USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume I > Part 65
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December 17-Jonathan Harris, justice of the peace.
1818-January 8-Isaiah Cummings, Mar- tin Woods and Micajah Coxe, justices of the peace.
January 13-Joseph Burrough, census com- missioner of Madison county.
January 13-Joseph Conway, clerk of the Wm. Rabb
circuit court. Josias Randle, clerk of the county court.
February 9-Samuel Gillham, justice of the peace.
February 10-Jacob Lurton, justice of the peace.
February 17-Augustus Langworthy, jus- tice of the peace.
February 28-Thomas Johnson, Amos Squire, Samuel Judy, William Jones and George Cadwell, justices of the peace.
March 12-John Y. Sawyer, surveyor, vice Enloe, resigned.
August 7-Joseph Duncan, John N. Mor- gan, Thomas Johnson, Walter Creepwell, jus- tices of the peace.
Below is the roster of county officials as complete as the names appear on the court house records. It is supplemented by the territorial record above which fills some gaps in the early county records.
CIRCUIT CLERKS
Josias Randle 1812
Joseph Conway 1815
1818
Emanuel J. West. 1825
John B. E. Canel.
George Kelley 1829
J. B. Thomas, Jr.
William E. Starr
William T. Brown.
Thomas O. Springer
William Daech 1880
Robert Hagnauer. 1884
Robert. Hagnauer 1888
Robert Hagnauer 1892
Thomas W. Springer. 1896
Thomas W. Springer 1900
Thomas W. Springer
1904
Joseph A. Barnett. 1907
Joseph A. Barnett. 1908
COUNTY JUDGES
1812
John G. Lofton 1812
Samuel Judy 1812
George Cadwell
1814
Jacob Whiteside 1814
Thomas Kirkpatrick. 1814
George Cadwell 1817
William Jones 1817
Jacob W. Walker 1821
John Y. Sawyer 1822
Abraham Prickett.
1825
William Gillham 1827
David Prickett. 1829
John M. Krum
1835
Joseph Gillespie
1839
George W. Prickett
1843
Henry K. Eaton 1846
M. G. Dale 1857
M. G. Dale. 1861
I865
William T. Brown
1869
William T. Brown.
1873
John G. Irwin.
1874
M. G. Dale.
1878
M. G. Dale. 1882
C. L. Cook. I886
David Gillespie
455
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
W. H. Krome 1890
William P. Early 1894
William P. Early 1898
John E. Hillskotter 1902
John E. Hillskotter 1906
John E. Hillskotter 1910
COUNTY CLERKS
Josias Randle 1812
Josias Randle. 1815
Josias Randle. 1818
Joseph Conway . 1819
Hail Mason 1825
John T. Lusk. 1831
William T. Brown
1837
John A. Prickett.
1849
Joseph Chapman
1861
*Charles W. Dimmock. I865
B. E. Hoffmann 1869
B. E. Hoffmann. I873
Hugh E. Bayle. 1877
Hugh E. Bayle 1882
Henry Riniker 1886
Hartley Lanham. 1890
Henry Riniker 1894
Henry Riniker 1898
Edward Feutz.
1902
Edward Feutz
1906
Harry J. Mackinaw 1910
SHERIFFS
Isom Gillham. 1812
Isom Gillham 1815
Isom Gillham. 1817
W. B. Whiteside 1819
N. Buchanan 1820
N. Buchanan . 1822
N. Buchanan. 1824
N. Buchanan. 1826
N. Buchanan
1828
N. Buchanan 1830
Joseph G. Lofton 1834
Joseph Wilson . 1834
N. Buckmaster
1836
*His son filled out term.
John Adams 1840
Andrew Miller 1842
Andrew Miller 1844
Andrew Miller 1846
Andrew Miller 1848
Fred T. Kraft. 1850
C. A. Murray 1852
J. Barnsback 1860
W. E. Wheeler 1862
George Ruegger 1864
Jos. G. Robinson 1866
Brooks Moore. I868
R. W. Crawford. 1870
J. T. Cooper 1872
J. T. Cooper 1876
J. T. Cooper .
1878
J. T. Fahnestock . 1880
George Hotz 1882
E. A. Burke. 1886
George Hotz 1890
E. A. Burke. 1894
+Jacob Kuhn. 1898
Joseph Hotz.
1900
George F. Crowe
1902
David Jones.
1906
H. Simon Henry. 1910
TREASURERS
William Jones 1817
George Billed. 1819
John T. Lusk. 1823
Joseph Bartlett. 1827
Joseph Bartlett
1830
Isaac Cox
1834
William Ogle 1837
E. M. West. 1843
Matthew Gillespie.
1845
Matthew Gillespie
1847
Edward Brown
Thos. W. Yates
Ben D. Berry. 1861
Jos. B. McMichaels 1865
Jos. B. McMichaels 1867
T. H. Kennedy.
1869
tDied January 23, 1900.
456
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
T. H. Kennedy
I873
Hugh E. Bayle.
1875
Adolph Ruegger
B. R. Hite. 1877
1882
Jos. H. Wickliffe.
1886
W. C. Hadley.
1889
George Kalbfleisch 1890
George M. McCormick
1894
John Tetherington. 1898
George M. McCormick
1902
H. M. Sanders 1906
Fred À. Eisele I910
CORONERS
Daniel G. Moore. 1814
Bird Lockhart. 1814
John Robinson. 1817
Isaac Prickett. 1822
Joshua Delaplain 1824
Jacob Bruner 1826
Jas. G. McGriffie. 1828
James Wilson 1834
H. C. Caswell
1840
T. Wood.
1844
William Gill
1848
William Gill
1850
S. W. Robbins.
1852
Charles S. Youree. 1878
Charles S. Youree. 1880
Charles S. Youree. 1884
S. O. Bonner . 1888
T. W. Kinder 1892
H. J. Bailey 1896
Charles F. Tuffli 1900
C. N. Streeper 1904
C. N. Streeper 1908
STATE'S ATTORNEYS
E. B. Glass. I880
George F. McNulty. 1884
George F. McNulty 1888
E. B. Glass
1892
L. N. Staats 1896
R. J. Brown
1900
J. F. Gillham. 1904
J. F. Gillham. 1908
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS
D. A. Lantermann 1843
E. M. West. I845
E. M. West. . 1847
J. R. Woods 1851
O. C. Dake
1855
John Weaver. 1857
John Weaver. 1861
W. J. Roseberry
I863
W. P. Eaton. I865
John Weaver. 1869
Adolph A. Suppiger 1873
Adolph A. Suppiger 1878
James Squire 1882
Adolph A. Suppiger 1886
Thomas P. Dooling 1890
D. M. Bishop. 1894
Mark M. Henson 1898
Robert L. Lowry
I902
J. U. Uzzell 1906
J. U. Uzzell. 19IO
SURVEYORS
Asahel Enloe. 1817
Martin Jones 1817
John Y. Sawyer 1818
Benaiah Robinson
1839
William E. Wheeler
1855
S. E. McGregory 1857
D. A. Spaulding 1859
N. D. Sweeney . 1861
George H. Knowles 1863
Thomas R. Wilson
1865
Nelson D. Sweeney 1869
Thomas M. Long. 1872
Walton Rutledge 1875
Walton Rutledge 1877
George Dickson 1884
George Dickson 1892
F. Oswald 1896
Elmer E. Rutledge 1900
457
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
W. H. Morgan 1904
W. H. Morgan 1908
RECORDERS
Christ H. Kunnemann 1900
Christ H. Kunnemann. 1904
Christ H. Kunnemann. 1908
PROBATE JUDGE
Joseph P. Streuber 1910
PROBATE CLERKS
John B. Coppinger 1910
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
First Board (1819-20)-William Jones, Samuel Judy and George Barnsback.
Second Board (1820-21)-Amos Squire, James Tunnell and Abraham Prickett.
Third Board (1821-22)-Amos Squire, Ab- raham Prickett and Emanuel J. West.
Fourth Board ( 1822-23)-John Barber, Benjamin Spencer and Hail Mason.
Fifth Board (1823-24)-Hail Mason, John Barber and Thomas Lippincott.
Sixth Board (1824-25)-Hail Mason, John Howard and Benjamin Stedman.
Seventh Board (1825-26)-John Howard, Benjamin Stedman and Lantermann.
Eighth Board ( 1826-27)-William Mont- gomery, Samuel Seybold and Emanuel Leigh. Ninth Board (1827-30)-E. J. Leigh, George Smith and David Swift.
Tenth Board (1830-33)-Thomas Gillham, Robert Aldrich and David Swett.
Eleventh Board ( 1834-36)-David Swett, Robert Aldrich and John Newman.
Twelfth Board (1836-38)-Robert Aldrich, Abel Moore and S. W. Robbins.
Thirteenth Board (1838-39)-Hiram Ar- thur, Edmund Fruit and Thomas Waddle.
*Reference to these boards of commissioners appear in another form in an earlier part of this work, but in order to make the roster of county officials complete is repeated here.
Fourteenth Board (1839-40)-Hiram Ar- thur, Edmund Fruit and David Smith.
Fifteenth Board (1840-41)-Hiram Ar- thur, David Smith and Ephraim Harnsberger. Sixteenth Board ( 1841-42)-David Smith, Ephraim Harnsberger, Samuel Squire.
Seventeenth Board (1842-43) - Ephraim Harnsberger, Samuel Squire and James Webb.
Eighteenth Board ( 1843-44) - Samuel Squire, James Webb and J. G. Anderson.
Nineteenth Board (1844-45)-James Webb, J. G. Anderson and Samuel Squire.
Twentieth Board (1845-46)-J. G. Ander- son, Samuel Squire and I. B. Randle.
Twenty-First Board ( 1846-47) - Samuel Squire, I. B. Randle and W. B. Reynolds.
Twenty-Second Board (1847-48)-I. B. Randle, W. B. Reynolds and J. G. Reynolds.
Twenty-Third Board (1848-49)-W. B. Reynolds, Samuel Squire and I. B. Randle.
COUNTY COURTS
First Court (1849-53)-H. K. Eaton, pre- siding judge.
Second Court (1853-57)-Henry K. Eaton, presiding judge.
Third Court (1857-61)-M. G. Dale, pre- siding judge.
Fourth Court ( 1861-65)-M. G. Dale, pre- siding judge.
Fifth Court ( 1865-69)-David Gillespie, presiding judge.
Sixth Court ( 1869-74)-William T. Brown, presiding judge.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGAIN
First Board (1874-76)-W. E. Wheeler, chairman.
Second Board (1876)-T. W. Kinder, chairman.
CHAIRMEN OF BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS
First Board (1876-77)-John A. Prickett, chairman.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Second Board (1878)-T. J. Irish, chair- man.
Third Board (1879)-James Olive, chair- man.
Fourth Board (1880)-B. R. Hite, chair- man.
Fifth Board (1881)-S. B. Gillham, chair- ham, chairman.
Sixth Board (1882)-B. R. Hite, chair- man.
Seventh Board (1883)-J. F. Long.
Eighth Board (1884)-Jones Tontz.
Ninth Board (1885)-S. B. Gillham.
Tenth Board (1886)-S. B. Gillham.
Eleventh Board (1887)-Jones Tontz.
Twelfth Board (1888)-John Keller.
Thirteenth Board (1889)-L. Latzer.
Fourteenth Board (1890)-F. McCam- bridge.
Fifteenth Board (1891)-F. McCambridge.
Sixteenth Board (1892)-F. Troeckler.
Seventeenth Board (1893)-F. Troeckler.
Eighteenth Board (1894)-L. F. Lumaghi.
Nineteenth Board (1895)-A. F. Betz. Twentieth Board ( 1896)-Wm. McKittrick.
Twenty-first Board ( 1897)-T. W. Kinder.
Twenty-second Board (1898)-T. W. Kinder.
Twenty-third Board (1899)-F. Troeckler.
Twenty-fourth Board (1900)-N. O. Klein. Twenty-fifth Board (1901)-John Keller.
Twenty-sixth Board (1902)-John Elble.
Twenty-seventh Board (1903)-John Elble. Twenty-eighth Board (1904)-John Elble. Twenty-ninth Board (1905)-John Camp. Thirtieth Board (1906)-Louis Koch.
Thirty-first Board (1907)-Charles W. Smith.
Thirty-second Board (1908)-Charles W. Smith.
Thirty-third Board (1909)-Jos C. Faul- stich.
Thirty-fourth Board (1910)-C. W. Smith. Thirty-fifth Board (1911)-J. S. Leef.
Thirty-sixth Board (1912)-J. S. Leef.
CHAPTER LIII
ALHAMBRA TOWNSHIP
EARLY SETTLERS FROM THE SOUTH-ALHAMBRA VILLAGE LAID OUT-BUSINESS AND BANKING -- GRAIN AND PRODUCE CENTER-KAUFMANN.
Alhambra includes the whole of town 5, range 6, a full township of thirty-six sections. It is bounded on the north by Olive township, on the east by Leef, south by Marine and west by Hamel. It is watered by the west branch of Silver creek and by smaller streams. Its surface is a beautiful, undulat- ing prairie, fair to look upon, with timber skirting its water courses. Fertile farms out- stretch in all directions, with great barns and comfortable dwellings, the homes of a busy, industrious, moral people. There are but few renters, the greater part of the farms being conducted by the owners. Although adapted to all the staple crops, it has become, of late years, largely a dairying country, the rich past- ures and proximity to St. Louis markets mak- ing this an inviting and profitable industry.
EARLY SETTLERS FROM THE SOUTHI
The early settlers were mainly from Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Virgina and the Carolinas, but the wave of Swiss and German immigra- tion later swept over the township and the bulk of the population is now made up of the descendants of the European immigrants who brought with them habits of thrift and in- dustry that are now bearing fruit in the com- fort and competence of their children. The descendants of the early American settlers have, in great measure, died out or moved away, and their original great land holdings
have been bought up and divided into the smaller farms of their German successors. A few old family names, such as the Pearces and Harnsbergers, still remain prominent in the civic and social life of the township. The first permanent settler in the township was William Hinch, who came from Kentucky in 1817 with his family and settled in section 19. Mr. Hinch lived on his homestead until his death in 1845, leaving a widow and nine children.
William Hoxsey, a native of Rhode Island, who had lived in Kentucky prior to moving to Illinois, came in the fall of 1817 and settled in section 18, later moving a mile further west. He died in 1832 leaving a widow and eleven children. One of his daughters married Dr. John H. Weir of Edwardsville, a prominent physician. Another married Anderson Black- burn, a son of Rev. Dr. Gideon Blackburn, for whom Blackburn University at Carlinville is named. A third daughter married Edward Dorsey, of a family prominent in Madison and Macoupin counties. Several of the sons of William Hoxsey and their descendants have attained distinction.
James Farris settled in section 18 in 1818. His son, George, built the first band mill in the township. The first death was that of the mother of James Gray who resided on section 17. The first birth was that of a daughter of William and Anna Hinch who
459
460
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
MAIN STREET, ALHAMBRA
FORMER RESIDENCE OF W. W. PEARCE, ALHAMBRA (BUILT 1858)
461
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
died in infancy. The first marriage was that of John Gray and Miss Nellie Hoxsey. In 1818 a settlement was made in the southern part of the township by John Piper, Richard Knight, Mathew Hall, Jackson and Prior Scroggins. Robert Aldrich was an early set- tler in section 30. Thomas S. West came to the county in 1815 with his father when two years of age. In 1838 he married Mary H. Hinch. He bought out the Farris holdings in section 18. He and his wife lived to be reck- oned among the oldest residents of the county. Andrew Keown, a native of South Carolina, came to Alhambra from Kentucky in 1825. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was the father of five children who lived to win distinction for the family name. James Pearce came to this county from Kentucky in 1815. His son, W. W. Pearce, who was then an infant, born January 20, 1815, became one of the wealthy and distinguished citizens of the county, and represented it in the Thirty- fourth General Assembly, 1884-6. He settled in Alhambra village in 1852 and platted a part thereof. His son, James B. Pearce, for several terms president of the village board, perpet- uates the honor and distinction of the family name. James B. McMichael came to this county in 1826 from Tennessee, when a child. On reaching adult years he became prominent in politics and was assessor and treasurer of the county from 1863 to 1867, and held many local offices. He left a large family. Eph- raim Harnsberger was a native of Virginia, but an early settler of Kentucky. He moved to Madison county in 1832. He became a leading citizen and member of the board of county commissioners. He reared a large family. One of his sons, Levi, together with W. S. Randle and Henry Harnsberger, laid out the village of Green Castle in 1859. Dr. Charles Harnsberger, son of Levi, is a practicing physician in Alhambra.
Other prominent early settlers, who came in 1829 were: R. R. Cooksey, farmer and
local preacher; David Martin, who came in 1831. Still others were Curtis Blakeman, Wil- liam Highlander, Fred Mindrop and Joshua Thompson, who located in the southern part of the township.
N. Piper taught school in 1820 in a cabin near Silver creek, and William Davenport in 1830 in the Hinch settlement. In 1832 a log , school house was built in section 19 with George Denny as teacher. In 1840 a school house was built in section 2.
The first church in the township was built by the Baptists in section 32. Religious ser- vices were held in early times at the homes of Ephraim Harnsberger, Andrew Keown and William Hinch.
A part of the above facts relative to the pioneers were gleaned from Brink's History and part from descendants of old residents.
ALHAMBRA VILLAGE LAID OUT
Perhaps there is no town of its size in Madi- son county which enjoys a more whole-hearted and loyal citizenship than does the little town of Alhambra. Here are a people whose an- cestry were among the salt of the earth and the majority of whom were among the loyal sons and daughters coming from the Mother Country to seek new fortunes in America. These brave men and women conquered the west, redeemed the wilds and overcame seem- ingly insurmountable difficulties. They brought into existence fine, fertile farms and homesteads and better yet, large familities of sons and daughters, equipped with a fine heri- tage of character of honesty, industry and progressiveness, and aiding materially in bringing Madison county to its present wealth and prosperity.
Alhambra was laid out in 1849 by Dr. Louis F. Shepard who came from the east with his wife and purchased considerable land in the new country. Upon first coming here they made their home at Levi Harnsberger's. Mrs. Harnsberger and Mrs. Shepard had been in-
462
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
terested in reading an account of the Spanish Alhambra and suggested that the town be given that name. Solomon Tabor and L. F. Shepard erected the first buildings therein. Later, in 1859, the western part of what now comprises Alhambra was platted as stated above and Captain Thornburger, a public spir- ited man of the time, erected the first store in 1860. The town was called Green Castle, a name given it by Captain Thornberger. Later, at the time of the incorporation of Al- hambra, April 5, 1884, both took the name of the latter. The officers were: F. M. Pearce, president ; J. Y. Pearce, clerk; Trustees, F. M. Pearce, Nick Ochs, Henry Sharp, Charles Ruedy, R. D. Utiger and J. D. Leef.
The good people of the village have always taken especial pride in their school and it is said that the Alhambra school has given more teachers than any other school of its size to Madison county. Nor has the religious side of the education been omitted, the three churches being the German Evangelical, the Methodist Episcopal and the Baptist, with some noble workers in all.
The Methodist church, in the Green Castle section built in 1861 was the pioneer religious edifice and is still standing. The handsome German Evangelical church was erected in 1877 and has been recently enlarged. It is provided with a fine pipe organ. The Baptist church was erected in 1884.
The business machinery of the entire town is well equipped with efficient help. The Illi- nois Central and Clover Leaf Railroads both have their stations here and Messrs. H. U. Graf and Frank Foster have been for years the faithful towermen whose constant vigils protect the lives of the traveling public. For fourteen years H. Schulte has had charge of the elevator, handling 80,000 bushels of grain yearly. A fine creamery has been in operation for twenty-two years. There are several good stores, among them being The Big Store,
whose genial proprietor has many friends, as do the Koch Brothers and E. L. Gross.
BUSINESS AND BANKING
In 1907 the public, realizing the need of a banking system, met and organized the Citi- zens' State Bank of Alhambra, with a capital of $25,000. C. Tontz being president; Dr. C. E. Harnsberger, first vice-president, and C. B. Munday, second vice-president; and L. A. Schrieber cashier. The stockholders comprise thirty-six of the wealthiest farmers of Alhambra township at the present writing. W. H. Beckman, one of Alhambra's capable and popular young men, is cashier and from him the visitor receives the most court- eous and kind attention. The directors com- prise some of the most substantial and wealthy men of the entire section, as follows: Chris- tian Tontz, C. E. Harnsberger, C. B. Munday, Aug. Talleur, Herman Suhre, William Con- rad, F. Oswald, N. L. Ryder, W. H. Beckman.
The new bank building is a credit to the town. The capital stock of the bank is $25,000.
Another bank, also organized in 1907, is the private institution of Adolph Hitz of which he is president; Jacob B. Leef, cashier and Emil A. Landolt, assistant cashier. It has a capital stock of $25,000, surplus $20,000 and assets of a quarter million. It occupies a fine two-story building costing with furniture, fix- tures and safety deposit vaults, $20,000. The interior is wainscoted with marble throughout. It has the handsomest interior finishing of any bank in the county, and is a fine tribute to the artistic taste of President Hitz. This gentle- man is the largest land holder, probably, in the township, owning 1,100 acres of fertile farm- ing land. Part of this adjoins the village on the south and has been laid out in lots which are being rapidly improved. It is called "Hitz Place."
To return to the early settlement of the vil- lage: In 1852 Hon. W. W. Pearce settled at
463
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ALHAMBRA SCHOOL HOUSE
464
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Alhambra and purchased the holdings of Dr. Southard, also additional lands, and laid out three blocks on the north side of the Alton and Greenville road, now the main street of the village. Mr. Pearce was an extensive and opulent land holder and became a leading man in the township. As stated, he was elected to the legislature in 1884. His relative, Dr. F. M. Pearce, served in the legislature of 1876, and Robert D. Utiger in that of 1882. All were affiliated with the Democratic party. Thus Al- hambra was represented in the general as- sembly of the state by three distinguished citi- zens.
In 1858 Mr. W. W. Pearce built a spacious brick residence, the finest in the township, which is still standing on Main street. It was for many years the home of the Pearce fam- ily. James Pearce, the father of W. W. Pearce, located in Madison county in 1815, in terri- torial days. The grandson of James Pearce, President Jas. B. Pearce of the village board, has for many years occupied a beautiful home- stead, surrounded by stately trees, in the Green Castle section of Alhambra.
Alhambra has many attractive residences among which are the elegant homes of Adolph Hitz and H. W. Dauderman. The streets are well shaded and granitoid walks extend to all parts of the village. One of these walks is a mile and a quarter long in a straight line, extending from the eastern limits to the Green Castle section on the west. In all the village has four miles of granitoid walks, more than any other village of its size in the county. The school house is pleasantly located in a beauti- ful maple grove.
GRAIN AND PRODUCE CENTER
Alhambra is an important shipping point for grain and farm produce. Dairying being a leading agricultural pursuit, large quantities of milk are daily shipped to St. Louis, over the
Illinois Central and the Clover Leaf. The town is well governed. It has no debt and spends a round sum annually on sidewalk building and street improvement. The present popular president of the village board, Jas. B. Pearce, is an enterprising citizen and large landholder. He is a courteous and affable gentleman. The clerk of the board, who is also clerk of the township, is Fred Kientz, an obliging and capable official. Since the organization of the village the following gentlemen have acted as presidents of the board of trustees: F. M. Pearce, 1884; F. M. Pearce, 1885; W. W. Pearce, 1886; R. D. Utiger, 1887; F. M. Pearce, 1888; Henry Sharp, 1889; H. T. Wharf, 1890; Henry Sharp, 1891; Henry Sharp, 1892; Henry Sharp, 1893; F. Oswald, 1894; J. B. Pearce, 1895; J. B. Pearce, 1896; J. B. Pearce, 1897 ; S. E. Bucknell, 1898; S. E. Bucknell, 1899; G. W. Isenberg, 1900; J. Gehrig, 1901 ; J. Geh- rig, 1902; J. B. Pearce, 1903; J. B. Pearce, 1904; J. D. Leef, 1905; J. D. Leef, 1906; Jacob Gehrig, 1907; William Suhre, 1908; J. D. Leef, 1909; J. B. Pearce, 19II.
Mr. J. B. Pearce has held the office oftener than any other citizen, a deserved compliment to his ability.
The first postmaster at Green Castle was Robert D. Utiger, and John Lowry the first at Alhambra in 1849. The postoffice at Green Castle was moved to Alhambra on the comple- tion of the first railroad through the village in 1883.
The population of Alhambra township in 1910 was 1,216; in 1900 it was 1,245. Of the village in 1910, 433 ; in 1900, 368. Within the last two years there has been a gratifying in- crease in the population of the village and its prospects for the future are bright.
KAUFMANN.
Alhambra is the only incorporated village in the township. Kaufmann, a station on the
465
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Clover Leaf, in section 21, is an important shipping point. It is surrounded by a fine ag- ricultural country and is doubtless destined to become of increased desirability as a business
point and place of residence. J. H. Buhrmann, the supervisor of Alhambra township, is a resi- dent of Kaufmann and extensively engaged there in the mercantile business.
Vol. I-30
466
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
CITY HALL OF ALTON, WHERE THE LAST LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE WAS HELD
CHAPTER LIV
ALTON TOWNSHIP
THE FIRST ALTON SETTLEMENT-RUFUS EASTON AND OTHER FOUNDERS-UPPER ALTON LAID OUT (1816)-RALLIED FROM BLOW OF LOVEJOY RIOT-TOWN CHARTERED (1821)- ALTON'S MAYORS FROM 1837 TO 1912-AFTER THE WAR OF 1832-THE FLOOD OF 1844- DANIEL WEBSTER VISITED ALTON-MEXICAN WAR-CHOLERA IN 1849-TWO PRESIDENTS VISITED ALTON-LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE-OLDEST FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY IN ILLI- NOIS-THE CIVIL WAR-PIONEER MASONS AND ODD FELLOWS-PUBLIC UTILITIES-OLD- TIME CITIZENS AND BUSINESS MEN-INDUSTRIAL NOTES OF TODAY.
A bright day in June, 1673, down the river come drifting with the current two canoes. In them are seated seven Frenchmen, two of them are Marquette and Joliet, the already famous explorers, who to their other laurels had just added the discovery of the Upper Mississippi. They were the first white men to view the site on which Alton now stands. That they got a startling impression of it is shown by the record made by the gentle Father Marquette in his journal as named in another chapter. The painting on the rocks which he described, was the famous "Piasa Bird," since perpetuated in song and story. The good Father's praise of the skill of Al- ton's pre-historic artist, is appreciated to this day, while his criticism of the wild and muddy ways of the Missouri is accepted. It is 239 years since he made his observations and no reformation in the Missouri's mode of prog- ress is yet apparent.
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