USA > Indiana > DeKalb County > History of DeKalb County, Indiana : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns and biographies of representative citizens : Also a condensed history of Indiana > Part 30
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Joint Representative.
Samuel S. Shutt.
2,708
353
Hiram Iddings.
2,355
Representative.
Daniel D. Moody.
2,551
116
Wm. T. Hopkins.
2,435
Joshua M. Winslow
125
Commissioner.
F. D. Oberlin.
2,483
8
Ephraim Shipe.
2,475
Emanuel R. Shoemaker.
153
Sheriff.
Augustus S. Leas. .
2,530
96
Jay J. Van Auken.
2,434
Jno. W. Rowe.
90
Senator.
Augustus S. Leas.
1,871
Wesley I. Work ...
1,679
281
Wm. L. Meese.
1,894
188
Wm. R. Emerson.
2,230
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY. 327
Clerk.
J. o. W. Baxter.
2,510
Jno. A. Provines.
2,429
Hamilton H. Keep .. .
143
Treasurer.
Lafayette J. Miller.
2,563
Wm. Henderson.
2,422
Orris Danks.
120
Recorder.
Michael Boland ...
2,640
Charles Hanes.
2,321
Isaac B. Goldsmith.
129
Surveyor.
Azam P. Foltz ...
2,522
Abel L. Hollopeter.
2,456
Coroner.
Jas. J. Latson.
2,566
146
Henry Espy
2.420
Daniel Zabner
128
ELECTION OF NOV. 2, 1880. President.
Winfield S. Hancock.
2,582
141
James A. Garfield.
2,441
Jas. C. Weaver.
110
ELECTION OF NOV. 7, 1882. Secretary of State.
Wm. R. Myers
2.559
Emanuel R. Hawn. .
2,291
Leonard.
111
Congressman.
Robert Lowry.
2,565
Wesley C. Glasgow.
2,279
Butler
118
Circuit Judge.
Wm. H. Dills.
2,470
118
R. Wes. McBride.
2,352
Goodwin
98
Prosecuting Attorney.
Harry Reynolds
2,588
241
Henry C. Peterson.
2,347
Joint Representative.
Eli B. Garber.
2,552
O. Z. Hubbell.
2,313
Representative.
Daniel D. Moody
2,472
Jeremiah Lewis.
2,368
Edge
76
Commissioners.
Joseph Sewell ...
2,493
Fred D. Oberlin.
2,360
Shultz.
102
Oliver H. Widney
2,602
Russell G. Coburn.
2,247
Milliman ..
103
Briggs D. Thomas
2,545
Amos Rakestraw.
2,289
Scattergood.
103
Sheriff.
Jno. W. Boyle.
.2,550
229
Jonathan Hazlett.
2,321
Murphy
81
Auditor.
Thos. H. Tomlinson.
2,499
133
John A. Shull
2,366
Cathcart.
79
Clerk.
D. Y. Husselman.
2,472
104
Ezra D. Hartman.
2,368
Wallace ..
75
Treasurer.
L. J. Miller.
2,816
793
Chas. Bengno
2,019
Stoner
68
Recorder.
John Butt.
2,570
275
Thaddeus D. Meese
2,295
Shaffer.
74
Surveyor.
Jay J. Van Auken.
2,628
342
Samuel G. Flint.
2,286
Chapman
96
Coroner.
J. J. Latson.
2,599
371
Jno. A. Cowan.
2,228
ELECTION OF NOV. 4. 1884.
President.
Grover Cleveland.
2,799
348
Jas. G Blaine.
2,451
Benj. F. Butler. ..
95
Jno. P. St. John.
59
Governor.
Isaac P. Gray.
2,798
355
Wm. H. Calkins.
2,443
Hiram Z. Leonard.
94
Rob't S. Dwiggins.
70
Lieutenant-Governor.
Mahlon D. Manson.
2,804
362
Eugene H. Bundy.
2,442
Jno. B. Milroy
93
Elwood C. Siler
69
Secretary of State.
Wm. R. Myers
2,804
361
Rob't Mitchell ..
2,441
Thompson Smith
93
Benj. F. Carter.
68
Congressman.
Robert Lowry.
2,770
886
Theron P. Keator
2,484
Geo. D. Hattsuck.
87
Jesse M. Gale ....
57
Circuit Prosecutor.
Francis M. Powers.
2,889
433
Henry C. Peterson
2,456
239
104
133
355
256
81
141
319
66
268
286
328
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Sheriff.
Jno. W. Boyle ..
2,756
Elam B. Cutter.
2,532
Geo. Lautzenberger.
80
Treasurer.
Silas J. Brandon . .
2,765
237
Jno. L. Davis
2,528
Charles Imas
77
Coroner.
Francis Picker
2,760
255
Richard Elson
2,505
Enos Vian
96
Henry Probst.
2,810
345
Ephraim Farrington
2,465
Augustus Obendorf.
2,403
Wm. F. C. Francis.
Senator.
Oliver H. Widney
2,835
383
Lafayette J. Miller
2,913
461
Otis S. Blood.
2,452
Nicholas Ensley.
2,452
Miles Chapman
86
OFFICIAL.
Both for the interest of the reader and for a permanent record of value for reference the names are here given of those who have filled the principal offices in De Kalb County.
CLERKS.
The following have held the office of County Clerk: John F. Coburn, 1837-'41; S. W. Sprott, 1841-'51; J. P. Widney, 1851-'5; S. W. Sprott, 1855-'9; John Ralston, 1859-'67; J. R. Lanning, 1867'75; G. H. K. Moss, 1875-'80; John W. Baxter, 1880-'4; D. Y. Husselman, 1884.
RECORDERS.
The office of recorder was combined with that of clerk for the first fourteen years of the county's existence, since which time it has been a distinct office. The incumbents have been: John F. Coburn, 1837-'41; S. W. Sprott, 1841-'51; John McCune, 1851-'5; W. E. Griswold, 1855-'9; S. W. Widney, 1859-'64; G. R. Hoff- man, 1864-'8; D. Z. Hoffman, 1868-'76; M. Boland, 1876-'84; John Butt, 1884.
AUDITORS.
The auditors have been: S. W. Sprott, 1841-'2; Aaron Hague, 1842-'9; Miles Waterman, 1849-'55; M. F. Pierce, 1855-'60; A. J. Hunt, 1860-'2; George Kuhlman, 1862-'6; W. W. Griswold, 1866- '70; W. McIntyre, 1870-'4; Isaac Hague, 1874-'8; Albert Robbins, 1878-'82; Thomas H. Tomlinson, 1882.
TREASURERS.
Twelve men have been the custodians of De Kalb County's
224
Representative.
Daniel D. Moody
2,697
104
Jno. S. Jackman.
2,593
Wm. Wallace
83
Joint Representative.
Wm. Barney.
2,810
345
Jno. E. Thompson.
2,465
Jas. D. McAnally.
96
Commissioner 2d Dist.
Surveyor.
445
Jay J. Van Auken .. .
2,848
Jno. A. Walker.
96
Commissioner, 3d Dist.
329
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
money, as follows: Wesley Park, 1837-'51; S. W. Ralston, 1851- '3; J. E. Hendricks, 1853-'5; E. W. Fosdick, 1855-'7; Jacob Hel- wig, 1857-'9; R. B. Catlin, 1859-'61; George Barney, 1861-'5; L. J. Blair, 1865-'7; F. D. Ryan, 1867-'72; Nicholas Ensley, 1872-'6; Daniel Gonser, 1876-'80; L. J. Miller, 1880-'4.
SHERIFFS.
From 1837 to 1850 Wesley Park, Thomas J. Freeman, Jona- than Puffenbarger, and S. W. Ralston successively kept the county's disorderly citizens under lock and key. Since 1850 the time has been divided as follows: W. K. Straight, 1850-'4; Isaac Brandt, 1854-'6; S. W. Ralston, 1856-'60; J. N. Chamberlain, 1860-'2; J. N. Miller, 1862-'4; H. Willis, 1864-'8; J. Plum, 1868-'72; W. L. Meese, 1872-'6; Jolin St. Clair, 1876-'8; A. S. Leas, 1878-'82; John W. Boyle, 1882.
COMMISSIONERS.
The Legislators of our county are three in number, and the board for each year since the organization of the county has been as follows:
1837-Peter Fair (Chairman), Samuel Widney and Abram F. Beecher.
1838-Peter Fair (Chairman), David Strong and Isaac T. Al- drich.
1839-Daniel Strong (Chairman), Peter Fair and Isaac B. Smitlı.
1840-Daniel Strong (Chairman), Isaac B. Smith and Daniel Moody.
1841-Daniel Strong (Chairman), Daniel Moody and Warner Spooner.
1842-Daniel Moody (Chairman), Warner Spooner and John Helwig.
1843-Warner Spooner (Chairman), John Helwig and Daniel. Moody.
1844 John Helwig (Chairman), Daniel Moody and Oliver D. Keep.
1845-Daniel Moody (Chairman), Oliver D. Keep and Amzi Seely.
1846-Oliver D. Keep (Chairman), Amzi Seely and James M. Goetschins.
1847-Amzi Seely (Chairman), James M. Goetschius and An- drew S. Casebeer.
330
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
1848-Amzi Seely (Chairman), James M. Goetschins and Andrew S. Casebeer.
1849-Amzi Seely (Chairman), Andrew S. Casebeer and James M. Goetschins.
1850-Amzi Seely (Chairman), Oliver D. Keep and William Showers.
1851-William Showers (Chairman), Jacob Helwig and John C. Hursh.
1852-Jacob Helwig (Chairman), Solomon De Long and Joseph Walter.
1853-Solomon De Long (Chairman), Joseph Walter aud Jere- miah Hemstreet.
1854-Joseph, Walter (Chairman), Solomon De Long and Joel E. Thompson.
1855-Solomon De Long (Chairman), Joel E. Thompson and James M. Goetschius.
1856-Solomon De Long (Chairman), James M. Goetschius and Jeremiah Hemstreet.
1857-James M. Goetschius (Chairman), Jeremiah Hemstreet and Amzi Seely.
1858-Jeremiah Hemstreet (Chairman), Amzi Seely and James M. Goetschins.
1859-Amzi Seely (Chairman), David Buchanan and Alexander Provines.
1860-Alexander Provines (Chairman), David Buchanan and Henry Fusselman.
1861-David Buchanan (Chairman), Henry Fusselman and John Brandon.
1862-Henry Fusselman (Chairman), John Brandon and J. M. Brumback.
1863-John Brandon (Chairman), J. M. Brumback and Amzi Seely.
1864 J. M. Brumback (Chairman), Amzi Seely and Alexander Provines.
1865-Amzi Seely (Chairman), Alexander Provines and R. G. Daniels.
1866-Alexander Provines (Chairman), R. G. Daniels and William Henderson.
1867-R. G. Daniels (Chairman), William Henderson and William McIntyre.
1868-William Henderson (Chairman), William McIntyre and Daniel Gonser.
331
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
1869-William McIntyre (Chairman), Daniel Gonser and Will- iam Henderson.
1870-Daniel Gonser (Chairman), George Ensley and William Richmond.
1871-William Richmond (Chairman), George Ensley and Daniel Gonser.
1872-George Ensley (Chairman), Daniel Gonser and William Richmond.
1873-Daniel Gonser (Chairman), Nelson Griffith and Charles R. Wanemaker.
1874-Nelson Griffith (Chairman), Charles R. Wanemaker and George H. Duncan.
1875-Nelson Griffitlı (Chairman), Charles R. Wanemaker and George H. Duncan.
1876-George H. Duncan (Chairman), Charles R. Wanemaker and A. D. Goetschius.
1877-A. D. Goetschius (Chairman), B. F. Blair and George H. Duncan.
1878-B. F. Blair (Chairman), George H. Duncan and A. D. Goetschins.
1879- George H. Duncan (Chairman), Edward Kelham and B. F. Blair.
1880 -- Edward Kelham (Chairman), John Shoub and F. D. Oberlin.
1881-John Shoub (Chairman), F. D. Oberlin and Edward Kelham.
1882-F. D. Oberlin (Chairman), B. D. Thomas and O. H. Widney.
1883 -- O. H. Widney (Chairman), B. D. Thomas and Joseph Sewell. (B. D. Thomas died in June, 1884, and Henry Probst was appointed to complete the term.)
1884-O. H. Widney (Chairman), Joseph Sewell and Henry Probst.
OTHER OFFICERS.
De Kalb County has furnished the following Circuit Judges: R. J. Dawson, James I. Best, C. A. O. McClellan and R. Wes. Mc Bride; Common Pleas Judges, John Morris and E. B. Mott; As- sociate Judges, A. Walden, T. L. Yates, Samuel Widney, Nelson Payne, Robert Work, David Martin, Abraham Cope and G. C. Mudgett; Probate Judges, Lott Herrick and J. B. Wade; State Senators, R. J. Dawson, T. R. Dickinson, E. W. Fosdick and
332
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
William Mercer. The county has been represented in the lower branch of the Legislature by Joseph Helwig, John P. Widney, R. J. Dawson, G. C. Mudgett, Robert Work, S. B. Ward, Miles Waterman, Henry Feagler, R. M. Lockhart, E. D. Hartman, L. D. Britton, S. S. Shutt and D. D. Moody. The County Surveyors have been Joseph Miller, C. Probst, Joseph Nodine, Daniel Alten- burg, Marius Buchanan, David Eberly, G. W. Weeks, I. K. Sheffer, Chauncey Clark, and J. J. Van Auken; School Examiners and Superintendents, Edward Wright, Spencer Dills, W. H. McIntosh and James A. Barnes.
CHAPTER VI.
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
DEVOTION TO COUNTRY .- SADNESS OF WAR .- FIRST ENLISTMENTS. - DE KALB COUNTY GUARDS .- MUNITIONS OF WAR .- DE KALB COUNTY NOT IN THE BACKGROUND .- BUT ONE VOICE .- LOYAL MEETINGS .- MEETING AT SPENCERVILLE .- DRAFTING .- ROLL OF HONOR. - NINTH REGIMENT. - ELEVENTH. - TWELFTH. - THIR- TEENTH. - SEVENTEENTH .- NINETEENTH .- TWENTIETH .- TWENTY- FIRST .- TWENTY-NINTH. - THIRTIETH .- THIRTY-FOURTH .-- THIRTY- FIFTH. - THIRTY-EIGHTH. --- FORTY-SECOND. --- FORTY-FOURTH. -- FORTY-EIGHTH. -- FORTY-NINTH. - SEVENTY-FOURTH. -- EIGHTY- SEVENTH. -- EIGHTY-EIGHTH .- NINETY-FIRST .- ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEENTH .- ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH .- ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVENTH .- ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINTH .- ONE HUNDRED AND FORTIETH .- ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SECOND.
The brightest pages in the history of De Kalb County are those which record her loyal support of the Government in its long struggle to crash the slaveholders' rebellion. Various opinions of public policy there might be, and were; and party lines were as strongly drawn here as anywhere ; but when it came to deeds, all differences were forgotten, and all joined in an emulous rivalry in patriotism. The world will never forget that sublime devotion to country which made fathers forsake their families, brothers their sisters, lovers their betrothed, and enlist under the stars and stripes for three years or the war. They marched all over the South, through swamps and rivers, over mountains and plains; they ex- posed their bodies to every form of unhealthy surroundings; they bared their breasts to the murderous bullets by thousands; they died of disease by tens of thousands; and, worse than all, they starved slowly by regiments in Andersonville and other Southern prison pens until 60,000 and more were relieved of their sufferings.
Many brave deeds, indced, were performed that could only be done in the intense excitement of battle. This excitement carried men through prodigies of valor, and was followed by reaction of
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334
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
languor and gloom after the battle. When a furnace is in blast, the red fountain sparkles and plays like a mountain spring, and the rude surroundings brighten to the peak of the rough rafters with a strange beauty. When the fire is ont, and the black and ragged masses of dull iron lie dead upon the ground, with a dumb, stubborn resistance, who would dream that they ever leaped with life and light?
A battle and a furnace are alike. 1 It is wonderful how dull natures brighten and grow costly in the glow of battle; how the sterling worth and wealth there are in them shine out, and the common man stands transfigured, his heart in his hand and his hand and his foot in the realm of heroic grandenr. But ab, when the fire is out, and the scarred earth is heaped with clay, the black months of the guns speechless, mighty hammers and no hands, the flags furled, the wild hurrah died away, and all the splendid action of the charge vanished from the rugged field like a last flash of sun- shine, and you wander among the dull remainders, the dead em- bers of the intensest life and glow that swept your soul ont, only yesterday, and drifted it on with the skirmish line, you begin to know what those words mean, " After the battle."
SADNESS OF WAR.
Not alone for the men were the horrors of war. It was in our civil strife as in all wars of history, while the women shared the suffering, the men received all the glory. What an immense amount of heroism among the wives of soldiers passed unnoticed, or was taken as a matter of course ! For the soldier, he had his comrades abont him, shoulder to shoulder; he had excitement; he had praise, if he did well; he had honorable mention and pitying tears, if he fell nobly striving. But alas for the soldier's wife! Even an officer's wife, who had sympathizing friends; who had the comforts and many of the luxuries of life; whose children's future was provided for if their father fell, what hours of dreadful suspense must she pass, even under these favorable circumstances ! How hard for her! But for the wife of the poor soldier, who, in giving her husband to her country, had given everything; who knows not whether the meal she and her little ones are eating may not be the last for many a hungry, desolate day; who has no friend to say " well done" as the lagging weeks of suspense creep on, and she stands bravely at her post, keeping want and starva- tion at bay; imagination busy among the heaps of dead and
335
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
wounded, or traversing the wretched prison pens, and shuddering at the thought of their demoniac keepers ; keeping down her sobs, as the little daughter trustingly offers up her nightly prayers " for dear papa to come home;" or when her little son, just old enough to read, traces slowly with his forefinger the long list of killed and wounded, "to see if papa's name is there;" shrouding her eyes from the possible future of her children, should her strength give ont under the pressure of want and anxiety; no friend to turn to when her hand is palsied by labor; there are no waving banners, nor martial music, nor long processions to chronicle her valorous deeds; none but God and her own brave heart the witnesses of her own unaided struggle. When we think of these solitary women scattered through the length and breadthi of the land, our hearts warm toward them; and we would fain hold them up in their silent heroism for all the world to admire. When the history of the Rebellion shall be properly written, and that cannot be in this gene- ration, let the historian, what else soever he may omit, forget not to chronicle this sublime valor of the hearthstone all over our struggling land.
FIRST ENLISTMENTS.
With the first call of the President, numerous volunteers from De Kalb County offered their services, but as they were not organ- ized in a body by themselves, such as were accepted were assigned to various commands, and in many cases credited to other counties. Thus the county furnished men enough for two whole companies before any company was raised and officered entirely in De Kalb. The first company to receive a large representation from De Kalb was Company G, Nineteenth Regiment, in connection with which the following incident occurred :
While the people of Waterloo were enthusiastically manifesting their warlike spirit, there occurred in the village Jnly 10, 1861, an accident so fatal in its character and effect as to shock the entire community. The sadness was much deeper than was felt at ten times the loss of life in the field of war; for the latter was felt to be necessary, and the former only a deplorable accident.
The cannon belonging to the citizens of the village was being fired in honor of the volunteers belonging to Captain Clark's com- pany who were leaving on the express train at 3:55. Two rounds had been fired, the third and fatal one was reserved for the de- parture of the train. It had been heavily charged, and was wad-
336
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
ded with green leather shavings from the tannery, within a few inches of the muzzle, and as the train started it was fired, resulting in a most terrible explosion, bursting the gun to atoms and scatter- ing the pieces in all directions, over houses and tree tops, carry- ing several heavy pieces to a distance of over eighty rods, such was the terrible force of the explosion.
J. H. Shoemaker, who had himself assisted in loading the gun and who applied the fatal match, was hit by a piece which inflicted a frightful incision in his right side, in the region of the lower ribs, severing the spinal column, and causing his instantaneous death. About to fire the piece, he was heard to remark that "those boys over there," pointing toward the crowd at the depot, "said they would not touch it off for $500;" another instant, and
" Death had marked him for his own."
It seems almost incredible that in all the crowd that stood around in the immediate range of the death-dealing fragments, that no one else was injured. There were several who must certainly have had a hair-breadth escape. The funeral of this upright, industrious young man was held the following Friday, at the residence of F. C. Francis, the services being conducted by Rev. Mr. Osmun.
DE KALB COUNTY GUARDS.
The first company raised entirely in this county, and officered by men from the county, was Captain Hawley's, which entered the Thirtieth Regiment. This company was the pride of De Kalb County, and numbered in its body some of the best citizens. When fully or- ganized, the ladies of Auburn presented the organization with a splendid banner. It was enthusiastically received, and the follow- ing letter returned to the editor of the New Era, for publication. It was the last farewell word received from inany brave hearts who never returned to their friends :
"CAMP ALLEN, FORT WAYNE, IND., Sept. 9, 1861.
"EDITOR ERA :- At a meeting of the De Kalb County Guards, while on duty in company drill, in Camp Allen, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted :
"WHEREAS, The citizens of De Kalb County have, by their energetic efforts, been instrumental in effecting the organization of the De Kalb County Guards, and in contributing to their aid and comfort, in both physical and social wants, therefore be it resolved,
"1. That we tender to the citizens of said county, one and all,
337
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
who have so contributed to our wants, our heartfelt thanks, as a testimonial on our part for their kind aid and sympathy.
"2. That words fail to give expression to the feelings we ex- perienced on receiving the warm and kind pressure of the hand, in seeing the eyes of our friends dimmed with the tear of regret, and in hearing the fervent 'God bless you,' at our departure from our homes, to join in sustaining the Government from foes without and traitors within.
"3. That the ladies of Auburn are particularly entitled to our thanks for the bountiful collation prepared by them for us on the day of our departure from that place; and we also owe our grate- ful thanks to those who accompanied us to this camp.
"4. That as it would be impossible to specify all the acts of individual kindness which have helped to contribute to our relief, we will only say with true feeling, that they are all duly appreci- ated, and will never be forgotten.
"5. That the flag we have received will not be disgraced by any act of ours, but that in its defense we will imperil our lives, and never bring reproach upon the name of De Kalb.
"6. That the foregoing preamble and resolutions be signed by the commissioned officers of our company, a copy be forwarded to the Era at Auburn and the Press at Waterloo, for publication.
" CAPTAIN CYRUS HAWLEY,
"FIRST LIEUTENANT W. W. GRISWOLD,
"SECOND LIEUTENANT J. C. SMITH."
MUNITIONS OF WAR.
Very early in the war the people had accustomed themselves to the sight of soldiers and stores of war. The following is taken from the Waterloo Press of Sept. 20, 1861 :
"Two special trains, laden with cannon, powder, balls, shells, etc., have passed here this week. The cannon were of large size, and destined for fortifying the Mississippi Valley. The following is the ' bill of goods': Ten 64-pounders; twenty 32-pounders; 2,467 32-pound balls; 147 64-pound balls; and sixty-four 96-pound balls ; an aggregate of 91,840 pounds of shot, shell and ball."
Among the most loyal supporters of the Government in this county was the Waterloo Press, which kept up a never-faltering, uncompromising Union spirit throughout the war. From the first it called on the people of the county to furnish volunteers. The following is taken from the issue of Oct. 4, 1861 :
338
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
"DE KALB COUNTY NOT IN THE BACKGROUND.
"The intrinsic value of virtue is measured by the effort made to acquire and maintain it. Probably there is no county in the north half of the State where so much opposition of various characters has been met as in this goodly county of ours. From the first many manly and brave hearts have been ready to respond to the call to defend our Government. Our citizens have gone forth in twos, fives, tens, twenties and forties to fill up vacant places in othe counties and States; then came one full company, Captain Hawley's, and it is so written on the pages of history and tablets of many observers.
" Now two more companies are being formed, already in camp, Captain Merrill's and Captain Parks's. The latter is too favorably known in this county to add to his character by further notice here; it cominends itself; but the former is not so well known. But he has recommendations from those who are acquainted and qualified to judge, which command a favorable consideration. He has been a military man for a number of years, and was once elected Captain of Company A, Toledo Guards, which post he resigned when he came among us.
"Patriots, will you at once heed the call, and within four days fill up these companies? You may still be further called upon to place more men in the field. The prompt response to the calls already made upon yon is a sure guarantee that your patriotism is equal to the demand. These companies cannot fail of being filled by the brave boys of old De Kalb. Do I overestimate your pa- triotism? Time will tell.
"Newville is thus far the banner township. The voters of that town number 170, and forty of them are volunteers in the Govern- ment service. What township speaks for the banner next?
"Everything for the cause."
BUT ONE VOICE.
There were, it is true, many in this county, as elsewhere in the North, who honestly thought that the strife could have been averted, and opposed a resort to the sword. But after the war was begun, these proved themselves as loyal as any. The following, from the New Era of March, 1861, just before the breaking out of hostilities, shows the position of the peace advocates:
"Coercion stands boldly out in the inaugural, and coercion car- ried into effect will no doubt lead to war. The Southern Confed-
339
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
eracy has 30,000 troops encamped in the field ready to resist coer_ cion. Virginia and Kentucky declare that if the President sends an army South to take the forts, and compel submission to the laws, that they will join the seceded States and resist such coercion; and the remainder of the border slave States would in all probability do the same, and then we will have war. But Mr. Lincoln would not be to blame; he is bound by his official oath to sustain the Constitution and execute the laws, and we would not give a straw for a President who does not regard the sacred obligations of his oath, and who will not do his duty. If we get into trouble, simply by the Chief Magistrate discharging his duty, the fault will not attach to him, but to those Republican and secession members of Congress who, in defiance of the will of the people, refuse to vote for compromises that would have given peace to the country."
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