Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume I, Part 46

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. jt. ed. cn; Wilderman, Alonzo St. Clair, 1839-1904, ed; Wilderman, Augusta A., jt. ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 698

USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume I > Part 46

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HENDERSON, Thomas J., ex-Congressman, was born at Brownsville, Tenn., Nov. 19, 1824; came to Illinois in 1837, and was reared upon a farm, but received an academic education. In 1847 he was elected Clerk of the County Com- missioners' Court of Stark County, and, in 1849, Clerk of the County Court of the same county, serving in that capacity for four years. Mean- while he had studied law and had been admitted to the bar in 1852. In 1855 and '56 he was a member of the lower house of the Legislature, and State Senator from 1857 to '60. He entered the Union army, in 1862, as Colonel of the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteers, and

served until the close of the war, being brevetted Brigadier-General in January, 1865. He was a Republican Presidential Elector for the State-at- large in 1868, and, in 1874, was elected to Congress from the Seventh Illinois District, serving con- tinuously until March, 1895. His home is at Princeton.

HENDERSON, William H., politician and legis- lator, was born in Garrard County, Ky., Nov. 16, 1793. After serving in the War of 1812, he settled in Tennessee, where he held inany positions of public trust, including that of State Senator. In 1836 he removed to Illinois, and, two years later, was elected to the General Assembly as Repre- sentative from Bureau and Putnam Counties, being re-elected in 1840. In 1842 he was the unsuccessful Whig candidate for Lieutenant- Governor, being defeated by John Moore. In 1845 he migrated to Iowa, where he died in 1864.

HENDERSON COUNTY, a county comprising 380 square miles of territory, located in the west- ern section of the State and bordering on the Mis- sissippi River. The first settlements were made about 1827-28 at Yellow Banks, now Oquawka. Immigration was checked by the Black Hawk War, but revived after the removal of the Indians across the Mississippi. The county was set off from Warren in 1841, with Oquawka as the county-seat. Population (1880), 10,722; (1890), 9,876. The soil is fertile, and underlaid by lime- stone. The surface is undulating, and well tim- bered. Population (1900), 10,836.

HENNEPIN, the county-seat of Putnam County, situated on the left bank of the Illinois River, about 28 miles below Ottawa, 100 miles southwest of Chicago, and 3 miles southeast of Bureau Junction. It has a courthouse, a bank, two grain elevators, three churches, a graded school, a newspaper. It is a prominent shipping point for produce by the river. The Hennepin Canal, now in process of construction from the Illinois River to the Mississippi at the mouth of Rock River. leaves the Illinois about two miles above Hennepin. Population (1880), 623; (1890), 574; (1900), 523.

HENNEPIN, Louis, a Franciscan (Recollect) friar and explorer, born at Ath, Belgium, about 1640. After several years of clerical service in Belgium and Holland, he was ordered (1675) by his ecclesiastical superiors to proceed to Canada. In 1679 he accompanied La Salle on his explo- rations of the great lakes and the upper Missis- sippi. Having reached the Illinois by way of Lake Michigan, early in the following year (1680), La Salle proceeded to construct a fort on the east

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side of the Illinois River, a little below the present site of Peoria, which afterwards received the name of Fort Creve-Cœur. In February, 1680, Father Hennepin was dispatched by La Salle, with two companions, by way of the mouth of the Illinois, to explore the upper Mis- sissippi. Ascending the latter stream, his party was captured by the Sioux and carried to the villages of that tribe among the Minnesota lakes, but finally rescued. During his captivity he discovered the Falls of St. Anthony, which he named. After his rescue Hennepin returned to Quebec, and thence sailed to France. There he published a work describing La Salle's first expedition and his own explorations. Although egotistical and necessarily incorrect, this work was a valuable contribution to history. Because of ecclesiastical insubordination he left France for Holland. In 1697 he published an extraordi- nary volume, in which he set forth claims as a discoverer which have been wholly discredited. His third and last work, published at Utrecht, in 1698, was entitled a "New Voyage in a Country Larger than Europe." It was a compilation describing La Salle's voyage to the mouth of the Mississippi. His three works have been trans- lated into twenty-four different languages. He died, at Utrecht, between 1702 and 1705.

HENNEPIN CANAL. (See Illinois & Missis- sippi Canal.)

HENRY, a city in Marshall County, situated on the west bank of the Illinois River and on the Peoria branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 33 miles north-northeast of Peoria. There is a combination railroad and wagon bridge, lock and dam across the river at this point. The city is a thriving commercial center, among its industries being grain eleva- tors, flour mills, and a windmill factory; has two national banks, eight churches and two newspapers. Population (1880), 1,728; (1890) 1,512; (1900), 1,637.

HENRY, James D., pioneer and soldier, was born in Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in 1822, locating at Edwardsville, where, being of limited educa- tion, he labored as a mechanic during the day and attended school at night; engaged in mer- chandising, removed to Springfield in 1826, and was soon after elected Sheriff; served in the Win- nebago War (1827) as Adjutant, and, in the Black Hawk War (1831-32) as Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, finally being placed in command of a brigade at the battle of Wisconsin and the Bad Axe, his success in both winning for him great popularity. His exposures brought on disease of

the lungs, and, going South, he died at New Orleans, March 4, 1834.

HENRY COUNTY, one of the middle tier of counties of Northern Illinois, near the western border of the State, having an area of 830 square miles,-named for Patrick Henry. The Ameri- can pioneer of the region was Dr. Baker, who located in 1835 on what afterwards became the town of Colona. During the two years following several colonies from the eastern States settled at different points (Geneseo, Wethersfield, etc. ). The act creating it was passed in 1825, though organization was not completed until 1837. The first county court was held at Dayton. Subse- quent county-seats have been Richmond (1837) ; Geneseo (1840); Morristown (1842); and Cam- bridge (1843). Population (1870), 36,597; (1890), 33,338; (1900), 40,049.

HERNDON, Archer G., one of the celebrated "Long Nine" members of the General Assembly of 1836-37, was born in Culpepper County, Va., Feb. 13, 1795; spent his youth in Green County, Ky., came to Madison County, Ill., 1820, and to Sangamon in 1821, becoming a citizen of Spring- field in 1825, where he engaged in mercantile business; served eight years in the State Senate (1834-42), and as Receiver of the Land Office 1842-49. Died, Jan. 3, 1867. Mr. Herndon was the father of William H. Herndon, the law part- ner of Abraham Lincoln.

HERNDON, William H., lawyer, was born at Greensburg, Ky., Dec. 25, 1818; brought to Illi- nois by his father, Archer G. Herndon, in 1820, and to Sangamon County in 1821; entered Illinois College in 1836, but remained only one year on account of his father's hostility to the supposed abolition influences prevailing at that institution ; spent several years as clerk in a store at Spring- field, studied law two years with the firm of Lin- coln & Logan (1842-44), was admitted to the bar and became the partner of Mr. Lincoln, so con- tinuing until the election of the latter to the Presidency. Mr. Herndon was a radical oppo- nent of slavery and labored zealously to promote the advancement of his distinguished partner. The offices he held were those of City Attorney, Mayor and Bank Commissioner under three Gov- ernors. Some years before his death he wrote, and, in conjunction with Jesse W. Weik, published a Life of Abraham Lincoln in three volumes- afterwards revised and issued in a two-volume edition by the Messrs. Appleton, New York. Died, near Springfield, March 18, 1891.

HERRINGTON, Augustus M., lawyer and poli- tician, was born at or near Meadville, Pa., in 1823;

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when ten years of age was brought by his father to Chicago, the family removing two years later (1835) to Geneva, Kane County, where the elder Herrington opened the first store. Augustus was admitted to the bar in 1844; obtained great promi- nence as a Democratic politician, serving as Presidential Elector for the State-at-large in 1856, and as a delegate to Democratic National Conventions in 1860, '64, '68, '76 and '80, and was almost invariably a member of the State Conven- tions of his party during the same period. He also served for many years as Solicitor of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Died, at Ge- neva, Kane County, August 14, 1883 .- James (Herrington), brother of the preceding, was born in Mercer County, Pa., June 6, 1824; came to Chicago in 1833, but, two years later, was taken by his parents to Geneva, Kane County. In 1843 he was apprenticed to the printing business on the old "Chicago Democrat" (John Wentworth, publisher), remaining until 1848, when he returned to Geneva, where he engaged in farming, being also connected for a year or two with a local paper. In 1849 he was elected County Clerk, re- maining in office eight years; also served three terms on the Board of Supervisors, later serving continuously in the lower branch of the General Assembly from 1872 to 1886. He was also a mem- ber of the State Board of Agriculture and a fre- quent delegate to Democratic State Conventions. Died, July 7, 1890 .- James Herrington, Sr., father of the two preceding, was a Representative in the Fifteenth General Assembly (1846-48) for the District embracing the counties of Kane, McHenry, Boone and De Kalb.

HERTZ, Henry L., ex-State Treasurer, was born at Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1847; gradu- ated from the University of Copenhagen in 1866, and after pursuing the study of medicine for two years, emigrated to this country in 1869. After various experiences in selling sewing-machines, as bank-clerk, and as a farm-hand, in 1876 Mr. Hertz was employed in the Recorder's office of Cook County; in 1878 was record-writer in the Criminal Court Clerk's office; in 1884 was elected Coroner of Cook County, and re-elected in 1888. In 1892, as Republican candidate for State Treas- urer, he was defeated, but, in 1896, again a candidate for the same office, was elected by a majority of 115,000, serving until 1899. He is now a resident of Chicago.

HESING, Antone Caspar, journalist and politi- cian, was born in Prussia in 1823; left an orphan at the age of 15, he soon after emigrated to America, landing at Baltimore and going thence to Cin-

cinnati. From 1840 to 1842 he worked in a gro- cery store in Cincinnati, and later opened a small hotel. In 1854 he removed to Chicago, where he was for a time engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1860 he was elected Sheriff of Cook County, as a Republican. In 1862 he purchased an interest in "The Chicago Staats Zeitung," and in 1867 became sole proprietor. In 1871 he admitted his son, Washington Hesing, to a part- nership, installing him as general manager. Died, in Chicago, March 31, 1895 .- Washington (Hesing), son of the preceding, was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, May 14, 1849, educated at Chicago and Yale College, graduating from the latter in 1870. After a year spent in study abroad, he returned to Chicago and began work upon "The Staats Zeitung," later becoming managing editor, and finally editor-in-chief. While yet a young man he was made a member of the Chicago Board of Education, but declined to serve a second term. In 1872 he entered actively into politics, making speeches in both English and German in support of General Grant's Presi- dential candidacy. Later ho affiliated with the Democratic party, as did his father, and, in 1893, was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Chicago mayoralty, being defeated by Carter H. Harrison. In December, 1893, he was appointed by President Cleveland Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving four years. His administration was characterized by a high degree of efficiency and many improve- ments in the service were adopted, one of the most important being the introduction of postal cars on the street-railroads for the collection of mail matter. In April, 1897, he became an Inde- pendent candidate for Mayor, but was defeated by Carter H. Harrison, the regular Democratic nominee. Died, Dec. 18, 1897.

HEYWORTH, a village of McLean County, on the Illinois Central Railway, 10 miles south of Bloomington; has a bank, churches, gas wells, and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 566; (1900), 683.

HIBBARD, Homer Nash, lawyer, was born at Bethel, Windsor County, Vt., Nov. 7, 1824, his early life being spent upon a farm and in attend- ance upon the common schools. After a short term in an academy at Randolph, Vt., at the age of 18 he began the study of law at Rutland-also fitting himself for college with a private tutor. Later, having obtained means by teaching, he took a course in Castleton Academy and Ver- mont University, graduating from the latter in 1850. Then, having spent some years in teach- ing, he entered the Dane Law School at Harvard,

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later continuing his studies at Burlington and finally, in the fall of 1853, removing to Chicago. Here he opened a law office in connection with his old classmate, the late Judge John A. Jame- son, but early in the following year removed to Freeport, where he subsequently served as City Attorney, Master in Chancery and President of the City School Board. Returning to Chicago in 1860, he became a member of the law firm of Cornell, Jameson & Hibbard, and still later the head of the firm of Hibbard, Rich & Noble. In 1870 he was appointed by Judge Drummond Register in Bankruptcy for the Chicago District, serving during the life of the law. He was also, for some time, a Director of the National Bank of Illinois, and Vice-President of the American Insurance Company. Died, Nov. 14, 1897.

HICKS, Stephen G., lawyer and soldier of three wars, was born in Jackson County, Ga., Feb. 22, 1807-the son of Jolin Hicks, one of the seven soldiers killed at the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815. Leaving the roof of a step-father at an early age, he found his way to Illinois, working for a time in the lead mines near Galena, and later at the carpenter's trade with an uncle; served as a Sergeant in the Black Hawk War, finally locating in Jefferson County, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar. Here he was elected to the lower branch of the Twelfth General Assembly (1840) and re-elected succes- sively to the Thirteenth and Fourteenth. Early in the Mexican War (1846) he recruited a com- pany for the Third Regiment, of which he was chosen Captain, a year later becoming Lieuten- ant-Colonel of the Sixth. At the beginning of the Civil War Colonel Hicks was practicing his profession at Salem, Marion County. He promptly raised a company which became a part of the Fortieth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, of which he was commissioned Colonel. The regi- ment saw active service in the campaign in West- ern Tennessee, including the battle of Shiloh, where Colonel Hicks was dangerously wounded through the lungs, only recovering after some months in hospital and at his home. He rejoined his regiment in July following, but found him- self compelled to accept an honorable discharge, a few months later, on account of disability. Having finally recovered, he was restored to his old command, and served to the close of the war. In October, 1863, he was placed in command at Paducah, Ky., where he remained eighteen months, after which he was transferred to Colum- bus, Ky. While in command at Paducah, the place was desperately assaulted by the rebel

Colonel Forrest, but successfully defended, the rebel assailants sustaining a loss of some 1,200 killed and wounded. After the war Colonel Hicks returned to Salem, where he died, Dec. 14, 1869, and was buried, in accordance with his request, in the folds of the American flag. Born on Washington's birthday, it is a somewhat curious coincidence that the death of this brave soldier should have occurred on the anniversary of that of the "Father of His Country."

HIGBEE, Chauncey L., lawyer and Judge, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, Sept. 7, 1821, and settled in Pike County, Ill., in 1844. He early took an interest in politics, being elected to the lower house of the Legislature in 1854, and two years later to the State Senate. In 1861 he was elected Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court, and was re-elected in 1867, '73, and '79. In 1877, and again in '79, he was assigned to the bench of the Appellate Court. Died, at Pittsfield, Dec. 7, 1884.

HIGGINS, Van Hollis, lawyer, was born in Genessee County, N. Y., and received his early education at Auburn and Seneca Falls; came to Chicago in 1837 and, after spending some time as clerk in his brother's store, taught some months in Vermilion County; then went to St. Louis, where he spent a year or two as reporter on "The Missouri Argus," later engaging in commercial pursuits; in 1842 removed to Iroquois County, Ill., where he read law and was admitted to the bar; in 1845, established himself in practice in Galena, served two years as City Attorney there, but returned to Chicago in 1852, where he contin· ued to reside for the remainder of his life. In 1858 he was elected as a Republican Representative in the Twenty-first General Assembly; served sev- eral years as Judge of the Chicago City Court, and was a zealous supporter of the Government during the War of the Rebellion. Judge Higgins was successful as a lawyer and business man, and was connected with a number of important busi- ness enterprises, especially in connection with real-estate operations; was also a member of sev- eral local societies of a professional, social and patriotic character. Died, at Darien, Wis., April 17, 1893.

HIGGINSON, Charles M., civil engineer and Assistant Railway President, was born in Chica- go, July 11, 1846-the son of George M.Higginson, who located in Chicago about 1843 and engaged in the real-estate business; was educated at the Lawrence Scientific School, Cambridge, Mass., and entered the engineering department of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in 1867, remaining until 1875. He then became the pur-

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chasing agent of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad, but, a year later, returned to Chicago, and soon after assumed the same position in con- nection with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, being transferred to the Auditorship of the latter road in 1879. Later, he became assistant to President Ripley of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Line, where he remained until his death, which occurred at Riverside, Ill., May 6, 1899. Mr. Higginson was, for several years, President of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and a member of the Board of Managers of the Young Men's Christian Association of Chicago.

HIGH, James L., lawyer and author, was born at Belleville, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1844; in boyhood came to Wisconsin, and graduated at Wisconsin State University, at Madison, in 1864, also serving for a time as Adjutant of the Forty-ninth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers; studied law at the Michi- gan University Law School and, in 1867, came to Chicago, where he began practice. He spent the winter of 1871-72 in Salt Lake City and, in the absence of the United States District Attorney, conducted the trial of certain Mormon leaders for connection with the celebrated Mountain Meadow Massacre, also acting as correspondent of "Tlie New York Times," his letters being widely copied. Returning to Chicago he took a high rank in his profession. He was the author of several volumes, including treatises on "The Law of Injunctions as administered in the Courts of Englandand America, " and "Extraordinary Legal Remedies, Mandamus, Quo Warranto and Prohibi- tions," which are accepted as high authority with the profession. In 1870 he published a revised edition of Lord Erskine's Works, including all his legal arguments, together with a memoir of his life. Died, Oct. 3, 1898.

HIGHLAND, a city in the southeastern part of Madison County, founded in 1836 and located on the Vandalia line, 32 miles east of St. Louis. Its manufacturing industries include a milk-con· densing plant, creamery, flour and planing mills, breweries, embroidery works, etc. It contains several churches and schools, a Roman Catholic Seminary, a hospital, and has three newspapers- one German. The early settlers were Germans of the most thrifty and enterprising classes. The surrounding country is agricultural. Popu- lation (1880), 1,960; (1890), 1,857; (1900, decennial census), 1,970.

HIGHLAND PARK, an incorporated city of Lake County, on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, 23 miles north-northwest of Chicago. It has a salubrious site on a bluff 100 feet above

Lake Michigan, and is a favorite residence and health resort. It lias a large hotel, several churches, a military academy, and a weekly paper. Two Waukegan papers issue editions here. Population (1890), 2,163; (1900), 2,806.

HILDRUP, Jesse S., lawyer and legislator, was born in Middletown, Conn., March 14, 1833; at 15 removed to the State of New York and after- wards to Harrisburg, Pa .; in 1860 came to Belvi- dere, Ill., where he began the practice of law, also serving as Corporation Trustee and Township Supervisor, and, during the latter years of the war, as Deputy Provost Marshal. His first im- portant elective office was that of Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of 1870, but he was elected Representative in the General Assem- bly the same year, and again in 1872. While in the House he took a prominent part in the legis- lation which resulted in the organization of the Railroad and Warehouse Board. Mr. Hildrup was also a Republican Presidential Elector in 1868, and United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois from 1877 to 1881. During the last few years much of his time has been spent in California for the benefit of the health of some members of his family.

HILL, Charles Augustus, ex-Congressman, was born at Truxton, Cortland County, N. Y., August 23, 1833. He acquired his early education by dint of hard labor, and much privation. In 1854 he removed to Illinois, settling in Will County, where, for several years, he taught school, as he had done while in New York. Meanwhile he read law, his last instructor being Hon. H. C. Newcomb, of Indianapolis, where he was admitted to the bar. He returned to Will County in 1860, and, in 1862, enlisted in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, participating in the battle of Antietam. Later he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the First United States Regi- ment of Colored Troops, with which he remained until the close of the war, rising to the rank of Captain. In 1865 he returned to Joliet and to the practice of his profession. In 1868 he was elected State's Attorney for the district comprising Will and Grundy Counties, but declined a renomina- tion. In 1888 he was the successful Republican candidate for Congress from the Eighth Illinois District, but was defeated for re-election in 1890 by Lewis Steward, Democrat.

HILLSBORO, an incorporated city, the county- seat of Montgomery County, on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, 67 miles northeast of St. Louis. Its manufactures are flour, brick and tile, carriages and harness,

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furniture and woolen goods. It has a high school, banks and two weekly newspapers. The surrounding region is agricultural, though con- siderable coal is mined in the vicinity. Popula- tion (1880), 2,858; (1890), 2,500; (1900), 1,937.

HINCKLEY, a village of De Kalb County, on the Rochelle Division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 18 miles west of Aurora; in rich agricultural and dairying region ; has grain elevators, brick and tile works, water system and electric light plant. Pop. (1890), 496; (1900), 587.

HINRICHSEN, William H., ex-Secretary of State and ex-Congressman, was born at Franklin, Morgan County, Ill., May 27, 1850; educated at the University of Illinois, spent four years in the office of his father, who was stock-agent of the Wabash Railroad, and six years (1874-80) as Deputy Sheriff of Morgan County; then went into the newspaper business, editing the Jackson- ville "Evening Courier," until 1886, after which he was connected with "The Quincy Herald," to 1890, when he returned to Jacksonville and re- sumed his place on "The Courier." He was Clerk of the House of Representatives in 1891, and elected Secretary of State in 1892, serving until January, 1897. Mr. Hinrichsen has been a mem- ber of the Democratic State Central Committee since 1890, and was Chairman of that body dur- ing 1894-96. In 1896 Mr. Hinrichsen was the nominee of his party for Congress in the Six- teenth District and was elected by over 6,000 majority, but failed to secure a renomination in 1898.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume I, Part 46

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. jt. ed. cn; Wilderman, Alonzo St. Clair, 1839-1904, ed; Wilderman, Augusta A., jt. ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. jt. ed. cn; Wilderman, Alonzo St. Clair, 1839-1904, ed; Wilderman, Augusta A., jt. ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 698