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 23

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150

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 23

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Previous to 1839, Thomas Carroll,

1SS

HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Mrs. Mary A. Cummings, and the Car- rolls who resided at Otter Creek, were the only Catholies in this county. The number was increased that year by Wm. Shephard, James Flannigan and Wil- liam Kelley, the latter being the first person ever married in the county by a priest, which occurred in 1839, Father Hamilton officiating. Up to 1840 there was neither a church nor a priest between Alton and Terre Haute, Ind., and a Catholic was not heard of at Car- linville, Hillsboro, Bunker Hill, Van- dalia, Paris, Charleston, and other points where they now have large churches and flourishing societies. Be- fore many years another diocese will have to be formed.

The Rev. James Harty was born in Waterford county, Ireland, in Decem- ber, 1836. He received his classical education at Mount Mellery, and went through his theological course at All Hallows' College, in the city of Dublin. He emigrated to this country in Octo- ber, 1862, and was ordained in the city of Alton, Ill., Dec. 4, 1863. His first pastoral labors were in the Alton cathe- (ral, where he remained until Aug. 15, 1868, when he came to Jerseyville, where he still remains. His labors as pastor of St. Francis' church, have been arduous, and valuable to his charge. The erection of their fine church edifice is the result of the pastor's energy and the munificent donations of its mem- bership. Father Harty is a gentleman of literary culture, and is among the well- read theologians of the church to which he is attached.

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH, ELSAH TP. The edifice of this denomination is

situated on a high nob, on the southeast quarter of section 14. It is a frame structure 30x60 feet in dimensions, and was erected in 1877, at a cost of $2,000, being furnished at an additional cost of about $300. In addition to onc acre of ground used as a church lot, there is a cemetery of two acres located near the church. The dedicatory services of the church occurred in March, 1878, and were conducted by Father Peters, of Alton. Rev. Father A. Marks is the present pastor of the church.

CATHOLIC CHURCH AT GRAFTON.

The first services of the Catholic church were held at the house of Sarah Dempsey, by Father Manyan, in 1857. The next priest was Father Carroll, who held services in the school house. Following Father Carroll was Bishop Juncker, who held meetings in the Methodist church building. Then came Father Sullivan and Father Laurant, successively, who secured a room over the store of John Slaten, in which to hold services. The next priest was Rev. Father Harty, of Jerseyville, who held meetings in the school house and private residences of the place. The first priest to be stationed here was Father Burke, who conducted services in the Quarry hall until the present church building was erected in 1871, and continued here about 14 months. He was succeeded by Father MeGonin, who remained but four months, giving way to Father Chinsick, who was suc- ceeded eight months later by Fathers Rhine, Dateman and Rosenmiller, the latter remaining some five or six years, and was the last regular priest of the church. Services are now held once a

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

month by Father Marks, of Jerseyville. The church building is constructed of stone, 45x65 feet in ground area, and is well furnished throughout.

GERMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, JERSEYVILLE.

On the 11th day of June, 1883, the Very Rev. Father Janssen, vicar-general of the diocese of Alton, III., called a meeting of the German Catholics, of Jerseyville and vicinity, in that city, for the purpose of organizing a congre- gation of that denomination and nation- ality. Many attended and a subscription list was initiated for the express purpose of raising funds to erect a church edifice. In the meantime the Second Presbyter- ian church building, on the corner of Spruce and Washington streets, was offered for sale, and at a second meeting, held a few weeks later, it was decided that it was more advisible to buy the building instead of erecting a new one. In the autumn of 1883, this was carried into execution, and the purchase made of the trustees of the Presbyterian church for $2,150. On obtaining posses- sion, the building underwent a large amount of alteration, and was decorated within in excellent taste, under the per- sonal direction and supervision of the Very Rev. Father Janssen, and upon Thanksgiving day of that same year, the church was dedieated by the Right Rev. P. J. Baltes, bishop of Alton, and the first mass celebrated. The same day the congregation was organized with Rev. F. A. Marks, as pastor, Henry

Scheffer and Charles Schmeider, trus- tees. In this building they continued to worship until the destruction of the structure by fire, on the night of Sept. 19, 1884. The loss by this was not less than 85,000, including decorations, fur- niture, etc. Scarcely were the ashes cold, before a new subscription list opened, which was liberally responded to by the whole community. In the spring of 1885, the debris of the burnt building was cleared away and work commenced on the erection of the new building. This is of brick, 65x39 feet in ground area, built in the Gothic style, and is an ornament to the city. The cost of the edifice is not far from $6,500. The congregation consists of about 150 people, all under the ministration of Rev. Father Marks.

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, ENGLISH TOWNSHIP.

The first services of this congregation were held at the residence of Mr. Heit- zig. The first priest remembered to have presided over the spiritual welfare of the flock was Father Temmel. The earliest baptism was that of a child named William Sauer. The present trustees are Stephen Funke and Joseph Kallal. There are about 30 families connected with the church. The church edifice is a neat, substantial building, which is located near the west line of the northeast quarter of Sec. 30. Father Frank J. Reinhart is the present pastor. He resides near the church.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIV.

NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATION.

While unworthy man may at any and all times thrust themselves into office, in this free land, still it cannot but be acknowledged that the great body of the office-holders of the country, especially the elective ones, are truly representa- tive men-men of positive force and character. They are of the number of those that do much to build up and strengthen a town, a county or a state. In this chapter it has been the endeavor, so far as possible, to give slight sketches of all who have served the county of Jersey in the nation, state or county. That some of these are imperfect is known, but it should not be laid to the historian. Some that are mentioned have passed away from this mundane sphere, leaving no record from which a sketch could be written, while others have removed from this to other local- ities, and their present whereabouts is generally unknown.

UNITED STATES SENATE,

The county of Jersey has been among the few counties of the state that have had the honor of furnishing a senator to represent the great state of Illin- ois in the senate chamber of the United States. Samuel McRoberts, the United States senator from Illinois, dying on the 22d of March, 1843, Governor Ford appointed James Semple to fill the vacancy. This gentleman assumed the

duties of the office, and discharged them to the uttermost satisfaction of everybody, serving from 1843 to 1847. A man, in every sense of the word, he made his mark upon the period of his existence and only gave way before the rising genius of one of the greatest states- men of the age, Stephen A. Douglas, who succeeded him.

GEN. JAMES SEMPLE.

General James Semple, deceased, a native of Greene county, Ky., was born January 5, 1798. He was the oldest son of Dr. John W. and Lucy (Robertson) Semple. Dr. Semple was a lineal descendant of the ancient Scottish family of that name, which was con- nected with leading events in the history of that kingdom for many generations. The subject of this sketch received his early education in the sehools of Green- boro, Ky. After leaving school and when about 22 years old, he went to Chariton, Mo. Residing there only about one year, he returned to Louis- ville, Ky., commenced the study of law, and, in due time, was admitted to the bar. In 1828 Gen. Semple settled at Edwardsville, Ill., where he began the practice of his profession, and soon became a leading member of the Madi- son county bar. Gen. Semple took a prominent part in the Black Hawk war, first as colonel of an Illinois regiment,

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

and afterwards as a general officer. On his return he was elected to the legisla- ture, from Madison county, on the dem- oeratie ticket. Being twice re-elected, he was, for four years, speaker of the house of representatives. On the 5th of June, 1833, he was married to Mrs. Mary S. Mizner, daughter of Dr. Cairns, of Monroe county, Ill. Mrs. Semple's father was a member of the first consti- tutional convention of Illinois, and held other prominent positions. The issue of this marriage was three daughters and one son. Two daughters, Mrs. L. V. S. Ames and Mrs. Ashley D. Scott, of St. Louis, Mo., and one son, Eugene Semple, of Vancouver, Wash- ington territory, still (1885) survive. In 1837 Gen. Semple, who had pre- viously been attorney-general of the state, was appointed by President Van Buren charge d'affairs of the U. S. at Bogota, which position he filled with credit until 1842, when he resigned and returned to his adopted state. In the fall of 1842 he was elected one of the justices of the supreme court of Illinois, and soon afterwards was appointed to the U. S. Senate by Gov. Ford, to fill a vacancy in that body caused by the death of Senator McRoberts. Being afterward elected by the legislature to fill the unexpired term, Gen. Semple took a prominent part in national affairs, being the first to introduce a resolution in favor of the abrogation of our treaty with Great Britain, in regard to the joint occupancy of Oregon. This ques- tion was then one of paramount import- ance, and Gen. Semple always main- tained that our claim to 54º 40' north latitude, was clear, and that we ought to insist upon it, even at the cost of

war. At the close of his senatorial term, Gen. Semple retired from politics entirely, and devoted himself to his private affairs. Some years afterward he became, by a combination of circum- stances, the most available candidate for governor of the state, and the demo- cratie nomination was tendered him, but, to the regret of his friends, he refused to emerge from his retirement. The leading characteristic of Gen. Semple, and the secret of his continuous popularity, was his conscientious devo- tion to the duties of every position in life in which he found himself. Hle demeaned himself in office with Jeffer- sonian simplicity, and had faith in the continued existence of the Republic. He died at his country residence, Trevue, near Elsah, Illinois, on the 20th day of Dec., 1866, and was buried in Bellfontaine cemetery, near St. Louis, Mo. Lucy V. Semple, second daughter of Gen. Semple, who inherited much of the talent and energy of her distin- guished father, remains in Jersey county, as the representative of the Semple family. She was married in 1860 to Edgar Ames, Esq., one of the most prominent and wealthy merchants of St. Louis. By the death of her husband, in 1867, she was left with the care of four children and a vast estate. By providence and foresight she has acquitted herself with credit in both these responsible positions. In pur- suance of the plans of her husband and in the fulfillment of the wishes of her father, she has built an imposing resi- dence on the bluffs overlooking the village of Elsah and the Mississippi river, on the old estate of Trevue. Here she resides during most of each

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

year, and while dispensing the hospi- talities of "Notch Cliff," contributes largely to the material prosperity of the village and surrounding country.

CONGRESSIONAL.

When the county of Jersey was cut off from that of Greene and organized as a separate county, the State of Illi- nois constituted but three congressional districts, and Jersey county, a part of the third district, was represented in the 26th congress, from 1839 to 1841, by John T. Stuart, a resident of Spring- field. He was re-elected to the 27th congress, and served until March 4, 1843. This gentleman was born in Fayette county, Ky., Nov. 10, 1807. He was educated at Danville college, Kentucky, graduating in 1826, and stud- ied law under Judge Breck. In 1828 he came to Springfield and entered upon the practice of law. It was in his othice that Abraham Lincoln studied for the bar. In 1838 he ran against Stephen A. Douglas for congress, and beat him, and in 1841 was re-elected, as above stated. During his congressional career, he, du- ring the session of 1841-3, secured an appropriation for the harbor at Chicago.

By the apportionment act of March 1, 1843, the state of Illinois was divided into seven districts, and, in re-district- ing, the county of Jersey was placed in the fifth congressional district. The first election held under this act was in August, 1843, and Stephen A. Douglas, of Quincy, was elected. The district was composed of the counties of Greene, Jersey, Calhoun, Pike, Adams, Mar- quette, Brown, Schuyler, Fulton, Peoria and Macoupin. Douglas represented this district in the 28th congress, from

1843 to 1845; was re-elected to the 29th congress, but resigned before the expir- ation of his second term.

Stephen A. Douglas, one of the great- est statesmen of his time, and, in fact, of all time, was born in the town of Brandon, Vermont, on the 23d of April, 1813. His father was a physician, and died carly in life, leaving his widow and son in almost indigent circum- stances. Stephen had but few oppor- tunities for schooling, much of the liv- ing of his mother and himself depend- ing upon the labor of his hands. He devoted this time of his life to learning the cabinet maker's trade, and spent some years at the business. His mother finally married again, and young Ste- phen, in 1831, accompanied her and his step - father to Canandaigua, N. Y. There he attended an academy and remained until the year 1833, when he came to Illinois, and taught school at Winchester, near the county seat of Scott county. This was a subscription school. Mr. Douglas employed his time evenings and holidays in the study of law, and, in 1834, he removed to Jacksonville, where he was admitted to the bar, and during the same year was elected attorney general of the state, though only 22 years of age. He soon resigned that office to accept a seat in the legislature. On the expiration of his term in that body, he settled down to the practice of law in Jacksonville, where he remained until 1837, when he removed to Springfield, having been appointed register of the land office by President Van Buren. In 1839, he resigned this office, and the year follow. ing was made secretary of the state. In 1841, he was appointed by the legisla-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

ture judge of the supreme court, and he reorganized the circuit court, serving as eireuit judge. The eireumstances under which he entered upon the duties of this office were sufficient to thoroughly try the force and scope of his abilities. The circuit was large-the previous incumbent of the office had left the docket loaded with unfinished cases; but he was more than equal to the task. He cleaned out the docket with that dispatch and ability which distinguished his subsequent course; and so profound was the impression which he made upon the people, that, in the first congres- sional election, which occurred after he was established in his character as a judge, he received the nomination for member of congress. and was elected thereto. Through the distinguished abilities which he displayed as a states- man, he received the appellation of "Little Giant," and became the reeog- nized leader of a great politieal party. In 1860, he received the nomination for the presidency, but owing to a division in the party, he was beaten by Abraham Lincoln, his competitor for the United States senate two years previous. On the inauguration of President Lineoln, and the subsequent withdrawal of the southern states from the Union, and the war following, Mr. Douglas took strong Union grounds, and declared henceforth there could be but two par- ties in the country, patriots and traitors. In a few days thereafter, he was taken sick and died on the 3d of June, 1861, sincerely mourned by the whole nation.

On the resignation of Mr. Douglas, William A. Richardson, of Rushville, succeeded him in the 29th congress, and was re-elected from this district to the

30th, 31st and 32d congress. Mr. Rich- ardson was a native of Fayette county, Kentucky, born Jan. 16, 1811. His parents were James L. and Mary (Ed- mondson) Richardson. His father dy- ing when William was but five years of age, his mother, in obedience with the dying request of the father, gave her son the advantages of a most excellent education. He entered Center College, at Danville, Ky., but afterwards was transferred to Transylvania University, at Lexington, that state. He entered the law office of Allan & Simpson, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1831. He then came to Illinois, loeating at Shelbyville. In 1832, he was a volun- teer in the Black Hawk war, and on returning from the front, removed to Rushville, Schuyler county, where he resided until May, 1849, when he removed to Quiney. In 1836, he was elected to the general assembly from Schuyler county, and from that time acted a prominent part in the state and nation. He was elected to the state senate in 1838; wasone of the eleetors on the Polk and Dallas presidential tieket of 1844; was a captain in the 1st 111. Reg., under Colonel J. J. Hardin, during the Mexican war; was a member of congress, as above stated; in 1856, ran for the office of governor, but was defeated by a small majority; was appointed governor of Nebraska, in 1858, and served in that capacity, leav- ing a splendid record; was elected United States senator, in 1863, and served two years. He died at Quincy, Dee. 27, 1875, from paralysis.

By the act of August 22, 1852, the state was again redistricted, this time into nine districts, the counties of Mor-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

gan, Scott,Sangamon, Macoupin, Greene, Montgomery, Christian, Shelby, Cass, Menard and Jersey were united in the 6th district. Richard Yates, was elected at the first election under this act in Nov. 1852, to the 33d congress. Richard Yates, the well known "war governor" was a native of Kentucky, born in Warsaw, in that state, in the year 1818. He came to Illinois in 1831, and read law in the office of Col. J. J. Hardin. He served two terms in con- gress, was governor of the state during the civil war, and United States senator, being elected to the latter office in 1865. He died in St. Louis.

In the 34th congress from 1855 to 1857, the district was represented by Thomas L. Harris, of Petersburg, Menard county, who was re-elected to the 35th congress, and died while in office, Nov. 24, 1859, and was succeeded by Charles D. Hodges, of Carrollton, Greene county. A sketch of this gen- tleman appears in the history of that county, in this volume.

In the 36th congress the district was represented by John A. McClernand, of Springfield, who was re-elected to the 37th congress, but resigned his seat Dec. 12, 1861, to take a commission in the army, where he made a record that is the pride of the state.

On the resignation of John A. MeCler- nand, he was succeeded by A. L. Knapp, of Jerseyville, who occupied a place in the 37th congress up to March 4, 1863.

Anthony L. Knapp was born in Mid- dletown, Delaware county, N. Y., June 14, 1828. When 11 years of age he re- moved with his father to Illinois, and studying law was admitted to practice at the bar in 1849, locating in Jersey-

ville. In 1858, Mr. Knapp became a candidate for state senator, accompany- ing Stephen A. Douglas in that ever memorable campaign with Abraham Lincoln. In the fall of 1861 he was elected to the 37th congress to fill the vacaney caused by the resignation of John A. McClernand. He served through the 37th and 38th congresses with distinguished ability, Some of his speeches while a member of the house were so favorably received that they were used as campaign documents in 1864. A single sentence from his speech on the policy and objeets of the war, delivered on June 5, 1862, is here- with given: "For long years the consti- tution has served as a bright light to guide and direct the efforts of men, everywhere striving for the blessings of a free, popular government, while to each of us it has proved a shield and protection. Formed in our weakness, its blessings have encompassed us in our strength. We have seen it expand by its own force over nearly twice as many states as at first received its care, and with not more solicitude does the parental heart entwine itself in loving folds around each new pledge of their affections, than has this instrument sought the welfare of its youngest born." On retiring from congress, Mr. Knapp commenced the practice of law at Chi- cago in 1865, where he remained two years and then removed to Springfield, this state, where he formed a law part- nership with James C. Robinson, which lasted until dissolved by the death of Mr. Knapp, Monday, May 23, 1881. Mr, Knapp was married in Chicago to Henrietta Smith, by whom he had one child-Toney W.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

By the census of 1860, it was found that the population of Illinois had so increased as to be entitled to 14 congress- men, and under the apportionment act of April 24, 1861, the state was divided into thirteen districts. The first elec- tion held under this act was in Novem- ber, 1862. By an error in the appor- tionment the number of representatives was fixed at 13, though the state was entitled to 14, so the error was corrected by electing one member from the state at large. Jersey by that apportionment became a part of the 10th district. and had associated with it the counties of Bond, Morgan, Scott, Calhoun, Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian and Shelby. This district was represented in the national house of representa- tives of the 38th congress by Anthony L. Knapp, of Jerseyville, who was duly elected to fill that position at the elec- tion mentioned above.

In the 39th congress, which convened for the first time March 4, 1865, the 10th district was represented by Anthony Thornton, of Shelbyville, one of the most prominent members of the legal fraternity in the state.

The 40th congress, during the two years succeeding March 4, 1867, con- tained, as the representative of the peo- ple of this district, Albert G. Burr, a citizen of Carrollton, Greene county. He was re-elected to the 41st congress, and served until March 4, 1871. A sketch of this gentleman is given in the history of Greene county.

In the 41st congress, which convened at Washington, March 4, 1871, this, the 10th district, was represented by E. Y. Rice, of Hillsborough, Montgomery county.

E. Y. Rice was a native of Logan county, Ky., son of Francis and Mary (Gooch) Rice, born Feb. 8, 1820. His father, a North Carolinian, was a pio- neer Methodist preacher in Macoupin county, where he settled in 1835, and where he died in 1837. Edward remained upon a farm until 20 years of age, but receiving the foundation of a good edu- cation. In 1840 he entered Shurtleft College, where he remained until 1842, but did not graduate. The next year he entered the office of John M. Palmer, then in Carlinville, with whom he studied law, and in 1844 was admitted to the bar. In 1845, he settled in Hills- borough, where he entered upon the practice of his profession, where he has remained ever since. He occupied sev- eral offices previous to his election to congress, holding, among others, the office of circuit judge of the 18th judi- cial district, for 14 years. Since his re- tirement from the congressional halls, he has pursued the practice of his pro- fession. He was married to Mrs. Susan R. Coudy, nee Allen, by whom he had three children.

Under the apportionment act of July 2, 1872, made on the basis of the census of 1870, the state of Illinois was divided into 19 districts, and the counties of Adams, Brown, Pike, Calhoun, Greene and Jersey were combined into the 11th district. The first election was held in November, 1872, when Robert M. Knapp, of Jerseyville, was elected representa- tive from the district, and took his place March 4, 1873, in the 43d congress. Ile served one term, at this time.

Hon. Robert M. Knapp was born in the city of New York, April 21, 1831. His father, Dr. Augustus R. Knapp,

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

was an eminent physician of Jersey county, III. While Robert was a child, his father removed to Savannah, Ga., and from thence to New Jersey, and finally, in 1839, to Illinois, and the fol- lowing year to this county. In Illinois he was prominent in his profession and in local politics. In 1847 he was a member of the constitutional conven- tion. Robert, after securing such in- struction as was given in the common schools of Illinois at that time, became a student in the Kentucky State Mili- tary Institute, near Frankfort, in 1849; but becoming affected by the then pre- vailing gold fever, went overland to California, and remained two years suc- cessfully operating in the gold mines. He subsequently studied law, and in 1855 commenced practice in Jerseyville. On Dec. 26, 1855, he married Fannie A. Green, who was born in Haverstraw, Rockland county, N. Y., March 15, 1837. She is a daughter of Capt. Stephen S. and Letitia (Quick) Green, deceased, who were natives of Westchester coun- ty, N. Y. Captain Green ran a line of boats from New York to Sing Sing sev- eral years. In 1839 he came to Macou- pin county and bought a large tract of land, upon which he placed numerous tenants. An incident which may be mentioned in his farm life is that he purchased the first McCormick reaper ever sold. As a result of the marriage there are three children-Katie L., born Sept, 26, 1856; Susie Green, born Aug. 16, 1858; Hattie Bagley, born Nov. 17, 1864. Mr. Knapp was a democrat in poli- tics. In 1867 he was elected to the Illi- nois general assembly, but declined to be a candidate for a second term. In 1871 he was elected mayor of Jersey-

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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 23

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150