History of Jersey County, Illinois, Part 1

Author: Hamilton, Oscar Brown, 1839- , ed
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 806


USA > Illinois > Jersey County > History of Jersey County, Illinois > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64



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


Sc 977.301 J 48 hA


1195035


3


2


12


15


14


15


17


7.9H.


22


24


20


2 6


25


%


25


27


26


2.


SPANKEY


34


36


39


34


R. 12 W.


4


2


4


2


9


10


8


9


10


/2


7


.


FIDELITY


14


13


18


17


15


17


J


H


23


24


19


20


2


24


19


20


21


22


23


24


19


22


25


24


20


2/


24


Mc Falo


29


30


27


20


29


2


25


3/


32


33


36


33


36


32


34


36



31


6


6


4.


3


2


3



-


9


10


12


10


12


7


10


10


11


5


/4


17


16


14.


17


16


18


17


clausky


OTTERVI


R


E


K


N


23


2>


2


2/


22


23


24


22


24


BRIGHTONA


30


29


21


27


29


28


27


E


Newberlin


34


3


12


RN


4


2


,6


+


2


6


V


8


10


11


N


L


S


aBeltrees


EL 6AH


T.G N.


2


24


KORIA


Viaven


27


24


y


Island'Y'


OUTLINE MAP OF JERSEY COUNTY


ILLINOIS


36


3


34


3.5


32


10


/2


8


12


7


9


CAMDEN


TOL


14


p


CA


13


3


2


C.


T.7N.


E 22


21


24


TORIAVELE)BY


26


2.5


29


27


26


5.25


30


13


14


3


16


18


TON.


Lake


2


20


25


FIELDDA


24


3


2


9


12


ROS


20


25


26


25


17


34


CNI.


R


Chautauqua


22


River


6


3


/2


5


.


:


12


7


N


CHI.


Cun


22


twode


NOT


A


22


F


P


ОБАНашим


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


1


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


-


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.


1


1


.


2


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.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.