USA > Illinois > Adams County > The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 41
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
under the name of William Hardy, but probably kept at safe distance from Illinois volunteers thereafter.
On the 14th of September, 1st Lientenant B. M. Prentiss was elected captain of Company I, in place of Captain Dickey, resigned. He was succeeded by 2d Lieutenant Henry, Henry by Sergeant Evans, Evans by Corporal Burns, and he by Private John T. Conyers. On the 10th of October, 1846, they first put foot on Mexican soil.
On the 8th of November they were paid off from period of enlistment. to 31st Angust by Major Butler, at the city of Monclova, where the "rifle- men" were stationed to keep peace in the town. Here Companies I and A were formed into a battalion under Captain Morgan by general orders.
On the 23d of January, 1847, Companies A and I, Captains Morgan and Prentiss, under Major Warren commanding battalion, entered Saltillo. and passed through. On the 28th they took up position at a pass in the mountains one mile south of Camp San Juan Buena Vista. On the 4th of February the same companies marched in and garrisoned Saltillo.
On the 22d of February Gen. Taylor engaged in battle with Santa Anna at a pass seven miles south of Saltillo. The battalion remained in Saltillo because it was thought Santa Anna would attack the place to get into Taylor's rear. However, by order of Gen. Wool, the battalion was brought up and maintained a position upon the field at the foot of the mountains to sustain the artillery. The first death occurred here, being that of William S. Taylor in the hospital on the 26th of February, 1847. March 2d, put on patrol duty in the city. The next deaths were on March 12th and 16th-Privates Fletcher Owens and Jordan Danard.
After the battle of Buena Vista the name of Col. Weatherford appears as commander of the regiment. On the 2d of April the company was paid off again np to Feb. 28. April 18th is recorded the death of Private Charles R. Knapp. For a month, or nearly, the troops remained inactive waiting for news from Gen. Scott and Vera Cruz.
On the 26th of May news was received that Gen. Shields died of wounds received at Cerro Gordo, so that it is evident that false rumors can be carried without aid of press or telegraph, and all were glad to receive some time later a contradiction of the report.
At this time, much climatic sickness occurred, dysentery prevailing extensively, and the feeling in favor of a re-enlistment "for the war " was weak.
On Friday, May 28, our record says: " All is now preparation for the march homeward. The body of Col. John J. Hardin (killed in the famous charge at Buena Vista) was disinterred yesterday and enclosed in a lead coffin preparatory to taking it home with his regiment. The bodies of Capt. Zabriskie and Lieut. Houghten will also be taken home."
On May 31st the First and Second Regiments passed through town on their way home, but the Old Battalion was not able to join them for
306
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
lack of transportation, but on the 1st of June the Quincy Riflemen marched out of Saltillo with happy hearts on their homeward journey. On Monday, Jan. 12, the company turned over their rifles. There was only one missing rifle, belonging to C. J. Sellon, who, after a somewhat eventful career as an editor and soldier in the late war, is now dead. A cartridge box was lost, belonging to J. W. Vandenburg. On Thursday, June 17, 1847, the company was mustered out. paid off, supplied with fif- teen days' rations, and took the steamer Del Norte on the Rio Grande for the States next day.
The Picket Guard was a little paper printed in Saltillo by members of the battalion, and they allude to a meeting held by the citizens to protest against Col. Warren and Capts. Morgan and Prentiss being sent away. They use the highest words of eulogy in regard to the discipline of the men. Gen. Wool also congratulated these companies for being exception- ally well governed and reliable men.
In addition to Capt. Morgan's company, another company was raised . in Quincy by Timothy Kelly's exertions, but family ties and influences were brought to bear so strongly that there were only twelve who departed for the field. Without flags or swords Kelly's fragment of a company em- barked for Alton. Here they were consolidated with Capt. Dentch's com- pany from Oswego, Kendall county, and from Madison county, and placed in the Second Illinois Regiment. The names of these men from Adams were:
James O'Conner, Peter Lott, Timothy Kelly, William Kelly,
William Kennedy, John Dwyer,
Thomas O'Conner, John Davidson, Clark Brinkert,
Patrick Creese, Michael Reilly,
James Ryan.
After arrival in Texas an election was held at San Antonio, Texas, to fill vacancies, and Peter Lott, of Quincy, was chosen captain, and Timothy Kelly second lieutenant. They continued their march across Texas and crossed the Rio Grande at Presidio. The Second Illinois Regiment bore an honorable part in the battle of Buena Vista, and Capt. Lott's company took their share in the engagement. Lient. Timothy Kelly was killed in front of his company, and Private Thomas O'Conners, who was once a schoolteacher in Adams, met a like fate. James Ryan was among the missing. Mr. James O'Conner, now living in Quincy, helped to bear away the body of his friend, Lient. Kelly. Life was extinct when he was brought to camp. Vandenburg Miller and Capt. Lott assisted. He fell near Thomas O'Conner, in the head of a ravine where the conflict had raged with great fury.
On the 19th of June, 1846, the company was mustered out at Camargo and started for home. Capt. Morgan furnished conveyance for Lient. Kelly's remains to the steamboat on the Rio Grande, and in dne time they arrived in Quincy in charge of James O'Conner and other com- pany friends. He was buried from the Catholic Church, with appropriate services, and a military escort furnished by Capt. Morgan and his company.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
CHAPTER VI.
THE CALIFORNIA EXCITEMENT. - THE ASIATIC CHOLERA, ETC.
In the winter and fall of 1848-9 the California excitement prevailed, and many left for the Pacific.
The first party left on the 1st of February, via New Orleans, Chagres, etc., and consisted of the following named persons:
John Wood, Aaron Nash,
John Mikerell, Jr., Geo. Burns,
John Wood, Jr.,
David Wood,
J. Dorman,
Demas Guntery,
S. W. Rogers,
J. J. Kendrick,
I. H. Miller,
Geo. Rogers,
C. G. Ammon,
D. M. Jordan,
John McClintock,
Chas. Brown.
The California excitement continued without abatement during the winter, and a large number left in the spring.
On the first week in April there departed from the city of Quincy, with teams, to cross the plains, the following persons. They were to go to Lagrange, by ferry boat, and then steer away for St. Joseph.
The list of names we copy from paper of April 10th:
John Demaree, John S. Demaree, M. Leach, Edw. Felt,
- Woods,
Ethan Allen,
P. Lane,
Jas. A. Parker,
O. F. Miller,
Wm. Burrell,
Robert McGinnis,
Wm. Vaughn,
Dobbins,
John Justice, Ireland,
Geo. Adams, Arrowsmith,
Wm. Ralph,
Richard Ball,
Jas. Pope,
Mark Foote,
Oliver Kimball,
M. Kennard,
Meredith, Wilson,
Wm. H. Benneson,
Jas. Griffith,
Jas. T. Day and wife,
H. B. Gibbs, Geo. Case,
- Word and son,
Jas. Headley, Noah Ball,
John L. Cochran,
Joseph Isham,
J. Switzer,
John A. Flack, Houghton,
Stephen Kernwood,
John Rogers,
E. Merton,
Ether Page,
Dr. Wm. H. Taylor,
S. K. Lawrence.
At or about the same time, the following from Mill Creek and neigh- borhood went off :
J. D. Robinson,
Jesse Thomas, Andrew Inman, Wesley Tibbs, Elisha Seehorn, Reuben Seehorn, Brown, Golder Fields, John Inman,
Jas. Connelly, Robert Warc,
Alpha Seehorn, Jr., John Lyons,
Jackson Ammon,
Royal Crandall,
Wm. Blackwell,
Abel Herrel, Stephen Thomas,
Wm. Burkelow,
John Hayes,
Peter Journey, David Inman, Eli Seehorn, Alpha Seehorn,
Matthew Wyatt, Royal Herrell.
Daniel Wood,
W. B. Matlock,
Job Herring,
Jasper H. Lawrence, Benj. Mikerell,
Dr. M. Walker,
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
There were three and four persons to a wagon. Several of the wagons were drawn by four mules, though the majority of them were drawn by three or four yoke of oxen. All of them were fitted out in a substantial manner, with every necessary required for the trip.
We hear of Gov. Wood's party being at Chagres about this time, and waiting, with two thousand others, for transportation to San Francisco. Dr. S. W. Rogers wrote from there that there was general good health in the company.
On July 23d, 1849, there appears a notice of the Sangamon & Morgan Railway as being on that day opened for business from Naples to Spring- field, G. L. Huntington being secretary. This would, with the stage line, bring Quincy into closer eastern mail communications.
On August 7th, 1849, the first news was published " FROM JOHN WOOD & Co.'s CALIFORNIA COMPANY." They arrived in good health, and were thirty miles from San Francisco, on the 19th of May, 1849, on their way to the mountains.
"News from the Plains " arrived in September, 1849, being in a letter from Mr. George Adams to his brother James, dated at Green River Junc- tion, July 28th, seventy miles from the South Pass. He mentions Mr. Ireland and lady, himself and wife, Mrs. Pope and two children, Mr. Houghton, T. Arrowsmith, James Cox, and Mr. Woolsey. Mr. Joseph Pope died from cholera, abont eighty miles from Fort Laramie. Mr. A. says that they saw nothing to discourage them until they reached the Black Hills, where they were never out of sight of a dead ox, and could sometimes count a dozen in view at one time.
On the 20th of February, 1850, Mr. John Wood, his two sons, David Woods and Benj. Mikerell returned. They only spent about four months in the mines. They seemed somewhat reticent regarding their own suc- cess, but gave no discouragement to others.
The excitement continued throughout the year, and many emigrated during that period, and we give below a list of as many names as we have been able to obtain, who went prior to May 1st, 1850. There are neigh- borhoods in the county from which we have been unable to obtain informa- tion, and the list is necessarily incomplete.
FROM QUINCY.
D. M. Jourdan and lady,
John Mikerell and son,
Wm. Rogers, Wm. Homan,
Robert Price,
A. S. Drake,
Gilbert Murray,
John Shuey Mendon,
John Ammon, H. H. Horton, Wm. Hezlip, David Woods.
The following went by the land route:
Thos. Farrell, D. G. Anderson,
J. S. Stepperfield, F. W. Goodwin and son,
Alfred Young, Chris. Steinagle, Jacob Keis,
A. M. Doake,
John B. Hicks, Thomas Emery, Benj. Worrell, John Wrench,
1
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Walter Emery, Henry Burrell, A. Goodposture, D. L. G. Surdam, Wm. McGowan, John Miller, C. G. Dickhut, John Gould, Hugh McBane, Starke,
Dr. Bryant, - Pettitt, C. W. Munson,
Jas. Delemater, B. Dougherty,
Wm. Masters, Joel Emery, H. Goodposture, Dr. M. Walker,
Z. Mansau, J. Strickland, P. Van Est and son, Milus Gay, C. Rouff, Chas. Steinagle, John Merker, W. Foot,
- Plumbtree.
FROM ELLINGTON TOWNSHIP.
.
Chas J. Kemp, J. Cadogan, Win. Nowles, S. Chase, T. G. Wilson,
James Long, John Iler, Jas. Dunlap, Eli Conner,
P. Asher,
John Cadogan,
I. A. Holt,
A. Gobble, Coleman Talbot and son,
Jas. Davis,
A. Vanvoris, Geo. Buchanan,
J. Ratliff,
J. C. Newton, Chas. Turner.
FROM THE BEAR CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD.
Randolph Owen, James Riddle, Castle, E. G. Lillard, John Wren, George Kinkaid, M. Crawford,
M. Heaton, - Heaton,
Thos. McGinnis,
C. S. Stahl,
U. W. Stall,
A. Robinson,
Wm. Hastings,
Joseph Taylor, A. Lochman.
FROM URSA NEIGHBORHOOD.
S. Nicholson, Geo. Hightower, J. Francis, L. Sowell,
G. S. Whips, -Titus, D. Eshorn,
Sam. Byland, W. T. Henderson, S. Rockwell.
FROM PAYSON AND NEIGHBORHOOD.
A. Schorborough, Jr., George Ames,
· John Abbott,
J. I. Whitney. .
FROM COLUMBUS AND NEIGHBORHOOD.
Thos. Hood,
James Hendrickson, Jas. Butler,
McCain, Henry Ferguson, Calvin Francis, Wm. Sharp,
John Hendrickson, H. Marsh,
F. Robinson,
J. Gant.
J. Elliott,
-- Bartlett,
H. Robinson,
- Chatham, -- Ellis, Wm. Cain,
A. Freeman, S. Smith,
Henry Davis,
S. Greenleaf, John Ferguson,
Mr. Forcey and a family of five men, three women and four children, John Davis, Dan. Pounds,
S. Hood, Geo. Mccullough, T. Babington,
Geo. Gale,
A. Choote,
Robt. Ferguson, Absalom Francis, Adam Metz.
FROM MILLVILLE AND THE VICINITY.
Jas. Carr, Jacob Crowoson, John Dean, H. Bramdom, - Starks,
Wm. Blackwell, J. Steward,
Hiram Morris,
D. Coffman,
John Kossen,
J. Rhodes,
Isaac Woolen,
Alex. Thompson,
C. Starr, H. D. Roberts, - Bethel, M. Roberts, C. Hansaker,
309
.
John Messick, Philip Derry,
J. Kidney, C. Iler, E. Frost, Jr., Jas. D. Colvin,
Thos. Campbell,
S. Grimes,
C. Atterburn,
J. Reorick, John Cousins, W. Robbins,
A. H. Osborn,
A. Skeggs,
Featheringill, R. Craig, Ramsay,
310
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Wm. Morris, C. Chattau, G. Carr, E. Craig, Atterburn,
G. Boxley,
W. Laforce,
Jesse Bowles,
A. Young,
H. Morris,
- Bryan,
P. Morris, S. M. Titus,
--- Peyton,
FROM WOODVILLE AND VICINITY.
J. Nelson,
Chas. Richardson,
J. Hartman,
Wm. Cubbage,
R. Greeley,
Joseph Cox,
Jos. Cecil,
Samuel Cald well, Geo. Hays,
H. Hartman,
Geo. Nelson,
Francis McLean,
Wm. Harding, Benj. Robinson,
Walter Cecil.
W. A. Robinson,
Wm. Cecil,
W. Robinson.
Gco. Roberts,
THE ASIATIC CHOLERA OF 1849-'50.
This devastating scourge left the shores of Adams county unscathed until the beginning of the warm weather, in '49, and did not obtain a foot- hold in Quincy until brought by immigrants or passengers from the river.
One of the first important names in the roll of mortality was that of Capt. C. L. Wight, of Galena, who died on the steamer War Eagle, while passing down to St. Louis, between Quincy and Louisiana. He was on his way to California. This was on the 20th of April. Previous to this, how- ever, there had been some cases at Leonard's Mill. On the 17th of March, three deaths occurred in the city, viz .: Daniel Casey, Timothy Hurley and - Smith, all natives of Ireland. It was stated in the paper, that Casey, while in St. Louis, occupied a room in which a person had recently died of the disease. Dr. Ralston and some other physicians, at that time, denied their belief in the infectious or contagious nature of the disease.
While other remedies were being suggested for Cholera, we find the following, copied into a paper, as a method adopted by the "Latter Day Saints," in the case of two young ladies, attacked with the disease:
" The process consisted in anointing with oil, prayer, brandy, psalm- singing, flannels, exhortation and hot water. The prescription was carried into effect with great vigor and perseverance, throughout an entire night, and in the morning the patients were quiet and without pain, both being dead."
But the disease soon became too serious a matter for joking, and we find the fears of the people taking hold upon them. By the 22nd of May, we notice a mortality report, furnished by Mr. Adam Schmidt, of ten deaths in the previous week, among the German emigrants and their relations. Among the number, Mrs. Gertrude Gost and child ; Mrs. Adam Elder, Philip Zink, Adam Elder and Mrs. Cook.
A paragraph states, concerning the death of one of the above, that she enveloped herself in the blankets in which her husband had died, and died also from the disease, a suicide.
In June, the disease appearing again, the papers recommended the " sulphur remedy," and a public meeting was held at the court-house. At
ABinKert COUNTY TREASURER QUINCY
311
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
this time, in St. Louis, deaths occurred at the rate of forty to sixty per day.
On the 30th of July, it is stated that on the previous Saturday after- noon and night, there were five deaths from cholera. Much uneasiness was manifested, and many talked of leaving the city. A gloom was upon the countenances of all, and it was a trying time in the history of the place. Travel upon the river and country trade were suspended, to a great extent. In the succeeding week, there were, up to July 15, forty-five interments, of which thirty-five were from cholera. This number included the wife of Capt. B. M. Prentiss. The next week there were fifty-five deaths, and, among the number, ENOCH CONYERS, the Mayor. He was interred by the Masonic fraternity, with the usual honors of that body, and generally hon- ored by the citizens. Charles Gilman, Esq., an attorney, also fell a victim. He was the author of Gilman's Supreme Court Reports, and editor of the Western Legal Observer.
We copy the following from the Quincy Whig, of July 31st, 1849:
Whole number of deaths, the past week, sixty-three; the greatest number buried any one day was fifteen, on Sunday, the 29th.
NOTICE .- Friday, the 3d of August, being recommended by the President as a day of general prayer and supplication, our offices will therefore be closed on that day.
[Signed] SAMUEL HOLMES, Register, Land Office. HIRAM ROGERS, Receiver. A. JONAS, Postmaster.
The proclamation was signed by President Z. Taylor, July 3d, and recommended due religious observance, on account of the pestilence pre- vailing the country over.
The next week's deaths decreased to 27, but the pestilence still lingered. On August 13, we notice the death of Artemus Ward, an old and honored citizen.
The sum total of deaths from the epidemic, up to the fourth week of August, were as follows: In March, six; April, none; May, fifteen; June, twelve; July, 139; August, 114. Total, 286. From other causes during the meantime, 120 deaths.
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
CHAPTER VII.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION-ORIGIN-REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS-DIVISION OF COUNTY INTO TOWNSHIPS-FIRST MEETING OF BOARD-NAMES OF MEMBERS-ELECTION PRECINCTS-AID TO SOLDIERS' FAMILIES-DIFFI- CULTIES IN PAYING TAXES-BOUNTY ACT-COUNTY LINE.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
The county of Adams was one of the first to adopt the system of township organization. The board of this county from its earliest adopt- ion, has been composed of the best representative men of the different townships, and we doubt if any county in the State has had its affairs wiser or more prudently managed than Adams. So popular has the manage- ment of the county government been under this system that we suppose it would be impossible under any considerations in this county to return to the old plan, by the voice of the people. Of the origin of this system of township government in this county Mr. Haynes says:
ORIGIN.
" The system of township organization, as at present existing in the northern and eastern states, originated in New England, and is an evidence of the confidence which the early patriots of those colonies entertained in the ability of the people to govern and legislate for themselves.
"Township organization is of modern date, and no scheme having much similarity to it can be found in ancient history. The municipal divisions of Athens and the other ancient republics were rather into castes or social ranks than territorial; although the 'demes' of ancient Athens, the Roman and Grecian colonies, and, at a later day, the free cities of mediaval Europe, possessed more or less of the privileges of a municipal corporation, such as choice of voters, election of officers, possession of a seal, management of funds, and the like. These cases, however, are exceptions; isolated instances of the universal instinct for self-government which is born with all men, but repressed under non-elective and irresponsible gov- ernments.
" We now come to consider the first rise of the town organization.in America. This appears, so far as the records show, to have been substan- tially a result of the experience of practical inconveniences, which the Puritans took such means to remedy as were suggested to them by their
313
HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
home recollections, but with whatever modifications their remarkably direct and practical common sense suggested.
"The New England colonies were at first governed by a 'General Court,' or legislature, composed of a governor and a small council, which court consisted of the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exer- cised both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders. They made laws, ordered their execution by offi- cers, tried and decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, and in fact did all the public business of the colony.
"The first legal enactment to establish towns, that of the General Court of Massachusetts, of March, 1635, so far as it indicates any motive implies convenience only as the reason of the law. It provides that whereas ' particular towns have many things which concern only themselves, and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of business in their own town,' therefore ' the freemen of every town, or the major part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the appurtenances of said towns; to grant lots, and make such orders as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the General Court.' They might also impose fines if not more than twenty shillings, and ' choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the highways, and the like.' Evidently this enactment relieved the General Court of a mass of municipal details, without any danger to the powers of that body in controlling general measures or public policy. Probably also a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt, for the control of their own home concerns.
"Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the first constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639; and the plan of town- ship organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficacy, and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent people, became universal throughout New England, and went westward with the emigrants from New England into New York, Ohio and other western states, includ- ing the northern parts of Illinois.
"But a different policy determined the character of the municipal institutions of the southern part of our State. This was the 'county sys- tem.' This plan originated with Virginia, whose early settlers soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living apart in almost baronial magnificence on their own estates, and owning the labor- ing part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were not at hand, the voters being thinly distributed over a great area. The county organization, where a few influential men managed the whole business of the community, retaining their places almost at their pleasure, scarcely responsible at all except in name, and permitted to conduct the county concerns as their own ideas or wishes might direct, was moreover conson- ant with their recollections or traditions of the judicial and social dignities
-
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
of the landed aristocracy of England, in descent from whom the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1634, eight counties were organized in Virginia; and the system extending through the State, has spread into all the southern states, and some of the northern states, unless we except the nearly similar division into 'districts' in South Carolina, and that into · parishes,' retained by Louisiana from the French laws.
"Illinois, which, with a vast additional territory, became a county of Virginia on its conquest by Gen. George Rogers Clark, retained the county organization, which was formally extended over the State by the constitu- tion of 1818, and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848. Under this system, as in other States adopting it, most local business was transacted by three commissioners in each county, who constituted a county court, with quarterly sessions. During the period ending with the consti- tutional convention of 1847, a large portion of the State had become filled up with a population of New England birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system. Under the influence of this feeling the con- stitutional provision of 1848, and subsequent law of 1849 were enacted, permitting counties to adopt township organization; according to which all the counties north of the Illinois river, and a large number south of it, have so organized.
"The main argument for township organization is, perhaps, its ex- treme value as a school of political action. It is not claimed, of course, that each township should exercise so unbounded an authority as belonged to the ancient republics; but only that they should use it in reference to local matters, which interest them only, and which no others can under- stand or direct so well. In the immense territories which form the States of the Union, or in the Union itself for federal concerns, it is impossible for all the voters to meet and transact the business of government. Hence that modification of a 'pure democracy,' which has given us our represen- tative system of government. If such a universal meeting were conveni- ently practicable, it would be practiced; in that case, no voter would dele- gate by authority; but it is not. In town business, however, it is practi- cable. The people of a township can readily meet for conference, and dis- cuss and decide all the multitude of local interests which concern their township, with a far better understanding of them than any agent or repre- sentative could exercise.
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