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 5

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 5

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).

From Colton's "History of the Battle of Buena Vista, the following extract is taken: "As the enemy on our left was moving in retreat along the head of the plateau, our artillery was advanced until within range, and opened a heavy fire upon him, while Colonels Hardin, Bissell and McKee, with their Illinois and Ken- tucky troops, dashed gallantly forward in hot pursuit. A powerful reserve of the Mexican army was then just emerg- ing from the ravine, where it had been organized, and advanced on the plateau, opposite the head of the southernmost gorge. Those who were giving way ral- lied quickly upon it, when the whole force, thus increased to over 12,000 men, came forward in a perfect blaze of fire. It was a single column, composed of the best soldiers of the republic, having for its advanced battalions the veteran regi- ments. The Kentucky and Illinois troops were soon obliged to give ground before it, and seek the shelter of the second gorge. Over half of the column suddenly enveloped it, while the other half pressed on across the plateau, hav-

ing for the moment nothing to resist them except the three guns in their front. The portion that was immediately opposed to the Kentucky and Illinois troops, ran down along each side of the gorge, in which they had sought shelter, and also circled around its head, leaving no possible way of escape for them ex- cept by its mouth, which opened upon the road. Its sides, which were steep, --- at least an angle of forty-five degrees, -- were covered with loose pebbles and stones, and converged to a point at the bottom. Down there were our poor fel- lows, nearly three regiments of them (First and Second Illinois, and Second Kentucky), with but little opportunity to load or fire a gun, being hardly able to keep their feet. Above the whole edge of the gorge, all the way around, was darkened by the serried masses of the enemy, and was bristling with mus- kets directed on the crowd beneath. It was no time to pause. Those who were not immediately shot down rushed on to- ward the road, their number growing less and less as they went, Kentuckians and Illinoisans, officers and men, all mixed up in confusion, and all pressing on over the loose pebbles and rolling stones of those shelving, precipitous banks, and having lines and lines of the enemy fir- ing down from each side and rear as they went.

Just then the enemy's cavalry, which had gone to the left of the reserve, had come over the spur that divides the mouth of the second gorge from that of the third, and were now closing up the only door through which there was the least shadow of a chance for their lives. Many of those ahead endeavored to

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

force their way out, but few succeeded. The lancers were fully six to one, and their long weapons were already reek- ing with blood. It was at this time that those who were still back in that dread- ful gorge heard the roar of Washing- ton's battery. No music could have been more grateful to their ears. A moment only, and the whole opening, where the lancers were busy, rang with the repeated explosions of spherical case shot. They gave way. The gate, as it were, was clear, and out upon the road a stream of our poor fellows is- sued. They ran panting down toward the battery, and directly under the flight of iron then passing over their heads, into the retreating cavalry. Hardin, Clay, McKee, Willis, Zabriskie, Hough- ton, but why go on? It would be a sad task indeed to name over all who fell during this twenty minutes' slaughter. The whole gorge, from the plateau to its mouth, was strewn with our dead. All dead! No wounded there-not a man; for the infantry had rushed down the sides, and completed the work with the bayonet.

After a' hard fight, at night both ar- mies laid down upon their arms, in much the same position as in the morn- ing. However, early on the following morning, the glad tidings were heard amidst our army that the enemy had re- treated, thus again crowning the Amer- ican banners with victory.

In addition to Colonel Bissell, other names that shine as stars in this war are Shields, Baker, Harris, Hardin, Coffee -all from Illinois. Such, indeed, were the intrepid valor and daring courage exhibited by Illinois volunteers during

the Mexican war, that their deeds should live in the memory of their countrymen while time shall last. -

THE WAR FOR THE UNION.

In the war for the Union, no state can show a more glorious record than that of Illinois. Sumpter was fired upon April 12, 1861, Two days afterward, President Lincoln issued his first call for volunteers-75,000 in numbers. On the 15th, Governor Yates, issued his proclamation convening the legislature and ordering the enlistment of six regi- ments, the quota assigned the state. The call was no sooner made than filled. Patriotism filled every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, every vocation in life of- fered its best men. On assembling, the legislature authorized the raising of ten additional regiments, anticipating another call, At the close of 1861, Illi- nois had sent to the field nearly 50,000 men, and had 17,000 in camp awaiting marching orders, thus exceeding its full quota by 15,000.

In July and August of 1862, the President called for 600,000 men-the quota of Illinois being 52,296-and gave until August 18 as the limits in which the number might be raised by volun- teering, after which a draft would be or- dered. The state had already furnished 17,000 in excess of her quota, and it was first thought this number would be de- ducted from the present requisition, but this could not be done. But thirteen days were granted to enlist this vast army, which had to come from the far- mers and mechanics, The farmers were in the midst of harvest, but, inspired by

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

love of country, over 50,000 of them left their harvest ungathered, their tools and their benches, the plows in their furrows, turning their backs on their homes, and before eleven days had ex- pired, the demands of the government were met, and both quotas filled.

The war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the free states to crush out and destroy the mon- strous war traitors had inaugurated. But to every call for either men or money, there was a willing and ready response. And it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of money fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. On the 21st of December, 1864, the last call for troops was made. It was for 300,000 men. In consequence of an imperfect enrollment of the men sub- ject to military duty, it became evident, ere this call was made, that Illinois was furnishing thousands of men more than what her quota would have been, had it been correct. So glaring had this dis- proportion become, that under this call the quota of some districts exceeded the number of able-bodied men in them.

No troops ever fought more heroically, stubbornly, and with better effect, than did the boys from the "Prairie state." At Pea Ridge, Donelson, Pittsburg Land- ing, Iuka, Corinth, Stone river, Holly Springs, Jackson, Vicksburg, Chicka- mauga, Lookout mountain, Murfrees- boro, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Chat- tanooga, and on every other field where the crash of arms was heard, her sons were foremost.

The people were liberal, as well as pat- riotic; and while the men were busy en- listing, organizing and equipping com- panies, the ladies were no less active, and the noble, generous work performed by their tender loving hands, deserves mention along with the bravery, devotion and patriotism of their brothers, upon the southern field of carnage.

The continued need of money to ob- tain the comforts and necessaries for the sick and wounded of our army, suggested to the loyal women of the north many and various devices for the raising of funds. Every city, town and village had its fair, festival, picnic, excursion, or con- cert, which netted more or less to the cause of hospital relief, according to the population of the place, and the amount of energy and patriotism displayed on such occasions. Especially was this characteristic of our own fair state, and scarcely a hamlet within its borders which did not send something from its stores to hospital or battlefield, and in the larger towns and cities were well or- ganized soldier's aid societies, working systematically from the beginning of the war until its end. The great state fair held in Chicago in May, 1865, netted $250, 000. Homes for traveling soldiers were established all over the state, in which were furnished lodging for 600,000 men, and meals valued at $2,500,000. Food, clothing, medicine, hospital delicacies, reading matter, and thousands of other articles, were sent to the boys at the front.

The rebellion ended with the surrender of Lee and Johnson, in April, 1865, and as soon as possible the troops were dis- banded. The following is a summary of

.40

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

troops furnished by the state: Infantry, 185941; Cavalry, 32082; Artillery, 7277; making a grand aggregate of 225300 men of all arms.

Thus it will br seen that Illinois did her full share toward putting down the Rebellion, as regards the number of men and amount of materials supplied.

CHAPTER V.

GOVERNMENT.

Shadrach Bond was the first governor of Illinois. He was a native of Mary- land, and was born in 1773; was reared on a farm, received a common school ed- ucation, and came to Illinois in 1794. He served as a delegate in congress from 1811 to 1815, where he procured the riglit of pre-emption of public land. He was elected governor in 1818; was beaten for congress in 1824 by Daniel P. Cook. He died at Kaskaskia, April 11, 1830.

Edward Coles, the second governor, was born December 15, 1786, in Virginia. His father was a slave-holder, gave his son a collegiate education, and left to him a large number of slaves. These he liberated, giving each head of a family 160 acres of land and a considerable sumn of money. He was President Madison's private secretary. He came to Illinois in 1819, was elected governor in 1822, on the anti-slavery ticket; moved to Phila- delphia in 1833, and died in 1868.

Ninian Edwards, the successor of Mr. Coles, was not new to the duties of the office, having been appointed in 1809, when the territory of Illinois was formed,. as its territorial governor, which position he held until its organization as a state, when he was sent to the United States senate. He was elected governor in 1826. He was a native of Maryland, and born in 1775; received a collegiate edu- cation; was chief justice of Kentucky.

John Reynolds, the fourth governor of the state, was born in Pennsylvania in 1788, and came with his parents to Illi- nois in 1800. In 1830 he was elected governor on the democratic ticket, and afterwards served three years in con- gress. He received a classical educa- tion, yet was not polished. He was an ultra-democrat; attended the Charleston convention in 1860, and urged the seizure of United States arsenals by the South. He died in 1865, at Belleville, childless.

41 .

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

In 1834 Joseph Duncan was elected governor by the whigs, although form- erly a democrat. He had previously served four terms in congress. He was born in Kentucky, in 1794; had but a limited education; served with distinc- tion in the war of 1812; conducted the campaign of 1832, against Black Hawk. He came to Illinois when quite young.

Thomas Carlin succeeded Duncan, having been elected on the democratic ticket in 1838. He had but a meagre education ; held many minor offices, and was active, both in the war of 1812 and the Black Hawk war. He was born in Kentucky, in 1789; came to Illinois in 1812, and died at Carrollton, February 14, 1852.

Thomas Ford, the next governor, was elected as a democrat, in 1842. He was born in Pennsylvania, in the year 1800; was brought by his widowed mother to Missouri, in 1804, and shortly afterwards to Illinois. He received a good educa- tion, and studied law; was elected judge four times-twice as circuit judge, judge of Chicago, and judge of the supreme court. He wrote his history of Illinois in 1847, and died in 1850.

Augustus C. French was born in New Hampshire, in 1808; was admitted to the bar in 1831, and shortly afterwards moved to Illinois. He was elected gov- ernor in 1846. On the adoption of the constitution of 1848, he was again chosen, serving until 1853. He was a democrat in politics.

Joel A. Matteson, who succeeded French in the gubernatorial office, was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1808. His father was a farmer, and gave his son only a common school edu-

cation. He first entered upon active life as a small tradesman, but subse- quently became a large contractor and manufacturer. He was a heavy con- tractor in building the canal. He was elected governor in 1852 upon the dem- ocratic ticket.

William H. Bissell was elected by the republican party in 1856. He had pre- viously served two terms in congress; he was a colonel in the Mexican war, and had held many minor offices pre- vious to being chosen governor. He was born in New York state, in 1811; received a common school education; came to Illinois early in life and engaged in the medical profession. This he changed for the law, and became a noted orator, and the standard-bearer of the republican party in Illinois. He died in 1860, while governor.

Richard Yates, the "war governor" of Illinois, was born in Warsaw, Kentucky, in 1818; came to Illinois, in 1831; served two terms in congress; in 1860 was elected governor, and in 1865, United States senator. He was a college grad- uate, and read law under J. J. Hardin. He rapidly rose in his chosen profession and charmed the people with his ora- tory. He filled the gubernatorial chair during the trying days of the rebellion, and by his energy and devotion won the undying affection of the loyal people. He died in St. Louis after the expira- tion of his term as senator.

Richard J. Oglesby, who was elected governor in 1864, was born in Kentucky in 1824; at the age of eight years, he found himself an orphan, and four years later he came to Illinois. He was ap- prenticed to learn the carpenter's trade,

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

worked some at farming, and read law occasionally. He enlisted in the Mex- ican war, and was chosen first lieutenant. After his return, he again took up the law, but during the gold fever of 1849, went to California; he soon returned, and, in 1852, he entered upon his illustrious political career. He raised the second regiment organized in the state to suppress the rebellion, and for gallantry was promoted to be major- general. His election as governor in 1864 was due, in a great degree, to his patriotic war record. He was again elected to the same position in 1872, but resigned to go to the United States senate. He was again elected in 1884. He is a staunch republican in politics.

John M. Palmer succeeded General Oglesby. He was born in Kentucky in 1817, and came to Illinois in 1831. He was admitted to the bar in 1839. He was elected to the office of probate judge of Macoupin county in 1843; was a mem- ber of the constitutional convention in 1847; county judge in 1849; elected to the state senate in 1851; member of the peace conference in 1861. He was colonel of the 14th Illinois infantry, and rose by successive promotions to major-general, commander of the 14th army corps, and afterwards of the de- partment of Kentucky. Was governor from 1869 to 1872, both inclusive.

Richard J. Oglesby was again elected to the office of governor in 1872; in 1873 he was sent to the United States senate and Lieutenant-Governor John L. Bev- eridge succeeded to the governorship, which he held until 1877.

Shelby M. Cullom, succeeded Gov- ernor Beveridge. He was born in Ken-

tucky in 1828; studied law, was admit- ted to the bar, and commenced the prac- tice of his profession in 1848; was elected to the state legislature in 1856, and again in 1860. Served on the war com- mission at Cairo, in 1862, and was a member of the 39th, 40th, and 41st con- gresses, in all of which he served with credit to his state. He was again elected to the state legislature in 1872, and re-elected in 1874. He was elected gov- ernor in 1876, and again in 1880. Dur- ing the last term he was sent to the United States senate, and Lieutenant- Governor John M. Hamilton succeeded to the office of governor, which he held with credit and ability for the remainder of the term.

John M. Hamilton was succeeded as governor by Richard J. Oglesby, elected in 1884. A sketch of Gov. Oglesby is given in connection with the mention of his first election.

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNORS.

Pierre Menard was the first lieuten- ant-governor of Illinois. He was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1767. He came to Illinois in 1790, where he engaged in the Indian trade, and became wealthy. He died in 1844. Menard county was named in his honor.

Adolphus F. Hubbard was elected lieutenant-governor in 1822. Four years later, he ran for governor against Ed- wards, but was beaten.

William Kinney was elected in 1826. He was a Baptist clergyman; was born in Kentucky in 1781, and came to Illi- nois in 1793.

Zadock Casey was elected lieutenant- governor in 1830, although on the oppo-

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

sition ticket to Governor Reynolds, the successful gubernatorial candidate. He subsequently served several terms in congress.

Alexander M. Jenkins was elected on the ticket with Governor Duncan, in 1834, by a handsome majority.

S. H. Anderson, lieutenant-governor under Governor Carlin, was chosen in 1838. He was a native of Tennessee.

John Moore was elected lieutenant- governor in 1842. He was born in Eng- land in 1793, and came to Illinois in 1830. He won the name of "Honest John Moore."

Joseph B. Wells was chosen with Gov. French, at his first election, in 1846.

In 1848, when French was again chosen governor, William McMurtry was elected lieutenant-governor.

Gustavus P. Koerner was the next to hold the office, having been elected in 1852. He was born in Germany in 1809. At the age of 22, he came to Illinois. In 1872 he was the candidate of the liberal party for governor; but was defeated.

John Wood was elected in 1856, and on the death of Governor Bissell, became governor.

Francis A. Hoffman was chosen with Governor Yates in 1860. He was born in Prussia in 1822, and came to Illinois in 1840.

William Boss was the next, elected in 1864. He was born in New Jersey, and came to Illinois in 1848. John Dough- erty was elected in 1868.

John L. Beveridge was chosen lieuten- ant-governor in 1872, and when Gov- ernor Oglesby was sent to the senate in 1873, he became governor, and held the position the remainder of the term.

Andrew Sherman was elected lieuten- ant-governor in 1876.

John M. Hamilton, elected in 1880, became governor when Shelby M. Cul- lom was elected to the office of United States senator.

Wm. J. Campbell was elected presi- dent of the senate and ex-officio lieuten- ant-governor when Hamilton succeeded to the gubernatorial chair.

John C. Smith is the present incum- bent.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

The following have served in this ca- pacity: Ninian W. Edwards, 1854-56; W. H. Powell, 1857-58; Newton Bate- man, 1859-75; Samuel M. Etter, 1876-80; James P. Slade, 1880-81; Henry Raab succeeded Slade. His last term will ex- pire in 1887.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

The attorney-generals of Illinois have been as follows: Daniel P. Cook, 1819; William Mears, 1820; Samuel .D. Lock- wood, 1821-22; James Turney, 1823-28; George Forquer, 1829-32; James Sem- ple, 1833-34; Ninian W. Edwards, 1834- 35; Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., 1835; Walter B. Seates, 1836; Asher F. Linder, 1837; George W. Olney, 1838; Wickliffe Kitchell, 1839; Josiah Lamborn, 1841- 42; James A. McDougall, 1843-46; David B. Campbell, 1846; [office abol- ished and re-created in 1867]; Robert G. Ingersoll, 1867-68; Washington Bush- nell, 1869-72; James K. Edsall, 1872-80; James McCartney, 1880-84; George Hunt, present incumbent.

TREASURER.

The state treasurers of Illinois have been as follows: John Thomas, 1818-19;

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

R. K. Mclaughlin, 1819-22; Ebner Field, 1823-26; James Hall, 1827-30; John Dement, 1831-36; Charles Greg- ory, 1836; John D. Whiteside, 1837-40; M. Carpenter, 1841-48; John Moore, 1848-56; James Miller, 1857-60; Wil- liam Butler, 1861-62; Alexander Starne, 1863-64; James H. Beveridge, 1865-66; George W. Smith, 1867-68; Erastus N. Bates, 1869-72; Edward Rutz, 1878-79; John C. Smith, 1879-81; Edward Rutz, 1881-83; John C. Smith, 1883-84; Jacob Gross, 1885-89.

SECRETARIES OF STATE.

Elias K. Kane, 1818-22; Samuel D. Lockwood, 1822-23; David Blackwell, 1823-24; Morris Birkbeck, 1824; George Farquer, 1825-28; Alexander P. Field, 1829-40; Stephen A. Douglas, 1840; Ly- man Trumbull, 1841-42; Thompson Campbell, 1843-46; Horace S. Cooley, 1846-49; David L. Gregg, 1850-52; Alex- ander Starne, 1853-56; Azias M. Hatch, 1857-60; Sharon Tyndale, 1865-68; Ed- ward Rummel, 1869-72; George H. Har- low, 1873-79; Henry D. Dement, 1881. He is the present incumbent.

AUDITORS.

Elijah C. Berry, 1818-31; I. T. B. Stapp, 1831-35; Levi Davis, 1835-40; James Shields, 1841-42; W. L. D. Ew- ing, 1843-45; Thompson Campbell, 1846; Jesse K. Dubois, 1857-64; Orlin H. Miner, 1865-68; Charles E. Lippincott, 1869-76; Thomas B. Needles, 1877-79; Charles P. Swigert, elected in 1880, and again in 1884, is the present incumbent.

UNITED STATES SENATORS.

Ninian Edwards-On the organization of the state, in 1848, Ninian Edwards,

the popular territorial governor, was chosen senator for the short term, and in 1819 re-elected for full term.

Jesse B. Thomas-One of the federal judges during the entire territorial exis- tence, was chosen senator on organiza- tion of the state, and re-elected in 1823, and served till 1829.

John McLean-In 1824 Edwards re- signed, and John McLean was elected to fill his unexpired term. He was born in North Carolina in 1791, and came to Illinois in 1815; served one term in con- gress, and in 1829 was elected to the United States senate, but the following year died. He is said to have been the most gifted man of his period in Illi- nois.

Elias Kent Kane-Was elected No- vember,30, 1824, for the term beginning March 4, 1825. In 1830 he was re-elec- ted, but died before the expiration of his term. He was a native of New York, and in 1814 came to Illinois. He was first secretary of state, and afterwards state senator.

David Jewett Parker-Was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Judge McLean in 1830, November 12, but the legislature refused to endorse the choice. Baker was a native of Connecticut, born in 1792; and died in Alton in 1869.

John M. Robinson-Instead of Baker, the governor's appointee, the legislature chose Robinson, and in 1834 he was re- elected. In 1843 he was elected supreme judge of the state; but died within two months of his election. He was a native of Kentucky, and came to Illinois when quite young.

William L. D. Ewing-Was elected in 1835, to fill the vacancy occasioned by

HISTORY OF ILLINOIS.

the death of Senator Kane. He was a Kentuckian.

Richard M. Young-Was elected in 1836, and held his seat from March 4, 1837 to March 4, 1843, a full term. He was a native of Kentucky; was a circuit judge before his election to the senate, and su- preme judge in 1842. He died in an in- sane asylum at Washington.

Samuel McRoberts-The first native Illinoisan ever elevated to the high office of United States senator from this state, was born in 1799, and died in 1843 on his return home from Washington. He was elected circuit judge in 1824, and March 4, 1841, took his seat in the United States senate.

Sidney Breese - Was elected to the United States senate, December 17, 1842, and served a full term. He was born in Oneida county, New York. He was a major in the Black Hawk war; was cir- cuit judge, and in 1841 was elected su- preme judge. He served a full term in the United States senate, beginning March 4, 1843, after which he was elected to the legislature, again circuit judge, and, in 1857, to the supreme court, which position he held until his death, in 1878.

James Semple-Was the successor of Samuel McRoberts, and was appointed by Governor Ford in 1843. He was afterwards elected judge of the supreme court.

Stephen A. Douglas-Was elected De- cember 14, 1846. He had previously served three terms as congressman. He became his own successor in 1853, and again in 1859. From his first entrance in the senate, he was acknowledged the peer of Clay, Webster and Calhoun,

with whom he served his first term. His famous contest with Abraham Lincoln for the senate in 1858, is the most mem- orable in the annals of our country. It was called the "battle of the giants," and resulted in Douglas' election to the senate, and that of Lincoln to the presi- dency. He was born in Brandon, Ver- mont, April 23, 1813, and came to Illi- nois, in 1833. He died in 1861. He was appointed secretary of state by Governor Carlin, in 1840, and shortly afterward to the supreme bench.

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.

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 5

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