Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 53

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857-
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 724

USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I > Part 53

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).

William Kinney, of Belleville, who was a can- didate for Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket opposed to Edwards, was elected over Samuel M. Thompson. In 1830, Kinney became a candidate for Governor but was defeated by John Reynolds, known as the "Old Ranger." One of the argu- ments used against Kinney in this campaign was that, in the Legislature of 1823, he was one of three members who voted against the Illinois & Michigan Canal, on the ground that "it (the canal) would make an opening for the Yankees to come to the country."

During Edwards' administration the first steps were taken towards the erection of a State peni- tentiary at Alton, funds therefor being secured by the sale of a portion of the saline lands in Gal- latin County. (See Alton Penitentiary.) The first

262

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

Commissioners having charge of its construction were Shadrach Bond, William P. McKee and Dr. Gershom Jayne-the last-named the father of Dr. William Jayne of Springfield, and father-in- law of the late Senator Lyman Trumbull.

GOVERNOR REYNOLDS-BLACK HAWK WAR .- The election of 1830 resulted in the choice of John Reynolds for Governor over William Kinney, by a majority of 3,899, in a total vote of 49,051, while Zadoc Casey, the candidate on the Kinney ticket, was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See Reynolds, John.)

The most important event of Reynolds' admin- istration was the "Black-Hawk War." Eight thousand militia were called out during this war to reinforce 1,500 regular troops, the final result being the driving of 400 Indians west of the Mis- sissippi. Rock Island, which had been the favor- ite rallying point of the Indians for generations, was the central point at the beginning of this war. It is impossible to give the details of this complicated struggle, which was protracted through two campaigns (1831 and 1832), though there was no fighting worth speaking of except in the last, and no serious loss to the whites in that, except the surprise and defeat of Stillman's command. Beardstown was the base of opera- tions in each of these campaigns, and that city has probably never witnessed such scenes of bustle and excitement since. The Indian village at Rock Island was destroyed, and the fugitives, after being pursued through Northern Illinois and Southwestern Wisconsin without being allowed to surrender, were driven beyond the Mississippi in a famishing condition and with spirits completely broken. Galena, at that time the emporium of the "Lead Mine Region," and the largest town in the State north of Springfield, was the center of great excitement, as the war was waged in the region surrounding it. (See Black Hawk War.) Although cool judges have not regarded this campaign as reflecting honor upon either the prowess or the magnanimity of the whites, it was remarkable for the number of those connected with it whose names afterwards became famous in the history of the State and the Nation. Among them were two who after- wards became Presidents of the United States- Col. Zachary Taylor of the regular army, and Abraham Lincoln, a Captain in the State militia -- besides Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant in the regular army and afterwards head of the Southern Confederacy; three subsequent Gov- ernors-Duncan, Carlin and Ford-besides Gov- ernor Reynolds, who at that time occupied the

gubernatorial chair; James Semple, afterwards United States Senator; John T. Stuart, Lincoln's law preceptor and partner, and later a Member of Congress, to say nothing of many others, who, in after years, occupied prominent positions as mem- bers of Congress, the Legislature or otherwise. Among the latter were Gen. John J. Hardin; the late Joseph Gillespie, of Edwardsville; Col. John Dement; William Thomas of Jackson- ville; Lieut .- Col. Jacob Fry; Henry Dodge and others.

Under the census of 1830, Illinois became entitled to three Representatives in Congress instead of one, by whom it had been represented from the date of its admission as a State. Lieu- tenant-Governor Casey, having been - elected to the Twenty-third Congress for the Second Dis- trict under the new apportionment, on March 1, 1833, tendered his resignation of the Lieutenant- Governorship, and was succeeded by William L. D. Ewing, Temporary President of the Senate. (See Apportionment, Congressional; Casey, Zadoc, and Representatives in Congress.) Within two weeks of the close of his term (Nov. 17, 1834), Governor Reynolds followed the example of his associate in office by resigning the Governorship to accept the seat in Congress for the First (or Southern) District, which had been rendered vacant by the death of Hon. Charles Slade, the incumbent in office, in July previous. This opened the way for a new promotion of acting Lieutenant-Governor Ewing, who thus had the distinction of occupying the gubernatorial office for the brief space of two weeks. (See Reynolds, John, and Slade, Charles.)

Ewing probably held a greater variety of offices under the State, than any other man who ever lived in it. Repeatedly elected to each branch of the General Assembly, he more than once filled the chair of Speaker of the House and President of the Senate; served as Acting Lieu- tenant-Governor and Governor by virtue of the resignation of his superiors; was United States Senator from 1835 to 1837; still later became Clerk of the House where he had presided as Speaker, finally, in 1843, being elected Auditor of Public Accounts, and dying in that office three years later. In less than twenty years, he held eight or ten different offices, including the high- est in the State. (See Ewing, William Lee David- son. )

DUNCAN'S ADMINISTRATION .- Joseph Duncan, who had served the State as its only Represent- ative in three Congresses, was elected Governor, August, 1834, over four competitors-William

JOHN WOOD Governor March 21, 1860- Jan. 14, 1861

RICHARD YATES Governor Jan. 14, 1861- Jan. 16, 1865

RICHARD J. OGLESBY Governor Jan. 16, 1865-Jan. 11, 1869. Jan. 13, 1873-Jan. 23, 1873. Jan. 30, 1885- Jan. 14, 1889

263

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

Kinney, Robert K. Mclaughlin, James Evans and W. B. Archer. (See Duncan, Joseph.)

His administration was made memorable by the large number of distinguished men who either entered public life at this period or gained additional prominence by their connection with public affairs. Among these were Abraliam Lin- coln and Stephen A. Douglas; Col. E. D. Baker, who afterward and at different times represented Illinois and Oregon in the councils of the Nation, and who fell at Ball's Bluff in 1862; Orville H. Browning, a prospective United States Senator and future cabinet officer; Lieut .- Gov. John Dougherty; Gen. James Shields, Col. John J. Hardin, Archibald Williams, Cyrus and Ninian W. Edwards; Dr. John Logan, father of Gen. John A. Logan; Stephen T. Logan, and many more.

During this administration was begun that gigantic scheme of "internal improvements," which proved so disastrous to the financial inter- ests of the State. The estimated cost of the various works undertaken, was over $11,000,000, and though little of substantial value was real- ized, yet, in 1852, the debt (principal and inter- est) thereby incurred (including that of the canal), aggregated nearly $17,000,000. The col- lapse of the scheme was, no doubt, hastened by the unexpected suspension of specie payments by the banks all over the country, which followed soon after its adoption. (See Internal Improve- ment Policy; also State Debt.)

CAPITAL REMOVED TO SPRINGFIELD .- At the session of the General Assembly of 1836-37, an act was passed removing the State capital to Spring- field, and an appropriation of $50,000 was made to erect a building; to this amount the city of Spring- field added a like sum, besides donating a site. In securing the passage of these acts, the famous "Long Nine," consisting of A. G. Herndon and Job Fletcher, in the Senate; and Abraham Lin- coln, Ninian W. Edwards, John Dawson, Andrew McCormick, Dan Stone, William F. Elkin and Robert L. Wilson, in the House-all Representa- tives from Sangamon County-played a leading part.

THE MURDER OF LOVEJOY .- An event occurred near the close of Governor Duncan's term, which left a stain upon the locality, but for which his adıninistration had no direct responsibility; to- wit, the murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, by a pro-slavery mob at Alton. Lovejoy was a native of Maine, who, coming to St. Louis in 1827, had been employed upon various papers, the last being "The St. Louis Observer." The outspoken

hostility of this paper to slavery aroused a bitter local opposition which led to its removal to Alton, where the first number of "The Alton Observer" was issued, Sept. 8, 1836, though not until one press and a considerable portion of the material had been destroyed by a mob. On the night of August 21, 1837, there was a second destruction of the material, when a third press having been procured, it was taken from the warehouse and thrown into the Mississippi. A fourth press was ordered, and, pending its arrival, Lovejoy appeared before a public meet- ing of his opponents and, in an impassioned address, maintained his right to freedom of speech, declaring in conclusion: "If the civil authorities refuse to protect me, I must look to God; and if I die, I have determined to make my grave in Alton." These words proved prophetic. The new press was stored in the warehouse of Godfrey, Gillman & Co., on the night of Nov. 6, 1837. A guard of sixty volunteers remained about the building the next day, but when night came all but nineteen retired to their homes. During the night a mob attacked the building, when a shot from the inside killed Lyman Bishop. An attempt was then made by the rioters to fire the warehouse by sending a man to the roof. To dislodge the incendiary, Lovejoy, with two others, emerged from the building, when two or three men in concealment fired upon him, the shots taking effect in a vital part of his body, causing his death almost instantly. He was buried the following day without an inquest. Several of the attacking party and the defenders of the building were tried for riot and acquitted -the former probably on account of popular sympathy with the crime, and the latter because they were guiltless of any crime except that of defending private property and attempting to preserve the law. The act of firing the fatal shots has been charged upon two men-a Dr. Jennings and his comrade, Dr. Beall. The former, it is said, was afterwards cut to pieces in a bar-room fight in Vicksburg, Miss., while the latter, having been captured by Comanche Indians in Texas, was burned alive. On the other hand, Lovejoy has been honored as a martyr and the sentiments for which he died have triumphed. (See Lovejoy, Elijah Parish; also Alton Riots.)

CARLIN SUCCEEDS TO THE GOVERNORSHIP .- Duncan was succeeded by Gov. Thomas Carlin, who was chosen at the election of 1838 over Cyrus Edwards (a younger brother of Gov. Ninian Edwards), who was the Whig candidate.

264

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

The successful candidate for Lieutenant-Governor was Stinson H. Anderson of Jefferson County. (See Carlin, (Gov.) Thomas; Anderson, Stinson H.)

Among the members of the Legislature chosen at this time we find the names of Orville H. Browning, Robert Blackwell, George Churchill, William G. Gatewood, Ebenezer Peck (of Cook County), William A. Richardson, Newton Cloud, Jesse K. Dubois, O. B. Ficklin, Vital Jarrot, John Logan, William F. Thornton and Archibald Williams-all men of prominence in the subse- quent history of the State. This was the last Legislature that assembled at Vandalia, Spring- field becoming the capital, July 4, 1839. The corner-stone of the first State capitol at Spring- field was laid with imposing ceremonies, July 4, 1837, Col. E. D. Baker delivering an eloquent address. Its estimated cost was $130,000, but $240,000 was expended upon it before its com- pletion.

An incident of this campaign was the election to Congress, after a bitter struggle, of John T. Stuart over Steplien A. Douglas from the Third District, by a majority of fourteen votes. Stuart was re-elected in 1840, but in 1842 he was suc- ceeded, under a new apportionment, by Col. John J. Hardin, while Douglas, elected from the Quincy District, then entered the National Coun- cils for the first time.

FIELD-MCCLERNAND CONTEST. - An exciting event connected with Carlin's administration was the attempt to remove Alexander P. Field from the office of Secretary of State, which he had held since 1828. Under the Constitution of 1818, this office was filled by nomination by the Gov- ernor "with the advice and consent of the Senate." Carlin nominated John A. McCler- nand to supersede Field, but the Senate refused to confirm the nomination. After adjournment of the Legislature, McClernand attempted to obtain possession of the office by writ of quo warranto. The Judge of a Circuit Court decided the case in his favor, but this decision was overruled by the Supreme Court. A special session having been called, in November, 1840, Stephen A. Douglas, then of Morgan County, was nominated and con- firmed Secretary of State, but held the position only a few months, when he resigned to accept a place on the Supreme bench, being succeeded as Secretary by Lyman Trumbull.

SUPREME COURT REVOLUTIONIZED. - Certain decisions of some of the lower courts about this time, bearing upon the suffrage of aliens, excited the apprehension of the Democrats, who had heretofore been in political control of the State,

and a movement was started in the Legislature to reorganize the Supreme Court, a majority of whom were Whigs. The Democrats were not unanimous in favor of the measure, but, after a bitter struggle, it was adopted, receiving a bare majority of one in the House. Under this act five additional Judges were elected, viz. : Thomas Ford, Sidney Breese, Walter B. Scates, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas - all Demo- crats. Mr. Ford, one of the new Judges, and afterwards Governor, has characterized this step as "a confessedly violent and somewhat revolu- tionary measure, which could never have suc- ceeded except in times of great party excite- ment."

The great Whig mass-meeting at Springfield, in June, 1840, was an incident of the political campaign of that year. No such popular assem- blage had ever been seen in the State before. It is estimated that 20,000 people-nearly five per cent of the entire population of the State-were present, including a large delegation from Chi- cago who marched overland, under command of the late Maj .- Gen. David Hunter, bearing with them many devices so popular in that memorable campaign.

FORD ELECTED GOVERNOR. - Judge Thomas Ford became the Democratic candidate for Gov- ernor in 1842, taking the place on the ticket of Col. Adam W. Snyder, who had died after nomi- nation. Ford was elected by more than 8,000 majority over ex-Governor Duncan, the Whig candidate. John Moore, of McLean County (who had been a member of the Legislature for several terms and was afterwards State Treasurer), was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See Ford, Thomas; Snyder, Adam W., and Moore, John.)

EMBARRASSING QUESTIONS .- The failure of the State and the Shawneetown banks, near the close of Carlin's administration, had produced a condi- tion of business depression that was felt all over the State. At the beginning of Ford's adminis- tration, the State debt was estimated at $15, 657, - 950-within about one million of the highest point it ever reached-while the total population was a little over half a million. In addition to these drawbacks, the Mormon question became a source of embarrassment. This people, after having been driven from Missouri, settled at Nauvoo, in Hancock County; they increased rapidly in numbers, and, by the arrogant course of their leaders and their odious doctrines --- especially with reference to "celestial marriage," and their assumptions of authority-aroused the bitter hostility of neighboring communities not

265

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

of their faith. The popular indignation became greatly intensified by the course of unscrupulous politicians and the granting to the Mormons, by the Legislature, of certain chiarters and special privileges. Various charges were made against the obnoxious sect, including rioting, kidnap- ing, robbery, counterfeiting, etc., and the Gov- ernor called out the militia of the neighboring counties to preserve the peace. Joseph Smith- the founder of the sect-with his brother Hyrum and three others, were induced to surrender to the authorities at Carthage, on the 23d of June, 1844, under promise of protection of their per-

sons. Then the charge was changed to treason and they were thrown into jail, a guard of eight men being placed about the. building. A con- siderable portion of the militia had disbanded and returned home, while others were openly hostile to the prisoners. On June 27 a band of 150 disguised men attacked the jail, finding little opposition among those set to guard it. In the assault which followed both of the Smiths were killed, while John Taylor, another of the prisoners, was wounded. The trial of the murderers was a farce and they were acquitted. A state of virtual war continued for a year, in which Governor Ford's authority was openly defied or treated with contempt by those whom he had called upon to preserve the peace. In the fall of 1845 the Mormons agreed to leave the State, and the following spring the pilgrim- age to Salt Lake began. Gen. John J. Hardin, who afterward fell at Buena Vista, was twice called on by Governor Ford to head parties of militia to restore order, while Gen. Mason Bray- man conducted the negotiations which resulted in the promise of removal. The great body of the refugees spent the following winter at Coun- cil Bluffs, Iowa, arriving at Salt Lake in June following. Another considerable body entered the service of the Government to obtain safe con- duct and sustenance across the plains. While the conduct of the Mormons during their stay at Nauvoo was, no doubt, very irritating and often lawless, it is equally true that the dis- ordered condition of affairs was taken advantage of by unscrupulous demagogues for dishonest purposes, and this episode has left a stigma upon the name of more than one over-zealous anti- Mormon hero. (See Mormons; Smith, Joseph.)

Though Governor Ford's integrity and ability in certain directions have not been questioned, his administration was not a successful one, largely on account of the conditions which pre- vailed at the time and the embarrassments which

he met from his own party. (See Ford, Thomas.)

MEXICAN WAR .- A still more tragic chapter opened during the last year of Ford's administra- tion, in the beginning of the war with Mexico. Three regiments of twelve months' volunteers, called for by the General Government from the State of Illinois, were furnished with alacrity, and many more men offered their services than could be accepted. The names of their respective commanders-Cols. John J. Hardin, William H. Bissell and Ferris Forman-have been accorded a high place in the annals of the State and the Nation. Hardin was of an honorable Kentucky family; he had achieved distinction at the bar and served in the State Legislature and in Con- gress, and his death on the battlefield of Buena Vista was universally deplored. (See Hardin, John J.) Bissell afterward served with distinc- tion in Congress and was the first Republican Governor of Illinois, elected in 1856. Edward D. Baker, then a Whig member of Congress, re- ceived authority to raise an additional regiment, and laid the foundation of a reputation as broad as the Nation. Two other regiments were raised in the State "for the war" during the next year, led respectively by Col. Edward W. B. Newby and James Collins, beside four independent companies of mounted volunteers. The whole number of volunteers furnished by Illinois in this conflict was 6,123, of whom 86 were killed, and 182 wounded, 12 dying of their wounds. Their loss in killed was greater than that of any other State, and the number of wounded only exceeded by those from South Carolina and Pennsylvania. Among other Illinoisans who participated in this struggle, were Thomas L. Harris, William A. Richardson, J. L. D. Morrison, Murray F. Tuley and Charles C. P. Holden, while still others, either in the ranks or in subordinate positions, received the "baptism of fire" which prepared them to win distinction as commanders of corps, divisions, brigades and regiments during the War of the Rebellion, including such names as John A. Logan, Richard J. Oglesby, Benjamin M. Prentiss, James D. Morgan, W. H. L. Wallace (who fell at Pittsburg Landing), Stephen G. Hicks, Michael K. Lawler, Leonard F. Ross, Isham N. Haynie, Theophilus Lyle Dickey, Dudley Wickersham, Isaac C. Pugh, Thomas H. Flynn, J. P. Post, Nathaniel Niles, W. R. Morri- son, and others. (See Mexican War.)

FRENCH'S ADMINISTRATION-MASSAC REBELLION. -Except for the Mexican War, which was still in progress, and acts of mob violence in certain portions of the State-especially by a band of self.

266

HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

styled "regulators" in Pope and Massac Counties -- the administration of Augustus C. French, which began with the close of the year 1846, was a quiet one. French was elected at the previous August election by a vote of 58,700 to 36,775 for Thomas M. Kilpatrick, the Whig candidate, and 5,112 for Richard Eels, the Free-Soil (or Aboli- tion) candidate. The Whigs held their first State Convention this year for the nomination of a State ticket, meeting at Peoria. At the same election Abraham Lincoln was elected to Con- gress, defeating Peter Cartwright, the famous pioneer Methodist preacher, who was the Demo- cratic candidate. At the session of the Legisla- ture which followed, Stephen A. Douglas was elected to the United States Senate as successor to James Semple.

NEW CONVENTION MOVEMENT. - Governor French was a native of New Hampshire, born August 2, 1808; he had practiced his profession as a lawyer in Crawford County, had been a member of the Tenth and Eleventh General Assemblies and Receiver of the Land Office at Palestine. The State had now begun to recover from the depression caused by the reverses of 1837 and subsequent years, and for some time its growth in population had been satisfactory. The old Constitution, however, had been felt to be a hampering influence, especially in dealing with the State debt, and, as early as 1842, the question of a State Convention to frame a new Constitu- tion had been submitted to popular vote, but was defeated by the narrow margin of 1,039 votes. The Legislature of 1844-45 adopted a resolution for resubmission, and at the election of 1846 it was approved by the people by a majority of 35,326 in a total vote of 81,352. The State then contained ninety-nine counties, with an aggregate population of 662,150. The assessed valuation of property one year later was $92,206,493, while the State debt was $16,661,795-or more than eighteen per cent of the entire assessed value of the property of the State.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1847. -- The election of members of a State Convention to form a second Constitution for the State of Illi- nois, was held April 19, 1847. Of one hundred and sixty-two members chosen, ninety-two were Democrats, leaving seventy members to all shades of the opposition. The Convention assembled at Springfield, June 7, 1847; it was organized by the election of Newton Cloud, Per- manent President, and concluded its labors after a session of nearly three months, adjourning August 31. The Constitution was submitted to

a vote of the people, March 6, 1848, and was rati fied by 59,887 votes in its favor to 15,859 against. A special article prohibiting free persons of color from settling in the State was adopted by 49,060 votes for, to 20,883 against it; and another, pro- viding for a two-mill tax, by 41,017 for, to 30,586 against. The Constitution went into effect April 1, 1848. (See Constitutions; also Constitutional Convention of 1847.)

The provision imposing a special two-mill tax, to be applied to the payment of the State in- debtedness, was the means of restoring the State credit, while that prohibiting the immigration of free persons of color, though in accordance with the spirit of the times, brought upon the State much opprobrium and was repudiated with emphasis during the War of the Rebellion. The demand for retrenchment, caused by the financial depression following the wild legislation of 1837, led to the adoption of many radical pro- visions in the new Constitution, some of which were afterward found to be serious errors open- ing the way for grave abuses. Among these was the practical limitation of the biennial ses- sions of the General Assembly to forty-two days, while the per diem of members was fixed at two dollars. The salaries of State officers were also fixed at what would now be recognized as an absurdly low figure, that of Governor being $1,500; Supreme Court Judges, $1,200 each; Cir- cuit Judges, $1,000; State Auditor, $1,000; Secre- tary of State, and State Treasurer, $800 each. Among less objectionable provisions were those restricting the right of suffrage to white male citizens above the age of 21 years, which excluded (except as to residents of the State at the time of the adoption of the Constitution) a class of unnaturalized foreigners who had exercised the privilege as "inhabitants" under the Constitu- tion of 1818; providing for the election of all State, judicial and county officers by popular vote; prohibiting the State from incurring in- debtedness in excess of $50,000 without a special vote of the people, or granting the credit of the State in aid of any individual association or cor- poration; fixing the date of the State election on the Tuesday after the first Monday in Novem- ber in every fourth year, instead of the first. Monday in August, as had been the rule under the old Constitution. The tenure of office of all State officers was fixed at four years, except that of State Treasurer, which was made two years, and the Governor alone was made ineligible to immediate re-election. The number of members of the General Assembly was fixed at twenty-five

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 53

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857- Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 724

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857-
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 724