USA > Illinois > Peoria County > The History of Peoria County, Illinois. Containing a history of the Northwest-history of Illinois-history of the county, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc., etc. > Part 51
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August, 1839 - Clark D. Powell.
January 10, 1840- William Hale, elected to fill the place of Moses Harlon elected to the Legislature.
August, 1840 - Nathaniel Chapin.
August 1, 1841 -Smith Frye.
August, 1842 - Thomaa P. Smith and Clementius Ewalt, one to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Smith Frye, elected Sheriff.
August, 1843 - William Dawson.
August, 1844 - Clementius Ewalt.
August 4, 1845 - Thomas P. Smith.
August 3, 1846 -Thomas Mooney.
August 2, 1847 - James L. Riggs.
August 7, 1848 - Joseph Ladd.
COUNTY JUDGES.
February 12, 1849, the Legislature passed a law creating a County Court. Section one of this law provided "that there should be established in each of the counties of this State, now created and organized, or which may hereafter he created or organized, a court of Record, to be styled the . County Court, ' to be held and consist of one judge, to be styled the . County Judge."" Section seventeen of the same act [sec. p. 307-10, Statutes of 1858] provided for the election of two additional justices of the peace, whose jurisdiction should be co-extensive with the counties, etc., and who should sit with the county judge as members of the Court, for the transaction of all county business and none other. Elections under this law were as follows :
November, 1849 - Thomas Bryant. Judge ; Joseph Ladd and John McFarland associate judges.
The Court was succeeded in the management of County business by the Board of Supervisors in April 1850. Its last meeting, however, was on the 4th of June of that year when their " docket " was closed up and turned over to the Supervisors.
COUNTY CLERKS.
For some years after the county was organized, the position of County Clerk was filled by appointment by the Board of County Commissioners. At the first meeting of the Commissioners, March 8, 1825, Norman Hyde was appointed to be clerk to the Board. Hyde resigned between the time of that and the June meeting, when John Dixon was appointed, his appointment bearing date June 8. Dixon served until May, 1830, when he resigned, and Stephen Stillman was appointed to the vacancy, June 6, 1831. Isaac Waters was appointed, vice Stillman resigned. At the May meeting of the Board, Wil- liam Mitchell was appointed clerk pro tem, and June 1, he was duly appointed to the place vice Isaac Waters removed because of age and infirmity. Mitchell served until suc- ceeded at the November election by Charles Kettelle. Kettelle continued to hold the office until succeeded by the present incumbent, Colonel John D. McClure, who was elected in November, 1865; re-elected November 1869, November 1873, and November, 1877. His term of office will expire November, 1881. Colonel McClure's repeated election to this important office is good evidence of his worth as a citizen and fidelity as a public official.
348
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
Robert Kennedy, the chief deputy has been in the office since January. 1869, and by his experience and industry, is as familiar with the duties of the office as his superior.
Samuel A. Livingston, the recording clerk, has filled that position since January, 1877.
These gentlemen are well known and highly appreciated by all who have had busi- ness in the office, for their promptness, efficiency and universal courtesy. To them, as well as to their chief, the writer is under obligations for repeated favors and kindnesses while overhauling the records of the office for information for this volume.
SHERIFFS.
First election March 7, 1825 -Samuel Fulton ; re-elected August, 1826.
August, 1828 - Orin Hamlin.
August, 1830 - Henry B. Stillman.
August, 1832 - John W. Caldwell.
August, 1834 - William Compher, resigned, and at a special election October 6, 1835, Thomas Bryant was elected to fill out the unexpired term.
August, 1836 - Thomas Bryant ; re-elected August, 1838.
August, 1840 - Christopher Orr.
August, 1842 - Smith Frye ; re-elected August, 1844.
August, 1846 - William Compher ; re-elected August, 1848; defaulted and fled the country, leaving Clark Cleveland, his deputy, in charge. It was claimed that Compher would return, but when it became known that he would not, suits were brought and the Court appointed John A. McCoy as elisor. Time of holding elections changed.
November, 1850 - James L. Riggs.
November, 1852 - Leonard B. Cornwell.
November, 1854 - David D. Irons.
November, 1856 - Francis W. Smith.
November, 1858 - John Bryner.
November, 1860 - James Stewart ; re-elected November election, 1862.
November, 1864 - George C. McFadden.
November, 1866 - Frank Hitchcock.
November, 1868 - Samuel L. Gill.
November, 1870- Frank Hitchcock; re-elected in November, 1872, 1874, 1876, 1878 ; term expires in November, 1880.
CORONERS.
August, 1830 - Resolved Cleveland.
August, 1832 - William A. Stewart.
August, 1834 - Jacob Egman.
August, 1836 - R. B. Hamlin. At a special election, March 16, 1837, E. F. Nowland was chosen, vice Hamlin, resigned.
August, 1838 - E. F. Nowland. Nowland refused to serve, and at a special election, October 1, 1838, Jesse Miles was elected to the vacancy. May 15, 1840, Jumes Moss- man, vice Miles.
August, 1840 - James Mossman.
August, 1842 - Chester Hamlin.
August, 1844-Jeremiah Williams. Re-elected in August, 1846.
August, 1848-John C. Heyl. Time of holding election changed.
November, 1850 -Charles Kemble.
November, 1852- Ephraim Hinman. Re-elected November, 185.1.
November, 1856 - Milton McCormick.
November, 1858-John M. Niglas, M.D. Re-elected November, 1860.
349
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
November, 1862- Charles Feinse.
November, 1864 -Thomas Antcliff. Died in office, and April 4, 1865, was suc- ceeded by Willis B. Goodwin.
November, 1866 - Willis B. Goodwin.
November, 1868- Philip Eichorn.
November, 1870 - Willis B. Goodwin ; re-elected in November, 1872 and 1874.
November, 1876 - M. M. Powell ; re-elected in 1878 ; term of office expires, 1880.
TREASURERS.
At the first meeting of the first Board of County Commissioners, Aaron Hawley was appointed treasurer. The first election of treasurer, of which we have easy accessi- ble knowledge, was -
August, 1837 - Rudolphus Rouse. He was succeeded by Ralph Hamlin, by ap- pointment, May 15, 1838.
August, 1839 - Joseph Fuller.
August, 1841 - Charles Ketelle ; served six years.
August, 1847 - Ralph Hamlin ; re-elected November, 1849.
November, 1851 - John A. McCoy ; re-elected November, 1853.
November, 1855 - Joseph Ladd ; re-elected November, 1857.
November, 1859- Isaac Brown ; re-elected November, 1861.
November, 1863 -
November, 1865 - Allan L. Fahnestock.
November, 1867 - Thomas A. Shaver.
November, 1869 - Edwin C. Sillimon.
November, 1871 - Isaac Taylor ; still serving.
SURVEYORS-COMMENCING WITH 1835.
August, 1835 - Thomas Phillips.
August, 1839 - George C. McFadden ; re-elected in August, 1843 and 1847.
November, 1849 - Henry W. McFadden ; re-elected in November, 1851.
November, 1853 - Daniel B. Allen ; re-elected in November, 1855.
November, 1857 - Samuel Farmer.
November, 1859 - Richard Russell; re-elected in November, 1861.
November, 1863 -
November, 1865 - Luther Nash.
November, 1867 - Charles Spaulding.
November, 1869 - Arthur T. Burket ; re-elected in November, 1871 and 1873.
November, 1875 - Robert Will ; succeeded April 4, 1876, by David B. Allen, who is still serving at this date, January, 1880.
RECORDERS.
- Charles was chosen recorder August 12, 1835, and held the office until a change in the law, by which that office was united with the office of circuit clerk, under the constitution of 1848.
CIRCUIT COURT CLERKS.
The early county clerks served as clerks to the Circuit Court. The first clerk under the constitution of 1848 was Jacob Gale, whose term of office commenced in September, 1848. He was re-elected in 1852.
November, 1856 - Enoch P. Sloan ; re-elected in November, 1860. November, 1864 - Thomas Mooney.
November, 1868- George A. Wilson ; re-elected in November, 1872.
350
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
November, 1876 - John A. West. His deputies are Charles Ulrich, Harry C. Bes- tor, John Q. Bone, and Rudolph Pfeiffer.
COUNTY JUDGES.
The title of this office was first designated as Probate Justice of the Peace. and had jurisdiction of all matters pertaining to estates of decedents, guardianship, etc.
Norman Hyde, the first Judge of Probate in Peoria county, was elected to the posi- tion by the joint vote of the Legislature in January, 1825. He was commissioned by Governor Edward Coles, and qualified before John Dixon. Clerk to the County Commis- sioners, June 4, 1825. His first official entry was made June 6, 1825. the day fixed by law for the regular transaction of probate business. His last official entry appears under date of February 6, 1832. He died in the latter part of 1532. His will was probated November 21st, 1832. He was unmarried, and bequeathed his property to his father, mother, brothers and nephews.
Mr. Hyde was succeeded by A. M. Hunt. by appointment of Governor John Rey- nolds, A. P. Field, Secretary of State. The commission was dated November 10, 1832. Between the close of Judge Hyde's official career and this date, the Black Hawk war was the all absorbing topic, and but little business of any kind was transacted. Judge Hunt's official service commenced with a special term, November 15, 1832. He served five years, and died August 12, 1853.
George B. Parker was elected to succeed Judge Hunt, August 7, 1837, and was the first election of probate judge by the voters of the county. Ilis first official records were made under date of October 2, 1837. and his last under date of May 20, 1839.
Edward Dickinson was elected August 7, 1839, and held his first term of court Sep- tember 2, 1839. His last official act appears under date of July 24, 1843. He died JJuly 6, 1866.
Judge Dickinson was succeeded by William H. Fessendeu, who was elected August 7, 1843, and held his first term September 30. 1843. His judgeship elosed July 29, 1847. Fessenden died December 23, 1848.
Thomas Bryant came next, and was elected August 2, 1847. In 1849 the jurisdic- tion of this court was extended (see p. 307-10, statutes of 1858). There is no report of an election of probate judge in November, 1851, but the election returns for November, 1853, show Judge Bryant to have been re-elected that year, and the subsequent records that he served until November, 1857, when he was succeeded by Wellington Loucks. At this time the county judge had jurisdiction of all common law matters, but in 1860-61. the jurisdiction was diminished by act of the Legislature, and confined exclusively to probate matters, assignments, insanity, insolvencies and matters of eminent domain. After the change, Judge Loucks resigned, and at a special election, June 3, 1861, John C. Folliott was chosen to the vacancy and filled out the unexpired term, until November, 1861, and was then elected for a full term of four years, till November, 1865. Judge Bryant died May 17, 1872.
The present incumbent, John C. Yates, succeeded Judge Folliott, and was first elected at the November election, 1865, and re-elected in November, 1869, November, 1873, and November, 1877. His term of office will expire in November, 1881. Term of office four years.
Of the ex-probate judges, only two are living. Judge Loucks, on his farm in Rich- woods, and Judge Folliott, at his residence on North Adams street, Peoria.
John & Latis PEORIA
351
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
CHAIRMEN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
[Elected Annually at the first meeting after the April Election.]
1850 -SAMUEL DIMON, Kickapoo. 1860 - BENJAMIN SLANE, Akron. 1871 - H. G. ANDERSON, Peoria.
1851 - BENJAMIN SLANE, Akron.
1861-LEVI BOOTH, Chillicothe. 1872 - JOHN A. McCoy, Millbrook.
1852 - BENJAMIN SLANE,
1862 - LEVI BOOTH, 1873 -JOHN A. MCCOY,
1853 - BENJAMIN SLANE,
1863 - LEVI BOOTH,
1874 - JOHN A. McCOY.
1854-JOSEPH LADD, Timber.
1864 -THOMAS A. SHAVER, Trivoli.
1875 -JOHN A. MCCOY,
1855 - T. C. MOORE, Peoria.
1865 - WILLIAM M. DODGE, Peoria.
1876 -JOHN A. MCCOY,
1856-T. C. MOORE,
1866- HUGH ARMSON, Elmwood.
1877-JOHN A. McCoy,
1858-GEORGE JENKINS, Hollis.
1868 -SAMUEL TART,
1879-JOHN A. McCoy,+
1859 - BENJAMIN SLANE, Akron, 1870 - M. VAN PÆETTER,* Trivoli.
Col. JOHN D. MCCLURE has been clerk of the Board since the December meeting, 1865.
COUNTY SCHOOL OFFICERS.
Under the first school laws of Illinois, the schools of the county were under the supervision of a School Commissioner, who was elected biennially. This regime pre- vailed until 1865, when the law creating the office of County School Superintendent took effect, to be elected once in four years. The following is the list of school officers, with the term of service of each, from 1851 :
Commissioners. Ephraim Hinman, Nov., 1851, to Nov., 1855; David McColloch, Nov., 1855, to Nov., 1859; Charles Taggart, Nov., 1859, to Nov., 1863. William G. Randall was elected in Nov., 1863, but from some irregularity he resigned before his term of office expired, and N. E. Worthington was appointed to fill the vacancy. In November, 1865, Mr. Worthington was elected the first of the
County School Superintendents, and served until Nov., 1873, two terms. Miss Mary W. Whiteside was next elected, and filled the office very acceptably till Nov., 1877, when James E. Pillsbury, the present gentlemanly and efficient officer, was elected, and serves till Nov., 1881.
CHAPTER XIII.
WAR RECORD.
Three Wars - Black Hawk War - Mexican War- War of the Rebellion - War Record of Peoria County.
Since Americans began to occupy the land of the Peorias in the Spring of 1819, three wars have disturbed the peaceful pursuits of the country -the Black Hawk war of 1832, the Mexican war in 1846-7, and the war of the rebellion, 1861-5. In each of these conflicts the sons of Peoria sustained a gallant and conspicuous part.
When, on the 6th day of April, 1832, Black Hawk and his followers invaded Illinois from Iowa, there were only seventy-five men in Peoria county, subject to military duty. When this work was commenced it was hoped that the names of these men could be ob- tained from the old muster rolls, but the hope was a vain one. There are no papers among the county records on which their names were preserved, and a letter of inquiry
* Mr. Van Pætter was killed by the cars while crossing the railroad track at Farmington, Fulton county, with a wagon loaded with lumber, on the 6th day of January, 1871, and John Wangh, of Peoria, was chosen to the vacant chairmanship for the balance of the year.
+ Mr. McCoy was badly gored by a vicions bull on his faim in Millbrook about the Icth of September, 1879, and died from the effects of the wounds received, on the 13th of that month. His ability and popularity as a pre- siding officer is evidenced in the fact of his being elected to the chairmanship of the Board so often in succession. Joseph Armstrong, of Princeville, was elected to fill the chair made vacant by his death.
1878 - JOHN A. MCCOY,
1857 - ALVA DUNLAP, Radnor.
1867-SAMUEL TART, Peoria.
3.52
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
was addressed to the Adjutant-General of the State, at Springfield, and another to the Adjutant-General's office at Washington, and their names were not to be found on any records at either place.
Having thus exhausted all official sources of information, recourse was had to the memory of Mr. John Stringer, of Kickapoo township, who was a corporal in the Peoria company that served for two months or sixty days in the second campaign against Black Hawk and his forces, who furnishes the following names from among the seventy-five subject to military duty at that time :
Akin, Thomas.
Blanchard, William.
Felton. Joseph. Fulton, Josiah. Hlinkle, John.
Ridgeway, John. Reed, Simon.
Caldwell, Alexander.
Root, Lucas.
Caldwell, John W.
Ilines, Jack.
Read, Thomas.
Carroll, Steve.
Harkness, Ed.
Stringer, John.
Clifton. John.
llarkness, James.
Cleveland, Hiram.
Johnson, John, Sr.
Sharp, Frank. Stillman, Henry B. Smith, W. M.
Curry, Hiram.
Love. John. Langworthy, Dr.
Stewart, William.
Coyle, John.
Motfall, Aquilla. Moffatt, Alva.
Thomas, Frank.
Doty, Elisha.
Doty. James.
McCormack, Levi.
Du Mont, Peter.
Meredith, Joseph.
Eads, Abner.
Nicholson, John.
Ewalt, John.
Parr, Thomas. Ridgeway, David.
Out of the number of men liable to military duty, a company of fifty men was raised under the call of Governor Reynolds for troops to defend the State. As far as remembered. this company was officered as follows:
Abner Eads, captain ; William Stewart, first lieutenant ; John W. Caldwell, second lieutenant ; John Hinkle, orderly sergeant ; John Stringer. corporal ; Stephen Carroll, flag bearer ; Asahel Langworthy, surgeon.
This company, a part of the time. was assigned to guard the country between Peoria and the Mississippi and Rock rivers. It was present at the Stillman's Run affair, and among the last to leave that field of disaster.
The men with horses and guns were allowed one dollar per day. They were mus- tered out in the early part of June, 1832, and were paid off in January or February, 1833.
IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
In 1846 the United States became involved in a war with Mexico. There had been nothing to disturb the tranquillity of the country since the Black Hawk troubles of 1832. Another generation of young men had come to the front, and the prospect of a brush with Mexico offered a little excitement and a change from the quiet routine of farm and shop life - an excitement peculiarly relishable to the average American.
The army of the West was organized under the administration of President Polk in 1846, with the object of conquering New Mexico and California. In organizing this army, a call was made on Illinois for - regiments. As in the call for six regiments under President Lincoln's proclamation for seventy-five thousand men for three months at the beginning of the great American rebellion, more men were offered than could be accepted. Colonel May, of this county, raised a company and mustered in Peoria pre- paratory to starting for the place of rendezvous, but just before the hour fixed for leaving, he received notice that his company could not be accepted, so his men marched home again.
The women at that time, as before and since, were full of patriotic ardor, and gave
Wright William. W'ren Aquilla.
Essex, Thomas.
Trial, William. Van Tassel. Alonzo.
Cleveland, John.
353
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
their influence to the encouragement of enlistments. And about the time Colonel May's company was advertised to muster at Peoria to start for Mexico, a number of them assembled at the residence of Mrs. - Gray, now living at 105 North Monroe street, and made a handsome silk flag for presentation to the company. Among the number engaged in that work was Mrs. - Tobes,* and her daughter -, now Mrs. - , and living in Chicago; Mrs. - Morsman,* Mrs. William Dodge, still living in Peoria ; Mrs. - Armstrong, librarian Peoria Mercantile Library ; Miss - Pickett ;* Mrs. Isaac Underhill.
" BOUND TO BE A SOLDIER."
D. C. Frazer, one of the present justices of the peace in Peoria, was then a young man, full of impetuosity and military ardor, and couldn't wait the movements of Colonel May's company organization. He hurried away to Pekin to join a company being raised in that county by Captain E. Jones, which was fortunate enough to be accepted. That company was mustered in as Company G, of Colonel E. D. Baker's Fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Frazer enlisted in June, 1846; and was mustered out at New Orleans in June, 1847.
MEXICAN VETERANS.
There came with the tide of immigration to Peoria and vicinity, quite a number of men who had taken part in the Mexican war, and as year was added to year, these veterans fell in with each other, and it was only natural that a deep-seated and warm- hearted friendship should spring up between them, notwithstanding they were sons of different States, had been members of different companies and different regiments and that they had never seen each other until their chance meetings at Peoria. In 1874 it was found there was quite a number of these heroes residing in Peoria county-almost enough of them to form a full regulation company-and it was determined to form them- selves into a society to be known as the
CENTRAL ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF MEXICAN VETERANS.
The first meeting of the members of this association was held at the Peoria court- house, September 8, 1874. S. O. White presided, and D. C. Frazer acted as scribe. Messrs. Bush, Frazer and Drury were appointed a committee on resolutions and to secure excursion rates for the delegates chosen by the veterans then in session to represent them in the State Convention of their old comrades at Bloomington on the 23d and 24th. Comrades Heinike, Burt, Drury, White, Frazer, Sheppard and Sullivan were appointed as such delegates.
Resolved, That the surviving soldiers and sailors, of the Mexican War residing in this and adjoining counties organize themselves into a society for further re-unions for social purposes and to consider their claims on the gov- ernment for a pension.
The second meeting of which there is any record, was held on the 18th of May, 1876, S. O. White presiding. At this meeting, on motion of R. W. Burt, the name of " Cen- tral Illinois Association of Veterans of the Mexican War," was adopted. Messrs. R. W. Burt, J. W. Mckenzie and John Daily were appointed a committee to prepare a constitu- tion and by-laws for the government of the association. The first permanent officers were :
President, Samuel O. White ; recording secretary, D. C. Frazer ; corresponding sec- retary, J. W. Mckenzie ; treasurer, R. W. Burt.
R. W. Gilliam, of Chillicothe, was chosen to represent the association at the Phila- delphia Convention of Mexican War veterans.
* Deceased.
354
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
CONSTITUTION.
The report of the committee on constitution and by-laws was submitted to a meet- ing of the association, June 15, 1876, which was read, amended and adopted.
ARTICLE 1. This organization shall be known as the " Central Illinois Association of Veterans of the Mexican War," and may include any honorably discharged soldier or sailor who served in the Mexican war.
ART. 2. This association shall hold its regular meetings on the first Thursday in January, April, July and October of each year; and special meetings may be called at such times and places as the President may deem necessary.
ART. 3. The object of this association shall be to gather the veterans of the Mexi- can war, in the central part of Illinois, into a fraternal brotherhood, for the promotion of pleasant intercourse and good fellowship, and to further the interests of its members.
ART. 4. The officers of this association shall be President, Vice-President, Treas- urer, Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary.
ART. 5. The officers shall be chosen by a vote of the members present at the an- nual meetings in January, and continue in office one year, and until their successors are elected.
ART. 6. Any person may become a member by giving the President and Secretary satisfactory evidence that he was a soldier or sailor in the Mexican war, and was honora- bly discharged, on the payment of fifty cents admission fee, and twenty-five cents at each regular meeting.
ART. 7. No assessment shall be made on members for ordinary expenses, except by a two-thirds vote of all present.
ART. 8. No amendments shall be made to this constitution except at a regular meeting, and by a two-thirds vote.
BY - LAWS.
ART. 1. The duties of the officers of this association shall be such as usually de- volve upon officers of similar associations.
ART. 2. The business of this association shall be conducted in accordance with the usages of legislative bodies in the United States.
ART. 3. A majority of the members present at any regular meeting. may alter or amend these by-laws.
HON. JAMES SHIELDS.
At a meeting of the association held at the office of D. C. Frazer on the 20th of June, 1876, a letter from General Shields was read, requesting recognition as an honorary member of the association. The request was granted, and the name of that hero of many a hotly contested battle-field, was added to the membership.
FLAG PRESENTATION.
The Mexican veterans met at the Chamber of Commerce, July 4, 1876, on which occasion a fine United States flag was presented, with a few appropriate remarks, by Mrs. Hattie Milliken, a sister of Comrade D. C. Frazer. The presentation was responded to by Captain R. W. Burt, who received the flag in behalf of the association, after which the veterans joined the Centennial celebration, in a large wagon drawn by four horses, and beautifully decorated with American and Mexican flags, mottoes, portraits, etc.
Regular meetings of the association have been held at the times named in the con- stitution, and called or special meetings whenever the interest of the veterans demanded. Communication is maintained with other organizations of the sume kind in different parts of the State. Congressmen and Senators are constantly reminded that there was a war with Mexico, and that the surviving soldiers of that war are as deserving of pension recog-
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