USA > Illinois > Knox County > History of Knox county, Illinois > Part 11
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ORGANIZATION.
In the spring of 1830, two years after the first white man had lo- cated in the county of Knox, it was thought there was a sufficient number of inhabitants to justify an organization. Accordingly a public meeting was held at the store of Samuel S. White, in Hen- derson township, May 15, 1830. This store stood near the resi- dence of John B. Gum, and in the early days was known as a tavern, but at present such a place would be commonly known as a saloon. The building was a one-story log cabin, about 16 feet square, and contained but one room. Riggs Pennington was chosen Chair- man and John G. Sanburn Secretary. The original minutes of the meeting are still extant, and in the possession of Mr. F. G. Sanburn, of Knoxville, who kindly loaned them to us. Among the pioneers present at this the first meeting looking forward to the organization of one of the wealthiest, most beautiful counties of the State, were Riggs Pennington, John G. Sanburn, Philip Hash, Stephen Osborn, Dr. Charles Hansford, Henry Bell, Jacob Gum, Nicholas Voiles and John B. Gum.
Dr. Hansford, Riggs Pennington and John G. Sanburn were ap- pointed to draft a petition addressed to the Honorable Richard M. Young, Judge of the Fifth Judicial District, praying for the organi- zation of the county. Another committee was appointed to present this petition to the Judge and address him in the interests of the or- ganization. This connmittee was composed of Pennington, Hash, Hansford and Osborn. These gentlemen shortly afterward proceeded to Lewistown, Fulton county; and while the Circuit Court was in ses- sion, laid their petition before the Judge, who, believing the county contained 350 inhabitants, the number required by law, and that the majority desired the organization, did, ou tlie 10tli day of June, de- clare, by virtue of the power invested in liim, the said county of Knox to be organized and entitled to the same riglits and privileges as the other counties in the State.
This step was soon supplemented by another of equal importance; for there must necessarily be official heads to conduct the public
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·111STORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
affairs of the newly organized community. Accordingly, at Galena, shortly afterward, Judge Young issued an order for an election for the purpose of choosing three commissioners. This election was held on the 3d day of July, 1830, being the first election ever held in Knox county. Riggs Pennington, Philip Hash and Dr. Charles Hansford were elected County Commissioners without opposition. The judges and clerks of the election were Jacob Gum, Nicholas Voiles, Stephen Osborn, William McMurtry and Jonathan Reed. These gentlemen, for services rendered at this election, were paid each 75 cents.
FIRST MEETINGS OF TIIE COURT.
Four days after the election the Commissioners held their first meet- ing. But little business was transacted beyond organizing the Court and electing John B. Gum Clerk. This session was held at the resi- dence of John B. Gum, on section 32, Henderson township, about 4 iniles northwest of Galesburg. This house was a one-story, double log cabin, each division containing but one room. This was the tem- porary seat of justice until the log court-house was built at Knox- ville. The first term of the Circuit Court was also held there, with the generous and eminent jurist, Judge Young, presiding. At no distant day the citizens of Knox county will note with pride the erection of a magnificent court-house. Then will a comparison with the little log cabin, used as a dwelling, court-house, hotel and post- office, that stood near the south edge of Henderson Grove, be most striking.
At the second meeting of the Commissioners' Court, held at the same place on the 9th, two days after their first session, John G. San- burn was appointed Clerk, John B. Gum declining the honors. He was, however, on the same day appointed Treasurer of the county. A bond of $500 was required of him, which seems very small when com- pared with that of the present incumbent, J. L. Burkhalter, who is held under bonds to the amount of $240,000. Mr. Sanburn may prop- erly be considered as the first County Clerk. He filled the office to the greatest satisfaction of every resident of the county for many years; and not only the office of County Clerk, but also those of Circuit Clerk, Recorder, Probate Judge, Notary Public and Postmaster. The latter office, it was often said, lie carried around in his hat. The Court ordered that an election be held on the 1st day of August, 1830. The entire county, which was at that time larger than at present, constituted but one election precinct. Jacob Gum, Nicholas Voiles and Thomas Maxwell were appointed judges of this election.
The general use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage prevailed .
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
throughout the country then, as now. There was nothing, however, in the custom of drinking peculiar to this county. Many of the pioneers, no doubt, drank freely from the contents of the " little brown jug," which they regarded the elixir of life.
One of the first acts of the Court was to grant to Samuel S. White a license to keep a tavern, or saloon, on payment of $2 and clerk's fee. They also established the following
TAVERN RATES FOR THE REGULATION OF SAMUEL S. WHITE.
For a half pint of whisky. .1212 cents.
For a half pint of brandy 1834 cents. .25 cents.
For a half pint of wine.
cents. For a meal of victuals .25
For lodging for one person one night. 121/2 cents.
For a feed of corn or oats for a horse. 1212 cents.
'For feed and stabling for a horse, one night. 25 cents.
For many years every person taking out a tavern license was regu- lated by a special act of the Court.
Samuel S. White was at that time a young man of bright intellect and withal a shrewd business fellow. He was a native of this State, came to this county in the spring of 1830, and opened his tavern on section 33, Henderson township. The principal object in taking out a tavern license was that he might legally sell liquors. It is true that occasionally a traveler would come along who would prefer sleeping in a house, but this was only the exception, for in most'cases they would camp out. But White did not expect to make his money by keeping an inn, but rather from the profits derived from the sale of liquors. He left the county in 1834 and went to Iowa, where during the same year he laid out the present flourishing city of Burlington. While Major McKee was in that place a short time after, he met Mr. White, who offered him ten choice lots for four horses and a wagon the Major had with him. In 1848 White went to Oregon, taking with him more than $10,000 in money. Thus we have a brief sketch of the first saloon-keeper of Knox county.
Although letter postage was exceedingly high, and the few settlers seldom received any mail, yet they deemed it necessary to have a post- office established in the county. Accordingly, the Commissioners ordered the Clerk to notify the Postmaster General " that the county of Knox is organized and that the seat of justice for said county is at the house of John B. Gum, Esq., and request him to supply the said county with a mail as soon as may be practicable."
Another special term of the County Commissioners' Court was held
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HISTORY OF'KNOX COUNTY.
July 17th. At this session the county was divided into two districts for the election of justices of the peace and constables, in each. The first, or Henderson District, included all that portion of the county lying north of the line separating Galesburg from Cedar township, and contained 14 townships. The second, or " Spoon River " District, included all that portion of the county lying south of the same line, and contained eight townships.
The house of John B. Gum was chosen as the place to hold the election in Henderson District. Jacob Gum, Nicholas Voiles and Thomas Maxwell were appointed judges of said election, which was to be held August 7, this being the date on which the regular State election was held. The election in Spoon River District was held at the house of Abraham Swartz. Abraham Swartz, Hiram Palmer and Parnach Owen were appointed judges.
Until the organization of the county it was attached, for judicial purposes, to Fulton county, which had been organized some years previous. The assessment of taxes in the county had been made by Fulton county: but now that Knox had been organized, the liberty- loving spirit of the Commissioners enkindled a desire to collect their own taxes. Accordingly they addressed a "memorial " to the Com- missioners of Fulton county asking to be allowed to collect all taxes for the past year, the assessment of which had been made by that county. The request was granted, and accordingly Sheriff Osborn collected such personal taxes. He returned to the Treasurer the full amount collected, deducting his commission of $1.564. Although the total amount of taxes collected was exceedingly small, yet this allow- ance seems a very meager compensation for riding over a large county in its state of native wildness. Mr. Osborn returned $19.32 as the sum total collected as personal taxes for the year 1830.
At the election held August 7, 1830, Riggs Pennington, Philip Hash and Alexander Frakes were elected County Commissioners. The new Court convened September 7th and proceeded to the election of grand and petit juries for the October term of the Circuit Court, being the first term. It required about two-thirds of all the legal voters in the county to constitute these juries. For grand-jurymen the following gentlemen were chosen: Abraham Swartz, Hiram Palmer, Azel Dorsey, Perry Morriss, Parnach Owen, William Palmer, Benjamin Coy, Matthew D. Coy, James Reynolds, John B. Gum, Sol- omon Davis, William Lewis, John Vaughn, Charles Hansford, Wil- liam McMurtry, James McMurtry, Alexander Robertson, Daniel Rob- ertson, Robert Greenwell, Solomon Denbow, Alexander Osborn, Jacob
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Gum and Wilson Brown. The petit-jurymen selected were: Nich- olas Voiles, Urban Reynolds, Thomas Maxwell. Zephaniah Gum, Jonathan C. Reed, Jesse D. Gum, James Gum, Morton McCarver, Peter Bell, Rees Jones, John D. Rountree, Josiah Fuqua, James Goff, Jolin Norton, Andrew Osborn, Turner R. Rountree, John Mont- gomery, Nicholas Rice, Humphrey Finch, Thomas Finch, Berryman Jennings, William Consland, Robert Nance and Michael Tybast.
William McMurtry was chosen foreman of the grand jury.
CIRCUIT COURT.
On Friday, the first day of October, 1830, the first term of the Circuit Court was held. There were present in attendance on the Court, Honorable Richard M. Young, Judge; John G. Sanburn, Clerk; Stephen Osborn, Sheriff. In the absence of Thomas Ford, State's Attorney, James M. Strode was appointed pro tem. This term lasted but one day, and was held in the house of John B. Gum, tem- porary county-seat of Knox county. But little business was trans- acted, the grand and petit juries being discharged without performing any duties.
At the next term of the Circuit Court, which was held in June, 1832, the grand jury returned into Court the report " that they had 110 business before them, and knew of no violation of the law, which it was made their duty to notice." This report is certainly highly complimentary to the pioneers; for, even without the refining and elevating influence of schools and churches, without wealth or aristoc- racy, they lived in peace, in strict obedience to law; and by the most charitable and neighborly acts and universal good-will for mankind they won the love and respect of all who knew them. It is true, they occasionally had their fights, but the animosity toward each other disappeared long before the scars and effects of the blows and scratches. They had their encounters, all enjoyed them, and when over, the principals shook hands, all took a drink and the trouble was thought of no inore. For many years the only cases before the justices of the peace were of assault and battery. These dignitaries enjoyed the fights as much as others, but the law must be enforced, so they, in their dignity as officers, sat in judgment upon the participants, and usually imposed a severe penalty.
The first case before the Circuit Court of Knox county was a bill for divorce. This action was brought by Rhoda Tanner against her hus- band, John Tanner, who at that time was not a resident of the State of Illinois. After a long process of law a divorce was granted to the complainant. Her attorney was James W. Whiting, who by the
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
order of the Court was to prosecute hier case without any fees, charge or reward.
REVENUE.
In December, 1830, the Commissioners' Court held another session, beginning Monday the 6th. The Commissioners, as the supreme officials of the county, did not appropriate to themselves exorbitant salaries. Indeed, we find the compensations received for their public services were quite small, even for that early time. For instance, at this meeting the sum of $3 was allowed Philip Hash for attendance at four terms of the Commissioners' Court; $1.50 to Charles Hansford for his attendance at three terms; to Riggs Pennington as payment in full for his services at the several terms, including the present, $4.50, and to Alexander Frakes $3. Stephen Osborn, as Sheriff, was paid $3 for attendance at all the terms of the Court. John G. Sanburn declined to accept any compensation for his services as Clerk previous to the present term. Nor did Mr. Gum charge an extravagant price for the use of his cabin for public purposes. The sum of $4 was appro- priated as payment in full to him for the use of his house for Circuit Court, Commissioners' Court and election purposes to the year 1831.
The source of the largest revenue at that time was from the State. The tax on personal property was at the rate of ¿ of 1 per cent. The following very interesting report was made by Treasurer Gum, March 7, 1831, and is the first one ever made by a Treasurer of Knox County.
THE COUNTY OF KNOX, IN ACCOUNT WITH JOHN B. GUM, CR. By specie received of Samuel S. White for tavern license. $ 2 00 By amount of the revenue received from the State Treasury for the year 1830, being the specie received in exchange for the same. 320 00 By amount received from the Sheriff, being the amount collected by him for taxes on personal property for the year 1830. 19 32
Total
$341 32
The county of Knox debtor to seven county orders of 75 cents each, one for $1 50 and one for $4 00. Total, $ 10 75
Balance remaining in County Treasury this 7th day of March, 1831 ... .$330 57
FIRST COURT-HOUSE.
The citizens of the county soon aspired to the erection of a court- house and the building of a town. They accordingly procured from the Legislature an act defining the location of the county-seat and authorizing the Commissioners to lay off the town. The location of 9
134
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
the town in which the court-house should be built was on the south- west quarter of section 28, township 11 north, 2 east, Knox township. This place was christened "Henderson" by the Legislature, at the same time; but in two years thereafter it was changed by that body to "Knoxville," in honor of General Knox of Revolutionary fame. This act, which also defined the boundary lines of the county, was approved by Governor Reynolds, January 15, 1831.
Now that the location of the county-seat had been determined, the Commissioners, with the same energy and enterprise which has since marked the great strides of both public and private improvements of this county, proceeded to lay off the town and build the court-house. At a special meeting held March 12, 1831, they submitted the plans to the public, setting forth that the contract would be let to the low- est responsible bidder. The first contract for the erection of the build- ing was let to William Lewis for $78. The second, for the com- pletion, was given to Parnach Owen, his bid being $100. The total cost of this, the first court-house of Knox county, and its furniture, was:
Erection of building. $ 78 00
Completion of same. 100 00
Six extra windows ... . 6 00
Chinking, daubing and underpinning.
37 50 Upper floor 18 00
Judges' stand, tables, benches, and fitting window 43 00
Stove and pipe. 38 00
Laying floor, stairway, and window shutters 74 93
Total. $395 43
This court-house was rather an imposing structure for the time, being two stories in height and containing several large windows. True, the architecture was not of ancient grandeur or elegance, nor of our more modern style; but we doubt not, when the building was completed, it was looked upon with as much pride as the people of to-day view the showy structures built after the latest and most ap- proved plans. The site selected was the southwest corner of lot 10 in · block 5, fronting south on Main street, or more intelligibly speaking, just to the rear or west of the First National Bank building, standing on the northwest corner of West Main street and the Square. Appar- ently the contractors did not have the means to carry on the work, for we find the 'Commissioners paid one-third of the amount of all con- tracts before the work began. The contractors, however, were re- quired to furnish bonds in the penal sum of double the amount of. contract price.
J. M. Allen
137
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
COUNTY SEAT.
The contract for furnishing posts and stakes for laying out the new town was let to Andrew Osborn for the sum of $15. Parnach Owen was employed to make the survey, for which he received the sum of 123 cents per lot of one-quarter acre each. The full compensation he received for laying off the town of Henderson (Knoxville) was $18.25, and as payment for this amount he was obliged to take town lots.
The State Legislature liad designated the quarter section upon which the county-seat should stand, but that body had not the power to convey to the county of Knox the title to this land, being what was known as "Congress land." The United States Government alone had the power to make such conveyance. It could, however, be pre-empted by the County Commissioners for county purposes. In order to comply with or take advantage of this right and privilege, Rees Jones was appointed to go to the land office at Springfield, and in behalf of the county pre-empt the said quarter section. The price of this, as of all other Government land, was $1.25 per acre.
Thus the county purchased the land upon which the business and much of the residence portion of the city of Knoxville now stands, for the sum of $200. Rees Jones was paid $8 for making the trip to Springfield as agent for the county. ' He was compelled to give bonds for the faithful performance of his mission. The new town having been surveyed, large, hard-wood stakes were driven, designating the corner of each lot, and being also the only guide to the location of streets. Everything was then in readiness for a grand sale. Satur- day, April 23, 1831, was the day appointed for the sale of lots at pub- lic auction. The settlers assembled from all parts of the county upon the site of the proposed village, each anxious to become the owner of a town lot. Lots seem to have met with a ready sale at fair prices, which is the best evidence that the pioneers were not only enthusi- astic in sentiment in relation to the bright prospects and future great- ness of the town they were about to found, but were also willing to lend all the material aid in their power to the consummation of the much desired end. At this sale there were 79 lots sold, for an aggre- gate of $1,256. The highest price received for a single lot was $61, and the lowest was $2.
JUDICIOUS AND LIBERAL COMMISSIONERS.
The Commissioners were, evidently liberal and hospitable. They would not invite the people to a wild, uncivilized place to attend the sale without providing refreshments. This they did, and at their
13.8
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
next meeting paid out of county funds $1.75 to Morton Carver for providing the same. We imagine that corn-dodgers and whisky were the luxuries furnished on this memorable occasion. Not only would we call them hospitable, but also wise and judicious, for they clearly adhered to what they believed to be for the best interests of the whole people. They paid out but little money. Indeed, we find that many bills were paid in town lots. So judicious were they, and so carefully did they use the public purse, that even with the exceedingly small revenue at command, they were enabled, as early as 1835, to ac- cumulate and loan the sum of $900. In a new country, where it was necessary to survey and make all roads, to bridge streams, build ferries, to erect public buildings, and to provide many other public conveniences, this showing is surely creditable to the business ability and personal integrity of the Commissioners. Undoubtedly the pub- lic affairs were as judiciously managed by these rough and sturdy pioneers as they would have been by a more refinedfand cultured people. They read the law, accepting a plain, common-sense inter- pretation. They did not attempt to manipulate the wording into various meanings, nor place upon it a construction to suit their own particular views. They could constrne it but one way. The plain statement of law had to them but one meaning, and that must be strictly followed. Everything was done as the law required, as nearly as they could comprehend it. As an illustration showing that these were the cardinal principles of the early fathers, we refer to one especial act, taken from the records of the Commissioners' Conrt. Roads were laid out by the county, as required by the people of various sections. A resident would present a petition, signed by " sundry citizens," for a road, on depositing $10, to defray the ex- pense of viewing. Should the road prove not to be of general utility, a commission was appointed to "view out" the desired road. They then made a report to the Conrt whether or not the road was required. In 1832 a petition was presented by some of the citizens for a road from Henderson toward Rock Island, as far as the county line. Viewers were appointed, who, after carefully examining the proposed ronte and surroundings, made a report to the Commissioners recom- mending the laying out of the road. Indeed, they urged that the road would be of the greatest possible utility. On that point, however, the Commissioners were fully satisfied, but after a close examination of the report they decided that it was not made ont according to law, and the law must be rigidly followed. The people all with one accord de- sired the road, but as the report failed to comply with the strict letter of the law in its construction, the Court refused to grant the request.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
- For making the assessment of taxes for 1831, John G. Sanburn re- ceived $8, which is only about one-tenth the amount now paid for assessing a single township. The city of Galesburg alone pays nearly eighty times that sum for assessing its own taxes. The total amount of taxes collected for that year was $43.47; for the year 1877 the amount was $340,000. Sheriff Osborn collected 15 cents unjustly from Joseph Hoff, who was a resident of Warren county. The Com- missioners ordered the Treasurer to return 15 cents to the Sheriff, and gave him public instructions to convey the same to Hoff.
The unfortunate and helpless ones of our race appeared in the county simultaneously with civilization; and that spirit of charity which is so nobly evinced to-day by the people of this county in the care of its poor and helpless, was implanted in the hearts of the fathers, and as far back as 1831 manifested itself in noble and generous deeds. On the 2d day of May of that year first mention of a pauper is made on the public records. Joshua Stinson was that day let out to Stephen Osborn, "he being the lowest bidder." The benevolence, the desire to relieve the sufferings of man, that was displayed in the infancy and poverty of the county has kept pace with its wonderful progress in public improvements, in wealth and in refinement.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER.
By an act of Congress the 16th section of land in each township was set apart, and the proceeds of its sale used, for common-school purposes. A Commissioner was accordingly appointed in each county to superintend the sale of such land and take charge of its proceeds. On the 5th of September, 1831, Abraham Swartz received sthe ap- pointment from the County Commissioners as Commissioner of school lands. Although fully as remunerative as any other official position in the county, evidently Mr. Swartz did not desire it, for we find lie did not furnish the required bond. This he could have easily done, no doubt. The Commissioners who appointed him would have as willingly become his bondsmen. A little over a year elapsed before anything further was done in regard to this office. Then (September, 1832) William McMurtry, long one of the most popular citizens of the county, was appointed to fill the position. He served in that capacity for many years, and by his excellent judgment and personal integrity, togetlier with the studious attention he gave to the advance- ment of our common-school system, much good was done for the pro- gress of the educational interests of the county, and a large revenue derived from the sale of school lands. He gave bonds in the sum of
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