History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 17

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 17

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).

In 1836, Mr. Stuart was nominated by his party for Representative in Congress, and made the race against William L. May, of Springfield. In this race Mr. Stuart was beaten, as he really expected to be, he making the race with a view of solidifying his party, which was in a large minority in the district, and doubtless with the hope that it would benefit him in future cam- paigns. In 1838, he was again nominated in op- position to Stephen A. Douglas, who was even then developing the powers which afterwards made him so famons, and the leader of a great party. In this campaign Mr. Stuart was success- ful, and therefore became a member of the Twenty-fifth Congress. In 1840, he was again

a candidate, and again elected. In Congress, Mr. Stuart made no special effort to become prominent, being content to be recognized as one of the working members of that body, but that he was not without influence is illustrated in the fact that he secured the passage of an appropriation for a harbor at Chicago, the first appropriation, it is thought, ever passed for that purpose. The member from Detroit, Michigan, and Mr. Stuart were the only western members securing an appropriation that session.

In 1842, Mr. Stuart declined a re-election to Congress and again resumed the active practice of law; but in 1848, he was prevailed upon to accept the nomination for State Senator in the district composed of the counties of Sangamon, Mason and Menard. He served the term of four years for which he was elected. with marked ability, but from that time until 1862 he was virtually out of polities, though a firm sup- porter of Millard Fillmore, in 1856, and John Bell, in 1860, for the Presidency. Fillmore and Bell were both old Whigs, and while represent- ing other parties and running upon other issues, he yet believed them to be sufficiently imbued with the Whig leaven as to merit his earnest support.

Mr. Stuart is by nature a conservative man and a believer in the Constitution of our fathers. While being progressive in matters affecting business interests, in political affairs he has been favorable to no change that would violently affect the convictions of a lifetime. During the dark days of the war, it was always his earnest hope that President Lincoln would pursue a conservative course. He believed in subduing the rebellion, and in a vigorous prosecution of the war, but desired nothing should be done by the Union authorities that would disarrange the existing order of things -- the war must be car- ried on in a Constitutional way; that institution must be kept inviolate by all who had sworn to protect it. In 1862, Mr. Stuart announced him- self a candidate for Congress in a circular ad- dressed " To the Voters of the Eighth Congres- sional Distriet," in the following terms:

"FELLOW CITIZENS: Iannounce myself a can- didate to represent you in the next Congress. If any apology is needed for my mode of doing so, I offer it in the following facts: My political life dates back to a time anterior to party conventions, to a time when it was the practice of myself and others to come before you for your suffrages self-nominated. I am only doing now what I have repeatedly done before, when I announced myself a candidate for your suffrages, three

113

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

times for Congress and as often for the legisla- ture. Again, I ever, during its existence, be- longed to the Whig party. Since the dissolu- tion of that party, I have attached myself to no other; I, therefore, can appeal to no party con- vention, and nothing is left to me but to declare myself a candidate independent of any party organization, and free to serve my country in such manner as duty to her interests may dictate. Frankness further requires me to say, that I be- come a candidate not because any friends have pressed me to do so, but because my own incli- nations have so prompted, stimulated by the hope that the contingency has now arisen, or soon will arise, when I may be of service to our beloved country in her hour of trial, and aid in preserving that glorious Union which our fathers formed. I aim thus to discharge the obligations which I owe to the country, in the circumstan- ces in which it is placed. Whether you will consider it to be your duty to vote for or against me, is a question for you to decide. Your confi- dence would be a source of great gratification to me.

"I am for 'the Union, the Constitution and the enforcement of the laws.' This creed ex- presses my views in the briefest manner. It is appropriate to the circumstances of the country. I believe in it as a whole, and in every part, without qualification or condition, and to it I pledge myself with every faculty of my nature. I believe the Union which our fathers formed was designed by them to be perpetual. It owes its origin to a patriotism, statesmanship and wise forecast, of which the world furnishes few, if any, parallels; it has been most benificient in its results; it has secured to us, as a nation, in a most remarkable degree, the blessings of civil liberty, domestic tranquility and safety from foreign aggression. In that Union has been our strength. The advantages flowing from that Union, coupled with our great natural gifts, has secured to us a growth, as a nation, without a parallel in the history of the world. With this Union preserved we might hope to transmit all these blessings and continued prosperity, to the remotest generations of our posterity. With the Union dissevered our hopes can linger on no such glorious vision. After so sad a catastro- phe the future presents our once united and happy country, divided into two, perhaps many parts, discordant, warring, drenched in fraternal blood, and finally seeking the strong arm of the despot to save her from anarchy. Such has been the fate of other republics. God grant that such may not be ours, or that of our children.

Need I add that I regard it to be my duty, as it is that of every other citizen, to maintain and preserve it. How is that Union to be maintained and preserved? I answer, by the use, if neces- sary, of all the ample powers vested by the Con- stitution in the General Government. Our Union is based upon a written Constitution, embodying the contract by which the people formed a perpetual Union and erected a govern- ment limited in power as to the subject matter for its exercise, but supreme wherever given. It is only by virtue of that Constitution that the General Government can claim and enforce the obedience of all the parts and sections of the Union, to such laws and acts as are made and done in pursuance of that Constitution. These powers are ample, if wisely used. Indeed, we have a strong government. That Constitution provides no mode of dissolving the Union. It has no sanction for secession. When, therefore, the people of the South make the effort, by force, to free themselves from the obligations which they owe under the Constitution to the Union, they become rebels and traitors, seeking by revolution to destroy the Union, and it is the right and becomes the duty of the General Gov- ernment, to put down that rebellion and stay that revolution by the use, for that purpose, of all its constitutional powers. Were it to resort to any other powers, or to means outside of the Constitution, the Government would itself inau- gurate a revolution. The Southern revolution threatens us with anarchy; such a revolution by the Government, would lead to a military des- potism. I refrain from the discussion of past questions, the tendency of which would be to irritate, and shed no light upon any future dnty. " Whatever may have been our differences of opinion upon such past questions, the one great question which now presses upon us ought to admit of no differences of opinion. In the deadly struggle now existing between the Gov- ernment and armed rebellion there can be no other alternative left to all such as would pre- serve the Union, maintain the Constitution, and enforce the laws, but to fight it out to the bitter end-fight, not to gratify a long pent-up hatred and desire for revenge-fight, not as a means of accomplishing some object which cannot be done under the Constitution, but fight to conquer a peace-such a peace as will preserve the integrity of the Union and the majesty of the Constitution and the law-such a peace as will degrade no section of the Union.

"In conclusion, therefore, if I should become your representative, I would feel it to be my

114

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

duty, so far as that position would give me the power, to place at the disposal of the Executive, all the resources of the Government, required to enable him to exercise his constitutional powers and perform his duty under the Constitution, or to add to the comfort or efficiency of our gallant soldiers while fighting the battles of the Union. "One thing further I would add, not neces- sary, perhaps, in this connection, but I wish to say it, and the occasion is at least not unfit. Mr. Lincoln and myself, as most of you know, have been closely connected for more than a quarter of a century, by many ties, the recollec- tion of which is very dear to me. Difference in political opinion since 1856, has in no wise diminished my respect for the man, or the un- bounded confidence I have ever bad in his per- sonal integrity. I believe he entertains an ardent desire, and is struggling to preserve the Union and Constitution as our fathers made them; and, as a matter of feeling, as well as duty, I would rather aid than embarrass him in all such efforts. If my voice could now reach his ear, I would be glad to say to him: Follow the dictates of your own clear head and pat- riotic heart, and preserve the Union by the ample powers conferred upon you by the Con- stitution, and repulse from you any faction, if such there be, which would goad you into a resort to revolutionary means; and for a Union and a Constitution so preserved, history will erect monuments for you by the side of Wash- ington. Your obedient servant,

" JOHN T. STUART.

"AUGUST 30, 1862."

Mr. Stuart was triumphantly elected, receiv- ing the entire Democratic vote, and that of hun- dreds of Republicans. In Sangamon county, where he was personally known by every voter, he ran far ahead of his ticket. The people be- lieved in him, trusted in him. In Congress he endeavored to act faithfully to his convictions. The Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln he opposed, for the reason he believed it unnecessary, and the objects for which it was issued could more readily be attained in other ways. It is due to him to say that he now be- lieves that "all was for the best."

In 1864, Mr Stuart received the Democratic nomination for Congress, but was defeated by Shelby M. Cullom. From that time he has ceased to take an active part in political life.

It may truly be said of him that he never was a politician in the commonly accepted definition of the term. Politics with him is the science of government, and in his entire political career he

has endeavored to act for the interests of the people rather than that of party.

As already stated, Mr. Stuart has always taken an active part in all matters of public interest. No man in Sangamon county is entitled to more credit for the excellent railroad system of this county. He has been prominently identified with each, and has served as President of one or more, Director and Attorney of several of them. In 1866, he was elected President of the Spring- field City Railway Company, President of the Springfield Watch Company and President of the Bettie Stuart Board of Trustees. He was one of the three Commissioners for building of the new State House. As Chairman of the Ex- ecutive Committee of the National Lincoln Monument Association, it devolved upon him to do more than any other one man in superintend- ing the erection of that monument to the mem- ory of his life-long friend, Abraham Lincoln.

In educational matters Mr. Stuart has likewise been prominently identified. The old Illinois State University, the predecessor of the German Lutheran Concordia College, took much of his time, and in the Bettie Stuart Institute he has ever felt great interest.

John T. Stuart and Mary V. Nash, a daughter of General Frank Nash, and niece of Judge Lockwood, were united in marriage at Jackson- ville, Illinois, October 25, 1837. The union has been a happy one. Six children were born unto them-Bettie, afterwards the wife of C. C. Brown, and for whom the Bettie Stuart Insti- tute is named, since deceased; John T., Frank N., Virginia E., Hannah and Robert.

Socially, there is nothing to be said of Mr. Stuart but what is good. As a husband and father, he is kind and affectionate; as a neigh- bor, he is friendly and accommodating; as a citizen, he is public spirited and helpful. The poor in him have always found a friend, the cry of distress from the unfortunate always touches his heart, and he is ever ready to hearken unto their cry and minister to their wants. The young love him; the middle aged trust him; the old lean upon him as a friend; and all trust him. The golden rule has always been the rule of his life. He has shown his love to God by his love of his fellow-man. John T. Stuart is a grand, good man, and when called upon by the Judge of the Universe to a higher court, his place here will remain vacant; it cannot be filled and he will not be forgotten.

Samuel II. Treat, Judge of the United States Court for the Southern District of Illinois, is a native of Otsego county, New York, and was

115

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

born in 1812. He read law and was admitted to practice in his native State; came to Illinois and settled in Springfield in 1834, and has been a resident of the city ever since. In 1838 he was appointed Circuit Judge, and filled the office until 1841. He was then elected Judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois, serving till 1855, when he was chosen to the Bench of the United States District Court, which position he has filled with distinguished ability for more than a quar- ter of a century. Judge Treat is admirably adapted, both by nature and education, for the bench, and has few equals in the judiciary of this country.

Benjamin S. Edwards, for forty years an hon- ored member of the Sangamon County Bar, is the youngest son of Hon. Ninian Edwards, the first Governor of the Territory of Illinois, after- wards United States Senator and Governor of the State, was born June 3, 1818, in Edwards- ville, Madison county, Illinois. He graduated from Yale College in the class of 1838, studied law at the law school connected with that college, in 1839, completed his preparatory studies for the profession with Hon. Stephen 'T. Logan, de- ceased, of Springfield, and began practicing in March, 1840, with such competitors as Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, S. T. Logan, E. D. Baker, Jesse B. Thomas, Mr. McDongal, Mr. Lamborn, and other legal lights. In 1843, Mr. Edwards entered into partnership with Hon. John T. Stuart, in Springfield, which still exists, having continued thirty-eight years. He has studiously and zealously applied himself to the profession, paying little attention to politics. He was chosen a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1862, representing Sangamon county. He was, without his knowledge or con- sent, nominated for Congress on the Democratic ticket, in 1868, and greatly reduced the ordinary Republican majority, though opposed to Gover- nor Cullom in the contest. At the solicitation of the Bar and the people, Mr. Edwards became a candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court, in 1869; was elected, and discharged the judicial duties with satisfaction to lawyers and litigants. When the circuit was enlarged, Judge Edwards retired from the bench, and has since devoted himself entirely to legal labors. Judge Edwards honors the profession he has faithfully repre- sented, for more than forty years, and has won an enviable reputation, both as a superior lawyer and a thorough gentleman.

James C. Conkling was born in New York City, October 13, 1816. At the age of thirteen, he entered the academy at Morristown, New

Jersey, and prepared for college. He entered Princeton in 1833, and graduated in 1835. He then entered the law office of Henry A. Ford, and read law for three years. In the fall of 1838, he came to Springfield, Illinois, was licensed by the Supreme Court of the State the following winter, and at once commenced the practice of law. Soon thereafter he formed a partnership with Cyrus A. Walker, then one of the leading attorneys of the State, and who, though living at Macomb, in McDonough county, practiced in the courts of Springfield. This arrangement continned for about two years, when he formed a partnership with General James A. Shields, of Mexican war fame, and who subsequently, at intervals, represented three States in the United States Senate.

In 1845 Mr. Conkling was elected Mayor of Springfield and served one term. In 1851 he was elected a member of the House of Repre- sentatives of the General Assembly of the State, and again in 1866. His object in accepting the nomination was for the purpose of securing an ap- propriation for the building of a new State House, and by that means forever to secure Springfield as the permanent seat of government of the State. It will be remembered that at this time the ques- tion of removal was being agitated by the press and people throughout the State. Peoria, Bloom- ington, Decatur, Chicago and other places were anxious to secure its location. A new State House had become an absolute necessity, the old having become too small for the proper transaction of business of the State. At the ses- sion of the legislature, in the winter of 1866-67, Mr. Conkling was made a member of the com- mittee on public buildings, and also chairman of the Judiciary committee. As a member of the former he drew a bill for an appropriation, which after considerable delay was reported to the House. Here the fight raged furiously be- tween friends and opponents of the measure. Several days were spent in discussion, and while one of the opponents of the measure, who had been selected to close the debate, was making his speech, Mr. Conkling learned the bill had no enacting clause, the engrossing clerk having left it off the bill as presented. Calling Isaac Keys. Mr. Conkling proceeded to the office of the en- grossing clerk and compelled him to restore the enacting clause, and supply words that had been omitted or changed from the original bill. Re- turning to the House with the true copy, it was given to the clerk and the vote taken. A major- ity of two votes was obtained for the bill. Mr. Conkling deserves great credit for his efforts in

116

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

this connection. He had to fight against great odds. Leading men in Springfield who had been working for months to the same end, be- fore the bill was put upon its passage, became discouraged and abandoned the field.

In 1863 Mr. Conkling was appointed by Gov- ernor Yates, State Agent to settle the claims of the State against the general government for equipments furnished volunteers. The duty was performed to the satisfaction of the State.

As a lawyer, Mr. Conkling ranks among the ablest. Ile is regarded by many as the most eloquent member of the Bar at the present time, and some of his oratical efforts are considered equal to any of the productions of Edward Everett.

James C. Conkling and Mercy A. Lovering were united in marriage September 21, 1841, in Baltimore, Maryland. Five children were born unto them-Clinton L., Charles, James, Annie V., and Alice.

James C. Conkling is a man of great enter- prise and business activity. He has used much of his wealth in building enterprises and for the encouragement of manufactures. He is a mem- ber of the Second Presbyterian Church of Springfield, and for many years has been a rul- ing elder in that body.

James H. Matheny, the present County Judge was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, October 30, 1818. In the spring of 1821 he was brought by his parents, Charles R., and Jemima Ma- theny, to Springfield, where he has since contin- ued to reside. He now lays claim to be the old- est living resident of the city. Judge Mathe- ny's life has been an active one. At fifteen years of age he was employed as clerk in the Post- office and the Recorder's office, transacting the entire business of each, and probably having a little leisure to engage in such sports as were common to the youths of that age. It is well known that he enjoyed a little fun when a boy, and now that time has sprinkled his hair with gray he still enjoys a good joke. In 1839 he was appointed Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court and served for a time. In 1841 he en- tered the office of Baker & Bledsoe as a law student, and for two years pursued his studies, being admitted to the Bar in 1843. Instead of seeking a country where he was not known, he "hung out his shingle" in Springfield, where he was raised and where he was known by almost every one. He soon secured a good practice, and from that time to the present, he has never lacked for clients. As a jury-lawyer, he ranks high, and has been retained in many of the most

prominent cases before the courts of Sangamon and adjoining counties. Ile is an effective speaker, with power to move a jury at will. His perceptive faculties are large, and he can quickly grasp a point or penetrate the aims of an adversary.

In 1845 he was united in marriage with Maria L. Lee, and by her had seven children-Lee, Edward Dow, Lucy, Nora, James H., Jr., Ralph C., and Robert W.

Judge Matheny has held many important public positions, and has always discharged his trusts in a faithful manner. In addition to those already mentioned, he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1848, and was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, in 1852, and served one term of four years. During the war he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 130th Regiment Illinois Infantry. After the capture of Vicksburg he was on detached duty, holding military courts until 1864, when his reg- iment was consolidated with another, and he resigned. In November, 1873, he was elected Judge of the County Court of Sangamon County, and re-elected in 1877, without opposi- tion.

In the "good old days of the Whig party " Judge Matheny was an earnest defender of its principles, his first Presidential vote being given for William Henry Harrison in the campaign of 1840. During that campaign, in company with nine other young men, he made a trip to Nashville, Tennessee, to hear Henry Clay speak. This journey required about five weeks, as the party went in their own private conveyance and camped out of nights. On the dissolution of the Whig party, Judge Matheny acted for a short time with the American and Republican parties, but on account of the conservative ten- dency of his mind, he finally drifted into the Democratic ranks, and usually votes that ticket. He is not a modern politician by any means, and never has antagonized the better element of opposing parties. When running for office, he invariably leads his ticket, in consequence of personal popularity, and for the reason he does not antagonize.

In the meetings of the Old Settlers' Society he has always taken a deep interest, and was selected to make the first annual address. This address will be found elsewhere in this work. For several years he has held the position of Secretary of the Society, and no man would be missed more in its meetings.

William H. Herndon was born in Greensburg, Kentucky, December 25, 1818, and came to Illi-

Elijahi Iles

119

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

nois in 1820, and Sangamon County in 1821, in company with his parents. The schools of Springfield he attended, as the opportunity of- fered, until 1836, when he entered Illinois Col- lege, at Jacksonville, but only attended one year, being removed by his father in conse- quence of the Abolition excitement then pend- ing, and which resulted in the death of Lovejoy, at Alton. The elder Herndon was inclined to be pro-slavery in his views, and did not care to have his son have Abolition sentiments instilled in his mind by the professors in the Jackson- ville institution. It is probable, judging from later events, that the removal was accomplished when it was too late. After his removal from the college, he clerked in a store for several years, and in 1842 entered the law office of Lin- coln & Logan, where he read two years and was admitted to the Bar in 1844. The partnership of Lincoln & Logan now being dissolved, Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Herndon became partners, a relation which was never formally dissolved, and which existed until the death of Mr. Lin- coln, though other temporary arrangements were effected by Mr. Herndon after Mr. Lincoln entered upon the duties of the Presidency. The first arrangement was a partnership with Chas. S. Zane, which continued until Mr. Zane's eleva- tion to the Bench, when a partnership was en- tered into with A. Orendorff, which continued until Mr. Herndon's removal to the country in March, 1867. Before he left the city, he wrote and delivered four lectures on the character and life of Abraham Lincoln.

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 Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 17

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084