest  of  Maxwell's  had  delayed  the  building  of  the 
court-house  for  almost  a  year ;  meanwhile  the  question  had  been 
diligently  mooted,  and  some  citizens  had  volunteered  pecuniary 
aid  towards  building  a  better  court-house. 

The  records  of  the  board,  December  term,  1847,  contain  the 
following : — • 

"AVhereas,  the  citizens  of  De  Witt  County  have  bound  themselves  to 
raise  one  thousand  dollars,  in  responsible  subscriptions,  for  the  purpose  of 
building  a  court-house  in  the  town  of  Clinton ;  therefore  it  is  ordered  that 
the  County  Commissioners  proceed  to  the  letting  of  .=aid  house  on  the  tirst 
Monday  of  January  next,  said  house  to  be  two  stories  high,  thirty  two  feet 
wide  by  forty-four  feet  long,  built  of  brick,  and  finished  in  a  good  work- 
man-like manner.  It  is  furtlier  ordered  by  the  Court,  that  the  Clerk  cause 
an  adverlisement  to  be  published  in  the  State  Uajisler,  for  three  weeks,  stat- 
ing that  a  court  house  will  be  built,  of  the  size  and  form  aforesaid  ;  that 
§•500  will  he  paid  when  the  walls  are  erected,  and  ?500  when  the  same  is 
completed  and  received,  and  the  balance  to  be  paid  as  to  be  agreed  upon 
by  the  parties  at  the  time  of  accepting  the  bid  ;  bids  to  be  sent  in  by  the 
first  Monday  of  January,  184S." 

Messrs.  Smith  <t-  Dellahuut  took  the  contract  on  the  od  of 
January,  1848,  for  S3, 300.  The  court-house  was  completed  and 
received  in  June,  1849 ;  the  contractors  were  paid  S-65  for  ex- 
tras not  provided  for  in  contract,  to  wit:  "Cupola"  and  painting. 
The  total  cost  of  the  building  was  S3,565.  The  county  issued 
eleven  bonds,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  §2,674. 53,  to  pay 
the  balance  due  to  the  contractors  on  the  day  of  settlement. 
They  seem  to  have  received  previously  the  sum  of  8880.47,  and 
it  is  very  probable  that  this  amount  was  raised  by  voluntary 
contributions. 

Eleventh  Board. 

John  Maxwell,  ") 

William  Wright,  -1848  to  1849. 

William  Cottingham.  ) 

The  building  of  the  court-house  seems  to  have  occupied  the 
attention  of  the  commissioners  to  a  great  extent,  no  other  public 
business  being  considered  during  the  time.  The  collector  of  the 
revenue  of  1847  had  departed  this  life  rather  abruptly,  leaving 
his  accounts  in  a  somewhat  confused  condition.  The  financial 
statement  of  1849  reports  tax-bills  of  1847  to  the  amount  of 
S679  still  outstanding,  and  the  county  debt  to  be  84,250.01,  and 
not  a  dollar  in  the  treasury.  The  ordinary  expenditures  during 
the  year  amounted  to  81,055.20  only. 

Tu-ejflh  Board. 
William  Weight,  ") 

William  Cottingham,         -   Sept.  1,  1849,  to  Dec.  1,  1849. 
John  Maxwell,  re-elected,  j 

The  official  term  of  this  board  was  but  brief.  The  new  con- 
stitution of  Illinois  had  abolished  the  county  boards,  substituting 


in  their  stead  county  courts,  to  consist  of  one  judge  and  two 
associate  justices,  to  be  elected  for  a  term  of  four  years. 

The  last  county  board  perfected  a  settlement  with  the  collector 
of  the  revenue  for  1848,  who  had  also  completed  the  work  of  his 
predecessor. 

From  this  settlement  it  appears  that  William  Mitchell  had 
collected  8252  41  before  his  death. 

The  county  debt  amounted,  as  stated  above,  to  84,250.01, 
to  wit : 

Court-house  bonds  of  1S39 5604  00 

Jail  bonds,  balance  of 205  00 

Accrued  interest  on  ab  jve  Court-house  bonds 600  48 

Court-house  bonds  of  1849 2,674  53 

County  orders — unpaid  166  00 

Total $4"250  01 

First  Co%mty  Court,  1849  to  1853. 

Daniel  Kodbins Judge. 

John  Maxxvell,     \  ^^^^^;^,;^  j,^,,,.^^^_ 
\V  illiam  Danner,  j 

Up  to  this  time  the  authorities  of  the  county  had  in  no  wise 
aided  in  the  improvement  of  roads  and  the  building  of  bridges, 
so  much  needed ;  nor  had  the  financial  condition  of  the  county 
permitted  any  appropriations  for  this  purpose. 

In  1850  the  county  court  had  bridges  built  over  Rock  Creek, 
Big  Slough,  south-east  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Salt  Creek,  at  the 
crossing  of  the  road  from  Clinton  to  Marion  and  South  Fork  of 
Salt  Creek,  near  Mount  Pleasant,  spending  8325  in  their  erection. 
The  current  county  expenditures  during  the  year  exceeded  those 
of  the  preceding  years  to  the  amount  of  about  8500,  gl,229  10 
in  county  orders,  and  8163.85  in  juror  warrants  were  issued 
durino'  the  year.  The  records  give  also  an  account  of  the  town 
lots  in  Clinton,  sold  by  the  sheriff  in  April,  1851.  James 
AUsup  bought  fourteaa  bts  for  8286,  Samuel  Harrold,  one  for 
834.25  ;  S.  Slatton,  one  for  8  30 ;  Nathan  Murphy,  one  for  SiO  ; 
Alex.  Argo,  three  for  884 ;  Samuel  Cox,  one  for  825 ;  W.  N. 
Meservay,  one  for  825 ;  Thomas  Little,  two  for  840,  and  W. 
Yearman,  one  for  820  These  twenty-five  lots  bad  been  ap- 
praised at  81,562.50  in  1839,  and  were  sold  for  8566.25  in  1851. 
No  wonder  that  the  paper  of  the  county  remained  under  par. 

The  county  jail  was  found  by  the  grand  jury  to  be  in  a 
"dilapitated,  unsafe,  and  unfit  condition,"  and  the  sheriff  was 
ordered  to  have  it  repaired  at  once.  The  reader  will  soon  learn 
what  steps  that  officer  took  to  carry  out  this  order. 

Associate  Justice  William  Danner  died  on  the  13th  of  July, 
1851.  The  following  resolutions  were  entered  of  record  Sep- 
tember, 1851 : 

"That  by  the  death  of  William  Danner  the  county  hast  lost  a 
good  citizen,  a  just  and  faithful  judge,  an  upright  and  honorable 
man. 

"That  this  court,  feeling  deeply  the  loss  of  their  associate, 
tender  their  sympathy  to  his  bereaved  family. 

"  That  the  clerk  make  out  and  transmit  to  the  widow  of  the 
deceased  a  copy  of  these  resolutions." 

\V.  Y.  McCord  was  elected  associate  justice  to  fill  vacancy 
caused  by  the  death  of  William  Danner. 

The  county  expenditures  were  constantly  increasing,  the  taxes 
grew  higher,  and  yet  the  public  debt  was  not  reduced.  The 
court  continued  to  make  internal  improvements  by  the  building 
of  numerous  bridges,  and  the  citizens  endorsed  this  proceeding 
by  re-electing  the  county  judge  for  another  term. 


70 


HISTORY  OF  DE   WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Second  County  Court,  1853  to  1857. 
Daniel  Roebins,  Countij  Judge. 
Samuel  Graham,         )    .       ■  .    r    i- 
Charles  C.  Watson,   j  -'1««»^'«««  •^'«*'''<=«- 

The  same  system  of  internal  improvements  was  pursued  during 
this  term.     The  county  tax,  §i,45S.22  in  1853,  was  increased  to 
.  S7,300  in  1854. 

A  short  abstract  of  the  tax  values  of  the  county  may  find 
space  here. 

Value  of  live  stock $400,000 

Moneys  at  interest 135,000 

Siore  goods 70,000 

Farming  utensils 55,000 

All  other  personal  property  150,000 

F.arming  lands 930,000 

Town  and  city  lots 85,000 

Total $1,825,000 

The  state  tax  for  the  year  amounted  to  about  S9,000,  and  the 
local  school  taxes  to  a  little  more  than  $2,000.  The  total  tax 
did  not  exceed  one  dollar  per  one  hundred  dollars  of  tax  value. 
Still  the  usual  growling  at  the  enormous  taxes  were  constantly 
heard.  It  is  very  much  to  be  deplored  that  none  of  the  consti- 
tutional growlers  of  those  years  had  to  pay  taxes,  when  they  had 
run  up,  as  in  the  city  of  Clinton,  to  ten  times  the  amount  men- 
tioned herein. 

The  jail  building  had  meanwhile  remained  an  eye-sore;  the 
peremptory  order  of  the  county  court,  that  the  sheriff  should  at 
once   repair   the   building,   had   been   disobeyed,   iguored,  yea, 
treated  with  contempt.     A  powder  plot  at  Clinton  in  1854 !  and 
so  reported  by  grand  jury  of  the  county,  as  will  more  fully  ap- 
pear from  the  following,  a  verbatim  copy  of  said  report : 
De  Witt  County  Circuit  Court,  May  term,  1855.     Pleas  b  gun 
and  held  at  the  Court-house  in  Clinton,  on   Monday,  the 
14th  day  of  May,  a  d.  1855.     Plon.  Davtd  Davis,  judge 
of  the  8th  judicial  circuit,  composed  of  the  counties  of  De 
Witt,  etc.,  presiding. 

On  the  18th  day  of  May  of  the  said  May  term,  the  following 
order  appears  of  record  : 

The  grand  jury  this  day  returned  into  court  the  following  or- 
der, to  wit : 

"The  grand  jury  have  visited  the  jail  of  our  county,  we  find 
the  roof  very  much  dilapitated,  the  rooms  very  filthy,  and  an 
amount  of  gunpowder,  nearly  two  kegs  spilled  on  the  floor  some 
time  last  year,  and  not  removed,  with  the  probability  that  it  has 
settled  between  the  crossed  timbers  and  beneath." 

It  is  therefore  ordered  by  the  court,  that  all  prisoners  of  this 
county  shall  be  committed  to  either  the  county  jail  of  McLean 
or  :-angamon  counties,  until  the  county  court  of  this  county 
shall  prepare  a  suitable  prison ;  it  is  further  ordered  that  the 
clerk  of  this  court  certify  this  report,  together  with  this  order, 
to  the  county  court  at  its  next  regular  ses  ion. 

State  op  Illinois,  ) 

De  Witt  County  J  '*■  I,  Robert  Lewis,  clerk  of  the 
circuit  court  within  and  for  said  couuty,  do  hereby  certify  the 
above  to  be  a  true  copy  of  the  report  and  order,  as  appears  of 
record  in  this  office  this  3d  of  June,  1855. 

i^^^.^-J  RoBEKT  Lewis,   Clerk. 

William  Bdin,  who  had  been  sheriff  in  1854,  and  ex-ofl5cio 
jailer  of  the  couuty,  was  considered  the  iutellectual  originator, 
the  modern   Robert  Ratesby  as  it  were,  of  this  diabolical  plot ; 


it  has  never  been  ascertained  whom  he  had  intended  for  the  Guy 
Fawks  of  this  conspiracy,  he  probably  intended  to  play  that 
part  too.  However  his  plans,  like  those  of  the  London  plotters 
of  1604,  were  frustrated.  Guy  Fawks'  day  (November  5)  was 
kept  as  a  national  holiday  for  over  two  hundred  years,  and  was 
also  celebrated  in  the  New  England  states  for  many  years. 
Fven  to  this  day,  the  street  gamins  of  London  may  be  seen,  on 
the  5th  day  of  November,  dragging  Guy  Fawks  in  effigy  through 
the  streets  of  Lindon,  and  burning  it  publicly  at  night.  The 
historical  day  of  the  discovery  of  the  De  Witt  county  powder 
plot  is  the  14th  day  of  May.  So  far  the  two  conspiracies  are 
analagous;  they  difl'er,  however,  materially  in  the  objects  to  be 
attained.  Ratesby  and  Fawks  attempted  to  destroy  the  great 
and  good  men  of  the  land,  while  Bolin  aimed  at  the  bad  and 
wretched  jail-birds  of  his  county ;  and  if  hereafter  the  boys  of 
De  Witt  county  should  contemplate  to  celebrate  their  14th  day 
of  May,  let  them  have  a  bjoming  bonfire  in  honor  of  their  grim 
old  sheriff. 

The  county  court  of  those  days  looked  upon  the  matter  from 
a  diflerent  standpoint,  and  contemplated  with  anger  the  extra 
expenditures  to  be  met.  Their  order  in  reference  to  the  affair, 
sinister  as  it  appears,  is  not  plain  nor  very  intelligible — reading 
as  follows : 

■'  The  grand  juiy  has  condemned  the  county  jail  on  account  of 
its  being  in  a  filthy  condition  and  in  need  of  repairs — that  gun- 
powder to  the  extent  of  two  kegs  has  been  spilled  on  the  floor, 
descending  through  the  cracks  thereof,  making  it  unsafe  to  life, 
and  that  Hon.  Judge  Davis  had  thereupon  ordered  that  all 
criminals  or  persons  committed  in  De  Witt  county  should  be 
conveyed  to  the  Bloomingtou  or  Springfield  jails  in  this  state — 
and  that  this  court,  being  of  the  opinion  that  the  gunpowder 
above  alluded  to  was  placed  in  said  jail  by  the  permission  of 
William  Bolin  then  sheritt'.  It  is  therefore  ordered,  that  the  court 
will  choose  a  man,  and  that  the  said  William  Bolin  may  choose 
a  man,  and  if  they  cannot  agree,  the  two  to  choose  a  third  man 
to  value  the  said  jail,  and  that  said  William  Bolin  may  use  any 
means  he  may  choose  for  the  purpose  of  removing  the  difficulty 
so  far  as  the  powder  is  concerned,  at  his  own  risk  ;  and  as  to  the 
cleaning  and  repairing  of  said  jail,  this  court  will  provide,  the 
said  Bolin  being  accountable  only  so  far  as  the  use  of  fire  or 
other  means  he  may  use  for  the  purpose  of  removing  the  danger 
of  the  ponder  to  the  county  for  the  value  of  said  jail." 

The  records  do  not  disclose  who  were  chosen  to  value,  nor 
what  further  measures  were  resorted  to.  It  is  probable,  how- 
ever, that  the  building  of  a  new  jail  in  1857  was  in  part  brought 
about  by  the  plot. 

Charles  C.  Watson  vacated  his  office  in  autumn,  1S54,  and 
was  succeeded  by  George  B.  Lemen  in  December  of  said  year. 

The  Clinton  division  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  No.  216,  were 
granted  the  free  use  of  the  courtroom  up  stairs,  on  condition 
that  said  Sons  repair  damages  done  by  holding  meetings  in  said 
room  previously,  to  repair  broken  benches,  put  new  glass  where 
there  are  holes  in  the  lights,  and  repair  the  plastering  around 
the  stove-pipe.  This  order  leads  us  to  infer  that  the  meetings  of 
these  Temperate  Sons  had  been  rather  intemperate. 

On  the  26th  of  January,  1857,  the  bids  for  building  a  new 
jail  were  opened,  and  the  contract  awarded  to  Hoagland  &: 
Ricketts,  who  offered  to  build  the  jail  according  to  plans  and 
specifications  for  $12,000  in  cash,  or  for  $14,578.40  in  county 
bonds,  bearing  interest  at  the  rate  of  six  per  cent,  per  annum 
from  date ;  the  building  was  to  be  completed  on  or  before 
December  1,  1857. 


HISTORY  OF  DL  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


The  court  chose  the  bond  bid,  and  the  contractors  filing  a  good 
and  sufBcient  indemnity  bond,  issued  a  number  of  bonds,  amount- 
ing in  the  aggregate  to  817,223.00,  to  become  due  in  June,  1857 
1858,  1859,  and  1860,  respectively,  bearing  six  per  cent,  annual 
interest  from  date  of  issue,  viz.,  March  6th,  1857,  in  payment  of 
work  hereafter  to  be  done ! 

W.  Bolin,  G.  B.  Lemen,  and  Jesse  Stout  were  appointed  ex- 
perts to  inspect  the  work  as  it  progressed.  The  jail  was  to  be 
built  on  the  plans  of  the  Tazewell  county  jail,  then  considered 
one  of  the  best  in  the  State. 

The  ground  on  which  it  was  to  be  erected  had  been  bought  of 
Fred.  Hanguer,  who  received  his  pay,  viz.,  8623.87,  in  ten  per 
cent,  interest-bearing  county  bonds,  March  2d,  1858.  We  have 
failed  to  ascertain  why  the  county  court  issued  and  paid  over 
to  the  contractors  817,223  in  county  bonds,  instead  of  814,578.40, 
as  previously  agreed  upon.  The  cash  bid  of  812,000,  made  at 
the  same  time,  indicates  that  the  county  paper,  at  the  time  of 
receiving  bids  (January  2d,  1857),  was  worth  about  eighty-three 
cents  per  dollar.  Two  months  later  (March,  lS57j,  it  seemed  to 
have  taken  817,223  in  county  bonds  to  represent  812,000  in 
money ;  in  other  words,  county  orders  were  then  worth  only 
seventy  cents  per  one  dollar. 

This  unfavorable  condition  of  the  finances  of  the  county  de- 
layed the  work  of  the  contractors,  who,  in  one  instance,  had  to 
hypothecate  89000  of  those  bonds  to  obtain  a  temporary  loan  of 
only  82500.  In  July,  1858,  the  county  court  negotiated  with 
A.  Gridley  &  Co.  a  loan  of  812,000,  in  order  to  have  funds  with 
which  to  pay  the  work  on  the  jail  as  it  progressed.  The  money 
was  placed  in  the  McClean  county  bank,  and  was  to  be  checked 
out  by  Robert  Lewis,  and  onlj-  in  favor  of  the  jail  contractors, 
and  in  amounts  in  accordance  with  the  progress  of  the  work. 

This  is  the  first  instance  of  placing  public  funds  under  the 
control  of  a  fiscal  agent,  of  rudely  ignoring  the  county  treasurer, 
and  in  defiance  of  the  revenue  law.  The  jail  bonds  mentioned 
above  (817,223)  seem  to  have  been  surrendered  to  the  county 
court  in  part  only,  as  some  of  them  are  marked  "  paid,"  and 
defaced  ;  none  of  them  have  been  destroyed,  and  they  all  remain 
on  file  in  the  Clerk's  oiBce.  No  financial  statements  are  men- 
tioned during  this  period,  and  with  part  of  the  county  funds  in 
another  county,  part  in  hands  of  collectors,  and  balance,  if  any, 
in  the  hands  of  treasurer,  it  would  scarcely  have  been  possible 
to  have  a  correct  and  succinct  statement  made. 

The  people  of  the  county  had  meanwhile  become  restive  and 
dissatisfied  with  the  management  of  their  affairs.  A  petition, 
signed  by  Kathaniel  Kazey  and  ninety-nine  others,  praying  for  a 
vote  on  the  adoption  of  township  organization,  was  presented  to 
the  court  in  September,  185S.  The  court  thereupon  ordered  a 
vote,  and  the  system  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  1424  against  308 
at  the  November  election  in  1858. 

In  December,  1858,  R.  Lewis  reported  that  he  had  drawn 
85262.22  of  the  county  deposits  in  the  McClean  county  bank. 

A.  L.  Barnett,  Smith  D.  Jones,  and  D.  !M.  Drag  were  ap- 
pointed Commissioners  to  divide  the  county  into  townships. 

In  January,  1859,  Robert  Lewis  reported  that  he  had  drawn 
82450  of  the  jail  funds,  leaving  a  balance  of  84387  78  in  bank. 
The  court  ordered  the  issuing  of  812,433.80  in  new  bonds,  to 
take  up  an  equal  amount  of  jail  bonds  issued  March  7th,  1858, 
which  were  ordered  to  be  caeelled. 

The  county  court  remained  in  activity  until  June  6th,  1859, 
confining  themselves  to  routine  business  only,  when  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  tojk  charge  of  the  government  of  the  county. 


SUPERVISORS. 

First  £oaj-d— 1859  to  1860. 

George  A  Hume,  of  Wapella,  Chairman  ;  Wilson  Allen,  Texas  ; 
B.  G.  Liseuby,  Creek ;  Hiram  Chandler,  Nixon  ;  A.  A.  Eads, 
Barnett ;  W.  B  Smith,  Clintonia ;  John  D.  Hutchin,  Tunbridge  ; 
James  Millmore,  Harp;  Edward  O.  Day,  De  Witt;  Thos.  C. 
Robb,  Waynesville ;  C.  S.  Cain,  AVilson  ;'r.  R.  Knight,  Santa 
Anna;  and  Jonathan  Pearson,  of  Rutledge. 

One  of  the  first  resolutions  of  the  board  was  to  employ  a  com- 
petent attorney  to  attend  to  the  legal  business  of  the  county,  and 
to  be  the  counsellor  of  the  board  iu  their  proceedings.  They 
accepted  the  offer  of  L.  Weldou,  and  fixed  his  compensation  at 
one  hundred  dollars  per  annum. 

Questions  having  arisen  as  to  the  legality  of  the  acts  of  the 
former  county  court  since  April,  1859,  the  Board  asked  C.  H. 
Moore  and  L.  Weldou  for  their  opinion  iu  regard  to  this  matter. 
Tliis  opinion  was  given  on  the  Oth  of  June,  1859,  in  words  as 
fol  lows : — 

'*  To  The  Honorable  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Clintox 

COUNTV. 

"  Gextlemex  : — The  undersigned,  to  whom  you  referred  tlie  qne-stion  : 
'  When  did  the  power  of  the  county  court  of  this  county  over  county  bu.si- 
ness  cease?'  would  give  as  their  legal  opinion,  that  on  and  after  the  first 
Tuesday  of  April,  18-59,  the  county  court,  for  county  business,  ceased  to 
exist,  and  that  any  acLs  done  after  that  time  w^e  illegal  and  void. 

"The  sixth  section  of  the  7th  article  of  our  Coustttutiou  provides  how 
counties  can  adopt  township  organization. 

"The  Legislature,  in  their  Act  of  .\pril  Ist,  1S51,  article  1,  section  4. 
expressly  state.s,  that  if  it  shall  appear  that  a  majority  of  the  legal  votes  of 
said  county  was  cast  for  township  organization,  then  the  county  so  voting 
shall  be  governed  by  and  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act. 

"Township  organization  on  and  after  the  first  Tuesday  in  April  succeed- 
ing said  election. 

"  As  we  presume  that  there  was  nothing  wrong  intended,  permit  us  to 
suggest  that  your  hoard  run  over  all  acts  done  by  them,  and  adopt  all  that 
are  right.  Those  tliat  you  don't  ratify  are  dead  letters,  and  you  had  better 
so  notify  the  Clerk,  Treasurer,  and  Sherifl'.'" 

The  opinion  rendered  was  undoubtedly  correct,  and  the  advice, 
though  unasked,  more  .so,  and  what  is  still  better,  the  board  had 
sense  enough  to  act  on  this  wise  suggestion.  Fault-finding  seems 
to  have  been  the  rule  for  years  and  years;  committees  of  inves- 
tication  chase  one  another;  reports  follow  reports,  until  the  cli- 
max is  capped  by  a  resolution  of  the  board  to  invesilyate  their 
own  actions. 

Returning  to  the  subject,  let  it  be  said  that  the  Board  of  Su- 
pervisors examined  the  proceedings  had  by  the  dcfuuet  county 
court  up  to  the  fourth  day  of  June,  and  that  these  proceedings 
were  sanctioned  by  the  following  resolution  : — • 

"  Resolved,  that  after  a  full  examination  of  the  proceedings  of  the  old 
officers  of  the  old  county  court,  from  the  1st  to  the  4th  of  June,  and  as  from 
the  full  examination  of  laws  and  decisions  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  like- 
wise of  legal  counsel,  we  are  fully  satisfied  that  their  powers  ceased  on  the 
5th  of  April  last,  and  further,  that,  as  we  find  all  bills  that  were  allowed 
were  fair  on  their  face ;  and  we  further  agree  that  the  Clerk  shall  issue  his 
orders  on  the  same." 

From  the  latter  part  of  this  resolution,  it  is  to  be  inferred  that 
the  board  suspected  that  doubtful  claims  or  jobs  had  been  passed 
on  and  ordered  to  be  paid;  hence  the  trouble.  The  "old  mem- 
bers of  the  old  county  court,"  however,  had  acted  wisely  and 
properly  in  confining  themselves  to  routine  business  only,  and  in 
finallv  disposing  of  pending  claims  against  the  county.  These 
"  old  members  of  the  old  county  court "  certainly  knew  more 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  C0U2\TT,  ILLINOIS. 


about  the  merits  of  those  claims  than  a  number  of  new  men 
could  find  out  in  the  brief  space  of  their  sessions. 

The  jail  contracted  for  in  1857  was  received  in  June,  1859. 
Hoagland  and  Rickets,  contractors,  received  the  following 
amounts,  to  wit : — 

First  payment,  bonds  of  March,  1857,       .      82500  00 

Amounts  drawn  from  county  funds  in  Mc- 

Clean  county  bank,     ....       8,776  40 

Subsequent  payments  (June  10th),  proba- 
bly count}'  orders,      ....  041   25 


811,917  65 

The  actual  cost  of  the  jail  seems  to  have  exceeded  this  amount, 
as  will  appear  from  the  following  : — 

Jail  bonds  paid  to  contractors  as  above,     .  82,500  00 

Bonds  issued  January,  1859,  to  take  up  part 
of  first  jail  bonds,  issued  March  7th, 

1857 12,433  80 

Amount  paid  to  contractors  in  cash  as  above,  9,417  65 

Amount  paid  Fred.  Hanguer  for  lot,          .  623  87 


824,975  32 

The  original  jail  bonds,  817,233,  seem  to  have  been  disposed  of 
as  follows : — 

Amount  paid  bona  fide  to  contractors,         .  82,500  00 
Amount  redeemed  by  the  issue  of  January, 

1859 ".  12,433  80 

Amount  surrendered  to  the  county,   .         .  2,289  20 


817,223  00 


On  the  24th  of  June,  1850,  L.  AVelden  was  appointed  agent  of 
the  county  to  prosecute  its  claim  against  the  Federal  Govern- 
ment for  swamp  lands  sold  in  violation  of  the  Swamp-Land  Act 
of  1850. 

Darius  Hall  was  made  the  fiscal  agent  of  the  county,  June 
24th,  1859.  All  county  moneys  were  ordered  to  be  deposited 
with  him,  and  he  was  to  pay  interest  to  the  county  at  the  rate  of 
ten  per  cent,  per  annum  on  all  deposits  left  in  his  hands  for  ovf  r 
sixty  days  This  arrangement,  probably  made  through  motives 
of  economy,  was  wholly  and  absolutely  wrong.  The  Treasurer 
of  the  county  is  by  law  the  custodian  of  all  county  funds,  and 
his  bond  secures  the  county  against  lo.=s. 

The  boundaries  of  the  townships  of  Clintonia  and  Wapella, 
were  changed,  September,  1859 ;  sections  one,  two,  three,  four, 
five  and  six  of  Clintonia  were  added  to  Wapella. 

The  first  tax  levy  made  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  was 
thirty-three  cents  per  one  hundred  dollars. 

John  Warner  was  made  swamp-agent  in  December,  1859,  in 
place  of  L.  Weldon  heretofore  appointed. 

The  boundary  between  Santa  Anna  and  De  Witt  township 
were  clianged  by  taking  off'  from  Santa  Anna  and  adding  to  De 
Witt  the  following  tracts,  to  wit. :  commencing  at  the  north-west 
corner  of  section  thirty,  in  township  twenty,  range  five  east,  thence 
east  to  the  north-east  corner  of  the  north-west  quarter  of  said  sec- 
tion, thence  south  one-half  mile,  thence  east  to  county  line,  thence 
south-west  with  the  county  line  to  the  range  line,  thence  north 
with  the  range  line  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

The  Board,  by  order  of  December,  1859,  prohibited  the  keep- 
ing of  salocns  or  tipling  houses,  by  a  vote  often  against  three- 
Wilson,  Allen,  J.  D.  Hu^chin,  and  Ben.  Lisenby  voting  nay. 


In  March,  1860,  the  Board  instructed  their  attorney,  L.  Wel- 
don, to  bring  suit  against  ex  sheriff  Merryman,  for  the  recovery 
of  revenue  balances  in  his  hands,  viz.,  837500,  from  1856,  and 
8425.00,  from  1857. 

The  finances  of  the  county  were  found  to  be  in  a  very  confused 
state,  so  that  it  became  necessary,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Board,  to 
cause  a  minute  examination  to  be  made.  The  following  resolu- 
tion— the  records  do  not  state  who  brought  it  in,  nor  who  seconded 
it,  was  passed  at  the  same  term : 

Resolved,  1st.  That  on  the  second  day  of  said  term  of  the  Board - 
of  Supervisors,  the  board  proceed  to  issue  bonds  to  the  amounts 
of  fifty  and  one  hundred  dollars,  payable  five  years  after  date 
thereof,  with  8  per  cent  interest,  payable  annually  by  the  county. 

2d.  That  county  orders  or  jury  warrants,  when  presented  to 
the  amount  of  850  GO,  or  its  multiple,  shall  be  exchanged  for 
such  bonds,  and  then  be  cancelled  and  burned,  and  a  record  of 
the  same  be  kept,  in  which  each  bond  issued  chall  be  numbered 
as  issued. 

3d.  That  the  bonds  be  signed  by  the  clerk  and  the  chairman 
of  the  Board,  and  countersigned  by  the  County  Treasurer. 

4th.  That  the  clerk  is  hereby  authorized  to  procure  blank 
bonds  of  the  denomination  of  85U.00  and  8100  00 — to  be  of  some 
good  form. 

5th.  That  the  Board  proceed  to  get  up  a  petition  to  the  legisla- 
ture for  a  law  legalizing  the  issue  of  the  above  bonds. 

6th.  That  these  resolutions  be  published  once  in  the  "  Central 
Transcript." 

Would  it  not  have  been  proper  to  have  given  the  fifth 
resolution  the  place  of  the  first  one?  _  And  why  had  Darius  Hall 
been  made  the  fiscal  agent  of  the  county,  when  there  were  not 
even  funds  on  hand  to  pay  expenses? 

Second  Board— 19,0,0  to  1861. 

Wilson  Allen,  of  Texas  township,  chairman ;  William  Clagg, 
Clintonia;  Hiram  Chandler,  Nixon;  J.  K.  Davis,  Wilson;  A. 
A.  Eads,  Barnett;  William  Faller,  Rutledge ;  J.  D.  Hutchiu, 
Tunbridge;  Tillman  Lane,  Creek;  Thomas  Love,  Wapella; 
Isaac  Monett,  Santa  Anna;  Alexander  McConkey,  De  Wilt; 
Thomas  C-  Robb,  Wayuesville  ;  ana  James  T.  Willmore,  of 
Harp. 

This  Board  held  their  first  meeting  on  the  10th  of  September, 
1860,  having  allowed  the  county  to  govern  itself  for  fully  tix 
months. 

On  the  12th  of  September  the  Board  made  an  order  to  sell 
the  swamp  lands  belonging  to  the  county.  These  lands  seem  to 
have  embraced  some  1934  acres  in  the  aggregate,  454  of  which 
were  sold  at  prices  ranging  from  83.00  to  810-33  per  acre,  net- 
ting 82,844.70. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  the  Board  passed  a  most  sweeping 
order,  in  the  following  resolution,  to  wit. : 

That  the  Board  of  Supervisors  now  in  session,  declare  all  old 
orders,  contracts  or  agreements,  heretofore  made  by  the  county 
judges,  under  county  organization  and  not  consummated  or  en- 
tered into,  shall  be  void  from  and  after  this  day ! ! 

Nullification,  yea,  repudiation.  Shades  of  John  Caldwell  Cal- 
houn ! 

On  the  31st  of  December,  the  board  sjld  the  old  county  farm 
to  R.  E.  Liveney  for  81,202  00. 

A  committee  having  examined  the  books  of  the  circuit  clerk, 
reported  that  docket  fees,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  8306. On, 
had  been  collected,  and  not  been  paid  into  the  cjun  y  treasury. 

Another  financial  measure  of  very  doubtful  merit  was  taken — 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


(see  Buok  C.,  page  97) — by  passing  the  following  resolution,  ap- 
parently not  "  fathered :" 

"That  the  treasurer  of  De  Witt  county  is  hereby  authorized 
to  USB  county  orders  at  10  per  cent,  discount,  in  raising  the 
balance  of  the  money  necessary  to  pay  interest  on  the  jail  bonds, 
after  getting  the  balance  in  the  hands  of  Darius  Hall  due  the 
county,  or  as  much  lower  as  he  can." 

How  is  this  very  remarkable  order  to  be  understood,  or  to  be 
construed?  The  treasurer  is  authorized  to  use  county  orders,  &c. 
How  was  he  to  procure  them?  County  orders  can  only  be  issued 
on  vouchers  duly  audited  and  allowed ;  they  certainly  could  not 
be  ir^sued  as  a  commodity  to  be  sold.  It  is  therefore  to  be  inferred, 
that  county  orders  heretofore  issued  and  redeemed,  were  to  be  put 
on  the  market  again,  a  most  pernicious,  if  not  felonious,  pro- 
ceeding! 

On  January  3d,  1860,  two  bonds,  of  -STOO  00  each,  bearing  8 
per  cent,  annual  interest,  and  maturing  January  3d,  1866,  were 
issued  iu  payment  of  goods  purchased  of  Messrs.  Herring  &  Co. 

Third  Board— \m\  to  1862. 

A.  A.  of  Barnett,  chairman  ;  Wilson  Allen,  Hiram  Chandler, 
Kixon  ;  William  Fuller,  Rutledge  ;  Walter  Karr,  Wapella  ; 
G.  B.  Leraen,  Harp ;  Isaac  REouett,  Santa  Anna ;  Alexander 
McConkey,  De  Witt;  Thomas  Ritchie,  Creek  ;  John  P.  Jlitchell, 
Cl'ntonia;  James  B.  Turner.  Tuubridge;  Bayuton  Tenney, 
Waynesville,  and  Luther  S.  Hubble,  of  Wilson. 

The  first  meeting  of  this  board  was  held  in  May,  1861  Fort 
Sumter  had  been  fired  upon  and  occupied  by  the  rebels ;  the  civil 
■war  was  inaugurated ! 

Thomas  Snell  presented  a  petition  to  the  board,  praying  for 
the  appropriation  of  S.5,000.00  to  defray  the  expenses  of  uniform- 
ing the  volunteers  from  De  Witt  county,  and  to  support  the 
families  of  those  volunteers  while  in  the  field.  This  petition  was 
referred  to  a  special  committee  of  seven,  to  wit.:  Chandler, 
Lemon,  Allen,  Monett,  Tenney,  Fuller  and  Karr,  with  instruc- 
tions to  act  immediately.  The  committee  reported  unanimously 
in  favor  of  granting  the  prayer,  and  upon  motion  of  James  B. 
Turner,  the  following  order  was  made: 

"  Be  it  ordered,  by  the  board  of  supervisors  of  the  county  of 
De  Witt,  now  in  session,  that  John  P.  Mitchell,  John  Bishop 
and  L.  D.  Hovey,  be  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  a  committee 
to  disburse  the  funds  appropriated  by  this  board  for  uniforming 
all  volunteers  from  this  county  regularly  mustered  into  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States,  or  of  this  state,  and  for  the  necessary 
expense  of  assisting  in  the  support  of  the  families  of  those  who 
volunteer,  while  in  service,  and  that  said  committee  shall  have 
power  to  appropiate  so  much  of  said  funds  as  liiay  seem  to  them 
actually  necessary  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  pledging  the  good 
faith  of  the  county  for  the  payment  of  the  same  to  be  drawn  by 
orders  on  the  county  treasurer,  to  be  paid  out  of  money  to  be 
levied  and  collected  for  that  specific  purpose,  by  said  board  at 
the  next  September  term,  in  the  same  manner  as  state  or  county 
taxes  are  now  collected  by  law,  and  that  said  committee  shall 
be  bound  to  make  a  full  report  of  all  their  acts  at  the  regular 
meeting  of  said  board  on  or  before  September  next,  and  before 
entering  upon  their  duties  they  shall  be  required  to  give  an  ap- 
proved bond  to  this  couuty  for  the  faithful  performance  of  their 
duties  for  the  best  interest  of  the  county  in  the  sum  of  810,000  " 

The  committee  reported  in  September  as  provided  above  ;  their 

report  was  approved,  but  never  made  a  matter  of  record,  nor 

could  it  be  found  among  the  files.     A  special  tax,  the  first  war 

tax,  of  12  cents,  was  levied  to  meet  those  expenses,  and  the  col- 

10 


lector  was  instructed  to  pay  the  amount  collected  to  the  trea- 
surer of  the  committee,  instead  of  the  county  treasurer,  where  it 
really  belonged-  The  assessed  value  of  taxable  properly  in  the 
county  was  at  that  time  about  S-,300,000,  and  the  tax  levied 
would  net  about  S2, .500.00,  or  one-half  of  the  amount  appro- 
priated. It  is  therefore  to  be  inferred  that  the  committee 
managed  to  meet  all  necessary  expenses  with  about  S2.500,  in- 
stead of  the  So,000  appropriateil. 

The  August  interest  on  county  bonds,  viz.,  81,200,  was  over- 
due, and  no  funds  were  in  sight,  neither  for  this  nor  the  February 
interest.  The  board  therefore  ordered  that  the  holders  of  said 
coupons  receive  a  bond  of  81,290,  bearing  eight  per  cent,  in- 
terest, and  to  mature  in  186.5. 

According  to  the  amount  of  semi-annual  interest  due  in  Au- 
gust, 1S61,  th;  ouaty  bonded  debt  must  then  have  amounted 
to  830,000  in  eight  per  cent,  bonds,  principally  accrued  from  the 
building  of  the  jail. 

On  February  11,  1862,  the  clerk  was  instructed  to  pay  to  A. 
Gridley  &  Co.  county  orders  to  the  amount  of  Sl.-tl-l.oO,  in  pay- 
ment of  81,200  ia  coupons,  8600  of  which  were  six  months  over- 
due ;  county  orders  seem  to  have  been  worth  85  cents  per  81,00 
at  that  time. 

The  tax  levy  of  1861  was  as  follows: 

Slate     tax,  47  cents  per  .yiOO .510,177  67 

County     ■'     .50      "            "       11,501  15 

War  '      •'     12      •■            "       2,760  27 

Town        "      *>'     "            "        aveno'e  1913  2.5 

Road        "       3!    "            "        .average  877  89 

School      ■■     3.5  J;  "            "        average    8,1:33  .53 

Delinquent  ta.v-s  of  former  year.s 2,191  63 

Total $37,558  39 

or  about  1.53  per  one  hundred  dollars  tax  value.  Wilson  Allen 
was  appointed  a  committee  to  examine  all  county  records,  with 
a  view  of  ascertaining  if  there  were  any  moneys  due  to  the 
county,  and  by  whom. 

Fourth  Board— \%'&1  to  1863. 

Boynton  Tenney,  of  Waynesville,  chairman  ;  H.  P.  Smith,  Santa 
Anna,  William  Fuller,  Rutledge  ;  Luther  S.  Hubble,  Wilson  ; 
Thomas  Loer,  Wapella;  J.  R.  Hall,  Barnett ;  J.  P.  Mitchell, 
Clintonia;  G.  B.  Lemen,  Harp;  Jacob  Swigart,  De  Witt; 
Hiram  Chandler,  Nixon  ;  John  McAboy,  Creek  ;  Wilson  Allen, 
Texas ;  and  Benjamin  Howard,  Tunbriilge.  First  meeting  held 
August  7,  1862. 

The  interest  in  the  war  seemed  to  have  absorbed  everything  ; 
no  committees  were  appointed  to  investigate,  nor  did  former 
committees  of  investigation  have  anything  to  report. 

The  board  resolved  to  negotiate  an  eight  per  cent,  loan  of 
825,000,  bonds  to  mature  iu  five,  six,  seven  and  eight  year*,  in 
order  to  pay  a  bounty  of  810  to  each  volunteer,  and  to  levy  a 
special  tax  of  82,000  to  meet  the  first  annual  interest  on  the 
proposed  loan.  This  part  of  the  resolution  was  not  carried  out, 
but  formally  rescinded,  and  instead  of  it  a  special  war  tax  of 
50  cents  on  the  one  hundred  dollars  of  tax  value  ordered  ;  the 
proceeds  of  which  were  to  be  applied  as  follows : 

81,000  to  redeem  county  orders  heretofore  issued  to  volunteers 
as  bounty. 

82,000  to  support  the  families  of  volunteers. 

82,000  to  pay  the  interest  on  the  war-loan  of  825,000,  made 
September,  1862. 

The  tax  of  -50  cents  would,  however,  produce  more  than  twice 


74 


JIISTOEY  OF  DE   WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


the  amount  above  provided  for,  and  as  none  of  those  war-bonds 
would  mature  during  the  coming  year,  it  was  and  remains  a  ques- 
tion, why  so  large  an  amount  was  levied. 

The  ardor  for  war,  and  the  desire  for  further  blood-letting 
seemed  to  have  abated  to  a  certain  degree.  A  resolution  to  dis- 
continue payment  of  bounties  from  and  after  October  1,  1862, 
was  brought  in  before  the  board  and  debated.  It  was  lost  by  a 
vote  of  five  against  eight 

J.  R.  Hall,  G.  B.  Lernm,  Hiram  Chandler,  L.  S.  Hubble  and 
J.  P.  Mitchell  voted  f  )r,  and   \V.  Fuller,  Ben  Howard,  Tom   ! 
Loer,  John  McAboy,  H.  P.  Smith,  Jacob  Swigart  and   Wilson 
Allen  against  the  resolution. 

On  the  oOth  of  September  the  board  modified  the  order  in 
reference  to  the  §25,000  county  loan,  by  substituting  the  follow- 
ing :  The  county  clerk  shall  issue  county  orders,  drawing  ten 
per  cent,  annual  interest  from  date  of  issue,  to  the  amount  of 
83,000,  due  October  1,  1863;  $7,000,  due  October  1,  186-1; 
87,000,  due  October  1,  1865;  and  38,000,  due  October  1,  1866. 
These  orders  were  issued  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  finance 
war  committee — J  P.  Mitchell,  John  Bishop,  and  L.  D.  Hovey, 
with  instruction  to  sell  them  at  the  highest  market  price,  and  to 
use  the  money  thus  realized  for  bounty  purposes.  Subsequently 
the  clause  as  to  market  price  wa.s  modified  by  the  words :  kot 
FOR  LESS  TH.\x  80  CENTS  PER  8100.  The  records  do  not  show 
what  rmount  had  been  sold  for  less  than  80  cents.  It  is  a  fact, 
however,  that  some  bounty  claims  of  those  days  are  still  pending. 

The  county  had  now  been  under  the  system  of  township  or- 
ganization for  four  years.  Innumerable  resolutions  bearing  on 
economy  had  been  offered  and  passed,  but  matters  had  not  im- 
proved ;  the  credit  of  the  county  was  impaired,  not  because  the 
county  was  loaded  down  with  debts, but  because  the  "governors" 
had  succeeded  to  make  all  believe  that  every  body  was  not  any 
more  honest  than  the  law  would  make  him.  The  county  debt 
was  less  than  one  per  cent,  of  its  tax  values,  or  less  than  half  of 
one  per  cent,  of  its  actual  values. 

Fifth  Board— \mZ  to  1864. 

Wilson  Allen,  of  Texas,  chairman.  William  Fuller,  of  Rut- 
ledge  ;  John  Johnson,  Wilson  ;  Thomas  Loer,  Wapella  ;  T.  C. 
Robb,  Wayuesville  ;  W.  Morrow,  Barnett ;  J.  P.  Mitchell,  Clin- 
tonia;  James  W.  McCord,  Harp;  A.  D.  Chapiu,  De  Witt; 
John  McAboy,  Creek  ;  Benjamin  Howard,  Tunbridge ;  W.  H. 
Martin,  Nixon  ;  H.  P.  Smith,  of  Santa  Anna. 

The  board  had  their  first  meeting  in  September,  1863,  and  for 
want  of  having  anything  else  to  do,  they  appointed  a  new  com- 
mittee under  the  chairmanship  of  William  Fuller,  to  re-examine 
all  county  books  and  papers,  to  ascertain  if  there  were  any  funds 
due  to  the  county,  etc. 

In  December,  1863,  John  Warner  reported  that  he  had  suc- 
ceeded in  recovering  8679.30  swamp  land  funds,  that  he  had  paid 
to  the  auditor  of  state  the  expenses  incurred  in  surveying  swamp 
lands,  to  wit :  8235,  that  his  commissions,  twenty  per  cent,  of 
amount  recovered,  aggregated  8135  86;  and  that,  with  his  re- 
port, he  tendered  the  balance,  viz.,  8308.44  to  the  county.  This 
report  was  accepted. 

The  board  ordered  another  loan  of  {3  000  for  war  purposes. 
This  amount  of  money  was  to  be  distributed  to  the  several  town- 
ships in  equal  amounts,  and  to  be  disbursed  by  the  supervisors 
in  the  support  of  the  families  of  volunteers.  A  queer  measure, 
and  of  very  questionable  merit. 

Exit  fifth  board. 


Sixth  Board— \iU  to  1865. 

H.  P.  Smith,  of  Santa  Anna,  chairman.  Benjamin  Howard, 
Tunbridge;  Wilson  Allen,  Texas;  Tilman  Lane,  Creek ;  W.  S. 
Brooks,  Nixon  ;  Eli  Robb,  Barnett ;  James  De  Land,  Clintonia; 
Isaac  McCuddy,  Harp  ;  Jacob  Swigart,  De  Witt ;  Thomas  Loer, 
Wapella;  John  Johnson,  Wilson;  William  Fuller,  Eutledge, 
and  J.  M.  Sampson,  of  Wayuesville. 

The  various  investigation  committees  appointed  during  pre- 
ceding vears  have  thus  far  not  reported.  The  board  held  its  first 
meeting  in  September,  and  confined  its  action  to  a  pretty  stiff 
tax  levy,  nearly  three  times  as  high  as  that  of  1861 .  The  board 
had  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  interest  of  the  county  debt 
should  not  longer  be  paid  by  issuing  new  bonds,  and  that  part 
of  the  old  1)onds  should  be  taken  up  and  canceled.  In  order  to 
have  the  necessary  funds  the  following  levy  was  made : 


Current  expenses. 

Special  tax  to  redeem  bonds. 

War  lax,     .... 


40  cts. 


81  65 


For  county  purposes  alone.  State  and  local  taxes  made  the  levy 
reach  three  dollars  per  one  hundred  dollars  tax  value. 

The  support  of  paupers  had,  in  the  meantime,  been  a  con- 
stantly growing  expense,  and  the  board  contracted  with  Thomas 
Harris  to  take  charge  of  all  county  paupers  at  82.50  per  week 
for  board.  Six  thousand  dollars  were  appropriated  towards  the 
suppgrt  of  the  families  of  volunteers  during  the  current  year. 
The  records  do  not  state  how  this  fund  was  to  be  distributed, 
hence  it  may  be  inferred  that  the  distribution  jilan  practised  in 
1863  was  tried  again.  The  sale  of  the  swamp  lands  was  com- 
pleted on  the  13th  of  March,  1865.  The  county  had  sold  in  all 
1930  acres  of  swamp  land,  and  had  drawn  from  that  source  the 
handsome  revenue  of  810,103.18,  the  average  price  being  85.25 
per  acre. 

The  accounts  of  the  outgoing  Treasurer,  B.  J.  Jones,  were,  on 
examination,  found  to  be  short  to  the  amount  of  82,580. 03,  as 
reported  .September  14th,  1864.  If,  during  his  terra  of  oflice,  all 
county  moneys  had  passed  through  the  Treasurer  of  the  county, 
as  the  law  contemplates  and  prescrilies,  the  Treasurer's  compen- 
sation would  have  exceeded  the  above  amount ;  besides,  the  Trea- 
surer was  lawfully  entitled  to  his  full  percentage  on  all  county 
funds  handled  by  fiscal  agents  or  war  finance  committees. 

In  February,  1865,  at  the  last  call  for  volunteers,  the  quota  of 
the  county  appeared  to  have  been  one  hundred  and  one,  and  in 
order  to  avoid  a  draft,  a  large  bounty,  8300  each,  was  offered  and 
paiil  in  ten  per  cent,  bearing  county  bonds,  lUl  of  which,  repre- 
senting 830,300,  were  issued. 

The  war-fund  committee  was  at  last  discharged,  March  14th, 
1865,  and  the  County  Treasurer  authorized  to  act  in  its  stead. 
A  deal  of  confusion  and  anxiety  would  have  been  avoided,  if  the 
plain  letter  of  the  revenue  law  had  been  strictly  adhered  to. 

At  that  time  it  was  ascertained  that  some  of  the  bonds  issued 
to  townships,  in  support  of  volunteer  families,  had  not  been  used, 
and  it  was  therefore  ordered  that  those  unused  bonds  should  be 
"  rescinded."  Under  this  order  82250  of  those  83,000,  and  6000 
issued  in  1S63  and  1864,  were  surrendered,  and  finally  cancelled 
February,  1867. 

The  last  war  tax,  fifty  cents  per  one  hundred  dollars,  was  levied 
iu  1866.  The  war  fund  levied  as  direct  tax  during  this  period 
of  time  amounted  in 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


1861  to 82,760  27 

186:i   " 10,569  31 

1863  " 11,241  SO 

1864  " 11.T93  00 

1865  " 14,467  09 

1866  " 13  595  75 


Tutal, 


864,431  72 


Of  this  amount  the  collectors  of  the  couuty  report  to  have  col-  | 
lected  and  paid  over  to  committees  or  treasurers,  as  the  case  might  | 
be,  the  sum  of  860,941.16 ;  cost  of  collection  was  $1218.82,  and 
the  balance,  §2271.74,  remained  on  the  tax  books  as  back  tax, 
and,  when  subsequently  collected,  was  treated  as  part  of  the  regu- 
lar county  revenue.  This  amount,  however,  was  insufficient  to 
pay  and  discharge  all  county  war  loans  and  accrued  interest. 
The  loans  amounted  to  $72,000  after  deducting  those  $2250  men- 
tioned above,  and  the  interest  accrued  during  those  years  cannot 
have  been  less  than  $18,000,  making  an  aggregate  of  war  expen- 
ditures of  $90,000  at  least. 

The  readiness  to  make  these  sacrifices  is  highly  commendable  ; 
but  as  the  subject  itself  is  more  extensively  treated  iu  the  chap- 
ter on  "  Patriotism,"  it  may  here  be  dismissed. 

The  expenditures  of  the  county  had  been  heavy  during  the 
year,  but  as  all  payments  of  interest  were  promptly  met,  aud  a 
part  of  the  funded  debt  paid  and  cancelled,  and  as  the  county 
funds  were  placed  where  the  law  directed  they  should  be,  the 
credit  of  the  county  was  restored  at  once. 

The  administration  by  the  Sixth  Board  of  Supervisors  was 
meritorious  and  etficient. 

Seventh  Board— li:6o  to  1866. 
Wilson  Allen,  of  Texas,  Chairman  ;  John  Johnson,  Wilson  ; 
W.  R.  Carle,  AVapella  ;  J.  C.  Cantrall,  Wayuesville  ;  William 
Morrow,  Barnett;  James  De  Land,  Cliutonia  ;  Isaac  McCuddy, 
Harp ;  Darius  Cheney,  De  Witt ;  John  Bosserman,  Nixon  ; 
Thomas  Lane,  Creek  ;  Benjamin  Howard,  Tunbridiie ;  W.  C. 
McMurray,  Santa  Anna ;  aud  William  Fuller,  of  Rutledge. 

This  board  confined  its  labor  to  routine  business  only;  the 
policy  of  the  preceding  board,  "pay  as  you  go,"  was  strictly  ad- 
hered to ;  the  assessed  values  of  taxable  property  in  the  county 
amounted  now  to  82,S2'.i,635. 

Eighth  Board— 1866  to  1-SG7. 
Wilson  Allen,  of  Texas  township.  Chairman  ;  William  Fuller 
of  Rutledge  ;  J.  K.  Davis,  of  Wilson  ;  T.  L-  Grofl^,  of  Wapclla  ; 
J.  C.  Cantrall,  of  Wayuesville;  John  Bartley,  of  Barnett,  J.  F. 
Harrold,  of  Harp ;  David  Bosserman,  of  De  Witt,  John  Bos- 
serman, of  Nixon  ;  T.  Lane,  of  Creek  ;  M.  B.  Spicer,  of  Tun- 
bridge;  James  De  Land,  of  Cliutonia,  and  W.  C.  McMurray,  of 
Santa  Anna. 

This  board  appropriated  $10,700  towards  building  bridges  in 
the  several  townships.  The  Clerk  was  ordered  to  issue  six  per 
cent,  interest-bearing  county  orders  for  that  purpose,  and  Wil- 
liam Fuller,  O.  Wakefield,  and  W.  Clagg  were  appointed  a  spe- 
cial committee  on  bridge-building,  and  were  entrusted  with  the 
disbursement  of  amounts  appropriated. 

Ninth  Board— imi  to  1868. 
James  De  Land,  of  Clintonia,  Chairman ;  M.  B.  Spicer,  of 
Tunbridge  ;  D.  M.  AValler,  of  Texas ;  T.  Lane,  of  Creek ;  John 
Bosserman,  of  Nixon  ;  J.  M.  Maddox,  of  Barnett ;  J.  F.  Har- 
rold, of  Harp;  David  Bosserman,  of  De  Witt;  E.  Davenport, 
of  Wayuesville ;  W.  R.  Carle,  of  Wapella ;  W.  M.  Smith,  of 


Wilson;  AVilliam  Fuller,  of  Rutledge,  and  S.  S.  Chapin,  of  Santa 

Anna. 

Tenth  Board— \^Qi>ia  1860. 

Boynton  Tenney,  of  Wayuesville,  Chairman  ;  W.  Y.  McCord, 
of  Santa  Anna ;  James  A  Wilson,  of  Wilson  ;  H.  D.  Watson, 
of  Wapella;  D.  Cheney,  of  De  Witt;  J.  F.  Harrold,  of  Harp; 
Lewis  Campbell,  of  Clintonia;  Georee  Hartsock,  of  Texas; 
James  A.  Kirby,  of  Tunbridge ;  William  Fuller,  of  Rutledge ; 
John  Manlove,  of  Nixon,  and  Thomas  Maddox,  of  Barnett. 
Eleventh  Board— ISGd  to  1-^70. 
William  Y.  McCord,  of  Santa  Anna,  Chairman  ;  Peter  Brickey, 
of  Rutledge;  J.  A.  Wilson,  of  Wilson;  CJalvin  Timmons,  of 
Wayuesville;  William  Gambrel,  of  Barnett;  James  De  Land, 
of  Clintonia  ;  R.  Mitchell,  of  Harp ;  P.  V.  C.  Poole,  of  De  Witt ; 
W.  M.  Moore,  of  Texas;  James  A.  Kirby,  of  Tunbridge;  John 
Bosserman,  of  Nixon,  and  William  Wright,  of  Wapella. 

During  the  administration  of  the  ninth,  tenth,  and  eleventh 
boards,  public  afi'airs  seemed  to  have  managed  themselves.  The 
boards  confined  themselves  to  the  auditing  of  claims  presented 
fur  payment.  ^^ 

A  startling  resolution,  introduced  by  James  De  Land,  was 
passed  in  1867;  we  call  it  startling,  because  it  reads  so  queer  iu 
a  county  where  the  temperance  laws  were  strictly  enforced,  to 
wit;  "James  De  Land  is  hereby  authorized,  by  order  of  this 
board,  to  buy  all  necessary  stimulants  for  the  use  of  John  Sprad- 
ley,  and  that  the  County  Treasurer  is  authorized  to  pay  all  bills 
thus  contracted." 

The  records,  of  course,  do  not  state  the  circumstances  under 
which  this  strange  order  was  made,  and  on  inquiring,  we 
learned  that  John  Spradley  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  army ;  had 
came  home  badly  wounded,  and  had  then  to  undergo  the  ampu- 
tation of  a  leg.  This  operation  is  said  to  have  been  a  rare 
triumph  of  surgery.  Spradley  survived  for  years.  Dr.  J. 
Wright,  of  Clinton,  performed  the  operation. 

The  eighth  board— 1866  to  1767— had,  as  stated  above,  placed 
810,700  in  the  hands  of  a  bridge-building  committee.  This 
amount  had  not  all  been  disbursed  ;  82975  were  returned  in 
1869,  and  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  several  Supervisors  foi 
direct  disbursement. 

Twelfth  Board— IS70  to  1S71. 
A.  A.  Eads,  of  Barnett,  Chairman;  Benjamin  Howard,  of 
Tunbridge;  J.  W.  Blue,  of  Texas;  J.  D.  Graham,  of  Creek; 
Ross  Mitchell,  of  Harp;  John  Bosserman,  of  Nixon;  James  A. 
Wilson,  of  Wilson  ;  P.  V.  C.  Poole,  of  De  Witt ;  David  Kelley, 
of  Santa  Anna ;  James  De  Land,  of  Cliutonia  ;  E.  B.  Harrold, 
of  Wapella ;  Calviu  Timmons,  of  Wayuesville,  and  Peter  Brickey, 
of  Rutledge. 

Poole's  claim  to  his  seat  was  questioned,  and  the  chair  decided 

that  Mr.  Poole  was  not  longer  a  member  of  the  board,  as  he  had 

moved  his  residence  to  McClean  couuty. 

I       The  general  prosperity  and  a  plethoric  money-market  had  had 

its  eS'ec't  on  the  people  of  De  Witt  county  as  well  as  on  others ; 

various  railroads  were  in  contemplation,  and  aid  was  asked  from 

counties,  townships,  cities,  and  towns.     The  good  people  of  De 

I   Witt  county  tumbled  handsomely  and  deeply  into  it.     Large 

I   amounts  of  stock  were  subscribed  for  by  townships  and  county, 

and  this  subscription  has  been  the  ca\ise  of  endless  troubles.     In 

1870  the  county  board  instructed  their  chairman  not  to  sign  the 

county  bonds  iutendod  for  the  Gilman,  Clinton  and  Springfield 

Railroad,  and  caused  a  copy  of  this  instruction  to  be  sent  to  the 

officers  of  the  road,— a  formal  declaration  of  war. 


70 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


In  December,  1 870,  the  authorities  purchased  a  tract  of  land 
for  the  purpose  of  an  asylum  for  the  poor  of  the  county,  the 
present  coiinlij  farm. 

The  treasury  of  the  county  being  depleted,  the  old  and  per- 
nicious remedy  of  issuing  interest-bearing  county  orders  was  again 
resorted  to.  The  Clerk  was  instructed  to  issue,  in  payment  for 
the  farm,  ten  per  cent,  interest-bearing  county  orders,  to  the 
amount  of  SoOOO,  and  so  much  more  as  needed  to  meet  the  probable 
discount  (verbatim ). 

The  actions  of  the  board  seem  to  have  been  the  object  of  some 
criticism,  as  appears  from  the  animus  of  the  following  "liberal  " 
resolution,  passed  in  December,  1870,  viz.: 

"  Resolved,  by  the  board  of  supervisions,  that  the  editor  of  any 
paper  of  the  county  be  permitted  (sic).'  to  examine  the  records 
•with  a  view  of  publishing  the  proceedings  of  the  board."  There 
may  be  some  propriety  in  such  permissions,  when  granted  by  the 
Czar  of  Russia,  the  Tycoon  of  Japan,  or  the  king  of  the  Cannibal 
Islands,  but  a  board  of  supervisors  in  the  grand  American  Re- 
public ought  to  have  known  that  neither  editors  nor  the  people 
generally  need  any  permit  to  inform  themselves  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  thiir  servants. 

The  domain  of  the  county  of  De  Witt  seemed  to  have  been  too 
small  for  this  board,  as  appears  from  the  following  resolution 
passed  at  the  same  December  term  : 

Revolted,  "That  the  registering  law  of  the  state  is  onerous, 
burdensome  and  productive  of  no  good,  and  ought  to  be  repealed." 
Thirteenth  Boarl— 1871  (o  1872. 

John  D.  Graham,  of  Creek,  chairman;  Benjamin  Howard, 
Tunbridge;  W.  H.  Grier,  Texas;  H.  C.  Martin,  Nixon  ;  William 
Gambrel,  Barnett ;  James  De  Land,  Clintonia ;  Robert  Walker 
Harp;  Smith  Fuller,  De  Witt;  Calvin  Timmons,  Waynesville  ■ 
E.  B  Harrold,  Wapella ;  James  A.  Wilson,  Wilson ;  Peter 
Brickey,  Rutledge  ;  and  David  Kelley,  of  Santa  Anna. 

A  resolution,  that  the  chairman  be  instructed  not  to  sio-n  any 
county  bonds  for  the  Gilman,  Clinton  and  Springfield  Railroad 
company,  until  there  had  been  a  full  investigation  of  the  legality 
of  issuing  such  bonds,  and  of  the  constitutional  power  of  the 
legislature  to  authorize  such  subscriptions,  was  voted  down,  onlv 
Walker  voting  in  the  affirmative.  (What  had  become  of  the 
member  who  had  seconded  the  motion?) 

The  board  voted  to  the  various  townships  the  sum  of  81,45000  ; 
the  records  do  not  state  who  introduced  the  resolution,  nor  for 
what  purposes  the  money  was  voted.  The  several  supervisors 
were  authorized  to  call  on  the  clerk  for  their  respective  money 
orders ! ! 

The  issuing  of  such  orders,  with  no  audited  vouchers  to  back 
them,  is  a  violation  of  law,  and  the  treasurer,  who  honors  them 
is  liable  on  his  bond  for  the  full  amount.  Another  resolution 
following  at  the  heels  of  the  preceding  one,  is  worse — an  absolute 
wrong,  as  the  supervisors  vote  themselves  a  larger  compensation 
than  the  law  coutemplates,  to  wit. ;  82.00  per  diem,  81..5f)  a  dav 
for  expenses,  and  10  cents  per  mile,  mileage,  one  trip.  Robert 
Walker  voted — nay. 

The  railroad  figlit  came  up  again,  on  December  27th,  1871. 
The  following  resolution,  introduced  by  De  Land,  was  passed: 

Resolved,  by  the  board  of  the  supervisors  of  De  Witt  countv, 
that  W.  Gambrel,  Robert  Walker,  and  Benjamin  Howard  be 
appointed  a  committee  to  employ  jiroper  counsel  to  inquire  as  to 
the  legality  of  the  bonds  of  De  Witt  county,  given  to  the  Gilman, 
Clinton  and  Springfield  Radroad  company,  and  if  by  their  de- 
cision they  are  found  to  be  illegal,  resist  the  collection  of  the 
tax  as  now  extended  on  the  various  collectors'  books. 


Lorenzo  D.  Hovey  had  been  elected  county  treasurer  and  col- 
lector, and  collected  a  part  of  that  railroad  tax  during  the  year. 

Fourteenth  S'-nrrf.— 1872  to  1873. 

David  Kelley,  of  Santa  Anna,  chairman  ;  Robert  Walker, 
Harp;  Moses  Predmore,  Nixon  ;j'Heury  Bennett,  Creek  ;  Benja- 
min Howard,  Tunbridge;  William  Bishop,  Clintonia;  E.  B. 
Harrold,  Wapella;  William  Gambrel,  Barnett;  W.  H.  Oglevie, 
Waynesville;  W.  M.  Moore,  Texas;  J.  A.  Lemert,  Wilson;  D. 
A.  Rosencrans,  De  Witt;  and  Peter  Brickey,  of  Butledge. 

The  committee  appointed  in  December,  1871,  made  report  in 
August,  1872.  The  report,  not  recorded,  nor  on  file,  was  received, 
and  the  committee  disharged.  The  tax  fight  continued,  being 
based  principally  on  the  omission  of  the  treasurer's  signature  on 
the  bonds  issued. 

By  a  resolution  of  the  board  the  salary  of  the  circuit  clerk  and 
sheriff,  was  fixed  at  81,500  per  annum,  and  $1,000  each  for 
deputy  hire. 

This  board  seemed  to  have  had  an,  inclination  to  enter  into 
general  legislating,  as  shown  hereby  : 

"  Be  it  resolved  by  the  supervisors  of  De  Witt  county,  that  the 
extending  of  common  law  jurisdiction  to  county  courts,  and 
the  present  mode  of  selecting  jurors  is  both  expensive  and  unne- 
cessary, and  is  derogatory  to  the  best  interest  of  the  tax-payers 
of  this  county,  and  should  be  repealed."     Another: 

"  Be  it  resolved,  by  the  board  of  supervisors  of  De  Witt  county, 
that  the  present  registrj'  law  is  useless  aud  burdensome,  and  a 
tax  on  the  people  without  any  benefit  whatever  resulting  there- 
from, and  that  both  experience  and  economy,  as  well  as  justice 
and  right,  demand  its  immediate  repeal." — Still  another: 

"  Re-'iolved,  second,  that  it  is  our  opinion  the  present  require- 
ments of  the  common  school  law  in  reference  to  the  qualifica- 
tions of  teachers,  is  an  unjust  discrimination  in  favor  of  certain 
state  institutions  and  injurious  to  the  masses  of  the  people,  and 
that  equity  and  good  conscience  demand  its  immediate  repeal." 

"  Resolved,  third,  that  in  our  opinion  the  county  superintendent 
is  a  mere  man  of  straiv,  and  that  the  office  should  be  abolished,  and 
a  county  board  of  examiners  elected  or  appointed  instead  thereof, 
to  be  paid  by  the  applicants  for  teaching." 

Fifteenth  Board— 1873  to  1874. 

David  Kelley,  of  Santa  Anna,  chairman  ;  John  Randolph, 
Tunbridge;  S.  E.  Arnold,  Creek;  Charles  Klipzig,  Nixon  ;  Wil- 
liam Gambrel,  Barnett;  Lewis  Campbell,  Clintonia;  Robert 
Walker,  Harp ;  Jacob  Swigart,  De  Witt ;  James  P.  Strange, 
Waynesville  ;  E.  B  Harrold,  Wapella;  Joshua  Lemert,  Wilson  ; 
Peter  Brickey,  Rutledge;  and  W.  M.  Phares,  of  Texas. 

First  meeting  was  held  in  September;  the  salary  of  the  county 
clerk  was  fixed  at  81,20000,  and  81,000  for  deputy  hire;  salary 
of  county  judge  at  8400  per  annum. 

William  Gambrel  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Z.  D.  Can- 
trail — appointed. 

The  county  employed  E.  H.  Palmer,  and  Weldon,  Benjamin, 
as  attorneys  in  the  railroad  bond  suits. 

On  the  2nd  of  February,  1874,  the  following  resolutions — not 
stated  by  whom  introduced,  was  passed,  to  wit. : 

Whereas,  the  county  finance  is  in  a  "  mixed  "  and  unsatisfac- 
tory condition  in  consequence  of  our  county  officials  not  carrying 
out  the  provisions  of  the  laws  now  in  force  in  regard  to  records ; 
and  whereas,  in  order  to  get  our  finances  in  a  more  safe  and 
"  intelligible  "  condition,  and  for  the  purpose  of  having  our  laws 
fully  carried  out, — therefore  be  it  resolved  by  the  board  of 
supervisors  of  De  Witt  county  in  session,  that  the  treasurer  of 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COV^'TY,  ILLINOIS. 


T7 


De  Witt  county  is  hereby  instructed  to  carry  out  sections  30  and 
31,  cliapters  27,  page  149.  Gross'  Statutes  of  Illinois  ;  also  section 
25  of  chapter  25,  page  156  of  the  above  statutes." 

The  following  resolution  may  account  in  part  for  the  "  mixed  " 
conditian  of  "our"  finance;  it  was  passed  on  the  3rd  of  Fubu- 
ary,  1874. 

"  Resolved,  by  the  board  of  .'upervisors  of  De  Witt  county,  that 
a  committee  of  two  be  appointed  by  the  chair,  to  search  records 
and  reports,  and  make  a  full  investigation  of  the  acts  and  doings 
of  THIS  BOARD  and  its  committees  in  relation  to  the  purchasing 
of  and  paying  for  the  poor  farm,  the  amount  paid,  and  how  paid  ; 
also,  the  purchasing  of  stock  and  farm  implement.5,  and  fitting 
up  the  poor  farm  for  the  first  year,  also  naming  the  expenses 
of  each  year,  and  report  to  this  board  at  its  next  meeting." 
-  Walker  and  Randolph  were  appoiuted  as  members  of  this 
committee. 

Sixteenth  Board.— 1S74  tolSTo. 

David  Kelley,  of  Santa  Anna,  chairman  ;  Amos  Dick,  Wavnes- 
ville;  Charles  Klipzig.  Nixon;  J.  JI.  Hendrix,  Creek;  Z.  Cau- 
trall,  Barnett;  E.  B.  Harrold,  Wapella;  Robert  Walker,  Harp; 
J.  H.  Randolph,  Tunbridge;  Lewis  Campbell,  Clintonia;  James 
Wilson,  Wilson  ;  Jacob  Swigart,  De  Witt ;  W.  JI.  Phares,  Texas ; 
and  James  Vandeventer,  of  Rutledge. 

The  committee  of  inves'igation,  Messrs  Walker  and  Randolph, 
submitted  their  report,  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  in  April, 
1874. 

REPORT   OF    COMMITTEE   OX    PURCHASE   OF    POOR-FARM. 

To  the  Board  of  Siiperviior.^  nf  De  Witt  county: — Your  commit- 
tee appointed  to  investigate  the  acts  of  this  board  and  its  com- 
mittees in  purchasing,  fitting  up,  and  putting  in  practicable 
operation  the  poor-farm,  also  its  necessary  expenses,  would  re- 
port, that  we  find  on  page  640  Supervisors'  record,  a  resolution 
appointing  a  committee  of  three  to  purchase  a  farm,  and  put  in 
operation  as  a  poor-farm,  and  instructing  the  county  clerk  to 
issue  coun'y  orders  to  pay  all  indebtedness  incurred  therebv. 
Your  committee  cannot  learn  from  the  records  that  any  bonds 
were  issued.  James  De  Laud,  Benjamin  Howard,  and  John 
Bosserman,  were  appointed  that  committee.  From  other  sources 
your  committee  learned  that  bonds  to  the  amount  of  85,000  were 
issued  and  sold  to  Shepard  &  Co.,  of  Chicago,- but  that  after- 
■wards  it  was  discovered  that  the  county  had  no  authority  to  issue 
such  bonds.  And  on  page  472  of  supervisiors'  record,  we  find 
a  resolution  directing  De  Land  to  correspond  with  Shepard  & 
Co.,  and  have  the  bonds  paid  in  some  other  way.  On  same  page 
committee  on  poor-farm  reported.  Report  was  approved  and 
ordered  filed,  and  the  committee  directed  to  complete  their 
work.  Your  committee  could  not  find  said  report  among  the 
files,  nor  ascertain  or  learn  its  contents.  On  page  473,  we  find  a 
resolution  directing  the  county  clerk  to  issue  county  orders  to 
cover  all  indebtedness  incurred  in  purchasing  and  fitting  up  the 
poor-farm.  Your  committee,  by  examining  the  stubs  on  the 
order  book,  found  the  following  orders  have  been  issued  : 

J.  De  Laml,  to  pay  on  land $1,000  00 

Millard  and  others,  work  un  buildings 1,590  12 

Bishop,  McGill  &  Co.,  J.  E,  Hall,  farm 2.5S  2,S  : 

E.  H.  Palmer  and  J.  E.  Hall,  mides 230  00 

Kirk,  for  work  on  ppor-hoiise  100  00 

J.M.Green 17  .50 

B.  Mills 530  00 

Thomas  Kelley,  for  money  paid  Shepard 5,152  77 

Total ?8,.578  67 


(The  committee's  addition  is  incorrect,  should  be  89,578.67  ) 

84,000  of  the  above  amount  were  paid  on  the  farm,  and  the 
balance,  84,578  67  (should  bs  85,578.67)  seems  to  have  been 
spent  in  building  the  house,  buying  teams,  stock,  farming  tools, 
household  furniture,  seeds,  feed  and  provisions  for  the  first  year. 
What  part  was  spent  in  building  your  committee  have  not  the 
means  of  knowing.  The  farm  contains  two  hundred  acres,  and  the 
contract  price  89,500.  Four  thousand  of  that  amount  appears 
■to  have  been  paid  out  of  the  above  orders,  the  balance  was  to 
be  paid  in  two  notes,  which  were  made  by  B.  Mills,  and  secured 
by  deed  of  trust  on  the  farm;  one  of  the  above  notes  was  for 
82,500,  and  was  paid  by  L.  D  Hovey,  county  treasurer,  in  May, 
1872,  and  the  other  is  for  83,000,  due  in  May,  1874.  The  per- 
sonal property  is  inventoried  to  be  worth  83,663.  Your  com- 
mittee find  the  record  of  running  expenses  during  the  first  two 
years  so  imperfect,  that  they  cannot  state  what  the  expenses  were." 

This  report  was  received,  but  failed  to  give  satisfaction  or  to 
quiet  the  minds  of  the  people-  It  cannot  now  be  stated,  whethtr 
the  error  of  81,000,  pointed  out  above,  was  discovered  at  the  time. 
The  fact  is  that  the  poor-farm,  improvements  and  stock  included, 
had  cost  the  county  fifteen  thousand  and  seventy-eight  dollars 
and  sixty-seven  cents. 

The  board,  after  accepting  the  above  report,  passed  the  follow- 
ing resolution,  to  wit : 

"  Be  it  resolved  by  the  board  of  supervisors  of  De  Witt  countv, 
that  there  be  a  committee  of  three  appointed  to  investigate  the 
acts  and  doings  of  the  committee  empowered  to  purchase  a  poor- 
farm,  and  that  said  investigating  committee  have  power  to  sum- 
mon any  person  or  persons  whom  they  believe  to  know  anything 
in  regard  to  the  facts  pertaining  to  the  same,  and  especially  the 
purchasing  committee,  and  such  evidence  shall  be  taken  in  writ- 
ing, and  report  the  same  to  the  board  of  supervisors  at  their  next 
meeting — the  evidence  shall  be  taken  under  oath." 

AVilson,  Hendrix  and  Cantrall  were  made  members  of  this 
committee. 

The  last  payment  on  the  poor-farm  was  made  .July  27,  1874. 

The  committee  of  investigation  of  purchase  of  poor-farm  re- 
ported on  said  day  as  follows : 

To  the  board  of  supervisors  of  De  Witt  county — Your  com- 
mittee appointed  to  investigate  the  acts  and  doings  of  the  com- 
mittee appointed  by  said  board  to  purchase  and  put  in  practical 
operation  a  poor-farm,  would  submit  the  following: 

That  we  find,  upon  the  sworn  statement  of  James  De  Land, 
that  the  amount  of  money  received  by  said  De  Land  from  the 
county  did  not  exceed  the  amount  paid  out  by  him  in  the  pur- 
chase and  fitting  up  of  said  farm,  and  upon  the  sworn  statement 
of  said  De  Land  and  .John  Bosserman,  that  there  was  a  detailed 
report  made  by  them  of  their  acts  and  doings  as  said  committee, 
and  submitted  to  the  board,  received  by  them  and  placed  on  file 
and  the  committee  discharged ;  that  the  deposition  of  B.  Mills 
corroborates  the  evidence  of  said  De  Land  and  Bosserman  so  far 
as  the  purchase  of  the  farm  was  concerned.  Your  committee 
recommend  that  the  depositions  of  said  De  Land,  Bosserman 
and  Mills,  be  placed  on  file. 

The  poor-farm  troubles  ended  for  the  time  with  this  report, 
the  contents  of  which  are  neither  new  nor  interesting.  The  re- 
port made  by  Walker  and  Randolph  was  decidedly  more  ac- 
curate and  to  the  point. 

Seventeenth  Board — 1875  to  1876. 
Lewis  Campbell,  of  Clintonia,  chairman.     J.  H.  Randolph, 
Tunbridge;  W.  M.  Phares,  Texas;  J.  C.  Coulter,  Xixon  ;  Z.  D. 


78 


HISTORY  OF  BE    WITT  COUNTY,   ILLINOIS. 


Cautrall,  Barnett;  Robert  Walker,  Harp;  John  Marsh,  De 
Witt;  Amos  Diuk,  Wa}'ne3ville ;  Jacob  Parlier,  Wapella;  C.  S. 
Cain,  Wilson ;  W.O.Gray,  Rutledge;  Levi  Rathburn,  Santa 
Anna  ;  and  Benjamin  Miller,  Creek. 

As  stated  heretofore,  the  authorities  of  the  county  had  caused 
a  special  railroad- tax  to  be  levied  and  extended  in  1871  and 
1872.  Pending  the  collection  of  this  tax,  the  board  undertook 
to  repudiate  the  debt,  thus  leaving  the  amounts  meanwhile  col- 
lected in  the  hands  of  L.  D.  Hovey,  treasurer.  The  railroad 
levy  had  amounted  to  839,888.48,  of  which  S7,642  09  had  been 
collected,  and  had  remained  unaccounted  for ;  this  appears  from 
a  report  made  to  the  board  at  their  August  term,  1876. 

The  ex-treasurer  failed  to  account  for  those  amounts,  and, 
■when  suit  was  brought,  June,  1877,  he  had  left  the  state. 

Eighteenth  Board— l>^7(i  to  1877. 

James  De  Land,  of  Clintonia,  chairman.  J.  H.  Randolph, 
Tunbridge ;  John  Hendrix,  Creek ;  W.  M.  Phares,  Texas ; 
Robert  Walker,  Harp ;  John  Jlar.-'h,  De  Witt ;  James  Wilson, 
Wilson ;  Levi  Rathburn,  Santa  Anna ;  C.  S.  Lisenby,  Nixon ; 
J.  E.  Bradley,  Barnett ;  Amos  Dick,  Waynesville  ;  Jacob  Parlier, 
Wapella ;  W.  O.  Gray,  of  Rutledge. 

The  suits  about  those  railroad  bonds  had  been  decided  against 
the  county.  In  September,  1876,  the  board  consented  to  hear 
Hon.  Milton  Hay,  of  Springfield,  who  would  make  some  proposi- 
tion in  regard  to  the  payment  of  those  bonds.  The  records  do 
not  contain  any  account  of  the  nature  of  this  proposition.  A 
committee  had  meanwhile  been  appointed  to  ascertain  the  prob- 
able cost  of  an  appeal  of  the  case  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,  and  now  reported,  that  S-570  were  needed  to  bring 
the  case  before  that  court.  On  the  11th  of  October,  1876,  the 
board  elected  a  committee  of  three  to  negotiate  with  the  bond- 
holders, with  a  view  of  effecting  a  corapromi-e. 

This  committee,  consisting  of  J.  H.  Randolph,  James  Wilson, 
and  W.  O.  Gray,  entered  into  consultations  and  deliberations 
■with  the  attorneys  of  the  bond-holders,  and  on  the  29th  of  De- 
cember, 1876,  submitted  the  following  articles  of  agreement  to 
the  board,  to  wit : 

Whereas,  the  JEtna  Life  Insurance  Company,  the  Ridgely  Na- 
tional Bank,  Ammasso  Stone,  and  the  Society  of  Savings,  are 
the  holders  and  owners  of  bonds  i.-sued  by  the  county  of  De  Witt 
in  aid  of  the  Gilman,  Clinton,  and  Springfield  Railroad,  in  the 
aggregate  amounting  to  one  hundred  and  sixty-four  thousand 
dollars,  and  upon  which  said  bonds  there  are  over-due  coupons 
for  five  annual  installments  of  interest,  ending  with  the  coupons 
due  the  1st  of  July,  A.  D.  187G,  amounting  to  eighty-two  thousand 
dollars,  and  upon  which  over-due  coupons  there  have  also  accrued 
a  considerable  amount  of  interest;  And  whereas  suits  have  been 
pending  in  which  the  validity  of  said  indebtedness  has  been 
questioned,  by  reason  of  said  bonds  not  having  been  counter- 
signed by  the  county  treasurer,  both  b)'  the  tax-payers  of  said 
county  of  De  Witt  and  the  board  of  supervisors  of  said  county, 
■which  said  suits  have  been  terminated  adversely  to  the  said  tax- 
payers and  county  of  De  Witt;  And  vliereas  the  holders  of  said 
bonds  are  pressing  the  county  by  suits  and  otherwise  for  the 
payment  of  said  over-due  interest,  as  well  as  of  all  accrued  in- 
terest thereon  ;  and  the  said  bond-holders  are  desirous  of  quieting 
all  questions  as  to  the  validity  and  sufficiency  of  said  bonds  upon 
the  one  hand,  and  said  board  of  supervisors  are  desirous  upon 
the  other  hand  of  obtaining  ease  and  time  for  the  payment  of 
Baid  over-due  interest.  Now,  therefore,  it  is  agreed  by  and  be- 
tween the  said  board  of  supervisors  and  the  said  bond-creditors 


of  said  county,  that  the  said  board  of  supervisors  will,  by  an 
order  or  a  resolution  of  said  board  at  its  next  meeting,  direct 
the  county  treasurer  of  said  county  of  De  Witt  to  countersign 
the  aforesaid  bonds  as  held  by  said  creditors,  as  the  same  may 
be  presented  to  him  for  that  purpose  ;  and  said  board  of  super- 
visors Jo  further  agree,  that  said  over-due  interest,  as  evidenced 
by  the  said  five  over-due  coupons,  and  all  interest  accrued 
thereon,  shall  be  paid  by  the  said  county  in  five  annual  install- 
ments of  one-fifth  thereof  in  each  installment;  the  first  of  said 
installments  to  be  paid  by  the  first  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1878,  the 
levy  in  the  year  1877  to  provide  for  the  same,  and  thence  suc- 
cessively until  all  are  paid,  subject  to  a  deduction,  however,  to 
be  made  of  four  years  of  accrued  interest,  or  interest  to  accrue 
upon  said  over-due  interest;  that  is  to  say,  that  said  annual  in- 
stallments or  coupons  over-due,  shall  be  taken  up  and  paid  each 
in  its  order  six  years  from  maturity  thereof,  with  two  years'  in- 
terest on  each  of  said  coupons  or  installments.  The  true  intent 
and  meaning  of  this  being,  that  said  county  shall  have  a  rebate 
of  interest  accrued  and  to  accrue,  equal  to  the  sum  of  nineteen 
thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty  dollars  (819,680).  And  the 
said  creditors  agree  on  their  part  to  accept  payment  of  said  over- 
due coupons  in  manner  aforesaid,  and  with  the  deduction  of  in- 
terest thereon,  to  be  made  as  aforesaid ;  and  that  they  will  desist 
in  the  mean  time  from  all  legal  proceedings  to  enforce  the  col- 
lection and  payment  of  said  over-due  interest,  and  upon  pay- 
ment as  aforesaid  will  surrender  said  coupons  to  said  county. 

And  said  creditors  do  further  agree,  that  if  the  board  of  super- 
visors of  said  c  unty  of  De  Witt  shall  be  lawfully  authorized  by 
a  vote  of  the  legal  voters  of  said  county  to  fund  the  said  over- 
due interest  into  bonds  bearing  interest  at  the  rate  of  ten  per 
cent,  per  annum,  the  interest  payable  annually,  and  the  principal 
maturing  at  either  sixteen  or  twenty  years,  so  as  that  said  bonds 
may  be  executed  and  delivered  by  the  1st  day  of  July  next,  that 
they  will  accept  said  bonds  at  par  for  said  overdue  coupons,  so 
arranging  and  adjusting  the  coupons  for  interest  thereon  as  to 
give  to  said  county  the  advantage  of  the  same  reduction  as  con- 
templated by  the  arrangement  first  recited  herein,  or  the  said 
county  may,  at  its  election,  dispose  of  said  bonds,  paying  to  said 
creditors  the  par  value  thereof,  and  if  such  election  be  made, 
said  county  shall  have  the  same  advantage  of  reduction  to  the 
extent  aforesaid,  that  is  to  say,  the  said  creditors  will  accept  the 
face  of  said  coupons  less  the  sura  of  three  thousand  two  hundred 
and  eighty  dollars  in  full  discharge  thereof,  provided  said  money 
is  paid  by  the  first  day  of  July,  A.  d.  1877. 

It  is  further  agreed,  that  the  judgments  upon  a  portion  of  said 
coupons  rendered  in  favor  of  the  Society  for  Savings  and  the 
JEtna.  Life  Insurance  Company,  shall  be  subject  to  the  foregoing 
agreement,  and  that  said  judgments  shall  be  satisfied  upon  the 
payment  nf  the  coupons  embraced  therein,  as  though  judgment 
had  not  been  rendered  thereon,  the  county  to  pay  the  costs  in 
said  suits.  And  it  is  further  agreed,  that  the  suit  of  Lisenby 
and  others  vs.  Melvin  and  others,  in  the  Logan  Circuit  Court, 
may  be  dismissed  at  the  cost  of  the  county,  and  that  defendants 
shall  waive  all  damages  by  reason  of  the  injunction  therein. 
Signed  :         Hay,  Green  &  Little,  Attorneys, 

for  and  in  behalf  of  creditors. 

J.  H.  Randolph,  ") 

J.  A.  Wilson,       [  Committee,' 

W.  O.  Gray,        ) 

on  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  De  Witt  county,  111.] 
This  2d  of  November,  1876. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


The  board,  by  a  vote  of  six,  to  wit,  Randolph,  Phares,  Hen- 
drix,  Marsh,  Wilson,  and  Rathburn,  against  five,  to  wit,  Lisenby, 
Bradley,  De  Land,  Walker,  and  Parlier,  passed  a  resolution  to 
compromise  the  bond  (juestion  on  the  basis  of  the  articles  of 
agreement  submitted.  (Amos  Dick  and  W.  O.  Gray  did  not 
vote;  they  had  probably  "paired"  off.  Mr.  Gray  had  previously 
signed  the  articles  as  member  of  the  c  immittee,  and  would  cer- 
tainly have  voted  in  the  affirmative.) 

The  bonds  represented  by  the  parties  above  mentioned  amounted 
to  §164,000,  drawing  ten  per  cent,  annual  interest;  the  accrued 
interest  remaining  unpaid  amounted,  July  1st,  1S76,  to  the  enor- 
mous sum  of  8S2,000. 

In  June,  1S77,  the  board  ordered  suit  to  be  brought  against 
L.  D.  Hovey,  former  Treasurer,  found  in  default. 

Nineteenth  Board — 1877  to  1878. 

J.  H.  Randolph,  of  Tunbridge,  Chairman  ;  Thomas  Corn  well, 
of  Texas ;  George  Scott,  of  Creek  ;  C.  S  Lisenby,  of  Nixou  ;  N. 
M.  Barnett,  of  Barnett ;  James  De  Land,  of  Clintonia;  Charles 
Willmore,  of  Harp;  D.  H.  Rosencrans,  of  De  Witt ;  Matthew 
Hammett,  of  Waynesville  ;  Jacob  Parlier,  of  Wapella;  Thomas 
Cain,  of  Wilson ;  Daniel  Fuller,  of  Rutledge,  and  L.  Rathburn, 
of  Santa  Anna. 

It  will  be  observed  that  only  two  of  the  six  members  voting 
for  a  compromise  had  been  re-elected,  while  three  of  the  five 
voting  in  the  negative  were  returned.  Neither  Gray  nor  Dick, 
of  the  "  pair  off,"  was  re-elected. 

Twentieth  Board— ISJS  to  1879. 

W.  0.  Gray,  of  Rutledge,  Chairman  ;  Edward  Weld,  of  Texas  ; 
J.  D.  Graham,  of  Creek  ;  C  S.  Lisenby,  of  Nixon  ;  N.  M.  Bar- 
nett, of  Barnett ;  John  Wrightwick,  of  Clintonia;  Charles  Will- 
more,  of  Harp;  John  Marsh,  of  De  Witt;  Mathew  Hammett, 
of  Waynesville;  T.  W.  Cain,  of  Wilson  ;  L.  Rachton,  of  Santa 
Anna;  Jacob  Parlier,  of  Wapella,  and  J.  R.  Turner,  of  Tun- 
bridge. 

For  the  first  time  since  18.50  a  financial  statement  of  the 
county  is  made  a  matter  of  record.  It  was  submitted  by  the 
County  Treasurer  on  the  fourth  day  of  December,  1878,  and 
though  brief,  it  has  a  pleasing  appearance,  i.  e.,  the  cash-box  of 
the  county  was  well  stocked. 

Financial  Statement  of  De   Witt  County,  Illinois,  December  \at, 
1877,(0  Noveviher  30th,  1878. 

Dr. 
Dec.  I,  1877.   To  am't  received  from  W.Gambrel,  ex-Treasurer,  |I2,101  44 
To  Nov.  30, 1S78.  To  am't  of  revenue  of  1877  collected  in  1378,    32,637  43 
To  e.xce.'^s  of  earnings  of  officers  over  tlieir 

compensations, 2  249  86 

To  fines,  etc, 221  46 

$47,213  10 
Credit: 
Current  expenses  of  the  Cuuntj  for  which  county 
orders  or  juror  certificates  were  issued  during 

the  year ?lfi,9C9  14 

Witness  fees  paid  direct, 254  75 

Collector's  commissions,  769  64 

Over-due  coupons  of  railroad  bonds  paid, 17,808  00      $35,801   53 

1878,  Dec.  1.     Cash  in  Treasury, $11,411  66 

In  March,  1879,  steps  were  taken  to  refund  the  county  debt  in 
six  per  cent,  bonds,  the  holders  of  §155,000  of  old  county  bonds 
having  agreed  to  surrender  them  for  cash.  A  petition  praying 
for  a  vote  on  this  question  was  presented  on  the  2d  of  March, 


and  an  election  ordered  to  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  April 
next.  A  called  meeting  of  the  board  was  held  on  the  31st  of 
March  and  the  above  order  in  reference  to  holding  such  elec- 
tion was  rescinded. 

Twentjz-first  Board— 1^1%  to  1880. 

W.  O.  Gray,  of  Rutledge,  Chairman  ;  J.  R.  Turner,  of  Tun- 
bridge;  A.  E.  Newman,  of  Texas ;  John  D.  Graham,  of  Creek  ; 
John  N.  Maidove,of  Nixon  ;  Lyman  Barnett,  of  Barnett;  James 
De  Laud,  of  Clintonia;  Charles  Willmore,  W  Harp;  Jacob 
Swigart,  of  De  Witt ;  Matthew  Hammett,  of  Waynesville ;  Jacob 
Parlier,  of  Wapella  ;  Nicholas  Foley,  of  Wilson,  and  Levi  Rath- 
burn, of  Santa  Anna. 

Board  met  on  the  22d  of  April.  Upon  motion  of  James  De 
Land,  the  chairman  appointed  a  committee  of  one  in  each  town- 
ship to  collect  the  remains  of  deceased  Union  soldiers  buried  in 
private  or  village  cemeteries. 

The  revenue  derived  from  the  surplus  fees  earned  in  the  various 
county  offices  had  fallen  far  short  of  expectation,  and  the  board, 
in  their  desire  to  increase  the  resources  of  the  county,  passed  the 
following  preamble  and  resolutions: 

"  Wiiereas,  there  is  a  large  amount  of  fees  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  De  W-ilt 
County  tincollecled  ;  and  whereas,  by  the  negligence  and  delay  in  collecting 
saiil  fees  the  county  sustains  great  losses,  therefore  be  it  Resolved  by  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  of  De  Witt  County,  that  we  hereby  .sell  said  fees  to  W.  Z. 
Dewey,  for  one-half  of  tiie  actual  amount  of  said  fees  which  he  may  be 
able  to  collect;  and  it  is  hereby  expressly  agreed  that  the  county  shall  be 
at  no  expense  in  or  about  tlie  collection  of  said  fee^,  and  that  he  make  a 

'  full  and  cumplete  report,  whenever  required  by  said  board,  of  the  amounts 
collected  and  not  collected,  with  reasons  for  their  non-collection ;  and  that 
he  leave  said  money  in  the  hands  of  the  proper  officers  of  said  county,  to 

!  wit:  the  Circuit  Clerk,  the  County  Clerk,  and  the  Sheriff.  Time  for  col- 
lecling  fees  to  commence  immeJiately,  and  to  cover  tiie  time  from  Decem- 
ber, 1872,  to  December  1878." 

On  the  3d  of  September,  a  report  in  reference  to  the  poor 
farm  was  placed  on  file.     We  introduce  it  here  because  of  its 

1  general  make-up.  It  is  somewhat  bucolic,  the  reader  imagines, 
to  snili'the  balmy  air  of  that  bright  September  day  ;  the  luscious 
melon  and  the  tempting  peach,  tilt  cattle  lazily  ruminating,  aj)- 
pear  before  his  mental  vision,  etc.,  etc.  '■  We  were  shown  "  says 
the  report,  after  mentioning  the  pleasures  of  the  festive  board, 
"  through  all  the  buildingj  by  the  Superintendent  (,  W.  M.  Moore, 
Esij.J,  and  then  walked  over  the  farm,  through  the  cornfields, 
finding  them  well  tended,  and  burdened  with  a  heavy  crop,"  etc., 
etc. ;  "  and  we  desire  to  say  to  the  people  of  the  county,  that  the 
farm  buildings  and  stock  are  a  credit  to  the  county ;  the  hogs, 
157  in  number  are  unsurpassed  in  tjuality,  and  the  teams,  tools, 
and  machines  are  in  good  order.  Tne  management  of  the  farm, 
as  well  as  the  care  of  inmates,  is  faultless,  and  reflects  credit 
upon  the  superintendent  and  lady,  to  whom  the  board  cheerfully 
accord  the  same,  without  a  dissenting  voice.     The  apartments  for 

'  the  poor  are  clean,  airy,  and  comfortable,  as  well  as  their  clothing 
and  food  ('  airy  '  clothes  may  be  all  right  in  summer,  but  '  airy  ' 
food  is  rather  '  thin  ')  ;  their  discipline  is  good, — all  in  keeping 

I    with  the  times  in  which  we  live." 

Bright  as  this  picture  is,  it  appeared  still  more  so  when  com- 

1   pared  with  the  gloom  caused  by  other  public  affairs.     A  strong 

1  suspicion  had  gained  ground  that  the  accounts  of  Circuit  Clerk 
Harrison  were  crooked.     Resolutions  to  investigate  multiplied, 

I  and  ended  in  the  appointment  of  James  De  Land  as  committee 
of  one  to  investigate.  W.  Z.  Dewey  reported,  about  that  time, 
that  he  had  collected  §486.25  of  old  fees,  and  drew  his  compen- 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


sation,  §243.12.  Would  not  the  county  liave  fared  better  in 
offering  this  compromise  of  iifty  per  one  hundred  to  the  individu- 
als by  whom  those  fees  were  due  ? 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  board,  James  Do  Land  filed  his 
report  in  reference  to  tees  earned  and  collected  in  the  office  of 
Circuit  Clerk,  18  72  to  1ST6.  This  report  is  most  elaborately 
compiled,  and  winds  up  by  stating  that  the  officer  in  question, 
Mr.  Harrison,  was  then  owing  to  the  county  a  balance  of  S"'372.03, 
and  not  of  8350..39,  as  would  appear  from  his  own  report.  On 
motion  of  Mr.  Graham,  the  report  of  Mr.  De  Land  was  accepted. 

W.  H.  Harrison  thereupon  resigned  his  office.  James  De 
Land  was  appointed  by  the  judges  of  the  circuit  to  fill  this 
vacancy. 

A  second  petition,  praying  for  a  vote  on  the  question  of  refund- 
ing the  county  debt  at  a  lower  rate  of  interest,  was  filed  March 
1st,  ISyO  ;  the  prayer  was  granted,  and  an  election  ordered  on 
the  day  of  the  April  township  election. 

Suit  for  S10,OOU  was  brought  against  Harrison  and  his  sure- 
ties, but  an  amicable  settlement,  based  on  fifty  per  cent,  of 
amount  due  to  the  county,  was  proposed  by  said  sureties ;  the 
moaey,  viz.,  S'lOOO,  to  be  paid  into  the  county  treasury  within 
sixty  days  after  adjournment  of  court. 

W.  Z.  Dewey  reported  to  have  collected  ohl  fee?  to  the  amount 
of  S1200.  The  county  d^bt  to  be  refunded  amounted,  in  the  ag- 
gregate, to  §175,000.  At  a  called  meeting  of  the  board,  held  on 
the  loth  of  March,  the  order  for  holding  an  election  on  this 
question,  at  the  April  town  election,  was  rescinded,  and  a  special 
election  ordered  to  be  held  on  the  fifteenth  day  of  April  next.  It 
seems  that  the  phraseology  of  the  previous  order  did  not  suit 
capitalists  or  bondholders,  and  the  vote  now  was  to  be  on  twenty 
years'  bonds  of  SIOOO  each,  bearing  sis  per  cent,  annual  interest, 
and  made  payable  in  Xew  York. 

Twenty-Second  Board— ISSO  to  1S81. 

J.  R.  Turner,  of  Tunbridge,  Chairman  ;  A.  E.  Newman,  of 
Texas  ;  J.  D  Miller,  of  Creek  ;  J.  N.  Manlove,  of  Nixon ;  Charles 
Kichter,  of  De  Witt ;  Lewis  Campbell,  of  Clintouia ,  Charles 
Willmore,  of  Harp ;  E.  D.  Sessions,  of  Waynesville ;  Jacob 
Parlier,  of  Wapella;  Mathias  Crum,  of  Santa  Anna;  E.  Hel- 
mick,  of  Rutledge;  Nicholas  Foley,  of  WiUon.  Oae  vacancy 
(Barnett),  the  Supervisor  elected  refusing  to  qualify. 

This  and  the  present  board  are  composed  of  twelve  members 
onlv,  as  the  members  of  Barnett  refuse  to  qualify. 

There  is  quite  a  little  history  connected  with  the  supervisor- 
ship  of  said  town,  which  will  more  fully  appear  in  the  township 
sketch.  Nathan  Barnett,  elected  Supervisor  in  1878,  had  quali- 
fied as  such  officer  in  due  form  of  law.  His  township  had  voted 
a  subscription  of  §30,000  in  aid  of  constructing  the  Illinois  Mid- 
land Railroad ;  and  as  the  road  was  located  so  very  near  the 
West  township  line  as  to  be  almost  outside  of  the  town,  the  au- 
thorities concluded  to  repudiate  this  subscription.  The  law- 
machinery  was  put  in  operation,  and  in  due  course  of  time  a  writ 
of  mandamus  was  issued.  Nathan  refused  to  obey,  was  fined 
§500,  and  sent  to  Springfield  jail  for  contempt  of  court.  A  man  of 
grit,  and  Spartan-like,  Nathan  remained  in  jail  until  his  term  of 
office  had  expired  and  a  successor  was  elected  and  qualified  in 
the  person  of  his  brother  Lyman.  Nathan  having,  as  he  said, 
"worn  out"  the  mandamus,  had  to  be  set  at  libertv.  Lvman 
attended  the  meetings  of  the  board  during  the  year,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded, in  18S0,  by  W.  Gambrel,  who  refused  to  qualify.  The 
court  holding  that  Lyman  remained  a  member  until  his  successor 


had  qualified,  proceeded  against  Lyman.  He,  however,  is  away 
from  home  at  the  present  writing,  and  has  been  since  those  pro- 
ceedings began.  Barnett  town  is  without  a  Supervisor,  but  gets 
along  pretty  well  in  its  orphaned  condition. 

The  election  on  the  bond  question  was  hi-ld  on  the  15th  of 
April,  and  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  the  refunding  plan.  One 
hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  in  one-thousand-dollar 
bonds  were  issued,  and  after  some  eflbrts  to  place  them,  the  bank 
firm  of  John  Warner  &  Co.  oflfered  to  sell  them  at  a  commission 
of  one-eighth  of  one  per  cent.  This  proposition  was  accepted, 
and  §125,000  were  disposed  of  by  July  12th,  ISSO.  By  Sep- 
tember following  all  but  six  thousand  dollars  had  been  placed, 
and  the  board,  desirous  to  close  and  complete  the  work,  passed 
the  following  resolution  : — 

'■  Wliereas.  tliere  are  certain  persons  holding  and  owning  a  small  number 
of  old  county  bonds,  wlio  refuse  to  deliver  up  the  same  for  their  fair  value, 
therefore  be  it  Resolved  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  De  Witt  C^junty, 
that  if  said  bonds  are  not  delivered  up  to  the  hank  firm  of  John  Warner  & 
Co-,  at  Clinton,  Illinois,  on  or  before  November  1st,  ISSO,  for  cancellation, 
this  Board  will  then  proceed  to  litigate,  and  stop  payment  of  interest. 

This  resolution  had  the  desired  effect. 

Taenty-Third  Board— ISSi  to  1832. 

J.  B.  Turner,  of  Tunbridge,  Chairman ;  Cornelius  Kelley,  of 
Texas  ;  H.  C.  Spainhour,  of  Creek  ;  John  N.  Manlove,  of  Nixon  ; 
William  Metzger,  of  Clintonia;  W.  H.  Cardifl!",  of  Harp;  Jacob 
Swigart,  of  De  Witt ;  Charles  Jones,  of  Waynesville ;  F.  L. 
Harpster,  of  Wapella ;  Henry  Brittin,  of  Wilson ;  Franklin 
Vance,  of  Rutledge;  Mathias  Crum,  of  Santa  Anna.  Barnett 
township  not  represented. 

The  afl!airs  of  the  county  are  now  in  a  very  favorable  con- 
dition, the  county  indebtedness  in  a  fair  way  of  being  gradually 
reduced  and  wiped  out.  The  board  is  ably  assisted  in  its  labors 
by  a  corps  of  efficient  county  officials,  to  wit: 

G.  K.  Ingham,  County  Judge;  Augustus  V.  Lisenby,  County 
Clerk ;  J.  T.  Carle,  Circuit  Clerk ;  Amos  Weednian,  Sheriff; 
James  A.  Wilson,  Treasurer  ;  Miss  Mary  S.  Welch,  School  Su- 
perintendent;  Alexnder  L.  Barnett,  Surveyor;  Lafayette  Ely, 
Coroner ;  VV.  H.  Booth,  States  Attorney  ;  G.  B.  Graham,  Master 
in  Chancery. 

COURTS. 

Probate  Court. — The  first  session  of  this  court  was  held  August 
10th,  1S39,  and  presided  over  by  Fleming  G.  Paine.  The  pro- 
ceedings were  not  of  great  interest.  The  few  remarks  about 
estates  administered  on  at  this  early  day  are  merely  made  for  the 
purpose  of  illustrating  the  wealth  or  poverty  of  the  parties  men- 
tioned, and  of  showing  what  commodities  or  personal  property 
they  had  been  possessed  of,  and  what  prices  were  obtained  at  the 
various  admini.strators'  sales. 

The  first  estate  administered  on  was  that  of  Solomon  Blount, — 
the  day  and  date  of  his  death  is  not  mentioned.  Catharine,  his 
widow,  and  G.  B  Lemen,  were  appointed  administrators.  The 
penalty  of  the  bond  was  §800,  with  Isaac  Strain  and  W.  C. 
Swisher  as  sureties.  James  Vandeventer,  Thomas  Wilson,  and 
W.  H.  Lafferty  were  appointed  appraisers.  The  warrant  of  their 
appointment  was,  however,  revoked  on  the  26th  of  September, 
and  W.  H.  Lerty,  D.  Bobbins,  and  John  Sash  appointed  in  their 
place. 

The  personal  property  brought  §682  IH,  at  public  sale  held 
October  4th,  1839. 


EISTOEY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


81 


The  following  prices  were  obtained:  A  bee-stand,  S4. 00  ;  one 
side-saddle,  38  cents;  one  man's  saddle,  84.00;  a  stack  of  fall 
wheat,  86.G0 ;  one  of  spring  wheat,  81.  50;  one  of  oats,  82.25  ; 
one  yoke  of  oxen,  860  50;  eighteen  sheep,  841.00;  one  colt, 
S42  00,  etc.,  etc.  1'.  Robbins  clerked,  and  F.  G.  Paine,  the  judge, 
cried  the  sale.  Corn  was  sold  subsequently  at  20  cents  per 
bushel. 

The  inventory  stated  that  the  deceased  held,  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  land  certificates  covering  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres, 
all  in  town  20  Jf.  R.  .3  East. 

The  estate  was  settled  on  the  4th  of  September,  1S43. 

The  administrators  charge  themselves,  as  above,  with  8"S2  \\\, 
and  take  credit  as  follows:  Funeral  expenses,  810.18;  costs  of 
appraisement  and  sale,  85  38  ;  probate  fees,  82000 ;  debts  paid, 
8597.50,  and  administrators'  compensation  840.55  cents,  leaving 

balance  of  88.501  to  the  heirs. 

Second  Estate. — Samuel  Stewart  died  September  6th,  1839. 
The  widow  having  resigned  her  right  to  administer,  letters  were 
granted  to  William  Stewart,  a  son  of  deceased,  on  the  20th  of 
September,  18o9.  A  bond  of  83200  was  signed  by  John  Moore 
and  George  Barnes.  The  inventory,  filed  November  15th,  showed 
cash  and  notes  of  hand  amounting  to  8318. 06.  The  personal 
property  was  appraised  at  8654.78. 

The  widow's  award  was  8218.44,  which  she  took  in  chittles  at 
appraised  value,  the  rest  of  personal  property  was  sold  at  auction 
for  8508.48. 

An  informal  settlement  was  made  on  the  4th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1841,  when  the  administrator  reported  to  have  collected 
81,020.39,  and  to  have  disbursed  8970.25. 

Third  £«ta<e. -William  Dye,  died  Sept.  23d,  1839.  Nancy 
Dye,  widow,  and  Ben.  Cundiff,  administrators.  Inventory  men- 
tions 295  acres  of  land  in  township  19,  2  east,  personal  property 
appraised  at  892.S.50.  A  part  of  this  was  sold  at  auction  on  the 
8th  of  November,  1S39,  for  8442.86.  The  following  prices  were 
obtained  : 

Oae  eight-day  clock,  80,00;  a  shotgun,  86  00;  one-half  of  a 
wind-mill,  (probably  wheat  fan),  83. 00 ;  four  yokes  of  steers, 
8167.50;  one  Durham  bull,  86.75;  eighteen  shoats,  837  00;  three 
cows,  828.00:  two  heifers,  812.00 ;  thirteen  sheep,  813  00;  one 
filly,  837.50 ;  one  mare,  820  00 ;  one  stack  of  fall  wheat,  89  00  ; 
one  do.  of  spring  wheat,  $o  00  ;  seven  roim  of  corn  in  the  field, 
$36.20;  one  saddle,  50  cents;  and  one  spinning-wheel,  §1  00. 

The  claims  probated  against  the  estate  amounted  to  8403  15. 

Fourth  Edate. — Charles  McCord,  died  November  8th,  1839. 
W.  Y.  McCord,  administrator.  This  estate  was  small — 8168.10 
in  toto,  but  proved  to  be  solvent;  debts  amounted  to  8146.38. 

Fijth  Edate. — Amos  Armsby  died  February  23d,  1840. 
Horace  Armsby,  adminstrator,  bond,  83, COO. 

Personal  assets,  as  follows: 

Cash  on  hand  at  time  of  dealh §4S0  69 

Promissory  notes 5.50.00 

Proceeds  of  sale, 1,010.72 

52,041.41 
Real  estate,  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land,  in  T.  20, 
R.  1  west.     Prices  paid  at  sale : 

One  saddle,  81175;  one  mare,  S65.50 ;  one  cow  and  calf, 
$16  50;  one  cart,  830.00 ;  one  wagon,  849  00;  shingles,  82.87 
per  thousand;  nails,  11  cents  per  pound ;  planks,  81.06  per  hun- 
dred ;  wall-paper,  32  cents  per  roll ;  crowbar,  6  cents  per  pound  ; 
one  screw-plate,  85.00;  one  hay-hook,  86.30;  one  log-chain, 
$3.50. 

11 


A  complete  and  accurate  settlement  of  this  estate  was  made, 
March  loth,  1841.  The  administrator  charged  himself  with 
the  inventory  and  sale-bill,  together  with  amount  of  interest  ac- 
crued on  deferred  payments,  to  wit.:  893. S6  ;  total,  82,135.27,  aud 
took  credit  for  costs  in  court,  816  00  ;  expenses  of  sale  and  ap- 
praisement, 812.00;  debts  paid,  822.00  ;  administrator's  compen- 
sation, 8107.81  ;  balance  for  distribution,  81,977.46.  The  heirs, 
Panthea,  Edwin,  Lawrence,  and  Horace  Armsby  receipted  for 
their  shares,  8494.36,  on  the  same  day. 

Sixth  Edate. — Jacob  Brown  died  April  7th,  1.840.  This  estate 
was  insolvent;  there  was  only  818.77  with  which  to  pay  funeral 
expenses,  court  fees,  and  8108.53  in  probated  claims. 

Seventh  £,Me. -Matthew  R.  Martin  died  April  18th,  1840, 
(His  name  appears  again  below ;  he  had  been  killed  by  one 
Turner.)  John  Lane  became  administrator,  and  sold  the  per- 
sonal effects  of  deceased  for  847. 69. 

In  Sept.  1851,  eleven  years  later,  the  administrator  was  cited 
to  make  a  settlement.  He  appeared  and  paid  the  court  fees. 
The  debts  of  the  deceased  amounted  to  888.98. 

Elrjhih  Edate  — Joshua  Cantrall  had  died  testate.  His  will 
being  the  first  ever  probated  in  the  county  of  Dj  Witt,  is  here 
introduced  in  full,  to  wit- : 

The  instrument  is  dated  April  5th,  1838,  and  was  probated  on 
the  25th  of  August,  1840.     It  reads  as  follows : 

In  the  name  of  God,  Amen!  I  Joshua  Cantrall,  of  McLean 
county,*  and  State  of  Illinois,  being  in  perfect  health  of  body  and 
of  sound  aud  disposing  mind,  memory  and  understanding  con- 
cerning the  certainty  of  death  and  the  uncertainty  of  the  time, 
and  being  desirous  of  settling  my  worldly  aft'airs,  and  thereby  be 
the  better  prepared  to  leave  this  world,  when  it  shall  please  God 
to  call  me  hence,  aud  I  do  therefore  make  and  publish  this  my 
last  will  and  testiment,  in  manner  and  form  following,  that  is  to 
say  :  First  and  principally  I  commit  my  soul  into  the  hands  of 
God,  and  my  body  to  the  earth  to  be  decently  buried  ;  and  after 
my  debts  aud  funeral  charges  are  paid,  I  design  and  bequeath  as 
follows : 

Fird.  I  design  and  bequeath  to  my  wife,  Raehcl,  during  her 
natural  life,  the  farm  on  which  I  now  live,  as  deeded  to  me  by 
Mark  Pherson  and  Frederick  Stip,  except  the  east-half  of  the 
west-half  of  the  north-west  quarter  of  section  29  of  township  No, 
21.  north  of  range  No.  1,  east  of  the  third  principal  meredian. 
and  I  will  one  acre  of  land  to  be  laid  oft"  in  a  square  in  the 
north-west  corner  of  section  No.  32,  for  the  purpose  of  a  burying 
place. 

Also,  of  the  live  stock  as  follows:  two  head  of  horses,  three 
cows  and  calves,  twenty  head  of  sheep,  all  of  such  as  she  may 
choose,  and  as  much  of  the  house-hold  and  kitchen  furniture  as 
she  may  deem  necessary  for  her  convenience ;  also,  one  wagon 
two  plows,  and  the  tackling  sufBeient  to  work  the  .«ame,  and  four 
pair  of  gears,  one  logchain,  one  axe,  one  mattock,  and  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars  in  money- 

Secondly.  I  design  to  bequeath  my  daughter,  Jane,  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars. 

Thirdly.  To  my  daughter,  Thirza,  I  design  and  bequeath  a 
tract  of  land,  it  being  the  west  half  of  the  south-east  quarter  of 
section  No.  4,  in  township  No.  19,  north  of  range  No.  1,  cast,  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

Fourth,  and  to  ray  son,  Zubulon,  I  design  and  bequeath  two 

*  De  Witt  county  was  organized  abont  one  year  after  the  date  of  this 
will,  wfiich  accounts  for  the  name  of  .McLean  county  in  the  above. 


82 


EISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


hundred  dollars  and  forty  acres  of  land,  more  or  less,  it  being  the 
north-east  quarter  of  the  north-east  quarter  of  section  No.  12,  in 
same  township. 

Fijlh,  and  to  my  daughter,  Mahala,  I  design  and  bequeath 
three  tracts  of  laud,  the  first  being  the  west  half  of  the  east  half 
of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  No.  30,  in  township  No.  21, 
north  of  range  No.  1,  east  of  the  third  principal  meridian;  the 
second  being  the  west  half  of  the  north-west  quarter  of  section 
No.  .5,  in  township  No.  20,  north  of  range  No.  1,  east  of  the  third 
principal  meridian,  except  one  acre  and  one  hundred  and  forly 
rods,  lying  on  the  north-east  corner  of  said  lot,  beginning  at  the 
north  east  corner  of  said  lot,  thence  west  twenty-five  rods  to  a 
stake,  thence  north  twelve  rods  to  a  stake,  thence  east  twenty- 
five  rods  to  a  stake,  thence  north  twelve  rods  to  the  beginning, 
which  lot  or  parcel  of  land,  of  one  acre  and  one  hundred  and 
forty  rods  as  last  described,  I  bequeath  and  design  to  my  son 
AVilliam. 

The  third  tract  I  design  and  bequeath  to  my  daughter  jMahala,    I 
being  the  east  half  of  the  north-east  quarter  of  section  No-  11, 
township  No.  19,  north  of  range  No.  1,  east  of  the  third  principal   ] 
ibedidian. 

Sixth.  And  to  my  daughter,  Polly,  I  design  and  bequeath  three 
tracts  of  land  as  follows  :  The  first  being  the  east  half  of  the  south- 
east quarter  of  section  No.  27,  in  township  No.  20,  north  of  range 
No.  1,  east  of  the  third  principal  meridian,  the  second  being  the 
south-east  quarter  of  the  south-west  quarter  of  soctiou  No.  o5, 
in  township  No.  20,  north  of  range  No.  1,  east,  the  third  being 
lot  No.  2,  north-east  quarter  of  section  No.  2,  in  township  No.  19, 
north  of  range  No.  1,  east. 

Seventh.    And  to  my  son  AVilliam,  in  addition  to  the  one  acre 
and  one  hundred  and  forty  rods  above  mentioned,  I  design  and 
bequeath  four  tracts  of  land,  the  first  being  the  east  half  of  the 
east  half  of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  No.  30,  of  township 
No.  21,  north  of  range  No.  1,  east.     The  second  being  the  west 
half  of  the  north-east  quarter  of  section  No.  12,  in  township  No. 
19,  north  of  range  No.  1,  east.     The  third  being  the  south-east  | 
of  the  south-west  quarter  of  section  32,  of  tawnship  No.  21,  north   i 
of  range  No.  1,  east.     The  fourth  being  forty-eight  acres,  to  be   ; 
laid  off  upon  the  north  end  of  the  east  half  of  the  north-west 
quarter  of  section  No.  .5,  of  township  No.  20,  north  of  range  No. 
1,  east.     The  balance  of  said  lot  or  parcel  of  land.  I  design  and 
bequeath   to  my  daughter   ^lahala,  in  addition  to  my  other  be- 
quests to  her. 

Eight.  And  to  my  son  Levi,  I  design  and  bequeath  three  tracts 
of  land  ;  the  first  being  the  east  half  of  the  west  half  of  the  north-  , 
west  quarter  of  section  No.  29,  in  township  No.  21,  north  of  range 
No.  1,  east;  the  second  being  the  west  half  of  the  south-east 
quarter  of  section  No-  32,  in  township  No.  21,  north  of  range  No. 
1 ,  east ;  the  third  being  the  east  half  of  the  south-east  quarter  of 
section  No.  2,  in  township  ^"-  19.  north  of  range  No.  1,  east. 

Ninth.  And  to  my  daughter  Nancy,  I  design  and  bequeath 
three  tracts  of  land  as  follows  :  The  tlrst  being  the  west  half  of 
the  north-west  quarter  of  section  No.  2G,  in  township  No.  20, 
north  of  range  No.  1,  east ;  the  second  being  the  north  half  of 
the  north-west  quarter  of  section  No.  1,  in  township  No.  19, 
north  of  range  No.  1,  east;  the  third  being  the  south  half  of  the 
west  half  of  the  south-west  quarter  of  section  No.  36,  in  township 
No.  20,  north  of  range  No.  1,  east. 

Tenth.  And  to  my  son  Joshua  Christopher,  I  design  and  be- 
queath a  tract  of  land,  it  being  the  wtst  half  of  lot  No.  2,  north- 
east quarter  of  section  No.  1,  in  township  No.  19,  north  of  range 
No.  1,  cast. 


Eleventh.  And  to  my  son  Eli,  I  design  and  bequeath  a  tract 
of  land,  it  being  the  west  half  of  lot  No.  1,  north-east  quarter  of 
section  No.  1,  in  township  No.  19,  north  of  range  No.  1,  east. 

And  furthermore,  at  the  decease  of  my  wife,  I  design  and  be- 
queath the  farm  on  which  I  now  live,  as  above  described,  to  my 
last  mentioned  sons,  Joshua  Christopher  and  Eli,  with  all  and 
singular  the  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging,  to  be  equally 
divided  between  them  ;  and  lastly,  I  will  that  the  balance  of  my 
estate,  both  real  and  personal,  be  equally  divided  amongst  all 
my  children,  as  above  named. 

I  do  constitute  and  appoint  my  sons,  Zebuhm  and  William,  my 
executors  of  this  my  last  will  and  testament,  revoking  and  au- 
nuHing  all  former  wills  by  me  made,  ratifying  and  confirming 
this  and  none  other.  In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set 
my  hand  and  seal,  this  1.5th  day  of  Ajjril,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1838. 

Joshua  Cantrall.  [seal.] 

Signed  and  scaled  in  the  presence  of  us, 
F.  S.  Harrisom, 
Homer  Burk, 
David  JMontgomery. 

Letters  testamentary  were  granted  to  said  Zebulon  and  Wil- 
liam Cantrall  on  the  2.5th  of  August,  18-10  ,they  having  qualified 
by  oath  and  entering  into  bond  for  S3,200.  William,  one  of 
these  executors,  filed  inventory  and  sale  bill  on  the  2d  day  of 
November,  a.  d  1840. 

The  inventory  contained  a  description  of  real  estate,  viz. : 
llGi'cs  acres  of  land,  four  lots  in  the  town  of  Waynesville,  a  list 
of  notes  and  accounts  due  to  the  estate,  amounting  in  the  aggre- 
gate to  S209.59,  and  a  statement  of  cash  on  hand  at  the  time  of 
death,  viz., 8400.50. 

The  sale  of  personal  property,  held  on  the  18th  of  September, 
brought  §1,775.11,  hence  it  would  appear  that  the  whole  per- 
sonal estate  of  the  deceased  amounted  to  §2,385.20. 

The  debts  probated  amounted  to  S47.14.  There  is  no  further 
mention  made  of  this  estate  on  the  probate  records. 

Peter  Belleio,  bound  to  E.  W.  Wright,  December  6,  1843. 

Emeliiie  Winflow,  bound  to  Orin  Wakefield,  June,  1845. 

I-iaac  II.  Blanhensh'p,  bound  to  B  L.  Cundrifi^,  June,  1846. 

Mary  Baker,  bound  to  James  McCord,  June  7,  1847. 

Elizabeth  Ilolsey,  bound  to  Samuel  Spencer,  the  father  of  Eliza- 
beth consenting,  June  G,  1848. 

The  probate  court  also  granted  certificates  of  naturalization 
to  a  few  foreigners,  residents  of  De  Witt  county. 

The  first  certificate  of  this  kiud  was  granted  to  John  Sheehey, 
a  native  of  Ireland,  on  November  1,  1866.  Besides  him,  this 
court  naturalized  twenty-five  other  Irishmen,  one  German,  and 
one  Swede  Eight  others  received  cert'ficates  of  naturalization 
on  account  of  military  services  rendered  during  the  late  civil 
war,  to  wit:  William  McDonald,  company  K,  152d  Illinois  In- 
fantry ;  George  Toohey,  company  A,  107th  Illinois  Infantry ; 
John  Stewart,  company  D,  107th  Illinois  Infantry;  Ora  C.  Ives, 
company  I,  154th  Illinois  Infantry;  Stephen  Adams. 

Fourth  Maryland  Infantry  (all  Irishmen) — Avery  H.  Ives,  a 
Canadian,  4ih  Illinois  cavalry ;  John  Schlafke,  a  German, 
company  D,  107th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  George  H.  Claus,  a 
Dtitchmau,  company  L,  Johnson's  cavalry.  Seven  others,  who 
had  come  here  as  minors  with  their  fathers,  received  also  certi- 
ficates of  naturalization  on  first  application.  The  county  court 
of  De  AVitt  county  has  therefore  granted  forty-three  such  certi- 
ficates during  a  space  of  forty-two  years. 


EISTOB  Y  OF  DE  WITT  CO  UXTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


83 


Another  branch  of  biijiiicss  transacted  by  the  probate  or 
county  court,  was  the  "  binding  out,"  or  indenturing  of  minors. 
The  phraseology  of  the  instruments  seems  to  have  been  taken 
from  an  old  English  text;  boys  -nere  to  be  taught  the  arts  and 
secrets  of  farming,  etc.,  and  were  to  receis-e  a  Bible,  and  a  horse 
with  saddle  and  bridle  at  the  expiration  of  their  term,  twenty 
one  years  of  age  ;  girls  were  to  be  introduced  into  the  secrets  of 
house-keeping,  and  sometimes  be  taught  the  arts  of  a  "  spinster." 
Their  servitude  terminated  with  their  eighteenth  birth-day,  and 
their  compensation  usually  consisted  in  a  Bible  and  an  extra  suit 
of  clothes  for  Sunday  wear.  The  following  are  the  earliest  in- 
dentures of  the  kind  made  in  De  Witt  county,  viz  : 

William  Bromjield,  bound  to  G.  B.  Lemon  in  March,  1840. 

A'.  IT.  Poff,  bound  to  D.  S.  Ely,  June,  1840. 

Henri/ Winkle  and  CiiaiioUe  Winkle,  bound  to  Abraham  Bash, 
September,  1848. 

James  J  Bdlew,  bound  to  Jacob  Harrold,  December  G,  1843. 

Albert  Windoio,  hound  to  James  Shinkle,  in  March,  1846. 

The  Roster  of  officers  in  the  Appendix  contains  the  names  of 
the  gentlemen  who  presided  over  the  sessions  of  this  court,  and 
also  the  length  of  their  respective  terms. 

CIP.CUIT   COURT. 

The  first  term  of  this  court  was  held  on  Thursday,  October  24, 
18-39,  with  Hon.  .Samuel  H.  Treat  on  the  bench,  and  D.  B. 
Campbell,  state  attorney.  K.  H.  Fell  had  been  appointed  cir- 
cuit clerk  of  De  Witt  county,  then  a  part  of  the  eigh'h  judicial 
circuit,  by  Hon.  Stephen  T.  Logan,  on  the  23d  day  of  March, 
1839.  Fell  took  the  oath  of  office  before  William  Anderson,  an 
acting  justice  of  the  peace,  on  the  1st  of  April,  1839. 

John  Montgomery  was  appointed  fijreman  of  this  the  first 
grand  jury  of  the  county.  The  names  of  the  grand  jurors  chosen 
for  this  term  have  been  recited  above  under  the  heading,  (/ocera- 
ment  of  the  county,  and  need  not  be  mentioned  again. 

The  first  and  only  indictment  returned  by  this  august  body 
was  for  a  most  trivial  offense,  and  resulted,  as  it  ought  to  have, 
in  a  verdict  of  "  not  guilty."  This  indictment  was  the  "fore- 
runner" of  multitudes  of  similar  charges,  and  it  is  very  much 
to  be  deplored  that  grand  juries  will  branch  off  on  such  business. 
True,  such  trivial  charges  are  never  upheld,  but  people  are  not 
only  harrassed  and  worried  by  them,  but  have  to  incur  heavy 
and  galling  expenses  in  defending  themselves  against  frivolous 
and  often  malicious  charges.  The  indictment  above  mentioned 
is  here  introduced  at  length.  Its  victim  is  to  this  day  an  honored 
citizen  of  the  county,  and  though  the  contents  of  these  pages 
may  induce  a  smile  yet,  he  well  remembers  how  outraged 
he  felt  when  the  "capias"  was  presented. 

George  Clifton,  an  early  settler  was,  at  the  October  term  of 
the  Circuit  Court,  in  1839,  indicted  for  malicious  mischief.  The 
indictment  is  in  words  and  figures  as  follows: 

Of  the  Oc  ober  term  of  the  De  Witt  Circuit  Court,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-nine. 

St.\te  of  Illisois,    I 

De  Witt  County.  J  '  The  grand  jurors,  chosen,  selected, 
and  sworn  in  and  for  the  county  of  De  Witt,  in  the  name  and 
by  the  authority  of  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  upon 
their  odths  presen',  that  one  George  Clifton,  on  the  first  day  of 
September,  A.  D.  1839,  at  the  county  of  De  Witt  and  slate 
aforesaid,  one  hog  of  the  value  of  five  dollars,  (being  then  and 
there  the  property  of  one  B.  Lowery,)  unlawfully,  wilfulh', 
maliciously,  did  wound,  contrary  to  the  form  of  the  statute  in 


such  case  made  and  provided,  and  against  the  peace  and  dignity 
of  the  people  of  the  .State  of  Illinois. 

And  the  grand  jurors  aforesaid,  in  the  name  and  by  the  au- 
thority upon  their  oaths  aforesaid,  do  further  present,  that  on 
the  said  first  day  of  September,  A.  D.  1S39,  in  the  county  and 
state  aforesaid,  the  said  George  Clifton,  one  pig,  of  the  value  of 
five  dollars,  the  property  of  one  B.  Lowery,  then  and  there 
being  found  unlawfully,  wantonly,  willfully  and  maliciously  did 
wound  by  then  and  there  cutting  the  hoof-strings  of  the  said 
pig,  contrary  to  the  form  o'f  the  statute  in  such  case  made  and 
provided,  and  against  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the  same  people 
of  the  State  of  Illinois. 

D.  B.  Campbell, 
JoHX  Mostgo:mery,  State's  Attorney. 

Foreman  Grand  Jury. 

George  Clifton  was  put  upon  trial  May  22  1,  1840.  John 
Lowery,  Wilson  Hood,  and  Job  Clifton  had  been  subpcened  for 
the  people,  and  a  jury  was  impannelled  with  William  Stewart  as 
foreman. 

The  defendant,  George  Clifton,  who  had  at  the  October  term 
last  preceding,  given  bonds  in  the  penalty  of  one  hundred  dol- 
lars, with  Nehemiah  Clifton  as  security,  was  acquitted. 

The  verdict  (without  date)  says:  We,  the  jurors,  do  find  the 
defendant  not  "guilty." 

Thus  ended  the  first  criminal  ca-e  tried  in  De  Witt  county. 

May  term,  1840. — Same  officers  of  court. 

R.  F.  Baruett,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments  were  returned — 

James  Harp,  f  >r  selling  liquor  without  license,  six  indict- 
ments- Harvey  Bradshaw,  for  the  same  offense,  five  indictments. 
John  French,  for  assaulting  an  ofiicer.  Spencer  Turner,  for  the 
murder  of  Matthew  K.  Martin. 

The  particulars  of  this  latter  case  were  as  follows : 

The  first  murder  trial  in  the  county  came  off  in  September, 
1840,  bef  ire  the  Hon.  Samuel  U.  Treat,  prosecuted  by  D.  B. 
Campbell,  States  Attorney.  Although  the  trial  terminated  in 
acquittal,  there  are  some  facts  and  incidents  of  great  interest 
connected  with  the  case,  so  that  a  brief  sketch  of  it  may  here 
find  space. 

It  appears,  from  a  coroner's  inquest  conducted  by  Squire  J.  C. 
McPherson  on  the  19th  of  April,  1840,  that  Matthew  K  Martin, 
a  citizen  of  De  Witt  county,  "came  to  a  premature  death,"  in 
the  town  of  Clinton,  on  said  19th  of  April,  1840,  and  that 
one  "  Spencer  Turner  "  was  in  part  the  cause  of  said  Martin's 
death. 

The  verdict  of  the  coroner's  jury  stated  further,  that  Martin 
came  to  his  death  by  a  severe  blow  upon  his  head  with  a  club, 
struck  by  Spencer  Turner,  "  together  with  his  own  (Martin's) 
imprudence  in  keeping  himself  in  a  state  of  intoxication  and 
exposure  in  rain  and  inclemency  of  the  weather,  in  the  night 
previous  to  his  death." 

J.  C.  JlcPhersou  now  issued  a  capias,  directed  to  all  sheriffs, 
coroners,  and  constables  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  commanding 
each  and  all  to  "  take  the  said  Spencer  Turner,  if  he  be  found  in 
your  county,  and  if  he  shall  have  fled,  to  pursue  after  said  Tur- 
ner into  any  other  county  within  this  State,  so  as  to  have  his 
body  forthwith  before  me  or  some  other  justice,"  etc. 

Turner  had  not  gone  far,  for  the  above  capias  is  endorsed  as 
follows:  "Executed  the  within  by  fetching  the  body  of  Spencer 
into  court,  as  commanded.     This  19th  day  of  April  1840. 

"  G-  E.  Bennett,  Constable" 


84 


IILSTOn  Y  Ot  DE  WITT  CO  UXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


The  prisoner  gave  bond  to  the  amount  of  ten  thousand  dollars 
for  his  appearance  at  court,  with  Merlin  Hnblct,  Allen  Turner, 
Benjamin  Shipley,  I».  II.  Lawrence,  aud  Timothy  B.  iloblet,  as 
bureties. 

At  the  May  term,  1840,  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  De  Witt 
county,  the  following  indictment  was  returned  into  court: — ■ 

"  ixdictmext. 
"  State  of  Illinois,  1 
De  Witt  Cousty,  j  ''^^ 

"  The  Grand  Jurors,  chosen,  selected,  and  sworn  in  and  for 
the  county  of  Te  Witt,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the 
people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  upon  their  oaths  present:  That 
Spencer  Turner,  not  having  the  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes,  but 
being  moved  and  seduced  by  the  instigation  of  the  devil,  on  the 
15th  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  l^od  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  forty,  with  force  and  arms,  at  the  county  of  De 
Witt,  in  the  State  of  Illinois  aforesaid,  in  and  upon  one  Matthew 
K.  Martin,  in  the  peace  of  the  people  then  and  there  being,  felo- 
niously, wilfully,  and  with  hi:*  malice  aforethought,  did  make  an 
assault,  and  that  the  said  Spencer  Turner,  with  a  certain  wooden 
slick,  of  the  value  of  ten  cents,  which  he,  the  said  Spencer  Tur- 
ner, iu  his  right  hand  then  and  there  had  and  held,  the  said 
Matthew  K.  Martin  in  and  upon  the  right  side  of  the  head,  near 
the  right  temple  of  him,  the  said  Jlattew  K.  Martin,  then  and 
there  feloniously,  wilfully,  and  of  his  malice  aforethought,  did 
strike,  giving  to  the  said  Matthew  K.  Martin,  then  and  there 
with  the  wooden  stick  aforesaid,  in  and  upon  the  said  right  side 
of  the  head  near  the  right  temple  of  him,  the  said  Matthew  K. 
JIartin,  one  mortal  wound,  of  the  length  of  two  inches,  and  of 
the  depth  of  one  inch,  of  which  said  mortal  wound  the  said 
Matthew  K  Martin,  from  the  said  fifteenth  day  of  April,  in  the 
year  aforesaid,  until  the  eighteenth  day  of  the  same  month  of 
April  in  the  year  aforesaid,  in  the  county  and  State  aforesaid, 
did  languish,  and  languishing  did  live,  on  which  said  eighteenth 
day  of  April,  in  the  year  aforesaid,  the  said  Matthew  K.  Martin, 
in  the  county  and  State  aforesaid,  of  the  said  mortal  wound  died, 
and  so  the  grand  jurors  aforesaid,  upon  their  oaths  aforesaid,  do 
say  that  said  Spencer  Turner  the  said  INIatthew  K.  Martin,  in 
manner  and  form  aforesaid,  feloniously,  wilfully,  and  of  his  malice 
afiirethought,  did  kill  and  murder,  contrary  to  the  form  of  the 
statute  in  such  case  made  and  provided,  and  against  the  peace 
and  dignity  of  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinors. 

D.  B.  Campbell,  States  Attorney." 

The  case  was  continued  to  September,  1840,  and  again  to  May, 
1841,  when  it  was  tried  before  tlie  following  jury,  to  wit : — 

Henry  Williams,  foreman  ;  George  Copenbarger,  Charles  Day, 
Isaac  Carlock,  Moses  J.  Williams,  A  Oiistott,  W.  Dyer,  W.  Stew- 
art, Jeremiah  P.  Dunham,  William  Wright,  Sr.,  Thomas  Wilson, 
and  Samuel  Duncan. 

'I'he  accused  was  ably  defended  by  the  illustrious  Stephen  A. 
Douglas  and  the  immortal  Abraham  J>iucuhi. 

The  verdict  of  the  jury,  written  on  a  bit  of  paper  rudely  torn 
from  a  sheet,  reads  as  follows: — 

"  We,  the  jury,  find  the  defendant  not  guilty  (gilty)." 

"  Hexry  Williams,  Foreman. 

"  Clinton,  May  23rf,  1841." 

Douglas  and  Lincoln  each  took  a  promissory  note  of  two  hun- 
dred dollars  iu  pay  for  their  services.  Douglas  was  careful  to  get 
"  good  "  paper,  while  Lincoln,  with  his  known  "  charity  to  all," 
was  satisfied  with  Spencer's  paper,  endorsed  by  William  Turner. 


Lincoln  brought  suit  at  the  October  term,  1841.     The  decla- 
ration is  in  his  o«n  handwriting,  and  is  given  here  at  length  : — 


'State  of  Illinois, 
De  Witt  County 
AND  Circuit. 


Of  the  October  Term  of  the  Circuit  Court 
of  said  Countv,  A.  D.  1841. 


"  Abraham  Lincoln,  plaintiff,  complains  of  Spencer  Turner 
and  William  Turner,  defendants  of  a  plea  of  trespasss  on  the 
case  upon  promises ;  For  that  whereas,  the  said  defendants,  here- 
tofore, to  wit,  on  the  twenty-third  day  of  Jlay,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-one,  at  Clinton,  to  wit,  at  the 
county  and  circuit  aforesaid,  made  their  certain  promissory  note, 
iu  writing,  the  said   \Villiam  signing  his  name  thereto,  thus: 

iMS 

William  x  Turner,  bearing  date  the  day  and  year  aforesaid,  and 

mark. 

thereby  then  and  there  promised  to  pay,  ninety  days  after  the 
date  thereof,  to  the  said  plaintiff,  by  the  name  of  A.  Lincoln,  the 
sum  of  two  hundred  dollars,  for  value  received,  and  then  and 
there  delivered  the  said  promissory  note  to  the  said  plaintiflT,  by 
means  whereof,  and  by  force  of  the  statute  in  such  case  made  and 
provided,  the  said  defendants  there  and  then  became  liable  to 
pay  to  the  said  plaintiff  the  said  sum  of  money  in  the  said  prom- 
issory note  specified,  according  to  the  tenor  and  eflTect  of  the  said 
promissory  note,  and  being  so  liable,  they,  the  said  defendants, 
in  consideration  thereof,  afterwards,  to  wit,  on  the  day  and  year 
aforesaid,  undertook,  and  then  and  there  faithfully  promised  the 
said  plaintiff,  to  pay  him  the  said  sum  of  money  according  to  the 
tenor  and  effect  of  the  said  promissory  note;  yet  the  said  defend- 
ants (although  often  requested  to  do  so)  have  not  as  yet  paid  to 
the  said  plaintiff  the  said  sum  of  money  in  the  said  promissory 
note  specified,  or  any  part  thereof,  but  so  to  do  have  hitherto 
whollv  neglected  and  refused,  and  still  do  neglect  and  refuse — 
To  the  damage  of  the  said  plaintiffof  three  hundred  dollars;  and 
therefor  he  sues." 

(Copy  of  Note  sued  on.) 

"  Clinton,  May  2.3d,  1840. 
"  Ninety  days  after  date  I  promise  to  pay  A  Lincoln  two  hun- 
dred dollars,  for  value  received. 

Spencer  Turner. 

his 

William  x  Turner." 

The  suit  was  decided  in  favor  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  but  the 
I  officers  failed  to  make  collection.  C.  H.  Moore,  Esq.,  informed 
us  that  Spencer  Turner,  subsequent  to  the  trial,  offered  Mr. 
Lincoln  a  horse  in  payment  of  the  judgment.  Lincoln  took  the 
animal,  which  soon  after  got  stone  blind  and  perfectly  worthless. 
Mr.  Turner  is  still  living. 

October  term,  1840. — Same  officers. 

David  Montgomery,  foreman  grand  jury.  Harvey  Bradshaw 
was  tried  on  his  five  indictments,  acquitted  on  four,  convicted  on 
one,  and  fined  810.  Four  of  Harp's  cases  were  nol.  pros.,  and  on 
the  other  two  he  was  acquitted ;  so  was  John  French. 

The  grand  jury  returned  four  new  indictments  against  Harp 
for  selling  liquor,  and  indicted  Samuel  K.  Goble  for  passing  a 
fictitious  bank  note,  purporting  to  be  a  note  for  the  payment  of 
money  by  a  certain  bank, — the  Merchants'  and  Planters'  Bank 
at  Chicago,  111., — when  in  fact  there  was  then  and  there  no  such 
bank  in  existence.  The  note  is  on  file,  a  beautifully  executed 
steel  engraving. 
:        ifay  term,  1841. — Same  officers. 

James  Brown,  foreman  of  grand  jury.     R.  Benedict  was  ap- 
'   pointed  state  attorney  pro.  tern,  during  the  absence  of  D.  B. 
Campbell. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


85 


John  French  was  indicted  for  malicious  mischief,  and  Gabriel 
Bennett  for  embracery.  The  writer  could  not  find  this  indict- 
ment nor  ascertain  with  what  jury  Mr-  Bennett  hail  been  tam- 
pering.    Four  liquor  cases  were  also  returned. 

October  term,  1841. — Same  officers,  with  exception  of  the  clerk, 
Daniel  Xewcomb  having  succeeded  Mr.  Fell.  James  A.  Lemeu 
foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Three  indictments  for  selling  liquor  were  returned. 

May  term,  1842. — Same  officers. 

E.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  L.  Hickman  was 
indicted  for  assault  and  battery.  Hickman  stood  trial,  was  found 
guilty,  and  had  to  pay  a  fine  of  S47..50,  about  sixteen  times  the 
fine  of  the  current  assault  and  battery  cases. 

October  term,  1842. — Same  officers. 

Jeremiah  P.  Dunham,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  Charles  Council 
was  indicted  for  assault. 

April  term,  1842. — Same  officers. 

R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  Francis  and  Charles 
Groshang  were  indicted  for  larceny ;  they  were  tried  in  Septem- 
ber, 1843,  and  acquitted.  Jordan  Banta,  indicted  for  larceny — 
nol.  pros.,  and  Jesse  Blankenship,  indicted  for  same,  was  ac- 
quitted. 

September  term,  1843. — Same  officers. 

R.  S.  Doolittle  foreman  of  grand  jury.  Charlc?  Wines  was 
indicted  for  compounding  a  criminal  offence,  and  John  Strain  for 
perjury — was  tried  in  September,  1844,  and  acquitted. 

April  term,  1844. — Same  officers. 

John  B.  Jones,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  Westley  Allsup  was 
indicted  for  assault,  and  also  for  malicious  mischief  Owen 
Belford,  for  assault,  was  tiol.  pros.,  Sept.,  1844.  William  Belford 
and  six  others,  for  riot.  This  indictment  was  quashed  in  Sep- 
tember next. 

September  term,  1844. — Same  officers.  Joseph  Howard,  fore- 
man of  the  grand  jury. 

Indictments — W.  Walters,  perjury  ;  John  Howard,  foreman 
grand  jury.  D.  F.  Grosh,  gaming,  nol.  pros. ;  John  Warner, 
gaming,  not.  pros.;  Jacob  Hurley,  mischief  nol.  pros-;  James 
A.  Lemen,  gaming,  nol  pros. ;  Ralph  Rosencrans,  gaming,  nol 
pros.;  Thomas  Hutchin.  mischief,  acquitted  September,  184.5. 

Mat/  and  September  terms,  1845. — Same  officers. 

Ed.  W.  Fears  and  B.  F.  Barnett,  foremen.     No  indictments. 

The  first  divorce  case  in  De  Witt  county  was  tried  at  the  May 
term,  1845.     Edward  Morris  had  at  said  term  filed  a  complaint 
with  the  clerk  of  the  court,  praying  the  court  to  grant  a  divorce 
from  Louisa,  his  wife,  to  wit : 
To  the  Hon.  Samuel  H.  Treat,  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  held 

in  and  for  the  County  of  De  Witt  and  State  of  Illinois,  in 

chancery  sitting. 

Humbly  complaining,  shows  unto  your  honor,  your  orator, 
Edward  Morris,  of  the  county  and  state  aforesaid,  that  on  or 
about  the  year  A.  D.  1821,  in  the  county  of  Morgim  and  state 
of  Ohio,  he  was  duly  married  to  Louisa  Mjrris  ;  thit,  in  or  about 
A.  D.  1835  your  orator  and  his  said  wife,  the  said  Louisa,  came 
to  reside  in  the  said  county  and  state  first  aforesaid,  and  are  still 
residents  of  said  county  of  De  Witt.  Your  oratar  further  shows, 
that  by  virtue  of  his  said  marriage  aforesaid  with  the  said  Louisa, 
he  has  from  the  time  of  the  marriage  aforesaid  to  January,  A.  D. 
1843,  lived  with,  associated  and  cohabited  with  his  said  wife,  the 
said  Louisa;  your  orater  further  shows,  that  subsequent  to  his 
marriage  with  the  said  Louisa  as  aforesaid,  she  the  said  Louisa, 
has  committed  adultery  with  one  Russell  Post  at  the  county  and 
Btate  first  aforesaid ;  your  orator  further  shows,  that  subsequent 


to  his  marriage  with  the  said  Louisa,  she  the  said  Louisa,  has 
committed  adultery  with  the  said  Russell  Post  at  the  times  fol- 
lowing, to  wit:  in  the  months  of  January,  February,  March, 
April,  May,  June,  July,  August,  September,  October,  November 
and  December,  A.  D.  1S43 ;  your  orator  further  shows,  that 
subsequent  to  his  marriage  with  the  said  Louisa,  .she  the  said 
Louisa,  has  committed  adultery  with  the  said  Russell  Post,  in  the 
county  aforesaid,  at  the  following  times,  to  wit:  in  the  months  of 
January,  February,  March,  April,  May,  June,  July,  August,  Sep- 
tember, October  and  November,  in  the  year  1844. 

And  your  orator  charges  that  the  several  statements  and  allega- 
tions aforesaid  are  true,  and  this  your  orator  is  ready  to  verify 
and  ))rove,  as  this  honorable  court  will  direct. 

All  which  acting.s  and  doings  herein  alleged  against  the  said 
Louisa  Morris  are  contrary  to  the  moral  sense  of  the  community 
and  the  well-being  and  the  good  order  of  society,  and  tend  to  the 
corruption  and  destruction  of  the  same,  and  has  destroyed  the 
peace  and  happiness  of  your  orator,  and  are  in  violation  of  the 
laws  of  this  state  and  contrary  to  equity  and  good  conscience 
and  tend  to  the  manifest  wrong  and  misery  of  your  orator  in  the 
premises.  Forasmuch,  therefore,  as  your  orator  can  only  have 
adequate  relief  in  the  premises  in  a  court  of  equiiy  where  matters 
of  this  nature  are  cognizable  and  actionable,  may  it  please  your 
honor  that  the  said  Louisa  Morris  be  made  defendant  hereto  and 
that  the  peoples'  writ  of  subpoena  issue  out  of  and  under  the  seal 
of  this  honorable  court  to  the  said  Louisa,  thereby  commanding 
her  at  a  certain  day,  and  under  certain  pain,  to  be  and  appear 
before  your  honor  in  this  honorable  court,  and  then  and  there 
full,  true,  direct  and  perfect  answer  make  to  all  and  singular 
the  premises  statements,  allegations  and  charges  in  this  bill 
contained.  And  your  orator  prays  that  the  bonds  of  matrimony 
heretofore  and  now  existing  between  the  said  Louisa  Morris  and 
your  orator  by  virtue  of  the  marriage  aforesaid,  may  be  by  the 
order  and  desire  of  this  honorable  court  forever  dissolved,  an- 
nulled, vacated  and  discharged,  and  that  your  orator  may  be 
from  the  time  of  granting  this  his  petition,  forever  absolved  and 
released  from  all  liabilities  to  the  said  Louisa,  or  on  account  of 
and  by  virtue  of  the  marriage  aforesaid,  except  such  alimony,  if 
any,  as  this  honorable  court  shall  allow  the  said  Louisa.  And 
that  your  orator  may  have  such  other  and  further  relief  in  the 
premises  as  the  circumstances  of  this  case  may  require  and  to  your 
honor  shall  seem  meet ;  and  your  orator  will  ever  pray,  etc.,  etc. 

Edward  had  fourteen  witnesses  subprened,  but  Louisa  failed 
to  appear  or  make  defense.  The  divorce  was  granted.  Louisa 
and  her  paramour  were  married  on  the  same  day. 

April  term,  1846. — .Same  officers. 

R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  Jacob  Silvers  was  in- 
dicted for  larceny  ;  tried  in  October,  1846,  and  acquitted. 

October  term,  1846. — Same  officers. 

Orin  Wakrfeld,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  Alfred  Murphy, 
indicted  for  assault;  stood  trial  and  was  fined  S30.00. 

April  term,  1847. — Same  officers. 

R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  No  indictments,  nor 
convictions. 

September  term,  1847. —  Same  officers. 

J.  K.  Scott,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  No  indictments  nor  con- 
victions. 

April  term,  1848 — Same  officers. 

Mardu  Scott,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  No  indictments  nor 
convictions. 

September  term,  1848. — Same  officers. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COl'XTY,  ILLINOIS. 


J.  K.  Scott,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  Daniel  Carpenter,  in- 
dicted for  larceny. 

April  term,  18-19.— Hon.  David  Davi,^,  judge;  'Seth  Post, 
prosecuting  attorney ;  Joun  Warner,  clerk. 

G.  B.  Lemon,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  Ko  indictments  nor 
convictions. 

Octobtr  term,  18-19 — Cbarles  Emerson,  acting  prosecuting  attor- 
ney. 

R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  George  Lutlierfield, 
indicted  for  assault  with  deadly  weapju  ;  on  plea  of  guilty,  was 
fined  820. 

April  term,  18.50. — Seth  Post,  prosecuting  attorney. 

Samuel  P.  Glenn,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  No  indictments 
nor  convictions. 

October  term,  1850. — Daniel  Newcomb,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 
Michael  Scott,  indicted  for  larceny. 

April  term,  1851. — R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury.  A. 
L.  Brown,  indicted  for  larceny  ;  stood  trial  and  was  acquitted. 

October  term,  1851. — Dudly  Richards,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 
Liquor  cases  seem  to  have  revived.  There  were  six  indictments 
found,  and  six  convictions  had.  The  fine  in  each  case  was  S25. 
John  Scott  was  indicted  for  assault  with  a  knife. 

Aj/ril  term,  1852. — R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 
William  Jackson  and  Hamilton  Giddis  were  indicted  for  larceny  ; 
tried  and  aquitted- 

Oetober  term,  1S52. — R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 
No  indictments  nor  convictions. 

May  term,  1853. — R.  F.  Barnett,  fireman  of  grand  jurv.  John 
Cole,  Jr.,G.  W.  Walters,  John  Lash,  Jr.,  and  Sr.,  Benj.  Batson 
and  Wm.  William.son  were  indicted  for  riot;  tried,  convicted 
and  fined  from  $10  to  §25  each. 

A  Murder  Case. — That  of  Moses  Loe,  was  tried  at  this  term, 
and  ended  in  the  conviction  of  one  Moses  Low,  who  bad  been  in- 
dicted b)'  the  grand  jury  of  Sangamon  county  in  September, 
A.  D.  1852,  and  whose  case  was  taken  by  venue  to  De  Witt 
county.  Loe  had  mortally  wounded  one  James  Gray  with  a 
knife — of  the  value  of  six  cents,  as  stated  in  the  indictment — 
on  the  30th  of  April,  1852.  Gray  died  on  the  31st  of  said 
month.  The  trial  lasted  several  days.  Williamson  Nipper, 
John  C.  Buchanan,  Almira  Jane  Nipper,  James  S.  Carter,  E. 
D.  Meacham,  William  Rhoa,  Benjamin  Morris,  and  Ira  Parker, 
witnesses,  testified  for  the  state,  and  Thomas  Blankenship  for 
the  defense. 

The  verdict  of  the  jury  was  in  words  and  figures  as  follows  : 

May  18th,  1853.  ! 

We,  the  jury,  find  the  prisoner,  Moses  "Low,"  guilty  of  man- 
slaughter in  the  highest  degree,  and  therefore  "annex"  the 
penalty  accordingly,  which  is  eight  years  confinement  in  the 
penitentiary  of  Illinois. 

Signed :  B.  W.  MoxsoN,  H.  W.  Hi<,km.4x,  Jajies 
Speatt,  Epqraim  Burns,  James  Swear- 
iXGEX,  William  Keal,  William  Sum- 
mers, Alfred  Cain-,  G.  W.  Kxeedler, 
Joel  Jackson,  William  East,  and  F. 
M.  Jeefry. 

FIR.5I   XATURALIZATIOy   OF   A   FOREIGXER.  | 

Clinton,  De  Witt  county.  May,  A.  D  1853,  May  Term:  j 

At  a  circuit  court,  began  and  held  at  the  court-house,  in  the 
town  of  Clinton,  within  and  for  the  county  of  De  Witt,  on  Mon- 
day, the  16lh  day  of  May,  a  d.  1853  : 


Present :         The  Hon.  D.wiD  Davis, 

Judye  of  the  Sth  Judicial  Circuit  of  the  Slate  of  Illinois. 
Robert  Lewis,  Clerk. 
William  Bolin,  Sheriff. 
Ex  parte  \ 

James  Alsop.  J 

This  day  personally  appeared  in  open  court  James  Alsop,  and 
it  appearing  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  court  that  the  said  James 
Alsop  was  born  on  the  30th  day  of  Sepiember,  1807,  in  the 
county  of  Derbyshire,  in  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  and  that 
he  emigrated  tj  the  United  States  in  the  year  18-18  ;  and  it  being 
proved  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  court  by  competent  testimony, 
that  the  said  James  Alsop  has  demeaned  himself  as  a  man  of 
good  moral  character,  attached  to  the  principles  of  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  L^nited  States,  and  well-disposed  to  the  good  order 
and  happiness  of  the  same.  It  is  therefore  ordered  by  the  court 
that  the  said  James  Alsop  be  permitted,  in  pursuance  of  the  laws 
of  the  United  States,  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  whereupon 
the  said  James  Alsop  took  and  subscribed  the  following  oath, 
to  wit: 
State  of  Illixois,  | 
De  Witt  County,    j  *^' 

I,  James  Alsop,  do  solemnly  swear,  in  the  presence  of  Al- 
mighty God,  that  I  will  support  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States.  And  that  I  do  absolutely  and  entirely  renounce  and 
abjure  all  allegiance  and  fidelity  to  every  prince,  potentate,  state 
or  sovereignty  whatever,  and  more  particularly  the  allegiance 
and  fidelity  which  I  in  anywise  owe  to  Victoria,  the  queen  of 
the  said  kingdom  of  Great  Britain,  whereof  I  was  heretofore  a 
citizen  or  subject.  James  Alsop. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  in  open  court  this  21st  day  of  May, 
A  D.  1853.  Robert  Lewis,  Clerk 

It  is  therefore  ordered  by  the  court  to  be  certified  to  all  whom 
it  may  concern,  that  the  said  James  Alsop  be  and  he  is  hereby 
entitled  to  all  the  rights*  and  privileges  of  a  native-born  citizen 
of  the  United  States  of  America. 

The  number  of  foreigners  naturalized  in  this  county  is  very 
limited,  and  may  here  be  briefly  stated.  The  county  court,  as 
stated  above,  h.id  granted  forty-three  certificates  of  naturaliza- 
tion. The  total  number  granted  by  the  circuit  court  is  eighty- 
two,  of  whom  forty-nine  were  formerly  subjects  of  the  Queen  of 
England,  eleven  of  the  King  of  Sweden  and  Norway,  two  had 
been  formerly  citizens  of  the  Swiss  republic,  and  twenty  had 
been  subjects  of  the  various  crowned  heads  of  Germany.  Wil- 
liam Klipzig,  one  of  those  twenty  Teutons,  renounced  all 
allegiance  to  King  Frederick  William  IV.  of  Prussia  in  1873, 
twelve  years  after  the  death  of  poor  insane  F.  AV.  IV.  f 

October  term,  1853  — G.  B.  Lemon,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Grand  jury  indicted  Fred  Stinsou  and  Benjamin  Sutler  for 
obtaining  goods  under  false  pretenses,  William  Curry  for  assault 
with  a  deadly  weapon,  Thomas  Howard  for  keeping  a  disorderly 
house,  fined  ten  dollars ;  and  William  Smith  for  same,  but  his 
case  was  nol.  pros. 

*  "All  the  rights"  is  rather  hroad.  The  lion.  D.ivid  Davis  is  at  pre- 
pent  enjoying  some  rigtus  of  an  .\merican  native  horn  citizen,  wiiich  James 
.VIsop  could  not  enjoy,  the  order  of  the  hon.  court  to  the  contrary  Dot- 
withstanding. 

t  This  king  had,  in  his  younger  years,  been  a  great  admirer  of  .-^tnericn, 
His  father,  F.  \V.  III.  had'  locked  with  alarm  at  tlie  increasing  emigration 
of  his  people  to  .\merica.  Tiie  prince,  being  asked  how  to  prevent  a  further 
e.xodus,  replied:  "  Yuur  majesty  should  proclaim,  through  all  official  or- 
gans, that  .\merica  has  become  Prussian,  and  not  another  soul  of  your 
majesty's  subjects  would  think  of  going  there." 


HISTOBY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


87 


May  term,  1854. — Orin  Wakefield,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments  returned  in  fifteen  liquor  cases,  but  no  convic- 
tions had. 

Herman  Brockman  was  indicted  for  assault  with  attempt  to 
kill;  Archer  Herndon  and  K.  Herudou,  for  riot;  fined  fifty 
dollars  each. 

Elizabeth  Shirtlifl^,  Catharine  Shirtlifl^,  Rocna  Herndon,  Caro- 
line Sawyer,  Catharine  Shiukle,  Martha  Taylor,  Caroline  Taylor, 
Emily  Lewis  and  Helen  Sawyer  were  indicted  for  riotously, 
unlawfully  and  with  forca  turning  out,  wasting  and  destroying 
tan  gallons  of  whisky,  of  th3  value  of  five  dollars,  the  property  of 
one  George  Tanner.  The  parties  were  tried  by  a  jury  composed 
of  Joseph  Howard,  Paschal  Mills,  Hiram  Wilson,  W  Cadberry, 

Thomas  Cougher,  McKiuney,  B.  T.  Mitchell,  Jefierson 

Hawser,  Robert  Wray,  John  E.  Day,  Mahlon  K.  Hall  and  Jona- 
than R.  Hall ;  found  guilty,  and  each  "  riotress  "  fined  two  ilollars. 

Oct'iber  and  Speciil  November  term,  1854. — William  Cautrall 
and  Thomas  Gardiner,  foremen  of  grand  jury. 

Fourteen  liquor  cases  and  three  gambling  cases;  James  Wil- 
liams and  others  were  iudiciod  for  riot ;  tried  and  acquitted. 

Maij  term,  1855. — Daniel  White,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments :  Wesley  Roberts,  raps  ;  tied  the  country.  Crafton 
Scott  and  G.  F.  Davenport,  larceny,  were  fined  ten  dollars  each, 
on  plea  of  guilty.  Isaac  Henderson,  malicious  mischief,  ac- 
quitted. Twenty  whisky  cases  and  sis  gambling  cases,  but  no 
convictions  or  fines. 

October  term,  1855. — Robt.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments  :  John  Walker,  larceny  ;  W.  Young  and  George 
Young,  same  ;  plead  guilty  aud  were  sentenced  to  three  years  in 
penitentiary.  Nine  whisky  aud  three  gambling  cases ;  Isaac 
Wyant,  murder. 

Isaac  VVyant  was  indicted  for  murder  at  the  October  term, 
1855.  He  obtained  a  change  of  venue  to  McLean  county 
where  he  was  tried  and  acquitted.  The  verdict  of  the  coroner's 
jury  is  stdl  on  file  in  the  circuit  clerk's  ofiice  at  Clinton.  The 
writer  found  it  in  a  sealed  envelop,  apparently  unopened.  Its 
contents  are  as  follows: 

''We,  the  undersigned  jurors  impanelled  and  sworn  to  inquire 
how,  ami  in  what  manner,  and  by  whom,  or  by  what,  the  dead 
body  came  to  its  death,  do  find  upon  the  examination  of  said 
body ;  and  Christopher  Goodbrake,  Thomas  Edmonson  and 
Harry  Kidder,  witnesses,  examined,  that  the  name  of  the  dead 
man  was  Ason  Rusk,  and  that  he  came  to  his  death  by  four 
pistol  shots,  shot  by  one  Isaac  Wyant,  on  the  12th  of  October, 
1855,  which  caused  the  immediate  death  of  Ason  Rusk. 

"This  loth  October,  1855.  B  F.  Jones,  foreman;  A.  Crura, 
W.  H.  CundiS;  J.  W.  Bullock,  James  W.  Haise  Thomas  Kelly, 
B.  F.  Hall,  S.  T.  Franbus,  Allen  Xixon,  John  H.  Hendrick, 
James  Proud  and  W.  G.  Savage." 

The  causes  leading  to  this  murder  may  be  briefly  mentioned. 
"Wyant  and  Rusk  had  had  a  personal  rencontre  a  few  months 
previously,  when  Rusk  shot  at  Wyant,  wounding  him  severely 
in  the  arm,  in  consequence  of  which  the  limb  had  to  be  am- 
putated. Wyant  became  enraged,  and  vowed  vengeance.  He 
met  Rusk  on  said  day  in  the  county  clerk's  ofiice,  at  Clinton, 
and  shot  him  down  at  sight.  The  county  clerk,  J.  J.  JIcGraw, 
was  not  in  the  ofiice  at  the  time  of  the  shooting,  but  was  in 
hearing  distance.  He  hastened  to  his  ofiice  in  time  to  see  Wyant 
rush  out,  pistol  in  hand.  AV.  W.  Williams,  a  constable,  arrested 
Wyant  before  leaving  the  square.  As  said  above,  Wyant  was 
tried  and  acquitted  in  McLean  county,  the  jury  finding  him  in- 


sane ;  whereupon  the  court  ordered  him  to  be  taken  to  the  insane 
asylum  at  Jacksonville.  After  the  lapse  of  two  or  three  years 
Wyant  was  discharged  from  the  asylum  and  returned  to  this 
county.  Later  he  moved  to  the  state  of  Indiana.  It  is  feared 
by  another  party  that  Wyant  is  still  living  and  ready  to  execute 
another  threat,  that  of  murdering  one  of  the  witnesses  who  testi- 
fied against  him. 

3Iai/  term,  185G. — R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments :  W.  E.  Hampton,  larceny,  dismissed  March,  1857 ; 
John  Henson,  larceny,  acquitted  October,  1856 ;  Thomas  Duer, 
assault  with  deadly  weapon  ;  Jefferson  Yocum  and  eight  others, 
for  riot ;  Andrew  J.  Cox,  larceny,  plead  guilty,  fifteen  months 
penitentiary  ;  four  liquor  cases. 

Odober  term,  1856. — R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Peter  Kiefer,  larceny,  tried,  convicted  and  sen- 
tenced to  one  year  penitentiary ;  Matthew  Kiefer,  larceny,  nol. 
pros. ;  Theod.  Johnson,  larceny,  plead  guilty,  one  year  peniten- 
tiary;  George  and  John  Hubble,  riot;  Thomas  Allen  and  two 
others,  r!ot ;  Theod.  Johnson  and  two  others,  riot. 

March  term,  1857. — Hou.  E.  L.  Powell,  of  the  16th  circuit, 
presiding  in  the  absence  of  Hon.  David  Davis.  Joseph  Howard, 
foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Larry  Bohen  was  indicted  for  larceny,  tried,  convicted  and 
sentenced  to  penitentiary  for  one  year;  Patrick  Kinney,  Thomas 
O  Connell,  William  Miller  and  John  D.  Finch,  larceny,  were 
acquitted  ;  twenty-four  liquor  cases  aud  two  for  selling  cards. 

October  term,  1S57. — Peter  Crum,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments.  Maria  Scott,  bigamy,  stricken  from  docket 
March,  1858;  Daniel  A.  Calkins,  illegal  marriage,  stricken 
from  docket  as  above;  George  King,  rape,  acquitted  March, 
1858;  thirty  liquor  and  four  gambling  cases. 

March  term,  1858. — R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Nathan  Bridgman,  indicted  for  burglary,  tried,  convicted  and 
sentenced  to  penitentiary  for  one  year;  William  Owles,  larceny, 
plead  guilty,  sent  to  penitentiary  for  two  years  ;  four  liquor  cases. 

October  term,  1858. — R.  F.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments :  W.  T.  Read,  assault ;  Adolphus  Delano,  larceny ; 
Isaac  N.  Carter,  burglary ;  eight  liquor  cases. 

March  term,  1859. — G.  B.  Lemon,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments  :  Three  cases  of  larceny  ;  thirteen  of  selling  liquor 
without  license,  and  two  of  malicious  mischief,  no  convictions. 
Indictments:  J.  A.  Lemen,  rape;  W.  W.  Williams  and  W.  S 
Todd,  assault;  Matt.  Alsop,  passing  counterfeit  money;  Lewis 
Woodcock  and  Isaac  Jones  forgery  ;  Egbert  O.  Hill,  embez- 
zlement of  records ;  fourteen  liquor  cases,  aud  J.  B.  Lintner, 
assault  with  intent  to  kill,  tried  and  acquitted. 

March  term,  1860. — L.  D.  Hovey,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indicted :  O  Andrew,  for  distutbing  a  worshiping  congrega- 
tion ;  twenty  liquor  cases. 

October  term,  1860. — G.  D.  Smallwood,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

!       Indictments:  Thomas  Snell,  assault  with  intent  to  kill,  tried 

May,  1861,  and  acquitted ;  I.  Davis,  horse-stealing,  and  Charles 

Bunteraon,  for  larceny,  plead  guilty  and  sent  to  penitentiary  for 

one  year. 

May  term,  1861. — Hon.  Oliver  L.  Davis,  balance  of  term  ; 
Harvey  Hogg  was  appointed  states  attorney  pro.  tem. ;  Smith 
Minturn,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Only  nine  grand  jurors  of  regular  appointment  had  appeared, 
1   and  fourteen  had  to  be  selected  from  "  bystanders." 

Indictments  :  Four  for  larceny  ;  three  for  riot ;  one  for  open 
lewdness ;  one  for  removing  landmark  and  three  for  selling 
liquor. 


HISTOR  Y  OF  BE  WITT  CO  UN'Tl,  ILLINOIS. 


Isaac  Davis  was  tried  for  horse-stealing,  convicted  and  sent  to 
penitentiary  for  one  year.  Franklin  Payn  was  indicted  for  keep- 
ing a  misgoverned  house,  Frauds  Doyle  for  keeping  a  lewd  one, 
Frank  Lisk  for  assault  with  a  deadly  weapon,  J.  D.  Haven  for 
carrying  a  pistol  with  intent  to  assault,  Franklin  Loer,  assault 
with  intent  to  commit  a  rape  ;  tried,  jury  did  not  agree.  David 
Warrenbuig  and  others  for  riot,  Timothy  Green  and  Pat  Rodgers 
for  keeping  a  gaming-house,  Richard  De  Webb  and  Levi  Rath- 
bone  for  betting  on  elections,  and  eight  liquor  cases. 

W.  H.  Summers  was  indicted  for  murdtr;  he  obtained  a 
change  of  venue  to  McClean  county  on  the  2lith  of  November, 
and  was  acquitted. 

Summers  had  killed  Mr.  Roberts,  the  postmaster  at  Clinton, 
on  a  slight  provocation.  The  murder  was  committed  in  broad 
day  light,  in  front  of  the  post  office.  Fleeing  from  the  spot, 
where  his  victim  lay  bleeding,  Summers  was  arrested  by  John 
Bullock  and  others  in  James  Lisenby's  garden.  The  indignation 
of  the  citizens  at  the  deed  was  deep  and  loud  ;  violence  was 
feared  by  many,  but  the  counseling  of  older  and  cooler  citizens 
prevailed;  the  law  was  allowed  to  have  its  course,  and  luid  it,  as 
stated  above. 

N'joemher  term,  1831. — Hon.  David  Davis  on  the  bench  until 
November  19.  The  rest  of  the  term  wa5  presided  over  by  Hon. 
Amaza  S.  Merriman. 

W.  B.  Smith,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

New  indictments;     Four  larceny  cases. 

Samuel  Warner  aud  R)bert  Campbell  were  convicted  of  lar- 
ceny and  sent  to  penitentiary  for  one  year  each. 

May  term,  18(j2. — Hon.  D.  Davis,  judge. 

W.  M.  Springer,  appointed  state  attorney  pro  tem.  Orin 
Wakefield  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Timothy  M.  Cormick,  in  jail  on  a  charge  of  murder,  was  re- 
leased, the  grand  jury  having  ignored  this  charge. 

New  indictments:  One  for  larceny,  one  for  riot,  one  for  per- 
jury, and  two  for  obstructing  public  roads.  William  Biffin  was 
sent  to  penitentiary  for  one  year — larceny. 

November  term,  1832. — William  Bolin,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

No  indictments  nor  convictions  during  this  and  the  succeeding 
May  terra,  1863. 

]\''ovember  term,  18(53. — Hon.  J.  M.  Scott,  judge ;  Henry  S. 
Green,  state's  attorney;  Caswell  P  Ford,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

New  indictments:  Two  cases  of  larceny,  seven  of  riot,  two  of 
assault  with  intent  to  kill,  and  two  of  nulicious  mischief.  The 
rioters  were  fined  from  ten  to  twenty-five  dollars  each. 

May  term,  1864. — Hon.  Charles  Emerson,  judge;  Henry  S. 
Green,  attorney;  G.  B.  Lemon,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

New  indictments :  Two  of  liquor,  one  of  rape,  two  of  larceny, 
two  of  riot,  and  one  of  receiving  stolen  goods. 

Nooember  term,  1864. — Hon.  John  M.  Scott,  judge ;  Smith 
Minturn,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

New  indictments  :  Larceny,  two ;  assault  with  deadly  weapons, 
four;  nmlicious  mischief,  one;  riot,  three.     No  convictiims. 

May  term,  1865. — Same  officers.  G.  B.  Lemon,  foreman  of 
grand  jury. 

New  indictments  :  Larcany,  four  ;  assault  with  deadly  wea- 
pons, one  ;  selling  liquor,  six. 

The  grand  jury  presented  the  following  resolutions,  to  be 
spread  on  the  record  of  the  court: 

"  Abraham  Lincoln,"  late  president  of  the  United  States,  who 
has  been  removed  from  us  by  the  ruthless  hand  of  a  vile  assasin, 
the  illustrious  and  revered,  is  no  more. 

Resolved,  That  we  mourn  the  loss  of  bo  good  and  great  a  man. 


Resolved,  That  the  citizens  of  De  Witt  county,  Illinois,  devise 
some  plan  to  raise  a  sufficient  fund  to  erect  a  suitable  monument 
to  the  memory  of  our  departed  soldiers,  buried  in  Woodland 
Cemetery,  Clinton.* 

November  term,  1865. — Caswell  P.  Ford,  foreman  of  grand 
jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  four ;  forgery,  one  ;  liquor,  one;  for- 
nication, one ;  riot,  one. 

Elisha  Gilbert,  convicted  of  larceny,  having  stolen  three  hun- 
dred dollars,  was  sentenced  to  penitentiary  for  four  years ;  and 
W.  B.  JIarquiss  for  one  year,  for  forgery. 

May  term,  1866. — Thomas  Kirker,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments  :  Larceny,  three  ;  selling  liquor,  four  ;  disturbing 
congregation,  one;  rape,  one;  riot,  three;  malicious  mischief, 
one. 

William  Burns,  on  change  of  venue  from  McLean,  indicted 
for  murder,  was  tried  on  the  9th,  10th,  11th  and  12th  of  May, 
and  found  guilty.  He  had  a  new  trial  granted  ;  was  tried  again 
in  May,  1867.  This  second  trial  occupied  a  whole  week,  and 
ended  in  acquittal. 

November  term,  1866. — G.  B.  Lemon,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments :  Assault,  1  ;  larceny,  6 ;  horse-stealing,  one  ; 
riot,  one  ;  disturbing  congregation,  one ;  selling  liquor,  ten  ;  for- 
nication, one. 

G.  W.  Teal,  convicted  of  larceny,  was  sent  to  penitentiary  for 
one  year,  and  Park  McGowan,  on  plea  of  guilty  for  same  oflTense, 
for  tight  years. 

Thomas  Peddicord,  indicted  with  McGowan,  plead  guilty,  and 
in  consideration  of  his  youth,  being  under  eighteen  years  of  age, 
was  sent  to  jail  for  thirty  days. 

May  term,  1867. — T.  F.  Tipton,  state's  attorney ;  Joseph  How" 
ard,  forman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Perjury,  one;  arson,  one  ;  larceny,  two  ;  cheat- 
ing, one;  bigamy,  one;  assault,  one;  disturbing  worship,  one. 

Benjamin  Smith,  convicted  of  larceny,  was  sent  to  penitentiary 
for  three  years. 

November  term,  1867  — R.  M-  Benjamin,  appointed  attorney 
pro  tern-  ;  William  Clagg,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Arson,  two;  larceny,  7;  assault  with  deadly 
weapons,  three  ;  fornication,  one;  riot,  one. 

David  A.Johnson  was  fined  fifty  dollars,  and  George  Johnston 
one  hundred  dollars,  on  being  convicted  of  assault  with  deadly 
weapon. 

May  term,  1863. — Hon.  J  M.  Scott,  judge;  T.  F.  Tipton, 
state's  attorney ;  John  Warner,  foreman  of  grand  Jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  one  ;  resisting  officer,  one  ;  disturbing 
worship,  two  ;  riot,  one ;  liquor,  two  ;  gambling,  two. 

November  term,  186S. — John  Porter,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments-  Manslaughter,  one  (Jonathan  Way);  larceny, 
four ;  assault  to  kill,  five ;  keeping  gaming-house,  six ;  liquor, 
eleven;  disturbing  worship,  one ;  riot,  one ;  producing  abortion, 
one  ;  gaming,  five  ;  disorderly  house,  one. 

May  term,  1869. — Joseph  Harvard,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:     Cheating,  one;  liquor,  three;  keeping  gaming- 

*  The  erection  of  a  monument  is  mentioned  in  the  chapter  on  pa- 
triotism, and  thi-i  resolution  of  the  grand  jury  may  have  given  the  impetus 
to  the  formation  of  an  association  of  the  kind.  \t  any  rate,  tlie  monnment 
was  built  by  .such  an  association,  with  Hon.  C.  H.  Moore,  as  president,  and 
Captain  J.  M.  North  as  treasurer.  The  corner  stone  wai  laid  under  im- 
poJng  ceremonies  on  the  4ih  of  July,  186S,  and  the  monument  unveiled 
4th  of  July,  18GD.  in  the  presence  of  tlionsands,  and  with  grand  festivities. 

The  funds  out  of  which  to  erect  this  monument,  some  $2,500,  were  raised 
by  voluntary  snbscription. 


HISTORY  OF  LE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


house,  one;  horse-stealing,  one;  disturbing  peace,  twenty-two; 
assault,  one  ;  larceny,  one. 

November  term,  1869. — Paschall  Mills,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Assault  to  kill,  two;  larceny,  five;  liijuor,  five; 
resisting  officer,  one ;  disturbing  peace,  one ;  gambling,  five  ; 
perjury,  one. 

Ma'i  term,  1870. — George  B.  Lemen,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  eleven  ;  assault  to  kill,  two;  adultery, 
two ;  riot,  one. 

November  term. — Hon.  Thomas  F.  Tipton,  judge;  Jonathan 
H.  Howell,  state's  attorney ;  A.  G.  Williams,  foreman  of  grand 
jury. 

Indictments:  Arson,  one  ;  larceny,  six;  assault,  four,  liquor, 
seven;  riot,  one;  murder  one  (Martha  A.  Dobbs) ;  disturbing 
peace,  one. 

Convictions:  Krist  Warkee,  larceny,  one  year;  Charles 
Crosby,  larceny,  one  year;   Patrick  ^Munghan,  larceny,  one  year. 

Mat/  term,  1871. — Samuel  E.  Arnold,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Cruelty  to  animals  (J.  H.  Keseckeri,  fined  fifty 
dollars ;  riot,  one  ;  bastardy,  one  ;  liquor,  two  ;  larceny,  three ; 
assault,  three  ;  disturbing  worship,  six  ;  malicious  mischief,  one. 

Francis  Euthorpe,  tried  for  manslaughter,  was  found  guilty 
and  sentenced  to  penitentiary  for  thirteen  years  ;  Thomas  Smith 
for  larceny,  one  and  a  half  years. 

November  term,  1871. — L.  D.  Hovey  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments  :  Larceny,  four  ;  riot,  four  ;  horse-stealing,  one  ; 
assault,  three;  disturbing  worship,  two  ;  larceny  and  burglary, 
six  ;  liquor,  two  ;  arson,  one. 

Convictions  :  John  Daily,  larceny,  one  year  ;  Joseph  Wickens, 
horse-stealing,  four  years  ;  E  Leister,  larceny,  one  year. 

C.  K-  Pfeifer,  also  indicted  for  horse-stealing,  obtained  a 
change  of  venue  to  Champaign  county. 

May  term,  1872. — Hon.  M.  C-  Crawford,  judge  ;  Henry  Smith, 
foreman  of  graad  jury. 

ludictmeuts:  Resisti  g  officer,  one;  assault  to  kill,  one; 
liquor,  eleven  ;  riot,  o:  e. 

December  term,  1872. — Hon.  T.  F.  Tipton,  judge;  Steph.  K. 
Carter,  attorney  ;  Mitchell  Herrold,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments  :  Burglary  and  larceny,  five  ;  assaults,  three  ;  and 
incest,  one,  (W.  Bateson,  tried  and  acquitted.)  The  case  of 
Martha  Ann  Dobbs,  for  murder,  was  stricken  from  docket.  Alex- 
ander Stanley  plead  guilty  to  a  charge  of  burglary,  and  was  sent 
to  the  penitentiary  for  two  years.  Richard  J.  Hull's  term  for 
larceny  was  eighteen  months. 

March  term,  1873. — Parker  Gardner,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments :  Riot,  three ;  liquor,  six  ;  larceny,  three  ;  assaults, 
two ;  bigamy,  one ;  beastiality,  (Joseph  Sprague"),  one ;  malicious 
mischief,  one;  and  disturbing  worship,  one.     No  convic  ions. 

August  term,  1873. — Hon.  Lyman  Laeey,  judge;  W.  R.  Carle, 
foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  three;  embezzlement  as  attorney,  one; 
assault,  two  ;  cutting  timber,  ten  ;  selling  liquor,  three  ;  riot,  one  ; 
fornicati'm,  one,  and  marking  hogs,  one.  Convicted  ;  James 
Holeran,  larceny,  one  year  in  the  penitentiary. 

December  term,  1873. — Daniel  Thompson,  foreman  of  grand 
jury. 

Indictments :  Robbery,  one ;  larceny,  one  ;  false  imprison- 
ment, one;  assault,  two;  adultery,  one;  and  liquor,  14. 

March  term,  1874. — Jonathan  R.  Hall,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 
Indictments  :  Larceny,  ihree ;  liquor,  six  ;  and  assault  to  com- 
mit rape,  one-     Joseph  Page   was  convicted  of  larceny,  three 
12 


years ;  Ruben  Bushnell,  assault  to  commit  rape,  plead  guilty, 
and  was  sent  to  the  reform  school  at  Pontiac  for  three  years. 

August  term,  1874. — Hun.  Cyrus  E|)lcr,  judge  ;  H.  A  Rucker, 
foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  three ;  assault,  three;  assault  to  kill, 
one  ;  riot,  two ;  false  pretense,  one  ;  swindling,  four ;  liquor, 
forty,  and  embezzlement  by  county  treasurer,  (Thomas  Kelley), 
one.     Convicted:  John  Barrow,  larceny,  one  year. 

December  term,  1874. — Hon.  Lyman  Lacey,  judge;  Charles 
Willmore,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments :  Burglary  and  larceny,  eight ;  assault  with  intent 
to  kill,  three  ;  marking  stock,  one  ;  riot,  one  ;  arson,  one  ;  swind- 
ling, one. — No  convictions. 

March  term,  187o. — Joel  H.  I'rovin,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  one;  riot,  one  ;  forgery,  one,  and  cut- 
tiug  timber,  one. — Convicted :  Adam  Rush,  of  arson,  one  year 
iu  penitentiary. 

August  term,  1875. — C.  P.  Ford,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments  :  Robbery  and  larceny,  six  ;  riot,  three  ;  adultery 
and  fornication,  five ;  liquor,  six,  and  assault,  two.  Timothy 
Heffernan,  a  youth  of  fifteen  years,  plead  guilty  to  a  charge  of 
larceny,  and  was  sent  one  year  to  reform  school  at  Pontiac. 
Robert  Shaw  was  sent  up  one  year  for  larceny,  and  Joseph  Good- 
year, for  same,  two  years. 

December  term,    1875. — John  Vandewort,  foreman  of  grand 

j"''j- 

Indictments:  Burglary  and  larceny,  three;  liquor,  eight; 
mischief,  one,  and  murder,  one,  (John  Kollner)  John  Kollner 
had  shot  and  killed  one  Timothy  Profl'cer.  John  stood  trial, 
proved  self-defence,  and  was  acquitted.  James  Wilson  wa-s  sent 
to  jail  thirty  days  for  larceny.  Richard  Bass  four  years  to  the 
penitentiary  for  burglary.  Patrick  McSherry  was  fined  S75.00 
for  malicious  mischief. 

March  term,  1876  — Alexander  AViUs,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  three;  assault,  one;  gaming,  two; 
malicious  mischief,  two ;  forgery,  one,  and  liquor,  two. — Xo 
convictions. 

August  term,  1876- — John  Warner,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Burglary  and  larceny,  ten  ;  false  pretenses,  one; 
assault,  four ;  counterfeiting,  one ;  malicious  mischief,  one,  and 
horse-stealing,  one. — Convicted :  Charles  Hayes,  larceny,  two 
years  iu  penitentiary  ;  Edgar  Harris,  William  Thompson,  and 
Eugene  Ragan,  larceny,  each  thirty  days  in  jail ;  Thomas  Brady, 
larceny,  two  years;  Charles  Hastings,  larce:iy,  one  year;  Eze- 
kiel  Jackson,  larceny,  one  year;  Thomas  Jackson,  larceny,  one 
year;  John  Yates,  horse-stealing,  one  year;  and  John  Sullivan, 
larceny,  two  years  at  reform  school. 

December  term,  1876  — Hon.  Lyman  Lacey,  judge ;  W.  R. 
Kelley,  state's  attorney  ;  J  S.  B.  "Willis,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  two  ;  assault  to  kill,  two;  liquor,  four; 
and  forgery,  one.  John  Hoff  plead  guilty  of  forgery,  and  was 
sent  up  for  one  year. 

A.  K.  Carter,  former  state's  attorney,  reported  to  the  court, 
that  during  his  terra  of  office,  viz. :  December,  1872,  to  Decem- 
ber, 1876,  he  had  collected  in  fines  and  forfeitures  the  sum  of 
82,904.14;  that  he  had  paid  to  Miss  Mary  S.Welch,  superintendent 
of  schools,  the  sum  of  81,982.00,  that  his  fees  as  attorney 
amounted  to  8780.00,  and  that  he  was  further  entitled  to  a  com- 
mission of  10  per  cent,  on  amounts  collected,  to  wit-:  S290.41, 
and  that  therefore  a  balance  of  8141.27  was  then  due  to  him. 
He  reported  sixteen  penitentiary  cases;  twelve  of  liquor  cases; 
fines  paid  ;  twenty  jail  cases ;  three  cases  reform  school ;  twenty- 


90 


JirSTORY  OF  DE   WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


reli; 


worsliip,  in   which 


three  assaulti=,  anri   one  disturbing 
fines  hail  been  paid. 

March  term.  1877. — Jacob  B.  Haldman,  foreman  of  grand 
jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  eight ;  assault,  six  ;  forgery,  one  ;  riot, 
seven;  liquor,  one;  aud  adultery,  one. — Convicted:  Benjamin 
F.  Taylor,  and  Jasper  Shaffer,  larceny,  eighteen  months  in  peni- 
tentiary each  ;  Daniel  Ward,  John  Henderson,  Timothy  Hickey 
and  Harvey  Ford,  larceny,  two  years  in  penitentiary  each  ;  John 
Edwards  and  Thomas  Boland,  larceny,  two  and  a  half  years  in 
penitentiary,  each. 

August  term,  1877- — Smith  Fuller,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Forgery,  one;  larceny,  four;  manslaughter, 
one;  liquor,  one;  perjury,  one;  and  embezzlement,  one. — Con- 
victed :  Mary  Boram,  larceny,  one  year  in  penitentiary,  and 
George  Moore,  larceny,  five  years  in  penitentiary. 

December  term,  1877.— Hon.  A.  Ci.  Burr,  judge;  .John  Bishop, 
foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Burglary,  sis;  swindling,  one;  riot,  two;  as- 
saults, one;  liquor,  one. — Convictions:  Samuel  Doss,  James  A. 
Clark,  and  James  Wilson,  burglary,  each  one  year  in  peniten- 
tiary. 

March  term,  1878. — Hon.  Lyman  Lacoy,  judge;  John  War 
ner,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments;  Adultery,  one;  larceny  and  burglary,  eight; 
horse-stealing,  one ;  manslaughter,  one ;  i  W.  W.  Davenport,)  as- 
sault to  kill,  two ;  perjury,  one — W.  W.  Davenport  had  killed 
one  Eli  Bell  with  a  scythe,  on  Bell's  premises,  July  28th,  1877. 
His  case  was  tried  in  August,  1878,  and  resulted  in  acq^uittal ; 
the  jury  was  comp-sed  of  the  following  citizens:  S.  K.  Harnell, 
J.  A.  Brickey,  Ephraira  Page,  C.  A.  Owen,  G.  W.  Burter,  A.  R. 
Smith,  Thomas  Weaver,  John  T.  Blue,  Wiley  Marvel,  D.  K. 
Scott,  A.  W.  Bell,  and  A.  E.  Newman. — Convictions  :  Merritt 
Hughfs,  horse-stealing,  in  penitentiary  three  years ;  Ezekiel 
Jackson  and  Thomas  Jackson,  larceny,  one  and  a  half  years 
each.  Elizabeth  Davis  ten  days  in  jail,  and  Frank.  Jackson 
ninety  days  in  jail  for  adultery. 

August  term,  l.s78. — Hon.  Cyrus  Ephler,  judge  ;  W.  H.  Xorth, 
foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny,  six;  assault,  one;  rape,  one;  cruelty 
to  animals,  one  ;  i  shooting  a  vicious  dog)  gaming,  two  ;  adultery, 
two;  liquor,  two;  embezzlement,  one;  horse-stealing,  one. — Xo 
convictions. 

December  term  1878. — Albert  G.  Burr,  julge ;  Daniel  A. 
Rosencrans.  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Burglary,  five;  confidence  game,  one;  horse- 
stealing, one;  assault  to  kill,  two;  obtaining  signatures  bv  false 
pretenses,  one  ;  disturbing  a  family,  one;  assault,  one;  forgery, 
one,  and  cruelty  to  animals,  one. — Convictions:  Samuel  Clark, 
burglary,  two  years;  William  Bates,  forgery,  one  year;  William 
Brown,  larceny,  one;  J.  W.  Murray,  larceny,  two  years. 

March  term,  1879. — Hon.  Lyman  Lacey,  judge  ;  J.  H.  Ran- 
dolph, foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Larceny  aud  burglary,  twelve;  abortion,  one; 
liquor,  five  ;  aud  forgery,  one. 

Special  grand  jury,  same  term  ;  C.  P  Ford,  foreman. 

Indictments :    Burglary,    five ;  cruelty   to   animals,   one,  and 
forgery,  one- 
Convictions:     James   Mansfield,  burglary,  two  years;  John 
M.  Orrell  and   Stephen  Hazelett,  larceny,  each  two  and  a  half 
years;    Timothy   Heflernan,   larceny,   one   year;    George    Dee, 


larceny,  one  and  a  half  years  ;  Thomas  Nixon  and  W.  Murray, 
larceny,  each  three  years. 

Augu.it  term,  1879. — Hon.  Lyman  Lacey,  judge;  Edgar  S. 
Van  Meter,  state  attorney ;  A.  L.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand 
jury. 

Indictments:  Forgery,  fijur;  larceny,  five;  adultery,  one; 
perjury,  one;  arson,  one;  liquor,  one.     No  convictions. 

December  term  1879. — N.  M.  Barnett,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Burglary,  thirteen  ;  assault  to  kill,  one  ;  arson, 
one;  manslaughter,  one ;  robbery,  one;  adultery,  one;  gaming, 
ten  ;  assault,  three  ;  disturbing  worship,  one. 

Convicted :  Thomas  Rea,  larceny  ;  Henry  .J  Orrell,  burglary, 
two  years  each. 

Clerk  W.  H.  Harrison  resigned  his  office  on  the  7th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1880,  whereupon  the  judges  of  the  circuit  court,  to  wit, 
Lyman  Lacey,  Cyrus  Epler,  and  Albert  8.  Burr  appointed 
James  De  Land  to  fill  this  vacancy.  ^Ir.  James  De  Land  quali- 
fied for  office  Feb.  14,  1880 

March  term,  1<380. — W.  R.  Carle,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments:  Rape,  one;  liquor,  three;  perjury,  one;  dis- 
turbing meeting,  two;  larceny,  two;  concealed  weapons,  two; 
embezzlement,  one,  (W.  H.  Harrison,  late  circuit  clerk). 

August  term,  1880. — Smith  Fuller,  foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments :  Horse-stealing,  one  ;  liquor,  one  ;  burglary  and 
larceny,  three. 

December  term,  1880.— Hon.  Albert  G.  Burr,  judge;  W.  H. 
Booth,  attorney  ;  William  Firfrock,  foreman. 

Indictments:  Forgery,  two;  assault  to  kill,  one;  riot,  one  ; 
larceny,  one  ;  rape,  one. 

A  raiir.ler  case,  that  of  Patsey  Devine,  brought  on  a  venue 
from  McLean  county,  was  tried  during  this  term.  Devine  was 
found  guilty,  and  was  sentenced  to  be  hanged  on  the  14th  of 
October,  1881.  Subsequently  he  was  granted  a  new  trial,  and 
will  in  all  probability  get  otf  with  a  few  years  in  the  penitentiary. 
Adelvert  Culiver  was  convicted  of  forgery,  and  sentenced  to  the 
penitentiary  for  one  year.  Henry  Meissell,  alias  Henry  Russell, 
convicted  of  horse-stealing,  was  sentenced  for  nine  years. 

J/arc/i  (!?™i,  1881.— Hon.  Cyrus  Epler,  judge;  Edwin  Weld, 
foreman  of  grand  jury. 

Indictments  :  Forgery,  one  ;  arson,  one  ;  larceny,  one  ;  liquor, 
twelve;  disturbing  assembly,  one;  adultery,  one. 

Convictions :  Luke  Bain,  forgery,  one  year :  Elizabeth  Barton, 
arson,  one  year  in  penitentiary. 

August  term,  msi. — Hon.  A.  G.  Burr,  judge;  Alonzo  D. 
McHenry,  foreman. 

Indictments:  Larceny  and  burglary,  three  ;  riot,  one;  assault, 
one;  adultery,  one;  liquor,  two. 

Convictions  :  Richard  E.  Smith,  burglary,  sent  to  penitentiary 
for  two  years. 

From  the  date  of  organization  of  the  county,  in  1839,  to  date 
of  this  writing,  there  have  been  held  ninety  terms  of  the  circuit 
court;  twenty  of  which  were  presided  over  by  Hon.  Samuel  H. 
Treat,  twenty-five  by  Hon.  David  Davis  (a  part  of  three  of  his 
terras  the  seat  of  Hon.  Davis  was  occupied  by  the  Hon's  E.  N. 
Powell,  Oliver  L.  Davis,  and  A.  S.  Merriman ),  thirteen  by  Hon. 
J.  M.  Scott,  one  by  Hon.  Charles  Emerson,  five  by  Hon  T.  F. 
Tipton,  one  by  Hon.  M.  C.  Crawford,  eighteen  by  Hon.  Lyman 
Lacey,  three  by  Hon.  Cyrus  Epler,  aud  four  by  Hon.  A.  G- 
Burr. 

The  several  grand  juries  have  returned  into  court  one  thousand 
and  thirty-five  indictments,  to  be  classified  as  follows: 

Crimes  against  life  or  limb. — JIurder,  four  cases ;  manslaughter. 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COVXTY,  FLLIXOIS. 


91 


four  eases;  abortion,  two  cases;  assault  with  iutent  to   maim  or 
kill,  tweuty-seveu  eases. 

Crimes  against  properly. — Larceny,  burglary,  and  robbery, 
two  huudreJ  and  thirty-four  cases ;  passing  counterfeit  money, 
three  cases;  false  pretenses,  four  cases;  forgery,  sixteen  cases; 
embezzlement,  six  cases;  horse-stealing,  nine  cases;  receiving 
stolen  goods,  one  ca-e. 

Crimes  agahut  Mortdilij. — Ripe,  ten  cases;  bigamy,  three 
cases;  lewdness,  two  cases ;  bestiality,  one  case  ;  fornication,  four 
cases;  adultery,  fifteen  cases;  bastardy,  one  case,  and  incest,  one 
case. 

Oiher  felonies. — Arson,  nine  cases;  perjury,  nine  cases. 

Minor  offences — Riot,  seventy-two ;  disturbing  public  worship, 
twenty-two;  assaults,  sixty-three  ;  disturbing  the  peace,  twenty- 
three;  cutting  timber,  eleven;  cheating  or  swindling,  ten;  re- 
sisting officers,  five ;  disorderly  houses,  four ;  concealed  weapons, 
four ;  gaming,  forty-six ;  selling  cards,  two  ;  gaming  houses,  nine ; 
betting  on  elections,  two;  malicious  mischief,  eighteen;  em- 
bracery, one;"  compounding  criminal  offence,  one;  illegal  mar- 
riage, one;  removing  landmark,  one;  marking  stock,  three; 
obstructing  public  road,  two  ;  confidence  game,  one  ;  cruelty  to 
animals,  five,  and  Liquor  cases,  three  hundred  and  sixty-four. 

Convictions :  Murder. — None  of  those  four  parties  indicted  for 
murder  were  convicted  of  the  crime;  however,  in  one  murder 
case  from  Sangamon  county,  that  of  Moses  Loe,  a  verdict  of 
manslaughter  was  rendered,  and  the  criminal  sent  to  the  peniten- 
tiary for  eight  years.  Another  murder  case,  brought  from  ' 
McLean  county,  resulted  in  a  sentence  of  death,  not  carried  out 
thus  far. 

Manslaughter. — One  of  the  four  parties  indicted — Frank  Eu- 
thorpe — was  convicted,  and  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  thirteen 
years.  Of  those  thirty-seven  cases  against  life  or  limb,  this  one 
seems  to  be  the  only  one  where  the  criminal  could  be  reached. 

Crimes  against  property  were  punished  with  more  severity  ; 
sixty-six  parties  were  convicted  of  grand  larceny,  and  their  pun- 
ishment aggregated  to  one  hundred  and  fifteen  years  and  three 
months  in  the  penitentiary ;  in  sixteen  cases  of  forgery,  there  were 
four  convictions,  punished  by  four  years  in  the  penitentiary  ;  there 
were  five  convictions  for  horse-stealing,  punished  by  peniten- 
tiary sentences  of  from  one  to  nine  years,  aggregating  eighteen 
years. 

Two  of  nine  charges  of  arson  were  sustained,  and  parties  pun-   j 
ished  by  one  year  in  the  penitentiary  each. 

Of  the  thirty-seven  crimes  against  public  morals,  only  one  case 
could  be  made  out,  and  it  on  a  plea  of  guilty,  viz :  a  case  of 
rape,  sentence,  three  years  in  the  reform  school. 

Minor  offences,  six  hundred  and  seventy  in  number,  were 
punished  by  fines,  at  the  rate  of  about  one  out  of  every  five. 

AI'DEXDr>r. 

ROSTER   OF   COUNTY    OFFICERS. 

Probate  and  County  Judges. — Fleming  G.  Paine,  1839  to  1S44  ; 
Daniel  Newconib,  1844  to  184(J ;  J.  H.  Martin,  from  1846  to 
1849;  Daniel  Robbins,  1849  to  1857;   \V.  H.  Lafferty,  1857  to 
1861  ;  Addison  A-  Eads,  1S61  to  1865;  Samuel  Graham,  18S.5   . 
to  1869;   Jonathan  R.  Hall,  1869  to  1873;    Robert  Walker,   1 
1873  to  1877;  John  J.  McGraw,  1877  to  April  12,  1881,  when    ' 
he  resigned ;  G  K.  Ingham,  since  1881,  having  been  appointed   I 
by  the  governor  to  fill  said  vacancy. 

County  Commissioners. — John    Maxwell,   May   15,   1839,    to   ! 
Sept.  1,1839;  James  Vandeventer,  1839  to  1846  ;  John  Hughes, 
1839  to  1841 ;  Russell  Post,  1839  to  1842 ;  Franklin  Barnett,   ' 


1841  to  1847  ;  Timothy  B.  Hobblett,  1842  to  1845;  John  Max- 
well, 1845  to  1849;  W.  J.  Wright,  1847  to  1849,  and  \Vm. 
Cottingham,  1846  to  1849. 

Associate  Juslice.s.—yVm  Danner,  1849  to  1853  (died  in  office 
on  the  Kith  of  July,  1851  ;  W.  Y.  McCord,  filled  balance  of 
term);  .John  Maxwell,  1849  to  1853;  Samuel  Graham,  1853  ti 
1853;  C.  C  Watson,  1853  to  1857;  (removed  from  the  county 
in  1854;  G.  B.  Lemon  filled  vacancy);  Samuel  E.  Clay,  1857; 
(left  county  in  1858,  vacancy  filled  by  J.  J.  Woodward). 

County  Eecorder.i.—WiUmm  Lowry,  1839  to  1S41 ;  R.  H-  Pool, 
1841  to  1843;  Zeno  H.  Blount,  1843  to  1847  ;  Absolom  Hamil- 
ton, 1847to  1848,  when  clerks  of  circuit  courts  became  recorders 
by  virtue  of  their  office. 

County  A'ses.^ors.—  John  Swearingen,  W.  H.  Latterly  and 
Daniel  Dragstrem,  in  1839;  F.  S.  Rubbins,  Charles  Malthy 
and  Zebulon  Cantrall,  in  1840;  Darius  Hall,  in  1841;  W.  H. 
Latterty,  in  1842;  Absol.  Hamilton,  in  1843  The  county 
treasurers  were  ex-officio  assessors  from  1844  to  1859  ;  since  1859 
the  assessment  is  entrusted  to  township  officers. 

County  Odlectors.—^y.  H.  Lafferty,  in  1839  and  1840  ;  E.  W. 
Fears,  in  1841,  William  Mitchell,  in  1842,  and  E.  W.  Fears,  in 
1843.  The  county  sheriffs  were  made  ex-officio  collectors  of 
revenue  in  1844,  and  continued  such  until  1859.  when  under  the 
svstem  of  township  goverjiment,  the  treasurer  was  also  collector 
by  virtue  of  his  office. 

Circuit  Clerks. — K.  H.  Fell,  app  jinte  1  by  Judge  Logan,  in 
1839  to  1841  ;  Daniel  Newcomb,  appointed  in  1841  to  1H48 
John  Wnrner,  elected  1848  to  1852;  Robert  Lewis,  1852  to 
1860;  Joseph  J.  Kelly,  1860  to  186S;  W.L.Chambers,  1868 
to  187-2 ;  W.  H.  Harrison,  1872  to  1880,  resigned  Feb.  7,  1880 ; 
James  DeLind  appointed  to  fill  vacancy ;  J.  T.  Carle,  since  1880. 

County  Cyerfo.— John  J.  McGraw,  1839  to  1857;  James  E. 
Stansbury,  1857  to  1862,  died  three  months  after  entering  upon 
his  second  term,  was  succeeded  by  James  Lisenby,  1862  to  1869  ; 
W.  W.  Graham,  1869  to  1873 ;  Augustus  V.  Lisenby,  since  1877. 

gl,griffs,^E.  W.  Fears,  1839  to  1844;  William  Mitchell,  1844 
to  1848,  (died  before  expiration  of  his  second  term  by  suicide) ; 
William  Biilin,  1848  to  1850;  Ezekiel  Lane,  1850  to  1852; 
William  Bolin,  1852  to  1854;  William  Fuller,  1854  to  1856; 
H.  H.  Merryman,  1856  to  1858;  Decatur  Pool,  1858  to  1860; 
Barzilla  Campbell,  1860  to  1862;  James  A.  LaH'erty,  1862  to 
1864;  Alonzo  D.  McHenry,  1864  to  1866;  W.  C.  McMurray, 
1866  to  1868;  Thomas  Gardiner,  jr.,  1870  to  1874;  Lyman  Bar- 
nett, 1874  to  1876,  and  Amos  Weedman,  since  1876. 

Treasurers. — Jtsse  C.  McPherson,  1839;  J.J.  MeGraw,  pro 
tem  ,  1840  ;  Peter  D.  Spain,  1840  ;  Charles  Maltby,  1841  ;  Robert 
H.  Pool,  1842;  William  Mitchell,  1843  and  1844;  William 
Bolin,  1845  to  1847  ;  Henry  Cundiff,  1847  to  1849  ;  Andrew  J. 
Hammitt,  1849  to  1851;  W.  T.  Springer,  1851  to  1853  ;  W  N. 
Meservay,  1853  to  1855 ;  Jamrs  E.  Stan.sbury,  1855  to  1857  ;  G. 
M.  Lutterell,  1857  to  1859;  .James  Lisenby,  1859  to  1861  ;  B. 
T.  Jones,  1861  to  1863;  Edward  Porter,  1863  to  1867;  Thomas 
Ivelly,  1867  to  1871;  Lorenzo  D.  Hovey,  1871  to  1873;  W. 
Gambrel,  1873  to  1877 ;  James  A.  Wilson,  1877  to  date. 

School  Superintendents.— John  J.  McGraw,  from  1839  to  1855  ; 
Lawrence  We'den,  1855  to  1859  ;  Joseph  Kelly,  1859  to  1861  ; 
Jacob  S.  Hand,  from  1863  to  1867  ;  S.  K.  Carter,  from  1867  to 
1869  ;  F.  M.  Vanlue,  from  1869  to  1873,  and  Mary  S.  Welch, 
from  1873  to  date. 

Counti/  Surveyors.— Alexander  L.  Barnett,  1839  to  1859; 
Oliver  Lakin,  18.59  to  1861 ;  John  S.  Brown,  1861  to  1863  ;  Oli- 
ver Lakin,  1863  to  1865 ;  David  Richardson,  1865  to  1869 ;  J. 


92 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


S.  Brown,  18G9  to  1875;  David  Richardson,  1875  to  1879,  and 
Alexander  L.  Barnett  since  1879. 

Coroners.— Henry  A.  Hall,  1839  to  1844;  John  M.-Richter, 
1844  to  1852;  B.  F.  Hall,  18-52  to  1858;  .Tosiah  McFarland, 
18.=>8  to  1860  ;  William  Hull,  18G0  to  isr,2  ;  -I.  M.  Green,  1862 
to  1864 ;  John  G.  Morlan,  ]8li4  to  1868  ;  W.  W  Hickman,  1868 
to  1870;  P.  T.  Sweeny,  1870 ;  William  Hefternan,  1871  to  1874;  | 
Ezekiel  Thomas,  1874  to  1876;  Darius  Hall,  1S76  to  ISSO,  and 
Lafayette  Ely,  .since  l^SHO. 

Stales  AUorneys.—T)a.s\A  B.  Campbell,  1839  to  1849;  Seth 
Post,  Charles  Emerson,  W.  H.  Lamont,  to  1858  ;  A.  Hogg,  to 
1860;  W.  H.  Yonng,  1860  to  1862;  Henry  S.  Green,  1862  to  ; 
1866;  Thomas  F.  Tipton,  R.  M.  Benjamin,  to  1868;  J.  H. 
Rowell,  1868  to  1872;  S.  K.  Carter,'l872  to  1876;  W.  R. 
Kelly,  1876  to  1879;  Edgar  S.  Vanmeler  to  fill  vacaiic)-,  1879  I 
to  1880,  and  W.  H.  Booth  since  1880.  | 

Masters  in  Chancery. — John  J.  McGraw,  1839  to  1865 ;  Michael 
Donahue,  1865  to  1872,  and  G.  B.  Graham  since  187.'. 

CHAPTER  X. 


THE  BEXCH  AND  BAR- 


H yf^Sss^^S^ She  lawyer  in  all  civilized  nations  lias 
.AiFSEsVnf/- dli.  eupied  a  position  of  prominence  and  distinc- 
tion. The  legal  profession  is  the  one  in 
which  men  of  the  keenest  mind  and  most 
aggressive  intellect  have  naturally  found  a 
place.  It  will  be  found  that  this  important 
and  influential  class  of  men  has  not  b>:en 
deficient  in  patriotism  and  love  of  lilierty. 
Especially  under  the  influence  of  the  com- 
m)u  law  of  England,  the  principles  of  which  spring  from  the 
great  body  of  the  people,  the  profession  of  law  has  produced 
men  who  have  been  foremost  in  advocating  the  liberties  of  the 
masses,  and  in  maintaining  popular  rights  against  the  encroach- 
ments and  aggressions  of  tyranny.  The  liberty-breathing  spirit 
of  the  old  common  law  nurtured  in  no  small  degree  the  sturdy 
notions  of  independence  which  have  ever  characterized  the  Eng- 
lish race,  while  the  sacred  right  of  trial  by  jury,  and  the  writ  of 
Habeas  Corpus  have  always  been  regarded  as  the  strongest  bul- 
warks of  popular  freedom.  To  this  heritage,  bequeathed  by  our 
English  ancestors,  the  American  lawyer  has  been  faith  ul.  His 
voice  was  the  first  to  lift  itself  in  opposition  to  encroachments 
on  the  rights  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  thirteen  colonies.  It  was 
a  lawyer  who  formulated  the  principles  of  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  and  in  the  subsequent  history  of  our  country,  the 
great  part  of  the  legal  profession  has  been  composed  of  men  who 
tor  intelligence  and  patriotism  have  stood  in  the  foremost  rank. 
In  Illinois,  among  the  early  pioneers,  were  men  of  mark  in 
the  profession,  of  high  personal  character  and  broad  attainments, 
who  instead  of  confining  themselves  to  the  old  centres  of  wealth 
and  population,  where  it  might  be  thought  their  labor  would 
reap  the  richest  rewards,  and  their  talents  secure  the  highest 
emoluments,  pushed  to  the  frontier  with  the  first  wave  of  advanc- 
ing population.  Their  services  were  of  inestimable  value  in 
placing  on  a  broad  and  firm  basis,  the  foundations  of  the  common- 
wealth.    Their  voice  has  since  been  potent  in  directing  public 


opinion,  and  shaping  the  broad  and  liberal  policy  with  which  in 
general  the  state  has  treated  public  questions.  And  the  two 
names  which  are  most  conspicuously  and  honorably  connected 
with  the  history  of  the  state,  are  those  of  two  lawyers,  who  won 
their  first  triumphs  at  the  bar  of  Illinois,  and  there  fitted  them- 
selves for  a  wider  arena  in  which  they  achieved  a  reputation 
more  than  national;  Stephen  A.  Douglas  and  Abraham  Lincoln. 

THE    BENCH. 

Some  of  the  brightest  aritiy  of  talent  in  the  state  have  presided 
at  the  courts  in  De  Witt  county  since  its  organization  in  1839. 
When  first  organized  it  formed  part  of  the  eighth  circuit, 
which  comprised  the  following  counties:  Tazewell,  Livingstone, 
McLean,  Piatt,  Champaign,  Vermillion,  Edgar,  Coles,  Moultrie, 
Christian,  Macon,  Sangamon,  Logan,  and  De  Witt. 

Stephen  T.  Logan  was  commissioned  Circuit  Judge  February 
29th,  1839.  His  rapidly  increasing,  and  extensive  jiractice  at 
that  time,  however,  imluced  him  to  resign,  and  Samuel  H.  Treat 
succeeded  hijn.  May  27th,  1839,  and  was  again  elected  and  re- 
coramissioned  January  30th,  1840  and  continued  to  preside  until 
the  adoption  of  the  new  constitution  in  1848.  His  successor 
being  David  Davis,  who  received  his  commission  December  4th, 
1848;  recommissioned  June  25th,  1855,  and  was  again  elected 
July  1st,  1861,  and  was  then  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  one 
of  the  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  He 
was  followed  by  John  M.  Scott,  December  2d,  1862  who  was 
re-elected  June  27th,  1867,  and  presided  until  1870.  Thomas 
F.  Tipton  was  elected  Judge,  August  18th,  1870,  and  held  the 
position  until  1873.  ''  Under  the  constitution  of  1870,  the  General 
Assembly,  by  act  of  March  28th,  1873  divided  the  state  into 
twenty-six  judicial  circuits,  (Do  Witt  county  forming  part  of  the 
seventeenth),  in  each  of  which  one  judge  of  the  circuit  court 
was  elected  for  the  term  of  six  years.  Lyman  Lacy,  of  Havana, 
was  elected  circuit  judge  June  10th,  1873.  In  1877,  the  legis- 
lature passed  a  law  establishing  an  appellate  court,  and  provid- 
ing for  the  election  of  three  judges  for  each  circuit.  The  judges 
thus  elected,  ofiiciating  in  this  county,  were  respectively  Lyman 
Lacy,  C.  Eppler,  and  A.  G.  Burr — who  fill  that  position  at  the 
present  time.  O.  L.  Davis  officiated  as  judge  pro  tern,  in  1861, 
and  C  Emmerson  in  1864.  A  brief  sketch  of  the  before-men- 
tioned representatives  of  the  bench  we  append  as  follows: 

Stephen  T.  Locsan  possessed  a  brilliant  intellect,  and  won  for 
himself  a  high  reputation,  both  in  law  and  politics.  His  career 
as  circuit  judge  commenced  in  1S35,  when  he  was  elected  judge 
of  the  first  judicial  district.  He  was  subsequently  elected  judge 
of  the  eighth  circuit,  which  position  he  resigned  as  above  stated, 
in  1839.  His  death  occurre<l  a  few  months  ago,  at  his  home  in 
Springfield.  He  was  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  that  Illinois  ever 
produced. 

Samuel  H,  Tre.it,  a  dirtinguished  jurist,  and  an  eminent 
man,  possessing  great  legal  talent,  and  exercising  strict  impar- 
tiality in  his  official  duties,  presided  for  a  time  over  the  courts 
of  De  Witt  county.  He  is  now  one  of  the  United  States  district 
judges,  located  at  Springfield.  And  by  his  erudition,  and  purity 
of  character,  has  won  for  himself  a  proud  and  enviable  fame. 

David  Davis,  of  Blooraiugton  (now  United  States  Senator). 
The  career  of  judge  Davis  is  familiar  to  all,  and  honorable  to 
himself  and  his  state  and  therefore  will  receive  but  brief  mention 
here.  In  all  public  trusts,  as  Judge  of  Circuit,  as  one  of  justices 
of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  as  U.  S.  Senator  from 
Illinois,  he  has  proved  himself  worthy  and  efficient.  He  is  one 
of  the  few  men  who  are  able  to  rise  equal  to  all  emergencies, — ■ 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


93 


one  of  the  strongest  elements  wliieli  has  contributed  to  his  fame 
is  his  sterling  integrity,  and  purity  of  character. 

John  M.  Scott — one  of  the  Supreme  judges  of  Illinois,  was 
born  in  St.  Clair  county,  near  Belleville,  August  l^t,  1823.  He 
is  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  His  immediate  ancestry,  however, 
were  born  iu  Virginia  ;  prior  to  the  organization  of  the  state  his 
parents  emigrated  to  Illinois.  His  rudimentary  education  was 
acquired  in  the  common  schools,  and  subsequently  under  private 
tuition  he  acquired  a  knowledge  of  Latin,  and  great  proficiency 
in  the  higher  branches  of  mathematics ;  he  taught  school  for  a 
short  period,  and  then  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of 
Kinney  &  Bissell.  After  his  admission  to  the  bar  in  1848,  he 
removed  to  McLean  county,  and  began  active  practice.  In 
politics,  in  his  early  boyhood,  he  was  an  ardent  Whig,  and  on 
the  formation  of  the  Republican  party,  he  became  an  active 
member  of  the  new  organization,  and  has  since  adhered  to  its 
principles.  Upon  the  appointment  of  Judge  David  Davis  to  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  1862,  he  became  a  can- 
didate, and  was  elected  judge  of  the  circuit,  and  presided  until 
1870.  When  on  the  adoption  of  the  new  constitution,  he  became 
a  candidate,  and  was  elected  one  of  the  judges  of  the  Siipreme 
Court  of  the  state.  For  several  years  he  presided  as  Chief  Justice. 
He  is  the  first  native  who  has  been  honored  with  the  distinction 
of  a  seat  on  the  Supreme  bench  of  Illinois.  He  is  a  sound  and 
able  jurist,  and  has  shed  additional  lustre  upon  the  jurisprudence 
of  his  native  state. 

Thomas  P.  Tipton — was  born  in  Ohio,  of  English  parentage, 
in  the  year  18-33.  His  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  moved  to  McLean 
county  in  1844,  and  died  within  a  year.  Owing  to  the  death 
of  his  father,  and  the  necessity  of  his  aiding  in  the  maintenance 
of  the  family,  therefore  the  educational  facilities  of  Judge  Tipton 
in  his  boyhood,  were  limited  to  the  common  schools,  and  a  short 
period  at  an  academy  at  Knoxville.  AVhile  at  Knoxville,  he 
read  law, — was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  in  1854  began  practice 
at  Lexington,  Illinois ;  and  in  January,  1862,  removed  to  Bloom- 
ington,  and  iu  the  summer  of  1870,  was  elected  Circuit  Judge  of 
the  district,  in  which  De  Witt  county  forms  a  part.  As  a  circuit 
judge  he  became  noted  for  the  rapid  dispatch  of  business,  and 
the  soundness  of  his  rulings. 

Lyman  Lacy  was  a  native  of  Tompkins  County,  New  York, 
in  1836  ;  he  then  a  mere  child  removed  with  his  parents  to  Michi- 
gan, and  the  next  year  they  settled  in  Fulton  County,  Illinois. 
His  elementary  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools. 
He  subsequently  became  a  student  at  Illinois  College,  Jackson- 
ville, graduating  therefrom  in  18.5.5.  The  same  year  began  the 
study  of  Law,  in  the  office  of  Hon  L.  W.  Ross,  of  Lewiston, 
Illinois,  and  the  next  year  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  i-nme- 
diately  thereafter  located  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  at 
Havana,  Mason  County.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in 
1862  was  elected  a  member  of  the  legislature,  representing  the 
Counties  of  Mason  and  Menard.  In  June,  1873,  he  was  elected 
Judge  of  the  seventeenth  circuit.  As  a  jurist  he  has  won  golden 
opinions,  his  decisions  are  clear,  forcible,  and  concise,  and  exhibit 
a  thorough  and  sound  knowledge  of  the  law. 

We  have  been  unable  to  obtain  data  bearing  on  the  history  of 
the  other  able  jurists  who  hold  court  in  this  county.  Judge 
Cyrus  Eppler,  of  Jacksonville,  and  Judge  A  G.  Burr,  of  Car- 
roUton,  however,  are  regarded  by  their  contemporaries  as  men 
well  learned  in  the  law. 

Prosecuting  AUorneys :  David  B.  Campbell  from  1839  to  1 849  ; 
Joel  S.  Post,  C.  Emmerson,  Ward  H.  Lament,  1858;  W.  H. 
Young,  1860  ;  H.  Hogg,  H.  S.  Green,  1864  to  1867,  resigned  and 


term  completed  by  Thos.  F.  Tipton,  R.  M.  Benjamin,  J.  H. 
Rowell,  1868  to  1872  ;  S.  K.  Carter,  1S72  to  1876;  W  R  Kelly, 
1876  to  1879;  Edgar  Van  Meter,  1879,  to  complete  term;  W. 
H.  Booth,  1880,  and  is  now  the  prosecuting  attorney  for  the 
county. 

(.'onntij  and  Probate  ('aurt.^. — The  Court  having  jurisdiction  of 
probate  matters  and  wills,  was  originally  known  as  the  Probate 
Court,  and  presided  over  by  a  justice  of  the  peace  under  the  con- 
stitution of  1848  ;  this  was  superseded  by  the  County  Court,  over 
which  presides  a  County  Judge,  having  a  clerk  and  seal,  and 
being  a  court  of  record.  The  f  jllowiug  County  .Judges  have  held 
office  in  De  Witt  County  :  Daniel  R(jbbins,  1849  to  1857  ;  W. 
H.  Lafferty,  to  1861 ;  A.  A.  Eals,  to  I860  ;  Samuel  Graham,  to 
1869  ;  Jonathan  R  Hall,  to  1873;  Robert  Walker,  to  1877;  J. 
J.  McGraw,  to  1881.  Judg'^  McGraw  resigned  in  the  early  part 
of  the  present  year,  and  was  succeeded  by  G.  K.  Ingham,  (ap- 
pointed by  the  Governor),    who  is  the  present  incumbent. 

FOUJIER    RESIDENT     LAWYERS. 

E.  H.  Palmer,  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ohio,  attended 
the  common  .schools  there,  afterwards  the  Granville  College, 
finally  gradu.ating  at  Wittenberg  College,  Ohio.  Mr.  Palmer 
being  desirous  of  making  money  to  effect  a  good  start  in  the 
world  went  south,  where  higlier  salaries  were  paid  for  services  in 
those  days  than  in  the  north  He  undertook  the  charge  of  a 
Collf-ge  in  the  State  of  Missisippi;  in  the  meantime  he  studied 
the  languages,  also  read  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Mississippi.  Judge  L.  Weldon  being  an  old  schoolmate,  induced 
him  to  come  to  Illinois.  He  settled  in  Springfield  in  1855,  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  removed  to  C  in- 
ton  in  1X56.  The  first  night  of  his  arrival  in  Clinton,  at  the 
hotel  he  met  Abraham  Lincoln,  Leonard  Swett,  David  Davis 
and  others.  The  host  being  pressed  for  room,  suggested  to  his 
guests  the  necessity  of  making  each  bed  hold  two  persons.  Mr. 
Lincoln  arose  to  his  full  height,  and  looking  calmly  down  at  Mr. 
Palmer  .said,  I  will  take  the  young  stranger  under  my  wing ;  from 
that  time  the  two  were  always  staunch  friends,  and  Mr.  Palmer 
was  always  fimd  of  telling  the  story  of  his  introduction  to  Lin- 
coln. Mr.  Palmer  was  a  well-educated  man,  a  good  linguist, 
and  a  man  of  experience  and  ability. 

Among  his  professional  brethren  he  was  known  as  a  skillful 
and  cautious  lawyer,  and  the  carefulness  and  promptness  with 
which  he  devoted  his  attention  to  legal  business  entrusted  to 
him,  secured  him  a  large  and  remuuerative  practice.  He  died 
on  the  20th  of  March,  1S79.  His  eldest  son,  Frank,  has  recently 
been  .admitted  to  the  bar. 

Henry  S.  Green,  also  an  excellent  lawyer,  is  now  a  resident 
of  Springfield,  Illinois ;  L.  Weldon,  of  Bloomington ;  Samuel 
Ashton ;  S.  F.  Lewis,  still  a  resident  here,  but  not  in  practice; 
E  O.  Hill,  J.  B.  McK  nley,  H.  C.  Wisner  W.  L.  Chambers,  J. 
Ogle,  .Jos.  Kelly,  AV.  R.  Kelly,  Mr.  Ferguson,  J.  R.  Bl.ackford, 
A.  Hayne,  Rcinhart,  Bayliss  and  J.  W.  Fell,  also  practiced  the 
profession  of  law  in  De  Witt  county. 

present  members  of  the  bar 

C.  H.  Moore,  the  oldest  resident  practitioner  at  the  De  Witt 
county  bar,  was  boru  in  Ohio.  Leaviug  that  state,  he  located  in 
Pekin,  Illinois,  removing  here,  in  1841.  He  had  obtained  a  fair 
education  in  the  Painesville  Academy  and  Western  Reserve 
Teachers'  Semii  ary,  whose  sessions  were  held  in  the  old  Mormon 
Temple,  at  Kirtland.  His  early  manhood  was  jrassed  in  the 
schoolroom,  as  teacher  and  pupil— teaching  to  enable  him  to 


94 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


defray  his  expenses  as  pupil.  In  Pekiu  ha  entered  the  law  office 
of  Bailey  &  AVilmot,  and  in  Jul_v,  1841,  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice, having  passed  an  examination  in  Springfield.  August 
found  him  penniless,  but  full  of  energy  and  hope,  in  the  village 
of  Clinton.  His  proudest  dream  was  to  become  as  indepen- 
dent ill  life  as  an  uncle,  worth  perhaps  ten  or  fifteen  thousand 
dollars.  To  work  he  went,  and  abundance  has  crowned 
his  arduous  labors  with  success.  His  energy  knows  no  flagging ; 
his  zeal  on  behalf  of  his  clients  has  no  abatement ;  his  keen 
foresight  into  future  values,  and  firm  faith  in  the  destiny  of  Illi- 
nois, has  been  rewarded.  As  a  lawyer,  he  is  painstaking,  judi- 
cious and  skillful.  He  is  recognized  wherever  known  as  being 
well-read  in  tlie  law,  of  pleasing  address  and  urbane  manners. 
He  has  hosts  of  friends. 

William  Fuller  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania;  he  came  to 
De  Witt  county  in  1848,  engaged  in  teaching,  and  while  prose- 
cuting this  work  read  Blackstone,  Chitty's  Pleadings,  and  pon- 
dered over  the  Illinois  Form  Bijok,  and  the  General  Statutes  of 
the  State,  and  acquired  a  somewhat  lucrative  practice  in  justices 
courts  long  before  his  admi.ssion  to  the  bar  —in  fact,  a  larger  one 
than  that  of  any  attorney  in  the  county.  When  he  applied  for 
admission  to  the  bar  in  1807,  the  first  question  asked  him  was 
with  whom  he  had  studied  law.  The  reply  was  prompt:  "  Wiih 
William  Fuller,  sir."  A  close  examination  proved  his  fitness, 
and  he  was  admitted.  He  has  acquired  an  extensive  criminal 
practice,  and  enjoys  the  reputation  of  having  always  cleared  his 
man.  No  client  of  his  has  suffered  death  by  hanging,  nor  been  im- 
prisoned, although  he  has  defended  several  charged  with  murder. 
As  a  speaker  he  is  earnest  and  effective ;  his  power  is  not  that  of 
persuasive  speech,  but  of  a  thorough  understanding  and  judicious 
application  of  the  law.  ^ 

Geokge  B.  GRAn.\M  is  an  Ohioan  by  birth  ;  came  to  Illinois 
with  his  parents  in  18-32;  obtained  a  fair  common-school  educa- 
tion ;  commenced  the  study  of  law  with  E  H.  Palmer  in  1S6-5 ; 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1867.  In  1868  he  formed  a  co- 
partnership with  William  Fuller,  with  whom  he  has  since  re- 
mained; was  appointed  master  in  chancery  in  June,  1874,  a 
position  which  he  has  continually  held  since.  In  1881  he  was 
elected  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Clinton,  on  the  anti-license  ticket. 
He  is  characterzied  by  great  earnestness  of  manner,  close  appli- 
cation to  business,  and  firmness  i  j  his  advocacy  cif  what  he  deems 
to  be  the  right.  He  has  taken  strong  grounds  in  behalf  of  the 
cause  of  Temperance.  Possessed  of  social  qualities  of  a  high 
order,  he  endears  himself  to  all  friends. 

Michael  Donahue  was  born  in  jS^ew  York  but  came  when  a 
lad  to  Chicago,  in  which  city  he  obtained  his  education.  He 
studied  law  with  Moore  &  Greene,  of  Clinton,  for  three  years, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1S63;  he  immediately  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  partnership  with  J.  ■'.  Kelly  a  former 
resident  of  Clinton,  and  afterwards  with  W.  R  Kelly.  Mr.  Dona- 
hue in  1870  was  elected  states  senator,  and  was  re-elected  in  1872. 
Vespasian  Wakner,  a  native  of  De  Witt  county,  acquired 
his  first  teachings  in  the  schools  here,  and  continued  his  education 
at  the  Lombard  University,  Galesburg  ;  began  reading  law  in  the 
winter  of  1S60,  with  Moore  &  Greene,  of  Clinton;  joined  the 
federal  armv  in  the  late  war,  in  1861,  and  after  a  service  of  five 
years,  was  breveted  major.  He  graduated  in  the  law  depart- 
ment of  Harvard  University.  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1S67,  and  the  following  year  commenoed  the  prac- 
tice, in  partnership  with  C.  H.  Moore,  of  Clinton  ;  he  is  a  man 
of  education  and  culture,  and  an  able  advocate. 
S.  K.  Carter,  when  a  boy,  came  from  Ohio,  h!s  native  state. 


to  De  Witt  county  ;  attended  the  schools  here  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  rebellion.  He  joined  the  Union  forces,  and  after  his 
return  from  the  war  entered  the  State  Normal  University  ;  sub- 
squently  read  law  with  H.  S.  Green,  and  became  a  member  of 
the  bar  in  1870,  and  the  year  following  commenced  practice  in 
Clinton ;  was  elected  states  attorney  for  four  years,  and  city 
attorney  for  three  years. 

P.  T.  Sweeney,  a  native  of  Ireland,  landed  in  New  York  in 
18-18,  in  which  state  he  received  his  education ;  came  to  Illinois 
in  1856,  and  tlie  following  year  commenced  reading  law  with 
Judg*'  Richmond  of  Lacon.  Mr.  Sweeney  gave  his  services  to 
the  Union  in  the  late  war,  after  which  he  came  to  Clinton, 
where  his  professional  studies  were  continued  with  John  R. 
Blackford,  a  former  resident  lawyer  of  this  county  ;  he  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1871,  and  commenced  the  practice  in  par- 
nership  with  his  preceptor. 

G.  K.  Ingham  came  to  Dd  Witt  county  from  Ohio,  in  18-58,  and 
obtained  his  early  education  at  the  schools  here,  after  which  for 
two  years  he  attended  the  Wesleyan  University,  Bloomington, 
subsequently  the  University  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  where  he 
graduated  in  the  law  department,  in  1875.  He  first  began  the 
practice  of  law  in  Kenney,  this  county,  where  he  remained  until 
1879  ;  during  that  time  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  for  one 
term.  Siuce  1879  he  has  resided  in  Clinton,  and  during  the 
present  year  was  appointed  county  judge,  to  fill  the  resignation 
of  Judge  McGraw. 

F.  M.  Burroughs  has  been  but  a  short  time  in  practice,  com- 
mencing in  partnership  with  E.  A.  Lemon.  He  is  a  native  of 
the  state  of  N-^w  York,  but  received  his  education  at  Illinois  In- 
dustrial University,  Champaign  ;  came  to  Clinton  in  1873,  and 
began  the  study  of  law  with  R.  A.  Lemon,  with  whom  he  sub- 
sequently entered  into  partnership. 

G.  W.  Herrick,  of  Farmer  City,  attended  the  academies  of 
his  native  state,  (Indiana)  also  the  LTniversity  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Michigan,  where  he  graduated  in  the  law  department  of  that  in- 
stit  Jtion.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  late  war,  and  did  valiant 
service  for  the  cause  of  the  Union,  and  was  promoted  captain. 
He  began  the  practice  of  law  in  Farmer  City  in  1870,  and  has 
held  the  office  of  city  attorney  for  the  last  three  terms.  Mr. 
Herrick  has  a  large  and  increasing  practice,  and  possesses  an 
excellent  knowledge  of  his  profession. 

R.  A.  Lemon  was  born  in  Sangamon  county.  111.,  in  184'^,  but 
removed  when  young  to  Piatt  county,  and  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  there ;  r  ad  law  in  1867  with  W.  G.  Randall, 
afterwards  with  Ingersoll,  Harper  &  Cassel,  at  El  Paso,  until 
1870;  during  that  year  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  practiced 
in  Farmer  City  until  1877  ;  he  then  came  to  Clinton,  and  during 
the  present  year  entered  into  partnership  with  F.  M.  Burrouglis. 

William  Monson  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  but  came  when  very 
young  to  De  Witt  county,  and  obtained  the  rudiments  of  an 
education  at  Clinton,  which  was  completed  at  the  Illinois  Wes- 
leyan L'niversity,  Bloomington.  He  read  law  with  Fuller  & 
Graham,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  iu  1875.  He  practiced 
alone  until  1870,  when  he  became  a  partner  iu  the  firm  of  Fuller, 
Graham  and  Monson.  Mr.  Monson  is  a  good  lawyer  and  a 
genial,  pleasant  gentleman. 

WiLLiAJi  H.  Booth,  originally  fr-im  Greene  county,  Ohio. 
He  obtained  the  rudiments  of  an  education  at  Waynesville,  this 
county  ;  subsequently  gained  the  highest  class  honors  at  the  Illi- 
nois Wesleyan  University,  Bloomington,  in  1873,  in  which  place 
he  afterwards  studied  law  with  Rowell  &  Hamilton,  subsequently 
with  Orendorf  &  Creighton  of  Springfield  ;  was  admitted  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


95 


bar  in  ihe  early  part  of  1879,  ami  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession in  the  same  year  at  Clinton,  and  was  for  a  time  in  part- 
nership with  E.  S.  Van  Meter.  He  was  elected  states  attorney 
for  four  years  in  November,  1880,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

C.  M.  Welch,  of  Farmer  City,  a  native  of  Ohio,  obtained  his 
education  in  the  academics  of  that  and  the  neighboring  state  of 
Jndiaia;  came  first  to  Illinois  in  1860  ;  the  ne.xt  year  returned 
to  Indiana  and  commenced  studying  law  with  Judge  John 
Morris,  of  Fort  Wayne,  in  1861  ;  soon  afterwards  joined  the 
Union  troops  in  the  late  war,  and  at  its  close  iu  1865  came  to 
Farmer  City,  where  be  for  a  number  of  years  followed  tbe  pro- 
fession of  teacher;  finally  renewed  the  study  of  law  with  G.  W. 
Herrick;  qualified  himself,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1S79, 
from  which  time  he  has  continued  to  practice.  In  April,  1S81, 
he  was  elected  Mayor  of  Farmer  City  for  the  usual  term  of  two 
years. 

O.  E.  Harris,  of  Kinney,  came  from  Henry  county,  Kentucky, 
at  an  early  age,  and  received  the  first  rudiments  of  an  education 
in  tbe  neighboring  county  of  Logan;  attended  the  State  Normal 
University  in  1S6S,  and  completed  his  education  at  Eureka  Col- 
lege ;  read  law  with  Judge  W.  E.  Dicks,  of  Logan  county,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1S73 ;  settled  at  Kinney  in  the  early 
part  of  last  year,  where  he  continues  the  prac  ice  of  his  pro- 
fession. 

Edgar  S.  Van  Meter,  born  in  Hardy  county.  West  Virginia, 
and  educated  in  the  schools  of  that  state,  came  to  Illinois  in 
1870,  and  to  De  Witt  county  in  1875  ;  began  the  study  of  law 
with  E  H.  Palmer^  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1878.  He 
practices  tbe  profession  in  Clinton,  and  does  an  extensive  busi- 
ness in  conLcction  with  the  railroad  interests  of  the  county. 


— *=s-f>-t§-e=-T— 


CHAPTER  XL 


THE  rEESS- 


BY    D.   MACKENZIE. 

De"  Witt  CorKiER,  De  Witt  County  Democrat,  The  Vixdicatoe. 
Central  Teansceipt.  Weekly  Central  Tkansceipt,  Clinton 
Public,  De  Witt  County  Poblic  and  Central  Transoeipt,  The 
Clinton  Union,  The  Clinton  Times,  The  De  Witt  Register,  The 
Clinton  Register,  The  Farmer  City  Republican,  The  Orthoes- 
FOR.  The  Farmer  City  Journal,  The  Farmer  City  Herald, 
The  Farmer  City  Reporter,  The  Public  Reaper,  The  Real 
Estate  Index,  The  Te.mperanoe  Vidette,  the  De  Witt  County 
Gazette.  De  Witt  County  Messenger,  The  Kenney  Register, 
The  Kenney  Record,  The  Kenney  Gazette. 


ItlE  inventor  of  printing,  Laurentius  Coster, 
was  born  in  Haerlem,  Holland,  about  the 
year  1370.  It  was  while  rambling  through 
the  forest,  contiguous  to  his  native  tawn,  that 
he  cut  some  letters  on  the  bark  of  a  birch 
tree.  Drowsy  from  the  effort,  and  relaxation 
of  a  holiday,  he  wrapped  his  handiwork  in 
his  handkerchief  and  lay  down  to  sleep. 
While  men  sleep  the  world  moves.  Damped  by  the  atmospheric 
moisture,  the  paper  wrapped  about  his  carvings  had  taken  an 
impression  from  them,  and  Coster  awoke  to  discover  an  inverted 
image  of  what  he  had  carved  upon  the  bark.     The  phenomenon 


was  suggestive  because  it  led  to  experiments  that  resulted  in 
establishing  a  printing  office,  the  first  of  its  kind,  in  the  old, 
Dutch  town  of  Haerlem.  The  date  of  the  discovery  was  between 
the  years  1420  and  1426.  In  this  office  John  Gutenberg  served 
a  faithful  and  appreciative  apprenticeship.  Gutenberg  was  born 
near  the  close  of  the  14th  century  at  Mentz,  Germany.  He  is 
regarded  by  some  German  writers,  as  being  the  inventor  of  print- 
ing, but  the  preponderance  of  evidence  is  in  favor  of  Coster.  He, 
however,  was  the  first  to  employ  moveable  types  in  printing,  the 
date  of  which  was  about  the  year  1438.  After  the  death  of  Cos- 
ter, he  absconded,  taking  with  him  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
tyjie  and  apparatus.  He  settled  in  Mentz  where  he  won  the 
friendship  and  partnership  of  John  Faust,  a  wealthy  goldsmith 
and  of  sufficient  means  and  enterprise  to  set  up  the  printing  busi- 
ness upon  a  secure  financial  basis.  The  date  of  the  copartner- 
ship was  in  the  year  1450.  It  was  dissolved  several  years  later 
owing  to  a  misunderstanding.  Gutenberg  tiien  formed  a  partner- 
ship witli  a  younger  brother  who  had  set  up  an  office  in  Stras- 
burg,  but  had  not  been  successful,  and  becoming  involved  in 

I   law-suits  had  fled  from  that  city  and  joined  his  brother  at  Mentz. 

[   These  brothers  were  the  first  to  use  metal  types. 

j  John  Faust,  after  the  dissolution  of  partnership  with  Guten- 
berg, took  into  partnership  Peter  Schoett'er,  one  of  his  servants, 
and  an  ingenious  workman.     He  privately  cut  matrices  for  the 

I  whole  alphabet,  and  when  he  showed  his  master  the  type  cut 
from  these  matrices  Faust  was  so  much  pleased  that  he  gave 
Schoefifer  his  only  daughter  in  marriage.  Scboeffer's  improve- 
ment in  casting  type  from  matrices  was  made  in  1456.  Guten- 
berg's printing  office  existed  in  JMentz  until  1465.  He  died 
February  14th,  1468. 

These  are  the  great  names  i-ti  the  early  history  of  printing  and 
each  is  worthy  of  special  honor.  In  this  connection  it  is  fitting 
that  mention  should  be  made  of  William  Caxton,  who  introduced 
printing  into  England,  and  was  the  first  English  printer  of  whom 
there  is  any  knowledge.  He  was  born  in  Kent  iu  1422.  In 
1471  he  entered  the  service  of  Margaret,  Duchess  of  Burgundy. 
During  his  sojourn  in  Bruges  be  formed  the  acquaintance  of 
Colard  Mansion,  a  well  known  printer  of  that  city.  He  acquired 
the  art,  and  in  1476  returned  to  England,  and  set  up  his  wooden 
printing  press  in  Westminster.  The  "  Game  and  Play  of  the 
Chesse,"  was  one  of  his  earliest  publications  He  died  about  the 
year  1491. 

For  a  long  time  printing  was  dependent  upon  most  clum.sy 
apparatus.  The  earliest  press  had  a  contrivance  for  running  the 
form  under  the  point  of  pressure  by  means  of  a  screw.  When 
the  pressure  had  been  applied,  the  screw  was  loosened,  the  form 
withdrawn  and  the  sheet  removed.  The  defects  of  this  very  rude 
mechanism  were  at  length  partially  remedied  and  improved  by 
William  Jansen  Blain  of  Amsterdam.  He  contrived  a  press  in 
which  the  carriage  holding  the  form  was  wound  below  the  point 
of  pressure,  which  was  given  by  moving  a  handle  attached  to  a 
screw  hanging  in  a  beam,  having  a  spring,  that  caused  the  screw 
to  fly  back  as  soon  as  the  impression  was  given.  The  Blain  press 
was  made  entirely  of  wood,  and  was  in  general  use  in  Europe 
and  America,  until  the  present  century.  The  next  improvement 
in  printing  presses  was  made  by  the  Earl  of  Stanhope,  who 
constructed  one  entirely  of  iron,  which  printed  tbe  whole  surface 
of  the  sheet  at  one  impression — tbe  size  of  the  sheet  being  regu- 
lated by  the  size  of  the  press.  Numerous  improvements  were  made 
upon  the  Stanhope  press,  which  culminated  in  the  Columbian,  an 
American  invention  patented  in  1816,  which  in  time  gained  a 
large  share  of  approbation.     Other  inventions  followed  rapidly, 


96 


HISTORY  OF  BE    WITT  COUNTY,   ILLINOIS. 


and  all  were  more  or  less  improvements  upon  others.  The 
Eamage  hand  press  came  into  more  general  use  in  America 
than  any  other.  Cylinder  presses  are  the  great  modern  inven- 
tion in  the  history  of  the  art.  The  first  was  invented  by  Mr. 
Nicholson,  an  Englishman,  and  was  patented  as  early  as  1790. 
His  patents  covered  and  embodied  almost  every  principle  so  suc- 
cessfully applied  to  printing  since  that  day.  Cylinder  presses 
were  much  improved  by  Messrs.  Applegath  and  Cowper  in  1818. 
In  1814  steam  was  first  applied  to  cylinder  presses  by  Frederick 
Kouig,  a  Saxon  genius,  and  the  subsequent  progress  of  steam 
printing  has  been  so  remarkable  as  to  almost  justify  a  belief  in 
its  absolute  perfection.  Indeed  to  appreciate  the  improvements 
which  have  been  made  in  presses  only,  one  ought  to  be  privi- 
leged to  stand  by  while  the  pressman  operated  one  of  the  clumsy 
machines  of  Gutenberg,  and  then  step  into  one  of  the  well- 
appointed  printing  ofiices  of  our  larger  cities,  where  he  cuuld  see 
the  roll  of  dampened  paper  entering  the  great  mammoth  press, 
a  continuous  sheet,  and  issuing  from  it  as  newspapers,  printed, 
cut,  folded,  and  ready  for  the  carrier  or  express. 

Type  founding,  or  the  manufacture  of  type,  originated  in  Ger- 
many along  with  printing,  and  dates  as  early  as  1492.  It  was 
then  connected  with  the  business  of  printing,  but  in  time  it  be- 
came a  separate  and  distinct  manufacture.  The  process  of  cast- 
ing type  was  much  the  same,  and  done  by  hand  from  the  16th 
century  until  1848,  when  Meller  and  Richard  of  Edinburgh, 
Scotland,  invented  and  patented  a  machine  for  casting  types.  In 
1860  it  was  much  improved  by  the  patentees,  and  is  now  the 
most  advanced  and  approved  system  of  type  casting  in  both  Eu- 
rope and  America.  The  earliest  type  used  were  in  the  style 
now  known  as  "  Gothic,"  or  Black-letter. 

It  would  be  interesting  to  trace  more  minutely  the  history  of 
this  great  art  from  its  humble  origin  in  Hierlem,  through  all  suc- 
cessive stages,  to  the  present,  and  to  classify  its  products.  For 
nearly  a  thousand  years  previous  to  its  introduction,  mankind 
had  been  surrounded  by  the  densest  ignorance  the  world  has 
ever  known.  Teutonic  barbarians  had  swept  over  fair  Italy, 
had  sacked  her  capital,  had  despised  her  civilization  as  unworthy 
even  the  indulgence  of  men  dependent  upon  muscle  and  sword 
for  empire  and  liberty.  Vandalism  had  been  christened,  and  had 
mocked  the  wisdom  of  philosophers  while  destroying  and  defac- 
ing the  master-pieces  of  Grecian  and  Roman  architecture  and 
sculpture.  Attila  the  "  Scourge  of  God,"  at  the  head  of  vast 
Tartar  hordes  from  Asiatic  steppes,  had  traversed  the  Roman 
empire,  spreading  dismay  and  disaster,  until  checked  at  the  fierce 
battle  of  Chalons.  Omar  had  burned  the  great  Alexandrian 
library,  after  declaring  that  if  its  volumes  agreed  with  the  Ko- 
ran, they  were  needless;  if  they  conflicted,  they  were  pernicious. 
During  this  period,  feuilalism  had  kept  the  noble  at  war  with 
his  sovereign,  had  unsettled  governments,  and  made  men  soldiers 
with  scarcely  time  for  necessary  -practice  in  arms ;  amusements 
were  popular,  only  they  contributed  to  martial  prowess,  and 
poetry  in  the  main  was  but  a  minstrel's  doggerel  concerning  the 
chivalrous  deeds  of  a  listening  knight  or  the  wonderful  charms 
of  a  favorite  mistress.  From  the  fall  of  Rome,  there  had  been 
but  little  talent  and  time  to  cultivate  letters.  A  few  ecclesiastics 
here  and  there  were  the  custodians  of  the  learning  saved  from 
the  wrecks  of  Grecian  literature  and  Roman  knowledge.  The 
masses  were  ignorant.  They  believed  that  the  hand  which  com- 
monly held  the  sword  would  be  disgraced  if  trained  to  wield  the 
pen.  Books  were  for  the  monk's  cell  or  the  anchorite's  cave,  and 
the  objective  points  of  all  study  were  to  escape  purgatory,  to  cast 
a  horoscope,  to  turn  the  baser  metals  into  gold.     Superstition, 


priestcraft  and  thirst  for  material  renown  moulded  public  acts 
and  private  training. 

The  Crusades  broke  the  power  of  feudalism,  dispelled  much 
geographical  ignorance  by  making  neighboring  nations  better  ac- 
quainted, gave  an  impetus  to  commercial  enterprises,  awakened 
the  sluggish  intellect,  enlarged  the  human  mind  and  rendered  it 
more  tolerant,  introduced  the  luxuries  and  refinements  of  the 
Greek  empire,  and  brought  about  Magna  Charta  and  Free  Cities. 
With  the  expanding  and  increasing  commerce,  arts  came  to  the 
front,  trades  flourished  and  practice  began  to  test  precept.  The 
middle  classes,  whose  condition  ever  determines  the  character  of 
an  era  or  nation,  obtained  concessions  and  rights  to  which  they 
had  been  strangers  for  centuries.  The  mental  world  began  to 
move.  Famous  journeys  and  discoveries  were  made.  Roger 
Bacon  and  Berthold  Schwartz  studied  the  chemistry  of  the  Arabs, 
and  were  among  the  first  devotees  at  the  shrine  of  physical  science. 
Spain,  Italy,  the  Netherlands  and  England  sought  new  outlets 
for  their  suplus  products  of  soil,  loom  and  fisheries.  Mental 
darkness  can  make  no  long-continued  stand  against  such  enter- 
prise, and  enterprise  will  ever  find  an  exponent  to  herald  its 
doings  from  nation  to  nation,  and  a  medium  to  make  its  conquests 
the  property  of  succeeding  generations.  Europe  was  in  a  com- 
mercial and  intellectual  ferment  when  Coster  set  up  his  printing 
oflice  in  Hi'erlem,  and  inaugurated  an  industry  until  then 
unknown.  To  understand  the  efi'ect  of  that  industry  upon 
humanity,  compare  the  enlightenment,  civilization  and  progress 
of  the  present  with  the  serai-barbarism  and  stagnation  of  the 
middle  ages.  Printing  is  rolling  back  ignorance,  vice  and  degra- 
dation ;  is  unfolding  the  mysteries  of  nature,  and  is  explaining 
the  mandates  of  Him  who  made  man  in  His  own  image,  and  ex- 
pects the  homage  of  the  creature  due  the  Creator. 

The  Romans  in  the  time  of  the  Emperors  had  periodical 
notices  of  passing  events,  compiled  and  publicly  posted.  These 
^lc(((  Diurna  (daily  events)  were  the  newspapers  of  the 
day.  Before  they  were  posted  in  the  public  places,  where 
all  who  desired  could  see  them,  they  pasjed  under  the  in- 
spection of  the  Emperor,  and  later,  of  Censors,  Quietors  or 
JIagistrates,  whose  duty  it  was  to  carefully  scrutinize  and 
erase  such  information  as  they,  or,  the  Emperor  desired 
withheld  from  the  people  The  first  newsjiapers  in  Europe 
are  traceable  to  Germany  and  Venice  and  date  back  to  soon 
after  the  discovery  of  printing.  In  1536  the  first  newspaper 
of  modern  times  was  issued  at  Venice,  but  governmental  bigotry 
compelled  its  circulation  in  manuscript  form.  In  the  latter  half 
of  the  1.5th  century  small  news  sheets  named  the  "  Regulationer  " 
and  "  New  Zeytuug"  appeared  in  difterent  cities  composing  the 
commercial  centers  of  Germany,  but  they  were  generally  in  the 
form  of  a  letter.  The  first  newspaper  established  in  Germany 
was  the  Frankfort  Gazette,  which  still  survives,  and  is  credited 
with  being  the  oldest  newspaper  in  the  civilized  world.  It  was 
established  in  161.3.  The  first  and  nearest  approach  to  newspa- 
pers in  the  English  language  were  the  pamphlets  called  the 
"English  Mercury,"  "News  out  of  Holland,"  and  others,  that 
made  their  appearance  in  1622.  They,  however,  hardly  deserve 
the  name  of  newspapers.  In  1663  the  Public  IntelUriencer, 
printed  in  Loudon,  made  its  appearance.  It  was  the  first  Eng- 
lish paper  to  attempt  the  dissemination  of  news.  I(  continued 
until  the  appearance  of  the  London  Gazette,  which  was  first  issued 
Nov.  7th,  166.5,  at  Oxford.  There  were  no  papers  printed  oftener 
than  once  a  week,  until  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne,  that  from  the 
interest  created  by  the  war  in  progress,  and  tlie  brilliant  victo- 
ries achieved  by  Marlborough,  there  was  a  demand  for  more  fre- 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


97 


quent  intelligence.  To  satisfy  the  demand  of  the  Daily  Courant 
was  issued  every  day  of  the  week,  Sundays  excepted.  The  Cou- 
rant was  the  first  daily  paper  issued. 

The  first  newspaper  issued  in  America  was  the  Public  Occur- 
rences at  Boston,  Sept.  2.5th,  1690,  by  Richard  Pearce,  and  was 
immediately  suppressed  by  the  government.  Xo  man,  or,  set  of 
men  had  the  presumption  to  undertake  a  similar  enterprise  until 
fourteen  years  afterwards,  when  John  Campbell,  postmaster,  es- 
tablished the  Boston.  News  Letter.  The  first  issue  was  April  '24th, 
1704.  It  was  a  half  sheet,  twelve  inches  by  eight,  with  two 
columns  to  the  page.  The  Boston  Gazette  was  issued  Dec.  21st, 
1719,  and  the  American  Weekly,  at  Philadelphia,  one  day  later 
— Dec.  22d,  1719.  In  1721  James  Franklin  started  the  Boston 
Courant,  which  was  edited  for  six  years  by  his  brother  Benjamin. 
Prom  1704  to  1748  there  were  but  six  newspapers  published  in 
America.  From  1748  to  1783  the  number  increased  to  forty-nine. 
The  oldest  living  newspaper  in  the  United  States  is  the  New 
Hampshire  Gazette.  It  was  founded  Oct.  7tb,  17.56,  and  has 
been  published  without  intermission  or  radical  change  of  name 
from  that  date  to  the  present.  The  first  daily  newspaper  in  the 
United  States  was  the  American  Daily  Advertiser,  established  in 
Philadelphia  in  1784,  now  called  the  North  American.  The  next 
year  the  New  York  Daily  Advertiser  was  issued. 

There  are  published  in  the  United  States  and  Territories 
nearly  9000  newspapers  and  magazines,  of  which  800  are  issued 
•daily;  60  tri-weekly ;  120  semi-weekly  ;  nearly  7000  weekly  ;  40 
semi-monthly;  90  semi-annually ;  17  once  in  two  months,  and  be- 
tween 50  and  60  quarterly.  The  Census  of  1880  will  show  nearly 
one  newspaper  to  every  five  hundred  inhabitants.  At  the  begin- 
ning of  1880  there  were  of  journalistic  publications  in  the  United 
States,  besides  English,  220  German,  35  French,  25  Spanish,  25 
Norwegian,  Danish  and  Swedish,  10  Bohemian,  10  Hollandish,  5 
Welsh,  2  Portugese,  2  Polish,  1  Hebrew,  1  Cherokee,  1  Choctaw 
and  one  Chinese. 

Keal  journalism,  by  which  is  meant  the  compiling  of  passing 
events  for  the  purpose  of  making  them  more  generally  known 
and  instructive,  did  not  commence  until  about  1820.  Prior  to 
that  date  the  ambition  of  journalists  was  to  direct  and  crystallize 
public  opinion.  The  columns  of  the  journals  were  much  occupied 
with  discussions  and  dissertations  upon  every  conceivable  subject 
in  which  the  masses  had  no  direct  interest  or  sympathy,  and  news 
was  almost  entirely  ignored. 

Now,  the  real  object  of  a  newspaper  is  to  get  the  latest,  fresh- 
est news,  and  lay  it  before  their  readers  in  the  shortest  possible 
time.  The  innovation  upon  old  forms  and  introduction  of  new 
methods  whereby  the  publishing  of  news  was  made  the  first 
object  of  the  paper,  originated  with  the  publishers  of  the  N'etii 
York  Sun.  It  was  the  first  real  newspaper  in  the  world.  It  was 
Bpecially  devoted  to  news  both  local  and  general,  and  soon 
attained  a  circulation  unprecedented  in  the  history  of  journalism. 
Other  newspapers  were  not  slow  to  observe  the  signals  of  success, 
and  followed  in  the  wake  of  the  Sun,  and  soon  old  fogy  methods 
were  lost  in  the  hazy  past.  News  is  the  dominant  idea  of  the 
successful  newspaper  of  the  day. 

Journalism  has  become  a  powerful  educator.  Experience  has 
been  its  only  school  for  special  training,  its  only  text  for  study,  its 
only  test  for  theory.  It  is  scarcely  a  profession,  but  is  advancing 
rapidly  towards  that  dignity.  A  distinct  department  of  literature 
has  been  assigned  to  it.  Leading  universities  have  contemplated  the 
inauguration  of  courses  of  study,  specially  designed  to  fit  men  and 
women  for  the  duties  of  the  newspaper  sanctum.  These  innova- 
tions are  not  untimely,  since  no  other  class  of  men  are  so  powerful 
13 


for  good  or  ill  as  editors.  More  than  any  otiier  class  they  form 
public  opinion  while  expressing  it,  for  most  men  but  echo  the 
sentiments  of  favorite  journalists.  Even  statesmen,  ministers 
and  learned  professors  not  unfrequently  get  their  best  thoughts 
and  ideas  from  the  papers  they  read. 

For  dates  and  facts  relating  to  the  early  history  of  the  press  of 
Dj  Witt  county,  we  are  indebted  to  Hon.  C.  H.  Moore  of  Clin- 
ton, who  kindly  placed  at  our  dispo.sal,  files  of  nearly  all  the 
newspapers  published  in  the  county.  From  them  we  have 
gleaned  much  of  the  information  comprising  this  chapter.  We 
also  desire  to  extend  our  thanks  to  Col.  Thomas  Snell,  M.  M- 
De  Levis — the  latter  one  of  our  county's  veteran  printers,  and  to 
present  members  of  the  press  for  favors  shown  and  information 
given  which  has  in  a  great  measure  enabled  us  to  trace  the  his- 
tory of  newspapers  in  De  Witt  county  from  thdr  first  establish- 
ment in  1854,  down  to  the  present  time,  and  present  it  in  such  a 
shape  as  we  hope  will  be  acceptable  to  our  patrons  and  readers. 

Prior  to  the  publishing  of  a  newspaper  in  the  county  the  peo- 
ple of  this  section  received  their  news  from  the  outside  world 
through  the  medium  of  the  Louisville  Journal,  edited  by  the 
gifted  George  D.  Prentice.  It  had  a  large  circulation  in  De  Witt 
county,  and  remained  the  principal  medium  for  news  until  driven 

I  out  by  the  hepublican  and  Democrat  of  St.  Louis.  After  the 
completion  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad,  Chicago  journalistic 
enterprise  drove  all  foreign  competitors  from  the  field,  and  from 
that  time  to  the  present  has  supplied  the  people  with  the  metro- 
politan journals.  The  Springfield,  Decatur  and  Bloomington 
papers  were  the  medium  for  legal  and  official  publications  until 
snch  times  as  they  could  be  published  in  the  county.  The 
S'lnyamon  Journul  published  at  Springfield,  was  the  best  known 
and  most  widely  circulated  newspaper  in  this  section,  of  any  of 
the  country  papers  of  the  State.  It  proposed  and  did  to  a  certain 
extent  publish  much  of  the  local  pews  and  gossip  of  the  town  of 
Clinton  and  vicinity  through  the  aid  of  local  correspondents. 

The  We'kli/  New  York  Tribune  also  supplied  much  of  the 
political  and  foreign  news.  It  was  a  power  in  the  land  thirty 
years  ago.  Many  of  the  cit'zens  yet  living  in  this  section  formed 
their  political  opinions  from  reading  the  editorials  of  its  great 
editor,  who  was  then  the  foremost  leader  of  the  advanced  thought 
of  America.  Few  papers  were  ever  published  that  were  more 
potent   in   forming  and  crystalizing  public  opinion  than  Horace 

[   Greely's  "Tribune,"  of  thirty  years  ago. 

Illinois  during  that  time  settled  up  slowly.  It  must  be  remem- 
bered that  what  is  now  the  most  populous  and  productive  agri- 
cultural part  of  the  State,  was  looked  upon  with  disfavor  by 
those  seeking  western  homes.  Emigrants  disliked  the  open  exten- 
sive prairies  and  criticised  its  sloughs  and  pools  of  stagnant  waters ; 
hence  those  sections  of  Illinois  that  were  composed  mostly  of 
prairie  land  were  slowly  settled,  although  now  so  popuhir  and  the 
most  populous  portions  of  the  State. 

De  Witt  County  never  received  a  greater  boon  than  the  loca- 
tion within  its  borders  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad.  The 
completion  of  that  great  thoroughfare  through  the  center  of  the 
county  from  north  to  south,  at  once  brought  its  lands  into  market 
by  assuring  facilities  for  the  transportation  of  grain  and  surplus 
products.     Emigration  immediately  set  in,  land  rose  rapidly  in 

,  value,  swamps  were  drained  and  the  land  re-claimed,  and  the 
broad  prairie  was  soon  dotted  over  with  farm  houses,  the  happy 
homes  of  thriving  husbandry.  A  new  order  of  business  was  es- 
tablished, enterprise  waved  its  magic  wand  and  residents  caught 
its  infection  and  became  imbued  with  a  desire  to  excel.  With 
enterprise  came  the  desire  for  a  newspaper,  which  was  indeed  to 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


speak  for  the  county,  for  its  advantages  as  an  agricultural  pro- 
ducing region,  for  its  flattering  promises  of  future  greatness,  and 
for  its  rights  and  privileges  as  an  organized  member  of  a  great 
State.  In  addition  to  all  this,  was  its  increasing  prolific  impor- 
tance. There  was  a  healthy  growing  sentiment  in  favor  of  free 
soil,  and  the  exclusion  of  slavery  from  the  territories,  and  kindred 
other  subjects  of  vital  importance  to  all  the  people,  that  induced 
discussion  and  their  proper  presentation  to  the  people.  Then  as 
DOW  the  people  were  not  all  of  one  mind,  some  were 
disposed  to  regard  slavery  as  a  divine  institution,  (in  those  days 
slavery  appeared  in  some  shape  or  another  in  all  questions  of  a 
political  character),  while  others  were  gradually  preparing  the 
way  and  means  to  strike  the  shackles  from  the  limbs  of  four 
million  of  slaves.     The  people  were  ready  for  a  newspaper. 

In  the  summer  of  1854  S.  H.  McElheuey  and  R.  A.  Mills,  two 
enterprising  gentlemen  canvassed  the  town  of  Clinton  and 
vicinity  for  subscriptions  and  aid  for  a  newspaper  that  was  to  be 
established  in  their  midst.  The  people  met  the  proposition  with 
favor,  and  subscribed  liberally  towards  its  support.  Accordingly 
the  type  and  presses  wore  purchased,  and  on  the  13th  of  October, 
1854,  the  first  number  of  the  first  paper  ever  published  in  DeWitt 
County,  made  its  appearance.     It  was  called  the 

DE  WITT    COUKIER. 

Its  appearance  was  greeted  with  fervor  and  enthusia?m.  It 
was  the  first  actual  step  beyond  frontier  life.  Soon  the  newspa- 
per and  railroad  within  her  borders  would  give  the  county  name 
and  fame  among  its  contemporaries.  A  new  era  was  to  be  in- 
augurated in  the  history  of  the  county. 

In  form  the  Courier  was  a  seven  column  folio,  neatly  printed 
and  well  edited.     We  were  unable  to  find  a  copy  of  the  first  issue, 
but  we  have  no  doubt  that  the  editors  in  their  salutatory  to  the 
public,  made  many  promises  for  the  future  which  were  only  par- 
tially fulfilled.     It  started  with  ten  columns  of  local  and  foreign 
advertisements,   and   gave   evidence  of  thrift  and    prospective 
wealth.     Its  motto  was,  "  The  People's  paper,  independent  on  all 
subjects  and  neutral  in  nothing."     Among  the  first  things  appa- 
rently necessary  in  those  days  to  insure  a  journal  a  respectable 
standing,  was  to  appoint  agents  in  St.  Louis  and  Chicago,   to 
solicit  subscriptions  and  advertisements.     For  this  purpose  W. 
AV.    Swyner    was   appointed   agent   at   St.  Louis,   and   Charles 
Woollett  at  Chicago.     Agents  were  also  appointed  in  the  sur- 
rounding towns  of  Bloomington,  Decatur,  Urbana,  Shelbyville 
and  Taylorville,  to  secure  subscriptions  to  the  Courier.    Among 
the  resident  advertisers  in  those  days,  and  the  first  to  support  the 
paper,  are  names  of  several  professional  gentlemen  who  are  still 
residents  of  Clinton.     Some  of  the  advertisements  were  unique 
in  their  way,  and  called  the  attention  of  the  public  to  their  wares 
in  a  manner  that  now-a-days  would  be  quite   odd.     Among  the 
professional  cards  is  that  of  a  physician  and  surgeon,  who  tells 
the  public  in  poetical  rhyme  what  he  is  willing  to  do  in  order  to 
cure  them  of  the  "ills  that  flesh  is  heir  to."     If  his  nostrums 
and  physic  were  as  harmless  as  his  poetic  verse,  then  his  patients 
had,  at  least,  a  fair  chance  of  recovery.     Various  were  the  means 
resorted  to  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  circulation  of  the 
paper.     Among   other  inducements  oflTered  by   the  editors  and 
proprietors  to  increase  the  list  was  :     "  To  persons  ftirnishing  the 
largest  number  of  subscribers  by  the  14th  of  February,  1855.  we 
will  furnish  a  daguerreotype  of  themselves  as  a  gift,  half  size, 
worth  88  ;  second    largest   list,  the   same,  worth  85  ;  and   third 
largest  list,  picture  worth  83.     This  we  think  a  fair  and  generous 
proposition."     This  magnificent  offer,  from  some  cause,  failed  to 


attract  a  large  number  of  cash  paying  subscribers,  as  we  find  in 
a  few  numbers  later,  the  editors  calling  upon  their  subscribers  to 
pay  up  so  that  they  might  be  enabled  to  continue  the  publication 
of  the  paper.  They  also  take  their  correspondents  to  task  for 
sending  them  letters  on  their  own  private  business  without  pay- 
ing the  postage.  They  are  reminded  that  postage  costs  money 
and  "  potatoes  are  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  bushel."  That 
has  the  ring  of  practical  sense  about  it.  Times  were  hard  and 
money  scarce,  and  editors  at  best  had  a  sorry  time  in  collecting 
sufficient  money  to  pay  current  expenses  and  provide  a  living  fiir 
themselves 

The  firm  of  McElheney  &  Mills  conducted  the  Covrier  until 
February  9th,  ls55,  when  McElheney's  interest  was  purchased 
by  A.  J.  Back,  a  practical  printer.  The  firm  of  Mills  &  Back 
continued  until  August  31st,  1855,  when  the  office  passed  into 
the  hands  of  Burrell  T.  Jones.  Up  to  this  time  the  Courier 
had  been  neutral  in  politics.  Mr.  Jones  converted  it  into  the 
organ  of  the  Democratic  party.  On  the  16th  of  November  fol- 
lowing, Paul  Watkins  secured  a  half  interest  in  the  oflSce,  and 
became  the  publisher  of  the  paper,  Mr.  Jones'  name  appeared  as 
editor.  Together  these  gentlemen  continued  the  paper  in  support 
of  James  Buchanan  for  the  presidency.  The  firm  of  Jones  & 
Watkins  was  dissolved  July  4th,  1856,  Jones  retiring  on  account 
of  long  continued  bad  health.  Watkins  conducted  the  Courier 
through  the  political  campaign  of  1856,  and  until  the  winter 
of  18.56-57,  when  the  office  caught  fire  and  the  type  and  presses 
were  destroyed. 

The  Democratic  party  were  now  without  a  paper  to  represent 
them.  No  cff'ort  was  made  to  secure  an  organ  until  the  Spring 
of  1858.  Very  early  in  that  year  was  heard  the  mutterings  of 
the  political  storm.  Parties  were  much  divided.  Stephen  A. 
Douglas  and  his  squatter  sovereignty  doctrines  was  met  with  fierce 
opposition  by  a  faction  in  his  own  party.  The  fight  was  between 
him  and  the  administration  party  represented  by  James  Bucha- 
nan, and  backed  by  the  federal  patronage  of  the  nation  in  addi- 
tion to  the  young  Republican  party.  Douglas  was  a  candidate 
for  the  United  States  Senate,  and  oppo.sed  to  him  was  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  together  these  rival  candidates  stumped  the  State. 
The  campaign  was  the  most  memorable  that,  perhaps,  ever  oc- 
curred in  the  nation.  The  issues  presented,  the  result,  efl^ect  and 
causes  which  grew  out  of  it  are  well  known  to  all  students  of 
American  history.  The  leading  representatives,  democrats  of 
De  Witt  County,  who  espoused  the  cause  of  Douglas,  cast  about 
to  provide  ways  and  means  to  start  a  newspaper  in  the  interests 
of  their  candidate.  They  found  two  men,  E.  F.  Campbell  and 
■  E.  Douglass  King,  who  had  some  means,  and  who  were  desirous 
of  journalistic  fame  They  furnished  the  presses  and  material 
necessary,  and  a  number  of  the  leading  democrats,  conspicuous 
among  whom  was  Will  Fuller,  who  is  still  a  citizen  of  Clinton, 
became  sureties  for  the  payment  of  the  materials,  stipulating  that 
for  so  doing  they  were  to  control  the  politics  of  the  paper.  An 
agreement  setting  forth  that  fact  was  drawn  up  and  signed  by  the 
parties.  The  office  was  opened,  and  on  the  14th  of  March,  1S58 
the  first  number  of  the  paper  was  issued.     It  was  called  the 

DE  WITT  county  DEMOCRAT. 

The  Editors  entered  heartily  into  the  contest  in  the  support  of 
Douglas,  and  their  eff'orts  continued  unabated  until  near  the 
close  of  the  campaign,  when  influences  were  brought  to  bear  on 
King  th.1t  made  him  lukewarm  in  the  support  of  the  "  Little 
Giant."  He  was  ousted  from  the  office,  and  Campbell  took  con- 
I   trol,  but  he  proved  more  recreant  even  than  King.     He  was  ap- 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


99 


proached  by  members  of  the  different  parties  and  importuned  to 
give  this  or  that  candidate  the  preference  and  benefit  of  his 
columns.  His  weak  spirit  yielded  to  all  the  factions.  In  order, 
as  we  suppose,  to  satisfy  all  parti&s  he  got  out  his  last  issue  with 
one  side  of  the  paper  advocating  the  claims  of  Douglas,  the  other 
side  the  claims  of  Lincoln,  and  the  third  advocatiug  the  claims 
of  the  administration  party  as  represented  by  James  Buchanan. 
The  leaders  of  the  Douglas  wing  of  the  party  discovered  the 
treachery  before  the  papers  were  circulated.  They  seized  the  en- 
tire issue  and  suppressed  it.  They  then  sent  William  Fuller  to 
Bloomington  where  he  secured  the  servicts  of  a  printer  by  the 
name  of  EJson.  He  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  paper,  and 
conducted  it  through  the  campaign  and  until  the  Spring  of 
1859,  when  the  office  caught  fire,  and  the  press  and  type  shared 
the  same  fate  as  its  predecessor  of  three  years  before. 

During  the  campaign  of  1858,  spoken  of  above,  political  excite- 
ment ran  high.  The  administration  party  in  the  county  deter- 
mined also  to  have  an  organ.  Members  of  the  party  secured  a 
press  and  material,  and  the  services  of  Joseph  M.  Prior  to  con- 
duct it.     It  was  called 

THE  VINDICATOR. 

It  made  an  open  and  aggressive  fight  upon  Douglas,  and  in- 
tensified the  already  bitter  feeling  between  the  difierent  wings  of 
the  Democratic  party.  It  was  backed,  financially,  by  some  of 
the  most  influential  men  in  the  county,  and  edited  with  consider- 
able ability.  After  the  campaign  closed  it  suspended  publication. 

The  attempt  of  members  of  the  Democratic  party  in  the  county 
to  establish  an  organ  representing  their  views,  had  twice  met  with 
disaster.  Both  offices  had  been  destroyed  by  fire,  consequently 
they  were  loth  to  put  their  money  in  an  enterprise  that  promised 
nothing  but  total  and  actual  loss.  No  attempt  was  made  to  start 
a  Democratic  paper  until  1868,  when  the  Register  was  started. 
Of  this  paper  we  shall  speak  hereafter. 

During  the  year  1856  the  young  and  aggressive  Republican 
party  effected  a  national  organization.  John  0.  Fremont  was 
chosen  as  their  leader,  and  his  name  presented  as  their  candidate 
for  the  presidency  of  the  United  States.  The  party  in  De  Witt 
County  were  without  an  organ  to  represent  them  in  the  campaign. 
To  supply  this  want,  a  Mr.  Blackford  and  Isaac  N.  Coltrin,  the 
latter  a  practical  printer,  (at  present  foreman  of  the  Republican 
Office,  in  Decatur,  Illinois,  which  position  he  has  held  for  many 
years),  established  a  paper  bearing  the  name  of  the 

CENTRAL  TRANSCRIPT, 

whicli  has,  from  that  time  to  the  present,  been  the  authorized 
exponent  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party.  The  first 
number  of  the  Transcript  was  issued  in  September,  1 856.  It 
openly  declared  in  favor  of  Fremont  for  President,  Wm.  H.  Bis- 
sell  for  Governor,  Owen  Lovejoy  for  Congress,  and  Ward  H. 
Damon  for  Prosecuting  Attorney  'for  the  8th  Judicial  District. 
With  the  thirteenth  number,  B  T.  Jones  became  associated  with 
the  paper  as  editor.  The  firm  of  Coltrin  &  Blackford  conducted 
the  publication  until  February  20th,  1857.  On  the  2?th  of  May 
of  the  same  year  John  R.  Blackford  purchased  the  office  and  fix- 
tures,and  remained  in  possession  until  November  13th  following, 
when  I.  N.  Coltrin  and  B.  T.  Jones  came  into  possession  of  the 
office  by  purchase.  The  firm  of  Coltrin  &  Jones  continued  one 
year.  The  interest  of  Jones  in  the  office  was  then  sold  to  James 
W.  De  Lay.  The  date  of  sale  was  November  12th,  1858.  The 
firm  of  Coltrin  &  De  Lay  changed  the  name  of  the  paper  to  the 


WEEKLY  CENTRAL  TRANSCRIPT. 

On  the  22d  of  July,  1859,  Coltrin  published  his  valedictory, 
stating  his  reasons  for  his  withdrawal  from  the  'I'ranscript,  and 
severance  from  the  printing  business  in  De  Witt  County,  but 
from  some  canse  he  failed  to  go  out,  and  still  continued  the 
management  of  that  journal.  In  August  of  the  same  year  Joe 
M.  Prior,  since  one  of  the  veteran  editors  and  publishers  of  Illi- 
nois, was  made  local  editor.  Soon  after  a  partnership  was  formed 
between  Coltrin  and  Prior,  which  continued  until  July  1861,  at 
which  time  A.  J.  Blackford  became  Prior's  successor.  The  firm 
of  Coltrin  &  Blackford  was  dissolved  November  5th  of  the  same 
year.  Blackford's  interest  was  purchased  by  James  M.  DeLay. 
On  the  30th  of  May  1862  the  Transcript  was  sold  to  M.  M.  De 
Levis  and  O.  F.  Morrison.  These  gentlemen  were  at  that  time 
editors  and  proprietors  of  the  Pana  Public,  a  newspaper  published 
in  Pana,  Christian  County,  Illinois.  That  office  was  moved  to 
Clinton,  on  the  1st  of  June,  1862,  and  consolidated  with  the 
Transcript  OSice,  and   the  paper  issued  under  the  name  of 

CLINTON    PLBLIC. 

At  the  time  Me.=srs.  De  Levis  &  Morrison  purchased  the  Tran- 
script office,  it  was  understood  and  agreed  with  Mr.  Coltrin  that 
he  would  retire  permanently  from  the  newspaper  business  in 
De  Witt  County,  but  soon  after  the  sale  was  completed,  Coltrin 
gave  evidence  of  his  desire  and  longings  after  the  journalistic 
flesh  pots,  and  made  up  his  mind  to  again  enter  the  De  Witt 
County  field  of  journalism.  The  new  proprietors,  believing  he 
would  adopt  the  old  name  of  Central  Transcript,  changed  the 
name  of  their  paper  to  the 

de   WITT   COUNTY   PUBLIC   AND   CENTRAL  TRANSCRIPT, 

which  name  it  bore  for  a  number  of  years.  On  the  2nd  of  July, 
1863,  Mr.  De  Levis  purchased  Blr.  Morrison's  interest,  and  con- 
tinued sole  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  paper  until  April  29th, 
1869,  when  he  sold  a  half  interest  to  J.  Van  Slyke.  The  latter 
was  a  practical  printer,  and  took  charge  of  the  mechanical  de- 
partment. He,  however,  failed  to  comply  with  the  conditions  of 
the  sale,  and  defaulted  in  the  payments,  and  soon  after,  his  inter- 
est reverted  back  to  De  Levis,  who  remained  in  possession  until 
March  31st,  1870,  when  he  sold  out  the  office,  fixtures  and  good- 
will, to  George  B.  Richardson.  Under  Mr.  De  Levis'  manage- 
ment the  Public  for  the  first  time  was  brought  up  to  a  paying  basis 
and  made  self-supporting.  He  was  a  good  new.-paper  man,  and 
a  writer  of  more  than  average  ability.  He  was  the  first  to  intro- 
duce method  and  system  into  the  business,  in  the  count}'.  He 
learned  the  trade  in  the  course  of  his  experience  in  the  printing 
business,  and  did  much  of  the  composition,  besides  attending  to 
the  editorial  duties.  Since  his  retirement  from  the  printing  office, 
he  has  been  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  in  Clinton.  Mr. 
Richardson  continued  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Public  until 
March  1st,  1872,  when  he  sold  out  to  Richard  Butler,  the  present 
editor  and  publisher. 

Mr.  Butler  learned  the  printer's  trade  in  Canada,  his  native 
country.  He  had  considerable  experience  in  journalism  before 
coming  to  Clinton.  The  first  paper  he  published  was  the 
"  Oxford  Citizen,"  in  the  town  of  Oxford,  Ohio.  Rev.  David 
Swing  assisted  in  the  editorial  duties  until  Mr.  Butler  had  ac- 
quired sufficient  confidence  and  experience  to  mount  the  editorial 
tripod.  Even  then  his  editorials  passed  under  the  inspection  of 
Mr.  Swing,  who  kindly  criticized,  corrected  and  improved  them, 
and  in  various  ways  aided  young  Butler  in  acquiring  a  knowled<»e 
and  skill  in  writing.     Mr.  Butler  was  afterwards  editor  and  pub- 


100 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  C0UI7TT:,  ILLINOIS. 


lisher  of  the  "  Oberlin  Kews."  From  Oberlin  he  went  to  Bur- 
lington, Iowa,  where  he  accepted  a  situation  on  the  "  Hawkeye," 
as  city  editor,  a  potition  he  filled  with  credit  to  himself  and  the 
complete  satisfaction  of  the  proprietors  of  that  journal.  He 
resigned,  and  his  place  was  filled  by  "  Bob  "  Burdette,  who  has 
since  acquired  a  national  reputation  for  his  witticisms  and 
humorous  writings. 

Mr.  Butler  has  remained  sole  editor  and  proprietor  of  the 
Public  since  March  1st,  1872.  The  paper  has  been  since  its 
first  establishment,  a  faithful  exponent  of  Republican  principles. 
"Under  its  present  management  it  has  done  valuable  and  ettective 
work  in  the  political  campaigns  in  the  past,  and  has  been,  and  is 
yet,  one  of  the  potential  organs  in  the  13th  Congressional  District. 
Mr.  Butler  is  a  terse  logical  writer,  and  possesses  good  business 
qualifications.  The  office  of  the  Public  is  well  supplied  with 
the  modern  style  of  type  and  power  presses. 

THE   CLINTON    UNION 

was  established  by  Joseph  M.  Prior.  The  material  was  pur- 
chased new  and  brought  to  Clinton,  and  the  first  number  made 
its  appearance  August  20th,  1863.  It  was  a  six  column  folio,  and 
typographically,  a  neat  paper.  It  was  neutral  in  politics,  and 
was  continued  for  several  mouth,  when  its  editor  was  convinced 
that  there  was  no  room  iu  Clinton  for  his  paper,  and  its  publica- 
tion was  abandoned.  The  material  was  finally  traded  oft'  for 
patent  washing  machines,  and  removed  out  of  the  county. 

THE   CLINTON  TIMES. 

The  first  number  of  the  Times  was  issued  May  11th,  1866,  by 
A.  J.  Bell  and  Thomas  J.  Sharp.  In  form  it  was  a  five  column 
folio,  and  intensely  Democratic  in  its  tone.  On  the  17th  of 
August,  1866,  Mr.  Bell  retired  from  the  concern,  and  Mr.  Sharp 
continued  the  publication  until  the  spring  of  1867,  when  he  re- 
moved the  press  and  material  to  ^laroa  in  Macon  County,  and 
there  issued  the  '"  Maroa  Times." 

THE   DE    WITT    HEGISTER 

was  established  May  29th,  1868,  by  Jason  Blackford,  who  was  a 
native  of  Ohio,  and  by  trade,  a  printer.  He  came  west  to  Illi- 
nois, and  settled  in  Clinton,  where  he  commenced  the  practice  of 
law.  At  that  time  the  Democratic  party  in  De  Witt  County  were 
without  an  organ.  Through  the  solicitation  and  promises  of  aid 
from  the  leading  representative  men  of  the  party,  Mr.  Blackford 
was  induced  to  start  a  paper.  He  purchased  the  type  and  presses 
of  S.  P.  Bounds,  of  Chicago,  established  the  office  and  issued  the 
first  copy  on  the  date  above  named.  He  remained  in  charge  of  the 
office  until  Kovember  27th,  1868,  then  sold  out  to  AVilliam  L. 
Glessner  and  C.  C.  Stone.  They  remained  in  charge  without 
change  until  September  1.5th,  1873,  when  F.  M.  Van  Lue  pur- 
chased Stone's  interest-  The  firm  of  Glessner  &  Van  Lue  con- 
tinued the  publication  of  the  Register  until  August  7th,  1874, 
when  Mr.  Van  Lue  retired,  and  Mr.  Glessner  became  sole  owner 
of  the  office.  He  had  been  the  editor  of  the  paper  from  his  first 
connection  with  it.  With  the  commencement  of  Volume  Third, 
the  word  "  De  Witt "  was  dropped  out  and  "  Clinton  "  substituted, 
since  which  time  it  has  borne  the  name  of  the 

CLINTON    REGISTER. 

At  the  same  time  the  change  was  made  it  was  issued  as  a  semi- 
weekly,  and  so  continued  until  January,  1873,  when  its  form  was 
changed  to  a  sis  column  quarto,  and  issued  weekly.  Mr.  Glessner 
is  one  of  the  best  country  newspaper  managers  in  Illinois,  and  is 
one  of  the  few  men  who  have  been  able  by  good  management, 


tact  and  industry  to  make  the  business  profitable.  He  is  a  prac- 
tical printer,  and  was  trained  to  the  business  from  his  youth  up, 
which  in  a  measure  accounts  for  his  success.  As  a  writer  of 
political  articles  Mr.  Glessner  wields  a  graceful  pen,  and  is  forci- 
ble and  vigorous.  He  may  be  regarded  as  the  first, editor  and 
publisher  who  has  successfully  established  a  Democratic  newspa- 
per in  De  Witt  County. 

Without  disparaging  the  efforts  of  other  editors  and  publishers, 
who  have  conducted  journals  in  this  county,  we  think  that  Mr. 
Glessner  has  been  by  far  the  best  editor  on  the  Democratic  side, 
ai  Mr.  Butler  has  been  on  the  Republican.  Both  are  excellent 
newspaper  men  of  much  tact  and  ability.  Mr.  Glessner  con- 
tinued the  Register  until  October  1st,  1881,  when  on  account  of 
long  continued  ill  health,  he  was  compelled  to  seek  some  warmer 
climate.  He  sold  the  office  and  fixtures  to  J.  H.  Waggoner  & 
Son,  residents  and  former  editors,  of  Sullivan,  Moultrie  County, 
Illinois.  Mr.  Waggoner  has  had  considerable  experience  in  the 
newspaper  business,  and  we  doubt  not  that  he  will  keep  the  Reg- 
ister up  to  the  high  standard  that  it  has  always  maintained, 
among  the  country  journals  of  the  State. 

THE  farmer  CITY   REPUBLICAN 

is  credited  with  being  the  first  newspaper  printed  in  the  thriving 
town  of  Farmer  City.  John  S.  Harper,  so  w  11  known  to  fame  as 
the  great  newspaper  founder  of  the  west,  was  the  proprietor  and 
editor.  The  material  and  presses  were  the  same  from  which  the 
Homei-  Journal  in  Champaign  County  was  issued.  The  first 
number  appeared  July  28th,  1870.  It  was  a  seven  column  folio, 
neat  in  its  make-up,  and  full  of  local  news.  It  started  off  with 
a  fair  amount  of  local  patronage,  and  had  its  editor  possessed  as 
mich  tact,  energy  and  industry  in  conducting  a  newspaper  as  he 
exhibited  in  starting,  then  he  would  without  doubt  ere  this  have 
risen  in  point  of  financial  wealth  to  the  dignity  of  a  millionaire. 
In  his  salutatory  to  the  public  he  announces  that  he  "  has  come 
to  stay  one  year,  and  that  upon  the  political  complexion  of  the 
Republican  there  will  be  no  manner  of  doubt."  Those  two  im- 
portant points  settled,  the  editor  was  ready  for  .business.  Mr. 
Harper  continued  the  paper  until  the  time  stated,  and  then  it  was 
sold  to  Me^srs.  Cummings  &  Wilkins.  They  changed  the  name 
to  the 

ORTHORSPOR. 

It  was  then  a  thirty-two  column  sheet,  and  was  run  in  the  inter- 
est of  the  temperance  movement.  Prof.  Wilkens  was  the  editor. 
'  Soon  after  the  purchase  of  the  paper  by  the  above  named  parties 
J.  W.  Richardson  became  local  editor  and  manager.  The  paper 
survived  its  name  about  six  months  and  then  passed  into  Mr. 
Richardson's  hands,  and  was  by  him  removed  out  of  the  county. 
Soon  after  the  suspension  or  sale  of  the  Republican  Mr.  Harper 
went  to  Le  R  y,  and  started  the  "  Sucker  State, "  subsequently 
removed  to  Saybrook,  in  McLean  county,  and  in  the  fall  of  1872, 
returned  to  Farmer  City.  On  the  14th  of  November,  1872,  he 
issued  the  first  number  of  the 

farmer  city  journal, 

and  continued  the  publication  for  nearly  two  years,  then  sold  the 
property  to  O.  J.  Smith  and  J.  R.  Robinson.  These  gentlemen 
were  farmers  by  occupation,  and  unacquainted  with  the  details  of 
running  a  newspaper.  They  conducted  the  Journal  into  the 
Greenback  fold,  and  made  it  the  organ  of  the  Granger  element, 
which  had  then  some  political  prominence.  Harper  had  pre- 
pared the  way  for  the  paper  to  advocate  Granger  measures  before 
he  sold  out. 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


101 


Before  Messrs.  Smith  and  Robinsou  purchased  the  Journal,  W 
L.  Glessner  of  Clinton,  had  made  arrangements  with  one  of  them 
to  go  into  partnership  in  the  purchase,  and  for  that  purpose  had 
solicited  and  obtained  quite  a  large  list  of  sub-icribers.  To  the 
surprise  of  Glessner  the  purchase  was  made  and  he  was  left  out. 
He  immediately  made  arrangements  to  purchase  a  c  miplete  out- 
fit in  Chicago  and  start  an  opposition  paper,  but  before  doing  so 
the  parties  cam  3  together,  and  Smith  &  Eobinson  sold  the  paper 
to  Glessaer.  They  did  not  get  out  a  single  issue  of  the  paper. 
Mr.  Glessner  associated  with  him  his  brother,  L  C.  Glessner,  and 
the  latter  purchased  a  half  interest  and  took  charge  of  the  paper. 
The  iirst  number  under  their  management  was  issued  October 
15th,  1874.  Under  Harper's  management  it  had  been  an  eight 
page,  seven  column  paper,  three-fourths  of  it  printed  in  Chicago. 
The  Glessner  Bros,  cut  it  in  two,  and  printed  it  all  at  home  as  a 
seven  column  folio.  In  June,  1877,  L.  C  Gessner  bought  his 
brothers  interest,  and  conducted  the  paper  with  commendable 
success  and  much  ability  until  February  7th,  1879,  when  the 
office  was  removed  to  Carlinville,  Macoupin  county,  Ills ,  from 
whenceit  was  issued  as  the  fieruM.  The  Journal  when  conducted  by 
Mr.  Glessner  was  independent  in  politics  and  had  the  reputation 
among  its  exchanges  of  never  being  asleep.  In  truth  it  was  a 
wide-awake  Journal  brimful  of  local  news.  Before  removing  the 
office  from  Farmer  City,  Mr.  Glessner  made  arrangements  with 
W.  C  Devore  to  continue  the  Journal,  and  in  consideration  for  so 
doing,  gave  him  the  subscription  lists-  The  paper  has  been  con- 
tinued by  Mr.  Devore  to  the  present.  It  still  retains  the  same 
form.  It  is  now  the  recognized  organ  of  the  Republican  party 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  It  started  as  a  neutral  paper, 
but  Mr.  Glessner  gave  to  his  editorials  a  Democratic  coloring 
although  it  was  not  a  partisan  paper.  Mr.  Devore  is  a  practical 
printer,  and  has  demonstrated  his  ability  to  give  the  people  of 
Farmer  City  and  vicinity  a  good  paper,  of  which  they  may  well 
be  proud,  and  to  whose  support  they  can  graciously  contribute. 
In  1873,Mr.  Devore,  who  was  then  a  resident  of  Iowa,  brought  a 
printing  office  to  Farmer  City,  and  on  the  23d  of  September  of 
the  same  year  he  issued  the  first  number  of  the 

FARMER  CITY  HERALD. 

It  was  in  form  a  five  column  quarto,  and  Republican  in  pol- 
itics. He  edited  and  published  the  Herald  for  two  years,  then 
sold  it  to  the  Whetzell  Brothers.  They  continued  its  publication 
in  Farmer  City  for  six  weeks,  then  moved  the  office  and  fixtures 
to  Lovington,  Moultrie  County,  Illinois,  and  there  issued  a  paper, 
"  Lovington  Index. "  They  continued  the  publication  for  six 
months,  then  they  defaulted  in  the  payments,  and  the  office  passed 
back  into  the  hands  of  Devore.  He  continued  the  paper  under 
the  name  of  the  "  Lovington  Free  Press "  until  the  spring  of 
1879,  when  he  removed  the  material  back  to  Farmer  City,  and 
commenced  the  publication  of  the  Journal  at  the  date  and  under 
the  circumstances  as  above  stated. 

THE  FARMER  CITY  REPORTER 

was  the  name  of  a  five-columu  quarto,  the  first  issue  of  which 
was  in  the  fall  of  lt>7S.  Albion  Smith  was  the  editor  and  pro- 
prietor. It  continued  until  August,  1870,  when  the  office  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  and  all  the  material  consumed. 

THE  PUBLIC  REAPER 

is  the  last  candidate  in  Farmer  City  for  journalistic  favors.  The 
type  and  material  of  the  office  originally  composed  the  old 
"  Gibson  City  Herald."  It  was  brought  to  Farmer  City  in  the 
fall  of  1878,  and  the  first  number  issued  Kovember  1st  of  the 


same  year.  Wesley  Clearwaters  was  the  publisher,  and  R.  51. 
Ewing,  eilitor.  On  the  1st  of  January,  1S81,  they  retired  and 
M.  L.  Griffith  became  the  publisher,  and  Reuben  Clearwaters 
the  editor,  in  which  capacity  they  still  remain.  The  Reaper  was 
originally  a  six-column  folio.  In  ISSO  it  was  enlarged  to  a  six- 
column  quarto,  then  reduced  back  to  a  six-column  folio,  which 
form  it  still  retains.  It  was  started  as  an  Independent  paper.  In 
the  campaign  of  1880  it  supported  Hancock  for  the  presidency, 
but  lately  it  has  paid  little  attention  to  politics,  but  is  especially 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  Farmer  City  and  vicinity. 

THE  P.EAL  ESTATE  INDEX 

was  the  name  of  a  small  advertising  sheet  published  in  Farmer 
City  by  W.  H.  Anderson.  The  first  issue  was  in  1871.  It  had 
a  brief  existence. 

THE  TEMPERANCE  VIDETTE 

was  a  sprightly  four-column  quarto,  first  issued  in  Clinton,  Oct. 
17,  1869.     Its  name  indicated  its  missing. 

THE  DE  WITT  COUNTY  GAZETTE, 

ISTo.  1,  of  -Vol.  1,  was  issued  March  2Sth,  1875.  Its  founder 
was  the  erratic,  though  versatile  Joe  M.  Prior,  who,  as  stated 
before,  was  among  the  pioneer  newspaper  publishers  of  De  Witt 
County.  He  had,  prior  to  this  time,  much  experience  in  found- 
ing and  editing  newspapers,  but  from  some  cause  or  other,  when 
he  assayed  the  role  of  publisher  his  ventures  turned  out  badly. 
He  was  a  fine  paragraphist  and  a  good  general  newspaper  writer, 
but  managing  a  newspaper,  to  use  his  own  words,  "  was  not  his 
best  holt."  One  year  previous  to  his  coming  to  Clinton,  he  was 
local  editor  of  the  "  Campaign  Gazette."  From  there  he  went  to 
Indiana,  then  came  to  Clinton  and  set  up  a  printing  office  which 
was  furnished  throughout  with  a  large  lot  of  type  of  the  latest 
styles  and  patterns,  power  presses,  steam  fixtures,  and  was  in  its 
appointments,  the  most  complete  office  ever  brought  to  the  city 
of  Clinton.  But  like  all  previous  ventures,  six  months  had 
scarcely  elapsed  when  the  office  was  closed  up.  It  was  re-opened 
for  a  short  time,  then  the  type  and  fixtures  were  sold  at  auction. 
The  greater  portion,  if  not  all,  was  purchased  by  Mr.  Anderson, 
who,  with  the  material  started  the 

DE  WITT  COUNTY  MESSENGER, 

which  had  a  brief  existence.  The  office  was  then  closed  up,  and 
the  material  was  removed  by  Andei-son  to  Windsor,  Shelby  Co., 
Illinois,  and  therefrom  was  issued  May  25th,  1876,  the  first  num- 
ber of  the  "  Windsor  Sentinel."  The  material  afterwards  passed 
back  into  the  hands  of  Prior  s  friends,  and  by  them  it  was  re- 
moved to  Paris,  Illinois. 

The  Gazette  was  a  six-column  folio,  and  was  Republican  in 
politics.  It  was  ably  edited  and  a  live,  wide-awake,  spicy  jour- 
nal, and  deserved  a  better  fate. 

The  young  and  growing  town  of  Kenney  is  situated  on  the  line 
of  the  Oilman,  Clinton  and  Springfield  Railroad,  on  section  16,  in 
the  township  of  Tunbridge.  The  first  paper  established  in  tlie 
village  was  named  the 

KENNEY  REGISTER. 

W.  L.  Glessner,  the  publisher  of  the  ('Union  Register,  was  the 
editor  and  proprietor.  It  was  printed  in  the  office  of  the  Clinton 
Register,  and  sent  out  and  distributed.  The  fir^t  number  was 
issued  July  16,  1S75,  and  was  continued  fur  a  short  time,  over 
one  year.  It  was  the  same  size  and  form  as  the  Clinton  Register- 
In  IS'i'i,. J   W   Wolfe  commenced  the  publication  of  the 


102 


EISTOR  Y  OF  BE  WITT  CO  UNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


KEN'XEY  I'.EfOr.D. 


It  was  a  four  column  quarto — patent  insides.  It  was  continued 
for  one  year,  then  the  publication  was  abandoned  as  unprofitable, 
and  the  oiBee  removed  to  Mt-  Pulaski,  Logan  County,  Illinois. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  18S1,  R.  T.  Spencer  commenced  the 
publication  of  the 

KENNEY  GAZETTE, 

a  neat,  seven-column  folio,  printed  in  Atlanta,  Logan  County, 
Illinois,  and  sent  out  to  Kenney  and  distributed.  It  still  con- 
tinues, and  in  time,  we  have  no  doubt,  the  town  of  Kenney  will 
see  the  importance  of  having  a  newspaper  office  in  their  midst, 
and  give  it  such  support  as  will  insure  its  usefulness  and  per- 
manency, and  make  it  one  of  the  institutions  of  that  enterprising 
town. 

Thus,  in  brief,  the  history  of  the  press  in  De  Witt  County  has 
been  traced.  It  has  witnessed  as  few  failures  as  any  other  in- 
dustry and  has  been  fairly  representative,  and  kept  pace  with  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  county.  No  industry  can  show 
more  patient,  industrious  and  energetic  workers,  nor  number 
among  its  ranks,  men  who  strive  harder  to  build  up  and  increase 
the  material  interests  and  prosperity  of  the  section  of  country  in 
which  they  live.  The  state  of  Illinois  owes  much  of  its  unex- 
ampled prosperity  to  the  introduction  of  railroads  and  a  live, 
energetic  press.  The  latter  has,  at  all  times  and  under  all  cir- 
cumstances, proclaimed  to  the  world,  the  wonderful  fertility  of 
our  soil,  its  great  advantages  as  an  agricultural  region,  its  fine 
prairie  lands,  interspersed  with  beautiful  groves,  its  streams, 
mineral  deposits  and  its  hospitable  and  enterprising  citizens. 
Through  this  medium  the  world  has  learned  of  its  greatness.  To 
the  press,  more  than  any  other  agent,  belongs  the  honor  of 
building  up  the  great  West,  and  aiding  in  its  prosperity.  To  this 
end,  the  press  of  Dj  Witt  C  >unty  has  contributed,  and  it  shares 
the  honor  with  its  contemporaries. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


C  0  M  M  O  A'     SCHOOLS. 


BY    M.iRY   .'i.    WELCH. 


OEIGIX    OF    THE    SCHOOL    SY'STEM. 


?||0  give  a  brief  and  concise  history  of  the  schools 
and  school-interests  of  De  Witt  county,  is 
the  object  of  this  chapter.  But  such  a  his- 
tory would  be  incomplete  without  giving  a 
synopsis,  at  least,  of  the  rise  and  progress  of 
the  free  school  system  in  the  State  of  Illinois. 
The  State  has  encouraged  and  nurtured 
education  since  her  admission  into  the  union. 
The  present  school-system  dates  from  Jan- 
uary loth,  182-?.  Illinois  was  admitted  as  a  state  in  1818,  and 
the  act  of  admission  contains  the  following  stipulations  imposed 
by  Congress :  "  Whereas  the  Congress  of  the  LTnited  States,  in 
the  act  entitled  '  An  act  to  enable  the  people  of  the  Illinois  terri- 
tory to  form  a  constitution  and  state  government,  and  for  the 
admission  of  such  state  in  the  union  on  equal  footing  with  the 


original  states,  passed  the  13th  of  April,  1818,'  have  offered  to 
this  convention,  for  their  free  acceptance  or  rejection,the  following 
propositions,  which,  if  accepted  by  the  convention,  are  to  be 
obligatory  upon  the  United  States,  viz  :  1.  The  section  number- 
ed sixteen  in  every  township,  and  when  such  se^  tion  has  been 
sold,  or  otherwise  disposed  of,  other  land  equivalent  thereto,  and 
as  contiguous  as  may  be,  shall  be  granted  to  the  state  for  the  use 
of  the  inhabitants  of  such  township  for  the  use  of  schools.  2. 
That  all  salt  springs  within  such  state  shall  be  granted  to  the 
said  state  for  the  use  of  said  state,  the  same  to  be  used  under 
such  terms  and  conditions  and  regulations  as  the  legislature  of 
said  state  shall  direct:  Provided,  the  legislature  shall  never  sell 
nor  lease  the  same  for  a  longer  period  than  ten  years  at  any  one 
time.  3.  That  five  per  cent,  of  the  net  proceeds  of  the  lands 
lying  within  such  state,  and  which  shall  be  sold  by  congress  from 
and  aft  r  the  first  day  of  January,  1819,  after  deducting  all 
expenses  incident  to  the  same,  shall  be  reserved  for  the  purposes 
following,  viz  :  Two-fifths  to  be  disbursed  under  the  direction  of 
congress,  in  making  roads  leading  to  the  state;  the  residue  to  be 
appropriated  by  the  legislature  of  the  state  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  learning,  of  which  one-sixth  part  shall  be  exclusively 
bestowed  on  a  college  or  university.  4.  That  thirty-six  sections, 
or  one  entire  township,  which  will  be  designated  by  the  president 
of  the  United  States,  together  with  the  one  heretofore  reserved 
for  that  purpose,  shall  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  a  seminary,  and 
vested  in  the  legislature  of  the  said  state,  to  be  appropriated 
solely  to  the  use  of  such  seminary  by  the  said  legislature.  " 

From  the  above,  it  will  be  seen  with  what  care  and  jealousy 
the  general  government  guarded  the  school  interests  of  the  new- 
formed  states.  These  grants  and  conditions  were  accepted  by  the 
convention  which  assembled  at  Kaskaskia  in  July,  1818,  for  the 
purpose  of  framing  a  constitution  for  the  new  state.  Hon.  Shad- 
rach  Bond,  a  man  of  marked  ability,  was  elected  first  governor 
of  Illinois.  In  his  inaugural  address  to  the  general  assembly,  he 
called  their  special  attention  to  the  educational  interests  of  the 
state  in  the  following  forcible  language  :  "The  subject  of  educa- 
tion, the  means  for  which  have  been  so  amply  provided  by  the 
bounty  of  the  general  government,  cannot  fivil  to  engross  your 
serious  attention.  It  would  be  well  to  provide  for  the  appoint- 
ment or  election  of  trustees  in  each  township  sufficiently  popu- 
lated, and  empower  them  to  lease,  for  a  limited  period,  the  sec- 
tion of  land  reserved  and  granted  for  the  use  of  schools  within 
the  same,  requiring  them  to  appropriate  the  rents  arising  there- 
from to  such  use  and  in  the  manner  to  be  prescribed  by  law. 
The  townships  of  land  which  have  been  granted  to  the  state  for 
the  use  of  a  seminary  of  learning,  cannot,  it  is  to  be  believed,  be 
so  disposed  of  at  present  as  to  authorize  the  passage  of  a  law  to 
commence  the  undertaking;  but  at  least  a  part  of  them  may  be 
leased,  and  the  rents  arising  therefrom  may  be  laid  up  or  vested 
in  some  productive  fund  as  a  secure  deposit  to  be  hereafter  appro- 
priated to  the  object  to  which  the  grants  were  made ;  such  a 
course  will  render  tho.se  lauds  productive,  and  when  the  period 
shall  arrive  at  which  it  may  be  advisable  to  sell  them,  they  will 
be  extensively  improved  and  of  great  value-  These  donations, 
together  with  the  three  per  cent,  upon  the  net  proceeds  arising 
from  the  sale  of  the  public  lands  within  the  state,  which  have 
been  appropriated  for  similar  purposes,  with  proper  arrange- 
ments, will  create  a  fund  sufficiently  large  to  educate  the  children 
of  the  state  to  the  remotest  period  of  time.  It  is  our  imperious 
duty,  for  the  faithful  jierformance  of  which  we  are  answerable  to 
God  and  our  country,  to  watch  over  this  interesting  subject.  No 
employment  can  be  more  engaging  than  that  of  husbanding  those 


HISTOSY  OF  BE  WITT  COT'XTY,  ILLIKOIS. 


103 


resources  which  will  spread  through  all  classes  of  our  fellow- 
citizens  the  means  of  wisdom  and  of  knowledge,  which  in  the 
freedom  of  our  institutions  will  make  the  child  of  the  poorest 
parent  a  useful  member  of  society  and  an  ornament  to  his  coun- 
try." 

The  first  General  Assembly  was  too  much  engrossed  with  other 
matters  of  state  to  give  this  portion  of  the  governor's  message  the 
attention  it  deserved  ;  but  at  its  second  session,  it  took  cognizance 
of  the  recommendations  contained  in  his  first  message,  and  a  bill 
was  passed  by  both  houses,  and  approved  by  the  governor,  March 
2d,  1819.  It  provided  for  the  appointment  by  the  county  com- 
missioners in  each  and  every  county,  of  three  trustees  in  each 
township,  who  were  within  six  months  after  appointment  author- 
ized to  employ  a  surveyor,  who  should  lay  out  section  sixteen  in 
each  township  in  lots,  not  containing  less  than  forty,  nor  more 
than  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and  to  lease  the  same  for  a 
term  of  ten  years,  for  the  purpose  of  creating  a  revenue  for 
school-purposes.  As  this  law  was  general  in  its  tenor,  it  was 
sutficient  to  protect  and  throw  around  these  school-lands  a  proper 
safeguard ;  and  had  the  recommendations  of  the  governor  and 
the  provisions  of  the  law  been  adhered  to  until  the  lands  became 
valuable,  the  public  fund  in  nearly  every  township  in  the  .state 
w.uld  be  to-day  sufiicient  to  maintain  our  public  schools  without 
special  taxation.  Unwise  counsel  prevailed  somewhere,  and  the 
most  of  this  munificent  gift  of  the  general  government  has  been 
largely  sacrificed. 

From  1819  to  1S25  but  few  changes  were  made  in  the  school- 
law.  Although  the  changes  were  few  and  unimportant,  there 
was  a  decided,  growing  sentiment  favorable  to  the  free-school 
system  ;  and  in  182.5  the  General  Aserably  passed  an  act  provid- 
ing for  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  public  schools.  In 
the  preamble  to  this  act,  the  following  patriotic  sentiment  was 
expressed:  "To  enjoy  our  rights  and  liberties  we  must  under- 
stand them  ;  their  security  and  protection  ought  to  be  the  first  ob- 
ject of  free  people  ;  and  it  is  a  well-established  fact  that  no  nation 
has  ever  continued  long  in  the  enjoyment  of  civil  and  political  - 
freedom  which  was  not  both  virtuous  and  enlightened  ;  and  be- 
lieving the  advancement  of  literature  always  has  been,  and  ever 
will  be,  the  means  of  developing  more  fulh'  the  rights  of  man, 
that  the  mind  of  every  citizen  in  a  republic  is  the  common  prop- 
erty of  societv,  and  constitutes  the  basis  of  its  strength  and  hap- 
piness. It  is  therefore  considered  the  peculiar  duty  of  a  free 
government  like  ours  to  encourage  and  extend  the  improvement 
and  cultivation  of  the  intellectual  energies  of  the  whole." 

This  act  is  unquestionably  the  foundation-stone  of  the  present 
free-school  system  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  The  act  was  manda- 
tory, as  will  be  seen  f  om  the  language  of  the  statute  in  the  fol- 
lowing passage:  "There  shall  be  established  a  common  school  or 
schools  in  each  of  the  counties  of  this  state,  which  shall  be  open 
to  every  class  of  white  citizens  between  the  ages  of  five  and 
twenty-one  years."  It  also  provided  for  the  election  in  each  dis- 
trict of  the  following  officers :  Three  trustees,  one  treasurer,  one 
clerk,  one  assessor  and  one  collector.  The  trustees  were  empow- 
ered to  perform  many  of  the  functions  now  performed  by  the 
county  superintendents,  such  as  examining  of  teachers,  visiting 
schools,  reporting  to  the  county  commissioners,  etc.  Some  of  the 
provisions  of  the  law  of  1825  were  repealed  by  the  act  of  1827, 
creating  a  general  law  of  the  state  relating  to  the  common  schools ; 
but  no  material  changes  were  made  until  1^41,  when  the  legisla- 
ture made  a  complete  revision  of  the  school  law,  and  approved 
February  26,  1841. 

Among  the  changes  of  this  act  are  the  following  provisions  : 


Each  township  could  have  as  many  schools  as  the  inhabitants  of 
such  township  desired  ;  the  people  of  every  organized  district 
were  required  to  meet  and  elect  from  their  number  three  trustees, 
and  to  agree  upon  the  plan  and  manner  of  conducting  the  school. 
These  trustees  or  directors  were  vested  with  power  to  execute  the 
plan  adopted,  and  were  required  to  visit  and  superintend  the 
schools.  This  law  was  the  first  that  required  schedules  to  be 
kept  by  the  teachers  and  returned  to  the  township  treasurers. 
It  also  required  a  teacher  to  pass  an  examination  for  a  certificate 
to  teach.  The  board  of  trustees  was  required  to  perform  this 
duty,  or  appoiut  a  board  of  examiners  for  the  purpose.  The 
law  did  not  mention  the  branches  to  be  taught,  nor  did  it  specify 
the  branches  in  which  the  teacher  should  be  examined,  but  re- 
quired that  the  certificate,  when  issued,  should  enumerate  the 
branches  in  which  he  was  qualified  to  teach. 

In  1845  another  revision  of  the  school-law  was  made,  and 
many  new  and  important  features  were  incorporated  in  it.  The 
secretary  of  state  was  by  virtue  of  his  oflice  created  state  super- 
intendent of  schools.  Among  the  various  duties  the  statute  pro- 
vided that  he  should  counsel  with  experienced  teachers,  relating 
to  the  latest  and  most  improved  methods  of  conducting  the  com- 
mon-schools ;  he  was  required  to  advise  the  school  commissioners 
as  to  the  best  manner  of  managing  the  schools ;  of  constructing 
school-houses,  and  procuring  competent  teachers  ;  to  recommend 
the  best  text  books,  charts,  maps,  etc.,  and  to  bring  about  a  uni- 
formity of  the  same.  Under  this  law,  whose  duties  were  those  of 
secretary  of  state,  the  first  state  superintendent  was  the  Hon. 
Thomas  Campbell,  who  made  a  very  eflicient  and  useful  ofiicer. 
Many  of  the  suggestions  given  by  him  in  his  report  to  the  gover- 
nor could  be  used  with  profit  in  our  school  system  to-day. 

The  duties  of  the  secretary  of  state  confined  him  almost  entirely 
to  his  office  as  the  state  developed,  and  the  demands  for  a  special 
officer  to  discharge  the  duties  of  this  department  became  a  neces- 
sity. Hence,  in  1854,  this  legislature  passed  a  law  making  the 
office  of  state  superintendent  of  public  instruction  a  separate  one. 
The  duties  to  be  performed  were  similar  to  those  under  the  act  of 
1845.  It  was  provided  to  fill  the  office  by  appointment  of  the 
governor  until  after  the  election  in  1855,  with  a  salary  of  ?l,-"00 
per  annum. 

The  Hon.  Xinian  W.  Eihvanls  was  appointed  the  first  state 
superintendent  under  this  law,  and  the  first  to  have  the  honor  of 
framing  a  bill  for  the  unification  of  the  school  system  of  the  state. 
Again,  in  1872,  there  was  another  general  revision  of  the  school 
law,  since  which  time  there  have  been  but  few  important  changes 
made.  Of  the  last  revision,  I  should  do  this  hi.story  great  injus- 
tice without  the  mention  of  the  name  of  Hon.  Newton  Bateman, 
I  who  has  no  superior  in  this  country  as  an  educator  or  friend  to 
the  free-school  system.  Our  legislators,  in  the  above  revision, 
which  caused  our  school  system  to  rank  with  the  best  in  the  land, 
gave  the  greatest  heed  to  his  judgment  and  counsel. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  there  have  been  five 
marked  epochs  in  the  school  history  of  Illinois — 1825, 1840, 1845, 
1854  and  1872.  In  the  main  we  have  a  most  excellent  free- 
school  system  in  our  state ;  but  there  are  changes  in  the  law  that 
should  be  made,  and  which  would  prove  wholesome  to  all  con- 
cerned. I  have  special  reference  to  the  want  of  clearness  in  the 
language  of  the  statute.  The  school  law,  above  all  others,  should 
be  the  plainest  in  all  its  det.iils,  and  so  well  arranged  as  to  be 
intelligible  to  all  who  are  able  to  read. 

The  permanent  school  fund  of  the  state  comprises:  1st,  the 

school  fund  proper,  being  three  per  cent,  upon  the  net  proceeds 

,  of  the  sales  of  the  public  lands  in  the  state,  one-sixth  part  ex- 


lOJ 


HISTORY  01  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


cepted ;  2d,  the  college  fund,  consisting  of  the  above  one-sixth 
part;  3d,  the  surplus  revenue  derived  from  the  distribution  in 
1836,  of  the  surplus  revenue  of  the  United  States;  -Ith,  the  semi- 
nary fund,  derived  from  sales  of  lauds  granted  to  the  state  by 
the  general  government ;  5th,  county  funds  created  by  the  legis- 
lature in  lS3o;  6th,  township  funds  arising  from  the  sale  of 
public  lands  granted  by  congress  for  common-school  purposes. 

EARLT   SCHOOLS   IX   THE   COUXTV. 

In  these  days  of  prosperity,  surrounded  as  we  are  with  the  ad- 
vantages of  social  and  business  life,  we  can  form  no  adequate  idea 
of  the  trials,  hardships  and  privations  endured  by  the  pioneers 
of  this  county.  To  them  and  those  who  have  aided  us  in  secur- 
ing the  information  necessary  from  which  to  write  this  article, 
we  dedicate  this  imperfect  history  of  her  common  schools.  That 
it  is  very  incomplete  we  know;  having  no  records  of  the  early 
schools,  we  were  obliged  to  glean  from  the  failing  memories  of 
the  surviving  few,  the  data  from  which  to  write. 

The  early  settlers  were  a  hard-working,  intelligent,  warm- 
hearted people,  who  came  from  the  older  states  to  the  wilderness 
of  Illinois.  Having  had  opportunity  to  note  the  value  of  learn- 
ing in  the  work  of  life,  they  determined  that  their  children 
should  not  grow  to  years  of  maturity  in  ignorance,  so  that  we 
find  them  early  turning  their  attention  to  the  establishment  of 
schools,  into  which  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  those  times, 
they  introduced  the  severe  discipline  of  which  we  shall  speak 
further  on.  Many  now  complain  of  the  backwardness  of  our 
schools.  But  comparing  them  with  the  schools  of  fifty  years  ago, 
and  remembering  with  what  crude  material  we  have  had  to  work, 
aud  that  like  the  Yankee,  we  not  only  had  to  make  the  thing 
itself,  but  the  things  to  make  it  with,  we  will  conclude  that  all 
things  considered,  we  have  not  been  slow  to  improve  our  oppor- 
tunities, although  with  better  management  of  the  school  affairs, 
we  might  have  had  better  results. 

The  youth  of  that  day  never  dreamed  of  the  comforts  and  even 
luxuries  enjoyed  by  the  school  children  of  the  present.  They 
were  compelled  to  make  long  journeys  over  bramble  and  bush, 
through  mud,  snow,  cold  and  heat,  to  reach  the  little  log-hut,  in 
•which  the  school  was  kept,  as  they  termed  it.     The  first  schools 


01  D    LJt    s    H       I    H    L    E 

were  taught  in  cibius,  somjtinijs  previously  occupied  as  dwell- 
ings, and  were  of  the  poorest  sort,  with  greased  paper  for  windows, 
no  floor,  and  often  no  chimney;  a  hole  iu  the  roof  allowed  the 
smoke  to  escape,  which  was  prevented  from  returning  by  the  use 
of  what  they  called  a  wind-board,  which  had  to  be  changed 
every  time  the  wind  changed.  A  fire-place  in  one  or  both  ends 
of  the  room  kept  the  children  from  freezing,  and  seats  were  made 
by  splitting  logs  and  putting  iu  wooden  legs  to  support  them,  the 
flat  side  of  the  puncheon  up ;  another  slab  supported  by  pins 


put  in  the  walls,  formed  the  only  desk  for  writing  purposes.  The 
older  pupils,  many  of  them  men  and  women  for  size  and  age, 
sitting  with  their  backs  to  the  school ;  their  elbows  resting  on  the 
desk  in  front  of  them,  performed  their  allotted  tasks,  girls  on 
one  side  of  the  room,  and  the  boys  on  the  other.  The  smaller 
children  occupied  lower  seats,  but  so  high  from  the  floor  that 
their  feet  dangled  in  the  air,  with  no  support  whatever  for  their 
backs.    Thus  they  were  compelled  to  sit  erect,  holding  thfeirbook. 


rCXCHEOX    BEXCH. 

or  more  often,  a  little  thia  board  with  letters  printed  on  it,  up 
before  them  in  an  attitude  of  study,  ft-om  six  to  eight  hours  each 
day,  and  if  they  dared  to  grow  noisy  or  restless,  they  felt  the 
keen  tingle  of  the  master's  switch.  In  those  days  "  licken  and 
larnen  "  went  together,  and  no  teacher  was  considered  capable 
who  did  not  make  a  vigorous  use  of  the  pursuasive  rod.  Hence  we 
find  that  every  teacher  of  that  day,  who  had  an  ambition  to  be 
abreast  of  the  times,  sought  to  be  an  expert  wielder  of  the 
''  birch,"  or  the  ever  memorable  ferule. 

The  teachers,  though  severe  in  their  discipline,  were  faithful 
in  the  discharge  of  duty,  teaching  to  the  extent  of  their  ability. 
But  few  of  them  were  well  qualitied  to  teach  beyond  the  rudi- 
ments of  an  education,  yet.  possessed  of  that  hard  common  sense 
characteristic  of  the  early  settlers,  they  were  enabled  to  accom- 
plish much — they  taught  but  little,  and  taught  it  well.  In  1837 
teachers  were  first  required  to  hold  certificates,  for  which  they 
were  seldom  examined  be3'oud  the  three  R's,  "  Rithmetic,  Read- 
ing and  Ritiug  "  Arithmetic  was  considered  the  all-important 
branch,  especially  for  boys  to  study,  and  it  still  holds  a  very  sig- 
nificant place  iu  many  of  the  rural  districts  to-day.  It  was 
thought  that  a  girl  needed  little  book  preparation  for  her  work 
in  life,  but  usually  in  a  later  day,  when  grammar  was  more  often 
taught  in  the  schools,  it  was  pursued  by  the  girls,  the  boys  think- 
ing it  was  useless  to  waste  time  on  such  foolishness.  The  only 
common  ground  on  which  they  could  meet  was  the  spelling. 
Here  the  boys  were  often  compelled  to  acknowledge  the  girls  their 
equals.  Spelling  schools,  so  common,  and  so  enjoyable  in  those 
davs,  were  an  outgrowth  from  which  they  derived  much  social  and 
intellectual  pleasure.  These  also  were  the  days  of  "  barring  out " 
and  "ducking''  for  treats,  and  the  older  citizens  who  enjoyed 
these  sports,  would  think  the  history  incomplete  without  mention 
of  them. 

Sometimes  it  would  happen  that  a  man  of  good  attainments 
was  found  at  work  in  these  cabins,  and,  when  such  was  the  case, 
the  young  men  from  the  settlements  around  would  attend  the 
school,  and  so  earnestly  apply  themselves  that  often  they  were 
better  prepared  for  the  practical  duties  of  life  tlian  many  of  their 
more  favored  brothers  of  the  present  day,  who  have  the  privilege 
of  a  college  course.  The  individual  plan  of  recitation  was  in 
vogue  in  all  the  earliest  schools  The  master  went  round  from 
one  to  another,  helping  them  ''do  their  sums"  and  pronouncing 
hard  words  in  the  spelling  lesson,  which  confronted  him  at  every 
turn  he  made.  Between  these  exercises,  he  would  make  and 
mend  pens,  for  which  they  used  goose  quills.  They  made  their 
own  ink  out  of  nut  galls,  and  other  things  known  to  them.  Then 
there  were  the  copies   to  "  set "   for  those  that  wrote,  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


105 


little  ones  to  hear  from  four  to  six  times  a  day.  From  this  daily 
programme  we  Icnow  that  the  teacher  who  did  his  work  faithfully 
and  well,  had  little  time  to  idle.  They  paid  him  a  small  salary, 
and  expected  him  to  earn  his  money.  It  was  thought  at  that 
time,  and  many  still  cling  to  that  old  idea,  that  any  one  might 
without  injury  or  loss  to  the  commuuity,  teach  the  schools,  espe- 
cially the  smaller  scholars,  even  though  they  knew  very  little 
themselves  of  the  subjects  they  proposed  to  teach. 

After  a  few  years,  the  manner  of  recitation  was  somewhat 
changed  from  the  individual  plan.  The  older  pupils  were  ar- 
ranged in  a  straight  line  on  the  tloor,  and  required  to  "  toe  the 
mark,"  then  "  make  their  manners,"  after  which  they  proceeded 
to  recite,  toeing  the  mark  through  the  whole  recitation.  If  it 
was  reading,  the  one  that  read  loudest  and  called  the  words  most 
readily,  was  counted  the  best  reader.  This  expressionless  style 
of  reciting  was  called  the  "  school-tone."  At  the  close  of  the  ex- 
ercise, more  "manners"  were  required,  and  the  class  passed  to 
their  places,  and  swinging  their  feet  oyer  the  long  slab  bench, 
were  ready  to  study  the  next  lesson,  or  write,  perhaps. 

Then  the  smaller  pupils  came  to  the  master's  knee,  one  at  a 
time,  with  their  little  board  or  book,  if  they  were  so  fortunate  as 
to  have  one,  which  the  teacher  takes,  and  resting  it  upon  his 
knee,  points  out  the  letters  in  regular  order  with  his  knife,  the 
child  repeating  them  after  the  teacher,  till  he  knows  them. 

Often  the  little  urchin  fails  to  recognize  a  letter,  perhaps  T. 
After  many  fearful  contortions  of  the  face  and  nervous  move- 
ments of  the  limbs,  he  gives  it  up,  and  fixes  a  blank  stare  on  the 
face  of  the  teacher,  who  by  way  of  reminder,  asks,  "  What  did 
you  drink  for  supper  last  night?"  Quick  as  thought,  the  little 
fellow  has  it,  and  answers  in  a  loud  voice,  "  buttermilk,"  and 
the  teacher,  an  adept  at  turning  things  to  account,  repressing  a 
smile,  uses  the  blunder  to  fix  the  letter  in  the  mind  of  the  child. 

But  the  old  log  school-house,  with  all  its  discomforts,  has 
pa=sed  entirely  out  of  use,  and  the  teacher,  ruling  with  the  iron- 
heel,  has  become  a  creature  of  the  past.  The  state  has  provided 
a  better  class  of  accommodation,  and  prepared  the  way  for 
teachers  to  fit  themselves  for  their  work ;  and  we  are  now  be- 
ginning to  enjoy  in  a  fuller  measure  the  rich  results  of  all  the 
long  line  of  laborers,  from  the  first  parents  who  built  the  first 
cabin  for  school  purposes  and  the  first  teacher  who  wielded  the 
birch  and  taught  the  "young  idea  how  to  shoot,"  to  the  grand 
army  of  educational  workers  of  to-day. 

The  first  school  of  which  we  can  get  any  account  was  kept 
on  Jacob  Coppenbarger's  farm,  which  is  now  on  section  eight 
of  Tunbridge  township,  in  18i!9.  A  young  man  by  the  name 
of  Edom  iShugart,  who  is  said  to  have  been  possessed  of  a 
good  education  for  the  time,  taught  this  school.  The  second 
school  we  find  was  taught  in  1831,  on  the  site  of  the  town  of 
Waynesville,  by  William  S.  Dunham.  This  was  the  first  school 
taught  in  what  is  now  Waynesville  township,  and  the  second  in 
the  county.  Again,  in  the  winter  of  1832,  we  find  Edom  Shugart 
teaching  in  the  first  house  built  in  the  county  for  school  pur- 
poses, as  we  found  him  in  1829  in  Tunbridge  township,  teaching 
the  first  school  in  the  county. 

This  school-house  was  located  in  what  is  now  Wapella  town- 
ship, about  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  the  town  of  Wapella.  It 
was  a  little,  rqugh  log  cabin,  and  was  used  but  one  year,  when  a 
larger  and  better  house  was  erected  nearer  the  centre  of  the 
present  district  and  on  the  same  hill  where  Liberty  school-house 
now  stands.  This  was  the  first  school-house  to  have  a  floor  and 
a  glass  window.  For  several  years  subsequent  to  this,  however, 
the  school-rooms  were  lighted  by  removing  a  log  the  full  length 


of  the  house,  and  sometimes  greased  paper  was  pasted  over  to 
keep  out  the  wind  and  storms ;  this  with  the  light  admitted 
through  the  open  doors  and  chimneys,  was  thought  sufiicient. 
In  this  new  house  John  B.  Swearingen  taught  the  first  school,  in 
the  winter  of  183J.  This  year  we  find  two  other  schools  taught, 
one  in  Tunbridge  township,  by  Edom  Shugart,  just  north  of 
Kenney,  and  one  in  what  is  now  Waynesville  township,  by  J.  J. 
McGraw.  The  next  winter  (1834)  we  find  several  schools,  taught 
by  the  following  teachers :  Edom  Shugart,  William  Lowry, 
Daniel  Newcomb,  Wm.  S.  Dunham,  J.  J.  McGraw,  J.  B.  Swear- 
ingen and  AValter  Roben,  all  teaching  schools  located  in  the 
townships  now  organized  as  Tunbridge,  Barnett,  Waynesville  and 
Wapella.  In  this  year,  183-1:,  the  Howard  school-house  was  built, 
which  was  the  first  frame  school-house  erected.  The  same  winter, 
what  was  known  for  years  as  the  Hall  school-house  was  built  on 
the  farm  of  Mahlon  Hall,  the  first  built  west  of  the  present  city 
of  Clinton,  the  third  in  the  county,  and  for  many  years  the  only 
school-house  in  the  present  limits  of  Barnett  township,  which 
now  has  eight  schools,  all  furnished  with  good,  comfi)rtable 
houses, — that  at  Midland  City  being  a  graded  school  of  two  de- 
partments. Some  of  the  teachers  who  have  done  excellent  service 
may  here  be  mentioned  :  Reuben  Howard,  Alfred  Hyde  and  J. 
I.  Barnett.  The  last  named  has  taught  at  Hallsville  for  several 
years  ;  he  is  a  graduate  of  Eureka  College,  and  in  his  own  school 
does  excellent  work,  as  his  long  stay  in  the  same  place  will 
attest.  Some  of  the  first  teachers  in  this  township  were:  Lnwry, 
Newcomb,  Mcintosh,  Pollock  and  Derby. 

Tunbridge  township  has  ten  schools,  all  in  good  condition  ; 
that  in  the  village  of  Kenney  a  graded  school  of  three  depart- 
ments, under  the  care  of  Henry  E.  Sisson  at  present.  Some  of 
the  men  who  were  prominent  and  who  aided  and  encouraged 
the  school-work  in  the  townships  of  Barnett  and  Tunbridge, 
were :  Andrew  Wallace,  Judge  Lowry,  John  Barnett  and  Mr. 
Randolph.  Later,  were  their  descendants,  and  others,  among 
whom  many  will  remember  those  genial  men.  Judge  J.  R.  Hall, 
Robert  Barnett  and  John  Kenney,  all  of  whom  held  a  high 
place  in  the  hearts  of  those  who  knew  them.  Others,  still  living, 
who  were  pupils  in  these  early  schools,  and  could  tell  the  story 
of  those  good  old  times  better  than  I  cat*  write  it,  are  the  How- 
ards, Randolphs,  Thornleys,  Brelefords,  Fruits,  Butlers,  Halls 
and  Humphreys. 

Waynesville. — The  first  settlers  of  what  is  now  Waynesville 
township,  took  special  care  in  educating  their  children.  They  early 
began  preparations  for  schools,  the  result  of  which  is,  her  citizens 
have  long  been  prominent  in  the  county's  history.  J.  J.  McGra  » 
is  worthy  of  especial  mention  from  the  fact  of  his  long  service  as 
a  teacher  and  school  oflncer,  having  been  elected  to  the  office  of' 
School  Commissioner  at  the  very  first  election  of  officers  at  the 
county  organization  in  1839,  to  which  place  he  was  continuously 
elected  for  eighteen  years.  The  building  of  the  first  school  house 
in  that  township  dates  back  to  183.5.  It  was  constructed  after  the 
style  of  the  times  and  rudely  furnished,  and  located  three  miles 
east  of  Waynesville  on  the  farm  of  John  S.  Strange.  J.  J.  Mc- 
Graw also  taught  this  school,  which  was  attended  by  pupils  from 
all  parts  of  the  township,  and  was  a  kind  of  High  School  in  its 
time.  We  are  told  that  at  one  time  there  were  but  three  spelling 
books  in  the  school  from  which  thirty  pupils  learned  their  les- 
sons; other  books  were  equally  scarce.  As  the  population  increas- 
ed other  schools  were  organized  and  other  houses  built  for  school 
purposes,  all  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  assisting,  some 
furnishing  the  material,  others  converting  it  into  a  house.  When 
the  16th  section  of  land  was  sold,  which  was  about  1840,  the 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


township  was  divideil  info  districts  and  the  proceeds  of  the  sale 
distributed  among  them.  In  1S48  there  were  in  operation  in  the 
township  five  schools,  most  of  which  had  good  buildings,  furnish- 
ed in  the  approved  style  of  the  times.  The  schools  of  the  town 
of  Waynesville  deserve  more  than  a  general  mention.  In  1836, 
after  various  buildings,  that  happened  to  be  vacant  had  been 
occupied,  school  was  opened  in  the  M.  E.  Church,  which  was  used 
for  two  years.  In  1840  the  number  of  children  was  so  large  that 
it  became  nec^ssarv  to  divide  the  school.  So  in  1842  both  the  M. 
E.  and  Presbyterian  Churches  were  pressed  into  service,  until 
1S.>8  when  they  built  their  present  two  story  frame  house. 

Besides  the  public  schools  just  noted.  Wavnesville  at  various 
intervals  until  recently,  has  supported  a  select  school.  The 
Mioses  Leeper  in  1852  and  18.i.'),  assisted  bv  Miss  Linzey,  con- 
ducted the  private  school.  In  18,50!,  H.  ■!.  Harris  was  principle 
of  the  school.  Another  who  will  long  be  remembered  for  his 
abilily  as  an  in.structor  and  also  as  a  gentleman,  was  Frank 
Longbrake.  In  1866,  J.  G.  Turner  took  charge  of  the  school' 
which  he  conducted  till  1870.  This  gentleman  although  peculiar 
in  his  make  up,  was  possessed  of  such  unbounded  enthusiasm  and 
indomitable  energy  that  the  school  reached  a  high  plane  of  use- 
fulne.s.s.  Since  that  time  there  seems  to  have  been  little  interest 
on  behalf  of  select  schools.  The  interest  in  home  education  in 
and  around  the  village  appears  to  be  less  now  than  it  was  twenty 
years  ago.  Waynesville  township  now  h.is  six  school  districts 
with  a  school  property  valued  at  (877,000.)  The  number  of 
pupils  in  the  township  is  288.  The  amount  of  expenses  incurred 
hv  these  schools  during  the  year  ending  June  30,  1881,  was 
(SI 883.29.)  Paid  their  teachers  (SI 300.02.)  Their  present 
school  fund  is  (S108.'i.38.)  Their  prf-sont  trustee  is  Wm.  Gam- 
brel,  Sr ,  and  their  present  treasurer,  William  Cantrell,  who  has 
served  in  that  capacity  about  sixteen  years 

Wapella.  —The  earliest  school  history  of  what  is  now  Wapella 
township  has  been  referred  to  above.  In  1848  the  first  frame 
f  chool  house  was  built  in  the  township,  and  Trustum  Hull  taught 
the  first  school  in  it.  He  continued  to  teach  very  succe.s.sfully  in 
the  schools  of  different  townships  for  several  years.  Since  his 
retirement  from  the  school  room,  he  has  almost  continuously  acted 
as  the  township  Treasurer.  Among  the  citizens  who  have  been 
interested  in  the  educational  work  of  the  township  may  be  named 
the  Swearingen's,  Brown's.  Harrold's,  Homer  Buck,  Walter 
Karr  and  Peter  Crura  Wapella  Township  h,as  four  school  dis 
tricts  all  having  good,  well  furnished  houses,  and  no  bonded 
debt. 

Santa  Anna — The  first  school-house  was  built  of  hewed-logs, 
on  the  highe.st  blufi!'  in  the  township  overlooking  Salt  Creek,  one 
mile  south-west  of  where  Farmer  City  now  stands,  in  1835,  by 
the  following  pioneers  :  Dennis  Hurley,  Eichard  Webb,  John 
Donner,  Nathan  Clearwaters  and  Richard  Kirby.  The  first 
teacher  was  John  Heath,  the  second  was  Celia  Lowry  ;  others 
fidlowed.  These  were  subscription  schools,  and  many  of  the 
older  citizens,  who  were  pupils  in  this  rural  academy,  still  retain 
vivid  impressions  made  upon  their  backs  by  the  hickory  sprouts 
and  ironwood  twigs.  The  old  school-house  has  long  since  been 
removed  and  there  is  not  a  relic  left  to  mark  the  spot,  save  the 
beatiful  hard-maple  grove,  near  which  it  stood.  Other  schools 
were  established  in  the  township  of  a  like  character,  but  they 
have  all  given  way  to  better  ones,  and  the  present  schools, -six 
in  number,  are  as  good  as  any  elsewhere  in  the  county,  each 
having  a  comfortable,  well-furnished  house.  There  is  but  one 
graded  school,  that  at  Farmer  City.  It  has  a  good,  two-story 
brick  building,  finished  in  1873,  at  a  cost  of  about  §1600,  with 


bonds  all  paid  off  but  one,  which  is  due  and  will  be  paid  in  1882. 
There  are  eight  rooms  in  the  building,  accommodating  about  8.30 
pupils.  The  ground  upon  which  the  house  stands  is  a  beautiful 
plat,  occupying  a  block  of  ten  lots,  hand.somely  laid  off  with 
walks,  and  set  with  shade  trees,  and  is  reached  by  good  walks 
from  every  part  of  the  city.  This  building  is  a  palace  when 
compared  with  the  old  school-house,  which  did,  indeed,  seem  like 
an  old  corn-crib  infested  by  rats  before  its  use  was  discontinued, 
as  the  writer  can  testify,  having  spent  one  unfortunate  year  of 
school  life  within  its  smoking  walls. 

The  first  school  taught  in  the  new  building,  was  in  charge  of 
Prof  M.  Jess,  a  very  efficient  teacher,  who  remained  about  five 
years  in  the  school,  raiding  it  to  a  high  standard,  when  he  retired 
from  the  place  to  take  charge  of  the  Leroy  School,  where  he  still 
remains.  Among  the  pupils  of  Prof.  Jess,  are  to  be  found  many 
occupying  honored  positions  as  lawyers,  physicians,  ministers  and 
teacheis.  Mr.  Garrell  succeeded  Prof  Jess,  but  could  not  sustain 
himself,  and  Prof  William  Smith,  of  Normal,  was  called  to  finish 
the  unexpired  term.  Mr.  Smith  was  re-elected  the  next  year,  but 
was  elected  County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  of  McLean 
County  and  resigned  to  assume  the  duties  of  his  office.  Prof. 
W.  D.  Hall  was  then  engaged  to  take  charge  of  the  school,  but 
owing  to  various  circumstances  was  unsuccessful  in  its  manage- 
ment, notwithstanding,  he  is  regarded  by  many  competent  judges 
as  the  best  educator  ever  in  the  county,  and  is  ranked  among 
the  most  excellent  and  thorough  in  the  state.  He  was  eccentric, 
but  needed  only  to  be  known  to  be  loved.  J  C.  Scullin,  of  Logan 
County,  succeeded  him,  and  held  his  position  one  year.  Mr.  Gay 
next  served  a  year  or  two,  when  L  P.  Brigham,  of  Areola,  a 
graduate  of  Normal,  and  a  good  teacher,  assumed  the  charge, 
which  he  held  for  three  years.  He  left  to  go  into  the  practice  of 
medicine,  and  Allen  J.  Stults,  the  present  incumbent,  was  elected 
to  take  charge  of  the  school,  which  opened  September  21st,  1881. 
Mr.  Stults  is  endeavoring  to  bring  about  a  better  system  of 
gradation,  and  being  a  very  practical  teacher,  the  prospect  seems 
fair  that  the  school  will  be  prosperous  and  active  under  his 
management.  A  number  of  the  principals  and  assistants  who 
have  taught  in  this  school  were  graduates  of  the  Normal  Univer- 
sity. Farmer  City  is  alive  to  her  educational  interests,  and  has 
usually  a  very  efficient  Board  of  Directors.  Its  present  board, 
J.  B.  Lewis,  Wni.  T.  Bean  and  S.  C.  Copen  are  careful  in  the 
management  and  hopeful  for  the  future.  The  standard  of  the 
school  has  alternately  advanced  and  retrograded  during  the 
past  eight  years,  which  cannot  be  avoided  when  there  is  so  fre- 
quent a  change  of  teachers. 

Harp  Township. — Some  of  the  earlier  teachers  were  Jefferson 
Cross,  Ab-alom  Hamilton,  Susan  McCuddy,  Elizabeth  Thomp- 
son and  Harvey  Blount.  Tbe  latter  was  looked  upon  at  that 
time  as  an  expert  in  his  profession.  He  has  taught  about  forty 
winters,  most  of  them  in  De  Witt  County,  and  probably  the 
oldest  teacher  now  teaching  in  it.  There  are  eight  districts  in 
this  township,  all  having  very  good  houses,  and  an  enrollment 
of  264  pupils.  The  school-property  is  estimated  at  83,6.jO,  and 
no  bonded  debt. 

Te.i;as  Township. — The  first  school-house,  one  of  the  log-cabin 
kind,  was  built  in  183.5,  on  or  near  the  site  of  the  present  Texas 
school-house.  This  school  has  been  the  leading  one  in  the 
township,  having  had  in  the  past,  as  at  the  present,  some 
very  efficient  teachers.  Many  remember  the  late  F.  M.  Van  Cue 
as  among  the  leading  teachers  of  a  late  day  ;  also  Stephen  Adams 
and  G.  C.  Kelly,  who  now  has  charge  of  the  schools,  and  others, 
will  be  remembered  as  successful  teachers  in  the  years  to  cotue 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


107 


Texas  has  nine  districts,  all  having  neat  and  well  furnished  houses, 
some  of  them  comparatively  new.  The  school  fund  amounts  to 
S107S.58.  Edwin  Weld,  the  present  treasurer,  has  served  a 
number  of  years  very  efficiently  in  that  capacity- 

De  Witt  Township. — The  earliest  school  in  this  township  was 
taught  in  an  old  kitchen  belonging  to  Benj.  Day,  and  fitted  up 
after  the  style  extant.  The  school  was  taught  in  the  winter  of 
1856  and  '57  by  F.  S.  Eobbins ;  it  was  entirely  a  private  enter- 
prise. In  June  of  1837,  this  sixteenth  section  of  land  was  sold 
for  85.00  per  acre.  The  same  year  organization  of  the  townships 
into  school  districts  took  place,  and  five  trustees  were  elected, 
namely  :  Hiram  Chapiu,  Benj.  Day,  R.  J  Duseubury,  -fames 
McCord,  and  Orin  Wakefield.  The  latter  was  appointed  Treas- 
urer. The  township  was  at  first  divided  into  three  districts, 
each  district  soon  provided  itself  with  a  log  cabin  and  whatever 
furniture  was  needed.  The  interest  and  state  fund  paid  a  large 
part  of  the  teachers  salaries,  which  were  very  low.  In  a  few 
years  District  No.  one,  after  using  the  old  log  cabin  near  the 
grove  for  some  seven  years,  built  a  brick  building  in  Marion,  (De 
Witt,)  which  they  still  occupy.  Mrs  Nellie  S.  Richards,  an 
experienced  and  thoughtful  teacher,  presides  over  the  school  at 
present-  In  a  few  years  after  the  first  organization,  District  No's 
1  and  2  were  divided  and  District  No.  4  was  formed.  This  dis- 
trict in  184fi,  built  the  first  frame  school  house  in  the  township, 
which  was  finished  and  furnished  in  the  most  approved  style.  De 
Witt  has  likewise  been  favored  with  good  teachers,  and  she  has 
among  them  some  of  the  most  substantial  and  honored  men  of 
the  county.  We  take  great  pleasure  in  recording  the  names  of 
our  old  and  well  tried  friends  Col  J.  J-  Kelly,  and  the  Hon. 
Wm.  H.  North,  upon  the  pages  of  the  county's  history  Botn 
of  these  gentlemen  served  a  term  of  four  years  each  as  county 
Superintendent  of  schools,  under  whose  supervision  we  had  the 
honor  and  pleasure  of  holding  certificates  and  teaching.  Another 
name  that  will  long  be  remembered  especially  by  the  young  men 
and  women,  to  whom  he  taught  the  higher  branches  and  gave  a 
lift  in  life  that  enabled  them  to  succeed  as  practical  and  definite 
workers  in  their  chosen  calling,  is  P.  V.  C.  Pool,  who  taught  a 
private  school  for  a  number  of  ygars  near  De  Witt.  Other  teach- 
ers were  Mr.  Tavener,  Betsy  Weaver,  Cynthia  Vincent,  and  J. 
D.  Chapin. 

liutledge  Tonmship. — The  first  school  in  this  township  was 
taught  by  Robert  H.  Pool,  about  1838.  He  was  a  man  of  more 
than  average  ability  and  an  earnest  worker  in  the  school  room. 
The  school  house  was  located  in  the  timber  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  west  of  where  the  Fuller  school  house  now  stands.  It  also 
was  a  log  house  like  the  others  of  that  day.  The  teacher  and 
large  boys  gathered  wood  at  playtime  to  burn  during  school 
hours.  Daniel  Craig  was  the  second  teacher,  and  John  E. 
Dougherty,  a  young  man  of  good  ability  as  a  teacher,  was  the 
third.  These  were  subscription  schools,  the  teacher  receiving 
S2.25  a  quarter  for  each  pupil,  the  schools  averaging  from  15  to 
20  scholars-  Thus  the  teacher  received  from  12  to  25  dollars  per 
month  and  board  among  the  scholars.  The  log  school  house  was 
used  till  about  1845,  when  a  frame  was  built,  known  as  the  Rut- 
ledge  school  house  There  are  now  six  school  houses,  one  brick 
and  five  frame.  The  Fuller  school  house  is  the  finest  country 
school  house  in  the  county,  and  in  contrast  with  the  old  log 
house  fir,«t  built  marks  well  the  advancement  of  thirty  years.  The 
prominent  men  who  labored  hard  to  push  forward  the  cause  of 
education  in  the  early  settlements  were  John  E.  Dougherty, 
Peter  Brickey,  John  JNIcCord,  Wm.  Lafferty,  and  Thos.  Vande- 
venter,  the  last  named  being  the  only  one  now  living.  The  prom- 


inent early  teachers  were  R.  H-  Pool,  Peter  Brickey,  J.  E. 
Dougherty  and  Mr.  Tavener.  Of  the  successful  teachers  of  a 
later  dav  we  have  space  to  name  but  one.  Dr.  Wesley  Anderson, 
the  finest  scholar  that  ever  taught  in  the  township,  and  a  superior 
mathematican.  He  claimed  to  have  been  the  first  to  figure  out 
and  publish  the  total  eclipse  of  the  sun  in  1869.  He  introduced  the 
higher  branches  in  his  school  at  Fuller  school  house  and  aroused 
an  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  in  both  old  and  young, 
giving  bountifully  from  his  storehouse  of  knowledge  by  night 
schools  and  lectures  to  all  that  would  attend. 

Wihon  Township. — Among  the  names  that  are  prominent  in 
the  educational  aflfairs  of  the  present  day  are  the  Wilsons,  Wald, 
Hurd,  Hubbell,  and  Cains.  There  are  six  school  districts  with 
good  houses  and  an  enrollment  of  230  pupils.  The  present 
School  Fund  is  S1333.20.  The  present  Treasurer  John  T.  Hub- 
bell. 

Nixon  Township — The  sale  of  the  school  land  of  this  township 
was  made  in  1852,  but  the  first  record  of  a  school  is  1856.  This 
school,  a  summer  term,  was  taught  by  John  A.  Helmand,  at  the 
Twist  school  house.  The  old  school  house  is  still  occupied  by 
the  district  for  school  purposes.  The  present  teacher  is  Miss 
Alice  Branson.  The  meeting  of  the  first  Board  of  Trustees  was 
in  Dec-  1855.  In  Feb-  1856,  the  school  fund  amounting  to 
(§4442.011,)  was  paid  by  Lawrence  Weldon,  School  Cjmmission- 
er,  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  township.  This  town-hip  has  always 
been  favored  with  excellent  teachers,  many  of  whom  have  since 
filled  honorable  positions.  Some  of  those  who  merit  mention  are 
Joseph  Anderson,  A.  E.  Hilton,  Henry  -S.  Green,  now  one  of  the 
leading  lawyers  of  the  state,  Rufus  Crocker,  Edmund  Deverse 
W.  B.  Caldwell. 

Creeh  Towjiship. — The  first  house  built  in  what  is  now  Creek 
township,  was  after  the  prevailing  style  of  logs  with  roof  of  clap- 
boards held  to  their  place  by  weight  poles.  It  was  situated  in 
the  timber  and  about  one  mile  from  Lane  station.  It  is  probable 
that  the  first  teacher  was  a  crippled  man  by  the  name  of  Jefl'er- 
son  Cross.  Another  of  the  early  teachers  whose  work  has  been 
of  great  value  was  Walter  Roben,  who  is  still  an  honorable  resi- 
dent of  the  township.  John  P.  Mitchell  and  Mr.  Pool  were  also 
at  one  time  teachers  in  this  township. 

C/int'jnia  Township. — Probably  the  first  school  opened  within 
its  boundaries  was  in  1834,  by  Mr-  Lowry  in  the  old  court  house. 
At  all  events  we  learn  that  he  taught  the  first  school  in  the  town- 
The  schools  were  taught,  either  in  the  court  house  or  in  rented 
rooms,  by  Mr.  Lowry,  (who  was  the  first  probatejudge  elected  in 
this  county).  Dr.  Gardner,  now  of  Farmer  City,  and  others 
until  1841,  when  the  first  school  house  was  erected.  It  was  a 
rough  frame  building,  constructed  we  understand,  entirely  of 
oak,  even  the  siding  and  shingles  were  of  black  oak,  and  the  effect 
of  a  year  or  two's  sunshine  and  storm,  caused  such  a  shrinking 
and  warping  of  the  parts  that  in  a  few  years  it  was  unfit  for  use. 
In  winter  it  was  too  wet  when  it  rained  and  too  cold  when  dry. 
There  was  no  lot  purchased  on  whicli  to  erect  it,  but  it  was  placed 
near  the  center  of  the  street  running  south  from  the  court  house, 
(which  was  situated  on  the  site  of  the  present  temple  of  justice) 
and  there  it  stood  for  many  years. 

That  school  houses  in  general,  and  this  house  in  particular  was 
not  the  pet  of  the  people  then  living  in  Clinton,  as  its  treatment 
will  fully  show.  In  1846  the  prospect  of  war  with  Mexico 
loomed  up  in  the  near  future,  and  Clinton  not  to  be  behind  her 
neighbors,  sent  to  Bloomington  and  procured  a  nicely  mounted 
six  pounder,  and  we  venture  to  say  that  more  hats  were  passed 
around  for  the  purpose  of  raising  money  to  pay  for  amunition  to 


108 


HISTORY  OF  DE   WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


be  used  in  firing  that  canon,  than  for  any  other  purpose.  If  the 
gun  was  fired  in  the  evening  or  at  night,  it  was  considered  a  loud 
call  for  every  adult,  male  and  female,  and  all  the  small  boys 
«^ithin  hearing,  to  appear  in  Clinton  the  next  morning  to  hear  the 
news.  As  the  prospect  for  war  increased,  the  desire  to  shoot 
somebody  or  something  increased,  and  a  contribution  was  taken 
up  in  order  to  get  the  necessary  amount  of  lead  with  which  to 
make  balls  for  the  canon.  This  ball  took  more  lead  than  was  to 
be  obtained  in  Clinton,  and  a  messenger  was  soon  started  for 
Blooraington  or  Decatur  to  get  the  necessary  number  of  bars  of 
lead,  which  was  soon  melted  and  beaten  into  a  very  respectable 
ball,  a  little  larger  than  a  man's  fist.  And  now  the  inquiry, 
"  what  shall  we  shoot  at?  "  "  what  can  we  hit?  "  and  it  proved  a 
staggering  question — no  stumps,  no  trees,  big  enough  for  any 
gunner  to  risk  his  reputation  by  using  either  as  a  mark.  In  the 
houses  there  were  families  and  there  were  no  barns.  In  this  ex- 
tremity, some  one  suggested  the  school  house  as  the  fortress,  to  be 
demolished.  This  idea  ''  took  well,"  and  the  man  in  that  crowd 
who  would  raise  his  voice  or  say  one  word  to  save  that  house  from 
such  an  indignity,  would  have  been  looked  upon  as  a  public 
enemy,  advised  to  keep  silent  if  he  knew  what  was  for  his  own 
good,  and  ranked  with  Tom  Corwin  who  had  just  made  the  most 
brilliant  speech  of  his  life,  upon  the  Mexican  question.  The 
canon  was  located  on  the  square  to  the  ea.st  of  its  center,  the 
school  house  being  a  little  west  of  south  and  in  full  view.  It  was 
a  rich  target,  and  so  arranged  that  if  the  bullet  passed  through 
or  over  the  house  and  went  on  to  Salt  Creek,  there  was  no  danger 
of  hilling  any  building,  and  every  person  within  carrying  dis- 
tance of  the  gun  was  supposed  to  be  at  its  side  or  safely  standing 
in  the  rear.  The  first  shot  we  are  informed  missed  the  house, 
passed  on  over  it  and  on  into  the  timber,  and  the  cry  of  "  lost 
ball  "  was  emphatic  and  sorrowful.  Another  subscription  stared 
them  in  the  face,  but  a  contest  between  their  patriotism  and 
their  already  depleted  pockets,  was  avoided  by  the  cry  "  let  us 
find  the  ball."  A  range  was  obtained  from  the  muzzle  of  the 
gun  to  the  first  shrub  or  limb  cut  off  by  the  bullet,  and  by  a  rude 
system  of  flagging  it  was  soon  found  and  brought  back  in  great 
glee.  A  shot  or  two  more  and  one  could  see  the  shingles  fly,  and 
in  a  short  time  the  house  was  ruined,  but  the  patriotism  of  the 
people  was  exhibited  in  a  remarkably  expressive  manner.  The 
school  house  stood  there  unrepaired  for  several  years.  Finally  it 
was  purchased  by  a  clergyman  named  Collins,  who  removed  it 
and  converted  it  into  a  dwelling.  Whatever  schools  there  were 
after  that,  for  some  years  were  taught  in  rented  rooms  and  in  the 
Disciple  and  M.  E.  Churches,  until  about  the  year  185(3,  when 
a  new  school  house  was  built  which  Mrs.  Savage  now  occupies  as 
a  dwelling,  one  block  south  of  the  present  school  building.  This 
second  house  in  its  day  was  considered  too  expensive  for  the  dis- 
trict, and  yet  it  only  had  four  good  school  rooms.  A  vote  for  the 
tax  to  build  it  was  only  carried  on  the  third  election,  and  then, 
we  are  informed,  by  a  manoeuvre  of  this  kind.  John  J.  JMcGraw, 
C.  H.  Moore  and  another  man  were  directors.  They  had  put  up 
notices  calling  the  election  in  the  district  to  vote  for  or  against 
the  tax.  At  this — the  third  election  C.  H.  Moore  refused  to 
sign  the  notices,  but  took  great  pains  to  see  every  known  opponent 
of  the  tax  before  the  day  for  voting,  telling  them  it  was  a  great 
outrage  to  call  a  third  election — the  tax  had  been  beaten  twice 
and  that  was  enough — now  he  was  with  them  against  the  tax. 
He  thought  if  they  would  all  come  out  and  vote  once  more 
against  it,  that  would  end  the  matter,  otherwise,  he  was  fearful 
the  tax  would  carry  and  the  house  be  built.  Mr.  Moore's  chang- 
ing to  their  side  paralized  the  opponents  of  the  tax,  struck  them 


dumb  with  astonishment,  and  either  from  a  dislike  to  have  him 
succeed  in  anything  he  undertook,  or  in  the  belief  that  he  would 
or  could  beat  the  tax  unaided  by  them,  most  of  the  opponents  of 
the  tax  stayed  away  from  the  polls  or  refrained  from  voting  and 
"for  the  tax"  carried  easily,  and  the  house  was  built  the  sime 
fall.  This  we  believe  was  the  last  organized  opposition  to  school 
houses  in  Clinton.  The  house  then  built  answered  well  for  some 
years,  but  proved  too  small  in  time,  and  the  present  house  was 
built,  and  while  it  is  almost  the  only  ornament  in  the  town,  we 
think  it  an  expensive  luxury  unless  run  with  all  the  economy 
consistent  with  good  teaching  and  good  management. 

To  resume  the  history  of  the  teachers,  Mr.  Wm.  Bates  is  the 
first  teacher  who  remained  for  any  considerable  length  of  time, 
teaching  mostly  in  the  old  court  house  and  in  his  own  private 
house.  His  pupils  were  from  the  families  Argo,  Newcomb,  Crura, 
Gideon,  McKlhanie,  Woodward,  Long,  &c.  His  first  school  was 
in  1847-  In  his  later  schools  were  the  children  of  De-  J.  Warner, 
Dr.  Adams  and  Elder  Burger.  Mr.  Bates  is  remembered  as 
having  introduced  and  practiced  other  modes  of  rewards  and  pun- 
ishment than  the  use  of  the  rod,  so  familiar  in  all  the  early 
schools.  The  ticket  system  of  governing  will  be  remembered  by 
many  who  attended  and  procured  prizes  with  the  price  of  their 
carefully  hoardeil  treasures,  on  the  last  day  of  school,  when  an 
auction  sale  was  held  and  the  articles  sold  were  to  be  paid  for  in 
the  little  diamond-shaped  tickets  held  by  the  pupils  as  a  reward 
for  good  lessons  and  good  behavior.  One  of  the  largest  boys 
acted  as  auctioneer,  in  which  capacity,  if  we  are  correctly  in- 
formed, Lee  McGraw  would  especially  distinguisced  himself. 
After  the  sale  was  over  and  good  byes  said,  home  the  childrtn 
went  to  show  their  treasures  and  boast  or  bewail  their  bargains 
as  the  case  might  be.  In  view  of  the  success  of  these  primeval 
methods  of  controlling  as  chool,  I  doubt  whether  we  moderns  have 
so  very  much  improved  on  them  after  all.  Mr.  Bates'  school 
seems  to  have  been  the  dawn  of  a  better  day  for  the  schools  of 
Clinton.  Following  him  was  Mrs.  Acres.  Then  came  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  John  Heldman,  who  probably  made  the  first  attempt  at 
teaching  a  graded  school  in  this  county.  Among  her  teachers 
and  school  officers  Clinton  can  boast  of  many  good  men  and 
women,  some  of  them  have  since  won  for  themselves  rank  among 
the  leading  educators  of  the  state  and  others  have  distinguished 
themselves  in  other  walks  of  life. 

Among  those  deserving  mention  we  will  name  James  M.  Ewing, 
now  a  member  of  the  honorable  law  firm  of  Stephenson  &  Ewiug, 
Blooraington,  111.,  also  Miss  Lizzie  Smith  and  Miss  Sophia 
Granger,  both  graduates  of  a  seminary  in  Cincinnati,  and  excel- 
lent teachers.  Mrs.  Granger,  who  labored  long  in  the  schools 
of  the  town,  foreseeing  the  need  of  preparation  for  her  chosen 
profession,  had  taken  a  regular  course  of  instruction  before  enter- 
ing upon  her  work  as  a  teacher,  and  having  this  special  training 
together  with  her  superior  qualities  of  mind  and  heart  and  the 
irreproachable  example  of  her  every  day  life,  she  was  an  inspira- 
tion for  good  to  her  pupils  and  an  ornament  to  society,  and  the 
resignation  of  her  position  in  the  schools  was  a  matter  of  regret 
to  the  community.  Another  was  D.  W.  Russell,  who  will  be 
remembered  as  having  taught  a  school  of  high  order  in  the 
Christian  church,  in  18.56.  He  was  a  model  teacher  in  our  opin- 
ion, and,  we  understand,  has  since  become  an  eminent  and 
wealthy  physician.  Another  was  Prof.  J.  M.  Powell,  who  for 
some  time  after  acted  as  curator  for  the  State  Museum  at  Xormal, 
and  gave  to  the  world  glowing  accounts  of  the  western  wilds  in 
his  able  articles  on  the  Canyons  of  the  Colorado." 

In  the  year  1856  the  new  school  house  being  completed,  T.  N. 


HFSTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


109 


McCorkle,  a  young  man  who  had  previously  taught  a  term  or 
two  in  the  old  M.  E.  Church,  very  successfully  was  employed  to 
take  charge  of  the  first  school  opened  in  this  building,  which 
position  he  held  for  seven  years.  Being  a  good  teacher  and  good 
disciplinarian,  he  placed  the  school  on  a  permanently  high  basis. 
Mr.  McCorkle  has  reason  to  be  proud  of  his  work  in  Clinton,  for 
from  among  his  pupils,  Clinton  and  other  places  have  derived 
many  of  their  substantial  citizens,  by  whom  we  feel  that  we 
should  not  be  forgiven  if  we  fail  to  pay  this  just  tribute.  He 
is  ever  held  by  them  in  grateful  remembrance  for  his  untiring 
efforts  in  their  behalf,  and  for  the  wisdom  of  his  counsels  and  his 
ever  ready  sympathy  with  their  individual  aspirations  to  fit  them- 
selves for  positions  of  usefulness  in  life.  Mr.  McCorkle  was  fol- 
lowed in  the  same  school  house  by  Messrs.  Armstrong  and  !Mar- 
chant,  who  retained  their  places  a  year  each.  W.  D.  Hall  was 
next  elected  to  take  charge  of  the  school,  and  under  his  supervis- 
ion it  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  it  became  necessary  to 
enlarge  the  old  or  build  a  new  house.  The  result  was  the  erec- 
tion of  the  present  fine  school  building,  the  best  in  the  county 
and  among  the  finest  in  the  State,  the  cost  of  which  including 
grounds,  furniture,  &c.,  was  about  860,000.  The  site  is  one  of 
the  finest  for  the  purpose,  being  a  beautiful  plat  of  high  ground 
adorned  with  trees  and  flowers.  Its  location  is  sufficiently  cen- 
tral to  accommodate  the  whole  city. 

Each  year  the  people  endeavor  to  place  men  upon  the  Board 
of  Education  who  will  work  to  keep  the  school  up  to  a  high 
standard.  The  new  building  being  completed,  the  Clinton  High 
School  was  organized  in  1869,  with  S.  M.  Heslet  as  superin- 
tendent, and  Miss  Shurtleff  as  principal  of  the  High  School 
Mr.  Heslet  held  his  position  until  June  6th,  1874.  -  He  was  an 
excellent  organizer,  a  superior  disciplinarian,  and  commanded 
the  respect  of  all  his  pupils. 

He  was  a  man  of  fine  moral  influence,  an  active  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  and  very  efiicient  in  its  Sunday-school, 
and  will  be  long  remembered  by  his  many  friends.  Miss  Shurt- 
leff" resigned  during  the  fall  term  of  1871,  and  left  the  school  in 
good  condition.  She  was  a  good  teacher,  and  beloved  by  all  her 
pupils.  She  soon  afterward  became  the  wife  of  J.  B.  Haldeman, 
well  known  in  this  city  and  county. 

Miss  Anne  Byrne  succeeded  Miss  Shurtlefli',  and  graduated  the 
first  class,  consisting  of  three  members,  although  we  believe  there 
was  a  class  of  three  members  that  finished  a  course  under  Pro- 
fessor Hall,  in  the  old  building ;  but  Miss  Byrne  graduated  the 
first  class  in  the  new  house.  Miss  Lucy  Long  was  her  successor, 
and  taught  one  term,  when  she  was  succeeded  by  ]Miss  Laura  E 
Holbrook,  who  held  the  position  until  June  G,  1877,  graduating 
the  following  classes ;  Class  of  1873,  nine  members  ;  class  of  1874, 


ten  members;  class  of  1875,  four  members;  cla.ss  of  1876,  eight 
members;  class  of  1877,  seven  members. 

Miss  Holbrook  was  succeeded  by  B.  F.  Hull,  the  present  in- 
cumbent, who  has  graduated  classes  as  follows:  Class  of  1878, 
eleven  members  ;  class  of  1879,  seventeen  members ;  class  of 
1880,  eleven  members;  class  of  1881,  nine  members.  Mr.  Hull 
deserves  especial  mention,  not  only  as  being  an  excellent  in- 
structor, but  as  having  by  untiring  industry  and  perseverance, 
raised  himself  from  a  poor  boy  to  an  honorable  and  lucrative 
position. 

Prof  Heslet  was  succeeded  by  W.  D.  Hall,  who  resigned  in 
the  fall  of  187.5,  and  was  followed  by  I.  Wilkinson,  who  held  the 
position  until  .June  6,  1876,  when  R.  E.  Morrow  was  elected 
principal.  Miss  Laura  E.  Holbrook,  who  had  been  the  High 
School  teacher  for  several  years,  was  Mr.  Morrow's  successor. 
She  was  a  lady  well  qualified  for  the  position  by  her  superior 
education  and  high  moral  and  social  culuire,  and  the  school  pros- 
pered under  her  administration.  Mr.  N.  D.  Gilbert,  the  present 
incumbent,  succeeded  Miss  Holbrook,  and  in  many  respects  has 
raised  the  school  to  a  high  standard. 

Clintonia  Township  has  eight  school  districts,  with  comfort- 
able houses,  and  most  of  them  furnished  with  the  latest  and  best 
furniture.  The  Clinton  School  is  a  first-class  graded  school, 
having  twelve  departments,  under  a  board  of  six  directors,  who 
manage  the  machinery  of  the  school  and  keep  it  in  good  running 
order,  consulting  with  the  superintendent  in  regard  to  the  needs 
and  general  working  of  the  school ;  and  they  prepare,  with  his 
assistance,  a  course  of  study  for  all  the  grades,  and  give  general 
instructions  to  the  teachers  in  their  work,  and  general  informa- 
tion to  the  public  as  to  the  management  and  expense  of  the  same. 
Counting  those  graded  schools  which  have  more  than  one  depart- 
ment, we  have  eight  graded  schools  in  the  county,  located  at  the 
following  places :  Clinton,  Farmer  City,  Wapella,  Kenney, 
Waynesville,  De  "Witt,  Midland  and  Weldon,  and  eighty-seven 
ungraded  schools,  with  an  entire  enrollment  of  4,.566  pupils. 
Total  receipts  during  the  year  ending  June  30,  1881,  for  school 
purposes,  amount  to  $58,906.62.  Total  expenditures  for  same 
year  amounts  to  644,.320.25,  much  of  which  has  been  lost  to  the 
county  through  a  lack  of  proper  management.  While  the 
schools  of  the  county  are  in  a  fair  condition,  which  is  due  to  her 
teachers  and  school  officers,  yet  there  is  much  that  needs  to  be 
done  before  the  people  will  receive  an  equivalent  for  the  money 
expended  for  their  support. 

And  we  think,  that  since  the  state  has  provided  for  the  esta- 
blishment of  a  free  school  system,  as  a  necessity  to  the  well-being 
of  our  Government,  it  should  also  provide  for  the  protection  and 
proper  supervision  of  the  same  in  all  its  parts. 


110 


HISTOEY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


ue  of  her  citizens  partici- 


PATIUOTISM. 


fe  ENE  ATH  the  wide  sp  read 
brauclies  of  the  tree  of 
liberty,  whether  her  roots 
be  embedded  iu  Athenian 
or  American  soil,  the 
spirit  of  true  democracy 
flourishes.  Liberty  of  reli- 
gious action  was  the 
fond  dream  of  those  who 
built  the  first  fires  on  the 
lileak  rock-bound  New  England  shore  in 
1(5'J0.  Liberty  was  the  ringing  watch- 
word of  those  who  first  anchored  their 
boats  on  the  waters  of  the  James  river. 
Liberty  of  speech  caused  thousands  to  for- 
sake homes  they  loved  in  sunny  England, 
fair  France,  rugged  Scotland,  distressed 
Ireland,  and  Germany,  the  "  faderland," 
for  untried  ones  in  this  new  Republic.  It 
is  strange,  then,  that  principles  of  patri- 
otism so  much  abound  among  us  as  a  peo- 
ple. America,  the  asylum  of  the  oppressed 
of  all  nations,  for  two  hundred  years,  ha.s 
gathered  to  herself  a  citizenship  univer- 
sally Liberty-loving  ?  Of  her  it  can  be 
said.  Patriotism  is  an  all-pervading  princi- 
ple, and  lingers  everywhere.  It  is  en- 
shrined in  poetry  and  song.  It  rolls  on  in 
grand  musical  anthem,  that  strike  respon- 
sive chords  in  every  breast.  When  the 
fathers  of  our  Republic  proclaimed  "  that 
all  men  are  created  equal ;  that  they  are 
endowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain 
inalienable  rights;  that  among  these  are 
life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness," 
an  oppressed  world  applauded.  When 
founded  on  such  principles  a  government 
was  sought  to  be  erected,  millions  were 
ready  to  become  sovereigns,  and  forsake 
kingdoms  and  empires  for  the  enjoyment 
of  God-given  rights.  ThuS  brought  before 
the  attention  of  the  world,  a  nation  that 
e.ssayed  to  incorporate  in  her  civil  govern- 
ment the  best  idea  of  all  ages  and  peoples. 
Her  growth  has  been  marvellous,  and  the 
spirit  of  patriotism  has  been  commensurate 
therewith.  To  day  the  proudest  exclama- 
tion of  any  citizen  of  any  country  is,  "  I 
am  an  American."  Wars  may  and  have 
threatened  ;  red  battle  may  stamp  her  fiery 
feet,  but  our  nation  emerges  from  the  cru- 
cible fires  rejuvinated  and  clothed  in 
mightier  power.  In  order  to  present  the 
patriotism  of  De  Witt  county,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  give  brief  sketches  of  the 
Black  Hawk,  Mexican  and  late  wars,  in 


each  of  which 
pated. 

BLACK  HAWK  WAR 

Before  entering  much  into  detail  of  that 
war,  its  causes  and  results,  we  give  to  our 
readers  a  brief  sketch  of  Black-Hawk,  the 
celebrated  warrior,  who  figured  so  con- 
spicuously in  those  campaigns.  Macuta 
Mahicatah  i's  the  Indian  name  for  Black- 
Hawk.  He  was  born  in  the  Sauk  village 
in  the  year  1767,  and  was  an  Indian  of 
consideable  talent  and  sagacity,  shrewd  and 
eloquent  in  council  ;  he,  however,  deported 
himself  in  that  demure,  grave,  and  formal 
manner  incident  to  almost  all  Indians.  It 
is  said  he  possessed  a  mind  of  more  than 
ordinary  strength,  but  slow  and  plodding 
in  its  operations.  In  comparison  he  could 
not  be  classed  with  the  great  Indian  char- 
acters, such  as  Philip,  Brant,  Logan,  Te- 
cumseh,  and  such  illustrious  men.  By  the 
portraits  of  him  now  extant,  the  reader  of 
character  will  readily  observe  in  his  large, 
high  forehead  and  the  lines  worn  by  care 
in  his  face,  massive  jaws  and  compressed 
lips,  a  character  indicative  of  more  than 
ordinary  ability.  His  ambition  was  to  dis- 
tinguish himself  as  a  great  warrior  ;  yet  he 
was  merciful  to  the  weak,  the  women  and 
children.  The  only  road  for  an  Indian  to 
distinguish  himself  and  become  a  great 
man,  is  in  war.  So  soon  as  he  kills  an 
enemy  he  may  paint  on  his  blanket  a 
bloody  hand,  which  will  entitle  hira  a  seat 
in  the  councils.  In  1810  and  IS II  Black- 
Hawk  and  comrades  were  "  nursing  their 
wrath  to  keep  it  warm,"  against  the  whites. 
A  party  of  Sacs,  by  iuvitatation,  went  to 
see  the  prophet  at  Tippecanoe.  They  re- 
turned more  angry  against  the  Americans. 
A  party  of  Winnebagoes  massacred  some 
whites,  which  excited  for  murder  the  Sac 
band  headed  by  Black-Hawk.  A  part  of 
his  band  and  some  Winnebagoes  attacked 
Fort  Madison  in  ISl  1,  but  were  repulsed- 
Black-Hawk  heailed  the  Sacs  in  this 
attack. 

In  1S12  emissaries  from  the  British  ar- 
rived at  Rock  Island  with  goods,  and 
secured  Black-Hawk  with  five-hundred 
warriors  to  go  with  Col.  Dixon  to  Canada. 
When  they  reached  Green  Bay  there  were 
assembled  there  bands  of  the  Ottawas,  Pot- 
tawatomies,  Winnebagoes  and  Kickapoos, 
under  the  command  of  Col.  Dixon.  Black- 
Hawk  and  band  participated  in  the  battles 
of  River  Rasin,  the  Lower  Sandusky,  and 
other  places,  but  getting  dissatisfied  with 
the  hard  fighting  and  small  amount  of 
spoils,  he,  and  twenty  comrades,  left  for 
the  Sauk  village  at  Rock  Island,  where  he 


remained  for  many  years  at  peace,  with 
the  exception  of  a  small  battle  on  the 
Quiver  river  settlement  in  Missouri,  in  the 
present  limits  of  St.  Charles  county,  where 
one  white  man  and  an  Indian  were  killed. 
The  principal  cau.se  of  the  Indian  trou- 
bles in  18.31-'32,  better  known  as  the 
Black-Hawk  war,  was  the  determination 
of  Black-Hawk  and  his  band  to  remain  in 
their  ancient  village,  located  on  the  Rock 
river,  not  far  from  its  junction  with  the 
Mississippi.  The  government  having  some 
time  previously,  by  various  treaties,  pur- 
chased the  village  and  the  whole  country 
from  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribe  of  Indians, 
had  some  of  these  lands  surveyed,  and  in  ^ 
1828  some  of  the  lands  in  and  around  the 
ancient  village  were  sold  ;  the  collision  be- 
tween the  two  races  for  the  possession  of 
the  property  produced  the  first  disturbance 
between  the  Indians  and  the  government. 
Seeing  that  war  was  inevitable  the  Gover- 
nor of  Illinois  made  a  call  on  the  militia 
of  the  state  for  seven  hundred  men  on  the 
26th  of  May,  1831,  and  appointed  Beards- 
town,  on  the  Illinois  river,  as  the  place  of 
rendezvous.  The  call  was  responded  to 
with  that  promptness  characteristic  of  the 
early  pioneers  of  this  state.  Their  habits 
of  life  were  such  that  all  were  familiar 
with  the  rifle.  After  marching  eight  days, 
the  mounted  militia  reached  a  point  a  few 
miles  below  the  Sac  village  on  the  Missis- 
sippi, where  they  joined  the  United  States 
forces  under  Gen.  Gaines,  and  encamped 
in  the  evening.  The  next  morning  the 
forces  marched  up  to  the  Indian  town  pre- 
pared to  give  the  enemy  battle ;  but  in  the 
night  the  Indians  had  escaped  and  crossed 
the  Mississippi.  This  ended  Black-Hawk's 
bravado  and  his  determination  to  die  in  his 
ancient  village.  The  number  of  warriors 
under  his  command  was  estimated  at  from 
four  to  six  hundred  men.  Black-Hawk 
and  his  band  lauded  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Mississippi,  a  few  miles  below  Rock  Island, 
and  there  camped.  "  Gen.  Gaines  sent  a 
peremptory  order  to  him  and  his  warriors 
that  if  he  and  his  head  men  did  not  come 
to  Rock  Island  and  make  a  treaty  of  peace, 
he  would  march  his  troops  and  give  him 
battle  at  once.  *  *  *  *  In  a  few  days 
Black-Hawk  and  the  chiefs  and  head  men 
to  the  number  of  twenty-eight,  appeared  at 
Fort  Armsrong,  and  on  the  30th  of  June, 
1831,  in  full  council  with  Gen.  Gaines  and 
Governor  John  Reynolds,  signed  a  treaty 
of  peace." 

THE  BL.ICK-HAWK  WAR  IS  1832. 

During   the   winter  of  '31—32  rumors 
were  rife  that  Black-Hawk  and  his  band 


inSTOEY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY,  ULINOIS. 


Ill 


were  disatisfied,  restless,  and  preparing  fur 
mischief.  A  chief  of  the  Winnebago  In- 
dians, who  had  a  village  on  Rrjck  river, 
some  thirty  miles  above  its  confluence 
with  the  Mississippi,  joined  Black-Hawk, 
who  was  located  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
Father  of  Waters.  The  chief  had  great 
influence  with  Black-Hawk  and  his  band. 
He  made  them  believe  that  all  the  tribes 
on  the- Rock  river  would  join  them,  and 
that  together  they  could  bid  defiance  to  the 
whites.  By  this  unwise  counsel,  Black- 
Hawk  resolved  to  recross  the  river,  which 
he  did  in  the  winter  of  1832.  That  move 
proved  to  be  their  destruction.  Through 
his  influence  and  zeal,  Black-Hawk  en- 
couraged many  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  to 
join  him  at  the  head  of  his  determined 
warriors.  He  first  assembled  them  at  old 
Fort  Madison  on  the  Mississippi;  subse- 
quently, marched  them  up  the  river  to  the 
Yellow  Banks,  where  he  pitched  his  tent 
April  6th,  1832.  This  armed  array  of 
savages  soon  alarmed  the  settlers,  and  a 
general  panic  spread  through  the  whole 
frontier,from  the  Mississippi  to  LakeMichi- 
gau.  Many  settlers  in  terror  abandoned 
their  homes  and  farms,  and  the  Governor 
decided,  on  the  16th  of  April,  to  call  out  a 
large  number  of  volunteers  to  operate  in 
conjunction  with  Gen.  Atkinson,  who  was 
in  command  of  the  regular  forces  at  Rock 
Island.  The  Governor  ordered  the  troops 
to  rendezvous  at  Beardstown  on  the  22d 
of  April.  We  give  Governor  Reynolds' 
circular  which  he  addressed  to  the  citizen- 
soldiers  in  the  crisis  then  pending: 

"  To  Ihe  Militia  of  the  North-uesiern  section 
of  the  State: 

'■  Fellow  Citizens  : 

"Your  country  requires  your  services. 
The  Indians  have  assumed  hostile  attitude, 
and  have  invaded  the  state  in  violation  of 
the  treaty  of  last  summer.  The  British 
band  of  Sacs  and  other  hostile  Indians, 
headed  by  Black-Hawk,  are  in  pijssession 
of  the  Rock  river  country,  to  the  great 
terror  of  the  inhabitants.  I  consider  the 
settlers  on  the  frontier  to  be  in  imminent 
danger.  I  am  in  possession  of  the  above 
information  from  gentlemen  of  respectable 
standing,  and  also  from  Gen.  Atkinson, 
whose  character  stands  high  with  all 
classes.  In  possession  of  the  above  facts, 
I  have  hesitated  not  as  to  the  course  I 
should  pursue.  No  citizen  ought  to  remain 
inactive  when  his  country  is  invaded, 
and  the  helpless  part  of  the  community  are 
in  danger.  I  have  called  out  a  large  de- 
tachment of  militia  to  rendezvous  at 
Beardstown   on   the   -2d.     Provisions  for 


the  men  and  food  for  the  horses  will  be 
furnished  in  abundance.  I  hope  my  coun- 
trymen will  realize  my  expectations,  and 
offer  their  services,  as  heretofore,  with 
promptitude  and  cheerfulness  in  defence 
of  their  country. 

John  Reynolds." 

To  the  stirring  appeal  of  the  Governor, 
the  patriotic  citizens  of  the  state  and  De 
Witt  county  nobly  responded  in  both  cam- 
paigns of  '31-32.  Many  of  the  best  and 
most  prominent  men  of  the  county  enlisted 
to  protect  the  frontier  and  preserve  the 
honor  of  the  state,  and  did  signal  service 
in  the  memorable  events  of  the  Black- 
Hawk  war. 

Among  those  to  go  from  De  Witt  county 
were  Walter  Bowles  (sergeant),  George 
Coppenbarger,  Asher  Simson,  Elisha  Bai- 
ter, George  D.  Smallweed,  John  Hender- 
son, James  Ennis,  John  Clifton,  John  Wil- 
liams, C.  Cooper,  Samuel  Troxel,  Thomas 
Davenport,  William  Adams,  William 
Hooper,  Joseph  Clifton,  J.  G.  Wright  who 
also  participated  in  what  was  known  as  the 
Winnebago  war  in  1827. 

The  force  marched  to  the  mouth  of  Rock 
river  where  Gen.  Atkinson  received  the 
volunteers  into  the  United  States  service 
and  assumed  command.  Black-Hawk  and 
his  warriors  were  still  uj)  on  the  Rock 
river. 

The  army  under  Atkinson  commenced 
its  march  up  the  river  on  the  9th  of  May. 
Gov.  Reynolds,  the  gallant  "  Old  Ranger," 
remained  with  the  army,  and  the  President 
recognized  him  as  a  major-general,  and  he 
was  paid  accordingly.  His  presence  in  the 
army  did  much  toward  harmonizing  and 
conciliating  those  jealousies  which  gener- 
ally exist  between  volunteers  and  regular 
troops.  Major  John  A.  Wakefield  and 
Col  Ewing  acted  as  spies  for  a  time  in  the 
campaign  of  '32,  to  discover  the  location 
of  the  enemy,  if  possible.  A.  Mr.  Kinney 
acted  as  guide  for  them  ;  he  understood 
the  Sac  dialect.  On  the  14th  of  Jlay, 
1832,  Major  Stillman's  command  had  a 
sort  of  running  battle  with  the  Indians  at 
or  near  what  is  now  known  as  Stillman's 
run,  a  small,  sluggish  stream.  In  the  en- 
gagement eleven  white  men  and  eight  In- 
dians were  killed.  Black-Hawk  and  war- 
riors fought  with  a  spirit  born  of  des- 
peration. Black-Hawk  says  in  his  book 
that  he  tried  at  Stillman's  run  to  call 
back  his  warriors,  as  he  thought  the  whites 
were  making  a  sham  retreat  in  order  to 
draw  him  into  an  ambuscade  of  the  whole 
army  under  General  Whiteside.  The  hasty 
retreat  and  rout  of  Stillnian  and  his  army 
was,  in  a  measure  demoralizing  to  the  en- 


tire forces.  Undoubtedly  the  cause  of  the 
defeat  was  a  lack  of  disci|iline.  When 
Gov.  Reynolds  learned  of  the  disaster  of 
Major  Stillman,  he  at  once  ordered  out 
two  thousand  additional  volunteers.  With 
that  promptitude  characteristic  of  the  old 
"  War  Governor,"  he  wrote  out  by  candle- 
light on  the  evening  of  Stillman's  defeat, 
the  order  for  the  additional  troops,  and  by 
daylight  dispatched  L.  D.  Ewing,  Robert 
Blackwell  and  John  A.  Wakefield  to  dis- 
tribute the  order  to  the  various  counties. 
The  volunteers  again  promptly  responded  ; 
however,  the  soldiers  from  this  county  did 
but  little  fighting.  On  the  10th  of  July 
the  army  disbanded  for  want  of  provisions. 
Gen.  Scott  arrived  soon  after  with  a  large 
force  at  the  post  of  Chicago,  to  effect  if 
possible  a  treaty  with  the  Indians.  Small 
detachments  of  Black-Hawk's  warriors 
would  persistently  hang  on  the  outskirts  of 
the  jjiain  body  of  the  army,  thieve  and 
plunder,  and  pounce  upon  and  kill  the 
lonely  sentinel  or  straggling  .soldier.  On 
the  1.5th  of  July  the  soldiers  were  review- 
ed, and  those  incapable  of  duty  were  dis- 
charged and  returned  home.  Poquette,  a 
half-breed,  and  a  Winnebago  chief,  the 
"  White  Pawnee,"  were  selected  for  guides 
to  the  camp  of  Black-Hawk  and  band. 
Several  battles  and  skirmishes  occurred 
with  the  enemy,  the  principal  of  which 
was  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  where 
the  warriors  fought  with  great  desperation. 
Over  one  hundred  and  fifty  were  killed 
in  the  engagement,  and  large  numbers 
drowned  in  attempting  to  swim  the  river. 
After  the  battle  the  volunteers  were  march- 
ed to  Dixon,  where  they  were  discharged. 

This  ended  the  campaign  and  the  Black 
Hawk  war.  At  the  battle  of  the  Bad  Axe, 
Black  Hawk  and  some  of  his  warriors  es- 
caped the  Americans,  and  had  gone  up  on 
the  Wisconsin  river,  but  subsequently  sur- 
rendered himself.  Fort  Armstrong,  on 
Rock  Island,  wiis  th  ^  place  appointed 
where  a  treaty  would  be  made  with  the 
Indians,  but  before  it  was  efi'ected,  that 
dreadful  scourge,  the  cholera  of  1832,  visi- 
ted not  only  the  regular  army,  depicting 
its  ranks  far  more  rapidly  than  the  balls  of 
the  Indians  had  done,  but  it  also  sought 
out  its  many  victims  in  the  dusky  bands  of 
the  Black  Hawk  tribe. 

On  the  15th  of  September,  1832,  a  treaty 
was  made  with  the  Winnebago  Indians. 
They  sold  out  all  their  lands  in  Illinois 
and  all  south  of  the  Wisconsin  river  and 
west  of  Green  bay,  and  the  government 
gave  them  a  large  district  of  country  west 
of  the  Mississippi,  and  ten  thousand  dollars 
a  year  for  seven  years,  besides  providing 


112 


J I  IS  TOBY  OF  DE   WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


free  schools  for  their  children  for  twenty 
years,  oxen,  agricultural  implements,  etc., 

etc. 

SaptL-mber  21st,  18  )2,  a  treaty  was  made 
with  all  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribes,  on  which  ■ 
they  ceded  to  the  United  States  the  tract  [ 
of  country  on  which  a  few  years  afterwards 
the  State  of  Iowa  was  formed.     In  consid-  , 
eration  of  the  above  cession  of  lands,  the 
government    gave    them    an    annuity    of 
twenty  thousand  dollars  for  thirty  years, 
forty  kegs  of  tobacco  and  forty  barrels  of  i 
salt,  more  gunsmiths,  blacksmith  shop,  etc., 
etc,  six  thousand  bushels  of  corn  for  imme- 
diate   support,   mostly    intended   for   the 
Black  Hawk  band. 

The  treaties  above  mentioned  terminated 
favorably,  and  the  security  resulting  there- 
from gave  a  new  and  rapid  impetus  to  the 
development  of  the  state,  and  now  enter- 
prising towns  and  villages,  and  beautiful  j 
farms,  adorn  the  rich  and  alluvial  prairies 
that  before  were  only  desecrated  by  the 
wild  bands  who  inhabited  them.  Agricul- 
tural pursuits,  commerce  and  manufac- 
tures, churches  and  schools,  are  lending 
their  influence  to  advance  an  intelligent 
and  prosperous  people. 

MEXICAN    WAR. 

War  was  declared  with  Mexico  in  May 
1846,  and  Illinois  under  the  call  for  volun- 
teers was  entitled  to  three  regiments.  E.  D. 
Baker,  then  a  prominent  man  of  Illinois, 
through  the  influence  of  Hon.  O.  B.  Fick- 
liu,  a  congressman  at  the  time,  prevailed 
on  President  Polk  to  allow  him  to  raise  a 
fourth  regiment  from  Illinois,  and  by  this 
means  the  DeWitt  county  men  entered  the 
service.  Mr.  Baker  was  elected  Colonel, 
Lieutenant-Governor  Moore  was  chosen 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Thomas  Harris 
was  elected  Major.  They  were  ordered 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States  from 
the  30th  day  of  April,  1846,  to  the  28th  of 
May,  1847.  The  company  were  mustered 
into  service  July  ISth,  1846,  by  Colonel 
Churchill. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  volunteers 
in  Co.  F.     Tliose  marked  ^*)  were  present 
at  the  muster  out  of  the  coni))any. 
Caoiain.    *  Daniel  Newcombe. 
Isl  Liatlenanl.     Richard  Muvijliy. 
ind  Lientaituil.    *  Benjamin  Howard. 
Zrd  Lieulaimd.     *  Charles  Maltby. 
Orderly  Sergeant.     William  Lowery.    Left  sick  at 

Jalapa.  May  7th,  1847. 
2m;  Serriatiit.    *G.  E.  EenneU. 
■id  Serymnt.     *JohnVenson. 
4tli  Sergeant.    *  Absalom  Hamil'on. 
Isi  Corporal.     *  Icaiah  Davenport. 
•li:4  Corporal.     *  William  Altaii. 
3rd  Corporal.     VVilliam  Kinney.    Hospital  atten- 
dant at  Jalapa.  M.ay  7lh.  1847. 
ith  Corporal.     *  William   Davis. 
Ilusieiun.    *  John  Mason. 


Privates. 

Allsup,  William 

Benson,  Charles  H.,  left  sick  at  llatamora.'s,  Oct. 

9,  1848. 
Brown,  Samuel  J.,  left  sick  at  Matamoras,  Oct. 

9,  1846. 
Beyer,  George  M.,  left  sick  at   Jalapa,  May  7, 

1847.  _ 

*  Beebe,  David 
Bennett,  liabriel  E., 
Belforil,  Owen 
Butler,  William 

*  Brock,  Ellas 
Brown,  James 

«  Clifton,  William 

^  Coppeubarger,  Joseph 

*Chack,  Adam 

Chapman,  J.  F.,  left  sick  at  Matamora.s,  Oct.  9, 

1846. 
*Connell,  Samuel 

*  Clifton,  William 
'  Clifl.in.  Joseph 
Carlock,  Andrew 
^  Davis,  Kemlis 

'^  Davenport,  Isaiah 

Dawson,  James. 

Farris,  Benjamin,  left  sick  at  Metamoras,  Oct.  9, 

1846. 
^' Glenn  Samuel  P., 

*  Glenn,  Darby 

*  Hite,  Levi, was  Sergeant  till  Dec.  6.  1846.  when 

appointed  to  the  (iuarlermasler  Dep't. 
Hill,  Egbert  O.,  left  sick   at  Metamoras,  Oct.  9, 

1846. 
Hutchlns.  Thomas,  killed  In  battle. 

*  Harp,  William 

*  Henry,  James 
Halsey,  Solomon 

Inman,  James,  left  sick  at  Matamoras,  Dec.  14, 
1846. 

*  Logan,  James  A., 

*  McDeed,  John 

*  Martin,  James 

*  Martin,  Benjamin 

Murphy,  Richard,  killed  In  battle. 

*  Purely,  William 
»  Purdy,  John  H., 

*  Price,  John 

®  Ferryman,  James 
"Ru.'»sell,  Lowe  Z. 

*  Richards,  Isaac 

*  Slatten,  Joseph 

*  Star,  Conrad 

*  Strani,  Isaac  H. 

*  Skidmore,  Reuben 
Sherk,  Adam 
*Scroggins,  ,\ndersoii 
^  Sawyer,  Sellck 

Smith,  James  left  sick   at  Matamoras,  Dec.   14, 

1846. 
Thornley,  Leroy,  died  from  wounds,  Jalapa,  May 

7,  1847. 
Tenerv,  Thomas,  died  from  wounds,  .Jalapa,  Mav 

'7,1847. 
Turner,  James  R. 
*Van  Xoh,  Isaac 

*  Webb,  Richard  D. 

*  Wright.  William 
»  Willis,  Isaac  W. 

The  following  were  discharged  on  Sur- 
geon's certificate: 

John  Hutchins,  Camp  Patterson,  Aug.  22,  184C. 
Jerrv  Williams, 

Evan  Richards,  Matamor.as.  Oct.  13,  1840. 
Franklin  Ponieroy,       "  "  " 

Solomon  Halsey,  ''  "  '' 

Daniel  King,  ''  '*  " 

James  B.  Dawson,         "  "         " 

James  Linton,  "  "  " 

Ellas  Brock,  "  "  '' 

Andrew  Brock,  discli'd,  Matamoras  Oct.  13,  '46. 
Thomas  England,    "  "  "        " 

Thomas  Harp,  "  "  '' 

Isaac  McCuddv,  discharged,  Camargo  Nov.  10, 

1846. 
Joseph  Hammllt,  discharged  Vera  Cruz,  May  8, 

1847. 


The  following  died  in  service : 
Jesse  McPherson,  Camp  Patterson,  Aug.  2-5, 1846. 
Isaac  N.  Richards,  "  Sept.  8,  1846. 

Calvin  Payne,  "  Sept.  10,  1846. 

Jesse  Blankenshlp,  Matamoras,  Oct.  .5,  1846. 
William  Wallace,  Camargo,.Nov.  3,  1846. 
Ambrose  Kelmev,         "  Nov.  11,  1846. 

Daniel  Beebe,    '  "  Xov.  14, 1846. 

Theophilus  Johnson,    "  Nov.  8,  1846. 

Job  Clifton,  ''  Nov.  18,  1846. 

William  Butler,  "  Dec.  23,  1847. 

Owen  Belford,  Tamplco,  Feb.  14,  1847. 
Richard  Murphy,  Rio  Delplan,  April  21,  1847. 
Joshua  E.  Jackson,  Cerro  Gordo,  April  21,  1847. 

At  the  present  time  1881,  the  following 
are  still  living  here  : 

Isaac  H.  Stralm,  Isaiah  Davenport,  Thomas 
Harp,  William  J.  Harp,  Benjamin  Howard, 
William  Lowrey  and  Ellas  Brock.     Seven  in  all. 

After  its  formation  this  company  march- 
ed to  Alton,  where  arms  were  in  store, 
which  the  regiment  procured  by  a  little 
manieuvering  on  the  part  of  Col.  Baker 
and  Capt.  J.  S.  Post.  Col.  J.  J.  Hardin, 
believing  that  he  was  entitled  to  these 
arms,  stoutly  protested  agiinst  their  ap- 
propriation by  Col.  Baker,  and  a  wordy 
warfare  ensued  which  came  near  resulting 
in  a  duel.  From  Alton  the  regiment  was 
transferred  to  Jefterson  Barracks,  and  there 
placed  under  charge  of  Col.  Churchill, 
commandant,  under  whom  it  received 
thorough  discipline  and  drill.  About  the 
20th  of  July  the  regiment  was  mustered 
into  service  by  Col.  Croghan,of  Fort  Meigs 
notoriety.  In  a  few  days  the  regiment 
received  orders  and  embarked  for  New 
Orleans,  and  thence  to  Brazos  Santiago 
Bay,  four  milis  north  of  the  month  of  the 
Rio  Grande,  where  it  disembarked. 

They  remained  there  about  a  week, 
when  orders  were  received  to  march  up 
the  Rio  Grande,  a  distance  of  eight  miles. 
At  this  point  orders  were  received  to  move 
still  further  up  the  river  to  Matamoras,  on 
the  Mexican  side,  where  they  remained  a 
few  days,  and  then  moved  on  to  Camargo, 
where  a  great  deal  of  sickness  ensued. 
Returning  to  Matamoras,  they  then 
marched  to  Victoria — marching  on  Christ- 
mas day  forty-five  miles.  About  the  first 
of  January,  1847,  orders  were  received  to 
march  to  Tampico,  two  hundred  miles 
distant,  at  which  place  preparations  were 
made  for  an  attack  on  Vera  Cruz.  Taking 
ship  at  Tampico  about  the  first  of  Febru- 
ary, Vera  Cruz  was  reached  in  sixteen 
days,  and  Company  C  assisted  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  batteries  and  the  bom- 
bardment of  the  city,  which  surrendered 
March  29.  After  the  taking  of  the  city 
of  Vera  Cruz,  Scott's  army  marched  for 
the  city  of  Mexico,  and  en  route  met  Santa 
Anna  at  the  mountain  pass  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  on  the  18th  of  April,  wliere  a  bat- 
tle was  fought. 


LONKLY?  W.' 

MA  BELL  K 

WK   ShfiTLE  : 


lawns  seeded  ai 
mates  without  ob 
Mathews,  819  W. 


CASTING  3 -ACT  PLAY. 

15  TO  20.  EXP.   ONWK. 
SERIOUS       &       AMBITIG. 

_PUPILS  WANTED. 

WANTED     FOR     RADIO     F 
_^  GOOD  SPEAKING  VOICES 

HeraM-Expr( 
Want  Ads  Bri 
Quick   Result 
♦ 

Dial 
Richmond    41 


J 

i! 

HRIlLlh 
DRA/Hi 

at   3. 

iCA_ 

tIA  MEPICAl  AS< 


i,,,,.:..il 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


113 


At  this  battle  Santa  Anna  came  near 
being  taken  prisoner,  and  in  his  effort  to 
escape  left  in  his  carriage  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars  iu  silver  and  his  cork  leg, 
which  were  captured  by  Company  C,  it 
being  at  the  head  of  the  brigade.  The 
next  morning  ensuing  the  battle,  Gen.  Scott 
followed  on  to  Jalapa,  where  Company  F 
remained  about  a  mouth,  when  the  time  of 
enlistment  expired,  and  the  company  re- 
turned via  New  Orleans  and  St.  Louis,  ar- 
riving at  home  about  the  first  of  June, 
1847. 

THE   WAR   FOR   THE   UNION. 

Nothing  better  can  be  said  than  what 
has  been  said  i-elative  to  the  first  company 
raised  in  De  Witt  ounty  in  behalf  of  up- 
holding the  nation  with  a  big  "  N  "  on  the 
occasion  of  one  of  ihe  annual  reunions  of 
Company  E,  Twentieth  Illinois  regiment, 
as  follows: 

"  On  Friday,  April  19,  a  public  meeting 
was  held  at  the  court-house  in  this  city  to 
respond  to  the  call  of  Gov.  Yates  for 
volunteers  under  President  Lincoln's  pro- 
clamation for  seventy-five  thousand  men. 
Old  Colonel  George  B.  Lemen,  who  held  a 
commission  in  the  State  militia,  presided, 
and  made  a  short  speech.  Ttie  crowd 
that  came  to  the  meeting  was  too  large  to 
occupy  tlie  court-room,  so  the  meeting  ad- 
journed to  the  square.  Every  loyal  heart 
was  full  of  enthusiasm,  and  the  soul-.stir- 
ring  notes  of  Jack  Robinson's  fife  and 
John  Stoker's  drum  added  to  the  excite- 
ment. It  was  no  time  for  speech-making  ; 
treason  had  raised  its  hand  against  the 
flag  of  our  country,  and  men  of  all  parties 
were  ready  to  rush  to  arms.  When  Col. 
Lemen  called  for  volunteers,  Evan  Rich- 
ards, a  soldier  of  the  JNIexican  war,  and  a 
practising  physician,  was  the  first  to  step 
forward.  Then  came  Clay  Phares,  J.  M. 
North,  Dr.  G  lodbrake,  J.  Richey  Conklin 
and  others,  who  stepped  into  line  with  him. 
By  this  time  military  ardor  became  catch- 
ing, and  it  was  but  a  little  while  till  the 
company  was  nearly  filled  to  its  maximum. 
An  election  of  officers  was  held  at  once 
and  Evan  Richards  was  elected  Captain ; 
H.  C.  Phares,  First  Lieutenant;  John 
Bullock,  Second  Lieutenant ;  J.  M.  North, 
Third  Lieutenant.  Instead  of  telegraph- 
ing to  Springfield,  Captain  Richards  went 
by  railroad  to  Decatur,  and  from  thence 
to  Springfield.  By  the  time  he  reached 
the  capital  Gov.  Yates  had  tendered  to  him 
more  companies  than  would  thrice  fill  the 
call.  This  was  a  sad, disappointment  to 
the  brave  boys.  However,  the  company 
was  held  in  the  State  service,  and  on 
15 


Friday,  May  10,  it  went  into  camp  at 
Camp  Goodell,  Joliet.  Prior  to  leaving 
the  ladies  of  Clinton  presented  the  com- 
pany with  a  handsome  flag,  the  work  of 
their  own  hands.  The  presentation  speech 
was  made  by  Miss  Lydia  Gideon,  now 
Mrs.  J.  M.  Prior,  and  the  flag  was  ac- 
cepted on  behalf  of  the  company  by  Dr. 
Christopher  Goodbrake.  That  flag  was 
worn  out  in  the  service. 

"  On  the  l.Stli  day  of  .lune  company  E  was 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  at 
Camp  Goodell  as  a  part  of  the  Twentieth 
Regiment — a  regiment  that  afterward  saw 
more  and  harder  service  than  any  that 
went  from  Illinois,  having  been  engaged 
in  more  than  twenty  five  battles  and  minor 
engagements.  It  is  not  necessary  for  us  to 
follow  the  company  and  regiment  thniugh 
all  the  vicissitudes  of  field  and  camp.  The  j 
Twentieth  began  its  fighting  record  at 
Predericktowu,  Mo.,  October  21,  '61,  where 
it  received  its  "baptism  of  fire."  This 
was  the  beginning.  From  the  outset  Co. 
E  sustained  the  honor  of  De  Witt  county. 
We  will  here  recount  the  battles  in  which 
the  regiment  bore  a  valiant  part,  leaving 
it  to  the  survivors  to  fill  in  the  details.  Be- 
ginning at  Fredericktowu,  Mo.,  the  glori- 
ous victories  that  crowned  our  armies  iu 
the  south-west,  from  there  to  Bentonville, 
N.  C,  are  a  part  of  the  history  of  the 
Twentieth.  The_.  skirmish  at  Charleston, 
Mo.,  the  battles  of  Ft.  Henry,  Ft.  Donel- 
son,  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Britton's  Lane  and 
Tallahatchie,  down  to  the  memorable  siege 
of  V  icksburg.  Then  came  Hillsboro,  Canton, 
Meridian,  Big  Shanty,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Nickajack.  And  then  came  the  two  daj's' 
terrific  fighting  at  Atlanta,  known  in  his- 
tory as  the  battles  of  July  21  and  22. 

The  Twentieth  had  sutTjrcd  terribly,  and 
its  numbers  had  become  so  reduced  by 
killed,  wounded  and  sick,  that  there  was 
but  a  bare  remnant  of  it  left.  But  those 
who  were  fit  for  duty  were  as  full  of 
courage  as  on  the  day  when  they  started 
out  from  Camp  Goodell.  After  the  fight  at 
Atlanta  the  remnant  of  the  regiment  was 
mounted.  Gen.  Logan  fittingly  and  feel- 
ingly speaks  of  this  time  in  his  letter,  when 
on  the  morning  of  the  23d  of  July  barely 
enough  men  of  the  entire  regiment  answered 
at  roll-call  to  make  one  company,  and  when 
the  officer  iu  command  of  the  handful  re- 
ported :  '  General,  this  is  the  Twentieth 
regiment.' 

And  then  began  Sherman's  celebrated 
march  to  the  sea,  in  which  the  Twentieth 
bore  a  prominent  part.  The  fights  at  Ogee- 
chee  Bridge  and  Millen,  Ga.,  were  but  a 
slight  taste  of  what  followed  at  the  twelve 


days'  siege  of  Savannah.  Then  came  Poco- 
taligo.  South  Ellsto,  Orangeburg,  Colum- 
bia, Cheraw,  Fayetteville,  Big  Raft  Swamp, 
and  finally  wound  up  the  fighting  at  Ben- 
tonville, North  Carolina. 

On  to  Washington,  via  Richmond,  went 
the  Twentieth,  where  tlie  boys,  ragged  and 
shoeless,  took  part  in  the  grand  review. 
Then  for  "  home,  sweet  home."  The  regi- 
ment was  sent  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  it 
was  mustered  out  of  the  service  on  the 
lOth  of  July,  1865,  having  served  for  over 
four  years  from  the  date  of  mustering  in. 
Then  to  Chicago,  where  the  boys  were  paid 
off.  Out  of  one  hundred  and  fourteen 
men  that  belonged  to  Co.  E  from  its 
organization  till  the  date  of  its  discharge, 
not  more  than  fifty  lived  to  return  to  their 
homes. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  re-union  referred 
to.  Dr.  C.  Goodbrake  delivered  the  follow- 
ing address  of  welcome,  which  is  replete 
with  patriotic  thought: 

Comrades, — I  never  saw  the  time  when, 
if  I  applied  myself  studiously  to  the  task, 
I  could  not  compo.se  some  sort  of  an  ad- 
dre.^^s,  or  essay  on  any  subject  with  which  I 
was,  at  least  to  some  extent,  acquainted ; 
but  ever  since  the  day  when  a  few  of  us 
met  to  consult  over  the  arrangements  for 
this  re-union,  where  it  was  hinted  to  me 
that  I  as  chairman  of  the  committee  would 
be  called  upon  to  make  a  few  remarks,  I 
have  tried  to  compose  something  which 
would  be  appropriate  to  present  to  you  on 
this  anniversary  of  our  muster  into  the  ser- 
vice ;  and  I  must  acknowledge  that  for 
once  I  have  most  signally  failed.  Every 
time  I  have  endeavored  to  collect  my 
thoughts  for  the  task  I  could  think  of 
nothing  ouly  how  in  April,  l^jGl,  the  coun- 
try became  aroused,  en  masse  at  the  acts 
of  the  South,  at  southern  impudence, 
southern  threats  and  southern  treason. 
How  Col.  Lemen  came  down  to  Clinton, 
procured  a  drummer  and  fifer  and  beat  up 
for  volunteers;  how  enough  of  us  sio-ntd 
the  roll  to  constitute  a  company ;  how  we 
held  an  election  in  the  old  court-house 
which  resulted  iu  the  choice  of  Evan  Rich- 
ards, Captain,  H.  Clay  Phares,  1st  Lieu- 
tenant;  James  M  North,  2d  Lieutenant; 
and  John  R.  Conklin,  Orderly  Sergeant ; 
how  the  ladies  presented  us  with  a  flag  on 
Snell's  Hill ;  how  speeches  were  made ; 
how  every  heart  beat  with  the  strong  im- 
pulse of  patriotism,  and  how  every  man  in 
the  company  was  resolved  to  aid  iu  caus- 
ing the  flag  of  our  Union  to  be  respected, 
and  the  mandates  of  our  government  to  be 
obeyed  throughout  our  whole  country',  or 
perish  in  the  attempt.  Then,  in  my  mind's 


114 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


eye,  I  can  see  the  company — then  called 
the  De  AVitt  County  Guards — march  to  the 
depot,  then  the  hasty  and  tearful  hand- 
shaking and  earnest  adieus,  between  friends 
and  relations,  which  with  a  great  many  of 
our  comrades  were  the  last  on  earth.  Then 
ail-aboard  for  Joliet :  then  the  encamp- 
ment at  Camp  Goodell ;  then  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  20th  regiment  of  Illinois  volun- 
teers when  the  Dd  Witt  County  Guards 
became  company  "  E  " ;  then  the  months 
of  encampment  under  the  auspices  of  the 
State,  and  then  on  the  13th  of  June  the 
mustering  of  the  regiment  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  by  Capt.  Pitcher, 
U.  S.  A.,  for  three  years,  unless  sooner  dis- 
charged. 

Comrades,  you  well  know  how  many 
who  on  that  beautiful  June  day  held  up 
their  good  right  hands  were  discharged ; 
some  by  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability, 
and  many  were  discharged  from  further 
service  here  on  earth,  being  transferred  to 
the  Grand  Army  above,  where  we  hope  the 
God  of  battles  has  given  them  a  glorious 
rest  eternal. 

I  now  see  the  regiment  on  the  way  to 
Alton,  where  we  received  our  first  tents  and 
where  camp  life  began  in  earnest.    But  we 
can't  tarry  here,  for  "still  must  we  on,"  and 
we   find   ourselves   at  the  Arsenal  at  St. 
Louis,  and  then  down  the  "  Father  of  Wa- 
ters" to  Cape  Girardeau  ;  and  here  we  may 
say  the  "  tramp,  tramp,  tramp"  of  our  sol- 
dier life  commenced  in  reality.     From  the 
Cape  we  go  to  Jackson,  thence  back  to  the 
Cape ;  then  to  Bird's  Point,  back  again  to 
the  Cape,  then  through  Jackson  and  Dallas 
to  Fredericktown,  where  our  regiment  re- 
ceived its  "baptism  of  fire,"  and  where  it 
assisted  in  gaining  a  signal  victory  over 
JeflT.  Thompson,  which  I  believe  was  the 
first  complete  victory  during  the  war ;  for 
those  of  the  enemy  who  were  not  killed  or 
wounded,  were  completely  routed  and  scat- 
tered in  flight.   Oh  !  how  my  heart  swelled 
within  me  on  that  occasion,  to  see  the  boys 
— OUR  OWN   BOYS — Stand   up  so  bravely 
before  the  enemy.    Well,  back  we  marched 
through  Cape  Girardeau  to  Bird's  Point, 
then  to   Fort  Jefi'erson,  back  again,  and 
then,   hurrah!  for   Fort  Henry  and  Fort 
Donelson,    where,     at    the    latter    place, 
''  Greek   met  Greek,"  and  where,  after  the 
battle  was  over,  the  20th  had  lost  twenty 
killed  and  nearly  one  hundred  wounded. 
But  now  on  to  Shiloh,  where  on   that  (ith 
day  of  April,  that  glorious  spring  morning, 
on  the   holy  Sabbath,  the  long-roll  again 
beat  to   call   our  regiment  into  that  two 
days'  fight,  the  most  terrible  fighting  that 
ever  transpired    on    this   con.ineut,   and 


where  we  lost  about  one-third  killed  and 
wounded,  of  the  fighting  force  left  us  after 
the  battle  of  Donelson.  To  the  losses  of 
tlie  regiment  in  both  these  battles,  com- 
pany "  E "  contributed  a  large,  yea,  a 
melancholy  number.  At  Shiloh,  losing 
four  killed  and  twenty-three  wounded  out 
of  forty-three  who  went  into  action. 

But  I  cannot  particularize.  You  have 
not  forgotten  the  slow  advance  to  Corinth, 
the  march  to  Jackson,  Tennessee,  then  on 
to  Estinaula  ;  then  the  battle  of  Britton's 
Lane;  then  on  to  La  Grange,  Holly 
Springs,  Oxford,  and  Yaughnapataupha, 
and  then  back  to  La  Grange,  Memphis, 
down  the  river  to  Lake  Providence,  Milli- 
kin's  Bend,  Hardtimes  Landing,  Port  Gib- 
son, Raymond,  Jackson,  Champion's  Hill, 
and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  Have  you 
forgotten  the  forty-four  days  among  the 
sand-hills  in  the  rear  of  that  stronghold  of 
rebeldom  ?  Have  you  forgotten  the  final 
surrender  and  your  glorious  march  into 
the  city  on  that  hot  and  sultry  Fourth  of 
July,  under  your  gallant  leader,  John  A. 


1865,  after  serving  four  years  and  twelve 
days. 

Comradee,  what  a  gloriou.s  reconl  is  this 
for  company  "  E,"  of  the  Twentieth  Illinois 
Infantry !  You  marched  through  sixteen 
different  states,  fought  fifteen  battle?,  shared 
in  four  sieges,  besides  taking  part  in  almost 
innumerable  skirmishes ;  and  you  have 
the  proud  satisfaction  to  tell  your  children 
you  belonged  to  a  comjjany,  a  regiment,  a 
brigade,  a  division,  a  corps,  and  an  army 
that  never  sustained  defeat,  but  always 
conquered. 

Comrades,  my  task  is  done.  I  will  only 
add  that  I  am  glad  to  see  so  many  of  you 
here  to-day.  For  myself  and  in  behalf  of 
the  committee  of  arrangements,  I  heartily 
greet  you.  In  the  name  of  our  local  au-  ' 
thorities,  and  the  mothers  and  daughters 
of  Clinton,  I  welcome  you  to  our  city  and 
to  the  Reunion  Picnic ;  and  I  hope  you 
will  enjoy  yourselves  in  every  rational 
manner  possible  on  this  occasion.  You 
can  renew  old  friendships,  you  can  take 
each  other  by  the  hand,  you  can  tell  your 


Logan  ?     "  No ;  I  see  the  memory  of  those  j  old  camp  fire  stories  and  sing  your  old  war 
days  and  scenes  are  with  you  to-day." 


Now  comes  the  guarding  of  the  city,  the 
march  to  Brownsville,  the  raid  to  Meridian, 
the  steaming  up  the  river  to  Cairo,  up  the 
Ohio  and  Tennessee  to  Clifton  ;  then  the 
march  to  Rome  by  way  of  Huntsvdle  and 
Decatur ;  and  on,  on,  to  Big  Shanty  and 
Kenesaw  Mountain  ;  down  to  Nickajack, 
Marietta  and  Atlanta,  where,  on-  the  22d 
of  July,  1864,  you  fought  the  last,  great 
battle  in  which  you  were  engaged,  and 
which  left  eighteen  men  for  duty  belonging 
to  your  regiment.  But  soon  Atlanta  fell, 
and  you  followed  our  glorious  old  chieftain 
"from  Atlanta  to  the  sea." 

From  Atlanta  you  served  as  head- 
quarters' guard  of  the  Third  Division. 
You  were  mounted,  and  the  whole  regi- 
ment, after  all  details  were  called  in,  num- 
bered for  y-two  men  present  for  duty. 
What  a  falling  off  was  there  in  numbers, 
from  the  time  we  left  Joliet,  and  the  morn- 
ing you  left  Atlanta  and  turned  your  faces 
Savanuahwards  ? 
j  After  Sherman  presented  President  Lin- 
coln with  Savannah  as  a  Christmas  gift, 
!  you  marched  inland  again  from  Beaufort, 
j  through  Pocotaligo,  Orangeburg,  Colum- 
bia, Fayettesville,  Bentonville,  Goldsboro, 
and  Raleigh ;  then  on  through  Richmond 
to  Washington,  where,  at  the  "  Great  Re- 
view "  you  represented  part  and  parcel  of 
"Sherman's  Bummers." 

From  Washington  you  were  ordered  to 
Louisville,  Ky.,  thence  to  Chicago,  where 
you  were  paid  ofl'  and  discharged,  July  25, 


songs. 

"  You  can  fisht  a  bloodless  battle. 
You  can  .skirmish  along  the  route. 
But  it's  not  worth  while  to  forage. 
There  are  r.itions  enough  without." 
ROLL  CALL-PRESENT  AND  ACCODNTED  FOR. 

C.  Goodbrake — Promoted  Surgeon  June  13, 
'CI  ;  resigned  Sep.  17,  '64. 

Evan  Richards,  Capt. — Promoted  Major  Dec. 
17,  '61  ;  Lieut.  Col.  Feb,  62  :  wounded  at  Shiloh, 
Tenn.,  April  6,62;  killed  at  Raymond,  Miss., 
Mav  12,  -fiS. 

H.  E.  Phares— Elected  Ist  Lieuttnant  Mav  10, 
'61;  rtsigned  Jan.,   62. 

James  M.  North — Elected  2d  Lieutenant  May 
10,  '61;  promoted  Captain  Jan.  1,  '62;  wounded 
at  Sliiloh,  Tenn  ,  .-Vpril  6,  '62;  mustered  out  Aug. 
G,  '64. 

RoUa  T.  Richards — .Appointed  2d  Assisslant 
Surgeon  Sep.  1,  '61 ;  1st  A.ssistant  Surgeon  Nov. 
17,  'ti.j ;  Surgeon  Sep.  17,  '64 ;  mustered  out  July 
16,  'ft; ;  died   at  Farmer  Ciiy,  111.,  in  '66. 

J.  R.  Cunklin,  1st  Sergean't — Appointed  Sergt. 
Major ;  promoted  Adjutant  April  7, '62;  mustered 
out  Nov.  27,  '64. 

E.  "W.  Gideon,  Sergeant— Appointed  Hospital 
Steward  June  1?,  '61  ;"  died  at  C.inton,  Nov.  '61. 
Ephraim  Carruihers.  Sergeant — Killed  at  Fort 
Donelson  Feb.  14,  '62. 

J.  M.  Porter,  Sergeant — Promoted  1st  Sergeant 
Jan.  1, '6.5;  Breveted  2il  Lieutenant  July  16, 
'6-3 :  mustered  out  July  16,  "6-5. 

V.  Warner,  Sergeant — Promoted  2d  Lieutenant 

Jan.   1,'62;   wounded   at   Shiloh   April   6, '62; 

promoted   Captain   Comraissarv    of   Subsistence 

Feb.  13,  'G.5 ;  Breveted  Slajor  March  13,  '65. 

James  M.  Lemen — Promoted  1st  Sergeant  Jan. 

15,  '62;  woiindeil  at  Cliaoipion  Hi  1,  Miss.,  May 

16,  '63;  discharged  June  13,  '64. 

James  McAlhaney— Wounded,  caplured  and 
paroled  at  Britton's  Lane,  Tenn  ;  never  returned 
to  company. 

Samuel  B.  McJIurry — Died  at  Mound  City. 
111..  March  13,  '62. 

Wm.  H.  Brewster — Discharged  Nov.  12,  '62, 
for  disability. 

J.  N.  D  rbv — Wounded  at  Britton's  Lane, 
Tenn..  Sep.  10,' '62;  missing. 

Thos.  N.  Bverh— Wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6, 
'62 ;  discharged  April  20,  '63. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


115 


Lafayette  Lucas — Died  at  Ciniennali,  O.,  JKir. 
21, '02. 

Martin  Mohrle — Promoted  for  Color  Sergeant; 
wounded  at  Shiloh,  Tenn.,  April  6.  '62;  awarded 
medal  for  bravery  at  Vicksbiirg;  killed  in  action 
at  Atlanta,  G;u,  July  21,  '6i,  and  buried  on  the 
field. 

Clixs.  Aughinbaugh — Discharged  Nov  2-S,  '61, 
for  disability ;  re-enlisted  in  J07th  III.,  Aug.  '02. 

Wnl.  3.  Bayles — Veteran  :  captured  at  Brit- 
ton'3  Lane,  Teun.,  Sep.  1,  '62,  again  at  Atlanta, 
Ga,  Julv  221,  '64,  exchanged  Xov.  '6i,  dis- 
charged July  16,  '6.5. 

Riley  Aler.  discharged  Sep.  6,  '62,  since  died. 

Wra."  A.  Allen,  missing  OcU  30,  '61. 

John  G.  BohoD,  discharged  .lune  l.>,  '64. 

Gus  Bayha.  discharged  June  13.  '64. 

J.  M'.  Beattv,  died  at  Clinton,  March  10,  '67. 

B.  S.  Brown,  killed  April  G,  '62,  at  Shiloh. 

F.  i\[.  Bates,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6,  '62, 
and  discharged  Sep.  5,  '62. 

TIm-s.  Butler,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6,  '02, 
and  .lischarged  Oct.  28,  '62. 

JauiL-s  K.  Brewster,  died  Xov.  17,  '61,  at  Cairo, 
111. 

George^  Bazler,  discharged  April  12,  '62;  since 
died. 

Asa  W.  Cain,  died  at  Clinton,  March  2-5,  '62. 

J.  W.  Cain,  wounded    at    Ft.    Donelson  Feb. 

14,  '62,  died  April  12,  '62,  from  wounds  received 
at  Shiloh,  April  6,  '62. 

John  C.  Cain,  died  at  Louisville,   Ky.,  June 

5,  '64. 

Gideon  Chenoweth,  discharged  April  4,  '63, 
for  disability  from  wounds  received  at  Jackson, 
Tenn. 

Wm.  D.  Cole,  died  at  Clinton,  May  22,  '02. 

AVra.  J.  Comstock,  disch.irged  June  13,  '64. 

Thos.  W.  Clark,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6, 
'62;  date  of  discharge  unknown. 

Wm.  Cartv,  died  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  Sep. 

15,  '61. 

John  Drury,  missing,  Oct.  3,  '61. 

finmuel  Denton,  sergeant,  wounded  at  Big 
Shanty,  Ga.,  June  12.  '64,  and  Atl.ant.a,  Ga  ,  July 
21, '04;  promoted  1st  Lieutenant;   veteran  Aug. 

6,  '64;  mustered  out  July  16,  '65. 

Isaac  F.  Dawson,  sergeant,  discharged  June  13, 
'64. 

D.  B.  Franklin,  veteran,  wounded  at  Vicks- 
burg,  MLss.,  May  2-5,  '63 ;  captured  at  Atlanta.  Ga., 
Julv  22,  '64;  exchanged  Xov.  64;  mustered  out 
July  16,  '0.3. 

E.  B.  Gibhs.  wounded  at  Britton's  Lane,  Tenn., 
Sep.  1.  '62;  discharged  June  13,  '64. 

J.  M.  Griffin,  died  at  Fort  Donelson  Feb.  14, 
'61. 

M-  L.  Harrison,  died  at  Cape  Girardeau,  5Io., 
Oct.  6,  '61. 

Jamts  M  Hall,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April 6, '62; 
discharged  Aug.  28,  '62. 

Oliver  Harrold,  veteran,  captured  near  Canton, 
Mi.ss.,  Feb.  't^A ;  remained  in  prison  until  close  of 
war;  mustered  out  July  [Q,  '6.5. 

Joshua  C.  Hull,  wounded  at  Britton's  Lane, 
Tenn.,  Sep.  1,  '62;  discharged  Xov.  14,  '62. 

George  A.  Hull,  discharged  June  13,  '04. 

L.  A.  B.  Hormell,  Sergeant,  discharged  June 
13,  '64. 

E.  -\.  Hnbbell,  died  from  wounds  received  at 
Shiloh  April  10,  '62. 

Jos.  M.  Jones,  veteran,  wounded  at  Raymond, 
Miss  ,  May  12,  '63,  and  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  22, 
'64,  captured  ;  exclianged  Nov.  '64,  and  died  at 
Annapolis,  Md.,  Dec.  11,  '64,  from  inhuman  treat- 
ment while  prisoner  at  Andersonville. 

M.  Y.  Jiidd,  transferred  to  invalid  corps  Aug. 
9,  '63 ;  since  died. 

Abner  C.  Kneadler,  discharged  .Tune  3,  '64. 

J.  H.  Kelly,  died  at  Clinton  March  30,  '02. 

J.  J.  Kenney,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  Feb.  20, 
•62. 

Svlvester  M.  King,  wounded  manv  times,  at 
Shiloh.  April  6,  '62;  discharged  Oct.  12,  '62. 

R.  B.  Moodv,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6,  '62  ; 
discharged  June  13.  '64. 

J.  F.  Miller,  killed  in  action  at  Shiloh  April  6, 
'62. 

J.  W.  McDonald,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6, 
'62;  discharged  Sep.  23,  '62. 

John   McFarhind,  veteran,  wounded  at  Shiloh 


April  6,  '62;   mustered  out  Julv  10,  '0-5;  since 
died. 

.Joe  Morrison,  veteran,  wounded  at  Raymond, 
Miss.,  May  12,  '03 ;  captured  at  Atlanta.  Ga., 
Julv  22, '64;  exchanged  Nov.  64;  mustered  out 
Julv  16,  '65. 

f  heo.  McGee,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  0,  '02 ; 
di.scharged  June  13.  '64. 

R.  H.  Mecum,  veter.m,  wounded  at  Ravmond, 
Miss.,  Mav  12,  '03;  discharged  Julv  16,  '()-5. 

Pat  Malonev,  died  at  S:.  LouU,'Mo.,  Nov.  24, 
'62. 

Alex.  Martin,  veteran,  captured  at  Atlanta,  Ga., 
J'llv  22.  '64  ;  exchanged  Nov.  '64 ;  mustered  out 
July  10,  ■O.5. 

Samuel  P.  Martin,  veteran,  discharged  July  16, 
'6-5. 

W.  H.  Marrs,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6,  '62 ; 
discharged  Oct.  12,  '02. 

W.  H.  Miller,  died  .at  Pekin.  111..  Feb.  6,  '62. 

Jas.  McGough,  discharged  June  13,  '64. 

Jas.  A.  Morrison  discharged  Dec.  7,  '61,  for 
disibilify  ;  died  at  Clinton. 

Theo.  McKirrigan,  killed  at  Raymond,  Miss., 
M  ly  12.  '03. 

G.  F.  Marsh,  veteran,  wounded  .it  Vicksburg. 
Mi.ss.,  Mav  22,  '63,  and  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  July  22, 
'64  ;  mustered  out  July  16,  '65. 

Lewis  Long,  veteran,  wounded  at  Vicksburg, 
Miss..  May  22, '63.  and  Atlanta,  Ga,  July  21, 
'64;  diseliar.red  .Ipril  12.  "65. 

Theo.  Nicholson,  died  at  Cairo,  III.,  Nov.  IS, 
'61. 

J.  M.  Osborn.  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6,  '62; 
discharged  at  Keokuk.  la.,  O.-t.  13.  '62. 

R.  E.  Osrburn,  died  at  St.  Louis  March  2S,  '62. 

D.inlel  O'Leary,  discharged  Aug.  1,  '64. 

John  A..  Porter,  discharged  at  .Si.  Louis  Mav  7, 
'62. 

Thos.  Patterson,  died  at  Mound  Citv,  111.,  Oct. 
23.  'CI. 

Samuel  Proud,  veteran.  .Tan.  8,  '04. 

John  Rcs5,  killed  at  Hillsboro,  Miss.,  Feb.  15, 
'64. 

S.  D.  Robb.  wounded  at  Fort  Donelson,  Feb. 
14,  '62;  killed  ^  Shiloh  April  6.  '02.     • 

J.  C.  Robb,  died  at  Wavnesville,  111.,  April  6, 
'62. 

Eli  Ratcliffe,  killed  at  Raymond,  Miss.,  May 
12,  '63. 

O.  S.  Sampson,  veteran,  killed  at  Neuse  River, 
N.  C,  April.  '05. 

.Tohn  F.  Street,  veteran,  run  Vicksburg  block- 
ade .\pril  22,  '03;  mustered  out  July  16,  '05. 

David  Schmidt,  wounded  at  Britton's  Lane, 
Tenn.,  Sep.  1,  '62,  and  at  Raymond,  Miss.,  May 
12.  '63;  discharged  June  13,  '04. 

Jas.  W.  Seott,'discliarged  Feb.  5.  '03,  for  disa- 
bility ;  killed  by  cars  at  W'apella,  III. 

John  Solomon,  died  at  Vicksburg,  Jliss.,  July 
9,  '03. 

John  Short,  wounded  .at  Shiloh  April  6, '62; 
Britton's  Lane.  Sept.  1,  '62;  discharged  June  8, 
■63;  killed  at  Wapella,  III. 

Chas.  A.  Stewart,  discharged  June  12,  '03,  for 
disability. 

J.  A.  Slatten,  wounded  at  Donelson;  killed  at 
Britton's  Lane,  Tenn.,  Sept.  1,  '02. 

Wra.  R.  Thomas,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6, 
'62  ;  discharged  .June  13,  '04. 

David  West,  discharged  Nov.  23,  '01,  for  disa- 
bility. 

Charles  A.  Winslow,  discharged  Nov.  2S,  '61, 
for  disability. 

R.  .J.  W.'Winn,  missing  from  camp  near  Hum- 
boldt, Tenn.,  Oct.  12,  '02;  never  heard  from. 

Asa  Wilson,  wounded  at  Ravmond,  Miss.,  May 
12,  '63;  discharged  June  13,  '04. 

J.  P.  Yeanians,  discharged  June  13,  '04. 

Jacob  Hogle,  veteran,  captured  at  Britton's 
Lane,  Tenn.,  and  at  Atlanta,  Ga. ;  exchanged 
June.  '64;  mustered  out  July  10,  '65;  since  died. 

S.  K.  Carter,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6,  '62 ; 
,  discharged  Sept.  2,  '02. 

Joel  E.  King,  disch.arged  Oct  11,  '62. 

J.  \.  Edmiston,  hospital  steward.  Nov.  1,  '61; 
1st  Lieutenant  Jan. '62;  Captain  March  21, '05  ; 
I  captured  at  Atlanta,  G.a.,  Julv  22,  '04;  exchanged 
1  Sept.  28,  '04. 

I       James  H.  Bean,  veteran,  wounded  near  .\tlanta, 
Ga..  July  21,  '04;  discharged  July  10,  '05. 


Alex.  G.  Bettis,  wounded  at  Shiloh  April  6, 
'02  ;  discharged  Dec.  1.5,  '63. 

J.  H.  Hutciiinson,  died  at  Cincinnati,  O  ,  March 
19.  '02,  from  wounds  received  at  Donelson. 

J.  H.  Hudson,  died  at  St.  Louis  May  7,  '62, 
from  wounds  received  at  Shiloh. 

W.  R.  Ivelly,  veteran  recruit;  mustered  out 
July  16,  '05. 

Fred.  Moldenhour,  veteran  recruit;  mustered 
out  July  10,  '65. 

G.  W.  Morgan  died  at  Jackson,  Tenn.,  Sept. 
15,  '62 

Thos.  B.  Phillips.  veter.an  recruit;  captured  at 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  Jidy  22,  '61;  exchanged  Nov.  '04; 
mustered  out  July  10,  '65. 

Isaac  R.  Porter,  discharged  Oct  29,  '62,  for 
disabilitv. 

Chas.  "E.  Price,  discharged  Feb.  16,  62,  for 
disability. 

Samuel  Richards,  promoted  chaplain  June  13, 
'63 ;  resigueil  January  29,  '04. 


W.  R.  S-nith,  veteran,  wounde  I  at  Siake  Creek. 

Gap,  Ga.,  mustered  out  July  16,  '65. 
H.   B.   Runnels,  mustered  into  service  to  take 
effect  March  4,  '63 ;  mustered  out  July  16,  '05. 
James   Franklin,    cook  for  company  from   1861 

to  1S64. 
George  R.  Watt,  mustered  into  service  in   Dec. 
'61 ;  mustered  out  July  16,  '65,  as  .Sergeant. 

SEVENTH   IXFANTRT  REGIMENT. 
(three   YEAKs'  SEEriCE.) 
ML'STEE   ROLL   COMPANY  E. 

PrU-alcs. 
Chadderon,  Jonas  G.,  discharged  April  7,  1862. 
Darrow,  Thomas  R.,  discharged  Dec.  21,  1861. 

eighth  isf.ixtrv  regiment, 
(three  yeae-s'  sertice.) 
muster  roll  compasy  k. 

Ermti. 

Gondy,  Robert  L.,  discharged  April   22,  1863, 
disability. 

thirteenth  infantry  regiment, 
(three  y'eabs'  service.) 
This  was  organized  under  the  Ten-Regi- 
ment Bill  at  Dixon,  111.,  May  9,  1861,  and 
mustered  into  the  U.  S.  Service  May  24, 
1861.  It  made  several  marches  through 
Missouri  and  Arkansas,  and  July  9,  1864, 
consolidated  with  the  Fifty-sixth  Illinois 
Infantry  Volunteers. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   E. 
Priade. 
Patch,  William  B.,  deserted  March  10,  1862. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   G. 

JJeci'Ui'b. 

.\lden,  Henrv  D.,  died  Nov.  5,  1861. 

Baclius,  Delo's  W.,  mustered  out  June  18,  1864. 

Stiles,  George  H.,  deserted  Oct.  27,  1S02. 

fiftee-nth  infantry  regime.nt. 

(three  years'  service.) 

muster  roll  company  c. 

Primtes. 

See,  Garrett,  discharged  Aug.  13,  1862, disability. 

See,  Alfred,  discharged  June  1,  1802,  disability. 

Wood,    Newel  P.,  Vet.,  mustered  out  May  30, 

1805. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY    H. 

Vderan, 
McKiulev,  James  H.,  mustered  out  Aug.  14, 1805. 


116 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLIKOIS. 


TWENTIETH     TNFANTEY. 
(THREE  years'  SERTICE.) 

Tliis  rrgiment  was  organized  at  Joliet, 
May  14,  1861,  as  volunteers.  It  was  mus- 
tered into  the  United  States  service  for 
three  years,  June  13,  ISGl,  by  Capt.  T.  G. 
Pitrher,  U.  S.  A.  The  regiment  left  Joliet 
June  18,  by  order  of  Governor  Yates,  and 
proceeded  to  Alton,  Illinois,  July  6:h ; 
moved  to  St.  Louis  Arsenal  on  the  10th, 
to  Cape  Girardeau  on  the  12th,  to  Bird's 
Point;  October  17th,  returned  to  Cape  Gi- 
rardeau :  on  the  19th  moved  to  Frederick- 
town,  and  on  the  following  day  had  an 
engagement  with  the  enemv,  under  Jeff. 
Thompson,  in  which  it  was  victorious.  Janu- 
ary 14,  1862,  accompanied  General  Grant 
on  a  reeonuoissance  in  Kentucky,  toward 
Columbus,  and  returned  to  Bird's  Point  on 
the  '20th.  On  the  2d  of  February  moved 
to  Fort  Henry,  and  on  the  4th  occupied 
the  Fort.  February  11th  arrived  before 
Fort  Donelsou,  and  participated  in  the 
three  days'  battle.  Ariived  at  Pittsburg 
Landing  March  24th  ;  was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh,  April  6th  and  7th ;  was 
ordered  from  its  position  before  Coriuth 
June  3d,  arriving  at  Jackson  the  8th. 
September  1st,  engaged  the  enemy  at  Brit- 
ton's  Lane,  and  rtturned  to  Jackson  on 
the  4ih ;  arrived  at  Lagrange  on  the 
11th  and  moved  from  there  to  Holly  Springs 
on  the  30th  ;  left  Holly  Springs  December 
1st;  crossed  the  Tallahatchie  river  on  the 
3d,  arriving  at  Oxford  ;  returned  to  Talla- 
hatchie river  December  24,  1862. 

The  regiment  was  mustered  out  July  16, 
186-5,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  arrived  at 
Chicago  July  19,  1865,  for  final  payment 
aud  discharge. 

The  above  is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  move- 
ments of  the  Twentieth  Regiment,  and 
below  may  be  found  the  names  of  those  who 
volunteered  from  De  Witt  county. 

Limt  Colonel. 
Eran  Eichards,  killed  iu  battle.  May  12,  1863. 

Jolin  E.  Conklin,  term  t.xpiinl  >'ov.  27,  1S64. 

Sii.-fiains. 
Chrirtnpher  Gooilbi-ake,  resigned  Sept.  17,  1S64. 
Kulla  T.  Eicliards,  uiustertd  out  July  16,  1S65. 

a,ai,!a;,i. 
Samuel  Eiclmrds,  resigned  Jan   29,  1864. 

SOX-COJIMISSIOXED  STAFF. 

Sergeant  Major. 
John  E.  Conklin,  promoted. 

Honiiittil  Slorunl. 
EdniuW.  Gideon,  d. at  Clinton,  111,  Nov.  29,  ISCl. 

firSTER  ROLL  CO.MFASy  E. 
O'plaiiii. 
.James  J[.  Xorll),  term  rxpired  .\ns.  6,  1SG4. 
John  .\.  EdmUlon,  musleral  out  July  16,  1S63. 


Firft  Lieiittmmts. 
Henry  C.  Pliares,  resigned  Jan.  30.  1862. 
Samuel  Denton,  mustered  out  July  16,  1S65. 

Second  Lleutenantft. 
Vespasian  Warner,  term  expired  Dec.  10,  18(54. 
John  M.  Porter,  must'd  out  asserg't,  July  16,  ^6-5. 

Serf/eants. 
Eph.  D.  Carnithers,  k'd  at  Ft.  Donl'sn  Feb.  1.5,  '62 
Jno.  M.  Porter,  vet.,  m'd   out  July  1.5,  (>3,  as  s'gt. 

Carpornl.,. 
Jas.  il.  Lenien.  disch'd  June  1.3,  '64.  as  sergeant. 
James  Mc.Vllianev,  reduced;  d.serled. 
Saui'l  B.  McMurrav.  died  Mound  citv,  Mar.  i3,'6.5 
\Vm.  M.  lirewster,  diseli'd  Nov.  12.''G2;  disbl'ty. 
John  A.  Darbv,  deserted,  Oct   1,  1S61. 
Tbos.  X.  Bver'lev,  disc-b'd  .\pril  20,  '63;  woMnds 
Lafayetie,  Lucas,  died  at  Cincinnati.  March  31.  '62 
Martin  Morely,  vet.  k'd  Atlanta,  Ua.  July  31,  '64. 

MuMcians. 
Chas  .\Hgbonbaugb,  dis.  Nov.  2.S.  '61 :  dis'blty. 
Wm.  E.  Eayles,  vet.,  miist'd  out  May  13,  '6-5. 

Wtifffmer, 
Martin  K.  Ilarrison,  died  Cape  Girad'u,  Oct.  6,  '61. 

Prn-alrs. 
Alex.  Eilev,  disch'd  Sept.  6, 1862:  disability. 
Allen,  Wm.  A.,  deserted  Oct.  30,  1S6I. 
I!olton,  .;,)lm  G.,  disch'd  June  13.  1864. 
Bavha.  (iu^stave,  disch'd  .Inne  13,  1864. 
Battv,  John  \V.,  disch'd  June  13,  1864. 
BroH-n,  Beni.  8.,  died  April  9,  1861,  wounds. 
Biles,  Fr.wcis  M.,  disch'd  .Sept.  ii,  '62;  disb'lty. 
Itutler,  Thomas,  disch'd  Oct.  28,  1862;  wonnds. 
Brewster,  James  E  ,  died  at  Cairo,  Xov.  17,  '61. 
Eavler,  George,  disch'd  April  12.  '62;  di>-b'ltv. 
C.iin,  Asa  W.]  died  at  Clinton,  111..  M.arch  22.''C2. 
Cnin.  John  C.  died  at  Louisville,  Kv.,  June5,  '63. 
Clin,  John  W.,  died  April  10,  1863:  wonnds. 
Chenoworth.  Gideon,  disch'd'Ap.  14, '62:  wonnds. 
C.le,  Wm.  D.,  died  at  Clinton,  HI.,  Mav  22,  '62. 
Comstock,  William  J.,  di-cb,->rged  June  'l3,  1864. 
Clark,  Thomas  W.,  di.sch:irged. 
Cartv,  William,  died  Cape  Girard'u,  Sept.  15,  '61. 
Drurv.  John,  deserted  Oct.  3,  1S61. 
Franklin,  Beni,.  Dr.  Vet.  M.O.,  dis'd  July  16,  '6.5. 
Gibbs,  Eeuben  B.,  disch'd  June  13,  1864. 
Griffin,  John  M.,  died  at  Ft.Donclson  .Mar.  IS,  '61. 
ILiIl,  James  M.,  disch'd  August  28,  1862. 
ILirrolil,  Oliver,  vet.,  m  t  out  July  16, '0.5,  as  s'gt. 
Hull.  Joshua  C,  disch'd  Nov.  14,' '62;  disability. 
Hornell,  Lucian  A.  B..  disch'd  June  13,  1SB4. 
Hull,  George  A.,  disch'd  June  13,  1S64. 
Ilubbell,  Ephraim  A.,  died  of  wounds,  Ap.  10,  '62. 
Jones,  Joseph  M.,  died  at  Annapolis,  Dec.  12,  '64. 
Judd,  Milton  Y.,  trans,  to  V.  E.  C.  Aug.  9.  "63. 
Knradler,  Abner  C,  discharged  June  13,  1864. 
Kellv,  John  A.,  died  at  Clinton,  III..  Mar.  30,  '62. 
Kinnev,  John  J.,  died  at  Paducah,  Feb.  20,  '62. 
King.  Svlvcster  M..  iliscb'il  Oct.  12,  '62;  dis'bhv. 
McDonald,  John  W,  disch'd  Sept.  29,  '62:  dis'blty. 
McFarland,  John,  vet.,  mustered  out  July  16,  '65. 
Morrison.  Joseph,  mustered  out  July  16."lS65. 
McGee,  Theodore,  discharged  June '13,  1864. 
Moody.  Reuben  B.,  discharged  June  13,  1864. 
Mecumb,  Robl.  H.,  vet,  corp  ,  absent  at  raus.  out. 
.Maloney.  Patrick,  died  at  St.  Louis.  Nov  24.  '62. 
Martin,  .-Uexander.  yet  ,  mustd  out  July  16,  '6-5. 
Miller,  William  II.,  die!  at  Pekin. 
.Martin,  Samuel  P.,  vet.,  mu«t'd  out  .luly  16,  '65.- 
Marrs,  ^^■illiam  H.,  corp.,  dis.  Oct.  12,  '62 :  wnds. 
McGough,  James,  discharged  June  13, 1864. 
Nicholson,  Thom;is,  died  at  Cairo  Nov.  18,  '61. 
Osbom,  John  M.,  discharged  for  disability. 
Osborn,  Eeuben  E  ,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mar".  28,  '62 
o'Larrv,  Daniel,  discharged  .\iig.  9,  1864. 
Porter,' John  A.,  discharged  1862:  dis.ahiiity. 
Proud,  .Samuel,  vet.,  mus.  out  Julv  16.  ■'6.5,'s^rg't. 
Eobb,  Stephen  D.,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April  6,  '1)2. 
Eobb,  .Joshua  C,  died  at  Wavnesville,  .\p  S,  '62. 
Ratcim;  Ely,  k'd  at  Eaymond,  Miss.,  .May  12,  63. 
S  rmpson.  Orestes  S.,  Vrt'.,  missing  since  Ap.  13,  '63. 
Schmidt,  Davi.l,  discharged  June  13.  ImU. 
Scate,  James 'VV.,di.scbaiged  Feb.  0,  '63:  dis'billy. 
Solomon,  John,  died  at  Vicksburg.  Julv  9, 1863. 
Short,  John,  discharged  Jan.  8.  1863. 
Stewart,  Charles  A.,  disch'd.  June  12, '62:  dis'btv. 
S:;iitou,  James  A.,  kd  Brittou's  Lane,  Sept.  1,  '62. 


Thomas,  William  E.,  discharged  June  13.  1864. 
West.  David,  discharged  Nov.  28,  1861 :  disb'tv. 
Winslow,  Charles  .\.,  discharged  June  13,  1864. 
Winn.  Eeuben  J.  W.,  di.serted  October  12,  1862. 
Wilson,  A.sa,  di.scharped  Jnne  13.  I8I54. 
Yeatman,  James  P.,  di.-charged  June  13,  1864. 

Vetcravg. 
Benn,  .James  H..  mustered  out  July  16,  1865. 
Long.  Lewis,  discharged  April  12."  I860. 
Jlarsh,  (leorge  F.,  mus.  out  .July  16,  '65,  as  serg't. 
,Street,  John  F..  mns.  out  July  16,  '65.  as  serg't. 
Watt,  George  E.,  mns.  out  July  16,  '65,  asserg't. 

Eecrnits. 
.\ughom,  Eeuben.  died  at  St.  Louis,  JIar.  28,  '62. 
Betlhs,  Alexander  G.,  mustered  out  Oct.  1,  1864. 
Carter,  Stephen  E.,  disch'd  Sept.  2,  '61 :  disb'lty. 
Hogle,  Jarob,  disch'd  Mav  2,  1862;  disability. 
Ilogle,  Jacob,  mnst'd  ontJuly  16,_'65,  as  corp'I. 
Hufchinson,  .James  H.,  died  at  Cincinnati,  Mar- 

19.  IS('.2:  wounds. 
Ilnd.son.  J.  Howard,  died  at  St.  Louis  Jlav  7.  '62. 
K.  Ilv,  William  B  ,  mustered  out  July  W.  186.5. 
King,  Joel  E  ,  disch'd  Oct.  11,  '62:  disability. 
Jloldenhonr.  Frederick,  mnst'd  out  July  '16,  '6.5. 
McCaragan,  Thomas,  k'd,  Eaymond,  May  IS,  '63. 
Phillips,  Tbom.is  B..  mus-ered  out  July '16,  1865. 
Porter,  Is.aac  E.,  disch'd  Oct  29,1863:  disability. 
Smith,  William  E.,  mustered  out  July  16,  1865. 

Under-Cook. 
Eounds,  Henry  B.,  mustered  out  Jnly  16, 1865. 

TWENTY-FIFTH  INFANTRY  REGIMENT. 
(THREE  teaks'   SERVICE.) 

This  regiment  was  organized  Aug.  4th, 
1861.  Ordered  to  Missouri  we  find  thera 
with  the  army  at  Rolla,  Mo.,  December 
ISGl,  participating  in  the  campaign 
against  McCullough,  Van  Dorn  and  Price  ; 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,  March 
6  and  8, 1862.  April  following,  commenced 
march  to  Batesville,  Arkansas,  at  which 
place  we  find  thera  May  8.  Assigned  to 
General  Jeff.  C.  Davis'  division,aud  began 
march  to  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo. ;  arrived 
there  on  the  21st,  a  distance  of  2.52  miles  ; 
embarked  on  steamers  for  Hamburg  Land- 
ing, engaged  in  the  reduction  of  Corinth, 
also  assisting  iu  the  battles  of  Chattanooga, 
Chickamauga,  IMarion  Bridge,  Kenesaw 
Mt.,  Atlanta  and  Stone  Kiver.  Officers 
killed,  3;  enlisted  men,  3.5;  wounded,  97; 
died,  184;  prisoners,  17;  discharged  for 
disability,  185. 

Colmel. 
Caswel!  P.  Ford  resigned  April  14, 1863. 

twenty-sixth  infantry, 
(three  years'  service.) 
A  portion  of  Company  "  K "  of  this 
regiment  volunteered  from  this  county. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  at  Camp  Butler,  August  31, 
1861,  and  was  ordered  to  Quincy,  Illinois, 
for  the  protection  of  that  place.  They 
were  not  armed,  and  the  men  did  guard 
duty  here  with  hickory  clubs.  The  26th 
was  a  gallant  regiinent,and  participated  in 
many  hard-fought  battles.  It  served  out 
the  full  time  of  service  and  received  final 
payment  and  discharge  at  Springfield,  Illi- 
nois, July  28,  1865. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY.  ILLINOIS. 


117 


Following  is  a  list  of  the  battles  in  which 
this  regiment  participated ; 

Ackwortii,  Adairsville,  Altooiia,  AtlaDla,  siege 
of,  Bealunville,  Big  Shanlv,  Bird  Song  Ferry, 
Big  Halchie,  Booneville,  Burt  Hickory,  Casey- 
ville,  Cluitahooche  river,  Collierville,  Columbia, 
Congaree  creek,  Corinlli,  siege  of  CoriniJi,  Octo- 
ber 3  and  4, 1862,  Coldwater,  Dallas,  Davis's  mills, 
Decatur,  Ezra  L'lmrch,  Farmington,  Goldsboro, 
Ureyville,  Griswoldville,  Hollv  Springs,  Island, 
No.  10,  Ikua,  Jackson,  Miss,,  Kingston,  Kcnesaw 
ilojntain,  Lamar,  Lovejov  Station,  Little  Salka- 
hatchie,  Lumpkin  Mills,  Lvncli  Creek,  Marietta, 
Mis.sion  Kidge,  Fort  MeAlis"ter,Ne\v  Madrid, Nick- 
ajaek.Oxford, Powder  Creek, Pumpkin  Creek.Poco- 
taligo,  Kaleigh,  Bed  Oak,Kesaea,  Eienzi,  Kogers- 
ville,  Saikaliatehie,  Savannah,  Scotboro,  Snake 
Creek  Gap,  Sweetwater,  Vicksburg. 

The  marches  made  by  this  regiment 
were  front  Commerce  to  New  Madrid,  Mo.  ; 
Pittsburg  Landing  to  Booneville,  Miss. ; 
Corinth  to  Oxford,  Miss. ;  Corinth  to  Tus- 
cumbia,  Ala. ;  Vicksburg  to  Jackson,  Miss. ; 
jMemphis  to  Chattanooga,  Tenn. ;  Chatta- 
nooga to  Knoxville,  and  return  ;  Chatta- 
nooga to  Atlanta,  Ga. ;  Atlanta  to  the  sea, 
Savannah  to  Washington,  D.  C.  Total 
distance  marched  by  the  regiment  in  four 
years'  service,  G,931  miles. 

JinSTEa   ROLL   COMPiNT   K. 

Corpwal. 
Jonathan  P.  Gray,   vet.,  niitst.  out  July  20,  '65. 

ir„jo,u-r. 
Martin  L.  Todd,  vet.,  absent  sick  at  muster  out 
of  regiment. 

Prkales. 
Bowman,  John  F.,  veteran. 
Gray,   Eli,  vet.,  musl'd  out  July  20,    1S6.5;    as 

corporal. 
Hoffman,   Morgan    J.,     vet.,    shot    by    Provost 

guards. 
King,  Geo.  W.,  lost  right  arm   at  Atlanta,  Ga., 

August  14,  1864. 
Moreford,  Jobn,  disch'd   Aug.  2,  '62 ;  disability. 
McClintock,  Jolm 
Riddal,  James,  discharged. 
Eidda!,  David  W.,  vet.,  must'd  out  July  20,  '6-5. 
Spelts,  Louis,  discli'd  Jan.   20, '65 ;  term  espd. 
Stanford,  William,  vet.,  must,  out  July  20,  '6-5. 
Wilson,  James  H.,  yet.,  must'd  out  July  20,  '65. 

Veterans. 

Forsythe,  John  H.,  mustered  out  July  20,  1865. 

Smaildon,  John,  must'd  out  July  20,  '65  ;  as  ser- 
geant. 

Smith,  George  H.,  must'd  out  July  20,  1865. 
Emuits. 

Baker,  Samuel  C-,  mustered  out  June  2,  1865. 

Frisby,  Jonathan  G.,  mustered  out  June  19,  '65. 

Genning,  Edwin  K.,  lost  right  leg  at  Benton- 
ville,  N.  C,  March  22,"'lS65. 

Havnes,  Greenberrv,  must'd  out  July  20, 1S65. 

Jacobs,  Theodore  H ,  "  "        " 

King,  George  AV-,  absent,  wounded  at  muster  out 


of 


regin 


Morris,  Wintield,  mustered  out  July  20,  1865. 
Morris,  B.  J.,  "  •'  " 

Moblev,  William  F.,  "  "  " 

Kobble,  Henry,  "  "  " 

Reid,  Lewis  B.,  "  "         " 

Rankin,  Jobn  W.,  "  "         " 

Riddle,  Zebulon,  "  "  " 

Riddon,  William  A., 

Riddal,  David,  "  "         " 

Sutton,  Amos  E.,  mustered  out  June  2,  1865. 
Spelts,  George  A.,  "  "  " 

Sheet,  Charles  A.  L.,  "  "         " 

Sheet,  John  W., 

Sampson,  William  M,  mu.st'd  out  Julr  20,  '65. 
Todd,  John  F.  M.,  "  "        " 


THIR1Y-SEC0SD  ISFASTRY. 
(three  years'  service.) 
This  regiment  was  mustered  into  United 
States  service  as  Illinois  Volunteers,  Dec- 
Si,  1861.  It  served  the  full  term,  aud 
participated  in  a  number  of  battles  sus- 
taining heavy  losses.  While  in  the  U.  S. 
service  it  traveled  about  11,000  miles. 
Was  mustered  out  at  Fort  Leavenworth 
Sipt.  6,  1865. 

MVSTER   ROLL   COJIPAST   H. 

First  fierrieanl. 

Jolui  P.  Wright,  killed  at'shiloh  April  6,  1862. 

Frillies. 
Lakins,  John,  died. 
Meeks,  Squire  IL,  vet  ,  mustered  out  Sept.  16,  'do. 

TninxY-TniRD  ixi'axtry. 
(three  years'  service.) 

In  this  regiment  De  ^^'itt  county  was 
represented  by  a  few  volunteers  in  com- 
panies "A"  and  "  D,"  whose  names 
may  be  seen  immediately  following  this 
brief  histoi')'.  The  regiment  was  organized 
at  Camp  Butler,  Sept.,  1S6I,  by  Col. 
Charles  E.  Hovey,  aud  mustered  into  the 
U.  S.  service  by  Capt.  T.  G.  Pitcher,  U. 
S.  A. 

On  the  20th  of  September,  it  was  ordered 
into  Missouri,  where  it  remained  scouting 
during  the  winter,  with  headquarters  at 
Ironton.  At  the  battle  of  Fredericktowu, 
Company  "  A  "  was  on  the  skirmish  line. 
In  March,  1862,  with  General  Steele's  com- 
mand it  moved  southward,  and  joined  Gen- 
eral Curtis'  army.  Was  engaged  in  the 
battle  of  Cache  and  in  several  skirmishes. 
At  the  battle  of  Cotton  Plant,  Company 
"  A,"  on  skirmish  line,  met  and  repulsed  a 
charge  of  2,000  Texan  Rangers.  Camped 
near  Helena  and  made  eight  expeditions 
up  and  down  the  river.  Wintfred  in 
South  East,  Mo.  Was  ordered  south 
and  attached  to  the  First  Brigade, 
First  Division,  Thirteenth  Army  corps, 
participating  in  the  battles  of  Port  Gilison, 
Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  as- 
sault and  siege  of  Vicksburg  and  the  siege 
of  Jackson.  Moved  to  New  Orleans  aud 
thence  to  Texas.  January  1st,  1864,  re- 
enlisted  as  veterans  and  returned  home  on 
veteran  furlough. 

The  regiment  was  ordered  to  New  Or- 
leans, where  it  did  guard  duty.  The  non- 
veterans  were  sent  home  aud  mustered  out 
Oct  11th,  1861.  During  a  trip  by  rail 
to  join  the  16th  army  corps,  the  train  was 
thrown  from  the  track  and  nine  men  were 
killed  and  seventy  wounded.  March  27th, 
arrived  in  front  of  Spanish  Fort,  the  main 
defense  of  Mobile,  and,  until  its  capture, 
April  8th,  was  actively  engaged.    Loss: 


one  killed,  two  died  of  wounds  and  nine 
wounded.  Marched  to  and  encamped  on 
the  Alabama  river.  Here  it  received  the 
news  of  Lee  and  Johnson's  surrender,  after 
which  its  operations  were  not  of  a  hostile 
character.  Was  mustered  out  at  Vicks- 
burg Nov.  24th,  186."),  and  ordered  to 
Camp  Butler  for  final  payment  and  dis- 
charge. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPASY   A. 

Corporcik. 
Isaac  X.  McCuddy,  died  at  Ironton,  Mo.,  Oct.  19, 


Allvn,  Edward,  vet.,  mustered  out  Xov.  24,  '6-5. 

Davenport.  Isaiah  S.,  vet.,      "  ■' 

De  Boice,  Williiuu  H.  H.,  died  at  Ironton.  Mo., 

Jan.  2.   62. 
Dines,  Martin,  died  at  Ironton.  Mo.,  Nov.  16,  'Gl. 
Finch,  George  D.,  vet.,  mustered  out  Nov.  24,  '65. 

as  corporal. 

Garrett.  Louis,  vet.,  died  at  home  on  furlough. 

Howe,  Jesse  If.,  died  at  Ironton, Mo.,  Nov.  10,  '61. 

I  Montgomery,  Chas.  D.,  discharged  Feb.  24,  63 ; 

j  wounds.  . 

Pliiliips,  Philip  H.,  vet.,  mustered  out  Nov.  24, 

'65,  as  sergeant. 
Spradling,  John  W.,  disch'd  April  .'5,  '64;  wound.s. 
Spradling,  Richard  M.,  vet.,  disch'd  Nov.  24,  '65  ; 

term  expired. 
Zartman.  Absalom,  vet.,  killed  at  Vick.sburg,Mis3., 

May  24,  '63. 

Veteran. 
Power,  Matthew  H.,  sg't,  died  at  Cairo,  Oct,  24, 64, 

Earuits. 
De  Boice,  Francis  M. 
Spradling,  Jame-s,  mustered  out  Nov.  24,  '65. 

MUSTEI!   ROLL   COMPAXY   O. 

Frli-ales. 
Atkins,  Francis  D. 

ML'STER   ROLL   CnMP.AXY   D. 

Em;,;t.<. 

Hodgkins,  Alfred  H.,  died  at  Meridian,  Miss., 

Aug.  7,  ^fSo. 
Orr,  Alfred,  tr  fr  124,  111.,  dis.  Oct.  27,  '65  ;  dsbl'ty. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY    G. 

Fr!mle.^. 

Brown,  George  P.,  disch'd  Feb.  IS,  '63 ;  disabl'ly. 

Hickman,  William  L.,  dis.  Jan.  1.3,  '62  ;  disabl'ty. 

Swearingen.  Isaac  T.,  vet.,  must,  out  Nov.  24,  '65. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPAXV   K. 
Eecruil.^. 
Hendrick,  S.imuel  A.,  died  at  Old  Town,  Ark., 
Aug.  9,  62. 

THIRTV-FOURTII  IXFANTRY. 
(three  Y'EAn.s'  SERVICE.) 

Was  org.inized  at  Camp  Butler,  Sep.  7, 
1861,  by  Col.  E.  N.  Kirk.  Oct.'  2d,  moved 
to  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  from  thence  to 
Louisville,  and  then  to  Camp  Nevin,  Ky., 
where  it  remained  until  Feb.  14,  1862. 
Marched  to  Bowling  Green  aud  thence  via 
at  Nashville,  Franklin  and  Columbia  to 
Savannah  on  the  Tennessee  river.  Arrived 
Pittsburg  Landing,  April  7,  1862,  and  was 
hotly  engaged  in  that  battle,  losing  JIajor 
Levanway  and  fifteen  men  killed  and  112 
wounded.  From  thence  moved  to  Corinth, 
and   was   engaged   on   the   29th  of  May, 


118 


HISTORY  OF  BE  -WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


losing  one  man  killed  and  five  wounded. 
From  Corinth,  moved  to  luka  and  Flor- 
ence, Ala.  Was  camped  over  one  month 
at  Battle  Creek,  and  from  there  moved  to 
Louisville.  Oct.  1st,  1862,  left  Louisville 
for  Frankfort.  Oct.  4th,  skirmished  at 
Clayville,  Ky.  Nov.  27th,  had  a  skirmish 
at  Lavergne.  Assisted  in  driving  the 
enemy  from  Nashville.  On  Nov.  29th, 
moved  I'm  Independence  Hill,  toward  Mur- 
freesboro.  30th,  took  position  as  extreme 
right  of  Union  lines.  31st,  the  enemy  at- 
tacked the  regiment  in  overwhelming  force, 
driving  it  back  on  the  main  line,  when  the 
enemy's  cavalry  made  a  charge  capturing 
many  of  the  regiment.  Lo.ss — killed  21, 
wounded  O.i,  missing  66.  Skirmished  near 
Liberty  Gap,  June  24th,  driving  the  enemy 
from  his  position  ;  losing  'A  killed  and  213 
wounded.  Nov.  25th,  ordered  to  join  the 
Brigade  on  the  battle-field  of  Chattanooga. 
At  1  o'clock,  A.  M.,  of  the  26th  moved  via 
Chickamauga  Station — met  the  retreating 
enemy  near  Graysville,  and  was  engaged 
about  half  an  hour.  Re-enlisted  as  veterans 
and  returned  home  on  veteran  furlough. 
Moved  South  in  February,  1864.  Was 
mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Ky,  July  12, 
186^.  Received  final  payment  and  dis- 
charge at  Chicago,  July  16,  1S6.5. 
thietv-fourth  infantry  regiment, 
(tiieee  years'  service.) 
ju'ster  koli,,  company  d. 
Srmiits. 
Fisher,  James  A.,  vet.  rei;niit,  JI.  O.,  .Tiily  12,  'G.5. 
Robbins,  Daniel  F.,  "        "    dcserled  May  24, '64. 

aiUSTER   ROLL,  CO.MP.VXY    G. 

Ball,  Geo.  H.,  mustered  out  July  12,  '6-5,  as  Corii'l 
Baughman,  Jacob  H.,  mustered  out  July  12,  'G.5, 

as  Corporal. 
Baugliman,  David  J.,  mustered  out  July  12,  '0.5, 

as  Sergeant. 
Brewer,  John,  mu.-itered  out  .July  12,  '6-5,asSerg't. 
BrownfieW,  James,  mustered  out  July  12,  'C.5,  as 

Sergennt. 
Buck,  Ira,  itisch.arged  Oct.  7,  '64,  disabilitv. 
Cully,  Ricliard  N.,  mustered  out  July  12,'  '6.5,  as 

Corporal. 
Clendenen,  Henrv,  Sergeant,  transferred  to  V.  E. 

C,  Feb.  25,  '65. 
Crisler,  Anselm  S.,  mustered  out  July  12,  '65  as 

Sergeant. 
Davis,  Elias,  deserted  May  25,  '05. 
Farris,  John  E.,  mu.slered'out  Jnlv  12,  '65. 
C-ieidner,  Tiraothv,  died   at   Nashville  June  22 

'01;  wounds.  ' 

Glore,  "William  H..  mustered  out  Julv  12,  "65   as 

Sergeant.  -       ■       . 

Mick,  Isaac,  mustered  out  Julv  12,  '6.5,  as  Serg't. 
Mick,  Peter,  "        "        "'        " 

Jloore,  Isaac  V.,  promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant. 
McCoy,  D.ivid,  mustered  out  Julv  12,  '05. 
Meyer,  Henrv,  "        "        '■'  as  Coru'l 

Modglin,  Trov,  "        "        "  " 

Newton,  Truman  C,"         "         " 
Perkins.  James  31.,  promoted 
Pratt,  Henry  C,  mustered  out  Julv  12,  "05,  as 

Sergeant. 
Palmer,  J.  T,,  mustered  out  Julv  12,  '6-5. 
Pierson.  R.ibi'rt.      ''        '*        "*       " 
Pickett,  Sanuiei,      "         "         "         < 
Eogge,  William,     " 


Rogge,  Henry,  mustered  out  Julv  12,  '65. 
Kussell,  Albert,       "        "         "  '      " 
Smith,  Henrv  H.,  "        "        "        " 
Stanley,  Jos."  H.,     "        "        "        " 
Sherman,  Alb'tC.,"        "        "        " 

MtjSTER  ROLL,  COMPANY    K. 
Eca-uUs. 
Wilson,  Arthur  W.,  mustered  out.  Oct.  8,  '66. 

THIRTY-EIGHTH  INFANTRY, 

{Three  Years'  Service.) 
There  were  a  few  volunteers  in  com- 
pany F  of  this  regiment  from  De  Witt 
county.  Their  names  may  be  seen  below. 
The  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  Illinois,  in  September,  ISGl,  by 
Col.  William  P.  Carlin.  Its  first  engage- 
ment occurred  October  21.-t,  at  Frederick- 
town,  with  the  enemy  under  command  of 
Jeff  Thompson.  Participated  in  the  last 
days  of  the  siege  of  C  .rinth  ;  charged  a 
battery  at  Knob  Gap,  capturing  two  guns. 
Loss  three  killed  and  eight  wounded  ;  in 
the  battle  of  Stone  river,  loss  thirty-four 
killed,  one  hundred  and  nine  wounded, 
and  thirty-four  missing;  engaged  at  Liberty 
Gap;  June  26,  1862,  skirmished  with  the 
enemy,  losing  three  killed  and  nineteen 
wounded ;  was  at  Chickamauga,  losing  one 
hundred  and  eighty  men  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing.  Was  in  the  camjiaign  of 
Chattanooga,  losing  four  killed,  thirty-six 
wounded,  and  three  missing,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  several  other  minor  engagements 
and  many  long  and  severe  marches.  The 
regiment  was  mustered  out  in  Texas  and 
ordered  home. 

THIRTY-EIGUTII   INFANTRY   REGI.MENT. 

{nrce  Years'  Semce.) 

Quartermaster. 

Reuben  N.  Laurence,  mustered  out  Mar.  20,  1866. 

^'0N-co:^^MlssIoNED  st.vff. 
Q.  M.  .Sa;j,„nt. 
Jason  Ham. 

WrSTER   ROLL   CO^IPANY   F. 

Scrrjcunh. 

John  H.  Leigher,  trans   to  V.  E.  C.  Sep.  6, 1863. 

Corporals. 

Chas.  H.  Omsby,  mus.  out  Sep.  1,  '64  as  serg't. 

Eeuben  N.  Lawrence,  vet.,  trans,  to  N.  C.  S.,  pro. 

Q.  M.  ^ 

rrirnle.^. 

Howser,  Alvin  F.,  died  in  Andersonville  prison 

Sept.  27,  1864.     No.  of  grave  9880, 
Ishuiael,  Richard  T.,  vet.,  deserted  July  3,  1864. 
JefTrey,  Francis  M.,  must'd  out  Sept.  16,  1864,  as 

1st  sergeant. 
Onstatt,  George,  mus.  out  Sept.  15,  '64. 
Parks,  John,  mustered  out  .Sept.  15,  1S64. 
Smith.  George  B.,  mustered  out  Sept.  15,  1864 
Smith,  ^Valler,  trans,  to  U.  S.  Navy  Feb.  5,  1862. 

Hemiil. 
Ogden,  Charles  E.,  mustered  out  March  20,  1866. 
-      THIRTY-NINTH  INFANTRY  REGIMENT. 

The  Thirty-ninth  regiment  began  organ- 
izing as  soon  as  the  news  of  the  firing  on 
Fort  Sumter  reached  Chicago.     It  assumed 


the  name  of  "  Yates'  Phalanx  "  in  honor 
of  His  Excellency  Governor  Yates.  Aus- 
tin Light,  of  Chicago,  was  appointed  Col- 
onel ;  and  under  his  direction  the  organiza- 
tion was  completed,  and  on  the  morning  of 
October  13,  1861,  it  left  for  the  field  of 
action,  being  assigned  to  the  army  of  the 
Potomac.  January  'i,  1862,  the  advance 
iif  a  rebel  force  1.5,000  strong,  under  com- 
mand of  "  Stonewall  "  Jackson,  attacked 
companies  D,  I  and  K,  in  command  of 
Major  Mann,  near  Baih,  Va.,  and  after  a 
brisk  little  fight  were  repulsed  ;  then  with 
two  pieces  of  artillery,  a  liberal  display  of 
strategy  and  courage,  the  enemy  was  held 
in  check  for  nearly  twenty-four  hours. 
Companies  C  and  G,  under  command  of 
Capt.  Stoughton  were  also  attacked  at 
Great  Cacapon  Bridge,  but  repulsed  the 
enemy  with  considerable  loss.  Companies 
C  and  F  drew  into  ambush  about  500  of 
Ashby's  Cavalry,  and  after  killing  and 
wounding  30  routed  them.  From  this  it 
made  some  long  and  severe  marches,  suf- 
fering much  from  cold  and  hunger,  serving 
occasionally  on  guard  duty. 

Took  part  in  the  brilliant  fight  at  Win- 
chester, March  2:2,  1 862,  that  resulted  in 
the  utter  defeat  of  "  Stonewall  "  Jackson's 
forces.  The  regiment  participated  in  many 
hard-fought  battles,  numerous  skirmishes, 
and  several  hard  and  long  marches,  and  was 
one  of  the  most  gallant  regiments  in 
the  late  war.  It  received  its  final  pay- 
ment and  discharge  at  Springfield  on  Dec* 
16th,  1S65. 

MFSTER  ROLL  COMPANT  B. 

CurporaU. 
Elliot  B.  Hill,  discharged  Aug.  1,  '64  ;  disability. 

MUSTEP.  ROLL  COMPANy  D. 

Second  Lieutenants. 
Austiu  Towner,  resigned,  Sep.  4th,  '62. 
Ciergo  W.  Liun,  mustered  out  as  Sergeant,  Dec. 

0,  '05. 

Pr!mte.i. 
Bullis,  Newman,  discharged,  Sep.  10, '04,  term  ex- 
Dresser,    Lewis,  vet.,  killed  at  Deep  Run,  Va., 

Aug.  10,  '64. 
German,  Allen,  deserted,  Dec.  IS,  '61. 
Griffith,  George,  died  Aug.  31,  '62 ;  wounds. 
Godfrey,  Isaac  W.,  vet.,  mustered  out  July  20,  '65. 
Hare,  John,  discharged.  May  31,  '62  ;  disability. 
Hummell,  Eobert  N..  vet,,  killed  at  Fort  Gregg, 

Va.,  April  2d,  '05. 
Hewett,  Frank,  discharged  June  9,  '62  ;  disability. 
Jones,  William  F.,  vet.,  absent ;  sick  at  M.  O.  of 

Eegimeiit. 
Lankenaw,  Henrv,  vet.,  killed  at,  Deep  Eun,  Va. 

Aug.  16,  '64 
Lyons,  John,  vet.,  mustered   out  Dec.  6,  '65    as 

Corporal. 
Lucen,  Thomas,  vet.,  mustered  out  Dec.  6,  '65,  as 

Corporal. 
McCarnley,  Frederick,  vet.,  M.  0.,  Dec.  6,  '65,  aa 

Corporal ;  wounded. 
Martin,  John,  discharged  June  6,  '62. 
Miller,  John,  vet.,  discharged  Jan.  15;  disabilitv. 
McLaughlin,  John,  transferred  to  Bat.  B,  5th  17. 

S.  Art.,  Dec.  5.  '02. 
Moore,  William,  discharged  Sep.  10,  '65;   term 

exp. 


EISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


119 


Nye,  Edward,  mustered  out  Oct.  12,  '64. 

Boot,  Charies,  ret.,  killed  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  Sep. 

9,  '1)4. 
Reese,  John,  vet..  Sergeant,  deserted  Aug.  5,  '6-5. 
Smith,  Michael,  vet.,  uinrfered  out  Dec.  6,  '6.5. 
Swain  Koval  E.,  vet.,  sergeant,  killed  inVa.,Aug. 

16,' '64. 
Tobias,  Nathaniel,  died  at  Richmond  Ya.,  May 

21,  '64;  wounds. 
Waite,  Maiden  C,  died  Julv  2,  '64 ;  'Wounds. 
Wade,  William,  vet. 
Wells,  George  W.,  mustered  out   Dec.  6,  '65,  as 

Sergeant. 

MCSTER  ROLL,  COMPANY  K. 

Corporah. 
Miles,  B   Eilminston, discharged  Oct.  17, '£2;  dis- 

abilitv. 
Elias,  H.  Wilson,  M.  0„  May  9,  '65,  as  Sergeant ; 
term  esp. 

Privates. 
Moorley,  William  R.,  mustered  out  May  9,  '65. 
Martin,  D.  J.  J.,  M.  M.,  musi'd  out  May  9,  '65, 

Veterans. 
Wilson,  John  S  ,  di:icharged  July  4,  '65,  as  Ser- 
geant; disability. 

MVSTER  ROLL,  COMPANY    I. 

Captaim. 

Samuel  Gilmore,  must'd  out  to  date,  Jan.  26, '66. 

First  Lieutenants. 
Emory  L.  Waller,  resigned,  June  14,  '62. 
James  D   Lemon,  died  Aug.  20,  '64. 
Joseph  W.  Neul,  mustered  out  Dec.  6,  '65. 

Second  Lieutenants. 
Albert  W.  Fellows,-  killed  in  battle,  June  2,  '64. 

Serf/eant.f. 
W.  C.  McMurry,  mustered  out  March  14,  '65. 

Corporais. 
John  A.  Bean,  vet.,  killed  near  Richmond,  Va., 

Oct.  27,  "64. 
J.  M.  Neal,  promoted. 
Thomas  J  Jolin.-ion,  vet.,  mustered  out  Dec.  6,  '65, 

as  Sergeant. 

Privates. 
Brennan,  James,  vet.,  mustered  out  Dec.  6,  ^G5,  as 

Sergeant. 
Berrv,  John,  mustered  out  Oct.  18,  '64. 
Clark,  Lake,  discharged  June  28,  '62  ;  disability. 
Ford,  Newion.  wounded,  died  of  starvation,  about 

Oct.  15,  '64,  in  Ander.>onville  prison. 
Goodin,  Hiram,   died   of  wounds,  Aug.  10, '64; 

prisoner. 
Gesford,  William,  discb'gd  Julv  4,  '63 ;  disaWlilv. 
Hurlev,  Lewis,  vet.,  killed  at  Drury's  Bluff.  Va., 

'May  16,  '64. 
Hoover  John,  vet.,  missing  in  action  since  May 

10.  '64. 
Halloway,  Philip  M.,  mustered  oul  Sep.  10,  '64. 
Hurst,  Edward,  killed  at   Deep  Run,  Va  ,  Aug. 

16,'  64. 
Hoover,  Columbus,  vet.,  mustered  out  Dec.  6,  '65. 
Johnson,  John  S.  musician  ;  discbgd  ;  disability. 
Kirbo,  John  W.,  vet.,  discharged   April   13,  '65  ; 

disability. 
Poff.  Henry  M., discharged  July  4,  '62  ;  disability. 
Robertson,  G.  P.,  discb'd  Nov.  20,  '63  ;  disability. 
Thomas,  J.  M  ,  mustered  out  Sep.  10,  '64. 
Weedman,  John  W.,  Sergeant,  died  of  starvation 

about  Nov.  15,  '64,  at  Andersonville  pri- 
son: No.  of  grave,  10,  7S5. 
Woodward,  Edward,  vet.,  mustered  t)ut   Dec.  6, 

'65,  a.s  Corporal. 
White,  William  D.,  vet.  '  discharged  Jan.  16,  '65 

disability. 
Wetzel.  Michael,  vet..  Sergeant  (wounded),  April 

2,  '65  ;  discharged  for  disability. 
Weedman,  John  B.,  mustered  out  Sep.  20,  '04. 

Fucruils. 
Blandon,  Jolin  K  ,  mustered  out  May  31,  65. 
Hoover,  Theodore,  muster*  d  out  Dec.  6,  '65. 
Johnson,  3oA  B  ,  died  of  wounds,  June  2,  '64. 
Neal,  Amos,  mustered  out  June  22. '61. 
Weedman,  Jacob  T.,  mustered  out  May  28,  1865; 


FOKTY-FIEST    IXFAXTRT. 

(Three  years'  serriee.') 

This  regiment  was  organized  by  the  au- 
thority of  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  July, 
1861,  at  Decatur,  Illinois,  on  the  9th  of  j 
August,  1861,  by  Col.  Isaac  C  Pugh.  j 
The  volunteers  from  De  Witt  county,  in  I 
this  regiment,  belonged  to  companies  C, 
D,  G  and  K.  Their  names,  and  what  be- 
came of  them,  may  be  seen  in  the  list  below. 
On  the  7th,  the  regiment  moved  to  St. 
Louis,  Mo. ;  the  29th,  to  British  Point, 
Mo.,  and  was  assigned  to  the  command  of 
General  Prentiss ;  Sept.  8th,  moved  to 
Paducah,  Ky.  Was  assigned  to  General 
C.  F.  Smith's  command,  Nov.  6th,  1861, 
marched  to  Melbourne,  and  returned  ;  to 
Lovelettsville,  and  returned  Nov.  19th, 
1861  ;  to  Crown  Point,  and  returned  Dec. 
31,  1861 ;  February  oth,  1862,  the  regi- 
ment marched  for  active  service  to  Fort 
Henry,  and  on  the  11th  marched  to  Fort 
Donelson,  and  under  Col.  McArthur,  was 
engaged  in  the  siege  on  the  loth,  14th  and 
15th  of  February,  1862.  The  Fort  was 
surrendered  on  the  following  morning, 
Feb.  16th,  1862. 

Immediately  after^he  surrender  of  Fort 
Donelson,  the  regiment  moved  up  the  Ten- 
nessee river.  The  following  is  a  letter 
from  a  private  to  a  friend,  under  date  of 
March  26,  18G2. 

"  We  are  now  encamped  within  a  mile 
and  a  half  of  Pittsburg,  Tenu.,  near  the 
lines  of  the  States  of  Mississippi  and  Ala- 
bama. There  are  about  100,000  men  here 
in  the  heart  of  '  Dixie,'  ready  to  move  at 
an  hour's  notice  upon  the  enemy.  The 
Confederates  are  fortified,  about  80,000 
strong,  at  Corinth,  twenty  miles  west  of  us. 
If  they  do  not  evacuate  their  position  soon, 
you  will  perhaps  hear  of  a  battle,  compared 
with  which  that  of  Fort  Donelson  was 
child's  play.  When  200,000  men  meet  in 
conflict,  'somebody  will  get  hurt.'  Our 
course  in  atl  probability  will  be  westward 
to  the  city  of  Memphis.  This,  however,  is 
but  the  speculation  of  a  '  high  private,'  in 
Uncle  Sam's  Army — rear  rank.  The  boys, 
from  exposure  to  wet,  fatigue,  hard  crack- 
ers and  bacon,  are  not  in  as  good  trim  for 
the  fray  as  might  be  desired.  But  the 
warm  spring  weather  and  the  forwardness 
of  vegetation,  (for  the  peach  trees  have 
been  in  full  blossom  for  the  past  ten  days, 
and  the  May  apple  nearly  ready  to  bloom.) 
is  invigorating,  and  the  health  of  the  troops 
shows  a  marked  improvement  since  we 
landed  at  this  point.  We  were  nine  days 
aboard  the  steamboats,  exposed  to  drench- 
ing rains  most  of  the  time.     There  was  one 


hundred  and  thirty-two  steamboats  of  the 
largest  class  iu  the  line,  conveying  the 
troops  and  military  stores  up  the  river — • 
the  Jtlst  regiment  among  the  number.  The 
country  is  rolling  and  heavily  timbered. 
In  the  valleys  and  bottoms  there  are  cane 
brakes  and  cypress  swamps. 

"  On  the  24th  Gen.  Buell's  division  of  the 
army,  from  Cumberland  Gap,  by  the  way 
of  .Nashville,  formed  a  junction  with  Gen. 
Grant's  forces,  at  Savannah,  fifteen  miles 
below  us,  on  the  Tennessee  river." 

The  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing,  or 
Shiloh,  as  named  in  official  reports,  was 
fought  on  Sunday  and  Monday,  April  6th 
and  7th,  ]8G'2.  It  was  a  long  and  desiier- 
ate  conflict.  A  Lieutenant  from  an  ad- 
joining county  gives  us  the  following 
graphic  account  of  the  two  days'  battle, 
which  we  copy  from  an  old  paper : 

"  Gen.  Grant  has  been  concentrating  his 
forces  at  this  port  for  the  last  four  weeks, 
preparatory  to  an  advance  upon  the  ene- 
my's strong  hold  at  Corinth,  Miss.  We 
were  only  waiting  a  junction  with  the 
troops  under  Gen.  Buell  to  commence  the 
march.  The  enemy,  reported  130,000 
strong,  endeavored  to  cut  us  off'  before  Gen. 
Buell'a  arrival,  and  thereby  command  the 
navigation  of  the  Tennessee  river — "ive  his 

troops  the  spirit  and  eclat  of  a  victory 

cheer  and  encourage  the  despondency  of 
the  enemy,  replenish  their  exhausted  ord- 
nance and  commissary  stores,  and  fijht 
Gen.  Buell  at  their  leisure.  They  have 
been  signally  disappointed  ;  although  they 
fought  like  devils  incarnate  for  thirt^'-six 
hours. 

"  On  Sunday  morning,  about  four  o'clock, 
the  enemy  drove  in  our  pickets,  and  the 
cannonading  commenced  with  round  shot, 
shrapnel,. shells,  and  other  projectiles,  grape, 
etc.  The  enemy  in  force  were  in  the  camps 
almost  as  soon  as  were  the  pickets  them- 
selves. Here  began  scenes  which  hardly 
I  have  a  parallel  in  the  annals  of  war. 
INIany,  particularly  among  the  officers  of 
the  army,  were  not  yet  out  of  their  beds ; 
some  were  dressing,  others  washing  and 
cooking,  and  a  few  eating  their  breakfast. 
Many  guns  were  unloaded,  accoutrements 
lying  pell-mell,  ammunition  was  ill-sup- 
plied— in  short,  the  camps  were  completely 
surprised— and  taken  at  almost  every  pos- 
sible disadvantage. 

"  The  first  wild  cries  from  the  pickets 
rushing  iu,  and  the  few  scattering  shots 
that  preceded  their  arrival,  aroused  the 
regiments  to  a  sense  of  their  peril ;  an  in- 
stant afterward,  rattling  volleys  of  mus- 
ketry poured  through  the  tents,  and  before 
there   was  thought  of  prejiaration,  there 


120 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


came  rushing  through  the  woods,  with  lines 
of  battle,  sweeping  the  whole  fronts  of  the 
division  camps,  and  liending  down  ou 
either  flank,  the  fine,  compact  columns  of 
the  enemy. 

"  Into  the  just  aroused  camps  of  the 
union  forces,  thronged  the  confederate  re- 
giments, firing  sharp  volleys  as  they  came, 
and  springing  forward  upon  our  laggards 
with  the  bayonet;  for  while  their  artillery, 
already  in  position,  was  tossing  shells  to 
the  further  side  of  the  euoampmeuts,  scores 
were  shot  down,  as  they  were  running, 
without  weapons,  hatless,  coatless,  towards 
the  river.  The  searching  bullets  found 
other  poor  unfortunates  in  their  tents,  and 
these,  unheeding  now,  they  slumbered, 
while  the  unseen  foe  rushed  on !  Others 
fell,  as  they  were  disentangling  themselves 
from  the  flaps  that  formed  the  doors  to 
their  tents ;  others  as  they  were  vainly 
trying  to  impress  on  the  critically  exultant 
enemies,  their  readiness  to  surrender.  Offi- 
cers were  bayoneted  iu  their  beds,  and  left 
for  dead,  who,  through  the  whole  two  days' 
fearful  struggle,  lay  there  gasping  in  their 
agony,  and  on  Jlonday  evening  were  found 
in  their  gore,  inside  their  tents,  and  still 
able  to  tell  the  tale. 

"  Thus  the  battle  raged  by  8  o'clock  in 
the  morning.  The  roar  of  musketry  and 
rifles ;  the  infernal  din  of  two  or  three 
hundred  thousand  small  arms  continued 
all  day,  and  ceased  not  till  darkness  jjut 
an  end  to  the  strife.  We  halted  in  line  of 
battle,  and  remained  there  during  the 
night,  notwithstanding  it  rained  torrents 
throughout  the  latter  part  of  it.  Col. 
Pugh  commanded  the  First  Brigade  of  the 
Fourth  Division.  The  41st  regiment,  in 
the  Fourth  Division,  took  their  position  iu 
line  of  battle,  by  8  o'clock,  A.  M ,  the  enemy 
showed  himself,  and  commenced  firing 
upon  our  battery,  which  replied  promptly, 
and  for  two  hours  they  kept  up  a  most  in- 
cessant roar.  About  12  o'clock  our  battery 
changed  position  right  in  front  of  the  41st 
regiment,  Illinois  volunteers,  and  for  fifteen 
minutes  kept  up  a  brisk  fire ;  but  the 
enemy  disabled  one  gun,  killed  several 
gunners  and  horses,  when  the  battery  re- 
tried. This  had  drawn  the  grape  and 
canister  upon  us,  and  several  men  were 
killed  out  of  the  41st,  close  by  my  side  and 
in  my  rear. 

"  Our  division  was  posted  near  the  left 
wing  of  our  lines.  For  two  hours  and  a 
half  our  regiment  presented  the  appear- 
ance of  a  young  volcano ;  nor  did  it  give 
one  inch  of  ground  until  our  ammunition 
was  exhausted,  when  we  retired  behind  the 
second  line,  refreshed  ourselves  with  water 


and  replenished  our  ammunition.  Lieut. 
Col.  Tapper,  of  the  41st  regiment,  was 
killed  early  in  the  action.  The  command 
then  devolved  upon  Maj.  Warner,  who  led 
us  during  the  remainder  of  the  fight  on 
Sunday  afternoon. 

"  The  enemy  outflanked  us  on  the  left, 
and  drove  us  in  until  five  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  wlien  one  or  two  brigades  of 
Gen.  Buell's  command  landed  from  the 
boats,  and  a  masked  battery  of  heavy  guns 
was  planted,  which  opened  in  easy  range : 
and  such  a  cannonading  from  that  time  till 
dark  was  never  excelled,  if  equalled,  in 
modern  warfare.  The  enemy's  batteries 
were  silenced,  and  they  were  forced  to  re- 
tire some  distance  for  the  night. 

"  Gen.  Buell's  forces  continued  landing 
all  night,  and  taking  their  position  in  the 
field,  and  as  soon  as  daylight  made  its  ap- 
pearance, they  '  cried  havoc,  and  let  slip 
the  dogs  of  war,'  and  kept  it  up  till  three 
in  the  afternoon  of  Monday,  when  the 
enemy  broke  and  retreated  from  the  field. 
Col.  Pugh's  brigade,  ou  Monday,  the  second 
day  of  the  fight,  were  posted  in  support  of 
the  right  wing,  and  here  it  was  that  the 
heaviest  fighting  was  done.  The  enemy 
had  erected  breast-works  of  fallen  timber, 
from  behind  which  they  kept  up  a  severe 
firing  for  a  long  time,  but  we  routed  them 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  In  fact  a 
great  jjroportion  of  the  fighting  in  the 
afternoon  was  with  the  bayonet. 

"  Among  the  prisoners  were  several  of- 
ficers of  distinction  ;  and  among  the  dead 
were  the  bodies  of  Gen.  A.  Sidney  John- 
sou,  of  Virginia  fiime,  and  Gen.  Bragg,  of 
battery  notoriety  at  Buena  Bista.  We  lost 
many  prisoners  on  Sunday,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  battle.  The  enemy  took 
many  of  our  guns  on  the  first  day,  but  were 
retaken  on  the  day  following,  together  with 
forty  of  the  enemy's  guns. 

"  Tuesday  and  Wedn-sday  after  the 
battle  was  occupied- iu  burying  the  dead. 
The  battle  ground  was  covered,  more  or 
less,  for  three  or  four  miles  iu  diameter, 
with  dead  and  wounded  men  and  horses. 
Some  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles  were 
fought  over.  The  country  was  hilly  and 
cut  up  by  deep  ravines.  The  enemy  had 
the  advantage  of  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
the  country,  of  its  geography  and  topo- 
graphy, which  our  men  had  not,  with  the 
exception  of  the  commanding  generals. 

"About  five  o'clock  of  the  first  day's 
fighting,  when  we  were  marching  to  the 
right  wing,  to  take  position,  Gen.  Hulbert 
paij  the  41st  regiment  a  very  high  compli- 
ment; many  regiments  were  broken  and 
in  confusion,  and  the  General  seeing  us  all 


in  ranks  in  line  of  battle,  called  out,  '  What 
regiment  is  this  ?'  '  Forty-first  Illinois,'  was 
the  response.  '  Tliat  is  as  it  should  be — 
the  41st  is  in  line  !  I  expect  always  to  find 
them  in  line!' " 

After  the  battle  of  .Shiloh,  the  regiment 
was  next  engaged  iu  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
Miss.  July  6, 186i,  marched  for  Memphis, 
via  Holly  Springs,  Lagrange  and  Grand 
Junction ;  arrived  at  Germautown  20th, 
and  at  Memphis  21st  July,  where  it  re- 
mained till  the  6th  of  September,  and  thea 
marched  for  Bolivar,  arriving  on  the  14th 
of  September;  ou  19th  marched  to  the 
Grand  Junction,  and  returned  October 
4th,  and  marched  to  Hatchie  river.  On 
the  5t\i  of  October,  1S62,  was  reserved 
during  the  battle  of  Corinth.  On  6th 
marched  to  Bolivar  ;  on  7th  marched  from 
Bolivar,  arriving  at  Lagrange  Nov.  3d. 
On  the  6th  of  November  in  Col.  Pugh's 
brigade  ;  moved  out  on  a  reconuoisance  to 
Lamar  on  the  8th,  and  Somerville  on  the 
24tli ;  Nov.  the  28th,  1862,  again  marched  to 
Lamar ;  on  the  19th  to  Holly  Spring*,  on  the 
30th  to  Waterford.  Decendjer  10th,  1862, 
Beaver  creek;  on  the  11th  to  Yocona 
creek,  passing  through  Oxford  and  cross- 
ing tlie  Tallahatchie  ;  ou  the  22d  marched 
from  Yocona  to  Water  Valley,  and  re- 
turned via  Oxford,  Beaver  creek,  Talla- 
hatchie, and  arrived  at  Holly  Springs, 
January  5th,  1863. 

The  41st  Regiment  was  in  the  first  bri- 
gade, Col.  Pugh ;  fourth  division,  Brig. 
Geu'l  Lauman  ;  right  wing.  Gen.  McPher- 
sou ;  13lh  army  corps,  Maj.  Gen.  Grant. 
The  regiment  went  into  camp  at  Moscow, 
Tenn.,  and  remained  until  March,  1863. 
On  March  5th,  1863,  ordered  to  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  where  it  arrived  on  the  10th.  The 
regiment  before  this  had  been  transferred 
from  loth  army  corps,  Maj.  Gen.  Grant,  to 
16th  army  corps,  Maj.  Geu.  Hurlburt  com- 
manding. 

Ou  12th  of  April,  1863,  proceeded  on  an 
expedition  to  Hernando,  Miss.  At  Cold 
Water,  seven  miles  beyond  the  latter  place, 
met  the  enemy,  under  Gen  Chalmers. 
Here  the  41st  was  under  a  heavy  skirmish 
fire  for  about  seven  hours.  On  the  16th 
returned  to  Memphis.  April  28th,  1863, 
moved  to  Vicksburg  ;  disembarked  at 
Young's  Point;  on  19th,  transferred  to 
Gen.  McClernand's  command.  AVas  en- 
gaged in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg. 

July  5th,  1863,  moved  towards  Jackson, 
Miss.  Engaged  in  the  battle  of  Jackson. 
The  loss  of  the  regiment  in  this  action  was 
40  killed  upon  the  field,  and  122  wounded. 
This  great  sacrifice  of  life  was  by  a  mis- 
taken order  of  Gen.  Lanmau's.     It  was  un- 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


121 


called  for  and  effected  nothing.  After  this 
disaster  the  regiment  returned  to  Vicks- 
burg  on  the  2oth  of  July. 

Nov.  18th,  1863,  mo%'ed  to  Natchez 
Miss.,  and  remained  until  the  28th,  when 
it  returned  to  Yicksburg.  Deo.  3d,  1863, 
marched  to  Big  Black  river,  where  it  re- 
mained and  erected  winter  quarters;  the 
41st  regiment  being  in  1st  brigade.  Gen. 
Thomas  Kirby  Smith;  fourth  division. 
Gen.  M.  JI.  Crocker;  17th  army  corps, 
Maj.  Gen.  James.  B.  McPherson  command- 
ing veterans  and  recruits  of  the  41st  III., 
consolidated  with  the  53d  regiment. 

The  41st  musttred  out  August  20,  1864, 
at  Springfield,  111.  Number  in  regiment 
1,211. 

Lis}i(i:nani-Colond. 
JoLn  Warner,  hon  diseliargdd  Nov.  20,  '02. 

Chaplain. 
Henry  C.  McCook,  resigned  Jan.  S,  '62. 

NON-COMMISSIONED   STAFF. 

Commissary  Serjeant. 
John  M.  Robinson,  vet.,  prorat'd  2d  lieut.,  Co.  A. 
Vet.  Bat. 


Home 


Principal  Mmieian. 
■  B.  Taylor,  luusl'J  out  .\ug 


12, '01. 


MUSTER   ROLL   COMTARY   C. 

Cuptaina. 
Jolin  Conklin,  resigned  March  17,  '02. 
Michael  Danison,  terra  expired  .\ug.  20,  '64. 

First  Lieutenants. 
Willi.im  C.  Campbell,  resigned  Nov.  12,  '62. 
William  W.  Hickman,  resigned  Oct.  1-5,  '62. 
John  W.  Bullock,  resigned  June  18,  '63. 
Seward  C.  Nelson,  term  expired  Aug.  20,  '64. 

Second  IJeutenant- 
Philip  F.  McGowan,  resigned  Dec.  26,  '63. 

First  Sergcaut. 
George  W.  Parker,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 

Sergeants. 
Locklin  W.  Rogers,  1st  seg't,  kl'd  at  Ft.  Donelson. 
A.  B.  Hildreth,  must,  out  Aug.  20,  '04  :  nounded. 

Corporals. 
Samuel  F.  Day,  k'd  at  Ft  Donelson  Feb.  1.5,  '02. 
Joseph  Ware,  vet.,  tnn^.  to  .53d  111,  dis.  Jlarch  22, 

for  prom,  in  Co.  T. 
James  A.  Laferty,  dis.  April  29,  '63 ;  wounds. 
Richard  Klinglore,  m'd  out  Aug.  20,  '64,  as  pv't. 
James  Ro.ss,  disch'd  June  17,  '02  ;  disability. 
Jackson  Adams,  must,  out  Aug.  20,  '64,  as  serg't. 

Mnsici,m.-<. 
John  Sliort,  vet.,  tr,  to.53d  111.,  M.O.,  July  22,  '65. 

Primtes. 
Bay,  Edward  R.,  vet.,  tr.  to  o3d  111.,  M.  O.,  July 

Bradford,'  William  B.,  died  April  16,  '02  ;  wounds. 
Boatman,  Robert,  di.sch'd  Aug.  27,  '01  ;  disabl'ly. 
Bates,  Jerred  M.,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 
Bruner,  James, 

Brown,  John  P..  "  " 

Barrickman,  Allen  W.,  died  of  w'nds  April  8,  '62. 
Bates,  Benjamin,  must,  out  Aug.  20,  '04  ;  wounds. 
Cunningham,  Robert,  disch'd   March   17,  '63,  as 

corporal,  died  at  Memphis,  Jlarch  l.S,  63. 
Cline,  MatthiiLs,  must,  out  Aug.  20,  '64,  as  corp'l. 
Cobian,  Samuel,  disch'd  Oct.  9,  '62;  wounds. 
Cundiff,  Jerome  B.,  must,  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 
Dugan,  James  C,  disch^d  Jan  27,  '62  ;  disabilitv. 
Dine,  John  W.,  vet,  tr.  to.53Ill.M.O.,  July  22, '60. 
Edwards,  Joseph,  killed  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  July 

12,  63. 
16 


Gibson,  James,  dis.  June  I'.l,   02  ;  disability. 
Graham,  James  H.,  dis.  March  11,  '03  toeillistin 

Marine  brig. 
Guuo,  Lorenzo,  disch'd  Juh-  11,  '02;  disability. 
Cirovos,  Andrew  J.,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 
Hnlliiian.  W.  H.,  disch'd  April  27. '02;  di.s.ibl'ty. 
Mill,  Lewis,  di.scliarged  Julv  11,  '62;  woimds. 
Hank,  J(din  B  ,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 
Hubbell.  Joseph  O. 

Huiibell,  Francis  M.,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 
Huddleston,  Shelby  A.,  ilied  at  Paducah,  Ky., 

Oct.  1.  '61. 
Hazel,  John  P.,  must  out  Aug.  20,  '64,  as  corp'l. 
Hillman,John  W..  "  "        wounded. 

Jackson.  Andrew,  died  Jidy  29,  '63  ;  wounds. 
Jewell,  Samuel  P.,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 
Lester,  Madison. k'd.atJackson,  Miss.,  July  12,  '63. 
Lvons,  James,  mustered  out  .\ug  20,   04. 
JIalone,  Daniel,  k'd  at  Ft.  Donelson  Feb.  15.  '62. 
McUurdv,  Frank  M.,  died  at  Clinton,  III.,  April 

12.  '02. 
McDeed,  Francis  M.,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 
Murphy,  Robert  A  ,  died  at  Clinton.  III. 
McHenry,  Perry,  disch'd  April  29, '02  ;  disbl'ty. 
JlcICean,  -Vndrew  R.,  nujstered  out  Aug.  9,   '64. 
Miller,  James,  deserted  Sej.t.  22,  '61. 
Murrv,  H.aden  W.,  vet,  rausi'd  out  Julv  22,   65. 
Macon,  John,  killed  at  Cold  Water,  Miss.,  Apri. 

19,  '63. 
Nelson.   Matthi.as,  died   at  Paducah,  Kv.,   Oct. 

15, '61. 
Norris.  Sherman  J.,  w'nd'd  and  missing  at  Shiloh. 
Nutt,  Henrv  A.,  died  at  Vicksburg  Feb.  15,  '64. 
Overmire,  Samuel,  disch'd  Aug.  2,  '62  ;  disbl'ty. 
Pyatt,  Bvron,  must,  out  Aug.  20.  '64,  as  corporal. 
Phares,  Francis  M.,  M.  O  ,  Aug.  20,  '64  as  serg't ; 

wounded. 
Ragen,  John,  died  at  New  Orleans,  July  8,  '02. 
Roberts,  Job  M..  mustered  out  .\ug  20.  04. 
Rowlev,  Norton,  captured  Julv  8,  '64.  disch'd. 
Robinson,  William  N.,  killed"  at  Jackson,  Miss., 

Julv  12, '63. 
Sears,  Alsin,  must,  out  Aug.  20,  '64,  as  sergeant. 
Sprague,  Stephen   W.,  deserted  and  joined  121 

Ohio  Infantrv. 
Smith,  David  W.,  disch'.l  M.av  3,  '62;  disabilitv. 
Tevambly,  Alvin,  discli  d  Oct^  19, '62;  disability. 
Walker,  Nathan,  disdi'd  June  7,  '62;  wounds. 
VValcut,  Samuel  ^V.,  killed  at  Ft.  Donelson  Feb. 

1.5,  '02. 
Wood,  David  M.,  must,  out  Julv  20.  '65  as  corp'l. 
Walrath.  Amanzo,  must,  out  Al'lg.  20,  '64. 
Willis,  James  H  ,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 
Williams.  William  W..  disch'd  April  10.  '63. 
Weaver,  Thomas,  vet.,  pro'td  seg't  Maj..  Vet  Batt. 
Wilson.  Samuel,  disch'd  Aug.  5,  '62;  disability. 
Ward,  Martin  V.  B.,  dis.  April  17, '62;  disabl'ty. 
Wilson,  Thomas  C,  deserted  Mav  22,  '63. 
Warrenb'iirg,  David  P  ,  vet..  M.  O.,  July.  22,  '65. 

Recruits. 
Bird,  James  T.,  tr.  to  .53  111.,  M.  O..  June  1,  '65. 
Crandall,  Wizzoon  M.,  died  at   Memphis   May 

9,  '63. 
Clemens,  John  M.,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1S64. 
Clifton,  Wm.  F.,  vet.,  mustered  out  July  22,  1865. 
Earley,  Jerome,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1804. 
Glenn,  Daniel,  transferred  to  53   III.,  must'd  out 

Julv  22.  1865. 
Hunt,  Wn'i.  H.,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Kellev,  Joseph  M.,  "  " 

Knof,'  William,  died  at  Vicksburg.  July  28,  1863. 
King.  Jonathan,  vet.,  must'd  out  Julv  22,  180.5. 
King,  William,  vet.,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Lappen.  James  O.,    discliarged   Sept.   IS,    1802, 

dLsubilitv. 
McCuin,  FMward  E.,  discharged  Dec.  16,  1862, 

disability. 
Pendleton,  George,  discharged  Aug.  4,  1802,  dis- 
abilitv. 
Poff,  Reuben,  discharged  Oct.  8,  1802,  disability. 
Perry,  (ieorge    D.,  died   at   Paducah,  Kv.,   Dec. 

31,  1861. 
Spencer,  John,  mustered  out  Ang.  20,  1864. 
Sandy,  William,  discharged  Aug.  11,  1862,  dis- 
abilitv. 
Stewart,  Saiimel,  discharged  Jan.  27,  1863. 
Spainhower,  Henrv  C,  transferred  to  53  Illinois, 

mustered  oiit  Jlarch  20,  186.5. 
Woods,  Stacy  W.,  transferred  to  53  111.,  mustered 

out  Julv  22,  1865. 


Schwaulo--,  Ctrl  W.,  Iran-.ferred  to  -53  111.,  must'd 
out. July  27,  1.865,  as  corporal. 

Ml'STER   ROLL   COMP.\NY    D. 
Priralcs. 
Grady,  William  F.,  deserted  Sept.  6,  1862. 
JIcFarland,  Le  inder  F.,  under   arrest  at  muster 

out  of  regiment. 
Slinker,  James  W.,  supposed  mirst'd  into  V.  R.  C. 

Recruit. 
Williams,  James,  died  Aug.  27,  1862,  wound.s. 

JIUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   F. 


David  P.  Brown,  resigned  Jlarch  28,  1862. 

John  C.  Lewis,  resigned  Oct.  16,  1802. 

Je.sse  Harrold,  term  expired  August  20,  1864. 

First  Lieuiautnts. 
Henrv  Bevis,  resigned  Feb.  10,  1862. 
William  H.  Taylor,  term  expired  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Second  Lieutenant. 
Edward  C.  Sackett,  term  expired  Aug.  20,  1864. 

First  Sergeants. 
Geo.  W.  WakeBeld,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Sergc'juts. 
Alonzo  D.  JIcHenrv,  discharged  Jan.  15,    1864, 

disabilitv.      ' 
William  R,  Oyler,  discharged  April  1,  186:t. 
John  Jlel).  n  dd,  must'd  out  Augu.st  20,  1864. 
Amos  Johnson, 


Cor 


•rnls. 


James    Adams,  discharged    Jlarch    11,   1863,  as 

private,  to  enlist  in  Jliss.  JIarine  Biigade. 
William    W.   Barger,   discharged   Jan.  13,  1863, 

disabilitv. 
William   W.  Abbott,  died  at  Wapella,  III.,  Jan. 

1-5,  1862. 
Richard  Farrend,  must'd  out  August  20,  1S64. 
Hugli  Thompson,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864,   as 

private. 
Benjamin  S.  Wilkins,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864, 

as  private. 

Musicians. 
John  W.  Shinkle,  deserted  Oct.  6,  1861. 
.\ddison  Harrison,  must'd  out  August  20,  1864. 

Waiioner. 

William  JlcCord,  must'd  out  August  20,  1864. 
Prirates. 

Armstrong,  John,  rairst'd  out  Augu.st  20,  1864. 

Arbogast,  George  B.,         "  "  " 

Barnett,  Jacob,  "  '*  " 

Bancroft,  David,  di.shonorablv  discii'd  by  G.  C.  M. 

Ballard,  Anderson  L.,  must''d  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Burkherd,  Nicholas,  vet.,  must'd  out  July  22,  '65. 

Brown,  Delos,  discharged  for  disabilitv. 

Collins,  Noah,  must'd  out  Aug.  20, 1864,  as  corp'l. 

Cresap,  Edward,  •'  "        " 

Carter,  Joshua  A.,  died  April  1,  1862,  wounds. 

Cobean,  Robert,  died  August  30,  1863. 

Davenport,  Hugh,  must'd  out  August  20,  1864. 

Downing,  Job, 

Dillavon,  John  T.,  discharged   Jlarch   16,  1863, 
disability. 

Flood,  James,  discharged  Sept.  22,  1862,  wounds. 

Gammel,  William  F.,  discharged  May  1, 1862,  as 
corporal,  disaljilitv. 

Gillmore.  William,  must'd  out  August  20,  1864. 

Gregarv,  John  VV., 

Harris,'  Andrew  H.,  "  '•  " 

Haggard,  Thoma-s,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864,  ag 
corporal. 

Haggard.  Nelson  F.,  died  at  Jlemphis,  Sept.  15, 
1803. 

Hisey,  Henry  C.  discharged  (Jet.  13,  1862. 

Houston,  James,  discharged  Nov.  11,  1862,  dis- 
ability. 

Hall,  Samuel,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  '64,  as  corp'l. 

Hillberry,    Abraham,  disch'd  Aug.  29,  1863,  dis- 
ability. 

Hudson.  Jolin  L.,  died  at  Centralia,  Til.,  Sept.  4, 
186.1 

Hughes,  John  C,  disch'd  Aug.  15,1862,  wound. 


122 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Judd,  Rufus  y.,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1SG4. 
Jones,  Isaac  M.,  vel.,  must'd   out  July   '2.1,  ISGo, 

as  sergeant. 
Jones,  William   H.,  discli'd    Sej.t.  2ll,  1SG3,    dis- 
ability. 
Jones,  Columbus  D.,  died  at  Paducali,  Ky.,  Mar. 
16,  1S62. 

Kegrice,  James  C,  disch'd  Jan.  1,  1S03. 

Keys,  Latham  N.,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  18fi4. 

Kerr,  John   Alex.,   disch'd   March   2,  1SU3,  dis- 
ability. 

Kerr,  Joseph,  vet ,  transferred  to  .53  III.,  deserted 
Nov.  13,  1864. 

Kinder,  Thomas  G.,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864,  as 
corporal. 

Lane,  Morgan,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  Feb.  14,  '62 

Lane,  Francis  M.,  killed  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  July 
12.  1N63. 

Mulkev,  Samuel  W.,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Mulkey,  Philip  B,,  di.sch'd  Dec.  20,  1862,  dis- 
ability. 

Madden,  Henry,  disch'd  Nov.  7, 1862,  disability. 

Malioney,  William,  tr.  to  V.  E.  C,  >ov.  10,  '63. 

Mastiii,  Aaron  L.  disch'd  July  5,  '63,  disability. 

Masiin,  Levi,  vet.,  must'd  out  July  22,  1865. 

Merrill,  Frank,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864.  _ 

Maple,  Levi  L.,  ab?ent  sick,  supp'd  to  be  disch'd. 

Maple,  Benjamin,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Morgan,  Owen,  vet.,  must'd  out  July  22,  '65,  as 
corjioral. 

McUmber,  Amber,  vet.,  must'd  out  July  22,  '65. 

Parker,  George  W.,  must'd  out  Augu-t  20,  1864. 

Porter,  Thomas  J.,  disch'd  Jan;  17,  '62,  disability. 

Perry,  Owen,  died  Sept.  11,  1863,  wounds. 

Keece,  Isaac  J.,  veteran. 

Kodgers,  Henrv,  mustered  out  July  22,  1865. 

bhriver,  Albert,  mustered  out  Aug'.  20,  1864. 

Slinson,  Alex.  B.,  disch'd  Aug.  4,  '62,  'disability. 

STuith,  John  H.,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  '64,  us  corpl. 

Thomas,  John  E.,  disch'd  for  disability. 

Wilson,  Alfred,  \V.,  disch'd  Oct.  10,  '62,  disability. 

Warfield,  John  H,,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1S64. 

Winner,  Azariah  S.,  disch'd  Dec.  25,  '62,disability. 

Warrenburg,  John  F..,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  '64. 

Reeraih. 

Ballard,  Andrew  S.,  must'd  out  .-iug.  20,  1864. 
Bovin,  John  T.,  tr.  to  53  111.,  m.  out  July  '22,  '65. 
Davenport,  W.  W.,    " 

Lister,  William,  tr.  to  .53  111.,  m.  out  July  22,  64. 
Moffitt,  Tunis  A.,  in  hospital  at  m.  out,  supiiosed 

to  be  discharged. 
Smith,  Thomas  E.,  must'd  out  .\ug.  20,  1864. 
Webb,  Isaac  N.,  tr.  to  53  111.,  m.  out  July  22,  '65. 
Webb,  Hiram, 
Wymer,  \Vm  ,  vet.  " 
Young,  Thomas  B.,  tr.  tn  53  111., disch'd  April  26, 

1865,  term  expired. 

SroSTEB   BOLL   COMPASY   G. 

Musician. 
Alfred  Clemens,  disch'd  April  9,  1862.  disability. 

Wa.j.mer. 
Wm.  H.  Andrews,  deserted  August  25,  1862. 


Crawford,  FrankUn,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Ellis,  W.  A.  vet.,  Ir.  to  53  Ill.,m.  o.  July  22,  65, 

as  corporal. 
Gilbreath,  John,  vet.,  tr.  to  53  III.,  m.  o.  July  22, 

1865,  as  corporal. 
McPherson,  John  W.  vet.,  tr.  to  53  111.,  m.  o. 

July  22,  1865. 
Peterson,  Isaac  N.  vet.,  tr.  to  53   111.,  m.  o.  July 

22,  1865. 
Kichards,  Linnus,  vet.,  tr.  to  53  111.,  m.  o.  July 

22,  1865. 
Robinson,  Wm.  N.  killed  at  Jackson,  Miss,,  July 

12,  1863. 
Eigdon,  William,  disch'd  Apr.  5,  '62.  disability. 
Sissom,  William  I.,  disch'd  Dec.  11,  '63,  wounds. 
Sissom,  Andrew  J.  must'd  out  Augu.sl  20,  18G4. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMP.\NY    K. 

Cplmm. 

Alexander  Kellv,  resigned  Dec.  17,  1S61. 
Samuel  Winegardncr,  dismissed  Aug.  26,  1864. 


First  LieuteruinU. 
Samuel  Woodward,  resigned  Aug.  8,  1863. 
Thomas  Kelly,  term  expired  August,  1864. 

Second  Licutemnls. 
Tliomas  Davis,  resigned  Jan.  8,  1862. 
James  W.  Warren,  term  expired   Aug.  20,  1864. 

First  Sn-geniit. 
Thompson  F.  Cooper,  wounded  at  Donelson,  Cor- 
inth and  Vicksburg,  m.  o.  -Vug.  '20,  1864. 

Serfjeants. 
Milton  Z.  Davis,  m.  o.  Aug.  20,  '64,  .as  private, 

wounded, 
F.  M.  Payne,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  Dec.  15,  '61. 

Corporals. 
James  Stewart,  disch'd  April  28,  1862,  wounded. 
David  L.  Willis,  left  sick  at  Fort  Donelson,  Mar. 

5,  '62,  went  home  and  never  relumed. 
Marshall  W.  Bovd,  m.  o.  Aug.  20,  '64,  woimded. 
Isaac  C.  Hedges,'died  at  Vicksburg,  July  16,  '63. 
Enoch  Fruit,  died  July  IS,  1862,  wounds. 
Joseph  R.  Garrett,  det'd  at  m.  o.  of  regiment. 
William  J.  Hufi',  killed  at  Jackson,  Miss  ,  July 

12,  1863. 
Clark  C.  Dement,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 


Beebe,  Orley,  disch'd  Sept.  18,  1862,  wounds. 
Bline,  John,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Barilett,  Edw.  H.  disch'd  Dec.  '24,  '62,  disability. 
Dupes,  Franklin,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  reg't.         | 
Duncan,  Harrison,  vet.,  tr.  to  53  III.,  m.  o.  July 

12,  186.5. 
Deverse,  Edmond  J.,  vet.,  tr.  to  53  III.,  m.  o.  July 

12,  1865. 
Doughman,   Benton,   serg't,  died  at   Vicksburg, 

Feb.  28, 1864. 
Ely,  Overton,   serg't,   killed   at  Jackson,   Miss., 

July  12,  1863. 
Frazy,  Benjamin  F.,  tr.  to.53  111.,  m.  o.  July  2'2,  '65. 
Gaudy,  Garner  M.,  vet.,  tr.  to  vet.  batt. 
Gaudy,  Jolm  E.,  vet.,  tr.  to  53  III.,  m.  o.  July  22, 

1865,  as  corporal. 
Gregory,Enoch,  vet.,  tr.  to  53  111.,  m.o.  July  22,  '65. 
Gregory,  Solomon,  vet.,  tr.  to  vet.  batt. 
Hill,  Edwin  L ,  diedat  Paducah,  Kr.,  Jan.  22,  '65. 
Henderson,  Noel,  m.  out  Sept.  13,  1864. 
Jone-s,  James  E.  vet.,tr.  to  53  Ill.,ra.  o.  July  22,  '65. 
Kelley,  Thomas,  must'd  out  Sept.  17,  1864. 
Noakes,  Wm.  H.  H.,  disch'd  Aug.  11, '62,  disab'y. 
Owens,  Richard,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Potts,  James,  killed  at  Jackson,  Mi.ss.,  J '^ly  12, '63. 
Power,  William,  died  at  Macon,  Ga.,  Aug.    12, 

1862,  prisoner  of  war. 
Bay,  Curtis,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Rouse,  Andrew,  must'd  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 
Rouse,  Geo.  W.,  disch'd  Sept.  5,  1862,  disability. 
Staley,  Thoma.s,  died  at  St.  Louis,  June  20,  1863. 
Smith,  William  H.  vet.,  tr.  to  53  111.,  m.  o.  July 

22,  1865. 
Shaffer,  John  A.,  died  at  Paducah, Ky.,Mar.lO,  '62. 
Walburn,  Isaac,  tr.  to  V.  E.  C,  Sept.  15,  1863. 
Williams,  James  D.,  killed  at  Ft.  Donelson,  Feb. 
1-5,  1862. 

Haruits. 
Clark,  Thomas  A.,  veteran. 
Daughman,  John  H.,  veteran. 
Gre(iory,John.killed  at  Jackson,Miss.,July  12,  '63. 
Griffin,  James  A.,  transferred. 
Menter,  George,  mustered  out  Aug.  20,  1864. 

Unftssifjned  Recruits. 
Cox,  Peter,  discharged  Nov.  16,  1864. 
Perry,  John  S.,  rejected  and  discharged. 

forty-second  infantry  regiment, 
(three  years'  service.) 
muster  roll  company  k. 


Frost,  George  R.,  tr.  to  Sappers  and  Miners,  Aug. 
20,  ISGl. 

FORTY-SIXTH  INFANTRY. 
{three  years'  service.) 
AVas  organized  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois, 
December   :;8tb,  1861,   by  Col.  John   A. 


Davis.  Ordered  to  Cairo,  111.,  Feb.  11th, 
1862.  From  thence  proceeded  to  Fort 
Donelson,  Tenn.,  arriving  on  the  14th,  and 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Geu.  Lew. 
Wallace.  On  the  loth,  lost  one  man  kill- 
ed and  two  wounded.  On  the  19th  moved 
to  Fort  Henry.  On  the  6tb,  embarked  for 
Pittsburg  Landing,  where  it  was  assigned 
to  Gen.  S.  A.  Hurlbut's  brigade. 

The  Forty-Sixth  took  a  most  conspicuous 
and  honorable  part  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh, 
losing  over  half  of  its  officers  and  men,  in 
killed  and  wounded,  and  receiving  the 
thanks  of  the  commanding  Generals. 
Among  the  wounded  were  Col.  John  A. 
Davis,  Maj.  Dornblaser,  Captains  Musser, 
Stephens,  Marble  and  McCracken,  Lieu- 
tenants Hood,  Barr,  Arnold,  Ingraham, 
and  Howell.  In  this  action  the  "  Fight- 
ing Fourth  Division,"  of  Gen.  Hurlbut's 
achieved  a  reputation  for  bravery,  to  which 
it  added  on  every  field  in  which  it  was  en- 
gaged until  the  close  of  the  war.  The 
regiment  was  also  engaaed  in  the  siege  of 
Corinth  in  the  month  of  Rlay. 

June  2d,  camped  a  little  west  of  Corinth  ; 
10th,  marched  to  the  Hatchie  river  ;  loth, 
passed  through  Grand  Jimction  and  camped 
three  miles  from  town.  24th,  moved  to 
Collarbone  Hill,  near  Lagrange.  On  the 
30th  moved  to  the  Old  Lamar  Church. 
July  1st,  marched  to  Cold  Water  and  re- 
turned on  the  6th.  Moved  on  the  17th, 
toward  Memphis,  via.  Moscow,  Lafayette. 
Germantown  and  White's  Station,  camping 
two  miles  south  of  Memphis  on  the  21st  of 
July.  Engaged  in  a  scout  to  Pigeon  Roost, 
August  27th.  Made  several  marches  dur- 
ing the  following  month,  arriving  at  Hatchie 
river  on  the  14th.  September  27th,  all 
the  troops  on  the  river,  at  this  place,  were 
reviewed  by  General  McPherson. 

On  the  4th  of  October  moved  toward 
Corinth  ;  5th  met  the  enemy  at  Matamoras 
The  46th  Regiment  went  into  position  ou 
the  right  of  the  Second  Brigade,  support- 
ing Bolton's  Battery.  After  an  hour  of 
shelling  by  the  batteries,  the  infantry  were 
ordered  forward,  and  at  a  double  quick  ad- 
vanced, driving  the  enemy  across  the  river. 
The  First  Brigade  coming  up,  Hurlbut's 
"  Fighting  Fourth  Division "  advanced 
and  drove  the  enemy  from  the  field,  com- 
pelling their  flight.  Col.  John  A.  Davis 
of  the  40th,  was  mortally  wounded  in  this 
action  and  Lieutenant  M.  R.  Thompson, 
also— both  dying  on  the  10th.  After  the 
battle  returned  to  Bolivar.  November  3d, 
marched  to  Lagrange;  28th,  moved  to 
Holly  Springs ;  30th,  toward  Tallahatchie 
river,  and  camped  near  Waterford,  Mis- 
sissippi, where  splendid  winter  quarters  with 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COl'XTY,  ILLINOIS. 


123 


mud  chimneys  aud  bake  oven  complete, 
were  fitted  up  in  time  to  move  away  from 
them.  December  11th,  moved  to  Hurri- 
cane Creek,  and  on  the  following  day  to 
Yocona  Station,  where  it  remained  until 
the  22d,  when  it  marched  to  Taylor  Station. 
Holly  Springs  having  been  captured  by 
Van  Dorn,  moved  on  the  23d,  via  O.xford 
to  Hurricane  Creek,  and  camped  on  the 
26th,  near  Holly  Springs.  Jloved  to  that 
place  Jan.  6,  1863,  and  on  the  10th,  escort- 
ed ammunition  train  to  Lagrange.  April 
12th,  1863,  engaged  in  the  expedition  to 
Hernando,  aud  returned  to  Memphis  on 
the  24th.  On  the  13th  embarked  for 
Vicksburg,  and  on  the  1.5th  landed  at 
Young's  Point ;  18th  marched  to  Bowers' 
Lauding  ;  19th  to  Sherman's  Landing  ; 
20th  moved  by  Steamer  up  the  Yazoo  to 
Chickasaw  Bayou.  Disembarked  and  mov- 
ed across  the  swamps  to  the- bluff.  May 
21st  proceeded  to  the  right  of  Gen.  Grant's 
army,  aud  were  then  ordered  to  Snyder's 
Bluff  On  the  24th  marched  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Vicksburg,  and  on  the  following 
day  took  position  at  the  extreme  left  of  the 
line.  The  regiment  was  detailed  on  picket 
duty,  and  during  the  night  the  out-post, 
consisting  of  five  companies  of  the  regi- 
ment, were  captured  hj  the  enemy.  One 
hundred  and  four  men  and  seven  officers 
were  captured,  seventy  escaping.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  regiment  took  an  active 
part  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  July  ■5th, 
moved  to  Clear  Creek  ;  6th  to  Bolton 
Station  ;  8th,  to  Clinton ;  9th,  to  Dickens' 
Plantation,  where  it  remained  guarding 
train.  On  the  12th,  moved  on  the  extreme 
right  of  the  line  near  Pearl  river.  En- 
gaged in  the  siege  until  the  16th,  when  the 
enemy  evacuated  Jackson ;  after  which  the 
regiment  returned  to  Vicksburg.  The  di- 
vision was  now  transferred  to  the  Seven- 
teenth Corps,  and  Brigadier  General  M. 
M.  Crooker  was  assigned  to  command. 
Aug.  12th  moved  to  Natchez.  September 
1st,  went  on  an  expedition  into  Louisiana, 
returning  on  the  8lh,  and  on  the  16th  again 
returned  to  Vicksburg.  January  4th, 
1863,  the  Forty-Sixth  was  mustered  as  a 
veteran  regiment,  aud  returned  home  on 
furlough.  Returned  again  to  the  field,  was 
mustered  out  of  the  United  States  service 
January  20th,  1866.  Below  is  a  list  of 
those  from  De  Witt  who  served  in  the  4  Jth 
infantry. 

JIUSTER   ROLL   COJirASY   A. 

Becruits. 
Huddleston.  Keuben  H.,  mus.  out  Jan.  20,  1866. 

MUSTER   POLL   COMPANY    H. 
Capta!,,,. 
Jolin  A.  HiiehfS.  mustered  out  Dec.  1,  1864. 
Frederick  W.  Pike,  mustered  out  Jan.  20,  1866. 


Serge., „ls. 
Ebenezer  McCuUough,  dis.  April  4,  '62;  disali'y. 
De  Villia  D.  Stgner,  dis.  Sejit.  1,  '62  :  disability. 

Corpon,L<. 

Elijah  H.  Blackburn,  dis.  Oct.  9.  '02  ;  wounded. 
Andrew  J,  Coolcy,  deserted  Jan.  21,  18G2. 
Samuel  D.  Henneniway,  vet.,  sick,  mus.  out  reg't. 
Wm.  H.  Cook,  dis.  Dec.  o,  '64,  as  priv.,  term  ex. 

Mu.<inan.'<. 

Ed.  H.  Keynold.s,  vet.,  M.  O.  Jan.  20,  '6.5,  as  serg't. 

Pnviite.i. 

Bullis,  Abram  F.,  dis.  Dec.  23,  1862;  disability. 
Cook,  Monroe,  vet.,  mustered  out  Jan.  20,  1866. 
Cook,  Lyman  H.,  veteran,  mus.  out  Jan.  20.  '66. 
Chapman,  D.ivid,  dis.  Dee.  .5,  '64  as  serg't ;  ter.  ex. 
D..iley,  Patrick,  died  May  6.  1862;  wounds. 
Dunn,  Jarae.s,  dis.  Dec.  5,  1864;  term  expired. 
Horlen,  Sylvester,  died  at  Henderson,  M.iy  16, '62. 
Hill.  Preston  K-,  dis.  Dec.  -5.  '64.  as  corp'l ;  ter.  ex. 
McGrath,  John  P..  vet ,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  ;  dis. 

Feb.  20,  '6.5,  as  sergeant ;  died. 
McDowell,  David,  dis.  Dec.  .5,  '04;  term  expired. 
Meigher.  John,  vet.,  Corp..  died  at  Duvall's  Bluff 

Dec.  19,  1864. 
Newberry,  J;is.  B  ,  vet.,  M.  O.  Jan.  20,  '66 ;  serg't. 
Patterson,  W'm.  N.,  vet.,  serg't ;  des.  Nov.  17, '6.3. 
Patterson,  James,  must,  out  Jan.  20.  '66,  as  serg't. 
Shommaker,  Andrew,  dis.  June  16,  '62;  disability. 
■Townsend,  Luther,  died  at  Mt.  Ver.,  .Aug.  17,  '62. 
"Talley,  William,  vet.,  mustered  out  Jan.  20,  '66. 
Welch,  Theron,  deserted  May  7,  1S62. 
Wood,  Jacob,  must,  out  Jan.  20,  '66,  as  corporal. 

Vclernm. 
Reynolds,  Edward  H.,  mus.  out  Jan.  20,  '66,  sergt. 
Stone,  Corydon,  mus.  out  Jan.  20,  '66,  as  serg't. 

Reeruils. 

Atkins,  Woodbury,  mus.  out  Jan.  20,  '66  as  corp. 
Carmichael,  John,  mustered  out  Oct.  31,  186.5. 
Kelcher.  Cornelius,  mus.  out  Jan.  20,  '66  as  corp. 
Landy,  James,  mustered  out  Jan.  20,  '66  as  corp. 
Loveridge,  Jerome,  died  at  Vicksb'g  Jan.  26,  '64. 
Livingston,  Huntly,  mustered  out  Jan.  20,  1866. 
Martin,  Don  V.,  "  ''  "  " 

Mahin,  Thomas,  "  "  "  " 

Oyers,  Henry,  "  ''  "  " 

Patterson,  Ezra  G.,  "  "  "  '* 

Paige.  Scott,  ''  "  "  '' 

Seihler,  James  M.,  mustered  out  Nov.  25,  1865. 

MUSTER   P.OLL   COMPASY   I. 
reta-a-M. 
Tearney,  Edward,  absent,  sick  at  mus.  out  of  reg't. 
fiftv-fikst  infantry, 
(three  years'  service.) 
The  fifty-first  regiment  was  organized  at 
Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  Illinois,  Decem- 
ber 24th,  1861,  by  Col.  Gilbert  W.  Gum- 
ming.    Engaged  in  the  battle  of  Farming- 
ton,  and  the  siege  of  Corinth.     December 
30th,  1862,  the   brigade   met   the   enemy 
under  Bragg,  and  was  engaged  during  the 
day,  losing  seven  wounded.     December  31st 
the   regiment  was   in  the  thickest  of  the 
fight  at  Stone  river,  losing  57  killed,  wound- 
ed and  prisoners.     After  some  days'  move- 
ments, entered  the  town  of  Chickamauga, 
at   4  p.  m.,  19th,  losing   that  evening   90 
men  out  of  200  engaged.     November  24th 
,  at  Mission  Ridge,  lost  30  out  of  150  men 
engaged,  at   Rocky   Face  Ridge,   Resaca, 
Dallas,   Kenesaw   Mountain,  Peach   Tree 
Creek,  Atlanta,  Na.?hville.     Mustered  out 
at  Camp   Irwin,  Texas,  Septemljer  25th, 


MUSTEK   ROLL   COMPANY     D. 

Primles. 
Jefferson,  Reuben. 

Neff,  Martin  C,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  Feb.  11th,  1864 
Williams,  Jester  M.,  vet.,  serg't.  killed  at  Frank- 
lin, Nov.  30th,  1864. 

FIFry-SE30.\D  INFAXTBY. 
(three  years    SERVICE.) 

De  Witt  county  was  represented  in  this 
gallant  regiment  by  a  few  men  in  com- 
panies C  and  D  whose  names  are  ap- 
pended to  this  short  sketch.  It  was  or- 
ganized at  Geneva,  Kane  county,  Illinois, 
in  November,  1861,  by  Col.  J.  G.  Wilson, 
and  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service,  November  19th,  by  Lieutenant  J. 
Christopher.  It  moved  with  945  men  to 
St.  Louis,  and  went  into  quarters  at  Ben- 
ton Barracks ;  here  Col.  Wilson  resigned. 
With  Lieutenant  Col.  J.  S.  Wilcox  com- 
manding, the  regiment  on  December  8th 
moved  to  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  and  other  points 
in  that  State.  Embarked  for  Fort  Donel- 
son,  Feb.  10th,  1S62,  but  on  the  ISth  was 
interrupted  and  sent  to  Chicago  with  pri- 
soners. March  13. h  left  for  the  army  of 
the  Tennessee,  and  20th  disembarked  at 
Pittsburg  Landing,  aud  were  assigned  to 
General  Smith's  brigade.  The  regiment 
took  a  prominent  part  in  the  battle  of 
Shiloh,  April  6th  and  7th,  losing  170  killed, 
wounded  and  missing.  It  also  participated 
in  the  siege  of  Corinth,  May,  1862,  pur- 
sued the  retreating  enemy  to  Booneville, 
Miss.,  and  returned,  engaging  in  the  battle 
of  Corinth,  Oct.  3d  and  4th— loss  being  70 
killed  and  wounded.  Made  several  scouts 
from  Corinth,  skirmishing  occasionally- 
with  the  enemy.  January  9th,  1863,  three- 
fourths  of  the  regiment  re-enlisted  as  vet- 
erans, and  returned  home  on  furlough. 
May  3d,  1864,  commenced  the  Atlanta 
campaign.  The  regiment  engaged  in  the 
battles  of  Snake  Creek  Gap,  Resaca,  Lay's 
Ferr}',  Rome  Cross  Roads,  Dallas,  Kene- 
saw Mountain,  Nickajack  Creek,  Decatur, 
July  22d  and  23d,  before  Atlanta  and 
Jonesboro,  and  went  into  camp  at  East 
Point.  Was  present  at  the  battle  of  Ben- 
tonville.  The  regiment  went  to  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  and  participated  in  the  grand 
review.  May  24th,  1865.  Was  mustered 
out  of  the  United  States  service  and  moved 
to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  III.,  and  re- 
ceived final  payment  and  discharge  July 
12th,  1865. 

FIFTY-SECOND   INFANTRY   REGIMENT. 
(three  years'    SERVICE.) 
MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   C. 


3IustrM 


Calvin  R.  Ho.adley. 
John  Muore. 


Cochran,  Eugene  O. 


124 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Lawles,  Charles  L.,  vet.,  must,  out  Julv  U,  'G.3  as 

corporiil. 
Rowley,  Harri.*on. 
ViiURlin,  Delevan  E. 
Whiteliead,  Malvin  B.,  nui.'^lereJ  out  July  I',,  '(55. 

Vctemn. 
Bain,  .lolin,  mustered  out  July  G,  '6-5  a.1  corii'l. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY    P. 

Vdemns. 

Lamb,  William  H,  mu.-lered  out  Julv  6,  '65. 
McDowell,  John  C  , 

Wood,  George,   died  near  Columbia,  S,  C,  Feb 
IG,  'Go. 

MUSTEK   ROU,   tOMTANY    G. 

I'riml.:. 

Lockwood,  William  S. 

FIFTY-FIFTH    INFANTRY  EEcilMEXT. 
(THR£E   YEARS  .SERVICE.) 

This  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  III.,  and  mustered  iuto 
the  United  States  service  October  31st, 
1861.  It  served  for  three  years;  was  in 
many  hard-i'onght  battles  and  several 
minor  engagements,  and  during  its  term 
marched  3,37-1  miles.  Was  mustered  out 
August  14,  1865. 

MUSTER  ROLL   COMi'ASY'    B. 

rrinitcs. 
Jackson,  John,  vet.,  mustered  out  Aug.  14,  '0-5. 
Landley,  Jolin. 
McElroy,  Thomas,  discharged  April  16,  '63. 

FIFTY-SEVENTH    INFANTRY   REGIMENT. 
(THREE  years'  SERVICE.) 

Secomd  Assisicmt  Suigeon, 
Isaac  N.  Bishop. 

FIFTY'-EIGHTH   ISFHXTEY.     ' 
(THREE   years'    SERVICE) 

Was  organized  and  recruited  at  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  111.,  Feb.  11th,  1862. 
It  was  a  strong  and  gallant  regiment,  and 
was  many  times  complimented  for  bravery 
and  courage  in  the  numerous  battles  in 
which  it  was  engaged.  It  was  mustered 
out  at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  April  1st,  1866, 
and  ordered  to  Springfield,  111.,  for  final 
payment  and  discharge. 

There  were  but  few  in  this  regiment  from 
De  Witt  county,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  list 
below. 

MUSTEK   ROLL    COMPANY   G. 
Priinlc. 

Walker,  William  P.  J.,  mustered  out  Feb,  7,   0.5  ; 
was  prisoner. 

MuSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   H. 
Primlcs. 
Schwartz,  Michael,  deserted  April  .5,  'G2, 
Schafner.  Alonzo,  M.  0.,  April  17,  'G.3;  to  dale 
Feb.  7,  '65. 

FIFTY-EIGHTH  INFANTRY'  (Consolidated). 

(three   Y-EARS'  SERVICE.) 
MUSTER    ROLL   COMPANY"   F. 

PrUah: 
Cooper.  David  C,  mustered  out  March  27,   GG 


.SIXTY'-SECONll  INFANTRY. 
{Three  Years'  .Scn-ire.) 
The  sixty-second  regiment  volunteers 
was  organized  in  Camp  Dubois,  Anna,  111., 
April  10,  1862,  by  Col.  James  M.  True. 
April  22,  1862,  was  ordered  to  Cairo,  111.  ; 
May  7th,  to  Paducah  ;  June  7th.  to  Colum- 
bus ;  and  thence  in  Cul.  Ditzler's  Brigade 
to  Tennessee,  where  it  was  stationed  at 
Crockett,  on  the  Mobile  and  Ohio  rail- 
road. From  here  it  marched  on  campaign 
through  Tennessee,  after  General  Forrest, 
doing  nothing  however  but  occasional  skir- 
mishing. August  24,  1863,  embarked  for 
Helena,  and  on  the  28th  took  up  the  line 
of  March  for  Little  Rock,  Ark.  Septem- 
ber 2d,  came  up  with  General  Steel's  army 
at  Brownsville,  and  on  the  10th  met  the 
enemy  near  Little  Rock,  driving  him  back 
and  compelling  the  evacuation  of  the 
place.  January  9,  1864,  the  regiment  re- 
enlisted  as  veterans.  Was  mustered  out 
of  the  U.  S.  service  at  Little  Rock,  Ark., 
March  6,  1866. 


MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY'    C. 

Oorponds. 


William  H.  Co 


,  discharged  June  5,  1SG3. 

Tf(,r,:«.s. 


MilLs,  John,  discharged  June  22,  '65  ;  disability. 

liecruiu. 
Sumpter,  Hiram,  discharged  Aug.  7,  1S63. 

MU.STER   ROLL   COMPANY   H. 

Cnptidn. 
John  Foley,  promoted  2d  Tenn.,  African  descent. 

Firtft  Lkntenant. 
Read  Anderson,  died  Oct.  1,  1863. 

Prirates. 
Arbogast,  John  W.,  mustered  out  March  6,  1866. 
McC'nllough,  John  W.,  mustered  out  May  2,  '65. 
McCullough,  John  M. 
Murphy,  John,  mustered  out  May  2.  1S65. 
Patterson,  James  B.,  vet.,  mus.  out  March  6,  '66. 
Weeks,  W.F.,  died  .at  Duvalls'  Bluff  Aug.  23, '64. 

SIXTY'-SI-YTH   INFANTRY    REGIMENT. 

MUSTER   ROLL   CO.MPANY'   C. 

Privntes. 

Harris,  Elijah  II.,  killed  at  Atlanta  July  22,  '64. 

Reeruiti. 
Harri.s,  Amos,  mustered  out  July  7,  1865. 

SIXTY-EIGHTH     INFANTRY     REGIMENT. 
MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY    C. 

C\.pU,U,. 
Henry  Davy,  mustered  out  Sept.  26, 1862. 

First  Licttlamnl. 
George  II.  Whiteman,  muslered  out  Sept.  26,  '62. 

Second  Lieutenant. 
Isaac  X.  Coltrin,  mustered  out  Sept.  26, '62. 

First  Scr.jennt. 
Joseph  M.  Prior,  mustered  out,  Sept.  26,  62. 
Sergeants. 

John  L-  Lane,  mustered  out  Sept.  26,  1862. 
J.ames  B.  Currv.  mustered  out  Sept.  26,  1862. 
Charles  C.  Wiiisloiv,  mustered  out  Sept.  26,  1862. 
Thomas  Ewing,  mustered  out  Sept.  2G,  1SG2, 


S.  Chappele 
111  H   Col. , 
sO  Conk. in, 


aiustered  out  Sept.  1862. 


odard, 


Wil 

Irei 

William  Na 

James  Y.  W 

Duuiinie  Curry,  "  '*  " 

Thomas  G.  Harvey,  "  "  " 

Albert  J.Clemens,  " 

Mmicians. 
Geo.  M.  Aughenbaugh,  must'd  out  Sept.  26, 1862. 
Miles  T.  Caatrall,  mustered  out  Sept.  26,  1862. 

Prirates. 
Adams,  Parker  W.,         must'd  out  Sept.  26,  1862. 

Adams,  .lames  W.,  "  '' 

Adams,  Calvin, 

Baylas,  Perry,  ''  " 

Barnett,  George  W.,  "  " 

Bennett,  George,  *'  "  " 

Baldwin,  John  M., 

Bales,  John  A.,  "  "  '' 

Brooks,  Jesse,  "  ''  " 

Brooks,  Almon  D , 

Burkholder,  John  M.,  "  "  " 

Bowles,  Charles  F.  B.,  ' 

Bowles,  Robert  B.  "  "  " 

Brooks.  Leonard  U.,  ''  '' 

Bates,  Theodore,  ''  " 

Cross,  Weslev  S.,  ''  "  '' 

Cross,  George  H.,  ''  "  " 

Cantrall,  William  H., 

Clements,  C:ayton  C,  "  "  '' 

Denton,  John  S.,  *'  *'  " 

Davenport,  .lackson  P.,        '■  •' 

Deiupsey.  Michael,  '*  *'  *' 

EIridge,  Israel  H.,  " 
Ely,  George  Vf-, 

Ely.  David  L.,  

Fears,  William,  •' 

Gaines,  Samuel  B., 

CTraves,  James,  '*  "  *' 

Graham.  George  B.,  ''  "  " 

Gahagan,  Andrew,  "  "  " 

Geer.^William  H., 

Geer,  William  E., 

Garton,  Daniel,  "  ''  '' 

Grove.s,  George  W.,  "  "  " 

Groves,  Levi  L..  "  "  " 

CTarritt,  George  W-,  '*  "  '' 

Heflcrmou,  William, 

Hill,  Curtis, 

Hinkel,  Abraham,         __        " 

Ilitchner,  Matthias,  "  "  " 

Hankinson,  Benjamin,  ''  ''  '' 

Humphrey,  Levi  A.,  "  " 

Harper,  William  A.,  "  "  " 

Hood,  Wilson  B.,  "  "  '| 

Jones,  David  W.,  **  " 

Jellrey,  William  O..  "  "  '' 

Johnson,  Ira,  "  ''  '* 

Jones,  .Samuel,  *'  "  '' 

Kranich,  Alfred,  "  "  '| 

King,  George  W.,  " 

Kellv,  Zachan'  T.,  "  "  " 

Lilla'rd,  W.  B!,  "  "  " 

Lisenby,  John,  ''  "  *' 

Lighner,  Isaiah  M.,  '*  " 

Lyons,  Michael,  "  ''  '' 

Lanterman,  Henry  C,  "  "  " 

Murphy,  Israel  J.,  "  "  " 

Murpliv,  Joseph,  "  "  '* 

JIulkev,  William  A., 

McPhearson.  Jesse  B.  F.,     "  ''  ;| 

Morse,  Joseph,  "  " 

Miller,  John  H., 

Munson,  William, 

McAbov,  Artluir  I., 

Norm.an,  Elias  M., 

Owens,  Silas  M., 

Pendleton,  Samuel  B.,  "  "  ' 

Phare.s,  Samuel  C,  ''  "  '' 

PedUKi-id,  Thomas  J., 

Petitt,  Jonas,  '*  ''  '' 

Reed,  Edward, 

Rogers,  Andrew  W^..  *'  "  *' 

Rifcdon,  William,  

Spaulding.  James,  "  '*  *i 

Swecnev.  John.  " 

Smith,  George  W.,  '' 


EISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


125 


Slinker,  William,  mustered  out  Sept.  2(i,  1S(j2. 

Thomas,  James  L.,  "  " 

Todd,  John  M.,  "  "  " 

Twadle,  Samuel  B.,  "  "  " 

Vandeventer,  "William,  "  "  " 

Vandeventer,  Cliristoplter,  "  *'  " 

AViiislow,  Orlando,  "  "  *' 
Wriner,  Robert, 

"Wren,  John  S.,  "  "  " 

MUSTEK   EOLL   COMPANY    K. 

Prirnlc. 
Brady,  Xoah  M.,  mustered  out  Sept.  20,  ISC2. 

SEVESTY-NIXTH    INFANTRY   REGIMENT. 

(  Three  Yeues  Se,  rice.) 

MUSTER    ROLL   COMPANY   D. 

Priente. 

Trice,  David  N.,  died  at  Xashville,  June  20,  '0.3. 

HUNDRED    AXD   FIFTH   INFANTRY'. 
(THREE   years'    SERVICE.) 

About  one-half  of  company  K,  of  this 
regiment,  volunteered  from  DeWitt  county. 
The  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service,  September  2d,  1862,  at 
Dixon,  Illinois.  Oa  the  8th,  moved  to 
Camp  Douglas,  and  on  the  30th  left  there 
fur  Louisville,  Ky.,  arriving  on  the  2d  of 
October,  and  reporting  to  General  Dumont, 
was  attached  to  his  division.  Brig.  Gen. 
W.  T.  Ward's  brigade.  Moved  from  here 
to  Frankfort,  where  it  engaged  in  guard 
and  picket  duty,  with  occasional  skirmish- 
ing with  the  enemy.  From  this  time  to 
May,  186-1,  it  was  occupied  in  guarding 
and  marching  from  place  to  place,  with  oc- 
casional slight  skirmishing  in  Kentucky 
and  Tennessee.  May  10th,  1861,  it  moved 
to  Snake  Creek  Gap,  and  on  the  loth  in 
the  direction  of  Resaca,  Georgia,  skirmish- 
ing that  evening  and  during  the  next  day. 
Early  on  the  loth  moved  with  the  corps  to 
the  extreme  left  of  the  line.  Immediately 
upon  its  arrival  taking  part  in  a  charge 
upon  the  enemy's  works,  which  were  car- 
ried, the  regiment  losing  several  men  in 
the  engagement.  Followed  the  retreating 
enemy.  On  the  19th,  the  One  Hundred 
and  Fifth  being  the  advance,  skirmished 
with  the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy,  driving 
them  at  every  point.  On  the  25th  con- 
tinued its  march  toward  Dallas,  Georgia, 
encountering  the  enemy,  having  a  brisk 
engagement  till  dark,  the  casualties 
numbering  fifteen,  including  two  commis- 
sioned officers.  From  this  time  until  June 
1st,  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  advanc- 
ing line,  building  and  strengthening  the 
works  and  skirmishing,  losing  16  men. 
June  1st  moved  to  the  extreme  left,  with 
Twentieth  Corps.  On  the  2d  the  regiment 
was  ordered  out  as  flankers,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing day  moved  around  and  beyond  the 
enemy's  right,  encamping  near  Ackworth, 
Georgia.     On  the  15th  it  moved  forward, 


encountering  the  enemy  behind  the  breast- 
works. A  steady  fire  was  kept  up  until 
dark.  The  next  two  days  were  occupied  in 
strengthening  the  position  by  erecting 
breastworks,  being  exposed  to  fire  of  the 
enemy.  Lost  19  men.  Drove  the  enemy, 
following  line  skirmishing  at  intervals. 
21st  severe  skirmishing  fire;  22d  lost  11 
men.  Following  the  enemy,  skirmishing 
as  they  went,  losing  1  man  killed  and  2 
wounded.  Participated  in  the  battle  of 
Peach  Tree  Creek  and  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign, and  was  with  Sherman  on  the 
"  Grand  march  to  the  Sea."  AVas  at  the 
siege  of  Savannah  ;  battle  of  Averysboro, 
and  Beutonville,  and  in  all  the  skirmishes 
in  the  campaign  of  the  Carolinas.  Took 
part  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington, 
May  2-lth,  1865,  where  the  regiment  re- 
ceived a  compliment  for  their  movements 
in  the  manual  of  arms  and  their  military 
appearance.  It  left  Washington,  June  7th, 
1865,  after  being  mustered  out,  and  ar- 
rived at  Camp  Fry,  Chicago,  on  the  10th, 
wh'^re  it  received  payment  and  was  dis- 
banded May  .17th,  1865. 

one  hundred  and  fifth  infantry'. 

(three  years'  service.) 

mustek  roll  company  h. 

Priiaies. 

Eckhart,  Lewis,  mustered  out  June  7,  '&b, 

MUSTEK   ROLL   COMPANY   K. 

Ca-pl.un. 

Xathan  S.  Greenwood,  re.-^igned  Dec.  2,  '63. 

Firiit  Licictetinnt. 
John  Ellis,  mustered  out  June  7,  '6-5. 

Scrrieanf!<. 
George  G.  Congdon,  dis.  March  25,  '63  ;  disbl'ty. 
Joel  A.  Gleason,  mustered  out  June  7,  '6o, 

Corporals. 
Jerome  Perry,  m'd  out  June  7,  '65  as  sg't;  wounds. 
Byron  S.  Barnes,  must,  out  June  7,  '65  as  priv't. 
Almond  JI.  Ingalls,  must,  out  June  7,  'Qd  as  .sg't. 
Delano  M.  Williams,  dis.  Jan.  3,  '63  ;  disaiblity. 

iMu-tiewn. 
Elijah  Fields,  mustered  out  June  7,  ^&o. 

Prmdes. 
Akerraan,  August,  mustered  out  June  7,  'Go. 
Alford,  Buel  G.,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.,  of  reg't. 
Allen,  Ira,  trans,  to  engineer  corps  July  2,  '6t- 
DuHV,  Christopher,  must,  out  June  7,  '65  a-s  crp'I. 
Flanders,  Charles  M.,  dis.  April  11,  '63 ;  disbl'ty. 
Fullerton,  J.  Taylor,  M.  O.,  June  7,  '65. 
Gardner,  Horace,  M.O.,  June  7,  '65;  twice  wnded. 
Gibson,  James,  died  at  Kingston  June  1,  '64;  wds. 
Huglies,  Elia-s,  mustered  out  June  7,  '65. 
Handv,  Jerome,  "  '* 

Ivellog.  Henrv,  d'd  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,Dec.  12,  '62. 
Kimball,  Jos'eph  A.,  tr.  to  V.  R.  C,  Mar.  13,  'tii. 
Low,  .James,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  Mar.  3,  '63. 
Morrill,  Jonathan  M.,  died  at  South  Tunnell  T., 

Jan.  26,  '63. 
Manning,  Luke.M,  O,  June  7, '65;  w'nded3t'ms. 
Mennis,  William  W.,  abs't  sick  at  M.  O.,  of  reg't. 
Parr,  Edwin,  disch'd  Dec  26,  62;  disability. 
Pearson  Edward,  M.  O.,  June  22,  '65;  wounds. 
Smith,  Andrus,  M.  0.,  June  7,  '65  wounded. 
Seeley,  Anson,  disch'd  May  15,  '63  ;  disability. 
Schroeder,  Charles  N.,  tr  to  Eug.  cordis  July  2,  '64. 


Telford,  Robert,  disch'd  Jan.  12,  '63;  disxbilitv. 
Wakefield,  George  W.,  m'd  out  Juue7,  '65  as  crp'I. 
Wakefield,  Horace,  m'd  out  June  7  '05  ;  wounded. 
M'alker,  Robert,  must,  out  Jime  7, '65  as  corp'l. 
Wheeler,  William,  m'd  out  June  7,  '65.;  wounded. 

ONE   HUNDP.ED   AND   SEVENTH    INFANTRY'. 

{Tlirce  Years'  Service.) 

The  volunteers  in  this  regiment  were 
from  De  Witt  and  Piatt  counties,  the  for- 
mer having  six  companies,  A  B  D  F  G, 
and  I,  and  the  latter  four  companies. 
They  were  mustered  into  the  United  States 
service  at  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  September 
4,  1862. 

On  the  30th  of  September,  1862,  the 
regiment  left  Camp  Butler  for  Jefferson- 
ville,  Indiana,  where  it  arrived  on  the 
morning  of  ( )ctober  1st.  Here  it  remained 
in  camp,  employed  in  drilling  and  disci- 
pline, and  otherwise  preparing  for  active 
field  service,  until  October  12th,  when  it 
crossed  the  Ohio  river  to  Louisville.  Re- 
mained there  until  the  18th,  when  it  was 
ordered  to  move  to  Elizabethtown.  Ky.,  to 
intercept  the  rebel  General  John  IMorgan, 
who  was  advancing  in  that  direction.  A 
slight  skirmish  occurred  between  the  regi- 
ment and  Morgan's  advance,  which  re- 
sulted in  the  capture  of  some  of  the  enemy 
and  no  casualties  to  the  regiment. 

From  here  it  moved  to  Mumfordsville, 
Ky.,  early  in  December  following,  where 
it  remained  until  March,  1863,  when  it 
left  for  Glasgow,  remaining  there  until  the 
following  June.  The  twenty-third  army 
corps,  being  organized  by  order  of  General 
Burnside,  Brigadier  General  H.  M.  Judah, 
was  ordered  to  Glasgow  to  assume  com- 
mand of  all  troops  organi-ziug  for  the  Se- 
cond Division,  Twenty-third  Army  Corps, 
Department  of  Ohio;  and  the  107th  Il- 
linois being  assigned  to  this  division, 
marched  on  the  18th  of  June  for  Tomp- 
kinsville,  Ky.,  on  the  Cumberland  river, 
in  order  to  meet  an  anticipated  movement 
of  John  Morgan,  who  was  preparing  for 
the  evasion  of  Kentucky.  Followed  him 
to  Mumfordsville,  Ky.,  and  from  there  by 
rail  to  Louisville,  thence  by  steamer  to 
near  Buffington  Island,  where  he  was 
finally  captured. 

Returned  to  Lebanon,  Ky.,  late  in  Au- 
gust, when,  after  reorganizing,  proceeded 
with  Genera!  Burnside  on  campaign  of 
East  Teuneisee.  General  Judah,  being  in 
delicate  health,  was  relieved  by  General 
Julius  White,  who  assumed  command  of 
the  Division  August  24ih. 

The  enemy  retiring  from  East  Tennessee 
the  command  arrived  at  Louden  Septem- 
ber 1st,  1863.  Remained  there  until  the 
middle  of  October,  then  proceeded  toward 


126 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNT'i,  ILLINOIS. 


Greenville.  Having  marched  some  sixty 
miles  east  of  Knoxville,  received  orders  to 
countermarch,  and  move  with  all  speed 
to  the  assistance  of  General  Rosecrans. 
Reached  Sweet  Water,  seventy-five  miles 
north  of  Dalton,  where  it  heard  of  the  bat- 
tle of  Chickamauga.  Returned  to  Lou- 
den, where  it  was  soon  confronted  by  the 
advance  of  Longstreet.  Retired  to  the 
north  side  of  Holston  riv^r,  where  it  re- 
mained until  November  13th,  when  it  was 
ascertained  that  the  enemy  had  effected  a 
crossing  b)'  aid  of  pontoons,  at  Huff's 
Ferry,  four  miles  below.  The  Division 
retired  to  Lenoris  Station.  Was  met  by 
General  Burnside,  who  ordered  a  counter- 
march in  the  direction  of  the  enemy,  who 
was  found  three  miles  below  Loudeu. 
Company  A,  of  this  regiment,  as  skir- 
mishers, commanded  by  Capt.  Milholand, 
attacked  the  enemy's  skirmishers  and 
drove  them  back.  A  line  was  then  formed 
and  an  attack  made  by  the  whole  division, 
driving  the  enemy  back  to  the  pontoons. 
The  i-egiment  lo=t  one  man  killed  and 
several  wounded.  Encamped  on  the  night 
of  the  loth  of  November,  jt  Lenoris 
General  Burnside  issued  order  No.  81,  re- 
quiring all  baggage  and  part  of  ammuni- 
t.on  trains  to  be  destroyed,  in  order  to 
facilitate  movements  of  artillery,  etc.  The 
regiment  lost  all  books  and  papers.  Hav- 
ing destroyed  all  trains,  retired  at  three 
o'clock  x.Ti-  in  the  direction  of  Knoxville. 
Engaged  the  enemy  at  Campbell's  Station 
at  11  A.  M.,  November  16th.  Engagement 
lasted  till  night.  Returned  to  Knoxville 
November  18th.  Again  engaged  the  ene- 
my at  Dandridge,  December  21st,  return- 
ing to  Knoxville,  by  order  of  General 
Schofield,  where  it  remained  until  April 
On  April  27th,  moved  to  join  Sherman's 
army.  Arrived  at  Calhoun,  Tennessee, 
April  30th,  and  remained  till  May  3d. 
INIoved  to  Red  Clay,  Ga  ,  and,  on  the  7th, 
to  the  vicinity  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge. 
Engaged  the  enemy  May  8th.  On  the 
9th  moved  for  Resaca,  via  Snake  Creek 
Gap,  and  participated  in  that  battle  on 
the  14th  and  15th  of  iMay.  Moved  with 
the  command  from  Resaca  to  Dallas. 
While  the  regiment  was  on  picket  duty. 
May  28th,  it  was  attacked  by  the  enemy 
in  force,  and,  before  re-enforcements  came 
up,  lost  numbers  of  its  men.  June  18th, 
while  engaged  near  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Captain  Ed.  Camp,  of  Company  H,  while 
on  the  skirmish  line,  was  instantly  killed. 
The  regiment  engaged  in  all  the  fighting 
around  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  the  subse- 
((uent  engagements  around  Atlanta.  Left 
Decatur,  Ga.,  September  28th,  in  pursuit 


of  Hood's  Army,  passing  over  old  lines 
around  Dallas  and  Kenesaw  Mountain,  to 
Resaca.  November  18th,  the  regiment, 
with  division,  proceeded  ria  Nashville  to 
Columbia,  Tennessee,  where,  November 
22d,  met  the  advance  of  Hood's  army. 
Skirmished  with  the  enemy  until  the  28th, 
discovering  the  enemy  crossing  Duck  river, 
fell  back  to  Franklin.  Regiment  engaged 
the  enemy  at  Spring  Hill  on  the  same  day, 
with  small  loss.  November  29  ih,  was  as- 
signed to  position  in  the  lines  near  Colum- 
bia pike,  and  owing  to  the  lateness  of  the 
arrival,  had  not  completed  breastworks 
when  the  battle  commenced.  Regiment 
suffered  a  severe  loss  in  the  death  of  Col. 
Lowry,  who  fell,  mortally  wounded,  from 
a  minnie  ball  in  the  head.  First  Lieuten- 
ant Isaac  C.  Morse,  commanded  Company 
A,  was  also  killed.  After  fall  of  Colonel 
Lowry,  the  command  of  the  regiment  de- 
volved upon  Captain  McGraw  (Major  Jlil- 
holand  being  on  staff  duty).  Arrived  at 
Nashville  December  1st.  Daring  the  bat- 
tle of  Franklin  the  regiment  captured  two 
stands  of  the  enemy's  colors,  and  had  its 
own  colors  seized,  but  they  were  recovered 
by  private  Walker,  of  company  G,  who 
killed  the  enemy  seizing  them.  December 
1st,  18(34,  the  regiment  went  into  position 
with  Division,  near  Fort  Negly,  Nashville. 
It  drew  new  arms,  and  was  fully  clothed 
and  equipped.  Remained  doing  picket 
duty,  and  skirmishing  until  December 
1.5th,  when  it  broke  camp,  and  attacked 
enemy  at  11  A.  M.  At  3  p.  M.  charged 
enemy's  lines  with  success.  Captain  S.  S. 
Williams,  company  K,  was  wounded.  The 
enemy  being  completely  routed,  regiment 
encamped  near  Brentwood  Hills  on  the 
night  of  the  16th.  Next  morning  moved 
towards  Franklin  in  pursuit  of  retreating 
enemy.  Arrived  at  Columbia  December 
20th.  January  2d,  18G5,  left  Columbia 
for  Clinton, Tennessee.  Remaining  in  camp 
until  January  26th,  when  it  embarked  on 
board  transports  bound  for  Washington, 
D.  C,  and  arrived  February  2d.  Moved 
to  Alexandria,  Virginia,  February  9th. 
February  11th,  embarked  on  steamer  for 
Fort  Fisher,  North  Carolina.  Moved  for 
Fort  Anderson,  and  on  the  enemy's  pickets 
at  7  A.  M.  18th.  Drove  in  his  skirmishers 
with  but  little  difficulty.  The  enemy 
shelled  furiously,  six  men  were  wounded. 
Held  the  position  during  the  day,  and  at- 
tacked fort  at  daylight,  on  the  morning  of 
the  20th,  and  found  it  evacuated,  excepting 
fifty-two  men,  taken  prisoners.  Regiment 
took  the  fort's  colors.  Followed  the  re- 
treating enemy  to  Brunswick  river,  op- 
posite Wilmington.     Crossed   Cape   Fear 


river  on  22d.  Remained  at  Wilmington 
two  weeks,  doing  guard  and  picket  duty. 
Arrived  at  Red  river  March  8th.  Arrived 
at  Kingston  on  the  14th,  and  remained 
until  19th,  when  moved  forward  again  for 
Goldsboro,  arriving  there  on  the  evening 
of  the  21st,  meeting  the  advance  of  Gen. 
Sherman's  army.  Itemained  at  Goldsboro 
until  April  10th,  awaiting  clothing  and 
supplies  for  Sherman's  army.  Remained 
at  Raleigh  until  surrender  of  Johnson. 
After  surrender  the  regiment,  with  division, 
moved  to  Salisbury,  N.  C,  where  it  re- 
mained doing  guard  duty  until  June  21st, 
1865,  when  it  was  mustered  out  of  service. 
June  22d,  left  for  Camp  Buter,  Illinois, 
where  it  arrived  July  2d,  1865,  and  re- 
ceived final  payment  and  discharge. 

oxe  hundred  axd  seventh  infaxtry 
regi.mest. 
(three  years'  service.) 
Colonf:h. 
Thomas  Snell.  discharged  Dec.  13,  '62. 
Joseph  J.  Kelly,  resigned  Nov.  10,  'G.3. 
Thomas  J.  MilholanJ,  must,  out  as  Lieut.  Col. 
June  21,  '65. 

Majors. 
James  T.  Brooks,  resigned  Jan,  9,  '64. 
David  Lowry,  m'd  out  as  cap't.  June  21,  '65. 

Quiirtcrmmters. 
Barzille  Campbell,  resigned  Dec.  7,  *63. 
William  L.  Chambers,  musu  out  June  21,  '65. 

Sarfjron. 
John  Wright,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 

NOX-COMMLSSroSED  STAFF. 

Sergeant  Majors. 
Joseph  R.  Wolf,  promoted  First  Lieut.  Co.  I. 
William  W.  McNuIty,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 

Quurterinnster  Scrgmnt. 
AYilliam  L.  Chambers,  promoted  Quarmaster. 

Gomm'ssary  Sergeant. 
John  M.  Chambers,  dis.  Nov.  — ,  '63  ;  disability. 
Eobert  Millard,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 

Principal  Musicians. 
Charles  R.  Augenbaugh,  dis.  Jan.  — ,  '63 ;  dsbl'y. 
Alexander  D.  Cockley,  must  out  June  21,  ^65. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COSIPAXY    A. 
Captains. 

Isaac  C.  Morse,  killed  Nov.  30,  "64. 
Edward  Is'ugent,  must  out  June  21,  '65. 

First  Lieutenants. 
John  Cuppy.  res'gned  Jan.  31,  '64. 
Richard  Cole,  must,  out  June  21,  *65. 

S'-Cond  Lieutenant. 
Edward  N-  Eby,  must,  out  as  seg't,"  June  21,  '65. 

First  Sergeant. 
James  L.  Dalgh,  died  June  3,  '64. 

Sergeants. 
Andrew  J.  Winningham.  reduced  to  ranks  at  his 
own  request,  dis.  Nov-  15,  '63 ;  disability. 
Benjamin  F-  Miller,  must,  out  June  21,  'Qo. 
Philip  J.  Gossard,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Aug. 
10,  '63. 

Corpora/s. 
Albert  D.  Metz,  disch'd  March  3,  '63  ;  disabilitv. 
Jesse  Gates,  sergt.,  died.  Knoxv'le,  T.,  Dec  10,  '63. 
Stephen  Rigg,  must,  out  June  21,  '65  as  private. 
Milton  N.Copeland,  must,  out  June  21, '65  as  sg't. 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUKTY,  ILIINOIS. 


127 


Alfred  Harper,  must,  out  June  21,  'Co  as  private. 
ADthony  H.  Randall,  ab,  sick  at  M.  0.  of  Reg't. 
Wm.    C.    Briant,  died  in  Andersonville    prison 
Aug.  24,  '64 ;  No.  of  Grave  6256. 

Musicians. 
Crafton  P.  Scott,  discli'd  Sept.  17,  '63;  disability. 
Aaron   S.   Vanvalv,   reduced    in   ranks ;    absent 

wounded  at  muster  out  of  reg't. 
Wagoner. 
Henry  Johnson,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 

Prirale. 
Artherington,  John  S.,  corp'l,  accidentallv  killed 

Aug.  22, '64. 
Artheringon,  Jonathan  S.,  dis.  Nov.  23.  63  ;  dis'y. 
Burluw,  Alexander  H.,  dis.  Sept.  2J,  '63;  disb'ty. 
Butterworth,  Jame.=,  tr  to  Colvin's  111.  Bat.  Oct. 

6,  '63. 
Buck,  Asaph  A.,  dis.  Sept.  17,  '63  ;  disability. 
Brown,  Miles   B.,  ab  sick  at  musler  out  of  reg't. 
Buck,  William  M  .  corp'l,  died  June  4,  114  ;  wnds. 
Brown,  James  W.,  must,  out  June  21,  'Go. 
Barlin,  John,  ''  " 

Borders,  Solomon,  "  " 

Brock,  (jieorge  W.,        ''  '* 

Campbell,  William,  tr  to  Colvin's,  111.  bat.  Oct. 

6,  '63. 
Cram,  David  J.,  serg't,  ab  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
Clime,  William  H.,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
Coon,  Charles  il-,  reclaimed  bv  Capt.  Black,  3 

Mo.  Cav.  Sept.  30,  '62. 
Coon,  William  H.,  must,  out  June  21,65  as  corp'l. 
Crawford,  Bartley  '•  " 

Dungey  Charles,  must  out  May  12.  '6^. 
Furguson,  James,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
Furr,  David  A.,  must,  out  June  21.  ^iib. 
Foster,  Joseph,  must,  out  June  21,  '6.3. 
Griffith,  Newton,        "  " 

Gilson,  George G.,  trtoColvin's,  111. bat. Oct.  6,  '63. 
Gaston,  John  McP.,  disch'd  Jan.  6,  '65 ;  disbil'tv. 
Groves,  William,  died  Knoxville,T.,  Jan  26, '64. 
(Jroves,  Eli  W.,  absent  wounded  at  M.  O  of  reg't. 
Haylelh,  John  H.,  disch'd  Marcii  3,  '63  ;disabl'ty. 
Hull.  Levi  C,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
Harold,  John  C,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
Halsey,  Solomon,        *'  •' 

Hannesv,  James,  tr.  to  Colvin's,  111.  bat.  Oct.  6,  '63. 
Harry,  "Cyrus,  tran.sto  V.  R.  C.  March  23,  '64. 
Kiley,  William,  must,  out  June  21,  65. 
Lunn.  Richard,  tr  to  Colvin's  111.  bat.  Oct.  6,  '63. 
Leper,  Huston,  must,  out  June  21,  *&k}. 
Morrison,  Alexander  F.,  must  out  June  21,  '65. 
Montgomery,  John  W.,  dis.  Dec.  7,  '03  ;  disal'ly. 
Maccalister,  William,  deserted  Oct.  6,  '62. 
Nelson,  Isaac,  deserted  Jan.  13,  53. 
NeUon,  Calvin,  must,  out  June  21,  '65  as  corp'l. 
Price;  James,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
Pettibone,  John,  tr  to  \'.  R.  C.  Jan.  26,  64. 
Reeves,  Marquis  S.,  tr  to  V.  R.  C.  Jan.  26,  '64. 
Reeves,  Thomas,  must,  out  .June  21,  65  as  corp'l. 
Hauls,  James,  disch'd  Sept   11,  '63  ;  disability. 
Hauls,  William,  disch'd  Aug.  24,  '63. ;  disability. 
Smith,  Joseph,  must,  out  June  21,  '65  a-s  serg't. 
Spenser,  James 'H..  tr  to  Colvin's  111.  bat.  Oct.  6  '63. 
Sampson,  Tenah  T.,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
Swearengen,  Abraham  B.,  died,  Knoxville,  Tenn., 

July  24,  '64. 
Scolt,  George  W.,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
Scoggen,  Joseph  B.,        "  "         as  corp'l. 

Stauifer,  Isam,  ''  " 

Trent,  James  P.,  corp'l,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn., 

Dec.  6,  '63. 
Thorp,  Joseph,  dropped  as  deserter  Nov.  1862. 
Trembell,  David  B  ,  must-  out  June  21,  '65. 
TooheV;  Gregory,  discli'd  Nov.  2-5,  '62. 
Upton,  Aaron,  must,  out  Junt  21,  '65  as  corp'l. 
Vinson,  Andrew  J.,  disch'd  Dec.  1,  '62  ;  disabl'ty. 
"Wiley,  Isaac  M.,  corp'l,  died  at  Raleigh,  N.  C., 

May  1,  ^(jo. 
Watt,  Levi,  tr.  to  Colvin's  111.  bat.  Oct.  6,  '63. 
Wooldridge,  Christopher  C.  m'd  out  June  21,  ^Qb. 
Wright,  James,  disch'd  Nov.  4.  '62;  disability. 
Weller,  George  W.,  must,  out  June  21,  'G.5. 
Williams,  Lewis  W.,  tr  to  Colvin's  III.  bat.  Oct. 

6,  '63. 


R'c 


tits. 


,  Jacob  W.,  tr  to  Y.  R.  C.  March  23,  '64. 
Buck,  Irwin,  trans,  to  65  111.,  M.  O.,  July  13,  65. 


Hazeletl,  Jas.  H.,  tr.  to  65  111.,  M.  O.,  July  13,  '65. 
Lewis,  Erastus  C.,  must  out  June  21,  '^io. 
Richards  Andrew  J..       "  " 

Smith,  Robert,  tr  to  65  III..  M.  O.,  July  13,  '65. 

MUSTER  ROLL  COMPANY  B. 

Oii^tains. 
Jas.  R.  Turner,  resigned  Oct.  14,  '04. 
Edward  Giddiugs,  mublered  out  June  21,  '65. 

FirM  LifVtenanls. 
David  W.  Edminsten,  resigned  Feb.  11,  '04. 
Charles  K.  Borger,  Mustered  out  June  21,  '65. 

Strand  Lifutenants. 
Edward  Bosserman,  mustered  out  (as Serg't)  June 
21,  '6.5. 

First  Srrrimnt. 
Wm.  C.  .Vdamp,  discharged  Sept.  4,  '63  ;  Jisabilily. 

Scri/rnnls. 
Edward  Porter,  disch'd  Sept.  17,  '63 ;  disability. 
Thomas  Irwin,  mustered  out  June  21,  05. 
Joseph  P.  Taylor,  disch'd  Sept.  17,  '03  ;  disability. 

Corpnrah. 

Washington  Bates,  disch'd  JIarch  1,  '04;  dis- 
ability. 

Edward  W.  AUvn,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn, 
April  20,  ''04. 

Richard  Watson,  must,  out  June  21,  '65,  as  serg't. 

Thos.  G.  Argo,  musr.  out  June  21,  '6.5,   as  serg't. 

Thos.  B.  Peddicord,  must,    out  June   21, '65. 

Wm.  II.  Proud,  must,  out  June  21, '65,  as  private. 

Andrew  J.  Wallace,  disch'd  Nov.  17,  '63,  as  pri- 
vate; disability. 

Jacob  Walters,  absent,  sick  at  M.  O.  of  Reg't. 

Mu.<^ician. 
John  B.  Wolf,  disch'd  Sept  1'2,  '64  ;  disability. 

Wagoner. 
George  Nace,  detached  at  M.  O.  of  Reg't. 

Primtes. 
Abbott,  Chas.  D.  must,  out  June  21,  '65.  .%s  corp'l. 
Belzer,  .\saa  T.,  must,  out  June  21,  '6.5,  as  corp'l. 
Butler,  Peter,  disch'd  August  9,  '94. 
Brilton,    Nathan  T.,    must,   out  May  19,  '65,  as 

corp'l. 
Betzer,  Isaac  N.,  died  .\ndersonville  prison  -\ug. 

17, '64;  No.  of  grave,  5,978. 
Besserman,  William,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
Bean,  Wm.  W..  disch'd  Sept.  3,  '63;  disabilitv. 
Bouls,  Peter  H.,  transf'd  to  Colvin's  111.  Bat.  Oct. 

6,  '64. 
Burnett,  Lyman  T.,  must,   out  June  21,  '6o,  as 

corp'l. 
Ba.se,  Squire  W.,  must,  out  June  21,  'Go. 
Bateson,  Joseph,  absent ;  sick  at  M.  O.  of  Reg't. 
Bouls,  Jesse  P.,  absent;  sick  at  M.  O.  of  Reg't. 
Curtis,  Roza,  transFd  to  V.  R.  C.  Sept.  2.5,  '63. 
Cooper,  Nathan,  disch'd  Jan.  31,  '63 ;  disability. 
Cisco,  Francis  M. 
Coppenberger,  David,  transfd  to  Colvin's  III.  Bat. 

Oct.  6,  '63. 
Colwell,  Milton  K.  or  R.,  must,  out  June  21, '65. 
Cloenger,  Jonathan,  died  at  home  .\pril  10,  '64. 
Clark,  .\nthony  W'.,  supposed  killed  Sept  8,  '64. 
Deverell,  John  C,  must,  out  June  2.5,  ^6b,  as 

musician. 
Dickson,  Sanford,  died  at  Lexington,  Ky-,  Aug. 

2.5,  '63. 
Day,  Natha'l  C,  died  at  London,  Tenn.  Mar.  7,  '64. 
Drurv,  Frederick  S.,  must,  out  June  21.  '05. 
Davis,  Walter,  transf'd  to   Colvin's  111.  Bat.  Oct. 

6,  '63. 
Ellsworth,  Duncan,   must,  out  June  21,  '65,  as 


corp 


Ellsworth,  Hamilton,  absent ;  sick  at  muster- 
out  of  Reg't. 

Furgerson,  John,  must,  out  June  21,  'Go. 

Fennell.  Jas.  W.,  absent;  sick  at  muster  out  of 
Reg't. 

French,  Squire  C,  must,  out  June  21,  05. 

Farris,  Amos  G.,  transf'd  to  Colvin's  111.  Bat. 
Oct.  6,  '63. 

Gradon,  Wallace,  died  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  Aug.  20, 
'64,  w<iiinds. 

Giddiugs,  Miltim,  must,  out  June  21,  '6-5,  as  corp'l. 

Gaddas,  Jacob  W.,  must  out  June  21,  'bb. 


^uv. 

J 

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h,  ni 

Malf 

V 

I) 

ivid, 

Mav 

1- 

|-;| 

ici- 

McC 

u 

ev 

M;l 

Nidi 

ll> 

on 

,  Th 

Garlon,  John,  di.sch'd  Sept.  28,  '63;  disability. 
Gibbons,  David,  deserted  Nov.  28,  '02. 
Hobbs,  Wm.,  detached  at  must.;  out  of  Reg't. 
Highsuiith,  Abijali  M.,  must,  out  June  21,  'Gb. 
Hoyt,  Orrin  A.,  transfd  to  Colvin's  111.  Bat.  Oct. 

0,'  03. 
Irvin,  Matthew  D.,  must,  out  June  21,  '65,  as 

musician. 
Jones,  Cyrus,  must,  out  June  21,  '05. 
.lolley,  .I'ohn  M.,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
Jones,  Lemuel,   absent ;    sick   at    muster   out  of 

Reg't. 
Jone.s,  John  M.,  must,  out  June  21,  '05. 
Johnson,  Noble,  detached  at  must.;  out  of  Reg't. 
Kennison,  Wm.  G.,  died  at  Woodsonville,  Kv., 

March  12,  '63. 
King,  Edward  II.,  must,  out  June  21,  '6b,  a-s  corp'l. 
Keever,  Moses  H.,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
Lookingbell,  Bartely,  must,  out  June  6,  'Go  ;  ab- 
sent, sick, 
Martin,  Wm.  S.,  must,  out  June  21,  '05. 
Mose',  John,  must,  out  June,  21,  '65. 
Moore,  Jesse,    died   at  Woodsonville,    Kv.,  Feb. 

28,  '63. 

^t.  out  June  21,  '05,  as  serg't. 
jU5t.  out  June  21.  '0.5. 
ust.  out  June  21,  '65. 
on,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
.,  died  at  Gla.sgow,  Ky.,  Nov.,  '63. 
Pollock,  Sam'l,  transfd  to  Colvin's  111.  Bat.  Oct. 

0  '63. 
Price,  Thos.  W-,  absent,  supposed  to  be  in  V.  R.  C. 
Ratclifi;  David,  transf'd  to  Colvin's  111.  Bat.  Oct. 

0,   03. 
Razey,  Rufus,  must,  out  June  2], '05. 
Robuck,  Peter  C,  must,  out  June,   21,  '05. 
Schenck,  Obadiah,  transfd  to   Colvin's  111.  Bat. 

Oct.  6,  '63. 
Smoot,  John,  transfd  to  V.  R.  C.  March   17,  'Cj, 
Throckmorton,  Wm.  S.,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.. 

Sept.  17,  '64,  wounds. 
Taylor,  John,  disch'd  Dec.  26,   03  ;  disability. 
Taylor,  Benjamin,  must,  out  June  21,  '05. 
Updike,   Joseph  H. ,  died  at    Nashville,  Tenn., 

Jan.  20,  '04. 
Watson,  Wm.  F.,  must,  out  June  21.  '65. 
Walden,  Thomas,  mu.st.  out  June  21,  '05. 
Waldeu.  Maris,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
Williams,  Shepherd  J.,  disch'd  Oct.  28.  '63,  to 

enlist  in  U.  S.  A.  as  hospital  steward. 
Wisegarver,    Wm.  H.,  absent;    sick   at   muster- 
out  of  Reg't. 
Walters.  John,  must,  out  June  21,  *65. 
Wells,   James  M.,  absent ;  sick  at  mu.ster  out  of 

Reg't. 
Walton,  Jesse  or  Isaac,  died  Elizabethtown,  Ky., 

Nov.  29,  '62. 
Williams,  John,  transf'd    to    Colvin's  111.  B.it, 

Oct.  6,  '63. 

ML'STER   ROLL   COMPANY   D. 

O.I  plains. 
Samuel  McGowan,  resigned  Feb.  4,  1863. 
LeanderS.  McGraw, honorably  dischd.  Jan.  8, '65. 
Joseph  M.  Moore,  resg'd  as  1st  lieut.  Mar.  25,  '65. 
Thomas  Rose,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 


William  M.  Clagsr,  resigned  Feb.  12,  1804. 
George  Cooper,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

Eliakim  Sylvester,  m.  o.  as  serg't  June  21,  180.5. 

Sergeant. 

Mordecai  Pratt,  dischd.  Feb.  19,  1863,  as  private. 
Frank  B.  Byerley,  priv.  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt. 
John  Canlrail  m.  o.  June  21,  1865,  as  corporal. 
George  L.  Morrison,  discharged  May  20,  1865,  as 
private,  disability. 

Corpoircts. 

David  WesI,  sergeant,  deserted  Feb.  1863. 
Edwin  T.  Hainev,  sergt.,  died  at  Knoxville,  Jan. 

7,  1864. 
William  J.  Clinton,  M.  O.  June  21,  1865,  as  priv. 
V.  B.  Clinton,  mustered  out  June  21,  180.5. 
Charles  W.  Beaty,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 
Isaac  W.  Swisher,  m.  o.  June  21,  1805,  as  sergt. 


128 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


31, ,..;,■:„  „s. 

C.  R.  Aughinl.augli,  distlid.  Dec.  14,  18G:!,  d!s'v. 
Alex.  Liavid  Cackley,  [iruiiioted. 

K.uirjiirr. 
"ffvot  Cantrail,  tr.  to  V.  E.  C,  Dec.  12,  1SG3. 


Atkinson,  Hirani.discli'd  June  2.5,  TA.  disability. 
Arm.slrong.  William,  tr.  toColvin's  111.  bait.  Oct. 

5,  1S03. 

Allsup,  J.  F.,  corpl.,  deserted  Jan.  19,  1SG.3. 
AIlsup,  William,  deserted  Sept.  1,  1S62. 
Acton,  James  K.,  raustd.  out  .June  21,  1SG.5. 
Barnet.  Nathan,  mustered  out  June  21,  18G5. 
Barngrover,  Geo.  W-  tr.  to  Colvins  111.  batt.,  Oct. 

6,  18C3. 

Borum,  Aaron,  absent  sick  at  m.  o.  of  regiment. 
Bryant,  Thomas  D.,  detached  at  m.  o.  of  regt. 
Curl,  Jeremiah,  dischd.  Jan.  2-5,  1XG3,  disability, 
Cushman,  Ira  H.,  m.  o.  June  21,  18G-5,  a-s  corpl, 
Classon,  Lucillis,  corpl.,  ab.sent  sick  at  m.  o.  regt. 
Clark,  Wm.  M.,  killed  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Kov. 

30,  18G4. 

Clifton.  Jackson,  died  at  Jeffersonville,  Dec.  17, 

18G4,  wounds. 
Clifton,  Job,  detached  at  muster  out  of  regiment. 
Cutwrighi,  Joel,  tr.  to  V.  E.  C,  Nov.  13,  18G3. 
Clifton,  C.  T.,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Davenport,  Mason,  dischd.  Feb.  7,  1SG.5,  disabily. 
Delay,  Coleman,  mustered  out  June  21,  1805. 
David,  Welcomb,  absent  sick  at  m.  out  of  regt. 
Duncan,  John,  died  at  Jladison,  Ind.,  Dec.  1), '64. 
Davenport,  George  F.,  absent  sick  at  in.  o.  of  regt. 
David,  Joshua,  disch'd  Sept.   2~i.  18G  i,  disability. 
Davis,  Tlioma.s,  died  at  Chaitanonga,  J.in  2:i,  Go. 
David,  N.  B..  di.schd  Feb.  i;i,  Is  ;:i,  disability. 
Davenport.  T.  J.  mustered  out  June  21,  186-5. 
Earlv,  William,  tr.  to  Colvins  [II,  bat.,  Oct.  6,  ■6-5. 
Elde"rton,William,died  at,Glasgow,Ky  ,  July  1,'G3. 
Fenner,  David,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Jan. 

31,  1864. 

Gibson,  David  L.,  musl'd  out  Jime  21,  ISG.'i. 
Graham,  Marion   D.,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn., 

April  6,  1SG4. 
Goodrich,  James  M.,  must'd  out  June  21,  ^Go,  as 

sergeant. 
Grissim,  James,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865. 
Gay,  James  M.,  tr.  to  V.  E.  C,  Dec.  12,  1803. 
Hammond,  William  H.,  died  at  Glasgow,  Ky., 

Mav,  1863. 
Harden,  Thomas,  deserted  Feb.  1803. 
Harlem  Jonathan,  killed  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Nov. 

30,  1804. 
Hiter,  William,  disch'd  Sept.  23.  '03,  disability. 
Uiter,   Christopher,   killed   at  Franklin,  Tenn., 

Nov.  30,  '04. 
Johnson,  Charles  L.,  must'd  out  June  21,  1805. 
Jimeson,  Harvey,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg'i. 
Leever,  Oliver,  mustered  out  June  21,  1805. 
Lowery,  George  L.,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Leever,  John  W.,  tr.  to  marine  service  Apr  ,  '04. 
Longbr.ike.  James  E.,  must'd  out  Jime  21,  1805. 
Long,  Jacob,  disch'd  Jan.  23,  '03,  disabilitv. 
Mcllheney,  T.  H.  B.,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865. 
Mourer,  Charles,  died  at  Woodsonville,  Ky.,Feb. 

1863. 
Morrow,  J.  J.,  deserted  May  19,  1863. 
Morlan,  J.  A.,  must'd  out  June  21,  'Go,  as  corp'l. 
Ne.sbitt,  Henry  W.,  disch'd  Sept.  13,  '63,  disabil'y. 
Nesbilt,  William  W.,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865. 
Newell,  Geo.  A-,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865. 
Nichobs,  Frank,  mu.stered  out  June  21,  1SG5. 
Nutt.  William,  tr.  to  Colvins  batt.  Oct.  6, 1SG3. 
Poland,  Samuel,  mustered  out  June  21,  ISGo. 
Piatt,  Samuel  H.,  m.  out  June  21,  '65,  a-s  sergt. 
Piatt,  John,  m.  out  June  21,  1865,  as  corporal. 
Eouse,  Joseph,  died  at   Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Dec. 

30,  1863. 
Enssell.  Je.sse,  tr.  to  Colvin's  III.  batt  Oct.  C,  '63. 
Kobb,  Marion,  must'd  out  .lune  21,  18G-5. 
Eumels,  George,  died  at  Woodsonville,  Kv.,  Jan. 

22,  1863. 
Ripple,  Abram,  supp'd  captured  Nov.  16,  1863. 
Schlafter,  John,  mustered  out  June  21,  186.5. 
Scott,  Augustus,  tr.  to  Colvin's  III.  bat.  Oct.  6,  '63. 
Simmons,  Walter  D.,  died  at  Woodsjilville,  Kv., 

Dec.  31,  1862.  _ 
Sprague,  James  C.  died  at  Elizabethtowa,  Ky., 

Dec.  31,  1862. 


Sutton,  William  C,  died  at  Knoxville,  Ten.,  Dec. 

10,  1863. 
S  ewart,  John,  absent  sick  at  m.  out  of  reg'c. 
Stiles.  Matthew,  deserted  Mav  19,  1863. 
Smalley,  William  C,  suppd'capt'd  Sept.  10,  '64. 
Wren,  Isaac,  died  in  Libby  prison,  Richmond, Va., 

-March  17,  1864. 
Wood,  William  T.,  detached  at  M.  O.   of  reg't. 
Winslow,  Warren  S.,  mu.stered  out  June  21,  1S65. 
Welch,  William  F.,  tr.  to  V.  R.  C. 
Winkle,  George,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865. 
Waldman,  Andrew,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg'i. 
Zombro,  John  A.,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865. 
Zombro,  Jacob,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 

Sccriiils. 
McGowan,  Parker,  tr  to  Colvin's  111.  bat.  Oct.  6,63. 
Peddicord,  Thom.as  J., 
Smith,  John  A,  "  " 

Sylvester,  Eliakim,  M.  0.  June  21,  '6.5,  as  1st  sergt. 

MUSTEK   KOLL   COMT-iNY    F. 

Cliplulnx. 

Henry  G.  Wismer,  resigned  April  13,  1864. 
John'D.  Graham,  honorably  di^cl^d  Sep.  11,  '64. 
Albert  J.  Blackford,  must'd  out  June  21,  1805. 

Fist  LicHteiiaid. 
Madison  R.  Stansbury,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65. 

Second  Lieutenants. 

James  Parker,  resigned,  Feb.  4,  1863. 

Parker  S.  Adams,  resigned,  Feb.  5,  1864. 

Aaron  Mciiston,  rausi'd  out  June  21,  ,05,  as  priv. 

First  Sa-gcanl. 

.  William  D.  Catterlin,  M.  O.  June  21,  'G5,as  priv. 

Soijeants. 

Tillman  Martin,  disch'd  Apr.  20,  '63,  disability. 

Thomas  Cole,  died  at  Mumfordsville,  Ivy.,  Jan. 

15,  1863. 
Madison  Lane,  private,  absent  sick  at  ra.  o.  reg't. 

Corporals. 
Thoiuas  H.  Proviand,  disch'd  Sept.  2,  1804.      " 
William  Cole,  serg't,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
John  Pennington,  disch'd  Sept.  17,  '63,  disability. 
Henrv  Reed,  disch'd  Sept.  17,  '63 ;  disabili  y. 
William  C.  Cross,  disch'd  Dec.  11,  '63 ;  disability. 
Christopher    Davis,    reduced  to  ranks ;  died  at 

Chattanooga  M.ay  26,  '64.  wounds. 
James  Spencer,  must  out  June  21,  '63  as  serg't. 
Hiram  H.  Martin,  disch'd  April  28, '63;  dis'bl'ty. 

.Vimcian. 
George  Messer,  corp'l,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn. 

Dec.  29,  '63. 
Abram  T.  Roberts,  di.sch'd  March, '63 ;  disability. 

Wagoner. 
Martin  Phares,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C,  Feb.  16,  '64. 

Private.^. 
Adams,  Parker  S  ,  promoted  serg't,  then  2d  lieut. 
Aler,  Ander.son,  mustered  out  June  21,  '65. 
Batterton,  William  H.,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn., 

March  3,  64. 
Bennett,  Permenous,  dis.  Sept.  30,  '64  ;  disabl'tv. 
Bennett,  George,  disch'd  Sept.  30,  '63  ;  disability. 
Cross,  Benjamin,  corp'l,  tr.  to  Colvin's  111.  Bat. 

Oct.  6,  '63. 
Cross,  George  J.,  disch'd  Sept.  17,  '63  ;  disability. 
Cross,  Solomon  J.,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
Cromer,  William  H.,  tr.  to  Colvin's  111.  Bat.  Oct. 

6,  '63. 
Clifton,  John,  mustered  out  June  21.  '6-5. 
Carlock,  James,  disch'd  Oct.  2,  '63  ;  disability. 
Despaine,  William,  died  at  Cartersville,  Ga.,  .-Vug. 

17,  '64. 
Drum,  Phillip,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
Drum,  John  W.,  must,  out  June  21,  *6o  as  corp'l. 
Dav,  Daniel  P., 

Darshum,  Samuel,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C.  Feb.  6,  '04. 
Dillavon,  William  E.,  ab.  sick  at  ms'tr  out  of  reg't. 
Foster,  John  E.,  must,  out  June  21,  '05. 
Fisher,  John  L.  ''  " 

Greer,  Willis,  died  at  Lebanon.  Ky.,  Sept.  '03. 
Gammell,  Wm.  T.,  mn  ^I'd  out  June  21,  '6.5. 
Guy.  Samuel  K.,  disch'd  .Sept.  11,  '63;  disabl'tv. 
Hand,  Sil.as,  Sr.,  died  at  Bentou  Barracks  July 

19,  '63. 


21, '65 


Hand,  .Silas,  Jr.,  nuisl'd  out  Jun 

Hand,  Chileon.  •'  ■■  .ascrpl. 

Hull,  Klrklev,  disch'd  Oct.  41.  '63  ;  disability. 

Hull,  Alfred,"  disch'd  Dec.  7,  'G3  ;  disability." 

Harvey,  James  M.,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65. 

Hinkle.  Emanuel,  "  '' 

Harp,  Millington,  "  " 

Lofton,  Barney,  died,  Mumfordsville,   Kv.,  Jan. 

6,  '63. 
Lisenby,  John,  died.  Marietta,  Ga.,  Aug.  24,  '64  ; 

wounds, 
McXultv,  William  W.,  pro.  seg't,  then  seg't  mi'r. 
Mc.Murrv,  Alfred,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65  a-s  cp'l. 
Malone.  James  M.,  dis.  Jan.  16,  '03;  acdn'l  wound. 
Mastin,  Aaron  L.,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65  as  1st 

Serg't  Com.  2d  Lieut,  but  not  must'd. 
Matthews.  James,  disch'd  Nov.  17,  63 ;  disabl'ty. 
Mabern,  Thomas  L.,  deserted  Feb.  63. 
McNeir,  Eli,  disch'd  Dec.  30,  '63  ;  disability. 
Ma.stin,  Benjamin  F.,  must,  out  June  21,  '65. 
Mitchell,  John  H.,  deserted  Nov.  11,  '62.     . 
O'Brien,  John,  died  .at  Ma.lison.  Ind.,  Dec.  30,  '63. 
Peed,  Eobert,  must,  out  May  24,  'i\~i  as  corp'l. 
Pennington,  Benj.  C,  died, "Mumfordsville.  Ky., 

Feb.  18,  '63. 
Parker,  Aaron,  corp'l,  died,  Madison.  Tnd.,  July. 
Phipps,  Emsley,  disch'd  Dec.  30,  '63;  disibility. 
Plummer,  Alpheu.s,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65. 
Popham,  William,  ab.  sick  at  muster  out  of  reg't. 
Eeed,  Miles,  disch'd  Feb-  15,  '65 ;  disability. 
Bobbins,  Reuben,  died,  Mumfordsville,  Ky.,  Feb. 

24.  '63. 
Roberts,  William  H.,  m'd  out  June  21, '65  asrp'l. 
Rogers,  John  W.,  m'd  out  June  21,  '65  as  niusc'n. 
Stephens,  William,  absent  sick  at  M  O.  of  reg't. 
Shaw,  Robert  C,  deserted  Dec.  12,  '62. 
Spencer,  L.  Berrv,  mustered  out  June  21,  '65. 
Spanhour,  Allen",       ,      " 

Tackwell,  Wm.  W.,  disch'd  Mar  25, '65;  wounds. 
Thompson,  E,  corp'l,  died,  Knoxvill,  Tenn.,  Jan. 

20,  '64. 
Wise,  Israel  F.,  tr.  to  Colvin's  III.  Bat.  Oct.  6,  '63. 
Wise,  Reuben,         '  "  " 

^Vil!ive^,  William,  must,  out  .June  21  '05  as  serg't. 
Wt)lf,  Joseph  E  ,  promoted  .Sergeant  Major. 
Willis,  David,  must,  out  June  21,  '05  as  serg't. 

Ileeruit.i. 
Brock,  Frank,  must'd  out  June  21,  '05  as  corp'l. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPAQ-    G. 
Cuptnilis. 

Benjamin  S,  Lewis,  resigned  .Ian.  3,  '64, 
Cox,  Israel  S.,  M.  O.,  June  21,  65. 

First  Lieutenant, 
Joseph  Marsh,  mustered  out  June  21,  '65. 

Second  Lieutenant. 
John  Lewis,  must,  out  (as  serg't)  June  21,  '65. 

Seru-eanl. 
George  Day,  must,  out  June  21,  'G5  as  musician. 

Cfjrporais_ 
William  S.  Barnes,  disch'd  Jan.  10,  '03  ;  disbl'ty. 
J.  H.  Flood, 

George  Corder,  *'  "  " 

William   A.   Dennison,   disch'd  Feb.   20,  '03  as 

private  ;  disabilitv. 
John  Pain,  killed  at  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  31,  '64. 

Ma.-,ieian. 
William  J.  McCord,  died  .at  K 
March  17,  '64. 


lie,  Tenn. 


Wagoner. 
Willis  Eeed,  tr.  to  Colvin's  111.  Battery. 

Priratcs. 
Blount.  John  E.,  mu.stered  out  May  11,  '6-5. 
Bradt'ord,  James,  dis.  April  3, '65;  disability. 
Baldwin,  Thomas,  mustered  out  .June  21,  '65. 
Baker,  William,  disch'd  Jan.  10,  '63;  disability. 
Baker,  Jarvis.  disch'd  M.irch  24,  '64;  disability. 
Barnett  Nathan,  deserted  Feb.,  1863. 
Baley,  Joab,  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Sept.  1863. 
Cowell,  Chester,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65,  a.s  corp'l. 
Cobb,  Horace,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
Cobb,  Edgar,  dis.  Sept.  11,  '63  as  corp'l ;  disabl'tv. 
Davis,  Isaac,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  27,  '64. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


129 


glon,  Di 
Hution,  Williai 
Hedges,  Flelclif 
Johnson,  Z:icli! 


Emery,  John,  detached  at  51.  O.  of  reg't. 
Ennis,  William,  mustered  out  June  21,  '65. 
Field,  Levi,  mustered  out  June  21,  '6o  a.^  serg't. 
Field-i,  Jonathan,  diseh'd  July  2,  '63;  di.^abilitv. 
Fordice,  William  H.,  tr  to  V.  R.  C.  Dec^.  12,  '63. 
Flood,  E  H.,  diseh'd  July  13,  '63  :  disability. 
Grey,  Hiram,  mustered  olit  June  21, '6-5. 

"     liel,  dis.  Jan.  1,  '63 ;  disability. 
L  T.,  mustered  out  June  21,  '6-5. 
r,  must,  oit  June  21,  '65  a'  serg't. 
■iah,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn-, 

June  16,  '64. 
Johnson.  Baley,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.  Feb.  '64. 
Lookinbill,  Matthew,  mustered  out  June  21,  '65. 
Lister,  Alford,  diseh'd  Aug.  5, '63;  disability. 
Lewis,  George,  dis.  Mar.  7,  '65  a.s  corp'l ;  wounds.  J 
Livingston,  Richard  L,  corp'l,  died  at  Nashville, 

Tenn  ,  July  10,  '64;  wounds. 
McMuIlon,  John  F.,  m'd  out  June  21,  '65ascrp'l. 
Monnett,  Hillery,  diseh'd  July  2,  '63;  disability. 
McConkey,  James,  must,  out  June  21.  '65  as  crp'l.   : 
Mires,  Henry,  mustered  out  May  17,  '65.  1 

McMullen.  John,  died   at  Elizabethtown,    Ky., 

Dee.  17,   62. 
Munroe,  Alvin,  must   out  June  21,  '&o  as  corp'l.     ' 
McNier,  Abner,  died  at  Woodsonville,  Kv.  Jfuly  \ 

13, '63.  j 

McNier,  Samuel,  tr.  to  V.  E.  C  July,  1864. 
North,  .John,  mustered  out  June  21,  '65. 
North,  -Wm.  H., 

Opp,  Henrv,  '*  " 

Page.  George,  dis.  Sept.  3,  '63  as  corp'l ;  disbl'tv. 
Paine,  Lewis,  accidentally  killed  Nov.  1S63. 
Powell.  John,  died  at  SVoodsonville,  Kv.,  Dec. 

28,  '62.  "  I 

Page,  Timoihv,  diseh'd  Feb.  8,  '61 ;  disabilitv.       I 
Provines,  D.aniel,  diseh'd  Oct.  13,  '63 ;  disability. 
Pearson,  James,  mustered  out  June  21,  '65.  | 

Priest,  John  T.,  " 

Palmer,  Thomas,         "  " 

Parker.  Nathan,  died  at  Elizabethtown,  Kv,  Nov. 

3.  '62. 
Rusk,  Culver,  died  at  London, Tenn.  Sept.  14,  '63. 
Rusk,  John  D.,  diseh'd  Dec.  31,  '64  ;  wounds. 
Robbins,  Cordiller.as,  must,  out  June  21, '65;  as 

musician. 
Roberts,  Elisha,  died  at  Baltimore,  April  22,  '65  ; 

wounds. 
Rivett,  John,  mustered  out  Jlay  24,  '65. 
Simpson,   William,  died  at  W^oodsonville,  Ky., 

Jan.  3,  '65. 
Stanhope,  G.,  mustered  out  June  21,  '65. 
"Welcharaer,  Joshua,  absent  sick  at  M.  O.  of  reg't. 
Welchamer,  Samuel,  mustered  out  June  21,  '^b. 
'tt^orley,  Willi 

uust.  out  -Tune  21,  '65  as  corp'l. 
lustered  out  June  21,  'Qo. 
mustered  out  June  2,  "65. 
uust.  out  June  21,  '65  as  corp'l. 

S^cruits 
Dillavon,  S.amnel,  died  Jan.  20, '64. 
Walker,  Mosbey,  mustered  out  June  21,  '65. 

MUSTER    ROLL   COMPANY    J. 

Captains. 

Emory  L.  Waller,  resigned  Dec.  15th,  1863. 
Joseph  R.  "Wolf,  musi'd  out   (as  l.>^t  Lieut.)  June 
21st,  186.5. 

Fir&t  Lkutenant. 

John  R.  Ricliards,  promoted    Capt.  Co.  H.  de- 
clined.    Resigned  June  1st,  1863. 
Erasmus  D.  Sessions,  resigned  June  30th,  1864. 
Robert  Curaming,  mustered  out  (as  Serg't)  June 
21sl,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant. 
Preston  Jones,  must'd  out  (as  Serg'i)  June  21,  'Go. 

First  Sergeant. 
Jeti'erson  Doyle,  serg.  absent  sick,  at  M.  0.  of  reg't. 

Sergeants. 
Rompier  R.  Robins,  died    at  Knoxville,  T.  April 

1.5th,  1864. 
Thos.  McClerg,  diseh'd  Nov.  1863:  disability. 
Benj.  Flahart,  must'd  out  June  21st,  'Go,  as  pv't. 
Abram  Thomas,  died  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Dec. 
19th,  1863. 
17 


Co 


.,fe. 


AVier,  Sheldon, 
■West,  Apinas,  n 
Walker,  Baley,  i 
Zartman,  Peter, 


Wm.  A.  S.aImons,  di.scb'd  Jan.  29:  disability. 
Wesley  E.  McDonald,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65,  33 

sergeant. 
William  Lemon,  died  in  Ky.,  Nov.  10th,  1862. 
Alei.  McCoy,  must'd  out  June  21st,  '6-5,  as  serg't. 
James  Foley,  diseh'd  May  lSth,'65;  disability. 
Wm.  .Shoemaker,  must'd  out  June  21st,  1865. 
Andrew  J.  Krepps,  private,  absent  sick  at  muster 

out  of  regiment. 

Jfumcian.?. 
Jefferson  Wetsel,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65,  as  pv't. 
Orin  S.  Weaver,  priv.  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of 

regiment. 

Wagoner. 
Henry  Farmer,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65,  as  pv't. 

PrleatCi. 
Brennen,  Edvv.  must'd  out  June  21.  '65,  as  corp'l. 
Bishop,  Isaac  N.,  diseh'd  Jan.  1.5,  '63,  for  pro.  as 

surgeon  United  States  service. 
Clearwaters,  John  W.,  mustered  out  .June  21,  'Go. 
Drybread,  Wm.  L.,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865. 
Funk,  Henry,  detached  at  muster  out  of  reg't. 
Fennaron,  Mich.iel,  transferred. 
Gardner,  Thos.  Jr.,  diseh'd  D.-c.  1.863  :  disability. 
Gardner,  Anson,  J.,  must'd  out  May  25,  186.5. 
Hagg:ird,  Francis  M.,  must'd  out  jime  21,  1865, 

as  wagoner. 
Hankins,  Ramott   N.,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865, 

furlough. 
Hurlev,  David,  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regt. 
Hoover,  Abram   T.,  must  d  out  June  21.  1865. 
Hoover,  Geo.  D.,  died  at  home  Sept.  1862. 
Hicks,  Wm.  F.,  mustered  out  Mav  22,  1865. 
Halaway,  John    W.,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865,  as 

corporal. 
Hughes,  John  W.,  transferred. 
Johnson,  William,  muslered  out  June  21.  1865. 
Johnson,  Silas, 

Knobbs.  John,  "  "         "         " 

Kendall,  Jjemuel,  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regt. 
Lemon,  John  J.  Jr.,  died   at  ICnoxville,  Tenn., 

January  2,  18B4. 
Lewis,  Thomas,  mustered  out  June  21,  1S65. 
Laforce,  Daniel,  died  at   Knoxville,  Tenn.,  Dec. 

in,  lSfi3. 
Marsh,  John  P.,  muslered  o\it  June  21,  1865. 
Meliza,  Geo.  W.,  deserted  Nov.  18,  1862. 
.0' Brine,  Thomas,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Pattersfin.  Enoch,  must'd  out  June  21,  '65,  as  corp'l. 
Page,  John  T.,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Poff,  John  K.,  de.serted  February,  1863. 
Roth,  Simeon,  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regt. 
Roth,  James  M.,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Robbins,    Rochambeau,   R.,  discharged    May  23, 

1865  ;  disabilitv. 
Robbins,  Francis  R ,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865. 
Riggs  Randolph  S ,  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of 

regiment. 
Rue,  Henry,  mustered  out  June  2,  1865. 
Scoll,  Arthur,         "         "         "         " 
Sadder,  Edw. 

Shinkle,  James,  diseh'd  Nov.  1863;  disability. 
Schooley,  Alfred  D.,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Scheellej',  Richard,  *'         "  "  " 

Spicer,  James  A.,  diseh'd  Feb.  20,  '65;  disability. 
Thom,a.s,  Columbus,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Vannote,  Ralph,  T,        "  "        "         " 

Vannote,  Morris  .J.,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865,  as 

corporal. 
Vannote,  Lawson  J.,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Webb,  James  V.,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Webb,  Isaac  S.,  absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  regt. 
Webb,  Henrv  W.,  trans,  to  V.  R.  C  .  Feb.  10,  '65. 
Wheeler,  Sam'l  P.,  diseh'd  Jan.  23,  '03  ;  disability. 
Wiekoff,  Lorin,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 
Williara.s,  William,  rau.stered  out  June  21,  186.5. 
Williams,  Thomas, 
Williams,  Edw.  H., 
Yates,  Francis,  mustered  out  June  21,  1865. 

James  A.,  must'd  out  June  21,  1865, 

35  corporal. 


JJe< 


nita. 


Finn,  Martin,  deserted  August  28,  1862. 
Moore,  William  W.,  rejected. 

Cim.'sigiicd  Becruit.^. 
Chine,  Jonathan,  transferred  to  65lh  III.  Infantry. 
Kirby,  Henry,  transferred  to  65th  111.  Infantry. 


ONE   HUXDRED   .\ND  THIRTEENTH    INFASTRY 

Was  organized  at  Camp  Hancock,  near 
Camp  Douglas,  III,  November  6,  1862, 
when  it  was  ordered  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  to 
report  to  General  Sherman  ;  was  in  the 
"  Tallahatchie  Expedition  :  "  in  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg ;  Chickasaw  Bayou  ;  in  cam- 
paign against  General  Forrest.  The  regi- 
ment participated  in  many  other  skir- 
mishes and  minor  engagements ;  was  mus- 
tered out  June  20,  1865. 

Ml.STER   ROLL   COMPASY    I. 

Mecruits. 
Cross,  Allen  J.,  tr.  to  120  III.,  ms'td  out  Sept.  10,  '65. 
Hickman,  John  L.,  tr.  120  III.,  m.  o.  Sept.  10, '65. 
Hume,  Joel  C  ,  tr.  to  120  III.,  ms'td  out  Sept.  10,  '6.5- 
Karr,  Mvers  B.,  tr.  to  120  111.,  m.  o.  Sept.  10,  '65. 
Roraainc",  Wm  T.,  died  at  Memphis,  Ap.  14,  '64. 
Swearenger,  Jacob  W.,  trans,  to  120  III.,  mustered 

out  Sept.  10,  186.5. 
Trent,  John  B.,  tr.  to  120  III.,  m.  o.  Sept.  10,  '65. 

ONE   HUNDRED   AND   EIGHTEENTH   INFANTRY. 

[Three  Years'  Service.) 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY'    E. 
rrimle.-!. 
Hood,  Wihen  B.,  died  at  Jefferson  Barracks,  Mo., 
Feb.  3,  1863. 

ONE    HUNDRED   AND   TWENTY-FOURTH 
INFANTRY. 

{Thret  Years'  Sen-ice.) 

CN.iSSIGNED   RECRUITS. 

Case,  William  J.,  rejected. 

Heil,  Philip,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  Dec.  31,  ISOi. 

Orr,  Willliam  C,  rejected. 

Tisler,  .Alfonso. 

ONE   HUNDRED    AND   TWENTY-FIFTH    INFANTRY. 

Three  Years'  Service. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMP.ANY   H. 
Privates. 
Coon,  Henry,  discharged  Oct.  23,  1862. 

ONE   HUNDRED   AND   THIRTT-THIRD   REGI- 
MENT. 
(  One  Hundred  Days'  Service.) 
These  Volunteers  were  organized  in  this 
regiment  by  Col.  Thaddeus  Phillips,  May 
31,  1864.     On  the  3d  of  June,  moved  to 
Rock  Island  Barracks,  and  was  assigned  to 
guarding  prisoners  of  war.     The  regiment 
performed    the    duty  faithfully  and    efBi- 
ciently,  and  was  mustered  out  September 
24,  1S64. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   E. 
Privates. 
McNair,  Elias,  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Roggers,  Elias,  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 
Shockey.  Joseph,  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1964. 
Sheets,  Peton,  mustered  out  gept.  24,  1864. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   I. 
Private.^. 
Wallers,  John  M.,  mustered  out  Sept.  24,  1864. 

ONE    HUNDRED    AND   FORTIETH    INFANTRY. 

(  One  Hundred  Day/  Service.) 

MUSTER   ROLL    COMPANY    H. 

Captain. 
George  E.  Furkinton,  mustered  out  Oct.  29, 1864. 


130 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


FirM  Lmdrnant. 
John  McLindsley,  mustered  out  Oct.  29,  'iM. 

Second  Lkuldvmt. 
Jacob  Fesler,  mustei'ed  out  Oct.  29.  '64. 

Firai  Srrf/frinl. 
Isaac  T.  Kniglilar,  nuistere.l  out  Oct.  29,  'C4. 

.S,.r;,,„„(..-. 
Janipa  M.  Walker,  mu..ilered  out  Oct.  29,  l.^C-1. 
Samuel  Confer, 
•William  G.  Willard, 
Francis  H.  Goddard, 

Corporals. 
Flevious  J.Knepper,  mus.  out  Oct.  29, 'C4. 


Le« 


;  Wood, 


James  O.McCanoughv,      " 
John  H.  .Sanders, 

Israel  Throop,  

Amos  B.  Van  Xunys. 

Mtmcmis. 
■William  W   Ackerson,  mustered  out  Oct.  29,  '64. 
Ilenrv  R.  May, 

Woynnrr. 
Xorris  Tracy,  mustered  out  Oct.  29,  1S64. 

Prirntcs. 
Brundage.  Samuel,  mustered  out  Oct.  29,  1864. 
Barer,  Martin, 
Blood,  Hulbert  J  , 

Coolbaugh.  Herman  C,       "  " 

Downey,  Hugh,  *' 

Eyster.  Joseph  M ,  "  " 

Kbel.  Citr.xstern,  ''  '' 

Evster,  Charles  L.  '*  " 

Ferris,  George  S  ,    mus.  out  Oct.  29,  '64.  wounded. 
Freeman,  Edwin  C, 

Griffitii.  George  H.,        ■'  "        " 

(irant,  John  U,  " 

Griswold,  Alanson,         '*  "' 

Hamaker,  Jacob, 
Hare,  George,  ''  '' 

Heaganv.  Peter,  ''  "        '' 

Haiford',  Francis  D.,       " 
Hostraner,  George,         "  ''         " 

Kellev.  James,  "  "        " 

Hendrick,  Edgar  J, died  at  Memphis  July  12, '64. 
Kuglar,  Joseph,      mus.  out  Oct.  29,  '64. 
Long,  John,  "  ''        " 

Marshall,  Wm.  H., 
McDermott,  John,  "  "         *' 

McCan,  John  M., 

Myer.<,  Oliver  C.  "  "        "    as  corp'l. 

Orcutt,  Jacob  H.,  *'  "        " 

Place,  Henry,  •'  ''        " 

Pattersim.Ciiarles  W.,    "  "         " 

Parker,  Henrv.  "  "         " 

Kandall,  Osb.'.rn  R.,        "  "        " 

Rndgers,  WilUam  O.,     '' 
Reed,  Orlando,  "  •' 

Royce,  John,  "  "        '' 

Rapp,  Lewis,  '*  " 

Kussle,  James  L., 
Smith,  Amos. 
Summer,  Peter,  " 

Scott,  Joseph  S.,  ■'  '*         " 

Steuben,  George  W-,       "  "        " 

Sitterly,  Emory,  "  "         " 

Somers,  John,  '' 

Throop,  Alvin,  "  "         " 

Ure,  William, 

Williams,  Lovd  J.,  "  " 

Wlieeler,  Andrew,  "  "         " 

Wheeler,  J.  Milton,        '• 
Willard,  J.  Revere, 

ONE  HUNDRED  AND    FORTY  FIFTH    INFANTRY 
(ONE  HUNDRED    DATs'  SERVICE.) 
Q'lfxrtennaster. 
James  T.  Snell,  mustered  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 

XOS-COMMISSIOSED  STAFF. 

Commiss:trif  Sergeant. 
Irenus  0.  Conklin,  mustered  out  Sept.  23, 1864. 
Pri)icipal  Musician. 
m  W.  Dunham,  must'd  out  Sept.  23,  1S64. 


MUSTEK    ROLL    COMPANY   D. 


Brock,  James  K.,  nr.istered  out  Sept.  23,  1S64. 
Morris,  William  P.,  mustered  out  Sept.  23,  1846. 

MUSTER    ROLL    COMPANY   G. 

First  Linilcmnt. 

Isaac  X.  Coltrin,  dishonorably  disch'd  .\ug.  16,  '64. 

First  Sergedut. 
Francis  D.  Butts,  mustered  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 

Norton  C.  Rowley,  mustered  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 
Corporals. 

Alexander  B.  Stimson,  must'd  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 

Privates. 

I  Argo,  William,  must'd  out  Sept.  23, 1864. 

Bealty,  Isaac  B., 

Beekman,  Christopher,  ''  "  '' 

Brooks,  Albert  D.,  "  ''  " 

Cloud,  Almond  D.,  "  "  " 

Cornwell,  Isham,  

Cousins,  William,  "  ''  " 

Downing,  Alexander,  

Dillavan,  William  D., 

Dav,  Philip  D„  " 

Frisby,  Isaac  D  ,  "  "        -    " 

j  Gregory,  Theodosius,  "  "  " 

Grady,  Benjamin.  *'  ''  " 

Gundv,  Robert  M., 

Gandv,  Jacob  H., 

Harp,  Thomas  D., 

Hanks,  Philip  K., 

Haynie,  Alvin,  

Hiitlbian,  Frederick,  "  **  " 

H;:ll,  Theodore, 

Jones,  Guilford. 

Jones,  David  W.,  '"  *'  " 

Johnson,  George,  Xo.  1.       *'  *'  " 

Lissenbv,  Benjamin,  died   Beaton  Barracks,  June 
23,  1864. 

Jlower,  Henrv,  musLd  out  Sept.  23,  1S64. 

Miller,  Jacob, 

Negley,  William  G.,  "  " 

!  Ogbourn,  John,  '*  "  " 

Ragan,  George,  " 

Swaney,  John,  "  ''  " 

Warren,  Henry,  ''  "  •* 

Recruits. 
Field,  Lewis,  mustered  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 

;  MASTER     ROLL   <:o:MPANY'   I. 

.Serond  Lieutennnt. 
George  H.  Whiteman,  must'd  out  Sept.  2.3,  1864. 

Corporals. 
John  L.  Converse,  mustered  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 
Charles  E.  Larapson,  must'd  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 


must'd  out  Sept.  23, 1864. 


Bavs,  Walter, 
Booth,  William 

Dunham,  William  W.,         ' 

Evans,  William, 

Inghon,  Alva  C,  

Jefrrey,  William  O., 

Jell'rev,  Ephraim,  "  "  " 

Leighner,  Isaiah  M., 

Martin,  William  H., 

Mann,  Eli  F., 

Slinker,  William, 

Wren,  Daniel,  " 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   K. 

Sergeants. 

Azariah  S.  Wimer,  mustered  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 

Corporah. 
John  T.  Wray,  mustered  oulSept.  23,  1864. 


Hall,  Joseph,  mustered  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 
Loi.kins,  De  Witt  C,  mustered  out  Sept.  2.3,  1S6.5. 
Parker,  Fletcher,  died  at  Rolla,  Mo.,  Aug.  23,  '64. 
Porter,  William,  mustered  out  Sept.  23, 1864. 
Ray.  William  L.,  mustered  out  Sept.  23,  1864. 


ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FIFTY-FOURTH    INFANTRY. 
(ONE   years'   SERVICE.) 

This  regiuient  was  organized  at  Carup 
Butler,  Feb.  21,  186.5,  uuder  call  of  Dec. 
1864.  The  regiment  left  for  the  south, 
Feb.  '24th,  and  spent  most  of  its  term  in 
Tennessee,  doing  guard  and  picket  duty. 
Was  mustered  out  at  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
Sept.  lath,  186-5.  September  29,  I860,  it 
received  its  pay  and  was  discharged  at 
Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  Illinois 

MUSTER    ROLL   COMPANY    B. 

First  Sergeant. 

Thomas  B.  Adkerson,  must'd  out  Sept.  18,  186-5. 

Sirgeanl. 
Jonas  Tibbs,  m.  o.  Sept.  IS,  1865,  as  private. 

Corporals.  ^ 

Hiram  J.  Kennv,  must'd  out  Sept.  18, 1865. 
William  H.  Mitchell,  m.  o.  Sept.  18,  '6-5,  as  priv. 
Eriah  L.  Davenport,  mustd  out  Sept.  18,  '6-5. 

Privates 

Carlwright,  Samuel,  mustered  out  Sept.  18,  1865. 
Dunker,  Lewis  S., 

Geer,  Joseph  II.,  ''  "         " 

Gregory,  Jacob  P.,  *'  "        " 

Geer,  Cnorge  W.,  "  "         *' 

Tibbs,  John  W.,  discharged  Jime  12,  1865. 

SECOND  CAVALRY. 
(THREE   years'    SERVICE.) 
.Major. 
John  R,  Hotaling,  mustered  out,  1864. 

Battallion  Adjutant. 
John  R.  Ilowlett,  adjutant  1st  battallion,  m.  o. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY'    A. 

Captain. 

William  B.  Cummings,  hon.  disch'd  June  24,  '65- 

First  Lieutenants. 
Frank  B.  Bennett,  resigned  June  3.  1862. 
Edward  C.  Baker,  must'd  out,  term  expired. 
I  Seeond  Lieutenant. 

James  S.  McHenry,  resigned  March  3.  1?64. 

Sergeants. 
Nicholas  Hotaling,  disch'd  Aug.  11,  '64,  tm.  exd. 
D.  B.  Dewey,  disch'd  April  22.  1862. 
Frank  Hatch,  prisn'r  of  war  since  Feb.  12,  1862, 
reported  to  have  died  in  prison. 

Corporals. 
J.  A.  B.  Biitterfield,  disch'd  Aug.  11, '64,  asserg't, 

term  expired. 
G.  W.  Hemstock,  disch'd  Aug.  11,  '64,  as  sergt, 

term  expired. 


Antisdale,  Simon  L.,  died   at  N.  0.,  Oct.  12,  '62. 

Belles,  Cornelius,  disch'd  August  11,  64,  as  corp'l, 
term  expired. 

Bechtol,  Reuben,  disch'd  Jan.  20,  1862. 

Denkler,  S.  F.,  must'd  out  Sept.  3,  '64,  tm.  exp'd. 

Fletcher,  S.  H.  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  22,  '65,  as  corp'l. 

Hotaling,  Charles,  dischd  Dec.  20, 1861. 

Hoatling,  D.  W.,  dischd  Julv  11,  1862. 

Hunisdon,  Lewis,  disch'd  June  30,  1862. 

Hardcastle,  Geo.,  disch'd  Aug.  18,  '64.  Im.  exp'd. 

Hubberd,  Lewis,  died  at  Memphis,  July  28,  63, 
wounds. 

Hamaker,  Morgan,  died  at  Memphi.s.Feb.  2G,  '63. 

Hiland,  Robert,  m.  o.  Sept.  3,  '64,  term  exp'd. 

Johnson,  Samuel,  discharged  Jan.  7,  1863. 

Luti.s,  Jacob,  died  Feb.  25.  1862. 

Manning,  Jo.seph,  discharged  Jan.  26,  1862. 

Mills,  G.  H.  vet.,  serg't,  mustd.  out  as  supernu- 
merary U'^n-com.  ofBcer.  June  24,  1865. 

McCorckle,  .James,  1st  serg't  killed  in  action  at 
Port  Gibson,  Miss.,  May  20,  1863. 

Pottarf,  B.  R.,  died  at  Trenton,  Tenn.,  Aug.  3,  '62. 


HI&TORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


131 


P.ir^one,  Jas.  F.,  di-ch'il  Aug.  11,  '64,  tm.  exp'd. 
Padgett,  James  L.,  vet.,  rn.  o.  Nov.  22.  181)5. 
Place,  Samuel  M.,  discli'd  .\ug.  11,  '64,  tm.exp'd. 
Rlioades,  .John,  vet,,  niusl'd  oat  Nov.  22,  1S65. 
Rosens,  William,  discharged  Jaa.  20.  1862. 
Smith,  Frank,  vet.,  inust'd  out  Xov.  22.  18ii.5. 
Steel,  Calvin  F.  vet.,  must'd  out  Nov.  22,  1S65. 
Stillwell,  William  F.  vet.,  Co.  Q.  M.  serg't.  m.  o. 
June  24,  'Go,  assupernu'y  non-com.  officer. 
Winters,  Geo.  W.,  died  Sept.  22,  1862. 

Chatterton,  Charlei  E.,  inust'd  out  Nov.  22,  '6.5. 
Feeland,  Charles,  musl'.i  out  Nov.  22,  1865. 
Recruits. 

Airhart,  Wm   W  ,  discharged  Sept.  10,  1S63. 

Anils,  Ch.irles  W..  mustered  out  Jnne  26,  1863. 

.Vdams,  Robert  M.,  died  at  Vicksburg,  Aug.  8,'63. 

Casler,  Orlando  U. 

Gordonier,  Henderson,  mustered  out  June  11, '65 

Hemstock,  James  L.,  disch'd  Jnne  11,  1865. 

Hiland,  Andrew,  mustered  out  June  11,  1865. 

Hamlin,  David, 

Hemstock,  Jolm  D.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22,  1865. 

Jewell,  George   W.,  tr    to  (E.  Co.   consolidate,) 

mustered  out  Nov.  22,  1S65. 
Keith,  Corwin  B  ,  discharged  March  1S63. 
Lord,  James  M  ,  mustered  out  June  11,  1865. 
Lillev,  I^azarus.  mustered  out  Nov.  22,  1865- 
Miers,  Henry,  discharged  Oct.  9,  1862. 
McDonald,  C    H. 

Rathburn,  Roval  A.,  mustered  out  Jnne  11, 1865. 
Skeleton.  Thom.as.  discharged  Mav  16.  1862 
Steinberg,  Hezekiah,  musiered  out  June  11, 1865. 
Smith,  Henry  L.,  m.  o.  Nov.   22,  '65,  as  co.  com. 

sergeant. 
Towner,  .Selh  S.  vet.,  died  at  N.  O.  Dec.  16,  '64. 
Towner,  Wayne,  deserted  J.in.  7,  1865. 
Wheeler,  Charles  T.,  musiered  out  June  21,  1865. 

MUSTEK   ROLL    COMPANY    B. 

Q.  M.  Sergeant. 
David  Thomas,  disch'd  Aug.  11,  '62,  disability. 

Recruits. 
Elv,  John  F..  must'd  out  Nov.  22,  '65,  as  serg't. 
Taylor,  George  W.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22,  1865. 
Wren,  John  S.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22   1865. 

MUSTER   ROLL  COMPANY   F. 

Privates. 
Griffith,  John,  discharged  May  8,  1862. 
Meyers,  John  W..  disch'd  Dee.  7, 1S63,  disability. 
Meyers,  Geo.  N.,  disch'd  M  irch  6.  '62 ;  disabiliiv. 
Meyers,  William,  vet.,  m.  o.  Nov.  22,  '65,  b'kl'h. 
Rass,  George,  discharged  Oct.  16,  '63,  wounds. 
Weedraan.  Isiah.  serg't,  killed  in  action  at  Holly 
Springs,  Miss.,  Dec.  20,  1802. 

R^cruit,<i. 
Kelly,  Joel  A.,  mustered  out  Nov.  22,  1865. 
Ross,  Edmund,  disch'd  Aug.  14,  '63,  disability. 

MUSTEK   ROLL   COMPANY   I. 

Recrmts. 
Manlove,  John  N.,  m.  o.  Aug.  11,  '64.  as  serg't. 
Osbourn,  Henry  C,  disch'd  Apr.  16,  '61,disabt'y. 

FOURTH    CAVALRY. 

[Three  Years'  Service.) 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY    L. 

Captain. 
Harvey  H.  Merriman,  trans,  to  Major  12tli  Cav. 
Resigned  (as  captain),  Feb.  16,  1866. 

Privates. 
Bates,  Zenas,  disch'd  March  3,  1862  ;  disability. 
Bowers,  J.  C,  disch'd  June  II,  1862;  disability. 
Berger,  Frederick,  mustered  out  Nov.  3,  1864.' 
Cantrall,  Amos  A.,  vet.,  must'd  out  May  29,  1866. 
Costolo.  John,  trans,  to  naval  service,  Jan  31,  '62. 
Duncan  John,  mustered  out  Nov.  3, 1864. 
Despain,  J  J.  must'd  out  Nov.  3,  '61,  as  serg't. 
Dennis,  Joseph,  disch'd  .\pril  18,  '62;  disabilitv. 
Dickhoff.  John  F.,  nmstered  out  Nov.  3,  1864. 
Forbes,  William,  mustered  out  Nov.  3,  1864. 
Finnan,  J.  J.,  mustered  out  Nov.  3,  1864. 


Farren,  James  M.,  must'd  out  Nov.  3,  '64,  as  serg't. 
Gregorv,  Jac  .b,  trans,  to  naval  service  Jan.  3,  '62. 
Graves;  John  H.,  disch'd  .Jan.  31,   62;  disabilitv. 
Harper,  Francis  M.,  disch'd  Jnne  26,  '63:  ilisb.'ty. 
Hume,  John  H.,  mustered  out  .Nov.  3,  1S64. 
Ives,  .\verv  H.,  mustered  out  Nov.  3.  1864. 
Jenkin.s,  Tlios.died  in  DeWiti  Co.,  111.,  Ap.  15,  '62. 
Kirbv,  .John  D.,  tnusiered  out  Nov.  3,  1S61. 
KirbV,  James  C,  discharged  Jnne  16,  1862. 
ICing,  George  M.,  mustered  out  Nov.  3,  1864. 
Kinney,  John,  musiered  out  Nov.  3,  1864. 
Lear,  Corneliu.s,  mustered  out  Nov.  3,  1864. 
Morris,  Isacher,  dis.  Mar.  3. '62.  as  serg't ;  disb'tv. 
Mc.Man,  Thomas,  discharged  Mav  8.  1862. 
.McA'ooy,  Wm.  M.,  disch'd  Nov.  1, 1861 ;  disbl'ty. 
-Mclntire.  Stewart,  Ir.  to  naval  ser.,  Jan.  31,  '62.' 
O  Neal,  Thomas  C,  died  at  Natchez,  Jan.  27,  '64. 
Proud,  William,  must'd  out  Nov.  3,  '64,  as  corpl. 
Bunyon,  Joseph,  discharged  May  8,  1862. 
Stanton,  Armon,  mustered  out  Nov.  3,  1864. 
St.  Clair,  A  G  ,  vet.,  mus't  out  Mav  29,  1860. 
Turner,  J.  B.,  musiered  out  Nov.  3",  1S64. 
Walker,  John  B,  d.  Humboldt,  Tenn.,  Nov  7 '62. 
Willon,  or  Wellen,  J.  F.,  died  at  Monterey,  Tenn,, 

Jjoe  3.  1862. 
Wriijht,  James  M.,  disch'd  June  19.  '62;  disb'lty. 
Wilson,  Michael,  died  at  Natchez,  Sept.  29,  '64. 
Wilson,  .\sa,  must'd  out  Nov.  3,  '64,  as  corporal. 
Walker,  Mosby,  disch'd  Nov.  1,  1861  ;  disability. 
Williams,  Prentice  N.,  must'd  out  Nov.  3,  1864.' 
Young,  .\ndrew,  vet.,  mu.st'd  out  March  17,  1866. 


;:',•.• 


Jackson,  John  A.,  died  Piltsl.'g  Lndg,  Mav  5.  '62. 
Richard.s,  William,  mustered  out  Mav  29,  1866, 

as  corp'l  Co.  I,  12th  Cav. 
Taylor,  William  H.,  mustered  out  May  29,  1806, 

as  com.  sergeant. 

SEVENTH    CAVALRY. 

{Three   Years'  Serrice.) 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   A. 

Recruits. 
Aler,  M'ilson,  mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Enos,  Francis,  nmstered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Forbe.s,  Stephen,  musiered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Harrold,  William  F.,  mustered  out  Nov.  4,  186.5. 
Maple,  Thomas  E.,  mustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 
McNeir  Elias,  mii.stered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Norris,  Theotloi-e,  tnustered  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 
Tubes,  or  Tuper,  Allison,  must'd  out  Nov.  4,  1865. 

MUSTER    ROLL   COMPANY  C. 


Church,  Henry  C,  mustered  out  Oct!  19.  1865. 
Freeman.  Marcus,  piustered  out  Oct.  19,  1865. 

Unai^signed  Recruits. 
Harp,  Mark  B. 

EIGHTH  CAVALRY. 
(THREE  years'  SERVICE  ) 

This  orgaDization  was  eflected  at  St. 
Charles,  Illinois,  in  September,  1861,  by 
Col.  J.  F.  Fanisworth,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  United  States  service  September 
18th,  1861,  October  13th,  the  regiment 
moved  to  Washington  City,  and  was  as- 
signed to  the  department  of  the  east. 
March  10th,  1862,  the  regiment  joined  the 
general  advance  on  Manassas,  at  four 
different  times  driving  the  enemy  across 
the  Rappahannock.  June  26th,  met  the 
enemy  under  Jackson,  and  repulsed  him, 
and,  afterwards  at  Gaines'  Hill,  skirmish- 
ing continually  with  the  enemy.  Bore  the 
blunt  of  the  fight  at  Malvern  Hills,  where 
it  sustained  a  severe  loss.  Engaged  at 
Monocacy  Church  ;  captured  20  prisoners 
at  Barnesville  ;  at  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain, 
Middletown,  South  Mountain  and  Boones- 


boro,  captured  2  guns,  killing  and  wound- 
ing 67,  and  taking  200  prisoners.  Was  at 
the  battle  of  Antietam,  Martinsburg, 
FrederickKburg  Loss  up  to  February 
17th,  1863,  27  killed,  71  wounded,  and  20 
missing.  Was  in  many  engagements  dur- 
ing 1863,  losing  23  killed,  116  wounded, 
and  37  missing.  Was  mustered  out  July 
17th,  1865. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMP.ANT    B. 

Q.  jV.  Sergeant. 
J.  J.  Woodruff,  disch'd  Oct.  14,  1862;  diability. 

Privates. 
Bailev.  William,  mustered  out  Sept.  28,  1S64. 

Bc41,  .Jam«  M,,  vr(  ,  n,;.:,.,  ,,1  .July  17,  186.5. 

Fancher,  Martin,  ,1,      ,1    \,  ,1  h,  1864;  wounds. 
Herrick,  Willi;iin.  n,     :,;,,<         ^..pt.  28,  1864. 
Hill,  Henrv,  luii^i,  ,.■  I  ..m  s  ;,,    l'S  1864. 
Thomas,  Julius  0.,  mustered  out  S<?pt.  28,  IS64. 
Wales,  John,  discharged,  May  15,  1862. 

Recruits. 
Percival,  Judson,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865. 
Percival  Stephen,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   K. 

Veteran. 
Willard  William,  mustered  out  July  17,  1865. 

Vnnssigucd  Recruit. 
Barry,  Job.i. 

NINTH   CAVALRY   REGIMENT. 

{2'hree  Years'  /Service.") 
This  regiment  was   mustered   into   the 
United  States  service  since  November  30, 

1861,  at  Chicago,  Illinois.  It  participated 
in  several  batths  and  skirmishes,  losing 
heavily.  The  regiment  served  out  its  full 
time,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Selma,  Ala- 
bama, Oct.  31, 1S6.5,  and  ordered  to  Spring- 
field, where  it  received  final  payment  and 
discharge. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMFANY   M. 

Recruits. 
Bigelow,  Henrv  .\..,  musiered  out  Oct.  1.3, 1865,  to 

date  Oct.  2,  1865. 
Fuller,  Adelbert,  died  at  Gainesville,  Oct.  14,  '65. 
Reed,  Charles,  musiered  out  Oct.  13,  1865. 
Wail,  Percival. 

l^ua.mgned  Recruit. 
Bush,  Ralph,  rejected  by  board. 

TENTH  CAVALRY. 
(TUREE  years'  SERVICE.) 

The  organization  of  this  regiment  was 
efl^ected  at  Camp  Butler,  III  ,  November 
25th,  18GI.  Dudley  Wickersham  was  ap- 
pointed Colonel,  May  15th,  1862.  Spent 
the  winter  at  Quincy,  111.,  and  March  18th, 

1862,  reported  at  Benton  Barracks,  Mis- 
souri. During  the  remainder  of  the  year 
it  operated  in  the  States  of  Missouri  and 
Arkansas.  The  remainder  was  spent  in 
the  south-west,  doing  frontier  skirmishing. 
It  was  mustered"  out  of  service  November 
22d,  1865,  at  San  Antonio,  Te.xas,  and  or- 
dered to  Springfield,  Illinois,  for  final  pay- 
ment and  discharge.  Below  are  the  names 
credited  to  De  Witt  county. 


132 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


TENTH    CAVALRY     REGIMENT- 

(THREE   years'    SERVICE.) 

MUSTER  ROLE  COMPANY  L. 

Corp.,;,!. 

Enoch,  Thornley.  vet.,  intist.  oat  Xov.  22,  '05, 

Ilecnnl. 
■\VuIclron.  Allen,  must,  out  June  13,  '65. 

MUSTER  HOLL  COMPANy  M. 

Able,   James  C,  deserted  from  ;  absent  in  hands 

of  the  enemy  Feb.  12,  '65. 
Able,  Thomas,  deserted  fiom  ;  absent  in  hands  of 

the  enemy  Feb.  12,  '65. 
East,  Edward  H.,  must,  out  Nov.  22,  '65. 
Masiin,  James  W.,  must,  out  Nov.  22,  '6.3. 
Mulkv,  Wm.  A.,  must,  out  Sept.  6,  '65. 
Mulkv,  Philip  E.,  mu.'it.  out  Nov.  22,  '65. 
Eoss,  John  f:.,  must,  out  Nov,  22,  '6-5. 
Stone,  Elijah  B.,  disch'd  Feb.  25,  '65 ;  disability. 
Fibbs,  Jackson,  must,  out  Nov.  22,  '65. 
Wiraer,  Thomas  K.,  must,  out  Aug.  24,  '65. 
Wilson.  Alfred,  must,  out  Nov.  12,  '65. 


FOURTEENTH  CAVALRY. 
{three  YEAR.S'  SERVICE.) 
MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY    F. 

Ryan  George  W.,  deserted  Feb.  21,  '63. 

."MUSTER   ROLL  COMPANY    H. 
.S'..,«o-. 
Nathaniel  P.    Harris,  disch'd  M.ay    16,  '63;  dis- 
ability. 

Prirutes. 
Brooks,  Wm.,  must,  out  July  31,  '65. 
Hayes,  Charle.?,  must,  out  Julv  31,  '6.5,  as  serg't. 
Odell,  Delos,  must,  out  July  3"l,  '65,  as  serg't. 
Polen,  Joseph  R.,  must,  out  July  31,  '65- 

SIXTEENTH  CAVALRY-. 

(three   tears'  SERVICE.) 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY   H, 

Primtes. 
Meeyer,  Augus',  must,  out  Aug- 19,  '65. 
Meyer,  Fritz,  deserted  March  21,  '64. 

SEVE.NTEENTH  CAVALRY. 
(THREE   years"  SERVICE.) 

This  regiment  was  organized  under 
special  authority  from  the  War  Depart- 
ment, issued  August  r2th,  1863,  to  Hon. 
John  F.  Farnsworth.  The  Colonelcy  of 
the  regiment  was  offered  to  John  L.  Bev- 
eridge,  then  Major  in  the  Eighth  Illinois 
Cavalry,  who  assumed  the  work  of  organi- 
zation, November  15th,  1863  The  regi- 
ment was  completed  February  12th,  1864. 
May  3d,  186-t,  the  regiment  moved  under 
orders  from  the  General-in-Chief,  to  report 
to  Maj.  Gen.  Kosecrans,  commanding  the 
department  of  Missouri,  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
The  three  battalions  of  this  regiment  were 
for  the  most  time  separated,  and  it  would 
be  difficult  to  give  an  account  of  the  move- 
ments of  the  companies  or  parts  of  com- 
panies that  are  given  below,  or  those  that 
went  from  De  Witt  county.  The  service 
of  the  regiment  was  wholly  within  the  de- 
partment of  Missouri,  commanded  resjiec- 
tively  by  Generals  Rosecrans,  Dodge  and 
Pope.      Reconnoissance,   skirmishing   and 


guarding  was  its  principal  duty.     Muster- 
ed out  November  and  December,  1865. 

MUSTER    ROLL   COMPANY-   A, 

Primtes. 

AVilkie,  Calvin,  detached  at  mus.  out  of  regiment. 

MUSTEK   ROLL   COMPANY"   D. 

First  Lieuteiuints. 
Israel  H.  Eldridge,  mustered  out  March  16, 1865. 
Henry  S.  Chappelear,  mustered  out  Dec.  20,  '65. 

Srnjeaiits. 
John  M.  Osborne,  m.  o.  Dec.  20,  '65,  as  private. 
John  F.T.  J.  McKinney,  dis.  as  priv.  Oct.  29,  '64. 
Harrison  S.  Andrew.s,  m.  o.  Dec.  20,  '65,  wagontr. 

Corporals. 
Geo.  W.  Garrett,  in  confinement  at  m.  o.  of  reg't. 
Wm.  B.  Waller,  dis.  Nov.  30,  '65 ;  disability. 

Privates. 
Cunningham,  .John,  mustered  out  Sep.  15.  1865. 
Field,  Robert,  mils,  out  Dec.  20,  '65,  as  Sergeant. 
Lillard,  Jooeph  E.,   " 
Ledbetter,  Job  F.,    " 

Lillard,  Wm.  E..      "  ■'  as  Corporal. 

Morse,  Wm.  H.,        " 
Polan-  Samuel,  "  " 

Wimer,  .John  R.      "  ■'    Co.  Q.  M.  Serg't. 

Williams,  Lewis,      "  "  as  Corporal. 

i  R.-rr„it. 

Clemens,  Albert  J.,  m.  o.  Dec.  20,  '6-5,  as  Serg't. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY-   H. 
Prirnlc. 
Tours,  John,  nuistered  out  Dec.  1865. 

MUSTER   ROLL   COMPANY    M. 
Privates. 
Deets,  Sylvanus,  mustered  out  Nov.  23,  1865. 
Murphy,  John,  deserted  Sep.  7,  1864. 
Moore,  Calvin,  mustered  out  Nov.  2.J,  1865. 
Rust,  John  J.,  mustered  out  May  15.  1865. 
Ray,  Charles,  mustered  out  Nov.  23,  1865. 

FIRST   REfJIMENT   LIGHT    ARTILLERY. 

(THREE    years'    SERVICE.) 

MUSTER   ROLL   BATTERY    H. 

Prirnte.-!. 

Kyler,  George,  vet.,  mustered  out  Aug.  10,  '65. 

MUSTER   ROLL   BATTREY-    K. 
Sreond  Lirutnmnt. 

William  L.  William.s,  mustered  out  Aug.  1.5,  '65. 

Privates. 
Armstrong,  William,  must,  out  June  19,  '65. 

Barngrover,  Geo.  W.,  m'd  out  June  19  '65  as  cp'l. 

Butterworth,  James,  m'd  out  June  19,  '65  as  bugler. 

Bowles,  Peter  H.,  mu.st.  out  June  19,  '65. 

Cross,  Benjamin,  must'd  out  June  19.  65  jis  serg't. 

Coppenbarger,  David,  must'd  out  June  19.  '65. 

Cromer,  William  H.,  must'd  out  April  19,  '65. 

Clark;  Lake,  must'd  out  Jime  19,  '65. 

Campbell.  William,  must,  out  Julv  1.5,  '65. 

Davis,  Walter,  must'd  out  June  19,  '6.5. 

Early,    William,    died    near  Knoxville,   Tenn. 
Feb.  16,  '64. 

Farris,  Amos  G-,  mustered  out  July  13,  '65. 

Freeze,  Andrew,  mustered  out  June  19,  '65. 

Fenneran,  Michael,      '*  "  " 

Gilson,  George  E.,         "  ''  " 

Hoyt,  Orin  A.,  must,  out  June  19,  '65  as  serg't, 

Knobl.s.  Charles,  mustered  out  June  19.  '65. 

Lunn.  Richard,  must'd  out  June  19,  65  as  corp'I. 

Luck,  William,  discharged. 

McKinley,  Joseph,  must,  out  June  19,  '65  as  Q. 
M.  Sergeant. 

McGowan.  Parker  S.,  deserted  Oct.  — ,  '65    ar- 
rested and  confined  ;  escaped  April  15,  'Go. 

Page,  William,  must.  outa.s  corp'I  June  19,  '65. 

Pollock,  Samuel  M.,  mu^t.  out  June  19,  '6-5. 

Petticord,  Thomas  J.,        '■  " 

Page,  Alfred,  "  "  1 


Reed,  'Willis  G.,  must,  out  June  19.  '65  as  serg't. 

Ru.ssell,  Jesse,  '■  •■         as  corp'I. 

Ratclifl;  Daniel, 

Rooker,  William,  .       " 

Smith,  John  A.,  "  •' 

Simpson,  John  H.,         *'  " 

Spenser,  James  H.,        '*  " 

Schenck,  Obadiah,         "  " 

Scott,  Augustus,  de.serted  Aug.  31,  '63. 

Wise,  Reuben,  must,  out  June  19, 'G5  as  corp'I. 

Wise,  Israel  F., 

Williams,  John  F.,     " 

Williams,  W^.  L.,  promoted. 

Walt,  Levi,  mustered  out  June  19,  '65. 

Williams,  Frank  E.,  deserted  July  19,  '65. 

Reerails. 
Bowles,  Henry  H.,  mustered  out  July  15,  1865. 
Lafl'erty,  Isa^  C,  mustered  out  July  15, 1865. 

SECOND  REGIMENT,  LIGHT  ARTILLERY. 

(THREE   Y-EARS'  SERVICE.) 

HISTORY   OP    BATTERY   P. 

This  Battery  was  organized  at  Cape 
Girardeau,  Mo.,  by  Capt  John  W.  Powell, 
and  was  mustered  in,  December  11,  1861. 
March  14th,  1862,  moved  to  Pittsburg 
Landing  with  six  6  pound  guns,  and  was 
assigned  to  Gen.  W.  H.  L.  Wallace's  Bri- 
gade, sixth  division.  April  6th,  engaged 
the  enemy  near  Shiloh  Church  ;  engaged 
in  the  siege  of  Corinth  October  3d  and  4th, 
1S62  ;  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg ;  in  the 
Meridian  campaign  ;  one  section  fighting 
on  the  Hatchie;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain; 
heavily  engaged  before  Atlanta  and  in  the 
siege  of  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro ;  and  at 
Nashville.  It  was  ordered  to  Springfield, 
Illinois,  for  muster  out  July  9th,  1865,  and 
was  mustered  out  July  27th,  1865. 

MUSTER   ROLL   BATTERY   F. 

First  Lieutenant. 
Richard  Osborne,  mustered  out  (as  fr.  2d  lieut.) 

July  27,  1865. 

Second  Lieutenant. 
Israel  H.  Eldridge,  resigned  Feb.  13,  1863. 

Peeruits. 
-Anderson,  John  J.,  must'd  out  July  27,  186.5,  as 

wagoner. 
Beatty,  James,  must'd  out  July  27,  '65,  as  corp'I. 
Brooks,  Leonard  F.,  mustered  out  July  27,  1865. 
Blavlock.  Robert  G.,  mustered  out  July  27,  1865. 
Burns,  De  Witt  C, 

Beatty.  Henrv  G.,  ''  ''  " 

Bock,  Tiieodore. 
demons,  Clayton  C,  promoted  reg't.  com.  serg't. 

mustered  out  .July  27,  1865. 
Curry,  Domink,  mustered  out  July  27,  1865. 
Collins.  Daniel,  ''  ''  '' 

Curl,  John  W., 
Crawford,  Smith,  died   at  N.ashville,  Tenn.,  Feb. 

2.5,  1865. 
demons,  Albert 

Donavan,  John,  must'd  out  Julv  27,  186.5. 

Eaton  John  A., 

Eaton  Jeremiah,  "  "  " 

Fitzpalrick,  Isaac  N.,  "  "  " 

Fitzpatrick,  Robert  G.,         "  "  " 

Ciaines,  Samuel  B.,  "  '*  " 

Harvey,  Thomas  G.,  must'd  out  July  27,  186-5,  as 

1st  sergeant. 
Hanken,-on,  Benjamin,   must'd  out  July  27, 1865. 
Hill.  William  C, 
Hall,  Peter  C, 

Hinkle,  Abraham,  "  *'  " 

Lillard.  Joseph. 

McCatfrev,  Francis,  mustered  out  July  27, 186-5. 
McFarlaiid,  Alva  C,         "  '' 

Morse,  Joseph  B.,  prisoner  of  war  since  July  22, 

1864,  not  mustered  with  battery. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


133 


McAboy,  Arthur  J,,  mustered  out  July  27, 1S65. 
Reaston,  Francis,  corp'l  priy.  of  war  since  July  22, 

1864,  not  mustereil  with  battery. 
Sumpter,  Joeph,  mustered  out  July  27,  13G">. 
Smith,  Augustus  L.,  must'd  out  May  2:i,  ISUo. 
Seeley,  Samuel  D.,  mustered  out  July  27,  IStio. 
Smith,  Cha=.  died  at  Marietta,  Ga..  j'uly  30,  1864. 
Thomas.  James  L.,  prisoner  of  war  since  July  22, 

1864.  not  mustered  with  battery. 
Winslow,  Orlando  R,,      must'd  out  July  27, 186.5. 
Yarzell,  William  R., 
YeamoDs,  John  W.,  "  "  " 

MUSTER    ROLL    B.VTTERY   0. 

Charles  Greenwood,  dis.  Oct.  16,  '63  :  disability. 

Corporal. 
Sam'I  E.  Curtis,  died  at  Goodrich  L.ind'g  La  Sep.2. 


Atkinson,  Edn 
Sliafer,  Thom; 


luid  T.,  nni^trred  out  .'>pp.  4, 
:,  mustered  out  Sep.  4,  '6-5. 


Primh; 


Rose,  Corydcn,  ditd  Camp  Butler,  111.,  J.an.  9,  'lii. 
Steel,  Joseph  M.,  vet.,  m.  o.  .Si-p.  4,  G."i,  .-is  Coip'l. 


Anstiss,  Frank  D.,  deserted  Jan.  31,  1863. 
Brown,  William,  died  at  Memphis  June  29,  '63. 
Davis,  Jesse  W.,  died  at  Vicksburg  Oct.  1.5,  '63. 
Dusenburv,  Albert  A.,  vet.,  rous.  out  Aug.  2,  '65. 
II:is;cr,  .lohn  Wesley,  m.  o.  Dec.  .3,  '64;  term  ex. 
ll.iiiniKway,  llLinniah  W.,  m.o  Dec.3, '64 ;  ter.  ex. 
Luveridgc,  Jcliir.-on  S.,  veteran,  dis  Aug.  7,  '65, 

Corporal  ;  superannuated. 
Minnis,  James  P.,  vet.,  mustered  out  Sep.  4,  '6.5. 
McDowell,  Corvden  H.,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sep  4,  '65 ;  Cor. 
McDowell,  William,  mustered  out  Nov.  25,  '64. 
Padgett,  Robert  M,,  vet.,  m.  o.  Sep.  4,  '65;  Serg't. 
Ransom,  Amos  C,  dis.  Aug.  14,  '02;  disability. 


MUSTER    ROLL    It.VTTERY 


Dibert,  Warren,  vet.,  m.o.  June  14,  '65.  as  Corp'l. 
Dourgan,  Robert,  vet.,  mustered  out  Jime  14,  '05. 
Finnell,  Thoma.s,  vet.,  mustered  out  June  14,  '65. 
Grovenor,  Nathan,  vet.,  mus.  out  June  14,  'tio. 
Hobbs,  Allen,  vet.,  mustered  out  June  14,  '65. 
Lighthall,  Robert  W.,  vet.,  mus.  out  June  14,  '65. 
McGary,  Hugh,  vet.,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 
Peterson.  Marshall,  vet.,  m.  o.  June  14, '6.5  ;  Bugler 
Provin,  William,  mustered  out  June  14,  '6.5. 
Smith,  Peter  A.,  veteran,  mus.  out  June  14,  '65. 
Wallace,  Stephen,  vet.,  mus.  out  June  14,  '6.5. 

R-rnnt. 

Burns,  John,  mustered  out  June  14,  1805. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


ECCLESIA  TIC.  I L   IIISTOR  Y. 


THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

BY   REV.  J.  C.  KUCKER. 

JHE  Indian  tribes,  fifty  years  ago,  matJe  their 
trails,  and  wild  beasts  prowled  through  woods 
and  prairies,  when  numerous  swamps  and 
swelling  waters  overflowed  nearly  all  the  en- 
tire country  ;  when  pestilenlial  malaria  pros- 
trated almost  every  family;  when  snows  and 
storms  of  unparalleled  depth  and  severity 
made  the  winters  desolate  and  formidable  to 
a  degree  before  and  since  unknown,  so  that 
starvation  was  at  the  door  of  every  settler ;  even  then  a  few 
Methodist  people  met  to  worship  God  in  their  cabins,  and  Metho- 
dist preachers  went  to  and  from  in  the  wilderness, "'  seeking  the 
lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel."  The  preachers,  were  men 
of  strong  common  sense,  earnest  convictions,  and  such  ready 
utterance  as  to  command  attention  wherever  they  held  divine 
service.  Their  appointments  were  commonly  from  twelve  to 
twenty  miles  apart,  and  they  usuall}-  preached  every  day  in  the 
week,  except  Monday.  Their  circuits  were  often  hundreds 
of  miles  around  them,  and  were  travelled  every  four  weeks. 
Rarely  have  people  had  as  their  first  pa.stors,  ministers  of 
greater  moral  force  to  draw  the  hearers,  and  mould  the 
minds  of  men  to  Christian  truth  and  life,  and  few  pulpit  orators 
since  have  surpassed  the  founders  of  Methodism  in  De  Witt 
county  in  subduing  argument  and  cultivating  eloquence. 
Peter  Cartwright,  John  Sinclair,  S.  W.  D.  Chase,  Norman  Allyn, 
and  Peter  Akers,  and  others,  as  leaders  in  great  religions 
movements,  were  the  peers  of  any  ministers  east  or  west  in  this 
broad  country:  they  carried  the  signs  of  true  apostolical  succes- 
sors, "  in  journeyings  often  ;  in  perils  of  waters  ;  in  perils  of  rob- 
bers ;  in  perils  by  the  heathen  ;  in  perils  by  their  own  country- 
men ;  in  weariness  and  painfulness;  in  hunger;  in  cold  and 
nakedness,  besides  that  which  came  upon  them  daily,  the  care 
of  all  the  churches." 

Let  us  now  give  the  names  of  some  of  those  pioneer  settlers 
who  took  lessons  from  such  pastors,  and  those  who  have  known 
them  during  the  past  half  century  can  realize,  many  of  them 
were  worthy  of  their  teachers,  and  have  been  solid  foundation 
stones  in  the  Christian  temple  in  this  county. 


Judge  William  Lowry,  an  aged  Methodist  with  a  large  family 
emigrated  from  Kentucky,  and  stopping  a  while  in  Edgar  county 
in  this  state,  came  and  settled  on  the  south  side  of  Salt  creek 
timber,  one  and  a  half  miles  etfst  of  the  present  town  of  Kenney, 
in  1829.  That  year,  at  the  Mt.  Carmel  Conference,  Illinois  Con- 
ference was  organized  ;  Rev.  W.  L.  Deneen,  an  effective  and 
promising  young  man,  was  appointed  to  "  Salt  creek  circuit," 
embracing  all  the  country  now  included  in  Menard,  Logan,  Ma- 
con, and  De  Witt  counties,  and  all  of  Sangamon  county,  north 
of  Sangamon  river.  Mr.  Deneen  organized  the  first  Society  in 
De  Witt  county,  at  the  house  of  Judge  Lowry.  The  members 
were  William  Lowry  and  wife,  and  two  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters: Reuben,  Frank,  Cecilia,  Nancy  and  Eliza  Lowry.  Thomas 
Alsop  and  wife,  widow  Alsop  and  daughter,  James  Kenney  and 
wife,  ana  son.  Daniel  Newcomb  and  wife,  his  father  and  sisters 
Elizabeth  and  Hannah,  were  added  to  the  infant  church. 

In  the  fall  of  18.31,  Gd.  Andrew  Wallace,  from  Bourbon 
county,  Kentucky,  came  and  settled  four  miles  north-west  of 
Lowry 's,  on  the  north  of  Salt  creek ;  and  in  1832,  the  Colonel's 
wife  and  daughter,  now  widow  Hickman,  united  with  the  church  ; 
in  18.36,  Joseph  Howard  and  wife,  and  Reuben  Thornley  and 
wife,  Rachel  Howard,  and  Mary  Wallace,  now  widow  Reddick, 
of  Clinton.  This  Society  made  quite  a  creditable  beginning  for 
Methodist  history  in  the  county. 

The  preaching  place  continued  at  Judge  Lowry's  for  several 
years ;  also  at  Daniel  Newcome's ;  then  it  was  removed  to  Joseph 
Howard'.s  house  where  it  remained  for  eighteen  years.  Col. 
Wallace's  house  was  also  a  place  of  worship  for  a  long  period. 
Though  the  Col.  was  not  a  church  member,  he  was  one  of  nature's 
noblemen.  The  preacher  in  those  days  held  closed  door  class- 
meetings  after  preaching  and  as  many  of  the  congregation  like 
himself  were  turned  out  of  doors  during  class  hour,  he  good  hu- 
moredly  said  he  would  not  stand  it ;  and  he  built  another  room 
for  himself  and  brother  outsiders  to  have  accomodations  also  on 
class  meeting  occasions. 

After  the  first  years'  hardships  passed  social  life  was  greatly 
relished  and  cultivated  in  home  circles ;  and  plenteous  tables 
were  covered  with  luscious  refreshments.  The  houses  where 
preaching  was  held  often  entertained  at  those  tables  ten,  twenty 
atid  even  fifty  at  a  time.  No  famed  Virginia  hospitality  ever 
surpassed  in  generous  abundance,  so  often  furnished,  to  so  many 
who  worshiped  at  those  private  houses.  Mrs.  Heta  Wallace  wife 
of  the  Colonel  prepared  one  of  these  tables  ;  she  is  still  living  at 
the  age  of  91. 

In  1834  a  Methodist  society  was  formed  at  Waynesville;  and 
one  at  Marion  (now  De  Witt)  and  also  at  Hurlys  Grove,  Dennis 


134 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Hurly  and  wife,  Richard  Kirby  and  wife,  Clmrles  McCone  aud 
wife,  and  some  of  tiie  Huddlejton  and  Clearwater  family,  John 
Weedman  and  wife  ;  all  of  these  had  large  families  who  afterward 
united  with  the  church.  About  the  same  year  societies  were 
formed  on  Xorth  fork  of  Salt  Creek  at  Brittons  at  Isaac  Swishers 
and  in  Texas  township,  but  at  the  last  named  place  Methodism 
did  not  succeed  very  well  aud  is  the  only  township  in  the  county 
where  it  has  no  representation. 

After  five  years  the  name  of  Salt  Creek  Circuit  was  changed 
and  called  "Athens  Circuit"' after  a  small  town  in  Sangamon 
county  containing  the  parsonage  :  Abraham  Lincoln  lived  there 
in  those  days.  Clinton  Circuit  was  formed  in  1839.  The  same 
year  De  Witt  county  was  organized  and  Clinton  was  made  the 
county  seat  when  there  were  only  twelve  families  in  the  town, 
and  of  these  a  small  Methodist  society  was  formed  by  Rev.  Ga- 
briel Watt.  John  J.  McGraw  was  the  circuit  clerk  and  his  office 
in  the  old  frame  court-house  was  the  preaching  place.  The  first 
board  of  official  members  of  Clinton  Circuit  were  Reuben  Thorn- 
ley,  Joseph  Howard,  Samuel  H.  Martin,  Nicolas  Moore,  Wood- 
ford Taylor,  Wm.  Cottingham  and  John  Clark,  Joseph  Howard 
and  S.  H.  Martin  were  licensed  to  preach  at  the  first  quarterly 
conference  of  that  year. 

In  18.35  Hurly's  Grove  formed  a  part  of  Marion  mis>ion  and 
had  Rev.  John  C.  French  for  their  pastor,  and  at  their  first  quar- 
terly conference  had  twelve  local  preachers,  nine  stewards,  and 
thirteen  class  leaders  besides  the  preacher  in  charge  on  the  official 
list,  and  of  those  in  thii  county  were  Paxton  Cummins,  Gabriel 
Watt,  Dudlev  Richards,  Charles  McCone,  Benjamin  Day,  George 
Lemons,  Wm.  McPherson  (who  afterward  joined  the  Baptists), 
and  Richard  Kirby.  Three  years  after  Clinton  Circuit  was 
formed  twenty-four  members  of  the  quarterly  conference  were  in 
attendance.  Quarterly  meetings  in  those  times  were  seasons  of 
great  religious  interest,  drawing  official  and  private  members  to- 
gether from  a  distance  of  twenty,  forty  and  sixty  miles.  The 
business  was  performed  with  order  and  dispatch  ;  but  temporal 
business  was  not  then  the  main  object  of  those  assemblages. 
The  presence  of  the  Presiding  Elder  was  utilized  by  all  in  atten- 
dance. The  other  preachers  drew  inspiration  from  his  superior 
wisdom  and  deeper  experience  in  spiritual  realities.  His  pres- 
ence became  a  magnetic  stiraulent.  His  preaching  was  "not  in 
word  only  but  in  power  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost  and  in  much  as- 
surance." The  preachers  and  elders  then  could  truly  say  "  silver 
and  gold  have  I  none  but  such  as  I  have  give  I  unto  thee,"  and 
many  were  those  whose  "  feet  and  ancle  bones  received  strength" 
and  leaping  up  went  through  those  humble  temples  "  walking 
and  leaping  and  praising  God." 

The  Pastors  and  presiding  Elders  for  the  first  ten  years  were  in 
1829,  AV.  L.  Deneen;  1830  A.  S  Phelps;  1831  Wilson  Pitner ; 
183-  Levi  Springer;  1833  Jas.  H.  Dickens,  Emanuel  Metcalf ; 
1834-5  Moses  Clampet,  S.  P.  Burr;  1836  Richard  Bird,  Moses 
Wood;  1837  Levi  Springer;  1S38  David  Colilsour;  1839  Gabriel 
Watt.  And  those  on  Marion  mission  were  1835  John  C.  French; 
1836  Richard  W.  Clark  ;■  1837  Paxton  Cummins  ;  1838-9  Horace 
Maynard,  Peter  Cartwright,  John  Sinclair,  and  S.  W.  D.  Chase, 
served  in  the  Eldership. 

The  first  parsonage  was  built  at  Hurly  Grove  in  1838,  of  logs 
and  only  one  room,  John  Weedman  and  Richard  Kirby  donated 
five  acres  of  ground  for  the  use  of  the  parsonage.  The  first 
fleeting  house  was  built  in  1843  at  Hurly's  Grove.  Dennis 
Hurlv,  John  Weedman,  R.  Kirby,  John  Danner,  William 
McCone,  James  W.  McCone  and  John  Day  were  the  trustees. 
The  first  camp  meeting  was  held  near  Col.  Wallace's  in    1832. 


Camp  meetings  were  soon  held  at  AVaynesville  and  Marion  and 
in  1840  the  camp  ground  was  located  for  eighteen  years  at 
Hurly's  Grove  and  was  greatly  successful. 

The  gifted  but  eccentric  Dr.  Goddard's  preaching  produced  ex- 
traordinary emotions  among  the  multitudes  in  attendance,  con- 
tinuing for  two  weeks.  In  18  18,  J.  C  Rucker  and  W.  J.  Xewman. 
One  hundred  additions  were  made  to  the  church  on  the  circuit  this 
year,  and  first  Methodist  church  built  in  Clinton.  1849,  A.  D.jn- 
carlos  ;  18-50,  Wm.  Hiudall  and  T.  A.  Eaton  ;  1851,  W.  Hindall  ; 
1852,  W.  E  Johnson ;  1853-4,  G.  Garner.  The  Elders  presid- 
ing during  these  fourteen  years  were  P.  Akers,  W.  D.  R.  Trot- 
ter, P.  Cartwight,  John  S.  Barger,  C.  D.  James  and  H.  Buck. 

For  convenience  and  better  arrangement,  the  history  of  the 
several  charges  in  the  county  will  now  be  given. 

CLINTON  M.  E.  CHURCH. 

About  1851,  '52  the  Illinois  Central  Railway  was  completed 
to  Clinton,  and  a  large  increase  of  population  soon  followed  ; 
and  in  this  way  considerable  additions  were  made  to  the  mem- 
bership of  this  church  by  letter.  So  much,  that  in  1855  the 
church  here  became  self-supporting,  and  a  Station  was  organized 
securing  the  services  of  a  minister  every  Sabbath.  The  Station 
ministers  were  in  1855,  '56,  A.  Semple  ;  1857,  '58,  Wm.  McEl- 
fresh  ;  1859,  J.  Montgomery  ;  1860,  '61,  James  Shaw;  1862,  '63, 
Preston  Wood;  1864,  A.  S.  McCoy;  1865,  W.  H.  H.  Moore; 
1866,  W.H.H.  M)ore,  H.  Buck,  J.  C.  Rucker,  C.ArnoU.  Resig- 
nations that  year  being  unusually  hi  order.  From  February  and 
through  the  month  of  March  during  this  year,  extensive  revival 
influences  pervaded  the  Methodist  and  Presbyterian  churches. 

In  the  winter  of  1863,  a  crusade  was  made  on  Clinton  by  the 
advocates  of  modern  spiritism.  For  several  months  some  of  their 
ablest  lecturers  devoted  their  energies  to  establish  that  system  in 
this  community.  Public  curiosity  become  awakened.  Large 
numbers  nightly  paid  entrance  fee  to  hear  their  addresses  and 
witness  their  "seances."  They  affirmed  their  system  was  a  need- 
ed substitute  for  the  Bible  and  Christianity,  and  challenged  all 
clergymen  for  controversy  ;  the  ministers  in  the  city  declining, 
about  twenty  citizens  sent  a  request  to  the  writer  of  this  article 
to  meet  one  of  the  spirit  champions  in  debate,  which  the  writer 
did,  for  three  days  in  the  court-house.  Rev.  Mr.  Franklin,  of 
Cincinnati;  Rev.  D.  P.  Bunn,  of  Decatur;  Rev.  Reuben  An- 
drews, of  Bloomington  ;  and  Rev.  John  S.  Barger  were  present, 
and  lent  their  moral  support  to  the  writer  during  the  discus- 
sion. On  the  last  day  au  incident  occurred  in  the  debate  that 
revealed  to  all  the  true  "  inwardness  "  of  that  system.  The  Spir- 
itualist had  said  the  divorce  laws  of  Moses  were  ''  immoral  and 
cruel,  lie,"  as  he  had  it;  "whenever  a  husband  felt  like  aband- 
oning his  wife,  by  that  law  he  was  only  required  to  give  her  a  lit- 
tle bit  of  writing  called  a  bill  of  divorcement,  and  then  send  her 
adrift."  His  opponent  in  replying  to  this  charge  said,  "  Spiritual- 
ism in  such  cases  did  not  require  any  notice  at  all  to  be  given  the 
wife.  If  a  believer  in  Spiritualism  falls  in  love  with  another  woman 
it  permits  him  to  send  his  wife  adrift,  and  take  another  woman  to 
his  embrace,  without  notice  or  excuse  whatever."  At  this,  the 
Spiritualist  became  greatly  excited,  and  rising  to  his  feet  lustily 
exclaimed,  "  no  personalities  here.  You  shall  not  insult,"  &c. 
For  a  while  neither  moderators  nor  audience  knew  what  was 
hurting  him  The  cause  was,  he  had  cast  away  his  wife  and  taken 
up  with  a  woman,  who  was  then  sitting  near  him  in  the  room.  He 
seemed  after  this  retort  to  be  disabled,  for  his  thoughts  only  ram- 
bled till  the  debate  closed  that  afternoon.  He  left  town  next 
day,  and  advocates  of  that  system  have  not  had  an  audience  in 
ClLntoD  since. 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


135 


In  1867,  Kev.  S-  S.  Meginnis,  a  young  man  of  uncommon  force 
of  character,  was  appninted  to  Clinton  station  and  continued  for 
three  years;  and  while  he  was  not  a  first-clas?  preacher,  he  had 
superior  abilities  in  administration.  He  was  able  to  awaken  an 
interest  in  church  building  till  then  not  dreamed  of  by  the  peo- 
ple he  was  serving.  A  ten  or  twelve  thousand  dcjllar  house  of 
worship  had  been  talked  of  fur  several  years,  and  3Ir.  Meginnis 
managed  to  enlist  all  classes  of  citizens  so  strongly  for  the  enter- 
prise that  many  were  ■'  provoked  to  good  works,"  and  a  gener- 
ous desire  to  exceed  in  liberality  pervaded  the  community. 

The  plans  were  made,  and  the  present  elaborate  and  beautiful 
edifice  was  erected,  and  the  basement  was  opened  for  religious 
services  during  Mr.  Meginnis'  pastoral  term  ;  costing  when  com- 
pleted 832,000.  After  serving  four  years  as  Presiding  Elder  of 
Mattoou  district  Mr.  Meginnis  died,  lamented  by  all  who  knew 
him  best.     His  monument  is  the  church  in  Clinton. 

Kev.  R.  X.  Birnes  succeeded  Mr.  Meginnis  in  1870;  he  re- 
mained two  years.  He  pushed  forward  the  work  of  hispredeces 
sor  till  the  audience-room  and  towers  were  finished,  and  the 
entire  building  stood  out  a  gem  of  architectural  richness  and 
beauty  for  some  months  ;  and  then  a  storm  of  wind  prostrated  the 
main  tower,  which  was  180  feet  high.  In  1872,  Rev.  W.  H.  H. 
Adams  was  placed  in  charge,  and  for  three  years  he  had  perhap- 
more  attentive  listeners  than  any  minister  who  had  preceded 
him  in  Clinton.  With  a  wide  range  of  thought  and  concise- 
ness in  stating  his  views,  he  had  an  easy  elegance  in  language 
and  manner  thatwas  unusually  attractive  and  proved  him  worthy 
of  any  pulpit,  even  in  metropolitan  cities.  Dr.  Adams  is  now 
the  esteemed  President  of  Illinois  Wtsleyan  University.  Dr.  H. 
Buck  having  dedicated  the  basement  in  1870.  Rev.  Dr.  Ives, 
of  Xew  York,  asisted  by  Rev.  Bishop  Bowman,  of  St.  Louis, 
made  the  last  dedication  December  20lh,  1874.  In  1875,  '76, 
'77,  G.  W.  Gray;  1878,  James  Leaton ;  1879,  A.  Semple ;  1880. 
W.  Stevenson,  served  as  pastors.  During  Dr.  Gray's  term  a  con- 
siderable religious  interest  was  awakened  in  his  congregation  in 
his  first  year,  and  in  1877  he  contributed  largely  to  the  success  of 
the  cause  of  temperance  in  the  city  and  county.  This  year,  the 
"tidal-wave"  of  temperance  spread  over  every  State  in  the 
Union.  In  1881,  Mr.  Stevenson's  removing  in  May  his  vacancy 
was  supplied  by  Rev.  G.  W.  Henning,  and  in  September  he  was 
reappointed. 

W.WN'ESVILLE   31.    E.    CHUKCH. 

Waynesville  circuit  was  formed  over  furty  years  ago,  and  has 
not  had  its  name  changed.  Rev.  John  Sinclair  and  Zadok  Hall 
organized  the  first  Methodist  society  in  Waynesville,  in  18S4; 
in  a  few  years  considerable  additions  were  made  to  their  num- 
bers ;  camp-meetings  were  held  near  by.  Sinclair  Cartwright, 
Chase  Trotter,  Barger  James,  R.  E.  Guthrue  and  G.  Rutledge, 
were,  consecutively,  presiding  elders  of  Waynesville  charge. 
Pastors  also  served  them  year  after  year,  till  in  1S47,  a  board  of 
trustees  was  elected.  A  commodious  brick  church  was  erected 
in  1S49  by  the  active  management  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Hindall, 
then  pastor.  Methodism  was  a  strong  force  about  this  period  ; 
but  the  rising  town  of  Atlanta,  on  the  Chicago  and  St.  Louis 
railroad,  drew  away  so  many  business  men  and  Methodists  from 
Waynesville,  the  church  declined  in  its  strength  materially  with 
the  town.  Linus  Graves,  J.  R.  Doolittle,  the  Elder,  Mr.  Samp- 
son, Col.  Gambrel,  Harry  Maltby,  and  others  once  valuable 
workers  for  the  church  here,  removed  or  <lied  ;  and  now  the 
aged  Mrs.  Gambrel  and  Mrs.  Miles,  and  one  or  two  others,  remain 
as  relics  of  former  years  ;  and  the  old  records  disappearing,  only 
the  last  twenty-five  years  can  be  stated  of  the  historic  life  of  this 


church.  In  1857,  A.  Simple ;  1S58,  W.  R.  Howard  ;  18.59,  J 
C.  Rucker,  G.  H.  Adams  ;  1860  and  '61,  W.  R.  Howard.  Un- 
der his  labors,  three  new  churches  were  erected  on  the  circuit. 
In  1802  and '6>!,  .LC.  Rucker;  186.'),  J.  W.  Warfield ;  1866 
and '67,  B.  Barthlow;  1868,  Samuel  H.  Pendleton;  also  18'i9 
and  "70,  among  the  other  ministers  were  S.  Middleton,  B.  F. 
Hyde  and  Dr.  Lapham  ;  1871,  V.  Randolph;  and  in  1880, 
Henry  Adams,  who  was  reappointed  in  1881.  Rev.  S.  H.  Pen- 
dleton was  converted  and  learnfd  to  preach  at  AVaynesville,  and 
nas  so  well  fsteeuifd  for  his  piety  and  gifts,  that  the  Waynesville 
people  welcomed  him  to  the  charge  of  the  circuit  the  first  three 
years  of  his  ministry.  He  afterwards  removed  to  Kansas,  and  is 
now  a  presiding  elder  in  one  of  its  conferences. 

The  societies  forming  Waynesville  pastoral  charge  are  Mt. 
Tabor,  Green  Valley  and  Kenney. 

MT.   TABOR   M.    E.  CHIF.CH. 

This  society  worshipped  in  a  school-house  for  a  number  of 
years.  Its  leading  members  were  Wiley  Marvel  and  sons,  with 
their  families  ;  John  Barr  and  family,  John  Humphrey;  Joshua 
Humphrey  and  Jos.  Leonard,  and  some  others.  By  the  activity 
of  the  Rev.  W.  R.  Howard,  a  neat  house  of  worship  was  erected 
in  1861  and  '62,  and  while  the  writer  was  pastor,  the  year  after, 
a  meeting  was  held,  when  a  number  of  young  men  embraced 
religion ;  two  of  whom  became  earnest  ministers  of  the  gospel 
in  Illinois  C'pnfereuce,  one  transferred  to  Iowa,  and  the  other,  I 
think,  to  Tennessee  conference.  The  venerable  Wiley  Marvel 
is  perhaps  the  oldest  Methodist  in  De  Witt  county,  and  his 
sister,  Mrs.  Gambrel,  relic  of  Col.  Gambrel  the  oldest  Methodist 
lady.  Mr.  Wiley  has,  all  his  years  in  the  church,  been  a  model 
Christian  ;  combining  deep  piety  with  cheerful  moderation,  being 
plentiful  in  good  works. 

KENNEY   M.    E.   CHURCH 

Was  organized  mostly  of  members  formerly  composing  the 
Pleasant  Valley  Society.  Under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Wm.  B. 
Howard,  a  comfortable  house  of  worship  was  erected  by  the 
Pleasant  Valley  members  in  1S61.  Rev.  Joseph  Howard  and 
Wm.  Humphrey  contributed  largely  to  this  enterprise ;  but 
when  the  town  of  Kenney  had  been  established  several  years,  it 
was  thought  prudent  (as  the  church  was  three  miles  distant)  to 
remove  it  to  Kenney,  which  was  done  in  1875.  Kenney  was 
connected  awhile  with  Chestnut,  in  Logan,  and  with  Maroa,  in 
Macon  county  ;  but  at  present  with  the  Waynesville  circuit. 
The  pastors  have  been,  in  1874,  Robert  Stephens ;  1875,  W.  A. 

Smith ;  1876,  F.  M.  Hays ;  1877,  Tombs ;  1878  and  '79, 

W.  R  Howard  ;  1880  and  '81,  Henry  Adams. 

In  August,  1878,  Rev.  Joseph  Howard,  a  member  of  this 
church,  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-one  years.  He  re- 
moved from  Ohio  to  this  county  in  1834,  and  took  his  share  of 
the  privations,  and  did  his  part  in  the  labors  of  the  early  set- 
tlers. During  his  entire  life  he  was  known  as  possessing  ster- 
ling worth  as  a  citizen  and  Christian  gentleman,  and  as  a  wise 
counsellor  on  questions  of  county  and  ecclesiastical  policy  in 
several  relations.  His  funeral  discourse  was  by  Rev.  Dr.  Buck. 
Many  public  men  of  the  county  attended  the  funeral  services  at 
Kenney. 

In  the  winter  of  1881,  Rev.  Henry  Adams  had  a  very  profit- 
able series  of  meetings  in  Kenney.  By  his  fervent  ministry  the 
membership  of  the  church  was  doubled,  and  a  marked  moral 
improvement  has  pervaded  the  general  community  since  that 
meeting.  Dr.  Adams  is  the  son  of  Rev.  H.  C.  Adams,  of  Clin- 
ton,  who  was  one   of  the   most  successful  evangelists  in   the 


136 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


county  for  about  forty  years.  Though  now  near  seventy  years 
of  age,  his  mental  activity  and  snap  has  not  abated.  The  inci- 
dents connected  with  his  life  would  make  a  book  of  attractive 
interest.  The  membership  at  Kenney  numbers  about  eighty. 
There  is  also  a  prosperous  Sabbath-school. 

GREEN   VALLEY   SOCIETY 

Was  organized  by  Rev.  Rnbert  Stevens  in  1874.  Under  his 
labors,  a  handsome  church  was  erected  about  half  way  between 
Clinton  and  Waynesville.  The  membership  is  small.  John 
Pollock  and  Wm.  Armstrong,  and  their  families,  have  been 
active  supporters  of  religion  in  this  society,  a  few  others  co-ope- 
rating. This  society  forms  part  of  Waynesville  circuit.  Mt. 
Tabor  and  Green  Valley,  and  Kenney,  have  the  same  pastor, 
and  have  prepching  every  two  weeks.  The  presiding  elders 
lately  serving  on  Waynesvile  circuit  have  been  M.  Buck,  W.  S. 
Prentice,  P.  Wood,  C.  \V.  C  Munsell  and  W.  N.  McElroy. 

WAPELL.\    M.  E.    CIIARIIE. 

Wapella  began  wheu  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  was  com- 
pleted. Among  the  first  Methodists  located  there  were  Thomas 
Loar,  James  Stone,  Henry  Morrison,  the  elder  Mr.  Martin,  and 
Williams,  and  JNIrs.  Gates;  afterwards  James  Willis,  H,  A. 
Pucker  and  their  families.  In  18.57  the  society  formed  part  of 
Randolph  Grove  circuit,  and  the  writer  served  them  in  this  pas- 
torate for  that  and  the  following  year  :  in  18.59,  W.  R.  How- 
ard ;  1860-1,  W.  E.  Johnson.  After  this  Wapella  was  attached 
to  Dewitt  circuit;  and  1862-3  H.  C.  Hockenship.  In  1863  the 
church  was  built  and  was  dedicated  by  Rev.  Hiram  Buck.  In 
1864-5,  J.  C.  Rucker;  1866,  H.  C.  Hockenship.  Then  the 
society  was  transferred  to  Hey  worth  circuit.  In  1867,  C.  G. 
Bradshaw  became  pastor,  I  think,  for  two  years.  His  preaching 
was  a  delight  to  his  hearers.  He  took  in  some  valuable  persons 
into  church  membership.  Mr.  Bradshaw  is  not  now  a  minister 
at  all.  Then  followed  in  the  pastoral  charge:  la  1869,  S.  Mid- 
dleton;  1870,  T.  J.N.  Simmons;  1871.  S.  H.  Martin.  This 
was  Mr.  Martin's  first  itinerant  year.  He  had  been  an  uncom- 
mon useful  local  preacher,  welcomed  in  every  part  of  the  county 
for  thirty  years.  He  was  raised  in  the  Roman  Catholic  church, 
and  after  his  conversion  he  was  soon  licensed  to  exhort,  and  his 
own  mother,  a  catholic,  was  converted  to  Christ  under  his  labors 
—the  first  fruit  in  his  spiritual  conquest.  His  power  to  interest 
his  hearers  in  pulpit  or  conversation  was  surpassed  by  few 
preachers,  however  much  they  might  excel  him  in  literary  cul- 
ture. Wapella  society,  after  this  year,  was  united  to  De  Witt 
circuit- 
In  1872  W.  F.  Lowe  :  18"; 3,  D.  Brewer  was  appointed;  1873- 
4-5,  N.  S.  Morris;  1S77-8,  L.  P.  Deatheridge ;  1879  and  '80, 
AV.  A.  McKiunev-  In  1881  the  present  charge  was  formed,  con- 
sisting of  Wapella,  Bells  S.  H.  and  Long  Point  societies,  with 
Rev.  Mr.  Tindale,  a  young  man  of  fine  attainments,  is  in  charge. 
Bell's  school  house,  five  miles  north-east  of  Wapella,  has  been 
a  place  for  Methodist   preaching  about   twenty  years.     About 

that  time  Henry  Bell,  Letzeuberger,  William  Bell,  Wm. 

Smith,  William  Letzeuberger,  with  their  families,  including  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Ewing  and  her  mother,  removed  from  Clinton  M.  E. 
church,  and  with  some  others,  formed  a  Methodist  society  in  Wil- 
son township,  where  they  had  located  on  a  beautiful  ridge  of 
land,  with  the  usual  agencies  to  promote  religious  life.  Of 
that  colony,  Mrs.  Ewing  and  her  respected  mother,  William  Bell, 
William  Smith  and  the  elder  Mrs.  Letzeuberger  have  died.  In 
1865  a  revival  of  unusual  interest  prevailed  in  this  society.   The 


writer  began  the  meeting  while  school  was  in  session,  holding 
service  at  noon  recess.  The  lady  then  the  teacher  became 
deeply  anxious  her  pupils  should  bacDoae  Christians,  and  well  was 
she  rewarded  ;  for  every  one  of  them  united  with  the  church, 
and  all  but  one  made  a  joyful  profession.  Several  heads  of  fami- 
lies, and  nearly  all  the  young  people  in  the  neighborhood,  em- 
braced religion.  Two  young  men,  subjects  of  this  revival,  have 
since  received  a  classical  education  and  for  several  years  been 
members  of  the  annual  conference,  and  are  now  filling  important 
appointments. 

Few  societies  have  held  on  in  religious  life  with  such  uniform 
regularity  ;  yet  strangely  this  is  the  only  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  having  regular  preaching  for  years  that  has  not  built  a 
church. 

LON(;   POINT  M.  E.  CHURCH. 

Twenty  years  ago  this  society  was  in  a  fair  state  of  prosperity. 
There  seems  to  be  no  record  when  preaching  began  in  this  part 
of  the  county.  The  writer  became  acquainted  with  thera  as 
pastor  for  two  years  in  1857  and  '58.  Then,  and  years  after,  it 
formed  a  part  of  Randolph  Grove  circuit.  In  1858  the  meeting- 
house was  completed.  Among  the  principal  members  then  were 
John  Wilson,  Henry  Morrison,  Myrus  Boling,  Widow  Scott,  and 
their  families,  and  Mrs  John  Brown.  Myrus  Boling  and  family 
left  the  church  ;  John  Wilson  died,  and  his  family  and  Henry 
Morrison  moved  away,  leaving  a  few  only  to  "  hold  the  fort " 
They  have  most  of  the  time  had  the  same  pastors  as  Wapella. 
A  debate  occurred  years  ago  in  Long  Point  M.  E.  church  be- 
tween Rev.  John  Luccock,  Methodist,  of  Peoria,  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Franklin,  of  the  Christian  church,  from  Cincinnati,  with  no 
visible  beneficent  results.  One  mile  from  this  place  of  Methodist 
worship,  the  Christian  church  has  their  church,  rendering  it 
dilBcuIt  for  both  to  prosper  so  near  each  other  in  a  country  neigh- 
borhood. Under  the  labors  of  their  present  minister.  Rev.  Mr. 
Tindale,  a  good  congregation  is  in  attendance,  and  hopeful  pros- 
perity may  be  looked  for  by  this  society. 

F.ARJIER   CITY   M-    E.    CHURCH. 

The  beginning  and  growth  of  Methodism  about  Hurly's  Grove 
has  been  related  already.  The  noble  men  who  labored  for  and 
fostered  an  earnest  Christianity  in  Hurly's  Grove  settlement  in 
the  early  years  of  this  county,  laid  the  stable  foundations  that 
form  the  underlying  granites  of  Farmer  City  Methodist  Chris- 
tianity now.  After  belonging  to  Marion  mission  for  several 
years,  Mt.  Pleasant  circuit  was  formed  in  1839;  and  as  the  pas- 
tors who  served  on  this  circuit  for  many  years  have  already  been 
named,  we  may  only  now  say,  precious  be  the  memory  of  Horace 
Mayuard,  R.  Wiuans  Clark,  Paxton  Cummins,  Abbott  Goddard, 
John  Sinclair,  Peter  Cartwright,  Norman  Allyn,  William  Hin- 
dall,  and  John  S  Barger,  who  years  past  "  ceased  from  their 
labors ;  their  works  follow  them  "  Their  spiritual  oifspring 
now  compose  an  important  uud  influential  part  of  the  member- 
ship of  this  station.  While  these  ministerial  worthies  planted 
the  Gospel  in  Hurly's  Grove,  thirty,  forty,  and  fifty  years  ago, 
the  soil  in  which  they  planted  it  was  rich  in  unusual  fertility. 
Few  communities  in  any  county  had  for  first  settlers  a  better 
class  of  men  than  those  that  settled  about  Hurly's  Grove.  Fewer 
still  have  had  so  many  men  of  sterling  religious  worth  ;  and 
smaller  yet  are  the  number  of  communities  who  have  raised  up 
so  many  children  to  follow  in  the  steps  of  their  parents  in  busi- 
ness enterprise  and  decided  piety  than  the  Hurly's  Grove  people 
— Richard  Kirby,  Charles  McCord,  Dennis  Hurly,  John  Weed- 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


137 


man,  John  Darmer.  Asa  Weedman,  Wm.  McCord.  and  othei-s 
who  have  ceased  to  live,  belong  to  this  roll  of  honor. 

The  ministers  of  ilt.  Pleasant  circuit,  in  lS5i).  C.  Y.  Heco  ; 
18G0-1.  \V.  B.  Barton ;  1862,  C  Arnold.  During  Mr.  Arnold's 
term,  the  main  body  of  the  present  church  was  built;  in  If^tiS, 
B  Barthlow;  1864,  S.  Shinn  ;  1865-6,  G.  B.  Wolfe;  18G7,  M. 
M.  Davidson.  lu  1S6S,  Jit.  Pleasant  had  its  name  changed,  and 
the  circuit,  so  long  bearing  a  worthy  record,  passed  away,  and 
Farmer  City  became  a  station,  and  Eev.  A.  T.  Orr,  its  first  min- 
ister in  charge.  Tlie  church  lias  now  two  wings  to  the  main 
building,  atfording  iocreased  capacity  for  an  audience,  and  with 
sliding  doors,  convenient  for  clas-s-room^.  It  is  ample  in  size, 
avoiding  architectural  attractiveness,  but  is  a  model  of  chasteness 
and  comfort.  Mr.  Orr  served  this  station  three  years ;  was 
highly  esteemed  by  his  people,  and  gathered  many  into  the 
church;  in  1871,  M.  W.  Everhart ;  in  1872,  Ira  Emerson:  1873, 
J.  B.  Sevmour  ;  ■1874-5,  J.  Shaw  ;  1876,  D.  Gay  ;  1877,  W.  F. 
T.  Spruill ;  1878-9,  J.  T.  Orr;  1880-1,  M.  A  Hewes 

During  the  pastorates  of  Mr.  A.  T.  Orr,  Mr.  Shinn,  Mr.  Da- 
vidson, Mr.  Everhart,  Mr  Shaw,  and  Mr.  J.  T.  Orr,  the  church 
was  encouraged  by  special  revival  seasons  and  additions  to  their 
numbers.  Fanner  city  station  forms  one  of  the  charges  of 
Champaign  District,  and  the  presiding  Elders  have  been  A. 
Setnple,  R.  Travis,  H.  Buck,  W.  X.  JIcElroy,  and  now  J.  G. 
Little. 

A  Society  has  recently  been  formed  at  Wecdman,  a  rail-road 
town,  a  feiv  miles  frjm  Farmer  cit\',  and  by  the  efforts  of  John 
Weedmin  and  others,  a  handsome  church  has  been  erected. 
This  Society  is  supplied  with  preaching  by  the  pastor  at  Farmer 
city. 

IIE    WITT    M     E.    CIUTRCn. 

The  town  of  De  Witt  (formerly  named  Jlarion!,  forty-five 
years  ago,  gave  name  tc  an  important  Methodist  mission,  several 
hundred  miles  around  it.  In  early  years  this  was  the  focal  point 
where  camp-meeting?  were  held.  Gabriel  \\'att,  Amos  Shinkle, 
Col.  Geo.  Lemon,  Wm.  Cottingham  and  others,  were  members 
then.  In  1853.  a  house  of  worship  was  built,  and  the  Society 
met  ill  this  place  till  si.K  or  seven  j-ears  past  it  fell,  or  was  blown 
down  ;  and  has  not  been  erected  since.  A  parsonage  was  se- 
cured in  1860,  which  is  still  occupied  by  the  ministers  in  charge. 
George  Isixon,  who  died  a  few  years  since,  was  a  member  of  this 
Society.  Mr.  Nisou  had  been  a  trustee  of  the  church  in  Clin- 
ton, and  was  a  heavy  contributor  to  that  elegant  structure.  The 
Society  has,  by  the  courtesy  of  the  Protestant  Methodists,  wor- 
shipped in  their  church  since  they  lo-st  their  own.  The  number 
of  members  is  only  about  twenty. 

Rucker  chapel  Society  belongs  to  De  Witt  circuit.  Before 
1865,  for  many  years  a  Methodist  Society  worshipped  at  Brit- 
lou's  school-house,  on  the  north  fork  of  Salt  creek.  Mr.  William 
Walden,  Xehemiah  Cain,  John  Cain,—  Charles  Cain's  family,  Mr. 
Vandewater,  and  Mr.  Gear.  The  Brittons  and  others,  held  many 
joyful  meetings  in  those  years  in  that  neighborhood.  For  a  long 
time  the  house  of  Chas.  Cain  and  his  brothers  was  the  resting- 
place  of  many  a  weary  preacher.  Mrs.  Charles  Cain  was  one  of 
those  "elect  ladies"  who  left  a  sweet  and  hallowed  influence  on 
all  who  knew  her.  The  elder  Mr.  Gear  was  one  of  the  best  of 
class-leaders,  and  like  "Barnabas,"  a  son  of  consolation.  In 
1864  the  church  was  built,  and  the  following  winter  a  revival  of 
impressive  interest  followed.  The  writer  was  assisted  by  Itev. 
Robert  Taylor,  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  in  con- 
ducting these  meetings. 

This  Society  is  the  largest  Methodist  organization  in  the 
18 


county,  not  belonging  to  any  town.  In  1881  they  renovated 
their  ciiurch  inside  and  out,  ami  it  is  said  to  look  better  now  than 
when  it  was  finished  seventeen  years  ago. 

Weldon  S  iciety  also  f  irrui  p.irt  of  the  pa^tiral  cliarge  of 
De  Witt  circuit.  Weldon,  on  the  Wabash  rail-r  ad,  ha^  been 
built  only  a  few  years.  In  1876  there  was  a  small  number  of 
Methodists  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Weldon  ;  these  aided  largely 
by  the  citizens,  erected  quite  a  creditable  Methodist  church. 
Little  progress,  however,  has  been  made  in  adding  to  the  nu- 
merical strength  of  the  Society. 

Swisher's  school-house  is  the  place  where  preaching  is  held 
by  the  ministers  of  De  Witt  circuit.  There  is  a  small  Society 
here. 

PAr.xELL  Society:  This  infant  church  organization  began 
like  the  village  itself,  in  1881.  The  first  thing  done  was  the 
election  of  a  board  of  trustees,  and  then  building  a  church  dedi- 
cated on  January  8th,  1882  by  Rev.  W.  II.  H.  Adams,  D.  D., 
of  Illinois  Wesleyau  University. 

The.se  five  Societies,  De  Witt,  Pucker's  chapel,  Weldon, 
Swisher's,  Parnell,  with  Deland  Society  in  Pratt  county  form 
De  Witt  circuit  pastoral  charge.  The  pastors  who  have  pre- 
sided on  this  circuit  have  been:  In  1861,  G.  Adams;  1862-3, 
H.  C  Hockensmith;  1864-5,  J.  C  Rucker;  1866-7,  H.  C. 
Hockeiismith  ;  1868.  G.  Garner;  1870,  T.  D.  Weems ;  1871,  D.  A. 
Grimes  ;  1872  W.  F,  Lowe;  1873,  D.  Brewer;  1874-5-6,  X.  S. 
Morris:  1377-8,  P.  Deatherage ;  1879  ;  and  80,  W.  A.  JIcKin- 
ney  ;  1881,  Uriah  Warriugton Choate.  The  Presiding  El- 
ders have  been  the  same  as  for  Farmer  eitv  station. 


STATISTICS 

OF 

M. 

E.   CHL-RCH   EY    PASTORAL   CHARGES. 

.Y 

imber 
of 

Cliurchcs 
uml 

Parsonage 
nnd 

Suhi-iesand 

' 

nif 

iihers. 

value. 

j         Villif'^- 

erpeitsc^. 

Cliiilon,    ,    .    . 

.1 

229 

^30,000 

$1200 

11485 

M'aviH-sviile,   . 

2-2i; 

12,r,00 

500 

1 200 

W;i|.I»lla.    .    . 

rill 

l-iOO 

— 

700 

Farmer  citv,    . 

?SI7 

6-500 

1800 

1200 

De  Witt.  .    .    . 

l.so 

•50O0 

•500 

1200 

Sun.niar,-,  . 

1022 

S.5.5.-500 

54000 

S.50S.5 

THE   PROTESTAXT   METHODIST   CHURCH. 

A  society  of  the  Protestant  Methodist  Church  was  organized 
in  this  county  in  1850,  at  De  Witt,  then  at  several  other  points, 
till  a  circuit  with  regular  preaching  was  established.  After 
some  years  a  substantial  brick  house  of  worship  was  erected  in 
the  town  of  De  Wilt.  The  annual  conference  was  held  in  this 
building  soon  after  it  was  completed.  The  following  facts  are 
all  the  writer  has  been  able  to  obtain  for  this  history  :  The  Rev. 
John  L.  Scott,  the  present  worthy  pastor  of  the  Protestant 
Methodist  Church  in  this  county,  informs  me  that  De  Witt  circuit 
has  five  preaching  places  in  this  county,  one  atDe  Witt  with  fif- 
teen members,  one  at  Prairie  Centre  with  fifty,  one  at  Swisher's 
with  twenty,  one  at  Walnut  Grove  with  twelve,  one  at  FuUerton 
with  fourteen,  and  one  at  Davenport  with  ten  members.  There 
are  two  other  societies  on  the  circuit ;  part  of  the  members  reside 
in  this  countv,  and  the  whole  number  in  the  pastoral  charge  is 
166.  The  present  pastor  organized  the  societies  at  Swisher's  and 
at  Fullertou.  Mr  Scott  has  been  quite  successful  in  securing 
additions  to  the  church  at  several  points.  Rev.  Wm.  Cotting- 
ham and  Rev.  Archibald  McConkey,  of  De  Witt,  have  for  many 
years  been  active  and  earnest  laborers  in  this  branch  of  the 
Church  of  Christ. 


138 


HISTORY  OF  DE   WITT  COUNTY,   ILIINOIS. 


THE  BAPTIST  CHITRCH. 


UY  REV.   :>.  MACAUTIIUK. 


Clinton.— The  fiitt  Baptist  Church  of  Clintou,  Ills.,  was  orga- 
nized February  1st,  1839,  in  the  house  of  George  L.  Hill.  The 
following  ministers  ami  brethren  constituted  the  council  who  was 
called  upon  for  the  i)urpose  of  assiiting  in  the  organization  of 
the  church,  viz:  Rev-  Jonathan  Mirriam,  Rev.  Isaac  Kewell, 
and  brethren  William  Randolph  and  Jacob  Coppenbarger.  The 
usual  proceedings,  in  such  ca-ts,  were  had,  and  the  church  was 
duly  organized  according  to  the  usages  of  the  Baptist  denomina- 
tion. The  names  of  the  constituent  members  were,  Rev.  Joel 
Hulsey,  George  L.  Hill,  William  Ilulsey,  John  McAboy,  Polly 
Hulsey,  Elizabeth  Ilulsey,  Louisa  V.  Hill,  ilary  McAboy,  and 
Sarah  F.  Hickman.  Brother  George  L.  Hill  was  the  ttlicient 
church  clerk  for  a  number  of  years,  to  him,  in  fact,  the  church 
owes  to  a  great  extent,  its  existence  and  present  standing  in  the 
community 

The  following  named  Pastors  have  served  the  church,  Rev. 
Joel  Hulsey,  from  February  IfiSO  to  December  1<S41 ;  Rev. 
"William  McPherson,  from  January,  1842  to  May,  1^-54  ;  Rev. 
Lucias  H.  Gibbs,  from  June,  1854  to  August,  l'^54 ;  Rev.  Zenas 
Hall,  from  Decembtr,  18.'i4  to  February,  1855  ;  Rev.  Thomas 
Rees,  from  June  1855  to  November  1S56;  Rev.  Overton  Ely, 
preached  occasionally  to  the  church  for  some  time ;  Rev.  W.  G. 
Johnson  was  pastor  from  June,  1857  to  April.  1859  :  Rev.  J.  Z 
Zimmerman,  from  .June,  1860  to  April,  1861  ;  Rev.  H.  B.  Johu- 
fon,  from  June,  1861  to  March,  1862  ;  Rev.  D.  MacArthur,  from 
July,  1865  to  March,  1870;  Rev.  C.  A.  Quirell,  from  Jlarch, 
1870  to  June,  1871  ;  Bev.  J.  W.  Rees,  from  Sept  1871  to  March 
1873;  Rev.  J.  Storrs,  from  Aug  1873  to  Dec.  1873;  Rev  L.J. 
Huntley,  from  Jan.  1874  to  April  1874 ;  Rev.  Joseph  H.  Sedge- 
wick,  from  Oct.  1874  to  Dec.  1876;  Rev.  D.  JIacArthur,  from 
September  1877  to  October,  1881.  Rev.  J.  W.  Estey,  an  evan- 
gelist, held  a  protracted  meeting,  which  resulted  in  great  and 
permanent  good  to  the  community  and  the  church,  in  the  year 
1859.  A  house  of  worship  was  erected  early  in  the  history  of 
the  church.  In  1866  the  church  resolved  to  build  a  new  meet- 
ing house,  the  result  was,  the  present  commodious  building,  seat- 
ing capacity  about  two  hundred.  The  building  and  lots 
cost  87,000,  all  paid  for.  The  church  at  present  is  out  of  debt 
Considering  the  financial  condition  of  the  membership  of  the 
church,  they  may  be  said,  to  give  cheerfully  and  liberallv  for 
the  maintenance  of  the  church  at  home,  and  also  to  the  various 
benevolent  enterprises  of  the  denomination  at  large.  The  pre- 
sent membership  is  fifty-five.  This  church  has  sustained  an 
efficient  Sunday  School  since  the  year  1859  ;  there  is  at  present  a 
membership  of  140  scholars.  The  present  Superintendent,  B,  n- 
jamiu  T.  Hill,  is  doing  a  great  amount  of  good,  he  is  aided  bvan 
efficient  force  of  teachers. 

The  following  statement  may  be  accepted  as  the  historical 
characteristics  of  the  Baptist  denominalion  in  the  United  States. 
The  Baptists  are  a  denomination  of  evangelical  Christians,  who 
hfjld  that  the  immersion  of  Christian  believers  is  of  universal 
obligation,  and  practice  accordingly.  "  Thev  hold  this,  because 
they  acknowledge  uo  master  but  Christ ;  no  rule  of  faith  but  His 
word  ;  no  baptism  but  that  which  is  preceded  and  hallowed  bv 
personal  piety  ;  no  church  but  that  which  is  the  body  of  Christ, 
pervaded,  governed  and  animated  by  His  Spirit."  Ever  since 
the  Church  and  State  were  first  united,  the  Baptists  have  suffered 
every  form  of  persecution  on  account  of  their  loyalty  to  the  doc- 


trine of  soul  liberty.  The  historian  Bancroft,  speaking  of  tbe 
German  Baptists,  says  :  "  With  greater  consistency  than  Luther, 
thev  applied  the  doctrines  of  the  reformation  to  the  social  posi- 
tions of  life,  and  threatened  an  end  of  priest-craft  and  king-craft, 
spiritual  dominaticn,  title  and  vassalage.  They  were  trodden 
under  foot  with  foul  reproaches  and  most  arrogant  scorn,  and 
their  history  is  written  in  the  blood  of  thousands  of  the  German 
peasantry  ;  but  their  principles,  secure  in  their  immortality,  es- 
caped with  Roger  Williams  to  Providence,  his  colony  is  witness 
that  naturally  the  paths  of  the  Baptist  are  paths  of  freedom, 
pleasantness  and  peace."  Mr.  Locke  has  truly  said  :  "  The 
Baptists  were  from  the  beginning,  the  friends  of  liberty,  just  and 
true  liberty ;  equal  and  impartial  liberty."  Yet,  until  the 
Quakers  arose  in  1600,  the  Baptists  stood  alone  in  its  defence. 
A  writer  in  the  JS\io  Ameriran  Cyclopedia,  says :  "  Among  the 
Baptists,  Christian  freedom  found  its  earliest,  its  staunchest,  its 
most  consistent  and  its  most  disinterested  champions.  Nor  less 
powerful  has  been  the  influence  of  the  Baptists  in  the  United 
States.  Introduced  into  Rhode  Island  with  Roger  Williams  and 
John  Cook,  in  163"'.  Their  history  for  more  than  a  century  in 
most  of  the  colonies  is  that  of  proscribed  and  banished  men,  yet 
persecuted  themselves,  i(  it  their  glory  never  to  have  persecuted 
others."  On  the  code  of  laws  established  by  them  in  Rhode 
Island,  Judge  Story  says:  "We  read  for  the  first  time,  since 
Christianity  ascended  the  throne  of  the  C:esars,  the  declaration 
that  conscience  should  be  free,  and  men  should  not  be  punished 
for  worshipping  God  in  the  way  they  were  persuaded  he  requires." 
From  that  declaration  Rhode  Island  has  never  departed,  and  in 
this  it  was  followed,  first  by  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  after- 
wards Virginia,  and  since  by  all  the  United  States. 

The  article  on  religious  liberty  in  the  amendment  to  the 
American  Constitution,  was  introduced  into  it  by  the  united 
eflTorts  of  Baptists  in  the  year  1789.  The  new  impulse  given  to 
the  spirit  of  liberty  by  the  revolutionary  war  was  followed  by 
the  rapid  spread  of  Baptist  principles.  Their  great  prosperity 
dates  from  that  era.  In  1702  there  were  but  56  Baptist  churches 
in  America;  in  1792  there  were  1,000;  in  1812,  2,433;  in  1832 
5,:S22;  in  1852  they  exceeded  9,500  ;  in  1858  there  were  12,000 
churches  with  1,000,000  members.  At  the  present  time,  statistics 
of  1880,  there  are  25,000  churches,  18,596  ordained  ministers, 
and  2,296,327  members. 

From  these  statistics  it  appears  that  the  rate  of  increase  of  the 
Baptists  far  outruns  that  of  the  population  of  the  United  States. 
And  the  rates  of  increase  have  been  greatest  in  Massachusetts 
and  Virginia,  where  they  were  most  persecuted.  The  Baptists 
are  ardent  supporters  of  the  cause  of  missions  both  home  and 
foreign.  They  are  sustaining  missions  in  North  America, Europe, 
Asia,  Africa,  Australia,  and  the  Islands  of  the  Sea.  In  the  prov- 
ince of  Burmah  alone,  they  have  400  mission  churches,  200 
ordained  ministers  with  over  30,000  members,  all  converted  from 
the  grossest  idolatry. 

There  has  been  given  by  the  Baptist  churches  in  the  United 
States  for  the  support  of  Home  and  Foreign  Missions  during  the 
year  1880,  8885,486. 

While  the  Baptists  do  not  make  educational  attainments  a  test 
of  fitness  for  the  ministry,  yet,  they  have  always  encouraged 
their  candidates  for  the  ministry  to  secure  the  highest  possible 
attainments  in  scholar.-hip.  Hence,  in  order  to  provide  such 
advantages,  they  are  sustaining  10  Theological  Seminaries,  31 
Colleges  and  Universities,  46  Academies  and  Female  Colleges, 
with  an  attendance  in  all  of  over  10,000  students.  They  also 
support  70  religious  newspapers  and  periodicals. 


EISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


139 


THE   SECOND    BAPTIST   CHURCH,    (COLORED) 

This  church  was  organized  in  the  year  L'^T'J  under  the  labors 
of  Elder  Thomas  Reasoner,  who  labored  among  this  people  as  an 
Evangelist  with  some  success.  He  found  a  people  here  who 
were  formerly  slaves  in  the  Southern  States,  and  were  crushed 
under  the  irou  wheels  of  the  slave  power,  and  as  a  matter  of 
course  were  brought  up  in  ignorance,  but  since  the  famous  Eman- 
cipation Proclamation  by  President  Lincoln,  they  have  under- 
taken to  act  for  themselves  in  matters  of  religion  and  politics, 
and  consequently,  wherever  they  have  opportunity,  they  meet 
together  to  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  the  Bible 
and  their  own  consciences. 

The  names  of  the  constituent  members  of  this  church  are  as 
follows:  Polly  Jackson,  Mary  Jackson,  Samuel  Jackson,  Peter 
Simpson,  B.  W.  Livingstone. 

Elder  J.  M.  Davis  served  the  church  for  one  year  followed  by 
Elder  William  Watson,  Elder  Isaac  Stratton,  and  the  present 
pastor.  Elder  Andrew  Xewsome. 

They  have  succeeded  in  erecting  and  paying  for  a  neat  little 
meeting  house  at  a  cost  of  -S70U,.  The  present  membership  is 
eighteen. 

The  Separate  Baptist  churches  of  this  county  have  been  in 
existence  for  a  long  time.  They  claim  the  Scriptures  of  Divine 
truth  as  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice,  and  while  they  difier 
in  some  respects  from  the  great  body  of  Baptists,  yet  they  are 
firm  adherents  of  Bible  doctrine  as  they  understand  it,  they 
practice  feet  wa-hing,  as  a  church  ordinance,  and  open  or  free 
communion  ;  these  are  perhaps,  the  main  differences,  otherwise 
they  are  faithful  advocates  of  the  leading  doctrines  of  the  Bible. 
In  their  manners  they  are  plain  and  humble  followers  of  Jesus. 

THE   LIBERTY   SEPAR.4.TE   BAPTIST   CHURCH 

Was  organized  in  the  year  1834  under  the  labors  of  Elder 
Solomon  Dispane,  after  him  the  following  named  ministers  served 
as  preachers  and  pastors.  Owen  Davis.  Thomas  Davenport, 
Robert  Henson,  William  Springer,  John  Springer,  Abram  Jones, 
George  Clifton,  Peter  Garrett,  Franklin  Lowrey,  Thomas  Jenkins. 

This  church  has  several  congregations  in  various  parts  of  the 
county,  who  have  occasional  preaching. 

THE   NEW   PROVIDENCE   B.IPTIST   CHURCH, 

Sometimes  called  Old  School,  or  Predestinarian  Baptitts,  located 
in  Tunbridge  township.  This  church  was  constituted  in  the 
month  of  June,  1853,  by  elders  Mann,  Scroggins  and  J.  Fro- 
man.  The  names  of  the  constituent  members  were  Simon  Wil- 
liams, Sarah  Williams,  Ellenor  Baird,  Lucilla  Duncan,  Tarlton 
Embree,  Patsy  Embree,  Ursula  Belfoi'd,  Elizabeth  Gamble  and 
John  B.  Moore. 

The  following  named  ministers  have  served  this  church  as 
pastors,  viz:  Elders  J.  B.  Moore,  S.  Hukill,  P.  McCay,  J.  H 
Myers,  J.  H.  Ring  and  L.  Davis. 

These  brethren  have  a  comfortable  house  of  worship,  located 
some  two  miles  east  of  th^  town  of  Kenney.  Their  church  pro- 
perty is  all  paid  for.     Their  present  membership  is  thirty-three. 

The  following  are  the  doctrinal  tenets  of  this  church  : 

We  believe  in  one  only  true  and  living  God.  The  Father, 
the  Word  and  Holy  Ghost,  and  these  three  are  one. 

We  believe  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments 
are  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice. 

We  believe  that  by  one  man's  disobedience  (Adams),  all  his 
posterity  became  sinners  by  nature  and  practice,  and  are  unable 


to  save  themselves  from  that  lost,  dead  state  by  their  own  free 
will,  power  or  ability. 

We  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  eternal,  personal  election  and 
predestination  of  all  things  pertaining  to  the  church,  as  His 
body,  and  that  God  did  choose  His  people  in  Christ,  bei"ore  the 
world  was. 

We  believe  that  sinners  are  justified  before  God,  by  and 
through  the  righteousness  of  Jesus  being  imputed  to  them,  and 
that  good  works  or  spiritual  sacrifices  are  evidences  of  our  faith 
and  justification. 

We  believe  in  the  final  perseverance  of  the  saints,  through 
grace  to  glory,  and  that  not  one  will  or  can  be  lost. 

We  believe  that  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  are  ordinances 
of  the  Lord,  to  be  continued  by  His  church  until  His  second 
coming. 

We  believe  that  believers  are  the  only  subjects  for  baptism, 
and  that  baptism  is  immersion,  and  none  legal  but  that  per- 
formed by  an  orderly  minister  of  the  church. 

We  believe  that  none  but  those  who  are  legally  baptized  have 
a  right  to  the  communion. 

We  believe  that  no  minister  has  the  right  to  administer  the 
ordinances  in  the  house  of  God,  until  he  has  been  legally  bap- 
tized and  approved  by  the  church,  and  come  under  the  imposi- 
tion of  two  or  more  ministers  or  elders  of  the  church. 

We  believe  in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  both  of  the  just 
and  unjust;  and  the  judgment  of  the  great  day,  and  that  the 
joys  of  the  righteous  and  the  punishment  of  the  wicked  will  be 
eternal. 

We  believe  in  the  doctrine  of  regeneration,  or  being  born 
again ;  that  except  a  man  be  born  again,  he  cannot  see  the  king- 
dom of  heaven,  and  that  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  will  remain 
flesh,  and  that  which  is  born  of  the  spirit  is  spirit,  and  out  of 
the  natural,  or  Adamic,  and  the  spiritual  natures,  grows  the 
warfare  between  the  old  and  new  man,  or  outward  and  inner 
man. 


CHRISTI.\X  CHURCH. 


BY    EDWARD    ALLYN. 


Every  religious  body  should  be  able  to  give  a  reason 
for  its  existence  ;  enlightened  public  sentiment  demands  it ;  if  it 
is  not  doing  a  good  work  for  humanity,  peculiar  and  distinct 
from  other  religious  bodies,  there  is  no  reason  for  its  existence, 
for  why,  should  we  multiply  agencies  to  accomplish  a  certain 
end,  when  united  effort  would  accomplish  the  same  in  less  time? 
If  then  this  body  of  Christians  cannot  give  sufficient  reasons  for 
its  existence,  to  satisfy  an  intelligent  community,  it  ought  to  die. 

What  then  are  its  positions,  principles,  and  purposes?  I  give 
them,  by  quoting  from  the  pen  of  our  .state  evangelist,  N.  S. 
Haynes  :  "  While  this  Church  holds  much  truth  in  common 
with  others,  yet  it  has  its  distinctive  features  that  give  it  a  right 
to  live.  With  others  it  holds  the  divine  inspiration  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  the  revelation  of  God's  will  and  character  in  them, 
the  divinity  and  Christhood  of  Jesus,  forgiveness  of  sins  through 
His  atonement,  faith  in  the  Christ  and  obedience  to  His  author- 
ity as  the  necessary  human  agencies  in  the  formation  of  Christian 
character,  the  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  the  doctrine  of 
future  retribution.  The  peculiar  features  of  this  Church  are 
these :  that  while  believing  the  Old  Testament  is  the  Word  of 
God  and  necessary  in  order  to  a  right  understanding  of  the  New, 


140 


JITSTORY  OF  DE   WITT  COVXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


j-et  tlie  01(1  is  not  our  rule  iu  life,  because  it  was  never  given  ks 
tuch  to  us  Gentiles,  and  because  it  has  been  supplanted  by  the 
New  Testament ;  that  the  Scriptures  are  all-sufficient  to  make 
the  man  of  God  perfect,  and  hei  ee  the  rejection  of  all  human 
creeds  as  schismaiical  and  sinful ;  that  in  religious  teaching  we 
hold  the  "  form  of  sound  words,"  rejccling  all  unseriptural  terms, 
as  Trinitj,  el  id  omne  r/eiitis,  and  all  unbiblical  names;  hence  the 
nickname  "  Campbtllite "  is  unauthorized  and  offensive;  that 
conversion  is  not  the  mysterious  and  direct  impact  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  on  the  sinner's  soul,  but  his  turning  from  sin  to  the 
Saviour,  the  proof  of  His  conversion  being  a  Christian  life  ;  and 
that  an  inquirer  after  salvation  must  always  be  answered,  accord- 
ing to  his  condition,  in  the  exact  words  of  the  inspired  oracles 
for  such  cases  made  and  provided  ;  that  the  ordinances,  baptism 
and  the  Lord's  supper,  must  be  observed  as  given  by  Christ  and 
His  apostles  without  change  ;  that  all  of  God's  people  should  be 
united  in  "one  body,"  as  iu  the  primitive  and  apostolic  church, 
iu  order  that  they  may  the  more  eihciently  do  their  Master's 
work,  and  turn  the  world  in  faith  to  Him.  "  Where  the  Bible 
speaks  we  speak,  where  the  Bible  is  silent  we  are  silent,"  is  a 
cardinal  maxim.  To  go  back  to  the  beginning  of  the  Cburch  to 
make  our  teaching  and  practice,  in  all  matters  e;.sential,  coincide 
with  that  of  the  in.spired  apostles  is  the  aim  of  this  religious  body. 
This,  our  plea,  has  made  wonderful  progress  in  the  past  fifty 
years.  From  a  very  feeble  folk  we  have  grown  to  .500,000 
iu  the  Uuited  States,  besides  large  and  flourishing  churches 
in  Australia  and  New  Zealand.  Our  missionaries  are  at  work 
in  Jamaica,  England,  Denmark,  Norway,  France,  and  Turkej'. 
As  uKinv  were  added  to  this  Church  in  the  United  States  as 
to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Cburch  in  the  same  territory 
iu  the  year  1879.  The  influence  of  this  diviue  plea  has 
reached  all  classes  of  society,  and  this  Church  has  two 
members  in  the  United  States  Senate,  twelve  in  the  House  of 
Representatives,  and  our  late  president,  James  A.  Garfield,  was 
a  member  of  this  society ;  besides  these  there  are  other  names 
with  a  national  reputation.  It  publishes  fifteen  papers  and 
periodicals  and  a  large  number  of  tracts  and  books.  Its  mem- 
bers have  under  their  control  thirty-eight  schools  of  all  classes, 
one-half  of  which  are  academies,  colleges,  and  universities  of  a 
good  srade.  The  following  is  the  history  of  this  Church  in  De 
Witt  county  : 

OLD    UNIDX   CeP.ISTI.VN    CHURCH. 

"  The  groves  were  Ciud's  first  temples,"  and  in  a  grove  near 
where  ohl  Uuion  Church  now  stands,  Father  Hugh  Bowles,  cum- 
raenced  preaching  the  Gospel  of  Christ ;  and  here  in  this  primi- 
tive temple,  on  Saturday  before  the  second  Lord's  day  in  August 
1833  old  Union  Church  was  organized,  seventeen  persons  entered 
into  this  organization,  of  this  number  only  seven  remain  to  tell 
the  old,  old  story,  viz:  Anderson  Bowles,  Margaret  Bowles, 
Rebecca  Bowles,  Henry  Hall  and  wife,  Mary  Hall  and  Eliza- 
beth Barnett.  The  first  officers  were  Hugh  Bowles  and  Malou 
Hall,  Elders  ;  Joseph  Bowles  and  Darius  Hall,  deacons.  The 
following  named  preachers  have  ministered  to  this  congregation 
Hugh  Bowles.  James  Scott,  Abner  Peales,  Alfred  Lindsey,  Wil- 
liam Ryan,  W.  P.  Bjwles,  Isaac  Martin,  John  England,  .John  G- 
Campbell,  Isaac  Stout,  Dudley  Downs.  C.  F.  Short,  William 
Knight,  R.  B.  Roberts,  Samuel  Low,  E.  C.  Craig,  L.  M.  Robin- 
son and  T.  T.  Holton.  In  addition  to  tbe.se  regular  preachers, 
noted  protracted  meetings  have  been  held  by  John  Q.  Houston, 
Elder  Craiu,  George  F.  Adams  and  Simpson  Ely.  At  these 
meetings  large  additions  were  made  to    the    church.     Over    one 


thousand  persons  hnve  been  connected  with  this  church.  The 
present  membership,  who  attend  church  regularly,  is  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  of  this  number,  are  twenty-five  who  take  active 
part  in  the  social  meetings.  This  congregation  had  no  house  of 
worship  until  18.'58,  when  the  old  church  was  built ;  this  first  house 
was  a  union  church,  occupied  part  of  the  time  by  the  Baptists  and 
Jlethodists,  previous  to  the  building  of  this  house  meetings  were 
hell]  in  the  grove  and  in  private  houses.  The  present  church 
building  was  erected  in  18ti4,  near  the  site  of  the  old  house.  It 
is  situated  ten  miles  south-west  of  Cliuton  on  a  hill  near  Salt 
Creek,  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  are  large  springs  of  never  failing 
water,  back  of  the  church  is  the  old  grave  yard  where  many  of 
the  early  settlers  are  buried.  The  cost  of  the  new  church  was 
83,000.  It  has  a  seating  capacity  of  600.  The  present  officers 
are  Robert  Black  and  .Joseph  Bowles,  Elders  ;  Daviil  McClimans, 
William  F.  Bowles  and  J.  A.  Evans,  deacons. 

The  present  pastor  T.  T.  Hohon  has  labored  for  this  congrega- 
tion ten  years,  has  been  instrumental  in  settling  difficulties  in  the 
church,  and  under  his  preaching  it  has  been  harmonious  and 
prosperous.  He  is  universally  loved,  and  vrill  probably  labor 
for  this  congregation  for  some  time  to  come.  He  preaches  for 
the  church  one-half  of  the  tiuie,  the  pulpit  being  filled  the  rest  of 
the  time  by  home  talent.  Two  public  discussions  have  been 
held  at  this  church,  one  between  James  Barger,  Methodist  and 
W.  P.  Bowles,  Christian  ;  the  other  between  Abraham  Jones,  Baji- 
tist  and  Absalom  Forman,  Universalist.  This  church  sustains  a 
good  Sunday  school  of  seventy-five  members,  C.  D.  Bowles,  su- 
perintendent, and  they  exert  a  wide  influence  for  good.  To 
day  counting  among  her  membership  many  of  the  leailing  fami- 
lies of  the  community.  It  is  a  tower  of  strength  and  a  potent 
factor  for  good.  It  is  the  oldest  church  of  this  denomination 
iu  the  county  and  among  those  who  contributed  much  to  its 
prosperity  in  an  early  day  was  Father  Bowles.  He  was  born 
in  Virginia  in  178fi,  and  spent  the  early  part  of  his  life  in  Ken- 
tucky. His  educational  oportunities  were  limited,  yet  he  was 
a  great  reader,  and  an  original  thinker,  and  was  well  read  in  hi;to- 
ry  both  ancient  and  modern,  but  his  greatest  text  book  was  the 
Bible,  especially  the  New  Testament ;  of  this  he  cnuld  repeat  the 
greater  portion.  He  removed  to  Illinois  iu  1830  and  to  De  Witt 
county  in  ISol.  Besides  old  Union,  he  organized  churches  at 
Rock  Creek  and  Long  Point,  in  this  county,  and  at  other  points 
in  Logan  and  S.mgamoa  counties.  He  labored  upon  the  farm 
through  the  week  preaching  Saturdays  and  Sundays,  often  riding 
on  horseback  from  twenty  to  fifty  miles  to  reach  his  appoint- 
ments. The  largest  sum  of  money  ever  received  by  him  for 
preaching  was  ten  dollars,  this  he  gave  to  a  lady  who  was  hurt 
by  being  thrown  from  her  horse  while  attending  one  of  his  meet- 
ings. He  spent  the  later  years  of  his  life  in  preaching  to  the 
various  congregations  he  had  founded,  and  iu  December  1 840  at 
the  age  of  sixty  years  was  called  to  reap  the  rewai-d  of  his 
labors. 

r.OCK    CREEK    CHRISTIAN   CHURCH, 

This  church  is  situated  about  four  miles  west  of  Wapella,  near  a 
small  stream,  from  which  the  cburch  derives  its  name.  In  the  fall 
of  1837,  Father  Hugh  Bowles,  of  old  Union  church,  made  a  visit 
into  this  neighborhood,  and  with  James  Scott  held  a  protracted 
meeting  at  the  house  of  Samuel  P.  Glenn,  and  organized  the  above 
named  church.  Henry  Michaels,  Peter  Crum,  Samuel  P.Glenn, 
Benjamiu  Slatteu,  William  Lane,  with  their  wives,  and  Mrs.  Isam 
Harrold,  constituted  the  charter  members  of  this  organization. 
The  church  met  at  the  houses  of  Peter  Crum,  at  Long  Point,  aud 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


141 


Samuel  P.  Glenn's,  Rock  Creek,  alternately,  until  the  building 
of  their  first  hcjuse  of  worship  io  l.s4o. 

The  first  Elders  were  Henry  Jliehaels  and  Peter  Crura  ;  Dea- 
cons, Samuel  P.  Glenn  and  Benjamin  Slatten.  The  pioneer 
preachers  were  William  Ryan,  \V.  P.  Bowles  and  uncle  James 
Robinson.  In  187G  the  present  house  of  worship  was  built  one- 
fourth  of  a  mile  south  of  the  old  church,  at  a  cost  of  81,325,  with 
seating  capacity  of  300- 

The  present  officers  are.  Elders:  Sanuiel  P.  Glenn,  F.  M. 
Cisce  and  Andrew  Scott.  Deacons :  G.  \V.  Halsey  and  John 
Cisce.  Evangelist:  A.  J.  Vinson.  Prtsenl  membership,  sixty- 
two.     They  have  no  Sunday-school. 

LONG  roiXT  cnEi.sTi.\x  ciiur.rH. 

This  congregation  is  located  four  miles  north  of  Wapella,  in 
Long  Point  timber,  on  the  State  road  leading  from  Clinton  tn 
Bloomington.  It  was  organized  in  the  grove  near  Liberty  school- 
house,  by  William  Ryan  and  William  Morrow,  in  August,  18.51, 
with  nineteen  members.  The  officers  chosen  were  :  Walter  Earr 
aad  Peter  Crum,  for  elders ;  and  E.  W.  Swearingen  and  William 
Keunidy,  for  deacons.  The  following  named  preachers  have 
served  this  church  :  W.  P.  Bowles,  AVilliam  Ryan,  John  Wilson, 
Dudley  Downs,  George  Owens,  Dr.  Ingle,  Samuel  Low,  Harry 
Vandervort,  Jefiersou  Hodson,  John  Q.  A.  Houston,  E.  F.  Bas- 
ton,  andS.  B-  Lindsley,  the  present  preacher.  Protracted  meet- 
ings have  been  held  by  W.  P.  Shockey,  Benjamin  Franklin, 
Leroy  Skelton,  William  Knight,  Clark  Braden  and  J.  W.  Per- 
kins, in  which  many  were  added  to  the  church.  This  congrega- 
tion met  in  Liberty  school-house  until  1S58,  when  the  present 
house  of  worship  was  built,  at  a  cost  of  about  82,000.  Its  present 
value  is  81,.5UO.  The  whole  number  of  members  connected  with 
this  congregation  since  it  was  established  is  about  two  hundred 
and  fifty. 

The  present  membership  is  seventy-seven.  The  officers  are. 
Elders:  JohnM.  Cunningham,  William  F.  Turner,  Abram  .Sum- 
mers. Deacons:  Barton  Karr,  James  B.  Romine  and  William 
S.  Karr.  A  public  discussion  was  held  with  this  church  and  the 
Methodists  in  1862.  Benjamin  Franklin  rejiresented  the  Chris- 
tian church,  and  John  Luckock  the  Methodist  church.  This  church 
has  a  large  Sunday-school  during  the  summer  months. 

CLINTON   CnRLSTIAN    CHfKCH. 

In  the  spring  of  Is.jl  Walter  P.  Bowles  and  AVilliam  Springer 
were  holding  a  meeting  four  miles  south  of  Clinton  at  the  house 
of  HLram  Dotson ;  while  there  elder  Springer  proposed  to  W. 
P.  Bowles  and  others  present,  the  building  of  a  meeting  house  at 
the  county  seat.  All  present  approved  of  the  move.  A  meeting 
■was  called  and  a  building  committee  appointed,  consisting  of 
'William  G.  Springer,  William  Bowlin  and  Samuel  Brown.  The 
committee  secured  the  lot  where  the  church  now  stands,  aa  a 
gift  from  Judge  David  Davis,  and  in  the  early  part  of  18-52  had 
the  house  ready  for  use.  Still  the  congregation  was  not  yet  or- 
ganized. There  were  members  enough  for  a  small  congrega  ion 
living  in  and  around  Clinton.  In  the  fall  of  1852  William  G. 
Springer,  then  acting  county  assessor,  c  mmer.ccd  a  protracted 
meeting,  during  which  Elder  Shockey,  of  Indiana,  came  to  Clin- 
ton and  assisted  in  the  meeting  ;  at  the  close  of  the  meeting  the 
Clinton  Christian  Church  was  organized.  The  first  elders  were 
William  Bowlin,  W.  G.  Springer ;  deacons,  Abram  Crum  and 
Milton  Oakerson. 

The  preachers  who  have  labored  for  this  congregation  are 
William  G.  Springer,  William  ilorrow,  C.  F.  Short,  Dudley 


Downs,  J.  J.  Miles,  D.  D.  Miller,  J.  C.  Tullcy,  G.  F.  Adams 
and  Samuel  Lowe.  Protracted  meetings  were  held  by  Wil- 
liam Brown  in  18.5G;  W.  P.  Shockly  in  1858;  W.Houston 
in  1859;  John  Q,  A.  Houston  and  Dudley  Downs  in  18G0-G1. 
At  this  meeting  the  crowd  was  so  great  that  the  church  floor 
broke  down,  and  produced  quite  a  stampede.  David  Walk  in 
1862;  Benjamin  Franklin  in  1803;  R.  B.  Roberts  and  Cieorge 
Owen  in  1807  ;  Alexander  Hutcherson  in  1808  ;  E.  T.  C.  Ben- 
nett in  1869,  and  "the  following  named  ministers  have  preached 
for  the  church  occasionally :  Charles  Rowe,  James  ilitchel, 
•Jaines  Robinson,  John  Wil-on,  Peter  Schick,  N.  S.  Huynes,  F. 
T.  Holton,  A.  D.  Filmore,  S.  M.  Robinson,  Harry  'S'audervort, 
W.  H.  Crow,  and  Elijah  Stout. 

The  present  officers  are  J.  .1.  Miles  and  Edward  Allyn,  elders; 

R.  B  Bowles  and .deacons.   Present  membership  thirty-two. 

Two  public  discussions  have  been  held  in  this  church,  the  first 
between  William  .Shockey,  Chri.-tian,  and  Rev  Josiah  Davis, 
Universalist ;  the  second  between  Dudley  Downs,  Chiistian,  and 
Dr.  Summerbell,  (newlight,)  Christian.  The  church  has  a  Sun- 
day school  in  connection  with  the  social  meetings  and  meets  regu- 
larly every  Lord's  day.  This  church  has  had  a  hard  struggle 
to  keep  up  its  orsanization.  and  its  meetings  have  not  beeji 
very  regular  in  the  past ;  it  has  had  its  times  of  prosperity  and 
adversity,  and  we  trust  a  brighter  day  is  dawning  for  this  strug- 
gling congregation. 

Dudley  Downs  made  his  home  with  this  congregation  several 
years,  ajjd  the  period  of  its  greatest  prosperity  was  when  he 
labored  for  it ;  he  was  a  man  of  great  zeal  and  piety,  an  eloquent 
and  persuasive  speaker,  and  a  sweet  singer.  His  singing  added 
much  to  the  interest  of  his  meetings.  For  a  time  he  was  one 
of  the  editors  of  the  ChrUtUin  Hrratd,  a  monthly,  first  published 
at  Wapella  and  afterwards  at  Eureka.  His  writing,  like  that 
of  his  preaching,  was  full  of  persuasive  eloquence.  He  was  born 
in  1836,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1861.  By  his  preaching  large 
numbers  were  added  to  the  various  congregations  throughout  the 
county.  In  1869  he  went  to  Tennessee,  and  from  ihence  to  Min- 
nesota in  hopes  of  restoring  his  health,  but  his  labors  had  been 
so  unceasing,  and  his  exposure  so  great,  that  consumption  hurried 
his  b,)dy  into  the  grave,  while  hij  spirit  winged  its  way  into 
"  the  realms  of  the  blest,''  and  "  He  knows  what  it  is  to  be  there," 
(one  of  his  favorite  songs).  He  died  at  St  Paul,  Minn  ,  in  1870, 
at  the  age  of  thirty-four. 

F.S.RMEn   CITY    CHRISTIAN   CHURCH. 

In  and  around  Farmer  City  lived  quite  a  number  of  persons 
wlio  had  been  members  of  the  Christian  church  in  Ohio,  and 
elsewhere.  These,  with  others  interested,  decided  to  build  a 
house  of  worship  and  then  organize  the  church.  In  the  fall  of 
1864  they  had  the  house  erected  ;  immediately  after  the  comple- 
tion of  the  house,  Dudley  Downs  commenced  a  protracted  meet- 
ing, and  October  4,  1864,  organized  the  church.  Twenty-five 
persons  entered  into  this  organization.  The  first  officers  wtre, 
elders — Milam  Mi  ore  and  John  Lemon;  deacons,  J.  F.  Bean 
and  'amuel  Watson.  The  regular  pastors  since  are,  T.  E.  C. 
Bennett,  S.  K.  Hallem,  W.  T.  Maupin,  and  S  K.  Shields.  Suc- 
cessful protracted  meetings  have  been  held  by  R.  B.  Roberts  In 
April,  1868,  with  forty-five  additions,  and  by  D.  P.  Henderson, 
in  the  winter  of  1876,  with  one  hundred  and  two  additions. 
Over  three  hundred  persons  have  had  membership  with  this  con- 
gregation, the  present  membership  being  si.xty-nine.  The  present 
officers  are,  elders — Jefferson  Wetzel  and  H.  H.  Welch  ;  dea- 
cons, J.  H.  Bean,  Z.  F.  Morau,  Nathan  Welch,  and  Chas-  Prior. 


142 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


The  church  was  without  a  pastor  from  1879  to  1881,  and  have 
receutly  employed  D.  K.  Shiehls  as  pastor  of  the  church.  The 
preseut  house  of  worship  cost  .1p3,.")00,  with  a  seating  capacity  of 
400;  is  situated  near  the  center  of  the  town,  nu  Main  street; 
was  dedicated  by  J.  Z.  Taylor  in  1865.  A  public  discussion 
■was  held  in  this  church  in  June,  1868,  between  R.  B.  Roberts, 
Christian,  and  E.  Manford,  I'Biversalist. 

This  church  has  an  excellent  .Sunday-school,  average  attend- 
ance sixty,  Mrs.  J.  H.  Bean,  superiutendeut. 

•n-APELLA  CHRISTIAN  CIIUI'.CH. 

Quite  a  number  of  the  members  of  the  Long  Point  congrega- 
tion lived  at  Wapella,  four  miles  fr.m  their  house  of  worship, 
and  it  was  very  inconvenient  for  them  to  attend  public  worship 
so  far  from  home,  as  but  few  of  them  had  means  of  conveyance ; 
so  it  was  thought  best  to  organize  a  congregation  at  Wapella. 
In  the  winter  of  1867  elder  George  Owens,  of  Jacksonville,  111., 
commenced  a  protracted  meeting  in  the  M.  E.  church  house. 
Here  he  continued  until  his  preaching  had  converted  quite  a 
number  from  the  Methodift^,  when  he  was  excluded  from  their 
bouse.  The  meetings  were  then  held  in  the  old  school  house, 
and  here,  on  the  24th  day  of  January,  1867,  the  church  was 
constituted  ;  a  goodly  number  had  obeyed  the  gospel  during  the 
meeting,  and  these,  with  twenty  frtm  the  Long  Point  congrega- 
tion, constituted  the  charter  members.  The  first  elders  were 
Joshua  Carle,  Peter  Crum,  and  Stephen  Riggs  ;  deacons,  A.  D. 
Jletz,  Wm.  Crum,  and  J.  W.  Carr.  Having  no  house  of  wor- 
ship, they  continued  to  meet  in  the  eld  school-house  until  1869, 
when  the  present  house  was  built,  at  a  cost  of  83,000 ;  size,  34 
by  50  feet,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  350.  The  present  officers 
are,  Joshua  Carle  and  James  W.  Karr,  elders;  A.  D.  Metz, 
AVilliam  Crum,  and  Thomas  Wright,  deacons.  The  present 
membership  in  good  standing  is  forty-five.  The  following 
preachers  have  been  pastors  of  this  congregation :  George 
Owens,  two  yeaj-s ;  L.  Engle,  E.  T.  Russel,  John  C.  Tulley,  one 
year  each  ;  W.  L.  Jermane  and  S.  D.  Lindsley,  two  years  each. 
S.  D.  Lindsley  resides  here  and  preaches  for  this  congregation 
one-half  of  the  time.  The  church  maintains  an  interesting 
Sunday-school  of  50  members,  and  keeps  up  regularly  its 
Wednesday  evening  prayer-meetings.  When  no  minister  is 
present,  the  pulpit  is  filled  by  W.  R.  Carle  and  elder  James  W. 
Karr  alternately.  This  congregation  believes  in  cultivating  its 
home  talent,  making  the  church  a  school,  Christ's  school,  where 
His  disciples  are  taught-  In  such  schools  some  of  our  best 
ministers  are  taught,  and  who  can  estimate  the  good  a  church 
may  thus  accomplish,  by  giving  gifted  young  men  an  oppor- 
tunity to  develop  their  talents,  mental  and  moral,  and  thus  fit 
themselves  for  preaching  "  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  and 
His  kingdom."  This  church  has  never  failed  to  meet  upon  the 
first  day  of  the  week  ''to  show  forth  the  Lords  death"  and 
attend  to  the  other  ordinances  of  His  house.  Its  intiuence  for 
good  is  felt  in  the  community  where  it  exists.  The  history  of 
this  church  would  not  be  complete  without  a  short  sketch  of  the 
life  and  labors  of  elder  Joshua  Carle.  Father  Carle  was  born 
in  Fayetteville,  Pennsylvania,  August  4,  1800;  from  here  his 
parents  moved  to  Jefierson  county,  Ohio  Here  Joshua  grew 
into  manhood,  and  Xovember  29,  1829,  under  the  preaching  of 
AValter  Scott,  became  "  obedient  to  the  faith."  He  was  a  true 
disciple,  a  learner  in  Christ,  and  advanced  rapidly  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  scriptures.  He  attended  the  meetings  of  A.  Camp- 
bell at  Wellesburgh,  and  succeeded  in  getting  Campbell  to  hold 
a  meeting  in  his  father's  neighborhood  in  Jellerson  county.     The 


few  disciples  gathered  together  here  continued  to  meet  from 
house  to  house  until  1830,  when  a  church  was  organized.  Father 
Carle  then  became  an  active  worker,  teaching,  exhorting,  and 
admonishing;  the  teaching,  belief  and  practice  of  the  Disciples 
here  at  this  time  was  an  astonishment  to  the  people.  In  1830 
he  organized  a  congregation  at  Warrington.  Walking  by  the 
book,  he  found  it  his  duty  to  baptize,  and  did  so — being  the  first 
in  the  reformation  to  find  authority  for  a  Disciple,  ''a  royal 
priest"  to  baptize.  ( 1  Peter,  2d  chapter.)  He  soon  began  to 
preach,  and  organized  a  congregation  at  Smithfield  and  built  a 
meeting  house.  In  1839  he  moved  to  Trumbull  county,  and 
waa  made  elder  of  the  c  )ngregation  at  Ausliutown.  In  1842 
he  assisted  in  the  organization  of  a  church  and  the  building  of 
a  meeting  house  at  Jfiles.  He  remained  in  Trumbull  county 
sixteen  years,  preaching  for  the  various  congregations  in  the 
county.  In  1859  he  moved  to  McLean  county,  111  ,  and  to 
Wapella,  De  Witt  county,  hi  1864,  where  he  still  lives.  Much  of 
the  stability  of  this  congregation  is  owing  to  Father  Carle,  who, 
unless  sickness  prevents,  may  always  be  found  in  his  place  in 
the  house  of  the  Lord. 

TEXA.S   CHRISTIAN   CHURCn. 

The  records  of  this  church  could  not  be  found,  and  but  few 
facts  could  be  learned  about  its  early  history.  The  first  organi- 
zation was  constituted  by  W.  P.  Bowles  in  1850.  Walter  Bowles 
and  W.  G.  Springer  were  the  first  ministers  who  labored  for  this 
organization.  A  re-organization  was  eflfected  about  the  year 
1860.     For  this  new  organization  Dudley  Downs,  J.  J.  Miles, 

Mclntyre,   Thomas   Cully,  and   J.   V.  Bcekman  have 

labored.  The  present  house  of  worship  was  built  in  1876,  at  a 
cost  of  §1250,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  360.  Part  of  the  mem- 
bership of  this  congregation  lived  in  and  near  Maroa,  and  when 
the  church  there  was  organized  they  withdrew  from  the  Texas 
church  and  joined  the  new  organization,  leaving  the  Texas 
church  with  only  forty  members.  The  present  officers  are  :  Syl- 
vanus  Potter,  elder  ;  Henry  Beal  and  Berry  Spencer,  deacons. 
They  have  a  Sunday-school  during  the  summer  months.  The 
church  at  present  have  no  regular  meetings- 

FAIRVIEW   CHRISTIAN    CHURCH. 

This  small  congregation  is  situated  four  miles  north  of  the 
Rock  creek  church  in  Waynesvilie  township,  and  was  organized 
in  1877  by  Elder  J.  S.  Stagner.  A  house  of  worship  was  built 
in  1878,  at  a  cost  of  8900,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  250.  The 
ofiicers  are :  Robert  H.  Baker,  A.  H-  Gates,  and  Calvin  Riley, 
elders ;  B.  F.  De  Spain,  deacon.  Present  membership  twenty- 
five.  The  following  ministers  have  labored  for  this  congregation  : 
J.  S.  Stagner,  James  Robinson,  M  J  Hodson,  and  D.T.Hughes. 
Have  no  regular  meetings  at  present ;  maiutain  a  small  Sunday- 
school  during  the  summer  months- 

HARMONY   CHRISTIAN   CHURCH. 

This  church  was  situated  four  miles  north-east  of  Clinton,  and 
was  organized  by  Elder  George  Owens  in  the  winter  of  1867. 
The  present  church  buildiug  was  dedicated  the  following  sum- 
mer. This  church  kept  up  its  organization  only  a  short  time, 
nearly  all  the  members  having  moved  away, — some  to  the  far 
West,  and  some  to  other  parts  of  the  county.  The  building  still 
stands,  and  is  principally  owned  by  members  of  the  Lane  con- 
gregation, and  they  contemplate  moving  the  building  to  Lane. 

LANE   CHRISTIAN   CHURCH. 

This  church  was  organized  by  W.  P-  Bowles  in  March,  1850. 
Tsventy  persons  eutered  into  the  organization  as  charter  main- 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILIINOIS. 


143 


bers,  many  leaving  the  old  Christian  connection  to  join  this 
young  congregation.  Among  the  first  officers  were  T.  Lane  and 
Dr.  Simmerman,  the  present  elders.  The  following  ministers 
have  labored  for  this  congregation  :  Dr.  Siiumerinan,  Dudley 
Downs,  J.  J.  Jliles,  Edwin  Kodgers,  George  Sweeney,  D.  D. 
Miller,  and  L.  M.  Robinson.  In  18(1(5  a  public  discus.sion  was 
held  between  this  church  and  the  Christian  connection,  Dudley 
Downs  representing  the  Christian  churcli  and  Dr.  Sumnierbell 
the  Christian  connection. 

They  have  no  church  building,  and  hold  their  meetings  in  the 
Line  school-house.  The  present  membership  is  sixty.  L-  M. 
Robinson  preaches  for  this  congregation  once  a  month.  The 
great  need  of  this  church  is  a  house  of  worship  ;  had  they  this 
much  more  good  might  be  accomplished  by  this  congregation. 

SUMMARY. 

Value  of  church  property,  815,275.  Seating  capacity  of  houses 
cf  worship,  2,600.     Total  membership  in  county,  700. 


THE  HOLY  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

We  have  been  greatly  disappointed  in'  our  efforts  to  gather 
sufficient  materials  to  enable  us  to  give  a  full  history  of  the  rise 
and  progress  in  this  county,  of  this  great  ecclesiastical  organiza- 
tion, which  numbers  in  its  ranks  nearly  one-half  of  the  professing 
Christians  of  the  globe ;  and  which  has  done  more  toward  the 
advancement  of  civilization  in  this  and  the  old  world  than  any 
other  religious  denomination.  We  have  tried  in  vain  to  make 
this  article  more  extensive,  but  the  ministers  of  this  the  "  Old 
Faith  "  (who  now  reside  here;  have  been  here  only  a  short  time, 
nor  have  the  records  of  the  church  been  accessible  to  us.  We 
present  the  sketch,  fully  aware  of  its  deficiencies,  but  as  the  very 
best  possible  under  the  circumstances  surrounding  us  during  its 
preparation. 

The  Catholic  faith  is  represented  in  this  county  by  one  or- 
ganization, located  at  Wapella,  and  one  mission,  recently  esta- 
blished at  Clinton.  For  several  years  after  the  organization  at 
Wapella  was  effected,  it  was  maintained  as  a  mission  auxiliary 
to  Bloomington.  In  1857  the  idea  of  erecting  a  house  of  wor- 
ship began  to  be  agitated,  and  was  soon  put  into  execution.  A 
house,  costing  about  82,300  was  constructed,  also  a  parsonage, 
•which  cost  about  81,200.  The  first  resident  priest  was  Father 
Eeavis,  in  1867.  He  w-as  succeeded  by  Fathers  Schriber, 
Recouver,  and  the  present  incumbent,  Patrick  C.  McGrath. 
The  Church  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.  The  membership  are 
now  moving  in  the  matter  of  building  a  larger  house  of  worship. 
Plans  and  specifications  have  been  partially  settled  upon  for  a 
brick  structure,  which,  when  completed,  will  be  among  the  best 
edifices  of  the  kind  in  the  county. 


CHRISTIAN  CONNECTION. 

BT   ASHER    LANE. 

A  Christian  church  was  organized  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1837,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Welch,  at  the  house  of  Peter  Leare, 
in  Creek  Township,  De  Witt  county.  Ills.,  with  thirteen  members, 
consisting  of  the  following:  Benjamin  Lisenbey, Peggy  Lisenbey, 
Jeremiah  Thompson,  Nancy  Thompson,  Rebecca  Lane,  Maria 
Springer,  John  Springer,  John  Lane,  John  Miller,  Nancy  Miller, 
Ezekeil  Lane,  Tabitha  Lane,  and  Geo.  D.  Smallwood. 

In  the  organization  of  this  church  they  covenanted  together 


and  strongly  contended  for  the  right  and  duty  of  private  judg- 
ment, and  taking  the  Bible  and  that  alone  as  the  only  rule  of 
faith  and  practice.  They  also  contended  that  Chris(ian  charac- 
ter should  be  the  only  test  of  fellowship.  In  the  admission 
of  members  it  was  their  custom  to  present  them  with  the  Bible, 
instructing  them  to  study  it  well,  informing  them  that  it  con- 
tained all  that  was  necessary  to  guide  them  in  the  way  of  truth 
and  righteousness,  unaided  by  any  human  commentary  or  tyran- 
nical creed.  If,  after  careful  searching  therein,  they  thought  it 
taught  the  doctrine  of  Trinitarianism,  Humanitarianism,  Socin- 
ianism,  or  any  other  ism,  they  were  not  excommunicated  from 
the  Church  therefor,  but  were  suffered  peacefully  to  hold  their 
own  private  views,  providing  they  showed  forth  the  fruits  of 
Christianity. 

They  held  and  taught  the  doctrine  of  Christ. 

1.  They  believe  that  there  is  one  (and  only  one)  true  and 
living  God  who  created  all  things,  "in  whom  we  live  and  move 
and  have  our  being." 

2.  That  "Jesus  Christ  is  the  only  begotten  Son  of  God  ;"  that 
He  existed  with  the  Father  Ijefore  the  world  was  ;  that  He  was 
given  as  the  propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world  ;  that  He  now  exists  with  the 
Father  and  will  be  the  final  judge  of  the  quick  and  the  dead. 

3.  That  the  Holy  Ghost  is  a  divine  emanation  of  God,  by 
which  He  exerts  an  energy  or  influence  on  rational  minds.  The 
same  emanation  by  which  our  Saviour  was  anointed  (Acts  x.  38), 
and  which  was  poured  out  on  the  day  of  Pentecost.  The  same 
that  Christ  promised  to  send  from  the  Father,  even  the  Spirit  of 
Truth,  which  proceedeth  from  the  Father. 

4.  That  the  Bible  is  of  divine  origin  and  profitable  for  doctrine, 
for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness  ;  that 
it  is  sufficiently  plain  and  sufficiently  perfect  without  the  aid  of 
one-sided  commentaries  or  human  creeds. 

5.  That  all  men  have  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of 
God,  and  hence  a  regeneration  or  change  of  heart  is  necessary  in 
order  to  become  true  disciples  of  Christ. 

0.  That  all  men  are  created  free  moral  agents  and  made  capa- 
ble of  obeying  the  Gospel. 

7.  That  baptism  is  the  immersing  of  the  candidate  in  water, 
in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  cf  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost. 

8.  That  the  Lord's  Supper  and  all  Gospel  ordinances  are  to  be 
observed  by  all  true  believers. 

9.  That  a  life  of  watchfulness  and  prayer  only  will  keep 
Christians  from  falling,  enable  them  to  live  in  a  justified  state, 
and  ultimately  secure  to  them  a  crown  of  eternal  life. 

10.  Relative  to  the  atonement,  they  think  the  Scriptures 
plainly  show  that  the  death  of  Christ  has  laid  the  only  foun- 
dation of  hope,  and  that  Christ  crucified  is  the  power  of  God 
and  the  wisdom  of  God. 

To  these  we  might  add  their  belief  in  a  resurrection  of  both 
the  just  and  the  unjust ;  in  a  future  judgment ;  in  future  rewards 
and  punishments :  in  infants'  salvation  ;  in  the  necessity  of  good 
works  added  to  faith  ;  in  the  mediation  of  Christ ;  in  the  willing- 
ness of  God  to  bless  all  that  seek  His  face  and  favor  in  Christian 
equality;  in  Christian  fellowship;  in  revivals;  in  Christian 
character;  and  in  church  discipline. 

The  above  named  church  increased  in  number  and  strength 
until  1850,  when  the  onward  and  peaceful  march  was  inter- 
rupted by  the  Disciples  (Campbellites  so  called),  as  well  as  other 
opposing  elements  with  which  they  were  surrounded.  Notwith- 
standing all  opposition  they  stood  firm  to  their  principles,  and 


lU 


UISTOBY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


advocated  what  thev  understood  to  be  truth.  Quite  a  number 
of  their  member-  left  and  j<ii:)ed  the  Di.-^eiples.  About  this  time 
the  ehuveh  juiucd  the  Cllri^ti:ul  coniercuee. 

Bro.  J.  \Vekh  liib.ind  haiil  and  iaithfully  for  about  tweuty 
years  to  hold  tlie  ground  they  oecupied  Bro.  J.  Lane  com- 
nieuced  exliortiug  and  preacliiug,  and  onntiuued  faithfully  en- 
cased in  advocating  the  doctrine  they  had  irabu  d  until  his 
death,  being  determiued  to  hold  their  ground.  In  the  fall  of 
18o4  thev  sent  to  Ohio  for  Eld.  J.  A.  Simmermau  to  come  and 
hold  a  pro'tracted  meeting,  nud  assist  in  establishing  their  princi- 
ples. He  continued  the  meeting  for  thirty  days  and  received  in 
the  church  and  immersed  40.  In  18.i.5-()  a  number  of  the  mem- 
bers left  and  joined  the  Disciples  In  18.58  they  built  a  comfort- 
able house  of  worship.  After  the  deatli  of  Bros.  W-elch  and 
Lane  the  church  gradually  went  ddwu,  lint  a  small  remnant  yet 
is  left  to  advocate  the  cause  nl'the  (.'hristian  coimectiou. 


PBESBYTEKI.^N  CHURCH. 


ny  w.  B.  r.UNDi.E. 


The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Wapella  was  organized  May  26tb, 
1808,  bv  a  Comnnttee  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Blooming 
ton,  with  the  following  members  by  letters  from  other  churches, 
viz:  John  Patter.  Jane  Potter,  H(pmer  Buck,  M.ary  Buck,  Mar- 
tha Buck,  Thomas  Brown,  George  F.  Brown,  Lucinda  Brown, 
Hugh  D.  Watson,  Endine  Watson,  Eli  Cantrall,  Zavilda  Can- 
trail,  Joshua  Hull,  Xancy  Hickle,  Susana  Cartwill,  S.  A.  Long- 
brake,  Mary  E.  Longbrake,  James  Ellis,  P.ay  Nelson,  Mary  W. 
Abbott,  Marcuda  Hull.  (21.) 

John  Potter,  Homer  Buck  and  H.  D.  Watson  were  elected  and 
installed  as  Elders.     George  F.  Brown,  Eli  Cantrall  and  Joshua   ! 
Hull,  Trustees  I 

There  have  been  added  since  the  organization  to  January  1,   ■ 
1882  :     On  examination,  29  ;  by  letters  from  other  churches,  1.5 ;    [ 
making  a  total  membership  of  6.5.     Of  these,  9  have  passed  to   I 
their  reward  ;  26  have  withdrawn  by  letter,  aud  15  have  left  ir^ 
regidarly  ;  leaving  the  present  membership  1-3. 

The  building  and  lot  cost  about  -54,000  ;  the  amount  paid  for 
church  purposes,  pastor's  salary,  &c.,  about  87.000. 

The  following  ministers  have  served  this  church  :  Rev.  Samuel 
Stevenson,  Rev.  A.  L.  Knox,  Rev.  W.  L  Ral)e,  and  Rev.  W.  W. 
Paris.  There  was  a  Sabbath-scliool  organized  in  the  fall  of  1871, 
and  continued  its  work  for  about  five  years,  and  the  members  be- 
coming few  in  number  and  living  in  the  country,  it  was  disband- 
ed and  united  with  other  schools. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Clinton,  De  Witt  Cotmty, III, 
was  organized  on  July  23,  18.5S,  by  a  Coniniitttte  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Peoria  "  old  school,"  as  the  ancient  record  reads.  The 
Committee  were  Revs.  Fielding,  N.  Ewing  and  A.  H.  Rogers. 
The  original  members  were  thirteen,  viz:  Mrs.  Patience  Leav- 
ens, Miss  Catharine  B.  Leavens,  Mrs.  Mary  Lewis,  jMiss  Mary 
C.  Lewis,  L.  B.  Hickman,  Miss  Elizabeth  A.  JIcKeniiay,  Alex- 
ander Shields,  Mrs.  Jane  Shields  and  James  MeKinley  were 
received  upon  certificate  from  other  churches.  JIrs  Nancy  Dye, 
James  H.  McKenny,  James  IMcKenny  and  Mrs.  Jane  McKenny 
were  received  uponexamiuation.  James  B.  MeKinley  was  chosen 
ruling  Elder,  and  was  regularly  ordained  and  installed  on  the 
following  da)',  July  24,  1853.  (Signed),  F.  N.  Ewing,  Moder- 
ater.     J.  B.  MeKinley,  Clerk.     Of  these  thirteen  members,  four 


and  perhaps  others  are  still  in  the  church  militant ;  three  are  still 
with  us,  and  held  in  e.-teem  among  us — Mrs.  Mary  Lewis,  Miss 
C.  B.  Leavens,  Miss  Mary  C.  Lewis  (now  Mrs.  Wm.  Bishop), 
the  fourth — J  B.  MeKinley,  is  an  active  and  honored  member 
of  the  churcli  at  Champaign,  and  a  ruling  Elder  iu  the  same. 
Mr.  McKinlpy,  though  no  longer  of  our  number,  is  held  in  warm 
remendn-ance  and  high  honor  by  the  church.  All  unite  iu  rep- 
resenting him  as  one  of  the  faithful  few  who  stood  firm  shoulder 
to  shoulder  in  the  long  and  trying  day  of  small  things  ;  and  there 
is  evidence  tliat  he  liad  no  little  to  do  under  God  in  imparting  to 
the  Church  that  stability,  solidity,  persistence  in  good  works  and 
ferv(u-  of  mutual  afli^otion  which  mark  it  to  the  present  day.  He 
writes  most  modestly,  "  I  shall  always  retain  many  cherished  re- 
collections of  the  organization  and  early  history  of  that  branch 
of  the  Lord's  vineyard.  I  often  think  of  the  little  band  of  thir- 
teen original  members  and  of  our  weekly  meeting,  when  no  one 
of  our  number  was  absent.  We  are  all  here  was  a  common  re- 
mark amongst  them  at  the  close  of  the  meetings."  At  the  head 
ot  this  list  of  thirteen,  and  justly  at  the  head,  stands  a  woman's 
name  which  deserves  to  be  crowned  with  honor—  Mrs.  Patience 
Leavens,  the  common  ancestress  of  three  of  that  original  num- 
ber who  still  walk  with  us,  "  has  been  lifted  higher ;  but  her  mem- 
ory remains.  Her  devotion  to  the  interests  of  the  church  was 
unwavering  and  intense.  She  made  the  very  atmosphere  of  her 
home  redolent  of  her  zeal,  and  all  who  entered  there  could  not 
but  breathe  it  in.     That  devotion  has  its  fruit  to-day." 

The  next  record,  June  10,  18.54,  tells  of  the  reception  of  Dr.  J. 
B.  Hunt,  another  honored  member  and  ruling  Elder;  also,  Mrs. 
Sarah  B.  Hunt,  Mrs.  Lucretia  Morton,  N.  W.Smith,  Mrs.  N.  E. 
Smith,  Mrs  E.  H.  Jloore  and  Mrs.  S.  F.  Moore,  only  three  of  this 
number  remain  with  us  and  are  faithful  in  their  attendance  upon 
the  worship  of  the  sanctuary,  viz  :  Mrs.  Morlan  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
ITunt ;  the  latter  two  were  absent  from  us  for  some  time  at  Mans- 
field, III.,  but  returned  to  this  church  in  May,  1878.  Mrs.  Mor- 
lan, the  oldest  member  of  the  church,  is  quite  feeble  and  often 
her  pitrce  is  vacant  in  the  church,  and  N.  W.  Smith,  no  more  of 
earth,  has  had  prominent  and  kindly  mention,  especially  of  his 
marked  fervor  and  fidelity  in  the  early  prayer  meetings  of  the 
church,  so  highly  is  this  fellowship  prized  and  so  long  do  these 
memories  last.  One  year  later,  June  10, 18.55,  the  following  were 
received  to  membership:  Mrs.  IMary  Harsha,  Miss  Alice  Mc- 
Kiuley,  Miss  Isabel  MeKinley.  On  October  14,  1855,  Samuel  H. 
Stevenson,  Mrs  MiiiervaF.  Stevenson,  Mrs.  Nancy  J.  Sloat,  Miss 
Eliza  M.  Smith  and  ]Miss  Lucretia  Morlan  were  added.  April 
13,  1856,  fourteen  more  were  added,  and  in  this  list  the  familar 
names  of  Dr.  T.  K.  Edraeston,  T.  S.  Dickerson,  and  L.  D.  Ho- 
vey  ;  from  this  point  the  record  begins  to  grow  voluminous,  we 
cannot  follow  them  further.  It  is  a  pleasing  mark  of  the  early 
tendency  to  Christian  sympathy  between  the  churches,  now  so 
notable,  that  this  church  was  organized  in  the  house  of  worship  of 
the  M.  E.  Church.  Afterward  divine  service  was  held  with  great 
regularity  in  the  court-house;  then,  for  a  season,  in  the  Baptist 
church,  and  then  in  an  old  hall.  During  part  of  this  time,  the 
prayer  meetings,  so  often  and  so  warmly  named,  were  held  in  an 
old  frame  building  on  Centre  street,  south  of  the  square.  At 
last,  however,  after  some  five  or  sis  years  of  waiting  and  work- 
ing, lols  were  secured  on  the  corner  of  '\^''ashington  and  Madison 
streets,  and  a  house  of  worship  was  erected,  the  building  we  new 
use.  The  ladies  bought  the  lots,  paying  for  them  two  hundred 
and  fifty  hard  earned  dollars  The  building  cost  about  84,500. 
It  being  in  the  year  1859,  during  the  hardest  times  this  section 
of  country  has  ever  seen,  the  church  being  feeble  and  receiving 


HISTOBY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Ui 


almost  no  assistance  outside  of  the  community  save  8250  from 
the  Presbyterian  Church  Extension  treasury.  The  task  proved 
very  heavy.  One,  even  at  this  late  day,  recounts  the  difficulty 
in  paying  subscriptions,  the  resort  to  notes,  to  the  trading  of  pa- 
pers, and  diver^-  unusual  expedients.  Another,  having  acted  as 
treasurer  and  paymaster,  tells  of  window-frames,  etc.,  coming 
from  Chicago  in  several  successive  lots,  and  urgently  needed  bv 
the  builders,  while  yet  there  was  no  money  on  hand  with  which 
to  wrest  the  materials  from  the  clutches  of  the  forwarding  com- 
pany. Somebody's  subscription  grew  vastly  larger  than  it  was  in- 
tended to  be  by  "  advancing  "  payments  on  the.«e  importations. 
Then  came  the  regular  weekly  payments  to  the  workmen.  The 
treasurer  was  very  busy  on  Saturdays  ;  there  was  usually  no  mo- 
ney on  hand.  But  there  were  subscriptions  and  notes,  and  notf  s 
and  subscriptions  I  Then  came  in  a  system  of  due-bills  on  the 
tradesmen  of  the  town,  so  that  after  much  worry  and  work  each 
Saturday  night  closed  down  upon"  an  arrangement  "  of  some  sort, 
satisfactory  or  otherwise.  So,  also,  at  last,  through  much  toil, 
anxiety,  and  liberality,  and  much  prayer,  this  commodious  house 
was  completed,  and  opened  for  divine  service  with  the  burden  of 
but  a  very  small  debt,  which  has  long  since  been  removed.  The 
history  of  this  church  seems  to  divide  itself  into  three  epochs. 
The  first  closed,  say  in  1860  or  soon  after,  with  the  erection  of 
and  full  and  final  payment  for  the  church  edifice.  This  was  the 
periodof  foundation-laying,  a  time  of  much  labor,  marked  by  unity 
of  feeling  and  effort,  of  much  attention  to  strangers,  and  of  great 
prosperity  in  the  prayer  meetings  especially.  Yet,  externally, 
these  were  the  days  of  small  things.  This  epoch  covered  about 
seven  years.  The  second  epoch  seems  to  have  fairly  opened  with 
the  coming  of  Rev.  H.  C.  McCook,  in  1S61 ;  although  qpt  in- 
stalled, he  seems  from  the  records  to  have  been  a  resident  pas- 
tor, and  the  first  one  giving  his  whole  time  to  this  field.  His 
service  covered  nearly  three  years,  and  was  marked  by  the  be- 
gining  of  a  rapid  and  substantial  grosvth.  He  was  followed  by 
Rev.  A.  J.  Clark,  and  he  by  Rev.  A.  D.  White,  who  seems  to 
have  shared  to  the  full  extent  in  the  prosperity  of  this  epoch, 
which  was  nearing  its  close  upon  Jlr.  White's  departure  in  1870. 
The  membership  increased  from  about  60  in  1860,  to  161,  as  re- 
ported, in  1871 — the  largest  membership  the  church  has  ever  had 
at  any  one  time-  After  this,  during  the  service  of  Rev.  J.  A.  j 
Piper,  which  closed  in  1874,  the  church  nobly  held  and  develop- 
ed what  strength  had  been  brought  within  her  grasp.  During 
the  six  years  ending  April,  1,  1874,  the  contributions  of  the 
church  amounted  to  817,321,  of  which  83,304  was  given  to  agen- 
cies of  benevolence.  These  purely  benevolent  contributions  aver- 
aged 8551  per  year.  Since  this  time  the  contributions  of  the 
church  for  all  purposes  have  averaged  about  82,200  per  year. 
The  church  has  had  the  stated  services  of  twelve  ministers,  in- 
cluding our  present  pastor,  viz  : 

1.  Rev.  John  H.Moore,  from  August,  1853,  to  February,  1854. 

2.  Rev.  Samuel  H.  Stevenson,  from  July,  1856,  to  October, 
1857. 

3.  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Wilson,  part  of  the  year  1858. 

4.  Rev.  R.  Conover,  from  Sept.  1859  to 1861.     (Jlost,  if 

not  all  of  the  above,  seem  to  have  given  the  Clinton  church  but 
part  of  their  time). 

5.  Rev.  H.  C.  JlcCook,  from  April,  1861,  to  January,  1864 
(except  a  few  months  spent  in  service  as  army  chaplain). 

6.  Rev.  A.J.  Clark,  from  April  1,  1864,  to  May  1,  1867. 

7.  Rev.  A.  D.  White,  from  December  20,  1867,  to  Jlay  1, 
1870. 

8.  Rev.  J.  A.  Piper,  from  August  1,  1870,  to  April  1,  1S74. 

It) 


9.  Rev.  M.  V.  Van  Arsdale,  from  Julv,  1874,  to  December, 
1874. 

10.  Rev.  J.  McLean,  from  January  7,  1875,  to  ]\[ay  1,  1876. 

11.  Rev.  W.  W.  Faris,  from  July  1,  1876,  to  May  1,  1881. 

12.  Rev.  (;)scar  B.  Thayer,  from  July  1,  1881,  who  was  in- 
stalled pastor  Nov.  3,  1881,  by  a  commiitee  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Bloomington,  Revs.  R.  Conover,  J.  Payson  Mills,  and  Adam 
W.  Ringland. 

The  roster  of  ruling  elders  exhibits  the  following  names : — 
1.  J.  B.  McKinley.  2.  J.  B.  Hunt.  3.  T.  E.  Dickerson  4. 
Wm.  Haynie.  5.  Henry  Crosley.  6.  D.  Edmiston.  7.  G.  W. 
Harden.  8.  Smith  Minturn.  9.  B.  L.  Colwell.  10.  L.  D. 
Hovey.  11.  S.  F.  Lewis.  12.  J.  J.  Kelly.  13.  EmmettKent. 
14.  \V.  B.  Rundle.  Of  these,  Messrs.  Colwell,  Dickerson,  Hunt, 
Lewis,  Kent  and  Rundle  constitute  the  present  session.  Messrs. 
McKinley,  Ilaynie,  Edmiston,  Hovey  and  Kelly  have  moved 
away.  Messrs.  H.  Crosley  and  Col.  Smith  Jlinturn  have  gone  to 
their  reward,  and  Mr.  G,  W.  Haj-den  is  still  with  us.  Follow- 
ing is  the  list  of  deacons:— 1.  G.  W.  Philips.  2.  G.  W.  Martin. 
3.  Emmett  Kent.  4.  W.  B.  Rundle.  5.  Robert  Ualker. 
6.  W.  E.  Kirker.  7.  M.  D.  Irwin.  8.  M.  M.  De  Levis.  Of 
these,  Martin  has  removed  from  our  midst;  Mr.  G.  W.  Philips 
has  gone  to  his  reward,  and  Kent  and  Rundle  are  ruling  eldtr» ; 
and  the  last  four  constitute  the  present  board  of  deacons.  The 
financial  report  shows  how  well  the  work  has  been  done,  but  not 
at  what  cost  and  self-sacrifice.  A  complete  list  of  all  the  trus- 
tees is  not  at  hand. 

During  these  twenty-eight  years  the  ordinance  of  Baptism  has 
been  administered  to  90  adults,  and  to  110  infants,  or  to  200 
persons  in  all.  Members  have  been  received  in  all  as  follows  : 
I'pon  examinati'in,  220;  upon  certificate,  207;  or  427  in  all— an 
average  of  more  than  15  per  year. 

Of  these  427  members,  42  have  died,  200  have  removed  with 
letters  of  dismission,  25  have  gone  without  letters,  20  are  absent 
or  unaccounted  for  and  placed  on  the  reserved  roll,  and  the  re- 
maining 140  are  still  with  us  and  faithful.  A  Sabbath-school  in 
this  church  was  organized  several  years  ago  and  has  been  main- 
tained. 

ELM-i;ROVE   PRESBYTERIAN'    CHURCH. 

Elm  Grove  Presbyterian  church,  situated  in  Barnett  township, 
De  Witt  county,  about  nine  miles  north-west  from  Clinton,  was 
organized  June  8th,  1872,  by  a  committee  from  the  Presbytery 
of  Bloomington,  Revs.  Samuel  Hart  and  A.  L.  Knox,  and  Elder 
William  Haynie, — the  following  persons  being  present  by  letter 
from  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Waynesville  : — Thos.  C.  Robb, 
Margaret  L.  Robb,  E.  H.  Robb,  Clarissa  J.  Robb,  Carmi  Good- 
rich, Margaret  Goodrich,  Z.  D.  Cantrill,  Susan  Cantrill,  H.  B. 
Jones,  Matilda  Jones,  John  H.  Adams,  John  E.  Brittan,  Jacob 
Leper,  Martha  Leper,  G.  B.  Smith,  Almeda  Smith.  James  Jones, 
Nancy  Jones,  John  E.  Bradley,  Sarah  J.  Bradley,  G  W.  Hoff- 
man, L.  .\.  Hoffman,  E.  L.  Hoffman,  Laura  A.  Hoffman,  S  A. 
Graham,  Sallie  Graham,  A.  W.  Bell,  Elizabeth  Bell,  Susan  Mil- 
sted.  Flora  J.  Goodrich,  Isidora  Bradley,  Deborah  Ingham, 
George  R.  Ingham,  J.  H.  Robb,  Charles  Robb,  Peter  L.  Robb, 
Perry  Robb,  S.  B.  Clayton,  J.  M.  Goodrich,  D.  W.  Lauterman, 
B.  S.  Lauterman,  George  W.  Wright,  Alexander  Stewart,  and 
Henry  Graham,  Miss  Tillie  Adair  (now  Mrs.  John  Adams),  from 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Sunbury,  Pa. — 45  members 
in  all. 

Z.  D.  Cantrill  and  .1.  E.  Brittan  were  elected  as  elders.     Mr. 


146 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Brittan  was  ordained  and  the  two  were  installed  elders  (Mr.  C. 
having  served  as  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Waynes- 
-ville,  ills.) 

Thomas  C.  Eobb  and  Jacob  Leper  were  elected  deacons — they 
having  served  as  deacons  iu  the  church  at  Waynesville,  were 
duly  installed  as  deacons. 

John  Bradley,  W.  W.  Graham,  and  Thomas  C.  Robb  were 
elected  trustees. 

Feb.  16,  1873,  Mrs.  Susan  Cantrill,  Miss  Sarah  Ida  Brittan, 
and  Miss  Martha  Robb  were  admitted  on  examination.  March 
1,  1873,  George  W.  :Mabury,  Carmi  G.  Cantrill,  Henry  A.  Good- 
rich, Willis  B.  Morse,  Robt.  B.  Banks,  and  Miss  Emma  Brittan 
were  added  on  examination  ;  Thomas  W.  Hull  aud  Maggie  Hull 
on  certificate.  August  17,  1S73,  Miss  Sarah  J.  Adair  on  certifi- 
cate. May  17,  1874,  J.  T.  Jones  on  certificate.  December  15, 
1875,  Perry  Robb  was  dismissed  by  letter.  Aug.  21,  1876,  Thos. 
0.  Robb,  Margaret  Robb,  and  Martha  Robb  were  dismissed  by 
letter  to  Presbyterian  church  at  Lincoln,  Ills.,  and  Miss  Sarah  J. 
Adair  to  the  U.  P.  church,  Chicago,  Ills.  April  23,  1877,  A. 
t^tewart  to  the  M.  E.  church  of  Waynesville,  Ills.  June  3,  1877, 
James  E.  Longbrake  Edgar  H.  Williams,  Henry  M.  Teal,  and 
Mrs.  Ida  JI.  Teal  were  added  on  examination.  June  7,  1877, 
John  H.  Adams  and  Sam'l  A.Graham  were  elected  ruling  elders. 
Z.  D.  Cantrill  having  re>igned.  E.  H.  Robb,  G.  B.  Smith  and 
A.  W.  Bell  were  elected  trustees  for  two  years.  June  16,  1877, 
Mrs.  Sarah  A  Longbrake  and  Mr.  William  Ellis  were  admitted 
on  examination.  Jan.  26,  1879,  Mr.  Cieorge  W.  Wright  dis- 
missed to  church  at  Miron,  Ind.  April  10,  1880,  letters  of  dis- 
mission to  Elder  J.  H.  Adams,  Matilda  Adams  and  Edgar 
Adams  to  Presbyterian  church  of  Apjileton  City,  Mo. ;  J.  W^. 
Leper  and  Martha  Leper  to  Presbyterian  church  at  Waynes- 
ville, Illinois  ;  James  T.  Jones  to  M.  E.  church,  Pilot  Grove, 
Mi.^soiiri. 

Since  the  organization  of  this  church  with  forty-five  members, 
there  have  been  added  on  examination  fifteen,  and  on  certificate 
four — making  a  total  of  sixty-four  members;  of  which  thirteen 
have  received  letters  of  dismission,  ten  have  left  without  letters, 
and  removed  without  the  bounds  of  this  church;  and  there  are 
about  ten  who  do  not  attend  to  any  of  the  church  meetings  or 
take  any  part  in  the  support  of  the  gospel  of  this  church — leav- 
ing the  present  membership  to  be  nominally  thirty-one.  Of  these 
only  a  few  are  active  members,  and  only  one  elder,  to  bear  the 
most  of  the  expense  of  the  church,  viz :  J.  E  Brittan,  who  has 
tver  been  faithful  to  the  blaster's  cause 

Sabbath-school  has  been  maintained  in  this  church  pretty 
regularly  since  its  organization,  except  in  some  of  the  winter 
seasons,  and  has  proved  to  be  a  benefit  to  the  neighborhood,  as 
we  find  that  accessions  have  been  made  from  its  number  to  the 
church.  The  ministers  who  have  served  this  church  are:  Revs. 
S.  V.  McKee,  J.  AV.  McDonald,  S.  A.  Stevenson,  W.  AV.  Faris, 
and  A.  H.  Bates.  These  have  spent  a  part  of  their  time  with 
this  church  and  the  church  at  W^aynesville,  except  Rev.  W.  W. 
Faris,  who  was  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Clinton  and 
supplied  the  pulpit  about  once  a  month.  The  church  at  present 
is  without  a  supply,  but  arrangements  are  being  made  for  a 
supply  soon. 

Present  elders;  J.  E.  Brittan  and  S-  A.  Graham:  although 
Mr.  Graham  is  really  outside  the  bounds,  but  has  not  changed 
his  membership. 

The  first  Presbyterian  Church  ever  organized  in  wliat  is  now 
De  Witt  county,  was  organized  at  Waynesville,  June  25,  1836, 
(Waynesville  then  being  a  part  of  McLean  county,)  by  a  com- 


mittee appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Sangamon,  Rev.  Lemuel 
Foster ;  Rev.  Flavel  Bascom  being  absent.  The  following  per- 
sons being  received  by  letters  from  other  churches,  viz. :  Joshua 
Cantrill  aud  Rachel,  his  wife,  Samuel  Baker  and  Margaret,  his 
wife,  Zebulon  G.  Cantrill  and  Sarah,  his  wife,  Zebulon  Cantrill 
and  Polly,  his  wife,  AVm.  Dye  and  Nancy,  his  wife,  John  Robb 
and  Barbara,  his  wife,  William  Cintrill  and  IS'aiicy,  his  wife, 
John  S.  Polk,  Mary  M.  Polk,  Mrs.  Mary  Dunham,  Mrs.  Minerva 
Mclntire,  Mrs.  Mary  Atchison,  Mrs.  Eliza  Dunham,  Zebulon 
P.  Cantrill,  Levi  Cantrill,  Polly  Cantrill,  Nancy  Cantrill  aud 
Mrs  Mahala  Hull.  The  above  named  persons  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing as  their  Covenant;  "  You  do  now  in  the  presence  of  God 
his  holy  angels  and  this  assembly  avouch,  the  Lord  Jehovah  to 
be  your  God.  God  the  Father  to  be  your  Father  and  preserver. 
God  the  Son  to  be  your  intercessor  and  Saviour.  God  the  Holy 
Ghost  to  be  your  sanctifier  and  comforter,  and  the  word  of  God 
to  be  your  only  rule  of  Faith  and  practice.  And  you  do  now 
solemnly  dedicate  and  give  up  yourselves  and  all  you  have  to 
him,  confessing  that  your  sins  deserve  his  wrath  and  trusting 
solely  in  his  mercy  through  Christ  for  pardon  and  salvation. 
You  cheerfully  promise  that  you  will  rely  on  the  proflTered  and 
needful  aids  of  his  Spirit  for  the  discharge  of  every  duty,  and 
lead  a  life  of  piety  and  devotion  toward  CJod,  of  sobriety  and 
watchfulness  towards  yourselves  and  of  uprightness  and  benevo- 
lence toward  men  ;  that  you  will  seek  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
prosperity  of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom  as  your  supreme  object, 
and  that  you  will  take  Christ  for  your  example,  and  walk  with 
his  people  all  the  days  of  your  life.  And  since  he  has  appointed 
spiritual  administrations  such  as  sacrament^  to  seal,  signify  and 
exhibit  the  benefits  of  his  death  and  purchase  ;  also  administra- 
tions for  the  disorderly,  censures  for  oflfenders,  consolation  for  the 
penitent ;  teaching  quickenings,  exhortations,  brotherly  watch- 
fulness and  church  discipline  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints  ; 
you  faithfully  covenant  that  you  will  yield  your  influence  and 
support,  and  cheerfully  submit  to  the  regular  dispensation  of  all 
these  in  the  church  of  Christ ;  that  you  will  walk  in  love  and 
charity  with  its  members  and  consciencioiisly  labor  to  promote  its 
purity,  peace,  unity  and  edification  till  in  the  proyidenc!  of  God 
your  relation  with  it  shall  be  dissolved." 

With  an  affecting  belief  that  your  vows  are  recorded  on  high 
and  will  be  reviesved  in  the  day  of  final  judgment,  to  this  cove- 
nant you  give  your  cordial  assent. 

Joshua  Cantrill,  Samuel  Baker  were  then  elected  elders 
and  on  Sabbath,  June  26,  Mr.  Baker  was  ordained  and  these 
two  brothers  installed  into  the  ofiBce  of  ruling  elders.  The 
Lord's  Supper  was  administered.  It  was  a  solemn,  precious 
season,  and  the  appearance  and  feelings  of  many  seemed 
to  say  that  God  was  there.  Thus  was  organized  the  first  Presby- 
terian church  in  central  Illinois.  The  church  was  organized  in  a 
log  barn,  about  one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  the  village  of 
W^aynesville.  Worship  was  maintained  in  private  houses  until 
the  spring  of  1839,  when  a  small  frame  house  22x28  was  built 
on  the  lot  where  the  present  building  now  stands,  which  served 
its  purpose  until  l^Ol,  when  the  present  building  was  erected, 
36x51,  at  a  cost  of  -32,200.  This  money  was  raised  on  subscrip- 
tion except  .$100,  which  was  received  from  the  treasurer  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  Erection  Fund.  The  church  went  with  the 
new  school  branch  of  the  church  in  1837,  and  returned  to  the  old 
school  branch  in  the  fall  of  1851.  The  following  ministers  have 
served  the  church ;  1st,  Rev.  Lemuel  Foster,  who  organized  the 
church  and  preached  a  few  times ;  2d,  Rev.  Cyrus  L.  Watson, 
one  year,  one-third  of  his  time  ;  3d,  Rev.  Josiah  Porter,  who 


HISTOBY  OF  BE   WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


147 


commenced  in  March,  1839,  serving  the  church  fi)r  six  years  and 
six  months ;  4th,  Rev.  Adam  Johnston,  Jan.  1,  1840,  served 
three  years  ;  5th,  Rev.  James  Walker,  October,  18.50,  served  six 
months  ;  6th,  Rev.  Amos  M.  Rogers,  served  four  years  and  six 
months.  During  this  time  he  lost  his  health  and  was  compelled  to 
resign  ;  7th  Rev.  Wm.  P.  Carson  who  served  three  months  in  the 
winter  of  1854-.3.5  ;  8th,  Rev.  John  V.  Dodge  served  four  months 
in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1856 ;  9th,  Rev  Thomas  M.  Newel 
commenced  October  1853,  served  the  church  eight  years  and  six 
months.  He  died  suddenly  May  10th,  1865,  while  getting  ready 
to  attend  the  Wednesday  evening  pnyer  ni-eting  ;  10th,  Rev. 
Samuel  Hart,  Jan.  1st,  1866  served  two  years  and  four  months  ; 
11th,  Rev.  Samuel  V.  McKee  Sept,  1863,  served  three  years 
and  six  months  ;  12th,  Rev.  B.  E.  Mayo,  Jan  1873,  served  one 
year  and  three  mouths;  13th,  Rev.  J.  M.  C  McDonald,  Sept. 
1874,  served  four  years  and  six  months  ;  14th,  Rev.  A.  H.  Bates, 
Nov.  1880,  served  ten  mouths.  Rev.  Macomb  is  their  minister 
now.  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  ruling  elilers :  1st, 
Joshua  Cantrill,  Sr.,  and  2d,  Samuel  Baker,  Sr.,  who  was  elected 
at  the  organization;  3d,  Zebulon  Cantrill,  March  4,  1839; 
4th,  Levi  Cantrill ;  5th,  James  R.  Robb  Dee.  4th,  1841 ; 
6th,  A.  B.  Lewis,  Feb.  7,  1848;  7th,  Elijah  Hull;  8th, 
Dr.  J.  B.  Hunt,  March  17,  185-2;  9th,  Peter  Lauterman, 
June  16th,  1854.  April  2,  1857,  Zebulon  Cantrill  agreed 
to  be  dismissed  to  go  into  a  new  organization  at  Atlanta,  111.,  to 
serve  as  elder,  Dr.  John  B.  Hunt  having  moved  to  Clinton  and 
returned  again  was  re-elected  elder  June  6th,  1857 ;  Zebulon 
Cantrill  having  returned  his  membership  from  the  church  of 
Atlanta  was  re-elected  elder  Feb  5th,  1859;  10th,  Col.  Smith 
Minturn  ;  11th,  Dr.  J.  C.  Ross  was  elected  Feb.  5th,  1859  ;  Dr.  J. 
B.  Hunt  having  moved  to  Atlanta  and  returned  was  re-elected 
elder  Oct.  5th,  1861;  12th  Zebulon  B.  Cantrill;  13th,  Eber 
Davenport;  14th,  John  Robb  was  elected  Sept.  4th,  1869,  mak- 
ing the  whole  number  fourteen.  Of  this  number  eight  have  died 
and  are  buried  here.  Three  have  been  dismissed  to  other 
churches  and  three  remain  and  are  the  present  elders,  viz  :  Levi 
Cantrill,  Eber  Davenport  and  John  Robb.  Levi  Cantrill,  who 
has  been  an  elder  for  forty  years  and  one  of  the  original  twenty- 
five,  has  only  been  absent  from  the  meetings  of  his  session  but 
once  in  forty  years'  active  service.  Truly  this  is  a  faithful  ser- 
vice for  his  church,  and  not  ofteu  does  it  occur  in  the  history  of 
auy  church. 

The  record  does  not  give  a  full  list  of  the  deacons  and  trustees, 
the  present  deacons  are  Wm.  Whiteman  and  Wm.  M.  Sampson, 
and  trustees  are  Eber  Davenport,  Wm.  H.  Cantrill  and  George 
Robb.  Of  the  original  twenty-five  only  four  are  now  living,  Mr. 
Wm.  Cantrill,  M.  Cantrill,  Mr.  Levi  Cantrill  and  Mrs.  Nancy 
Robb,  the  last  named  being  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Heyworth,  111.  Since  the  organization  of  this  church,  forty- 
five  years  ago,  there  have  been  many  precious  times  when  the 
Lord  has  visited  this  branch  of  his  vineyard  and  most  graciously 
blessed  his  church  by  various  additions  that  have  been  made  to 
its  membership.  There  have  been  added  to  the  original  twenty- 
five  on  e.xamination  278,  and  on  certificate  139,  making  the  total 
number  442,  or  a  little  over  nine  for  an  average  of  each  year. 
Of  these  442  about  110  have  died,  243  have  removed  with  letters 
of  dismission,  30  have  left  without  letters  and  14  are  unaccounted 
for ;  the  remaining  45  are  still  with  us  and  are  faithful.  The 
ordinance  of  baptism  has  been  admistered  to  100  adults  and  140 
infants. 


"'  THE    rRESBYTEEt.\N    CHURCH    OF    F-\.EMER    CITY 

Was  organized  on  the  21st  day  of  Nov.  ISG-^,  by  a  committee 
appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Bloomington,  consisting  of  Rev. 
R  A.  Crcswell,  then  of  Normal,  and  Elder  H.  Crosley,  of  Clin- 
ton, who  met  at  the  M.  E.  Church,  Farmer  City,  and  organized 
the  following  named  persons: — O.  T.  Scott,  Mrs.  Margaret  A. 
Scott,  Samuel  H.  Scott,  John  T.  Scott,  Miss  Nancy  L.  Scott, 
Miss  Margaret  Scott,  Mrs.  Margaret  Rogers,  MissSylvana  Rogers, 
Miss  Anna  Rogers,  jMiss  Ada  Rogers,  Mr.  James  White,  Mrs. 
Mary  J.  White,  Mr.  Joseph  Jackson,  Mrs.  Hannah  Jackson  and 
Mrs.  Alice  Mean,  15  in  number,  who  came  by  letter  from  other 
churches.  Messrs.  O.  T.  Scott  and  James  White  were  elected 
elders. 

Since  the  organization  there  have  been  added  ou  examination 
59;  on  certificates,  HO;  No.  at  organization,  15;  making  a  total 
of  l.">4. 

There  have  been  dismissed  by  letter,  73 ;  have  left  irregularly, 
13  ;  died,  10  ;  total,  96  ;  leaving  present  No.  of  members,  58. 

The  following  ministers  have  served  the  church.  Rev.  J.  O. 
Hough,  Jamei  Stickel,  ^Ir.  Winn,  D.  R.  Love,  L.  P.  Crawford, 
and  J.  P.  Coyle. 

The  following  have  been  the  elders.  O.  T.  Scott,  James 
White,  David  Newell,  R.  H.  Kincaid,  Thomas  McBride,  J.  B. 
Hunt,  Wm.  Haynie,  W.  fr.  Cochran,  and  W.  W.  Alder. 

The  Sabbath  School  was  organized  in  1870,  and  has  been 
maintained  up  to  the  present  time  and  is  in  a  flourishing  condi- 
tion. The  church  building  was  erected  in  1871,  at  a  cost  of 
about  8^,500. 

There  have  been  paid  out  for  minister's  salary  and  other  expen- 
ses, about  81,000  per  year,  or  about  §14,000  in  all.  At  present 
the  church  is  without  a  minister,  but  the  congregation  is  endeavor- 
ing to  secure  one. 


THE  UNITED  BRETHREN   IN  CHRIST. 

BY    REV.   J,    L.   COUDON". 

The  society  known  as  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  was 
founded  in  America  by  Philip  William  Otterbein,  about  the  year 
1774.  Mr.  Otterbein  was  a  native  of  Germany,  brought  up 
under  the  influence  of  the  German  Reformed  Church.  He  gradu- 
ated in  his  native  country,  in  literature  and  theology,  and  came 
to  America  after  he  was  ordained  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 
When  he  began  his  pastoral  labors,  his  religion  was  formal,  until 
at  one  of  his  meetings  an  awakened  sinner  came  to  him  for  advice 
iu  reference  to  his  salvation.  This  circumstance  led  the  preacher 
to  self  examination,  by  which  he  learned  that  he  lacked  the 
spirituality  of  religion.  Under  this  impression  he  sought,  and 
found  God's  pardoning  mercy  in  the  regeneration  of  his  soul.  He 
was  then  prepared  to  impart  proper  instructions  to  those  who 
came  to  him  for  advice  iu  reference  to  the  new  life  in  Christ  and 
was  enabled  to  preach  the  gospel  in  its  purity.  He  was  present 
at  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Asbury,  the  first  Bishop  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  in  America,  and  indeed  assisted  in  his  ordination. 
Asbury  and  Otterbein,  were  intimate  friends.  The  services  of  the 
U.  B.  Church  for  the  first  fifty  years,  were  exclusively  in  the 
German  language ;  hence  the  progress  of  the  church  was  very 
much  retarded,  as  the  majority  of  the  people  spoke  and  read  the 
English  language.  Since  that  time  services  have  been  conducted 
in  both  languages,  with  a  marked  diflTerence  in  the  progress  of 
the  church.     The  founder  of  this  church,  and  those  associated 

*  For  data  on  church  of  Farmer  City,  we  are  indebted  to  VV.  W.  .ilder. 


148 


HISTOjR  Y  of  be  WITT  CO  UXTV.  ILLIKOIS. 


■with  him  in  forming  a  church  government,  looked  upon  slavery 
as  a  sin  against  God  and  humanity,  and  consequently  passed  a 
law,  prohibiting  the  reception  of  any  person  holding  slaves,  or  in 
any  way  connected  with  slavery,  into  church  fellowship.  They 
also  considered  oath  bound  secrecy  as  being  a  violation  of  the 
law  of  God,  and  passed  a  law  which  forbids  the  reception  into 
membership  of  all  persons  belonging  to  secret  societies.  This 
church  has  now  about  160,000  members  in  its  communion.  It 
has  a  publishing  house  and  book  room  in  Dayton,  Ohio ;  besides 
the  publication  of  books,  it  publishes  a  sixteen  page  paper, 
weekly,  called  the  "Eeligious  Telescope."  It  has  about  13,000 
circulation.  There  is  also  a  weekly  paper  published  in  the 
German  language,  two  Sabbath-school  papers,  and  a  paper  pub- 
lished in  the  interest  of  the  frontier  and  foreign  missionary 
society  of  the  church.  There  is  also  a  magazine  published  by 
the  Woman's  Missionary  Society.  This  church  has  done  much 
toward  the  advancement  of  civilization  and  transfusion  of  know- 
ledge, and  its  influence  upon  the  iustituiions  of  polygamy  and 
slavery  has  been  felt.  It  has  one  native  born  African,  who  was 
educated  in  this  country  and  ordained  a  minister  of  the  gosi^el. 
He  married  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  was  sent  to  teach  and  preach 
to  his  people,  where  he  is  doing  a  good  work.  The  church  has 
49  annual  conferences  besides  two  district  conferences,  one  in 
Africa  and  one  in  Germany.  It  also  has  nine  colleges  and  a 
number  of  seminaries  and  academies. 

This  denomination  has  a  house  of  worship  in  this  county,  situ- 
ated about  two  and  a  half  miles  south-west  of  Farmer  City, 
which  was  erected  under  the  administration  of  Rev.  John  Blake, 
who  was  placed  in  charge  of  what  is  now  Farmer  City  circuit. 
He  served  the  charge  two  years.  The  building  is  frame,  -30x40 
feet,  and  cost  about  81,.500.  The  first  trustees  were  John  Jones, 
Andrew  J.  Kreps,  AV.  P.  Eiggs,  Preston  Jones    and    Samuel 


Johnson.  John  Jones,  an  old  and  much  respected  Christian  gen- 
tleman, and  one  of  the  first  trustees,  is  still  living  The  church 
was  dedicated  with  the  usual  ceremony,  by  Bishop  David 
Edwards,  who  died  a  few  years  ago  in  the  city  of  Baltimore. 
There  are  about  five  acres  of  land  belonging  to  the  church  pro- 
perty, and  a  neat  and  convenient  parsonage  stands  on  the  west 
end  of  the  lot,  and  a  cemetery  just  north  of  the  church.  The 
society  was  first  organized  east  of  its  present  location  under  the 
administration  of  Rev.  M.  T.  Chew.  Among  the  first  members 
were  Esquire  H.  K.  Gillespie  and  wife,  William  Lake  and  wife, 
John  Johnson  and  wife,  Mary  Thomas  and  others.  They  first 
worshipped  in  a  school  house  for  a  few  years  until  Greenleaf 
chapel  was  erected.  Rev.  Chew  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  George 
Wenner,  who  was  successful,  and  added  considerably  to  the  mem- 
bership. Rev.  H.  Stoddard  served  the  charge  one  year,  after 
which  Rev.  F.  Gorslin  was  appointed,  and  the  charge  has  since 
been  served  alternately  by  Kev's.  Washington  Crandle,  Joel 
Corley,  James  Herbert,  William  Turguson,  J.  Blake,  D.  McLean, 
Peter  Flack,  D.  H.  Gobin,  F.  P.  Peas,  and  C.  C.  Bruner.  The 
following  ministers  have  served  the  charge  as  elders.  Revs.  J. 
C  Ross,  M.  Ambrose,  S.  P.  Hoy,  A.  B.  Porael,  Isaac  Kietzinger, 
A.  L.  Best,  and  W.  W.  Knipple.  There  are  at  present  forty-six 
members,  with  William  P.  Riggs,  class  leader,  and  John  John- 
son, class  steward.  Rev.  A.  B.  Pomel  presiding  elder,  and  the 
writer  of  this  sketch,  pastor. 

There  is  another  class  about  six  miles  west  of  Farmer  City, 
called  the  Vance  class,  and  was  so  named  from  the  fact  that  it 
holds  its  services  in  the  Wood  school-house.  This  society  was  or- 
ganized by  Rev.  William  Turguson,  in  the  year, 186.3,  and  is  a 
part  of  the  Farmer  City  circuit,  and  was  served  by  the  ministers 
named  above.     It  has  about  twenty  members. 


CITY  OF  CLINTON  AND  CLINTONIA  TOWNSHIP. 


(HE  capital  of  the  county  is  situated  in  this 
township.  It  is  mainly  prairie,  with  small 
belts  of  timber  hugging  the  creek  bottoms. 
A  retrospection  of  a  little  more  than  a  half 
century,  carries  us  back  to  the  first  settle- 
ments. At  that  time  this  territory  was  but 
a  dreary  expanse,  inhabited  only  by  Indians, 
wolves,  and  wild  deer.  The  white  man  came, 
and  lo  the  transition  :  civilization  and  thrift 
took  the  place  of  barbarism  and  the  abodes  of  the  wild  game  of 
the  prairies.  The  pioneers  were  few,  but  made  of  that  material, 
which  knew  how  to  combat  with  every  obstacle.  It  was  no 
enviable  task  to  clear  the  timbers  or  break  the  prairies,  and 
undergo  the  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life.  But  these 
hardy  few  never  flinched,  or  became  discouraged  in  the  part  they 
had  to  perform.  Indeed,  to  talk  with  them  to-day  of  the  olden 
times,  one  would  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it  was  among  the 
happiest  recollections  of  their  lives.  Jlany  a  time  have  we  in 
gleaning  history,  stood  at  the  door  at  parting  with  these  early 
settlers,  and  they  urging  us  to  remain,  as  they  desired  to  talk 
longer  about  the  scenes  and  incidents  of  early  times.  Blessings 
on  their  worthy,  gray  hairs ;  they  will  certainly  reap  a  fitting 
reward  in  the  unknown  beyond. 

In  18-59,  at  the  time  of  township  organization,  it  was  first 
named  Clinton,  but  subsequently  changed  to  Clintonia.  It  is 
somewhat  centrally  situated,  and  bounded  as  follows :  On  the 
north  by  Wapella  township,  on  the  east  by  Harp,  on  the  south 
by  Texas,  and  west  by  Barnett,  and-  contains  30  sections  of  land, 
one  tier  of  sections  on  the  north  being  annexed  to  Wapella, 
therefore  lacking  this  much  in  order  to  constitute  a  full  congres- 
sional township-  The  surface  is  a  gently  undulating  prairie,  and 
contains  some  of  the  best  land  in  central  Illinois.  Ten  Mile 
Creek  enters  the  township  in  the  northeast  corner  of  section  12, 
and  meanders  in  a  southwesterly  direction  and  passes  out  in  the 
southwest  corner  of  section  .31.  Various  small  streams  empty 
into  it  from  the  east.  Coon  Creek  cuts  across  the  corner  of  the 
southeast  part  of  the  township.  It  enters  in  the  south  of  section 
25,  flows  south  and  west,  and  passes  out  in  section  34.  Several 
perennial  springs  abound,  among  the  most  prominent  of  which 
is  the  public  spring,  situated  in  the  highway  on  the  premises  of 
R.  S.  Smith,  in  section  22.  The  railroad  facilities  are  unsur- 
passed. The  Illinois  Central  passes  through  the  entire  township 
from  north  to  south.  The  Springfield  Division  of  the  Central, 
crosses  the  former  at  Clinton,  and  takes  a  northeast  and  south- 
west course  through  the  southern  part  of  the  township.  A  branch 
of  the  Wabash  road  takes  a  diagonal  course  through  the  south- 
ern part,  crossing  the  Central  near  the  southern  limits  of  the 
city  of  Clinton. 


FIRST  SETTLEMENTS. 
The  first  to  settle  within  the  limits  of  this  township,  were  two 
brothers,  Benjamin  and  Landers  Slatten,  natives  of  Kentucky. 
Their  father,  Joseph  Slatten,  came  to  Illinois  in  a  very  early  day 
and  settled  in  Sangamon  county-  In  the  winter  of  1828-9,  Ben- 
jamin and  Landers  left  the  parental  roof,  (then  single  men),  and 
squatted  in  section  3-J,  Clintonia  township.  They  built  a  small 
citbin  where  they  remained  until  the  summer  of  1830,  cultivating 
a  small  patch  of  ground  in  corn  and  garden  vegetables.  In  the 
above  year  Josiah  Clifton  bought  out  their  little  improvement 
right,  and  proceeded  to  break  the  prairie  and  improve  quite  an 
extensive  farm  for  those  days.  Thomas  Davenport,  now  residing 
in  Texas  township,  drove  the  cattle  to  break  the  first  prairie  on 
this  farm.  This  was  the  first  farm  improved  in  the  township, 
and  is  now  owned  by  Hickman  Mills,  and  is  situated  a  little 
west  of  Clinton.  Benjamin  and  Landers  afterwards  married  in 
the  county  and  brought  up  families.  The  former  married  Miss 
Henrietta  Lane  of  Waynesville,  in  1832.  But  one  child  was 
born  of  this  union,  Eliza,  now  deceased.  Mrs.  Slatten  lived  but  a 
few  years  after  the  birth  of  their  child-  Benjamin  afterwards 
married  again,  and  moved  to  McLean  county.  A  few  years  ago 
he  moved  to  Missouri,  where  he  died.  Landers  lived  some  years 
in  the  county,  and  subsequently  moved  to  Kansas,  where  he  yet 
resides.  None  of  the  family  are  now  living  in  De  Witt  county. 
Alexander  Barnett  is  the  oldest  pioneer  citizen  of  Clintonia. 
He  is  a  native  of  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  and  came  to  the 
county  in  the  fiill  of  1831.  He  first  stopped  in  what  was  known 
as  the  Hall  and  Bowles  settlement,  Barnett  township.  He  remain- 
ed here  but  a  short  time,  when  he  returned  to  his  native  State. 
The  next  year,  1832,  he  came  back  to  this  county,  where  he  has 
remained  a  citizen  ever  since.  In  the  fall  of  1834,  he  entered  the 
land  for  his  present  farm  in  the  extreme  we.stern  part  of  Clintonia 
township.  At  that  time  Mr.  Barnett,  Josiah  Clifton  and  Samuel 
Curtright  were  the  only  citizens.  In  the  same  year  Mr.  Barnett 
married  Miss  Elizabeth  H.  Hall,  and  early  }he  following  spring 
they  went  to  house-keeping  in  a  pole  cabin  previously  built  by 
Mr-  Barnett  on  his  premises  in  .section  30.  His  cabin  was 
euphoniously  called  the  "  House  that  Jack  built,"  from  the  fact 
that  a  man  by  the  name  of  Jack  Bruner  superintended  the  con- 
struction of  it-  It  was  a  rude  affair,  filled  in  with  chinking?,  but 
not  daubed  up  with  mud  as  were  some  of  the  most  aristocratic  of 
those  times.  Soon  after  moving  in  a  heavy  snow  storm  prevail- 
ed, Mr.  Barnett  was  away  from  home,  and  when  he  returned  he 
found  his  wife  sitting,  desolate  and  alone,  in  the  middle  of  the 
room.,  muffled  up  in  a  cloak,  and  the  floor  covered  with  snow. 
He  made  a  rousing  fire,  swept  out  the  snow,  stuffed  up  the  cracks 
with  rags  the  best  he  could,  and  for  a  time  they  were  compara- 
tively comfortable.     The  next  morning,  however,  Mr.  Barnett 

149 


150 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


was  obliged  to  waile  through  several  inches  of  snow  before  he 
could  reach  his  clothes  to  dress.  Many  years  have  passed,  and 
Mr  Barnett  is  now  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  and  representative 
citizens  of  De  Witt  county.  He  has  been  a  very  active  man  all 
his  life,  aud  although  gray  haired,  and  somewhat  beut  with  age, 
he  is  yet  active  and  capable  of  more  endurance  than  many  of 
the  rising  generation.  He  was  elected  the  first  surveyor  after 
the  countv  was  organized  in  1839,  served  in  the  office  for  twenty 
successive  years,  and  is  now  the  present  incumbent. 

James  McAboy  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  moved  with  his 
father's  family  to  Ohio,  aud  from  thence  to  Clintonialate  in  1834, 
and  located  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Henry  Ziegler,  a  little 
southeast  of  Clintonia.  But  two  of  the  family  are  now  residing 
in  the  countv,  W.  W.  and  John.  The  former  is  a  successful 
florist  in  the  city  of  Clinton. 

Another  pioneer  of  the  township  was  Thomas  J.  Kogers,  a 
native  of  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky.  He  came  with  his  tamily 
in  the  fall  of  188.5,  and  settled  in  section  28.  The  summer 
prior  he  entered  the  west  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  the 
aforesaid  section.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was  Mary  Hickman. 
They  had  but  two  children,  Asa  aud  Martha  J.  Their  nearest 
neighbors  were  Samuel  Curtwright,  Mrs.  Catharine  Mills,  John 
Warfteld,  Samuel  Duncan,  Alfred  and  Richard  Murphy,  Alex. 
Baruett,  Lewis  Hickman,  and  Solomon  Weaver.  Some  of  these, 
however,  were  not  living  in  what  is  now  Clintonia,  but  were  scat- 
tered around  in  various  parts  of  this  section  of  De  Witt  county. 
Mr.  Rogers  then  owned  the  only  pair  of  steel-yards  in  the  county, 
and  were  thus  the  property  of  the  pioneers  for  miles  around. 
He  moved  with  his  family  to  Kansas  several  years  ago,  and  is 
yet  living. 

Amomg  other  early  settlers  were  Jacob  Brown,  Samuel  Curt- 
rifht,  Wm.  Anderson,  Josiah  Davenport,  X.  Mills,  John  Wtiruer, 
C.  H  Moore,  J.  J.  McGraw,  and  a  few  others. 

By  lo  king  in  the  County  Atlas  of  De  Witt,  Clintonia  town- 
ship, the  observer  will  discover  the  engraving  of  a  tree,  situated 
in  the  north-west  corner  of  section  fourteen.  This  landmark  has 
a  history,  without  a  brief  mention  of  which  this  volume  would 
be  incomplete.  It  is  a  "  lone  elm,"  aud  receives  its  name  from 
being  situated  on  the  prairie,  solitary  and  alone,  about  three 
miles  from  any  timber.  It  is  about  five  feet  in  diameter,  and  is 
located  near  Ten  Mile  Creek,  a  few  miles  north  of  Clinton. 
Fifty-one  years  ago,  Tilman  Lane,  Benjamin  Lisenby,  Matthew 
K.  Martin,  William  Lane,  and  Juo.  J.  McGraw  pa.ssed  under  its 
branches,  then  a  small  tree,  and  halted  to  rest  and  refresh  them- 
selves. They  had  come  from  Waynesville,  and  were  hunting 
suitable  locations.  All  were  afterward  old  citizens  of  the  county, 
and  except  Judge  McGraw,  have  passed  away  years  ago,  he 
being  the  only  one  left  to  tell  the  story  of  their  sojourn. 

The  first  land  entries  of  Clintonia  were  as  follows :  November 
29th,  1830 — Josiah  Clifton  entered  the  east  half  of  the  north- 
east quarter  of  section  33.  At  the  same  date  Samuel  Curtright 
entered  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  31.  John  Clifton  en- 
tered the  west  half  of  the  north-east  quarter  of  section  33,  De- 
cember 6th,  1830.  The  next  entry  was  not  made  until  April 
1st,  183-1,  which  was  the  north  half  of  the  north-east  quarter  of 
section  34.  which  was  by  J.  Allen  and  J.  W.  F.  Clinton.  Oc- 
tober 1st,  1834,  J.  Downen  entered  the  north-east  quarter  of  the 
south-east  quarter  of  the  same  section.  Alfred  Murphy  entered 
the  east  half  of  the  south-east  ([uarter  in  the  same  section, 
November  4th,  1834.  In  the  same  year,  Kovember  17th,  Wil- 
liam and  Josiah  Davenport  entered  the  north-west  quarter  of 
the  same  section.    Alexander  L  Barnett  entered  December  26th 


of  the  same  year,  the  east  half  of  the  south-west  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 30.  M.  Hall  entered  the  west  half  of  the  south-east  quarter 
of  the  same  section,  March  10th,  1835.  May  8th,  in  the  same 
year,  J.  S.  Warfield  entered  the  south-east  quarter  of  the  south- 
west quarter  of  section  28.  William  Anderson  entered  the 
south-east  quarter  of  the  south-west  quarter  of  section  27  same 
year. 

The  following  were  all  made  in  183.5  :  June  26th,  N.  Mills 
entered  the  west  half  of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  29. 
T.  .T.  Rodgers  entered  the  west  half  of  the  south-west  quarter, 
July  8th,  being  in  section  28.  July  16th,  J.  W.  S.  Moore  en- 
tered the  west  half  of  the  south-west  quarter  of  section  26. 
November  7th,  G.  Xelson  entered  the  south-west  quarter  of  the 
south-west  quarter  of  section  28.  On  the  7th  of  October,  D. 
Beeman  entered  the  west  half  of  the  north-east  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 27.  T.  H.  Haines  entered  the  east  half  of  the  south-west 
quarter  of  section  26,  October  17th.  James  McAboy  entered, 
December  24th,  the  west  half  of  the  south-west  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 22.     These  are  all  the  land  entries  made  prior  to  1836. 

The  first  marriage  rites  solemnized  were  by  Josiah  Clinton,  in 
the  winter  of  1831.  The  contracting  parties  were  Isaac  Carlock 
and  Miss  Polly  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  Brown,  one  of  the 
pioneers.  This  marriage  union  has  a  history,  and  we  will  there- 
fore give  an  account  of  it  in  detail.  It  occurred  at  the  cabin  of 
the  bride's  father  in  the  time  of  the  "  deep  snow,"  when  this 
part  of  De  Witt  county  formed  a  portion  of  Macon.  Thomas 
Davenport  was  detailed  to  procure  the  license  at  the  then  county 
seat,  Decatur,  but  was  obliged  to  turn  back  on  account  of  the 
water  caused  by  the  melting  of  the  snow  at  that  time.  They 
were  accordingly  married  under  a  section  of  the  statute  which 
reads  as  follows  :  "  All  persons  belonging  to  any  religious  so- 
ciety, church,  or  denomination,  miy  celebrate  their  marriage 
according  to  the  rules  and  principles  of  such  religious  society, 
church,  or  denomination,  providing  the  bonds  of  marriage  be 
published  in  the  church  or  congregation  at  least  two  weeks  prior 
to  such  union."  It  may  not  be  generally  known,  but  this  law 
has  never  been  repealed,  and  is  yet  in  full  force  in  the  State  of 
Illinois. 

Apropos  of  the  foregoing,  we  will  relate  the  following  as 
given  to  us  by  Judge  McGraw  :  "  At  an  early  day,  when  he  was 
serving  as  justice  of  the  peace,  he  was  called  upon  by  Landers 
.Slatten  to  unite  him  and  Rachel  Poft'  in  the  bands  of  matrimony. 
Slatten  was  in  indigent  circumstances,  and  unable  to  pay  the 
usual  fee  for  the  same.  He,  therefore,  made  the  proposition  to 
haul  the  squire  a  load  of  wood  for  his  services.  The  marriage 
was  effected,  and  the  wood  furnished  as  per  contract.  Another 
case,  about  the  same  time,  wherein  the  groom  was  too  poor  to 
pay  the  ofl3ciating  squire,  was  the  marriage  of  David  Curtright 
and  Melinda  Fentou.  The  agreement  with  Justice  McGraw 
was  that  Curtright  should  pay  him  in  quails.  The  services  were 
performed,  and  the  judge  laughingl)-  says,  that  in  a  short  time 
he  was  supplied  with  a  dozen  of  as  plump  quails  as  he  ever  ate." 

The  first  interments  were  made  in  the  north  part  of  the  city 
of  Clinton,  where  the  public  school  building  now  stands.  Mrs. 
John  Murphy  was  the  first  buried  in  the  fall  of  1831.  Only 
five  or  six  interments  were  made,  and  it  is  said  that  at  that  time 
the  gophers  were  so  numerous  that  they  became  despoilers  of 
the  graves.  The  second  burial  place  was  selected  in  section  34, 
just  south  of  the  city,  and  contained  one  acre  of  ground.  Mason 
Paine  was  the  first  person  buried  here.  Those  buried  on  the 
school-house  ground  were  afterwards  removed  to  this  place. 

Thomas  Davenport,  now  residing  in  Texas  township,  taught 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


151 


the  first  school,  in  the  fall  of  1831.  It  was  what  is  called  a  sub- 
scription school,  and  the  teacher  was  obliged  to  take  his  tuition 
in  whatever  his  patrons  were  able  to  pay  him  ;  this  consisted  in 
anything  that  his  family  could  eat  or  wear.  The  school-house 
was  a  rude  log  cabin,  situated  in  section  34.  Mr.  Davenport 
says  that  a  dog  could  jump  through  the  cracks  between  the  logs 
almost  anywhere.  Mr.  1).  had  also  the  honor  of  serving  as  the 
first  constable  in  the  precinct.  James  K.  Scott  conducted  the 
first  religious  services  in  the  same  year  as  the  above.  He  be- 
longed to  the  New  Light,  or  the  Christian  connection  denomina- 
tion. Services  were  held  in  the  private  cabins  of  the  settlers 
until  the  old  court-house  was  built,  when  it  was  utilized  largelv 
for  public  worship.  The  old  building  is  yet  standing,  situated 
in  the  south-east  part  of  the  city,  and  occupied  by  Isabel  Lowrey 
for  a  dwelling.  Peter  Cartright  was  also  a  pioneer  preacher, 
then  a  presiding  elder  in  the  M.  E.  Church.  Robert  D.  Taylor, 
a  Cumberland  Presbyterian,  was  among  the  first,  and  is  now 
living  in  McLean  county. 

The  first  church-house  was  erected  by  the  M.  E.  Church  de- 
nomination in  the  south  part  of  the  city.  It  was  a  frame  build- 
ing, and  is  now  owned  and  occupied  by  the  Rev.  Adams  for  a 
residence.  Josiah  Clifton  was  elected  first  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  Jefferson  T.  Cross  and  Allen  X:ish  were  among  the  first. 
The  first  physician  was  Thomas  Laughlan,  an  excellent  man,  and 
very  popular  with  his  neighbors.  He  commenced  practice  here 
as  early  as  1836.  He  died  many  years  ago.  John  Warner  and 
James  Brown  were  also  early  physicians  ;  the  latter  is  now  dead  ; 
the  former  is  engaged  in  the  banking  business  in  Clinton,  and  is 
one  of  the  wealthy  and  influential  citizens  of  the  county.  The 
first  post-office  was  established  in  1836,  and  kept  by  Miles  Gray, 
who  was  also  a  tailor.  His  shop  and  the  post-office  were  kept 
in  his  residence.  This  was  a  log  cabin  of  small  pretensions,  and 
situated  on  Quincy  street  in  Clinton,  just  west  of  the  square.  It 
is  yet  standing,  being  weather-boarded,  with  a  frame  addition, 
and  is  used  for  a  dwelling.  The  first  mail-route  was  from  De- 
catur to  Bloomington  via  Clinton,  and  Back  Hunting  was  then 
the  carrier.  Prior  to  1836  the  people  of  Clinton  received  their 
mail  at  Decatur. 

The  first  mill  was  constructed  by  Samuel  Curtright  in  1831, 
and  was  situated  on  section  31.  It  was  a  small  grist-mill  pro- 
pelled by  one  horse,  and  the  gearing  was  simply  a  belt  running 
from  a  drum-wheel  of  the  horse  power  to  the  mill-burr.  A  cus- 
tomer, in  order  to  get  his  grain  ground,  was  obliged  to  furnish 
his  own  horse  to  run  the  concern.  At  one  time,  Nehemiah  Clif- 
ton was  grinding  a  small  grist,  when  the  band  broke,  letting  the 
sweep  into  his  horse's  heels.  He  plunged  and  reared  until  he 
succeeded  in  breaking  his  bridle,  when  he  ran  upwards  of  four 
miles  before  being  caught.  This  is  one  among  man}' of  the  trials 
of  early  milling. 

The  improvements  of  Clintonia  are  among  the  best  in  the 
county,  or  in  the  central  part  of  the  State.  Fine  farms  and 
splendid  residences  greet  the  eye  on  every  hand.  The  roads  and 
bridges  are  kept  in  good  condition,  and  thrift  and  prosperity  are 
everywhere  to  be  seen.  While  the  people,  at  this  writing,  in 
the  more  southern  part  of  the  state,  are  suffering  for  the  common 
necessities  of  life  caused  by  the  severe  drouth,  the  inhabitants 
of  Clintonia  are  enjoying  themselves  with  plenty,  and  to  spare. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  parties  who  have  represented 
the  township  in  the  county  board  of  Supervisors  :  W.  B.  Smith 
was  elected  in  18.59,  and  served  one  term  ;  William  Clagg,  elected 
in  1860,  and  served  one  term  ;  John  P.  Mitchell,  elected  in  1S61, 
and  served  three  terms ;  James  Dj  Land   was  elected  in  1864, 


and  sers-ed  until  1868.  He  was  chairman  of  the  board  for  the 
year  1867 ;  Lewis  Campbell  was  elected  in  1868,  served  one 
term  ;  James  De  Land,  re-elected  in  1869  and  served  until  1ST2  ; 
W.  Bishop,  elected  in  1872  and  served  one  term  ;  Lewis  Camp- 
bell was  re-elected  in  1873  and  filled  the  office  until  1876,  and 
was  chairman  of  the  boar.l  during  the  year  1875 ;  James  De 
Land,  re-elected  in  1876  and  served  two  terms,  was  elected  chair- 
man for  the  year  1876  ;  John  Wightwick,  elected  in  1878  and 
served  one  term;  James  De  Land,  re-elected  in  1879;  Lewis 
Campbell,  re-elected  in  1880  ;  William  Metzger,  elected  in  1881, 
and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

THE  CITY  OF  CLINTON'. 
The  larger  portionia  of  the  history  of  Clinton  township  really 
belongs  to  the  city  of  Clinton,  as  the  township  was  not  among  the 
first  settled,  and  Clinton  soon  became  the  objective  point.  It 
was  named  by  Hon.  James  Allen  of  Bloomington  in  honor  of 
De  Witt  Clinton,  formerly  a  governor  of  New  York,  of  whom 
Allen  was  a  great  admirer.  The  first  village  plat  was  made 
October  3d,  1836,  by  James  Allen  and  Jesse  M.  Fell,  and  is 
decribed  as  follows:  Being  a  part  of  the  north-east  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 34,  township  20  north,  range  2  east  of  the  third  principal 
meridean,  and  was  in  the  form  of  a  perfect  square.  This  was 
then  a  part  of  Macon  county,  and  John  D.  Wright  did  the  sur- 
veying, he  then  being  the  deputy  county  surveyor  of  said  county, 
since  which  time  there  have  been  fourteen  additions  made  as  fol- 
lows :  Brown  &  Fraley's,  Gideon's,  Cushman's,  Yazel's,  Dye's, 
Rucker's,  Ashley's,  Slatten's,  Madden's,  Crang's,  Argos',  North- 
West,  McGraw's  and  Madden's  second  addition. 

The  first  house  constructed  in  the  town  was  a  small  log  cabin, 
built  by  James  Miller  for  a  store-house,  and  situated  on  the  west 
side  of  the  square  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  Dahl  &  Gay's 
boot  and  shoe  store.  This  was  in  the  fall  of  1835,  just  after  the 
first  survey  was  made.  It  was  afterwards  used  as  a  carpenter 
shop,  and  was  subsequently  destroyed  by  fire.  Within  the  old  log 
house  was  sold  the  first  goods  in  Clinton.  The  stock  was  a  meager 
supply  of  groceries,  notions,  etc.,  usually  found  in  a  small  coun- 
try store.  That  the  reader  may  have  a  better  idea  of  what  consti- 
tuted a  stock  of  goods  at  that  time,  we  will  relate  the  following 
incident  as  given  us  by  one  of  the  pioneers  :  "It  occurred  in  1841, 
six  years  after  the  first  goods  were  sold,  and  at  the  time  when 
Judge  McGraw  was  filling  the  office  of  County  Clerk.  At  this 
time  mo.t  of  the  merchandise  brought  to  Clinton  was  bought  in 
St.  Louis,  transported  up  the  rivers  to  Pekiu,  and  from  thence 
across  the  country  to  the  little  inland  towns.  It  became  neces- 
sary for  the  county  clerk  to  furnish  his  oflice  with  a  new  heating 
stove.  Every  one  that  came  in  would  have  to  inquire  all  about 
that  stove  ;  where  he  got  it,  how  much  it  cost,  when  he  received 
it,  etc.,  etc.  The  Judge  finally  became  tired  of  answering  these 
often  repeated  questions,  and,  therefore,  posted  up  a  very  promi- 
nent written  notice  in  his  office  to  this  effect :  "  This  stove  was 
purchased  in  Pekiu,  at  the  cost  of  .Sr2.50,  and  was  hauled  here 
by  William  Lane."  Everybody  coming  in  would  stare  and  gape 
at  the  notice  in  large  letters,  then  turn  to  the  clerk  with  an  in- 
quiring look,  but  would  rarely  venture  to  a-k  any  questions. 

The  first  dwelling-house  was  built  by  William  Anderson,  in 
the  spring  of  1836,  and  was  situated  on  the  now  vacant  lot  just 
across  the  street,  north  of  the  Magill  Hotel.  It  was  a  fair-sized 
log  cabin,  and  at  a  later  date,  when  travel  commenced,  and  the 
country  began  settling  up,  Mr.  Anderson  utilized  it  for  a 
hotel.  This  was  the  first  hotel  in  Clinton.  Let  the  reader  imao-ine, 
if  he  can,  the  contrast  between  this  log  cabin  and  the  huo'e  walls 


152 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


of  the  ilaa-ill  House  looming  up  just  across  the  street  from  the 
Hotel  lie  Log  of  :Mr.  Anderson.  The  house  passed  away  many 
years  ago,  and  so  has  its  proprietor.  On  this  lot  was  dug  the 
first  well,  and  what  makes  it  more  historical,  it  was  dug  by  the 
wife  of  JNEr.  Anderson  and  her  sister.  The  writer  examined  the 
ground  to  see  if  there  were  any  marks  of  its  former  existence,  but 
no  signs  are  there.  The  second  hotel  was  also  kept  by  Mr.  An- 
derson, and  situated  in  the  north  part  of  town  near  the  school 
buildings.  This  was  in  1839,  after  the  county  was  organized. 
It  was  a  frame  building  of  small  pretensions.  It  was  here  that 
Abraham  Lincoln,  Judge  Treat,  David  Davis,  and  other  noted 
lawyers  of  those  times  made  their  headquarters  when  court  was 
in  session. 

The  first  brick  building  was  constructed  by  John  Warner,  for 
a  dwelling,  in  about  1849,  and  was  situated  just  south  of  C.  H. 
Moore's  office  in  lot  1,  block  21.  It  is  now  occupied  by  Dr. 
Wilcox  for  a  dwelling  C.  H.  Moore  and  J  J.  McGraw  built 
the  first  brick  business  house  in  1834.  It  is  situated  on  the  east 
side  of  the  square  in  lot  2,  block  10,  a  portion  of  which  is  now 
occupied  by  H.  C  Wilson  &  Co.'s  wholesale  and  retail  grocery 
store.  Benjamin  Church  was  the  first  blacksmith.  His  shop 
was  a  small  log  concern,  and  situated  a  little  south  and  east  of 
the  public  square.  This  was  in  1841.  Bjth  shop  and  smith 
have  long  since  disappeared. 

Incorporation. — The  first  step  taken  toward  incorporating 
the  town  of  Clinton  was  in  the  fall  of  18.53.  The  village  then 
contained  but  a  few  hundred  inhabitants.  It  was  at  the  time  of 
the  construction  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad,  and  on  account 
of  the  many  lawless  acts  of  the  employees  on  the  road,  it  became 
a  necessity  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of  the  town  to  protect 
themselves  against  the  many  overt  acts  committed  by  the  roughs. 
A  meeting  was  called,  with  the  following  citizens  present :  Dr. 
W.  W.  Adams,  Dr.  H.  Madden,  B.  T.  Jones,  Thos.  McElhany, 
Jno.  Slatten,  Jno.  P.  Mitchell,  Lewis  Campbell,  W.  D.  Catterlin, 
John  A.  Bean,  Alexander  Argo,  Jesse  Stout,  John  B.  Wolf, 
Wm.  S.  Messervey,  T.  Sawyers,  Evan  Richards,  J.  B.  McKinley, 
Lawrence  Weldon,  Cyrus  Funk,  James  Proud,  George  W. 
Gideon,  and  John  T.  Clark.  At  this  meeting  prompt  action 
was  taken,  notices  were  posted,  and  as  soon  thereafter  as  the  law 
would  permit  an  election  was  held,  when  the  follawing  officers 
were  elected:  John  A.  Beam,  Lewis  Campbell,  Evan  Richards, 
Geo.  W.  Gideon,  and  Eurrell    T.  Jones. 

On  organizing,  Jno.  A.  Beam  was  chosen  President,  and  Lewis 
Campbell,  Secretary.  This  organization  was  efl'ected  under  the 
authority  of  the  general  statute,  providing  for  the  incorporating 
of  villages,  etc 

No  special  charter  was  granted  until  18-')0,  which  reads  in 
part  as  follows  ;  "  An  act  incorporating  the  village  of  Clinton.  Be 
it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly,  etc.,  that  Evan  Richards, 
Lewis  Campbell,  John  A.  Beam,  Burrell  T  Jones,  and  John 
Slatten,  of  the  town  of  Clinton,  county  of  De  Witt,  are  hereby 
recognized  and  constituted  a  body  politic  and  corporate,  by  the 
name  and  style  of  "  The  President  and  Trustees  of  the  town  of 
Clinton,  and  by  that  name  shall  have  perpetual  succession,"  etc. 

The  acting  trustees  for  this  year  and  until  the  first  of  April, 
18.56,  were  R.  P.  Smith,  William  Chambers,  Henry  Bell,  T.  M. 
Brown,  and  Lewis  Campbell.  January  3d,  18.57,  another  char- 
ter was  obtained,  granting  further  privileges,  and  substituted  for 
the  charter  of  1855.  Thomas  R.  Edmiston,  Lewis  Campbell, 
Henry  Bell,  P.  B.  Sweet,  and  William  Clagg,  by  this  charter 
were  recognized  and  constituted  a  body  politic  and  corporate,  by 
the  name  and  style  of  "  The  President  and  Trustees  of  the  town 
of  Clinton." 


The  special  charter   incorporating  the  heretofore   village  of 

Clinton  as  a  city,  was  obtained  in  the  session  of  the  Legislature 

of  1867,  and  the  first  vote  taken  for  city  officers  was  on  the  first 

Monday   of  April   fiillowiug :    The  first  elected  officers   were : 

Mayor — James  O'Donald. 

Aldermen,  Flritf  wan! — Hiram  P.  Smith,  Washington  Bates. 
Aldermen,  Second  «'((/•(/— Emmett  Kent,  .James  De  Land. 
Aldermen,  Third  ward — Samuel  K.  Harrell,  Abner  Phares. 
Police  Jfii/ixfrate— Jno.  J.  McGraw. 
Cifi/  Marshal — George  W.  Porter. 
Vifij  Treu.inrer—^.  F.  Lewis. 
Street    Commi.-<.w>ner -ZcA\-a  P.  Pollock. 
City  Surveyor — David  Richardson. 
City  Aft'y.  and  e.r-officio  Clerk — Michael  Donahue. 
A  complete  roster  of  the  town  officers  from  its  organization  to 
the  present  time,  cannot  be  given,  from  the  fact  of  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  village  records  in  January,  18.58.     We  will,  therefore 
record  the  names  of  the  Mayors  and  Aldermen,  from  the  first  city 
election  to  present  date,  January,  1882. 
1  siiS. — .l/<ii/i<c— William  Hayuie. 

Aldi  rmcn,  l-ft  ward — Zephenia  H.  Madden,  Washington 

Bates. 
Aldi  rmtn,  2d  ward — William  Bishop,  James  Lisenby. 
Aldermen  od  ward — Eugene  Davis,  Enoch  Orahood. 
1869. — Mayor — Chrislopher  Goodbrake. 

Aldermen,  l.-<t  ward — L.  H.  Rathbun,  Washington  Bates. 
Aldermen,  2d  ward — William  Metzger,  James  Lisenby. 
Aldermen,  3rf  h'k/v/— Milton  J.  Mahan,  John  F.  Martin. 
:S10.— Mayor— S.  F.  Lewis. 

Aldermen,  Ut  ward—'L.  H.  Rathbun,  P.  H-  Etherton. 
Aldermen,  Id  »■<,;•(/— Emmett  Kent,  F.  H    Bogar. 
Aldernua,  M  im/'d— Philip  Wolf,  A.  H.  C  Barber. 
187 1. — ^fayor — William  Metzger. 

Aldermen,  Id  ward — Washington  Bates,  Z.  H.  Madden. 
Aldermeti,  2d  ward — Edward  De  Land,  F.  H.  Bogar. 
Aldermen,  3d  w'ard—J.  F.  Carle,  Sam'l  R.  Harrell. 
1S72. — Mayoi — -William  Metzger. 

Aldermen,,  1st  ward — Wm.  L.  Chambers,  Z.  H.  Madden. 
Aldermen,  2d  tvard— James  Lisenby,  F.  H.  Bogar. 
Aldermen.  3(i  ward — S.  K.  Harrell,  J.  T.  Carle. 
1573. — Mayor — William  Metzger. 

Alderm-n.  U  uv(,v/— Wm.  M.Chambers,  P.  Warner. 
Aldermen,  2d  ward — F.  H.  Bogar,  Robert  Pharis. 
Aldermen,  3d  ward-S   K.  Harrell,  R.  P.  Rogers. 
ISIi.— Mayor — Milton  J.  Mahan. 

Ahhrmeii,  l.-f  ward—0.  L.  Kirk,  Duncan  :McArthur. 
Aldermen,  2d  leurd — Robert  Phares,  H.  H.  Harwood. 
Aldirmen,  3(J  leard — John  A.  Jones,  Bradford  Hand. 
1875.— J/./(/r</— Jlilton  J.  Mahan. 

Aldermen,  lat  ward—0.  L.  Kirk,  Philip  H.  Etherton. 
Aldermen,  2d  ward — Samuel  Magill,  R.  H.  Phares. 
Aldermen,  3d  ward — S-  K.  Harrell,  John  A.  Jones. 
1876      Miyo, — William  Bishop. 

Aldermen  1st  wird — O.  L.  Kirk,  Philip  H.  Etherton. 
Aldermen  2d  ward — Samuel  Magill,  Wm.  Metzger. 
Aldermen  3d  wird — John  A.  Jones,  S-  K.  Harrell. 
1877-     Mayoi — William  Bishop. 

Aldermen  1st  ward — O.  L.  Kirk,  Orlando  Winslow. 
Atdermen  2d  ward — Wm   Metzger,  H.  H.  Harwood 
Alderman  3d  ward — Robert  H.  Phares,  S.  K.  Harrell. 
1878.     Mayor— A.  D.  McHenry. 

Aldermen  Lit  icord — O  L  Kirk,  E.  Walker. 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COT'XTY,  ILLINOIS. 


153 


Aldermen  2d  ward — Wm-  Metzger,  George  Armstrong. 
Aldermen   3d  vard — Oscar  Woodward,  George  W  Scott. 

1879.  Mayor— A.  D.  McHenry. 

Aldermen  l.s(  irard-Thos.  B  McElhiney,  Duncan  McArthur. 
Aldermen  2d  ward — W.  E.  Kerker,  Joseph  Frendenstein- 
Aldermeti  3d  v:ard — Philip  Wolf,  E.  Sylvester. 

1880.  Maijoi — William  Bishop. 

Aldermen  1st  nard — 0  L   Kirk,  John  Killough. 
Aldermen  2d  irard — lohn  W.  Boren,  Joseph  Frendenstein- 
Aldermen  3d  ward — S.  K.  Harrell,  Robert  Phares. 

1881.  Present  officers,  Mayor — Geo  B.  Graham. 
Aldermen  \st  ward — O  L.  Kirk,  C.  T.  Conwell. 
Aldermen  2d  ward — George  K  lugham.  George  Armstrong 
Aldermen  Sd  toard — W.  H.  McFarland,  George  Scott. 
Treasurer — Duncan  McArthur. 

City  Surgeon — David  Richardson. 

Marshal — James  Kirk. 

Street  Commissioner — Thomas  Smith. 

City  Cleric— y.  Warner. 
The  first  ward  constitutes  all  that  part  of  the  city  lying  East 
of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad.  The  second  ward,  all  lying 
North  of  Main  street,  and  Wast  of  the  Central  railroad.  The 
third  ward,  all  that  part  of  the  city  West  of  the  Central  road, 
and  South  of  Main  street.  In  the  second  ward,  situated  in  the 
heart  of  the  city,  there  are  three  blocks  that  have  never  been 
made  any  part  of  the  city,  and  are  assessed  as  a  part  of  section 
27.  This  anomaly  is  bounded  on  the  Xorth  by  Clay  street,  ou 
the  East  by  the  Illinois  Central  railway,  on  the  South  by  North 
street,  and  West  by  JIadison  street.  Regular  streets  of  the  city 
pass  through  it  as  though  it  were  a  part  of  the  city  proper,  and 
the  lines  of  survey  are  co  incident.  Of  course  the  property 
can  not  be  taxed  for  city  purposes. 

What  a  contract  in  the  size,  appearance,  and  improvements  of 
the  town  as  compared  with  a  little  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century  ago.  The  following  we  find  in  the  De  Witt  Courier  (the 
first  paper  published  in  the  village)  of  December  ■29th,  18.54: 
"  We  are  creditably  informed  that  this  town  is  incorporated, 
and  that  all  are  taxed  according  to  what  they  have,  to  improve 
and  keep  the  streets  passable,  and  to  build  side-walks.  To  eay 
that  we  are  suffering  for  side-walks  or  pavements  would  be  but 
telling  a  blessed  truth,  and  if  they  are  paid  for  why  can't  we 
have  them?  Who  is  employed  for  that  purpose,  and  who  has 
the  money?"  At  this  writing  the  city  has  many  miles  of  good 
walks,  reaching  out  in  every  direction  to  the  extreme  limits  of 
the  corporation.  Street  lamps  are  placed  at  convenient  dis- 
tances throughout  its  limits,  and  fine  business  houses,  churches 
and  residences  are  among  its  adornments.  With  the  exception 
of  a  few  business  houses  on  the  North  side  of  the  square,  all 
on  the  square  have  commodious  and  conveniently  arranged 
basements. 

Clinton  Industries,  Manufactures,  etc., — Machine  Shops  and 
Round  House  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railway. — These  works  are 
situated  mainly  within  the  corporate  limits  of  the  city  in  the 
North-east  part  of  the  town  on  the  Springfield  division  of  the 
Illinois  Central.  They  were  fir.st  constructed  in  1871,  by  what 
was  then  known  as  the  Gilmaa,  Clinton  and  Springfield  rail- 
road. -  A  part  of  the  works  was  destroyed  by  a  wind  storm  in 
1876.  After  coming  into  the  hands  of  the  Central  they  were 
re-built  and  re-modeled,  and  five  additional  stalls  for  engines 
were  added.  They  cover  about  two  acres  of  ground,  and  were 
constructed  at  an  expense  of  880,000.  The  length  of  the  shops 
is  200  feet,  by  60  in  width.     The  round  house  is  the  same  in 

20 


width,  and  70  feet  longer.  The  works  are  constructed  in  the 
form  of  an  L,  the  latter  attachment  being  semi-circular  in 
shape,  and  contains  fifteen  stalls  for  engine.s.  The  store-room 
and  office  is  detached  from  the  main  building.  It  is  also  of 
brick,  3i.t  x  7ii  feet,  with  two  offices  conveniently  arranged  in  the 
western  part  of  the  building.  The  railroad  company  own  in 
all  twenty  acres  of  land,  on  which  are  situated  the  reservoir, 
tank-house,  coal-sheds,  etc.  The  former  covers  two  acres  of 
ground,  and  is  always  competent  to  supply  the  works  with 
plenty  of  water.  An  icehouse  is  detached  capable  of  holding 
450  tons  of  ice.  The  coal  sheds  are  900  feet  long,  and  will  hold 
nearly  1000  tons  of  coal.  Two  cranes  are  conveniently  placed 
for  supplying  the  engines  with  coal.  The  capacity  of  the  water 
tank  is  50,000  gallons,  and  is  supplied  with  water  by  the  shop 
engine  pump  through  a  pipe  .seven  inches  in  diameter.  The 
works  also  contain  a  brick  building  with  tin  roof,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  storing  oil  and  sand,  besides  a  cast-iron  turn-table  of  the 
latest  improved  style.  In  all,  75  men  are  given  employment  by 
these  works.  W.  B.  McKenna  is  the  master  mechanic ;  A.  How- 
ard, foreman  :  and  H.  C.  O'Donald,  clerk. 

Clinton  Tile  Factory  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Central 
and  Wabash  railways.  They  were  first  established  in  1877,  half 
a  mile  south  of  the  present  location,  and  moved  to  the  present 
place  in  the  spring  of  1880.  This  industry  is  owned  and 
operated  by  F.  C.  Davidson,  and  cost  86,000.  The  factory  con- 
tains three  drying  sheds  20x120  feet.  It  has  an  engine  of 
18-horse  power,  and  the  latest  improved  tile  machine,  and  three 
patent  down-and-up  draft-kilns.  The  capacity  for  manufactur- 
ing is  100,000  feet  of  tile  per  month,  and  gives  employment 
to  IS  men  The  estimated  value  of  manufactured  product  for 
the  same  time  is  82,000.  The  size  of  the  tile  made  is  from  3  to 
8  inches  in  diameter.  This  firm  supplies  a  large  portion  of  home 
demand,  besides  shipping  largely  to  other  jjoints.  The  shed 
capacity  for  drying  at  one  time  is  80,000  tile.  The  works  occupy 
four  acres  of  ground,  and  when  in  full  blast  will  consume  1-50 
tons  of  coal  per  month. 

Clinton  Agrirulliiral  Works  were  established  in  the  fall  of  1874, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Walker  and  Patton,  and  pa.ssed  into 
the  hands  of  the  present  proprietor,  Mr.  Walker,  in  1875.  They 
are  located  on  East  Main  Street,  in  the  east  part  of  town.  The 
first  casting  made,  and  the  first  made  in  the  county,  was  In  the 
fall  of  1880.  Prior  to  this  the  works  were  merely  used  for  the 
purpose  of  repairing  niachine-s,  etc  ,  and  not  as  a  foundry.  The 
main  building  is  a  frame  structure  except  a  small  part  off 
the  east  end,  one  story  high,  and  24x90  on  the  ground.  It  has 
an  engine  room  attached,  12x16  feet,  with  a  ten-horse  steam 
engine  to  run  the  works.  This  industry  gives  employment  to 
three  men,  and  yields  an  income  of  85,000. 

De  Witt  Merchant  Mills. — This  enterprise  was  commenced  in 
September,  1855,  under  the  firm  name  of  Powell  and  Haldeman. 

In  the  spring  of  1858,  it  became  the  property  of  Bergan  & 
Co.,  and  is  now  owned  and  operated  by  J,  B.  Haldeman.  It  is 
situated  just  across  from  the  junction  of  the  Illinois  Central  rail- 
road, and  the  Springfield  Division  of  the  same,  and  north-east 
from  the  passenger  house.  The  mill  proper  is  three  stories  high, 
with  brick  basemfnt,  and  35x75  feet  on  the  ground,  and  cost, 
including  machinery,  815,000.  It  contains  three  run  of  stone, 
with  a  capacity  of  manufacturing  70  barrels  of  flour  daily,  and 
gives  employment  to  four  men.  The  engine  room  is  18x35  feet, 
and  the  engine  is  forty-horse  power.  It  is  purely  a  merchant 
mill,  and  ships  mainly  to  the  East.  The  estimated  value  of 
manufactured  products  is  8*55,000  annually. 


154 


inSTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLINOJS. 


George  Anntttronrj's  Carriage  Factor;/. — This  leadiug  enter- 
prise is  located  on  the  south  side  of  the  Springfield  Division  of 
the  Illinois  Central  railway  and  west  of  Madison  street.  The 
business  was  commenced  about  a  half  mile  west  of  the  public 
square  in  1.855,  and  iu  ISG'i,  was  moved  to  the  corner  of  Monroe 
and  East  Main  streets.  Iu  the  spring  of  18S1,  it  was  estab- 
lished on  the  present  site.  The  building  is  a  frame,  two  stories 
high,  and  altogether  covers  17,424  square  feet  of  ground 
Twelve  men  are  employed  in  the  various  departments. 
Both  wagons  and  carriages  are  manufactured,  and  the  annual 
value  of  proiluct  sold  is  estimated  at  .SloUOO. 

Steam  Elevator,  William  Bishop  proprietor,  was  established  in 
1861,  and  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  switch  of  the  Illinois 
Central  railroad,  and  north  of  the  depot.  It  is  a  two  story  build- 
ing with  a  brick — one  story  for  a  foundation,  and  the  remain- 
der built  of  frame  material,  and  was  constructed  at  a  cost  of  §12, 
000.  The  main  building  on  the  ground  is  40x90  feet,  with  ■ 
boiler-room  attachment  16x35  feet,  and  one  story  high.  The 
engine  power  is  twelve-horse,  and  has  the  capacity  of  elevating 
5,000  bushels  daily.  The  building  has  store  rooms  sufficient  to 
contain  20,000  bushels  of  grain,  besides  having  cribs  detached 
capable  of  holding  10,000  bushels  of  corn.  Mr.  Bishop  also  deals 
in  lumber,  sash,  doors,  and  mouldings.  The  building  for  the 
latter  jjurpose  is  detached  from  his  elevator,  and  is  40x6(( 
feet,  and  one  story  in  height.  He  also  has  an  excellent  lumber 
shed  40x60  feet.  Three  men  are  given  constant  eniployment  by 
this  industry. 

Florist  and  Gardener,  W.  W.  McAboy,  proprietor.  The  busi- 
ness was  established  in  the  summer  of  1881,  at  a  cost  of  83,000, 
and  located  iu  block  21,  four  blocks  south  of  the  public  square. 
It  has  three  green  or  hot  houses,  each  50  feet  in  length,  through 
which  extend  iron  pipes  heated  with  steam.  The  building  also 
has  an  excellent  brick  basement  for  placing  the  heating  apparatus 
and  keeping  bulbs,  vcLretables,  etc.  §5,000  worth  of  plants  can 
be  raised  annually,  and  the  business  gives  employment  to  three 
hands.  Mr.  JIcAboy  is  a  practical  florist  and  gardener,  and  the 
citizens  of  Clinton  may  congratulate  themselves  for  having  such 
an  establishment  in  their  midst. 

Farmers  MI/I. — This  mill  does  both  custom  and  merchant 
work.  It  was  constructed  by  Clark  and  McKinney  in  1858,  and 
afterwards  passed  into  the  hands  of  Carl  &  Rosdail.  It  is  now 
leased  to  Sylvester  &  Boyce,  who  conduct  the  business.  The 
building  is  a  two-story,  with  brick  basement,  and  is  30x36  feet- 
It  has  two  run  of  stone,  one  for  wheat,  the  other  for  corn,  and 
has  the  capacity  of  manufacturing  25  barrels  of  flour  daily,  be- 
sides from  75  to  100  bushels  of  meal.  The  annual  value  of  man- 
ufactured product  is  estimated  at  830,000.  It  has  an  engine  of 
thirty  horse-power ;  the  mill  gives  employment  to  three  men,  and 
is  situated  four  blocks  directly  south  of  the  court-house  square. 

Brick  Yard. — This  industry  was  established  in  1870,  by  James 
Bell,  present  proprietor,  and  located  at  the  junction  of  Illinois 
Central,  and  Wabash  railways.  The  yard  occupies  one  acre  of 
ground  and  manufactures  from  the  bottom  found  at  the  works ; 
eight  men  are  kept  in  employment,  and  they  manufacture  500, 
000  bricks  annually.  It  uses  the  hand  mould  only.  Mr.  Bell 
supplies  the  demand  for  bricks  from  the  various  parts  of  the 
country. 

Plaiiiiif)  Mill— This  mill  was  constructed  in  1862,  by,  C. 
Funk,  who  is  its  present  owner,  and  it  is  situated  a  little  west 
of  the  Illinois  Central  depot.  Its  original  cost  was  83,000.  The 
building  is  a  frame  30x50  feet,  and  two  stories  high,  besides  an 
engine  and  boiler   room    10x40,  one  story.     The   engine  is  20 


horse-power.  Mr.  Funk  enqdoys  in  his  business  five  men,  and 
does  contracting,  building,  drafting,  etc.  There  is  but  one  other 
business  of  the  kind  in  the  county,  which  is  situated  in  Farmer 
City. 

Carria;;e  Maiiufactorii  of  Morrison  &  Rhom,  and  located  on 
East  Main  street,  east  of  the  public  square.  This  manufactory  was 
established  by  J.  R.  McErvin  in  1856,  and  came  into  the  possession 
of  the  present  firm  in  the  spring  of  1879.  It  is  a  frame  building 
two  stories  high,  and  covers  an  area  of  66x150  feet.  It  also  con- 
tains out  buildiugs,  drying  sheds,  yardage,  etc  Eight  men  are 
employed,  and  89,000  worth  of  manufactued  material  turned  out 
annually. 

Hay  Press,  situated  on  the  switch  of  the  Illinois  Central,  north 
of  Bishop's  Elevator.  This  business  was  established  in  the  fall 
of  1877,  at  a  cost  of  81,800.  The  establishment  is  50x80  feet  in 
size,  and  has  the  capacity  of  pressing  eight  tons  per  day,  giving 
employment  to  five  men  and  three  teams.  Ships  mainly  to  the 
Southern  States.     Wesley  Leavitt,  proprietor. 

Broom  Fadori/. — This  factory  was  established  in  1880,  and  lo- 
cated on  the  corner  of  East  Main  and  Jefferson  Streets.  It  has 
the  capacity  of  manufacturing  8,000  brooms  annually.  It  is  con- 
ducted wholly  by  the  proprietor,  G.  W.  Gash. 

Marjill  House. — This  is  an  establishment  of  which  the  people 
of  Clinton  may  well  be  proud,  being  one  of  the  finest,  largest, 
and  best  arranged  hotels  in  Central  Illinois.  It  was  constructed 
by  the  Magill  Brothers,  at  a  cost  of  835,000,  the  first  work  being 
done  in  1871,  and  completed  in  1872.  It  is  a  brick  .structure, 
three  stories  high,  besides  the  basement,  and  covers  half  a  block. 
The  rooms  are  large  and  airy,  being  forty-five  in  number,  besides 
three  store  rooms  on  the  first  floor.  It  is  situated  just  north  of 
the  square,  fronting  on  Center  Street.  The  building  was  origi- 
nally heated  by  hot  air,  the  furnaces  being  situated  in  the  base- 
ment. This  mode  of  heating  was  soon  abandoned  on  account  of 
the  expense  being  too  great  for  the  income  of  the  house.  The 
dining  room,  billiard  room,  and  halls,  are  large  and  commodious. 
The  basement  is  now  utilized  for  a  laundry.  A.  W.  Razey  is  the 
present  efficient  landlord.  There  are  two  other  hotels  in  the  city, 
the  Clinton  House  and  the  City  Hotel.  Both  are  situated  on 
Center  .Street,  a  little  north  of  the  Magill  House. 

Jno.  Warner  &  Co.,  Bankets. — This  business  was  established 
the  1st  of  September,  1807,  and  is  the  oldest  bank  in  the  city.  It 
is  situated  in  the  south  corner  of  the  public  square.  It  contains 
a  fire  proof  vault,  and  McNeal  &  Irvin's  best  burglar-proof  safe 
with  time  lock.  The  capital  stock  is  $50,000,  with  a  surplus  of 
887,706.     The  firm  transacts  all  the  business  of  the  bank. 

De  Witt  County  National  Batik  is  located  in  one  of  the  best 
buildiugs  iu  the  city,  and  situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  square 
facing  Center  Street.  It  was  chartered  in  the  spring  of  1871, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  850,000.  It  has  a  surplus  of  818,000. 
Hall's  burglar-proof  safe  with  time  lock  is  used,  and  enclosed 
within  an  excellent  fire-proof  vault.  J.  T.  Snell,  president ;  Wm. 
Metzger,  cashier. 

Hack  Line,  owned  and  run  by  T.  S  Hutchason.  The  Hue  con- 
tains one  bus,  two  hacks,  and  baggage  wagon.  Makes  all  trains 
both  night  and  day.  The  barns  are  situated  ou  the  corner  of 
Monroe  and  Center  Streets,  near  the  Magill  House. 

Clinton  Fire  Company,  No.  1,  was  organized  in  1874,  with  the 
total  number  of  members  of  Engine  Company  19,  Hose  Com- 
pany 20.  They  have  a  fine  hand  engine  and  500  feet  of  hose 
and  hose-cart.  The  company  are  all  well  uniformed  and  excel- 
lently drilled  for  duty.  The  treasury  is  well  sujiplied  with 
funds  sufficient  to  run  the  organization  for  a  year  or  more.    The 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNT V,  ILIINOIS. 


155 


eiigiue  biiikling  is  situateil  in  the  south-west  corner  of  the  MagiU 
Bhx-k,  aud  is  two  stories  high,  34x66  feet  on  the  groiiml,  and 
constructed  of  brick.  The  first  floor  is  used  for  engine  and  hose 
room,  with  a  portion  cut  off  the  north  end  for  the  purpose  of  a 
calaboose.  The  upper  story  is  divided  into  two  departments  for 
Firemen's  Hall  and  Council  Room.  The  pi'esent  officers  are  as 
follows :  Chief,  H.  C.  Henson  ;  Captain,  James  Armstrong ; 
Secretary,  James  M.  Kirk  ;  Treasurer,  A.  \V.  Razey  ;  Foreman 
Engine  Co.,  Lafayette  Ely  ;  Assistant  Foreman  Engine  Co.. 
David  Edwards ;  Foreman  Hose  Co.,  Matt.  Clive ;  Assistant 
Foreman  Hose  Co.,  Jake  Bryant ;  Pipemau,  L.  S.  Harrell  ; 
Committee  of  Inquiry,  T.  B.  Mc  Elhiuey,  A.  F.  Ely,  and  Jo.s«ph 
Metzger.  Total  membership  at  this  writing,  16  in  the  Engine 
Company  and  1-t  in  the  Hose. 

People's  Library  Association  was  chartered  in  the  fall  of  1879, 
with  A.  W.  Razey  secretary,  who  is  the  present  incumbent.  It 
started  with  a  membership  of  50,  which  at  this  time  has  increased 
to  75.  Originally  the  library  contained  only  100  volumes,  but 
has  now  over  300.  The  variety  of  reading  matter  consists  of 
the  biographies  of  eminent  men,  fiction,  and  standard  literature 
of  the  day.     M.  M.  Delevis,  librarian. 

The  School  Building  is  an  ornament  to  the  town, and  speaks  in 
unmistakeable  language  of  the  public  spirit  and  enterprise  of  the 
people.  It  was  constructed  in  1867,  and  is  situated  in  the  north 
part  of  the  town  within  an  enclosure  of  five  acres.  This  is  really 
the  prettiest  part  of  the  city,  being  high  and  rolling  ground,  just 
suited  to  the  purpose  to  which  it  is  devoted.  The  ground  for- 
merly belonged  to  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  and  after  his  death  his 
widow  donated  her  interest  in  the  property  to  the  city  for  school 
purposes.  The  building  is  constructed  of  brick,  three  stories 
high,  besides  the  basement,  and  contains  twelve  rooms  graded 
as  follows :  four  primary,  five  intermediate,  two  grammar,  and 
one  high  school  department,  aud  gives  employment  to  twelve 
teachers  besides  a  principal.  Its  cost  was  nearly  §50,000,  and 
originally  it  was  heated  by  hot-air  furnaces,  but  is  now  heated 
with  steam  apparatus,  it  being  considered  more  healthy  and  con- 
genial to  the  pupils.  The  basement  is  used  for  the  generating  of 
steam,  and  also  furnished  with  rooms  convenient  for  the  family 
use  of  the  janitor.  The  architecture  of  the  building  is  pleasing 
to  the  eye,  containing  a  cupola  and  other  adornments  in  keeping 
with  the  house  and  grounds.  Good  walks  lead  to  it  from  every 
direction,  and  everything  about  the  premises  is  kept  in  first-class 
order. 

Wood-Laim  Cemetery. — This  cemetery  contains  sixty-five  acres 
of  ground,  and  was  formerly  owned  by  George  W.  Gideon.  In 
1861  his  son,  Edwin  W.,  who  had  enlisted  in  the  army,  came 
home  sick  on  furlough,  and  soon  afterward  died.  He  was  the 
first  buried  here,  and  the  lot  where  the  interment  was  made  was 
donated  by  Mr.  Gideon  as  a  burial-place  for  the  soldiers  of  the 
war.  The  site  being  high  and  rolling,  and  favorably  situated 
for  a  cemetery,  the  citizens  purchased  the  ground  and  fitted  it 
up  for  a  city  cemetery.  The  site  was  well  chosen,  for  no  better 
place  could  have  been  selected  for  miles  around.  It  is  situated 
about  half  a  mile  north-west  of  the  business  part  of  the  town. 
The  best  of  side-walks  are  kept  to  the  very  gates  of  this  silent 
city ;  arched  gateways  of  considerable  height  first  catch  the  eye 
of  the  stranger.  A  sexton  is  employed,  and  everything  is  kept 
in  a  manner  creditable  to  the  citizens.  Many  excellent  monu- 
ments adorn  the  grounds,  the  most  prominent  being  situated 
about  central,  within  the  first  rise  of  ground  leading  from  the 
town.  It  is  a  marble  shaft,  twenty-five  feet  in  altitude,  sur- 
mounted by  a  life-sized  soldier,  standing  on  guard.     The  monu- 


ment speaks  for  itself, — it  is  not  necessary  to  read  the  scores  of 
names  engraved  upon  it  to  tell  you  that  this  is  the  spot  where 
many  a  brave  soldier  is  sleeping  his  last  sleep,  and  that  the 
granite  .soldier  is  standing  his  watch,  for  "  the  army  is  sleeping." 
All  around  the  monument  small  mounds  of  ground  show  that 
many  have  already  been  buried  here.  This  is  a  county  enterprise, 
erected  by  the  citizens  of  De  Witt,  and  under  the  auspices  of  a 
regularly  constituted  organization,  entitled  "  The  De  AVitt  County 
Soldiers'  Monument  Association,"  having  a  president,  secretary, 
treasurer,  etc.  Every  soldier's  name,  whether  he  dies  in  the 
county  or  out  of  it,  if  he  were  a  resident  of  the  county,  after  his 
death,  is  engraven  upon  this  monument.  The  corner-stone  was 
laid  the  4th  of  July,  1868,  and  the  monument  unveiled  just  one 
year  from  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone,  and  cost  .§2,500.  Ac- 
cording to  an  act  of  congress,  the  general  goverment  has  obli- 
gated iiself  to  furnish  all  head  and  foot-stones,  free,  to  the  graves 
of  the  soldiers  coming  under  the  regulations  of  Associations 
regularly  established.  The  following  is  a  correct  copy  of  a  letter 
sent  to  Stephen  K.  Carter,  of  Clinton,  in  reply  to  a  communica- 
tion between  him  and  the  quartermaster  general  of  the  United 
States  Army,  and  is  dated  June  4,  1881  : 

Sir:  Your  leller  of  31st  nit.  at  linnd.  Head-Stones  will  be  furnished  as 
soon  as  practicable,  but  probably  not  this  year.     [Signed,  etc- 

The  city  also  contains  several  fine  church  buildings,  and  two 
live  printing  establishments,  the  histories  of  which  will  be  found 
in  the  Ecclesiastical  chapter,  and  the  History  of  the  Press. 

MERCANTILE   HOUSES   AND   TRADE   OF    1881-2. 

Dry  Goods,  Carpels,  Dealers  in  Woolens,  etc. — Magill  Bros. 
Wholesale   Grocers  and  Queenmvare. — H.  C.  Wilson ;  Sackett 
&  Hammond  ;  Gallaher  Bros. 

Hardware,  Stoves  and  Agricultural  Impleinenis. — Hand  &  Li- 
senby,  John  Killough,  Woy  &  Scott- 

Drugs,  Medicines,  Booh  and  Stationery. — J.  B.  Hunt- 

Groceries.  Queew^ware,  Cigars,  Tobacco  and  Woodrmrnn-. — Mp- 
Kinney  &  Porter  ;  I.  Campbell ;  Phares  &  Harwood. 

t'tiriiitiirr  and  f  «(?.-, ^i/.-/H(/—McFarland  it  Rogers;  Sackett 
&  Carroll. 

Jiiirness,  Saddlery,  rtc  -I.  B.  Beatty  &  Son  ;   William  Metzger. 

Lnnibrr  .l/'/'fA«HAv.— William  Bishop  ;  E.  Kent  it  Co.  :  Lean- 
der  McCrraw. 

RcMaurants  and  Bakeries. — J.  S.  Wilson;  Phares  it  Davidson  ; 
Kelley  Bros- ;  Charles  Cawrey. 

General  Stock. — Drew  &  Innian. 

Clothing,  Hats,  Caps,  etc.—H.  Katz  &  Bro. 

Dry  Good.<  and  Notions.— .S.  F.  Miller;  T.  Frisch,  Henry 
f'rang. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Stores.— O.  J.  Woodward  ;  Dahl  it  Gay. 

Drugs  and  Medicines.— 3.  C-  Jlyers  ;  W.  H.  Wheeler  it  Co.  ; 
De  Levis  &  Monlux. 

Dry  Goods,  Boots,  Shoe-s,  Huts,  etc.—R.  Toombs. 

Books  and  Stationery. — A.  C.  Hand  &  Co. 

Watches,  Clocks  and  Jewelry. — J.  R.  Jones  ;  N.  E.  Wheeler. 

Millinery  and  Fancy  Goods.— ^Itlrs.  M.  P.  Beatty  ;  iMrs-  N-  E. 
Wheeler ;  Jlrs.  J.  W.  Bowren ;  Mrs.  S.  F.  Conkling. 

Sewing  Machine  Ageid.—  W.  B.  Barnett. 

Physicians. — C.  Goodbrake,  John  Wright,  John  Edmiston,  G. 
W.  Hyde,  J.  C.  Myers,  Dr.  Downey,  David  Edmiston,  Dr.  Sap- 
ington,  A.  W.  Edmiston,  G.  H.  Garwood,  D.  Wilcox. 

Grain  Dealers. — E.  Kent,  William  Bishop,  Leander  McGraw, 
Abner  Phares. 

Meat  Murket.^.-^y.  B.  Rundle,  Hanger  &  Deland,  Daniel 
Crang,  Jacob  Haller. 


156 


HIbTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Blacksmith  Shops.— George  Augheiibaugh,  George  Armstrong, 
William  Bosler,  Thomas  Armstrong.William  Catterlin. 

Stock  Dealers  and  Sh i>jj/')-.<.— Strain  &  Nagley,  James  De  Land, 
Wolf  &  McHenry,  Jacob  Zoger,  James  Wilson,  Philip  Clark. 

Insurance  Ar/ents,  ete.—S.  F.  Lewis,  D.  MeArthur,  M.  Dona- 
hue, Conklin  Bros.,  E.  S.  Van  Meter,  R.  W.  Robinson. 

Livery  Stables  — H.  B.  Taylor,  William  Weedman. 

Cigars  and  Tobacco.— B.  Burroughs,  F.  P.  Brenner. 

Hardware  and  Stoves.— C.  O.  Jones. 

Clothing  and  Gents  Furnishing  Gooih.—'L.  Frendenstein  & 
Co. 

/>;■,■«  ,l/.//.c,v.— Phillips  Sisters,  Jliss  M.  Bell,  Mre.  J.  Porter, 
Mrs.  \'au  Lew,  Mrs.  Messer,  Miss  Annie  Carrol,  JNIrs.  Toombs. 

Agricultural  Implements.—H.  H.  Harwood. 

Merchant  Tailor  and  Clothier.—^.  J.  Runbeck. 

Photograph  Oalleriat.—F.  O.  Pease,  G.  W.  Browning. 

Dentists.— W.  F.  Calhoun,  J.  G.  Hyer. 

Boot  and  Shoemaker. — John  Bjorkijuest. 

Barbers  and  Hair  Dre.-^sers  —Frank  Hull,  J.  O.  Watters,  A 
Jackson,  H.  Collins. 

Cooper. — Geo.  AV-  Moore, 

Carpenters  and  Jniiiers  —P.  H.  Atherton,  Robert  Phares, 
Henry  Bigardus,  William  Atherton,  Thomas  Bryant,  Davis 
Eley,  Samuel  Pettioord,  J.  A.  Day,  William  Hall,  A.  Goodrich, 
E.  Atherton,  S.  K.  Harrold,  Warren  Winslow,  Mathew  Irvin. 

Masons  and  Bricklayers.— O.  L.  Kirk,  A.  H.  C.  Barber,  R  H 
Ross,  James  Spradling,  James  Kirk,  Samuel  Jackson. 

Painter.f  and  Glaziers. — J.  Robisou,  William  Spradling,  C. 
A.  Owens,  Geo.  Upshaw,  G.  Gladel,  Charles  Gideon,  James 
Fackerell. 

Jank  Storr.—B..  Taylor  &  Son. 

Tailiir. —  J.  Jepson. 

Po.-<lnia.itt'r. — Richard  Butler. 

.SOCIETIES  * 

Planlagcnct  L'jdge,  No.  2-5,  K.  of  P.  was  organized  under  dis- 
pensation from  the  Grand  Lodge,  March  6th,  1872,  and  char- 
tered January  2.5th,  1873.  The  following  were  the  charter  offi- 
cers: William  Swan,  C.  C;  Samuel  Proud,  V.  C;  A.  -J.  Lewis, 
Prelate  ;  A.  V.  Lisenby,  K.  of  R.  and  S.;  C.  C.  Stone,  M.  of  F.; 
Jno.  W.  Stiles,  M.  E.;  G.  H.  Gardner,  M.  A.;  Geo.  W.  Ely,  I. 
G.;  John  Cawrey,  O.  G.  Total  charter  membership  13.  The 
present  officers  are,  Richard  Butler,  P.  C;  E.  G.  Argo,  C.  C; 
Drew  Inman,  V.  C;  F.  0.  Pease,  Prelate ;  H.  L.  Hunter,  R.  R. 
andS.;  N.  E.  Wheeler,  M.  of  F.;  William  Metzger,  M.  of  E.; 
Lyman  Henry,  M.  at  A.;  A.  C.  Hosmer,  I.  G.;  jM.  M.  Woy,  O. 
G.;  A.  W.  Razey,  Deputy  Grand  Chancellor  for  District  of  De 
Witt.  F.  ]M.  Burroughs  is  Grand  Master  at  Arms  in  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  State  of  Illinois.  The  present  membership  is  75. 
The  Lodge  meets  in  their  Castle  Hall,  in  Warner's  Block  every 
Thursday  night.  The  condition  of  the  Lodge  financially  is  ex- 
cellent, owing  nothing,  and  has  8350  in  the  exchequer.  The 
past  two  years  have  been  very  important  ones  to  the  Lodge,  hav- 
ing increased  its  membership  from  3-4  to  75. 

A  new  and  important  feature  has  been  recently  added  to  this 
order,  entitled  the  Endowment  Rank  of  K.  of  P.,  and  is  in  a 
growing  and  prosperous  condition,  especially  is  this  true  with  sec- 
tion No.  205,  which  is  composed  of  the  members  of  Plantagenet 
Lodge,  No.  25.  This  feature  is  mainly  for  life  insuring  on  a  safe 
plan,  and  at  a  nominal  cost. 

*  We  are  indebted  to  the  Secretaries  of  tlie  varlouB  Lodges  for  infurmation 
ia  reference  to  tiie  same. 


De  Witt  Lndijc,  No.  84,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  was  instituted  Octo- 
ber 8th,  1850.  Evan  Richards,  John  Warner,  William  S.  Bates, 
and  several  others  of  the  order,  residing  at  or  near  Clinton,  were 
among  the  charter  members.  Evan  Richards  was  appointed  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  the  first  W.  M.;  John  Warner,  S.  W.;  and 
William  S.  Bates,  J.  W.  The  original  charter  and  records  were 
destroyed  in  the  great  fire  of  January  185s.  A  new  and  special 
charter  was  granted  June  22,  1859.  William  W.  Hickman  was 
the  W.  M.  The  Lodge  started  out  with  a  membership  of  84. 
The  names  of  the  present  officers  are  :  A.  V.  Lisenby,  W.  M.;  T. 

B.  IMcElhiney,  S.  W.;  A.  J.  McAboy,  J.  W.;  Samuel  Magill, 
Treasurer  ;  D.  McArtbur,  Secretary  ;  E.  Sylvester,  S.  D.;  Philip 
Wolf,  J.  D.;  A.  W.  Razey  and  Geo.  W.  Scott,  Stewards  ;  A.  H. 

C.  Barber,  Tyler.  The  present  membership  is  104.  The  Lodge 
meets  in  Masonic  Hall  on  Friday  evenings,  on  or  before  the  full 
of  the  moon. 

The  order  has  an  excellent  hall,  and  all  the  surroundings  to  do 
good  square  work. 

Gvodbrakc  Chapter,  No.  59,  R.  A.  M.  was  instituted  under  let- 
ters of  dispensation,  in  April,  1860,  and  chartered  by  the  Grand 
Chapter,  September  29,  1860,  with  the  following  officers;  Oliver 
Hetzel,  H.  P  ;  C.  Goodbrake,  K  ;  John  Warner,  S.  The  num- 
ber of  charter  members  was  17.  The  prejent  officers  are,  A.  D. 
McHenry,  H.  P.;  E.  Sylvester,  K.;  E.  Johnson,  S  ;  L.  L.  Mc 
Graw,  C.  H.;  O.  L  Kirk,  Treasurer  ;  O.  J.  Woodward,  Secre- 
tary ;  L  Frendenstein,  P.  S  ;  P.  AVolf,  R.  A.  C;  T.  B.  McElhiney, 
M.  3  v.;  A.  V.  Lisenby,  M.  2  V.  The  past  High  Priests  belong- 
ing to  this  chapter  are :  Dr.  C.  Goodbrake,  O.  Hetzel,  E.  H. 
Palmer,  John  Warner,  A.  H.  C.  Barber,  L.  H.  Cope,  W.  H. 
Taylor,  W.  C.  McMurry,  A.  D.  McHenry,  and  J.  T.  Hand. 

The  present  membership  is  80-  In  addition  to  the  chapter  de- 
grees, those  of  Cryptic  masonry  ai-e  also  confered  in  this  chapter. 
The  Chapter  meets  in  their  Hall,  in  JNIasonic  building,  in  regu- 
lar convocation  on  the  first  Tuesday  evening  in  each  month. 
The  finances  of  the  order  are  in  good  condition,  they  owning 
considerable  stock  in  the  Masonic  building. 

Olin-  Lodge,  No.  98,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  instituted  October  17th, 
1851,  by  D.  Durfee,  D.  G.  M.  H.,  and  chartered  November  26, 
of  the  same  year.  The  charter  officers  were,  Cyrus  Funk,  N. 
G. ;  W.  H.  Collins,  V.  G. ;  Robert  Lewis,  Sec  ;  James  Tidball, 
Treas. — there  were  but  five  charter  members.  The  present  offi- 
cers are,  Drew  Innmau,  N.  G. ;  N.  E.  Wheeler,  V.  G. ;  N.  F. 
Hunter,  Sec. ;  F.  P.  Brewer,  P.  S. ;  W.  H.  Britton,  Treasurer. 
Present  membership  35.  The  order  has  paid  out  about  82,000 
for  benefits,  and  has  assets  of  8500.  The  Lodge  meets  in  Odd 
Fellows'  Hall,  in  AVarner's  Block,  every  Tuesda)'  evening. 

Water  Lily  Lnd.jc,  No.  151,  I.  O.  G.  T.  This  Lodge  was  or- 
ganized June  19th,  1862  The  following  were  the  charter  officers, 
A.  H.  C.  Barber,  L.  D.  G.  W.  C.  T. ;  S  L.  Swords,  P.  W.  C.  T. ; 
James  J.  Robinson,  W.  C.  T.  ;  Sarah  J.  Stevens,  W.  V.  T. ; 
Joseph  R.  Wolf,  W.  S.  ;  A.  M.  Warner,  W.  F.  S. ;  Juliette 
Wolf,  W.  T..  A.  H.  C.  Barber,  W.  U. :  Ellen  King,  W.  A.  M. 
Numljer  of  charter  members  20.  The  present  officers  are,  Ellen 
Sweeny,  L.  D.  G.  W.  C.  T. ;  W.  B.  Rundle,  P.  W.  C.  T. ;  R.  B. 
Day,  W.  C.  T. ;  Adelia  T.  Allyn,  W.  V.  T. ;  E.  Allyn,  W.  S. ; 
A.  H.  C.  Barber,  W.  T.  S. ;  Sallie  V.  Field,  W.  T. ;  William 
Emerick,  W.  M. ;  Sophy  Hutchinson,  W.  A.  M.  Present  mem- 
bership 27. 

DE   WITT    COUNTY   .AGRICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

The  first  steps  taken  toward  establishing  this  society  ocurred 
in  the  summer  of  1855.     Notice  was  given  and  the  meeting  con- 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


157 


vened  at  the  court-house  with  a  goodly  number  in  attendance. 
In  organizing  William  Cottingham  wiv-;  chosen  chairman  of  the 
meeting,  and  Jno.  E.  Blackford  appointed  secretary.  The  meet- 
ing then  proceeded  to  elect  officers  for  the  prospective  association, 
which  were  a.s  follows:  President,  Jno.  D.  Hutcliin;  Secretary, 
Dr.  W.  W.  Adams;  Treasurer,  William  Smith  ;  Trustee.'^, 
William  Cottingham,  E.  H.  Robb,  Ambrose  Hall,  T.  F.  Cunditf, 
A.  P.  Cushman,  D.  H.  Prouty,  Barzilla  Campbell,  and  X.  ('. 
Cane.  A  constitution  was  drafted  with  the  usual  preliminaries, 
with  a  provision  that  Sl.OO  should  be  paid  into  the  treasury  in 
order  to  become  a  member  of  the  association.  The  following 
were  appointed  committeemen  to  solicit  memberships  in  each  pr.  - 
cinct :  Creek  Nation  precinct,  T.  Lane  and  Samuel  Smallwood  ; 
Waynesville,  John  Lisk  and  A.  P.  Cushman;  Long  Point,  H. 
Lane  and  Eli  Harrell ;  Mount  Pleasant,  Asa  Weedman  and 
Isaac  Monnett ;  Marion,  William  Cottingham  and  William 
Powers ;  Clinton,  C.  P.  Ford  and  James  Barnett. 

Perhaps  no  better  history  of  the  rise  and  jirogress  of  tliis 
society  could  be  given,  than  that  published  under  the  auspices  of 
the  association  in  1880.  We,  therefore,  take  the  liberty  to  glean 
from  the  same,  as  great  care  and  regard  for  facts  were  exercised 
by  the  writer ;  in  fact,  Mr.  W.  B.  Rundle,  now  secretary  of  the  i 
a.ssociation,says  that  it  can  be  relied  upon  as  correct  "  The  first  l 
annual  fair  of  the  De  Witt  County  Agricultural  Society  wns 
held  in  the  fall  of  186(5.  At  that  time  it  had  no  enclosed  grounds 
or  buildings,  but  launched  out  in  the  most  primitive  manner 
Where  the  late  Dr.  Porter's  residence  now  starjds  was  then  iiii 
open  fiehl,  overrun  with  smart-weed  and  dog-fennel.  Here  tli"  ' 
society  drcjve  stakes  and  encompassed  it  with  a  stout  rope.  lusldr 
of  this  ring  the  first  fair  was  held.  The  regulations  for  admissiuu 
were  twenty-five  cents  for  each  persim,  or  a  season  ticket  for  ii 
family,  one  dollar.  An  outsider  could  see  the  exhibition  as  well  as 
those  admitted,  but  to  the  credit  of  the  people  of  that  day 
nearly  everybody  bought  a  ticket,  an<l  did  not  take  advantage  oC 
the  facilities  of  crawling  under  the  rope  or  attempting  to  view 
the  exhibition  at  a  distance.  The  exhibition,  like  the  fair 
grounds,  was  a  slim  affair.  A  few  horses  and  a  meagre  nuniluT 
of  horned  cattle,  comprised  the  entire  list  of  stock  entered  fir 
premiums.  A  small  wagon  would  have  held  all  the  farm  pro- 
ducts on  exhibition.  The  best  display  was  made  by  the  women, 
of  home-made  bread,  cakes,  butter,  domestic  cheese,  fruits,  pre- 
serves, flowers  and  plants.  These  were  arranged  on  tables  situ- 
ated in  the  open  air.  On  other  tables  were  specimens  of  needle- 
work, kuitting.  bed  spreads,  etc  Everything  was  of  a  practical 
character,  and  but  very  little  of  the  fancy  arts.  The  total 
amount  paid  out  for  premiums  ut  this  fair  did  not  exced  fifty 
dollars. 

"  This  primitive  beginning  encouraged  the  promoters  of  the  en- 
terprise, and  before  the  time  came  for  holding  the  second  fair, 
the  society  bought  five  acres  of  ground  south-west  of  Clinton,  the 
place  now  owned  by  E  Giddings  and  occupied  by  T.  N.  Byerly. 
They  enclosed  the  ground  and  built  a  few  stalls  for  the  accom- 
modation of  stock.  There  was  no  amphitheater  or  floral  hall,  as 
such  luxuries  were  not  then  thought  of.  A  small  ring  was 
formed,  around  which  the  prize  stock  was  marched  in  .solemn 
procession.  This  was  a  great  day  for  the  association,  as  nearly 
the  whole  of  De  Witt  county  came  to  the  inauguration  of  the  new 
fairgrounds." 


The  interest  in  the  fairs  so  increased,  that  five  acres  soon  be- 
came too  small  to  accommodate  the  exhibitors  and  patrons  of  the 
society.  Consequently,  the  old  grounds  were  sold,  and  the  asso- 
ciation procured  the  present  site  from  R.  S-  Smith.  These  grounds 
are  handsomely  located,  and  situated  about  a  half  mile  from  the 
business  part  of  the  city.  They  contain  twenty  acres,  and  cost 
the  .society  SI, '200  In  one  corner  is  situated  a  fine  grove,  con- 
venient for  the  hitching  of  teams,  and  a  resting-place  for  those  in 
atten<lance.  A  half  mile  track  is  well  kept  for  trotting  pur- 
po.scs  ;  substantial  sheds  and  stalls  are  constructed  on  the  south 
and  west  sides  of  the  enclosure.  A  large  amphitheater,  capable 
of  accommodating  five  hundred  persons,  and  a  roomy  floral  hall 
adorn  the  grounds. 

The  a.s.sociation  has  had  some  reverses  to  impede  its  legitimate 
progress;  yet  it  has  been  remarkably  fortunate  in  paying  its  pre- 
mium-i.  as  from  the  first,  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  years, 
it  has  paid  one  hundred  cents  on  the  dollar.  This  necessarily 
gives  the  society  a  first-ela.ss  reputation  among  its  exhibitors.  At 
the  lowest  cash  value,  the  property  of  the  society  is  worth  $.5,000, 
on  which  there  is  but  a  small  indebtedness.  By  a  liberal  sup- 
port of  the  people  this  indebtedness  will  soon  be  wiped  out,  and 
the  Agricultural  Siciety  of  De  Witt  county  will  stand  among  the 
foremo.st  in  central  Illinois. 

The  following  are  the  officers  of  the  association  for  1880: — 
President,  James  A.  Wilson  ;  First  Vice-President.  Jacob  Swi- 
gart;  Second  Vice-President,  H.  P.  Smith  ;  Treasurer,  Edward 
Weld;  Secretary,  Lewis  Campbell;  Superintendent,  John  A. 
Phares;  Marshal,  Arthur  Moore;  Directors,  George  Weedman, 
George  S  Newmm,  John  Taylor,  John  Vandevort,  John  Mc- 
Millan, William  G  Shaw,  D.iniel  Fuller,  Jacob  Parlier,  Smith 
Fuller,  Henry  Simpson,  L.  B.  Chenoweth,  William  Haberfield, 
and  J.  H.  Randolph. 

E.'iecutive  Committee:  Henry  Ziglier,  M.  R.  Colwell,  F.  M. 
Borroughs,  Peter  Sfirague,  and  Arthur  Moore. 

We  have  thus  summed  up  the  history  of  Clintonia  township, 
from  the  first  blow  struck  within  its  territory  to  the  present  time, 
[t  will  not  be  difficult  for  the  reader,  pioneer,  or  later  citizen,  to 
see  the  progress  it  has  made.  It  has  the  soil,  the  wealth  aud  the 
people  to  make  greater  development  within  the  next  half  century 
than  it  has  in  the  past.  It  is  true  that  it  has  a  railroad  indebt- 
edness, but  with  its  growing  population  and  the  natural  resources 
of  the  township,  it  will  not  be  a  heavy  burden  when  due.  This 
bonded  debt  is  as  follows: — .S")0,000  was  voted  to  the  Gilman, 
Clinton  and  Springfield  road  in  1871,  and  made  payable  in 
twenty  years.  The  same  amount  was  voted  for  the  benefit  of 
what  is  now  the  Wabash  road,  and  made  payable  in  two  instal- 
ments, ten  and  twenty  years.  These  bonds  were  issued  in  July, 
1872.  810,000  of  the  latter  will  be  paid  in  1882,  there  being  a 
sufficient  amount  already  in  the  treasury  to  make  it  compara- 
tively light  on  the  people 

The  following  U  the  census  of  the  township  and  city  within  the 
last  three  decades — 

18(5(1.  1870.  1880, 

Township,         -  -    1,984  2  G:38  3,308 

City,  -         -         -    1,:3(52  1,800  2,702 


Total, 


3,340 


4,438 


6,010 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


■^  }^  9?i 


^<ij. 


Was  the  first  born  of  a  family  of  eight  brothers  anil  sisters,  the 
children  of  Isaac  and  Philena  Jloore.  Isaac  Moore  was  born  in 
Half  Moon,  Saratoga  coenty.  New  York,  January  31,  1794. 
His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  serving 
the  entire  period  of  its  dnration  ;  he  was  a  man  of  remarkable 
physical  powers.  At  the  age  of  ninety  he  could  mount  a  horse ; 
at  ninety-three  he  walked  a  distance  of  fourteen  miles  in  a  half 
day — was  of  English  ancestry.  Isaac  Moore  enjoyed  the  slen- 
derest possible  opportunities  for  the  acquirement  of  even  a  rudi- 
mentary education,  the  entire  period  of  his  attendance  at  school 
not  e.Kceeding  four  months.  Nevertheless,  possessing  bright 
mental  qualities  and  a  will  that  brushed  aside  whatever  obstacles 
confronted  him,  he  obtained,  by  reading  and  observation,  an 
education  sufficient  for  the  discharge  in  an  efficient  manner  of 
the  duties  of  an  ordinary  life.  At  the  age  of  eighteen,  accom- 
panied by  his  mother,  two  married  sisters  and  their  husbands, 
and  one  unmarried  sister,  he  removed  to  Kirtland,  Lake  county, 
Ohio,  and  now  he  is  spending  the  evening  of  a  busy  life  with  his 
sons  in  this  county.  His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Philena 
Blish,  died  May  14,  1832.  Clifton  H.  Moore  obtained  a  fair 
education  in  the  country  schools,  in  which  he  studied  geometry, 
trigonometry  and  surveying,  and  which  advancement  was  sup- 
plemented by  reciting  a  few  months  to  a  Presbyterian  clergyman, 
and  attendance  at  Painesville  Academy  and  Western  Reserve 
Teachers'   Seminary,   which   was   taught    in   the   old   Mormon 


Temple  at  Kirtland.  During  part  of  this  time  he  was  engaged 
in  the  labor  of  teaching.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  came 
to  Illinois,  locating  in  Pekin,  with  less  than  five  dollars 
in  his  pocket,  where  he  read  law  with  Messrs.  Bayley  and 
Wilmot;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Springfield  July,  1841. 
August  of  the  .same  year  found  hira  the  pioneer  attorney  in 
De  Witt  county.  At  the  time  he  was  without  means,  but  pos- 
sessed of  courage,  ambition,  a  mind  richly  stored  with  knowledge, 
an  energy  resistless  in  its  character.  To  work  he  went — no  idh- 
raoments  for  him,  and  success  has  crowned  his  efibrts.  In  1852 
he  became  associated  with  the  Hon.  David  Davis  in  the  purchase 
of  lands.  They  jointly  own  many  farms,  which  are  kept  in  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  Mr.  Moore  was  a  member  of  the  Con- 
stitutional convention  in  1S70,  and  contributed  much  to  its 
deliberations.  Politically  he  has  been  a  Whig,  and  then  Repub- 
lican. He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Klizabeth  Richmond, 
of  Tremont,  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  August  14,  1845.  By  this 
union  there  have  been  born  four  children,  two  of  whom,  Arthur 
Moore  and  Mrs.  Winifred  Warner,  are  now  living.  His  wife 
died  May  30,  1871  ;  she  was  the  daughter  of  Arouet  Riclimond, 
of  Rhode  Island,  and  was  a  most  estimable  lady.  He  was 
married  to  Rose  Onstine  July,  1873.  Eminently  public- 
spirited,  Mr.  Moore  is  foremost  in  everything  tending  to  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  his  adopted  home. 

159 


f 


JEMIMA  McGRAW. 


Perhaps  ho  name  is  more  familiar  among  the  pioneers  of  De 

Witt  County,  than  that  of  Judge  McGraw.     A  teacher  in  early 

times ;  an  officer  in  some  capacity  almost  constantly  ;  associated 

with  every  thing  calculated  to  promote  his  county's  interests,  his 

name  figures  prominently  upon  the  pages  of  the  county's  history. 

He  was  born  in  Fairfield  district,  South  Carolina,  January  18th, 

1807.     His   parents   were  Charles   and   Jane   McGraw.     Both 

parents  were  of  Irish   descent ;   his  mother  was  born  in  Ireland. 

When  John   was   about   ten  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  to 

Alabama  :  a  few  years  after  he  went  to  Louisiana  to  take  charge 

of  a  plantation  as  superintendent,  which  he  did  before  attaining 

his  majority.     In  1827  he  went  to  Monroe  County,  Kentucky, 

where   on   the  31st  day  of  January,  18-30,  he  was  married  to 

Jemima  Lane.     The  same  year  in  company  with  others  they 

came   to  De   Witt   County,   reaching   here   May   4th.     Judge 

McGraw  followed  the  pursuits  of  farming  and  teaching  for  many 

years.     When  De  Witt  County  was  organized  in   1839,  he  was 

chosen  Clerk  of  the  County  Commissioner's  Court,  a  position  he 

held  for  eighteen  consecutive  years.     During  the  same  time  he 
21 


was  Master  of  Chancery  under  appointment  of  Judge  Treat; 
nor  was  this  all,  he  was  also  School  Commissioner.  His  fitness 
to  fill  these  positions  received  universal  recognition.  In  addi- 
tion to  these  offices  Jlr.  McGraw  was  Police  Magistrate  of  the 
Citv  of  Clinton  six  years,  and  Assistant  Asse.ssor  under  the 
Revenue  Laws  for  four  years.  Was  elected  Judge  of  the  County 
Court  in  1877,  which  position  he  resigned  April  12th,  1881.  In 
all  the  places  of  profit  or  trust  the  Judge  has  held,  he  has  exer- 
cised commendable  judgment  and  given  eminent  satisfaction. 
Politicallv  he  is  a  Republican.  His  wife  died  November  25th, 
1877.  She  was  a  woman  of  worth,  a  helpmeet  in  pioneer  times 
that  did  honor  to  the  name.  By  her  the  Judge  had  five  child- 
ren, two  of  whom,  Leander  S.  and  Nellie  C.  are  living,  and  three 
are  dead,  as  follows:  Mary  Elmira,  who  died  in  childhood: 
Jane,  died  May  8th,  1876,  and  Melvina,  his  eldest  daughter,  died 
September  12th,  1881.  Judge  McGraw  is  spoken  of  so  fre- 
quently in  connection  with  the  county's  history  and  in  chapter 
on  Pioneers  as  to  render  further  account  here  unnecessary. 

161 


In  every  community  there  are  examples  of  what  maybe  accom- 
plished in  lifeby  mapping  out  a  thorough  business  course  and  living 
up  to  its  reijuireraents.  Men  who  reduce  every  thing  to  system 
depending  not  upon  luck,  but  upon  energy  and  application  to 
business  which  insure  success.  To  this  class  belongs  the  subject 
of  this  sketch.  John  Warner  was  born  in  the  valley  of  Virginia 
Rockingham  county  on  the  24th  day  of  July,  1819.  His  parent.* 
were  David  and  Catharine  ( lue  Ketner)  Warner.  Thev  were  ot 
German  extraction.  His  father  was  a  farmer^  and  here  in  the 
beautiful  valley  were  the  first  sixteen  years  of  John's  life  spent. 
In  1835  his  father  having  sold  the  old  homestead  started  for  the 
AVest;  leaving  the  place  of  his  birth  and  boyish  fancies,  on  the  3d 
day  of  September,  their  effects  stowed  in  two  wagons,  they  wend- 
ed their  way  across  the  Alleghenies,  and  passed  through  Columbus, 
Ohio,  on  the  28th  of  the  month,  where  they  encountered  a  vio- 
lent snow  ^torm,  and  reached  Wayne  county  Indiana  late  in 
October,  where  they  wintered.  Here  they  found  everything  high 
in  price;  the  poorest  kind  of  wheat  was  82.00  per  bushel,  and 
frost-bitten  corn  75c.  In  Jlarch  following  they  moved  to  Henry 
county  where  his  father  had  purchased  a  farm.  One  year  here, 
satisfied  John  with  log  rolling  and  plowing  among  the  stumps 
in  the  beech  woods,  and  as  he  had  acquired  a  fair  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  state,  he  left  the  parental 
roof  to  teach,  which  he  did  in  the  rude  cabins  that  at  the  time 
abounded  in  Indiana,  receiving  for  his  service  S25  per  mouth. 
At  the  same  lime  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  the 
guidance  of  Doctors  Wyman  and  Carmine  of  Anderson, 
Madison  eo..  with  whom  he  remained  until  1840.  On  the  30th 
of  October,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Cynthia  A.  Gardiner,  of 
Henry  county,  and  on  the  2nd  of  June  following  started  west- 


ward with  about  one  hundred  dollars  in  money,  two  ponies  and  a 
very  poor  carriage,  with  no  particular  point  in  view,  simply  drift- 
ing with  the  tide — he  found  himself  in  the  old  town  of  Mt. 
Pleasant,  (  now  Farmer  City),  about  the  20th  of  the  month.  At 
the  time  there  were  five  dwelling-houses  and  one  hotel  in  the 
place.  The  hotel  kept  by  John  Smith  furnished  him  shelter  un- 
til he  could  procure  a  house,  which  he  soon  after  did,  a  cabin  12 
xl2,  all  told.  Here  he  practiced  medicine  for  two  years,  when 
he  moved  to  Clinton,  where  he  has  since  resided.  When  wars 
alarms  aroused  our  country  to  the  danger  of  dismemberment  the 
doctor  promptly  enlisted,  engaged  to  raise  a  company  and  was 
made  major  of  the  4lst  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  was  at  the  surrender  of  Fort  Henry, — in  the  battle  of  Fort 
Donelson,  of  Shiloh,  of  Davis  Bridge  on  the  Hatchie  river,  at  the 
evacuation  of  Corinth.  At  Shiloh  he  contracted  that  dread 
scourge  of  armv  life,  the  diarrhoea,  by  eating  part  of  an  old 
goose  captured  and  cooked  by  his  servant.  The  goose  had  by 
some  means  escaped  being  devoured  by  the  .Johnnies — a  fate  the 
doctor  yet  wishes,  it  had  met,  as  from  the  effects  of  its  eating  he 
was  compelled  to  resign  his  position,  aud  from  which  he  has  scarce 
recovered.  For  twelve  years  the  doctor  followed  his  profession 
in  this  country, — a  profession'he  disliked  and  which  he  exchanged 
for  more  congenial  pursuits  at  the  earliest  opportunity.  From 
1848  to  1852  he  was  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  and  in  1864-66. 
was  a  member  of  the  24th  General  Assembly,  Illinois.  His  wife 
died  February  15th,  1865.  He  was  married  to  Isabella  Robinson 
of  Huron  county,  Ohio,  May  28th,  1874.  In  1867  he  commenced 
banking  operations,  in  which  he  has  since  most  successfully  con- 
tinued He  is  methodical  in  all  things,  temperate,  indu.-trious, 
and  of  that  strict  integrity  which  never  wrongs  a  man. 


^^e*r^^::«&^^^:<^ 


One  of  the  leading  merchants  of  Clinton,  has  been  a  resident  of 
DeWitt  county  since  October,  1854.  He  is  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont, where  he  was  born  July  14th,  1826.  His  parents  were  df 
Irish  birth.  His  father,  Hugh  Magill,  was  a  manufacturer  of 
cotton  goods,  which  business  he  prosecuted  in  Malone,  New 
York,  whither  he  moved  when  .^amuel  was  a  youth.  In  con- 
nection with  this  business  he  also  opened  a  stock  nf  general 
merchandise,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  acquired  his  busi- 
ness tastes  and  habits. 

The  family  consisted  of  four  brothers  and  two  sisters,  namely  : 
William,  Samuel,  Rebecca,  Henry,  Robert,  who  died  January 
1.5,  1874  ;  and  Mary  Ann. 


Mr.  Magill  is  strictly  a  man  of  business.  He  first  came  to 
Illinois,  stopping  in  Bloomington,  in  1852  ;  and  two  years  there- 
after he  located  in  Clinton.  Possessed  of  keen  perception  and 
correct  judgment,  he  has  been  eminently  successful  in  life.  He 
has  established  a  reputation  among  his  fellows  for  unquestioned 
integrity  of  character  and  high  moral  worth.  In  politics  he  has 
been  a  Republican  since  the  organization  of  that  party.  He  is 
an  esteemed  member  of  the  Masonic  Order.  As  a  merchant, 
he  has  been  successful.  Twenty-eight  years  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits in  Clinton  have  resulted  in  giving  him  an  enviable 
trade. 

165 


y^Z^z/i 


The  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch  was  born  iu  Bntler 
county,  Ohio,  October  loth,  1841.  He  came  with  his  parents  to 
De  Witt  county,  Illinois,  iu  1849.  Here  he  had  fair  advau- 
tages  for  the  acquirement  of  an  education,  under  the  instruction 
of  Professor  Turner-  In  1867  he  commenced  the  study  uf  hiw 
with  E.  H.  Palmer,  and  in  1869  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  becom- 
ing at  once  the  partner  of  William  Fuller  He  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Nancy  P.  Hutchins,  February  loth,  1865.  By  this 
union  there  are  four  children  living  and  two  dead.  Mrs.  Gra- 
ham was  the  daughter  of  .John  D   Hutchins,  a  very  popular  and 


influential  citizen,  who  lived  in  the  western  part  of  the  county, 

and  whose  energy  wis   rewarded   by  the   acquisition   of  large 

wealth.     The  Hutchins  were  among  the  pioneers  of  the  county, 

and  contributed  largely  to  the  development  of  its  resources. 

Mr.  Graham  i.s  studious,  attentive  to  business,  an  excellent 

judge  of  law,  and  cares  more  for  success  in  its  practice  than  for 

the  honors  of  office;  although,  since  1873,  he  has  been  Master 

in  Chancery,  and   in    1880   he  was    elected    Jlayor  of  Clinton, 

which  position  he  now  liolds.     A  man  of  broad  views,  generous 

impulses,  social  qualitie.-  of  a  hii;h  order — success  attends  him. 

167 


rt2-^^^ 


Was  born  August  loth,  1806,  in  Warren  county,  Ohio.  His 
parents  were  William  and  Phebe  Graham.  His  father  was  a 
tailor  by  trade,  although  he  exchanged  that  occupation  for 
farming.  He  was  born  in  county  Down,  Ireland  in  April,  1757, 
and  died  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  in  July,  1857 — a  centenarian, 
as  his  mother  before  him  had  been,  having  died  at  the  good  old 
age  of  one  hundred  and  one  years.  He  was  brouL'ht  by  his 
parents  to  Lancaster  county  Pennsylvania,  in  1759,  tlience  went 
to  Ohio,  becoming  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  that  State. 

Samuel  Graham  had  but  meagre  opportunities  for  acquiring 
an  education  in  youth,  but  made  the  most  of  his  chances.  He 
was  married  to  Hannah   Kirbv,  November  1st,  l'S2y.     Bv  this 


'  union  there  have  been  born  thirteen  children,  of  whom  twelve 
are  now  living,  eight  boys  and  four  girls.  Two  of  his  sons  are 
attorneys,  one  a  doctor ;  the  others  are  following  various  pur- 
suits. Samuel  Graham  came  to  DeWitt  county  in  1849,  and 
wa,s  elected  Associate  Justice  of  the  County  Court  in  1853,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  sis  years,  when  the  adoption  of  town- 
ship organization  disbamled  the  court.  He  next  served  as  Jus- 
tire  of  the  Peace  until  1865,  when  he  was  elected  County  Judge, 
which  office  he  held  acceptably  to  the  people  for  four  years. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  JIasonic  Order.  He  is  in  the  enjoyment 
of  his  own  home,  where  he  spends  the  evening  of  life  in  ease  and 

comfort. 

169 


/^^^^  ^.^  ygr:/-^^  /^  J^ 


Society  has  its  born  leaders  as  well  as  its  def'eiidauts;  its  bulil 
aggressive  spirits  as  well  as  its  following  masses  ;  its  men,  fitted 
by  nature  to  take  hold  of,  and  push  forward  public  enterprises  as 
■well  as  its  muscular  working  men.  To  that  class,  able  to  ])hin  an 
enterprise  requiring  skill,  and  nerve,  and  carry  it  forward  to  a 
happy  realization,  belongs  Col.  Thomas  Snell.  His  whole  life 
has  been  filled  -with  surprises  to  his  friends.  The  story  of  that 
life  may  not  be  without  its  good  effect.  He  was  born  in  the  city 
of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  December  26th,  1818.  His  parents  were 
Thomas  and  Eliza  Snell.  His  father  was  a  contractor  and  com- 
mission merchant ;  he  was  born  in  New  Jersey  and  died  in  Pekin, 
Illinois.  His  mother  died  in  Iowa.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  fourth  of  a  family  of  five  brothers.  All  are  dead  except 
himself  and  Joseph,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  who  lives  in  Iowa. 
His  early  advantages  for  acquiring  an  education  were  meagre 
indeed,  being  only  such  as  were  offered  in  central  Illinois  in  the 
days  of  log  school-houses,  as  his  father  moved  to  Pekin,  then 
called  Townsite,  in  the  year  l.S-9.  Until  1845  he  lived  in  Pekin 
and  Washington,  Tazewell  county,  when  he  came  to  Clinton, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  and  where  he  has  achieved  that  suc- 
cess in  life  which  has  attended  his  great  energy  and  tireless  indus- 
try. While  in  Washington  he  followed  mercantile  pursuits, 
which  business  he  prosecuted  in  Clinton  until  18.52,  when  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  was  being  built.  At  once  he  took  an 
active  and  leading  part  in  railway  construction,  and  one  after  the 
other  took  contracts  for  building  miles  of  the  Illinois  Central, 
the  Chicago  and  Southwestern,  1-50  miles  ;  Joliet  and  Chicago,  40 
miles;  Racine  and  Mississippi,  .30  miles;  Ohio  and  Dayton,  40 
miles  ;  80  miles  of  the  Bloomington,  Lafayette  and  jMississippi ; 


Lafayette  and  !Muncie,  Su  miles ;  graded  and  bridged  the  road 
from  Champaign  to  Havana,  a  distance  of  101  miles,  of  which 
road  he  was  made  Pre>ident,  the  first  in  its  history.  Apparently 
he  studied  less  respecting  taking  a  railway  construction  contract, 
than  many  men  do  in  making  a  horse  trade.  His  quickness  of 
perception,  and  keen  insight  into  business  stood  him  well  in  hand  in 
all  these  contracts.  His  restless  energy  was  not  satisfied  even 
with  all  this  business,  so  we  find  him  carrying  on  an  extensive 
wagon  factory  in  Aurora,  which  he  in  company  with  S.  L.  Keith 
erected  in  18.5!),  and  continued  until  186.5.  At  one  time  he  had 
two  hundred  and  fifty  hands  employed  in  the  works.  Politically  he 
was  for  years  a  Democrat ;  and  in  1860  ran  for  Lieutenant  Gover- 
nor on  the  Breckenridge  ticket.  At  this  time  so  valuable  were 
his  services  rated  politically,  that  general  McClellan,  at  the  time 
President  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railway,  and  Stephen  A. 
Douglas,  came  to  Clinton  in  a  special  car  and  offered  him  any 
sum  he  might  name,  to  give  his  infiueuoe  for  the  Douglas  demo- 
cracy. But  no ;  money  offered  no  temptation  where  principles 
were  at  stake,  and  the  otter  which  he  spurned  only  caused  him  to 
labor  the  more  zealously  in  the  cause  he  conceived  to  be  right. 
Notwithstanding  his  affiliation  with  the  democracy,  as  soon  as  the 
clouds  of  war  appeared  in  our  national  skies,  his  patriotism 
found  vent  in  expressions  that  sent  a  thrill  of  cheer  to  every  loyal 
heart  in  his  vicinity,  and  his  voice  was  loud  for  the  preservation 
of  the  Uniou.  In  the  spring  of  1861  the  firing  on  Fort  Sumter 
moved  him  to  words  of  desperation.  "Out  upon  all  rebels,  hang 
them  one  and  all,"  was  his  cry.  In  August,  1862,  he  raised  the 
107th  regiment,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  com- 
mand he  remained  as  Colonel  six  months.     Whilst  in  this  posi- 

171 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUXTY,  IIIINOIS. 


173 


tion  he  rebelled  against  what  he  considered  the  slow  movements 
of  the  Union  Armies  and  the  spirit  of  conciliation  manifested. 
"  Give  the  rebels  no  quarter,"  said  he.  During  the  year  1862 
considerable  grain  was  shipped  south  from  Illinois.  Col.  Snell 
promptly  telegraphed  the  facts  to  Governor  Yates,  and  said, 
"  Stop  the  shipment  of  grain  south,  or  I  will."  Watchful,  vigilant, 
ever  awake  to  the  comfort  of  his  "  boys"  he  was  popular  with  all. 
Early  in  the  war  he  declared  his  prediction  that  negroes  would  be 
enlisted  as  soldiers — a  prediction  at  the  time  sneered  at  by  the 
masses  of  Union  men.  He  believed  in  doing  everything  calcu- 
lated to  strengthen  the  Union  cause  and  cripple  that  of  the 
rebellion.  In  1864  he  almost  decided  not  to  vote  for  Abraham 
Lincoln,  because  he  was  not  radical  enough  for  him.  Those  who 
knew  Tom  during  the  war  and  heard  his  sayings,  speak  of  him 
as  being  most  radically  radical,  bold,  outspoken  and  defiant. 
He  refused  to  guard  rebel  property — declaring  it  only  de- 
served destruction,  as  did  its  owners.  Whilst  passing  through 
the  city  of  Louisville  his  regiment  lustily  saug,  "John  Brown's 
bijdy  lies  mouldering  in  thegrave,"greatly  to  the  edification  of  the 
negro  population  and  mortification  of  qinixi  Union  men,  whom 
the  Colonel  heartily  despised.  For  this,  coupled  with  his 
orders  to  his  soldiers  to  burn  fences  where  necessary  to 
their  comfort ;  forage  where  foraging  would  add  to  their 
happiness,  in  defiance  of  general  orders  he  was  arrested 
and  put  in  jail  by  General  Boyle,  commander  of  the  Post 
at  Louisville.  -This  conquered  not  his  spirit,  but  he  still  declared 
his  soldiers  had  come  to  fight  rebels,  not  to  guard  their  property. 
Through  the  interposition  of  Lawrence  Weldou  and  Leonard 
Switt  he  was  liberated,  and  in  1863  returned  to  his  active  citizen 
life.  In  whatever  he  has  engaged  he  has  lieeu  successful,  whether 
it  be  building  a  railroad,  playing  the  politician,  running  a  manu- 
facturing estalilishment,  engaged  in  banking  or  farming,  he  is 
the  same  wide  awake  business  man.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
to  a  most  estimaljle  lady  iSIiss  Sarah  E.  Church,  of  Washington, 

Illinois,  on  the By  this  union  there  have 

been  born  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living,  two  are  dead. 
His  wife  died  October  11th,  1875.  Of  her  it  can  l)e  truly  said, 
she  was  one  of  God's  noble  women.  Her  philanthroiMO  heart 
beat  in  sympathy  with  distress  wherever  found.  The  poor  never 
left  her  door  "  empty-handed,  heavy-hearted  ;  "  a  word  of  cheer 
she  always  had,  from  the  depths  of  her  affection,  for  one  and  all. 
In  woman's  sphere  of  usefulness  she  acted  well  and  willingly  her 
part.  Of  Col.  Suell  it  may  be  said,  he  combines  more  of  the 
elements  of  success  than  are  allotted  the  average  of  mortals. 
Reverses  never  daunt,  nor  do  successes  unman  hjm. 


DR.  EDWARD  PORTER,  (Dece.^sed,) 
Was  born  in  Sinking  Springs,  Highland  county,  Ohio,  Feb.  6th, 
1833,  died  in  Clinton.  March  1st,  1879.  His  early  life  was  spent 
on  a  farm.  Being  a  great  lover  of  books,  he  gave  all  his  spare 
time  to  the  study  of  solid  literature  ;  and  this  intellectual  train- 
ing fitted  him  for  the  sphere  of  usefulness  he  filled  in  life.  At 
the  age  of  seventeen  he  taught  school,  having  a  number  of  pupils 
older  than  himself  In  18.51  he  commenced  the  study  of  medi- 
cine. In  1852  came  to  De  Witt  county,  where  he  first  engaged 
in  farming.  For  ten  years  he  continued  farming  operations,  all 
the  while  devoting  much  time  to  the  study  of  medicin°  and  gen- 
eral literature.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and 
Seventh  Regiment,  Illinois  Infantry,  and  served  his  country 
faithfully  for  two  years,  when  he  was  discharged  on  account  of 
physical  disability.    Returning  to  his  home  from  the  war  in  1864 


he  was  nominated  as  the  Republican  candidate  for  couuty  trea- 
surer, and  elected  by  a  large  majority  ;  and  again  in  1866  he  was 
re-elected.  After  the  expiration  of  his  second  term  of  service  he 
devoted  his  entire  attention  to  the  study  of  medicine,  and  in  the 
winter  of  186S-9  he  attended  a  course  of  medical  lectures  in  Phila- 
delphia in  the  Homeojiathic  College  of  Pennsylvania,  from 
which  institution  he  graduated  with  honor.  On  his  return  to 
Clinton  he  bought  Dr.  Mitchell's  practice  and  almost  immediately 
took  first  rank  among  physicians  of  DeWitt  pounty.  He  was  a 
careful  and  conscientious  phyt-iciau,  and  devoted  himself  to  the 
study  of  his  profession.  Dr.  Porter  was  a  man  of  great  force  of 
character  and  strong  prejudices,  yet  the  warm  impulses  of  his 
nature  made  him  a  generous  enemy  while  he  was  the  truest  of 
friends.  Whatever  he  believed  was  right,  he  believed  with  his 
whole  soul  and  gave  his  convictions  the  full  strength  of  his  man- 
hood. In  politics  an  uncompromising  Republican  ;  in  religion 
an  ardent  believer  in  the  teachings  of  Swedenborg ;  in  medicine 
a  most  enthusiastic  homeopath,  he  was  a  vigorous  writer  and 
could  ably  defend  his  professional  and  religous  views.  His  mo- 
rality was  of  the  highest  type,  and  his  voice  and  influence  were 
always  on  the  side  of  good  government.  On  June  18th,  1856, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lucy  E.  Mills,  who  survives 
him.  Thc-e  were  born  to  them  nine  children.  Dr.  Porter's 
memory  will  be  kept  green  in  the  hearts  of  hosts  of  old  patrons  and 
warm  friends. 


J.  H.  WAGGONER, 
Editor  and  proprietor  of  the  ('Union  J!er/)4ei;  was  born  in  the 
present  Whitley  township,  Moultrie  county,  then  a  ]iart  of  Shelby 
county,  September  1, 1832.  His  ancestors  were  of  German  origin, 
and  resided  in  North  Carolina.  His  father,  Amos  Waggoner,  and 
his  mother,  Narcissa  Jay,  were  born,  raised  and  married  in  Ruther- 
ford county,  North  Carolina.  They  came  to  Illinois  and  settled 
on  Whitley  creek  in  1828  .  ]\Ir.  Waggoner  was  reared  in  that 
part  of  the  county.  In  1850,  when  he  was  eighteen,  his  father 
moved  with  the  family  to  Sullivan,  and  died  in  1854.  Amos 
Waggoner  was  a  man  of  good  natural  ability,  though  like  most 
of  the  early  pioneers,  he  was  self-educated.  He  served  two  or 
three  terms  as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
was  associate  judge.  When  about  twenty-two,  Mr.  Waggoner 
took  charge  of  a  school  and  taught  three  terms.  In  the  spring 
of  1858,  in  partnership  with  his  brothers,  he  purchased  the  Sul- 
livan Express,  which  had  been  established  the  preceding  fall, 
and  was  the  first  newspaper  published  in  Moultrie  county ;  he 
was  connected  with  this  paper  till  I860-  In  1861  he  was  elected 
assessor  and  treasurer  of  the  county,  and  served  two  years.  In 
1864  he  was  elected  circuit  clerk,  and  was  re-elected  for  three 
terms,  thus  filling  the  office  for  sixteen  years  in  succession — a 
longer  period  than  any  other  county  officer  has  held  position  in 
Bluultrie  connty.  After  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service,  he 
gave  his  attention  to  the  abstract  business,  which  he  prosecuted 
until  last  October,  when  he  moved  to  Clinton,  and  bought  the 
office  of  the  Clinton  Ber/ister.  He  has  inaugurated  many  im- 
provements in  the  office,  and  is  giving  his  patrons  an  excellent 
county  paper.  He  was  married  on  the  12th  of  February,  1858, 
to  Miss  Laura  E.  Henry,  daughter  of  Elder  B.  W.  Henry,  one 
of  the  early  ministers  of  the  Christian  church.  Jlrs.  Waggoner 
w\as  born  in  Shelby  county.  There  are  seven  children  by  this 
marriage.  Mr.  Waggoner  has  always  been  a  Democrat.  For 
more  than  twenty  years  he  has  Ijeen  an  active  and  consistent 
member  of  the  Christian  church. 


Editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Clinton.  Public,  \s  a.  Dative  of  Canada, 
was  born  in  Coteau  du  Lac  on  the  11th  of  I\''ovember,  1834. 
His  father  and  mother  were  born  in  Ireland,  and  came  to  Canada 
but  a  few  months  before  the  birth  of  their  son.  His  father, 
Michael  Butler,  was  a  soldier  in  the  British  army,  and  died  at 
the  age  of  thirty-four.  His  mother  died  in  March,  1874,  leaving 
Eichard  the  only  surviving  member  ofa  family  of  thirteen  children. 
During  the  early  years  of  the  life  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  he 
fully  experienced  the  keen  pangs  of  poverty.  His  mother  being 
left  a  widow  with  four  young  children,  and  without  means,  had 
to  fight  the  battle  of  life  with  the  odds  against  her.  Richard's 
education  was  limited,  having  when  he  was  but  ten  years  old  to 
begin  work  to  help  support  the  family.  For  two  years  he  worked 
with  a  confectioner  and  baker  in  Montreal,  but  his  health  failing  he 
had  to  try  a  change  of  occuijatiou.  He  drifted  from  one  class  of 
work  to  another  till  finally  he  became  an  apprentice  in  the  office 
of  the  London  Free  Press  in  1849.  From  there  he  went  to  Ham- 
ilton and  worked  in  the  Canada  Christian  Advocate  and  other 
printing  oiBces.  In  1852  he  went  to  Rochester,  New  York,  and 
from  that  time  to  the  present  has  been  a  resident  of  the  United 
States,  excepting  a  short  time  he  spent  in  Hamilton,  Canada, 
before  and  after  his  marriage.  On  the  19th  of  October,  1857, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  Scoll,  of  Niagara,  Canada,  the  ser- 
vicer being  performed  by  W.  G.  Wright,  pastor  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  In  1859  he  left  Canada,  and  came  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
where  he  worked  as  a  compositor  in  the  book  room  of  the  Jleth- 
odist  Book  Concern,  and  on  the  Cincinnati  Daily  Enquirer.  On 
the  1st  of  March,  1862,  he  bought  the  office  of  the  Oxford 
(Ohio)  Citizen,  which  paper  he  published,  excepting  a  few 
months  he  was  in  the  army  during  the  war,  till  1869,  when  he 


sold  the  Citizen  and  bought  the  Oberlin  Sews.  Butler's  idea  of 
a  newspaper  did  not  suit  the  faculty  of  Oberlin  College.  They 
wanted  a  religious  paper  ;  he  published  a  neu-spaper  in  which  the 
local  events  of  Oberlin  had  due  prominence.  In  disgust  he  sold 
his  paper  after  two  years'  hard  work,  to  a  theological  student  who 
had  graduated  from  Oberlin  College,  and  years  afterward  lost 
S1,000,  through  this  same  religious  youth.  His  recollections  of 
Oberlin  are  not  pleasing  in  view  of  that  §1,000  he  lost  by  one  of 
its  shining  lights.  He  then  determined  to  follow  Horace 
Greeley's  advice  and  come  west.  His  first  point  was  Burlington, 
Iowa,  where  for  a  time  he  held  the  position  of  city  editor  on  the 
celebrated  Burlington  Hawkeije.  Not  feeling  at  home  while 
working  for  other  masters  than  himself  he  came  to  Clinton,  and 
on  the  Ist  of  March,  1872,  bought  the  Clinton  Public.  During 
his  ten  years  in  Clinton  he  has  met  with  fair  success  in  business, 
and  is  now  filling  the  office  of  postmaster.  Butler  is  an  ardent 
Republican  in  politics  and  a  strong  believer  in  the  temperance 
cause.  Both  of  these  issues  find  in  him  a  vigorous  champion. 
He  is  not  a  believer  in  a  third  party  movement  to  advance  the 
cause  of  temperance,  but  insists  that  the  Republicans  are  the 
true  friends  of  of  all  reforms,  and  that  the  only  hope  for  success 
in  temperance  legislation  lies  through  the  Republican  party.  In 
the  local  city  elections  he  advocates  the  anti-license  principle, 
and  with  some  measure  of  success,  for  during  the  past  ten  years 
the  city  has  been  under  an  anti-license  administration  for  more 
than  one-third  of  the  time. 

As  an  Editor  and  manager  of  a  newspaper,  Mr.  Butler  has 
demonstrated  his  ability  to  give  the  people  of  De  Witt  county  an 
excellent  journal  to  whose  support  they  can  graciously  con- 
tribute. 

175 


(L^'f^^aTi^c^ 


This  country,  the  asylum  for  the  oppressed  of  all  lands,  has 
been  greatly  enriched  by  virtue  of  religious  persecutions  through- 
out different  parts  of  Europe.  Perhaps  none  of  these  persecu- 
tions has  contributed  more  of  patriotic  zeal  in  proportion  to 
the  number  who  sought  homes  here,  than  that  of  the  old  Scotch 
Presbyterians.  Driven  from  their  mountain-fastnesses,  they  first 
Bought  protection  in  Northern  Ireland,  and  from  thence  came 
thitherward.  To  this  class  belong  the  ancestors  of  A.  L.  Bar- 
nett.  When  "William  Penn  was  directing  the  tide  of  emmigra- 
tion  to  his  colony  near  Philadelphia  they  joined  the  movement ; 
thence  went  to  Virginia.  So  that  John  Barnett,  the  father  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia, 
January  28th,  1781.  His  wife,  Sallie  Kenney,  was  of  the  same 
stock  with  himself  About  1789  the  Barnetts  threaded  their  te- 
dious way  over  the  mountains  to  Kentucky,  the  "  land  of  pro- 
mise" in  the  eyes  of  pioneers,  John  riding  behind  his  father  on  a 
pack-horse.  They  located  in  Bourbon  county,  where  Alexander 
was  born  October  15,  1810,  being  the  third  of  the  family  in  or- 
der of  birth.  At  present  there  are  but  three  living :  Alexander, 
James,  and  Sarah  ;  whilst  Robert  Franklin,  Mary  (^who  was 
killed  by  lightning),  Juliet,  Elizabeth,  and  William  have  pass- 


ed away.  Mr.  Barnett  acquired  a  fair  e*lucation  when  young, 
which  has  become  rich  in  experience  during  his  active  life.  He 
came  to  De  Witt  county  in  the  year  1832.  Was  elected  surveyor 
(the  first  in  the  county,)  May  6,  1839,  an  office  he  held  contin- 
uously for  twenty  years  and  six  months.  Then  after  a  respite  of 
almost  equal  time  he  was  again  elected  in  1879,  and  now  holds 
the  position.  Politically  he  has  been  during  most  of  his'life  a 
Democrat,  having  cast  his  first  ballot  for  JIartin  Van  Buren.  In 
1832  he  lost  his  vote  (a  fact  always  regretted,  as  he  was  an  ad- 
mirer of  Andrew  Jackson ),  because  being  on  his  way  from  Ken- 
tucky to  Illinois  ;  but  he  had  the  honor  of  seeing  a  number  of 
enthusiastic  hoosiers  drinking  to  "  Old  Hickory's  health.  Of  late 
years,  he  has  identified  himself  with  the  Greenback  party.  He 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  H.  Hall,  November  20, 1834,  by  whom 
he  has  had  twelve  children,  five  of  whom  died  in  infancy — three 
of  them  being  triplets,  and  died  when  quite  young.^and  there 
are  now  living  six.  His  wife  is  a  most  estimable  woman,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  church,  and  quite  an  active  laborer  in  the 
Master's  cause.  ]Mr.  Barnett  is  possessed  of  a  strong,  vig- 
orous mind,  excellent  constitution  and  great  determination  of 
character.     He  is  a  man  whom  his  neighbors  love  to  honor. 

177 


Was  born  in  Delaware  county,  Ohio,  December  o'Hh,  1840. 
Her  father  was  a  farmer  Jby  occupation.  He  was  a  true,  good 
man,  gentle  and  kind  in  disposition,  and  possessed  of  a  high  sense 
of  honor  which  was  a  controlling  principle  through  life.  His 
education  was  such  as  could  be  obtaiued  in  the  early  schools  of 
Delaware.  Her  mother  was  a  high-spirited  lady,  ambitious  to 
succeed  in  life,  and  measurably  well  was  she  rewarded  for  her 
efforts.  In  her  youth  she  had  the  advantages  of  the  schools  of 
the  older  States  and  acquired  a  very  good  education ;  was 
quite  proficient  in  drawing  and  painting.  For  several  years  she 
engaged  in  teaching  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio.  In  the  early 
settlement  of  Illinois  they  moved  to  Ogle  county,  where  her 
mother  died.  The  family  soon  after  returned  to  Ohio,  where 
they  resided  until  Jlary  was  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  they  re- 
turned to  Illinois,  soon  after  which  the  father  died,  leaving  four 
orphan  children.  This  father  so  thoroughly  impressed  his  own 
life  and  character  upon  his  children  by  precept  and  example,  bring- 
ing to  his  aid  the  memory  of  a  mother's  great  worth,  as  to  fit  them 
for  life's  responsibilities,  and  enable  them  to  resist  when  tempted 
to  go  astray. 

Very  early  in  life  Mary  conceived  the  idea  of  becoming  a 
teacher  but  her  opportunities  were  so  poor  that  she  hardly 
hoped  to  succeed.  An  uncle  with  whom  she  lived  encouraged 
her,  and  in  the  schools  of  Clinton,  to  which  place  they  had  came 
in  18.54,  she  continued  her  studies.  In  1857  she  commenced  her 
career  as  a  teacher,  in  Texas  township.     Here  she  taught  two   , 


terms,  alternating  her  teaching  with  attendance  at  school. 
Whilst  attending  school  her  uncle  and  his  wife  procured  for  her 
board  and  clothes.  They  were  faithful  friends  and  counsellors, 
ever  encouraging,  ever  helping  her.  Soon  after  she  attended  a 
term  of  six  months  at  Conover's  Female  Seminary  at  Blooming- 
ton,  borrowing  the  money  with  which  to  defray  expenses,  and  after- 
wards teaching  to  replace  it.  In  1867  she  again  became  a  pupil, 
this  time  in  the  Normal  University,  at  Normal,  Illinois,  but  owing 
to  failing  health  had  to  abandon  her  studies  before  completing  the 
course.  Ill  health  prevented  regular  teaching.  In  1873,  through 
the  influence  of  Judge  J.  R.  Hall  and  others,  her  name  was  placed 
before  the  democratic  and  granger  conventions  as  a  candidate  for 
the  county  Superintendency  of  Public  Schools.  In  that  conven- 
tion she  was  defeated,  but  a  week  later  when  the  Republican  con- 
vention assembled  she  was  nominated,  and  in  the  succeeding  No- 
vember was  elected.  In  1877  she  was  re-elected,  and  in  Novem- 
ber 1880  she  was  appointed  to  the  position  for  another  year  by 
the  board  of  supervisors.  That  she  has  made  a  most  faithful  and 
efficient  Superintendent  is  attested  by  all  familiar  with  her  work. 
In  1864,  after  carefully  and  thoughtfully  studying  the  creed  of 
the  Christian  church,  i.  e.  the  Bible,  she  accepted  it,  as  an  all- 
sufficient  rule  of  faith  and  practice  and  was  baptized  December 
30,  of  that  year.  Since  then  her  profession  of  the  faith  has  been 
a  constant  inspiration  in  the  labor  of  her  life.  In  church  and 
Sunday-school  she  takes  a  great  deal  of  interest,  working  ear- 
nestly and  faithfully  for  the  promotion  of  her  Master's  cause. 

179 


-■^  z. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


181 


DR.  CHRISTOPHER  GOODBRAKE. 

Fkw  physicians  in  Central  Illinois  enjoy  a  wider  or  more 
honorable  reputation  in  their  profession  than  Dr.  C.  Goodbrake, 
or  as  his  army  comrades  prefer  to  call  him,  Major  Goodbrake, 
he  having  attained  this  rank  as  Surgeon  in  the  armv. 

As  his  name  would  indicate,  he  is  a  native  of  Germany.  His 
father,  .John  Goodbrake,  a  citizen  of  Hemengen,  near  Stuttgard, 
in  the  kingdom  of  Wurtemberg,  Germany,  was  of  the  number 
of  those  who  learned  to  love  the  spirit  of  freedom  prevailing 
throughout  the  United  Stales,  and  eager  to  share  in  its  blessings, 
determined  to  leave  the  ■'  faderland  "  for  a  residence  beyond 
the  blue  waters  of  the  Atlantic.  His  home  in  Wurtemberg  had 
lost  its  charms  for  him  in  the  light  of  wondrous  stories  of  Ameri- 
ca's undeveloped  resources;  so  in  1821  he  obtained  at  Leonberg 
passports  for  self  and  family,  in  readine.ss  to  make  the  voyage 
thither.  So  patriotic  was  he,  that  upon  reaching  Amsterdam  he 
refused  to  take  passage  in  any  vessel  above  which  the  stars  and 
stripes  did  not  float,  hence  sojourned  there  for  ten  or  twelve  days, 
when  the  Xorthumberland  set  sail.  The  trip  at  that  time,  required 
from  sixty  to  as  many  as  one  hundred  and  twenty  days,  but  under 
the  skilful  guidance  of  Captain  Otto,  the  ves.sel  reached  the  port 
of  Norfolk,  in  the  unparalleled  time  of  forty-four  days — the 
quickest  time  ever  made  up  to  that  date  across  the  Atlantic,  be- 
tween Amsterdam,  Holland,  and  Norfolk,  Virginia.  From  Nor- 
folk he  went  to  Baltimore,  and  from  that  city  he  made  his  way 
by  wagon  toColumbianacounty,  Ohio,  where  he  settled.  His  family 
consisted  of  wife  and  seven  children  ;  three  of  whom  were  boys 
and  four  were  girls.  Of  these,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
sixth  in  order  of  birth.  He  was  born  in  Wurtemberg,  June  14th, 
1816,  so  that  he  was  but  five  years  of  age  when  brought  to  this 
country.  His  earliest  schooling  was  under  the  training  of 
George  Ritchey,  his  next  under  one  of  the  most  skilful  teachers 
of  eastern  Ohio,  .Samuel  McGrew.  To  him  the  doctor  is  largely 
indebted  for  the  formation  of  studious  habits  and  close  applica- 
tion to  whatever  he  assumes  to  do.  His  father,  too,  grand  old 
patriot  that  he  was,  instilled  into  his  mind  a  love  for  his  country 
that  has  never  forsaken  him.  A  fine  scholar  himself,  he  greatly 
aided  his  son  in  the  pursuit  of  his  studies,  so  that  by  the  time  the 
subject  of  our  sketch  had  attained  his  majority,  he  was  in  posses- 
sion of  a  good  English  education,  with  a  fair  knowledge  of  Latin 
grammar. 

Early  in  life  Christopher  determined  on  becoming  a  practi- 
tioner of  medicine,  and  in  1837  he  left  his  home  to  enter  the 
office  of  Dr.  J.  W.  Whitaker,  Pittsburgh,  Pennsylvania,  with 
whom  he  remained  as  a  student  three  years.  Having  acquired  a 
fair  knowledge  of  medicine,  he  commenced  its  practice  in  Ports- 
mouth, Ohio,  where  he  remained  for  three  years  ;  thence  he  went 
to  Allegheny  City,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  remained  until  1847, 
when  he  came  to  Clinton,  where  he  has  sinc^  resided.  Ambitious 
to  excel  in  his  profession,  and  determined  on  greater  proficiency 
in  its  knowledge,  he  attended  a  course  of  lectures  in  Rush  Medi- 
cal College,  during  the  session  of  18.54-5,  when  he  graduated. 
Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion  in  1861,  he 
was  among  the  first  to  oft'er  his  services  to  the  government ;  in 
fact  to  him  must  be  accredited  the  honor  of  being  the  fir.st  in  this 
county  so  to  do.  In  response  to  Gov.  Yates'  call  for  volunteers, 
a  number  enlisted  in  Clinton  on  the  19th  of  April,  1861,  who 
were  organized  as  company  E,  20th  Regiment,  Illinois  Volun- 
teers. The  doctor's  recognized  skill  secured  for  him  the  appoint- 
ment of  Surgeon.  In  the  first  engagement  participated  in  by 
this  regiment  at  Fredericktown,  Missouri,  October  21st,  1861, 
the  doctor  was  the  only  Surgeon  on  the  field  till  after  the  enemy 


retreated.  After  receiving  its  "  baptism  of  fire"  at  Frederick- 
town,  this  regiment  was  in  the  skirmish  at  Charlestown.  the 
battles  of  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh.  Corinth.  Britton's 
Lane,  Jackson,  Champion's  Hill,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  At- 
lanta, in  each  of  which  the  doctor  bore  his  part- 

At  La  Grange,  in  the  fall  of  1862,  the  Seventeenth  Army 
Corps  was  organized,  with  General  McPherson  as  commander, 
and  General  John  A.  Logan  as  commander  of  the  Third  Division  ; 
the  doctor  being  the  ranking  Surgeon,  was  apjiointed  to  the  posi- 
tion of  Surgeon-in-chief  of  this  Division.  This  honorable  dis- 
tinction he  most  worthily  held  until  his  resignation  was  accepted. 
At  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service  for  which  he  had  en- 
listed, June  loth,  ls64,  upon  the  earnest  solicitation  of  General 
McPherson,  and  his  Medical  Director,  coupled  with  a  promise 
that  his  resignation  would  be  accepted  at  the  expiration  of  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  he  re-enlisted,  retaining  his  position.  He 
remained  until  September  19th,  1864,  when  he  tendered  his  re- 
signation. The  doctor's  horse,  "  t)ld  Roan,"  was  a  great  favorite 
with  him,  having  been  taken  from  home,  and  having  carried  him 
through  more  than  three  years'  service.  He  was  anxious  to  take 
him  home.  Transportation  had  to  be  secured,  which  at  the  time 
was  a  difficult  thing  to  accomplish.  General  Sherman  suggested 
that  another  horse  would  soon  fill  his  place  iu  the  doctor's  afi'ec- 
tions ;  but  no,  take  him  home  he  would,  he  declared,  even 
though  to  do  so  he  would  have  to  put  on  a  rebel  uniform,  and 
thus  make  his  waj'  through  the  country.  After  much  effijrt  he 
succeeded  in  obtaining  the  necessary  papers,  and  brought  his 
horse  home  with  him.  Since  the  war  the  doctor  has  given  his 
attention  to  his  profession,  in  which  he  takes  high  rank.  His 
contributions  to  medical  science  have  been  well  received  and 
favorably  commented  upon  by  medical  journals.  Some  of  his 
surgical  operations  have  awakened  general  interest,  and  elicited 
the  highest  encomiums  of  fellow-surgeons.  The  doctor  is  quite 
active  in  medical  societies,  anxious  as  he  is  to  promote  the  inter- 
ests of  the  profession.  He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical 
Association,  of  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  of  which  he 
was  President  in  18.37  ;  of  the  Alumni  Association  of  Rush  Medi- 
cal College,  of  which  he  was  chosen  President  in  1879  ;  and  of 
the  De  Witt  county  Medical  Society.  To  him,  in  fact,  physi- 
cians of  his  county  are  indebted  for  the  organization  of  a  local 
society,  which  was  organized  Jlay  6th,  1856.  In  honor  of  his 
being  the  founder  of  the  society,  he  was  chosen  its  first  presiding 
officer;  at  present  he  is  .Secretary  of  the  society. 

He  takes  great  interest  in  the  cause  of  Education,  and  in 
everything  calculated  to  advance  the  substantial  interests  of  his 
adopted  home.  He  held  the  office  of  Mayor  of  Clinton  for  a 
year,  the  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  credit  alike  to  him- 
self and  constituents.  He  served  five  years  on  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation of  the  Clinton  schools. 

One  of  his  especial  delights  is  iu  the  progress  of  Masunry.  He 
was  made  a  Mason  in  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  in  1S42,  in  Aurora 
Lodge,  No.  48.  After  coming  to  Clinton  he  took  his  member- 
ship, first  to  Bloomington,  then  in  connection  with  others,  he 
instituted  the  Lodge  in  Clinton.  He  took  the  chapter  degree  in 
Springfield,  Illinois,  and  was  made  a  Knight  Templar  in  Apollo 
Commandery  No.  1,  at  Chicago  in  1857. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Charlotte  Gleason,  of  Massa- 
chusetts, April,  1847,  who  died  in  March,  1872. 

A  skilful  surgeon  ;  a  physician  who  keeps  abreast  of  the  times  ; 
the  doctor  lives  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  large  practice.  A  true 
friend  himself,  of  generous  impulses,  and  cheerful  disposition,  he 
has  hosts  of  well-wishers.     JIany  good  and  true  friends. 


Was  born  in  Perry  county,  Pennsylvania,  November  21, 1844.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Catharine  Calhoun,  mr  Kiner.  W .  F.  Cal- 
houn enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  H,  133d  Peuna.  Vols.  Infty.  July, 
1862,  was  in  the  second  Bull  Run  fight,  South  Mountain,  Antietam, 
Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville,  after  which  he  was  mus- 
tered out  by  reason  of  expiration  of  term  of  service.  Soon  after 
he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  K,  20th  Penna.  Vol.  Cavalry, 
which  regiment  was  sent  to  the  Shenandoah  valley  in  the  winter 
of  1864,  and  participated  in  the  battles  fought  by  Siegel,  Hunter 
and  Sheridau.  At  the  battle  of  Piedmont,  near  Harrisburg, 
Virginia,  on  the  6th  day  of  June,  1864,  the  company  to  which  he 
belonged  and  Co.  E  of  the  same  regiment,  in  a  charge  on  the 
enemy's  rifle  pits,  captured  five  hundred  men,  and  in  an  effort  to 
recapture  them,  General  Jones,  commanding  the  rebel  forces, 
was  killed.  In  this  charge  Calhoun's  horse  was  killed  under 
him.  After  this  battle  the  colonel  appointed  him  orderly 
sergeant  of  his  company.  During  the  campaigns  of  Sheridan  he 
waa  frequently  detailed  to  carry  orders  across  territory  in  posses- 
sion of  the  enemy,  and  at  other  times  to  do  scouting  service  with 
small  details  of  men.  He  accompanied  his  regiment  in  Sheri- 
dan's last  raid  from  Winchester  to  Petersburg,  and  from  thence 
to  Dinwiddle  Court  House  and  Five  Forks,  where  the  oth  U.  S. 
Cavalry  and  the  20th  Penna.  Vols,  opened  the  series  of  engage- 
ments that  ended  in  thesurrender  of  General  Lee's  army.  An 
incident  of  the  Doctor's  army  life  is  worthy  of  record.     At  the 


battle  of  Fredericksburg,  where  his  regiment  before  charging  on 
the  enemy  at  Mayre's  Hill  was  ordered  to  unsling  their  knap- 
sacks, his  contained  a  Testament,  the  gift  of  his  mother,  whose 
name  and  place  of  residence  was  inscribed  on  the  fly-leaf.  Another 
regiment  opened  the  knap.sacks  ;  one  of  the  men  carried  the  Tes- 
tament with  him,  and  during  the  battle  was  killed.  The  party 
burving  the  dead,  thinking  the  Testament  bore  the  name  of  the 
person  killed,  inscribed  that  name  on  the  grave-mark,  and  is 
so  recorded  in  the  national  cemetery  at  Fredericksburg.  The 
Testament  was  returned  to  his  mother  after  the  war,  and  by 
this  means  the  facts  were  made  known.  The  Doctor  came  to 
Illinois  in  October,  186.5,  locating  in  Ottawa,  La  Salle  county, 
where  he  began  the  practice  of  dentistry  in  1867.  There  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Blanche  Derthick,  who  was  born  in  Medina 
county,  Ohio,  February,  1852.  In  1870  the  Doctor  moved  to 
De  Witt  county,  where  he  has  since  resided.  For  two  years  he 
was  Mayor  of  Farmer  City.  In  1877  he  was  the  Eepublican 
candidate  for  county  clerk — made  a  gallant  fight,  but  democrats 
and  greenbackers  having  combined  against  hijn.  he  and  the 
entire  ticket  were  defeated.  In  1880  he  was  chosen  chairman 
of  the  Republican  County  Central  Committee,  and  at  the  State 
Convention  of  that  year  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  State 
Central  Committee.  During  the  campaign  he  made  a  number 
of  speeches. 

183 


IX^ 


A  prominent  Attorney  of  Clinton,  wlio  died  March  20,  1879, 
was  the  son  of  John  and  Arabella  C.  Palmer,  of  Madison  coun- 
ty, Ohio,  where  he  was  born  August  25th,  1825.  His  grand- 
father Palmer  was  a  Kentuckian,  who  located  in  the  Mad  Piiver 
valley  country  in  Ohio  in  an  early  day,  and  preached  as  a  "  Chris- 
tian "  minister  until  his  death.  His  grandfather  was  possessed  of 
a  most  remarkable  memory :  that  of  historical  dates  and  facts, 
also  of  Scriptural  passages  being  wonderful.  The  children  and 
grand-children  of  this  couple  now  constitute  some  of  the  most 
wealthy  and  substantial  citizens  of  JIadison  county.  E.  H.  Pal- 
mer started  in  life  in  comparative  poverty.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  but  thirteen  years  of  age,  whereupon  he  lived  with 
an  uncle  and  learned  the  carriage  and  wagon  making  trade.  In 
his  boyhood  days  he  was  very  fond  of  books,  and  the  great  am- 
bition of  his  young  life  was  to  secure  an  education.  While  work- 
ing at  his  trade  he  spent  his  evenings  in  study,  and  without  the 
aid  of  a  teacher  acquired  a  good  English  education.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  teaching,  and  by  carefully  hoarding  every  dollar  he  earn- 
ed above  bare  living  expenses,  saved  enough  to  begin  a  college 
life.  He  entered  as  a  student  in  Dennisou  University  at  Gran- 
ville, Ohio,  and  continued  until  the  middle  of  the  junior  year, 
when  he  entered  Wittenberg  College,  Springfield,  Ohio.  During 
his  vacations  he  worked  faithfully  in  order  to  secure  the  means 
required  for  board  and  tuition  during  the  succeeding  term.  At 
Granville  he  found  a  friend  in  the  president,  who  loaned  him 
money  sufficient  to  pay  expenses  and  to  enable  him  to  graduate, 
which  he  did  in  1851.     Mr.  Palmer  never  forgot  his  friend,  and 


the  very  first  money  he  earned,  after  going  out  to  fight  the  battles 
of  life,  was  devoted  to  the  payment  of  this  debt.  After  gradu- 
ating he  was  chosen  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Languages  in 
an  Academy  at  Raymond,  Mississippi,  a  position  he  filled  accept- 
ably. While  at  Raymond  he  became  converted  to  the  Methodist 
faith.  In  his  religious  professions-he  was  ever  most  active.  Here, 
too,  he  commenced  the  study  of  law,  and  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice at  the  bar.  In  1855  he  returned  to  the  North,  soon  after  to 
Clinton,  to  visit  an  old  friend,  Lawrence  Weldon,  who  introduced 
him  to  Abraham  Lincoln.  The  welcome  extended  him  by  the 
large  hearted  Lincoln  encouraged  him  to  cast  his  lot  in  Illinois, 
which  he  did  in  1857  by  locating  in  Clinton.  In  the  meantime 
he  was  married  to  Sarah  M.  ilitchell,  of  Springfield,  Ohio,  on 
the  19th  of  June,  1855.  He  was  ambitious  in  his  profession,  and 
took  a  leading  position  at  the  bar  in  De  Witt  county.  Politically 
he  was  an  ardent  active  Democrat,  an  especial  friend  of  Stephen 
A.  Douglas  ;  he  made  some  stirring  speeches  in  his  behalf  when  a 
candidate  for  office.  His  great  delight  was  in  hischildren,  in  whose 
interest  no  pains  or  means  were  spared.  Two  of  his  sons,  Frank 
M  and  Everett  B.  Palmer,  graduated  from  the  State  Industrial 
University,  and  Illinois  College,  respectively;  the  first,  in  1876; 
the  second,  in  1878 ;  Frank  was  Valedictorian,  and  Everett  B. 
enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being  Salutatorian  of  his  class.  Frank 
M.  studied  law  with  his  father,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in 
1880.  Mr.  PI  H.  Palmer  was  active,  restless,  ambitious  and  ge- 
nial. A  kind  friend,  a  devoted  father,  a  conscientious  Christian 
gentleman. 

185 


The  Liseiiby  family  may  be  regarded  as  among  the  pioneer 
families  of  De  Witt  county.  A.  V.  Lisenby  was  born  here  Sept. 
11,  1850.  His  parents  were  James  and  Martha  Lisenby,  whose 
maiden  name  was  ilcKiuIey. 

James  Lisenby,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came 
from  Kentucky,  where  he  was  born,  to  Sangamon  county,  Ills., 
in  1828  ;  thence  to  De  Witt-  in  1830  ;  in  1833  returned  to  San- 
gamon to  live  with  a  brother ;  thence  to  the  lead  mines  in  south- 
western Wisconsin  ;  and  in  1846  to  De  Witt  county,  where  he 
has  since  resided,  and  where  he  has  held  various  positions  of 
honor  and  trust.  (VThich  see  in  Civil  Chapter).  The  last  year 
of  his  service  as  county  clerk,  he  was  stricken  down  with  rheum- 
atism, from  which  he  has  suffered  continuously,  and  which  has 
necessitated,  at  times,  change  of  climate. 

A.  V.  Lisenby  received  a  fair  common-school  education,  chiefly 


in  the  public  schools  of  Clinton.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Sarah  McFarland,  Sept.  17th,  1871,  by  the  Rev.  R.  M. 
Barnes.  His  wife,  an  accomplished  lady,  is  the  musical  life  of 
the  circle  of  friends  with  whom  she  associates.  Politically,  Mr. 
Lisenby  is  a  democrat,  and  on  the  democratic  ticket  he  was 
elected  county  clerk  Nov.  1,  1877,  an  office  he  fills  with  general 
acceptance,  and  for  discharging  the  duties  of  which  his  early 
training  has  well  fitted  him.  Prior  to  his  election.to  this  office, 
he  had  been  for  three  years  treasurer  of  the  city  of  Clinton,  and 
also  had  been  engaged  in  the  hardware  business.  l\Ir.  Lisenby  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  in  the  work  of  which  he  takes 
great  interest;  also,  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  The  principles 
underlying  these  societies  are  his  guiding  stars,  and  by  acting 
them  out  in  life  he  is  laying  the  foundation  for  that  success  always 
attendant  upon  integrity  of  character  and  energy. 

187 


"^         ^?U^/- 7  7  Cil/fWzA-tJ'i:^::;!.^ 


Honored,  as  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  De  Witt  county,  is 
he  whose  portrait  graces  this  page.  George  D.  Smallwood  was  boru 
in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  March  31st,  1810.  His  parents  were  Par- 
menious  and  Deborah  Smallwood,  natives  of  Jefferson  county, 
Virginia.  Their  ancestors  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  were  of  Irish  extraction.  They  came  to  Illinois  in  the 
fall  of  1825,  and  located  in  what  is  now  Macon  county.  In  all. 
there  were  fifteen  children  in  the  family.  Of  these,  George  D 
was  the  second  in  order  of  birth.  Parmenious  built  a  mill  on 
Salt  Creek,  in  what  is  now  Creek  township,  De  Witt  county,  in 
1834,  of  which  George  took  charge.  George  had  built  a  cabin 
in  the  fall  of  1830,  near  the  site  of  the  mill.  He  acquired  a 
fair  common-school  education,  first  in  Ohio,  then  in  Sangamon 
county,  this  State ;  learned  surveying,  and  did  much  in  this  line 
in  early  times,  dividing  with  Alexander  Barnett  the  laurels  of 


all  the  early  work  of  this  character  in  De  Witt  county.  He  was 
married  to  jNIary  Ann  Brown,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Jane 
Brown,  who  were  early  settlers  of  what  is  now  Texas  township, 
March  24th,  1839,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  who  died  in  in- 
fancy. His  wife  died  Feb.  21st,  1867,  aged  43  years  one  month 
and  twelve  days.  Mr.  Smallwood  has  followed  the  vocations  of 
millinff,  in  which  he  was  engaged  for  about  fifteen  years,  farming 
and  surveying.  In  politics  he  is  a  prominent  Republican.  His 
first  presidential  vote  was  cast  for  Andrew  Jackson ;  but,  since 
the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  in  18.56,  he  has  stood 
by  that  party.  He  participated  in  the  Black  Hawk  War,  and 
when  the  militia  was  organized  he  was  appointed  Colonel,  which 
position  he  held  several  years  previous  to  1840,  when  he  re- 
signed.    Honored  and  respected  of  all,  Mr.  Smallwood  is  passing 

the  evening  of  life  on  a  farm  about  a  half  mile  south  of  Clinton. 

189 


REV    JAMES  C    RUCKER. 


This  much-respected  and  talented  Methodist  divine  was  born 
in  Woodford  county,  Kentucky,  January  6,  1817.  His  parents 
were  Rev.  Ahmed  and  Nellie  Rucker.  His  father,  likewise  a 
Methodist  Episcopal  minister,  was  a  Virginian  by  birth.  Tradi- 
tion says  that  a  person  named  Rucker  came  from  Alsace,  France, 
to  America,  contemporaneous  with  John  Smith,  was  shipwrecked 
off  Cape  Hatteras,  and  swam  ashore,  a  distance  of  seven  miles, 
carrying  with  him  a  bottle  of  French  brandy  ;  that  he  settled^  in 
Amherst  county,  Virginia,  and  from  him  sprang  the  honored 
family  of  Rucker,  now  scattered  throughout  much  of  the  Union. 
In  the  Revolutionary  war  one  Amherst  Ruckor,  .1  brother  of  the 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  colonel.  Just  before  the  close 
of  that  seven  years'  struggle,  he  visited  his  home,  where  he  was 
gladly  received  by  many  friends,  who  with  him  witnessed  a  won- 
derful vision  from  his  house  of  the  surrender  of  the  red-coats  to 
the  patriots  in  mid-air-  The  sign  was  to  them  full  of  meaning 
and  hope,  and  served  to  renew  their  courage  upon  return  to  the 
field  of  battle. 

Ahmed  Rucker  was  born  during  the  first  year  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  had  nine  brothers,  all  remarkable  for  their  size  and 
strength. 

James  Rucker  received  a  fair  education  in  select  schools  at 
Harrodsburg,  Kentucky.  An  incident  in  his  school  life  shows 
the  character  of  the  boy.  He  was  struck  by  one  SIcConnell,  a 
son  of  Gen.  McConnell.  He  informed  his  teacher,  who,  because 
of  the  position  and  wealth  of  the  offender's  father,  failed  to  mete 
out  merited  punishment.  This  made  a  lasting  impression  on 
young  Rucker,  who  from  that  time  forth  has  hated  anything  that 


smacked  of  the  domineering  trait  of  slave-holding.  At  the  age 
of  seventeen,  James  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents,  who  lo- 
cated in  Sangamon  county.  In  1857  he  went  to  Winchester, 
where  he  taught  school.  Soon  after  we  find  him  in  the  law  office 
of  Stejiheu  A.  Douglas  as  a  stu(ient.  He  remained  here  two 
years,  when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  practiced  the  pro- 
fession of  law  for  four  years.  About  a  year  before  he  quit  the 
practice,  he  was  converted  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Peter 
Akers,  and  had  no  peace  of  mind  until  he  dropped  everything 
else  for  the  advocacy  of  the  Master's  cause.  His  preaching 
career  commenced  in  Paris,  Edgar  county,  Illinois,  and  has  con- 
tinued in  various  places  for  a  period  of  thirty-three  years.  He 
was  married  to  Miss  Rachel  Howard,  Aug.  29,  1849,  by  the  Rev. 
John  S.  Barker.  In  politics  Mr.  Rucker  is  an  uncompromising 
Republican.  During  the  progress  of  the  war  he  boldly  advo- 
cated the  abolition  of  slavery,  and  in  a  speech  made  upon  the 
occasion  of  the  ratification  of  the  victory  at  Vicksburg,  said  : — 
"  God  Almighty  has  written  on  the  broad  face  of  the  sky,  in  let- 
ters of  burning  light,  '  that  all  men  are  created  free,  and  that 
slavery  shall  be  destroyed,'" — at  the  time  a  bold  utterance,  and 
most  efiectively  said.  At  present  Rev.  James  Rucker  is  leading 
a  quiet  life,  which  he  has  richly  earned  by  virtue  of  faithful, 
earnest  work  in  the  past,  in  Clinton.  His  wife,  a  lady  of  sweet 
disposition,  though  of  late  years  a  great  sufierer,  physically,  is 
loved  by  all  who  have  come  to  know  her ;  and,  together,  they 
enjoy  the  society  of  friends  who  gather  about  them,  and  enter  the. 
evening  of  well-spent  lives. 

191 


^^"^^^ ^.^^^^^ 


Some  men  pass  halt' their  lives  in  ileteriuiniiig  for  what  nature 
fitted  them-  In  the  light  of  William  Fuller's  success  as  an  at- 
torney conpled  with  the  fact  that  his  admission  to  the  bar  was 
after  he  had  attained  his  forty-fourth  year  we  opine  that  he  be- 
longs to  this  class.  William  Fuller  was  born  Febfuary  19th, 
1823,  in  Greene  county,  Pennsylvania.  His  parents,  Daniel  and 
Nancy  Fuller,  were  of  the  good  old  Peimsyl vania  stock  of  farmers 
from  whom  have  sprung  so  many  of  the  energetic  men  of  to-day. 
His  father  coupled  with  his  farming  operations  the  vocation  of 
blacksmith,  in  which  he  excelled.  It  devolved  upon  him  to 
manufacture  sickles,  scythes  and  fine  work  generally.  His  pa- 
rents were  of  Iri--h  birth.  His  father  a  native  of  the  city  of  Dub- 
lin. He  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,  from  whence 
he  was  taken  at  the  age  of  three  years  to  Fayette  county.  Wil- 
liam Fuller  was  the  oldest  of  a  family  of  eight  boys,  of  whom  all 
but  one  are  now  living.  He  received  a  fair  common-school  education. 
His  aptness  to  learn  secured  for  him  the  position  of  teacher  in  his 
native  county  when  still  a  youth.  He  had  the  honor  of  teaching 
the  first  free  school  ever  opened  in  his  own  district.  In  November 
1S48  he  came  to  De  Witt  county  where  he  taught  for  four  win- 
ters, varying  these  duties  by  farming  during  the  summer.  He 
had  in  his  possession  a  few  law  books  which  he  most  industriously 
studied,  and  which  laid  broad  and    deep  his  knowledge  of  the 


general  law  and  determined  him  largely  in  his  choice  of  a  profes- 
sion. These  were  yet  primitive  times  in  De  Witt,  and  so  he  found 
himself  chosen  as  the  advocate  of  many  clients  in  the  lower 
courts,  where  he  gained  a  fine  local  reputation  as  a  pettifogger. 
Pedagogics  was  his  business,  but  old  farmers  as  they  witnessed  hie 
pleadings  declared  pettifogging  his  real  forte.  At  one  time  he  en- 
joyed the  largest  jiractice  of  this  character,  vested  in  any  one  in- 
dividual in  the  county.  In  1S.54  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  the 
county,  an  office  he  filled  to  entire  satisfaction.  Had  been  elected 
prior  to  this  time  as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which  he  only  held  for 
the  brief  term  of  three  months,  preferring  to  appear  as  an  advocate 
to  sitting  in  judgment  on  cases  brought  before  such  a  court.  In 
1867  he  was,  after  an  examination,  admitted  to  the  bar  as  an 
Attorney,  since  which  time  he  has  continually  and  successfully 
practiced.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat  of  the  strictest  order, 
outspoken,  bold  and  defiant.  Has  taken  a  hand  in  every  cam- 
paign since  he  was  a  boy.  His  first  vote  was  cast  for  James  K. 
Polk.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order.  He  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Rebecca  Parker,  in  Madison  county,  Ohio, 
February  23d,  1S46.  By  this  union  there  are  six  children  living 
four  boys  and  two  girls.  Mr.  Fuller  is  a  man  of  courage,  enter- 
prise and  strict  integrity  of  character. 


C^V74t6^ 


/^/jLiJ^o-ui^L^^ 


Pr(imixi;xt  among  the  early  settlers  of  De  Witt  cinnity  have- 
already  ill  this  work  been  noticed  the  Weedmaus.  Their  con- 
tributions to  the  development  of  the  county's  latent  forces  have 
been  a  positive  factor  in  the  story  of  her  progress.  Amos  Weed- 
man,  the  present  efficient  sheriff  of  the  county,  was  born  in  Perry 
'county,  Ohio,  May  12th,  1826.  His  parents  were  John  and 
Rachel  Weedman.  In  18.30  the  family  all  came  to  McLean 
county,  where  some  of  them  have  continually  resided  since ;  Amos 
obtained  a  fair  common-school  education  amid  the  disadvantages 
attending  early  schools  in  this  part  of  the  country.  His  first 
teacher  was  Lieutenant  Governor  Jloore.  He  was  married  to 
Mary  J.  McCord,  December  16th,  1S47.  His  wife,  a  most  excel- 
lent lady,  is  of  the  pioneer  family  McCord.     They  have  two  chil- 


dren, llucker  and  Smith  Y.  both  farmers.  Amos  Weedman  by 
vocation  is  a  farmer,  but  his  talents  have  brought  him  to  the  front 
as  an  office-holder.  In  1876  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  the  county, 
and  so  ably  did  he  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  that  he  has 
been  twice  re-elected  since,  and  that  too  with  iucreased  majorities. 
He  is  a  [jronounced  Kepublicau  in  politics,  and  takes  great  interest 
in  promoting  the  success  of  his  party.  He  is  a  member  of  both 
the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows'  orders.  Of  a  popular  family  whose 
reputation  he  well  sustaius ;  of  fine  social  qualities ;  and  ever 
prompted  in  his  actions  by  pure  motives  he  is  held  in  high  es- 
teem. His  peronal  traits  of  character  and  long  residence  in  the 
county  have  made  him  many  warm  personal  and  devoted 
friends. 

195 


William  Hyde,  the  father  of  G.  W.  Hyde,  was  born  in  Der- 
byshire, England,  November  26th,  1807.  He  early  Ijegan  hia 
seven  years'  apprenticeship  at  the  joiners'  and  cabinet  trade, 
which  has  always  been  his  source  of  livelihood.  In  his  early 
manhood  he  was  a  local  preacher  in  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
Church,  and  has  since  been  an  active  member.  He  now  lives 
( 1882)  at  an  advanced  age  in  Birmingham,  England.  His 
uncle,  Joseph  Hyde,  was  a  Wesleyan  Methodist  Minister,  who 
was  arrested  and  imprisoned  in  Whitefield's  time  for  proclaim- 
ing the  doctrine.  He  was  imprisoned  in  the  Derbyshire  prison, 
and  made  his  escape  by  scaling  the  walls  surrounding  the  prison. 
So  wonderful  was  the  feat  tliat  the  wall  was  ever  after  knowu  as 
"  Hyde's  Leap." 

About  1828  occurred  the  marriage  of  William  Hyde  and 
Susannah  Walker.  Five  children  were  born  to  them :  George 
Walker,  Sarah  Ann,  married  to  Richard  Woodfull,  William  and 
Alfred,  all  now  of  Birmingham  except  the  first ;  and  Ellen,  de- 
ceased, who  at  her  death  was  Mrs.  Swain.  Mrs.  Susannah 
Hyde  died  during  the  last  week  of  1860 ;  she  lies  in  St.  George's 
churchyard,  Birmingham.  The  writer  directs  the  following  lines 
to  the  principal  subject  of  these  notes,  viz.  Dr.  Geo.  W-  Hyde : 
He  was  born  in  Packingtou,  in  the  same  house  in  which  his 
mother  had  been  born.  When  he  was  one  year  old  his  parents 
settled  in  Birmingham.  The  boyhood  of  George  was  spent  in 
the  private  and  national  schools  of  his  day  till  he  became  14 
years  of  age.  Labor  at  that  time  being  scarce  he  sought  to  aid 
his  parents  somewhat  financially.     He  became  a  billing  clerk  in 


a  large  brass  foundry,  where  he  remained  some  three  years. 
During  part  of  this  time  he  attended  the  Polytechnic  Institute, 
a  night  institution  of  learning.  Between  the  ages  of  14  and  15 
years  he  became  connected  with  the  Juvenile  Temperauce  Society 
and  Rechabites.  He  continued  in  this  cause,  and  when  16  years 
old  was  admitted  to  the  adult  society  of  the  same  name.  Being 
someft'hat  efficient  as  a  speaker,  it  was  jiroposed  to  enter  him  in 
the  list  of  regular  speakers  for  the  Birmingham  General  Tem- 
perance Society.  In  order  to  carry  this  out,  it  was  necessary  he 
should  make  a  trial  speech.  At  a  meetiug  held  at  the  Temper- 
ance Hall  on  Union  Street,  Lecturer  Murphy  presided,  and  the 
trial  speech  was  made,  which  brought  out  warm  encomiums  from 
the  chairman,  and  resulted  iu  his  election  as  a  speaker.  His 
various  appointments  were  duly  met.  Just  previous  to  this 
period  of  his  life,  at  the  age  of  19,  exposure  brought  on 
a  severe  attack  of  typhus  fever,  which  confined  him  for  six 
months,  and  which  so  broke  his  constitution  as  to  give  rise  to  the 
frequently  precarious  condition  of  his  health  during  subsequent 
years.  At  the  age  of  20,  he  began  to  learn  the  joiner's  and 
caliinet  trade  with  his  father.  This  trade  he  followed  more  or 
leas  as  an  actual  means  of  support,  but  not  coustantly,  his  ill 
health  requiring  changes  iu  employment,  which  probably  would 
not  otherwise  have  been  made.  On  his  21st  year,  November 
20th,  1850,  he  was  uuited  in  marriage  to  Sarah  Owen,  who  has 
ever  been  his  efficient  helpmate.  She  was  born  October 
5th,  1828,  between  Liouell  and  Fleet  streets,  Birmingham,  Eng- 
land.    Her  father,  George  Owen,  was  born  iu  1785,  on  the  border 

197 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS 


199 


of  Wales,  near  Bristol,  and  was  of  Welch  ancestry.  At  17 
years  of  age  he  became  a  sailor,  but  live  years  after  he  became 
engaged  in  the  Iron  Plate  Works  in  Birmingham,  where  he  re- 
mained till  bis  death  at  the  age  of  58  years.  His  wife,  Nellie 
(Warren)  Owen,  was  born  in  Birmingham,  in  1790,  and  survived 
him  till  March  4th,  1873. 

Shortly  before  marriage,  the  subject  of  these  memoirs  was  in- 
duced by  an  associate  to  begin  the  study  of  medicine.  It  was 
about  this  time  that  the  question  of  reform  in  medical  prac- 
tice began  to  be  considerably  agitated  in  England,  chiefly  through 
the  instrumentality  of  American  physicians.  Dr.  Wooster  Beach, 
a  student  of  Dr.  Jacob  Tidd,  of  New  Jersey,  founded,  1826,  the 
"New  York  Reformed  Medical  College,"  and  soon  issued  the 
Hefurined  Medicul  Juunuil.  He  also  early  compiled  some  medi- 
cal works.  His  principles  were  early  advocated  in  Europe,  and 
a  class  was  formed  in  Birmingham  and  taught  by  a  Dr.  Norris. 
Advantages  were  of  course  limited.  Animals  were  used  for 
anatomical  demonstration  and  clinical  experiment.  Antiveiiesec- 
tion  and  antimineralism  were  studied  and  promulgated.  It  was 
the  privilege  of  George  W.  Hyde,  dissatisfied  as  he  was  with  the 
existing  practice  of  medicine,  to  unite  himself  with  this  class. 
Every  spare  moment  was  spent  in  this  cla-s  work.  Two  years 
were  thus  improved.  Although  he  did  not  give  himself  wholly 
to  the  practice  yet  it  was  his  pride  to  undertake  severe  cases  des- 
paired of  by  other  physicians.  His  own  daughter  was  not  the 
exception  to  this  case,  and  no  case  that  came  under  his  care  was 
lost.  Strengthened  in  the  practice  by  his  success,  he  continued 
the  study,  taking  the  medical  journal  above  mentioned,  and  such 
other  reading  as  he  could  afford.  The  class  had  frequent  corre- 
spondence with  Dr.  Wooster  Beach  of  New  York. 

A  change  of  climate  becoming  necessary  to  his  health.  Dr. 
Hyde  determined  to  sail  for  America.  Accordingly,  leaving  his 
family,  a  wife  and  three  children,  Mary  A.,  Alfred  W.  and 
George  Walter,  in  Birmingham,  he  set  sail  June  7th,  18.57,  and 
immediately  experienced  a  change  for  better  health.  He  landed 
at  Point  Levi,  opposite  Quebec,  after  9  days  and  liO  hours  sailing 
in  the  steamer  Indiana. 

He  hastened  by  railway  to  Onarga,  Iroquois  County,  IHinois, 
arriving  July  1st,  following.  He  was  then  on  the  frontier,  as 
Iroquois  County  was  new,  and  frontier  life  was  made  real  by 
oxen,  breaking  plow  and  experiences  generally  incident  to  such 
occupation.  His  brothers-in-law,  John  and  Abram  Owen,  were 
already  in  the  haulnare  trade.  Soon  a  co-partnership  was  formed, 
the  firm  being  known  as  Owen,  Hyde  &  Owen.  The  Dr.  was 
urged  to  begin  practice,  but  fear  of  ill  health  caused  him  to 
desist.  At  the  opening  of  the  rebellion,  being  refused  admission 
to  the  army,  he  removed  to  the  country  to  care  for  the  family  of 
a  AVilliam  Frazee,  while  the  latter  served  his  country  as  a  soldier. 
The  family  removing.  Dr.  Hyde  purchased  40  acres  of  land  on 
which  he  built  a  small  dwelling,  which  he  occupied  till  the 
close  of  the  war.  However,  he  farmed  but  little  himself,  his 
time  being  mostly  occupied  in  his  medical  work  made  imperative 
by  war's  demands. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  purchased  property  in  Onarga  and 
there  lived  till  he  located  iu  Clinton,  moving  his  family  Novem- 
ber 5th,  1872.  In  1876  he  enjoyed  a  course  of  lectures  at  the 
Eclectic  Medical  Institute,  Cincinnati,  receiving  a  diploma  of  the 
institution.  He  is  a  member  of  the  State  and  National  Eclectic 
Medical  Societies.  As  regards  his  success  as  a  physician  in  Clin- 
ton it  is  unnecessary  to  comment.  Politically  in  England  he 
was  a  Radical  as  opposed  to  Toryism.     In   America  he  espoused 


the  Republican  cause,  casting  his  first  vote  for  the  immortal 
Lincoln,  and  since  has  voted  successively  and  successfully  for  all 
Lincoln's  patriot  successors.  In  petty  elections  he  is  oblivious 
to  party,  but  in  National  policy  has  found  no  party  more  in 
consonance  with  his  own  views,  than  the  Republican.  Religiously 
both  he  and  wife  have  been  members  of  the  Baptist  church  since 
1849,  having  been  baptized  by  Dr.  Charles  Hill  Roe,  then  pastor 
of  Henage  street  church,  Birmingham.  He  has  occupied  all 
official  p(jsitions  within  the  gift  of  the  church.  Both  he  and 
wife  have  been  prominently  identifieil  with  the  temperance  orga- 
nization and  progress  since  childhood. 

The  children  have  numbered  seven.  Three,  Mary  A.,  Alfred 
W.,  and  George  Walter,  born  in  England,  emigrated  with  their 
mother  in  1859,  in  the  steamship  "North  America,"  landing  at 
Point  Levi  after  a  voyage  of  eleven  days  and  eleven  hours. 
William  F  F.,  was  born  in  Onarga,  and  three  babes  have  been 
buried.  The  only  daughter,  Mary  A.,  was  married  August  15th, 
1876  to  Mr.  S.  P.  Flemming,  of  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  J.  A.  EDMISTON 
Was  born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  February  6,  1839,  where  his 
grandfather,  Robert  Edmiston,  had  located  in  an  early  day,  being 
one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county.  He  in  turn  hailed  from  Ken- 
tucky. The  Edmiston  ancestors  were  originally  of  Scotch-Irish 
extraction.  Robert  Edmiston,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
biography,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  John  A.  received  a 
common-school  education,  which  was  supplemented  by  a  partial 
academic  course  of  instruction  at  Bellefontaine,  Ohio,  and  Paris, 
Edgar  county,  this  state.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years  he 
struck  out  to  make  his  own  livelihood,  and  found  it  in  teaching. 
The  great  west,  as  Illinois  was  then  known,  had  its  attractions 
for  him,  and  thither  he  came ;  remained  awhile  in  Edgar  county, 
and  in  1857  came  to  De  Witt,  where  he  entered  upon  the  study 
of  medicine  with  Drs.  Goodbrake  and  an  uncle,  T.  K.  Edmiston. 
During  the  years  1858-9  he  attended  a  course  of  lectures  in 
Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  returned  to  Ohio, 
where  upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  volunteered,  in  April, 
1861,  in  the  13th  Regiment  Ohio  Vols,,  for  three  months'  ser- 
vice. At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  he  filled  with  enthusiasm 
in  the  cause  of  the  Union,  made  his  way  to  Cape  Girardeau, 
Missouri,  where  he  joined  the  20th  Regiment  Illlinois  Volunteer 
Infantry,  as  a  private.  He  soon  after  became  hospital  steward, 
under  his  old  preceptor,  Surgeon  Goodbrake.  Immediately  after 
the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson  he  was  appointed  1st  lieutenant,  Co. 
E ;  went  on  duty  in  this  capacity  the  morning  of  the  Shiloh 
fight;  in  August  was  appointed  captain,  and  remained  so  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Clinton,  and 
in  186.5-6  attended  another  course  of  lectures  in  Rush  Medical 
College,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  February  24,  1866. 
Soon  after  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his  uncle  in  the  practice 
of  medicine,  which  continued  until  1870.  He  then  engaged  in 
the  drug  business,  which  he  followed  for  five  years,  and  since 
which  time  he  has  practiced  his  profession.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  the  De  Witt  Co.  Medical  Society,  of  which  he  has 
been  several  years  president.  Politically,  he  is  an  ardent,  out- 
spoken Republican;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order; 
religiously,  is  a  Presbyterian.  He  was  united  in  marriage  De- 
cember 17,  1S67,  to  Miss  Mary  Haynie,  a  most  accomplished 
lady.  Mrs.  Edmiston  has  been  for  fifteen  years  leader  of  the 
singing  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  a  position  for  which  her 
talents  have  pre-eminently  fitted  her. 


_.^1i^  "^^ 


Ml  S)^e^£^ 


Who  is  one  of  the  prominent  retired  farmers  of  De  Witt  County, 
was  born  in  Muhlenberg  county,  Kentucky  February  18th,  1812, 
and  wa*  the  son  of  Peter  and  Christina  Dick.  Mr.  Dick's  father 
was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  German  and  English  de- 
scent. When  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  maturity  he  went  to  Ken- 
tucky where  he  afterwards  married  his  wife,  Miss  Christina  Shut 
who  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  clear  German  ancestry^ 
her  forefathers  having  emigrated  to  America  at  a  very  early  date. 
Peter  Dick  was  a  farmer,  an  avocation  he  followed  for  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century  in  Kentucky.  He  then,  with  a  view  to  better 
his,  condition  in  life  emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Sangamon 
county,  this  being  in  1S29.  In  the  spring  of  1831,  he  moved  into 
what  is  now  Cass  County,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  March 
of  1st,  1849,  aged  68  years.  His  wife  survived  him  three  years,  and 
died  December  7th,  18.52,  aged  ti4  years.  They  raised  a  family  eight 
children,  five  Ijoys  and  three  girls,  who  married  and  raised  families. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch,  being  the  third,  was  in  his  seventeenth 
year  when  he  came  to  this  state.  His  advantages  for  receiving  an 
education  were  limited,  but  by  a  close  application  in  after  life,  he 
has  qualified  himself  sufficiently  to  transact  most  any  ordinary 
business.  He  was  united  in  marriage  January  1st,  1843,  to  Jliss 
Sarah  J.  Combs,  a  native  of  Kentucky  ;  she  died  September  15th, 
1862, leaving  four  children,  viz. :  Thomas  J.,  John  K.,  James  A., 
and  Ruth  J.    Mr.  Dick  was  married  the  second  time  October  l9th. 


I    1869,  to  Miss  Harriet  N.  Scott,  who  was  born  in  Sangamon  County, 
I   Illinois.   They  have  one  child,  Emma.    Mrs.  Dick's  parents  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  that  county,  having  emigrated  there  in 
1S19  from  Kentucky.     The  old  homestead   is  a  short  distance 
east  of  where  Pleasant  Plains  in  that  county  now  is.      Mr.  Dick 
;   was  educated  to  farm  pursuits,  and  in  consequence  has  made  that 
his  life  occupation.     He  started  out  in  the  battle  of  life  unaided, 
and  by  hard  work,  good  management  and  economy  he  has  ac- 
quired sufficient  of  this  world's  goods  to  live  the  remainder  of  his 
life  in  comparative  ease.     He  lived  in  Cass  county  until  1S65. 
February  of  that  year,  he  came  to  AVaynesville  township,  and 
bought  a  farm,  where  he  was  actively  engaged  in  his  chosen  vo- 
cation, farming  and  handling  stock  until  quite  recently.    He  gave 
each  of  his  children  a  farm,  thereby  enabling  them  to  start  in  life 
more  full  handed  than  was  his  lot.     He  reserved  his  homestead 
place  near  Waynesville,  upwards  of  two  hundred  acres.     In  No- 
vember 1881  he  came  to  Clinton,  where  he  now  resides.   In  poli- 
tics Mr.  Dick  has  always  been  a  Democrat.     In  1877  and  78  he 
represented  his  township  in  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors  be- 
I   ing  the  Representative  of  his  township  when  the  Midland  Rail- 
I   road  Company  sued  Waynesville  township  for  850,000,  bonds 
given  by  the  township,  in  which  suit  the  company  was  defeated 
by  failure  on  part  of  the  company  to  fulfill  their  contract.     Reli- 
I   giously  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dick  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

201 


y^  i^:.^^-.-,,-^ 


The  present  efficieut  Treasurer  of  De  Witt  county,  was  born 
October  30th,  1839,  a  few  miles  north-east  of  Clinton.  His 
father  Edward  was  from  Perry  county,  Ohio,  his  mother,  IMar- 
tha  Wilson,  from  East  Tennessee  ;  both  came  in  1832  and  located 
in  De  Witt  county.  The  ancestors  of  Edward  AVilsou  were  from 
Maryland,  those  of  Mrs.  Wilson,  from  Tennessee.  Edward  Wil- 
son, a  brave  sturdy  pioneer,  who  left  his  impression  on  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lived  for  good,  died  May  10th,  1863.  He 
had  followed  farming  all  his  life.  James  A.  Wilson  had  only 
the  meagre  advantages  extended  the  youth  of  this  section  of 
country  in  the  days  of  log  cabin  school-houses.  Harvey  Blunt  was 
his  first  teacher.  He  made  the  most,  however,  of  the  advantages 
offered,  and  good  strong  common  sense  has  led  him  in  all  business 
operations  he  has  engaged  in.  His  chief  pursuit  has  been  farm- 
ing and  stock  dealing.  He  has  represented  the  fellow  citizens 
of  his  native  township  as  supervisor  and  school  trustee,  and  in 
1877  he  was  elected  county  Treasurer  by  a  majority  of  seven  hun- 


dred votes,  although  a  democrat  in  what  is  generally  a  republican 
county.  This  can  only  be  attributed  to  his  personal  popularity 
and  universally  recognized  fitness  for  the  position.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Elizabeth  Cook,  of  Waynesville,  September  7th,  1862,  by 
whom  he  has  had  five  children.  Politically  Mr.  Wilson  is  a 
democrat,  and  in  the  advocacy  of  his  belief  is  ardent  and  positive. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  his  membership  being 
with  the  Aniond  Lodge  No.  28-1  at  De  Witt,  and  with  the  Good- 
brake  chapter  in  Clinton,  also  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  Planta- 
geuet  Lodge.  That  measure  of  success  which  always  follows  in 
the  wake  of  energy  has  been  his  portion,  and  now  he  is  the  owner 
of  seven  hundred  acres  of  fine  land,  and  is  somewhat  extensively 
engaged  in  the  stock  industry  both  at  home  and  in  company  with 
others  in  Texas  Industrious,  reliable,  of  well  established  integ- 
rity of  character,  INIr.  AVilson  enjoys  the  good  will  and  good 
wishes  of  host  of  friends. 


'^17-P^ 


£^Co^^ 


From  whose  studio  came  many  of  the  photographs  of  persons 
whose  faces  embellish  these  pages,  was  born  in  Redwood,  Ver- 
mont, August  17,  18o"2.  His  parents  were  Rev.  H.  W.  Pease,  a 
Methodist  Episcopal  minister,  and  Louisa  Pease,  nee  ]\Iacomber. 
The  family  originated  in  Wales.  The  genealogy  of  the  Pease 
family  is  published  in  book  form,  and  is  traceable  back  to  the 
year  511.  His  father,  in  common  with  most  persons  of  his  pro- 
fession, was  without  a  permanent  home,  so  that  school  attendance 
■was  irregular  for  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  His  best  opportuni- 
ties were  enjoyed  in  Freeport,  in  this  state,  and  Adrian  College, 
Mich.     Mr.  Pease  was  married  to  Miss  Allie  Hankinson  in  Sep- 


tember, 1877,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  a  son,  named  Cecil 
Orme,  born  October,  1881.  In  his  profession  Mr.  Pease  excels. 
He  commenced  photography  in  July,  1867,  and  has  by  close 
applioatiou  united  with  natural  aptitude  for  the  work  in  all  its 
branches,  become  a  tirst-class  artist.  He  is  a  pronounced,  out- 
spoken Republican,  in  politics ;  in  religion,  an  earnest  Swedenbor- 
gian  ;  and  an  active  musician.  He  is  an  enthusiastic  member  of 
the  order  of  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  owns  the  property  occupied 
by  his  gallerj',  and  takes  a  deep  interest  in  everything  calculated 
to  promote  the  welfare  of  his  adopted  home,  and  to  build  up  a  trade 
which  shall  be  a  credit  to  him  as  well  as  to  the  county. 

20.5 


Among  the  successful  farmers  of  De  Witt  county  must  be 
placed  M.  B.  Spicer,  who  after  many  years  of  toil  and  hardship, 
has  retired  to  enjoy  a  merited  quiet  He  was  born  in  Clark 
county,  Indiana,  July  12,  1820;  his  parents  were  Upshur  and 
Nancy  Spicer.  They  came  to  Indiana  from  Delaware.  I'pshur 
combined  cabinet-making  with  farming.  His  father,  in  turn,  was 
Lemuel  Spicer,  who  came  to  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  in  the 
spring  of  183.3  ;  his  son  Upshur  and  family  followed  in  the 
fall  of  the  same  year,  and  located  about  ten  miles  south-east  of 
Springfield.  Minos  obtained  a  common-school  education  in  In- 
diana. He  came  to  Be  Witt  county  in  18.54.  Whilst  yet  in 
Sangamon  county  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Jane 


Miller,  February  13,  1851.  By  this  marriage  there  have  been 
ten  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  In  1874  Mr.  Spicer 
retired  from  his  farm  in  Tunbridge  township,  to  Clinton,  pri- 
marily to  give  his  children, — three  sons  and  a  daughter, — a 
better  opportunity  for  obtaining  an  education.  Politically,  he 
is  a  Democrat ;  has  never  sought  office,  but  has  represented  his 
fellow-men  as  supervisor,  as  road  commissioner  and  as  school 
director ;  he  is  an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  Order.  His 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Spicer  enjoys 
the  good  will  of  all  As  a  citizen,  he  is  upright,  and -although 
possessed  of  considerable  means,  unostentatious. 


207 


O^/^-r^^ 


Was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Kentucky,  March  3d,  1827.  His 
parents  were  Thomas  and  JIalinda  Ford,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Hackett.  His  father  followed  brickmaking  for  many  years  ; 
came  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Jacksonville,  Morgan  county,  in 
1829.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  had  very  meagre  opportunities 
for  acquiring  an  education.  He  labored  in  his  father's  brick 
yard— the  first  mauual  labor  he  ever  performed — then,  on  a  farm 
and  afterwards  learned  the  saddle  and  harness  business,  which 
he  followed  for  about  nineteen  years.  He  located  in  Clinton  in 
1854,  where  he  pursued  his  business  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  for  the  Union.  On  the  27th  of  June,'l861,  he  enlisted  as 
First  Lieutenant,  accepting  the  place  of  Regimental  Quarter- 
master of  the  Twenty-fifth  Illinois  Vol.  Infantry.  Was  pro- 
moted to  a  Lieutenant  Colonelcy  and  subsequently  to  a  Colonelcy 


during  the  term  of  his  service.  After  the  war  he  collected  direct 
ta.Kes  for  the  United  States  in  Tennessee.  Was  appointed  post- 
master at  Clinton  in  1868,  which  position  he  held  for  four  years. 
He  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  D.  Bowren,  of  Clark  county, 
Kentucky,  February  22d,  1849.  By  this  union  there  have  been 
born  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living  namely,  William  D., 
Richard  Y.,  Edward  E.,  Katie  M. 

Col.  Ford  is  a  staunch  outspoken  Republican  of  whig  antece- 
dents. Learned  his  ideas  of  politics  of  Henry  Clay,  who  was  his 
beau  ideal  of  political  manhood  in  youth.  He  is  an  excellent 
worker  in  the  cause  of  Republicanism,  one  whose  influence  is 
often  sought.  In  manners  he  is  pleasing  and  affable  ;  in  his  friend- 
ships true  and  lasting.     The  C'olonel  has  many  friends  in  the 

vicinity  in  which  he  lives. 

209 


JOHN  AND  MINERVA  BISHOP  (deoeased). 

John  Bishop  was  boru  at  Exeter,  England,  and  was  the  son  of 
Nathaniel  and  Ann  (Beardsley)  Bishop,  who  had  a  family  of 
nine  children — five  girls  and  four  boys.  In  1829  Nathaniel 
Bishop  left  England  for  New  Brunswick,  Nova  Scotia,  and  set- 
tled with  his  family  on  the  James  River.  John,  a  mere  youth, 
soon  found  employment  in  the  lumber  business  so  extensively 
carried  on  in  that  vicinity.  In  1847,  in  conjunction  with  a  bro- 
ther, he  ccrne  to  Illinois,  and  purchased  a  farm  at  Elgin,  in 
which  occupation  he  continued  until  1853;  when,  with  his  bro- 
ther, William,  he  launched  out  into  the  grain  and  stock  business 
at  Freeport;  but  in  the  summer  of  1855  they  came  to  Clinton, 
erected  an  elevator  and  engaged  in  the  grain  and  lumber  busi- 
ness, which  they  successfully  operated  in  partnership  together ; 
and  no  firm  stood  higher  at  home  or  abroad  for  honesty  and  lib- 
erality in  business  than  that  of  John  and  William  Bishop. 

In  August,  1863,  John  Bishop  was  united  in  marriage  with 


Miss  Minerva  Moore,  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Philena  (Blish) 
Moore.  Miss  Moore  came  to  Clinton  about  1848,  and  resided 
with  her  brother,  C.  H.  Moore,  until  the  date  of  her  marriage. 
In  1867  John  Bishop  sold  out  his  interest  in  business  to  his 
lirother  William,  and  retireil  to  the  peace  and  quietness  of  pri- 
vate life.  In  an  imposing  building,  which  he  had  erected  in  the 
north  part  of  the  city,  he  and  she  spent  their  time  and  money  in 
beautifying  their  house,  taking  care  of  their  flowers,  and  enter- 
taining their  friends.  None  enjoyed  the  society  of  their  friends 
and  neiglibors  more  than  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bishop ;  their  house  was 
always  open,  and  the  closing  of  their  doors  by  death  was  regard 
ed  as  a  great  calamity  to  all  the  social  interests  of  the  city  ;  gen- 
erous to  all,  their  charities  were  of  that  quiet  kind  which  was 
concealed  from  all  but  the  givers  and  receivers.  Mrs.  Bishop's 
death  occurred  in  1880,  some  time  after  that  of  their  youthful 
daughter  and  only  child.  Mr.  Bishop  did  not  long  survive  his 
wife,  but  died  on  the  10th  of  August,  1881. 

211 


TAYLOR'' S 


Metropolitan    Livery   Stable:       Mor^  roe:     St      C  li  i\it  o  n.      Ill 
H.  B.TAY LOR      Proprietor 


Clinton  Livery,   Feed  .Sale  an  d  Exchange  Stables  )A/.  W.  WEED  MAN    Propr 

Horses    sold    and    bought.         East  Main  St.   Clinton,    III 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


213 


A.  W.  RAZEY, 

The  genial  proprietor  of  the  Magill  House,  Clinton,  Illinois,  was 
born  February  lOtli,  1850,  in  Perry,  Pike  county,  Illinois.  His 
parents  were  Nathan  and  Eliza  Razey,  {nee  Jones).  His  father 
was  by  trade  a  carpenter.  He  became  likewise  a  wagon  maker, 
and  followed  this,  and  operated  a  foundry  in  Pike  county.  In 
1857  he  came  to  De  Witt  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming. 
A.  W.  R.izey  followed  farming  when  a  youth.  When  about 
seventeen  years  of  age  he  attended  the  Normal  University  at 
Normal,  McLean  county,  where  he  remained  a  year  and  a  half. 
In  1868  he  became  clerk  in  the  post-office  at  Normal,  then  as 
a  clerk  he  came  to  Clinton  and  worked  for  Humphrey  &  Smith_ 
In  1870  he  changed  for  a  similar  position  with  Magill  Bros. 
After  six  mouth's  time  he  thought  to  reap  a  harvest  with  patent 
lamps  and  operated  a  short  time  in  Missouri.  The  reality  was  quite 
unlikehis  cherished  dreams,so  he  gave  up  the  business  and  engaged 
his  services  as  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  house  in  Kirksville,  Mo., 
where  he  remained  until  1873.  His  health  failing  him,  in  com- 
pany with  others  he  took  an  extended  buffalo  hunt,  and  after 
three  month's  absence  he  returned  to  Clinton,  where  he  engaged 
in  handling  produce.  In  a  few  months  he  went  to  Chicago  in 
the  same  line  of  business,  and  in  1875  he  again  became  a  clerk 
for  Magill  Bros.,  this  time  as  head  salesman  and  book-keeper. 
Here  he  remained  until  1881,  when  he  took  charge  of  the  hotel 
he  now  occupies.  He  was  married  December  25th,  1876,  to  Miss 
Ettie  Phares,  at  the  time  a  highly  esteemed  and  successful  teacher 
in  the  public  .schools  of  Clinton.  By  this  union  there  has  been 
born  one  child,  a  bright  little  girl  named  Edna.  Mr.  Eazey  is 
an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  order  including  chapter.  Odd 
Fellow,  and  Encampment  and  Knights  of  Pythias.  In  the  order 
of  Knights  of  Pythias  he  is  District  Deputy.  He  takes  great  in. 
terest  in  all  manner  of  public  improvements ;  is  treasurer  of 
the  tire  company,  secretary  of  the  literary  society  and  otherwise 
engaged  in  numerous  like  enterprises.  In  manners,  aifable,  and 
eminently  social,  he  makes  many  friends,  and  is  rapidly  establish- 
ing a  fine  reputation  for  the  honse  of  which  he  is  proprietor. 


WIILLIAM  BOOTH, 

The  present  efhcient  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  De  Witt  county, 
was  born  in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  on  the  'liih  of  April,  1849. 
His  father,  John  by  name,  was  a  farmer,  who  brought  his  family 
to  this  county  in  1857,  locating  in  Waynesville  township.  Wil- 
liam Booth  attended  the  common  district  school  until  1864, 
when,  foil  of  patriotic  fervor — although  both  too  young  and  too 
small  to  carry  a  musket, — he  slipped  away  from  home  and  be- 
came a  drummer-boy  with  Co.  I,  145th  Regiment,  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers. It  is  related  that  both  himself  and  an  associate  got  into 
the  breeches  he  drew  when  he  first  became  a  "  soger  boy."  He 
was  with  the  command  about  five  months.  Upon  his  return 
home  he  applied  himself  to  his  books  with  renewed  zeal,  attend- 
ing a  select  school  in  Waynesville,  taught  by  Prof  Turner,  then 
the  Wesleyan  University  at  Bloomington,  where  he  graduated 
in  1873.  To  him  belonged  the  honor  of  being  valedictorian  in 
a  class  of  nine.  Returning  home,  he  accepted  the  Principalship 
of  the  Waynesville  Public  Schools,  in  which  position  he  contin- 
ued for  three  years.  He  next  entered  the  law  office  of  Rowell  & 
Hamilton,  in  Bloomington,  as  a  student ;  then  went  to  Spring- 
field, where  he  continued  reading  under  the  guidance  of  Oren- 
dorflTA  Creighton.  In  January,  1879,  he  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice at  the  bar,  and  at  once  located  in  Clinton,  where  he  was 
elected  Prosecuting  Attorney.  He  was  dependent  upon  his  own 
exertions  largely  in  securing  an  education.  At  college  he  re- 
fused to  join  other  students  in  many  pastimes  engaged  in  from 
sheer  necessity.  At  Springfield  his  last  five  dollar  bill  went  for 
board  just  before  his  admittance  to  the  bar.  The  firm  with 
whom  he  studied  loaned  him  money  with  which  to  pay  for  his  li- 
cense. Possessed  of  plenty  of  pluck  and  energy,  he  is  acquiring 
a  fine  practice  in  his  chosen  profession,  and  is  making  many 
friends.  In  politics  he  is  a  straightforward  and  outspoken  Re- 
publican, one  who  is  proud  of  having  cast  his  first  ballot  for  Gen. 
U.  S.  Grant  for  President.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Oi-der  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  in  whose  workings  he  takes  a  lively  in- 
terest. 


--y^ 


SANTA    ANNA    TOWNSHIP. 


bHIS  is  a  rhomboidal-shaped  precinct,  its  northern 
and  southern  boundary  lines  being  parallel, 
whilst  its  eastern  are  not,  the  eastern  being  an 
angle  of  50  degrees,  with  a  meridian  line.  It 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  McLean  county, 
on  the  east  by  Piatt,  on  the  south  by  Piatt 
county  and  De  Witt  township,  and  on  the  west 
by  De  Witt  and  Rutledge  townships.  It  con- 
tains 27  square  miles,  or  more  accurately  17,- 
297  acres.  It  is  well  drained  by  Salt  creek  and  its  affluents. 
Salt  creek  enters  the  township  from  McLeau  county,  passing  in 
its  general  south-westerly  course  through  sections  14,  23,  27,  28, 
33,  32,  31  and  6.  Its  minor  affluents  take  their  rise  in  springs 
chiefly  within  the  boundaries  of  the  township.  It  is  well  tim- 
bered, in  parts  heavily  so.  The  soil  is  rich  and  fertile,  and  is 
adapted  to  all  cereals  raised  i»  the  latitude.  The  scenery  pre- 
sented to  the  eye  of  the  observer  is  varied  and  inviting.  Not 
alone  are  the  water  courses  followed  by  strips  of  timber,  but  here 
and  there  are  fine  natural  groves  adorning  the  landscape. 

In  the  spring  of  18.30,  Tilmon  Lane,  Sr.,  Matthew  K.  Martin, 
William  Lane,  Benjamin  L.  Lisenby  and  J.  J.  McGraw, desiring 
to  spy  out  the  country,  followed  up  Salt  creek  to  its  head  waters, 
and  found  a  family  occupying  a  deserted  Indian  wigwam  on  sec- 
tion 33.  just  south  of  the  present  site  of  Farmer  City-  John 
Conner  was  the  bold  pioneer  who  had  pushed  his  way  beyond 
the  settlements  and  taken  up  his  abode  in  the  solitude  of  an  un- 
broken wilderness.  His  visitors  stanchioned  their  horses,  built  a 
fire  against  some  logs  and  slept  on  their  blankets,  except  when 
disturbed  by  the  howling  of  wolves  and  hooting  of  owls,  which 
they  declared  they  hail  never  found  so  plentiful  as  here.  The 
restless  spirit  of  the  adventurer  always  characterized  Donner. 
As  soon  as  other  immigrants  came  in  he  left,  and  in  1846,  to- 
gether with  quite  a  band,  he  perished  in  the  Rocky  Mountains 
en  route  for  California.  This  visit  resulted  in  giving  the  name  of 
one  of  the  party  to  a  small  tributary  of  Salt  creek,  and  which 
name  it  yet  bears,  being  popularly  called  Martin's  Branch. 
Another  pioneer  named  Bridges  had  located  and  remained  within 
the  line  of  this  precinct  simultaneously  with  Donner.  His  brief 
stay  was  passed  in  hunting,  and  content  with  heaven  as  a  canopy, 
and  furs  as  a  bed,  he  erected  no  rude  cabin  to  blaze  the  march  of 
civilization. 

To  Dennis  Hurley  belongs  the  credit  of  being  the  first  perma 
nent  settler  in  this  precinct.  His  humble  cabin  was  erected  in 
the  fall  of  1830,  in  what  is  called  Hurley's  Grove,  a  short  dis- 
tance south-west  of  Farmer  City.  With  him  came  a  brother-in- 
law,  Richard  Kirby,  who  followed  with  the  second  cabin.  Den- 
nis Hurley  was  the  father  of  twelve  children,  two  of  whom  died, 
in  Ohio.  Catharine  Hurley,  now  the  wife  of  George  Swigart, 
214 


was  the  first  person  born  in  the  precinct.  She  was  born  July 
16th,  1832.  Soon  after  getting  his  cabin  comfortably  fixed  Den- 
nis Hurley  had  the  misfortune  to  cripple  his  right  hand  in  an 
eflibrt  to  load  his  gun.  He  struck  the  ramrod  with  such  a  force 
as  to  cause  it  to  penetrate  the  hand,  carrying  into  the  wound  a 
bit  of  his  coat.  In  chopping  wood  and  shooting  game,  the  left 
hand,  as  a  sole  dependence,  added  to  the  hardships  incident  to 
pioneer  life. 

The  rangers,  on  their  way  to  participate  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war,  camped  near  Hurley's  cabin,  in  the  grove  which  yet  bears 
his  name,  and  thrilled  with  their  accounts  of  the  atrocities  prac- 
ticed upon  the  whites  by  the  Indians,  he  promptly  oflered  his 
services  and  tO(  k  up  his  line  of  march  for  the  north-west. 

Richard  Kirby  was  the  father  of  fifteen  children.  He  origi- 
nally came  from  Ohio,  a  poor  man,  in  search  of  a  home.  Here 
he  fo  ind  it  and  lived  respected  by  his  fellows  until  1870,  when 
his  ileath  was  caused  by  falling  from  a  wagon  loaded  with  wood. 

In  the  spring  of  1832  a  band  of  Kickapoo  Indians  whose  cus- 
tom it  had  been  to  make  sugar  along  the  creek  returned  for  the 
last  time,  cut  to  pieces  their  sugar  troughs  and  destroyed  every 
thing  the  whites  could  utilize  in  its  manufacture.  These 
Indians  had  a  tradition  that  eighty  years  before  any  whites  came 
to  this  country  there  was  a  snow-fall  of  seven  feet  which  destroyed 
all  the  game  in  this  section.  This  tradition  the  early  settlers 
thought  somewhat  corroborated  by  the  fact  that  they  found  piles 
of  buffalo  bones  bleaching  on  the  prairies  as  if  the  animals  had 
perished  in  herds. 

In  the  fall  of  1882  came  Nathan  Clearwater,  making  the  fourth 
family  to  settle  ou  head  waters  of  Salt  creek.  These  four  neigh- 
bors were  ten  miles  distant  from  any  other  settlement.  At  this 
time  Bloomington  was  their  nearest  trading  point  and  even  there 
was  only  a  small  store  kept  by  a  man  named  Haines.  The  wants, 
however,  of  these  sturdy  pioneers  were  few.  An  annual  trip 
gufficed  to  supply  them,  and  this  was  oftener  extended  to  Peoria 
or  Pekin  than  to  Bloomington.  Thus  far  the  staking  ofi'of  a 
claim  was  sufficient  evidence  of  ownership.  But  on  the  first  day 
of  February,  1833,  Nathan  Clearwater  entered  the  first  tract  of 
land  entered  in  this  precinct,  it  being  the  N.  E.  i  of  the  N.  W.  J 
of  section  33,  township  21,  range  5  E.  After  this  land  entries 
were  made  as  follows  : 

IN   TOWXSHIP   NO.  21,    RANGE   5    EAST. 
Feb.  18,  1833,  William  Y.  McCord  entered  W.  J,  S.  W.  J,  Sec.  32,  SO  acres. 

Oct.  10,  1833,  Reuben  Clearwater         "         W.  i,  N.  E.  J,  ■'  33,  80  " 

Mar.  17,  1834,  James  W.  McCord        "        S.  E.  J,  S.  W.  J,  "  32,40  " 

Feb.  0,  1S34,  P.  Webb  "        33J  acres,  ■'  33. 

June  2,  1834,  Reuben  Clearwater         "        S.  E.  J,  N.  W.  J,  "  33,40  " 

Nov.  1,  1834,  John  Danner  "        N.  E.  },  N.  E.  J,  "  32,  40  " 

Nov.  19,  1834,  John  E.  French  "         N.W.i,N.E.V'  32,40  " 

Aug.  27,  1835,  E.  Covey  "        W.  i,  N.  W.  J,  "  34,  80  " 


III.S'IORY  OF  DE    WITT  COUMY,  JIJJNOJS. 


215 


IN  TOWNSHIP   NO.    20,   RANGE    5    EAST. 

June  10,  1834,  John  Hurley  entered  N.  E.  \,   S  E.  J,    Sec.  6,  40  acres. 
Nov.  20,  1834,  Dennis  Hurley       "         N.  J,  S.  W.  J  "     6.  80      '■ 

These  lands  are  all  compriseil  iii  the  timber  belt  following  the 
meanderings  of  Salt  creek.  The  idea  that  the  rolling  prairies, 
stretching  away  for  miles,  luxuriant  in  their  tall  grass  and  bright 
flowers,  would  ever  be  even  habitable  was  undreamed  of  by  those 
who  sought  the  friendly  shelter  of  the  forests.  Uncle  Nathan 
Clearwater  as  he  is  known  and  his  estimable  wife  yet  live  on  the 
land  entered  by  the  wife's  father,  John  Danner,  in  ]8i4.  The 
quaint  and  cosy  old  homestead  is  a  most  valued  relic  of  the  past, 
and  brings  with  it  the  crude  ideas  of  those  earlier  days  of  pioneer 
life,  characterized  as  they  were  by  genuine  fellowship  and  good 
feeling.  Among  other  things  that  mark  it  as  a  homestead  coming 
from  a  past  generation  is  the  grove  of  stately  black  locusts  near 
the  house  set  out  by  the  owner  nearly  fifty  years  ago.  Uncle 
Nathan  and  Aunt  Polly  are  known  and  loved  by  all.  They 
have  passed  their  golden  wed  ling,  and  are  now  the  only  two  left 
who  were  among  the  heads  of  the  first  four  pioneer  families. 
About  the  same  time  with  Nathan  Clearwater  came  J.  Washing-  ' 
ton  AlcCord,  who  lived  for  a  year  or  two  in  this  settlement  and 
moved  to  what  is  now  Harp  township.  He  had  passed  through 
here  as  early  as  1828  when  on  a  tour  of  home  hunting.  He 
affirmed  to  his  Tennessee  friends  that  the  time  would  come  when 
the  prairie  land,  then  entirely  neglected  and  unsought,  would  be 
considered  more  valuable  than  timber  tracts  His  friends  were 
incredulous.  Some  of  them  declared  they  wouldn't  accept  twenty 
thousand  acres  of  such  land  as  a  gift  and  pay  taxes  on  them,  that 
they  would  always  remain  hunting  grounds  where  deer  congre- 
gate. The  wife  of  J.  W.  McCord,  living  when  he  first  came  to 
Illinois,  was  a  most  devoted  and  earnest  Christian  woman  ;  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  faith. 

Jno.  Weedaian,  Sr.,  in  passiu2  through  here  in  1832,  looking 
after  stock  found  a  man  named  George  Hand  living  in  the  hol- 
low of  a  tree,  which  at  the  time  was  certainly  the  largest  in  De 
Witt  county.     His  sojourn  here  was  temporary. 

Henry  Huddleston,  an  Indianian,  was  the  next  person  to  unite 
his  destinies  with  those  of  the  little  band  Then  came  Richard 
D.  Webb  from  Shelby  county,  Kentucky,  reaching  here  Nov. 
16th,  1833.  He  purchased  the  claim  of  John  Danner,  who  had 
left  for  other  parts,  so  there  were  but  the  five  families  in  close 
proximity,  although  to  the  west,  in  the  adjoining  township,  lived 
Washington  McCord. 

The  first  religious  me^'ting  was  held  in  the  house  of  Richard 
Kirby,  and  in  this  house,  a  cabin  12x16  feet  in  size,  their  meet- 
ings continued  some  months.  The  first  class  formed  numbered 
seven  persons ;  Richard  Kirby  and  wife.  Dennis  Hurley  and 
wife,  Nathan  Clearwater  and  wife  and  Mrs.  Julia  McCord,  first 
wife  of  Washington  McCord.  They  met  together  in  praise  and 
prayer  and  their  zeal  was  strengthened  by  an  occasional  visit 
made  by  a  preaching  brother.  The  first  circuit  rider  was  a  man 
named  Hall.  His  circuit  required  at  least  a  hundred  miles 
travel  in  making  a  single  round,  hence  his  appointments  for  the 
same  place  were  a  month  apart. 

The  first  death  in  the  community  was  that  of  William  Smith 
Clearwater,  a  son  of  Nathan  Clearwater,  and  occurred  November 
13th,  1834.  His  remains  were  placed  in  a  ruilely  constructed 
coffin,  the  workmanship  of  Richard  D.  Webb,  and  lowered  to  their 
last  resting  place  where  so  many  have  since  been  laid  away  to 
sleep  the  sleep  of  death. 

On  the  9th  day  of  April,  183.5,  one  of  those  cold  and  bluster- 


ing days,  not  uncommon  in  Illinois,  a  mau  named  Uyau  was 
frozen  to  death  in  this  vicinity.  A  cold  mirth  wiii.l  blew  all 
that  day  ;  pelting  suow  alternating  with  rain  fell  l'a>t.  Three 
immigrant  wagons,  westward  bound,  had  been  trying  all  day  to 
push  their  way  against  the  beating,  driving  storm,  when  on  at- 
tempting to  cross  a  slough  east  of  Farmer  city  the  wagons  and 
teams  mired  down.  The  men  fixed  their  families  comfortably 
in  the  wagons  for  the  night,  then  unhitched  their  teams  and 
started  for  the  .Salt  creek  timber,  where  they  expected  to  get  food 
and  shelter  for  their  stock.  Mr.  Ryan's  was  an  ox  team.  He 
started  a  little  earlier  than  his  companions,  riding  the  near  ox, 
a  thing  very  common  in  those  days.  »\  hen  he  reached  the 
slough  south  of  Salt  creek  he  found  it  so  swollen  with  the  rains 
that  he  dared  not  attempt  crossing.  He  started  back  to  the 
wagons  ;  on  the  way  he  fell  from  his  ox  stiifened  with  cold  and 
died.  The  next  morning  his  body  was  found,  and  decent  burial 
given  it  in  a  coffin  made  by  Richard  Webb  and  his  neighbors. 
This  was  the  first  burial  of  an  iidult  in  the  old  grave-yard.  Na- 
than Clearwater  cared  for  the  bereaved  widow  and  orphaned 
children  until  more  propituous  weather  enabled  them  to  pass  on 
to  their  western  destination  in  Knox  county. 

Paxton  Gumming  moved  here  in  the  spring  of  183-5,  after  the 
sad  occurrence  just  related,  from  North  Carolina.  He  was  a  most 
excellent  man,  a  devoted  Christian  and  minister  in  the  M.  E. 
church.  His  piety,  meekness  and  purity  of  character,  combined 
with  a  heart  reaching  out  in  love  and  tenderness  for  the  suffer- 
iug,  made  an  impression  upon  the  generation  in  which  he  lived, 
that  the  wiisting,  corroding  influences  of  lime  can  never  efface. 
The  memory  of  his  noble  deeds  is  still  fresh  and  green  in  the 
minds  of  the  early  settlers,  and  affords  a  themj  as  sweet  a-i  the 
fragrance  of  holy,  precious  incense  Mr.  Gumming  was  for  two 
or  three  years  actively  engaged  in  proclaiming  the  word,  travel- 
ing a  circuit  of  over  one  hundred  miles.  He  brought  with  him 
the  first  kit  of  blacksmithing  tools  ever  brought  to  the  township, 
and  supplemented  his  preaching  labors  by  doing  the  work  of  a 
smithy.  He  died  in  the  month  of  September,  1839.  being  the 
first  person  buried  in  *.he  second  cemetery  located  in  the  pre- 
cinct. His  death  occurred  the  first  day  of  the  first  camp  meeting 
held  in  Santa  Anna,  and  quite  appropriately  his  remains  were 
laid  away  to  rest  on  the  camp  ground  which  was  located  on  sec- 
tion 31. 

Settlers  now  began  to  come  in  more  freely,  and  in  1837  tliere 
were  in  the  grove,  as  the  old  settlers  call  the  Salt  creek  valley 
adjacent  to  Farmer  city,  nineteen  families,  most  of  whom  are  yet 
represented  in  the  population  in  this  vicinity-  They  were  Henry 
Huddleston,  Nathan  Clearwater,  John  Danner,  J.  \V.  Badley, 
Jas.  W.  McCord,  John  Weedman,  Asa  Weedraan.  R.  JI.  Pat- 
terscni,  Richard  Kirby,  P-ixton  Gumming,  Edward  Corey,  Byron 
Corey, 'Noah  Grant,  Richard  D.  Webb,  Thomas  Blalach,  James 
Webb,  Mrs.  Watson,  Matthew  Johnson,  and  Dennis  Hurley. 
The  village  of  Mount  Pleasant  had  been  laid  off  by  Nathan 
Clearwater,  John  W.  Badley,  and  Robt.  M.  Patterson,  January 
the  28th,  1837.  Squire  Hiram  Buck,  of  McLean  county,  sur- 
veyed the  plat.  The  first  house  erected  on  the  town  site  was 
by  Nathan  Clearwater.  The  first  stock  of  goods  and  groceries 
brought  to  the  place  was  by  Wm  H.  McFall,  in  the  fall  of  1837. 
The  next  house  in  order  of  building,  was  a  small  frame-building 
by  John  Smith,  occupied  as  a  hotel.  Old  settlers  remember  the 
sign,  on  which  was  painted  the  word  "Hotel,"  swung  out  from 
the  building,  which  was  hardly  large  enough  to  afford  accom- 
modation for  a  single  household.  The  houses  throughout  the 
entire  settlement  were  provided  with  stick  and  mud  chimneys, 


216 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


affording  a  large  and  open  fire-place,  from  four  to  six  feet  across, 
and  having  a  hearth  of  mother  earth,  except  that  built  by  Clear- 
water, which  put  on  metropolitain  airs,  by  having  a  brick  chim- 
ney made  of  the  first  brick  manufactured  here.  In  1839  the 
first  voting  precinct  was  laid  off,  and  Richard  D  Webb,  John 
Danner  and  Dennis  Hurley  were  appointed  judges  of  election. 
At  the  first  election  held,  William  H.  McFall  was  elected  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  and  Thomas  Blalach,  constable.  There  were  in  all 
twentv-four  votes  polled.  During  the  same  year,  the  first  mail 
facilities  were  afforded  citizens  by  the  establishment  of  a  mail 
route  extending  from  Danville  to  Bloomington,  by  way  of 
Urbana,  Le  Roy,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Middletown,  and  Sidney.  James 
McKillop  obtained  the  first  contract  for  carrying  this  mail. 
Citizens  around  .Mt.  Pleasant  were  some  time  in  securing  an 
office  after  the  establishment  of  the  route,  owing  to  the  fact  that 
each  name  selected,  proved  to  have  been  already  given  an  office 
in  the  State.  John  Smith  at  last  proposed  the  name  of  Santa 
Anna,  and  it  was  chosen,  and  he  was  installed  first  postmaster. 
The  mail  was  carried  once  a  week.  In  IS-IO  the  mail  facilities 
were  increased,  a  semi-weekly  being  provided  for,  a.d  a  regular 
two-horse  hack  being  put  on  the  route.  Asahel  Brewer,  of  Ur- 
bana. cirried  the  mail  from  Danville  to  Mt.  Pleasant.  The 
hacks  met  here,  and  John  Smith's  hotel  became  a  place  of  more 
business. 

The  first  saw-mill  was  erected  by  Messrs.  Brooks  and  Bosturck. 
Being  unable  to  secure  a  sufficient  supply  of  water  when  it  was  first 
built,  it  was  torn  down  and  rebuilt  ou  the  east  side  of  Huddles- 
ton's  grove,  where  it  did  a  fair  business.  McFall  grew  tired  of 
merchandizing,  and  after  a  year  or  two  quit,  to  engage  in  mill- 
ing. This  left  the  people  without  such  facilities.  However  the 
mail  carriers  were  accommodating  men,  and  made  purchases  at 
Danville  or  Bloomington,  on  order  of  parties  desiring  goods 
Hunting  afforded  a  great  attraction  for  these  pioneers,  and  at 
stated  times  they  wjuld  gather  together  to  enjoy  the  excitement 
of  the  chase.  Richard  D.  Webb  had  a  fine  large  hound  he 
called  Mang,  that  was  an  especial  favorite.  Rarely  did  he  fail 
to  take  down  a  deer  or  catch  a  wolf,  in  a  fair  chase.  Ouce  he 
caught  a  fine  buck,  throwing  him  heavily  to  the  ground.  Losing 
his  hold  and  his  balance  too,  he  tumbled  over  on  his  side.  The 
buck  gained  his  feet  first,  and  away  he  sped.  Mang  rallied  and 
followed  a  half  mile,  when  he  suddenly  stopped  and  looked  after 
the  game  with  a  look  that  seemed  to  say,  "  Go,  I  don't  want 
to  catch  you."  All  the  rallying  the  hunters  could  do  passed  for 
naught  with  him ;  he  would  not  resume  the  chase.  Webb's  de- 
light was  in  wolf  hunting,  in  which  he  excelled.  Once  he  was 
first  at  the  death  of  three  wolves  caught  the  same  day  John 
Weedman  was  the  owner  of  two  fine  grey-hounds,  and  took  great 
delight  in  the  chase  of  deer,  in  which  he  was  eminently  successful. 
He  was  the  owner  of  a  very  fleet  horse  named  Blue,  which  was 
generally  first  in  a  deer  chase.  There  was  much  excitement  in 
these  hunts,  as  all  participated  in  the  fun. 

About  1840  hogs  were  worth  from  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents 
to  two  dollars  per  head.  Dealers' visited  the  settlement,  carrying 
an  old-fashioned  pair  of  steelyards  with  which  to  weigh  them. 
Cattle  brought  from  ei»ht  to  twelve  dollars  a  head  ;  horses  ranged 
from  thirty  to  fifly  dollars. 

The  first  political  speaking  was  by  Asahel  Gridley  (^whig),  of 
Bloomington,  and  Wilson  P.  Brown  (democrat),  of  the  same 
place.  They  were  candidates  for  the  State  Senate.  Gridley  was 
the  successful  candidate  Some  additional  importance  was  given 
to  this  election  from  the  fact  that  a  United  States  Senator  was  to 
be  elected  the  ensuing  session  of  the  Legislature.  An  incident  con- 


nected with  this  speaking  is  worthy  of  perpetuation.  Amos 
Kendall,  Pos< master-General,  had  written  to  John  Smith,  the 
postmaster  at  Santa  Anna  post-office,  asking  him  to  use  his  influ- 
ence for  the  re-election  of  Martin  Van  Buren  as  President  of  the 
United  States.  Smith  gave  the  letter  to  Gridley,  who  in  the 
course  of  his  speech  read  it  to  the  small  crowd  that  had  gathered 
together.  Brown,  when  replying  to  Gridley,  said  he  had  a  letttr 
rebutting  what  was  said  in  the  letter  Gridley  had  read  in  their 
hearing,  and  proceeded  with  his  speecii.  Reuben  Clearwater, 
who  was  present,  thought  Brown  had  forgotten  the  letter,  and 
said,  "Squire,  we  would  like  to  have  that  letter  read."  Brown 
replied,  "  Yes,  yes,  I  forgot  myself ;"  shuffled  his  papers  around  ; 
commenced  where  he  left  off,  and  went  on  with  his  speech. 
Clearwater  was  not  to  be  put  off  in  such  a  way,  so  he  again  said, 
"Squire  we  would  like  to  iiear  that  letter."  Brown  replied 
again,  "Yes,  yes,  I  declare  I  forgot  myself  again;"  shuffled  his 
papers  for  some  time,  and  went  on  with  his  speech.  But  Clear- 
water was  persistent,  and  compelled  a  confession  from  Brown 
that  he  had  no  such  letter,  which  brought  out  a  wild  shout  from 
the  whigs  present. 

Peter  Gideon  of  Clinton,  made  the  first  abolition  speech  ever 
made  in  Santa  Anna  township.  His  predictions  respecting  the 
death  of  slavery  were  undreamed  of  by  his  auditors,  and  their 
declaration  fairly  startled  them.  The  effort  is  well  remembered 
bv  those  who  heard  it,  and  lived  to  witness  the  destruction  of 
the  institution  throughout  our  land,  many  of  whom  extended 
a  helping  hand  in  its  downfall. 

Millerism  numbered  several  of  the  old  settlers  among  its  con- 
verts ;  one  of  whom  had  in  his  possession  large  pictures  of  the 
final  scenes  on  earth,  and  accounts  of  the  last  days,  together  with 
the  day  of  final  reckoning  sometime  in  1843.  That  year,  snow 
in  drifts  was  to  be  seen  the  first  of  May ;  grass  was  scarce  ;  it  was 
a  year  of  hardships,  which  the  imagination  of  the  Millerites 
easily  construed  into  a  fulfillment  of  Miller's  predictions.  On 
the  day  for  the  rolling  together  of  the  heavens  as  a  mighty  scroll, 
and  the  melting  of  the  earth  with  a  fervent  heat,  two  persons  in 
this  vicinity  clad  themselves  in  ascension  robes  ready  to  meet 
their  God. 

The  first  wedding  to  take  place  in  the  timber,  was  that  uf 
Absalom  Danner,  to  Lucretia  Covey  in  1837.  The  neighbors  ge- 
nerally contributed  their  presence  and  cheer  to  the  happy 
event 

The  first  school-house  in  Santa  Anna  township  was  erected  on 
a  beautiful  bluff,  the  base  of  which  is  washed  by  Salt  creek, 
about  a  mile  south-west  of  Farmer  City.  A  grove  of  sugar- 
maple  is  close  by.  It  was  a  hewed  log-house,  twenty-four  feet 
square,  and  served  for  the  double  purpose  of  school  and  meeting 
house.  The  fire-place  was  eight  feet  wide  and  four  feet  deep. 
The  chimney  was  of  sticks,  imbedded  in  a  stiff  clay  mortar  mixed 
with  cut  straw,  a  material  called  by  the  settlers  '■  cut  and  clay." 
John  Danner  was  the  moving  spirit  in  behalf  of  the  educational  in- 
terests of  the  rising  generation.  He  furnished  the  land  on  which 
to  build,  and  most  of  the  material,  hewed  all  the  timbers,  and 
aided  in  its  construction,  until  it  was  completed.  Schools  were 
taught  by  subscription.  82.25  and  g2.50  were  the  common  prices 
per  scholar  for  a  three  months  school.  The  first  teacher  was 
John  Heath,  a  native  of  Tennessee.  Robert  Pool,  a  local 
preacher,  was  the  second. 

Henry  Huddleston  and  wife  died  of  small-pox  during  the  late 
war,  and  were  buried  on  the  bluffs,  high  above  Salt  creek,  in  the 
beautiful  grove  which  bears  their  name. 

Edward  Covey  came  here  from  Ohio  in  1835,  and  bought  land 


HISTORY  OF  DE  W12T  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


217 


of  Reuben  Clearwaters.     He  was  an  exemplary  citizen.     He  and 
his  wife  have  long  since  passed  into  "  the  realms  of  shade.'' 

During  the  winter  of  18.32-3,  the  wolves  committed  such  de- 
pr<"datious  among  stock  as  to  lead  citizens  of  Buckle's  grove  to 
offer  a  hundred  bushels  of  corn,  worth  a.s  much  at  the  time  as 
sixty  acres  of  prairie  land  to  the  man  who  would  kill  the  most 
of  them  during  the  remainder  of  the  winter.  Nathan  Clearwaters 
put  up  a  trap  in  which  he  caught  nine  within  a  month.  He 
believes  himself  to  have  been  entitled  to  the  prize,  but  more  laid 
claim  thereto.  Among  the  note-worthy  adventures  of  citizens, 
perhaps  none  are  more  deserving  of  being  chronicled  than  that 
of  Asa  Weedman.  He  was  one  day  hunting  near  the  north-fork 
of  Salt  creek,  when  he  shot  what  he  said  was  the  largest  buck 
he  ever  saw.  At  the  crack  of  the  ritle  the  deer  fell,  and  he  rushed 
upon  it  to  cut  its  throat,  and  let  it  bleed.  As  soon  as  he  reached 
the  deer,  it  started  up  and  Weedman  caught  it  by  the  antlers. 
A  terrible  struggle  ensued,  as  the  deer  had  scarcely  been  wounded 
by  the  shot  To  release  his  grasp  would  have  been  certain  death, 
so  he  held  on  with  a  vice-like  grip,  and  the  desperate  and  doubt- 
ful conflict  continued  until  the  deer  and  man  both  sunk  down 
from  sheer  exhaustion,  Weedman  still  clutching  the  horns  with 
bull-dog  pluck.  The  combatants  were  perfectly  hors  de  combat, 
and  remained  indifferently  passive,  till  the  deer  feeling  himself 
somewhat  rested,  attempted  to  regain  his  footing  and  renew  the 
struggle.  When  the  deer  started  to  rise,  Weedman  wisely 
thought  to  let  his  hands  glide  gently  from  the  horns,  and  remain 
lying  on  the  ground  still  and  motionless,  as  if  he  were  dead.  The 
buck  got  up,  looked  upon  his  brave  and  fallen  foe,  and  walked 
leisurely  off"  with  the  triumph  of  a  victor.  Weedman  got  up  con- 
gratulating himself  on  the  success  of  his  ruse.  Although  the 
buck  was  the  better  fighter,  he  lacked  strategetic  ability.  Weed- 
man  long  carried  the  scars,  showing  the  desperate  character  of 
the  struggle. 

FARMER   CITY. 

The  to  wn  of  ilount  Pleasant,  now  Farmer  City,  was  laid  off  by 
Robert  M .  Patterson  and  John  W.  Baddly  January  23d,  183T. 
The  original  plat  being  a  part  of  of  the  X.  E.  i  of  the  S.  W.  1  of 
section  28  was  surveyed  by  Hiram  Buck  of  McLean  county,  and 
dived  into  fourteen  blocks  of  twelve  lots  each  and  four  partial 
blocks,  in  the  centre  of  which  is  a  public  square  after  the 
manner  of  old  southern  towns.  In  all  there  were  two  hundred 
lots.  These  lots  were  44x125  feet  in  dimensions.  Streets 
•were  49*  feet  wide,  except  j\Iain  street,  which  was  66  feet 
wide.  To  the  original  town  plat  additions  have  been  made  as 
follows:  By  John  Weedman  and  John  R.Blackford  as  surveyed 
by  A.  L.  Barnett,  ilay  1st,  1856,  a  tract  849  feet  long  by  560  feet 
wide,  in  all  six  blocks  of  twelve  lots  each,  to  the  east  of  the  orig- 
inal town.  By  Reuben  Huddleston  as  surveyed  by  David  Rich- 
ardson, August  12th,  1868.  Eight  blocks  containing  forty-six 
lots,  being  a  part  of  the  S.  W.  }  of  the  N.  E.  J  and  a  part  of  the 
N.  W.  i  of  the  S.  E.  },  section  28.  By  Reuben  Huddleston  a 
2d  addition  east  of  above  addition.  Sixteen  blocks,  in  all  159 
lots  addition,  made  March  9th,  1870.  By  G.  W.  Herrick, 
an  addition  east  of  Weedman  and  Blackford's,  made  October 
I4th,  1871.  Six  blocks,  in  all  fifty-seven  lots.  By  A.  M.  Gum- 
ming, March  2d,  1871,  west  of  original  plat,  six  lots.  By 
same   addition   September  12th,   1871,  of  four   blocks    of  four 

lots  each.     By Watson,  August  2Sth,  1871,  of  four  blocks  of  \ 

four  lots  each,  located  south  of  Cumming's  addition.  By  C.  H.  [ 
Moore  of  four  blocks,  August  2d,  1871.  By  A.  S.  Norris,  twenty-  I 
two  lots,  October  12th,  1872.     By  J.  McMurray,  fifteen   lots. 


February  6th,  1872.     By  William  T.  Bean,  five  lots  June  23d, 

1870.     By Keenan,  nine  lots,  April  26th,  1871.     By  W.  T. 

Bean,  ten  lots,  June  9th,  1871.  The  dates  of  these  additions  in- 
dicates the  period  of  the  greater  growth  of  the  city.  The  construc- 
tion of  the  Oilman  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad  gave  an 
impetus  to  it  that  caused  much  speculation  in  town  property  and 
made  of  it  a  handsome  little  city.  The  name  of  Mount  Pleasant 
was  exchanged  for  that  of  Farmer  City,  by  popular  vote  in  1868. 

Elevators.  The  first  elevator,  and  largest  as  well,  was  that  of 
Gallup,  Clark  &  Co  ,  erected  in  1870,  at  a  cost  of  S10,000.  Its 
capacity  is  about  16,000  bushels.  Shipments  for  1881,  240,000 
bushels.  It  is  on  the  line  of  the  I.  B.  and  W.  railroad  from  which 
a  switch  is  extended  to  the  elevator. 

In  1871  another  elevator,  now  the  property  of  A.  T.  Peckham 
of  Rhode  Island,  was  erected.  It  has  a  storage  capacity  of  12,000 
bushels,  and  originally  cost  about  88,000.  Shipments  for  1881 
were  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  bushels.    W.  W.  Alder  is  manager. 

Mill.  In  1869  John  Weedman  and  William  Y.  McCord  erect- 
ed the  mill  nosv  owned  and  operated  by  William  Haynie,  at  a 
cost  of  S18,000.  It  is  supplied  with  three  run  of  burrs  and  all 
modern  appliances,  guarantying  good  work.  Its  capacity  is  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  barrels  per  diem. 

Banks.  The  bank  now  known  as  Weedman's  was  first  opened 
for  business  by  the  Thomas  Brothers  and  John  Weedman.  Oscar 
Thomas  died  in  1876,  whereupon  Weedman  bought  out  the  inter- 
est of  the  brothers,  and  has  since  carried  it  on.  The  capital  was 
840,000  when  first  established.  Ii  is  largely  a  bank  of  deposit, 
buys  and  sells  home  and  foreign  t-xchange.  Is  admirably  man- 
aged and  deserves  the  extensive  patronage  awarded  it.  J.  B. 
Lewis  is  Cashier  and  Teller,  and  W.  K.  Stare,  book-keeper. 

First  National  Bank  was  organized  on  the  15th  of  August, 
1874,  with  a  paid  up  capital  of  850,000  and  a  surplus  of  810,000 
It  is  well  conducted.  Its  present  officers  are  J.  H.  Harrison, 
President,  A  M.  Cumming,  Vice  President  and  Frank  J.  ^filler. 
Cashier. 

ILitil< :  "  Commercial  House."  I>y  .1.  H.  Crane,  a  well  or- 
dered and  roomy  house,  that  is  quite  a  favorite  with  traveling 
men:  "  Park  Hotel"  by  Ponce  White.  "  Central  Hoit.^r  "  by 
L.  H.  Campbell 

Dry  (;„od.<:  Z.  T.  Lillard  ;  S.  S.  Capen ;  Burford  Brothers; 
H.  Levi  &  Brother:  J.  E.  Huu'z  &  Co.,  and  L.  AV.  Cook. 

Physicians  :  M.  L.  Reed,  A.  L.  Norris,  A.  S.  Norris,  John 
Clouser,  J.  W.  Woodward,  J.  D.  Gardiner,  L  Loda. 

Attorneys  at  Law :     C.  M.  Welch,  George  W.  Herrick. 

Dealers  in  Hurdnarc:  J.  H.  Harrison  &  Sons;  M.  H. 
Kelly,  Alder  and  Bro. 

Drugrjist :     Garver  Bros,  Austin  Vanscoyoc 

Groceries :  Barnes  &  Kunler,  L.  W.  Cook,  William  Young 
&  Son,  George  Chisholm,  J.  T.  Davidson,  Burford  Bros,  S.  S. 
Capen,  Z.  T.  Lillard. 

Uurness  and  Saddlrry :     Henry  Mitchell,  Isaac  Albright. 

Livery  Stable  :     F.  P.  Sangster. 

Furniture:     R.  H.  Seltzer,  J.  W.  Moreland. 

Blacksmiths :  Allen  Finch  &  Brother,  John  Gould,  Thomas 
Bosler,  George  Taylor. 

Undertakers :     J.  W.  Moreland,  John  Stensler. 

Wagon  Makers :    P.  H.  Wilson,  B-  B  Johnston  &  Son. 

Agricultural  Implements:  Knox  &  Farmer,  Lindsey  & 
French,  Robert  Lord. 

Boots  and  Shoes:  A.  M.  Cumming,  W.  T.  Bean,  Z.  T.  Lil- 
lard. 

Clothing  :     I.  Stearn  &  Co.,  Epstein  &  Bach,  H.  Levy  &  Co- 


218 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  IIIIXOIS. 


Mi/liiifi-': :  Mrs.  Sarah  Page,  Mrs.  LuciiiJa  McMurry,  Lem- 
en  Sisters. 

Butchers :     Weedman  &  Craug,  F.  Deibert  it  Son. 

Insurance  Ai/eiits :  Walter  S.  Young,  J.  Jackson,  W.  S. 
Lewis. 

Niiivpaprrs :  "Journal,"  W.  C.  Devore,  Editor,  "Reaper," 
Robert  Ewing,  Editor. 

I'oiit idctors  iind  Builders:  J.Johnston,  Jefferson  Wetzel, 
Charles  Williams,  Isaac  Dunner  &  Son. 

Postmaster  :     W.  C.  McMurray. 

Coal  Operiitiirs :     McKinley  &  Webb,  Kuox  &  Farber. 

Grain  Buijrr.^ :     W.   W.  Alder,  M.  Kent,  L.  Ludington. 

Dealers  ill  Lumber:     Mathias  Crum,  M.  Kent. 

Merchant  Tailor :     G.  S.  Adolph. 

Painters  :  Richard  Rose,  George  D.  Finch,  J.  D.  Parker,  J. 
McDonald. 

Opera  House :  F.  M.  Bean,  seating  capacity  for  six  hundred. 
Well  arranged  for  concerts  etc. 

Flour  ami  Feed:     James  Jackson. 

Jeweler's  :     M.  Moore,  E.  Berman. 

The  Farmer  City  Union  Agricultural  Society  was  organized 
in  1872.  For  six  years  its  exhibitions  wei-e  large  and  interesting. 
Then  owing  lo  a  variety  of  causes  it  was  abandoned.  The  oiBcers 
of  the  society  were  : 

Hon.  Jacob  Swigart,  I'resident. 

J.  B.  Ryburn,  Vice  President. 

Chris.  Garver,  Secretary. 

F.  M.  Beau,  Treasurer, 

Col.  John  Weedman,  <_leneral  Superintendent. 

Z.  C  Weedman,  Marshal. 

On  August  2Ist,  1879,  Farmer  City  was  visited  by  a  most 
disastrous  fire  which  destroyed  iwenty-three  of  her  business 
houses.  The  buildings  were  occupied  and  owned  as  follows  :  W. 
B.  Howard's  grocery  store,  loss  on  stock  and  fixtures  81800. 
Building  owned  by  F.  M.  Bean,  Eppstein  &  Bach,  clothing,  loss 
$8000.  Building  owned  by  F.  M.  Bean.  Garver  &  Bro.  drug- 
gists, loss  §2200.  Building  owned  by  J.  G.  Watson.  Murphy 
&  Michael,  saloon,  loss  81200.  Building  owned  by  W.  C.  Rath- 
burn.  E  W.  Sangster,  groceries,  loss,  82700.  E.  Berman,  jew- 
eler, loss  $500.  Building  owned  by  George  Erler-  John  Long- 
mate,  groceries  and  feed  store,  loss  $500.  Building  owned  by 
William  Young.  Harrison  &  Sons,  hardware,  loss  $4o00 
William  Young,  groceries,  loss  $300.  R.  H.  Seltzer,  furniture 
loss  $4000  Drs.  A.  S.  &  A.  L.  Xorris,  medicines  and  ofiice 
furniture,  loss  $100.  First  National  Bank,  lo.ss  $4000.  Vault 
and  contents  all  saved.  Reporter  newspaper,  loss  $2000.  Mr. 
Smith  proprietor.  John  S.  Wilson,  bakery  and  restaurant,  loss 
$400.  Building  owned  by  C.  Buford.  H.  Levy  &  Go's ,  New 
Y'ork  store,  loss  $13,000.  Peter  V.  Cool,  bakery  and  restaurant 
loss  81000  Building  owned  by  E.  L.  Waller.  H.  C.  Porter' 
implement  and  seed  store,  loss  §700.  Lawman  &  Davidson, 
druggists,  loss  $2000.  W.  T.  Bean,  boots  and  shoes,  loss  84400. 
Building  owned  by  jNIrs.  N.  Helmick,  upper  stories  occupied  by 
the  Masons,  Knights  of  Pythias  and  Good  Templars,  lower  story 
unoccupied,  loss  84000.  McLean  Hotel,  at  the  time  the  largest 
building  in  the  county.  Owned  by  N.  Helraick.  Much  damage 
was  done  to  other  balldings,  but  the  city  recovered  rapidly  from 
this  check  to  her  prosperity  and  now  most  of  the  sites  occupied 
before  the  fire  are  again  the  foundations  for  good  substantial 
business  houses. 


SOCIETIES. 

Fanner  Citij  Lrid;/e,  No.  70.  A.  F.  and  A.  M  was  chartered 
October  8th,  1873,  A.  L.  5873,  and  was  instituted  by  J.  H.  Tyler, 
Special  Deputy  Grand  Master,  on  the  20th  of  the  same  month. 
The  charter  was  granted  to  William  McMurray,  Henry  Funk, 
Alden  S.  Bissel,  Andrew  M.  Cumraing,  Albert  F.  Davidson, 
Isaac  AUbright,  F.  S.  Weedman,  James  H.  McKinley,  Isaac  F. 
Durbin,  John  Weedman,  Thomp.son  Bosler,  Jr.  and  Reuben 
Clearwater.  The  first  ofticers  were  :  William  C.  JIcMurray, 
W.  M. ;  Henry  Funk,  S.  W. ;  Alden  S  Bissell,  J.  W.  ;  A.  M. 
Cumming,  Treasurer;  A.  F.  Davidson,  Secretary;  Isaac 
AUbright,  Chaplain  ;  F.  S.  Weedman,  S.  D. ;  Thomp.son  Bosler, 
J.  D. ;  Reuben  Clearwater,  Tyler  The  Lodge  Hall  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  August  22d,  1879.  All  the  property  of  the  order 
including  a  small  Library  was  destroyed,  except  the  charter  and 
jewels.  The  members  promptly  came  forward  with  contributions 
and  built  a  hall  40x70,  in  which  they  held  their  first  meeting  in 
January,  1880.  The  cost  of  the  Hall  was  about  81,600,  which 
sum  was  all  ])aid  up  within  five  months.  The  present  officers 
are :  Henry  Funk,  W.  M  ;  Morris  H.  Kelly,  S.  W.  ;  Jacob 
Bach,  J.  W. ;  Andrew  M  Cumming,  Treasnrer ;  Horace  S 
Lowery,  Secretary;  Thompson  Busier,  S  D  ;  Isaac  Stern,  J.  D. ; 
Isaac  F.  Housmann,  .S.  S. ;  Charles  M.  Welch,  J.  S.  ;  Isaac 
Thomas,  Tyler.     The  present  membership  is  65. 

Mt.  Pleasant  Lodge,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  was  instituted  in  the 
spring  of  1857,  with  E.  Richards,  J.  W.  Rogers,  J.  W.  Wood- 
ward, A.  M,  Cumming,  S.  A.  Chapin,  P.  Watson,  J.  H.  Tyler, 
John  Marsh,  John  Blouret  and  W.  C.  McMurray,  as  charter 
members.    The  Lodge  was  disbanded  in  1870. 

Farmer  City  Lodge,  No.  37,  Independent  Order  Good  Temp- 
lars, was  organized  March  28th,  1878,  by  Jacob  Beck,  with  a 
charter  membership  of  forly-eight,  officered  as  follows :  Dr.  D. 
H  Rolton,  W.  C.  T. ;  Mias  R.  A.  White,  W.  V.  T. ;  D.  C. 
Wetzel,  W.  S. ;  Thomas  McBride,  P.  W.  C.  T.  The  present 
membership  is  fortv.  Its  officers  December  1st,  1881,  are  :  J. 
W.  Moreland,  W.  C.T.;  Mrs.  M.  E.  McDonald,  W.  V.  T. ;  Mrs. 
Maggie  Mitchell,  W.  S. ;  J.  McDonald,  P.  W.  C.  T.  The  order 
meets  every  Saturday  evening  in  Slick's  Hall. 

Kenilwarth  Lodge,  No.  60,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  instituted 
May  7th,  1875,  with  17  members. 

Plautageiiet  Lodge,  No.  25,  of  Clinton,  Ills  ,  assisted  by  Capi- 
tol Lodge,  No.  14,  of  Springfield,  Ills.,  and  Damon  Lodge,  No. 
10,  of  Bloomington,  Ills.,  initiated  the  following  charter  mem- 
bers: Chris.  Garver,  Reuben  Clearwater,  F.  M.  Bean,  Oscar 
Thomas,  George  Thomas,  R.  M.  Rose,  D.  H.  Gardner,  R.  A. 
Lemon,  L  C.  Glessner,  O  Lawman,  Wm.  Hammer,  D.  Ziegler, 
J.  P.  Ziegler,  J.  Lee  Smith,  Levi  R.  Murphy,  J.  A.  Naicher,  H. 
S.  Weedman.  The  following  officers  were  installed  by  Grand 
Chancellor  S.  J.  Willett :  Chris  Garver,  P.  C. ;  D.  H.  Gardner, 
C.  C. ;  F.  M.  Bean,  V.  C. ;  J.  P.  Ziegler,  P. ;  O.  Thomas,  M.  of 
E. ;  O.  Lawman,  M.  of  F. ;  Reuben  Clearwaters,  K.  of  R.  &  S. ; 
J.  A.  Natcher,  M.  of  A. ;  D.  Ziegler,  I.  G. ;  Wm.  Hammer,  O. 
G. ;  Grand  Lodge  Representative,  Chris.  Garver,  Grand  Lodge 
Alt.  Representative,  D.  H.  Gardner.  Lodges  meet  every  Thurs- 
day night  of  each  week.  Nov.  28th,  1881,  present  number  of 
members  42.  Present  officers :  Chris.  Garver,  P.  C. ;  J.  M. 
Shaw,  C.  C  ;  M.  L.  Reed,  Y.  C. :  Philip  Deibert,  P. ;  A.  Finch, 
M.  of  E.  ;  Wm.  L.  Mcintosh,  M.  of  F.  ;  Reuben  Clearwater, 
K.  of  R.  &  S.  ;  J.  D.  Roy,  M.  of  A.  ;  P.  W.  Mitchell,  I.  G. ; 
Charles  Swiney,  O.  G.  ;  Grand  Lodge  Representative,  Reuben 
Clearwater ;  Grand  Lodge  Alt.  Representative,  R.  M.  Rose ; 
Special  District  Deputy,  Chris  Garver. 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


219 


November  29M,  1881,  Eiidoiemeat  Bank,  No.  466,  Knights  of 
Pythias,  was  instituted  by  F.  M.  Burroughs,  P.  C,  with  the  fol- 
lowing Knights  of  Pythias :  Chris.  Garver,  P.  W.  Haynie, 
Reuben  Clearwaters,  Charles  Swiney,  William  L.  Mcintosh,  J. 
Lee  Smith,  J.  M.  Shaw,  H.  B.  Athey,  H.  W.  Webb,  W.  F. 
Curtis,  W.  T.  Bean,  A.  Finch.  The  following  officers  were  in- 
stalled :  F.  W.  Haynie,  President ;  J.  Lee  Smith,  Vice  Presi- 
dent ;  J.  M.  Shaw,  Chaplain  ;  Chris.  Garver,  Secretary  and 
Treasui-er ;  H.  B.  Athey,  Guide ;  Wm.  L.  Mcintosh,  Guard ; 
Alvin  Finch,  Sentinel.     Fraternally  submitted,  Chris.  Garver. 

Mt.  I'lnmint  Lndr/p,  No.  126,  I.  O.  O.  F.  organized  October 
20th,  18-5.3,  charter  members  :  Phineas  Page,  Thomas  CJardiner, 
Jr.,  John  McHugh,  John  Weedman,  Jr  ,  George  Weedman,  J. 
M.  Davenport,  C.  G.  Larnard,  Peter  Walton,  John  Hubbard,  R. 
D.  Webb,  Joshua  Dorris,  James  Liseuliey  and  Samuel  Paytou. 
First  officers:  C.  G.  Larnard,  P.  G. ;  Thomas  Gardiner,  Jr.,  N. 
G.  ;  John  McHugh,  Secretary;  Phineas  Page,  Treasurer. 
Present  officers:  Nathan  Welch,  N.  G.  ;  Isaac  Stern,  V.  G.  ; 
J.  Y.  Thew,  P.  Sec.  ;  Z.  T.  Lillard,  R.  Sec. ;  Fred.  Deibert, 
Treasurer.  This  Lodge  was  organized  in  a  school-house,  where 
its  first  meetings  were  held,  thence  to  Waller's  Hall,  thence  to 
Lillard's  Hall,  and  lastly  to  lodge  room  owned  by  the  order. 
The  cost  of  the  present  room  was  81,100.  Tlie  present  active 
membership  is  sixty-two. 

Santa  Anna  Township  contained  in  1860  a  population  of  8.3.3  : 
in  1870,  1,276;  in  1880,  2,166.  Much  of  this  growth  was  due 
to  the  thriving  city  within  her  limits.  The  assessment  for  pro- 
perty for  1881 ,  shows  in  the  township  48.5  horses  ;  922  neat  cattle  ; 
24    mules;  328  sheep;  1,677  hogs;  7  fire  proof  burglar  safes; 


159  carriages  and  wagons;  50  watches  and  clocks;  200  sewing 
machines;  16  pianos;  26  organs  and  melodeons,  and  a  total 
valuation  of  lands  of  8295,652  ;  of  lots,  885,189.  Valuation  of 
persoual  property,  8108,172. 

The  following  supervisors  have  represented  the  township  in 
the  county  board  :  R.  R.  Knight,  elected  in  1859  ;  Isaac  Monett, 
elected  in  1860,  and  served  two  terms;  H.  P.  .Smith,  elected  in 
1862,  and  served  three  terms,  and  as  chairman  during  1864; 
W.  C  McMurray,  elected  in  1865,  served  two  terms ;  S.  S. 
Chapin,  elected  in  1867  :  W.  Y.  ileCord,  elected  in  1868,  served 
two  terms,  and  was  chairman  of  the  board  during  the  year  1869; 
David  Kelly,  elected  in  1870,  and  served  until  1875  ;  served  as 
chairman  of  the  board  during  the  years  1872,  1873  and  1874 ; 
Levi  Rathbun,  elected  in  1875,  and  served  until  1880;  Mathias 
Crum,  elected  in  1880,  and  re-elected  in  1881,  and  is  the  present 
incumbent. 

Transportation.  Facilities.  — What  is  known  as  the  Gilman 
branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  was  built  in  1870-1.  It 
enters  the  township  on  section  31,  passes  a  north-easterly  course 
leaving  on  section  14.  The  Indianapolis,  Bloomington  and 
Warsaw  Railroad  enters  on  section  35,  passes  north-west  leaving 
on  section  18.  These  roads  have  nearly  ten  miles  of  track  in 
this  township,  and  offer  excellent  facilities  for  business. 

In  1879,  citizens  put  forth  strenuous  efforts  to  secure  coal  by 
sinking  a  shaft.  After  expending  large  sums  of  money  the  idea 
was  abandoned,  owing  to  the  flooding  of  the  shaft  with  water  in 
such  ([uantities  as  to  prevent  work.     For  result^  see  chapter  on 


BrOC4RAPHlCAL    SKETCHES. 


NATHAX  CLEARAVATERS. 


MARY  M.  C'LEARWATERS. 


The  subject  of  the  following  biographical  sketch  is  oue  of  the 
pioneers  of  De  Witt  county,  and  the  oldest  settler  now  living  in 
the  township.  He  is  a  native  of  Green  county,  Tennessee,  and 
was  born  ^Nlay  7,  1807.  Reuben  Clearwaters,  his  father,  was 
a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  his  mother,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Jane  Miller,  was  born  on  the  south  branch  of  the  Potomac 
river,  in  Virginia.  .She  cime  with  her  parents  to  Tennessee,  and 
there  married  Reuben  Clearwaters.  The  family  removed  to  High- 
land county,  Ohio,  in  1810,  and  in  1820  went  to  Indiana,  and 
settled  in  Franklin  county ;  then  went  to  Monroe,  and  subse- 
quently to  Putnam  county ;  and  in  1830  came  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  Vermillion  county.  Two  years  later  he  moved  to 
Buckle's  Grove  in  McLean  county,  and  there  remained  until 
his  death,  which  took  place  in  1866,  at  the  advanced  age  of  85 
years.  His  wife  died  in  1864,  aged  72  years.  Xathan  remained 
in  Vermillion  county  until  18.32,  when  he  came  to  what  is  now 
known  as  Santa  Anna  township,  then  a  part  of  McLean 
county.  He  squatted  on  a  tract  of  land,  on  which  the  town  of 
Farmer  City  now  stands.  When  the  lands  came  into  market  he 
purchased  the  forty  and  afterwards  entered  three  other  "  fortys." 
He  laid  out  the  town,  and  his  wife  gave  it  the  name  of  Mount 
Pleasant ;  a  name  which  it  retained  until  a  few  years  ago,  when 
it  was  changed  to  Farmer  City.  When  Mr.  Clearwaters  came  to 
this  part  of  the  county  there  were  but  three  families  living  here. 
The  heads  of  the  families  are  all  gone,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 


the  only  remaining  settlers  who  came  here  in  1^32.  He  married 
Mary  M.  Banner  while  he  was  living  in  Montgomery  county,  In- 
diana. The  date  of  the  marriage  was  August  7th,  1828.  She 
was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Indiana,  November  29th,  1812. 
There  were  eleven  children,  the  offspring  of  that  marriage.  The 
names  of  those  living,  in  the  order  of  their  births,  are  Absalom, 
Melenda,  who  is  the  wife  of  John  Griffith  ;  America,  wife  of 
Hardy  Shoemaker  ;  Reuben  Allen  Patton,  Wesley.  Both  he  and 
his  estimable  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mrs.  Clear- 
waters  is  one  of  the  six  persons  who  helped  to  form  the  first  class 
in  ^Methodism  in  this  part  of  the  county  in  1833.  The  others 
were  Dennis  Hurley  and  wife,  Richard  Kirby  and  wife,  and  Ju- 
lia McCord.  Mr.  Clearwaters  is  an  original  Jacksoniau  Demo- 
crat. He  cast  his  first  vote  for  the  hero  of  New  Orleans  in  1828, 
and  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  given  his  allegiance  to  that 
political  organization. 

Much  of  the  history  of  Nathan  Clearwaters  and  his  brother 
pioneers  will  be  found  in  the  Pioneer  chapter  of  this  work,  and 
in  the  history  of  Santa  Anna  township ;  and  it  would  be  mere 
repetition  to  reproduce  it  here.  We  can  but  pay  our  tribute  of 
respect  to  this  venerable  couple  who  have  come  down  to  us  from 
a  former  generation,  and  we  echo  the  sentiment  of  the  entire  com- 
munity when  we  say  that  both  carry  with  them  the  esteem,^  good- 
will, and  kindly  feeling  of  all  who  have  the  pleasure  of  know- 
ing them. 

221 


MARY  D.  SMITH. 


Among  the  old  and  prominent  settlers  of  De  Witt  county  was 
John  Smith,  lately  deceased.  He  was  born  in  Hardy  county,  Vir- 
ginia, February  23d,  180.5.  He  came  to  De  Witt  county  in  the 
fall  of  1835,  and  stopped  in  Mount  Pleasant,  now  Farmer  city. 
When  the  town  rose  to  the  dignity  of  a  village  he  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  decided  the  disputes  arising  among  the 
early  settlers  with  impartial  justice.  He  opened  a  hotel,  the 
first  one  in  the  village,  and  for  many  years  kept  the  only  house 
of  entertainment  there.  His  was  the  favorite  stopping  place  for 
many  years  for  the  travelers  going  and  coming  from  Bloom- 
ington,  Peoria,  and  western  points.  In  after  years  he  gave  his 
exclusive  attention  to  farming,  in  which  he  continued  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  June  8th,  1878.  On  the  8th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1828,  he  married  Mary  D.  Mitchell,  who  was  born  in  Fred- 
erick county,  Virginia,  July  10th,  1801.  She  died  July  31st, 
1878,  leaving  no  ofispring;  In  her  earlier  years,  she  taught  the 
first  school  in  Mount  Pleasant.  Both  Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  were 
members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  In  life  they  had  numerous  friends, 
and  were  much  esteemed  and  respected  for  their  good  qualities  of 
both  head  and  heart.  In  this  life  they  were  noted  for  their  many 
acts  of  pure  benevolence,  and  both  were  charitable  to  a  fault. 
William  W.  Murphey  was  raised  by  them,  and  to  a  certain  ex- 


tent was  adopted  by  Mrs.  Smith,  who  was  his  aunt  He  was 
born  in  Frederick  county,  Virginia,  October  loth,  1838,  and  is 
the  son  of  Hiram  and  Grace  ( Jlitchell )  Murphey.  His  father 
was  born  April  1.5th,  1797,  and  died  August  20th,  1881.  Hia 
mother  (Mrs.  Murphey),  was  born  May  20th,  1806,  and  died 
December  17th,  1880.  In  1843  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  while  on  a 
visit  to  Virginia,  brought  W.  W.  Murphey  with  them.  It  was 
expected  that  Mr.  Murphey's  father  would  soon  follow,  but  he 
did  not  come  until  1853.  Mr.  Murphey  remained  with  Mr. 
Smith  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  for 
three  years  in  Company  F,  41st  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  He 
was  twice  wounded,  first  at  Fort  Donelson,  and  then  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Jackson.  At  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  he  was  one  of  eighty 
men  who  were  detailed  to  scale  the  out  works  and  advance  to  the 
Horse-Shoe  Bend,  and  establish  and  advance  the  line,  which  was 
a  most  difficult  and  hazardous  undertakiug,  but  it  succeeded.  On 
the  -Sth  of  October,  1865,  he  married  Mi.s3  Naucie  H,,  daughter 
of  Cary  and  Ann  Burford.  There  are  three  children  by  that 
union,  named  Edwin  C,  Grace  A.  and  Mary  V.  Murphey.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  church.  He  is  Repub- 
lican in  politics. 


223 


JOHN  WEEDMAN,  Sr.  (deceased.) 


The  Weedman's  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Central  Illinois 
and  of  the  few  pioneers  who  settled  in  this  county  a  half  century 
ago.  They  are  of  German  ancestry  on  the  paternal  side,  and 
English  on  the  maternal.  George  Weedman,  the  grandfather 
of  the  present  Weedman  family,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
He  emigrated  to  Ohio  soon  after  that  State  was  admitted  into  the 
Union,  and  there  remained  until  18-30,  when  he  brought  his  fam- 
ily to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Randolph's  Grove  in  McLean  county, 
where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  an  advanced 
age.  John  Weedman.  his  son,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1790, 
and  was  yet  a  youth  when  his  parents  removed  to  Ohio.  He  there 
grew  to  manhood,  and  married.  When  his  father  came  west,  he 
accompanied  him  and  settled  at  the  place  above  named  in  Mc- 
Lean county.  In  183.5  he  removed  to  Hurley's  Grove,  in  what 
is  now  known  as  Santa  Anna  township,  and  there  lived  until  his 
death.  In  his  life,  Mr.  Weedman  belonged  to  the  ambitious  and 
progressive  class  of  men,  and  was  actuated  by  a  laudable  desire 
to  excel  in  whatever  he  undertook.  He  was  by  occupation  a 
farmer  and  stock-raiser,  and  in  that  business  accumulated  con- 
siderable property,  at  least  sufBcieut  to  render  him  comfortable 
in  his  declining  years.     Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of 


theM.  E.  church,  and  both  took  an  active  interest  in  that  Chris- 
tian organization.  He  married  Rachel  Wilson,  who  was  a  na- 
tive of  Maryland,  but  was  a  resident  of  Ohio  at  the  time  of  her 
marriage.  Her  father,  Asa  Wilson,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  that  State. 

By  the  union  of  John  and  Rachel  Weedman  there  were  ten 
children — seven  sons  and  three  daughters.  Isaiah,  the  fifth  son, 
with  patriotic  devotion  to  his  country  enlisted  during  the  late  war 
in  the  id  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  lost  his  life  at  the  battle  of  Holly 
Springs,  December  20th,  1862.  The  names  of  the  other  chil- 
dren in  the  order  of  their  birth  are  Asa,  who  died  leaving  a  fam- 
ily, and  who  is  mentioned  in  a  separate  biography  ;  Harriet, 
George,  Amos,  .John,  Isaiah  deceased),  Lucinda  (also  deceased), 
Eliza  Emma,  Zadok  Casey,  aud  Thomas  St.  Clair.  All  of  the 
sons  who  are  living  are  active,  business  men,  and  among  the  lead- 
ing agriculturists  of  the  county.  It  may  be  said  of  Mr.  Weed- 
man,  Sr.,  that  in  his  life  every  act  of  his,  whether  in  public  or 
private,  was  actuated  by  a  desire  to  do  right.  He  was  honorable 
in  everything,  aud  was  never  known  to  do  that  which  brought  the 
blush  of  shame  to  his  cheek,  or  in  the  least  reflected  upon  his 
character  as  an  honest  man  and  a  Christian  gentleman. 

225 


ASA  WEEDMAN  (deceased). 


Asa  Weedman  was  the  eldest  son  of  Johu  and  Ractiel  { Wil- 
son) Weedman.  He  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Ohio,  October 
15,  1817,  and  was  in  his  boyhood  when  the  family  removed  to 
Illinois,  and  settled  in  Randolph's  Grove.  He  carae  with  his 
parents  to  Hurley's  Grove  in  1835,  and  remained  at  home  until 
his  marriage,  when  be  commenced  farming  for  himself.  In  18-i6 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Delilah  Hand,  daughter  of 
Rev.  George  and  Barbara  Hand,  who  were  among  the  pioneers 
of  Illinois,  and  the  first  settlers  of  Randolph's  (irove  in  McLean 
county.  By  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weedman  there  were 
eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Weedman 
died  June  21st,  1866,  while  yet  comparatively  a  young  man.  In 
hi^  life  he  was  an  active  and  useful  citizen,  and  was  esteemed  l)v 


all  who  knew  him.  In  his  personal  appearance  he  was  large  and 
well  formed  slightly  inclined  to  corpulency,  but  possessing  con- 
siderable physical  strength.  Few  men  within  the  radius  of  his 
acquaintance  were  better  know  nor  esteemed  more  for  their  virtues 
of  both  head  and  heart  than  Asa  Weedman.  His  loss  to  the 
community  waa  a  serious  one,  as  his  enterprise  and  public  spirit 
were  of  such  an  active  character  that  he  was  foremost  in  promot- 
ing and  aiding  enterprises  that  had  for  their  object  the  public 
good  or  the  material  advancement  of  his  neighborhood  or  county. 
He  aud  his  wife  were  both  devoted  members  of  the  M.  E.  church. 
One  of  his  sons,  Philip,  lives  on  the  old  place.  He  married  An- 
nie, daughter  of  H.  K.  Gillespie,  February  6,  1873,  by  which 
union  there  were  two  children. 


Among  the  influential  and  leading  business  men,  as  well  as 
old  settlers  of  De  Witt  county,  is  the  subject  of  the  following 
sketch.  Although  not  a  resident  of  the  county,  yet  he  has  been 
for  many  years  identified  with  its  history  and  progress,  and  has 
contributed  much  to  its  material  prosperity.  He  was  born  in 
Perry  county,  Ohio,  February  3d,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  John 
and  Rachel  Weedman,  whose  histories  are  to  be  found  on  another 
page  of  this  work.  He  was,  in  his  infancy,  when  his  parents  re- 
moved from  Ohio  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Randolph's  Grove. 
His  education  in  his  youth  was  of  a  limited  character,  and 
was  confined  to  the  log  school-house  of  nearly  a  half  century 
ago,  wherein  he  learned  to  read,  write,  and  cipher,  which  em- 
braced the  entire  educational  course.  But  Mr.  Weedman  did 
not  rely  so  much  upon  the  schools  as  he  did  upon  self-culture. 
As  a  man  and  boy  he  contracted  habits  of  close  observation  and 
cultivated  a  taste  for  reading,  which  improved  the  mind,  and,  in 
time,  rendered  him  well-informed  upon  the  current  literature 
and  topics  of  the  day.  He  was  raised  to  habits  of  industry  upon 
his  father's  farm,  and  remained  at  home  until  1850,  when  he  and 
other  members  of  the  family  were  seized  with  the  gold  fever 
which  was  produced  by  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California.  In 
company  with  four  of  his  brothers,  he  started  for  California  by 
the  overland  route,  and  landed  in  Sacramento  July  "241^,  18.50. 
They  engaged  in  mining  and  hauling  provisions.  John  remained 
in  California  for  eighteen  months,  by  which  time  he  was  con- 
vinced that  by  the  exercise  of  the  same  industry  at  home  as  there 
he  would  succeed  equally  well.  In  the  fall  of  1851  he  returned 
home  by  way  of  New  York.  Here  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising,  in  which  he  has  been  more  or  less  engaged  ever 
since.  In  1871  he,  in  connection  with  Thomas  Brothers,  estab- 
lished the  first  bank  in  Farmer  City.  The  partnership  con- 
tinued until  1876,  when  Mr.  Weedman  purchased  the  Thomas 
Bros.'  interest,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  carried  on 
the  business  of  banking  in  his  own  name.  From  the  first  open- 
ing of  the  bank  to  the  present,  it  has  borne  the  reputation  of 


being  solid,  and  of  conducting  its  business  upon  sound  business 
principles.  As  a  banker,  Mr.  Weedman  is  well  known  through- 
out central  Illinois,  and  his  reputation  and  that  of  his  bank  has 
an  enviable  and  honorable  standing  among  business  men. 

On  the  .31st  of  March,  1853,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  A.  McDonald,  a  native  of  Madison  county,  Ohio. 
She  is  the  daughter  ,of  Thomas  and  Rebecca  McDonald.  By 
that  union  there  are  four  children  living.  Their  names,  in  the 
order  of  their  births,  are  :  Harriet  Josephine,  who  is  the  wife  of 
C.  R.  Brodix,  a  resident  and  publisher  of  Philadelphia;  Cassius 
M.,  clerk  in  his  father's  bank  ;  Rachel  Rosella,  and  John  Sher- 
man Weedman.  Both  5Ir.  and  Mrs.  Weedman  are  active  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  is  a  respected  member  of  the 
Ancient  and  Honorable  Order  of  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  Politically, 
Mr.  W.  is  a  sound  and  thorough  Republican,  and  has  always 
voted  that  ticket  since  casting  his  first  vote.  He  has  been  elected 
to  several  ofiices  of  local  trust,  and  has  represented  his  township 
in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  several  terms.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Ijoard  when  the  present  magnificent  court-house  which 
adorns  the  public  square  in  Bloomington  was  built.  By  a  series 
of  circumstances  he  held  the  casting  vote  in  that  public  enter- 
prise. In  every  oflice  he  has  held  he  has  earned  the  reputation 
of  a  fivithful,  capable  and  honeit  servant  of  the  people.  Mr. 
Weedman  in  personal  appearance  is  an  erect,  well-formed  man. 
His  fifty  and  odd  years  hang  lightly  upon  him,  and  he  would 
readily  pass  for  one  who  had  not  reached  more  than  the  meridian 
of  life.  His  hardy  constitution  and  temperate  habits  have  done 
much  to  preserve  and  keep  about  him  the  evidences  and  appear- 
ances of  youth,  which  seem  loth  to  leave  and  in  their  stead  place 
the  stamp  of  declining  years.  In  his  manners  he  is  a  social  and 
pleasant  gentleman,  of  frank  and  unassuming  manners,  whose 
acquaintance  and  friendship  it  is  a  pleasure  to  make,  and,  when 
once  made,  rarely  forgotten.  This  is  the  opinion  and  evidence 
of  the  writer  of  this  sketch,  who  has  known  Mr.  Weedman  for 
many  years. 

229 


'/^/^  ^  ^'r.^.c^ 


,  It]  is ,  emiuently  fitting  that  in  a  history  of  De  Witt  county 
proper  mention  should  be  made  of  him  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch.  Few  men  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  exercised 
more  influence  for  good,  or  took  a  more  active  interest  in  promot- 
ing enterprises  that  had  fur  their  object  the  increase  of  the  mate- 
rial wealth  or  prosperity  of  Santa  Anna  township,  than  W.  Y. 
McCord.  He  was  born  in  Tennessee,  October  29,  1816.  He 
came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents,  James  and  Jlary  McCord,  in 
1831,  and  settled  in  De  Witt  county,  near  Fullerton.  In  1837 
he  moved  to  section  thirty-two  in  Santa  Anna  township.  He 
then  entered  a  tract  of  land,  which  he  improved,  and  afterwards 
added  to  it,  and  there  he  made  his  home  until  his  death,  which 
took  place  January  18th,  1880.  On  the  8th  of  February,  1838, 
he  married  Miss  Harriet,  daughter  of  John  and  Rachel  Weed- 
man.  She  was  born  in  Ohio,  October  8th,  1819.  By  that  union 
there  was  'one  son,  named  John  Henry  McCord,  who  was  born 
Dee.  19,  1838.  He  married  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Rachel  Slick,  February  4th,  1864,  by  which  marriage  there  are 
two  children,  named  Lora  Nettie,  and  William  H.  McCord.  In 
his  life,  William  Young  McCord  was  an  earnest  and  consistent 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.     He  joined  that  religious  denomi- 


nation in  1837,  and  ever  afterwards  remained  true  to  his  religious 
vows.  To  him,  religion  meant  all  that  the  word  implied.  He 
carried  it  to  his  home,  in  his  business  and  into  the  world ;  where- 
ever  he  went,  he  never  forgot  his  obligations  and  duties  to  his 
Creator.  In  the  church  government  he  freely  gave  the  benefit 
of  his  wise  counsels,  and  he  was  for  many  years  its  chief  director 
and  advisor. 

In  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  township  he  was  for 
many  years  a  prominent  actor.  He  was  supervisor  for  a  long 
number  of  years,  and  was  acting  in  that  capacity  when  the  In- 
dianapolis, Bloomingtou  and  Pekin  railroad  was  built,  and  was 
elected  a  director  of  the  road,  a  position  he  held  until  his  death. 
He  held  the  office  of  Assessor  for  seventeen  years,  and  was  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  for  a  number  of  terms.  In  all  these  positions 
he  so  conducted  the  business  of  his  offices,  that  there  was  never  a 
word  breathed  against  his  good  name.  All  acknowledge  his 
sterling  honesty  and  strict  probity  of  character.  When  he  died, 
De  Witt  county  lost  one  of  her  best  men  and  most  active  citi- 
zens. This  is  the  universal  verdict  of  all  who  knew  W.  Y.  Mc- 
Cord. 


231 


-^ a   ^^^-^^^^2^ 


The  Burford  family,  on  the'paternal  side,  is  of  Scotch  ancestry 
and  Scotch-Irish  on  the  maternal.  Milton  Burford,  the  grand- 
father of  Gary,  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  Soon  after  the  Revo- 
lutionary War  he  moved  his  family  to  Kentucky,  where  his 
SOD,  whose  name  was  also  Milton,  married  a  Shields.  In  1807, 
the  family  moved  to  the  Territory  of  Indiana,  and  settled  in  Har- 
rison county.  Gary  Burford  was  the  son  of  Milton.  He  was 
born  in  Mercer  county,  Kentucky,  April  5,  1806.  He  grew  to 
manhood  in  Indiana,  and  there,  on  the  29th  of  January,  18-29, 
married  Jliss  Anna  Shields,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Katie  Shields. 
She  was  born  in  East  Tennessee,  near  Kuoxville,  Feb.  26,  1806. 
Her  family  as  well  as  the  Burfords  were  pioneers  of  three  states, 
viz :  Tennessee,  Kentucky  and  Indiana.  Mr.  Burford,  after  his 
marriage,  engaged  in  farming  till  1831,  when  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  mercantile  pursuits,  and  opened  a  general  store  in  Mock- 
port,  and  the  next  year  went  to  Amsterdam  ;  and,  soon  after, 
moved  on  a  farm,  tilled  it,  and  sold  goods,  in  which  he  continued 
fifteen  years.  He  was  there  robbed,  house  burned,  and  he  left 
that  part  of  the  country  and  went  to  Missouri  and  other  States ; 
and  in  1S54  settled  in  Marion  county,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in 
farming  until  I860,  when  he  moved  to  McLean  county.  In 
1869  moved  to  Leroy,  and  in  1S70  came  to  Farmer  Gity,  and 
here  went  into  business  under  firm  name  of  G.  Burford  &  Sons. 
In  1873  he  practically  retired  from  business,  and  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  August  23d  1879,  lived  a  quiet  life,  calmly 
awaiting  the  dread  summons  that  was  to  usher  him  into  a  brighter 
and  better  life. 

At  the  age  of  twenty-seven  he  joined  the  M.  E.  Ghurch,  and 
from  that  time  forth  lived  a  true  and  devoted  Christian.  In  later 
years  he  became  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church,  and  was  ever  after  a  ruling  elder  in  that  Christian  deno- 
mination.    In  1873,  at  the  organization  of  the  First  National 


Bank  of  Farmer  City,  he  became  the  first  vice-president,  which 
position  he  retained  until  his  death.  By  the  marriage  of  Gary 
and  Anna  (Shields)  Burford,  there  were  twelve  children,  ten  of 
whom  reached  maturity — two  died  in  infancy.  Their  names,  in 
the  order  of  their  birth,  are  :  Mary  Jane,  wife  of  Abraham  Flesh- 
man,  of  Harrison  county,  Indiana ;  Catherine  Isabel,  wife  of 
James  Highfill,  a  resident  of  same  county ;  Margaret,  wife  of 
Thomas  Highfill,  died  in  1864,  leaving  three  children;  Anna 
Elizabeth,  wife  of  Samuel  Briley,  a  resident  of  McLean  county, 
Illinois  ;  Jesse  Hilton,  eldest  son,  is  one  of  the  firm  of  Burford 
Bros.  He  married  Anna  H.,  daughter  of  Eiihu  and  Frances 
Gessford,by  which  union  there  are  four  children,  named:  Mattie 
Helen,  Cora  May,  Stella  Frances,  and  Pearl.  Gary  S.,  of  the 
same  firm,  married  Miss  Barbara  L.,  daughter  of  Asa  and  Delilah 
(Hand)  Weedman.  They  have  two  children  named  Nellie  and 
Jessie,  Nancy  H.,  wife  of  W.  W.  Murphey  William  T.  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Nancy  Becket,  by  which  union 
one  daughter  living,  named  Maud.  Mrs.  W.  T.  Burford  died 
January  15,  1876.  He  afterwards  married  Miss  Emma,  daugh- 
ter of  A.  J.  and  Jane  Mc Williams.  James  G.  married  Miss 
Barbara  L.,  daughter  of  Conrod  and  Katy  Hottle.  They  have 
two  sons  named  Guy  and  Ivan.  John  H.  married  Miss  Mattie, 
daughter  of  Otho  and  Providence  Merrefield.  Jesse  M.,  Gary 
S.  and  William  T.  carry  on  the  mercantile  business,  and  are 
recognized  as  among  the  most  enterprising  and  substantial  busi- 
ness men  of  Farmer  City.  They  are  all  men  of  well-known 
honesty  of  character,  and,  in  both  business  and  private  capacity, 
enjoy  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  entire  community.  The 
sons,  as  well  as  their  father  before  them,  are  republicans  in  poli- 
tics,— and  advocates,  in  both  theory  and  practice,  of  the  cause  of 
temperance.  Jesse  M.  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and 
William  T.  of  K.  of  Pythias. 

233 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


23c 


JAMES  HIRST. 

The  subject  uf  the  foUowiug  sketch  was  boru  in  Leeds,  Eng- 
laud,  January  8th,  1828.  He  came  with  his  parents  Edwanl 
and  Hannah  Hirst  to  America,  in  1840,  and  settled  in  Edwards 
county,  Illinois.  James,  in  1848,  went  to  Clark  county.  Ohio, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  continued  there  for  seven 
years,  then  he  come  west  to  De  Witt  county  and  worked  for  the 
Weedmans  until  he  got  married.  He  then  rented  land  in  the 
towuship  and  commenced  farniiug.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the 
late  war  he  enlisted  for  three  years  in  company  "  I,"  of  the  39th 
Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers.  The  regiment  was  organized  in 
•-'hicago,  and  from  there  ordered  to  St.  Louis,  and  then  to  the 
front  at  VVilliamsport,  Maryland,  where  the  regiment  was  placed 
under  the  command  of  Gen.  Landers.  From  the  latter  phicc 
the  command  went  to  Hancock,  then  to  Black  Oak  Bottoms, 
then  up  the  Potomac  to  guard  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad 
At  Bath,  the  command  was  attacked  by  "  Stonewall  "  'Jackson's, 
forces  and  driven  out  and  back  to  Martinsburg,  from  which  point 
they  went  to  Winchester,  and  were  in  the  battle  there,  then  up  to 
White  House  Bridge,  in  the  Shenandoah,  then  made  a  forced 
march  of  one  hundred  and  five  miles  to  Fredericksburg,  and  the 
next  day  were  ordered  back  to  keep  Jackson  from  crossing  the 
Shenandoah.  From  there,  marched  to  Alexandria,  then  to  Har- 
rison's Landing,  on  the  James  River.  The  regiment  went  into 
winter  quarters  at  Sufi'olk,  and  in  the  spring  of  1863,  went  to 
Newbern,  North  Carolina,  and  embarked  at  Buford  for  Port 
Royal,  South  Carolina.  Mr.  Hirst  was  discharged  at  Folly's 
Island,  October  22d,  1863,  on  account  of  physical  disability,  and 
returned  home  and  re-engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  in 
which  calling  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  On  the  1st  of 
January,  1856,  he  married  Ruby  Dart;  she  died  in  1863.  Three 
children  are  the  offspring  of  that  marriage.  On  the  loth  of 
October,  1866,  he  married  Mary  E.  Kirby  nee  Page.  She  is  a 
native  of  New  Jersey.  She  had  two  children  by  her  former 
marriage,  named  William  Henry  and  Flora  E.  Kirby.  Mr. 
Hirst's  children  by  his  first  wife  are  named  Frances,  Mary,  Isabel 
and  James  Louis  Hirst.  By  his  last  wife  there  is  one  child  liv- 
ing, named  Jane  Winnefred  Hirst.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
M.  E.  Church.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  order  of  I.  O. 
O.  F.  and  also  of  the  Encampment,  and  has  represented  both 
orders  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State.  In  politics  he  votes  the 
Republican  ticket.  He  has  held  various  local  offices,  and  has 
been  township  collector  and  road  commissioner  for  eight  years. 
In  his  habits  he  is  temperate,  but  liberal  upon  the  question  of 
temperance.  Mr.  Hirst  is  a  good  citizen  and  a  reputable  man, 
and  has  many  friends  in  Santa  Anna  township. 


JOHN  JONES. 

The  subject  of  the  following  biographical  sketch  is  one  of  the 
prominent  and  influential  farmers  of  De  Witt  county  as  well  as 
an  old  settler.  The  family  on  the  paternal  side  is  of  Welsh  de- 
scent. Edward  Jones  the  grandfather,  was  born  in  1751.  He 
came  to  America  when  quite  a  youth.  William,  his  son,  and  father 
of  John  Jones,  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  revolutionary  war,  es- 
poused the  cause  of  the  patriots  and  enlisted  under  Washington. 
He  remained  in  the  service  during  the  continuance  of  the  war, 
and  by  his  brave  and  gallant  conduct  earned  the  approbation  of 
the  great  and  good  Washington.  He  was  a  carrier  of  dispatches, 
and  was  often  entrusted  with  matters  of  great  moment.  He  con- 
veyed the  glad  tidings  of  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown 


to  the  Continental  Congress,  and  also  to  get  aid  for  the  sick  and 
wounded.  In  1809  or  '10  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  subse- 
quently went  to  Tennessee,  and  died  in  Overton  county  in  1839. 
He  married  Susan  Clark,  who  was  of  French  descent  and  a  na- 
tive of  Virginia.  She  survived  her  husband  but  a  short  time,  and 
died  in  1840.  There  were  ten  children  born  to  the  old  patriot. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  only  survivor.  He  was  boru  in 
Mecklenburg  county,  Virginia,  January  14th,  1801.  He  was  a 
mere  youth  when  his  father  removed  the  family  to  Kentucky. 
He  grew  tt)  manhood  in  Tennessee,  and  learned  habits  of  industry 
upon  the  farm.  He  remained  in  Kentucky  until  1837,  then  he 
came  west  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Rutledge  township,  which  was 
then  a  part  of  Macon  county.  One  year  later  he  moved  to  a 
tract  of  land  known  as  the  farju  of  the  Rev.  Paxton  Cummings. 
He  leased  and  farmed  the  land  for  two  years,  then  moved  to  Ben- 
jamin Newberry's  farm  on  section  eighteen  One  year  later  he 
purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  William  Jones.  It 
was  timbered  land  except  about  forty  acres,  which  was  prairie. 
It  was  raw.  without  any  improvements  whatever.  Here  Mr. 
Jones  and  his  family  settled  permanently  and  commenced  clear- 
ing and  breaking  the  land,  getting  it  under  cultivation,  and  in 
other  ways  making  the  place  productive  and  habitable.  Here 
the  old  pioneer  still  lives,  enjoying  his  eighty  odd  years,  and  se- 
renely waiting  for  the  dread  summons  to  join  that  "innumerable 
caravan  that  is  moving  to  the  pale  realms  of  shade."  In  1825, 
while  a  resident  of  Tennessee,  he  was  united  in  the  holy  bonds  of 
wedlock  with  Elizabeth  Fulington,  a  native  of  Tennesses.  She 
is  the  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  (Belcher)  Fulington. 

There  have  been  three  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones,  all 
sons.  Their  names  in  the  order  of  their  birth  are  Campbell, 
Preston  and  Albert.  All  are  farmers  and  residents  of  Santa 
Anna  township,  in  De  Witt  county. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  has  followed  the  occupation  of  farmer 
and  stock  raiser,  and  the  family  before  him  generally  were  tillers 
of  the  soil,  and  some  few  mechanics.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
United  Brethren  church,  and  has  been  a  professing  Christian 
for  a  number  of  years.  In  the  erection  of  church  buildings  and 
in  the  furtherance  and  advancement  of  the  cause  of  Christianity, 
he  has  always  been  liberal  and  has  given  freely  of  his  means  for 
that  purpose. 

Politically  he  has  always  voted  the  Democratic  ticket.  He 
cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Andrew  Jackson  in  1824,  and 
from  that  time  to  the  present  has  not  missed  a  general  election, 
and  always  and  unhesitatingly  gave  his  vote  for  the  nominees  of 
the  Democratic  party.  He  is  one  of  the  few  surviving  Jack- 
sonian  Democrats,  aud  yet  remembers  with  great  pride  his  vote 
for  "  Old  Hickory,"  the  hero  of  New  Orleans.  Mr.  Jones  has 
been  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune.  He  started  in  life  poor, 
and  received  no  aid  from  rich  relations  nor  did  he  gain  a  compe- 
tency by  any  sudden  turn  of  fortune's  wheel,  but  rather  by  slow, 
persistent  toil  ;  gathering  little  by  little,  living  economically  and 
never  venturing  beyond  his  means,  he  at  last  reached  a  position 
of  independence  and  beyond  the  want  or  danger  of  dependence 
upon  others.  And  in  all  these  years  he  has  just  as  steadily  built 
up  a  reputation  for  strict  honesty  and  sterling  worth  as  a  man 
and  a  citizen.  He  is  kind,  sociable  and  hospitable  in  his  nature, 
and  all  who  come  beneath  his  roof  are  made  genuinely  welcome. 
Campbell  Jones,  the  eldest  son,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  August  1st, 
1828.  His  education  was  confined  to  and  received  in  the  log 
school-house  of  the  pioneer  era  of  the  western  country.  It  was 
exceedingly  limited,  and  yet  the  stranger  is  slightly  surprised  at 
the  varied  and  extensive  knowledge  possessed  by  Mr.  Jones.     The 


236 


HISTOEY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


secret  of  it  is  selfouitiu-e,  extfiiisive  and  voluiiiinuus  reailiug. 
With  the  exception  of  a  few  years  Mr.  Jones  has  lived  with  his 
father.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  an 
advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance.  Preston,  the  second  son. 
was  a  brave  and  gallant  soldier.  He  enlisted  for  three  years  in 
Co  '■  I  "  of  the  107th  Kegt.,  111.  Vols.  He  passed  through  all  the 
grades  and  was  mustered  out  as  first  Lieutenant  of  his  company. 
Albert  is  the  youngest  son.  When  Mr.  Jones  came  to  De  Witt 
county,  Illinois,  there  were  but  seven  families  living  in  the 
neighborhood  where  he  settled.  What  a  wonderful  change  has 
taken  place  in  the  State  and  county  since  that  time.  The  story 
of  the  rapid  improvement  of  this  section  of  the  country  and  the 
history  of  the  old  settlers  who  were  Mr.  Jone's  neighbors  in  1837 
is  best  told  in  the  Pioneer  chapter  of  this  work. 


DANIEL  H.  ARBOGAST 

Was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  Mtiy  27th,  1827.  David 
Arbogast  and  wife,  the  grandparents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
were  natives  of  Germany.  They  emigrated  to  America  and  .set- 
tled in  Virginia.  The  family  moved  to  Ohio  at  an  early  day  and 
subseiiuently  moved  to  Madison  county,  Indiana,  where  the 
grandparents  died.  Il^nry  his  son,  and  father  of  D.  H.,  was  born 
in  Pendleton  county,  Virginia,  in  August  1791.  He  came  from 
Clark  county,  Illinois,  in  October  1838,  and  the  following  winter 
settled  near  Lexington  in  McLean  county.  In  March  following 
he  moved  to  De  Witt  county  and  settled  on  section  ten  in  De 
Witt  township,  where  he  resided  until  a  short  time  before  his 
death.  He  died  December  6th,  1871,  in  his  eighty-seventh  year. 
He  married  Mary  Hufl'man,  daughter  of  Christian  Huffman. 
iShe  was  born  in  Pendleton  county,  Virginia,  in  1787.  She  died 
April  12th,  1853,  in  her  sixty-seventy  year.  By  the  union  of 
Henry  and  Marv  Arbogast  there  were  fifteen  children,  twelve  of 
whom  grew  to  maturity  and  eight  are  still  living.  Daniel 
IL,  was  in  his  twelfth  year  when  the  family  came  to  De  Witt 
county.  He  here  grew  to  manhood  and  remained  at  home  at 
work  on  his  father's  farm,  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  then 
he  commenced  working  for  himself  He  worked  for  the  farmers 
around  in  the  neighborhood,  rented  land,  and  raised  a  crop, 
and  did  such  general  work  as  fell  to  his  hand.  He  soon  after  got 
into  handling  stock,  and  was  principally  engaged  in  that  business 
from  1855  to  1870.  In  the  latter  year  he  commenced  the  manu- 
fecture  of  brick,  and  has  given  nearly  all  of  his  attention  to  that 
business  since  that  time.  He  manufactured  all  the  brick  with  a 
few  exceptions  that  are  in  the  brick  buildings  now  standing  in 
Farmer  City.  Taking  all  in  all  Mr.  Arbogast  has  been  unvisu- 
ally  successful.  He  has  met,  like  most  of  men.  with  some  reverses, 
yet  has  no  particular  reason  to  complain  of  his  lot.  On  the  25th 
of  February  1849  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Minerva 
I'avn.  She  was  born  in  Tennessee,  May  29th,  1829.  She  is  the 
daughter  of  John  A.  G.  and  Catherine  Payn,  wdio  came  to  Indi- 
ana in  1830,  and  in  1841  settled  in  Will  county,  Illinois.  Mrs. 
Arbogast  was  stopping  with  her  grandfather  Payn  in  this  coun- 
ty when  she  was  married.  Nine  children  have  been  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Arbogast ;  seven  sons  and  two  daughters.  Their  names 
in  the  order  of  their  birth  are,  Elizabeth  J.  who  is  the  wife  of 
Arthur  Webb,  Lvdia  Ann,  wife  of  John  Sweeney,  John,  who 
married  Susan  Muir,  Anios,  married  Mary  Griffith,  Edward, 
Sherman,  Walter,  Grenade  who  died  in  his  tenth  year,  and  George 
who  difd  in  his  infancy.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
M.  E.  Church.  Politically  he  has  been  a  Republican  since  1856, 
when  he  voted  for  John  C.  Fremont.     His  maternal  grandfather 


Huffman  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution,  and  his  father  Henry 
was  a  .soldier  in  the  Indian  War  of  181.'.  Mr.  Arbogast  is  a 
plain  straightforward  man,  and  much  respected  in  the  com- 
munity. 

Hon-,  lewis  LUDINGTON. 

The  Luilington  family,  of  which  tlie  subject  of  thi.s  sketch  is  a 
member,  are  the  descendants  of  Henry  Ludington,  a  native  of 
England,  who  emigrated  to  America  prior  to  the  old  French  war. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  that  war.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revo- 
lution he  enlisted  under  Washington,  and  rose  rapidly  from  one 
position  to  another  until  he  became  a  colonel  of  a  regiment.  His 
command  was  stationed  in  South  Carolina,  and  there  he  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Eutaw  Springs,  King's  Mountains  and 
the  Cowpens.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Putnam 
County  in  New  York,  where  he  had  settled  soon  after  coming  to 
America,  and  where  he  died  a  number  of  years  after.  He  mar- 
ried an  Ogden,  of  which  union  was  Frederick  Ludington,  the 
father  of  Lewis.  He  was  a  farmer  and  merchant,  and  lived  and 
died  on  the  homestead,  which  still  remains  in  the  family.  He 
died  in  1852.  He  married  Susan  Griffith,  a  native  of  Dutchess 
County,  New  York.  She  survived  her  husband  a  few  years,  and 
died  in  1856.  There  were  fifteen  children  born  to  them — all  of 
whom,  except  one,  reached  the  years  of  maturity.  The  eldest 
son  Harrison  and  Nelson  Ludington  came  West  in  1837,  and 
settled  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.  The  former  rose  in  prominence  and 
became  Governor  of  the  State  in  1876.  Nelson  removed  to 
Chicago  in  1852  and  was  one  of  the  first  lumber  dealers  in  the 
city.  He  has  attained  consider.ible  prominence,  and  is  well- 
knowu  throughout  the  West.  Lewis,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  in  Ludingtonville,  Putnam  County,  New  York,  May 
1st  1838,  and  U  the  youngest  of  the  family.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  common  schools  and  academies  of  his  native 
county,  and  was'thus  fitted  fiir  entrance  to  college,  but  not  being 
pleased  with  the  prospect  of  spending  several  years  in  close  study 
abandoned  the  idea  of  receiving  a  collegiate  education,  and  took 
up  school  teaching.  Eighteen  months  spent  in  that  profession 
convinced  him  that  it  had  no  allurements  sufficiently  enticing  to 
make  him  follow  it  as  a  means  of  livelihood.  In  1857  he  came 
west,  and  stopped  at  Bloomington,  where  he  found  work  in  a 
lumber-yard,  at  nominal  wages.  Eighteen  mouths  later  he  re- 
turned to  New  York  and  spent  the  winter  1858-9  at  home.  In 
the  spring  of  1859  came  back  to  Bloomington  and  soon  after 
went  to  Wenona,  111-,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade  and 
grain  business,  in  which  he  continued  until  1862,  when  he 
raised  a  company  of  one  humlred  and  twelve  men  for  the  war. 
On  the  organization  of  the  company  he  was  unanimously  elected 
captain.  His  was  the  first  name  on  the  muster  roll.  The  com- 
pany was  mustered  in  as  Co.  H  of  104th  Regiment  Illinois  Vol- 
unteer.*. The  regiment  joined  Buell's  forces  at  Louisville,  Ky. 
The  first  battle  in  which  Co.  H  participated  was  at  Hartsville, 
where  it  and  the  entire  command,  numbering  fourteen  hundred 
men,  were  captured  by  Gens.  Hood  and  Morgan's  forces.  The 
rebel  General  Morgan  was  so  impressed  with  the  gallant  con- 
duct of  Capt  Ludington  that  he  permittel  him  to  retain  his 
side-arms,  a  courtesy  which  was  not  extended  to  any  other  officer 
in  the  Federal  command.  Five  days  after  the  battle  they  were 
paroled,  ordered  to  Nashville,  and  from  there  sent  to  Columbus, 
Ohio,  and  exchanged,  then  ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Rosecraus, 
at  Nashville;  order  countermanded,  and  they  were  sent  to 
Camp  Diiuglass,  at  Chicago,   to  guard   prisoners,  where   they 


JIISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COU^^TY,  JLLLXOJS. 


237 


remained  until  May,  1863,  when  they  joined  Kosecrans'  forces 
at  Miirfreesboro,  and  became  a  part  of  the  14th  Army  Corps  of 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga 
C'apt  Ludington  was  the  ranking  captain,  and  was  in  command 
as  major  of  the  regiment.  In  the  second  day's  fight,  while 
repelling  the  charge  of  the  rebels  under  Longstreet,  he  was 
wounded  in  the  left  knee,  which  shattered  the  joint.  He  was 
carried  otf  the  field  and  sent  sixty  miles,  to  Bridgeport,  Ala., 
from  thence  to  Nashville,  and  thence  to  Chicago.  Five  months 
later  he  reported  at  Nashville  unfit  for  duty,  and  by  order  of 
Gen.  Thomas  was  mustered  out  of  the  service,  the  date  of  which 
was  January  19, 1864.  He  returned  to  Winona,  and  in  ( )ctober, 
1864,  removed  t-i  Bloomington.  In  1870  Major  Ludington 
came  to  Farmer  City,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  in 
which  he  continued  until  1878,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
buying  and  shipping  grain. 

Politically,  Maj.  Ludington  is  a  sound  Republican.  In  1880 
his  fidelity  to  his  party,  and  worth  as  a  man  and  citizen,  received 
recognition  by  being  nominated  and  elected  to  represent  the 
counties  of  Macon  and  De  Witt  in  the  32d  Gen.  Assembly  of  the 
State.  He  served  on  several  important  committees,  and  was 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  public  buildings  and  grounds. 
He  was  favorably  mentioned  for  speaker  of  the  House,  and  had 
a  number  of  warm  personal  friends  who  supported  him  for  that 
position.  He  ably  defended  the  Anti-Pool  bill,  which  had  for 
its  object  the  regulation  by  legal  methods  of  the  growing  power 
of  monopolies,  and  to  correct  the  abuses  of  the  pooling  system 
adopted  by  railroads.  He  became  the  chief  spokesman  and 
advocate  of  the  bill,  and  had  practically  charge  of  it  on  the  floor 
of  the  House.  His  long  experience  in  shipping  over  railroads 
placed  him  in  possession  of  many  facts  unknown  to  many  members 
of  the  Legislature.  In  that  matter,  as  well  as  others,  it  may  be 
said  of  Mayor  Ludington  that  he  sustained  the  reputation  of  a 
careful  and  prudent  member,  bringing  to  the  practical  work  of 
the  House  a  large  share  of  valuable  business  experience  and 
much  good  sense.  His  actions  were  alwaj'S  dictated  by  a  just 
regard  for  the  interests  of  his  constituents  and  an  honest  desire 
to  please  those  who  had  honored  him  with  their  suft'rages.  In 
doing  this  he  .sometimes  sacrificed  his  own  interests,  but  there 
always  remained  with  him  the  consciousness  that  he  did  his  duty, 
and  was  faithful  to  the  interests  of  the  many  as  against  the  few. 
He  is  a  respected  member  of  the  Order  of  A.  F.  of  A.  M.,  and 
also  the  Chapter.  On  the  16th  of  August,  1864,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Jennie  N.,  only  daughter  of  Geoi'ge  and  Harriet 
(Phillips)  Scott.  She  is  a  native  of  Putnam  county.  111.  They 
have  one  child  living,  a  daughter,  named  Hattie  S.  Ludington. 


P.  V.  H    C<  »()L. 

Peter  Cool,  the  grandfather  of  the  present  Cool  family,  was 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  descent.  He  emigrated 
to  Ohio,  and  in  1853  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  Bloom- 
ington, where  he  died.  He  married  Sophia  Harris,  and  one  of 
the  offspring  of  that  union  was  Noah  H.  Cool,  the  father  of 
Peter.  He  was  born  near  Zane.sville,  in  Muskingum  county, 
Ohio,  and  came  to  Bloomington,  Illinois,  in  1855  ;  he  died  in 
1880.  He  married  Mary  A'an  Horn,  who  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, but  was  a  resident  of  Ohio  at  the  time  of  her  marriage. 
By  that  marriage  thei'e  were  eight  children,  three  sons  and  five 
daughters ;  Peter  Van  Horn  Cool  is  the  eldest  of  the  family. 
He  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Ohio,  March  8.  1840.     He  came 


with  his  parents  to  Bloomington  in  18.~)5,  and  at  the  age 
of  seventeen  commenced  learning  the  trade  of  Ijaker,  at 
which  he  continued  until  1862,  when  he  was  appointed  on  the 
police  force  of  Bloomington,  and  remained  on  the  force  for  nine 
years.  In  1871  he  went  back  to  baking,  and  contiuued  in  Bloom- 
ington until  January,  1874,  when  he  came  to  Farmer  City,  and 
worked  at  his  trade  for  J.  S.  Baltzell,  with  whom  he  contiuued 
for  three  years,  then  worked  for  David  Kelly  for  two  years,  then 
went  into  business  for  himself,  and  started  a  bakery,  restaurant 
and  dealer  in  fancy  groceries,  and  in  that  business  he  has  con- 
tinued to  the  present.  He  has  sutt'ered  some  serious  losses  since 
he  has  been  in  business.  On  the  ■22d  of  August,  1880,  his  stock 
was  burned,  entailing  a  loss  of  nearly  fifteen  hundred  dollars 
His  only  capital  with  which  to  start  up  again  was  grit,  knowledge 
of  business  and  a  determination  to  succeed-  ( )n  the  7th  of  May, 
1862,  he  married  Miss  S.  A.  Dooiian,  a  native  of  New  York,  but  a 
resident  of  Bloomington.  There  are  ten  children  by  that  mar- 
riage, seven  of  whom  are  living,  three  sons  and  four  daughters. 
Their  names,  in  the  order  of  their  birth,  are:  Adah,  Mafl'ett, 
Elmer,  Mary,  Fanny,  Courtney,  Nellie  and  Joseph  Cool.  Mr. 
Cool  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  and  belongs  to  Kenilworih 
Lodge,  Farmer  City.  Politically,  he  supports  the  men  and 
measures  of  the  Republican  party.  At  present  he  is  a  member 
of  the  board  of  aldermen  of  the  city,  and  represents  the  3d  ward 
in  that  body.  He  is  an  advocate  of  temperance,  and  was  elected 
upon  the  Prohibition  ticket.  He  was  for  six  months  acting 
mayor  of  the  city. 

Mr.  Cool  is  one  of  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Farmer 
City.  He  has  by  industry,  and  energy,  and  close  attention  to  his 
business,  built  up  a  good  trade,  which  is  constantly  increasing  ; 
he  is  a  pleasant  and  agreeable  gentleman,  and  has  many  friends 
in  Farmer  City- 

ANDREW  M    CL'MJIING. 

When'  the  Gumming  family  came  to  Illinois  it  was  then 
known  as  the  frontier  state,  and  was  yet  comparatively  a  wilder- 
ness- The  family  is  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  Andrew  Cumming, 
the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  native  of  the 
town  of  Rockbridge,  Rockbridge  county,  Virginia.  He  there 
married,  and  in  1812  moved  to  Tennessee,  and  there  died.  His 
son,  Paxton,  father  of  Andrew  M.,  was  born  in  Rockbridge, 
Va  ,  in  1801,  and  was  a  youth  of  eleven  years  when  the  family 
moved  to  Tennessee.  He  there  grew  to  manhood,  and  at  an 
early  age  he  became  converted  and  joined  the  M.  E.  Church  ;  he 
prepared  himself  to  enter  the  ministry  of  the  church,  and  was 
regularly  ordained  and  appointed  to  a  circuit.  His  circuit  ex- 
,  tended  into  the  Carolinas,  and  "while  preaching  in  North  Caro- 
lina, he  made  the  acquaintance  of  Pricella  Eliza  Davidson, 
who  was  a  native  of  Haywood  county,  and  in  due  course  of  time 
they  were  united  in  marriage.  She  was  Ijorn  in  1812;  she  was 
a  near  relative  of  the  noted  N'ance  family,  and  a  full  cousin  of 
Governor  Vance.  Mr.  Cumming  determined  to  leave  the  South 
and  come  North.  He  was  a  genuine  lover  of  freedom,  and 
therefore  opposed  to  that  human  slavery  that  existed  in  the 
southern  states,  and  which  was  for  so  many  years  a  blot  and  stain 
upon  our  boasted  civilization.  To  escape  its  baneful  influences, 
and  that  his  children  might  be  reared  and  educated  under  the 
broad  shadow  of  a  state  and  people  who  opposed  it,  he  came 
north  to  Illinois,  landing  in  what  is  now  known  as  De  Witt 
county,  in  the  fall  of  1836.  He  located  and  entered  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  land,  three  miles  west  of  Farmer  City,  in  Sec. 


238 


HISTOEY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


31  ;  it  was  raw,  uuimproveil  land.  There  he  remained,  opening 
up  his  farm  and  preaching.  He  continued  in  the  latter  for  two 
years,  when  he  was  placed  upon  the  list  of  superannuated  min- 
isters. He  remained  upon  his  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1S39.  His  wife  still  survives  him,  and  afterward  married  Rev. 
David  White,  who  is  chaplain  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  now  stationed 
at  Fort  Hays,  in  Kansas.  By  the  marriage  of  Kev.  Paxton  Gum- 
ming and  Miss  P.  E,  Davidson  there  were  si.ic  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living.  Andrew  M  is  the  eldest ;  he  was  born  in 
Haywood  county.  North  Carolina,  February  16,  1830,  and  was  in 
his  seventh  year,  when  the  family  came  to  Illinois.  After  his 
lather's  death  his  mother  took  the  family  back  to  North  Carolina, 
and  there  young  Gumming  remained  until  his  fourteenth  year, 
when  his  mother  returned.to  De  Witt  county.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  years  he  went  to  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  where  he 
was  regularly  apprenticed  to  the  trade  of  a  blacktmilh  for  four 
years,  when  he  again  returned  to  Illinois,  and  stopped  in  the 
town  of  De  Witt,  in  this  county,  where  he  opened  up  a  shop  and 
carried  on  the  blacksmithing  trade.  Two  years  later  he  came 
to  Mount  Pleasant,  now  Farmer  City,  and  here  he  carried  on 
the  trade  for  eighteen  years,  then  sold  out  and  engaged  in  the 
hardware  bu.siness,  in  connection  with  B.  F.  Harrison,  in  which 
he  continued  until  his  health  failed  him,  when  he  moved  upon 
his  farm  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  18H1,  when  he 
purchased  a  stock  of  boots  and  shoes  in  Farmer  City,  and  again 
entered  into  mercantile  pursuits- 

In  May,  1874,  he,  in  connection  with  other  leading  bu.siness 
men  of  Farmer  City,  organized  and  established  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Farmer  City.  The  success  of  that  institution 
and  its  solidity  and  financial  standing  is  well  known  throughout 
Central  Illinois.  Mr.  Gumming  is  its  vice-president-  On  the 
24th  of  August,  1852,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  America, 
daughter  of  Silas  AVaters,  of  Leroy,  111.  She  was  born  in  Ver 
million  county.  111.  By  this  marriage  there  are  three  children 
living,  viz :  Ella,  who  is  wife  of  William  A.  Whetzell,  now  prin- 
cipal of  the  Paxton  Public  Schools;  William,  and  S.  M.  Gum- 
ming. Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E-  church. 
He  is  an  honored  member  of  the  ancient  order  of  A.  F.  &  A.  M 
Chapter  and  Council  of  R.  A  S.  M.  Politically,  he  was  originally 
an  old  line  Whig ;  in  1856  he  joined  the  Republican  party,  and 
has  remained  a  member  of  that  political  organization.  He  has 
held  local  offices  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  alder- 
men of  Farmer  City.  Mr.  Gumming,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
above,  is  an  old  citizen  of  De  Witt  county.  He  has  lived  for 
many  years  among  these  people,  doing  business  and  acting  the 
part  of  an  honorable  and  upright  citizen.  His  life  has  not  been 
without  its  trials,  Jior  has  it  been  entirely  barren  of  good  results. 
He  started  in  life  p  )or ;  his  only  capital  was  industry,  honesty, 
a  determination  to  do  right,  and  a  knowledge  of  his  business 
acquired  in  four  years  of  apprenticeship.  With  that  capital  he 
has  succeeded  to  a  competency  ;  and  it  may  be  added,  that  in 
the  same  time  he  has  firmly  established  for  himself  a  reputation 
for  honesty,  sobriety  and  honorable  dealing,  which  is  a  far  better 
legacy  to  bequeath  to  his  posterity  than  great  riches- 


ELIAS  JOHNSON. 

Dennis  Hurley  was  the  first  settler  of  Hurley's  Grove,  which 
now  embraces  a  part  of  the  land  on  which  is  built  the  town  of 
Farmer  City.  He  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  April  1796.  He 
was  the  son  of  Jam^s  and  Lydia  (Riddle)  Hurley.     About  1814 


he  went  to  Newark,  Ohio,  and  remained  there  until  IS.SO  when 
he  and  his  family  and  Richard  Kirby  and  his  family  came  west 
to  Illinois  and  landed  at  Randolph's  Grove  in  McLean  county, 
October  1st  of  the  year  above  mentioned.  The  first  night  the 
Hurley  family  stopped  in  an  Indian  tent,  after  which  Mr-  Hand, 
an  old  settler  of  the  Grove  placed  the  Loom  house  at  their  dis- 
posal where  they  lived  until  Mr.  Hurley  built  a  cabin.  He  se- 
lected a  site  near  where  Mr.  Johnson  now  lives,  there  put  up  the 
cabin  a  nd  moved  his  family  to  it  on  the  27th  of  November,  1830 ; 
on  the  same  day  when  commenced  falling  the  deep  snow,  that  is 
so  well  known  to  old  settlers.  The  following  spring  he  moved 
across  the  creek,  and  when  land  came  into  market  purchased  it. 
There  he  lived  until  his  death,  June  27th,  18(37.  He  married 
Mary  Donnell  in  1816.  She  was  born  in  Lancaster  county, 
Pennsylvania,  September  20th,  1797.  She  died  July  6th,  1S50. 
There  were  fourteen  children  the  offspring  of  that  marriage,  sev- 
en of  whom  are  yet  living.  Of  these  children  was  Lydia  M. 
who  was  born  in  Newark,  Ohio,  September  29th,  1822.  She  was 
eight  years  of  age  when  her  parents  came  to  Illinois.  She  mar- 
ried Elias  Johnson,  February  24th,  1842.  He  was  born  in  Jack- 
son county,  Ohio,  February  19th,  1819.  Silas  Johnson,  his  fath- 
er, came  to  Illinois  in  1825  and  settled  in  Vermillion  county,  and 
moved  to  De  Witt  county  in  1S38.  Silas  Johnson  married  Eliz- 
abeth Craig,  of  Virginia.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  Elias 
and  Lydia  M.  Johnson.  Mary  E.  is  the  wife  of  John 
McDonald.  They  have  two  children  named  Zua  and  Oddie- 
Hester  .'\.  was  the  wife  of  James  Brennan,  who  died.  She  then 
mariied  J-  Q  Jones-  Both  Mr.  McDonnald  and  Brennan  were 
soldiers  in  the  late  war.  Both  Mr.  Johnson  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E  Church.     Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Republican- 


CAPFAIN  GEORGE  W.  HERRICK. 

Thi;  Herrick  fiimily,  of  which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a 
member,  is  an  old  one,  and  was  for  maay  generations  residents  of 
the  State  of  M;issachusetts.  They  trace  their  origin  and  ancestry 
from  the  Norman-French.  The  forefathers  emigrated  from  Eng- 
land to  the  colonies  in  America  in  the  colonial  days.  Some  of 
their  descendants  came  west  from  New  England  soon  after  the 
close  of  the  last  century.  Of  these  was  Ezra  Herrick,  the  grand- 
father of  George  W.  After  the  close  of  the  war  of  1812  he  re- 
moved to  Huron  county,  Ohio,  where  he  followed  the  occupation 
of  farmer  and  there  remained  until  his  death.  '  His  son,  Latt 
Herrick,  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  May  14th,  1795.  While 
yet  in  his  infancy  his  father  removed  the  family  to  New  York, 
and  suljsequently  to  Ohio  where  they  remained  until  Decem- 
ber 1834,  when  Mr.  Herrick  removed  to  De  Kalb  county,  Indiana, 
and  there  died  March  22d,  1S72.  He  wa.s  a  soldier  of  the  war 
of  1812,  and  was  with  the  army  operating  on  the  Canadian  fron- 
tier. In  his  life  he  was  a  man  of  considerable  prominence,  and 
held  several  oflices  of  honor  and  trust.  He  was  a  devout  believer 
in  the  principles  of  Christianity  and  made  a  profession  of  faith, 
and  was  in  his  later  years  a  member  of  the  Congregationalist 
church.  He  married  Lola  Sutlitf,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  but  at 
the  time  of  her  marriage,  a  resident  of  Huron  county,  Ohio.  She 
was  born  October  1st,  1798,  and  died  in  August  1874.  There 
were  nine  children  by  the  marriage  of  Latt  and  Lola  Herrick, 
six  sons  and  three  daughters.  Four  have  survived  the  parents- 
George  W.  is  the  youngest  of  the  family.  He  was  born  in  De 
Kalb  county,  Indiana,  on  October  6th,  1841.  He  was  reared 
upon  the  farm  and  received  his  early  education    in  the  common 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


239 


schools  of  his  native  county  and  therein  was  prepared  for  en- 
trance to  the  Vienna  Academy  at  Newville,  Indiana.  He  re- 
mained there  until  1861.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  entered  the 
Law  Department  of  the  University  of  Michigan  at  Ann  Arbor, 
and  remained  there  through  the  term.  The  war  breaking  out  he 
put  aside  his  books,  and  in  May  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  E  ,  .5.5th 
Regt.  Ind.  Vols.  The  command  was  ordered  to  Kentucky,  and  in 
August  of  the  same  year  Mr.  Herrick  was  taken  prisoner  at  the 
battle  of  Richmond  ;  a  few  days  later  he  was  paroled  and  dis- 
charged. He  resumed  his  studies  and  in  the  fall  of  18C3  agaiu 
entered  the  University  at  Ann  Arbor  and  graduated  from  the 
Law  Department  in  the  spring  of  1864.  In  August  of  the  same 
year,  he  went  to  Princeton,  Missouri,  and  opened  a  law  office. 
In  January  and  February  of  ISfio  hei"ecruitedacompany  of  men 
for  the  war,  which  was  known  as  Co.  D.,  51st  Regt.  ]Mo  Vols. 
Upon  the  organization  of  the  company,  Mr.  Herrick  was  elected 
Captain,  and  duly  commi-sioned  by  the  Governor  of  the  State. 
The  regiment  did  duty  in  South-east  Missouri,  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  In  1870  Captain  Herrick  opened  a  law  office  in  Far- 
mer City,  and  here  he  has  continued  the  practice  until  the  pres- 
ent. He  is  a  respected  member  of  the  honorable  order  of  A.  F. 
of  A.  M.  On  the  28th  of  May,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Dora  O.  Knight,  a  native  of  De  Witt  county,  Illinois, 
and  daughter  of  Robert  Knight.  By  this  marriage  there  are  four 
children,  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  Their  names  in  the  order 
of  their  birth  are,  Latt  R.,  Blanche,  Dwight  and  Lyle  Herrick. 
Captain  Herrick's  practice  is  confined  to  the  general  business 
of  law  iu  which  he  has  been  reasonably  successful. 


R.  M.  EWIXG. 

The  editor  of  the  Ileaper  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Kenluckv, 
July  23d,  1822.  The  Ewing  family  were  originally  from  Vir- 
ginia. He  is  the  youngest  son  of  three  children  of  William  and 
Sarah  (Coombs)  Ewing.  Mrs.  Ewing's  parents  were  natives  of 
Loudon  County,  Virginia.  R.  M.  Ewing  had  fair  advantages  in 
youth  for  receiving  an  education.  He  attended  the  common 
schools  until  his  sixteenth  year,  when  he  entered  college  at 
Georgetown,  Kentucky,  and  remained  there  two  years.  In  1841 
he  came  to  Illinois  and  stopped  at  Quincy  and  taught  school. 
In  the  winter  of  1841-42  he  went  to  Missouri  and  the  same  year 
returned  to  Quincy,  and  engaged  in  the  profession  of  teaching. 
In  1844  he  went  to  Pike  County,  then  to  Morgan,  and  at  Waver- 
ley  engaged  in  manufacturing  wagons,  in  which  business  he  con- 
tinued for  three  or  four  years,  then  removed  to  Menard  County 
and  taught  school.  He  remained  in  Menard  County  until  1862, 
when  he  removed  to  Clinton  in  De  Witt  County.  In  1872  he 
came  to  Farmer  City  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  trade,  iu  which 
he  continued  until  the  fall  of  1879,  when  he  established  the 
Reaper,  a  newspaper  which  he  still  continues  to  edit.  On  the 
27th  of  April,  1848,  while  a  resident  of  Waverley  he  married 
Miss  Martha  M  Chambers,  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Ills.  She 
died  July  31st,  1878.  He  is  a  member  of  the  order  of  A.  F. 
and  A.  M.  Politically  he  was  originally  an  old  line  Whig,  and 
supported  Henry  Clay  for  the  presidency  in  1844.  In  1860  he 
voted  for  Abraham  Lincoln  and  remained  a  Republican  until 
1880,  when  he  supported  General  Hancock  for  the  presidency. 
Martin  L.  Griffith,  the  publisher  of  the  Reaper,  was  born  in  Ue 
Witt  County,  Illinois,  April  10,  1860.  He  is  the  sou  of  John 
and  Melinda  Griffith.  His  mother  is  a  daughter  of  Nathan 
Clearwaters,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  De  Witt  County.     His  father 


is  a  native  of  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  and  came  to  this  county 
when  a  young  man.  He  is  a  carpenter  by  trade,  and  is  also  a 
farmer.  Mr.  JI.  L,  Griffith  learned  the  printer's  art  in  the  office 
of  the  Reaper. 

Both  :\Ie3srs.  Griffith  and  Ewing  may  be  regarded  as  the 
founders  of  the  iieapcr.  The  paper  is  edited  with  ability  and 
typographically  is  neat  and  clean.     It  enjoys  a  good  circulation. 


WILLIAM  C.  DEVORE. 
The  Davore  family  on  the  paternal  side  are  of  French  ancestry, 
and  on  the  maternal  side  of  German  descent.  Nicholas  H.  the 
father  of  W.  C,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  removed  to  Ohio  at 
an  early  age.  He  lived  iu  Cincinati  and  in  Brown  county.  In 
1833  or  4  he  went  to  Chicago,  and  in  1836  came  down  to  Piatt 
county,  and  was  there  when  the  town  of  Monticello  was  laid  out. 
He  was  the  first  post-master  of  the  village.  He  died  in  1S42. 
He  was  by  trade  both  a  carpenter  and  blacksmith.  While  a  res- 
ident of  Piatt  county  he  married  Miss  Susan  Barnes,  a  native  of 
Marion  county,  Ohio.  She  was  born  in  1817,  and  was  the  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Sarah  Barnes,  who  came  to  Piatt  county  in 
1833.  The  marriage  took  place  in  1836.  She  still  survives  her 
husband  and  is  a  resident  on  the  old  home  farm,  where  the  family 
first  settled  when  they  came  to  Illinois.  William  C.  is  the 
youngest  of  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living,  viz:  Sarah  M. 
who  is  the  wife  of  J.  N.  Bondurant,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
The  father  was  born  iu  Piatt  county,  Illinois,  December  28th, 
1842.  He  was  raised  upon  the  farm  and  attended  the  country 
schools,  wherein  he  received  a  fair  English  education.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-two  he  commenced  learning  the  printer's  trade  in  the 
Piatt  County  Union  in  Monticello,  and  afterwards  in  the  Piatt 
County  Republican.  He  then  went  to  Toledo,  Tama  county,  Iowa, 
and  commenced  the  publication  of  a  paper  called  the  Tama 
County  Republican.  One  year  later  he  removed  to  Farmer  City, 
and  assisted  John  S,  Harper  to  start  the  Journal.  In  the  ftill  of 
1873  he  established  the  Herald,  and  continued  its  publication  un- 
til August,  187-5,  when  he  sold  out.  In  the  Spring  of  1876  he 
went  to  Lovington,  in  Moultrie  county,  Illinois,  and  there  pub- 
lished the  Free  Press,  which  he  continued  for  three  years.  In 
April  1879,  he  came  back  to  Farmer  City,  moved  material  and 
office  here,  and  continued  the  publication  of  the  Journal  under 
an  arrangement  made  with  its  former  editor  and  proprietor.  Mr. 
Devore  is  a  good  newspaper  man,  and  has  demonstrated  his  abil- 
ity to  conduct  a  country  newspaper  and  make  it  a  financial  suc- 
cass.  He  has,  since  casting  his  first  vote,  been  an  adlierent  and 
advocate  of  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party. 

On  the  19th  of  November,  1877,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mrs.  Mattie  A.  Stratton,  nee  Kimler,  a  native  of  McLean  county. 
There  is  one  child  by  that  marriage,  named  Katie  Ethel  Devore 


CHARLES  M.  WELCH, 

The  present  Mayor  of  Farmer  City,  was  born  in  Marion  county, 
Ohio,  September  19,  1839.  The  Welch  family  is  of  Welsh 
descent  on  the  paternal,  and  on  the  maternal  side,  Scotch.  Isaac 
Welch,  the  paternal  grandfather,  was  a  native  of  New  York. 
He  emigrated  to  Ohio  in  1S02,  and  settled  in  Delaware  county. 
He  married  Sarah  Shaw,  by  which  union  was  Daniel  Welch,  the 
father  of  Charles  W.  He  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  Ohio, 
in  1817  ;  afterwards  lived  in  Marion  county,  where  Charles  was 
born,  and   in  1847  removed  to  De  Kalb  county,  in  Indiana, 


240 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


where  he  remained  uulil  18t33,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  De  AVitt  county,  wliere  he  yet  resides.  He  married 
Miss  Eliza  Camp,  a  native  of  ( )uundaga  county,  New  York.  She 
was  born  in  1818.  By  that  marriage  there  were  eight  children, 
three  of  whom  are  living.  The  youngest  son,  R.  B.  Welch,  is 
president  of  the  State  Normal  School  at  Emporia,  Kansas.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  eldest  of  the  sons.  His  advantages 
in  youth  for  receiving  an  education  were  limited,  but  thanks  to 
his  mother,  who  is  a  woman  of  superior  mind,  and  who  fostered 
and  cultivated  a  love  of  reading  and  study  in  her  son,  he  in  time, 
through  home  and  self-cullure,  becaaie  possessed  of  a  good  edu- 
cation. At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  taught  school.  In  the  spring  of 
18.54  he  entered  the  Vienna  Academy  at  Jsewville,  Indiana,  and 
entered  upon  a  regular  academical  course.  To  sustain  himself 
there  he  was  compelled  to  teach  school  in  the  winter  seasons  in 
order  to  pay  expenses  of  tuition  and  board.  In  1860,  his  health 
failing,  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  his  studies.  He  came  to 
Illinois  and  stopped  in  Farmer  City,  and  here  taught  school.  In 
1861  he  returned  to  Indiana  and  commenced  the  study  of  law  in 
the  office  of  Judge  John  Morris,  of  Fort  Wayne.  In  August  of 
the  same  year  he  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Co  E  of  the  liimous 
11th  Reg.  Indiana  \'ols..  Col.  afterwards  Gen.  Lew.  Wallace 
conmianding.  The  regiment  was  at  first  a  part  of  the  Isf  Division 
of  the  1.3th  Army  Corps  The  regiment  remained  in  active  ser- 
vice until  the  expiration  of  its  term  of  enlistment,  when  it  vet- 
eranized and  re-enlisted  for  the  war.  This  was  in  the  spring  of 
1864.  It  was  then  sent  to  Virginia  and  Washington,  and  then 
with  the  6th,  8th  and  19th  Army  Corps,  constituted  the  Army 
of  the  Shenandoah,  under  command  of  Gen.  Phil  Sheridan.  Mr. 
Welch  remained  in  the  service  from  August,  1861,  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  and  participated  with  his  regiment  iu  all  the 
skirmishes,  battles  and  sieges  in  which  it  was  engaged.  The 
regiment  was  the  best  drilled  organization  in  the  war,  and  in 
many  competition  drills  invariably  carrieil   oH'  the   prizes.     Mr. 


Welch  was  mustered  out  and  honorably  discharged  in  September 
186.5,  having  been  in  active  service  four  years  and  one  month. 
If  space  would  permit  us  we  would  be  glad  to  insert  a  history  of 
this  gallant  regiment,  which  was  undoubtedly  one  of  the  historic 
organizations  of  the  war.  Its  history  is  Mr.  Welch's  history  for 
four  years  and  one  month.  Mr.  Welch  returned  to  Farmer  City 
soon  after  his  discharge,  and  taught  school  in  the  surrounding 
counties  until  1873,  when  he  accepted  a  situation  as  clerk  in  the 
grain  business,  with  J.  O.  Peckham  &  Co.,  of  Farmer  City,  and 
remained  with  them,  as  their  agent,  for  six  years.  A  portion  of 
the  time  he  was  agent  for  the  company  at  Kenney,  Illinois,  and 
while  there  read  law  in  his  leisure  moments.  In  1877  he  com- 
menced his  studies  under  the  direction  of  Judge  Ingham,  and 
then  with  Jlr.  Herrick,  of  Farmer  City.  At  the  June  term  of 
the  supreme  court  held  at  Springfield,  he  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  and  commenced  the  practice  in  Farmer  City,  where  he  still 
continues.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  a  strong,  un- 
compromising advocate  of  temperance,  and  was  elected  mayor  of 
the  city  on  that  issue.  He  is  strenuous  in  the  support  of  the 
laws  made  by  the  majority,  and  looks  carefully  and  faithfully  to 
their  execution.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  A  F.  it  A.M. 
On  the  1.3th  of  April,  1866,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  T. 
C.  Ryan,  of  Defiance  county,  Ohio,  youngest  daughter  of  John 
Ryan,  a  native  of  New  York.  Both  he  ami  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E.  church. 

During  the  war  he  was  the  recipient,  and  has  in  his  possession, 
two  general  orders  emanating  from  the  Cieueral  iu  command, 
publicly  complimenting  him  for  personal  bravery  and  gallant 
conduct  in  the  face  of  great  danger,  and  iu  one  is  promoted  to 
the  position  of  scout — a  position  which  required  the  combination 
of  sagacity,  coolness  and  great  personal  courage.  Mr.  Welch 
feels  justly  proud  of  those  souvenirs  of  respect  given  him  during 
the  dark  and  trying  times  of  the  late  war. 


TUNBRIDGE    TOWNSHIP. 


(HIS  township  deserves  special  mention  in  the 
history  of  De  Witt  county,  from  the  fact  that 
the  first  blow  struck  toward  civilization,  tnd 
the  first  settlement  made,  was  within  its  bor- 
ders. Over  half  a  century  ago  the  wood- 
man's ax  was  heard  to  resound  through  the 
timber  of  Salt  Creek  ;  few  there  were  to  bear 
the  burdens  of  thepioneer's  life  and  encourage 
one  another  in  paving  the  way  for  civilization  and  future  genera- 
tions. Fifty-seven  years  have  passed  away,  and  behold  the  tran- 
sition :  Splendid  farms  and  farm  improvements  are  seen  on  every 
hand — life  and  activity  prevail  throughout  its  territory,  and  its 
inhabitants  are  thrifty  and  happy. 

Tuubridge  Township  is  situa'ed  in  the  extreme  south-we.'^tern 
part  of  the  county,  and  bounded  on  the  north  by  Baruett  town- 
ship, on  the  east  by  Texas,  south  by  Macon  county,  and  w  est  by 
Logan.  It  is  in  the  form  of  a  perfect  square,  and  contains  thirty- 
six  sec  ions  of  most  excellent  land.  Originally  this  territory  was 
very  evenly  divided  between  prairie  and  timber.  Salt  Creek,  a 
stream  of  considerable  proportions,  crosses  through  the  township 
from  east  to  west  a  little  north  of  the  center.  All  along  this 
stream,  for  two  or  three  miles  in  width,  once  was  covered  with  a 
heavy  growth  of  fine  timber,  of  oak,  hickory,  ash,  sycamore,  wal- 
nut and  other  varieties.  To-day  fine  farms  abound  where  these 
giants  of  the  forest  stood.  Only  enough  is  left  to  supply  the 
wants  of  the  people  for  fuel,  fencing  and  building  purposes.  The 
surface  is  sufficiently  undulating  in  most  parts  to  carry  oft'  the 
surface  water.  At  some  points  on  the  creek,  the  banks  approach 
in  their  form  to  small  bluff's.  The  railroad  facilities  are  excellent, 
not  less  than  two  roads  passing  through  the  entire  township.  The 
Illinois  Midland  railway  enters  the  south-eastern  corner  and  ex- 
tends diagonally  across  the  township,  passing  out  at  the  north- 
west. The  Gillman,  Clinton,  and  .Springfield  road — now  known 
as  the  Springfield  Division  of  the  Illinois  Central,  extends  through 
it  from  north-east  to  south-west,  forming  a  junction  with  the  Mid- 
land at  nearly  the  geographical  center  of  ihe  township,  thereby 
forming  a  letter  x  within  a  perfect  square.  At  this  writing,  the 
people  are  indebted  to  the  Gillman,  Clinton,  and  Springfield  road 
in  the  sum  of  §.30,000,  the  bonds  of  which  are  drawing  ten  per 
cent,  interest,  but  about  to  be  funded  at  six  per  cent.  The  Mid- 
land road  also  claims  an  indebtedness  from  the  township  of  8'20, 
000,  but  it  is  said  by  the  people  it  is  an  illegal  claim  and,  there- 
fore, will  not  be  paid.  Some  future  historian  will  have  to  write 
the  sequel. 

Believing  that  the  first  land  entries  will  prove  interesting  to 
not  only  the  present,  but  to  coming  generations,  we  append  them 
below  in  the  order  of  their  entry  ;  Jacob  Coppenbarger  on  the 
12th  of  November,  182S,  entered  the  N.  E.  quarter  of  section  7. 


John  Walker  entered  the  west  half  of  the  N.  W.  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 13  on  the  loth  of  October,  1S29.  On  the  same  date  John 
Fruit  entered  the  west  half  of  the  Jf.  E.  quarter,  and  the  east 
half  of  the  N.  W.  quarter  of  section  13.  On  the  same  date  and 
same  section,  Elizabeth  Fruit  entered  the  east  half  of  the  S.  W. 
quarter.  Thomas  Fruit,  at  the  same  time  entered  the  east  half 
of  the  S  E.  quarter,  and  the  east  half  of  the  N.  E.  quarter  of 
section  14.  On  the  17th.  of  October  1><29,  .Jacob  Coppenbarger 
entered  the'east  half  of  the  S.  E.  quarter  of  section  o.  At  the 
same  date  John  Coppenbarger  entered  the  west  half  of  the  S.  E. 
quarter  of  section  S,  Hugh  Bowles  entered  on  the  Uih  of  No- 
vember, 1830,  the  S.  W.  quarter  of  section  -1.  On  the  same  date, 
Baron  T.  Lowrey  enteretl  the  N.  W.  quarter  of  section  9  Same 
date  and  same  section,  VVilliam  Newcomb  entered  the  west  half 
of  S.  E  quarter.  Elisha  Butler  entered  the  west  half  of  the  N. 
\V.  quarter  of  section  7th,  November  7th,  1S30.  Same  date 
Mahlon  Hall  entered  SlSjVj  in  section  4 

THE    PIONEERS. 

had  to  undergo  untold  hardships  even  to  obtain  the  most  meagre 
enjoyments  of  life.  Their  nearest  grist-mill  was  situated  at 
Springfield,  and  after  having  taken  the  then  long  and  tedious 
journey,  they  were  often  obliged  to  remain  three  or  four  days  to 
get  a  sack-full  of  corn  ground  ;  for  it  must  be  remembered  that 
in  those  days  the  now  capital  of  the  state  had  but  one  mill,  and 
that  run  by  horse  power.  Often  the  roads  and  weather  were 
such  that  they  were  forced  to  crush  their  corn  for  meal  in  the 
old-time  mortar.  This  was  constructed  by  hollowing  out  a  stump, 
and  using  an  iron  wedge  for  a  pestle.  Another  method  was  to 
boil  the  corn  to  a  soft  consistency,  and  grate  it  from  the  cob  by 
means  of  a  tin  pan  punched  with  holes.  AVhat  little  merchandise 
was  used  was  mainly  obtained  at  Pekin,  the  goods  being  boated 
up  the  river  from  St.  Louis.  To  make  the  trip  to  Pekin  and  re- 
turn took  several  days  and  nights,  hence  they  were  obliged  to 
camp  out ;  and  in  the  language  of  one  of  the  old  pioneers,  "when 
they  lay  down  at  night  to  sleep  their  slumber  was  fanned  by  the 
howling  of  wolves,  and  the  whooping  of  Indians."  John  Bran- 
son, sen.,  who  is  S8  years  of  age,  and  resides  in  Kenney,  informed 
the  writer  that  in  the  spring  of  lb2G,  he  crossed  Salt  Creek  timber, 
coming  out  on  what  is  now  the  old  Joseph  Howard  fiirm  near 
Kenney,  and  that  there  was  not  a  sign  of  a  white  man  or  of  his 
habitation,  but  that  the  timber  was  lined  with  Indan  wigwams. 
They  were  principally  the  Pottawatomies  and  Kickapoos.  Large 
herds  of  deer  ami  hundreds  of  wolves  were  then  running  through 
the  timber  or  skulking  through  the  prairie  grass.  Mr.  Branson 
believed  he  was  alone  in  this  vast  expanse  so  far  as  any  white 
man  was  concerned,  but  in  this  he  was  mistaken ;  had  he  crossed 

241 


242 


SISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


what  is  now  section  7,  instead  of  section  4,  he  would  have  found 
signs  of  civilization.  Here  it  was  that  the  first  blow  was  struck, 
where  the  first  settlement  was  made,  not  only  in  this  township, 
but  in  De  Witt  county. 

On  the  29th,  of  October  1824,  there  might  have  been  seen  two 
wagons  drawn  by  oxen,  plodding  their  way  wearily  through  the  tall 
prairie  grass,  and  finally  lost  to  sight  in  the  timbers  of  Salt 
Creek.  It  was  near  night  when  they  selected  a  place  to  stop,  and 
when  they  stepped  from  their  wagons,  there  was  nothing  but  the 
forest  for  a  home.  They  soon  threw  together  a  rude  brush  tent 
and  moved  into  it.  These  hardy  few  consisted  of  two  families, 
Elisha  Butler  and  his  wife,  and  Mrs.  Shugart  and  her  two  sons, 
Zion  and  Edom.  They  had  emigrated  from  Sangamon  county, 
brought  their  all  with  them,  and  heroically  decided  to  brave  the 
adversities  of  the  pioneer.  The  moon  shining  brightly,  the  next 
morning,  long  before  daylight  they  were  out  cutting  logs  prepar- 
atory to  the  building  of  a  comfortable  cabin.  Within  a  reasona- 
ble time  they  had  completed  it,  the  women  helping  the  men,  and 
they  joyfully  moved  into  their  new  house.  As  it  was  October,  and 
too  late  to  raise  a  crcp  they  were  obliged  to  undergo  the  incon- 
venience for  nearly  a  year  of  going  to  Springfield  for  breadstuffs. 

These  are  among  some  of  the  hardships  that  our  forefathers 
have  undergone  that  the  present  generation  may  enjoy  what  has 
been  so  bounteously  prepared  for  them.  Of  these  five  pioneers, 
but  one  is  now  living  ;  the  others  passed  away  years  ago.  The 
surviving  one,  Edom  Shugart,  now  resides  in  Nebraska,  a  very 
old  man,  yet  he  likes  to  write  and  talk  about  "  ye  olden  times." 
Section  7,  where  the  wilderness  first  resounded  to  the  woodman's 
ax  is  now,  mainly,  under  good  cultivation, "and  fine  farms  please 
the  eye  of  tlnise  who  pass. 

The  second  to  aid  in  the  settlement  of  this  township  was  John 
Coppenbarger,  a  brother-in-law  of  Zion  and  Edmon  Shugart.  He 
was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  moved  to  Illinois  in  an  early  day 
and  settled  in  Sangamon  county.  In  the  spring  of  1828,  he  em- 
igrated to  this  township  and  located  on  section  8,  and  raised  a 
small  crop  that  year.  He  died  in  1869,  and  at  this  writing  has 
but  one  direct  repre£entative  living,  Sylvester  P.  Coppenbarger, 
who  resides  here. 

Jacob  Coppenbarger,  father  of  John,  made  the  first  land  entry 
in  the  township.  This  was  in  the  fall  of  1828,  at  the  time  of  his 
coming.  He  died  many  years  ago.  One  son  is  yet  living  ht  re, 
Joseph,  who  is  upwards  of  70  years  of  age. 

John  Walker,  an  emigrant  from  Ohio,  came  in  the  fall  of  1S29, 
and  settled  on  section  13.  He  had  a  wife  and  two  children  ;  the 
names  of  the  children  were  John  and  Sidney.  5Ir.  ^Valker  moved 
to  California,  about  1848.  None  of  the  family  are  living  in  the 
county  at  this  time. 

Another  prominent  old  settler  was  William  Randolph,  who 
was  a  native  of  North  Carolina.  He  moved  with  his  father  to 
Virginia  when  he  was  a  mere  lad,  where  he  remained  until  he 
grew  to  manhood.  In  the  fall  of  1830  he  moved  with  his  family 
to  this  township.  His  family  consisted  of  his  wife  and  eight 
children,  Levi,  Love,  Polly,  Willoughby,  Sarah,  William,  Josiah, 
and  J.  H.  His  mode  of  transit  was  the  Southern  style  four- 
horse  crooked  bed  wagon,  which  was  driven  by  one  of  the  parties 
who  rode  the  wheel  horse  using  one  line.  The  first  house  he  oc- 
cupied was  a  pole  cabin  with  stick  chimney,  and  the  ground  for 
a  floor.  The  spring  following  he  traded  one  of  his  horses  and  the 
wagon  for  eighty  acres  of  land  of  Elisha  Butler.  This  was  the 
west  half  of  the  north-west  quarter  of  section  7.  The  same  spring 
he  built  a  comfortable  log  house,  and  used  the  pole  cabin  for 
a  kitchen.     This  was  the  spring  following  the  winter  of  the  "  deep 


snow."  This  year  Mr.  Randolph  ploughed  and  planted  a  few 
acres  of  corn,  but  the  spring  being  late,  and  the  summer  cold,  the 
early  frosts  cut  the  crop  so  severely  that  it  did  not  mature.  It 
was  in  such  a  sappy  condition  when  it  was  gathered,  and,  being 
frozen  solid,  it  actually  had  to  be  placed  before  the  fire  and 
thawed  before  it  could  be  fed  to  the  stock.  From  the  fact  that 
there  was  no  sound  corn  in  Central  and  Northern  Illinois,  the 
few  people  of  this  part  of  the  state  were  obliged  to  go  to  the  more 
southern  portion  to  obtain  seed  corn  the  following  spring,  hence 
the  name  given  to  that  part  of  the  state,  "  Egypt."  Five  other 
children  were  born  to  the  family  after  coming  to  this  section, 
making  thirteen  in  all.  Mrs.  Randolph  died  in  1863,  at  the  age 
of  63  years.  Mr.  Randolph  lived  to  the  good  old  age  of  74,  and 
died  four  years  after  his  wife.  The  only  direct  representative  of 
the  family  living  in  the  county  is  J.  H.  Randolph,  one  of  the 
prominent  and  substantial  farmers  of  De  Witt  County.  He  was 
the  youngest  of  the  family,  when  his  father  moved  to  the  state. 
He  is  now  living  on  section  7,  the  old  homestead.  He  married 
Miss  Margaret  Wallace,  in  the  fall  of  1853.  His  wife  was  the 
daughter  of  Colonel  Andrew  Wallace,  another  old  settler  who 
located  on  section  6  in  1830,  and  who  was  a  native  of  Bourbon 
County,  Kentucky.  From  this  marriage  there  have  been  eight 
children  born,  Alice,  Andrew  W.,  Charles  C,  Laura,  Grace, 
Moses  W.,  Ivan  Lee,  and  one  infant  son  that  died  without  name. 
Mr.  Randolph  is  one  of  the  leading  stock  growers  in  the  county. 
He  has  some  of  the  finest  blooded  sheep  in  the  state,  and  is  said 
to  be  the  heaviest  wool  grower  in  Tunbridge. 

Hugh  Bowles  came  to  this  part  of  the  county  in  the  fall  of 
1830.  On  the  6th  of  November  of  the  same  year  he  entered  the 
south-west  quarter  of  section  4.  His  family  was  very  large,  con- 
sisting of  six  boys  and  five  girls.  He  died  many  years  ago. 
Anderson  Bowles,  the  eldest  son,  is  living  in  Barnett  township, 
and  the  only  one  of  the  family  now  in  the  county.  William 
Newcomb  migrated  here  in  the  fall  of  1830,  and  located  on  sec- 
tion 9.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  moved  from  there  to  Ken- 
tucky, and  subsequently  to  Indiana,  and  from  thence  to  Illinois 
as  above  stated.  Prior  to  his  advent  here  his  wife  died,  but  he 
brought  his  children  with  him,  eight  in  all.  Their  names  were  as 
follows :  Juda,  Susan  A.,  Daniel,  Jane  L.,  Polly,  Hannah,  Ruth, 
and  Elizabeth.  The  first  four  were  then  married,  but  came 
along  as  part  of  the  family.  The  conveyances  were  the  usual 
emigrant  teams,  oxen  yoked  before  heavy  lumber  wagons.  Mr. 
Newcomb  bought  out  the  pre-emption  right  of  a  widow  in  section  9, 
and  moved  into  the  little  cabin  that  was  situated  on  the  premises. 
He  lived  to  become  a  prominent  farmer  of  the  times,  and  died  in 
1851,  the  day  he  was  76  years  of  age.  There  are  but  three  of 
the  family  living,  Aunt  Hannah  Watson  and  Susan  Alsop,  who 
reside  in  this  township,  and  Mrs.  Jane  Knight,  who  lives  in  an 
adjoining  county. 

Darius  Hall  came  here  in  1831,  and  located  in  the  Coppenbar- 
ger settlement.  He  was  a  native  of  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky, 
and  came  to  this  state  in  1829,  and  stopped  two  years  near  Spring- 
field. He  was  married  in  Kentucky  in  1819,  to  Mary  Jones. 
When  they  came  here  they  had  five  children.  Mr.  Hall  moved 
to  Clinton  a  few  years  ago  where  be  died.  He  was  elected  con- 
stable in  1S31,  and  afterwards  served  two  years  as  deputy  sheriff. 

Thomas  Fruit  was  born  in  North  Carolina  and  afterwards 
emigrated  to  Kentucky.  In  the  fall  of  1829,  he  came  to  Illinois 
and  entered  land  in  section  14,  Tunbridge  township,  when  he 
returned  to  his  home  in  Kentucky.  In  the  fall  of  1834,  he  moved 
with  his  family  to  his  possessions  here.  The  family  consisted  of  a 
wife  and  nine  children,  Susan  W.,  William  L.,  Mary  R.,  Sabilla 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY.  ILLIXOIS. 


243 


M.,  Siduey  C,  Edmund  W.,  Martha  J.,  Enoch  A.,  and  John  D. 
Two  of  the  children  were  Irft  in  Kentucky,  James  S  ,  and  Thomp- 
son C,  there  being  eleven  children  in  all  belonging  to  the  family. 
Mr.  Fruit  lived  to  amass  and  enjoy  a  good  property,  and  died  the 
8th  of  December,  1871,  at  the  advanced  age  of  8S  years.  Mrs. 
Fruit  died  a  few  years  before  her  husband.  James  Fruit,  the 
father  of  Thomas,  made  a  settlement  prior  to  the  latter,  coming  in 
1831.  No  one  but  his  wife  was  with  him  when  he  made  his  advent 
here.  He  settled  on  section  13,  but  soon  died,  his  death  occurring 
in  the  fall  of  1834.  Edmund  W.  Fruit,  son  of  Thomas,  is  now  a 
man  considerably  advanced  in  years.  He  is  living  in  section  26, 
and  one  of  the  wealthy  and  substantial  farmers  of  Tunbridge.  He 
is  living  with  his  fourth  wife.  There  are  five  children  James  A., 
j\Iary  E  ,  Arthur  W.,  Laura  B.,  and  Sidney  J-,  all  of  whom  are 
living  in  the  township  except  the  latter,  who  resides  in  ilissouri. 
John  D  Fruit,  a  younger  brother  of  Edmund  W,,  also  resides 
here  on  section  '?A.  He  is  a  native  of  the  township,  being  born 
in  183.5.  He  has  a  wife  and  four  children,  one  son  and  three 
daughters. 

Another  old  settler,  John  Kenney,  came  from  Bourbon  county, 
Kentucky,  in  1834,  and  settled  in  what  was  called  the  Bowles  and 
Hall  neighborhood.  He  came  with  his  father's  family,  which 
consisted  of  father,  step-mother,  and  si.K  children,  three  sons,  and 
three  daughters.  Xone  of  the  family  are  living  at  this  time. 
John  died  only  a  few  years  ago.  The  village  of  Kenney  was 
named  in  honor  of  him,  and  it  now  occupies  the  ground  on  which 
his  father  first  settled.  Their  pioneer  log  cabin  was  situated  but 
a  short  distance  north  of  the  town. 

Joseph  Howard  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  emigrated  to 
Ohio  in  1826.  He  remained  there  ten  years,  when  he  moved  to 
this  part  of  the  county,  and  settled  on  section  14.  His  mode  of 
conveyance  was  what  is  called  in  these  days  the"  prairie  schooner." 
He  had  two  wagons,  drawn  bj'  three  yoke  of  cattle,  and  the 
other  by  a  four-horse  team.  It  took  one  month  to  make  the  trip. 
The  roads  were  new,  and  in  places  almost  impassable;  sometimes 
ten  miles  a  day  was  considered  a  heavy  drive.  He  brought  his 
family,  consisting  of  a  wife  and  six  children  with  him.  The  names 
of  the  children  were  Benjamin,  Kachel,  Ellen,  Peter,  William,  and 
Reuben.  Four  other  children  were  born  in  the  township,  Francis 
M.,  John,  Jane,  and  Annie.  Mr  Howard  lived  to  improve  a 
large  farm  and  enjoy  the  fi-uits  of  his  labor.  He  died  at  the  age 
of  <81  years  in  the  summer  of  1878.  ilrs.  Howard  died  many 
years  ago.  Four  of  the  children,  Benjamin,  Peter,  Francis,  and 
Annie  are  residents  of  Tunbridge ;  others  of  the  family  are  liviug 
in  the  county. 

Among  other  old  settlers  are  the  following :  John  Morrison, 
who  resides  in  section  11  ;  Xathan  Cooper,  in  section  26  ;  D.  \V. 
Hickman,  section  6 ;  James  R.  Turner,  and  James  C.  Scott,  both 
residents  of  Kenney. 

The  first  frame  building  of  any  kind  built  in  the  township  was 
constructed  by  .John  Walker  on  section  13,  in  1838.  It  was  a 
small  affair,  and  attached  to  his  log  house  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
larging his  dwelling.  Luther  Newcomb  was  the  carpenter.  The 
second  frame  was  built  some  two  years  afterwards.  It  was  a 
dwelling  constructed  for  Thomas  Hutchin,  and  situated  in  section 
16,  near  Salt  Creek.  A  Mr.  Hoover  was  the  carpenter,  and 
James  R.  Turner  did  the  plastering.  It  is  yet  standing,  and  is 
owned  and  occupied  by  Stephen  W.  Hutchin,  a  grandson  of 
Thomas. 

The  first  marriage  ceremony  took  place  in  1829.  James  K. 
Scott  was  the  officiating  clergyman  of  what  was  then  called  the 
New  Light  persuasion,     Elisha  Butler  and  Mary  Coppenbarger. 


daughter  of  Jacob   Coppenliarger,  were  tlie  contracting  parties. 
Both  have  long  since  departed  this  life. 

Tradition  says,  that  Trink  Alsop  was  the  first  born.  He  was 
the  son  of  the  pioneer  Thomas  Alsop,  who  then  lived  on  section 
10.  As  to  the  date  of  the  birth,  tradition  is  silent.  The  first 
death  was  that  of  a  girl  twelve  years  of  age,  the  daughter  of 
Nathan  Vestal.  This  occurred  in  182-5.  In  those  days  there  was 
no  lumber  to  be  had  only  as  it  was  hewn  out  l)y  the  ax.  Eilom 
and  Zion  Shugart  shouldered  their  axes,  and  sought  a  tree  that 
would  answer  their  purpose.  A  basswood  was  selected,  and  from 
this  they  procured  slabs  which  they  smoothed  down  as  well  as 
they  could  and  constructed  a  rude  coffin.  The  remains  were 
placed  in  it  and  taken  to  a  hill  in  section  7,  where  she  was 
buried. 

The  first  school  was  taught  by  Edom  Shugart,  in  a  little  pole 
cabin,  situated  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  John  Morrison.  This, 
was  in  the  winter  of  18211-30  ;  in  fact  it  was  the  first  school 
taught  in  the  county.  There  were  but  a  handful  in  attendance, 
and  the  few  came  when  the  weather  was  not  too  cold  for  incon- 
venience, for  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  cabin  was  not  lathed 
and  plastered,  not  even  chinked. 

James  K.  Scott  preached  the  first  sermon  in  the  township. 
Huge  Bowles  and  Levi  Pitner  were  also  pioneer  preachers.  At  a 
later  date  Peter  Cartwright  preached  in  the  neighborhood.  Mrs. 
Watson,  daughter  of  the  pioneer,  William  Newcomb,  says,  "she 
has  heard  him  preach  many  a  time  at  her  father's  house."  In 
those  times  there  were  no  church  houses  ;  services  were  held  in 
the  private  houses  of  the  settlers. 

The  first  church  built  was  situated  on  the  land  of  Wm  Bowles 
in  about  1840.  It  was  a  frame  building,  and  known  as  "  The 
Old  Union."  It  received  its  name  from  the  fact  of  its  being  built 
by  donations  from  all  denominations,  and  was  used  in  common. 

One  of  the  first  physicians  was  William  Laughlan  ;  he  moved 
to  the  far  west  in  an  early  day.  William  Lowrey  was  probably 
the  first  justice  of  the  peace. 

The  first  blacksmith  was  a  man  by  the  name  of  Jack  Hender- 
son. He  came  from  Kentucky  in  a  very  early  day,  and  was  one 
of  the  oldest  settlers.  His  shop  was  a  pole  cabin,  and  situated 
in  section  7.  He  remained  here  but  a  short  time,  when  he  moved 
back  to  Kentucky. 

The  first  mill  was  built  by  John  Coppenbarger,  and  was  situated 
on  section  7.  Jack  Henderson,  the  blacksmith,  was  the  master 
mechanic.  It  was  the  rudest  kind  of  a  horse  mill,  capable  of 
grinding  only  three  or  four  bushels  of  corn  per  day-  It  was 
built  in  1828.  Prior  to  this  the  settlers  were  obliged  to  go  40  or 
.50  miles  to  get  their  milling  done,  as  this  was  the  first  mill  con- 
structed in  this  section  of  country. 

The  first  water  mill  was  built  on  Salt  Creek,  in  section  1 1 ,  by 
Melville  and  AVilliara  Lowrey  in  183S.  It  was  constructed  for 
a  saw  mill  only,  but  afterwards  a  grist  mill  was  attached.  It  had 
the  turbine  or  horizontal  wheel  for  a  power.  A  freshet  carried 
it  away  in  1844.  It  was  afterwards  re-built  and  re-modeled,  and 
is  now  owned  and  operated  by  John  Jlorrison. 

Thomas  Hutchin,  introduced  the  first  blooded  stock  iu  the 
township.  He  imported  from  Ohio  some  Hue  short-horn  Durham 
cattle,  and  several  Berkshire  hogs  ;  he  was  alsn  the  first  to  intro- 
duce blooded  horses. 

The  first  bridge  was  constructed  across  Salt  Creek  about  two 
and  one  half  miles  south-east  of  Kenney,  and  it  is  said  that  from 
the  name  of  the  bridge  the  township  took  its  name ;  that  Is,  for 
some  reason  the  bridge  took  the  name  of  Tunbridge.  It  was  at 
this  point  where  the  first  town  was  laid  ofi"  and  called  Franklin. 


244 


JIISTOE  Y  OF  LE  WITT  CO  UNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


It  was  here  that  the  fir^t  pnst-office  was  established.  Mr.  Barbaree 
laid  out  and  platted  a  small  village,  on  paper.  He  built  a 
small  house,  aud  utilized  it  for  both  a  dwelling  aud  store-room. 
This  was  about  1860.  The  goods  sold  here  were  the  first  sold 
in  the  township.  James  W.  Armstrong  afterwards  bought  out 
Mr  Barbaree,  and  soon  afterwards  closed  out  the  business,  as  it 
did  not  prove  to  be  a  commercial  point.  The  would  be  village 
is  now  under  cultivation,  constituting  part  of  a  good  farm.  All 
the  busine.ss  there  at  this  time  is  the  mill  owned  by  John  Mor- 
rison. 

The  roads  and  bridges  of  Tunbridge  are  in  very  good  condition. 
The  former  cuuld  be  improved  somewhat  by  turnpiking,  and  leav- 
ing ditches  of  sufficient  depth  and  width  so  as  too  readily  carry 
ort'all  surface  water.  There  arc  two  e.-ccellent  bridges  across  Salt 
Creek,  costing  in  the  neighborhood  of  81,000  each. 

The  following  are  the  supervisors  aud  the  time  of  their  elections 
since  township  organization:  John  D.  Hutchin  elected  in  1859. 
and  served  two  terms.  James  B.  Turner  elected  in  1861,  served 
one  term.  Benjamin  Howard  elected  in  1862,  and  served  until 
1866.  M.  B.  Spicer  elected  in  1866,  aud  served  two  terms 
James  A.  Kirby  elected  in  1868,  and  served  two  terms.  Benja- 
min Howard  re-elected  in  1870,  and  served  until  1873.  John  H. 
Randolph  elected  in  1873,  and  served  until  1878.  He  was  chair- 
man of  the  board  the  last  term.  J.  R.  Turner  elected  in  1878, 
and  has  served  each  year  since,  and  has  been  elected  chairman 
for  the  past  two  terms. 

THi;    VILL.\GE    OF    KEXNEY. 

This  thriving  little  village  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the 
Springfield  Division  of  the  Illinois  Central,  and  Illinois  Mid- 
land railways.  The  original  town  plat  contained  forty  acres,  and 
it  was  laid  out  by  Moses  Kenney  in  1871.  The  first  lot  sold  was 
bought  in  August  of  that  year  by  J.  F.  Di-x.  The  ground  is 
situated  in  section  1 5.  Later  additions  have  been  made,  so  that  the 
corporate  limit  of  the  village  is  just  one-half  mile  sijuare.  The 
first  building  was  erected  in  October  1871,  and  situated  in  block 
3  on  Kenney  street.  It  was  a  small  one-story  frame  building, 
and  occupied  by  A.  Milmine,  for  a  grocery  store,  who  sold  the 
first  goods  in  the  town.  The  building  has  since  been  moved  to 
Johnston  (Main )  street,  and  is  used  by  William  Haines  for  a 
butcher  shop.  Harrison  Maltby  sold  the  first  dry  goods.  The 
business  was  located  on  the  corner  of  Henderson  and  Crossley 
streets.  The  first  hardware  store  was  situated  on  the  corner  of 
Benjamin  and  Henderson  streets,  aud  the  business  was  conducted 
by  H.  P.  Rucker.  The  first  private  residence  was  built  by  Josiah 
Luttrell  in  the  fell  of  1871,  and  it  was  situated  in  block  6,  lot  1. 
It  was  a  two  .story  frame  building,  and  is  yet  standing,  and  now 
occupied  by  J.  B.  Runyon.  The  first  hotel  was  situated  on  Ken- 
ney street,  and  kept  by  James  (^.  Burgett.  It  was  a  frame,  two 
stories  and  an  L.  It  is  now  used  for  a  dwelling.  The  business 
part  of  the  town  was  at  first  situated  on  Kenney  street,  two  streets 
east  of  Johnston,  which  is  now  the  main  street.  This  change  was 
wrought  mainly  from  the  fact  of  the  high  prices  for  lots  on  the 
former  street,  and  the  Midland  I'ailway  crossing  established  near 
the  foot  of  Johnston  street.  In  making  the  change  excitement 
ran  high  between  the  two  factious,  some  desirous  to  retain  the 
business  where  it  was,  others  to  take  it  where  it  now  is  ;  hence 
Johnston  received  the  cognomen  of  "  Wall  "  street,  and  Kenney 
that  of  "  Broadway;"  and  at  this  time  they  are  known  by  many 
of  the  townsmen  as  such.  The  Wall  street  faction  succeeded  in 
carrying  the  day,  and  the  business  houses  were  all  moved  over  to 
Johnston  street.     This  was  in  1873. 


The  village  at  this  writing  contains  about  500  inhabitants,  and 
has  a  live  class  of  business  men.  The  sidewalks  are  kept  in  good 
condition,  and  the  main  business  street  is  graded  and  graveled- 
In  the  very  center  of  this  street,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town, 
stands  a  large  and  thrifty  apple-tree.  It  stands  alone,  and  looks 
as  though  it  might  exclaim  :  "  I  am  monarch  of  all  I  survey  !  " 
It  is  said  that  the  school-boys  generally  gather  the  harvest.  Xo 
inland  town  in  the  state,  probably,  has  better  privileges  for  ob- 
taining good  water — it  is  said  to  be  inexhaustible.  At  a  depth 
of  about  eight  feet  a  gravel  strata  is  reached  which  averages 
twelve  feet  in  thickness.  After  passing  through  this  strata,  a 
lake  of  pure  water  is  found,  which  underlies  the  whole  village. 
In  the  driest  seasons  there  is  a  bountiful  supply  of  water. 
It  is  believed  that  an  ordinary  engine  could  not  pump  a 
well  dry  that  is  sunk  to  the  depth  of  twenty-five  feet.  The  live 
little  town  is  already  talking  of  erecting  some  kind  of  water- 
works. Several  public  meetings  have  been  held  preliminary  to 
such  an  improvement. 

Tncdrpurdfiiin — The  village  was   incorporated  in   the  fall  of 

1875,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected  trustees:  F.  M. 
Jeffrey,  O.  D.  Dickey,  W.  W.  Johnston,  S.  J.  Metland,  Robert 
Orr,  and  Charles  Stuart ;  H.  P.  Rucker,  clerk.  The  following 
are  the  oflicers  elected  for  the  years  following  to  present  time  : 

1876,  W.  W.  Johnston,  S.  J.  Metland,  J.  R.  Turner,  Robert  Orr, 
James  Wallace,  and  M.  Milmine,  trustees  ;  clerk,  H.  P.  Rucker. 
police  magistrate,  J.  M.  Graham.  In  1877,  trustees,  John  Ken- 
ney, J.  R.  Turner,  D.  W.  Ducy,  T.  H.  Cooley,  F.  D.  Byerly  and 
George  O'Brien  ;  clerk,  J.  W.  Cogdall.  1878,  trustees,  W.  T. 
Sowers,  F.  M.  Hubbell,  J.C.  Kirby,  W.  W.  Johnston,  M.  Mil- 
mine  and  H.  G.  Beatty ;  clerk,  G.  K.  Ingham.  ]  879,  W.  W. 
Johnston,  J.  C.  Kirby,  M.  Milmine,  F.  M.  Hubbell,  H.  G. 
Beatty,  and  J.  K.  Blandin,  tru.stees ;  James  Bateman,  clerk. 
Trustees  for  1880,  D.  W.  Ducy,  J.  T.  Williams,  J.  A.  Williams, 
James  Bateman,  E.  Fredrickson,  and  James  Carman.  Police 
uiagi-strate,  W.  W.  Graham.  The  present  ofiicers  (1881)  are: 
Trustees,  James  Brelsfurd  ;  President,  J.  R.  Turner  ;  Joseph 
L'mphrey,  Luther  Hobbs,  G.  W.  Oglevie,  and  Bernard  Burns. 
Clerk,  James  Bateman  ;  police  magistrate,  W.  W.  Graham  :  vil- 
lage attorney,  O.  E.  Harris;  marshal,  J.  B.  Botkin. 

The  village  school  was  organized  in  1874,  with  H.  P.  Rucker 
and  Miss  Milmine  as  teachers.  In  1875  a  fine  school  building 
was  erected  at  a  cost  of  between  four  and  five  thousand  dollars. 
The  house  is  situated  on  Howard  street,  in  the  north-east  part  of 
the  town.  It  is  a  frame  structure,  two  stories  high,  and  contains 
four  rooms,  three  of  which  are  occupied,  and  are  furnished  with 
the  latest  improved  furniture  and  other  belongings  to  match. 
The  building  has  a  bell  and  belfry,  besides  being  surrounded  by 
an  acre  of  ground,  giving  ample  play-ground  to  the  pupils.  The 
number  in  attendance  is  about  150,  and  is  well  graded,  suitable 
for  this  number  of  scholars. 

The  town  contains  but  one  church  building,  and  is  of  the 
Methodist  denomination.  It  is  a  medium-sized  frame  structure, 
having  a  bell  and  belfry,  and  is  conveniently  arranged  otherwise 
for  the  accommodation  of  its  members  and  for  church  service. 
It  was  moved  here  from  Pleasant  Valley,  two  miles  west  of  town, 
in  1876.  It  is  situated  in  the  north  part  of  the  village  on  John- 
ston street. 

PRESENT    BUSINESS. 

Rush  Elevator. — This  industry  is  owned  and  operated  by  Fred. 
P.  Rush  &  Co.  It  was  built  by  S.  J.  Metland  in  the  spring  of 
1875,  and  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  present  firm  but  recently 
(1881  I.     The  main  building  is  36x98  feet,  and  four  stories  in 


HISTOE  Y  OF  BE  WITT  CO  UyTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


246 


height,  including  basement.  The  foundation  consists  of  stone, 
and  the  building  complete,  with  the  grounds,  cost  86,000.  It  is 
situated  on  the  "Y  "  of  the  Central  and  Midland  railways,  con- 
venient for  the  transaction  of  all  business.  The  capacity  for 
elevating  is  5,000  bushel.s  daily,  with  storage  facilities  for  7,000 
bushels  of  grain.  It  has  five  dumps,  and  a  25-horse  power  en- 
gine to  run  the  works,  and  gives  employment  to  eight  men. 
Besides  the  elevator  proper,  it  has  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  cribs, 
capable  of  holding  100,000  bushels  of  corn.  This  was  the  first 
elevator  or  steam-power  in  Kenney. 

J.  ().  Peckham  &  Co.'s  Elecaior  is  situated  ou  the  right  of  way 
of  the  Springfield  division  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad.  It 
was  built  by  said  company  in  the  spring  of  1877,  and  pas.seJ  into 
the  hands  of  E.  Kent  A  Co.  Sept.  1,  1881.  It  is  a  frame,  with 
stone  foundation  ;  the  main  building  is  '28x20  feet  on  the  ground 
and  four  stories  high,  besides  an  engine-room  20x28  feet,  and  one 
story  in  height.  The  crib-room  is  24x60,  and  will  store  20,000 
bushels.  It  has  a  capacity  of  elevating,  daily,  6,000  bushels  of 
grain,  and  gives  emploj'ment  to  four  men.  The  estimated  value 
of  the  elevator,  machinery  and  grounds  is  $.j,.500. 

Kenney  Tile  Works. — These  works  are  located  south  of  the 
Rush  Elevator,  and  near  the  foot  of  Johnston  street.  They  were 
established  in  1877  by  Traver  &  Reeser,  and  passed  into  the 
hands  of  the  present  owners,  Bruaw  iV:  Quigley,  early  in  1881. 
The  works  cover  four  acres  of  ground,  and  the  estimated  value  of 
machinery,  .sheds,  grounds,  etc.,  is  S4,400.  There  are  two  kilns 
for  burning  the  tile,  with  shed-room  .30x200  feet.  The  operators 
manufacture  tile  of  the  size  from  two  and  a-half  to  eight  inches. 
The  annual  value  of  manufactured  product  is  estimated  at 
S5,000.  Eight  men  are  given  employment  when  the  works  are  in 
operation. 

The  Kenney  Gazette  is  under  the  efficient  management  of  R.  T. 
Spencer.  It  is  a  spicy  weekly  paper,  and  justly  deserves  the  pa- 
tronage of  the  people  of  Kenney  and  vicinity.  The  paper  here 
was  established  first  by  J.  W.  Wolf,  and  was  entitled  the  Kenney 
Record  :  for  some  reason  it  ceased  to  exist,  hence  the  Gazette  has 
taken  the  field,  and  from  every  appearance  it  will  live,  grow  and 
prosper. 

Rucker  Hall  is  situated  on  Johnston  street,  over  the  store  now 
crwned  by  V.  Thompson.  It  is  22x80  feet  in  size,  and  capable  of 
accommodating  200  persons.  It  has  a  stage,  a  set  of  scenery, 
and  is  seated  with  hall  chairs. 

General  Merchandise. — V.  Thompson,  R.  Robins,  J.  R.  Race 
&Co. 

Hardware.  Tinware,  Stores  and  Ayricidtural  Implements. — H. 
P.  Rucker,  H.  P.  Merriman. 

Druf/s  and  Groceries. — Brelford  &  Co. 

(rroceries  and  Provisions. — Orr  it  Johnston. 

Drugs,  Medicines  and  Stationery. — F.  K.  Robins. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Store. — J.  C.  Kirby  &  Co. 

Harness  and  Sadlery. — H.  G.  Beatty. 

Fumiiure  and  Undertaking. — I.  B.  Gallaher. 

Flour  Store. — A.  Milmine. 

Restaurant  and  Bakery. — W.  G.  Darden. 

Jeu'eler  and  Seuing  Machine  Agent. — C.  Lawrence. 

ReMaurani  and  Confectionery. — J.  H.  AVilliams. 


Hatch. — Kenney  House,  A.  J.  McLain,  proprietor  ;  The  Home, 
J.  Q.  Burgett,  proprietor. 

hrcssmuker  and  Milliner. — Miss  A.  E.  Lindley. 

Iire-i^makers. — Mrs.  Sarah  Pence,  Misses  Sidell,  Mrs.  Mitchel. 

Phy<icians.—W.  H.  Kirby,  M.  C.  .Alclntire,  W.  H.  Owsley, 
W.  Burgett,  J.  C.  Scott. 

Carpenters.— John  Williams,  Frank  Byerly,  T.  H.  Cooley. 

Postmaster. — F.  K.  Robins. 

Lundicr  and  Vocd  Merchants. — E.  Kent  &  Co. 

Meat  Market. — William  Haines. 

Blark.imith  and  ^]'agon  Maker. — Peter  Peterson. 

Livery  and  Feed  Stables. — Humphrey  &  Botkin,  L.  McJveal. 

Shoe  Shops. — J.  E.  Deihl,  William  Adams. 

Grain  Dealers.— LuttreU  &  Butler. 

Notary.— B..  P.  Rucker. 

Black.«miths. — Rung  A'  Weekly,  tieorge  Poindexter,  B.  S. 
Kirby. 

Brick  ma-ions. — J,  L.  Carman  it  Son,  J.  R.  Turner. 

Ju-<-tice.-<  of  the  Peace. — W.  W.  Graham,  Police  Magistrate  and 
Justice,  George  Poindexter,  J.  B.  Bombarger. 

Barbers. — C.  Lawrence,  F.  Conley. 

There  are  also  one  saloon  and  two  billiard  tables. 


Kenney  Ludgr,  Xo.  .5.57,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  instituted  Xovember 
11th,  1874.  The  charter  oificers  were  John  \Valton,  N.  G.;  J.  J. 
Lake,  V.  G.;  Jno.  M.  Graham,  Secretary,  and  S.  J.  Metland, 
Treasurer.  There  were  seven  charter  members.  The  present 
officers  are  James  Brelsford,  X.  G  ;  Benjamin  Howard,  V.  G.; 
Ji>hn  Xearing,  Secretary,  and  J.  C.  Kirby,  Treasurer.  The  pres- 
ent membership  is  .32.  The  order  has  a  very  convenient  lodge- 
room,  and  is  in  a  good  condition  financially. 

Kenney  Lodge,  No.  462,  I.  O.  of  G.  T.  was  chartered  Septem- 
ber 1st,  1879.  The  following  are  the  names  and  titles  of  the 
charter  officers:  J.  E.  Deihl,  W.  C.  T.;  Mrs.  George  Davis,  W. 
v.;  F.  M.  Hubbell,  W.  S.;  S.  Spahr,  W.  F.  S.;  C  M.  Welsh,  W. 
T.;  W.  X.  Sybert,  W.  M.;  A.  T.  Hildreth,  O.  G.;  Laura  Clifton, 
I.  G.;  Mrs.  Hubbell,  R.  H.  S.;  OIlie  Armstrong,  L.  H.  S.;  C.  M. 
Welsh,  L.  D.;  E.  B.  Weekly,  P.  W.  C.  T.  Number  of  charter 
members  16. 

The  present  officers  are  B.  B.  Ives,  W.  C.  T.;  Mrs.  Hubbell, 
W.  v.;  Ella  Ives,  W.  S.;  F.  M.  Hubbell,  W.  F.  S.;  J.  Bateman, 
W.  M.;  H.  F.  Byerly,  W.  T.;  J.  Stewart,  I.  G.;  H.  Ely,  (3.  G.; 
Minnie  Howard,  D.  M.;  .John  Byerly,  Chaplain  ;  C.  E.  Howard, 
P.  W.  C.  T.  Present  membership  is  35.  The  Lodge  meets  every 
Saturday  evening  in  Red  Front  Hall.  There  is  much  interest 
manifested  among  the  fraternity,  and  the  lodge  is  in  excellent 
condition  financially. 

We  have  thus  sketched  the  history  of  the  oldest  settled  terri- 
tory in  De  Witt  county.  It  is  easy  to  compare  then  and  now. 
A  little  more  than  a  half  century  ago  there  were  but  five  white 
persons  in  the  whole  county.  The  official  census  of  1880,  in 
Tunbridge  alone,  was  1605  ;  and  in  the  county  nearly  22,000. 
With  this  progress,  the  historian,  fifty  years  hence,  will  have  vol- 
umes to  chronicle. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


The  siibjeot  of  this  sketch  is  the  eighth  in  a  family  of  thirteen 
chiklren  of  WiHiain  and  Matilda  Randolph.  He  was  born  in  Lee 
county,  Virginia,  Jan.  7th,  1828,  and  was  in  his  third  year  when 
the  family  came  west,  and  settled  on  Salt  creek,  in  what  is  now 
known  as  De  Witt  county,  and  is  therefore  one  of  the  early  pio- 
neers of  the  county.  He  was  reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  and 
received  his  education,  which  was  limited,  in  the  early  pioneer 
schools  of  the  county.  The  log  school-houses,  dirt  floors  and 
puncheon  seats  of  those  days  were  as  crude  as  the  then  unde- 
veloped system  of  educational  training.  Jehu  grew  to  manhood 
and  remained  at  home  until  1853,  when  he  married,  and  moved 
to  Logan  county,  where  he  commenced  farming  for  himself,  upon 
a  small  tract  of  land  that  he  had  purchased.  Two  years  later 
he  purchased  the  homestead  of  his  father,  and  there  he  has  re- 
mained to  the  present.  In  1870  he  built  the  large  and  commo- 
dious farm  and  dwelling-hou.se,  which  ornaments  the  place — a 
view  of  which  can  be  seen  by  reference  to  another  page.  As  a 
farmer  and  stock  raiser,  Mr.  Randolph  has  been  more  than 
ordinarily  successful.  As  a  sheep  raiser  he  is  well  known 
throughout  the  state,  and  is  among  the  most  extensive  wool- 
growers  in  Illinois.  His  flocks  of  fine  graded  sheep,  which  are 
of  the  best  blooded  Spanish  Merino,  are  well  known  among  sheep 
raisers,  and  at  the  State  fairs  and  other  exhibitions  of  live  stock, 
have  taken  many  valuable  prizes.  His  flocks  for  the  past  fifteen 
years,  have  averaged  in  numbers  from  fifteen  hundred  to  two 
thousand. 

In  matters  of  religion  Mr.  Randolph  is  inclined  to  a  liberal 
belief,  and  might  be  classed  as  a  Universalist.  His  religious 
creed  consists  in  doing  unto  others  as  he  would  have  others  do 
unto  him  ;  and  he  believes  that  in  that  practice  he  will  secure 
happiness  in  this  and  the  life  to  come. 

Politically,  he  was  a  democrat  until  1870,  when  he  supported 
the  principles  of  the  National  Greenback  party,  and  voted  for 
Peter  Cooper.  He  is  a  member  of  the  ancient  and  honorable 
order  of  A.  F.  and  A.  M-,  and  belongs  to  De  Witt  Lodge,  No. 
84,  at  Clinton,  Illinois.     In  1867  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the 


Peace,  and  held  the  scales  of  justice  impartially  for  one  term. 
He  was  also  elected  to  represent  his  township  in  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  and  held  that  office  for  five  terms  ;  the  last  of  which 
he  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  Board  :  he  has  also  held  minor 
offices  in  his  township,  and  has  been  School  Trustee  for  the  last 
twenty  years. 

On  the  8th  of  September,  185-3,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Margaret,  youngest  daughter  of  Col.  Andrew  and  Esther 
Wallace.  She  was  born  in  Tuubridge  township,  De  Witt  county, 
Illinois,  February  10th,  1833  Her  father  was  born  in  Virginia, 
February  2d,  1787.  He  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Ken- 
tucky in  1790,  and  there  married  Esther  Campbell  in  1810,  who 
yet  survives  him,  and  is  now  in  her  ninetieth  year.  In  1812, 
Col.  Wallace  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  that  period.  The  Wal- 
lace family  came  to  Illinois,  and  settled   in  the  county  in  1831. 

There  have  been  born  to  .Jehu  H.  and  Margaret  Randolph  eight 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  The  names  of  those  living  in 
the  order  of  their  birth  are  ;  M.  Alice,  wife  of  Alfred  R.  Sumner, 
a  farmer  of  Tuubridge  Township;  Charles  C,  a  merchant  in 
Wellington,  Kansas;  he  married  Miss  Ida  Larison  ;  Laura  R., 
wife  of  F.  R.  Robbins,  druggist  and  postmaster,  Keuney,  Illinois  ; 
E.  Grace  and  !Moses  W  are  yet  at  home. 

This  in  brief  is  a  sketch  of  Jehu  H.  Randolph  and  family. 
He  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  successful  and  leading  farmers  and 
stock-raisers  of  De  Witt  county.  His  success  in  life,  for  he 
started  poor,  is  attributed  to  his  industry,  energy,  and  practical 
business  sense,  backed  by  a  just  regard  for  the  rights  of  others, 
and  a  promptness  in  meeting  every  business  obligation.  Those 
principles  are  the  true  source  of  every  success.  In  his  home 
he  is  a  kind,  courteous  and  hospitable  gentleman,  vieing  with  his 
estimable  wife  in  making  all  who  come  beneath  their  roof  at 
home  and  comfortable.  It  is  with  genuine  pleasure  that  the 
writer  of  this  sketch  hiis  the  opportunity  of  paying  this  tribute 
of  respect  and  kindly  feeling  to  Jlr.  Randolph  and  wife,  for  he 
has  been  the  recipient  of  their  bounteous  hospitality,  and  knows 
whereof  he  speaks. 

247 


^^'/H  ^COC4.^ (^^^^/^ 


(DECEASED.) 


The  Randolph  family  of  De  Witt  county  are  the  lineal  de- 
scendant*  of  the  noted  Randolph  family  of  Virginia.  They  are 
of  English  descent.  They  were  residents  of  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
and  near  the  close  of  the  last  century  moved  to  Surrey  county, 
North  Carolina.  There  the  grandfather  of  Jehu  married  Fran- 
ces Thornton,  after  which  he  removed  back  to  Virginia,  and  set- 
tled in  Lee  county,  where  he  died.  By  the  union  with  Frances 
Thornton,  there  were  five  sons  and  three  daughters.  William, 
the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Surrey 
county,  North  Carolina,  November  -ith,  1T92.  He  grew  to  man- 
hood in  Lee  county,  Virginia,  and  there  married  JIatilda  Kearns. 
During  the  war  of  1812  he  volunteered,  and  was  a  soldier  of 
the  South,  under  Gen.  Coffee.  After  the  war  he  remained  in 
Virginia  until  18.30,  when  he  removed  west  to  Illinois,  landing 
in  Macon  county,  now  De  Witt,  November  1st,  1S30.  He  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  of  laud,  of  Elisha  Butler,  who  upon  the  same 


tract  made  the  first  permanent  settlement  in  the  now  county  of 
De  Witt,  in  1824.  Mr.  Randolph  gave  in  exchange  for  the  land 
a  horse  and  wagon,  and  a  small  sum  of  money.  In  1856  he  sold 
his  farm,  and  moved  to  Atlanta,  in  Logan  county.  In  1862  he 
lived  in  Bloomington,  where  his  wife  died  the  following  year. 
He  died  in  Lincoln,  the  same  county,  February  the  26th,  1867. 
In  his  life  he  was  a  man  of  much  native  force  of  mind,  of  strict 
integrity,  and  scrupulously  honest.  He  was  particularly  noted 
for  his  generous  hospitality.  Both  the  friend  and  stranger  were 
made  welcome  when  they  came  beneath  his  roof.  In  religious 
faith,  he  and  his  wife  were  Baptists;  his  house  was  the  place 
of  holding  worship,  until  such  time  as  churches  and  school-houses 
were  built.  By  his  marriage  with  Matilda  Kearns,  there  were 
thirteen  children,  seven  sons  and  six  daughters;  six  of  the  chil- 
dren have  survived  the  parents,  and  are  still  living. 

249 


Residence:  8;  StockFarm  [I485 Acres) of E .W.  FR 


',  Sec  2  6,r./9,  f^.l/uNBRiDGE  Tp.  DeWitt  Col  ll 


Residence  &  StockFarm  {i485Acresj of E .W.  t 


Residence  &  StockFarm  {I485Acfibs)  of  E  -^M- ^'^'^''^'^^c  2  6,T.I9  ,  R.IJunbridge  Tp.  DeWittCoIll 


EDMUND  W.  FRUIT. 

The  Fruit  family  were  among  the  early  settlers  and  pioueers  of 
De  Witt  county-  Ou  the  paternal  side  they  are  of  Welsh  ances- 
try, and  on  the  maternal  Scotch-Irish.  Two  brothers,  bearing 
the  name,  left  Wales,  and  emigrated  to  America  prior  to  the  old 
French  war.  Both  were  soldiers  in  that  struggle,  and  were  with 
Braddock  in  his  disastrous  defeat  by  the  French  and  their  In- 
dian allies.  In  the  battle  the  brothers  were  separated,  and  one 
was  never  heard  of  afterward.  John  Fruit,  the  survivor,  from 
whom  the  present  family  have  sprung  after  the  war,  settled  in 
the  Carolinas.  Thomas  Fruit,  the  father  of  Edmund  W.,  was 
born  in  North  Carolina,  October  the  5th,  1784.  In  1802  he  went 
with  his  father  to  Kentucky,  and  settled  in  Christian  county, 
where  he  remained  until  18.34,  when  he  came  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  what  is  now  known  as  De  Witt,  then  a  part  of  Macon. 
They  landed  here  November  15th,  of  that  year.  In  1827,  in 
company  with  some  friends  and  land  explorers,  they  came  to  the 
State  and  entered  land.  When  he  came  here  to  reside  perma- 
nently, he  settled  on  section  14,  in  what  is  now  known  as  Tun- 
bridge  township.  There  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred December  the  15th,  1871.  While  a  resident  of  Christian 
county,  Kentucky,  he  married  Elizabeth  Thompson,  the  date  of 
which  marriage  was  July  the  Sl.st,  1806.  She  died  March  28th, 
18G6.  By  that  marriage  they  had  six  sons  and  six  daughters. 
Edmund  W.  is  the  eighth  in  the  family.  He  was  born  in  Christian 
county,  Kentucky,  September  the  21st,  182.3.  His  education 
was  limited  to  the  common  school's,  and  was  of  a  meagre  charac- 
ter, and  confined  to  three  months  tuition,  all  told.  When  the 
family  came  to  Illinois  he  was  eleven  years  old.  From  that  time 
forward  he  was  compelled  to  do  a  man's  work,  and  help  provide 
for  himself  and  other  members  of  the  family.  He  remained  his 
father's  principal  support,  until  he  passed  his  twentieth  year. 
He  then  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  and  broke  it,  and  in  the 
following  winter  made  rails  and  fenced  it.  The  next  year  he 
broke  prairie,  and  did  general  work.  In  the  fall  of  1844,  he 
went  back  to  Kentucky  to  see  an  elder  brother,  and  while  there 


ISABEL  FRUIT. 

made  the  ac(juaintance  of  Miss  Elizabeth  Boyd,  whom  he  married 
ou  the  6th  of  March,  184.5.  He  remained  in  Kentucky  eighteen 
months,  which  time  was  occupied  in  farming  and  working  for 
his  brother.  In  the  fall  of  1846,  he  returned  to  De  Witt  county, 
settled  ou  his  land,  and  built  a  log  cabin,  a  view  of  which  may  be 
seen  on  another  page.  There  he  lived  for  several  years,  then 
built  a  frame-house,  and  in  1858  built  and  removed  to  his  present 
residence.  His  wife  died  August  the  8th,  1856.  By  that  mar- 
riage there  were  five  children — three  of  whom  are  living,  whose 
names  are  Sydney  Jane,  wlio  is  the  wife  of  John  Barnett,  a  resi- 
dent of  Atchison  county.  Mo. ;  James  A.,  who  married  Sarah 
Jane  Stoughtonborough,  and  Mary  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Franklin 
Barnett  On  the  5th  of  November,  1857,  Mr.  Fruit  married 
Sarah  E  ,  daughter  of  Uriah  and  Jemima  Blue.  She  died  April 
the  28th,  1873.  Two  children  living  by  that  marriage.  Their 
names  are  Arthur  W.,  and  Laura  B.  Fruit.  After  the  death  of 
his  second  wife  he  married  Susan  E.  Blue.  She  died  January 
the  16th,  1880,  without  issue.  On  the  4th  of  November,  1880, 
he  married  Miss  Isabel,  daughter  of  Garrett  and  Sarah  Ann  Blue. 
She  was  born  in  Hampshire  county,  Virginia.  Politically,  Mr. 
Fruit  was  originally  a  Henry  Clay  Whig.  In  1864  he  joined 
the  Democratic  party,  and  is  still  a  member  of  that  political 
organization.     In  his  religious  belief  he  is  a  Universalist. 

Mr.  Fruit  has  been  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune.  He 
started  in  life  poor,  but  by  the  practice  of  industry  and  economy 
he  has  succeeded  to  a  handsome  competency.  He  is  the  undis- 
putable  possessor  of  nearly  fifteen  hundred  acres  of  as  fine  land 
as  can  be  found  in  Central  Illinois.  AUofitiswell  improved 
and  under  cultivation.  His  occupation  and  highest  aim  in  life 
was  to  be  a  successful  and  independent  farmer,  and  he  has  suc- 
ceeded to  that  proud  position.  In  stock-raising,  particularly  in 
sheep,  he  has  been  very  successful.  .  Wherever  known,  Mr. 
Fruit  enjoys  the  reputation  of  a  good  farmer  and  successful  man ; 
honorable  in  all  his  dealings,  and  strictly  honest  in  every  busi- 
ness transaction. 

251 


Col.  ANDRP:W  WALLACE. 


ESTHER   WALLACE. 


The  subject  of  the  following  sketch  was  iu  hia  life  one  of  the 
prominent  and  honored  citizens  of  De  Witt  county,  as  well  as 
one  of  its  very  early  settlers.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  was  born  February  2,  1787.  In  1790 — three  years  later — ■ 
his  father  removed  the  family  to  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky. 
There  Andrew  grew  to  manhood,  and  in  the  year  1810  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Esther  Campbell,  who  was  born  March 
12,  1792.  In  the  war  of  1812  between  Great  Britain  and  the 
United  States,  Mr.  Wallace  entered  into  the  service,  and  was  a 
soldier  and  one  of  those  brave  men  who  fought  the  battle  of  the 
Thames.  He  was  exceedingly  fond  of  martial  display,  and  iu 
the  general  musterings  and  annual  parades  of  the  militia,  he 
took  a  leading  part,  and  his  was  a  conspicuous  figure  upon  the 
field  when  the  hardy  yeomanry  were  marshalled  in  mimic  array. 
He  was  well  and  familiarly  known  as  "Colonel "  Wallace,  having 
held  that  rank  in  the  militia  service.  He  remained  in  Kentucky 
until  1831,  when  he  came  to  what  is  now  known  as  De  Witt  county, 
and  settled  in  the  north-west  part  of  Tunbridge  township.  There 
he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death.     His  excellent 


and  amiable  wife  still  survives  him,  although  she  has  long 
passed  the  allotted  time  of  life,  and  is  now  in  her  ninetieth  year, 
and  is  in  the  full  possession  of  all  her  mental  faculties.  Col, 
Wallace  in  his  day,  as  intimated  above,  was  more  than  an  ordi- 
nary man,  and  under  more  favorable  circumstances  would  have 
become  a  marked  and  prominent  character.  He  was  possessed 
of  a  strong,  vigorous  mind,  united  with  a  large  share  of  strong, 
hard  common  sense,  and  all  who  came  into  his  presence  were  to 
a  greater  or  less  extent  impressed  with  that  fact.  He  had  a  fine, 
large  physique,  well  formed,  and  carried  himself  with  a  dignified 
air  that  well  became  him.  In  others,  it  might  be  regarded  as 
pride  or  hauteur,  but  with  him  it  was  the  natural,  uuassumed 
bearing  of  a  true-born  gentleman.  To  his  intimate  friends  he 
was  a  most  genial  and  companiable  man,  of  warm  and  generous 
impulses,  and  the  very  soul  of  truth  and  honor.  His  house  was 
the  general  resort  of  the  neighborhood  for  miles  around,  and  of 
it  may  truly  be  said,  that  the  latch-string  of  the  door  always 
hung  on  the  outside,  and  he  who  wished  could  enter  and  was 
made  genuinelv  welcome. 

253 


THOMAS  FRUIT. 


ELIZABETH  FRUIT. 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


257 


DAVID  W.  HICKMAN. 
Lewis  Hickman,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  the  present 
Hickman  family,  was  born  March  8,  1770.  He  married  Sarah 
F.  Thompson,  who  was  born  December  5,  1782.  He  came  west 
to  Illinois,  and  died  here  in  June,  1841  ;  his  wife  died  a  few- 
years  later.  His  son,  Rodney  Hickman,  father  of  David  W., 
was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Kentucky,  June  19,  1809.  He  came 
to  Illinois  and  settled  about  one  mile  south-west  of  Clinton,  in  De 
Witt  couut_y,  where  he  purchased  a  tract  of  land,  on  which  he  lived 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  October  11,  1842.  On  the  loth 
of  June,  1837.  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Ann 
Wallace,  daughter  of  Col.  Andrew  and  Esther  (Campbell)  Wal- 
lace. Col.  Wallace  was  born  in  Virginia  February  2,  1787  ; 
he  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Kentucky  in  1790,  and  there 
married  Esther  Campbell  in  1810.  In  1812  he  was  a  soldier  in 
the  war  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  and  was 
in  the  battle  of  the  Thames.  He  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1831, 
and  settled  in  what  is  now  known  as  Tunbridge  township,  in 
De  Witt  county,  on  the  same  place  where  Mr.  Hickman  now 
lives.  His  wife,  ihe  grandmother  of  Mr.  Hickman,  still  survives, 
and  is  now  in  her  ninetieth  year.  Mrs.  Hickman  was  born  in 
Bourbon  county,  Kentucky.  By  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Rodney 
Hickman  there  were  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living. 
John  T.,  the  other  sou,  was  born  October  5,  1839.  He  at 
present  is  engaged  in  the  loan  agency  business,  in  Wellington, 
Kansas.  David  Wallace  Hickman,  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
was  born  in  De  Witt  county,  Illinois,  May  3,  1838  ;  his  early 
education  was  obtained  in  the  pioneer  schools  of  De  Witt  county 
of  thirty-five  years  ago.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  he  was 
taken  and  reared  by  his  maternal  grandfather,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  18.")8,  when  he  went  ba<  k  to  the  Hickman  place, 
near  Clinton.  In  1864  he  went  to  the  gold  fields  of  ^Montana, 
and  soon  after  went  to  Grand  Round  Valley,  iu  Oregon,  east  of 
the  Cascade  mountains,  where  he  remained  through  the  winter 
of  1864-65.  From  there  he  went  to  Willamette  Valley;  he 
remained  in  the  west  until  1867,  when  he  returned,  via  New 
York,  home,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  In 
March,  1876,  he  moved  on  the  old  Col.  Wallace  place,  where  he 
still  resides.  On  the  27th  of  November,  1872,  he  married  Miss 
Emily  Jane,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Margaret  Litsenberger. 
She  was  born  iu  Hancock  county,  Ohio,  March  7,  1846.  Her 
parents  came  to  Clinton  county  in  1856.  Her  mother  died  in 
March,  1874.  5Ir.  and  Mrs.  Hickman  have  five  children.  Their 
names,  in  the  order  of  their  births,  are :  Anna  Margaret,  Hattie 
May,  Henry  Thomas,  Grace  and  Rodney  Elmer  Hickman.  Politi- 
cally, he  was  a  Democrat  until  1876,  when  he  joined  the  National 
Greenback  party.  In  1872  ilr.  Hickman  commenced  the  busi- 
ness of  trading  short-horned  Durham  cattle.  His  herd  now  em- 
braces fifty  head  of  fine,  thorough-bred  cattle.  He  has  been  very 
successful  so  far  in  the  business,  and  we  have  no  doubt  will  in 
time  become  one  of  the  extensive  cattle  breeders  of  the  State. 


Caft.  JAJIES  R.  turner, 
The  subject  of  the  following  biographical  sketch,  was  born  in 
Juniata  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  22,  1822.  His  father, 
William  Turner,  was  a  native  of  Virginia ;  he  emigrated  with 
his  father  to  Pennsylvania,  and  settled  in  Penn's  Valley,  and 
afterwards  moyed  to  Juniata  county.  The  grandfather  was  a 
soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  married  a  Beatty,  whose 
mother  was  closely  related  to  Governor  Curtin's  family,  of  Penn- 


sylvania. One  of  the  offspring  of  that  marriage  was  William 
Turner,  father  <ifCapt.  James  R.  He  marrie<l  Jane  Elizabeth 
McGill ;  she  died  iu  Juniata  county.  Mr.  Turner  afterwards 
married  again,  and  moved  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  there  died  in 
\^iZ.  There  were  three  sons  and  eight  daughters  by  the  first 
marriage.  Capt.  Turner  is  the  eighth  in  the  family;  he  was 
rai.^ed  to  habits  of  industry  upon  the  farm.  He  went  to  Cin- 
cinnati, and  there  for  a  short  time  clerked  in  a  gnjcery  store.  In 
the  fall  of  1841  he  came  west  to  Illinois,  and  stopped  at  Decatur, 
where  he  learned  the  trade  of  plasterer,  and  worked  at  the  busi- 
ness in  different  parts  of  the  country,  always,  however,  claiming 
Decatur  as  his  home.  In  1846,  when  the  Mexican  war  broke  out, 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  C  of  the  4th  Illinois  Regiment,  of  which  company 
I.  C.  Pugh  was  captain,  R.  J.  Oglesby  1st  lieutenant,  Alexander 
Froman  2d  lieutenant,  John  Post  3d  lieutenant.  Mr.  Turner 
participated  with  his  regiment  in  the  battles  in  which  it  took 
part,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service  returned  home 
to  Decatur,  and  remained  there  until  1851,  when  he  married 
Miss  Rachel  J.  Hutchen,  of  Butler  county,  Ohio.  In  1852  he 
moved  to  Salt  creek,  and  commenced  farming,  in  which  he  con- 
tinued until  1871,  W'hen  he  removed  to  Kenney  and  engaged  in 
general  merchandising,  in  which  he  still  continues.  In  August, 
1862,  he  recruited  a  company  of  men,  numbering  one  hundred 
and  thirty,  for  three  years'  service.  Upon  the  organization  of 
the  company  Mr.  Turner  was  elected  captain.  The  company 
became  a  part  of  the  107th  Regt.  of  Illinois  Vols.,  and  was 
known  as  Co.  C.  The  1 07th  was  a  part  of  the  2d  Brigade  of  the 
2d  Division  of  the  23d  Army  Corps.  Capt.  Turner  ]iarticipated 
with  his  command  in  all  the  skirmishes  and  battles  in  which  it 
was  engaged  up  to  and  including  the  battle  of  Lost  Mountain  and 
the  capture  of  Kenesaw,  then,  owing  to  physical  disability,  he 
was  sent  to  the  hospital  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  there  remained 
for  six  weeks.  His  di.sability  continuing,  he  was  compelled  to 
resign  his  position;  his  resignation  was  accepted  and  he  returned 
home.  The  history  of  the  107th  Regiment  is  well  known  to  the 
student  of  American  history.  It  was  a  gallant  organization,  and 
Co.  C.  was  made  of  men  who  contributed  to  it  much  of  its  glory 
and  renown.  It  passed  through  the  entire  war  from  the  time 
it  was  enlisted  until  the  conflict  closed.  Capt.  Turner  returned 
home  and  resumed  his  labors  upon  the  farm.  Politically,  Capt. 
Turner  has  always  since  casting  his  first  vote  been  a  Democrat, 
and  takes  an  active  interest  in  sustaining  the  principles  of  that 
political  organization.  He  enjoys  the  confidence  of  his  party, 
who  have  frequently  honored  him  with  offices  of  trust  in  his 
locality.  In  1861  he  was  elected  supervisor  of  his  township; 
in  1878  he  was  again  elected,  and  re-elected  four  successive 
terms.  He  has  twice  held  the  position  of  chairman  of  the 
board,  and  is  occupying  that  position  at  present.  In  all  the 
offices  held  by  him  he  has  given  complete  and  unusual  satisfac- 
tion, and  has  earned  the  reputation  of  an  honest  servant  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  an  efficient  and  careful  official ;  he  looks  carefully  after 
the  wants  of  his  constituents  and  the  interests  of  the  entire 
county.  By  his  marriage  with  Rachel  J.  Hutchen  there  were 
eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living ;  the  eldest,  a  son,  died 
in  infancy.  The  names  of  those  living  are:  Laura  May,  Sallie 
A.,  Manford  E.,  Charles  Lee,  Isophina,  William  Thomas  and 
John  W.  Capt.  Turner  is  not  a  member  of  any  church  organiza- 
tion, but  is  liberal  upon  religious  matters,  and  believes  that  in 
doing  unto  your  neighbor  as  you  would  have  him  do  unto  you 
that  in  that  practice  you  come  near  fulfilling  the  whole  law,  and 
render  yourself  fit  to  sit  in  the  circle  of  the  saints.     He  is  a 


258 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS 


respected  member  of  the  I.  O.  O  F.,  and  belongs  to  Kenney 
Lodge  No.  557. 

Capt.  Turner  is  an  old  and  respected  citizen  of  Tunbridge 
township ;  his  frequent  election  to  offices  of  honor  and  trust 
shows  in  the  strongest  manner  possible  his  standing  and  reputa- 
tion in  the  community.  He  is  a  plain,  unassuming  man,  with 
decided  convictions  as  to  what  is  his  duty,  and  fearless  in  it«  per- 
formance. 


KOSWELL  T.  SPENCER   . 

The  present  editor  and  pro]irietor  of  the  Kenney  Ouzette,  is  a 
native  of  Bluft'dale,  Greene  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  born 
August  7th,  1850.  Gideon  Spencer,  his  great-grandfather,  came 
from  England  about  1770,  and  settled  in  Vermont.  He  and  his 
wife  Elizabeth,  and  his  son  Stephen  Winchell  Spencer,  Mary 
Smith  Spencer,  the  latter's  wife,  and  Marshall  Smith  Spencer, 
the  father  of  Roswell  T.,  moved  to  Greene  county.  Ills.,  in  1820. 
Marshall  S.  was  then  a  lad  of  four  years  of  age.  The  great- 
grandfather was  a  soldier  of  the  AVar  of  the  Revolution,  and  was 
with  Ethan  Allen  at  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga.  The  grand- 
father was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812. 

Marshall  S.  married  Sarah  A-,  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy 
Simmons,  who  came  to  Greene  county.  Ills.,  from  Athens,  Ohio, 
in  1830,  while  Sarah  A.  was  yet  in  her  childhood.  Both  the 
parents  are  yet  living,  and  are  residents  of  Marion  county,  Ills. 
There  were  ten  children,  the  offspring  of  Marshall  S.  and  Sarah 
A.  Spencer,  of  whom  there  are  five  sons  and  three  daughters 
living. 

Roswell  T.  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and 
spent  one  term  in  the  high  school  of  Tamaroa,  in  Perry  county. 
When  he  attained  his  majority  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business 
in  McLean,  McLean  county,  Illinois,  in  which  he  remained 
three  years;  then  sold  out  and  served  one  year  in  the  printing 
business ;  then  resumed  the  drug  trade  in  Vernon,  Ills.  One 
year  later  he  abandoned  the  business  and  engaged  in  the  profes- 
sion of  teaching,  in  which  he  continued  with  slight  interruption 
until  1881.  The  last  four  years  spent  in  teaching  were  in  Logan 
county,   Illinois. 

On  the  ISth  of  March,  1881,  he  established  the  A'cH/iej/  Gazette, 
and  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  conducted  that  journal. 
Mr.  Spencer  is  well  adapted  for  the  newspaper  business,  and  is  a 
fluent,  easy  and  graceful  writer.  Prior  to  his  engaging  in  the 
printing  business  he  wrote  considerable  for  the  press.  He  is  the 
author  of  a  biography  of  Edgar  Allen  Poe  ;  also  of  the  sketches 
"  In  the  Streets,"  "  Charter  Oak,"  "  The  Grave  of  Little  Paul," 
and  others  that  received  the  commendation  of  the  press.  He  has 
a  decided  taste  for  literary  work,  which  was  his  chief  reason  for 
engaging  in  the  printing  business.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  an  advocate  of  temperance. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  18G9,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  E.,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Wells,  of  Logan  county, 
Ills.  By  that  marriage  there  have  been  four  children,  one  of 
whom  is  living,  a  daughter,  named  May  L.  Spencer. 

JACOB  TROWBRIDGE. 

The  subject  of  the  following  sketch  is  among  the  substantial 
and  enterprising  farmers  of  De  Witt  county.  He  is  a  native  of 
Warren  county,  Ohio,  and  was  born  July  15,  ISiti.  His  grand- 
father, Abraham  Locey  Trowbridge,  was  a  native  of  New  Jer- 
sey. His  son  was  also  of  the  same  name,  and  was  born  in  the  same 
.state,  and  was  a  mere  youth  when  the  ftimily  moved  to  Pennsyl- 


vania. They  settled  in  Dauphin  county,  near  Harrisburg,  and 
there  remained  until  about  the  year  1820,  when  they  moved  to 
Warren  county,  Ohio,  which  was  their  home  until  1855,  when 
the  femily  came  west  to  Illinois,  and  landed  in  De  Witt  county, 
in  October  of  that  year.  Here  Abraham  Trowbridge  and  his 
son  bought  a  piece  of  railroad  land  from  the  Illinois  Central. 
The  tract  was  located  in  section  twenty  of  this  township.  It  was 
raw,  unimproved  land.  They  built  a  house,  broke  the  prairie, 
and  improved  it,  and  continued  its  cultivation  until  1S61; 
then  his  youngest  son  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch  rented  a 
piece  of  laud  near  where  the  village  of  Kenney  now  stands,  and 
with  them  their  parents  made  their  home.  Afterwards  they  lived 
with  their  son-in-law,  Mr.  Kirly.  Mr.  Trowbridge  died  Oct.  22, 
1877.  He  married  Rachel  Wampole,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania. 
She  died  Feb.  IS,  1869.  There  were  ten  children  by  that  mar- 
riage, six  sons  and  four  daughters  ; — seven  of  the  children  have 
survived  the  parents.  Jacob,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  remained 
at  home  with  his  father  until  his  marriage.  In  1856  he  came 
west  to  Tunbridge  township,  where  his  father  and  family  had  pre- 
ceded him.  In  September  of  the  same  year  he  returned  to  War- 
ren county,  Ohio,  and  while  there  his  wife  died.  In  1861  he 
came  back  to  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  farming  near  where  the 
village  of  Kenney  now  stands.  In  1865  he  removed  to  the  place 
where  he  now  lives.  While  yet  a  resident  of  Ohio,  and  on  the 
4th  April,  1851,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  .Mary  Gustou, 
a  native  of  Warren  county.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Benage  and 
Lydia  Guston.  She  died  in  '58.  By  that  union  there  were  two 
children,  named  Alice  Jane,  who  is  the  wife  of  Howard  Rucker, 
(at  present  principal  of  the  schools  in  Mattoon,  Ills.);  and  James 
A.  Trowbridge,  a  farmer  of  this  township.  James  A.  married 
Jliss  Rachel  Jane  Griner.  On  the  9th  of  September,  1865,  Mr. 
Trowbridge  married  Mrs.  Lydia  Ann  Wallace,  nee  Stout.  She  is 
a  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  born  Jan.  15,  1834.  Her  parents  came 
west  as  early  as  1840,  and  settled  in  Barnett  township,  in  DeWitt 
county.  Her  former  husband,  A.  J.  Wallace,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
107th  regiment  during  the  late  war,  and  died  in  the  service.  By 
her  marriage  with  Mr.  Wallace  there  were  four  children.  By  her 
union  with  Jacob  Trowbridge  there  are  two  children  living,  named 
.Seymour  and  Anna  Trowbridge  ;  both  are  yet  beneath  the  pa- 
rental roof  In  his  religious  faith  Mr.  Trowbridge  is  a  Univer- 
salist.  Politically,  he  was  originally  an  old  line  whig,  and  cast 
his  first  presidential  vote  for  Zachary  Taylor  in  '48  He  remained 
a  whig  as  long  as  that  party  existed.  In  186  4  he  became  a  de- 
mocrat, and  so  continued  until  1876,  when  he  voted  for  Peter 
Cooper  ;  but  in  1880  he  returned  to  the  democratic  party,  and  is 
now  a  staunch  member  of  that  political  organization.  Mr.  Trow- 
bridge belongs  to  the  class  of  self-made  men.  What  he  has,  is 
the  accumulation  of  his  own  toil  and  energy.  He  started  in 
life  poor  ;  in  fact,  about  all  he  had  was  health  and  strength,  and 
with  these  he  has  succeeded  in  carving  out  for  himself  a  compe- 
tency, and  at  the  same  time  making  and  maintaining  for  himself 
a  name  for  strict  honesty  and  integrity,  which,  after  all,  is  the 
best  heritage  to  leave  to  his  posterity. 


W.  W.  GRAHAM. 

The  Graham  family  on  the  paternal  side  came  originally  from 
the  west  of  Ireland,  and  are  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  William 
Graham,  the  grandfather  of  W.  W.,  emigrated  with  his  parents 
to  America  while  yet  young  and  at  a  period  prior  to  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  He  was  a  soldier  in  that  memorable  struggle.  He 
lived  to  the  great  age  of  one  hundred  and  one  years,  and  died  in 
Warren  county,  Ohio.     His  son,  Samuel  Graham,  father  of  the 


Farm  Residence  or  JACOB     TROW  BR  I D  G  E.    Sec  6  TI9  R I  (Tunb-R  dgeTp)  DeWittCo  I  ll. 


Farm  Residence   orDR.J.J.LAKE,SEc6J.I9R.I,[TuNBRtDGE  Tp.J  Oe  W/tt  Co.  Ill 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


259 


present  Graham  family,  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  in 
1806.  His  mother's  name  was  Elizabeth  Frazier.  He  remained 
there  until  1849,  when  he  came  west,  to- Illinois,  and  settled  three 
miles  east  of  Waynesville,  in  De  Witt  county,  where  he  purchas- 
ed an  old  log  school-house,  and  converted  it  into  a  dwelling.  It 
was  then  the  fixrthest  house  out  on  the  prairie,  and  away  from 
the  timber.  Dire  were  the  predictions  of  the  old  settlers  at  Mr. 
Oraham's  temerity  in  venturing  so  far  out  on  the  prairie.  He, 
nevertheless,  remained  there  farming  until  1864,  when  he  sold 
out,  and  improved  another  place.  In  1865  he  was  elected  County 
Judge.  He  was  for  many  years  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Barnett 
township.  At  present  he  has  practically  retired  to  private  life. 
He  married  Hannah  Kirby,  a  native  of  Warren  county,  Ohio. 
Her  parents  were  natives  of  New  Jersey.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  the  fourth  in  a  family  of  nine  sons  and  four  daughters.  He  was 
born  in  Union  county,  Ohio,  November  2.5,  1837,  where  his 
parents  moved  and  lived  for  four  years,  after  which  they  returned 
to  Warren  county.  He  was  in  his  twelfth  year  when  the  family 
came  to  Illinois.  His  education  was  limited  and  confined  to  the 
log  school-houses  of  the  primitive  days  of  Illinois.  He  remained 
at  home,  at  work  upon  the  farm,  until  his  twenty-fifth  year ;  he 
then  engaged  in  farming  for  himself  in  Barnett  township,  where 
he  continued  until  1873,  when  he  removed  to  Clinton  to  take 
fharge  of  the  office  of  County  Clerk,  a  position  he  had  been 
elected  to  by  the  people.  After  his  term  of  office  expired  he 
moved  back  to  the  farm  ;  then  back  to  Clinton,  and  engaged  in 
livery  business.  In  October,  1879,  he  removed  to  Kenney,  and 
opened  a  livery,  feed,  and  sale  stable,  in  which  he  continued  un- 
til April,  1881,  when  he  sold  out ;  since  which  time  he  has  dealt 
a  little  in  stock,  but  more  particularly  has  given  his  attention  to 
in  duties  as  Police  Magistrate,  a  position  he  had  been  elected  to 
November,  1880. 

On  the  11th  of  December,  1862,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Harriet  C.  Cushman,  a  native  of  Champaign  county,  Ohio. 
She  died  July  21st,  1876.  By  that  marriage  there  are  three 
children.  Their  names  in  the  order  of  their  births  are,  Clavton 
L.,  who  is  book-keeper  in  a  wholesale  house  in  Chicago;  Frank 
W.  is  a  resident  and  clerk  in  Wellington,  Kansas ;  and  H.  O. 
Graham,  who  is  yet  at  home. 

On  the  31st  of  .January,  1878,  he  married  Mi.ss  Rosa  E.  Ed- 
minston,  a  native  of  Bellefontaine,  Ohio.  One  child,  a  daughter, 
named  Jessie,  is  the  fruit  of  the  latter  marriage.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  On  the  subject  of  religion  he  is 
liberal  in  his  beliefs;  politically  he  is  a  Republican.  In  1873 
he  was  nominated  for  the  office  of  County  Clerk  by  the  party  in 
Convention  assembled.  The  office  was  not  of  his  own  seeking. 
He  was  not  even  present  at  the  convention,  but  at  home  on  the 
farm.  He  was  elected  by  a  greater  majority  than  any  man  on 
either  ticket.  In  1880,  notwithstanding  the  town  of  Kenney  was 
largly  Democratic,  he  was  elected  Police  Magistrate,  which  is 
evidence  that  he  stands  well  in  the  estimation  of  the  people. 


DR.  J.  J.  LAKE. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  credited  with  being  the  third  whi'„e 
child  born  in  Hancock  county,  Ohio.  The  date  of  his  birth  was 
June  16th,  ISSl).  The  Lake  family  are  of  Irish  ancestry.  Three 
brothers  of  that  name  eruigrated  to  America,  and  during  the  war 
for  the  independence  of  the  American  colonies  espoused  the  pa- 
triot's cause  and    became  soldiers  in  that  memorable  struggle. 


They  fought  with  Washington  from  Bunker  Hill  to  Yorktown. 
Asa  M.  Lake  was  a  native  of  Vermont.  He  removed  to  Ken- 
tucky soon  after  the  Revolutionary  war,  in  which  struggle  he 
also  participated.  Some  few  years  later  he  moved  to  the  Slate 
of  Ohio,  which  was  shortly  before  admitted  to  the  LInion.  He 
settled  in  Jackson  county,  and  subsecjuently  moved  to  Hancock 
county,  and  there  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  about  1S.54. 
He  married  Charlotte  Greer,  by  whom  there  were  seven  children, 
six  of  whom  lived  to  maturity;  and  five  are  now  living.  Dr. 
.J.  J.  is  the  second  in  the  family.  He  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  at  the  age  of 
eighteen  years  he  entered  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  at  Del- 
aware, and  remained  in  that  institution  for  two  years.  In  June, 
1852,  he  came  west,  and  stopped  in  Clinton,  De  Witt  coun- 
ty, Illinois,  where  he  taught  school ;  and  among  his  pupils  there 
were  many  of  the  present  middle-aged  men  of  all  classes,  who 
now  reside  in  Clinton.  He  had  prior  to  this  time  determined  to 
adopt  the  profession  of  medicine  as  the  business  of  his  life,  and 
with  that  idea  in  view,  in  1855,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Good- 
brake,  then  and  yet  a  practising  physician  of  Clinton.  He  pur- 
sued his  studies  diligently  through  the  years  1855  and  1856, 
and  in  the  fall  of  the  first  year  named  he  entered  Rush  Medical 
College,  at  Chicago ;  and  graduated,  from  that  institution  with 
the  degree  of  M.  D.,  February  18th,  1857.  He  returned  to  the 
county  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  town 
of  De  Witt  in  this  county,  and  remained  there  doing  a  large  and 
successful  practice  until  1872.  He  then  removed  to  Kenney,  and 
there  followed  his  profession  until  a  few  years  ago,  when  he  prac- 
tically abandoned  it,  and  engaged  in  farming.  Whether  he  will 
continue  out  of  the  practice  it  is  difficult  to  say.  Our  observa- 
tion is,  that  a  man  who  has  been  so  long  in  the  practice  can  only 
quit  it  when  compelled  to  do  so  from  reason  of  physical  disabil- 
ity or  other  equally  controlling  causes.  He  belongs  to  the  progres- 
sive school  of  medicine,  and  keeps  pace  with  and  is  well  posted  in 
all  the  discoveries  that  are  daily  made  in  the  science  of  medicine. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  American  Medical  Association  ;  State  and 
De  Witt  County  Medical  Societies.  In  the  summer  of  1855  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Susan  Cottingham.  She  died  in 
1S7-.  By  that  union  there  are  four  children  living  ;  their  names 
are,  William,  Frank,  Charles,  and  Frederick.  On  the  8th  of 
September,  1876,  he  married  Mrs.  Rebecca  Wallace,  nee  Farris, 
a  native  of  De  Witt  county,  Illinois.  By  the  second  marriage 
there  are  the  following  children  Fanny  Fern,  Lillian,  and  Alitta 
Beulah.  In  religious  matters  Dr.  Lake  is  what  might  be  term- 
ed upon  the  broad-gauge ;  that  is  to  say,  he  is  liberal  in  his  be- 
lief and  is  in  sympathy  with  the  advanced  thought  of  the  day  on 
that  question.  Politically  he  is  most  soundly  indoctrinated  in  the 
principles  and  theories  of  the  Republican  party;  he  is  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  that  political  organization.  He  was  the  secretary  of 
the  first  Republican  meeting  ever  held  in  De  Witt  county.  In 
1856  he  with  a  few  others  had  the  boldness  to  cast  his  vote  for 
the  Anti-Slavery  candidate — John  C.  Fremont,  and  from  that 
time  to  the  present  he  has  on  all  occasions  and  at  all  general  elec- 
tions voted  the  ticket  of  his  first  choice.  He  is  a  respected  mem- 
ber of  I.  O.  O  P.  As  before  intimated,  Dr  Lake  has  abandon- 
ed the  practice  of  medicine,  and  is  now  giving  ;dl  of  his  atten- 
tion to  farming  and  stock-raising,  in  which  he  has  been  quite  suc- 
cessful. A  view  of  his  residence  and  grounds  can  be  seen  by  re- 
ference to  another  page  of  this  work.  Dr.  Lake  in  his  manners 
and  address  is  a  quiet,  unassuming  gentleman  of  good  conversa- 
tional powers,  and  of  varied  and  extensive  reading  and  informa- 
tion. 


WAPELLA    TOWNSHIP. 


iPIIS  township  received  its  name  from  the  vil- 
lage of  Wapella  situated  on  the  Illinois  Cen- 
tral railway  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town- 
ship. There  is  probably  no  body  of  land  in 
that  county  that  surpasses  it  for  fertility  of 
soil  and  general  productiveness.  It  contains 
a  variety  of  soil  ;  the  central  and  southern 
portion  being  a  deep,  rich,  black  loam,  spe- 
cially adapted  to  the  raising  of  corn,  though 
other  grains  oan  be  cultivated  with  good  success.  In  the  last  few- 
years  tiling  has  been  introduced  to  a  considerable  extent,  and  at 
this  writing  there  are  but  few  acres  of  the  land  that  are  not  under 
good  cultivation.  The  township  contains  over  28  sections  of  laud, 
about  one- third  of  which  originally  was  timber.  There  is  at  this 
time  plenty  of  good  timber  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  people  for 
fuel,  lumber  and  fencing  purposes.  The  timber  belt  is  mainly  in 
the  north,  along  Lone  Brush  Creek  and  its  tributaries.  This  land 
is  somewhat  broken,  but  well  adapted  to  the  raising  of  wheat, 
blue-grass,  fruits,  and  vegetables.  It  is  of  a  light  yellowish  color, 
and  rather  shallow  in  depth.  Lone  Brush  Creek  enters  the  town- 
ship in  the  north-east  part  of  section  13,  taking  mainly  a  westerly 
course,  and  passes  out  in  section  19^  when  it  discharges  its  waters 
into  Rock  Creek,  and  from  thence  into  the  Kickapoo.  Several 
good  springs  may  be  found  along  the  timber  not  far  from  the 
creek  banks.  The  Illinois  Central  railroad  enters  the  township 
in  the  western  portion  of  section  1-5,  and  passes  entirely  through 
it  from  north  to  south,  and  crosses  the  line  of  Clintonia  and  Wa- 
pella in  section  3.  The  township  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
McLean  county,  on  the  east  by  Wilson  and  Harp  townships,  ou 
the  south  by  Clintonia,  and  west  by  Waynesville  and  Barnett. 

EARLY   .SETTLEMENTS. 

The  first  settlements  were  made  in  this  township  in  1S29,  by 
John  P.  Glenn,  William  Vinson,  and  John  Young.  The  former 
was  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  subsequently  went  to  Kentucky, 
and  moved  here  and  settled  in  section  1-i,  in  the  spring  of  1829. 
He  had  a  wife  and  several  children,  but  moved  with  his  family 
to  Iowa,  in  au  early  day.  None  of  his  representatives  are  now 
residing  in  the  county.  Mr.  Vinson  also  came  from  Kentncky 
about  the  same  time  and  located  in  section  23.  He  had  a  wife, 
but  no  children,  and  migrated  to  Iowa  about  the  same  time  as 
Mr.  Glenn.  .John  Young  came  from  Kentucky  in  IS'29,  and 
settled  in  section  25.  He  was  a  man  of  family,  and  had  a  wife 
and  seven  children,  Polly,  Larkin,  Bryant,  John,  Sarah,  Nancy, 
and  Kate  A.  Mr.  Young  and  his  wife  died  several  years  ago. 
None  of  the  family  reside  in  the  county. 

Abraham  Swearingen,  another  early  settler,  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania.'and  went  to  Kentucky  when  he  was  a  mere  boy,  where 
260 


he  grew  to  manhood.  Here  he  married  his  first  wife,  Elizabeth 
Lowe,  in  the  year  1816.  Ten  years  afterwards  he  moved  to 
Illinois,  and  stopped  for  a  few  years  in  Vermillion  county.  In 
the  spring  of  1830,  he  came  to  this  township  and  settled  in  section 
1.5,  entering  the  E.  ■}  of  the  S.  E.  i  of  said  section.  At  this  time 
he  had  a  family  of  seven  children,  Daniel,  George  W.,  Lydia, 
John  H., Elijah  W.,  David  P., and  Samuel  R.  The  following  were 
born  in  the  township:  Elizabeth,  Lemuel  A.,  Sarah  E.,  Zilpah, 
Jemima,  Abraham,  and  Mary  J.  The  foregoing  are  all  children  of 
the  first  marriage,  six  of  whom  are  yet  living.  John  H.  resides  in 
the  township  in  section  22,  and  is  a  successful  farmer.  Mrs. 
Swearingen  died  many  years  ago,  when  W.  .S.  married  his  second 
wife,  Amy  Crum,  in  1843.  From  this  union  two  children  have 
been  born,  Isaac  S.,  and  Jacob  W.,  both  of  whom  are  living. 
Mr.  Swearingen  is  now  in  his  86th  year  of  age,  hale  and  hearty 
for  one  of  his  years,  and  is  now  with  his  second  wife,  residing  at 
the  old  homestead  in  section  1.5.  He  has  been  here  51  years, 
lived  in  three  diflferent  counties,  Tazewell,  McLean,  and  De  Witt, 
and  yet  never  moved  from  section  1.5  since  his  settlement.  We 
will  leave  the  old  settlers  to  explain  this  seeming  anomaly  to  their 
grand-children.  Mr.  S.  represents  100  grand  children,  1.50  great 
grand-children,  and  2  great-great  grand-children,  being  252  de- 
cendants  in  all. 

Samuel  Spencer  came  here  in  1830,  from  Kentucky,  in  the 
spring  of  the  above  year  and  entered  the  W.  '  of  the  N.  W.  J  of 
section  26,  when  he  returned  home.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year 
he  moved  to  the  township,  bringing  his  family  with  him,  consist- 
ing of  his  wife,  and  seven  children,  William,  Lettia,  Ann,  Lorinda, 
Joseph,  John,  and  Sarilda.  Other  children  were  born  to  them 
after  coming  to  the  county.  Mrs.  Spencer  died  in  1867,  and  Mr. 
S  lived  until  about  five  years  ago.  None  of  the  family  now 
reside  in  the  con  nty. 

John  Troxell  located  here  in  the  spring  of  the  same  year  as  Mr. 
Spencer.  He  was  also  from  Kentucky,  and  had  a  wife  and  several 
children.  He  settled  in  section  28,  but  moved  to  Iowa  in  an  early 
day.  Frederick  Troxell,  a  brother  of  the  former,  came  from  Ken- 
tucky and  settled  here  in  the  same  year,  in  section  32.  He  also  had 
a  family,  and  remained  for  several  years,  when  his  wife  died.  He 
again  married  and  shortly  afterward  migrated  to  ^Missouri.  None 
of  the  family  are  living  in  the  county- 

Another  pioneer  was  Jonathan  Harrold.  He  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, but  moved  to  the  state  of  Indiana  in  an  early  day,  and 
migrated  to  Illinois  in  1833,  and  settled  a  little  north-east  of 
Waynesville,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which 
occured  in  1836.  He  brought  seven  children  with  him  to 
the  state,  James  M.,  Isam,  jNIitchell,  Eli,  Mary,  Naomi,  and 
Sophronia.  Their  mode  of  conveyance  was  the  old  four-horse 
wagon,  crooked  bed,  and  sometimes  in  that  day  called  a  steam- 


EISTOR  Y  OF  BE  WITT  CO  UNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


261 


boat.  In  1842,  three  children,  Isam,  Mitchell,  and  Eli  came  to 
this  township,  procured  200  acres  of  land  lying  in  section  32  and 
33  and  settled  thereon.  Mitchell  died  in  1873.  Isam  and  Eli 
are  both  yet  living  in  section  32.  Heniy  and  David  Trosell, 
Joseph  Nelson,  and  Jonathan  Atherton  are  among  the  old  set- 
tlers. David  Troxell  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Eli 
Harrold  in  section  32,  and  died  many  years  ago.  Henry  died 
about  1874.  Joseph  Nelson  is  yet  living  a  little  north  of  Wa- 
pella,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest  men  in  the  county.  Jonathan 
Atherton  came  from  Sangamon  county,  and  settled  in  section  29. 
He  is  yet  living  at  the  old  homestead.  His  wife  was  born  in  the 
county  in  1829.  They  have  four  children  living,  three  sons  and 
one  daughter.  Mr.  Atherton  is  a  substantial  farmer,  and  one  of 
the  prominent  citizen  of  the  township. 

The  following  are  the  first  land  entries  made  :  June  6th,  1829, 
John  P.  Glenn  entered  the  W.  ■]  of  the  S.  E.  i  of  section  14.  On 
the  same  day,  John  Young  entered  the  E.  »  of  the  S.  E.  \  of 
section  lo.  William  Vinson,  also  at  the  same  date,  entered  the 
E.  5  of  the  N.  E.  \  of  section  23.  January  19th,  1830,  Frederick 
Troxell  entered  the  E.  i  of  the  N.  E.  \  of  section  32.  Abraham 
Swearingen,  on  the  26th  of  May  of  the  same  year,  entered  the  E 
5  of  the  S.  E.  4  of  .section  15.  June  1st,  1830,  Samuel  Spencer 
entered  the  W  S  of  the  N.  W.  }  of  section  26.  At  the  same  date 
John  Troxell  entered  the  AV.  I  of  the  S   W.  1  of  section  28. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  readily  be  seen  that  the  first  to 
strike  a  blow  toward  the  settlement  of  this  township  were  the 
pioneers  Glenn,  Young,  and  Vinson,  as  they  entered  their  land 
on  the  same  day,  and  were  all  living  here  in  the  spring  of  1830, 
to  the  personal  knowledge  of  one  party  who  is  now  living,  and 
has  been  kind  enough  to  furnish  a  good  deal  of  the  data  of  the 
early  history  of  this  township.  Their  houses  were  all  small  log 
cabins,  as  they  had  not  the  means  or  facilities  to  build  better. 
The  fire-places  were  constructed  very  wide,  and  the  winter  back- 
logs were  hauled  into  the  house  by  a  horse.  The  crops  raised 
consisted  of  a  small  patch  of  corn,  with  a  few  garden  vegetables. 
At  this  time  the  nearest  markets  were  at  Peoria  and  Chicago. 
Milling  was  sometimes  done  at  Springfield,  then  a  town  of  only  > 
two  or  three  hundred  inhabitants.  Wild  game  was  plenty,  and 
"Uncle"  Abraham  Swearingen  tells  of  the  killing  of  seven  deer 
while  standing  on  the  same  log. 

The  first  child  born  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Abraham 
Swearingen,  in  July,  1830 ;  she  is  now  living  in  the  township, 
and  is  the  wife  of  Peter  C.  Somers.  The  first  death  occurred  in 
the  same  year :  the  deceased  was  Melinda,  a  daughter  of  John 
Troxell — she  was  buried  on  the  laud  occupied  by  Mr.  Troxell, 
in  section  22.  This  finally  became  a  neighborhood  place  of  in- 
terment, and  subsequently  dedicated  to  public  nee  as  such, 
and  is  now  known  as  the  "  Crum  burial-ground." 

The  first  school  was  taught  by  Edom  Shugart  in  the  winter  of  ; 
1831.  The  school-house  was  a  pole  cabin  without  any  chimney, 
merely  a  hole  in  the  roof  for  the  smoke  to  escape.  It  was  situ- 
ated in  section  27,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  George  Hume.  It 
was  constructed  for  a  school-house,  but  was  such  a  miserable  ex- 
cuse for  this  purpose,  that  only  one  term  of  school  was  taught  in 
it.  James  K.  Scott  was  the  pioneer  preacher,  and  held  the  ser- 
vices in  the  cabins  of  the  settlers.  William  Ryan  and  John 
Montgomery. were  also  early  preachers.  i 

The  first  church  house  was  built  fay  the  Christian  denomina- 
tion in  1856.     It  is  a  plain  frame  building,  and  situated  in  the 
little  hamlet  of  Zabriska,  in  section  22.   The  church  is  yet  stand-   | 
ing  and  in  a  fair  state  of  preservation,  and  the  passer-by  would 


conclude  that  it  was  built  by  the  Catholics,  as  the  cemetery 
grounds  are  situated  in  the  same  lot  close  by  the  church. 

The  first  justice  of  the  peace  elected  was  John  Montgomery, 
Sen.  He  died  only  two  years  ago,  a  citizen  of  the  township, 
and  was  nearly  a  centenarian  at  his  death. 

The  second  justice  was  John  B.  Swearingen,  who  now  resides 
in  Minnesota. 

The  first  post-office  was  established  in  1845,  and  was  kept  by 
Abraham  Swearingen  at  his  private  residence  in  section  15.  In 
1849  it  was  moved  to  the  hamlet  of  Zabriska,  and  subsequently 
to  Wapella. 

The  first  mill  was  built  by  Samuel  Spencer  in  1832,  and 
situated  in  section  22,  on  the  land  now  owned  by  J.  L.  Barrick. 
It  was  a  fair  mill  for  that  day,  and  run  by  a  single  horse,  and 
had  the  capacity  of  grinding  about  twenty-five  bushels  of  corn 
per  day.     The  mill  with  all  its  belongings  disappeared  long  ago. 

The  first  saw-mill  was  located  at  Zabriska,  and  constructed 
by  AVilliara  Rolefson  in  1843.  It  had  a  small  circular  saw,  and 
was  run  by  horse-power.     Nothing  of  it  remains  at  this  time. 

Isam  Harrold  was  the  first  blacksmith,  and  the  shop  was  situ- 
ated on  his  premises  in  sec.  32.  It  was  a  log  cabin  constructed 
for  the  purpose  of  a  shop  in  the  year  1845.  He  then  had  but  a 
meagre  set  of  tools,  just  enough  to  shoe  a  horse  or  mend  a  king- 
bolt. The  shop  is  yet  standing,  and  is  conducted  by  Mr.  Har- 
rold for  his  own  and  his  neighbors'  smithing  purposes. 

At  this  writing  the  township  abounds  in  fine  farms  and  im- 
provements of  all  kinds,  its  inhabitants  not  being  obliged  to 
undergo  a  single  privation  or  hardship  in  order  to  enjoy  the  con- 
veniences of  what  this  day  and  age  afford.  Good,  substantial 
school-houses  are  located  all  through  its  territory,  and  thus  the 
best  advantages  to  obtain  a  common-school  education  are  given 
to  all  alike,  rich  or  poor.  The  roads  and  bridges  are  kept  in  a 
fair  condition,  and  reasonably  passable,  except  in  the  wet  season 
of  the  year.  This  will  be  remedied  in  time  by  the  general  sys- 
tem of  tiling,  which  improvement  is  being  pushed  forward  so 
rapidly.  The  old  State  Highway  passes  through  the  township 
from  north  to  south,  along  which  is  located  one  of  the  telegraph 
lines  of  the  State.  A  novice,  at  a  distance,  would  conclude  that 
it  was  another  line  of  railroad. 

The  following  are  the  supervisors  who  have  represented  the 
township  since  its  organization  : — George  A.  Hume  was  elected 
1859,  and  selected  chairman  of  the  board  for  that  j-ear.  Thomas 
Loer,  elected  in  1860.  Walter  Karr,  elected  in  1861,  served 
one  term.  Thomas  Loer,  re-elected  in  1862,  and  served  until 
1865.  W.  R.  Carle  was  elected  in  1865,  and  served  one  term. 
T.  L.  Grofl',  elected  for  the  year  1866.  W.  R.  Carle,  re-elected 
in  1867.  H  D.  Watson,  elected  in  1868  ;  and  William  Wright 
in  1869.  E.  B.  Harrold  was  elected  in  1870,  and  served  until 
1875.  Jacob  Parlier,  elected  in  1875,  and  served  four  terms. 
F.  L.  Harpster,  elected  in  1881,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

VILLAGE   OF    WAPELLA. 

This  town  was  laid  out  by  David  A.  Neal  in  the  fall  of  1854, 
and  the  first  lots  were  sold  in  the  spring  of  1855.  Neal  was  in 
the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company,  and  was 
then  the  vice-president  of  the  road.  He  it  was  that  gave  it  a 
name,  and  it  was  first  spelled  Wapellah.  The  first  survey  was 
made  by  the  civil  engineer  of  the  railroad  company,  the  then 
county  surveyor  of  De  Witt  being  Alexander  Barnett,  who  simply 
recognized  said  survey  without  certifying  to  it  officially.  For 
this  reason  and  some  little  dispute  with  regard  to  some  of  the 
corners   it  was  again  surveyed  in  1861,  by  Oliver  Lakin,  then 


262 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


county  surveyor.  The  lines,  streets,  and  all  were  left  intact,  no 
change  being  made  from  the  original  platting.  The  following  is 
the  official  description  of  its  boundaries. :  Commencing  at  the 
Dorth-east  corner  of  the  south-east  quarter  of  the  south-east  quar- 
ter of  section  34,  town  21,  range  2  east  the  3rd  principal  meri- 
dian ;  thence  running  west  one-half  mile,  thence  south  one  mile, 
lacking  fifteen  rods ;  thence  east  one-half  mile  ;  thence  north  one 
mile,  lacking  fifteen  rods  to  the  place  of  beginning.  At  onetime, 
soon  after  the  railroad  was  built,  in  1854,  '5,  it  looked  as  though 
Wapella  might  be  the  leading  town  in  De  Witt  county.  The 
Central  Railroad  built  an  immense  brick  hotel  here,  and  located 
the  machine-.shops  and  round-house  at  this  point,  expecting  to 
make  this  the  central  objective  point  between  the  northern  and 
southern  termini  of  the  road.  The  question  of  moving  the  County 
Seat  from  Clinton  to  Wapella  was  mooted  in  1S57,  and  the  bat- 
tle between  the  two  places  wa.xed  warm,  but  the  effort  proved  a 
failure.  In  1879,  another  eflbrt  was  made  to  the  same  end,  but 
proved  abortive  as  before.  In  this  effort  it  was  proposed  to 
change  the  boundaries  of  the  county  Hue,  the  petition  ai-king  for  a 
p  irtion  of  the  southern  part  of  McLean  county  to  be  joined  to 
De  Witt;  thereby  making  Wapella  more  central.  The  machine 
shops  were  subsequently  moved  to  Clinton,  and  the  question  of 
changing  the  county  seat  was  abandoned. 

The  first  to  settle  in  what  is  now  the  village  of  AVapella  was 
Gibson  Coy,  in  the  summer  of  1853,  at  the  time  of  the  grading 
of  the  Central  Railroad.  His  house  was  a  board  shanty,  16x40, 
situated  in  the  middle  of  what  is  now  called  East  and  West  Cen- 
tre street.  The  shanty  had  bunks  arranged  one  above  the  other, 
extending  along  on  either  side  of  the  building,  and  were  filled 
with  straw  for  sleeping  purposes-  Samuel  Rounds  was  the  ar- 
chitect, and  by  trade  a  ma,son  and  bricklayer.  He  afterwards 
made  the  brick  for  the  machine  shops  and  hotel  for  the  Railroad 
Company,  aud  aided  in  their  construction.  The  second  inhab- 
itant was  Philip  Donnigan.  He  built  a  small  shanty  for  a  dwell- 
ing, 12x16,  and  it  was  situated  on  Xorth  Main  street.  This  was 
the  same  year  as  the  above.  Daniel  Thompson  sold  the  first 
goods.  The  store-house  was  a  little  shanty,  and  located  in  the 
lot  now  occupied  by  A.  D.  Metz's  business  house  on  South  First 
street.  This  was  in  the  fall  of  1854.  He  continued  here  in  busi- 
ness until  1878,  when  he  moved  to  Lead  City.  .Mr.  Thompson 
was  also  the  first  postmaster,  and  the  office  was  established  in 
1855.  He  kept  the  mail  matter  in  his  store,  and  every  person 
helped  himself  to  his  own  mail.  The  second  frame  house  con- 
structed in  the  place  was  a  story-and-a-half  building,  18x26,  and 
situated  on  South  First  street.  It  was  built  in  the  fall  of  1854, 
and  utilized  for  a  hotel,  and  kept  liy  A.  J.  Foster.  The  sleep- 
ing rooms  were  in  the  upper  story.  The  beds  were  eight  in  num- 
ber, and  so  closely  packed  together  that  one  could  scarcely  pass 
between  them.  It  was  no  uncommon  occurrence  to  stow  away 
the  guests  with  three  in  a  bed.  At  that  time  it  was  neither  lathed 
nor  plastered.  It  is  yet  standing  and  occupied  by  Isaac  Bolin 
for  a  dwelling.  The  large  brick  hotel  built  by  the  railroad  com- 
pany was  commenced  in  1854,  and  completed  the  following  year 
at  an  expense  of  about  §20,000.  It  is  now  utilized  by  the  com- 
pany for  a  general  freight-house  and  ticket-office. 

William  Ciraves  was  the  first  blacksmith  in  the  town.  His 
shop  was  a  board  shanty,  and  situated  on  Locust  street,  between 
South  First  aud  South  Second  streets.  This  was  in  1854.  The 
shop  was  torn  away  long  ago. 

The  first  brick  edifice  constructed,  except  the  railroad  buildings, 
was  built  by  John.son  and  Rigg  for  a  store-house  in  1855.  It  is 
situated  on  the  corner  of  North  First  and  Oak  streets,  and  is  now 


occupied  by  J.  il.  Green  for  a  grocery,  boot  and  shoe  store. 
Father  O'Harry  held  the  first  church  services  in  1854,  in  the 
shanty  of  Philip  Donnigan.  Dr.  John  Wright  was  the  first  to 
practice  medicine,  about  the  same  year  as  the  above.  He  then 
lived  with  Joseph  Spencer,  a  mile  north  of  town.  The  first 
teacher  was  J.  C.  House,  who  taught  in  the  summer  of  1857. 
The  school-house  was  a  board  shanty,  16x20  feet,  and  situated  in 
lot  5,  block  7,  corner  of  Locust  and  North  First  streets.  It  was 
built  by  Lewis  Celeskia,  and  is  yet  standing.  It  was  last  used 
for  a  barber-shop  on  Locust  street.  Gibson  Coy  was  the  first 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  in  1856.  He  soon  afterwards  re- 
signed, and  Thomas  Loer  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy.  The 
first  church  building  was  constructed  by  the  M.  E.  Church  in 
1858,  and  located  on  the  corner  of  Locust  and  South  Third  streets. 
It  is  a  frame  building,  35x45  feet  iu  size,  and  cost  about  81,500. 
It  has  a  cupoli  aud  bell,  and  is  still  in  good  condition  for  hold- 
ing church  services-  The  town  now  contains  three  other  churches 
— Catholic,  Christian,  and  Presbyterian, — -a  full  history  of  which 
will  be  found  in  the  Ecclesiastical  chapter.  The  first  fruit  tree 
and  the  first  fence-post  was  set  by  J.  D.  Metz  in  1855.  The 
latter  was  placed  at  the  corner  of  South  First  aud  Locust  streets. 
It  was  removed  only  two  years  ago. 

Incui-poi-dtiim. — The  preliminary  meeting  for  incorporating  the 
town  was  held  on  the  9th  of  February,  1867-  Daniel  Thompson 
was  chosen  president  of  the  meeting,  and  F-  M.  Vanlue,  secretary. 
A  vote  being  taken  for  and  against  incorporating,  resulted  in  37 
ayes  and  17  uays.  The  first  election  for  officers  was  held  on  the 
16th  of  February  following.  Daniel  Thompson,  T.  Green,  E. 
Swift,  F.  M.  Vanlue,  and  J-  D-  Metz  were  elected  trustees.  At 
the  meeting  of  the  board,  Daniel  Thompson  was  chosen  presi- 
dent, and  F.  M.  Vanlue  secretary,  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  present  village  officers  are,  President,  W-  R.  Carle;  other 
members  of  the  board,  (}.  R.  Davis,  H.  B.  Ives,  A.  H.  Lighthall, 
James  Buttcrworth  and  A-  D-  Metz.  Village  Clerk,  Edward 
Norvell. 

The  town  now  comprises  about  400  inhabitants,  principally  of 
American  aud  Irish  nationality.  It  is  strictly  a  temperance 
town,  and  it  is  said  by  the  inhabitants  that  it  is  prospering  under 
this  regime,  there  not  having  been  an  inmate  of  the  calaboose 
for  more  than  two  years,  and  business  being  good  for  a  country 
town-  It  has  had  its  ups  and  downs  in  various  ways,  by  first 
losing  the  hope  of  making  it  at  some  time  the  future  county  seat, 
and  subsequently  the  removal  of  the  machine  shops  and  round 
house  of  the  Central  Railroad.  In  the  winter  of  1867,  the 
smallpox  prevailed  in  the  town  to  an  alarming  extent.  It  is  said 
that  there  were  not  less  than  a  hundred  cases  of  this  dread  dis- 
ease and  varioloid,  only  five  of  which,  however,  proved  fatal. 
And  yet  with  all  its  drawbacks,  it  is  a  growing  and  thrifty  little 
village,  with  fair  side-walks,  business  houses  and  other  improve- 
ments to  make  it  a  pleasant  place  in  which  to  reside. 

I'RE-SENT    lU'SINESS,    ETC. 

Girle  &  ISatterwortli's  Warehouse. — This  is  one  of  the  largest 
grain  houses  in  the  county,  and  is  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the 
railroad  and  south  of  south  First  street-  The  building  is  a  brick, 
and  was  formerly  used  by  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company 
for  their  car  shops.  It  is  two  stories,  and  41x160  feet  in  size. 
It  contains  5  dumps  and  a  storing  capacity  of  50,000  bushels  of 
grain,  besides  cribs  sufficient  to  contain  25,000  bushels  of  corn. 
The  dumps  including  approaches  are  320  feet  in  length.  This 
firm  is  composed  of  experienced  grain  dealers,  and  was  estab- 
lished August  1st,  1881- 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


263 


Warehouse  of  E.  Kent  &  Co.,  is  located  just  west  of  the  rail- 
road and  north  of  south  First  street.  The  business  was  estab- 
lished in  1877,  and  the  building  of  the  firm  is  leased  from  the 
Central  Railway  Company.  It  was  originally  a  part  of  the  car 
shops  of  the  company,  and  is  a  brick  building,  32  feet  high,  and 
40x100  feet  on  the  ground.  It  contains  three  dumps,  and  a 
capacity  of  storing  2.^,000  bushels  of  grain ;  also,  400  feet  of 
cribs  which  will  hold  20,000  bushels  of  corn. 

Corn  Grist  Mill,  owned  and  operated  by  A.  A.  &  W.  Alexan- 
der. This  was  the  first  and  only  enterprise  of  the  kind  estab- 
lished in  the  town.  It  was  built  in  1875,  and  is  situated  west  of 
the  railroad  track  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town.  The  building 
is  a  frame,  one  story,  and  22x84  feet  in  size.  It  has  an  engine 
power  of  2.5  horses,  and  has  the  capacity  of  grinding  1.50  bushels 
of  meal  daily.  Three  men  are  given  employment,  The  proprie- 
tors propose  to  enlarge  their  mill,  and  make  many  new  improve- 
ments, suitable  to  a  first-class  flouring  mill. 

A  tile  factory  and  saw  mill  are  also  situated  about  two  miles 
north  of  the  village  near  the  Central  Railroad.  The  former  is 
owned  and  conducted  by  Karr  &  Downing,  the  latter  by  John 
Marker.     The  engine  of  the  tile  works  also  runs  the  saw  mill. 

The  present  school-house  was  built  in  1868,  at  a  cost  of  S7,000 
including  furniture  and  ground.  It  is  a  neat  frame  building, 
two  stories  high,  and  34x50  feet  on  the  ground.  It  also  contains 
an  L  14x18  feet,  and  of  the  same  height  as  the  main  building. 
Three  teachers  are  employed,  and  therefore  the  school  is  fairly 
graded.  The  house  has  a  cupola  and  bell,  and  is  surrounded  by 
one  acre  of  ground.  Maximum  attendance  150  pupils.  Carle's 
Hall  is  situated  in  the  building  over  the  store-room  of  A.  .1. 
Latimer.  The  hall  is  22x48  feet,  and  is  conveniently  seated  with 
chairs,  and  can  accommodate  an  audience  of  100  persons.  It 
has  a  stage  10x22  feet. 

General  Merchandise. — A.  J.  Latimer,  C.  C  Smith,  S.  E.  Gov. 

Groceries,  Provisions,  Etc. — E.  F.  Turner. 

Drmjriists.—F.  L.  Harpster,  T.  W.  Davis. 
Groceries,  Hardware,  Etc. — A.  D.  Metz. 

Groceries,  Boots  and  Shoes. — James  M-  Green. 

Groceries  and  Conjeetionery. — J.  H.  Lighthall. 

Milliner;/  and  JS^otions. — Mrs.  M.  M.  Gossard. 

Physicians.— r.  W.  Davis  &  Son,  J.  H.  Potter. 

jyressmaker. — Miss  Ida  Blossom. 

Meat  Market. — Clark  &  Bolin. 


Pjxfmisfrcss.     Mrs.  R.  Nelson. 
Barber.— E.  F.  Turner. 
Bakery. — Mrs.  Julia  Comboy. 
Undertaker.— A.  D.  :\Ietz. 
General  Trader.— W.  R.  Carle. 

Blacksmiths. — Scott  Roberts,  William  R.  Rogers,  Dennis 
Ryan. 

Carpenter  and  Wagon  maker. — W.  A.  Hickman. 

Waffon  makers. — A.  C.  Karr  &  Son. 

Contractor  and  Builder. — James  W.  Karr. 

Pla.itcrers  and  Bricklayers. — Robert  Dunbar,  James  AIsop. 

Weaver. — Mrs.  A.  C  Karr. 

Shoemaker. — Thomas  Folev. 

Telegraph  Operator.— E.  j.  Caddy. 

.Tu.sfice. — Edward  Norvell. 

Tailor.— T).  D.  Dunseth. 

/Stock  Dealers. — J.  K.  Davis  &  Sons,  Nicholas  Foley. 

Coal  Dealer. — Joshua  Carle. 

Hotel.— S.  S.  Cone. 

SOCIETY. 

Fore.it  Lodge,  No.  255,  I.  O.  0.  F.  was  chartered  October  15, 
1858.  The  charter  members  were,  I.  N.  Frost,  W.  T.  Sherr, 
George  Harrington,  William  Green,  and  Lewis  Carey.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  present  officers  :  I.  S.  Swearingen,  N.  G. ;  C.  W. 
Short,  V.  G.  ;  E.  J.  Caddy,  Seo: ;  A.  A.  Alexander,  Treas.  ;  E. 
J.  Caddy,  "  Rep."  Present  membership  35.  The  Lodge  meets 
in  Woy's  Hall  every  Saturday  night.  The  Lodge  financially 
is  in  a  good  condition,  having  monevs,  notes,  and  property  valued 
at  SI  ,000. 

The  little  hamlet  of  Zabriska  is  situated  on  the  old  state  road 
three  miles  north  of  Wapella,  and  from  its  general  appearance 
would  strike  the  observer  as  having  its  origin  as  early  as  1800  ; 
but  this  is  a  mistake,  as  it  dates  back  only  to  about  1850.  A 
mill  was  erected  here  at  this  time,  and  as  it  was  situated  on  the 
public  thoroughfare  of  the  township  (there  then  being  no  rail- 
road) a  nucleus  was  formed,  which  under  favorable  circumstances 
would  have  finally  developed  into  a  town.  The  hamlet  now 
contains  seven  houses  with  a  population  of  about  thirty  inhabi- 
tants, and  is  one  of  the  landmarks  peculiar  to  the  state  road  of 
ye  olden  times,  prior  to  the  screeching  of  the  iron  horse  through 
the  prairies  of  central  Illinois. 


BIOGRAPHECAL    SKETCHES. 


The  world  loves  to  honor  those  who  through  their  own  exer- 
tions and  by  virtue  of  native  ability  acquire  enviable  positions 
in  life.  Success  is  largely  measured  by  one's  acquisition  of  pro- 
perty, and  he  who  begins  in  poverty  and  unaided  works  his  way 
to  wealth,  is  looked  upon  as  successful  in  life.  To  this  class 
belongs  William  R.  Carle,  who  was  born  in  Wellsburg,  West 
Virginia,  INIarch  24th,  1832.  His  parents  were  John  Carle  and 
Rebecca  Carle,  (nee  Miller)  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  His 
grandfather,  Ephraim  P.  Carle,  who  lived  in  New  Jersey,  was  a 
Hollander,  his  wife,  Nancy  Clark,  was  of  .Scotch  origin.  AVil- 
liam  R.,  was  the  eighth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  nine 
children.  His  father  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  but  forsook  its 
following  for  the  more  lucrative  business  of  manufacturing 
cotton  cloth.  He  erected  a  factory  in  Williamsburg,  and  in 
company  with  others  opened  a  store  in  connection  therewith.  In 
1857  the  company  failed,  so  that  William,  whose  advantages  had 
been  good  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge  found  himself  con- 
fronting a  cold  world,  jienniless.  Although  poor  in  means  he 
was  rich  in  energy,  in  tact  and  talent.  He  left  his  native  home 
for  the  west ;  reaching  St.  Louis  he  found  cholera  reaping  its 
harvest  of  death,  and  so  made  his  way  north-ward  to  Blooming- 
tou.  Here  he  took  charge  of  a  public  school  just  outside  the 
limits  of  the  city.  For  this  work  his  attainments,  commanding 
presence  and  excellent  judgment  well  fitted  him.  His  success  is 
attested  by  many  patrons,  and  further  by  the  fact  that  his  ser- 
vices were  in  demand.  He  taught  in  Major's  Grove  without 
interruption,  summer  and  winter  for  three  years,  when  having 
saved  some  means  he  formed  a  co-partnership  with  David  S. 
Hord,  in  the  grain  business.  The  new  firm  bought  a  warehouse 
just  being  constructed,  and  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  it  by  fire 
when  it  was  ready  for  occupancy.  With  commendable  energy 
they  built  upon  its  ruins  and  within  thirty  days  were  in  occujja- 
tion.  In  18.59  he  disposed  of  his  interest  to  his  partner.  As 
indicative  of  the  fact  that  his  a  b  c  in  the  grain  trade  was  dearly 
bought  experience,  he  found  himself  barely  square  with  the 
world  financially  ujjon  closing  out  his  share  in  the  business.  In 
April,  1859,  he  formed  a  co-partnership  with  Sabin  Taylor,  to 
prosecute  the  grain  trade  in  Clinton,  which  they  did  in  the  place 


now  occupied  by  Emmett  Kent.  Disposed  of  his  interest  in 
July,  and  in  August  located  in  Wapella,  where  he  worked  for 
an  old  Englishman  named  Dixon,  for  $1.25  per  day.  At  the 
expiration  of  two  months  service  Dixon  proposed  a  partnership 
if  he  would  raise  one  hundred  dollars.  He  at  once  went  to 
Bloomington,  where  he  was  well  known,  and  borrowed  the 
amount  on  thirty  days  time.  This  business  move,  proved  emi- 
nently successful  and  through  its  means  was  laid  the  foundation 
of  a  competency  enjoyed  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mr. 
Carle  continued  in  the  grain  trade  until  the  fall  of  1862,  when 
he  disposed  of  it  to  E.  Kent  &  Co.,  and  bought  a  stock  of  gen- 
eral merchandise.  In  the  dry  goods  trade  he  continued  until 
1865,  when  he  again  entered  the  grain  trade,  combining  with  it, 
dealing  in  lumber,  this  time  in  connection  with  E.  B.  Harrold. 
This  arrangement  was  continued  a  year  when  he  pursued  the 
business  alone  until  1869,  when  he  went  to  California  on  account 
of  failing  health,  returned  after  a  single  seasons  [sojourn  in  the 
Golden  State,  and  resumed  the  general  merchandise  business 
here.  In  the  fall  of  1870,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  27th 
General  Assembly,  by  a  majority  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
votes.  As  a  member,  the  same  business  tact,  integrity  acd 
'  earnestness  that  have  ever  followed  him  through  life,  gave  him  a 
reputation  as  an  able  legislator.  The  same  year,  1870,  he  was 
elected  President  of  the  Clinton  National  Bank,  a  position  he 
held  for  three  years.  Mr.  Carle  has  continued  in  the  grain 
trade  since  his  return  from  his  California  trip,  and  also  for  part 
of  the  time  in  general  merchandising.  Politically  Mr.  Carle  is 
an  active  outspoken  Democrat,  as  undeviating  in  his  devotion  as 
the  needle  to  the  pole.  In  religion  he  is  just  as  firm  and  faithful 
to  the  Disciple's  faith,  contending  earnestly  for  the  restoration  of 
the  primitive  order  of  things.  Possessed  of  rare  social  qualities, 
unquestioned  integrity  of  character,  he  enjoys  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  hosts  of  friends.  His  tall,  athletic  figure,  being  six 
feet  four  inches  in  height,  and  proportionally  built,  commands 
attention  among  his  fellows.  His  business  career,  so  uniformly 
successful  since  he  gained  his'  first  foothold  in  1869,  calls  for 
admiration  and  emulation. 

265 


^-^^  ^^ 


^^.^LJ 


Was  born  October  27th,  1827,  in  Seneca  County,  Ohio.  His 
parents  were  John  and  Hannali  Davis,  (nee  Kashner).  His 
father,  a  farmer,  was  born  in  Maryland.  His  grandfather,  a 
A^'elsbman,  ran  off  from  home,  took  to  the  sea  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  and  came  to  America  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war, 
in  which  he  took  part  as  a  cavalry  man.  The  military  spirit  was 
transmitted  to  the  son,  who  bore  his  part  in  the  war  of  1812.  In 
1849,  John  Davis  came  to  his  death  by  falling  from  a  load  of 
hay.  In  1859,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Illinois  and 
located  in  Wapella,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Until  nineteen 
years  of  age  he  worked  on  a  farm,  when  he  went  to  black- 
smithing,  which  avocation  he  followed  for  six  years,  during 
which  time  he  husbanded  his  means  with  a  view  to  attending 
Medical  Lectures,  which  he  did  in  the  Western  Reserve  INIedical 
College,   in   Cleveland,   Ohio,   and   from    which   institution    he 


graduated  in  1857.  For  two  years  before  coming  west,  he  prac- 
ticed his  profession  in  Nevada.  He  is  a  member  of  the  County, 
District  and  State  Medical  Societies,  and  takes  high  rank  among 
physicians.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Patterson,  August  17th 
1856,  by  whom  he  has  three  children  living,  namely  :  Hippocrates. 
Veselius  and  Bursilia.  Politically  the  doctor  is  an  ardent  Repub 
licau,  a  natural  outgrowth  of  the  Whig  principles  impressed  upon 
him  in  early  life.  His  second  presidential  ballot  was  cast  for 
John  P.  Hale,  who  was  nominated  as  a  Free  Soiler  Candidate. 
In  religion  he  holds  to  the  Universalist  faith.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic,  Odd  Fellows'  and  Good  Templar  orders.  A 
skilled  and  careful  physician  ;  an  earnest,  thoughtful  man ;  u 
kind  and  indulgent  father;  a  whole-souled  neighbor  and  frieml, 
Dr.  Davis  is  an  honor  to  his  profession. 


267 


^^^^-'U^-z/tt, 


A  farmer,  living  in  an  elegant  home,  a  view  of  which  axioms 
this  work  was  born  November  27th,  1836,  in  Senaca  county 
Ohio.  His  parents  were  Isaac  Greer  and  Alice  Ann  Watson, 
nee  Doan.  They  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Their  ancestors 
in  turn  were  of  Scotch  origin.  Isaac  G.  Watson  was  a  farmer 
and  tanner.  Hugh  D.  Watson  was  his  second  child,  the  older 
brother  being  William,  had  a  sister  Mary.  In  boyhood  Hugh 
obtained  a  fair  common  school  education  which  was  added  to  by 
attendance  for  a  year  at  an  academy  at  Republic,  Ohio.  He 
came  to  De  Witt  county  Illinois,  in  1865.  He  was  married  to 
Eveline  Stevens,  March  28th,  1861,  by  whom  lie  has  six  chil- 
dren.    His  wife  is  a  daughter  of  Colonel  James  X.  Stevens,  a 


very  prominent  citizen  of  Seneca  county,  Ohio,  who  was  born  in 
New  Jersey :  served  as  colonel  of  the  -SSth  Regiment,  Ohio  Vol- 
unteer Infantry  and  has  always  taken  a  leading  part  in  politics 
in  his  vicinity.  Mr.  Watson  is  an  unswerving  Republican  in 
politics,  who  points  with  pride  to  his  first  vote  having  been  given 
for  Abraham  Lincoln  for  the  Presidency.  He  and  his  most  estima- 
ble wife  are  earnest  working  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Their  family  is  a  most  interesting  one,  and  the  advancement  of 
their  children's  happiness  seems  to  be  their  chief  concern. 
Everything  calculated  to  make  home  life  happy  is  availed  of  by 
Mr.  AVatsou  and  wife. 


^a^^>^^     ^<^VL^^^ 


(Deceased.) 


Whose  portrait  appears  on  this  page  was  boru  in  North  Carolina 
October  8th,  1812.  He  was  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Kebecca 
Harrold  to  whom  were  born  nine  children,  namely,  Ab-alom,  Jon- 
athan, James  M.,  Isam,  Mitchell,  Mary,  Naomi,  Eli,  and  Sophro- 
nia.  Of  these  Isam  and  Eli  are  farmers  in  Wapella  Township, 
De  Witt  county.  James  51.,  is  iu  Vernon  county,  Missouri 
Naomi,  now  Mrs.  James  IM.  Fears  lives  in  California  ;  the  other 
five  are  dead.  The  Harrolds  are  of  English  and  Welsh  extrac- 
tion and  were  very  early  settlers  in  America.  Jonathan  Harrold 
Jr.  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  educated  to  farm  pursuits.  When 
he  arrived  at  maturity  he  left  his  native  state  and  located  in 
Indiana  where  he  married  Miss  Abigail  Bishop.  Seven  children 
blessed  this  union.     In  1840  he  came  to  De  Witt  county  where 


he  engaged  in  farming.  His  father  came  here  in''  18.33,  and 
died  iu  1838.  In  1856  he  lost  his  wife  by  death,  and  in  18.59 
was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca  Draper.  By  this  last  union  there 
were  born  five  children.  In  1869  Mr.  Harrold  moved  from 
where  he  first  located  to  Wapella  township  where  he  lived  until 
his  death  which  occurred  October  11th,  1881.  His  wife  survives 
him  and  lives  on  the  old  homestead.  Five  of  his  sons  live  in 
Wapella  township  and  farm  a  large  tract  of  land  in  partnership 
under  the  name  of  E.  B.  Harrold  &  Bros.  They  are  also  exten- 
sively engaged  in  the  cattle  business  in  Texas.  Jonathan  Harrold 
.Jr.  was  a  lover  of  justice  as  between  man  and  man,  was  industri- 
ous and  ambitious  to  excel  in  his  vocation,  and  was  respected  of 

all  who  knew  him. 

271 


Virginia,  the  old  dominion  state  has  contributed  her  full 
share  of  emigrants  to  Illinois.  Especially  was  this  true  when  the 
state  first  attracted  attention.  From  Virginia  originally  came 
the  Harrolds,  and  in  that  state  October  23rd,  1814  was  Isam 
Harrold  born.  His  parents  were  .Jonathan  and  Rebecca  Harrold. 
He  received  a  fair  common  school  education  in  Indiana,  where 
his  parents  lived  for  a  few  years  prior  to  coming  to  Illinois,  which 
they  did  in  the  year  18.33,  locating  in  the  vicinity  of  Waynes- 
ville.  On  the  9th  of  April,  1840,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Lisenby,  the  ceremony  being  performed  by  Squire 


Peter  Crum.  By  this  union  there  have  been  born  seven  children, 
six  of  whom,  Louisa,  Rebecca,  Ruth,  Winfield  S.,  Nancy  and 
Laura  are  living.  His  most  excellent  wife  was  of  that  honored 
pioneer  family  the  Lisenbys, — a  family  whose  influence  has 
ever  been  felt  for  good.  In  politics  Jlr.  Harrold  is  a  Republican. 
In  1S36,  when  he  cast  his  first  ballot  he  voted  the  Whig  ticket, 
and  says  he  has  never  found  cause  to  forsake  the  doctrines  first 
held  by  the  Whigs  and  being  carried  out  by  the  Republicans. 
In  religious  faith  he  is  a  LTniversalist,  whilst  his  wife  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church. 

273 


HARP    TOWNSHIP. 


IHIS  township  in  form  is  a  regular  rectangle, 
having  a  length  of  six  and  a  width  of 
five  and  a  half  miles.  It  embraces  almost  an 
entire  Congressional  township,  containing 
thirty-three  sections  of  land  or  more  accu- 
rately 21,852  acres  In  the  main  it  is  well 
drained ;  the  north  fork  of  Salt  creek  enters  the 
township  on  section  two,  flows  a  general  south- 
westerly course,  leaving  it  on  section  thirty- 
three;  the  south  fork  enters  on  section  thirty-six,  flows  north- 
westerly, then  a  southerly  course  leaving  on  section  thirty-five  : 
King's  branch  enters  on  section  four,  flows  south-westerly,  leaving 
on  section  six.  These  together  with  minor  affluents  drain  the 
township.  More  than  one-third  of  Harp  is  embraced  in  the  tim- 
ber belt,  chiefly  oak,  although  a  variety  of  wood  is  found.  Part 
of  the  surface,  following  the  water  course,  is  rough  and  rugged, 
whilst  much  is  level  prairie.  Artificial  drainage  had  to  be  re- 
sorted to,  especially  in  the  north-western  portion  of  the  township, 
in  order  to  bring  it  to  a  degree  of  perfection  agriculturally.  A 
superior  article  of  tile  clay  has  been  found  on  section  fourteen, 
where  it  is  being  manufactured  into  tile  by  E.  R.  Ross.  Near  it 
has  been  found  clay  well  adapted  to  the  manufacture  of  brick,  as 
is  also  true  of  land  on  section  twenty-seven.  It  is  purely  an  agri 
cultural  township,  there  being  no  village  within  its  limits. 

Early  SelileinenU :  On  section  thirty-two,  far  removed  from 
neighbors,  in  the  deep  solitude  of  a  forest  of  oak,  Solomon  Cross 
erected  an  humble  cabin,  in  the  year  1830.  It  was  16x18  feet 
square,  of  rough,  unhewn  logs.  Its  door  swuug  upon  home-made 
wooden  hinges.  In  each  of  two  corners  were  bedsteads  having 
each  one  leg,  the  walls  of  the  cabin  furnishing  the  necessary  sup- 
port. In  making  a  home  thus  upon  the  out  kirts  of  civilization 
he  had  the  aid  of  two  grown  sons.  Solomon  Jr.  and  Jeflerson. 
This  cabin,  the  first  erected  in  the  township,  was  only  destroyed  in 
1880. 

Almost  simultaneously  with  Cross  came  Jesse  Mulkey  and  his 
brother-in-law,  Baltus  Malone,  who  located  on  section  thirteen. 
The  location  is  known  still  as  Mulkey 's  Point.  Mulkey  was  a 
very  shrewd,  quick-witted  man.  Before  he  ever  embraced  reli- 
gion himself  he  would  preach  to  his  neighbors.  He  was  the 
father  ■  f  ten  children,  five  boys  and  five  girls.  This  large  family 
together  with  that  of  Baltus  Malone,  at  first  occupied  a  single 
cabin  of  medium  size.  Malone  was  a  powerfully  built  man,  and 
a  noted  axe-man.  It  is  said  that  he  split  five  hundred  rails  in  a 
single  day.  With  the  broad  axe  too  he  was  an  adept.  His 
strength  and  ready  command  of  the  axe  gave  him  ao  envied 
reputation  among  the  pioneers  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 
The  first  winter's  occupancy  of  their  cabin  was  that  of  the  mem- 
orable deep  snow.     Provisions  were  scarce.     Mills  inaccessible. 


Wood  difficult  to  procure,  but  the  stout  hearts  of  these  Kentuck- 
ians  braved  it  all.  With  pounded  corn  made  into  bread  and  such 
game  as  they  could  secure  they  passed  the  winter,  their  nearest 
neighbors,  equally  helpless  with  themselves,  seven  miles  distant. 
When  other  pioneers  of  a  later  date  would  complain  of  the  hard- 
ships besetting  them,  Mulkey  and  Malone  would  say  "  it's  nothing, 
you  ought  to  have  been  here  during  the  deep  snow."  After  re- 
maining a  little  more  than  a  year  they  deserted  their  cabin, 
whereupon  Felix  Jones  took  possession.  In  the  fall  following 
he  put  out  the  first  orchard  in  the  township.  Jones  was  an  odd- 
ity ;  his  wife  more  of  one.  He  being  ready  with  axe  and  saw 
aided  in  the  construction  of  most  houses  built  in  the  neighborhood 
— and  neighborhood  implied  all  within  a  radius  of  eight  or  ten 
miles.  Possessed  of  a  restless  spirit  he  aided  his  neighbors  per- 
haps more  than  himself.  Clad  in  homespun  garb,  his  feet  en- 
cased in  shoes  of  his  own  workmanship,  made  of  hog  hide  at  that, 
he  would  break  new  ground  for  a  neighbor,  or  accompanied  by 
his  wife,  would  drive  three  yoke  of  oxen  attached  to  a  sled,  away 
to  the  old  mill  on  Kickapoo  creek  with  his  own  and  neighbors 
grist.  His  wife,  with  linsey  shirts  and  a  leghorn  bonnet — the 
only  one  left  since  the  days  of  the  revolution — described  by  a 
pioneer  as  being  the  size  of  a  buggy  top  surmounting  a  pile  of 
corn  was  a  sight  to  see.  Independent  in  her  peculiar  garb,  glib 
of  tongue,  she  was  one  of  the  marked  characters  of  early  days. 
Once  Felix  reached  the  mill  and  was  told  he  would  have  to  wait 
a  week  for  his  grist  as  so  many  were  in  ahead  of  him,  but  he  was 
prepared  for  just  such  an  emergency,  he  took  the  miller  to  one 
side,  drew  forth  a  jug  of  'agua  miraculous  "  and  asked  the  miller 
to  take  a  "  swig,"  then  another,  and  asked  if  he  couldn't  slip  in 
his  grist  ahead  of  others,  to  which  proposition  the  "  mellowing  " 
miller  affirmatively  responded.  Felix  with  all  his  short-comings 
was  a  most  useful  member  of  society.  Evidences  of  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  tract  selected  by  the  first  settlers,  by  Indians,  are  yet 
shown  to  visitors  on  the  farm  of  J.  W.  McCord.  Mulkey's  Point 
seemed  to  have  been  a  regular  camping  ground  for  them,  a  sta- 
tion as  it  were  out  upon  their  happy  hunting  grounds. 

During  the  same  year  1831,  Isaac  Davidson,  a  Tennesseean, 
commenced  a  settlement  on  section  twenty-five.  Millington 
Brown  and  J.  W.  McCord  broke  five  acres  for  him.  His  new- 
made  home  oft'ered  him  little  of  cheer  as  he  died  in  the  autumn 
of  the  same  year  and  was  buried  near  where  his  cabin  stood  and 
near  to  where  a  camp-meeting  ground  was  opened  subsequently. 
He  was  a  man  of  great  energy,  of  usually  happy  disposition,  and 
was  esteemed  of  all  who  knew  him.  His  was  the  first  burial  in 
the  township.  Its  exact  date  was  not  preserved,  but  it  was  in  the 
month  of  October  1831. 

In  1832  Martin  Dale  having  won  the  affections  of  Mary  Cros  3 
whose  parents  were  opposed  to  her  marrying,  proposed  an  elope- 

275 


276 


HISTOBY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


ment  which  was  carried  into  execution,  so  that  they  became  the 
first  weddeil  couple  in  the  township,  and  the  idea  that  "  love 
laughs  at  locksmiths  "  found  exemplification  in  the  then  wilds  of 
Harp. 

The  second  death  was  that  of  William  Cross,  a  brother  of  Solo- 
mon Cross,  in  October  1831.  He  was  buried  on  section  thirty- 
two,  where  the  old  grave-yard  is  yet  to  be  seen. 

Tyre  Harp  and  Joseph  Harp  located  on  section  twenty-niue  in 

1831.  They  were  from  (Jverton  county,  Tennessee  However, 
prior  to  this,  they  had  lived  for  a  brief  time  near  Waynesville. 
The  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  in  the  house  occupied 
by  Tyre  Harp  in  1836.  The  following  year  Tyre  Harp,  Charles 
Harp,  Pleasant  Smith  and  Dudley  Richards  subscribed  $110  to- 
wards paying  for  a  sis  months  school,  besides  putting  up  a  log 
school-house  16x18  feet  in  dimensions.  Edom  Shugert  who  had 
taught  in  Harp's  house,  took  charge  of  the  school.  The  children 
of  a  few  neighbors  attended,  whose  parents  paid  a  part  of  the  SI  10 
proportioned  to  their  attendance.  Edom  Shugert  was  also  a 
Teunessean.  He  was  a  fair  scholar  for  the  times,  and  apt  to  teach. 
Many  who  are  now  ranked  among  the  old  settlers  were  among  his 
pupils.  The  Harps  have  always  been  prominent  in  this  county, 
as  the  name  of  the  township  in  which  several  of  them  have  lived 
would  indicate. 

Dudley  Richards,  rather  an  eccentric  character,  came  here  in 

1832.  He  was  a  backwoods  preacher,  possessed  of  the  voice  of  a 
Stentor.  He  also  taught  school,  alternating  his  labors  in  the 
school-room  with  farming.  He  has  been  known  to  plow  all 
morning,  leave  his  team  in  the  furrow,  enter  the  school-room, 
call  "  books,"  hear  a  few  classes  and  return  to  his  plowing,  which 
plan  he  would  keep  up  all  day.  For  years  he  was  recognized  as 
a  useful  member  of  society,  but  a  taste  for  ardent  spirits  fastened 
itself  upon  him,  and  his  usefulness  was  thereby  greatly  impaired. 

John  Miller,  called  white-eye  Miller,  one  of  his  eyebrows  being 
white,  but  more  particularly  to  distinguish  him  from  another  of 
he  same  name,  located  on  section  thirty-four.  The  first  season  he 
lived  in  a  tent,  constructed  somewhat  after  the  fashion  of  a  Sibley 
army  tent,  with  poles  as  guys,  however,  instead  of  ropes.  He  de- 
lighted, as  most  pioneers  did,  in  hunting  and  fishing,  indeed  with- 
out these  sports  life  would  have  been  quite  monotonous  and  their 
tables  would  have  been  bare  indeed.  Parched  corn  and  venison 
sustained  life  for  a  month  in  his  family  without  further  change  of 
diet. 

In  1836  G.  B.  L^men  and  family,  Isaac  Swisher  and  family 
and  Rachel  Swisher  and  family  located  where  they  yet  live  in  the 
north-eastern  part  of  the  township.  Isaac  Swisher  had  lived  a 
year  in  Vermillion  county.  The  others  in  seeking  a  western 
home  came  by  his  place  and  induced  him  to  pack  up  and  come 
along.  Together  they  all  brought  thirty  head  of  sheep,  the  first 
brought  to  this  section  of  country,  and  a  most  toothsome  bait 
they  proved  too  for  wolves  ;  ten  head  of  cattle  and  other  stock. 
The  winter  preceding  they  all  remained  in  a  house  owned  by 
John  Dawson  in  old  town  timber.  Here  they  built  separate 
cabins.  Lemen  says  he  had  great  difficulty  in  keeping  out  the  fine 
driving  snow  the  following  winter.  He  actually  put  thirteen 
hundred  clap  boards  averaging  four  feet  in  length  by  five  inches 
in  width  on  a  house  18x20,  and  yet  the  snow  would  gather  on  the 
Hoor  and  bedding  in  drifts.  This  he  obviated  in  the  spring  by 
daubing  inside  and  out  and  boarding  up  the  outside  in  addition. 
The  house  thus  improved,  defied  the  storms  of  many  winters,  fur- 
nishing comfort  to  the  inmates.  During  the  "  sudden  freeze  "  in 
January,  1836,  chickens  in  their  effort  to  reach  a  place  of  safety, 
were  frozen  in  their  tracks,  so  that  Lemen  had  to  use  a  hatchet 


in  extricating  them.  During  the  first  winter  these  families  were 
put  to  the  necessity  of  grinding  buckwheat  in  a  coffee  mill, 
being  unable  to  get  to  any  mill,  and  not  having  corn.  An  im- 
provement on  the  coffee  mill  was  a  hollowed  log,  into  which  grain 
was  put  and  pounded  with  an  iron  wedge  set  in  a  split  hickory 
handle.  Both  Lemen  and  Swisher  are  yet  living,  surrounded  by 
their  children,  now  grown  men  and  women,  in  easy,  if  not  affluent 
circumstances. 

Thomas  Wilson  came  to  this  township  from  Maryland  in  1836. 
He  had  sis  sons,  two  of  whom  yet  live  here.  He  was  a  man  of 
great  enterprise  and  industry.  He  felt  the  need  of  a  saw  mill, 
and  in  1838  erected  one  on  the  north  fork  of  Salt  Creek  on  sec- 
tion two.  In  1840  he  added  a  burr  stone  for  the  grinding  of 
corn.  The  stone  wa.s  one  of  the  prairie  boulders  which  so  exten- 
sively abound  in  parts  of  this  county.  It  answered  an  excellent 
purpose,  and  neighbors  who  had  been  long  dependent  upon  milk 
far  removed,  or  upon  "  pounding"  corn  at  home,  rejoiced  in  the 
enterprise  of  the  projector. 

The  first  land  entries  in  the  township  were  as  follows  : 
April  6,  1831,  John  Norfleet,  entered  W.J,  N.W.I  Sec.  24,  80  ac. 
June  16,1831,  William  Kincaid,  "  240  ac.  "     24. 

July  8, 1831,William  H.Brown,  "    W.J,  S.W.I,      "     13,  80ac. 
Aug.  2,   "ParmeniusSmallwood,"   W.J,  N.W.},     "     33,80" 
July  17,  1833.      T.  Harp,  "  E.-J,  S.W.l,       "      29,  80  " 

April  21,1834,  Gabriel  Watt,      "    N.E.I,  S.E.l     "     24,40" 
Jan.  3,  18.35,  J.  Pue,  "   S.J,  S  E.],         "     ,36,  80  " 

Of  these  the  first  and  only  permanent  settler  was  Tyre  Harp. 
The  next  to  locate  on  land  entered  were  G.  B.  Lemen  and  Isaac 
Swisher. 

Among  the  earliest  camp-meeting  grounds  located  within  the 
limits  of  this  county  was  that  on  section  2.5,  which  was  located  in 
183.'>.  Winding  Clark  was  the  first  person  to  hold  services  in 
this  camp.  Families  from  a  great  distance  came  to  the  grounds, 
and  caused  the  woodlands  to  ring  with  merry  cheer  as  they 
erected  a  village  of  cabins  in  which  to  lodge.  A  platform  was 
constructed  for  the  preachers,  seats  arranged  of  logs  partially 
hewn,  and  camp-meeting  time  was  one  of  good  cheer  and  spiritual 
refreshment.  The  presiding  elder  at  the  time,  Rev.  John  St. 
Clair,  was  also  present  during  part  of  the  time. 

Jefferson  Cross  was  the  first  person  elected  as  justice  of  the 
peace.  Many  of  his  decisions,  it  was  affirmed,  were  more  in 
accordance  with  common  sense  than  law.  He  was  a  man  of  fair 
education,  and  acquitted  himself  well  in  drawing  up  papers  that 
proved  perplexing  to  his  neighbors. 

The  first  school  taught  in  the  Lemen  settlement,  or  in  the 
north  eastern  part  of  the  township,  was  by  John  Dougherty.  The 
second  was  by  a  teacher,  of  whom  his  pupils — several  of  whom 
yet  live  near — declare  he  never  knew  the  difference  between  p 
and  q  or  b  and  d.  He  was  too  lazy  to  engage  in  farming,  and 
thought  to  palm  himself  off  as  a  teacher. 

The  fir.-t  blacksmith  to  locate  here  was  Solomon  Despain,  who 
first  located  in  Waynesville  in  1830,  then  here  in  1837.  He  was 
also  a  Baptist  preacher  after  the  regularly  approved  backs  woods 
style  of  oratory — a  regular  sledge  hammer  in  speech.  Heput  up 
his  smithy  on  land  owned  by  J.  G.  Wright,  ason-in-law  of  Harp. 
Near  Wilson's  mill  a  man  named  Leonard  erected  a  blacksmith's 
shop  in  1860. 

Harp  is  thoroughly  an  agricultural  township,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  three  mills,  a  blacksmith's  shop,  a  tile  and  brickyard, 
and  two  small  groceries,  no  business  industries  are  conducted 
within  its  limits  other  than  farming  and  stock  raising. 

Mills. — North  Fork  Mill  was   built  by  Thomas  Bergen   and 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


211 


James  Harp.  It  is  dow  owned  and  operated  by  Peter  Collins. 
Is  located  on  the  north  fork  of  Salt  Creek  on  section  22.  It  is  a 
water  mill  supplied  with  an  overshot  wheel,  and  a  combined  saw 
and  grist  mill  provided  with  a  small  burrstone  for  grinding  corn. 

Salt  Creek  Valley  Mills,  a  combined  saw  and  grist  mill,  was 
built  by  the  present  owner,  Simeon  Morrison,  in  1862,  at  a  cost 
of  $9,800.  It  is  provided  with  a  turbine  wheel  of  five  feet  in 
diameter,  also  an  Adkiu  wheel  for  running  the  saw.  The  ca- 
pacity of  the  grist  mill  is  60  barrels  per  day ;  of  the  saw  mill  1,500 
feet  per  day.  This  mill  is  supplied  with  excellent  machinery, 
and  is  well  supported.  It  is  on  section  28,  well  located  on  Salt 
Creek,  as  the  name  implies. 

Levi  Griffith  opened  a  grocery  store  on  section  15,  in  1874, 
which  is  well  patronized,  as  is  that  of  J.  W.  Curl  on  section  2, 
and  which  was  first  opened  in  1871  by  Henry  Lucas. 

E  R.  Ross  commenced  the  manufacture  of  tile  on  his  farm, 
section  14,  in  1877.  Thus  far  he  has  manufactured  about 
100,000  tile,  for  which  he  has  found  ready  sale  at  home.  Ad- 
joining the  tile  works  is  a  brick -yard  owned  by  him,  first  opened 
in  1869.  Sale  of  brick,  100,000  per  annum.  The  clay  is  of 
superior  quality. 

The  first  road  cut  through  this  township  was  that  leading  from 
Clinton  to  Marion,  by  Hugh  L.  Davenport.  At  the  time  citizens 
obtained  their  mail  at  Clinton,  which  was  a  decided  improve- 
ment upon  going  to  Bloomington.  Letter  postage  on  mail  from 
Kentucky — the  original  home  of  many  of  their  number — was  25 
cents  per  letter  at  the  time. 

The  Oilman  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad  passes 
through  this  township  from  east  to  west,  entering  on  section  24, 
and  leaving  on  section  30.  As  yet  there  is  no  station  within  the 
limits  of  the  township-  One  is  in  contemplation  on  section  20 
on  land  owned  by  Thomas  Suell ;  a  switch  is  to  be  constructed 


this  winter,  and  doubtless  a  village  will  be  the  result.  Railroad 
bonds  to  the  amount  of  $55,000  were  voted  by  the  people  of  this 
township  in  favor  of  the  above  road,  bearing  date  July  1, 1871, and 
bearing  ten  per  cent,  interest  per  annum.  Much  litigation  has 
grown  out  of  these  bonds,  the  people  refusing  to  honor  them, 
because  of  non-compliance,  on  the  part  of  the  railroad  company, 
with  agreements  made  and  promises  extended.  A  party  named 
Henry  J.  Furber  obtained  judgment  on  the  coupons  held  by 
himself  in  the  United  States  Court  in  January,  1877,  and  man- 
damus to  compel  the  levy  to  pay  off"  the  judgment.  Several  suits 
have  been  commenced  aside  from  this  in  the  local  courts  ;  in  fact 
so  famous  have  the  Harp  township  bonds  become  that  metropol- 
itan papers  in  referring  to  them  do  not  mention  either  the  county 
or  state  but  simply  the  township.  The  population  of  this  town- 
ship in  1860  was  743  ;  in  1870,  1164  ;  and  in  1880,  1077.  The 
following  statistics  from  the  assessor's  books  for  the  last  year 
exhibit  the  agricultural  status  of  this  township :  horses,  499  ; 
neat  cattle,  932;  mules,  39 ;  sheep,  213-  hogs,  2069;  carriages 
and  wagons,  16S ;  sewing  machines,  57 ;  piano,  1  ;  organs,  6. 
Total  value  of  personal  property,  $54,130;  of  lands,  §247,711. 

Supervisors  since  township  organization  have  been  :  James 
Willmore,  elected  1859,  served  two  terms;  G.  B.  L?men,  elected 
1861,  served  two  terms ;  John  P.  Mitchell,  elected  1863;  Isaac 
M'Cuddy,  elected  1864,  served  two  terms ;  .J.  F.  Harrold,  elected 
1866,  served  three  terms  ;  Ross  Mitchell,  elected  1869,  served 
two  terms;  Robert  Walker,  elected  1871,  served  until  1877; 
Charles  Willmore,  elected  1877,  served  until  1881  ;  W.  H.  Cun- 
diff,  present  incumbent,  was  elected  in  1881. 

From  this  township  there  were  in  the  Mexican  war  William 
Harp,  Charles  Harp,  Calvin  Paine,  Isaac  M'Cuddy,  David  Beebe, 
Isaac  Strain,  and  Joshua  Jackson  ;  aad  in  the  Black  Hawk,  J. 
G.  Wright. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


Among  the  pioneers  of  De  Witt  county  few  names  are  more 
highly  respected  than  that  of  the  person  whose  portrait  adorns 
this  page.  George  B.  Lemon  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio, 
Oct.  1st,  1809.  His  parents  were  John  R.  and  Rebecca  Lemen, 
who  were  pioneers  in  the  settlement  of  Ohio  from  the  mother  of 
States,  old  Virginia.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  who  for  years 
was  elected  Judge  of  the  County  Court,  his  style  of  thought  and 
action  fitting  him  for  this  position.  Mr.  G.  B.  Lemen  was  mar- 
ried to  Charity  Swisher,  March  18th,  1830,  in  Clark  county, 
Ohio,  by  the  Rev.  Robert  ^Miller.  The  union  has  been  blessed 
by  the  birth  of  twelve  children,  eleven  of  whom  are  now  living. 
Mrs.  Lemen  died  September  23d,  1843.  On  the  26th  of  May, 
1844,  George  B.  Lemen  was  married  to  Mary  J.  Woods.  The 
Lemens  and  Swishers  came  to  this  county  immediately  before 
the  deep  snow,  and  in  the  Chapter  on  Pioneers,  their  early  life 


here  is  treated  of  Politically,  Mr.  Lemen  is  an  out-and-out  Re- 
publican, to  use  his  own  language.  A  Whig,  in  times  of  whig- 
gery,  his  first  presidential  vote  was  cast  for  Henry  Clay,  whom 
he  has  always  considered  to  be  the  model  politician.  Mr.  Lemen 
voted  the  whig  ticket  when  there  were  but  three  Whig  votes  cast 
in  the  county.  The  unpopularity  of  the  cause  daunted  him  not. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  whose 
welfare  he  takes  great  pride,  also  of  the  Masonic  Order.  In  1837 
he  was  chosen  as  colonel  of  the  militia  of  this  county,  a  position 
he  held  with  distinction  to  himself  until  1848.  The  last  parad- 
ing was  done  when  beating  up  troops  for  the  Mexican  war. 
When  the  war  for  the  Union  broke  out.  Col.  Lemen  cheered  on 
with  voice  and  act  the  boys  in  blue,  and  had  the  honor  of  pre- 
siding at  the  first  meeting  held  in  De  Witt  county  in  the  interest 

of  the  Union  cause. 

279 


'^^^'H^CMa^'^ 


Was  born  iu  Kirtland,  Ohio,  July  6th,  1826.  Ilis  parents  were 
Isaac  and  Philena  Moore.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Blish, 
hence  his  own  given  name.  He  received  a  fair  common-school 
education,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  the  year  1845,  locating  in  De 
Witt  county,  where  his  brother,  C.  H.  Moore,  had  preceded  him 
some  four  years.  His  first  step  was  to  sell  goods  for  Mitchell,  a 
merchant  in  Clinton,  who  was  succeeded  by  Mitchell  anfl  King, 
and  with  whom  Mr.  Moore  remained  until  1860.  For  the  next 
ten  years  he  served  in  the  capacity  of  foreman  on  some  of  his 
brother's  farms.     On  the  21st  of  March,  1851,  he  was  united  in 


marriage  with  Susan  C.  McCuddy,  who  died  November  23d, 
1854.  By  this  union  there  was  one  child,  who  died  near  the  age 
of  fourteen.  On  the  28th  of  October,  1869,  he  married  Martha 
Phillips,  by  whom  he  has  two  children,  a  boy  and  girl,  besides 
two  deceased.  Mr.  Moore  is  independent]  in  politics,  with 
a  decided  leaning  towards  Republicanism,  having  cast  his  first 
presidential  vote  for  John  C.  Fremont,  and  last  for  Gen'l  James 
A.  Garfield.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  a  goodfar- 
mer,  and  worthy  citizen. 


^^-^^z^-^^-^^^ 


Was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  1st,  1823. 
His  parents  were  John  and  Elizabeth  AValker.  His  father  was 
a  tanner  by  trade  and  also  engaged  in  farming.  In  1832  the 
family  moved  to  Ohio.  Robert  had  learned  to  read  and  write 
in  his  native  State,  where  he  had  an  old  Englishman  as  a  teacher. 
In  1850  they  moved  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Sangamon  county. 
Here  they  engaged  in  farming  extensively.  Robert  Walker  was 
married  to  Sarah  Fretz,  November  1st,  1845,  by  whom  he  has 
seven  children  living.   I  In  lS6o  he  came  to  De  Witt  county.    In 


1866  he  was  chosen  Town  Clerk,  and  in  1873  was  elected  County 
Judge,  which  office  he  held  for  four  years.  Politically,  Judge 
Walker  is  a  republican.  In  the  days  of  slavery  he  was  a  prom- 
inent, outspoken  abolitionist.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  of  the 
Presbyterian  faith.  He  is  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance,  and 
has  an  abiding  faith  in  the  ultimate  triumph  of  the  cause  of  Pro- 
hibition. A  farmer  of  more  than  ordinary  ability,  a  gentleman 
of  excellent  social  qualities,  the  judge  is  highly  and  deservedly 
respected. 


DE    A\^ITT    TOWNSHIP. 


__  J^^''  township  deserves  favorable  mention  from 

^  P^^H^^V     ^^^  ^'^'^^  °*'  ^^^°S  aiiong  the  first  portions  of 
~  territory  settled  in  the  county.     Fifty  years 

and  upwards  have  passed  since  the  hardy 
pioneers  commenced  their  labors  toward  pre- 
paring it  for  the  abode  of  man.  To  see  the 
fine  farms  and  improvements,  at  this  time, 
one  could  hardly  believe  that  but  a  half  cen- 
tury has  gone  by  since  its  first  settlement.  De  Witt  township 
contains  about  .37  sections  of  land,  being  in  the  form  of  a  square, 
with  the  exception  of  a  small  portion  cut  off  from  the  southern 
part  of  Santa  Anna  township  and  united  to  the  former  on  the 
south-east.  It  is  situated  in  the  central  eastern  part  of  the  county, 
and  bounded  as  follows:  On  the  north  by  Rutledge  township, 
east  by  Santa  Anna,  south  by  Nison,  and  west  by  Harp.  A  belt 
of  timber  extends  through  the  township  from  the  north-east  to  the 
south-west,  following  the  trend  of  Salt  creek,  and  it  composes 
about  one-fourth  of  the  surftice.  The  prairie  lies  on  either  side 
of  the  timber,  and  is  some  of  the  best  soil  in  the  county.  Salt 
creek  enters  in  the  north-east  of  section  1,  and  flows  south-west 
across  the  township  and  passes  out  in  the  south-west  corner  of 
section  -31.  This  stream  has  numerous  small  branches,  the  most 
prominent  of  which  are  Friend  and  Grove  creeks  emptying  in 
fr)m  the  south-east.  The  Springfield  Division  of  the  Illinois 
Central  railroad  passes  through  it,  entering  in  section  2,  and  pass- 
ing out  on  the  line  between  sections  18  and  19. 

FIR^T   SETTLEMENTS. 

The    first    to     make    his     abode   within    the   limits   of  De 
Witt  township,  was  a  pioneer  preacher  by  the  name  of  Burlison' 
in  the  latter  part  of  1830,  or  the  spring  of  1831,  who  settled  in 
what  is  now  located  as  section  9     The  history  of  whence  he  came 
or  where  he  went  is  a  blank,  either  in  tradition  or  by  the  know- 
ledge of  the  oldest  inhabitants.     In  1832,  he  sold  out  his  "  im-   i 
provement  right  to  James  McCord,  the  history  of  whom  will  be   i 
given  as  one  among  the  pioneers.     J.  J.  McGraw  made  a  claim    ! 
in  the  township  in  the  summer  of  18.30,  and  dug  a  well  on  his    I 
claim.     This  was  on  the  premises  of  what  is  now  owned  by  E.  O. 
Day.     This  was  the  first  well  dug  in  the  township,  and  was  loca- 
ted a  little  north  and  west  of  ilr.  Day's  present  dwelling. 

In  the  spring  of  1833,  there  were  but  three  heads  of  families 
within  this  territory  :  Hugh  L.  Davenport,  Thomas  R.  Davis,  and 
James  McCord.  There  were  also  three  single  men,  Orin  Wake- 
field, Millington  Brown,  and  James  Morrison,  the  latter  being  a 
widower.  Mr.  Davenport  came  from  Kentucky  in  the  summer 
of  1831,  and  settled  in  section  19.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was 
Juanna  Watt.  He  remained  here  until  a  few  years  ago,  when  he 
moved  into  Harp  township.     Mr.  Davenport  is  now  dead,  but 


several  of  the  children  yet  reside  in  the  county.  Thomas  R.  Davis 
came  in  the  same  year  as  Mr.  Davenport,  and  settled  in  the  same 
section.  He  also  came  from  Kentucky,  and  had  a  wife  and  one 
cliild.  He  lived  here  but  a  short  time,  when  he  removed  to  parts 
unknown. 

James  McCord  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  settled  in 
section  9  in  the  fall  of  1832,  buying  the  improvement  right 
of  the  pioneer  preacher,  Burlison.  Mr.  McCord  brought  his  fam- 
ily here  with  two  teams,  a  horse  and  an  ox  team.  His  family 
consisted  of  his  wife  Mary,  and  four  children,  Martha  S.,  John, 
Hannah,  and  William  Y.  Other  children  were  born  to  the  family 
after  coming  to  the  county.  Jlr.  McCord  died  here  in  18.52. 
His  wife  survived  him  but  six  years.  Only  one  of  the  children, 
James  W.  is  now  residing  in  the  county. 

Millington  Brown  afterwards  married  Miss  Eliza  Nott,  and 
raised  a  family  of  children.  He  moved  with  his  family  to 
Rutledge  township  in  1838,  where  he  died.  His  widow  after- 
wards married  again,  but  has  since  died.  James  Morrison  came 
from  Ohio,  and  squatted  in  section  19.  He  died  several  years 
ago.  Two  of  his  sons  are  yet  living  in  the  county,  John  and 
Simeon.  The  former  is  a  prominent  citizen  in  Tunbridge  town- 
ship, and  the  latter  of  Harp. 

Orin  Wakefield  was  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  Jeffer- 
son county,  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  enter  land  in  this  township, 
being  the  west  half  of  the  south-east  quarter  of  section  17.  This 
entry  was  made  the  28th  of  May,  1833.  As  already  stated,  when 
he  came  here,  he  was  a  single  man, but  soon  commenced  improving 
the  laud  he  had  entered,  "  batching  "  it  for  a  few  years.  In  183(3, 
he  married  Hannah  McCord,  a  daughter  of  James  McCord,  the 
pioneer.  From  this  union  eight  children  were  born,  Susan,  Mary, 
George  W.,  Melancthon,  Bandusia,  Hepheston,  Philetus,  and 
Lycurgus.  In  1S56,  Mr.  Wakefield  had  the  misfortune  to  lose 
his  wife.  He  was  again  married  to  Susan  N.  Howard,  in  1858, 
from  which  marriage  no  children  have  been  born.  Both  are  now 
living  in  the  old  homestead  in  section  17,  and  enjoying  a  happy 
old  age.  But  one  child  is  now  living  in  the  county,  a  son,  who 
resides  in  Waynesville.  Mr.  Wakefield  owns  a  large  farm  near 
the  village  of  De  Witt,  and  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  farmers 
in  the  township.  He  is  the  oldest  pioneer  citizen  in  De  Witt 
township,  and  is  now  73  years  of  age.  The  county  at  the  time 
Mr.  Wakefield  settled  in  it  was  wild  and  uncultivated,  nothing 
but  a  vast  expanse  of  prairie,  with  good  timber  huggiug  Salt 
creek.  Neighbors  were  but  few  and  widely  scattered.  A  cabin 
of  settlers,  miles  away,  were  then  acquaintances  and  warm-hearted 
neighbors.  At  this  time  no  one  passed  a  log  hut  without  calling 
to  see  if  all  were  well,  and  in  ease  of  sickness,  members  of  the 
family  were  better  cared  for  than  in  this  day  of  selfishness.  Often 
the  settlers  would  go  ten  or  twelve  miles  to  aid  the  new  comers 

285 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COU^'TY,  IILINOIS. 


to  raise  their  cabins.  The  fellnwshiii  of  these  pioneers  is  wholly 
unknown  to  the  present  generation.  The  manner  of  preparing 
the  mortar  to  daub  their  cabins  was  unique  indeed.  This  was 
done  by  digging  up  a  quantity  of  clay  and  covering  over  with 
prairie  grass-  A  lot  of  shelled  corn  was  then  scattered  over  all, 
and  enough  water  poured  on  to  make  it  a  proper  consistency. 
The  hogs  were  then  turned  in,  and  in  their  eiforts  to  pick  up  the 
corn,  the  clay  and  grass  would  become  well  mixed  and  in  good 
shape  for  use. 

In  the  fell  of  1 833,  and  spring  of  1834,  there  was  quite  an  influx 
of  immigration,  among  whom  were  Benjamin  S.  Day,  the  McOords, 
Z.  G.  Cantrall,  and  James  Hutchison.  The  former  was  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  and  moved  here  with  his  family  in  the  spring  of 
1834,  and  settled  in  section  19.  His  famil}'  consisted  of  his  wife 
and  six  children,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Edward  O.,  Rebecca,  H.  T., 
and  Caroline.  Mr.  Day  laid  off  the  town  of  Marion,  (De  Witt) 
improved  a  good  farm,  and  died  in  184.5.  His  wife  survived  him 
but  a  few  years.  Four  of  the  family  are  yet  living  in  the  county. 
The  McCords  and  Z.  G.  Cantrall,  came  the  same  year,  and  set- 
tled in  the  same  section,  19.  The  latter  remained  but  a  short 
time.  Several  of  the  former  families  are  yet  living  in  the  county. 
James  Hutchison  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  moved  from  there 
to  Kentucky  in  an  early  day,  and  from  thence  to  Sangamon 
county,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  182S.  In  1833  he  moved  to  Waynes- 
ville,  where  he  remained  two  years,  when  he  came  to  this  town- 
ship. At  this  time  he  had  a  wife  and  six  children.  His  wife's 
name  was  Mary.  The  children  were,  William,  JIary  J.,  Eliza- 
beth, Martha  A  ,  Amanda,  and  James  H.  Mr.  Hutchison  lived 
until  the  summer  of  184-5.  His  wife  died  in  ISGl.  But  two  of 
the  family  are  now  living,  and  reside  in  De  Witt ;  Elizabeth,  wii'e 
of  D.  F.  Robins,  and  Amanda. 

Hiram  Chapin,  another  early  settler,  was  a  native  of  Korth 
Carolina,  and  emigrated  to  Tennessee,  and  from  tlience  to  Ken- 
tucky. In  the  latter  state  he  married  Martha  Day,  a  sister  of 
Benjamin  S.  Day,  the  pioneer.  In  1819  he  moved  to  Madison 
County,  Illinois,  and  from  there  to  near  Waynesville  in  1829, 
where  he  remained  until  183-5,  when  he  came  to  this  township. 
He  had  a  wife  and  five  children,  John  D.,  Stillmau  A.,  George 
D.,  Abraham  D.,  and  Martha  A.  He  afterwards  removed  to 
McLean  County,  where  he  died  in  the  fall  of  1871.  Stillman 
A.  is  the  only  member  of  the  family  living  in  the  county.  He 
resides  in  the  village  of  De  Witt,  an  old  and  respected  citizen. 
Daniel  Robins  settled  here  in  the  fall  of  183.5,  and  located  in 
section  19.  He  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  moved  here  with 
a  carriage  and  a  four-horse  wagon,  bringing  with  him  seven 
children,  Martha,  Jane,  D.  F.,  Adolphus  C,  Amanda  C,  Ann 
Eliza,  and  Mary.  He  was  then  a  widower.  They  first  moved 
into  the  log  kitchen  of  Hiram  Chapin.  Mr.  Robins  was  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  in  the  town  of  Marion,  now  De  AVitt, 
and  afterwards  moved  to  Clinton,  where  he  followed  the  same 
pursuit  and  died  in  1870.  D.  F.  Robins  is  the  only  one  of  the 
family  now  living  in  the  county.  He  resides  in  the  village  of  De 
Witt,  and  has  reared  a  fiimilj'-of  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are 
living  in  the  county.  John  Callison  came  from  Kentucky  in  a 
very  early  day,  and  settled  in  section  17.  At  the  time  of  his 
coming  he  was  a  young  man  with  a  wife  but  no  children.  Seve- 
ral children  were  born  to  them  after  coming  to  the  county,  three 
of  whom  are  residing  in  the  county.  Benjamin  is  living  in  sec- 
tion 18,  and  is  a  succe-ssful  farmer.  The  old  gentleman,  John, 
and  his  wife,  Elizabeth,  are  yet  living  at  the  old  homestead  in 
section  17,  and  among  the  most  esteemed  citizens.  Jacob  Swi- 
gart,  one  of  the  old  settlers  and  staunch  men  of  the  county. 


was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  came  here  in  1847.  He  was  then 
a  single  man,  but  afterwards  married  in  the  county.  His 
residence  is  in  section  14,  and  he  owns  2,300  acres  of  land, 
and  is  one  of  the  largest  stock  raisers  in  De  Witt  County. 
He  has  served  in  all  six  years  as  township  supervisor,  and  is 
the  present  incumbent. 

The  following  are  the  first  land  entries  made  in  the  township, 
and  reaching  to  1835 :  February  15,  1833,  James  McCord  en- 
teredtheW.  JoftheN.  W.  i  of  section  15.  John  McCord  entered 
the  W.J  of  the  S.  E.  i  of  section  6,  February  IS,  1833.  At  the 
same  date  Thomas  R.  Davis  entered  the  S.  W.  i  of  the  N.  E.  J  of 
section  19,  May  28, 1833.  Orin  Wakefield  entered  the  W.  3  of  the 
S.  E.  k  of  section  17.  In  the  same  year,  December  31,  Z.  G.  Can- 
trail  entered  the  E.  5  of  the  S.  E.  i  of  section  19.  March  17, 1834, 
Millington  Brown  entered  the  E.  J  of  the  S.  E.  i  of  section  10.  lu 
the  same  year  and  in  the  same  section,  Martha  S.  McCord  en- 
tered the  W.  ■'  of  the  S.  E.  1.  At  the  same  date  Hannah  McCord 
entered  the  E.  1  of  the  N.  E.  \  of  section  14.  Benjamin  S.  Day 
entered  the  S.  E.  i  of  the  N.  E.  J  of  section  19,  April  21,  1834. 

The  first  marriage  occurred  in  1834.  The  contracting  parties 
were  Sylvanus  Shurtleff  and  Elizabeth  Day,  daughter  of  Benja- 
min S.  Day.  The  rites  were  solemnized  by  Gabriel  Watt,  a 
justice  of  the  peace,  and  a  local  preacher  of  the  Methodist  de- 
nomination. The  first  death  was  Mrs.  Morrison,  wife  of  James 
Morrison,  in  1833.  She  was  buried  on  the  land  he  squatted  on 
in  section  19.  The  first  regular  interments  were  made  in  section 
30,  but  this  being  wet  or"  spouty  "  ground,  the  burial  place  was 
afterwards  changed  to  the  present  cemetery  in  section  19. 

The  first  school  was  taught  by  F.  S.  Robins,  in  the  winter  of 
1836.  At  that  time  there  was  no  school-house,  and  the  school 
was  conducted  in  the  kitchen  of  Benjamin  S.  Day.  It  was  a  sub- 
scription school,  and  but  few  pupils  were  in  attendance.  The  first 
school-house  was  built  the  following  year,  and  situated  just  west 
of  Mr.  Chapin's  residence  in  the  village  of  De  Witt.  It  was  a 
little  log  cabin  of  very  meagre  pretensions,  and  characteristic  of 
the  day.  It  passed  away  long  ago.  The  around  on  which  it 
was  situated  is  now  owned  by  Henry  Myers. 

Rev.  Burlison  preached  the  first  sermon  in  the  huts  of  the  few 
pioneers.  This  was  as  early  as  1831-2.  Dudley  Richards  and 
Thomas  Davis  were  also  pioneer  preachers.  The  first  to  practise 
medicine  was  James  A.  Lemen.  Dr.  G.  R.  Morrison  was  also  an 
early  phj-sician.  The  first  blacksmith  was  Ralph  Rosecrans, 
and  his  shop  was  in  the  town  of  Marion,  on  the  south  side  of  the 
square.     This  was  in  1836. 

The  main  part  of  the  early  history  of  De  Witt  townsliip,  so  far 
as  business  is  concerned,  was  confined  to  the  town  of  Marion,  so 
that  was  the  oldest  settled  portion  of  this  territory ;  hence  the  re- 
mainder of  the  early  history  will  be  found  under  the  caption  of 
the  village  of  Marion. 

The  following  are  the  supervisors  who  have  represented  this 
township  since  township  organization :  Edward  O.  Day  was 
elected  the  first  supervisor  in  the  spring  of  J859.  Alexander 
McConkey  was  elected  in  1860,  and  served  two  terms.  Jacob 
Swigart  elected  in  1862.  A.  D,  Chapin  in  1863.  Jacob  Swigart 
was  re-elected  in  1864,  Darius  Cheney  elected  in  1865,  David 
Basserman  elected  in  1866  and  served  two  terms.  Darius  Cheney 
was  re-elected  in  1868.  P.  V.  C  Poole  elected  in  1869,  and 
served  two  terms.  Smith  Fullor  succeeded  him  and  served  one 
terra.  D.  A.  Rosencrans  elected  in  1872  and  served  one  term. 
Jacob  Swigert  re-elected  in  1873  and  served  two  terms.  John 
Marsh  was  elected  in  1875  and  served  two  terms.  D.  A. 
Rosencrans  was   re-elected  in  1877  and  served  one  term.    John 


msvy^  '*,-fe'i 


IIISTOBY  OF  DE   WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


'29,1 


Marsh  re-elected  ill  LSTS.  Jacub  Swigart  re-elected  in  ISTIJ, 
served  one  term.  Charles  Richter  elected  in  1880.  Jacob  Swi- 
gert  re-elected  in  1881,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

The  township  has  a  railroad  indebtedness  in  favor  of  the 
Springfield  Division  of  the  Illinois  Central,  in  the  sum  of 
$40,000.  The  bonds  were  issued  in  1871,  and  made  payable  in 
twenty  years.  They  are  bearing  ten  per  cent,  interest,  but  will 
probably  soon  be  refunded  at  six  per  cent.  The  population  for 
1860,  was  1018;  1870,  1061 ;  and  1880,  1116.  The  roads,  bridges 
and  other  improvements  are  in  excellent  condition,  and  the  town- 
ship bids  fair  to  keep  pace  with  others  in  the  county. 

VILL.iOE    OF     llE    WITT. 

The  town  was  originally  called  Marion,  and  is  one  of  the  oldest 
villages  in  the  county.  Marion  was  laid  out  by  Benjamin  .S. 
Day,  March  7th,  1836,  and  comprised  ten  acres,  being  a  part  of 
the  north-east  quarter  of  section  19,  town  20,  range  4  east.  The 
lots  were  41  i  feet  by  822,  and  the  streets  82 i  feet.  Benjamin 
Austin  was  the  surveyor.  At  a  public  sale  held  in  the  same 
month,  nearly  all  the  lots  were  sold,  ranging  from  five  to  twenty 
dollars  per  lot.  The  following  summer  the  first  election  was 
held  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  S.  Day.  Gabriel  Watt  and 
Flemming  G.  Paine  were  elected  Justices  of  the  Peace,  and 
James  Hutchison  was  elected  Constable.  In  1836,  Daniel  and 
P.  S-  Bobbins  opened  the  first  store  in  the  precinct.  It  was  situ- 
ated about  200  yards  south  of  the  square.  The  building  was  a 
hewed  log  house,  of  small  dimensions,  and  the  stock  was  such  as 
was  kept  in  those  days  in  a  country  store.  The  building  was 
taken  down  and  moved  away  many  years  ago,  and  was  afterwards 
utilized  by  Mr.  Benjamin  Day  for  a  dwelling.  The  first  dwell- 
ing was  constructed  by  F.  S.  Robins,  in  the  fall  of  1835.  It  was 
a  log  cabin,  and  situated  on  the  property  now  owned  by  D.  F. 
Robins,  a  little  south  of  the  square.  It  is  yet  standing,  but 
clap-boarded  with  rived  boards  four  feet  in  length,  and  used  for 
a  coal  and  wood  house.  The  pedestrian  can  see  it  at  this  writing 
by  passing  Mr.  Robins'  hotel.  The  first  hotel  or  public  house 
was  kept  by  Sylvanus  Shurtlefl',  in  1837,  and  located  on  the 
■  north-east  covner  of  the  square.  It  was  a  double-hewed  log  house, 
of  fair  pretensions  for  the  times.  About  fifteen  years  ago  it  was 
taken  down  and  moved  to  the  prairie  out  of  town,  and  used  for 
a  stable.  Mr.  Shurtleff"  also  built  the  first  mill  in  1836.  This 
was  a  rude  concern  with  an  inclined  wheel,  ten  feet  in  diameter, 
for  a  power.  Those  who  desired  to  have  their  corn  ground  were 
obliged  to  get  on  the  wheel  and  tread  it.  He  did  not  understand 
the  principles  of  philosophy,  and  first  attempted  to  run  the 
wheel  by  a  wheelbarrow  well  greased  and  filled  with  stones  at-  i 
tached  at  the  top  of  the  incline ;  thinking  the  weight  would  ] 
propel  the  wheel.  Of  course  this  would  not  work,  and  hence  his 
patrons  were  obliged  to  tread  the  wheel.  The  mill  was  located 
on  the  east  side  oT  the  square,  near  the  dwelling  now  occupied 
by  H.  Le  Feber.  Mr.  Shurtleff'  was  of  a  roaming  and  restless 
disposition,  and  subsequently  moved  to  the  far  west.  The  second 
rain  was  built  by  Daniel  Robins  a  short  time  afterwards,  and 
situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  square.  It  was  a  horse  mill,  ] 
and  did  fair  service  for  that  day.  Mr.  Robins  was  also  the  first 
postmaster,  and  the  office  was  established  in  1837.  In  the  same 
year  the  town  of  Marion  was  greatly  enlarged  by  the  additions 
of  Day  and  Robins;  the  former  by  twenty  acres,  and  the  latter  [ 
by  forty.  Prior  to  this  time  the  people  were  destitute  of  mail 
privileges,  the  nearest  post  offices  being  at  Decatur  and  Bloom- 
ington.  Newspapers  were  a  luxury  not  thought  of,  and  letters 
from  friends  abroad  did  not  come  oftener  than  about  four  times 


ttithiu  the  year.  The  first  church  house  was  constructed  by  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterians  in  1840.  It  was  a  frame  building, 
and  situated  just  across  the  street  from  the  present  In-ick  church. 
It  was  afterwards  abandoned  by  the  church  and  used  for  a 
sorghum  mill,  and  subsequently  for  a  stable.  It  has  since  been 
torn  down  and  moved  to  another  place. 

The  village  of  De  Witt  as  now  situated  is  long  and  straggling, 
extending  from  the  original  town  of  Marion  north  to  the  railroad, 
a  distance  of  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile.  The  addition  was 
made  by  A.  C.  Jones,  August  2.3d,  1871,  and  described  as  follows  : 
Commencing  at  the  N.  E.  corner  of  the  E.  i  of  the  S.  E.  part 
of  section  IS,  town  20  N.  R.  4  E.,  south  on  section  line  2,646 
feet  to  section  corner;  westerly  on  section  line  1,240  feet;  north 
2,646  feet,  easterly  1,240  feet  except  right  of  way  of  the  G.  C. 
&  S.  Railroad,  now  Springfield  Division  of  the  Illinois  Central. 

Incorporation. — The  village  of  De  Witt  was  incorporated  iu 
the  fall  of  1879,  and  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  was  held 
November  1st,  of  the  same  year.  The  following  are  the  names 
of  the  first  board  :  A.  jMcConkey,  President ;  Charles  Richter, 
Henry  Myers,  J.  H.  Tyler,  H.  Le  Feber  and  H.  S.  Chapin.  The 
second  board,  or  for  the  year  18S0,  were,  Charles  Richter,  Presi- 
dent ;  H.  Le  Feber,  H.  Myers,  Johu  McDonald,  H.  Baker,  and 
W.  A.  Finley.  The  board  for  1881— Charles  Richter,  President ; 
H.  Le  Feber,  John  McDonald,  H.  Myers,  Frank  Fisher,  and 
Samuel  Darby.  J.  R.  Basserman,  Clerk.  Prior  to  1881,  the 
clerk  was  not  an  elective  officer.  W.  A.  Myers  has  officiated  as 
village  Treasurer  since  its  organization. 

PRESENT   BUSINESS. 

De  Will  Tile  Works. — This  industry  was  established  in  the 
summer  of  1S76  by  Charles  Richter,  present  proprietor.  Is  situ- 
ated just  south  of  the  railroad,  and  east  of  the  depot  These 
works  were  built  at  a  cost  of  §5,000,  and  have  capacity  of  man- 
ufacturing 300,000  feet  of  tile  annually,  and  give  employment  to 
seven  men.  There  are  two  kilns  of  an  improved  make,  styled  the 
crown-top  and  down-draft.  The  size  of  the  sheds  are  30x220  feet, 
with  three  oar-ways  extending  the  entire  length.  The  works  are 
driven  by  a  ten-horse  j'ower  engine.  Three  hundred  and  fifty 
cords  of  wood  and  ten  car  loads  of  coal  are  consumed  every  sea- 
son. 

Saw  and  Grist  Mill  owned  and  operated  by  E.  M.  McPherson. 
It  was  established  in  'the  fall  of  1866  by  Nixon  &  Leasure,  and 
came  into  the  possession  of  Mr.  McPherson  iu  the  spring  of  1876, 
and  is  located  on  the  north-east  part  of  town,  about  midway  be- 
tween the  square  and  the  depot.  The  saw-mill  contains  a  circu- 
lar saw,  60  inches  in  diameter,  and  can  saw  7,000  feet  of  lumber 
daily.  The  grist-mill  attachment  contains  but  one  burr,  used 
wholly  in'  grinding  corn,  and  has  the  capacity  of  turning  out  130 
bushels  of  meal  per  day.  The  entire  machinery  is  driven  by  a 
twenty-five  horse  power  engine.  From  five  to  eight  men  are  giv- 
en employment  by  this  industry. 

Blacksmith,  Wagon  and  Carr lag  Shop,  A.  King,  proprietor  — 
This  shop  is  situated  one  block  north-east  of  the  square.  The 
business  gives  employment  to  three  men. 

Blacksmith  and  Wagon-ironer,  John  Armstrong. — The  shops 
are  situated  on  the  west  side  of  the  main  street,  leading  from  the 
square  to  the  depot,  about  two  blocks  from  the  former. 

Wagon  and  Wood  Workman. — John  Gagnon. 

Carriage  and  Wagon  Painters. — W.  A.  Finley,  Edmund  Du- 
pre. 

Grain,  Lumber  and  Coal  Dealer. — II.  Le  Feber. 

General  Stores.— C.  L.  Oakford  &  Co.,  J.  W.  Cain. 


288 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COU^^TY,  TLLIXOIS. 


Drue/sand  Groceries. — M.  M.  Robins. 

Drugs. — C  N.  Caiu. 

Bool  iind  Shoe  Store.— V\'.  A.  Myers. 

Harness  and  Saddlery. — Cliarles  Dupre. 

Physirians.—E.  M.  Taylor,  John  H.  Tyler,  H.  S.  Cbapin,  J. 
Bryant. 

Stock  Dealer  and  S/iipper. — Henry  Myers. 

Ifiorman  Horse  Dealer. — G.  B.  Leasure. 

In.iurance  Ar/ent. — H.  Le  Feber. 

Shoemaker  —A.  J.  Brown. 

Sewing  Machine  Agent. — Levi  Hodges. 

3feat  Market. — Archibald  !McConkey. 

Carpenter. — John  McDonald. 

Hotel— D.  F.  Robins. 

Police  Magistrate. — A.  J.  Brown. 

Constable. — -Charles  Zartman. 

Postmaster. — J.  W.  Cain. 

There  is  also  one  saloon  in  town. 

At  this  writing  the  village  contains  about  300  inhabitants.  It 
has  one  church,  a  brick  structure  with  cupola  and  bell,  and 
built  in  1856.  It  is  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination. 
The  school-house  is  a  one-story  brick,  and  built  in  1S71.  It  em- 
ploys two  teachers,  and  is  thus  semi-graded.  About  ninety  pupils 
is  the  maximum  attendance. 

SOCIETIES. 

Anion  Lodge,  'So.  251,  A.  F.  and  A.  M.  was  chartered  Octo- 
ber 6,  1881,  with  the  following  Charter  officers:  John  H.  Tyler, 
W.  M.;  John  i^Iarsh,  S.  W.;  Benjamin  S.  Lewis,  J.  W.  Stilmou, 
A.  Chaj  in,  Treas.;  Joseph  J.  Kelly,  Secretary  ;  Joseph  Marsh, 
S.  C:  James  McCord,  T.  The  number  of  Charter  members  were 
11:  The  present  officers  are:  James  Marsh,  W.  M.;  Isaac  C. 
Lafl'erty,  S.  W.;  John  Furgeson,  J.  W.;  G.  B.  Leasure,  Treas.; 
S.  A.  Chapin,  Sec;  H.  Le  Feber,  S.  D.;  Asa  Wilson,  J.  D.;  A. 
King,  T.  The  present  membership  is  59.  The  Lodge  meets  in 
Masonic  Hall,  Tuesday  evenings,  on  or  before  the  full  moon  in 
each  month.  This  is  one  of  the  oldest  Lodges  in  De  Witt  county. 
It  is  in  excellent  condition  financially,  owning  the  entire  build- 
ing in  which  their  Lodge  meets. 

De  Witt  Lodge,  No.  183,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  instituted  the  12th 
of  October,  1845,  with  the  following  charter  members  :  John  M. 
Richter,  B.  T.  Jones,  Thompson  S.  Smith,  S.  K.  Harrell,  and 
Samuel  L.  Swords. 

In  consequence  of  the  decease  of  membership  during  the  war, 
the  Lodge  merged  with  Mt.  Pleasant  Lodge,  No.  126,  in  the 
year  1862.  It  was  reinstated  as  De  Witt  Lodge,  the  18th  of 
March,  1875.  The  present  officers  are:  A.J.  Brown,  N.G.; 
Samuel  Darby,  V.  G. ;  H.  S.  Chaplain,  Sec.  ;  M.  A.  Myers, 
Treas.;  Charles  Chappell,  C  ;  Levi  Hodges,  I.  G. ;  Edward  E. 
Claflin,  O.  G. :  Darius  Cheney,  R.  D.  G.  M.  The  present  mem- 
bership is  thirty.  The  assets  of  the  Lodge  in  furniture  and  re- 
galia is  estimated  at  8200-00.  Amount  in  the  treasury,  $400.00. 
The  Lodge  is  therefore,  in  good  financial  condition. 


TOWN    OF    PARNELL. 

This  town  was  laid  out  by  James  Porter,  a  public-spirited  citi- 
zen of  the  township,  in  the  spring  of  1880,  and  situated  on  the 
Springfield  Division  of  the  Illinois  Central,  just  south  of  the 
township  line  between  De  Witt  and  Rutledge  township.  It  was 
named  in  honor  of  the  present  Irish  agitator,  Parnell. 

The  first  house  was  a  small  frame  building,  16  by  24,  and 
built  by  John  Williamson,  in  the  spring  of  1880,  for  a  blacksmith 
shop.  Mr.  Williamson  still  conducts  the  business  at  the  old 
stand.  The  first  dwelling  was  constructed  by  J.  W.  Nichols  in 
the  spring  of  the  same  year.  The  first  goods  were  sold  by  C.  L. 
Winslow  in  the  same  season.  The  store  was  a  frame  building, 
and  situated  on  the  corner  of  Lincoln  and  Elizabeth  streets- 

JVichols  &  North  Elevator  Co. — This  elevator  was]  built  in  the 
summer  of  1881,  at  a  cost  of  83,000,  and  is  one  of  the  neatest  and 
most  complete  elevators  in  De  Witt  county.  It  is  thirty  feet 
scjuare  and  fifty-six  feet  in  height, and  has  the  capacity  of  storing 
20,000  bushels  of  grain,  besides  having  cribs  capable  of  holding 
35,000  bushels  of  corn.  Its  capacity  for  elevating  per  day  is 
4,000  bushels,  and  employs  four  men  to  run  it.  It  is  conveniently 
situated  on  the  switch  of  the  railroad,  has  one  double  dump,  and 
drive  ways  suitable  for  the  buisness.  It  is  operated  by  what  is 
known  as  the  "  Taylor  horse-power,"  but  will  some  time  in  1882, 
put  in  a  steam-power,  as  the  business  is  so  increasing  that  the 
latter  power  will  have  to  be  utilized.  In  addition  to  the  steam- 
power,  there  will  also  be  added  a  track-scale,  and  a  set  of  corn 
burrs  for  manufacturing  meal-  In  the  last  twelve  months  this 
firm  has  handled  180,000  bushels  of  grain. 

General  Stores. — Brickery  Bros.,  C.  L.  Winslow- 

Hardware  and  Stoves. — Nichols  &  North. — Manufacturer  and 
Dealer  in  Boots  and  Shoes. — August  Anderson. 

Blacksmith  Shops. — J.  W.  Williamson,  Walker  &  Williams. 

Coal,  Ljumber  and  Agricultural  Implements. — Nichols  &  North. 

I-'o.'<tma.iter.—J.  W.  Winslow. 

Freight,  E.tpress  and  Ticket  Agent. — J.  W.  Nichols- 

Bnarding  Home. — J.  H.  Brickey. 

Notary.— J.  W.  Nichols. 

The  little  town  is  on  the  high  road,  in  time,  to  become  a  village 
of  some  local  importance,  as  it  has  an  excellent  country  sur^ 
rounding  it;  and  a  wide-awake  class  of  citizens.  It  now  con- 
tains but  about  fifty  inhabitants,  and  is  not  two  years  old  at  this 
writing.  Mr.  Wilson  North  has  a  telephone  connecting  his  store 
with  his  residence,  three-fourths  of  a  mile  away. 


FULLERTOX    STATION 

Is  situated  on  the  railroad,  about  midway  between  the  town  of 
De  Witt  and  Parnell,  and  contains  one  store,  consisting  of  a 
general  stock.  Mr.  David  Fuller  is  the  proprietor,  also  grain 
buyer,  freight  and  ticket  agent.  The  place  has  a  switch,  and  all 
day-trains  stop  here. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


,^  i^yt^ 


Who  is  one  of  the  largest  farmers  and  stock  raisers  iu  the 
county,  was  born  in  Marion  County,  Ohio,  September  21st,  1827, 
and  was  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  Swigart.  Daniel 
Swigart  was  born  and  raised  in  Lancaster  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania. His  grandparents  were  Germans,  who  settled  there  at 
a  very  early  date.  His  wife  was  reared  in  Virginia ;  she  also 
descended  from  German  parents.  Daniel  Swigart  came  to  De 
Witt  County  in  1849,  and  settled  where  Jacob  now  lives, 
where  he  resided  until  his  death,  February,  1869  ;  his  wife  sur- 
vived him  until  March,  1875.  They  raised  a  family  of  eleven 
children.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  came  west  two  years  pre- 
vious to  his  father's  coming,  and  worked  by  the  month,  and 
taught  school  until  1850.     October  the  3d  of  that  year  he  was 


uniteil  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Rebecca  Davis.  They  have  raised  a 
family  of  nine  children,  seven  now  living.  Mr.  Swigart  has  been 
very  successful  in  life,  as  he  started  out  without  aid,  but  with  a 
good  constitution  and  willing  hands  he  determined  to  succeed  in 
the  world,  and  'as  a  natural  consequence  of  labor  coupled 
with  good  management  and  economy,  he  is  now  the  possessor  of 
a  large  landed  estate  of  upwards  of  2,500  acres  finely  improved. 
A  view  of  his  residence  can  be  seen  on  the  opposite  page.  In 
politics  he  is  a  staunch  Republican;  for  many  years  he  has  repre- 
sented his  township  on  the  board  of  supervisors.  In  1868  he 
received  the  nomination  of  his  party  to  represent  this  district  in 
the  Legislature,  and  the  election  following  was  elected  to  a  position 

he  filled  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  the  people. 

289 


^'V-t-H, 


'^fc^^A^c-^^^^.^c^ 


Amoxo  the  prominent  farmers  and  old  settlers  of  De  Witt 
County,  we  present  the  above  portrait.  He  was  born  in  Jefi'er- 
8on  County,  X.  Y.,  August  27th,  1808.  His  father,  Joseph 
Wakefield,  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  raised  in  Wind- 
sor, Vermont  ;  at  the  age  of  maturity,  he  turned  his  face  westward, 
and  in  1800  he  stopped  near  where  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  is  now 
located,  where  he  afterwards  married  Miss  Susan  Sawyer,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Sawyer.  The  history  of  the  Sawyer 
family  dates  back  to  Thomas  Sawyer,  sen.,  who  emigrated  from 
Lincolnshire,  England,  to  America  iu  10.39.  being  one  of  the 
first  settlers  In  Lancaster,  Ma.ss.     His  descendants  are  numerous. 


and  scattered  through  most  of  the  states.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  settled  where  he  now  resides  in  183-3.  He  has  been  twice 
married,  and  raised  a  family  of  six  children,  five  now  living, 
four  sons  and  one  daughter,  viz.:  George  W.,  a  lawyer,  in  Sioux 
City,  Iowa  ;  Jlelancthon,  a  lawyer  in  Cherokee,  Iowa  ;  Philetus, 
a  physician,  living  in  Waynesville,  this  county  ;  Lycurgus,  a  law- 
yer, in  Pierre,  Dakota  Territory;  and  MissBandusia,  who  is  a 
teaclier,  and  now  living  with  her  brother,  George  W.,  in  Iowa. 
!Mr.  AVakefiekl  has  served  his  township  as  Assessor,  Treasurer, 
and  Justice  of  the  Peace.     In  polities  he  is  a  Republican  ;   relig- 

iouslv  a  Universalist. 

291 


WAYNESVILLE    TOWNSHIP. 


gi  X  AYNESVILLE  is  situated  in  the  extreme 
north-westeru  part  of  tlie  comity,  and  for- 
merly belonged  to  McLean  county.  It  has 
the  honor  of  containing  the  next  oldest  settle- 
ment in  De  Witt,  having  been  settled  as  early 
as  1825.  Originally  it  was  very  evenly  di 
vided  between  prairie  and  timbered  land,  the 
latter  being  somewhat  in  excess  of  the  former. 
At  this  writing  plenty  of  good  timber  abounds 
suitable  to  all  the  wants  of  the  people.  It  is  bounded  on  the 
north  by  JMcLean  county,  on  the  east  by  the  township  of  Wa- 
pella,  on  the  south  by  Barnett  and  on  the  west  by  Logan  county, 
and  contains  24  sections,  or  upwards  of  1.5,000  acres. 

Kickapoo  creek  enters  the  township  in  the  north-west  part  of 
section  fourteen  and  flows  south-west,  passing  into  Logan  county 
from  section  thirty.  Prairie  creek  enters  from  the  north  in  sec- 
tion seventeen  and  empties  into  the  Kickapoo  nearly  on  the  line 
between  sections  seventeen  and  twenty  Rock  creek  flows  nortli 
and  west  through  the  township,  and  joins  with  the  Kickapoo  near 
the  centre  of  section  twenty.  Other  small  streams  abound,  dis- 
charging their  waters  into  some  of  the  above  mentioned  creeks. 
From  the  above  it  will  readily  be  seen  that  the  natural  drainage 
of  the  township  is  excellent,  and  yet  the  farmers  are  tiling  largely, 
experience  teaching  them  that  it  is  money  and  labor  well  spent. 
The  Illinois  Midland  Railway  furnishes  the  transportation  facil- 
ities, entering  in  the  southern  portion  of  section  thirty,  where  it 
takes  an  easterly  course  to  Waynesville.  Here  it  forms  au  elbow, 
trending  southward  and  crossing  the  township  line  between  sec- 
tions thirty-one  and  thirty-two.  The  surface  is  somewhat  diversi- 
fied. Along  the  creeks  it  is  quite  broken,  and  in  places  approach- 
es in  form  to  small  blufls.  The  soil  is  comparatively  shallow, 
but  most  excellent  for  the  raising  of  wheat  and  blue  grass.  The 
prairies  are  slightly  undulating  and  contain  the  rich  alluvial  soil 
of  the  world-renowned  Grand  Prairie 

FIRST  SETTLEMENTS. 
The  honor  of  taking  the  first  Steps  toward  civilization  within 
the  boundaries  of  Waynesville,  belongs  to  Prettymau  Marvel  and 
his  wife  Rebecca.  Mr.  Marvel  was  a  native  of  Georgia,  and  his 
wife  was  a  South  Carolinian.  Their  parents  were  pioneers  of  In- 
diana, where  their  children  grew  up  together.  In  May  1823, 
they  were  married,  and  the  following  year  moved  to  Illinois  and 
stopped  in  Sangamon  county.  February  182.5,  they  moved  to 
within  a  short  distance  of  what  is  now  Waynesville  village  in  sec- 
tion thirty-one,  De  Witt  county.  Their  mode  of  conveyance  was 
a  cart  drawn  by  a  yoke  of  oxen.  It  was  ten  o'clock  at  night  be- 
fore they  halted.  There  was  no  light  in  the  window — no  warm 
friends  or  home  to  greet  them.     That  night  the  snow  formed  their 


bed  to  rest  upon  and  the  starry  heaven  was  their  shelter.  A  feu- 
.sticks  gathered  and  fired  by  the  side  of  a  log  furnished  the  only 
means  of  warmth.  The  next  day  they  fixed  up  a  temporary 
cabin  by  driving  four  crotched  posts  into  the  ground.  These 
were  connected  by  poles  and  were  overlaid  with  split  slabs  of 
wood  for  a  roof  In  time  it  was  enlarged  to  two  rooms  by  build- 
ing au  addition  of  the  same  kind.  The  former  was  aristo- 
cratically called  a  bed-room  and  the  latter  the  sitting  room.  Let 
the  present  generation  imagine,  if  the}'  can,  a  "sitting  room" 
with  the  ground  for  a  floor,  for  such  was  the  case  with  this  man- 
sion. The  fire-place  was  outside  of  the  entrance  called  a  door. 
This  consisted  by  hauling  up  before  the  entrance  a  fore  and  back 
log,  within  which  the  fire  was  built,  and  here  the  cooking  and 
warming  was  done.  It  was  found  when  the  snow  melted  away  in 
the  spring  that  the  cabin  had  unfortunately  been  built  in  a  slight 
depression  of  ground.  Water  stood  a  foot  deep  in  their  rude 
domicil  This  they  remedied  by  pounding  in  pieces  of  dry-rot 
logs  and  filling  up  to  a  sufficient  depth  to  make  the  rooms  a  pass- 
able place  to  stay  in  for  the  time  being.  During  the  spring  and 
summer  a  more  comfortable  cabin  was  erected  on  a  more  favora- 
ble site.  Of  course  this  log.cabin  was  quite  pretentious  for  the 
times,  and  being  such  we  will  give  a  slight  description  of  it  as 
given  to  the  writer  by  "  Aunt  Becca  "  Gambrel,  formerly  wife 
of  Prettvman  Marvel,  the  pioneer.  It  was  a  small  log  cabin 
about  12x16,  and  covered  with  split  staves  four  feet  in  length, 
while  the  floor  was  mother  earth.  The  fire  placB  extended  near- 
ly across  one  end  of  the  building,  with  stick  and  mud  chimney  of 
the  olden  time.  The  beds  were  constructed  by  placing  poles  be- 
tween the  cracks  of  the  logs  a  certain  distance  apart  and  laid  over 
with  rived  clap-boards  ;  the  shelves  for  the  table-ware  were  pre- 
pared in  the  same  manner.  This  same  spring  Mr.  Marvel  broke 
a  small  piece  of  ground  and  planted  it  in  corn  and  potatoes. 
This  was  the  first  farming  done  in  the  county  with  the  exception 
of  that  performed  by  the  Shugarts  and  Elisha  Butler  in  Tun- 
bridge,  which  was  the  same  spring — 1825.  Wolves  were  then 
more  plentiful  than  village  dogs,  and  about  as  tame.  It  was  very 
difficult  to  raise  chickens  or  any  of  the  small  domestic  animals, 
as  the  wolves  were  so  bold  that  they  would  come  up  to  the  very 
door  of  the  cabin,  and  would  only  leave  when  shot  at  or  beaten 
off  with  clubs. 

These  lonely  pioneers  were  clieered  and  encouraged  in  their 
new-found  home  by  two  children,  mere  babes  then,  John  S.  and 
James.  They  both  grew  to  manhood,  married,  and  raised  large 
families;  several  of  their  representatives  are  yet  living  in  the 
county.  John  and  James  died  several  years  ago.  Nine  other 
children  were  bjrn  in  the  township,  Nancy,  Cynthia,  Lavinia, 
Prettyman,  Rebecca,  Mary  A.,  Wiley  and  George,  all  of  whom 
are  living  but  one,  a  twin  to  Nancv,  who  died   without  being 

293 


294 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


named.  All  reside  in  the  county  except  George  and  Lavinia.  The 
latter  lives  in  Vermillion  county,  this  state,  and  the  former  in  Ne- 
braska. Mr.  Marvel  lived  to  see  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  labors, 
owning  a  large  farm  at  the  time  of  his  death  which  occurred  in 
the  summer  of  1842.  In  1847  ;\Irs.  Marvel  was  again  married  to 
Thomson  P.  Gambrel  of  Indiana.  He  died  in  1877,  his  wife  sur- 
viving him.  Mrs.  Gambrel  is  at  thi.s  writing  an  inhabitant  of 
the  village  of  Waynesville  and  enjoying  excellent  health  and 
vigor  of  mind  for  one  of  her  age,  being  in  her  seventy-si-\;th  year. 
She  is  the  oldest  resident  of  the  county,  and  has  had  cighty-si-x 
grand-children  and  thirty-two  great-grand-children. 

John  Barr,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Gambrel,  came  here  but  a  few 
days  after  Mr.  Marvel,  and  lived  in  the  same  cabin  with  his 
brother-in-law  until  spring,  when  he  built  a  small  cabin  just 
over  the  line  in  Logan  county.  Mr.  Barr  is  upwards  of  eighty 
years  of  age,  and  still  resides  near  where  he  settled  in  the  spring 
of  1825. 

Samuel  Curtright  made  Ids  advent  here  the  next  day  after  Mr. 
Marvel,  and  settled  on  section  thirty-two.  He  went  to  work  at 
once  to  erect  his  cabin,  which  in  architecture  was  much  after  the 
style  of  his  neighbor's.  He  had  quite  a  family,  none,  however, 
large  enough  to  aid  him  in  his  pioneer  etforts.  lu  March,  182S, 
he  entered  the  W.  -i  of  the  N.  \V.  1  of  the  above  section.  He 
remained  here  for  several  years,  when  he  moved  with  his  family 
to  what  is  now  Clintonia  township,  where  he  became  an  active 
settler,  building  the  first  corn  mill.  He  died  several  years  ago  ; 
so :iie  of  the  family  yet  reside  in  the  county.  Felix  Jones  was 
also  a  pioneer  of  182."i.  He  moved  here  from  Indiana,  having  a 
wife  and  a  large  family  of  children.  Soon  afterward  his  wife 
died,  when  he  married  again,  and  drifted  to  parts  unknown. 

In  the  spring  of  1826,  John  Glenn  with  his  wife  Jane  and  his 
son-in-law,  Abraham  Hobbs — then  a  widower — and  the  latter's 
four  children,  moved  in  and  squatted  in  the  Kickapoo  timber,  in , 
section  twentv-nine.  Mr.  Glenn  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina, 
and  migrated  to  Tennessee  in  180o,  and  from  thence  to  Indiana, 
and  afterward  to  Illinois  as  above  stated.  He  remained  here  but 
a  few  years,  when  he  moved  with  his  grand-children  further  west, 
where  he  died.  Samuel  P.  Glenn,  a  .son  of  the  former,  was  born 
in  South  Carolina,  and  lived  with  his  father  until  they  moved  to 
Indiana.  Here  he  married  Ruth  Scott,  and  in  the  spring  of  1S27 
moved  here  and  settled  in  section  twenty-six,  and  was  one  of  two 
persons  to  make  the  first  land  entries  iu  Da  Witt  county.  His 
mode  of  conveyance  was  an  ox  wagon  peculiar  to  travel  in  those 
times.  He  bought  the  "  improvement  right "  of  his  brother, 
Thomas  M.,  which  was  a  few  acres  of  ground  and  a  pole  cabin. 
To  use  the  language  of  Mr.  Glenn,  ''It  was  so  meager  and  shabby 
that  a  person  of  to-day  would  not  stable  his  horse  in  it."  But  it 
was  the  best  he  could  do  until  he  could  build  a  better,  and  thus 
he  and  his  young  wife  moved  into  it.  Mr.  Glenn  is  yet  living, 
and  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  the  county,  as  well  as  a  promi- 
nent farmer.  After  the  county  was  organized  in  18-39,  he  was 
among  the  first  to  represent  the  people  in  the  State  Legislature. 
He  served  several  years  in  the  capacity  of  justice  of  the  peace. 
Has  been  twice  married  ;  his  second  wife's  name  was  Mary  Riley. 
No  children  were  born  from  the  first  marriage,  and  but  one  from 
the  present  union,  Margaret  M.  who  died  but  a  few  years  ago. 
Mr  Glenn  and  his  wife  are  now  residing  at  the  old  homestead  in 
section  twenty-six,  where  he  first  settled  in  1827.  Thomas  M. 
Glenn,  brother  of  the  above,  was  also  born  in  South  Carolina, 
and  was  with  his  father  when  he  moved  to  Indiana.  In  182.i  he 
came  to  Illinois,  Sangamon  county,  where  he  stopped  until  the 
following  spring,  when  he  located  in  sectiou  thirty-five,  Waynes- 


ville township.  He  had  a  wife  and  nine  children,  seven  daugh- 
ters and  tivo  sons.  When  he  brought  his  family  to  this  state  his 
mode  of  conveyance  was  with  pack-horses,  but  he  had  purchased 
an  o.x  team  and  wagon  before  moving  to  Waynesville  A  small  log 
cabin  was  soon  erected,  and  the  family  made  comfortable.  That 
summer  he  broke  a  small  patch  of  ground  and  raised  a  crop.  He 
remained  here  about  twenty  years  and  improved  one  of  the  best 
farms  iu  the  county.  In  18.55  he  moved  with  his  familv  to  Iowa. 
But  one  of  the  family  are  now  residing  in  the  county,  Nancy,  wife 
of  William  Fruit- 
James  K.  Scott,  a  brother-in-law  of  the  Glenns,  and  one  of  the 
most  prominent  of  the  pioneers,  was  a  native  of  South  Carolina, 
and  moved  to  Indiana  iu  an  early  day.  He  caught  the  Illinois 
fever — migration — which  was  then  prevailing,  and,  in  companv 
with  Samuel  P.  Glenn,  landed  here  in  the  spring  of  1827.  He 
and  Mr.  Glenn  made  the  two  first  land  entries  in  the  county,  be- 
ing the  3d  of  November,  1827  ;  the  former  locating  in  section  27, 
and  the  latter  in  section  26.  Mr.  Scott  brought  his  family  with 
him,  consisting  of  a  wife  and  two  sons,  Lorenzo  Dow  and  John 
W.  Five  children  were  born  to  them  in  the  county — Martin  H., 
Crafton  P.,  Jane  C,  Polly  A.,  and  Lucinda.  The  former  three 
— Lorenzo,  John,  and  Martin — died  several  years  ago.  The 
daughters  are  living  in  Missouri,  and  James  C.  and  Ci'afton  P. 
are  residing  near  Kenney,  in  Tunbridge  township.  Mr.  Scott 
was  a  very  active  and  useful  citizen  in  his  day.  He  represented 
the  people  iu  the  State  Legislature  two  terms,  was  widely  known 
as  a  pioneer  preacher,  besides  holding  minor  ofiaces  of  trust  and 
honor  He  died  several  years  ago,  lamented  by  many  warm 
friends.  His  remains  lie  in  one  of  the  oldest  cemeteries  in  the 
county,  situated  on  the  premises  of  Samuel  P.  Glenn,  in  section 
twenty-six. 

One  of  the  peculiar  pioneers,  in  fact  such  an  one  as  we  .some- 
times read  about  iu  "  border  life  "  novels,  was  Sylvanus  Shurt- 
left',  a  native  of  Vermont-  He  was  a  peculiar  composition  of  ge- 
nius and  romance.  He  was  of  a  restless,  roaming  disposition, 
and  had  lived  more  or  less  with  the  Indians.  Indeed,  he  was 
initiated  and  became  one  of  the  tribe  of  the  Pottowatomies  in 
1823.  He  remained  with  them  for  some  time,  and  in  1827  drifted 
to  Waynesville,  then  called  Big  Grove.  From  him  comes  the 
origin  for  the  name  of  Salt  Creek.  He  .says  that  at  one  time  the 
Indians  manufactured  salt  upon  its  banks,  hence  its  name.  Salt 
Creek.  A  few  years  later  we  find  him  in  De  Witt  township, 
where  he  built  the  first  mill,  a  description  of  which  will  be  found 
in  the  history  of  that  township.  It  would  be  needless  to  add, 
that  as  civilization  advanced,  he  packed  up  his  possessions  and 
moved  further  west  It  is  said  that  he  is  yet  living  somewhere 
in  the  far  west,  just  in  the  skirts  of  barljarism. 

Abraham  Onstott  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  left  his  native 
state  in  the  spring  of  1823  and  arrived  in  Illinois  in  May  of  the 
same  year.  He  first  settled  with  his  brother  David,  who  had 
preceded  him,  in  the  forks  of  Salt  Creek  and  Sangamon  river, 
Sangamon  county.  In  the  fall  of  1824  he  married  Miss  Mary 
Branson  :  he  remained  here  until  the  spring  of  1829,  when  he 
moved  to  Waynesville,  and  located  in  section  2"^.  Prior  to  this, 
Dec.  2,  1828,  he  had  entered  the  west  half  of  the  north-west 
quarter  of  the  above  sectiou.  Mr.  Onstott  relates  that  he  has  seen 
at  one  time  seventy  head  of  deer  feeding  together,  not  far  from 
his  present  residence ;  and  at  that  time  the  nearest  post  office 
was  at  Springfield,  and  that  they  received  their  mail  semi-annu- 
ally. He  is  now  a  very  old  man,  living  at  the  (dd  home  in  sec- 
tion 1i,  and  is  regarded  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  as  one  of  the 
kindest  of  neighbors  and  best  of  citizens. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


295 


John  J.  McGraw  was  born  iu  South  Carolina  and  subsequently 
migrated  to  Kentucky.  In  the  spring  of  18311  he  with  his 
father-in-law,  Tillmon  Lane,  moved  to  Illinois,  and  located  iu 
section  34,  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  James  Strange,  near 
VV'aynesville.  On  their  arrival  they  had  no  house  to  move  into  ; 
they  therefore  did  the  best  they  could,  which  was  to  clean  out  the 
stable  of  one  of  the  old  settlers,  Martin  Scott,  and  move  into  it. 
Imagine,  if  you  can,  a  log  stable  accommodating  a  family  of  ten 
persons  for  a  whole  summer  ;  but  such  was  the  case  with  these 
pioneers.  That  summer  they  raised  a  crop  of  twenty  acres  of 
corn  on  the  land  now  owned  by  Amos  Dick.  In  the  fall,  they 
each  built  cabins  in  section  25.  The  spring  following  they  broke 
prairie  and  raised  small  crops  of  corn  and  potatoes.  In  course 
of  time  they  were  in  possession  of  fair  fiirms.  Here  Mr.  Lane 
lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  iu  1835.  Mrs.  Lane  resided 
at  the  old  homestead  until  the  spring  of  1852,  when  she  died. 
Two  grand-daughters  and  one  grandson  are  yet  residing  at  or  near 
the  old  farm.  Only  two  children  of  this  large  family  survive 
their  parents —Mary,  wife  of  James  W.  McCord,  iu  Harp  town- 
ship, and  Rebecca  Crura,  who  lives  in  Kansas. 

Judge  J.  J.  McGraw  is  now  residing  in  Clinton,  a  hale  and 
heartv  old  man,  and  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  I^e 
Witt  county.  He  was  elected  first  county  clerk  after  the  county 
was  organized,  and  served  as  such  for  eighteen  years;  was  school 
commissiouer  for  the  same  length  of  time  ;  appointed  master  in 
chancery  by  Judge  Treat ;  served  as  United  States  assistant  as- 
sessor under  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  was  re-appointed  to  the 
same  ofiice  by  President  Grant.  He  was  elected  police  magis- 
trate of  the  city  of  Clinton  for  six  years,  chosen  county  .judge, 
which  office  he  filled  upwards  of  three  years ;  served  several 
terms  as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  is  now  filling  that  office,  not  so 
much  for  the  emoluments,  but  that  he  may  have  something  to 
do.  He  has,  indeed,  been  a  busy  and  useful  citizen.  The  first 
Sabbath-school  organized  in  the  county  was  conducted  Ijy  him  at 
the  house  of  Edward  W.  Fears,  near  Waynesville,  in  the  fall  of 
1830.  A  short  time  ago  he  informed  us  that  he  had  solemnized 
the  rites  of  matrimony  for  356  persons,  the  histories  of  whom 
would  undoubtedly  be  a  peculiar  medley.  Mr.  McGraw's  family 
consisted  of  his  wife  and  four  children, — oue  son  and  three 
daughters — only  two  of  whom  are  now  living,  Leander  S.,  and 
Nellie  C,  wife  of  A.  R.  Phares,  both  residents  of  the  city  of 
Clinton.  Mrs.  McGraw  died  the  25th  of  December,  1877,  at  tlie 
advanced  age  of  70  years.  Judge  McGraw  is  in  the  76th  vear 
of  his  age,  and  looks  and  appears  as  though  he  might  become  a 
centenarian. 

John  B.  Jones  was  born  in  Ohio,  and  migrated  to  Indiana  at 
an  early  day.  In  the  fall  of  1830  he  moved  with  his  family  to 
this  township,  and  settled  in  section  "21.  He  made  the  trip  with 
an  ox-team,  and  on  his  arrival  hastily  threw  up  a  pole  cabin. 
His  family  were  his  wife  and  five  children.  The  children's  namei 
were  as  follows  :  Caroline,  Adolphus,  Lavinia,  Ellen,  and  John 
M.  Several  other  children  were  born  to  them  after  coming  to 
the  county.  John  M.  resides  in  the  same  section  that  his  father 
located  on,  and  is  a  very  prominent  farmer ;  Charley,  a  younger 
brother,  lives  on  the  old  farm,  a  comfort  to  his  mother  in  her  old 
age ;  John  B  ,  the  pioneer,  died  about  twenty-five  years  ago. 

William  W.  Dunham  settled  in  section  29  in  1831.  He  was  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  and  moved  to  Rhode  Island,  where  he 
married  Miss  Mary  Greenman.  In  1815  he  migrated  to  Ohio, 
where  he  remained  for  sixteen  years,  and  from  thence  to  Waynes- 
ville,  as  above  stated.  His  family  consisted  of  his  wife  and  five 
children — Thomas  E.,  J.  P..  William  S.,  Mary,  and  Amy.     Mr. 


Dunham  died  in  1833  ;  his  wife  survived  him  upwards  of  thirty 
years.  But  oue  of  the  family  is  living  in  the  county,  J.  P.  Dun- 
ham, who  lives  in  Waynesvllle,  and  is  a  prominent  merchant 
and  farmer. 

George  Isham,  a  native  of  Xew  Hampshire,  settled  here  in  the 
same  year  as  Mr.  Dunham.  He  had  a  wife  and  two  children- 
Andrew  B.,  and  Polly  Ann.  The  latter  is  the  only  one  living 
of  the  family,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  James  Cook,  in  Wavnes- 
ville. 

Another  of  the  hardy  pioneers  was  John  Robb.  He  was  a 
native  of  Tennessee,  and  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  the  spring  of 
1829,  making  a  halt  of  one  year  within  sight  of  Springfield. 
The  spring  following  he  moved  with  his  family  into  this  town- 
ship, and  settled  iu  section  27,  a  part  of  which  he  had  entered  in 
the  fall  of  1829.  He  had  a  family  of  five  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters, as  follows  :  James  R.,  Samuel  H.,  Wm.  R  ,  Eli  H  ,  Thos. 
C,  Elizabeth  G.,  Ann  C  ,  Isabel  L.,  Mary  Jane,  and  Laura  C. 
The  mother's  name  was  Barbara.  As  they  had  no  house  when 
they  came,  the  family  camped  by  the  side  of  a  log.  and  built  a 
rail  pen  in  which  to  stow  away  their  furniture  until  they  could 
construct  a  cabin.  This,  when  built,  was  of  the  rudest  kind. 
The  door,  for  some  time,  was  nothing  but  a  bed-quilt  suspended 
from  the  upper  part  of  the  door-jamb.  The  small  stock,  consist- 
ing of  four  sheep,  were  stowed  away  in  the  cabin  with  the  chil- 
dren, to  keep  them  from  the  ravenous  wolves.  This  was  the  be- 
ginning of  what,  in  after  years,  proved  a  prosperous  family. 

E.  H.  Robb,  a  son  of  John,  who  now  resides  in  Barnett  town- 
ship in  section  9,  relates  the  following  incident,  to  a  part  of 
which  he  was  an  eye-witness.  It  was  one  of  the  trials  of  the 
"  deep  snow,"  in  the  winter  of  1830-31 :  Josiah  Clifton,  John 
Clifton,  and  David  Xorfleet,  left  the  old  mill  on  the  Kickapoo 
with  two  yoke  of  oxen  and  sleds,  each  containing  a  sack  of  meal, 
bound  for  their  homes  near  where  Clinton  is  now  situated.  The 
track  was  dim.  the  snow  fell  very  fast,  and  soon  it  was  almost 
impossible  to  keep  the  road  or  make  any  head-way  in  travelling. 
They  soon  became  bewildered,  and  their  teams  gave  out.  They 
unyoked  the  cattle,  set  the  yokes  by  the  sled,  and  started  on  foot 
to  find,  if  possible,  some  cabin.  By  this  time  the  snow  was  waist- 
deep,  and  they  were  obliged  to  take  turns  in  going  before  to 
break  a  path.  Several  times  they  burrowed  in  the  snow  to  rest, 
that  they  might  retain  their  strength  to  complete  their  journey. 
A  little  before  sundown  they  came  in  sight  of  a  cabin.  It  was 
John  Robb's  meager  dwelling.  They  were  nearly  frozen  and 
exhausted.  Mr.  Robb  and  his  son  James  helped  them  over  the 
yard  fence  and  into  the  house.  The  Clifton  boys  had  sufficient 
vitality  left  to  get  into  the  cabin  without  aid,  but  Xorfleet  was  so 
exhausted  that  they  were  obliged  to  carry  him  in.  Their  faces 
were  covered  with  ice  and  snow,  and  their  hands  wers  badly 
frozen.  They  remained  here  several  days  before  they  were  in  a 
condition  to  reach  home.  One  yoke  of  their  oxen  wandered  to 
the  cabin  of  Thomas  M.  Glenn  that  same  night, — the  other  was 
found  the  next  day  bewildered  in  the  deep  snow,  and  was  driven 
in  and  cared  for. 

Joshua  Cantrall  and  his  brother  Z.  G.  C'antrall,  were  natives 
of  Virginia,  but  emigrated  from  Ohio  here  in  the  fall  of  1835; 
both  had  considerable  families.  The  former  settled  in  section  32. 
His  family  consisted  of  his  wife  Rachel,  and  ten  children  ;  Thirza, 
wife  of  John  Thompson ;  Zebulon ;  Mahala,  wife  of  Elijah 
Hull;  Polly,  William,  Levi,  Nancy,  Isham  C,  and  Eli.  He 
was  an  active  church  member,  and  in  the  spring  of  1836,  took 
measures  to  organize  a  Presbyterian  Society,  which  was  eff"ected 
in  June  of  the  same  year.     He  died  the  11th  of  August,  1840. 


296 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


Isham  C,  a  son,  now  resides  in  Waynesville,  an  old  and  respect- 
ed citizen.  Z.  G.  Cautrall,  brother  of  Joshua,  died  many  years 
ago.  R.  D.  Taylor,  another  early  settler,  was  born  in  Tennessee, 
and  came  to  Illinois  in  1836.  He  was  brought  up  on  the  farm, 
but  when  he  was  18  years  of  age  he  entered  the  Princeton 
College,  Kv.,  and  studied  for  the  ministry.  He  was  an  ardent 
worker  in  the  cause,  and  was  the  first  to  establish  a  Cumberlaud 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Marion,  now  De  Witt.  Mr.  Taylor 
gives  an  account  of  the  manner  of  hunting  deer  and  wolves  in 
an  early  day.  He  sa3's,  "  I  well  remember  in  the  summer  of 
1836,  soon  after  coming  to  the  country  arrangements  were  made 
for  a  general  deer  liunt.  The  plan  was  to  form  a  circle  of  about 
ten  miles  in  diameter.  All  hands  turned  out  for  miles  around, 
men.  bo\s  and  dogs.  Within  this  circle  there  would  be  enclosed 
at  least  fiftv  or  a  hundred  deer,  and  wolves  too  numerous  to 
mention.  No  great  excitement  prevailed  at  first,  only  now  and 
then  the  crack  of  a  single  rifle  as  some  stray  deer  attempted  to 
escape  through  the  lines.  But  as  the  circle  became  smaller,  and 
the  huntsmen  closer  together,  with  the  deer  and  wolves  enclosed 
as  it  were  within  a  wall  of  fire,  then  the  excitement  commenced 
which  beggars  description.  The  deer  would  run  and  leap  from 
side  to  side,  onlv  to  be  shot  down  by  the  nearest  marksman.  Some 
would  escape  in  the  hurly  burly  excitement,  but  many  a  trophy 
would  be  left  to  the  hunters  on  the  field  of  battle  "  Mr.  Taylor 
moved  from  Marion  to  Le  Roy,  McLean  County,  several  years  ago, 
where  he  still  resides,  well  known  as  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers 
of  Central  Illinois. 

Among  other  early  settlers,  were  Thomas  Cuppy,  Jonathan 
Athertou,  Edward  W.  Fears,  Wm.  Branson,  John  Strange, 
Nicholas  and  Enoch  Lundy,  Henry  Atherton,  Matthew  Ham- 
mett,  now  living  in  section  9,  George  Robb,  and  J.  C.  Riley. 

Many  are  the  accounts  of  privations  and  hardships,  mingled 
with  pleasures,  as  recited  by  a  few  of  the  remaining  pioneers. 
The  friendly  feeling  and  hospitality  then  existing  are  unknown 
to  this  generation  of  greed  and  selfishness.  A  stranger  was  al- 
ways welcome,  and  remained  a  guest  of  the  family  as  long  as  he 
desired.  The  women  manufactured  their  own  clothing  from 
wool  and  flax.  A  young  man  was  in  full  dress  with  a  linen  shirt 
and  buckskin  pants.  All  of  the  early  settlements  were  made  in 
the  timber,  the  prairies  not  being  improved  until  the  railroads 
developed  the  country.  The  old  settlers  date  every  event  from 
the  winter  of  the  "  deep  snow," — 1830-1.  It  is  their  almanac — 
their  substantial  guide  to  early  and  subsequent  data.  It  is  the 
important  epoch  in  the  pioneer  history  of  Central  Illinois  In- 
deed the  '■  deep  snow  "  prevailed  throughout  the  western  States 
and  territories.  On  account  of  this  severe  visitation,  the  early 
settlers  suffered  untold  hardships  and  privations.  The  snow 
commenced  falling  early  in  December,  and  continued  without 
abatement  throughout  the  winter.  The  measurement  in  the  tim- 
ber was  upwards  of  four  feet  deep.  The  stumps  standing,  where 
trees  had  been  cut  for  fire-wood,  after  the  snow  had  passed  away, 
had  the  appearance  of  being  felled  by  giants,  as  some  of  them 
measured  over  six  feet  in  height.  For  weeks  the  settlers  were 
buried  in  their  cabins,  and  only  went  forth,  as  food  and  fuel  de- 
manded, from  pure  necessity.  The  people  lived  on  rye,  hominy 
and  potatoes,  as  they  could  not  have  meal,  the  mills  being  inac- 
cessible for  the  grinding  of  their  corn.  Apropos  of  this  we  will 
here  relate  a  circumstance  of  true  charity,  equal  to  the  suffering 
and  subsequent  relief  of  the  Russian  peasants,  the  story  of  which 
is  so  familiar  to  every  school-boy  in  the  land.  It  was  at  this  time 
that  Judge  McGraw,  and  one  of  his  neighbors  had  exhausted 
their  little  store  of  corn,  wherewith  to  feed  their  families;  neither 


had  they  money  to  purchase  it-  They  counseled  together,  and 
concluded  that  they  would  make  the  trip,  a  short  distance,  to 
Mr.  John  Barr's,  and  see  if  they  could  not  obtain  enough  to 
supply  the  wants  of  life.  They  accordingly  mounted  their  horses, 
and  by  evening  reached  Mr.  Barr's  cabin.  They  made  their 
wants  known,  informing  him  in  the  meantime  that  they  had  no 
money  to  pay  for  the  corn,  but  that  they  were  strong  and  willing 
to  work,  and  when  the  snow  went  away  in  the  spring,  they  would 
pay  him  by  making  rails.  Mr.  Barr  replied  that  they  could 
have  all  the  corn  they  wanted,  and  pay  for  it  as  per  agreement. 
And  now  comes  the  point  of  this  anecdote  that  will,  perhaps, 
surprise  this  generation  of  selfishness  and  money-getting.  Said 
Mr.  Barr,  "  I  had  a  man  here  the  other  day  wanting  a  few 
bushels  of  corn,  and  he  infiirmed  me  that  he  had  plenty  of  money 
to  pay  any  price  I  might  ask.  I  told  him  if  he  was  so  well  pre- 
pared with  means  he  could  buy  corn  most  anywhere,  and  that  I 
would  keep  mine  for  those  more  needy."  The  stranger  went 
away  without  purchasing.  Mr.  McGraw  and  his  neighbor  each 
shelled  a  sack  of  corn,  posted  off  to  the  nearest  mill,  and  came 
home,  making  their  families  happy  with  plenty  to  eat.  By  way 
of  supplement,  Judge  McGraw  informed  us  that  in  the  spring 
they  paid  the  debt;  and  that  he  never  mauled  rails  with  mtre 
pleasure,  or  gave  bigger  count  than  he  did  in  payment  for  that 
sack  of  corn. 

In  the  fall  prior  to  the  winter  of  the  deep  snow,  Governor 
Reynolds  was  running  for  the  Chief  Magistracy  of  the  State,  and 
according  to  the  customs  of  those  times,  visited  nearly  every 
town  and  hamlet  in  the  State.  Among  his  appointments  was 
one  at  Murphy's  mill,  then  just  built — on  Kickapoo  creek,  in 
what  is  now  Waynesville  township.  At  that  time  the  politi- 
cal parties  were  Whigs  and  Democrats.  There  were  a  large 
number  in  attendance,  voters  for  miles  around — being  in  all 
about  twenty-five  voters.  It  was  a  motley  crew,  half  of  them, 
at  least,  were  barefoot,  while  the  best  dressed  were  in  their  shirt 
sleeves,  and  wore  buckskiu  for  pants.  The  Governor  made  a 
stirring  speech  under  an  oak-tree.  Some  one  passed  around  a 
copious  bottle  of  whisky,  and  of  course  when  election  came,  all 
voted  for  Gov.  Reynolds,  both  Whigs  and  Democrats. 

This  chapter  would  not  be  complete  without  relating  the  fol- 
lowing circumstance,  which  occurred  the  -1th  of  July,  in  the 
same  year  as  the  above.  Both  of  the  parties  were  pioneers,  and 
are  yet  living,  one  residing  in  Clinton,  and  the  other  in  Texas 
township.  Mr.  Thomas  Davenport,  then  a  young  man,  was 
passing  through  Waynesville  with  his  family,  to  visit  friends  in 
another  part  of  the  county.  He  made  a  halt  in  the  prairie,  near 
Judge  McCiraw's  premises.  While  here  the  question  came  up 
with  regard  to  physical  powers,  etc.,  and  a  banter  was  made  by 
some  one  present,  that  Mr.  McGraw  could  beat  Davenport  in  a 
foot-race.  Both  parties  prided  themselves  in  their  capacity  as 
foot-racers.  The  champions  eagerly  sought  the  opportunity  to 
prove  their  valor.  A  partially  plowed  prairie  was  selected  as  a 
scene  of  contest.  A  land  that  had  not  been  completed,  about  six 
or  eight  feet  wide,  was  the  chosen  spot.  The  furrows  were 
straight,  and  it  was  arranged  that  each  should  take  a  furrow, 
and  start  at  the  word,  "  Go !"  The  distance  was  a  hundred 
yards.  The  race  was  run,  and  it  was  conceded  that  the  Judge 
came  out  a  little  ahead.  Our  informant  says  that  Davenport 
walked  around  his  competitor,  after  the  race  was  over,  looked 
him  up  and  down  in  astonishment,  and  finally  exclaimed,  "  that 
he  did  not  think  that  that  man  had  been  created  who  could 
beat  him  on  foot."  Last  year — 1880 — fifty  years  afterward. 
Judge  McGraw  jokingly  bantered  Mr.  Davenport,  on  the  fair 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


297 


ground  at  Clintou,  to  have  their  youthful  foot-race  over  again 
Of  course  the  race  was  not  run. 

The  following  are  the  first  land  entries  made  in  the  township: 
November  3d,  1827.  Samuel  P.  Glenn  entered  the  E.  »  of  the 
S.  W.  i  in  section  26.  On  the  same  date,  James  K.  Scott  entered 
the  E.  *  of  the  N.  E.  }  of  scetion  27.  These  were  the  first  land 
entries  made  in  De  Witt  county.  Levi  Johnson  entered  the  E.  * 
of  the  S.  E.  i  of  section  1.5,  the  18th  of  March,  1828.  Prettymau 
Marvel  entered  the  E.  ]  of  the  N.  E.  i  of  section  31,  March  28th, 

1828.  On  the  same  day,  Samuel  Curtright  entered  the  W.  *  of 
the  N.  W.  4  of  section  32.  April  7th,  182^,  Daniel  Vinson  en- 
tered the  E.  »  of  the  N.  W.  \  of  section  28.  Abraham  Onstott 
on  the  2d  of  December,  1828,  entered  the  W.  I  of  the  N.W.  1  of 
same  section.  Heirs  of  George  Kline  at  the  same  date,  entered 
the  E.  ;  of  the  S.  W.  J  of  section  22.  January  14th,  1829,  Ed- 
ward W.  Fears  entered  the  W.  }  of  the  N.  W.  i  of  section  27. 
Thomas  M.  Glenn  entered  the  E.  1  N.  W.  1  of  section  35.  June 
6th,  1829,  Henry  Atherton  entered  the  W.  I  of  the  N.  E.  \  of 
section  28-  Jonathan  Atherton  entered  the  W.  5  of  the  .S.  W. 
J  of  fcction  26,  June  26th,  1829.  John  Robb  entered  the  E.  1 
of  the  S.  E   iof  section  27,  October  13th,  1829.     October  16th, 

1829,  Isaac  Oarlock  entered  the  W.  ■}  of  the  S.  W.  }  of  section 
22.  Wm.  Branson  entered  the  E.  *  of  the  S.  W.  i  of  section  27. 
Mark  McPhearson  entered  the  E.  h  of  the  X.  W.  i  of  section  32, 
May  28th,  1830.  November  19th,  same  year,  John  Strange  en- 
tered the  W.  ■]  of  the  S.  E.  1  of  section  27.  Nicholas  and  Enoch 
Lundy  entered  the  W.  I  of  the  N.  E.  i  of  same  section,  Novem- 
ber 27th,  1830.  Same  date,  Jesse  Sutton  entered  the  E.  1  of  the 
N.  W.  t  of  section  29.  December  8th,  1830,  John  B-  Jones  en- 
tered the  E.  -5  of  the  N.  W.  1  of  section  21.  In  the  same  year 
December  18th,  Thomas  Cuppy  entered  the  E.  V  of  the  S.  W.  i 
of  the  same  section.  Hiram  Crum  at  the  same  date,  entered  the 
W.  \  of  the  S.  E.  \  of  section  28. 

The  first  interment  made  was  on  the  farm  of  Samuel  P.  Glenn 
in  section  26,  in  1829,  and  the  first  person  buried  was  Samuel 
Scott,  a  brother  of  James  K.  Scott.  The  grave  was  situated  on 
a  little  rise  of  ground  just  west  of  where  the  Christiau  church 
now  stands.  The  cemetery  at  this  writing  contains  one  acre  of 
ground,  and  was  donated  by  Mr.  Glenn  to  the  county  for  a  pub- 
lic place  of  burial.  Many  of  the  deceased  of  Waynesville  and 
the  vicinity  are  buried  here. 

The  first  couple  married  were  James  Johnson  and  Mahala 
Nichols.  The  marriage  rites  were  solemnized  by  Samuel  P. 
Glenn,  then  justice  of  the  peace.  __This  occurred  in  the  summer 
of  1829.  The  first  child  born  was  a  daughter  of  Prettyman  and 
Rebecca  Marvel,  which  occurred  the  4th  of  November,  1827. 
She  was  born  at  their  log  cabin,  situated  in  section  21.  The  sec- 
ond born  was  Nancy,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  M.  Glenn,  in  the 
spring  of  1828.  The  first  school  taught  was  a  private  session, 
and  conducted  by  J.  J.  McGraw  in  the  winter  of  1832.  To  this 
day  the  old  settlers  claim  it  was  one  of  the  best  schools  they 
ever  had.  The  house  was  a  log  cabin,  situated  in  section  28,  on 
the  land  formerly  owned  by  A.  P.  Cushman. 

Among  the  pioneer  preachers  were  Peter  Cartwright,  James 
K.  Scott,  William  See,  Hugh  and  Walter  Bowles,  James  Hughes, 
R.  D.  Taylor,  and  Abner  Peeler.  Peter  Cartwright  was  then 
the  presiding  elder  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  It  must  be  remembered 
that  at  this  time  there  were  no  church  houses,  and  the  services 
were  held  at  the  cabins  of  the  pioneers.  Prettyman  Marvel's 
house  was  one  of  the  favorable  resorts  for  church  services.  At 
this  time — 1825 — ,  an  informant  tells  us  that  there  were  but  six 
who  would  congregate  to  hear  the  word  expounded ;  and  the  en- 


joyment of  these  few  who  gathered  together  on  the  dirt  floor  of 
their  cabins,  was  only  equaled  by  the  simplicity  and  earnestness 
of  the  worshippers.  The  first  church  house  was  constructed  in 
1837,  and  located  in  section  26,  in  sight  of  Samuel  P.  Glenn's 
residence  It  was  a  frame  structure,  and  the  first  frame  buildidg 
in  the  township.  It  was  moved  to  the  village  of  Waynesville 
three  years  ago,  and  is  now  utilized  for  a  blacksmith  shop  and 
carriage  factory  by  Evans  Bros ,  a  relic  of  the  olden  time. 

John  Glenn  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace  Thomas  M. 
Glenn,  and  Samuel  P  Glenn  were  also  among  the  first.  The  first 
blacksmith  was  Robert  Eckler,  a  native  of  New  York.  His  shop 
was  a  little  pole  cabin,  situated  in  the  north  part  of  the  town 
of  Waynesville.  This  was  in  1833.  Mr.  Eckler  moved  away  in 
an  early  day  to  parts  unknown.  The  first  mill  was  built  by  Zion 
and  Edom  Shugart  in  1829,  and  was  situated  on  Kickapoo  creek 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  township  on  the  land  now  owned  by 
Mrs.  Tenney.  It  was  a  water  grist-mill,  and  had  a  capacity  of 
grinding  from  15  to  20  bushels  of  meal  daily.  The  burrs  were 
about  two  feet  in  diameter,  and  hewn  out  from  prairie  boulders. 
The  first  saw  mill  was  built  by  Russell  Post  in  1837,  and  situated 
on  the  Kickapoo  in  section  23.  It  had  an  upright  saw,  and  was 
run  by  an  undershot  wheel.  Nothing  but  a  portion  of  the  old 
dam  now  remains,  to  point  out  to  the  passer-by  that  here  was 
once  a  mill. 

Charles  Maltby  was  the  first  postmaster,  ami  the  office  was 
situited  on  Maltby  street  a  little  north  of  J.  P.  Dunham's  store. 
It  was  established  in  1834. 

The  township  in  1860  contained  872  inhabitants:  in  1870,  970 
inhabitants;  and  the  last  census,  1880,  there  were  1,042.  Among 
the  most  prominent  stock  raisers  at  this  time  are :  Taylor  Bros. 
They  make  a  specialty  of  propagating  the  finest  quality  of  sheep 
and  swine-  The  prizes  taken  at  the  fairs  for  their  stock  in  1879 
were  upwards  of  S2,000. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  Supervisors  elected  since  Town- 
ship organization :  Thomas  C  Robb  was  elected  in  1859,  and 
served  two  terms.  Boynton  Tenney,  elected  in  1861,  and  served 
two  terms  ;  was  chosen  Chairman  of  the  Board  for  the  year  1862. 
Thomas  C.  Robb,  re-elected  in  1863,  and  served  one  term.  J.  M. 
Simpson,  elected  in  1864  ;  I.  C.  Cantrall,  elected  in  1865,  and 
served  two  terms.  E.  Davenport  was  elected  in  1867.  Boynton 
Tenney,  re-elected  in  1868,  and  served  as  Chairman  of  the  Board 
for  that  year.  Calvin  Timmons,  elected  in  1869,  and  served  un- 
til 1872.  W.  H.  Oglevie,  elected  in  1872.  James  P.  Strange 
was  elected  in  1873.  Amos  Dick,  elected  in  1874,  and  served 
three  terms.  Mathew  Hammett,  elected  in  1877,  and  served  three 
terras.  E.  D.  Sessions  was  elected  in  1880.  Charles  Jones  was 
elected  in  1881,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

VILLAGE   OF   WAYNESVILLE. 

This  is  the  oldest  town  in  De  Witt  county,  and  is  situated  iu 
section  29,  just  in  the  southern  edge  of  the  Kickapoo  timber  It 
was  named  by  George  Isham  in  honor  of  Gen.  Anthony  Wayne, 
of  whose  exploits  and  generalship  Isham  was  a  great  admirer. 
The  township  afterwards  received  its  name  from  the  village.  The 
first  town-plat  was  filed  by  Isham  the  4th  of  June,  1832,  and  de- 
scribed as  follows  :  A  part  of  the  E.  »  S.  W.  i  section  29,  and  con- 
tained six  blocks.  This  territory  was  then  a  part  of  ^IcLeau 
county;  Subsequent  additions  were  made  as  follows  :  Post  and 
Isham,  addition  made  January  12th,  1836.  Russell  Post,  addi- 
tion made  October  10th  of  the  same  year.  The  first  attempt  for 
incorporation  was  made  June  26th,  1844.  A  meeting  was  called 
and  a  vote  taken,  with  the  following  result.     For  incorporating: 


298 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


A.  Hamilton,  David  Wheeler,  Charles  JIaltby,  Bussel  Post,  E. 
J.  Lawrence,  Harrison  Maltby,  J.  L.  Ginnings,  AVilliam  Evans, 
John  F.  Buckner,  Samuel  Richards,  R.  E.  Post,  John  Zoller,  D. 
J.  Grosh,  Thomas  Congher,  Jessie  Griffin,  Victor  N.  Sampson, 
Jacob  F.  Sampson.  James  H.  Morley,  F  S.  Harrison,  J.  M.  La- 
ton,  G.  W.  Stipp,  John  W.  Anderson,  and  A.  X.  Dills.  Against 
incorporating  :  Xathauiel  Harris  and  James  McNealy. 

For  some  cause  no  organization  was  effected,  and  it  was  not 
until  in  the  fall  of  1.^68  that  the  town  was  incorporated,  and  then 
under  a  general  act  of  the  Legislature  for  the  incorporating  of 
villages.  The  first  elected  officers  were  :  F.  Brock,  President  of 
the  Board  ;  J.  AV.  Di.x,  J.  Wilson,  J.  J.  Starkey,  Charles  Wil- 
liams, and  James  M.  Evans.  John  Dickey  was  chosen  clerk. 
The  present  officers  of  the  village  are:  W.  C.  Whiteman,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board  ;  William  H.  Cantrall.  Charles  Tenney,  Henry 
Armstrong,  William  P.  Gambrell,  and  James  M.  Evans  ;  Clerk  : 
Dr.  S.  A.  Crraham ;  Treasurer,  C.  W.  Williamson  ;  Police  Magis- 
trate, John  McLeod  :  Town  Constable,  E.  Gambrel. 

The  first  goods  sold  in  the  town  l  being  the  first  in  the  county,) 
were  by  Greenman  \'  Dunham  in  1830,  two  years  before  the  town 
was  laid  out.  They  had  a  small  stock  of  notions  and  groceries, 
and  their  customers  carae  for  many  miles  around.  At  this  time 
there  was  but  one  store  in  Bloomington,  which  was  kept  by  James 
Allin,  founder  of  both  the  towns  of  Bloomington  and  Clinton. 
The  store-room  of  the  firm  of  Greenman  &  Dunham  was  a  small 
hewed  log  cabin,  situated  in  the  eastern  limits  of  the  present 
corporation  of  Waynesville.  It  was  afterwards  taken  down  and 
moved  to  another  spot  in  the  same  part  of  the  town.  It  is  now 
weather-boarded,  and  is  used  as  a  part  of  James  AI.  Evans'  dwell- 
ing. 

The  first  house  built  in  the  town  proper,  after  it  was  platted, 
was  erected  by  George  Isham  in  1832.  It  was  a  hewed  log  build- 
ing, 16x18  feet  in  size,  and  situated  on  Maltby  street,  opposite 
what  is  now  Odd  Fellow's  Hall.  I.  N.  Chrisman  put  in  a  small 
stock  of  goods,  which  business  he  conducted  for  some  time.  The 
building  was  afterwards  moved  back  from  the  street  and  used 
as  a  stable  by  Linus  Graves.  Some  of  the  old  logs  may  yet  be 
seen  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town  where  they  are  utilized 
for  a  sidewalk. 

The  first  frame  building  was  erected  by  Benjamin  Day  for  a 
dwelling  in  1832,  and  located  on  Maltby  street  in  the  lot  now  oc- 
cupied by  R.  H.  Dragstern's  store-room.  The  building  was  torn 
down  many  years  ago.  The  first  school-house  was  built  by  George 
Isham  in  1836.  and  situated  in  the  first  addition  to  Waynesville, 
on  Maltby  street,  in  the  lot  now  occupied  by  Addison  Harrison. 
It  was  a  little  log  building,  and  the  first  school  taught  in  it  "as 
by  Linus  Graves. 

The  first  and  only  grist-mill  constructed  in  the  town  was  under 
the  auspices  of  James  Metland  in  1850,  and  was  situated  in  the 
northern  limits  of  the  village,  a  little  east  of  Eber  Davenport's 
tile  factory.  George  Isham  donated  seven  acres  of  ground  in  or- 
der to  establish  it.  The  building  was  a  frame,  two  stories,  and 
cost  about  83,000.  It  had  two  run  of  stones,  and  other  belong- 
ings to  make  a  very  good  mill.  Several  years  ago  it  was  taken 
down,  and  moved  to  McLsan  county.  Livingston  &  Davis  con- 
structed the  first  saw-mill  in  1853.  It  was  situated  a  little, 
west  and  north  of  the  Illinois  Midland  depot.  It  was  run  by 
steam-power,  and  had^  an  upright  saw.  The  relic  of  the  old 
frame  may  yet  be  seen,  but  the  machinery  was  taken  out  several 
years  ago  and  utilized  for  other  purposes.  It  may  be  interesting 
for  the  present  generation  and  late  settlers  to  know  that  the  town 
could  once  boast  of  a  tan-yard.     It  was  constructed  in  1833  by 


Homer  Buck,  and  situated  on  First  street,  in  the  lot  now  owned 
by  the  Ginnings  family.  It  passed  from  existence  many  years 
ago.  The  village  has  two  cemeteries,  one  situated  in  the  east  part 
of  the  town  and  the  other  in  the  west.  The  ground  of  the  former 
was  donated  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  by  George  Isham  in 
1852.  The  latter  was  donated  by  Prettyman  Marvel,  and  ante- 
dates the  former. 

The  present  school  building  is  situated  on  the  public  square, 
and  was  erected  in  the  fall  of  1866,  at  a  cost  of  84,000.  It  is  a 
square  building,  36x36,  and  two  stories  in  height.  There  are 
two  rooms,  furnished  with  the  latest  improved  furniture,  etc. 
A  cupola  adorns  the  building,  from  which  is  suspended  a  school 
bell.  Two  teachers  are  employed,  and  it  is  thus  partially  graded- 
Nine  months  is  the  usual  term  taught  in  the  year,  and  it  has  an 
attendance  of  about  75  pupils.  The  town  also  contains  two 
good  church  buildings,  Cumberland  Presbyterian,  and  Methodist. 
The  former  is  a  large  frame  building  with  spire  and  bell.  This 
was  the  first  church  house  built  in  the  village,  and  was  con- 
structed in  1839.  The  latter  is  a  substantial  brick  house,  also 
ornamented  with  a  spire  and  bell.  For  a  more  complete  account 
of  the  churches,  see  special  chapter  on  Ecclesiastical  history. 

At  this  writing  the  town 'of  Waynesville  contains  about  360 
inhabitants.  Two  fine  brick  business  houses  are  already  in  pro- 
cess of  erection  ;  and  there  appears  in  all  parts  of  the  town  a 
good  show  of  energy  and  push  for  a  small  country  town.  The 
people  have  met  with  several  reverses  to  retard  the  progress  of 
their  town,  among  which,  probably  the  most  prominent,  was  the 
cholera  epidemic  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  of  1855.  The 
following  are  the  names  of  the  deaths  in  the  village  of  that  year  : 
Dugald  Walker  and  wife :  Young  Fonts,  wife  and  child  ;  Mrs. 
Hogland  ;  Mrs.  Isaac  Bowman  and  child  ;  Mrs.  Grimes  ;  Dr.  F. 
S.  Harrison;  a  child  of  J.  P.  Dunham,  and  a  child  of  Mr.  Shelly, 
— 12  in  all.  In  the  neighborhood  of  the  village  the  following 
were  the  deaths  :  John  Ackerson,  wife,  sister  and  four  children  ; 
Alexander  Gaston,  and  one  other  person,  name  not  known. 
Great  suffering  and  privations  prevailed  at  this  time  for  the  lack 
of  nurses,  and  medical  attendance.  The  family  of  Ackerson 
were  all  buried  in  rude  boxes,  and  interred  in  the  night,  so  afraid 
were  the  people  of  the  infection  spreading  in  their  midst. 

PRESENT    BUSINESS. 

Brick  and  Tile  Works  of  E.  Davenport  were  established  in 
1852,  and  situated  in  block  43,  Port's  addition  to  Waynesville. 
The  shed  and  inclosure  is  130x144  feet,  and  the  drive-ways 
occupy  upwards  of  one  acre  of  ground.  The  factory  contains 
three  kilns  for  burning  tile,  and  has  the  capacity  of  manufactur- 
ing 200,000  feet  of  tile  annually.  The  works  also  contain  a 
brick  kiln,  capable  of  burning  300,000  per  year,  and  in  all  give 
employment  to  six  men.  The  value  of  the  manufactured  pro- 
duct is  upwards  of  83,000  annually.  Mr.  Davenport  is  the 
patentee  of  the  "  down  and  up  draft  "  kilns  which  are  proving 
such  a  success  in  the  country. 

Atchison  Tile  Works,  David  Atchison,  proprietor.  These 
works  were  established  in  the  fall  of  1877,  and  are  situated  in 
the  north  part  of  the  town  at  the  foot  of  Maltby  street.  The  cost 
of  this  manufactory  was  82,000.  It  has  the  capacity  of  manufac- 
turing 350,000  feet  of  tile  in  the  working  season,  and  gives  em- 
ployment to  four  men.  Manufactures  tile  from  2]  inches  in 
diameter  to  eight  inches.  The  grounds  occupy  two  and  a  half 
acres,  and  are  convenientlj'  arranged  with  drying  sheds,  and 
drive  ways  suitable  to  the  business.  The  works  contain  a  saw- 
mill attachment,  and  at  certain  seasons  of  the  year  it  does  quite 


HISTORY  OF  D£  WITT  COUXTY,  ILIjyOIS. 


299 


a^thriving  business  in  the  lumber  trade.  The  whole  business  is 
driven  by  a  twenty  horse-power  engine-  Annual  value  of 
manufactured  product,  ST.OOO. 

Elevator  A. — Gambrel  i  Cook,  proprietors.  This  iudustrv 
was  established  in  the  spring  of  1S77;  and  is  situated  at  the  foot 
of  First  Street,  and  on  the  switch  of  the  Illinois  Midland  Rail- 
way. It  was  was  built  by  Cook  &  Son,  and  passed  into  the  hands 
of  the  present  proprietors  in  July  1881.  It  is  a  frame  building, 
three  stories  high,  and  36x4'8  feet  on  the  ground,  and  built  at  a 
cost  of  83000.  It  has  two  dumps,  and  drive-ways  complete,  and 
the  capacity  of  elevating  .')000  bushels  of  grain  per  day,  and  can 
store  12,000  bushels  ;  besides  having  cribs  attached,  capable  of 
holding  50,000  bushels  of  corn.  This  elevator  is  driven  bv 
horse  power,  and  gives  employment  to  live  men  and  three  teams. 
Carriage  and  Wngon  Manufactory. — This  was  established  bv 
Evans  Bros,  in  the  spring  of  1875.  The  building  is  a  frame, 
two  stories,  and  30x70  feet  in  size,  and  cost  the  proprietors 
$2000.  It  is  located  on  the  corner  of  First  and  Maltby  Streets  ; 
employs  eight  men,  and  the  annual  value  of  the  mantiictured 
product  is  -S4000.     All  the  work  is  performed  by  hand. 

Brick  Yard,  owned  and  operated  by  A.  L.  Yocom.  This  yard 
was  established  in  the  spring  of  1879,  and  is  located  in  the  north 
part  of  the  town,  between  laham  and  Maltby  Streets.  It  gives 
employment  to  four  men,  and  manufactures  200,000  bricks 
annually.  Mr.  Yocom  also  owns  a  portable  saw-mUl,  situated  in 
the  north  part  of  the  village,  capable  of  sawing  from  four  to  five 
thousand  feet  of  lumber  daily.  It  is  run  by  a  traction-engine 
of  16-hor.se  power,  and  gives  employment  to  four  men.  The 
logs  are  hauled  from  the  Kickapoo  and  Rock  Creek  timber. 

Qeneral  Merchandise. — J.  P.  Dunham  &  Co. ;  R.  H.  Dreg- 
stren  ;  Fults  &  Dix. 

Drugs,  Medicines,  etc. — Whiteman  &  Williamson. 

Druffs  and  Groceries. — Wakefield  &  Dick, 

Harness  and  Saddle  Store. — W.  H.  Cantrall. 

Lumber,  Coal,  Lime,  Agricultural  Implements,  e(e.— Gamlirell 
&  Cook. 

Physicians. — J.J.  Starkey ;  S.  A.  Graham  ;  Philetus  Wakefield. 

Milliner- — Mrs.  Helen  A.  Whitemau. 

Blacksmiths. — C.  W.  Slinker;  William  Tracy. 

Boot  and  Shoe  Hepairers. — James  Dickey  ;  .John  D.  Slack. 

Stx>ck  Dealers  and  Shippers. — Gambrel  &  Marvel. 

Masons  and  Bricklayers. — John  Wilson  ;  Israel  Frank. 

Painter  and  Glazier. — Victor  Sampson. 

Butchers  and  Meat  Market. — Clark  &  Clemmons. 


Barber. — A.  Harrison. 
Hotel. — W.  H.  Robertson. 
Postma-fter. — W.  H.  Cantrall. 


Wiiyne  Lodge,  No.  172,  A.  F.  &  A  M  .  was  organized  under 
dispensation  in  1855,  and  the  first  meeting  held,  May  26th  of 
the  same  year.  The  Lodge  was  organized  under  a  charter  the 
3d  of  October  following.  The  charter  ofiicers  were,  John  H. 
Lisk,  W.  U. ;  Calvin  Timraons,  S.  W. ;  Samuel  Graham,  J.  W.  ; 
David  Wheeler,  Treasurer  :  E.  Stuart,  Secretary  :  John  S.  Can- 
trall, J.  D.,  and  S.  Lowe,  Tyler.  The  Lodge  then  contained  but 
seven  charter  members.  The  present  ofiicers  are,  John  M.  Burk- 
holder,  W.  M.  :  J.  J.  Starkey,  S.  W.  ;  John  R.  McLeod,  J.  W.  ; 
Wiley  .Alarvel,  Treas.  ;  Wm.  P.  Gambrel,  Sec;  John  F.  Dix,  S. 
D. ;  Henry  M.  Leal.  J.  D. ;  John  Booth,  Tyler.  The  Lodge 
meets  every  .Saturday  night,  on  or  before  the  full  of  the  moon. 

/.  0.  M.  A.,  Xo.  110. — -This  Lodge  was  organized  by  M.  L. 
Ross,  of  Quincy,  111.,  February  28th,  1881.  The  following  are  the 
names  of  the  officers  :  .lames  Thomp.son,  P.  ;  H.  T.  Armstrong, 
V.  P. ;  Charles  E.  Evans,  R.  C. ;  S.  A.  Graham,  F,  S.  ;  D.  H. 
Fults,  Treas  ;  Doctors  Wakfield  and  Graham,  M.  E.  There 
were  fifty-two  charity  members.  The  present  officers  are,  W.  P. 
Gambrel,  P.  ;  J.  C.  Evans,  V.  P. ;  H.  T.  Armstrong,  R.  S. ;  S. 
A.  Graham,  F.  .S.  ;  D.  H.  Fults,  Treas. ;  Doctors  Wakefield 
and  Graham,  M.  E.  The  present  membership  is  the  original 
number,  fifty-two. 

Prairie  State  Lodge,  Xo.  104, 1.  O.  O.  F.  was  organized  Feb. 
13th,  1852,  and  was  chartered  October  1.5th,  of  the  same  year. 
The  charter  officers  were  as  follows :  John  H.  Peak,  N.  G.  ; 
John  H.  Lisk,  V.  G. ;  J.  B.  Hoover,  Sec.  ;  John  Lewis,  Treas. ; 
E.  Staflbrd,  R.  S. ;  K.  T.  Scher,  L.  S. ;  J.  M.  Sampson,  O.  G.; 
V.  N.Sampson.  C.  These  constituted  the  members  of  the  Lodge 
when  it  was  instituted-  The  present  officers  are,  W.  C.  White- 
man,  N.  Ct.  ;  J.  W.  Dix,  V.  G.  ;  Thomas  A-  Banks,  Sec. ;  F. 
M.  Jeffrey,  Treas.  ;  .John  McLeod,  R.  S. ;  Thomas  Dick,  L.  S.; 
James  Cook,  R.  S.,  V.  G.  ;  John  Evans,  L.  S-,  V-  G-  ;  E.  K. 
Ginnings,  0.  S-  G. ;  J-  P.  .*trange,  I.  S.  G- ;  P.  Wakefield,  C. ; 
E.  D.  Sessions,  W. ;  Alford  Dick,  R.  S.  S.  :  J.  J.  Buck,  L.  S.  S. 
The  present  membership  of  the  Lodge  is  fourteen.  The  Lodge 
is  out  of  debt,  and  has  money  in  the  treasurv.* 


*  For  the  data  of  the  various  Lodges  we  : 
of  the  same. 


indebted  to  the  Secretaries 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


••V      ' 


REBECCA   GAMBREL. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  oldest  settler  now  living  in 
De  Witt  County-  She  is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  Barr, 
and  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  April  '21st,  1806.  Her  father 
was  a  native  of  the  North  of  Ireland.  He  emigrated  to  America 
and  settled  in  the  Carolinas  ;  afterwards  removed  to  Tennessee, 
then  to  Indiana,  and  in  1837  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in 
Logan  County  where  he  died.  He  married  Nancy  Hamilton,  a 
native  of  South  Carolina.  She  also  died  in  Logan  County,  111. 
Rebecca  is  among  the  older  children,  of  which  there  were  eleven. 
Four  of  them  still  survive,  viz.,  Mrs.  Garabrel,  John,  Thomas  and 
Lewis  Barr.  On  the  15th  of  May,  1823,  Rebecca  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Prettyman  Marvel,  who  was  a  native  of  Georgia. 
The  marriage  was  solemnized  in  Indiana.  Two  years  after  that 
event,  Mr.  JIarvel  left  Gibson  County,  Indiana,  came  to  Illinois, 
and  settled  near  where  the  town  of  Waynesville  now  stands.  At 
that  time  they  were  the  only  white  residents  or  people  in  this 
section  of  the  country.  The  nearest  settlement  was  ten  miles 
away.  Other  settlers,  however,  came  soon  after,  and  together 
these  early  pioneers  subdued  the  wilderness  and  made  it  habit" 
able  for  their  posterity  and  coming  generations.  Prettj'man 
Marvel  was  born  May  8th,  1801,  and  died  July  23d,  1842.  In 
September,  1847,  Mrs.  Rebecca  Marvel  married  Thompson  P. 
Gambrel.  He  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  ;  from  there  removed  to 
Indiana,  and  in  1847  came  to  Illinois.     He  died    August  31st, 


1877.  By  her  marriage  with  Prettyman  Marvel  there  were 
eleven  children,  and  none  by  the  latter  marriage.  Mrs.  Gambrel 
at  the  age  of  seventeen  became  a  convert  and  member  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  One  year  after  her  marriage 
with  ]Mr.  Marvel  he  experienced  religion,  and  they  both  joined 
the  M.  E.  Church.  During  the  late  war  she  joined  the  .M.  E. 
Church,  South.  (For  a  full  description  of  the  country,  and  the 
settlers,  neighbors  of  Prettyman  Marvel,  the  reader  is  referred  to 
the  Pioneers  and  History  of  Waynesville  Township  to  be  found 
in  another  part  of  this  work.) 

William  P.  Gambrel,  one  of  the  active  business  men  of 
Waynesville,  is  the  son  of  William  and  Mary  A.  Gambrel  He 
was  born  in  De  Witt  County,  March  28th,  18.59.  His  education 
was  received  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county,  and  in  its 
High  School  of  Clinton,  and  one  year  spent  in  Wesleyan  Uni- 
versity, at  Blooraington,  111.  On  the  15th  of  October,  1879,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Laura  E.,  daughter  of  R.  W.  and 
Catharine  Sweeney,  residents  of  Clintonia  Township,  DeWitt  Co. 
Bv  thai  union  there  is  a  child  named  Henry  H.  Gambrel.  In 
October,  1879,  jNIr.  Gambrel  engaged  in  the  grain  business,  in 
which  he  still  continues.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and 
Odd  Fellows'  Orders ;  politically,  is  a  democrat.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Tru.*tees  of  Wavnesville. 


301 


/;/^Z^^\ 


The  Joues  family,  ou  the  paternal  side,  are  of  Welsh  ancestry, 
and  on  the  maternal,  English,  and  of  the  nobility  while  yet  resi- 
dents of  England.  Peter  Jones,  the  paternal  grandfather  of  the 
present  family,  was  a  native  of  Jlaryland ;  he  settled  in  the 
Carolinas  a  short  time  after  the  Revolutionary  war,  where  the 
family  remained  until  about  1804,  when  they  removed  to  Ohio, 
and  subsequently  in  1831  came  to  Illinois,  and  stopped  in  Sanga- 
mon county,  and  in  the  following  spring  came  to  what  is  now 
known  as  De  Witt  county,  where  Peter  Jones  died  in  1842.  He 
married  Mary  Branson,  by  which  union  was  John  Branson  Jones, 
whose  portrait  stands  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  He  was  born 
in  North  Carolina  December  24,  1799  ;  he  came  with  his  father 
to  Illinois,  and  here  settled  on  Sec.  16,  now  in  Waynesviile 
township,  where  he  bought  a  claim,  and  afterwards  rented  land 
in  same  section,  and  there  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  'lOth,  18-56.  Mr.  Jones  in  his  life  was  in  some 
respects  a  remarkable  man,  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  in- 
telligence, and  was  one  of  those  rugged  minds  that  had  for  its 
basis  much  valuable  common  sense.  During  the  Indian  wars  in 
Indiana  he  was  commissioned  as  captain  in  the  39th  Regiment  In. 
diana  Militia,  dating  from  March  3d,  1832.  Afterward  he  came  to 
Illinois,  and  in  1840  he  was  commissioned  by  Governor  Reynolds 
as  Colonel  of  the  8th  Regiment  Illinois  Vols.  Col.  Jones  took 
great  delight  in  military  matters,  and  on  general  mustering  days 
was  a  conspicuous  figure  on  the  field  where  were  marshalled  the 
hardy  pioneers  in  mimic  array.  He  married  Miss  Rachel 
Thomas,  who  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  was  born  April  5,  1803. 
8he  still  survives  her  husband,  and  is  now  in  her  seventy-ninth 


year,  and  a  resident  on  the  same  place  where  she  settled  with  her 
husband  over  half  a  century  ago.  She  is  a  woman  of  whom  it 
may  be  said  she  was  a  true  helpmate  and  partner  of  her  husband, 
sharing  in  his  joys  and  bearing  with  him  the  burdens  of  life  with 
a  true  womanly  spirit.  Although  suffering  for  a  number  of 
years  from  physical  infirmities  which  are  of  such  a  character 
as  would  have  borne  down  much  stronger  natures,  yet  so  gentle 
is  her  disposition,  so  kind  and  self-sacrificing  her  nature,  that  no 
sign  or  word  has  ever  escaped  her  which  might  be  construed  as 
an  expression  of  discontent  or  repining  at  her  lot,  or  that  the 
grievous  burden  might  be  lifted  from  her. 

There  were  twelve  children  born  to  John  B.  and  Rachel  Jones  ; 
Charles  W.  is  the  eleventh  in  the  family  ;  he  was  bora  on  Sec.  16 
Waynesviile  township,  De  Witt  county,  Illinois,  February  13th, 
1842.  His  education  is  mainly  self-culture,  acquired  by  ex- 
tensive and  voluminous  reading.  He  remained  at  home,  at  work 
on  the  farm,  until  1861,  when  he  entered  in  the  first  call  for 
7.1,000  troops  to  put  down  the  rebellion  ;  he  became  a  member  of 
Co.  E  of  the  7th  Regiment  Illinois  Vols.  At  the  close  of  his 
enlistment  he  returned  home,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year 
re-enlisted  for  three  years  service  in  Co.  D  of  the  8th  Regiment 
Mo.  Vols.  He  participated  with  this  regiment  in  the  battles  of 
Donelson,  Fort  Henry,  Crump's  Landing,  Shiloh,  Corinth  and 
Vicksburg.  In  the  latter  fight  he  was  wounded  in  the  attempt 
to  storm  the  works ;  he  was  sent  to  the  hospital,  and  soon  after 
discharged  from  reason  of  physical  disability  caused  by  the 
wound.  He  returned  home  and  re-engaged  in  farming  and  stock 
raising,  in  which  he  still  continues.     On  the  27th  of  February, 

303 


Farm  Rrs  DEKcr  OF   HENRY    B  R  I  TT I  N   S  ccZ  4-J.Z  l,R  3J^IA^ilsonTp)  De  Witt  Co  ■  I  l  l 


I.    (essejt,)   pbemiums    taken    in  lasi   ^laaoo     2. Chester    white.     3  essex 

Farm&Residence  or  J  O  H  N     T  A  Y  LO  R  ,S  lc  I5J2I  .RJ^^aynesvilleTp^  De  Witt  Co.  III. 

Breeder    o  f  Fin  e  H  ocs  a  no   Merino   Sheep. 


HISTORY  OF  DL   WITT  COU.VTV,  ILLIXOIS. 


305 


1875,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Vinson,  by  whicli  union 
there  are  two  children,  named  Rachel  and  John  Branson  Jones, 
aged  respectively  six  and  five  years.  In  his  religious  beliefs, 
Mr.  Jones  subscribes  to  none  of  the  formulated  creeds,  but  is  ex- 
tremely liberal,  and  takes  his  stand  with  the  advanced  thinkers 
and  the  liberal  thought  of  to-day.  He  is  a  Democrat,  which 
ticket  he  voted  until  1876,  when  he  wandered  from  the  Demo- 
cratic fold  and  voted  for  Peter  Cooper,  but  in  1880  came  back 
to  his  first  political  love  and  cast  his  ballot  for  Gen.  Winfield  S. 
Hancock.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  political  matters, 
and  is  one  of  the  recognized  leaders  of  his  party  in  the 
county.  In  1881  he  was  elected  to  represent  his  township  in  the 
board  of  supervisors,  and  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  therein 
imposed  upon  him  has  given  complete  and  universal  satisfaction. 
Mr.  Jones  is  to  the  '"manor  born,"  and  is  in  every  sense  a 
genuine  type  of  the  Western  man.  Of  broad  and  liberal  views, 
in  sympathy  with  the  masses  upon  all  questions  affecting  them, 
fearless  in  the  expression  of  what  he  deems  right,  of  ready  tact 
and  good  address,  we  say  he  is  the  natural  product  of  the  broail 
prairies  of  the  West. 


F.  M.  JEFFREY 

Wa3  born  in  Fayette  County,  Indiana,  September  21st,  1832. 
The  family  is  Scotch  descent  on  the  paternal  side.  William 
Jeffrey,  the  great-grandfather  of  the  present  family,  emigrated 
from  Scotland  to  America,  and  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution. 
He  settled  in  New  Jersey  when  William,  the  grandfather,  was 
born.  He  moved  to  Utica,  Xew  York,  where  AVilliam,  his  son, 
and  the  father  of  Francis  M.  was  born.  The  grandfather  was  a 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  also  in  the  Indian  wars,  and  was  at 
the  battle  of  Tippecanoe.  In  1811  he  moved  to  Fayette  County, 
Indiana,  and  remained  there  until  1856,  when  he  came  to  Illinois 
and  settled  in  this  township.  He  married  Ruth  Allen,  of  Xew 
York,  by  whom  there  were  four  sons  and  four  daughters.  Wil- 
liam, the  father  of  F.  M.,  was  the  eldest  son.  He  was  born  in 
Utica,  New  York,  October  27th,  1807,  and  died  August  23d, 
1S77.  He  came  to  Wayuesville,  Township  in  1837,  and  has 
followed  his  trade  of  tanning,  subsequently  engaging  in  farming. 
He  married  Harriet  De  Camp,  who  was  born  March  2d,  1S13. 
She  still  survives  her  husband.  By  that  marriage  there  were 
twelve  children — four  sons  and  three  daughters  still  living.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  eldest  of  the  children.  He  worked 
with  his  father  at  the  tanning  business,  and  on  the  farm  until 
1856,  then  went  to  carpentering,  and  continued  at  the  trade 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  for  three 
years  in  Co.  "  F,"  38th  Reg't.  111.  Vols.  The  regiment  became 
part  of  the  1st  Brigade,  1st  Division,  4th  Army  Corps.  He 
participated  with  his  regiment  in  the  hard  fiught  b.attles  of 
Fredericktown,  Champion  Hills,  Stone  River,  Liberty  Gap,  the 
first  and  second  battles  of  Corinth,  then  in  the  Atlanta  Cam- 
paign, Mission  Ridge,  Chickamauga,  and  .Jonesboro,  where 
the  time  of  service  of  the  regiment  expired.  He  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Perryville,  where  the  command  was 
repulsed  in  their  attempt  to  capture  a  battery.  He  received 
two  wounds  at  Stone  River.  At  the  battle  of  Liberty  Gap  he 
was  one  of  the  sixty  men  who  volunteered  to  capture  a  battery- 
They  succeeded,  but  it  cost  them  one-fourth  of  the  men  in  killed 
and  wounded.  In  that  desperate  undertaking  Mr.  Jetl'rey  was 
Tounded  in  the  head.  After  he  was  mustered  out  he  returned 
home  and  resumed  his  trade  of  carpentering  in  which  he  still 
continues.     On  the  25th  of  December,  1850,  he  married  Miss 


Sarah  McEntire.  She  died  in  March  1857.  Two  children  by 
that  marriage  both  died.  On  July  21st,  1865,  he  was  united  iu 
marriage  to  Miss  Harriet  Alice  Kidd,  who  was  born  in  Miama 
County,  Indiana.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Captain  Edmund 
Jones  Kidd,  a  native  of  Carolina  County,  Virginia.  He  was  a 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  with  the  rank  of  Captain.  His 
wife,  and  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Jeffrey,  was  Christiana  De  Camp,  of 
Vermont.  The  De  Camps  are  of  French  ancestry.  There  have 
been  bom  to  Mrs.  Jeffrey,  four  sous  and  four  daughters,  two 
sous  and  two  daughters  living.  Their  names  in  the  order  of 
their  births  are  Roxie  B.,  Mabel  St.  Clair,  Edmund  Ernest,  and 
Charles  Kidd  .It-ffrey.  On  the  subject  of  religious  belief,  Mr. 
Jeffrey  subscribes  to  none  of  the  formulated  creeds,  but  believes 
that  in  doing  unto  others  as  you  would  have  others  do 
unto  you,  is  contained  the  genuine  essence  of  true  religion. 
He  is  member  of  the  order  of  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  Encampment, 
and  belong.;  to  Prairie  State  Lodge  No.  104  and  Encampment, 
No.  23,  Atlanta,  Illinois.  Politically,  he  has  been  a  Republican 
since  that  party  came  into  existence  and  supported  .John  C. 
Fremont  for  President  in  1856.  This,  in  short,  is  a  brief  his- 
tory of  Mr.  .Jeffrey.  He  was  a  gallant  and  brave  soldier,  and 
ii  a  good  citizen,  an  honest  man,  and  as  such  enjoys  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  of  the  entire  community. 


THOMAS  TAYLOR. 

The  subject  of  the  following  sketch,  in  connection  with  his 
brother,  stands  at  the  head  of  fine  stock  breeders  in  the  state 
The  Taylor  family,  on  the  paternal  side,  is  of  .Scotch-Irish  an- 
cestry. Thomas  Taylor,  the  grandfather,  emigrated  to  America 
from  the  north  of  Ireland  and  settled  in  Virginia.  His  son 
•Joseph,  father  of  Thomas,  was  born  in  that  state  in  1797.  From 
Virginia  he  removed  to  Ohio,  between  1826  and  1830,  and 
settled  in  Perry  county,  at  Rehoboth,  and  there  married.  In 
1837  he  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  what  is  now  known  as 
Wayuesville  township,  then  part  of  McLean  county ;  he  rented 
land  in  Sec.  15,  and  farmed  for  three  years,  then  removed  to  Sec. 
29  in  same  township,  where  he  leased  a  farm  owned  by  John 
Slatton,  now  known  as  the  "  Yocom  "  farm,  and  stayed  there  two 
years,  then  removed  to  McLean  county,  i>n  Sugar  creek,  and 
there  farmed  for  five  years,  then  came  back  and  purcha.sed  the 
land  where  he  originally  settled  when  he  first  came  to  the 
county.  He  bought  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  paying  fifteen 
hundred  dollars  for  it-  Here  he  remained  until  1850,  when  the 
gold  excitement  in  California  reached  this  country.  He  or- 
ganized a  company  of  emigrants,  and  went  by  overland  route  to 
the  land  of  gohl.  They  landed  in  Sacramento  July  3d  ;  he  there 
engaged  in  the  grocery  trade,  but  was  soon  after  taken  sick  with 
the  prevailing  fevers  of  the  country,  aud  died  on  the  10th  of 
September,  1850.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  possessed  of 
considerable  property  and  goods,  which  would  have  been  of  much 
advantage  to  the  family,  but  it  w.is  fraudulently  appropriated  by 
a  would-be  friend,  and  the  family  never  received  a  cent  of  it. 
]Mr.  Taylor,  while  a  resident  of  P'^rry  county,  Ohio,  married  Miss 
Letha  Gardner,  a  native  of  JIaryland,  but  a  resident  of  the 
above-named  county  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  was  the 
daughter  of  John  Gardner,  who  afterwards  moved  to  Coles 
county,  Illinois,  and  there  died.  There  were  six  sons  and  four 
daughters  born  to  Jlr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor.  Thomas,  who  is  the 
twin-brother  of  John,  was  born  in  Wayuesville  township,  De  Witt 
county,  Illinois,  October  10,  1838.     His  education  was  received 


306 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


in  the  ueighborhood,  in  the  common-schools,  where  he  learned 
sufficient  to  transact  any  of  the  ordinary  business  of  life ;  he 
was  raised  to  habits  of  industry  on  the  farm,  and  at  an  early  age 
became  practically  self-supporting.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he 
started  in  business  for  himself,  and  his  first  venture  in  that  di- 
rection was  in  renting  land  in  Sec.  21  in  this  township.  He 
there  farmed  for  two  years,  then  went  to  McLean  county,  and 
one  year  later  came  back  and  purchased  a  part  of  the  old  home, 
stead,  and  the  same  year  built  the  house  in  which  he  still  lives,  and 
there  he  has  made  his  home  to  the  present  time  On  the  26th  of 
December,  1861,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Jliss  Rachel 
Clayton,  who  was  born  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  October  11,  1843. 
By  this  union  there  were  four  children  ;  the  eldest  son  died  in 
his  third  year.  The  names  of  the  others,  in  the  order  of  their 
birth,  are:  Minnie,  Jesse  and  Harry  Taylor;  all  of  them  are  yet 
beneath  the  parental  roof.  Mrs.  Taylor  died  August  11,  1880. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  but  before  her  death  she 
attached  her-self  to  the  Christian  denomination.  Mr.  Taylor  is 
not  a  member  of  any  church,  but  is  rather  incliued  to  a  liberal 
belief.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Order  of  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  be- 
longs to  Waynesviile  Lodge,  No.  172.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  in 
1860,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  been  a  member  of 
that  political  organization.  This,  in  brief,  is  an  outline  history 
of  Thomas  Taylor  and  family.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  in  con- 
nection with  his  brother,  as  intimated  before,  are  known  throughout 
tht;  West  as  successful  sheep  and  hog  breeders.  Their  breeds  of 
American  Merinos  and  Shropshiredown  sheep,  Poland,  China, 
Chester  White,  Berkshire,  Suffolk  and  E^se.x  swine,  are  well 
known  in  all  parts  of  the  Union.  In  order  to  give  the  reader 
some  idea  of  the  success  and  extent  of  the  l)usiness,  we  have  given 
a  short  sketch  as  to  how  and  when  they  commenced.  Like  all 
successful  breeders,  they  commenced  in  a  small  way,  and  learned 
every  detail  of  how  to  handle  and  breed  their  stock.  Thomas 
commenced  in  1865,  and  continued  until  1875,  when  his  flock  of 
sheep  had  increased  to  one  hundred  and  nine.  He  then  sold 
out  and  commenced  again.  In  1876  he  bought  twenty  ewes  of 
Daniel  Kelly,  of  Wheatland,  Illinois,  paying  S20  per  head.  In 
1877  he  bought  four  ewes  of  same  party,  paying  $50  per  head, 
and  at  the  same  time  purchased  two  of  his  son,  for  which  he 
paid  $162.50.  The  next  year  he  bought  twenty-one  ewes  in 
Wisconsin,  at  820  per  head;  in  1878  bought  three  of  C.  M. 
Clark,  of  Wisconsin,  at  a  cost  of  $25  per  head,  another  at  860, 
and  one  at  830.  In  1879  he  purchased  fifty  of  George  Law- 
rence, paying  $1000;  in  1877  he  purchased  the  famous  buck 
"Germoso,"  of  John  H.  Paul,  for  which  he  paid  $200.  From 
these  he  has  bred  and  raised  his  flock.  Now  the  excellence  of 
the  breed  is  best  shown  in  the  number,  and  amount  of  premiums 
taken  at  state  fairs  of  fat  stock  exhibitions  held  in  Illinois,  Indiana, 
r)hio,  Missouri  and  Iowa. 

In  1876,  they  took  cash  premiums  aggregating  $1,500;  in 
1877,  81,110;  in  1878,  $1,960;  in  1879,  82,257;  in  1880  and 
1881,  they  attended  four  fairs  only,  but  took  $2,575  in  premiums 
in  those  two  years.  Their  sales  of  bucks  in  1879,  for  breeding 
purposes,  aggregated  -$1,470,  and  in  1880,  82,979.  Their  buck 
'  Smuggler  "  took  alone  8450  in  premiums.  His  buck  "  Crown 
Prince  "  was  of  the  Shropshiredown  breed,  and  was  bred  in  Eng- 
land by  Gerry  Allen.  At  one  year  old  he  weighed  three  hundred 
pounds;  he  took  in  premiums  $485.  In  the  breeding  of  swine 
they  have  been  equally  successful.  In  1881  Mr.  Taylor  took 
eight  pigs  to  the  fat  stock  show  in  Chicago,  and  captured  five 
first  premiums,  two  second  and  one  third,  and  two  sweepstakes. 


one  of  which  included  the  grand  prize  over  all  and  every  kind 
of  swine  on  exhibition.  The  victor  was  a  sow  of  the  Essex 
breed,  fourteen  months  old.  In  1881  the  sale  of  pigs  for  breed- 
ing purposes  aggregated  $1,500.  In  the  many  years  in  which 
they  have  been  in  the  business  they  have  built  up  a  reputation 
for  strict  and  honorable  dealing,  and  their  reputation  in  that 
direction  is  co-extensive  with  their  fame  as  stock  breeders.  To 
gain  this  point  it  has  cost  time  and  money ;  but  they  well  knew 
that  reputation,  once  firmly  established  and  built  upon  the  solid 
foundation  of  truth  and  honesty,  would  be  as  enduring  and  last- 
ing as  though  written  on  brass  or  chiseled  on  marble,  and  to 
that  end  they  made  every  honorable  effort,  and  in  it  they  have 
succeeded. 


JOHN  J.  S.  STARKLY,  M.  D. 

TiiK  subject  of  this  brief  biographical  sketch  was  born  in  Mus- 
kingum county,  Ohio,  June  19th,  1840.  The  family  is  of  Welsh 
ancestry  on  the  paternal  side.  Levi  Starkey  emigrated  from 
Wales  to  America  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  was  ac- 
companied by  a  brother,  named  John,  who  afterwards  shipped  on 
board  a  whaler  bound  for  the  North,  and  was  lost  at  sea.  Levi 
was  a  soldier  under  Washington,  and  rose  to  the  command  of  a 
company  of  cavalry.  At  the  battle  of  Brandywine  he  received 
a  sabre  cut  across  the  face,  which  left  a  deep  scar,  which  he  car- 
ried to  his  grave.  He  removed  to  Ohio  in  1822,  and  settled  in 
Z.inesville  ;  and  died  there  in  1850.  He  married  Susan  Stedam, 
a  native  of  Delaware.  By  that  marriage  there  were  seven  child- 
ren. Cornelius,  the  father  of  Dr.  Starkey,  was  born  in  Wilming- 
ton, Delaware,  March  18th,  1818.  He  is  now  a  resident  of  Al- 
len county,  Kansas,  where  he  moved  to  in  1865.  He  married 
Miss  Julia  Ann  Johnson  ;  she  died  in  1860.  Dr.  Starkey  is  the 
eldest  son  by  that  union  ;  he  was  raised  on  the  farm,  and  was  ed- 
ucated in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county.  In  1857  he 
came  West  with  his  father,  and  settled  in  Me  Lean  county,  and 
in  1859  entered  the  Wesleyau  University  at  Bloomington,  and  re- 
mained there  tw'o  years.  His  intention  was  to  take  a  regular  col- 
legiate course,  but  the  war  breaking  out  interrupted  his  studies. 
He  put  aside  his  books,  and  with  patriotic  devotion  to  his  country 
enlisted  for  three  years  in  Company  K  of  the  94th  Regiment,  Il- 
linois Volunteers.  He  remained  in  the  service,  and  participated 
with  his  regiment  in  all  the  skirmishes  and  battles  in  which  it  was 
engaged  until  his  term  expired,  when  he  was  mustered  out  and 
honorably  discharged ;  he  returned  home  to  McLean  county. 
While  he  was  a  student  at  the  University  he  concluded  to  adopt 
the  profession  of  medicine  as  the  business  of  his  life  ;  and,  with 
that  object  in  view,  paid  particular  attention  to  the  studies  of 
physiology,  chemistry,  and  all  kindred  studies  that  would  aid  him 
in  the  profession.  He  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  David  Crist  of 
Bloomington,  and  pursued  his  studies  diligently.  In  1868  he 
entered  the  Louisville  Medical  College,  and  attended  one  full 
course.  In  1873  he  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  de- 
gree of  M.  D.  Before  graduating  he  went  to  Allen  county,  Kan- 
sas, and  commenced  to  practice.  After  his  graduation  he  came 
to  Waynesviile,  and  here  he  has  continued  and  built  up  a  large 
and  lucrative  business.  He  belongs  to  the  progressive  school  of 
medicine,  and  is  a  member  of  the  De  Witt  County  Medical  So- 
ciety. He  is  a  member  of  A.  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  So- 
cieties. Politically  he  is  a  sound,  uncompromising  Republican 
On  the  28th  of  September,  1865,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Jennie,  daughter  of  Uriah  Washburn.  Five  children  by 
that  union  ;    two  only  are  living.     Dr.  Starkey  possesses  social 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


307 


qualities  of  high  order,  and  is  au  exceedingly  companionable 
gentlemen.  He  is  pleasant,  and  affable  to  all  who  come  in  con- 
tact with  him  either  upon  business,  pleasure,  or  social  intercourse ; 
and,  as  per  consequence,  is  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 


sented  his  township  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  He  is  an  advo- 
cate of  temperance,  and  has  belonged  to  all  the  organizations  for 
the  suppression  of  the  vice  of  intemperance,  and  was  the  first 
Worthy  Chief  of  the  first  Templar  Lodge  of  Waynesville. 


EBER   DAVENPORT. 

Squire  Davenport,  the  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  the 
present  sketch,  was  a  native  of  Vermont.  He  subsequently  re- 
moved to  Xew  York,  where  he  died.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  War.  His  son,  who  was  also  named  Squire  Da- 
venport, wa.*  born  in  1TS5,  in  Vermont,  and  was  a  soldier  of  the 
War  of  ISl'i.  He  left  Vermont  when  a  young  man,  and  traveled 
over  the  country ;  and  was  for  a  number  of  years  piloting  and 
boating  on  the  Mississippi.  He  settled  in  Ohio,  but  lived  in 
various  other  states  owing  to  his  roving  disposition.  He  came  to 
Illinois  in  1829,  and  settled  in  Morgan  county,  and,  a  few  years 
later,  moved  to  Greene  county  in  same  state,  and  remained  there 
eleven  years,  then  came  to  Waynesville  in  1842.  He  married 
Ruth  Harris,  a  native  of  New  Jersey.  She  died  in  1837  in 
Greene  county.  Eber  is  the  fifth  in  a  family  of  eight  children. 
He  was  born  iii  Morgan  county.  Ills.,  Jan.  7,  1830.  His  educa- 
tion was  limited  to  about  ten  months  in  all ;  therefore,  his  edu 
cation  may  be  said  to  be  mainly  self  culture.  He  worked  witli 
his  father  at  the  cooper  trade.  In  185:2  he  married,  and,  soon 
after,  started  in  the  manufacture  of  brick,  making  them  by  the 
old  hand-process.  His  business  gradually  increased,  and  in  1877 
he  added  the  manufacture  of  tile,  in  which  he  has  continued  to 
the  present.  He  has  given  much  of  his  time  to  the  study  and 
improvement  of  machinery  for  the  manufacture  of  brick  and 
tile-  He  patetited  an  improved  brick  kiln.  It  is  a  combination 
of  a  down  and  upward  draft,  thereby  getting  the  benefit  of  a  re- 
turn heat,  which  saves  fuel  as  well  as  labor.  So  far,  kilns  built 
upon  this  plan  have  proved  satisfactory.  He  has  always  thought 
that  human  ingenuity  ought  to  be  able  to  devise  means  by  which 
the  work  of  horses  or  their  power  could  be  utilized.  He  is  there- 
fore at  work  experimenting  upon  a  steam  propeller,  or  a  wagon 
driven  by  steam,  for  ordinary  farm  and  road  use.  His  experi- 
ments, so  far,  promise  to  lead  to  practical  and  satisfactory  re- 
sults. On  the  22d  of  April,  1862,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  A.  M.  Tinker,  a  native  of  Ohio.  Her  parents,  Jonathan 
and  Lucinda  Tinker,  came  to  Illinois  at  an  early  day.  Bv  this 
union  there  have  been  four  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy. Lyman  Lovejoy  Davenport  is  the  only  son.  He  is  now 
in  his  twenty-first  year.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davenport  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  united  with  that 
Christian  organization  in  his  childhood.  He  is  a  most  profound 
and  earnest  believer  in  the  principles  of  the  Orthodox  Church, 
and  at  all  times  is  ready  to  combat  the  heresies  and  fallacies  of 
the  so-called  liberal  thought— Spiritualism  and  other  modern  in- 
novations and  unbeliefs — that  have  crept  into  the  church.  Poli- 
tically he  was  originally  an  old  line  Whig,  and  cast  his  first  presi- 
dential vote  for  Gen.  Scott  in '.52.  He  soon  afterespoused  the  cause 
of  the  Anti-slavery  party,  which  action  naturally  led  him  into  the 
Young  Republican  party.  He  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  that 
party,  and  supported  John  C.  Fremont  in  18.56.     He  has  repre- 


MATHEW  HA:MMITT 

W.\.s  born  in  Morgan  county,  Ohio,  December  1.3th,  1826.  The 
family  is  of  Welsh  descent.  They  settled  in  New  Jersey,  and 
afterwards  moved  to  Virginia.  Benjamin,  the  grandfather  of 
Mathew,  married  Ruth  Vanmeter  about  the  year  1778.  His  sou 
■Samuel,  father  of  Mathew,  was  born  in  Ohio  county.  West  Vir- 
ginia, April  12th,  1789,  and  moved  to  Zanesville,  Ohio,  while 
very  young.  He  remained  in  Ohio  until  1833,  when  he  came 
West  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  De  Witt  county  on  section  16  in 
Waynesville  township,  then  a  part  of  McLean  county.  He  died 
September  26th,  1861.  He  entered  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  sec.  19  in  same  township,  and  improved  it.  He  married 
Catherine  E.  McElhiney.  She  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Dec.  18, 
1791,  and  when  five  years  old  her  parents  removed  to  Ohio 
county,  West  Virginia,  and  there  grew  to  womanhood,  and 
then  moved  to  Zanesville,  Ohio,  when  she  married  Samuel  Ham- 
mitt,  April  4th,  1812  In  a  few  years  they  moved  to  Morgan 
county,  and  from  there  to  Illinois,  near  where  Mathew 
Hammitt  now  lives.  Mrs.  Hammitt  died  November  22,  1857. 
By  the  marriage  of  Samuel  and  Catherine  E.  Hammitt  there 
were  eleveft  children,  four  sons  and  seven  daughters.  Jlathew 
is  the  seventh  in  the  family.  He  was  yet  in  his  boyhood  when 
the  family  came  to  Illinois.  He  remained  at  home  assisting  his 
father  upon  the  farm  until  his  twenty-third  year.  In  1819  he 
moved  to  where  he  now  lives.  On  the  tract  of  land  was  a  small 
log  house,  and  here  he  has  lived  and  made  the  improvements 
which  now  beautify  this  place.  On  the  6th  Dec,  1849,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Sarah  Baker,  daughter  of  Jas.  and  Christina  i  Roberts) 
Baker.  Mrs.  Hammitt  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Ohio,  Oct. 
7th,  1831.  Her  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Ohio  He 
came  West  in  1834,  and  settled  in  McLean  county.  Ills.,  where 
Mrs.  Hammitt  was  living  at  the  time  of  her  marriage.  There 
were  five  children  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hammitt,  three  of 
whom  are  living.  Their  names,  in  the  order  of  their  birth,  are  : 
Letitia,  who  is  the  wife  of  H.  A.  Kephart,  farmer  and  resident 
of  this  township  ;  Benjamin,  who  is  also  a  farmer  in  this  town- 
ship, married  Alice  Grates  ;  and  Margaret  Hammitt. 

In  religious  matters  Mr.  Hammitt  is  liberal  in  his  belief.  Po- 
litically, he  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat.  In  1848  he  cast 
his  first  presidential  vote  for  Lewis  Cass,  and  from  that  time  to 
the  present  has  remained  a  true  and  staunch  adherent  and  advo- 
cate of  democratic  principles.  In  1877  he  was  elected  to  repre- 
sent his  township  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  He  was  re-elected 
in  '78  and  '79.  During  his  occupancy  of  this  office  he  has  dis- 
charged the  duties  incumbent  upon  him  with  fidelity  and  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  entire  county.  Mr.  Hammitt  is  one  of  the 
old  settlers  of  De  Witt  county.  He  has  liveil  here  as  man  and 
boy  for  nearly  fifty  years,  and  in  all  that  time,  among  those  who 
have  known  him  best,  has  borne  the  reputation  of  an  honest  and 
straightforward  man. 


RUTLEDGE    TOWNSHIP. 


I  N  THE  north  and  eastern  part  of  the  county 
is  bounded  as  follows :  On  the  north  by  Mc- 
Lean county,  on  the  east  by  Santa  Anna 
township,  south  by  De  Witt,  and  west  by 
Wilson,  and  contains  -4  sections  of  land,  or 
about  15,500  acres.  It  received  its  name  from 
the  oldest  householder,  William  J.  Rutledge, 
who  is  said  to  be  the  oldest  person  born  in 
the  state,  now  residing  in  the  county.  He  is 
thus  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  was  born  in  1817, 
his  birth  place  being  White  County.  The  township  is  mainly 
prairie  land,  only  between  three  or  four  sections  having  timber. 
The  prairie  is  as  good  land  as  there  is  in  Central  Illinois.  It 
consist  of  the  deep,  peaty  loam  peculiar  to  Grand  Prairie,  and  is 
slightly  undulating,  sufBcieut  to  render  good  drainage  with  the 
use  of  tiling,  which  is  being  introduced  to  a  considerable  extent. 
The  land  in  the  timber  is  broken,  and  of  a  lightish  color,  but 
excellent  for  the  production  of  wheat,  blue  grass  or  fruits  and 
especially  grapes.  The  timber  is  found  entirely  in  the  north- 
west, hugging  the  north  branch  of  Salt  Creek.  This  stream 
enters  the  township  in  the  northern  center  of  section  17,  and 
flows  south  and  west  and  passes  out  in  the  south-west  of  section 
30.  There  are  several  perennial  springs  along  the  margin  of  the 
timber  near  the  creek.  The  Springfield  Division  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railway  crosses  through  the  township  in  the  south-east, 
entering  from  the  east  in  the  north-east  corner  of  section  36,  and 
crossing  the  line  between  Rutledge  and  De  Witt  in  the  southern 
central  part  of  section  35.  The  thriving  little  town  of  Parnell 
is  situated  on  the  railroad,  just  over  the  township  line,  but  fur- 
nishes an  excellent  market  for  grain  and  other  conveniences  to 
the  citizens  of  Rutledge.  We  have  thus  given  an  outline  history 
of  this  township,  and  will  now  proceed  to  give  an  account  of  the 

FIRST   SETTLEMENTS. 

The  first  to  undergo  the  hardships  of  pioneer  life  within  the 
boundaries  of  Rutledge  was  a  native  of  Tennessee,  Charles 
McCord.  He  emigrated  from  his  native  state  with  his  family 
and  located  here  in  1833,  on  section  32.  His  family  consisted  of 
his  wife,  Nancy,  and  three  children,  James  S.,  Nicholas  and 
Mary.  Their  home  was  a  meagre  pole  cabin,  16x18,  with  a 
puncheon  floor  of  roughest  kind.  The  chimney  was  construct- 
ed of  mud  and  sticks,  and  the  door  upon  its  wooden  hinges 
could  be  heard  to  creak  for  half  a  mile.  There  were  no  patent 
latches  in  those  days,  it  was  merely  a  wooden  contrivance  with  a 
string  passing  through  a  hole  in  the  door  to  raise  the  latch  ; 
hence  the  origin  of  the  expression,  "  the  latch  string  is  hanging 
out;"  as  these  pioneers  were  always  the  most  hospitable  people 
in  the  world,  from  whom  originated  the  old  saying  above 
308 


quoted.  Apropos  of  this  prevailing  virtue,  one  of  the  pioneers 
now  living  gives  an  account  of  his  being  received  at  the  cabin  of 
Mr.  McCord's  in  1834,  when  he  was  making  a  tour  through  this 
part  of  the  country.  At  the  time  of  his  arrival  the  mud  chimney 
had  toppled  over,  and  the  cabin  was  not  in  a  condition  for  family 
use.  They  had  therefore  appropriated  the  pole  smoke-house  for 
the  time  being.  This  was  only  8x10  feet  in  size,  and  the  ground 
for  a  floor.  Imagine  if  you  can  ten  persons  stowing  them- 
selves away  for  the  night  in  a  cabin  like  this.  The  fire  was  built 
on  the  ground,  and  all  reveled  in  the  smoke  ;  and  yet,  says  Mr. 
Vandeventer,  one  of  the  guests,  "  we  enjoyed  it  hugely." 

Mr.  McCord  was  a  mere  squatter,  but  that  year  he  broke  a 
small  piece  of  ground  and  raised  a  crop  of  corn.  The  following 
year,  Daniel  King  bought  out  his  improvement  right,  and  Mr. 
McCord  moved  to  De  Witt  township,  where  he  died  in  1839. 
None  of  his  descendents  are  now  residing  in  the  county.  His 
widow,  with  the  family,  afterwards  migrated  to  California. 
The  "squatter's"  right  is  now  owned  by  Magill  Brothers  of 
Clinton. 

Another  pioneer,  Jacob  Vandeventer,  came  from  Tennessee  in 
the  fall  of  1831,  and  located  first  in  Mc  Lean  county,  where  he 
remained  three  years,  and  in  the  fall  of  1834,  moved  to  this 
township  and  squatted  in  section  17.  He  had  a  family  consist- 
ing of  his  wife  Rachel,  and  eight  children,  Abraham,  Martha, 
John,  David,  Mary,  Mahala,  Marainy,  and  James.  Mr.  Vande- 
venter died  just  one  year  after  his  coming.  His  widow  brought 
up  the  family,  and  died  about  twelve  years  ago.  Five  of  the 
children  are  living,  and  all  but  one  reside  in  the  county.  John 
McCord  was  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  settled  here  in  1834. 
He  came  with  his  father,  James  McCord,  to  Illinois  in  1832. 
He  was  then  a  young  man  without  any  family,  and  being  of  an 
ambitious  turn  of  mind  left  the  parental  roof,  and  took  a  pre-emp- 
tion or  squatter's  right  in  section  36,  in  1834.  He  soon  afterward 
married  Miss  Sarah  AVatt,  and  went  to  housekeeping  on  his 
premises.  Three  children  were  born  by  this  union,  Jackson, 
Charles  W.  and  Maria.  In  after  years  he  moved  to  Clinton, 
where  he  died  in  1880.  His  widow  survives  him  and  resides  in 
Clinton.     None  of  the  children  live  in  the  county. 

William  McPherson  came  in  the  same  year  as  McCord.  He 
was  from  Virginia.  The  17th  of  March,  1834,  he  made  the  first 
land  entry  in  the  township,  being  the  N.  E.  i  of  the  S.  E.  1  of 
section  19.  His  family  consisted  of  his  wife,  Polly,  and  six 
children,  four  boys  and  two  girls.  The  father  and  mother  are 
both  dead.  But  one  of  the  children,  Nancy,  wife  of  Milan 
Moore,  now  lives  in  the  county,  and  resides  at  Farmer  City. 

In  1835,  there  were  but  six  families  in  the  township  ;  Chas. 
McCord,  William  JlcPherson,  Rachel  Vandeventer — then  the 
widow  of  Jacob  Vandeventer,  Nathan  Britton,  W.  J.  Rutledge, 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COVXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


309 


aud  William  Deatherage,  in   all  about  30  persons.     We   have 
already  given  the  history  of  three  of  them. 

Xathan  Britton  came  from  Indiana  in  the  summer  of  1835, 
and  settled  in  section  19.  He  had  a  family,  consisting  of  three 
children,  Elizabeth,  George  P.  and  Fannie.  Mr.  Britton  lived 
to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  and  died  about  1862  George 
P.  is  yet  living  on  the  old  homestead  ;  Fannie  is  dead,  aud 
Elizabeth  is  residing  out  of  the  county.  W.  .J.  Rutledge  is  a 
native  of  the  state,  aud  came  to  this  township  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year  as  the  above.  His  family  were  his  wife,  Eliza,  and 
two  children,  Martha  J  ,  and  .John  A. ;  they  located  in  section 
19.  Mrs.  Rutledge  died  soon  after  coming  here,  and  in  1839 
Mr.  Rutledge  was  again  married,  to  Mary  Vandeventer,  with 
whom  he  is  yet  living.  No  children  have  been  born  from  this 
marriage.  One  of  the  children,  Martha  .J.,  died  in  18(37.  Johu 
A.,  is  now  residing  in  section  1.5.  William  Deatherage  migra 
ted  from  Kentucky,  first  stopping  in  Morgan  county.  This  vm 
in  1830.  He  remained  there  five  years,  when  he  moved  to  Rut- 
ledge and  settled  in  section  31.  He  had  a  wife  and  four  children 
Several  years  afterward  he  went  to  Jlariou,  De  Witt  township, 
where  he  died.  The  family  subsequently  moved  to  parts  uu" 
known. 

.James  Vandeventer,  another  early  settler,  was  a  native  of  Ten- 
nessee, but  soon  removed  to  Virginia,  and  from  thence 
to  Illiuois  in  1830,  and  first  located  north  of  Mt.  Pulaski,  in  what 
is  now  Logan  county.  In  1836  he  came  to  De  Witt,  and  located 
in  Rutledge.  He  had  a  wife,  Mary,  and  five  children,  two  sons 
and  three  daughters.  He  remained  here  for  some  years,  when 
he  moved  to  Kansas.  Thomas,  a  son  of  James,  came  with  his 
father's  family  from  Virginia,  but  was  born  in  Tennessee.  He  is 
now  residing  in  section  20,  and  is  the  next  oldest  settler,  now  liv- 
ing in  the  township.  In  1841  he  was  married,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  he  moved  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  a 
family  consisting  of  a  wife,  ]Mary,  and  five  children,  James  H.,  D. 
F.,  Thomas  M.,  Mary  E.,  and  George  L.  All  reside  in  the  county. 
Mr.  Vandeventer  has  accumulated  a  competency  for  his  old 
age,  b^-ides  aiding  his  children  liberally  in  getting  a  start  in  the 
world.  He  is  yet  hale  and  hearty,  and  enjoying  his  old  age  on 
one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township.  Peter  Brickey  came  in 
1840.  and  was  then  a  single  man.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia. 
In  1842,  he  entered  a  tract  of  land  in  .section  36.  He  was  after- 
wards three  times  married,  and  reared  a  family  of  twelve  children. 
Mr.  Brickey  died  in  the  full  of  1877.  Eight  of  the  children  are  : 
living,  and  all  but  two  reside  in  the  ounty.  In  1842,  he  hauled 
wheat  to  Chicago,  and  received  but  forty  cents  a  bushel  for  it. 
What  would  the  present  generation  think  of  carting  their  wheat 
over  100  miles  to  receive  the  meagre  sum  of  but  forty  or  fifty  cents 
per  bushel?  Chicago  then  was  but  little  larger  than  Clint  n,  and 
our  informant  says,  there  were  but  six  houses  on  Grand  Prairie 
on  the  road  to  Chicago. 

The  following  are  the  first  land  entries  made  in  Rutledge  town- 
ship: March  17th,  1834  William  A.  MePnerson  entered  the  N. 
E.  i  of  the  S  E.  }  of  section  19.  February  26th,  1835,  J.  Harp 
and  A.  Dail  entered  161.30  acres  in  section  31.  W.  Palmer  en- 
tered 35.9  acres  in  the  same  section,  April  25th,  1835.  J.  Wil- 
liams, July  24th,  of  the  same  year,  entered  the  S-  E.  1  of  the  X. 
E.  V  of  section  19.  August  17th,  1835,  Nathan  Britton  entered 
the  N.  W.V  of  the  N.  E.  1  of  same  section.  October  9th,  1835, 
W.  Rutledge  entered  theW.  5  of  the  S.  E.  1  of  the  same  section. 
W.  Deatherage,  December  9th,  1835,  entered  forty  acres  in  sec- 
tion 31. 
The  first   couple  married  was  Jonathan  Pearson  to  Rebecca 


Vandeventer.  The  rites  were  solemnized  at  the  house  of  the 
bride's  father,  James  Vandeventer,  by  Thomas  Toveara,  a  Meth- 
odist local  preacher.  The  first  death  was  the  old  lady  Vincent, 
aud  occurred  in  1835.  She  was  buried  in  the  McCoril  cemetery 
in  De  Witt  township,  near  Fullerton  Station.  The  first  child 
born  was,  Martha  J.,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Eliza  Rutledge, 
in  1835.  She  became  the  wife  of  Dennis  Turner  of  this  township, 
and  died  in  1S67. 

The  first  and  only  cemetery  in  Rutledge,  is  located  in  section 
31,  and  known  as  the  Johnson  burial  ground.  The  first  inter- 
ment made  was  a  daughter  of  Silas  aud  Elizabeth  Johnson.  This 
was  in  the  fall  of  1837.  The  cemetery  includes  a  half  acre  of 
ground,  and  is  kept  in  a  condition  befitting  its  use.  There  have 
been  at  least  a  hundred  interments  made  here,  and  several  good 
monuments  adorn  the  grouuds 

The  first  school  was  conducted  by  Robert  H.  Pool  in  1839. 
The  school-house  was  constructed  of  logs,  and  situated  in  the  S. 
E.  1  of  the  N.  E.  I  of  section  19  on  the  land  now  owned  by  Es- 
quire Dennis  Turner.  It  had  a  puncheon  floor,  and  split  logs 
for  seats.  For  windows  it  had  a  log  cut  out  in  one  side  of  the 
house,  and  greased  paper  plastered  over  as  a  substitute  for  glass. 
The  house  was  afterwards  taken  down  and  moved  to  section  20, 
where  it  was  used  for  a  stable  by  Mr.  N.  Helmick.  No  vestige 
of  it  now  remains. 

The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  William  Phearson, 
in  1S35,  at  his  cabin  in  section  29.  He  was  a  local  Baptist 
preacher.  Among  other  early  preachers  were,  Robert  H.  Pool, 
S.  H.  Martin,  David  White,  and  Archibald  Johnson.  The  first 
three  belonged  to  the  M.  E  Church,  and  the  latter  was  a  Pres- 
byterian. The  only  church  building  erected  in  the  township  has 
just  been  built,  December,  IbSl,  and  at  this  writing  is  not  yet 
dedicated.  It  is  situated  near  the  town  of  Parnell  in  .section  34, 
and  cost  about  81,500.  It  is  a  neat  frame  structure  of  medium 
size,  and  has  a  spire  that  can  be  seen  for  miles  away. 

James  Vandeventer  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace,  and  G. 
W.  Waybright,  Dennis  Turner,  S.  M.  Jones,  and  Thomas  Van- 
deventer were  among  the  first.  The  first  to  practice  medicine 
was  Patricus  Moran.  He  then  resided  at  Leroy  in  McLean  county, 
and  subsequently  moved  to  Springfield.  This  was  as  early  as 
1835.  Dr.  Weldon  and  John  Warner  were  also  pioneer  physi- 
cians. Capt.  Field  did  the  first  blacksmithing  in  1861.  His 
shop  was  a  plank  shanty,  and  situated  in  section  19.  He  moved 
to  Champaign  county  in  1S66.  The  shanty  he  used  for  a  shop 
was  afterwards  fixed  up  with  a  floor,  aud  for  a  time  was  used  for 
a  dwelling.  It  was  torn  down  several  years  ago.  Another  shop  is 
now  situated  not  far  from  the  old  one,  and  the  business  is  con- 
ducted by  Mr.  M.  Reynolds.  The  first  milling  wa5  done  several 
miles  away  in  other  parts  of  the  county,  and  to  get  a  bushel  or 
two  of  meal  ground  it  would  take,  sometimes,  three  or  four  days 
to  accomplish  it.  The  mills  were  but  small  afl!"air3  at  the  best 
being  situated  some  distance  apart,  it  took  some  time  to  get  at, 
little  supply  of  grist. 

The  first  goods  were  sold  by  John  Nichols,  sen.,  in  1858.  His 
store  was  for  a  time  kept  in  a  part  of  his  dwelling,  and  was  situ- 
ated in  section  zO.  He  afterwards  built  a  little  frame  stc  re- 
room  on  his  premises,  and  added  to  his  stock  so  that  he  could 
furnish  the  demand  for  a  couutry  store.  He  remained  here  until 
about  1868,  when  he  moved  to  McLean  county. 

At  this  writing  there  is  a  country  store  situated  in  section  19, 
and  kept  by  G.  W.  Lewis.  From  many  favorable  indications,  it 
is  thought  that  there  are  excellent  coal  beds  underlying  this 
township,  and  several  efibrts  have  been  made  to  verify  the  indi- 


310 


HISTOBY  OF  DE  WITT  COUyTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


cations,  but  not  extensive  enough  to  make  a  success  to  tlie 
operators. 

The  first  blooded  stock  was  introduced  by  William  Carew  in 
1842  They  were  the  Durham  breed,  and  imported  from  Ohio. 
The  township  at  this  time  contains  some  of  the  best  stock  in  the 
county.  Among  the  prominent  stock  raisers  are  the  heirs  of  Wil- 
liam C.  Swiney,  Elihu  Helraick,  Daniel  Fuller,  and  James  Spratt. 

The  following  persons  have  represented  the  township  as  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  ;  Jonathan  Pearson  was  the  first 
representative,  and  elected  in  18.59.  William  Fuller  was  elected 
in  1860,  and  served  until  1869.  Peter  Brickey  elected  in  1S69, 
and  served  four  terras.  James  Vandeventer  elected  in  1874. 
W.  O.  Dav  elected  in  187-5,  and  served  two  terms.   Daniel  Fuller 


was  elected  in  1877.  W.  O.  Day  re-elected  in  1878,  and  served 
two  terms,  being  chairman  of  the  Board  for  that  time.  E.  Hel- 
mick  elected  in  1880.  Franklin  Vance  elected  in  1881,  and  is 
the  present  incumbent. 

The  population  for  the  last  three  decades  is  as  follows  :  1860- 
546;  1870-604:  1-^80-647. 

The  township  contains  seven  school-houses,  six  of  which  are 
frame,  and  one  brick.  The  log  cabins  and  puncheon  floors  of  the 
olden  time  have  long  since  passed  away,  which  is  one  of  the  best 
evidences  that  the  present  inhabitants  are  keeping  pace  with  the 
times,  and  are  ready  to  endorse  any  improvement  that  may  be  a 
benefit  to  the  rising  generation  or  the  Commonwealth  of  the  state 
of  Illinois. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


WILL[A>r  .T.  RUTLEDGK. 


Me.  Kutledge  was  boru  in  White  county,  Illinois,  June  the 
23d,  1816.  Thomas  Rutledge,  his  father,  was  a  native  of 
Georgia,  where  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Smith.  Mr.  Rutledge 
was  of  English  and  Irish  descent. 

He  was  a  Ranger  in  the  war  of  1812,  living  in  Kentucky  at 
that  time.  Immediately  after  the  war  closed,  he  came  to  Illinois, 
and  located  in  White  county,  where  he  lived  until  1828.  and  then 
moved  to  what  is  now  ]McLean  county,  where  he  died  two  years 
later,  at  the  age  of  62.  He  left  a  family  of  ten  children  and  a 
wife,  who  survived  him  thirteen  years.  The  subject  of  our  sketch 
was  next  to  the  youngest  child.  He  was  at  an  age  that  he  could 
just  begin  to  make  a  hand  when  his  father  died.  He  assisted  his 
mother  on  the  farm  until  he  was  19  years  of  age,  when  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Eliza  Diiffield,  who  died  three  years  later,  leaving 
two  children — jNIartha  J.,  now  deceased,  and  John  A.,  who  is  a 


farmer  of  Rutledge  township.  Mr.  Rutledge  was  again  mar- 
ried January  17th,  1839,  to  Miss  Mary  Vandeventer,  daughter 
cif  Jacob  Vandeventer,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  section. 
She  was  born  in  Claybourn  county,  Tennessee,  June  the  2d,  1822. 
She  is  German  and  English  on  the  paternal  side,  and  Welch  and 
Irish  on  the  maternal.  Mr.  Rutledge  has  always  followed  farm- 
ing. He  settled  on  the  place  where  he  now  lives  in  1836,  being 
among  the  first  to  settle  in  the  township,  and  when  the  county 
went  into  township  organization,  the  citizens  honored  him  by 
giving  the  township  his  name.  He  has  nearly  seven  hundred 
acres  of  land  in  this  vicinity,  fully  half  of  which  he  entered  from 
the  government  at  81-2.5  per  acre.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 
Such  is  a  brief  sketch  of  one  of  the  most  respected  old  settlers 
of  De  Witt  County. 


311 


DANIEL  FULLER. 


Among  the  successful  agriculturalists  and  stockmen  of  De 
Witt  county,  stands  prominently  forward  the  name  of  Daniel 
Fuller,  who  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in  1824,  and  the 
second  in  a  family  of  eight  sons. 

His  father  and  mother,  Daniel  and  Nancy  ( Whitlach)  Fuller, 
were  also  natives  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
obtained  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  that  State-  He 
worked  upon  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
at  which  time  he  left  for  Ohio  ;  in  that  State  he  bought  and  fed 
stock  for  the  eastern  market ;  driving  his  cattle  and  hogs  when 
fattened  to  Pennsylvania.  In  this  enterprise,  however,  he  was 
not  very  successful.  Finally,  returning  to  his  native  state,  he 
became  the  owner  of  a  small  farm,  consisting  of  one  hundred 
acres.  Thinking  he  could  succeed  better  farther  west,  he  sold 
his  farm  for  8900, — and  in  company  with  his  brothers,  Barnett 
and  David,  came  to  De  Witt  county  in  18-50.  Their  elder  bro- 
ther, William,  having  emigrated  to  Illinois  some  years  before, 
was  already  occupying  a  farm  in  this  county-  Daniel  Fuller  did 
not  at  once  settle  upon  a  farm,  but  operated  in  the  buying  and 
selling  of  stock  throughout  the  state ;  finding  a  ready  market  for 


his  cattle  and  hogs  in  St.  Louis ;  driving  at  one  time  as  many  as 
1700  hogs  there. 

In  18-50,  (the  year  of  his  arrival  in  this  state  i,  Mr.  Fuller  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  si.Kty  acres  of  land,  in  section  twenty  of 
Rutledge  township,  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  since  added 
to  his  original  purchase,  until  he  is  now  the  fortunate  possessor 
of  1400  acres  of  rich  farming  land  ;  1030  acres  of  which  is  situ- 
ated in  Rutledge  township,  the  balance  in  the  neighboring  county 
of  McLean.  Mr.  Fuller  has  exercised  good  judgment  in  his 
selections,  and  has  now  the  privilege  of  refusing  as  much  as  .S-50 
per  acre  for  portions  of  it. 

In  April,  18-5.5,  Daniel  Fuller  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Sarah  Foley,  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  daughter  of  G.  L. 
and  Elizabeth  Foley,  who  came  to  De  Witt  county  in  1848.  By 
this  marriage  Mr.  F.  has  a  family  of  four  children  ;  all  living, 
viz.  :  John  W.  Fuller,  born  in  1856.  Nancy  M.,  (wife  of  James 
Vance).  Louina,  and  Emma  F.  Fuller,  the  fii'st  and  last  two 
named  still  residing  with  their  parents. 

Mr.  Fuller  has  represented  the  township  of  Rutledge  as  su- 
pervisor. In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  democrat,  and  cast 
his  first  vote  for  J.  K.  Polk. 

313 


BAPvNETT    TOWNSHIP. 


,  ARXETT  is  situate  il  in  tlie  central  western  part  of 
the  county,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
Waynesville  township,  on  the  east  by  Clintonia 
and  Wapella,  on  the  south  by  Tunbridge,  and 
wtst  by  Logan  county.  It  conlains  thirty->ix 
sections  of  excellent  prairie  land,  there  being  no 
timber  except  a  few  groves  situated  along  Ten 
Mile  creek  in  the  south-east.  The  western  part  of 
the  township  is  quite  rolling,  sufficient  to  afford 
very  good  natural  drainage,  although  tiling  is  being  used  to  a 
large  extent,  especially  in  the  eastern  portion  that  is  more  level, 
and  consequently  wetter  land.  Ten-Mile  creek  just  cuts  across 
the  south-east  corner  of  section  thirty-six.  There  are  also  a  few 
small  rivulets  in  the  east  and  south,  mainly  flowing  in  a  wes- 
terly direction.  The  Illinois  Midland  railway  enters  from  the 
north  in  section  six,  crosses  the  entire  township  from  north  to 
south,  and  passes  out  in  the  southern  center  of  section  thirty-one. 
This  road  claims  an  indebtedness  from  the  township  of  .8.30,000 
A  good  deal  of  feeling  and  litigation  have  been  the  result.  From 
this  fact  it  has  now  been  three  years  since  the  supervisor  eirct 
would  qualify  ;  hence,  no  process  could  be  instituted  against  the 
citizens  of  the  township.  Some  future  historian  must  write  the 
sequel.  The  Wabash  Branch  enters  from  the  east  on  the  section 
line  between  sections  twenty-five  and  thirty-six,  and  takes  a 
westerly  course  across  the  township  and  crosses  into  Logan  coun- 
ty in  the  center  of  section  thirty-one.  A  junction  is  formed  with 
the  Midland  road  in  the  center  of  said  section.  The  township 
was  named  Barnett  in  honor  of  Franklin  Barnett,  he  then  being 
the  oldest  householder  within  its  boundaries. 


FIR^T   SETTLEMENTS. 

The  tirst  to  take  steps  toward  settling  the  township  was  Elisha 
Butler  in  the  fall  of  1829.  He  moved  from  Salt  creek  timber  in 
Tunbridge  township,  and  settled  in  section  thirty-three.  October 
17th  of  the  same  year  he  entered  the  E.  J  of  the  S.  E.  1  of  the 
abo\'^  section.  For  a  record  of  his  early  history,  etc.,  see  the 
township  history  of  Tunbridge.  He  at  once  erected  on  his  prem- 
ises a  pole  cabin  14x16  feet,  and  moved  into  it.  The  following 
spring  he  proceeded  to  break  a  small  patch  of  ground  and  planted 
it  with  corn.  This  was  the  first  crop  and  the  first  farming  done  in 
Barnett.  The  same  year  he  sold  out  his  possessions  to  Mahlon 
Hall.  The  latter  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  but  moved  with  his 
father's  family  to  Kentucky  when  a  mere  boy.  Here  he  married 
twice  and  lived  until  he  was  past  the  meridian  of  life.  In  the 
spring  of  1830,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  entered  the  W.  ~  of  the 
S.  E.  i  of  section  thirty-three,  now  Barnett  township.  At  the 
same  time,  he  bought  out  the  property  of  Mr.  Butler.     He  then 


returned  to  his  family  in  Kentucky,  and  in  the  fall  came  to  his 
new-found  home  bringing  his  family  with  him.  The  family  con- 
sisted of  his  wife,  Hannah,  and  six  children,  Henry,  Polly  Ann, 
James,  Mahlon  R  ,  Jonathan  R,  and  Susannah.  They  moved 
into  the  pole  cabin  constructed  by  Mr.  Butler.  The  next  fall 
Mr.  Hall  built  a  comfortable  log  house,  and  was  thus  well 
fixed  for  pioneer  life.  Several  of  the  older  children  were  left  in 
Kentucky.  Darius  and  Ambrose  came  to  the  state  prior  to  their 
fiither,  but  settled  in  another  county.  They  subsequently  moved 
to  this  county.  None  of  the  family  are  now  residing  in  the 
township.  Mr.  Hall  remained  here  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  1856. 

Another  pioneer.  Mason  Paine,  was  born  in  Alabama,  and 
migrated  to  Illinois  at  an  early  day,  and  settled  in  section  thirty- 
four,  this  township,  in  1831.  He  had  a  wife  and  four  children, 
two  sons  and  two  daughters.  He  lived  but  a  few  years  after  his 
coming,  and  was  the  first  person  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  in 
section  thirty-four,  Clintouia  township.  None  of  the  family  re- 
side here  at  this  writing  Franklin  Barnett,  from  whom  the 
township  received  its  name,  came  from  Bnirbon  county,  Ken- 
tucky, in  the  spring  of  1831,  and  settled  in  the  same  section  as 
ilr.  Paine.  He  was  then  a  single  man,  but  afterwards  married 
and  reared  a  family.  In  18-56  he  migrated  to  Kansas,  where  he 
died  only  a  few  years  ago.  Robert  Barnett,  a  brother  of  the  for- 
mer, came  the  year  afterward — 1S32.  He  then  had  a  wife  and 
one  child.  He  located  in  the  same  section  as  his  brother.  He 
died  in  1864.  His  wife,  Margaret,  is  yet  living  on  the  pioneer 
homestead.  John  Barnett,  the  father  of  the  above,  came  here 
and  entered  land  as  early  as  1831,  for  the  use  of  his  children,  and 
afterward  returned  to  his  home  in  Kentucky.  Here  his  wife 
died,  and  in  1845  he  moved  to  the  township  to  be  with  his  chil- 
dren. He  died  in  1854.  .James  Barnett,  another  son,  moved  to 
the  township  the  same  year  as  his  father.  He  had  a  familj'  of  a 
wife  and  one  daughter,  Sarah.  He  is  yet  residing  at  the  old  home- 
stead in  section  thirty-four,  a  substantial  farmer  and  a  respected 
citizen. 

Among  other  old  settlers  are  Isaac  Ellington,  Z.  D.  Cantrall, 
A  Jeffrey,  John  Pollock.  Wiley  Marvel,  E.  H.  Robb  and  others. 
The  former  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  came  with  his  father's  fam- 
ily to  the  state  in  1829.  He  is  now  residing,  an  old  man  in  com- 
fortable circumstances,  in  section  sixteen.  Mr.  Cantrall  is  a  na- 
tive born,  and  lives  in  section  ten.  A  Jeffrey  was  born  in  In- 
diana, and  came  to  the  county  in  1836.  He  now  resides  in  sec- 
tion fifteen.  Mr.  Pollock  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  settled  here  in 
1^39.  He  owns  a  good  farm,  where  he  resides,  in  section  twenty- 
three.  Wiley  Marvel  is  one  of  the  descendants  of  Prettyman 
Marvel,  the  pioneer,  and  was  born  in  the  county  in  1839.  He  is 
now  living  in  section  six,  a  good  farmer  and  an  enterprising  citi- 

315 


316 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUJTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


zen.  Mr.  ftobb  is  residing  iu  section  nine,  and  is  one  of  the  rep- 
resentative citizens  of  the  township. 

Although  Barnett  is  not  one  of  the  oldest  settled  in  the  county, 
it  is  among  the  foremost  in  farm  iraprovenieuts  :  and  good  farms, 
'farm-houses,  barns,  etc.,  are  to  be  seen  on  every  hand.  The  soil 
is  inexhaustible,  and  specially  adapted  to  the  raising  of  corn, 
which  is  the  chief  product-  The  people  are  an  energetic,  thrifty 
class,  who  by  their  efforts  are  determined  to  make  it  one  of  the 
wealthiest  portions  of  De  Witt  county.  The  increase  of  popula- 
tion has  been  of  a  steady  and  healthy  growth.  For  the  last  three 
decades  it  has  been  as  follows  :  1860,  the  population  was  804  ; 
1870,  1078;  1880,  1122.  an  increase  of  over  three  hundred  within 
said  time. 

The  first  land  entries  made  are  as  follows:  October  17,  1829. 
Elisha  Butler  entered  the  E.  ]  of  the  S.  E.  }  of  section  thirty- 
three.  Mahlon  Hall,  March  6,  1830,  entered  the  W.  '•  of  the  S. 
E.  1  of  the  same  section.  November  6,  of  the  same  year,  Mason 
Paine  entered  the  E.  ;  of  theS.  E.  ]  of  section  thirty-four.  Same 
year,  December  2,  Solomon  D.  Spain  entered  the  E.  I  of  the  S. 
W.  i  of  section  thirty-four.  The  following  are  all  the  entries 
made  in  1831  :  March  lo,  Joseph  Bowles  entered  the  X.  E.  1  of 
the  IST.  W.  1  of  section  thirty-six.  April  6,  William  Kincaid 
entered  the  W.  h  of  tlie  S.  W.  !  of  section  thirty-four.  At  the 
same  date,  Hiram  Daniels  entered  the  W.  \  of  the  S.  E.  i  of  the 
same  section.  William  J.  and  George  W.  Butler  entered  the 
W.  i  of  the  N.  W.  1  of  section  thirty-five,  April  25.  June  14, 
John  Barnett  entered  the  E.  1  of  the  N.  E.  1  of  section  thirty- 
four.  June  16,  Franklin  Barnett  entered,  in  the  same  section, 
the  W.  '  of  the  X-  W  1.  James  Farris,  October  28,  entered  the 
E   4  of  the  X.  W.  S  of  section  thirty-five. 

The  fiist  marriage  rite  solemnized  in  the  township  was  in  the 
spring  of  1832,  by  Hugh  Bowles,  a  pioneer  and  Christian  minis- 
ter. The  contracting  parties  were  McCarty  Hildredth  and  Eliza 
Hall.  They  were  married  in  the  log  house  of  the  bride's  fiither, 
'Mahlon  Hall.  The  first  born  was  Elisha  Butler,  junior,  in  the 
fall  of  1830.  He  was  the  .son  of  Elisha  Butler,  senior,  the  first 
settler.  Elisha,  the  younger,  is  yet  living  and  is  in  Leadville, 
Colorado-  The  first  death  occurred  in  1830,  the  deceased  being 
George  Bruner  one  of  the  pioneers  who  was  then  living  in  sec- 
tion twenty-five.  He  had  a  family,  one  of  whom,  Jacob,  now  re- 
sides in  the  county.  The  oldest  place  of  interment  is  situated  in 
section  thirty-three,  and  was  reserved  for  a  private  place  of  burial 
by  Mahlon  Hall  in  1833.  It  was  at  this  time  that  triplets 
were  born  to  the  first  married  couple,  McCarty  Hildredth  and  his 
wife  Eliza  The  children  were  all  born  alive,  but  lived  only  a 
few  hours.  These  were  the  first  interred  iu  this  burial  ground. 
There  are  several  private  places  of  burial  iu  the  township,  but 
none  that  could  be  termed  public  cemeteries. 

The  first  school  was  taught  by  William  Lowrey  in  1833  The 
house  was  a  log  cabin,  and  situated  on  the  E.  I  of  the  S.  E.  1  of 
section  thirty-three.  It  was  a  small  affair,  14x16  feet  in  size,  just 
convenient  in  dimension  for  the  teacher  to  stand  in  the  middle  of 
the  floor,  and  with  a  hickory  gad  reach  the  refractory  pupils  in 
any  part  of  the  house.  It  must  be  remembered  that  in  those  days 
corporal  punishment  might  be  inflicted  in  the  school-room  for 
just  cause,  and  there  was  no  question  raised  but  what  the  "  mas- 
ter "  had  performed  his  duty-  Xot  that  parents  were  more  thought- 
less of  their  children,  than  now,  but  a  more  perfect  degree  of 
confidence  prevailed  among  the  people-  The  teacher  was  usually 
one  of  the  pioneei-s,  known  for  miles  around,  and  had  the  most 
complete  confidence  of  his  neighbors ;  in  fact,  he  was  a  sort  of  pa- 
triarch among  them,  and  his  wi.sdoni  and  authority   no   one  pre- 


sumed to  question.  Hugh  Bowles  and  James  K.  Scott  were  the 
first  preachers.  At  this  time  the  few  settlers  of  this  township  at- 
tended church  services  over  iu  Tunbridge  at  what  was  called  the 
"  Old  Union-"  The  first  church  building  constructed  in  Barnett 
was  by  the  JI.  E.  Church  denomination  about  1855,  and  situ- 
ated in  section  seventeen-  It  was  a  comfortable  frame  building 
of  medium  size,  and  is  yet  standing.  Mason  Paine  was  the  first 
justice  of  the  peace.  Robert  Barnett  was  also  among  one  of  the 
first  The  first  to  practice  medicine  was  Henry  M  Goriu  in  the 
summer  of  1832-  He  was  originally  from  Missouri,  and  when  he 
first  came  to  the  state  he  stopped  at  Decatur-  From  there  he 
came  to  this  township  and  practiced  one  season,  when  be  returned 
to  Missouri.  \Vm.  Reddick  and  Thomas  Laughlan  were  also 
early  physicians-     The  latter  lived  in  Tunbridge  township. 

The  first  post-office  was  established  in  1833,  at  the  residence  of 
Mahlon  Hall,  he  being  the  postmaster.  At  that  time,  for  the 
transmission  of  a  letter  400  miles  it  cost  twenty-five  cents.  X"o 
such  thing  was  then  known  as  an  envelope.  The  letter  was 
merely  folded  and  stuck  together  with  a  wafer.  B.  Brown  was 
the  first  mail  carrier.  The  first  person  who  had  a  kit  of  tools 
and  did  blacksmithing,  was  James  Cadel.  He  came  from  Ten- 
nessee, and  located  in  section  35.  His  shop  was  a  pole  shanty, 
and  liis  tools  consisted  of  a  wheezy  old  bellows,  an  anvil,  a  ham- 
mer and  a  pair  of  tongs.  This  was  in  1835.  The  first  mill  was 
constructed  by  Mason  Paine  in  1S'.!3,  and  situated  in  section 
34,  on  the  land  now  owned  by  James  Barnett.  It  was  a  "  oue- 
horse  "  mill,  with  a  capacity  of  grinding  from  ten  to  fifteen  bush- 
els of  meal  iu  twenty  four  hours.  To  put  it  in  the  language  of 
one  of  the  pioneers  :  "  It  ground  about  as  fast  as  a  hound  pup 
could  eat  it."  The  burrs  were  about  two  feet  in  diameter, 
and  manufactured  from  the  prairie  boulders.  John  Brown,  who 
came  from  X^ew  Hampshire,  had  the  honor  of  selling  the  first 
goods  in  the  township,  in  the  year  1839-  The  store-house  was  a 
small  frame  building,  situated  in  section  29,  on  the  premises 
now  owned  by  John  W.  Wasson.  Mr.  Brown  remained  here  but 
a  short  time,  when  he  moved  to  Waynesville-  The  first  blooded 
stock  was  introduced  by  John  Barnett  in  1845.  They  were  of 
the  short-horn  Durham  breed  of  cattle,  and  imported  from  Bour- 
bon county,  Kentucky.  The  present  leading  stock  raisers  are 
James  Barnett,  William  Gambrel,  Robert  Black,  and  Prettyman 
Barr. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  supervisors  who  have  re- 
presented the  township  since  its  organization :  A.  A.  Eads  was 
elected  in  18-59,  and  served  until  1862,  and  was  Chairman  of  the 
Board  during  the  year  1861.  J.  R.  Hall  elected  in  1862,  and 
served  one  terra.  William  ^larrow  elected  in  1863  Eli  H- 
Robb  in  1864-  William  Marrow  re-elected  in  1865,  served  one 
term.  John  Bartley  was  elected  in  1866.  J.  M.  Maddox  elect- 
ed in  1867.  Thomas  Maddox  elected  iu  1868.  William  Gam- 
brel elected  in  1869.  A  A.  Eads  was  re-elected  in  1870,  and 
served  until  l'<74.  He  was  Chairman  of  the  Board  for  the  year 
1870.  Z-  D-  Cantrall  elected  in  1874,  and  served  two  terms  J. 
E  Bradley  elected  in  1876.  X.  M.  Barnett  was  elected  in  1877, 
and  served  two  terms  Lyman  Barnett  was  elected  in  1879,  and 
is  the  last  representative  from  this  township  Since  which  time 
thesupervisorselected  have  refused  to  qualify  for  reasons  already 
given  in  this  chapter. 

MIDL.iND    CTTY 

is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Illinois  Midland  Railway  and 
the  branch  of  the  Wabash,  in  the  center  of  section  31.  It  was 
laid  out  and  platted  in  the  interest  of  Robert  Black  in  1875,  and 


HISTORY  OF  DE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLINOIS. 


317 


was  first  named  Dunham,  and  subsequentl)'  changed  to  Midland 
City.  The  Midland  Railway  Company  wereiu  favor  of  the  town 
retaining  its  original  name,  but  Mr.  Black  succeeded  in  carrying 
the  day;  hence  the  old  sign  "  Dunham,"  at  the  depot,  was  taken 
down  and  that  of  "Midland  City  "  substituted. 

The  first  house  was  constructed  by  G.  W.  Middlecoft"  in  the 
spring  of  1875.  It  was  a  frame  building,  one  story  high,  and  4i) 
xoO  feet  on  the  ground,  and  .situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  now 
principal  street.  It  contained  two  rooms,  one  being  used  for  gro- 
ceries and  the  other  for  hardware.  Mr.  Middlecoff.  prior  to  this, 
bought  corn,  and  sold  coal  and  lumber  at  this  point.  The  same 
vear,  E.  Fawcett  erected  a  frame  building,  and  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  besides  handling  corn,  coal  and  lumber.  The 
post-o£Hce  was  established  the  same  season,  and  John  A.  Zambro 
wa.s  the  postmaster.  He  was  then  a  partner  of  Middlecoft'.  and 
the  mail  was  distributed  in  the  business  house  of  this  firm.  One 
addition  has  since  been  made  to  the  town,  entitled  the  "  Jones' 
addition,"  belonging  to  the  Jones'  heirs.  The  town  at  this  writ- 
ing has  a  population  of  l'-'30.  The  following  is  the  present  busi- 
ness: Heissermanife  Hill's  wagon  and  carriage  factory.  This  in- 
dustry was  established  by  the  above  firm  in  the  spring  of  1881,  and 
is  situated  on  the  corner  of  East  Second  street,  fronting  Spruce. 
The  factory  is  a  frame  building,  two  stories  high,  and  24x44  feet 
in  size,  besides  an  addition  16.xl8  feet.  It  is  run  by  a  ten-horse 
power  engine,  and  gives  employment  to  five  men.  The  annual 
value  of  manufactured  product  is  estimated  at  §3,000- 

Warehouse,  owned  and  operated  by  Seth  Turner.  This  build- 
ing is  a  frame  .structure,  two  stories  in  height,  and  is  situated  on 
the  switch  of  the  Illinois  Midland  Railroad  ;  it  was  constructed 
in  1876  at  a  cost  of  81,200.  It  has  five  dumps,  with  convenient 
driveways,  and  a  capacity  of  storing  9,000  bushels  of  grain,  be- 
sides  cribs  detached  capable  of  holding  30,0il0  bushels  of  corn. 

Grain  Buyers,  Dealers  in  Coal,  Lumber  and  Tile. — Seth  Turner, 
Evans  &  Black. 

General  Stores. — Evans  it  Black,  J.  Curry  ct  Co. 

Drugr/i'sLi. — Pacard  &  Son. 

Hardware  and  Tinware. — A.  W.  Groves. 

Harness  and  Saddlery. — David  E.  Randolph,  James  Temple- 
man. 

Agricultural  Implements. — J.  W.  Wasson. 

Stock  Dealers  and  Shippers. — Turner  A    ^Morris,  Robert  Black. 

In.turaiire  Agent. — V.  P.  Turner. 

Blacksmith. — C.  C  Colwell. 

Millinery— Mrs.  A.  W.  Groves. 

Meat  Market. — Joseph  Morris. 

Physician. — W.  E.  McCleland. 

Carpenter. — Charles  Markeland. 

Hotel. — John  Lane,  proprietor  ;  J.  H.  Piatt,  landlord. 

Po-^tmaster. — John  A.  Evans. 

Besides  the  foregoing,  the  town  contains  a  good  school-house, 
which  was  built  in  the  spring  of  1881.     It  is  a  frame  building. 


two  stories  in  height,  and  is  adorned  with  a  cupola  and  bell,  and 
cost  S2,200.  It  contains  two  rooms,  and  is  thus  partially  graded, 
and  has  an  attendance  of  about  75  pupils.  The  rooms  are  sup- 
]ilied  with  the  latest  improved  furniture,  while  the  grounds  are 
ample  for  the  convenience  of  the  scholars  for  a  play-ground. 
There  is  also  one  neat  little  church  building.  It  belongs  to  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  denomination,  and  is  conveniently  pre- 
pared for  church  services. 


H.iLLSVn.LE 

is  situated  on  what  was  formerly  the  Champaign,  Lincoln  and 
Havana  Railroad,  now  a  branch  of  the  Wabash  road,  and  in  the 
north-east  corner  of  section  33.  It  was  laid  out  by  Jonathan 
Hall  in  1871.  The  first  house  in  town  was  moved  from  Tun- 
bridge  township  by  John  O.  Dee  in  the  fall  of  1871  It  was  a 
little  frame  house  u-ed  for  a  dwelling,  and  was  located  in  block 
1 0,  lots  1 ,  2,  and  3.  At  the  same  time  Mr.  Dee  moved  his  black- 
smith shop  to  this  point,  and  it  was,  therefore,  the  first  shop  in  the 
town.  It  was  afterwards  taken  to  Midland  City,  and  is  now  used 
for  the  same  purpose  by  C.  C-  Colwell  at  that  place.  The  second 
dwelling  was  that  of  W.  O.  Rogers,  about  the  same  time.  Jlr. 
Rogers  moved  it  here  from  his  father-in-law's  farm,  John  Bart- 
ley,  and  the  December  following  improved  it  by  building  an 
addition.  The  first  store-house  was  commenced  in  the  fall  of 
1871,  and  completed  the  following  spring.  It  was  a  frame  build- 
ing, one  story,  and  constructed  by  Hall  &  Deland,  and  situated 
in  block  8,  lot  1.  Their  merchandise  consisted  of  a  general  stock, 
suitable  for  a  country  store.  It  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1875. 
The  post-ofiice  was  established  in  1871,  with  W.  O.  Rogers  as 
postmaster ;  he  is  the  present  incumbent.  The  first  person 
to  practice  medicine  was  Dr.  James  JIartiu,  in  the  fall  of  1871. 
He  remained  about  three  years,  when  he  moved  to  Kansas.  The 
town  at  this  writing  contains  about  60  inhabitants,  with  the  fol- 
lowing business : 

Physician.-,.— W.  F.  Ward,  C.  T.  ]McLane. 

Blacksmith. — W.  H.  Jones. 

Wood  Workman. — E.  T.  Hunter. 

Contractor  and  Builder. — W.  T.  Hunter. 

Grain  Dealers  and  Shippers. — Armstrong  &  Black. 

The  first  and  only  hotel  was  built  by  W.  T.  Hunter  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1873.  It  is  a  two  story  frame  building  with  a  wing,  and 
situated  in  block  5.  It  is  now  occupied  for  a  dwelling  by  Dr. 
W.  T.  Ward. 

The  County  Poor-farm  is  situated  in  this  township,  joining  the 
town  of  Hallsville  on  the  north-west.  William  Jloore  is  the  pre- 
sent efficient  poor-master,  and  has  served  in  this  capacity  for  the 
last  three  years,  and  has  been  reappointed  by  the  Board  to  fill  the 
position  for  the  ensuing  year.  At  this  writing.  December,  1881, 
it  contains  25  paupers,  and  is  said  to  be  the  best  managed  county- 
house  in  Central  Illinois 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


W.  O.  ROGERS  ] 

Was  born  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  September  9th,  1836.     The 
family  were  originally  from  Virgina.     His  father,  John  Rogers, 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  1800.     He  died  in  the  same  state  in 
ISiw.     He  was  a  minister  in  the  Christian  Church,  and  a    co-   ' 
worker  with  Rev.  B.  W.  Stone    and  Alexander  Campbell,  the 
pioneers   of    the    Christian    Church    in  America.     He  married 
Elender  Hildreth,  of  Bourbon  County,  Ky.     She  died  in  1838 
He  afterwards  married  Mildred  Adair,  who  was  of  a  Virginian 
family.      By  his   first   marriage   there  were  eight  children,  of 
which  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  only  survivor.     He  was 
raised  in  Baurbon  County,  Ky.     In   his    youth  he  learned  the 
saddlery  and  harness  trade.  In  the  fall  of  1856  he  came  to  Logan 
County,  111.,  and  worked  upon  a  farm.     Two  years  later  he  re- 
turned to  Kentucky.     In  1859  he  made  arrangements  to  take  a 
company  of  men  to  Pike's  Peak,  liut  after  arriving  at  Fort  Lara- 
mie on  the  Platte  river,  concluded   to   abandon  the  enterprise, 
and  returned   home.     On   his   return    he   stopped  in   Clinton,  in 
De  Witt  County,  and  fouud  work  in  a  general  store,  clerked  for 
one  year,  tiien   returned   to  Kentucky,  and   in   August  1861    he 
enlisted  for  three  years  in  Cj.  "  L,"  of  the  4th  Illinois  Cavalry. 
The  company   was  raised  in  Dj  Witt  and    McLean  Counties 
The  4th  was  placed  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Grant,   and 
assisted  in  the  capture  of  Fort  Donelson,  was  also   in   the  battle 
of  Pittsburg  Landing,  and   first  battle  of  Corinth      They  were 
stationed  at  Trenton,  Tenne.ssee,  from  there  went  to  Humboldt, 
and  were  with  Grant  on  the  Hatchie  river  campaign,  and  iu  the 
battle  of  Coffeevilln,  where  the  regiment  lost.  Col.  McCoUough 
in  the  fight     In  the  summer  of  1863  the  command  did  picket 
duty,  and  guarded  lines  of  railroads  in  Tennessee.     In  the  fall 
went  to   Vicksburg  and  were  sent  out  on  the  Black  river,  and 
in  December  went  to  Xatchez,  Miss ,  where  they  remained  until 
expiration  of  service.     Iu  November  18C1  Mr.  Rogers  returned 
to  Clinton,  and  in  spring  of  1865  eugaged  in  farming  iu  Barnett 
Township.     In  the  spring  of  1866  moved  to  Tazewell  County, 
and  farmed  three  years,  then  returned  to  his  father  in-law  and 
farmed  two  years      In  1872  he  moved  to  Hallsville  and  built  a 
dwelling-house,   which  was    soon  after   burned  down.     He  sold 
the  first  g.i  i  is  iu  the  town,  and  was  the  first  Postmaster,  and 
still  cjntinu.'*  in  that    capacity.      Mr.   Rogers    conducted    the 
mercantile  busiue-*  fir  Messrs.  Deland  &  Hall.     In  1874,  he  in 
connection  with  J.  C.  Humphrej's,  started  in  the    general   raer- 
chmdising    business      Six  mouths  later  he  sold  out  to  Hum- 
phreys, but  clerked  for  him  for  two  years.     He  then   went  into 
business    for    himself,   in  which    he    still   continues.      On    the 
24th  of  August,  1865,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
A.    Bartley,    a  native  of  Madison  County,    Ohio,    daughter    of 
John  anil   Nancy  Bartley,  who  settled  in  De  Witt  County  in 
1S49.     Three  children   were   born   to   them,  named   Minnie  W 
John  and  Maud  Rogers.    His  wife  and  daughters  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church.     Heisa  memberof  A.  F.  A.  M.     He  has 
always  voted  the  Republican   ticket.     Iu    1878    he    was   elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the   resigna- 
tion of  Srinire  Faucett.  and  held  the  scales  of  justice  impartially 
until  the  end  of  his  term  in  1881. 
31f> 


GEORGE  W.  GRINER. 

The  Griner  famijy  on  the  paternal  side  are  of  German  ancestry. 
James  Griner,  the  great-grandfather  of  the  present  family,  emi- 
grated from  Germany  to  America  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war. 
While  on  his  passage  across  the  ocean  both  parents  died.  He 
settled  in  New  Jersey,  and  during  the  war  for  Independence  was 
a  captain  in  the  service.  He  emigrated  to  Indiana  soon  after 
that  state  was  admitted  into  the  Union,  and  there  died  at  the 
great  age  of  one  hundred  and  ten  years.  Charles,  his  son  and 
grandfather  of  George  W.,  was  born  in  New  Jersey.  He 
came  West  to  Indiana,  where  his  parents  were  living,  iu  1 837, 
and  there  died  He  had  two  sons,  William  and  Peter.  George 
W.  is  the  son  of  William,  who  married  Margaret  Brooks,  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  and  she  died  iu  1837.  By  that  marriage 
there  were  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  George  W.  is  the 
youngest  of  the  family.  He  wa.s  born  iu  New  Jersey,  June  22d, 
1835.  He  lived  in  Indiana  with  his  father  and  family  from 
1837  until  1853,  when  he  was  in  his  nineteenth  year.  He  then 
came  to  De  Witt  County,  Illinois,  and  here  he  stopped  with  his 
brother-in-law,  and  worked  on  a  farm.  Soon  after  went  to  work 
on  a  saw-mill,  lie  continued  to  work  around  until  March, 
1856,  when  he  moved  to  a  forty  acre  tract  of  land  in  section 
thirty-one  in  Barnett  Township,  and  there  he  has  lived  to  the 
present.  The  land  was  raw  and  unimproved,  and  all  of  the  im- 
provements now  on  it  were  put  there  by  Mr.  Griner.  A  view  of 
the  place  can  be  seen  by  reference  to  another  page  in  this  work. 
On  the  25th  of  November,  1855,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Coppenberger,  a  native  of  Ten- 
nessee, and  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  De  Witt  County  He 
settled  on  Salt  Creek  about  the  year  1825.  George  Coppenber- 
ger married  Nancy  Henderson,  who  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  also  among  the  early  settlers  of  De  Witt  County.  Mrs. 
Griner  was  born  on  Salt  Creek,  in  Tunbridge  Town.-hip,  De 
Witt  County,  May  2Sth,  1835.  By  her  marriage  with  George 
W.  Griner,  there  are  six  children  living.  Their  names  in  the 
order  of  their  birth  are,  Rachel  Jane,  born  May  22d,  1857,  and  is 
the  wife  of  James  A.  Trowbridge,  Charles  W.  died  in  infancy, 
Nancy  A.,  born  October  14th,  1S60,  is  the  wile  of  George  E 
Kimball,  a  farmer  in  Barnett  Township  George  B.,  born  July 
16th,  1863,  Olive  M  ,  born  May  29th,  1.S66,  May  W.,  born  April 
16th,  1870,  Myrtie,  born  July  1st,  1S74.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Griner  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Politically,  Mr. 
Griner  has  been  a  Democrat  since  1856,  when  he  cast  his  first 
presidential  vote  for  James  BuchauKn.  He  is  not,  however,  a  poli- 
tician, and  takes  no  further  interest  in  politics  than  to  express  his 
opinion  through  the  right  of  surt'rage.  Mr.  Griner  has  been  re- 
markably successful  in  life.  He  started  poor,  and  had  nothing 
but  health  and  strength,  and  aodetermination  to  rise,  and  he  was 
above  depending  upon  others.  With  that  idea  in  view,  and 
assisted  by  his  estimable  wife,  he  has  succeeded  in  gaining  a 
competency,  and  at  the  same  time  has  built  up  a  reputation  as  a 
fair,  honest  and  honorable  man,  which  is  far  better,  and  brings 
more  pure  enjoyment  than  great  riches. 


^^-.'^^ 


-  .sr^ 


The  preseut  efficient  and  capable  .Siiperintentleut  of  the 
County  Farm  and  Alms-house,  was  born  in  Virginia,  Loudoun 
county,  December  25th,  1831.  On  both  the  paternal  and  mater- 
nal sides  the  ancestry  is  Irish.  His  grandfather,  Peter  Moore, 
was  a  native  of  the  same  State.  He  married  Hannah  Ewers.  Of 
that  marriage  was  Mason  Ewers  Moore,  the  father  of  William 
M.  He  was  born  in  Loudoun  county,  Va.,iu  1801.  He  emigrated 
to  Ohio  in  18.39,  and  settled  in  Morgan  county,  and  there  died 
in  Sept.,  1847.  He  married  Margaret  Ann  Adams,  who  was 
born  in  the  same  county  in  Virginia,  in  1803.  She  was  of  Irish 
parentage  on  her  father's  side.  Her  father,  Henry  Adams,  came 
to  America  while  yet  young  anil  died  in  Virginia.  Mrs.  Moore 
came  to  Illinois  in  185S,  and  settled  in  Texas  township,  in  De 
Witt  county,  in  1860,  where  she  still  resides.  William  M.  is  the 
third  in  a  family  of  four  .sons  and  three  daughters.  His  educa- 
tion in  his  youth  was  of  a  limited  character.  He  remained  at 
home  until  after  attaining  his  majority.  In  1853  he  raised  a 
crop  of  tobacco,  and  in  the  winter  following  worked  iu  a  ware- 
house, and  the  next  spring  went  to  Indiana,  and  in  the  fall  re- 
turned to  Ohio.  On  the  14th  of  February,  1855,  he  married 
Miss  Hannah  Wright,  who  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Ohio, 
February  1st,  1834.  Her  parents,  Ira  and  Jane  Wright,  were 
natives  of  Vermont.  Her  mother  was  of  Irish  parentage.  In 
the  spring  of  1857  Mr.  Moore  came  to  Illinois,  landing  in  De 
Witt  county,  May  9th  of  that  year.     He  settled  iu  Creek  town- 


ship, and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1863  he  removed  to  Texas 
township,  and  farmed  and  operated  in  stock  business,  in  connec- 
tion with  Robert  JIagill,  in  which  he  continued  until  1871.  In 
1872  he  went  to  Colorado,  but  soon  returned,  and  then  gave  his 
attention  to  farming  and  stock-raising  until  Jan.  1st,  1879,  when 
he  was  appointed  to  the  position  he  now  holds.  It  can  be  truly 
said  of  him  that,  as  Superintendent  of  the  Poor  Farm,  he  has 
brought  the  institution  up  to  be  self-supporting,  and  is  most  cer- 
tainly the  right  man  for  the  right  place.  Politically,  Mr.  Moore 
has  always  been  an  unswerving,  uncompromising  democrat  of 
many  years'  standing.  While  a  resident  of  Texas  township,  he 
represented  the  people  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for  two  terms. 
He  also  held  other  offices  of  local  trust,  and  was  Deputy  Sheriff 
for  four  years.  In  matters  of  religion  he  is  liberal.  By  his  mar- 
riage with  Hannah  Wright  there  are  four  children  to  hallow 
and  bless  the  union.  Their  names,  in  the  order  of  their  birth, 
are  :  Franklin  M.,  Lucy  J.,  Humphrey  A.,  and  William  Merton 
Moore.  All  are  yet  at  home.  He  is  a  member  of  I.  O.  O.  F., 
and  belongs  to  INIaroa  Lodge,  No.  314.  Mr.  Moore  belongs  to 
the  positive  order  of  men,  and  is  outspoken  and  free  in  his  man- 
ners. No  one  is  left  long  in  doubt  upon  any  question  upon  which 
his  opinion  is  desired.  He  is  of  a  generous  nature  and  lively 
disposition,  kind  and  affectionate  in  his  nature,  and  a  hospitable 
man  in  his  home. 


CREEK    TOWNSHIP. 


(HIS  township  is  a  regular  sfniare,  comprising 
all  of  Congressional  township  No.  19  N.,  R. 
o  E.,  in  all  thirty-six  sections,  or  23  040  acres, 
of  which  nearly  one-third  was  originally 
forest.  The  northern  part  of  the  township 
is  drained  by  Salt  creek  and  its  tributaries. 
Salt  creek  enters  the  township  in  section  two, 
and  flows  in  a  general  south-westerly  direc- 
tion, leaving  it  in  section  seven.  Its  course 
is  marked  by  hills  and  blufls,  rugged  in  ap- 
pearance. The  small  feeders  rise  in  living  springs,  in  which 
this  section  abounds,  and  whose  waters  find  their  way  through 
deep  ravines  to  the  main  creek.  The  bluffs  present  a  compara- 
tively barren  clay  soil,  supporting  a  growth  of  oak,  maple  and 
other  woods,  whilst  the  valleys,  possessing  a  stronger  soil,  are 
lined  with  cottonwoods,  hickory  and  occasionally  walnut  timber. 
The  southern  part  is  poorly  drained,  being  low  and  fiat  prairie- 
Until  artificial  drainage  was  inaugurated  much  of  it  was  thought 
to  be  practically  worthless  for  agricultural  purposes.  By  drain- 
age, first  in  open  conduits,  then  by  tilling  it,  has  become 
the  best  portion  of  the  township,  and  its  possibilities  are  yet 
quite  undeveloped.  Fair  farms  gladden  the  eye  where  until  a 
quite  recent  period  deer  congregated  in  herds. 

The  axe  of  that  sturdy  pioneer  Lisenby  was  the  first  to  break 
the  stillness  of  the  forest  in  this  township,  as  he  staked  off  his 
claim  and  commenced  preparations  for  the  erection  of  a  cabin 
in  the  wilderness  ou  section  one,  a  little  more  than  a  mile  from 
Salt  creek,  in  the  year  1830.  He  was  a  descendant  of  good 
old  revolutionary  stock,  his  father,  Reuben  Lisenby,  having  been 
a  soldier  in  the  war  for  colonial  freedom,  and  having  lost  his 
life  in  the  siege  of  Charleston.  A  brother,  Josiah  by  name, 
true  to  his  pati'iotic  impulses,  had  enlisted  in  the  same  struggle, 
and  was  killed  in  the  same  siege.  Abraham  and  a  sister  were 
bound  out  to  a  North  Carolinian  soon  after  the  Revolution,  from 
whence  he  moved,  on  gaining  his  majority,  to  East  Tennessee,  and 
thence  to  Illinois.  He  was  the  father  of  ten  children,  six  sons 
and  four  daughters.  With  a  hearty  good  will  he  commenced 
his  improvements  by  breaking  a  small  patch  of  ground  about 
his  cabin.  He  lived  but  a  short  time  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his 
labors,  as  he  died  in  May,  1831.  He  was  buried  on  the  tract  he 
had  selected  as  a  home,  and  which  is  yet  used  as  a  cemetery  ; 
his  remains  were  placed  in  a  rude,  undressed  coffin  of  black 
walnut,  procured  from  Waynesville,  twenty  miles  distant.  A 
knot-hole  in  the  lid  exposed  the  body  partially  when  it  was 
lowered  into  the  grave.  Wolves  attracted  to  the  spot,  dug  down 
almost  to  the  body,  their  work  being  discovered  only  in  time  to 
prevent  greater  mischief,  whereupon  the  grave  was  made  secure 
against  these  ravages.     After  his  death  Benjamin  Lisenby,  one 


of  his  sons,  occupied  the  lonely  home,  made  more  lonely  by  his 
loss.  Another  son,  Ezekiel,  remained  the  first  year,  aiding  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  clearing,  then  returned  to  Tennessee,  where 
he  remained  until  1848,  when  he  again  came  to  Creek  township, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  Numerous  representatives  of  this 
family  yet  live  to  do  honor  to  the  brave  old  pioneer's  memory  ; 
his  wife,  too,  old  in  years,  loved  by  all,  yet  lives  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  life's  evening  time.  In  1832  a  traveling  preacher,  named 
Dodge,  visited  his  lone  home,  and  with  characteristic  Methodist 
zeal,  proclaimed  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  although,  by 
a  hard  day's  ride,  Lisenby  could  secure  an  audience  of  but  three 
neiglibors  to  hear  him.  Soon  after  another  traveling  minister 
called,  declaring  himself  to  be  lost.  When  asked  from  whence 
he  came  he  replied,  "  From  everywhere  and  from  nowhere  but 
here,  and  I  wish  I  wasn't  here."  His  zeal  had  departed  with 
losing  his  way  around  one  of  the  extended  circuits  of  those 
early  days. 

John  Miller  was  the  second  pioneer  settler.  He  came  from 
Casey  county,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  born  in  1799,  via  Madi- 
son county,  this  state,  where  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  IMary 
Slatten,  in  1818 ;  thence  he  moved  to  Morgan  county,  whence 
after  a  few  years'  sojourn,  he  came  to  Creek  township,  where  he 
located  on  the  north  half  of  Sec.  1,  which  he  had  entered  on  the 
21st  day  of  June,  1831,  upon  the  occasion  of  a  visit,  looking 
out  for  a  new  home.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  five 
of  whom  were  sons,  and  two  daughters.  Two  of  his  sons,  Eben- 
ezer  and  Benjamin,  still  live  in  Clinton  county ;  a  son,  Joseph, 
lives  in  Harrison  county,  Missouri ;  another,  Tyra,  in  Linn 
county,  Kansas,  and  a  daughter  in  Mason  county,  this  state. 
The  land  he  entered  included  the  imjirovements  made  by  Li- 
senby, which  he  bought,  and  which  at  the  time  amounted  to  a 
clearing  of  about  six  acres,  which  was  fenced  and  broke,  a  cabin, 
14x16,  and  a  log  stable,  12x14.  He  set  out  a  hundred  apple 
trees,  which  he  procured  from  the  vicinity  of  Decatur.  This 
was  the  first  attempt  made  at  securing  an  orchard  in  this  section 
of  country  ;  some  of  the  trees,  like  grand  old  patriarchs,  are  still 
standing.  He  employed  Felix  Jones,  Solomon  Cross  and  Tyre 
Harp,  all  residents  of  Harp  township,  to  break  fourteen  acres 
additional  ground,  so  that  the  first  season  after  entering  his  new 
home  he  had  in  all  twenty  acres  in  cultivation.  Jones  made  for 
himself  a  pair  of  mocassins  of  hog-hide,  in  which  to  plough. 
They  were  clumsy,  uncouth  coverings  for  the  feet,  but,  as  was 
said,  there  was  no  wear  out  to  them. 

A  man  named  Hamilton  was  the  third  person  to  locate  within 
the  limits  of  the  township.  He  erected  a  cabin  on  Sec-  8.  In 
the  year  1835  two  brothers,  Ezekiel  and  John.Lane,  or  Jackie, 
as  he  was  familiarly  called,  came  from  Hamilton  county,  this 
state,  where  they  had  lived  since  1827,  having  originally  come 

321 


322 


EISTOEY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


from  Tennessee.  Ezekiel  made  his  temporary  home  in  the  cabin 
deserted  by  Hamilton,  whilst,  with  the  aid  of  Felix  Jones  and 
neighbors,  John  built  a  rude  cabin  on  Sec.  11.  In  the  fall  of 
the  same  year  Felix  Jones  erected  a  cabin  near  where  Tillmon 
Lane  now  lives,  ou  Sec.  10,  into  which  Ezekiel  Lane  moved- 
Ezekiel  Lane  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  county,  and  at  one 
time  held  the  office  of  sheriff.  He  was  an  active  church  member, 
and  in  the  later  years  of  his  life  preached  considerably  ;  his 
church  membership  was  with  the  Christian  connection,  but  his 
views  were  in  common  with  those  entertained  by  the  Reformers. 
John  Lane  was  also  a  preacher  of  the  Christian  connection,  or 
New  Light  faith,  bold  in  his  declarations,  very  firm  in  his  con- 
victions,— indeed,  his  firmness  amounted  almost  to  obstinacy. 
He  was  an  original  Abolitionist,  one  of  the  first  four  within  the 
limits  of  the  county.  An  impediment  in  his  speech  detracted 
from  his  power  as  a  preacher.  Tillmon  Lane,  son  of  Ezekiel, 
yet  lives  ou  the  old  homestead  ;  he  has  held  various  positions  in 
public  life;  among  them  has  represented  the  county  in  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  of  the  state.  He  and  a  sister  attended  a  school 
taught  by  J  J-  McGraw,  on  Rock  creek,  in  183G-7,  the  nearest 
available  school  at  that  time. 

Jeremiah  Thompson  came  in  1836,  and  located  on  Sec  1.  He 
brought  with  him  a  family  of  ten,  seven  of  whom  lived  to  man- 
hood and  womanhood.  Numerous  representatives  of  this  family 
yet  live  in  the  vicinity,  and  are  all  pushing,  energetic  men. 

John  McDeed  came  with  his  father,  James  McDeed,  in  1837, 
and  also  located  in  Sec.  1.  He  was  of  Irish  descent,  fpiick- 
witted,  whole-souled ;  as  a  neighbor  and  friend  he  was  held  in 
high  esteem.  It  is  related  of  him  that  when  corn  wa^  scarce  and 
high,  a  preacher  called  to  get  a  few  bushels,  for  which  he  ex- 
pected to  pay  a  good  round  price.  McDeed  filled  his  wagon  to 
overflowing  and  then  declined  anything  in  payment,  saying  that 
though  he  wasn't  a  church  member,  he  would  contribute  some- 
thing to  helping  on  the  good  work.  No  one  ever  appealed  to  him 
in  vain  for  aid  when  in  distress. 

ParmeniusSmallwood,  with  a  fiimily  of  fifteen  children,  located 
in  what  is  now  Macon  county,  near  Decatur,  in  1826.  He  was 
an  Ohioan,  born  in  Champaign  county,  of  that  state.  George 
D.,  his  son,  was  born  in  Rose  county,  Ohio,  March  31,  1810, 
and  came  with  his  parents  to  this  state ;  attended  the  first  schools 
of  Macon  county,  and  grew  to  manhood,  after  which,  in  1S30,  he 
located  in  this  township.  He  was  among  the  early  settlers,  and 
was  here  during  the  "  deep  snow."  The  same  year,  1830,  he 
commenced,  with  his  father,  building  a  saw-mill,  to  which  he 
soon  after  added  a  burr,  and  did  the  grinding  for  the  com- 
munity. It  was  located  on  the  N.  E.  quarter  of  Sec.  5.  The 
burr  was  made  from  a  prairie  boulder,  which  is  still  in  use,  and 
is  pronounced  to  be  of  very  fine  quality.  Mr.  Smallwood  was  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war  He  was  an  early  surveyor  in  this  part  of 
the  country;  was  married  to  Mary  Ann  Brown,  Mai'ch  24,  1839. 
The  ceremony  was  performed  by  James  M.  Scott,  a  Christian 
minister. 

The  first  land  entered  in  this  precinct  was  made  by  Hamilton. 
Entries  were  made  as  follows  :  March  4,  1830,  Robert  Hamilton, 
W.  half  N.  W.  quarter  Sec.  9,  80  acres  ;  March  4,  1830,  John  P. 
Hamilton,  E.  half  N.  W.  quarter  Sec  9,  80  acres ;  March  4, 1830, 
Eliza  M.  Hamilton,  W.  half  S.  E.  quarter  Sec.  9, 80  acres ;  March 
6,  1830,  Parmenius  Smallwood,  N.  E.  quarter  Sec.  5,  157  acres; 
June  18,  1831,  Ira  Norfleet,  AV.  half  S.  W.  quarter  Sec.  5,  80 
acres;  June  21,  1831,  Warrington  Spillers,  W.  half  S.  E.  half 
Sec  1,  80  acres  ;  June  21, 1831,  John  Miller,  N.  E.  quarter  Sec.  1, 
158  acres. 


The  first  scliool  taught  in  the  vicinity  was  by  Jefi'ersou  Cross, 
a  lame  man  from  Tennessee,  in  1837-8.  The  school-house,  a 
rough  log  building,  was  erected  by  the  neighbors  on  section  one. 
It  did  not  aspire  to  windows,  although  a  place  made  vacant  by 
the  removal  of  a  log  was  covered  by  a  strip  of  muslin.  Children 
learned  their  letters,  and  subsequently  to  read,  from  the  Testa- 
ment. The  Testament,  Pike's  Arithmetic,  and  two  or  three 
spelling  books,  completed  the  list  of  text  books.  The  school- 
house  was  also  occupied  for  religious  worship.  The  first  regular 
services  held  here,  were  by  Rev.  Thomas  Welch,  a  pastor  in  the 
old  Christian,  or  New  Light  order.  He  perfected  an  organiza- 
tion of  those  of  that  faith  in  this  vicinity.  John  Pugh,  a  man  of 
some  ability,  had  gathered  together  the  friends  of  Christianity 
occasionally  in  the  school-house  prior  to  this,  but  had  not  at- 
tempted any  organization. 

A  saw  and  grist  mill  was  erected  by  Parmenius  Smallwood  on 
Salt  creek,  section  five,  iu  the  year  liS35.  Smallwood  lived  near 
Decatur,  and  placed  the  mill  in  charge  of  his  sons,  George  D., 
Samuel  and  Daniel.  These  sons  kept  "  bach,"  in  a  cabin,  on  the 
banks  of  the  creek,  save  when  relieved  of  the  tedium  of  house- 
keeping by  a  sister,  who  remained  part  of  the  time  with  them. 
This  mill  was  patronized  by  people  from  an  extensive  tract  of 
country.  It  filled  a  want  long  felt.  People  no  longer  had  to  go 
twenty  miles  for  a  sack  of  meal  or  flour,  or  as  many  did,  pound 
corn  with  a  maul. 

The  earlier  settlers  raised  suSicient  cotton  to  supply  a  home 
demand  for  cotton  goods,  which  were  manufactured  by  them- 
selves. However  they  were  chary  of  its  use,  as  it  was  related  to 
the  writer  by  an  eye-witness,  that  a  young  lady  of  sweet  sixteen, 
iu  attempting  to  kick  a  dog,  succeeded  in  flooring  herself,  owing 
to  the  closeness  of  the  fit  of  her  skirts.  The  kicking  leg  jerked 
the  other  from  under  her.  Flax,  too,  was  raised  iu  con.siderable 
quantities. 

Along  the  creek  bottom  a  number  of  hunters  settled,  or  rather 
sojourned  for  a  time,  to  engage  in  hunting  and  fishing.  They 
were  of  the  do-little  class  of  humanity.  As  they  sat  around  their 
camp-fires,  spinning  yarns,  passers-by  would  hail  them,  with 
"  What  are  you  doing?"  "  Nothing  to-day,  but  will  give  it  Hail 
Columbia  to-morrow."  On  the  morrow  they  would  give  up  the 
Hail  Columbia  business.  So  universally  was  the  reply  made  by 
this  class,  that  even  yet  an  idler  is  accosted  with,  "  I  reckon 
you'll  give  it  Hail  Columbia  to-morrow,"  or  "  that  fellow  be- 
longs to  the  Hail  Columbia  class." 

This  township  has  been  represented  on  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors as  follows:  B.  G.  Lisenby,  elected  in  1859;  Tillmon 
Lane,  elected  1860;  Thomas  Ritchie,  elected  1861;  .John  Mc- 
Aboy,  elected  1862,  and  served  two  terms ;  Tillmon  Lane,  re- 
elected 1864,  and  served  until  1869  ;  J.  D.  Graham,  elected 
1869,  served  three  terms,  and  was  chairman  of  the  board  during 
the  year  1871  ;  Henry  Bennett,  elected  1872;  S.  E.  Arnold, 
elected  1873;  J.  j\[.  Hendrix,  electea  1874;  Benjamin  Miller, 
elected  1875;  J.  JI.  Hendrix,  re-elected  187G ;  George  Scott, 
elected  1877  ;  J.  D.  Graham,  re-elected  1878,  and  served  two 
terms;  J.  D.  Miller,  elected  1880;  H.  C.  Spainhour,  elected 
1881,  is  the  present  incumbent. 

The  following  exhibit,  taken  from  the  assessor's  record  for 
1881,  shows  the  Agricultural  development  of  the  township. 
Value  of  farming  lands,  8282,022;  town  lots,  Sl,841  ;  number 
of  horses,  592;  neat  cattle,  837;  mules,  85;  sheep,  418;  hogs, 
2148;  carriages  and  wagons,  232;  watches  and  clocks,  154; 
sewing  machines,  92 ;  pianos,  2 ;  organs  and  melodeons,  22. 
Total  value  of  personal  property,  $57,034. 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


323 


Lane  Station ;  or  simply  Lane,  as  the  post-ofBce  is  called,  was 
surveyed  by  John  S.  Brown,  February  the  oth,  1873,  on  land 
owned  by  Tillmon  Lane,  with  metes  and  bounds  as  follows : 

Beginning  seven  and  fifty  hundredths  chains  north  of  the  S.  E. 
corner  of  the  west  half  of  the  X.  W.  quarter  of  section  10,  T.  19, 
K.  3  E. ;  thence  north  396  j  feet ;  thence  west  at  right  angle  816 
feet ;  thence  south  420  feet ;  thence  easterly  to  point  of  beginning 
It  contains  three  blocks,  of  eight  lots  each. 

The  first  addition  was  made  by  Tillmon  Lane,  of  twenty-four 
lots.    February  1st,  1875. 

The  second  addition  by  Messrs.  John  T.  and  James  Lane,  of 
four  blocks,  divided  into  thirty  lots.    March  5th,  1881. 

The  Lane  Elevator  was  bnilt  at  a  cost  of  83,000.  It  is  con- 
structed for  handling  all  kinds  of  grain,  with  a  capacity  of  6,500 
bushels.     The  shipments  for  18S1  amounted  to  100,000  bu.shels. 

The  village  contains  a 

Dry  Goodji  Store. — J.  A.  Fosnaugh. 

Groceries. — B.  F.  ilartiu. 

Blacksmith.—  'Loms  Dement. 

Wagon-makir. — E.  J.  Deveree. 

Physicians. — Dr.  J.  A.  Simraerraan  :  Dr.  J.  R.  Gardiner. 

Station  Agent. — Lewis  Lane. 

Post-master. — B.  F,  Martin. 

Grain  Dealers. — J.  Lane,  and  George  Bennett,  George  Scott. 

Tou'n  Hall  and  Livery  Stable. — Drury  Thompson.  There  are 
here  two  elevators ;  one  owned  and  operated  by  Lane  and  Ben- 
nett, the  other  by  George  Scott.  Lane  and  Bennett's  was  erected 

at  a  cost  of  8 ,  and  has  a  storage  capacity  for bushels 

grain.     There  were   ■ bushels  handled  during  the  year  1881. 

Scott's  Elevator  was  built  in  the  earlier  part  of  1881,  at  a  cost 
of  81600  ;  is  provided  with  a  steam  engine  of  fifteen  horse  power. 
Has  a  capacity  for  storing  6,500  bushels  grain,  and  during  the 
five  months  it  has  been  operated,  there  have  been  shipped  from  it 
about  40,000  liushels  grain. 


Alexander  Swan  built  the  first  house  erected  in  the  village  of 
Lane. 

In  the  spring  of  1873,  Dr.  J.  A.  Simmerman  brought  the  first 
stock  of  goods,  and  opened  a  general  store.  In  the  fall  of  the 
same  year,  John  Nelson  opened  the  second  store. 

Harrison  Kidder  was  the  first  postmaster  appointed  in  1S73. 
The  office  was  established  on  application,  quite  generally  signed 
by  citizens  living  in  the  near  vicinity. 

Outside  of  Lane,  no  industries,  save  a  wagon  and  blacksmith 
shop,  by  Samuel  Arthur,  and  the  tile  works  operated  by  Messrs. 
Lane,  Britten  and  Thompson,  near  by  the  village,  are  carried  on. 
These  works  were  erected  in  the  year  18S0.  Capital  stock, 
82,500.  During  1880,  about  225,000  feet  of  tiling  were  made, 
for  which  there  was  a  home  demand. 

The  population  of  the  township  for  1860,  was  794;  for  1870, 
1022,  and  for  1880,  1211,  showing  a  steady  and  regular  growth. 

What  is  now  popularly  called  the  Havana  branch  of  the 
Wabash  railroad,  was  built  through  this  township  in  1872.  In 
1870  the  township  was  asked  to  subscribe  830,000  in  behalf  of 
the  Havana,  Mason  City,  Lincoln  and  Eastern  railroads,  under 
the  management  of  Smith,  Griggs  &  Co.,  with  Thomas  Snell  of 
Clinton,  as  President.  In  accordance  therewith,  a  town  meeting 
was  called  on  the  21st  day  of  June,  1870,  to  vote  for  or  against 
the  proposed  subscription,  which  resulted  in  121  votes  for,  to  44 
votes  against  the  proposition.  The  amount  of  the  subscription 
was  to  be  raised  in  bonds,  with  payment  to  run  from  ten  to  twenty 
years.  The  bonds  were  deposited  with  the  State  Treasurer,  to 
be  holden  by  him  until  the  company  had  complied  with  the  con- 
tract and  completed  the  road,  which  was  to  be  done  within  two 
years  from  the  date  of  the  issue  of  the  bonds.  In  1872  the  road 
was  completed  ;  that  part  passing  through  this  township  having 
been  graded  and  built  on  a  sub-contract,  taken  by  Tillmon,  Lane, 
Drury,  Thompson  and  A.  K.  Miller.  The  interest  on  bonds,  ten 
per  cent,  per  annum,  has  been  generally  met  since  their  i,ssue. 


BIOGRAPHTCAL    SKETCH. 


Who  is  amoug  the  prominent  old  settlers,  was  born  in  Monroe 
County,  Kentucky,  October  14th,  18'2:>,  and  was  the  son  of 
Ezekiel  and  Talitha  Lane.  In  1827  his  father  came  to  Illinois, 
and  settled  in  Hamilton  County,  where  he  lived  until  1835  ;  he 
then  came  to  what  is  now  De  Witt  County,  and  entered  land 
where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  now  lives,  in  Creek  Township, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death,  October  19th,  1853, 
his  wife  having  preceded  him  seven  years-  They  raised  a  family 
of  seven  children,  Tillmon  being  the  elilest.  He  acquired  such 
an  education  as  the  schools  of  his  day   afforded.     He  assisted 


his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  maturity. 
November  loth  1848,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  iliss  Eliza- 
beth Thompson,  who  was  born  in  Sangamon  County.  They  have 
raised  a  family  of  eight  children,  five  now  living.  Mr.  Lane's 
life  occupation  has  been  that  of  a  farmer.  In  politics  he  hag 
always  been  a  Democrat.  For  a  number  of  years  he  repre- 
sented his  township  in  the  County  Board.  In  1873  he  repre- 
sented his  county  in  the  State  Legislature.  Religiously,  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.     He  lives  a  half-mile  north 

of  Lane,  a  growing,  little  village  he  laid  out  in  1873- 

325 


NIXON    TOWNSHIP. 


HIS  was  the  latest  settled  township  in  the 
county.  It  contains  a  prairie  snrface,  with 
only  now  ami  then  a  few  groves  of  timber  of 
a  very  small  growth.  Its  form  is  irregular, 
and  contains  27  sections.  A  notch  of  9  sec- 
tions is  taken  out  of  the  south-east  corner  and 
joined  to  Piatt  county.  The  surface  is  mainly 
Hat  or  level,  but  of  a  deep,  rich  soil,  specially 
adapted  to  the  successful  culture  of  corn  or  grass.  When  under- 
drainage  or  tiling  shall  have  been  fully  adopted,  it  will  be  found 
that  this  is  one  of  the  most  productive  parts  of  the  county.  The 
natural  drainage  is  somewhat  meagre,  and  it  will  take  time  and 
patience  to  bring  this  land  to  yield  what  it  is  really  worth  to  the 
husbandman.  Friend's  Creek  and  a  small  tributary,  rise  in  the 
north  part  of  the  township  and  flow  in  a  southerly  course  through 
its  territory.  Two  brooks  or  small  rivulets  take  the  same  course 
through  the  township.  These  constitute  the  surface  drainage, 
except  the  line  of  railroad  which  bisects  the  township  from  west 
to  east.  The  Division  of  the  Wabash,  8t.  Louis  &  Pacific  rail- 
way enters  from  the  west  in  section  7,  and  takes  an  easterly  course, 
passing  into  Piatt  county  in  section  12.;  Xixon  is  situated  in  the 
extreme  south-eastern  part  of  the  county  and  bounded  as  follows : 
On  the  north  by  De  Witt  township,  on  the  east  and  south  by  Piatt 
and  Macon  counties,  and  on  the  west  by  Creek  township.  Its 
first  settlement  began  as  late  as  18.50.  At  the  time  of  township 
orgaiiization^l''<.59 — ,  there  were  but  o2  voters  in  the  township. 
It  is  true  that  there  had  been  land  cultivated  within  its  boundaries 
years  before,  but  they  were  parties  living  near  the  borders,  not 
citizens  of  the  township 

FIR8T   SETTLEMENTS. 

The  first  to  locate  in  this  township  was  Cicero  Twist,  in  the 
spring  of  18.50.  He  settled  in  section  8,  and  that  year  broke  a 
small  patch  of  prairie,  and  raised  a  crop  of  sod  corn.  He  came 
from  Sangamon  county,  and  had  two  children,  Ann  and  Eliza. 
Mr.  Twist  yet  resides  in  the  township,  and  has  a  family  of  eight 
children.  His  first  house  was  a  rude  cabin,  constructed  of  rough 
logs  just  as  they  were  cut  from  the  timber,  and  covered  with 
boards  for  a  roof.  He  is  now  in  comfortable  circumstances,  and 
residing  at  the  old  homestead. 

A  M.  Pue  broke  the  first  prairie,  and  raised  the  first  crop 
within  the  boundaries  of  the  township,  but  resided  in  an  adjoin- 
ing precinct.  This  was  in  1837.  George,  William,  ^Morris,  and 
Kixon  were  all  early  settlers.  They  were  brothers,  and  came  from 
Ohio,  about  1850,  and  settled  in  diiFerent  parts  of  the  township. 
They  became  prominent  farmers,  and  at  the  time  of  township  or- 
ganization the  commissioners  gave  it  the  name  in  honor  of  these 
citizens.  George  is  dead,  and  the  others  live  in  different  parts  of 
the  county. 

John  Iv.  Manlove,  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  also  one  of  the  first 
citizens.  He  emigrated  from  his  native  state  to  Indiana  at  an 
early  day  when  he  was  a  mere  boy,  and  from  thence  to  Illinois, 


about  18.52.  He  has  been  twice  married,  and  reared  a  family 
of  ten  children,  five  boys  and  five  girls.  He  is  yet  living  in  the 
township,  and  among  the  first  of  the  citizens.  Hiram  Chandler 
came  from  Vermont,  and  located  here  about  the  same  time  as  the 
above.  He  married  a  .sister  of  Mr.  Manlove  in  Indiana  before 
his  coming.  He  died  some  years  ago,  but  his  family  yet  reside 
in  the  township.  C.  S.  Lisenbeyalso  improved  land  in  this  town- 
ship in  an  early  day,  but  resided  just  over  the  line  in  Creek 
township. 

The  first  land  entry  was  made  by  A.  M.  Pue,  January  2d,  183.5, 
being  the  N.  J  of  the  X.  W.  1  of  section  6.  In  the  same  year, 
April  loth,  1835,  T.  R.  Davis  entered  the  S.  i  of  the  N.  W.  1  of 
the  same  section.  October  25th,  1S36,  P.  S.  Longborough  en- 
tered 485.98  acres  in  same  section.  September  2d,  1848,  Benja- 
min G.  Lisenby  entered  the  S.  ~  of  lot  1  of  the  X.  W.  1  of  said 
section.  October  16th,  18  48,  Charles  S.  Lisenbey  entered  the  N. 
J  of  lot  2,  of  the  S.  W.  i  of  section  7.  June  22d,  1849,  George 
Nixon  entered  the  W.  l  of  lot  2,  of  the  N.  W.  i  of  section  5. 
November  22d,  1849,  Pleasant  Lynch  entered  S.  E.  1  of  the  N. 
E.  1  of  section  7. 

A.  Rusk  and  Kate  Shipman  were  the  first  married  couple,  and 
Jlilo  Twist  the  first  born  in  the  township.  The  first  school  was 
taught  by  Andrew  M.  Pue.  The  school-house  was  constructed 
of  logs,  and  situated  in  section  6.  The  house  was  removed  some 
years  ago.  The  first  goods  sold  was  in  1870,  by  John  C  Coulter. 
The  store-house  was  what  is  known  as  a  plank  building,  and  was 
situated  in  section  3.  It  was  subsequently  moved  to  the  village 
of  Weldon,  and  is  now  utilized  for  a  billiard  hall.  Cicero  Twist 
was  the  first  blacksmith.  His  shop  was  a  pole  cabin,  and  situated 
in  section  8.  It  was  afterwards  planked  over,  and  is  yet  used  by 
Mr.  Twist  for  the  same  purpose.  He  commenced  business  in 
1850.  D.  M.  Cavender  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
John  Magginnis  the  first  postmaster.  The  first  to  practice  med- 
icine was  Dr.  Lewis.  He  moved  to  Kansas  some  years  ago, 
where  he  died. 

Super vi-torf:. — The  following  are  the  names  of  the  persons  who 
have  represented  the  township  in  the  county  board ;  Hiram 
Chandler  was  elected  in  1859,  and  served  until  1863-  W.  H. 
Martin  elected  in  1863,and  served  one  term.  Vv'.  S.  Brooks  elected 
in  1864.  John  Bosserman  elected  in  1865,  and  served  three 
terms.  John  Manlove  elected  in  1868.  John  Bosserman  re- 
elected in  1869,  and  served  two  terms.  H.  C.  Martin  was  elected 
in  1871.  Moses  Predmore  elected  in  1872.  Charles  Klipzig 
elected  in  1873,  and  served  until  187-5.  J.  C.  Coulter  elected  in 
1875.  C.  S.  Lisenbey  was  elected  in  1876,  and  served  until  1879, 
John  X.  ^Manlove  elected  in  1879,  re-elected  in  1880  and  1881, 
and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

Quite  a  portion  of  the  land  of  this  township  is  in  the  hands  of 
speculators,  therefore  its  progress  in  the  way  of  improvement  is 
somewhat  i.-npeded ;  but  the  citizens  are  tiling  largely,  and 
although  the  surface  is  rather  level,  there  is  plenty  of  fall  for  fair 
drainage.     The  increase  of  population  has  been  more  rapid  than 

327 


328 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUNTY,  ILLINOIS. 


in  some  of  the  other  townships.    The  following  is  the  official  cen- 
sus since  its  first  settlement ;  1860-337  ;  1870-648 ;  1880-896. 

VILLAGE    OF   WELDON. 

This  town  was  placed  on  record  in  the  fall  of  1873,  by  Thomas 
Snell.  Charles  S.  Lisenbey,  James  B.  Alexander,  and  James  De 
Land.  It  was  surveyed  and  platted  by  the  county  surveyor, 
John  Brown,  in  the  spring  of  1S72,  and  is  described  as  follows : 
A  part  of  the  S.  *  of  the  N.  E.  ! ,  and  a  part  of  N.  •;  of  the  S.  E. 
4  of  section  9,  town  19  north,  range  -t  east  of  the  3d  principal 
meridian.  It  contains  twelve  blocks,  and  four  half  blocks.  There 
are  five  streets  running  north  and  south,  and  named  as  follows : 
Lvnn,  Oak,  Chestnut,  Walnut,  and  Ash.  The  streets  extending 
east  and  west  are,  North,  Water,  Maple,  High,  and  Grove.  All 
lots  fronting  are  22  feet  in  width  and  175  feet  in  depth,  except 
corner  lots,  which  are  22J  feet  front.  All  other  lots  are  2.5  feet 
front  and  IVo  feet  deep.  All  the  streets  are  80  feet  wide,  and 
the  alleys  2.5  feet. 

The  town  was  named  in  honor  of  Lawrence  Weldon,  a 
prominent  lawyer  of  Bloomington,  who  was  an  attorney  of  the 
railroad  passing  through  the  town,  and  took  an  active  part  in 
establishing  the  road.  The  first  house  was  a  residence,  and 
built  by  C.  S.  I-isenbey  in  1872,  who  still  occupies  it  as  such. 
The  first  goods  were  sold  by  Winslow  Brothers  in  1873.  Their 
store-room  was  a  frame  building,  20  x  60  feet,  and  two  stories  in 
height-  It  was  situated  between  Water  and  North  streets,  and 
wa.s  destroyed  by  fire  in  the  summer  of  1879.  Their  first  stock 
consisted  of  drugs  and  groceries,  but  was  subsequently  merged 
into  a  general  assortment  of  goods.  The  house  was  built  early 
in  the  spring  of  1873.  John  Bennett  erected  the  first  hotel  in 
1874,  and  was  its  landlord.  The  first  blacksmithing  done  was 
by  James  Paulson  in  187  .  His  shop  was  located  where  C  J. 
Seaburg's  carriage  factory  is  now  situated.  The  post-office  was 
established  in  1873,  and  J  C.  Coulter  was  the  first  post-master. 

At  this  time  the  town  contains  about  two  hundred  inhabitants, 
with  the  appearance  of  thrift  and  prosperity  on  every  hand. 
The  buildings,  both  business  houses  and  residences,  are  neat  for 
a  small  country  town.  There  are  several  new  houses  in  progress 
of  construction,  and  the  village  has  the  general  semblance  of  a 
prosperous  future.  The  school-house  is  one  of  the  adornments 
of  the  town,  and  speaks  well  for  the  public  spirit  of  the  people 
It  is  a  neat  frame  building,  24  x  40  feet  on  the  ground,  and  two 
stories  in  height.  It  was  built  in  1876,  at  a  cost  of  about  two 
thousand  dollars,  and  is  furnished  wiih  the  latest  improved  fur- 
niture, besides  having  a  cupola  and  bell.  Two  teachers  are  em- 
ployed, and  it  is,  therefore,  partially  graded.  The  maximum 
attendance  is  about  seventy-five  pupils.  The  town  also  contains 
a  good  church  building,  which  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Society.  It  is  a  new  house  of  fair  size,  and  is  adorned 
with  a  spire,  and  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  village. 

PKESENT   BUSINESS. 

Tliere  are  two  elevators  in  the  town,  the  larger  of  which  is 
owned  by  C  S.  Lisenbey.  It  was  established  in  the  summer  of 
1881,  and  is  situated  on  the  north  switch  of  the  railroad,  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  town.  It  is  a  frame  building,  16  x  40  feet 
on  the  ground,  and  40  feet  in  height,  and  cost,  in  its  erection, 
about  three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  Besides  the  main 
building,  there  is  an  engine-room  and  other  attachments  suitable 
to  the  business.  It  contains  five  dumps,  and  a  capacity  of  storing 
fifteen  thousand  bushels  of  grain,  besides  detached  cribs  that  will 
hold  twenty-five  thousand   bushels  of  corn.     The  capacity  for 


elevating  is  four  thousand  bushels  daily.  The  engine  is  twenty 
horse-power.     This  industry  gives  employment  to  four  men, 

Wagan  iind  Carririge  Factor;/.  —  C.  J.  Seaburg,  proprietor. 
This  manufactory  was  established  in  the  fall  of  1874,  and  is 
located  on  the  corner  of  Water  and  Walnut  streets.  It  is  com- 
posed of  four  frame  buildings,  two  of  which  are  two  stories  in 
height,  and  22  x  30  feet  on  the  ground.  The  blacksmith  »hop 
is  one  story,  and  20  x  70  feet,  and  the  machine  shop  20  x  26 
feet.  The  works  give  employment  to  seven  men,  and  are  oper- 
ated by  steam  power.  The  estimated  value  of  annual  production 
manufactured  is  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

General  Merchandise. — Winslow  Brothers,  McConkey  &  Co. 

Dry  floode,  Drug.'s,  and  Groceries. — Humphrey,  Walters  & 
Co. 

Dry  Goods  and  Grocerie-':. — Tweed  &  Goodpasture. 

Hardware  and  Agricultural  Implements- — Cain  &  Nixon. 

Hardware,  Stoves,  etc — Morehead  &  Co. 

i/a/vie.-.s  Store.— G.  W.  Reed. 

Confectionery  and  Rc-^tauraiif. — I.  A.  Sharp. 

Shoemaker. — E.  Cresmer. 

Milliner  and  Dres.-,-Malcer  —Mrs.  Ella  Cain. 

Physiciam. — W.  H.  Taylor,  A.  M.  Drew. 

Hotels. — J.  S.  McConkey,  Samuel  Morehead. 

Lumber  and  Coal  Dealer. — C.  S.  Lisenbey. 

Grain  Buyer. — E.  Kent. 

Carpenters. — John  Bosserman,  J.  W.  Turner,  J.  H.  Saulsbery, 
D.  M.  Cavinder. 

Painter  and  Glazier. — Charles -.Sweeney. 

Plasterer. —  E.  Freeman. 

Barber.— y^.  D.  Griffin. 

Postmaster. — L.  B.  Chenoweth. 


]\'eldon  Lodge,  No.  746.— A.  F.  and  A.  M.  Chartered  Oct. 
3,  1876,  with  the  following  charter  officers :  James  R.  Heskett, 
W.  M.  ;  F.  A.  Winslow,  S.  W.  ;  James  Danison,  J.  W. ;  John 
Bosserman,  Treas. ;  Worship  Gray,  Sec  ;  William  Hodge,  S.  D. ; 
A  M.  Drew,  J.  D. ;  William  Smith,  Tyler. 

There  were  but  nine  charter  members.  The  present  officers 
are,  A.  M.  Drew,  W.  M. ;  L  M.  Pace,  S.  W. ;  J.  W.  Turner, 
J.  W. ;  L.  P.  Moore,  Treas. ;  Thomas  C.  Byland,  Sec  ;  L.  B. 
Chenoweth,  S.  D. ;  B.  F.  Staymate,  J.  D  ;  John  Marsh,  T. ; 
W.  B.  Goodpasture,  C;  J.  C.  Sylvester,  S.  S. ;  W.  Gray,  J.  S. 
The  present  membership  is  thirty-five.  The  Lodge  meets  in 
Masonic  Hall  on  every  Saturday  night  after  the  full  of  the  moon 
in  each  month. 

On  the  4th  of  June,  1879,  the  hall  of  the  order  was  destroyed 
by  fire,  including  the  records,  jewels  and  furniture.  From  that 
time  until  the  summer  of  1881,  the  Lodge  held  its  communica- 
tions in  the  Public  school  building.  Within  the  last  summer — 
1881 — the  fraternity  have  erected  a  good  building,  costing  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  The  Lodge,  at  this  writing,  is  some- 
what in  debt,  owing  to  their  misfortunes,  but  will  soon  be  able 
to  throw  oS"  their  load,  and  stand  free  from  all  indebtedness. 

Mmart  Lodge,  No.  96  K  of  P,  was  instituted  January  3,  1882. 
The  following  were  the  officers  installed :  W.  H.  Taylor,  P.  C. 
J.  D.  Brown,  C.  C. ;  William  Capron,  V.  C.  ;  J.  C.  Nichols,  P. 
W.  A.  McKelvey,  K.  of  R.  and  S. ;  D.  F.  Edmiston,  M.  of  E. 
C.  J.  Seaburg,  M.  of  F. ;  W.  H.  Costley,  M.  of  A. ;  Daniel 
O'Brien,  I.  G. ;  E.  F.  Cresmer,  O.  G.  In  all  there  were  twenty- 
five  charter  members.  The  Lodge  meets  on  Tuesday  evenings 
at  the  Masonic  Hall. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES. 


■}-€^^^C' 


s?' 


(Deceased. 


Was  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  and  busiuess  men  of  De  Witt 
county.  He  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Kentucky,  January 
30,  1822,  the  eldest  son  in  a  family  of  seven  children,  two  sons 
and  five  daughters. 

The  Lisenbey  family  are  of  English  descent  on  the  paternal 
side,  and  on  the  maternal  side  Irish.  His  grandfather,  Abraham 
Lisenbey,  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  married  Rebecca 
LyoB,  a  native  of  Tennessee,  in  which  State  Beajamin  G.  Lisen- 
bey and  Margaret  Simpson  his  wife — the  father  and  mother  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch — were  aho  born,  but  subsequentlj'  re- 
moved, in  the  early  part  of  this  century,  to  Kentucky.  Benja- 
min G-  Lisenbey  brought  his  family  to  Sangamon  county.  Ills., 
when  Charles  S.  was  but  little  more  than  six  years  of  age  ;  and, 
two  years  later  (in  1830),  settled  in  what  is  now  Creek  Township, 
De  Witt  county. 

Charles  S.  was  industrious  and  persevering,  and  his  life  from 
youth  to  age  was  one  of  almost  incessant  labor ;  and  the  slight 
education  he  received  was  obtained  in  the  district  schools.  While 
living  with  his  father,  he  improved  for  himself  a  farm  in  Creek 


Township,  preparatory  to  his  marriage ;  and  on  the  4th  of  March, 
1847,  he  married  Miss  Eliza  A.  McKinley,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and 
daughter  of  Wm.  and  Susan  McKinley  of  Farmer  City  (formerly 
called  Mount  Pleasant\  this  county. 

Mr.  Lisenbey  acquired  considerable  property,  owning  one- 
fourth  of  the  entire  town  of  Weldon,  which  place  he  took  an 
active  part  in  laying  out  and  first  settling;  and  his  farm  lands  in 
the  immediate  neighborhood  consisted  in  the  aggregate  of  over 
one  thousand  acres. 

He  filled  the  official  position  of  supervisor  from  Nixon  town- 
ship several  terms.  Politically,  he  consistently  adhered  to  the 
democratic  party.  In  1881  he  erected  an  elevator  at  Weldon, 
and,  with  the  assistance  of  his  two  sons,  carried  on  an  extensive 
business  there  as  lumber,  grain,  and  coal  merchants.  He  was  a 
very  industrious,  enterprising,  liberal  man,  and  enjoyed  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  of  his  friends  and  neighbors.  His  death  oc- 
curred Jan.  23,  1882,  leaving  his  wife,  two  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters to  survive  him. 


329 


Whose  portrait  appears  above,  was  born  in  Greene  county.  Ills. 
Feb.  19, 1845.  His  parents  were  Wm.  and  Alzena  B.  Costley.  His 
father  was  a  farmer,  a  native  of  Illinois,  of  Scotch-Irish  extrac- 
tion. He  served  in  the  Mexican  War.  He  died  November  3d, 
1851.  Mrs.  Alzena  B.  Costley,  nee  Brown,  was  a  Kentuckian 
by  birth,  and  belonged  to  the  family  of  that  name  who  early 
settled  in  Greene  and  adjoining  counties.  She  is  yet  living. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  fair  common-school  educa- 
tion, chiefly  in  Sangamon  county.  Although  young  in  years 
when  the  war  broke  out,  he  was  patriotic,  and  in  the  month  of 
January,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  "D,"  Twenty-sixth 
Eegiment  Illinois  Infantry.  With  his  command  he  was  in  the 
battles  of  Lookout  Mountain,  Mission  Ridge,  Chickamauga,  Re- 
saca,  Dallas,  !N'ew  Hope  Church,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  through 


the  Atlanta  Campaign,  with  Sherman,  to  the  Sea,  winding  up  his 
military  career  at  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  participated  in 
the  Grand  Review.  He  was  discharged  at  Louisville,  Ken- 
tucky, July  20th,  1865.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Maggie  B.  Johnson,  an  Indianian,  December  7,  1865.  By  this 
union  there  have  been  born  five  children,  two  sons  and  three 
daughters,  namely :  Minnie  Frances,  John  Lewis,  Mary  Ada, 
Lucy  Jane,  and  Charles  Irvin.  Mr.  Costley  is  now  engaged  in 
farming  near  the  village  of  Weldon.  He  began  life  a  poor  boy, 
and  by  exertion  and  industry  has  attained  a  competency  in  life. 
In  politics  he  is  a  straightforward,  outspoken  Republican,  as  he 
always  has  been,  his  first  vote  having  been  cast  for  Abraham  Lin- 
coln. He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  in 
whose  work  he  takes  great  interest. 


WILSON    TOWNSHIP. 


hllS  township  contains  twenty-four  sections, 
about  one-eighth  of  which  is  timber-land, 
the  remainder  being  prairie,  and  of  the 
deep,  rich  soil  peculiar  to  the  character  of 
this  land  in  central  Illinois.  The  surface  of 
the  latter  is  gently  undulating,  while  that 
of  the  timber  is  more  or  less  broken.  Sec- 
tions 36,  25,  and  2+  are  mainly  timber,  the 
soil  being  of  a  light  grayish  color,  and 
more  or  less  mixed  with  clay  and  gravel.  For  wheat  it  is 
unexcelled  in  this  part  of  the  state.  All  the  township  lying  west 
of  the  sections  above  mentioned  is  prairie.  The  north  branch  of 
Salt  creek  enters  in  the  south-east  corner  of  section  25,  takes  a 
south-westerly  direction  and  passes  out  in  the  south-west  corner 
of  section  36.  It  is  along,  or  near,  this  stream  that  the  timber- 
belt  lies.  The  timber  is  light  and  scattering,  but  the  ap- 
pearances are  that  in  a  time  antedating  the  settlement  of  the 
county,  timber  of  a  good  quality  grew  on  and  near  the  banks 
of  this  stream.  A  small  stream  called  Long  Point  creek 
cuts  across  the  extreme  north-west  part  of  the  township,  but 
there  is  no  appearance  of  timber.  Indeed,  this  is  one  of  the 
prairie  townships  of  the  county,  and  among  one  of  the  last 
settled,  the  first  settlers  always  stopping  in  the  timber-belts. 
Several  flue  springs  abound  in  the  western  part  of  the  township. 
There  are  two  springs  situated  near  each  other  about  the 
center  of  section  13 ;  one  in  section  25,  on  the  farm  of  J.  Wal- 
ters, and  another  in  the  north-east  of  section  23.  Artificial 
drainage,  by  means  of  tiling,  is  coming  largely  into  vogue, 
and  it  can  only  be  a  question  of  time  when  Wilson  township  will 
stand  among  the  first  in  the  county.  It  is  situated  in  the  north- 
ern central  part,  and  bounded  on  the  north  by  McLean  county, 
on  the  east  by  Rutledge  township,  on  the  south  by  Harp,  and  on 
the  west  by  Wapella. 

FIRST  SETTLEMENTS. 

The  first  to  settle  in  this  township  was  a  young  unmarried  man 
by  the  name  of  Fox.  He  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  in  the 
summer  of  1834  he  erected  a  small  pole  cabin  in  section  35,  on 
the  premises  now  owned  by  James  A.  Wilson,  county  treasurer. 
Fox  was  a  mere  squatter  intending  to  take  a  pre-emption  right 
to  his  land,  but  in  the  fall,  John  Lash  offered  him  S60  for  his 
improvement,  which  Fox  accepted.  He  afterwards  went  to  parts 
unknown.  Joshua  Dale  came  from  Kentucky  about  the  same 
time  as  Fox,  and  settled  in  section  36.  He  remained  but  a  short 
time,  when  he  moved  further  west.  At  this  time — in  the  fall  of 
1834 — there  was  quite  a  little  settlement  made,  as  follows: 
Thomas  Wilson  and  his  brother  Edward,  Jacob  Walters,  John 
Lash,  Michael  Troutman,  and  John  Guittman.  Of  these  there 
were  but  three  heads  of  families,  among  them  Thomas  Wilson, 
Walters  and  Lash. 

The  former  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  moved  his  family  here 
with  a  four-horse  covered-wagon.  The  family  then  consisted  of 
his  wife  and  eight  children,  Joseph,  Alice,  John,  Aaron,  Mary, 
Asa,  Sally  and  Peter.     He  settled  in  section  34,  and  the  fall  fol- 


lowing entered  the  S.  E.  1  of  the  S.  E.  1  of  the  above  section. 
Four  other  children  were  afterwards  born  to  the  family,  Rachel, 
Harriet,  Caroline  and  Andrew.  But  three  of  the  family  are 
now  living,  Asa,  who  resides  in  this  town.ship,  and  Andrew  and 
Peter  in  Harp.  Mr.  Wilsou  at  his  death — November  1862 — 
owned  about  1700  acres  of  land.  Mrs.  Wilson  died  about  six 
years  ago. 

Edward  Wilson,  brother  of  Thomas,  came  a  single  man,  but  in 
1837,  married  Miss  Martha  Vandeveuter,  settling  in  section  35. 
They  reared  a  large  family,  there  being  nine  children,  James  A  , 
Thomas,  Rachel  M.,  Robert  N.,  Sarah  M.,  I.  L.,  Mahala  D.,  Ada 
L.,  and  Mary,  five  of  whom  are  residing  in  this  township.  James 
A.,  county  treasurer,  lives  in  Clinton.  Jacob  AValters  was  born  in 
Pa.  He  moved  with  his  parents  to  Ohio  in  1804,  when  he  was  but 
four  years  old.  At  the  age  of  22  he  married  Phebe  Batison,  the 
daughter  of  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  He  moved  with  his 
family  to  Illinois  in  the  year  before  stated,  and  located  in  section 
36.  At  this  time  his  family  consisted  of  his  wife  and  four  chil- 
dren, Alfred,  Sarah,  Mary  and  Jacob.  Seven  other  children 
have  since  been  born  to  them,  as  follows  :  Susanna,  Rachel,  Eli, 
Melvina,  John,  Louisa,  and  Phebe.  Mr.  Walters  left  his  family 
at  Randolph  Grove,  McLeau  county,  until  he  had  prepared  a 
comfortable  log-house  to  move  into.  Since  which  time,  he  has 
lived  on  the  old  farm,  but  extending  his  acres  and  making  im- 
provements in  keeping  with  the  times.  He  is  yet  living,  and  is 
active  for  one  of  his  years,  being  eighty-one  years  of  age.  Mrs. 
Walters  died  in  1870.  Seven  years  afterward  Mr.  Walters  mar- 
ried Martha  Beard,  who  is  yet  living  with  him  at  the  old  home- 
stead. Alfred  Walters,  the  first-born  of  Jacob,  came  here  from 
Ohio  with  his  fiither,  and  was  then  a  mere  lad.  He  married 
Nancy  Lamb  in  about  1856.  They  are  now  residing  in  section 
24,  and  have  three  children.  John  Lash  also  came  from  Ohio, 
and  located  in  section  26.  His  family  consisted  of  his  wife  and 
eight  children.  October  23d,  1835,  he  entered  the  W.  •}  of  the 
S.  E.  i  of  the  above  section.  He  remained  here  until  1856,  when 
he  moved  with  his  family  to  the  state  of  Kansas.  There  is 
but  one  of  his  representatives  now  residing  in  the  county,  a 
grand-daughter,  and  the  wife  of  Noah  Wilson,  who  lives  on  the 
fixrm  of  James  A.  Wilson  in  section  25.  Michael  Troutman 
and  John  Guittman,  both  single  men,  were  tramping  West 
with  packs  on  their  backs  and  fell  in  with  the  Wilson  pioneers 
in  the  eastern  part  of  Indiana,  and  kept  with  them  until  their 
arrival  in  this  township.  The  former  lived  a  bachelor  until 
he  was  about  sixty  years  of  age,  but,  in  the  meantime,  had 
succeeded  in  amassing  quite  a  property,  at  which  time  he 
married  and  had  a  family  of  three  daughters.  He  died  in 
1875.  His  wife  and  daughters  now  reside  in  the  township. 
Guittman  was  a  native  of  Germany.  He  squatted  in  section  35, 
a  part  of  which  he  entered  in  1835.  He  afterwards  married  and 
brought  up  a  family,  but  about  1856,  sold  his  possessions 
to  Troutman,  and  moved  to  Kansas.  Another  pioneer,  Wil- 
liam Palmer,  came  from  Ohio  in  the  spring  of  1835,  and  en- 
tered in  section  36,  the  E.  i  of  the  N.  K.  i.  The  fall  follow- 
ing he  moved  here  with  his  family  and  located  on  his    land. 

333 


334 


HISTORY  OF  DE    WITT  COUNTY,   ILLINOIS. 


He  died  in  1850,  his  wife  preceding  him.  None  of  the  family 
are  residing  in  the  county.  Spencer  Turner  came  to  the  county 
in  1834,  and  .settled  near  Waynesville,  and  subsequently  moved 
to  this  township.  His  wife'i  name  was  Nancy  Hoblitt,  daughter 
of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  central  Illinois.  Mr.  Turner 
located  in  section  19.  Both  are  living  at  the  old  homestead, 
and  have  reared  a  family  of  ten  children,  seven  daughters  and 
three  sons,  seven  of  whom  now  reside  in  the  township.  John  L. 
Lewis  was  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  migrated  to  Illinois  in  an 
early  day.  After  leaving  his  native  state  he  went  first  to  Ohio, 
and  from  there  came  to  this  part  of  the  state,  and  settled  in  sec- 
tion '24.  He  was  twice  married,  there  being  six  children  from 
the  first  marriage,  and  three  from  the  latter.  Only  one  of  the 
children,  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Solomon  Johnson,  is  now  residing  in 
the  township.  Two  other  children  live  in  the  county.  G.  W. 
resides  in  Rutledge,  and  S.  E.  in  De  Witt. 

Among  other  early  settlers  are  Martha  A.  Livingston,  Joseph 
K.  .Scogin,  residing  in  section  41,  and  William  T.  Turner,  born 
in  the  county,  and  now  residing  in  the  same  section.  The  first 
land  entries  were  made  in  1835,  and  are  as  follows:  April  2oth, 
W.  Palmer  entered  the  E.  J  of  the  N.  E.  1  of  section  36.  Octo- 
ber 10th,  Thomas  Wilson  entered  the  S.  E.  }  of  the  S.  E.  1  sec- 
tion 34.  Jacob  Walters  entered,  October  23d,  the  W.  »  of  the 
S.  E.  i  section  36.  John  Lash  at  the  same  time  entered  E.  I  of 
the  S.  W.  i  of  the  same  section.  December  3d,  John  Guittman 
entered  the  S.  W.  1  of  the  S.  E.  i  section  35.  December  15,  J. 
Dale  entered  the  S.  E.  1  of  the  S.  E.  i  of  section  36.  October 
29th,  1836,  Edward  Wilson  entered  S.  E.  i  of  the  S.  W.  1  of 
section  35. 

The  experience  of  these  pioneers  with  regard  to  early  priva- 
tions and  hardships  was  similar  to  those  of  their  neighbors  of  the 
adjoining  townships  and  country.  Their  first  milling  could  only 
be  had  by  going  several  miles  north  of  Wapella,  in  the  edge  of 
Rock  Creek  timber.  This  mill  was  a  little  horse  concern,  and 
owned  by  Lewis  Wilson.  Every  customer  was  obliged  to  fur- 
nish his  own  horse  to  grind  with.  The  mill  had  the  capacity 
of  turning  out  only  about  ten  bushels  daily,  and  often  parties 
would  have  to  remain  a  day  or  two  in  order  to  get  a  sack  of 
corn  ground.  Jlr.  Jacob  Walters  informed  the  writer  that  when 
he  came  in  1834,  there  were  many  buffiilo  skeletons  scattered  over 
the  prairies  and  through  the  timbers ;  that  the  wolves  were  so 
plentiful  and  bold  that  they  would  come  up  to  the  very  doors  of 
the  cabins  and  snatch  up  a  pig,  and  successfully  make  off  with  it. 
The  dogs  could  manage  the  prairie-wolves,  but  the  big  gray  fel- 
lows from  the  timber  were  too  much  for  them.  In  the  language 
of  one  of  the  pioneers,  ''  If  one  of  their  best  and  most  conceity 
dogs  tackled  one  of  the  timber  wolves,  he  would  be  wooled  all 
over  and  come  out  of  the  fracas  looking  as  though  he  had  passed 
through  a  flint-mill." 

The  first  ground  broken  and  the  first  crop  raised  was  by  Jacob 
Walters  and  John  Lash  ;  the  former  being  in  section  36,  and  the 
latter  in  section  35.  This  was  in  1835.  They  raised  only  about 
ten  aci'es  of  corn  each,  and  this  was  a  fair  crop.  Their  nearest 
market  was  Pekin,  but  to  purchase  some  articles  they  were  obliged 
to  go  to  Chicago.  To  make  this  trip  it  took  twelve  days  with 
horses,  and  with  oxen  fourteen  days,  camping  out  in  the  mean- 
time. 

The  first  marriage  rite  solemnized  was  in  1837,  the  contracting 
parties  being  Edward  Wilson  and  Martha  Vandeventer — the  pa- 
rents of  James  A.  Wilson,  present  county  treasurer.  The  first 
child  born  was  Amanda,  daughter  of  John  Lash,  in  the  summer  of 
1835.     The  first  death  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1839.     It  was 


Louisa,  a  young  daughter  of  Jacob  Walters.  She  was  buried  in 
section  26,  on  the  land  of  Mr.  Walters.  This  was  the  first  inter- 
ment, and  established  the  cemetery  in  the  township.  Mr.  W.  has 
offered  to  donate  an  acre  of  ground  to  the  public  for  this  pur- 
pose. It  has  been  surveyed,  but  at  this  writing  the  numbers  or 
description  of  property  have  not  been  furnished  the  donor,  hence 
no  deed  has  been  executed.  Over  a  hundred  persons  have  been 
buried  here,  and  there  are  several  good  monuments,  showing  that 
thoughtful  care  has  been  given  to  the  dead.  There  is  but  one 
other  cemetery  in  the  township,  and  it  is  situated  at  Rucker  chapel 
in  section  24. 

The  first  school  was  taught  in  1837.  The  school  house  was  a 
little  frame  building,  built  by  Jonathan  Farmer  and  Jacob  Wal- 
ters, and  situated  in  section  35.  It  has  passed  away  with  the 
things  that  were.  Rolla  Richards  preached  the  first  sermon  in 
1835,  at  the  log-house  of  Thomas  Wilson.  Rev.  Watt  was  also 
a  pioneer  preacher.  The  first  and  only  church  built  in  the  town- 
ship was  by  the  M.  E.  denomination  about  1868.  It  is  a  plain 
frame  building,  30x40  feet  in  size,  and  situated  nearly  in  the 
centre  of  section  24.  William  Walden  was  the  first  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  and  Charles  Cain  the  second,  both  representative  men 
of  the  township.  Dr.  Moran  was  the  first  to  practice  medicine. 
He  then  resided  in  McLean  county,  but  afterwards  moved  to 
Springfield.  The  first  blacksmithing  was  done  by  Isaiah  Wil- 
son, brother  of  Thomas  and  Edward.  This  was  in  1837.  His 
shop  was  a  pole-cabin,  and  situated  in  section  35.  He  afterwards 
moved  to  McLean  county,  where  he  followed  the  trade  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  about  1856.  Jacob  Walters  was  the 
neighborhood  shoemaker  and  cobbler  for  many  years,  and  manu- 
factured the  boots  and  shoes  for  the  pioneers  for  several  miles 
around.  It  was  the  custom  for  the  person  having  the  work  done 
to  furnish  the  leather,  and  the  shoemaker  to  charge  only  for  mak- 
ing. Each  head  of  a  family  then  purchased  leather  for  his  fam- 
ily's use,  the  same  as  he  did  salt  or  other  necessities.  Ttie  first 
fine  cattle  were  introduced  by  Thomas  Wilson  in  1850,  and  were 
brought  from  Kentucky ;  they  were  the  short-horn  Durham 
breed.  At  this  writing,  James  Walden  and  James  A.  Wilson  are 
the  prominent  stock-raisers.  The  former  is  one  of  the  leading 
stock-men  in  the  county. 

The  following  are  the  persons  who  have  represented  the  town- 
ship in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  since  its  organization  :  Charles 
S-  Cain  was  elected  in  1S59,  and  served  one  term.  J.  K.  Davis 
was  elected  in  1850.  Luther  S.  Hubble  elected  in  1861,  and  serv- 
ed two  terms.  John  Johnson  elected  in  1863,  and  served  three 
terms.  J.  K.  Davis  reelected  in  1S66,  served  one  term.  W. 
M.  Smith  elected  in  1867.  James  A.  Wilson  was  elected  in  1868, 
and  served  until  1872.  J.  A.  Lemert  elected  in  1872,and  served 
two  terms.  James  A.  Wilson  was  re-elected  in  1874.  C.  S. 
Cain  elected  in  1875.  James  A.  Wilson  re-elected  in  1876. 
Thomas  Cain  elected  in  1S77.  T.  W.  Cain  elected  in  1878. 
Nicholas  Foley  was  elected  in  1879,  and  served  two  terms.  Henry 
Brittain  elected  in  1881,  and  is  the  present  incumbent. 

Wilson,  although  not  among  the  first  settled,  is  making  rapid 
strides  towards  competing  in  improvements  with  her  sister  town- 
ships. It  contains  six  school  districts,  two  miles  square,  and  each 
is  supplied  with  a  good  school-house.  The  roads  are  laid  out, 
mainly,  on  the  section  lines,  and  are  kept  in  fair  condition.  The 
population  for  the  last  20  years  is  as  follows :  1860,  314  ;  1870, 
640;  more  than  doubled  in  one  decade ;  1880,666.  The  farms 
are  well  improved,  and  the  farm-houses  and  barns  are  in  keeping 
with  the  times.  The  township  received  its  name  from  the  Wil- 
sons,  who  were  pioneers,  and  among  the  most  prominent  citizens. 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCH. 


JACOB  WALTERS. 


Jacob  Walters,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  in  Dc  Witt  county, 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1801.  His  father  and  mother  (An- 
drew and  Sarah  Walters),  were  also  natives  of  that  stat".  Jacob 
was  the  second  child  in  a  family  of  ten  children(five  boys  and 
five  girls).  When  he  was  about  seven  years  of  age,  viz.  in  1808, 
his  parents  removed  to  Ohio,  and  settled  upon  a  farm  in  Perry 
county,  of  that  state,  and  in  the  subscription  schools  extant  at 
that  time  the  subject  of  this  sketch  obtained  his  education,  which 
was  necessarily  of  a  limited  character,  for  most  of  his  boyhood 
days  were  passed  in  hard  work  upon  his  father's  farm. 

In  1824,  J.  Walters  was  married  to  Miss  Phiebe  Bateson  of 
Ohio,  by  whom  he  has  a  family  often  children,  all  of  them  mar- 
ried and  living;  at  the  present  time.  He  and  his  family  removed 
from  Ohio,  to  De  Witt  county  in  1833,  and  settled  i  as  was  then 
the  custom)  in  the  timber  upon  the  site  of  his  parent's  home,  in 
the  south-east  corner  of  Wilson  township. 

At  that  time  the  county  was  but  sparsely  settled,  and  both 
energy  and  courage  were  reijuired  to  battle  with  the  numerous 
obstacles  to  a  successful  and  peaceful  rural  existence,  and  these 
qualifications  Jacob  Walters  undoubtedly  possessed,  which,  per- 
haps, the  following  anecdote  partly  illustrates. 

About  two  years  after  IMr.  Walters  came  to  this  county,  ac- 
companied l)y  his  neighbor  Thomas  (or  Tomm)')  Wilson  and 
three  boys,  he  came  upon  a  wolf's-den  on  the  prairie  three  miles 
from  the  timber  ;  the  boys  were  sent  home  for  the  dogs,  guns,  etc. 
in  order  to  dispatch  the  wolf  family  for  the  sake  of  the  bounty, 
then  paid  by  the  county  for  a  wolf-s  scalp-  As  soon  as  the  boys 
had  departed  the  wolf-dam,  who  had  been  lingering  near,  started 
hastily  for  another  point  in  the  timber,  and  as  Mr.  Walters  ex- 
pressed to  his  friend, — to  fetch  assistance, — he  was  right  in 
his  conjecture  for  in  a  short  time  she  returned  at  full  speed  in 
company  with  two  very  large  gray  wolves,  and  the  three  side  by 


side  with  rutHed  fur,  gleaming  eyes,  and  snapping  jaws,  made 
straight  for  the  hapless  hunters — the  courage  and  presence  of 
luind  displayed  by  Mr.  Walters  undoubtedly  saved  their  lives— 
instead  of  running  away  as  doubtless  some  would  have  done,  he 
rushed  towards  them,  shouting  and  clapping  his  hands — the  fero- 
cious beasts  stopped  at  a  short  distance  from  him,  and  squatting 
snapped  their  jaws  together  in  rage  evidently  surprised,  and  hesi- 
tating to  attack,  he  kept  them  at  bay  in  this  manner  until  the  boys 
returned,  when  their  dogs  scared  them  out  of  range;  the  cubs 
were  however  secured  and  the  five  dollars  bounty  obtained  for 
each  of  them. 

Jlr.  Walters  by  his  diligence  and  industry  was  at  one  time  the 
owner  of  a  thousand  acres  of  prairie  land,  in  addition  to  his  home 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  (with  the  exception 
of  the  latter)  he  has  from  time  to  time  distributed  amongst  his 
children.  Jlrs.  Pho-be  Walters  died  in  1870.  in  her  66th,  year. 
Seven  years  later  in  February  1877,  .Jacob  Walters  was  married 
to  his  present  wife,  who  was  a  Miss  Martha  Baird.  the  daughter 
of  Wm.  L  and  Martha  G.  Baird,  the  former  of  Kentucky,  the 
latter  of  Virginia.  Miss  Martha  was  born  in  Kentuckv,  but  at 
the  time  of  her  marriage  was  a  resident  of  Woodford  county, 
Illinois. 

Mr.  Walters  has  never  sought  an  official  position  in  the  county, 
preferring  to  bestow  his  entire  business  ability  upon  a  farming 
life.  In  politics  he  is  a  democrat  and  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Jackson,  in  1829  His  faith  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
while  Mrs.  W.  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  denomination. 

In  spite  of  his  eighty-one  years,  Mr.  Walters  is  yet  an  active 
man,  as  full  of  life  and  energy  as  most  men  of  seventy,  and  bids 
fair  to  live  many  years  yet,  honored  and  respected,  as  he  has  been 
in  the  past. 


TEXAS    TOWNSHIP 


AS  sii  called,  from  the  fact  tbat  Daniel  New- 
comb,  a  citizen  of  Clinton,  sold  out  with  the 
intention  of  going  to  Texas,  changed  his  mind 
and  located  within  the  limits  of  this  town- 
ship, saying  it  was  good  enough  for  him 
and  as  far  into  Texas  as  he  wanted  to  get. 
The  joke  was  perpetuated  in  the  bestowal 
of  the  name.  It  is  located  in  the  central 
southern  part  of  the  county,  and  contains 
thirty-six  square  miles.  The  northern  part  is  cjuite  hilly  and  well 
drained  by  Salt  creek  and  its  tributaries.  Salt  creek  enters  the 
township  on  section  twelve  and  flows  a  general  westerly  course 
across  the  township,  leaving  it  on  section  seven.  Its  principal 
tributary  is  Coon  creek,  which  enters  on  section  three,  flows  south- 
west and  empties  into  it  on  section  seventeen.  The  southern  part 
is  prairie,  part  of  it  low  and  wet,  and  part  high  and  rolling. 
The  timber  belt,  following  the  water  course,  covers  an  area  of 
nearly  one-half  the  township. 

Indians,  both  Kickapoos  and  Pottawattamies,  were  found 
camped  here  by  the  first  whites  who  spied  out  the  country.  They 
had  a  burial  ground  on  the  banks  of  the  creek  on  section  sixteen, 
from  which  skeletons  have  been  exhumed.  Here  they  met  in 
council  and  in  worship.  At  one  of  these  meetings,  perhaps  a 
little  west  of  here,  Thomas  Davenport  saw  nearly  five  hundred  In- 
dians gathered  together.  Their  exercises  consisted  in  dancing, 
eating  and  talking.  They  built  a  fire  and  hung  over  it  a  large  ket- 
tle in  which  they  put  a  beef  to  boil.  Then  they  would  march 
around  the  fire,  stopping  now  and  then  to  hear  a  harangue.  For 
the  benefit  of  the  whites  present,  an  interpreter  told  them  that 
their  orator  said  "  good  men  go  up,  bad  men  go  down,"  pointing 
up  and  down  as  he  said  it  in  the  Indian  tongue.  They  had  pad- 
dles about  eighteen  inches  in  length,  on  which  was  something 
written  in  their  language,  and  to  which  they  mast  attentively  paid 
attention  at  a  given  signal.  This  paddle  the  interpreter  called 
their  Bible.  D.avenport  says  ho  never  saw  better  order  than 
was  maintained  at  their  meeting.  Two  parties  were  deputized  as  I 
marshals  and  provided  with  sticks,  which  they  used  whenever  any 
display  calculated  to  mar  the  usual  prevailing  harmony  was 
made.  | 

There  was  a  tradition  among  the  early  settlers  that  a  pot  of  j 
gold  was  buried  with  a  chief  in  the  graveyard  on  section  sixteen,  i 
They  set  to  work  to  find  it,  and  many  a  day  was  lost  in  fruit-  j 
less  search. 

Among  the  earliest  settlers  was  Thomas  Davenport-  He  came 
to  this  county  from  Sangamon,  where  his  father,  a  Kentuckian, 
named  George  Davenport,  had  located  in  1^20.  At  that  time 
their  mail  was  procured  from  Edwardsville,  Madison  county,  it 
being  the  nearest  post-oflice.     Postage  on  a  letter  from  Kentucky 


was  twenty-five  cents.  In  1829  Davenport  came  to  this  county 
and  located  on  section  four.  He  brought  with  him  a  wife  and 
two  children.  A  son,  George  F.  who  was  born  in  February,  1.^32, 
was  the  first  birth  in  Texas  township.  Davenport  was  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war.  He  was  a  great  hunter,  and  relates  his  experi- 
ences in  this  field  of  sport  with  much  zeal.  He  once  caught 
eight  coons  in  a  single  stump.  At  another  time  in  company 
with  Josiah  Clifton  he  found  a  bee  tree  containing  a  comb  eleven 
feet  in  length.  These  pioneers  together  frequently  would  find 
three  or  four  bee  trees  in  a  single  day.  Their  usual  mode  of 
traveling  on  such  hunts  was  ox  back,  a  thing  not  iiucommon  in 
an  early  day.  At  one  time  he  killed  four  large  wild  turkey 
gobblers  before  brtakfast.  He  relates  that  in  1841  having  heard 
that  C  H.  Moore,  a  lawyer,  had  located  in  Clinton,  he  concluded 
now  was  his  chance  to  get  a  little  cash  for  some  fish,  as  he  thought 
a  lawyer  would  certainly  have  money.  He  took  a  nice  lot  to 
town  and  offered  them  to  Jloore,  who  said  "  he  would  like  to  have 
a  fish  very  much,  but  hadn't  any  money."  "Thus  it  is,"  reflects 
Davenport  now  old  in  years,  "  iloore  now  has  the  money  but  I 
still  have  fish." 

Benjamin  Slatten,  a  Kentuckian,  came  here  in  1829,  lived  a 
few  months  in  what  is  now  Cliutonia  township,  then  moved  to 
Texas.  He  built  a  cabin  on  Coon  creek  (which  took  its  name 
from  his  being  a  great  and  very  successful  coon  hunter  and  having 
survived  for  weeks  on  coon  meat)  where  he  lived  until  some  lime 
in  1832  when  he  was  married  to  Henrietta  Lane,  daughter  of 
Tillmon  Lane,  Sr.  The  marriage  ceremony  was  performed  by  the 
Kev.  James  K.  Scott,  a  minister  in  the  Christian  Connection 
order.  It  took  place  at  Tillmon  Lane's  home  in  Waynesville 
township. 

Nehemiah  Clifton  located  here  on  section  twenty-one.  In 
common  with  most  of  the  early  settlers  he  was  also  from  Ken- 
tucky. He  was  a  large,  muscular  man,  well  calculated  to  "  rough 
it,"  as  pioneers  had  to  do.  He  brought  a  family  of  five  children, 
of  whom  Job  and  William  were  twins. 

Following  these  came  John  Lowery,  and  a  nephew  Trink,  from 
Kentucky,  who  located  on  section  twenty-one,  also  David 
Willis,  in  1835,  to  section  twenty-three. 

The  first  land  entries  were  : 

April  2-5th,  1831,  Nehemiah  Clifton,  entered  E. .],  S.  W.  ■},  section  21.  SO  ac. 
June  21st,  1831,  Benjamin  Slatten,         "      S.E.J,  "         3.160" 

June  21st,  1831,  Isaac  Ciirlock,  "      W.  i,S.  E. ',,       "       11.80" 

July  16th,  1831,  William  Spillcrs,  "       E.  J,  S.  E.  ', ,         "        21.  SO  " 

July  10th,  1831,  James  Dogget,  "       W.  hS.  E.  V.        "       21.80" 

July  16th,  1831,  Ricliard  Dogget,  "      W.  !.,  S.  W.',,        "        22.  80  " 

Of  these  parties  William  Spillers  was  a  bachelor  from  Ken- 
tucky, who  remained  on  his  land  for  a  year  or  two,  thence  went  to 
Texas,  as  did  also  Richard  Dogget.     Their  stay  was  so  brief,  that 

337 


338 


HISTORY  OF  BE  WITT  COUXTY,  ILLIXOIS. 


little  is  known  of  them  or  their  history.  The  first  land  brolie  for 
agricultural  purposes  here.was  by  AVilliara  Spillers  in  1832,  in 
all  about  eight  acres,  and  to  Richard  Dogget  is  accredited  the 
honor  of  having  planted  out  the  first  orchard,  perhaps  the  same 
year.  Some  of  these  trees  are  still  standing.  They  were  all 
seedlings;  some  of  the  fruit  was  fine  in  quality- 

The  first  wedding  was  that  of  James  Lowery  and  Sarah  Clifton 
in  the  Summer  of  1833^  They  were  married  at  the  house  of  the 
bride's  father,  Neheraiah  Clifton.  The  ceremony  was  performed 
by  Rev.  Solomon  Despain,  a  Baptist  minister  of  Wayuesville. 

Among  the  first  deaths,  if  not  the  first  of  adults,  was  that  of 
William  Smith,  who  accidentally  killed  himself  whilst  attempt- 
ing to  cut  a  limb  from  a  tree  when  on  horseback.  He  missed  his 
aim,  the  axe  buried  itself  in  his  arm  severing  an  artery,  from 
which  he  bled  to  death.  His  remains  were  deposited  on  his  own 
land,  a  place  used  simply  as  a  family  burial  gi-ound.  This  oc- 
curred in  1837. 

The  first  grave  in  a  regular  burial  ground  was  that  (jf  a  two 
year  old  daughter  of  Job  Clifton  ou  section  tweuty-one,  in 
1843. 

The  first  preaching  was  by  the  venerable  Rev.  W.  S.  Crissey, 
of  Decatur,  a  Methodist  minister,  at  the  house  of  John  Lowery, 
in  1835.  Soon  after  Moses  Clamp  followed,  having  been  assigned 
ti)  a  circuit  including  this  place. 

The  first  teacher  was  George  Davenport  in  1837.  The  school- 
house  was  a  rude  structure  of  round  timber,  very  rough  puncheon 
floor  and  seats.  In  all  he  had  about  a  dozen  pupils.  Among 
them  he  remembers  Frank,  Joseph  and  Wesley  Lowery.  David 
Willis,  William  Cox,  Louisa  Lowary.Matilda  Willis,  Rhoda  and 
Emily  Davenport.  Text  books  used  were  the  old  Elementary 
Speller,  Pilie's  Western  Calculator  and  the  New  Testament. 

The  first  mill  was  built  ou  Salt  creek,  section  fifteen,  by  

Allen  in  1837.  It  was  a  water  mill  provided  with  au  undershot 
wheel.     Both  sawing  and  grinding  was  done.     The  second,  and 

only  other  mill  was  built  by Mayall  on  the  same  creek,  on 

section  thirteen,  in  1848.  It  is  now  owned  and  operated  by  As- 
bury  Smallwood.  It  is  a  good,  substantial  mill,  provided  with 
undershot  wheel,  and  is  also  a  combined  saw  and  grist  mill.  Its 
capacity  is  quite  limited,  being  dependent  upon  the  water  supply, 
and  the  grinding  being  limited  to  a  single  run  of  stone. 

The  first  and  only  blacksmith  in  the  township  was  George 
Clifton,  who  was  a  Baptist  minister  as  well.  The  small  kit  of 
tools  he  brought  with  him  would  not  to-day  receive  recognition 
as  a  smithy.  His  labors  were  confined  to  mending  and  horse- 
shoeing. 

The  first  Justice  of  the  peace  was  Triuk  Lowery.  There  are  in 
the  township  two  houses  of  public  worship  belonging  to  the  Bap- 
tist and  Christian  orders.  They  are  in  close  proximity,  both  be- 
ing on  section  tweuty-one.  The  only  industry  carried  on  inde- 
pendent of  farming  is  milling  at  the  Mayall  mill.  Although  the 
township  has  twelve  miles  of  railroad  within  its  limits  it  is  with- 
out a  station.  One  is  in  contemplation  on  the  line  of  the  Midland 
railroad  ou  section  thirty.     The  roads  passing  through  the  town- 


ship are  the  Illinois  Central  from  North  to  South,  entering  on 
section  three  and  leaving  on  section  thirty-five ;  the  Havana 
branch  of  the  Wabash,  better  known  as  the  I.  B.  &  W  ,  which 
enters  on  section  one  and  leaves  on  section  two;  the  Oilman 
branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  entering  on  section  five  and  leaving 
on  section  six ;  the  Illinois  Midland,  or  P.  A.  &  D.  railroad, 
entering  on  section  thirty-three  and  leaving  on  section  thirty. 
In  order  to  avail  themselves  of  either  of  these  roads,  patrons  have 
to  go  into  adjoining  townships  where  facilities  are  offered. 

Since  township  organization  has  taken  efiect  this  township  has 
been  represented  in  the  County  Board  by  Wilson  Allen,  from 
18.59  to  1867;  D.  M.  Walker,  18G7 ;  George  Hartsock,  1868 ; 
William  M-  Moore,  1869  ;  J.  W.  Blue,  1870  ;  W.  H.  Greer,  1871 ; 
William  M.  Moore,  1872;  W.  M.  Phares,  1873  to  1877  ;  Thomas 
Cornwell,  1877  ;  Edward  Weld,  1878;  A.  E.  Newman,  1879  to 
ISSl,  and  Cornelius  Kelly,  1881,  the  present  incumbent.  Of 
these  the  first  elected,  Wilson  Allen,  was  chosen  chairman  of  the 
Board  during  the  years  1860.  1863.  186.5  and  1866. 

This  is  pre-eminently  a  grazing  district.  Sheep  husbandry  re- 
ceives marked  attention.  Sheep  men  say  that  the  township  can 
well  sustain  five  head  to  the  acre,  of  grazing  lauds,  an  aggregate 
of  over  twenty  thousand  head.  Among  those  most  interestsd  in 
this  industry  are  William  Haberfield,  Job  W,  Blue,  Samuel  Wade 
and  David  Schenck. 

The  following  statistics  are  gathered  fron  the  assessment  for 
the  year  1881.  In  the  township  there  were  597  horses;  1872 
head  of  cattle;  60  muks;  2406  sheep;  2091  hogs;  223  carriages 
and  wagons ;  33  watches  and  clocks ;  93  sewing  machines ;  2 
pianos ;  15  organs  and  melodeons.  The  total  value  of  personal 
property  was  placed  at  853,069 ;  of  real  estate  S262.807. 

An  application  has  gone  forward  in  behalf  of  the  location  of  a 
post  office  to  be  called  Blue  Ridge,  in  honor  of  the  prime  mover 
in  this  behalf,  John  Blue,  on  section  twenty-five  ;  doubtless  before 
this  work  is  in  the  hands  of  its  readers  the  location  of  the  office  will 
have  been  an  accomplished  fact.  John  Blue,  a  man  of  enterprise 
and  energy,  has  secured  from  the  railroad  company  the  location  of 
a  station  at  the  same  point.  Its  erection  will  doubtless  be  fol- 
lowed by  other  industries. 

The  population  of  Texas  township  in  1860  was  893;  in  1870, 
L064,  and  in  1880,  950. 

There  are  two  neat  church  houses  occupied  respectively  by  the 
Baptist  and  Christian  orders.  The  Baptist  was  the  first  built, 
the  original  house  being  erected  in  1843,  whilst  the  Christian  was 
built  in  1870. 

Prominent  among  her  farmers  are  William  Phares,  who  came 
from  Ohio  in  1847;  Charles  McCuddy,  from  Kentucky  in  1839; 
Uriah  James,  who  was  born  in  this  county  in  1849 ;  David 
Schenck,  William  Haberfield  and  Eason  Johnson,  who  came  from 
Ohio  in  1859.  Eason  Johnson  brought  a  family  of  six  children 
with  him  :  Amos,  Hulda,  Ira,  Alice,  who  died  September  25, 
1873,  Joseph  E  and  Emma  J.  They  all  live  in  this  county 
except  Amos,  in  Kansas,  and  Ira,  in  Coloiado. 


PARTIAL    LIST    OF    PATRONS. 


CITY   OF    CLINTON. 


OCCUPATIOS. 


NATIVITY.       'ti 


CITY  OF    CL,INTON.-[CosTiN-vEB.] 


NATIVITY.        -; 


I  .Armstrong,  George 
\  Kliza  Wilkinson 
J  Alhn,  E.iwacd 
t  Adelia  HiUcherson 
J  .Vugbinbaugh,  G.  M. 
\  Maij  E.  P.  Winslow 
(  Argo,  Alex.iniler 
\  Eliza  A.  Walriven 
,  Armslrong.  Ira  F. 
\  Cyntba  Warrick 
I  Anna  M.  Ganibrel 
J  Barnett,  W.  B. 
\  Sarnb  E.  Duncan 
I  Bisbnp,  William 
\Kate  M.  Lewis 
I  Bates,  Francis   M. 
t  Adlisa  Morse 
tly,  I.  B. 


Wile  1)1  George  Armslroug 
i'eacber 

Wife  nf  Ecl-n-ard  Allvn 
Blarksniilh  and  gen'l  Repni: 
M-  Au^binhaugli 


iriciurer  orCiimberl'd,  Eng  ■- 

lYorksbire,  Eng  ? 

Portage  CO.  ().     ' 

Green  co.  Ky.      ■ 

Shops    .Somerset  co.  I'l 


1  M.ary 


by,  .Fames 
■  J.  JIcKinley 
Barnes     p^y,, 


Clinton  Deputy  County  Clerk  Monroe  co.  Ky. 

Died  Jlar.  2H.  '54.  1st  wife  of  .las.  Liseuby  Ohio 
Died  Oct.  5,  '112.  id  wife  of  lames  Liseuby  De  Witt  co.  111. 

Cliiilou  Pr.-ciil  wilV  "f  .latiies  Liseuby  Vermillion  co.IU 


Wi 


M.I 


M.a.lis 

Clint.. 


id  ^V;, 


Wi 


ak( 
Ar-o 


:l     (  MasiU.  Tie 


Dl'r  in  Sewing  Machines 
Wife  of  W,  B.  Barnett 
Lumber, 


id  Fa 


■  De  Witt  CO.  111.   i3^"i 
Fayette  co.  Ky.  138 


Elh 


(  Phebe  L.  Hill 
J  Butler,   Richard 
t  Kate  Scott 

Booth.  W.  H. 
(  Beatty,  Z.  H. 
\  Bfattv,  JIarv  P.,  nee  War 
I  Beatty,  .Sylvia  J.      ue 
i  Carle,  .John  T. 
1  S.  S.  Nobbe 
I  Calhoun.  W.  F. 
\  Blanche  Derthick 
r  Davidson,  F.  C. 
\  Addie  J.  Kegerrice 
f  Dick,  Amos 
J  .laneCombs 
I  Harriet  N.  Scott 
(  De  Boice,  L. 
(  Ida  Savage 
f  De  Land,  James 
1  Emily  Abbott 
(  Mary  Day,  nee  Hodge 

Davis,  David  BJo 

r  Edmiston,  J.  A. 
t  Mary  A.  Hayuie 

Ford,  W.  D. 
J  Fuller,  William 
t  Rebecca  Parker 
f  Goodbrake,  C.     ^-oijje 
I  Cliarlotta  Gleason,   nee 
j  Graham,  George  B. 
t  Nancv  P.  Hutchin 

Goo.ll-ich,  A.  P. 
f  Hyde,  G.  W. 
\  Sarah  Owen 
J  Hunt,  ,lohn  B. 
t  Sarah  Barnett 
I  Hull,  T.  F. 
\  Kate  L.  De  Lan.l 
(  Hil.lreth,  P.  B. 
t  Sophia  Clus 

Hull,  Frank 
I  Hanger,  Charles 
I  Vida  F.  Foss 
I  Hutchason,  T.  S. 
l  Suean  Henry 
I  Haldeman,  .Jacob  B. 
\  Catherine  C.  Onstott 
i  Mary  Sliurtletf 

Hanger,  William  H. 
( Ingham.  Geor.,'e  K. 
t  Alice  TeuneT 
f  Kent,  Emmett 
(  ElizabeOi  I  'lappcrton 
J  Killough,  .lohn 
(  Delia  Briggs 
I  Kirk,  .lames  M. 
\  Emma  J.  Johnson 
f  Lisenby,  A.  V. 
t  Sarah  A.  McFarland 
J  Lemon,  R.  A. 
\  Opha  A.  Kyle 
f  Lewis,  S.  F. 
\E.  B.  Quigg 


Ti,  and  t'oal  Merchant    jDe 

■'      IW'ife  of  Williaii,  l',i-Ii..|.  jCookco.  III.  ".<! 

■'      iBrick-ni.isuii  :ni.l  i'la-lcrcr  Madison  co.  o.  -1 

DieilN'ov.  1.  '74.  I:iic  wil..  ..f  F.  M.  Bates  'Union  co.  Olii..  '.'I 

lintou  Saddlery  and  Harness  :Green  co.  Ohio  .« 

Did  Aug.  12, '49,  1st  wife  of  I.  B.Beattyl  "  I 

linton  Present  wife  of  I.  B.  Beatty  F.iyette  co.  Ky.  37 


Seely 

V,  L,  S. 
Phares 


MacArlliu 


,  D. 


'Canada 
ilrela 


aid 


11. -Iain;. Ill  :.n.l  Baker 
Wife  of  Z.  II.  Beatty 
iDanghter  of  Z.  H.  and  M.  P.  Beatty 
Circuit  Clerk 
Wife  of  John  T.  Carle 


Hancock  CO.  0.   ;i54 


IWifo 


|64| 

Jefferson  co.  0.  63 
.Mahoningoo.  0.  63 
I  Perry  co.  Pa.  i70! 
iSummit  co.  01iiO|70| 
Champaign  coIll;77 
De  Wilt  CO.  111.   |fil 


\  Isabella  Shields 
I  McFarlan.l.  W. 
■l  Eli/a  A.  -Wrigh 

{McKinney,  Fra 
Rachel  E.  McD 
JIcKinney,  Fred.  C, 
(  McIIeiirv,  A.  D. 
\  Mclseiia  Miller 
I  McAb..T,  W.  W. 
\  Rebecca  M.  Waller 
Myers,  J.  C. 
Nagely,  Aaron 


J.  P.  and  PuMic  Adiiiiuiutrator 
Died  Nov.25,' 77,  late  wife  of  J.  J.  Mc 
Clinton'Attorney-at  Law 

.'      'Banker  and  Merchant 

Wifeof  Henry  Magill 
"       ^Teaming 

Wife  of  J.  H.  Mitchell 
"      iGeneral  Dry  Goods 
"       Wife  of  Samuel  .MagiU 
"       Grain  Jlcrchant 

Wife  of  L.  S.  McGr.aw 
•■        Past.ir  r,n].list  Chiir.h 

Witc  of  II.  .MacAialiiir 


elddi>t  ,S.C. 


30 

.  Ky.  130 
Lake  CO.  Ohio  41 
lAddison  co.  Vt.  |54 
Clark  CO.  Ky.  ]59 
iDe  Witt  CO.  lU.  50 
jNew  York  54 

|WashingCncD'Vtl54 
Franklin  co.N.Y   " 
iDeWiUco.  111. 
Hamilton  co.  0. 
Scotland 


Fii 


..1  W.  II     M.Fail: 


aker  !  Fayette  co.  Ohio 

in.l  1  Madison  CO.  0. 

d  t^ueeusware    Muskingum  co  0 


I'.achel  E.  McICinuey 


Eli; 


Ada 


Died  Sep.  1.".,       i,  i;        -   ..i  Amos  Dick    Sangamon 
Clinton  Presc-iil  v,.:c  ...:  Aii.u,  Dick  I 

IMiUer  nhampiilKn 

"       Wife  of  L.  De  Boice  De  W  itt  ci 

■'       i Notary  Public  and  .Stock  Dealer  Rutland  c 

Dieil  Aug.  22,  '72,  Ist  wile  of  Jas.  De  Land  Franklin  < 

I  Cliut.m  Present  wife  of  .lames  De  Land  .Madison  c 

I  mingt'n  United  States  .Senator  Maryland 

Clinton|Phvsician  and  Surgeon 

"       I  Wife  of  J.  A.  Edmiston 

"       Deputy  Circuit  Clerk 


.111; 


ijiii  i  J 

•57,;  1 1 


-La 


Ohio 
Scott  CO.  111. 
Morgan  co.  III. 


■  Ui 


Fullc 


!Madi-..i 


r-.E.n,,nee 
Ky.'65'i  {  Ezekiel  H.  Palmer  " 
Porter,  James  A, 
Emma  McGee 
Porter,  Clare 
(  Eazey,  A.  W. 
I't.  |5'.:i|'  'lElta  Phares 
Vt.'o'j;!/ Bundle,  VI.  B. 
{  Emma  Medland 
(  Rucker,  J.  C. 
t  Rachel  Howard 
(Snell,  J.  T. 
\  Hannah  A.  Conklii 
rSpiccr.  M.  B. 
'i  V  ,,'.   ,1    Mill.T 


Wife  of  A.  D.  MoHeury 

Florist 

Wife  of  W.  W'.  McAboy 

'Druggist 
'.       :Slock  Dealer 
"      [Wife  of  A.  Nagely 
"       Retired 
Died  Mar.:^ii,'7S,  late  bus.  of  Mrs 


Tazewell  co.  Ill 
De  Witt  CO.  III. 
Tuscarawas  co.O 
Garrard  co.  Ky 
Clark  CO.  Ohio 
Greene  co.  Ohio 
IClark  CO.  Ohio 
E.  H.  PalmerJMadison  co.  0. 


62 


■wife  of  C.  Goodbrake  Ma 
V  and  JIavor  Wa 


I  Clark  I 
Warrei 


.  Ohi 


Wife  of  George  B.  Graham 

Carpenter  and  Builder 

Physician  and  Surgeon 

Wife  of  G.  W.  Hyde 

Druggist  and  Physician 

Wife  of  John  B.  Hunt 

Blacksmithing  and  Repair  S 

Wife  of  T.  F.  Hull 

Superintendent  Cemetery 

Wife  of  P.  B.  Hildrelh 

Barber  and  Hairdresser 

Retired  Merchant 

Wife  of  Charles  Hanger 

Omnibus  Line  Green  co.  Ky 

Wife  of  T.  S.  Hutchason  Halifax  co.  \' 

Prop.  De  Witt  Custom  &  Merch't  Mill  Cumberland  e. 


0. 
De  Witt  CO.  111. 
Rutland  co.  Vl. 
Knox  CO.  Ohio 
Maryland 
|De  Witt  CO.  111. 
Logan  CO.  Ohio 


l>--i' J.  >1- 

•  Siiialhvood,  Asbury 
(  Elizabeth  Martin 
f  Taylor,  Homer  B. 
I  Amanda  C.  Goodbrake 

Welsli,  Miss  M.  S. 
f  Waggoner,  J.  H. 
\  Laum  E.  Henry 
I  Warner.  Vespasian 
:  I  Winifred  Mooro 
I  Wee.lman.  Wm.  M. 
\. Sarah  C.  liilldreth 
W  ri._'lil,  John 


Clinton  Grocer,  Provisions,  and  Queenswarc  .Washington  coO 
I       ■'        Wife  of  James  A.  Porter  jMuskingum  coO 

Sou  of  James  A.  and  Emma  Porter 
"       Proprietor  Magill  House  I  Pike  co.  111. 

Wife  of  A.  W.  Razcy  De  Witt  co.  Ill 

,  Butcher  Devonshire,  Er 

..      AVife  of  W.  B.  Bundle  Cornwall,  Eng. 

I  "       ;  Minister  of  M.  E.  Church  Woodford  co.Ky 
"       I  Wife  of  J.  C.  Rucker                              Bracken,  Ky. 

■•      iBanker  De  Witt  co.  HI 

.1       j  Wife  of  J.  T.  Snell  Muskingum  coO 

'Retired  Farmer  Clark  co.  Ind. 

••      iWife  of  M.  B.  .Spicer  Sangamon  co  1 

I I  "       'Retired  Loudon  co.  Va 
Died  Feb.  16,  '78,  late  hus.  of  .s^.arah  Savage  Vermont 

Clinton  School  Teacher  jDeWitt  co.  Ill 

■'        lliller  .and  father  of  Mark  Smallwood^Kentucky 

Mother  of  M.  Smallwood 
"        Liverv  Sale  ami  Feed  Stable 


Wi 


..f  I1-. 


P..  Tayl.i 
Sui.i 


ntciident 


Delawai 
Shelby  ( 


'  Wils. 


H.C. 


CO.  0. 
,111. 


Dicd'N'ov.  5. '70,  1st  wife  of  J.  B.  Halde 
linton  Present  wife  of  Jacob  B.  Halde 

Ti-ader 
"       jCounty  Judge 

Wife  of  George  K.  Ingham 

Grain  and  Lumber  Dealer 

Wife  of  Emmett  Kent 
"       General  JIardware 

Wifeof  John  Killough 
"       City  Marshal  and  Brickmaker 

Wifeof  James  M.  Kirk 
"       County  Clerk 

Wifeof  A.  V.  Lisenby 
"       Attorney-at-Law 

Wife  of  R.  A.  Lemon 
"       Justice  of  the  Peace 

Wife  of  S.  F.  Lewis 


I  De  Witt  . 

Wash 


ii-;i 

J.  E 

tied 

1  w 

l-.ill 

.lam 

ea  A 

1  i:i 

/ill.. 

til  C. 

ok 

T 

llii- 

■.  .I..I 

11 

In 

bell 

1  U..I 

insor 

Lo:; 


DeWiit  c...  111.  .'.I' 
Marshall  Co.  111.  .321 
Sangamon  co.  Ill  701 
Menard  co.  111.  72] 
Muskingum  coO  521 
Litchfield,  N.  H.  54, 


I  Woodw.ard,  O.  J. 

\  Annie  Lndolph  j 

f  Weedraan,  Amos 

\  Mary  J.  McCord  : 

(  Walters,  John  0. 

I  Hattie  Mann 

j  Wiglitwick,  John 

\  Sarah  A.  Appleton 

/  Weldon,  Lawrence 

1^  Mary  J.  Howard 

/  Wilson. Eliz'bcthM. nee 

I.  Wilson,  Aaron        Cook 


■uey-at-Law  De  Witt  co.  III. 

Wife  of  Vespasian  Warner  Fayette  co.  111. 

Livery  Sale  and  Feed  Stable  De  Witt  co   111. 

Wife  ofWm.  M.  Weedman  Logan  co.  lU.      ,73 

Physician  and  Surgeon  Hamilton  oo.  0.154 

Groceries  and  Queensware  M'ntgom'ry  collj.54 
Died  M.ar.  21, '  73,  late  wife  of  H.  C.  Wilson  Champaign  co,  0  63 

Clinton  Bakery  and  Restaurant  (Bond  co.  Ill 

•1        Wife  of  J.  S.  Wilson  White  co.  111.       54 

'•        County  Treasurer  De  Witt  co.  111. 
"       'Wife  of  James  A.  Wilson 

"       I  Banker  and  Dealer  in  Real  Estate  tionkiogh'm  coVn 
Died  Feb.  15.  '65, 1st  wife  of  John  Warner  Pike  co-  Ohio 

Clintom  Present  wife  of  John  Warner  Huron  co.  Ohio 

■■       iGeneral  Dealer  in  Boots  and  Shoes  De  Witt  co.  111. 

"       IWife  of  0.  J.  Woodward  Atlantic  Ocean 

"       SheritfofDe  Witt  County  Perry  co.  Ohio 

"       IWife  of  Amos  Weedman  Jackson  co.  Ten, 

Barber  and  Bath  Rooms  Mississippi  river 

"       , Wife  of  John  0.  Walters  Sangamon  co. 

Retired  Jlcrchant  Kent  co.  Eng, 

"       I  Wife  of  John  Wiglitwick  London,  Eng. 

BI'mgtn  Attorney-at-Law  Muskingum  coO 

Wife  of  Lawrence  WelJon  Madison  co,  0. 

Clinton  Retired  Shropshire,Eng, 
Died  Mar.  7,  81,  late  hus.  of  Mrs.  E.  M.  Perry  co.  Ohio 
Wilson 


CLlJfTONIA    TOWNSHIP. 


DE  WITT  TOWNSHIP. 


r.  OFIKE.     RK:?ID. 


asM. 


f  Argo,  T.  J. 
\  Lizzie  Razey 
f  Adams,  AVilliam 
I  Diucilla  Williams 
("Aiildsson,  Cornllia,  nf 
I  Adkissou,  John  ^ho 
J  Adkisson.  Horace 

Caroline  C.  Jumper 
I  A.lkisson.  Frank 
I  Borders,  F.  M. 
\  Kate  Slickly 
j  Dicckbott.  H. 
\  Mary  Peters 
J  Ellis'.  Alvali 
t  E.  M.  Turlm 
I  Foster,  Thou; 
t  Elizabeth  Steutz 
f  Heudriek.  M.  .S, 
\  NaiKVT  -I.  Clark 
(  Hall,"Ausiio 
\  Lvda  Langford 
I  Il"arp,  'ilLimas 
\  Elizabeth  Wantland 
[  Jlusson,  .lolin 
'(  Amelia  .1.  Walcli 
f  Morris,  II.  II. 
"(  Catherine  Weldnn 
i  Mills,  .lohn  H. 
J  Mills,  James 
"I  Mills,  W.  A. 
(^  Artemisia  Carl 
I  Mills,  rasc-hal  H. 
\  Winnie  Ariu.^trong 
J  Magill,  William 
\  Mary  .Sym 
(  McDonald,  John 
\  Casandra  I'.arnelt 
/Newell.  .Samuel  E. 
t  Cina  May 
f  Razey,  G.  N. 
S  Ellen  R.  Cory 
/Smith,  H.  P. 
\  Margaret  Etlierton 
r  Sprague,  B.  C. 
\  Spi'ague,  Ara.  nee  Mill; 
f  Sloat,  Philip  A. 
J  Nancy  J.  Morrison 
(  Margaret  Acfon 
I  Swisher,  I.  F. 
\  Elenora  Piatt 
f  Smith,  Richard  S. 
J  Hellen  M.  Kellosg 
(  Wallace  W.  Kellogg 
I  Smallwood,  George  D. 
\  Mary  Ann  Brown 
I  Thorp,  S.  M. 
\  Sarah  J.  Stone 
f  Weaver,  A.  A. 
\  Mary  Moore 
/  Weaver,  S.  C. 
I  Rebecca  C.  Fink 


Oi'rVP-lTio 


WapcUa 


Sec.    B 


Clinton  3:j 

Died   April 

Clinton  Sec.  a4 

Died  March 

ton         Sec.  a4 

34 

I         34 


Wapella 


K;irmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Clerm 
Wife  of  T.  J.  Argo  Pike  ; 

and  Stock  Raiser  Campbell  co.  Ta 


I    f 


bon  CO.  Ky  ^ 
Hopkins  CO.  Ky  i 
Tennessee  I 

Scott  CO.  111. 
Vigo  CO.  Ind.        • 
DeWittco.  III.     f 
Randolph  coind  i 
Ciermany  ■: 


2.:>,  '81,  late  wife  of  W 
Retired  Adai 

■JS,Tl,late  hu.=.  of  C.  .\tlkiss 
Farmer  and  Stock  Rais 
Wile  of  Horace  Adkiss; 
Son  of  J.  and  C.Adkiss. 
Farmer  and  Stock  Rais 
Wife  of  F.  .M.  Borders 
Farmer  and  Gardener        , 
Wife  of  H.  Dieckhoff 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Fayelie  co,  Ind, 
Wife  of  Alvah  Ellis  iLewis  co.  Ky. 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser, Hamilton  co.  0, 
Wife  of  Thon.a*  M.  Foster  Germany 
larn.-r  i;;1m  1  Kni-er  Windsor  CO.  Tl, 
WilV  .  :  ;  --  !'  ,  ;,k  Chanipaiirnco.i 
111. 
,  0. 


■  De  W  itt  ( 
Mo 


and 


Ra 


Wapella 
Clinton 


Wife  of  Thomas  Harp  Union  CO.  Ohio 
l';irmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Leicester,  Eng. 
Wife  of  .lolm  Musson  De  Witt  co.  III. 
Kiivmer  ami  Stock  Raiser, Clark  Co.  Ohio 
Wife  of  II.  H.  Morris  Muskingum  coO 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Grant  co.  Kt. 
ISrother  of  John  H.  Jlills 
S.  '03,  Father  of      " 

Wife  of  W.  A.  Mills  Bourbon  co.  Ky 

F;irmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Witt  co.  111. 
Wife  of  P.  H.  Mills  , Gibson  co,  Ind 

Far  i  Breeder  fine  Stock  Orleans  co.  Vt. 
Wife  of  William  Magill  .Glasgow,  Scotld 
Fanner  and  Slock  Raiser  lickawav  co.  O. 
Wife  of  John  McDonald  !De  Witt  co.  111. 
F.nrmer  and  Slock  Raiser!  Hancock  co.  0, 
W  ile  of  Samuel  E.  Newell  Ross  co.  Ohio 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Pike  co  HI. 
Wife  of  G.  N.  Razey 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Delaware  co.  0. 
W  ife  of  H.  r.  Smith  jPickaway  co.  0. 

Farmer  and  Stock  Eaiscr.Dc  Witt  co.  HI. 
Wife  of  B.  C.  Sprague       I  " 

Plasterer  'Hamilton  co.  0. 

03,  1st  wife  of  P.  A.  Sloal  Ohio 
Present  wife  of  P.  .-V.  Sloat  Ohio 
F;Lrn„.r  ;ii,d  Slork  Raiser, De  Wilt  Co.  HI. 


Log: 


Stowe,  VermoDt'49 


Died    Feb. 
Wapella        Sec.  10 


Ohio 
,l.nte  wife  of  0.  D.  SnialT-jKentucky 
F;irmcr  and  Stock  Raiser  Genesee  co  N.Y. 
W  ile  .,t  S.  ,M.  Thorp  jBrown  co.  111. 

I'avmer  and  Dairyman  JMadison  co  0. 
Wife  of  A.  A.  Weaver  Perry  co.  Ohio 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Wilt  co.  lU. 
Wife  of  S.  C.  Weaver         I  Fayette  co.  lU. 


WILSON  TOWNSHIP. 


p.  OFFICE.     REi^ID. 


OCCUPATION. 


(  Brittin.  Henrv 

Ler.iv 

Sec-  -24  Frmr.,Stk.Rsr.&Tp.Sup 

I  .Umira  C'rippin 

24  Wife  of  Henrv  Brittin 

1  Bell.  H. 

Wapella 

rV2  Farmer  and  Slock  Kaiser 

I.  Rebecca  Ewing 

■it  Wife  of  H.  Bell 

j  Emery.  Robert 

De  Wilt 

a.i  Farmer  and  Salesman 

1  Susan  Wallers 

•J-5  Wife  of  Robert  Emerv 

(  McGrath,  James 

Wapella 

2U  F;.rmirand  Slock  Raiser 

\  Alice  FIvnn 

20  \Vit"e  of  James  Mctirath 

/  Newman.  AV.  W. 

32  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

1  Catherine  R.  Cain 

'' 

32  Wife  of  W.  W.  Newman 

(  Rolofson,  J.  B. 

'' 

.30  Farmer  and  Sloek  Raiser 

'1  Mary  E.  Bird 

" 

30  Wife  of  J.  B.  Rololson 

Rolufson,  J.  M. 

30  Farmer 

(  Scngin,  Joseph  K. 

Havworth 

IS  larmer  and  Slock  Raiser 

I  Martha  A.  Livingston 

18  Wife  of  J.  F.  Scogin 

/  Smith,  Ellen 
1  Smith,  Wm,  W. 

Wapella 

28  Farming 

Died 

Lalelii;-    -Tl',  >,  '^ii.ill, 

1  Turner,  William  T 

Wapella 

aOFarno,           -          l:,i-or 

I  Mercy  Ann  Bolin 

30  Wife  \'i  ,,,  ,1  ,1     1      1    ir;,i-r 

f  VanDevenler.Thos 

M 

Leroy 

24  Farm.-;  :,,,,;  -    ,,.  K.i.or 

\              "            Flora 

H. 

24  Wife  of  T  M.V;,nD..v™ier 

/  Walters.  Jacob 
\  Walters.  Martha  J. 

De  Witt 

30  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 

30  Wife  of  Jacob  Walters 

/  Wallers,  Alfred 
1  Nancy  J.  Lamb 

" 

24  Frmr.,Stk,Rsr.&B'eCltrs| 

" 

24  Wife  of  A.  Walters 

McLean  co.  111. 
f^hio 

Pickaway  CO.  0. 
Fairfield  co.  0. 

.Muskingum  00.  O. 
Perry  co.  Ohio. 
Ireland 

.Madison  CO.  0.  I 
De  Witt  CO.  III. . 
White  CO.  III.  : 
Tazewell  co.  III. 
De  Wilt  CO.  Ill  . 
Hamilton  co.  O. 
De  Witt  CO.  : 
Fairfield  co.  0.  ■ 
Pa. 
De  Will  CO.  III. 

De  Wilt  co 
Fairfield  co  0    ■ 
Ohio 
Kentucky 
Perry  co.  0!iio  '(■ 
McLean  co.  111. : 


Armstrong,  John 
Phebe  Clark 

I  Andrew,  Charles 

\  Hannah  Wilson 

I  Biiekley,  J.  A. 

\  Sarah  Z.  Bishop 

j  Bishop,  Stephen  A. 

^  Bishop,  Lemuel  N. 

(.  Elsa  A.  Bradford 
54    )  Bosserman,  Elijah 
'il'   \  Laura  Watt 
6"    I  Barnes.  William  S. 
38,1 'l  Caroline  Day 
4'.',,  (Cain,  John  W. 
4l;\  Siirah  E.  Bell 
6l  I  (  Clafflin,  Edwar.l  E. 
■fi    -  Clafflin.  Allen  B. 
■5'    (  Harriet  E.  Austin 
■>''•     (Chapin,  H..<. 
T-'    (  Julia  A.  Bosserman 
3O  I  j  Callison.  Benjamin 

53  I  ^  JIartha  E.  North 
03  I  /  Cole,  J.ames  R. 
58,  1  Mary  E.  Ni.'ion 

54  i  Darby,  Samuel 
0-*   \  Elizabeth  Jones 
efi  '  I  D.mner,  J.  C. 
0"    \  Louisa  Porter 
OO    I  Ferguson.  John 

OO    \.Samantha  M.  Marsh 
3'i ;  f  Flood.  R.  H. 
■y\,  I  Eliza  J.  Walker 

50    f  Harrold,  Susan  E. 
oO;;  \  Harrold.  Elicum 
40;;  /  Kelly.  Thomas 
t>2  I  \  Susan  F.  Grageory 
o-Ji    I  King,  Augustus 

7«   /  Le  Feber,  Henry 
oO   \  Martha  Robbins 

50:;    )  L^rrcny.  A„.„d..  „„  A.dcr», 

.54  [  \  Lalferty,  William  H. 
•^9       Lewis,  S.  E. 
•5.5    f  Marsh.  John 

.3.5  '  /  McPherson.  Elijah  M. 
40  ,  \  Mary  Clafflin 
40    (  .Myers,  William  A. 
\  Mattie  Bosserman 
(  North.  J.  Wilson 
\  JIary  Baker 
r  North,  William  H, 
J  Nancy  Moniger 
(  Elizabeth  Kirkwood 
r  Nichols.  John  W. 
\  Lihbie  Latecr 
(  fiakford,  Charles  L. 
\  Maltie  Le  Feber 
f  Porter.  J.  M. 
I  \  Elizabeth  Upton 
I  I  Richter,  Charles 
\  Rachel  Wilson 
/  Richards.  Speedy  E. 
t  Rolla  T.  Richards 
(  Rosencrans.  D.  A. 
■(  Clara  E.  McDeed 
I  Robbins,  D.  F. 
\  Elizabeth  Hutchison 
I  Richter,  John  A. 
\  Ella  Mary  Parker 
(  Street,  John  F. 
t  Harriet  Porter 
/  Stone,  D.  C. 

J  Swigart,  Jacob 
t  Rebecca  Davis 
!  Tyler.  John  H. 
I  Harriet  Cain 
S  Taylor.  Ewing  M. 
\  Emma  Burns 
(  Tretro,  N.  J. 
\  SaiMh  E.  Williams 
t  Viola  Richter 
<  Wisegarver,  G.  W. 
I  Mary  E.  Slick 
I  Wakefield,  Grin 
i  Hannah  McCord 

'  SosanN.  Howard  CneeClov, 

i  Wolfe,  Joseph 
I  Mary  V.  Leraen 


De  Witt        He  Witt 
Died  July      1808 
De  Wilt        1)8- Witt 
'•  Sec.  17 

IT 
rarnell  Parnell 

palSuro-.lll.       to.  111. 

DeWitt         Sec.:; 
Parnell  - 

De  Witt         Do  Wi 

Died 

Hayworlh     H»vw„r 

De'witt        De  Witt 

Sec.  IS 

18 

"  DeWitt 

Parnell         Sec.  11 


Blacksmith 

1st  wife  John  .\rmstron 

Present  wife  of    ■' 

Farmer  and  Stock  Eaisi 

Wife  of  Charles  Andrew 

Merchant 

Wife  of  J.  H.  Brickley       Champaign  co,  1. 

Farmer  and  Teacher"        Le  Roy.  iicLcan  ro  m 

Father  of  S.  A.  D.  Bishop  Clark  co.  Ohio 

Mother  ■'  Rhode  Island 

;    ,;  ;  <:ock  R,aiser  De  Witt  co.  HI. 


De  Witt  CO.  III.    45 


W; 


\\l 


:  Pickaway  CO.  0. 
Sanga 


.  Ohi 


Hancock  CO.  0. 
Cook  CO.  111. 
New  York 
Lake  co.  Ohio 
De  Witt  CO.  in. 


De  Witt 


28 


"  DeW'll 

Died  Nov.  30,  'B.j 
De  Witt  De  Will 
Fullerton  Sec.  0 
Died  March  11,  '72 
Weldon  ,Sec.  33 
33 
De  Witt         De  Witt 


Died  .\pril    IT,  'T4 
DeWitt        Dcwiitip 
"  Sec,  28 

Died  Nov. 'J,18T2 
De  Witt        De  Witt 


Parnell  Parnell 

De  Witt  Sec.  T 
Died  Dec.  20,  '.53 
De  Wilt  Sec.  T 
Parnell         Parnell 

De  Witt         De  Witt 

Parnell         Sec.  II 

II 

De  Witt         De  Will 


Died  March  12.  '0,« 
De  Witt        Sec.  3'2 


DeWitt        D?Witl 

Parnell         Sec.  14 

14 

De  Viitt        De  Witt 


.Sec.  la 

Died  Jan.  2.5,  '81 
De  Witt  .Sec.  l!i 
Do  I,.od.  Pi.it  30 

'•"""!.  g^ 

De  Witt  17 

Died  April  13,  '.36 
,  De  Witt  Sec.  IT 
Parnell  11 

Died  May  20,  '74 


■  De  Witt  ( 


Clark  CO.  Ohi< 
Preble  co.  Oh 
Clark  CO.  Ohi( 


I'.osserma; 
;  .,k  Raise 
S.  B.arnes 
.Merchant  ic  Post  Maste 
Wife  of  John  W.  Cain 
Salesman  and  Engineer 
Father  of  E.  E.  Clafflin 

,  Mother 
Physician  and  Surgeon 
Wife  of  H.  S.  Chapin 

;  Farmer  and  Stock  Raise 

■■  Wife  of  Benj.  Callison       Ohio 
Farmer  and  Well  Digger   Bath  co.  Va. 
Wife  of  James  R.  Cole       De  Witt  co.  111. 

iTile  Burner  Fayette  co.  Ohii 

Wife  of  Samuel  Darby  .Ma"dison  co.  O. 
Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser  Sangamon  co. HI 
Wife  of  J.  C.  Douner  Hamilton  co.  Ill 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Licking  co    0. 
Wife  of  John  Ferguson      De  Witt  co.  III. 
Farmer  and  Auctioneer 
1st  wife  of  R.  H.  Flood 
Present 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Campbell  co.  Ky. 
Late  husb'd  S.  E.  Harrold  Virginia 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  .Sumner  co.Tenn 
Wife  of  Thomas  Kelley 
Bl'ksmith  &  Wagonmaker  Pickaway  co.  O. 
Wife  of  .^.ugustus  King 
Gen'l  Mer..  AgtI.C.R.R.  Clermont  co.  O 
Wife  of  Henry  Le  Feber    De  Witt  co.  III. 
Retired  Philada.,  Pa. 

Late  husband  A.  Lafferty  Ohio 
Farmer  '  De  Witt  co.  111. 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Pickaway  co.  o 
Wife  of  John  Marsh  Lycoming  co,I';i, 

Farm'r  &  Prop.  Saw  MiU  .^Uegheny  co.  P;i 
Wife  of  E.  M.  McPherson  New  Vork 
Boot  4  Shoe  Mer.,  Sl'k  Trad  .\shland  co.  O. 
Wife  of  William  A.  Myers  De  Witt  co.  111. 
Mer.,  Farm'r  Jl  Grain  DFr  Fairfield  co.  O 
Wife  of  J.  Wilson  North  De  W'itt  co.  111. 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Pickaway  co.  o. 
1st  wife  of  Wm.  H.  North  F.airtieldco.  o. 
Present  "  Lancaster  co  Pa 

Hardware  &  Grain  Merc,  champaign  co.  Ill 
Wife  of  John  W.  Nichols  Sussex  co.  N.  J, 
Merchant  Bucks  Co.  Pa. 

Wife  of  Chas.  L.  Oakford  Clermont  co.  O. 
Farmer  and  Carpenter       Tennessee 
Wife  of  J.  JI.  Porter  North  Carolina 

Farmer  and  Tile  Manuf 'r  Philada.,  Pa. 
Wife  of  Charles  Richter     Perry  co.  Ohio 
Teacher  of  De  Witt  School  Champaign  co  o 
Late  husb'd  S.E.Richards  De  Witt  co.  111. 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser   'hampaign  co  t » 
Wife  of  D.  A.  Rosencrans  Indiana 
Prop.  Boarding  House       Campbell  co.  Kv 
Wife  of  D.  F.  Robbins       Nelson  co.  Ky.' 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Witt  co.  HI. 
Wife  of  John  A.  Richter 
Farmer  &  Jline  Operator  New  Jersey 
Wife  of  John  F.  Street       Morgan  co.  Ill, 
Iberia  Parish.  Ln. 
Stephenson  CO.  Ill 


Wife  of  b.  C.  .Sto 
Farmer     ;;  1  ^■:    ; ',   P.  ;.ler  .Ma 
Wife. if  ,i  .  -  ;i         Pike  CO.  Ohio 

Phvsi.  i  ,  I  -      _      1;       Richland  CO.  ; 

Wife  .if  .1.  II     i,.;.  f  Perry  co.  Ohi 

Physician  and  .'Surgeon  Tazewell  co.  1 
Wife  of  E.  M.  Taylor  McLean  co.  II 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Fayette  co.  Ol 
I.St  wife  of  N.  J.  Trego  De'  Witt  co.  11 
Present  "  " 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Bedford  co.  P 
Wife  of  G.  W.  Wisegarver  Marion  co.  Oh 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Jefferson  co.  N 
Ist  wife  Orin  Wakefield     Overton  co.Te 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  J  elferson  co.  ^ 
Late  wife  of  Joseph  Wolfe  Clark  co.  Ohi< 


SANTA  ANNA  TOWNSHIP. 


SANTA  ANNA  TOWNSHIP.— [CosTisrED.] 


p.  OFFICE.    RESID. 


OCCUPATION. 


'.OFFICE.    RESID. 


OCCt'PATIO?f- 


lAthev,  D.L.        Smiih 
'l  .\lliev,  Catherine,  iiee 
c  Arbo!;.i>t.  D.  H. 
\  Minen-a  Paviie 
I  HiirforH.  C.  S. 
l  B.  L.  Weedmao 
(  Btan,  W.  T. 
\  Emilv  Blain 
(  Louise  McF.i(iilen 
I  Barnes,  .J.  W. 
)  Marv  D.  Vanscovoc 
I  Bermaii,  E.         Kreytli 
\  Rosa  M.  Bermaii,  nee 
(  Baggs,  Edwin 
A  Cliarlotte  Willson 
f  Cool,  P.  Y. 
\  S.  A.  Doonan 
1  Cummint:,  A.M. 
\  America  Wattti-s 

{Crani;,  Edwin 
MaliFda  V.  Smilll 
Susan  E.  Casserleigli 
(  Covev,  S.  H. 
I  E.C.'Erwin 
1  Covey,  P. 
1  Covey,  C.  C. 

fClearwaters,  Nathan 
Mary  M.  Danner 
Clearwalers,  N.  Allen 
Devore,  W.  C. 
(  Deibert,  F. 
I  Anna  M.  Kiefert 
f  Danner,  Tlieodore 
]  Mary  E.  iluir 
"I  Danner,  Isaac 
[  Arolina  L.  Draper 
I  Ennis,  Lemuel  H. 
J  Martha 


ri^-c.  li'  Kariner  and  Stock  Rail 
1'.'  Wile  of  D  L.  Athev 

33  F:ir..  ^ifk  Breeder,  and  prop.  Clark  CO.  Oil 
....  brifk-vard  ^     ,■„,...  t 

,,,,.''"  WitV- of  D.  H.  Arbo.east 

r  rCll\  .\lijprman  and  gen'l  Mer 

'■    ■   WifeolC.  S.  Burfnrd 


DIr.  in  Boots  and  Shoe^    -Jeffer 

Died    April   17,75,1st  wifeofW.  Bean  Madis 

rLilv  ErCitv  Present  wile  of  W.T.  Bean  .\rmsi 

■       "     ■  Grocerif.s   &  Queensware  De  ^\ 

"        Wileof  J.  \V.  Barnes        McLt 


Hardv  co.W.Va  G6    I  Norris,  Amos  L. 

"      on    I  Augusta  E.  Carl 

,s,  Andrew 

A.  Weedn 

co.Indei    fRced,  M,  L, 

De  Witt  CO.  111.  48  \  Marv  McCabe 


1  co.Kv 
CO.  O' 


111. 


.lewele 
\Vi 


No 


„l,i, 


..I'E    P.e 


\Vi 


(iraviseiid,  Knir 
r  Andierst,  Ma*; 

BelcheifsMi.  Mas; 
1  Perrv  co    (Jliio 

Utile  Falls,  N.  V. 


1  C  Rogers,  Tliomas 

2  J  Margaret  Xewell 
S    (  Rogers,  Anii.i  S. 

7     I  SailKster.  Frank  P, 
1    (  Ivniiia  Walson 

9   ■'  E.  KiL  Frenzinge 
aler,  George 


lin 


;  Haywood  c 


nilli' 


dealer  in  Boots  and  Sao 
Wileof  A.  M.  Ciimmir_ 
Butcher  and  Stock  Dlr.     Devonshire.  En 
Died,  1st  wifeof  Edwin  Crang 
FrCitv  Present  wile  of      " 


I  Slick,  The 

t  Rachel  Mau 

)  Slick,  Mcric 

N.C.35  'iDoraKellat 

).  II1.I52    I  Smiih.  J. 


Smith.  C.  .J., 


th  IK-nrv[Br 
Dublin,  Ireland  -57    j  D.  L.  Mitchell 
and  Stock  Bai.scr  Cayuga  co.  K.Y.  3.5    I  Slick.  T.  Ham 
H..,v..v  Madison  CO.  O.    -51    \  H.  (i.  Monneit 


1)4 


k  Ilaiser  Green  co.  Tenn.  32 
l.arwators  Harrison  CO.  Ind  32 
arwat'ers  '  '  De  Wilt  CO.  111.5.=; 

F«,m«ci.j  piait  CO   111.        71 


ilde 


Tenn 


FalherufThe,.    Dan 
"        VVil'e  of  Isaac  Danne 
Sec.  23  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Pickaw 
;  Wife  of  L.H.  Ennis  Green  i 


J.Slansbury       "'"'i?''"  Died  April  U,'61    First  Imsb.andM.A. Ennis  rennessee 


De  Wilt  CO.  Ill  -53    f  Trenkle,  Anton 
UO  \  Caroline,  Jegle 
(  Vaughan.  Mary  E. 
(  Vaughan,  .Joshua  B. 
\  Elizabeth  Bracv 
I  Weedman,  .lohn 
iMarv  A.  McDonald 
I  Welcli,  C  M. 
\  Thcodosia  Rvan 
I  Weedman,  f.S. 
\  Marv  M.  Brownlcc 
■^"    I  Welch,  Xalhan 
CO.  O.  oU    ,  Margaret  McDonald 
Tenn.  bii 


I  Benz. 
1  Mi. 
Died 
Farm 


1  co.Ind  34 


f  Whi 
1  Esil 


te,  Po 


Griffith,  M.  L. 
(  Garver,  Christian 
J  Eva  Petlit 
j  Garver,  Samuel  B. 
[  Elizabeth  G.ay^ 
I  Housmon,  I.  F. 
\  Clara  L.  Weedman 

Herrick,  George  W. 
,  Hurley,  Mrs.  M.  J.,  nee 
\  Hurley,  John    •'"''°*°' 
(  Hurlev,  Jeremiah  M, 
1  Mareiia  Vandeventer 
I  Hurley,  Elizabeth 
I  Hurley,  Louis 
I  Havnie,  Frank 
\  Leiia  F.  Warner 

Hirst,  Ja 


Fa 


rCity  FrCity  Ed.&  Pub.  Public  Reapei  De  Wilt  co.  111.  60    [  \vi,ite, ':Mir.,n  B. 


(  ,I,acks. 


.Hiram 


Ruth  Blasdcl 
(  Jones,  John 
-  Elizabeih  Fullerton 
[  Jones,  Caiupbell 
(  Jones,  Preston 
\  Laura  A.  Riggs 
;  Kno.x,  J.  H. 
I  Sade  Cofleen 
(  Kincaid,  A  T. 
\  Fanny  B.  Riiler 
f  Krepiis,  A.  J. 
\  Mary  E.  Hurley 
(  Ludington,  Lewis 
1  Jennie  Ann  Scott 
I  Lindsey,  V.  S. 
"(  Eliza  C.  Sin.mons 
t  Longmate.  i.ictaTia,  nee 
J  J.  Frank  Bean    "'°'"" 
[  Longraate,  John 
f  Moore,  M. 
\  Is'ancy  A.  McPherson 
f  Monnetl,  Isaac 
t  Ruth  Wiggins 
1  .Morlev,  W.  R. 
I  Manila  A.  Waller 
(  Murphev,  William  W 

Nancv  il.  Burford 
1  Murphev,  H. 
I  Grace  F.  Milchell 
1  Maxwell,  William 
\  Ellen  Fellows 
I  McDonald,  John 
'l.  .Mary  E.  Johnson 

I  McCord,  Harriet 
"iMcCord,  William 


Druggist  Dauphin  co.  F 

«  I     "       Wileof  Christian  Garver  Slielbyville,  Ind  71 

"  "       Druggist  Dauphin  co.  Pa-  70 

'•  "        WifeofSamuelB. Garver  Ro.s-s  CO.  Ohio      70 

"  ■'        Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Piatt  CO.  111.       ,159 

"  "       Wife  of  I.  F.  Housmon    De  Wilt  co.  I11.'-d7 

"  "        Atlornev  at  Law  DeKalb  co.  Ind.  lO 

"  Sec.    7  Farming&Slnck  Raising  Tennessee  34 

Died  Sep.  S,  Laiehus.of  M  J.IIurley  Licking  co.  O.    3u 
Farm' rCily  Sec.    7  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser        "  "        30 

"  7  Wife  Jeremiah  M.Hurle\  ciaiborneco.Tenn  31 

''  17  Farmin!-  Marion  CO.  O.     49 

!,«,.  I,u,  ..rslrj.  K.  Burlej  VilM   i 

FrCitv  Mi'ller  '""""'    "'    '        'Scott  co.  111.        5" 

"  "        Wife  of  Frank  Haynie      McLean  co.  111.  72 

"  AuD°',°  r  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  England  -52 

FrCiiv  J.  P.,  Farm.  &  Stk.  Rais.  Dearborn  co.Ind  79 

"    '   Wife  of  Hiram  Jackson  :         "  "      79 

"  iSec.    7  Farm., Sik.  Deal. &  Breed.  fMecklenbHrB.Va.  3.S 

1        "  I  7  Wife  of  John  Jones  X'irginia  3S 

I         "  7  Farm.&Son  J.&E.  Jone.s  Rhea  CO  Tenn  38 

"  9  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Tennes.see 


Weedman,  M.  L. 
\  Ella  Mercer 
(  Wilson,  Elias  H. 
\  Sarah  C.  Weedman 
I  Weedman,  Gorge 
I  Calharine  Danuer 
I  Weedman,  W.  R. 
\  Sarah  C.  Page 
(  Waller,  D.vi.l   A. 
\  Amanda  L.  Offierdir 
/Webb,.  Henry  W.  [ge 
l  .Sophronia  Campbell 

Webb,  Charles  A. 


■ilv  FrCilv  Phvsician  and  Surgeon       Ashland  Co.  O.    56 

•'     ■    Wl'fe  of  Amns  L.  .N'nrris  "  •■        76 

Phvsician  and  Surgeon  ■'  ■'        .56 

"        Wi'le  Andrew  S.  Norris    Perrv  CO.  dhio    -56 

Homeo.Phvs.  c<i  Surgeon  Stark  co.  111.       76 

Wife  of  M,  L.  Eeed         ,  til. 

Sec  33  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser!  ^v,jsj,jnj,t.„i  ^n  Ph  64 

33  Wife  of  Thomas  Rogers  1         ""  •'     04 

33  r.-a.li  .vinlli:!.- 1 ..(;  M-T.^eers  Knox  CO.  Ohio    64 
FrCilv  Alderiirn.Liv  &S'le.Slab.  Fountain  co.Ind  71 

"    "    Wife  Frank  P.  Sangsler   De  Witt  co.  111. 

"        Shneuuiker  and  Farmer    Lorrai 

"        Wife  of  V.  Stimnr 

■'        Farm.  &Son  V.  Stimmler  NewOrleans.La  64 

"         Relired  Farmer  Frederick  co,  Md.  62 

Wife  of  Thomas  Slick 

Sec.  IS  Farm.,Slk.Breed.&  Deal 

IS  Wife  of  M.  Slick 

20  Farmer  and  Slock  Raisei 

20  Wife  of  J.  L.  Smiih 

20  Relired,  Fath.  J.L.Smilli 

20        '■        Moth. 

7  Farm  ,  Sik.  Deal.&Breed 

7  Wife  of  T.  Ham  Slick 

34  Farmerand  Stock  Riiise, 
34  Wife  of  Anton  TrenUle 

FrCitv  .\t  home 
ua)   B-nznia  Father  M.arv  E.Vanghai 
'■    /    ''"h;.   Mother       •■ 
,"S',  .m;,r".  Bank.,Far  ,Stk.Bdr.&Dlr  Ol 
'  "V.™"""  Wife  of  John  Weedmai 
FrCllvMavor  and  Altnr.  at  Lav 
.:    •'Wifcof  C.  M.  Welch 
Grain  Dealer 
Wife  of  T.  S.  Weedmai 

Prop,  Hay  Press  4  Tile  Fa^l 

Wife  of  Xath.in  Welch 
''        Proprietor  Park  House 
"       jWife  of  p.  A.  White 
"         iStudt.,FarmiSonP..\.WIiil 

"       Buich.,Farm.e<i  Stk.  Deal. 
Wifeof  M.  L   W..d,,i;, 
Sec.  29  Fanner  ami  >      i.  U'  - 
29  WifeofEli;'s  II     'A    :•' 
31  Fanu,  Sik.Dt-al  aL;i."j 
31  Wile  of  Geo.  Weediuau 
16  Farmerand  Slock  Raise 
16  Wife  of  W.  R  Weedmai 
4  Farmerand  Stock  Raise 
4  Wife  of  David  A.  Waller  I'-'aware  eo.  Ind.    74 
FrCilv  l-oal  and  Grain  Dealer     De  Witt  co.  III.  42 
"    ■   Wife  of  Henry  W.  Webb  Indiana 
"       At  home  ^^  Witt  co. 


Marion  co.  O.     62 

Monllrie 

CO.  111.  75 

De  Win 

0.  IU.48 

Menard  co.  III.   69 

Mnmp.hirc-  co 

w.  v»  |43 

Frederick 

c ...  Md.  43 

Marion  cc 

.  Ohio  60 

Crawford 

CO.  0.  53 

Waldkrlib  B 

j.„,  CO,  74 

"       74 

Monroe  CO.  Ohiol72 

Ohio 

Monroe  c 

O.Ohio! 

Ohio 

37 

Madison 

CO   0. 

'•       60 

St,  Lawreuce 

C.   S.Y;66 

1  )e  Witt 

CO.  lll.,:59 

Ohio 

,60 

Delaware 

CO.  0.  ,52 

Madison 

CO.  111.  52 

Todd  CO. 

Ky.      80 

Wavnec 

'•N-yIso 

Franco. 

III.       so 

De  Wilt 

CO.  Ill  .,4 

k'no.v  CO 

Ohio    71 

MrLean 

CO.  111.  v' 

h,.  Wilt 

CO   111.47 

I'.rrv  CO 

Ohio    30 

M.jiit-omtTV 

CO,    iod.           ■11 

.De  Will 

CO  111   49 

;Wav„eco.Ind-:t 

HAKP  TOWNSHIP. 


P,  OFFICE,     liESID. 


OCCUPATION. 


^_^^ „.„,,,„...,.... Curl.  John  W 

9  WiVe  of  l-restOTTjone's"  McLean  co.  111.  66  I  D.  Lane 

FrCitv  Deal,  in  Agric'l  Impl'ts  Jeflerson  co.O.    72  .[  Larditt   w    n 

Wife  of  J.  H.  Knox         Lebanon,  Ind.     76  I.  J^eturah  Harr 

Sec.  19  Farmerand  Stock  Raiser  Menard  co.  111.  70  .[  Enos,  .\1.  u 

19  Wife  of  A.  T.  Kincaid     '         "          "       70  I  Laura  WHliar 

20  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Favette  co.  Pa.  49  J  Y^'l"^,"?," 
20  Wife  of  A.  J.  Krepps       De  Wilt  co.  111.  30  I  A 


FrCity  s 


.  Ludinptn 


M.  Danison 

(j<j  I  Harrold,  J.  F, 

iPutnam' co'.' III.  70  \  Mary  V.  Robbins 

'•: Belmont  co.  O.    77  J  Harrold  ^\  illiam  F. 

'  Hardv  co.  Va.    77  '  Lavma  Morrison 

Shflb'v  CO  Kv.    Ill  •  Harrold,  Adron 

'iiiia         '  "    61  I  H.atlie  A.  Smith 

^.,.l„„;i  /  Harrold,  Alfred 

Lake  CO.  Ohio     48  I  Eliza  Bahb 

McLean  co.  111.  (  Lemtn,  G  B. 
Pickaway  CO  0.53      Charity  Swi4,er 

Ross  CO  Ohio     63  I.  Mary  J.  Wood 

Sec.  32  Farm..i;r»poG-wr.l:Bookk'pr  De  Witt  CO.  111.  41  j  Lemen,  G.  W. 

32  Wife  of  W.  R.  Jlorley      DeUiware  eo.  Ind.  73  t  ilartha  A.  Williams 

15  Farm,  and  Slock  BreederiFrederick  co.  Va.   43  I  Miller,  M.  V.  B, 

15  Wife  Wm.  W.  Murphey  Harrisjn co.Ind  HI  I  Manha  Glenn 
Aug.  20,81    Father         "             "      "   Frederick  to.  Va.   53  I  May,  Henry 

Died     Dec.  17,'80    Mother        "  "  "  "     53  •  May,  David 

Fariii'rCitv  Sec.  16  Farmerand  Slock  R.aiser  Jefferson  co.  O.   -58  (  Sarah  Hickle 

16  Wife  William  Maxwell            -             ■'      57  (McCord,  John  T. 
"            FrCitv  Painter                                 Madison  co  O.    52  |  McCord,  Amanda 

1     ■'    "   Wife  of  John  McDonald  De  Wilt  co.  Ill  43  -'  McCord,  James  W. 

"  '     "        At  home  Ohio  30  |  Julia  Wheeler 

Died  Jan.   18   '80  Late  hus.  Mre.H. McCord  Tennessee  31 ,  (Mary  Lane 


"  I      "  VVifeofV.  S.  Li 

"  "        Relired  S 

Died  Sept.  28.'67    First  hus.  of  O.  Longmate  \ 

Farm' rCity  FrCity  Present   "  " 

"  "       Jeweler 

Wife  of  M.  Moore 
"  "        Relired  Farmer 

"  *'        W'ife  of  Isaac  Monnett 


Died 


Clinton 
De  Will 
De  Wilt 
Clinton 
De  Witt 


De  Wilt 
Died  Sept. 
iDe  Wilt 


Lane 
Clinti.u 


Died  Sept 
De  Wilt 


j  Died  Mar, 
De  Wilt 


1  iTrocer  and  Farmer  rliampaipn  co.  O.   ' 

1  Wife  of  John  W.  Curl      De  Wilt  co.  111. 

23  Farmerand  Slock  Raiser  Crawford  co.  O. 

23  Wife  of  W.  H.  Cardiff     iVirginia 

27  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser -ishland  co.  O.  , 

27  Wife  of  M.  C, 


1  !■•. 


and  ; 


lia 


1  Wit'.-  i.r  H.  nrv  W.  I  iauli  De  Witt  co.  111.  ( 
23  Farmu-and  S'lo.k  Raiser  Henry  co.  Ind.  . 
23  Wife  of  J.  F.  Harrold  De  Wilt  co.  111. ' 
2S  Farm  ,«tk.Rais&Carpntr  "  "      ' 

28  Wife  of  Wm.F.  Harrold:         "  "      ■ 

23  Farmer  and  Siock  Ra'ser  "  "      ' 

23  Wife  of  Adron  Harrold  Paneamon  co.  I  I.  ■ 
27  Farmerand  Slock  Raider  Gra\  son  co.  Va.  ■ 
27  Wife  of  Alfred  Harrold    VcrMiilli.m  co.  111.  • 

12  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Clark  co.  Ohio  ■ 
1843.  First  wife  of  G.  B.  Lemen'  "  "  ■ 
Sec  12  Present  "  "  Ch.ampaign  co.  o.  ■ 
.*;'?«  Caltle  Dealer                    iDe  Wilt  co.  111.  ■ 

'•■      I  Wife  of  G.  W.  Lemen      | 
Sec.  34  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser         " 

34  Wife  of  M.  V.  B.  Miller  Ross  co.  Ohio     i 
18,  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Fairfield  co.  O. 
IS'  Father  of  Henry  May      I         " 
30,  '75  Lale  wife  of  David  May  j         "  _  " 

Sec.  13  I'armerand  Stock  Raiser  De  W'ilt  co.  111. 

13  Sister  of  John  T.  McCord 

13  Father  "  "  Overton  co.  Tenn. 

3. 1853  First  wife  Jas.W.  McCord  \  a. 

Sec.  13  Present  "  "  Monroe  co.  Ky. 


HARP  TOWXSHIP.-[coNTixuED.] 


TUNBRIDGB  TOWNSHIP, 


p.  OFFICE.    RE^^ID. 


I  Mo 


M:; 


la  Philliiis 
1,  M.  B. 

1  .M.  Liiff-rtv 

i:.  i;. 

M   Aliirrav 


.11  Fn 

11  Wi 

12  Fa 
liiWil-f 
HF.ini 
14  WiiV 


IC.alKiriiieKoloy 
f  Sutton,  Peter  J. 
\  XaiK'v  A.  ClaKg 
j  Tliorp.  John 
i,  Belsey  Bnttenrorth 
I  Wright,  William  G, 
I  Leah  Harp 

■|  WinTlow"  David  B." 

I  Wali;er,  Robert 

t  Sarali  Fretz 

f  Wilson,  .\ndrew 

■(  Maria  Field 

I  Walton,  F.  M. 

\  Sarah  J.  Clevinger 


1  F; 


I  Died  Sept.  I.:.    _., 

Clinton        Sec.  21  Farnierand  Stock  K 


!  Latei 


ner  and  Stock  Kaiser  Lake  co. 

>  of  Blisli  Moore       , 

r  and  Stock  Raiser  Fairfield 
.1"  M.  B,  Xortli  De  Witt 
.Tile.vBrickManfr.  Delawar 
,(  E.  K.  Ross  Ohio  CO. 

r  and  Slock  Rai.ser  Clark  co. 
'feol  LsaacSu-isher  iLimpshir 
iser  I'^Jeming 


Wapella 
Clinton 


Died  Nov.  24. 
Clinton         Sec 


21  Wife  .,f  rol.r  .). 


Ohi 
r.  ,i~er  Enirla 


M  ,I.\V 


vv  X.  H. 
er  Franklin 
Bncks  CO 


l:i  \\ii.-.,t  Iv  W.ilk 
2  Farmer  an.l  Stock  Raiser  De  Witt 
2  Wife  of  Andrew  WiUon  Fairfield 
*J  F'arinerand  Stock  Raiser  s.in-amon 
9  Wife  of  F.  M.  Walton 


Ohio  - 
Ohio  t 
CO.  O.  •: 
CO.  Ill  •= 
?  CO.  O.  i 
Va.  t 
Ohio    £ 


irolina- 
3.  IVtin. 
CO.K.V. 

CO.  Pa. 
Pa. 
III. 
CO,  O. 


TEXAS  TOWNSHIP. 


■  (  Botkin.  .J.  B. 
'  \  H.  3.  Lackey 
'      Beehe,  C.  C. 

(  Canipell.  Alexander 

\  Winter  F.  Davis 

I  Cooper.  Nathan 

\  Matilda  Isabella  Fruit 

f  Dehaven.  Isiinc 

i  Elizabeth  Lawson 

[  Hannah  Boone 

t  Davis  Rcnnis 

(.  Elizabeth  Jones 

f  Fruit.  John  D. 

^  Rebecca  Dotsun 

(  Jlarv  Gandv 

I  Fruit,  James  A. 

\  Sarah  Stoutenborougli 

f  Fruit,  Edmund  W. 

I  Elizabeth  Boyd 

■'  Sarah  E.  Blue 
Susan  E.  Blue 

[  I.sabclla  Blue 

(  (Graham ,  W.  W. 

.'  Mntti,.  r„=i,,,„ 


Wife  of  J.  B.  Botkin 

Sec.    8  Farmer  and  Slock  Kaiser 

Sec.  26  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  V 

"       iWifeof  Alex.  Campell 

"        Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 

Wife  of  N.  Coopei 


'1  1st  wile  of  Im 


:  DeHa 


I  Becknian,  John 
\  Caroline  Shelhv 
I  Bine,  Uriah     ' 
\  Jennie  P,  Lckert 
(  Blue,  John 
1.  Laura  Cornell 
I  Haberfirld,  Willia 
1  Martha  A.  Wade 

I  J, .1,11-. II,  i-:,i-.i, 


BliieRi.lg 
Clinton 


M:uv  1:    \\il-,,n 
'  Jauns.  Wllliaui 

I  Susan  i;eir.„d 

I  Kellv,  Cornelius 

\  Letti'e  B.  Cu.x 

I  Lingle,  .\nna  M.  nee 

t  Lingle,  Jonah       Craig 

I  MrCnddv.  Cliarles  H. 


Died  Aug 

Died  Aug 
Maroa 


Dieii  Jan. 
Clinton 


WI 


j  Xewn.an,  Aiireliils  E. 
t  Sauianllia  Troxel 
(  Peters,  Andrew  M. 
■  Sarah  A.  O'lCtrson 
(  Adeline  1  iiirshcr 
I  I■|lare^,  Williaiu  M. 
J   Flizai.elh  Xaelev 
I  Phares,  Samuel  C, 

Sirah  .Marshall 
I  Sciienck,  David 
\  Hiilda  A    Long 
I  Weld,  Williaui 
I  Rachel  E.  biddings 
I  Weld,  Edwin 
(  Kmilv  IL  Hill 
I  Weaver,  Thomas  C. 
\  I'hehe  !■:.  Scro-in 


Died  March 
Died  Sept. 


li^.e. 
iJos; 


IR 


ie  L.  iluli 


DiedMarcli 
(.'linton 


Clinton 
Died   Oct. 


Kenney 
Clinton 


Farmer 

Wife  of  John  Eeckman 
Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 
Wife  Uriah  Blue 
lirain  Dealer 
Wileof  J,,hn  Blue 
Farmer  and  .-^tock  Dealer 
Wile  William  Haberfield 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wife  of  Eason  .Johnson 
Farmer  and  Stock  Rai.ser 
Lale  wife  Uriah  James 
Father 
Mother 

Far.iier  and  Stock  Raiser 
Wifeof  C.uneliu,  Kellv 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
Late  hush.  A.  M.  Lingle 
Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser 
WifeofC.  H.  McCuddv 
Fatlier  "  '    , 

Motlier 

Fanner  and  Stock  Rai.ser 
iVifeof  A.  E.  Xewman 
Fanner  and  Stock  Rai.-er 
Isl  wife  of  A.  M.  Peters 
Present  " 

Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 
Wife  of  W.  M.  Phares 
Ret'd  lather     " 
Mother 


(  I..' 


Butler  CO.  Ohio  (it; 
Taylor  co.  Va.  47 
ilaryland 


I  Gaddis.  Levi  D. 
\  Mary  C.  Trowbridg 
t  Hiiniphrev.  Joe 
.  Adda  Wallace 
(ja 


Hulchi 


,  S.  W. 


r  Pro 


R.  I  .59 
Madison  CO.  O.  .59 
De  Wilt  CO.  111.49 
Jackson  co.  O.  6(i 
Ross  CO.  (;hio     39 


I,  Minnie  .Merrima 
f  Henderson,  Johr 
[  Rosia  Jones 
I  Hickman.  D.  W. 
\  Emma  J.  LitsenI; 


39   .(  Hay. 


,  Tur 


Clark  CO-  Ohio  SS 
Madison  co.  O.  .52 
W'dfordco.Kv,  3S 


I  Elizabeth  Renders 
Howard,  Beuiamir 
I.ydia  li.  Hough 
Henderson,  John 
L.  A.  Bam 


th  ( 


.Ma 


luilfdco.X.C.  .53 
:ie  Witt  CO.  111.31 
Hamilton  co,  O.  .52 
Boone  CO,  Ky,    ,36 


Ma 


Ha 


A.  Walker 


■    F:. 


■  Fil 


'  Wile  Thomas  I  ,  W.:,-. 
Fanner  and  ,f  lock  Rai 
Wife  of  Henry  Ziegle 


li 

iireene  co,  Ohio  47 

Madison  co,  O,  49 

Hamilton  co,  O  47 

I  Virginia  47 

;  Biuler  CO.  Ohio  .55 

Warren  CO.  O.  0-5, 

■  .Vorfnik  CO.  Mass  57; 
Clianip'BOCO.  0.  OU 

■  V   i;  .Ik  00.  Mass.  53 
H. my  CO.  Ky.  30 

'-•■        I  isUoco.tnd.  54 
Ma..iuco.  IB.      01 


lany 


02 
CO.  0,  53 


NIXON  TOWNSHIP. 


Bake 


I  Catherine  B.  Mills 
I  Johnston,  W.  W. 
I  Adda  Belle  Turley 
f  Jackson,  J.  A. 
1  Eliza  DeHaven 

Jackson,  A.  R. 

.Mary  T.  Ilildrcth 

Alice  Cord 
I  Kirby.  William  G. 
,'  Mary  Ellis 
I  Mar'v  Bruncr 
/  Lake,  J,  J. 
(  Rebecca  J.  Wallace 

McXeil,  L, 
1  Morrison.  John 
'\  Anseline  Barngrovei 
f  Xeal.  Frank 
\  Sarah  .\,  Ely 

Neil.  J.  H." 


(P. 


D.  H. 

I  Brown,  John  D. 
I  Xannv  Johnson 
(  Chenoweth,  L.  B. 
\  Ella  McKelvev 
(  Chandler,  Wilher  F. 
\  Edna  OMe 
I  (;o.stlcv,  -William  H. 
1  Maggie  B  Johnson 
(  Hodges,  William 
\  Sarah  C.  Bosserman 
I  XLxon,  Ira  I. 
\  Minnie  Campbell 

Seaborg,  C.  J. 
f  Sharp,  Isaac  A. 
t  Emily  J.  Campbell 
I  Sellers.  Peter 
"l  Hannah  Berry 


Sec.  :C  Farinerand  Slock  Raiser  Virgil 
21  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Cireen 
21  Wileof  John  D.Brown    Pike  i 

Wel.lon  p.  M.,  XoiV  Pub.  &  J.  p.  Ohio 
"       WifeofL.  B  Chenowelh      " 

Sec.  33  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Illino 
S;;  Wife  ,,f  W    F   i|.:.ndl„r      •• 


r.  Weorge 
Fitzpatrick 


.  k  l; 


Ohi 


1  CO.  Ind.  70 


Died  Sept  19,  '7.5  Wife  of  Peter  Sell 


Wife  of  Willi; 

Hardware  \  Agr.  Impl'.-  De  Witt  co.  III.  . 
Wife  of  Ira  1.  Xixon 

Carriage  &  Wagonmaker  Sweden  ' 

''■■ocer  Highland  co.  0  I 

Wife  of  Isaac  A.  Sharp  iCIay  co.  Ohio     ;( 
Morgan  co.  Ind.  I 


Uampshii 


>.Va. 


\  Marga 

I  Pence, 

1  Sarah  J.  Pence 

j  Randolph,  J    H, 

I  .Margaret  Wallace 

f  livbolt.  Henrv  C. 

t  Mary  Heeler  Shaw 

;  .Spencer,  R.  T. 

i  Anna  Wells 

J  Sidel,  llenrv 

(  Eliza  Jane  Ward 

I  Seott.  James  C. 

1  X.  P..  Acy 

1  Sumners,  A.  R. 

t  Alice  Randolph 

/  Stoutenborough.  Ga 

\  Marsrarot  H.aukiuso 

/  ScotL  W.  W. 

1,  Jane  Scott 


Died  Aug,  10,  ' 
Keuney.  |E„Dt 
Midl'd  City  Sec,    .'  '   '-      -  ■- ';  ;  ;^^;.J  P'opric 

w  '■.  ..;    i;.  11,11-  Davis 
Kenney.       Sec.  21  r.ir,,,,r  ,ii,'l  Si,,ek  Rais 
Die.l  "Dec.  1880      1st  wife  of  John  D.  Fn 
Kenney.       Sec.  21  Present  '' 

.See.  27  Farmer  and  Stock  Rais 
Sec.  27  Wife  of  James  A.  F'ruit 
Sec.  20  ^'"Zm  *'"'  """"■  "'"'"  '"' 
Died  ..Uig  28,  '50  1st " 
Died  April  28,  '73  2d 
Died  Jan.  10,  '80  3d 

Sec.  20  Present  " 

y    ;' Stock  Drr&  Ship' r  Ohio 

70  1st  wife  of  W.  W.  Graham      " 


Christian  co 
W.Virginit 
F.ayelteco. 

,Ky. 
Ind. 

34 
56 
56 

Sangamon  c 

0.,  III. 

;6 

Daviess  CO. 
Tenn. 

Ky. 

36 
49 

Christian  co 

Ky. 

rio 

■ife  of  E.  W.  Fruit 


Christif 


Kenney. 


Died  July: 
Kenney. 


40 


eiit 


Died  Mar. 
Kenney. 


Sec.  31  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Butler  co..  Ohi,, .-,.-, 
Sec.  31  Wife  of  William  Gephart  Warren  co.,  Ohio  M 
Sec.  11  Farmer  L'nion  Co.,  Ind.    78 

Sec.  3U  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Clinton  co.,  Ohio  07 
Sec.  30  Wife  of  Levi  D.  Gaddis  W'.arren  co.,  Ohio  .56 
k™™,.    Liv..  Feed  ,<c  Sale  Stable  Ohio  .54 

8, '78  1st  wife  of  Joe  Humphrey     "  .54 


Pres. 


,  111. 


Kentucky 

,;s 

Coles  CO.,  111. 

i;;i 

De  Witt  CO..  111. 

38 

Hancock  CO.,  Ohio 

dO 

Kentucky 

40 

Hopkins  CO.,  Ky. 

o9 

Kentucky 

36 

\ irginia 

81 

Todd  CO.,  Ky. 

50 

3hio 

-.1 

Hopkins  CO.,  Kv. 

71 

De  Witt  CO..  III. 

43 

Marshall  CO.,  111. 

-.1 

Butler  CO.,  Ohio 

50 

Ross  CO.,  Ohio 

50 

Ohio 

-.1 

Kentucky 

81 

De  Witt  CO.,  III. 

28 

Farmer  and  Stock  Eaiser|De  Witt 
'     '■        Wife  of  S.  W.  Hutcbin 
Mi,lrd  City  Sec.    r,  Farmer  and  Hog  Raiser 
■       ■■       Wife  J.  W.  Henderson 

Wife  of  D.'w'^Hickman 
Kenney.       Sec.    5  Farmer 

"  Sec.    5  Wife  of  Turman  Hayes 

iScc.  15  Farmer  and  Stock  Kaisei 
''  Sec.  15  Wife  of  Benj.  Howard 

"  iSec.  21  Farmer  and  Stock  Raisci 

Died    Oct.;18,  '77;lst  wife  of  J.  Hendersor 
Kenney.        Sec.  21  .Present  " 

,Sec.  14  Farmer  and  Stock  Raisei 
iSec   HWifeof  E.Vi.  Henson 
"  'Sec.  lOIFarmer  and  Carpenter 

Died  Mar.'  8,  '72  1st  wife  of  M.  Hoover 
Kenney.       Sec.  10  Present  " 

'*  Kenney     .Vttomey  at  Law 

{         "  I     '•        Wife  of  O.  E.  Harris 

"  I     •■       General  Merchant  Ohio  52 

"  I     "       ;Wife  of  W.  W.  Johnston  Sangamon  CO.,  Ill,  71 

"  I     "       ISaloon  and  Restaurant      Ohio  77 

"  "       !Wifeof  J.  A.Jackson  "  77 

"  *'       Saloon  and  Restaurant  "  77 

Died  Feb.  10,  '73  1st  wife  of  A.  R.  Jackson  Illinois 

Kenney.        Kenney.  'Present  '•  Kentucky  78 

Clinton.        Sec.  12  Farmer  and  Stock  R.aiser  Warren  co.,  Ohio  48 

Died  May  20,  '57  1st  wife  Wm.  G.  Kirby      Illinois 

iClinton.        .Sec.  12:Present  "  De  Witt  co..  III.  41 

Kenney.       Sec.    6  Farm.,StockRaiserAPhys'n  Ol'io  -52 

;     "       Wife  of  J,  J.  Lake  Illinois  47 

Kenney.  I  Liv.,  Feed  &  Sale  Stable  Ohio  72 

"  Sec.  1 1  p,,™,.  4  Prop  of  Grisi  *  Saw  Mill  -^dams  CO.,  Ohio  30 

Died  Sept.  29,  'SO  Late  wife  of  J.  Morrison  Brown  co.,  Ohio  53 

Midl'd  City  Sec.    4  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Witt  co..  111.  00 

Sec.    4, Wife  of  Frank  Seal  Cass  co..  Ill,         (iO 

Kenney,.       Sec.    9  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  De  Witt  co.,  111.-49 

Kennet.     J.  P..  Dl  Ismiih,  Dl  r  Bje.  4  Honey  KcntUcky  .62 

Wife  of  Geo.  Poindexter    Chicago,  111.         62 

"  ,     "       Carpenter  and  Joiner         Adams  co.,  OhiO|63 

"       Wife  of  F,  S,  Pence  I  "  66 

"  Sec.    7  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Virginia  30 

Sec.    7  Wife  of  J.  H.  Randolph     Illinois  33 

"  Sec.  27  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Clermont  co  .  0.  53 

Sec.  27  Wife  of  H.  C.  RyboU  ■'  .53 

"  Kcnncr    Editor,  Gazette  Illinois  ^81 

"  I     "        Wife  of  R.  T.  Spencer      Jowa  ISl 


-Ohio 


Wife  of  Henry  Sidel 
"       Physician  and  Sureeon 
"        Wife  of  .lames  C.  Scott 
i'  Sec.    6  Farmer  and  Stock  Raise: 
Sec.    0  Wife  of  A.  R.  Sumners 
Sec.  25  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Butler  i 
Sec.  25  Wife  of  G.  Stoutenborougli  Warren 


67 


;67 

De  Witt  CO.,  Ill.:35 
'Indiana  '55 

■'       "  ,62 

De  Witt  CO.,  111.154 


Fai 


Ohi. 


Wife  of  W.  W.  Scott  De  Witt  co.,  111. 


TTJNBKIDGE  TOWNSHIP.— [coxtimed.] 


p.  OFFICE.  IRESID. 


OCCUPATION. 


AVAPELI/A  TOWNSHIP,-  [cg.stinued.] 


I  Tudd,  0.  L. 
\  Reliecoii  .1.  Trowbridg 
I  Turner.  James  K. 
\  Rachel  J.  Hutchins 
r  Todd,  .liuiies  S. 
\  R.  A.  Cooper 
(  Trowbrid;;e,  .Jacul) 
t  Elidda  Wallace 
I  Trowbridge,  J.  A. 
t  Jane  Griner 
(  Williams,  J.  A. 
\  Miss  A.  J.  Waller 
I  Wells,  E.  K. 
\  Rachel  McNeil 
f  Williams,  John  T. 
\  Sarah  JI.  Morrow 
r  Wallier,  .UtVod 
t  Jane  Robisou 
;  W'alkcr,  Zeph. 
t  Malinila  Patterson 
I  Waldren,  A.  J. 
\  Mary  J,  Morrison 


Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser  Bntler  co.,  Oh 
IWife  of  G.  L.  Todd  Warren  co.,  01 

JFarm.,  Plasterer  &  Jlerc.  Juniata  CO.,  Pa 
|Wife  of  James  R.  Turner  Butler  CO. 
I  Farmer  and  Stock  Eaiseri  " 

i:Wifc  of  Jas.  S.  Todd  Clinton  CO.,  Oli 


Faraier  and  S 
Wife  of  J.  Ti 
Farmer  aud  - 
Wife  of  J.  .V. 
Grain  Dealer 
Wife  of  J.  A.  Williams 


Carpentc 


Midi: 


Kentucky 


nd  Builder      Ohio 

Posey  ( 


f  Ryan.  De 

!;Mi.  lJaneB,ari 

0.  40  (  Swcarin;:. 

j(i  I  Catharine 

.")7  Scott.  Fra 

a     T.s  (  Swearing 

,S1  I  Spatlord. 

SI  1  Jane  I/all 


Wapelhl 

■J'J  Farmer  and  Stock 

Wan'  la  UortcshocinK  at  cl  Ccnl  J" 

■■       Wife  of  \V.  B.  Rofe 

Died  Ju 

ne  27.  '81  Father 

Clinton 

Clinfn  Mother 

Wa]Hdla 

Waij'la  Blacksmith  and  Fi 

Died  Ju 

ne  111,  '!'■'  Late  wife  of  Ueiin 

Wapella 

Sec.  22  Retired 

Pennsylvanii 


:  Ryan  h- 


\\:i 


Wife  John  H.Swe 


Wi 


ds  CO.  Kv. 
rbon  CO.  Ky. 


i  Bourbon  i 


Ind. 


,  Ind. 


3ljlFaruiM-iipl  ~i'"  1,   l;aiser  Jasper  CO., 
I         """I     ■'        Wife  of  Alfred  Walker      Arkansas  OS 

I         ■'  iSec.  31  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Jasper  CO.,  Ind.  li.j 

"  I     "       Wife  of  Zeph.  Walker       |  "  ;I55 

ICenncy.      IScc.  12iFarmer  and  Stock  Raiser,  Vinton  co.,  Ohio  0.5 
I         ■'  "       Wife  of  A.  J.  Waldven       ]De 'IVitt  CO.,  in.'r'>4 ; 


Watson,  H.  D. 
I  Eveline  Stevens 


;  and   I'mx 

wSoir  Father  of  E.  F.  Tur 

■■       Mother  of  E.  F.  Tu 

slf'Or'**'  Farmer  and  Stock 

1     ''■       Wifeof  H.  B.  Wati 


r  Henry  co.  Ind.    JO 


5  Dc  Witt  CO.  III. 
Clark  CO.  Ohio 
Greene  co.  Ohi 

r  Seneca  co.  Ohic 
Seneca  co.  Ohic 


BAENETT  TOVVlSrSHIP. 


wapelIjA  township. 


I  Artherton,  Jonathan 
\  Priscilia  Morton 
I  Brown,  John 
\  Melinda  'f.dle 
I  Bolin,  William  H. 
I  Mary  A.  Hammond 
1  Bolin,  Mirus  Fisher 
[  Bolin,  Rebecca  Ann 
(  Buck,  Marv 
\Buck,  Homer 
I  Bebout,  William 
j  Emily  Martin 
(  Brow'nheld.  John  A. 
(  Frances  Scitt 
/Borders,  J.  U. 
\  Ruth  llurrold 

Carle,  W.  B. 
r  Crum,  Peter 
\  Mily  Ja 


Wapella 


i     Died  J  a 
Wapella 


=     I  Armstronf;,  Willian 
1.  Lizzie  A.  Sprague 

.  211  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Sangamon  co.,  Ill  '^'-t  i  >  B;'.''"^"' /""f    . 
2',)  Wife  of  Jo' than  Artherton  ••  oil    1.  Llizatietli  J.  irwin 

2.5  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Highl'd CO., Ohio -52    I  Barr,  Prettyuian 
20  Wife  of  John  Brown  Lewis  CO.,  Ky.     -52   \  Ilarnet  A.  CoHman 

24  F.armer  and  Stock  Raiser' Hamilton  CO.,  0.37   .1  Conner,  Cliarles  JI. 


i  H. 


.'  L.  S.  Daish 
IJubaSweariugen 
I  Crum.  George  T. 
J  Crum,  Hiram 
(^  Crutn,  Julia 
f  Davis.  T.  W. 
■(  Mary  Patterson 
f  Ellis,  Mary 
\  EUis,  James 
I  East,  William 
'l  Urusilla  Hudson 
/  Eastman,  Walter 
\Hattie  M.  Hills 
f  Harpsler,  Frederick 
'l  Allgelinc  C.  Woy 
(  Hull,  Trustum 
'l  Miranda  M.  Rogers 
(  Harrold,  Isam 
■^  Polly  Ann  Lisenbey 
I  Harrold,  W.  S. 
\  Eveline  Cantrell 
I  Hume,  John 
\  Ann  Z.  Stone 
{  Harrold,  A.  B. 
\E.  M.  St.  John 
/  Harrold,  E.  B 
{  Mary  M.  Alex 
(  Ives,  H.  B. 
\  Rosy  Kinkead 
r  Karr,  Pernielia 
■|  Karr,  'Walter 
f  Karr,  A.  C.  &  Son 

Sarah  J.  Gwinn 
(  Karr,  H.  H. 
t  Ka.r.  James  W. 
J  Alu.ira  J.  Swenringe 


Died  N'o' 
Wapella 


Died  No 
Wapella 


24  Wife  of  William  II.  Bolin  K 

.  10,  '74  Father  of  "  D 

Sec.  24  .Mother  of  ■•  Si 

22  Farming 


Ohio  ioij  I  Frances  A.  Pendleton 

37  lainircdl    Z.  D. 

Susses  CO.,  S.J.  37  \  Susan  Foreman 

Kew  York  34  I  Cuirv,  William  S. 


Clinton         i 
Hallsville 

Idallsville 
;Wayncsville 
Midl'd  Citv 


23  Farmer  and  Stock  Eaiser  CinnberI'd  co.  Ind  56 
23  Wife  of  Wm.  .Armstrong  Gallia  co.  Ohio  .52 
34  Fanner  and  Stock  Eaiser  Bourbon  co.  Ky.  45 
34  Wife  of  Jam.sKarnelt     '  "  |-lo 

7  Farmer  and  S%  ric  ll^ii^r,  l.ngan  CO.  111.  50 
7  VVil'e  ol'  Pr,  II.  i  ■  1'  i  Ink  CO.  Ind.  61 
21  Farmer  and.-:.    ,    1:,,.:         ,„i™,«co.  ma.    03 

21  WifeCharl.-.-   \l    '  .og.m  co.  111.     ,77 

10  Farmer  and  Stock  Uaisci  sioi^araon  eo.  III.  ;34 
10  Wife  of  Z.  D.  Cantrell      Union  co.  Ohio, 53 


8;  Late  husb'd  Mary  Buck    : 
Sec.  30  Farmer  Wash'gtt 

30  Wife  of  William  Bebout  Ross  co. 
30  Farmer  and  Stock  Eaiser  De  Witt 
39  Wife  John  A.  Browntield  ■'  50 

32JFarmer  and  Stock  Raiser,  "  ,5"- 

32|Wife  of  J.  H.  Borders     ',  ■'  i-l^ 

Wap'la  General  Trader  Brookeco.,W.'\'a  5'. 

Sec.  2S  Retired  Hamilton  co.,  0.  36 

28  Wife  of  Peter  Crum  AVilkes  ( 

33  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Dc  Witt 
1,1875  1st  wife  of  Jas.  H.  Crum  Pike  co. 
Sec.  33  Present  "  De  Witt 

34  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  " 
Died  March  17,  'SI  Father  of  George  T,  Crum  Indiana 
Wapella 


34  ,  l  Hwlena  Eobinson 
CO  Pa'58'!  I  Conner,  William  T. 
Ohio    !39   1  Laura  E.  Brooks 
-.0  ,  111.  53    I  Ellington,  Isaac 
.55    I  Lucv  A.  Kichols 
.52  -!  Ellington,  Cvnn 
1  Ellington,  -Marlha 
[  Jellerson  Sprague 
!  Ciraham,  William  A. 
N.O.  36   1  Flora  M.  Se-sions 
111.  15    I  Gamlirel,  William 
I.       liu  \  Marv  A.  Marvel 
.  111.  56    i  Griner,  George  W. 
59    1.  Mary  Coppeubarger 
36    I  Giriett.  Joseph  B. 


al  Mertdn 


r  Klii. 
1  Isaac  <S:  Lucy 


.„  G, 

"  \Vi 
.  20  Fit 
20  Wi 
16  Fa 
16  Will- 
11 

Ki  Dau 
16  Hnsb.  of  Martha       " 

3  Farmer  and  Stock  Raise 

3  Wile  Wm.  A.  G 


•IV 


81 

lison  CO.  Ind.  81 
1  nrv  CO.  Ky.  63 
liimilton  00.11163 
ladison  CO.  O.  128 


.\I(i 


.  O. 


Sec.  34  Mother  '    "  INew  York  ,51    \  Com lort  Barr 

Wap'la  phvs'n.  Surgeon  *  Druggist  Seneca  Co.,  Ohio  59    I  Hill,  J.  W__ 

Wife  of  T.  W.  Davis  Onoudasaco.N.Y  '^^    l  Jennie  h.  lulls 


MidldCily 
Waynesville 
Midl'd  Citv 


8  Farmer  and ; 

8  Wife  VVillia, 
31  Fanner  and ; 
31  Wife  Georue 
LSFannrran-! 
18  Wil,-    I  -  i,l 


rk  Ea 


v\ 


De  Witt  CO.  111.  48 
I  "  58 

lOhio 

Warren  co.  O.    '57 

De  Witt  CO.  Ill  56 
■Gibson  CO.  Ind.  47 

II,.  Will  CO.  111.37 
53 


■  W  i 


.Ma 


.  Ill 


lU.  35 
O.    .50 

|54 


,  O. 


ISec.  14  Farming  &  Stock  Eaish 
Died  Oct.  15,  '69  Late  husband  of  Mary  Ell 
Wapella       'Sec.  33  Farmer  and  Stock  Rais 
33  Wife  of  William  East 
Wap'IaGraiu  Buyer 

"      IWife  of  'VV'altcr  Eastmai 

"        wTle  of  Pred'k  L.  Harpstt 

Sec.  2l!Farmer  and  Stock  Rais 

2l!wife  of  Tru>timi  Illdl 


;,Ma 


i  Co.  Ky.    40    I  Ilei 


•I  Va.143 

[Bourbon  CO.  Ky.  43 
Ottawa  CO.  Mich.  78 
!Dc  Witt  CO.  HI.   ,63 

■  Seneca  co.  Ohio  73 


Charles  I^ 
39  "l  Melvina  B.  Cowarden 


.h,  S.  P. 

\  Mary  J.  Howard 

I  Henry,  Rebecca,  n 

Lemuel  Evans     -^' 

'  Walter  P.  Bowles 


32  W  , 
32  I'. 


Wllc  .,i    H.  J.    llali.rU  He  Ul,l   I 

Farmer  and  Stock  Kaiser  Pike  co. 

Wife  of  John  Hume  , Brown  C( 

S5t20r2e!  Farmer  and  Stock  R.aiserDe  Witt  < 


,nder 


Wife  of  A.  B.  Harrold 
Sec.  32' Farmer  and  Stock  Uai 
I         32  Wife  of  E.  B.  Harrold 
"  Wap'la  Carpenter 

■•       Wife  iif  H.  B.  Ives 
Sec.  24  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  New  Jersey 
Died  March  2.  l.HOi;,  Lale  linsb'd  PermeliaKarr  HamiUon  co 
Wapella        Wapla  Wa-ionmaker  &  Bl'ksmith 
fA.  C.  Kar 


tCarroU  co.  Ohio  63   1  Henry,  William  J. 
r^M.adison  CO.  0.    46'      John  A.  Evans 

llcliwire  CO  0    56    [  Gabrielle  Shields 

,  (;,,<-,,„  CO.  Va. -i    I  Ingham,  S. 

,,.„  .,,„„    29  \N.  ('.  King 

1  li    >..,:;  uo.  111.'  49    I  Jeffrey,  A. 

He  Ui,i  CO.  111.    54  \  Sarah  A.  Graham 
a-  Pike  CO.  III.         53      Jones,  J.  M. 
Brown  Co.  IB.     ,6*    (  Leeper,  Jacob  W. 
42  1  Jlartha  Davenport 
54    I  Marvel,  Wilev 
4:i    I  Kli,:al.etli  M.Williai 
32    I  Maihuvs,  William 
5b  \  Rebecca  Danison 
71    I  Moore,  William  M. 
44  \  Hannah  Wriglit 
,  0.  40    f  McKinnev,  John 
64  \  Mary  J.  Smith 
W  vi  64    (  Pollock,  John 


ild  Died  Feb. 
Died  Mar. 
Died  Dec 
Midl'd  Citv 
Died  May 


I.  20Fann,  ,  ;,,i,i,~;, 

20  wiieuis.  r.  1 

i.cuv  Retired 

'56  1st  liusb.  Rebel 

'63  2d 

'71  Late  " 

dcitv  Cteneral  Merch 

'SO  Late  wife  Jol 


'.   I  liirrett  Logan 

,  ,  siiop    Cincinnat 
Mill  .?an;araon  c( 

:;  .|,.  Sh.  Stutlgart,  C; 
ll-K.-man  Logan  co.  1 
„  i;  KaiserLoudon  co.  Va  40 
l„o.di         Clark  Co.  Ohio  36 
De  Witt  CO.  111.31 
McLean  co.  HI. 


81 


:a  He 


;01iio 

Logan  CO.  111. 
ns  Kentucky 


Sec.    3  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Ross  co.  Ohio     -58 


Springfield.  Mm 
rWayiieco.  hid 
.McLean  co.  II 
[Orleans  co.  Vt 

Louisville,  Ky 


I.ighlliall.  A.  H. 
Ma 


f   

■  I.indsle 
f  Lighlhall.  J.  11. 
■|  Harriet  A.  Stinison 

McGrath,  Patrick  C. 
f  Potter,  James  H. 
t  Eva  B.  Williams 
}  Parlier,  Jacob 
\  Catherine  Capron 


Died  Sept.  5.1871  1st 
,  Wapella        Wap'la  Pri 


Wagoumaker  &  Bl'ksmithiWarren  co.,Iowa  64    \  J 
Carpenter  and  Builder      'Hamilton  Co.,  0.  40    (  Rogers,  '^Villiam  O. 
dfe  of  Jas.  W.  Karr    De  Witt  Co.,  HI.  43    i  Mary  A.  Hartley 
lel,  Robert  G. 


Buyer 


Died  Feb.  22,  '72  1st  wife  A.  H.  Liglithall    Cass  Co.,  ] 
Wapella         Waji'ia  Present  "  'Whiteside 

Wiie  of  .1.  H.  LighthaU     Eaton  co, 

"        ,Past0r  St.  Patrick's  C'rch  Tippcrary  CO. 

"       Physician  and  Surgeon       Wash'gton 

"       Wife  of  J.  H.  Potter  Fulton  co 

"  Sec.  21  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Cnmberl'd 

1       •'  1         21 'Wife  of  Jacob  Parlier         Albany  CO 


\  Rachel  W. 
I  Sprague.  C.  P, 
I   Fniiiie  Mh^,.. 


ih. 


Midl'd  City 
Clinton 


Clinton 
Ilallsville 
W.aynesville 
Clinton 
Mid  I'd  Citv 


Ma 


Mich.  67  t  Ma 

nti.Dd  SI      Turner,  V.  P. 

CO.,  Pa.  65  f  Teal,  John  T. 

,  111.    60  \  Fannie  M.  Garrett 

eo  ,  Ky  69  (  Teal,  William 

.,  N.y.  69  \  Nancy  Marvel 


15  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Rush  co.  Ind.  36 
15  Wife  of  A.  Jeffrey  Union  Co.  Oliio'49 

31  Farmer  and  Slock  Eaiser  Decatur  co.  Ind.  51 
12  Fiirraer  and  Stock  Raiser  Franklin  co.Pa.  54 
12Wifeof  J.  W.  Leeper       Indiana  i42 

6  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Wilt  co.  I1I.;39 
6  Wife  of  Wiley  Marvel  "  !47 

14  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  champaign  co.  O.  56 
14  Wife  William  Mathews    Perry  co.  Ohio  -50 

28  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Loudon  co.  'Va.  57 
'28,  Wife  William  M.  Moore  Morgan  co.  0.  1-57 
22'  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Musk'gum  co.  0;72 

22  Wife  John  McKinney  "  72 

23  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Logan  co.  Ohio  39 
23  Wife  of  John  Pollock    iHighl'd  co.  Va.  55 

i„  ilk-  General  Merchant  i  Bourbon  co.  Ky  |56 

Wife  William  O.  Ro,gers  Madison  co.  O.   -50 

:.    2  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Franklin  co.  Ky  ol 

2  Wife  Robert  G.  Samuel    Bridgeton,  N.J.  51 

26  Farmer  and  Stock  Eaiser  Gallia  co.  Ohio  52 

26  Wife  of  C.  P.  Spragne     ilnd.  63 

29  Farmer  and  Stock  Eaiser  Pike  co.  Ind.      53 

29  Wife  of  C.  E.  Smith  Ciibson  CO.  Ind.  53 
■jcii-  Cirain,  Lum.  eV  Coal  Dl'r  Cayuga  co.N.Y  77 
c.  30  Farmer  and  Stock  Eaiser  De  Witt  co.  HI.  49 

30  Wife  of  John  T.  Teal  Harrison  co.Ky  65 
19  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Gibson  co.  Ind.  ,43 
19  Wife  of  William  Teal       De  Wilt  co.  HI., 27 


RUTIiEDGB  TOA^^NSHIP. 


WAYNKSVILLE  TOWNSHIP. 


OCCUPATION. 


P.  OFFICE.    EE3ID. 


OCCUPATION. 


NATIVITY.         ^ 


I  Blair,  .Jolin 

\  Aflelia  J.  jMcInlosh 

fBrillin,  G.  P. 

I  Martha  Wuklon 

,  .Jane  Young 

[  Rebecca  Walker 

f  Fuller,  D. 

■(  Sarah  Foley 

f  Haile.  J.  A. 

I  Hazle,  .James  W. 

I  Marv  Bi-»hop 

I  Helmich.  H.  F. 

■|  Annetta  V.  Fonlks 

I  Ilelniick.Sti-phen  A.D 

I  Heliiiirk.M.K.iieei.rirtiMi 

I  Harper,  Miles  E. 

(  Adelia  Vance 

(  Helinick,  Elihii 

\  Mary  Trinible 

f  Lewis.  Geo.  W. 

I  An<;eline  Br.a.lv 

(  Larev.  .John 

•   LareV,  Patrick 

(  Sarah  E^^Iep,  late  Larev 

I  North,  .Jane      nee  T..laii 

I  Xorlh.  Thomas  M. 

(  Ruile.lffe.  William  J. 

■'  ElizM  T   Hili.hl 


Parnell         .Sec.  20 

Le  Eov  li 

Died 

Died 

Died 

l''iillertoii  211 


nd  Slock  Kaiser  Ireland 


ell 


Wil'e  of  John 
Farmer  and  Stock  Ra 
1st  wife  (;.  P.  Briltin 


er  and  Stock  Rai 
nf  D.  Fuller 
er  and  Stock  Rai 
rof  J.  A.  Hazle 


and  Stock  Ea 


Lickino  co.  0.    '58 

ier  Brown  oo.  Ind.  H 

McLean  co.  111.  -4:! 

29 

•50 

•er  Greene,  Pa.         oO 

East  Va.  46 

;er  McLean  co.  lU.  63 

fliampniin  co.  O.   fi.3 

Clark  CO.  Ohio    63 

De  Witt  CO.  111.  49 


21!  Wife  of  H.  F.  Helmick    Harrison  co.  O.  6.5 


Le  Ro 


1  Elizal.cih  Wheeler 

I  Spralt.  G.  P 

I  Rebecca  A.  Vance 

f  Turner,  Den.iis 

■'  Martha  .J.  Riilledge 

I  Marv  Ann  Tingler 

I  A.  A.  Turner 

(  Rebecca  .1.  Lappin 

I  Swinev,  Charlie 

I  Adelia  K.  D.-.nner 

(  \'andeventer,  Thomas 

I  Elizabeth  .\rb(jgast 

I  Vance,  D.ivi.l 

t  Mar:l]a  E   .lolmson 

I  \  ance  .Franklin 

\  Rebecca  F^iUer 


P.I 
19 
De  Witt  31 

Died  in  St  Louis 
De  Wilt  .Sec.  31 
Parnell  32 

Die.1  Nov  7,  '62 
Le  Rov         Sec.  17 

Died  1S3S 

Le  Eov         Sec.  17 

Parnell  29 

'■  29 

Fullerton  28 

Le  Roy  17 

Died  "Dec.  12,  'bii 
Le  Roy  Sec.  17 
Fullerton  33 


M  k  K 
Wf.Sn-|.l,  A   D.11,1 
F.-inii  .C.Hi-  .V.^rh    l)ir' 
Wife  Mif>  E    Harper 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raise 
Wife  of  Elihu  Hel.uick 
Merc,  Farm.  ctSt'kRaii 
Wife  of  Geo.  W.  Lewis 
Farmer  and  .Stock  Raise 
Father  of  John  Larev 
Mother 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raise 
Late  husb.  of  .Jane  North 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Wl 
1st  wife  Wm.  J.  Rutledae  Monroe  co.  Ind  .36 


•er  De  Witt  co.  111.  oH 

ck  Musk'gum  CO.  O  69 

r'r  De  Witt  co.  Hi.  .=16 

60 

r  Pendlet'n  co.Va  46 

46 

.  Belmont  co.  O.   37, 

Shelby  CO.  Ind.  .54 

rSt.  Louis,  Mo.     69 

Co.  Cork,  Irel'd 

Alleg'v'co.  Md.  .56 
'rlield  CO.  O.   -56 


CiaiLt 


.  TeuD  29 


Par 


De  Witt 
Fullerton 


Farm.,  St'k  Rais.  &  Teac  Perrv  co.  Ohio 
Wife  of  James  Spratt  fxree'ne  co.  Ohio  47 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Wilt  co.  Ill  .54 
Wife  of  G.  P.  Spratt  •■  01 

Farmer  anil  Siock  Raiser  Windsor  co.  Vi,  44 
1st  wife  Dennis  Turner  De  Will  co.  111.  3o 
Preset  ■•  Pendlet'n  co.Va  6,S 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Witt  co.  III.  .53 
Wifeof  A.  A.Turner  •'  55 

:1  Slock  Raiser  Menard  CO.  111.  70 


r  Atchison,  David 
I  Marv  G.  Lappin 
)  Buck,  J.  J. 
I  Sarah  A.  Ellis 
(  Buck,  Jlelvertis 
t.  Nancy  J.  Leeper 
t  Cantrall,  J.  C. 
I  Mary  J.  Robb 
1  Margaret  M.  Leeper 
f  Cantrall,  Levi 
\  Elizabeth  G.  Robb 
I  Cantrall,  W.  H, 
\  Deborah  .M.  Eui-som 
f  Dmiham,  J.  P. 
j  Eliza  Canlrall 
(  Davenport,  liber 
l  Amanda  M.  Tinker 
I  Darrow,  Elias 
\  Rachel  A.  Ackerson 
)  Davis,  John  B. 
1  Emilv  E.  Dick 
(  Dick.'  Thomas  J. 
I  I-abella  L.  Fruit 
I  Dick,  James  H. 
l  Geneva  A,  .Morgan 
I  Ellington,  D.miel 
I  Catherine  Ellington 
I  Evans,  W.  D.  iBros.) 
J  Evans.  John  C. 
I  Elnor  F.  Catterlin 
I  Ella  T.  Barrett 

\  Eskew^-iviliian/A!"""' 
I  Gambrel.  W.  P. 


sve  Farmer  &  Tire  Manufr  De  Witt  co.  Ill   39 
Wife  David  .itchinson      .Madison  co.  O.  60 
18  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Swilz'l'd  co.  Ind  50 


Died  Sept. 
Waynes  v'e 


Died  Jan.  29, 
Wavnesv'e  \Va 


18  Wifeof  J.  J.  Buck 
17  Farmer  and  Stock  Raisi 
17  Wife  Melvertis  Buck 
sv'e  Farmer  and  Stock  Raisi 
'.55  1st  wife  J.  C.  Cantrall 
sv'e  Present  '' 

Farmer  and  Stock  Raisi 

Wife  of  Levi  Cantrall 

P.  M.,Pro..S:>d'lel:Harn.Sh.  De  W'ilt 

Wife  of  W.  H.  Cantrall   CI 


De  Wilt  CO.  11; 
F.avelte  co  Ind.  50 
De  Witt  CO.  Ill  36 
Clark  CO.  Ohio  35 
Maury  co.  Tenn  29 
Clermont  co.  O  53 
Clark  CO.  Ohio  35 
.Maury  co.  Tenn  29 
).  111.  43 
O.  64 


(ieneral  Merchant  ,  Provid'ce,  R.  I 

'55  Lale  wife  J.  P.  Dunham  Clark  co.  Ohio 

sv'e  Brick  &  Tile  Manufact'r  Morgan  co.  111. 

Wife  of  E.  Davenport     1  Portage  co.  O. 

.  17  Retired  Farmer  !  Morgan  co.  O. 

17  Wife  of  Elias  Darrow       Ohio 

33  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Cass  co.  111. 

33  Wifeof  J.  B.  Davis  I 

35  Farin.,St'kRsr.&C'nSh.! 

35  Wife  of  Thos.  J.  Dick      ,  De  Witt  co.  Ill 

28  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser' Cass  co.  111. 

28  Wife  of  James  H.  Dick    Brown  co.  111. 

22  Farmer  and  Stock  Raisi 

22  Wife  of  D.  Ellington 


:  Sinn 


Died  Nov.!24, 
Waynesv'e  Wa 


.M 


\    M 


WileCliarlieSH 


id  Stock  Ea 


;  Wife  Franklin  V: 


Frankfd  co  Kv  77 

■<tail,..ri,  00.  Tenn  30 
Clark  CO.  Ohio  40 
Pendlet'n  co.Va  52 


III 


50 


■  Pendlet'n  co.Va  54 
De  Witt  CO.  III.  .54 


CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 


1  Arnold,  Eliza  A.  nee 

■(  Arnold,  S.  A.     Bennel 

I  Deverse,  Ed.  J. 

I  Clara  J.  Fuller 

I  Davenport,  G.  B. 

1  Amanda  Nelson 

I  Davenport.  A.  B, 

\  Emeline  Henson 

1  Fosnaugh,  J.  A. 

\  Kittle  Cunningham 

f  Hand,  Nathan  B. 

1  Elizabeth  J.  Lisenby 

(  Lane,  Tiliuan 

"(  Elizabeth  Tliompson 

I  Lane,  -James 

I  Susan  tiiahani 

I  Lane,  John  T. 

I  Mary  A.  McJIann 

(  Lane,  Asher 

\  .Sarah  Emmert 

(  .lane  Lisenby 

I  Miller,  John"  D. 

I  Lavina  Cross 


Clinton        Sec.  19  Farm'g  and  Stock  Rais'g  Ashland  co.  O.  55 
Died  Feb.  16,  '78  Late  husb.  E.  A.  Arnold  "  .55 

Lane  Lane      Wa-,-niinnQU'ri- Towns',,  rl'k 

Wifeof  Ed.  J.  Dever.se 

Sec.  29  Fanner  and  Stock  Raiser 

29  Wife  of  G.  B   Davenport 

14  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 


I  I.ate  wife  of  \ 
(ieneral  Me 
Wife  of  .1.    \    Fn=n:i 


Mill,!-    B.-n 


.\1 


itald 


I  Miller,  A.  K. 

I  Rebecca  J.  Welch 

I  M,D«-d,  G..rdon 

■|  .M:ir.,'MVtla  I'.irker 
r  .M   .\f..i,  Wiiliiim  B. 

I   ;i    A'    .V.  -,,„,    .n„i,s..n 
I  Pennington.  J.J. 
-  Pennington,  John 
i  .Amy  Ciirlock 
t  .Siinmermann,  J.  A. 
1  Martha  A.  Thrasher 
(  Lucy  J.  A'anness 
f  .Scott,  George 
\  Phoebe  Taylor 

Smallwood;  G.  D. 
f  Simpson,  John 
t  Arminda  \.  Sm.'^tlwood 
I  Thompson,  Calvin 
\  Sarah  Clark 
f  Thompson,  J.  M. 
\  Hattie  M.  Britton 
I  Withers,  Frank 
(  Willmore,  Charles 

Sarah  J.  Wright 


Died  Ja 
Died  No 
Lane 

Maroa 
Died  Sept. 


Weldo 
Lane 


4  Wife.!'  N     '     '    I;    II  iiid 
10    „„„,  s,       ,         ,..,,, 
10  Wifeof  Tilman  Lane 
Lane     Grain  Dealer 

Wife  of  .James  Lane 
Sec.  Ill  Farmer  and  Stock  Dealer 

111  WifniM,,li„  T.  Lane 
Lane      .Ml.,,.,,:..  ,.,.,„  cn„„e«'n 
.    4,  '.50  1st  wile  of  Asher  Lane 
.  11,    74  2d 
Sec.  20  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 

20  Wifeof  John  D.Miller 
Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
1st  wife  of  Benj.  Milkr 

vSec.  31  Present  '' 

36  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
30  Wife  Nicholas  Mimsch 

21  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
21  Wifeof  A.  K.  .Miller 

1  Farmer  and  Stock  Pii-r 
1  Wifeof  Gord.  in  M    I- 
13  Farmer  and  Sin  i    !      . 
13  Wife  Wm.  B.  M,   li,,. 
4  Farmer  and  Carpenicr 
4  Father  J.  J.  Pennington 
.Mother 
Lane     Physician  and  Surgeon 
t    1,  '44lstwife  J.  A.  Simmermaun 
Lane     Present  " 

Sec.    9  Farmer  and  Grain  Dealer 

9  Wife  of  George  Scott 
Lane     Teacher 

Sec.  19  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser 
19  Wife  ot  John  Simpson 
12  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 
12  Wife  Calvin  Thompson 
10  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 
10  Wifeof  J.  M.  Thompson 
S3  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser 
10  Farmer  and  .Stock  Raiser 
10  Wife  Charles  Willmore 


De  Wilt  CO  111.  .53 
Harrison  co.Mo.  62 
De  Wilt  CO.  III. -55 

Washil.ijtne.i.  III.  71 

De  Witt  CO.  111.35 
Huron  CO.  Ohio  35 
Fairfield  CO.  0.  7-5  ! 
New  York  City  69 
Essex  CO.  N.  f.  .53 
Monroe  co  Ky.  48 
"  35 


i  Prellvman,  .Marvell 
(Gambrel,  Thompson  P. 
(  G innings,  E.  K. 
•!  Ginnings,  J.  L. 
t  Emilv  G.  Post 

Gelsllirope.  William 
f  Hainmiit.  Mathew 
\  Sarah  Baker 
I  Hammiit,  Benjamin 
I.  .\Iice  C.  Gates 
f  Houchin,  J.  H. 
(.  Lovina  Jones 


1  .Jeffrey   Willi: 
f  .Jeflre'v,  Franr 
.  Sarah"  Mrl':nlire 
(  Harriet  K    Kidd 
I  Jones,  C.  W. 
\  Sarah  A.  Vinson 
I  Jone.s,  J.  JI. 
\  Catherine  .Shafer 
I  Ledden,  James  M 
i  Nancy  E.  R.ss 


Carriaires.Waptons 
Brksmith'g  A-  Repair  Slip 
Wifeof  W.D.Evans 
Wifeof  John  C.  Ev.ans 
Widow  Wm.  A.  Eskew 
6  Late  h.  Pauline  E.  Eskeu 
•e  Grain  Merc.  ALum.Dl'i 
Wile  of  W.  P.  Gambrel 
15  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Ireland 
:•)  Wife  of  James  D.  Green 
•e  Retired  South  C 

2  1st  h.  Rebecca  Gambrel    Delawai 
6  Lale  •' 

',.  Harness  Maker 
Father  E.  K.  Ginnin 
Died  .June  23,  '78  .Mother 


De  Witt  CO.  111. Us 
Greene  co  Mo  i62 
De  Witt  CO.  111.147 


Highland  CO.  O.'rS 
Shelby  CO  Ky.  ,34 


De  Witt  CO.  Ill-  59 


Sec. 


Wapella 

Wavnesv'e  w.' 
Died  July  23 
Died  Aug.  30, 

Wavnesv'e  \Vu 


I  Log 


sv'e  Farmer 
.  19  Farmer  a 
19  Wife  M., 
IS  Farmer 
18  Wife  li.M 


land 


II:h,,i 

ck  Ra 


.Morgan  co.  0. 

De  Witt  CO.  III. 

Washington  co.  O 

Posey  CO.  Ind. 

Rush  CO.  Ind. 

N.  Y 


M. 


Wife  J.  H.  Hou 
Farm'g  and  Stock  Rais'g 

Lale  husb.  of  Harriet      '                   N  Y'  :;i; 

Farm.,  St'k  Rsr.  &  Carp.  Fayette  co.  Ind  :;0 
fe  of  F.  M.  .Jeffrey  ra;"e.vell  eo.  III.  lO 

CO.  Ind-  'i'^ 

III  12 


Ma 


l.Ma 


36 
De  AVitt  CO.  III.  .53 
Fairfield  co.  O.  76 
De  Witt  CO.  111.  54 
.sansamnn  co.  III. 
Jacksn co.Ti-nn  34 
Monroe  co.  Kv.  48 
Missouri  .50 

F;iirfield  CO.  0.  57 
Ohio  45 

Morgan  co.  111.  33 
Casey  CO.  Ky.  48 
.Spencer  co.  Ky.  Go 
.\lsace,  Germ'v  -54 
54 
Gravsou  co.  Kv  29 
Ohi;i  ■  37 

I'  ".lit  CO.  111.  40 
.  o.  lU.  51 
>i_-nco.  n.  40 
M  .-ekco.  Kv60 
De  Wilt  eo.  Hi.  .58 
Illinois  38 

De  Wftt  CO.  111. 
Clinton  co.  Ohio  .55 

M.adison  co.  O.  55 

Esse.'C  CO.  N.  J.  6S 

Morgan  co.  111.  68 

De  Wilt  CO.  Ill  55 


Marvel,  James  .S. 
f  Price,  James  H. 
\  Bertha  Williams 
t  Sarah  L.  McKee 
(  Eobb,  George 
{  Harriet  Lanlerman 
f  Rnssum,  Wm.  B. 
\  Rachel  L.  Beeslej 
f  Riley,  J.  C. 
J  Elizabeth  Draper 
I  Julie  Ann  Miller 
I  Sarah  Jinkens 
(  Starkey,  J.  J. 
I  Jane  Washburn 
(  Shafer,  Joseph 
\  Mary  Marshall 
f  Strange,  J.  P. 
'(  Mary  Booth 


Wapella 

'  Waynesv'e 
Di"ed  Feb.    6, 

Wavne.sv'e  Sec. 
Di'ed  Feb.  21, 

Waynesv'e  Sec. 


Hayworth   | 

Waynesv'e 
Died  Dec.  25, 
Died  July  12, 

Wavnesv'e  Sec. 


27  Pre; 

■-'I  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  De  Wilt 
21  Wife  of  C.  W.  Jones       i  '' 

21  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Rush  co. 
21  Wife  of  J.  M  Jones         Hamptoi 


Ind. 

1  CO.  O 

Ind. 


|f3ei 


,  E   D. 


Hamiltn  co.IU.  47 
.\IIen  CO.  Ind.  53 
De  Wilt  CO.  111.  58 
62  j 
Macon  co.  111.  61' 
Esse.x  CO.  Va.  44 
De  Witt  CO.  III.  36 


I  Sarah  Rigdon 
I  Tavlor,  Thomas 
\  R.achel  C.  Clayton 
(  Taylor,  John 
"i  Sarah  .j.Vanvaley 

Tw.adell,  Charles"  N. 
('  Williams,  Samuel  D. 
I  Elizabeth  Cunningh'm 
1  Williams,  Moses  G. 
[  Williams.  Catherine  E. 
(  Wikle,  M'.  H. 
\  Wikle,  John 
{.  Sarah  Rhodes 
iY'ocom,  A.  L. 
■  Anna  B.  Short 


Died  Aug.  10, 
Wavnesv'e  Sec, 


Died  Ma 
Wavnesv't 


36  Farmer  and  Stock  Eaisej  Rusl 

36  Wife  James  M.  Ledden    Fieni 

32  Widow  Jas.  S,  Marvel  liibson  co.  Inil  17 
'76  Late  bus.  Maria  Marvel  'sangamon  eo.  III.    2-') 

19  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Page  co.  Ya.  55 
'57  1st  wife  J.  H.  Price  |De  Witt  co.  Ill  52 

19  Present  "  |  Adams  co.  Oh  in  77 
34  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Witt  co.  Ill  2 
34  AVife  of  George  Robb  'Sangamon  co.  in.  "'1 
23  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Kent  co.  Del.  - 
23  Wife  of  W.  B.  Ru,ssum  Shelby  co.  Ohi.  :; 
23  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Knox"ville,Tenn   ;7 

'38  1st  Wife  of  J.  C.  Riley    [ 
'67  2d  "  Macoupin  CO.  Ill 

23  Present  "  BuUer  co.  Ohio,59 

i^'e  Physician  and  Surgeon     llii.kin"iim  i-o  ii  57 
Wi'fe  of  J.  J.  Slarkey         Flemin'"g  co.  Ky^  05 

20  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Prii.ssia  "  09 
20  Wife  of  Joseph  Shafer  Rockinchjo  co.  w.  y»  56 
34  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Will  co.  111.  4" 
34  Wife  of  J.  Strange  :  "  ,52 
32  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  Lamoille  co.  Vt  '48 
32  Wife  of  E.  D  Sessions  Ch.impaign  co  n  oo 
15  F'rm.,B'drF.  H'gs.&Sn'p  De  Witt  co.  Ill  loS 
'SO  Lale  wife  Thos.  Taylor  Perrv  co.  Ohio  51 
15F'rm.,B'drF.  H'gs,&Sh'p  De  Witt  co.  Ill    '.^ 

15  Wife  of  John  Taylor  "  41 
sv'e  Teacher  Jackson  Mo.  03 
.  16  Farmer  and  Stock  Raiser  De  Witt  co.  111.  -54 

16  Wife  Sam'I  D.  Williams  "  04 
'54  Father  of  "  Perry  co.  Ohio  50 
.16  Mother             "                     .Muskingum  oo.O   4-5 

17  Farmer  and  Slock  Raiser  Champaign  co.  o  ,03 
Father  of  W.  H.  Wikle    Preble  co.  Ohio  63 

17  Mother  "  "  63 

29  De  Witt  CO.  III.  55 

29  Wife  of  A.  L.  Y'ocom        McLean  co.  111.  70 


MISCELLANEOUS   INFORMATION. 


Preside  uts. 


Secretaries  of  State. 


*  of  tlie  Treasury. 


1  Gef>rse  Washington. 

2  John  Adams 

1  ThnmiisJerfprsoa.... 

I  James  Mft'Hson  

i  James  Monroe 

)  John  Quincy  Arlams 
r  Amlrtw  Jiick.-'on 


liam  M  Ev 
ie»  G.  Blai 
iinghtiy^sec 


,  LSTT  ,  -^l  Win.  W.  l-> 


)  Ruthorford  B.  Hayes- 

)  Janie.'*  A.  Garfield 

Che^t^r  A.  Arthur 


"Vice-Presidents. 


Secretaries  of  ttae  Treasury. 

1  Alex,  Hamilton <'-\'\.  11.  r 

2  Oliver  Wnleott../.V."'...'...."l.  1.      _    t 


'.  W.  Campbell....!! 
•    1-  J   Dallas.. 


I:  James  I',  '  'miM'!  ":i 
5  Geo.  W.  i\l<-'  r;irv..  . 
)  Ale.xander  llini.s.-y 
1  Robert  T.  i-1qcoIu'. 


Secretaries  of  the  Navy. 


nuel  L.  Sonlha 


1'  Levi  Woodbury.. 
11  iMnhlon  Dickeis( 


!  12  James  K.  Paulding  . 


•William  B.  King 

....July 

13  William  R.  KioK 

•DaflJ  R.  Al.;hison... 

....April 

♦.lease  D.  Rri"hf 

U  John  C.  Brr.-kiiinl-. 

M.u 

15  Uminilial  11:^ 

•Lnfayc  1'   -    1  ■  - 

*Benj;nL,i          ^'>  ' 

'' 

n  Schuy!-' 

18  Hf  nr>    \i 

•Thmij^.-    '. 

19  William  A    '.\  1 

20  Chester  A  Aitliur.... 

.....Mi,r. 

21  Drtvid  Davia 



1.S74 

25  Adolph  E.  Borie 

.;;:;k&v 

^,  18(19 

26  Geo.  M.  Hoheson... 

June 

2.'),  IHiifl 

Mm. 

4  1873 

27  Rieh.  W.  Tllomp.«ou 

M.ir. 

IJ,  1877 

2.'<  Niithan  Goff,  Ji'.  .     .. 

..  ..Jan. 

G,  18S1 

iiicnt  and  President 


Secretaries  of  State. 


1  Thomas  Jefferson -Sept.  2fi,  1780 

Mar.    4,  179S 

2  Edraond  Randolph Ian.      2,  1794 

3  Timothy  Pickeriug Dec.  10,  170."> 

Mar.    4,  1707 

4  Jonn  Marshall May  13,  ISUli 

6  James  Madison Mar.    5,  18ul 

"  "        Mar.    4,  18u5 

r.  Robert  Smith Mar.    e,  1809 

7  James  Monroe April  2,  1811 

"        Mar.     4,  1813 

8  John  Quincy  Adams '.ar.    5,  1817 

' Mar.    5,  1821 

9  Henry  Clay Mar.    7,  1825 

lu  Martin  Van  Buren Mar.    6,  lb29 

11  Edward  Livint'ston May  24,  1831 

12  Louis  McLane May  29,  18.Ti 

13  John  Forsyth - .June  27,  1835 

"  "        Mar.    4,  1837 

14  Daniel  Webster Mar.    5,  1S41 

"  "         April    fi,  1841 

li  Hugh  3.  Leeare May    24,  1843 

16  Abel  P.  Upshur July  24,  1843 


Secretaries  of  VVr 


1  Henry  Knos Sept. 


t-tnrles  of  tlie  Interior. 


Ij  Henry  Dearborn.. 


..Mar.  4.  IT'.pT 
..May  13,  l8tX)  I 
.  HVh.     \  18D1 


Mar. 

.1,  1821 

13  James  Bai-hour 

Mar. 

7,  182.5 

14  Peter  E.  Porfr 

May 

26, 1828 

Mar. 

9,  1829 

16  Lewis  Cass 

Vng. 

Mar. 

Mar. 

1, 1831 

17  Joel  R  Poinsett 

7,  1837 

18  John  Bell 

M.ir. 

5,  1811 

>'        "     

April 

C,  1841 

10  John  C.  Speneer.  ... 

Oct. 

12,  1841 

20  James  .M.Pn.ter... 

Mar. 

8,  1,143 

21  William   Kilkins  ... 

Feb. 

1.1,  1844 

11  Zaehariah  Ch.andler lli't. 

12  Carl  Schurz Mar. 

13  Samuel  J.  Kirkwood Mar. 


PostmastcrB-General. 


Postmastrrs-Gciiernl. 


>  Rem 


:  J.  M.-iKS,  Jr. 


28, 1801 
4,  ISO.") 
4,1809 

17,  1814 


,  1817 

Mar.  .1,1851 

0  .lohn  McLean Inne  2P,  13:3 

•■     Miir.  4, 1R2.'> 

7  William  T.  Barrv Mar.  9,  IS29 

•■      M,ir.  4,  1'33 

8  Amos  Kendall Mav  l,183S 

Mar.  4,18.37 

0  .Tnhn  M.  Niles Mav  2.1,  ISXi 

10  Fr-iivi«  ';ni,!r<'r Mar  6,1841 

April  6,1841 

i'        -     \    \'.      khde Sepl.  13,1841 

■     '              II    M,r.  6,  IRl.l 

111             11  inn  r  Mill-.  8   1849 


3  Joseph  Haber.hatn 


Sept. 

26,  1789 

12,  1791 

Mar 

4,  ITU.i 

F  1). 

2.5, 17;i-. 

Mar. 

4. 1797 

Mar. 

4, 1801 

.-^ept. 

24, 1864 

4, 1865 

April 

1.5,  1865 

Jl'llV 

2.5,  1866 

Mar. 

5,  1869 

Mar. 

A  lit'. 

24, 1874 

Jnlv 

12,  1S76 

Mar, 

12,  1877 

Jnnn 

2,  18  0 

Mar. 

4,1881 

Attorneys-General 

1  Edmund  Randolph.. 

..-Sept. 
...Mar 

26,  1789 
4,  1793 

2  William  Bradford 

...Ian. 

27,  1794 

3  Chailus  Lee 

...Dec. 

m,  1795 

...Mar. 

4,  1797 

4-  Th'^iiphiln*  I'm-uus.. 

...Feb. 

20,  1801 

.  !..  ■,  1   l.ih     1  II 

....Mar. 

6,  1801 

...Mar. 

3,  1805 

ilge... 

7,  1805 

28,  1807 

...Mar. 

4,  1809 

9  William  Piukney 

...Dee. 

11,  1811 

...Mar. 

4,  1S13 

10  Richard  Rnsh 

...I- el,. 

10,  1S14 

...Mar 

4,  1817 

11  William  Wirt 

...Nov. 

13, 1817 

...Mar. 

5,  1821 

"            " 

...Mar. 

4,  1825 

12  John  M.  Bernen 

...Mar 

9,  1829 

13  Roger  B.  Taney 

...Julf 

20,  1831 

4.  1833 

14  Benjamin  F.  Bu  ler.. 

...Nov. 

15,  1833 

4,1837 

15  Felix  Grundy 

...July, 

5,  1838 

10  Henry  D.  Gilpin 

11, 184(1 

17  John  J.  Crittenden... 

....Mar. 

5,  1841 

..April 

0,  1841 

18  Hugh  S.  Legare 

...sept. 

13,  1841 

1,  1843 

Jii  I  iliii  V.  Mason 

6,  1845 

J)  \  itlianCliltbrd 

...Oct. 

17,  1846 

-;  1    iiir  Toucey 

...June 

21,  184< 

^  ,  1:    \  erdy  Jonnson  .... 

8, 1849 

luly 

22,1850 

...Mar. 

7,  1853 

J,  .lir.,riiii.li  s   lll.i.'k... 

...Mar. 

6,  18.57 

Ji,  K.lwiii  .M    .^lalicon.... 

..Dec. 

20,  1860 

■r,   K.I»-|.r.J  Bi.ti-s 

...Mar. 

5.  1861 

...June 

22,  1863 

28  James  Speed 

...Dec. 

2,1864 

...Mar. 

4,  1865 

.  April 

15.  1865 

29  Henry  Stanbery 

.July 

23.  1866 

31)  William  M   Ev.in-  , 

],■>,  1868 

31  E.  Roekwonci  II    . 

M 

',    l,S69 

32  Amos  T.  Ak-nii 

.  :,  IS70 

33  (.ie.,rge  H.  Willi 

\|,ril 
■May 
,  M,ir. 

:i-  1571 

21;,  1875 
22,  1870 
12,  1877 

1,      1.^     ,,    ,.,.      M    ,,    \    ,     ,.,.         . 

,M.ir. 

4, 1S81 

SPEAKERS  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES- 


Term  of  Serrlce. 


I<iattiaaiel  Alacj 


Joseph  B.  Varniiin 


John  W.  Tavlor.... 
Philip  P.  Barboin-. 

Henry  Clav 

John  W.  Taylor.... 


Robert  M.  T.  Hunter.. 


John  W.  Davii 


lllh  Congrt 
12th  Coiigre*is.. 
13thConp;res--<. 
13tl\  Congress  , 
11th  Congress.., 
15th  Congresp... 
HJth  Congress 
16th  Congress- 
nth  Congress.. 
ISlh  Congress., 
inth  Congress.. 
20th  Congress... 
■21st  Congress... 
2Jd  Congress  ., 
23d  Congress... 
:i3d  Congress.., 
24th    Congress. 


■    >1  .       _   I.  1797.. 

to  M:iicti  4,  lSoi"i 
to  March  4, 1SU3... 
5  March  4, 1805-.. 
to  March  4, 1807... 
Marcli  4, 1809.... 
h4,  IsMl.. 


)  March  4, 1813  .. 


May  22, 1809,  to  Ml 
November  4, 1811. 
May  24, 1813,  to  January  19, 1814. 
January  19, 1S14,  to  March  4,  1815.... 
Dfcember  4, 1815.  to  M»rch  4, 1815... 
I  ecember  1, 1817,  to  March  4, 1819.. 
December  6.  Isl9,  to  May  15, 1820.... 
November  15,  ]8W>,  to  March  4,  1821. 
December  4, 1821,  lo  March  4, 1823.. 
December  1,  ISii,  to  March  4, 1825.. 
December  5, 182.^.  to  March  4, 1827- 
December  3, 1827,  to  March  4, 1S2!I... 
December  7,  ]s2!),  to  March  4,  1831.. 


LK-^.-i-jnl.i-i-  iu.  1^;,^,  iL.  jMiiji-Ii4,  1841.., 

May  31,  1S41,  lo  March  4,  1S43 , 

December  4, 184:i,  to  March  4, 1845.... 


S.huyler  Colfax... 


James  G.  Blaiii 


.'Indiana 38th  C^my 


I  Congress Ularch  18,1^7! 


■:','.';', 

1,  israll"!!"! 

!    11,1870 

1..  Mart- 

u  Miinh  ■ 

,1870 

1740 

1809 

17«0 

1823 

1740 

1757 

1813 
1837 

175U 

iS 

1717 

1852 

1770 

1857 

i'wi 

1783 

is.'ii 
1841 

iVsi 

1807 

1797 
1795 

1809 
1849 

1809 
3805 
18(15 
1799 
1809 
1H5 
1800 

isi's 

1848 
1850 

Isos 

1859 

1810 
1822 
1790 
1823 
1823 

1873 
1802 

1830 

;::::: 

1827 
18J8 

mo 

POPULATION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  AT  EACH  CENSUS.  FR0MJ790  TO  1880. 

From  the  Official  Ctusus  of  (lie  ViilKd  Stalls,  1870  nu<l  ISSO. 


States  ami  Territories. 

irao. 

ISOO. 

ISIO. 

1830. 

1830. 

18*0. 

1850. 

1860. 

1870. 

1880. 

'7(1  to  '80. 

3929214 
3029214 

5308483 
5294390 

7239881 
7215868 

903.3822 
9000783 

128llc,n'o      17,„:,,lVi      L':il91S7G 
12S21is,,s       17,, I'll. 11       2:ni,.7202 

31443321 
31183744 

38.558371 
3SI16041 

50152800 

30.00 

127901 
142.55 

3ttl.-,J7 
B03SS 

'97^74 

771023 
209897 
92.597 

904201 
43.54.50 
379994 
34277 
400147 
112210 
140424 
10.57280 
1711951 
135042S 

ll.siciu' 

28841 

6857 

320073 

1590318 

990992 
484471 
600247 
89804 
6374.54 
12.7015 

330551 
1220163 

442014 
1054670 

1202794 
802504 
864080 
194040 

022083 

:5322lj6 
15,2806 

018443 
131.5480 

"oor 

Arkaiis^is 

65  65 

Califurnia 

Coloiado 

Conneoticut 

237040 
69L9C 

2511  02 
04273 

211042 
72074 

275148 
72749 

207075 
70748 
34730 
510823 
157445 
313031 

309978 
78085 
64477 
C9139i 
470183 
085800 
43112 

370792 
91532 
87445 
600185 
851470 
988410 
192214 

16.85 
17.30 
4-.:f!l 
29.97 

Klorida 

Georgia 

Illinois 

82548 

102080 

25.4:0 
I  ±182 
21520 

340985 
55102 

147I7S 

Indiana 

Iowa 

50  1 

17.70 

Kansas 

73077"" 

ol'So"" 

3197:'8 
378787 

220955 

"  "isniii" 

34154S 
422845 

""40(i.-,ii 

2^:870:". 

38O.-)40 

472010 

4702 

407350 

623159 

8705 

i.o,iisi,i,;i 

Mains 

^'^475 

779828 
362111 

.71,1793 

982405 
517702 

583109 

24.80 
29.32 
3.15 
19.68 
22.34 

Massachusetts 

Minnesota 

77  57 
.10.07 

Mississippi 

Missouri;!; 

88.50 

41.352 
20845 

75448 
00557 

1401.75 

Nebra'.ka 

"1  "  SI 

40.53 
9.01 
24.S0 
15.99 
30.07 

New  Hampshire 

NewJersev 

New  York: '.. 

North  Carolina... 

U.IIO     

141885 
1S4I39 
3411120 
393751 

183838 
211149 
5[J;,051 
478103 
45305 

'  i:.44i;5 

880200 

21440(1 
215502 

555.'i6o 
2.30700 

974000 

244022 
277420 
1372111 
0388.9 
581295 

1005110 

209328 
.320823 
1918008 
737987 
937903 

121n'o.-> 

284.574 
37.1:)00 

2428921 
751419 

1519467 

1239797 

317070 

1S,,7.77 

],,,.,,■_ 

:n4i2o 

1421061 

llreEon 

Pennsylvania 

Rhode  Island 

1:1 

Tennessee. 

Teias ; 

94.55 
.52 

23.42 
39.91 
24.72 

Vermont 

Virginia   

747010 

westviremia :...:.... .......::::::::: 

Wisconsin  

1 



3094.5 

305.101 

775881 

.1920214 

12830808 

.■5924:100  1     721.5858 

9CO07S3 

17019041 

23007202 

31.S37<4 

38116041 

49309595 

29.52 

Arizona 

. 

9058 
14(81 
131700 
14999 
50595 
91874 
86786 
2.1955 

9118 

40441 
136180 
177038 
32611 
39157 
118430 
1439116 
75120 
20788 

318.73 

863.24 
34.88 

117.42 
90.12 
18.90 
65.81 

213.58 

Itakota 1 

48.17 
75080 

District  of  Columbia 

Idaho 

14091 

24023 

33039 

39834 

43^1 

61087 

Montana ,                   i 

New  Mexico 

1 1 

61547 
11380 

03510 
40273 
11694 

Utah 

Wsshing.on 

i 1 

Wyoming 

1 

i 

76.91 

14093 

24023 

3:1039 

.19834 

43712 

124014 

259.577 

442730 

783271 

.392!i;14 

5308483 

Increase 

percent. 

1700-1800. 

35,10. 

7239881 

9(a;«22 

12800020 

17009453 

23191870 

31443,321 

38558371 

501 52800 

30.06 

Increase 

per  cent. 

1801-1810 

30.38. 

Increase 

percent. 

1810-1820. 

33.00. 

per  cent. 

1820-1810. 

32.51. 

per  cent 
1830-1840 

Increase 
per  cent. 
1840-18.50. 

Increase 
per  cent. 
1850-1860. 

.15.11. 

Increase 

per  cent 

180O-1F7O. 

22.05. 

Incr.  ase 
per  cent. 
1870-1  8 

POPULATION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES.  BY  RACES,  IN  1870  AND  1880. 


Tolal        ! 
STA-Esi  TEERimniK.                Populalionl        White 
188U.        1          1880. 

1 

Colored 
1880. 

rliinese 
I.S80. 

Indians. 
taxed,  1880. 

White 
1870. 

Colored 
1870. 

Cliioese 
1870. 

Indians. 

civ.  or 

taxed  1870. 

^ 

Alabama 1,2'-J,7'i4             r.i;i  /isi; 

600,141 

l:« 

210,1122 

6,168 

2,439 

11,422 

S9':i;S 

4r.,248 
38,998 
v,442 
43,MW 

4S.\S98 
1.427 
20li,S97 
18,64* 
14,986 
1,.558 

r«>u.3.-!7 

14.1,046 
202 

H4( 
3S,79^ 

907 
64,"43 
.til.ilB 
79,6(15 

S.->,f!l2 
c^.'iOS 

a94li>07 

204 

1.0H2 

631,  '911 

4 
1,6-12 
134 
75,122 
610 
130 
2.38 

213 
3,493 

197 
16,130 

128 

241 
1,384 

521,384 

9,W1 

362,115 

499,424 

39,221 

627,549 

12,887 

102,221 

88,278 

96,057 

0:i»,9,6 

10,618 

2,611,1196 

1,05.5,8.17 

1.1 58,820 

346,377 

1,098,692 

024'809 
605,497 

l,44.i,156 

1,167,282 
4:18.237 
382,896 

1,603,146 
18,3116 
122,117 
3S,qf9 
317,097 
873,407 
90,393 

4,330,210 
678.470 

2,601,946 
86,929 

3,)5r.,(i09 
212.219 
2.S9,667 
936,119 

"'8iv'l44 
329,6.3 
712,1.89 
22,195 
424,033 
1,051,  51 
8,726 

475,510 

26 

122.169 

4,272 

456 

9.618 

22,794 
43,404 

545' 142 

28,762 
24,561 
6,762 
17,1118 
222,210 
364,210 

17.3,391 

13,947 

11,819 

769 

441,201 

118,071 

183 

789 

,357 

.580 

30,658 

172 

52,1181 

391,650 

63,213 

346 

6.3,294 

4,9-0 

415  814 

322,331 

253, 176 

118 

924 

512,841 

207 

17,"8U 

2,1  3 

183 

98 

49,110 
7 

31 

7,241 

5 
6 

Colorado I'l    n            :    ;  i  j 

Conneotifut...           ij-                   '        l 

180 

Delaivarp I  1-       i             i       1- 

Distrit-t  of  Columbia ITT      -            1 1  ■  .  ,i; 

Florida -••  T  .1            lu.l. 

Georgia 1,'    -    '-           -   1  jl- 

Malin    1 

Illinois :•,  :■                       .:t 

Indiana l.'T                  i'        .1 

1) 

IS 
18 
17 
3,378 
214 

47 
22 
10 
481 
8 
6 
2.56 
29 
54 

JlT 

1,7:17 

5,423 
14 
182 
65 
912 
1 
117 
9,508 
170 
27 

142 
518 

6 
37 
94 
164 
133 
2.33 
464 
792 

819 

607 

11 

341 

7,2.38 

2.2.54 

1,832 

96 

1,750 

233 

2,803 

60 

58 

10,280 

783 

1,216 

113 

1,079 

168 

114 
326 

»I4 
11 

4,187 

17 

3,US 

139 

» 

16 

11 
13 

1 
4,274 

40 

47 

15 



3 

748 

17 

1 
71 

1 

■i 
97 

2 

M8 
519 

19 
20 

Maine '       .i-.i                 i     ...1 

Maryland '.J                   VI"]- 

499 

4 

1.31 

22 

Michigan '     1.'.     .1          III. is 

Minnesota 7-    -                  r      M 

4,926 

24 
23 
2(i 

IB 

3 

1,949 

8119 
7.3 
1.37 

2S 

3,1.32 

21 

311 

New  Jersey 1/  1         1     ■:     ■'. 

Ne-wMeico 1-1    '           1:1-- 

New  York :■."-    -    '             r  1  tj 

15 

16 

32 

29 

439 

34 

3ri 

Ohio ii.i.j    .             1     .11 

Oregon 1,1:   "             1        '7 

1 

3,330 

14 

100 
318 
34 

South  Carolina ■"                         ..- 

Texas '    l,''      ,1         :i      1-. 

Utah '       11      .            11      .1 

38 

1 

124 

40 
41 

445 

4 

2)4 

379 
176 

43 
44 

Washington 71                         I'l 

WestVirginia il     «■                 ■     1    '. 

3,227 
14 
16 
914 

1,319 

Wvomioe                                                                        '  t  1 

143 

'       6,577,496 

105,679 

65,880 

33,592,215 

4,880,187 

1          63.2.34 

25,7.31 

Total  Population- 
White  PopuIatioQ, 
Colored  Populatio 


PER  CENT.  OF  INCREASE  FROM  1870  TO  1880. 

3(1.06  ppr  cent  I  Chinese  pnpiiUtion : 67.07  per 

■i».'8,-2    "      "        Indian  Population  (cirilized  or  ta.ted) 150.02    '• 

, 34.78    "      "      I 


Note.— The  inhabitants  of  Alaska  and  thp 
tiite,  3^2;  Creoles  (i'ssue  of  intermarriages  1 
The  Indian  Territory  is  estimat#'d  to  com 

n  the  census  in  ea 

Estiraattis  of  the 


file  and  Territory  ai  e  those  r 
libers  vary  widely — from  M<d. 


I  statistics  of  the  fin 


STATE  DEBTS,  VALUATION  AND  TAXES. 

of  the  thirty-eight  Slates  in  the  Uni.m  have  been  derived  in  mc 


3  of  the  States  themselvi 


Alabama  .... 
ArkauSHS... 
California-.. 
Colorado  ... 


.  Sept.  .30, 1880.... 
.  Sept.  30,  1880... 
.  July  1,  1880... 
.   Nov.   30,  1880 ,. 


Florida .. 
Georgia .. 


.  Jan.  1,1879 

.  Oet.  1,18W 

.  Oct.  1,  isflo 

.'N  T.  1,  1880.   .. 
.  tlet.   .30,  1880... 

.  July  1, 1880 

.Oet.   10,1879... 


Maine  ~ Jan.  1, 

Maryland Oct.  1, 

Massachusetts 

Michigan 

Minnesota 

"ssipp' 


Mi! 


...Jan.  1,  1880.. 
.Oct.  1,1880.. 
.  Nov.  3o,  1880. 
.  Jan.  1,  1880.-. 
.Jan.  1,1880.. 
.  Nov,  30, 1880.. 
.  Jan.  1,1879 


New  Hampshire lune  1,  1880.. 

New  Jersey Nov.    1, 1880... 

New  York Oct.     1, 1880.. 

North  Carolina 

Ohio 


Khode  Island... 
South  Carolina 

Tennessee 

Texas  

Vermont 

Virginia 

WestVirginia.. 
Wisconsin 


.Nov.  15,1880... 
.Sept.    1,1880... 

.Deo.    1,1879... 


■.  2;l,  1880.. 
.  1,  1880.. 
.  1,  1879  ... 


1,284,700 
9,961,.300 


16,.50S,rK10 

449,267 

657,017 

3,501,100 

1,896,300 


No  debt. 
29,189,.523 
State  debt 


4,560,7.32 
2,521,657 


10,160,18:1 

4,165 

164,808 


3,153,022 
156,506 


250,473 
1,092,822 


1,430,967 
2,432,188 


380,906 

444,327 

2,129,318 


400.000 

820,000 
7,690,416 

6^3,035 
4,411,723 

324,959 

5  392,361 


626.529 
1,396,170 

292,-228 
2,007,678 

515,241 

657,003 


329,213,192 
26,804,345 
228,487,700 

18,950,160 
139,657,260 
61(0,042,808 
52.3,413,900 
303,.381,498 
108,101,1-22 


140,431,866 
17,268,303 
95,901,228 

10,621,067 
99,276,876 
166,57.3,326 
192,.382.202 


Real  and  Personal. 

149,633,805 
Real  and  Personal. 

224,579,569 
Real  and  Personal. 


23:1,47:1,1  .7      I         .l,.-l.'in6 
76,139.1112  3ii,n39,.368 

381,.356,600      |        147.661,000 
43,69  ',365      |         46,805.263 
16,820,384      I         12,744,289 
f  206,959,017  ) 

t       Real  and  Personal.        J 

445,918,221      I        16ll,497,.'140 

2,3.33,669,813      |        332,409,320 

91,679,918      I  51,-238,2K8 

1,102,049,931      I        456,130,034 

46,422,817  I 

Real  and  Personal.        j 

To  Tax  I 

n  Real    )-  128,490,420 

^snte.    ) 

1,658,100  84,872,369 

16,883,366  4:1,967  768 

196,16.3,644  16,952,036 

186,-297,493  114,227,912 

7  ,017,  01  15,375,.3.33 

248,465,933  70,937,926 

95,079,808  33,480,119 

344,788,771  94,183,030 


1^,1111,3:14.8.30 


CONSTITUTION    OF    ILLINOIS. 

Adopted  in  Convention  at  Springfield,  May  13.  a.  d.  1870 ;   Katified  by  the  People  July  %  1S70 ;  in  Fokce,  August  S,  1870 ;   and 

Amendments  thereto,  with  the  Dates  of  Ratification. 


PREAMBLE. 
We.  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois— grateful  to  Almighty  God  for  the  civil,  political 


I.I  religious  liberty  which  He  ha 
a  blessin-j  upon  our  endeavors  tc 
generations — in  trder  lo  form  a  i 
tranquility,  provide  for  the 
ings  of  liberty  to  ourselve 
the  State  of  Illinois. 


1  enjoy,  and  looking  to  Him  lor 
icure  and  "transmit  the  same  unimpaired  to  succeeding 
ire  perfect  government,  establish  justice,  insure  domestic 
defense,  promote  the  general  welfare,  and  secure  the  I  Jess- 
:  posterity;  do  ordain  and  establish  this  constitution  for 


The  boundaries  and  jurisdicti 
the  mouth  of  the  Wabash  river;  thence  up 
rorthwest  corner  of  ^aid  State  ;  thence  east 
of  Lake  Michigan;  thence  north,  along  the 
and  30  minuies;  thence  west  to  the  middle 
Ihe  middle  of  that  river  to  its 


ARTICLE  1. 

BOl'NDARIi:S, 

of  the  State  shall  be 


the 


with  the  lii 
niddle  of  s 

f  the  Missi 
fluence  with  the  Ohic 


as  follows,  to  wit :  Beginning  at 
d  with  the  line  of  Indiana,  to  the 
■  of  the  same  State,  to  the  middle 
d  lake,  tu  north  latitude  42  degrees 
sippi  river,  and  thence  down  along 
ver,  and  thence  up  the  latter  river, 


alon"  its  northwestern  shore,  to  the  place  of  beginning  :  Prffuided,  ihat  this  State  r-hall  exer- 
cise'such  jurisdiction  upon  the  Ohio  river  as  she  is  now  entitled  to,  or  such  as  may 
hereafter  be  agreed  upon  by  this  State  and  the  State  of  Kentucky. 


ARTICLE  11. 

BILL    OF    RIGHTS. 

Pennltit 
failure 


kighltf  Trial  by  Jurj-. 


ed— Grand  Jiirj'  Abolished. 


proportionate  —  Corruption  —  For- 


13.  Compensation  lor  Property  takci 

14.  Ex  post  facio  laws— Irrevocable 

15.  Military  I  ower  Subordinate. 

16.  Quartering  of  Soldiers. 

17.  Rightof  Assembly  and  relation. 
iS.  Klecticns  to  be  Free  and  Eqaal. 

19.  What  Laws  ought  to  be. 

20.  Fundamental  Principles. 


their 


\  I.  All  men  are  by  nature  free  and  independeni,  and  have  certain  inherent 
able  rights — among  ihe^e  are  life,  Ubcrty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  To  s 
rights  and  the  protection  of  property,  governments  are  instituted  among  men,  de 
just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the  go\erncd. 

\     2.  No  person  shall  be  deprived  of  life,  liberty  or  properly,  without  due  process  of  law. 

\  3.  The  free  exercise  and  enjoyment  of  religious  profession  and  worship,  without  dis- 
crimination, shall  forever  be  guaranteed  ;  and  no  person  shall  be  denied  any  civil  or  political 
right,  privilege  or  cnpacily,  on  account  of  his  reiigious  opinions ;  but  the  liberty  of  conscience 
hereby  secured  shall  not  be  construed  to  dispense  with  oaths  or  affirmations,  excuse  acts  of 
licentiousness,  or  justify  practices  inconsistent  with  the  peace  or  safely  of  the  State.  No 
person  shall  be  required  tn  attend  or  support  any  ministry  or  place  of  worship  against  his 
consent,  nor  shall  any  j  reference  be  given  by  law  to  any  religious  denomination  or  mode  of 
worship. 

\  4,  Every  person  may  freely  speak,  write  and  publish  on  all  subjects,  being  responsible 
for  the  abuse  of  that  liberty;  and  in  all  trials  for  libel,  both  civil  and  criminal,  the  truth, 
w  hen  published  with  good  motives  and  for  justifiable  ends,  shall  be  a  sufficient  defense. 

\     5.  The  right  of  trial  by  jury  as  heretofore   enjoyed   shall 
trial  of  civil  cases  before  justices  of  the  peace  by  a  jury  of  less  tha 
authorized  by  law. 

I     6.   The  light  of  the  people  to  be  secure  in  their  y  ersons,  hou? 
BC^inst   unreasonable  searches   and  heizures,  shall   not  be  violated 


nviolate  ;  but  the 
twelve  men,  may  be 


papers 


minal  offense,  unh 
i  by  fine,  or  imprisi 


public  danger, 


on  indictment  rf  a 
nent  otherwise  than 
army  nnd  navy,  or 
Presided,  that  the 


Issue  without  probable  cause,  supported  by  affidavit,  particularly  describing  the  place   to  be 
searched,  and  the  person  or  things  to  be  seized. 

§  7.  All  persons  shall  be  bailable  by  sufficient  sureties,  except  for  capital  offenses,  where 
the  proof  is  evident  or  the  presumption  great ;  and  the  privdege  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus 
shall  not  be  suspended,  unless  when  in  cases  uf  rebellion  or  invasion  the  public  saftty  may 

\  8.  No  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  r 
grand  jury,  except  in  cases  in  which  thepunishme 
in  ihe  peniteniiiiry,  in  cases  of  impeachment,  ar 
in  ihe  militia  when  in  actual  service  in  time  of 
grand  jury  may  be  abolished  by  law  in  all  cases. 

\  9.  In  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  have  the  right  to  appear  and  defend 
in  ]>er-ion  and  by  couni.el;  to  demand  the  nature  and  cause  of  the  accusation,  and  to  have  a 
copy  thereof;  to  meet  the  witnesses  face  to  face,  and  to  have  process  to  compel  the  attend- 
ance of  witnesses  in  his  behalf,  and  a  speedy  public  trial  by  an  impartial  jury  of  the  county 
or  district  in  which  the  offense  is  alleged  to  have  been  committed. 

^  10.  No  person  shall  be  compelled  in  any  criminal  case  to  give  evidence  against  him- 
self, or  be  twice  put  in  jeop.nrdy  for  the  same  offense. 

\  II.  All  penalties  shall  be  proportioned  to  the  nature  of  the  offense;  and  no  conviction 
shall  work  corruption  of  blood  or  forfeiture  of  estate;  nor  shall  any  person  be  transported 
out  of  the  State  for  any  offense  committed  wiihin  the  same. 

\  12.  No  person  shall  be  imprisoned  for  debt,  unless  upon  refusal  to  deliver  up  his  estate 
for  the  benefit  of  his  creditors,  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  prescribed  bylaw;  or  in  cases 
where  there  is  strong  presumption  of  fraud. 

\  13.  Private  property  shall  not  be  taken  or  damaged  for  public  use  without  just  compen- 
sation.•*  Such  compensation,  when  not  made  by  the  State,  --hall  be  ascertained  by  a  jury,  as 
shall  be  prescribed  by  law.  The  fee  of  land  taken  f..r  railroad  tracks,  withmn  consent  of 
\  there&^j  sbali  remain  in  sui::h  owners,  subject  to  the  use  for  which  it  is  taken. 


\  14.  No  ex  post  facto  law,  or  law  impairing  the  obligation  of  contract-,  trc  i.iyVitig  i»»y 
irrevocable  grant  uf  special  privileges  or  immunities,  shall  be  passed. 

\    15.  The  military  :shall  be  in  strict  ^.u bo rdi nation  to  the  civil  power. 

\  16.  No  soldier  shall,  in  time  of  peace,  be  quartered  in  any  house  without  the  consent 
of  tile  owner ;  nor  in  time  of  war  except  in  the  manner  prescribed  by  law. 

\  17.  The  people  have  the  right  to  assemble  in  a  peaceable  manner  to  consult  for  the 
common  good,  to  make  known  their  opinions  to  their  representatives,  and  to  app'y  for 
redress  of  grievances. 

\    18.   All  elections  shall  be  free  and  equal. 

I   19.   Every  person  ought  to  find  a  certain  remedy  in  the  laws  for  all  injuries  and  wrongs 
which  he  may  receive  in  his  person,  property  or  reputation;    he  0 
right  and  justice  freely,  and  without  being  obliged  to  purchase  it, 
denial,  promptly  and  without  delay. 

\  20.     A  trequent  recurrence  to  the  fundamental  principles  of  c 
lutely  necessary  to  preserve  the  blessings  of  liberty. 


n,  by  la 


ught  t< 
.omple 


dl  government  is  : 


ARTICLE  III. 

DISTRIBUTION   OF   POWERS. 

;  of  the  Government  of  this  Stale  are  divided  into  thn 


person. 


■  colle 


Legislative,  Executive  and  Judi 
if  these  departments,  shall   exercise   any  power  properly  belonging  to 
i,  except  as  hereinafter  expressly  directed  or  permitted. 


distinct  departments 
on  of  persons,  being 
ther  of  the 


ARTICLE   IV. 

LEGISLATIVE   DEPARTMENT. 


;ral  Assembly  elective. 


'Jimeof  Ele< 

Who  are  Eligible. 
,   Disqualification  by  Crime. 

Oath  taken  by  members. 
.  Senatorial  Apportionments. 
.   &  S.   Minority  Representation. 
,    Time  of  meeting— General  Rules. 
,  Secretari'— Adjournment— Journals,  Protests. 
.  Style  of  Laws. 
.  Origin  and  passage  of  Bills. 

Reading— Printing  -  Title— Amendments. 
.   Privileges  of  members 
.   L'isabilitics  of  members. 
.   Pills  making  \ppropria 


toft 


Ordinary'  Expenses— Casual  De6ciis — Appro- 


_  pna 


1  Compensation  or  Allowance. 
,  Public  Credit  not  loaned. 
,  Pay  and  mileage  of  members. 
,  Special  Legislation  prohibited. 
.  Against  Release  from  Liabiiiry. 
,   Proceedings  on  Impeachment, 
.   Kuel,  Stationer}',  and  Printing, 
,  State  not  to  be  sued. 
,  Lotteries  and  Gift  Enterprises, 
.  Terms  of  Office  not  Extended. 
,   Protection  of  operative  min;rs. 
.  Concerning  Roads — public  and  private. 
,   Draining  and  Ditching, 
.  Homestead  and  Exemption  Laws. 
.  Completion  of  the  State  House. 


\  I.     The  legislative  power  shall  b'^  vested  in  a  General  Assembly,  which  shall  consis*. 
of  a  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  both  to  be  elected  by  the  people. 


g  2.  An  election  for  members  of  the  General  Assembly  shall  be  held  on  the  Tuesday 
next  after  the  first  Monday  in  November,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred and  seventy,  and  every  two  years  thereafter,  in  each  county,  at  such  places  therein  as 
may  be  provided  by  law.  When  vacancies  occur  in  either  house,  the  governor,  or  person 
exercising  the  powers  of  govi 


,  bhall  issue  writs  of  election  to  till  such 


ELIGIBILITY  AND   OATH. 

5  3.  No  person  shall  be  a  senator  who  shall  not  have  attained  the  age  of  twenly-fiv 
years,  or  a  representative  who  shall  not  have  attained  the  age  of  twenty-one  yer"  *'- 
person  shall  be  a  senator  or  a  repiesenlatii 


shall  not  ha\ 
preceding  his  election 


shall  not  be  a  chizen  of  the  United  States, 
for  five  years  a  resident  of  this  State,  and  for  two  years  next 
.  resident  within  ihe  territory  forming  the  district  from  which  he  is 
elected.  "No  judge  or  clerk  of  any  court,  secretary  of  state,  attorney  general,  state's  attorn  ty, 
recorder,  sheriff,  or  collector  of  public  revenue,  member  of  either  house  of  congress,  cr 
person  holding  any  lucrative  office  under  the  United  States  or  this  State,  or  any  foreign 
government,  shall  have  a  seat  in  the  general  assembly :  Provided,  that  appointments  in  the 
militia  and  the  ofhces  of  nutaiy  public  and  justice  of  the  peace,  shall  not  be  considered 
lucrative.  Nor  shall  any  person,  holding  any  office  of  honor  or  profit  under  any  foreign 
government,  or  under  the  government  of  the  United  States,  (except  postmaste  *--  - 
annual  compensation  does  not  exceed  the  sum  of  %yx>,)  hold  any  office  of  honor 
under  the  authority  of  this  Stale. 

\  4.  No  person  who  has  been,  or  hereafter  shall  be,  convicted  of  bribery,  perjury  or 
other  infamous  crime  nor  any  person  who  has  been  or  may  be  a  collector  or  holder  of  public 
moneys,  who  shall  not  have  accounted  for  and  paid  over,  according  to  law,  all  such  moneys 
due  from  him,  shall  be  eligible  to  the  general  assembly,  or  to  any  cffice  of  profit  or  trust  in 

I  6.  Members  of  the  general  assembly,  before  they  enter  upon  their  official  duties,  shall 
take  and  subscribe  the  following  oath  or  affirmation  : 


profit 


'  I  do  solemnly  s 


ion  of  the  United  States,  pnd  the  consti- 
s  ofacnalorior  representative)  accordir.^ 
lionally,  paid  or  contributed  anything,  or 
ofluencc  any  vote  at  ihe  election  at  which 
1  accept  or  receive,  directly  or  indirrctly, 
or  person,  for  any  vote  orinfluence  I 'nay 
ithhold  on  any  bill,  resolution  or  appropriation,  or  for  any  other  official  act," 

This  oath  shall  be  administered  by  a  judge  of  the  supreme  or  circuit  court,  in  the  hall  of 
the  house  to  which  the  member  ia  elected,  and  the  secretary  of  state  shall  record  and  file 
the  oath  subscribed  by  each  member.    Any  member  who  shall  refuse  to  take  the  oath  hew*" 


Tirm)  tli^t  I  will  support  the  conslil 
of  the  btaie  of  Illinois,  and  will  laithfully  discharge  the  du 
10  the  best  of  my  ability  :  and  that  I  have  not,  knowingly  or  inti 
made  any  promise  in  ihe  nature  of  a  bribe,  to  directly  or  mdirectl 
I  was  chosen  10  fill  ihe  said  office,  and  have  not  accepted,  norwil.  .  . 
^ni.  mntiPv-  ,  r  nth.-r  vnhiable  thing,  from  any  corporation,  coTvpany  01 
■   ■■  ■       or  appropriation,  or  for  any  c 


prescribed,  ^hall  forfeit  his  office,  and  every  member  who  shall  be  convicted  of  haying 
sworn  falsely  to,  or  of  i-iolating,  his  said  oath,  shall  forfeit  his  office,  and  be  disqualified 
thereafter  from  holding  any  office  of  profit  or  trust  in  this  State. 

APPORTIONMENT — SENATORIAL. 

3  6.  Tne  general  assembly  shall  apportion  the  State  every  ten  years,  beginning  with  the 
year  1S71,  by  dividing  the  populalion  of  ihe  State,  as  ascertained  liy  the  federal  census,  by 
the  number  51,  and  "the  quotient  shall!  e  the  ratio  of  representation  in  the  senate.  'Ihe 
State  shall  be  divided  into  51  senatorial  districts,  each  of  which  shall  elect  one  senator 
whose  term  of  oflice  shall  be  four  years.  The  senators  elected  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1S72,  in  districts  bearing  odd  numbers,  shall  vacate  their  offices  at  the  end  of  two  years, 
and  those  elected  in  districts  bearing  even  numbers,  at  the  end  of  four  years  ;  and  vacancies 
occurring  by  the  expiration  of  term,  shall  be  filled  by  the  election  of  senators  for  the  full 
term  Sen.atorial  districts  shall  be  formed  of  contiguous  and  compact  territory,  bounded 
by  county  lines,  and  contain  as  nearly  as  practicable  an  equal  number  of  inhabitants  ;  but 
no  district  shall  contain  less  than  four-fifths  of  the  senatorial  ratio.  Counties  containing 
not  less  than  the  ratio  and  three-fourths,  may  be  divided  into  separate  districts,  and  shall  be 
entitled  to  two  senators,  and  to  one  additional  senator  for  each  number  of  inhabitants  equal 
to  the  ratio,  contained  by  such  counties  in  excess  of  twice  the  number  of  said  ratio. 

NoTG— By  the  adoption  of  minority  rcpi 
conslilutioi..  Under  S  12  of  Ihe  sctiedule,  an 
representation  is  substituted  for  said  scciions  ; 

MINORITY   REPRESENT.\TION. 

J8  7  and  8  The  house  of  representatives  shall  consist  of  three  limes  the  number  of  the 
members  of  the  senate,  and  the  term  of  office  shall  be  two  years.  Three  representatives 
shall  be  elected  in  each  senatorial  district  at  the  general  election  in  the  year  of  our  Lord, 
1872  and  every  two  years  thereafter.  In  all  elections  of  representatives  aforesaid,  each 
quali'fisd  voter  may  cast  as  many  votes  for  one  candidate  as  there  are  representatives  to  be 
elected,  or  may  distribute  the  same,  or  equal  parts  thereof,  among  the  candidates,  as  he  shall 
see  fit; 'and  the  candidates  highest  in  votes  shall  be  declared  elected. 

TIME   OF    MEETING  AND   GENERAL  RULES. 

3  9  The  sessions  of  the  general  assembly  shall  commence  at  12  o'clock  noon,  on  the 
Wednesday  next  after  the  first  Monday  in  January,  in  the  year  next  ensuing  the  election  of 
members  thereof,  and  at  no  other  time,  unless  as  provided  by  this  constitution.  A  majonty 
of  the  members  elected  to  each  house  shall  constitute  a  quonim.  Each  house  shall  deter- 
mine the  rules  of  its  proceedings,  and  be  the  judge  of  the  election  returns  and  qualifica- 
tions of  its  members;  shall  choose  its  own  officers;  and  the  senate  shall  choose  a  temporary 
president  to  preside  when  the  lieutenant-governor  shall  not  attend  as  president  or  shall  act 
as  governor.  The  secretary  of  state  shall  call  the  house  of  representatives  to  order  at  the 
opening  of  each  new  assembly,  and  preside  over  it  until  a  temporary  presiding  officer  thereof 
shall  have  been  chosen  and  shall  have  taken  his  seat.  No  member  shall  be  expelled  by 
either  house,  except  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  all  the  members  elected  to  that  house,  and 
no  member'shall  be  twice  expelled  for  the  same  offence.  Each  house  may  punish  by 
imprisonment  any  person,  not  a  member,  who  shall  be  guilty  of  dis.espect  to  the  house  by 
,i;=r.rHprlv  or  contemotuous  behaviour   in  its  presence.     But   no  such  impri: 


prisonment   shall 
less  the  person  shall  persist  in  such  disorderly  or 


disorderly  or  contemptuous  beha^ 

extend  beyond  two  hours  at  one 

contemptuous  behaviour.  ,    1       i_  ,1   u     ,      . 

I  10  The  doors  of  each  house  and  of  committees  of  the  whole,  shall  be  kept  open, 
except  in  such  cases  as.  in  the  opinion  of  the  house,  require  secrecy.  Neither  house  shall, 
without  the  consent  of  the  other,  adjourn  for  more  than  two  days,  or  to  any  other  place  than 
that  in  which  the  two  houses  shall  be  sitting.  Each  house  shall  keep  a  journal  of  its  pro- 
ceedings which  shall  be  published.  In  the  senate  at  the  request  of  two  members,  and  in 
the  house  at  the  request  of  five  members,  the  yeas  and  nays  shall  be  taken  on  any  question, 
and  entered  upon  tlie  journal.  Any  two  members  of  either  bouse  shall  have  liberty  to  dis- 
sent from  and  protest,  in  respectful  language,  against  any  act  or  resolution  which  they  think 
injurious  to  the  public  or  to  any  individual,  and  have  the  reasons  of  '-heir  dissent  entered 
upon  the  journals. 

STYLE  OF  LAWS  AND   PASSAGE   OF   DILLS. 

5  1 1.  The  stj-le  of  the  laws  of  this  State  shall  be  :  £r  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  tlie  Stale 
of  Jllinou,  represented  in  the  General  AssemMy.         ,       ,        ,  ^    ,  .         ,  ^     , 

i  12  Bills  may  originate  in  either  house,  but  may  be  altered,  amended  or  rejected  by  the 
other  •  and  on  the  finS  passage  of  all  bills,  the  vote  shall  be  by  yeas  and  nays,  upon  each 
bill  separately,  and  shall  be  entered  upon  the  journal ;  and  no  bill  shall  become  a  law 
without  the  concurrence  of  a  majoriiy  of  the  members  elected  to  each  house. 

3  13  Every  bill  shall  be  read  at  large  on  three  different  days,  in  each  house;  and  the 
bill  and  aU  amendments  thereto  shall  be  printed  before  the  vole  is  taken  on  its  final  passage  ; 
and  every  bill  having  passed  both  houses,  shall  be  signed  by  the  speakers  thereof.  No  act 
hereafter  passed  shall  embrace  more  than  one  subject,  and  that  shall  be  expressed  in  the  title. 
But  if  any  subject  shall  be  embraced  in  an  act  which  shall  not  he  expressed  in  the  title,  such 
act  shall  be  void  only  as  to  so  much  thereof  as  shall  not  be  so  expressed  ;  and  no  law  shall 
be  revived  or  amended  by  reference  to  its  title  only,  liut  the  law  revived,  or  the  section 
amended  shall  be  inserted  at  length  in  the  new  act.  And  no  act  of  the  general  assembly 
shall  take  effect  until  the  first  day  of  July  next  after  its  passage,  unless,  in  case  of  emergency, 
(which  emergency  shall  be  expressed  in  the  preamble  or  body  of  the  act),  the  general 
assembly  shall  by  a  vole  of  two-thirds  of  all  the  members  elected  to  each  house,  otherwise 


PRIVILEGES   AND   DISABILITIES. 


2  14  Senators  and  representatives  shMl,  in  all  cases,  except  treason,  felony  or  breach  of 
the  peace  be  privileged  Irom  arrest  during  the  session  of  the  general  assembly,  and  ingoing 
to  and  returning  from  the  same;  and  for  any  speech  or  debate  in  either  house,  thiy  shall 
not  be  questioned  in  any  other  place.  , ,       ,    „  ■  •  -,  •   ,         . 

?  15  No  person  elected  to  the  general  assembly  shall  receive  any  civil  appointment 
within  this  Slate  from  the  governor,  the  governor  and  senate,  or  from  the  general  assembly, 
durino  the  term  for  which  he  shall  have  been  elected ;  and  all  such  appointments,  and  all 
votes  "given  lor  any  such  members  for  any  such  office  or  appointment,  shall  be  void;  nor 
shall  any  member  of  the  general  assembly  be  intereslcd,  cither  directly  or  indirectly,  in  any 
contract  wilh  the  state,  or  any  county  thereof,  authorized  by  any  law  passed  during  the  term 
for  which  he  shall  have  been  elected,  or  within  one  year  after  the  expiration  thereof. 

PUBLIC   MONEYS   AND   APPROPRIATIONS. 

Z  16  The  general  assembly  shall  make  no  appropriation  of  money  cut  of  the  treasury  in 
any  private  law.  Bills  making  appropriations  for  the  pay  of  members  and  o(-ficers  of  the 
general  assembly,  and  for  the  salaries  of  the  ofticers  of  the  government,  shaU  contain  no 
provisions  on  any  other  subject.  , 

2  1 7  No  money  shall  be  drawn  from  the  treasury  except  in  pursuance  of  an  appropriation 
made  by  law,  and  on  the  presentation  of  a  warrant  issued  by  the  auditor  thereon ;  and  no 
money  'hall  be  diverted  from  any  appropriation  made  ifv  any  purpose,  or  taken  from  any 
fund  whatever,  either  by  joint  01  separate  resolution.     The  auditor  shall,  within  60  days 


after  the  adjournment  of  each  session  of  the  general  assembly,  prepare  and  publish  a  full 
statement  of  all  money  expended  at  such  session,  specifying  the  amount  of  each  item,  and 
to  whom  and  for  what  paid, 

^  iS.  Each  general  assembly  shall  provide  for  all  the  appropriations  necessarj*  for  the 
ordinary  and  contingent  expenses  of  the  government  until  the  expiration  of  the  first  fiscal 
quarter  after  the  adjournment  of  the  next  regular  session,  the  aggregate  amount  of  which 
shall  not  be  increased  without  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  ihe  members  elected  to  each  bouse, 
nor  exceed  the  amount  of  revenue  authorized  by  law  to  be  raised  in  such  time;  and  all 
appropriations,  general  or  special,  requiring  nionty  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Stale  Treasury, 
from  funds  belonging  to  the  State,  shall  end  with  such  fiscal  quarter:  FrovidcJ,  the  State 
may,  to  meet  casual  deficits  or  failures  in  revenue,  contract  debts,  never  to  exceed  in 
the  aggregate  $250,000 ;  and  moneys  thus  borrowed  shall  be  applied  to  the  purpose  for 
which  they  were  obtained,  or  to  pay  the  debt  thus  created,  and  to  no  other  purpose  ;  and 
no  other  debt,  except  for  the  purpose  of  repelling  invasion,  suppressing  insunection,  or 
defending  the  State  in  war,  (for  payment  of  which  the  faith  of  the  State  shall  be  pledged), 
shall  be  contracted,  unless  the  law  authorizing  the  same  shall,  at  a  general  election,  have 
been  submitted  to  the  people,  and  have  received  a  majority  of  the  voles  cast  for  members 
of  the  general  assembly  at  such  election.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide  for  the 
publication  of  said  law  for  three  months,  at  least,  before  Ihe  vole  of  the  people  shall  be 
taken  upon  the  same ;  and  provision  shall  be  made,  at  the  time,  for  the  payment  of  the 
interest  annually,  as  it  shall  accrue,  by  a  tax  levied  for  the  purpose,  or  from  other  sources 
of  revenue;  which  law,  providing  for  the  payment  of  such  interest  by  such  tax,  shall  be 
irrepealable  until  such  debt  be  paid:  And  provided,  further,  that  the  law  levying  the  tax 
shall  be  submitted  to  the  people  wilh  the  law  authorizing  the  debt  to  be  contracted. 

\  19.  The  general  assembly  shall  never  grant  or  authorize  extra  compensation,  fee  or 
allowance  to  any  public  officer,  agent,  servant  or  contractor,  after  service  has  been  rendered 
or  a  contract  made,  nor  authorize  the  payment  of  any  claim,  or  part  thereof,  hereafter 
created  against  the  State  under  any  agreement  or  contract  made  without  express  authority  of 
law  ;  and  all  such  unauthorized  agreements  or  contracts  shall  be  null  and  void:  Provided, 
the  general  assembly  may  make  appropriations  for  expenditures  incurred  in  suppressing 
insurrection  or  repelling  invasion. 

\  20.  The  Slate  shall  never  pay,  assume  or  become  responsible  for  Ihe  debts  or  liabilities 
of,  or  in  any  manner  give,  loan  or  extend  its  credit  to,  or  in  aid  of  any  public  or  othei 
corporation,  association  or  individual. 

PAY    OF    MEMBERS. 

\  21.  The  members  of  the  general  assembly  shall  receive  for  their  services  the  sum  of  Ss 
per  day,  during  the  first  session  held  under  this  constitution,  and  10  cents  for  each  mile 
necessarily  traveled  in  going  to  and  returning  from  the  seat  of  government,  to  be  computed 
by  the  auditor  of  public  accounts ;  and  thereafter  such  compensation  as  shall  be  prescribed 
by  law,  and  no  other  allowance  or  emolument,  directly  or  indirectly,  for  any  purpose 
whatever;  except  the  sum  of  S50  per  session  to  eich  member,  which  shall  be  in  full  foi 
postage,  stationery,  newspapers,  and  all  other  incidental  expenses  and  perquisites;  but  nd 
change  shall  be  made  in  the  compensation  of  members  of  the  general  assembly  during  Ihl 
term  for  which  they  may  have  been  elected.  The  pay  and  mileage  allowed  to  each  membev 
of  the  general  assembly  shall  be  certified  by  the  speaker  of  their  respective  houses,  and 
entered  on  the  journals  and  published  at  the  close  of  each  session. 


SPECIAL  LEGISLATION   PROHIBITED. 


ny  of  the  following 


I  22.  The  general  assembly  shall  not  pass  local  or  special  la 
enumerated  cases,  that  is  to  say  :  for — 
Granting  divorces; 

Changing  the  names  of  persons  or  places  ; 
Laying  oul,  opening,  altering,  and  working  roads  or  highways  ; 
Vacating  roads,  town  plats,  streets,  alleys  and  public  grounds; 
Locating  or  changing  county  seats ; 
Regulating  county  and  township  affairs; 
Regulating  the  practice  in  courts  of  ju-rce  ; 

Regulating  the  jurisdiction  and  duties  of  justices  of  the  peace,  police  magistrates,  and 
constables ; 

Providing  for  .changes  of  venue  in  civil  and  criminal  cases; 

Incorporating'cilies,  towns,  or  villages,  or  changing  or  amending  the  charter  of  any  town, 
city  or  village; 

Providing  for  the  election  of  members  of  the  board  of  supervisors  in  townshipi-., 
incorporated  towns  or  cities  ; 

Summoning  and  impaneling  grand  or  petit  juries; 
Providing  for  the  management  of  common  schools; 
Regulating  the  rale  of  interest  on  money; 

The  opening  and  conducling  of  any  election,  or  designating  the  place  of  voting; 
The  sale  or  mortgage  of  real  estate  belonging  to  minors  or  others  under  disability; 
The  protection  of  game  or  fi-h  ; 
Chartering  or  licensing  ferries  or  toll  bridges; 
Remitting  fines,  penalties  er  forfeitures  ; 

Creatinf^,  increasing,  or  decreasing  fees,  percentage  or  allowances  of  public  officers,  during 
the  term  for  which  said  officers  are  elected  or  appointed  ; 
Changing  the  law  of  descent; 

Granting  to  any  corporation,  association  or  individual  the  right  to  lay  down  railroad 
tracks,  or  amending  existing  charters  for  such  purpose  ; 

Granting  to  any  corporation,  association  or  individual  any  special  or  exclusive  privilege, 
immunity  or  franchise  whatever. 

In  all  other  cases  where  a  general  law  can  be  made  applicable,  no  special  law  shall  be 

enacted.  ■        ■  e    ■        i,  i 

5  23.  The  general  assembly  shall  have  no  power  to  release  or  extinguish,  in  wnole  or  in 
part,  the  indebtedness,  liability,  or  obligation  of  any  corporation  or  individual  to  this  State 
or  to  any  municipal  corporation  therein. 

IMPEACHMENT. 

a  24.  The  house  of  representatives  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  impeachment ;  but  a 
majority  of  all  the  members  elected  must  concur  therein.  All  impeachments  shall  be  tried 
by  the  senate ;  and  when  silting  for  that  purpose,  the  senators  shall  be  upon  oath,  or  affirma- 
tion to  do  justice  according  to  law  and  evidence.  When  the  governor  of  Ihe  State  is  tried, 
the  chief  justice  shall  preside.  No  person  shall  be  convicted  without  the  concurrence  of 
two-thirds  of  the  senators  elected.  But  judgment,  in  such  cases,  shall  not  extend  further 
than  removal  from  office,  and  disqualification  to  hold  any  office  of  honor  profit  or  Irust 
under  the  government  of  this  State.  The  parly,  whether  convicted  or  acquitted,  sh.all, 
nevertheless,  be  liable  to  prosecution,  trial,  judgment  and  punishment  according  to  law. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

i  25.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide,  by  law,  that  the  fuel,  stationery  and  prinling- 
paner  furnished  for  the  use  of  the  Stale  ;  the  copying,  printing,  binding  and  distributing  the 
laws  and  journals,  and  all  other  printing  ordered  by  the  general  assembly,  shall  be  let  ly 
contract  to  the  lowest  responsible  bidder ;  but  Ihe  general  assembly  shall  fix 


price  ;  and  no  member  thereof,  or  other  officer  of  the  State,  shall  be  interested,  directly  or 
indirectly,  in  such  contract.  But  all  such  contracts  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
governor,  and  if  he  disapproves  the  same  there  shall  be  a  re-letting  of  the  contractj  in  such 
manner  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  law, 

§   26.   The  State  of  Illinois  shall  never  be  made  defendant  in  any  court  or  law  of  equity. 

I  27.  The  general  assembly  shall  have  no  power  to  authorize  lotteries  or  gift  enterprises, 
for  any  purpose,  and  shall  pass  laws  to  prohibit  the  sale  of  lottery  or  gift  enterprise  tickets 
in  this  Slate. 

^  2S.  No  law  shall  be  passed  which  shall  operate  to  extend  the  term  of  any  public 
ofiicer  after  his  election  or  appointment. 

§  29.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  assembly  to  pass  such  laws  as  may  be  necessary 
for  the  protection  of  operative  miners,  by  providing  for  ventilation,  when  the  same  may  be 
required,  and  the  construction  of  escapement-shafts,  or  such  other  appliances  as  may  secure 
safety  in  all  coal  mines,  and  to  provide  for  the  enforcement  of  said  laws  by  such  penalties 
and  punishments  as  may  be  deemed  proper. 

^  30.  The  general  assembly  may  provide  for  establishing  and  opening  roads  and  cart- 
ways, connected  with  a  public  road,  for  private  and  public  use. 

^  31.  The  general  assembly  may  pass  laws  permitting  the  owners  and  occupants  of  lands 
to  construct  diains  and  ditches,  for  agricultural  and  sanitary  purposes,  across  the  lands  of 
others. 

§  32.   The  general  assembly  shall  pass  liberal  and  homestead  and  exemption  laws. 

I  ;^;^.  The  general  assembly  shall  not  appropriate  out  of  the  State  treasury,  or  expend  on 
account  of  the  new  capitol  grounds,  and  construction,  completion  and  furnishing  of  the 
State  house,  a  sum  exceeding,  in  the  aggregrate,  Sj. 500,000,  inclusive  of  all  appropriations 
heretofore  made,  without  first  submitting  the  proposition  for  an  additional  expenditure  to 
the  legal  voters  of  the  State,  at  a  general  election;  nor  unless  a  majority  of  all  the  votes 
at  such  election  ihall  be  for  the  proposed  additional  expenditure. 

ARTICLE  V. 


EXECUTIVE   DEPARTMENT. 


Time  of  Electing  State  Officers. 
Returns — Tie— Contested  Election. 
Eligibility  for  Office. 
Governor— Power  and  Duty. 
His  Message  and  Statement. 
Convening  the  General  Assembly. 
Proroguing  the  General  Assembly. 
Nominations  by  the  (lovcrnor. 
Vacancies  may  be  filled. 
Kemovals  by  the  Governor. 
Reprieves— Commuta  ions— Pardoi 


Governor  as  Commander-in-Chi 
Impeachment  for  Misdemeanor. 
Veto  of  the  Governor. 
Lieutenant-Governor  as  Governt 
As  President  of  the  Senate. 
Vacancy  in  Governor's  Office. 
Vacancy  in  o'.h-r  State  Offices. 
Reports  of  State  Officers. 
Great  Seal  of  State, 
Fees  and  Salaries. 
Definition  of -Office." 
Oath  of  Civil  Officers. 


EXECUTIVE   DEPARTMENT. 

^  I.  The  executive  department  shall  consist  of  a  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  Sec 
retary  of  State,  Auditor  of  Public  Accounts,  Treasurer,  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruc 
tion,  and  Attorney-General,  who  shall,  each,  with  the  exception  of  the  Treasurer, hold  hii 
office  for  the  term  of  four  years  from  the  second  Monday  of  January  next  after  his  election 
and  until  his  successor  is  elected  and  qualitied.  They  shall,  except  the  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor, reside  at  the  seat  of  government  during  their  term  of  office,  and  keep  the  public 
records,  books  and  papers  there,  and  shall  perform  such  duties  as  may  be  prescribed  by  1 

§  2,  The  Treasurer  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  two  years,  and  until  his  s 
cessor  is  elected  and  qualified ;  and  shall  be  ineligible  to  said  office  for  two  years  next  after 
the  end  of  the  term  for  which  he  was  elected.  He  may  be  required  by  the  Governor  to 
give  reasonable  additional  security,  and  in  default  of  so  doing  his  office  shall  be  deemed 
vacant. 

ELECTION. 

^  3.  An  election  for  Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  Secretary  of  State,  Auditor  of 
Public  Accounts  and  Attorney-General,  shall  be  held  on  tke  Tuesday  next  after  the  first 
Monday  in  November,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1S72,  and  every  four  years  thereafter;  for 
Superintendent  of  Public  instruction,  on  the  Tuesday  next  after  the  first  Monday  of  Novem- 
i  the  year  1S70,  and  every  four  years  thereafter;  and  for  Treasurer  on  the  day  last 

;  may 


every  tw^ 


above  mentioned, 
be  prescribed  by  1 

^  4.  The  returns  of  every  elect! 
transmitted,  by  the  returning  officer 
of  the  House  of  Representativ 


;  thereafter,  at  such  places  and  in  such 


I  for  the  above  named  officers  shall  be  sealed  up  and 
to  the  Secretary'  of  State,  directed  to  "The  Speaker 
ho  shall,  immediately  after  the  organization  of  the 
house,  and  before  proceeding  to  other  business,  open  and  publish  the  same  in  the  presence 
of  a  majority  of  each  house  of  the  general  assembly,  who  shall,  for  that  purpose,  assemble 
in  the  hall  of  the  house  of  representatives.  The  person  having  the  highest  number  of  votes 
for  either  of  the  said  offices  shall  be  declared  duly  elected;  but  if  two  or  more  have  an 
equal  and  the  highest  number  of  votes,  the  general  assembly  shall,  by  joint  ballot,  choose 
one  of  such  persons  for  said  office.  Contested  elections  for  all  of  said  offices  shall  be  de- 
termined by  both  houses  of  the  general  assembly,  by  joint  ballot,  in  such  manner  as  may 
be  prescribed  by  law. 

ELIGiniLlTV. 

I  5.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  governor,  or  lieutenant-governor,  who 
shall  not  have  attained  the  age  of  30  year=,  and  been,  for  five  years  next  preceding  his 
election,  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  and  of  this  State.  Neither  the  governor,  lieutenant- 
governor,  auditor  of  public  accounts,  secretary  of  State,  superintendent  of  public  instruction 
nor  attorney  general  shall  be  eligible  to  any  other  office  during  the  period  for  which  he 
shall  have  been  elected. 

GOVERNOR. 

§  6.  The  supreme  executive  power  shall  be  vested  in  the  governor,  who  shall  take  care 
that  the  laws  be  faithfullv  executed. 

^     7.  The  governor  shall,  at  th 
term  of  office,  give  to  the  gener^d 


t  of  each  session,  and  at  the  close  of  his 
biy  informaiion,  by  message,  of  the  condition  of  the 


State,  and  shall  recommend  such  measures  as  he  shall  deem  expedient.  He  shall 
to  the  general  assembly,  and  accompany  his  message  with  a  statement  of  all  moneys  re- 
ceived and  paid  out  by  him  from  any  funds  subject  to  his  order,  with  vouchers,  and,  at  the 
commencement  of  each  regular  session,  present  estimates  of  the  amount  of  money  required 
to  be  raised  by  taxation  for  all  purposes. 

^  S.  The  governor  may,  on  extraordinary  occasions,  convene  the  general  assembly,  by 
proclamation,  stating  therein  the  purpose  lor  which  they  are  convened  ;  and  the  general 
assembly  shall  enter  upon  no  business  except  that  for  which  they  were  called  together. 

^  9.  In  ca:se  of  a  disagreement  between  the  two  houses  with  respect  to  the  time  of  adjourn- 
ment, the  governor  may,  on  the  same  being  certified  to  him,  by  the  house  first  moving  the 
adjournment,  adjourn  the  general  assembly  to  such  time  as  he  thinks  proper,  not  beyond  ihe 
first  day  of  the  next  regular  session. 

§  10.  The  governor  shall  nominate,  and  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate, 
(a  msiority  of  all  the   senators   selected  concurr.ng,  by  veas   and  nays.)  aopoint  all  officers 


nblj. 

whom  he  may  appoint,  in 

;   and  he   may  declare  his 

i  of  vacancy. 

iva^  commutations  and  pardons,  aftei 

as  may  be  provided  by  law  relative  i.i 


whose  offices  are  established  by  this  constitution,  or  which  may  be  created  by  law,  and  wh:;je 
appointment  or  election  is  not  otherwise  provided  for;  and  no  such  officer  shall  be  appointed 
or  elected  by  the  general  assembly. 

I  II.  In  case  of  a  vacancy,  during  the  recess  of  the  senate,  in  any  office  which  is  not 
elective,  the  governor  shall  make  a  temporary  appointment  until  the  next  meeting  of  the 
senate,  when  he  shall  nominate  some  person  to  fill  such  office;  and  any  person  so  nominated, 
who  is  confirmed  by  the  senate  (a  majority  of  all  the  senators  elected  concurring  by  yeas  and 
nays),  shall  hold  his  office  during  the  remainder  of  the  time,  and  until  his  successor  shall 
be  appointed  and  qualified.  No  person,  after  being  rejected  by  the  senate,  shall  be  again 
nominated  for  the  same  office  at  the  same  session,  unless  at  the  request  of  the  senate,  ( 
appointed  to  the  same  office  duiing  the  recess  of  the  general  a« 

^12.  The  governor  shall  have  power  to  remove  any  offic 
cise  of  incompetency,  neglect  of  duty,  or  malfeasance  in  offi< 
office  vacant,  and  fill  the  same  as  is  herein  provided  in  other  ca 

^  13.  The  governor  shall  have  power  to  grant  i 
conviction,  for  all  offences,  subject  to  such  regulat 
he  manner  of  applying  therefor. 

^  14.  The  governor  shall  be  commander-in-chief  of  the  military  and  naval  forces  of  the 
State  (except  when  they  shall  be  called  into  the  service  of  the  United  States) ;  and  may  c  .11 
out  the  same  to  execute  the  laws,  suppress  insurrection,  and  repel  invasion. 

^  15.  The  governor,  and  all  civil  officers  of  this  State,  shall  be  liable  to  impeachment 
for  any  misdemeanor  in  office. 


^  16.  Every  bill  passed  by  the  general  assembly  shall,  before  it  becomes  a  law,  be  pre- 
sented to  the  governor.  If  he  approve,  he  shall  sign  it,  and  thereupon  it  shall  become  a  law; 
but  if  he  do  not  approve,  he  shall  return  it,  with  his  objections,  to  the  house  in  which  it 
shall  have  originated,  which  house  shall  enter  the  objections  at  large  upon  its  journal,  and 
proceed  to  reconsider  the  bill.  If,  then,  two-thirds  rtf  the  members  elected  agree  to  pass 
the  same,  it  shall  be  sent,  together  with  the  objections,  to  the  other  house,  by  which  it  shall 
likewise  be  reconsidered;  and  if  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  members  elected  to  that 
house,  it  shall  become  a  law,  notwithstanding  the  objections  of  the  governor.  But  in  all 
such  cases,  the  vote  of  each  house  shall  be  determined  by  yeas  and  nays,  to  be  entered  on 
the  journal.  Any  bill  which  shall  not  be  returned  by  the  governor  within  ten  days  {Sundays 
excepted)  after  it  shall  have  been  presented  to  him,  shall  become  a  law  in  like  manner  as  if 
he  had  signed  it,  unless  the  general  as-^embly  shall,  by  their  adjournment,  prevent  its  return; 
in  which  case  it  shall  be  filjd,  with  his  objections,  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  state, 
within  ten  days  after  such  adjournment,  or  become  a  law. 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. 

§  17.  In  case  of  death,  conviction  on  impeachment,  failure  to  qualify,  resignation, 
absence  from  the  State,  or  other  disability  of  the  governor,  the  powers,  duties,  the  emolu- 
ments of  the  office  for  the  residue  of  the  term,  or  until  the  disability  shall  be  removed,  shall 
devolve  upon  the  lieutenant-governor. 

§  iS.  The  lieutenant-governor  shall  be  president  of  the  senate,  and  shall  vote  only  when 
ihe  senate  is  equally  divided.  The  senate  shall  choose  a  president, //-t?  tempore,  to  preside 
in  case  of  the  absence  or  impeachment  of  ihe  lieutenant-governor,  or  when  he  shall  hold  the 
office  of  governor. 

\  19.  If  there  be  no  lieutenant-governor,  or  if  the  lieutenant  governor  shall,  for  any  of 
the  causes  specified  in  \  17  of  this  article,  become  incapable  of  performing  the  duties  of 
the  office,  the  president  of  the  senate  shall  act  as  governor  until  the  vacancy  is  filled  or  the 
disability  removed;  and  if  the  president  of  the  senate,  for  any  of  the  above  named  causes, 
shall  become  incapable  of  performing  the  duties  of  governor,  the  same  shall  devolve  upon 
the  speaker  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

OTHER   STATE   OFHCERS. 

\  20.  If  the  office  of  auditor  of  public  accounts,  treasurer,  secretary  of  State,  attorney 
general,  or  superintendent  of  public  instruction  shall  be  vacated  by  death,  resignation  or 
otherwise,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  governor  to  fill  the  same  by  appointment,  and  the 
appointee  shall  hold  his  office  until  his  successor  shall  be  elected  and  qualified  in  such 
manner  as  may  be  provided  by  law.  An  account  shall  be  kept  by  the  officers  of  the  execu- 
tive department,  and  of  all  the  public  institutions  of  the  State,  of  all  moneys  received  or 
disbursed  by  them,  severally,  from  all  sources,  and  for  every  service  performed,  and  a  semi- 
annual report  thereof  be  made  to  the  governor,  under  oath  ;  and  any  officer  who  makes  a 
foLe  report  shall  be  guilty  of  perjury,  and  punished  accordingly, 

\  21.  The  officers  of  the  executive  department,  and  of  all  the  public  institutions  of  the 
State,  shall,  at  least  ten  days  preceding  each  regular  session  of  the  general  assembly,  severally 
report  to  the  governor,  who  shall  transmit  such  reports  to  the  general  assembly,  together 
wilh  the  reports  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  defects  in  the  constitution  and 
liws;  and  the  governor  may  at  any  time  require  information,  in  writing,  under  oath,  from 
the  officers  of  the  executive  department,  and  all  officers  and  managers  of  state  institutions, 
upon  any  subject  relating  to  the  condition,  management  and  expenses  of  tlieir  respective 
offices. 

THE   SEAL   OF    STATE. 

\  22.  There  shall  be  a  seal  of  the  State,  which  shall  be  called  the  "  Great  seal  of  the  State 
of  Illinois,"  which  shall  be  kept  by  the  secretary  of  State,  and  used  by  him,  officially,  aa 
directed  by  law. 

FEES   AND    SALARIES. 

\  23.  The  officers  named  in  this  article  shall  receive  for  their  services  a  salary,  to  be  estab- 
lished by  law,  which  shall  not  be  increased  or  diminished  during  their  official  terms,  and 
they  shall  not,  after  the  expiration  of  the  terms  of  those  in  office  at  the  adoption  of  this  con- 
stitution, receive  to  their  own  use  any  fees,  costs,  perquisites  of  office,  or  other  compensa- 
tion. And  all  fees  that  may  hereafter  be  payable  by  law  for  any  service  performed  by  any 
officer  provided  for  in  this  article  of  the  constitution,  shall  be  paid  in  advance  into  the  State 
treasury. 

DEFINITION   AND   OATH    OF   OFFICE. 

\  24.  An  office  is  a  public  position  created  by  the  constitution  or  law,  continuing  during 
the  pleasure  of  the  appointing  power,  or  for  a  fixed  time,  with  a  successor  elected  or 
appointed.  An  employment  is  an  agency,  for  a  temporary  purpose,  which  ceases  when  that 
purpose  is  accomplished. 

§  25.  All  civil  officers,  except  members  of  the  general  assembly  and  such  inferior  officers 
as  may  be  by  law  exempted,  shall,  before  they  enter  on  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices, 
take  and  subscribe  the  following  oath  or 

I  do  solemnly  swear  for  affirm,  as  the  case  maj 
and  the  Consiitmiou  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  an 
according  to  the  best  of  my  ability. 

And  no  other  oath,  declaraiic 


L  shall  be  required  as  a  Qualification. 


ARTICLE    VI. 


JUDICIAL    Di:rARTMENT. 


Tudic'al  Powers  of  Courts. 
.  Seven  Supreme  Judges— Four  Dc 
,  Qualifications  of  a  Supreme  Jud, 
.  Icrms  of  the  Supreme  Court. 
.  Three  Grand  Divisions— Seven  D 
.  Election  of  Supreme  Judges. 

Salaries  of  the  Supreme  Judges. 
.  Appeals  and  Writs  of  Error. 
.  Appointment  of  Reporl'-T. 
,.  ClcrJ-s  of  the  Supreme  Court 
.  Appellate  Courts  Auth-rized. 
.  jnrisdiciion  of  Circuit  Courts. 

Formation  of  Judicial  Circuits. 
''.  Time  of  holding  Circuit  Courts. 
;.  Circuits  containing  Four  Judges, 
-,.  Salaries  of  the  Circuit  Judges, 
r.  Qualification  of  Judges  or  Comn 


I.  The  judicial  powe 


,  county  courts, 
nay  be  created  by  law  in  a 


.  County  Judges-County  Clerks. 
..  Appeals  from  County  Courts. 
I    Probate  Courts  Authorized. 

Justices  of  the  Peace  and  Constables. 
;.  State's  Attorney  in  eath  County. 
1.  Cook  County  Courts  of  Record. 
i.  Chief  Justice— Power  of  Judges. 
;.  Salaries  of  the  Judges, 
i.  Criminal  Court  of  Cook  County. 
r    Clerks  of  Cook  County  Court. 


.  Removal  of  any  Judge, 
.  Judges  to  make  Written  Reports 
.  Terms  of  Office— Filling  Vacan. 
,.  Process — Prosecutions— Popula 


:Ie  U  otherwise  provided,  shall  be  vested  in 
justices  of  the  peace,  police  magistrates, 
id  fjr  cities  and  incorporated  towns. 


SUPREME   COURT. 

2  2.  The  supreme  court  shall  co-sist  of  seve:*  judges  and  shall  have  original  jurisdic- 
tion  in  cases  relatin<»  to  the  revenue,  in  ma^</amu^,  and  Aal>eas  carpus  and  appellate  juns- 
dTcUon  in  all  other  clises.  One  of  said  judges  shall  be  chief  justice ;  four  shall  constitute  a 
quorum,  and  the  concurrence  of  four  shall  be  necessary  to  every  decision. 
^3  No  pet^on  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  judge  o  the  supreme  court  un  ess  he 
.hnll  he  at  least  ^o  years  of  a^^e  and  a  chizen  of  the  United  States,  nor  unle«  he  shall  have 
r^tled  in  the"sSelv?year.°  next  preceding  his  election,  and  be  a  resident  of  the  district 
in  which  he  shall  be  elected.  ,  ,  .      ,  .  i  j-   ■  ■      , 

2  4  Terms  of  the  supreme  court  shall  continue  to  he  held  m  the  present  grand  d.vis.ons 
at  ihe  several  places  now  provided  for  holding  the  same;  and  until  otherwise  provided  by 
^aw  one  or  mure  terms  of  said  court  shall  be  held,  for  the  northern  division,  in  the  cty  of 
rhlrntrn  eirh  vear  at  such  times  as  said  court  may  appoint,  whenever  said  city  or  the  county 
of  Cook  shi^  'pcWde  appropriate  rooms  therefor,\nd^he  use  of  a  suitable  "b-ry,  without 
exp;nse  to  the  State.  The  judicial  divisions  maybe  altered,  increased  or  diminished  in 
number,  and  the  limes  and  places  of  holding  said  court  may  be  changed  by  law 

.1  t  The  present  crand  divisions  shall  be  preserved,  and  be  denominated  b^uthem,  Cen- 
il  a'nd  Nor'thern"'u'ntil  otherwise  provided  'by  law.  The  State  shall  be  divided  into  seven 
districts  for  ihe  election  of  judges,  and  until  otherwise  provided  by  law,  they  shall  be  as 

^"'^'^Brst  Dhtrut.-T..  counties  of  St.  Clair,  Clinton  \yashin?ton,  Jjff«°".  Wayne, 
Edwards  Wabash,  White,  Hamilton,  Franklin,  Perry,  Randolph,  Monroe,  J^^l^'On.  ^^  '"'=""" 
son   Saline  Gallatin    Hardin,  Pope,  Union,  Johnson,  Alexander,  Pulaski  and  Massac. 

i^;^  ip«/''w.-The  countie?  if  Madisin,  Bond  Marion,  Clay  Richland  Lawrence, 
Crawford,  Jasper,  Effingham,  Fayette,  Montgomery,  Macoupm,  Shelby,  Cumberland,  Clark, 
Greene,  Jersey.  Calhoun  and  Christian.  ,,  t  r^    w;„.    p;.,tt   n™,-.lns 

nird  Dhtrkt.-1\.<.  counties  of  SangamonMacon,  Logan  De  ^V"f '/if '•  i??"^';'; 
Champaign,  Vermilion,  McLean,  Livingston,   Ford,  Iroquois,  Coles,  Edgar,  Moultne,  and 

^^Foitrtii  Z)w.'/ /.'/.— The  counties  of  Fulton,  McDorough,  Hancock,  Schuyler,  Brown, 
Ad ims   I'lke.  M, son,  Menard.  Morgan,  Cass  and  Scott. 

Fiflk  DUtrict -i'c.^  counties  of  Knox,  Warren,  Henderson,  Mercer,  Henry,  Stark, 
Pe  ria,  Marshall,  Putnam,  Bureau,  Lasalle,  Grundy  and  Woodford 

Six.h  Du,ria.-T^^  counties  of  Whiteside,  Carroll  Jo  Daviess,  Stephenson,  Winnebago, 
Boone   McHenry,  Kane,  Kendall,  De  Kalb,  Lee,  Ogle  and  Rock  I»lind 

Sevlnth  District  —The  counties  of  Lake,  Cook,  Will,  Kankakee  and  Du  Page. 

The  boundaries  of  the  districts  may  be  changed  at  the  session  of  the  general  assembly 
next  preceding  the  election  for  judges  herein,  and  at  no  other  time ;  but  whenever  such 
lilterat'Jons  shaU  be  made,  the  same  shall  be  upon  the  rule  of  equably  of  popubtion.as  nearly 
as  county  boundaries  will  allow,  and  the  districts  will  be  composed  of  contiguous  counties, 
t^  as  near^  compact  form  as  circumstances  will  permit.  The  alteration  of  the  districts 
shall  not  affect  the  tenure  of  office  of  any  judge.  ,-,!,„  .^nnr^me 

g  6.  At  the  time  of  vo.ing  on  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  one  judge  ot  he  supreme 
coSrt  shall  be  elected  by  the  electors  thereof,  in  each  of  said  districts  numbered  two  three 
Tx  and  seven  who  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  nine  years  from  the  fir.t  Monday  of 
Tune'  in  the  :^ear  of  our  Lord  1870.  The  term  of  office  of  judges  of  the  supreme  court, 
ilected  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  shall  be  nine  years;  and  on  the  hrst  Monday 
of  June  of  the  year  m  which  the  term  of  any  of  the  judges  m  oftice  at  the  adoption  of  his 
constitution,  or-of  the  judges  then  elected,  shall  expire,  and  every  nine  r^-;; '^erea '^^^^^ 
there  shall  be  an  election  for  the  successor  or  successors  of  such  judges,  in  the  respective 
distiict- wherein  the  term  of  such  judges  shall  expire.  The  chief  justice  ^l^U  continue  to 
act  oL  such  until  the  expiration  of  the  term  for  which  he  was  elected,.afterwhich  the  judges 

^'f7'V°romTnVlfter%'he"Tdo;ti:n:Vthif  Constitution,  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court 
shall  each  receive  a  salary  of  84,000  per  annum,  payable  quarterly,  until  otherwise  provided 
bv  law  An.l  a*--'  saii  salaries  shall  be  fixed  by  law,  the  salaries  of  the  judge-  ■"  "»■  » 
shall   not  be  increased  or  diminished  during  the  terms  for  which  said  judges 

'"'T'l'^Aooeals  and  writs  of  error  may  be  taken  to  the  supreme  court,  held  in  the  grand 
division  iA  which  the  case   is   decided,  or,  by  consent  of  the   parties,  to   any  other   grand 

''' 5' 9°"The  supreme  court  shall  appoint  one  reporter  of  its  decisions,  who  shall  hold  his 
office  for  six  years,  subject  tu  removal  by  the  court. 

2  10  At  the  t  me  of  the  election  for  representatives  in  th:  general  assembly,  happening 
next  preceding  the  expiration  of  the  terms  of  office  of  the  present  clerks  of  said  cou  t,  one 
clerk  of  said  ?ourt  for  each  division  shall  be  elected,  whose  term  of  office  shall  be  six  years 
from  said  election  but  who  shall  not  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office  until  the  expiration 
of  the  term  of  his  predecessor,  and  every  six  years  thereafter,  one  clerk  of  said  court  for 
each  division  shall  be  elected. 


:  been 


After  the  year  of 


APPELLATE  COURTS. 

-  Lord  1S74,  inferior  appella 


ts,  of  uniform  1 


and  'ilirisdicUon,  miy  be  created  in  districts  formed  for  that  purpose,  to  which  such  appeals 
and  writs  of  error  as  the  general  assembly  may  provide,  may  be  prosecuted  from  circuit  and 


CIRCUIT   COURTS. 

J  12.  The  circuit  courts  shall  have  original  jurisdiction  of  all  causes  in  law  and  equity, 
and  such  appellate  jurisdiction  as  is  or  may  be  provided  by  law,  and  shall  hold  two  or  more 
terms  each  year  in  every  county.     The  terms  of  office  of  judges  of  circuit  courts  shall  be 

?  13.  The  State,  exclusive  of  the  county  of  Cook  and  other  counties  having  a  popula- 
tion of  100,000,  shall  be  divided  into  judicial  circuits,  prior  to  the  expiration  of  the  terms 
of  office  of  the  present  judges  of  the  circuit  courts.  Such  circuits  shall  be  formed  of  con- 
tiouous  counties,  in  as  nearly  compact  form  and  as  nearly  equal  as  circumstances  will  permit, 
having  due  regard  to  business,  territory  and  population,  and  shall  not  exceed  in  number  one 
circuit  for  every  100.000  of  population  in  the  State.  One  judge  shall  be  elected  for  each  of 
said  circuits  by  the  electors  thereof.  New  circuits  may  be  formed  and  the  boundaries  of 
circuits  changed  by  the  general  assembly,  at  its  session  next  preceding  the  election  for  circuit 
jud-res  but  al  no  other  time  :  FromWed,  that  the  circuits  may  be  equalized  or  changed  at  the 
first'session  of  the  general  assembly,  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution.  The  creation, 
alteration  or  chance  of  any  circuit  shall  not  affect  the  tenure  of  office  of  any  judge.  When- 
ever the  business^of  the  circuit  court  of  any  one,  or  of  two  or  more  contiguous  counties, 
containincT  a  population  exceeding  50,000,  shall  occupy  nine  months  of  the  year,  the  general 
assembly  may  make  of  such  county,  or  counties,  a  separate  circuit.  Whenever  additional 
circuits  are  created,  the  foregoing  limitations  shall  be  observed. 

■i  14  The  general  assembly  shall  provide  for  the  times  of  holding  courts  m  each  county ; 
which  'shall  not  be  changed,  except  by  the  general  assembly  next  preceding  the  general 
election  for  judges  of  said  courts;  but  additional  terms  may  be  provided  for  in  any  county. 
The  election  for  judges  of  the  circuit  courts  shall  be  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  June,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  lS°73,  and  every  six  years  thereafter.  .,..,.      .       , 

?  15  The  general  assembly  may  divide  the  State  into  judicial  circuits  of  greater  popu- 
lation 'and  territory,  in  lieu  of  the  circuits  provided  for  in  section  13  of  this  article  and 
provide  for  the  election  therein,  severally,  by  the  electors  thereof,  by  general  ticket,  of  not 
exceeding  four  judges,  who  shall  hold  the  circuit  courts  in  the  circuit  for  which  they  shall 
be  elected,  in  such  manner  as  may  be  provided  by  law.  ,,        .      .  ,„ 

i  16  From  and  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  judges  of  the  circuit  courts  shall 
receive  a  salary  of  'sj  000  per  annum,  payable  quarterly,  until  otherwise  provided  by  law. 
And  after  their  salaries  shall  be  fixed  by  law,  they  shall  not  be  increased  or  diminished 
during  the  terms  for  which  said  judges  shall  be,  respectively,  electea;  and  from  aud  after 
the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  no  judge  of  the  supreme  or  circuit  court  shall  receive  any 
other  compensation,  perquisite  or  benefit,  in  any  form  whatsoever,  nor  perform  any  othei 
than  judicial  duties  to  which  may  belong  any  emoluments.  ^ 

?  17      No  person  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  judge  of  the  circuit  or  any  infenor 
court   or  to  membership  in  the  "board  of  county  commissioners."  unless  he  shall  be  at  le.st 
d  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  nor  unless  he  shall  have  resided  in  this 
d  be  a  resident  of  the  circuit,  county,  city, 


other  courts,  and  from  which  appeals  and  writs  of  errjr  shall  he  to  the  supreme 
all  crim°nal  cases,  and  cases  in  which  a  franchise,  or  freehold,  or  the  validity  of  a  statute  is 
iavolved  and  in  such  other  cises  as  may  be  provided  by  law.  Such  appellate  courts  shall 
be  held  hy  such  number  of  judges  of  the  circuit  courts,  and  at  such  times  and  p.aces,  and 
in  such  manner,  as  may  be  provided  by  law;  but  no  judge  shall  sit  11  review  upon  case, 
dcoded  by  him;  nor  shall  said  judges  receive  any  additional  compensation  ...r  such  services. 


25  ye 


S:.ate  five  years  next  preceding  his  election,  ana  oe  a  re 
cities,  or  incorporated  town  in  which  he  shall  be  elected. 


i  iS  There  shall  be  elected  in  and  for  each  countv,  one  county  judge  and  one  clerk  of 
the  county  court,  whose  terms  of  office  shall  be  four  years.  But  the  general  assembly  may 
create  districts  of  two  or  more  contiguous  counties,  in  each  of  which  shall  be  elecleJ  one 
iud-e,who  shall  take  the  place  of,  and  exercise  the  powers  and  jurisdiction  of  county  judges 
in  s°uch  districts.  County  courts  shall  be  courts  o(  record,  and  shall  have  original  jurisdic- 
tion in  all  matters  of  probate ;  settlement  of  estates  of  deceased  persons ;  appointment  of 
Quardians  and  conservators,  and  settlements  of  their  accounts ;  in  all  matters  relating  to 
apprentices ;  and  in  proceedings  for  the  collection  of  taxes  and  assessments,  and  such  other 
jurisdiction 'as  may  be  provided  for  by  general  law.  .     ,    ,  .       . 

519.  Appeals  and  writs  of  error  shall  be  allowed  from  final  determinations  of  county 
courts,  as  may  be  provided  by  law. 

PROBATE  COURTS. 

3  20  The  general  assembly  may  provide  for  the  establishment  of  a  probate  court  in  each 
cojntv'havin.T  a  population  of  over  50,000,  and  for  the  election  of  a  judge  thereof,  whose 
term  of  office°shall  be  the  same  as  that  of  the  county  judge,  and  who  shall  be  elected  at  the 
same  time  and  in  the  same  manner.  Said  courts,  when  established,  shall  have  original 
jurisdiction  of  all  probate  matters,  the  settlement  of  estates  of  deceased  persons,  the  appoint- 
ment  of  "uardians  and  conservators,  and  settlement  of  their  accounts  ;  m  all  matters  relating 
to  apprentices,  and  in  coses  of  the  sales  of  real  estate  of  deceased  persons  for  tae  payment 
of  debts. 

JUSTICES   OF   THE   PEACE  AND   CONSTABLES. 

jj  -I  Justices  of  the  peace,  police  magistrates,  and  constables  shall  be  elected  in  and  for 
such  districts  as  are,  or  may  be,  provided  by  law,  and  the  jurisdiction  of  such  justices  of  the 
peace  and  police  magistrates  shall  be  uniform. 

STATE'S    ATTORNEYS. 

i  •'2  At  the  election  for  members  of  the  general  assembly  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1S72. 
and  "every  four  years  thereafter,  there  shall  be  elected  a  State's  attorney  in  and  for  each 
county,  in  lieu  of  the  State's  attorneys  now  provided  by  law,  whose  term  of  office  shaU  be 
four  years. 

COURTS  OF  COOK  COUNTY. 

a  211  The  county  of  Cook  shall  be  one  judicial  circuit.  The  circuit  court  of  Cook 
countyshall  consist  of  five  judges,  until  their  number  shall  be  increased  as  herein  provided 
The  present  judge  of  the  recorder's  court  of  the  city  of  Chicago  and  the  present  judge  of 
the  cFrcuit  court  of  Cook  county,  shall  be  two  of  said  judges  and  shall  remain  in  office  for 
the  terms  for  which  th=v  were  respectivelv  elected,  and  until  their  successors  shall  be  elected 
and  q™l>fied.  The  superior  court  of  Chicago  shall  be  continued,  and  called  the  superior 
cour?of  Cook  county.  The  general  assembly  may  increase  the  number  of  said  judges  by 
adding  one  to  either  of  said  courts  for  every  additional  50,000  inhab.tans  in  said  coumy, 
ovejand  above  a  papulation  of  400,000.     The  terms  of  office  of  the  judges  of  said  courts 

''"it"  TheKhaWnt'trel'ortest  unexpired  term  shall  be  chief  justice  of  the  court 
of  which  he  is  ju  fge.  In'Jase  there  are  two  or  more  whose  terms  expire  at  the  same  tun. ^ 
k  may  be  determiSed  by  lot  which  shall  b.  chief  justice.  Any  judge  of  either  of  said 
co"r?f  shall  have  all  the  powers  of  a  circuit  judge,  and  may  hold  the  court  of  which  he  is  a 
member      Each  of  them  may  hold  a  different  branch  thereof  at  thejame  time. 

2  25    The  jud  -es  of  the  superior  and  circuit  courts,  and  the  Stata's  atlorney,  in  said 
tv   sh  ill  receive  the  -am-   salaries,  payable  out  of  the  State  treasury,  as  is  or  may  be 

p°U  fmm  said  treasury  to  the  circuit  judges  and  State's  attorneys  of  the  State,  and  such 
Further  compensation,  to  be  paid  by  the  county  of  Coo'.<,  as  is  or  may  be  provided  bv  law  ; 
such  compensation  shall  not  be  changed  during  their  continuance  m  om;e. 

3  26  The  recorder's  court  of  the  city  of  Chicago  shall  be  continued,  and  shall  be  called 
the  ■■criminal  court  of  Coo'c  county,"  It  shall  have  the  jurisdiction  of  a  circuit  court,  in 
111  cases  of  criminal  and  ,«../  criminal  nature,  arising  in  the  county  of  Cook,  or  that  may 


be  broTight  before  said  court  pursuant  to  law;  and  all  recognizances  and  appeals  t^ken  in 
^aid  county  in  criminal  and  quasi  criminal  cases  shall  be  returnable  and  taken  to  said  court. 
It  shall  ha've  no  jurisdiction  in  civil  cases,  except  in  those  on  behalf  of  the  people,  and 
incident  to  such  criminal  or  quasi  criminal  matters,  and  to  dispose  of  unfinished  business. 
The  terms  of  said  criminal  court  of  Cook  county  shall  be  held  by  one  or  more  of  the  judges 
of  the  circuit  or  superior  court  of  Cook  county,  as  nearly  as  may  be  in  alternaiion,  as  may 
be  determined  by  said  judges,  or  provided  by  law.    Said  judges  shall  be  ex-offioio  judges  of 

3  27.  The  present  clerk  of  the  recorder's  court  of  the  city  of  Chicago,  shall  be  the  clerk 
of  the  crimmal  court  of  Cook  count)',  during  the  term  for  which  he  was  elected.  The 
present  clerks  of  the  superior  court  of  Chicago,  and  the  present  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  of 
Cook  county,  shall  continue  in  oftice  during  the  terms  for  which  they  were  respectively 
elected-  and  thereafter  there  shall  be  but  one  clerk  of  the  superior  court,  to  be  elected  by 
the  qualified  electors  of  said  county,  who  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  terra  of  four  years,  and 
until  his  successor  is  elected  and  qualified.  j  ^     ^ 

a  28  All  justices  of  the  peace  in  the  city  of  Chicago  shall  be  appointed  by  the  governor, 
by  and  with  "the  advice  and  consent  of  the  senate,  (but  only  upon  the  recommendation  of  a 
majority  of  the  judges  of  the  circuit,  superior  and  county  courU,)  and  for  such  districts  as 
are  now  or  shall  hereafter  be  provided  by  law.  They  shall  hold  their  offices  for  four  years, 
and  until  their  successors  have  been  commissioned  and  qualified,  but  they  may  be  removed 
by  summary  proceedings  in  the  circuit  or  superior  court,  for  extortion  or  other  malfeasance. 
Existing  justices  of  the  peace  and  police  magistrates  may  hold  their  offices  until  the 
expiration  of  their  respective  terms. 

GENERAL   PROVISIONS. 

3  29.  All  judicial  officers  shall  be  commissioned  by  the  governor.  All  laws  relating  to 
cour  s  shall  be  general,  and  of  uniform  operation  ;  and  the  organization,  jurisdiction,  powers, 


;cla 


i  or  grade,  so  far  as  regulated  by  k 
nd  decrees  of  such  courts,  severally 


al  assembly 
r  respective 


^ edings  and  practice  of  all  courts,  of  tht 

and  the  force  and  effect  of  the  process,  judgments 
shall  be  uniform. 

I  30.  The  general  assembly  may,  for  cause  entered  on  the  journals,  upon  due  notice  and 
opportunity  of  defense,  remove  frum  office  any  judge,  upon  concurrence  of  three-fourths  of 
all  the  members  elected,  of  each  house.  All  other  officers  in  this  article  mentioned,  shall 
be  removed  from  office  on  prosecution  and  final  conviction,  fur  misdemeanor  in  office. 

\  31.  All  judges  of  courts  of  record,  inferior  to  the  supreme  court,  shall,  on  or  before 
the  first  day  ol  June,  of  each  year,  report  in  writing  to  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court, 
such  defects  and  omissions  in  the  laws  as  their  experience  may  suggest;  and  the  judges  of 
the  .supreme  court  shall,  on  or  before  the  first  dav  of  January  of  each  year,  report  in  writmg 
to  the  governor  such  defects  and  omissions  in  the  constitution  and  laws  as  they  may  hnd  to 
exist,  together  with  appropriate  forms  of  bills  to  cure  such  defects  and  omir-"—  '"  *^~ 
laws.  And  the  judges  of  the  several  circuit  courts  shall  report  to  the  next  gene 
the  number  of  days  they  have  held  court  in  the  several  counties  composing  tht 
circuits  the  preceding  two  years, 

\  32.  All  officers  provided  for  in  this  article  shall  hold  their  offices  until  the 
shall  be  qualified,  and  they  shall,  respectively,  reside  in  the  division,  circuit,  county  or  dis- 
trict for  which  they  may  be  elected  or  appointed.  The  terms  of  office  of  all  such  officers, 
where  not  otherwise  prescribed  in  this  article,  shall  be  four  years.  All  officers,  where  not 
otherwise  provided  for  in  this  article,  shall  perform  such  duties  and  receive  such  compensa- 
tion as  is  or  may  be  provided  by  law.  Vacancies  in  such  elective  offices  shall  be  filled  by 
election.  •  but  where  the  unexpired  term  does  not  exceed  one  year,  the  vacancy  shall  be  filled 
by  appointment,  as  follows:  Of  judges,  by  the  governor;  of  clerks  of  courts,  by  the  court 
to  which  the  office  appertains,  or  by  the  judge  or  judges  thereof;  and  of  all  such  other 
officers,  by  the  board  of  supervisors  or  board  of  county  commissioners  in  the  county  where 
the  vacancy  occurs. 

\  33.  All  process  shall  run  :  Jn  the  name  of  the  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois  :  and  all 
pro-ecutions  shall  be  carried  on  :  In  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  People  of  the  State 
of  Illinois;  and  conclude:  Against  the  peace  and  dignity  of  the  same.  "  Population," 
wherever  used  in  this  article,  shall  be  determined  by  the  next  preceding  census  of  this  State, 
or  of  the  Umted  States. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

SUFFR-\CE. 

3  I.  "Who  arc  Entitled  to  Vote.  I     g  5-  Soldier  not  Deemed  a  R:sidenL 

§3.  All  Voting  to  be  by  BalloL  ^6-  Quaiilications  lor  Office. 

\  3.  Privileges  uf  Electors.  g  7-  Persons  Convicted  of  Lnme. 

\  4.  Absence  on  Public  Business.  ' 

\  I.  Every  person  having  resided  in  this  State  one  year,  in  the  county  90  days,  and  in 
the  election  district  30  days  next  preceding  any  election  therein,  who  was  an  elector  in  this 
State  on  the  first  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1848,  or  obtained  a  certificate  of 
naturalization  before  any  court  of  record  in  this  State  prior  to  the  first  day  of  January,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  1S70,  or  who  shall  be  a  male  citizen  of  the  United  States,  above  the 
age  of  21  years,  shall  be  eniiiled  to  vote  at  such  election. 

\  2.     Ail  voles  shall  be  by  ballot. 

§  3.  Electors  shall,  in  all  cases  except  treason,  felony,  or  breach  of  the  peace,  be  privi- 
leged from  arrest  during  their  attendance  at  elections,  and  in  going  to  and  returning  from 
the  same.  And  no  elector  shall  be  obliged  to  do  military  duty  on  the  days  of  election, 
except  in  time  of  war  or  public  danger. 

§  4.  No  elector  shall  be  deemed  to  have  lost  his  residence  in  this  State  by  reason  of  his 
absence  on  business  of  the  United  States,  or  of  this  State,  or  in  the  military  or  naval  ser\'ice 
of  the  United  States. 

\  5.  No  soldier,  seaman  or  marine  in  the  army  or  navy  of  the  United  States  shall  be 
deemed  a  resident  of  thi-.  State  in  consequence  of  being  stationed  therein. 

\  6.  No  person  shall  be  elected  or  appointed  to  any  office  in  this  S:ate 
who  is  not  a  citizen  of  the  United  Stales,  and  who  shall  not  have  resided 
year  next  preceding  the  election  or  appointment. 

\  7.     The  general  assembly  shall  pass  laws  excluding  from  the  right  of  suffrage  pe: 
convicted  of  infamous  crimes. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

EDUCATION. 

3  I.  Free  Schools  Estiblished. 

\  2.  Gifts  or  Grants  in  ai  1  of  -^chols. 

I  3.  Public  SchouU  not  to  be  SectArt.m.  | 

^  I.  The  general  a'^sembly  shall  provide  a  thorough  and  efficient  system  of  free  schools, 
whereby  all  children  of  this  State  may  receive  a  good  common  school  education. 

g  2.  All  lands,  moneys,  or  other  properties,  donated,  granted  or  received  for  school,  col- 
lege, seminary  or  university  purposes,  and  the  proceeds  thertof,  shall  be  faithfully  applied 
Ij  the  objects  for  which  such  gifts  or  grants  were  made. 

§  3.  Neither  the  general  assembly  nnr  any  county,  city,  town,  township,  school  district, 
or  other  public  corporation,  shall  ever  make  any  appropriation  or  pay  from  any  public  fund 
whatever,  anything  in  aid  of  any  church  or  sectarian  purpose,  or  to  help  support  or  sustain 
any  school,  academy,  seminary,  college,  university,  or  other  literary  or  scientific  institution. 


jr  military, 
State  one 


c.mtrolled  by  any  church  or  sectarian  denomination  whatever;  nor  shall  any  grant  or  dona- 
tion of  land,  money,  or  other  personal  property  ever  be  made  by  the  State  or  any  such 
public  corporation,  to  any  church,  or  for  any  sectarian  purpose. 

§  4.  No  teacher,  State,  county,  township,  or  district  school  officer  shall  be  interested  in 
the  sale,  proceeds  or  pr- .fits  of  any  book,  apparatus  or  furniture,  used  or  to  be  used,  iu  any 
school  in  this  State,  with  which  such  officer  or  teacher  may  be  connected,  under  such 
penalties  as  may  be  provided  by  the  general  assembly. 

§  5.  There  may  be  a  county  superintendent  of  schools  in  each  county,  whose  qualifica- 
tions, powers,  duties,  compensation  and  time  and  manner  of  election,  and  term  of  of  '^*Uce 
shall  be  prescribed  by  law. 

ARTICLE  IX. 


a     I.  Principles  of  Ta: 

d    3.  Property  Exempt  from  Ta: 


6.  Release  from  Ta: 


1  Forbidden. 


o  State  Treasury. 
.  Limitaiion  on  County  Taxes. 
.  Local  Municipal  Improvements. 

Tiixation  of  Municipal  Corporation: 
.  Lefaulter  not  to  be  Eligib'e. 

LimitauoD  on  Municipal  Indebtedm 


§  I.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide  such  revenue  as  may  be  needful  by  levying  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  general  assembly  shall  direct,  and  not  otherwise  ; 
but  the  general  assembly  shall  have  power  to  tax  peddlers,  auctioneers,  brokers,  hawkers, 
merchants,  commission  merchants,  showmen,  jugglers,  inn-keepers,  grocery  keepers,  liquor 
dealers,  toll  bridges,  ferries,  insurance,  telegraph  and  express  interests  or  business,  venders 
of  patents,  and  persons  or  corporations  owning  or  using  franchises  and  privileges,  in  such 
manner  as  it  shall  Irom  time  to  time  direct  by  gener.il  law,  uniform  as  to  the  class  upon 
which  it  operates. 

I  2.  The  specification  of  the  objects  and  subjects  of  taxation  shall  not  deprive  the  general 
.assembly  of  the  power  to  require  other  subjects  or  objects  to  be  taxed  in  such  a  manner  as 
may  be  consistent  wi'h  the  principles  of  taxation  fixed  in  this  constitution. 

§  3.  The  properties  of  the  State,  counties  and  other  municipal  corporations,  both  real 
and  personal,  and  such  other  property  as  may  be  used  exclusively  for  agricultural  and  horti- 
cultural societies,  for  school,  religious,  cemetery  and  charitable  purposes,  may  be  exempted 
from  taxation  ;  but  such  exemption  shall  be  only  by  general  law.  In  the  assessment  of  real 
estate  encumbered  by  public  easement,  any  depreciation  occasioned  by  such  easement  may 
be  deducted  in  the  valuation  of  such  property. 

§  4.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide,  in  all  cases  where  it  may  be  necessary  to  sell 
real  estate  for  the  non-payment  of  taxes  or  special  assessments  for  State,  county,  municipal 
or  other  purposes,  that  a  return  of  such  unpaid  taxes  or  assessments  shall  be  to  some  general 
officer  of  the  county  having  authority  to  receive  State  and  county  taxes;  and  there  shall  be 
no  sale  of  said  property  for  any  of  said  taxes  or  assessments  but  by  said  officer,  upon  the 
order  or  judgment  of  some  court  of  record. 

§  5.  The  right  of  redemption  from  all  sales  of  real  estate  for  the  non-payment  of  taxes 
or  special  assessments  of  any  character  whatever,  shall  exist  in  favor  of  owners  and  persons 
interested  in  such  real  estate,  for  a  period  of  not  less  than  two  years  from  such  sales  thereof. 
And  the  general  assembly  shall  provide  by  law  for  reasonable  notice  to  be  given  to  the 
owners  or  parties  interested,  by  publication  or  otherwise,  of  the  fact  of  the  sale  of  the  prop- 
erty for  such  taxes  or  assessments,  and  when  the  t'meof  redemption  shall  expire:  Provided^ 
that  occupants  shall  in  all  cases  be  served  with  personal  notice  before  the  lime  of  redemp- 
tion expires. 

^  6.  The  general  assembly  shall  have  no  power  to  release  or  discharge  any  county,  city, 
township,  town  or  district  whatever,  or  the  inhabitants  thereof  or  the  property  therein,  from 
their  or  its  proportionate  share  of  taxes  to  be  levied  for  State  purposes,  nor  shall  commuta- 
tion for  such  taxes  he  authorized  in  any  form  whatsoever. 

§  7.  All  taxes  levied  for  State  purposes  shall  be  paid  into  the  State  treasury. 

^  S.  County  authorities  shall  never  assess  taxes  the  aggregate  of  which  shall  exceed  75 
cents  per  $100  valuation,  except  for  the  payment  of  indebtedness  existing  at  the  adoption 
of  this  constitution,  unless  authorized  by  a  vote  of  the  people  of  the  county, 

^  9.  The  general  assembly  may  vest  the  corporate  auihorities  of  cities,  towns,  village:^, 
with  power  to  make  local  improvements  by  special  assessment  or  by  special  taxation  of  con- 
tiguous property  or  otherwise.  For  all  other  corporate  purposes,  all  municipal  corporations 
may  be  vested  with  authority  to  assess  and  collect  taxes ;  but  such  taxes  shall  be  uniform  in 
respect  to  persons  and  property,  with  the  jurisdiction  of  the  body  iinposing  the  same. 

^  10.  The  general  assemljly  shall  not  impose  taxes  upon  municipal  corporations,  or  the  in- 
habitants or  property  thereof,  for  corporate  purposes,  but  shall  require  that  all  the  taxable 
property  within  the  limits  of  municipal  corporations  shall  be  taxed  for  the  payment  of  debts 
contracted  under  authority  of  law,  such  taxes  to  be  uniform  in  respect  to  persons  and  prop- 
erty, within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  body  imposing  the  same.  Private  property  shall  not  be 
liable  to  be  tiken  or  sold  for  the  payment  of  the  corporate  debts  of  a  municipal  corporation. 

^  II.  No  person  who  is  in  default,  as  a  collector  or  custodian  of  money  or  property  belong- 
ing to  a  municipal  corporation,  shall  be  eligible  to  any  office  in  or  under  such  corporation. 
The  fees,  salary  or  compensation  of  no  municipal  officer  who  is  elected  or  appointed  for  a 
definite  term  of  office,  shall  be  increased  or  diminished  during  such  term. 

§  12.  No  county,  ciiy,  township,  school  district,  or  other  municipal  corporation,  shall  be 
allowed  to  become  indebted  in  any  manner  or  for  any  purpose,  to  an  amoun',  including  ex- 
ialing  indebtedness,  in  the  aggregate  exceeding  five  per  centum  on  the  value  of  the  taxable 
property  therein,  to  be  ascertained  by  the  la-t  assessment  for  State  and  county  taxes,  previous 
to  the  incurring  of  such  indebtedness.  Any  county,  city,  school  district,  or  other  municipal 
corporation,  incurring  any  indebtedness  as  aforesaid,  shalL  before,  or  at  the  time  of  doing 
so,  provide  for  the  collection  of  a.  direct  annual  tax  sufficient  to  pay  the  interest  on  such 
debt  as  it  falls  due,  and  also  to  pay  and  discharge  the  principal  thereof  within  twenty  years 
from  the  time  of  contracting  the  same.  This  section  shall  not  be  construed  to  prevent  any 
county,  city,  township,  school  district,  or  other  municipal  corporation  from  issuing  theii 
bonds'  in  compliance  with  any  vote  of  the  people  which  may  have  been  had  prior  to  ihv 
adoption  of  this  constitution  in  pursuance  of  any  la.v  providing  therefor. 

ARTICLE  X. 


COUNTIES. 


Fo-mation  of 
Division  of  I 


inty. 


County  Officers— Terms  of  Office. 
Salaries  and  Fees  in  Cook  County. 
Salaries  fixed  by  County  Board 
Township  Officers — Special  Laws. 
All  Future  Fees  Uniform. 
Sworn  Reports  of  all  Fees. 


J  3.  Territ  ry  stricken  fn...  ..  ^■ 

3  4.  Removal  of  a  County  Scat. 

3  c.  Method  of  County  Govemn; 

3  6.  Eo.rdof  Co   my  Commissioners.  g  13. 

I  7.  County  affairs  in  Cook  County. 

§  1.  No  new  county  shall  be  formed  or  established  by  the  general  assembly,  which  will 
reduce  the  county  or  counties,  or  eiiher  of  them,  from  which  it  shall  be  taken,  to  less  con- 
tents than  400  square  miles;  nor  shall  any  county  be  formed  of  less  contents ;  nor  shall  any 
line  thereof  pass  within  less  than  ten  miles  of  any  county  seat  of  the  county,  or  counties 
proposed  to  be  divided. 


,  ?  2,  No  county  sh.ill  be  divided,  or  have  any  part  stricken  therefrom,  without  suhmmmg 
the  question  to  a  vote  of  the  people  of  the  county,  nor  unless  a  majority  of  all  the  legal 
voters  of  the  county,  voting  on  the  question,  shall  vote  for  the  same. 

a  1.  There  shall  he  no  tirntory  stricken  from  any  county,  unless  a  majonty  of  the  vo  ers 

'    livini  in  such  territory  shall  petition  for  such  division;  and  no  territory  shal    be  added  to 

■    any  TOUnty  without  the  consent  of  the  majority  of  the  voters  of  the  county  to  which  it  is 

proposed  to  be  added.     But  ihe  portion  so  stricken  off  and  added  to  another  county,  or 

formed  in  whole  or  in  part  into  a  new  county,  .hall  be  holden  for,  and  obliged  to  pay  its 

proportion  of  indebtedness  of  the  county  from  which  it  has  been  taken. 

COUNTY   SEATS. 

i  4  No  county  seat  shall  be  removed  until  the  point  to  which  it  is  proposed  to  be  removed 
shall  he  fixed  in  pursuance  .f  law,  and  three-fifths  of  the  voters  of  the  county,  to  be  ascer- 
Uined  in  such  manner  as  shall  be  provided  by  general  law,  shall  have  voted  in  favor  of  us 
removal  to  such  point ;  and  no  person  shall  vote  on  such  question  who  has  not  resided  in  the 
countv  six  months  and  in  the  election  precinct  ninety  days  next  preceding  such  election. 
The  question  of  the  removal  of  a  county  seat  shall  not  be  oftener  submitted  than  once  in 
ten  years,  to  a  vote  of  the  people.  But  when  an  attempt  is  made  to  remove  the  county  seat 
to  a  point  nearer  to  the  centre  of  a  county,  then  a  majority  vote  only  shall  be  necessary. 

COUNTY   GOVERNMENT. 

2  c  The  general  assembly  shall  provide,  by  general  law,  for  township  organization,  under 
which  any  county  may  organize  whenever  a  majority  ol  the  legal  voters  of  such  counly, 
votino  at  any  general  election,  shall  so  determine,  and  whenever  any  county  shall  adopt 
townsdiip  organization,  so  much  of  this  constitution  as  provides  for  the  management  of  the 
fiscal  concert  of  the  said  counly  by  the  board  of  counly  commissioners,  may  be  dispensed 
with  and  the  affairs  of  said  county  miybe  transacted  in  such  manner  as  the  general  assem- 
bly may  provide.  And  in  any  counly  that  shall  have  adopted  a  township  organization,  the 
question  of  continuing  the  same  may  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  electors  of  such  counly, 
at  a  general  election,  in  the  manner  that  now  is  or  may  be  provided  by  law  ;  and  if  a  ma- 
ioritv  of  all  the  votes  cast  upon  that  question  shall  be  against  township  organization,  then 

'  iuc/organization  shall  cease  in  said  county ;  and  all  laws  in  force  in  relation  to  countjes  not 
havino  township  organization,  shall  immediUely  take  effect  and  be  in  force  in  such  county. 
No  two  townships  shall  have  the  same  name,  and  the  day  of  holding  the  annual  township 
meeting  shall  be  uniform  throughont  the  Stale.  v  ii  u    .i  „t..l 

3  6  At  the  first  election  of  county  judges  under  this  constitution,  there  shall  be  elected 
in  each  of  the  counties  in  this  Slate,  not  under  township  organization,  three  officers,  who 
shall  be  styled  ■■  The  board  of  counly  commissioners,"  who  shall  hold  sessions  for  the  trans- 
action of  countv  business  as  shall  be  provided  by  law.  One  of  said  commissioners  shall 
hold  his  office  for  one  year,  one  for  iwo  years,  and  one  for  three  years  to  be  determined  by 

;     lot ;  and  every  year  thereafter  one  such  officer  shall  be  elected  in  each  of  said  counties  for 

the  term  of  three  years.  ,  ,        .        ,    ^  ■    ■  r 

I  7  The  county  affairs  of  Cook  county  shall  be  managed  by  a  board  of  commissioners  ot 

fifteen  persons,  ten  of  whom  shall  be  elected  from  the  ctyol  Chicago,  and  five  from  towns 

outside  nf  said  city,  in  such  manner  xs  may  be  provided  by  law. 

COUNTY   OFFICERS   AND   THEIR   COMPENSATION. 

8  8  In  each  county  there  shall  be  elected  the  following  counly  officers  :     County  judge, 
sheriff  counly  clerk,  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  (who  may  be  ex-cficio  recorder  of  deeds,  ex- 
cent  in  counties  having  6o,ooo  and  more  inhabitants,  in  which  counties  a  recorder  of  deeds 
,      shall  be  elected  at  the  general  election  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1872,)  treasurer,  surveyor 
and  coroner  each  of  whom  shall  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  office,  respectively,  on  the  fir>t 
'      Mondavof  December  after  their  election;  and  they  shall  hold  their  respecnve  offices  for 
:      the  term  of  four  years,  except  the  treasurer,  sheriff  and  coroner,  who  shall  hold  their  office 
for  two  years,  and  until  their  successors  shall  be  elected  and  qualified. 

i  Q  The  clerks  01  all  the  courts  of  record,  the  treasurer,  sheriff,  coroner  and  recorder  of 
deeds' of  Cook  county,  shall  receive  as  their  only  compensation  for  their  services,  salaries  to 
be  fixed  by  law,  which  shall  in  no  case  be  as  much  as  the  lawful  compensaUon  of  ajudge  of 
the  circuit  court  of  said  county,  and  shall  he  paid,  respectively,  only  out  of  the  fees  of  the 
office  actually  collected.  All  fees,  perquisites  and  emoluments  (above  the  amount  of  said 
salaries)  shall  be  paid  into  the  county  treasury.  The  number  of  the  deputies  and  assistants 
of  such  officers  shall  be  determined  by  rule  of  the  circuit  court,  to  be  entered  of  record,  and 
their  compensation  shall  be  determined  by  the  counly  board.  ,    ,,  -      , 

h  10  The  county  board,  except  as  provided  in  ^  9  of  this  article,  shall  fix  the  compensa- 
tion of  aU  county  officers,  with  the  amount  of  their  necessary  clerk  hire,  stationery  fuel  and 
other  expenses,  and  in  all  cases  where  fees  are  provided  for,  said  compensation  sh.all  be  paid 
only  out  of  and  shall  in  no  instance  exceed,  the  fees  actually  collected  ;  they  shall  not  allow 
either  of  them  more  per  annum  than  81,500,  in  counties  not  exceeding  20,000  inhabitants  ; 
«2  000  in  counties  containing  20,000  and  not  exceeding  30,000  inhabitants  ;  $2,500  m  coun- 
ties containing  30  000  and  not  exceeding  50,000  inhabitants;  $3,000  in  counties  containing 
50  000  and  not  exceeding  70,000  inhabitants ,  53 .500  in  counties  contaimng  70,000  and  not 
exceeding  100.000  inhabitants  ;  and  S4  000  in  counties  containing  over  100,000  and  not  ex- 
ceeding 250,000  inhabitants ;  and  not  more  than  $1,000  additional  compensation  for  each  ad- 
ditional 100  000  inhabitants :  Provided,  that  the  compensation  of  no  officer  shall  be  mcreased 
or  diminished  during  his  term  of  office.  All  fees  or  allowances  by  them  received,  in  excess 
of  their  said  compensation,  shall  be  paid  into  the  county  treasury. 

?  II  The  fees  of  township  officers,  and  of  each  class  of  county  officers,  shall  be  umform 
in  the 'class  of  counties  to  which  they  respectively  belong.  The  compensation  herem  pro- 
vided for  shall  apply  only  to  officers  hereafter  elected,  but  all  fees  established  by  special  laws 
shall  cease  at  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  and  such  officers  shall  receive  only  such  fees 
as  are  provided  by  general  law.  ,  .       «-  ,    „  .        ■     .       -.i. 

J  !•»  All  laws  fixing  the  fees  of  State,  county  and  township  officers,  shall  terminate  with 
the  teVms,  respectively,  of  those  who  may  be  in  office  at  the  meeting  of  the  first  genera 
assembly  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution ;  and  the  general  assembly  shall,  by  general 
law  uniform  in  its  operation,  provide  for  and  regulate  the  fees  of  said  officers  and  their  suc- 
cessors so  as  to  reduce  the  same  to  a  reasonable  compensation  for  services  actually  rendered. 
But  the  general  assembly  may,  by  general  law,  classify  the  counties  by  population  into  not 
more  than  three  classes,  and  regulate  the  fees  according  to  class.  This  article  shall  not  be 
construed  as  depriving  the  general  assembly  of  the  power  to  reduce  the  fees  ot  existing 

°  i"l'  Every  person  who  is  elected  or  appointed  to  any  office  in  this  State,  who  shall  be 
paid  in  whole  or  in  part  by  fees,  shall  be  required  by  law  to  make  a  semi-annual  report,  under 
oath  to  some  officer  to  be  designated  by  law,  of  all  his  fees  and  emoluments. 

ARTICLE  XI. 


CORPOR^VTIONS. 


'  J  I.  No  corporation  shall  be  created  by  special  laws,  or  its  charter  extended,  changed  or 
.amended,  except  lho»e  for  charitable,  educational,  penal  or  reformatory  purposes,  which  are 
to  be  and  remiin  under  the  patronage  and  control  of  the  State,  but  the  general  assembly 
shall  provide,  by  general  law,  for  the  organization  of  all  corporations  hereafter  to  be  created. 
^  2.  All  existing  charters  or  grants  of  special  or  exclusive  privileges,  under  which  organi- 
zation shall  not  have  taken  place,  or  which  shall  not  have  been  in  operation  within  ten  days 
from  the  time  this  constilution  takes  effect,  shall  thereafter  have  no  validity  or  effect  whit- 

>/,  '3.  The  general  assembly  shall  provide,  by  law,  that  in  all  elections  for  directors  or 
ma'na.jers  of  incorporated  companies,  every  stockholder  shall  have  the  right  to  vote,  in  person 
or  by  proxy,  for  the  number  of  shares  of  stock  owned  by  him,  for  as  many  persons  as  there  are 
directors  or  managers  to  be  elected,  or  to  cumulate  said  shares,  and  give  one  candidate  as 
many  votes  as  the  number  of  directors  multiplied  by  the  number  of  his  shares  of  stock,  shall 
equal,  or  to  distribute  them  on  the  same  principle  among  as  many  candidates  as  he  shall 
think  fit;  and  such  directors  or  managers  shall  not  be  elected  in  any  other  manner. 

J  4  No  laws  shall  be  passed  by  the  generol  assembly,  granting  the  right  to  construct  and 
operate  a  street  railroad  within  any  city,  town,  or  incorporated  village,  without  requiring  the 
consent  of  the  local  authorities  having  the  control  of  the  street  or  highway  proposed  to  be 
occupied  by  such  street  railroad. 

BANKS. 

§  5.  No  State  bank  shall  hereafter  be  created,  nor  shall  the  Slate  own  or  be  liable  for  any 
stock  in  any  corporation  or  joint  stock  company  or  association  for  banking  purposes,  i.ow 
created  or  to  be  hereafter  created.  No  act  of  the  general  assembly  authorizing  or  creating 
corporations  or  asssociations,  with  banking  powers,  whether  of  issue,  deposit  or  discount,  nor 
amendments  thereto,  shall  go  into  effect  or  in  any  manner  be  in  force  unless  the  same  shall 
be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people  at  the  general  election  next  succeeding  the  passage  of 
the  same,  and  be  approved  by  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  at  such  election  for  or  against 
such  law.  ,  ...        ,    „  ,     .   J.  -J     1, 

i  6  Every  stockholder  in  a  banking  corporation  or  institution  shall  be  individually  respon- 
sible and  liable  to  its  creditors  over  and  above  the  amount  of  stock  by  him  or  her  held,  to 
an  amount  equal  to  his  or  her  respective  shares  so  hela,  for  all  its  liabilities  accruing  while 
he  or  she  remains  such  a  stockholder.  .       ,    . 

3  7.  The  suspension  of  specie  paym,..'ts  by  banking  institutions,  or  their  circulation, 
created  by  the  laws  of  this  State,  shall  never  be  permitted  or  sanctioned.  Every  banking 
association  now,  or  which  may  hereafter  be,  organized  under  the  the  laws  of  this  State,  shall 
make  and  publish  a  full  and  accurate  quarterly  statement  of  its  affairs,  (which  shall  be  cer- 
tified to,  under  oath,  by  one  or  more  of  its  officer;,)  as  may  be  provided  by  Uw. 

3  8  If  a  general  banking  law  shall  be  enacted,  it  shall  provide  for  the  registry  and  counter- 
signing by  an  officer  of  state,  of  all  bills  or  paper  credit,  designed  to  circulate  as  money, 
and  require  security,  to  the  full  amount  thereof,  to  be  deposited  with  the  State  treasurer,  m 
United  States  or  Illinois  State  stocks,  to  be  rated  at  ten  per  cent,  below  their  par  value; 
and  in  case  of  a  depreciation  of  said  stocks  to  the  amount  of  ten  per  cent,  below  par,  the 
bank  or  banks  owning  said  stocks  shall  be  required  to  make  up  said  deficiency,  by  deposit- 
in<T  additional  stocks.  And  said  law  shall  also  provide  for  the  recording  of  the  names  of 
alf  stockholders  in  such  corporations,  the  amount  of  stock  held  by  each,  the  time  of  any 
transfer  thereof,  and  to  whom  such  transfer  is  made. 

RAILROADS. 

Jo  Every  railroad  corporation  organized  or  doing  business  in  this  State,  under  the  laws 
or  authority  thereof,  shall  have  and  maintain  a  public  office  or  place  in  this  State  for  the 
transaction  of  its  business,  where  transfers  of  stock  shall  be  made,  and  in  which  shall  be' 
kept  for  public  inspection,  books,  in  which  shall  be  recorded  the  amount  of  capital  stock  sub- 
scribed and  by  whom  ;  the  names  of  the  owners  of  stock  and  amount  by  them  respectively, 
the  amount  of  stock  paid  in  and  by  whom,  the  transfers  of  said  stock ;  the  amount  of  its  assets 
and  liabilities  and  the  names  and  place  of  residence  of  its  officers.  The  directors  of  every 
railroad  corporation  shall,  annually,  make  a  report,  under  oath,  to  the  auditor  of  public  ac- 
counts or  some  officer  to  be  designated  by  law,  of  all  their  ads  and  doings,  which  report  shall 
include  such  matters  relating  to  railroads  as  may  be  prescribed  by  law.  And  the  general 
.ssembly  shall  pass  laws  enforcing  by  suitable  penalties  the  provisions  of  this  section. 

?  10  The  rolling  stock,  and  all  other  movable  property  belonging  to  any  railroad  company 
or  corporation  in  this  State,  shall  be  considered  personal  property,  and  shall  be  liable  to  ex- 
ecution and  sale  in  the  same  manner  as  the  personal  property  of  individuals,  and  the  gen- 
eral assembly  shall  pass  no  law  exempting  any  such  property  from  execmion  and  sale. 

3  II  No  railroad  corporation  shall  consolidate  its  stock,  property  or  franchises  with  any 
other  railroad  corporation  owning  a  parallel  or  competing  line;  and  m  no  case  shall  any 
consolidation  take  place  except  upon  public  notice  given,  of  at  least  sixty  days,  to  all  stock- 
holders, in  such  manner  as  may  be  provided  by  law.  A  majority  of  the  directors  ot  any 
railroad  corporation,  now  incorporated  or  hereafter  to  be  incorporated  by  the  laws  of  the 
State,  shall  be  citizens  and  residents  of  this  State.  .      .  j  •    .t,-    c,  . 

3  12  Railways  heretofore  CLnstnicted,  or  that  may  hereafter  be  constnicted  m  this  State, 
are  hereby  declared  public  highways  and  shall  be  free  to  all  persons  lor  the  transportation  of 
their  persons  and  property  thereon,  under  such  regulations  as  may  be  prescribed  by  law. 
And  the  general  assembly  shall,  from  time  to  time,  pass  laws  establishing  reasonable  maxi- 
mum rates  of  charges  for  the  transportation  of  passengers  and  freight  on  the  different  rail- 
roads in  this  Slate.  ,        ,       j,  .  r  i  u 

?  13  No  railroad  corporation  shall  issue  any  stock  or  bonds,  except  for  money,  labor  or 
property,  actually  received,  and  applied  to  the  purposes  for  which  such  corporation  was 
created ;  and  all  stock  dividends,  and  other  fictitious  increase  of  the  capital  stock  or  indebt- 
edness of  any  such  corporation,  shall  be  void.  The  capital  stock  of  no  railroad  corporation 
shall  be  increased  for  any  purpose,  except  upon  giving  sixty  days'  pubhc  notice,  in  such  man- 
ner as  may  be  provided  by  law.  ,  ,        .      ,    „  u 

i  14  The  exercise  of  the  power,  and  the  nght  of  eminent  domain  shall  never  be  so  con- 
strued or  abridged  as  to  prevent  Ihe  taking,  by  the  general  assembly,  of  the  properly  and 
franchises  of  incorporated  companies  already  organized,  and  subjecting  them  to  the  public 
necessity  the  same  as  of  individuals.  The  right  of  trial  by  jur>'  shall  be  held  inviolate  in 
all  trials  of  claims  for  compensation,  when,  in  the  exercise  of  ihe  said  right  of  eminent  do- 
main, any  incorporated  company  shall  be  interested  either  for  or  against  the  exercise  ot  said 

"%  \  5  The  general  assembly  shall  pass  laws  to  correct  abuses  and  prevent  unjust  discri^min- 
atiln  and  extortion  in  the  rales  of  freight  and  passenger  tariffs  on  different  railroads  in 
this  State,  and  enforce  such  laws,  by  adequate  penalties,  to  the  extent,  if  necessary  lor  that 
purpose,  of  forfeiture  of  their  property  and  franchises. 


i  5.  Slate  Bank  Forbidden— Gc 

I  6.  Liability  of  Bank  btockllo'i 

S  7.  S  spensioa  of  Specie  Payir 

I  8.  Ot"  a  General  Banking  Law 


Railroad  Office— Books  and  Records. 

Personal  Property  of  Kailroads. 

Consolidations  Forbidden, 

Railroa,  s  deemed  Highways— Rates  F!: 

Stocks.  Bontis  and  D'Vidends. 

Power  over  existing  Companies, 

Freight  and  Passenger  Tariff  reg  lated. 


ARTICLE   XII. 


3  1.  Persons  composing  the  Militia. 

i  2.  Organization— iLquiptnent-Discjpline. 

{  3.  Commissions  of  Officers. 

5  I.  The  militia  of  the  Slate  of  Illim 
dent  in  the  State,  between  the  ages  of 


i  4.  Privilege  from  Arrest. 

i  5.  Records.  B.-.nnets  and  Relics. 

i  5.  Exeropt.on  from  militia  duty. 

consist  of  all  able-bodied  male  persons,  resi- 
nd  forty-five,  except  such  persons  as  now 


hereafter  may  be,  exempted  by  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  or  of  this  State . 


on,  equipment  and  discipline  ( 

igulaiioas  for  the  government  < 


nd  may  hold  the 


^  2.  The  general  a=;'^embly,  in  providing  for  the  organ 
ie  militia,  shall  conform  as  nearly  as  practicable  to  th 
le  armies  of  the  United  States. 

g  3.  All  militia  officers  shall  be  commissioned  by  the  gove 
"issions  for  such  times  as  the  general  assembly  may  provide. 

^  4.  The  militia  shall,  in  all  cases,  except  treason,  felony  or  breach  of  the  peace,  be  priv 
?ged  from  arrest  during  their  attendance  at  musters  and  elections,  and  in  going  to  and  re 
arning  from  the  same. 

5.  The  military  records,  banners  and  relics  of  the  State,  shall  be  preserved  as  an  endui 
il;  memorial  of  the  patriotism  and  valor  of  Illinois,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  gencr: 
5s,embly  to  provide  by  law  for  the  safe  keeping  of  the  same. 

6.  No  person  having  conscientious  scruples  against  bearing  arms,  shall  be  compelled  t 
o  militia  duty  in  time  of  peace  :  Provided,  such  person  shall  pay  an  equivalent  for  such  e> 


ARTICLE  XIII. 


WAREHOUSES. 


.  Sworn  Weekly  statements  requi 
.  Examination  of  pr  peny  stor<. 
.  CarrieiB  to  deliver  full  Weight. 


\  5.  Delivery  of  Grain  by  Railroads. 

6.  Power  nnd  Duty  of  ihe  Legislature. 
}  7.  G.ain  Inspection— ProteciioD  of  Dealers. 


§   I.   All  elevators  or  storehouses  where  grain  or  other  property  is  stored  for  a  compensatit 
whether  the  property  stored  be  kept  separate  or  not,  are  declared  to  be  public  warehouse: 


\  2.  The  owner,  le'^see  c 
town  or  city  of  not  less  than 
before  some  officer  to  be  de 
place  in  the  office  of  such 
sMch  place  as  shall  be  desijji 


ir  manager  of  each  and  every  public  warehouse  situated  in  any 
100,000  inhabitants,  shall  make  weekly  statements  under  oath, 
signaled  by  law,  and  keep  the  same  posted  in  some  conspicuous 
warehouse,  and  shall  also  file  a  copy  for  public  examination  in 
nted  by  law,  which  statement  shall  correctly  set  forth  the  amount 
and  grade  of  each  and  every  kind  of  grain  in  such  warehouse,  together  with  such  other 
property  as  may  be  stored  therein,  and  what  warehouse  receipts  have  been  issued,  and  are 
at  the  time  of  making  such  statement,  outstanding  therefor ;  and  shall,  on  the  copy  posted  in 
the  warehouse,  note  daily  such  changes  as  may  be  made  in  the  quantity  and  grade  of  grain 
in  such  warehouse;  and  the  different  grades  of  grain  shipped  in  separate  lots,  shall  not  be 
mixed  with  inferior  or  superior  grades,  without  the  consent  of  the  owner  orconsitmee  there- 
of. 

§  3.  The  owners  of  property  stored  in  any  warehouse,  or  holder  of  a  receipt  for  the  same, 
shall  always  be  at  liberty  to  examine  such  property  stored,  and  all  the  books  and  records  of 
the  warehouse  in  regard  to  such  property. 

§  4.  All  railroad  companies  and  other  common  carriers  on  railroads  shall  weigh  or  measure 
grain  at  points  where  it  is  shipped,  and  receipt  for  the  full  amount,  and  shall  be  responsible 
lor  the  delivery  of  such  amount  to  the  owner  or  consignee  thereof,  at  the  place  of  destina- 

§  5.  All  railroad  companies  receiving  and  transporting  grain  in  bulk  or  otherwise,  shall 
deliver  the  same  to  any  consignee  thereof,  or  any  elevator  or  public  warehouse  to  which  it 
may  be  consigned,  provided  such  consignee,  or  the  elevator  or  public  warehouse  can  be 
reached  by  any  track  owned,  based  or  used,  or  which  can  be  used,  by  such  railroad  com- 
panies ;  and  all  railroad  companies  shall  permit  connections  to  be  made  with  their  track,  so 
that  any  such  consignee;  and  any  public  warehouse,  coal  bank  or  coal  yard,  may  be  reached 
by  the  cars  on  said  radroad. 

§  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  assembly  to  pass  all  necessary  laws  to  prevent  the 
issue  of  false  and  fraudulent  warehouse  receipts,  and  to  give  full  effect  to  this  article  of  the 
constitution,  which  shall  be  liberally  construed  so  as  to  protect  producers  and  shippers. 
And  the  enumeration  of  the  remedies  herein  named  shall  not  be  construed  to  deny  to  the 
general  assenibly  the  power  to  prescribe  by  law  such  other  and  further  remedies  as  may  be 
found  expedient,  or  to  deprive  any  person  of  existing  common  law  remedies, 

?  7.  The  general  assembly  shall  pass  laws  for  the  inspection  of  grain,  for  the  protection  of 
producers,  shippers  and  receivers  of  grain  and  produce. 


ARTICLE  XIV. 


AMENDMENTS   TO   THE   CONSTITUTION. 


I      g  2.  Proposed  by  tlie  Legislature. 


eral 


Whenever  two-thirds  of  the  members  of  each  house  of  the  general  assembly  shall,  by 
entered  upon  the  journals  thereof,  concur  that  a  convention  is  necessary  to  revise, 
amend  the  constitution,  the  question  shall  be  submitted  to  the  electors  at  the  next 
election.  If  a  majority  voting  at  the  election  vote  for  a  convention,  the  general 
bly  shall,  at  the  next  session,  provide  for  a  convention,  to  consist  of  double  the  num- 

at  the  same  pi; 


ig  the  convention,  desig- 

snibers  and  officers,  and 

rily  incurred  by  the  con- 

bers  shall  take  an  oath 


berof  the  members  of  ine  senate,  to  be  elected  in  thi 
in  the  same  districts.     The  general  assembly  shall,  in  the  act  ca 
nate  the  day,  hour  and  place  of  its  meeting,  fix  the  pay  of  its 
provide  for  the  payment  of  the  same,  together  with  expenses  nect 
vention  in  the  performance  of  its  duties.     Before  proceeding,  the 

to  support  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  to  faith- 
fully discharge  their  duties  as  members  of  the  convention.  The  qualification  of  members 
shall  be  the  same  as  that  of  members  of  the  senate,  and  vacancies  occurring  shall  be  filled 
in  the  manner  provided  for  filling  vacancies  in  the  general  assembly.  Said  convention  shall 
meet  within  three  months  after  such  election,  and  prepare  such  revisions,  alterations  or 
amendments  of  the  constitution  as  shall  be  deemed  necessary,  which  shall  be  submitted  to 
the  electors  for  their  ratification  or  rejection,  at  an  election  appointed  by  the  convention  for 
that  purpose,  not  less  than  or  more  than  six  months  after  the  adjournment  thereof;  and  un- 
less so  submitted  and  approved  by  a  maiority  of  the  electors  voting  at  the  election,  no  such 
revisions,  alterations  or  amendments  shall  take  effect. 

2.  Amendments  to  this  constitution  may  be  proposed  in  either  house  of  the  general  as- 
sembly, and  if  the  same  shall  be  voted  for  by  two-thirds  of  all  the  members  elected  lo  each 
of  the  two  houses,  such  proposed  amendments,  together  with  the  yi 
house  thereon,  shall  be  entered  in  full  on  their  respective  journals, 
shall  be  submitted  to  the  electors  of  this  State  for  adoption  or  rejectioi 
of  members  of  the  general  assembly,  in  such  manner  as  may  be  pre: 

proposed  amendments  shall  be  published  in  full  at  least  three  months  preceeding  the  election 
and  if  a  m.ajorily  of  electors  voting  at  said  election  shall  vote  for  the  proposed  amendments, 
ihey  shall  become  a  part  of  this  constitution.  But  the  general  assembly  shall  have  no  power 
to  propose  amendments  to  more  than  one  article  of  this  constitution  at  the  same  session,  nor  to 
',hr  same  article  oftner  than  once  in  four  years. 


IS  and  nays  of  e.ic 
nd  said  amendmen 
,  at  the  next  electit 
ribed  by  la 


SEPARATE  SECTIONS. 


Mu 


:ipal  Subscription  to  Corporj 


No  contract,  obligation  or  liability  whatever,  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company, 
to  pay  any  money  into  the  State  treasury,  nor  any  lien  of  the  State  upon,  or  right  to  tax  pro- 
perly of  said  company,  in  accordance  wkh  the  provisions  of  the  charter  of  said  company,  ap- 
proved Feb.  10,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1S51,  shall  ever  be  released,  suspended,  modified, 
altered,  remitted,  or  in  any  manner  diminished  or  impaired  by  legislative  or  other  authority ; 
and  all  moneys  derived  from  said  company,  after  the  payment  of  the  State  debt,  shall  be  ap- 
propriated and  set  apart  for  the  payment  of  the  ordinary  expenses  of  the  State  government, 
and  for  no  other  purposes  whatever. 

MUNICIPAL  SUBSCRIPTIONS  TO  RAILROADS  OR  PRIVATE  CORPORATIONS. 
No  county,  city,  town,  township  or  other  municipality,  shall  ever  become  subscriber  to  the 
capital  stock  of  any  railroad  or  private  corporation,  or  make  donation  to,  or  loan  its  credit 
in  aid  of  such  corporation  :  Prmnded,  however,  that  the  adoption  of  this  article  shall  not 
be  construed  as  affecting  the  right  of  any  such  municipality  to  make  such  subscriptions  where 
the  same  have  been  authorized,  under  existing  laws,  by  a  vote  of  the  people  of  such  munici- 
palities prior  to  such  adoption. 

CANAL, 

The  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  shall  never  be  sold  or  leased  until  the  specific  proposi- 
tion for  the  sale  or  lease  thereof  shall  have  first  been  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  pe^.ple  of 
the  State,  at  a  general  election,  and  have  been  approved  by  a  majority  of  all  the  votes 
polled  at  such  election.  The  general  assembly  shall  never  loan  the  credit  of  the  State,  or 
make  appropriations  from  the  treasury  thereot,  in  aid  of  railroads  or  canals  :  Froz'ided^ 
that  any  surplus  earnings  of  any  canal  may  be  appropriated  for  its  enlargement  or  extension. 


SCHEDULE. 


I  2.  Fines,  Penalii 
!  3.  Recognizance; 


and  Forfeitui 
;onds,  Ubligal 


S  4.  Present  courty  Courts  continued. 

5.  All  existing  Courts  continued. 
\  6.  Persons  now  in  Office  continued. 


g  3.  Recognizances,  bonds,  obligation 
before  the  adoption  of  this  constitution 
or  county  officer  or  public  body,  shall 
upon  the  same  shall  continue,  and  all 


^  I.  That  all  laws  in  force  at  the  adoption  of  this  constitution,  not  inconsistent  therewith, 
and  all  rights,  actions,  prosecutions,  claims,  and  contracts  of  Ih-s  State,  individuals,  or  bodies 
corporate,  shall  continue  to  be  as  valid  as  if  this  constitution  had  not  been  adopted. 

I  2.  That  all  fines,  taxes,  penahies  and  forfeitures,  due  and  owing  to  the  State  of  Illinois 
under  the  present  constitution  and  laws,  shall  insure  to  the  use  of  the  people  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  under  this  constitution. 

id  all  other  instruments  entered  Into  or  executed 

the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  any  State 

n  binding  and  valid;  and  rights  and  liabilities 

and  misdemeanors  shall  be  tried  and  punished 

as  though  no  change  had  been  made  in  the  constitution  of  this  State. 

§  4.  County  courts  for  the  transa:tion  of  county  business  in  counties  not  having  adopted 
township  organization,  shall  continue  in  existence  and  exercise  their  present  jurisdiciion 
until  the  board  of  county  commissioners  provided  in  this  constitution  is  organized  in  pur- 
suance of  an  act  of  the  general  assembly ;  and  the  county  courts  in  all  other  counties  shall 
have  the  same  power  and  jurisdiction  they  now  possess  until  otherwise  provided  by  general 
law. 

^  5.  All  existing  courts  which  are  not  in  this  constitution  specially  enumerated,  shall  con- 
tinue in  existence  and  exercise  their  present  jurisdiction  until  otherwise  provided  by  law. 

§  6.  All  persons  now  filling  any  office  or  appointment  shall  continue  in  the  exercise  of  the 
duties  thereof  according  to  their  respective  commissions  or  appointments,  unless  by  this 
constitution  it  is  otherwise  directed. 


^  18.  All  laws  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  all  official  writings,  and  the  executive,  legisla- 
tive and  judicial  proceedings,  shall  be  conducted,  preserved  and  published  in  no  other  than 
the  English  language. 

^  19.  The  general  assembly  shall  pass  all  laws  necessary  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions 
of  this  constitution. 

^  20.  The  circuit  clerks  of  the  different  counties  having  a  population  over  sixty  thousand, 
shall  continue  to  be  recorders  (ex-officio)  for  their  respective  counties,  under  this  constitu- 
tion, until  the  expiration  of  their  respective  terms. 

§  21.  The  judges  of  all  courts  of  record  in  Cook  County  shall,  in  lieu  of  any  salary  pro- 
vided for  in  this  constitution,  receive  the  compensation  now  provided  by  law  until  the  ad- 
journment of  the  first  session  of  general  assembly  after  the  adoption  of  this  constitution. 

^  22.  The  present  judge  of  the  circuit  court  of  Cook  county  shall  continue  to  hold  the 
circuit  court  of  Lake  county  until  otherwise  provided  by  law. 

§  23.  When  this  constitution  shall  be  adopted,  and  take  effect  as  the  supreme  law  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  the  two-mill  tax  provided  to  be  annually  assessed  and  collected  upon  each 
dollar's  worth  of  taxable  property,  in  addition  to  all  other  taxes,  as  set  forth  in  article  fifteen 
of  the  now  existing  constitution,  shall  cease  to  be  assessed  after  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy. 

§  24.  Nothing  contained  in  this  constitution  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  deprive  the  genera 
assembly  of  the  power  to  authorize  the  city  of  Quincy  to  create  any  indebtedness  for  rail- 
road or  municipal  purposes,  for  which  the  people  of  said  city  shall  have  voted,  and  to  which 
they  shall  have  given,  by  such  vote,  their  assent,  prior  to  the  thirteenth  day  of  December,  in 
the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-nine  :  Provided,  thaf  no  such 
indebtedness,  so  created,  shall  in  any  part  thereof  be  paid  by  the  State,  or  from  any  State 
revenue,  tax  or  fund,  but  the  same  shall  be  paid,  if  at  all,  by  the  said  city  of  Quincy  alone, 
and  by  taxes  to  be  levied  upon  the  taxable  property  thereof:  And  provided,  further,  that 
the  general  assembly  shall  have  no  power  in  the  premises  that  it  could  not  exercise  under 
the  present  constitution  of  this  Slate. 

§  25.  In  case  this  constitution  and  the  articles  and  sections  submitted  separately  be  adopt- 
ed, the  existing  constitution  shall  cease  in  all  its  provisions;  and  in  case  this  constitution 
be  adopted,  and  any  one  or  more  of  its  articles  or  sections  submitted  separately  be  defeated , 
the  provisions  of  the  existing  constitution  (if  any)  on  the  same  subject  shall  remain  in 
force. 

§  26.  The  provisions  of  this  constitution  required  to  be  executed  prior  to  the  adoption  or 
rejection  thereof  shall  take  effect  and  be  in  force  immediately. 

Done  in  convention  at  the  capital,  in  the  city  of  Springfield,  on  the  thirteenth  day  of 
May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy,  and  of  the  inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  of  America  the  ninety-fourth. 
In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names : 


CHARLES  HITCHCOCK,  President. 


■William  J.  AUen, 
John  Abbott. 
James  C.  Allen, 
Elliott  Anthony, 
\Vm.  R.  Archer, 
Henry  I.  Atkins, 
James  G.  Bayne, 
R.  M.  Benjamin, 
H.  r.  H.  Brownwell, 
O.  H.  Browning, 
Wm.  G.  Bowman, 
Silas  L.  Brvon, 
H.  P.  Buxton, 
Daniel  Cameron, 
William  Gary, 
Lawrence  S.  Church, 
Hir:an  H.  Codv, 
W.  F.  Coolbaugh, 
Alfred  M.  Craig, 
Robert  J.  Cross, 
Samuel  P.  Cummings, 
John  Dement, 
G.  S.  Eldridge, 
James  \V.  English, 
David  Ellis, 
Ferris  Forman, 


Robert  A.  King,' 
Jas.  McCoy, 
Charles  E.  McDowell, 
William  C.  Goodhue, 
Joseph  Medill, 
Clifton  H.  Moore, 
Jonatlian  Merriam, 
Joseph  Parker, 
Samuel  C.  Parks, 
Peleg  S.  Perley, 
J.  S.  Poage, 
Edward  V.  Rice, 
James  P.  Robinson, 
Lewis  W.  Ross, 
William  P.  Pierce, 
N.  J.  Pillsbury, 
Jno.  Scholfield, 
James  M.  Sharp, 
Henry  Sherrell, 
Wm.  H.  Snyder, 
O.  C.  Skinner, 
Weslel  W.  Sedgwick, 
Charles  F.  Springer, 
John  L.  Tincher, 
C.  Truesdale, 
Henry  Tubbs, 


;  C.  Fox, 


Miles  A.  Fuller, 
John  P.  Gamble, 
Addison  Goodell, 
John  C.  Haines, 
Elijah  M.  Haines, 
John  W.  Hankins, 
R.  P.  Hanna, 
Joseph  Hart, 
Abel  Harwood, 
Milton  Hay, 
Samuel  Snowden 
Jesse  S.  Hildrup, 


Haje 


Thomas  J.  Turner, 
Wm.  H.  Underwood, 
Wm.  L.  Vandeventer, 
Henr\-  W.  Wells, 
George  E.  Wait, 
George  W.  Wall, 
R.  B.  Sutherland, 
D.  C.  Wagner, 
George  R.  Wendling, 
Chas.  Wheaton, 
L.  D.  Whitine, 
John  H.  Wilsnn, 
Orlando  H.  WrighU 


Attest  :— John  Q.  Harmon,  Secrtlary. 

Daniel  Shepard,  First  AssUlant  Secretary. 
A.  H.  Swain,  Second  Assutant  Secretary . 


UNITED  ST.ATES  '->F  AMERICV 
bTATE  OF  ILLI.SOIS. 


Office  c/  Sicretury. 


I  Ceorgb  H.  H.K-iLow.  Secretary  of  ihe  Stite  of  Illinois  di  htr 
JDV  of  Ihc  coiKiituiion  of  ths  State  of  lllinoif  adopt.-J  in  convcn  lo 
of  ihc:pso>lethc2lhdayof  July.  .37D,  .inimfor;c  o  nh  : Jl 
' c  T  1 ....   my  hand  aai  atn.x 


^rtify  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true 
i3ih  day  uf  May.  iSyo,  ratified  by 


m  ,  otBce.     lil  testimon/  whereof  I  K...^..,  ... 
Spnngtield,  ihis  31s:  day  of  March,  A-  D.  1873. 


GEO.  H.  HARLOW,  Secretary  cf  Slalt. 


a:mexdmexts  to  the  co??"STrruTio:N. 


Amending  section  31.  artide  4.  Proposed  by  ihe  Gencal  Assembly.  1877.  rat 
^"ovembc^  5,  1S7S,  prut.laimtd  adopted  by  the  (Jover.ior  Novt  mbcr  29,  187^ 

The  General  Assembly  may  pass  laws  permitting  the  owners  of  lands  to  c 
levees  for  ^gncultur-.l,  s^uitarj-  and  mining  purposes  across  the  lands  o(  others. 
23tion  of  drainage  districts,  and  vest  tic  corpomte  authorilics  thereof  with  pow 


.c»t«   uw...^-..l  ditches,  and  to  keep  in  rejarall  d  ains,  ditches  and  le^i 

ihc  laws  of  this  Stale,  by  special  a-^scssmenis  upon  the  propeily  benefited  thereby. 

Amending  section  8,  article  lo.     Proposed  by  the  General  Assembly,  1879,  ratified  by  a 
Kovembcr  a,  18S0,  proclaimed  adopted  l>y  the  Governc 


Section  8,  Amticle  10. 
•  shall  be  elected  the  following  county  officers,  at  th**  general  elect  a 
Tuesday  after  the  first  Monday  in  November,  A.  D.  1882:  A  cuumy   udg^.c 


Ine 


nty  thei 


1  Ve  held  on  the 


[  Monday  in  November,  A    D.  J&S4.  ao-roner 

jf  deeds,  except  incounucsLaving6o,oooaiid 

k-hich  rouniies  arecordero^deeds  shall  be  elected  at  the  geneial  elecli.  n  in  1884 ).  Each  of 

lalVenter  upon  ihe  duties  of  hi>  office,  respectively,  on  ihe  fir>t  Monday  of  December  afier 

,.,^  ^..^. ,  „nd  they  shall  hold  their  respective  offiesfor  the  term  of  four  years,  and  until  their  siiccessors 

are  elecied  ar.d  qualified:  Proz-ided,  that  no  person  having  once  been  elected  to  the  office  of  shcntf.  or  trea- 
surer, shall  le  eligible  to  re-election  to  said  otiice  for  four  years  after  the  expiration  ol  the  term  for  which  he 
shall  have  been  elecied. 


and  clerk  of  the 
moreinhabuani 
sa  d  offic< 


DECLAKATION  OF  IXDEPENDEXCE. 


When,  in  the  course  of  human  events,  it  becomes  necessary  for  one  people  to  dissolve  the 
political'bands  which  have  connected  them  with  another,  and  to  asiume  amon.;  the  P^wei3 
of  the  earth,  the  separate  and  equal  station  to  which  the  laws  of  n  iture  and  of  nature  s  God 
entitle  them,  a  decent  respect  to  the  opinions  of  mankind  requires  that  they  should  declare 
the  causes  which  impel  them  to  the  separation. 

We  hold  these  truths  to  be  self-evident,  that  all  men  are  created  equal ;  that  they  are  en- 
dowed by  their  Creator  with  certain  unalienable  rights  ;  that  amjn^th.-se  are  life,  liberty  and 
the  pursuit  of  happiness.  That  to  secure  these  rights,  governments  are  instituted  among  men 
deriving  their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the  governed ;  that,  whenever  any  form  of 
covernment  becomes  destructive  of  these  ends,  it  is  the  right  of  the  people  to  alter  or  to  abol- 
ish it,  and  10  institute  a  new  givernment,  laying  its  foundation  on  such  principles,  and 
such  form,  as  to  them  shall  seem  most  like'y  to  effect  their  safety  r  - 


1  powers  1 


nappiness  rruaence,  indeed,  will  di^ 
changed  for  light  and  transient  causi 
mankind  are  more  disposed  to  suffer, 
abolishing  the  forms  to  which  they  a 
usurpations,  pursuing  invariably  the 
solute  despotism,  it  is 
new  guards  for  their  i 
and  such 


rstablished  should  not  be 
experience  hath  sho^vn  that 
,  than  to  right  themselves  by 
;n  a  long  train  of  abuses  and 


.te  that  governments  1 

and.  accordingly,  a 

hile  evils  are  suff^rabl 

accustomed.     But  w^ 

e  object,  evinces  a  design  to  reduce  them  under  ab- 
right,  it  is  their  du-y  to  throw  off  such  government,  and  to  provide 
security.  Such  has  been  the  patient  sufferance  of  these  colonies, 
iity  which  constrains  them  to  alter  their  former  systems  of  govcirn- 
ment.  The  history  of  the  present  King  of  Great  Brit  lin  is  a  history  of  repeated  injuries  an  I 
usurpations,  all  having  in  direct  object  the  establishment  of  an  absolute  tyranny  over  ttie,e 
States.     To  prove  this  let  facts  be  submitted  to  a 

He  has  refused  his  assent  to  laws  the 
good. 


ndid  world; 

1st  wholesome  and  necessary  for  the  public 


He  has  forbidden  his  Governors  to  pass  laws  of  immediate  and  pressing  importance,  unless 
suspended  in  their  operation  till  his  assent  should  be  obuined ;  and  when  so  suspended,  he 
has  utterly  neglected  to  attend  to  the.n.  ,      .         r  ,         , 

He  has  refused  to  pass  other  laws  fortheaccmmodation  of  large  districts  of  people,  unless 
those  people  would  relinquish  the  right  of  representation  in  the  legislature  ;  a  right  inestima- 
ble to  them,  and  formidable  to  tyrants  only.  ,       , ,  ,  ,.  -■ 

He  has  called  together  legislative  boilie.  at  places  unusual,  uncomfortable,  and  distant  from 
the  depository  of  their  public  records,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  fatiguing  them  into  compliance 
with  his  measures. 

He  has  dissolved  representative  houses  repeatedly  for  opposing,  with  manly  hrmness,  his 
invasions  on  the  rights  of  the  people.  ,        ,         , 

He  has  refused  for  a  Ijn^time  after  such  dissolution,  to  cause  others  to  be  elected; 
whereby  the  legislative  p  iw?r,,  incapable  of  annihilatic.i.  have  returned  to  the  people  at 
large  for  their  excrc.se;  the  Stale  remaining,  in  the  meantime,  exposed  to  all  the  danger 
of  invasion  from  without,  and  convulsions  within. 

He  has  endeavored  to  prevent  the  population  of  these  States  ;  for  that  purpose,  obstructmg 
the  laws  for  naturalization  of  forei,.;ners ;  refusing  to  pass  others  to 
hither,  and  raising  the  conditions  of  new  appropriations  of  lands. 

He  has  obstructed  the  administration  of  justice,   by  refusing  hi 
lishing  judiciary  powers. 

He  has  made  judges  dependent  c 

amount  and  payment  of  their  salarie 

He  has  erected  a  multitude  of  nev 

people,  and  eat  out  their  substance. 

He  has  kept  among  us,  in  Umes  of  peace,  standing  armies,  without  the  consent  of  o 
legislature.  ,        -   -i 

He  has  affected  to  render  the  military  independent  of,  and  superior  to,  the  civil  power. 

He  his  combined,  with  others,  to  subject  us  to  a  jurisdiction  foreign  to  our  c  mstilutio 

and  unacknowbdged  by  our  laws  ;  giving  his  assent  to  their  acts  of  pretended  legislation. 


t  their 


assent  to  laws  for  estab- 
U  alone,  for  ie  tenure  of  their  offices,  and  the 
and  sent  hither  swarms  of  officers  to  harass  our 


For  quar'ering  large  bodies  of  armed  troops  among  ns. 

For  protecting  them,  by  a  mock  trial,  from  punishment,  for  any  murders  which  they 
should  commit  on  the  inhabitants  of  these  States. 

For  cutting  off  our  trade  with  all  parts  of  the  world  : 

For  imposing  taxes  on  us  without  our  consent : 

For  depriving  us,  in  many  cases,  of  the  benefits  of  trial  by  jury  : 

For  transporttng  us  beyond  seas  to  be  tried  for  pretended  offences  : 

For  abolishing  the  free  system  of  English  laws  in  a  neighboring  provirice,  estaWishing 
therein  an  arbitrir^  g:>vernm;nt,  and  e-rlarjing  its  bouniaries.s         '  ■       -  -- 


;  the  same  absolute  rule 
g  our  most  valuable  law 


I  thjsi 


and  decUring  themselves  investel 


example  and  fit  instrument  for  introdi 

For  taking  away  our  charters,  ahol 
ally,  the  powers  of  our  governments: 

For  suspending  our  own  legislatu 
legislate  for  us  in  all  cases  whatsoever.  .  . 

°He  has  abdicated  government  here,  by  declaring  us  out  of  his  protection,  and  waging  war 
against  us.  j    i_     t 

Hj  has  plundered  our  seas,  ravaged  our  coasts,  burnt  our  towns,  and  destroyed  the  lives 
of  our  people. 

He  is  at  this  time,  transporting  large  armies  of  foreign  mercenaries  lo  complete  the  work 
of  death',  desolation  and  tyranny,  already  begun,  with  -ircumstanres  of  cruelty  and  perfidy 
scarcely  paralleled  m  the  most  barbarous  ages,  and  totally  unworthy  the  head  of 

He  has  constrained  our  fe'Iow-citizens,  taken  captive  on  the  high  seas,  to  bear 
against  their  cou  itry,  to  become  the  executioners  of  their  f.iends  and  bretliren,  or  t^ 
themselves  by  their  hands.  . 

He  has  excited  domestic  insurrections  amongst  us,  and  has  endeavored  to  bnng  o 
inhabitants  of  our  frontiers,  the  merciless  Indian  savages,  whose  known  rule  of  warfare 
undistinguished  destruction  of  all  ages,  sexes,  and  conditions. 

In  every  stage  of  these  oppressions,  we  have  petitioned  for  redress,  in  the  most  hu 
terms;  our  repeated  petitions  have  been  answered  only  by  repeated  injury.      A  pr 
whose  character  is  thus  marked  by  every  act  which  may  define  a  ly 
ruler  of  a  free  people. 

Nor  have  we  been  wanting  in  attention  to  our  British  breth 
from  time  to  time,  of  attempts  made  by  their  legislature  to  extc 
tion  over  us.     We  have  reminded  them  of  the  circumstances  of 

and 


'ilized 


i  unfit  to  be  the 


here.  We  h; 
them,  by  the 
ably  interrupt  our  connections 

our  separation,  and  hold  the 


appealed  to  their  native  jusli 
of  our  common  kindred,  to  dis 
connections  and  corresponden 
sanf^uinity.     We  must.therefort 


hold  the 


We  have  warned  them 

unwarrantable  jurisdic- 

nigration  and  settlement 

nanimity,  and  we  have  conjured 

.'ow  these  usurpations,  which  would  inevit- 

:.     They,  too,  have  been  deaf  to  the  voice 

acquiesce  in  the  necessity,  which  denounces 

est  of  mankind,  enemies  in  war,  in  peace, 

"'we,°therefore.  the  representatives  of  the  UNITED  ST.ATES  OF  AMERICA,  in  GEN- 
ERAL CONGRESS  assembled,  appealing  to  the  Supreme  Judge  of  the  World  for  the 
rectitude  of  our  intentions,  do,  in  the  name,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  good  people  of  these 
colonies,  soleran'v  publish  and  d;d  ire.  That  these  United  Colonies  are,  and  of  right  ought 
to  be,  FREE  AND  INDEPENDENT  STATES;  that  they  are  absolved  from  all  allegiance 
to  the  British  crown  and  that  all  political  connection  between  them  and  the  Siate  of  Great 
Britain,  is,  asd  orgh[  to  be,  totally  dissolved ;  and  that,  as  FREE  AND  INDEPENDENT 
STATES  they  hive  full  power  to  levy  war,  conclude  peace,  contract  al.iances,  establish 
commerce,  and  to  do  all  Mher  acts  and  things  which  IliDEPENDENT  STATES  miy  of 
ri.»ht  do  And.  for  the  support  of  this  declaration,  and  a  firm  reliance  on  the  protection  of 
D°1VINE  PROVIDENCE,  we  mutually  pledge  tj  each  other,  our  lives,  our  fortunes,  and 
cur  sacred  honor.  JOHN  H.^NCOCK. 


COI^STITUTIOj^   of  the    LT]sfiTED   STATES. 


W'e,  the  people  of  ihe  United  State?,  in  order  lo  form  n  more  perfect  Union,  estaHish  justice, 
insure  tlomestic  tranquility,  provide  for  ihe  crmmon  defense,  promcte  ihe  gener:!  welfnre, 
and  ?ecure  the  llessings  of  liberty  to  ourselves  rrd  our  pcsteriiy,  do  crdain  and  establish 
tnis  Constitution  for  the  United  States  of  America. 


ARTICLE  I. 


;of  the 


Pf-CTION   I.  All  legislative  powers  herein  grnn!ed  shall  Ve  vested  in  a  Ct 
Uniied  States,  which  shall  consist  of  a  Senate  and  Hou^e  of  Represenlalives. 

Section  2.  The  House  of  Representatives  shall  be  ccmposed  of  members  chosen  every 
second  year  by  the  people  of  the  several  States,  and  the  tleclors  in  each  State  sliall  have  the 
qualificalions  requisite  lor  electors  of  the  most  numerous  branch  of  the  State  Legislature. 

No  person  shall  be  a  Representative  who  shall  not  have  attained  to  the  age  tjf  twenty-five 
years,  and  been  seven  ;  ears  a  citizen  of  the  United  Stales,  and  who  shall  not,  when  elected, 
be  an  inhabitant  of  that  State  in  which  he  shall  be  chosen. 

Representatives  and  direct  taxes  shall  be  apportioned  among  the  several  States  which  may 
be  included  within-this  Union,  according  to  their  respective  numbers,  which  shall  be  deter- 
mined by  adding  to  the  whole  number  of  free  persons,  including  those  bound  to  service  for 
a  term  of  years,  and  excluding  Indians  not  taxed,  three-fifths  of  all  other  persons.  The 
actual  enumeration  shall  be  made  within  three  years  after  the  first  meeting  of  the  Congress 
of  the  United  btates,  and  within  every  subsequent  terni  often  years,  in  such  manner  as  they 
shall  by  law  direct.  The  number  of  Representatives  shall  not  exceed  one  for  every  thirty 
thousand,  but  each  State  shall  have  at  least  one  Representative  ;  and  until  such  enumeration 
shall  be  made,  the  State  of  New  Hamphsire  shall  be  entitled  to  choose  three,  Massachusetts 
eight,  Rhode  Island  and  Provid.  nee  Plantations  one.  Connecticut  five.  New  York  six,  New 
Jersey  four,  Pennsylvania  eight,  Delaware  one,  Maryland  six,  Virginia,  ten,  North  Carolina 
five,  and  Georgia  three. 

When  vacancies  happen  in  the  representation  from  any  State,  the  Executive  authority 
thereof  shall  issue  writs  of  election  to  till  such  vacancies. 

The  House  of  Representatives  shall  choose  their  Speaker  and  other  officers,  and  shall  have 
the  ^ole  power  of  in  peachment. 

Seltjon  3.  The  Senaie  of  the  United  States  shall  be  composed  of  two  Senators  from  each 
State,  chosep  by  the  Legislature  thereof,  for  six  years;  and  each  Senator  shall  have  one 
vote.  ^ 

Immeaiately  after  they  shall  be  assembled  in  consequence  of  Ihe  first  election,  they  shall 
be  divided  as  equally  as  may  be  into  three  classes.  The  seals  of  the  Senators  of  the  fir  t 
class  shall  be  vacated  ^t  the  expiration  of  the  second  year,  of  the  second  class  at  the  expira- 
tion of  the  fuuith  year,  and  of  the  third  class  at  the  expirr.tion  of  the  sixth  year,  so  that  one- 
third  may  be  chostn  every  second  year ;  and  if  vacancies  happen  by  resignation,  or  otherwise, 
during  the  recess  of  the  Legislature  of  any  Slate,  the  Executive  thereof  may  make  temporary 
appointments  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  Legislatiu-e,  which  shall  then  fill  such  vacancies. 
No  per  on  shall  be  a  Senatt  r  who  shall  not  have  attained  to  the  age  of  thirty  years,  and 
l->ecn  nine  years  a  citizen  of  the  United  Slates,  and  who  shall  not,  when  elected,  be  an  inhab- 
itant of  that  State  for  which  he  shall  be  chosen. 

The  Vice  President  of  ihe  Uniied  States  shall  be  President  of  the  Senate,  but  shall  have 
no  vote  unless  they  be  equally  divided. 

The  Senate  shall  choose  their  other  officer;,  and  also  a  President  pro  tempore,  in  the 
.ib^ence  of  ihe  Vice  President,  or  when  he  shall  exercise  the  office  of  Prciidenl  of  the  Uniied 
States. 


The  Senate  sholl  ha 
purpose  they  shall  1  e  ■ 
tried,  the  Chief  Justice 
currence  of  two-Ihirds  « 

Judgment 
and  disqualif 


sole  power  to  try  all  impeachments.  When  silting  for  that 
e  on  oalh  or  affirmation.  When  the  President  of  ihe  United  States  is 
ice  shall  preside.  And  no  person  shall  be  convicted  without  the  con- 
is  cf  the  men  btrs  pnsent. 

!  of  impeachment  shall  not  extend  further  than  to  removal  from  office, 
to  ho'd  and  enjoy  any  office  of  honor,  tru-t  or  profit  under  ihe  United 
States  :  l.ut  ihe  party  convicted  shall  nevtrtheless  be  liable  and  subject  to  indictment,  trial, 
judgment  and  punishment  according  to  law. 

Section  4.  The  times,  places  and  manner  of  holding  elec'ions  for  Senators  and  Represent- 
atives, shall  be  prescribed  in  each  State  by  the  Legislature  thereof;  but  the  Congress  may  at 
any  lime  by  law,  make  or  alter  such  regulations,  except  as  to  the  places  of  choosing 
Senators. 

The  Congress  shall  assemble  at  least  once  in  every  year, 
the  first  Monday  in  Dcctml^tr.  unlesi=ihey  .-hall  by  law  appoi: 


Section  5.  Each  house  shall  be  the  judge  of  the  election,  returns  : 
'  y  of  each  shall  constiiute  a  quorum  to  di 
day  to  day,  and  may  be  authorized  to  ( 
intr,  and  under  such  penalties  as  each  1 
e  the  rules  of  its  proceedings,  punish  it; 
icurrente  of  two-thirds,  expel  a  mtml  ei 
journal  of    its  proceedings,  and  from 


number  may  adjourn  Iron 
absent  members  in  such  m 

Each  house  may  determi 
behaviour,  and,  wiih  the  o 

Each  house  shall    keep 


of  the 


.djourn 
.•■hall  U 


ch  paiLs  as  may  i 
of  either  house  o 


their  judgment  requii 
any  question  shall,  a 


of  Congress,  shall, 
tlian  three  da)s,  nor  to  any  other  place 


Section  6.  The  Senators  and  Representatives  shall 


,  to  be 
yhall  in  all  cas 
during  their  ath 
ing  frum  the  sai 
in  any  oiher  pla 
No  Senator  o 
to  any  civil  offi 
or  the  emolumt 


nd  qualifications  of  its 
usiness;   but  a  smaller 
ipel  the  attendance  of 
ise  may  provide, 
lembers  lor  disorderly 

3e  to  time  publish  the 


con^ient  of  the  other, 
I  which  the  two  houses 


npensation  for  their  ser- 


'd  by  law,  an.l  paid  out  of  the  Treasuiy  of  the* United  Stales.  Uhey 
rs,  except  treason,  felony  and  breach  of  the  peace,  be  privileged  from  arrest 
ndance  at  the  session  of  iheir  respective  1  oues,  ond  in  pomg  to  and  return- 
le ;  and  for  any  speech  or  debate  in  either  house  they  shall  not  be  questioned 


Representative  shall,  dur'ng  the  time  for  which  he 


■  the  authority  i 
vhcreof  shall  Lavt 


vhich 


irmg 


,ras  elected,  be  appointed 
hall  have  been  created, 
ch  time;  and  no   person 


nd  of  foreign  1 


:ral  States,  and  with  the 
I  the  subject  of  bankrupt- 
,  and  fix  the  standard  of 
I  of  the 


holding  any  office  under  the  United  States,  shall  be  a  member  of  either  house  during  his 
continuance  in  office. 

Section  7.  All  bills  for  raising  revenue  shall  originate  in  the  House  of  Representatives  ; 
but  the  Senate  may  propose  or  concur  with  amendments  as  on  other  tills. 

Every  hill  which  shall  have  passed  the  House  of  Representatives  and  the  Senate,  shall, 
before  it  becomes  a  law,  be  presented  lo  the  President  of  ihe  United  States;  if  he  approve 
he  shall  sign  it,  but  if  not  he  shall  return  it  with  his  objections  to  that  house  in  which  it  shall 
have  originated,  who  shall  enter  ihe  objections  at  large  nn  their  journal,  and  proceed  to 
reconsider  it.  If  after  such  reconsideration  two  thirds  of  that  Hou^e  shall  agree  to  pass  the 
bill,  it  shall  be  sent,  together  with  the  objections,  to  the  other  house,  by  which  it  shall 
likewise  be  reconsidered,  and  if  approved  by  tw^o-thirds  of  that  Hou>e,  it  shall  become  a 
law.  But  in  all  such  cases  the  voles  of  both  houses  shall  be  determined  by  yeas  and  nays, 
and  the  names  of  the  persons  voting  for  and  against  the  bill  shall  be  entered  on  the  journal 
of  each  house  respectively.  If  any  bill  snail  not  be  lelurned  by  the  President  wiihin  ten  days 
(Sundays  excepted),  after  it  shall  have  been  presented  to  him,  the  same  shall  be  a  law,  in 
like  manner  as  if  he  had  signed  it,  unless  the  Congress  by  their  adjournment  prevent  its 
return,  in  which  case  it  shall  not  be  a  law. 

Every  order,  resolution  or  vole  lo  which  the  concurrence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Rep- 
resenlativei;  may  be  necessary  (except  on  a  question  of  adjournment),  shall  be  presenttd  to 
the  President  of  the  Uniied  States  ;  and  before  the  sair.e  shall  take  effect,  shall  be  approved 
by  him,  or  being  disapproved  by  him.  shall  be  repassed  by  two-thirds  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  RepresentJtives,  according  lo  iJie  rules  and  limitations  prescribed  in  the  case  of  a 
bill. 

Section  S.  The  Congress  shall  have  power — 

To  lay  and  collect  taxes,  duties,  imposts  and  excises,  to  pay  the  debts  and  provide  for  the 
common  defense  and  general  welfare  of  the  United  States  ;  but  all  duties,  imposts  and  excises 
shall  be  uniform  throughout  the  United  States; 

To  borrow  money  on  the  credit  of  the  United  States; 
To  regulate  commerce  with  foreign  nations, 
Indian  tribes.  ; 

To  establish  a  uniform  rule  of  naturalization,  c 
cies  throughout  the  United  Slates ; 

To  coin  money,  regulate  the  value  thereof, 
weights  and  measures; 

To  provide  for  the  punishment  of  counterfeiting  the  securities  and  current  < 
Uniied  State.*; 

To  es.ablish  post-offices  and  post-roads; 

To  promote  the  progress  of  science  and  useful  arts,  by  securing  for  limited  times  to  authors 
and  inventors  the  exclusive  right  to  iheir  respective  writings  and  discoveries- 
To  constitute  tribunals  inferior  to  the  Supreme  Court; 

To  define  and  punish  piracies  and  felonies  committed  on  the  high  seas,  and  ofTencea 
against  the  law  of  nations  ; 

To  declare  war,  grant  letters  of  marque  and  reprisal  and  make  rules  concerning  captures 
on  land  and  water; 

To  raise  and  support  armies,  but  no  appropriation  of  money  to  that  use  shall  be  for  a 
longer  term  than  two  years; 

To  provide  and  maintain  a  navy  ; 

To  make  rules  for  the  government  ^nd  regulation  of  the  land  and  naval  forces ; 
To  provide  for  calling  forth  the  militia  lo  execute  the  laws  of  the  Union,  suppress  insur- 
rections and  repel  invasions ; 

To  provide  lor  organizing,  arming  and  disciplining  the  militia,  and  for  governing  such 
part  of  them  as  may  be  employed  in  the  service  of  the  United  Stales,  reserving  lo  the  Stale--, 
respectively  the  appointment  of  the  officers,  and  the  auihority  of  training  the  mihta  according 
to  the  discipline  prescribed  by  Congress. 

To  exercise  legislation  in  all  cases  whatsoever,  over  such  district  (not  exceeding  ten  miles 
square),  as  may  by  the  cession  of  particular  States  and  the  acceptance  of  Congress,  become 
the  seat  of  the  government  of  the  Uniied  States,  and  to  exercise  like  auihority  over  all  places 
jiurcha^ed  by  the  consent  of  the  Legislature  of  the  Stale  in  which  the  same  shall  be,  lor  the 
erection  of  forts,  magazines,  arsenals,  dock-yards  and  other  needful  buildings; — and 

To  make  all  laws  which  shall  be  necessary  and  proper  for  c?rrying  into  execution  the 
foregoing  powers,  and  all  other  powers  vested  by  ihis  Constitution  in  the  guvernment  of  the 
United  State.';,  or  in  any  department  or  officer  thereof. 

Section  9,  The  migration  or  importation  of  such  persons  as  any  of  the  Slates  now  exist- 
ing shall  think  proper  to  admit,  shall  not  be  prohibited  by  the  Congre<:s  prior  tu  the  year 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eight,  but  a  tax  or  duty  may  be  imposed  on  such  importa- 
tion, not  exceeding  ten  dillars  for  each  persons. 

The  privileges  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  shall  not  be  suspended,  unless  when  in  cases 
of  rebellion  or  inva>ion  the  public  safety  may  require  it. 
No  bill  of  attainder  or  ex  post  facto  law  shall  be  passed. 

No  capitation  or  other  direct  tax  shall  be  laid  unless  in  proportion  to  the  census,  or  enu- 
meration herein  before  directed  to  be  taken. 

No  lax  or  duty  shall  be  laid  on  articles  exported  from  any  State. 

No  preference  shall  be  given  by  any  regulation  of  t  ommerce  or  revenue  to  the  ports  of  one 
State  over  those  01"  another;  nor  shall  vessels  bound  to,  or  from  one  State,  be  obliged  lo 
enter,  clear,  or  pay  duties  in  another. 

No  money  shall  be  drawn  from  the  Treasurj',  but  in  consequence  of  appropriations  made 
by  law;  and  a  regular  statement  and  account  of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  all  public 
money  shall  be  published  from  time  to  lime. 

No  title  of  nobility  shall  be  granted  ly  the  L'nited  States;  and  no  person  holding  any 
office  of  profit  or  tni>t  under  them,  shall  without  the  consent  of  the  Cfugress,  accept  of  any 
present,  emolument,  office,  or  title,  of  any  kind  whatever,  from  any  king  prmce,  or  foreign 
Stale. 

Secticw  10.  No  State  shall  enter  into  any  treaty,  alliance,  or  corfederalion ;  grant  letters 
of  marque  or  rci^risal ;  coin  money  :  emit  bills  of  credit ;  make  anything  but  gold  and  silvtf 


nports 


coin  a  tender  in  payment  of  debts;  pass  any  bill  of  attainder ,ex  post  facto  law,  or  la 
pairing  the  obligation  of  contracts,  or  grant  any  title  of  nobility. 

No  Slate  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  Congress,  lay  any  imposts  or  dnl.e 
or  exports,  except  what  may  be  absolutely  necessary  for  executing  its  inspection  l^w^.^nd 
the  net  nroduce  of  all  duties  and  imposts  laid  by  any  State  on  imports  or  expor  s  shall  be 
for  the  u^e  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States-  and  all  such  laws  shall  be  subject  to  the 
revision  and  control  of  the  Congress. 

No  State  shall,  without  the  consent  of  Congress,  lay  any  duty  on  tonnage,  keep  troops 
r  shies  of  war  in  time  of  peace,  enter  into  any  agreement  or  compact  with  another  btate 
I  snips  o',"-.  r ^_ __,_^^  ,^t„r,llv  inv.iiled.  or  in  such  imminent 


d  under  such  regulations  as  the 


vith 


foreign  power,  or  engage 
will  not  admit  of  delay. 


.r,  unlei 


.ctually  invaded,  t 


ARTICLE  II. 

Section  i.  The  Executive  power  shall  be  vested  in  a  President  of  the  United  States  of 
America"  He  shall  hoM  his  office  during  the  term  of  four  years,  and,  together  with  the 
Vice  President  chosen  for  the  same  term,  be  elected  as  follows : 

^  Each  State  shall  appoint,  in  such  manner  as  the  Legislature  '»"-f  ^^^ ''-[^^'i=',--^JJ 
of  electors,  equal  to  the  whole  number  of  Senators  and  Representatives  to  which  the  btate 
may  be  entitled  in  the  Congress;  but  no  Senator  or  Reprcsent.at,ve,  or  person  holding  an 
office  of  trust  or  profit  under  the  United  States,  shall  be  appointed  an  elector. 

r*The  electors  shall  meet  in  their  respective  States  and  vote  by  ballot  for  two  persons, 
of  vhom  one  at  least  shall  not  be  an  inhabitant  of  the  same  State  with  themselves  And  they 
shall  make  a  list  of  all  persons  voted  for,  and  of  the  number  of  votes  for  each  ;  which  lis 
hey  s"aU  sign  and  certily,  and  transmit,  sealed  to  the  seat  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States  direcfed  to  the  President  of  the  Senate.  The  President  of  the  Senate  shall,  in  the 
pSe'jce  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  open  all  the  certificates  and  the  votes 
shall  then  be  counted.  The  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  shall  be  the  Presi- 
dent if  such  number  be  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  electors  appointed  ;  and  if  there 
be  more  than  one  who  have  such  majority,  and  h-^/r,^""' "fT''"^,  PrS  nf  and 
House  of  Representatives  shall  immediately  choose  by  ballot  one  of  them  for  President  an 
■4  no  p-rson  have  a  majority,  then  fr>,m  the  five  highest  on  the  list  the  said  House  shall  in 
like  manner  choose  the  President.  But  in  choosing  the  President,  the  vote  shall  be  taken 
by  States,  the  representation  from  each  State  having  one  vote;  a  quorum  for  this  purpose 
shall  consist  of  a  member  or  members  from  two-thirds  of  the  States,  and  a  majority  of  all  he 
States  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice  In  every  '^f =- ^f'"  *;=  .^^h""  °/ '''^^^^^^^^f '■  ^'^'^^ 
person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  of  the  electors  shall  be  the  \ce  President.  But 
if  there  should  remain  two  or  more  who  have  equal  voles,  the  Senate  shall  choose  from  them 
by  ballot  the  Vice  President.]  . 

The  Congress  may  determine  the  time  of  choosing  the  electors, 
they  shall  gTve  their  votes;  which  day  shall  be  the  same  tjiroughout  the^U^ted  Slates. 

No  pesron  except  a  natural  born  citizen,  or  a 
the  adoption  of  this  Constitution,  shall  be  eligible 
person  be  eligible  to  that  office  who  shall  not  ha- 
been  fourteen  years  a  resident  within  the  United  States.  .  . 

In  case  of  the  removal  of  the  President  from  oftice,  or  of  his  death,  resignation  or  inability 
to  discharge  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  said  office,  the  same  shall  devolve  on  the  Vice 
President  and  the  Consrrss  may  by  law  provide  for  the  case  of  removal,  death,  resignation, 
rrTnabailVrbolh  of  the^Preside'nt  a'nd  Vi^e  President,  declaring  what  officer  shall  then  act 
as  President,  and  such  officer  shall  act  accordingly,  unlil  the  disability  be  removed,  or  a 
President  shall  be  elected. 

The  President  shall,  at  slated  times,  receive  for  his  services 
neither  be  increased 


vhich 


1  of  the^United  Stales  at  the  lime  of 
o  the  office  of  President ;  neither  shall  any 
;  attained  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  and 


and  he  shall  i 
any  of  them. 


impensation  which  shall 

__ lished  during  the  period  for  which  he  shall  have  been  elected, 

;  within  that  period  any  other  emolument  from  the  United  Slates,  or 


-affiri 


1  the  execution  of  his  office  he  shall  take  the  following  oath 

;  of  President 


(or  affirm)  that  I  will  faithfully  execute  the  offic 
to  the  best  of  my  ability,  preserve,  proleC,  and  defend  the  Con- 


Before  he  enter  i 
tion  : 

"  I  do  solemnly 
the  United  States,  o 
slitution  of  the  Uniled  States.'  .      ■       ,  ■  r     r    ^  j  r   .!,„ 

Section  2  The  President  shall  he  commander-in-chief  of  the  army  and  navy  of  the 
United  States,  and  of  the  militia  of  the  several  States,  when  called  into  the  actual  service  of 
the  United  States ;  he  may  require  the  opinion,  in  writing,  of  the  principal  officer  m  each  of 
the  Executive  departments,  upon  any  sulject  relating  to  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices 
and  he  shall  have  power  to  grant  reprieves  and  pardons  for  offences  against  the  United 
States   except  in  cases  of  impeachment. 

He  shall  have  power,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  to  inake  treaties 
provided  two-thirds  of  the  Senators  present  concur ;  and  he  shall  nominate,  and  by  and  with 
the  advice  of  the  Senate,  shall  appoint  ambassadors,  ohter  public  ministers  and  consuls, 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  all  olher  officers  of^lhe  United  States  whose  appoint- 
ments are  not  herein  otherwise  provided  lor,  and  which  sh.all  be  established  by  law ;  but 
the  Congress  may  by  law  vest  the  appointment  of  such  inferior  oflicers  as  they  think 
proper  in  the  President  alone,  in  the  courts  of  law,  or  in  the  heads  of  depar  ments. 

The  President  shall  have  power  to  fill  up  all  vacancies  thai  may  happen  during  the  recess 
of  the  Senate,  by  gran'mg  commissions  which  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  their  next  sessions. 

Section  3.  He  sh-dl  from  time  to  lime  give  to  the  Congress  informa  ion  of  the  state  of  the 
Union,  and  recomm.:nd  to  their  consideration  such  measures  as  he  shall  judge  necessary  and 
expedient-  he  may,  on  extraordinary  occasions,  convene  both  Houses,  or  either  ot  them, 
and  in  case  of  disagreement  between  them,  with  respect  to  the  t  me  of  adjournment,  he  may 
adjourn  them  to  s.ich  time  as  he  shall  think  proper ;  he  shall  receive  ambas,adors  and  olher 
public  ministers-  he  shad  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  executed,  and  shall  commis- 
sion all  the  oflicm  of  the  United  States.  „     .   .,     „  f  u    TT   -.  J  c.  .        1,11 

Sf.ction  a  The  President,  Vice  President  and  all  civil  officers  of  the  United  States,  shall 
be  removed  from  office  on  impeachment  for,  and  conviction  of,  treason,  bribery,  or  olher 
hi'^h  crimes  and  misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE  III. 

gj^-PjQ^  ,  -pije  judicial  power  of  the  United  Stales  shall  be  vested  in  one  Supreme  Court 
and  in  lucb  inferior  courts  as  the  Congress  may  from  time  to  time  o-dain  and  establish. 
The  iu'J-es  both  of  the  Supreme  and  inferior  courts,  shall  hold  their  ofi.ces  during  good  be- 
havio'.r,°and  shall,  at  stated  times,  receive  fur  their  services  a  compensation,  which  shall  not 
be  diminished  during  their  continuance  in  office.  ,         ..         ■  - 

Section  2.  The  judicial  power  shall  extend  to  all  cases,  in  law  and  equity,  arising 
under  this  Consilution  the  laws  of  the  Uniied  States,  and  treaties  made,  or  which  shall  be 
made,  under  their  authority  ;— to  all  cases  affecting  ambassadors,  other  public  ministers,  and 
consul-!;— to  all  cases  of  admiralty  and  maritime  jurisdiction 
tne  United  States  shall  be  a  parly  ;— to  controversies  between  U 
a  State  and  citizens  of  another  Stale ;— beH 
zens  of  the  same  State  cb 


ns  thereof,  and  foreign  Stales,  cilize 

In  all  cases  affecting  ambas.adors,  olher  public  mini=t< 

I  State  shall  be  a  party,  the  Supreme  Court  shall  have  o 

In  all  the  other  cases  before  ,   .,      ^     -  -- 

*Tnii  cUuse  within  brawk.ls  has  tieen  supcicedcd  auJ  aonulleii  by  the  i 


ntroversles  to  which 

:  States  ; — between 

.if  different  Stales; — between  citi- 

nds  under  grants  of  different  States,  and  between  a  Slate, 


subje 


,d  consuls,  and  tho; 
1  jurisdiction. 
:d,  the  Supreme  Court  shall  have  appellate  j 


hich 


diction,  both  as  to  law  and  fact,  with  such  exceptic 
Congress  shall  make. 

The  trial  of  all  crimes,  except  in  cases  of  impeachment,  shall  be  by  jury 
shall  be  held  in  the  State  where  the  said  crimes  shall  have  been  comr 
committed  within  any  State,  the  trial  shall  be  at  such  place  or  places 
by  law  have  directed. 

Section  3.  Treason  against  the  United  States  shall  consist  only  ii 
them,  or  in  adhering  to  their  enemies,  giving  them  aid  and  comfort, 
convicted  of  treason  unless  oji  the  testimony  of  two  witnesses  to  the 
confession  in  open  court. 

The  Congress  shall  have  power  to  declare  the  punishment  of  t 
treason  shail  work  corruption  of  blood,  or  forfeiture  except  dui 
attainted. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Section  i.  Full  faith  and  credit  shall  be  given  in  each  State  to  the  public  acts,  records, 
and  judicial  proceedings  of  every  other  Slate.  And  the  Congress  may  by  general  laws  pre- 
scribe the  manner  in  which  such  acts,  records  and  proceedings  shall  be  proved  and  the  effect 
thereof. 

Section  2.  The  citizens  of  each  State  shall  be  entitled  to  all  privileges  and  immunities  of 
citizens  in  the  several  Stales. 

A  person  charged  in  any  State  with  treason,  felony  or  other  crime,  who  shall  flee  from 
justice,  and  be  found  in  another  Slate,  shall  on  demand  of  the  Executive  authority  of  the 
State  from  which  he  fled,  be  delivered  up,  to  be  removed  to  the  State  having  jurisdiction  of 


nd  such  trial 
ted;  but  when  not 
.s  the  Congress  may 

levying  war  against 
No  person  shall  be 


in,  but  no  attainder  t 
the  life  of  the  perso 


the 


Stale, 


)  on  the  cla 


under  the  laws  thereof,  escaping  into 
ion  therein,  be  discharged  from  such 
of  the  party  to  whom  such  service  or 


No  person  held  to  service  or  labor 
another,  shall,  in  consequence  of  any  I 
service  or  labor,  but  shall  be  delivered  u 
labor  may  be  due. 

Section  3.  New  States  may  be  admitted  by  the  Congress  into  this  Union  ;  but  no  new 
State  shall  be  formed  or  erected  within  the  jurisdiction  of  any  other  State :  nor  any  State  be 
formed  by  the  junction  of  two  or  more  States,  or  parts  of  States,  without  the  consent  of  the 
Legislatures  of  the  Stales  concerned,  as  well  as  of  the  Congress. 

power  to  dispose  of  and  make  all  needfnl  rules  and  regulations 
3ther  property  belonging  to  the  United  Stales  ;  and  nothing  in 
construed  as  to  prejudice  any  claims  of  the  Uniled  Slates,  or  of 


shall  ha 


The  Congri 
respecting  tire  territory  01 
this  Constitution  shall  be  s 
any  particular  State. 

Section  4.  The  United  States  shall  guarantee  to  every  Slate  in  this  Union  a  Republican 
form  of  government,  and  shall  protect  each  of  them  against  invasion,  and  on  application  of 
the  Legislature,  or  of  the  Executive  (when  the  Legislature  cannot  be  convened)  against  do- 
mestic violence. 

ARTICLE  V. 

The  Congress,  whenever  two-thirds  of  both  Houses  shall  deem  it  necessary,  shall  propose 
amendments  to  this  Constitution,  or,  on  Ihe  application  of  the  Legislatures  of  two-thirds  of 
the  several  Stales,  shall  call  a  convention  for  proposing  amendments,  which,  in  either  case, 
shall  be  valid  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  part  of  this  Constitution,  when  ratified  by  the 
Legislatures  of  three-fourths  of  the  several  States,  or  by  conventions  in  three-fourths  thereof, 
as  the  one  or  the  other  mode  of  ratification  may  be  proposed  by  the  Congress.  Provided 
that  no  amendment  which  may  be  made  prior  to  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and' 
eight  shall  in  any  manner  affect  the  first  and  fourth  clauses  in  the  ninth  section  of  the  first 
arricle;  and  that  110  State,  without  its  consent,  shall  be  deprived  of  its  equal  suflfrage  in  the 
Senate. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

agemenls  entered  into,  before  the  adoption  of  this  Conslitu- 
thc   Uniled   States  under  this  Constitution    as  under  the 


All  debts  conlracted  and  e 
tion,  shall  be  as  valid  again 
Confederation. 

This  Constitution,  and  the 
thereof,  and  all  treaties  mad 
States,  shall  be  the  supreme  1 
thereby,  anything  in  the  Constitution 

The  Senators  and  Representati 


vs  of  the  United  States  -which  shall  be  made  in  pursuance 
r  which  shall  be  made,  under  the  authority  of  the  United 
of  the  land;  and  the  judges  in  every  State  shall  be  bound 
r  laws  of  any  Stale  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding, 
before  mentioned,  and  the  memliers  of  the  several 
State  Legislatures,  and  ail  Executive  and  judici.al  officers,  both  of  the  United  States  and  of 
the  several  States,  shall  be  bound  by  oath  or  affirmation,  to  support  this  Constitution ;  but 
no  religious  test  shall  ever  be  required  as  a  qualification  to  any  office  or  public  trust  under 
the  United  States.  . 

ARTICLE  VII. 

The  ratification  of  the  Conventions  of  nine  States  shall  be  sufficient  for  the  establishment 
of  this  Constitution  between  the  States  so  ratifying  the  same. 

Done  in  Convention  by  the  unanimous  consent  of  the  Slates  present,  the  seventeenth  day 
of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-seven, 
and  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  Stales  of  America,  the  twelfth.  In  Witness 
Whereof,  We  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names. 

GEO.  WASHINGTON, 
President  and  Deputy  from  Virginia. 


New  Hampshire. 
John  L^ngdon, 

iJlCHOLAS    GiLMAN. 

Massachusetts. 
Nathaniel  Gorham, 
RuFus  King. 

Connecticttt. 
Wm.  Same.  Johnson, 
Roger  Sherman. 

New  York. 
Alexander  Hamilton. 

New  Jersey. 
Wil.  Livingston, 
Wm.  Patterson, 
David  Brearly, 
JuNA.  Dayton. 

Attest : 


Pennsylvania. 
B.  Franklin, 
Roet.  Morris. 
Tho.  P'itzsimons, 
James  Wilson, 
Thomas  Mifflin, 
Geo.  Clvmer, 
ared  Ingersoll, 
Gouv.  Morris. 

Delaware. 
Geo.  Read, 
John  Dickinson, 
Jaco.  Broom, 
Gunning  Bedford,  Jr., 

RiCHASD   BASSETT. 


John  Blair, 
James  Madison,  Jr. 


Maryland. 
James  M'Henrv, 
Dane.  Carroll, 
Dan.  of  St.  Thos.  Jenifer. 

North  Carolina. 
VfM.  Blount, 
Hu.  Williamson, 
Rich'd  Dobbs  Spaight. 

South   Carolina. 
j.  rutledge, 
Charles  Pinckkey, 
Chas.  Cotesworth  Pinckney, 
Pierce  Butler. 

Georgia. 

William  Few, 
AiiR.  Baldwin. 


WILLIAM  JACKSON,  Secretary. 


1 


AMENDMENTS  TO  THE  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


P„^.J  „  r„,„,..„t,.,„M,«..  i,-„»,.„„/ ,.„»,../»•«../.-..""•  ,/-#<«■.<-./«"*"•"-,.«.,-<... 


ARTICLE  I. 
Congress  shall  m.ke  no  law  respecting  an  establishment  of  religion,  or  PJol^Wdng  the  free 
exercise  thereof;    or   abridgin?  the  freedom  of  speech,  or  of  the  press;  or  the  ri^nt  or  me 
"ople  peaceably'  to  assembfe,  and  to  petition  the  government  for  a  redress  of  gr.evances. 

ARTICLE  II. 
A  well  re.'ulated  militia  being   necessary  to  the  security 
people  to  ke°p  and  bear  arms  shall  not  be  infringed. 


of  a  free  State,  the  right  of  the 


ARTICLE  III. 
sh.ill  in  time  of  peace  be  quartered  in  any  house  without  the  consent  of  the 
time  of  war,  but  in  a  manner  to  be  prescribed  by  law. 


ARTICLE  IV. 


The  ri»ht  of  the  people  to  be  secure  in  their  persons,  houses,  papers,  and  effec  s,  agains 
unreasonalle  searches  and  seizures,  shall  not  be  violated,  and  no  warrants  shall  issue  but 
upon  probable  cause,  supported  by  oath  or  affirmation,  and  particularly  describing  the  place 
to  be  searched,  and  the  persons  or  things  to  be  seized. 

ARTICLE  V. 
No  person  shall  be  held  to  answer  for  a  capital  or  otherwise  infamous  ci-ime,  tjnless  on  a 
presentment  or  indictment  by  a  Grand  Jury,  except  in  cases  ar.smg  in  the  land  or  naval  forces 
Lr  in  the  militia  when  in  actual  service  in  time  of  war  or  public  danger ;  nor  shall  any  per 
son  be  subject  for  the  s.ame  offence  to  be  twice  put  in  jeopardy  of  life  or  hmb;  i^or  shall  be 
compelled  in  any  criminal  case  to  be  a  witness  against  himself,  nor  be  deprived  of  life  iberty, 
or  property,  without  due  process  of  law;  nor  shall  private  property  be  Liken  for  public  use, 
witJiout  just  compensation. 

ARTICLE  VI. 
In  all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  enjoy  the  right  to  a  speedy  and  public  trial, 
by  an  impartial  jur,'  of  the  State  and  district  wherein  the  crime  shall  have  been  committed, 
which  district  shall  have  been  previously  ascertained  by  law,  and  to  be  informed  of  the 
nature  and  cause  of  the  accus.ition  ;  to  be  confronted  with  the  witnesses  against  him;  to 
have  compulsory  process  for  obtaining  witnesses  in  his  favor,  and  to  have  the  assistance  of 
counsel  for  hb  defense. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

In  suits  at  common  law,  where  the  value  in  controversy  shall  exceed  tweilty  dollars,  the 

ri-ht  of  trial  by  lury  shall  be  preserved,  and  no  fact  tried  by  a  jury  thall  be  otherwise 

re-examined  in  any  court  of  the  United  States,  than  according  to  the  rules  of  the  common 

law. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 
Excessive  bail  shall  not  be  required,  nor  excessive  fines  imposed,  nor  cruel  and  unusual 
punishnaent  inflicted. 

ARTICLE  IX. 
The  enumeration  in  the  Constitution,  of  certain  rights,  shall  not  be  construed  to  deny  or 
disparage  others  retained  by  the  people. 

ARTICLE  X. 
The  powers  not  delegated  to  the  U.iited  States  by  the  Constitution,  nor  prohibited  by  it  to 
the  States,  are  reserved  to  the  States  respectively,  or  to  the  peple. 

ARTICLE  XL 
The  judicial  power  of  the  United  Slates  shall  not  be  construed  to  extend  to  any  suit  in  law 
or  equity  commenced  or  prosecuted  against  one  of  the  United  States  by  citizens  of  anj*er 
Slate,  or  by  citizens  or  subjects  of  any  foreign  State.  V^ 

ARTICLE  XII. 

The  electors  shall  meet  in  their  respective  States,  and  vote  by  ballot  (or  President  and 

Vice  Presulent   one  of  whom  at  least  shall  not  be  an  inhabitant  of  the  same  State  with  them- 

selves-  they  shall  name  ia  their  ballots  the  person   to  be  voted  for  as  President,  and  i.i 


distinct  ballots  the  pei^ons  voted  for  as  Vice  Pres.d-tit,  and  they  shall  make  distinct  lists 
of  all  persons  voted  for  as  President,  and  of  all  persons  voted  for  as  V  ice  1  resident,  and  ol 
the  number  of  votes  for  each,  which  list  they  shall  sign  and  certi.'^y,  and  transmit  sealed  to 
the  seat  of  eovemment  of  the  United  States,  directed  to  the  Proidwnt  of  the  Senate.  Ihe 
President  of  the  .'Senate  shall,  in  presence  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives,  opel. 
all  the  certificates,  and  the  votes  sh.iU  then  be  counted.  1  he  person  having  the  greatest 
number  of  votes  for  President,  shall  be  the  President,  if  such  nurnber  bea  majority  of  the 
whole  number  of  electors  appointed ;  and  if  no  person  have  such  majority,  then  from  the 
persons  havine  the  hi-hest  number  not  exceeding  three  on  the  list  of  those  voted  for  as 
President  the  House  of  Representatives  shall  cho.se  immediately,  by  ballot,  the  President. 
But  in  choosing  the  President,  the  votes  shall  be  taken  by  States,  the  representation  from 
each  State  havi?e  one  vote  ;  a  quorum  for  this  purpose  shall  consist  of  a  member  or  menibers 
from  two-th  rds  oi  the  States,  and  a  majority  of  all  the  Stales  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice. 
And  if  the  House  of  Representatives  shall  not  choose  a  President  whenever  the  right  ol  choice 
shall  devolve  upon  them,  before  the  fourth  d.ay  of  March  next  following,  then  the  \.ce 
President  shall  act  as  President,  as  in  the  case  of  the  deaih  or  other  Consti  ut.onal  disability 
of  the  President.  The  person  having  the  greatest  number  of  votes  as  Vice  President,  sha  1 
be  the  Vice  Pre^ident,  if  such  number  lie  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  electors  appoint,  d, 
and  If  no  person  hav^  a  ma  ority,  then  from  the  t>vo  highest  numbers  on  the  list  the  Senate 
shall  choose  the  Vice  President;  a  quorum  for  the  purpose  ^l-^"  ""^f  ,f  ;»-°-*'^^f,' "^ '''^ 
whole  number  of  Senators,  and  a  majority  of  the  '"'''ole  number  shall  be  necessary  o  a 
choice.  But  no  person  Constitutionally  ineligible  to  the  office  of  President  shall  be  eUgible 
to  that  of  Vice  President  of  the  United  Slates. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

Section  i.  Neither  slavery  nor  involuntary  servitude,  except  as  a  puuishment  for  crime, 
whereof  the  party  shall  have  been  duly  convicted,  shall  exist  within  the  United  States,  or 
anv  place  subject  to  their  jurisdiclion.  -  i  .- 

Section  2.  Congress  shall  have  power  to  enforce  Uiis  article  by  appropriate  legislation. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 
Section  i.  All  persons  bom  or  naturalized  in  the  United  States  and  subject  to  the  ju- 
risdiction thereof,  are  citizens  of  the  Un,  ed  S:ates,  and  of  the  Siate  «herem  they  reside. 
No  State  shall  make  or  enforce  any  law  which  shall  abridge  the  pnvil.ges  or  immunities  ol 
citizens  of  the  United  States ;  nor  shall  any  St.ate  deprive  any  person  of  life,  liberty  or 
property  without  due  process  of  law,  nor  deny  to  any  person  within  its  jurisdiction  the  equal 

'"  Section"  2.  Representatives  shall  be  appointed  among  the  several  States  according  to 
their  respective  numbers,  counting  the  whole  number  of  persons  in  each  State,  exc.uding 
Indians  not  taxed  ;  bat  when  the  ri^ht  to  vote  at  any  election  for  the  choice  oi^\.<.^o^U>J 
President  and  Vice  President  of  the  United  States,  Representatives  in  C  ,n  ;ress,  the  executive 
and  judicial  officers  of  a  State  or  the  members  of  the  Legisla-ur=  thereof,  is  deme  Ho  any  of 
the  male  inhabitants  of  such  Slate,  being  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  cilizens  of  'he  United 
States,  or  in  any  way  abridged  except  for  participation  in  rebellion  or  other  crimes,  the  basis 
of  representation  therein  shall  be  reduced  in  the  proportioa  which  the  number  of  such  male 
citizens  shall  bjar  to  the  whole  number  of  male  citizens  twenty-one  years  of  age  in  such 

^'section  1  No  person  shall  be  a  Senator  or  Representative  in  Congress  or  elector  of 
PresiSm  an^d  Vice  ^President,  or  hold  any  offi.e  civil  or  mil.t-iry,  under  the  United  states  or 
under  any  State  who,  having  previously  taken  an  oath  as  a  M  -mber  of  Congress,  or  as  an 
office,  of  the  United  States,  or'^s  a  member  of  any  Slate  LegisLtare,  or  =^  an  execu  ive  or 
judicial  officer  of  any  Stale,  to  support  the  Con^timtion  of  the  United  States,  shall  ha^e 
cn-a"  ed  in  insurrection  or  rebellion  against  the  same,  or  given  aid  or  comfort  to  the  enemies 
thereof.     But  Congress  may,  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  each  house,  remove  such  disability. 

Section  4.  The  validity  of  the  public  debt  of  the  United  States  authorized  by  la», 
including  debts  incurred  for  payment  of  pensions  and  bounlies  for  ser\i-;es  in  suppressing 
lllsurreciion  or  rebellion,  shall  not  be  questioned.  But  neither  the  United  Slates  nor  any 
Slate  shall  assume  or  ray  any  debt  or  obligation  incurred  in  the  aid  of  insurrection  or  rebel- 
llon  4ainsr?he  UniiL'^StaLs,  or  any  loss  or  emancipation  of  any  slave,  but  such  debts, 
ind  claims  shall  be  held  illegal  and  void,  .       ,     .  ,  .■       ,1,. 

The  Congress  shall  have  the  power  to  enforce,  by  appropriate  legislauon,  ine 
lie. 

ARTICLE  XV. 
Section  i    The  ri-hts  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  to  vote  shall  not  be  denied  or 
abridged  by  the  United  States  on  account  of  race,  color,  or  previous  condition  of  servitude. 
Section  2.  Congress  shall  have  power  tj  enforce  this  article  by  appropriate  legislation.    ^ 


I