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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
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976,2 2343 1.2
HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
ILLINOIS
EDITED BY
NEWTON BATEMAN, LL. D.
PAUL SELBY, A. M.
SOVEREIGNTY
AND HISTORY OF
CASS COUNTY
EDITED BY CHARLES ÆE. MARTIN
VOLUME II. ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO MUNSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY PUBLISHERS
1915
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois
Copyright 1899-1900-1905-1912-1914-1915 By Munsell Publishing Company
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PREFACE
Upon assuming the preparation of a history of Cass county, an editorial letter was issued to the citizens setting forth the purpose of the undertaking, and requesting the cooperation of the people in making the history one that would be of a standard to reflect credit upon us as a county and a progressive people. It was further suggested that history though written in a manner deeply interest- ing, yet is valuable only as it faithfully and truthfully portrays events and records facts. With these thoughts and principles in mind, and with the hope of adequate cooperation, the work was begun. It did not take long to convince the writer that the labors and burdens of preparing such a work for publication were fully equal to the pleasures. It was found, upon investigation, that much of the so-called history of the county was mere tradition, and the reader may be disappointed in not finding some things in the following pages which have passed current for history in the past. An earnest, conscientious effort has been made, by original research, to learn and record the facts from every attainable source. Whether or not the narrative has been made interesting must be left to the judgment of the reader, but the correctness of the data may safely be relied upon. There are doubtless some errors, such as unavoidably creep into the best of historical writings, but we trust in this work they have been reduced to the minimum.
The method adopted in presenting the historical matter is topical rather than chronological, each topic forming a chapter and a substantially complete history of the particular subject named in the heading, yet it is to a great extent chrono- logical in its sequences .. Opening new settlements, building school houses and churches, erecting manufactories, laying out highways, constructing railroads, establishing newspapers, etc., and the formation of local governments in con- nection with state and national government, are all contemporaneous, and the story of each is naturally interwoven. In writing of each separately references will naturally be made to the others which may seem to be repetitions, but it is not really so; it is only where it seemed necessary to enable the reader to asso- ciate the incidents of one subject with those of another that references thereto have again been introduced. It is apprehended the reader will find no fault with that. The basic facts, when the facts are once discovered, must necessarily be
PREFACE
the foundation of all histories of a given community. So the basic facts (pre- viously known) in this history are the same as found in any former histories or historical writings of the county. The reader will therefore expect to find such facts as are deemed of sufficient importance and of such general interest as to merit a place in history, as well as such newly discovered facts as diligent search has brought to light. The author of a history is not expected to invent new facts and incidents ; he is the author of the narrative, editing and weaving therein the story of the facts which he has gathered from various reliable sources. The editor and author is also limited to the extent of the publication for which he is pre- paring the narrative of events. There is wide latitude for honest and intelligent difference of opinion as to the importance of almost any event, and very few, if any, would agree upon details; the editor and author has therefore assumed the responsibility for selection and discrimination, but with the assurance to the patrons of the work that no effort has been spared to obtain and include within the various chapters a general statement of the important facts pertain- ing to the particular subject. Full acknowledgment has been accorded to the writings of others wherever quotations have been made, and especial acknowl- edgment is here made, with thanks, for the courtesies extended the author by the various officials who permitted the examination of records in their possession, and to the various newspapers of the county, the secretaries of the Illinois State Historical Society, and to the many others who have kindly assisted in gathering facts upon which to base the story of Cass County and its wonderful develop- ment and progress in its seventy-eight years of existence.
The biographical division of the work, as well as the business management of the publication, has been entirely in charge of the publishers, and much credit is due them for the pecuniary outlay they have bornc, also for the conscientious and painstaking care manifested by them in every department of the work. It is hoped the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Cass County will prove of great value and interest to its readers, and, by condoning the faults and errors of the editor of the county history, they will find the promises made in the prospectus fully redeemed.
Virginia, Ill., October, 1915.
Chasse Martin
Author and editor.
INDEX
CHAPTER I.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Geography-Geology-Natural Vegetation-Forests and Prairies-Pic- turesque Scenery -- Water Courses-Sangamon County-Origin of Name-Sangamon River-Early Attempts at Navigation. 617-622
CHAPTER II. BIRDS AND ANIMALS.
Song Birds-Winter Birds-Water Fowl-Game Laws-Almost Ex- tinct Species-Wild Animals-Few Remaining. 623-624
CHAPTER III. INDIAN HISTORY.
Indian Ownership-Early Troubles with the Indians-Indians in Cass County-The Winnebago War-The Black Hawk War-Abraham : Lincoln Elected Captain of the Salem Company-Close of the Last Indian War in the State of Illinois. 624-630
1 ( **
CHAPTER IV.
MOUND BUILDERS.
Cass County Once the Abode of an Unknown Race-The Illinois Valley Perhaps Attracted an Agricultural People-A Mystery Unsolvable- . Different Types of Mounds Found-Cahokia Mound-Numerous Mounds Once in the Vicinity of Beardstown-A Remarkable Historic Relie of that Place Now Destroyed-The Indians Might Have Suc- ceeded the Mound Builders 630-633
CHAPTER V.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
Remote History-Confusion of Terms-County of Illinois-First Set- tlers-Thomas Beard-Founding of Beardstown-Settlers Prior to 1830-31-Roads and Travel-Hardships and Dangers-Construction of Houses-Methods of Travel-Prairie Schooners-Persons Enter- ing Land-Winter of the Deep Snow-Pastimes and Amusements- Pioneer Conditions-Hon. William H. Thacker-Scenes of Frontier Days Recalled
633-644
CHAPTER VI. COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
Early Boundaries-Division of Northwest Territory-Formation of Counties-Organization of Illinois Territory-Gov. Ninian Edwards First Territorial Governor of Illinois-Three More Counties Created -Cass Becomes a Part of Madison County-Illinois Made a State in 1818-Sangamon County Created-Morgan Created Including Scott and Cass Counties-Boundary Lines a Cause of Dispute-Methods of Measurement-Metes and Bounds-Rectangular System-Crea- tion of Cass County-Wording of the Act-Three Precincts at First -Political Activities-Act to Remove State Capital Passed-Loss to Cass of the Three-Mile Strip-First County Elections-List of First Voters-First Officials-Three More Precincts Created-First Rep- resentative from Cass County-Beardstown First Made the County Seat-Removal to Virginia-Building There of a Courthouse- County Seat Returned to Beardstown-Virginia the Present County Seat
644-653
CHAPTER VII. EARLY COUNTY HISTORY.
Hard Times-Scarcity of Money-Internal Improvement Measures of 1837-Suspension of State Banks-Stay at Two-Thirds Law-Coun- ty Warrants-Revenue Measures-Three Mile Strip-Efforts of John W. Pratt-Legislative Action-Origin of Cass County's Name -General Lewis Cass-Extracts from Abraham Lincoln's Speech to Congress 654-658
CHAPTER VIII. COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
Constitution of 1818-County Commissioners' Court-First County Commissioners-New Constitution Ratified in 1848-Governor French First Elected in 1846 Succeeds Himself-Constitutional Changes-First Judges and Associate Justices-County Commis- sioners Under Constitution of 1870-Attempts to Change Township System-First Deed on Record-Original Proprietors' First Deed-
Pioneer Life in 1821 in Cass County-Egypt-Unique Deed-Coun- Recorders-Circuit Clerks-Sheriffs-Constitutional Amend- ty ments Settle Terms of Office -- County Commissioners' Clerks-Asses- sors and Treasurers -- John Wilkes Pratt-Early Business Men- Mills Built at Beardstown-First Piano in the County-Short Biog- raphies-Archibald Job one of the Earliest Settlers-Became a Man of Prominence-Great Improvements in County by 1850-Indus- tries Well Under Way -- Schools and Churches Established-Popu- lation Greatly Increased-Substantial Prosperity in Sight.
658-668
CHAPTER IX. COUNTY INSTITUTIONS.
First Land Owned by County-Donated by Dr. Henry H. Hall and Wife-Courthouse and Jail Built at Virginia-Law as to Imprison- ment for Debt-Courthouse and Jail Built at Beardstown -- Concern- ing Location of County Seat -- Present Public Buildings Well Ar- ranged for County Business-Provision Made for County Poor- County Farm-Present Almshouse Erected About 1899-An Effi-
668-673 cient and Practical Superintendent .
CHAPTER X.
EARLY INDUSTRIES OF CASS COUNTY.
First Grist Mills-First Sawmills-First Steam Operated Flour Mill in County-First Steamboat-Ferry Established by Thomas Beard in 1826-Early Settlers-New Richmond-Robinson's Mills-James M. Robinson-Virginia Steam Mills-Interesting Old Documents- Other Mills-Earliest Tannery-Andrew Cunningham-His Notes of Travel Picture the Times-Chicago as a City Only as old as Cass County-Early Manufactures-Wagons -- Chairs --- Farm Machinery -Steamboats-Princeton Woolen Mills-John E. Haskell -- A Church Organ-Pork Packing an Extensive Early Industry . .... 673-680 1
CHAPTER XI. COURTS, BENCH AND BAR.
Judicial System Under Constitution of 1818-Division Into Judicial Circuits-Laws Made and Repealed Regarding Jurisdiction-In- crease in Population Made Necessary More Circuits-Provision for Selection of Judges-Frequent Changes in Judiciary Sys- . tem-Election of Supreme Justices-Law of 1841-Reorgani- zation of Judiciary Under Constitution of 1848-Offices Cre- ated by the Legislature-Vesting of Judicial Powers-Present Judicial Powers-First Court Held in Cass County-Beards- town Made County Seat --- Interesting Early Court Documents -Second Term Cass County Circuit Court-First Jury Trial-First Grand Jury-Grand Jury Cases-County Seat Removed to Virginia -Distinguished Jurists-Beardstown Again Becomes County Seat -- Opening Circuit Court at Beardstown-Hon. David Woodson Elected
:
Judge First Judicial Circuit-Circuit Court Cases-Never a Ju- dicial Execution in Cass County-Traveling Lawyers-Judicial Dig- nity-A Celebrated Trial-Recital of Facts-Camp Meetings-Not All Attendants Religious-Horse Racing -- Liquor Drinking-Quar- rels-Man Dies from Injuries-Norris and Armstrong Indicted for Murder-Armstrong Takes Change of Venue-Norris Sentenced to Penitentiary-Abraham Lincoln Enters Case-Armstrong Tried at Beardstown-Mr. Lincoln Acts as His Attorney-Clears His Client weby an. Almanac-Correcting False Statements-Many Lincoln Biog- raphies Relate This Trial-Another Almanac Story Refuted-As- tronomer Testifies-Commemorative Tablet Placed on Old Court- house-List of Circuit Judges-County Court Judges-Beardstown City Court-List of State's Attorneys.
680-694
CHAPTER XII.
POLITICAL REPRESENTATION.
The Tenth General Assembly-Representatives and Senators from Mor- gan County-Distinguished Public Men-Creation of Cass County -Special Election for Representative-Capt. Thomas Wilbourn- Second Session Tenth Assembly-Returns of Beardstown Election Referred to Committee on Elections-Shield's Report-Challenges Abraham Lincoln-Wilbourn Rejected-Election of 1838-Whigs in Control in Cass County-Democrats Elect Carlin Governor- John T. Stuart Beats Stephen A. Douglas for Congress-Willian Holmes Elected Representative from Cass-Campaign of 1840- Captain Charles Beggs-Biography of a Useful Legislator-County Commissioners Adopt Price Schedule-Democrats Carry State for Van Buren-Election of 1842-County Seat Located-Election of 1844-A Cass County Patriot-Constitutional Convention-Mormon Trouble-Governor Ford's Call for Militia-Abraham Lincoln De- feats Peter Cartwright for Congress-Constitution of 1848-Biog- raphy of Judge Henry E. Dummer, Elected Cass County Delegate to Constitutional Convention.
1
694-703
CHAPTER XIII.
POLITICAL REPRESENTATION (CONTINUED).
After the Mexican War-General Taylor a Public Hero-Nominated and Elected President-Gen. Lewis Cass the Democratic Candidate -Vigorous Whig Campaign in 1848-Question of Slavery Comes to the Front-Campaign of 1852-Election of Franklin Pierce- Disappearance of Whig Party-A Stringent Liquor Law-Stephen A. Douglas Re-elected to the Senate-The Kansas-Nebraska Bill Un- popular in Cass-Bills Passed in the Legislature Through the Activ- ity of Dr. Samuel Christy-Personal Biography-Nomination of Lincoln and Douglas for the United States Senate-Great Joint De- bate of Candidates-Interesting Details-Newspaper Reports-Re- election of Mr. Douglas in 1859-Campaign of 1860-A Very Inter- esting Bit of Local History-Henry Clay's Own Story-Governor
703-715
Yates Prorogues the Legislature-Knights of the Golden Circle- Return of Peace-Further Constitutional Revision-A Political Side Light-Campaigns of 1888 and 1892-Grandpa's Hat-Free Silver Campaign-Cass County in Congress-Representatives in the Legislature
CHAPTER XIV.
MILITARY HISTORY.
Record of Wars a Part of History-Cass County in the Black Hawk War-Mexican War-The Civil War-History and Roster of Regi- ments in Which Cass County was Concerned-Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry-Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry-Tenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry-Thirty-third Illinois Volunteer In- fantry-A Distinguished Officer and Citizen-The Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy-One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry-Eighteenth Illinois (Reorganized) Volunteer Infantry-Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry-Forty-sev- enth Illinois Volunteer Infantry-Sixty-first Illinois Volunteer In- fantry-Seventy-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry-Eighty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry-One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry-Second Illinois Volunteer Cavalry-Third Illi- nois Volunteer Cavalry-Third Illinois Volunteer Cavalry (Consoli- dated)-Second Illinois Volunteer Artillery.
715-730
CHAPTER XV. AGRICULTURE AND COUNTY FAIRS.
Agricultural Industries Paramount-Cass County Land Productive- First Chemical Analysis of the Soil in 1840-Pioneer Activities- Early Farm Implements-Three-cornered Harrow-Shovel Plow- The Jumper-The Sickle-The Cradle-The Ground Hog Thresher -Many Changes-Modern Steam Thresher-Steam Plow-Twine Binder-Riding Plow-Potato Digger-Corn Husker and Shredder -Inventions Make Mechanics of Farmers-Pioneer Sweetening- - Live Stock Industry-Trial of Pure Bred Cattle-Many Prominent Men for a Time Interested-Breeding of Fine Horses-Farmers and Their Farms-Increased Home Comfort-Cass County Agricultural Society-The Virginia Park Association-Farmers' Institutes. .
730-736
CHAPTER XVI. EDUCATION.
Public Schools Lead-The Enabling Act-Constitutional Convention of 1870 on Education-A Beginning of the Free School System- Agitation for Appointment of State Superintendent-Free School Act Passed in 1855-None But Free Schools Now in Cass County- Virginia Seminary of Providence Presbyterian Church-Virginia Seminary of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church-Union College of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church-Review of Early Schools
-Teachers and Pupils Recalled-Monroe Precinct Earliest in the Field-Walnut Grove or Princeton-Richmond Precinct-Puncheon Grove-Hickory-Bluff Springs-Oregon-Panther Creek or Chand- lerville-Arenzville-Ashland-History of Beardstown Schools by Hon. John Listman-One Teacher Retained for Almost a Half Century-Virginia Schools-Large Losses by Fire-Fine Modern Structure-Apportionment of Teachers-School Commissioners and County Superintendents
736-745
CHAPTER XVII.
CHURCHES.
Church Organization and Religious Societies-Character of Relig- ious Sentiment in Early Times-First Services Held in Cabins of Pioneers-Groves Utilized as Summer Churches-Camp Meetings Enjoyed-First Preachers in Cass County-Rev. Reddick Horn Active Very Early-Various Denominations Established-Protestant Methodist-Methodist Episcopal-Rev. Peter Cartwright-First Resident Preacher-German Evangelical-Congregational-Baptist -Lutheran-Cumberland Presbyterian-Roman Catholic-Chris- tian or Disciples-Abandoned Churches-Witchcraft in Cass County -A Debt of Gratitude Owed to the Early Preachers
745-756
CHAPTER XVIII.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Early Prejudice Overcome-The Freemasons and Odd Fellows First in the Field-Odd Fellow Lodges at Beardstown-Virginia-Prentice- Arenzville-Chandlerville-Rebekah Auxiliaries at Beardstown and Virginia-Masonic Lodges-Beardstown-Virginia-Chandlerville -Eastern Star at Virginia and Beardstown-Modern Woodmen Camps - Chandlerville - Virginia - Beardstown - Arenzville - Ashland-Bluff Springs-Other Organizations-Court of Honor- Knights of Columbus-Loyal Legion-Royal Benefit-United Work- men-Knights of Maccabees-Fraternal Army of America-Knights of Pythias-Red Men-Elks-Women's Clubs-Beardstown-Vir- ginia-Ashland-Chandlerville-Woman's Christian Temperance Union-Grand Army of the Republic-Cass County Posts-Soldiers' Monuments
757-761
CHAPTER XIX. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Climatic Conditions-Many Early Physicians College Graduates-Hard Life Among Pioneers-First Physician in Cass County-Others Dur- ing First Decade-Several Founders of Towns and Villages-Dr. Charles Chandler-Dr. Henry Hall-Dr. Thomas Pothicary-Physi- . cians Who Came Later-Their Part in Building Up the County-A Prominent Physician and Chemist -. Physicians of the Present Time -County Medical Society .
761-768
CHAPTER XX.
BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
Improved Banking Laws-More Security-Federal Reserve Law-No More Wildcat, Banking-Present State Restrictions-Early Opera- tions in Cass County-Banking at Beardstown-Beardstown Bank- ing Company-Cass County Bank-First State Bank-The Beards- town State Bank-The Peoples Bank-Banking at Arenzville-The Peoples Bank-The Farmers and Merchants State Bank-Banking at Chandlerville-State Bank-Peoples State Bank-Banking at Virginia-Centennial National Bank-Petefish, Skiles & Co .- Far- mers National Bank-Banking at Ashland-Skiles, Rearick & Co .- Farmers State Bank-Other Financial Institutions.
769-775
CHAPTER XXI. PUBLIC UTILITIES.
Early Railroad Projects-First Railroad in 1859-Illinois River Rail- road Company-Peoria, Pekin & Jacksonville-Location of Depot an Intentional Inconvenience to Virginia-Two Early Stage Lines- Driver of Springfield Stage Carries First News of Lincoln's Assas- sination to Virginia-Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad-Chi- cago, Peoria & St. Louis-Pana, Springfield & Northwestern- Springfield & Illinois Southeastern-Ohio & Mississippi-Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern-Other Projected Railroads-Beardstown & Petersburg-Upper & Lower Mississippi River-Rock Island & Alton -Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis-First Train Out of Beards- town in Summer of 1870-Now a Part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy-St. Louis, Rock Island & Chicago Division-St. Louis, Jack- sonville & Chicago-Chicago & Alton Railroad-Fine Shipping Point at Ashland-Public Highways-State Road-Old Halfway House- Plank Road Over Sand Ridges-State Experimental Road Law- Some Progress Made-Stage Line Missed After Forty Years-New Lexington-Arcadia-Old Beard Ferry-Beardstown Bridge Com- pany-Steel Bridge Erected-A Few Concrete Structures-First Telegraph Line-Telephone Line in 1896-Bell Company-Cass County Telephone Company-A Few Private Lines.
775-782
CHAPTER XXII. THE PRESS.
First Newspaper-Beardstown Chronicle and Illinois Bounty Land Ad- vertiser-Neutral in Politics-One Issue of Mormon Paper at Nau- voo-Gazette Founded in 1845 at Beardstown-Biography of Sylvester Emmons-Subsequent Changes-Beardstown and Peters- burg Gazette-The Whig Central Illinoisan-The Democrat, the First Democratic Paper at Beardstown-The Gazette (Republican) -The Central Illinoisan (Republican)-Biography of Logan Uriah Reavis-Merging of Newspapers-the Illinoisan-Democrat-The Illi- noisan-Star-The Weekly Enterprise-The Daily Illinoisan-Star- The Herald-The Champion-The Cass County Messenger-The
1
Cass County Democrat-The Beobachter am Fluss-The Wochen- blatt-Newspapers at Virginia-The Observer-The Owl-Cass County Times-Cass County Independent-Cass County Union- Cass County Democrat-Evolving of the Gazette-Prominent Names Connected with its History-Cass County Courier-Virginia Courier -The Enquirer-Official Organ of the County-The Jeffersonian- Temperance Bugle-Newspapers at Other Points-Weekly Eagle at Ashland-The Aslıland News-The Sentinel-The New Era at Chandlerville-Cass County Journal-The Independent-The San- gamon Valley Times-The Arenzville Independent-Few Files Available-Other Publications-Biography of Joseph Henry Shaw- His Reliable Historical Sketch of Cass County-Prose and Poetry- Valuable Contributions to Local History and Biography .
782-789
CHAPTER XXIII.
CLIMATOGRAPHICAL AND METEOROLOGICAL PHENOMENA.
Climatic Conditions-Dry Season in Early Days-Later Conditions- Wind Storms-Cyclones-Deep Snow of 1830-31-Shooting Stars of 1833-Extreme and Sudden Cold of 1836-Snow Storms-Cyclones of 1845, 1855 and 1856-Warm Winter of 1877-Sleet Storm, Late Frost and Cyclone in 1883-Heavy Floods and High Water-Cold . Days-Cyclone of 1911-Worst Storm Ever Encountered Here- Other Meteorological Events. 789-797
CHAPTER XXIV. MISCELLANEOUS.
A Recent Birthday-Century of Wonderful Progress-Development From Primitive Life to the Height of Modern Civilization-Science and Industry Have Joined Hands-Drainage-Submerged Lands- Thousands of Acres Under Water-No Private Drainage Methods Possible-Formation of Drainage Districts by State-Scientific Agriculture Adopted-Sandy Soils Utilized to Grow Melons-Cow Pea Planted -- Supplies Needed Nitrogen to Soil-All This Land of Great Value-Cultural Interests-People Sober, Comfortable, Con- tented and Happy-Population Table
797-798
CHAPTER XXV. ARENZVILLE PRECINCT.
Five Municipalities in Cass County-Arenzville Precinct Named Before Cass County Was Formed-Arenzville Incorporated as a Village in 1893-Gristmill Built in 1821 by James Smart-Purchased in 1832 by Francis Arenz-Land Bought and Platted-First Organization of Town in 1853-First Board of Trustees-Francis Arenz First President-Changes in Area and Values-Early Settlers-Francis A. Arenz-Additional Enterprises-Establishes First Newspaper- The Beardstown and Sangamon Canal Company-Elected to the Legislature-Business Directory of 1860-Railroad in 1870-Dis- astrous Fire in 1913-Present Prosperity-No Criminal Element ... 798-802
CHAPTER XXVI.
ASHLAND PRECINCT.
Situation-Town of Lancaster Laid Out in 1837 by John Dutch-The Halfway House-Early Real Estate Transactions-Whole Dutch Plat Vacated in 1843-Preeinct Called Lancaster Until 1876- Petersburg & Tonica Railroad-Town of Ashland Laid Out-Named for Henry Clay's Kentucky Home-New Railroad Brought Pros- perity-Boundaries-Town Incorporated-Village Charter Granted in 1869-First Village Officers-Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad-Village Incorporated in June, 1897-By Population En- titled to Organize as a City-Arises from Fire Ruins-Rapid Strides Forward-Unsurpassed Transportation Facilities.
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