USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. I > Part 14
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J. M. Whiting, coroner August 22, 1834
Earl Pierce, sheriff August 29, 1834
129
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
Harris l'atton, surveyor. . December 24, 1834
C. M. Billington, recorder August 22, 1835
Harris Patton, surveyor. . August 22, 1835
Thomas C. King, coroner . August 24, 1836
Earl Pierce, sheriff. August 24, 1836
Win. G. Flood, probate judge February 17, 1837
Wm. H. Tandy, sheriff. November 29, 1837
Wm. HI. Tandy, sheriff. August 21, 1838
Jas. M. Hattan, coroner August 23, 1838
Jno. II. Holton, recorder
August 17, 1839
Joel G. Williams, surveyor
August 17, 1839
Thomas Jasper, sheriff.
. August 12, 1840
John T. Gilmer, coroner
August 12, 1840
Jonas Grubb, coroner
Angust 12, 1842
Wm. H. Tandy, sheriff.
August 13. 1842
John II. Holton, reeorder
August 29, 1843
Thos. J. Williams, surveyor
. August 29, 1843
James M. Pittman, sheriff. August 12. 1844
L. Frazer, coroner August 16, 1844
James M. Pittman, sheriff.
August 18, 1846
Thaddeus Monroe, coroner. August 18, 1846
John II. Holton, recorder
AAugust 19, 1847
Washington Wren, sheriff. August 16, 1848
Thaddeus Monroe, coroner. August 16, 1848
Philo A. Goodwin, county judge
November 17, 1849
J. C. Bernard, county clerk
November 22, 1849
Peter Lott, eircuit clerk. . September 4, 1848
Abner E. Humphrey, sheriff. November 20, 1850
Thaddeus Monroe, coroner November 20, 1850
B. I. Chatten, surveyor November 22, 1851
Levi Palmer, sheriff November 20, 1852
Thaddeus Monroe, coroner November 20, 1852
C. M. Woods, eirenit clerk. November 20, 1852
G. W. Luch. county elerk. November 21, 1853
W. H. Cather, county judge. November 20, 1853
A. Tonzalin, school commissioner February 21. 1854
John Field, county clerk. . April 11. 1854
William Lane sheriff. November 15, 1854
Thaddeus Monroe, coroner November 15, 1854
B. I. Chatten, surveyor November 15, 1855
John P. Cadogan, sheriff. November 12, 1856
Thaddeus Monroe, coroner. November 12, 1856
Thomas W. Macfall, eirenit clerk. November 14, 1856
Win. H. Cather, county judge November 21, 1857 Alex. Johnson, county clerk. November 21, 1857
B. I. Chatten. county surveyor November 21, 1857
Wilson Lance, treasurer. November 3, 1857
Asa W. Blakesly, school commissioner Vol. 1-9
November 3, 1857
130
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
J. H. Hendrickson, sheriff. November 10, 1858
Thaddeus Monroe, coroner. November 10, 1858
N. T. Lane, school commissioner 1859
Eli Seehorn, county treasurer. 1859
B. I. Chatten county surveyor. 1859
Wm. M. Avis, school commissioner .December 25, 1860
Maurice Kelly, sheriff. November 26, 1860
W. S. M. Anderson, circuit clerk. November 26, 1860
James Wimean, coroner. November 26, 1860
E. B. Baker, county judge. November 18, 1861
Alex. Johnson, county clerk.
.November 18, 1861
Peter Smith, county surveyor
November 18, 1861
John Steinagel, sheriff. .November 28, 1862
Geo. D. Watson, coroner November 28, 1862
F. G. Johnson, county treasurer November 13, 1863
Peter Smith, county surveyor. . .
November 13, 1863
H. S. Davis, school commissioner 1863
Samuel T. Brooks, circuit clerk.
November 28, 1864
Wm. L. Humphrey, sheriff.
. November 28, 1864
Geo. D. Watson, eoroner.
November 28, 1864
Chas. II. Morton, county clerk.
November 15, 1865
Thos. J. Mitchell, county judge.
November 22, 1865
Seth W. Grammer, superintendent of schools November 22, 1865
Chas. Petrie, county surveyor .November 25, 1865
Thos. W. Gaines, county treasurer November 25, 1865
llenry C. Craig, sheriff. November 25, 1866
John W. Morehead, circuit clerk. November 26, 1866
Alex. Brown, coroner November 28, 1866
Peter Smith, surveyor. November 28, 1867
Joseph Lummis, treasurer. November 22, 1867
J. M. Earel, sheriff. November 17, 1868
John W. Morehead, circuit clerk.
November 19, 1868
Alex. Brown, coroner
November 30, 1868
Thos. J. Mitchell, county judge. November (2) 23, 1869
C'has. H. Morton, county clerk November (2) 10, 1869
N. Morehead, circuit clerk.
Wm. Fletcher, treasurer
November (2) 30, 1869
B. I. Chatten, surveyor
November (2) 18, 1869
Jno. H. Black, superintendent of schools. November (2) 29, 1869
THE DECADE, 1870-79
1870-Napoleon Morehead, circuit clerk ; John M. Kreitz, sheriff ; Alexander Brown, coroner.
1871-Edwin Cleveland, treasurer ; Philip Fahs, surveyor.
1872-W. G. Ewing, state's attorney; George Brophy, circuit clerk ; G. C. Trotter, sheriff; Alexander Brown, coroner.
1873-J. C. Thompson, county judge; Willis Hazelwood, county clerk.
131
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
1874-George W. Craig, sheriff : Alex. Brown, coroner.
1875-S. G. Earel, treasurer; Seth. JJ. Morey, surveyor.
1876-William H. Govert, state's attorney; George Brophy, cir- «uit clerk : John S. Polloek, sheriff; Elihu Seehorn, coroner: Philip l'ahs, surveyor.
1877-Benjamin F. Berrian, county judge: Willis Hazelwood, county elerk ; Anton Binkert, treasurer : John II. Black, superintendent of sehools.
1878-Edwin Cleveland, county treasurer; John II. Black, super- intendent of schools.
1879-ITenry Ording. sheriff : Elihu Seehoru, coroner.
COVERING 1882-1918
County Treasurers-1882, John S. Cruttenden : 1886. John B. Kreitz; 1890, James B. Corrigan : 1894, George MeAdams : 1598, James MeKinnay : 1902. Frank Sonnet : 1906, Blatchford A. McCoy: 1910, Joseph L. Thomas; 1914-18. E. W. Peter.
Surveyors-1880. Peter Smith : 1885, John R. Nevins : 1888. Fergu- son A. Grover: 1896, Edward C. Wells; 1900, F. L. Hancock: 1904 W. 11. DeGroot : 1912-15. Lilburn Richardson (deputy under Mr. De- Groot, died in JJune, 1915, while in office) ; II. D. Mueller appointed to fill out unexpired term in 1915, and elected in 1916 (still in office).
Coroners-1888, Ichabod 11. Miller; 1892, Michael Ryan ; 1896, William K. Haselwood: 1900, Benjamin B. Lummis; 1904, W. R. Thomas; 1908, Michael J. Healey ; 1916, Lawrence Amen.
State's Attorneys-1884. Oscar P. Bonney: 1890. Carl E. Epler. filled out Bonney's term: 1892. Albert Akers: 1896, George II. Wil- son : 1900. Clay Crewdson; 1904, William B. Sheets: 1908. John T. Gilmer: 1912, Fred G. Wolfe: 1916, JJ. LeRoy Adair.
C'ireuit Clerks-1896, Joseph L. Sheridan ; 1900. Hiram R. Wheat : 1904, Sanford C. Pitney ; 1908, Erde W. Beatty (still in office). George Brophy served as cirenit clerk from 1876 to 1896.
County Clerks-1897. Jackson R. Pierce : 1910, John A. Connery : 1914, W. J. Smith (in office). Willis Hlaselwood was county clerk from 1877 to 1897.
County Judges-1894. Carl E. Epler: 1902. Charles B. MeCrory : Judge MeCrory resigned in the spring of 1910 and, under appointment from the governor, J. Frank Garner served until December of that year : Lyman MeCarl, sinee that month.
Cirenit Judges-1879. John Il. Williams: 1885, William Marsh : 1891. Osear P. Bonney: 1897. John C. Broady; 1903. Albert Akers (still on the bench). Judge Joseph Sibley was on the circuit bench from 1855 to 1879.
Sheriffs-1880. R. M. Gray : 1882. Ben Heckle: 1886. Richard Sca- ton: 1890, J. W. Vaneil: 1894. Adolph F. Roth: 1898, JJohn Roth ; 1902, Ed Smith : 1906. Bennett W. Thomas: 1910, Joseph II. Lipps; 1914, John Coens (in office).
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QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
Recorders-1892, Ben. Heckle; 1896, Rolla MeNeall; 1900, Ben. Heckle; 1904, David P. Lawless; 1908, James M. Buffington (in office ).
LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES
(Unless otherwise stated from Adams County)
State Senators-Elected in 1818, George Caldwell, of Madison County : 1822, Theophilus W. Smith, of Madison; 1826, Thomas Car- lin, of Greene; 1828, Henry J. Ross, Pike; 1832, Archibald Williams; 1836, O. H. Browning : 1840, JJames H. Ralston ; 1844, Jaeob Smith; 1848, Hugh L. Sutphen, Pike; 1850, John Woods; 1853, Solomon Parsons, Pike: 1854, William H. Carlin : 1858, Austin Brooks; 1862, B. T. Schofield, Hancock ; 1866, Samuel R. Chittenden : 1870, J. N. Richardson ; 1870, Jesse Williams, Hancock; 1872, George W. Burns; 1873, Maurice Kelly; 1874, Bernard Arntzen; 1878-85, Maurice Kelly (resigned August 5, 1885) ; 1886-90, George W. Dean ; 1890-97, Albert W. Wells (died and succeeded by John McAdams) : 1897-1902, John MeAdams : 1902, Thomas Meehan, Scott ; 1904, Thomas Bare, Cal- houn ; 1908, Campbell S. Hearne, who died in 1914 and was succeeded by the present eneumbent, Chas. R. MeNay.
Representatives -- 1818, Abraham Priekett, Madison County ; 1818, Samuel Whitesides, Monroe; 1818, Jolm Howard; 1820, Nathaniel Buekmaster, Madison ; 1820, William Otwell; 1820, Joseph Bronangh ; 1822, N. Hansom, Pike (ejected ) ; 1826, Ilenry JJ. Ross, Pike ; 1826, Levi J. Roberts: 1828, John Turney, Peoria; 1828, John Allen, Joe Daviess : 1828, A. W. Caverly, Greene; 1830, Joel Wright, Fulton ; 1830, Samnel C. Pearce, Calhoun; 1830, Charles Gregory : 1832, Wil- liam G. Flood: 1832, Philip W. Martin; 1834, William Ross, Pike; 1834, Thomas H. Owen; 1836, George Galbraith; 1836, James Il. Ralston ; 1837, Archibald Williams; 1838, A. Williams; 1838, William G. Flood; 1840, Robert Star: 1840, William Laughlin ; 1842, John G. Humphrey; 1842, O. H. Browning: 1842, A. Jonas ; 1842. R. W. Star: 1842, P. B. Garrett : 1842. A. Wheat : 1844, Peter Lott : 1844, William Hendrix; 1844, William Miller: 1846, I. N. Morris: 1846, William Hendrix : 1846, James H. Seehorn ; 1846, E. II. Buckley, Marquette (then attached to Adams) ; 1848, O. C. Skinner : 1848, John Marriott ; 1850, J. R. Hobbs ; 1850, J. M. Pittman ; 1851, J. W. Singleton, Brown ; 1852, John Moses, Brown: 1852, J. Wolf; 1853, J. W. Singleton, Brown ; 1853, H. Boyle ; 1854, Eli Seehorn : 1854, H. V. Sullivan ; 1856, Samuel Holmes : 1856-58, M. M. Bane : 1858, W. Metcalf: 1860, J. W. Singleton, Brown ; 1860, W. C. Harrington : 1862, A. E. Wheat ; 1862, William Brown : 1864, Thomas Redmond ; 1864, William T. Yeargain : 1866, IIenry L. Warren; 1866, P. G. Corkins; 1868, Thomas Jasper ; 1868, John E. Downing; 1870, George J. Richardson; 1870, HI. S. Trimble: 1870, Maurice Kelly: 1872, Ira M. Moore: 1872, Charles Ballon ; 1872, N. Bushnell : 1873, John Tillson; 1873, A. G. Griffith :
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QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
1874, fra MI. Moore: 1874. R. H. Downing: 1874, J. C. Bates; 1876, HI. S. Davis; 1876. J. H. Hendrickson ; 1876, Thomas G. Black : 1878, Absalom Samuels; 1878, Joseph N. Carter; 1878, Samuel Mileham : 1880, Joseph N. Carter : 1880, John MeAdams; 1850, William A. Rich- ardson ; 1882, Thomas G. Black : 1882. James E. Purnell : 1ss2. James E. Downing: 1884. Fred P. Taylor; 1884. Samuel Milcham: 1884- SS, William H. Collins; 1886-90, Albert W. Wells; 1886-90, Ira Tyler; 1888. A. S. MeDowell; 1890, Jonathan Parkhurst ; 1890-94. George C. MeCrone ; 1892, Mitchell Dazey ; 1892. Joel W. Bonney : 1894-8, Charles F. Kineheloe; 1894-1900. Elmer E. Perry, Brown County: 1894, George W. Dean; 1896, George W. Montgomery: 1898-1904. William Schlagenhauf: 1898-1904, Jaeob Groves; 1900, John MI. Murphy, Brown County : 1902-06. Irvin D. Webster, Pike County : 1904. Camp- bell S. Hearn: 1904. R. B. Echols: 1906-10, Chas. E. Bolin, Pike: 1906, Chauncey 11. Castle: 1906. Campbell S. Hearn : 1908, Jacob Groves: 1908-14. George II. Wilson: 1910-14. Wm. 11. Hoffman; 1912-16, E. T. Strubinger, Pike; 1916. R. M. Wagner.
RURAL LANDS AND CITY PROPERTIES
With the progress of agricultural methods and the continnous im- provement of farming properties, the value of the rural lands has long sinee overtaken that of eity properties (generally designated in the assessors' reports as "lots"), the figures of 1917 being given as follows :
Personal Total Assessed
Townships
Lands
Lots $ 69,580
$ 167,317
701,252
North East
462,820
98,715
220.822
782,357
Camp Point
386.805
134,490
140,485
661,780
Houston
420.305
94,115
514.420
Honey Creek
333,210
29.020
101,265
463,495
Keene
243,445
36.030
106,555
386,030
Mendon
424,790
94.890
235.762
755.442
Lima
320.530
17,550
91,740
429.820
l'rsa
526,305
30.870
209,015
766,190
Concord
239.240
52,090
291.330
McKee
104 215
1.825
45.330
151,370
Beverly
258,825
7,172
87,000
352,997
Columbus
220,125
6,935
46.414
273,474
Liberty
225,965
26.840
115,615
368,420
Richfield
254,670
77.245
331,915
Gilmer
391,020
13.815
101,190
506.025
Burton
334.205
5,940
95.275
435,420
Payson
439.452
55,720
200,480
695,652
Ellington
614.600
$00
191.645
$07.045
Melrose
741,975
344,175
1.0 9,150
Property
Valne
Clayton
464.355
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QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
Personal Total Assessed
Townships
Lands
Lots 6,455
Property $ 418,550
Value
Fall Creek
$ 428,690 $
Riverside
333,590
17,190
67,891 3,059,528
* 853,685 418,671 10,650,123
Total in county.
$8,172,137
$653,827
$3,209,976
$12,035,940
Total in city and
eounty
$8,244,422 $6,269,504 $22,686,063
As an offset to these figures may be presented the assessed value of real and personal property within the county in 1878, or forty years previous. The tax returns for that year indicated that the total assessed value of all lands (farms), amounting to 528,005 acres, was $9,205,718; of which area 383,008 aeres comprised improved lands. The town and eity lots, amounting to 10,163 aeres, were assessed at $6,531,297. The personal property was valued at $3,538,176 ; railroad property, $159,182; land, both improved and unimproved, $9,205,718, as stated, and town and city property, $6,531,297. The total value of all taxable property was therefore $19,434,373.
POPULATION 1890, 1900, 1910
Probably for the past twenty years there has been little change in the average assessed value of real estate throughout the county, since the tendency of the population, as in most of the smaller counties in the Mississippi Valley, has been downward. The only increase in population noted from the figures of 1900 was in the City of Quincy and the Village of Loraine. The tables are presented herewith :
Civil Divisions
1910 64,588
1900 67,058
1890
Beverly Township
890
1,051
982
Burton Township
779
1,007
1,174
Camp Point Township (including Camp Point Village)
1,845
2,126
2,003
Camp Point Village
1,148
1,260
1,150
Clayton Township
1,682
1,822
1,912
Clayton Village
940
996
1,033
Columbus Township (including part of Columbus Village)
792
951
1,000
Columbus Village (part of)
104
136
149
Total of Columbus Village in Columbus and
Gilmer townships
134
196
201
Concord Township
749
907
1,059
Ellington Township
1,200
1,278
1,233
Fall Creek Township
876
983
884
61,888
Quincy
7,590,595
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
135
Civil Divisions
1910 64,588
1900 67,058
61,888
Gilmer Township (including part of Colum-
bus Village)
916
1,066
1,12G
Columbus Village (part of) .
30
60
52
Honey Creek Township (including Coats- burg Village )
1,144
1,259
1,287
Coatsburg Village
262
321
308
Houston Township
758
822
981
Keene Township (including Loraine Vil- lage)
1,106
1,168
1,280
Loraine Village
417
349
327
Liberty Township
Lima Township (including Lima Village)
1,282
1,554
1,404
Lima Village
797
280
251
McKee Township
869
1,059
1,065
Melrose Township (exclusive of part Quiney City)
1,915
2,117
2,077
Mendon Township (including Mendon Vil-
lage)
1,332
1,361
1.489
Mendon Village
640
627
640
North East Township (including Golden and LaPrairie villages)
1,523
1,511
1,488
Golden Village
579
516
466
LaPrairie Village
187
182
194
Payson Township (including Payson and Plainville villages)
1,508
1,697
1,819
Payson Village
467
465
Plainville Village
251
296
Quiney City in Melrose and Riverside town- ships
36,587
36,252
31.494
Ward 1
5,276
Ward 2
5.036
Ward 3
5,231
Ward 4
6,507
Ward 5
6,767
Ward 6
4,992
Ward 7
2,778
Richfield Township
897
1,010
1,114
Riverside Township (exelusive of part of
Quiney City)
3,546
3,432
2,168
Ursa Township
1,381
1,486
1,614
of
The total taxes levied in the county for 1917 amounted to the fol- lowing : School tax, $391.796.32: state tax, $211.633.55; county, $155,408.79 ; high school, $2,364.68; town, $11,765.30 ; road and bridge. $75,967.62 ; corporation, $220.346.97; bond interest tax and sinking
1890
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QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
fund, $14,447.08; non-high school, $14,759; permanent road fund, $1,259.87; baek tax, $43.90; total, $1,108,793.91.
ADAMS COUNTY HOME
Adams County was no exception to the general rule set forth in Holy Writ as a universal fact, not to be gainsaid-"The poor ye have always with ye." As the world has also come to the conclusion that poverty is no sin, and often not even a fault, individuals, govern- ments and institutions endeavor to keep in the background of the lives of those who are public charges all suggestions that they are in any way disgraced. Such a policy both lightens an existence which is apt to be monotonous, if not weary, and also tends to stimulate ambition and permanent reformation of character. Therefore old-time terms; savoring of harshness, if not contempt, such as Poor House, Alms HIonse and Poor Farm, have been largely eliminated from the phraseology of such county institutions in favor of County Home, County Infirmary, etc.
At first the deserving poor in Adams County were relieved by benevolent settlers in the localities of their residence. But the great objeetion to this plan was that those to whom assistance was thus extended became objeets of charity, and, even when capable of work- ing, employment for them was not often at hand. In 1847, there- fore, the County Commissioners' Court decided to purchase a farm upon which the able-bodied could be employed, and many varieties of light work found for both sexes. For that purpose the eighty-aere farm of H. T. Ellis was purchased near the center of Honey Creek Township; the transfer was made March 16, 1847, the consideration for which was $700. At the time of the purchase the land was in a fair state of enltivation, and upon the premises were a two-story frame house, a barn, blacksmith shop and other out-houses. The poor for whom the county were then caring were moved to that property and sustained there until May, 1855. In the meantime township organiza- tion had gone into effect under the new constitution and other arrange- ments were being considered. At a session of the Board of Super- visors held in Jannary, 1856, a committee consisting of William Laughlin, A. H. Dean and Baptist Hardy, was appointed by that body to select a larger farm and arrange to erect more suitable buildings for the care of the county's charges. In June of that year they re- ported that they had purchased of John F. Battell the 160 acres com- prising the northeast quarter of section II, Gilmer Township, for $5,000. The committee also reported at the same meeting the pur- chase of 50,000 briek and other material with which to erect buildings thereon. During the following year (1857) the farm was rented and the former inmates were supported at a specified price per week per capita; but when the buildings were completed in 1858 they were moved to the County Farm, where they were afterward maintained.
In 1874 the City of Quincy adopted township organization, and the
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QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
poor of the municipality, who had previously been cared for by a com- mittee comprising one alderman from each ward and an overseer. were transferred to the county institution. This additional burden rendered its accommodations inadequate, and, as a temporary ex- pedient, the County Board arranged for their care with the Charitable Aid and Hospital Association of Quiney. The agreement extended from July, 1874, to April 30, 1876, and during the last year of that arrangement there were upon the books of the association an average of 314 persons monthly, representing 226 families, who received relief.
In December, 1875, a new building three stories high. 32 by 43 feet, had been completed on the County Farm at a cost of about $8.000. The steam heating system and other modern appliances to conserve the health and comfort of the inmates probably added some $2,000 to that amount. More than twenty years afterward, in 1897, because of the great inerease of insane patients, another building for their special care was erected. Its dimensions were 24 by 40 feet and cost about $10.000. Then eame various outbuildings, a new heating plant and other improvements made necessary by the growth of the population and modern demands. The grounds of the County Home now comprise 160 aeres, five aeres of which are in orchard. The aver- age number of inmates accommodated is about eighty.
The first superintendent of the Comity Farm, or County Home, as it has been called for a number of years past, was D. L. Hair, appointed by the County Board of Supervisors in 1860. Mr. Hair served six years : his successor, A. L. Shiphard, seven : Asbury Elliott. six ; a Mr. Doren, one year; W. Beecott, one: M. Doren, two years: Mrs. Doren, six years after the death of her husband : William Bates, six : Dave L. Hair, six : Jacob W. Wolfe, four: Elmer J. Earel, three ; John Schwank, the present superintendent since January 1, 1910.
CHAPTER VII
PROFESSIONAL SKETCHES
EVOLUTION OF JUDICIARY SYSTEMS-FIRST CIRCUIT COURT SITS-WOOD VS. LISLE, SURE-ENOUGH SLANDER-THE JOVIAL JUDGE SAWYER- SAMUEL D. LOCKWOOD, ILLINOIS' FIRST LAWYER-PETER LOTT- OPPORTUNITY FOR STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS-RICHARD M. YOUNG- JAMES H. RALSTON-CONGRESSIONAL FIGHT BETWEEN DOUGLAS AND BROWNING-JESSE B THOMAS-NORMAN H. PURPLE-WILLIAM A. MINSIIALL-NEW JUDICIAL CIRCUIT FORMED-ONIAS C. SKINNER -EARLY CIRCUIT JUDGES-CHARLES B. LAWRENCE-JOSEPH SIB- LEY-OTHER CIRCUIT JUDGES-THE PROBATE AND COUNTY JUDGES -JUDGE B. F. BERRIAN-HANGINGS, LEGAL AND ILLEGAL-THE LUCKETT-MAGNOR MURDER TRIAL-A SLANDER SUIT WITH A MORAL -THE KILLING OF MAJOR PRENTISS-FAMOUS EELS SLAVE CASE -THIE PIONEER MEMBERS OF THE BAR-ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS --- CALVIN A. WARREN-NEHEMIAH BUSHNELL-ISAAC N. MORRIS- PHILO A. GOODWIN-EDWARD H. BUCKLEY-ALMERON WHEAT- HOPE S. DAVIS-COL. WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON-WILLIAM G. EWING-COL. WILLIAM H. BENNESON-GEN. JAMES W. SINGLE- TON-JOSEPH N. CARTER-BERNARD ARNTZEN-JACKSON GRIMSHAW -STERLING P. DELANO-LAWYERS IN 1869-THE QUINCY BAR AS- SOCIATION-URIAH H. KEATH, OLDEST LIVING LAWYER-VETERAN LAWRENCE E. EMMONS-WHEN BENCH AND BAR WERE PICTUR- ESQUE-THE PHYSICIANS-CIIOLERA IN 1833-THE CHOLERA EPI- DEMIC OF 1849-ADAMS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY-EDWARD G. CASTLE-IN THE UNION SERVICE-CITY BOARD OF HEALTH CREATED.
The pioneers of Adams County were drifting thither soon after the first state constitution was promulgated and through which the first courts of Illinois were organized. Under the Constitution of 1818 the judicial power of the state was vested in the Supreme Court, comprising a chief justice and three associates, with such inferior courts as the Legislature might establish. When Adams County was set off from old Pike in 1825, it was in first of the five judicial cir- cuits.
By the constitution, the terms of office of supreme judges were to expire with the close of the year 1824. The Legislature re-organized the judiciary by creating both Circuit and Supreme courts. The state was divided into five judicial circuits, providing two terms of court annually in each county. The salaries were fixed at $600. The
138
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QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
following eireuit judges were chosen: John Y. Sawyer, Samuel Me- Roberts, Richard M. Young. James Hall and John O. Wattles, named in the order of their respective cireuits.
Pike County had been organized in 1821, and Fulton, Peoria, Hancock, Henry, Knox and Warren in 1823-25; MeDonough in 1826, and Joe Daviess in 1827. That multiplication of counties overtaxed the four Supreme Court justices whose duty it was to hold Circuit courts in the counties of the state. The Sixth Legislature that convened at Vandalia on December 1, 1828, came to their relief by passing an aet on January 8, 1829, forming a fifth judicial dis- triet comprising all the territory west and north of the river within the state's limits. The Legislature then elected Richard M. Young judge of that cireuit with a salary of $700 a year to be paid in quar- terly instalments; and fifteen days later. January 23rd, he received his commission from Governor Edwards, who probably experienced no sorrow in thus committing him to exile.
For the next six years Judge Young was the only eireuit judge eleeted and commissioned in Illinois. With his usual energy and en- thusiasm he immediately commeneed the work of his new office with William Thomas, of Morgan County, as state's attorney, who was commissioned on the same day as himself. Mr. Thomas was sneceeded as state's attorney of that fifth distriet by Thomas Ford. on March 15, 1830, who was again appointed on February 15, 1831. Ford was succeeded by Wm. A. Richardson on February 13, 1835, who served until February 25, 1839, when he was followed by Wm. Elliott, Jr. In the autumn of 1839 Judge Young left Kaskaskia and located in Galena, then at the zenith of its lead-mining industry, and the most populous and busy town in the state. Judge Samuel D. Loekwood. of the Supreme Court, who resided in Jacksonville, had held court at Galena, Quiney. Peoria and Lewiston, but gladly relinquished that part of his eireuit to the newly elected judge.
In 1831 the Seventh General Assembly organized and added to Judge Young's circuit the counties of Cook, Rock Island and La Salle, completing the area of his jurisdiction from Galena to Lake Michigan, thence down the Illinois River to its confluence with the Mississippi.
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