Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 1

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126

USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2 > Part 1

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Gc 977.301 Sch8b v.2 1528480

GENEALOGY COLLECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00893 4744

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ENC

SCHUYT

HISTORICAL

ENCYCLOPEDIA

ILLINOIS

EDITED BY

VERTON BATEMAN, LL. D.

PAUL SELBY, A. M.

AND HISTORY OF

SCHUYLER COUNTY ·

Valuma 2

EDITED BY

HOWARD F. DYSON

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO. MUNSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY. PUBLISHERS. 1908

- 5 :

1528480

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

Mayor, in opposition to Carter H. Harrison, in 1885, and is believed by many to have been honestly elected, though defeated on the face of the returns. A recount was ordered by the court, but so much delay was incurred and so many obstacles placed in the way of carrying the order into effect, that Judge Smith abandoned the con- test in disgust, although making material gains as far as it had gone. During his professional career he was connected, as counsel. with some of the most important trials before the Chicago courts; was also one of the Directors of the Chi- cago Public Library, on its organization in 1871. Died suddenly, in Chicago, Oct. 6. 1899.

SMITH, Theophilus Washington. Judge and politician, was born in New York City. Sept. 28, 1784, serve l for a time in the United States navy, was a law student in the office of Aaron Burr, was admitted to the bar in his native State in 1805, and, in 1816, came west, finally locating at Edwardsville, where he soon became a prominent figure in early State history. In 1820 he was an unsuccessful candidate before the Legislature for the office of Attorney-General, being defeated by Samuel L. Lockwood, but was elected to the State Senate in 1822, serving four years, In 1823 he was one of the leaders of the "Conventionist" party, whose aim was to adopt a new Constitution which would legalize slavery in Illinois, during this peric 1 being the editor of the leading organ of the pro-st.very party. In 1825 he was elected one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, but resigned, Dec. 20, 1842. He was im- peached in 1832 on charges alleging oppressive conduet, corruption, and other high misdemean- ors in office, but secured a negative acquittal, a two-thirds vote being necessary to conviction. The vote in the Senate stood twelve for convic- tion (on a part of the charges) to ten for acquittal, four being excused from voting. During the Black Hawk War he served as Quartermaster- General on the Governor's staff. As a jurist, he was charged by his political opponents with being unable to divest himself of his partisan bias, and even with privately advising counsel, in political causes, of defects in the record, which they (the counsel) had not discovered. Ile was also a member of the first Board of Commission- ers of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, appointed in 1823. Died. in Chicago, May 6, 1846.

SMITH, William Henry, journalist, Associ- ated Press Manager. was born in Columbia County, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1833; at three years of age was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he enjoyed the best educational advantages that

State at the time afforded. After completing his school course he began teaching, and, for a time, served as tutor in a Western college, but soon turned his attention to journalism, at first as assistant editor of a weekly publication at Cincin- nati, still later becoming its editor, and, in 1855, eity editor of "The Cincinnati Gazette," with which he was connected in a more responsible position at the beginning of the war. incidentally doing work upon The Literary Review." His connection with a leading paper enabled him to exert a strong influence in support of the Govern- ment. This he used most faithfully in assisting to raise troops in the first years of the war, and, in 1863, in bringing forward and securing the election of John Brough as a Union candidate for Governor in opposition to Clement L. Vallaudi- gham, the Democratic candidate. In 1864 he was nominated and elected Secretary of State, being re-elected two years later. After retiring from office he returned to journalism at Cincinnati, as editor of "The Evening Chronicle," from which he retired in 1870 to become Agent of the West- ern Associated Press, with headquarters, at first at Cleveland. but later at Chicago. His success in this line was demonstrated by the final union of the New York and Western Associated Press organizations under his management, continuing until 1593, when he retired. Mr. Smith was a strong personal friend of President Hayes, by whom he was appointed Collector of the Port of Chicago in 1877. While engaged in official duties he found time to do considerable literary work, having published, several yearsago, "The St. Clair Papers," in two volumes, and a life of Charles Hammond, besides contributions to periodicals. After retiring from the management of the Associated Press, he was engaged upon a "His- tory of American Politics" and a "Life of Ruther- ford B. Hayes, " which are said to have been well advanced at the time of his death, which took place at his home, at Lake Forest, IH., July 27, 1896.

SMITH, William M., merchant. stock. breeder and politician, was born near Frankfort. Ky., May 23. 1827; in 1846 accompanied his father's family to Lexington, MeLean County, Ill., where they settled. A few years later he bought forty acres of government land, finally increasing his holdings to 500 acres, and becoming a breeder of tine stock. Still later he added to his agricultural pursuits the business of a merchant. Having early identified himself with the Republican party, he remained a firm adherent of its prin- ciples during the civil War. and, while declining

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

a commission tendered him by Governor Yates, devoted his time and means liberally to the re- · cruiting and organization of regiments for serv- ice in the field, and procuring supplies for the sick and wounded. In 1866 he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1868 and '70, serving, during his last term, as Speaker. In 1877 he was appointed by Governor Cullom a member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, of which body he served as President until 1883. He was a man of remarkably genial temperament, liberal impulses, and wide popu- larity. Died, March 25, 1886.

SMITH, William Sooy, soldier and civil engi- neer, was born at Tarlton, Pickaway County, Ohio, July 22, 1830; graduated at Ohio University in 1849, and, at the United States Military Acad- emy, in 1853, having among his classmates, at the latter, Generals McPherson, Schofield and Sheri- dan. Coming to Chicago the following year, he first found employment as an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad, but later became assist- ant of Lieutenant-Colonel Graham in engineer service on the lakes; a year later took charge of a select school in Buffalo: in 1857 made the first surveys for the International Bridge at Niagara Falls, then went into the service of extensive locomotive and bridge-works at Trenton, N. J., in their interest making a visit to Cuba, and also superintending the construction of a bridge across the Savannah River. The war intervening, he returned North and was appointed Lieutenant- Colonel and assigned to duty as Assistant Adju- tant-General at Camp Denison, Ohio, but, in June, 1862, was commissioned Colonel of the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers, participating in the West Virginia campaigns, and later, at Shiloh and Perryville. In April, 1862, he was promoted Brigadier-General of volunteers, commanding divisions in the Army of the Ohio until the fall of 1862, when he joined Grant and took part in the Vicksburg campaign, as commander of the First Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. Subsequently he was made Chief of the Cavalry Department; serving on the staffs of Grant and Sherman, until compelled to resign, in 1864, on account of impaired health. During the war General Smith rendered valuable service to the Union cause in great emergencies, by his knowl- edge of engineering. On retiring to private life he resumed his profession at Chicago, and since has been employed by the Government on some of its most stupendous works on the lakes, and has also planned several of the most important railroad bridges across the Missouri and other

streams. He has been much consulted in refer- ence to municipal engineering, and his name is connected with a number of the gigantic edifices in Chicago.

SMITHBORO, a village and raik ad junction in Bond County, 3 miles east of Greenville. Population. 393; (1900), 314.

SNAPP, Henry, Congressman, born in Livings- ton County, N. Y., June 30, 1822, came to Illinois with his father when 11 years old. and, having read law at Joliet, was admitted to the bar in 1847. He practiced in Will County for twenty years before entering public life. In 1868 he was elected to the State Senate and occupied a seat in that body until his election, in 1871, to the Forty- second Congress, by the Republicans of the (then) Sixth Illinois District, as successor to B. C. Cook, who had resigned. Died, at Joliet, Nov. 23, 1895.

SNOW, Herman W., ex-Congressman, was born in La Porte County, Ind., July 3, 1836, but was reared in Kentucky, working upon a farm for five years, while yet in his minority becoming a resident of Illinois. For several years he was a school teacher, meanwhile studying law and being admitted to the bar. Early in the war he enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, rising to the rank of Captain. IIis term of service having expired, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-first Illinois, and was inustered out with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. After the close of the war he resumed teaching at the Chicago High School, and later served in the General Assembly (1873-74) as Representative from Wood- ford County. In 1890 he was elected, as a Demo- crat, to represent the Ninth Illinois District in Congress, but was defeated by his Republican opponent in 1892.

SNOWHOOK, William B., first Collector of Customs at Chicago, was born in Ireland in 1804: at the age of eight years was brought to New York, where he learned the printer's trade, and worked for some time in the same office with Horace Greeley. At 16 he went back to Ireland, remaining two years, but, returning to the United States, began the study of law; was also employed on the Passaic Canal; in 1836. came to Chicago, and was soon after associated with William B. Ogden in a contract on the Illi- nois & Michigan Canal, which lasted until 1841. As early as 1840 he became prominent as a leader in the Democratic party, and. in 1816, receivel from President Polk an appointment as first Col- lector of Customs for Chicago (having previously served as Special Surveyor of the Port, while

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

attached to the District of Detroit) ; in 1853, was re-appointed to the Collectorship by President Pierce, serving two years. During the "Mormon War" (18-14) he organized and equipped, at his own expense, the Montgomery Guards, and was commissioned Colonel, but the disturbances were brought to an end before the order to march. From 1856 he devoted his attention chiefly to his practice, but, in 1862, was one of the Democrats of Chicago who took part in a movement to sus- tain the Government by stimulating enlistments; was also a member of the Convention which nominated Mr. Greeley for President in 1872. Died, in Chicago, May 5, 1882.

SNYDER, Adam Wilson, pioneer lawyer, and early Congressman, was born at Connellsville, Pa., Oct. 6, 1799. In early life he followed the occupation of wool-curling for a livelihood, attending school in the winter. In 1815, he emi- grated to Columbus, Ohio, and afterwards settled in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair County, Ill. Being offered a situation in a wool-curling and fulling mill at Cahokia, he removed thither in 1817. He formed the friendship of Judge Jesse B. Thomas, and, through the latter's encouragement and aid, studied law and gained a solid professional, poli- tical, social and financial position. In 1830 he was elected State Senator from St. Clair County, and re-elected for two successive terms. He served through the Black Hawk War as private, Adjutant and Captain. In 1833 he removed to Belleville, and, in 1834, was defeated for Congress by Governor Reynolds, whom he, in turn, defeated in 1836. Two years later Reynolds again defeated him for the same position, and, in 1840, he was elected State Senator. In 1841 he was the Demo- cratic nominee for Governor. The election was held in August, 1842, but. in May preceding, he died at his home in Belleville. His place on the ticket was filled by Themas Ford, who was elected .- William H. (Snyder), son of the pre- ceding, was born in St. Clair County, Ill., July 12, 1825; educated at McKendree College, studied law with Lieutenant-Governor Koerner, and was admitted to practice in 1845; also served for a time as Postmaster of the city of Belleville, and, during the Mexican War, as First -Lieutenant and Adjutant of the Fifth Illinois Volunteers. From 1850 to '54 he represented his county in the Legis- lature; in 1855 was appointed, by Governor Mat- teson, State's Attorney, which position he filled for two years. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the office of Secretary of State in 1856, and, in 1957, was elected a Judge of the Twenty- fourth Circuit, was re-elected for the Third Cir-

cuit in '73, '79 and '85. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. Died, at Belleville, Dec. 24, 1892.

SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME, a State charitable institution, founded by act of the Legislature in 1885, and located at Quincy, Adams County. The object of its establish- ment was to provide a comfortable home for such disabled or dependent veterans of the United States land or naval forces as had honorably served during the Civil War. It was opened for the reception of veterans on March 3, 1887. the first cost of site and build- ings having been about $350.000. The total num- ber of inmates admitted up to June 30, 1894, was 2,813; the number in attendance during the two previous years 988, and the whole number present on Nov. 10, 1894, 1.088. The value of property at that time was 8393,636.08. Considerable appro- priations have been made for additions to the buildings at subsequent sessions of the Legisla- ture. The General Government pays to the State $100 per year for each veteran supported at the Home.

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME, ILLINOIS, an institution, created by act of 1865, for the main- tenance and education of children of deceased soldiers of the Civil War. An eighty-acre tract. one mile north of Normal, was selected as the site, and the first principal building was com- pleted and opened for the admission of benefici- aries on June 1, 1969. Its first cost was $135, 000. the site having been donated. Repairs and the construction of new buildings. from time to time, have considerably increased this sum. In 1875 the benefits of the institution were extended, by legislative enactment, to the children of sol- diers who had died after the close of the war. The aggregate number of inmates, in 1804, was 572, of whom 823 were males and 249 females.

SOLDIERS' WIDOWS' HOME. Provision was made for the establishment of this institution by the Thirty-ninth General Assembly, in an act, approved, June 13. 1895, appropriating $20,000 for the purchase of a site, the erection of buildings and furnishing the same. It is designed for the reception and care of the mothers, wives, widows and daughters of such honorably discharged sokliers or sailors, in the United States service, as may have died, or may be physically or men- tally unable to provide for the families natu- rally dependent on them, provided that such persons have been residents of the State for at least one year previous to admission, and are without means or ability for self-support.

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

The affairs of the Home are managed by a board of five trustees, of whom two are men and three women, the former to be members of the Grand Army of the Republic and of different political parties, and the latter members of the Women's Relief Corps of this State. The institu- tion was located at Wilmington, occupying a site of seventeen acres, where it was formally opened in a house of eighteen rooms. March 11, 1896, with twenty-six applications for admit- tance. The plan contemplates an early enlarge- ment by the erection of additional cottages.

SORENTO, a village of Bond County, at the intersection of the Jacksonville & St. Louis and the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railways, 14 toiles southeast of Litchfield; has a bank and a newspaper. Its interests are agricultural and mining. Pop. (1890), 588; (1900), 1,000.

SOULARD, James Gaston, pioneer, born of French ancestry in St. Louis, Mo., July 15, 1798; resided there until 1821, when, having married the daughter of a soldier of the Revolution, he received an appointment at Fort Snelling, near the present city of St. Paul. then under command of Col. Snelling, who was his wife's brother-in- law. The Fort was reached after a tedious jour- ney by flat-boat and overland. late in the fall of 1821, his wife accompanying him. Three years later they returned to St. Louis, where, being an engineer, he was engaged for several years in surveying. In 1827 he removed with his family to Galena, for the next six years had charge of a store of the Gratiot Brothers, early business men of that locality. Towards the close of this period he received the appointment of County Recorder. also holding the position of County Surveyor and Postmaster of Galena at the same time. His later years were devoted to farming and horti- culture, his death taking place, Sept. 17, 1878. Mr. Soulard was probably the first man to engage in freighting between Galena and Chicago. "The Galena Advertiser" of Sept. 14, 1829, makes mention of a wagon-load of lead sent by him to Chicago, his team taking back a load of salt. the paper remarking: "This is the first wagon that has ever passed from the Mississippi River to ( hicago." Great results were predicted from the exchange of commodities between the lake D .! the lead mine district. -- Mrs. Eliza M. Hunt (Soulard), wife of the preceding, was born at Detroit, Dec. 18, 1804, her father being Col. Thomas A. Hunt, who had taken part in the Battle of Bunker Hill and remained in the army until his death, at St. Louis, in 1807. His descend- en e maintained their connection with the

army ever since, a son being a prominent artillery officer at the Battle of Gettysburg. Mrs. Soular was married at St. Louis, in 1820, and survive her husband some sixteen years, dying at Galena August 11, 1894. She had resided in Galens nearly seventy years, and at the date of her death, in the 20th year of her age, she was that city's oldest resident.

SOUTH CHICAGO & WESTERN INDIANA RAILROAD. (See Chicago & Western Iniliana Railroad.)

SOUTH DANVILLE, a suburb of the city of Danville, Vermilion County. Population (1890), 799; (1900), 89S.

SOUTHEAST & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. (See Lonistille & Nashville Railroad.)

SOUTH ELGIN, a village of Kane County, near the city of Elgin. Population (1903), 515.

SOUTHERN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, located at Albion, Edwards County, incorporated in 1891; had a faculty of ten teachers with 219 pupils (1897-98) -- about equally male and female. Besides classical, scientific, normal, music and fine arts departments. instruction is given in pre- paratory studies and business education. Its property is valued at $16,500.

SOUTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, located at Anna, Union County, founded by aet of the Legislature in 1569. The original site com- prised 200 acres and cost a little more than $22,000, of which one-fourth was donated by citi- zens of the county. The construction of build- ings was begun in 1869, but it was not until March, 1875, that the north wing (the first com- pleted) was ready for occupancy. Other portions were completed a year later. The Trustees pur- chased 160 additional acres in 1883. The first cost (up to September, 1576) was nearly $635,000. In 1881 one wing of the main building was de- stroyed by fire, and was subsequently rebuilt ; the patients being, meanwhile, cared for in temporary wooden barracks. The total value of lands and buildings belonging to the State, June 30, 189-4. was estimated at $738,580, and, of property of all sorts, at $$33,700. The wooden barracks were later converted into a permanent ward, additions made to the main buildings, a detached building for the accommodation of 300 patients erected, numerous outbuildings put up and general im- provements made. 1 second fire on the night of Jan. 3, 1805, destroyed a large part of the main building, inflicting a loss upon the State of $175,000. Provision was made for rebuilding by the Legislature of that year. The institution has capacity for about 70 patients.

......

Entrance to Penitentiary. View of Penitentiary and Asylum for Insane Criminals. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS PENITENTIARY AND ASYLUM FOR INSANE CRIMINALS, CHESTER.

BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF ILLINOIS STATE REFORMATORY, PONTIAC.

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS NORMAL UNIVER- SITY, established in 1869, and loeated, after competitive bidding, at Carbondale, which offered lands and bonds at first estimated to be of the value of $229.000, but which later depreciated, through shrinkage, to $75,000. Construction was commenced in May, 1870, and the first or main building was completed and appropriately dedi- cated in July, 1874. Its cost was $265,000, but it was destroyed by fire, Nov. 26, 1853. In Febru- ary, 1887, a new structure was completed at a cost of $150,000. Two normal courses of instruction are given-classical and scientific-each extend- ing over a period of four years. The conditions of admission require that the pupil shall be 16 years of age, and shall possess the qualifications enabling him to pass examination for a second- grade teacher's certificate. Those unable to do so may enter a preparatory department for six months. Pupils who pledge themselves to teach in the public schools, not less than half the time of their attendance at the University, receive free tuition with a small charge for ineidentals, while others pay a tuition fee. The number of students in attendance for the year 1897-98 was 220, coming from forty-seven counties, chiefly in the southern half of the State, with represent- atives from eight other States. The teaching faculty for the same year consisted, besides the President, of sixteen instruetors in the various departments, of whom five were ladies and eleven gentlemen.

SOUTHERN PENITENTIARY, THE, located near Chester, on the Mississippi River. Its erec- tion was rendered necessary by the overcrowding of the Northern Penitentiary. (See Northern Penitentiary.) The law providing for its estab- . lishment required the Commissioners to select a site convenient of access, adjacent to stone and timber, and having a high elevation, with a never failing supply of water. In 1877, 122 acres were purchased at Chester, and the erection of build- ings commenced. The first appropriation was of $200,000, and $300,000 was added in 1879. By March, 1878, 200 convicts were received, and their labor was utilized in the completion of the buildings, which are constructed upon approved modern principles. The prison receives convicts sent from the southern portion of the State, and has accommodation for some 1.200 prisoners. In connection with this penitentiary is an asylum for insane convicts, the erection of which was provided for by the Legislature in 1889.

SOUTH GROVE, a village of De Kalb County. Population (1590), 730.

SPALDING, Jesse, manufacturer. Collector of Customs and Street Railway President, was born at Athens, Bradford County, Pa., April 15, 1833; early commenced lumbering on the Susquehanna, and, at 23, began dealing on his own account. In 1857 he removed to Chicago, and soon after bought the property of the New York Lumber Company at the mouth of the Menominee River in Wiscon- sin, where, with different partners, and finally practically alone, he has carried on the business of lumber manufacture on a large scale ever since. In 1891 he was appointed, by President Arthur, Collector of the Port of Chicago, and, in 1589, received from President Harrison an appointment as one of the Government Directors of the Union Pacific Railway. Mr. Spalding was a zealous supporter of the Government during the War of the Rebellion and rendered valuable aid in the construction and equipment of Camp Douglas and the barracks at Chicago for the returning sobliers, receiving Auditor's warrants in payment, when no funds in the State treasury were available for the purpose. He was associ- ated with William B. Ogden and others in the project for connecting Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay by a ship canal, which was completed in 1882, and, on the death of Mr. Ogden, succeeded to the Presidency of the Canal Company, serving until 1893, when the canal was turned over to the General Government. He has also been identified with many other publie enterprises intimately connected with the development and prosperity of Chicago, and, in July, 1899, became President of the Chicago Union Traction Company, having control of the North and West Chicago Street Railway Systems.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 1

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1126

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126