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 40
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annual exhibitions, in which the people all manifested considerable interest. The fourth annual fair was held on these grounds, which are now known as the old fair grounds, and was well attended.
For the first four or five years two days was all sufficient to exhibit the few articles placed on exhibition. After this the society required three, then four, then five days, and after that the' entire week was required to satisfy the thou- sands who annually attended the Mc- Donough county fair. -
The society has been uniformly fortu- nate in its choice of officers. Thompson Chandler, the father of it, exerted him- self nobly to make its exhibitions suc- cessful, and great credit is due to him for carrying it through the first years of its existence. Messrs. Joseph Lownes, J. P. Updegraff, William Pointer, Amos Dixon, and E. C. Knapp have each labored to promote the best interests of the society. Joseph Burton, as secre- tary, was an indefatigable worker, spend- ing a great amount of time and money to bring the society up to its present high standard.
In 1867 the society purchased their present grounds just south of the city, on which they have made improvements, including price of land, of over $10,000. They now own the finest and most con- venient grounds in the state, and year by year, as their means will warrant, will continue to improve them.
For the past nine years the society has been singularly unfortunate, as all their fairs have been drowned out by rains. Six times they were held in the last week in August, and twice in the first week in September, to avoid this
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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
but six times it commenced raining Tuesday afternoon, of each fair week, just after_everything had been placed upon the ground. The society, of course, had all the premiums to pay, as they have done every year. During the most of the time of the rainy fairs, Dr. W. O. Blaisdell was president of the association, and they thinking perhaps he was the Jonah, C. V. Chandler was chosen in his place, but it is said that year it rained worse than ever. This of course would not do, so another gentleman was chosen, a strong church man, and no wheels of fortune or other gambling games were allowed upon the ground. But Jupiter Pluvius proved, again, unpropitious and the rains descended worse than ever.
The society have paid all premiums in full every year until 1884, and owing to their ill fortune are considerably in debt, but the managers are enterprising and plucky and hang on with the hope of making it a success .. The present of- ficers are as follows: J. B. · Venard, president; George W. Barker, vice pres- ident; W. H. Hainline, secretary; and C. V. Chandler, treasurer; G. W. Reed, Joseph W. McIntosh, A. V. Brooking, James T. Rexroat and W. O. Blaisdell, directors. At the last meeting some dis- cussion was had as to the price of the gate fee. W. S. Taylor favored 25 cents, Dr. Blaisdell insisted on it being kept at 40 cents. Captain Sam Frost made a speech favoring 25 cents, Captain Reed also favored the lower rate, J. W. McIn- tosh had heretofore favored the higher rate but now he felt disposed to favor 25 cents. Gardner Chandler also favored the lower rate; A. K. Lodge was the next gentleman to speak, and he insisted that
25 cents was the proper sum at which to fix gate fee. W. H. Hainline spoke on the pending question but did not indi- cate his preference as to the amount to be charged; George W. Barker expressed himself in favor of the 25 cent admission fee. A vote was taken and it was de- cided to make the gate fee 25 cents.
MC DONOUGH COUNTY STOCK ASSOCIATION.
In 1870, the McDonough county stock association was regularly incor- porated, and held its first exhibition in July of that year. Exhibitions were also held in 1871 and 1872. In 1873 the asso- ciation failed to have an exhibition, and the following year it united its fortunes with the agricultural society, and the two combined are now known as the McDonough county agricultural and stock association.
BUSHNELL AGRICULTURAL AND MECHAN- ICAL ASSOCIATION.
During the summer of 1879, several gentlemen feeling that a fair for the ex- position of agricultural productions, and for mechanical implements more or less connected with husbandry, could be suc- cessfully operated at Bushnell, after a due canvass of the matter proceeded to effect an organization, under the name of the Bushnell Agricultural and Me -. chanical association. The following gentlemen were chosen as the first offi- cers: Louis Kaiser, president; S. A. Epperson and George W. Solomon, vice- presidents; J. E. Chandler, treasurer; D. F. Chidester, secretary; S. A. Hen- dee, C. C. Morse, D. N. Wisherd, M. L. Walker, I. Hanks and James A. Gardi- ner, directors. Grounds were at once
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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
procured and fitted up, and all prepara- tions made for holding their inaugural fair. This took place on September 23, 24, 25 and 26, 1879, and was a pronounced success. The rate of admission being fixed at the popular price of 25 cents, caused many to attend that would not had it been higher. Everything passed off as pleasantly as possible, and this, the first fair of the association, will long be remembered. From the very start the fairs have been a success, but from the time when J. E. Chandler was made president, he with his push and enter- prise more than doubled the interest in its welfare. Each year witnessed the annual gathering of the worthy agricul- turists, artisans, merchants and profes- sional men of the county, and each year all pronounced the fair superior to its predecessors. The sixth annual exposi- tion was given on September 29 and 30, and October 1, 2 and 3, 1884, which was largely attended. The following is a list of the officers for the last year: J. E. Chandler, president; A. H. Roman, general superintendent; Ira Applegate, marshal; S. Raymond, superintendent of cattle; M. L. Walker, of horses; D. M. Bethard, of sheep; A. J. Tiger, of swine; W. C. Pinkley, of poultry; J. C. Cadwalader, agricultural implements; J. J. Campbell, of mechanic arts; A. L. Sparks, of farm products; T. F. Seibert, of manufactures; H. T. Clarke, of needle- work; E. K. Westfall, of merchan- dise; J. B. Cummings, of fruits and flowers; B. F. Pinkley, of wines, dairy and culinary; Ed. C. Pierce, of fine art collections; P. R. Perrine, of birds and baby class. This fair was the most suc- cessful of any yet held.
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
One of the most enjoyable affairs is the reunion of the pioneers of any given locality. For the purpose of providing. for stated meetings, associations of old settlers have been formed in almost every county throughout the length and breadth of the land; especially is this true in all the states west of the Allegheny mountains; states that have been settled within the present century. These asso- ciations have done, and are doing much for the preservation of historical events, and as such are surely commendable. The lessons of the past teach us the du- ties pertaining to the future. The fires of patriotism, the love of country or of home, is strengthened by a narration of such important events as tend to stir the blood or quicken to life those divine af- fections in man. Many a youth has chosen the life of a soldier from reading the accounts of the great battles and glorious deeds of · an Alexander, a Han- nibal, a Napoleon, a Wellington, or our own brave and noble Washington, The lists of statesmen have been augmented by the example of a Pitt, a Webster, a Clay or a Calhoun. Patriotism and love of country have been awakened by read- ing the sublime utterances of Patrick Henry,John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Doug- las. The love of home, love of parents and kindred have been strengthened by oft- told tales of aged fathers or mothers, es- pecially of that pioneer father or mother who toiled early and late, hard and long, in order to give their descendants the priceless boon of a home of plenty and of peace, of refinement and love for God and humanity.
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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
The pioneers, in gathering together in these annual re-unions, seem to live over again the early days. Their eyes spar- kle and they grow young as the fading reminiscences of other days are recalled. As well stated by a speaker-himself a pioneer-at a meeting in a neighboring county :
" You come together with varied emo- tions. Some of you, almost at the foot of life's hill, look back and upward at the path you have trod, while others, . who have just reached life's summit, gaze down into the valley of tears with many a hope and fear. You, gray- headed fathers, have done your work; you have done it well; and now, as the sunset of life is closing around you, you are given the rare boon of enjoyment, the fruits of your own labor. You can see the land won by your own right arm, from its wilderness state, and from a savage foe, pass to your children, and your children's children-literally " a land flowing with milk and honey;' a land over which hovers the white-robed angels of religion and peace; a' land fairer and brighter and more glorious than any other land beneath the blue arch of Heaven. You have done your work well, and when the time of rest shall come, you will sink to the dream- less repose with the calm conciousness of duty done."
Pursuant to a notice published in the papers, a number of the old settlers of McDonough county assembled at Camp- bell's hall in Macomb on the 15th of July, 1869, for the purpose of renewing acquaintances, talking over old times, and organizing an Old Settler's associa- tion for McDonough county.
The meeting was called to order by James M. Campbell, and on his motion Major John M. Walker was called to the chair. L. A. Simmons was appointed secretary, pro tem. Mr. Campbell stated the object of the meeting, and offered the following resolution, which was - adopted, without debate: .
Resolved, that each old settler of McDonough county, now present, give to the secretary his name, place of nat- ivity, age, the date of his settlement in McDonough county, and the place of his present residence.
William S. Bailey offered the follow- ing resolution, which was on motion, adopted:
Resolved, That all persons living in McDonough county, who have lived in this state 33 years, may become mem- bers of the Old Settlers' society.
The following gentlemen then came forward and presented their names, to- gether with the information desired:
J. M. Walker, J. H. Campbell, W. C. McKamy, Samuel McKamy, Orsemus Harrington, Levi Hamilton, James M. Campbell, James B. Kyle, John Clarke, W. W. Bailey, J. W. Westfall, S. A. Knott, Loven Garrett, Silas Creel, Eli- sha Ferguson, Willis B. Gordon, R. H. Broaddus, J. W. Brattle, H. T. Gilfrey, W. E. Withrow, James R. Simpson. Joshua Simmons, W. W. McCord, B. F. Naylor, William Pennington, Charles Creel, William Cannon, B. F. Martin, C. W. Dunsworth, John Friend, J. H. Atkinson, William S. Bailey, Joseph P. Updegraff, W. H. Hays, M. C. Archer, Joseph E. Wyne, David Clarke, James Clarke, J. A. Creel, James Willis, James Chamberlain, Samuel Dodds, Samuel
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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
Wilson, Joseph McCroskey, and Abner E. Barnes.
On motion of James M. Campbell it was
Resolved, That a committee of three from each township in McDonough county be ap- pointed, to report at the next meeting, a list of old setilers of this county, in their respective * townships, the nativity and age of each; when they settled in the county, and their present res- idence. The said lists to contain the names of all persons, male and female, who settled in Mc- Donough county prior to July 15, 1836.
In accordance with the foregoing res- olution, the chairman appointed the fol- lowing named gentlemen as the com- mittees:
Eldorado township - Thomas Ausberry, H. Foster and William S. Campbell.
New Salem - Salem Woods, J. E. D. Hemin- over and Richard Pennington.
Mound-Thomas J. Creel, David Kepple and William Jackson.
Bushnell-Samuel A. Hunt, William Hamil- ton and J. L. Anderson.
Prairie City-D. R. Hamilton and G. T. Liv- ingston.
Walnut Grove-W. W. Stewart, D. Campbell and John McSperritt.
Macomb city and township - U. S. Hamilton, J. M. Campbell, J. B. Kyle and J. A. Creel.
Scotland-J. M. Walker, J. H. Campbell and James Willis.
Industry-T. J. Pennington, G. A. Taylor and D. M. Creel.
Betliel-Samuel Wilson, James Archer and John Dunswortlı.
Chalmers - C. W. Dunsworth, T. B. McCor- mick and John Friend.
Emmett-H. S. Head, B. T. Naylor and George G. Guy,
Sciota-W. B. Clarke, John Logan and John S. Campbell.
Blandinsville-Harrison Hungate, R. Grigsby and Q. C. Ward,
Hire-Vandeveer Banks, Charles Martin and C. Hungate.
Tennessee-J. H. Atkinson, J. J. Lawyer and S. Cockerham.
Lamoine-John Weir, Charles Hill and John Twidwell.
A motion was made that the chair ap- point a committee of five to draft a con- stitution for the Old Settlers' association, together with appropriate resolutions, with the request that they report at the next meeting. This being carried, the chairman appointed James M. Camp- bell, James B. Kyle, James W. Brattle, William S. Bailey and Joseph Upde- graff as members of the committee.
Joseph E. Wyne was elected secretary of the society, a collection was taken up, and the assembly adjourned, to meet, in the same place, August 14, next follow- ing, at 1 o'clock P. M.
On the day appointed, many of the pioneers of the county appeared at the county seat, and after taking part in the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new court house, assembled at the hall and were called to order. The com- mittee appointed at the last meeting for the purpose presented the following draft of a constitution, which was unani- mously adopted:
Article 1. All citizens of McDonough county, who have resided therein 33 years, or who have resided in the state of Illinois 33 years, and who are now residents of said county, by giving their names, place of birth, age, and residence, become members of this association.
Article 2. The officers of the association shall be a president, a vice president for each town- ship, a secretary and treasurer-whose duties shall be such as usually pertain to those offices- who shall be elected by a majority of the mem- bers present at each annual meeting, and shall hold their offices for one year, and until their successors are elected and qualified.
Article 3. The above named officers shall constitute an executive board, who shall have
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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
power to call special meetings of the associa- tion, to fill vacancies in the offices, when any occur, and shall have power to transact any busi- ness in the name of the association which they may deem necessary during recess.
Article 4. The secretary shall keep a fair record of the proceedings of the association and executive board, in a book provided for the pur- pose, and therein to enter the full names of each member, place and date of birth, age, date of residence in Illinois, and date of residence in the county, present place of residence and occu- pation ; he shall give public notice of all meet- ings of the association.
Article 5. The treasurer shall hold all mon- ies of the association, and shall pay the same only on the order of the executive board, at- tested by the secretary, and shall annually re- port the same to the association.
Article 6. The vice president in each town- ship shall be a a committee to present the claims of the association to the old settler citizens, and obtain their names and forward for record of membership to the secretary.
Article 7. Any five members of the executive board shall constitute a quorum to do business after notice duly given of a call meeting of said association.
Article 8. The meetings of the association shall be held annually on the 29th of September, but the executive board shall have power to call special meetings at such times and places as they may determine.
Article 9. The executive board shall desig- nate a badge of membership to be worn by each member at all meetings of the association.
Article 10. This constitution may be amended at any annual meeting of the association, or an adjourned meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.
After the adoption of the above con- stitution, balloting for officers took place, resulting in the choice of the following: President, John M. Walker; vice presi- dents, Daniel Stockton, Frank Hammer, Robert Kepple, Charles Cheesbro, S. A. Hunt, D. M. Creel, J. H. Campbell, James M. Campbell, Daniel Crabb,
David Campbell, William Venard, J. Sullivan, William Naylor, W. B. Clarke, Charles Hills, Larkin C. Bacon, Vande- ver Banks and William Hardesty ; Charles Chandler, treasurer; Joseph E. Wyne, secretary.
For many years annual meetings of the association were held, and a great deal of pleasure was the result of these reunions. Of late years, for some cause or other, these have been entirely sus- pended and the society has been allowed to slumber. The increasing years of its founders, the many removals by death of its members have all doubtless con- tributed to this end, but some hopes are entertained of its revival in the near future.
THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
[By W. H. Greene.]
This order, which was instituted for the social, mental, moral and material improvement of the agriculturist, and has accomplished so much for the farm- ers of the nation, and is still strong and flourishing in many localities, met with severe reverses in this county, in its business features, causing an indiffer- ence and neglect in maintaining the local organizations, and consequently that of the county. Many of the lead- ing farmers of the county ,were active workers in this order and refer with pleasure to its prosperous days, to the early associations for social and mutual benefit, the many meetings of the sub- ordinate and county granges and the great mass meeting celebration held at the fair grounds in Macomb July 4, 1873, which was the largest meeting of any kind ever held in the county-so .
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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
said the Prairie Farmer. The proces- sion extending for four miles. Here 10,000 people listened attentively to ad- dresses from C. C. Buell, W. H. Greene, A. Hanson and William Hunter upon the objects of the order and the benefits of united action. This immense dem- onstration was viewed with wonder and amazement by the people, and as a source of power by the politician who sought to gain favor or capture the new organization for his party. As an order, its principles prohibit the discusssion of or interference with either partisan poli- tics or religion. Still many of its mem- bers, as individuals, and very unfortun- ately for the order, were in favor of the new anti-monopoly party ; and while many of the leaders of the old political parties knew better, some were sincere, and the cry was raised to break down or capture the Grange. The new anti- monopoly party, then mainly formed from the farmers' clubs, got the ascend- ency by an alliance with the democracy who were persuaded to drop their party organization for the time, and the new party elected its officers in this county, among which were some grangers. At once it encountered the hostility of the republican party, and no doubt many sincerely believed the grange was polit- ical and secretly aiming to control politics. As master of the county grange for four years, and also of the local grange, I never allowed any discussion of partisan politics or religious sects.
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The first grange was organized at In- dustry in the winter of 1872-3 with John Downen, master. He was the first dep- uty in the county; and soon followed · Mound, Bushnell, Adair, Oakwood,
Friendship, Wiley, Bardolph, Maple Grove, Eldorado, Walnut Grove, Fan- don, Hire, Scotland, Pennington's Point, &c.
On the 14th of February, 1873, 14 granges met, through delegates, at In- dustry, and organized the central asso- ciation P. of H., of McDonough and ad- joining counties. W. H. Greene was chosen master, and Mr. Halliday, secre -. tary. The next meeting of the associa- tion was held at Bushnell, in Union hall, in the summer of 1873, and was repre- sented by forty-two granges from this and every adjoining county, with the fol- lowing officers: W. H. Greene, master; O. Crossan, secretary; executive com- mittee, D. D. Pearce, Bushnell; Thomas Seaburn, Adair, and George Meadows, Industry. The association met quarterly, and after the Bushnell meeting, all others were held at the court house in Macomb, and so continued through 1873 and '4 until 1875, when the change in the national and state grange by-laws formed the county or fifth degree, Po- mona Grange.
A good and strong organization was made from the association to the county grange, which existed from 1875 to 1879, holding its regular quarterly meetings, similar to the old association, but more systematic &c., forming a link between the local and state orders. Officers were elected annually. W. H. Greene was elected and continued as master, and Wm. Hunter treasurer, during the exis- tence of the organization which ended in 1879, when the incorporated stock company, called the McDonough county Grange and Commercial agency, sus- pended on account of loss of funds by
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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
its agent, T. J. Beard, who was unable, we believe, to account for some $1,500 or $2,000, in his hands as manager. W. M. Kirkpatrick, George W. Reid and T. C. Kirkpatrick, were secretaries during the time. -
The county grange, composed of del- egates and members from the various local organizations in the different town- ships, numbering at one time forty-two, met quarterly in the court house, at Ma- comb, for the discussion of various top- ics. From the programmes of Decem- ber, 1873 and December, 1874, I note the following: Cheap transportation, L. F. Smith. Shall we keep an account of our business? G. W. Reid. Ought our farmers work more than ten hours per day? T. L. Bowen. Equality of prices, Thomas Bailey. What fruits shall we cultivate? D. D. Pearce. The encouragement of home manufactures, W. H. Greene. How shall we guard our interests against rings and monopo- lies ? Jas. Manley. Farm management in rotation of crops, W. M. Kirkpatrick. Essay, the cultivation of the vegetable and flower garden, Mrs. W. H. Greene. I make a record of our work so the reader in future years may see the real work of the order in educating the farmer, it being, really, a farmer's in- stitute. The stock company, was char- tered Jan. 31, 1876, under the laws of the state of Illinois, on the application of the following commissioners, selected by the county grange, viz; Wm. Hunter, G. Furchtbar, Daniel Ferster, Jas. F. Bradford and William H. Greene, with a capital stock of $3,080 with the privilege of increasing is to $20,000. The purpose for which it was formed is
set forth in the charter as follows: "The object for which it is formed is for the purpose of dealing in agricultural. im- plements, general household · supplies and goods, dealing in and storing and shipping grain, dealing in live stock and shipping the same, and with power to sue and be sued.
The amount of each share shall be $10. The number of shares shall be 308 with the privilege of increasing it to 2,000.
James Manley, E. N. Hicks, L. F. Smith, W. H. Greene and Wm. Hunter, were the first directors. John Myers was elected the second year in place of L. F. Smith, and the others re-elected each year. On the organization of the board, February 12, 1876, Jas. Manley was chosen president, W. H. Greene, secretary, and Wm. Hunter, treasurer, J. T. Beard was appointed agent. The company handled agricultural imple- ments, groceries, hardware, &c. Dur- ing the first eight and one-half months, a business of $20,000 per annum was transacted, and the directors declared a dividend of 10 per cent. on' stock and stockholder's purchases.
The second year the agent reported sales about as large as the previous year, but could not account for some $1,500, and with failing health and at his own request, was discharged, and C. H. Friend appointed agent. With some bad debts made by the first agent, the business of the company was badly crippled. The directors individually furnished $500 cash to continue the business, but found it impossible, and on March 15, 1879, an assignment was made. Thus closed an agency which had saved many hundreds
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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.
of dollars to the farmer, and might, un- der an efficient agent, have continued. Mr. Beard's loss and making bad ac- counts so crippled the company that the new agent, although efficient and strictly honest in the management, could only keep the business alive.
The McDonough county grange was among the first to send relief to the starving people of Kansas in December, 1874, having collected three car loads of flour, meal, meat, beans, dried fruit, etc., and sent their own men with the stuff, who arranged the distribution of the same, viz: W. H. Greene, Thomas Fulk- erson and G. G. Venard. On their ar- rival at Topeka, Kansas, and reception by Gov. Stover and the state relief com- mittee, they reported three car loads of provisions for the sufferers. The gover- nor's office was filled with applicants from various counties for immediate re- lief, and great was the enthusiasm and joy expressed on that occasion. This was most opportune, arriving early, be- fore the bulk of aid was received. It was a scene never to be forgotten, and occurred while the committee were de- vising plans to relieve the hungry and needy sufferers. Expressions of grati- tude were made, and applause, loud and long, when Mr. Greene had finished his remarks, reporting the donation of Mc- Donough county grange, Illinois. Every heart was full to overflowing, and the audience, for the time being, seemed melted in tenderness and in love and sympathy. We felt that it was indeed " more blessed to give than receive," and though the order seems to have fin- ished its work here, it has educated the mind and prepared the people,'perhaps,
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