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 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134
Daniel Negley, rep.
467
County Treasurer.
J. Knappenberger, dem.
1225- 675
George B. Calvin, rep.
550
Surveyor.
Samuel A. Hunt, dem
1221- 663
C. A. Gilchrist, rep ..
558
School Commissioner.
Joseph C. Thompson, dem.
1247-1212
Scattering.
35
ELECTION 1858.
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
A. C. French, dem
1951- 183
N. Bateman, rep.
1768
Y
Congress.
I. N. Morris, dem
1944- 170
J. Grimshaw, rep.
1774
Representative.
William Berry, dem
1957- 192
C. R. Hume, rep.
Sheriff.
F. D. Lipe, dem
1968- 215
Strader, rep.
1753
Coroner.
J. H. Swigart, dem
1941- 177
- Neff, rep
1764
ELECTION 1859. County Clerk.
J. H. Baker, dem
1426- 480
J. E. Wyne, rep.
946
County Treasurer.
John Knappenberger, dem
1476- 576
Lawrence Nihill, rep.
900
1088
1765
259
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
Surveyor.
S. A. Hunt, dem ..
1464- 556
Thomas Gilmore, rep
908
School Superintendent.
J. C. Thompson, dem ..
1460- 556
W. E. Withrow, rep.
894
ELECTION 1860.
President.
John C. Breckinridge, dem
6
John Bell, union .. 62
Abraham Lincoln, rep.
2255
Stephen A. Douglas, dem
2266-
I1
Governor.
James Allen, dem.
2283
Richard Yates, rep
2300-
17
Thomas M. Hope, dem
4
Congress.
William A. Richardson, dem
2284
Benjamin M. Prentiss, rep.
2299-
15
Representative.
James D. Walker, dem.
2071- 127
S. H. McCandless, rep ..
1944
State's Attorney.
Thomas E. Morgan, dem
2301- 12
J. R. Gordon, rep.
2289
Sheriff.
Harvey T. Gagg, dem
2251
Silas J. Hopper rep.
2315- 64
Circuit Clerk.
William T. Head, dem
2289
J. B. Cummings, rep.
2300- 11
Coroner.
F. F. Hatch, dem ..
2251
Isaac P. Monfort, rep
2309- 58
ELECTION 1861.
Delegate to State Constitutional Convention.
J. C. Thompson, union dem.
1946- 414
Carter Van Vleck, rep.
1532
County Judge.
Thompson Chandler, dem
1923- 403
S. A. Hendee, rep.
1520
County Clerk.
James W. Mathews, dem.
1958- 499
Fred A. Cruser, rep
1459
County Treasurer.
John Knappenberger, dem
1943- 424
Henry C. Twyman, rep ..
1519
Surveyor.
Samuel A. Hunt, dem.
1925- 385
James W. Brattle, rep
1540
School Superintendent.
Louis A. Simmons, dem ..
1930- 384
J. W. Blount, rep.
1546
ELECTION 1862.
State Treasurer
Alexander Starne, dem
1954- 509
Wm. Butler, rep,
1443
4
Congressman at Large.
James C. Allen, dem.
1954- 513
E. C. Ingersoll, rep.
1443
L. G. Reid, dem
Representative.
1945- 503
Geo. F. Hendrickson, rep.
1442
Sheriff.
Amos Dixon, dem.
1946- 499
Lawrence Nihell, rep
1446
Coroner.
Jeremiah Sullivan, dem.
1957-574
W. K. Scott, rep.
1443
ELECTION 1863. County Treasurer.
John Knappenberger, dem.
1837-
19
Socrates Stevens, rep.
1818
School Superintendent.
John Barge, dem ..
1827- 13
J. C. Reynolds, rep
1814
Surveyor.
A. J. White, dem.
1833-
17
D. C. Folsom, rep.
1816
ELECTION 1864.
President.
Abraham Lincoln, rep ...
2145
2171- 26
R. J. Oglesby, rep.
2157
James C. Robinson, dem.
2182-
25
Congress.
Hugh Fullerton, rep
2154
Lewis W. Ross, dem
2180-
26
State Senator.
James Strain, rep.
2153
Henry K. Peffer, dem.
2181- 28
State's Attorney.
P. C. Stearns, rep.
2151
T. E. Morgan, dem
2182-
31
Representative.
Alexander Blackburn, rep ..
2146-
39
William H. Neece, dem
2185
Circuit Clerk.
John B. Cummings, rep.
2157
John H. Hungate, dem.
Sheriff.
G. L. Farwell, rep
2169-
5
Lewis F. Smith, dem
2164
Coroner.
James H. Epperson, rep.
2151
J. Sullivan, dem
2179-
28
Surveyor.
James W. Brattle, rep
2148
J. B. Nickle, dem.
2176- 28
ELECTION 1864.
Surveyor.
J. W. Brattle, rep
2126 --
8
J. E. Morris, dem
2118
School Superintendent.
D. Branch, rep.
2102- 77
William Venable.
21
Theodore Kendrick, dem
2025
County Treasurer.
W. H. H. Hainline, rep.
2098- 35
J. W. Westfall, dem ..
2063
ELECTION 1865. County Clerk.
William Ervin, rep.
2124- 112
J. N. Chase, Jr., dem
2012
County Judge.
L. A. Simmons, rep ...
2088- 83
2006
William H. Jackson, dem:
2170- 13
George B. Mcclellan, dem.
Governor.
260
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
ELECTION 1866.
State Treasurer.
, George W. Smith, rep
2753- 415
Jesse Phillips, dem.
2338
Congress.
Charles E. Lippincott, rep.
2755- 416
Lewis W. Ross, dem
2339
Representative.
A. Hauson, rep.
2750- 410
William Berry, dem.
2340
Sheriff.
Samuel Wilson, rep
2667- 290
F. D. Lipe, dem
2377
Coroner.
William W. Head, rep.
2756- 424
Jeremiah Sullivan, dem.
2332
ELECTION 1867. County Treasurer.
Sydnor II. Hogan, dem ..
2007- 17
Squire A. Epperson, rep.
1990
Surveyor.
S. A. Hunt, dem
2055- 123
DeWitt C. Folsomn, rep.
1932
1
ELECTION 1868.
President.
Horatio Seymour, dem
2721
U. S. Grant, rep.
2935- 214
Governor.
John R. Eden, dem
2734
John M. Palmer, rep
2933- 199
Congress.
Thompson McNeely, dem
2730
Leonard F. Ross, rep.
2934- 204
State Attorney.
L. W. James, dem.
2729
C. H. Sweeney, rep
2832- 203
State Senator.
John H. Hungate, dem.
2752
Isaac McManus, rep.
2906- 154
Representative.
Henry W. Kreider, dem ..
2753
Humphrey Horrabin, rep.
2897- 144
Circuit Clerk.
Edgar R. Wright, dem.
2766
Benjamin F. Pinkley, rep ..
2891- 125
Sheriff.
William C. McLeod, dem ..
2712
John E. Lane, rep.
2930- 218
Coroner.
Harvy F. Chase, dem
2724
J. H. Epperson, rep ...
2926- 202
ELECTION 1869.
County Judge.
William S. Hendricks, rep.
2357
J. B. Nickle, dem.
2374-
17
County Clerk.
James H. Provine, rep
2288
.Q. C. Ward, den
2449 -- 161
County Treasurer.
Thomas J. Downen, rep.
2338
S. A. Hunt, dem
2392-
54
ELECTION 1869. Surveyor.
J. W. Lawson, rep
2354
W. J. Edie, dem ..
2385- 131
School Superintendent.
D. Branch, rep.
2248
L. II. Copeland, dem
2421- 173
ELECTION 1870. Congress.
B. F. Westlake, rep.
2285
T. W. McNeeley, dem
2410- 125
State Senator.
H. S. Senter, rep.
2285
B. R. Hampton, rep
2257
Thomas B. Cabeen, dem
2407-122
John S. Bailey, dem.
2419 -- 162
Representative.
George R. Moore, rep ....
2249
William S. Campbell, rep.
2261
W. H. Neece, dem.
2447- 198
James Manley, dem
2403- 142
Sheriff.
Charles C. Hays, rep
2280
Thomas Murray, dem
2377
Coroner.
James II. Epperson, rep ..
2274
D. W. Campbell, dem.
2406- 132
ELECTION 1871. Congressman at Large.
J. L. Beveridge, rep.
2396
Hays, dem ..
2512- 117
County Treasurer.
John E. Lane, rep ...
2271
William M. Lipe, dem.
2589 -- 318
Surveyor.
J. W. Siders, rep.
2404
James Shannon, dem
2501- 87
ELECTION 1872.
President.
U. S. Graut, rep
2797- 197
Horace Greeley, lib.
2600
Charles O'Connor, dem.
14
Governor.
R. J. Oglesby, rep.
2800 -- 90
Gustavus Koener, lib
2710
Congress.
William H. Ray, rep
2720
William H. Neece, lib.
2799-
79
State Senate.
Benjamin R. Hampton, rep ..
2755-
19
Moses A. Luce, lib.
2736
Representative.
E. K. Westfall, rep
4191%
W. A. Grant, rep.
4183%
J. E. Jacksoh, lib.
41781/2
Alpheus Lewis, lib.
3899
County Attorney.
Crosby F. Wheat, rep
2834- 166
John S. Bailey, lib.
2668
Circuit Clerk.
I. N. Pearson, rep.
2899- 275
James A. Mustain, lib.
Sheriff.
2624
.
Samuel Frost, rep
2841- 244
2597
Thomas Murray, lib
Coroner.
W. R. Pittman, rep
2795- 76
2719
Reuben Powell, lib
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
263
ELECTION 1873.
County Judge.
James Irwin, anti-monop. 2241- 226
Henderson Richie, rep ...
2015
County Clerk. .
Allen A. Sparks, anti-monop.
2284- 195
Asa K. Owen, rep ..
2089
County Treasurer.
Anthony Thornton, anti-monop
2229- 184
David Brockway, rep.
2045
School Superintendent.
John M. Dunsworth, anti-monop
2241- 172
John H. Case, rep ..
2069
ELECTION 1874.
Superintendent Public Instruction. 1
William B. Powell, rep.
2305 -- 28
Samuel M. Etter, dem.
2277
Congress.
Henderson Ritchie, rep.
2295- 44
John C. Bagby, dem and ind.
2251
George Meador
1
State Senator.
John T. Morgan, rep
2293- 896
James M. Campbell, dem
1407
Samuel T. Shelton, ind ..
864
Representative.
C. W. Boydston, rep.
3390
John E. Jackson, dem
4321
A. W. King, rep ..
34491%
Isaac L. Christy, ind. 28811/2
Sheriff.
J. B. Venard, rep.
2297- 938
Isaac Oakman, dem
1359
W. H. Ledgerwood, ind.
916
Coroner.
W. R. Pittman, rep
2272 -- 862
Thomas Cox, dem ..
1410
Thomas J. Beard, ind.
893
ELECTION 1875.
County. Treasurer.
J. W. Siders, rep.
2088 -- 561
P. Irwin, dem ..
1527
Anthony Thornton, ind.
422
Surveyor.
B. F. Howard, rep
2130 - 580
William J. Edie, dem
1550
Samuel Hunt, ind.
418
Coroner.
W. H. Wayland, rep
2102- 534
J. W. Westfall, dem
1568
James Manley, ind.
390
ELELTION 1876.
President.
Rutherford B. Hayes, rep.
2952- 141
Samnel J. Tilden, dem.
2811
Peter Cooper, ind.
347
Governor.
Shelby M. Cullom, rep
2958
Lewis Stewart, dem ..
3142- 184
Congress.
Benjamin F. Marsh, rep ...
2955- 117
John H. Huugate, dem.
2838
I. R. Christie, ind.
913
Representative.
C. W. Boydston, rep.
422512
E. K. Westfall, rep
4476
Charles H. Whitaker, dem.
7605
J. L. Epperson, ind ..
19081/2
County Attorney.
Crosby F. Wheat, rep.
3016- 198
George S. Fuhr, dem ..
2821
Circuit Clerk.
I. N. Pearson, rep
3105 --- 440
N. H. Jackson, dem
2665
L. F. Smith, ind.
339
Sheriff.
Charles C. Hays, rep.
3009 --- 226
Joseph W. Hays, dem
2783
Amos Dixon, ind.
305
Coroner.
George W. Reid, rep
2948 --- 180
Thomas Cox, dem ..
2768
W. L. Simpson, ind
384
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1877.
County Judge.
J. II. Baker, dem.
2413 --- 382
E. P. Pillsbury, rep.
20:29
J. O. Epperson, ind.
753
County Clerk.
C. W. Dines, dem
2286- 179
J. W. Parks, rep
2107
A. L. Sparks, ind.
799
Scattering.
2
Treasurer.
John Neff, dem.
2360- 267
A. Newland, rep.
2093
J. M. Little, ind.
734
Scattering
2
County Superintendent.
H. A. Maxwell, dem
2317- 197
A. W. McCandless, rep.
2120
Max Kennedy, ind.
726
J. M. Dunsworth
18
On the question of an appropriation to complete the
State Capitol.
For
900
Against.
3783-2883
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1878.
State Treasurer.
E. L. Conkrite, dem.
2528
John C. Smith, rep
2557- 29
E. N. Bates, ind.
884
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
S. M. Etter, dem
2529
J. P. Slade, rep.
2553-
24
F. H. Hall, ind.
883
Clerk of Supreme Court.
E. A. Snively, đem
2529
M. B, Converse, rep.
2551- 22
T. L. Knowles, ind.
885
Clerk of Appellate Court.
G. W. Jones, dem
2526
M. M. Duncan, rep.
2553-
27
C. E. Shoaff, ind.
900
Congress.
D. P. Phelps, dem
2552
2572-
15
B. F. Marsh, rep ..
A. J. Streator, ind
847
16
264
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
State Senator.
W. II. Neece, dem ..
2923- 498
William Venable, rep .. 2435
J. G. Madden, ind ..
608
Representative.
M. A. Lewis, dem
7152
Ilenry Black, rep.
39621%
E. W. Allen, rep
3623
John Downen, ind.
30871/2
County Attorney.
William Prentiss, dem ...
2815- 258
J. B. McConnell, rep.
2557
Sheriff.
W. II. Taylor, dem
2536
33
C. C. Hays, rep ..
2503
Samuel Frost, ind.
909
Coroner.
T. J. Bowman, dem
2541
G. W. Reid, rep.
2560-
19
G. W. Keithley, ind.
On the prohibition ticket Groen received 15 votes in the county ; Smith, for clerk of appellate court, 16; Kate Ilopins, 15 for superintendent of public instruction.
On the question of an amendment to the constitution permitting drainage.
For
2729 --- 1750
Against
979
SPECIAL ELECTION, DECEMBER 3, 1878.
Treasurer.
J. W. Westfall, dem.
2320 --- 305
B. R. Westfall, rep
2015
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1879
County Treasurer.
W. M. Ragon, rep.
2360 --- 138
D. A. Herlocker, dem.
Wilson, greenbacker
253
County Surveyor.
Cephas Holmes, rep
2389 --- 222
W. J. Edie, dem.
2167
· Currens, greenbacker
272
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1880.
President.
J. A. Garfield, rep
3014 --- 137
W. S. Hancock, dem.
2877
J. B. Weaver, greenbacker.
464
Governor.
S. M. Cullom, rep
3006 --- 140
Lyman Trumbull, dem.
2866
A. J. Streator, greenbacker.
468
Lieutenant Governor.
J. M. Hamilton, rep
3018 --- 140
L. B. Parson, dem.
2879
A. B. Adair, greenbacker
464
Secretary of State.
H. D. Dement, rep
3017- 138
J. H. Oberly, dem
2879
J. M. Thompson, greenbacker
464
State Auditor.
C. P. Swigert, rep.
3018 --- 140
L. C. Starkel, den
2878
W. T. Ingam, greenbacker
463
State Treasurer.
Edward Rutz, rep ....
3018 -- 140
T. Butterworth, dem
2878
G. W. Evans, greenbacker.
463
Attorney General.
James McCartney, rep ..
3018 --- 141
L .. Harmon, dem ...
2877
II. L. Whitlock, greenbacker.
463
Scattering
1
Congress.
B. F. Marsh, rep.
3010
Robert Halloway, dem ..
3105 -- 95
George Meador, greenbacker.
202
Member Board of Equalization.
William Crouch, rep
3018 --- 140
J. D. Stephens, dem.
2878
R. J. Cabeen, greenbacker.
460
Representative.
S. B. Davis, rep.
452812
D. D. Parry, rep.
450015
/2
W. C. McLeod, dem.
812314
William Birdsall. greenbacker.
187512
County Attorney.
J. M. Blazer, rep.
3043
William Prentiss, dem
3184 --- 141
Circuit Clerk.
J. E. Wyne, rep
3030- 126
T. Huston, dem ..
2904
J. O. Cowan, greenbacker
418
Sheriff.
Fred Newland, rep
3022- 30
J. A. Cowperthwaite, dem
2992
G. W. Baker, greenbacker
323
Coroner.
C. F. Griffith, rep.
2997- 99
J. M. Chase, dem.
2898
James Manley, greenbacker.
439
On the question of an Appropriation to complete the
State Capitol.
For
1737
Against ..
1905- 161
The prohibition ticket for National and State officers,
received 13 votes in the county.
ELECTION NOVEMBER, 1882.
State Treasurer.
John C. Smith, rep.
2908
74
Alfred Orendorff, dem
2834
A. B. Irwin, prohib
129
McLaughlin, greenbacker.
194
State Superintendent.
Chas. T. Stratton, rep.
2890-
48
Raab, dem
2842
Brown, prohib
133
Hall, greenbacker
190
Scattering.
Congress.
B. H. Marsh, rep.
2523
W. H. Neece, dem.
3012- 489
Rev. R. Haney, pro. and greenbacker.
457
State Senator.
Henry Tubbs, rep
2899-
59
J. Ross Hanna, dem
2840
McCoy, prohib.
134
Scisson, greenbacker
184
Scattering.
3
State Representaties.
C. N. Rogers, rep ...
4203%
I. N. Pearson, rep
·4684%
I. L. Prart, dem
7448%
Logsdon, greenbacker.
104512
W. H. Grigsby, prohib.
674
Scattering ...
3
County Judge.
Isaac Weaver, rep
2754
J. II. Baker, dem
3212- 458
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
265
Fred Newland, rep
Sheriff.
3197- 398
J. A. Cowperthwaite, dem.
2799
County Clerk.
A. B. Wetsel, rep.
2679
C. W. Dines, dem
3341- 662
County Treasurer.
J. C. Cadwallader, rep
2810
Thoniss Sorter, den ..
3171- 361
Scattering.
1
County Superintendent.
Miss Ada Mariner, rep.
2895
T. J. Dudman, dem.
3062- 167
Coroner.
A. Switzer, rep
2934
Richard Lawrence, dem.
2965- 31
On the question of appropriation to complete the State Capitot.
For
1635
Against
3366-1731
On the question of ceding the Illinois and Michigan Canal to the United States.
For
2740 --- 1078
Against.
1662
On the question of McDonough County paying costs in Criminal cases.
For
3673-2520
Against
1153
ELECTION NOVEMBER, 1884.
President.
Grover Cleveland, dem
3080-
1
J. G. Blaine, rep .. 3079
B. F. Butler, greenbacker 154
J. P. St. John, prohib
121
Governor.
Carter Harrison, dem
3121 ---
18
R. J. Oglesby, rep .. 3103
James B. Hobbs, prohib
101
Jesse Harper, ind.
111
Lieutenant-Governor.
Henry Seiter, dem.
3104 -
8
John C. Smith, rep. 3096
A. C. Vanderwater, ind. 136
James S. Perryman, prohib
114
Secretary of State.
M. J. Dougherty, dem
3104-
8
Henry D. Dement, rep. 3096
H. E. Baldwin, ind. 151
C. W. Enos, prohib
104
State Auditor.
Walter E. Carlin, dem
3098-
1
C. P. Swigart, rep
3097
E. F. Reeves, ind.
142
For ...
2382 --- 1035
A. B. Irwin, prohib
113
Against
1347
State Treasurer. L
Alfred Orendorff, dem.
3100 --
3
Jacob Gross, rep
3097
Benj. W. Goodhne, ind.
141
Uriah Copp, prohib.
113
Attorney General.
Robt. L. Mckinlay, dem
3102-
- George Ilunt, rep
3095
John N. Gwin, ind.
141
Ilale Johnson, prohib
112
l'ongress.
Win. II. Neece, dem.
3356 -- 278
Alex P. Petrie, rep
2984
Robert H. Broaddus, prohib
94
Members of Board of Equalization.
R. J. Cabeen, dem
3242-
39
S. B. Dray, rep ..
3091
Almon Kidder, prohib
112
Scattering
1
State Legislature.
Horatio R. Bartleson, dem
4486
William II. Wier, dem
47581%
Calvin M. Rogers, rep
45141%
William H. McCord, rep
46831%
Joseph S. Allard, ind ..
3891%
C. C. Secrest, prohib.
3581%
Cterk Supreme Court.
Ethan A. Snively, dem
3125
Thos. L. McGrath, rep.
3126 --
1
Scattering
5
Cterk Appellate Court.
G. W. Jones, dem.
3123
L. W. Shepherd, rep
3123
Scattering.
5
Circuit Cterk.
C. S. Churchill, dem.
3242- 167
Frank L. Brown, rep.
3075
George Mourning.
79
State's Attorney.
Thos. J. Sparks, dem
3120
H. C. Agnew, rep.
3178 ---
58
County Surveyor.
William J. Edie, dem.
3131
Cephas Holmes, rep
3194 ---
63
Coroner.
John Hindman, dem
3155 --- 73
John E. Hendrickson, rep.
3082
Solomon Hainline.
106
On the question of appropriation to comptete State House.
For.
2892 --- 860
Against
2032
On the question of an amendment to the Constitution 30 as to give the Governor the power to veto a portion of a bitl submitted to him and not the whole.
-
266
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIII.
NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATION.
While unworthy man may at any and all times thrust themselves into office, in this free land, still it cannot but be acknowledged that the great body of the office-holders of the country, especially the elective ones, are truly representa- tive men-men of positive force and character. They are of the number of those that do much to build up and strengthen a town, a county'or a state. In this chapter it has been the endeavor, so far as is possible, to give slight sketches of all who have served the county of McDonough in the nation, state or county. That some of these are imperfect is known, but it should not be laid to the historian. Some that are mentioned have passed away from this mundane sphere, leaving no record from which a sketch could be written, while others have removed from this to other localities, and their present whereabouts is generally unknown.
CONGRESSIONAL. .
When the county of McDonough was organized, in 1830, the state of Illinois constituted but one congressional 'dis- trict, and was represented in the council of the nation by Joseph Duncan, a resi- dent of Jackson and Morgan counties. He was the second representative from this state, succeeding Daniel P. Cook, in
March, 1827. He represented Illinois in the 20th, 21st and 22d congress, or from 1827 to 1833.
Under the apportionment act approved February 13, 1831, the state was divided into three districts, and the county of McDonough was assigned a place in the third district. In the 24th congress it was represented by Joseph Duncan, but for a short time, he resigning the same on being elected governor of the state, and was succeeded by William L. May, of Springfield. He, also, served in the 25th congress.
The district was represented in the 26th congress, from 1839 to 1841, by John T. Stuart, who was re-elected to the 27th, serving until March, 1843. This gentleman was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, November 10, 1807. He was educated at Danville college, Kentucky, graduating in 1826, and studied law under Judge Breck. In 1828 he came to Springfield and entered upon the practice of law. It was in his office that Abraham Lincoln studied for the bar. In 1838 he ran against Stephen A. Douglas for congress and beat him, and in 1841 was re-elected, as above stated. During his congressional career he, during the session of 1841-3, secured an appropriation for the harbor at Chi- cago.
267
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
By the act of March 1, 1843, the state was divided into seven districts, and in the apportionment McDonough county was placed in the sixth district. The first election held under this act was in August, 1843, and Joseph P. Hoge, of JoDaviess county, was elected. The district comprised the counties of Stephenson, Winnebago, JoDaviess, Car- roll, Ogle, Lee, Whitesides, Rock Island, Henry, Stark, Mercer, Henderson, War- ren, Knox, Hancock and McDonough. Mr. Hoge served in the 28th congress, and was re-elected to the 29th, serving until March 4, 1847.
Thomas J. Turner was the next repre- sentative from the 6th district. He was a member of the 30th congress. He was a resident of Freeport.
In the 31st congress which convened at Washington March 4, 1849, this, the sixth district was represented by that noble warrior-statesman, E. D. Baker. He served in this congress. In after years he drifted to the Pacific slope, and in 1861, while serving as United States senator from Oregon, his adopted home, raised the 1st California regiment in New York and Philadelphia. That state refusing to father the matter after this, this noble body of men were turned over to the state of Pennsylvania, and became the 71st Pennsylvania infantry, and Colonel Baker commissioned anew. He was soon brevetted brigadier-gen- eral, and fell while gallantly leading his men at the battle of Ball's Bluff, Octo- ber 21, 1861.
By the act of August 22, 1852, the state of Illinois was re-divided into nine districts, and McDonough, associated with the counties of Adams, Pike, Cal-
houn, Brown, Schuyler, Hancock and Henderson, was erected into the fifth district. Under this act, the first elec- tion was held in November, 1852, and William A. Richardson, of Quincy, was elected, and served in the house of rep- resentatives during the 33d congress. He was re-elected to the 34th congress, and served until August 18, 1856, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Jacob C. Davis, who was elected to fill the va- cancy August 25. The latter served until March 4, 1857.
Isaac N. Morris, a resident of Quincy, Adams county, was the representative of this district in the 35th congress, and was re-elected to the 36th, serving four years, from March 4, 1857. He was an able man, and reflected credit upon his constituents, who had sent him to the national council.
William A. Richardson again was the member from the fifth district in the 37th congress, and served two years dur- ing the eventful days of the early part of the civil war.
By the census of 1860, it was found that the population of Illinois had so increased as to be entitled to fourteen congressmen, and under the apportion- ment act of 1861, the state was re-dis- tricted. By some error but thirteen dis- tricts were made, but to rectify it, one congressman was elected from the state- at-large. McDonough county, by this apportionment, became a part of the ninth district, and had associated with it the counties of Fulton, Mason, Menard, Cass, Schuyler, Brown and Pike. The district was represented in the national house of representatives of the 38th congress by Levi W. Ross. He was re-
268
HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
elected to the 39th and 40th congresses, serving, in all, six years.
Lewis W. Ross was born in Seneca Falls, New York, on the 2d of Decem- ber, 1812, and was the son of Ossian M. and Mary (Winans) Ross. In 1821, his father removed, with his family, to Illi- nois, and after about a year spent in Madison county, removed to Fulton county. He laid out the town of Lewis- town, and was prominently identified with that county. He held the office of sheriff, and was postmaster, both at Lew- istown and Havana, the latter the shire town of Mason county, which he laid out, also, and where he died in 1836. Lewis spent three years at Jacksonville college, where he finished his education. He read law with Josiah Lamborn, at the same place, and was admitted to the bar in 1837, and for 30 years was a prom- inent member of the bar in Fulton county. As an able advocate he has had few peers in Central Illinois, and was a powerful speaker, an adroit de- bater, and able rhetorican. He was a member of the state legislature from 1840 to 1844, inclusive, and a member of two constitutional conventions, and dur- ing the Mexican war served one year as captain of company K, 4th Illinois in- fantry, under the command of the cele- brated Colonel E. D. Baker. Mr. Ross has always been identified with the dem- ocratic party, and was by them elected to congress as above stated. He was a delegate to the Charleston and Baltimore conventions in 1860, which nominated S. A. Douglas for the presidency; to the St. Louis convention, in 1876, which nominated S. J. Tilden; and to the Cin- cinnati convention, of 1880, that resulted
in the nomination of W. S. Hancock. After leaving congress, Mr. Ross devoted himself to mercantile pursuits, but after- wards abandoned that and retired from business cares, having accumulated a fine property. He was married, June 13, 1839, to Frances M. Simms, and they have had twelve children, six of whom are living.
In the 41st congress, which convened for the first time March 4, 1869, the ninth district was represented by Thompson W. McNeely, of Petersburg, Menard county .. He was re-elected to the 42d congress, and served until March 1873. He was a native of Jacksonville, Illinois, of Scotch-Irish descent, his father being Robert McNeely, and his mother Ann Maria McNeely-nee Ware. The date of Thompson's birth was Oc- tober 5, 1835. After receiving the fund- amental portion of his education at the district schools of Menard county, whither his father had moved in 1839, he spent one year at Jubilee college, Pe- oria, and four years at the Lombard university of Galesburg, graduating from the latter with the degree of bach- elor of arts, in 1856, and receiving his master's degree three years later. He studied law in Petersburg, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1857, teaching school one term while studying his pro- fession. He attended the law depart- ment of the university of Kentucky and graduated therefrom in March, 1859. He has always taken a prominent posi- tion in the legal profession and in poli- tics affiliating with the Democratic party.
Under the apportionment act of July 2, 1872, made on the basis of the census
1
269
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.