USA > Illinois > Washington County > History of Washington County, Illinois > Part 7
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
three west ; and part of the north-east quarter of section five; and a part of the north-east quarter of section four, township one, south of range three west, combine more advantages, in our estimation, than any other site in said county. We therefore affirm and declare by the power vested in us, that the permanent seat of justice for said county shall be established thereon." This was on the site of the old town of Covington,-the name applied to the county-seat,-which was situated on the Kaskaskia River, about three miles north of the present county-seat. Covington remained, in fact, the county- seat until 1831, when the seat of justice was removed to Nashville.
GEORGETOWN.
When the county of Clinton was detached from the territory that com- prised Washington, in 1827, Covington was so near the dividing line of the two counties that the removal of the county-seat was provided for by the appointment by the Legislature of Campbell Gilmore, William Farris and another man whose name is not known, as commissioners to permanently locate the " seat of justice " of said county. Gilmore and Farris met, and located the seat of government for said county, "on sections 19 and 20, township two south, range three west, centering near the line of said sections, at a pole put up about forty-five yards east of two wells on section 19." Pro- vided always that Tilgbman H. West, who owned the land, would give not less than twenty acres for public buildings. Should West refuse to give the twenty acres, then the county-seat was to be located on the south-west quarter of section 17, township two south, range three west, belonging to John Hutch- ings, who had promised to deed the required twenty acres. West refused to give the land, and the site was located on Hutchings' land. He, however, refused to make the deed until the town had been laid out, surveyed and the lots sold. The commissioners employed Wm. Moore, a surveyor of St: Clair County, who surveyed the town and laid it out in regular order. The lots were sold on the 13th day of September, 1827, after which Hutchings ap- peared before the commissioners' court in Covington, March 3d, 1828, and delivered his deed. The sale of lots, as shown by the records, realized one hundred and sixty-eight dollars.
The court-house, or other public buildings, were built here; and when Judge Smith came to hold court, in March, 1829, he found no traces of habi- tation or civilization save a pole standing solitary and alone, and the wells before mentioned. He abandoned Georgetown forever, and nothing more was ever heard of it as the county-seat.
NASHVILLE.
The Georgetown location never did please any considerable number of the inhabitants, and the " county-seat question " was a disturbing element between the " East " and " West settlements," as Beaucoup and Elkhorn were then known. It entered largely into political contests ; aspirants for office, like the inimitable Davy Crockett, being often called upon to define their position on the "county-seat question." Whether the politicians of this county, at that day, were as successful in playing the non-committal policy as the great bear-hunter was, is not a matter of record. From 1828 to 1830, the conten- tion was great about a re-location. The land upon which Nashville is located belonged to the government ; and the people who favored the location of the county-seat upon this site were too poor to raise the ready money to purchase the land. David Pulliam, a farmer and large stock raiser, who lived about three miles south of Nashville, was the only man of the "Nashville party " who could raise a hundred dollars in cash whenever he desired to do so. To him & deputation of the friends of Nashville went, and urged him by all means to proceed to Kaskaskia, and purchase the land. So strongly and persistently did they apply arguments and appeals to him, that he became so irritated with the annoyance that he pulled off his old white wall hat, threw it on the ground and said : " I would not give that old hat for all that town will ever make." Two men of St. Clair County, of considerable means, viz. : Robert Middleton and Wm. G. Brown, were finally induced to purchase the land.
In March, 1831, the town was laid out, platted and surveyed by A. W. Casad, surveyor, and declared by the commissioners, David White, Livesay Carter and Joseph Whittenberg, the permanent seat of justice of Washing- ton County.
COURT-HOUSES.
There are no records by which the dimensions or cost of the court-house at Covington can be obtained. One thing is certain,-it was rude and primi- tive, and in keeping with the character of other improvements, public and private, of that day.
As before mentioned, there was no court-house at Georgetown. On the 25th day of June, 1831, the county commissioners contracted with Thomas L. Moore for the building of a court-house on the public square in Nashville, under which contract Moore erected the old frame court-house, which con- tinued in use as such until 1840.
PRESENT COURT-HOUSE.
On April 1st, 1840, the commissioners contracted with Malachi Jenkins for the erection of a new court-house, according to a plan furnished by Harvey Neville. The price agreed to be paid was $4,385. The building was built upon the site occupied by the old one. The court-room was, at first, on the ground floor ; the offices on the second floor, and was changed to its present model in 1855.
First Constables. At the first meeting of the justice's court, at the house of James Bankson, on March 9th, 1818, Leaven Maddux, James McCracken and John Clary were appointed constables for the county. At this same term of the court, three "writs of ad quod damnum " were ordered issued t., condemn lands for mill seats upon Shoal. creek and the Kaskaskia river License was granted, also, to Theophilus Harrald, "for retailing spirituor : liquors," upon his paying into the county treasury the sum of six dolla .. and the clerk's fee. William H. Bradsby produced his commission from the Governor, as County Clerk ; also Daniel S. Swearingen presented his com- mission as Sheriff. Bolin Green was sworn in as deputy-sheriff of the county. The following orders were also made :
"Ordered that Abraham Thompson be licensed to keep a public house or tavern, on Shoal creek, on the United States road, and be allowed to retail spirituous liquors at the same, and that he pay the sum of eight dollars as a tax on said license for one year."
"Ordered, that Lemuel Lee be licensed to keep a public house where he lives, on the Vincennes road, on the east side of the Kaskaskia river, and that he pay eight dollars tax on his license, and that he have leave to retail spirituous liquors."
Licenses were also granted to Barnet Bone and Robert Davis respectively, to keep public houses on "Sugar creek, on the United States road," and "on the west side of Sugar creek," and each was permitted fo retail spirituous liquors.
The following is the schedule of rates adopted by the court, which these " Keepers of Public Houses " were allowed to charge their guests: Break- fast, 37} cents; dinner, 874 cents; supper, 37} cents; 1 pint of Whisky, 12} cents; horse feed for night, 50 cents; Peach brandy, rum, or wine, 50 cents per half pint ; bedding, 12} cents; horse feed, 18? cents.
At a session of the court, held on the 16th of July, 1818, the following orders, with reference to tax levies, were made :
"Ordered, that each slave be taxed one dollar, and each horse fifty cents." " Ordered, that the ferry, on the Kaskaskia river, where it is crossed by the United States road, now in the possession of Phillip Martin, be taxed ten dollars."
Other ferries were taxed all the way from two to ten dollars, in proportion to the amount of business done by them.
FIRST ROADS.
The first roads that were laid out, of which we find any record, are: one that John Brown, Jacob Turman and Ephraim Walker were appointed to "view," " leading from the town of Covington to the hill on the opposite side of the river, the level and nearest way for a road, and to report to the next court." James Ratcliff, Job Ratcliff and Jo hua Fisher were " appointed to view a road leading from the town of Covington, to intersect the road leading to Middleton's Ferry, to Shawneetown, at the level and most convenient point, and to report at the next court." There is nothing to show that either committee ever reported to the court, but mention is made that the roads were located.
On the 20th of September, 1818, John Martin was appointed tax-collector of the county. He was required "to enter into bond in the sum of $400, with Phillip Martin as security for the faithful discharge of his duty."
WOLF SCALPS.
The practice of paying a bounty on wolf scalps dates back to the earliest period of the organization of the county. The original bounty paid, as found on record, was $2 per scalp. The justice's courts, in those early days, seemed to have regulated almost everything, stopping not much short of con- trolling the private business of individuals. They taxed the keepers of pub-
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PUBLIC SCHOOLY
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THE PUBLIC SCHOOL & COUNTY BUILDINGS, NASHVILLE, WASHINGTON CO., ILL.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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lic houses and ferries, and fixed the schedule of prices that was to be charged by them.
The following are the rates fixed for ferrymen : For wagon and team, 50 cents; for wagon and one horse, 37} cents; a two-wheeled carriage drawn by horses or oxen, 25 cents; for man and horse, 12} cents ; for footman, 6} cents; sheep and hogs, 3 cents per head. And "when the waters were 80 high on the Kaskaskia river that the boats had to be carried from hill to hill double rates were allowed."
At the August term, 1819, of the justices' court, John Martin, county collector, reported that he had collected, as taxes, the amount of $129.30.
Below will be found the first deed on record in Washington county ; the land conveyed is in what is now Clinton county :
" Know all men by these presents, that Joseph Watkins, of Illinois terri- tory and county of Sinclair, am held and firmly bound unto Daniel Swear- ingen of territory and county above mentioned, in the penal sum of sixty dollars lawful money of the territory.
" The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above-named Joseph Watkins doth convey legally to the afore-named Swearingen, ten acres of land in fee simple, beginning at an ash, the north-western corner of the south-west quarter of section No. 12, in township No. 2, north of No. 4 west, and running south forty poles, from thence east forty poles, so as to include ten acres of land, then the above obligation to be null and void and of none effect. Signed, sealed and delivered this 18th day of May, 1817, in the presence of JOSEPH WATKINS, [SEAL].
ABRAHAM THOMPSON, JONATHAN OYBAR,
Recorded the 10th of April, 1818, WILLIAM H. BRADSBY, Recorder."
Also,
THE FIRST WILL ON RECORD IN WASHINGTON COUNTY.
In the name of God, Amen. I, Peter Branstetter, infirm of body, but of sound mind, do make this my last will and testament. I do trust in God that my dear children will continue to live in brotherly affection, and make, without further contest, the disposition and distribution of my property that I shall here direct, and that my dear wife having repeatedly expressed a wish to return to Tennessee, will not exercise her right of dower, to the staying or preventing of any sale I may herein direct. Should my children prefer, or a majority of them prefer, or think it more expedient to remain on and culti- vate, in harmony and as a band of brothers, the land upon which I now reside, I do wish them so to do, and do by this my last will empower them. But should it be the wish of my wife and two of my older . sons, or three of my older sons without my wife, my oldest son, John (who is hereafter pro- vided for), excepted, to sell the same and to return to Tennessee or elsewhere, I desire they will do it ; but it is my desire that they will not force the same at public sale, but make a fair disposition thereof at private. The proceeds of said sale if effected, I wish equally divided among all my children, my said eldest son, John, excepted, to whom I leave fifty dollars to be paid out of the first money that can be spared from the immediate expense of the family. In addition to the proportion that the law gives my dear wife in right of dower, I do give and bequeath to her the negro girl called Maria, now living with and belonging to me, my said wife having often desired the same. Hav- ing only two other negroes, and having often promised them thereto, I do hereby give and bequeath the same to my children by my first marriage, my said son John excepted.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 28th day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand and eight hun- dred and eighteen. PETER BRANSTETTER, [SEAL].
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of D. S. SWEARINGEN, ABRAHAM THOMPSON.
JUSTICES' AND COMMISSIONERS' COURTS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, WITH THE DATES OF THEIR APPOINTMENTS AND ELECTIONS.
The First Court
Was held March 9th, 1818, called Justices' Court. There were present three Justices, ap- pointed by the Governor, as follows : Zachariah Maddox, John Johnson and David Pierce. It appears from the records that James Bankson takes the place of David Pierce, and signs the proceedings as one of the Justices.
First Board of Commissioners.
William Rountree, John Kain, and James Gilbreath, elected in 1819.
Second Board of Commissioners.
William Carrigan, Joel Medley, and Solomon Silkwood, elected in 1820.
Third Board of Commissioners.
John Smith, Hanson Godfrey and Robert McEver, elected in 1822.
Fourth Board of Commissioners.
John Thompson and Absalom Yarbrough, elected in 1824; and Robert McEver, re- elected in 1824. We find no record of the above Commissioners' election, but find they sign the proceedings at the May term, 1824.
Fifth Board of Commissioners.
John Thompson, re-elected in 1824, Joseph Huey and John H. Morgan, elected in 1824. At a special election held March 5th, 1825, there were elected three County Commis- sioners to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of John Thompson, Joseph Huey and John H. Morgan. Sixth Boara of Commissioners.
John Woodrone, Joseph Whittenburg and Cyrus Sawyer, elected in 1825.
Seventh Board of Commissioners.
Cyrus Sawyer, re-elected in 1826, Charles McCord and Davil White, elected in 1826.
Eighth Board of Commissioners. David White and Joseph Whittenburg, re-elected in 1828, and Livesay Carter, elected in 1828. Ninth Board of Commissioners.
Demsey Kennedy, John Gilbreath and Nathan Davis, elected in 1830.
Tenth Board of Commissioners.
Abner Jolliff, William Rountree and Elijah Goodner, elected in 1832.
Eleventh Board of Commissioners.
Demsey Kennedy, re-elected in 1834, Joel Woodrome and Harvey Nevill, elected in 1834. Twelfth Board of Commissioners.
Demsey Kennedy and Joel Woodrome, re-elected in 1836, and Allen Parlier, elected in 1836.
At this time the law was so amended as to require the Commissioners to be elected for a term of three years ; the first three, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years ; after which one would be elected every year. Under this law there were elected the
Thirteenth Board of Commissioners.
Demsey Kennedy (one year), re-elected in 1838, and Jacob B. House (two years) and Linville Rountree (three years), elected in 1838; Thomas F. White, elected in 1839; Henry Williamson, elected in 1840; John Crain, elected in 1841; Thomas F. White, re- elected in 1842; Henry Williamson, re-elected in 1843; Benjamin C. Nelson (died in office), elected in 1844; Thomas F. White, re-elected in 1845; Greenville Rountree (to fill vacancy caused by death of Nelson), elected in 1846; Elijah Goodner, re-elected. in 1846; William H. Hagans, elected in 1847; Thomas M. McCracken, elected in 1848.
In 1848 the new Constitution of the state made a change, organizing a County Court to do the business of the county, with one Judge, having probate jurisdiction, and providing for two Associate Justices, all to hold office for four years. Accordingly, under this law there were elected :
Thomas F. White, County Judge, William H. Hagans and John Williams, Associates, elected in 1849. Thomas F. White, County Judge, re-elected in 1853; Lewis W. Crain and Linville Rountree, Associates, elected in 1853. Thomas F. White, County Judge, re- elected in 1857; Linville Rountree, Associate, re-elected in 1857, and H. P. H. Morgan, Associate, elected in 1857. Willian. M. Phillips, County Judge,-elected in 1861 ; John Akins, Associate, elected in 1861, aud H. P. H. Morgan, Associate, re-elected in 1861. William M. Phillips, County Judge, re-elected in 1865; John Huegely and . H. H. Meyer, Associates, elected in 1865. In 1866 Wm. M. Phillips resigned his position as County Judge, and William J. Stevenson elected to fill vancancy in 1866. Williani J. Ste- venson, County Judge, re-elected in 1869 ; H. H. Meyer, Associate, re-elected in 1869, and Richard Tiemey, Associate, elected in 1869.
In 1870, the new Constitution vacated the office of Associate Justices, and created what is called a Board of Commissioners, to take charge of the county business, to be elected for a term of three years ; the first three, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, to be determined by lot ; after which one would be elected every year. Under this law there were elected :
Joel P. Watson (one year), 1873. Leonard Merker (two years), 1873. G. W. Phillips (three years. Resigned in 1866), 1873. Henry Moellman, 1874. Leonard Merker, re- elected, 1875. L. B. Baldwin (appointed to fill vacancy caused by Phillips' resignation), 1876. George T. Hoke, 1876. Frederick Dankmeyer, 1877. J. H. Sabert, 1878.
Below is a list of the names, dates of election and terms of service of the
Clerks of the Circuit Court.
William H. Bradsoy, appointed in 1818, served until 1839. William Boyd, appointed in 1839, served until 1840. James Burns, elected in 1940, served until 1850. Harry H. Tal- bot, elected in 1850, served until 1869. John N. Vernor, elected in 1860, served until 1868. Solomon M. Elwood, elected in 1868, served until 1876. Wilson S. Hisey, elected in 1876, present incumbent.
Sheriff's of Washington County. Terms of Service, etc.
Daniel S. Swearingen, appointed in 1818. Harry Wilton, elected in 1819. Boling Green, elected in 1820. Joel Medley, elected in 1822. John S. Carrigan, elected in 1823. Levin N. English, elected in 1824. Thomas H. Moore, elected in 1825. William C. Wallace, elected in 1829. John Crain, elected in 1830. John White, elected in 1836. John H. McElhannon, elected in 1840, resigned in 1845. John N. Vernor, elected in 1845. Willis White, elected in 1848. Isaac B. Jack, (died in office), elected in 1850. Francis D. Tay- lor, Coroner, filled Jack's unexpired term. John White, re-elected in 1852. Salem Good- ner, elected in 1854. John White, re-elected in 1856. Asa C. Coffey, elected in 1858. Salem Goodner, re-elected in 1860. James Garvin, elected in 1862. James H. Sawyer, elected in 1864. W. H. Clayton, elected in 1866. 'D. R. Meyer, elected in [868. John White, re-elected in 1870. James Garvin, re-elected in 1872. Jacob May, elected in 1874; re-elected in 1876. Wm. Lane, present incumbent, elected in 1878.
Assessors and Treasurers. Terms of Service, etc.
Rufus Recker, appointed in 1819, and resigned in 1819. John H. Lambert, appointed in 1819, and resigned in 1820. Calvin Barnes appointed in 1820, and resigned in 1821. John Woodrome, appointed in 1821, served until 1823. Charles Stephens, appointed in 1823, served until 1825. James Johnson, appointed in 1825, served until 1827. Samuel Y. Henry, appointed in 1827, served until 1836. George W. Lee, appointed in 1836, served until 1843. James Ramsey, elected in 1843, resigned in 1855. John W. Phillips, appointed to fill Ramsey's unexpired term, 1855. Washington Walker, elected in 1856, served until
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
1857. Thomas McCracken, elected in 1857, served until 1860. Andrew Fice, elected in 1860, served until 1861. John H. Borchelt, elected in 1861, served until 1865. S. Walker, elected in 1865, served until 1867. John Land, elected in 1867, served until 1871. Henry F. Dahncke, elected in 1871, served until 1875. William Adams, elected in 1875, served until 1877. William Adams, re-elected in 1877, present incumbent.
County Surveyors.
Wm. H. Bradsby, elected in 1833, served until 1837. Darius Greenup, elected in 1837, served until 1843. August Stande, elected in 1843, served until 1851. Darius Greenup, re-elected in 1851, served until 1857. S. W. Parks, elected in 1857, served until 1861. August Stande, re-elected in 1861, served until 1867. J. Shoemaker, elected in 1867, served until 1869. M. L. McCord, elected in 1869, re-elected in 1871, re-elected in 1875, present incumbent.
: County Clerks.
Wm. H. Bradsby, appointed in 1818, served until 1832. Orcenith Fisher, appointed in 1832, served until 1834. Wm. Boyd (died in office), elected in 1834, served until 1839. Zenas Vernor, served one term of the Court as Clerk pro tem., 1839. Thomas H. Callaway, elected in 1839, served until 1843. Thomas H. Callaway, re-elected in 1843, served until 1847. Amos Watts, elected in 1847, served until 1851. Amos Watts, re-elected in 1851, served until 1855; re-elected in 1855, served until 1857. S. C. Page, elected in 1857, served until 1861. T. B. Needles, elected in 1861 ; re-elected in 1865; re-elected in 1869; re-elected in 1873, served until 1876. H. F. Reuter appointed in 1876, served until 1877. H. F. Reuter was elected in 1377. Present incumbent.
Probate and County Judges.
Probate Judges : Wm. H. Bradsby, appointed in 1821, served until 1837. E. Kilpatrick, elected in 1837, served until 1838. Wm. H. Bradsby, re-elected in 1838, served until 1839. Zenas H. Vernor, elected in 1839, served until 1847. Harvey Nevill, elected in 1847, served until 1849.
County Judges : Thomas F. White, elected in 1849; re-elected in 1853; re-elected in 1857, served until 1861. Wm. M. Phillips elected in 1861 ; re-elected in 1865, served until 1866. W. J. Stevenson, elected in 1866; re-elected in 1869, served until 1873 (died in office). Isaac Miller, appointed in 1873, served (less than one year) until 1873. M. M. Goodner, elected in 1873, served until 1877. Daniel Hay, appointed in 1877, served (about one month). George W. Vernor, elected in 1877, present incumbent.
School Commissioners and County Superintendents.
John Crain was appointed in 1835, served until 1840; re-appointed in 1840, served until 1842. Jacob Goodner, appointed in 1842, served until 1843. Z. H. Vernor, appointed in 1843, served until 1847. "Harvey Neville, appointed in 1847, served until 1853. Z. H. Vernor, re-appointed in 1853, served until 1861. Wm. H. Clayton, elected in 1861, served until 1865.
County Superintendents : Wm. H. Clayton, elected in 1865, served until 1866 (resigned). Alden C. Hillman, elected in 1866, served until 1873. Samuel C. Page, elected in 1873, served until 1877. J. W. Hudson, elected in 1877, present incumbent.
We subjoin a list of the Schators and Representatives from Washington County or the district including said county :
Senators.
1818-1819-1820, J. Maddox ; 1822-1824-1826, Andrew Bankson ; 1828-1830-1832- 1834, Conrad Will ; 1835, Brutton Parish ; 1836-1838-1840, John D. Wood ; 1842-1844, John Crain ; 1846, Elias S. Dennis ; 1846-51, H. S. Osburn ; 1853-1855, John E. Detrich ; 1857-1859, E. C. Coffey ; 1861, John M. Rodgers; 1863, W. A. J. Sparks ; 1865-1867, David K. Greene ; 1869-1871, John P. Van Dorstan ; 1873-1875, George Gundlach; 1877-1879, F. E. W. Brink.
Representatives.
1818-1819, Daniel S. Swearingen; 1822, James Turney; 1824, Philo Beers; 1826, Charles Slade; 1828-1830, John S. Carrigan ; 1832, Johnson Wren ; 1834, Johnson Wren and George P. Boyer; 1836-1838-1840, John Crain; 1842, Elias S. Dennis and John White ; 1844, William Woodburn and John White; 1846, John White ; 1849-1851, Zenos H. Vernor ; 1853, E. A. Paine; 1855, P. E. Hosmer; 1857, H. S. Ozburn ; 1859, John D. Wood; 1861, O Kellogg; 1863, Jesse R. Ford; 1865, Isaac Miller ; 1867, Daniel Hay; 1869, George Gundlach ; 1871, A. S. Rowley ; 1873, Fred. A. Lietze, Charles D. Horles and Andrew G. Henry ; 1875, Wm. H. Moore; 1877, Richard Tierney; 1879, T. Duane Hinckley and Samuel W. Jones.
In the early history of the county we find that other civil officers were appointed and served in various positions. In 1839, at the March term of the Commissioners' Court, two Assessors were appointed, one for the Eastern and one for the Western district ; which prac- tice was continued for several years thereafter. Champness Ball, eastern district, was ap- pointed in 1839. James G. Harris, western district, appointed in 1839. Champness Ball, eastern district, re-appointed in 1840. James G. Harris, western district, re-appointed in 1840. Wm. M. Phillips, eastern district, appointed in 1842. Wm. Young, western district, appointed in 1843.
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