Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 14

Author: Chapman brothers, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1222

USA > Illinois > McLean County > Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 14

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In July, 1871, Mr. Hamilton married Miss Helen M. Williams, the daughter of Prof. Wm. G, Williams, Professor of Greek in the Ohio Wesleyan University. Mr. and Mrs. H. have two daughters and one son.

In 1876 Mr. Hamilton was nominated by the Re- publicans for the State Senate, over other and older competitors. He took an active part " on the stump " in the campaign, for the success of his party, and was elected by a majority of 1,640 over his Democratic- Greenback opponent. In the Senate he served on the Committees on Judiciary, Revenue, State Insti- tutions, Appropriations, Education, and on Miscel- lany; and during the contest for the election of a U. S. Senator, the Republicans endeavoring to re-

elect John A. Logan, he voted for the war chief on every ballot, even alone when all the other Republi- cans had gone over to the Hon. E. B. Lawrence and the Democrats and Independents elected Judge David Davis. At this session, also, was passed the first Board of Health and Medical Practice act, of which Mr. Hamilton was a champion, agar; .. much opposition that the bill was several times " laid on the table." Also, this session authorized the location and establishment of a southern peri- tentiary, which was fixed at Chester. In the session of 1879 Mr. Hamilton was elected President pro tem. of the Senate, and was a zealous supporter of John A. Logan for the U. S. Senate, who was this time elected without any trouble.

In May, 1880, Mr. Hamilton was nominated on the Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, his principal competitors before the Convention being Hon. Wm. A. James, ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Judge Robert Bell, of Wabash County, Hon. T. T. Fountain, of Perry County, and Hon. M. M. Saddler, of Marion County. He engaged actively in the campaign, and his ticket was elected by a majority of 41,200. As Lieutenant Governor, he presided almost continuously over the Senate in the 32d General Assembly and during the early days of the 33d, until he succeeded to the Governorship. When the Legislature of 1883 elected Gov. Cullom to the United States Senate, Lieut. Gov. Hamilton succeeded him, under the Constitution, taking the oath of office Feb. 6, 1883. He bravely met all the annoyances and embarrassments incidental upon taking up another's administration. The principal events with which Gov. Hamilton was connected as the Chief Executive of the State were, the mine dis- aster at Braidwood, the riots in St. Clair and Madison Counties in May, 1883, the appropriations for the State militia, the adoption of the Harper high-license liquor law, the veto of a dangerous railroad bill, etc.

The Governor was a Delegate at large to the National Republican Convention at Chicago in June, 1884, where his first choice for President was John A. Logan, and second choice Chester A. Arthur; but he afterward zealously worked for the election of Mr. Blaine, true to his party.

Mr. Hamilton's term as Governor expired Jan. 30, ' 1885, when the great favorite "Dick " Oglesby was inaugurated.

He Lean County,

Illinois.

McLEAN COUNTY.

INTRODUCTORY.

HE aeeumulation of valua- ble material for this work has already been so large that only a brief historical mention of the eounty ean be given, or ean be expected. MeLean 'County is situated very near the geographieal eenter of the State of Illinois, and in area is the largest eounty in the State, eomprising 1,154 square miles. It ranks third in population, having about 65,000 inhabitants, and is only excelled by Cook and La Salle Counties. In material de- velopment and production of soil, it unquestionably stands first. Its - American settlers are principally from Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Kentucky, the Ohioans outnumbering those from any one of the other States. The bulk of the foreign population, which is not large, is made up about equally of Germans and Irish, while there are some from En- gland, Scotland and France.

If space would permit we should like to go baek and dwell at length on the Aboriginal occupation, the French possession, the British eonquest in 1763, and to the time when Gen. George Rogers Clark, representing and under the authority of the then great commonwealth of Virginia, came out and captured this entire region from the British. It would be pleasant to traee the history of this eoun- try through the various changes, as it was known after the last conquest under the name of the Illi- nois County, and later on when it was called the Northwestern Territory, and afterward as, the Ter-

ritory of Indiana, and follow it along from 1809, when it beeame the Territory of Illinois, and in 1818, when it beeame one of the bright stars in the American Republie. During all these varied ehanges, and under all these governmental authori- ties, the territory now embraced by MeLean County took its part, and was an important factor. It was not, however, until 1822, that this particular portion of the State of Illinois was actually settled by the white man. It is not to be supposed that this was the first visitation of the white man, for undoubtedly events oceurred here in which the white man took part'long before this period. It is believed that the French and Indians had many camp-fires together, in the beautiful groves that abound in this county, when on their way from Lake Michigan to Cahokia and Kaskaskia; and the early Indian traders and hunters had their stations about here, for the early settlers frequently found elearings in the woods. It was in this region also, that Gen. Hopkins' army beeame involved in its expedition against the Indians of the Illinois and Wabash Rivers, many of whom had participated in the Chicago massaere.

John Hendrix and family were the first settlers in the territory now embraeed by the county, they loeating at what is known as Blooming Grove in the spring of 1822. Hendrix was soon joined by John W. Dawson and family. Blooming Grove seemed to be an attractive spot to the earliest settlers, for they all loeated about it. The spring of 1823 found the Orendorff families, William and Thomas, John Benson and W. H. Hodge in neigh- borly proximity to the settlers of 1822. This year Gardner Randolph settled at what was subsequently known as Randolph's Grove. In the spring of

McLEAN COUNTY.

1824, Absalom and Isaac Funk and William Broek made a settlement at what is now ealled Funk's Grove. They were soon joined by others, among whom were the Stubblefield family. So rieh and fair a region of country lying in the wake of emi- gration, when onee known and opened to settle- ment eould not otherwise than be rapidly populated.

The territory now known as MeLean has been under the jurisdiction of different counties. The year previous to the State's admission into the Un- ion, it was under the control of Crawford County. In 1819, after the admission, Clark County had jurisdietion. The first settlers, however, owed their allegianee to Fayette County, which was or- ganized in 1821, and extended northward as far as the Illinois River. It was subsequently attached to Tazewell County, and was under its jurisdiction when the county of MeLean was organized by an act of the Legislature, approved Dee. 22, 1830. It was named in honor of Jolin MeLean, twiee eleeted United States Senator from Illinois.

When the settlers first eame in the Indians were quite numerous, mostly belonging to the Kickapoos, Delawares and Pottawatomies, the Kickapoos hav- ing the largest number. Most of these left before the end of the year 1829, though at the breaking out of the Black Hawk War in 1832, there was a sufficient number of Indians in this seetion to eause considerable uneasiness among thie people.

The early settlers of MeLean County found plenty of wild game here, such as deer, turkeys, wolves, and the smaller birds. They were gener- ally good hunters, and their guns supplied for their families what the markets of the present day fur- nish. The pelts of the wild animals were to the pioneers an important artiele of eommeree, as they furnished the means, in absenee of ready eash, of supplying the wants of domestie life. Beeswax and honey were also a valuable commodity in those early days.

They did not have to eontend in this seetion of the country, as they did elsewhere, with hostile In- dians, but they had foes almost as dreaded in ina- larial diseases, and prairie fires. One earried off hundreds of persons, while the other destroyed erops and homes. But as improvements multiplied and the land became eultivated and drained, these enemies to the people disappeared. It was not many years before the pioneers found themselves in the midst of a populous and cultivated eom- munity. Sehools and ehurehes liad been estab- lished, eities founded, railroads eonstrueted, and eivilization and eulture, with all their attractive features, possessed the land.

In many respects MeLean is one of the finest and foremost counties in the State. It is free from

the severities of winter whieli affliet the more northern counties, and free from the oppressive heat that is experienced in the southern ones. About one-ninth of the surface is covered with groves, wliielt afford shade and add beauty to the landseape. Like all ' portions of the Mississippi Valley, the surface inelination is toward the south- west. It is moderately rolling, free from extreme flatness as well as from abrupt ehanges, which makes it exeeedingly easy of tillage. Its summit elevation is about 220 feet above Lake Michigan, and about 795 feet above the ocean. The country is well supplied with running water by the incip- ient streams that contribute to the formation of the Sangamon, Vermilion, Mackinaw and Kieka- poo Rivers and Sugar Creek. Good water is found in all parts of the county at reasonable depths, and in the northern part are many fine springs. Extensive eoal beds underlie the surface formation, from which a good article of market- able eoal is obtained. The soil is unsurpassed in its fertility, and is adapted to the raising of all kinds of eereals, yet more attention is given to stoek-raising, the value of which exeeeds that of any eounty west of the Alleghanies.

The educational facilities of McLean are unex- eelled by any eounty in the State. In addition to lier publie sehools, which are superior, she has two distinguished institutions of learning, the reputa- tion of which has extended far and wide. These are the Illinois Wesleyan University located at Bloomington, and the State Normal University. Another institution located at Normal is the Sol- diers' Orphans' Home. The buildings of these in- stitutions are ornamental in their areliteeture, and are commodious and substantial.

The Indians and the wilderness have passed away, living now only in history, or in the mem- ories of the pioneers who yet remain. In their stead are well eultivated farms and fine eities, peopled with an intelligent population, and sur- rounded by the arts and refinements of an advaneed eivilization. Those by whose wisdom and indus- try this change has been produced, ean eontem- plate with eominendable pride, the grand trans- formation. Taking a retrospective view of the past, and contemplating the present, the contrast of the two periods eomes vividly upon the mind. Before them to-day, resting in quiet grandeur, is a fair eivilization, with happy homes basking be- neath the sunlight of eulture and domestie penee; before them to-day is a complete social and politi- eal society, standing out in bold relief, radiant with the bright light of Christianity, fostered by Amcriean institutions and shining resplendent with American freedom.

DAVID DAVIS.

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McLEAN COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

HIE HON. DAVID DAVIS, the eminent Judge, Jurist and Statesman, was born in Cecil County, Md., March 9, 1815, and departed this life June 26, 1886, at Bloom- ington. He had lived out more than the usual period allotted to man, but the immediate eause of his demise was diabetes, superindueed by a complication of earbunele and erysipelas. In the early morning, when the intel- ligenee of his dissolution spread through the eity, on every face was depieted an expression of sorrow. Flags were dis- played at half-mast, and the bells of the eity eehoed the sad news. Later in the day houses were draped, and Bloomington assumed an air of deep mourning.

Ceeil County lies on the eastern shore of Mary- land, but a few miles from our National Capital, and here young David spent his youthful days be- neath the parental roof. During this period he had' made several visits to Washington, the impressions of which remained with him through life, and which he often related to friends in his later years. It was during these visits that the ambition to become President of the United States was planted in his mind. This very laudable desire remained with him even after he had ceased to be in publie life, and he waited at his beautiful home in Blooming- ton for its realization, like Cineinnatus from his

plow. He was modest and diffident about this am- bition, however, as though it were a mere childish whim, and was sensitive at any allusion by stran- gers to the subjeet, although he was wont to eon- verse freely of the matter with his friends.

After completing his preliminary studies young Davis was placed in Kenyon College, Ohio, where he graduated Sept. 4, 1832. In October following he eommeneed the study of law at Lenox, Mass., in the office of Judge Henry W. Bishop, where he remained two years. From there he went into the New Haven Law School, continuing his studies un- til the fall of 1835. After receiving his license to practice he settled in Pekin, Tazewell County, Ill., and opened a law office, but one year later removed to Bloomington and took up his abode, where he lived until his earthly labors ended. Upon eoming here he took possession of the office of Jesse W. Fell, whom he succeeded as an attorney and eoun- selor, the latter having given up his praetiee to en- gage in the real-estate business. Though not an orator, or what might be ealled a very fluent speaker, he was sueeessful in his praetiee, and soon obtained an enviable position in the profession.

Before leaving the East Mr. Davis formed the acquaintance of Sarah, the accomplished daughter of Judge Walker, of Lenox, Mass., with whom he was united in marriage Oet. 30, 1838. Of this un- ion there are two children living-George P. and a daughter, Mrs. Sarah D. Swayne, both residents of Bloomington. The mother died in 1879. By his second marriage, which was consummated soon after

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his retirement from the United States Senate, there was no issue.

From the time he became a citizen of Illinois Mr. Davis took an active part in politics. In 1840 he was a candidate on the Whig ticket for State Senator. In 1844 he was elected to the Legisla- ture. In 1847 he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention, and the year following was chosen Judge of the Eighth Judicial Distriet. IIe was re-elected twice, and served continuously as Judge of this eireuit until 1862, when he was called by his old friend, President Lincoln, to fill one of the highest positions within the gift of this Gov- ernment, as Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He occupied this exalted position for fifteen years, or until 1877, when he left the Supreme Beneh for the National Legislature, sue- ceeding Gen. John A. Logan as Senator from this State.

! There have been greater law students than David Davis, but no greater Judges. It was said by one of his eminent colleagues that he knew just enough of law to be a great Judge and not enough to spoil him. His talents were in the direction of common sense, and rose into the region of genius. Ile never lost sight of the practical ends of litigation. To him the facts of the case were the integral part of it. He was fair and impartial, and rose above prejudice without for a moment forgetting the object in view, which was not to spin fine legal theories, but to promote the ends of justice. No jurist seeking a model could do better than to study the record made by Judge Davis while on the Supreme Bench of the United States. There is no other tri- bunal in this world that can compare with this. Since the organization of this Government there have been forty-nine Supreme Court Justices, some of whom have been Chief Justices, but each practi- cally having the same authority. Any law passed by Congress can be brought before this Court for its crueieal analysis, and from its judgment there is no appeal. More than one narrow escape the eouu- try has had from the abuse of this authority, one of the most notable of which was the legal-tender aet, which was put upon its Constitutional trial, and made to show eause why it should not be re- pudiated and thrown out of the window of the Su-

preme Court. Chief Justice Chase, its putative father, was fast yielding to this when Judge Davis made a bold and successful stand, and thus pre- vented the act from being strangled to death. 'Thus the best monetary system the world ever saw was saved to bless mankind.

The last judicial aet of Judge Davis, though it may seem a paradox, was a refusal to preside in a judicial capacity. IIe had been elected by the Legislature of Illinois to the Senate. About this time he was placed on the Electoral Commission as one of the referees to determine which one of the Presidential candidates voted for in 1876 was le- gally elected. He refused to aet, upon the ground that, being a State Senator, at least in embryo, he could not with propriety serve.

The ever memorable year of 1860, mnemorable not only to the State of Illinois, but to the whole country, may be considered the year in which the subject of this sketeh entered upon a career which carried him beyond the confines of his State, and gave him a national reputation. This was the year that witnessed the nomination of Illinois' greatest son for the highest position within the gift of the American people. To David Davis the eredit is due more than to any other man for bringing for- . ward and finally securing the nomination at the Chicago Convention, of Abraham Lincoln as the Republican candidate for President of the United States. In this he was assisted greatly by his old friend and fellow-townsman, Jesse W. Fell. Before this Judge Davis had never taken any part in Na- tional polities, but this year he sought and seeured the election as one of the Senatorial Delegates at the Decatur State Convention, and some days prior to the Chicago Convention he, with others, opened the Lincoln headquarters at the Tremont House. Ile appointed himself Master of Ceremonies, called aides about him, set them to work, and took the en- tire management of Lincoln's candidaey into his own hands. Oglesby was sent into the pit of the " wigwam " to work enthusiasm there and appoint committees to all the State delegations to popular- ize Lincoln. No one questioned the right of Judge Davis to do this, or doubted his judgment. He was a natural born leader, never gave up, never faltered or made any mistakes. The result of this

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McLEAN COUNTY.

was that his old friend, who had for so many years tried eases before his eourt, who had ridden with him on the eireuit, swam rivers with him, who had sat with him around the fireplace of the country hos- telry late o' nights telling quaint and funny stories -Abraham Lincoln-was nominated as the Re- publiean candidate for President of the United States.

In 1872 Judge Davis himself eame prominently before the people as a third-party mnan for the Presidential nomination. His name was endorsed for this by the labor reformers at the Columbus Convention, and this through jealousy defeated his nomination by the Liberal Republican Convention at Cincinnati. It has been thought by inany promi- nent politicians that had Mr. Davis instead of Mr. Greeley been nominated at the Cineinnati Conven- tion, he would, as did Greeley, have received the en- dorsement by the Democratie Convention at Balti- more, which would have seeured liis eleetion.

Judge Davis took his seat in the United States Senate on the 4th of March, 1877. From his first entrance into this body he was an influential and distinguished member, and so remained until his re- tirement in 1883. Although possessing but little legislative experienee he ranked with the great men of the Senate, serving on the Jndieiary Committee with Conkling, Edmonds, Carpenter, Thurman, Garland, and other eminent lawyers of that body. Though the ambition of his life was not yet real- ized, lie eame within one degree of it as a Presi- dential possibility. Only one life stood between him and this exalted position, that of President Ar- thur. From October, 1881, to Mareh, 1883, he was the aeting Vice President of the United States and presiding officer of the Senate.

Judge Davis was a very kind-hearted man, and disliked mueh to see men at varianee with each other, and he could not understand why any man should think ill of him. His heart was as tender as a woman's, and he was as susceptible to flattery as a sehool-girl. A kind word was always remembered and an unkind one speedily forgotten. Senator Conkling was one day making a great speech in the Senate, on a subjeet in which there were fine legal points, and often he would turn to Senator Davis as though addressing him. The latter was a little

annoyed at being singled out as a target for the great Senator's eloquenee, and onee interrupted him, asking why his remarks seemed direeted at him. Mr. Conkling drew himself up to his full " height and quietly, but with great dignity, an- swered, "When the Musselman prays he turns his face toward Mecea. When I speak of law, I ean- not resist the temptation to address myself to the most eminent and and learned jurist in the Senate, a man who left the highest tribunal in the world to give this body the honor of his presence and the benefit of his wisdom." These two great men were always the warmest of friends, and during his Sena- torial term Judge Davis was constantly seeking to reconcile Conkling with the men whom he disliked, and they were not few. Among these was Blaine. One day the two met accidentally in Mr. Davis' committee room. It was an occasion he had long sought, and joy filled his big heart. "Now look here," he said in his familiar way to the two Sena- tors, who were standing like icebergs beside him, " You two fellows have been enemies long enough, and it is time you made up. You are both good friends of mine, and I want you to be good friends of each other. I want you to shake hands and I'll bless you." 'Touelied by the sineerity of the good old man, these two men gave way for the moment, and the hands of Conkling and Blaine eame together the first time for twenty years. But it was not a reeoneiliation or a surrender of either side; it was only a momentary truee offered out of reverenee for the kind heart that liad so much desired to make peace between them. They have never spo- ken to each other sinee.

While Judge Davis was active and influential in his congressional life, yet he will be known in his- tory and to fame as a jurist. As a legislator he left no particular impress upon the country, eom- meneing too late in life to do this. By nature, edu- eation and training he was pre-eminently qualified for a Judge, and this part of his life the student will find a prolifie field for study and instruction. Though possessed of great wealth yet his habits of life were frugal; he lived in the simplest manner. He had rooms on the first floor, fronting on Sixth street, of the National Hotel, which he oeepied during his entire life at the Capital as Associate

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McLEAN COUNTY.

Justice and as Senator. His rooms were eomino- dious but plainly furnished. Ilis lunch while at the Capitol building, either as Justice or Senator, eon- sisted of two apples, a ginger eookie and a glass of milk. This was taken at precisely the same hour every day, standing at a luneh-eounter in the Sen- ate eorrider. The counter was presided over by an old woman who is known to history as "Dys- pepsia Mary."

Judge Davis in stature was nearly six feet in height, of heavy weight, large forehead, elear blue eyes, prominent nose and altogether of command- ing figure. In disposition he was genial, compan- iouable, benevolent; charitable and kind. Though not a member of any ehureh yet he believed in all religions and contributed liberally to all denomina- tions. He was broad and Catholic in his views and in his eonduet. Many a school-house and many a church building in Central Illinois rest to-day on a lot given by him. He had a numerous tenantry on his extensive estates, and when from drouth or other eauses there was a failure in erops, he would remit to his tenants his entire elaims for rent. About his home when he died there were many old persons who were living on his bounty. In land investments and land speeulations he was shrewd , and possessed an insight into future valuation of property that was truly remarkable. It was through his land operations that he aeeumulated an estate which at his death was estimated at about $600,000; and it may be said of Judge Davis that this vast estate was acquired by him without ever having wronged or oppressed[his fellow-men. In private life he was absolutely above reproach. Honest, robust, tender and considerate, he passed triumph- antly through life a mnodel in eharaeter and a model of sueeess, finishing up at life's elose, a completely rounded, personal individuality. He was never the eireumferenee of an oeeasion, but always near the eenter, molding with his great mind and noble eharaeter the forees about him. Nature and edu- eation had stamped upon him every lineament of gentility. No oeeasion ever found him inferior to its demands and whether among the humblest or the richest and most powerful of the land, he was the same inborn gentleman. He was, to quote from his favorite author :

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Portrait and biographical album of McLean county, Ill., containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 14

Author: Chapman brothers, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 1222

Author: Chapman brothers, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1222