Bureau County, Illinois - Chapter 24, 1885

Chapter 24

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION - JOHN H. BRYANT FIRST CHAIRMAN - LIST OF SUPERVISORS - GEORGE MCMANIS, SECOND CHAIRMAN - WOLF SCALPS - JOHN M. GRIMES THE ATTORNEY - TERWILLIOER OVERSEER OF THE POOB - K. T. TEMPLETON, COUNTY JUDGE - LIST OF TOWNSHIP AND COUNTY OFFICERS TO 1857 - ANTI- DUELLING OATH - JACOR T. THOMPSON'S REPORT AS COUNTY TREASURER - THE COUNTY OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS AND OTHERS - J. V. THOMPSON - 0. L. BIARSS - ETC., ETC., ETC.

IN 1849 a vote was had in the county on the adoption of township organization, which was in the affirmative by a large majority. This was among the first counties in the State to adopt this plan, and it has continued it uninterruptedly to date. It will probably be a very long time before it is changed. Nearly all the counties in the State have now followed the example, and St. Clair, the oldest county, only adopted it two years ago (1882). When the vote in favor of this change was had, the first step to put the act into effect was to appoint three Commissioners to fix the boundary lines of the townships and name the same. And Simon Kinney, Jacob T. Thompson and Tracy Reeve were appointed such Commissioners. The county was divided into twenty-three townships, very much as they exist now, except additions of two townships since added.

April 8, 1850, the first Board of Supervisors met. There were represented in this meeting fifteen townships, as follows: Richland, John Ross; Greenville, William Martin; Dover, Enoch Lumry; Berlin, Enos Smith; Westfield, Michael Kennedy; Selby, William Hoskins; Princeton, John H. Bryant; Concord, Thomas Stevens; Brawby, Thomas Gattridge; Jefferson, Allen Horton; Indiantown, Timothy N. Ferrell; Arispe, George McManis; Leepertown, John Wherry; Milo, William B. Whipper; Fairfield, Wicher Dow.

A ballot was had for Chairman; three ballots being cast before a choice was made. John H. Bryant was elected, who took the chair, called the first County Board of Supervisors to order in regular session, and the Board adjourned for the day. Additional members came in the next day as follows: John D. Pinnell, Bloom; Edward M. Wilson, Centre; C. C. Corss, Bureau; Richard Brewer, Walnut; A. G. Porter, Clarion; R. B. Tracy, Lamoille; Ebenezer Kent, Mineral. By order of the Board the name of Richland was changed to Ohio, and Bloom to Hall, and Jefferson to Macon. An order had been passed making the townships voting precincts. This order was changed partially. The Board ordered its proceedings to be published in the Bureau Advocate.

The May meeting, 1851, of the new Board was as follows: A. G. Porter, Clarion; Isaac H. Norris, Lamoille; John Ross, Ohio; Greenbury Triplett, Walnut; C. C. Corss,

M. Horton, the former Supervisor, contested the seat for Macon. On a vote of the Board the election of Mr. Sweet was confirmed by a vote of eleven to five. George McManis was unanimously elected Chairman. The next year, 1852, A. G. Porter was Chairman.

September, 1853, there were twenty-three towns in the county, and each was provided with various sums from the general fund for roads and bridges. Following are the townships: Fairfield, Mineral, Brawby, Gold, Concord, Macon, Greenville, Walnut, Bureau, Centre, Indiantown, Milo, Arispe, Princeton, Dover, Ohio, Lamoille, Berlin, Selby, Leepertown, Hall, Westfield, Clarion.

In 1853, Rufus Carey was the County Treasurer. In 1852 the Board began to contend with the question of the swamp lands. A full account of this may be found in Chapter XXI.

John M. Grimes was employed by the Board to act as the county's attorney for one year for the sum of $200. E. M. Fisher had been appointed County Drainage Commissioner. He resigned June, 1854. September 16, 1852, a resolution was passed appropriating $1,000 to purchase a poor farm. This order was soon rescinded, and the money ordered to be used in the ordinary county expenses. But the subject was directly up again, and 160 acres were ordered to be purchased for a county farm. It seems that John E. Terwilliger was put in charge of the county farm and the poor. He ran the thing along on very little money it seems until 1856, when he made out a written report to the Board, in which he takes occasion to say: " I have been paying out of my own pocket sums of money from time to time, " and after stating the condition of his own financial affairs very emphatically he concludes: "The Board must provide, say a fund of $250, for me to draw against, or I will have to stop grinding."

The County Court that assembled in December, 1849, consisted of Robert T. Templeton, Judge; Nathaniel Applegate and E. M. Fisher, Associates, and Benjamin L. Smith, County Clerk. Mr. Smith filed his bond as Clerk, with D. G. Salisbury and M. E. Lasker, sureties.

On December 3, 1849, Judge Templeton filed his oath of office, and as the peculiar law on duelling then required, it was thus worded: "I do solemnly swear that I have not fought a duel or sent a challenge to fight a duel, the probable issue of which might have been the death of either party, nor in any manner aided or assisted in such duel, nor been knowingly the bearer of any such challenge or acceptance since the adoption of the Constitution, and that I will not be so engaged or concerned directly or indirectly during my continuance in office. So help me God."

Jacob T. Thompson, County Treasurer, reported specie on hand and belonging to the county, 5 cents; paper money, $2; uncurrent bank paper (old), $23; redemption money, $16.

March 11, 1850, the County Court ordered an election for the county, to vote for or against taking $50,000 stock in the Rock Island Railroad.

Aaron B. Church was the County School Commissioner in 1853; his bond with William Converse and Charles L. Kelly as sureties was filed November 23, 1853. At this date Justin H. Olds was appointed to make a sectional index to the records of deeds and mortgages. He was assisted by Stephen G. Paddock. November, 1855, A. B. Church, as School Commissioner, and Ruf us Carey, as Treasurer, filed their bonds, which were duly approved.

June, 1854, E. M. Fisher resigned as Drainage Commissioner, and Justus Stevens was appointed to the office, and entered at once upon its duties. Mr. Stevens continued as Drainage Commissioner until March, 1856, when he resigned.

At the March term, 1856, of the Supervisors, the Building Committee, Justus Stevens, W. P. E. McKinstry and William M. Matson, reported that $4,970.31 were due Lloyd & Whitmarsh as the balance for building the jail.

At a meeting of the Supervisors, May, 1851, the following members answered the roll-call: Clarion, A. G. Porter; Lamoille, Isaac H. Norris; Ohio, John Ross; Walnut, Greenbury Triplett; Bureau, C. C. Corss; Dover, Enoch Lumry; Berlin, Enos Smith; Westfield, Michael Keuedy, Jr.; Hall, John W. Pinnell; Selby, William Hoskins; Princeton, Jacob T. Thompson; Center, Elijah Hays; Concord, George Wilkinson; Mineral, Albert Bush; Brawby, Ira O. Beaumont; Macon, Cyrus Sweet; Indiantown, Asa Barney; Arispe, George McManis; Fairfield, Jacob Sells; Greenville, Nehemiah Hill; Milo, William B. Whipper.

At a special meeting, April 29, 1852, the following members answered to roll-call: Clarion, A. G. Porter; Lamoille, Tracy Reeve; Ohio, John Ross; Walnut, Christopher Wolf; Dover, Enoch Lumry; Westfield, Edmund Polke; Hall, Abram Wixam; Selby, William Hoskins; Princeton, M. Trimble; Center, James Hamrick; Concord, Thomas Stevens; Macon, Cyrus Sweet; Indiantown, Asa Barney; Arispe, S. E. Morris; Leepertown, William Shields; Milo, S. M. Clark. On motion, A. G. Porter was elected Chairman by a unanimous vote.

At the May term, 1853, the following Supervisors responded to their names: Clarion, David Lloyd; Lamoille, Timothy Edwards; Ohio, John Ross; Walnut, Richard Brewer; Greenville, Jacob Eastlick; Fairfield, Hiram McKenzie; Dover, Enoch Lnmry; Berlin, Enos Smith; Weptfield, Michael Kenedy; Hall, C. W. Combs; Selby, William Hoskins; Princeton, Arthur Bryant;

Center, James Hamrick; Concord, John Mason; Mineral, James P. Hartley; Brawby, George Norton; Macon, Lewis Holmes; Indian town, Asa Barry; Arispe, S. E. Morris; Milo, S. M. Clark; Gold, Joseph Johnson. The towns of Bureau and Leepertown did not answer to the roll-call. B. L. Smith was County Clerk, and Osmyn Smith was Sheriff. Arthur Bryant was chosen Chairman.

At the meeting April 28, 1856, the following constituted the new Board: Indiantown, B. C. Couch; Greenville, Jacob Eastlick; Milo, J. E. Hays; Selby, William Hoskins; Center, Mark Halroyd; Princeton, Joseph Mercer; Hall, H. W. Munson; Berlin, J. L. Olds; Dover, William C. Stacy; Ohio, Cyrus Wilson; Bureau, C. C. Cores; Westfield, Nathan Gray; Manlius, Thomas Hope; Lamoille, William B. Howard; Mineral, Edward D. Kemp; Arispe, S. E. Morris; Clarion, M. A. McKey; Walnut, Mark Shirk; Gold, Jasper Wood. S. E. Morris was elected Chairman. The County Clerk was J. V. Thompson, and the Sheriff S. G. Paddock. The next year, 1857, Z. K. Waldron was the Sheriff.

June 8, 1858, the Board was the following: Mineral, Silas Batty; Arispe, Alanson Benson; Gold, A. W. Boyden; Princeton, J. H. Bryant; Dover, Simon Elliott; Manlius, Milo Foot; Wheatland, T. Gordon; Westtield, Nathan Gray; Lamoille, David Hall; Milo, J. W. Harris; Bureau, C. Langworthy; Ber-

At the meeting September 10, 1860, the following were declared the new Board: Clarion, W. B. Bruce; Mineral, W. Fairman; Milo, J. W. Harris; Macon, Lewis Holmes; Wheatland, B. Hunter; Westfield, M. Kenedy, Jr. ; Manilas, A. B. Kinsman; Center, S. M. Knox; Gold, A. Morrassey; Leepertown, J. Nickerson; Princeton, S. A. Paddock; Berlin, G. Backley; Arispe, G. M. Badcliffe; Walnut, D. M. Beed; Lamoille,Tracy Beeve; Ohio, John Boss; Greenville, Jacob Sells; Fairfield, S. W. Sheldon; Brawby, F. Snmner; Concord, J. L. Sweet; Hall, H. W. Terry; Bureau, J. Trimble; Dover, S. Triplett: Selby, T. Tustin; Indiantown, L. D. Whiting. Same Clerk and Sheriff as preceding year. S. A. Paddock was elected Chairman.

June, 1862, the following new Supervisors were present: B. Benton, Clarion; W. P. Buswell, Mineral; J. M. Curtis, Concord; S. Edwards, Lamoille; J. G. Freeman, Princeton; Bureau, J. Heaton; Dover, T. W. Nichols; Selby, J. S. Searle; Greenville J. Sells; Walnut, M. Shirk; Indiantown, H. B. Smith; Hall, H. Snyder; Gold, J. Wood. The other members were re-elected, and therefore the same as for 1861. Messrs. Hunter of Wheatland, and Boyce of Center, were not present at this session of the Supervisors. C. L. Kelsey was elected Chairman for the current year.

For 1863 the following changes were made in the members: Mineral, C. W. Abbott; Ohio, J. H. Bolus; Westfield, H. I. Briggs; Indiantown, C. A. Dean; Bureau, C. A. Heaton; Wheatland, B. Hunter; Milo,

H1Stoky Of Bureau County

May, 1864, the Board met, and the following new members were elected for this year: Bureau, L. Blanchard; Clarion,!. Clapp; Concord, W. Fairman; Fairfield, N. J. Hogeboom; Wheatland E. Hunter; Manlius, G. W. Kolp; Macon, L. Mason; Lamoille, A-

F. Woodin; Princeton, S. G. Paddock The County Clerk was C. D. Trimble, and the Sheriff was N. C. Buswell. Mr. Eackley was elected Chairman, pro tern. S. G. Paddock was elected Chairman for the year.

June, 1868, the new members attending the meeting, as follows: Wheatland, A. Anderson; Princeton, A. Bryant, Jr.; Manlius, L. Major; Westfield, J. McCreedy; Princeton, P. J. Newell; Walnut, D. M. Eeed; Arispe, B. N. Stevens; Bureau, E. Jenkinson; Greenville, J. Vaughan, Jr.; Clarion, F. Walker. Mr. Eackley was elected Chairman.

At the June term, 1870, there was a new County Clerk, J. W. Templeton, and the following is all that appears on the records as to who were the Supervisors, and there is no record of what township they respectively represented. Nor does any full name appear of any of the Supervisors. The following is the imperfect list: Anderson, Bryant, Blanchard, Bastian, Cooper, Chase, Crossby, Gerrond, Hamrick, Johnson, Knight, Kies, Lawton, Major, McKinstry, More, Porter, Rackley, Stevens, Shields, Trimble, Terry, Wilson and Whiting; and J. W. Templeton, Clerk; A. Clark, Sheriff.

June, 1871, the Clerk again makes the following short record of the new Board, as the members at the first meeting: Bryant, Bastian, Blanchard, Chapman, Cooper, Fawcett, Hammer, Hamrick, Kies, Lewis, McKinstry, H. J. Miller, S. Miller, McCullough, More, Norton, Paddock, Porter, Smith, Shields, Vaughan, Van Ormer, Way and Welsh. Eleven ballots were had for Chairman. The chief candidates were Mr. Porter and S. G. Paddock On the eleventh ballot the vote stood fourteen for Paddock, one for Porter, and eight for More.

University Of Illinois

1880 - The newly-elect were: Ohio, S. Potneroy; Dover, Jonathan Hayt; Walnut, U. J. Trimble; Manlius, J. P. White; Princeton, James M. Fisher and Isaac H. Elliott; Arispie, Orrin Wilkinson; Clarion, N. T. Moulton; Gold, Nehemiah Spratt.

Among all the supervisors above enumerated one that was re-elected nearly as persistently to succeed himself as was George Rackley or William Hoskins, was O. L. Bearss. He entered the Board as an anti-railroad champion, or, rather, as the leader of those who were opposed to paying the township's subscription to the railroad. Every year - he would run on this ticket and he would be elected. The bondholders finally commenced suit and then Bearss and his backers grew more and more determined. They would make no compromise, nor would they listen to propositions; finally they said that no matter what the road might do in the way of complying with the terms of the vote, they were opposed to paying on any condition. A suit was pending before the United States Court in Chicago, and Supervisor Bearss was taken there, and the Court wanted to examine him, and asked him to take the oath. He took the oath but would not testify. He was fined 1400 by the Court and the officer was ordered to take him to jail until the fine was paid. Some friends were present and paid the fine, and Bearss returned to his constituents. We believe the township eventually refunded him the money. But iu time the people tired of this war against the railroad debt, and in the end concluded to pay. Then they elected L. K. Thompson Supervisor. His father, J. V. Thompson, had been a director in the road, and therefore they selected his son as a fitting expression' to this change of sentiment in reference to their debts. Mr. L. K. Thompson has been re-elected since, and is the Supervisor now from

Walnut. There are very few townships or counties in the State that have not had some experience of a somewhat similar kind. They did not all have as plucky a Supervisor as did Walnut Township, who would face the courts as bravely as he did and take the consequences, but the most of them would fight a while and then pay.