USA > Illinois > Will County > Souvenir of settlement and progress of Will County, Ill. A review of the lives of our presidents, political, military and commercial history of the United States and of the state of Illinois Business directory of Joliet Comp. specially for the people of the county > Part 12
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1,792
276
Payne, Otto ..
100
Rowley, Joseph B. .36 11
1,920
345
Pierce, William L. 36 10
838
689
Rowley, Hiram 36 11
560
83
Petty, John Andrew
147
Rowly, Calvin .36 11
3,454
775
Runyan, Michael .35 11
720
470
Potts, Arthur 33 10
840
80
Reynolds, Newton
35 11
2,560
530
Porter, David.
144
Reynolds, Joseph S.
.35 11
3,380
429
Porter, James 31 10
440
106
Robb, Daniel.
35 10
680
240
Pettis, Charles .35 11
200
34
35 10 Rogers, M . 60
Rowell, H. H ..
35 10 1,000
50
Prentice & Smith 36 9
360
Roderick, Joseph. .34 9 150
207
Poor, Edward. .37 10
840
Paddock, W., Jr.
350
266
$ 34 9
1,360
150
Pearson, Hiram .36 11
960
Peck, William
.36 11
1,180
'277
(33 10 )
760
301
Peck, W. C .36 11
400
90
Rhodes, Jabez
Reed, Aaron
120
Peck, D. B. &_A. D 36 11
440
Pearson, Myron
36
9
1,020
319
Ripley, David E
105
Peck, Philo W
37 9
35
20
Rice, Rufus
....
80
Peck, W. B.
34 9
1,052
515
Rice, Madison ..
130
Runyan, Jerrard
.86 10
80
157
Rugg, Jason ...... Lockport
60
133
Phillips, Otis B.
420
Robertson, Lucius
307
Pierce, William ... 37 10
90
180
Row, Wm ..
92
Parks, J. M. & Co
800
Rattery, David .37 10
120
25
Parks, Joel M ..
Lockport
650
55
Robry, James .. 37 10
499
247
Patrick, A. F
...
50
Reynolds, John M. .35 11
970
185
Ridgeway, Daniel .37 10
240
....
Pratt, Allen . .... Lockport
150
..
258 Roberts, D. L. Joliet
650
....
Paxon, A. C. & M. J .... 37 10
240
Rogers, A. T. Joliet
400
....
Prescott, Dan. K ...... .36 10
240
256
Rolf, Samuel Joliet
150
Prize, James
15
Richardson, Wm Joliet
....
..
. .
Rice, Wm. R
35 12
240
197
Peat. William .37 10
480
Rice, Elijah
34 11
240
Pratt, Samuel S. .36 9
345
538 Roberts, Mr
35 9
282
Palmer, Benjamin ..
125
Richardson, Benj
99
Prentiss, J. H. W. Joliet
300
. . .
Reed, Charles 33
9
240
. .
..
Reed, Alexander
150
Paxton, Amos .37 10
400
Polly, Peter ... .33 9
198
210
Rowley, Phineas. 36 11
240
147
Penoyer, Mr .34 9
120
...
..
Reeder, Daniel .Joliet
400
...
Porter, Chas. K .. .36 10
360
..
138
Rourke, Peter. Joliet
....
310
Porter, B. & P.
300
Rankin, Ransom .. Joliet
60
Prescott, E. S. Joliet
1,150
. .
473
Reed, Charles. .34 10
404
146
Rand, William.
Richardson, Ezra
45
Peck, Philander
80
Rice, James
Pettingall, Phoebe. Plainf'ld Phillips, John E.
120
182
Robbins, L. J
. .
150
Phillips, Milton.
Preston, John B .. Lockport
60
188
Rogers, Michael.
33 105
Roderick, Jacob
134 9)
720
36 11 )
Paddock, Walter
(36 11 )
$2,140
522
Roderick, George
172
Lockport {
....
246 Runyan, A .Lockport, 36 10 Rice, Miles .
3,525
....
Porter & Kimball. 35 11
360
Ross, George.
120
242
Richards, Martha M
....
275
Robertson, C. C
....
95
Riley, Cornelius
...
20
Reed, William
23
Ryan, Michael 36 11 10
656
....
Porter, Moses 36 11
1,974
Rickey, Thomas H .... 36 9
725
232
235 11 )
Payne, John G. A.
145
Ogle, John ... .36 11
120
Lockport
Land Prop
Land Prop
Nicholson, Francis
60
Newman, Ebenezer .. Joliet
200
Reeder, Daniel
127
Rucker, Joshua. 36 10
O'Neil, Cornelius. . Du Page
Page, Senecca.
124
Reed, Elvas
Poor, Anderson $37 101.
48
Pearson, John.
Porter, Jonathan G.
250
145
GENERAL HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
H
R Val. Val. of Per.
Name.
T R Val. Val. of Per.
Land Prop
Land Prop
Rease, Joseph
60
Sage, Willard & Fellows34 9
Scott, Ed. R. .34 11
1,571 596
Stewart, Neal
55
Stewart, Peta W.
133 9 .
3,041
1,030
Stewart, F. D. S. 33 10
560
238
Stewart, Daniel. .33 10 180
952
Smith, P ... Plainfield, 34 9 469
Singer, Horace
265
Stewart, Peter S 37 10 360
128
Sears, John.
45
Stewart, Daniel 37 10
270
Schofield, William .. .35 10
1,880
80
Smith, William 37 10
18
73
Sampson, Benjamin
170
Smith, Barton .. Joliet, 35 10
1,030
926
Smith, Samuel
Squire, George. .35 9
480
71
Smith, James N
..
143
Stone - .35 10 1,010
Slaughter, De Witt.
142
Shoemaker, Mathew 134 9 1
620
. .
Smith, James
45
Shieles, Michael.
75
Selvey, James W
160
Shoemaker, Robert .. .. 35 10 400
100
Savox, Joseph
122
Sutton, William .. W. Joliet Shoemaker, Michael .. Joliet
600
20
Swift, Shubal .37 10
900
306
Stillman & Cook
..
..
70
Strunk, John
763
Seward, H. F.
50
Small, Patrick .. .35 9
240
Sackett, Morton B. . .. 34 9
617
159
Stevens, Robert. .. 35
9 2,525
1.076
Shoemaker, Joseph .... 33 9
800
289
Shepard, A . Joliet, 35 10
2,350
110
Smith, Mary S. and }
,34 9
480
Short, Isaac.
162
137 11
240
Scott, Seth .35 10
422
77
Schermerhorn, C. B .... 34 9
530
375
Sheriff Williams Joliet
300
Scott, Jedediah 35 10
200
137
Stillman, O. W Joliet
150
Smith, Robert R .. .35 12
120
94
Sampson, B. B Joliet
250
Smith, Truman 35 12
60
163
Stact, James. Joliet
10
Shipman, Godfrey .33 9
240
Stuart, W. W
35 12
60
Seymour, M
35 12
120
Stevens, Sheppard.
112
Safford, Jos. B.
225
Smith, Rufus 35 12
1,226
354
Smith, Russell ..
222
Smith, Archibald .35 12
110
92
Sprague, Ephraim ..
.35
180
428
Sammons, Jacob
144
Smith, David.
77
Schermerhorn & Mer- 1 34 rick 9 640
1,601
135
Smith, Albin 36 10 11
360
128
Shearer, John.
4:2
Simmons, Philander ... 35 11 Steel, George 36 11
240
152
Stephens, Henry K . Joliet
3,510
181
Streetor, Zimri
231
Stewart, Peter. Wilmington ..
2,000
Savage, Levi.
36 11
'500
153
Thompson, Daniel.
88
Tanner, John, Jr.
233
Scarret, Isaac
Tuttle, Amos .. Wilmington 150
90
Smith, Leander
132
Thompson, S. C ... Wilm'ton Thomas, Martin.
320
68
Smith, Reuben W
488
60
Shelden, Michael ..
516
Till, Morris ..
165
Snyder, Savory
156 Talcott, E. B. . Lockp't, 36 10
1,070
225
Sherwood, Stephen ..
245
Toole, John. Lockport 60
. . .
Sanborn, William ...... 36 9
1,218
297
Toole, James. ..
28
Sanborn, T. C. & A .... 36 9 600
120
Tighe, Francis .
750
143
Sterns, Nathaniel. Plainfield 200
538
Twiss, Wid. Betsy.Plainfield Turner, J. M . 36 9
630
45
Smith, Chester's heirs .36 9
1,680
Tyler, Simon B. .37
9
700
24
Shutliff, Benj
. .
... Taylor, Solomon ...... Joliet
350
..
Selfridge, George W .. 35 9
120
45
Tuttle, F. B. .. Plainfield
....
30
Sage, Elizur.
63 Tyler. Daniel .... . Plainfield
50
Sage & Willard. :34 9 397
.. .
Towner, Fran. E . Plainfield
..
274
. .
. .
. .
Still, John. .35 11
833
251
Snapp, A .Joliet, 36 10
2,364
1,009
Sayre, Charles.
Smith, Jedediah .32 9
479
450
461
Smith, Carlos
99
Smith, Julius
35 10 12
140
83
Sanborn, William 35 12
60
590
Seybert, James.
274
Stout, James ..
Smith, Charles A 36 10 240
Stevens, Robert Joliet
360
Philo Carpenter.
Spellman, Martin. Lockport 150
..
Smith, Timothy
244
Shoemaker, Jos. & Cath35 10 640
185
Smith, Nathan
68
Shadley, Daniels
140
Shoemaker, M. & M ...
50
Spicer, George .37 10
760
199
Sprague, Thomas 37 10
560
70
Shurz, Jacob. 100
...
15
Semington, William .. Joliet Smith, Andrew
..
56
Stewart, Nathan .37 10
30
Simpson, John. 36 11
760
512
Smart, James
..
Strait, Ira
213
Sutliff, Julius.
320
255
. .
Sisson, Holder 36 10
992
484
Joliet
Scroggins, Benj.
195
Rossetter, David B .. .36
9 3,545 769
Riddler, John I
52
133 10
Shea, Edward 85
Shannon, Thomas. 26
Sanborn, Wm .... .36 9 120
Turney, James.Joliet, 36 10
150
10
Sherman, Lewis .. ...... 36 9
477
60 Tuttle, Sally .. Plainfield
70
....
Selfridge, Lorenzo B .. 35 9 429
182
Sandford, Adam
Sargent, Enoch
Schermerhorn, Peter .. 34 9 1,002
Joliet
Strong, Robert
385
388
20
Smart, William 138 115
..
..
Name.
243
146
GENERAL HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
Name.
T R Val. Val. of Per. Land Prop
Name.
T R Val. Val. of
Per.
Tibbets, Thomas. . Plainfield
107
Warren, Hiram.
.37 10
1,440 583
Taylor, James B. . Plainfield
....
130
Wheeler, Mansfield .. .. 35 10
2,640
179
Watkins, John. ii
784
Watkins, Philo. 35 11
240
261
Trustees, Sch.Town-{ ship 35, Range 12
36 11
160
Thornton, W. A. Cary.35
9
1,315
310
Treat, Stephen D .34
9
619
173
Treat, Isaiah M .34
9
160
Treat, Seymour. 34
9
397
291
Worcester, Philip
35 12
480
135
Treat, Isaiah & Fith- ian, W.
34 9 306
320
Wear, Aaron .. .35 11
1,180
366
Thornburgh, Robert .. 34
9
400
192
Weeks, Nathaniel .36 11
900
385
Thornburgh, John. .. 34
9
560
Weeks, Joseph.
....
113 406 201
Thatcher, Allen.
36 10
2,895
510
Whalen, Samuel
Wright, W .Plainfield
9
25
72
Thomas, Amasa S ...... 37 10
60
Ward, John . 35
9
1,080
285
Taylor, E. D.
.W. Joliet
5,635 N. R.
Wilson, Chas. L Joliet
100
Uram, Jonathan. .
146
Wade, Thomas J Joliet
4,000
406
Underwood, Thomas .. 34 10
363
242
Williams, Thomas .37 10
608
294
Urquahart, Hugh. .. 33 9
240
Watters, Wm. .Joliet
2,000
85 1,605
Van Riper, John J ..... 36 9
2,020
Waters, Wm .... Joliet
200
20 35
Van Dusen, John ..... 35 11
510
502
Wormwood, Valentine ..
1,600
368
Van Horne, Cor. C ..
110
Wright, Abner. Wilmington
175
26
Vassan, Noel.
1,171
Whitton, John. Wilmington
20
720
Van Meter, Thomas R.
924 156
White, Lyman Joliet
300
75
Van Dusen, George ... 35 11
200
158
Worthington, M
Wade, John
Wooley, Jeddiah Jr ... 35 9
150
86
Williams, John C . .. 36 11
2,302
Williams, W. H. & Co .. 36 11
420
...
Wooley, J. & W. P
.35 9
160
...
Williams & Clark ... .36 11
640
..
Willard, Reuben. .34 9
100
65
Williams, Wm. H. .36 11
2,432
...
Wheaton, Josiah
89
Williams, Ashley 36 11
240
...
Waters, Roger
27
Williams, E. S .. 36 11
360
240
. .
...
....
50
Williams, James .. .37 10
240
Willard, Gipsom. 34 9
800
250
Wilson, John M. .. Joliet
4,016
100
Whalen, John.
65
Williams, Thomas .37 10
360
Wickens, Joseph
227
Walley, James .... Lockport Witherell, John ..... Joliet Woodruff, Geo. H .... Joliet
350
. . . .
Walsh, Nathaniel .
142
Walker, Charles ... .. Joliet
300
. .
Watkins, Robert.
102
Williams, Ebenezer ... 36 9
36
93
Williams, Samuel .34 10
600
. .
Young, James L. . Wilm't'n
95
25
Watkins, Benj 34 9
400
.... Young, Nicholas.
600
55
Ward, John E ..
..
50
Young, William D
174
Ward, Hannibal 37 10
591
Young, George. .34 10
364
199
Watkins, Darius.
80 Zarley, Reason. .35 10
1,220
542
Webb, Thomas heirs of.37 10
1,887
Zumwalt, Joseph .34 10
929
157
Wescott, Seth. 37 10
2,200
592
Zumwalt, Jacob 34 9
1,139
286
9
840
191
Walker, James
Willard, Thomas .35 9
9
1,225
337
Templeton, James .. .. 34
9
160
140
Wooley, Thomas .35 9
240
105 200
Taylor, Philo.
Taylor, Almon 36 10
520
Wood, Chas
42
Tryon's Russell Heirs .. 34 9
437
120
16
Thompson, James . .34 9
120
Torry, Henry.
34 9
230
....
Wear, John
Worcester, Lewis
254 119
Thornburgh, William .. 34 9 340
272
Wells, Wm. C
Weaver, Benj. 36 11
1,900
Thompson, Seymour
160
Weaver, Nathaniel .35 11
2,060
90
Walsh, Rostom
40
Worl, John
197
Wadley, Case.
82
Woodard, Edwin
192
130
Treat, Carleton.
560 140
Talvert, Richard
36
Tracey, James
60
Williamson, John.
Wood, Willard
Wogent, Wm. L
....
Todd, Hiram.
144
Taylor, Justin.
178
408
Tryon, George. 34
Van Riper, John H ..
307
Wilcox, Edmund
Wright, N ..... Wilmington
140
48
Van Decan, Silas
145
Williams, Mrs. Lucy.
366
Williams, Wm .... Lockport Watkins, Peter .34 9
240
....
Woodruff, John B
200
White, C .... Lockport, 36 10 Widdie, George
890
374
Warren, Daniel.
Joliet
50
Wilson, John L
Wilson, John Q. Joliet, 35 10
1,653
. .
Woodruff, E. B.Joliet, 35 10
4,480
1,752
Williams, John
371
Wheeler, Andrew B ... 36 9 Yake, Michael .. ... .Joliet
300
44
Williams, Joseph .34 10
640
Williams, Luther 36 11
600
...
62
Yates, Andrew.
....
80
Wilson, Samuel.
...
Wright, James.
316
Williams, Chas. A. .36 11
Will, John B
145
Van Horne, Mathew
237
Woodruff, Geo.Joliet, 36 9
Venkirk, George W
31
Van Meter, James W.
301
120
100
....
100
210
186
217
York, Thomas 36 19
Land Prop
· Tickner, Luman .. Plainfield Telfer, George. 36 11
214
Waldnem, Albert.
Wooley, Jeddiah, Sr .. 35
66
Wooley, Robert. .35
147
GENERAL HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
The total assessed value of lands and personal property 1842 was as follows: Value of resident owners' land in country and villages, $564,794; of personal property, $209,179, giving a total of $773,973. The value of non-residents' lands in the country was $339,710, as follows: Wilmington, $540; Joliet, $9,778; East Joliet, $7,870; West Joliet, $2,885; Additions to Joliet, $125; Bowen's addition to Joliet, $2,145; Campbell's addition to Joliet, $440; school sections of Joliet, $17,667; Cassedy's addition to Joliet, $3,280; Runyan's Lockport, $1,133; East Lockport, $1,295; Archer's addition to Lockport, $1,925, aggregating $385,762. This with value of residents' property gives a total value of $1,159,735. The above is a recapitulation of assessment by Isaac Jessup, assessor, in 1842.
During the years 1834-6, the people of this county were animated with the same spirit of enterprise which marked the Legislature of those times. It was a season of ambition when every business venture seemed to wait inauguration only to claim success. In 1836, the village of Palmyra was laid out for C. W. Brandon. During the era of great paper enterprises, the cities of Lunenburg, Athens, New Buffalo, Scotchtown, New Rochester, Williamsburg, Kepotaw, Middletown, Swifton (now Channa- hon), Vienna, Chelsea, Romeo, Carlisle and West Lockport were platted; Shermanville was a recent'venture. The map of to-day does not give more than two of these locations, viz .: Romeo and Channahon. The last named village, originally known as the mouth of the Du Page, possesses beauty of location and rich agricultural surroundings. While the county has advanced from an assessed valuation of $1,159,735 in 1842, to a true value ap- proximating $36,000,000 in 1883-4, many of the old villages have disappeared entirely, a few of them hold their own, such as Wilmington (Winchester) and Lockport; while Joliet has exceeded in her manufactures and commerce the brightest day dreams of founders and old residents.
Organic and Political History .- On the organization of Illinois Territory in 1809, it was divided into the counties of Randolph and St. Clair. In 1818, the whole northwest part of the State belonged to Madison as set off from St. Clair on the establishment of State government. In 1821, Pike county was found, and in 1823 Fulton county was organized. When this (Fulton) county was established and for over two years thereafter, it extended east and west from the Illinois to the Mississippi rivers, and from the base line near where Rush- ville, Schuyler county, now stands, to the northern boundary of the State, including the country where Rock Island, Galena, Peoria, Joliet and Chicago now are. It was indeed a large county, and embraced what is now the wealthiest
148
GENERAL HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
and most populous portion of the great West. The great lead mines of Galena had not yet been discovered, and Chi- cago was only a trading and military post. In 1825 the Legislature created Peoria county and attached to it for all county purposes all the country lying north of it within this State on both sides of the Illinois river as far east as the third principal meridian. The Commissioners' Court of that county convened for the first time March 8, 1825.
Going back to 1831, we find that the Cook county Com- missioners' Court, under the act organizing the county, was opened March 8 of that year. The first record we have is that "Samuel Miller, Gholson Kercheval and James Walker, Commissioners of Cook county, were sworn into office by J. S. C. Hogan, Justice of the Peace. William See was ap- pointed Clerk of the Commissioners' Court, who, after being duly sworn and giving bonds 'according to law, the Court proceeded to business.' Archibald Clybourne was appoint- ed County Treasurer, and an order passed that the ‘S. W. fraction of Sec. 10 in T. 39 N., R. 14 East of the third prin- cipal meridian, be entered for County purposes.' At the next meeting, March 9, the Treasurer is authorized to bor- row one hundred dollars, with which to enter the land before mentioned, and he is directed 'not to give more than six per cent interest.' It is also ordered that Jesse Walker be employed to enter the land, that Jedediah Wooley be nominated to the Governor for County Surveyor, and that there be three precincts in the county of Cook, to wit: 'the Chicago Precinct,' the 'Hickory Creek Precinct,' and the 'Du Page Precinct." The boundaries of these three pre- cincts were established, Judges of Election appointed, and the times and the places of holding the same. Grand and
Petit Jurors were selected."
In 1832 the Commissioners' ordered a road to be laid out "from the town of Chicago, the nearest and best way to the house of the widow Brown, on 'Hycory creek,' and that James Kinzie, Archibald Clybourne and R. E. Heacock be the viewers." From a statement returned by the Sheriff of Cook county, April 4, 1832, it is shown that the amount of the tax list on real and personal property, for the year ending March 1st, 1832, was $148.29; and that the non-resi- dent delinquent tax list amounted to $10.50. Of this amount there had been paid into the treasury $142.28. The Treas- urer's report for the same period shows that the amount re- ceived from licenses "to keep tavern," sell goods, etc., was $225.50; taxes paid in, as per Sheriff's report, were $132.28-
149
GENERAL HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
total, $357.78-and to balance this amount, the Treasurer reports license tax delinquencies to the amount of $88.50. Paid out for County Orders, $252.35-leaving balance in the treasury of $15.93.
In Mr. Calhoun's Democrat of November 25th, 1835, we find the first census of the town of Chicago, and the county of Cook. The town then contained 3,265, and the county 9,773 inhabitants. Mr. Calhoun speaks of this as a very en- couraging increase, as the county contained only a very few inhabitants when it was organized in 1830. As late as the 20th of January, 1836, he regrets to learn that Will county is to be set off from Cook, as it will probably "lessen our political influence in the State."
The organization of Will county followed in 1836. Geo. H. Woodruff, dealing with this important event in the his- tory of the county, says: "During the winter of 1835-36, through the efforts of our citizens, especially James Walker and Dr. A. W. Bowen, who went to Vandalia as members of the Third House, and who were both shrewd and influ- ential men, an act was passed creating the county of Will. It received its name from Conrad Will, a member of the Legislature who had died just before. Governor Ford, in his history, says, that he was chiefly remarkably for his good nature. We accept the name as a just compliment to our people. Dr. Bowen got inserted in the act a provision locating the county seat not only in Joliet, but on the public square which Campbell had had the sagacity to appropriate for that purpose. Thus the East Side made a second point on us of the West Side (it had already got the postoffice). An election was ordered in March for a Sheriff, three Coun- ty Commissioners, Recorder and Coroner. A convention was called to nominate the county officers. This was held in the upper room of the old Demmond Block, which had just been erected. And here the West Side made a point. This convention was called without regard to party, and was largely attended by the substantial settlers throughout the county. Of course they would make out a good ticket. They nominated Holder Sisson, Thomas Durham and James Walker, for Commissioners; Robert Stevens for Sheriff ; George H. Woodruff for Recorder (here is the point), and E. M. Daggett for Coroner. The ticket met with some op- position at to Recorder, and Sheriff especially, but it was triumphantly elected. In those days we could make a good run, if nothing else. The principal tactics we used was to keep out of sight, which we think was sagacious. It is
10
150
GENERAL HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
worthy of note here that at this election those living on the East Side were obliged to go to Philip Scott's on Section 23, and those living on the West Side to Plainfield, in order to vote. Robert Stevens declined to qualify as Sheriff, and in the Fall, at the first regular election, "Uncle Fenner Aldrich," who had lived at Plainfield, was chosen in time for the first Circuit Court. We need hardly say that the Board of County Commissioners answered to our Board of Supervisors, transacting the business of the entire county. Their first meeting was held at "Joliet Hotel," then kept by Thomas H. Blackburn, on March 14, 1836. They appointed Levi Jenks, a west sider, County Clerk and School Commis- sioner, and Charles Clement, Treasurer of the county. They divided the county into ten election precincts, as follows :
Du Page Precinct .- Consisting of Town 37, in Ranges 9 and 10 (now the towns of Du Page and Wheatland). Elections to be held at the house of David K. Clark. Harry Boardman, Seth Wescott and Isaac Scarrett to be Judges of Election. Plain- field Precinct-Towns 35 and 36, in Range 9 (Troy and Plain- field). Elections at house of Chester Ingersoll. Oliver Goss, W. W. Wattles and R. W. Chapman, Judges. Canal Precinct -Town 36, in Ranges 10 and 11 (Lockport and Homer). Elec- tion at house of Luther C. Chamberlin. Charles Gray, Selah Lanfear and Comstock Hanford, Judges. Joliet Precinct- Town 35, Range 10 (Joliet). Elections at the house of Thomas H. Blackburn. Issac Merrill, Thos. H. Blackburn and Alonzo Castle, Judges. Hickory Creek-Town 35, in Ranges 11 and 12 (New Lenox and Frankfort). Election at the house of Chester Marshall. Mansfield Wheeler, Lewis Kerchival and John I. Davidson, Judges. Jackson-Town 34, Ranges 9 and 10 (Channahon and Jackson). Elections at the house of Jasper Willson. Henry Watkins, Seymour Treat and Joseph Shoe- maker, Judges. Forked Creek-Towns 32 and 33, in Range 9 and 10 (Reed, Wilmington, Florence, Wesley and Custer). Elections at house of Robert Watkins. John Kilpatrick,
Hamilton Keeney and Thomas Cox, Judges. Rock Village- Towns 32, 33 and 34, in Ranges 11 and 12 (Manhattan, Green- garden, Wilton and Peotone, and two townships now in Kan- kakee county). Elections at house of Samuel Davis. Archer Caruthers, Samuel Davis and Hugh Carmichael, Judges. Thorn Creek-Town 34, in Ranges 13 and 14 (Monee and Crete). 'Elec- tions at house of Minoris Beebe. Minoris Beebe, -, Judges. Kankakee-Towns 32 and 33, in Ranges 13 and 14 (Will and Washington, and two townships now in Kankakee county). Elections at house of Enoch Sergeant.
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151
GENERAL HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
Canal Precinct was divided the next year into Lockport and Spring Creek (now Homer), and Channahon was set off into Van Buren Precinct. The county was divided into seventeen Road Districts, and Supervisors appointed, and all able-bodied men between the ages of 21 and 50 required to work five days on the roads. Trustees of School Sections were appointed. Viewers were also appointed to lay out the first county road from Joliet to Plainfield and on to the county line. This was the first road authorized to be laid out by the Commissioners' of Will county, and the second road in the county, the first being that from Hickory Creek to Chicago.
On the first organization of the county, there was includ- ed a tier of four townships on the south, lying east of Wesley, and also that part of the townships south of them and north of Kankakee which were detached on the formation of Kankakee county in 1853. Commissioners Thomas Durham and F. Worcester were from this section. In 1839, the question of attaching half the towns of Wheat- land and Du Page to the new county of Du Page was decid- ed by a majority of one in favor of remaining in Will county.
The County Court and County Commissioners .- In 1847 a State election was held for members of the Constitutional Convention, which Convention prepared and submitted to the people a new constitution, which was adopted by a large majority. By this constitution, in place of the Commission- ers' Court a County Court was organized in each county. This Court consisted of a County Judge, and, if the Legislat- ure saw proper to so order it, two Associate Justices. This the Legislature favorably acted upon. The last meeting of the County Commissioners' Court was held in 1849. After the transaction of such business as properly came before them, they adjourned until court in course, but never re- assembled. The plan of Township Government was adopted in 1859, although the Commissioners' were to serve until 1850. The names of the members of the old board are as follows; Holder Sisson, 1836-39; Thomas Durham, 1836-38; James Walker, 1836; R. L. Wilson, 1837-38; J. Blackstone, 1839; Thomas Cox, parts of 1839-40; W. B. Peck, 1839-42; William Gougar, part of 1840-41; H. Sisson, 1840; Samuel Whalon, 1841-43; N. Hawley, 1842-44; F. Mitchell, 1844- 46; Willard Wood, 1843-44; Robert Stevens, 1845-47; James Walker, 1846-49; J. B. Schemerhorn, 1848-49; F. Worcester, 1847-49. On the 3d of December, 1849, the first regular term of the County Court was held. The duties of
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GENERAL HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
the Court in a legislative capacity were precisely the same as those of the County Commissioners' Court. In addition to the legislative power the members of this Court were permitted to exercise judicial authority, having all the rights and privileges of justices of the peace, together with all pro- bate business. The Court consisted of a County Judge and two Associate Justices. The Judge and Associate Justices acted together for the transaction of all county business, but none other. The Justices had an equal vote with the Judge, and received the same salary while holding court, which was $2 per day. Two of the three constituted a quorum.
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