Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 74

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 74

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where, although the most extensive deposits are in the northern half of the county, where they exist in sloughs covering several thousands of acres. Several lines of railroad cross the county, and every important village is a railway station. Woodstock, Marengo, and Harvard are the prin- cipal towns. Population (1880), 24,908; (1890), 26,114; (1900), 29,759; (1910), 32,509.

McINTOSH, (Capt.) Alexander, was born in Fulton County, N. Y., in 1822; at 19 years of age entered an academy at Galway Center, remaining three years; in 1845 removed to Joliet, Ill., and, two years later, started "The Joliet True Democrat," but sold out the next year, and, in 1849, went to California. Returning in 1852, he bought back "The True Democrat," which he edited until 1857, meanwhile (1856) having been elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Will County. In 1863 he was appointed by President Lincoln Captain and Assistant Quarter- master, serving under General Sherman in 1864 and in the "March to the Sea," and, after the war, being for a. time Post Quartermaster at Mobile. Having resigned in 1866, he engaged in mercantile business at Wilmington, Will County ; but, in 1869, bought "The Wilmington Independ- ent," which he published until 1873. The next year he returned to Joliet, and, a few months after, became political editor of "The Joliet Republican," and was subsequently connected, in a similar capacity, with other papers, including "The Phoenix" and "The Sun" of the same city. Died, in Joliet, Feb. 2, 1899.

McKENDREE, William, Methodist Episcopal Bishop, was born in Virginia, in 1757, enlisted as a private in the War of the Revolution, but later served as Adjutant and in the commissary depart- ment. He was converted at 30 years of age, and the next year began preaching in his native State, being advanced to the position of Presiding Elder; in 1800 was transferred to the West, Illi- nois falling within his District. Here he remained until his elevation to the episcopacy in 1808. McKendree College, at Lebanon, received its name from him, together with a donation of 480 acres of land. Died, near Nashville, Tenn., March 5, 1835.

McKENDREE COLLEGE, one of the earliest of Illinois colleges, located at Lebanon and incorpo- rated in 1835. Its founding was suggested by Rev. Peter Cartwright, and it may be said to have had its inception at the Methodist Episcopal Conference held at Mount Carmel, in September, 1827. The first funds for its establishment were subscribed by citizens of Lebanon, who contrib-

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uted from their scanty means, $1,385. Instruc- tion began, Nov. 24, 1828, under Rev. Edward Ames, afterwards a Bishop of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In 1830 Bishop McKendree made a donation of land to the infant institution, and the school was named in his honor. It cannot be said to have become really a college until 1836, and its first class graduated in 1841. University powers were granted it by an amendment to its charter in 1839. At present the departments are as follows: Preparatory, business, classical, scientific, law, music and oratory. The institu- tion owns property to the value of $90,000, includ- ing an endowment of $25,000, and has about 200 students, of both sexes, and a faculty of ten instructors. (See Colleges, Early.)

McLAREN, William Edward, Episcopal Bishop, was born at Geneva, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1831; gradu- ated at Washington and Jefferson College (Wash- ington, Pa.) in 1851, and, after six years spent in teaching and in journalistic work, entered Alle- gheny Theological Seminary, graduating and entering the Presbyterian ministry in 1860. For three years he was a missionary at Bogota, South America, and later in charge of churches at Peoria, Ill., and Detroit, Mich. Having entered the Protestant Episcopal Church, he was made a deacon in July, 1872, and ordained priest the fol- lowing October, immediately thereafter assuming the pastorate of Trinity Church, Cleveland, Ohio. In July, 1875, he was elected Bishop of the Prot- estant Episcopal Diocese of Illinois, which then included the whole State. Subsequently, the dioceses of Quincy and Springfield were erected therefrom, Bishop McLaren remaining at the head of the Chicago See. During his episcopate, church work has been active and effective, and the Western Theological Seminary in Chicago has been founded. His published works include numerous sermons, addresses and poems, besides a volume entitled "Catholic Dogma the Antidote to Doubt" (New York, 1884). Died Feb. 19, 1905.

MCLAUGHLIN, Robert K., early lawyer and State Treasurer, was born in Virginia, Oct. 25, 1779; before attaining his majority went to Ken- tucky, and, about 1815, removed to Illinois, set- tling finally at Belleville, where he entered upon the practice of law. The first public position held by him seems to have been that of Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk of both Houses of the Third (or last) Territorial Legislature (1816-18).

In August, 1819, he entered upon the duties of State Treasurer, as successor to John Thomas, who had been Treasurer during the whole Territorial period, serving until January, 1823. Becoming a

citizen of Vandalia, by the removal thither of the State capital a few months later, he continued to reside there the remainder of his life. He subse- quently represented the Fayette District as Representative in the Fifth General Assembly, and as Senator in the Sixth, Seventh and Tenth, and, in 1837, became Register of the Land Office at Vandalia, serving until 1845. Although an uncle of Gen. Joseph Duncan, he became a can- didate for Governor against the latter, in 1834, standing third on the list. He married a Miss Bond, a niece of Gov. Shadrach Bond, under whose administration he served as State Treasurer. Died, at Vandalia, May 29, 1862.

McLEAN, a village of McLean County, on the Chicago & Alton Railway, 14 miles southwest of Bloomington, in a farming, dairying and stock- growing district; has one weekly paper. Popu- lation (1900). 532; (1910), 707.

McLEAN, John, early United States Senator, was born in North Carolina in 1791, brought by his father to Kentucky when four years old, and. at 23, was admitted to the bar and removed to Illinois, settling at Shawneetown in 1815. Pos. sessing oratorical gifts of a high order and an almost magnetic power over men, coupled with strong comnion sense, a keen sense of humor and, great command of language, he soon attained prominence at the bar and as a popular speaker. In 1818 he was elected the first Representative in Congress from the new State, defeating Daniel P. Cook, but served only a few months, being de- feated by Cook at the next election. He was three times elected to the Legislature, serving once as Speaker. In 1824 he was chosen United States Senator to succeed Governor Edwards (who had resigned), serving one year. In 1828 he was elected for a second time by a unanimous vote, but lived to serve only one session, dying at Shawneetown, Oct. 4, 1830. In testimony of the public appreciation of the loss which the State had sustained by his death, McLean County was named in his honor.

McLEAN COUNTY, the largest county of the State, having an area of 1,161 square miles, is central as to the region north of the latitude of St. Louis and about midway between that city and Chicago-was named for John McLean, an early United States Senator. The early immi- grants were largely from Ohio, although Ken- tucky and New York were well represented. The county was organized in 1830, the population at that time being about 1,200. The greater portion of the surface is high, undulating prairie, with occasional groves and belts of timber. On the

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creek bottoms are found black walnut, sycamore, buckeye, black ash and elm, while the sandy ridges are covered with scrub oak and black-jack. The soil is extremely fertile (generally a rich, brown loam), and the entire county is underlaid with coal. The chief occupations are stock-rais- ing, coal-mining, agriculture and manufactures. Sugar and Mackinaw Creeks, with their tribu- taries, afford thorough drainage. Sand and gravel beds are numerous, but vary greatly in depth. At Chenoa one has been found, in boring for coal, thirty feet thick, overlaid by forty-five feet of the clay common to this formation. The upper seam of coal in the Bloomington shafts is No. 6 of the general section, and the lower, No. 4; the latter averaging four feet in thickness. The principal towns are Bloomington (the county- seat), Normal, Lexington, LeRoy and Chenoa. Population (1900), 67,843; (1910), 68,008.

McLEANSBORO, a city and the county-seat of Hamilton County, upon a branch of the Louis- ville & Nashville Railroad, 102 miles east south- east of St. Louis and about 48 miles southeast of Centralia. The people are enterprising and pro- gressive, the city is up-to-date and prosperous, supporting three banks and six churches. Two weekly newspapers are published here. Popula- tion (1890), 1,355; (1900), 1,758; (1910), 1,796.

McMULLIN, James C., Railway Manager, was born at Watertown, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1836; began work as Freight and Ticket Agent of the Great Western Railroad (now Wabash), at Decatur, Ill., May, 1857, remaining until 1860, when he accepted the position of Freight Agent of the Chicago & Alton at Springfield. Here he re- mained until Jan. 1, 1863, when he was trans- ferred in a similar capacity to Chicago; in September, 1864, became Superintendent of the Northern Division of the Chicago & Alton, after- wards successively filling the positions of Assist- ant General Superintendent (1867), General Superintendent (1868-78) and General Manager (1878-83). The latter year he was elected Vice- President, remaining in office some ten years, when ill-health compelled his retirement. Died, in Chicago, Dec. 30, 1896.

McMURTRY, William, Lieutenant-Governor, was born in Mercer County, Ky., Feb. 20, 1801; removed from Kentucky to Crawford County, Ind., and, in 1829, came to Knox County, Ill., settling in Henderson Township. He was elected Representative in the Tenth General Assembly (1836), and to the Senate in 1842, serving in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth General Assemblies. In 1848 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor on

the same ticket with Gov. A. C. French, being the first to hold the office under the Constitution adopted that year. In 1862 he assisted in raising the One Hundred and Second Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and, although advanced in years, was elected Colonel, but a few weeks later was compelled to accept a discharge on account of failing health. Died, April 10, 1875.

McNEELEY, Thompson W., lawyer and ex-Con- gressman, was born in Jacksonville, Ill., Oct. 5, 1835, and graduated at Lombard University, Galesburg, at the age of 21. The following year he was licensed to practice, but continued to pur- sue his professional studies, attending the Law University at Louisville, Ky., from which insti- tution he graduated in 1859. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and chairman of the Democratic State Central Com- mittee in 1878. From 1869 to 1873 he represented his District in Congress, resuming his practice at Petersburg, Menard County, after his retire- ment.

McNULTA, John, soldier and ex-Congressman, was born in New York City, Nov. 9, 1837, received an academic education, was admitted to the bar, and settled at Bloomington, in this State, while yet a young man. On May 3, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the Union army, and served until August 9, 1865, rising, successively, to the rank of Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General. From 1869 to 1873 he was a member of the lower house of the General Assembly from McLean County, and, in 1872, was elected to the Forty-third Congress, as a Repub- lican. General McNulta has been prominent in the councils of the Republican party, standing second on the ballot for a candidate for Governor, in the State Convention of 1888, and serving as Permanent President of the State Convention of 1890. In 1896 he was one of the most earnest advocates of the nomination of Mr. Mckinley for President. Some of his most important work, within the past few years, has been performed in connection with receiverships of certain railway and other corporations, especially that of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, from 1884 to 1890. He is now (1898) Receiver of the National Bank of Illinois, Chicago. Died Feb. 22, 1900.

McPHERSON, Simeon J., clergyman, de- scended from the Clan McPherson of Scotland, was born at Mumford, Monroe County, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1850; prepared for college at Leroy and Fulton, and graduated at Princeton, N. J., in 1874. Then, after a year's service as teacher of mathematics at his Alma Mater, he entered the Theological

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Seminary there, and graduated from that depart- ment in 1879, having in the meantime traveled through Europe, Egypt and Palestine. He. was licensed to preach by the Rochester Presbytery in 1877, and spent three years (1879-82) in pas- toral labor at East Orange, N. J .; when he ac- cepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago, remaining until the early part of 1899, when he tendered his resignation to accept the position of Director of the Lawrenceville Prepar- atory Academy of Princeton College, N. J.

McROBERTS, Josiah, jurist, was born in Monroe County, Ill., June 12, 1820; graduated from St. Mary's College (Mo.) in 1839; studied law at Danville, Ill., with his brother Samuel, and, in 1842, entered the law department of Transylvania University, graduating in 1844, after which he at once began practice. In 1846 he was elected to the State Senate for the Cham- paign and Vermilion District, at the expiration of his term removing to Joliet. In 1852 he was appointed by Governor Matteson Trustee of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, which office he held for four years. In 1866 he was appointed Circuit Court Judge by Governor Oglesby, to fill a va- cancy, and was re-elected in 1867, '73, '79, and '85, but died a few months after his last election.

McROBERTS, Samuel, United States Sena- tor, was born in Monroe County, Ill., Feb. 20, 1799; graduated from Transylvania University in 1819; in 1821, was elected the first Circuit Clerk of his native county, and, in 1825, appointed Circuit Judge, which office he held for three years. In 1828 he was elected State Senator, representing the district comprising Monroe, Clinton and Washington Counties. Later he was appointed United States District Attorney by President Jackson, but soon resigned to become Receiver of Public Moneys at Danville, by appointment of President Van Buren, and, in 1839, Solicitor of the General Land Office at Washington. Resigning the latter office in the fall of 1841, at the next session of the Illinois Legislature he was elected United States Senator to succeed John M. Robinson, deceased. Died, at Cincinnati, Ohio, March 22, 1843, being suc- ceeded by James Semple.

McVICKER, James Hubert, actor and theat- rical manager, was born in New York City, Feb. 14, 1822; thrown upon his own resources by the death of his father in infancy and the necessity of assisting to support his widowed mother, he early engaged in various occupations, until, at the age of 15, he became an apprentice in the office of "The St. Louis Republican," three years

later becoming a journeyman printer. He first appeared on the stage in the St. Charles Theater. New Orleans, in 1843; two years later was prin- cipal comedian in Rice's Theater, Chicago, re- maining until 1852, when he made a tour of the country, appearing in Yankee characters. About 1855 he made a tour of England and, on his return, commenced building his first Chicago theater, which was opened, Nov. 3, 1857, and was conducted with varied fortune until burned down in the great fire of 1871. Rebuilt and remodeled from time to time, it burned down a second time in August, 1890, the losses from these several fires having imposed upon Mr. McVicker a heavy burden. Although an excellent comedian, Mr. McVicker did not appear on the stage after 1882, from that date giving his attention entirely to management. He enjoyed in an eminent degree the respect and confidence, not only of the profession, but of the general public. Died in Chicago, March 7, 1896.

McWILLIAMS, David, banker, Dwight, Ill., was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Jan. 14, 1834; was brought to Illinois in infancy and grew up on a farm until 14 years of age, when he entered the office of the Pittsfield (Pike County) "Free Press" as an apprentice. In 1849 he engaged in the lumber trade with his father, the management of which devolved upon him a few years later. In the early 50's he was, for a time, a student in Illinois College at Jacksonville, but did not graduate; in 1855 removed to Dwight, Livingston County, then a new town on the line of the Chi- cago & Alten Railroad, which had been completed to that point a few months previous. Here he erected the first store building in the town, and put in a $2,000 stock of goods on borrowed capi- tal, remaining in the mercantile business for eighteen years, and retaining an interest in the establishment seven years longer. In the mean- time, while engaged in merchandising, he began a banking business, which was enlarged on his retirement from the former, receiving his entire attention. The profits derived from his banking business were invested in farm lands until he became one of the largest land-owners in Living- ston County. Mr. McWilliams was one of the original members of the first Methodist Episcopal Church organized at Dwight, and served as a lay delegate to several General Conferences of that denomination, as well as a delegate to the Ecumenical Council in London in 1881; was also a liberal contributor to the support of vari- ous literary and theological institutions of the church, and had served for many years as a Trus-

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tee of the Northwestern University at Evanston. In politics he was a zealous Republican, and repeatedly served as a delegate to the State Con- ventions of that party, including the Bloomington Convention of 1856, and was a candidate for Presi- dential Elector for the Ninth District on the Blaine ticket in 1884 He made several extended tours in Europe and other foreign countries, the last including a trip to Egypt and the Holy Land, during 1898-99. Died May 17, 1909.

MECHANICSBURG, a village of Sangamon County, near the Wabash Railway, 13 miles east of Springfield. Population (1880), 396; (1890), 426; (1900), 476; (1910), 417.

MEDILL, Joseph, editor and newspaper pub- lisher, was born, April 6, 1823, in the vicinity (now a part of the city) of St. John, N. B., of Scotch- Irish parentage, but remotely of Huguenot descent. At nine years of age he accompanied his parents to Stark County, Ohio, where he enjoyed such educational advantages as belonged to that region and period. He entered an acad- emy with a view to preparing for college, but his family having suffered from a fire, he was com- pelled to turn his attention to business; studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1846, and began practice at New Philadelphia, in Tuscarawas County. Here he caught the spirit of journalism by frequent visits to the office of a local paper, learned to set type and to work a hand-press. In 1849 he bought a paper at Coshocton, of which he assumed editorial charge, employing his brothers as assistants in various capacities. The name of this paper was "The Coshocton Whig," which he soon changed to "The Republican," in which he dealt vigorous blows at political and other abuses, which several times brought upon him assaults from his political opponents-that being the style of political argument in those days. Two years later, having sold out "The Repub- lican," he established "The Daily Forest City" at Cleveland-a Whig paper with free-soil proclivi- ties. The following year "The Forest City" was consolidated with "The Free-Democrat," a Free- Soil paper under the editorship of John C. Vaughan, a South Carolina Abolitionist, the new paper taking the name of "The Cleveland Leader." Mr. Medill, with the co-operation of Mr. Vaughan, then went to work to secure the consolidation of the elements opposed to slavery in one compact organization. In this he was aided by the introduction of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill in Congress, in December, 1853, and, before its passage in May following, Mr. Medill had begun to agitate the question of a union of all

opposed to that measure in a new party under the name "Republican." During the winter of 1854-55 he received a call from Gen. J. D. Web- ster, at that time part owner of "The Chicago Tribune," which resulted in his visiting Chicago a few months later, and his purchase of an inter- est in the paper, his connection with the concern dating from June 18, 1855. He was almost immediately joined by Dr. Charles H. Ray, who had been editor of "The Galena Jeffersonian," and, still later, by J. C. Vaughan and Alfred Cowles, who had been associated with him on "The Cleveland Leader." Mr. Medill assumed the position of managing editor, and, on the retirement of Dr. Ray, in 1863, became editor-in- chief until 1866, when he gave place to Horace White, now of "The New York Evening Post." During the Civil War period he was a zealous supporter of President Lincoln's emancipation policy, and served, for a time, as President of the "Loyal League," which proved such an influ- ential factor in upholding the hands of the Gov- ernment during the darkest period of the rebellion. In 1869 Mr. Medill was elected to the State Constitutional Convention, and, in that body, was the leading advocate of the principle of "minority representation" in the election of Representatives, as it was finally incorporated in the Constitution. In 1871 he was appointed by President Grant a member of the first Civil Service Commission, representing a principle to which he ever remained thoroughly committed. A few weeks after the great fire of the same year, he was elected Mayor of the city of Chicago. The financial condition of the city at the time, and other questions in issue, involved great diffi- culties and responsibilities, which he met in a way to command general approval. During his administration the Chicago Public Library was established, Mr. Medill delivering the address at its opening, Jan. 1, 1873. Near the close of his term as Mayor, he resigned the office and spent the following year in Europe. Almost simultane- ously with his return from his European trip, he secured a controlling interest in "The Tribune," resuming control of the paper, Nov. 9, 1874, which, as editor-in-chief, he retained for the remainder of his life of nearly twenty-five years. The growth of the paper in business and influence, from the beginning of his connection with it, was one of the marvels of journalism, making it easily one of the most successful newspaper ventures in the United States, if not in the world. Early in December, 1898, Mr. Medill went to San Antonio, Texas, hoping to receive relief in that

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mild climate from a chronic disease which had been troubling him for years, but died in that city, March 16, 1899, within three weeks of hav- ing reached his 76th birthday. The conspicuous features of his character were a strong individu- ality and indomitable perseverance, which led him never to accept defeat. A few weeks previ- ous to his death, facts were developed going to show that, in 1881, he was offered, by President Garfield, the position of Postmaster-General, which was declined, when he was tendered the choice of any position in the Cabinet except two which had been previously promised; also, that he was offered a position in President Harrison's Cabinet, in 1889.

MEDILL, (Maj.) William H., soldier, was born at Massillon, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1835; in 1855, came to Chicago and was associated with "The Prairie Farmer." Subsequently he was editor of "The Stark County (Ohio) Republican," but again returning to Chicago, at the beginning of the war, was employed on "The Tribune," of which his brother (Hon. Joseph Medill) was editor. After a few months' service in Barker's Dragoons (a short-time organization), in Septem- ber, 1861, he joined the Eighth Illinois Cavalry (Colonel Farnsworth's), and, declining an election as Major, was chosen Senior Captain. The regi- ment soon joined the Army of the Potomac. By the promotion of his superior officers Captain Medill was finally advanced to the cominand, and, during the Peninsular campaign of 1862, led his troops on a reconnoissance within twelve miles of Richmond. At the battle of Gettysburg he had command of a portion of his regiment, acquit- ting himself with great credit. A few days after, while attacking a party of rebels who were attempting to build a bridge across the Potomac at Williamsburg, he received a fatal wound through the lungs, dying at Frederick City, July 16, 1863.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 74

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