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 35

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co., pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 831


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 35


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76


Hass, Jacob, e. Oet. 5,'63, in Co. D., 17th, mn.o. Dec. 20,'65.


Howard, D. G., e. Jan. 15,'61, in Co. D, 17th, m. o. Dee. 20,'65. Vorhees, David, e. Jan. 28,'64, in Co. D, m. o. Dec. 20,'65.


ARTILLERY.


Gillett, Chas. S., e. Dee. 30,'63, in bat. F., 1st kld. Ang. 3,'64. Richardson, Thos., e. July 3,'62, tr. to V.R.C. Betterling, Geo., e. April 19,'61, in bat. A. 2d Art., d. dis.


Wehner, Henry, e. July 17,'61, in bat. A, 2d Art., died Feb. 14,'62, wnds. Brown, James, e. Sepi. 23.'64, in. bat. G. 2d Art., m.o. May 30,'65.


20th U. S. (COLORED INFANTRY.)


Corsley, Wm. II., e. Sept. 21,'64, in Co. B., m.o. Sept. 30,'65. Hall, Geo. M., e. Sept. 21,'64, in Co. B.


382


HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.


COMPANY G.


Ashby, Win. J., e. Sept. 21,'64, m.o. Nov. 6,'65. Ashby, Marshall, e. Sept. 21,'64, mn.o. Sept.30,'65. Ashby, Win. H., e. Sept. 21,'64, m.o. Sept.30,'65. Day, Morgan, e. Sept. 30,'64, died Sept. 6,'65. Henry, Win., e. Jan. 27,'65.


Lewis, Edward, e. Sept. 28,'64, m.o. May 23,'65. Price, Wilson, e. Sept. 30,'64.


Tumbleton, Thos. M., e. Sept. 30,'64. McGee, Benj., e. Mar. 7,'65.


1st ARMY CORPS.


Davis, Noah, N., e. Feb. 21,'65, m.o. Feb. 21,'66. Crabtree, A. J., e. Feb. 28,'65, m.o. Feb. 28,'65 Carr, Tnos., e. Feb. 28,'65, in.o. Feb. 28,'66.


McClure, J. A., e. Feb. 27,'65.


Work, Hugh A., e. Feb. 24,'65, m.o. Feb. 24,'65. Sandburn, W. H., e. Feb. 3,'65, m.o. Mar. 3,'66. Crooks, Lawson, e. Mar. 6,'65.


Powers, Chas., e. Feb. 28,'65, m.o. Feb. 28,'66.


Schermere, A., e. Mar. 23,'65, m.o, Mar. 23,'66. Hill, Thos., e. Mar. 29,'65, m.o. Mar. 27,'66.


Harsh, Phillip, e. Mar. 30,'65, m.o. Mar. 29,'66. Simno, Francis, e. April 65.


Gibbs, W. J., e. April 5,'65, in.o. April 13,'66.


Hess, Peter, e. April 5,'65, m.o. April 13,'66.


Steinkoff, G., e. April 5,'65, m.o. April 13,'66. Bliss, James, e. June, '65. Dean, Henry, e. Sept., '64. Donclson, James, e. Feb., '64. Hays, R,, e. Sept., '64.


Newkirk, I. N., e. Oct., '64.


Price, Geo., e. Sept., 64.


Seott, John, e. Sept., '64.


Wilson, Charles, e. Sept., 64.


Young, Charles, e. June, '65.


MISCELLANEOUS.


Privates.


Montgomery, Samuel, e. Mar. 18,'62, V.


Newbanks, C. H., e. Mar. 29,'65, m.o. Oct. 15,'65. Stanton, Mrchael, e. Oct. 12,'64, recruit.


Linton, A. R., e. Mar. 12,'64, kld. by R.R. acci- dent, July 29,'64.


Wanttand John, e. Mar. 5,'64, m.o. Aug. 12,'65. Wood, John, e. Dec. 21,'64, m.o. Aug. 12,'65. Burns, Peter, e. Oct. 6,'64, recruit.


Fernes, M., e. Oct. 6,'64. rejected by board.


Long, J. C., e. Oet. 6,'64, rejected by board.


Dodson, R. S., e. Feb. 22,'65, v., m.o. July 31,'66. Dodson, M., e. Feb. 22,'65, v., m.o. July 31,'65. Smith, William, e. Sept. 3,'61.


Myers, Henry, e. Mar. 6,'52, v., m.o. July 12,'65. Rouse, T. J., e. April 2,'62, m.o. April 12,'65.


Edmiston, J., e. Sept. 10,'61, m.o. June 11,'62, dis.


Collins, N. M., e. Sept. 20,'64, Co. E., 73d inf., m.o. June 12,'65.


Morris, B. J., e. Aug. 5,'62, Co. F., 73d inf., d. Jan. 13,'63, dis.


Horton, N., e. Feb. 9,'64, 73d inf., Co. K.


Newberry, A., e. Sept. 29,'64, 73d inf., Co. K.


C'legg, J. C., e. Aug. 13,'62, 77th inf., Co. H., kld. Vicksburg, May 19,'63.


Poga, A. B., e. Aug. 9,'62, 77th inf., Co. H., m. 0. June 17,'65' pris. war.


Stewart, W. II., e. Aug. 12,'62, 77th inf., Co. H., d. May 27,'63, dis.


Ilauck, John, e. 77th inf., Co. K., as recruit. Bagler, J. R., e. Aug. 12,'62, 81st inf., Co. D., m. 0., Aug. 5,'65.


Wilson, David, e. Feb. 41,'65, S1st inf., Co. K., recruit.


Groff, Joseph E., e. Aug. 1,'62, 85thi inf., Co. I., m.o. June 5,'65.


Price, Fredrick, e. Feb. 5,'63, 2d cav., unas- signed recruit.


Hayner, Christian, e. Dec. 17,'63, unassigned recruit, eav.


Clark, Lewis, e. Dec. 10,'64, 3d cav., Co. A., re- cruit, m.o. Oct. 10,'65, as sergt.


Ansell, Joseph, e. Oet. 11,'64, 3d cav., Co. D., m.o. Oct. 10,'65.


Dalby, Milo, e. Oct. 10,'64, 3d cav., Co. E., m.o. Oct. 10,'65.


McCance, G. R., e. April 12,'65, 3d eav., Co. E., m.o. Oct. 10,'65.


Morris, Geo., e. Feb. 13,'65, 3d cav., Co. E., m. o. Oct. 10,'65.


Larish, David, e. '61, in sappers and miners, kld. in battle.


Moody, Albert, e. '61, in sappers and miners, m.o. at close of war.


Ramige, W., e. Aug. 15,'62, 85th inf., Co. K., m. o. Jnne 5,'65.


Speicht, M., e. Aug. 15,'62, 85th inf., Co. K., died Oct. 30,'62.


Eaton, F. L., e. Aug. 11,'62, 86tlı inf., d. as hos. steward.


Chauney, W. W., e. July 18,'62, 86tlı inf., Co. 1I., d. Dec. 28,'62, dis.


Howland, C. A., e. Oct. 13,'64, 92d inf., Co. K., recruit.


Sloan, J. L., e. Aug. 1,62, 94th inf., Co. F., m.o. July 17,'65. Cathar, William, e. Mar. 3,'65, 97th inf., m.o. July 29,'65.


Hand, Wm. B., e. July 26,'62, 99th inf., Co. A., in.o. July 31,'65.


Hand, Willis, e. July 26,'62, 99th inf., Co. A., m.o. July 31,'65.


Fitzpatrick, John, e. Mar. 9,'65, 103d inf., Co. E., m.o. July 24,'65.


Vanmeter, J. B., e. July 22,'62, 106thı inf., Co. C., m.o. July 12,'65.


Vanmeter, S. G., e. July 2,'62, 106th inf., Co. C., m.o. July 12,'65.


Smith, James, e. Jan. 23,'64, unassigned re- eruit 113th inf.


Holmes, Samuel, e. Sept. 22,'64, 113th inf., Co. D., recruit, m.o. Aug. 3,'65.


Nale, William, e. Sept. 22,'64, 113th inf., Co. D., recruit, m.o. Aug. 3,'65.


O'Conor, Peter, e. Sept. 22,'64, 113th inf., Co. D., m.o. Aug. 3,'65.


Thompson, J. W., e. Sept. 22,'64, 113th inf., Co. D., m.o. Aug. 3,'65.


Carter, Wm., e. Oct. 6,'64, 115th inf., Co. K., died Camp Butler, Jan. 8,'65.


Lee, Chas. K., e. Sept. 27,'64, in 116th inf., re- eruit, Co. C., m.o. Jan. 7,'65.


Hamilton, Paschal, e. Oct. 11,'64, 116th inf., Co. E., recruit.


Smith, J. K. P., e. Sept. 20,'62, 116th inf., Co. F., m.o. June 7,'65.


Harbinson, S. J., e. Aug. 12,'61, v., 2d eav., Co. B., accidentally kid. Oct. 10,'65.


Collison, Madison, e. Oet. 1,'64, 2d cav., Co. B., d. June 12,'65.


Jones, William, e. Oct. 1,'64, 2d cav., Co. D., d. June 12,'65.


VanMeter, Newton, e. Feb. 20,'61, v., 2d cav., Co. D., m.o. Nov. 12,'65.


Kemp, Abraham, e. Mar. 25,'64, 2d cav., Co. K., m.o. Nov. 22,'65.


Hodges, Wm. J., e. Feb. 28,'65, Co. H., 14th regt. Hammond, J., e. Feb. 28,'65, Co. K., 14th regt. Wells, Marcus P., e. May 24,'61, In Co. K., 16th inf., died May 26,'62.


Hodgson, Hugh D., e. Dec. 14,'63.


Cadwell, W., e. June 17,'61, in Co. F., 19th inf. Ketz, Fred., e. Mar. 8,'65, in Co. A., 20th inf., m.o. July 22,'65.


Scholotour, John, e. Mar. 8,'65, in Co. A., 20th inf., mn.o. July 16,'65.


Miller, Wm. H .. e. June 13,'61, in Co. E., 20th inf., died.


Kelly, Thos., e. Jan. 23,'65, in Co. F., 20th inf. Kelly, James, e. Jan. 23,'65, never reported.


383


HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.


Dougherty, James, e. Jan. 16,'65.


Rotze, Fred., e. Mar. 8,'65.


Bynum, Isaac, e. Sept. 29,'64, m.o. Aug. 4,'65. Bond, C. C., e. Feb. 28,'65, m.o. Nov. 6,'65.


Brown, Jackson, e. Ang. 20,'61, v., in Co. G., 33d inf.


Davis, Jonathan, e. Oet. 7,'64, in Co. IL., 33d inf. Oliver, R., c. Feb. 15,'65, in Co. 1, drowned.


Ragan, H. W., e. Oet. 7,'64, in Co. I, m.o. Oct. 6,'65.


Carr, Mark, e. Sept. 7,'61, v. in Co. I., 34th inf., missing in action.


Sullivan, C., e. Dec. 30,'63, in Co. I., 34th inf., m.o. July 12,'65. Muller, J. B., e. Aug. 30,'61, in Co. G., 39th inf., d. July 4,'63, dis.


Neef, Fred., e. Aug. 30,'61, in Co. G. 39th inf. Heintz, P. H., e. Aug. 30,'61, v. in Cy. G., 39th. inf.


Kuchule, M., e. Sept. 1,'61, in Co. G., 43d inf. Leatherwood, Alex., c. April 5,'65, in Co. K., 43d inf., died May 9,'65.


Spradley, A. J., e. April 5,'65, in Co. K., 43d inf., m.o. May 11,'65.


Roberts, Newman, e. Oct. 1,'61, in Co. E., 120th Inf., died May 2,'65.


Bloomshine, Fred., Dec. 8,'63.


MeCofferty, James, e. Oct. 10,'64.


Anderson, Wm., e. Feb. 22,'65, in Co. B., 126th Inf., m.o. July 12,'65.


Ilenderson, Wm., e. April 5.'65, in Co. E., 126th Inf., m.o. July 12,'65.


Mueller, A. H., April 5,'65, in Co. E., 126th Inf., m.o. July 12,'65. Peninger, Washington, c. March 21,'65.


James, John T., e. May 20,'64, in Co. G., 131th Inf., Oct. 25,'64.


Robison, Geo. F., e. Moy 20,'64, in Co. G., 13Ih Inf., m. o. Oet. 25,'64.


Willard, Erastus HI., e. June 21,'64, in Co. E., 38th Inf., is Ist lieutenant.


Zanies, Samuel A., e. May 16,'64, in Co. I, 442d Inf., m.o. Oct. 26,'64.


Armstrong, Thos., e. Nov. 15,'64, in Co. K., 144th Inf., m.o. July 14,'65.


Houghton, Tnos. B., e. Feb. 3,'65, in Co. A., 150th Inf., m.o. Jan. 16,'66.


CHAPTER XII.


THE TAZEWELL COUNTY BAR.


As the prosperity and well being of every community depends upon the wise interpretation, as well as upon the judicious framing of its laws, it must follow that a record of the members of the Bar, to whom these matters are generally relegated, must form no unim- portant chapter in the county's history. Upon a few principles of natural justice is erected the whole superstructure of municipal law tending to relieve the wants and meet the desires of all alike. But where so many interests and counter interests are to be protected and adjusted, to the judiciary is presented many interesting and complex problems. But change is every-where imminent. The laws of yesterday do not compass the wants and necessities of the people of to-day. The old relations do not exist. New and satisfactory ones must be established. The discoveries in the arts and seiences ; the invention of new contrivances for labor ; the enlargement of indus- trial pursuits, and the increase and development of commerce, are without precedence, and the science of the law must keep pace with them all ; nay, it must even forecast events and must frame its laws as will most adequately subserve the wants and provide for the necessities of the new conditions. Hence the lawyer is a man of the day. The exigencies he must meet are those of his own time. His capital is his ability and individuality. He cannot bequeath to his successors the characteristics that distinguished him, and at his going the very evidences of his work disappear. And in com- piling this short sketch one is astonished at the paucity of material for a memoir of those who have been so intimately connected with and who exerted such an influence upon the county's welfare and progress. The peculiarities and the personalities which form so pleasing and interesting a part of the lives of the members of the Bar, and which, indeed, constitute the charm of local history, are altogether wanting. Unlike the fair plaintiff in Bardell vs. Pick- wick, we have no pains-taking sergeant to relate "the facts and cir-


385


HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.


cumstances" of the case. The Court records give us the facts, but the circumstances surrounding and giving an interest to the events are wanting.


Tazewell, like all pioneer counties, suffered much in the stability of her judiciary owing to the numerous contests concerning the loca- tion of the county-seat and the consequent bitterness and local prejudice attending the various removals. The county-seat was first located at Mackinaw, March 22nd, 1827. Tazewell county, at that time, for judicial purposes, formed a part of the Second Circuit. The first term of the Circuit Court ever held in this county was at Mackinaw, May 12th, 1828, and presided over by the Hon. Samuel J. Lockwood. The first case docketed was entitled Bryan and Morrison vs. Wm. Eads, action of debt. The first indictment presented was against William Herbert for assault and battery.


Samuel J. Lockwood .- The Hon. Samuel J. Lockwood was one of the justices of the Supreme Court of Illinois and assigned to circuit duty in the Second Circuit. He was a man of good ability and discharged his duties very acceptably.


Stephen T. Logan. - The Hon. Stephen T. Logan was the next presiding Judge for several years and afterwards was Judge in the Sangamon Circuit. He now resides in Springfield, Illinois, having retired from active life. He was one of the ablest lawyers in the State, and one whose ability and legal knowledge placed him in the front rank of his profession. The Judge had a mania for whittling, and Court never moved smoothly until the Sheriff had placed a number of white pine shingles beside the wool-sack, when the evolution of law and pine shavings proceeded with equal dignity and composure.


John Pearson. - The Hon. John Pearson succeeded Judge Logan. He is spoken of as a man of good ability and a good Judge, but was not popular with the people on account of his inability to accommodate himself to their ways and primitive civilization. The court-houses were rude buildings with but few of the conveniences considered necessary at the present time, and Judge Pearson, not content with the chair provided for the Court, refused to sit until a rocking-chair was procured for his use, which desire for personal comfort led to a great deal of unfavorable comment among the people.


Jesse B. Thomas .- The Hon. Jesse B. Thomas was the next


386


HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.


Judge and presided for several years. He was one of the most active men ever upon the bench. He allowed no delays, and his executive ability is highly praised. At one term of Court in this county he cleared the docket of some 500 cases and did much to avoid the delays so tedious to litigants. Judge Thomas was Presi- dent of the first Constitutional Convention of the State, and in whatever position called served with distinction.


William Thomas. - The Hon. William Thomas served as Judge but few terms owing to some change in the judicial circuit, and was scarcely identified with the legal interests of this county.


Samuel H. Treat. - The Hon. Samuel H. Treat next came on this Circuit and served until 1848, when the Judges were elected in accordance with the provisions of the new constitution then adopted. Judge Treat was afterwards appointed to the bench of the United States Court, at Springfield, which position he still holds. He is a · close observer of men and times, and is considered one of the ablest and most upright judges in our entire judiciary.


David Davis. - The Hon. David Davis was elected Judge of this Circuit in 1848, and so remained until 1857. On first coming to Illinois Judge Davis settled in Pekin, but shortly afterwards re- moved to Bloomington. Early in Lincoln's administration he was appointed to the United States Supreme Court from which he re- signed in 1877, being elected in that year to the United States Senate from Illinois. He was much inclined to indolence while Judge of this Circuit, and required a great stimulus to exertion, but he discharged very acceptably the onerous duties of his office.


James Harriott. - The Hon. James Harriott was elected to suc- ceed Judge Davis in 1857. He came to this county in 1849, having previously served a term in the State Legislature from the district surrounding Jerseyville. He was the first Judge of the old 21st Circuit, including the counties of Tazewell, Mason, Menard and Cass. He filled the office for over 10 years and was highly respected for his sterling good sense and discernment, and was well liked by the Bar and the people. He died at his home in Pekin in the year 1869.


Charles Turner. - The Hon. Charles Turner was elected over Judge Harriott in 1867. Judge Turner came to this State from Ohio, 1851, and practiced law until 1862, when he entered the army, serving three years and attaining the rank of Brev. Brig. General. On his return he again pursued the practice of law, and was elected


387


HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.


County Treasurer in 1865, when he resigned to accept the Judgeship in 1867, and served until 1873, when the circuit was changed from the 21st to the 12th.


John Burns. - Hon. John Burns in 1873 was elected over Judge Turner, and is now one of the three Judges of what is known as the 8th Circuit, being composed of the counties of Tazewell, Peoria, Woodford, Marshall, Putnam and Stark. His term expires in June of this year, and he is now (April, 1879) a candidate for re-election. He is an able lawyer, an upright judge, and has proven very accept- able to the people of this circuit.


Among the lawyers who were prominently known at this Bar during and previous to the time when Judge Treat held Court at Tremont were, Lincoln and Douglas, whose names and history have become a part of that of our country ; George Farquhar, at one time Secretary of State; John T. Stewart, now of the firm of Stewart, Edwards & Brown, Springfield, Illinois, and for many years in Congress ; Daniel Stone and Thomas Neale; A. F. Hubbard, during 1826 ad interim Governor of the State, and who precipitated the celebrated case of Ewing vs. Farquhar, which called into ques- tion the construction of Art. 3 of See. 18 of the then Constitution ; Edward Baker, Senator from Oregon, who was killed at Ball's Bluff during the war for the Union ; Col. John J. Hardin, killed during the Mexican War at Buena Vista; Wm. A. MeDougal, afterwards United States Senator from California ; Judge Dunmur, David Pick- ett, Alexander Herring, A. L. Davidson, W. H. Purple, O. H. Merryman and others whose history is coeval with that of the early days of the county.


Among those of a later day who have either died or removed from the county are the following :


Edward Jones, who came to this county about 1830 and was among the first Circuit Clerks. He was a captain in the Mexican War, a man of fine education, a natural lawyer, and in the days of the striet common law pleadings was without a peer at the local Bar. He died at an early age, the victim of those habits which are too frequently the accompaniment of brilliant and distinguishing qualities of mind.


B. F. James, who was County Judge in 1850, in 1852 moved to Chicago, but now lives in Washington, D. C.


W. D. Briggs, who was among the first County Judges, was a fine business lawyer and a man well liked. He died in 1854.


25


388


HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.


Wm. Furguerson, a very able and talented man, but was unfortu- nately killed in a duel in California.


Ashiel Gridley and Wm. Holmes, who moved to Bloomington, some years since.


A. H. Saltonstall, who practiced several years in Tremont, and died in 1855.


William B. Parker and his son Edward Parker, men of fine edu- cation and good abilities, but who lacked the perseverance so neces- sary to the success of a lawyer. They died respectively in the years 1873 and 1874.


Samuel W. Fuller, who came from the East in 1851, and was elected to the State Senate in 1856. In 1858 he removed to Chicago, where he resided up to the time of his death, in 1873. Mr. Fuller was an able and accomplished lawyer, and at the time of his death had a reputation second to none in the State.


Samuel P. Bailey settled in Pekin about 1830 and practiced law up to the time of his death in 1869. Mr. Bailey was an omnivorous reader, and was probably the most widely read lawyer at the Bar, but he lacked practical application and could in no way utilize the immense stores of his knowledge; and the learning which would have given him the highest place as an advocate, was rendered val- ueless because it availed him but little in the practical discharge of the duties of his profession.


Richard W. Ireland came to Pekin about 1848 or 9 and was Clerk of the County Court. At different times in his life he was associated with prominent attorneys as a partner and was a very successful office lawyer. He removed to Tremont a short time previous to his death, in 1869.


James Roberts was admitted to the Bar in Missouri, in 1849, but removed to Pekin in June, 1852. He was a man of fine abilities, to which he united the most studious habits. He prepared his cases with the most painstaking accuracy, and his knowledge of the law was such as could only be gained by the severest application. He built up one of the largest and most lucrative practices ever con- trolled by any one lawyer, but his career was cut short at the early age of 33 years by his death from overwork. He practiced in the Supreme Court of the United States, being engaged in the cases concerning the patents of the Illinois Harvesters, which at that time attracted great attention.


Hon. Sabin D, Puterbaugh was admitted to the bar in Pekin, and


389


HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.


in 1857 formed a partnership with Samuel W. Fuller, and after its dissolution he removed to Peoria where he still resides. He was elected Judge in that circuit for one term of six years. He is the author of Puterbaugh's Pleadings and Practice, a work of merit and which is in general use throughout the State.


Joseph Hanna came to this county from MeLean about 1859 as a partner of Hon. J. B. Cohrs, under the name of Cohrs & Hanna. Mr. Hanna was a young lawyer of great promise, but on the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the army and was killed at Fort Donelson.


Richard W. Williams, one of the finest educated men, and one of the best speakers at the Bar, came from the South to Pekin in 1866. He died suddenly in the summer of 1873.


Abram Bergen came to Pekin in 1862, and shortly afterwards was appointed States Attorney to fill the vacancy caused by the absence of Major Fullerton in the army. In 1865 he moved to Minnesota, and was there elected to the State Senate. He again moved, going to Kansas, and from there was appointed to a judgeship in New Mexico, but finding the position distasteful he resigned and returned to Kansas, where he now resides. Mr. Bergen is an excellent law- yer, and the various distinguished offices he has filled mark him as a man of no ordinary ability.


Cassius G. Whitney was admitted to the Bar in 1869, and was elected States Attorney of the 21st Circuit in 1868. In 1872 he removed to Cass county, taking a very prominent part in the county- seat contest between Virginia and Beardstown, which was finally decided in favor of Virginia, where Mr. Whitney now resides. He is a young man of talent and a leading lawyer in his county.


Charles Tinney was admitted to the Bar in 1870, practiced in this county awhile and then removed to Virginia, and is now the junior partner in the firm of Whitney & Tinney.


Frank Purple read with Messrs. Roberts & Green and after his admission to the Bar, in 1869, became a partner in the firm. He finally removed to Peoria and has since forsaken the law for other pursuits.


Thomas W. Mchan was admitted to the Bar in 1868; was elected to the office of City Attorney for one term and remained here until 1876, when he removed to Mason, and is now States Attorney for that county.


William A. Mehan was admitted in 1870. He still resides in this county though not engaged in active practice.


390


HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.


Elias C. Brearley was admitted to the Bar in 1861 in the State of New Jersey. He practiced in Pekin several years in the firm of Brearley & Henry, then at Jacksonville and Washington City. He is now located in Leadville, Colorado.


M. M. Bassett was admitted in 1870, and removed to Peoria where he is still engaged in the practice.


Henry P. Finnigan was admitted to the Bar in 1868. He had served as Circuit Clerk in this county. He removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, about 1870, where he resided up to the time of his death, in 1878.


Albert J. Ware came to this Bar in 1868, and was for some time associated as a member of the firm of Prettyman & Ware. He practiced here until the spring of this year when he removed to Leadville, Colorado, his present home.


George B. Foster was admitted to the Bar in 1869, and practiced in Pekin until 1877, when he moved to Peoria and became a mem- ber of the firm of Johnson & Foster.


The Bar of the county has always maintained a high standard of legal excellence, and that it has not diminished will be seen by the present able representation.


Hon. B. S. Prettyman came from New Castle, Delaware, in 1831, and commeneed the practice of law in 1845. Mr Prettyman's inter- ests have always been identified with those of Pekin, which has been his home since coming to this county. He is an able lawyer and in the matter of real estate law has scarcely an equal in the State.


Wm. A. Tinney came to this State from Kentucky in 1833, and in 1834 he was elected to the office of sheriff, which he held until 1840, but was beaten in "the coon-skin campaign." He then removed to Washington where he opened a country store. In 1846 he enlisted for the Mexican war. On his return he opened the Eagle House, and at one time owned and conducted the Bemis House. In 1861 he was elected Justice of the Peace and also Police Magistrate, which he still retains. In 1865 he was admitted to the Bar but has practiced but little, being principally occupied in the discharge of the duties of his office.


Judge David Kyes was Sheriff of the county in 1852. At the expiration of his term he moved to Washington where he carried on a grocery store until 1857, when he was admitted to the Bar. In 1860 he was elected to the State Legislature, and in 1865 to the office of County Judge, which he held for 12 years. He is now en-


391


HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.


gaged in the practice of the law, having discharged the duties of his various offices to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.


Hon. Cæsar A. Roberts came to Tazewell county from Missouri in 1850, and practiced medicine up to 1858. In 1859 Mr. Roberts, in company with a large number of the citizens of Tazewell, was attracted to Colorado by the promising mining prospects. At a convention on the 11th of July the same year, and of which Mr. Priscoff, the present Mayor of Denver, was president, he was ap- pointed to and drafted a code of mining laws, many of which are still in force, and was then elected Recorder of Claims in the district surrounding Central City. Later in the same year he returned to Illinois, and in 1860 was admitted to the Bar. In 1864 he was States Attorney for the 21st Circuit, and in 1870 became a member of the State Legislature and served through the long session of the 27th General Assembly, engaged in revising the statutes in accord- ance with the new constitution of 1870.




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.