Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 132

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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Nov. 4, 1902, County Judge, Charles A. Barnes. Nov. 4, 1902, County Clerk. Charles B. Graff. Nov. 4, 1902, Treasurer, John W. Clary.

Nov. 4, 1902, Sheriff, Henry J. Rodgers. Nov. 4, 1902, Supt. of Schools, Frank A. Johnson. Nov. 8, 1904, Clerk Circuit Court, Charles L.

Hayden. Nov. 8, 1901, State's Att'y, Bert A. Van Winkle. Nov. 8, 1904, Supt. of Schools, Harry C. Mont- gomery, (vice, Frank A. Johnson, dec'd.) Nov. 8, 1904, County Surveyor, Jerre Tankersley. Nov. 8, 1904, Coroner, Dr. John H. Spencer.

County Commissioners .- The Constitution of 1818 provided for the election of three County Commissioners in each county of the State, whose term of office should be for two years, and whose duty it should be to manage the busi- ness affairs of the county, and, in accordance with an act passed at the first session of the General Assembly (March, 1819), the Board was constituted a "court of record" whose duty it was to hold four regular sessions each year. Those who were elected under this law in Mor- gan County from 1832 to 1838 were as follows:

1832-William Gillham, William Woods and James Green.

1834-William Woods, Jacob Ward and James Green.

1836-Jacob Redding, Jacob Ward and James Ethel.

1838-W. L. Sargent, Jesse W. Bull and Ed- ward Tankersley.

In March, 1897, the Legislature passed an act amending the law of 1819, and providing that the Commissioners elected in 1838 should hold office for one, two and three years, respect- ively, the incumbency of each chosen at that election being determined by lot, one Commis- sioner being chosen each year thereafter for a term of three years, and in 1839 the method of election of one member each year came in vogue. Those elected under this law were as follows (the regular election then occurring on the first Monday of August in each year) : August 5, 1839-Jacob Ward.

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

February 27, 1840-(at special election) Elijah Evans (vice W. L. Sargent).

August 3, 1840- George Engelbach.

August 2, 1841-Harvey Routt.

August 1, 1842-Jacob Ward.

August 7, 1843-William H. Long.

August 5, 1844-William Crow, Henry Saun- derson (vice Ward).

August 4, 1845-John Samples, D. G. Hender- son (vice Crow).

August 3, 1846-Aquila Becraft.

August 2, 1847-Henry Saunderson.

August 7, 1848-David L. Hodges.

Although the law of 1837 was amended by an act passed in 1845 reorganizing the Board and making the older member of the Board ex-officio presiding officer of the same, the method of electing one each year for a three years' term was continued until the adoption of the Constitution of 1848.

Under an act passed February 12, 1849, under the new Constitution, the organization of the Board of County Commissioners was again changed, being made by this act to consist of one County Judge and two Justices of the Peace, known as Associate Justices, all being elected at the same time and holding office for four years. This arrangement continued in force in counties not under township organiza- tion-as Morgan County has been continuously up to the present time-until the adoption of the Constitution of 1870. Those who composed the County Commissioners' Court during this period were:

1849-53-James Berdan, County Judge; David L. Hodges, Associate Justice; Sidney S. Dun- can, Associate Justice.

1853-57-James Berdan, County Judge; Isaac R. Bennett, Associate Justice; John B. Duncan, Associate Justice.

1857-61-Joseph J. Cassell, County Judge; George B. Weller, Associate Justice; Andrew J. Thompson, Associate Justice.

1865-69-Sidney S. Duncan, County Judge; Stephen Dunlap, Associate Justice; John Har- den, Associate Justice.

1869-72-Edward Scott, County Judge; Sam- uel Wood, Associate Justice; Job W. English, Associate Justice.

Under the Constitution of 1870, and in ac- cordance with an act which went into effect in 1873, the Board of County Commissioners was again reorganized on the basis of three

members elected in the same manner as under the Constitution of 1848, one being chosen each year, except in 1873, when three were chosen, their terms of incumbency being fixed by lot. The following is a list of those elected each year-each election after that of 1873 be- ing for a term of three years:

1873-Daniel Deitrick (served one year).

1873-James H. Devore (served two years).

1873-John Virgin (served three years).

1874-Daniel Deitrick.

1875-James H. Devore.

1876-John Virgin.

1877-David H. Lollis.

1878-Matthew S. Kennedy.

1879-John H. Matthews.

1880-Charles Heinz.

1881-Matthew S. Kennedy.

1882-Job W. English.

1883-Charles Heinz.

1884-David H. Sorrells.

1885-Thomas B. Orear.

1886-John W. Brockhouse.

1887-George W. Moore.

1888-Thomas B. Orear.

1889-John W. Brockhouse.

1890-William Covey.

1891-John W. McDonald.

1892-John W. Brockhouse.

1893-Charles James.

1894-George C. Gibson.

1895-Jacob Hoover.

1896-George C. Gibson.

1897-William M. Rees.

1898-August Brockhouse.

1899-Peter D. Megginson.

1900-George T. Wiswall.

1901-Fred A. Hillig.

1902-Peter D. Megginson.

1903-Carlin C. Berryman.

1904-George Deitrick.

1905-Peter D. Megginson.

Present County Officers .- The present incum- bents in county offices in Morgan County (1905-06) are:

County Commissioners-Peter D. Megginson, Carlin C. Berryman, George Deitrick.

County Judge Charles A. Barnes.

County Clerk-Charles B. Graff.

Circuit Clerk-Charles L. Hayden.

Sheriff-Henry J. Rodgers.

County Assessor and Treasurer-John W. Clary.

John Carter.

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

Under that call upwards of three hundred vol- unteers were obtained in the counties of Sanga- mon and Morgan. Of that campaign the late Hon. William Thomas, of Jacksonville, Illinois, who was one of the volunteers from Morgan County, wrote:

"When the volunteers from Morgan County reached Peoria, the place of rendezvous, I was appointed quartermaster sergeant. I accom- panied the regiment to White Oak Springs, some ten or twelve miles from Galena, where I remained several days, when the Colonel being satisfied that the further service of the regi- ment was not required, ordered the return home. The regiment, composed of independent farmers and mechanics, was raised, organized, marched to the White Oak Springs, and re- turned home in not exceeding thirty days. Two of our Morgan County men were drowned in a branch of Crooked Creek returning home. We had no baggage wagon from this county. My mess had a very good tent, which very few of the other messes had. Having no baggage wagons, and having to carry our provisions, arms and equipments on horseback, we had but little room for tents, even if they had been supplied. We slept on saddle-blankets, with our heads on the saddles, and for covering had overcoats and blankets; but during that season of the year we had but little use for covering other than overcoats.

"The question of pay was not considered of much consequence; it was well understood that this depended on the action of Congress, and no fears were entertained of the success of General Duncan, our Representative in Con- gress, in obtaining the necessary appropriation. We were not disappointed, for appropriations were made by the Congress of 1827-28, and we were paid in the spring of 1828, the following rates: Each Sergeant-Major and Quartermaster- Sergeant, $9 per month; each Drum and Fife Major, $8.33 per month; Sergeants, $8; each Corporal, drummer, fifer and teamster, $7.33; each farrier, saddler and artificer, included as a private, $8; each gunner, bombardier and private, $6.66. In addition to which we were paid for the use of horses, arms and accouter- ments, and for the risk thereof, except for horses killed in action, ten cents per day. For rations, twenty-five cents per day, and one day's pay for fifteen miles travel to the place of ren-

dezvous and returning home. Three companies were raised in Morgan County, one commanded by Wiley B. Green, then Sheriff of the county, numbering nearly one hundred, with John Wyatt, First, and James Evans, Second Lieu- tenant. Jesse Ruble was Orderly Sergeant. The second company was commanded by William Gordon, and numbered not more than forty. Nathan Winter was First Lieutenant. Captain Roger's command numbered the same as Cap- tain Gordon's. The names of the other officers I do not now remember. I was a volunteer in Captain Green's company. My messmates were Dr. H. G. Taylor, McHenry Johnson, Enoch C. March, Samuel Blair and a man named Biggs, a visitor from Kentucky. Of these I am the only survivor." (Judge Thomas died at Jacksonville, Illinois, August 22, 1889.) "We were required to take ten days' provisions, during which time it was expected we would make Galena, where additional supplies could be obtained. During our preparations to start we had constant heavy rains, which raised the rivers, creeks and branches to an unusual height. The companies from this county made their way to Peoria in messes and squads, swimming the streams not bridged. Upon the arrival of all the companies at Peoria, Colonel Samuel T. Matthews was elected Lieutenant-Colonel, and Elijah Iles, of Springfield, Major, who, because he rode a mule, was called the 'mule Major.' Soon as organized we left Peoria. James D. Henry (afterwards General Henry) was appointed Adjutant, Dr. G. Jayne, of Springfield, Surgeon, and Dr. Tay- lor, Assistant.

"On the arrival of Colonel Neale with his command on the scene of danger, he found the war virtually at an end. General Atkinson, with 600 regulars and the Galena militia, un- der General Dodge, had penetrated the enemy's country and compelled the hostile savages to sue for peace." (See Hist. Enc. Ill.)

The Black Hawk War .- The history of the Black Hawk War is so fully related in "The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" (page 608) that a brief statement of the part taken by citi- zens of Morgan County is sufficient in this sup- plemental account. In some of its features that war was glaringly discreditable to the white population. Eight thousand volunteers were called out, to co-operate with fifteen hundred soldiers of the regular army, in expelling from

N.G. Carter

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

the State a band of about five hundred Indian warriors, with their one thousand women and children, at an expenditure of millions of money and the loss of more than a thousand lives. Grievances that had grown up during the years 1829 and 1830 culminated in 1831. A large nuni- ber of the citizens of Morgan County enlisted under the call for volunteers. James Deaton called out every able-bodied man. The order was for cavalry. The men having no money to buy horses, a compromise was effected by the acceptance of infantry as a part of the regi- ment. Cyrus Matthews was Captain of the Morgan County company, and Colonel Samuel Matthews was commander of the regiment. They marched to Beardstown, and there took boat to Fort Welburn, opposite LaSalle on the Illinois River, where they were mustered into the service by General Gaines of the regular army. The regiment was stationed there till the war was over, seventy-two days, and then returned home without receiving a single in- jury. Governor Duncan, then Major-General of militia, was in command of the mounted bri- gade sent by Governor Reynolds. Judge Wil- iiam Thomas was Quartermaster of the brigade. In his account of the war he says: "If the bill to pension the survivors of the Black Hawk War is passed, our regiment ought to be ex- cepted, for not one of us ever received a wound or contracted any disease while in the service, although some of us were badly scared by the report of the cholera amongst General Scott's troops at Chicago. Among those from Morgan County in that war were the following who were present at a Reunion held in 1879: Ander- son Foreman, Jacksonville; Thomas Wright, Franklin; A. W. Stice, Jacksonville; Arch P. Riggs, Franklin; Richard Seymour, Franklin ; William Wright, Waverly; Lee T. Morris, Jack- sonville; and James Morrison, Jacksonville. Al- len Lindsey also participated in that war. Be- ing a boatman on the Illinois River, he was attacked by the Indians and defended himself vigorously with firearms. Among those who participated in the Black Hawk War from Mcr- gan County, David Manchester deserves special mention. He was born in the State of New York in 1798. When about twenty-one years of age he came West. He experienced all the hardships of pioneer times. He was a fifer in the war of 1812 under General Strong and Cap-

tain Spencer, thirty days; saw the battle of Plattsburg, and thought that our victory was owing to a quarrel between English generals; was through the Black Hawk War, and was chief musician of Colonel Ewing's spy battalion with Captain Lindsey, and was discharged from service by Major Anderson, of Fort Sumter fame. While in that campaign he often saw General Taylor, Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln, and he was under the immediate com- mand of General Atkinson. He enlisted as a musician under Colonel John J. Hardin, to go into the Mexican War. He went as far as Al- ton and was taken sick and sent back to Jack- sonville, where he was discharged. He was also in the campaign against the Mormons."

The Mormon War .- A brief account of the sect styled Mormons, or "Latter Day Saints," is given İli "The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" (page 384). After their settlement at Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, in 1840, their conduct soon became so lawless and defiant that the au- thority of the State was finally necessary to put a stop to their pretensions and practices. 'The militia were called out. Many citizens of

Morgan County responded and participated in that campaign. Conspicuous among them was Colonel John J. Hardin, who rendered wise and ' efficient counsel and service in the suppression and removal of as dangerous and infamous an organization to society and civil government as ever existed.

The Mexican War .- The history of the origin and results of the Mexican War are fully given in "The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" (page 372). Morgan County furnished a bril- liant contribution in numbers and sacrifice in that campaign. The most illustrious name in the list is that of Colonel John J. Hardin, who commanded the First Regiment of Illinois vol- unteers, and was killed on the second day's bat- tle at Buena Vista, while leading his command in a heroic charge. (See Hist. Enc. Ill., p. 220). William Weatherford was Lieutenant-Colonel, and after the death of Hardin became Colonel of the First Regiment. William B. Warren was the Major of the regiment, and succeeded Weatherford as Lieutenant-Colonel. John L. Mc- Connel was Captain of Company D, William J. Wyatt, who is still living at Franklin, Illinois, was Captain of Company G. J. S. Roberts, of Morgan County, was Captain of Company D,

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

but resigned at Alton, and the brave Jacob W. Zabriskie, who fell by the side of the gallant Hardin at Buena Vista, was chosen in his place. Of those from Morgan County still living, who served in that war, are Joab M. Fanning, Isaac Hill, A. B. Sevier, William Van Note, E. R. Henry, James A. Summers and Elisha Pulliam.

The War of the Rebellion .- Morgan County's record in the Civil War, if fully written, would comprise many large volumes. Before the smoke of the attack on Fort Sumter had died away, public meetings were held at several places in the county and prompt action was taken in support of the Government in sup- pressing the rebellion. The account of the en- listment of the many hundreds of Morgan Coun- ty volunteers, their marches, battles and suf- fering in hospitals and Southern prisons, would furnish as patriotic and thrilling material as ever engaged the historian's pen. In the lim- ited space allowed by the publisher of this sup- plemental history, it is impossible to even catalogue the marvelous events of that most memorable struggle, and the names of the il- lustrious heroes who participated in its hard- ships and triumphs. Morgan County soldiers were enrolled in about seventy-five different infantry regiments and fifteen cavalry regi- ments, besides a number of artillery organiza- tions. In some regiments Morgan County fur- nished whole companies. A large number of Morgan County men also enlisted in regiments in other States.

As shown by official records in the State Ad- jutant General's office, Morgan County fur- nished 2,732 soldiers for the Union Army.

Among the regiments in which were volun- teer soldiers from Morgan were the Tenth, Fourteenth, Sixteenth, Eighteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty-third, Twenty-sixth, Twen- ty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thir- ty-first, Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty- fourth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-eighth, Thir- ty-ninth, Forty-first, Forty-third, Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Fiftieth, Fifty-third, Fifty-fourth, Fifty-sixth, Fifty-seventh, Fifty-eighth, Sixty- first, Sixty-eighth, Seventy-fourth, Seven- ty-sixth, Eighty-seventh, Ninety-first, Ninety- fourth, Ninety-fifth, One Hundred and First, One Hundred and Fifth, One Hundred and Thir- teenth, One Hundred and Fifteenth, One Hun-

dred and Twenty-ninth, One Hundred and Thir- ty-third, One Hundred and Forty-fifth, One Hun- dred and Fifty-fifth Infantry; the Third, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth, Thirteenth, Sixteenth Cavalry; the First and Second Artillery; the Twenty- ninth and Thirteenth Colored Infantry. There were 179 volunteers from Morgan County in Missouri regiments, and 152 in regiments of other States. Up to March, 1864, the county had a surplus credit of 141 over all calls for defenders of the Union.

Besides the prompt enlistment of volunteers, there were large contributions of money for the care of families of the soldiers and for hospital supplies in the field. During the War for the Union the cause of the sick and suffering sol- diers brought into existence that grand organi- zation, representative of the whole church, the Christian Commission. Morgan County not only gave her citizens in defense of the coun- try, but also liberally donated of her means to relieve the wants of the sick and wounded. The magnificently liberal offer, in 1864, of Mr. Jacob Strawn, Sr., to give ten thousand dollars to the Christian Commission, if the citizens of Morgan County would give a like amount, met with a most liberal and praiseworthy response. Through the efforts of a few prominent citizens, aided by Mr. Ralph Reynolds and Rev. Charles C. McCabe (now Bishop), something over ten thousand dollars was raised. A brief account of the organization, marches, battles and dis- charge of the one hundred and fifty-six regi- ments of Illinois infantry, the seventeen cavalry companies and artillery batteries is given in the preceding volume "The Historical Ency- clopedia of Illinois." (See pages 551-571. )

Spanish-American War .- Company I, Fifth Il- linois Volunteer Infantry, Edwin C. Vickery, Captain, J. H. McDonnell, First Lieutenant, Sam Hunt, Second Lieutenant, Jacksonville, en- rolled for service April 25, 1898, and were mus- tered into service May 5th following. The Fifth Regiment was the first volunteer infantry regi- ment that was mustered into the United States service. It went from Springfield, Illinois, to Chickamauga, to a camp of instruction, pre- paring for service in Cuba. There were in that camp 55,000 men. The regiment was ordered to Porto Rico, but the order was countermand- ed before starting. At Newport News the regi-

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

ment went on a transport the day peace was declared. The regiment was then ordered to Kentucky, then to Springfield, Illinois, and was mustered out October 16, 1898, without having had the opportunity of active service in that campaign. Company I was composed of 106 officers and men. The company was recently disbanded. (See "Fifth Regiment," Hist. Enc. Ill., page 574.)

Colored Infantry Volunteers .- Thirty-six colored men from Morgan County were enlisted in Com- pany G., Eighth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, John R. Marshall of Chicago, Colonel. The remainder of the company were from Bloomington, Illinois. The regiment left Springfield August 8, 1898, going to New York City, and thence to Santiago, Cuba, where it landed August 17, 1898. Immediately the regi- ment was detailed for cleaning Santiago, and was distributed over the island for special serv- ice. The regimental band during that campaign was from Jacksonville, Illinois, composed of colored men.

Railroad Strike at East St. Louis .- In 1877, the militia of Morgan County consisted of two com- panies of young men, sworn in under the militia law of the State for a term of five years. The Morgan Cadets, Company I, Fifth Regiment, I. N. G., numbered fifty-six men; organized July 26, 1876. They were commanded by Captain William Harrison, who served as Captain of Company A, Thirty-ninth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, during the Civil War. The Light Guards, Company K, Fifth Regiment, I. N. G., was organized in 1876, and numbered fifty men. Their Captain, James M. Swales, served during the Civil War as Lieutenant of Company A, Tenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. Both companies were uniformed and equipped and did good service at East St. Louis during the summer of 1877 in suppressing the railroad strike.

Jacksonville Colored Company .- A company of colored men has been organized in Jackson- ville, consisting of seventy men and three of- ficers. The company is known as Company L. Illinois, Infantry, National Guards; George W. Cooper. Captain; S. B. Roberts, First Lieuten- ant; W. M. Parish, Second Licutenant. Cap- tain Cooper was Second Lieutenant of Company F, transferred from the Jacksonville band.

CHAPTER VIII.

CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES.

ALEXANDER - ARCADIA . ARNOLD - APPALONA - BETHEL - CHAPIN - CONCORD - FRANKLIN JACKSONVILLE - LITERBERRY - LYNNVILLE - MARKIIAM - MEREDOSIA - MORGAN CITY MURRAYVILLE - NEELYVILLE - NORTONVILLE ORLEANS - PISGAHI - PRENTICE - ROHRER SINCLAIR - WAVERLY - WOODLYN - WOODSON - YATESVILLE.

Alexander, the principal village of Alexander Precinct, is situated on the Wabash Railroad, ten miles east of Jacksonville. It was surveyed for Mr. Edward S. Hinrichsen, February 13, 1857. It was named after Mr. John T. Alex- ander, who owned a large amount of land ad- joining, on which his palatial country home was located. For many years Mr. Alexander was the largest shipper of live stock in the United States. From the year 1857 to 1872 the ship- ment of live stock from that place averaged two thousand car-loads per year; or more than thirty thousand car-loads in the aggregate. Dur- ing many late years the shipments of live stock have largely decreased, and those of grain have correspondingly increased. An elevator has been erected here and more than 100,000 bushels of grain have been shipped from this point dur- ing one year. The population of the village is about 200. A school house was built here in 1858, which is still used. In 1865 a Union church was built, which has been occupied chief- ly by the Methodist society, there being no other religious organization in the village.

Arcadia, in Arcadia Precinct, is located eight miles a little west of north from Jacksonville. Its first name was New Lexington, which was changed to Arcadia by act of the Legislature February 12, 1853. It is three and one-half miles west of Literberry, which is its nearest shipping point. The village was laid out in 1829, by a Mr. Bristow, probably Rev. Samuel Bristow, a Baptist preacher who brought a num- ber of persons to the county about 1820. Mr. Bristow was one of the three Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to permanently lo- cate the county-seat. Arcadia was a place of considerable business in its early history, hav-

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

ing several stores, various shops and two tav- erns. One of the earliest lodges of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows in the State was organized there, which existed till recent years. By the building of railroads the business of the town was diverted elsewhere. At the present time it has one Methodist and Union church. Its present population is about seventy- five.

Appalona is located about two miles west of Waverly. Prior to 1836, a village plat under the name of Appalona had been surveyed and some attempts to found a town had been made. Some cabins, a blacksmith shop and a postof- fice had been established. A Methodist church, which is still in regular use, was subsequently erected. Although vigorous efforts were made to build up a prosperous town, the attempt was unavailing by reason of the location of the town of Waverly in 1836, only two miles away. The postoffice, however, was retained until 1847. Appalona received its name from Apple Creek, near which it was situated.

Arnold, in Jacksonville Precinct, four miles east of the city of Jacksonville, on the Wabash Railroad, was established as a station June 29, 1888. A postoffice was located there a short time afterwards.

Bethel, in Chapin Precinct, is situated about twelve miles northwest of Jacksonville. It was laid out for Mr. and Mrs. Samuel and Catherine Whitley, and the plat was recorded April 28, 1833. It soon became a town of considerable business activity and prospective growth. It contained a number of dwellings, shops and stores. A postoffice was established soon after the commencement of the village, and a good local business was sustained for a number of years. But the building of the Northern Cross Railroad (Wabash), one mile south of the town in 1838, greatly interfered with its prosperity. In 1870 the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad was built one mile east of Bethel, which .further retarded its prosperity, and caused its permanent decline. Very early in the settlement of the county a Methodist church was built about one-half mile east of the town, but which ceased to be used many years ago. The population is about 100.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 132

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286