Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 73

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

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called to the wardenship of the State Peniten- tiary at Joliet. Here he remained until December, 1888, when he resigned to accept the superin- tendency of the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon, Pa., but, in May, 1891, accepted from Mayor Washburne the position of Chief of Police in Chicago, continuing in service, under Mayor Harrison, until August, 1893, when he became Superintendent of the Illinois State Reformatory at Pontiac. Early in 1897 he was again offered and accepted the position of Warden of the State Penitentiary at Joliet. Here he re- mained until 1899, when he received from Presi- dent Mckinley the appointment of Warden of the Military Prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kau., which position he now (1899) occupies. Major Mc- Claughry's administration of penal and reforma- tory institutions has been eminently satisfactory, and he has taken rank as one of the most success- ful penologists in the country.

MCCLELLAN, Robert H., lawyer and banker, was born in Washington County, N. Y., Jan. 3, 1823; graduated at Union College, Schenectady, in 1847, and then studied law with Hon. Martin I. Townsend, of Troy, being admitted to the bar in 1850. The same year he removed to Galena, Ill. ; during his first winter there, edited "The Galena Gazette," and the following spring formed a partnership with John M. Douglas, afterwards General Solicitor and President of the Illinois Central Railroad, whichi ended with the removal of the latter to Chicago, when Mr. McClellan succeeded him as local attorney of the road at Galena. In 1864 Mr. McClellan became President of the Bank of Galena-later the "National Bank of Galena"-remaining for over twenty years. He was also largely interested in local manufac- tories and financial institutions elsewhere. He served as a Republican Representative in the Twenty-second General Assembly (1861-62), and as Senator (1876-80), and maintained a high rank as a sagacious and judicious legislator. Liberal, public spirited and patriotic, his name was prom- inently connected with all movements for the improvement of his locality and the advancement of the interests of the State. Died July 23, 1902.

McCLERNAND, John Alexander, a volunteer officer in the Civil War and prominent Demo-' cratic politician, was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., May 30, 1812, brought to Shawnee- town in 1816, was admitted to the bar in 1832, and engaged in journalism for a time. He served in the Black Hawk War, and was elected to the Legislature in 1836, and again in 1840 and '42. The latter year he was elected to Congress, serv-

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ing four consecutive terms, but declining a renomination, being about to remove to Jackson- ville, where he resided from 1851 to 1856. Twice (1840 and '52) he was a Presidential Elector on the Democratic ticket. In 1856 he removed to Springfield, and, in 1859, re-entered Congress as Representative of the Springfield District; was re-elected in 1860, but resigned in 1861 to accept a commission as Brigadier-General of Volunteers from President Lincoln, being promoted Major- General early in 1862. He participated in the battles of Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and before Vicksburg, and was in command at the capture of Arkansas Post, but was severely criti- cised for some of his acts during the Vicksburg campaign and relieved of his command by Gen- eral Grant. Having finally been restored by order of President Lincoln, he participated in the campaign in Louisiana and Texas, but resigned his commission in 1864. General McClernand presided over the Democratic National Conven- tion of 1876, and, in 1886, was appointed by Presi- dent Cleveland one of the members of the Utah Commission, serving through President Harri- son's administration. He was also elected Circuit Judge in 1870, as successor to Hon. B. S. Edwards, who had resigned. Died Sept. 20, 1900.

McCLURG, Alexander C., soldier and pub- lisher, was born in Philadelphia but grew up in Pittsburg, where his father was an iron manu- facturer. He graduated at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio., and, after studying law for a time with Chief Justice Lowrie of Pennsylvania, came to Chicago in 1859, and entered the bookstore of S. C. Griggs & Co., as a junior clerk. Early in 1861 he enlisted as a private in the War of the Rebellion, but the quota of three-months' men being already full, his services were not accepted. In August, 1862, he became a member of the "Crosby Guards," afterwards incorporated in the Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry (Second Board of Trade Regiment), and was unanimously elected Captain of Company H. After the battle of Perryville, he was detailed as Judge Advocate at Nashville, and, in the following year, offered the position of Assistant Adjutant-General on the staff of General McCook, afterwards serving in a similar capacity on the staffs of Generals Thomas, Sheridan and Baird. He took part in the defense of Chattanooga and, at the battle of Missionary Ridge, had two horses shot under him; was also with the Fourteenth Army Corps in the Atlanta campaign, and, at the request of Gen. Jeff. C. Davis, was promoted to the rank of Colonel and brevetted Brigadier-General - later, being pre-

sented with a sword bearing the names of the principal battles in which he was engaged, besides being especially complimented in letters by Generals Sherman, Thomas, Baird, Mitchell, Davis and others. He was invited to enter the regular army at the close of the war, but pre- ferred to return to private life, and resumed his former position with S. C. Griggs & Co., soon after becoming a junior partner in the concern, of which he later became the chief. In the various mutations through which this extensive firm has gone, General McClurg became a leading factor until, in his later years, he stood at the head of the most extensive publishing firm west of New York. Died April 15, 1901.

McCONNEL, Murray, pioneer and lawyer, was born in Orange County, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1798, and educated in the common schools; left home at 14 years of age and, after a year at Louisville, spent several years flat-boating, trading and hunting in the West, during this period visiting Arkansas, Texas and Kansas, finally settling on a farnı near Herculaneum, Mo. In 1823 he located in Scott (then a part of Morgan) County, Ill., but when the town of Jacksonville was laid out, became a citizen of that place. During the Black Hawk War (July and August, 1832), he served on the staff of Gen. J. D. Henry with the rank of Major; in 1837 was appointed by Governor Dun- can a member of the Board of Public Works for the First Judicial District, in this capacity having charge of the construction of the railroad between Meredosia and Springfield (then known as the Northern Cross Railroad)-the first public rail- road built in the State, and the only one con- structed during the "internal improvement" era following 1837. He also held a commission from Governor French as Major-General of State Mi- litia, in 1855 was appointed by President Pierce Fifth Auditor of the Treasury Department, but retired in 1859. In 1832, on his return from the Black Hawk War, he was elected a Repre- sentative in the State Legislature from Morgan County, and, in 1864, was elected to the State Senate for the District composed of Morgan, Menard, Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, serving until 1868. Though previously a Demo- crat and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1860, he was an earnest supporter of the war policy of the Government, and was one of four Democratic Senators, in the General Assembly of 1865, who voted for the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment of the National Constitution, prohibiting slavery in the United States. His death occurred by assassination, by

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some unknown person, in his office at Jackson- ville, Feb. 9, 1869 .- John Ludlum (McConnel), son of the preceding, was born in Jacksonville, Ill., Nov. 11, 1826, studied law and graduated at Transylvania Law School; in 1846 enlisted as a private in the Mexican War, became First Lieu- tenant and was promoted Captain after the battle of Buena Vista, where he was twice wounded. After the war he returned to Jacksonville and wrote several books illustrative of Western life and character, which were published between 1850 and 1853. At the time of his death-Jan. 17, 1862-he was engaged in the preparation of a "History of Early Explorations in America, " hav- ing special reference to the labors of the early Roman Catholic missionaries.

McCONNELL, (Gen). John, soldier, was born in Madison County, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1824, and came with his parents to Illinois when about sixteen years of age. His father (James McConnell) was a native of Ireland, who came to the United States shortly before the War of 1812, and, after remaining in New York until 1840, came to San- gamon County, Ill., locating a few miles south of Springfield, where he engaged extensively in sheep-raising. He was an enterprising and pro- gressive agriculturist, and was one of the founders of the State Agricultural Society, being President of the Convention of 1852 which resulted in its organization. His death took place, Jan. 7, 1867. The subject of this sketch was engaged with his father and brothers in the farming and stock business until 1861, when he raised a company for the Third Illinois Cavalry, of which he was elected Captain, was later promoted Major, serv- ing until March, 1863, during that time taking part in some of the important battles of the war in Southwest Missouri, including Pea Ridge, and was highly complimented by his commander, Gen. G. M. Dodge, for bravery. Some three months after leaving the Third Cavalry, he was commissioned by Governor Yates Colonel of the Fifth Illinois Cavalry, and, in Marclı, 1865, was commissioned Brevet Brigadier-General, his com- mission being signed by President Lincoln on April 14, 1865, the morning preceding the night of his assassination. During the latter part of his service, General McConnell was on duty in Texas, being finally mustered out in October, 1865. After the death of his father, and until 1879, he continued in the business of sheep-raising and farming, being for a time the owner of several extensive farms in Sangamon County, but, in 1879, engaged in the insurance business in Springfield, where he died, March 14, 1898.

McCONNELL, Samuel P., son of the preceding, was born at Springfield, Ill., on July 5, 1849. After completing his literary studies he read law at Springfield in the office of Stuart, Edwards & Brown, and was admitted to the bar in 1872, soon after establishing himself in practice in Chicago. After various partnerships, in which he was asso- ciated with leading lawyers of Chicago, he was elected Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, in 1889, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge W. K. McAllister, serving until 1894, when he resigned to give his attention to private prac- tice. Although one of the youngest Judges upon the bench, Judge McConnell was called upon, soon after his election, to preside at the trial of the conspirators in the celebrated Cronin murder case, in which he displayed great ability. He has also had charge, as presiding Judge, of a number of civil suits of great importance affecting cor- porations.

McCORMICK, Cyrus Hall, inventor and manu- facturer, born in Rockbridge County, Va., Feb. 15, 1809. In youth he manifested unusual mechani- cal ingenuity, and early began attempts at the manufacture of some device for cutting grain, liis first finished machine being produced in 1831. Though he had been manufacturing for years in a small way, it was not until 1844 that his first machine was shipped to the West, and, in 1847, he came to Chicago with a view to establishing its manufacture in the heart of the region where its use would be most in demand. One of his early partners in the business was William B. Ogden, afterwards so widely known in connection with Chicago's railroad history. The business grew on his hands until it became one of the largest manufacturing interests in the United States. Mr. McCormick was a Democrat, and, in 1860, he bought "The Chicago Times." and having united it with "The Herald," which he already owned, a few months later sold the consolidated concern to Wilbur F. Storey. "The Interior," the Northwestern mouthpiece of the Presbyterian faith, had been founded by a joint stock-company in 1870, but was burned out in 1871 and removed to Cincinnati. In January, 1872, it was returned to Chicago, and, at the beginning of the following year, it became the property of Mr. McCormick in conjunction with Dr. Gray, who has been its editor and manager ever since. Mr. McCormick's most liberal work was undoubtedly the endowment of the Presby- terian Theological Seminary in Chicago, which goes by his name. His death occurred, May 13, 1884, after a business life of almost unprece-

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dented success, and after conferring upon the agriculturists of the country a boon of inestimable value.

McCORMICK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, a Presbyterian school of theology in Chicago, be- ing the outgrowth of an institution originally con- nected with Hanover College, Ind., in 1830. In 1859 the late Cyrus H. McCormick donated $100,- 000 to the school, and it was removed to Chicago, where it was opened in September, with a class of fifteen students. Since then nearly $300,000 have been contributed toward a building fund by Mr. McCormick and his heirs, besides numerous donations to the same end made by others. The number of buildings is nine, four being for the general purposes of the institution (including dormitories), and five being houses for the pro- fessors. The course of instruction covers three annual terms of seven months each, and includes didactic and polemic theology, biblical and ecclesiastical history, sacred rhetoric and pastoral theology, church government and the sacra- ments, New Testament literature and exegesis, apologetics and missions, and liomiletics. The faculty consists of eight professors, one adjunct professor, and one instructor in elocution and vocal culture. Between 200 and 300 students are enrolled, including post-graduates.

McCULLOCH, David, lawyer and jurist, was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Jan. 25, 1832; received his academic education at Marshall Col- lege, Mercersburg, Pa., graduating in the class of 1852. Then, after spending some six months as a teacher in his native village, he came west, arriving at Peoria early in 1853. Here he con- ducted a private school for two years, when, in 1855, he began the study of law in the office of Manning & Merriman, being admitted to the bar in 1857. Soon after entering upon his law studies he was elected School Commissioner for Peoria County, serving, by successive re-elections, three terms (1855-61). At the close of this period he was taken into partnership with his old precep- tor, Julius Manning, who died, July 4, 1862. In 1877 he was elected Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit, under the law authorizing the increase of Judges in each circuit to three, and was re- elected in 1879, serving until 1885. Six years of this period were spent as a Justice of the Appellate Court for the Third Appellate District. On retiring from the bench, Judge McCulloch entered into partnership with his son, E. D. McCulloch, which is still maintained. Politically, Judge McCulloch was reared as a Democrat, but during the Civil War became a Republican. Since 1886

he has been identified with the Prohibition Party; although, as the result of questions arising during the Spanish-American War, giving a cordial support to the policy of President Mckinley. In religious views was a Presbyterian, and a member of the Board of Directors of McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago. Died Sept. 17, 1907.

MCCULLOUGH, James Skiles, Auditor of Public Accounts, was born in Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pa., May 4, 1843; in 1854 came with his father to Urbana, Ill., and grew up on a farm in that vicinity, receiving such education as could be obtained in the public schools. In 1862, at the age of 19 years, he enlisted as a private in Company G, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served during the next three years in the Departments of the Mississippi and the Gulf, meanwhile participating in the campaign against Vicksburg, and, near the close of the war, in the operations about Mobile. On the 9th of April, 1865, while taking part in the assault on Fort Blakely, near Mobile, his left arm was torn to pieces by a grape-shot, compelling its amputation near the shoulder. His final discharge occurred in July, 1865. Returning home he spent a year in school at Urbana, after which he was a student in the Soldiers' College at Fulton, Ill., for two years. He then (1868) entered the office of the County Clerk of Champaign County as a deputy, remain- ing until 1873, when he was chosen County Clerk, serving by successive re-elections until 1896. The latter year he received the nomination of the Republican Party for Auditor of Public Accounts, and, at the November election, was elected by a plurality of 138,000 votes over his Democratic opponent. He was serving his sixth term as County Clerk when chosen Auditor, having received the nomination of his party on each occasion without opposition.

McDANNOLD, John J., lawyer and ex-Con gressman, was born in Brown County, Ill., August 29, 1851, acquired his early education in the com- mon schools of his native county and in a private school; graduated from the Law Department of the Iowa State University in 1874, and was admitted to the bar in Illinois the same year, commencing practice at Mount Sterling. In 1885 he was made Master in Chancery, in 1886, elected County Judge, and re-elected in 1890, resigning his seat in October, 1892, to accept an election by the Democrats of the Twelfth Illinois District as Representative in the Fifty-third Congress. After retiring from Congress (March 4, 1895), Mr. McDannold removed to Chicago, where lie engaged in the practice of law. Died Feb. 3, 1904.

EFF

ELLER ENA YNING

WED WELLSAVILLE

٠٠

MCCORMICK SEMINARY, CHICAGO.

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO.

CHICAGO. UNIVERSITY

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MCDONOUGH COUNTY, organized under an act passed, Jan. 25, 1826, and attached, for judicial purposes, to Schuyler County until 1830. Its present area is 576 square miles-named in honor of Commodore McDonough. The first settlement in the county was at Industry, ou the site of which William Carter (the pioneer of the county) built a cabin in 1826. James and John Vance and William Job settled in the vicinity in the following year. Out of this settlement grew Blandinsville. William Pennington located on Spring Creek in 1828, and, in 1831, James M. Campbell erected the first frame house on the site of the present city of Macomb. The first sermon, preached by a Protestant minister in the county, was delivered in the Job settlement by Rev. John Logan, a Baptist. Among the early officers were John Huston, County Treasurer; William Southward, Sheriff; Peter Hale, Coro- ner, and Jesse Bartlett, Surveyor. The first term of the Circuit Court was held in 1830, and presided over by Hon. Richard M. Young. The first railway to cross the county was the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (1857). Since then other lines have penetrated it, and there are numerous railroad centers and shipping points of consider- able importance. Population (1880), 25,037; (1890), 27,467; (1900), 28,412; (1910), 26,887.

MCDOUGALL, James Alexander, lawyer and United States Senator, was born in Bethlehem, Albany County, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1817; educated at the Albany grammar school, studied law and settled in Pike County, Ill., in 1837; was Attor- ney-General of Illinois four years (1843-47) ; then engaged in engineering and, in 1849, organized and led an exploring expedition to the Rio del Norte, Gila and Colorado Rivers, finally settling at San Francisco and engaging in the practice of law. In 1850 he was elected Attorney-General of California, served several terms in the State Legislature, and, in 1852, was chosen, as a Demo- crat, to Congress, but declined a re-election; in 1860 was elected United States Senator from Cali- fornia, serving as a War Democrat until 1867. At the expiration of his senatorial term he retired to Albany, N. Y., where he died, Sept. 3, 1867. Though somewhat irregular in habits, he was, at times, a brilliant and effective speaker, and, dur- ing the War of the Rebellion, rendered valuable aid to the Union cause.

MCFARLAND, Andrew, M.D., alienist, was born in Concord, N. H., July 14, 1817, graduated at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1841, and, after being engaged in general practice for a few years, was invited to assume the man-

agement of the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane at Concord. Here he remained some eight years, during which he acquired consider- able reputation in the treatment of nervous and mental disorders. In 1854 he was offered and accepted the position of Medical Superintendent of the Illinois State (now Central) Hospital for the Insane at Jacksonville, entering upon his duties in June of that year, and continuing his connection with that institution for a period of more than sixteen years. Having resigned his position in the State Hospital in June, 1870, he soon after established the Oaklawn Retreat, at Jacksonville, a private institution for the treat- ment of insane patients, which he conducted with a great degree of success, and with which he was associated during the remainder of his life, dying, Nov. 22, 1891. Dr. McFarland's serv- ices were in frequent request as a medical expert in cases before the courts, invariably, however, on the side of the defense. The last case in which lie appeared as a witness was at the trial of Charles F. Guiteau, the assassin of President Garfield, whom he believed to be insane.

MCGAHEY, David, settled in Crawford County, Ill., in 1817, and served as Representative from that County in the Third and Fourth General Assemblies (1822-26), and as Senator in the Eighth and Ninth (1832-36). Although a native of Tennessee, Mr. McGahey was a strong opponent of slavery, and, at the session of 1822, was one of those who voted against the pro-slavery Constitu- tion resolution. He continued to reside in Law- rence County until his death in 1851 .- James D. (McGahey), a son of the preceding, was elected to the Ninth General Assembly from Crawford County, in 1834, but died during his term of service.

McGANN, Lawrence Edward, ex-Congressman, was born in Ireland, Feb. 2, 1852. His father having died in 1884, the following year his mother emigrated to the United States, settling at Milford, Mass., where he attended the public schools. In 1865 he came to Chicago, and, for fourteen years, found employment as a shoe- maker. In 1879 he entered the municipal service as a clerk, and, on Jan. 1, 1885, was appointed City Superintendent of Streets, resigning in May, 1891. He was elected in 1892, as a Democrat, to represent the Second Illinois District in the Fifty-second Congress, and re-elected to the Fifty- third. In 1894 he was a candidate for re-election and received a certificate of election by a small majority over Hugh R. Belknap (Republican). An investigation having shown his defeat. he

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magnanimously surrendered his seat to his com- petitor without a contest. He has large business interests in Chicago, especially in street railroad property, being President of an important elec- tric line.

McHENRY, a village in McHenry County, situ- ated on the Fox River and the Chicago & North- western Railway. The river is here navigable for steamboats of light draft, which ply between the town and Fox Lake, a favorite resort for sports- men. The town has bottling works, a creamery, marble and granite works, cigar factory, flour mills, brewery, bank, four churches, and one weekly paper. Pop. (1900), 1,013; (1910), 1,031.

McHENRY, William, legislator and soldier of the Black Hawk War, came from Kentucky to Illinois in 1809, locating in White County, and afterwards became prominent as a legislator and soldier in the War of 1812, and in the Black Hawk War of 1832, serving in the latter as Major of the "Spy Battalion" and participating in the battle of Bad Axe. He also served as Represent- ative in the First, Fourth, Fifth and Ninth Gen- eral Assemblies, and as Senator in the Sixth and Seventh. While serving his last term in the House (1835), he died and was buried at Vandalia, then the State capital. McHenry County-organ- ized by act of the Legislature, passod at a second session during the winter of 1835-36-was named in his honor.

McHENRY COUNTY, lies in the northern por- tion of the State, bounded on the north by Wis- consin-named for Gen. William McHenry. Its area is 612 square miles. With what is now the County of Lake, it was erected into a county in 1836, the county-seat being at McHenry. Three years later the eastern part was set off as the County of Lake, and the county-seat of McHenry County removed to Woodstock, the geograph- ical center. The soil is well watered by living springs and is highly productive. Hardwood groves are numerous. Fruits and berries are extensively cultivated, but the herbage is espe- cially adapted to dairying, Kentucky blue grass being indigenous. Large quantities of milk are daily shipped to Chicago, and the annual pro- duction of butter and cheese reaches into the millions of pounds. The geological formations comprise the drift and the Cincinnati and Niagara groups of rocks. Near Fox River are found gravel ridges. Vegetable remains and logs of wood have been found at various depths in the drift deposits; in one instance a cedar log, seven inches in diameter, having been discovered forty- two feet below the surface. Peat is found every-

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 73

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