Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 76

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174

USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 76

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).

The library was located in the town hall for three years. Now a small but pleasant room is used for library purposes. Ground, just west of the F. M. King store, has been given by Mrs. F. M. King in memory of her late husband, for a library site. It has been the hope of those interested in the establishment of a library in Augusta to gain a Carnegie Library.

Minnie Mabel Swanson, Sec. Library Board.

DEFUNCT VILLAGES OF THE TOWNSHIP

Augusta Township at an early day had other villages platted and they included Pulaski and Mechanicsville. Of the former it may be said that in 1836 Alexander Oliver, William Mc- Cready and Benjamin Bacon laid out the place, and named it after patriotic Count Pulaski of Poland, who was then before the world's eye. The growth of this village was slow. The first house erected there has long since disappeared. Today nothing but a few houses and the church are left to mark the spot which started out with such high promise of success, away back in the thirties.

Mechanicsville, another of the "lost villages" of Hancock County, was founded in 1842 by Alanson Lyon. At that time it was planned to make it a manufacturing center and for a

brief season it seemed that the hopes of the founder were to be realized, but these hopes failed and, one by one, the buildings were re- moved to more favored points, and today the village site is within a well-tilled farming com- munity.

AUGUSTA BUSINESS DIRECTORY FOR 1859

The following list is taken from an old map of Hancock County, owned by a lady of Car- thage.

H. D. Fonda, Postmaster and Justice. S. S. Mead, Physician and Surgeon. W. Bertram, Physician and Surgeon. H. Mead, Real Estate Dealer. Wm. T. Ramsey, Attorney at Law. A. K. Lowrey, Attorney at Law. John Jackson, Collector. H. A. Young, Saddle & Harness Maker & Dealer in Hides. Leach & Seam, Car- riage and Wagon Manufactory. R. H. Ellis, Proprietor Augusta Hotel. J. & J. B. Compton, Dry Goods and Groceries. J. & J. B. Compton, Pork Packers. Jones & Millspaugh, Sash, Blind, Door & Planing Mill. T. H. Elder, Stove & Tin Dealer.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS IN 1920

Supervisor, E. L. Thomas; Town Clerk, B. F. Ellis; Assessor, George E. Ketcham; Highway Commissioner. V. C. Massie; Justices of the Peace, Wm. L. Brumback and Albert Estes; Con- stables, E. P. Fosdyck and William Bryson ; School Trustees, S. W. Alphin, H. F. Ross and Henry Ipperson; School Treasurer, S. E. Mc- Afee.

CHAPTER XXII

BEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP

BOUNDARIES-EARLY SETTLEMENT - POPULATION- PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-VILLAGE OF BASCO -CHURCHES-OLD SOMERSET-GENERAL OBSERVA- TIONS-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS, 1920.

BOUNDARIES

Bear Creek Township is bounded on the north by Prairie Township, on the east by Harmony Township, on the south by St. Albans Town- ship, and on the west by. Wythe Township. It

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

was about one-half prairie and one-half tim- ber, but the latter has been largely removed. The name is taken from the crooked stream which flows through it. The tributaries to Bear Creek, together with the main stream, drain the township.

EARLY SETTLERS

Among the early settlers were the following : James S. Kimball and his sons; Sidney A. Knowlton, Richard Wilton, Thomas Graham, Samuel Russell, Thomas Morgan, Nicholas Wren, Elijah Pike, John Pike, Moses VanWinkle, Rob- ert Wilhite, Elder Addis, Jesse Carnes, John Carnes, Jesse Gordon, Thompson Frakes, Riley Young, Thomas and Edward Daw, James Tweed, W. A. Patterson, Andrew and William S. Moore, James and G. W. Wedding, Mahlon Fell, Wil- liam Meredith, Vernon Doty, Peter and John Frey, James Boyles, Cornelius Elson, Lafford Totten, W. W. Mason, Hiram Simmons, Felix G. Mourning, Samuel McGee, Guilford Fuller, Henry Kent, David Cole, William George, James M. Charles, Dr. Alvin Thompson, William Wal- lace, John Pavy, William B. Skinner, John Huff, David Bedford, Benjamin G. Wright and David Crow. Those who came somewhat later are as follows: William H. Allen, James A. An- derson, Charles W .. Baldwin, Charles Bettis- worth, Louis Brault, C. Cacheux, Harmon Crea, John H. Crea, David Crow, John Daw, Lyman Doty, E. S. Freeman, Russell G. Fuller, George W. Garard, George C. Gordon, Henry H. Groom, W. L. Harris, Jesse E. Huff, John Kirkpatrick, William C. Logan, W. W. Mason, Susan Mat- thews, James M. McCall, Dorrance McGinnis, Matthew Merriman, Albert Naegelin, Adam Rohrbough, Samuel Rose, Samuel Russell, John G. Seager, Hiram Simmons, Samuel Staples, S. A. Thompson, and L. S. Wyckoff.

A post-office, called Sylvan Dale, was estab- lished in this township at a very early date, on land owned at one time by Richard Wilton and later by Benjamin G. Wright. (Wilton was school commissioner in 1841.)

POPULATION

For the last four census enumerating pe- riods the population of Bear Creek Township, including the village of Basco, has been as fol- lows: in 1890, 983; in 1900, 978; in 1910, 935; and in 1920, 886.

The township contains some of the most ex cellent farming lands in this county. Beauti- ful farm-houses and barns, silos and good out- buildings have come to be the general rule with- in Bear Creek Township. The lands are very fertile and they are well improved by a sturdy and painstaking class of agriculturists.

VILLAGE OF BASCO

In 1853 Abraham Baldwin laid out the town- ship's first village near the center and called it Somerset, but later this was abandoned. In February, 1871, when the Burlington railroad was built through this part of the county, a station was platted just east of the old plat of Somerset, which was named by its proprietor. William S. Woods, "Basco," and when the vil- lage was incorporated in 1886 it took in part · of the old village plat of Somerset, just next west in section 16. This is the only trading- point within Bear Creek Township at this date. The churches of the village are the Baptist and Methodist. At one time the Presbyterians sup- ported a church here and had a frame building which is now the property of the Methodist people.

Basco was incorporated as a village in 1886 and has had the following presidents and vil- lage clerks :

1886-A. Naegelin, W. G. Mott; 1888-M. Bowers, F. M. Wetzel; 1889-N. H. Caywood, M. Bomer; 1891-Ed. P. Davidson, A. C. Stef- - fen; 1892-W. R. Hendricks, F. F. Seger; 1893 -J. N. Foster, W. H. Mourning; 1894-W. R. Hendricks, W. H. Damron; 1896-W. R. Hen- dricks, W. H. Damron; 1897-J. F. Crear, W. H. Damron ; 1898-Lewis Hartman, W. H. Dam- ron ; 1900-Albert Naegelin, Frank Seger; 1902 -Theo. Brien, Frank Seger; 1904-Wm. Press- man, E. D. Smith; 1905-William Rankin, E. D. Smith; 1907-William Rankin, E. D. Smith ; 1908-E. D. Smith; 1910-Milo Thompson, F. J. Reu ; 1912-Milo Thompson, C. O. Winter; 1913 -Milo Thompson, C. O. Winter; 1914-W. H. Damron, C. O. Winter ; 1915-I. F. Stowe, Frank McGinnis ; 1916-W. H. Damron, Frank McGin- nis; 1918-W. H. Damron, Robert H. Groom.

1920-21 municipal officers-President, W. H. Damron ; Clerk, W. H. Collins; Treasurer, Mrs. Cora Law; Trustees, P. C. Caldwell, J. B. Phelps, H. G. Summes, J. F. Stowe, J. B. David- son ; Attorney, W. H. Damron; Street Superin-

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

tendent, W. Vradenberg; Marshal, W. Vraden- berg.

The postmasters at Basco past and present are: N. C. Caywood, William Mourning, George C. Gordon, Albert Naegelin, and (present) post- master, E. D. Smith.

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS

Attorney-W. H. Damron. Banking-The Basco Bank, A. Naegelin, cashier, Roscoe Ar- thur, assistant cashier. Barber-Frank Biggs. Blacksmith-P. C. Caldwell. Butcher-Thomas Smith. Garage and Auto Work-W. O. Fisher and August Ancelet. General Merchandise- William Pressman, Pressman & Co., E. B. Sim- mons & Son, C. L. Steffey. Grain Dealer- Joseph Manussier, Hotel-The Manussier, by Mr. and Mrs. August Manussier. Live Stock- Charles Manussier. Livery-N. E. Ohaver. Lumber-The Taber Lumber Co., Harry Stef- fey, manager. Physician-Dr. I. F. Stowe.

Piano Tuner-Robert Groom. Restaurant- Fred Tieman. Station Agent-Frank Carlisle. The electric light plant (incorporated), by W. O. Fisher and August Ancelet. Wagon Repairs -- L. J. Carnes. 2

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1920

Supervisor, Charles J. Manussier ; Town Clerk, W. H. Collins; Assessor, E. C. Bird; Highway Commissioner, B. H. Arnold ; Justices of the Peace, Chas. E. Felsman and J. B. Elder ; Constable, Adolph Ancelet ; School Trustees, D. D. Thompson, Frank Krauth and Riley Harris ; School Treasurer, J. W. Biggs.

CHAPTER XXIII

CARTHAGE TOWNSHIP AND CITY

BOUNDARIES - DESCRIPTIVE - EARLY SETTLERS -- THOSE OF LATER DATES-POPULATION-LIBRARY -CIVIC LEAGUE-WOMAN'S CLUB-CITY OF CARTHAGE-ITS ORIGIN, PLATTING, AND BEGIN- NINGS-PIONEER INCIDENTS-MUNICIPAL HIS- TORY-CITY OFFICIALS-WATER AND LIGHT-

POST-OFFICE AND POSTMASTERS-BUSINESS FAO- TORS-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.

BOUNDARIES

Carthage Township is located near the cen- ter of Hancock County, and is bounded on the north by Pilot Grove Township, on the east by Hancock Township, on the south by Harmony Township, and on the west by Prairie Town- ship. It is principally prairie land. Its name is taken from that of the county-seat, a city lying on its western border. It is watered by Middle, Prairie, Long and other creeks, all of ,which are tributaries of Crooked Creek, and along these water-courses in the early days were considerable tracts of timber. The earliest settlements were not made in this township, and settlement there at a later date was stimulated by the selection of Carthage as the county seat.

EARLIEST SETTLERS

As far as the records show, the first settler of Carthage Township was Elder Thomas H. Owen who settled here in 1831. The records show that, on April 2, 1833, the County Com- missioners' Court was held at the residence of Thomas Brewer, which must have been erected in a very short time, for it was not there when the commissioners selected Carthage as the county-seat on March 21, 1833. On June 6, 1833, Thomas H. Owen was authorized by an order of the County Commissioners' Court to enter into a contract with some suitable person to build a Court-house in Carthage, to be com- pleted on or before August 25, 1833. The Court- house so erected was a log-building. In this connection it is interesting to quote from the address of Ex-Secretary O. H. Browning de- livered before the Hancock County Pioneers As- sociation, June 15, 1869 :

"He said he remembered attending the first. court held at Carthage. The temple of justice of that day was a log cabin of limited dimen- sions, roofed with clapboards. The Bench and Bar boarded with a family near the timber, and near the subsequent residence of Mr. Bald- win. The 'botel' of Carthage was a sort of rail- pen, twelve feet square, the provisions and whisky being dealt out through the cracks to the outsiders. The site of the present court-house was a frog pond; and yet this unpromising be- ginning has culminated in the present town of

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Carthage, one of the neatest and prettiest vil- lages he had ever visited."

Other very early settlers were: Gad Hamil- ton and his sons, Artois and Canfield, Samuel Williams, Walter Bagby, Frederick Loring, Rev. John Lawton, Dr. John F. Charles, Louis Mas- querier, James B. Mathews, Hamilton C. Mathews, David W. Mathews, Senator Little, Robert Miller, Joshua and Jonas Hobart, Elam S. Freeman, Homer Brown, Ellis Hughes, Capt. Robert F. Smith, Ebenezer Rand, Franklin A. Worrell, Harmon T. Wilson, Charles Main, L. C. Stevenson, Samuel Comer, Jesse B. Winn, George W. Thatcher, Miles B. Mann, James Baird, Isaac Galland, James W. Woods, James W. Brattle, Samuel Marshall, Malcolm Mc- Gregor, Chauncey Robison, Sylvester Thompson, U. C. Taylor, John Wilson, John Wilson Wil- liams, George W. Stigall, Dr. Barnes, Michael Barnes, David Baldwin, Epaphras B. Baldwin, William C. Hawley, Michael Rickard, Richard Cannon, Allen McQuary, Thomas Metcalf, T. Gridley, Thomas J. Kimbrough, W. J. Dale, John Booth, Robert G. Bernethy, Norman Ho- bart, I. N. Cauthorn, George C. Waggoner, Samuel F. Pray and Alexander Barnes.

Among other prominent men who came to Carthage at an early day are the following : David Mack, E. Windle, Bryant T. Scofield, Henry W. Draper, Bryant F. Peterson, David E. Head, Squire R. Davis, John D. Miller, William C. Hooker, Jacob Sholl, Dr. George W. Hall, Charles R. Scofield, James M. Browning, Cor- nelius T. Cannon, Frank Stepp, Frederick Stepp, George W. Batchelder, Charles G. Clark, Ed- ward S. Clark, William R. Hamilton, John D. Hamilton, Elisha B. Hamilton, Edward Harris, Francis M. Corby, Alexander Sympson, T. Durant, David Greenleaf, Melgar Couchman, G. M. Child, Claiborne Winston, W. J. Pierce, E. Showers, J. S. Spangler, J. R. Cunningham, and James McQuary.

SETTLERS OF LATER DATE

Some who came at a later date, or who were born in the township, are as follows: Francis S. Austin, Levi Barber, Jr., E. F. Bartholomew, William D. Bennett, Orville F. Berry, Melvin P. Berry, Edward G. Boswell, John Boyd, James H. Callahan, A. M. Cannon, Melancton S. Carey, John Carlin, Dr. James W. Carlton, O. P. Carl- ton, James B. Crawford, James N. Currens, Dwight C. Cutler, Nathan Cutler, C. G. Clark,

William P. Damron, James Monroe Davidson, William DeHart, E. T. Dorothy, John S. Duffy, Prof. L. F. M. Easterday, John W. Everett, Hi- ram G. Ferris, J. M. Ferris, Stephen Gano Fer- ris, John Fletcher, George Flynn, John L. Foutch, Charles W. Goodrich, Dr. A. J. Grif- fith, Willie Herbert Griffith, William F. Han- nan, George W. Haynie, Dr. R. C. Holliday, John Helfrich, William W. Hughes, George T. Hunsaker, John Jackson, James G. Johnson, Dr. George M. Kellogg, Thomas J. Lane, Sam- uel W. Layton, Chris. Y. Long, Edward Lowrey, Wesley H. Manier, William E. Mason, James Madden, Matthew McClaughry, Maj. Robert W. McClaughry, Francis W. McClellan, James W. McKee, N. P. McKee, Thomas J. McMahan, Thomas C. Miller, B. F. Miller, Joseph Nace, Dr. William H. D. Noyes, William Ogilvie, A. W. O'Harra, William A. Patterson, Luke P. Pren- tice, Jesse B. Quinby, Dr. J. M. Randolph, A. B. Regnier, Perry Reger, James W. Richard, John B. Risse, William B. Risse, Edward M. Robbins, George J. Rogers, Charles G. Rohrer, Charles H. Rohrer, A. J. Rucker, E. Rucker, William W. Sackman, James Sample, Charles J. Scofield, Timothy J. Scofield, Thomas Coke Sharp, Will O. Sharp, J. Mack Sholl, A. C. Shultz, Charles E. Smales, William T. Smith, William M. Spangler, Dr. Adam Spitler, John D. Stevens, J. B. Strader, Harrison Taylor, C. W. Taylor, E. D. Taylor, Stephen Taylor, David Loy Tressler, Jesse C. Williams, C. W. Williams, W. D. Williams, J. J. Williams, Henry C. Wilson, Stephen S. Wilson, William Wilson, James F. Woodburn, Stanley Edwards Worrell, Franklin A. Worrell, Coleman Wyatt, D. J. Wylie.

POPULATION

Carthage Township (including the city of Carthage) had a population at the last four Federal census periods as follows: In 1890, 2,536 ; in 1900, 2,908 ; in 1910, 3,111; and in 1920, 2,767. The city alone had in 1910 a population of 2,373, and in 1920, 2,129.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

The first hotel in Carthage was kept by Louis Masquerier, who also conducted the first store. In an early day there was a burying-ground northwest of the city, more particularly men- tioned elsewhere in this work. The first reg- ular burying-ground for the use of Carthage

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

was the one at the east of the town. This, in the course of time, became too small, and land northwest of the city was purchased and platted as Moss Ridge Cemetery for the use of Carthage and vicinity.

The first religious services here were held at private houses. The first church organizations were the Congregational and Methodist Episco- pal, both of which were organized in 1836.

MUNICIPAL HISTORY

The location of Carthage was deliberately planned. The county was in need of a county- seat and it seemed to be the opinion of those having charge of the matter that the county-seat should be 'located at the geographical center of the county. There was no settlement or village or collection of houses at this point at the time, which might have served as a nucleus for a city or village, but only good prairie land, happily located, as the center of the county was desired for the seat of justice.

As early as December 6, 1830, an order was made by the County Commissioners' Court ro- questing the General Assembly to have com- missioners appointed to locate the seat of justice "at as early a day as practicable."

By act approved on Jan. 1, 1831, the General Assembly appointed Hart Fellowes and Samuel Bogert of Schuyler County and Daniel McNeal of Warren County, commissioners to locate the "permanent seat of justice of Hancock County" and ordered the commissioners to make report of their action, together with the name they may have given the seat of justice, to the County Commissioners' Court of Hancock Coun- ty. But afterwards, on March 8, 1831, the County Commissioners' Court ordered that George Y. Cutler, Luther Whitney and John Johnson be appointed a committee to ascertain the geographical center of the county and report whether a situation could be found "eligible for a seat of justice for the county near the same," and report also the situation of the "prairie, water, timber, etc."

Either no action was taken under the act of the General Assembly or the order of the County Commissioners' Court, or any action taken was unsatisfactory, for afterwards, by act approved Feb. 13, 1833, the General As- sembly appointed William Gilham, Scott Riggs and John J. Hardin of Morgan County as com- missioners "for the purpose of locating the per-

manent seat of justice in and for County of Hancock." This act particularly prescribed the course of procedure to be followed by the com- missioners. The act provided that the commis- sioners should meet on the last Monday of Feb- ruary, but a subsequent act changed the time to the second Monday in March, or within thirty days thereafter.

The commissioners acted promptly, and on March 21, 1833, a majority of them, William Gilham and Scott Riggs, reported to the County Commissioners' Court that they had located the seat of justice of the county "on Town five North, Range six West, Section 19, Northwest quarter, on the most eligible scite on that quar- ter," and further reported that the name of the seat of justice should be CARTHAGE.

On the same day the court ordered the clerk to cause a certified copy of this report to be filed with the register of the land office in Quincy and to inform him that the county claimed a preemption right to the northwest quarter of section 19, town five north, range six west.

On April 2d, following, the County Commis- sioners' Court appointed "John Johnston," county surveyor, to lay off the town of Carthage into lots by May 1st, and, on the same day or- dered that a sale of the said lots should be held on the first Monday of January.

On June 6th of the same year Thomas Owen was appointed by the court as agent to take and approve notes for lots sold and to grant certificates to purchasers, which certificates should entitle the holder or holders to deeds when final payment should be made on such lots.

It seems that the survey of the city of Carthage made in the first instance was not satisfactory, for on Sept. 26, 1838, it was ordered by the County Commissioners' Court "that David Greenleaf be appointed agent to have town site of Carthage resurveyed and proper plat made." Such survey was made by James W. Brattle, and the plat thereof is of record in the recorder's office.

The survey of 1838 was legalized by an act of the General Assembly in force on Feb. 26, 1839, which provided that the survey and plat of the town of Carthage, made in the year 1838, and on file to be recorded in the office of the recorder of Hancock County, be legalized and established as the proper survey and map of the

Eng by E G Williams & Bro NY

10 ª 8. Manfora.

Munsell Publishing Co

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

town, and that all other surveys of said town theretofore made be vacated.

The original town of Carthage, as thus laid out and platted, covered one quarter-section of land, and was presumably one-half mile square, the western line of which was the line between the two townships, that is, township five north, six west, and township five north, seven west, which, afterwards, under township organiza- tion, became known respectively as the towns of Carthage and Prairie.

It may be stated in this connection that Carthage developed west of the township line and that the homes of some of its leading citi- zens were west of that line and that, because of the inconvenience of going from Carthage to Elvaston to vote at all general, county and town elections, these citizens successfully ap- pealed to the board of supervisors to detach two sections and two half sections of the town of Prairie nearest to Carthage, from that town, and attach them to the town (township) of Carthage. This fact appears in the article on township organization.

Carthage was first incorporated as a town in 1837. The early records are not accessible, and what is here stated is based upon the act of the General Assembly, which went into effect on Feb. 27, 1837, as appears on page 107 of the Private Laws of the year. These Private Laws not being at hand, the editor wrote to Ralph H. Wilkin, Esq., Supreme Court Librarian, at Springfield, and received from him a letter, giv- ing the desired information. Mr. Wilkin says :

"I have examined Private Laws of 1837, known as Incorporation Laws, and find that Carthage was chartered by act of February 27th, Private Laws of 1837, page 107. This was an act to incorporate the towns named therein and for other purposes. By Sec. 1 the inhabitants of the towns of Lynnville in Morgan County, Frankfort in Franklin County, Clayton in Adams County, Warsaw in Hancock County, and Vienna in Johnson County, were authorized to become incorporated upon the same terms and in the same manner as prescribed by act of Feb. 12, 1831. Sec. 5 provided : 'The provisions of the first section of this act shall be extended in all respects to the inhabitants of the towns of War- saw and Carthage in the county of Hancock.'" Doubtless, Carthage was organized as an incor- porated town in pursuance of this "charter," but the proceedings of the town council, or

whatever the governing body may have been called, are not to be found.

In 1849, Carthage was further organized, or perhaps, more properly, reorganized, under the act of Feb. 12, 1831, referred to by Mr. Wilkin, which act, although passed on a day since cele- brated as Lincoln's birthday, did not take effect until March 1, 1831. This act provided for the incorporation of the inhabitants of such towns as should wish to be incorporated, and author- ized any town of the state "to become incor- porated for the better regulation of their (its) internal police," in case such town should con- tain not less than 150 inhabitants. (Very likely the special act of 1837 was passed for the pur- pose of enabling Carthage and the other towns named therein to organize under this law, even though any such town did not contain as many as 150 inhabitants.) The act gives in de- tail the manner of effecting such incorpora- tion, and provides that such town, so incor- porated, shall be known by the name and style of "The President and Trustees of the Town of - - " All white males over the age of 21 were authorized to assemble in a pub- lic meeting at the court-house or other place in the town, after certain notice of the meeting had been given, and to choose a president and clerk of the meeting from among their number, who were required to be sworn or affirmed, and thereupon, being thus organized, the said resi- dents were authorized to proceed to decide by vote, viva voce, whether they would be incor- porated or not. If two-thirds of the voters pres- ent were in favor of incorporation, the presi- dent and clerk were required to deliver a cer- tificate of the state of the polls to the board of trustees to be elected as provided in the act. "A fair journal and record" of all proceedings of the president and trustees was to be kept, and all by-laws and ordinances were to be re- corded, in a book to be provided for that pur- pose.

It was further provided by this act of the General Assembly that whenever a president and trustees should be elected for any such town, it should be the duty of the president and · trustees to deposit the certificate of the state of the polls delivered to them by the president and clerk of the first meeting, with the clerk of the County Commissioners' Court of the proper county, to be entered of record in his office.

This act was afterwards expanded by the

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

General Assembly, and it appears in its en- larged form in the Revised 'Statutes of 1845, but the revised act is essentially the same as the original act so far as the matters above mentioned are concerned.

The records of the County Clerk's office, under the heading of The Incorporation of the Town of Carthage, Hancock County, Ills., set forth the affidavit of John T. Barnes, sworn to by him on June 16, 1849, before M. Rickard, J. P., that he will act as president of the meeting and will studiously endeavor to prevent fraud, deceit and abuse in conducting the same. Following this on the records is a similar affidavit of Alexr. Sympson as clerk of the meeting. The records then contain the following entry :

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 76

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1174

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174