USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois > Part 12
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137
There were no "diamond weddings" in those days, and the extravagance that now often attends the marriage cere- mony was then unheard of. The old folks were plain, economical and hos- pitable people, and the young folks were imbued with the same attributes that characterized their fathers and mothers. They were willing to com- mence housekeeping in a style corres- ponding with their means, trusting to the future for larger houses and more expensive furniture.
There are many rich anecdotes of the rustic marriages in early days, but where possible they are treated of in connec- tion with the history of the townships in which they occurred. How, when the time came, the blushing and rosy maid would drop her milk pails, throw off her apron and tying on her sunbon- net, clamber into the lumber box wagon, while "John" in his overalls and farm boots would take up the whip, and the oxen would move off with the bridal procession to the "Squire's" who did the "jining of the knot."
Among the amusing stories told of some parties in the county, away back in the misty past, is one where a country couple made their way to one of the in-
cipient villages in the county in quest of some one who was authorized to tie the hymeneal knot. They went to a young storekeeper, who, in the way of a practical joke, referred them to the postmaster, stating that the government authorized him to officiate upon such occasions. When the postmaster was seen he disclaimed any knowledge of such authority, and said that he had only been in the employment of the government a short time and was not yet "quite up to snuff." But if the merchant said he could, he supposed it was so. Accordingly the couple were ranged up in front of the postmaster, who in the most approved style im- pressed them with the solemnity of the occasion, warned them to "let no man put asunder what he had jined," and in closing pronouced them "Mr. and Mrs., as provided by the United States postal regulations. Go your way, keep your mouths shut, and you'll be happy." As they turned to leave, he remarked, "only a dollar a piece, please."
The first marriage in Jersey county after the organization of the same, ac- .cording to the records, was that which united the destinies of John P. Allcorn and Mary Hawkins, the lisence for which was issued Oct. 17, 1839; the ceremony was performed by David Myers, J. P.
The other marriages recorded are as follows:
Thomas Jackson and Rebecca Cowan, issued Oct. 17, 1839, married by David Myers, J. P.
David Arnspiger and Jane Stephens, married Oct. 20, 1839, by David Myers, J. P.
Nathan C. Swann and Mary Ann
95
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
Patton, married Oet. 31, 1839, by John Keys, J. P.
James G. Swann and Elizabeth A. Rolston, married Oct. 31, 1839, by John Keys, J. P.
Joel Elledge and Mrs. Lucinda Davis, married Dec. 10, 1839, by Urial Downy, J. P.
Henry Marshall and Barbara Arin- hart, married Jan. 6, 1840, by David Myers, J. P.
Josiah L. Draper and Rachel C. Bur- ton, married Jan. 9, 1840, by Jos. G. Scott, J. P.
Jackson Williams and Margaret Smith married Jan. 2, 1840, by Reuben S. Spencer, J. P.
Thornton Hugs and Elizabeth Wag- goner, married Jan. 23, 1840, by Thos. MeDow, J. P.
Jeremiah Panick and Evaline Fuller, married Jan. 26, 1840, by Joseph G. Scott, J. P.
Solomon Heter and Jane Giles, mar- ried Jan. 31, 1840, by Jos. Fowler, min- ister.
Samuel Piper and Levina Rutherford, married Jan. 16, 1840, by U. Downy, J.P.
Hardin Rowdon and Lueretia George, married Feb. 2, 1840, by Reuben S. Spencer, J. P.
Robt. P. Murphy and Mary Ann Clark married Feb. 20, 1840, by Amos Dodge, preacher.
Abraham Borer and Cyntha E. Jon- nessee married March 1, 1840, by Geo. W. Lowder, J. P.
Isaac Harbert and Mrs. H. M. Shull, married April 24, 1840, by Joseph Fow- ler, minister.
Richard Arnold and Jane Cowen, married April 8, 1840, by Geo W. Low- der, J. P.
Christopher Hirchna and Elizabeth Thurston, married April 23, 1840, by Nathaniel Hamilton, J. P.
Aaron Wood and Nancy E. Phelps, married April 28, 1840, by Reuben S. Spencer, J. P.
Albertus Lofton and Lucinda Chap- pell, married March 12, 1840, by Thos. McDow, J. P.
John Parker and Mary Ann Chase, married May 21, 1840, by Thomas Mc- Dow, J. P.
Augustin Stralder and Polly Lance, married April 29, 1840, by J. Keys, J. P.
William Lee and Hily Dunham, mar- ried May 14, 1840, by David Myers, J. P.
David MeFain and Mary Cooper, married June 18, 1840, by Geo. W. Lowder, J. P.
William Lavender and Margaret H. Little, married June 15, 1840, by David Myers, J. P.
Edward S. Atkinson, and Sarah Rog- ers, married July 13, 1840, by Joseph Fowler, minister.
Joseph Cope and Martha Bullard, married July 16, 1840, by N. Hamilton, J. P.
Perley Silloway and Harriet Wilk- ins, married May 28, 1840, by Joseph Crabb, J. P.
Stanford Moore and Eliza Watson, married July 26, 1840, by Geo. Hoff- man, J. P.
Henry H. Cooper and Mrs. Mary Burrett, married Aug. 18, 1840, by Reu- ben Spencer, J. P.
Albert G. Minor and Abigail C. Tyler, married Aug. 13, 1840, by Geo. Hoffman, J. P.
George Stafford and Ann Elizabeth Cresswell, married Aug. 25, 1840, by Silas Crain, J. P.
96
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
Caleb Noble and Susannah E. Gill- ham, married Sept. 11, 1840, by William Jerome, minister.
Vincent Martin and Lucinda Hughs, married Sept. 24, 1840, by Silas Crain, J. P.
Robert Williams and Martha Smith, married Oct. 1, 1840, by Reuben Spen- cer, J. P.
E. Miller and Judeth Amanda Winne- ford, married Oct. 2, 1840, by Amos P. Brown, minister.
John Clifford and Hetty L. W. Van Hart, married April 15, 1840, by James Harriott, J. P.
William Rogers and Elizabeth Ham- ilton, married Oct. 15, 1840, by Moses Lemen, minister.
Philip Darr and Mary E. Jonnessee, married Oct. 29, 1840, by Geo. W. Low- der, J. P.
James Anderson and Hannah Finney, married Nov. 5, 1840, by John Keys, J. P.
Thomas Smiril and Euphemia Dough- erty, married Oct. 22, 1840, by William Jerome, minister.
William P. Pitman and Mary Rogers. married Dec, 2, 1840, by W. S. Mc- Murry, minister.
Joseph Parker and Sarah Beeman, married Nov. 15, 1840, by Thos. McDow, J. P.
Samuel Ralston and Margaret War- ren, married Dec. 3, 1840, by W. S. Mc- Murry, minister.
James Magee and Mary J. Bramlett, married December 8, 1840, by Luke Lyons, minister.
James Swain and Hannah Watley, married Dec. 13, 1840, by James Har- riott, J. P.
Abram Rowdon and Tamelia Walden,
married Dec. 17, 1840, by Thos. L. Mc- Gill, J. P.
John N. English and Elizabeth Ann Belt, married Dec. 17, 1840, by W. S. McMurry, minister.
J. I. Hupp and Elizabeth P. Abraham married Dec. 25, 1840, by W. S. Mc- Murry, minister.
William K. Miner and Mary Ann Sal- ly, married Dec. 24, 1840, by Geo. Hoff- man, J. P.
William W. Botkin and Susanna Sim- mons, married Dec. 10, 1840, by Henry Hewberry, minister.
Hiram 11. Adams and Elizabeth Ham- ilton, married Dec. 20, 1840, by David Myers, J. P.
The following persons were married in the year 1841:
Hiram English and Mary Ann Grimes, Jan. 3, by Horatio N. Belt, J. P.
William Willis and Altha Ann Car- son, Jan. 7, by Thos. MeDow, J. P.
Elisha H. Barton and Rebecca Lof- ton, Jan. 19, by Silas Crain, J. P.
Ephraim Carter and Elizabeth Sey- more, Jan. 21, by Uriah Downey, J. P.
William Henry Frost and Rebecca Miner, Jan. 28, by Luke Lyons, min- ister.
Samuel Turner and Sally Jane Spen- cer, Jan. 17, by Silas Crain, J. P.
William Hughs and Eunice Burley, Feb. 4, by Thos. McDow, J. P.
William Post and Hannah W. Cal- houn, Feb. 4, by James Hartiott, J. P.
James H. Maupin and Maay Whis- man, Feb. 4, by Geo. W. Lowden, J. P. Herrend Gardner and Nancy Spangle, Feb. 11, by Thos. MeDow, J. P.
William S. Wilson and Mary Ann Smalley, Feb. 14, by W. S. McMurry, minister.
97
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
Hugh Rusk and Ellen Barr, Feb. 14, by R. S. Spencer, J. P.
David Kirkwood and Elizabeth Cowen, Feb. 18, by D. Myers, J. P.
Jonathan Plowman and Elizabeth Crull, March 4, by Silas Crain, J. P.
Dan'] K. Fitzgerald and Catharine M. Skeene, March 11, by William F. Jarrett, minister.
Joseph Fowler and Eliza Ann Brown, March 23, by L. Lyons, minister.
Joseph Brown and Annis Lee, March 30, by Horatio N. Belt, J. P.
William Millross and Maria Hobbs, April 8, by William Jerome, minister. Jackson Calfee and Martha Blalock, April 14, by Joseph Crabb, J. P.
James A. Goodrich and Esther Bush, April 22, by L. Lyons, minister.
Philip R. Cook and Elizabeth Sam- son, May 23, by William Jerome min- ister.
David Waddle and Mrs. Esther Parker June 23, by John Stafford, J. P.
David T. Bonnell and Sally Ann Kirby June 3, by Luke Lyons, minister.
Stephen Tunnell and Elizabeth Rice, June 12, by Joseph P. Tyler, J. P.
Cleland W. Curry and Eliza Springale, July 8, by Rev. Wm. Wilson.
Milton Richey and Margaret Courts, July 4, by Silas Crain, J. P.
Felix Staggs and Mary Catlett, July 24, by Joseph Crabb, J. P.
Richard I. Simmons and Margaret Davis, Aug. 1, by Rev. W. S. Me- Murry.
Jacob VanDike and Mrs. Sarah French July 31, by Rev. W. S. MeMurry.
Wilson Davis and Margaret Arin- spiger, Aug. 5, by Rev. C. I. Gardiner.
Joseph Beggs and Permiah Hinson, July 29, by Geo. W. Lowder, J. P.
Miles Misenhermer and Margaret F. Jarrett, Aug. 5, Rev. Wm. F. Terrall.
Vincent Lee and Prisilla Johnson, Aug. 30, by Geo. W. Lowder, J. P.
David Sego and Elizabeth Mankins, Sept. 7, by Geo. W. Lowder, J. P.
William B. Nevis and Laura Goodrich, Sept. 9, by Rev. Luke Lyons.
John W. Farron and Caroline Pearson, Sept. 30, by Samuel Haycroft.
Irvine White and Matilda Quigley, Oct. 3, by Silas Crain, J. P.
George Hoffman and Mary Ann Koll- enborn, Sept. 30, by Joseph Crabb, J. P.
Benj C. Rhodes and Amanda Darr, October 7, by Geo. H. Lowden, J. P.
Abraham Houser and Barbara A. Arinspiger, October 14, by Rev. Elijalı Dodson.
Philip Pennnington and Mary Ann Cummings, Oct. 10, by Rev. Elijah Dodson.
William Chappell and Elizabeth Hooper, Nov. 7, by Geo. Hoffman, J. P.
Isaae Elledge and Winnefred A. Piper. Nov. 18, by Solomon Calhoun, J. P.
James Darr and Rachel Cowen, Nov. 21, by Geo. W. Lowder, J. P.
Richard J. Ely and Mrs. Sarah Grigs- by, Nov. 27, by Rev. Elijah Dodson.
William Kelley and Jane Miller, Dec. 9, by Rev. G. A. Hamilton.
John Massey and Maria Brown, Dec. 9, by Rev. Jas. H. Dickins.
Singular Penee and Sarah A. Winne- ford, Dec. 13, by Jas. A. Harriott.
William M. Bailey and Mary Ann Parker, Dec. 16, by Rev. Luke Lyons. Jacob Rickey and Naney Higgins, Dec. 16, by Thos. L. McGill, J. P.
Delavin D. Wilcox and Caroline E. Landon, Dec. 30, by Thos. L. McGill. J. P.
98
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
Henry Darlington and Marian Noble, Dec. 13, by Rev. William Jerome.
John H. Whitlock and Emmaline My- ers, Dec. 16, by Benj. Cleaver, J. P.
William Lewis and Sarah Smith, Dec. 21, by Rev. Henry Newberry.
The following table will show how the number of marriages varied with cach year, and how the market matrimonial, was affected by the circumstances of the times:
1839 from Oct 6
1862
127
1840
47
1863
151
1841
55
1864
153
1842
4.4
1865
148
1843
45
1866
198
1844
50
1867
198
1845
48
1868
160
1846
57
1869
157
1884
77
1870
156
1841
73
1871
183
1849
76
1872
124
1850
80
1873
140
1851
73
1874
163
1852
89
1875
147
1853
102
1876
157
1854
82
1877
144
1855
101
1878
168
1856
136
1879
161
1857
126
1880
153
1858
123
1881
139
1859
117
1882
148
1860
751
1883
146
1861
221
1884
126
RECORDS.
Shortly after the separation of Jersey from Greene county, and its organiza- tion into a distinct sub-division of the state, the county commissioners ordered the copying upon the record books of Jersey county all the transaction relat- ing to real estate in Jersey county, and a complete set of books of this nature were made and are on file in the office of the recorder of the county. From these it will be seen that the first deed
relating to land lying within the present limits of Jersey county was recorded in Greene county on the 24th day of June, 1822. This warrantee deed bear the date of Feb 7, 1822, and was made by John Evans and Ann Evans, his wife, to Davis Stockton, conveying to the latter the east half of the northeast quarter of section 11, and the west half of the northwest quarter of Sec. 12, T. 8 north, R. 12 west, containing 160 acres of land. The consideration was $160. This instrument was acknowledged be- fore Joel Meacham, a justice of the peace.
The first mortgage recorded was given by Isaac Piggott to John Evans and was dated Feb. 16, 1826, and was for $800, the security being the west fraction of the southwest quarter of section 20, con- taining 53.63 acres ; and the south frac- tion of the northeast quarter of section 30, containing 103.56; and the north fraction of the northeast quarter of sec- tion 33, containing 37.09 acres, all ly- ing in T. 9 north, R. 13 west. The terms of this mortgage were that it was to be paid with 100,000 feet of good, merchantable flooring plank, to be de- livered by said Piggott, at the rate of 10,000 feet per year. It was acknowl- edged before Samuel Lee, J. P., and was satisfied in full, Nov. 27, 1828. This instrument was filed for record Feb. 27, 1826, in Greene county, and transcribed into the records of this county.
TOWN PLATS.
The plats of the original towns in Jersey county were laid out and filed for record upon the dates given below. To nearly all of them additions have since been made, but space forbids the
99
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
mention of them, and as they are a matter of record it is useless.
Jerseyville, laid out by John W. Lott, Edward M. Daley and Alexander H. Burrett, Oct. 1, 1834, and was sur- veyed by G. M. Richards. The plat filed for record March 2, 1835.
Franklin, filed for record Aug, 11, 1836, by James L. Taylor.
Grafton, filed for record, April 15, 1836, by Sarah Mason, guardian, by her attorney, Perry Mason.
Upper Grafton, filed by David Pier- son and Caleb Stone, May 2, 1836.
Fieldon, filed by Robert Terry, Aug. 21, 1837.
New Philadelphia, filed for record by William B. Little, Dec. 18, 1837.
Hartford, filed for record by Joseph Hawkins, W. B. Canby and Levi Church, Oct. 30, 1837.
Rome, filed for record by Jay Daggett, it having been laid out by him Nov. 7, 1838.
Fidelity, filed for record. June, 1850. Joseph Russell, proprietor.
Elsah, filed for record by James Sem- ple, March 7, 1553, and amended plat filed March 4, 1664.
Newbern, filed for record Jan. 10, 1867, by I. F. Gillham, Marcus Gill- ham, John Chambers, Jr., and Enoch Briggs.
Otterville, filed for record Nov. 20, 1867, by the trustees of Hamilton semi- nary, Baptist and Cumberland Presbyte- rian churches.
Delhi, filed for record June 5, 1868, by Sarah A. Lurton, Joseph N. Lurton, Jacob M. Early, Caroline S. Early, Wil- liam A. Scott and Sarah A. Scott.
Kemper, recorded November 9, 1870, W. H. H. Kemper, proprietor.
Nelson, filed by T. J. Campbell, Dec. 1, 1880.
Dow, filed by John H. MeDow and Medora A. McDow, Oct. 18, 1583.
Howe (now McClusky ) filed for record by Hiram and Mary A. McClusky, July 21, 1883.
TREASURY.
The first settlement with the treasurer of Jersey county was at the December session of the county commissioners' court, in 1841, and is given here, as a curiosity.
Treasurer in account writh Jersey county :
DR.
To amount rec'd from collections ... $2,072 17 Amount received from proceeds
of land sold for taxes 95 97
Amount received from circuit
court clerk 21 00
Amount from lisences. 25 00
. ('R. $2,214 44
By county orders paid. .. . $2,125 17 Comm'us on $2.214.14,
at 2 per cent . 44 28
Cash paid printer. 50
Balance on hand. 44 19
$2,214 14
In order to show the difference be- tween the then and now, the report of County Treasurer John A. Shepherd for the year 1884, is here inserted:
County Treasurer in account with Jersey county, 1883=1884:
Sept. 10-To balance on hand ....... 85,857 66
Oct. 13-To amt rec. of W.E. Carlin $ 75
Dec. 1-To amt rec'col and treas 390 83 Mch. 10 -- To Co. Att'y, judgment .. 895 (0
April 17-To Co. Att'y, judgment .. SOS 95
May 14-To amt from town col'r .. 14,019 62 14-To amt from town col'r .. 15 58
July 26 -- To amt from town cof'r .. . 9,089 78
.. 26 To amt from town col'r .. 77 94
26-To amt from town col. int 47 70
June, 22-Proceeds sale of C. II. ... 155 00
Total .. $30,861 76
100
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
CONTRA.
Nov. 21-By orders paid. $3,825 16
21-By orders paid.
1,018 90
". 21-By commission. 322 75
21-By commission
5 20
June 3-By county orders paid. . . . 10,397 86
=
3-By county orders paid. . . .
1,590 85
Sept.
8-By county orders paid. ...
3,833 03
8-By county orders paid .. 31 80
Bal. in hands of Treas. 9,836 21
'Total
$30,861 76
COURT HOUSE.
The old court house was built in 1840, by subscription of citizens, and was originally 40 feet square. Aaron Rue and Peyton C. Walker did the carpen- ter work, and Peter Perrine the brick work. In 1862 an addition, 16x30 feet in size, was added, on the north side of the building, which was used for jail purposes, but about 1873 or 4, some prisoners escaping by digging through the rear wall, the county commissioners, ordered that it be lined with 2x4 pine scantling laid flat and spiked and cov- ered with common sheet iron. On the early morning of January 6, 1884, as Charles Lipscomb, the janitor of the Baptist church, was going to that place of worship, at 4 o'clock, to build the fire, it being one of the coldest days during that winter, he smelled smoke, but attaching no attention to it, suppos- ing that somebody was building a fire.
He remained in the church until after 6 o'clock, when going out he discovered smoke issuing from the jail windows. He at once proceeded to awake G. C. Cockrell, who lived near by and then to inform Sheriff C. S. Frost. Finding that C. Blay, the janitor of the jail, had the keys of the jail, and knowing that several prisoners were in confine-
ment there, he hastened to the house of the above, half a mile distant. When they arrived at the jail, the found it filled with a dense smoke, and the pris- oners not able to come out. Charles Keith, James Powel, W. Hibble, J. E. Cory and M. Cockrell at considerable risk to themselves plunged into the room and soon brought out the dead bodies, for they were nothing else. These victims were Walter Dunsdon, in jail under accusation of murder; Emile Koehler, for horse-stealing; August Shultz, for purloining a coat; James Griggs, for petit larceny.
The fire is generally believed to have been owing to a defective flue and the pine wood close to it catching fire early in the night and being closely confined between the iron casing and brick wall, smouldered until it broke out about six or seven o'clock in the morning. The flames soon wrapped the whole build- ing and soon the edifice was but a smok- ing ruin, and Jersey county was with- out a court house or jail. All the books, furniture, even the bar railing and the matting on the stairs was taken out of the building and saved.
The subject of building a suitable court house in Jerseyville is, at the present writing, 1885, under considera- tion, and no doubt, in the near future, the county will find itself in possession of an edifice of that character. The present depressed state of trade and low price of farm products, causing a strin- gency in the times, is all that is defer- ring the matter.
COUNTY JAIL.
The original county jail was a part of the court house and when that build-
101
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
ing was destroyed by fire, Jan. 6, 1884, the county was left without any place for the incareeration of its prisoners. Therefore, at the meeting of the board of supervisors on the 3d of June, 1884, the grand jury made the following pre- sentment:
"Whereas, during the past winter a sad and fatal calamity befell onr county, whereby our court house and county jail were destroyed by fire, and
"Whereas, the immediate erection of a good and substantial county jail, adequate to the present and future demands, therefore we regard, as an absolute and pressing necessity. dictated alike by consideration of justice, safety and an enlightened civilization."
The board of supervisors thereupon took the matter under advisement, and having some idea at the time of build- ing a court house and jail together, ad- vertised for plans, and appointed a com- mittee to examine the said plans, and deeide upon one and make a report to the board, the result of their delibera- tions. The committee consisted of the following gentlemen: C. P. Stafford, V. L. Dodge, J. M. Segraves, G. W. Reed and Lloyd T. English. On consideration of the subject, at the September term, they reported that they agreed, that on account of "hard times," caused by the light crops for the past three years, it would be useless to ask the people of the county to lay a tax upon themselves to build a structure of this kind, but in view of the absolute neeessity of build- ing a jail at once, they considered a plan for one, presented by William Embley, of Jerseyville, eminently fitted for construction and which conld be built for $15,000, and recommended that the board of supervisors submit to the peo- ple of the county, at the November
election, 1884, the question of levying a tax of 35 cents on the $100, to provide a fund for its ereetion.
This report was at onee adopted and the necessary orders issued for submit- ting the question to the people, and the latter approving of the measure by a majority of 426 votes, the plan of Mr. Embley was adopted, and the tax levied in accordance with the resolution. A building committee was appointed to superintend the getting of bids, to make contracts and oversee the erection of the building. This committee consisted of M. V. Hamilton, W. E. Carlin, C. P. Stafford, L. T. English and V. L. Dodge.
Bids for the work, according to the plans and specifications of William Em- bley, which had been adopted, were re- ceived and opened by the board and after some delay the contracts were let. Dow- dall and Sturdevant agreed to do the stone foundation work for $870; H. C. Leak, of Jerseyville, the superstructure and woodwork, or, in other words, the building proper, for $7,445, and P. G. Pauly & Bro., of St. Louis, to put in the steel-elad cells, corridors and other iron work, for $6,800.
Work was at once commenced, and soon carried to a suceessful finish, pro- dueing as superb a building of this character as is found in the state.
The building is of a composite order of architecture, combining the merits of the Tudor and English Gothie, is of briek, with handsome stone trimmings, and presents an agreeable appearance. The front part of the building is the residence of the sheriff, and contains, on the first floor, an office 14x 27 feet in size, a parlor and sitting-room, each
102
HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
15 x 174, and a kitchen 14x15! feet. In the second story are two bedrooms the size of the parlor and sitting-room, over which they are situated, a guard-room over the office, and two steel-clad cells for female prisoners. This part of the building is 30x40 feet in ground area. The jail proper is in the rear of the dwelling part, and is 38x48 feet in size. This latter contains two tiers of steel- clad cells, four on each floor, with cor- ridors, also enclosed in grating, and surrounded by a jailor's corridor, which is spacious and comfortable. The cells are each 6'x8 feet in size, are well-ven- tilated and exceedingly comfortable for places of that kind. The steel-clad work is the best known, and will defy the most energetie attacks upon it, cold chisel or file having no material effect up- on it. Altogether the edifice is one in which the county can take pride, and reflects great credit on the people, the board of supervisors, the architect and builders.
COUNTY CHARITY.
Although the heart of every man in the county beat in earnest sympathy with the poor and destitute that lay within his knowledge, and the hand of pity and help was never withheld, in time of need, from those who were in want, it was for many years after the organization of the county ere its citi- zens felt it just to theniselves and others to provide a building to be used as a sanctuary for the poor and friendless. Many, having in mind the parish poor- houses and "unions" of the old coun- tries, shrank back with horror at the idea that any in whom they felt an interest should be doomed to inhabit a
place within the cold and cheerless walls of such an asylum. The large and generous heart of the pioneer could not tolerate it. Little did they feel that many a waif upon the broad and troubled sea of the world's bitter expe- rience, has hailed as a safe harbor, as a secure haven, the much dreaded alms- house. Perhaps it was owing, partially, to these mistaken notions in regard to that noble charity, that so long delayed the erection of the building. But let not those of this later generation think that their forefathers, and the early set- tlers here, were a people wanting in brotherly charity. As early as 1840, measures were taken looking to the relief of the necessitous. The method of relief, the letting out of the care of the unfortunate, though not deem- ed the best now, went far toward mitigating the sufferings of the weary wight that had lost his all through force of untoward circumstances; the widow and orphan struggling for the daily crust of bread; the waif left to live or die, as best it may. For some years this system of relief was the only one practiced, and as but few needed it, it sufficed,
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.