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 85

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 85

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).

Mr. Herndon was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the General Assem- bly of the State in 1834, and served two years. In 1836 he was elected a State Senator, and re-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

elected in 1838 and 1840, serving six years in all. In the legislature he was an active and influential member, and served with credit to himself and his constituents. In the contest on the removal of the capital from Vandalia to Springfield he was one of the most active of the nine. In 1842 he was appointed Receiver of Public Moneys in the Land Office at Spring- field, and served until 1849, discharging the duties in a faithful and satisfactory manner.

When Mr. Herndon arrived in Sangamon county he was almost if not quite penniless, but by industry, fortunate investments, and economy, he accumulated a handsome fortune.

Areher G. Herndon died in Springfield, Jan- uary 3, 1867.

WILLIAM BUTLER.

One of the most noted of the local politicians of Sangamon county, if not of the State, was William Butler, who was born December 15, 1797, in Adair county, Kentucky. During the war of 1812, he was selected to carry important dispatches from the Governor of Kentucky to General Harrison, in the field. He traveled on horseback, and made the trip successfully, al- though he was but fifteen years of age. When a young man, he was employed in the iron works of Tennessee, and after that was deputy of the Circuit Clerk for Adair county, Kentucky. While thus engaged, he made the acquaintance of a young lawyer, afterward the venerable Judge Stephen T. Logan, of this city. The friendship thus formed continued through life. Mr. Butler spent a portion of his time a's clerk on a steam- boat. In 1828, he came to Sangamon county, and purchased a farm in Island Grove. On that farm his father, Elkanah Butler, lived and died. William Butler came to Springfield, and was soon after appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court, by his early friend, Judge Logan, March 19, 1836, and resigned March 22, 1841. He was ap- pointed, by Governor Bissell, State Treasurer, August 29, 1859, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of State Treasurer Miller. He was elected to the same office in 1860, for two years. William Butler and Elizabeth Rickard were married December 18, 1832. They had three children-Salome E., Speed, and Henry Wirt.

As stated, Mr. Butler was a noted local poli- tieian, and it is said of him that he could come nearer predicting the result of an election, in either county, State, or Nation, than any man re- siding here.

Mr. Butler was in his personal appearance: rather more than average height; not heavy, but

compactly built; light and wary in his step; active in his movements; and of great strength and power of endurance for one of his weight. He had a high and ample forehead, a thoughtful and serene brow, a bright searching eye, a mouth of inflexible decision, a serious face, and general aspect of features which marked him as a man of purpose and resolution. His fine presence and his whole manner in business and social intercourse showed the individuality of his char- aeter, which, with his habitual self-respect and self-possession at all times, whether in the ordi- mary walk of life or in great emergencies, made him a noted man. He was endowed with great mental and physical courage; prompt in forming, and resolute in carrying out any purpose or plan of action on which he had decided. He never sought to be conspicuous-hated shams and des- pised hypocracy. He never pretended to be what he was not; not at all credulous, but rather inelined to be distrustful of human nature, yet when anyone had onee gained his respect and confidence, he was to them a true, faithful and steadfast friend-to be ever relied on in the hour of peril or adversity.

From 1840 to 1870, during a period of thirty years, the most exciting and perilous years of the Nation, William Butler was one of the most active and influential men in the State of Illinois; a Whig up to the dissolution of that party, and then a Republican during the rest of his life. His advice was always sought and usually acted on by the leading publie men of the State. Mr. Butler never sought office; the public positions . which he held were tendered him without solici- tation on his part. He much preferred to use his influence to decide who should and who should not be placed in office, and his potent aid was usually decisive of the result.

A more honest custodion of the public funds never held the position of State Treasurer. Dur- ing the rebellion his official position gave him grand opportunities for serving his State and Nation. He, in connection with the Hon. Jesse K. Dubois and O. M. Hatch, formed the cabinet of Governor Richard Yates, who was pre-emin- ently the great War Governor of the Republic.

Mr. Butler, at a very early day, discerned the great possibilities which belonged to the char- acter and abilities of Abraham Lincoln. When he was a poor and comparatively friendless young man, Mr. Butler gave him a home in his family, when he moved to Springfield to com- mence the practice of law. He remained a mem- ber of the household until the day of his mar- riage.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Mr. Butler, in conjunction with David Davis, O. H. Browning and Stephen T. Logan, was largely instrumental in placing Lincoln in nom- ination for the Presidency, at Chicago, in 1860.

Mr. Butler was so mixed up in the excitement and difficulties connected with the Shields and Lincoln challenge for a duel, that he received a challenge from General James Shields, which challenge was promptly accepted. The time, distance and weapons promised a fatal result to one or both parties. The affair was settled, and both men lived to render great service to their country.

William Butler died January 11, 1876, in Springfield, and his remains lie interred in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

DR. GERSHOM JAYNE.

Gershom Jayne, son of .Jotham Jayne, was born in October, 1791, in Orange county, New York. He served as surgeon in the war of 1812, then engaged in the practice of his profession in Cayuga county, in his native State. He removed to Illinois in 1819, and settled in Sangamon county, where he continued to practice in Spring- field for forty-seven years. When he commenced his vocation here, he was the first practitioner this far north in the State.

At that early day the practice of medicine was exceedingly laborious. Dr. Jayne was indefati- gable. He often rode fifteen and twenty miles to see a patient, and some times as much as sixty miles, and that in all kinds of weather. Those who employed him could depend on his punctu- ality, notwithstanding the wide extent of his medical practice. He fulfilled his engagements at the hour appointed, day or night. His prac- tical acumen was as marked as his fidelity. His judgment was rarely at fault. Always moderate in his charges, he was very benevolent to the poor. In politics, he belonged to the Whig party, and afterwards acted with the Republican party. He never sought office, but being ap- pointed, without any solicitation on his part, by Governor Ninian Edwards, as one of the first Commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan canal, he accepted and acted in that capacity. As a Christian, he never united with any denomina- tion ; his large head and broad views refused to subscribe to any sectarian creed. He was familiar with the Scriptures and an attentive listener to the preaching of the Gospel. He was the friend of the church and the school-honse, and cordially contributed of his means to the support of both.

He was a great reader, and possessed a retentive memory. Poetry was his especial delight, and

he knew how to quote it readily and with effect. The great aim and object of his life was in the line of his chosen profession, to that he gave the enthusiasmı and energy of an acute mind and a sound body,-his practice was large and reasona- bly lucrative-his career was eminently succesful.

He was married to Sibyl Slater in 1822, whose father, Elijah Slater, had moved from Massachu- setts. Of their six children born to them, four were reared to adult age. The oldest child, Julia Maria, married Senator Lyman Trumbull, the oldest son, Dr. William Jayne, adopted the profession of Medicine, as also Dr. Henry Jayne. Mary Ellen, the youngest daughter, resides in Springfield.

Gershom Jayne died in 1867, and his wife in 1878. Both are buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

REUBEN F. RUTH.

Reuben F. Ruth, for some years President of the Marine Bank of Springfield, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1815. His parents were also natives of the Keystone State. He served an apprenticeship to the sad- dlery and harness trade in Lancaster City, and in the spring of 1838, in company with several other young men, started West. Landing in Beardstown, Illinois, in August of that year, with a small stock of saddlery material, he be- gan business there, but in April, 1839, he came to Springfield, Sangamon county, and opened a small shop on Washington street. He subse- quently removed to the south side of the square, and there carried on the manufacture of saddles and harness successfully until 1861, when he formed a partnership with C. R. Hurst, and as the firm of Hurst & Ruth, engaged in the sale of dry goods, continuing the manufactory also, until 1875. He then sold his interest to his partner and retired from the firm. On May 5, 1868, Mr. Ruth was elected President of the Marine Bank of Springfield, and filled the posi- tion with credit and satisfaction till his death. August 11, 1841, he united in marriage with Maria W. Diller, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was born in Lancaster county, of that State, July 20, 1817. Two sons were the fruit of their union-J. Diller Ruth, born June 14, 1842, and R. Francis Ruth, born May 8, 1856. In August, 1877, Mr. Ruth formed a partnership with the younger son, and embarked in the hardware business, the partnership continuing up to the time of his decease, and under the direct man- agement of the junior partner.

Mr. Ruth had little taste for public life, but was induced to serve one term as City Alder- man, and four years as Water Works Commis-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

sioner. He was a careful, prudent, but energetie business man, devoid of all ostentation and affectation, but possessed of that sterling man- hood which commanded the respect and confi- dence of all with whom he came in contact. Ten years after settling in Springfield, he united with the Presbyterian Church, and remained a member the remainder of his life. He died after a brief illness, with dropsy of the heart, on the morning of September 28, 1881. Mrs. Maria W. D. Ruth died May 28, 1870, and the elder son, J. Diller Ruth, died in New Orleans, February 23, 1879. He married Anna Bacon, of Petersburg, Illinois, whom he left a widow with one daughter, Georgiana Ruth.

CHARLES R. HURST,

One of Springfield's prominent citizens and representative business men, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1811; came to Springfield in March, 1834, and soon after entered the employ of Bell & Linsley, dry goods merchants, as clerk. Some years later he bought the dry goods store of Joshua F. Speed, and continued in the business as sole or joint proprietor until the fall of 1877. During his commercial career he was in partner- ship with E. D. Taylor for some years, and fifteen years with R. F. Ruth, in the firm of Hurst & Ruth. He finally closed out the business to R. F. Herndon & Co., and purchasing an interest in the West End coal mine, a mile and a half east of the city, and engaged in the business of mining and shipping coal. The first two years, Mr. Ilurst was jointly interested with A. Starne, but in May, 1879, he bought his partner out and continued sole owner till his death, on June 15, 1881.

Soon after locating in Springfield, Mr. Hurst married Miss Ann, daughter of Colonel John Taylor. Seven children were born of their union, six of whom, three of each sex, survive, namely, Jennie E., Anna W., Georgia S., Charles H., Edward S, and Huizinga M. Mr. Hurst served eight consecutive years as city alderman, and was Chairman of the Finance committee during the whole time. He was also Water Works Commis- sioner three years.He was methodical, prompt and reliable in business, possessed of unswerv- ing integrity of character, cordial and modest in manners, and was closely identified with the prosperity and growth of ySpringfield. Since Mr. Hurst's decease the coal mining interest have been conducted by the widow and the three sons. From eighty to a hundred men are employed. The product of the mine is sold in the city and at points along the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad.

DR. JOIIN TODD.

John Todd was born April 27, 1787, near Lex- ington, Fayette county, Kentucky. He was among the earliest graduates of Transylvania University at Lexington. He next entered the Medical University of Philadelphia, Pennsylva- nia, and graduated there. Dr. Todd was mar- ried July 1, 1813, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Rev. John Blair Smith, D. D. She was born April 18, 1793, in Philadelphia. Her mother was a daughter of General Nash, a leader in the American Revolu- tion from Virginia. Dr. Todd, was appointed Surgeon General of the Kentucky troops in the war of 1812, and was at the battle and massacre of the river Raisin, in Canada, where he was captured. After the war he returned to Lexing- ton and practiced there. He was for a short time at Bardstown, Kentucky, and from there, in 1817, moved to Edwardsville, Illinois. In 1827 he was appointed by President John Quincy Adams, Register of the United States Land Of- fice, at Springfield, and at once moved there. He remained in office until he was removed solely for political reasons, by President Jackson in 1829.

On his arrival in Springfield, and while dis- charging the duties of his office, Dr. Todd en- gaged in the practice of his profession. When he retired from office he devoted his whole time to practice, and obtained many patients through- out the county, and even in adjoining counties.

Dr. Todd was a man of fine physique, of ro- bust constitution, and one suited to endure the hardships of a pioneer life, or practice among pioneers.

Dr. Todd was a liberal man in his dealings with his fellow-man. He was ever ready to do them a good turn, and his home was thrown open to all, and all received a hearty welcome.

In his later life he was an earnest and devoted Christian, and for some years was a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield. He died January 9, 1865.

J. K. DUBOIS.

Jesse Kilgore Dubois was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, January 14, 1811. He was edu- cated at Bloomington, Indiana, taking a classical course in the college at that place, but, having married, he left school a few months before the time that he would have graduated. He was elected a member of the legislature from Law- rence county, Illinois, before he was twenty-two years of age, and was several times re-elected to the same office from that county. He was also a justice of the peace there for several years. In

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

1841 he was appointed Commissioner of the Land Office in Palestine, and served four years, in that time, disposing of millions of acres of land. Soon after he was appointed Receiver of the Land Office at that place, and filled the posi- tion four years. In 1856, he was elected Auditor of State, and commenced the duties of that office in January, 1857. He was re-elected in 1860, and served until the expiration of his second term, in all four years. Hle declined a re-nomina- tion in 1864, and shortly after leaving the

Auditor's office, formed a business relation with Mr. Hawley, in the insurance business, which was continued for some time. After his removal to Springfield, he purchased a small farm ad- joining the city, where he spent the remain- der of his life. Mr. Dubois died in November, 1876.

Jesse K. Dubois was an honest, upright man, a firm believer in the principles of the Republi- can party, a Mason of high rank, and also an Odd Fellow.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXII.

DARK DEEDS.

"Thou shalt not kill," is a Divine precept. Its obligation is incumbent upon every one. Not- withstanding this, since the day that Cain slew his brother Abel, crime has been rife in the land. Laws are passed and heavy penalties are inflicted upon the guilty, yet crime does not cease to exist. Neither the terrors of this world or that which is to come deters the determined and wicked man from taking the life of a fellow-being. San- gamon county has, with every other county in the State, been the theater of bloodshed, and however distasteful the task may be, it is a part of the historian's duty to record the dark deeds that have been committed; not to pander to taste of a depraved people for the sensational, but as a warning alike to the pure, and those who have murder in their heart. The first case in which life was taken was that of the

MURDER OF MRS. VANNOY.

On the morning of August 27, 1826, Nathaniel VanNoy, in a fit of drunken frenzy, killed his wife. He was arrested and lodged in jail the same night. The sheriff at once notified Judge Sawyer, who at once called a special session of the Circuit Court. A grand jury was empanneled and sworn, who found a true bill of indictment against him. The following named composed this jury: Gersham Jayne, foreman; Stephen Stillman, John Morris, John Stephenson, jr., James White, Thomas Morgan, James Stewart, Jacob Boyer, Robert White, John N. Moore, William Carpenter, Jesse M. Harrison, Robert Cownover, James Turley, Aaron Houton, John Young, John Lindsay, Charles Boyd, William O. Chilton, Job Burdan, Hugh Sportsman, Abram Lanterman. The bill of indictment was pre- sented to the court, and a petit jury was then called, consisting of the following named: Bowl- ing Green, foreman; Samnel Lee, Jesse Arın- strong, Levi W. Gordon, Thomas I. Parish,

Erastus Wright, William Vincent, Philip I. Fowler, John L. Stephensen, Levi Parish, James Collins, George Davenport.

The jury were sworn, and the trial commenced on the 28th. James Turney, Attorney General of the State, acted for the people, and the accused was defended by James Adams and Jonathan H. Pugh, both of Springfield. A verdict of guilty was rendered on the 29th, and sentence pronounced the same day, that the condemned man be hung November 26, 1826. Thus in less than three days was the murder committed, the murderer tried and condemned to be hung. The sentence was carried out, at the time appointed, in the presence of almost the entire community. The execution took place about where the State House now stands. Many are yet living who witnessed the summary disposal of the first mur- derer in what was then Sangamon county.

Just before the execution VanNoy sent for Dr. Filleo and enquired of him if a man could be brought to life after he had been hung. The doctor replied that if the neck escaped disloca- tion, and that if the condemned person did not hang too long there was a possibility that by the galvanic battery, life could be restored. Van- Noy then told him that if he could be brought to life that he would be willing to pay a reason- able sum, but otherwise the doctor might have his body for dissection. The doctor told him to lean forward when the wagon was driven from under him, and that he consequently would have an easy fall. He followed the doctor's advice and his neck was not broken. The sheriff, how- ever, fearing that he would come to life, kept him hanging nearly an hour, and when he was taken down his soul was too far in the land of the spirits to be called back. Dr. Filleo made the attempt notwithstanding, and when he ap- plied the galvanic battery, the nerves of the dead man twitched spasmodically several times in quick succession. There was no life in them

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

and they only moved in obedience to the power- ful battery that was brought to bear upon them.

KILLING OF DR. EARLY.

On Wednesday, March 14, 1838, while Dr. Jacob M. Early was sitting in a room at Spotts- wood Hotel, Henry B. Truett entered and took a seat nearly opposite and fixed his eye upon the doctor, who did not seem to notice him. They remained in this situation until all the gentlemen present, ten or twelve in number, left the room, but one, when Truett, rising to his feet, ad- dressed the doctor, asking him if he was the author of a resolution passed at a convention in Peoria, disapproving of his (Truett's) nomina- tion as Register of the Land Office at Galena, and adding that he was informed that he was. In reply the doctor asked Truett who was his informant, to which Truett replied that he was not at liberty to tell. Dr. Early then informed Truett that he declined to say whether he was or was not the author of the resolution. With an oath Truett pronounced the doctor a liar and scoundrel. To this the doctor replied that he wanted no difficulty with him and could not lis- ten to his abuse. Truett repeated his remark and added with an oath, the epithets, coward and hypocrite. Dr. Early then arose from his seat and took up a chair. Truett immediately stepped to the opposite side of the room, passing around the doctor, and drawing a rifle pistol fired, then letting the pistol drop to the floor, he escaped from the house. The ball entered the left side of Dr. Early, passed through the lower part of the stomach and liver, and was taken out on the right side nearly opposite where it entered. The doctor survived the wound until Saturday night following, when he expired. Truett was arrested and had his trial at the October term following, the jury bringing in a verdict of "not guilty." The prisoner was therefore discharged.

FATAL AFFRAY.

Delos W. Brown, of Springfield, and John Glascock, of Menard county, got into a quarrel at the Springfield Coffee House, in Springfield, Monday evening, October 3, 1853. Both had been drinking quite freely. Glasscock threat- ened to whip Brown, at the same time shaking his fist in the latter's face. Brown retreated a little way, and as the proprietor attempted to in- terfeie, Glasscock caught him and pulled him into the room. In the confusion Glasscock re- ceived three severe cuts with a knife in the hands of Brown, and fell to the floor and died within ten minutes. Brown was arrested, a pre- liminary hearing was held, and he was bound

over to the Circuit Court on a charge of man- slaughter, with bail fixed at two thousand dol- lars. He ran off and forfeited his bond. Ilis property was sold to discharge his recognizance.

MURDER OF GEORGE ANDERSON.

On the night of May 15, 1856, George Ander- son was found dead near his house with a wound upon the back of his head. There was intense excitement in regard to the case, it being thought by many that death was not caused by the blow on the head, but by poison administered by his wife; therefore she was arrested, as was also Theodore Anderson, who was supposed to be implicated in the case. A preliminary examin- ation was held a few days afterwards before Justices Adams and King, of Mrs. Anderson. She was prosecuted by A. McWilliams and ably defended by Antrim Campbell and B. S. Ed- wards. The speech of the latter in the case is said to have been an able one. The testimony at this examination was sufficient to convince the Justices that death was the result of a blow and not by poison, and Mrs. Anderson was therefore acquitted. When the Circuit Court convened in June following, Mrs. Anderson was indicted by the grand jury, and Theodore Ander- son was likewise indicted. Subsequently both were tried and acquitted.

MURDER AT MECHANICSBURG.

In October, 1856, two Germans, giving their names as Rudolph and Henry, were engaged for several days in cutting corn near that place. On Monday, October 20, they went to a drinking establishment, and remained there until Wednes- day. On the morning of that day, they started out together on a hunt, and in a few hours after Rudolph returned to the house alone, saying that Henry had got tired, and stopped to rest. Rudolph then settled his bill, and left. On Sat- urday following, the body of Henry was found in the timber, half eaten up by the hogs. His head was badly smashed and broken in. A cor- oner's jury was summoned, and elicited the fore- going facts, and its verdict was that the deceased came to his death by injuries inflicted by some person unknown. It is stated he had consider- able money upon his person, which, it is thought, prompted Rudolph to commit the murder.

MURDER OF AN INFANT CHILD.

Some time in March, 1856, an infant was dis- covered in the country, some distance from Springfield, near the roadside, dead, with a hand- kerchief tied over its mouth, showing the cause of death to be from smothering. Maria House

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

was arrested for the crime, and after a full and patient hearing before Judge Rice, the jury brought in a verdict of "not guilty," and the prisoner was discharged.

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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 85

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