USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside county, Illinois, from its first settlement to the present time, with numerous Biographical and Family Sketches > Part 26
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
A.) ; those completing the English studies, a diploma of Mistress of English Literature (M. E. L.). Gentlemen completing the course receive the degree of Bachelor of Science (B. S.). Those who complete the Normal course, and have teaching in view, receive a teacher's diploma. Diplomas are also given to graduates in the Commercial and Scientific departments, and to those who com- plete the course in elocution and oratory. The present Trustees are : L. S. Pennington, Charles Spears, Orrin Cowles, Payson Trask, John Dickson, N. W. Hubbard, Leander Smith, D. S. Covert, E. R. Allen, Jas. McCoy, B. Robinson, E. B. Warner. The officers of the Board are : Hon. E. R. Allen, President ; Orrin Cowles, Secretary ; Leander Smith, Treasurer ; James McCoy, Chairman Executive Committee ; Dr. N. W. Hubbard, Payson Trask, and Orrin Cowles, members of the Executive Committee.
Fulton City Lodge No. 189, A. F. and A. M .:- In the fall of 1855 several of the brethren of the Mystic Tie in the city of Fulton and vicinity, resolved, after consultation, to make an effort to raise a Lodge of Master Masons. The first meeting for this purpose was held in the hall over Dr. Benton's store on the evening of September 17, 1855. There were present Messrs. D. W. Thom- son, James L. Briggs, Wilson S. Wright, Charles J. Johnson, James McCoy, S. W. Johnston, Reuben Patrick, J. M. Brown, Wm. Pearson and J. J. Harrison. A resolution was passed at this meeting to petition to the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois for a Dispensation for a working Lodge of Master Masons to be called Fulton City Lodge, and the following brethren were recommended as its first officers: D. W. Thomson, W. M ; James L. Briggs, S. W., and Wilson S. Wright, J. W. Upon receiving the petition the Grand Lodge duly granted a Dispensation, and on the 24th of December, 1855, the Lodge was organized with the following petition members as officers: David W. Thomson, W. M .; James L. Briggs, S. W .; Wilson S. Wright, J. W .; Reuben Patrick, Treasurer; J. M. Brown, Secretary; James McCoy, S. D .; S. W. Johnston, J. D. The Lodge worked under Dispensation until October, 1856, when a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of the State, and thereupon it was duly instituted as Fulton City Lodge, No. 189, A. F. and A. M., and the following officers installed: David W. Thomson, W. M .; James L. Briggs, S. W .; Geo. D. Van Horn, J. W .; E. A. Ingalls, Secretary; John Phelps, Treasurer; C. L. Carleton, S. D .; Wm. H. Knight, J. D .; R. Patrick, Steward; B. Snyder, Master of Ceremonies, and A. D. McCool, Chaplain. The building of the present elegant and well appointed Hall was commenced in the fall of 1868, and finished in June, 1869. The dedi- cation took place on Wednesday, the 30th of June, 1869, the officers of the Lodge being: R. H. Adams, W. M .; Geo. D. Van Horn, S. W .; E. W. Dutcher, J. W., and W. C. Snyder, Architect. The Grand Lodge for the purpose of dedi- cation was organized in the new Hall, as follows: James C. Luckey, R. W. G. M .; Geo. D. Van Horn, G. S. W .; E. W. Dutcher, G. J. W .; A. Sallee, D. G. W., and G. W. Woodward, Chaplain. The ceremonies were opened by James C. Luckey, Acting Grand Master, in a beautiful and appropriate speech, after which the Hall was solemnly dedicated to Masonry in due and ancient form. David W. Thomson then presented to the Lodge in an excellent speech, a beau- tiful gavel of olive wood, made in Jerusalem, and a rough and a perfect ashler made of stone from the great quarry under the city of Jerusalem, out of which it is supposed the stone was taken for building the Temple. The gifts were received by the Acting Grand Master in the name of the Lodge. Bro. Forres- ter, of Aurora, followed with an excellent and forcible address on the objects and spirit of Masonry, which was well received by all present, including those not members of the fraternity. The whole proceedings closed with a splendid supper in the banqueting room, provided by the lady friends of the brethren of
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the Lodge. Those who have visited the Hall of Fulton City Lodge are univer- sal in the expression of the opinion that in all of its appointments it is one of the best in this section of the country. The following have been the principal officers of the Lodge since its organization: Worshipful Masters :- 1856-'57 and 58, David W. Thomson; 1859, Charles A. Chase; 1860, H. B. Owen; 1861, David W. Thomson; 1862, W. C. Snyder; 1863-'64 and '65, A. Sallee; 1866, W. C. Snyder; 1867-'68-'69-'70 and '71, Reuben H. Adams; 1872 and '73, A. Sallee; 1874 and '75, W. C. Snyder; 1876, C. A. Griswold. Senior Wardens :- 1856, Jas. L. Briggs; 1857, H. B. Owen; 1858, C. A. Chase; 1859, N. S. Case; 1860, Geo. D. Van Horn; 1861, W. C. Snyder; 1862, Geo. D. Van Horn; 1863, M. M. Messler; 1864, Jas. B. Peabody; 1865 and '66, R. H. Adams; 1867, A. Sallee; 1868, Geo. D. Van Horn; 1869, Wm. Reed; 1870, E. W. Dutcher; 1871, Thos. Conaty; 1872-'73 and '74, Jacob Brown; 1875, Wm. Stuart; 1876, S. E. Seeley. Junior Wardens :- 1856, Geo. D. Van Horn; 1857, E. A. Ingalls; 1858, Nelson S. Case; 1859, Jas. B. Peabody; 1860, W. C. Snyder; 1861, Jas. McMurchy; 1862, Wm. Reed; 1863, John Hess; 1864, Wm. Reed; 1865, M. M. Messler; 1866 and '67, Geo. D. Van Horn; 1868 and '69, E. W. Dutcher; 1870, J. C. Martindale; 1871, Jas. W. Smith; 1872 and '73, Henry Yule; 1874, Wm. Stuart; 1875, C. A. Griswold; 1876, G. W. Clendenin. Treasurers :- 1856-'57-'58-'59-'60-'61 and 62, John Phelps; 1863-'64-'65 and '66, Leander Smith; 1867, John Phelps; 1868-'69-770-771-772 and '73, W. C. Snyder; 1874 and '75, Leander Smith; 1876, W. C. Snyder. Secretaries :- 1856, O. E. Page; 1857 and '58, Geo. S. Phelps; 1859, W. W. Ware; 1860, J. B. Peabody; 1861, E. A. Ingalls; 1862, D. E. Dodge; 1863 and '64, John Phelps; 1865, Jas. B. Britton; 1866-'67 and .'68, Jacob Brown; 1869-'70-'71-'72 and '73, John Phelps; 1874 and '75, Oscar Summers; 1876, Thos. H. Smith. From the be- ginning Fulton City Lodge has been prosperous, and notwithstanding three Lodges, the Albany, Dunlap and Thompson, have been formed from its terri- tory, its membership at present is large, numbering over eighty, and is con- stantly increasing. Regular communications are held at Masonie Hall, on Mon- days, on or before the full moon in each month.
Fulton Chapter No. 108, R. A. M. :- On the evening of Wednesday, Jan- uary 30, 1867, Companions A. Sallee, W. C. Snyder, R. H. Adams, John Phelps and I. T. Moulton, met at Masonic Hall for the purpose of organizing a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the city of Fulton. A Lodge of Past Masters was opened in form. Officers-A. Sallee, R. W. M .; R. H. Adams, S. W .; W. C. Snyder, J. W. The R. W. M. stated to the meeting that he had a Dispensa- tion in his possession for the organization of such a Lodge, granted by Orlin H. Miner, M. E. G. H. P., for the State of Illinois, to the following Companions : Abraham Sallee, D. W. Thomson, Stephen Ives, C. W. Aylesworth, Cyrus Pratt, Peter Holman, John Phelps, W. C. Snyder, R. H. Adams, and Geo. D. Van Horn. At the next meeting held on Wednesday evening, February 13, 1867, the following officers were elected : A. Sallee, H. P .; S. L. Beston, K,; John Eddy, S .; I. T. Moulton, C. of H .; R. II. Adams, P. S .; George D. Van Horn, R. A. C .; W. C. Snyder, M. 3d V .; C. W. Aylesworth, M. 2d V .; John Phelps, M. 1st V. The Chapter worked under dispensation until October 9, 1867, when it received a Charter from the M. E. Grand Chapter of the State, and was duly instituted as Fulton Chapter, No. 108, R. A. M., and the following officers in- stalled : Abraham Sallee, H. P .; D. W. Thomson, K .; Cyrus Pratt. S .; Reuben H. Adams, C. of Il .; William J. McCoy, P. S .; George D. VanHorn, R. A. C .; William C. Snyder, M. 3d V .; Charles W. Aylesworth, M. 2d V .; Charles F. Welles, M. 1st V .; W. C. Snyder, Treasurer; John Phelps, Secretary; John Eddy, C .; Oliver Baker, B. G. Baker, Stewards; Charles D. Rose, Tyler. The
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
following have been the principal officers of the Chapter since 1867 : High Priest-1868-'69-'70-771-'72-'73-'74 and '75, Abraham Sallee; 1876 and '77, W. C. Snyder. King-1868, John Eddy; 1869 and '70, George W. Woodward; 1871, Thomas Conaty; 1872 and '73, J. M. Startzman; 1874, Charles Bent; 1875, J. J. Curley; 1876, David E. Dodge; 1877, Dr. H. M. Booth. Scribe-1868, Samuel W. Johnston; 1869, S. C. Bates; 1870, E. W. Dutcher; 1871-'72 and '73, David E. Dodge; 1874, G. W. Sweet; 1875, Noah Green; 1876, David Merritt; 1877, George S. Melendy. Treasurer-1868 to 1877, inclusive, W. C. Snyder. Secretary-1868 to 1877, inclusive, John Phelps. The Chapter num- bers at the present time over eighty members, and holds its regular convocations at Masonic Hall, on or before the full moon of the Lunar month.
Masonic Relief Association :- At the regular communication of Fulton City Lodge, No. 189, A. F. & A. M., held on the 11th of April, 1870, it was recom- mended that a joint stock company or association be formed to liquidate the debt of the Lodge, which had been incurred in building and furnishing the new Masonic Hall, and in pursuance of that recommendation the following members met at the Hall on Monday evening, July 18, 1870 : C. Summers, W. C. Sny- der, Thomas Conaty, A. Sallee, E. W. Dutcher, R. H. Adams, George D. Van Horn, George W. Padelford, H. Downey, C. E. Langford, D. E. Dodge, S. C. Bates, George Eckert, J. M. Startzman, S. Lyon, C. A. Griswold, W. H. Pratt, O. Summers, M. L. Osborne, Peter Dull, A. L. Morey, and John Phelps. On motion E. W. Dutcher was called to the chair, and John Phelps appointed Sec- retary. A resolution was unanimously adopted that a joint stock association be formed for the purpose named in the recommendation, and a committee appoint- ed to draft a code of by-laws for its government. At a meeting on the 1st of August, 1870, the following permanent officers of the Association were elected : President, James McCoy; Secretary, John Phelps; Treasurer, W. C. Snyder. At the same meeting it was resolved that the corporate name be the "Masonic Relief Association," and that the seal of the Association be circular with the following words around the margin : "Masonic Relief Association, Fulton, Ill." -- the device to be an open hand in the center with thumb turned to the palm on the plumb. The Association was afterwards duly incorporated under division 12, chapter 25, of the statutes of the State concerning corporations, and the capital stock fixed at $6,000, divided into shares of $25 each. The books of subscription to the capital stock were opened on the 6th of August, 1870, and in a short time thereafter the whole amount was taken, and the Association pur- chased the hall and the rooms connected therewith, with their fixtures and appointments, and paid the entire debt. More than half of the stock was taken by members of Fulton City Lodge, No. 189, A. F. & A. M., and Fulton Chapter No. 108, R. A. M., and the two Lodges now rent the Hall from the Association. The present officers of the Association are Reuben H. Adams, President; Wil- liam Y. Wetzell, Vice President; W. C. Snyder, Treasurer; John Phelps, Sec- retary; C. B. Bachelder, A. D. Mitchell, and M. L. Osborne, Executive Com- mittee.
Abou Ben Adhem Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F. :- This Lodge was first known as Portland Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F., and met at Prophetstown until May 24, 1861, when it surrendered its charter and effects to the Grand Lodge of the State. In 1871 the charter was renewed by the Grand Lodge and granted, to- gether with the effects of the old Lodge, to Abou Ben Adhem Lodge, the meetings to be held at the City of Fulton. The first members of the new Lodge were George W. Woodward, A. J. Heberle, L. F. Puffer, Z. M. Church, and Clinton W. Jones, and the first meeting held July 29, 1871. The principal of- ficers of the Lodge have been as follows : Noble Grand-G. W. Woodward, L.
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F. Puffer, A. Marsh, Charles Kahl, A. Volkman, C. M. Church, J. H. Fritz, H. V. Fritz, J. K. Richey, Joel W. Farley, G. Walter, Hervey Smith, R. B. Myers and George M. Farley. Secretary-L. F. Puffer, G. W. Woodward, A. Marsh, Hiram Noble, H. H. Hobein, Joel W. Farley, George M. Farley, E. B. Hoxie, and C. C. Carpenter. The Lodge hold regular meetings on Monday evening of each week. The present number of members is seventy, with almost constant additions.
Fulton Business Association :- This Association was first organized on the 25th of April, 1874, the meeting having been called at the written request of a large number of business men and property holders of the city. At this meeting Dr. W. C. Snyder was called to the chair, and A. R. McCoy appointed Secretary. The subject of organizing an Association which would aid in advancing the material interests of the city, was fully discussed, and its necessity clearly shown. At the conclusion of the discussion it was unanimously resolved to organize. A constitution and by-laws were then adopted, and the following officers eleeted : President, Dr. Leander Smith; Vice President, Albert R. MeCoy; Secretary, Dr. W. C. Snyder; Treasurer, C. N. Wheeler. The following Committees were also appointed : On Manufacturing and Improvement Interests :- F. E. Marcellus, William C. Green 2d, J. M. Fay; On Mercantile Interests-Charles B. Mercereau, Charles E. Langford. A. Sallee; On Railroad and River Interests-Dr. L. Smith, Dr. W. C. Snyder, W. J. McCoy; On Statistics-Payson Trask, W. M. Herrold, George Terwilliger. The Association went actively at work, and through its influ- enee several industries were established in the city. The records however, were burned in the fire which destroyed the Postoffice building on the 26th of March, 1875, and but very little was done by the Association until its reorganization on the 27th of March, 1877. At that meeting F. E. Marcellus was called to the chair, Dr. W. C. Snyder officiating as Secretary. The Secretary stated that all of the books, records, by-laws, etc., of the Association had been destroyed by fire, and that the time for the annual election of officers had passed. It was then resolved to adopt a new constitution and by-laws, and elect new officers. All persons who had fully paid their membership fees to the Association, and still resided in the city, were to be considered members in good standing. The following officers were elected: President, Thomas A. Hardin; Vice President, Wm M. Herrold; Secretary, Dr. W. C. Snyder; Treasurer, Charles N. Wheeler; Executive Committee, J. M. Startzman, Wm. C. Green 2d, and J. P. Jacobs. Committees were afterwards appointed as follows : On Statistics-W. C. Green 2d, Dr. C. A. Griswold, J. Martin Fay; On Publication-Dr. W. C. Snyder, E. Summers, C. B. Bachelder; On Mannfactures-N. W. McGee, W. J. McCoy, W. P. Culbertson. These officers are active, energetic business men, and will make the influence of the Association felt upon the business interests of the city.
Woman's Christian Temperance Union :- This Society was organized on the first of September, 1875, with a membership of nineteen, composed of the fol- lowing ladies : Mrs. B. A. Congar, Mrs. A. B. Gay, Mrs. G. J. Booth, Mrs. J. P. Jacobs, Mrs. C. Broadhead, Mrs. W. P. Culbertson, Mrs. J. M. Fay, Mrs. T. A. Hudson, Mrs. A. R. McCoy, Mrs. J. C. Snyder, Mrs. S. M. Trask, Mrs. J. E. Gates, Mrs. E. A. Linn, Mrs. B. W. Brown, Mrs. G. L. Lyon, Mrs. W. J. McCoy, Mrs.G. Terwilliger, Miss Celia Eddy, Miss Sarah E. Linn. The first officers of the Society were : President, Mrs. B. W. Brown: Vice Presidents, Mrs. G. J. Booth, Mrs. W. P. Hall, Mrs. Payson Trask, and Mrs. J. C. Snyder; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Marie McCoy; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Fannie McCoy; Treasurer, Miss Celia Eddy. On the 7th of October fol- lowing, Mrs. Brown resigned the position of President, and Mrs. John Dyer was elected to fill the vacaney, and on the 26th of November Mrs. Fannie McCoy
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resigned her place of Corresponding Secretary, and Mrs. J. E. Gates was elected to fill the vacancy. At the annual election on the 8th of September, 1876, Mrs. John Hudson was elected President, and the other officers of 1875 re-elected. The total receipts of the Union for the year ending September 1, 1876, were $301,92, and from that date to March 1st, 1877, $121,93, making a total of $323,- 85. This sum has been expended for lectures, rent, furnishing a free reading room, and incidentals. Among the lecturers have been some of the most noted of the day. The Free Reading Room was opened on the 18th of July, 1876, and continued open until the spring of 1877, when it was temporarily closed. It is contemplated to open it again soon. The Union hold weekly meetings, the members being the most active and energetic temperance workers in the city. It now numbers upwards of fifty members.
The R. C. T. A. B. Society :- The Roman Catholic Temperance and Benevo- lent Society of the city of Fulton was organized on the 14th of August, 1870. The following gentlemen were its first officers : President, Patrick Bell; Vice President, Joseph Dugan; Secretary, Patrick Dorsey; Treasurer, Dennis Con- nors. The object of the Society is not only to promote the cause of Temper- ance, but to have the members act as a union in all deeds of benevolence that may arise in the organization, or to which by a majority vote they are requested to lend a helping hand. Their motto is "Temperance and Benevolence." Reg- ular monthly meetings are held at Stevenson's Hall. The number of members is forty-five, and the present officers are, President, John Downs; Vice President, Patrick Considine; Secretary, J. P. Hooks; Treasurer, Daniel Daly.
Fulton Temperance Reform Club :- This Club was first organized at the M. E. Church, on Monday evening, March 27, 1876. Mr. A. A. Wheeler was called to the chair, and Miss C. Eddy appointed Secretary. The constitu- tion and pledge were then offered to those present for signature, and thirty- seven subscribed their names. The following permanent officers were then elected: President, A. A. Wheeler; Vice Presidents, Charles Hall, John Han- naher, John F. Cosner; Secretary, Mrs. M. B. Terwilliger; Treasurer, Mrs. W. P. Hall; Chaplain, Rev. J. W. Hubbard. This Club continued in existence for some time, and was succeeded by the present club, which was organized June 30, 1877. The officers are: President, E. W. Dutcher; Secretary, C. J. Cole; Treasurer, A. A. Wheeler. The Club meets every Monday evening at the basement of the Presbyterian church, and is increasing its membership ;rapidly. There is also a Lodge of the Sons of Temperance in existence in the city, but for the past year or two meetings have not been held regularly, owing to withdrawal of members, and the removal of others from town. The charter is still retained and the Lodge can be set into active operation again at any time. A Red Ribbon organization has also been formed, made up of children and young people, which meets at stated times at the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Fulton Cemetery Association :- On the 24th of July, 1874, Charles N. Wheeler, Wm. J. McCoy, Wm. C. Snyder, John M. Fay, and F. E. Marcellus filed a petition and statement, duly signed and acknowledged in the office of the Secretary of State, at Springfield, for the organization of an association under the Act concerning corporations, to be known and called the Fulton Cemetery Association, with a capital stock of $500, upon which the Secretary of State issued a License to them as Commissioners to open books for subscrip- tion to the capital stock. On the 20th of August, 1874, the Commissioners filed in the office of the Secretary of State a report of their proceedings under the License, and on the same day a certificate was issued by that officer making The Fulton Cemetery Association a legally organized corporation under the laws of Illinois. Previous to the issuing of the certificate of incorporation, and on
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
the 6th of August, 1874, the Commissioners met at the office of W. C. Snyder, when it was moved and carried that a Board of Directors to consist of six mem- bers be elected to exercise the corporate powers of the Association, the Board to be divided into three classes, those of the first class to hold office until the next annual election of the Association; those of the second class to hold office for two years, and those of the third class for three years. The following per- sons were then elected Directors: First Class-Peter Kitchen, W. Y. Wetzell; Second Class-F. E. Marcellus, J. Martin Fay; Third Class-W. C. Snyder, W. J. McCoy. The Directors afterwards met and elected the following officers: President, W. J. McCoy; Secretary, W. C. Snyder; Treasurer, F. E. Marcellus; Executive Committee, W. J. McCoy, J. Martin Fay, W. C. Snyder. The cap- ital stock was very soon taken, and the Association commenced active opera- tions under their charter. The fire. on the 26th of March, 1875, which destroyed the Postoffice and Journal building also destroyed the records, by-laws, plats, deeds, seal, etc., of the Association, the Secretary's office being located in the building, and at a meeting of the Directors subsequently held, the Secretary was instructed to procure new certificates of stock, blank deeds, seal, ete., and to record anew the names of stockholders, directors and officers, and also to procure a copy of all the matter of record in the Recorder's office at Morrison, and record the same into a book of record for the use of the Association. In September and October, 1874, the new part of the cemetery, comprising five acres, was purchased, and both the new and old grounds enclosed with a good substantial fence. In 1858 the city built a fence around the old grounds, but long prior to the organization of the Association it had got out of repair by neglect and the ravages of time, so that it afforded but little or no security against predatory animals. In fact citizens were ashamed of the cemetery on account of its condition. The grounds had been well selected, the site being on a bluff in the northern part of the town overlooking most of the city, the Narrows of the river, nearly all of the city of Lyons, a part of Clinton, and a wide stretch of country. In it had been laid large numbers of the citizens of Fulton, over whose resting place in many instances, fine monuments had been erected. But weeds and briars had been permitted to grow up everywhere, and the swine of the neighborhood had full privilege to indulge in their rooting propensities at all times. The Association has remedied all this, having ex- pended over $1,200 in the purchase of additional grounds, and the laying out, beautifying, and properly enclosing the whole, so that the citizens can now point to it with pride. These improvements are going on year by year. The present officers are the same as those first elected.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
HON. JAMES McCOY was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, on the 22d of September, 1816. When near his majority he turned his face Westward determined to seek a home in the Mississippi Valley, and on the 9th of May, 1837, stopped at Fulton City. The situation of the place, and its sur- roundings, so pleased him that he concluded to end his search here, and to take his chances for fortune with those he already found on the spot. There being no ready opening for the practice of his profession, that of law, he engaged in surveying and school teaching, until early in 1839, when he went cast, and was married on the 23d of April of that year to Miss Elizabeth Russell, of Cham- paign county, Ohio, formerly of Loudon county, Virginia. He returned to Ful- ton in October, 1839, and has remained a resident ever since. In 1840 he com- menced the active practice of law at the West, and has devoted his attention to it, excepting when public duties demanded his time, up to the present. His
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
practice has taken him to all the courts of this and other States, and to the District, Circuit and Supreme Courts of the United States. When the question of connecting the Mississippi river with the Lakes was brought forward in 1851, he early took an active and conspicnous part in securing the Mississippi term- inus at Fulton, and was a Director and the first President of the Mississippi & Rock River Junction Railroad, one of the roads having that object in view. It was mainly due to his efforts that a law was passed by the Legislature of Illi- nois incorporating that company, as well as the one passed by the Iowa Legislature incorporating a company to construct a road from Lyons to Council Bluffs. When the Legislature of Illinois passed the act giving the County Court of Whiteside county concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court, he was elected Judge, and served in that capacity for two years, and until the law was repealed. In 1868 he was elected one of the Presidential Electors on the Republican ticket, and in 1869 a delegate to the Constitutional Convention which framed the constitution of that year. In that convention he took a prominent part, and by his knowledge of constitutional law rendered valuable assistance in securing an incorporation into our State charter, of many of its wisest and best features. He was one of the first Trustees elected for the Illinois Soldiers' College, and continued in that capacity during the existence of the College under that name, and also since, under the name of the Northern Illinois College, always taking an active part in behalf of the best interests of the Institution. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have had eight children. Melinda, Wil- liam J., James, Albert Russell, Addison W., Augustin, Edward and Joseph H. They are all living except James and Joseph H. Melinda married Robert E. Logan, and is living in Union Grove Township; William J. married Marie Aylesworth, and is living in Fulton; Albert Russell married Fannie Congar, and resides in Clinton, Iowa; Addison W. married Georgiana Russell, and resides in Fulton. Judge McCoy was one of the early settlers of Fulton, as will be seen by the history of the town, and has been identified with its interests, as well as those of the county, from that time to the present.
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