USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough county, Illinois, its cities, towns and villages with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 31
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Oats .- When considered in connection with the artificial grasses, and the nourishment and improvement it affords to live stock, especially the horse, this grain may be considered as one of
292
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
the most important crops we produce. Its yield is generally abundant and profitable. The past year the crop was exceedingly light, greatly to the surprise of nearly all the farmers, the indica- tions in the early part of the season being that an abundant crop would be realized. Although making nearly the average in bulk, in weight it fell far short, in many instances taking two bushels in measurement to make one in weight. The usual yield is from thirty-five to forty-five bushels per acre. This year it will proba- bly not be over sixteen and a half. There were 20,171 acres sown, which will equal 342,970 bushels as the amount raised. The general market price varies from twenty-five to forty cents per bushel.
Other Products .- Under this head are included rye, barley, buckwheat, potatoes, and such other articles as are commonly cultivated in small quantities. Allotted to the use of these pro- ducts the past year were 7,435 acres.
Rye and Barley .- These grains are generally a sure crop, and the yield heavy ; but there being no home demand, and the gen- eral market price so low, that other grains are more profitable ; consequently but a small portion of the land is allotted to their culture.
Buckwheat .- This grain is but little cultivated in this county, in fact, not enough to supply home consumption. It is not profit- able, so the farmers say.
Potatoes .- The common Irish potato, so extensively cultivated in most of the temperate climates of the globe because of its value as an item of daily food, is regarded of but little less im- portance than corn or wheat. In this county the yield is gener- ally heavy. The Colorado bug, which, for several years has been so destructive of the potato, destroying the vine before the potato matures, this year did not make its appearance to any considera- ble extent. It is hoped that the days of this enemy of the potato are numbered. The general market value is extremely fluctua- ting, ranging all the way from fifteen cents to two dollars per bushel, though most commonly selling at about fifty cents per bushel. The average yield is about one hundred and fifty bush- els to the acre, which makes it one of the most valuable products raised.
Meadow .- The hay crop is becoming one of great importance. The vast prairies of MeDonough county affording an abundant
293
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
yield, which, with the little labor required to raise it, and the generally fair market price, makes it a very profitable article of culture, besides it enables the farmer to rest his land. The prin- cipal kinds grown are timothy and red clover, the former being superior to all others. The market price of this staple article varies from six dollars to twelve dollars per ton, seldom falling below or raising above these figures. The last season there were assigned to the cultivation of grass in this county 31,980 acres, which produced fully two tons per acre, making a total yield of 63,980 tons.
Pasture .- The number of acres of pasturage at present in this county is 52,426. This is used for pasturing cattle, almost every farmer having a few acres enclosed for that purpose. Some of the land is woodland, and can be used for no other purpose, but being good grazing and well watered makes it valuable.
Wood Land .- As will be seen by our table, MeDonough county is largely prairie land, although there are many streams and large creeks running through it, which are bordered by tim- ber. Said timber does not extend a great distance, the wood land being reported to the assessors as only 44,976 acres, or about one-eighth of the entire amount. The timber land is principally in the western townships. The principal varieties are white, red and black oak, hickory, elm, white and black walnut, birch, etc. This land is not considered as valuable now as it was in the car- lier history of the county, when it was deemed essential by every farmer that he should have the greater part of his farm in tim- ber, that he might have sufficient for building purposes, fencing and fuel. The question ot supply and demand for the timber puzzled our fathers greatly, but it has been effectually solved by the introduction of the railroad.
Horses .- According to the table given elsewhere, there are 13,- 833 horses in this county, with an average assessed value of $45.35. The character of the horse has been greatly improved in the past few years. In 1870, Dr. B. R. Westfall, J. M. Reynolds and John C. Moore went to France and purchased four large, fine Norman horses. They were the first ever imported into the county. Pre- vions to this, all breeding horses were of common stock, and making the venture to secure better breed was a new era in horse raising in the county. Whether it would prove successful or not. time alone would tell. In 1873, Dr. Westfall again went to France HI-19
294
IIISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
and imported four more, while B. F. Gloyd went to Canada and purchased three large, splendid Clydesdales. Other horses have since been imported by other parties, making fifteen in all. Colts by the first importation were sold as high as six hundred dollars each, and we have known yearlings to sell from one hundred and sixty to two hundred and ten dollars each. There is an increased demand for imported horses, and the breeding of the better class is getting to be a source of revenue to the county. All our best farmers are manifesting an interest in the business, and we believe the time will soon come when MeDonough county will take rank with some of the principal counties in Ohio, where the raising of fine horses has been made a specialty for years, and where a greater revenue is derived than from all other stock. The ques- tion, "Will it pay to raise the better class of horses ?" has been fully and satisfactorily answered in the affirmative. It costs no more to raise a good horse than a poor one, and the remuneration is more than double. Many car loads are shipped from this county each year.
Cattle .- In cattle McDonough county is fast taking a leading position. With thousands of acres of excellent pasture land, with living streams of water the year round, together with the large amount of grain raised in our midst, makes cattle raising a very profitable business. For some years past Rigdon Huston, of Blandinsville township, and Joseph Lownes & Son, of New Salem, have been devoting their time to the improvement of this class of stock. They have now herds that will rank with any in the State, and are constantly adding to the number, variety and qual- ity of their stock. Both of these men have animals that cost them thousands of dollars each, and which are of pure blood and undoubted pedigree. We can say with respect to cattle what we remarked in relation to horses, it costs no more to raise the better class than it does the poorer, and the profit is much greater. Thousands of head are shipped each year from this county- enough to average about seven hundred cars each year for the past six years, or about two and one-third cars per day. Accord- ing to our table, in May last there were 38,123 head in the county, assessed at an average of $14.29 each. Many of this number, of course, are milch cows.
Mules and Asses .- Notwithstanding these animals will do more with the same amount of care, they do not appear to be a favor- ite with our farming community, there being only 1383 head, or
295
IHISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
just one-tenth as many as we have horses. The average value at which they are assessed is $50 84 each.
Sheep .- There has been a remarkable decrease in the number of sheep raised in McDonough county during the past few years, caused by the low price of wool in the general markets. During the war wool growing was a most profitable business and largely engaged in by our farmers, but the demand for woolen goods has decreased greatly, and the prices realized so small, that other busi- ness is now much more profitable. We have now in this county only 6,424 head of sheep, with an average assessed value of $1 97 each.
Swine .- This class of stock has received more attention from our farmers than any other, and has generally been the most profitable. The American nation seems "hoggishly" inclined, and the prices ruling in the market have been such as to tempt our farmers to invest more largely in these animals than in all others combined. Notwithstanding the large number that have yearly been carried off with the cholera, none seem to abandon the busi- ness of raising the stock. The breed of hogs has been greatly improved within the past few years by the introduction of the English Berkshire, Chester White and Poland China. From these and other varieties various crosses have been obtained which have proven even more profitable to fatten than the thorough- breds. J. M. & S. Work have done much to improve this class of stock, and deserve the thanks of the whole county. Doubtless some remedy or preventative will soon be discovered which will greatly lessen the loss of swine by cholera and like diseases, if not altogether be driven from among them. The large yield of corn, the readiness with which the hog fattens, and the advanced mar- ket priec affords abundant compensation to the farmer or stock- raiser. During the past four years there has been an average of 72,000 head of hogs shipped from this county, which, counting 250 pounds each, and in the market netting $6 per hundred, would make a revenue to the county each year of $1,080,000. Accord- ing to our table, we have only 46,446 head, but it must be borne in mind the table was compiled in May last when there are a less number than any other season in the year, sucking pigs never be- ing counted and nearly all the marketable hogs shipped. The assessment figures will never, therefore, show the true number, for many pigs that are not assessed before the next yearly assess- ment are shipped to the markets.
296
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY,
Orchards .- As a country grows older, the more extensive her orchards and abundant her fruit crop. McDonough county now ranks among the foremost fruit-growing counties in the State- both in regard to the quantity and the quality of the fruit grown. In this county we have now 3,331 acres devoted to this purpose, which, if we calculate eighty trees to the aere, would make a to- tal of 266,480. This number is divided up into the different kinds of fruit grown, such as apple, pear, peach and plum.
Apple .- The greater part of the land devoted to the cultivation of fruit is used for raising this variety, the principal kinds grown being jenneting, winesap, rambo, bellflower, Ben. Davis, Jonathan, l'ennsylvania red streaks, red June and early harvest. These are now considered standard. Formerly were grown to a considera- ble extent Roxbury russet, Rhode Island greenings, Baldwin, white winter pearmain, and peonix. At present there are an av- erage of 1,000,000 bushels raised in this county each year, and the amount is constantly inereasing-the greater number of trees hardly yet reaching maturity, while additions are made each year. During the month of October, 1876, there were shipped from Macomb 30,000 bushels, and in the same time were manufac- tured into cider at the same place 42,000 bushels. These were all grown in the immediate vicinity of that place. The apple erop is generally sure each year, there never having yet been an entire failure, though one or two years it has been short. A good price is generally realized from this fruit, and it is found of very profit- able culture. About six hundred bushels to the acre is now con- sidered an average erop, our trees yet being young. As the orchards become older, the average will be greater.
Peaches, Pears and Plums .- These are not especially adapted to our elimate, and seldom yield enough to justify their culture. The quality of the peach is very poor ; formerly large quantities and good qualities were raised, but elimatie changes have oper- ated against them. The pear and plum trees grow well, but the fruit is generally poor, the pear being destroyed by a blight, and the plum by the cureulio.
Cherries .- The principal varieties of this fruit grown are the English Morello, Early Richmond, and May Duke, the two for- mer being superior to the latter and more liable to bear. The yield is usually large and of a superior quality.
297
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Grapes .- This fruit is becoming one of the staple products of the county, the yield generally being very heavy, where the proper care and attention is given. The market is good and at prices that make its culture profitable. The varieties mostly cultivated are the Concord, Delaware, Hartford Prolific, Isabella, and Ca- tawba. The manufacture of the grape into wine is found quite remunerative and is being entered into quite extensively by fruit growers.
Small Fruit .- The small fruits cultivated in this county are the currant, gooseberry, blackberry, raspberry and strawberry, all of which yield well and are found quite profitable. The quality of each is good. It has only been in the last four or five years that any attention has been given to the raising of small fruit, but as it is shown that it can be made to pay, doubtless, many others will enter into the business.
Carriages and Wagons .- McDonough county appears well sup- plied with vehicles of all kinds, and as the country grows in wealth more will be used, especially of the finer grade.
Since writing the above another crop has been harvested, which has been much more abundant than that of 1876. For 1877 the wheat crop was better than for many years. The quality is also much better than usual. Owing to heavy and almost continual rains in the spring the prospect for a good corn crop was unfav- orable, but even this is fully an average crop. In many townships the yield will be larger than in 1876. There were planted in 1877, in number, 116,355 acres against 121,215 in 1876. The potato crop will be very large, the season being very favorable and the potato bug hardly being known. A larger yield of hay was pro- duced than in any year of the county's history. The only products of the county that approximates a failure is the fruit, but little of any kind being raised, scarcely enough for home consumption.
We here subjoin several tables of statistics, which speak for themselves, and to which we invite attention. The tables show the assessed value of the articles given, which is much below the real worth of the property. The State Board of Equalization reduced the amount reported by the assessors twenty-nine per cent. which if added would largely increase the amount. In the first table we have given such years as we could find. Previous to the year 1857 there were no abstracts made of assessments, so we were compelled to gather the statistics from different papers on
298
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
file in the office of the County Clerk. It will be observed that there is a vast increase in 1873, which is accounted for by saying that previous to that time assessments were made on a basis of from one-third to one-fifth the cash value; while now they are made on the estimated cash value. The tables will be interesting as showing the growth and prosperity of the county during the years of its existence.
TABLE OF ASSESSMENTS OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY OF SUCH YEARS AS ARE ATTAINABLE, FROM 1830 TO 1876, INCLUSIVE.
Year.
Personal property.
Lands.
Town lots.
Railroad property.
Total.
1830
$26,742
1831
31,625
1832
42,764
1835
109,714
1839
313,883
1850
346,669
982,350
$71,761
1855
1,071,008
2,556,488
287,983
1856
2,039,445
4,334,732
527,710
393,580
4,764,084
1860
906.409
2,831,593
529,447
395,440
4,662,889
1861
884,828
2.307,265
447,265
400,503
4,040,201
1862
810,052
2,153,711
400,533
372,118
3,736,412
1863
1,026,247
2,377,702
411,365
400,533
4,215,881
1864
1,157,347
2,437,449
419,219
176,308
4,190,323
1865
1,419,560
2,514,854
523,888
183,137
4,641,439
1867
2,400,879
4,432,449
912,557
243,276
8,471,384
1868
1,575,402
3.260,872
738,463
306,793
6,279,922
1869
942,022
2,845,794
513,479
326,275
4,627,570
1870
813,313
2,823.954
460,978
302,444
4,400,689
1871
7-12,678
2,811,610
438,689
350,308
4,342,276
1872
763,508
2,735.419
432,213
363,355
4,294,495
1873
4,413,028
10,731,833
1,781,116
1.890,838
18,516,815
1874
1,981,429
9,303,589
1,644,030
1,204,692
16,066,225
1875
1,935,082
8,817,400
1,620,250
738,862
14,947,390
1876
3,678,798
8,532,325
1,493,394
13,711,765
1858
1,339,795
3,769,415
615,654
$482,936
$6,207,800
1859
1,020,283
2.822,511
$827,305
ASSESSMENTS FOR 1876.
Aeres improved land .....
Acres unimproved land ..
plements and tools.
Value agricultural im-
Value personal property. |
Value of lands
Value town lots.
Wheat-No. of acres
Corn-No. of acres.
Oats-No. of acres ..
Meadow-No. of acres ....
No. of acres,
Other Products-No. of
Pasture-No. of acres
Pasture-No. of acres.
Woodland-No. of acres ..
Eldorado
21,293
1,470
$6,290
$210,447
$563,245
1,457
7,634
1,467
2,029
656
3,271
224
5,288
Now Salem
22,286
8,697
229,817
687,980
$10,740
1,787
8,522
1,754
1,841
868
3,727
239
38
Mound
22,238
6,936
149,522
873,260
2,755
1,821
8,451
1,563
1,940
680
3,980
280
185
Bushnell
10,743
107
6,902
306,608
360,466
386,385
856
4,691
1,078
1,286
281
2,196
281
107
l'rairie City
10,889
4,895
196,137
365,689
100,282
484
4,950
1,045
1,258
408
1,774
2:02
12
Industry
21,451
1,003
8,111
211,742
612,866
33,749
1,652
6,987
1,057
2,620
212
7,108
238
2,754
Macomb
21,791
225
5,307
179,106
623,137
35,280
1,599
8,517
1,382
2,003
458
4,991
190
696
Bethel.
17,303
4,612
3,080
100,383
680
1,653
5,726
586
1,483
485
1,551
1.17
5,953
Chalmers
21,613
1,419
71,850
309,030
10,281
1,891
5,338
736
2,293
377
1,331
50
7,760
Emmet
20,055
2,762
5,423
150,245
432,623
650
5,790
681
2,500
181
2,851
140
4,439
Sciota.
22,875
221
4,205
203,599
754,386
36,416
923
13,712
2,168
1,469
259
3,362
103
221
Lamoine
17,919
4,770
3,251
83,923
182, 440
713
1,431
4,891
874
1,315
450
1,337
210
Tennessee
15,201
7,988
2,922
122,094
152,592
50,815
1,077
5,431
892
1,927
739
1,610
98
10,293
Hire .
22,743
860
5,826
189,109
580,052
2,130
973
6,618
778
1,196
121
2,452
46
803
Blandinsville
19,672
3,661
4,476
219,608
443,446
42,920
532
8,214
900
3,117
458
3,747
239
5,166
Macomb City
283
4,035
665,188
52,220
770,231
Total
332,178
30,940
$104,001 $3,687, 917 $8,532,294
1,498,520
21,344
121,215
20,171
31,990
7,435
52,426
3,331
44,976
22,210
656
10,330
205,586
631,080
1,484
7,800
1,700
2,456
361
2,891
360
662
Walnut Grove.
21,577
966
13,315
192,923
612,55I
9,693
1,071
7,964
1,500
1,257
4.11
4,247
264
599
292,251
.
299
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Townships.
....
...
Scotland
300
ASSESSMENTS FOR 1876.
No. of horses
Value
No. of eattle
Value.
No. of mules and asses ...
Value
No. of sheep.
Value.
No. of hogs
Value ...
riages
No. of wagons and ear-
225
$6,680
New Salem
916
46.330
2,383
51,717
43
3,255
363
540
3,890
18,758
338
13,093
Mound .. Bushnell.
725
35,405
1,728
34,416
84
4,865
206
300
2,750
18,685
192
7,596
Prairie City
559
24,105
1,199
16,388
58
3,725
54
108
1,482
6,341
258
10,285
Industry.
910
39,858
1,807
38,272
78
3,250
568
1,636
2,421}
16,348
217
9,344
Scotland
905
42,060
2,021
37,747
122
5,445
431
1,103
3,733}
20,292
303
11,375
'Macomb ..
884
53,167
6,680
38,740
63
2,575
301
605
2,787|
15,473
254
6,402
870
45,708
2,368
45,103
91
6,575
135
347
3,517
23,351
381
12,768
705
27,825
1,237
19,526
98
4,565
728
1,497
1,944
7,968
220
7,055
Emmet ..
695
37,577
1,643
29,695
93
5,940
175
377
2,329
11,826
249
7,346
Sciota ...
934
35,268
1,479
29,693
66
4,150
52
940
2,916
15,474
396
8,993
Lamoine.
766
28,306
1,459
18,739
61
2,321
730
816
2.088
8,484
216
5,262
lfire ...
938
43,744
1,938
40,138
144
9,125
467
908
3,319
16,857
288
7,717
Blandinsville
895
33,857
2,248
34,407
79
2,803
187
329
3,871
14,448
325
9,950
Macomb City.
384
20,390
3,420
7,255
18
890
16
28
496
1,840
279
12,399
Total.
13,833
$585,828
38,123
$544,493
1,383
$71,315
6,424
$12,671
46,446
$240,848
4,982
$154,133
......
Eldorado.
747
$15,200
2,270
$17,574
74
$4,535
684
$1,300
4,192
$22.982
506
18,200
962
14,176
55
2.460
68
137
949
9.594
274
7,998
Bethel.
Chalmers.
691
21,530
1,347
18,462
67
2,236
751
1,099
1,424
4,311
254
5,019
Tennessee
800
21,298
1,934
22,4-45
81
2,600
502
601
2,328
7,816
313
4,911
Walnut Grove.
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
Value.
Townships.
301
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE BAR OF THE COUNTY.
In looking over the records of the Circuit Court of this county, we observe the names of many practicing attorneys who have since become eminent in their chosen profession or in the affairs of the State. We propose, in this chapter, to give a short sketch of some of these, giving first, the Judges ; second, State's Attor- neys, and third, practicing attorneys.
Judges of the Circuit Court .- McDonough county is now in the Eleventh Judicial Cirenit, but on the organization of the county and up to 1873, it was included in the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State. Originally this circuit included all that part of the State known as the "Military Tract,", and extended across the northern part of the State, including the counties of Cook and JoDavies.
The first judge of this circuit was the Hon. Richard M. Young, who was appointed in the year 1828, and made his residence at Galena; afterwards in 1833, he resided in Quincy and remained in office till January 1837, when he resigned, having been by the legislature elected United States Senator for six years. Judge Young was a native of Kentucky, and was one of the first settlers of northern Illinois. He ranked high in his profession, and his counsels did much to shape the policy of the State. In his man- ners gentle, courteous and entertaining, which qualities rendered him attractive and popular. He was generous in his feelings and liberal in his views, and hence stood high in the esteem of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He possessed a liberal en- dowment of intellectual ability and literary and legal acquire- ments, and these with his other qualifications, admirably fitted him for the post he was called to fill. Upon all with whom he came in contact he left a lasting aud favorable impression. His course in the United States Senate brought him to general notice,
302
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
and after the expiration of his term he was appointed commis- sioner of the general land office, by President Polk. He also dis- charged the duties of other offices, at the city of Washington, with honor to himself and advantage to the country.
The IIon. James HI. Ralston, a native of Kentucky, was elected by the Legislature in 1837 to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Young, and in August of the same year he resigned on account of his health, with a view of going to, and living in, Texas, whither he went, but soon returned to Quincy, his former residence and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1840 he was elected State Senator. In 1846 President Polk ap- pointed him Assistant Quartermaster of the United States army, and he was ordered to report for duty to the Commandant of the Illinois Volunteers, then en route for Mexico. Having discharged the duties of his station faithfully during the war with Mexico, he returned home and soon after emigrated to California.
The Hon. Peter Lott, a native of New York, was elected the successor of Judge Ralston, and continued in the office until January, 1841. He was subsequently appointed clerk of the cir- cuit court of Adams county, in which capacity he served until 1848, when he was elected to the same office under the provisions of the new constitution, and served until 1852; he then went to California and was appointed Superintendent of the United States Mint, in San Francisco, by President Pierce, and was re- moved in 1856 by President Buchanan, and afterwards moved to Kansas and lived in humble life.
Hon. Stephen A. Douglas was elected Judge by the Legislature in 1841, and continued in office till August, 1843, when he re- signed, having been elected to Congress from the Fifth Congress- ional District. The life and career of this great man, is so well and widely known as to render any extended notice of him use- less. It is sufficient to say that the circumstances under which he entered upon the duties of the office were sufficient to thoroughly try the force and scope of his abilities. The circuit was large- the previous incumbent of the office had left the "docket" loaded with unfinished "cases"; but he was more than equal to the task. IIe "cleaned out the docket" with that dispatch and ability which distinguished his subsequent course; and so profound was the impression which he made upon the people, that, in the first congressional electional which occured after he was estab- lished in his character as a judge, he received the nomination for
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