USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens > Part 24
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213
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
section 18 in the same township, contain- ing a fraction over 75 acres; and nine and a half acres off the north end of the north west quarter of section 19; and six acres off the south end of the east half of the south east quarter of section 13, all in the township and range above .mentioned.
One of the most important acts of this court was the submission to the qualified voters of the county the question of sub- scription to the stock of the Northern Cross railroad, and the endorsement of the people thereto, as is spoken of else- where, under its appropriate head.
The county court, which assembled for the first time, on the 5th of Decem- ber, 1853, was composed of Thompson Chandler, county judge; Samuel Calvin and Silas J. Grigsby, associate justices; Isaac Grantham, clerk; and Sydnor H. Hogan, sheriff. These gentlemen, with the exception of the last named, held their positions for several years. Under date of Thursday, December 4th, 1856, is found the following record:
"WHEREAS, on the petition of the lawful number of citizens and legal voters of Mc. Donough county, presented to this court on the 2d day of June last, asking the court to submit the question of township organiza- tion to the legal voters of McDonough county, to be voted on by them, at the (then) next general election, to be holden in said county, agreeably to the second section of the act of the general assembly of the state of Illinois, approved February 17, 1851, en- titled, 'An act to provide for township or- ganization'; an order of this court was made, and entered of record, on the 2d day of June, aforesaid, ordering an election to be held iu the several election precincts in said county, ou the 4th day of November, A. D. 1856, {that being the day fixed by law for all general
elections), to take the votes of the legal vot- ers of said county for and against township organization; and,
WHEREAS, At said general election, a law- ful number of said votes were cast for town- ship organization, as appears to the court by the abstract of the votes cast at said election for and against township organization, ex- hibited to the court by the clerk this day; it is therefore
Ordered, That Levi H. Bradbury, Harrison Hungate and William R. Downen, be, and they are hereby appointed, commissioners to divide the county into towns or townships; and that it is further
Ordered, That the clerk of this court notify the said parties of their appoint- ment."
The committee appointed for the pur- pose of dividing the county into town- ships reported in due time that they had . performed that duty. By them the county was divided into sixteen town- ships, having the following names: El- dorado, Industry, Eagle Town, Lamoine, New Salem, Scotland. Erin, Tennessee, Mound, Macomb, Spring Creek, Rock Creek, Prairie City, Walnut Grove, Sciota, Blandinsville. The first election for township officers was held April 7, 1857.
The county court presided over by Judge Chandler continued until April 11, 1857, when it was adjourned sine die. It never reassembled, as the ruling power in the county government, being superceded by the
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
The first meeting of this honorable body was held on the 11th day of May, 1857, at the court house in Macomb, at a special session. There were there present the following gentlemen:
214
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
1857.
Jolın S. Holliday Lamoine township.
Stephen A. White
Tennessee.
Ebenezer N. Hicks
Rock Creek.
William W. Moss . Blandinville:
Jonathan H. Baker
Spring Creek.
Isaac T. Montfort .
. Scotland.
Samuel H. McCandless
. Mound.
James H. Epperson
New Salem.
Joel Pennington
Industry.
D. I. Dungan .
Walnut Grove.
William Heath
Sciota.
Isaac Mccown
Erin.
James H. Dunsworth.
Eagle.
John Price .
. Eldorado.
Alonzo L. Kimber
Prairie City.
James McClure Macomb.
On organization, Jonathan H. Baker was chosen chairman for the ensuing year. Among the first actions of the board was the looking into the financial condition of the county. Resolutions to that effect were introduced and passed and the board, like the proverbial " new broom," commenced to "sweep clean." Resolutions were also passed changing the names of several of the townships; that of Rock Creek to Hire; Spring Creek to Emmet; Erin to Chalmers, and Eagle to Bethel.
The boards for the ensuing years have been composed as follows:
Solomon Markham .
1858.
Mound.
George F. Hendrickson .
Prairie City.
Joel Pennington
Industry.
Isaac P. Montfort
Scotland.
Lewis H. Waters
Macomb.
David I. Dungan
Walnut Grove.
James H. Dunsworth .
. Bethel.
Isaac McCown
. Chalmers.
Jonathan H. Baker .
Emmet.
William Heath
Sciota.
John Twidwell .
Lamoine.
Steplien A. White Tennessee.
William W. Moss
Blandinsville.
E. N. Hicks
. Hire.
Joseph Lownes :
. New Salem.
John Price .
Eldorado.
J. H. Baker was chosen chairman for the year:
1859.
Isaac McCown .
Chalmers.
James M. Campbell .
Emmet.
Joel Pennington
Industry.
S. H. McCandless
Mound.
Isaac P. Montfort
Scotland.
B. R. Hampton
Macomb.
J. M. Wallin
Sciota.
D. J. Dungan
. Walnut Grove.
John S. Holliday
. Lamoine.
Isaac Weaver
Prairie City.
John Nankavil
Bethel.
E. N. Hicks
Hire.
John Price
Eldorado.
S. A. White .
. Tennessee.
Simon Pontious
New Salem.
William W. Moss
Blandinsville.
James M. Campbell was duly elected chairman of the board, on organization.
1860.
James Keach
Eldorado.
S. H.McCandless
Mound.
Hiram Conover
Prairie City.
D. Runkle .
Industry.
George W. Provine
. Scotland.
W. S. Hendricks
Macomb.
D. J. Dungan
Walnut Grove.
James Black
. Bethel.
Alexander Blackburn
Chalmers.
James M. Campbell
Emmet.
J. M. Wallin
Sciota.
L. G. Reid
Lamoine.
S. A. White .
· Tennessee.
E. N. Hicks
. Hire.
Hiram Williams
Blandinsville.
Simon Pontious
. New Salem.
James M. Campbell was duly re-elect- ed to the chair.
215
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
1861.
James M. Campbell Emmet.
Asalıel Russell
New Salen.
Lyman Porter
New Salem.
Edward Dyer
Mound.
James Updegraff
. Mound.
D. R. Hamilton
Prairie City.
P. B. Cordell .
Industry.
J. W. Randolph
Scotland.
B. R. Hampton
Maconib.
Joshua Larkins
Walnut Grove.
William Twaddle . . Bethel.
J. M. Wallin Sciota. H. B. Marvel . Chalmers.
L. G. Reid
Lamoine.
W. C. McLeod
Emmet.
G. T. Green
Sciota.
E. N. Hicks
Hire.
L. G. Reid
Lamoine.
S. A. White
Tennessee.
E. N. Hicks
. Hire.
V. M. Hardin
Blandinsville.
The chairman of the board for this year was Henry S. Marvel.
1864.
Leander Cassidy
Eldorado.
Amaziah Hanson
New Salem.
James Updegraff
Mound.
D. R. Hamilton
Prairie City.
Simeon Smitlı
Industry.
G. W. Provine
Scotland.
B. R. Hampton .
Macomb.
John McSperritt .
Walnut Grove.
William Twaddle
Bethel.
Jeremiah Sullivan
Chalmers.
W. C. McLeod Emmet.
G. T. Green
Sciota.
L. G. Reid .
Lamoine.
S. A. White .
. Tennessee.
S. K. Pedrick
Hire.
Hiram Williams
Blandinsville.
Jeremiah Sullivan was chairman dur- ing the year 1864.
.
1865.
Jolın Price .
Eldorado.
J. E. Porter
New Salem.
L. Porter
. Mound.
D. R. Hamilton
Prairie City.
P. J. Pennington
· Industry.
John Blackburn
. Scotland.
O. F. Piper
. Macomb.
D. A. McKee
Walnut Grove.
1863.
Thomas Lawyer .
Eldorado.
R. C. Porter New Salem.
Christian Eby
Mound.
D. R. Hamilton
Prairie City.
Leander Cassidy
Industry.
Jacob Randolph
Scotland.
Jolın McSperritt
. Walnut Grove.
James Black
Betliel.
H. S. Marvel
. Chalmers
Charles Creel
. Emmet.
J. M. Wallin
L. G. Reid
. Sciota.
E. N. Hicks
V. M. Hardin
. Lamoine.
Hire.
Blandinsville.
S. A. White .
Tennessee.
Ferman Casto . Macomb.
James M. Wallin was elected perma- nent chairman of the board for this year.
D. R. Hamilton Prairie City.
Leander Cassidy Industry.
George W. Provine . Scotland.
John McSperritt .
Walnut Grove.
James Black Betliel. Jeremiah Sullivan Chalmers.
S. A. White
. Tennessee.
V. M. Hardin
Blandinsville.
Jolın Price
. Eldorado.
W. S. Hendricks
Macomb.
J. M. Campbell was again re-elected chairman of the board upon its or- ganization, on the 4th of June.
1862.
Jolın Price
Eldorado.
At the December session of 1862, Presley B. Cordell took his seat upon this board, vice Leander Cassidy, re- moved from the township.
216
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
James Robinson
.
Bethel.
T. B. McCormick .
Chalmers.
W. C. McLeod .
. Emmett.
J. W. Brewster
. Sciota.
L. G. Reid
Lamoine.
Cyrus Hoyt
Chalmers.
S. A. White
Tennessee.
W. C. McLeod
. Emmet.
. Hire.
Benjamin Robinson
. Sciota.
L. G. Reid .
Lamoine.
R. M. Folts
Hiram Williams Blandinsville,
Lyman Porter was chosen chairman chairman of the board for 1865.
1866.
William Marshall Eldorado.
A. Hanson
New Salem.
James Manly
. Mound.
J. H. Smith
Prairie City.
J. R. Skiles
Industry.
S. R. Jones
Scotland.
O. F. Piper.
Macomb.
Samuel Mc Whinney Walnut Grove.
James Robinson . Bethel.
T. B. McCormick
Chalmers.
W. C. McLeod
Emmet.
J. M. Wallin
. Sciota.
L. G. Reid .
. Lamoine.
E. B. Hibbard
Tennessee.
E. N. Hicks
Hire.
Hiram Williams
Blandinsville.
On organization, at the first meeting, June 11, James M. Wallin was chosen chairman of the board. At a meeting on the following day, the board ordered the division of the township of Prairie City, giving the southern half of the same the name of Bushnell, and the north half retaining the old name of Prairie City.
William Marshall 1867.
Eldorado.
Simon Pontious
. New Salem.
Joseph Shannon
Mound.
J. H. Smith
Bushnell.
H. C. Sanford
Prairie City.
J. R. Skiles
Industry.
S. R. Jones
Scotland.
W. J. Merritt
Macomb.
B. R. Hampton
Macomb city.
D. G. Tunnicliff
. Macomb city.
E. B. Davis .
Walnut Grove.
James Robinson
Bethel.
E. B. Hibbard .
Tennessee.
E. N. Hicks
Hire.
J. A. Mustain .
Blandinsville.
W. C. McLeod was chosen chairman, at the first meeting, on the 10th of June.
1868.
Milton Amrine
. Eldorado.
Joseph E. Porter .
New Salem.
James Manly .
. Mound.
D. M. Wyckoff
. Buslınell.
H. C. Sanford
Prairie City.
Geo. A. Taylor
Industry.
John C. Moore
. Scotland.
James B. Kyle
. Macomb city.
B. R. Hampton
. Macomb city.
William W. Stewart Walnut Grove.
James Robinson .
Bethel.
Cyrus Hoyt .
Chalmer.
W. C. McLeod
Emmet.
L. G. Reid .
Lamoine.
S. A. White .
. Tennessee.
James A. Mustain
Blandinsville.
P. D. Knapp
Macomb.
Isaac Oakman
Hire.
W. C. McLeod was re-elected to the chair at a special term held on the 13th of May and thereafter.
1869.
Board met June 14 and elected H. C. Sanford chairman for the ensuing year. The members were as follows:
Thomas Cox
Eldorado.
J. E. Porter
New Salem.
T. J. Creel
Mound.
D. M. Wyckoff
Bushnell.
. Sciota
J. L. Painter
217
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
E. K. Westfall
Bushnell.
Thomas Cox
. Eldorado.
H. C. Sanford
Prairie City.
T. D. Knapp
. Macomb.
B. R. Hampton
. Macomb city.
J. B. Kyle .
Macomb city.
W. W. Stewart .
. Walnut Grove.
J. M. Dunsworth
. Bethel.
G. W. Neece
Chalmers.
William McLeod .
. Emmet.
J. L. Painter
Sciota.
G. L. Reid
. Lamoine.
J. H. Chenoweth
Tennessee.
I. A. Oakman
Hire.
J. A. Mustain
Blandinsville.
1870.
Joseph Lownes
New Salem.
James Manly .
Mound.
J. N. Devore
. Bushnell.
G. W. Hamilton . . Prairie City.
Ebenezer Vail
. Industry.
John C. Moore
. Scotland.
W. H. Rile
. Macomb.
J. B. Kyle
Macomb city.
W. W. Stewart
Walnut Grove.
Samuel Wilson
Betliel.
Geo.W. Neece
Chalmers.
Thomas Murray
Emmet.
J. L. Pointer Sciota.
Reason Hooten
Tennessee.
Isaac A. Oakman
Hire.
J. A. Mustain
Blandinsville.
Thomas Cox
Eldorado.
J. M. Campbell .
E. K. Westfall
. Bushnell.
. Macomb city.
Thomas Cline
. Macomb.
B. R. Hampton
Macomb city.
L. G. Reid .
Lamoine.
With the last named gentleman in the chair during the year. First meeting held June 13. .
1871.
The first meeting was held June 12, and J. A. Mustain was elected chairman for the year. The members of the board were the following gentlemen:
S. A. Epperson
Bushnell.
James N. Devore
Buslınell.
James W. Brooks .
Prairie City.
T. J. Pennington
. Industry.
John Watson
. Scotland.
C. N. Harding
Macomb city.
James M. Campbell
Macomb _city.
John M. Archer
Macomb.
W. W. Stewart . Walnut Grove.
James Robinson
Bethel.
Jeremiah Sullivan
Chalmers.
William C. McLeod
Emninet.
J. L. Painter
. Sciota.
L. G. Reid .
Lamoine.
Reason Hooten
Tennessee.
Jesse Martin .
. Hire.
James A. Mustain
. Blandinsville.
1872. .
First meeting held by call, signed by two thirds of the members, April 16, 1872.
James Irwin .
. Eldorado .
J. L. Epperson
New Salen
G. W. Hamilton . Prairie City.
Ross Manly
Mound.
J., N. Devore
Bushnell.
S. A. Epperson
Bushnell
P. B. Cordell
Industry.
Jolın Watson
.Scotland.
C. N. Harding
Macomb city.
W. W. Stewart
Walnut Grove.
James Robinson . Bethel.
Jeremiah Sullivan . Chalmers.
W. C. McLeod Emmet.
J. L. Painter
Sciota.
L. G. Reid .
. Lamoine.
Reason Hooten .
Tennessee.
J. E. K. Carlisle .
. Hire.
James A. Mustain
Blandinsville.
W. C. McLeod was duly elected chair- man for the year.
Abraham Powers
New Salem.
B. A. Duncan
Industry.
Joseplı Shannon
. Mound.
J. Watson
Scotland.
218
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
1873.
First meeting held April 30, a special one by call, signed by various members. The following was the board:
James Irwin .
. Eldorado.
John L. Epperson . New Salem.
Joseph Shannon
Mound.
Allen L. Sparks
Bushnell.
John B. Cummings
. Bushnell.
G. W. Hamilton .
Prairie City.
Thomas L. Maxwell Industry.
John Watson Scotland.
J. M. Campbell
Macomb city.
Thomas Cline
. Macomb.
David Brockway
Walnut Grove.
James Robinson
Betliel.
George W. Neece Chalmers.
W. C. McLeod
Emmet.
Ephraim Dice
Sciota.
.
L. G. Reid .
Lamoine.
Rutherford McClure
Tennessee.
J. E. K. Carlisle
Hire.
W. Robinson
Lamoine.
Rigdon Huston
Blandinsville.
Samuel Frost .
Macomb city
W. C. McLeod still presiding.
1874.
Isaac Chandler
Eldorado.
J. L. Epperson
New Salem.
Joseph Shannon
Mound.
J. N. Devore .
Bushnell.
D. M. Wyckoff .
Bushnell.
C. C. Hays .
Prairie City.
Charles R. Shann Industry.
L. F. Smith
Scotland.
C. V. Chandler
Macomb city.
C. N. Harding
Macomb city.
Foster Dobbins
. Macomb.
David Brockway .
Walnut Grove.
William Twaddle
. Bethel.
Robert L. Howell
Chalmers.
W. C. McLeod .
. Emmet.
Ephraim Dice
Sciota
Jolın Myers .
. Tennessee.
Samuel Logan
. Hire.
Rigdon Huston
Blandinsville.
First meeting held on the 13th of July, when W. C. McLeod was re-elected chairman.
1875.
The first meeting was held July 12, when the board elected Joseph Shannon as chairman. The members were as follows: -
J. P. Marshall
Eldorado.
John Watson
Scotland.
R. McClure
. Tennessee.
Thomas Cline .
. Macomb.
C. V. Chandler
Macomb city.
W. H. Hainline
Macomb city.
John W. Tipton
Sciota.
A. W. Holstine
Bethel.
G. W. Closson
Prairie City.
J. C. Cad walader
Bushnell.
D. M. Wyckoff
Bushnell.
D. Brockway
. Walnut Grove.
Joseph Shannon
Mound.
George M. Thompson
Chalmers.
Samuel Logan
Hire.
W. H. Taylor
. Industry.
W. W. Gillihan
Blandinsville.
W. C. McLeod .
. Emmet.
J. L. Epperson
New Salem.
1876.
J. T. Marshall
Eldorado.
S. Pontious
New Salem.
Joseph Shannon
Mound.
E. D. C. Hains
Bushnell.
J. L. Anderson
. Bushnell.
G. W. Closson
Prairie City.
William Kinkade
Industry
Jonas Ringer
Scotland.
W. H. Hainline
Macomb city.
Thompson Chandler
Macomb city.
N. H. Jackson
Macomb.
A. W. Holstine
. Bethel.
G. W. Thompson
Chalmers.
John W. Hendricks .
Lamoine.
W. C. McLeod .
Emmet.
J. W. Tipton
Sciota.
L. G. Reid*
Lamoine.
John Myers
Tennessee.
219
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
W. D. Welch . . Hire.
S. J. Grigsby . Blandinsville.
R. A. Morris . Walnut Grove.
Mr. McLeod still presiding as chair- man.
1877.
A. J. Herron . Eldorado.
A. Powers .
New Salem.
Joseph Shannon
. Mound.
J. C. Cadwalader
Bushnell.
L. S. Mills
Bushnell.
A. T. Irwin
Prairie City.
William Kinkade
Industry.
John Barclav
Scotland.
W. H. Hainline
Macomb City.
James Gamage
. Macomb City.
N. H. Jackson
Macomb.
R. A. Morris .
Walnut Grove.
W. H. Nankeville
Bethel.
R. L. Howell
Chalmers.
W. C. McLeod
. Emmet.
Evan Rogers
. Sciota.
L. G. Reid . Lamoine.
H. L. Rapelji
Tennessee.
Allen Stookey
Hire.
S. J. Grigsby
Blandinsville.
First meeting held July 9, when W. H. Hainline was elected chairman for the ensuing year. 1878. .
First meeting was held July 8,and W. C. McLeod was chosen chairman for the ensuing year. The following composed the board:
J. P. Marshall
Eldorado.
Abram Powers .
. New Salem.
Joseph Shannon
. Mound.
C. C. Morse
Bushnell.
J. H. Graham
Prairie City.
William Kinkade · Industry. John Barclay Scotland.
B. R. Hampton
Macomb city
Joseph Durr
Macomb city.
N. H. Jackson
Macomb.
Henry Mariner
Walnut Grove
J. M. Dunsworth . Betliel.
R. T. Howell
Chalmers
W. C. McLeod
Emmet.
Henry Robinson
. Sciota.
L. G. Reid .
Lamoine.
A. G. Owen
Tennessee.
Allen Stookey
Hire.
H. Sappington
Blandinsville.
J. C. Cadwalader
. Bushnell.
1879.
First meeting was held July 14, and J. P. Marshall was elected chairman. The following were the members of the board:
J. P. Marshall
Eldorado.
Abram Powers .
New Salem.
Joseph Shannon
Mound.
J. C. Cadwalader
Bushnell.
W. J. Frisbie
Buslınell.
G. W. Hamilton
Prairie City.
William Kinkade
Industry.
Hugh Watson
Scotland.
B. R. Hampton
Macomb city.
Joseph Durr .
Macomb city.
E. D. Stephens
. Macomb.
Henry Mariner Walnut Grove.
George Venard .
Betliel.
A. L. Howell
Chalmers.
J. M. Chase .
. Emmet.
J. S. Wallin
. Sciota.
L. G. Reid .
. Lamoine.
Jolın Myers .
Tennessee.
Allen Stookey
. Hire.
H. Sappington .
Blandinsville.
1880.
First meeting held July 12, and J. P. Marshall elected chairman. The follow- ing was the board:
J. P. Marshall
Eldorado.
J. P. Wilt .
New Salem.
G. W. Solomon
. Mound.
J. C. Cadwalader
. Bushnell.
W. F. Frisbie
Bushnell.
G. W. Hamilton
Prairie City.
William Kinkade .
. Industry.
Hugh Watson
. Scotland.
220
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
E. Pillsbury Macomb city.
John Scott .
Macomb. city.
Jackson Kemble .Macomb.
Henry Mariner .
Walnut Grove
D. H. Sterling
Bethel.
Fred Newland
Colchester.
George W. Kruse
Chalmers.
T. M. Simmons . . Emmet.
J. R. Wallingford . Sciota.
L. G. Reid .
Lamoine.
J. B. Isom
Hire.
H. Sappington .
Blandinsville.
Reason Hooten
Tennessee.
1881.
The first meeting was held July 11, and J. Kimble was chosen chairman for the ensuing year. The following is a list of the members of the board:
J. N. Foster Eldorado.
J. J. Carlin .
New Salem.
.G. W. Solomon
Mound.
J. C. Cadwalader
. Buslınell.
Isaac Weaver
.Prairie City.
William Kinkade
· Industry.
J. M. Rexroat . . Scotland.
Jackson Kimble
. Macomb
B. R. Hampton
Macomb city.
L F. Campbell
Macomb city.
Henry Mariner
Walnut Grove.
G. G. Venard .
W. H. Weir Colchester.
A. A. Adair
. Emmet.
J. L. Hardin
. Sciota.
L. G. Reid .
. Lamoine.
A. G. Owen .
Tennessee.
J. B. [som .
Hire.
G. S. Fuhr
Blandinsville
1882.
First meeting held July 10, and on organization, George W. Hamilton was chosen chairman for the year. The members were as follows:
J. N. Foster Eldorado.
J. J. Carlin New Salem.
William Stephens
Mound.
J. C. Cadwalader
Buslınell.
Henry Mariner Walnut Grove. G. G. Venard Bethel. J. W. B. Hamilton Hire.
J. W. Kruse
Chalmers.
J. D. Trew
Colchester.
T. G. Walker .
. Scotland.
G. W. Hamilton
Prairie City.
A. A. Adair
Emmet.
William Kinkade . Industry.
G. S. Fuhr
Blandinsville.
A. G. Owens
Tennessee.
John Wiley .
. Macomb.
B. R. Hampton
. Macomb city.
J. T. Adcock
Macomb city.
L. G. Reid
Lamoine.
J. L. Yeast
. Sciota.
1883.
First meeting held July 9, and W. T. Kinkade was elected chairman by the following members:
J. P. Marshall
Eldorado.
J. P. Wilt .
New Salen.
E. A. Boynton
Prairie City.
W. T. Kinkade
. Industry.
Hugh Watson
Scotland.
J. T. Adcock .
Macomb city.
Charles Imes
. Macomb city.
J. A. Carlin .
Walnut Grove.
Bethel.
J. S. Baymiller
Betliel.
George W. Kruse
Chalmers.
R. W. Saffle .
Chalmers.
D. A. Herlocker
Sciota.
M. D. Wear
Lamoine.
W. H. Weir
Colchester.
J. R. Fisher
Hire.
M. A. Terry
Blandinsville. .
William Stephens
Mound.
A. E. Barnes . Bushnell.
Julius Hartung · Emmet.
William Cook .
Tennessee.
1884.
First meeting was held July 14, and G. G. Venard was chosen chairman. The following constituted the board: J. P. Marshall Eldorado.
J. P. Wilt .
New Salem.
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
221
James Kepple . Mound.
I. S. Mills .
. Bushnell.
A. Mead Prairie City.
William Kinkade Industry.
Hugh Watson Scotland.
C. I. Imes
Macomb city.
Fred. Ralston . Macomb city.
J. B. Bricker Macomb.
G. G. Venard
. Bethel.
Robert Safile Chalmers.
Julius Hartung Emmet.
James Statler Sciota.
William Robinson
Lamoine.
William Cook . Tennessee.
J. R. Fisher Hire. .
M. A. Terry Blandinsville.
John Carlin . Walnut Grove.
CHAPTER XI.
OTHER OFFICIAL MATTER.
In this chapter it is designed to pre- sent the various official matters, which, although too brief to place in a chapter separately, are too important to be ignored. These items have been mostly gathered from the records of the county, although some have been gained in frag- ments during interviews with those famil- iar with the subject.
MATRIMONIAL.
This a matter which always attracts attention when treated historically, and is especially interesting to the younger portion of the community, who, their time not yet having come, still walk "in maiden meditation fancy free," dream- ing of the prince that will "a wooing" come, or picture the charms of the future mistress of their household.
In various lands the marriage rite is solemnized in different ways and by dif- ferent ceremonies; in all the acts of the
contracting parties must be understood by each, and by the community in which they live, as being a mutual agreement to hold the relations toward one another as man and wife. In this state a license has always been required, although it is not required in all the states, and thus from the records we can trace all the earlier marriages of the county.
In early days young men and maidens were not married in the grand style which usually characterizes the mar- riages of the present period. They did not wait until riches came before they married, as is too much the case in this money-loving age, but chose their mate without regard to this point and settled- down to live in simple and comfortable style, and they generally lived happily and gained the respect of their neighbors by attending to their own business. There were no "diamond weddings" in those days, and the extravagance that
222
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
now often attends the marriage ceremony was then unheard of. The old folks were plain, economical and hospitable people, and the young folks were imbued with the same attributes that characterized their fathers and mothers. They were willing to commence housekeeping in a style corresponding with their means, trusting to the future for larger houses and more expensive furniture.
There are many rich anecdotes of the rustic marriages in early days, but where possible they are treated of in connection with the history of the townships in which they occurred. How, when the time came, the blushing and rosy maid would drop her milk pails, throw off her apron and tying on her sunbonnet, clam- ber into the lumber box wagon, while "John" in his overalls and farm boots would take up the whip, and the oxen would move off with the bridal proces- sion to the "Squire's" who did the "jin- ing of the knot."
Among the amusing stories told of some parties in the county, away back in the misty past, is one where a country couple made their way to one of the in- cipient villages in the county in quest of some one who was authorized to tie the hymeneal knot. They went to a young storekeeper, who, in the way of a prac- tical joke, referred them to the postmas- ter, stating that the government author- ized him to officiate upon such occasions. When the postmaster .was seen he dis- claimed any knowledge of such author- ity, and said that he had only been in the employment of the government a short time and was not yet "quite up to snuff." But if the merchant said he could, he supposed it was so. Accordingly the
couple were ranged up in front of the postmaster, who in the most approved style impressed them with the solemnity of the occasion, warned them to "let no man put asunder what he had jined," and in closing pronounced them "Mr. and Mrs., as provided by the United States postal regulations. Go your way, keep your mouths shut, and you'll be happy." As they turned to leave, he re- marked, "only a dollar a piece, please."
There were several marriages in the county, previous to its organization, but of which there is no record, the parties having to go to other places for their license; for an account of these, the reader is referred to the chapter on early settlement, and the various township histories.
The first marriage of record in McDon- ough county was that which united the future destinies of John Wyatt and Bet- sey . Massengale, the license for which was issued August 19, 1830. The mar- riage occurred August 21st of this year; solemnized by Rev. John Baker.
The second marriage in the county, as appears from the records, was that of James Lee and Sarah Reno. "The license was issued January 5, 1831, the mar- riage ceremony being performed the fol- lowing day by James Vance, justice of the peace.
The third marriage was that of Dotson Seybold and Polly Hardesty, March 24, 1831. The ceremony was performed by Robert Long, elder of the Christian church.
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