USA > Illinois > Atlas of the State of Illinois, to which are added various general maps, history, statistics and illustrations > Part 30
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
RANDOLPH COUNTY lies on the Mississippi, in the south- western quarter of the State. Its present area is 574 square miles, and the last census credits it with 20,859 inhabitants. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, in 1795, ordered its ereetion from St. Clair County, then covering the present domain of the Stato of Illinois. To compress within these narrow limits a history of Randolph County would bo to write tho record of the Prairie State. Here was formed the first permanent settlement in the Valley of tho Mississippi, and here was built by the French the strongest fortress of the New World. Father Graiser founded Kaskaskia Mission, in 1685, and it became an impor- tant fur-trading post. Boisbrant huilt Fort Chartres, iu 1720, wbieh hceame the seat of government for Illinois under the French and the English. At the time of the transfer, forty families lived in the neighboring villago. The French founded Prairie du Rocher in 1722. Three years later, Kaskaskia was incorporated as a town by Louis XV, Tho colonies prospered greatly from 1740 to 1750, aud cargoes of grain and produce wero regularly exported to Franee. On October 10, 1765, Fort Chartres was surrendered to the English. In the great freshet of 1772, tho west walls and two of its bastions were
other centers, and the flood of 1844 stamped it as a ruined village. As early as 1714, the French Government crected a large stone church, and the bell placed therein in 1741 was the first wbose notes were ever heard in the Mississippi Valley. The American immigration into the region commenced with the close of the Revolutionary war. Icbabod and George Crane settled west of the Kaskaskia, in 1782. Gen. John Edgar, who bad commanded a British vessel on the lakes, sought a retreat here, in 1784. The Dodgo family, afterward prominent in the history of Iowa and Wisconsin, spent some years in Kas- kaskia. William Morrison came from Philadelphia, and for years was the leader of commercial operations, erceting a fine storebouse at Kaskaskia, in 1801. Robert and James Morrison arrived in 1798, and John Rice Jones, in 1790. About the close of the century there appeared Pierro Hypolite and Fran- cis Menard, who were marked characters and useful citizens. Shadrach Bond, who became tbo first Governor of the State, settled in Kaskaskia in 1814. Dr. George Fisher, ono of the earliest physicians, came from Virginia in 1798, and Dr. Wm. L. Reynolds, another, from Kentucky, in 1809. Among the pioneer lawyers were Benjamin H. Doyle, John Rcetor and James Haggin. Judge Nathaniel Pope, father of Gen, John Pope, first came to Kaskaskia in 1804. Gen. James Shields began his brilliant carcer as a sebool teacher at Kaskaskia. Elias Kent Kane practiced law here in 1814, and Judge Sid- ney Breese dates from this point the commencement of his long and useful public life. The first Legislature of Illinois convened at Kaskaskia in November, 1812, the twelve met- bers hoarding with one family, and lodging in one room. Tbe State capital was removed to Vandalia in 1819, and the county seat to Chester in 1848. Randolph County approaches a triangle in form, with a surface considerably diversitied. The American Bottom covers nearly 100 square miles, and a small space is still covered by the original forests. The coal measures principally underlie the northeastern and southeastern por- tions. The St. Louis limestone furnishes an inexhaustible supply of superior building stone. The region is penetrated hy the Chester & Tamaroa and the Cairo & St. Louis Narrow Gauge Railroads. The population comprises but 3.984 of foreign birth, of whom 2,597 are German, and 185 Freuch.
RICHLAND COUNTY.
RICHLAND COUNTY is in tho southeastern quarter of the State ; has an area of 574 square miles ; was organized from Edwards, in 1841, and, in 1870, had a population of 12,803. The oldest living resident of the territory now embraced in Richland County is Elijah Nelsou, who came from South Caro- lina in 1820, when there were but thirty families iu the dis- trict. The Indians were friendly, and frequently passed through on hunting expeditions. Near Olney lived the Evans brothers, who came from Kentucky and took up their residence in a deserted Indian wigwam in which the fire was still burning; Thaddeus Morehouse, a native of Vermont; Hugh Calhoun and son, relatives of the South Carolina statesman, and Thomas Gardner, from Georgia. James Parker, of the Parkersburg set- tlemeut, came from Kentucky. Well known pioneers were Cornelius Delong and James Gilmore, and among the Germans, tho Ginders and Schneiders. Tho Nelson and Morehouse homesteads, built in 1821, were the first frame structures, and James Laws erected the first briek house. The pioneers traded at Vincennes, but a store was established at Stringtown, in 1825, by Jacob May, in which year Isaac Chauncey taught the first school at Watertown. The Baptists erected the carli- est church on tho trace road, in 1822, and William Martin, a Kentuckian, preached therein. Lorenzo Dow delivered occa- sional sermons in 1820. Wall's mill, on Sugar Creek Prairie, was run hy a horse. Tho trace road was a buffalo und Indian trail leading from Louisville to Cahokia, and the main street of Olney stands thereon. Louis and James Beard carried the mails over it on horseback, in 1820. Four years later, Mills & Whetsell put on four-horse stages. Hiram Barney donated tho land for the court house at Olney. William Wilson was Judge of tho Circuit Court, and John M. Wilson, Clerk. Mr.
M
203
COUNTY HISTORIES.
Lilly erected the first house in the uew county seat, and a daughter of Jonas Spaugler was the earliest child. In its early days, Olney was known as " the painted town," the New En- gland settlers having painted their houses. In 1855, it had 300 inhabitants, and has now become an important commercial point with some 3,500 people. The Ohio & Mississippi Rail- road erosses the county from east to weat. The second town is Noble, in the western part, with 500 inhabitants. Ohio and Indiana led the colonization of the region.
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY.
ROCK ISLAND COUNTY is on the northwestern horder of the State, and has an area of 435 square miles. In 1816, the goverment huilt a fort on Rock Island in the Mississippi, naming it Fort Armstrong. Ever since it was garrisoned, it has been occupied by the military forces. In the spring of 182S, settlements were made near Port Byron by John and Thomas Kinney, Archibald Allen and George Harlan. In the fall following, J. W. Spencer made a claim near Rock Island, as did also a Mr. Clarke. Au carly settlement was made at Rapids City, hy J. W. Bariels, Benjamin F. Pike and Conrad Leak. Among the pioneers were also Wells and Michael Bart- lett, Joel Thompson, the Simms brothers, and Mr. Davenport, whose murder created such an excitement in the region. At that date, Indians were plenty, this being the headquarters of Blackhawk, and the initial point of the war. In 1829, the county had fairly hegun to settle, and two years later Black- hawk ordered the pioneers to remove south of Rock River. The settlers raised a company of rangers, and the Governor sent another, and peace was made hy Blackhawk promising to remain west of the Mississippi. He, however, recrossed in 1833, and was pursued and driven away. The county was organized in 1835, the Commissioners being George Daven- port, John W. Spencer and George Harlan. The first court was held at the house of John W. Bariels, in Farnhamsburg. Joseph Conway was chosen Clerk, and Joel Wells, Sr., Treas- urer. A license to keep tavern was granted to Jonah H. Case, the rates of charges being specified. In March, 1834, Rinnalı Wells established a ferry across Rock River, and George Daven- port one aeross the slough between Rock Island and the main island. In June, 1835, the seat of justice was located at the site of Rock Island, then called Stephenson. Daniel Mackin- tree, a Methodist, was the earliest preacher. The first court house was completed in 1838. Rock Island, in the Mississippi, is owned by the government, and is three mdes in length and one-half to three-quarters of a mile in width. It is the seat of an extensive arsenal and workshops, to which additions are con- tinually heing made. The county is very peculiar in shape, and embraces a great variety of soil and scenery. The water power is inexhaustible, and coal is in abundance, making the mining and manufacturing interests immense. The railways are the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis, the Western Union, and the Peoria & Rock Island. The population, in 1870, was 29,783. Rock Island and Moline are almost one city, and lie on the river bot- tom. The latter place has lately constructed one of the best raccways in the Union. The twin cities are connected hy a horse railway, and have large manufacturing interests. Coal Valley is the center of the mining interests, and a coal railway runs to Rock Island. Milan lics on Rock River, and has a splendid water power and several manufactories. Port Byron is an old town, with lime and lumber interests.
SALINE COUNTY.
SALINE COUNTY lies in the southeastern quarter of the State, and has an arca of 378 square miles. Its name came from the salt springs of the region. Its surface, in the north- ern portion, is rolling, with dense swamp foresta on the bot- toms, whde the southern part is comprised in the Eagle Mountains, which are believed, by geologists, to be a part of the upheaval that gave birth to the Ozark Mountains in Mis- souri and Arkansas. The importance of this claim will he seen when we consider the rich mineral resources of the re- gion in Missouri. The elevatiou of the Eaglo Mountains, in
Saline County, above the level of the Mississippi at Cairo, is but 350 feet, and traditions, handed down from the earliest pioncers, describe them as rich in silver ore. An analysis of galena, obtained from a trial shaft, shows silver to the amount of $35 per ton. Strong sulphur springs are found on the slopes of the mountains. Millstone grit and valuable building stone are frequent. The surface soil of the mountains is warm and rather sandy, but in the numerous valleys, rich sandy loams make the soil very fertde. The low lands along the main Saline are very rich, and heavily timhered, and will make the best of farming lands when properly drained. The more level northern portion of the county, along the Middle Fork, lies entirely inside the limits of the coal measures, nnd the mines develop a quality capable for smithing. The most ex- tensive mine is at Ledford Station. The city of Harrisburg is underlaid hy a four-foot vein, said to he identical with that worked at Murphysboro. In some localities, an excellent gray sandstone is found, soft enough to be easily worked. Near Harrisburg are abandoned salt works, which, sixty years ago, supplied uearly the whole southwest. These springs are found in nearly every portion of the county, and, at some period, wdl, doubtless, prove of high value. The mildness of the elimate and the humidity of the air from the Ohio and Mis- sissippi Rivers tend to produce a varied vegetation. The forests are full of heavy timber, and in nearly every town is a husy saw-mill. Oak and hickory adorn the high lands, while the low lands are garnished with sweet gum, locust, mulberry and sassafras. Fruit flourishes finely, and the county is the fourth in the State in the amount of tobacco raised, the Assess- or's books for 1875 showing 5,500 acres of that staple uuder cultivation.
The Cairo & Vincennes Railway crosses the county diago- nally, and the St. Louis & Southeastern runs through the northeastern part. The population, in 1870, was 13,304, and there are sixty-four school houses. Harrishurg, the county seat, was laid out in 1859, and has ahout 1,000 inhabitants, its stores being supported by a thriving agricultural vicinage. Eldorado is at the railway crossing, and is thrifty and prom- ising. Raleigh, the former county seat, was laid out in 1848, and has a population of 500. Galatia and Bolton are husy villages. Near the latter place is a circular-walled fortification, huilt cither by the Indian tribes or the French pioneers. A curiosity of great interest is a cave in Section 3, Township 10, which many helicve is connected with the famous Cave in the Rock, in Hardin County.
SANGAMON COUNTY.
THE earliest pioneers of whom any record exists were a party who settled on Sugar Creek in 1816, comprising Messrs. Dodds, B. Easley, J. Easley, Joseph Drennan and Robert Pullman. Two years thereafter came the admission of Illinoisinto the Union, which event was followed by the advent of large numbers of immigrants from the Southern States, colonies being formed at Island Grove, Auburn and Springfield. At this date there were Pottawattomie and Delaware villages in Island Grove Township, hut the savages soon removed westward. At the Auburn settlement were erected .the first blacksmith shop, distilery and grist-mill, and the first brick house was budt in Cartwright Township, in 1827. Rev. James Simms preached the first sermon, and was the first Representative to the Legis- lature. The county was organized in 1821, with Hon. John Reynolds as Judge ; John Taylor, Sheriff; Henry Starr, Prose- cuting Attorney, and Charles R. Matheny, Clerk. The public lands were surveyed in 1821, and in 1823 the United States Land Office was opened at Springfield, under Receiver Pascal P. Enos. As originally erected, Sangamon comprised the ter- ritory now represented in whole or in part by eleven contigu- ous counties, having been curtailed to its present limits in 1839. From horder to border the soil is of exuberant fertility, and interspersed throughout with groves and streams. The State Geologist says twenty-five feet of coal underlie the county. Oak, in its different varieties, is the main timber, although there is an abundance of other growths. Springfield ackuow !- edges as its first settler John Kelly, a nativo of North Caro- lina, who, in 1818, built a cabin on what is now the northwest corner of Klein and Jefferson strects. Among the prominent immigrants of 1821 were C. R. Matheny and Elijah Hes. The Kelly settlement was ealled Calhoun, after the South Carolina
statesman, and had for a rival Sangamon, a cluster of cabins crected on the river bank. In 1821, a log court house and jail were erected on the corner of Jefferson and Second streets, the court huilding costing $84. The county seat took the name of Springfield, in 1833, and the young eity received from Elijah Hes and Pascal P. Enos a donation of forty-two acres of valuable land, which was laid off into a public square and town lots, the first sale of the latter being held in May, 1825. The next year, a frame court house was built on the corner of Adams and Sixth streets, which cost $519, and stood until 1831, when it was supplanted by a brick structure erected in State House square, at a cost of $6,841. The first exceution was that of Nathaniel Vaunoy, in 1826, for tho murder of his wife. Elijah Hes was the pioneer merchant, and a Mr. Prico the hotel keeper. A. Herndon cclipsed the latter by the erection of the famous Indian Queen Hotel, for many years the principal hostelry of the county. Springfield was incorporated as a town in 1832, under the Presidency of Charles R. Matheny, while among the Trustees were Abraham Lincoln, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen T. Logan. During the next year commenced the agitation for the removal of the State Capital from Vandalia. Among the new comers at that period wero Stephen A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln and Edward D. Baker, all of whom gave to the project their personal efforts and influence, and were rewarded by success in 1837. The new capital was re- quired to furnish two acres of ground for n site, and contribute 850,000 toward the expense of the State House. The Legis- lature met at Springfield in the winter of 1839-40, and among the measures passed was one to incorporate the capital as a city, the population heing 2,500. The first Mayor was Benjamin S. Clemeut. In February, 1842, the first locomotive entered the city, over the Jacksonville & Meredosia line, now con- solidated with the Toledo, Wabash & Western. The Alton Road reached Springfield in September, 1852. Gas was in- troduced in 1854. A horse railway was opened for business in January, 1866, and the water works completod in July following. The carliest Methodist Church dates back to 1821, and the first school was taught in that year by Andrew Orr. The Academy was incorporated in 1839. The Home for the Friendless was established in 1863, at a cost of $30,000. The Leland Hotel, budt by a joint stock company in 1866, cost $350,000. The Lincoln Monument Association was organized in May, 1865, under the Presidency of Gov. Oglesby, and has secured the erection of an appropriate tribute to the martyred President. The act for the erection of a new State House, passed in 1867, conveyed to Sangamon County the old edifice and grounds for court house purposes, the city in re- turn ceding a new tract of eight acres, and the county paying $200,000 toward the new State House, which is to eost $3,500,000. The Federd Government, in 1871, erected a court huilding and post office at a cost of $320,000. At the State Arsenal are gathered all the trophies of the late war, and the torn hattle flags of Illinois regiments. The daily journals are the Register and State Journal. The population of Sprinsfield is about 20.000.
SCHUYLER COUNTY.
SCHUYLER COUNTY lics at the foot of the northwestern quarter of the State, has an area of 426 square miles, was erected from Pike in 1825, and in 1870 had a population of 17,419. The region is well watered by the Illinois River and numerous crecks. The railways are the Buda Branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Lonis.
'The pioneer of the region was Calvin Hohart, who located in Rushvalo Township in February, 1823, accompanied hy William H. Taylor. Four days later came Orris McCart- uey. The carliest marriago was that of Mr. Taylor and Miss Spohnamore, in November, 1825. William Eggleston was the first whito child, and Ann, daughter of Hart Fel- lows, the second. The Commissioners were Thomas Blair, Thomas McKec and Samuel Horney. The earliest court was held at Beardstown, Judge John York Sawyer presid- ing; Hart Fellows, Clerk, and Orris McCartney, Sheriff. The latter official was indicted for selling liquor witbout license, pleaded guilty, and was fined twelve dollars. Ephraim Eggles- ton was the pioneer of Rushville. That town was platted and
204
resurveyed hy Jonathan D. and William P. Manlovo, and the court house now standing was built by Benjamin Chadsey. The location is n beautiful one, and the agricultural region about it is as fine as any in the State. A sad feature of its history was a visitation of the cholera on July 3d, 1864, when a largo number ef tho settlers wero swept away. Camden was laid off in 1838, hy Joseph N. Ward and Robert Brown. It is on a high rolling prairie, has several factories, and is without a liquor saloon. Frederieksville, on tho Illinois River, was platted in 1830, and does a large and luorative husiness. Lit- tleton, laid off in 1849, was, in 1856, badly wreeked by a tor- nado, hut has fully recovered its trade. The inhabitants of the county comprise 15,887 of native and 1,532 of foreign birth.
SCOTT COUNTY.
SCOTT COUNTY lies in the southwestern quarter of the State, and has an nrea of 248 square miles. Up to July 30, 1819, the Kickapoo Indians owned the region, they ceding on that day, by a treaty coneluded at Edwardsville, a tract of 12,600,000 acres. In January, 1820, a party of Kentuckians settled near Lynnvillo, their names being Thomas Stevens, James Seott, Alfred Miller, Thomas Allen, John Scott and Adam Miller. Almost simultaneously came Stephen M. Ump- stead, whose wife was the first white woman to sct foot in the region. Allen was the first to erect a cabin. Jedediah Web- ster and Isaao F. Wroe settled at Diamond Grove in March, and Jamca Swingington in the grove whieb hears his name. These were Eastern men, as were also Stephen Pierce, A. Day, Daniel and Joseph Densmore and James Mills, who began their improvements in 1820. Other pioneers were Alexander Wells, Jesse Roberts, Nathan Winters, James Bruce, Richard Sappington, Jehn Clark and Samuel Bogard. Settlers went to Alton for letters, and took twenty-fivo eents' worth of bees- wax to pay postage. The nearest mill was at Edwardsville. Iu the spring of 1822, a band of Regulators was organized from the best citizens, which, for a long time, took charge of affairs, and did not give up power until 1830. Ameng its bistorieal acts was the shooting ef n desperado named Williams, in 1821, at the door of his cabin on the hanks of MeKee's Creek, his grave being the first in that part of the Illinois Valley. Seott County was set off from Morgan, and organized in 1839. Ex- eter and Naples were platted in 1825, and Winehester in 1830. The latter is the county seat, and now bas 1,500 inhabitants. The Illinois River forms the western border of the county, and small streams furnish abundance of water. Murray MeConnell obtained a ferry eharter in 1851. The Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railway runs southward through the county, and the population was, in 1870, over 10,000.
SHELBY COUNTY.
SHELBY COUNTY lies sonth of the center of the State, and has an area of 776 square miles. The current of immigration at first flowed from Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina, and subsequently from the Northern States. Tho site of Will- iamsburg was first christened Cold Spring, and at that place Simeon Wakefield built the first cabin. Within the present limita of Shelbyville, Josiah Daniel was the carliest settler. He construeted a double log house, and took up ten aeres of land, which soon became the property of Joseph Oliver. The ' latter was the pioneer merchant of the county, and his daugh- ter Mary was the first child born in the wilderness. Here was also erected the earliest school-house, with John Perryman for teacher. The first marriage license hore the names ef John Cochran and Sally Bateman, and the ceremony was performed by Jolin Whittley, County Commissioner, in May, 1827. Other pioneers were Shimei Wakefield, Levi Casey aud Samuel Hall. At that day, the settlers frequently eame to market devoid of hats, and with buckskin pants. The only caps made were of squirrel and coon skins, with tho tails dangling at the back. Full dress ealled for moeensins and fringed buckskin shirts and pants. An occasional amusement was wrestling. The county was formed in 1827, and Shelbyville, the county seat, was located on a twenty-acre tract donated to the County
COUNTY HISTORIES.
Commissioners for the purpose. Tho new county took its name from Gov. Shelby, of Kentucky. The first court was held in the cabin of Barnett Bone, Josepb Oliver being the first County Judge, and James Carter tho earliest Treasurer. Theophilus W. Smith hold the Circuit Court in September, 1828. Tho county, in 1870, had a population of 25,476. The surface is somewhat rolling, and beavily wooded. Coal is. plenty and cheap, and fair limestone and sandstone are found. The Little Wabash and Kaskaskia Rivers flow through the sontbeastern and eentral portions. From east to west the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Road interseets the county cen- trally ; the Illinois Central and Springfield & Southeastern traverse the western portion, and the Chieago & Paducah cuts across the sontbeastern corner. Shelbyville is in the very een- ter of the great corn belt of the State, and is an active eity of over 2,000 inhabitants. Windsor and Moweaqua are towns of 1,000 people.
STARK COUNTY.
STARK COUNTY lies near the center of the northwesteru quarter of the State, and comprises 182,659 aeres. The first settler within its borders was Isaao B. Essex, who, in 1828, erected a cabiu on Spoon River, and gave his name to the town- ship, his ehild being the first born in the county. Of other pioneer families, the Buswells, Smiths, Spencers and Eastmans came from New England; the Thomases, Moores, Holgates, Fullers and Whittakers from Pennsylvania; the Coxes fromu Ohio; tbe Perrys and Parkers from Virginia; the McClana- hans from Kentucky; tbe Hendersons from Tonucssee; the Leighs and Hazens from New Jersey ; the Halls from England, and the Turnhulls and Olivers from Scotland. A Mr. Leck early built a grist-mill near Wyoming, but the river washed it away. Lafayette was laid out by William Dunhar in 1836. Tho pioneer church was the Congregational, at Toulon. The eonnty was, in 1839, organized from Putnam and Knox, and named in bonor ef the Revolutionary General. The first County Commissioners were Jonathan Hodgsen, Stephen Trekell and Calvin Winslow. and their Clerk was Oliver Whit- taker, who settled in Elmira Township in 1837. James Hol- gate was the earliest County Judge, and Augustus A. Dunn, Sheriff. The census of 1870 gives the county a population of 10,751. The Peoria & Roek Island Railroad crosses the Buda Branob of the Burlington Road, near the center of the county. The soil is rich alluvial, and well watered by small streams. Toulon and Wyoming are towns containing each over 1,000 inbabitsnts, and shipping cattle and grain.
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.