USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan county, Illinois : its past and present.. > Part 19
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136,000
17,827
2.6
San Domingo
20,000
Costa Rica
165,000
1870
21,505
7.7
San Jose ...
2,000
Hawaii
62,950
7,633
80.
Honolulu
7,633
1870.º
1875.
1,350,544
528,349 1,760
857,039
871
Mississippi.
47,156
827,922
Montana.
143,776
20,595
New Mexico
121,201
91,874
Nevada ..
112,090
42,491
593
Washington.
69,944
23,955
North Carolina ..
50,704 1,071,361
1,190
246,280 52,540
820
598,429
1,612
990
Iowa.
POPULATION.
Miles R. R.
Argentine Republic.
1,812,000
1869
871,848
2.1
Buenos Ayres.
177.800
241.4
120.9
4.2
Guatemala
Quito
15.6 277.
Holland
290.9
New Grenada.
8.4
15.1
166.9
5.3
2,000,000
1871
4.674 2,120
216
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
POPULATION OF ILLINOIS, BY COUNTIES.
AGGREGATE.
COUNTIES.
1870.
1860.
1850.
1840.
1830.
1820.
Adams
56362
41323
26508
14476
2186
Alexander.
10564
4707
2484
3313
1390
626
Bond
13152
9815
6144
5060
3124
2931
Boone
12942
11678
7624
1705
Brown
I2205
9938
7198
418:
Bureau
32415
26426
8841
3067
Calhoun
6562
5144
323I
1741
1090
Cass
11580
II325
7253
2981
Champaign
32737
14629
2649
1475
Christian
20363
10492
3203
1878
Clark
18719
14987
9532
7453
3940
931
Clay.
15875
9336
4289
3228
755
Clinton
16285
1094I
5139
3718
2330
Coles
25235
14203
9335
9616
Cook
349966
I44954
43385
IO20I
Crawford_
13889
II55I
7135
4422
3117
2999
Cumberland
I2223
831I
3718
De Kalb
23265
I9086
7540
1697
De Witt
14768
10820
5002
3247
Douglas
13484
7140
Du Page
16685
I470I
9290
3535
Edgar
21450
16925
10692
8225
407I
Edwards
7565
5454
3524
3070
1649
3444
Effingham
15653
7816
3799
1675
Fayette
19638
III89
8075
6328
2704
Ford
9103
1979
Franklin
I2652
9393
5681
3682
4083
1763
Fulton.
3829I
33338
22508
13142
1841
Gallatin
III34
8055
5448
10760
7405
3155
Greene
20277
16093
I2429
11951
7674
Grundy
14938
10379
3023
Hamilton
13014
9915
6362
3945
2616
Hancock.
35935
29061
14652
9946
483
Hardin
5113
3759
2887
1378
Henderson
I2582
950I
4612
Henry
35506
20660
3807
I260
4I
Iroquois
25782
I2325
4149
1695
Jackson
19634
9589
5862
3566
I828
1542
Jasper
II234
8364
3220
I472
Jefferson
17864
12965
8109
5762
2555
691
Jersey
15054
I205I
7354
4535
Jo Daviess
27820
27325
18604
6180
2III
Johnson
II248
9342
4114
3626
1596
843
Kane
3909I
30062
16703
6501
Kankakee
24352
15412
Kendall
I2399
I3074
7730
Knox
39522
28663
13279
7060
274
Lake
21014
18257
I4226
2634
La Salle
60792
48332
17815
9348
Lawrence
I2533
9214
6121
7092
3668
Lee
27171
17651
5.292
2035
Livingston
31471
11637
1553
759
Logan
23053
14272
5128
2333
Carroll.
16705
II733
4586
1023
*23
217
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
POPULATION OF ILLINOIS-CONCLUDED.
AGGREGATE.
COUNTIES.
1870.
1860.
1850.
1840.
1830.
1820.
Macon
26481
13738
3988
3039
II22
Macoupin
32726
24602
I2355
7926
1990
Madison
4413I
3125I
2044I
I4433
6221
13550
Marion
20622
I2739
6720
4742
2125
Marshall
16950
13437
5180
1849
Mason
16184
1093I
5921
Massac
9581
6213
4092
McDonough
26509
20069
7616
5308
(b)
McHenry
23762
22089
14978
2578
McLean
53988
28772
10163
6565
Menard
II735
9584
6349
4431
Mercer
18769
15042
5246
2352
26
Monroe.
I2982
I2832
7679
4481
2000
1516
Montgomery
25314
13979
6277
4490
2953
Morgan.
28463
22112
16064
19547
I2714
Moultrie
10385
6385
3234
Ogle
27492
22888
I0020
3479
Peoria
47540
36601
17547
6153
(c)
Perry
13723
9552
5278
3222
1215
Pike
30768
27249
18819
II728
2396
Pope
II437
6742
3975
4094
3316
2610
Pulaski
8752
3943
2265
Putnam
6280
5587
3924
2131
CI310
Randolph
20859
17205
11079
7944
4429
3492
Richland
I2803
97II
4012
Rock Island
29783
21005
6937
2610
Saline
I2714
9331
5588
Sangamon
46352
32274
19228
14716
12960
Schuyler
17419
I4684
10573
6972
12959
Scott
10530
9069
7914
6215
Shelby
25476
14613
7807
6659
2972
Stark
1075I
9004
3710
I573
St. Clair
51068
37694
20180
13631
7078
5248
Stephenson.
30608
25112
II666
2800
Tazewell.
27903
21470
I2052
722I
4716
Union _
16518
III8I
7615
5524
3239
2362
Vermilion
30388
19800
II492
9303
5836
Wabash
8841
7313
4690
4240
2710
Warren
23174
18336
8176
6739
308
Washington
17599
13731
6953
48 10
1675
1517
Wayne
19758
I2223
6825
5133
2553
III4
White
16846
12403
8925
7919
6091
4828
Whitesides
27503
18737
5361
2514
Will
43013
29321
16703
10167
Williamson
17329
I2205
7216
4457
Winnebago
29301
2449I
II773
4609
Woodford
18956
13282
4415
*49
Total
2539891
1711951
851470
476183
157445
55162
Piatt
10953
6127
I606
*21
*5
PRODUCTIONS OF AGRICULTURE, STATE OF ILLINOIS, BY COUNTIES .- 1870.
Improved Land.
Woodl'nd
Other un - improved
Spring Wheat.
Winter Wheat.
Rye.
Indian Corn.
Oats.
COUNTIES,
Number.
Number.
Number.
Busheis.
Bushels.
Bushels.
Bushels.
Bushels.
Total.
19.329,952 5,061.578 |1.491.331 10,133.207 19.995.198 2,456.578|129.921,395 42.780.851
Adams.
287,926|
112,576
19,370
16,191
947.616|
20,989
1,452,905|
759,074
Alexander
13,836
17,761
1,915
700
368,625
6,240
1,064,052
461,097
Boone
137,307
29,886
2,658
241,042
599
35,871
466,985
Brown.
57,062
35,491
25,608
13,276
117.502
4,742
337,769
70,852
Bureau.
398,611
41,866
15,803
465,236
724
43,811
3,030,404
987,426
Calhoun
37,684
63.443
2,754
75
221,298
186
234,041
26,231
Carroll.
186,864
29,793
33,302
418,073
260
25,721
1.367,965
775,100
Cass ..
92.902
33,493
6,604
12,165
127,054
2.772
1,146,980
168,784
Champaign
419,368
16,789
58,502
102.577
123,091
45,752
3,924,720
721,375
Christian
241,472
19,803
19,173
18,360
504,041
10,722
1,883,336
383,821
Clark
118,594
102,201
5,420
195,118
7,308
614,532
Clay ...
146,922
80,612
5,225
1,894
85,737
3,221
1,019,994
269,945
Clinton
150,177
48,868
8,722
500
610.888
1,619
813.257
446,324
Coles ...
208,337
45,214
3,274
2,651
154,485
8,825
2,133,111 570,427
315.954
Cook
348,824
19,635
17,337
144,296
4,904
20,171
1,584,225 136,255
Cumberland
75,342
40,334
5,604
550
84,697
14,798
403,075
171,880
DeKalb.
334,502
17,722
6,551
398,059
190
21,018
1,023,849
1,087,074
De Witt.
168,539
29,548
17,633
106,493
11,695
11.540
1,311,635
216,756
Douglas
147,633
11,897
7,316
7,683
65,461
9,017
1,680,225
225,074
DuPage.
164,874
17,243
3.851
106,096
7,532
331,981
860,809
Edgar ..
¿65,4581
66,803
14,282
13,283
247,360
37,508
2,107,615
290,679
Edwards.
58,912
57,585
830
122,703
528
Effingham
120,343
56,330
26,206
77
195,716
19,759
Fayette.
187,196
16,786
351,310
25.328
962,525
497,395
Ford
141,228
2,996 3,994
86,710
365
111,324
5.195
653,209
222,426
Fulton
228,132
123.823
4,076
193,669
223,930
131,711
1,508,763
261,390
Gallatin.
49,572
68,750
2,565
83,093
512
509,491
27,164
Greene.
175,408
93,242
29,653
577,400
415
1,051,313
64,029
Grundy.
193,999
6,256|
4,505
21,700
150
4,930
295,971
269,332
Hamilton
88,996
93,878
3,343
129
92,347
11,672
735,252
203,464
Hancock
43.385
18.480
181,378
232,750
133,533
1,510,401
Hardin
44,771
107
13
32,306
865
172,651
Henderson.
34,705
14,243
161,112
96,430
1,712,901
229,286
Iroquois.
322,510
22,478
63,498
57,160
10,480
23,259
799,810
Jackson
78,548
5,991
890
329,036
524
611,951
149,931
Jasper
90,867
67,023
12,250
87.808
9,165
461,345
149,214
Jefferson
118,951
94,888
778
100.553
5,934
887,981
285,949
Jersey
94,147|
51,427
1,363
558,367
519,120
71,770
JoDaviess
156,517
45,779
282,758
555
7,185
1,286,326
874,016
Johnson.
57,820
3
92,191
2,468
343,298
74,525
Kane ..
240,120
34,646
399
188,826
325
23,618
674,333
785,608
Kankakee.
312,182
10,978
103,466
480
12,935
637,399
772,408
Kendall.
164.004
2,283
90,681
1,249
5,163
681,267
468,890
Knox
330,829)
41,566
25.155
267,764
7,654
113,547
2,708,319
787,952
Lake
207,779
24,399
168,914
221
5.870
517,353
699,069
1,509,642
87,828
72,738
3,273
264,134
1,121
656,363
131,386
322,212
7,409
450,793
2,260
14,829
1,656,978
Livingston
377,505
41,788
1,339
26,163
1,182,696
659,300
Logan.
321,709
408
198,056
40,963
37,232
4,221,640
490,226
Macon.
205,259
9,115
55,239
196,613
29,223
2,214,468
454,648
Macoupin
231.059
81,224
7,343
160 550
861,398
2,404
1,051,544
459,417
Madison
89,450
13,675
1,207,181 173,652
14,517
1,034,057
389,446
Marshall.
166,057
28,260
106,129
900
36,135
1,182,903 362,604
Mason .
209,453
31,013
73,261
125,628
49,182
2,648,726
272,660
Massac .
25,151
33,396
30
72,316
544
133,126
22,097
McDonough.
261,635
52,547
14,035
36,146
52,401
1,362,490
McHenry
230,566
57,998
270
1,145,005
McLean
494,978
49,087
211,801
39,824
3,723,379
911,127
Menard.
134,173
13,952
36,152
45,793
4,283
1,973,880
235,091
Mercer.
22,588
289,291 13,203
40,778
2,054,962
Monroe.
666
651,767
1.425
543,718
Montgomery
276,682
47,804
8,495
59
744,891
3,296
1,527,898
Morgan.
293,450
60,217
1,376
18,196
357,523
5,535
3,198,835
Moultrie
144,220
24,783
13,112
17,128
196,436
6,670
1,753.141
263,992
ogle.
316,883
43,643
14,913
497,038
157,504
1,787,066 141,540
Peoria
170,729 93,754
68,470
220
350,446
1,016
384,446
94,454
5,978
13,897
26,382
39,762
1,029,725
130,610
Pike
233,785
128,953
9,302
130
25,303
1,399,188
Pope.
55,980
87,754
44,922
222
Putnam
37,271
17,184
4,174
28,137
796
334,259
86,519
Randolplı
140.764
162,274
1,170
450 1,031,022
510,080
482,594
204,634
Rock Island
155,214
31,239
20,755
243,541
20,003
1,459,653
Saline.
72,309
70,393
809
83.011
568
531,516
Sangamon
421,748
51,085
19,932
247,658
23,073
4,388,763
Schuyler
96,195
62,476
21,294
56,221
165,724
20,841
440,975
119.359
Scott .
85,331
44,633
1,610
18
266,105
930
752,771
310,179
74,908
9,314
15,526
452,015
23,686
2,082,578
138,129
12,375
2,783
124,630
30,534
1,149.878
231,117
76,591
2,016
2,550
1,562,621
1,008
1,423,121
Stephenson
254,857
43.167
13,701
2,118
135,362
1,615,679
960,620
Tazewell
2,062,053 505,841
Union.
360,251
53,078
31,122
249,558
52,476
2,818,027
436,051 110,793
Warren.
266.187
27,294
14,583
186,290
5,712
72,212
2,982,853
601.054
Washington
177.592
55,852|
1,931
672,486
2,576
836,115
Wayne
147,352
146,794
10,486
266
164,689
8,665
1,179,291
White.
92,398
869
184,321
418
870,521 2,162,943
880,838
Will
419,442
24,261
6,335
195,286
1,996
8,030
1.131,458 655,710
1,868,682 180,986
Winnebago
241,373
15,237
408,606
2,468
137,985
1,237,406 868.903
Woodford
225,504|
25,217
23,135|
178,139
108,307
20,426
2,154,185
744,581
30
244,220
21,627
Bond.
145,045
42,613
78,167
Whitesides
289,809
21.823
37.310
457,455
264
31,658
Williamson
128,448
1,648
176
170,787
6,228
421,361
Wabash.
54,063
37,558
509
202.201
2,309
315,958 195,735
161,419 67,886 16,511
414,487
Richland.
75,079
50,618
2,025
150,268 2.279
3.401
276,575 69,793 397,718
13,462
Shelby Stark.
316,726
St. Clair.
476,851
229,126| 75,832
45,268 83,606
5,300
180,231
1,737
679,753
124,473
Pulaski.
19,319
12,516
2,516
92,361
31,843
99,502
969,224
334,892
Perry
338,760
Piatt.
9,248
1.057,497 70,457
3,685
2,127,549
475,252
Marion.
173,081
61,579
4,142 2,976
462,379
445
35,766
2,541,683
668,367
Henry
265,904
12,620
31,459
42,571
1,008
11,577
565,671 154,589
Crawford.
105,505
78,350
27,185
60
212,924
15,497
581,964
620,247
386.073
93,460
63,976
Franklin
80,749
311,517
579,599
28,117
26,991
140,954
82,076
79,141
21,072 48,117
2,356
271,181
2,193
48,308
3,077,028
Lawrence
903,197
Lee ..
12,071 12,462
120,206
273,871
280,717
53,293
401,790
29,264
910,397
222.809 92,810
45,977 83,369
452,889
152,251
668,424
198,724
LaSalle
533,724
17,394 18,153
257,032
31,739
40,366 34.931
10,955
7,707
3,235
637,812
527,394
14,846
132,417
72,410
59,027
Vermilion
44,806
533,398
404,482 119,653
116,949 37.238
200
89,304
5,580
48,666
10,598
69,062
430,746
87,642
693
352,371
129,152
212,628
579,127
42,658
14,244
REMEMBER RETROSPECTION.
Only One Active Editor Has Died in Lincoln in Sixty Years,
It has been frequently remarked of late that death has been so busy in the legal profession, and without considering carefully many of us are prone to conclude that probably the profession has suffered severely -- more so than any other. While it is that within a space of seven or eight years we have lost such men as E. B. Blinn, W. R. Baldwin, L. C. Schwerdtfeger, J. T. Hoblit, S. L. Wallace, Oscar Allen and F. L. Tom- linson, yet there are other names known to local legal fame, who have passed away within the memory of many now living. These are W. H. Young, Lionel P. Lacey, J. E. Cum- mings, Silas Beason, William Mc- Galliard, Edmund Lynch, W. P. Randolph, E. G. Moos, Franklin Fisk, 'Col. W. D. Wyatt and A. G. Jones.
In comparison with editors dying in the harness, the editors have a decided advantage over the lawyers and the doctors, the medical pro- fession having twenty-two names on the list of deceased members dying here while actively practicing.
From the day the first newspaper was printed in Lincoln or Postville, which dates back to 1853, only one editor or newspaper owner has died in the harness, not one has been killed, but a score have served the public faithfully and well, until forced to engage in other business or leave here to live. The list of names is a long one, beginning with the Fuller Brothers, J. C. Web- ster, Samuel Johnston, W. W. Springer, Cox, Boren and Stephen- son, Stern Wheeler, T. J. (Sharp, Henry Sturgis, D. L. Ambrose, An- drew MeGalliard, R. B. Forrest, Wal- lace Nall, Samuel Reed, L. Ph Wolf, C. E. Knorr, J. B. Bates, A. F. Smith, N. S. McBeth, J. F. Freeman, F. B. Mills, R. E. Mallory, Lemuel Nall, J. E. King, J. C. Kisdaddow, Bryce P. Smith, James Lawler, Samuel R. Moulden and the Grines boys.
Charles A. Higgins, A. F. Jordan, Morris Emmerson and others, whose names have been overlooked, but the names used will be found the fa- miliar and active men of their days, and only a single one. Samuel R. Moulden, having died in Lincoln in the newspaper work, and what is more surprising he had ja comoe- tence when he died to maintain him- self or family. when the sanctum was denied him by the passing of the weare
This you see from the records that newspaper building and mainten- ance, is not an investment. The business has its work-more work and smaller pay than any of the known professions. Why this should be the history of the business is a surprise to many when told so by one who has heen in the game,
No class of men have worked as hard to promote the city and the county as the newspaper men, but yet you see they are in the same class as the old' horse when told in winter time to live until spring and he would find grass.
While it is true that death has not been as busy among the news- paper men as among the lawyers and the doctors, the fact is due . to the action of editors 'giving up the sanctum and the tripod and resort- ing to lines of business which have proven profitahle without the wear- ing and tearing process attending newspaper work land husiness.
This retrospection covers a period of sixty years and when closely! studied will prove remarkable in more ways than one.
Of the old timers the following only are living: D. L. Ambrose is working as a reporter and corres- pondent in Canton, Il .: R. B. For- rest is one of the leading lawyers of Oklahoma; L. Ph Wolf continues as edilor in Peoria: J. B. Bates is political editor of the Bloomington Pantagraph; Bryce P. Smith is down n Oklahoma working and hoping some day to be able to retire; F. B. Mills is content with a nice country weekly in Morton, TH .; Albert F. Smith holds on as editor of the. Bullock County Breeze down in Union Springs. Ala .; the Grimes boys are in Towa speculating with news- papers and like all the others act- ively at work hoping for the day to jeome when ahle to quit the busi- ness.
And what is more to the credit of the long list of newspaper edi- tors Lincoln has had, not one has been sent to orison.
LOGAN COUNTY.
*
CHICAGO MARKETS.
Furnished by W. H. Conley, mem- ber of the Chicago Board of Trade. Orders filled by direet private wire. Office in Parker building, Broadway.
Range and Close.
Wheat- Open. High. Low. Close
May
.93
.9315
.927g .931%
Fuly
.88%
.8894
.8814 .88%
Corn-
May .67
.671%
.66% .665%
July
.651%
.65%
.651/ .6514
Sept.
.641/
.6434
.6415
.641%
Oats-
May
.397%
.3934
.397%
July
.39%
.39%
.39%
391%
Pork-
May
21.55
21.65
21.45
21.50
Receipts and Estimates
Car receipts: Wheat, 20;
50; oats, 33.
Inspected cars: Wheat, 127; corn, 273; oats, 159.
Live Stock.
Receipts- Hoge. Cattle. Sheep.
Chicago
.37,000 22,000 38,000
Kansas City ... 8,000 11,000 12,000
Omaha
6,000 3,200 8,300
Hogs.
Hog market 5 ,to 10c higher. Esti- mated for tomorrow, 26.000. ,
Bulk, $8.50@8.60.
Light, $8.35@8.62.
Mixed, $8.35@8.65.
Heavy, $8.30@8.75.
Good choice heavy, $8.35@8.65.
Rough, $8.30@8.40.
Pigs, $6.75@8.35.
Yorkers, $8.55@8.60.
- 1
Cattle.
Cattle market steady. Estimated for tomorrow, 4,500.
Beeves, $6.90@9.50.
Texans. $6.90@8.00.
-
Western, $6.40@7.85.
Stockers and feeders, $5.40@8.00.
Cows and heifers, $3.60@8.50.
- Calves, $7.50@10.50.
Sheep.
Sheep market 10 to 15c lower. ;
Natives, $4.70@5.85.
Western, $4.80@5.90.
Yearlings, $5.70@6.90.
Native lamhs, $6.75@7.85.
Western, $6.80@7.95.
MANY MOURN CULLOM.
Frequent Visitor to Lincoln for Thirty Years-Had Many Friends HIere.
One would think that the death of such a remarkable man as Hon. Shelby M. Cullom would have cre- ated greater evidences of sorrow in Lincoln than it did. Years of the early life of the senator were spent. in Tazewell county, across the line from Logan. Many residents of Lincoln and Atlanta rural regions knew him, but he seems to have outlived all of them and their de- cendants. Thirty odd years ago Senator Cullom, wife and daughter, were visitors in Lincoln at the Latham home, while Mr. Cullom was a frequent caller since 1860 on friends-Hon. S. C. Parks, Col. W. D. Wyatt, Col. R. B. Latham and E. D. Blinn. Time gradually re- moved the friends and duties at Washington so increased the im- portance of his work that these obstacles and the gradual accumu- ation of years ended the visits here. When Senator Cullom died in the large circle of friends he had here. When Senator Cullom died, in survived while all the intimates preceded bim to that bourne from hence travelers never return.
Few, if any, attended the funeral Sunday, owing to the weather and the expected crowd that would be resent.
Senator Cullom's record of nearly sixty years in public life was with- ut a flaw. He lived an upright and honorable life. The fact that his estate was small is convincing proof that he was honest, for he did not ack the opportunity in thirty years n the U. S. senate of growing rich. Like Abraham Lincoln, he was for 'ears a visitor here and acquainted with nearly everybody here. He how lives in blessed and profound memory.
Information Wanted.
The following letter was received y Rev. Father J. E. Koppes, pastor of
St. Mary's Roman Catholic church:
Information wanted of the where- abouts of one Alice Connelly Hay- den, last heard from in Chicago, III. Was born in Geneva, Ill., and had relatives in Nevada county, Cali- Sho ie o low
corn,
LOGAN COUNTY.
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
Logan County lies south of the forty-first parallel of latitude and nearly in the center of the State. It is also almost in the center of the great producing portion of Illinois, that part from which comes such vast numbers of cattle, hogs, horses, sheep, and other domestic animals, and where great quantities of grain are annually raised for home consump- tion and for foreign shipment.
The county is divided into seventeen townships, and contains 518 square miles. It is bounded on the east by De Witt and Macon Counties ; on the south, by Macon and Sangamon ; on the west, by Sangamon, Men- ard and Mason; and on the north, by Tazewell and McLean. According to the area of its territory, Logan County contains a greater proportion of tillable lands of a superior quality than any county in the state. There is, in reality, no waste land in the county.
The surface of the county is of a gently undulating character, covered here and there with beautiful groves of timber. These are in almost all cases situated on the borders of some stream of water, and were the places always selected by the early pioneers in which to plant their homes. From the summit of many of the slight eminences, found every where throughout the county, charming views of prairie scenery can be obtained. From these elevations one can see many miles in every direction, every where observing improved farms, supplied with every modern convenience, occupied by intelligent, prosperous owners, whose tasteful residences greet the vision from all directions. The finest views. of these prairie scenes are usually at the early morning sunrise, or at. sunset. In either case, as the light comes to the beholder, its flashes are reflected from hundreds of windows, causing the observer to wonder if there is not some fairy eastern city in the valleys around him.
The principal streams of the county are the Salt, Sugar, Kickapoo, Prairie and Deer Creek, and the Lake Fork of Salt Creek. These, with their numerous tributaries, water all parts of the county, and afford drainage to all low lands therein. Of these streams, Salt Creek is the largest. It rises near Farmer City, De Witt County, and after traversing that county in a westerly direction, flows through the townships of Ætna, Chester, Broadwell and Corwin, and soon after leaving Logan empties into the Sangamon River. Its principal tributaries are the Lake Fork, which flows from the south, and Deer Creek and Kickapoo from the north, the latter of which rises near Bloomington and flows southwest until it forms a confluence with Salt Creek. North of these is Sugar Creek, which also
220
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
rises near Bloomington and flows through the townships of Eminence, West Lincoln and Sheridan, and thence on to the Sangamon River.
The soil of Logan County is unusually productive. It is composed chiefly of a dark vegetable loam, capable of producing abundant crops and needing but little dressing. Along the streams and on the high plateaus of land it is thinner and mixed with clay. Wherever this occurs, the productiveness is not so great. The character of the soil is much the same as that on the river bottoms, which, in some cases, as in Randolph and St. Clair Counties, has been cultivated more than a century without deterioration. The midland counties of Illinois have proved un- usually productive and best suited for corn culture. Here corn is king. Counties on the river bottoms prove by experience to be best adapted to wheat, while those in the interior can not be excelled in the cultivation of corn. Other cereals are grown abundantly and to good advantage.
The cultivation of fruit has caused considerable attention of late years among the rural population. Apples and peaches are not a sure crop, the climate being unfavorable. The smaller fruits grow abundantly, however, and are a source of much profit to many farmers. Grapes, especially, are produced lavishly and of an excellent quality. Rasp- berries, strawberries, blackberries, and others of a kindred nature do well.
Timber has always been found along the streams, and occasionally a grove in an isolated position was discovered. The principal varieties of timber are oak and hickory, with a small undergrowth. But few trees now grow to a size suitable for lumber; hence the timber is useful chiefly in erecting sheds for stock or inclosures where sawn timber is not neces- sary. Every where throughout the county groves of shade trees and orchard trees have been set out, many trees of which' have grown to a considerable size and afford comfortable shade, or yield abundant fruit. These are chiefly to be seen near and around the farm dwellings.
AGRICULTURE.
Logan County contains 393,087 acres of land, of which 321,709 acres were reported in 1870 under cultivation. This would give an average of over 500 acres of improved land to each section. That same year there were reported in the county 2,531 farms, each containing an average of 134 acres. In 1877 the county clerk reports 362,087 acres improved lands, valued at $8,707,096, or $24.05 per acre. This gives 585.8 acres improved lands to each section, showing fully there is very little land in the county unimproved. This latter is mostly used for pasturage, and hence is not valueless land. The total valuation of the land is $9,087,782, . or $23.12 per acre. The town lots and personal property in the county is returned by the same officer at $2,909,298; the railroad property at $4,070, giving a total of taxable property valued at nearly fourteen mil- lions of dollars. More than five sevenths being agricultural property, showing that in proportion to its wealth compared with other counties, the percentage is strongly in favor of that pursuit. During the year 1874 there were grown in wheat 15,965 acres ; in corn, 133,683 acres ; in oats, 11,515 acres ; in meadows, 13,883 acres; and in other field products, 4,252 acres. The number of acres in pasture was 59,452; in orchard lands, 2,816 ; and in woodland, 26,894. The returns for the year 1877
221
HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
were not given by the assessors, hence the latest furnished were used, being those of 1874. The same returns, had they been made for 1877, would without doubt be materially larger.
Some interesting items may be gathered from the number of persons engaged in agricultural pursuits, their nationality, and the improvement made in this important branch of industry. By the school census of 1876 there were in the county 12,407 persons between the ages of six and twenty-one years. This would give a population of about thirty-seven thousand in the county, allowing this class to comprise one third of the aggregate population. The density to the square mile is then about sixty, which calculation including the towns must be nearly correct. . In 1870, 50.7 per cent. of the people of Illinois were engaged in agricultural callings, including all the large cities and prominent manufacturing centers. The same per centage would in no wise hold good when applied to Logan County, as there are no large manufacturing establishments within her borders. As the county is settled mainly by Americans, the percentage applied to them, 77.6 of whom are farmers, would be nearer- the truth.
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