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LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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1763.
HISTORY
OF
CHRISTIAN COUNTY,
ILLINOIS.
lith Alllustration
DESCRIPTIVE OF ITS SCENERY,
AND
Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and + Hioneers.
PUBLISHED BY BRINK, MCDONOUGH & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
CORRESPONDING OFFICE, EDWARDSVILLE, ILL.
1880.
q 977, 381 HG2 cop, 2
PREFACE.
13 AUTOR. ESTERQUEST
E are pleased to make acknowledgment to those who have so generously assisted us, in various ways. in our efforts to collect reliable data for the compilation of this history. Especially are we in- debted to the late Dr. Calvin Goudy for valuable manu- scripts of the early settlements, incidents and history of this county, purchased by us from his widow, Mrs. Goudy. In many places, we have used his language ; and in others, added much to the original copy. We would also tender thanks for the valuable assistance ren- dered by Judge H. M. Vandeveer, Alexander Mathews, - Elder A. D. Northcott, Judge W'm. S. Frink, Hon. Andrew Simpson, Hon. John B. Ricks, Hon. WV. II'. Anderson, Dr. H. C. Chapman, f. E Southwick, Joseph A. Whitecraft, Capt. Jesse Hanon, Y. C. Whitecraft, Leason Adams, W'm. F. Gore, Col. y. A. Hayward, y. C. Mc Quigg, H. N. Schuyler, Daniel De Camp, Noyes B. Chapman, James Ferguson, Robert A. Haslett, Capt. R. WV. Covington, Wm. B. Hall, E. T. Leigh, Alfred Boyd, Fudge J. H. Dawdy, Dial Davis, Isaac Q. Virden, John A. Haslett, F. M. Minnis, R. P. Langley, James M. Campbell, and J. W. Kitchell. We also desire to return thanks to Charles Whitmer, County Clerk ; Josiah A. Hill, Circuit Clerk ; and to R. W. Orr, County Superin- tendent of Schools, for his able article on the common schools. From the press we have received that aid which members of the profession so cheerfully render to one another. To the clergymen of the various de- nominations, whose articles appear in this work, we
express our thanks for information given relative to the history of their churches.
Owing to the imperfect records at the county-seat. we are unable to give a complete list of the township officers, but we have done the best possible under existing circumstances.
We have confined ourselves, as nearly as possible, to the original materials furnished. The public are aware of the difficulty attending the compilation of a work of this character,-a difficulty arising not so much from a lack of material, as from the great quantity of it,-and the care necessary in making a proper selection. The material has been classified as carefully as possible, and will, we are assured, be a great help to the public, as a book of reference, con- cerning the past of the county,-its geography, its resources, its topography, and all subjects connected with it. We expect criticism. All we ask is, that it be made in the spirit of charity. If our patrons will take into account all the difficulties to be over- come, the impossibility of harmonizing various me- mories, of reconciling diverse dates, and accurately lo- calising events that are attributed to different dis- tricts, we feel assured the verdict will be a favorable one.
We present the work to the public, trusting that they will approve our labors and give the volume a generous reception.
THE PUBLISIIERS.
775676
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
Leigh, E. T. 2.27
Little, Major W. B .. (dec'd) 153
Livergood, Henry, (dec'd) .. 234
Long, Major Thomas, (deceased ) 133
Logsdon, William. 229
Malhiot. Francis D 191
Malhiot, Theodule F 192
Martin, Wn. T. 138
Matthew, J. B., M. D. 239
May, T. G. 127
McBride, Rev. D. M. 218
McCaskill, A. 121
McElroy. Joseph W. 157
McKnight, Captain S. 140
MeQuigg. J. C .. 146
McWilliams. Abner J 154
Miller, A. W 211
Miller, Charles 175
Miller. John B. 166
Miller, Jolın W. 174
Milligan, James Ruple
190
Minnis, F. M. 136
Morgan, William. 259
Monegan, Thomas 210
Morrison, Hon. W. E. 208
Morrison. Eugene M. 209
Mossler, Samuel H
139
Murry, Jeremiah II. 156
Nash, Orrin S 141
Neely, John E. 145
Newcomb, William H 151
North, H. N 241
Northcutt. Elder A. D. 183
Orr, R. W. 132
Palmer, John
258
Parsons, Lemuel 158
Patton, Dr. Geo. W. 165
Peck, Richard 214
Perry, Dr. A. L 140
Petrie, J. W., M. D.
Pigeon, F. O. 187
Plain, John 179
Partial List of Patrons 260
Constitution of Illinois. 268
Declaration of Independence 275 Constitution of the United States ... 276
Amendments to the Constitution of
the United States. 278
BIOGRAPHIES. PAGE.
Adams. Isom 182
West Territory 9
II .- Brief Historical Sketch of Illinois. 20
III .- Pioneers and Early Settlers 30
IV .- Customs of Early Days ...... 41
V .- Geography, Agricultural and Manufacturing Rc- sources and Railroad Fa- -
cilities. 45
VI .- Gcology 47
VII .- Fauna. 50
VIII .- Flora 51 52 IX .- Civil History
X .- Bench and Bar. 66
XII .- The Common Schools. 75
XIII .- Patriotism. 80 XIV .- Ecclesiastical History .. 92
Disastrous Storm of 1880 ... 111
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
Assumption 184
Buckhart 192
Bear Creek 224
Greenwood 172
Johnson.
221
King 250
Locust 243
Clark, Dr. Joseph II., (dec'd) ... 138 May .. 212
Coflin, Robert F., (dcc'd). 170
Cohenour, William L ... 187
Compton, Elisha. 175
Conder, Henry G. 153
Coonrod, Edmund G. 179
Coonrod, S. M 188
Cooper, P. 240
Conroy, Jolin C.
208
Council, A. M. 171
Covington, R. W 233
Crawford, Col. Lconard 255
Crosthwait, William Y 240
Crowl, V. B. 169
Crowl, Wm. II. 163
Cussins, Dr. J. S 249
Davis, Dial. 242
Dawdy, Jolın II. 150
PAGE
De Camp, Capt. Daniel. 198
Dickerson, J. H. 164
Dodson, John C. 229
Drennan, John G. 139
Drennan, John L. 256
Essick, James (". 150
Ewing, Robert S. 158
Firey, Isaac II 243
Fleming, Enoclı 224
Funderburk, W. T .. 223
Gaskins, Hatten. 252
George, C. C ... 165
172
Bates, Z. F
249
Gifford, Orin.
Goodan Brotliers
173
Gorden, R. R. 183
Goodrich, Montgomery l'. (dec'd). 242
Gore, William F
168
Gossman, Otto.
153
Goudy, Dr. Calvin, (deceased) 130
Guth, Louis 157
Ilaines, Fletcher 028
Haines, William C. 138
Halford, William W 196
Hanon, Capt. Jesse .. 251
Hardin, George W., (dec'd)
171
Hayward, Col. J. A 147
Hazlett, Robert A 221
Hegle, Bernhart 152
Hill, Josiah A 126
Hundley, Wm. B.
131
Hunter, J. C ..
249
Ifunter, John W
2-46
Hurlbatt, E. S
198
Ives, William II
Jolinson, Walter P. 182
Jones, Hon. John B. 131
Kemerer, Jolın B. 189
Kirkwood, Wm. II 123
Kitzmiller, Dr. Joseph H. 134
Ladd, Noyes 199
Lakin, Thomas N 159
Langen, Theodore, (dcc'd) 212
Large, Samuel 223
Provine, Wm. M .. 134
Ralston, Alexander 169
Randle, William S 210
Lawton, Samuel. C 248
Leach, William M. 216
Rasbach, T. F
190
Adams, Jos .. 178
Adams, Josias II 252
Adams, Leason
168
Allen, U. R. 170
Allsinan, John W. 216
Anderson, W. W. 129
Armstrong, Wm
257
Austin, Jesse W 149
Barnes, Albert G 132
Baker, V. A.
220
Baker, W. T 238
George, William G.
169
Betz, Samuel 258
Berry, William S., (dec'd). 223
70 XI .- The Press 186
Birce, J. M.
Bickerdike, William.
249
Bloxanı, Henry, M. D. 239
Bond, Abner.
135
Bowman, Asa. 232
Boyd, Alfred. 230
Bramel, Elias 257
Bridge, J. . 1
191
Bugg, Mrs. Susannah ..
218
Chapman, Harvey C., M. D. 133
Chalfant, N. B.
152
Cheency, Harry. 135
Clark, A. L., (dec'd) 139
Mosquito.
253
Pana
141
Prairieton 176
Rosemond. 155
Ricks .. 204
South Fork
159
Stonington ..
230
Taylorville. 113
COUNTY HISTORY.
CHAPTER PAGE.
I .- Brief Sketch of the North-
Ponting, Tom C 218
Lawton, A. E. 245
Mt. Auburn 234
6
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE
PORTRAITS.
PAGE
PAGE
Reese, E. C .... 152
Ricks, Jolm Bond. 129
Adams, Josephi. 178
Baker, W. T. 238
Chase, Wm. A 158
Coonrod, E. G. 6
=
179 Minnis, F. M 136
Monegan, Thos. 207
Morgan, G. W 253
Montgomery. Jane A. 2.42
Schneider, Michael. 180
Hayward, J. A. 147
Haines, Fletcher, and Wife. 228
Hunter, John W. 246
Hanon, Capt. Jesse 251
Kirkwood, Win. H
123
Davis, Dial ... 44
242
Norred, F ¥
256
Shafer, S. A. & J. C. 188
Ladd, Noyes .. 199
Lawton, Samuel C. 248
Dickerson, Dr. J. H ...
164
Peabody, Capt. Wni. S 46
235
Sharp. John 202
McCaskill, .1 .. 121
Dodson, J. ('. 66
227
Pigeon, F. O. 44
=
187
Sheldon. S. B 201
May, T. G 127
Ebert, Philip ... 66
248
Powel, Richard.
132
Shepherd, E. R 247
Metnigg, J. C. 146
Ettinger, Wm. J. L. & Mary
220
Powel, C ..
132
Slmll, E. S. 207
Nash, Orrin S. Facing 141
Ewing, R. S.
158
Powel, H. M.
132
Shumway, Major D. D., (deceased) 124
North, HI. N 241
Fribley, E. J =
190
Randle, Wm. S 46
210
Slater, Dr. Lyman B. 135
Peck Richard. 214
Funderburk, W. T.
223
Richardson, I. N.
223
Smith, John. 215
Squier, John J 125
Gaskins, Hatten ... =
253
Rncker, B. E
201
Smith, William M 150
Schneider, Michael, and Wife. 180
George, C. C ..
165
Sattely Bros = 135
Squier, Jolm J 125
Sheldon, S. B 201
George, Wm. G
=
168
Schrantz, Sylvester
66
233
Steen Brothers. 210
Sharp, John, and Wife. 202
Goodan Bros 66
46
174
Shepherd, E. R 46
247
Stokes, Iverson 200
Sharp, G. R., and Wife. 203
Goodrich, W. A 66
Ilayward, Col. J. A .. Between 144 & 145 Hayward, Col. J. A. (Int.) 148 and 149 Harrington, Geo. P .... Facing Page 198
Haines, Fletcher. 228
IFegle, B. 66
138
Sibley, C. W
150
Waddle, J. Alonzo. 218
Wagoner, George
137
Weiser, John 197
Johnson, Walter P. . 66 182
Shetler, John
219
Warren William M
175
Weiser, F. F. 217
Johnson Bros.,. Between 192 & 193
Shafer, H. J ..
175
Watson. Dudley J
188
Weiser F. F. 217
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Krieger, Mrs. Amelia
233
Taylor, James M 66
122
Weiser. John 197
204
Adams, J. H. 250 Ladd, Noyes
199
Tremont House
= 208
Williams George W. 171
Adams, Lansing 250
Lamb, James L. 66
Vallentine, E. S.
182
Wood, J. 259
Adams, Joseph 6. 178
Langen, Elizabeth. 66 212
Weiser, John.
197
Work man, Michael IS1
Allsman. John W Facing Page 216
Lawton, S. C .. 248
.4
Wilkinson, Geo. C .. Willey Station ..
66
217
White, John. 166
Austin, JJ. W Facing 149
Lawton, James. 249
Limer, Wm.
Long Sr., II. B
66
Whiteeraft, John C. ..
..
167
Whitecraft, John ( 170
Bugg, Ed Facing Page 218
.6 150
Long, M. C ... .6
Wood, Harvey
175
Young, B. F. 233
Cooper, P. 2.10
Matthew, Dr. J. B.
=
175
Wright, T. T. & N. J.
64 152
Schlierbach, Louis. 148
Hayward, J. S. Faeing 147
Connty Buildings 61
Council, A. M. 171
Craig, J. S 207 Morrison, Engene M ...
Clawson, Mrs. Electa ..
191
Murry, J. II
McWilliams, A. J 4
188
Shaffer, J. B. 151
Dickerson, J. HI. 164
Ridge. James 191
George, C. C. 165
Cohenour, Wm. L 188
Sanders, Nicholas, (dee'd). 219
Hill, Josiah A., and Wife. 126
County Map 9
Morrison, Hon. W. E.
208
Schrantz, Sylvester 233
Simpson. Wesley ..... 176
Crowl, W. H. 165
De Camp, Daniel.
198
Peck, Richard .. 214
Sharp, G. R. 203
Austin, Jesse W., and Wife .. 149
Crawford, Leonard .. Facing Page 255
Miller, John W Facing Page 222
Malhiot, F. D. 187
Melugin, Mrs. Johannah « 173
Ricks, N. Douglas. 136
Chalfant, N. B. 156
Adams, 1som. Facing page 190
Klingler, George ... 66
210 Taylor, A. A
66
180
Travis, Miles B
189
Vandeveer, H. M. 118
Whitmer, Charles 128
Scott, Thos. II.
64
154
Virden, I. Q ....... 243
Whitecraft, Joseph A 162
Whitecraft, John C. 167
Hurlbutt, E. S.
200
4 .
Simpson, Wesley
176
Knott, William ... . Facing Page 191
Spates, Alfred.
218
Stafford, M. 6 4
158
Taylor, A. A 168
Smith, Thomas. 215
Taylor, James M .. 122
Taylor, James M 122
Scheib, Phares S. 191
Schneider, Michael.
168
Wilkinson George C.
204
White JJ. B. 207
Whitecraft, Joseph .1 162
Lovering, C. G. 217 Whitecraft, J. A
162
Whitmer, Chas 128
C'onder, Il. G. =
Ballard & Miller ....... Facing Page 175 Bowman, Asa. Between 232 & 233
234
Williams, George
172
V'andeveer, Judge H. MI .. 118
Sadler, S. J 66 223
239
209
156
INTRODUCTION.
EW studies are more interesting and profitable to mankind than that of the past experiences, deeds, thoughts and trials of the human race.
The eivilized man and the untutored savage alike desire to know the deeds and lives of their aneestors, 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, but narrow prejudiee and selfish interests too often have availed to suppress the truth or to distort faets.
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 eounty of a grand State. The families whose aneestors were early on the ground, and whose members have made the county what it is, are worthy of remem- branee ; and their difficulties and sorrows, eustoms, labors and patriotism, should not be allowed to fall into oblivion. By a knowledge of these the present generation will be instrueted, 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.
From the ancient days, away back in the dim and shadowy past, when the human race first arrived at a state of intelligence sufficient to enable them to transmit a traditionary or written aeeount of themselves, all along down the teeming ages, our pro- genitors have left in various ways, and by different means, infor- mation, more or less mythiieal, of the age and'generation in which they played their ephemeral part on the world's ever-changing theatre of action. It is graven in bronze on the wonderful works of the eentral nations of Africa, around those " dim fountains of the Nile ;" the gray old pyramids in the valley of " twenty thousand cities " are covered with the hieroglyphical language of the " shadowy past." The vast and mighty " palaees and piles stupendous," hoary with the dust of unknown centuries, that
bewilder the traveler ' mid Egypt's drifting sands, upon the plains of the Euphrates, and hidden away in the tiger-hunted jungles of the " farthest Ind ;" the gigantie ruins of Southern and Central America, under the snow-capped Cordilleras and among the wondrous forests of Yueatan ; the seamed and wrinkled pyramids of the Aztees, in Mexico and California, and the ten thousand erumbling evidences of a powerful civilization seattered throughout the great valley of the Mississippi, all bear testimony of countless attempts to transmit knowledge to posterity.
The written history of the Ameriean Continent dates baek searcely 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 stoek of knowledge.
Like the Eastern Continent, our own has its historie points,- its nuclei around which eluster the memories of heroie deeds, the story of martyrs, and the legends of a barbarous past. St. Au- gustine, Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, Quebee, Montreal, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Detroit, are loealities about which gather volumes of history.
The advanee of eivilization on the North American Continent has been more rapid than in any other portion of the globe ; and, within the memory of living men, the fairest and riehest portions have been wrested from the dominion of the wilderness and the savage, and changed into a highly-cultivated region, filled with a raee of industrious and thriving people. Prominent among the localities rieh in historie lore is the region around the Mis- sissippi river. It early claimed the attention of two of the most powerful nations of Europe, whose pioneers and avant couriers were boldly pushing into the then unknown countries lying towards the "Great South Sea," eagerly looking for gold and precious stones, for fabled Eldorados, and fertile lands.
Dim traditions, fragmentary legends, stories of bloody warfare, of disaster and defeat ; essays, letters, and public documents, all bearing more or less upon the history of the county, have been earcfully examined.
8
INTRODUCTION.
To collect and arrange in one volume these various fragments, 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 object of the publishers of the present work.
We know. full well, the task is not a light one ; the contem- plated work is by no means a holiday frolic. Hard, steady, close application and untiring energy are necessary to accom- plish it, and we have approached the subjeet with the greatest cliffidence, not unmindful of our shortcomings, yet, at the same time, fully determined to do our best, and trust a generous and discriminating public to do us justice, hoping and believing that our labors shall not have been wholly in vain.
The utmost pains have been taken to read thoroughly and com- pare carefully the various writers, and to sift out and reconeile discrepancies, for historians not unfrequently disagree upon minor points. The work of reading and comparing has been no ordinary one, and the difficulty has not been so much in collecting as in making a judicious and truthful use of the abundant material at hand.
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 carly 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 posses- sions in America, a large share of Europe, and immense regions in Asia and the islands of the sea, were interested and in- volved.
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 ouly a thought to comprehend. Our fertile soils, our noble timber trees, our genial climate, our inex- hanstible mineral treasures, and our casy 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 un- important or uninstructive 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 relig- ious worship. These two interests will, therefore, show most ac- curately the tastes, the habits and aspirations of a community. Henee they have been made prominent in the ensuing narra- tive, 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 por- traits and biographies of many of the prominent men of the past. and present.
The chapter on the early history of the State will be found interesting and instructive.
The Constitution of the United States and of this State, and a roster of the soldiers of the late war, have been inserted with a view to make the work more creditable, alike to the publishers and people of the county.
The work may be incomplete in some particulars. Nor indeed is it possible for it to be otherwise ; but we hope so far as it goes it is truthful and aceurate.
We trust, however, that it will be the means of preserving from the empire of decay a host of ineidents, of recollections, and of anecdotes, relating to the hardy pioneers and first settlers of the county, 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 geu- erous and intelligent public must decide. It is not permitted any man to attain perfection. Its region lies beyond our reach. We feel, however, in submitting this work to the inspection of the patrons, whose public spirit made possible its preparation, that satisfaction which results from a consciousness of faithful endeavor and an carnest desire to fulfil the expectations of all.
Our work is accomplished, and its result is submitted to your favorable inspection.
The Library of the intearity of Illinois.
OUTLINE MAP
OF
CHRISTIAN COUNTY
ILLINOIS.
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R. A.D.
Sandersvilles
25
شما
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52
83
34
Sharpsburg
GAMOI
2
1
6
4
2
9
10
11
12
72
7
10
15
14
15
17
16
15
T A Y
LORVILLEO
16
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3
A
26
25
27
16
25
30
25
28
27
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29
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Clarkslale
L
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CREE
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26
2.5
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120
25
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28
3
16
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MONTGOMERY
10
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MORRISONVILLE
7
12
10
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GREEN WOOD
" Roscmond
2 +
11
Lone Tree
PANA
19
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R
21
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6
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Ogancon
2 x
24
19
10
22
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CENTRAL
1
27
26
30
25
32
34
135
136
18
17
16
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BURG
Bukhar
10
12
19 A
R N
23
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20
21
22
23
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Grove
City
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Fifilleys Sta
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River
Mosquit
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SANGAMON
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75
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COUNTY
Stonington
19
33
5
-
19
14
11
14
HISTORY
OF
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
CHAPTER I.
A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY.
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION.
N 1784 the North-western Territory was ceded to tlic 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 eoineided with the arca now embraced in the states of Wiseon- 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, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Hardy, Arthur Lee, and James Monroe, delegates in Congress on the part of Virginia, executed a decd of eession, 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 Rocky Mountains and the Northern Pacific Ocean. It ineludes an area of 1,887,850 square miles, being greater than the united areas of the Middle and Southern states, ineluding Texas. Out of this magnificent territory have been creeted eleven sovereign states and eight territorics, 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 rieh alluvial valleys and broad, fertile prairies.
Its lakes arc fresh-water seas, upon whose bosom floats the eommeree of many states. Its far-stretching prairies have more acres that are arable and productive than any other area of like extent on the globe.
For the last quarter of a century the iner ease of population and wealth in the north-west has been about as three to one in any other portion of the United States.
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