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HISTORY
NOX COUNTY
LLINOIS
1878
LIBRARY . OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS from
Carl Sandburg's Library
977.349 H62 cop. 2
The person charging this material is re- sponsible for its return to the library from which it was withdrawn on or before the Latest Date stamped below.
Theft, mutilation, and underlining of books are reasons for disciplinary action and may result In dismissal from the University.
To renew call Telephone Center, 333-8400
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
OCT 06 1987
AN 0 2 1988
DEC 0 8 1987
SEP 1 7 1990
OCT 25 1990
JUL 2 6 1991
MAR 0 3 1992
FEB 15 1992
MAY 2 6 1998
MAR 2 4 1998
L161-O-1096
Galestren Lel.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN B. GUM. THE FIRST COURT HOUSE, HOTEL AND POST OFFICE IN KNOX CO.
1
HISTORY
OF
KNOX COUNTY,
ILLINOIS;
.
1 TOGETHER WITHI SKETCHES OF THE CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS ; RECORD OF ITS VOLUNTEERS IN THE LATE WAR; EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIL AND POLITICAL HISTORY; PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THIE SUBSCRIBERS ; HISTORY OF ILLINOIS, ABSTRACTS OF THE STATE LAWS, ETC., ETC., ETC.
-
ILLUSTRATED.
BY CHAS. C. CHAPMAN & CO.
CHICAGO :
BLAKELY, BROWN & MARSH, PRINTERS,
155 AND 157 DEARBORN STREET.
1878.
HUP (1994-96): not selected finn exists at another library
711.349 H62 Cap. 2
PREFACE.
Over a half century has rolled its years away since this section of Illinois was first .chosen for a home by the white man. The trials, sufferings and struggles that were experienced in converting even this fertile land from its vir- gin wildness into the luxuriant and densely populated country now existing can never be fully portrayed. Although, as in many frontier settlements, the ground was not consecrated by the blood of pioneers and their families, yet hu- man tongue or pen can never accurately 'picture the vicissitudes and trials of the advanced guard of civilization who pitched their tents in Knox county. Their labors were as trying to their mind as to the body. Physical and mental strength waste together, and the memory of names, dates and events becomes lost by the confusion of accumulating years. Events that were fresh in mem- ory ten to twenty years after their occurrence are almost if not entirely for- gotten when fifty years have passed. If not entirely obliterated from mem- ory's tablet, they have become so dim that when we call for information con- cerning the past it is often given with many doubtings and much hesitancy ; while others were positive and often as immovable as to their correctness as Gibralter. For instance, one man insisted that the Black Hawk war was in 1830. Again, we were informed that Michael Fraker came to Lynn township in 1828. The information came from reliable sources, yet from other facts we had deemed the date incorrect and set about a careful investigation ; and after weeks of patient labor found the date of his settlement to be 1830. We refer to these to show how apt people are to let their memories betray them. The best memories will differ in the particulars of past events, some seizing upon one detail and some on another ; hence' often arises honest difference. Many may question the dates given in this work. Indeed it is more than likely some arc wrong, for it is not expected that it is so perfect as to be above criticism, for the book is yet to be published that can justly claim perfection ; but it is the Publishers' hope, as it is their belief, that it will be found measurably cor- rect and generally accurate and reliable. Industrious and studied care has been exerciscd to make it a standard book of reference as well as of interest to the general reader. If in such a multiplicity of names, dates, etc., some errors are not detected it will be strange indecd.
It may be claimed that many important events of early history are omitted, or but casually mentioned. For this we can say we are not at fault. For weeks and months we begged for information. In the very incipiency of our labor no pains were spared to interest the people of all parts of the county in the work. We published 25,000 copies of the Historic Record and sent them broadcast over the county ; appeals were made through the various papers ; beside these, hundreds of letters have been written and hundreds of journeys made. Wc have been willing and anxious to get every important scrap of history. The items gleaned from public records are full, complete and correct. We doubt if the public journals will ever be read more carefully than the perusal wc gave them. From July 7, 1830, the date of the opening of the first record, to the present time, every page of the many musty old volumes was carefully read. The chain of official events was followed from the first.
IV
PREFACE.
Every item given we were careful to have correct, and not being satisfied with our own knowledge of facts had the various articles read by responsible parties who were known to be acquainted with particular events. We have had much of the early history read and corrected by Major Thomas McKee, who every one knows is perhaps the best posted man in the county on pioneer history. We have also had Hon. W. Selden Gale, State's Attorney J. J. Tunnicliff, County School Superintendent Miss Mary Allen West, and many others of well known authority, read manuscript and proof and make needed corrections and suggestions.
Our soldiers' list is full and was very carefully compiled. Months of labor were bestowed upon this one item ; and should there be a soldier whose name is not recorded here we believe the omission not our oversight ; and investiga- tion will show him credited to some other county. It was impossible to obtain the correct spelling of some of the names.
In the latter part of the work-the educational and religious history and sketches of cities and towns-we were compelled to condense more than we would have done could it have been avoided. As it is we give to our subscri- bers a book of 750 pages instead of one of 600 pages, which is as large as we ever promised to any one. By additional pages and smaller type we have increased the amount of matter by at least one-half. From comparison with other county histories we believe it to be more full and com- plete than any similar work published in the State, and trust, with all of its imperfections, it will prove satisfactory to all. In this confident belief we submit to the enlightened judgment of those-our subscri- bers-for whose benefit it has been prepared, in the assurance that it will be kindly received.
We have avoided indulging in general reflections or mere speculations, excepting such as naturally rose out of the subject under consideration, prefer- ring to give a minute narrative, omitting no particular that was characteristic of the persons, the events or the times, and endeavoring to place every fact in such a point of view that the reader might sce the county in all its various stages of progression. We have labored faithfully and conscientiously, with no thought of swindling or humbugging the people, as we believe our work will show.
In conclusion we extend our heartfelt thanks for innumerable favors to MA- JOR THOMAS MCKEE, PROF. GEO. CHURCHILL, PROF. M. L. COMSTOCK, PROF. J. V. N. STANDISH, GEO. DAVIS, HON. W. S. GALE, DAVID SANBORN, R. L. HANNAMAN, MAYOR JOHN C. STEWART, Galesburg, HON. O. F. PRICE, and the county officials,-Judge DENNIS CLARK, County Clerk JOHN S. WINTER, Cir- cuit Clerk GEO. L. HANNAMAN, State's Attorney J. J. TUNNICLIFF, School Superintendent Miss MARY ALLEN WEST, Sheriff A. W. BERGGREN and Treasurer J. L. BURKHALTER ; also to Miss EMMA EVEREST, T. LESLIE MOGIRR, M. J. A. MEADOWS, and to the various newspaper editors of the county.
Before closing we wish to vindicate ourselves in the statement. made at the beginning,-that " we would publish no more books than we had actual and re- liable subscriptions for." This we have scrupulously adhered to ; and by re- ferring to our biographical sketches of subscribers, the list will be found to contain a large proportion of the people who comprise the life, enterprise and intelligence of Knox county.
GALESBURG, Nov. 1878.
CHAS. C. CHAPMAN & CO.
CONTENTS.
-
CHAPTER. PAGE.
-
I. EARLY SETTLEMENT,
100
First Settlers, 100-Knox County, 106-Prairie Fires, 110-The Big Snow, 116 -Going to Market, 117-Money, 119-First Celebration, 120-Militia, 121- Bee-Hunting, 121-Courts, 125.
II. IMPORTANT LABORS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT, - 128 Organization, 128-First Meetings of the Court, 129-Circuit Court, 132-Rev- enue, 133-First Court House, 133-County Seat, 137-Judicious and Liberal Commissioners, 137-School Commissioner, 139-Log Jail, 140-Knoxville Named, 141-Licenses, 141-Brick Court-House, 143-Jail at Knoxville, 145- Escape of Prisoners, 145-Horse-Thieves, 146-Last Meeting, 146.
III. BLACK HAWK WAR, -
149
IV. GEOLOGY OF KNOX COUNTY,
16
Surface Geology, 161-Economical Geology; Stone for Building, 165-Lime- stone for Lime, 166-Coal, 166.
V. ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY,
168
Quadrupeds, 168-Birds, 168-Fishes, 175-Trees and Shrubs, 176-Vines, 180 -Herbaceous Plants, 180.
VI. ARCHEOLOGY, 185
VII. PIONEER LIFE,
188
Log Cabins, 188-Selections of Homes, 189-Milling, 190-Native Animals, 193-Cooking, 197-Implements, 197-Women's Work, 199-Pleasures of Pioneer Life, 200.
VIII.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD,
-
201
Black Laws, 201-Mode of Running the U. G. R. R., 202-Aunt Sukey, 203- Bill Casey, 206-Galesburg Station, 210-Ontario Station, 211-Hitchcock Station, 211-Arrest of the Rev. John Cross, 212-Rev. John Cross Again, 213.
IX. RAILROADS, -
216
X. CRIMINAL RECORD,
-
-
227
First Murder, 227-Other Murders, 228-233-Gilson Murder, 233-Horse Stealing, 240.
XI. OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION, -
241
XII. IMPORTANT LABORS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS,
-
247
County Court, 247-Township Organization, 249-Alms-house, 253-War Record, 262.
XIII. THE WAR-AT HOME, - - -
274 The Tocsin of War, 274-Liberality of Those at Home, 281-Soldiers' Aid Society, 289-The Close, 302.
VI
CONTENTS.
PAGE. 305
CHAPTER.
XIV. THE WAR-IN THE FIELD, -
The War, 305-Stone River, 305-Prison Life, 306-Incidents of Enlisting, 308 -The 102d, 309-Knox County Volunteers, 312-379-The 4th Regiment, I. N. G., 379-Band, 381-Regimental Officers, 382-Drum Corps, 382-Com- pany A, 382-Company B, 383-Company C, 383-Members of Battery, 384.
XV. RESOURCES OF THE COUNTY, 385
XVI. POLITICAL, 404
XVII. PERSONAL INCIDENTS AND MISCELLANY, - 422
Historical Items from Rev. Wright's Journal, 422-Indian Boy Killed, 427- Big Storms, 427-Sudden Changes. 429-Cold Weather, 429-Wet Season, 430 -A Ferocious Dog, 430-Lost Children, 431-Race to Quincy, 433-Early Mill- ing, 437-Canada Thistles, 438 -Bee-Raising, 439-Pop-Corn and Mustard, 440 -Prizes for Hogs, 441-Matrimonial, 442-Catamount, 448-Wolves, 448- His First Trip, 448-An Old Hatter, 449-Aerolite, 449-Table of Distances, 450-County Funds, 450-First Things, 450.
XVIII. THE BAR AND OFFICIALS OF THE COUNTY, 452 The Bar, 452-County Commissioners, 460-Treasurers, 462-County Clerks, 463-Circuit Clerks, 463-Sheriffs, County Judges, County School Superin- tendents, Coroners, Surveyors, 464.
XIX. TEMPERANCE, - -
- 465
XX. TOWNSHIP HISTORIES, - 479
Indian Point, 479-Cedar, 480-Galesburg, 483-Henderson, 484-Rio, 484- Chestnut, 486-Orange, 486-Knox, 486-Sparta, 487-Ontario, 495-Maquon, 496-Haw Creek, 497-Persifer, 498-Copley, 500-Walnut Grove, 501-Salem, 502-Elba, 503-Truro, 504-Victoria, 507-Lynn, 508.
XXI. BLOODED STOCK, 512
XXII. MANUFACTORIES, 516
Frost Manufacturing Company, 516-The Steel Plow, 519-The Novelty Ma- chine Works, 521-Brown's Corn-Planter Works, 521-Broom Factory, 529- Hemstreet Carriage Manufactory, 530-Marble Works, 530-May Brothers' Windmill, 530-Cheese Factories, 531.
XXIII. THE PRESS, 533
Newspapers of Galesburg, 534-Knoxville Papers, 537- Abingdon Papers, 540 -Oneida and Maquon Papers, 543.
XXIV. EDUCATION, 544
Early Schools, 544-Holiday Treating, 548-The Loud School, 551-Knox College, 553-Cherry Grove Seminary, 563-Lombard University, 563-Abing- don College, 571-Hcdding College, 579-St. Mary's School, 585-Western Business College, 595-Ansgari College, 596-Knox Agricultural School, 598- Galesburg Public Schools, 602.
XXV. RELIGIOUS, 1
604
Old School Baptists, 604-Methodist Episcopal, 604-Christian, 609-Presbyte- rian, 610-First Church, Galesburg, 611-Baptist, 614-Congregational, 617- Lutheran, 618-Christian of Christian Connection, 618-Universalist, 619- Catholic, 619-Protestant Episcopal, 619- United Brethren, 620-Protestant Methodist, 620-United Presbyterian, 620-Swedish Independent, 620- Galesburg City Mission, 620.
VII
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
XXVI. CITIES AND TOWNS,
PAGE. 622
Knoxville, 622-Henderson, 623-Galesburg, 623-Maquon, 640-Hermon, 641 -Abingdon, 641-Union Town, 642-Victoria, 643-Oneida, 643-Altona, 644 -Wataga, 644-St. Augustine, 645-Summit, 645-Gilson, 645-Yates City, 645-Rio, 646. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, 647
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Mound-Builders, 17 Mexican War,. 46
Indians, .
18
The War of the Rebellion, 47
French and English Rule, 23
Senators, 50
County of Illinois, . 26
Governors, 51
Territory of Illinois,
27
Dress and Manners, .. 51
Illinois as a State.
27
Physical Features of Illinois, 54
State Bank, 32
Agriculture, 57
Early Governors,. 33
Chicago, 61
Black Hawk War,.
37 Massacre of Fort Dearborn, . 62
Martyr for Liberty. 40 The Great Fire, 66
Mormon War, 43
Commerce of Chicago, 69
ABSTRACT OF STATE LAWS.
Jurisdiction of Courts, . 73
Days of Grace,. 86
County Courts,
73
Limitation of Action, 87
Commissioners of Highways, 73
Receipts, . 87
Fences,. 75
Exemptions from Forced Sale, 87
Eminent Domain,
7
Landlords and Tenants, 88
Drainage,
77
Criminal Law, 89
Trespass of Stock,
77
Millers, 90
Estrays.
78
Paupers, 91
Horses,
79
Public and Private Conveyances, 92
Marks and Brands,
80
Wagers and Stakeholders, 93
Articles of Agreement, ..
80
Sunday, . 93
General Form of Agreement,
80 Definition of Commercial Terms, . ..
94
Deeds,
81
Legal Weights and Measures,
94
Wills,
82
Game,. 94
Adoption of Children.
84
Bees,. 95
Notes,.
84
Dogs,.
95
Judgment Notes,.
85
Cruelty to Animals, 95
Interest,
85
UNITED STATES MAILS.
U. S. Mails,
96 Registered Matter, 99
Rates of Postage, .
97
Money Orders, 99
Third-Class Matter, ..
98
PORTRAITS.
Allen, S. W.,.
135
Blanchard, J., 183
Bateman, Newton,
559
Brown, G. W.,. 523
Berggren, A. W.
303
Bruner, F. M.,. . 573
Blair, Dr. J. L.,. 291
Burkhalter, J. L., 351
VIII
CONTENTS.
Butler, J. W., . 411
Leffingwell, C. W.,. 593
Churchill, Geo.,
327
Lewis, J. H., 159
Clark, Dennis,. 279
May, H. H., 505
Clark, Gen. Geo. R., 21
Mc Kee, Thomas,
123
Colton, C. S., 493
Peck, G. W.
615
Cooper, Dr. E. S., 171
Perkins, I. S.,
339
Hannaman, Geo. L,
555
Reynolds, W. H.
375
Hannaman, R. L.,
243
St. Clair, Gen. A.
29
Henderson, David,
387
Stilson, J. F.
469
Hitchcock, H.,. 219
Tunnicliff, J. J. 231
Holyoke, J. M. 207
Turner, Israel,. 435
Housh, David,
147
West, Miss M. A
549
Jones, Conley,
399
Wetmore, I. M.
195
Knox, James, . 599
Winter, John S.
445
Latimer, J. F
363
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Abingdon College, 570
Fort Dearborn,
59
Ansgari College,.
596
Chicago Exposition,
Hedding College,
581
Chicago Water Works, 71
Knox College, .
555
La Salle Street Tunnel, 111
Knox Seminary,
555
Alms House,. 255
Lombard University, 565
First Jail, 267
St. Mary's School, 589
Knox County Jail, 267
Knoxville High School, 481
Frost Factory,
517
Oneida High School, 315
Brown's Works,. 527
Wataga High School,. 423
Pontiac, ..
35
Union Hotel, Galesburg,
637
Black Hawk,.
41
Frontispiece, .
Old Kinzie House,
55
Knox County Map,
M. E. Church, Galesburg, 605
GO KNOX COUNTY ILL. O.
Scale 3 Miles . to the inch.
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8.9 Timidi Palestin Rel.
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
MOUND-BUILDERS.
Antiquarians claim that three distinct races of people lived in North America prior to its occupation by the present population. Of these, the builders of the magnificent cities whose remains are found in Central America were the most civilized. The second race, as determined by the character of their civilization, were the Mound- Builders, the remains of whose works constitute the most interesting class of antiquities found within the limits of the United States. Like the ruins of Central America, they antedate the most ancient records. They consist of the remains of what were apparently vil- lages, altars, temples, idols, cemeteries, monuments, camps, fortifica- tions, pleasure grounds, etc., etc. Their habitations must have been tents, structures of wood, or some other perishable material; other- wise their remains must have been numerous. If the Mound- Builders were not the ancestors of the Indians, who were they? The oblivion which has closed over them is so complete that only con- jecture can be given in answer to the question. Those who do not believe in the common parentage of mankind contend that they were an indigenous race of the western hemisphere; others, with more plansibility, think they came from the East, and imagine that they can see coincidences in the religion of the Hindoos and southern Tartars and the supposed theology of the Mound-Builders. They were, no doubt, idolators, and it has been conjectured that the sun was an object of adoration. The mounds were generally built in a situation affording a view of therising sun; when inclosed with walls, their gateways were toward the east. The caves in which they were occasionally found buried always opened in the same direction. Whenever a mound was partially inclosed by a semi-circular pave- ment, it was on the east side; when bodies were buried in graves, as was frequently the case, they lay in an eastern and western direction; and, finally, medals have been found representing the sun and his rays of light.
At what period they came to this country is likewise a matter of speculation. From the comparatively rude state of the arts among them, it has been inferred that the time was very remote. Their
2
18
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
axes were of stone ; their raiment, judging from fragments which have been discovered, consisted of the barks of the trees interwoven with feathers; and their military works were such as a people would erect who had just passed from the hunter to the pastoral state of society.
What finally became of thein is another query which has been extensively discussed. The fact that their works extend into Mexico and Peru has induced the belief that it was their posterity that dwelt in these countries when they were first visited by the Spaniards. The Mexican and Peruvian works, with the exception of their greater magnitude, are similar. Relics common to all of them have been occasionally found, and it is believed that the religious uses which they subserved were the same. If, in- deed, the Mexicans and Peruvians were the progeny of the more ancient Mound-Bnilders, the Spanish rapacity for gold was the cause of their overthrow and final extermination.
A. thousand other queries naturally arise respecting these nations which now repose under the ground, but the most searching investi- gation can only give ns vague speculations for answers. No historian has preserved the names of their mighty chieftains, or given an account of their exploits, and even tradition is silent respecting them.
INDIANS.
The third race, which, according to the ethnologists, has inhabited North America, is the present Indians. When visited by early European pioneers they were withont cultivation, refinement or literature, and far behind their predecessors, the Mound-Builders, in the knowledge of the arts. The question of their origin has long interested archæologists, and is one of the most difficult they have been called on to answer. One hypothesis is that they are an original race indigenous to the western hemisphere. Those who entertain this view think their peculiarities of physical structure preclude the possibility of a common parentage with the rest of mankind. Prom- inent among those distinctive traits is the hair, which in the red man is round, in the white man oval, and in the black man flat.
A more common supposition, however, is that they are a deriva- tive race, and sprang from one or more of the ancient peoples of Asia. In the absence of all authentic history, and when even tradi- tion is wanting, any attempt to point out the particular location of their origin must prove unsatisfactory. Though the exact place of origin may never be known, yet the striking coincidence of physical organization between the Oriental type of mankind and the Indians
19
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
point unmistakably to some part of Asia as the place whence they emigrated. Of the several great branches of Nortlı American Indi- ans as determined by sameness of language and mental and physical type, the only ones entitled to consideration in Illinois history are the Algonquin and Iroquois.
The Illinois confederacy was composed of five tribes: the Tamoroas, Michigans, Kaskaskias, Cahokas and 'Peorias. The definition of the ,Indian word Illinois is real, or superior men, and is derived from the Delaware word Illini. The termination of the word as it is now used is of French origin. As early as 1670, the priest, Father Mar- quette, mentions frequent visits made by individuals of this confed- eracy to the missionary station of St. Esprit, near the western extrem ity of Lake Superior. Joliet and Marquette, in 1673, descended the Mississippi, below the mouth of the Wisconsin, on their famous voyage of discovery, and met with a band of them on the west bank of the river. The principal chief treated them with great hospitality, gave them a calumet as a pass down the river, and bid them a friendly farewell. The same explorers, on their return voyage up the Illinois river, discovered and stopped at the principal town of the confederacy, . situated on the banks of the river seven miles below the present town of Ottawa. It was then called Kaskaskia. Marquette returned to the village in the spring of 1675, and established the mission of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest in Illinois. When, in 1679, La Salle visited the town, it had greatly increased, numbering 460 lodges, and at the annual assembly of the different tribes, from 6,000 to 8,000 souls.
The Sacs and Foxes, who have figured extensively in the history of Illinois, dwelt in the northwestern portion of the State. Though still retaining separate tribal names, they had, by long residence togetlier and intermarriage, become substantially one people. Drake, in his "Life of Black Hawk," speaks of these tribes as follows: "The Sacs and Foxes fought their way from the waters of the St. Lawrence to Green Bay, and after reaching that place not only sustained themselves against hostile tribes, but were the most active and courageous in the subjugation, or rather the extermination, of the numerous and powerful Illinois confederacy. They had many wars, offensive and defensive, with the Sioux, the Pawnees, the Osages, and other tribes, some of which are ranked among the most fierce and ferocious war- riors of the whole continent; and it does not appear that in these conflicts, running through a long period of years, they were found wanting in this, the greatest of all savage virtues. In the late war with Great Britain, a party of the Sacs and Foxes fought under the
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