USA > Illinois > Franklin County > Franklin County, Illinois, war history, 1832-1919; containing a brief review of the world war--complete history of Franklin County's activities--photographs and service records of Franklin County's soldiers, sailors and marines--industrial and biographical review of business and professional firms who have made this history possible > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
FRANKLIN COUNTY WAR HISTORY 1832-
STATE OF ILLINOIS U.S.A
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
977.394 B16f
MARE BOON ROOM
Library Friends
This book has been digitized through the generosity of
Robert O. Blissard Class of 1957
I TH
University of Illinois Library at Urbana-Champaign
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
http://www.archive.org/details/franklincountyil00bair
Franklin County Illinois War History 1832-1919
Containing a Brief Review of the World War-Complete History of Franklin County's Activities-Photographs and Service Records of Franklin County's Soldiers, Sailors and Marines-Industrial and Biographical Review of Business and Professional Firms Who Have Made This History Possible.
Edited by HARRY L. FRIER Editor and Publisher of the Benton Republican
Compiled by S. S. BAIRD Journalist and Publicity Writer
THE LIBRARY OF THE
FED 2 1034
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
PUBLISHED BY HAL W. TROVILLION Editor and Publisher of Zeigler News and Herrin News for the FRANKLIN COUNTY WAR HISTORY SOCIETY BENTON, WEST FRANKFORT, CHRISTOPHER, SESSER, ROYALTON, ZEIGLER, THOMPSONVILLE
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Copyright, 1920 by HAL W. TROVILLION All rights reserved
1832
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
9751.2 (
0
RARE BOOK ROOM
To All Those Who Fought For Freedom
They saw not clearly nor understood, But yielding themselves, to the master-hand Each in his part as best he could They played it through as the author planned.
THE LIBRARY OF THE FED 2 1034
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
1832 1919
FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
**
CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM
· WILSON ·
WASHINGTON
· LINCOLN ·
PERSHING
... HAIG ...
... DIAZ ...
.....
... FOCH ···
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Biographical-Champions of Freedom
G EORGE WASHINGTON-Born February 22nd, 1732. The "Father of His Country" and the standard bearer of the American Colonies in their birth struggle for freedom against the tyranny of the Hanoverian king, George III of England, and the first President of the new republic (1789-1797). It was Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, who apotheosized him as "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his country- men," a place which will never be usurped by any other so long as the nation which his far-sighted wisdom, unswerving faith and superb generalship were instrumental in founding, remains true to the principles which he laid down for its guidance.
A BRAHAM LINCOLN-Born February 12th, 1809. President of the United States throughout the most critical period of the nation's history, and the one chiefly responsible for it remaining "One and indi- visible, now and forever." Big-hearted and with a knowledge of human nature which a lifetime of ordinary diplomatic training could not give, he was the savior of the United States during the dark days of the Civil War. His emancipation of the Southern slaves was a blessing in disguise to the owners, as it prevented the monopoly of that great section of the country by a few wealthy cotton planters, and forced the development of its great resources. His death at the hand of a fanatical assassin April 14, 1865, was a calamity to North and South alike.
WOODROW WILSON-Born December 28th, 1856. The world gives to this American President a higher meed of credit for the ending of the Great War than to any other single individual, for it was hisnow famous "Fourteen Points," as set forth in January, 1918, and their later modifications, that the German Chancellor asked to be taken as a basis for international peace. Although he not only strove to preserve this country's neutrality during the earlier years of the war, but even initiated several attempts to bring about a reconciliation of the European belligerents, when it became evident that the United States could no longer hold aloof with honor, he cast aside the pen for the sword, and prosecuted the war with fervor. His ideal is an International League as a basis for the future peace of the world.
G ENERAL JOHN JOSEPH PERSHING-Born September 13th, 1860. A West Pointer, and head of the Southern Department of the United States Army up to the date of this country's entry into the war, and following the death of General Funston. Was in command of the American troops during the expedi- tion into Mexico. Went to the Philippines in 1899, where he saw years of efficient service, and is today regarded as the greatest living authority on the Moros. It was while in Mexico, in 1915, that the great tragedy of his life occurred, when his wife and three little daughters were burned to death in their home at the Presidio, San Francisco. His work in France, as head of the American Expeditionary Forces, is a glorious page in the nation's history.
F IELD MARSHAL FERDINAND FCCH-Born August 4th, 1851. The present war is not the first in which the Generalissimo of the United States and Allied armies saw a clash between German and French troops. At the age of twenty he witnessed the horrors of the Siege of Paris, and that same year (1871) entered the great French military academy. Forty-three years later, he played the greatest part of any general under Joffre in driving back the German offensive against Paris in 1914. And after the Battle of the Marne it was Joffre who declared him to be "the first strategist of Europe." He was made Generalissimo of all the forces operating against the Central Powers in March, 1918, and although suffering reverses for a time, his policy of a continued smashing offensive brought a complete and sweeping victory.
"IELD MARSHAL SIR DOUGLAS HAIG-Born June 19, 1861. Known as the "Silent Haig," because F of his habit of saying but little in councils of war, but of listening attentively to all suggestions, and invariably selecting the best advice. Before being called to assume command of all the British forces in the war just closed, Haig had seen much active service in India, Egypt and the Sudan. On December 15, 1915. he succeeded Field Marshal French as head of the British armies, and under him the British army, referred to by the German Kaiser as "contemptible," soon became as powerful a force in curbing the Teuton blood- lust as the great British navy.
G ENERAL ARMANDO DIAZ-Born in Naples in 1861, the "Savior of Venice," is thoroughly Italian, although his name has caused many to think him a native of Spain, from which land his forefathers came three generations back. He took command of Italy's shattered forces in November of 1917, after their rout by the Austrians the preceding month, due to the alleged treachery of General Cadorna. The beautiful Queen of the Adriatic was almost within the grasp of the invaders, when Diaz by his superb generalship plucked victory from defeat, and began a counter-offensive which swept back the Austrians across the Piave, finally compelling them to sue for peace on Italy's own terms.
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CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM
ROOSEVELT
ADMIRAL SIMS
GENERAL WOOD
KING ALBERT
PRES. POINCARE
VICTOR EMMANUEL
KING GEORGE
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Biographical-Champions of Freedom
THEODORE ROOSEVELT-Born October 27th, 1858. Elected to the Vice-Presidency, he succeeded to the office of Chief Executive on the death of William Mckinley, September 14, 1901, and was elected President in 1904 by the largest majority ever given to any candidate for that great office. Clear-thinking, aggressive and fearless, he was a man of letters as well as a man of action, and as contributing editor to a well-known magazine, often attacked President Wilson's policies during the war just closed. During the Spanish-American War he organized a troop of cavalry known as the "Rough Riders," which saw hard service in Cuba; and offered to raise and lead in person a division for service in the European War, but his offer was not accepted. His death occurred suddenly January 6, 1919. The Nation lost the most commanding, the most original, the most interesting and the most brilliant personality in American public life since Lincoln.
> AJOR LEONARD WOOD-Born, Winchester, N. H., October 9, 1860; appointed assistant army surgeon January 5, 1886; Captain assistant surgeon, January 5, 1891; volunteered with Roosevelt in the "Rough Riders" at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War as Colonel First U. S. Volunteer Cavalry, and was made major-general, December 7, 1898; awarded Congressional Medal of Honor, March 29, 1898; Military Governor of Cuba and later Governor of Moro Province, Philippine Islands. During the World War was appointed Commander Eighty-ninth Division, N. A., Camp Funston, Kans. Has been acclaimed the greatest military genius in the U. S. Army, but was retained in the United States presumably on account of his ability to train crack divisions, other conditions would indicate "political reasons."
A DMIRAL WILLIAM S. SIMS-Born October 15th, 1858. The first American officer to have a command abroad in the Great War. His high rank at the outbreak of the struggle was due to his excellent work in developing the gunnery of American seamen, which caused President Roosevelt to give him command of a battleship over the heads of many others then outranking him. Fearless in criticism of naval abuses, he caused many of them to be rectified. His work in directing the operation of the fleet of American destroyers did wonders in keeping in subjection the menace of the German submarines, and is responsible for the fact that 3,000,000 American soldiers were carried in France with so little loss.
A LBERT, KING OF THE BELGIANS-Born April 8th, 1875. A heroic leader of a heroic nation. When Germany, treacherously aiming to strike a death blow at France by pouring her armies over the border through Belgium, whose neutrality she had joined in guaranteeing, she insolently demanded that Belgium afford free passage to her troops. Albert's reply to the Teuton envoy was characteristic: "Belgium is a nation, not a road!" And although overwhelmed by the German onrush, all of her land but a few square miles a prey for four years to the invaders, the dauntless spirit of King Albert held together his army of Belgian heroes, who having saved France, have lived to return to their homes in triumph.
K ING GEORGE V OF GREAT BRITAIN-Born June 3rd, 1865. A naval officer up to the time of his accession to the throne May 6, 1910, George V is known as England's "Sea King," and it is not to be expected that he will be disposed to yield much at the Peace Conference as regards a diminution in the strength and privileges of the British Navy. He is a thoroughly democratic sovereign, and has played a worthy part in the prosecution of the war, although the peculiarities of the English form of government did not permit of his taking the field in person, like the rules of Belgium and Italy.
R AYMOND POINCARE-Born August 20th, 1860. After a lifetime of productive labor for his country, during which he had served as Minister both of Finance and of Agriculture, M. Poincare was elected President of the French Republic, taking his seat February 18, 1913. The beginning of the Great War was only eighteen months away; but without foreseeing it, he immediately set to work on the general principles of sound policy, and did much to strengthen the relations and alliances of France with other powers. With the nation actually at war he was quick to see the necessity for unity of thought and action and formed a coalition cabinet of statesmen of all political parties. His selection of "the old tiger," Georges Clemenceau, as Premier, had much to do with keeping France's armies in the field after her foes believed her "bled white".
I VICTOR EMMANUEL 111-Born November 11th, 1869. His wife, Queen Helena, a Montenegrin princess, the sympathies of Italy's King were easily enlisted in the plight of the little Balkan kingdoms of Serbia and Montenegro when they were overrun by the Teuton hordes. But his was a difficult role, for Italy was nominally in alliance with both Germany and Austria. It was, however, one of defense only, and Italy refused to become, like Austria, a cat's paw for the German Kaiser's overweening ambition. Besides, Austria had long held lands which the Italians believed rightfully to belong to their country. Italy there- fore joined the Allies, and Victor Emmanuel, like Albert of Belgium, fought with his troops, and with them shares a well-earned victory.
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Illinois' War Governor
HON. FRANK O. LOWDEN
F RANK O. LOWDEN, Oregon, Illinois, Governor (Rep.), was born in Sunrise, Minn., January 26, 1861; moved to Hardin County, Iowa, in 1868, and taught school there for five years, beginning in his fifteenth year. He was graduated from the Iowa State University in 1885, from the Union College of Law (now North- western) in 1887, being valedictorian of his class in each institution. For several years he was president of the Alumni Association and trustee of the Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and Knox College, Galesburg. He was law clerk in the office of Dexter, Herrick & Allen, Chicago, and in 1898 he formed the partnership of Lowden, Estabrook & Davis. His law practice was extensive and varied and he was regarded as a most successful trial lawyer. He occupied the chair of Federal Jurisprudence in the Northwestern Law School. Lowden Hall was named after him for his services there. He purchased Hemenway Farm, now Sinnissippi Farm, on Rock River near Oregon, in 1900. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor at the famous deadlock convention in 1904 and was de- feated on the seventy-ninth ballot, Charles S. Deneen being nominated. He served as Republican National Committeeman for Illincis and member of the executive body of the National Committee from 1904 to 1912 and was a member of Congress from the Thirteenth District from 1906 to 1911 when he retired on account of ill health. He was nominated for Governor on the Republican ticket in 1916 with a large plurality and elected by an overwhelming majority. He was married to Miss Florence Pullman, daughter of George M. Pullman, April 29, 1896. They have four children, one son and three daughters.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL WAR HISTORY.
Illinois In the World War
BY FRANK O. LOWDEN Governor of Illinois-1916-1920
I ILLINOIS sent 351,153 sclciers into the Federal service d'urirg the Great War. From the summoning of the National Guard to Camp Lowden in Springfield, until the discharge of the Marines in August, 1919, it was my privilege as Governor of Illincis to see the flower of the State in training camp, marching with fearless cye to the transports, and returning from overseas. There was never any doubt in my mind of the record these men would make. They had a proud heritage to inspire them in their European service. Going from the State that produced Lincoln and the matchless soldiers, Grant and Logan, we could not expect them to do other than bring back our banners un- sullied and untarnished. We followed our soldiers in all the arduous months in which they were away from us. We followed them with love and pride. We are familiar with the great battles in which they were engaged. We know something of Hamel; we know how Illinois men were among the first there to make all the world know what the Amer- ican soldier was and what he could do. We know something of the Mort Homme sector; we remember the Bois de Forges. We recall the trying days in the Argonne. Those names will be treasured forever in the history of
Illinois and the history of the United States. We have not forgotten the comrades who will come back no more. The memories of those brave men who fell upon the greatest bat- tlefields of history will be tenderly cherished in the heart of Illinois and in the heart of our common country. For the living, our gratitude, our love; for those silent comrades, our gratitude, our pride, our tears.
Those who spent months in camps in the United States and had none of the excite- ment and dangers of battle, but who never- theless served their country to the best of their ability, are entitled to praise and grati- tude. Home is Illinois,-America,-the best country in the world. It has always been worth fighting for. The men now sleeping on foreign battlefields have proven that it is worth dying for.
Now that war is over, a new task awaits. It is the preservation of the liberties for which the young men of America risked their lives. It is the resumption of peaceful re- lations. Great problems lie ahead and these soldiers must aid in their solution. I am sure that they will not fail in the future any more than they did in the past when they were called upon to risk all.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILL. WAR HISTORY.
Franklin County, Illinois, and How I Came To Know and Love Its People
By MRS. JOHN A. LOGAN
GEN. JOHN A. LOGAN
John A. Logan of Jackson county, Illinois, was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the Third Judicial District of Illinois in 1853. Honorable William K. Parish was, at that time, Judge of the Circuit Court of that District and resided at Benton, Franklin county. Soon after Mr. Logan's election, he re- moved to Benton to be near the Judge. They were devoted friends, and travelled the circuit every spring and fall in a buggy drawn by Mr. Logan's golden sorrel horse, "Charlie." Shawneetown, Gallatin county, was one of the places for holding terms of Court, hence Judge Parish and Prosecuting Attorney John A. Logan journeyed twice annually to Shawneetown to spend a week or ten days, and sometimes two weeks, in trying the cases on the "docket" at Shawneetown.
My father, Captain J. M. Cunningham, was then Register of the United States Land Office at Shawneetown. He had commanded Company B, First Illinois Infantry Volunteers in the Mexican War. Attorney Logan was a First Lieutenant in Company H of the same Regiment, and an intimate friendship was soon formed between Captain Cunningham and Lieutenant Logan which continued throughout their service, notwithstanding the dis- paragement between the ages of the two men. The rugged rocky mountains and arid alkali plains had no terrors for either; the daring of each made them kindred spirits. So when the Court convened in, Shawneetown, they were delighted to meet again, father insisting Lieutenant Logan must be his guest during the spring term of the Court.
I was then in school at St. Vincent's Academy, (a branch of the celebrated Convent at Nazareth),
MRS. JOHN A. LOGAN
located near Morganfield, Kentucky, across the Ohio River from our home at Shawneetown, from which I graduated June, 1855. In September, the Court was again in session and Judge Parish and Prosecuting Attorney Logan appeared for the bi- annual term of the Court. Naturally Lieutenant Logan came to call on my father and mother and we met for the first time.
November 27th, 1855, we were married by Honorable W. K. Parish, who came with Mr. Logan to Shawneetown to perform the ceremony. The late Judge Monroe C. Crawford, then a promising attorney, also of Benton, accompanied them. We were married at high noon in the home of my parents, and after a sumptuous breakfast, we set out for Benton. In those days there were few overland conveyances available. Two-seated buggies drawn by one or two horses were the favorite vehicles in which one could travel from one town to another. Therefore Judge Parish and Mr. Crawford were in one buggy, Mr. Logan and myself in another driving his well-known horse, "Charlie." The animal seemed to realize the importance of the occasion to his master, holding his head high and stepping proudly. We stopped en route for the night at Equality. At noon, the 28th of November, we reached Benton to be domiciled in Judge Parish's unusually pretentious and delightful home until we could secure one for ourselves. From the moment of our arrival, my husband's numerous friends came to extend congratulations and a sincere and hearty welcome to Franklin county. We were soon ensconsed in our home; Mr. Levi Browning having lost his wife was glad to have us occupy his
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cozy cottage situated on West Main street, opposite the residence of his brother, Judge William Brown- ing. It was not long before we were among the burden bearers of the community. Mr. Logan knew everyone and was expected to continue to take part in the activities of the people which was to make Franklin county one of the most progressive in Southern Illinois. Notwithstanding her popu- lation at that time was small compared to counties north of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, among the prominent citizens of Benton were Honorable Samuel K. Casey, Honorable W. K. Parish, Colonel T. B. Cantrell, Major Wm. Mooneyham (one of the few survivors of that noble galaxy) the Ward Brothers, Honorable Walter S. Aikin, William H. Fountain, the Elstuns, the Jackson Brothers, Dr. Reynolds, Captain Dillon, Colonel Dollins, the Moores of which family Captain Carroll Moore is a worthy descendant, Aunt Betsy Rogers, Mrs. Penny, Mrs. Dudley, and many, many others. In the country were such men as Reverend Moses Neal and his sons; Father McCreary and his estimable family; Mr. Marvel, the Crawfords and a host of other splendid citizens who followed their various vocations with intelligence, untiring energy and unwavering loyalty to their country.
The majority of the people were religiously inclined. There were churches in different parts of the county which were all well supported, the camp meetings being a notable feature of worship. Their politics were partisan and next to their religion in sacredness, founded as they were upon their con- struction of the principles which underlie the Republican form of government and the constitution of the United States. A majority of the inhabitants were descendants of the Colonial states, proslavery in sentiment and naturally members of the Demo- cratic party until 1860; when it became evident that the Democratic party was fostering a severance of the Union and secession of the Southern States.
Almost without exception the people of Franklin county arrayed themselves solidly for the Union, and her sons were among the very first to enlist for the defense of the Union. Albeit, their ancestors were south of the Mason and Dixon line and enthusiastic secessionists. The Honor Roll of
Officers, Soldiers and Sailors of the Army and the Navy of Franklin county is second to none in the State of a like population. Very few of the inhabi- tants of Franklin county were descendants of New England families or Puritan stock; it was, therefore, greater evidence of their inborn patriotism that they were ready to respond to the first call of Mr. Lincoln for the defense of the Union.
Events transpired rapidly after the inauguration of Lincoln, and my husband who had been re-elect- ed to Congress in 1860, was in Washington for the first session of Congress and voted for the men and measures to carry out Lincoln's first call for 75,000 men to put down the rebellion. He did not get home on that account until weeks after the 4th of March. When he came he was interested in raising a Regiment of Infantry for the Union Army. As soon as Mr. Logan reached home, a great crowd greeted him, impatient to know what he was going to do. Standing in a wagon drawn to the center of the public square of Marion, he told them of his intentions, telling them the action of the secessionists was treason against the government. He pictured the consequences of
secession to this great Republic. Without scarcely a dissenting voice, they cheered him to the echo and volunteered to follow where he would lead. The days immediately succeeding Mr. Logan's speech were memorable ones to me-not the least painful. Among them was a nasty trip of Mr. Logan and myself in a buggy behind old "Charlie" to Benton to order the dismantling of our treasured home and a tearful farewell to our beloved friends in Benton and the hundreds from the surrounding country who came to say good-bye to us and to bid us God speed in the troublesome times upon which we were all embarking. Brave men and women with tears streaming down their cheeks forgetting their own forebodings of great sorrows clasped our hands saying "God bless and keep you both till we meet again." The occasion was doubly sad for us as Judge W. K. Parish had died suddenly not long before, and we felt his death was not only a loss to us but to his country. Many of the men promised to join Mr. Logan very soon, and go with him wherever he went. We had lived across the street from Colonel and Mrs. Cantrell and they insisted we should stay with them while in Benton. The day we left Benton, Mrs. Cantrell had provided a splendid repast for a noon dinner as was the custom in those days-a number of friends were asked to remain for dinner-the emotions of the forenoon and a realization of the gathering storm through which the nation must pass robbed everyone of an appetite even for the delicious viands set before them. After going through the mockery of dining. we prepared to return to Marion. We had spent five happy years of our lives with the truest and best of unselfish people and if there were any among them who were not our friends, we were in ignorance of their existence. Our first-born children came to us in a rose covered cottage which was our home there. "Aunty" Fountain and her family; Aunty Rogers, Mrs. Cantrell, Mrs. Parish, Mrs. Browning and her daughters; Mrs. Reynolds and many other neighbors performed for us the arduous service now discharged by trained nurses in cases of illness. Were they not people of true nobility of mind and heart, and can I ever forget them or cease to revere their memories? It is to be hoped that their de- scendants have emulated their matchless characters.
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