USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 53
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Elmore, Redding, Crane Creek, Aug. 12, 1862; deserted Feb. 13, 1863.
Frey, Ulrich, San Jos., Aug. 12, 1862; deserted Oct. 15, 1863.
Ford, John, San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862 ; m. o. Aug. 5, 1865. Garran, G. W., San Jose, Aug. 12. 1862; died Feb. 13, 1×63, at Young's Point
Gardner, Leonard, Prairie Creek, Aug. 12, 1×62 ; deserted in Sept., 1×62.
Hutchinson, Sam, San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; trans. to Inv. Corps Jan. 15, 1864.
Hillman, J. C., San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; died Jan. 31, 1863.
Jones, Jobn C., Bath, Aug. 12, 1862; deserted Jan. 19, ING3.
Kidder, Z. B., San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; disd. Sept. 23, 1863. Keiting, P'nt., San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; m. o. Aug. 5, 1865.
Lahey, Nicholas, San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; m. o. Aug. 5, 1865.
Lucas, Alfred, Ilath, Aug. 12, 1862; died Jan. 26, 1864. Moore, John, Jr., San Jose, Aug. 12, 1×62; deserted Oct. 6, 1863.
Moore, John, Sr., San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; died July 13, 1863.
Martin. J. A., San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862 ; died July 29, 1863, At St. Louis.
McCarty, Michael, San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; deserted Dec. 18, 1×62.
McNaughton, Geo., San Jose, Ang. 12, 1862; m. o. Ang. 5, 1865.
MeGhee, F. J., San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; disd. for disability Aug. 28, 1862.
Orm, R. M., Prairie Creck, Aug. 12, 1862; disd. July 24,
Pounds. Thonms, Bath, Aug. 12, 1862; deserted Oct. 22,
Setters, J. W., Crane Creek, Aug. 12, 1862; disd. March 7, 1×62.
Sollben, James, Bath, Aug. 12, 1862; printd. Principal Musician.
Totten, Daniel, San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; m. o. Aug 5, 1865.
Tyler, C. W., San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; disd. for disability May 17, 1865.
Youtz, Abraham, San Jose, Aug. 12, 1862; died Jan 20, 1×63.
RECRUITS.
Anno, A. N., Spring Lake, Sept. 27, 1864 ; m. o. Aug. 5, 1865.
Campbell, M. A., Spring Lake, Sept. 27, 1864 ; m. o. July 1, 1865. Charles, John, Spring Lake, Sept. 21, 1864.
485
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR- TEENTH INFANTRY.
Company D.
RECRUITS.
llolmes. Samuel, Spring Lake, Sept. 22, 1864 ; m. o. Aug. 5, 1865.
Nale. William, Spring Lake, Sept. 22, 1864; m. o. Aug. 5, 1865. ('Conor, Peter, Spring Lake, Sept. 22, 1864; m. o. Aug. 5, 1865.
Thompson, J. W., Spring Lake, Sept. 22, 1864 ; m. o. Aug. 5, 1865.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY- THIRD INFANTRY. (One Hundred Days.) Company C.
Daskin, R. B., Mason City, April 27, 1864. Hewett, S. P., Havana, May 10, 1864.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY- NINTH INFANTRY. (One Hundred Days.)
Company I.
Capt. W. H. Caldwell, Havana, June 1, 1864, n. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
First Lieut. Frank A. Moseley, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Second Lieut. John B. Brush, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
First Sergt. W. H. Patterson, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Sergt. John Cogshall, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Sergt. James R. Teney, Ilavana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Sergt. O. W. Clotfelter, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Sergt. Wm. A. Martin, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Corp. John Nix, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Corp. C. E. Hitchcock, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Corp. Henry Wilkins, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Corp. C. S. Chambers, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Corp. James II. Daniels, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Corp. Thomas II. Jobns, Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oet. 28, 1864. Corp. Charles A. Gore, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oet. 28, 1864. Corp. Oscar H. Harpham, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Musician Wm. II. O'Riley, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Musician Ed. A. Schemerhorn, llavana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Wagoner John II. Sherwood, lfavana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Atkin, Andrew J., Ilavana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Bowers, J. T., llavana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Brandt, Otto, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Bubert, Henry, llavana, June 1, 1864; died at Cairo. Clarkson, John L., Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Carman, Jolin L., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Clotfelter, Charles, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oet. 28, '64. Cross, Geo. W., Ilavana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Cogshall, Charles, Bath, June 1, 1861 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Cress, N. R., Hlavana, June 1, 1861 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Deverman, H. G., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Duvall, Simpson, llavana, June I. 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Dew, James, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1861.
Donlin, James C., Ilavana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 2x, 1864.
Earl, Geo. B., Hlavana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. England, Azariah, Havana, June 1, 1861; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
England, Isaac W., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Ort. 28, 1864.
Grant, Charles C., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 2x, 1864.
Griggs, Matthew, Bath, June 1, 1861 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1861. Hardin, William C., Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, '64. Fill, Mark D., Bath, June 1, 1864; in. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Halliday, Geo. S., Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Hollingsworth, A. B., Bath, June 1, 1864; ni. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Jones, Richard, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Judson, W. H. H., Havana, June 1, 1861; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Krafts, August, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, '64. Kirk, James, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Knight, Thomas, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Lacy, Robert, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Littell, Nathaniel, Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Lisco, James, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Martin, Godfrey, Havana, June 1, 1864; ni. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Martin, John M., Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oet. 28, 1864. Moore, J. F., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Nichols, C. A., Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. O'Leary, George D., Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, '64. Parkhurst, Geo. A., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864
Pegram, Hardin, Bath, June 1, 1864 ; in. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Pesterfield, John W., Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Pounds, Henry, Ilavana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, '64. Ruekman, Lemuel, Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Rupert, W. H., HIavana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Shultz, George M., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Shultz, James M., Havana, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
Sisson, Marcus, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Smith, Irving, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oet. 28, 1864 Toland, P. A., Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Tolly, Walter, Bath, June 1, 1864; m. o. Oet. 28, 1864. Thompson, N E., Bath, June 1. 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Walker, W. H., Havana, June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864. Wente, Fred., Topeka, June 1, 1864 : m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
RECRUITS.
Shay. Martin, Mason Co., June 1, 1864 ; m. o. Oct. 28, '64. Stillman, Il. J. B., Mason Co., June 1, 1864; m. o. Oct. 28, 1864.
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY- FIFTH INFANTRY.
(One Hundred Days.)
Company H.
Earnett, John, Mason City, June 9, 1864; m. o. Sept. 23, 1864.
Griffith, John M., Mason City, June 9, 1864; m. o. Sept. 23, 1864.
Herwig, Jacob, Mason City, June 9, 1864; m. o. Sept. 23, 1864.
Newberry, George, Mason City, June 9, 1864; m. o. Sept. 23, 1864.
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY- EIGHTH INFANTRY. (One Year.)
Company C.
Corp. A. J. Roberts, Manito, Feb. 8, 1865 ; absent at m. o. Barnes, John, Manito, Feb. 8, 1865; in. o. Sept. 5, 1865. Boone, W. C., Manito, Feb. 8, 1865 ; m. o. Sept. 5, 1865. Douden, John, Manito, Feb. 8, 1865; m. o. Sept. 5, 1865.
486
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
Douden, Reese, Manito, Feb. 8, 165; m. o. Sept. 5, 1865. Pollard, Wm., Manito, Feb. >, 1-65 ; m. o. Sept. 5, 1$65. Porter, C. H., Manito, Feb. 8, 1×65; m. o. Sept. 5, 1865. Pollard, B. F., Manito, Feb. 8, Ise5 ; m. o. Sept. 5, 1865. Pendleton, (., Manito, Feb. 8, 1865 ; deserted. Reynolds, 11. C., Manito, Feb. 8, 1865 ; deserted, 1865. smith, G., Manito, Feb. 8, 1865; in. o. Sept. 5, 1865. White, G. W., Manito, Feb. 8, 1865; died in March, 1865.
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY- FIRST INFANTRY. (One Year.) Company B.
RECRUITS.
RankIns, John R., Havana, Feb. 14, 1565. shugart, John, Havana, Feb. 14. 1865 ; deserted.
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY- SECOND INFANTRY. One Year. Company A.
RECRUITS.
Fisher, Robert F., Easton, Feb. 7, 1865 ; died at Jeffer- sonville. Fisher, J II. B., Easton, Feb. 7, 1863; died at home.
The regimental history of other regiments in which the soldier- of Mason County served would be cheerfully given, but there is not room in the book for all ; nor have we the nec- essary time to devote to the work. So far as we have gone, it is believed that a true and reliable history is given, such as may be handed down to posterity with confidence in its general correctness and completeness. Of course, there may be some errors in names. which will always occur among so many.
Justice and impartiality has been aimed at, and if there is any failure, it is not from any prejudice or partiality. The good name and reputation, as well as the welfare of every Union soldier in the great army of volunteers, are dearly enshrined in the memory of the writer, who so long shared in their hardships, their dangers and their triumphs. It is the campaigning and the battle field that make men feel near and dear to each other. The burly Dutchman, the wild Irishman, and all nationalities, mingle together in battle and in death and are ever bound together in one con- mon brotherhood.
ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARDS.
The Seventh Regiment of Illinois National Guards was organized August 17, 1877, with headquarters at Peorin Col. Isaac Taylor, of
Peoria, has command of the regiment. The Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment is J. S. Kirk, of Havana. Major, O. P. Crane, Sur- greon, of Mason City.
Two companies of this regiment belong to Mason County-one in Havana, and the other in Mason City.
Company F, of Havana.
l'apl. Wm II. Webb.
First Lieut. J. C. Yates.
Second Lient. S. F. Kyle.
First Sergt. S. A. Mur lock.
Second Sergt. J. R. Murdock. disd.
Second Sergi. J. W. Patton.
Third Sergt. ('. B. Ketcham.
Fourth sergt. C. N. Warner.
Fifth sergt. W. A. Brown.
First Corp. Henry Myers.
Second Corp. L. P. Dorrel .
Third Corp. E. (. Dearborn.
Fourth Corp. II. R. Havighorst.
Fifth Corp. J. J. Parkhurst.
Sixth Corp. Charles Pollitz.
Seventh Corp. W. C. Rodecker.
Eighth Corp. F. W. Blanchard.
Musician W. L. Ketcham.
Musician E. O. Wheadon.
Privates .- Giles Atkins, J. P. Atwater, John Barry, Isaac Bend, Valentine Ball, A. W. Beck, George Brown, John L. Carman (died in 1879, William Chambers, Abe Davis, R. F. Drone, Lewis Doherer, W. H. Emerson, H. A. Ferbrache, Goodwin Ford, Gust. Gartheffner, Ol. Green- walt, G. W. Hillyer, W. H. Hillyer, Isaac M. Henninger, George Q. Hlenninger, W. A. Henninger, Judson Hen- ninger, Charles II. Hoffner, W. C. Iloffner, J. C. John- stone, llenry Kindorp, Frank Lally, W. W. Langford, Frank Lewis, C. II. Lury, Dan. MIc)lahon, A. W. Nash. J. E. Nelms, Jr., Charles Paul. E. W. Paul, A. Peterson, G. 11. Prater, J. P. Prettyman, J. W. Reese, J. W. Sard, W'in. Schultz, J. H. Schulte, Jr., Walter Spink, John Schwenck, W. S. stout, E. A. Thornburg.
Company I, of Mason City.
Capt. Amoe Trout.
First Lieut. George B. Jackson.
Second Lient. John F. Heffernan.
First sergt. Geo. Il. Kern. Second Sergt. Enoch J. Pittsford.
Third Sergt. Harry ('. Thompson. Fourth Sergt. George II. Constant
Fifth Sergt. Ed. S. Carrey.
First Corp. John J. Cox. Second Corp. Nelson L'ar-on.
Third Corp. Henry Kile. Fourths Corp. Win. H. Malone.
Fifth Corp. Samuel B. Spear Sixth Corp. Charles M. Patterson.
seventh Corp. Willard E. Lesourd.
Musician Edward W. Fuller.
Privates .- W. G. Black, Jno. E. Beck, Melville Ches- ter, Bruce, Chenoweth, Lorenzo D) Cox, Amos T. Cole, Thomas F. Case, Jno. F. Connelly, Bradley W. Case, Elijah M. Crafton, Henry Dallas, Ludwick Davis, Edw. 1. Dunbar, Corey Fletcher, Harland F. Gregory, Joseph Harrison, Geo. W. Kinnaman, John W. Krittey, William Keefer, Jno. Krirksman, Francls M. Ludlam, Eugene Mathers, James O'Brien, Wm. J. Rutherford, J. W. Rozell, Henry 0. Shaggy, J. Il Sirichtman, Gammel Smith, Engene Spongenburg, Thos. O. Townsand, Isaac Taylor, Gro. W. Tracy, Edward A. Whitney, Emanuel Wharam.
487
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
CITIES AND VILLAGES IN MASON COUNTY.
NAME OF PLACES.
ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS.
Date of Survey.
Popula- tion.
Havana
O. M. Ross
1827
2600
Bath
John Kerton.
1836
800
Moscow
O. M. Ross (obsolete)
1836
Lynchburg
Rea & May ( obsolete).
1837
Matanzas
Homes & Powell (obsolete
1839
Mason City
Yates, Straut and others.
1857
1600
Natrona.
Conklin & Co
1857
100
Manito
Fullerton & Cox
1858
450
San Jose.
Dillon, Morgan, Parker & Kidder
1858
400
Saidora.
Joseph Adkins
1859
Topeka
Thomas & Eckard.
1860
250
Forest City
Dearborn & Kemp ..
1862
200
Peterville
Peter Thornburg.
1868
50
Kilbourne
J. B. Gum and others.
1870
150
Long Branch
J. M. Ruggles and B. Il. Gatton
1871
Sedan
J. F. Kelsey.
1871
Easton
James M. Samuel
1872
200
Teheran.
Alexander Blunt
1873
50
Poplar City
Martin Scott
1873
Biggs
Paul G. Biggs.
1875
Snicarte
Mark A. Smith
1858
50
POLITICS OF MASON COUNTY.
For many years, the political preponderance in the county was so evenly balanced between Whigs and Democrats that the personal popularity of the candidate usually determined the result, and it may be said that the same con- dition still continues, as the present county offices are filled by five Democrats and four Republicans.
At the first Presidential election, after the organization of Mason County, the great American statesman, Henry Clay, carried the county by one vote, over James K. Polk. From that time down to 1872, the Democratic majorities for President ranged from twelve to ninety-eight. At the last two elections, the majority has been largely increased.
VOTES FOR PRESIDENT.
1844-Clay, 255; Polk, 254. 1848-Taylor, 391; Cass, 403; Van Buren, 4. 1852-Scott, 561; Pierce, 624; Hale, 5. 1856-Fremont, -; Buchanan, -; Fillmore, -. 1860-Lincoln, 1198; Douglas, 1224. 1864-Lincoln, 1155; McClellan, 1253. 1868-Grant, 1677; Seymour, 1719. 1872-Grant, 1386 ; Grecley, 1584. 1876-Hayes, 1566; Tilden, 1939 ; Cooper, 86.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN MASON COUNTY.
It is said that when some pious adventurers from Spain landed on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the first object that attracted their attention was a gal- lows on which some mutinous explorer of another party had been hung; the
Bishop's.
H. Bishop
488
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
sight of this gallows inspired their pious souls with joy, and they immediately knelt in prayer, thanking God "that their lot had been cast in a Christian land."
If the gallows and the gibbet are evidences of Christianity, Mason County is a God-forsaken country, for within her borders no gallows has yet been erected and no person hanged by order of any Court. Many murders and other high crimes have been committed in the county, for which the highest award of punishment has been a few years of labor in the Penitentiary.
There was a dead man found hanging on a black-jack tree. near Forest City, some years ago, but no jury or court had anything to do with it. It was a clear case of a tree bearing the fruit that comes of a life of crime! The eco- nomic ideas of the community seemed to justify the act, because the dead man had threatened the life of a good man living in the neighborhood, and was deserving the death which came to him without expense to the county !
In this respect the county has been managed too much in the interest of economy-for there ought to have been at least a dozen pair of gallows paid for and used by the county since its organization.
The people seem to have ignored capital punishment and have so far acted upon the theory that it is more merciful and less shocking to the sensibilities, to give life to human beings than to take it from them !
Of all the murders and homicides in the county, we cannot call to mind a single one that may not be traced to the intoxicating bowl that destroys the better nature of man and changes him into a maddened brute !
This being the cause of crime may also furnish the reason for a failure of punishment. The average juryman cannot for the life of him determine whether it is the man who made the liquor, the man who sold it, or the victim who drank it and committed the crime, that should be punished. In the per- plexity of the case the man who commits the crime goes free, because the eye of the law is not sharp enough to see who is the right one to punish.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES IN MASON COUNTY.
MASONIC.
The first Masonic Lodge in the county was opened in Havana, under dis- pensation, in 1849, and Leopold Stearns was the first to receive the Master Mason's degree.
Havana Lodge, No 88, A., F. & A. M., was chartered October 8, 1850.
Old Time Lodge, No. 629, Havana, was chartered October 8, 1869, and was consolidated with Havana Lodge, No. 88, February 14, 1877.
Havana Chapter, No. 86, Royal Arch Masons, at Havana ; date of dispen- sation, August 3, 1865 ; chartered October, 1865. Havana Chapter joins with Havana Lodge, No. 88, in the construction of Masonic Hall, now building- September, 1879.
Havana Council, No. 40, Royal and Select Masters, at Havana : date of dispensation, December 12, 1867: chartered at the meeting of the Grand
489
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
Council in October, 1868; merged into the Havana Chapter, No. 86, by action of the Grand Chapter and Grand Council consolidating into a Grand Chapter, in October, 1877.
Damascus Commandery, No. 42, at Havana ; date of dispensation, February 10, 1872 ; chartered October 22, 1872.
Bath Lodge, No. 494. A., F. & A. M .; chartered in October, 1866, at Bath.
Mason City Lodge, No. 403, A., F. & A. M., at Mason City ; chartered in January, 1864.
Manito Lodge, No. 476, A., F. & A. M., Manito : chartered October 3, 1866.
San Jose Lodge, No. 645, A., F. & A. M., San Jose ; chartered October 4, 1870.
For a more complete account of the benevolent Orders (Masonic and Odd Fellows), in Mason County, the reader is referred to the local history of the towns in which they are located.
We cannot fail to mention the splendid Masonic Hall now in course of erection on the north side of Main street, Havana. It will be an institution of which all the Masonic fraternity may justly be proud.
ODD FELLOWS.
Mason Lodge, No. 143, I. O. O. F., Havana; instituted April 4, 1854.
State Encampment, No. 34, I. O. O. F., Havana; instituted May 1, 1856.
Bath Lodge, No. 185, I. O. O. F., Bath ; instituted in 1849.
Mason City Lodge, No. 337, I. O. O. F., Mason City ; instituted in 1866.
Mason City Encampment, No. 175, I. O. O. F., Mason City : instituted in 1876.
San Jose Lodge, No. 380, I. O. O. F., San Jose ; instituted October 12, 1869.
Valley Encampment, No. 120, I. O. O. F, San Jose ; instituted October 10, 1871.
ORDER OF DRUIDS.
Havana Grove, No. 140, V. A. O. D., in Havana; organized May 13, 1874. They have a hall on the corner of Main and Plum streets.
POOR FARM.
Mason County is the owner of a Poor Farm of 160 acres : the northeast quarter of Section 32, Township 21, Range 6, near the embryo city of Teheran. Although it is called the " poor farm." it is in fact very rich in the quality of its soil, and the many advantages of location it possesses. It furnishes a very healthy, comfortable and desirable home for all the unfortunates who cannot have a home of their own, and is an institution that goes to the credit of the people who pay the yearly taxes to keep it up.
490
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS.
Havana, established in 1829, O. C. Easton. Postmaster ; Bath, 1842. U. B. Lindsey : Mason City, 1858, J. S. Baner ; Manito, 1860, J. Rosier ; Topeka, 1860, J. F. Rule : Forest City, 1864, A. Cross ; Saidora, 1868, John Adkins ; Snicarte, -; Bishops'. -; San Jose, 1860, Albert McAllister; Natrona, 1860, Richard Williams ; Kilbourne, 1872, C. L. Newell ; Long Branch, 1872, discontinued : Easton, 1873, E. Ferrell ; Poplar City, 1873, S. A. Poland ; Biggs, 1873, William Buchanan : Teheran, 1874, W. S. Rich.
There have been post offices at Lease's Grove, Quiver. Crane Creek and Field's Prairie, but they have long since been discontinued.
EDUCATIONAL.
When our forefathers declared, in the ordinance of 1787, that knowledge, with religion and morality, " was necessary to the good government and happi- ness of mankind." and that " schools and the means of education should for- ever be encouraged." they suggested the bulwark of American liberty. The first free-school system in Illinois was adopted in 1825, and under that system schools flourished in nearly every neighborhood in the State.
In the year 1824, Gov. Coles urged, in his message to the Legislature, their attention to the liberal donation of Congress in lands for educational purposes, asking that they be treasured as a rich inheritance for future generations, and at the same time making provisions for the support of local schools.
During the session of the Legislature, Hon. Joseph Duncan (then a State Senator and afterward Governor) introduced a bill, which was passed, with the following preamble, which shows a high appreciation of the subject at that early day : " To enjoy our rights and liberties, we must understand them ; their security and protection ought to be the first object of a free people : and it is a well established fact that no nation has ever continued long in the enjoyment of civil and political freedom which was not both virtuous and enlightened. And believing that the advancement of literature always has been, and ever will be. the means of more fully developing the rights of men-that the mind of every citizen in a republic is the common property of society, and consti- tutes the basis of its strength and happiness-it is therefore considered the peculiar duty of a free government, like ours, to encourage and extend the improvement and cultivation of the intellectual energies of the whole people."
In that law it was provided that common schools should be established, free and open to every class of white citizens between the ages of five and twenty- one, and persons over that age might be admitted on such terms as the Trustees should prescribe. Districts of not less than fifteen families were to be formed by the County Courts, upon petition of a majority of the voters thereof; offi- vers were to be elected, sworn in and their duties were prescribed in detail. The system was full and complete in all particulars. The legal voters were
491
HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
empowered at the annual meetings to levy a tax, in money or merchantable produce at its cash value, not exceeding one-half of one per cent, subject to a maximum limitation of $10 to any one person. Aside from this tax, the best and most effective feature of the law-the stimulant of our present system -- was an annual appropriation by the State of $2 out of every $100 received into the treasury, and the distribution of five-sixths of the interest arising from the school funds appropriated among the several counties, according to the number of white children under the age of twenty-one years, which sums were redistrib- uted by the counties among their respective districts, none participating therein where less than three months' school had been taught during the preceding year.
In this law were foreshadowed some of the most valuable features of our present free-school system. It is evident, however, that the law of 1825 was in advance of public sentiment. The people preferred to pay the tuition fees or go without education for their children, rather than submit to taxation, not- withstanding the burthen fell heaviest upon the wealthier classes, who virtually paid for the schooling of their poor neighbors' children, and the law was so amended, in 1827, as to virtually nullify it, by providing that no person should be taxed for the support of any school, unless consent was first obtained in writing, and the 2 per cent, which was the life of the system, was also abol- ished.
Such were the provisions of the first school laws of Illinois, and the virtual abolishment of the law of 1825 developed a crude system of schools that was continued nearly thirty years-under which system schools and schoolhouses were left to the local option of the neighborhood-some children having schools to go to and others no such privileges.
The adoption of the free-school system, entered upon in 1855, marks the turning-point in the educational system of Illinois, and abolished forever the crude school laws before in force.
The donation by Congress of the sixteenth section in every township (or, when sold, lands equivalent therefor), for the use of the inhabitants of the township for school purposes, amounted to over 998,000 acres of land in the State, and, had these lands been properly managed, they would have produced a school fund that would have done away with local taxation for school pur- poses.
The Legislature of 1854 took the first step in the right direction, by enact- in a law separating the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction from the office of Secretary of State, and creating a separate educational department of the government. Under this law, Gov. Matteson appointed Hon. Ninian W. Edwards State Superintendent of Common Schools. In January following, he submitted to the General Assembly a full report upon the condition of the pub- lic schools throughout the State, urged the education of the children of the State at the public expense, and presented a bill for a complete system of free
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