History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 39

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Illinois > Union County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 39
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 39
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 39

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).

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gloomy outlook for the future. They agreed he would be a burden upon them as long as he or they lived ; that they would tenderly care for him as long as they lived, then in- voke the protecting mercies of heaven, and resign him to this not very charitable world. The hearing of this conversation was the turning point in the youth's life. Every word had sunk deeply in his heart, and, young and crippled as he was, he looked fortune in the face, and resolved that he would go out into the world and fight his own battles of life. He commenced to educate himself, and in a year or two concluded he was prepared to teach school. It is told of him that the first house he visited for the purpose of making up his school, the family saw the poor cripple hobbling toward their door, and, supposing he was a beggar, slammed the door in his face, and he was compelled to turn away. But he persevered, and became a school teacher. In 1817, he came to Illinois, and among those rough peo- ple commenced a school a short distance be- low Jonesboro. Afterward he was put in possession of a small stock of goods in Jones- boro, to sell on commission. For many years he was Recorder, County and Circuit Clerk, and Probate Judge, and he was eventually able to purchase the stock of goods that he had been managing on commission. So in- timately had his life become interwoven with the courts of the county, that when it came to adopt the design for the county seal, it appropriately was formed representing Davie sitting at a desk writing, showing his crooked and crippled lower limbs, and crossed and forming an arch above the desk were his two crutches. It is now to be regretted that this design was ever changed and a new seal adopted, as was done, and an account of which appears in the preceding chapter.

When Mr. Davie had purchased the little

store, he then commenced his true career, and he extended, enlarged and pushed the busi- ness, successfully fighting his way against Willis Willard, his brother-in-law, or any and all competition that could come against him, and he retired from office and gave his entire attention to his business, which soon grew to vast proportions. He possessed an energy, clear, strong judgment and a fore- sight in all business affairs that were never at fault. His physical defects were more than compensated for in his active and pow- erful intellect, and he amassed great wealth, and at one time had more employes and de- pendents than any other man in the county. His master mind guided and controlled and managed much of the business affairs of the county, and here he was even more valuable to the growing young community than he had been as an officer and executive in the official matters of the county. His charity was ex- pansive and just, and while he ruled with firm decision and strong emphasis, he scrupu- lously rewarded merit and never overlooked, even in his humblest dependents, true worth. Nature had so equipped him for life that the very misfortunes that environed him were converted into stimulants to urge him forward to the accomplishment of great enterprises, where others under the same circumstances would have despaired and turned their faces to the poor house.

He married Anna Williard and it is whis- pered that at this important period of his life he met the same troubles that attended his first effort to secure a school. The same old objection was made, that he was a cripple and poor, and here again came back and was re- newed the great resolve of his boyhood, that he would have a fortune that should equal or surpass that of those who urged these objec- tions against him, and he did.

Like the generality of cripples, he was

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very sensitive on the subject, and never al- luded to it. When it was spoken of by others in his presence, he would change the subject, and any attempt to force sympathy upon him was sternly rejected. On one occasion, after he had sold a customer a large bill of goods, and all was satisfactorily settled, the custom- er cominenced the usual story of his sorrow and sympathy for Davie's misfortunes. Da- vie made several efforts to turn the subject, and when his patience was exhausted he gave the man a most meaning look and answered, " Yes, yes, but after all it is better to be crip- pled in the legs than in the head."

Some years ago, Mr. Davie divided the bulk of his large property among his children and retired from business life. His great mind had burned out its strength and brightness, and a recluse and an invalid he day by day and now almost hour by hour calmly awaits that summons from the high court of God that will come to us all.

Richard M. Young was among the earliest lawyers in Union County. He was appointed pro tem. Circuit Attorney at the March term of the Circuit Court in 1823. Judge Young was a bright young man, and had the gift of fine colloquial powers, and in his intercourse with men was smooth and urbane, and al- together an address well calculated to im- press all he met as a man of excellence and worth, in which lay the secret of his success, rather than in the force, vigor and compass of intellect. His talents were respectable, and above mediocrity. He was a Kentuckian, of spare build, rather tall, educated, and a lawyer by profession. In 1824, he was elected by the Legislature one of five Circuit Judges, and assigned to the Second Circuit. He was elected to succeed Gen. W. L. D. Ewing in the United States Senate, and served out a full term, from March 4, 1837, to March 4, 1843. Samuel McRoberts was

his principal opponent; Archie Williams and Gen. Ewing also received some votes, the former twenty-one and the latter thirteen. In 1839, Judge Young was appointed by Gov. Carlin one of the State agents, in connection with Gov. Reynolds, to negotiate the $4,000,- 000 canal loan, for which purpose they re- paired to Europe, and their advances of $1,- 000,000 in Illinois bonds to the house of Wright & Co., of London, proved a heavy loss to the State. Yet, under party operations, be- fore his Senatorial term expired, he was made, February 3, 1842, a Supreme Judge, a posi- tion which he held until 1847. He died in Washington in an insane asylum.

Alexander and Abner Field were here at the very commencement of the county's ex- istence. They were men of strong charac- ters, and Alexander Field's long life career clearly points out that he was no ordinary man. He took from the very first of his en- try into the bar a commanding position. A good lawyer, sound reasoner and a brilliant orator, either at the bar or on the stump. He won his way to a large law practice, and from county offices was appointed Secretary of State December 31, 1828, and with a con- stant war upon him of rival candidates for that office, he held it until November 30, 1840. When he became Secretary of State, be changed his residence to Vandalia and Springfield, and for years he was one of the " circuit riders " of the Illinois bench and bar, and continued to add to his already ex- tended reputation as one of the celebrated lawyers of that time that was noted for its remarkable men. He seems to have been of a roving, restless disposition. He removed his home to St. Louis, and for some years was among the foremost lawyers of that city. Then he went to New Orleans, and there made his home until his death, a few years ago, at an advanced age.

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pro tem., Prosecuting Attorney. May, 1842, John A. McClernand appeared among the attorneys. In 1842, Thomas Hodges was Sheriff, S. S. Condon, Clerk, and H. F. Walker, Coroner. W. A. Denning was Pros- ecuting Attorney in 1845.

In 1844, Daniel Hileman was Probate Judge of the county. At September term, 1847, W. A. Denning was the presiding Judge; John Grear was County Coroner. In 1849. Thomas Hileman became Clerk of the Circuit Court, Master in Chancery, and Pro- bate Judge. The last two offices he has held ever since, and when he fills out his present term of office, will have held the positions thirty-six years-an average life-time. May, 1851, Alexander J. Nimmo was Sheriff, W. K. Parish, State's Attorney, and John C. Albright, Coroner. May, 1852, James W. Bailey was County Clerk. In 1853, Syrean Davis was Sheriff, John A. Logan, Prosecut- ing Attorney, W. K. Parish, Judge, A. J. Nimmo, Sheriff. 1858, M. C. Crawford was State's Attorney. 1859, Thomas J. Finley, County Clerk, A. M. Jenkins, Judge, Nimmo, Sheriff, Hileman. Clerk, and A. P. Corder, Prosecuting Attorney. 1861, Lorenzo P. Wilcox, Sheriff. At the May term, 1863, Thomas J. Finley, Sheriff, and at the Octo- ber term of the same year, William C. Rich was the Sheriff. 1864, John H. Mulkey. Judge, W. C. Rich, Sheriff, M. C. Crawford, Attorney, and Hileman, Clerk. At May term, 1865, George W. Wall was Prosecuting At- torney. and A. J. Nimmo, Clerk. 1866, W. H. Green, Presiding Judge. October term, 1867, M. C. Crawford, Judge, Joseph McEl- hany, Sheriff. 1869, W. C. Rich, Sheriff. 1871, Jacob Hileman, Sheriff, Jackson Frick, Prosecuting Attorney, and A. Polk Jones, Clerk. Jones died about one month after entering upon the duties of his office for the third term. The Court appointed Henry P.

Cozby Clerk pro tem., who continued to fill the place until the election of the present. incumbent, Ed. M. Barnwell. In 1878, there were elected for this judicial district Judges Daniel M. Browning, Oliver A. Harker, and David J. Baker.

Among the attorneys resident of the coun- ty, we have given an extended account of the earliest who were here, including Gov. Dougherty. Succeeding these were M. C. Crawford, John E. Nail, James H. Smith, David L. Phillipps, W. A. Hacker, W. L. Dougherty, Wesley Davidson, Semple G. Parks, who is now Judge of the County Court of Perry County.

W. A. Hacker was a native of this county, and was educated at West Point. He re- moved to Alexander County, and died there a few years later.

W. L. Dougherty was a son of Gov. Dougherty, and was considered one of the promising young attorneys of the county. Wesley Davidson was a school-mate of the writer of these lines at McKendree College. He was a good, average bright student, but was impulsive and inclined to be erratic. He was drowned a few years ago.

John E. Nail was a common law and chan- cery practitioner of good abilities. Read law with J. H. Smith, of Chicago. Located in Union County, and commenced the prac- tice of his profession. Married Sarah J. Dishon.

Alexander N. Dougherty studied law in his father's (Gov. Dougherty's) office. Was admitted to the bar in 1863, and died in Jonesboro in 187S.

W. A. Spann was a native of Union Coun- ty, now of Johnson County. He has been twice in the Legislature from his district.

W. S. Day is a native of Tennessee. He came to Union County when very young, studied law with Judge Crawford, and has

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already reached a prominent position at the bar.

Robert W. Townes, a native of Illinois, was admitted to the bar in 1861, and imme- diately went to the war as Orderly Sergeant in Company C, Eighteenth Illinois Volun. teers. He was soon transferred to the Thir- ty-first Regiment and made Adjutant thereof, acting as Acting Adjutant General to Gen. Logan in the Fort Donelson battle. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. When he returned from the war, he located in Duquoin, and engaged in the active practice of his profession. He was elected Prosecut- irg Attorney for the Third Judicial District, and served the term with ability and great fidelity. He was at one time Secretary of the Illinois State Senate.

David L. Brooks, a son of Dr. B. W. Brooks, was a member of the Union County bar as far back as 1852. He was a very bright young lawyer. He died in 1845.

Jackson Frick, son of Caleb Frick, was born in Jonesboro in 1849. He graduated at Yale College, and was universally consid- ered a most promising and brilliant young man. He studied law with Judge Crawford. He died on the very threshold of his young life in 1877.

Mathew J. Inscore, a native of Robinson County, Tenn. Was admitted about 1860, and has commanded a large practice.

Thomas H. Phillipps, a native of St. Clair County, Ill. His biography will be found in another columnn.

William C. Moreland, born in Tennessee, studied law with Col. Bob Townes, and was admitted in 1877.

Hon. Sidney Greer is a native of Union County, studied law with Gov. Dougherty; was licensed as attorney in 1879, and is now serving a term in the Legislature as a Repre- sentative.

David W. Karraker, the present County At- torney, is a native of Union County, read law with Gov. Dougherty, and was admitted to the bar in 1879.

W. C. Rich was admitted in 1880 to the practice of the law. He has served the peo- ple as County Treasurer and also as County Superintendent of Schools.

Hugh Andrews, one of the present practic- ing attorneys of the county. His biography will be found in another part of this work.

Jesse Ware is a native of Ohio, and was licensed as a lawyer in 1857. He came to the State in 1855, and studied law with Judge Reeves, of Bloomington, Ill. He has served two terms in the State Senate, commencing in 1872 and retiring in 1880.

W. B. Maxey came to the county when three years old, and has lived in Union Coun- ty. He studied law with W. S. Day and was admitted to the practice in 1882.

H. F. Bussey, a native of St. Louis, came to Anna in 1877. He is thirty-one years old; studied law with M. J. Inscore, and was ad- mitted in 1881.

Judson Phillipps is a native Illinoisian, only recently admitted to the bar, and has opened an office in Anna.

Townsend W. Foster, of Cobden, was ad- mitted in 1881.

This includes the prominent facts of the bench and bar of Union County. The rem- iniscences and anecdotes and remarkable cir- cumstances of the earliest day of the legal life of the county are now mostly forgotten, and are buried with those who were here and were actors, but have now passed away. Pre- vious to the organization of Union County, there was here a community which grew to more than two thousand people, and were literally without " law or gospel "-without. schools, churches or officers of the law. Their courts and police and marshals were only

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In 1844, Daniel Hileman was Probate Judge of the county. At September term, 1847, W. A. Denning was the presiding Judge; John Grear was County Coroner. In 1849, Thomas Hileman became Clerk of the Circuit Court, Master in Chancery, and Pro- bate Judge. The last two offices he has held ever since, and when he fills out his present term of office, will have held the positions thirty-six years-an average life-time. May, 1851, Alexander J. Nimmo was Sheriff, W. K. Parish, State's Attorney, and John C. Albright, Coroner. May, 1852, James W. Bailey was County Clerk. In 1853, Syrean Davis was Sheriff, John A. Logan, Prosecut- ing Attorney, W. K. Parish, Judge, A. J. Nimmo, Sheriff. 1858, M. C. Crawford was State's Attorney. 1859, Thomas J. Finley, County Clerk, A. M. Jenkins, Judge, Nimmo, Sheriff, Hileman, Clerk, and A. P. Corder, Prosecuting Attorney. 1861, Lorenzo P. Wilcox, Sheriff. At the May term, 1863, Thomas J. Finley, Sheriff, and at the Octo- ber term of the same year, William C. Rich was the Sheriff. 1864, John H. Mulkey, Judge, W. C. Rich, Sheriff, M. C. Crawford, Attorney, and Hileman, Clerk. At May term, 1865, George W. Wall was Prosecuting At- torney, and A. J. Nimmo, Clerk. 1866, W. H. Green, Presiding Judge. October term, 1867, M. C. Crawford, Judge, Joseph McEl- hany, Sheriff. 1869, W. C. Rich, Sheriff. 1871, Jacob Hileman, Sheriff, Jackson Frick, Prosecuting Attorney, and A. Polk Jones, Clerk. Jones died about one month after entering upon the duties of his office for the third term. The Court appointed Henry P.

Among the attorneys resident of the coun- ty, we have given an extended account of the earliest who were here, including Gov. Dougherty. Succeeding these were M. C. Crawford, John E. Nail, James H. Smith, David L. 'Phillipps, W. A. Hacker, W. L. Dougherty, Wesley Davidson, Semple G. Parks, who is now Judge of the County Court of Perry County.

W. A. Hacker was a native of this county, and was educated at West Point. He re- moved to Alexander County, and died there a few years later.

W. L. Dougherty was a son of Gov. Dougherty, and was considered one of the promising young attorneys of the county. Wesley Davidson was a school-mate of the writer of these lines at McKendrea College. He was a good, average bright student, but was impulsive and inclined to be erratic. He was drowned a few years ago.

John E. Nail was a common law and chan- cery practitioner of good abilities. Read law with J. H. Smith, of Chicago. Located in Union County, and commenced the prac- tice of liis profession. Married Sarah J. Dishon.

Alexander N. Dougherty studied law in his father's (Gov. Dougherty's) office. Was admitted to the bar in 1863, and died in Jonesboro in 1878.

W. A. Spann was a native of Union Coun- ty, now of Johnson County. He has been twice in the Legislature from his district.

W. S. Day is a native of Tennessee. He came to Union County when very young, studied law with Judge Crawford, and has

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already reached a prominent position at the bar.

Robert W. Townes, a native of Illinois, was admitted to the bar in 1861, and imme- diately went to the war as Orderly Sergeant in Company C, Eighteenth Illinois Volun. teers. He was soon transferred to the Thir- ty-first Regiment and made Adjutant thereof, acting as Acting Adjutant General to Gen. Logan in the Fort Donelson battle. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. When he returned from the war, he located in Duquoin, and engaged in the active practice of his profession. He was elected Prosecut- ing Attorney for the Third Judicial District, and served the term with ability and great fidelity. He was at one time Secretary of the Illinois State Senate.

David L. Brooks, a son of Dr. B. W. Brooks, was a member of the Union County bar as far back as 1852. He was a very bright young lawyer. He died in 1845.

Mathew J. Inscore, a native of Robinson County, Tenn. Was admitted about 1860, and has commanded a large practice.

Thomas H. Phillipps, a native of St. Clair County, Ill. His biography will be found in another column.