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Gc 977.301 J48ha 1195035
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02493 1435
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017
https://archive.org/details/historyofjerseyc00hami
HISTORY
OF
JERSEY COUNTY
ILLINOIS
EDITED BY OSCAR B. HAMILTON PRESIDENT JERSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO MUNSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY PUBLISHERS 1919
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PREFACE
In the preparation of the material for this history of Jersey County, the following, among other authorities, have been consulted : Breese's Early History of Illinois; Brown's, Ford's, Reynolds' and Davidson and Stuve's histories; The County of Illinois : Alvord; the publications of State Historical Society ; Lusk's Politics and Politicians of Illinois ; The Illinois "Blue-Book" 1917-18; all of the maps and atlases of Jersey County ; B. B. Hamilton Centennial History, 1876; Mathews' History, 1878; History of Jersey and Greene Counties, 1885; Cooper's History of Jerseyville; addresses of Hon. S. V. White, of Brooklyn, N. Y., at the unveiling of the stone marking the grave of Joseph Chandler, a Revolutionary soldier at Otterville, May 30, 1899; also his address at Chautauqua, Jersey County, Ill., July 19, 1900, entitled "Reminiscences of Jersey County, Ill., from 1835 to 1850"; Mrs. Harriett Walker's book entitled, "Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Illinois," 1917; Judge Lean- der Stilwell's "Story of a Common Soldier," 1917; diary of Mrs. Mary A. C. Hamilton ; newspaper files ; files of the public offices of Jersey Coun- ty and the City of Jerseyville; the latter being consulted with the courte- ous assistance of the officers in charge thereof ; the records, files and man- uscripts of the Jersey County Historical Society. Special acknowledg- ment is made of the co-operation of Anthony H. Quinn, Thomas A. Kraus, Joseph W. Becker, Richard Kieley, William Hall and W. F. Schroeder and Mrs. Rose Wedding, librarian of the Jerseyville city library ; also to the following, among many other old friends and neigh- bors, who have rendered assistance in furnishing data and facts in- eluded in this work: Judges G. W. Herdman, A. M. Slaten and Charles S. White; Edward Cross, J. G. Marston, A. J. Rice, George H. and William Dougherty, Cyrus Sisson, P. M. Hamilton, J. M. Page, C. C. and Richard C. Gillham, Dr. A. K. Van Horne, E. Mysenburg, S. M. Reddish, Jett A. Kirby, W. P. Richards, Pinkerton Brothers, Barclay Wedding, John W. Vinson, Jarrett T. Grimes, Mrs. F. H. English, A. Douglas Erwin, Joel E. Cory, and numerous others, to all of whom due acknowledgment is here made.
PREFACE
The aim, in the compilation of this work, has been to gather, from all accessible sources, reliable facts and dates of important events con- nected with the discovery, settlement and development of Jersey County and its people, and to incorporate them into one volume of convenient form and size, with indexes arranged so that these matters shall be readily and easily accessible to all persons seeking information therein, and to have this information dependable and reliable.
With no other purpose than that the facts, dates, and incidents herein found may be taken and accepted as fair, and wholly disinter- ested, with no friends to reward nor enemies to punish, with malice towards none and charity for all, this volume is presented to the citizens of Jersey County with the hope that it may be received in the same kindly and charitable spirit in which it has been prepared.
There are many facts herein that are not contained in any other History of this county, and it is thought that there are few persons, who have lived to the age of manhood and womanhood here, who may not be able to find some fact or event herein that will be of interest to themselves and their families and friends, and that it may be an incite- ment to greater interest in the study and investigation of the real sub- stantial facts and history of our people, their homes and interests, than which, it is believed, no subject should be of greater importance to their material interests.
And now, having resided within the limits of the territory of which this county is composed during its entire existence as Jersey County, and having no desire, or aspiration, other than the full measure of prosperity and success for all of its citizens, this work is submitted to their candid and kindly consideration.
Jerseyville, Ill., February 1, 1919.
INDEX
CHAPTER I A GENERAL REVIEW
FROM THE BEGINNING-A NEW OPPORTUNITY-WARRING TENDENCIES- PEACE ON EARTH-AUTOCRATIC FORMS-ADVANCEMENT IN CIVILIZATION -- THE NEW WORLD-THE RIGHTS OF MAN-SECESSION-THE RETURN OF PEACE-LATER PROGRESS-THE MELTING POT-TRUE DEMOCRACY-THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CHALLENGE-THE MARK OF THE BEAST. 1-7
CHAPTER II GEOLOGICAL HISTORY
BY HON. WILLIAM MC ADAMS
BOUNDARIES-GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE-DRIFT PERIOD-GEOLOGICAL GROUPS -QUARTERNARY SYSTEM-DRIFT-COAL MEASURES-BRIGHTON COAL VEINS-COAL SEAM NEAR DELHI-CHESTER LIMESTONE-ST. LOUIS LIME- STONE -- KEOKUK LIMESTONE-BURLINGTON LIMESTONE-KINDERHOOK LIMESTONE-BLACK SLATE-HAMILTON LIMESTONE-NIAGARA LIMESTONE -CINCINNATI LIMESTONE-TRENTON LIMESTONE-DIVINE PURPOSE- NATURAL RECORDS 8-25
CHAPTER III EVIDENCES OF GREAT ANTIQUITY
PRE-HISTORIC EVIDENCES-BUFFALO-NATURAL RESOURCES-GREAT DIVERSITY
OF MOUNDS-SO-CALLED - INDIAN MOUNDS-HOUSE MOUNDS-SIGNAL MOUNDS-SEPULCHRAL MOUNDS-ANCIENT BURIAL PLACES-OTHER BURIAL PLACES-IMPORTANCE OF RELICS-AXES-ARROW POINTS-PIPES -PLUMMETS-ANCIENT MORTARS-OTHER RELICS-PLEASANT YET HARD TASK 26-40
1
CHAPTER IV
EARLY HISTORICAL EVENTS
DISCOVERY OF AMERICA-A WOMAN'S INSTINCT-ABBOT'S ACCOUNT-THE QUEEN'S GENEROSITY-OTHER EXPEDITIONS-OTHER DISCOVERIES-FUR- THER DEVELOPMENT-A MISSION OF PEACE-THE CALUMET OF PEACE- FIRST MENTION OF JERSEY COUNTY TERRITORY-INDIAN ART-THE MIS- SOURI RIVER-THE RETURN VOYAGE-THE ILLINOIS RIVER-LOSS TO HISTORY-THE BEGINNING OF CHICAGO-DEATH OF MARQUETTE-GOV- ERNOR REYNOLD'S EULOGY-MISSION OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEP- TION 41-49
CHAPTER V FRENCH SETTLEMENTS
FRENCH EXPLORATIONS-FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS-ST. ANTHONY'S FALLS- ANOTHER EXPEDITION-FORT ST. LOUIS-DEATH OF LA SALLE-NEW ORLEANS-COMPANY OF THE WEST-OTHER IMPORTANT SETTLEMENTS- EARLY CONDITIONS-CONTROL BY JESUITS-ENGLISH CONTROL-EXPUL- SION OF THE JESUITS-FOUNDING OF ST. LOUIS. 50-55
CHAPTER VI CLARK'S EXPEDITION
GEORGE ROGERS CLARK-PRELIMINARY MOVEMENTS-CAPTURE OF KASKASKIA -NEW ORDER OF THINGS-FURTHER ENTERPRISES-CAMPAIGN AT. VIN- CENNES-A BRAVE VENTURE-RECAPTURE OF VINCENNES-COUNTY OF ILLINOIS-DISSATISFACTION-SECURING TITLE TO NORTHWEST TERRITORY -A DEFEATED PROJECT-GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 56-62
CHAPTER VII
DEVELOPMENT OF ILLINOIS
ST. CLAIR COUNTY-RANDOLPH COUNTY-TERRITORY OF INDIANA-TERRITORY OF ILLINOIS-LOUISIANA PURCHASE-AARON BURR CONSPIRACY-TRIAL OF BURR-GOVERNMENT OF TERRITORY-FIRST TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE -OTHER NEW COUNTIES-SUBSEQUENT TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURES- BOUNDS OF MADISON COUNTY 63-67
CHAPTER VIII
ILLINOIS AS A STATE
THE ENABLING ACT-CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION-FIRST GENERAL AS- SEMBLY-NATHANIEL POPE-SHADRACH BOND-GREENE COUNTY-CAPI- TAL REMOVED --- BLACK LAWS-SLAVERY LEGISLATION-TEST OF THE BLACK LAW-EDWARD COLES-ATTITUDE OF PRESIDENTS 68-73
CHAPTER IX
INDIAN TROUBLES
INCITEMENT OF INDIANS-BLOCKHOUSES-CONDITION AT FORT RUSSEL INDIAN MASSACRES 74-75
CHAPTER X
LAND ENTRIES AND EARLY TITLES
FIRST RECORDS -- OTHER EARLY ENTRIES-JOHN WILKINS-H. & J. HEWITT- JEHU BROWN-JOHN EVANS-JOHN THORNTON-GERSHOM PATTERSON -JOHN GUNTERMAN-JOHN MEDFORD-SAMUEL GATES-MOSES SEEDS -WILLIAM DAVIDSON-FRANCIS COLEMAN-JOHN WILKINS-MARTIN BOWMAN- DAVID EVELAND-MATHEW DARR-WILLIAM BATES-JOHN G. GILLHAM- THOMAS J. LOFTON-JOAB WHITE-ISAAC CUMMINGS-JOSEPH WHITE-JOHN VAUGHN-JOHN FALKNER-ORMAND BEEMAN- JOHN MC- DOW-DR. SILAS HAMILTON-JOSEPH RUSSELL 76-77
CHAPTER XI EARLY SETTLERS
PRE-EMPTION LAW-LOFTON'S PRAIRIE-EARLIEST SETTLERS-PIONEER CON- DITIONS-HOUSE RAISING-SOCIAL DIVERSIONS-PIONEER LIFE- PIONEER SCHOOLS-FOODSTUFFS-PRAIRIE FIRES-UNUSUAL EMERGENCIES-EARLY MILLS-PRIMITIVE METHODS-NO CONVENIENCES-LACK OF PHYSICIANS -NO SHOPPING FACILITIES-FIRST SETTLEMENTS-JEHU BROWN- JOHN GUNTERMAN -- DR. SILAS HAMILTON-OTTER CREEK PRAIRIE-GRAFTON- MARRIAGE LICENSES 78-98
CHAPTER XII
GREENE COUNTY
ESTABLISHMENT-FIRST CIRCUIT COURT-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT- MILITARY DISTRICTS-ELECTION DISTRICTS-EARLY CRIMINALS-EARLY OFFICIALS-ADDITIONAL DISTRICTS-ANOTHER EARLY CRIME-OTHER EARLY EVENTS-WILD SPECULATION 99-102
CHAPTER XIII
COUNTY ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT
ORGANIZATION-PRELIMINARY LEGISLATION-A PROMINENT CITIZEN-FIRST OFFICIALS-EARLY COUNTY BUSINESS-JUDGES OF ELECTION-FIRST NAT- URALIZATION PAPERS-FIRST COURTHOUSE-ELECTION, OF 1840-NEW PRECINCT- FURTHER COUNTY BUSINESS-COUNTY COURT-NEW POOR- HOUSE-ISSUANCE OF RAILROAD BONDS-REPAIRS TO COURTHOUSE- BOUNTY FOR SOLDIERS-LAST FEW MEETINGS-COUNTY COMMISSIONERS -MEMBERS OF COUNTY BOARD-SHERIFFS-CIRCUIT CLERKS-COUNTY CLERKS-COUNTY SURVEYORS-COUNTY ASSESSORS AND TREASURERS- CORONERS-COUNTY HIGHWAY ENGINEER 103-121
CHAPTER XIV COURTS, BENCH AND BAR
CIRCUIT COURT-JUDGES OF PROBATE COURT-MASTERS IN CHANCERY-THE BAR-PIONEER ATTORNEYS-FIRST ATTORNEYS AT JERSEYVILLE- ATTORNEYS OF A LATER DATE-PRESENT ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE BAR- STATE'S ATTORNEYS 122-136
CHAPTER XV COUNTY INSTITUTIONS
FIRST COURTHOUSE-PROCEDURE FOR ERECTION- CONTRACTS-DESTRUCTIVE FIRE-SECOND COURTHOUSE-THIRD COURTHOUSE-LAYING OF CORNER- STONE-INSCRIPTION-COMPLETION OF COURTHOUSE-DIMENSIONS- FIRST TERM OF CIRCUIT COURT-FINAL SUMMARY-FIRST JAIL-PRESENT JAIL - FIRST POORHOUSE - SECOND POORHOUSE - THIRD POORHOUSE - PRESENT POORHOUSE 137-145
CHAPTER XVI
POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
DELEGATES TO SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION-DELEGATES TO THIRD CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION-DELEGATES TO FOURTH CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION-MEMBERS OF CONGRESS-REPRESENTATIVES IN TERRITORIAL ASSEMBLY-REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY- OFFICIAL VOTE 146-166
1
CHAPTER XVII CHURCHES
1
EARLY RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS-EARLY BAPTIST CHURCHES-EARLY METH- ODIST CHURCHES-FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-WONDERFUL PROGRESS -OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP-GRAFTON-HARTFORD-JERSEYVILLE-CATH- OLIC CHURCHES-SUMMARY 167-175
CHAPTER XVIII CEMETERIES
CHANGE IN CONDITIONS-OAK GROVE CEMETERY-FIRST PERSONS BURIED- ADDITION TO OAK GROVE-OLD CEMETERY-CATHOLIC CEMETERY-OTHER CEMETERIES-RECORD ON OLD TOMBSTONE-OLDEST BUILDING IN
176-179 COUNTY
CHAPTER XIX
FIRST FREE SCHOOL IN ILLINOIS
OCCASION OF DELIVERY OF SPEECH-DR. SILAS HAMILTON-SLAVE PLANTA- TION IN MISSISSIPPI-COLORED BOY PURCHASED FOR ONE HUNDRED DOL- LARS-DR. HAMILTON GOES TO ILLINOIS-DR. HAMILTON BUYS LAND IN JERSEY COUNTY-GEORGE WASHINGTON BROUGHT TO ILLINOIS-FUND FOR FIRST FREE SCHOOL-FIRST FREE SCHOOL IN 1835-HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL INCORPORATED IN 1839-GEORGE ATTENDED HAMILTON SCHOOL- GEORGE ACCUMULATES PROPERTY-FUND FOR EDUCATION OF COLORED PER- SONS-THE GEORGE WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL FUND-BLACK GEORGE- HELPED THE POOR-VICE PRESIDENT OF DEBATING SOCIETY-GEORGE AS- SAULTED IN GRAFTON-PUT IN JAIL IN CALHOUN COUNTY-GEORGE'S JUDGMENT ON BUSINESS MATTERS-MONUMENT FOR FORMER MASTER- EARLY SCHOOLS OF ILLINOIS-SUMMARY OF CHARACTER. 180-192
CHAPTER XX
PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
JERSEYVILLE YOUNG LADIES SEMINARY-REUNION-PROGRAM-ADDRESS OF WELCOME-RESPONSE-OTHER ADDRESSES-RESOLUTIONS OF THANKS- MRS. VIRGINIA CORBETT HARBERT-MRS. SUSAN HENDERSON CUTTING'S SCHOOL-BOARD OF INSTRUCTION-STUDENTS 193-200
CHAPTER XXI
THE PRESENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
PIONEER CONDITIONS-THE ANSWER-JERSEY COUNTY SCHOOL DIRECTORY- GEORGE WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL FUND-HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL FUND-JERSEY COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION-STANDARD SCHOOLS- DISTRIBUTIVE FUND- SALARIES OF TEACHERS-FUNDS RAISED BY SCHOOLS -ADDITIONAL FACTS FROM CENSUS OF 1917-SCHOOL BUILDINGS-LIBRA- RIES-PRESENT CONDITION-HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES-SCHOOL COMMIS- SIONERS-COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCIIOOLS 201-228
CHAPTER XXII
FINANCIAL INTERESTS
FIRST BANK-AN ILLUSTRATION-GROWTH OF FIRST BANK-FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF JERSEYVILLE-NATIONAL BANK OF JERSEYVILLE-STATE BANK OF JERSEYVILLE-JERSEY STATE BANK-UNUSUAL SITUATION-THE GRAFTON BANK-BANK OF FIELDON-BANK OF FIDELITY-STEPHEN H. BOWMAN-MARCUS E. BAGLEY-THEODORE S. CHAPMAN-WILLIAM SHEPHARD-GRAFTON BLUFF-WILLIAM H. ALLEN-GEORGE W. WARE. - IIUGH N. CROSS 229-238
CHAPTER XXIII
PHYSICIANS AND DENTAL SURGEONS
FIRST PHYSICIANS-DRS. SILAS HAMILTON, A. H. BURRITT-E. A. D'ARCY, JOHN W. LOTT-JAMES C. PERRY-EDWIN A. CASEY, R. H. VAN DIKE- ASA SNELL-A. R. KNAPP, JAMES BRINGHURST -- R. D. FARLEY-WILLIAM
1
HUTCHINSON-OTHER PHYSICIANS OF THE PAST-JOHN L. WHITE-H. C. HARRIMAN-JOSEPH O. HAMILTON-JOHN B. HAMILTON-W. O. LANG- DON-HENRY Z. GILL-CHARLES A. KNAPP-E. L. H. BARRY-PHYSICIANS OF A LATER DATE-GEORGE H. KNAPP-A. B. ALLEN-T. A. KINGSTON- CHARLES W. ENOS-J. F. BUFFINGTON-GEORGE SUMRALL-W. W. ESTA- BROOK-JONAS L. WARD-ALLEN A. BARNETT-CALEB DUHADWAY-A. A. SHOBE-CHARLES R. ENOS-JOHN S. WILLIAMS-JOSEPH W. ENOS-MISS S. CORDELIA ENOS-LYMAN T. WAGGONER-HENRY R. CLEDHILL-ALBERT M. WILES-JAMES B. VEITCH-JAMES A. FLAUTT-A. D. EWIN-J. TID- BALL-WESLEY PARK-E. F. FRANCIS-S. M. WATSON-JAMES F. GARY- N. T. WINANS-N. F. BRAY-LAURENS ENOS-A. S. HUNT-J. L. THREL- KELD-H. R. BOHANNON-MILES B. TITTERINGTON-A. A. MC BRIEN --- DENTAL SURGEONS-G. S. MILES-J. T. HUTCHINSON-EDWARD FLANIGAN W. E. HOLLAND-HENRY W. RICH-GIDEON M. DEMPSEY-H. D. BULL- J. O. RICE-JETT A. SUTHERLAND. 239-249
CHAPTER XXIV
JOURNALISM IN JERSEY COUNTY
FIRST NEWSPAPER-PRAIRIE STATE-DAILY DEMOCRAT-JERSEYVILLE RE- PUBLICAN-JERSEYVILLE INDEPENDENT-JERSEYVILLE EXAMINER-JER- SEYVILLE REGISTER-JERSEYVILLE EVENING NEWS-DAILY AND WEEKLY JOURNAL-REPUBLICAN CALL-WESTERN FARMER-FREE PRESS-POWER OF THE PRESS-JOSEPH W. BECKER-COL. WILLIAM H. EDGAR. .. 250-256
CHAPTER XXV
ANTI-SLAVERY AND THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
FIRST ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY-UNDERGROUND RAILROAD -- FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW-BLACK LAWS-INCIDENTS OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD-NO FAILURES 257-259
CHAPTER XXVI MILITARY HISTORY
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS-WAR OF 1812-BLACK HAWK WAR-MEXICAN WAR-CONDITIONS AT BEGINNING OF CIVIL WAR-CAMPAIGN OF 1860- SOUTH CAROLINA SECEDES-OTHER SECEDING STATES-PEACE CON-
VENTION-ORGANIZATION OF THE CONFEDERACY-INAUGURAL OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN - FALL OF SUMTER - CALL FOR MILITIA - IM- MEDIATE RESPONSE-FURTHER SACRIFICES-JERSEY COUNTY SENTI- MENT-JERSEY COUNTY'S QUOTA-THE CONTRIBUTION OF A WOMAN -ROSTER OF JERSEY COUNTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY-NINTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY-TWELFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY-FOURTEENTH ILLI- NOIS INFANTRY-EIGHTEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY-TWENTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY-TWENTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY-THIRTY- FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY-THIRTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY-THIRTY- THIRD ILLINOIS INFANTRY-SIXTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY-SIXTY- SIXTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY-SEVENTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY- NINETY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY-NINETY-NINTH ILLINOIS IN- FANTRY-ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ILLINOIS INFANTRY-ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY-ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THIRD ILLINOIS INFANTRY-ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOURTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY-ROLL OF HONOR-SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR-WORLD WAR-JERSEY COUNTY'S SERVICE FLAG-EARLY REGISTERED MEN-
OTHERS IN SERVICE 260-302
CHAPTER XXVII
CONDITIONS IN JERSEY COUNTY DURING 1863-1866
GENERAL OUTLOOK-UNUSUAL CONDITIONS-THE CARLIN RAID-DEPOSITION OF J. O. SMITH-CORONER'S INQUEST-NOLLE PROSSED INDICTMENTS- POSSE OF SUBSTANTIAL CITIZENS-AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT-HISTORY OF IN- DISTMENT OF MOSS-ANOTHER DESPERATE AFFAIR-JERSEYVILLE SELF- PROTECTING SOCIETY-JERSEY COUNTY HORSE THIEF DETECTING SO-
303-314 CIETY
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
ORGANIZATION-OBJECT-REQUISITES FOR MEMBERSHIP-OFFICIALS-LIST OF OLD SETTLERS-OTHERS WORTHY OF A PLACE IN THESE RECORDS- REMINISCENCES-CHARACTER AND CUSTOMS OF EARLY SETTLERS-PIO- NEER APPLIANCES-HOME INDUSTRIES-PRIMITIVE SCHOOLHOUSES-
- LACK OF MILLS-PIONEER AMUSEMENTS-MANNERS AND EQUIPMENT- UNUSUAL POEM 315-338
CHAPTER XXIX
FRATERNITIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
MASONS-BLUE LODGE-CHAPTER-EASTERN STAR-ODD FELLOWS-ENCAMP- MENT-REBEKAHS-MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA-MODERN AMERI- CANS-ROYAL NEIGHBORS-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-KNIGHTS OF COLUM- BUS-ELKS-SONS OF TEMPERANCE-MUTUAL AID-LOWE POST- WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS-WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION- YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-JERSEY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION-FARMERS' INSTITUTE-JERSEY COUNTY
DOMESTIC SCIENCE
ASSOCIATION-OTHER
ASSOCIATIONS-WAR
WORK
339-351
CHAPTER XXX JERSEY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ORGANIZATION-OBJECT-SEVENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY-PROGRAM-ATTEND- ANCE-OTHER NOTABLE REUNIONS-JUDGE STILLWELL'S BOOK-PRESENT OFFICERS 352-356
CHAPTER XXXI INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
FIRST RAILROAD -- SECOND RAILROAD - FINANCIAL CONDITION - ELECTRIC ROADS-JERSEYVILLE ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY-JERSEY- VILLE TELEPHONE COMPANY-KINLOCK TELEPHONE COMPANY .. 357-360
CHAPTER XXXII LIBRARIES
FIRST LIBRARY-FIRST BOARD OF DIRECTORS-CARNEGIE LIBRARY-LIBRARIANS -BOARD OF DIRECTORS-PRESENT FINANCIAL CONDITION-INTEREST SHOWN . 361-363
CHAPTER XXXIII ELSAH TOWNSHIP .
FIRST SETTLERS-FIRST MARRIAGES-OTHER EARLY SETTLERS-EMINENCE- RANDOLPH-ELSAH-GEN. JAMES SEMPLE-NOTCH CLIFFE-WHITING WORKS-LOCK HAVEN-SUPERVISORS .364-369
CHAPTER XXXIV ENGLISH TOWNSHIP
FIRST LAND ENTRIES-JUDGE JEHU BROWN-MAJOR GERSHOM PATTERSON-
MATHEW DARR-PHILIP GRIMES-JOHN BROWN-OTHER EARLY ENTRIES -PROMINENT SETTLERS-OTHER LAND ENTRIES-SUPERVISORS. . 370-377
CHAPTER XXXV
FIDELITY TOWNSHIP
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS-EARLY SETTLEMENTS-FIRST SETTLERS-EARLY EVENTS-FIDELITY SUPERVISORS .378-380
CHAPTER XXXVI
JERSEY TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-AUTHENTIC SOURCE-LETTER OF APPRECIATION-THANKS- GIVING DISCOURSE-TEXT-LITERARY INSTITUTIONS-RELIGIOUS INSTITU- TIONS-CITY OF JERSEYVILLE-SCHOOLS-RAILROADS-IMPROVEMENTS- BUSINESS INTERESTS-AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES-HEALTH RESORT- JERSEY COUNTY FARMERS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY-CUTTING IN- SURANCE AGENCY- BOWMAN INSURANCE AGENCY-CITY HALL-JERSEY- VILLE WATER WORKS-POST OFFICE-TOWN INCORPORATION-CITY IN- CORPORATION - OFFICIALS - MAYORS - CLERKS - MARSHALS - CON- STABLES - ATTORNEYS - TREASURERS - POLICE MAGISTRATES - ALDER- MEN-CITY DIRECTORY-SUPERVISORS 381-426
CHAPTER XXXVII MISSISSIPPI TOWNSHIP
FIRST SETTLEMENTS-JUDGE JOHN G. LOFTON-JOSEPH WHITE-JOHN MCDOW-THE GILLHAMS-WILLIAM C. WADDLE-OTHER PROMINENT SETTLERS-PIONEER INCIDENTS-DOW-MC CLUSKY-NEWBERN-EAST NEWBERN-SUPERVISORS 427-432
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CHAPTER XXXVIII OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-EARLIEST SETTLEMENTS-HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL-EARLY TEACHERS-REMINISCENCES OF JERSEY COUNTY-ROSTER HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL-GEORGE WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL FUND-SUR- VIVORS OF ORIGINAL SETTLERS-OTTERVILLE-SUPERVISORS. 433-448
CHAPTER XXXIX PIASA TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-RAILROADS- EARLY SETTLEMENTS-OTHER PROMINENT EARLY SETTLERS-EARLY INCIDENTS-NEW PIASA CHAUTAUQUA-FIRST PRESI- DENT-ORIGINAL PLAT- PRESENT BOUNDARIES-ADVANTAGE OF GROUNDS -PRESENT OFFICIALS-DELHI-COAL MINES-PIASA SUPERVISORS.449-454
CHAPTER XL QUARRY TOWNSHIP -
DISCOVERY-MARQUETTE AND JOLIET-GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS-EARLIEST CONCESSIONS-FIRST SETTLEMENTS-CAMDEN-GRAFTON-ROADS-BOOM -NATURAL CAVES-EARLY BUSINESS MEN-QUARRY INTERESTS-MA- SON'S LANDING-CHOLERA EPIDEMIC-BANKING INTERESTS-FERRIES- DREDGE BOAT INDUSTRY - DISTILLERY HOLLOW - RAILROADS - SUPER- VISORS 455-469
CHAPTER XLI RICHWOODS TOWNSHIP
FIRST SETTLEMENTS-FIRST RESIDENCE-EARLY EVENTS-ORIGINAL OWNER OF SITE OF FIELDON-NUTWOOD DRAINAGE AND LEVEE DISTRICT-SUPER- VISORS 470-473
CHAPTER XLII ROSEDALE TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES - EARLY SETTLERS - SCHOOLS - CHURCHES - RAILROADS - CHANGE IN NAME-SUPERVISORS. 474-477
CHAPTER XLIII
RUYLE TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-RAILROADS-KEMPER-FIRST SETTLEMENTS-EARLY MARRIAGES -SUPERVISORS 478-479
CHAPTER XLIV
SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT CHANGES
RETROSPECTIVE-THE GRIMES FAMILY-THE GILLHAM FAMILY-THE HAM- ILTON FAMILY-OTHER OLD FAMILIES-ELECTIONS-AGRICULTURAL CON- DITIONS-TEMPERANCE-RELIGIOUS PROGRESS-FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -IMPORTANT EVENTS-HOG WAR 480-496
BIOGRAPHICAL
CHAPTER XLV
THE PART OF BIOGRAPHY IN GENERAL HISTORY-CITIZENS OF JERSEY COUNTY AND OUTLINES OF PERSONAL HISTORY-PERSONAL SKETCHES ARRANGED IN ENCYCLOPEDIC ORDER 497-662
PORTRAITS
Aylward, Delia 10
Aylward, James E. 14
Aylward, John R. 10
Aylward, John R., Jr. 14
Aylward, Thomas F.
14
Barnes, Edward F. 24
Barnes, Nellie M. 24
Becker, Joseph W 36
Breitweiser, Peter
48
Breitweiser, Sophia
48
Cadwallader, Jesse K 60
Carlin, Walter E. 72
Catt, Stephen 84
Catt, Tabitha
84
Day, Bertha M.
96
Day, Ira E. 96
Day, William A.
96
Ewin, John
108
Fales, Charles F 120
Gotter, Godfrey
152
Gotter, Mrs. Godfrey
158
Grimes, Jarret T.
170
Hamilton, Oscar B. . Frontispiece Hanley, William M. and Family 194
Henry, D. R.
214
Hildred, William and Family.
226
Hunt, David W. and Family
238
Kirby, Experience
250
Kirby, William
250
Lock, Charles E. 268
Lock, Louise R. 274
Lowe, Frank I. .286
Mains, James F.
298
Mains, Stella M.
298
Pearce, Gilbert R. 310
Pearce, Hattie I. 310
Piggott, Andrew B. 316
Piggott, Elizabeth J.
.316
Powel, Antoinette V.
.322
Powel, Joseph S. 322
Reardon, Gerald G
328
Rowden, Frank
334
Shea, John S. .340
Slaten, Emma J. .346
Slaten, George W. .346
Squire, Ludlow P
352
Stanley, Matthew C.
256
Stanley, Mrs. Matthew C
256
Updike, Clarence D.
358
Updike, Edith M.
358
Van Dike, Charles H.
370
Van Dike, Martha E
376
Voorhees, George R. and Family
.382
Wallace, Clarence
388
Wallace Mrs. Clarence
388
Ware, George W
400
Watson, Thomas C.
394
Wieghard. William and Family
406
Woolsey, George H. and Family
418
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ILLUSTRATIONS
Baling the Straw 364
Bluffs on the Mississippi River 460
Breaking the Soil. 364
Carnegie Free Library
360
City Building
412
Court House, 1872-1884
136
Court House, 1894.
140
Disking the Stubble Ground.
364
Farm Team at Work in the Field
364
Map of Jersey County
Following Title Page
Monument to Dr. Silas Hamilton
184
Piasa Bird
460
Steam Threshing Outfit 364
Township High School 202
Water Works 412
Wheat and Corn Fields. 36-4
Wheat in the Stack 364
184
Hamilton Primary School.
High School 202
History of Jersey County
CHAPTER I
A GENERAL REVIEW
FROM THE BEGINNING-A NEW OPPORTUNITY-WARRING TENDENCIES- PEACE ON EARTH-AUTOCRATIC FORMS-ADVANCEMENT IN CIVILIZATION -- THE NEW WORLD- THE RIGHTS OF MAN-SECESSION-THE RETURN OF PEACE-LATER PROGRESS-THE MELTING POT-TRUE DEMOCRACY-THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CHALLENGE-THE MARK OF THE BEAST.
FROM THE BEGINNING
In the first chapter of Genesis is found the following :
At the close of creation, God said : "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion." It is there stated that upon due consideration and consultation, "God created man in His image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them, and God blessed them." He gave them dominion over the earth and the created thereon ; as governors and superintendents thereof ; under laws and regulations prescribed by Him for their direction in the execution of this trust. They were given material bodies for the reason that their location, conditions and duties required them so as to deal with material and visible things, as distinguished from those which are spiritual and unseen. For a time all moved along harmoniously, in accord with the design of the creator, but, eventually, through unfaith- fulness and disobedience, and the disruption of harmony and confidence on their part, man lost his official position of trust and dominion. Con- ditions grew worse and worse as time elapsed, until finally this dispensa- tion was closed with the flood.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY
A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Through the survivors from the Ark, man was given another oppor- tunity to regain his lost estate, by obedience and reconciliation to his creator. From that time to the present, under varying conditions and through multiplied efforts and agencies, this subject has been, and is still being pressed upon the consideration of the "Children of Men;" as, to them, the most important proposition in all the world: to wit: "The reconciliation of man to God."
WARRING TENDENCIES
After the confusion at "Babel," and the consequent dispersion, and through the development of jealousies, covetousness, and ambitions of men and nations, resulting in wars, strifes, and conflicts for supremacy, which increased in magnitude and intensity, as the ages went by, there developed a general disposition among the leaders of men and nations, to cultivate the arts of war, rather than those of peace. The common people becoming more and more subject to be used by their leaders and rulers, as pawns or serfs, rather than as equal men created in the image and likeness of God, their creator, and having to account to Him. It will be noticed, that at various times, and under varying circumstances, God did intervene in the actions of men and nations; and in carrying for- ward His own plans and purposes.
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