Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 74

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794

USA > Illinois > Warren County > Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 74

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In 1812, under the ordinance of 1787, a delegate was sent to Congress and a Territorial Government established. In this manner the Territory existed, with Ninian Edwards as Governor, until 1818. The population at the close of the War of 1812 did not exceed 12,000 souls. In 1818 the inhabitants num- bered 50,000. At the beginning of this year the peo- ple of the Territory unanimously resolved to enter the Union as a State, and instructed their delegate, Nathaniel Pope, who was then in Congress, to bring the subject before that body and take such means as was necessary to accomplish this result.

The bill for the admission of Illinois into the Union as a State, was passed in April, 1818. An election was held under the provisions of this Act, for State officers, and Shadrack Bond was chosen Governor, and entered upon the discharge of his du- ties in October, of the same year, with the seat of government at Kaskaskia. Subsequently, Ninian Edwards and Jesse B. Thomas were chosen Senators. In 1822 Edward Coles, an anti-slavery man, was elected to succeed Gov. Bond. In 1826 Gov. Coles' term expired, and Ninian Edwards was elected to succeed him. This brings the history of the State, the principal points of which have only been touched,

down to the period when the settlement of Warren County begins, and at this point the former is left that the history of the latter may be taken up.

Organization of Warren County.

HE Legislature of the State of Illinois, at its session during the winter of 1822-23, laid out into counties what is known as the Mili- tary Tract, together with other unorganized ter- ritory. This land was situated between the Il- linois and the Mississippi Rivers, extending as far north as the north line of Warren County. At this session Pike County was formed from this terri- tory, with a county seat at Atlas. Subsequently the counties of Adams, Fulton, Peoria and Schuyler were organized with McDonough attached to the latter for judicial purposes.

During the Legislative session of 1824 and 1825, Warren County was formed, which comprised all that part of the Military Tract west of the 4th P. M., extending to the Mississippi River, and including the territory now occupied by Hender- son County. At this time it was attached to Pike County for judicial purposes. Subsequently it was attached to Peoria County. The county was named after Gen. Joseph Warren, of Revolutionary fame.

The first settlement in the territory now embraced by this county, was made in 1827, by Mrs. Talbot, her son, John B., and her nephew, Allen G. An- drews. For more particular information regarding its early settlement, the reader is referred to the his- tory of the several townships.

The first furrow turned in Warren County soil was in 1828. The foundation for six settlements was made during this and the following year, and the zeal of the settlers was only equaled by their industry, and one pioneer was soon followed by another. By the summer of 1830 it was estimated that there were between 300 and 400 inhabitants in the county, who had established the reputation of being prosperous. Of so much importance had it become that Peoria County deemed it expedient to send up an officer with the view of levying.a tax for her benefit, she having previously established a judicial district here. The inhabitants of Warren, as long as they

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were not taxed and had a justice before whom they could transact their little legal business, and consum- mate their matrimonial alliances, did not careto what county they were attached or belonged. Marriage licenses were dispensed with in those days, and all that was required was the posting up of a notice for ten days, announcing the coming event.

There was no road then from this county to Peoria, a distance of some 50 miles, and in going to and from, the Kickapoo and Spoon rivers had to be ford- ed, which was rather dangerous in high water time. So when a movement was made to put a tax on the people of Warren County for the small benefits they had received, they rebelled against it as much as the Boston Tea Party did against the tax of Great Brit- ain.

In the Spring of 1830, therefore, having a desire to manage their own municipal affairs, and to have whatever taxes they might be called on to pay go in- to their own exchequer; and believing, also, that they had the requisite population for a full county organ- ization, they petitioned the Hon. Richard M. Young, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, for an order to hold an election for the purpose of forming a com- plete county government. About this period the census had been taken by a commissioner sent on by the county court of Peoria County, who reported about 300 inhabitants, which was not sufficient for a county organization ; nor was this report satisfactory to the people of Warren County, who claimed about 400. Subsequently the U. S. Marshal passed through the county and reported 350.

Daniel McNeil was selected to go with the petition and present it to Judge Young, who was then at Pe- oria. The Judge saw the justice of the petition, and at once granted the prayer of the citizens of Warren, and appointed Saturday, the third day of July, A.D. 1830, for the election of three County Commission- ers, one Sheriff and one Coroner. The election was to be held at the house of Adam Ritchey, for the purpose of having this order carried into execution. He appointed John B. Talbot, Adam Ritchey, Jr., and Robert K. Hendricks, Judges of the said elec- tion. The election was to be held viva voce, between the hours of 9 o'clock in the forenoon, and 7 o'clock in the afternoon.

The third day of July, 1830, was waited for with a good deal of anxiety by the voters of Warren. It

came as all things do, in good time. It wa beau- tiful day. A lovely breeze was wafted over the prai- ries; a few clouds flitted above in the blue summer sky, the air was balmy and enlivened by the sweet songs of wild birds. After their morning's work was done, the voters wended their way from their several homes to the place of election to cast their first vote in their new settlement, to exercise the great gift of the freeman. What a precious boon is this ! The right of self-government; the exercise of suffrage, holding within ourselves the power to regulate and control our political affairs. And yet, how little is it appreciated by some, and to what extent are its grand and sacred rights abused! There was no pol- itics in this election, and the voters cast their tick- ets for the men they deemed most worthy. The elec- tion passed off harmoniously, and the hope was expressed that in all future elections there would be the same good feeling manifested, and the same in- tegrity of the ballot-box preserved.

The election resulted in the choice of John Pence, John B. Talbot and Andrew Ritchey, Jr., for County Commissioners; John Rust, Sheriff ; and John Ritch- ey, Coroner.

'The persons named in Judge Young's order for Judges of Election, declined to serve, and the peo- ple appointed Robert K. Hendricks, Sheldon Lock- wood and Peter Butler in their places. For Clerks of Election, they appointed Stephen S. Phelps and Daniel McNeil. There were 37 votes polled at this election, three voters being absent.

The county was organized, the Commissioners as- sumed their duties, and for many years the political government of the county was very nicely conducted in this way. For a brief season it was under the management of the County Court, but for over thirty years the public affairs of the county have been in the hands of the Board of Supervisors. After the organization of the county, the settlers felt themselves of greater importance, and worked for the progress of their new homes with renewed zeal. It was many years, however, before the beautiful and fertile prai- ries were settled. In fact this was not done to any considerable extent until the advent of the "iron horse." The introduction of railroads stimulated emigration, and increased the activity in manufac- tures and agricultural pursuits. . While the county through its generous aids to railroad enterprises has

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encumbered itself with a large debt, yet it has been benefitted by the rise of property and the general development and increase of all branches of indus- try.

From the advent of the Talbots, its first settlers, in 1827, it has moved steadily on, with few draw- backs, until it now has an estimated population of 23,000, with an assessment value, as shown by the reports of 1885, of $4,928,755 on the improved lands; $68,655 on unimproved lands ; town lots, $794,872 ; personal property, $1,583,087. Strictly speaking, there is no unimproved land in the county. For a gen- eral average of valuation of lands, the county ranks among the first in the State, and by no means would it appear insignificant if compared with the counties of any of the Eastern States, and if the editor who wrote the following stanza, in 1847, could pass over this country now, and through its broad, cultivated fields and elegant homes, he would undoubtedly be ashamed of his verse:

"Great western waste of bottom land, Flat as a pancake, rieh as grease, Where gnats are full as big as toads,

And skeeters are as big as geese.

O, lonesome, windy, grassy place, Where buffalo and snakes prevail;

The first with dreadful looking faee, The last with dreadful sounding tail.

I'd rather live on eamel rump, And be a Yankee double beggar,

Than where they never see a stump, And shake to death with fever'n 'ager."

The old log cabins have disappeared and in their places are fine dwellings; ox teams as a means of travel and transportation are gone, and the steam car now rushes over the prairie; the mortar and corn-cracker live only in the memory of the pioneer, while the products of the roller mill are placed in his store room ; the dread of the savage no longer dis- turbs his slumbers, nor does the wolf come in the darkness of the night to destroy his flocks. With complacency he can take a retrospective view of the past and contemplate the transformations made dur- ing half a century. Yes, half a century ago, before the pioneer there was doubt and uncertainty, priva- tions and dangers; before him to-day, standing out in broad, radiant light, is a complete social and po- litical government, under American institutions and shining resplendent with American freedom.

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Indian

History

HEN this Territory was first d' occupied by the Aborigines or Indians, has never been definitely ascertained. When Father Marquette, with his companions, sailed down the Mississippi in their frail bark canoes, they discovered a trail leading out from Illinois' beautiful shores and following it, came, after a journey of a few miles, to an Indian village. The inhabitants of this primitive village came forward to meet Father Marquette and party, and addressing them in a language that was familiar to Marquette, said, "We are Illinois, " which translated means, "we are men." This was in the summer of 1673. After remaining here awhile, Father Marquette and party sailed down the Mississippi River until he satisfied himself that this river emptied into the Gulf of Mex- ico. Then he returned and entered the Illinois River and followed it to its source. Along its banks as well as at its source, he found Indian settlements. These Indians desired him to remain with them and make their home his home, but desiring to pursue his explorations, he declined their generous invita- tion and was conducted by some of their chiefs to the site now occupied by Chicago. At this place he also found an Indian settlement, the Miamis.

When La Salle visited this territory, five years later, he found several Indian settlements along the

large water courses, among which were the villages of Kaskaskia and Cahokia. The first people to set- tle among the Indians were the French, and they were most heartily welcomed, and lived together on the most friendly terms with these then very innocent and warm-hearted people. It is evident that had there been no conflict between France and England, and, later on, none between England and America, there never would have been any trouble between the white and the red man.

Froni the discovery of this country by Columbus, to the commencement of hostilities between the white inhabitants, all travelers and settlers to this country were received with the greatest cordiality. These innocent people were deluded and deceived, first by one white faction and then by another, until they did not know who to believe, nor who, if any, were their real friends. This much may be consist- ently said in palliation of the atrocities in after years committed by them.

The Sac tribe of Indians, at the close of the long war between England and France over the Canadian Territory, which terminated in favor of the former, were driven from their village near Quebec, by the united efforts of the different tribes of Indians then inhabiting that country. They then settled at Mon- treal, from which place they were subsequently again driven by the combined strength of their ene- mies to Mackinac. Here they met the British troops, who gave them provisions and made them presents. They were not permitted to remain long here, for

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their remorseless enemies still pursued them, driving them from one place to another, until they reached Green Bay, where they first met the Fox Indians.

They made a village near Green Bay on what was afterward named Sac River. They held a council with the Foxes and a national alliance was formed between them. Subsequently the Foxes abandoned their village and joined the Sacs, and as neither were sufficiently strong to meet their enemies with any hope of success. they soon became as one band or nation of people. They were still driven, however, by their enemies to the Wisconsin River, where they remained in peace for some time. While here a party of their young men started out on an expedi- tion, and coming to Rock River, followed it to its mouth. They then returned to the village and made a report of all they had seen of the beautiful country and large rivers below. Upon hearing the reports of the grand country south from the young men, these tribes gathered up their little possessions, descended the Rock River, met the Kaskaskias, drove them away, and commenced the building up of a new village, which they resolved never to leave.

This was the first settlement in the territory now embraced by Illinois, made by the Indians after the · whites came in. With this settlement was Pyesa, father of Black Hawk ; and here Black Hawk, who was the great grandson of Nanamakee, was born, in 1767 ; here, also, Black Hawk learned the first les- sons of war, going out with his father. who had joined the Muscows, against the Osages. During the war with the Osages, Black Hawk distinguished himself as a fighter. Finally this tribe became sat- isfied to live in their own country. After peace had been established with the Osages, a war with the Cherokees came on. In the war with this nation, Black Hawk's father was killed, and he became chief and fell heir to the great medicine bag of his forefathers. Black Hawk, after a long and arduous campaign with the Chippewas, Kaskaskias and Osages, delivered his hunting-grounds from these enemies. He then, with many of his braves, visited St. Louis, to pay his respects to his " Spanish father," as he termed him. It was while here that he was informed that the Americans were coming to take charge of the country. This made Black Hawk sad, for he had been prejudiced against the Americans by the British. They soon arrived, and Black Hawk met them for the first time as he went to take leave

of the Spaniards. As the Americans came in one door, Black Hawk with his followers went out the other and returned to their home on Rock River. On arriving home, they reported what they had seen and the new people they had met.

Some time after, Lieut. Pike with some soldiers arrived at their village. This was the first time the Indians here met the Americans on their own hunt- ing grounds. Lieut. Pike found these Indians wav- ing the British colors, and he gave them an American flag, which they raised.

During the War of the Revolution, between Great Britain and the Colonies, most of the Indian tribes took part with the former. In the treaty of peace between the two countries, the Indians had not been included. Several tribes, therefore, stimulated on by English gold, continued their hostilities, and in the Northwestern Territory several hundred whites had been killed, including men, women and children, be- fore the Government took active measures to stop the slaughter. This work was delegated to Gen. Arthur St. Clair, former Governor of the Territory, which was in 1791. The expedition of Gen. St. Clair, owing possibly to his feeble health, was dis- astrous. The Americans were completed routed, a panic seized the army and they could not be brought to a standstill until they reached Fort Jefferson. Subsequently a new and larger force was sent out under the command of Gen. Wayne, one of the heroes of the Revolution, which proved more suc- cessful than the former ; the Indians were defeated- at every point and sued for peace, which was con- cluded Aug. 7, 1795. During these two conflicts, Little Turtle was the most skillful and indefatigable chief among them. Peace was restored once more and so remained for many years, the whites pursuing their occupations on soil once the favorite hunting ground of the Indians.

Prior to the War of 1812, there rose in this coun- try an Indian of most extraordinary character, a great warrior and considerable of a statesman. His name was Tecumseh, chief of the Pawnees. He sought to unite all the Indian tribes in one grand ef- fort against the Americans to recover their lost hunt- ing grounds. As a preliminary step, he sought to educate his people, to improve their morals and in- still into their hearts a more ardent love of country. He had several interviews with Gov. Harrison, who was formerly the Governor of this Territory and at

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this time was Governor of Indiana Territory, with a view of regaining this country for his people. At the last interview, the Governor plainly told him " that the President would put his warriors in petti- coats sooner than give up the country he had fairly acquired, or to suffer his people to be murdered with impunity."

The opportunity finally came for which Tecumseh had so long waited, of avenging what he conceived to be the injury his people had sustained at the hands of the Americans. The war of 1812 came on. Murders continued to be committed, and even Gov. Harrison's own soldiers were fired upon. Gov. Har- rison, indignant at these outrages, started out with a force of a thousand men, attacked their town, Tip- pecanoe, which had been well fortified, and after a bloody conflict, drove them into the swamp. Tecum- seh, who was away at this time, upon returning was greatly exasperated at this defeat. He, with his band, immediately departed to Canada, and offered his services to the British, not for any love he had for them, but because after the battle of Tippecanoe he felt that he could have no success against the Amer- icans, unless aided by British troops. Tecumseh was killed at the Tames, where he led some 1200 Indians, bravely and desperately fighting for victory. Black Hawk was also in this battle.

The loss of the battle and the defeat of the British on Lake Erie put an end to the war, and the Indians soon were brought to peaceful terms. There was no further trouble from them until about the time of the settlement of this county. There were several large villages in the territory, the largest being on Rock River, near its confluence with the Mississippi. This was Sac Village, the home of Black Hawk and his people, and at one time there was some 12,000 Indians here. The Indians were engaged in hunting, fish- ing, lead-mining and raising corn.

The Black Hawk War.

HE Black Hawk War, as a military exhibi- tion, was not much of an affair. From first to last the forces of the Government, inclu- ding the Wisconsin Volunteers, the friendly Indians and the six Artillery companies, sent out by Gen. Scott, did not exceed 6,000 men. After the long peace the Indians again became trou-

blesome, in the summer of 1827. The Winnebagoes, Sacs, Foxes and other tribes had been at war with each other for over a century, and although at times through the mediation of the United States peice was restored between them, yet a bitter enmity ever . existed. During this summer a war party of Win- nebagoes surprised a party of the Chippewas, and killed eight of their men. Four of the Winnebagoes were arrested by the commander of the United States troops, at St. Peters, and delivered to the Chippewas, by whom they were immediately shot. This was the first irritation of the Winnebagoes, and they were further aggrieved at seeing the Americans occupying their country; for many of them had penetrated it as far as the Wisconsin, in search of lead. Red Bird, in order to avenge himself, made an attack up- on the Chippewas and was defeated, but to satisfy his desire for vengeance he surprised and killed sev- eral whites. On hearing of this the miners, who were working the lead-mines at Galena, organized a company of volunteers, and being reinforced by a company of United States troops, marched against the Winnebagoes. To save his nation from war Red Bird, with six others of the most influential men of his nation, surrendered themselves as prisoners of war. Part of them were executed, and a part pined away in jail. From this time to 1831, there were no further disturbances.

But to return to the causes that brought on the Black Hawk War. In 1804 a treaty was formed be- tween the United States and the chiefs of the Sacs and Fox nations, by virtue of which the Governinent acquired, together with other territory, the title to the Rock River country. Black Hawk, however, 'a chief of the Sacs and a noted warrior, claimed that this treaty was obtained through fraud, and that whatever had been done was without his knowledge or consent. Black Hawk's version of this treaty is this : One of the Sac Indians killed an American and was taken prisoner and confined in the prison at St. Louis. The council was held at the Sac Village to see what could be done, and it was determined to send Quasquame and other chiefs to St. Louis to get the offender released by paying for his crime, this being the way of adjusting such affairs with the In- dians. The party started on their mission with the best wishes of the nation. They remained a long time, and when they returned they encamped near the village but remained away from it. They were

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dressed in fine clothes and had valuable medals and other ornaments. Early the next day Quasquame came into the Council Lodge and gave the following account : " On our arrival at St. Louis we met our American father and explained to him our business, urging the release of our friend. The American chief told us he wanted land. We agreed to give him some on the west side of the Mississippi, likewise more on the Illinois side opposite Jefferson. When the business was all arranged, we expected to have our friend released to come home with us. About the time we were ready to start our brother was let out of the prison. He started to run a short distance when he was shot dead." Black Hawk said this was all they could remenber, and it subsequently was as- certained that this party were all drunk during the greater part of the time they were at St. Louis. This was all his nation knew of the treaty of 1804. "It," says Black Hawk, " has since been explained to me. I find by that treaty that all of the country east of the Mississippi and south of Jefferson was ceded to the United States for $1,000 a year. I will leave it to the people of the United States to say whether our nation was properly represented in this treaty, or whether we received a fair compensation for the extent of country ceded by these four indi- viduals. I could say much more respecting this treaty with the whites, but I will not at this time. It has been the origin of all our serious difficulties with the whites."

Whatever may be the real facts regarding this treaty, however, Black Hawk was not satisfied with it, and he was determined if possible to regain the territory which he claimed had been ceded away from his people without his knowledge. He pro- nounced the treaty a fraud and void, and gathering his chosen band of warriors about him, which num- bered about 300, he re-crossed the Mississippi, took possession of the disputed lands and ordered the whites to leave the country at once. The settlers reported the matter to Gov. Reynolds, and he dis- patched Gen. Gaines with a company of regulars and 1,500 volunteers to the scene of action. Black Hawk was taken by surprise ; the troops burned their vil- lages and forced them to submission. Another treaty of peace was concluded, by which the Indians ceded all right and title to the land east of the Mis- sissippi, and agreed to remain on the western side of the river and never re-cross it without permission

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Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 74

Author: Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 794

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794