USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The History of Livingston County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 24
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The election in 1865 was an exceedingly exciting one, arousing animosities which were not allayed in years. The large Republican majorities given at the last election discouraged the Democracy, while the recent return of so large a body of Union soldiers who had been for years promised by those who served in the grand army of stay-at-homes, that when "this cruel war was over" they should certainly be remembered in the distribution of offices, that the Democ- racy were easily led to unite with the soldiers in the support of a distinctly soldiers' ticket. True, nearly all the candidates on both tickets were soldiers, but the one was known as Republican and the other as the Soldiers' ticket.
The vote was: For Judge-J. F. Culver, 1,034; James Stout, 575. For Clerk-R. B. Harrington, 969; George W. Rice, 840. For Treasurer-Hugh Thompson, 1,077 ; B. F. Hotchkiss, 729: for Superintendent of Schools-H. H. Hill, 910 ; Hugh Pound, 895. For Surveyor-A. E. Huetson, 1,013; Nelson Buck, 772. Of these gentlemen, B. F. Hotchkiss was for many years Chair- man of the Board of Supervisors, and was elected Surveyor, a position he resigned, and took up his home in Nebraska. In his new home, the citizens will find him a valuable and worthy man, true to convictions, and one whom to know is to love and respect. Mr. Huetson, after serving repeated terms as Sur- veyor, left us for Dakota Territory, where he can but make himself a useful and honored citizen. H. H. Hill was a successful school teacher when elected Superintendent, and served two terms in that capacity. Under his administra-
268
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
tion of this responsible position, the schools of the county rapidly increased in efficiency, and still feel the effect of his laborious, methodical and conscientious work. Soon after retiring from office, he took up his residence in Chicago, where he is engaged in business.
At the election in 1866, over 3,300 votes were cast, and the average major- ity for Republican candidates was 1,100. Franklin Corwin, Elmer Baldwin and Capt. Wm. Strawn were elected from this district to the Legislature, over Douglas Hapeman, James Clark and Capt. M. L. Payne. The vote for county officers was : For Sheriff-James H. Gaff, 2,188; James Kirby, 1,115. For Coroner-Thomas Croswell, 2,231; Eben Norton, 1,117.
Capt. M. L. Payne, whose candidacy appeared at this election, was a well- known citizen of the county for many years. He served as Captain of a com - pany raised at Danville, in the Black Hawk war; as Captain in the Mexican war, and subsequently as a Captain in the war against rebellion. He was a man of great energy and indomitable courage. He died of cancer, in May, 1878, and was buried with military honors, in the cemetery at Pontiac.
Hon. Elmer Baldwin, after his service in the Legislature, served one term in the State Senate, and is the author of the very complete and valuable His- tory of La Salle County, recently published.
At the judicial election in June, Charles H. Wood received 897 votes for Judge of the Twentieth Circuit, and Geo. B. Joiner, 221. W. M. Taylor, 1,181 votes for Clerk of the Supreme Court; S. G. McFadden, 43.
In November, the vote was : For County Treasurer-Wm. B. Fyfe, 1,398 ; J. I. Dunlop, 738 ; John Deliner, 597. For Surveyor-A. C. Huetson, 1,525 : E. B. Neville, 615; N. Buck, 555. Keeping up stock-For, 1,249 ; against, 977. This vote was under the provisions of a law, by which the county was to determine whether it would permit cattle to run at large or not. The adoption of the law rendered the expensive system of fencing unnecessary. No single act did as much to aid in the development of the county ; yet it caused violent opposition and litigation, quarrels, and at least one death. Its application to this county was due to Capt. Strawn, and it nearly defeated his renomination to the Legislature the next year.
In 1868, 5,595 votes were cast, the average Republican majority being about 1,320. Four towns only gave Democratic majorities : Reading, 2; Sun- bury, 1; Belle Prairie, 6 ; Nevada, 33.
The vote for President was : For U. S. Grant, 3,448; for Ho ratio Sey - mour, 2,132. For Congress-S. M. Cullum, 3,447 ; B. S. Edwards, 2,134. For Senator-J. W. Strevell, 3,403; Julius Avery, 2,146. For Representa- tives-Wm. Strawn, 3,385; F. Corwin, 3,446; Samuel Wiley, 3,425 ; Moses Osman, 2,149; E. B. Wood, 2,147; B. M. Armstrong, 2,132. For State's Attorney-Mason B. Loomis was elected. For Circuit Clerk-J. E. Morrow, 3,476; W. W. Sears, 2,117. For Sheriff-Geo. H. Wentz, 3,422; W. H. Cleland, 2,144.
269
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
This was the first time in our history that a citizen of this county was elected to the State Senate.
To the Constitutional Convention in 1869, the following were elected from this district (La Salle and Livingston) : N. J. Pillsbury, Joseph Hart, Geo. S. Eldredge, over Jonathan Duff, J. D. Caton and G. W. Armstrong.
The vote for county officers was : For Judge-L. E. Payson, 1,896 ; A. E. Harding, 1,126; Hiram Parsons, 108 *. For Clerk-Byron Phelps, 1,806 ; R. B. Hanna, 1,224 ; Eben Norton, 124 *. For Treasurer-Aaron Weider, 1,844; J. McIlduff, 1,226; R. G. Morton, 103 *. For Surveyor-A. C. Huetson, 1,921 ; Charles Smith, 1,127; M. McCabe, 105 *. For School Com- missioner-H. H. Hill, 1,659; Dr. M. Woolley, 1,182; A. D. Jones, 21.
The following townships voted for or against township subscription to the Fairbury, Pontiac & Northwestern R. R. Co .:
FOR.
AGAINST.
Amity
90
9
Eppard's Point.
67
25
Newtown.
76
49
Pontiac
374
6
Esmen
75
Indian Grove
273
211
Avoca
65
63
Owego
90
This voting in aid of the railroad was under the law of 1869, which gave to all counties, townships, cities and towns, which voted such aid, all the State tax which should be raised, for ten years after such voting, upon the increase of assessment over the assessment of the year 1868 ; to be used by such counties, etc., as a fund for paying the interest and meeting the principal of such bonds at maturity-commonly known as the "grab law." The law was deemed vicious in its spirit and effect ; and, after several years of operation, in which millions of indebtedness was voted throughout the State, the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional-or rather, that the act had been repealed by the Constitution of 1870.
By virtue of this vote, bonds were issued by all townships thus voting, except Esmen, which ignored the vote entirely, on the ground that the seventy- five votes cast were not a majority of all the voters of the town. This view was held by Dr. Woolley, who, as Supervisor of the Township, would not consent to the issuing of the bonds on that vote.
The bonds thus issued, aggregating $220,000, were given to the company, which built the road, now the Chicago & Paducah.
July 2, 1870, an election was held for and against the new Constitution, and the articles submitted separately, all of which received very nearly the unanimous vote of the county, the article on Minority Representation having 473 votes against it.
* Votes cast for Temperance ticket.
.
270
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
At this election, Hon. John M. Scott received 1,304 votes for Judge of the Third Judicial District, and was at that time elected Supreme Judge, E. S. Terry receiving 704 votes for the same.
At the November election, the vote cast was only 3,100. The Republican ticket was elected, except Sheriff, by an average majority of about 150.
Under the new Constitution, the county was a legislative district alone for that single election, and was entitled to two Representatives. The vote was : For Representatives-John Stillwell, 1,607; J. G. Strong, 1,607; Rufus W. Babcock, 1,527; J. I. Dunlop, 1.446.
For an additional Senator, the vote was: For Wm. Reddick, 1,720; For E. Follett Bull, 1,391. For Sheriff-J. W. Hoover, 1,613; S. L. Glover, 1,500. For Coroner-J. J. Wright, 1,676; Samuel Stewart, 1,444.
In 1871, Aaron Weider was re-elected Treasurer, and .A. C. Huetson Sur- veyor, without serious opposition.
In October, 1870. Hon. M. B. Loomis, State Attorney, having removed to Chicago, where he was subsequently elected County Judge. Gov. Palmer appointed Chris. C. Strawn, of Pontiac, in his place. Mr. Strawn, though a young lawyer, just commencing practice, proved a very efficient and successful officer.
At the Presidential election, 1872. 5,355 votes were polled. U. S. Grant received 3,110 ; Horace Greeley, 1,888: O'Connor, 201. For Governor- R. J. Oglesby, 3,153; Gustavus Kærner, 2,062.
The Liberal defection from the Republican party was noticeable mostly in those townships where a strong German element existed, but its influence was somewhat felt throughout the county.
A new apportionment had been made for Congressional Representative, and the county was placed with Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Marshall and Wood- ford, making the Eighth District.
An earnest contest occurred in the Republican Convention for nomination for Congressman. the District being so strongly Republican that it was believed a nomination carried the certainty of election. After repeated ballots, Green- bury L. Fort, of Marshall, was nominated : and, being elected, has continued to represent the county in Congress from that time. The vote for Congressional Representative was: For G. L. Fort. 3.158 ; for G. O. Barnes, 2,111.
At this election, we were for the first time in a new Senatorial and Repre- sentative District, with Ford County comprising the Eighteenth District. Under a scheme known as "Minority Representation," a State Senator and three Representatives were elected. but only two of which Representatives could be on the same ticket : that is, the voter may vote three votes for the same candidate, or two for one and one for another; or one and one-half vote for each of two; or one vote each for three candidates.
The vote for Senator was: For J. G. Strong, 3,093 ; for Wm. Colon, 2,162. For Representatives-Lucien Bullard, 4,313 ; John Pollock, 4,152}; John P.
271
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Middlecoff, 2,501 ; John F. Blackburn, 3.0013; Robert Thompson, 2,186}. The three former were elected. For State's Attorney, James H. Funk received 3,116 ; H. H. Brower, 2,151. For Circuit Clerk-J. A. Fellows, 3,244; S. S. Brucker, 2,058; For Sheriff-B. E. Robinson, 2,883; J. W. Hoover, 2,472.
Late in this year, a movement took form which, within a year. politically revolutionized the county. No history would be complete which did not take note of the causes which led to one of the most remarkable political movements in the history of the county.
The year had been a bountiful one in the production of the staple crop of the county, corn. During several preceding years, the crop had been meager, and prices had ruled high. With this year's extraordinary yield, the prices fell to the lowest known since the general settlement of the county. With the farmers of this county, corn is the chief article of sale. With interest to pay · upon their indebtedness, which was large, payments, taxes, store bills, hired help to meet in addition to the actual family necessities, with freights as high as at any time, a feeling of uneasiness became general, and complaint grew against the oppression of capital as aggregated in the enormous railroad corpora- tions of the State.
It was believed that in justice the railroads ought to reduce their rates, and at least divide the losses which the farmers, their chief patrons, were meeting in selling their chief crop at ruinous prices. It did not reduce the general dis- satisfaction at all to be told that if it were not for the railroads they could not sell their superabundant crop at any price; nor did it meet the case to be advised that they ought to hold their crop till they could realize ; for with per- haps a majority sales were necessary. About this time, the Legislature had passed a law requiring all railroads and warehouses to reduce their rates. The law was openly defied, and suits were at once commenced on the part of the people of the State to compel a compliance with the law. The idea that these monster corporations were above all law, while the natural citizen must comply or go to jail, was not a pleasant one to contemplate. It took two bushels of corn to pay the freight on one to tide-water.
With foreclosures staring many citizens in the face, and inability to pay their just debts, with the largest crop they ever raised in their possession, their minds were naturally led toward united political action. While in other counties the matter was hardly thought of, in this the entire community was aroused to seek any relief they could find. A few citizens of the township of Pike met together and called a County Convention to demand a redress of grievances.
The convention met and warmed up in its denunciation of monopolies, and the " Farmers' Movement " was fairly launched in this county. Granges of the Patrons of Husbandry were started in every neighborhood, and men and women pledged each other to defend, unto death, the interests of the farmers against monopolies.
272
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
The unfortunate result of the Greeley movement had already convinced many that the Democratic party was practically dead, by suicide ; and many who did not particularly sympathize with the farmers were anxious to find some healthy political organization with which to connect themselves. The move- ment was the outgrowth of political injustice and business oppression. The farmers had but too many reasons for feeling that their interests were deemed as naught, by the combined and controlling aggregation of capital. and, whether blind or not, saw no other way but by political organization to save themselves.
Thus was the Anti-Monopoly party formed in this county, which for years, under one name or another, exercised a controlling influence on the political affairs of the county, and gradually grew into the Greenback party.
In the judicial election of 1873, Nathaniel J. Pillsbury received the unani- mous vote of the county for Circuit Judge, and was elected, being the first citizen of this county to receive that honor. He still remains upon the bench, and is showing such excellent judicial qualifications that his continuance is apparently alone dependent on his own choice.
At the November election of this year, the two tickets in the field were Republican and Anti-Monopoly. The latter swept the county by a majority of nearly 1,400 votes. The vote was : For County Judge-R. R. Wallace, 2,725; L. E. Payson, 1,322. For Clerk-G. W. Langford, 2,254; W. H. Jenkins, 1,811. For Treasurer-J. H. Stitt, 2.526; A. G. Goodspeed, 1.560. For Superintend- ent of Schools-M. Tombaugh, 2,728; J. W. Smith, 1,295. Republican majorities were given only in the townships of Eppard's Point, Pontiac, Indian Grove, Avoca, Odell and Forrest. Several towns did not cast a vote for that ticket, so complete and sweeping was the revolution. The Democratic party was for the time being extinct. their vote being generally given to the new party.
In 1874, the vote was : For Sheriff-B. E. Robinson, 2,326; A. W. Sny- der, 1,926. For Coronor-E. G. Johnson, 2,185; S. Stewart, 2,052.
In 1875, the vote was : For Treasurer-J. H. Stitt, 1,943; Martin Dolde, 1,909. For Surveyor-B. F. Hotchkiss, 1,987; M. B. Logier, 1,867.
The vote polled in 1870 was 6,858, of which R. B. Hayes received 3,551 ; S. J. Tilden, 2,134; Peter Cooper, 1,170; and the Anti-Masonic ticket, 3. For Governor-Shelby M. Cullom, 3,509 ; Lewis Steward, 3,327. For Con- gress-G. L. Fort, 3,538; George W. Parker, 3,310. For State Senator- S. T. Fosdick, 3,485; C. C. Strawn, 3,338. For Representative-E. C. Allen, 6,778} ; Geo. B. Gray, 5,546}; John H. Collier, 4,920 ; John Rich- ardson, 3,1333. For State's Attorney-D. L. Murdock, 3,539; George W Patton, 3,297. For Circuit Clerk-Wm. H. Jenkins, 3,679; W. S. Sims, 3,157. For Sheriff-B. E. Robinson, 3,479 ; John Thompson, 3,316. The vote for Jenkins is the largest ever cast singly for any man in this county, and the vote for Allen the largest ever cast for one man.
At an election held August 2, 1877, for an additional Circuit Judge, Franklin Blades received nearly the unanimous vote.
273
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
In 1877, the vote for county officers was : For Judge-R. R. Wallace, 2,677 ; A. P. Wright, 2,208, J. Duff, 466. For Clerk-Alvin Wait, 2,515; G. W. Langford, 2,475; J. McIlduff, 382. For Treasurer-I. J. Krack, 2,349; J. H. Stitt, 2,334; J. T. Bullard, 650. For Superintendent of Schools-M. Tombaugh, 2,866; O. F. Avery, 2,240.
This closes the political and official annals of the county. The reader will find them complete in the record of all facts of interest, except that the abstract of votes for the years 1837, 1841, 1851, 1856 and 1871 are not on file in the office of the County Clerk. They are supposed to have been lost at the time of the fire, and there is no known way of restoring them, unless the county orders them restored from the files of the Secretary of State.
ANNALS OF THE CIRCUIT COURT.
The first term of the Livingston County Circuit Court was held October 21, 1839, by Judge S. H. Treat, now of the United States Court. At the time the county was organized, it was placed in the First Circuit, but the Judge sitting in that circuit did not get time to come here, no law had been passed fixing the time for holding Circuit Court in this county, and the Clerk had moved away out of the State. By the act of 1839, we were placed in the Eighth Circuit, and October fixed for the time of holding Court. Judge Treat wrote up the record, and in the minutes his own attendance is mentioned, and that of David B. Campbell, State's Attorney ; Nicholas Hefner, Sheriff; David Davis and Geo. B. Markley, attorneys. An order was entered removing the Clerk, Henry Weed, by reason of his absence from the State for more than a year, and appointing D. B. Campbell Clerk pro tem. No grand or petit jurors were summoned to this term. Twenty-nine cases were on the docket, and parties litigant seem to have been taken by surprise, for against eighteen of the cases the minute is entered, "Neither party appearing, this case is continued." Nicholas Hefner filed his bond as Sheriff, and it was approved. C. W. Reynolds filed his appointment as Clerk, and Judge Treat certified that Hefner had attended Court one day.
At the May term, 1840. W. G. Hubbard was appointed Foreman of the Grand Jury, and, being charged by the Court, retired-Judge Treat says in a letter-to some convenient saw-logs by the mill near by.
The grand jury returned five indictments, the first of which was for selling whisky contrary to the statutes made and provided. It is not, perhaps, singu- lar that the first indictment ever returned to our Court was for that, and it will not be hard to anticipate that the last one may possibly be for the same
This term, Hefner was certified to for two days' attendance.
At the October term, 1840, Garret M. Blue appears as Sheriff. At the April term, 1843, D. S. Ebersol was appointed Clerk, and Augustus Fellows Master in Chancery. At the September term, 1844, R. P. Breckenridge appeared as Sheriff, and John Blue as Coroner. At the September term, 1846,
274
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Andrew McMillan appeared as Circuit Clerk. At the June term, 1847, John D. Caton presided as Judge. At the June term, 1848, S. C. Ladd appeared as Clerk. At the December term, 1848, T. Lyle Dickey presided, and Murrill Breckenridge was Sheriff. At the November term, 1850, Hugh Henderson, of the Eleventh Circuit, held court in exchange with Judge Dickey. and B. C. Cook appears as State's Attorney. September, 1851, Henry Loveless was Sheriff. September, 1852, David Davis was Judge, and J. O. Glover State's Attorney. May, 1853, E. S. Leland was Judge ; Geo. W. Boyer, Clerk ; Jere- miah Mathis, Sheriff; W. H. L. Wallace, State's Attorney. In September, 1853, B. C. Cook was appointed State's Attorney pro tem. In 1855, W. B. Lyon appeared as Sheriff. This brings the record down through the earlier days.
The first deed recorded was one by Benj. Darnall and wife to Garret M. Blue, consideration $100. bearing date October 15, 1836, for the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 14, Town 28, Range 4; the said land being in McLean County.
FARMING IN THE OLDEN TIME.
The way our fathers performed their farming operations is so little known to the present generation, who depend so much on improved farm machinery and require their horses to do all the work which men, women and children formerly did, that a description of the olden way cannot prove uninteresting.
Banish reapers, mowers, corn planters, sulky plows, wire-tooth horse rakes, double-shoveled plows, horse hay forks, threshing machines, grape-vine cradles, and a conception can be formed of the primitive farming facilities. Corn was " got in " in this way : After the land had been plowed, it was harrowed and "marked out " both ways, one way with a small, eight-inch mold-board plow, and the other by a marker made of 4x4 scantling, having on it four blocks or pegs, which would mark three rows at a time (if one happened to have so con- venient an article, otherwise the land was marked out both ways with the corn plow). This marker had attached to it a pair of shafts, and a bowed sapling for a handle. If the horse was "handy" and tractable, the marking could be done without the aid of a rider; but horses were so seldom driven single that the boys, who had most of this kind of work to do, could not manage them well enough to perform the work without a rider, so a " low-priced boy " was usually put astride the horse, who rode as long as the sheepskin, which reduced the terrors of bareback riding, and his unwilling seat could be induced to continue an unhappy partnership, when he was exchanged for a new recruit. Ah, the horrors of this ad sternum service! Boys who think riding horse is " just fun " should try the experiment of a week's experience during marking-out and corn plowing time, and endeavor to ascertain just how much fun can be extracted from it.
After marking, all the children were taken out of school for a week to " drop" corn. The ancient farmer who was so unfortunate as to have no grist
Allan t. Burton ILL.
(DECEASED: FORREST
277
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
of children was in a bad row of stumps. This may account for the tendency to large families so common in past years. They had work for the children to do in those days, and Nature is kindly disposed to supply the wants of population.
Corn dropping was done from little tin pails or baskets held in the hand, or buttoned into the clothing in front, or fastened by a belt around the waist. The covering was done with a hoe having an cyc into which the handle was put. This was a tedious job compared with our present plan, but " tending " the growing crop was no less so. "Plowing out" was all done with one horse, using the small mold-board, or a single-shovel plow, when again the small boy was fre- quently made to earn his bread by the sweat of his-body.
"Changing work " was a common device. While one farmer was getting his land plowed, another would employ his force of small help in getting in a crop. and then return the work.
The harvesting and securing of the small grain crops were even more tedious.
The hay was all cut with a scythe and raked into windrows with a hand rake; the grain cut with the old straight handled cradle, and raked into bundles with a hand rake. Threshing wheat was done with a flail, and other grains were trod out by keeping a troop of unshod horses circulating over it, each floor- ing requiring about an hour. Where grain raising was largely followed. " harvest hands" were scarce, and they often demanded and received two or three times as much for that as for any other kind of farm work. To swing a cradle all day was thought to be as laborious work and calling for as good pay as anything to be done, and he who could " rake and bind" and follow a cradle, keeping up his swath, need not tramp for a living during harvest time at least.
It is not easy to see how, with corn at from six to ten cents per bushel, oats little more, wheat from thirty to sixty cents, and other crops in proportion, the farmer succeeded in getting enough from the proceeds of his crop to pay for the labor he was obliged to hire. It is not difficult to understand why the best land that " ever lay out-doors " remained for so long without purchasers.
Of course the farmers in those days did not ride in carriages, nor pay heavy taxes, nor buy luxuries, nor pay hotel bills when they traveled, nor dress then- selves and families in "store clothes," but some of them lived comfortably. How did they do it ?
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.
This has been and still remains pre-eminently a farming county, very little manufacturing ever having been done here. The citizens send abroad for their clothes, their plows and farm machinery, for their boots, shoes, cheese, many of their wagons, and even in a measure for hams and bacon. Since the farm lands have come into general cultivation, it has been pre-eminently a corn raising county. It is believed that more corn is now raised and shipped from this than
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