USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 42
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121
Breckenridge and Lane
31
Governor.
James C. Allen ..
3082
363
Richard Yates.
2719
John W. Chickering
21
Thomas Gregg
390
Thos. H. Hope.
28
357
295
455
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Lieutenant Governor.
Lewis W. Ross. 3058
362
Francis A. Hoffman
2696
Henry C. Blackburn.
109
Thomas Snell.
27
Secretary of State.
George H. Campbell
.3056
Ozias M. Hatch
2698
James Munroe.
108
B. F. Burk.
27
State Auditor.
Bernard Arntzen
3056
358
Jesse K. Dubois.
2698
James D. Smith.
108
Harry H. Smith.
27
Treasurer.
Hugh Maher.
.3060
368
Wm. Butler. .
2692
Jonathan Stamper.
105
Wm. H. Cather.
27
Supt. Public Instruction.
Edward R. Roe
3055
353
Newton Bateman
2702
J. D. Snow.
106
John H. Dennis.
27
Congress.
Wm. A. Richardson.
.3109
372
Benjamin M. Prentiss.
.2737
Prosecuting Attorney.
Calvin A. Warren.
3070
315
Benjamin F. Marsh
2755
Representative.
Wm. H. Rollosson
.3099
367
Samuel Mourning.
.2732
Clerk Circuit Court.
Squire R. Davis
3149
435
John Warren.
.2714
Sheriff.
Melancton S. Carey.
.3139
411
Robert Lincoln. .
.2728
Coroner.
Wm. L. Bennett.
3101
397
James H. Moore.
2704
For Convention
2229
1964
Against
66
For Instruction
1079
144
Against
935
ELECTION, JUNE, 1861. Circuit Judge.
Joseph Sibley.
.1002
Judge Supreme Court.
Wm. A. Turney.
...
1013
REGULAR ELECTION, NOV., 1861.
Delegate to Convention.
Milton M. Morrill
2112
301
Marsena MI. Hooten.
1811
County Judge.
Dennis Smith.
.2048
317
358
David Greenleaf .
1831
County Clerk.
Francis M. Corby
.2129
299
Peter Baker.
1830
Treasurer.
Benjamin Warren.
2111
277
William Bray .
1834
School Commissioner.
William Scott.
2020
114
George W. Batchelder.
. 1906
Surveyor.
Jacob Richi
2080
264
Warren Miller.
1816
For the Banking Law
366
Against
66
66
.3183 2817
ELECTION, JUNE, 1862.
Constitution and Articles.
For Adoption
2842
833
Against
2009
Art. "Banks and Currency ."
For
2817
976
Against.
1841
Sec. 1, of Art. "Negroes and Mulattoes."
For ..
3704 2938
Against
766
Sec. 2d of Art. " N. and M."
For.
4515 4476
Against.
39
Sec. 3d of Art. "N. and M."
For
4202 4049
Against.
153
Congressional Apportionment.
For.
2870 1085
Against.
1785
GENERAL ELECTION, NOV., 1862.
State Treasurer.
Alexander Starne.
2844 1324
Wm. Butler.
.1520
Supt. Public Instruction.
John P. Brooks.
2844 1324
Newton Bateman
.1520
Congress-State at Large.
James C. Allen.
2846 1330
E. C. Ingersoll.
1516
Congress-Fourth District.
Charles MI. Harris
2854 1342
Charles B. Lawrence
.1512
265
156
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Senate.
Bryant T. Scofield
2815 1301
Harrison Dills
1514
Representative.
Milton M. Morrill.
2842 1340
Elisha Worrell.
1502
Sheriff.
Robert Inghram.
.2843 1333
James B. Dodge.
1520
Coroner.
James Booth
.2898 1331
D. J. Beebe.
.1497
GENERAL ELECTION, 1863. County Treasurer.
B. Y. N. Clarkson.
.2375
George W. Miller.
2391
School Commissioner.
46
William Scott.
3285
George W. Batchelder
2313
27
Surveyor.
Jacob Rich. .
2290
Joshua C. Berry
.2303
13
GENERAL ELECTION, 1864.
President.
Lincoln and Johnson.
.2654
McClellan and Pendleton.
.. 2929
275
Governor.
Richard J. Oglesby .
2671
James C. Robinson
.2932
261
Lieutenant Governor.
William Bross.
2670
S. Corning Judd.
.2932
Secretary of State.
262
Sharon Tyndale.
.2670
William A. Turney.
.2932
262
Auditor.
O. H. Minor.
.2670
John Hise.
2932
263
Treasurer.
James H. Beveridge.
.2670
Alexander Starne.
.9933
Supt. Public Instruction.
Newton Bateman
2673
John P. Brooks.
.9932
359
Congress-State at Large.
S. W. Moulton.
.2672
James C. Allen ..
2931
259
Congress-District.
Abner C. Harding.
.2671
Charles M. Harris.
.2935
Representative.
264
David Mack.
2669
M. M. Morrill.
.2933
264
Prosecuting Attorney.
Edward E. Lane.
2657
Bryant F. Peterson.
.2939
282
.Sheruf.
John H. Allen.
.2665
Wm. C. Cason.
.2905
260
Coroner.
Caleb Saunders
2664
John Dornseif .. .
.2929
265
Clerk Circuit Court.
Robt. W. McClaughry
2643
Melancton S. Carey.
2957
314
GENERAL ELECTION, 1865. County Judge.
Thomas C. Sharp.
.2691
283
Dennis Smith ..
2408
County Clerk.
Robt. W. McClaughry
2659
201
Francis M. Corby
2458
Treasurer.
John Gibbs.
2691
358
James M. Browning.
2433
School Commissioner.
George W. Batchelder.
.2716
John R. McGinnis. .
2393
323
Surveyor.
Samuel Mourning
2695
281
Jacob D. Stroup.
.2414
For Township Organization. . 3507 2526
Against “
981
For Appropriation
to Capt.
Miller's Company
158
Against. .
4269 4111
Congress-State at Large.
John A. Logan.
.3287
56
T. Lyle Dickey
.3231
Congress-District.
Abner C. Harding.
.3288
56
John S. Thompson.
3233
State Treasurer.
Geo. W. Smith.
3291
50
263
Jesse J. Phillips.
.3232
Supt. Pub. Instruction.
Newton Bateman
3297
66
John M. Crebs.
3231
Senator.
Thomas G. Black ..
3292
56
Sam'l R. Chittenden.
.3236
Representative.
John G. Fonda ..
3268
27
George Edmunds
3241
Sheriff.
Jeptha S. Dillon
3290
Wm. L. Simons.
3216
74
457
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Coroner.
Daniel Glasner.
.3312
95
Martin Heise.
.3217
ELECTION, JUNE, 1867. Judge Fifteenth Jud. Circuit.
Joseplı Sibley.
1785
119
John W. Marsh.
.. 1666
Judge Supreme Court.
Pinckney II. Walker.
.1775
95
Charles Emerson.
1680
Clerk Supreme Court.
Wm. A. Turney .
.1771
89
John M. Snyder
1682
GENERAL ELECTION 1867. County Treasurer.
John Gibbs.
2677
James M. Browning.
.. 3014
367
Surveyor.
Samuel Mourning ..
2699
Henry D. Fonda.
.3002
303
GENERAL ELECTION, 1868. President.
H. Seymour.
.3687
91
U. S. Grant.
.3596
Governor.
John R. Eden.
3697
104
John M. Palmer.
.. 3593
Lieut. Governor.
Wm. H. Van Epps.
3696
103
John Dougherty .
.3593
Secretary of State.
Gustavus Van Hoorebeke .... 3696
105
Edward Rummel.
.3591
Auditor.
John R. Shannon.
.3696
Chas. E. Lippincott.
.3590
Treasurer.
Jesse J. Phillips.
.3696
104
Erastus N. Bates.
.. 3592
Attorney General.
105
Washington Bushnell.
.3591
Penitentiary Commissioners.
John W. Connett.
3696
Win. M. Garrard.
.3696
Calneh Zarley
.3696
Robt. E. Logan.
3591
Andrew Shuman.
3591
John Reid ..
3591
Congress-State at Large.
Wm. W. O'Brien
.3693
108
Jolın A. Logan.
.3585
Congresx-District.
James W. Singleton. .
.3693
106
Prosecuting Attorney.
William G. Ewing.
.3694
103
L. E. Emmons. .
.3591
State Board of Equalization.
A. L. Forsythe ..
.3694
103
John M. Ferris.
3591
Representative.
Andrew J. Bradshaw.
.3711
139
James Stark.
3572
Circuit Clerk.
Melaneton S. Carey.
3682
94
Peter W. Risser ..
.3588
Sheriff.
David W. Browning
3693
103
Isaiah F. Kelley ..
.3590
Coroner.
Alfred C. Craney.
.3697
115
Benj. G. Anderson
3582
For the Constitution.
.3488
Against
3596
108
GENERAL ELECTION, 1869.
Member of Convention.
Benjamin F. Marsh.
.2983
David Ellis. ..
.. 3220
237
County Judge.
Thomas C. Sharp.
2984
John B. Risse. .
.3230
246
County Clerk.
Robt. W. McClaughry.
3074
George J. Rogers.
.3353
County Treasurer.
279
John H. Finley
.2932
James M. Browning.
.3278
Superintendent of Schools.
346
Geo. W. Batchelder
2841
William Griffin
.3286
445
Surveyor.
M. Waldenmeyer.
2997
John G. Fonda ..
.3175
178
SPECIAL ELECTION, JULY, 1870.
For Adoption Constitution. .. 1716 402
Against
.1314
For Railroad Section.
.2259
1487
Against
772
For Art. Entitled "Counties ". 2235 1440
...
Against
"
795
For Art. "Warehouses ".
.2299 1565
Against
734
For Three-Fifths Vote to re-
move County Seat. ..
.2123 1219
Against
904
For
Section
Relating
to
Illinois Central R.R ..... 2666 2300
Against
366
John B. Hawley.
.3587
106
Robert E. Williams.
.3696
458
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
For Sec. "Minority Rep." .. . 1924 816
Against
66
.. 1108
For Section relating to Muni-
cipal Subscription to Rail-
roads or Private Corpora-
tions.
2252 1473
Against
779
For Sec. relating to Canal ... 2296 1588
Against
708
GENERAL ELECTION, 1870.
Congress at Large.
Wm. B. Anderson.
2860
295
John A. Logan. .
2565
State Treasurer.
Charles Ridgeley.
2866
304
Erastus N. Bates.
.2562
Superintendent Public Instruction.
Charles Feinse
2870
Newton Bateman.
2557
Penitentiary
Commissioners. - Long
Term.
Francis T. Sherman. .
.2866
300
Elmer Washburn.
2566
Short Term.
Thomas Redmond.
.2864
297
Caspar Butz. ..
.2567
Congress.
P. L. Cable.
2888
370
John B. Hawley.
2518
Senators.
Jesse C. Williams.
2876
Wm. H. Mead.
2537
Jas. H. Richardson.
2865
302
Rezin H. Downing.
2563
Representatives.
Lemuel Mussetter.
2904
Milton M. Morrill.
.2842
L. Smith Cogswell.
2521
Ebenezer Huse.
2500
Sheriff.
John D. Stevens.
2817
212
Jeptha S. Dillon
.2605
Coroner.
Benjamin F. Duvall.
2859
300
James E. Morrison. .
.2559
GENERAL ELECTION, 1871.
Congress at Large.
Samuel S. Hays .. .
2636
598
John L. Beveridge.
.2038
County Treasurer.
James M. Browning
.2801
913
Wm. A. Patterson ..
.1888
Surveyor
638
GENERAL ELECTION, 1872.
Presidential.
Horace Greeley
.3328
187
U. S. Grant ..
3141
Chas. O'Conor
59
Governor.
Richard J. Oglesby
3099
Gustavus Koerner.
.3584
485
Benjamin G. Wriglit.
25
Sidney Breese
8
Lieut. Governor.
John L. Beveridge.
3141
John C. Black.
3557
416
D. S. Starr
33
Secretary of State.
George H. Harlow
3143
Edward Rummel.
.3549
406
313
Ethan Sutton.
33
Auditor.
Chas. E. Lippincott.
3145
Daniel O'Hara.
3550
405
O. H. Westerman
33
Attorney General.
James K. Edsall.
.3147
John V. Eustice.
3550
403
George A. Meech.
33
Treasurer.
Edward Rutz. .
3144
Chas. H. Lanphier.
3546
402
Henry West.
33
Congress.
Wm. H. Ray.
3116
Wm. H. Neece.
3622
506
Board of Equalization.
D. D. Parry.
.3126
Asaph C. Hammond.
.3496
Clerk Supreme Court.
370
Emanuel C. Hamberger.
.3154
David A. Brown ...
.3539
385
Senator.
Cornelius C. Preston ..
.3111
Benjamin Warren
3607
Representatives.
Edward E. Lane.
5180
David Rankin.
4398
James Stark.
.5115
Wm. Scott. .
5432
Prosecuting Attorney.
Robert W. Mckinney.
. 3261
Bryant F. Peterson ..
.3428
Circuit Clerk.
John D. Hamilton.
.3074
Andrew J. Davis. .
.3649
575
Sheriff.
Aquilla Dougherty
3230
John D. Stevens.
3435
205
496
167
John J. Woolley.
.2665
Joshua C. Berry .
.2027
339
A. J. James LA HARPE TP.
461
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Coroner.
James W. Madison.
3137
Harrison H. Barnes.
.3540
Domestic Animals Running at Large.
For
.3902
Against.
1471
431
ELECTION, JUNE, 1873. Circuit Judge.
Joseph Sibley ..
1287
John H. Williams.
1610
323
GENERAL ELECTION, 1873. County Judge.
John B. Risse.
2974 1265
Thomas Ruggles.
1709
County Clerk.
George J. Rogers
3029 1317
Charles C. Tyler
1712
Superintendent of Schools.
William Griffin.
2989 1483
Mrs. E. E. Mayall.
.1506
Treasurer.
Peter Frey .
2542
403
Peter Kaiser
2139
For Township Organization. 2952 1902
Against
.. 1050
GENERAL ELECTION, 1874. Stute Treasurer.
Thos. S. Ridgeway
1848
Charles Carroll
2399
551
David Gore
204
Superintendent Publie Instruction.
Wm. B. Powell
1853
S. M. Etter.
1930
77
Samuel Etter
629
Congress.
Henderson Ritchie.
1837
John C. Bagby
2398
561
Representatives.
Edward E. Lane.
3294
David Rankin
2847
Wellington Janney.
4323
Paul D. Salter.
2081
Dennis Smith.
864
Sheriff.
Caleb C. Cochran ..
1576
Cornelius T. Cannon.
2653 1076
John Jackson ..
223
Coroner.
Jesse B. Quinby
1732
Benj. F. Duvall
2394
662
J. R. Miller.
269
GENERAL ELECTION 1875.
. County Treasurer.
Peter Frey.
.1694
679
John Martin.
.1015
28
Surveyor.
J. R. McGinnis ..
1198
403
John G. Fonda.
1501
303
ELECTION, JUNE, 1876.
Judge Supreme Court.
Pinckney H. Walker. ..
. 829
GENERAL ELECTION, 1876. President.
Hayes and Wheeler.
3496
Tilden and Hendricks.
4207
711
Governor.
Shelby M. Cullom.
3521
Lewis Steward.
4227
706
Lieut. Governor.
Andrew Shuman ..
3504
Archibald A. Glenn
4269
765
Jas. H. Pickrell.
38
Secretary of State.
George H. Harlow.
.3504
Stephen Y. Thornton
4209
705
Massena M. Hooten
38
Auditor.
Thos. B. Needles ..
.3504
John Hise.
.4246
742
State Treasurer.
Edward Rutz.
3505
George Gundlack.
4210
705
Henry Toctspen
36
Attorney General.
Jas. K. Edsall.
3505
Edmund Lynch.
4210
705
Winfield S. Coy
35
Congress.
Benjamin F. Marsh.
3497
John H. Hungate.
4176
Board of Equalization.
James S. Boice.
.3507
Robt. J. Cabeen-
4242
735
Senator.
Thomas J. Maxwell.
.3516
William Scott ..
4169
653
Representatives.
Edward E. Lane
5216
Charles F. Gill
5314
George P. Walker.
. 6669
John J. Reaburn
5880
Prosecuting Attorney.
William Baird ..
.3623
474
William E. Mason. . .
4097
Circuit Clerk.
Thomas C. Sharp.
.3519
Andrew J. Davis.
.4196
677
Sheriff.
John Helfrich
.3760
Cornelius T. Cannon. .
.3926
166
679
462
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Coroner.
William Bunger.
. .....
.3526
Benj. F. Duvall.
.4191
665
SPECIAL ELECTION, APRIL 1877.
For Sheep, Goats and Swine
running at large ..
.. 2029
Against ... .
.2141
112
ELECTION, AUGUST, 1877.
Judge Sixth Judicial District.
Simeon P. Shope. .
SSO
George Edmunds
102
William Monk.
40
Wesley H. Manier.
38
Scattering.
30
GENERAL ELECTION, 1877.
County Judge.
John B. Risse.
4970
County Clerk.
John R. Newton.
.2805
413
L. S. Cogswell. ..
.2392
Superintendent of Schools.
Samuel W. Layton.
2637
110
Frank C. Crane.
2527
Treasurer.
Joseph Hartman.
2559
11
John Fletcher.
2548
Coroner.
B Fordham.
2774
360
John Bray.
2414
For $531,712.18 Appropriation
to New State House.
1064
Against.
3122 2058
For Horses, Mules, Asses and
Cattle running at large. . . . 1311
122
Against
1189
SPECIAL ELECTION, APRIL 1STS.
For Domestic Animals running
at large.
.2446 1227
Against.
1219
For paying Witness fees in
Criminal Cases
2880 2387
Against
493
GENERAL ELECTION, 1878.
State Treasurer.
John C. Smith.
2786
Edward L. Conkrite.
3426
640
Superintendent Public Instruction.
James P. Slade.
2779
Samuel M. Etter.
3439
660
F. M. Hall.
645
Clerk Supreme Court.
Mervin B. Converse.
2801
Ethan A. Sniveley.
3412
611
T. W. S. Kidd.
641
Clerk Appellate Court.
Montraville M. Duncan.
George W. Jones.
3499
652
C. E. Schoff.
644
Congress.
Benjamin F. Marsh.
2880
Delos P. Phelps
3363
482
A. J. Streeter.
614
Representatives.
· Charles F. Gill.
3918
Brooks R. Hamilton
459712
Jolın J. Reaburn.
5044
Thomas B. Brumback
501612
George F. Cotton.
1969
Sheriff.
Robert M. Duffy
QS58
Wm. P. Damron.
.3354
496
Albertine Huckins.
586
Coroner.
Eli W. Bennett.
.2763
Ernest D. Morrill
.3430
667
Joseph C. Knott ..
621
Surveyor.
Joshua C. Berry.
.2784
John I. Spence ..
.3403
John H. H. Horney
627
619
For Amendment Sec. 31, Art.
4, Constitution
.5896 5405
Against.
491
ELECTION JUNE, 1879. Judge 6th Judicial District.
Joseph C. Thompson.
.1098
Chauncey L. Higbee
.2121
Simeon P. Shope.
.2046
John H. Williams. .
1385
GENERAL ELECTION, 1879. County Treasurer.
Joseph Hartman
.2182
James Corbin.
2209
William Bray.
226
Surveyor.
John I. Spence.
.2166
Joshua C. Berry.
164
Edward A. Gilchrist
255
2
E. N. Bates.
645
CHAPTER XIX.
PIONEERS' ASSOCIATION.
After discussion and consultation among the old settlers of Han- cock county during the winter and spring of 1869, it was resolved to hold a meeting at the county seat for the purpose of effecting an organization of the pioneers of the county. A call was accordingly issued in all the county papers, signed by a number of old settlers, asking their fellow pioneers to meet in convention at the court- house in Carthage, on the 15th day of June next (1869).
Accordingly a large meeting was held, and organized by eleeting Judge David Greenleaf to the chair, with a number of vice presi- dents and seeretaries.
On taking the chair the president introduced Hon. Orville H. Browning, of Quiney, who had been invited to address the meeting. Mr. Browning's remarks were so apposite to the occasion, and in- teresting, as illustrating early times in the county, that we make no apology for quoting them freely in this place. We copy from a report made for the Carthage Gazette, by Mr. Noble Prentis, one of its editors. Mr. B. said:
" He was reluctant to call himself an old man, but was certain he was an old eitizen. He attended the first Court in the county hield at Montebello, when there were but two villages within the limits of the county, one of them Montebello, the other Venus, on the present site of Nauvoo. He remembered that at that session Venus was a contestant for the county seat. Of the lawyers he met at that Court every one had passed away from earth, and of the officers of the Court. his venerable friend, Wesley Williams (here present), was the sole survivor. At that time he himself was a young lawyer, having left his native State of Kentucky two weeks after the completion of his legal studies, and removed to Quincy, the only place he had ever called home, amid a people to whom he was indebted for all the prosperity he had enjoyed in life. When he first travelled the road from Quiney to Montebello, there were no houses or anything approaching a settlement, save at Whitney's Grove and Fort Edwards. No Carthage, no La Harpe, no Fountain Green, no Warsaw then. Between Montebello and Crooked creek, on the road to McDonongh county, there were no houses. The country, though uninhabited, was not a wilder- ness or a desert; it was the green, billowy, sunlit, beautiful prairie, left solitary because the people at that day believed the open country would never be settled. The northern half of the State was almost uninhabited; the flourishing cities of Quincy, Galena,
(463)
464
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
and Chicago-that miracle of a city-were all included in one Judicial Circuit, presided over by one Judge who had less than halt the business brought before Judge Sibley in his Circuit of two counties.
"Mr. Browning gave a graphic description of the lawyers of that day riding the Circuit on horseback with the inevitable saddle-bags, containing the 'other' shirt, a meager supply of corn dodgers, and occasionally (perhaps frequently) a bottle of Bourbon. Sometimes these legal pilgrims found shelter in the cabin of some friendly Indian, or spread their blankets on the prairie and slept with the clouds for a covering, or the stars for a canopy.
"He remembered attending the first Court held at Cathage. The temple of justice at that day was a log cabin of limited dimen- sions roofed with clapboards. The Bench and Bar boarded with a family at the edge of the timber, near the subsequent residence of Mr. Baldwin. The 'hotel' of Carthage was a sort of rail pen twelve feet square, the provisions and whisky being dealt ont through the cracks to the outsiders. The site of the present court-house was a frog-pond, and yet this unpromising beginning had culminated in the present city of Carthage, one of the neatest and pleasantest vil- lages he had ever visited."
A touching scene was enacted during this meeting. The pres- entation of a beautiful bouquet prepared by the ladies of Carthage, was made by the hand of Major R. W. McClaughry to the vener- able Wesley Williams, the first County Clerk. Mr. W. was taken by surprise, rose to his feet and attempted a reply, but was so over- come with emotion that he could only utter his simple thanks.
A constitution was adopted, providing for a permanent organiza- tion, with David Greenleaf for President, a Vice President for each township, David E. Head, Treasurer, and Thomas Gregg and Win. F. Barnes, Secretaries.
Subsequent meetings were held annually, as follows:
At Carthage, Ang. 1, 1870, David Greenleaf presiding; Thomas Gregg, Secretary. Mr. Sharp delivered the annual address.
At Warsaw, Sept. 7, 1871 Mr. Greenleaf in the chair; Thomas Gregg, Secretary. Wm. N. Grover, Esq., of Warsaw, delivered the annual address.
At Carthage, Aug S, 1872. President, David Greenleaf; Secre- tary, Thomas Gregg. Dr. William Booze, of Hancock township, delivered the annual address, and Miss Mary Safford, of Hamilton, recited a lengthy poem.
At Carthage, Sept. 4, 1873, Ebenezer Rand, Esq., of Carthage, presiding; Thomas Gregg, Secretary. Annual address delivered by Hiram G. Ferris, Esq., of Carthage.
At Dallas City, Sept. 10, 1874. President, Judge John M. Fer- ris, of Carthage; Thomas Gregg, Secretary. Annual address deliv- ered by Hon. Angustus C. Dodge, of Burlington.
At Hamilton, Sept. 23 and 24, 1875. Hiram G. Ferris, Esq., of Carthage, President the 23d; John Harris, Esq., of Walker, on the
465
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
24th; Thomas Gregg, Secretary. President Ferris delivered the annual address. Mrs. Pollard, of Keokuk (Kate Harrington), reci- ted an original poem.
At Warsaw, July 4, 1876, John S. Johnson, Esq., Vice President, presiding; George D. Gates. Secretary. A failure; adjourned to September and another failure.
1877 and 187S no annual meetings held.
At Warsaw, Aug. 5, 1879. Col. John M. Ferris, presiding; . Lemuel Mussetter, Esq., of Warsaw, Secretary. Hon. O. H. Brown- ing, of Quiney, and Maj. Robert W. McClaughiry, of Joliet, deliv- ered annual addresses.
A number of the annual addresses were reported by the editors of the Carthage papers, and recorded by the Secretary among the proceedings of the Association. All of them were worthy of a place here, but want of space forbids. We will, however, quote extracts from two of those addresses; the first for the suggestion it contains, from the address of Mr. Sharp in 1870. He said:
" But, friends, these rennions can be made sources of knowledge as well as of social enjoyment; and I now suggest that we to-day amend the title of the association. Let it be hereafter known as the 'Hancock County Pioneers' Association and Historical Soci- ety.' Hancock county has a history worth writing and worth preserving. Enough of its early settlers still survive to furnish the necessary facts concerning the early settlements. Here, at the annual reunions, let these facts be gathered and recorded in the archives of the society. Let the files of all the newspapers pub- lished in the county, that can be obtained, be preserved. Let the society obtain, if possible, from the county, a room for the deposit of all documents which pertain to or throw light upon the history of the county, and let our Pioneers' Association and Historical Society preserve and transmit these to posterity. Now is the time to act in the matter. The period is fast approaching when death, which in the last year has materially thinned the ranks of the early settlers, will have called the last one to his long home. This should urge ns to act promptly in this matter. While many yet live, from whose memories important historical data in reference to the earliest settlements of the county can be obtained, we should make a record of the interesting events that occurred in the days of our pioneer settlement."
Mr. Sharp's suggestion was not acted npon. From Mr. Grover's address at the September meeting, 1871, we also make an extract, principally because of its description of Warsaw and the county as late as 1837. Mr. Grover said:
" When the Black Hawk war broke out, the population of the county was still very small and thinly scattered; and many of the settlers left the county for awhile. There were no actual depreda- tions here by the Indians; but there was, perhaps, just reason for apprehensions of danger. Fort Edwards was then standing upon that point, within a hundred yards of this square. It had been
466
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
abandoned some years before, as a military post, but the buildings were then in possession of Col. Farnham, an agent of the Govern- ment, and by his permission a number of men and a few families concluded to take shelter and protect themselves, if necessary. Among these were Col. Farnham himself, Mark Aldrich and his wife, Isham Cochrane and his wife, and, I think, James M. Wells. Other names I have not been able to learn. Among them was an Indian woman who was married to a white man; and it is stated that she stood in more fear of an attack from Indians than any of the pale-faced women in the fort.
" At the close of this war, Mr. Cochrane saw Gen. Scott with his troops pass down the river with Black Hawk and other prisoners in irons. Most of the scattered settlers soon came back, but some never returned. From this date population flowed in more rapidly for a few years. Villages began to spring up, and settlements became quite numerous in the skirts of the timber; but even as late as my first coming to the county, there were very few settle- ments in our large prairies. I have a distinct recollection of the appearance of the country from Carthage to Warsaw in 1837. Coming west from Carthage, the first house reached was then owned by Wm. A. Patterson. It was a small one, and, I think, was unfinished and unoccupied. It was five miles from Carthage. There was a small field enclosed, then sown to buckwheat, and in full blossom. The next was the Chapman place, now known as the Comer place. There was an unfinished house and small enclos- ure. The next places improved were the farms of Benjamin F. Marsh and Gotham Clark, side by side. This brought us to the edge of what was then generally called the 'Warsaw timber.' From thence to Warsaw we passed Truman Hosford's, Bartholo- mew Slattery's, the Vinyard farm (the latter now a part of Warsaw) and Mark Aldrich's, and from thence down a winding road through small timber and hazel bush, to Andrew Monroe's (where Elliott's store now stands). At this point we got upon Main street, and passed a little frame building they used as a meeting house, and three other one-story frame houses of a single room each, on the south side, one used by James Chittenden as a saddler shop, one by Samuel W. Brown and Wm. McIlhenny, as a tailor shop, the other by Smith Robbins, as a sort of fancy grocery. On the other side of the street was a two-story frame honse, unfinished, erected by R. L. Robertson. This brought us to the ' Warsaw House,' then kept by mine host, 'Old man Newberry,' as the boarders irreverently called him; and here I slept my first night in a house after five months' railroad exploration. I do not think there were then in all our large prairies a hundred improvements a mile distant from timber. The few roads across the prairies followed the most favorable ground for settlement, regardless of section lines; and in some directions you might travel for hours without seeing a house or enclosure. If the direction of the beaten road did not snit, you had full liberty of taking short and direct cuts to your journey's end."
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