USA > Illinois > Tazewell County > History of Tazewell 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. History of Illinois Digest of state laws > Part 20
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A CHANGE OF COMMISSIONERS.
In August, 1831, an election was held, when Nathan Dillon, Timothy Hoblit and Isaac Blaken were chosen County Commissioners. The Clerk, seemingly endeavoring to gain the good will of the newly elected dignitaries, addressed them as the Honorable Nathan Dillon, etc. They had scarcely received the reins of government into their hands before they began a system of improvement truly enterpris- ing. The Clerk was immediately ordered "to contract for the build- ing of a good stick-and-clay chimney to the court-house on the most advantageous terms." The next order was to Isaac Baker to procure a good table for the use of the Court. On reconsidering, the whole system of repair was placed exclusively in the hands of Jonas Hit- tle. Contractor Hittle received the following specific instructions : "On the first floor a bench to be erected in the west end, for the use of the Judge, to be reached on either side by good steps. In front of this bench [which was simply a platform] a bar to be raised con- sisting of good banisters, and plank arranged for the witnesses' seats. On either side of the Judge's bench to be good seats for the jury, and two movable seats for the Clerk.
"A stairway to be built in the northeast corner reaching the sec- ond story. The upper floor to be laid and divided into two rooms by a partition, these rooms to be used as jury rooms. A good 14-
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
light window to be placed in the east end, and the chimney place to be closed up. A cheap cast stove to be purchased and put up in the northwest corner of the room. All the work to be completed by April 10, 1831."
MOVED TO PEKIN.
The Court convened in the court-house at Mackinaw in March, 1831, when it transacted its usual routine business of granting road petitions, liquidating pauper's bills, settling up with public of- ficials and attending to various matters; after which the Court packed up their bag and baggage, shook the dust of Mackinaw from their judicial feet and turned their faces westward. They brought up at Pekin, June 6, 1831, in the old school-house on the corner of Elizabeth and Second streets, subsequently known as "the Doolittle school." Just why the Court left their pleasant quarters at Macki- naw, especially after so recently making such extensive improve- ments in and around the court-house, the records do not state. But from other sources we learn that by an act of the Legislature passed Dec. 25, 1830, the county of Tazewell was divided and McLean county formed therefrom. To further carry out the design of some of the leading spirits in procuring this division, a committee con- sisting of William Porter, John T. Stuart and Milton Chilton was appointed by the same body to re-locate the county-seat. By the same act appointing the committee, which was passed Feb. 16, 1831, the courts of the county were moved to Pekin, where they should remain until the seat of justice was permanently located.
Thus in obedience to the mandate of higher authority the Court submits with becoming resignation, and not one word of growling or grumbling does it utter so far as we glean from the records. Considerable dissatisfaction was displayed, however, on the part of the citizens of Mackinaw at this desertion. They had indulged themselves in the fond hopes of making a great and prosperous city. These hopes and expectations were based solely, almost, upon the influence and advantages of being the county-seat.
The Clerk's office in Pekin was located "in the upper room of William Haines' corner building, occupied by William M. Farns- worth." The Court paid as rental for this room, where it also sub- sequently convened, $2 per month. These quarters were retained until Oct. 1, 1831, when the office was moved to Gideon Hawley's room, where it remained for a month; after which the Court was
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
held for a time, as far as we can learn, in D. H. Holcomb's tavern. Thus we have a very striking and altogether significant contrast - a court of justice and a groggery in the same cabin.
THE IRREPRESSIBLE FUNK.
If the Court thought to escape the importunities of their old petitioner, Jacob Funk, on making the move to Pekin, they soon found they were sadly mistaken. No sooner had they found a room wherein to convene in official capacity than the indomitable Jacob appeared and again importuned the Court to revoke Bogardus' ferry license. A citation was immediately issued commanding the said Bogardus to appear and show cause why his license should not be taken from him. Promptly at the convening of the Court at the September term, Funk was on hand and requested that attention be given to the citation issued against Bogardus. The Court, however, let other matters take the precedence until Sept. 8, when Bogardus appears before the Court and is confronted by Funk and Eads, and, in the language of the record, the "trial is gon into." After hearing the evidence pro and con the Court gravely decided " that the ferry license issued to John Bogardus by the Sangamon county Commissioners and confirmed by this Court is hereby revoked." Thus Funk had at last gained a victory over his enemy, Bogar- dus, and no doubt was content. Abner Eads, however, was not satisfied with having Bogardus ousted, but applied for a ferry at the same place ; but this the Court promptly refused. Bogardus again petitioned for a ferry across the river at Fort Clark, but the Court not wishing more trouble, refused to grant it.
FIRST PEDDLER, AND FIRST SLAVE EMANCIPATED.
In Sept., 1831, the Court granted to Laman Case a license to ped- dle clocks. For this privilege for three months they assessed him $25.00. To Case belongs the honor of being the first peddler in Tazewell county.
At this time the Court was charging for yearly licenses to " vend merchandise," $9; for liquors, $3. The former price of saloon license was $2 per year, while for selling clocks the Court charged $100. They evidently regarded time-pieces as a luxury they could easily do without, while they looked upon liquors as a necessity.
At the June term, 1832, one Morrison, " a man of coullor," pre- sented his certificate of freedom from his owner, William N. Burnett,
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
and had it confirmed by the Court. Thus Morrison was the first slave to be emancipated in Tazewell county.
VETERAN PAUPERS.
In June, 1832, John Summers was allowed $78 for keeping old man Miller. In the June previous Summers came into Court and explained that a certain Nicholas Miller, a pauper, was living at county expense while he had a well-to-do son named Joseph, who should, both in equity of the law and from filial affection, support his father. Thereupon the Sheriff was posted after the undutiful Joseph. It appears, however, that Joseph was not found at the time, nor until 1834, if we rely upon the records for imformation, for no mention is made of him until that time. He then appears and gives as his reason for not supporting his parent, "inability to do so."
At the same time appeared Hosea Stout and Benjamin Jones, rel- atives of Sarah Stout, the first pauper, and gave the same reason for not "taking charge of their poor relation."
Thus the veteran and venerable paupers were thrown back upon the county, whereupon the Court ordered "Nathan Dillon and Wm. McClure to dispose of said paupers at public sale or private con- tract. It seems that they were not regarded as valuable paupers and not one bid was made for them. But all through the records for years are bills allowed for their maintenance. In 1835 the Court, being worried with the many claims for bills for supporting Miller, lifted up its voice and peremptorily commanded the Sheriff to sell him. The poor old man had outlived his years of usefulness and even became a burden to the indulgent county.
ANNUAL STATEMENT.
A statement of the fiscal concerns of the county for the year 1832 was made as required by law. We give this in full, thus showing the receipts and expenditures for the sixth year of the county's ex- istence. It will be seen that the expenses for all purposes were scarcely more than half a year's salary of the poorest paid official of the present day.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
EXPENSES.
INCOME.
Commissioners' fees. $71.00
Revenue from tax
$463.12
Clerk's fees 60.00
Treasurer's receipts. 122.62
Keeping poor. 161.00
State paper ...
9.00
Cost of elections 72.00
Fines assessed in 1831
5.00
Criminal charges. 32.00
Fines assessed in 1832
24.00
Sheriff's fees.
72.75
Ferry tax
10.00
Clerk's office rent
24.00
Tax on merchants' licenses.
82.00
Viewing roads
55.00
Assessor's fees.
40.00
Sundry account.
31.75
Keeping estrays
70.00
Total expenses
$689.50
Total income. ..... ..... .$729.24
FIRST INQUEST.
The first inquest held in the county, according to these records, was on the body of little Hamilton Porter, a widow's son, in 1833. The boy, who was nine years old, was accidentally shot. Andrew Tharp, Coroner, was allowed $18.75 for performing this duty.
COUNTY-SEAT RAMBLING.
We come now to a period wherein the county-seat again took a move. The removal which we are about to refer to was in com- pliance with the order of three Commissioners appointed by the Leg- islature "to select a permanent location for the seat of justice of Tazewell county." Before proceeding further, however, on this particular move we will give the history of all the county-seat ramblings from the beginning, away back in the early part of the year 1829.
On the 22d day of the first month of that year the Legislature passed an act making and defining a new boundary for Tazewell county. This act, no doubt, was procured by ambitious persons dwelling in other parts of the county than Mackinaw and vicinity, who desired to secure the county-seat. By this act the county was re- duced in size very materially, yet it still extended over a vast region, containing 79 townships and parts of townships. In 1830 the town of Pekin was laid off, and she being anxious to supplement her many advantages by adding thereto the county-seat, which it was alleged she desired done. We have no reason to doubt that such allegation was true. Mackinaw, the county-seat, however, being so near the center of the county, she had little hope of success unless she could cut off a portion of the eastern part of the county, thus throwing Mackinaw near the boundary line.
Tax on merchants' permits 5.00
Town tax
8.50
248
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
At the succeeding election for members of the Legislature, William L. D. Ewing, of Vandalia, was chosen Senator, and William Brown, of Pekin, Representative. Brown was easily induced to consent to cut off from Tazewell county, for the county of McLean, all that portion of Tazewell county embraced in ranges 1, 2 and 3 east, and 1 west of the third principal meridian, contain- ing over 100,000 acres. On the 25th of December of the same year (1830) McLean county was created by the Legislature. Two months later John T. Stewart, Matthias Chilton and William Porter were appointed by the General Assembly to select a permanent county-seat for Tazewell county. In the meantime courts and public offices should be at Pekin. These commissioners failed to make any selection of a location. Indeed they neglected to consider the matter at all so far as any records of their actions are concerned. Year after year came and went until July 12, 1835, before anything further was done. At that date the Legisla- ture appointed John C. Calhoun, of Sangamon county, James Gaylord, of Putnam, and Isaac C. Pugh, of Macon, as a commis- sion to permanently locate the county-scat, in lieu of the former, which failed to act.
This able commission convened Sept. 17th, and gravitated toward Tremont, where they met the generous and enterprising John H. Harris. This gentleman, to secure the county-seat for Tremont, offered to donate to the county 20 acres of land. This tract was just south of the town of Tremont on the northwest quarter of section 19, Tremont township. A further donation of $2,000 in money, to aid in erecting public buildings, was proffered by the citizens of Tremont. This was placed in the State bank, at Springfield, to await the decision of the commission. They
were satisfied with the location and looked no further. Two thousand dollars in money and 20 acres of rich prairie land were of great consideration in the eyes of the worthy gentlemen, for at the time the annual revenue of the county did not reach $1,400. As might have been expected this selection was very unsatisfactory to Pekin.
The commission made an elaborate report, which for smooth, oily wording and rhetorical finish excels any other report, petition or order spread upon the records of this Court. At the conclusion of this well-written document the commissioners say : "The point named was selected with a view to the convenience of the present
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
and future population of Tazewell county. It is a position as nearly central to the present and probable future population of the county as we could select and at the same time secure the other advantages for the healthy and favorable site for the building of a town."
The Court records and public offices were moved to Tremont in 1836, where the county-seat remained until 1850. In the mean- time the county was greatly developed; Pekin became the me- tropolis and the principal seat of commerce of the county. The State, during the great internal improvement excitement,-from 1836 to 1840,-had began the construction of a railroad from Pekin to Tremont, and the former town had increased rapidly. About the year 1839 complaint was raised by the people at Pekin against the county-seat being at Tremont, and thereupon began a bitter warfare between the two places. It is alleged that in order to hold the county-seat and cripple Pekin, the people of Tremont conspired with parties desiring new counties and county-seats, around Tazewell county, and in 1841 had an act passed by the Legislature cutting off the south half of township 21, range 2, to De Witt county, and all Tazewell county west of range 4, and south of township 22 and west of range 5, and south of the middle of town 23, to the county of Mason. A month scarcely elapsed when, Feb. 27, another act was passed taking all that part of Tazewell county, being the northeast quarter of township 25 north, and of the east half of 26 north, range 2 east, and all of townships 27 and 28, westward to the Illinois river, and forming of it the county of Woodford. After having these large slices taken off, for the formation of the counties named, it seems that both the most liberal and the most selfish should have been satisfied ; but it appears they were not. Again, in February, 1843, it was proposed, and an act so passed by the Legislature, to cut off for Woodford county that part of this county east of section 29, township 26, range 4, and all of townships 26, range 2, and 26, range 3. This was, however, on the condition that the people should approve the measure by ballot. At an election held in May, 1843, the proposi- tion was rejected, and a stop made to this dividing up and cutting off of Tazewell's territory. Had they continued it much longer there would have been nothing left of the county but Pekin and Tremont. Then, we doubt not, a division would have been made and both towns have at last gained a county-seat.
250
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
At the time the Legislature passed the last mentioned act it also authorized the people of the county to vote at their regular August election upon the proposition of the removal of the county-seat from Tremont to Pekin. This they did and defeated the proposi- tion. During the following winter Pekin and the western por- tion of the county suffered seriously from a malignant scarlet fever, which caused the death of over fifty of the inhabitants of Pekin. This checked the progress of that city for a time and nothing further was done toward moving the county-seat until 1849. On the 2d day of February of that year the Legislature again passed an act authorizing the people to vote upon the measure of removal the first Saturday in April of the same year. At that election Pekin at last triumphed and won the long-coveted county-seat, which she has since retained.
The question having been finally and definitely decided the court- house was immediately erected by the citizens of Pekin, in fulfill- ment of their promise. The last meeting of the Board of Super- visors, which had come in vogue in the mean time, that was held at Tremont was Aug. 26, 1850, when it moved in a body to their new and more commodious quarters, and on the same day dedicated the edifice by holding therein their first meeting at Pekin.
During these twenty years of local war, of course the bitterness of feeling was intense, and great injury was done to all parts of the county. Many of the older citizens attribute very largely the prosperity and commercial advantages attained by Peoria over Pekin to the bitter feuds engendered during this long and eventful strife.
DISCONTENTED.
We will return to the immediate labors of the Commissioners' Court and follow their proceedings during its last decade of service.
At the January term, 1836, the people, or that portion of them who were dissatisfied with the location selected for the county-seat, petitioned the Court in the following language :
"We, the undersigned, citizens of Tazewell county, respectfully solicit the Commissioners to suspend proceedings in the county-seat matter until better ground can be obtained, either by re-location or a legal removal of the donation; and we individually and collect- ively pledge ourselves to support you in this matter."
The petition was signed by 115 persons. No action was taken upon it.
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Messrs. Pugh and Gaylord, two of the State commissioners, pre- sented their bills for locating the county-seat, which were as follows : Gaylord, 35 days' work at $3 per day, $105; Pugh, 36 days' work at $3 per day, $108. Owing to the ill feeling still so manifest in regard to the location chosen by these gentlemen, the Court refused to take any action on these bills at that time. At the March term, however, they allowed the two gentlemen,-the third never having sent in his bill,-the moderate sum of $27 a piece, or at the rate of 772 cents per day. It must have been rather humiliating to those "$3-a-day" gentlemen to have had their services so lightly appre- ciated. They do not molest the Court further, however, but are resigned to its dictation.
CLERK'S OFFICE AT TREMONT.
December 11, 1835, a one-story frame building, 18 by 24 feet, was ordered erected on a private lot in Tremont, for Clerk's office. The contract was let to Theo. Fisher for $285. To secure the faith- ful performance of the work he was compelled to give bonds in the sum of $1,000.
Thomas P. Wilson, County Surveyor, in 1836 laid off into lots the twenty acres of land given by Harris at Tremont. The Clerk was then ordered to advertise the sale of these lots in the following papers : Sangamon Journal, Missouri Republican, Louisville Adrer- tiser, and Cincinnati National Republican.
The sale occurred in May, 1836. The aggregate amount received from the sale of lots was $18,636. Of this $4,271.18 was paid in cash, and $12,440.12 in notes secured by mortgages on the property. The highest price paid for any lot was for lot 1 in block 5, bought by James Wibray for $620.
THE COURT MOVES TO TREMONT.
After settling up all their business and liquidating all their little bills at Pekin, the Court bid farewell for once and forever to the old Methodist church edifice which had sheltered their judicial heads for half a dozen years. They filed out, closed and barred the door, and turned their faces Tremont-ward, where, June 6, 1836, they assem- bled in the Clerk's office.
They must have more imposing and commodious apartments, however, and accordingly ordered the Clerk to advertise for bids for building a temporary court-house. This was a two-story frame, 20
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
by 40 feet. The contract was let to William Dillon, June 25, for $1,150. Of course the court-house could not entirely fulfill its purpose without a jail near. Being very economical, and having a jail at Mackinaw, the Court ordered it removed to Tremont. The jail had not followed the Court on their travels but remained at its original site. The contract for removing the prison was given to John T. Bird, who was to receive $138 for the same. It was re- moved and veneered with brick, and a brick addition was erected as a residence for the Sheriff's family.
CHANGE OF CLERKS.
At the August term, 1836, John C. Morgan was ordered to con- tract for plastering and building the chimney for the Clerk's office. This was the last official act of the faithful Morgan. He had been Clerk of the Court for eight long years, going with it as it moved from place to place, and always discharging his duties with greatest fidelity. He had seen Commissioner after Commissioner occupy the Judge's bench, yet he still remained. At the September term he tendered his resignation and J. H. Morrison succeeded him. It appears that the newly elected Commissioners, Messrs. Railsback, Hull, and Fisher inclined to be more favorable toward Morrison, and to prevent an unmerited removal Morgan resigned.
COURT-HOUSE AT TREMONT.
In December a plan for a court-house was adopted and the con- tract ordered to be let in January, 1837. It was to be a brick build- ing, two stories above basement in height; 60 feet long, including portico of 10 feet, by 40 wide. The specifications conclude with the following finishing touches for the structure : "The windows to be closed with good blinds and painted four coats, two of French green ; the outside doors to be fitted with best locks, and the entire building to be fitted in full Grecian order of architecture. All plates referred to are in Shaw's second edition of Architecture, 1832. Said building is to be surmounted by a cupola, finished with octa- gon blinds and containing a good bell deck, and the dome to be surmounted with an iron rod supporting three gilt balls."
The contract for its erection was let to William F. Flagg, Jan. 13, 1837, for $14,450. The building was first occupied in Septem- ber, 1839. Flagg was an extensive contractor and builder, and withal a man of great mechanical skill and genius. He built a
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
court-house for Putnam county, and a court-house and jail for La- Salle, and a court-house for this county within a period of four years. In 1848 he commenced the manufacture of reapers, and was sued for an infringement of patent by C. H. McCormick, and dam- ages laid at $20,000. Abraham Lincoln was employed to defend him. The suit was carried on for two years in the United States courts and finally McCormick was beaten. Shortly after this Mr. Lincoln met Mr. Flagg on the street in Bloomington and sauntered into his shop, who inquired of him how much his fee was for gaining the case for him. Mr. Lincoln leaned on the counter, rested his head upon his arms, and after a little consideration said : "I think ten dollars will pay me for my trouble." Nor would he accept more.
After the transaction of this business the Court "adjourned to meet to-morrow at 9 o'clock A.M," which we see was a more fash- ionable hour and in keeping with the modern spirit of the age. The early Commissioners away back in 1827 and '28 met at 7 o'clock promptly; but the customs of civilization began to make themselves felt, and the honorable Commissioners would fain indulge in a second morning nap and not don the ermine until the " third hour of the day." A few years later we find 10 o'clock was the stated time for opening court. The Circuit Court, when Stephen T. Logan was judge, "adjourned to meet at 6 o'clock to-morrow morning."
THE LAST OF POOR OLD NIC. MILLER.
During the years 1840 and '41 we find a remarkable increase in the number and amount of bills allowed for keeping paupers. Throughout the record during these two years are bills upon bills of this nature. The increase seemed surprising to the Commissioners themselves, and they made particular inquiry into the status of affairs before granting the bills. It seems the county was imposed upon in several instances by the unnatural actions of those who preferred that their relations should be kept at the county's expense rather than their own. One Jane Morrill it was found had a hus- band living able to provide for her.
Poor old Nic. Miller, the ancient pauper, was still on hand, but his bill these years was curtailed to nearly one-half. Year after year the customary bill for his support was handed in, until through familiarity the name of "Nic. Miller" became a by-word. We
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HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
doubt not that when the old veteran died, and no more bills for his care were presented to the Court, the generous, kind-hearted Commissioners dropped a tear, felt a pang of sorrow steal through the tender cords of their heart, and softly muttered, "Poor old Nic. Miller is no more!" Death, the poor man's best friend, called the old gentleman away during the year 1845. The poor old man who had been refused bread by his own son, and who had been buffeted about by many adverse winds, now returned to trouble them no more.
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