USA > Illinois > Will County > The History of Will County, Illinois : containing a history of the county a directory of its real estate owners; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics.history of Illinois history of the Northwest > Part 31
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In the canvass for the Democratic nomination to Congress in 1850, his friends brought him out as a candidate for the nomination, and he received as high as 38 votes. Richard S. Malony, however, received the nomina- tion. All who knew him believed that his election to Congress was only post- poned a little, and that a brilliant political career was before him. He was a graceful and effective speaker, and while he lived he divided the honors of Fourth of July oratory with Judge Parks. But all his own aspirations and the hopes and expectations of his many friends were blighted by his early death, which occurred September 30, 1851, at the age of thirty-four. The members of the bar of this and adjoining counties, the societies of Masons and Odd Fellows from Lockport and Joliet testified their respect by full attendance at his funeral, and numerous testimonials of respect filled the papers at the time.
Mr. Little left a widow and four daughters, who have long been known to the people of Joliet, and loved and honored on their own account as well as that of the husband and father. A beautiful tribute to his memory was given in the True Democrat, from the pen of the assistant editor, Mrs. E. A. W. Hopkins.
DAVID L. GREGG
must be added to the list of brilliant young lawyers who have once shone at the Will County bar, and who have now gone to a Higher Court. Of his early history, we are not informed. He came here at an early day, was some time editor of the first paper-the Courier, the predecessor of the Signal-was
344
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
elected to the Legislature in 1840, was appointed Secretary of State by Gov. French in 1851, came within two votes of Gov. Matteson for the nomination for Governor; was appointed Commissioner to the Sandwich Islands by Presi- dent Pierce, and after his return received an appointment to a Nevada land office, where he died in 1869. He was first admitted to the bar in Joliet. He was an accomplished scholar, a brilliant orator and a warm politician.
We must mention the name, also, of
WILLIAM A. BOARDMAN,
once a prominent lawyer in the early day, a partner of Judge Henderson and a brother-in-law of Joel A. Matteson and Henry Fish. He was a man of strong reasoning powers and able in argument, although so quaint or odd in his man- ner of expression as often to make it difficult to suppress a smile. He went from here to Lake County, where he became County Judge. He died when visiting some friends in this county, in October, 1872. His death was very sudden.
E. C. FELLOWS.
As appears, from the foregoing pages, Mr. Fellows first came to Channahon in 1834, and soon after took up his residence and hung out his shingle in Joliet, and from that time until failing health prevented, he was one of our busiest and most successful lawyers. He was a man of keen and penetrating mind, and especially noted as a criminal lawyer, generally employed on the side of the defense, and no client ever suffered from his neglect. He was a native of Columbia County, N. Y., and died at Lockport in August, 1876.
J. E. STREETER,
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Nebraska, was still another Joliet lawyer for several years, and figured somewhat in our politics. He had many friends here who justly esteemed him for his many fine qualities of head andheart. He always labored under the disadvantage of poor health and a feeble physique, and his ambition always outran his strength. He was a fine speaker, and at the commencement of our war era, as well as in political campaigns, was often heard in eloquent advocacy of what he believed to be the cause of justice and the Union. He enjoyed political excitement, and if his health had been equal to his ambition, would have made, no doubt, a brilliant career. But consump- tion had early marked him as her prey, and he died February 20, 1863.
FIRMAN MACK,
was for many years one of our most active and reliable business men. He re- sided in Chicago a few years, and came here about 1837. He commenced here at his trade as a shoemaker, and gradually increased his business from year to year, growing with the place until he became a wholesale dealer and manufact- urer of boots, shoes and leather, employing largely, at one time, convict labor. He built several stores, not less than six in all, and two fine residences, one on
345
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
Broadway and another on Richard street. He served the city as School Di- rector, Alderman and Mayor. He was a member and a liberal supporter of the Methodist Church, and aided liberally all other church and benevolent enter- prises. He was a man of few words, but he led an active, busy, useful life. Many will remember his mysterious death, and how startled the community was by the intelligence that his body had been found in the Chicago River. Various theories and conjectures have been entertained in respect to his untimely taking off; but the facts are still wrapt in mystery and will probably never be known until the great day when all things shall be revealed. His death oc- curred August 10, 1872, at the age of 55.
J. T. M'DOUGALL
was born in Schenectady, N. Y., came to Joliet in 1845, and was for a long time , a prominent business man here. He received the appointment of Postmaster under Taylor, which he resigned in 1852, to take the position of Cashier in the Merchants' & Drovers' Bank, established by Matteson-the first bank of issue in Will County. While on the Tennessee River, in the Spring of 1862, upon matters of business connected with the army, he was taken sick and reached St. Louis only to die May 19, 1862.
REV. EDWARD SAVAGE,
for some time Pastor of the Baptist Church, bookseller, School Commissioner in 1859 and 1860; highly respected as a Christian and an able preacher; died of consumption April 27, 1863. He left one son, on whom his mantle has fallen. He was 46 years of age.
H. D. RISLEY,
one of the early settlers of Channahon, afterward Sheriff of our county for four years-1840-43, President of the Joliet & Oswego Plankroad, and long and well known in business circles here and at Wilmington, where he some time resided; was born in Oneida County, N. Y., and came west from Onondaga County in 1833. He died in December, 1862.
JOHN MILLER,
one of the earliest settlers of Du Page, and the first Supervisor of the town, and also our Representative to the State Legislature in 1846 and in 1848, was a fine specimen of a Will County yeoman, physically, intellectually and morally. He died, greatly regretted, in March, 1851.
AGRICULTURE, AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION.
There have been several county agricultural associations in our past history, and two places, besides the one now occupied, have been fitted up for their use. The first was located on the well-known Stevens Farm, in a beautiful grove hav- ing a beautiful and abundant spring, and buildings were erected, and consider- able improvements made. When the war came on, it was changed into a mili- tary camp and barracks, and afterward reverted to Mr. Stevens. A place was
346
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
also fitted up on the hill above the Penitentiary, on the Lockport road, and considerable money expended. This was, however, more of a hippodrome, we believe, than an agricultural association. The present Agricultural and Me- chanical Association is now (Sept. 12) holding its ninth ammual fair. It has beautiful grounds in the southeastern part of the city, near the termination of the street railway, which have been beautifully fitted up with the necessary halls and stock pens, and all the usual conveniences of such establishments. There is a fine spring on the grounds which furnishes all the water necessary. The programme for the fair now being held, offers a large and liberal list of premiums, which are open to all competitors. The Association was organized in 1869, under the general act of the Legislature, and has a capital of $26,000.
The Board of officers is as follows : President, Charles Snoad, of New Lenox ; Vice Presidents, William E. Henry, of Joliet ; C. A. Westgate, of Peotone ; B. F. Carter, of Troy; R. J. Boylan, of Elwood; Frank Searles, of New Lenox ; Secretary, William T. Nelson, of Wilmington ; Treasurer, E. H. Aikin, of Joliet ; with a Board of nine Directors, and eighteen Superintendents under the General Superintendent, L. E. Ingalls.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS.
In no way can we so well give an idea of the kind and amount of produc- tions of the county as by the following condensed abstract from the Assessor's returns :
PRODUCTS.
ACRES.
BUSHELS. 4,324,432
Winter wheat
112}
2,330
Spring wheat
1,684}
23,069
Oats
60,796
2,415,712
Rye ..
1,438
28,732
Barley
431
826
Buckwheat
226}
2,567}
Castor beans.
1 g
22
Beans.
29.60
427
Pease
23
106
Irish potatoes.
2,650,85
TOO
189,506
Sweet potatoes
2
125
Apple orchard
4,025}
1,639
Peach orchard
276
Pear orchard
10
Tobacco.
6,765
Broom corn
3
10,500
Timothy meadow
43,615
56,965₺
Clover meadow
4,481
7,474
Prairie meadow
30,180,79
36,650
Millet and Hungarian
5054
428
Sorghum
33
1,385
Vineyards.
12
240
Corn.
132,332
POUNDS.
TONS.
GALLONS.
, (DECEASED) JOLIET
THE LIBRARY OF THE
1
349
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
VALUE.
Turnip and other root crops.
82}
$90635
Other fruit and berries not included above.
22
2363
Other crops not named above.
9,148,68 100
3239
Pasture (not including woodland).
88,552
Woodland (not including pasture) ..
17,830
Uncultivated land not included above
17,279}
Area of city and town real estate not included above
1,807-22
SHEEP.
No. killed by dogs.
252
Average value of number killed by dogs
$3 30
No. of pounds of wool shorn
30,582
- No. of fat sheep sold.
961
Average weight per head
108
DAIRY.
No. of cows kept ..
17,366
Pounds of butter sold.
787,012
Pounds of cheese sold.
57,860
Gallons of cream sold.
10,060
Gallons of milk sold
1,322,646
CATTLE.
No. of fat cattle sold
9,352
Average gross weight per head of fat cattle
942
IIOGS.
No of fat hogs sold
37,500
Average gross weight of fat hogs
254
No. of hogs and pigs died of cholera.
2,064
Average gross weight
87
CROPS.
No. of bushels of timothy-seed in 1877
9,513
No. of bushels of clover-seed in 1877
1,898
No. of bushels of Hungarian and millet seed in 1877
4,744
No. of bushels of flaxseed in 1877
13,111
Pounds of grapes
15,815
Horse
14,547
$571,362 00
Cattle.
40,514
462,532 00
Mules and asses ..
501
· 16,529 00
Sheep
6,586
7,389 00
Hogs.
37,954
39,366 00
Assessed value of land exclusive of city lots
9,271,860 00
NUMBER.
VALUE.
THE SORGHUM FEVER AND OTHER THINGS.
From the above it will be seen that sorghum makes but a small figure in our present agricultural productions; but, in common with many other counties, Will County took its turn at the sorghum fever. This raged along between 1855 and 1865. The farmers generally, at one time or another, raised sorghum. They made their own molasses, and tried to make their own sugar. Merchants sold sorghum-seed, and the sorghum-mills ornamented the farmers' door-yards, and the tall and handsome canes grew in luxuriant beauty in his fields. The war added stimulus to its production, as it seemed for a time as
350
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
though we should be cut off from our Southern supply of sugar altogether. Sorghum conventions were held, at which samples were displayed and the modes of cultivation discussed.
Among the most enthusiastic believers in sorghum was the Rev. Royal Reed, for some time a Congregational preacher here and elsewhere. He be- lieved that it was going to prove a bonanza to the farmers and the country ; that it would supply sirup and sugar from its juice, a beautiful dye, outvying the famous Tyrian, from its seed, the best and cheapest fiber for paper in its stalk, and last but not least, a spirit could be distilled from the pomace which would put New England and Jamaica to shame. The dominie had a little planta- tion on which he raised the cane, and he set up a mill in his yard, and the steam of his evaporating-pan went up, day after day, a sweet incense to Ceres. He tried to make sugar, but the product was small. But his rum was a success. The libations he poured out to Bacchus were the admiration of the neighbor- hood. Many were permitted to taste just enough to see what could be done with sorghum, but only in medicinal doses. Not much was heard about the dominie's sugar, but the praises of his rum were on the lips of not a few. But the sorghum fever passed away, like many another. It did not prove a success ; its sirup always had an unpleasant twang, and refused to granulate, and soon the farmers stopped raising it, and the sorghum-mills rotted and no longer orna- mented the landscape. This mention of sorghum has given us an opportunity to tell a pretty good story of its enthusiastic disciple. He is still living, but just over the county line in Grundy County, so we think it will be safe. It illustrates the manner in which so many people blunder when they attempt to quote Scripture, and thus it has a good moral. If it were not for the good moral we should not tell it. While Pastor of the old Congregational Church here, he boarded awhile in the family of some ladies who kept a female boarding- school. They had quite a large family of teachers and boarding scholars. These ladies had a rule that, as each one, teachers and boarders, took their seats at the table they should repeat a text of Scripture-a very pleasant and com- mendable practice, in favor of which much might be said. On one occasion, one of the ladies gave as her text : "Duty is ours, consequences are God's." It was the dominie's turn next, and he matched her quotation with another equally scriptural, if not equally beautiful : "Let every tub stand on its own bottom." The Dominie had to hunt another boarding-place.
How many fevers we have survived ! The bilious fever, the gold fever, the land fever, the oil fever, the superheated steam fever, the war fever, the sorghum fever, the woolen-factory fever, the rolling-mill fever, the Linden Heights fever, the horse- railway fever, the "Dolly Varden " fever-and yet we still live ! And then the dress-reform fever, which raged in 1850-51-52. We had thought seriously of writing up its history, but we feel incapable of doing the subject justice, and it is a delicate theme. It was a brave and heroic attempt on the part of a few to bring about a change in female costume; but it failed, notwithstanding it
351
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
had the zealous support of both the Signal and True Democrat, and those who were its zealous advocates and exemplars now wear dresses longer than ever !
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL MATTERS.
The donation by the General Government of the sixteenth section of each township of the public lands-one-thirty-sixth-was made by the same act which provided for their survey. This was a most generous donation on the part of our parental · Government, and was designed to furnish a nucleus, at least, of a general system of education ; and, although many of these sections were prematurely sold, and the avails of such sales have, in many instances, been squandered, still the fund derived from this and other sources lightens to some extent the taxes raised for school purposes. There is besides this, a school, college and seminary fund, being 3 per cent of the net proceeds of the sale of public lands, which is distributed by the State to each county in proportion to the number of scholars. Our county receives nearly $1,000 annually. Cer- tain fines inflicted for misdemeanors are assigned to the school fund. The amount varies from $200 to $800, according to behavior of the citizens. In 1877, it was $510.63. There is also a general tax levied by the State for school purposes, which is distributed to counties according to population under 21 years. The amount received by our county, for 1877, was $16,432.53. In addition, each school district has the power, within certain limits, to raise the amount needed for keeping up the respective schools, and also special taxes for building schoolhouses. In incorporated cities, the city schools come under the city control, and the corporation has power to assess the needed tax. During the earlier years of our history, of course, schools were left chiefly to the volun- tary efforts of neighborhoods. Some of them we have already noticed.
The present system of schools assumed substantially its present shape somewhere about the year 1850. The duties of School Commissioners were pre- viously confined to the charge of the funds, and the duties of the School Trustees, in each township, to the sixteenth section and care of the township fund. It is greatly to be regretted that the ' people have been so careless in their selection of school officers. These should be selected with the greatest care and from the best, wisest and most responsible citizens, without regard to politics. Some townships have paid dearly for their carelessness in this regard, and still, what ought to elicit the most interest is really treated as of little importance. The last published report of the County Superintendent, Mrs. McIntosh, gives :
The total number of persons between 6 and 21 years 17,602
The total number enrolled in public schools. 12,814
The total number enrolled in private schools 1,276
The total number not attending any school. 3,515
Number of teachers in public schools 419
Number of teachers in private schools 28
Total number of schoolhouses. 207
Total number of volumes in school libraries ...
859
Total amount paid teachers for year ending September, 1876. $90,596 03
352
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
Total amount paid male teachers for the year ending September, 1876 .. 29 057 48 Total amount paid female teachers for the year ending September, 1876, 62,538 55 Number of male teachers. 124
Number of female teachers .. 295
Average monthly wages to males. $46 84
Average monthly wages to females .. 30 06
Total amount of receipts for the year $177,778 69
Total amount of expenditures for the year
137,865 72
Balance on hand. 39,912 97
Matters specially relating to the different towns, are left to the township historian. Private schools have been taught, from time to time, in the principal towns of the county. In Joliet, by Alexander McIntosh, S. W. Stone, S. O. Simends, K. J. Hammond, Miss C. C. McDonald, and Mrs. Grover. An acad- emy was once organized by the efforts, principally, of Rev. L. H. Loss, and flourished awhile under the administration of Samuel Emerson. There was once a young lady's boarding and select school, which flourished some years, and was managed by Mrs. Crowley and her sister and daughter. S. O. Simonds taughta normal school at one time. Commercial schools have also been in operation much of the time, by Prof. Russell and others. There have been and still are several parochial schools, and Mrs. McIntosh has at present a select school. These will come under the notice of the township historian. Mr. K. J. Ham- mond had, at one time, a flourishing academy at Plainfield, and there was once a college, called the Northwestern, in operation there, but which has now been removed to another county. . After its removal, the building was occupied by an academy under the auspices of the Fox River Union. We wish we could place upon record a flourishing college or even a high school or academy; but, after all, the people's colleges are the most important to our well-being, and should be looked after in all their interests much more closely and wisely by our voters and tax-payers, and especially by parents.
LITERARY.
We had intended to devote a page or two to the literary history of Will County, but we have found the work too vast as well as too delicate. Although we should know well where to begin-with that first fourth of July oration-we should not know when or where to stop. We have already spoken of Mrs. E. Jessup Eames, of Channahon, our first poetess in point of time, and, perhaps, in point of ability. She published a volume in her lifetime which contains some·beautiful pieces. Mrs. E. A. W. Hopkins, a long-time resident of Joliet in its earlier days, also has published a volume or two. Of these we could safely speak ; but when we should undertake to go into a full list of writers, both in poetry and prose, who have flourished during the forty-odd years of the county's existence, we should be lost in the multitude of names and in the effort to select those most worthy of notice ; and we should be sure to leave out some one who would be entitled to have his or her name handed down to future fame on the pages of this history. We therefore forbear to undertake the work,
353
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
and leave it to another. Even while we write, we have heard that one of our well-known citizens has a poetical work in the press ; and it is but a day or two since, a grave Judge, while sitting upon the bench, broke out into verse at the sight of a brother lawyer's new overcoat !
PENITENTIARY.
In 1857, the Legislature authorized the building of a new Penitentiary, to be located at Joliet. Commissioners were appointed to superintend the work. They purchased a tract of land on Section 3 of this township, of 72 19-100 acres, with a front on the Canal of 55 rods. No better selection could probably have been made. The ground is underlaid by our limestone strata to such a depth as to render all tunneling out an impossibility. There was a fine natural spring on the property, and considerable stone, valuable for its construction, and large quarries in the vicinity. The Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad passes between it and the Canal.
Boyington & Wheelock, of Chicago, were selected as the architects, and a most extensive and beautiful plan was projected. John B. Preston was ap- pointed Superintendent of construction and engineer, but served only a short time, as his duties as Superintendent of the Canal required his time. On his resignation, George R., McGregor was appointed to fill the place. Work was commenced in August, 1857, and by January 1, 1858, $125,000 of work was under contract with Sanger & Casey. Sixteen acres were inclosed by a wall six feet thick and twenty-five feet high. A beautiful Warden's house occupying the center of the south front, with wings which contain the cells, was com- menced on the plan drawn by the architects we have named, furnishing 900 con- gregate cells and 100 solitary and 100 female. In May, 1859, prisoners began to be removed from Alton, and by June, 1860, all were removed.
At the start, the prison was leased, but in June, 1867, the State assumed control, and three Commissioners were temporarily appointed. They were subsequently elected by the people.
A Warden, Deputy Warden, Chaplain, Matron and Physician were chosen, and the work has been completed on the original plan. Within the walls, also, many buildings, sheds, etc., necessary for the mechanical operations carried on, have been from time to time erected, and at present the walls inclose an im- mense amount of mechanical and manufacturing establishments, and is a vast hive of industries, where those who have forfeited their right to freedom are required to serve the State, and earn their own support.
The original estimate of the cost was $550,000. The sum of $300,000 was originally appropriated to operate it. In 1869, $350,000 more were appro- priated, and in 1871, $175,000. In 1871, the law was revised for its govern- ment, and the appointment of Commissioners vested in the Governor and sub- ject to his removal. The Commissioners were also authorized to lease the labor of the convicts, and this is the plan now pursued as far as possible. During the
354
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY.
last year of Gov. Palmer's administration the institution became self-sus- taining.
The prison has passed through various changes in its administration and policy, both during its construction and since, and has been a source of much discussion, which it is not important to record. It seems now to be wisely and carefully managed, and has been as prosperous during the era of hard times as any other establishment. The prisoners are under good and kind discipline, and no efforts seemed to be spared, consistent with their safe-keeping and the ends of justice, to secure their physical, moral and religious comfort and im- provement. A chapel with regular religious services, a hospital and well-stocked dispensary, and the necessary attendants, with a skillful physician outside who visits the prison daily, a library of 6,000 volumes for reading, and a school and over 1,000 books for instruction-these are some of the provisions made for their benefit. Each cell is also supplied with a Bible. When the prison was first planned, it was thought to be on so large a scale that it would answer the needs of the State for many years ; but it has already been found insufficient, and a new one is being constructed.
Efforts for the spiritual good of the convicts were made by a former Chap- lain, Rev. Mr. Lathrop, who is entitled to the grateful remembrance of the community ; and these are continued by the present Chaplain, A. T. Briscoe, who resigned the post of Commissioner to take his present one, and is devoted to his work.
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