Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 126

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Illinois > Crawford County > Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical > Part 126

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under the constitution of that year, holding the office for six years, and being the first man in Illinois history to be elected Governor for a second term. Gov. French's latter years were spent in St. Clair County, for a part of the time, being at the head of the law department of Mckendree College. He served as delegate in the State Constitutional Convention of 1862, and died in Lebanon, Ill., September 4, 1864. (See sketch in "Historical Encyclopedia" part of this work.)

William H. Sterrett, born in Nova Scotia in 1810 was educated in King's College, Windsor, and later came to the United States, read law at Newark, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in that State in 1840. In 1845, he came to Crawford County, Ill., and there engaged in practice. In 1852 he was elected to the Eight- eenth General Assembly, serving one term, and in 1858 was elected County Judge, when he re- tired from general practice. Being in declining health, he returned to Nova Scotia, where he died.

George W. Peck was born at Salem, Ind., was educated at Asbury University, Greencastle, and in 1853, when about twenty-one years of age. came to Crawford County, Ill., and engaged in practice. This he continued successfully until 1861, when he enlisted in the Union Army, be- came Captain of Company I, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers, later being promoted to Lieutenant- Colonel. His health having failed until he was unfit for service in the field, he was detailed for duty as Provost Marshal at Louisville, Ky., whence he returned to his old home at Salem and there died. He is described as a lawyer of superior ability, a good special pleader and al- ways clear in statement and logical in argument.

James H. Steel was born in Philadelphia, came to Crawford County in boyhood, and after spend- ing his early life on a farm, served for many years as Clerk of the County Court. He was admitted to the bar in 1857, and his wide ac- quaintance and reputation for integrity and bus- iness ability brought him a large practice. He acquired a handsome property, but owing to failing health was compelled to retire, finally dying at his home in Robinson December 2, 1872. Originally a Whig, after the organization of the Republican party he participated actively in all its political campaigns during his life.

Jacob C. Olwin, born in Montgomery County. Ohio, December 6, 1838, graduated from the

Union Law School at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1863, and in 1864 opened a law office at Robinson, Ill. He served as a member of the Thirty-second General Assembly, was elected County Judge in 1882, and for four years was Master in Chall- cery for Crawford County. He died in Robin- son June 22, 1887, leaving a high reputation for honor and fair dealing as a lawyer and a citizen.

Franklin H. Robb, one of the most honored members of the bar of Crawford County, was born in Gibson County, Ind., February 15, 1817, graduated from Wabash College, at Crawfords- ville, Ind., was admitted to the bar in 1840, and engaged in practice for a time at Princeton, Ind. He then spent three years studying medicine, and after practicing that profession several years returned to the law, to which he devoted the rest of his life. His knowledge of the law was profound, and he was fearless and unshrinking in defense of the conclusions to which his re- search led him. He served a term of four years as County Judge, and his opinions delivered from the county bench would have done honor in some cases to the supreme bench. He was a member and elder of the Presbyterian Church, and a Republican from the organization of that party until his death in Robinson, Ill., February 10, 1890.

Maj. Guy S. Alexander was born in Craw- ford County, Ill., December 4, 1847, a son of Dr. John Alexander, a pioneer settler of the county, began the study of law while teaching in the country schools, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. On January 15, 1862, he was mustered into service as Second-Lieutenant of Company F, Sixty-second Illinois Infantry, and mustered out as Major of the regiment, March 6, 1866. On September 3, 1867, he married Miss Rhoda Becker, and the same year opened a law office in Robinson. He served as County Attor- ney from 1872 to 1876, and in his practice es- tablished a reputation as a skillful lawyer and logical reasoner. He died May 28, 1876.

The history of lawyers of Crawford County would be incomplete without mention of Charles C. Fletcher, who came to the county-whence is unknown-in 1863, and died in Robinson Sep- tember 20, 1873. He was well educated both in law and literature. Of commanding presence, his curled locks, black as the raven's wing, hung over his broad intellectual forehead, and when excited his eyes flashed with a brilliancy that'

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was startling. His speeches, both at the bar and on the stump, were smooth and eloquent. But "melancholy claimed him for its own," and ere he died reason had fled.

Of the lawyers composing the present bar of Crawford County, Hon. Ethelbert Callahan is the oldest, having been born in Licking County, Ohio, December 17, 1829, his father being of Irish and his mother of English descent, while his grandfather, Rev. George Callahan, was a soldier of the Revolution, and a pioneer Metho- dist preacher in Ohio. In 1849, Mr. Callahan came to Crawford County, and during the fol- lowing winter taught a three-months' school at $15 a month, and when paid felt richer than at any time siuce. He edited the "Wabash Sentiuel" in 1853, after which he went to Mar- shall, Clark County, and there edited the "Tele- graph" during the Know-Nothing campaign of that year.

On June 27, 1854, Judge Callahan married Mrs. Mary (Barlow) Jones, and siuce then has resided in Crawford County. In 1857 he was elected a Justice of the Peace, began reading law, and in 1859 was admitted to the bar, and in 1861 opened an office at the county seat, where he has continued practice ever siuce. His suc- cess as a lawyer has been achieved by devotion to his profession, a thorough knowledge of the law, patient study and mastery of his cases, with a capacity for examining witnesses and a standard of honor and courtesy to friend and foe alike. These qualities were recognized by the conferring upon him, by McKendree Col- lege in June, 1898, of the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

Mr. Callahan is entitled to the distinction of having delivered the first speech in his county in behalf of the Republican party, and his sa- gacity is illustrated by the growing vote of his party since that period, not only in his own county, but throughout the State. The official positions held by him include Representative in the Twenty-ninth, Thirty-seventh, Thirty-eighth and Thirty-ninth General Assemblies, Presi- dential Elector in 1880 and 1888, and member of the first State Board of Equalization, was also one of the organizers of the Illinois State Bar Association, and served as its President in 1889. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and in 1874 served as layman delegate of the Southern Illinois Conference to the General Con- ference in Brooklyn. Mr. Callahan is author of

a number of valuable papers, including "The Lawyers of the Bible," which has been exten- sively quoted. Mr. Callahan is one of the most extensive farmers in Crawford Couuty, his farm on the banks of the Wabash furuishing an ex- ample of the best scientific methods of agricul- ture.

William C. Jones, for twelve years an occu- pant of the bench for the Second Judicial Cir- cuit, was born in Hutsonville, Crawford County, Ill., July 15, 1848, a son of Caswell Jones, a suc- cessful merchant of that locality, who died in March, 1853. In 1855 his mother married Ethel- bert Callahan aud, in 1861, the family became residents of Robinson. For a time in his boy- hood Mr. Jones was an apprentice in the office of the "Robinson Monitor," but in 1863 he be- came a studeut in the Ohio Wesleyau University, where he remained three years, and in 1867 be- gan reading law in the office of Callahan & Steel, later taking a course in law lectures in the Michi- gan University at Ann Arbor, and on May 9, 1868, beiug admitted to the bar. After a partner- ship with Mr. Callahan which lasted ten years, in 1876, Mr. Jones was elected Representative in the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, in 1877 was chosen County Judge, a positiou which he filled two years, when he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court, continuing in office by re- election twelve years. Upon his retiremeut from the bench iu 1891, he entered into partnership with Enoch E. Newlin, then State's Attorney, this relation continuing until Mr. Newlin's ad- vancement to the bench for the Second Judicial Circuit. Other members of the bar with whom at different periods Judge Jones has since been in partnership include Judge J. C. Eagleton, T. J. Newlin, Edward S. Baker, George D. McCarty and William W. Arnold, his last partnership continuing until 1903, when failing eyesight com- pelled his retirement from active practice, since devoting his attention to financial and real-estate business. In 1897 Judge Jones was appointed by Gov. Tanner Judge of the Court of Claims, in which he served four years. In 1880, in con- nection with Judge J. O. Cunningham, of Urbana, Judge Jones published a "Treatise on the Juris- diction and Practice in Country and Probate Courts," of which three editions have been pub- lished. He is also the author of a volume on the "Elements and Science of English Versification" and a book of poems entitled "Birch Rod Days." A more detailed sketch of his personal history

Ed.Baker.

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will be found in the biographical department of this volume.

John C. Eagleton, who has served as County Judge of Crawford County, and present attorney of the Illinois Pure Food Commission, was born in Robinson, Ill., April 10, 1866, the son of James M. and Nancy (Baugess) Eagleton, graduated from the Robinson high school, June 3, 1885, then read law in 1889, beginning active practice in September, 1891. Besides the offices already mentioned, Judge Eagleton held the position of of City Clerk of Robinson for one year and City Attorney two terms. In politics he is a Repub- lican. (See sketch in biographical department.)

One of the prominent attorneys of Crawford County of the present is Judge Enoch E. New- lin, who was born of a pioneer family in the county in which he now resides, February 22, 1858, a son of Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (Ruckel) Newlin. His father having died while a soldier in the Union Army in 1862, the son early began working out on a farm, meanwhile attending school in winter until seventeen years of age, when he began teaching, which he con- tinued for eight winter terms. After attending the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute one year, in 1880 he began the study of law in the office of Callahan & Jones in Robinson, and was admitted to the bar in 1882; in 1883 was appointed City Attorney for the city of Robinson, and, after serving one year, was elected State's Attorney of Crawford County in 1884 and re- elected without opposition in 1888, declining a reelection four years later. In 1897 he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court for the Second Judicial Circuit, a position which he still holds in 1909 by reelection in 1903. On the bench Judge Newlin has established a high reputation for judicial integrity and sagacity. Judge New- lin married, January 1, 1885, Miss Clara A. Coul- ter, a niece of the late Judge Jacob Wilkin of the Supreme Court. In politics he is a Democrat. (See sketch in biographical department.)

Hon. Alfred Hanby Jones, present State Pure Food Commissioner, was born on his father's farm in Crawford County, July 4, 1880, a son of John M. and Elizabeth (Ford) Jones, the for- mer a native of Virginia and the latter of Ken- tucky. After receiving his primary training in the public schools, he spent two years in West- field College, Clark County, III., later attending the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1870. Then. after spending one

year teaching in Kansas, he began the study of law with Callahan & Jones, at Robinson, IIl., and on June 14, 1875, was admitted to the bar, was elected City Attorney of Robinson the same year, and a year later was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Guy S. Alexander as State's Attorney. Mr. Jones has been a promi- uent factor in the political circles of Crawford County for years, has served in the Town Council and as member of the Board of Education, for ten years has been a member of the Republican State Central Committee, for some thirty years Chairman of the Crawford County Central Con- mittee, was a Delegate to the Republican Na- tional Convention in 1908, in 1SS6 was elected Representative in the Thirty-fifth General As- sembly, and in 1899 received from Gov. Tanner the appointement as the first State Food Commis- sioner, a position which, by successive appoint- ments, he still occupies. (See sketch in bio- graphical department of this work.)

Presley G. Bradbury, Robinson, III., was born on a farm in Crawford County, October 6, 1847. attended the State Normal Schools at Carbondale and at Normal, and served as County Superin- tendent of Schools for Crawford County from 1873 to 1877. In 1874 he began reading law in the office of Judge Robb, was admitted to the bar in 1876, and entered into partnership with his preceptor, which was dissolved by the death of the latter. From 1876 to 1SS4 he served as State's Attorney of Crawford County, and on December 31, 1879, was married to Miss Jennie Kelly, of Sullivan, Ind. Mr. Bradbury is still engaged in practice in Robinson as a member of the firm of Bradbury & Kelly.

Ausby L. Lowe, member of a pioneer family of Crawford County who came from Virginia at an early date, was born at Hutsonville, Crawford County, November 18, 1857, graduated at Earl- ham College, Richmond, Ind., and after spending some time as deputy in the office of Circuit Clerk and ex-officio County Recorder, accepted an in- vitation to take a place in the office of Callahan & Jones, with a view to future association with the firm. He was finally admitted to the bar and the firm of Callahan, Jones & Lowe was organ- ized. Mr. Lowe is still engaged in practice as a member of the original firm and has established a high reputation as a legal adviser. especially upon matters in connection with real-estate.

George N. Parker, still an active attorney-at- law and member of the firm of Parker & Crowley,

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was born in Crawford County, April 9, 1843, was educated at the Union Christian College, at Merom, Ind .. and after teaching school for ser- eral years, was elected Superintendent of Schools, serving for one term, during which he read law in the office of C. C. Fletcher, then attended the law department of Michigan University, and was admitted to the bar in 1870. On May 5, 1870. Mr. Parker was married to Miss Julia Crowley, and is still carrying on a successful practice.

Hon. Joseph B. Crowley, ex-member of Con- gress, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1858, came with his parents to Jasper County, Ill., in boyhood, and in 1872 accompanied them to Robinson, Ill. His boyhood was spent chiefly on a farm, serving for a time as mail-carrier be- tween Robinson and Lancaster, Wabash County. After prosecuting his studies under difficulties, in 1883 he was admitted to the bar, and enter- ing into partnership with George N. Parker, be- gan practice of his profession. In 1886 he was elected County Judge, was reelected in 1890, and in 1893 was appointed by President Cleveland Special Treasury Agent in charge of the Alaska seal-fisheries. He has served as Master in Chan- cery, and in 1900 was elected Representative in Congress from the Nineteenth District, serving one term. (See sketch in biographical depart- ment. )

George W. Jones, present member of the Craw- ford County bar, was born in that county Oc- tober 28, 1858, grew up on a farm and was edu- cated in the public schools. From 1886 to 1890 he served as Sheriff of Crawford County. and at the close of his term entered the office of Jones & Newlin as student at law, was admitted to the bar in 1892, and has since been engaged in prac- tice in Robinson. Mr. Jones has been twice mar- ried, first to Euphemia Bales on November 3, 1STS, and second to Christine Kern on July 12, 1895. He is a Methodist in religious belief and an active worker in the Democratic party.

John C. Maxwell, born in Blount County, Tenn., September 26, 1847, came to Crawford County in 1848, was educated in the public schools, and after graduating at the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1872, read law in the office of Callahan & Jones, and was admitted to the bar in 1875, engaging in practice at Robinson. Mr. Maxwell is a Republican in politics and is now serving as County Judge of Crawford County.

Hampton S. Bogard, one of the younger mem- bers of the Crawford County bar was born in

Sainte Marie, Ill., August 22, 1863, grew up on his father's farm, and until twenty years of age attended the common schools. After spending one year (1883-84) at the Union Christian Col- lege, Merom, Ind., he engaged in teaching for some years, meanwhile studying law in the office of Parker & Crowley, then took a course in the law department of the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, from which be graduated in 1887, was admitted to the bar and began prac- tice in the city of Robinson ; was elected State's . Attorney of Crawford County in 1896.

George E. McQueen, born in Bartholomew, County, Ind., March 19, 1858, was admitted to the bar in 1886, and has since been engaged in practice in the city of Robinson.

Valmore Parker, a native of Crawford County, born December 29, 1861, graduated from the Nor- mal School at Danville, Ind., read law in the office of George N. Parker, was admitted to the bar in 1887, and has since been engaged in prac- tice in Robinson. He is a Democrat in politics, and from 1890 to 1896 served as Superintendent of Schools in Crawford County.

Fernando W. Lewis was born in Lewiston, Ohio, April 8, 1864, came with the family of his father, George W. Lewis, to Crawford County, Ill., in 1870, graduated from the Robinson High School, studied law with Robb & Bradbury, was admitted to the bar in 1886, and served as State's Attorney from 1892 to 1896. In September, 1902, he purchased the "Robinson Constitution," of which he has been editor to the present time. (See sketch in biographical department.)

Joseph A. McHatton, born in Marion. Ind., May 27, 1860, was brought to Crawford County when one year old and spent his boyhood on a farm until nineteen, meanwhile attending the common schools; taught school until 1892, when he was admitted to the bar, and the following year entered into partnership with P. G. Brad- bury.

Thomas J. Newlin. born in Crawford County. Ill., April 2, 1863, studied law with his brother, E. E. Newlin, and was admitted to the bar Au- gust 28, 1891; in 1892 was elected Clerk of the Crawford County Circuit Court, serving a term of four years, when he resumed practice, later becoming a member of the firm of Jones. Eagle- ton & Newlin. He is now a partner of Valmore Parker, forming the firm of Parker & Newlin. In 1897 he was appointed Master in Chancery.

Edward S. Baker, one of the youngest mem- bers of the Crawford County bar, was born In

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Fountain County, Ind., December 25, 1872, a son of Allen T. and Melvina (McMaster) Baker, at- tended the common and high schools of Robinson, graduating from the latter in 1894, then began the study of law in the office of Callahan, Jones & Lowe, and in October, 1897, was admitted to the bar, beginning practice the following year as junior member of the firm of Jones, Eagleton & Baker, which later, by the retirement of Mr. Jones, became Eagleton & Baker. He served for a time as Deputy Circuit Clerk and for two years was City Attorney of Robinson. On February 20, 1907, he was appointed by President Roosevelt Postmaster of the city of Robinson, a position he still occupies.

William A. Thompson, one of the later genera- tion of lawyers, and present Prosecuting Attor- ney of Crawford County, was born in that county, May 29, 1870, a son of Joseph and Nancy Anu (Maxwell) Thompson, was educated in the pub- lic schools and engaged in teaching 1890-99, mean- while studying law with P. G. Bradbury and Valmore Parker, and being admitted to the bar in 1896. In 1901 he was elected Justice of the Peace in Robinson Township and 1904 Prosecut- ing Attorney for Crawford County, a position which he retained until 1908. (For a more ex- tended sketch of Mr. Thompson see biographical department of this work.)

Edward Ellsworth Stiles, born in Hutsonville, Crawford County, February 9, 1873, received his education in the grammar and high schools of Robinson, and after being engaged in teaching for six years, about 1905 began the study of law with Jones, Eagleton & Newlin, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1899, during the following year opening an office in Robinson. He is a Democrat in politics and has served two terms as Police Magistrate of Robinson, but has turned his attention largely to real-estate business, giv- ing especial attention to oil lands. (See sketch in biographical department of this volume.)

CHAPTER V.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.

EARLY HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES-TARDY DEVELOP- MENT OF RAILWAYS-RAILROADS PROJECTED IN

CRAWFORD COUNTY-TWO PRINCIPAL LINES- AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT-EARLY WATERWAY TRANSPORTATION-HAVOC WROUGHT BY WABASH RIVER FLOODS-PIONEER FARMING METHODS- EARLY COTTON RAISING-CRAWFORD COUNTY AG- RICULTURAL SOCIETY AND FIRST OFFICERS- CLIMATE AND FRUIT GROWING.

The pioneer settlers of Crawford County early turned their attention to providing suitable ways of conveyance and travel, the first emigrant wagons finding no open paths but Indian trails. The laying out of two roads was ordered by the first county court, both leading from Edward N. Cullom's house, one to Jones' ferry and the other, to the head of Walnut Prairie. These were fol- lowed, in 1823, by a highway, established under legislative enactment from Palestine to Vandalia. The court records not long after this period show a small appropriation for securing a whip- saw for sawing lumber to construct a bridge, near Palestine, over Lamotte Creek. This bridge was built in rude style, and together with the roads above mentioned, constituted the first improve- ments of the kind in Crawford County.

This section was very slow to take an active interest in railroad construction, and it was not until early in the 'seventies that any important action was taken for the promotion of railway facilities within the county limits. Among the railroad projects which have since claimed at- tention are the "Wabash Valley" line, "Chicago, Danville & Vincennes," "Paris & Danville," "Terre Haute & Southwestern," "Pana & Vin- cennes," "Cincinnati & St. Louis Straight Line," "Tuscola & Vincennes." "Indiana & Illinois Com- mercial," and "East & West Narrow-Gauge." Many of these schemes were abandoned and the routes of others diverted from those originally contemplated. The first road completed through Crawford County was the "Paris & Danville," which was finished to Robinson in August, 1875, connection being made during the fall of that year with the "Ohio & Mississippi" at Law- renceville. The Crawford County portion of the "Paris & Danville" (now a part of the "Big Four") was constructed on the old grade of the "Wabash Valley Railroad" until it reached a little beyond Hutsonville, when it veered west- ward to enter Robinson. After August, 1875, it was operated by a receiver until June, 1879, and, in October of that year, passed into the control of the "Danville & Southwestern." becoming a

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part of the Wabash System in September, 1881.

An early railroad enterprise in Crawford County, which had its inception in the 'sixties, was organized as the "Indiana & Illinois Com- mercial Railroad," which was projected from Worthington, Ind., to Vandalia, Ill. In the fall of 1869 the county voted a subscription of $100,- 000 to this line, and a new corporation was formed to construct it under the title of the St. Louis & Cincinnati Railroad Company, to which the townships of Oblong, Robinson and Lamotte, by popular vote, made subscriptions of $20,000 each. After various changes the east and west line was completed through Crawford County as the Springfield, Effingham & Southeastern Narrow- Gauge Railroad, and put in operation in the middle of 1880. This road has been developed into a standard-gauge, and is now a part of the Illinois Central. The destruction, by flood, of its bridge over the Wabash in January, 1882, crippled the road for some time, necessitating the transfer of passengers and freight by boat to the Indiana division.

AGRICULTURE .- In the early half of the nine- teenth century much of the agricultural and other products of Crawford County found its way to market by way of the Wabash River, and flatboats carrying pork, grain and various ar- ticles of commerce, were commonly seen plying on that stream towards the Ohio and Mississippi, their destination being New Orleans, then the most profitable marketing place for this region. In time of high water, steamboats of consider- able size also came up the Wabash to take cargos of farm produce destined for the gulf port, as well as for Cincinnati and Louisville. While the "Wabash River" was quite an artery of trade for the farmers and merchants convenient to its course. the seasons of its flooding were extremely destructive, sometimes sweeping away, in a single day, the results of many years of toil. During the summer seasons of 1875 and 1876, especially, the overflow covered all the lowlands along the river, causing loss amounting to a large sum, and nearly ruining scores of farmers in the bottoms. The construction of levees was attempted, but proved of little avail. Farming being the chief source of livelihood for a large portion of the people along the river, these periodical losses were a severe blow to this section of the county.

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 126

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1058