Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 132

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 132

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The form of constitution recommended by the State Society was adopted, the annual meeting of the Society to be held at Robinson.

On motion of Mr. E. Callahan, a committee of three was appointed to report permanent officers for the Society. The Committee reported as follows :

President-Samuel Park. Vice-Presidents- Allen Robertson, Wiley S. Emmons and C. M. Hamilton. Treasurer-W. H. Sterrett. Record- ing Secretary-J. R. Whitaker. Corresponding Secretary-E. Callahan.

On motion of W. H. Sterrett, Esq., the report of the Committee was adopted.

On motion the meeting adjourned to meet at Robinson, March 18th, at 10 o'clock A. M.

ISAAC WILKINS, Chairman.

J. R. Whitaker,

Secretary.

From the official list of awards published in the "Ruralist," we learn that a very satisfactory Fair was held in Robinson September 23 and 24, 1856. The following letter from a well known citizen of our county, which is a report of the meeting, will be of interest :

"EDITORS PRAIRIE FARMER : Enclosed you will find minutes of a meeting to organize an Agricul- tural Society in Crawford County, sent you for publication. We have taken hold of this matter in earnest, and are determined to achieve a triumph. If your business men would take a correct view of their interest and tap this por- tion of the Wabash Valley with a Railroad, they would receive incalculable benefits from the trade which it would open to your City.

"Hoping to be a co-laborer in the work of agricultural reform, I remain

"Yours truly,

"E. Callahan. "Corresponding Secretary."

In 1856 Samuel Parks was elected President and E. Callahan Secretary. These officers suc- ceeded themselves in 1857. The Fairs of 1856 and 1857 were held in the Court House Square in Robinson, Ill. These Fairs were largely at- tended by the citizens of our county and the ex- hibits were good and quite a number. There was a good exhibit of horses. cattle, hogs. sheep

and poultry, as well as domestic exhibits. The street around the square was used as a race track and some very interesting races were had and were enjoyed by the people in attendance. Stimulated by the success of these Fairs it was resolved by the Fair Board to buy ground for the purpose of holding future Fairs, and accord- ingly five acres were purchased in the northeast part of Robinson, now known as Beatty's Addi- tion to the City of Robinson.

In the year 1858 B. H. McDowell was elected President and C. H. Fitch Secretary. A race track of one-eighth of a mile was laid out in the woods, pens for stock and a floral and agri- tural hall were erected to display the exhibits, and additions were made from time to time dur- ing the remaining years this ground was occu- · pied for Fair purposes.

Findley Paull succeeded Mr. McDowell as President in the year 1859, and C. H. Fitch was re-elected Secretary. Isaac D. Mail succeeded Mr. Paull as President in the year 1860, and Mr. C. M. Patton was elected Secretary. Successful Fairs were held during these years and a grow- ing interest was manifested by our people.

With the advent of the Civil War in the year 1861, the Agricultural Society was compelled. to close and no more Fairs were held until the year 1865, when W. S. Emmons was elected President and Chester H. Fitch Secretary. Both officers were re-elected in the year 1866. Finly P. Wilson was elected President in 1867, and C. M. Patton Secretary. James L. Woodworth was elected President in 1868, and C. M. Patton was re-elected Secretary. James Lamb was elected President in the year 1869 and 1870. and Joel M. Longenecker was elected Secretary. In- teresting Fairs were held from the years 1865 to 1870. A goodly display of stock and other exhibits were always to be seen and the racing was of the wildest and most exciting character, as the horses were compelled to go eight times around the track to make a mile. These races were participated in by Dr. W. H. Roberts with "Billy Bar," Major A. Sparks with "Frank," Dr. McNeece, David W. Fought, Finley Wilson. Da- rid Logan, Harvey C. Brigham and Dr. P. P. Connett also contributing harness horses for the sport. M. B. Hamilton drove Mr. Brigham's pacing horse, which was the first horse to make a mile in two minutes and thirty seconds in Crawford County. A three-minute horse was then a rarity, but these races furnished as much

WM. F. HAMILTON

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sport to the lookers on as the best racing of the present time. Horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry showed a steady improvement and an increasing interest was shown in the Floral Hall exhibits. The officers deserve great credit for the zeal and interest they manifested in con- ducting these Fairs. The receipts were suffi- ciently large to pay all premiums and leave them without any indebtedness at this period of the Society's history.

The constantly increasing interest and attend- ance at the Fairs compelled the officers to secure larger and more suitable quarters to accommo- date the public. Accordingly a twenty-acre tract of land, one mile west of Robinson on the Van- dalia Road, was purchased of Ephraim Burch. and the Crawford County Agricultural Society was henceforth installed in new and larger quar- ters. James Lamb, who was elected President for the year 1870, gave his personal attention to the preparation of the grounds for the ensuing Fair. The grounds were enclosed, a large num- ber of stalls were built, Floral and Agricultural Halls were erected, and Robert Morrison built a large amphitheatre on the south side of the new half-mile race track. The race track was placed in excellent condition and the buildings erected were of a substantial character. Four wells were dug and plenty of water obtained for the use of the Fair. Mr. Lamb and his as- sistants had the satisfaction of seeing an excel- lent Fair on the new grounds that year. The money realized from this Fair and the sale of the old grounds was quite sufficient to put the Society in good condition.

Hickman Henderson was elected President for the years 1871 and 1872, and Major Guy S. Alexander was elected Secretary for these years, and successful Falrs were held. William Updike succeeded Mr. Henderson as President, and Major Guy S. Alexander was re-elected Secre- tary. During this year some improvements were made and a good Fair was the result.

James S. Kirk was elected President for the year 1874, William Swaren was elected Secre- tary and Willlam Parker Treasurer of the So- ciety. This year the Society obtained $300 from the State. This first published report to the State was sent by the writer, who was then Sec- retary, and from that report we find the amount of premiums paid were $809.50. The total num- ber of entries were 376 in all departments. The number of persons belonging to the Society was

528. The time of holding the Fair on that year was from September 30th to October 3rd. The falr was well attended. " One of the grand at- tractions was a balloon ascension, which was the first ever witnessed by the citizens of this county and drew large crowds, and it is fairly estimated that a crowd of 4,000 persons attended the Fair.

William Updike succeeded James S. Kirk as President ; O. Newlin, Sargent Newlin and A. J. Reavill were the Vice-Presidents; W. Swaren, Recording Secretary; W. L. Heustis, Assistant Secretary ; W. Parker, Treasurer ; D. M. Bales, Marshal. The amount of premiums offered in 1874 was $1,200. The number of entries was 469 in all the departments, showing quite an in- crease over previous years. The inventory taken of the Society's property amounted to $2,000.

I. D. Mail succeeded William Updike as Presi- dent in the year 1875; J. M. Highsmith, T. J. Sims, J. H. Taylor were elected Vice-Presidents ; William Swaren re-elected Secretary. and W. Parker Treasurer. Time of holding Fair was September 28, 29, 30 and October 1st; number of entries 516; amount of premiums offered $1,609.50 ; amount of premiums paid $1,005.

James S. Kirk succeeded I. D. Mail as Presi- dent in the year 1876; McClung Caywood, W. A. Hope, W. Athey became Vice-Presidents ; W. Swaren Secretary, and W. Parker Treasurer. The amount of premiums offered was $1,449.75 ; the number of entries in all departments, 485. The officers of 1876 suceeded themselves in 1877. The number of entries were 705 and the amount of the premiums offered $1,359.

In the year 1878 P. P. Connett succeeded James S. Kirk as President; W. A. Hope, M. Caywood and A. C. Burner were the Vice-Presi- dents; William Parker. Treasurer, and William Swaren, Secretary. The amount received for gate and entrance fees was $1,268.80; for booth rents and permits, $305.55; paid out in prem- iums, $872; for buildings, $396.44.

P. P. Connett succeeded himself as President in the year 1879, and the following were elected Vice-Presidents: A. C. Burner, G. Athey and John H. Taylor; for Secretary, W. Swaren; for Treasurer, W. Parker. This year the gate and entrance fees were $1,485; booth rents and per- mits, $310; received from the State. $100; paid out in premiums. $1,318; for current and other expenses, $339.20. The Fair this year was well attended and was a success financially.

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In the year 1880 William Updike was elected President, and S. B. Allen, B. Woods, J. M. High- smith and J. L. Woodworth Vice-Presidents ; L. V. Chaffee Secretary; William Parker Treas- urer. This year the gate and entrance fees were $1,495.20; for booth rents and permits, $403; paid in premiums, $1,449; for buildings and other expenses, $264.30.

The year 1881 started in prosperously, but in June of that year a drought set in which lasted until the 17th of September. The chinch bugs were also very bad in Illinois, and between the bugs and the drought the crops that year were an entire failure. The officers were re-elected for the year 1881, but owing to the season it was determined to hold no Fair.

In the year 1882 L. E. Stephens was elected President, L. V. Chaffee Secretary and W. Par- ker Treasurer. The amount received for gate and entrance fees and from other sources was $2.129.35 ; total amount paid for premiums, $1,- 139.50 ; for buildings, $355; other expenses, $400.

In the year 1883 L. E. Stephens was re-elected President, William Parker Treasurer and Will- iam Swaren Secretary. Two fine Fairs were held under Dr. Stephens' administration. Harness races were his special features and the exhibits were good, especially horses and sheep. Mr. Mc- Roberts showed some fine horses and sheep from Canada at that Fair.

In 1884 P. P. Connett was elected President, William Swaren Secretary, W. Parker Treas- urer. Received from all sources, $1,429.55 ; paid out for premiums and other expenses, $1,429.55.

In the year 1885 the same officers were re- elected, and in 1886 the same result occurred, except A. R. Short was elected Treasurer. Dr. P. P. Connett was a very enthusiastic Fair man. and three very successful Fairs were held during his administration. He was a great lover of horses, and some very fine harness-racing was witnessed during these Fairs. Other exhibits were good and the Fair prosperous.

In the year 1887 L. N. Marbry was elected President, W. Swaren Secretary and A. R. Short Treasurer. The receipts for the Fair were $1,- 704.25 ; premiums, $856.25; other expenses, $824.64, leaving a balance in Treasury of $23.34.

The advent of Mr. McRoberts with Clydesdale horses in 1883 produced quite a change in the draft horse classes in our county and told favor- ably, and already Clyde-Percherons raised in our county were exhibited at our Fairs. The county also produced many fine Hereford short-horns

Polled-Angus and Jersey cattle, which were ex- hibited by our own citizens, while few counties could boast of better sheep and hogs.

George L. Walter succeeded L. N. Marbry as President in 1888, W. Swaren was re-elected Secretary and A. R. Short Treasurer. These officers succeeded themselves in 1889, and again in 1890. Successful Fairs were held during these years and the exhibits in the various depart- ments showed quite an interest taken by the people. Racing, that had long been open to the general public, had grown to be quite a feat- ure of the Fair.

In the year 1891 C. L. Hurst was elected President, W. Swaren was re-elected Secretary and A. R. Short Treasurer. The receipts for this year were $1,871.95, which was all paid out for premiums and expenses. The exhibits were good, the races all filled and the attendance fine. The weather was excellent and the Fair was an en- joyable occasion.

The same officers were re-elected in 1892. The receipts for this year were $1,415.72, and a suc- . cessful Fair held. Mr. G. L. Walters succeeded L. C. Hurst as President, C. M. Shedden was elected Secretary and S. S. Reinoehl Treasurer. This was the last Fair on the old Fair Grounds. It was determined by the Board to sell the old Fair Ground and purchase a new one, and ac- cordingly the old ground was sold to Sylvester King for the consideration of $1,000, but no new ground was ever purchased nor have any Fairs been held since by the Crawford County Agri- cultural Society. The money belonging to the Society is still in the hands of S. S. Reinoehl, who was its last Treasurer. The Fair should be resuscitated by a County Society. and interest should be taken in it as of yore.

During the years of the Fairs I have men- tioned, such familiar figures as Ex-Sheriff Will- iam Johnson, Hon. J. M. Highsmith, Capt. Will- iam Wood, William Athey, Bennett Wood, James L. Woodworth, Alva Burner, Orlando Walker, Lon Wesner, George Barlow, D. B. Cherry. Hon. A. J. Reavill, Robert Wood, Frank Newbold, James McCoy, W. A. Hope, McClung Caywood, Oliver Newlin, Sargent Newlin, A. B. Housten, G. W. Jones, John D. Trimble, John H. Taylor, D. Evans, H. C. Brigham, Robert Lincoln. were always present and aided and assisted by their presence as Marshal. Superintendent or Vice- Presidents of the Association, and were active and energetic in their work. The Society was always harmonious and the officers vied with

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each other to make evrything pleasant and agree- able to strangers, as well as to our own citizens. The Fairs were a success financially, and were wound up with about $600 in the Treasury.

At the close of the Fair in 1893, the Grangers of Crawford County organized a Fair which met annually on their grounds, three miles northwest of Robinson. Their exhibits were largely farm products and domestic utilities. The Fair was continued for several years with good success until the purchase of Highland Park by the City of Robinson in the year 1904, when they moved their headquarters to Highland Park, and since that time have held Annual Fairs at Highland Park, which have been well attended and gave general satisfaction. A large amphitheatre has been erected, stalls and halls have been built and one of the finest half-mile race tracks in Southern Illinois has been made. Highland Park contains thirty-two acres of ground one-half mile south of the Court House, adjoining the City of Robinson. There is a fine brick paved street leading to its main entrance on South Cross Street. Both sides of the street have fine con- crete walks and the Park is beautifully laid out and planted in forest and shade trees, making it one of the most attractive parks in Southeastern Illinois.

The Robinson Horse Fair Association also holds annual races on these grounds. Such men as Charles Coulter, Savilla Shipman. Jr., A. J. Crum, John W. Purcell, William Wood and Al- fred Rhodes and Henry Coulter have contributed to the success of these Fairs. The grounds were purchased under the administration of Mayor Harry E. Otey. C. S. Jones, with O. Hedden. Engineer, directed the laying out and beautifying of these grounds. They were then leased out to the Fair Association for a term of years, and some attractive Fairs may be looked for in the future, as the Society is already on a paying basis.

Robinson, Illinois. December, 1908.

CHAPTER XIV.

WAR HISTORY.

LIST OF CITIZENS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY WHO TOOK PART IN THE BLACK HAWK WAR-COMPANY OR-

GANIZED FOR THE MEXICAN WAR FAILS TO SECURE SERVICE-FIRST COMPANY ORGANIZED FOR THE CIVIL WAR SEES ITS FIRST SERVICE UNDER GEN- ERAL GRANT AS COLONEL-OTHER COMPANIES FROM CRAWFORD COUNTY WHICH TOOK PART IN THE STRUGGLE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNION-LIST OF OFFICERS AND PRIVATES WHO SERVED IN EACH.

A considerable number of the pioneer settlers of Crawford County had taken part in the War of 1812, but no details have been preserved of their individual participation. In the Black Hawk War, the county did her full share, send- ing two full companies, besides furnishing re- cruits for bodies of troops organized elsewhere. The company under Capt. William Highsmith, which was attached to the Second Regiment, Second Brigade, was mustered into service in June, 1832. Samuel V. Allen was First Lieu- tenant : John H. McMickle, Second Lieutenant ; B. B. Piper, Thomas Fuller, William McCoy and John A. Christy, Sergeants; Nathan Highsmith. Martin Fuller, Jackson James and John Lagow. Corporals. The privates were: John Allen, Samuel H. Allison, David M. Allison, John Brim- berry, John Barrick, Benjamin Carter, James Condrey, Thomas Easton, John Gregg. William R. Grise, Peter Garrison, Hiram Johnson, John Johnson, George W. Kinney, James Lewis, Wil- liam Levitt, John L. Myers, A. W. Myers, Andrew Montgomery, Isaac Martin, John Parker, Sr .. William Parker. Thomas N. Parker, John Parker, Jr., Amos Phelps, William Reese, Robert Simons. Thomas Stockwell, Jacob Vaunrinch and James Weger. This company was mustered out at Dixon's Ferry, Ill., August 2, 1832.

The other Crawford County company, which was mounted, formed part of the same regiment as Capt. Highsmith's, and was organized on the 19th of the same month. Its muster roll was as follows: Alexander M. Houston, Captain : George W. Lagow, First Lieutenant : James Boat- right, Second Lieutenant: O. F. D. Hampton. Levi Harper, David Porter, and James Christu. Sergeants ; Cornelius Doherty, James B. Stark. Joseph Jones, and Rivers Heath, Corporals ; Francis Waldrop. Bugler; and George W. Baugher, Blanton Blathares, John Bogard, An- drew Baker, Alexander Boatright. Samuel Cruse. Silas S. Danforth. George B. Doughton. Edwin Fitch, Henry Fowler. John Goodwin, Silas Good- win. Robert Gunton, John Hutton, Josephi

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Hackett, John A. Hackett, William Hawkins, John Horine, Wickliffe Kitchell, James Kuyken- dall, Alexander Logan, Matthew Lackey, John McCoy, Johnson Neeley, Robert Porter, William Porter, William Pearson, Joseph Pearson, Edwin Pearson, Zalmon Phelps, Samuel Shaw, John Stewart, John F. Vandeventer, Vastin Wilson, and Jacob Winters, privates. By order of Brigadier General Atkinson, Capt. Houston's company was mustered out of service August 15, 1832.

Crawford County organized a company for the Mexican War, but too late to be accepted as part of the Illinois quota.

WAR FOR THE UNION .-- Company I, Twenty- first Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, (Grant's regiment), was the first body of soldiers recruited in Crawford County for the Civil War. Its Captain was George W. Peck; First Lieu- tenant, Clark B. Lagow; Second Lieutenant, Chester K. Knight. On the promotion of Capt. Peck as Lieutenant Colonel, September 2, 1861, Lieut. Knight became Captain, serving until November 16, 1864. Lieut. Lagow was attached to the staff of General Grant, and resigned after the Battle of Iuka in consequence of rheuma- tism incurred in the service and injuries result- ing from his horse falling under him. He was promoted to be Colonel of Volunters and sub- sequently to be Colonel in the regular army. The Twenty-first Illinois Regiment was engaged in many of the most sanguinary battles of the war, among them those at Perryville, Murfrees- boro, and Chickamauga, the regimental command devolving on Capt. Knight in the last named engagement, the Colonel having been killed and the Lieutenant Colonel, wounded. The regiment was mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, Decem- ber 16, 1865, returning to Illinois, and being dis- charged January 18, 1866.

Company D, Thirtieth Regiment Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, which was recruited in Crawford County, went to the front with Thomas G. Mark- ley as Captain; Michael Langton, First Lieu- tenant ; and George E. Meily, Second Lieutenant. Capt. Markley fell at the battle of Belmont, November 7, 1861. Lieut. Meily, having been promoted to the captaincy, April 12, 1863, was killed on May 16. 1863. Patterson Sharp, who was made Captain, June 13, 1863, was mustered out July 8, 1865. Lieut. W. D. Hand was pro- moted to be Captain July 10, 1865, and Martin L. James, who was made Second Lieutenant,

was mustered out July 17, 1865. The Thirtieth Regiment was organized August 28, 1861, and was engaged at Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donel- son, Corinth, Champion Hills and Vicksburg. On January 1, 1864, it veteranized subsequently participating in the Atlanta campaign and march- ing with Sherman to the sea, was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 27, 1865, and discharged at Camp Butler, Ill.

Company D, Thirty-eighth Regiment Illinois Infantry was mainly recruited in Crawford County, with the following officers: Captain, Alexander G. Sutherland; First Lieutenant, James Moore; Second Lieutenant, Robert Plun- kett. It was organized in September, 1861. Capt. Sutherland, resigned April 15, 1864, and was succeeded by Robert Duckwith, who re- signed September 18, 1865. Lieut. Moore re- signed May 29, 1863, and was succeeded by Nicholas Glaze, who was mustered out Septem- ber 14, 1864. Robert Stewart, then promoted to First Lieutenant, was mustered out March 20, 1866, and Lieut. Plunkett mustered out in the fall of 1864. The regiment took part in the siege of Corinth, the Battle of Perryville, and in the capture of an ammunition train, two caissons and nearly a hundred prisoners. In the Battle of Stone River, it lost 34 killed, 109 wounded and 34 missing. It fought at Liberty Gap, and, at Chickamauga, lost 180 in killed, wounded and missing out of its complement of 301 men. On February 29, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted and went through the Atlanta cam- paign. It was mustered out December 31, 1865.

Company F, of the Sixty-second Regiment, was recruited in Crawford County, which also furnished two of its field officers, namely : Guy S. Alexander, who rose from Second Lieutenant to be Major of Company F, and Stephen F. Meeker, who was promoted from the rank of Major to Lieutenant Colonel. Company D of the same regiment also had some Crawford County men. The officers of the former com- pany were as follows: Captain, Joseph Crooks ; First Lieutenant, James J. McGrew ; Second Lieutenant, Guy S. Alexander. The last named was promoted to be Captain December 16, 1864, Capt. Crooks having died in October 7, preceding and Lieut. McGrew having resigned. George B. Everingham, who had successively been Second and First Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain. George F. Dollihan was promoted to the First Lieutenancy, and transferred. and John E. Miller,

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James Moore and Washington T. Otey were in turn made Second Lieutenants. The regiment was organized in April, 1862, at Auna, Ill., and weut to Cairo, thence to Paducah and Columbus, Ky., and later to Tennessee and Mississippi. At Holly Springs, December 20, 1862, 170 of its men, including the Major and three Lieutenants, were captured by Gen. Vau. Dorn's forces, but soon paroled. After seeing service in Mississippi and Arkansas in January, 1864, it re-enlisted as veterans being consolidated at Pine Bluff, Ark., into seven companies, and in July, 1865, was sent to Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, remaining in that region until March 6, 1866, when it was mustered out at Little Rock.

Company G, of the Sixty-third Illinois (also organized at Anna), was recruited in Crawford County, Joseph R. Stanford beiug Captain ; W. B. Russell, First Lieutenant and W. P. Richard- son, Second Lieuteuant. On June 14, 1865, Capt. Stanford, was commissioned as Major; George W. Ball was made First Lieutenant. Russell re- signed and died May 24, 1864, Charles G. Cochran then becoming First Lieutenant and afterwards Captain. Harvey G. Wycoff was promoted to First Lieutenant, Lieut. W. B. Russell having resigned in the spring of 1863, and George B. Richardson was made Second Lieutenaut, being succeeded by Benjamin B. Fannam. The regi- ment was mustered into service in December, 1861, and went successively to Cairo, Ill., Jack- son, Tenn., and Vicksburg. After the surrender of Vicksburg, it was sent to Helena, Ark., Mem- phis and in the direction of Chattanooga, taking part in the Battle of Mission Ridge. It re-en- listed January 1, 1864, took part in Sherman's march to the sea and was mustered out at Louis- ville, Ky., July 13, 1865. The Sixty-third con- tained originally SSS men, of whom 272 re-en- listed. During its service, it traveled by rail 2,208 miles ; by water, 1,995 miles, and marched 2,250 miles.

A small number of men from Crawford County served in the Seventy-ninth Illinois but this county was more fully represented in the Ninety- eighth than in any other regiment. It was or- ganized at Centralia, Ill., and mustered into ser- vice September 3, 1862, and went first to Ken- tucky, marching thence in the following Novem- ber, into Tennessee. Late in December, it was ordered northward in pursuit of Gen. Morgan. Returning to Nashville, it was mounted March

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Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical, Part 132

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