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 27

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

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 27

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

for the legislature, receiving the former majority, and General Harrison the lat- ter. Martin VanBuren, of New York, was the democratic candidate for the presidency, but was defeated in the county.

In 1842, the whigs again carried the county, electing their whole ticket, by majorities ranging from sixteen to twenty-two, with the exception of coro- ner, Charles Chandler being beaten by Benjamin B. Head by twenty-two votes.

In 1843 the tide turned, and the dem- ocracy carried the county by majorities ranging from eleven to one hundred and forty-five, excepting on county treasurer, Iverson L. Twyman, whig, being elec- ted over Jesse M. Chapman, the demo- cratic candidate, by one hundred and seventeen votes. The cause of the lat- ter's defeat was attributed to his being a minister. of the gospel, there being a prejudice in the minds of many against voting for one of his class for an office. At this election the interest all centered in the candidates for congress, Cyrus Walker, the representative of the whig element, and James P. Hoge, the leader of the democracy. The former lived, at that time in the rising city of Macomb, engaged in the profession of law, and enjoyed a practice which extended over the whole northwestern part of this state, and over into Iowa. The Mormons, many of whom had settled in Hancock county,' held the balance of power in this district, and in order to lure victory to their ban- ners, it was necessary to have this Mor- mon vote. Mr. Walker, was considered by the whigs the best man to capture their suffrages, having on one or two oc- casions served Joseph Smith, the so-

called prophet, as counsel, and brought the suits to a successful termination. Joseph Smith the prophet, and George Miller, a leading bishop in the church, both wrote to Mr. Walker, urging him to become a candidate and pledging him the Mormon vote. The latter of these was formerly an elder in the Presbyterian church, at Macomb, and well acquainted with Mr. Walker. Thus solicited, Mr. Walker became a candidate and enter- ing into the canvass with his whole soul, commenced "stumping the district. But his democratic opponents were not idle, and worked hard to bring the Mormon vote to their side. Some time before the canvass commenced, Joseph Smith was arrested on a requisition from the governor of Missouri, and delivered to an agent from that state. The writ was returned satisfied. Before he could be taken out of the state, however, he was released on a writ issued by a Mormon justice of Nauvoo, as was allowable by the charter of that city. . The Missouri authorities now applied to Governor Ford, of this state, to renew the writ and send a force of militia to enforce it, but the governor would not do this. The democratic managers now raised the idea in the minds of the Mormons that if they voted for the whig candidate, the militia would be sent against them. Backinstos, a leading democrat, of Han- cock county, went to Springfield, and Governor Ford being absent, a leading democrat in that city, in his name, gave a promise that if the Mormons voted the democratic ticket, the militia should not be used against them. They now re- solved to drop Walker and take up Hoge. On Saturday before the election, Hi-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ram Smith, brother of Joseph, in a pub- lic address delivered in Nauvoo, told the Mormons that the Lord had revealed to him that if they voted against Hoge, a greater curse would befall them than be- fell them in Missouri; therefore, " when the Lord speaks, let men obey." Word · was sent Mr. Walker a few days before this that the Mormons would probably forsake him, and he at once went to Nauvoo and sought out Joseph Smith for an explanation. He was present when Hiram delivered his address, and was very indignant over the matter. Joseph Smith, likewise, appeared to be very angry with Hiram, and told Mr. Walker he would yet make it all right with him, and that he, himself the next. day, (Sunday), would speak to the ·peo- ple in his favor. Agreeably to his prom- ise, he spoke for about an hour, eulogis- ing Mr. Walker very highly, declaring that he was-no politician, but an honest man; denounced those who should con- sult the Lord as to how they should vote, and declared that if any should do it, he should be cut off from salva- tion; said he should vote for his friend. Mr. Walker. But in his hour's speech one thing was noticed: that not with- standing the strong terms in which he denounced those who should consult the Lord as to how they should vote, he said; " Brother Hiram is the elder brother;" " Brother Hiram never has deceived this people;" "Brother Hiram loves this people;" " When the Lord commands, the people must obey." The next day Joseph did vote for Mr. Walker, but the balance of the Mormons voted for Mr. Hoge, and elected him, as the Lord had commanded. In this county, and in

other counties in the district, Walker was denounced by some of the whigs for trying to get the Mormon vote, and it is said he lost as many of their votes on this account as would have elected him.

At the August election in 1844, the democrats carried the county on con- gressman and state senator, but on all county offices, the whigs were the vict- ors. W. H. Randolph, the whig candi- date for state representative, defeated his opponent H. L. Bryant, by 47 bal- lots. In November, of the same year was the eventful election of James K. Polk and George M. Dallas, the demo- cratic nominees for the presidency and vice-presidency, over Henry Clay and Frelinghuysen. Party spirit ran high throughout the country, and McDonough county did not escape the contagion, al- though not so large a vote was polled, the whigs not appearing in full numbers, having given the state to the democratic party. The democratic. nominee re- ceived 484 ballots and the whig 479, a majority of five for the former.

In 1845, a light vote was polled, poli- tics seemingly not entering into the can- vass, but it was governed solely by local issues. Robert Bean was elected county commissioner, Charles Chandler, school commissioner and W. W. Clay- ton, coroner.

· The Democrats carried the county in 1846, on the state officers, by a small majority, while the whigs elected their nominees for the county officers, by ma- jorities ranging from thirty-three to ninety-five, owing to personal popular- ity and local causes. W. H. Randolph was elected to the legislature.

Newland Fred

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

At the special election held in April, 1847, the democrats elected James M. Campbell and John Huston as members of the constitutional convention from this county. On county officers, at the regular election, the honors were evenly divided.

The year 1848, was the scene of an- other presidential conflict. The whigs nominated as their candidate, Zachary Taylor, the hero of the earlier days of the war with Mexico. Lewis Cass, the vet- eran statesman of Michigan, was the nominee of the democratic party. Mar- tin Van Buren, was, also, placed in nomi- nation by the new party, then called the "free soil," but which afterwards became the present republican party. With these three standard-bearers, the cam- paign was begun. In this county, Tay- lor polled 437 votes, Cass 416 and Van Buren, the paltry vote of 25 ballots. The democrats elected two of their candi- date to county offices, Samuel Calvin, to that of county commissioner, and John P. Head to that of coroner. Josiah Harrison was elected as member of the legislature ; David Lawson, sheriff ; James W. Brattle, surveyor; all on the whig ticket.

At the regular election of 1849, which was the first held under the new consti- tution, and occurred in November, the democracy captured all the county of- fices, electing James Clarke to the office of county judge, Isaac Grantham to that of clerk, William T. Head, treasurer, and W. H. Rile, surveyor.

The campaign of 1850, was principally conducted upon the county offices, al- though a congressman and member of the legislature were to be chosen. The dem-

ocratic party were victorious through- out, electing W. T. Head, as sheriff; Samuel E. Taylor, treasurer; Lewis Cravens, coroner; John H. Huston rep- resentative, and Thompson Campbell, congressman. On the question of a general banking law, in the state, the friends of that measure, in McDonough county had a majority of one in a total vote of 934.

In 1852, the whigs, as a national party made their last great effort for the con- trol of the affairs of the country. They placed at the head of their ticket the - name of General Winfield Scott, the hero of Lundy's Lane, Chippawa Falls, in the war of 1812-15; of Vera Cruz, Chepul- tepec, Molino del Rey, Conteras, and Churubusco, in the Mexican war. The democrats nominated Franklin Pierce for the presidency, and the "free soil," then the abolition party, meeting in convention at Pittsburg placed in nom- ination, John P. Hale. Strong efforts were made by both the old parties to elect their candidates, and excitement was rife in the land. In this county party feeling ran high and a full vote was cast. General Scott, the whig can- didate, having a majority of two in a total vote of 1687. E. B. Webb, the nominee of the same party for governor, had, in McDonough county, a majority of three over Joel A. Matteson, his dem- ocratic opponent. In county matters the democrats succeeded in electing Sydnor H. Hogan as sheriff, the whigs capturing all other offices.

The election of 1853, was for county officers, and the democratic party elected Thompson Chandler, county judge; Samuel Calvin and S. J. Grigsby, asso-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ciate justices; Isaac Grantham, county clerk; T. B. McCormick, treasurer, and J. R. Simpson, school commissioner, all the offices voted for by fair majorities. The total vote polled was 1549.

1854-This was the last year the whig party put forth candidates for office. In this election they were again unsuccess- ful. As a national party, it was consid- ered as good as dead, and therefore, even in this county, where the chances of success was as good as that of the oppo- sition, they could awake no enthusiasm. The democrats carried the county by majorities ranging from 24 to 142, with the exception of the member of the legis- lature, L. H. Waters (whig), being elected over John E. Jackson by a majority of one vote. Mr. Waters ran not only as a whig candidate, but as a temperance candidate, doubtless receiv- ing some few votes from democrats who were favorable to the Maine liquor law, an effort being made to secure the pas- sage in this state of a similar law. Mr. Jackson, believing fraud had been per- petrated on the part of the opposition, notified Mr. Waters that he should con- test the election; and the latter, feeling that the question could best be settled by appealing again to the people, sent in his resignation to the governor, who accepted it and issued an order for a new election on Saturday, December 30. Both parties, metaphorically speaking, stripped themselves for the contest, and the battle was warm, indeed, resulting in the election . of Mr. Waters by a majority of nineteen votes.

In the following year, that of 1855, the democratic party had but little oppo- sition, electing all the officers by major-

ities ranging from two hundred. down- ward.

Former issues dividing the political parties had disappeared in 1856, and new issues were being rapidly formed. The whig party had ceased to exist, and on its ruins had been erected two other par- ties one having for its central truth oppo- sition to the further extension of slavery, and the other that American born citi- zens must rule America. These parties- had, of course, absorbed many of the members of the old democratic party. The American party not being opposed to slavery, or, at least, making no oppo- sition to it, either in the states in which it existed, or the newly formed terri- tories, where it had been made subject to admission by the repeal of the Mis- souri compromise, had become a numer- ous body in the south, with many adher- ents in the north. The republican party, basing its claims for popular suffrage upon its advocacy of freedom in 'the territories, was not permitted an exist- ence in the southern.states, and of neces- sity was confined to the north.

Candidates were placed in the fied for both national and state offices early in the year and platforms were adopted. That of the republicans, with John C. Fremont, as candidate for president, W. H. Bissell, for governor of Illinois, adopted as the principal plank of their platform, the doctrine of equal rights for all, and firm opposition to the ex- tension of slavery. The American party, with Millard Fillmore as their nominee, and a platform affirming their belief in the danger to American institutions from foreign immigration and the growth of Roman Catholic power, demanded that

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

"none but Americans be put on guard." The democratic national convention met at Cincinnati and adopted their platform, enunciating the principles advocated by them for so many years. The nomina- tions of James Buchanan and John C. Breckenridge were enthusiastically re- ceived.

In McDonough county the newly or- ganized republican party, had their full ticket in the field while the American party bent their full energies for the election of congressman, and the national and state ticket.

The republican and American parties, made common cause against the demo- cratic party, a partial alliance was entered into between them for the pur- pose of securing their ends. The Am- erican party, although out numbering the republican, was at a disadvantage, having no newspaper through which to express their views. In the congress- ional district, of which McDonough county formed a part, had two candi- dates nominated, for a long and short term, in consequence of a vacancy ex- isting, and it was generally agreed be- tween the two parties that if the Amer- icans would vote for Jackson Grimshaw, the republican candidate for the long term, the republicans would vote for Dr. J. B. Kyle, the American nominee for the short term. This arrangement was pretty generally carried out although not completely, many of the republicans failing to vote for Dr. Kyle. Jackson Grimshaw had a majority in the county of twenty-nine, while J. C. Davis, the democratic candidate for the short term distanced his competitor by 185 votes. For county officers the Americans made

no nominations, voting for the republi- can candidates generally. For state sen- ator, the republicans elected W. H. Franklin, by a majority of thirty. For representative, the vote stood. 1444, for Vandever Banks, republican to 1424 for George Hire, democrat, but on account of some informality in the returns from Prairie City township, the board of can- vassers threw them out. This precinct gave Banks 87 and Hire 29 votes. The certificate of election was given to Mr. Hire. The democrats, also, elected their candidates to the offices of circuit clerk and sheriff; the balance of the offices be- ing filled by the republican nominees.

An election was held in 1857 for county officers and but little excitement ensued. The American party, having but a short life, took no active part in this campaign, and the republicans only polling about the same vote as they did the year previous, the democrats elected all their nominees, by handsome major- ities.

The election in 1858, was for superin- tendent of public instruction, congress- man, representative and county officers. Although the republican party had re- ceived large accessions, mainly from the ranks of the American party, still they lacked about 200 of enough to carry this county. A very heavy vote was polled, however, reaching to 3719 in some cases.

The apathy displayed by both the re- publican and democratic parties in the contest of 1859, is remarkable. The former only polled about one-half and the latter three-fourths of their full strength and the election was a very tame affair, resulting in a complete victory for the democracy.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

The country was now becoming deeply moved over questions which stirred the popular heart as none had ever done be- fore. The storm had been gathering ever since the repeal of the Missouri compromise ; the struggles in Kansas had deeply intensified the feeling of the people of the north, and John Brown's attempt upon Harper's Ferry had been skillfully managed, so as to arouse and heat the people of the south. That the territories of the United States should be forever consecrated to freedom, was the solemn determination of a large majority of the people of the north, and that the boundaries of the institution of slavery should not be further enlarged. The south, seeking its perpetuation by means of enlarged political power, de- termined that it should not be restricted but should have enlarged privileges. The questions dividing parties were thus chiefly sectional, and pointed directly to war. In this state of public mind the republican party met in national conven- tion at Chicago, for the purpose of plac- ing in the field candidates for the offices of president and vice-president. . The names of Seward, Lincoln, Chase, Blair and Bates were proposed for the chief office. In the convention it was plain to see who was the favorite of the on- lookers, whose sympathies were of course enlisted in favor of Illinois' candidate. Every mention of Lincoln's name was received with cheer after cheer. Three ballots only were taken, and on the last Abraham Lincoln received a majority of all the votes cast, and was made the unanimous choice of the convention amid the most intense enthusiasm. Han- nibal Hamlin, of Maine, was selected as

the candidate for vice-president on the same ticket.

The democratic national convention was called to meet at Charleston, South Carolina. The friends of Stephen A. Douglas were active in urging his claims to the nomination for the presidency, many of the delegates from the northern states being instructed to use all honora- ble means to that end. The claims of Douglas were stoutly contested by the leaders of the democracy of the south, and it was evident, some time before the convention assembled, that it would be difficult to come to an agreement, espe- cially as the rule of the democratic na- tional convention required a two-thirds vote to nominate. Meeting in the city of Charleston, April 23, 1860, the con- vention remained in session ten days, at the expiration of which time no nomina- tions had been made, many of the dele- gates from the southern states withdraw- ing. After taking 57 ballots, it was found impossible for any candidate to receive a two-thirds vote of the entire body, so many delegates having with- drawn. Adjournment was then had to Baltimore, at which place, on the 19th of June, the convention met, but even here no agreement could be reached between the factions. After six days' struggle, however, Stephen A. Douglas was nomi- nated for president, and Benjamin Fitz- patrick, of Alabama, for vice-president. The nomination of Douglas was received with the wildest enthusiasm. Mr. Fitz- patrick declining the nomination for second place on the ticket, Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, was nominated.

That portion of the convention which seceded, held a convention June 23, and

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

nominated John C. Breckinridge, of Ken- tucky, for president, and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for vice-president. A "union conservative" convention was also held, at which John Bell, of Tennessee, was nominated for president, and Edward Everett, of Massachusetts, for vice- president.

With four presidential candidates in the field, the exciting questions growing out of the institution of slavery and the threats of disunion by a portion of the South in the event of the election of Lincoln, tended to make the campaign one of great interest. "Wide-awake " and " Invincible " clubs, and organiza- tion of "Hickory Boys " on the part of republicans and Douglas democrats, respectively, tended to increase the ex- citement. Large and enthusiastic meet- ings were held by each party in all the leading cities and towns, and even in many of the smaller villages. The names of the "Rail-Splitter " and the " Little Giant," evoked the greatest en- thusiasm.

This was one of the most memorable campaigns in the history of the country, one not equalled even by the the, hard' cider contest of 1840. The two favorite sons of Illinois were now rival candi- dates for the presidency, and such an ef- fort was put forth by the friends of each to carry the state as was never witnes- sed before or since. This county, being exceedingly close, was made a battle ground. Some of the best speakers in the state, of both parties, were sent here; monster meetings were held by each; the " Wide-awakes " and " Hick- ory Boys " were out in force, and im- mense efforts were put forth to influence

votes. Both state and county tickets, óf each of the parties, were claimed to be unexceptionable. A vast amount of money was spent: and the final result was, the republicans carried the county by majorities ranging from 11 to 127, though losing it on the presidential vote Douglas carrying it over Lincoln by 11 votes. John Bell, the Union candidate for president, received 62 votes and John C. Breckinridge 6. A larger vote was polled at this election than ever be- fore, and the charge of fraud was made by both parties, each against the other, with what truth has really never been determined, and probably never will be.

The war for the union was in progress during the political campaign of 1861, and issues growing out of the war were rapidly forming.

The election in McDonough county was principally for county officers, both parties having tickets in the field. Thompson Chandler, the democratic nominee for county judge, was elected, polling 403 votes more than S. A. Hen- dee, his competitor. James Mathews, county clerk, John Knappenberger,treas-

urer, S. A. Hunt, surveyor, and Louis A. Simmons, school superintendent, all democrats, were duly elected by hand- some majorities. J. C. Thompson, the democratic candidate for the position of delegate to the state constitutional con- vention, was also elected.

In 1862 and 1863 the democratic party in McDonough county were in the ascend- ency; in the former year carrying every- thing by majorities from 500 upward; in the latter year by small majorities. The total vote polled in 1863 was 3,655.

In 1864 Abraham Lincoln was renomi-

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nated by the republicans; associated with him on the ticket was Andrew Johnson, the union governor of Tennessee. The democrats put in nomination General George B. McClellan, for the presidency, and George H. Pendleton, of Ohio, for the vice-presidency. In this state the republican party met in convention and placed in nomination Richard J. Oglesby, for governor, and adopted a platform en- dorsing the renomination of Abraham Lincoln, and paying high tribute of praise to the loyal soldiers and soldiers' wives, who were daily making sacrifices that the union might be preserved. The democrats had, as their candidate for governor, James C. Robinson, and at that convention adopted resolutions de- nouncing the war and its further sup- port, and rejecting the equality of the negro with the white man. This was the darkest period of the war, and, al- though the feeling was intense, yet it was not manifested so much in the cam- paign as usual.

In McDonough county the contest was severe and the result close, the republi- cans succeeding in electing George L. Farwell, their candidate for the office of sheriff; all the balance of the democratic ticket carried the field.

In 1865, the election; which was purely local, was a bitterly contested one, the republicans making strenuous efforts to wrest the control of the county from their political adversaries. After an ex- citing campaign, a proper canvass of the votes demonstrated the success of their plan of action. W. H. H. Hainline, candidate for the office of county treas- urer, D. Branch, school commissioner, J. W. Brattle, surveyor, W. Ervin, county

clerk, and L. A. Simmons, county judge, all republicans, were elected by majori- ties ranging from 8 to 112.

The campaign of 1866 was fought on the issue of reconstruction in the south- ern states. The republicans, in conven- tion, resolved that the people who sub- dued the rebellion, and their representa- tives in congress, had the right to reor- ganize the states that were in rebellion. This was denied by the democrats and a portion of the republicans. The efforts put forth by the republicans last year were repeated this, and as a result their entire ticket was elected by majorities running from 290 to 424. In county matters there were two offices to fill, namely, those of sheriff and coroner. Samuel Wilson was elected to the first, and William W. Head, the latter.

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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 27

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150