USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 14
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
There is no grand scenery about Chicago except the two seas, one of water, the other of prairie. Nevertheless, there is a spirit about it, a push, a breadth, a power, that soon makes it a place never to
J.M.W.G.&Co
CHICAGO WATER WORKS-THE CRIB-TWO MILES FROM SHORE.
-
.
177
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
be forsaken. Chicago is in the field almost alone, to handle the wealth of one-fourth of the territory of this great republic. The Atlantic sea-coast divides its margins between Portland, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Savannah, but Chicago has a dozen empires casting their treasures into her lap. On a bed of coal that can run all the machinery of the world for 500 centuries; in a garden that can feed the race by the thousand years; at the head of the lakes that give her a temperature as a summer resort equaled by no great city in the land; with a climate that insures the health of her citizens; surrounded by all the great deposits of natural wealth in mines and forests and herds, Chicago is the wonder of to-day, and will be the city of the future.
STATES OF THE UNION.
THEIR SETTLEMENT, ORIGIN OF NAME AND MEANING, COGNOMEN, MOT- TOES, ADMISSION INTO THE UNION, POPULATION, AREA, NUMBER OF SOLDIERS FURNISHED DURING THE REBELLION, NUMBER OF REPRE- SENTATIVES IN CONGRESS, PRESENT GOVERNORS, ETC., ETC., ETC.
Alabama .- This State was first explored by LaSalle in 1684, and settled by the French at Mobile in 1711, and admitted as a State in 1817. Its name is Indian, and means "Here we rest." Has no motto. Population in 1860, 964,201; in 1870, 996,992. Furnished 2,576 soldiers for the Union army. Area 50,722 square miles. Montgomery is the capital. Has 8 Representatives and 10 Presi- dential electors. Rufus W. Cobb is Governor; salary, $3,000; polities, Democratic. Length of term, 2 years.
Arkansas-Became a State in 1836. Population in 1860, 435,- 450; in 1870, 484,471. Area 52,198 square miles. Little Rock, capital. Its motto is Regnant Populi-" The people rule." It has the Indian name of its principal river. Is called the " Bear State." Furnished 8,289 soldiers. She is entitled to 4 members in Congress, and 6 electoral votes. Governor, W. R. Miller, Democrat; salary, $3,500; term, 2 years.
California-Has a Greek motto, Eureka, which means " I have found it." It derived its name from the bay forming the peninsula of Lower California, and was first applied by Cortez. It was first visited by the Spaniar $ a 1542, and by the celebrated English
178
IIISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
navigator, Sir Francis Drake, in 1578. In 1846 Fremont took possession of it, defeating the Mexicans, in the name of the United States, and it was admitted as a State in 1850. Its gold mines from 1868 to 1878 produced over $800,000,000. Area 188,982 square miles. Population in 1860, 379,994. In 1870, 560,247. She gave to defend the Union 15,225 soldiers. Sacramento is the capital. Has 4 Representatives in Congress. Is entitled to 6 Presidential electors. Present Governor is William Irwin, a Democrat; term, 4 years; salary, $6,000.
Colorado-Contains 106,475 square miles, and had a population in 1860 of 34,277, and in 1870, 39,864. She furnished 4,903 soldiers. Was admitted as a State in 1876. It has a Latin motto, Nil sine Numine, which means, "Nothing can be done without divine aid." It was named from its river. Denver is the capital. Has 1 member in Congress, and 3 electors. T. W. Pitkin is Gov- ernor; salary, $3,000; term, 2 years; politics, Republican.
Connecticut-Qui transtulit sustinet, "He who brought us over sustains us," is her motto. It was named from the Indian Qnon- ch-ta-Cut, signifying "Long River." It is called the "Nutmeg State." Area 4,674 square miles. Population 1860, 460,147; in 1870, 537,454. Gave to the Union army 55,755 soldiers. Hart- ford is the capital. Has 4 Representatives in Congress, and is entitled to 6 Presidential electors. Salary of Governor $2,000; term, 2 years.
Delaware .- " Liberty and Independence," is the motto of this State. It was named after Lord De La Ware, an English states- man, and is called, "The Blue Hen," and the "Diamond State." It was first settled by the Swedes in 1638. It was one of the original thirteen States. Has an area of 2,120 square miles. Population in 1860, 112,216; in 1870, 125,015. She sent to the front to defend the Union, 12,265 soldiers. Dover is the capital. Has but 1 mem- ber in Congress; entitled to 3 Presidential electors. John W. Hall, Democrat, is Governor; salary, $2,000; term, 2 years.
Florida-Was discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1512, on Easter Sunday, called by the Spaniards, Pascua Florida, which, with the variety and beauty of the flowers at this early season caused him to name it Florida-which means in Spanish, flowery. Its motto is, " In God we trust." It was admitted into the Union in 1845. It has an area of 59,268 square miles. Population in 1860, 140,424; in
179
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
1870, 187,756. Its capital is Tallahassee. Has 2 members in Con- gress. IIas 4 Presidential electors. George F. Drew, Democrat, Governor; term, 4 years; salary, $3,500.
Georgia-Owes its name to George II., of England, who first established a colony there in 1732. Its motto is, " Wisdom, justice and moderation." It was one of the original States. Population in 1860, 1,057,286; 1870, 1,184,109. Capital, Atlanta. Area 58, Ov0 square miles. Hlas 9 Representatives in Congress, and 11 Presidential electors. Her Governor is A. H. Colquitt, Democrat; term, 4 years; salary, $4,000.
Illinois-Motto, "State Sovereignty, National Union." Name derived from the Indian word, Illini, meaning, superior men. It is called the "Prairie State," and its inhabitants, "Suckers." Was first explored by the French in 1673, and admitted into the Union in 1818. Area 55,410 square miles. Population, in 1860, 1,711,951; in 1870, 2,539,871. She sent to the front to defend the Union, 258,162 soldiers. Capital, Springfield. Has 19 members in Congress, and 21 Presidential electors. Shelby M. Cullom, Repub. lican, is Governor; elected for 4 years; salary, $6,000.
Indiana-Is called "Hoosier State." Was explored in 1682, and admitted as a State in 1816. Its name was suggested by its numerous Indian population. Area 33,809 square miles. Popu- lation in 1860, 1,350,428; in 1870, 1,680,637. She put into the Federal army, 194,363 men. Capital, Indianapolis. Has 13 mem- bers in Congress, and 15 Presidential electors. J. D. Williams, Governor, Democrat; salary, $3,000; term, 4 year.
Iowa-Is an Indian name and means " This is the land." Its motto is, "Our liberties we prize, our. rights we will maintain." It is called the "Hawk Eye State." It was first visited by Marquette and Joliet in 1673; settled by New Englanders in 1833, and admitted into the Union in 1846. Des Moines is the capital. It has an area of 55,045, and a population in 1860 of 674,913, and in 1870 of 1,191,802. She sent to defend the Government, 75,793 soldiers. Has 9 members in Congress; 11 Presidential electors. John H. Gear, Republican, is Governor; salary, $2,500; term, 2years. .
Kansus-Was admitted into the Union in 1861, making the thirty-fourth State. Its motto is Ad astra per aspera, "To the stars through difficulties." Its name means, "Smoky water," and
180
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
is derived from one of her rivers. Area 78,841 square miles. Population in 1860, 107,209; in 1870 was 362,812. She furnished 20,095 soldiers. Capital is Topeka. Has 3 Representatives in Con- gress, and 5 Presidential electors. John P. St. John, Governor; polities, Republican; salary, $3,000; term, 2 years.
Kentucky-Is the Indian name for "At the head of the rivers." Its motto is, " United we stand, divided we fall." The sobriquet of "dark and bloody ground " is applied to this State. It was first settled in 1769, and admitted in 1792 as the fifteenth State. Area 37,680. Population in 1860, 1,155,684; in 1870, 1,321,000. She put into the Federal army 75,285 soldiers. Capital, Frankfort. Has 10 members in Congress ; 12 Electors. J. B. McCreary, Democrat, is Governor; salary, $5,000; term, 4 years.
Louisiana-Was called after Louis XIV., who at one time owned that section of the country. Its motto is "Union and Con- fidence." It is called "The Creole State." It was visited by La Salle in 1684, and admitted into the Union in 1812, making the eighteenth State: Population in 1860, 708,002; in 1870, 732,731. Area 46,431 square miles. She put into the Federal army 5,224 soldiers. Capital, New Orleans. Has 6 Representatives and 8 Electors. F. T. Nichols, Governor, Democrat; salary, $8,000; term, 4 years.
Maine .- This State was called after the province of Maine in France, in compliment of Queen Henrietta of England, who owned that province. Its motto is Dirigo, meaning "I direct." It is called "The Pine Tree State." It was settled by the English in 1625. It was admitted as a State in 1820. Area 31,766 square miles. Population in 1860, 628,279; in 1870, 626,463; 69,738 sol- diers went from this State. Has 5 members in Congress, and 7 Electors. Selden Conner, Republican, Governor; term, 1 year; salary, $2,500.
Maryland-Was named after Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I. of England. It has a Latin motto, Crecite et multiplica- mini, meaning " Increase and Multiply." It was settled in 1634, and was one of the original thirteen States. It has an area of 11,- 124 square miles. Population in 1860 was 687,049; in 1870, 780,- 806. This State furnished 46,053 soldiers. Capital, Annapolis. Has 6 Representatives, and 8 Presidential electors. J. H. Carroll, Democrat, Governor; salary, $4,500; term, 4 years.
181
IIISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
Massachusetts-Is the Indian for "The country around the great hills." It is called the "Bay State," from its numerous bays. Its motto is Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem, "By the sword she seeks placid rest in liberty." It was settled in 1620 at Plymouth by English Puritans. It was one of the original thirteen States, and was the first to take up arms against the English during the Revolution. Area 7,800 square miles. Population in 1860, 1,231,- 066; in 1870, 1,457,351. She gave to the Union army 146,467 sol- diers. Boston is the capital. Has 11 Representatives in Con- gress, and 13 Presidential electors. Thomas Talbot, Republican, is Governor; salary, $5,000; term, 1 year.
Michigan-Latin motto, Luebor, and Si quæris peninsulanı amænum circumspice, " I will defend "-" If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you." The name is a contraction of two Indian words meaning "Great Lake." It was early explored by Jesuit missionaries, and in 1837 was admitted into the Union. It is known as the " Wolverine State." It contains 56,243 square miles. In 1860 it had a population of 749,173; in 1870, 1,184,059. She furnished 88,111 soldiers. Capital, Lansing. Has 9 Repre- sentatives and 11 Presidential electors. C. M. Croswell is Gov- ernor; politics, Republican; salary, $1,000; term, 2 years.
Minnesota-Is an Indian name, meaning " Cloudy Water." It has a French motto, L'Etoile du Nord-" The Star of the North." It was visited in 1680 by La Salle, settled in 1846, and admitted into the Union in 1858. It contains 83,531 square miles. In 1860 had a population of 172,023; in 1870, 439,511. She gave to the Union army 24;002 soldiers. St. Paul is the capital. Has 3 mem- bers in Congress, 5 Presidential electors. Governor, J. S. Pills- bury, Republican; salary, $3,000; term, 2 years.
Mississippi-Is an Indian name, meaning "Long River," and the State is named from the " Father of Waters." The State was first explored by De Sota in 1541; settled by the French at Natchez in 1716, and was admitted into the Union in 1817. It has an area of 47,156 square miles. Population in 1860, 791,305; in 1870, 827,- 922. She gave to suppress the Rebellion 545 soldiers. Jackson is the capital. Has 6 representatives in Congress, and 8 Presidential electors. J. M. Stone is Governor, Democrat; salary, $4,000; term, 4 years.
Missouri-Is derived from the Indian word " muddy," which
182
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
more properly applies to the river that flows through it. Its motto is Salus populi suprema lex esto, "Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law." The State was first settled by the French near Jefferson City in 1719, and in 1821 was admitted into the Union. It has an area of 67,380 square miles, equal to 43,123,200 acres. It had a population in 1860 of 1,182,012; in 1870, 1,721,- 000. She gave to defend the Union 108,162 soldiers. Capital, Jefferson City. Its inhabitants are known by the offensive cogno- man of " Pukes." Has 13 representatives in Congress, and 15 Presidential electors. J. S. Phelps is Governor; politics, Demo- cratic; salary, $5,000; term, 4 years.
Nebraska-Has for its motto, "Equality before the law." Its name is derived from one of its rivers, meaning " broad and shal- low, or low." It was admitted into the Union in 1867. Its capital is Lincoln. It had a population in 1860 of 28,841, and in 1870, 123,993, and in 1875, 246,280. It has an area of 75,995 square miles. She furnished to defend the Union 3,157 soldiers. Has but 1 Representative and 3 Presidential electors. A. Nance, Repub- lican, is Governor; salary, $2,500; term, 2 years.
Nevada-" The Snowy Land" derived its name from the Span- ish. Its motto is Latin, Volens et potens, and means "willing and able." It was settled in 1850, and admitted into the Union in 1864. Capital, Carson City. Its population in 1860 was 6,857; in 1870 it was 42,491. It has an area of 112,090 square miles. She furnished 1,080 soldiers to suppress the Rebellion. Has 1 Rep- resentative and 3 Electors. Governor, J. H. Kinkhead, Republican; salary, $6,000; term, 4 years.
New Hampshire-Was first settled at Dover by the English in 1623. Was one of the original States. Has no motto. It is named from Hampshire county in England. It also bears the name of "The Old Granite State." It has an area of 9,280 miles, which equals 9,239,200 acres. It had a population in 1860 of 326,- 073, and in 1870 of 318,300. She increased the Union army with 33,913 soldiers. Concord is the capital. Has 3 Representatives and 5 Presidential electors. N. Head, Republican, Governor; salary, $1,000; term, 1 year.
New Jersey-Was named in honor of the Island of Jersey in the British channel. Its motto is " Liberty and Independence." It was first settled at Bergen by the Swedes in 1624. 'It is one of the orig-
183
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
inal thirteen States. It has an area of 8,320 square miles, or 5,324,- 800 acres. Population in 1860 was 672,035; in 1870 it was 906,096. She put into the Federal army 75,315 soldiers. Capital, Trenton. Has 7 Representatives and 9 Presidential electors. Governor, George B. McClelland, Democrat; salary, $5,000; term, 3 years.
New York .- The " Empire State " was named by the Duke of York, afterward King James II. of England. It has a Latin motto, Excelsior, which means "Still Higher." It was first settled by the Dutch in 1614 at Manhattan. It has an area of 47,000 square miles, or 30,080,000 acres. The population in 1860 was 3,880,735; in 1870 it was 4,332,759. It is one of the original thirteen States. Capital is Albany. It gave to defend our Government 445,959 men. Has 33 members in Congress, and 35 Presidential electors. Governor, L. Robinson, Democrat; salary, $10,000; term, 3 years.
North Carolina-Was named after Charles IX., King of France. It is called "The Old North," or "The Turpentine State." It was first visited in 1524 by a Florentine navigator, sent out by Francis I., King of France. It was settled at Albemarle in 1663. It was one of the original thirteen States. It has an area of 50,704 square miles, equal to 32,450,560 acres. It had in 1860 a population of 992,622, and in 1870, 1,071,361. Raleigh is the capital. She furnished 3,156 soldiers to put down the Rebellion. Has 8 mem- bers in Congress, and is entitled to 10 Presidential electors. Z. B. Vance, Democrat, is Governor; salary, $5,000; term, 4 years.
Ohio-Took its name from the river on its Southern boundary, and means " Beautiful." Its motto is Imperium in Imperio- " An Empire in an Empire." It was first permanently settled in 1788 at Marietta by New Englanders. It was admitted as a State in 1803. Its capital is Columbus. It contains 39,964 square miles, or 25,576, 960 acres. Population in 1860, 2,339,511; in 1870 it had 2,665,260. She sent to the front during the Rebellion 310,- 654 soldiers. Has 20 Representatives, and 22 Presidential electors. Governor, R. M. Bishop, Democrat; salary, $4,000; term, 2 years.
Oregon-Owes its Indian name to its principal river. Its mnotto is Alis volat propriis-" She flies with her own wings." It was first visited by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century. It was set- tled by the English in 1813, and admitted into the Union in 1859. Its capital is Salem. It has an area of 95,274 square miles, equal to 60,975,360 acres. It had in 1860 a population of 52,465; in
184
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
1870, 90,922. She furnished 1,810 soldiers. She is entitled to 1 member in Congress, and 3 Presidential electors. W. W. Thayer, Republican, is Governor; salary, $1,500; term, 4 years.
Pennsylvania .- This is the "Keystone State," and means "Penn's Woods," and was so called after William Penn, its original owner. Its motto is, " Virtue, liberty and independence." A colony was established by Penn in 1682. The State was one of the original thirteen. It has an area of 46,000 square miles, equaling 29,440,- 000 acres. It had in 1860 a population of 2,906,215; and in 1870, 3,515,993. She gave to suppress the Rebellion, 338,155. Harris- burg is the capital. Has 27 Representatives and 29 electors. H. M. Hoyt, is Governor; salary, $10,000; politics, Republican; term of office, 3 years.
Rhode Island .- This, the smallest of the States, owes its name to the Island of Rhodes in the Mediterranean, which domain it is said to greatly resemble. Its motto is "Hope," and it is familiarly called, "Little Rhody." It was settled by Roger Williams in 1636. It was one of the original thirteen States. It has an area of 1,306 square miles, or 835,840 acres. Its population in 1860 numbered 174,620; in 1870, 217,356. She gave to defend the Union, 23,248. Its capitals are Providence and Newport. Has 2 Representatives, and 4 Presidential electors. C. Vanzandt is Governor; politics, Republican; salary, $1,000; term, 1 year.
South Carolina .- The Palmetto State wears the Latin name of Charles IX., of France (Carolus). Its motto is Latin, Animis opibusque parati, " Ready in will and deed." The first permanent settlement was made at Port Royal in 1670, where the French Huguenots had failed three-quarters of a century before to found a settlement. It is one of the original thirteen States. Its capital is Columbia. It has an area of 29,385 square miles, or 18,806,400 acres, with a population in 1860 of 703,708; in 1870, 728,000. Has 5 Representatives in Congress, and is entitled to 7 Presidential electors. Salary of Governor, $3,500; term, 2 years.
Tennessee-Is the Indian name for the " River of the Bend," i. e. the Mississippi, which forms its western boundary. She is called "The Big Bend State."' Her motto is, " Agriculture, Commerce." It was settled in 1757, and admitted into the Union in 1796, mak- ing the sixteenth State, or the third admitted after the Revolution- ary War-Vermont being the first, and Kentucky the second. It
185
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
has an area of 45,600 square miles, or 29,184,000 acres. In 1860 its population numbered 1,109,801, and in 1870, 1,257,983. She furnished 31,092 soldiers to suppress the Rebellion. Nashville is the capital. Has 10 Representatives, and 12 Presidential electors. Governor, A. S. Marks, Democrat; salary, $4,000; term, 2 years.
Texas-Is the American word for the Mexican name by which all that section of the country was known before it was ceded to the United States. It is known as "The Lone Star State." The first set- tlement was made by LaSalle in 1685. After the independence of Mexico in 1822, it remained a Mexican Province until 1836, when it gained its independence, and in 1845 was admitted into the Union. It has an area of 237,504 square miles, equal to 152,002,- 560 acres. Its population in 1860 was 604,215; in 1870, 818,579. She gave to put down the Rebelion 1,965 soldiers. Capital, Austin. Has 6 Representatives, and 8 Presidential electors. Governor, O. M. Roberts, Democrat; salary, $5,000; term, 2 years.
Vermont-Bears the French name of her mountains Verde Mont, "Green Mountains." Its motto is " Freedom and Unity." It was settled in 1731, and admitted into the Union in 1791. Area 10,212 square miles. Population in 1860, 315,098 ; in 1870, 330,551- She gave to defend the Government, 33,272 soldiers. Capital, Mont- pelier. Has 3 Representatives, and 5 electors. Governor, H. Fair- banks, Republican; term, 2 years; salary, $1,000.
Virginia .- The Old Dominion, as this State is called, is the oldest of the States. It was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth, the " Virgin Queen," in whose reign Sir Walter Raleigh made his first attempt to colonize that region. Its motto is Sic semper tyrannis, "So always with tyrants." It was first settled at James- town, in 1607, by the English, being the first settlement in the United States. It is one of original thirteen States, and had before its division in 1862, 61,352 square miles, but at present contains but 38,352 square miles, equal to 24,545,280 acres. The population in 1860 amounted to 1,596,318, and in 1870 it was 1,224,830. Rich- mond is the capital. Has 9 Representatives, and 11 electors. Gov- ernor, F. W. M. Halliday, Democrat; salary, $5,500; term, 4 years.
West Virginia .- Motto, Montani semper liberi, " Mountaineers are always free." This is the only State ever formed, under the Constitution, by the division of an organized State. This was done in 1862, and in 1863 was admitted into the Union. It has an arca of
186
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
23,000 square miles, or 14,720,000 acres. The population in 1860 was 376,000; in 1870 it numbered 445,616. She furnished 32,003. Capital, Wheeling. Has 3 Representatives in Congress, and is entitled to 5 Presidential electors. The Governor is H. M. Mathews, Democrat; term, 4 years; salary, $2,700.
Wisconsin-Is an Indian name, and means "Wild-rushing channel." Its motto, Civitatas successit barbarum, "The civilized man succeeds the barbarous." It is called " The Badger State." The State was visited by the French explorers in 1665, and a settle- ment was made in 1669 at Green Bay. It was admitted into the Union in 1848. It has an area of 52,924 square miles, equal to 34,511,360 acres. In 1860 its population numbered 775,881; in 1870, 1,055,167. Madison is the capital. She furnished for the Union army 91,021 soldiers. Has 8 members in Congress, and is entitled to 10 Presidential electors. The Governor is W. E. Smith; politics, Republican; salary, $5,000; term, 2 years.
187
HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.
ILLINOIS INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND DUMB.
The first class of unfortunates to attract the notice of the legis- lature were the deaf mutes. The act establishing the institution for the education of these unfortunates was approved by Gov. Carlin, Feb. 23, 1839, the asylum to be located at Jacksonville. The original building, afterward called the south wing, was begun in 1842, and completed in 1849, at a cost of about $25,000. A small portion of the building was ready for occupancy in 1846, and on the 26th day of January, of that year, the Institution was formally opened, with Mr. Thomas Officer as principal. The first term opened with but four pupils, which has increased from year to year, until the average attendance at the present time is about 250.
ILLINOIS INSTITUTE FOR THE INSANE.
In response to an appeal from the eminent philanthropist, Miss D. L. Dix, an act establishing the Illinois Hospital for the Insane, was approved by Gov. French, March 1, 1847. Nine trustees were appointed, with power to select a site, purchase land, and erect buildings to accommodate 250 patients. On the 1st of May the board agreed upon a site, 1} miles from the court-house in Jacksonville. In 1851 two wards in the east wing were ready for occupancy, and the first patient was admitted Nov. 3, 1851. In 1869 the General Assembly passed two acts creating the northern asylum for the insane, and the southern asylum for the insane, which was approved by Gov. Palmer, April 16, 1869. Elgin was selected as a location for the former, and Anna for the latter. The estimated capacity of the three asylums is 1,200 patients. In addition to the State institu- tions for the insane, there are three other asylums for their benefit, one in Cook county, which will accommodate about 400 patients, and two private institutions, one at Batavia, and one at Jack- sonville.
ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED.
The experimental school for feeble-minded children, the first institution of its kind in the North-west, was created by an act approved, Feb. 15, 1865. It was an outgrowth of the institution for deaf and dumb, to which idiots are frequently sent, under a mistaken impression on the part of parents, that their silence results from inability to hear. The selection of a site for the
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.