USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., gathered from mattter furnished by the Mercer County Historical Society, interviews with old settlers, county, township and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources as have been available : containing also a short history of Henderson County > Part 6
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
There had not at least been any convention called for a similar pur- pose in any of the adjoining counties, and Mercer county is properly entitled to the credit of being the pioneer county in the formation of the republican party. The greater part of the whigs in the county approved of the platform, and at once became active members of the new party. Some of the political leaders in the whig party, however, approved the formation of the new party. John S. Thompson and Lewis W. Thompson (both lawyers, and one clerk of the county court in Keithsburg), were at first violently opposed to the new party organi- zation, but another year gave the party such recognition throughout the state and United States that they, with other opponents, ceased their opposition, and became warm supporters of the party.
The abolitionists and free-soilers, with a considerable number of the democrats, were incorporated into the new party, which was, from the commencement, strong in numbers. In the presidential election in 1856, Fremont received 1,141 votes ; Buchanan, 769 ; and Filmore, 140. The Filmore vote doubtless represented the whigs who refused to act with the republican party. In 1860, Lincoln received 1,808 votes, and all the democratic candidates received 1,193 votes, the majority being 615, and the majority has never been less than that since, at any presi- dential election. I. N. BASSETT.
THE CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY RAILROAD.
As stated on another page, the first settlements of this region were. made along the water-courses, and narrow belts of timber skirting the same, and to the fact of the existence of these natural features can be traced nearly every improvement in the whole State of Illinois prior to about 1850. Even as early as 1840 almost all the timber tracts were occupied by settlers, and it was then supposed by many, that further development of the country, if made at all, would be by a poorer class of herdsmen and other employes of the more fortunate inhabitants of better favored portions of the country. The Mississippi was of course the great thoroughfare of business and travel on the west, and the Illi- nois river on the east, and between these was a barren, trackless waste. Whole townships, and indeed almost whole counties, were without a single inhabitant, and though the soil was known to be excellent, every- body supposed that a century would elapse before it could be made available for any purpose. Indeed, it was difficult to see that with the lack of fuel and building timber it could ever be more than a grand herding ground for stock owned by those who had been so fortunate as to secure homes and strips of woodland along the courses of the streams of water.
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THE CHICAGO, BURLINGTON AND QUINCY RAILROAD.
It will not do to say that railroads, which eventually redeemed the best country that lay under the sun from absolute uselessness, had not been dreamed of, for from 1835 until 1840 they had been the dream of politicians, speculators and emigrants, but, as all supposed, they had all been awakened by a crash in financial matters in 1838-40 to the reality that such enterprises were a luxury not to be enjoyed by this portion of the world. For now they began to argue that the country was about settled up, and the small traffic that would come to such an enterprise would not be sufficient to sustain it, and that population must necessa- rily precede such improvement. The more modern idea of such roads as the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney is, to make the improvement first, and the population and the traffic immediately follow, and it is now well understood that nothing in the natural features of the country have ever tended so much to its development as the opening up of these means of travel and commerce.
At the risk of seeming to write in the interest of railroads, or for the purpose of manufacturing sentiment, we venture the remark that, as far as can now be seen, the opinions of the early settlers that the great prairies of this section, only for the advent of the railroad, were sound, and that improvement of Illinois to-day would have been but little in advance of what might have been seen in 1850. The water- courses had exerted all their influence in settling and developing the country, and as has been noted, that influence extended back but a few miles, and now the railroads begin and complete their work where the other left it unfinished.
It is interesting to note the changes that have come to this portion of the country since the advent of the railroad system which now pre- vails so universally, and while it is not claimed that railroads have done everything, it is doubtless true that much of the present prosperity and greatness of the country are due to their influence.
The railroads have brought better prices for grain, and reliable markets for it ; consequently, these surplus profits in agriculture have brought to the farmer hundreds of comforts of which the pioneers knew but little by experience, and scarcely hoped to make their own. The railroads themselves have been a miracle of growth and improvement. A notable example of this is to be found in the Chicago, Burlington &. Quincy, which passes through the entire length of both Mercer and Henderson counties. From a small, unimportant line of thirteen miles, a little more than twenty-five years ago, it has grown to include in its organization lines amounting to 3,500 miles, its facilities for transit in the meantime increasing in proportion.
The nucleus for this great enterprise was a line extending from
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Aurora to a point now known as Turner Junction, thirteen miles nearly northeast. Aurora was a small village then, and the other end of the line was nothing, so it will be seen how insignificant this beginning was. However, a charter had been granted to what was known as the Aurora Branch company for a line from Aurora to Mendota, a distance of fifty-eight miles. These two lines were consolidated under the name of the Chicago & Aurora railroad, their connection with Chicago being by way of the Galena branch from Turner Junction. Another charter had been granted to what was styled the Central Military Tract road, extending from Mendota to Galesburg, in about the center of the northern part of the Bounty lands. On July 9, 1856, this last named, with the Chicago & Aurora road, consolidated under the name of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, thus giving a line of 151 miles. The company had taken a lease of the Peoria & Oquawka road and had advanced considerable money to aid in completing the line from Galesburg to Burlington. This gave them a through line to the last named place. The Peoria & Oquawka company failed to pay the indebtedness, the mortgage securing the money loaned was foreclosed, and thus another line was added to the already fast growing enterprise. The company then built a track of their own from Aurora to Chicago and made running arrangements with a line then in operation from Galesburg to Quincy, 100 miles distant. In 1864 the Quincy road came into possession of the company, thus making the three termini indicated in the name of the corporation. From that time to the pres- ent, branches have been built or bought in quick succession, until a map of the same looks like a picture of a great occiput, with its long arms stretching out in all directions over the vast plains of Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. By the time this will be in print a di- rect line will have been completed to Denver in Colorado. When we take into consideration the wonderful growth of these states, and the great probability of still greater development, we are led to wonder what the future of this enterprise is to be.
The branch that most interests our readers, however, is that now known as the Galva and Keithsburg extension, from Galva to Glad- stone. Originally this was three distinet enterprises, the main one . from Galva to New Boston being called the American Central railroad. This road was built by the company named, but equipped by the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quiney, and finally passed, with the short branches between Gladstone and Keithsburg and New Boston and Keithsburg, into the possession of the present owners.
The road enters Mercer county on the east at Windsor, and takes a nearly direct westerly course through the townships of Rivoli, Green,
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ROCK ISLAND AND MERCER COUNTY RAILROAD.
Mercer and Millersburg, and then deflecting somewhat toward the south, it reaches the town of New Boston, in the southwest corner of the township by the same name. From thence it follows the course of the Mississippi river south, through the townships of Keithsburg, Bald Bluff and Oquawka, to Oquawka, finally reaching the main line at Gladstone. The main line passes through the townships of Biggsville, South Henderson and Warren, in a westerly direction. The direct branch from Burlington to Quincy passes through three townships of Henderson : Warren, Honey Creek and Dallas. The local enterprises complete and in prospect will be noticed on another page.
THE ROCK ISLAND AND MERCER COUNTY RAILROAD.
A line of railroad of a good deal of local importance is the one indicated by the above title, extending from Rock Island in a southerly direction to the town of Cable, in Richland township. The road is twenty-six miles in length, including a run of four miles of the Chicago & Rock Island road, from Milan to Rock Island. The line was pro- jected by R. R. Cable (vice president of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific), P. L. and Ben. T. Cable, for the purpose of reaching the great coal fields of Richland township, and by these gentlemen built and made ready for the use of the coal company organized and owned by the same parties. The cost of the road, including grading, ties, iron, etc., was about $18.000 per mile, or about $300,000.
The coal company mentioned has furnished the rolling stock and put the line in operation, not only for carrying coal but for the trans- portation of merchandise and grain from and to the little towns that have since sprung up all along the line. Passenger coaches are attached to all the trains for the accommodation of the traveling public. The mails and express matter are also sent over this line. so that this enterprise has not only been the means of bringing the coal deposits to market, but has also given a considerable section of country through which it lies postal, commercial, telegraphic and traveling facilities.
The road passes through the town of Preemption, and nearly through that of Richland Grove, in this county, and is highly appre- ciated by the citizens of the northeastern part of the county.
The coal company, of which an extended notice is given in the his- tory of Richland township, mines and transports from 90,000 to 100,000 tons of coal yearly.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
MERCER COUNTY SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Mr. Tyler McWhorter and James H. Connell, Esq., furnish us data for the following :
This society was organized in Aledo February 19, 1878, under the name of Mercer County Scientific Association. At this meeting were present Tyler Mc Whorter, W. J. Pepper, J. H. Connell, I. N. Bassett, J. V. Frazier and W. A. Marsh. Mr. McWhorter presided, and Mr. Connell served as secretary. A constitution and by-laws were adopted; a number of invitations issued to others to attend the next meeting, and adjourned to March 5, 1878, to which time election of officers was postponed.
The objects and purposes of this organization may be briefly stated as follows :
Different individuals of our county were more or less interested in scientific investigation, but were isolated from each other, and had few opportunities for interviews, or to profit by each other's study, or line of thought.
The native flora and fauna of our county ; the carboniferous fossils, in connection with our seams of coal ; the implements and relics found in connection with the numerous ancient mounds in various parts of the county; these, and other kindred subjects had elicited the atten- tion of many of our citizens. Already many private collections of sci- entific interest had been made by different individuals of the county, and it was thought that persons whose minds are directed to scientifie investigation should associate themselves together, so as to have an interchange of ideas, and enjoy the advantages of each other's re- search. It was believed that, with such an organization, a more gen eral interest might be elicited to investigate and attain to a higher com- prehension of nature.
While we have social organizations, with large expenditures, in support of our various churches, it would seem that we should also have some organizations to encourage thought and stimulate investiga- tion in those important questions of science that are so directly related to the progress of the present age. It was for these reasons that many of our citizens felt that many advantages might be enjoyed by banding themselves together in such a society. Another purpose of the society was to make up a cabinet, or scientific collection, of such specimens relating to the natural sciences as might be contributed by its members, or others.
The meetings of the society are held quarterly, on the first Tuesday of March, June, September and December of each year.
On March 5, 1878, the adjourned meeting was held, and ten names
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MERCER COUNTY SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
were added to the roll of members. Organization was completed by the election of the following officers: president, Dr. J. V. Frazier, of Viola; vice president, I. N. Bassett, Esq., of Aledo; secretary, J. H. Connell, of Aledo; treasurer, W. J. Pepper, of Keithsburg; trustees, six years, Tyler Me Whorter, Aledo; four years, W. J. Pepper, Keiths- burg; two years, J. C. Pepper, Aledo.
The presidents of the society to date, each holding one year, are as follows: Dr. J. V. Frazier, Viola; I. N. Bassett, Aledo; E. L. Larkin, New Windsor; Tyler McWhorter, Aledo; and John Geiger, now serv- ing in that capacity.
James H. Connell was elected secretary at the first meeting, and was reelected annually until March, 1882, when Alex. McArthur was elected.
The cabinet of the society is very interesting, and includes several hundred specimens-geological, fossil, mineral, etc. The largest do- nations were made by the following persons : geological, etc., by Tyler Me Whorter; shells, by W. A. Marsh ; mineral, etc., by J. HI. Connell ; miscellaneous, by J. C. Pepper and W. J. Pepper; birds, by W. B. Crapnell.
The following papers have been read before the association : Cli- matic Changes and their Resultant Periods, Dr. J. V. Frazier; Metric System of Weights and Measures, J. R. Wylie; The Domain of Sci- entific Investigation and Thought, I. N. Bassett ; The Mississippi River: Its Geological History, Tyler Me Whorter; Future Punishment; from Ethnical Scripture, E. L. Larkin ; Probable Origin of Life on the Globe, John Geiger ; Shall we Impoverish the Fertility of the Earth, T. MeWhorter; Utility of the Stars, W. J. Pepper; Antiquity of Man, T. McWhorter; Crystalography, J. R. Wylie ; Electricity, R. H. Spi- cer, Sr .; Conchology, W. A. Marsh ; Inclination of the Earth's Axis, T. Mc Whorter ; Force, E. L. Larkin ; Flesh Eating, John Geiger ; Flesh Eating, Joseph McCoy; Population and its Distribution, C. V. Shove; Motion, E. L. Larkin ; The Birds and Animals we are Losing and Gaining, W. B. Crapnell ; Hygiene of Soil Waters, Dr. J. V. Fra- zier ; Embryology, J. R. Wylie; Axial Rotation, John Geiger ; People of North America, E. L. Larkin ; Biology, T. McWhorter; The Sur- face or Economic of our Prairies, Graham Lee ; Imperfections of Hu- man Knowledge, Tyler McWhorter ; The Planet Venus, J. C. Pepper ; The Coming Man, Tyler McWhorter; Conscience Man's True Guide, J. Geiger ; Progress in Science, I. N. Bassett ; Some Observations on the Rocky Mountains, J. H. Connell ; Silver Coinage, John Geiger; Protoplasm and Life, I. N. Bassett ; Scientific Instruments, E. L. Larkin ;
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Improved Socialism, Jolın Geiger ; Changes of Organic Life with the Advance of Civilization, Tyler McWhorter.
In December, 1879, the name was changed to the "Mercer County Scientific and Historical Society," the object being to gather up notes. on the history of Mercer county. John Geiger, I. N. Bassett, Graham Lee and C. S. Richey were appointed a committee to receive all that had been prepared. May 1, 1880, the committee reported that they had received a considerable amount of historic matter from different sources, which was given into the custody of the society. In 1882 the society turned all papers in their hands over to Prof. H. H. Hill, to be embodied in this book.
The membership roll contained the following names: Tyler Mc- Whorter, Aledo; J. V. Frazier, Viola; W. A. Marsh, Millersburg tp .; I. N. Bassett, Aledo; W. J. Pepper, Millersburg tp .; J. H. Connell, now of Pueblo, Col .; J. C. Pepper. J. R. Wylie, Aledo; E. L. Larkin, New Windsor; W. B. Crapnell, New Boston tp. (died 1881); C. A. Ballard, New Boston ; W. C. Galloway, Joseph McCoy, John Geiger, Aledo ; John B. Holland, Keithsburg ; Thos. Shaver, Tennessee Roll- ing Mills, Ky .; Geo. P. Graham, Paola, Kan .; F. D. Rathbun, New Windsor ; R. H. Spicer, Sr., Viola ; C. F. Durston, J. M. Wilson, W. A. Lorimer, B. F. Brock, Alex. Stephens, D. T. Hindman, Horace Bigelow, L. B. Morey, Alex. McArthur, Aledo ; C. S. Orth, William Griffin (died 1882), E. L. Marshall, Keithsburg; C. V. Shove, E. L. McKinnie, G. L. F. Robinson, Viola ; L. C. Gilmore, E. B. David, Miss A. E. Frazier, B. C. Taliaferro, D. R. Johnston, Aledo ; P. F. Warner, Havana, Ills .; Graham Lee, Hamlet; C. H. Gran, Alpha, Henry county; J. F. Mccutcheon, Norwood ; A. P. Willits, T. B. Cabeen, Keithsburg. Honorary member : Lieut. F. S. Bassett, U. S. Navy.
Such is the history, objects and membership of this society, which has already accomplished a work of which its members may feel proud, and has but laid the foundation of a grand and most commendable effort in the advancement of scientific research. And from the pro- gressive character of the men composing its membership we may safely predict for the society a glorious future, and a name that will be known wherever science is made a special study.
NOTES ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES, ILLINOIS, BY WILLIAM A. MARSH.
Palceontology .- The principal geological formations that occur in Mercer and Henderson counties which contain fossils are, the coal measures and the St. Louis group, Keokuk limestone, Burlington lime-
JAMES M. EMERSON. ( DECEASED )
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NOTES ON NATURAL HISTORY.
stone, and Kinderhook group, of the lower carboniferous system. The number of species of fossil flora found within the limits of these two counties is very small compared with other sections, but our fossil fauna will compare favorably with any section of the state, at least as far as the number of species is concerned, although they are not found in as good a state of preservation as might be desired. The whole number of fossil species that have come under my observation, in collecting among the different formations of the two counties. is about 400 species, divided as follows : coal measure flora, twenty-five species ; coal meas- ure fauna, 250 species; lower carboniferous. 125 species. The most remarkable and interesting forms are the crinoiden of the lower car- boniferous, and the different forms of the genus Productus, belonging to the Brachiopoda.
Mammals .- The mammalian fauna of these two counties is almost the exact counterpart of all prairie sections. The time was when the larger forms of life abounded ; when the deer, elk, buffalo, beaver, etc., made the prairies their home. The coming of the white man, attended by all the circumstances of progress, has driven these larger forms from the country, and now the smaller kinds alone retain a foot- ing. They are American buffalo, beaver, red deer, gray wolf, prairie wolf, gray fox, otter, mink, weasel, skunk. wild cat. opossum, raccoon, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, black squirrel, flying squirrel, chipmunk, gray prairie squirrel, striped prairie squirrel, woodchuck, striped badger, rabbit, brown rat (introduced), white-footed wood mouse, white- footed prairie mouse, long-tailed jumping mouse. prairie meadow mouse, wood meadow mouse, long-haired meadow mouse, shrew mole, star nose mole, muskrat, house mouse (introduced), long-eared bat.
The number of species of birds, as far as I have been able to iden- tify them, will reach about 180 species. embracing forty-one families. This includes those that remain with us the year round, those that are known to visit us through the spring and summer season, and those that tarry with us a short time during their migrations through the country from north to south.
The number of fish species thus far identified as occurring in the Mississippi river, its lakes and sloughs, and the small streams flowing into it, through the counties of Mercer and Henderson, is about seven- ty-seven species. Besides the fish used for food, this list includes the dog fish, the eel, the gar pike, the alligator gar, the spoon-bill, the spotted sturgeon, and the leech lamprey.
The snakes are: blowing viper, hog-nosed snake. red-bellied water snake, Holbrook's water snake, ribbon snake, Faireve's garter snake,
5
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IIISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
racer, summer green snake, king snake. corn snake, spotted adder, ground snake, timber rattlesnake (now extinct), prairie rattlesnake.
The Batrachians are : frogs, four species ; tree frogs, three species ; toads, one species ; salamanders, seven species ; lizards, four species ; turtles, ten species.
The molluscan fauna of Mercer and Henderson numbers 137 acknowledged species. Seven years of careful study and collecting in this particular branch leads me to believe that very few, if any, new forms will be likely to be found. They may be classed as follows: unionidæ, sixty-eight species ; corbiculada, twelve species ; viviparidæ, seven species; vulvatidæ, one species; strepomatidæ. one species ; rissoidæ, six species ; helicidæ, twenty-five species; limnacida, four- teen species ; ancylinæ, three species. It will be observed that the per cent of land shells is very small in comparison to the water shells. The absence of timber, the frequent overflowing of our water-courses, and the great number of swine running in the timbered sections, has had a tendency to nearly destroy this interesting class of mollusks.
The flora of Mercer and Henderson counties presents a study of very great interest to the botanist. Over 800 species have been iden- tified, including indigenous and introduced species, as existing in the two counties. The woody plants, including the trees, shrubs and woody climbers, number about 120 species. The filices or ferns, twelve species. The grasses, including the juncaceæ or rush family, and the cyperaceæ or sedge grass family, number 180 species. Among the true grasses may be found some of the most valuable and interesting species found in the United States, and a few of the most obnoxious kinds. It would be a pleasant task to present lists of some of the most interesting orders of our plants, but as the number is so great, it would be almost impossible to list them in a brief report like this.
NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP.
The township of New Boston embraces congressional township 14 north, and ranges 5 and 6 west, extending to the Mississippi river. The eastern part is undulating and contains a depth and richness of soil unexcelled in the county. The western part of the township is level, containing a narrow strip of sandy soil, in some places almost destitute of vegetation ; between this strip and the undulating region of the east the bottom land is extremely fertile and produces heavy crops.
The minerals, as far as known, are limited in kind and quantity, being wholly comprised in a stone quarry at the mouth of the Edwards
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NEW BOSTON TOWNSHIP.
river. The drainage is excellent. The swamp lands so common to some localities are almost wholly wanting here. The Edwards river flows through the township, entering on section 1 and passing out on section 33. In the western part are several small lakes, of which Bald Eagle, Eliza and Swan lakes are the principal ones. The township is well supplied with timber in the eastern part and along the river bot- tom, the kinds being oak, maple, walnut, sycamore, and similar decid- uous trees.
The township has a somewhat interesting railroad history, to which we shall refer more fully farther on. The Galva and Keithsburg branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy enters the township on section 24 and takes a diagonal course to the town of New Boston, a branch running to Keithsburg from a point on section 27, thereby giv- ing a southern outlet and southern connections.
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