Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume I, Part 86

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

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PINCKNEYVILLE, a city and the county-seat of Perry County, situated at the intersection of the Paducah Division Illinois Central and the Wabashı, Chester & Western Railways, 10 miles west-northwest of Duquoin. Coal-mining is carried on in the immediate vicinity, and flour, carriages, plows and dressed lumber are among the manufactured products. Pinckneyville has two banks-one of which is national-two weekly newspapers, seven churches, a graded and a high school. Population (1880), 964; (1890), 1,298; (1900), 2,357.

PITTSBURG, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD, one of the Pennsyl- vania Company's lines, operating 1,403 miles of road, of which 1,090 miles are owned and the remainder leased-length of line in Illinois, 28 niles. The Company is the outgrowth of a con- solidation, in 1890, of the Pittsburg. Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway with the Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburg, the Cincinnati & Richmond and the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroads. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company controls the entire line through ownership of stock. Capital stock outstanding, in 1898, $47,791,601;

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funded debt, $48,433,000; floating debt, $2,214, 703 -total capital $98,500,584. - (HISTORY.) The Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburg Railroad, em- bracing the Illinois division of this line, was made up of various corporations organized under the laws of Illinois and Indiana. One of its compo- nent parts was the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway, organized, in 1865, by consolidation of the Galena & Illinois River Railroad (chartered in 1857), the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway of Indiana, the Cincinnati & Chicago Air-Line (organized 1860), and the Cincinnati, Logans- port & Chicago Railway. In 1869, the consoli- dated line was leased to the Pittsburg, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway Company, and operated under the name of the Columbus, Chicago & Indiana Central between Bradford, Ohio, and Chicago, from 1869 until its consolidation, under the present name, in 1890. (See Pennsylvania Railroad.)

PITTSBURG, FORT WAYNE & CHICAGO RAILROAD. (See Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chi- cago Railway.)

PITTSBURG, FORT WAYNE & CHICAGO RAILWAY. The total length of this line is nearly 470 miles, but only a little over 16 miles are within Illinois. It was operated by the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company as lessee. The entire capitalization in 1898 was $52,549,990; and the earnings in Illinois, $472,228 .- (HISTORY.) The Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway is the result of the consolidation, August 1, 1856, of the Olio & Pennsylvania, the Ohio & Indiana and the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Companies, under the name of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. The road was opened through its entire length, Jan. 1, 1859; was sold under foreclosure in 1861; reorganized under its present title, in 1862, and leased to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, for 999 years, from July 1, 1869. (See Pennsylvania Railroad.)

PITTSFIELD, the county-seat of Pike County, situated on the Hannibal & Naples branch of the Wabash Railway, about 40 miles southeast of Quincy, and about the same distance south of west from Jacksonville. Its public buildings include a handsome court house and graded and high school buildings. The city has an electric light plant, city water-works, a flour ınill, a National and a State bank, nine churches, and four weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890), 2,295; (1900), 2,293.

PLAINFIELD, a village of Will County, on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad and an interur- ban electric line, 8 miles northwest of Joliet; is

in a dairying section; has a bank and one news- paper. Pop. (1890), 852; (1900), 920.

PLANO, a city in Kendall County, situated near the Fox River, and on the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad, 14 miles west-southwest of Aurora. There are manufactories of agri- cultural implements and bedsteads. The city has banks, several churches, graded and high schools, and a weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), 1,825; (1900), 1,634; (1903, est.), 2,250.

PLEASANT PLAINS, a village of Sangamon County, on Springfield Division Baltimore & Ohio S. W. Railroad, 16 miles northwest of Spring- field; in rich farming region; has coal-shaft, bank, five churches, college and two newspapers. Population (1890), 518; (1900). 575.

PLEASANTS, George Washington, jurist, was born in Harrodsburg, Ky., Nov. 24, 1823; received a classical education at Williams College, Mass .. graduating in 1842; studied law in New York City, and was admitted to the bar at Rochester, N. Y., in 1845, establishing himself in practice at Williamstown, Mass., where he remained until 1849. In 1851 he removed to Washington, D. C., and, after residing there two years, came to Illi- nois, locating at Rock Island, which has since been his home. In 1861 he was elected, as a Republican, to the State Constitutional Conven- tion which met at Springfield in January follow- ing, and, in 1867, was chosen Judge for the Sixth (now Tenth) Judicial Circuit, having served by successive re-elections until June, 1897, retiring at the close of his fifth term-a record for length of service seldom paralleled in the judicial his- tory of the State. The last twenty years of this period were spent on the Appellate bench. For several years past Judge Pleasants has been a sufferer from failing eyesight, but has been faith- ful in attendance on his judicial duties. As a judicial officer and a man, his reputation stands among the highest.

PLUMB, Ralph, soldier and ex-Congressman, was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., March 29, 1816. After leaving school he became a mer- chant's clerk, and was himself a merchant for eighteen years. From New York lie removed to Ohio, where he was elected a member of the Legislature in 1855, later coming to Illinois. During the Civil War he served four years in the Union army as Captain and Quartermaster, being brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel at its close. He made his home at Streator, where he was elected Mayor (1881-1883). There he engaged in coal- mining and has been connected with several important enterprises. From 1885 to 1889 he

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represented the Eighth Illinois District in Con- gress, after which he retired to private life.

PLYMOUTH, a village of Hancock County, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, 41 miles northeast of Quincy ; is trade center of rich farming district; has two banks, electric lights, water-works, and one paper. Pop. (1900), 854.

POINTE DE SAIBLE, Jean Baptiste, a negro and Indian-trader, reputed to have been the first settler on the present site of the city of Chicago. He is said to have been a native of San Domingo, but is described by his contemporaries as "well educated and handsome," though dissipated. He appears to have been at the present site of Chi- cago as early as 1794, his house being located on the north side near the junction of the North and South branches of the Chicago River, where he carried on a considerable trade with the Indians. About 1796 he is said to have sold out to a French trader named Le Mai, and joined a countryman of his, named Glamorgan, at Peoria, where he died soon after. Glamorgan, who was the reputed owner of a large Spanish land-grant in the vicin- ity of St. Louis, is said to have been associated with Point de Saible in trade among the Peorias, before the latter came to Chicago.

POLO, a city in Ogle County, at intersection of the Illinois Central and the Chicago, Burling- ton & Northern Railways, 23 miles south of Free- port and 12 miles north of Dixon. The surrounding region is devoted to agriculture and stock-raising, and Polo is a shipping point for large quantities of cattle and hogs. Agricultural implements (including harvesters) and buggies are manufactured here. The city has banks, one weekly and one semi weekly paper, seven churches, a graded public and high school, and a public library. Pop. (1890), 1,728; (1900), 1,869.

PONTIAC, an Ottawa chief, born on the Ottawa River, in Canada, about 1720. While yet a young man he became the principal Chief of the allied Ottawas, Ojibways and Pottawatomies. He was always a firm ally of the French, to whose interests he was devotedly attached, defending them at Detroit against an attack of the Northern tribes, and (it is generally believed) leading the Ottawas in the defeat of Braddock. He reluctantly acquiesced in the issue of the French and Indian War, although at first strongly disposed to dispute the progress of Major Rogers, the British officer sent to take possession of the western forts. In 1762 he dispatched emissaries to a large number of tribes, whom he desired to unite in a league for the extermination of the English. His proposals were favorably received,

and thus was organized what is commonly spoken of as the "Conspiracy of Pontiac." He himself undertook to lead an assault upon Detroit. The garrison, however, was apprised of his inten- tion, and made preparations accordingly. Pontiac thereupon laid siege to the fort, but was unable to prevent the ingress of provisions, the Canadian settlers furnishing supplies to both besieged and besiegers with absolute impartiality. Finally a boat-load of ammunition and supplies was landed at Detroit from Lake Erie, and the English made an unsuccessful sortie on July 31, 1763. After a desultory warfare, lasting for nearly three months, the Indians withdrew into Indiana, where Pontiac tried in vain to organize another movement. Although Detroit had not been taken, the Indians captured Forts Sandusky, St. Joseph, Miami, Ouiatanon. LeBoeuf and Venango, besides the posts of Mackinaw and Presque Isle. The garrisons at all these points were massacred and innumerable outrages perpetrated elsewhere. Additional British troops were sent west, and the Indians finally brought under control. Pontiac was present at Oswego when a treaty was signed with Sir William Johnson, but remained implacable. His end was tragic. Broken in heart, but still proud in spirit and relentless in purpose, he applied to the former (and last) French Governor of Illinois, the younger St. Ange, who was then at St. Louis, for co-operation and support in another raid against the British. Being refused aid or countenance, according to a story long popularly received, he returned to the vicinity of Cahokia, where, in 1769, he was mur- dered by a Kaskaskia Indian in consideration of a barrel of liquor. N. Matson, author of several volumes bearing on early history in Illinois, cit- ing Col. Joseph N. Bourassa, an educated half- breed of Kansas, as authority for his statement, asserts that the Indian killed at Cahokia was an impostor, and that the true Pontiac was assassi- nated by Kineboo, the Head Chief of the Illinois, in a council held on the Des Plaines River, near the present site of Joliet. So well convinced, it is said, was Pierre Chouteau, the St. Louis Indian trader, of the truth of this last story, that he caused a monument, which he had erected over the grave of the false Pontiac, to be removed. Out of the murder of Pontiac, whether occurring at Cahokia or Joliet, it is generally agreed, resulted the extermination of the Illinois and the tragedy of "Starved Rock." (See Starred Rock.)

PONTIAC, an incorporated city, the county- seat of Livingston County. It stands on the bank of the Vemillion River, and is also a point

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of intersection of the Chicago & Alton, the Wabash and the Illinois Central Railroads. It is 33 miles north-northeast from Bloomington and 93 miles south-southwest of Chicago. The sur- rounding region is devoted to agriculture, stock- raising and coal-mining. Pontiac has four banks and four weekly newspapers (two issuing daily editions), numerous churches and good schools. Various kinds of manufacturing are conducted, among the principal establishments being flour- ing mills, three shoe factories, straw paper and candy factories and a foundry. The State Re- formatory for Juvenile Offenders is located here. Pop. (1890), 2,784; (1900), 4,266.

POOL, Orval, merchant and banker, was born in Union County, Ky., near Shawneetown, Ill., Feb. 17, 1809, but lived in Shawneetown from seven years of age; in boyhood learned the saddler's trade, but, in 1843, engaged in the dry-goods business, J. McKee Pecples and Thomas S. Ridg- way becoming his partners in 1846. In 1850 he retired from the dry-goods trade and became an extensive dealer in produce, pork and tobacco. 1871 he established the Gallatin County National Bank, of which he was the first Presi- dent. Died, June 30, 1871.

POOLE, William Frederick, bibliographer, librarian aud historical writer, was born at Salem, Mass., Dec. 24, 1821, graduated from Yale College in 1849, and, at the close of his sophomore year, was appointed assistant librarian of his col- lege society, which owned a library of 10,000 vol- umes. Here he prepared and published the first edition of his now famous "Index to Periodical Literature." A second and enlarged addition was published in 1853, and secured for its author wide fame, in both America and Europe. In 1852 he was made Librarian of the Boston Mercantile Library, and, from 1856 to 1869, had charge of the Boston Athenæum, then one of the largest li- braries in the United States, which he relinquished to engage in expert library work. He organized libraries in several New England cities and towns, at the United States Naval Academy, and the Cincinnati Public Library, finally becoming Librarian of the latter institution. In October, 1873, he assumed charge of the Chicago Public Library, then being organized, and, in 1887, became Librarian of the Newberry Library, organizing this institution and remaining at its head until his death, which occurred, March 1, 1894. The degree of LL.D. was conferred on him by the Northwestern University in 1882. Dr. Poole took a prominent part in the organization of library associations, and was one of the Vice-

Presidents of the International Conference of Librarians, held in London in 1871. His advice was much sought in relation to library architec- ture and management. He wrote much on topics connected with his profession and on historical subjects, frequently contributing to "The North American Review." In 1874-75 he edited a liter- ary paper at Chicago, called "The Owl," and was later a constant contributor to "The Dial." He was President of the American Historical Society and member of State Historical Societies and of other kindred associations.

POPE, Nathaniel, first Territorial Secretary of Illinois, Delegate in Congress and jurist, was born at Louisville, Ky., in 1774; graduated with high honor from Transylvania University, at Lexing- ton, Ky., read law with his brother, Senator John Pope, and, in 1804, emigrated to New Orleans, later living, for a time, at Ste. Genevieve, Mo. In 1808 he became a resideut of Kaskaskia and, the next year, was appointed the first Territorial Secretary of Illinois. His native judgment was strong and profound and his intellect quick and far-reaching, while both were thoroughly trained and disciplined by study. In 1816 he was elected a Territorial Delegate to Congress, and proved himself, not only devoted to the interests of his constitueuts, but also a shrewd tactician. He was largely instrumental in securing the passage of the act authorizing the formation of a State government, and it was mainly through his efforts that the northern boundary of Illinois was fixed at lat .. 42° 30' north, instead of the southern bend of Lake Michigan. Upon the admission of Illinois into the Union, lie was made United States Judge of the District, which then embraced the entire State. This office he filled with dig- nity, impartiality and acceptability until his death, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lu- cretia Yeatman, in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 23, 1850. Pope County was named in his honor .- Gen. John (Pope), son of the preceding, was born in Louis- ville, Ky., March 16, 1822; graduated at the United States Military Academy, 1842, and appointed brevet Second Lieutenant of Topographical Engineers; served in Florida (1842-44), on the northeast boundary survey, and in the Mexican War (1846-47), being promoted First Lieutenant for bravery at Monterey and Captain at Buena Vista. In 1849 he conducted an exploring expe- dition in Minnesota, was in charge of topograph- ical engineering service in New Mexico (1851-53), and of the survey of a route for the Union Pacific Railway (1853-59), meanwhile experimenting on the feasibility of artesian wells on the "Staked

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Plains" in Northwestern Texas. He was a zeal- ous friend of Abraham Lincoln in the political campaign of 1860, and was court-martialed for criticising the policy of President Buchanan, in a paper read before a literary society in Cincinnati, the proceedings being finally dropped on the recommendation of the (then) Secretary of War, Joseph Holt. In 1861 he was one of the officers detailed by the War Department to conduct Mr. Lincoln to the capital, and, in May following, was made Brigadier-General of Volunteers and assigned to command in Missouri, where he per- forined valuable service in protecting railroad communications and driving out guerrillas, gain- ing an important victory over Sterling Price at Blackwater, in December of that year; in 1862 had command of the land forces co-operating with Admiral Foote, in the expedition against New Madrid and Island No. 10, resulting in the capture of that stronghold with 6,500 prisoners, 125 cannon antl 7,000 small arms, thereby win- ning a Major-General's commission. Later, liav- ing participated in the operations against Corinth, he was transferred to command of the Army of Virginia, and soon after commissioned Briga- dier-General in the regular army. Here, being forced to meet a greatly superior force under General Lee, he was subjected to reverses which led to his falling back on Washington and 2 request to be relieved of his command. For fail- ure to give him proper support, Gen. Fitzjohn Porter was tried by court-martial, and, having been convicted, was cashiered and declared for- ever disqualified from holding any office of trust or profit under the United States Government- although this verdict was finally set aside and Porter restored to the army as Colonel, by act of Congress, in August, 1886. General Pope's sub- sequent service was performed chiefly against the Indians in the Northwest, until 1865, when he took command of the military division of Mis- souri, and, in June following, of the Department of the Missouri, including all the Northwestern States and Territories, from which he was relieved early in 1866. Later, he held command, under the Reconstruction Acts, in Georgia, Ala- bama and Florida (1867-68); the Department of the Lakes (1868-70) ; Department of the Missouri (1870- 84) ; and Department of the Pacific, from 1884 to his retirement, March 16, 1886. General Pope published "Explorations from the Red River to the Rio Grande" and "Campaigns in Virginia" (1863). Died, at Sandusky, Olio, Sept 23, 1892.

POPE COUNTY, lies on the southern border of the State, and contains an area of about 360

square miles-named in honor of Judge Nathaniel Pope. It was erected in 1816 (two years before the admission of Illinois as a State) from parts of Gallatin and Johnson Counties. The county-seat was first located at Sandsville, but later changed to Golconda. Robert Lacy, Benoni Lee and Thomas Ferguson were the first Commissioners; Hamlet Ferguson was chosen Sheriff; John Scott, Recorder; Thomas C. Browne, Prosecuting-Attor- ney, and Samuel Omelveney, Treasurer. The highest land in Southern Illinois is in the north- eastern part of this county, reaching an elevation of 1,046 feet. The bluffs along the Ohio River are bold in outline, and the ridges are surmounted by a thick growth of timber, notably oak and hick- ory. Portions of the bottom lands are submerged, at times, during a part of the year and are covered with cypress timber. The remains of Indian mounds and fortifications are found, and some interesting relics have been exhumed. Sand- stone is quarried in abundance, and coal is found here and there. Mineral springs (with copperas as the chief ingredient) are numerous. Iron is found in limited quantities, among the rocks toward the south, while spar and kaolin clay are found in the north. The chief agricultural products are potatoes, corn and tobacco. Popu- lation (1890), 14,016; (1900), 13,585.

PORT BYRON, a village of Rock Island County, on the Mississippi River and the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railway, 16 miles above Rock Island; has lime kilns, grain elevator, two banks, academy, public schools, and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 732. The (Illinois) Western Hospital for the Insane is located at Watertown, twelve miles below Port Byron.

PORTER, (Rev.) Jeremiah, pioneer clergy- man, was born at Hadley, Mass., in 1804; gradu- ated from Williams College in 1825, and studied theology at both Andover and Princeton semi- naries, graduating from the latter in 1831. The same year he made the (then) long and perilous journey to Fort Brady, a military post at the Sault Ste. Marie, where he began his work as a missionary. In 1833 he came to Chicago, where he remained for two years, organizing the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, with a member- ship of twenty-six persons. Afterwards he had pastoral charge of churches at Peoria and Farm- ington. While in Chicago he was married to Miss Eliza Chappell, one of the earliest teachers in Chicago. From 1840 to '58 he was located at Green Bay, Wis., accepting a call from a Chicago Church in the year last named. In 1861 he was commissioned Chaplain in the volunteer service

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by Governor Yates, and mustered out in 1865. The next five years were divided between labors at Brownsville, Tex., in the service of the Sani- tary Commission, and a pastorate at Prairie du Chien. In 1870 he was commissioned Chaplain in the regular army, remaining in the service (with occasional leaves of absence) until 1882, when he was retired from active service on account of advanced age. His closing years were spent at the homes of his children in Detroit and Beloit; died at the latter city, July 25, 1893, at the age of 89 years.

POSEY, (Gen.) Thomas, Continental and Revolutionary soldier, was born in Virginia, July 9, 1750; in 1774 took part in Lord Dunmore's expe- dition against the Indians, and, later, in various engagements of the Revolutionary War, being part of the time under the immediate command of Washington; was with General Wayne in the assault on Stony Point and present at Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown; also served, after the war, with Wayne as a Brigadier-General in the North- west Territory. Removing to Kentucky, he served in the State Senate, for a time being presiding officer and acting Lieutenant-Governor ; later (1812), was elected United States Senator from Louisiana, and, from 1813 to '16, served as Territorial Governor of Indiana Died, at the home of his son-in-law, Joseph M. Street, at Shawneetown, Ill., March 18, 1818, where he lies buried. At the time of his death General Posey was serving as Indian Agent.

POST, Joel S., lawyer and soldier of the Mexi- can War; was born in Ontario (now Wayne) County, N. Y., April 27, 1816; in 1828 removed with his father to Washtenaw County, Mich., remaining there until 1839, when he came to Macon County, Ill. The following year, he com- menced the study of law with Judge Charles Emmerson, of Decatur, and was admitted to the bar in 1841. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican War, and served as Quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment (Col. E. D. Baker's) ; in 1856 was elected to the State Senate, and, at the following session, was a leading supporter of the measures which resulted in the establishment of the State Nor- mal School at Bloomington. Capt. Post's later years were spent at Decatur, where he died, June 7, 1886.

POST, Philip Sidney, soldier and Congress- man, was born at Florida, Orange County, N. Y., March 19, 1833; at the age of 22 graduated from Union College, studied law at Poughkeepsie Law School, and, removing to Illinois, was admitted to the bar in 1856 At the outbreak of the Civil

War he enlisted, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteers. He was a gallant, fearless soldier, and was re- peatedly promoted for bravery and meritorious service, until he attained the rank of brevet Brigadier-General. He participated in many important battles and was severely wounded at Pea Ridge and Nashville. In 1865 he was in com- mand in Western Texas. After the close of the war he entered the diplomatic service, being appointed Consul-General to Austria-Hungary in 1874, but resigned in 1879, and returned to his home in Galesburg. From 1882 to 1886 he was a inember of the Republican State Central Com- mittee, and, during 1886, was Commander of the Department of Illinois, G. A. R. He was elected to Congress from the Tenth District on the Repub- lican ticket in 1886, serving continuously by re- election until his death, which occurred in Washington, Jan. 6, 1895.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume I, Part 86

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