USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
The issues in 1900 were mostly national and the result in this county was as follows : For president, McKinley (R.), 3,305; Bryan (D.), 2,III; Woolley (P.), 124; for governor, Yates (R.), 3,305; Alschuler (D.), 2,121 ; Barnes (P.), 11 ; for Congress, Prince (R.), 3,301 ; De Forest (D.), 2,117; Logan (P.), 115; for representatives, Rankin (R.), 4,908; Samuelson (R.), +,9841/2; Craig (D.), 6,135; Mathews (P.), 370; Brunington (I. D.), 1741/2; for circuit clerk, McManus (R.), 3,323; Werts (D.), 2,110; for state's attorney, Graham (R.), 3,319; Wiley (D.), 2,117; for surveyor, Frew (R.), 3,306; Cabeen (D.), 2,129; for coroner, Austin (R.), 3,291 ; Hamil- ton (D.), 2,144.
One of the most interesting campaigns in recent years was the one in 1904, when Roosevelt ran for president to succeed himself. His opponent was Judge Parker, for whom little interest and enthu- siasm was shown. The campaign was spirited, particularly on the side of the republicans, nearly all of whom were great admirers of Colonel Roosevelt. The result in this county was that he received 3,215 votes and Parker received 1,376.
In 1906 the new primary law came into effect. The Australian ballot was first used here early in the 'gos and gave immediate satis- faction. The local contest in 1906 was livelier than it had been for
194
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
several years. Although the issues were mostly national, the contest between individuals was sharp, recriminating and more or less slan- derous. The result of the election of November, 1906, was as follows : For state senator, Lander (R.), 1,910; Whiting (D.), 1,157; Strom (Soc.), 49; for representative, Campbell (R.), 2,136; Abbey (R.), 2,302 ; Werts (D.), 3,3971/2; McCaskrin (Pro.), 2,3551/2; Shipman (Soc.), 1121/2; county judge, Burgess (R.), 2,108; Wait (D.), 1,077; Busley (Pro.), 207; county clerk, Hendrickson (R.), 2,080; Down- ing (D.), 1,074; Carnahan (Pro.), 233; treasurer, Dilley (R.), 1,974; Miller (D.), 1,166; Pinkerton (Pro.), 240; superintendent of schools, Gregory (R.), 1,927; Crabs (D.), 1,206; Quinlan (Pro.), 253; sheriff, Baker (R.), 1,879; Flynn (D.), 1,381; Frantz (Pro.), 232; surveyor, Frew (R.), 1,942; Wright (D.), 1,157; coroner, Leif (R)., 1,926; Wray (D.), 1,237.
The nomination of William H. Taft for President in 1908 satis- fied the republicans of this county. The democrats of course were pleased with the nomination of Mr. Bryan. The contest was almost wholly national and the voters adhered closely to their party tickets. The result of the election of November, 1908, unofficial, was as fol- lows: For President, Taft (R.), 2,871; Bryan (D.), 1,777; Chafin (Pro.), 205; for governor, Deneen (R.), 2,601; Stevenson (D.), 1,829; Sheen (Pro.), 298; for congressman, McKinney (R.), 2,933; McEniry (D.), 1,726; Clark (Pro.), 235; for representative, Camp- bell (R.), 3,737; Abbey (R.), 3,785; Wheelan (D.), 4,184; Mc- Caskrin (Pro.), 2,119; for circuit clerk, Nelson (R.), 2,891; Walkenshaw (D.), 1,711; Graham (Pro.), 225; for state's attorney, Wilson (R.), 2,934; Mardock (D.), 1,691 ; for surveyor, Frew (R.), 2,876; Harvey (D.), 1,741 ; Pinkerton ( Pro.), 243 ; for coroner, Frick (R.), 2,840; Wallace (D.), 1,748; McClanahan (Pro.), 353.
An event of local importance in 1909 was the nomination and election of George A. Cooke, democrat, to the supreme judgeship of this district to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Guy C. Scott, who had filled the position with ability and prominence for several years. Many republicans of this county voted for Judge Cooke, with the result that the republican candidate, McClure, was defeated.
The election of 1910 possessed no local importance. The contest was national and personal. The vote of November, 1910, was as follows: County judge, Henry E. Burgess (R.), 2,130; R. C. Living- ston (D.), 850; county clerk, Frank A. Gibson (R.), 2,040; T. R. Wright (D.), 910; B. F. Townsley, 103; county treasurer, S. S. Johnston (R.). 2,059: J. F. Ryan (D.), 864; Robert Bradford, 115; sheriff, C. A. Hickok (R.), 2,095; C. M. Hesley (D.), 850; E. R.
195
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
Gilmore, 114; county superintendent, C. L. Gregory (R.), 2,056; S. N. Adams (D.), 918; Cleon Mason, 104. All through public policy questions carried.
The most important event in recent years in political circles was the formation of the national progressive party in 1912. A thorough organization was effected on April 27th at a mass convention held in Aledo. On that occasion the principles of the party generally were announced and delegates were named to the national republican con- vention at Chicago. The real principles of the party could not be announced until they had been prepared by the Chicago convention. After that event the principles defined were so broad, aggressive and advanced that hundreds of republicans left the ranks of the old party and cast their votes for the progressive candidates.
The state of affairs in this county is shown by the result of the primary election in April, when, for president, Taft received 459 votes ; Roosevelt, 1,833; and LaFollette, 376. At the same time, for state's attorney, J. M. Wilson received 1,369, and O. E. Carlstrom, 1, 172. The result at the November election of 1912 was as follows : For president, Taft (R.), 949; Roosevelt (Prog.), 2,027; Wilson (D.), 1,598; Chapin (Pro.), 117; Debs (Soc.), 263; for governor, Deneen (R.), 1,158; Funk (Prog.), 1,872; Dunne (D.), 1,502; Worrell (Pro.), 109; Kennedy (Soc.), 201. The entire republican county ticket was elected.
CHAPTER X
AGRICULTURE
The first regular fair of Mercer County was held in October, 1853, and was considered a success. Very little of the proceedings are known. The grounds were surrounded by a brush fence. The price of a family ticket was fixed at $1, which admitted the purchaser and his entire family each day of the fair. The purchaser by getting a ticket became a member of the association. There were a few artificially increased families in Mercer County that attended the fair that year. It was authoritatively stated that year that one of the wealthiest farmers in the county purchased a ticket, and he and his wife attended the first day of the fair, and then he sold his ticket to his hired hand for 50 cents. The latter attended the next day, but as the rules of the association were that no purchaser had a right to dispose of his ticket to any one else, the hired man had to pay 50 cents when the admission for one day was but 25 cents. At the first fair and for a few years thereafter, about nineteen out of every twenty of the conveyances were lumber wagons, there being very few carriages from the country outside of the villages of Keiths- burg and New Boston. The change gradually came by increasing numbers of carriages until about ten years ago, when perhaps nine- teen out of the twenty conveyances were carriages. Then set in gradually the automobiles. Last year more people attended the fair in automobiles than in all other conveyances.
The following year the fair was equally successful and was char- acterized by several novelties which drew a large crowd. A lady received the prize of a saddle for best riding. The fairs were held at Millersburg and continued to be held there for many years. In October, 1855, the exhibits were much better than before. Pure blooded stock was shown and much pride was taken by the exhibitors. Durham cattle and Poland China hogs were the leading breeds shown. The exhibit of grain, particularly of wheat and corn, was excellent. The vegetable display was equally fine, several of the pumpkins being of enormous size. Beets, cabbage, potatoes and other garden truck were shown in abundance. A fine display of apples was also exhibited. The ladies' department was better than Vol. I-13
197
198
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
before. The needlework, embroidery, quilts, etc., had not thus far been surpassed. The fair of 1856 seems to have been abandoned, because no account of it appears in public print or elsewhere. Thus the fair of 1857 was called the "fourth annual fair."
Notwithstanding the panic, the farmers were prosperous and took pride in the exhibits. In the spring of 1857 timothy hay was worth in this county $30 a ton. That year Judge Gilmore grew on his farm, five miles west of Aledo, 150 acres of timothy hay, which proved a very profitable crop. Wheat at this time averaged in this county about fifteen bushels to the acre and was worth about sixty cents per bushel. Prairie grass was cut and made into hay and thus in a large measure served all stock purposes up to this time, although a few fields of timothy began to appear here and there in the county.
The fourth annual fair was held at Millersburg late in Sep- tember and early in October, 1857. The usual premiums were offered. The judges on farms were W. M. Hays, William Doak, Paul Sheriff; those on road horses were Dr. J. Trego, Benjamin Decker, Josephus Wade, with Martin A. Cook, superintendent; those on farm horses were Hiram Knox, Knotley Scott, Joseph Huston, with Martin A. Cook, superintendent; those on mules were D. F. Noble, W. A. Dryden, Solomon Wolf, with J. P. Boyd, super- intendent; those on sheep were Henry Lee, Jonathan Duncan. Samuel Fletcher, with W. S. Haverfield, superintendent; those on cattle were W. S. Rowe, George McFerren, William Wilmerton, with William Brown as superintendent; those on swine, Dr. A. Ash- baugh, David Summerville and Levi Cooper, with N. W. Crippen as superintendent; those on fowls were John M. Ashbaugh, George Spitznoble, Samuel Moor, Sr., with Dr. A. Ashbaugh as superin- tendent; those on field and garden products were David Harris, David Stratton and William Lafferty, with J. E. Bray as superin- tendent; those on farming utensils were A. P. Taylor, George Jay, Andrew Burnett, with John Gilmore as superintendent; those on manufactured articles were Anderson Kirlin, M. J. O'Brien and William Crozier, with Henry Donaldson as superintendent; those on the dairy and kitchen were Mrs. Robert Shearer, Mrs. Stephen Stratton, Mrs. Catherine Mills, Mrs. Joseph Robertson, with Wil- liam Pavy as superintendent; those on household manufactured articles were Mrs. Ezra Willits, Mrs. Rachel Larew, Mrs. Luman Castle, Mrs. Brady Willits and Mrs. Andrew Myers, with J. E. Bray. superintendent; those on ladies' work were Miss Maria King. Miss Mary Wright, Miss Margaret Harris, Miss Catherine Phillips, Mrs. John Summons, with E. G. Howe as superintendent; those on
199
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
miscellaneous articles were Amos Prouty, William Strong, John Scott, H. G. Calhoun, with James Sheriff as superintendent. Graham Lee was general superintendent of all the departments.
The executive committee of the society were Tyler McWhorter, president; Amos Prouty, vice president; William Nevius, A. P. Taylor, John Scott, William Strong and James M. Mannon, direct- ors; Washington Wolf, treasurer; L. B. Howe, secretary; W. I. Nevius, chief marshal; S. T. Stratton, assistant marshal; Dudley Willits, orator. As a special inducement to secure a large audience the fair management promised to exhibit several head of elk and buffalo. Wolves were also promised. The tickets were 25 cents each. Mr. Crapnell at this fair made an exhibit of natural history specimens. He had 100 specimens of birds' nests. In all there were about five hundred entries and the receipts were $1,230.22, and the expenses, $938.85. Immediately after this fair there was a public sale of cattle, calves, hogs and horses. Probably the Durham cattle were the best live stock exhibits. The Apollo Band of Keithsburg furnished the music. At this time sugar cane growing was quite a rage throughout the whole county. Sugar was so high and so difficult to get and the necessity for something sweet so great that farmers eagerly accepted the growing of sugar cane to meet the deficiency.
In 1858 Graham Lee was elected president of the agricultural association. Tyler McWhorter, who had come to the county in 1846, was the owner of a large nursery a short distance from Aledo. Quite regularly he published in the local newspapers articles con- cerning the growing of fruit and how to get rid of orchard pests. Particularly he explained how the borer could be eradicated. His nursery was called Pome-Roy. He was an experienced and prac- tical pomologist and landscape gardener and probably did more than any other person for fruit and forestry in early days. At this time the Illinois Farmer was the paper which gave up-to-date in- formation on advancement in agricultural science.
The panic of 1857 and the poor crops, it being a wet year, caused great hardships in 1858 and the result was many debts, which required many years to be liquidated. In 1858 the wheat crop was also poor, which added still further to the difficulty, so that in 1859 and 1860 many taxpayers were delinquent and numerous sales under the tax law were made. William Willits had one of the best orchards in the county at this time. It was located at the Bluff farm near New Boston. He made a specialty of apple growing and every fall sold several hundred bushels either in the county or for ship-
200
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
ment on the river. People came with teams from a hundred miles out in Iowa to get apples and were entertained by Mr. Willits when they came. The fair of 1858 was not as great a success as that of 1857, though several of the departments made superior exhibits. The Keithsburg Brass Band furnished the music. This year the fair ran about one hundred dollars short of paying expenses. The ladies department was as good as usual or better. The stock exhibits were excellent but few in number. Graham & Roberts of New Boston exhibited a fine wagon of their own construction. Judge Perkins was the orator. At this time the farmers realized the im- portance of having good seed of every description. The matter was discussed at the fair and steps to improve the selection of seed were taken.
The fair of 1859 was better than ever; in fact in the newspapers was called "a grand success." The crowd present on the last day was 50 per cent larger than ever before. Over three hundred horses were exhibited, though more than one-half of them were grades, and the blooded animals were mostly Morgans and Messengers. Among the swine were Berkshires, Poland Chinas and Suffolks. The cattle exhibited were Durhams and Devons. The poultry ex- hibited was the best ever seen in the county. Several new varieties were exhibited. Tyler McWhorter displayed ninety varieties of apples. Others to show fruit, particularly apples, were John Glancey, D. J. Noble, Bell & Brother and D. F. Noble. The exhibits for ladies were large and attractive. W. B. Crapnell, as before, showed a fine collection of natural history specimens. An equestrian con- test ended the ceremonies. J. H. Reed of the Record was orator. At this time sub-soil plowing was strongly advocated as a means of improving crop products.
The nursery of Mr. McWhorter near Aledo was one of the best in the state and its owner became prominent in horticultural circles. He grew successfully, in addition to apples, peaches, plums, cher- ries, pears and grapes. Those who purchased stock from him were instructed fully in regard to methods of propagation and culture. In 1859 Anderson Kirlin, of New Boston, was the inventor of a corn planter which had three points of especial merit. The ground was spaced so that laying it off was not required; the deposit of seed was certain and uniform and slightly scattered; at the bottom where the seed was placed the ground was left loose for the roots to spread.
The fair of September and October, 1860, was an improvement upon those of former years. The exhibits of poultry, fruit, cattle, hogs and horses were particularly fine. Mr. Whitsitt exhibited
201
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
eighteen head of Durham and Devon cattle. J. E. Harroun was the orator, and his address was published in full in the Record. It was a strong plea in favor of agricultural schools and colleges and for progress in practical and scientific agriculture. He strongly recommended experiment grounds and was thus far in advance of his time. His address was really a forecast of what came to pass in the '90s.
In February, 1861, the first prize of $10 for the best essay on the breeding and rearing of horses was awarded to Dudley Willits, of New Boston, by the executive committee of the state agricul- tural society. This essay was published in the local newspaper and was really an advanced and meritorious production. During the '50s and '6os large numbers of hogs throughout the county died of cholera and the farmers were in despair as to how to prevent the loss . More than one farmer lost over one hundred head from cholera and quite often in the warm months the carcasses could be seen by the scores laying along the public highways. Every effort to pre- vent the loss was made, but no one seemed to be able to suggest a certain remedy. The agricultural authorities were appealed to but they could give little relief. It was at this time also that the ques- tion of maintaining the fertility of the soil was duly and fully con- sidered. There were no experiment stations in those days and the government had done little for the farmer. It had been left to him to discover his own methods of improvement, so that it came to pass that the farmers formed societies and institutes and discussed ad- vanced methods and related their experiences in practical opera- tions on the farms. It was publicly advertised throughout this county that the secret of good farming was "to make the land rich and keep the weeds down." In fact, this was a maxim of the Scientific American for improvement in agriculture.
It was in 1860-61 that the first great step toward the improve- ment of live stock in this county was begun. Col. W. I. Nevius and J. B. Gilmore, of Ohio Grove, were the pioneers for the im- provement both of cattle and hogs. Largely through their efforts and through that of the county agricultural society, hogs particu- larly were improved and new varieties were introduced. In the spring of 1861 there could be seen in this county creditable herds of Poland Chinas, Berkshires, Essexes, Suffolks and Chester Whites. A. R. Sutton, of Berkshire; C. G. Taylor, of Essex; James Hen- derson, of Suffolks; S. G. McClure, of Chester Whites, and Dr. Edwards, of the Makey hog. Late in the '50s there was a great improvement in harvesting machinery throughout the county. The
202
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
reapers were those of Champion, Ball, McCormick, Manny, Kirby and Buckeye. In 1861 they contested for supremacy in the rye field of John Doak, near Keithsburg. Richard Kiddoo purchased a Champion, but other farmers secured other makes. In 1861 the locust pest appeared in the county and ruined thousands of trees. Almost every farmer cultivated sorghum this year. Cane mills were to be seen everywhere and numerous accidents occurred. The army worm appeared in the county in June, 1861. It was found on Judge Gilmore's farm. Rust and chintz bugs were a nuisance at this time, but as a whole the harvest of 1861 was superior. The prices of hogs were unsatisfactory and scarcely paid for the trouble. They varied from $3 to $4.50 a hundred. Packers paid small prices, so that farmers in a measure did their own killing and sold the carcasses. In November, 1861, Elias Willits marketed ninety head of hogs in Chicago and realized only $2.60 gross per hundred. In December, James Graham, of Ohio Grove Township, sold in Monmouth ten hogs, which weighed 5,180 pounds gross. Three of them weighed 1,890 pounds. One of the number, 181/2 months old, weighed 670 pounds. The average age of the lot was 191/2 months. Late in the fall of 1861 hundreds of hogs died of cholera. Around Millersburg and Aledo particularly the loss was very great. The symptoms were loss of appetite, severe cramping of the legs, chilling, slime or saliva running from the mouth and suffocation and death in a few hours. On examination, the lungs were found to be black and more or less rotten. S. R. Moore announced that slack coal mixed with a quan- tity of salt would check the disease and prevent it if taken before infection.
The fair of 1861 was only partly successful. The war detracted from the interest. The receipts were about seven hundred dollars. The last day was rainy, but as a whole the exhibits of live stock and fruit were up to the standard. The hog show was better than usual, owing to the large number of new varieties which had been intro- duced in the county.
In 1862 Philip Coonrod, of Keithsburg, placed upon the market a new two-horse riding corn cultivator of his own invention, which attracted much attention and had a large sale. In the spring of 1862 Elisha Miles lost seventy-five hogs from cholera. At this time corn was worth 15 and 16 cents at New Boston and Keithsburg. A. P. Taylor was president of the agricultural society. During 1862 many beef cattle were driven to market from this county. Quite often they were driven directly through to Chicago. Hogs were usually driven to Muscatine or to other railroad stations. This year
203
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
John Whitsitt held several public sales of full-blooded Durham cattle of both sexes. He also sold full-blooded Southdown sheep. It is safe to say that during 1862 not less than one thousand hogs died of cholera in this county. So many carcasses lined the roadways that thirty-five farmers in the vicinity of Aledo signed a paper to assist in burying the animals as soon as they died. John Ashbaugh lost over one hundred near Sugar Grove.
In March, 1863, Isaac Edwards sold over two hundred head of stock hogs at his farm, one mile west of Aledo. The principal breed was Makey. He also sold many Durham cattle. Mr. Edwards was a farmer, a physician, a lawyer, a storekeeper, real-estate agent, etc.
Owing to the excitement of the war no fair was held in 1862. In 1863 the fair was held in Millersburg in September. It was unusually good; in fact, the best since 1860. There were nearly two hundred entries of horses alone, mostly of Morgan and Messen- ger stocks. Cattle, sheep and swine exhibits were good. The ladies' department was excellent. The receipts were a little over one thou- sand dollars. Horses were shown by J. R. Benedict, John McH. Wilson, Paul Sheriff, T. Noonan, M. A. Cook, E. Drury and Brady Willits. Cattle were exhibited by Poage & Lair, C. Drury and William Willits. They were mostly of the Durham breed. Sheep were exhibited by Thomas S. Love, Henry Dool, Henry Huffman and J. Beatty. Hogs were shown by T. J. Willett, W. S. Rowe, W. H. Riggs and David Finch. There was a good display of poul- try by several exhibitors, the principal ones being W. D. Clark and Jeremiah Pomeroy. The exhibits of women's and girls' work were better than ever. The prize for the best farm of 160 acres in this county was awarded to P. Lippencott. The prize for the best twenty acres of corn was given to Milton L. Willits. The prize for the best orchard of 100 trees or over went to Walter Pryne. The refreshment stands of the soldiers' aid societies of Keithsburg and Millersburg were prominent features of this fair.
The county fair of 1864 was well attended, although the weather was bad. The exhibit was not up to the standard of former years, owing to the excitement of the war and the hard times. The ex- hibits of cattle and hogs were small, but the horse exhibit was almost as good as usual. The sheep exhibit was up to the standard. Judge Gilmore and William H. Riggs exhibited Spanish Merinos. The ladies' department was not up to the standard, although the dairy and kitchen manufactures were well represented. S. M. Weliver exhibited a bee-hive of his own invention. The receipts amounted to over one thousand dollars and were unexpectedly large. The
204
PAST AND PRESENT OF MERCER COUNTY
society had enlarged the grounds to more than double their former size.
The fair of 1865 was the most successful thus far ever held. It was noted that on the best day more than one thousand teams were tied outside the grounds. On the best day nearly eight thousand people were present. The receipts were about fourteen hundred dollars, or nearly four hundred dollars more than ever before. The races for the first time attracted much attention and were really meritorious. Up to this time racing had not been a prominent feature of the fair, because the horses were not fast enough to attract attention. Now, however, several farmers of the county had speedy animals for that day and the prizes offered were sufficient induce- ment to bring outsiders here with fast trotters and pacers. The cattle, sheep and hog displays were better than ever. The agricul- tural products surpassed anything thus far seen at a county fair. R. H. Spicer was the orator.
In 1866 Tyler McWhorter was president of the agricultural society. The war having ended, attention was directed to improve- ment in farming. Sub-soiling particularly was practiced by all the leading agriculturists. Its benefits were described fully at farmers' meetings and in farmers' journals.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.