USA > Illinois > Crawford County > Illinois, Crawford County historical and biographical > Part 2
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THE PUBLISHERS.
INDEX
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY.
Boundaries and Area of Crawford County-Surface Conditions-Timber and Prairie Lands-Streams and the Region Which They Drain-Ge- ologic Formations-Different Strata and Their Extent-Coal Measures are Meager-Iron and Building-Stone-Soil and Timber- Varieties of Trees and Agricultural Crop Products 617-618
CHAPTER II. FIRST SETTLEMENT-COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS.
Eras of the Mound Builders and American Indians-The French First White Occupants-William Lamotte, the First White Settler in Vicin- ity of Palestine, Leaves His Name on the County Map-Other Early French Settlers-Coming of First Americans-First Land Transfer- Act Creating Crawford County-First Officers-Precinct Organiza- tion and Tax Rates-Palestine Becomes the First County Seat-Is Succeeded by Robinson in 1843-Rewards for Wolf Scalps-Tavern Licenses and Liquor Prices 618-62I
CHAPTER III. A PERIOD OF TRANSITION.
First County Jail Built in 1818-Illinois Becomes a State During the Same Year-Adoption of a State Constitution Results in Changes in County Government-First Board of County Commissioners-Other County Officers-A Series of Court House Disasters-First and Second Build- ings Burned, the Last Before it was Turned Over by the Contractors- A Third Building Erected in 1833 Serves Until Removal of the County Seat to Robinson in 1843-First Court House Erected in Robinson in 1844 and Second Jail in 1845-A Stone Jail Erected in 1877. . . 621-622
CHAPTER IV. COURTS-BENCH AND BAR.
First Circuit Court in Crawford County Held in Territorial Days-First Court Cases and First Grand and Petit Juries-Other Notable Cases- Trial of Three Indians for Murder-A Record Breaking Series of In- dictments Against One Criminal-Mild Verdict for a Fugitive-List of Judges Who Have Presided Over Crawford County Circuit Court- Personal Sketches of Members of the Bench and Bar. 622-629
CHAPTER V. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
Early Highways and Bridges-Tardy Development of Railways-Rail- roads Projected in Crawford County-Two Principal Lines-Agricul- tural Development-Early Waterway Transportation-Havoc Wrought by Wabash River Floods-Pioneer Farming Methods- Early Cotton Raising-Crawford County Agricultural Society and First Officers-Climate and Fruit Growing. 629-630
CHAPTER VI. OFFICIAL AND POLITICAL.
First Board of County Commissioners-Changes in Organization-Coun- ty Officers-First Circuit and County Clerks-Sheriffs, County Treas- urers and School Commissioners-General Assembly-Senators and Representatives from Organization of the County to the Present Time -Complete List of Congressmen Who Have Represented Crawford County-Delegates to State Constitutional Conventions-Others Who Have Filled Important Positions in Official History. 631-633
CHAPTER VII. TOWNSHIP HISTORY.
Individual History of Crawford County Townships-Date of Organiza- tion and First Settlers-Early Conditions and Incidents of Local His- tory-Murder of the Hutson Family by Indians-Pioneer Farming Methods-Wolves and Game. 633-641
CHAPTER VIII. TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
Sketches of Early Villages in Crawford County-Their Founders and First Settlers-Robinson, Palestine, Hutsonville, Oblong, Hardinville and Other Villages of an Early Day-Recent Development Due to the Discovery of Coal Oil 641-646
CHAPTER IX. EARLY CHURCHES-FRATERNITIES.
Coming of Early Ministers to Crawford County and Denominations Which They Represented-First Church Organizations and List of Members-Other Items in Church History-Fraternal Organizations in Robinson. 646-651
· CHAPTER X. EDUCATIONAL.
Early Schools in Crawford County-Some of the Obstacles Which the Pi- oneer Settlers Had to Meet-Primitive School Houses and Lack of Accommodations-Some Early Teachers-School History by Town- ships 651-652
CHAPTER XI. THE PRESS.
Early Newspapers Established in Crawford County-George W. Harper, a Prominent Factor in Newspaper Life-Wabash Sentinel, the First Paper in the County, Established at Hutsonville-Numerous Changes and Brief Careers of Its Successors-The Ruralist and Crawford Ban- ner Have a Brief Existence-The Robinson Gazette and Palestine Yel- low Jacket Early Democratic and Republican Organs-Other Jour- nals of an Early Period-Crawford County Papers of the Present Day. 652-654
CHAPTER XII. CRAWFORD COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
First Attempt to Organize a Society in the Early 'Sixties-Names of Those Who Took Part in the Movement-A Renewed Effort in 1874 Proves Only Temporarily Successful-Present Society Organized in 1880-First Officers and Subsequent Meetings-What the Society Has Accomplished for Crawford County . 654-655
CHAPTER XIII. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AND FAIRS.
Rank of Crawford County in State History-A County Agricultural So-" ciety Organized in 1842-Story of Two Early Fairs-Constitution and By-Laws, with List of Members of the Early Society-A Second So- ciety Organized in 1856-List of First and Later Officers with History of Successive Fairs-This Society Goes Out of Business in 1893-The Grangers' Association Organized During the Latter Year and Has Since Held Regular Fairs-The Robinson Horse Fair Association ... 655-661
CHAPTER XIV. WAR HISTORY.
List of Citizens of Crawford County Who Took Part in the Black Hawk War-Company Organized for the Mexican War Fails to Secure Service-First Company Organized for the Civil War Sees Its First Service Under General Grant as Colonel-Other Companies from Crawford County Which Took Part in the Struggle for the Preserva- tion of the Union-List of Officers and Privates Who Served in Each. 661-664
CHAPTER XV. THE OIL INDUSTRY IN ILLINOIS.
Early Settlements and Conditions in Crawford County-First Prospecting for Oil in Clark County in 1865-Robert Ames the Pioneer Prospector in Crawford County-Later and More Successful Efforts-Phenome- nal Development Since 1900-List of Oil Companies Operating in Crawford County and History of Their Respective Organizations- Consequent Increase of Population-Some Remarkable Accidents and Marvelous Escapes-Crawford County in the Center of the Oil Field -- Development and Product of 1908-Number of Wells in the Illinois Oil District in January, 1909. 664-676
CHAPTER XVI. THE HUTSON FAMILY TRAGEDY.
A Story of Indian War Days in Crawford County-The Massacre of the Hutson Family in 1812-A Revolting Example of Indian Barbarity and Treachery-The "True Story" as Told by a Relative of the His- toric Family Forty Years Ago 676-679
CHAPTER XVII.
The Part of Biography in General History-Citizens of Crawford County and the Part They Have Borne in County History-Personal Sketches -(These Sketches Having Been Arranged in Alphabetical Order, No Index by Names of Subjects is Deemed Necessary ) 681-846
PORTRAITS
Baker, Edward S.
626
Barlow, Columbus.
630
Maxwell, William A.
722
Bennett, Samuel L.
634
Miller, Israel
726
Bradbury, P. G.
638
Newlin, Enoch E.
730
Buchanan, George L.
642
Callahan, Ethelbert
646
Finley, De Witt T.
654
Hamilton, William F.
658
Jones, Alfred H
676
Jones, William C.
682
Swaren, William
754
Swearingen, Samuel G ..
758
Tohill, Lewis N.
762
Vinsel, Samuel.
766
Kirk, James
694
Vinsel, Elizabeth
766
Leaverton, John W
698
Wall, John
770
Leaverton, Delilah A
702
Wall, Mrs. John
774
Lindsay, John T.
706
Wilkin, J. J.
778
Lindsay, Mrs. John T.
706
Wood, William
782
Lindsay, Samuel T.
710
Woodworth, Abner P
786
McGahey, James A.
714
Woodworth, John S.
790
McGahey, Dorcas
714
Woodworth, Martin B.
794
Shipman, Daniel, and Family
742
Shipman, James, and Family
746
Stifle, Stephen J. (Group)
750
Jones, Mary H.
686
Kirk, David W.
690
Kirk, Mrs. David W
.690
Martin, Harrison (Group)
718
Nickle, Albert W.
734
Parker, William, and Family.
738
ILLUSTRATIONS
Carnegie Library 651
Catholic Church 650
Court House 622
First Christian Church 650
Flowing Oil 669
High School 651
Laying Pipe Line 665
Map of Crawford County
616
Map Showing Oil Development 617
Martin Well No. I
668
Martin No. I Pool. 673
Methodist Episcopal Church
650
Oil Tanks on Fire.
665
Presbyterian Church
650
Pumping Stations
672
Robinson Club
651
Robinson Hotel
651
Shooting Well 669
South Side Public Square. 664
Tank Farm
673
Woodworth Hotel
664
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois.
ABBOTT, (Lieut .- Gov.) Edward, a British officer, who was commandant at Post Vincennes (called by the British, Fort Sackville) at the time Col. George Rogers Clark captured Kaskas- kia in 1778. Abbott's jurisdiction extended, at least nominally, over a part of the "Illinois Country." Ten days after the occupation of Kas- kaskia, Colonel Clark, having learned that Abbott had gone to the British headquarters at Detroit, leaving the Post without any guard except that furnished by the inhabitants of the village, took advantage of his absence to send Pierre Gibault. the Catholic Vicar-General of Illi- nois, to win over the people to the American cause, which he did so successfully that they at once took the oath of allegiance, and the Ameri- can flag was run up over the fort. Although Fort Sackville afterwards fell into the hands of the British for a time, the manner of its occupa- tion was as much of a surprise to the British as that of Kaskaskia itself, and contributed to the completeness of Clark's triumph. (See Clark, Col. George Rogers, also, Gibault, Pierre.) Gov- ernor Abbott seems to have been of a more humane character than the mass of British officers of his day, as he wrote a letter to General Carleton about this time, protesting strongly against the employment of Indians in carrying on warfare against the colonists on the frontier, on the ground of humanity, claiming that it was a detriment to the British cause, although he was overruled by his superior officer, Colonel Hamilton, in the steps soon after taken to recap- ture Vincennes.
ABINGDON, second city in size in Knox County, at the junction of the Iowa Central and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads; 10 miles south of Galesburg, with which it is con- nected by electric car line; has city waterworks, electric light plant, wagon works, brick and tile works, sash, blind and swing factories, two banks,
three weekly papers, public library, fine high school building and two ward schools. Hedding College, a flourishing institution, under auspices of the M. E. Church, is located here. Population (1900), 2,022; (est. 1904), 3,000.
ACCAULT, Michael (Ak-ko), French explorer and companion of La Salle, who came to the "Illinois Country" in 1780, and accompanied Hennepin when the latter descended the Illinois River to its mouth and then ascended the Mis- sissippi to the vicinity of the present city of St. Paul, where they were captured by Sioux. They were rescued by Greysolon Dulhut (for whom the city of Duluth was named), and having dis- covered the Falls of St. Anthony, returned to. Green Bay. (See Hennepin.)
ACKERMAN, William K., Railway President. and financier, was born in New York City, Jan. 29, 1832, of Knickerbocker and Revolutionary ancestry, his grandfather, Abraham D. Acker- man, having served as Captain of a company of the famous "Jersey Blues," participating with "Mad" Anthony Wayne in the storming of Stony Point during the Revolutionary War, while his father served as Lieutenant of Artillery in the War of 1812. After receiving a high school edu- cation in New York, Mr. Ackerman engaged in mercantile business, but in 1852 became a clerk in the financial department of the Illinois Central Railroad. Coming to Chicago in the service of the Company in 1860, he successively filled the positions of Secretary, Auditor and Treasurer, until July, 1876, when he was elected Vice-Presi- dent and a year later promoted to the Presidency, voluntarily retiring from this position in August, 1883, though serving some time longer in the capacity of Vice-President. During the progress of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago (1892-93) Mr. Ackerman served as Auditor of the Exposition, and was City Comptroller of Chicago under the administration of Mayor Hopkins
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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
(1893-95). He is an active member of the Chicago Historical Society, and has rendered valuable service to railroad history by the issue of two bro- chures on the "Early History of Illinois Rail- roads," and a "Historical Sketch of the Illinois Central Railroad."
ADAMS, John, LL.D., educator and philan- thropist, was born at Canterbury, Conn., Sept. 18, 1772; graduated at Yale College in 1795; taught for several years in his native place, in Plain- field, N. J., and at Colchester, Conn. In 1810 he became Principal of Phillips Academy at An- dover, Mass., remaining there twenty-three years. In addition to his educational duties he participated in the organization of several great charitable associations which attained national importance. On retiring from Phillips Academy in 1833, he removed to Jacksonville, Ill., where, four years afterward, he became the third Prin- cipal of Jacksonville Female Academy, remaining six years. He then became Agent of the Ameri- can Sunday School Union, in the course of the next few years founding several hundred Sunday Schools in different parts of the State. He re- ceived the degree of LL.D. from Yale College in 1854. Died in Jacksonville, April 24, 1863. The subject of this sketch was father of Dr. William Adams, for forty years a prominent Presbyterian clergyman of New York and for seven years (1873- 80) President of Union Theological Seminary.
ADAMS, John McGregor, manufacturer, was born at Londonderry, N. H., March 11, 1834, the son of Rev. John R. Adams, who served as Chap- lain of the Fifth Maine and One Hundred and Twenty-first New York Volunteers during the Civil War. Mr. Adams was educated at Gorham, Me., and Andover, Mass., after which, going to New York City, he engaged as clerk in a dry- goods house at $150 a year. He next entered the office of Clark & Jessup, hardware manufacturers, and in 1858 came to Chicago to represent the house of Morris K. Jessup & Co. He thus became associated with the late John Crerar, the firm of Jessup & Co. being finally merged into that of Crerar, Adams & Co., which, with the Adams & Westlake Co., have done a large business in the manufacture of railway supplies. Since the death of Mr. Crerar, Mr. Adams has been princi- pal manager of the concern's vast manufacturing business.
ADAMS, (Dr.) Samuel, physician and edu- cator, was born at Brunswick, Me., Dec. 19, 1806, and educated at Bowdoin College, where he graduated in both the departments of literature and of medicine. Then, having practiced as a
physician several years, in 1838 he assumed the chair of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Natural History in Illinois College at Jackson- ville, Ill. From 1843 to 1845 he was also Pro- fessor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the Medical Department of the same institution, and, during his connection with the College, gave instruction at different times in nearly every branch embraced in the college curriculum, including the French and German languages. Of uncompromising firmness and invincible cour- age in his adherence to principle, he was a man of singular modesty, refinement and amiability in private life, winning the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact, especially the students who came under his instruction. A profound and thorough scholar, he possessed a refined and exalted literary taste, which was illustrated in occasional contributions to scien- tific and literary periodicals. Among productions of his pen on philosophic topics may be enumer- ated articles on "The Natural History of Man in his Scriptural Relations;" contributions to the "Biblical Repository" (1844); "Auguste Comte and Positivism" ("New Englander," 1873), and "Herbert Spencer's Proposed Reconciliation be- tween Religion and Science" ("New Englander," 1875). His connection with Illinois College con- tinued until his death, April, 1877-a period of more than thirty-eight years. A monument to his memory has been erected through the grate- ful donations of his former pupils.
ADAMS, George Everett, lawyer and ex-Con- gressman, born at Keene, N. H., June 18, 1840; was educated at Harvard College, and at Dane Law School, Cambridge, Mass., graduating at the former in 1860. Early in life he settled in Chi- cago, where, after some time spent as a teacher in the Chicago High School, he engaged in the practice of his profession. His first post of pub- lic responsibility was that of State Senator, to which he was elected in 1880. In 1882 he was chosen, as a Republican, to represent the Fourth Illinois District in Congress, and re-elected in 1884, '86 and '88. In 1890 he was again a candi- date, but was defeated by Walter C. Newberry. He is one of the Trustees of the Newberry Library.
ADAMS, James, pioneer lawyer, was born in Hartford, Conn., Jan. 26, 1803; taken to Oswego County, N. Y., in 1809, and, in 1821, removed to Springfield, Ill., being the first lawyer to locate in the future State capital. He enjoyed an ex- tensive practice for the time; in 1823 was elected a Justice of the Peace, took part in the Winne-
3 1833 02490 7823
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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
bago and Black Hawk wars, was elected Probate Judge in 1841, and died in office, August 11, 1843.
ADAMS COUNTY, an extreme westerly county of the State, situated about midway between its northern and southern extremities, and bounded on the west by the Mississippi River. It was organized in 1825 and named in honor of John Quincy Adams, the name of Quincy being given to the county seat. The United States Census of 1890 places its area at 830 sq. m. and its popula- tion at 61,888. The soil of the county is fertile and well watered, the surface diversified and hilly, especially along the Mississippi bluffs, and its climate equable. The wealth of the county is largely derived from agriculture, although a large amount of manufacturing is carried on in Quincy. Population (1900), 67,058.
ADDAMS, John Huy, legislator, was born at Sinking Springs, Berks County, Pa., July 12, 1822; educated at Trappe and Upper Dublin, Pa., and learned the trade of a miller in his youth, which he followed in later life. In 1844, Mr. Addams came to Illinois, settling at Cedarville, Stephenson County, purchased a tract of land and built a saw and grist mill on Cedar Creek. In 1854 he was elected to the State Senate from Stephenson County, serving continuously in that body by successive re-elections until 1870-first as a Whig and afterwards as a Republican. In 1865 he established the Second National Bank of Free- port, of which he continued to be the president until his death, August 17, 1881 .- Miss Jane (Addams), philanthropist, the founder of the "Hull House," Chicago, is a daughter of Mr. Addams.
ADDISON, village, Du Page County; seat of Evangelical Lutheran College, Normal School and Orphan Asylum; has State Bank, stores and public school. Pop. (1900), 591; (1904), 614.
ADJUTANTS-GENERAL. The office of Adju- tant-General for the State of Illinois was first created by Act of the Legislature, Feb. 2, 1865. Previous to the War of the Rebellion the position was rather honorary than otherwise, its duties (except during the Black Hawk War) and its emoluments being alike unimportant. The in- cumbent was simply the Chief of the Governor's Staff. In 1861, the post became one of no small importance. Those who held the office during the Territorial period were: Elias Rector, Robert Morrison, Benjamin Stephenson and Wm. Alex- ander. After the admission of Illinois as a State up to the beginning of the Civil War, the duties (which were almost wholly nominal) were dis- charged by Wm. Alexander, 1819-21; Elijalı C. Berry, 1821-28; James W. Berry, 1828-39; Moses
K. Anderson, 1839-57; Thomas S. Mather, 1858-61. In November, 1861, Col. T. S. Mather, who had held the position for three years previous, resigned to enter active service, and Judge Allen C. Fuller was appointed, remaining in office until January 1, 1865. The first appointee, under the act of 1865, was Isham N. Haynie, who held office until his death in 1869. The Legislature of 1869, taking into consideration that all the Illinois volunteers had been mustered out, and that the duties of the Adjutant-General had been materi- ally lessened, reduced the proportions of the department and curtailed the appropriation for its support. Since the adoption of the military code of 1877, the Adjutant-General's office has occupied a more important and conspicuous posi- tion among the departments of the State govern- ment. The following is a list of those who have held office since General Haynie, with the date and duration of their respective terms of office: Hubert Dilger, 1869-73; Edwin L. Higgins, 1873-75; Hiram Hilliard, 1875-81; Isaac H. Elliot, 1881-84; Joseph W. Vance, 1884-93; Albert Oren- dorff, 1893-96; C. C. Hilton, 1896-97; Jasper N. Reece, 1897 -.
AGRICULTURE. Illinois ranks high as an agricultural State. A large area in the eastern . portion of the State, because of the absence of timber, was called by the early settlers "the Grand Prairie." Upon and along a low ridge beginning in Jackson County and running across the State is the prolific fruit-growing district of Southern Illinois. The bottom lands extending from Cairo to the mouth of the Illinois River are of a fertility seemingly inexhaustible. The cen- tral portion of the State is best adapted to corn, and the southern and southwestern to the culti- vation of winter wheat. Nearly three-fourths of the entire State-some 42,000 square miles-is up- land prairie, well suited to the raising of cereals. In the value of its oat crop Illinois leads all the States, that for 1891 being $31,106,674, with 3,068, - 930 acres under cultivation. In the production of corn it ranks next to Iowa, the last census (1890) showing 7,014,336 acres under cultivation, and the value of the crop being estimated at $86,905,510. In wheat-raising it ranked seventh, although the annual average value of the crop from 1880 to 1890 was a little less than $29,000,- 000. As a live-stock State it leads in the value of liorses ($83,000,000), ranks second in the produc- tion of swine ($30,000,000), third in cattle-growing ($32,000,000), and fourth in dairy products, the value of milch cows being estimated at $24,000,- 000. (See also Farmers' Institute.)
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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF. A department of the State administration which grew out of the organization of the Illinois Agri- cultural Society, incorporated by Act of the Legislature in 1853. The first appropriation from the State treasury for its maintenance was $1,000 per annum, "to be expended in the promotion of mechanical and agricultural arts." The first President was James N. Brown, of Sangamon County. Simeon Francis, also of Sangamon, was the first Recording Secretary ; John A. Kennicott of Cook, first Corresponding Secretary ; and John Williams of Sangamon, first Treasurer. Some thirty volumes of reports have been issued, cover- ing a variety of topics of vital interest to agri- culturists. The department has well equipped offices in the State House, and is charged with the conduct of State Fairs and the management of annual exhibitions of fat stock, besides the collection and dissemination of statistical and other information relative to the State's agri- cultural interests. It receives annual reports from all County Agricultural Societies. The State Board consists of three general officers (President, Secretary and Treasurer) and one representative from each Congressional district. The State appropriates some $20,000 annually for the prosecution of its work, besides which there is a considerable income from receipts at State Fairs and fat stock shows. Between $20,000 and $25,000 per annum is disbursed in premiums to competing exhibitors at the State Fairs, and some $10,000 divided among County Agricultural Societies holding fairs.
AKERS, Peter, D. D., Methodist Episcopal clergyman, born of Presbyterian parentage, in Campbell County, Va., Sept. 1, 1790; was edu- cated in the common schools, and, at the age of 16, began teaching, later pursuing a classical course in institutions of Virginia and North Carolina. Having removed to Kentucky, after a brief season spent in teaching at Mount Sterling in that State, he began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1817. Two years later he began the publication of a paper called "The Star," which was continued for a short time. In 1821 he was converted and joined the Methodist church, and a few months later began preaching. In 1832 he removed to Illinois, and, after a year spent in work as an evangelist, he assumed the Presidency of McKendree College at Lebanon, remaining during 1833-34; then established a "manual labor school" near Jacksonville, which he maintained for a few years. From 1837 to 1852 was spent as stationed minister or Presiding
Elder at Springfield, Quincy and Jacksonville. In the latter year he was again appointed to the Presidency of McKendree College, where he remained five years. He was then (1857) trans- ferred to the Minnesota Conference, but a year later was compelled by declining health to assume a superannuated relation. Returning to Illinois about 1865, he served as Presiding Elder of the Jacksonville and Pleasant Plains Districts, but. was again compelled to accept a superannuated relation, making Jacksonville his home, where he died, Feb. 21, 1886. While President of Mc- Kendree College, he published his work on "Bib- lical Chronology," to which he had devoted many previous years of his life, and which gave evi- dence of great learning and vast research. Dr. Akers was a man of profound convictions, exten- sive learning and great eloquence. As a pulpit orator and logician he probably had no superior in the State during the time of his most active service in the denomination to which he belonged.
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