Ford County, Illinois - The whole text, 1884 (part 1 of 7)

The whole text

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Preface

I N presenting the Illustrated Historical Atlas of Ford County to our patrons, we desire to make mention as follows: The general history of the Northwest, State ok Illinois, Ford County and Rrminiscenceb were written by Merton Dunlap. The Ford Circuit Court was by Wearer White; Ford County Bab (biographical) by Alex McElroy; Ford County Newspapers. by Edgar N. Stereos. The articles, Piper City Advertiser and Eastern Illinois Register, were contributed Physicians of Ford County was taken from published records. History or the Schools and I n st it ut es was written by F. G. Lohman, County Superintendent; article on the Paxton High School by Edgar N. Stevens; Secret Societies was compiled from records; Fairs at Paxton by George A. Hall; Fairs of Brxnton and Pella by H Allnuti; Fairs at Gibson by C. H Yeomans; The Swedes nt Ford County was written by John F. G. Helmer.

Methodist Episcopal Church of Ford County, by Rev. W. H. Wilder; First Congregational Church, Paxton, was written from facts given by Rev. W. W. Blanchard; United Presbyterian Church, Paxton, written by Mrs. Alex McElroy; Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Paxton , written by A. J. Laurence; Swedish Lutheran Mission Church , Paxton, was written from facts fur¬ nished by the pastor; Presbyterian Church, Paxton, by Rev. J. Barbour; First Baptist Church, Paxton, written from facts gotten from former active members; Methodist Episcopal Church, Gibson, contributed; African Methodist Episcopal Church, Gibson, contributed; First Presbyterian Church, Gibson, contributed; Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Gibson, contributed; United Brethren Church, Gibson, contributed; Methodist Episcopal Church, Piper City, contributed; Presbyterian Church, Piper City, by Rev. W. 0. Neely; United Presbyterian Church, Piper City, by Mrs. Clara K. Culbertson; Catholic Church, Piper City, by Matthew Soran; Congregational Church, Roberts, by F. G. Lohman; Zion Methodist Episcopal Church (German), Roberts, by Rev. Peter Reoh; Math, odist Episcopal Church, Roberts, by T. D. Thompson; Zion German Evangelical Church, Lyman Township, contributed; Union Methodist Protestant Church, Dix Township, by Rev. R. E. Fox; Norwegian Lutheran Church, Dix Township, contributed; Mt. Olivet Christian Church, Button Township, by William Walker, Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sibley, by Swen Anderson; Church of God, Rogers Township, by R C. Breneisa; Kempton Methodist Episcopal Church, written by J. H. Sawyer, from data furnished by Mr. Thomas Heavisides; Methodist Episcopal Church, Melvin, by T. D. Thompson; the German Methodist Episcopal Society, Melvin, by T. D. Thompson; German Evangelical, Melvin, by Rev. H. Stachling.

The township and town histories for the most part were written by C. D. Stillson, from facts obtained. Municipal affairs of Paxton was written from data furnished by George A. Hall; Drummer Township, by 0. H Yeomans; data for Sullivan Township history was furnished by W. A. Bicket.

The historical part is more full and complete than was originally contemplated. The citizens of Ford County may therefore well congratulate themselves that Mr. Merton Dunlap was selected to represent their interests in the compilation and preparation of the work. He has labored faithfully and conscientiously, justly meriting the warm thanks of the public and the publishers. We take pleasure in publishing the following brief address from his own pen:

With this preface is presented.the first history of our county. You are well acquainted with the difficulties whioh attended the labors of the first settlers. The first roadways were to be thrown up; the first sod, with its stubborn resistance to the plow, was to be broken; the first home, with its plain sarronndings, to be erected with materials gathered under discouraging circumstances. To be first in an enterprise of this character, and to make certain of a reasonable degree of success, implies a diligent searching for plain facts, and then when these are discovered, a discreet selection of that portion most faithfully reflecting the early history of oar people. To one in compiling sach a record, the multiplicity of traditions, reminiscences and historical facts becomes so great that he finds himself considerably bewildered, and his work, when completed, is reduced to what might consistently be defined as a collection of reliable extraots. When the historian has an extensive field and a long period of time to be covered by Lis work, he can more completely measure up to the popular understanding of the term history. But when the writer is limited to the area of a county, his writings most necessarily become chiefly annals and biographical sketches. More especially is this trne when the birthday of the oounty is barely more than a docado away. Interwoven, however, with the doings of individuals as private citizens and as public officials, are found the historical happenings in the townships, the villages, the cities and the county worthy of preservation. If you have not given thought to the many details of this work, its preparation may appear simple and easy, for the serious difficulties are not at first apparent

The facts presented were heretofore largely Btrangers to each other, they having previously existed only in the memories of the first settlers, or in the various public records, and are now so associated together as to form, as is hoped, a symmetrical and correct record of events.

For his work the foundation lias here been laid; the first thingB are noted; the pioneers of the farm, the workshop, the schoolroom, the ministry, and other worthy profess ions have been searched out and recorded. But, friends, we do not olaim perfection for this book. Perhaps its imperfections are more apparent to us than to you. Just as the last pages of manuscript are passing into the oompositor*s hand, our thoughts go rapidly from one subject to another to measure the fallness of each, and then comes an intense desire for time and opportunity to again pass over the gronnd; to interview onoe more those who have so kindly aided us, and to question them again upon this point or that, in order that the report might be more complete.

Inquire of any of the writers whose names appear as authors of the various subjects treated, and they will invariably toll you how that many facts and events of interest came to their reoollection or were presented by others after the time had passed beyond the date allotted for oh&nges or additions.

One serious cause for regret is this: We had, in defiance of the saying that " men who make history do not write it very well," requested several parties to furnish chapters on church and sooiety histories, or other important topics, for it seemed desirable that each subjeot should be written by those most familiar with it While the promises were cheerfully given, and as we believe with a firm purpose to fulfill the same, yet the fact remains that while the promisee were relied upon, yet they are still unredeemed. In most cases the requests were many times renewed and assurances repeatedly given even to the last hour, and when our work was necessarily concluded, it was too late to have the tardy reports supplied by others. This explains some omissions. " He gives twice who giveq quickly." But we feel assured that yon will receive this work with favor, commend its worthy points, judge oharitably of imperfections, and on the whole pronounce it reason¬ ably good. We base our assurance upon first, your kindly disposition to assist, whioh you manifested when facts were sought for, and seooudly, upon the merits of the hook itself.

The illustrations, the township, village and city plats, not mentioning the historical matter, fully redeem the promises made by the publishers.

In our judgment, this work has been faithfully performed. There is one thing of which we can speak with confidence. So far as our knowledge extends in the premises, not one word con¬ tained in the pages which follow was dictated by prejudice or partiality. Whatever imperfections may exist iu the work, it is certainly free from the slightest desire to ignore or misrepresent any person.

The value of this history will become greater as the years cease to be classed among those to come, and are recorded among those of the past

As we move farther # from the " earlier timee " of Ford County, as the first settlers one after another leave us, as the children of the present assume the cares and perplexities of the "brief

Our task is completed, the result is in your hands for such commendations or objections as you are disposed to extend. " What is written is written.'* M. D.

J. C. Moore and C. D. Stillson extend thanks for favon shown them during their sojourn among the people of Ford County, and respectfully present their acknowledgments to all those who have in any way aided in the work, especially to those in charge of public documents pertaining to oounty affaire, which were unreservedly submitted for extracts and reference; also to those who interested themselves in the surreys and drafting of the mape and plats.

To the officials of the county, city officials, township offioere, members of the bar, press, pulpit, bankers, merchants, and to all who have in any way aided in the work, we are indebted for favors and valuable assistance. THE PUBLISHERS.

44 Mu (knu^i all im of molTtag Umo, Unohanflng nu, To 1*117 varying climo, Dooms his own land of ovory land tbo prido, Bolovod by Hoavon o'or all the world beside; His homo the spot supremely blest,

Introductory

Such is our own reluctant conclusion, and jet it was the writer's intention, upon undertaking this task, to make an exact, full and complete record. It would have been comparative! j easj to have filled these pages with the personal recollections of a few of the old settlers. This, however, would not have been satisfac¬ tory to the many interested in this history, as such a sketch would have comprehended a limited number of localities.

And then we have fully learned just how uncertain is memory and how chaotic the days, months and years become, with regard to facts and incidents, as they drift away to the verge of memory's land where earth and skv "in dreamy distance meet"

As you read this book and discover that some important event has not been recorded, you have a duty to perform. This duty is to note down in detail the facts worthy of preservation, and when it comes to your knowledge that some person has recklessly resolved to write a history of our county, do not fail to place be¬ fore him your aooount of the affair.

Failing to follow these directions, you will Again find that the book has been printed and that the incident wnioh you deemed so important has been omitted.

It is reasonable to suppose that in the oourse of a few years, when.our people shall have become more well to do and our pop¬ ulation considerably greater, that there will be a demand for an¬ other history of Ford County.

Should you desire to beoome a historian, that will be jour opportunity. One thing you can depend upon with the utmost confidence, the writer will not oompete with you for the privilege, responsibility or honor.

Many of the pioneer settlers and others have aided os in this work. First, by manifesting their interest; second, by their en¬ couraging words and advioe; third, by giving substantial histor¬ ical facts.

There are others whom we were anxious to visit for the pur¬ pose of gathering information regarding themselves, their neigh¬ bors and their locality, but official duties have interfered.

The date of the arrival of many of tbo pioneers oannot be as¬ certained with oertainty, and another serious difficulty has been to learn the names of all who deserve to be recorded among the first settlers.

And now, having labored without partiality or prejudice, but with honesty of purpose and with the utmost good will to all, we give into your hands this story of our county's past and present.

The Prairies

Central Illinois was once a wilderness of prairie, with here and there a belt of timber fringing the streams. No Govern¬ ment surveyor had then, with unpoetical exactness, divided its surface into squares, nor had the unimpassioned boards of High¬ way Commissioners proclaimed the routes of travel for man and beast The paths or wild animals, or the trails of roving Indians, led through tangled undergrowth and the tall grasses with full liberty to change the beaten way at pleasure.

When civilised man entered upon this wonderfully fertile, but undeveloped plain, he found it bewildering to travel without the assistance of an Indian guide. And then how frequently did he learn the lesson that his guide afforded but little or no protection to life or property. And thus may we readily comprehend why the lakes and rivers with their connecting portages should be¬ come the highways for the explorer and fur trader. There has been much speculation as to the origin of the prairies, and it seems proper to insert at this place the opinions of a few of our

Gov. Reynolds came here in the year 1800, while a mere lad, and after spending over sixty years in our State, and beooming well acquainted with all portions of it, he makes the following statement in his autobiography: " Many learned essays are writ¬ ten on the origin df the prairies, but any attentive observer will oome to the conclusion that it is fire burning the strong, high grass that caused the prairies. I have witnessed the growth of toe forest in the southern counties of Illinois, and know there is more timber in them now than there was forty or fifty years be¬ fore. The obvious reason is the fire is kept out This is like¬ wise the reason prairies are generally the roost fertile soil. The vegetation in them was the strongest and the fires there burnt with the most power.

" The timber was destroyed more rapidly in the fertile soil than in the barren lands. It will be seen that the timber in the north of the State, is found only on the margins of streams and other places where the prairie fires could not reach it"

Hon. John D. Caton, late Judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois, expresses himself as follows, in the matter of how the forests obtain a foothold in the prairies: " The oause of the ab¬ sence of trees on the upland prairies is the problem most impor¬ tant to the agricultural interests of our State, and it is this in¬ quiry which done I propose to consider, but cannot resist the remark that wherever we do find timber throughout this broad field of prairie, it is always in or near the humid portions of it - as along the margins of streams, or upon or near the springy uplands. Many most luxuriant groves are found on the highest portions of the uplands, but always in the neighborhood of water. For a remarkable example, I may refer to that great ohain of groves extending from and including the Au Sable Grove on the east and Holderman's Grove on the west, in J£endall County, occupying the high divide between the waters of the Illinois and the Fox Rivers.

"In and around all the groves, flowing springs abound, and some of them are separated by marshes, to the very borders of which the great trees approach, as if the forests were ready to seise upon each yard of ground as soon as it is elevated above the swamps. Indeed, all our groves seem to be located where water is so disposed as to protect them, to a greater or less ex¬ tent, from the prairie fire, although not so situated as to irrigate them. If the head-waters of the streams on the prairies are most frequently without timber, so soon as they have attained sufficient volume to impede the progress of the fires, with very few exceptions we find forests on their borders, beooming broader and more vigorous as the magnitude of the streams increase. It is manifest that land located on the borders of streams which the fire cannot pass are only exposed to one-half the fires to which they would be exposed but for protection. This tends to show, at least, that if but one half the fires that have occurred had been kindled, the arboraceous growth could have withstood their de¬ structive influences, and the whole surface of what is now prairie would be forest. Another confirmatory fact, patent to all ob¬ servers, is, that the prevailing winds upon the prairies, especially in the autumn, are from the west, and these give direction to the prairie fires. Consequently, the lands on the westerly sides of the streams are most exposed to the fire, and, as mipht be ex¬ pected, we find much the most timber on the eatUrk/ sides of the streams."

Another theory is that the prairies were formed bv the action of water instead of fire. This position was taken and veir ably discussed bv that able and learned writer, Judge James Hall, as early as 1886. More recently, Prof. Lesquereux prepared an articlo on the origin and formation of the prairies, published at length in Vol. I, Geological Survey of Illinois, pp. 288 to 254, inclusive ; and Dr. Worthen, the head of the Illinois Geological Department at that time, referring to this article and its autnor, gives to both a most flattering indorsement.

Declining to discuss the comparative merits of the various theories as to the formation of the prairies, the dootor "refers the reader to the very able chapter on the subject bv Prof. Lesquereux, whose thorough acquaintance, both with fossil and recent botany, and the general laws which govern the distribution of the ancient as well as the recent flora, entitles his opinion to our most profound consideration."

Prof. Lesquereux's article is exhaustive, and his conclusions are summed up in the declaration " that all the prairies of the Mississippi Valley have been formed by the slow recessions of waters of various extent; first transformed into swamps, and in the process of time drained and dried; and that the high rolling prairies and those of these bottoms along the rivers as well, are all the result of the same cause, and form one whole, indivis¬ ible system."

In speaking of the scarcity of timber in the eastern part of our State, Beckwith says: " Taking the line of the Wabash Rail¬ way, which crosses Illinois in its greatest breadth, and beginning in Indiana, where the railway leaves the timber, west of the Wa¬ bash near Marshfield, the prairie extends to Quincy, a distance of more than 250 miles, and its continuity the entire way is only broken by four strips of timber along four streams running at right angles with the route of the railway, and all of the timber at the crossing of these streams, if put together, would not aggre¬ gate fifteen miles against the 250 miles of prairie. Taking a north and south direction and parallel with the drainage of the rivers, one could start near Ashley, on the Illinois Central Railway, in Washington County, and going northward nearly on an air line, keeping on the divide between the Kaskaskia and Little Wabash, the Sangamon and the Vermillion, the Iroquois and the Vermillion of the Illinois, crossing the latter stream between the mouths of the Fox and Du Page, and travel through to the State of Wisconsin, a distance of nearly 800 miles, without encountering five miles of timber during the whole journey.

Thus we may in a measure realise the extent of this vast meadow, generally termed the " Grand Prairie," but mere figures of distances fail to give an adequate idea of its magnitude.

Many an old settler with this picture of Central Illinois in his memory, as he once viewed it_with only occasional oabins along the timber lines, can well remark the amasing rapidity with which this great tract of oountry has been peopled and improved.

In those days of the past, extravagant stories of men and animals wildly fleeing before the devouring prairie fires were told, and since then have been woven in frontier tales with great effect These stories are generally overstated, for a frontiersman well knew that when the fire was advancing more or less rapidly, according as the wind was strong or light, he had only to start a fire in the prairie grass at the lee side of his position, and as the newly started fire burned its way along the ground he had only to pass out upon the " burnt district" in safety. As the settlers began to carve out their new homes, the great danger from these fires was to their fences where the tall grass grew, or to their stacks of hay and grain where protection had foiled to be provided by plowing a few furrows about these gatherings from the harvest fields. Still there was something grand and even terrible in a prairie fire, and especially at night, when the writer has seen the landscape made brilliant by these great illumina¬ tions. Before the " grand prairies " of Illinois were upturned by the steel clipper ana the white man's coming was yet unan¬ nounced did the Indian have full sway, and wild game in abund¬ ance furnished his table with decidedly rich fore.

Prairie .is a French word meaning a meadow, and was the name applied by the early French explorers to the great fertile, treeless plains of North Amerioa which lie between Ohio on the east and the arid plains on the west The Indians very properly called the prairies Mas-ko-tia, or the place of fire, and those tribes who lived and hunted almost exclusively upon the prairies were known among their red brethren as Mas-kou-tes, rendered by the French Maskoutines, or people of the fire or prairie country.

The Aborigines

It is dearly demonstrated by the numerous and well-authen¬ ticated accounts of antiquities found in various parts of this oounty that a people civilised, and considerably cultivated, at least as oompared with the Indian, occupied this great land be¬ fore its possession by the red man of later history, but their " day and generation " lie buried in the deepest obscurity.

Nature, at the time of the discovery of Amerioa by Columbus in 1492, had asserted her original dominion over the land; the forests were in their full luxurianoe, the growth of many centuries; and nothing remained to point out who and what they were who once lived and loved, labored and died on the continent of America.

This race with an unwritten history is known as the Mound- Builders. The remains of the works of this people form the most interesting class of antiquities discovered in toe United States.

large size of some of them may be regarded as furnishing, with other circumstances, evidences of their antiquity. I have some¬ times been induced to think that the period when they were con¬ structed there was a population here as numerous as that which once animated the borders of the Nile or Euphrates or of Mexico. The most numerous, as well as considerable, of these remains are found in precisely those parts of the country where the traces of a numerous population might be looked for, namely, from the mouth of the Ohio on the east side of the Mississippi to the Illinois River, and on the west from the St. Francis to the Missouri. I am per¬ fectly satisfied that cities similar to those of ancient Mexico, of several hundred thousand souls, have existed in this country."

To describe these Mound-Buildere is now impossible. We only know that the red men, who occupied this country when the French, English and Spanish came to visit the land and trade for peltries, had not even a tradition of them.

It is generally conceded that whatever the usee of these mounds - whether for homes for the living or burial places for the dead - these voiceless landmarks of the silent past were built, and the race who built them disappeared from the face of the earth, ages before the Indians occupied the land, but their date must probably remain as a sealed volume of history. The names of their mighty chieftains, their deeds of valor, their marches with faith¬ ful followers to a

The Indians

The opinion prevails that the inhabitants of North America who followed the Mound-Builders were those who reared the reat cities, the ruins of which are found in Central America, t is undoubtedly true that this people was far more civilized and advanced in arts than were the Mound-Builders. If we are to judge of those cities by their ruins of broken columns, fallen arches and crumbling walls of temples, palaces and pyramids, which in some places for miles bestrew the ground, they must have been cities of great extent, magnificent and very populous. Then to consider the time required to bring them to their present ruined condition we must conclude that the date of their building was far in the past

The Indians, believed to be the third race inhabiting North America, are distinct in every particular from the former two. Their origin is also enveloped in mystery. Neither had they any traditions respecting their predecessors. They knew absolutely nothing about them consequently they must have been successors of a race which had entirely passed away before the Indian made his appearance on this continent. There aro several widely dif¬ ferent opinions expressed at length in the various histories of the North American Indian as to their origin, but as already stated, mystery surrounds their beginning as a race, and the opinions expressed are largely a matter of speculation. A quite common supposition well expressed in Chapman's History is that u they are a derivative race, and sprang from one or more of the ancient peoples of Asia.

In the absence of all authentic history, and when even tradi¬ tion is wanting, any attempt to point out the particular location of their origin must prove unsatisfactory. Though the exact place of origin may never be known, yet the striking coincidence of physical organization between the Oriental type of mankind and the Indians point unmistakably to some part of Asia as the place whence they emigrated, which was originally peopled to a great extent by the Children of Shem. In this connection, it has been claimed that a meeting of the Europeans, Indians and Afri¬ cans on the continent of America, is the fulfillment of a prophesy as recorded in Genesis, ix, 27: " God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem ; and Canaan shall be his servant." Assuming the theory to be true that the Indian tribes are of Shemitic origin, they were met on this continent in the fifteenth century by the Japhethic race, after the two stocks had passed around the globe by directly different routes. A few ears afterward the Hamatic branch of the human family were rough t from the coast of Africa.

During the occupancy of the continent by the three distinct races, the children of Japheth have grown and prospered, while the called and not voluntary sons of Ham have endured a servi¬ tude in the wider stretching valleys of the tents of Shem."

Ridpath, in his History of the United States, says : "The origin of the North American Indian is involved in complete obscurity. That they are one of the older races of mankind can not be doubted. But at what date or by what route they came to the Western Continent is an unsolved problem. The notion that the Indians are the descendants of the Israelites is absurd. That half-civilized tribes wandering from beyond the Euphrates, should reach North America, surpasses human credulity. '

No doubt all of us, having in our school days read the stories of Indian wars, were under the impression that the various tribes peopled this country quite densely, so that wherever the pioneer might travel in this newly discovered land, the red man with bow and arrow, tomahawk and scalping knife, glared upon him from every thicket and stealthily glided through the tall grasses of the prairie watching the white man's course.

ica was discovered in 1492, the whole continent was thinly pop¬ ulated, as compared with the present time, by roving bands or tribes of Indians.

The number of Indians in this country, when permanent settlements began to be made, is not known, but probably amounted in all the vast territory, as estimated by well informed writers, to only a few millions - perhaps two or three.

As almost every one knows, these were called Indians by the Europeans from the erroneous idea of Columbus, and the men of that age, that there was only one continent; and that they had reached the eastern shore of Asia when America was discovered.

The whole region comprising our country was in the possession of a great number of these tribes. They divided the country be¬ tween them in an indefinite way, war and hunting being their chief occupations. They, generally speaking, attempted a very little cultivation of the soil.

The settlements of the Indians were as indefinite and movable as their boundaries, and they attached very little value to land. Territory was acquired from them partly by force and partly by purchase.

These last were usually made for a nominal sum and with little comprehension, on their part, of the importance and future effects of its alienation. Historians have classified the Indian families or nations as follows :

2. The Algonquins, who occupied the country extending from Nova Sootia south to the James River, thence west to the mouth of the Ohio, and from thence northward along the east side of the Mississippi and on to Lake Winnipeg, excepting that portion which was occupied by the Huron-Iroquois, as here¬ after described.

8. The Huron-Iroquois, a powerful nation, occupied a tract of country within that of the Algonquins. Their borders extended over the country reaching from Georgian Bay and Lake Huron to Lakes Erie and Ontario, south of those lakes to the valley of the Upper Ohio, and eastward to the River Sorel.

5. The Dakotas, called by the French Sioux, occupied a dis¬ trict of country west of the Mississippi and north of the Missouri and Platte Rivers.

6. The Shoshonees, occupying the country south and west of the Dakotas. It will be understood that these nations were again divided into many tribes each, speaking different dialects of the common language, by which the main group was distinguished. As a general rule, Indians, when asked their name, gave the term Men or Real Men. Each tribe had a name, generally that of the animal or object which was the totem of the tribe. By referring to the foregoing description of the territory occupied bv the Al¬ gonquins, it will be observed that our State was, at the beginning of the seventeenth century, under the jurisdiction of that nation. The Algonquin tribes occupying the western part of the country thus allotted to this nation, were the several tribes of the Illinois and Miami confederacies, the Pottawatomies, the Kickapoos and scattered bands of Shawnees and Delawares.

The Illinois

From the accounts, the Illinois seems to have laid claim to quite an extensive tract of country, the eastern boundary thereof being the ridge that divides the waters that flow into the Wabash above the head waters of Saline Creek, from those flowing into the Illinois River, the northern limit being a line from the mouth of the Des Plaines River westward beyond the Mississippi. On the north, the Illinois for a long time contested their boundary line with the Chippeways, Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes. After¬ ward, the Sacs, Foxes and Kickapoos, assisted by the Pottawat¬ omies, became the successful invaders of the land of the Illinois. On the east came the Miamis, who in language and manners much resembled the Illinois, with whom they originally bore a close affinity.

It is authoritatively stated that the Algonquin language, as spoken by the Ojibways, was regarded as the court language, so that when a person fell among a strange tribe, whose language he did not understand, if he spoke this language, they were bound, as a general rule, to furnish some one who could commu¬ nicate with him in that language. It was through this language that Marquette spoke with all the tribes, and so it was with all the early French travelers. Of the thirty eight States of the Union, eighteen have Indian names, viz.: Massachusetts, Con¬ necticut, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio. Kentucky, Michigan, Illi¬ nois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, the most of these being derived from great rivers or other waters.

The first accounts we have of the Illinois are given by the Jesuit missionaries. In the " Relations " for the year 1655, it is stated that the Illinois are neighbors of the Winnebagoes; and again, the following year it was reported " that the Illinois na¬ tion dwell more than sixty leagues from here, and beyond a great river, which, as near as can be conjectured, flows into the sea toward Virginia. These people are warlike. They use the bow. rarely the gun, and never the canoe." At this time, the Illinois and Miamis were living west of the Mississippi, the reference be¬

Their favorite portions of the State seemed to be along the Illinois River, and on the Mississippi from the Kaskaskia to where Cairo now stands. Beckwith, in describing them, says: In form they were tall and lithe. They were noted for their swiftness of foot. They wore moccasins prepared from buffalo hides, and a small covering extending from the waist to the knee. The rest of the body was entirely nude.

The male children were early taught the use of bow and ar¬ row. They were as carefully trained in hunting and Indian warfare as are the boys and girls of our time in the elements of reading, writing and arithmetic.

The dwellings were simple and rude in character. A pleas¬ ant spot was selected by the river or near a spring, and here they raised their groups of wigwams, constructed chiefly of the bark of trees. Tne skins of animals served for beds and wearing ap¬ parel. Depending principally on the chase for subsistence, yet this being necessarily somewhat uncertain, they were led to culti¬ vate small patohes of corn.

When disputes or dissensions arose, each Indian relied upon himself to adjust the difficulty. Blood for blood was the rule, and the relations of the slain man were bound to obtain bloody re¬ venge. The result of this was bitter feuds and wars of extermi¬ nation.

War was the Indian's glory and delight - not war after the civilised rule, but'war where individual skill, endurance, gallantry and cruelty were the prime requisites. During the intervals of his more exciting pursuits, the Indian employed his time in deco¬ rating his person with all the refinement of paint and feathers, and in the manufacture of his arms and of canoes.

The main drudgery and labor of Indian communities fell upon tho women. They planted, tended and gathered the crops, made mats and baskets, carried tho burdens on the march - in fact they were but little better than slaves to the "braves."

The area of the country originally claimed by tho Illinois was reduced by wars with their neighbors. The Sioux forced them eastward, and the four tribes already named encroached upon them from the north, and war parties from the Iroquois from the east rapidly lessened their numbers.

The misfortunes of the Illinois drew them so kindly to the the priests, the coureurt des boit and soldiers, that the friendship between the two races never abated.

The fatal dissolution of the Illinois rapidly proceeded, and their territory was largely appropriated by the Sacs, Foxes, Kick¬ apoos and Pottawatomies.

By successive treaties, their remaining lands in this State were ceded to the United States, and they were romoved west- of the Mississippi. In 1872, there remained of them but forty souls - men, women and children all told.

Thus has disappeared the people who at one time occupied the larger part of Illinois and portions of Iowa and Missouri. In the year 1* 84 their single village at La Salle's colony could mus¬ ter 1,200 fighting men. When they were prosperous, at one time they nearly exterminated the Winnebagoes, and their war parties penetrated the country of the Huron-Iroquois as far as the Mohawk and Genesee.

The country of the Miamis, as has already been stated, ex¬ tended west to the water shed between the Illinois and Wabash Rivers, forming the eastern boundary of tho Illinois tribes. To the north of the Miamis were the Pottawatomies, who were steadily encroaching upon the territory of the Miamis.

In regard to the Pottawatomies, it is stated in an official let¬ ter to the Secretary of War, March 22, 1814 : "So long ago as 1795, at the treaty of Greenville, the Pottawatomies notified the Miamis that they intended to settle upon the Wabash. They made no pretensions to the country, and the only excuse for the intended aggression was that they were tired of eating fish and wanted meat." And they did come. They established villages upon the north and west bank of the Wabash and its tributaries flowing in from that side of the stream above the Vermilion.

They, with the Sacs, Foxes and Kickapoos, drove the Illinois into the villages about Kaskaskia and divided the conquered ter¬ ritory among themselves, the Sacs and Foxes choosing that part to the north and west of the Illinois River. It is said that by the other tribes they were called squatters, who justly claimed that the Pottawatomies never had any land of ther own and were only intruders. They were, however, foremost at all treaties and were clamorous for the lion's share of presents and annuities, par¬ ticularly where the price given was for other's lands rather than their own. They also had villages upon the Illinois and Kanka¬ kee Rivers.

After the Kickapoos and Pottawatomies hod established them¬ selves in the Valley of the Wabash, it was mutually agreed be¬ tween them and the Miamis that the river should be the dividing

The Pottawatomies and Kickapoos were among the last to leave their possessions in Illinois and Indiana, and it was the peo¬ ple of these tribes with whom the settlers of this section of the country came principally in contact. They ceased hostilities at the close of the war of 1812. The Pottawatomies owned extens¬ ive tracts of land on the Wabash, also on the Tippecanoe and other western tributaries of the Wabash, and elsewhere in North¬ western Indiana, Eastern Illinois and Southern Michigan. The greater part of these reservations were retroceded to the United States, in exchange either for annuities or lands west of the Mississippi. As has already been noted, the Indians became greatly attached to the French. The writer well remembers, when a boy, of several times visiting an Indian reservation on the Des Plaines River, in Cook County, three miles from his father's house. This was occupied by a band of Pottawatomies, whose chief was Alexander Robinson, the 9on of a Canadian voyageur and a Pottawatomie woman.

His place was generally lively with Indians in the declining glories of their latter days. Groups of blanketed squaws, with their papooses slung on their backs, and an equal number of braves, bedaubed with paint and ornamented with feathers, hung around his home in listless dalliance. During the summer season their numbers were increased by visiting braves and their families from other reservations.

Being half Indian and having a wife of the same race, he was shut out from civilized society generally, but his character for integrity and his reputation for excellence in those qualifications which make up the model citizen were widely published. When his tribe was removed, after carefully weighing the matter, he chose civilised life, considering this for his children's best good. He continued to live on the reservation and became a farmer, esteemed by all who knew him.

The final emigration of the Pottawatomies from the Wabash took place in the summer of 1838, and in 1846 the various bands of this great tribe were united west of the Mississippi, except a few scattered bands like the one mentioned, who remained long after the departure of their brethren.

In 1863, the tribe numbered 2,274 men, women and children, which was an alarming decrease from the census of 1854, owing no doubt largely to two reasons - the return of many to their former home east of the Mississippi, and many of the younger men going west to the buffalo grounds.

Thb Kickapoos

The Kickapoos, when first met by the whites, inhabited the State of Wisconsin, but with the Sacs and Foxes gradually moved southward until they came in contact with the Illinois. Then uniting with the Pottawatomies in a warfare upon the Miamis and Illinois, they steadily drove these two tribes from a great portion of the territory occupied by them.

The Kickapoos early incurred the displeasure of the French by committing depredations upon tho missionaries and othera. It is said of this tribe that they were not inclined to receive re¬ ligious impressions from the early missionaries.

Prior to 1718, the Kickapoos had villages upon the banks of Rock River and the Illinois. They are described as a clever people and brave warriors. Their language and manners strongly resembled those of the Foxes. " They catch deer by chasing them, and even at this day (1718) make considerable use of bows and arrows."

Their progress south and east was no doubt largely owing to the fierce attacks of tho Sioux, who were pressing on them from the northwest. The Kickapoos and the Foxes, meditating a migra¬ tion to the Wabash as a place of security from the Sioux, the French became alarmed lest these tribes should effect a junction with the Iroquois and English. The matter was adjusted by the French conciliating the Sioux, and for a number of years the Foxes and Kickapoos remained upon their old hunting grounds in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. The theory has been advanced that the Mascoutins and Kickapoos were bands of one tribe, first known to the French by the former name, and subsequently to the English by the latter, under which name alone they figure in our later annals. This theory has been adopted for tho purposes of this sketch. Another noticeable fact is that, with one exception, the Mascoutins were never known as such in any treaty with the United States, while the Kickapoos were parties to many. In warfare, the Kickapoos were inferior to the other tribes in movements requiring large numbere of men, but in predatory warfare they were pre-eminent. Their war parties usually numbered from five to twenty-five per¬ sons. The boldness and daring of these small parties were very great. They would sometimes push out hundreds of miles from their villages and attack a feeble settlement or an isolated cabin, burn the buildings, steal the live stock, capture the women and children, and then escape before a general alarm could be given.

Their principal enemies seemed to be the Illinois, and after driving the latter into the southwestern part of the State, it is related that as late as 1786 to 179d, their war parties kept the white settlements and the Illinois tribes in the vicinity of Kaskaskia in a state of continual alarm. During the time stated, they killed and captured many of that tribe, as well as a number of the whites.

nois, at a place called Battle Ground Creek, between Kaskaskia and Shawneetown. The principal towns of the Kickapoos were on the left bank of the Illinois, near Peoria, and on the Vermilion of the Wabash, and at several points on the west bank of the Wabash. On the prairies they also had villages, west of Charleston, III., and in many of tho groves scattered over the prairies in the section of country bounded on the north by the Kankakee River, on the east by the Wabash, and on the west by the Illinois, ex¬ tending south to the Kaskaskia. The most notable were their towns at Elkhart Grove, twelve miles north from Bloomington, and at Oliver's Grove, in Livingston County, III. Consequently that tract of country of which Ford County is a part, must have been the hunting-grounds of the Kickapoos after the removal of the Illinois tribes.

These people became greatly attached to the country drained by the Vermilion of the Wabash and its tributaries, and Geo. Harrison had much difficulty in securing their consent to cede it to the General Government.

The Kickapoos were at the battle of Tippecanoe in consider¬ able numbers, and fought with frenzied courage. During the war of 1812, they sided with the English, and sent out numer¬ ous war parties that kept the settlements in Illinois and Indiana Territories in constant danger.

When the latter war closed, the Kickapoos ceased active hostilitios upon the whites, and within a few years afterward they disposed of their lands in this State and Indiana, and excepting a few bands, removed west of the Mississippi.

Beckwith, an excellent authority, says of them : " As com¬ pared with other Indians, the Kickapoos were industrious, intelli¬ gent, and cleanly in their habits, and were better armed and clothed than the other tribes. The men, as a rule, were tall, sinewy and active; the women were lithe, and many of them by no means lacking in beauty. Their dialect was soft and liquid, as compared with the rough and gutteral language of the Potta¬ watomies. They kept aloof from the white people as a rule, and in this way preserved their characteristics, and contracted fewer of the vices of the white man than other tribes. Their numbers were never great, as oompared with the Miamis or Pottawatomies; however, they made up for the deficiency in this respect by the energy of their movements." Thus we have attempted to briefly sketch the red man as he once lived upon these prairies and in tho groves, but the space for this subject in a work of this char¬ acter is necessarily quite limited.

To summarize: We first find the Illinois and Miamis occu¬ pying this section of country, with their dividing line running north and south, nearly identical with the range nine of our county. Following them came the Kickapoos and Pottawatomies, the former taking the place of the Illinois tribes, except that the Kickapoo villages and hunting-grounds extended further east, including the Vermilion of the Wabash and its tributaries.

The Indian came to this country, and now he has left it to return no more. He left the country no better so far as we can judgo for having been here.

We find the arrow-heads and spear-heads, saws, flesh scrapers, hammers and spades made from stone, and all demanding great patience in their manufacture, because of the lack of suitable im¬ plements or machinery to produce them.

If the writer is not mistaken, tho maize or Indian corn which they cultivated to a limited extent, and tobacco are the only con¬ tributions made by them to us in the way of products of the soil.

Early Discoveries

The good father persuaded them to abandon their preparations for war. He then erected the chapel which he named the " Mission of the Holy Ghost," at the place since called " Lapointe du Saint Esperit," and began his work as missionary.

To this spot came the roving Pottawatomies, Sacs and Foxes, the Kickapoos, the Illinois and Miamis, prompted by curiosity, and here they first heard the preaching of Christianity.

In Father Allouez, they beheld a champion of human rights, and to him they narrated their griefs by first speaking of their former grandeur, and then of their diminished numbers from hostile visitations from the Sioux on the west and the Iro¬ quois on the east The gentle and pious Marquette three years later took the place of Allouez.

Just previous to this time, however, possession of the country was taken in the name of the French Government. For this evont Allouez and Joliet summoned the chiefs of no less than fourteen tribes and bands at St. Mary's.

It was well known that a great river crossed southward through the ountry. The first white man who set foot on the soil of this State was Nicholas Perrot, a Frenchman. He was sent to Chicago in the year 1671, for tho purpose of inviting the West¬ ern Indians to a peace convention at Green Bay. One object of this meeting was to form a plan for the discovery of the Missis¬ sippi River. This river had been discovered by De Soto nearly 130 years before, but his nation left it without further explorations.

Their route lay along the north shore of Lake Michigan, and the west bank of Green Bay. They passed through the waters of Lake Winnebago and thence accompanied by Indian guides, continued up the Fox River to the carrying place across to the Wisconsin. Hero their Indian guides refused to go further, and returned whence they came. Down this stream they passed amid the silent grandeur of its forests, and under the cedar-crested precipices of solid rock. No mark of human life was apparent along its shores.

On the 17th of June, 1678, they found themselves on the broad surface of the Mississippi. The banks were less precipi¬ tous than the bold head lands of the Wisconsin, and as they passed down the stream, the country looked more promising. Herds of Buffalo were seen grazing on the open prairies.

Not until they neared the mouth of the Des Moines did they discover any evidence of human beings. Noticing foot prints on tho river's bank they left the canoes in charge of the five men. Marquette and Joliet fearlessly took the Indian path, and after two leagues' travel, came in sight of their villages. The meeting proved a friendly one. The Indians were of the Illinois tribe. They gave the missionaries a dinner of fish, roast Buffalo and hominy. They resumed their journey but did not meet with any more Indians until reaching what is now the State of Kentucky. Landing on the left bank of the river, just below the mouth of the Ohio, they met with what was evidently a roving band of warriors from the far distant borders of civilization on the At¬ lantic coast. They were armed with guns, but were peaceably dis¬ posed, and reoeived the voyagers kindly. The adventurers passed down the river till the mouth of the Arkansas was reached. Here again they met Indians, savage as nature could make them. The young men showed a disposition to take tho lives of our little party of travelers at once, but were restrained by the older men of the tribe. Finally a friendly meeting was had. From their new hosts, they ascertained that the mouth of the Mississippi was but ten days' travel distant The intense heat of tho month of July and fears of beinj£ picked up by Spanish adventurers caused them to conclude their explorations at this point. They had passed below where De Soto had discovered and crossed the Mis¬ sissippi in 1541, which was 132 years previous. No trace, not even a tradition of De Soto's work remained. The object of Mar¬ quette and Joliet's expedition had been fulfilled. They had dis¬ covered the great river and determined whether it emptied into the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean.

On the 17th of July, they took leave of their doubtful friends and turned their canoes up stream. It is difficult for any per¬ son not familiar with the current of a great river to comprehend the task before them. Patient toiling at the oar finally brought them to the mouth of tho Illinois River. Here they met with the Kaskaskias, who offered to conduct them by a more conven¬ ient route, which proved to be by the Illinois, the Des Plaines, and the Chicago Rivers.

On the Illinois River, especially along the shores of Peoria Lake, were the principal villages of the Illinois. There were also bands of the same tribe in the vicinity of Starved Rock, near the present site of Utica.

Marquette preached to these warriors, who manifested a com¬ mendable interest in what he had to say to thorn. When the little company of adventurers passed on to Chicago, a large delef ztion of the Indians accompanied them, where they arrived in eptember. The Indians attached much importance to the little inlet stream called Chicago, and these French voyagers were eager to see the river, and still more eager to look upon the lake whose waters would afford a new route to their friends in Northern Wisconsin.

On tho 25th of October, of the following year, Marquette, with two companions, Perre and Jacques, and a band of Indians, started on their mission to preach the Gospel to the Illinois. Accomplishing his mission, he started on his return to Canada in the spring of 1675, his health having failed because of exposure to the winter storms. Arriving at Sleeping Bear Point on the eastern shore of the lake, he had become too much prostrated to proceed farther. His two companions built a hut of bark and did all they could to make him comfortable. Here ho died and was buried, a large wooden cross marking his resting place.

In 1679, La Salle, a French explorer, sailed to Green Bay and from there his party proceeded in canoes to the mouth of the St. Joseph River, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Here he established a trading post with the Miamis. He then ascended the St. Joseph, crossed to the Kankakee and sailed down until he reached an Illinois village.

He formed an alliance with the tribe, and early in 1680 began near the present Peoria a post which he called Fort Crevecoeur. His chief object was the trade in furs. Accompanying him were several priests, and among them was Father Hennepin, who, with two companions, started to explore the Upper Mississippi, and were taken prisoners by the Sioux. After an extended expe¬ rience with the Indians, he was permitted to return to Green Bay. La Salle was finally assassinated after his second visit to Illinois, while exploring the Lower Mississippi. The first mission in Illinois, as we have already seen, was established by Marquette, The first military occupation of the State was at Fort Crevecoeur

The first settlement of which there is any authentic account was commenced with the building of Fort St. Louis, on the Illi¬ nois River, in 1682, but this was soon abandoned. The oldest permanent settlement, not only in Illinois, but in the valley of the Mississippi, is at Kaskaskia, situated six miles above the mouth of the Kaskaskia River. This was settled in 1690, by the removal of the mission from Old Kaskaskia, or Fort *St. Louis, on the Illinois River. Cahokia was settled about the same time.

Illinois came into full possession of the French in 1682, and was a dependency of Canada and a part of Louisiana. During the period of French rule in Louisiana, the population probably never exceeded 10,000.

To the year 1730, the following five distinct settlements were made in the Territory of Illinois, numbering in population 140 French families, about six hundred "converted" Indians, and many traders: Cahokia, near the mouth of Cahokia Creek and about five miles below the present city of St. Louis; St. Philip, about forty-five miles below Cahokia; Fort Chartres, twelve miles above Kaskaskia; Kaskaskia, situated on the Kaskaskia River, six miles above its confluence with the Mississippi; and Prairie du Rocher, near Fort Chartres. Fort Chartres was built in 1718, and was for a time the headquarters of the military oommandants of the district of Illinois, and the most impregnable fortress in | North America. For about eighty years the French retained peaceable possession of Illinois. For more than a hundred years peace between the white man and the red man was unbroken, and when at last this reign of harmony terminated, it was not caused by the conciliatory Frenchman, but by the blunt and sturdy Anglo-Saxon. During the century now under consideration, no regular court was held by the French occupants. In 1765, the country passed into the hands of the English. As early as 1750, there could be perceived the firet throes of the Revolution, which gave a new master and new institutions to Illinois.

Northwest Territory

Carefully turning the brown leaves of the old family history of our country's ancestors, we find that the Northwestern Territory was the link of civil rule between our State and the General Gov¬ ernment.

On the second Monday in May, 1787, the delegates repre¬ senting twelve States, the representatives of Rhode Island failing to respond, assembled at Philadelphia for the purpose of prepar¬ ing a constitution.

As early as 1784, Thomas Jefferson then a member of Con¬ gress, submitted a plan of government for all the territory from the southern to the northern boundary of the United States, all of which was expected to be ceded by the States claiming the same. .By this plan seventeen States were to be formed from this territory.

One of its provisions was, " that after the year 1800 there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of said States, other than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." This provision was rejected, not having seven States in its favor.

This rejected provision was again proposed by Rufus King the following year. The proposition again failed. The ordi¬ nance of 1787 embracing in part the plan submitted by Mr. Jefferson, in 1784, was reported by Nathan Dane.

The legislative, executive and judicial powers were vested in a Governor and three Judges, who with the Secretary were to be appointed by Congress - the Governor for three years, the Judges during good behavior

The laws of the Territory were to be such laws of the original States os the Governor and Judges should think proper to adopt. These laws were to be in force until disapproved by Congress. When the Territory should contain 5,000 free male inhabitants of full age, thero was to be a Legislature, to consist of two branches - a House of Representatives, the members to be chosen from the several counties or townships, for the term of two years, and a Legislative Council of five persons, who were to hold their offices for five years and to be appointed by Congress out of ten persons previously nominated by the House of Representatives of the Territory. All laws were required to be consistent with the or¬ dinance, and to have the assent of the Governor.

The ordinance concludes with six articles of compact between the original States and the people of the Territory, to bo unalter¬ able except by common consent.

rights usually inserted in bills of rights; the third provided for the encouragement and support of schools and enjoined good faith toward tho Indians ; the fourth placed the new States to be formed out of the territory upon an equal footing with the old ones, both in respect to their privileges and their burdens, and reserved to the United States the right to dispose of the soil; the fifth authorized the future division of the territory into not less than three nor more than five States, each State to be ad¬ mitted into the Union, when it should contain 60,000 inhabitants; the sixth was the anti-slavery proviso introduced by Thomas Jefferson in 1784, so modified as to take effect immediately.

This ordinance, which left the territory south of the Ohio (then not yet ceded) subject to future regulation, received the unanimous vote of the eight States present.

Gen. Arthur St. Clair, who was President of Congress, was appointed Military Governor, and in the following summer began his duties at Marietta. In the year 1800, a line was drawn through the Northwestern Territory from the mouth of the Great Miami River to Fort Recovery, and thence to Canada.

The portion west of this line was organized under the name of the Indiana Territonj. Vincennes was made the capital, and Gen. William Henry Harrison received the appointment of Gov¬ ernor. Indiana was admitted into the Union in 1816, near the close of Madison's troubled administration.

The Illinois Territory was established February 3, 1809, and it included "all that part of the Indiana Territory which lies west of the Wabash River, and a direct line drawn from the said Wabash River and Post Vincennes due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada."

John Boyle was appointed Governor, but declined to serve. Ninian Edwards was men appointed. He served Irom April 24, 1809, to December 6, 1818, when he was made United States Senator for the new State of Illinois.

Monroe's administration was noted for the great number of new members which were added to the Union. In 1818, Illi¬ nois, the twenty-first State, embracing an area of more than 55,000 square miles, and extending through more than five de¬ grees of latitude, was organized ana admitted. Two years later, when the general census was taken, Illinois ranked as twentyfourth as to population. From that time to 1880, her advance¬ ment has been rapid, and we now find only three States which outrank Illinois in population and wealth.* Under the Con¬ stitution of 1818, the elective officers were the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, who held office for four years. The other State officers were appointed by the Governor or chosen by the General Assembly.

Governors Of Illinois

Within a short time after the organization of Illinois Terri¬ tory, two counties, St. Clair and Randolph, were formed. These two counties have been gradually subdivided until now there are 102 counties within the boundaries of this State. Ford was the last county organized. To show from whence we came as a county, the following letter is inserted :

Dkar Sir - Y our communication of the 8th inst. at hand, and in response thereto, have to say that the following named counties comprised the State of Illinois in the year 1818, to wit:

Vermilion County was organised by an act of the General Assembly, ap¬ proved January 18, 1826, and embraced all that tract of country within the following bounds, to wit: Beginning on the State line between Illinois and In- dlana, at the northeast oorner of Edgar Connty; thence west with the line di¬ viding Townships 16 and 17, to the southwest corner of Township 17 north. Range 10, east of third principal meridian ; thence north to the northwest oorner of Township 22 north ; thence east to the State line; thence south with the State line to the place of beginning.

Edgar Connty was organised January 8, 1828, and at that date the terri¬ tory now embraoed in Vermilion County was attached to the oounty of Edgar.

The territory attached to Vermilion County embraced all the country now occupied by Champaign, Iroquois and Ford Countios ; two tiers of townships on the east side of Livingxion ; two thir ls of the width of Grundy County south of the Kankakee, and nearly one and one half Congressional Townships in the southwest corner of Will.

In population, Ford County numbered as follows: 1860, 1,979; 1870, 9,103; 1880, 15,105. At tho date of the last census there were twenty-six counties in this State containing a less number of inhabitants than Ford.

Tiie Name Ford

This oounty received its name in honor of Thomas Ford, the eighth Governor of Illinois (if the administration of W. L. D. Ewing, covering sixteen days, is to be counted as a term, other¬ wise Gov. Ford's would be the seventh).

Thomas Ford was born at Uniontown, Penn., in the year 1800. His father was killed by the Indians when Thomas was but two years old. In 1804, his mother, with her large family of children, removed to St. Louis, Mo., and two years later set¬ tled in Monroe County, III.

This mother was a good manager, energetic, and determined that her sons should become good citizens. Gov. Ford's boyhood was mostly spent in earning something for the family support, at¬ tending an occasional session of the county school, and one term at the Transylvania University. He then studied law with Dan¬ iel P. Cook, a Congressman, and soon thereafter commanded a remunerative class of clients.

Afterward he served two terms as Circuit Judge, one term as Judge of the Circuit Court at Chicago, and one term as Judge of the Supreme Court. In 1837, the financial panic then sweeping over the country visited Illinois with the most destructive effect. The State had become embarrassed as a consequence of loaning her credit to various projects of internal improvements, notably that of building railroads, and for the purpose of establishing a State bank and branches. The panic came, the internal im¬ provement plans collapsed, the banks (ailed, the State bonds ex¬ perienced a heavy decline, public confidence was lost, credit disappeared, and bnsiness of every kind was completely prostrated. This nnfortunate condition of affairs continued for a period of several years. In 1842, Thomas Ford was chosen Governor; the State debt then amounted to $14,000,000. It was during bis able administration, and chiefly upon his recommendation, that a series of wise financial measures were brought forward in the Legislature. The fallen credit of the commonwealth was re¬ stored, confidence re-established, and a fresh impetus given to trade and agricultural enterprise.

In his first message, he says: " We must convince our credit¬ ors and the world that the disgrace of repudiation is not counte¬ nanced among us, that we arc honest and mean to pay as soon as we are able."

When Gov. Ford delivered tho reins of government to his successor, Instead of a domestic debt f>r the ordinary expenses of the State amounting to almost one-third of a million dollars, we find it reduced to $31,212, with $9,260 in the treasury.

Gov. Ford in his personality is described as " short in stature, slender, dark complexioned, heavy dark hair, deep set eyes, sharp nose and small mouth."

He says in his valedictory message: " Without having in¬ dulged in wasteful or extravagant habits of living, I retire from office poorer than I came in, and go to private life with the full determination not to seek again any place in the Government."

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the Strife of Illinois represented in the General Assembly, That all that portion of Vermilion County lying an*l be¬ ing within the following boundaries, and described as follows, to-wil ;

Beginning at the northeast oorner of C mopaign County, running thence north to the south line of Iroquois Oouuty. thence west to the southwest corner of Iroquois County, thence north to the northwest corner of Iroquois County, thenoe west to Livingston County, thence south to the southeast corner of Liv¬ ingston County, thence west to McLean County, thence south to the northwest oorner of Champaign County, thence east to the place of beginning, be and the same is hereby created into a new county, to be called the county of Ford: Provided that a majority of all the legal voters of said county <>f Vermilion

Skc. 2. The qualified voters of said county of Vermilion may at a special election to be held in the several towns in said county on the first Tuesday in April next, vote for or against the creation of said new county of Ford by ballot upon which shall be written or printed or partly written and partly printed the words, " For the new county," or " Against the new county."

Sr.c. 3. The Clerk of the County Court of said county of Vermilion shall givo notice of said election in the several election districts of said county in the same manner as notice of general or especial elections are given in counties which have not adopted township organisation as nearly as may he, and the Judges and Clerks of Election in the several election districts of said county shall keep a list of the votes polled at said election, and conduct the same in all respects and make return thereof to the Clerk of the County Court in the same manner as is provided by law for general elections. All vacancies in the board of election shall be filled in the same manner as is provided hy law in other cases. The Clerk of said County Court shall within seven days after said election, or as soon thereafter as said returns shall be received, proceed to eanvase the returns of said election in the same manner as in general elections, and shall withiu five days thereafter make return of said vote to the Secretary of State.

Sec. 4. If it shall appear that a majority of all the votes in said county of Vermilion voting upon the question, have voted in favor of the creation of said new county of Ford, then there shall be held a special election in the several towns and precincts within the limits of this act described for said new county of Ford, on the first Monday in June next for county officers. In cose of fractional towns or precincts which have become detached by the boundaries of the said new county the voters thereof may at the first election for oounty officers vote within such town or precinct within said new county as they deem most convenient. The said election to t*e conducted by the Judges of Election then in office under appointment or election in said oounty of Vermilion, and to he held at the place of holding the last general election. In case of vacancy in the board of election, or non-attendance, said vacancy or plaoe of any ab¬ sentee shall he filled in the same manner as is provided by law in other cases of election. At which election the qualified voters of said oounty of Ford shall elect all county officers for said county except such as hereinafter are excepted who ahall be commissioned ami qualified in the same manner as such officers are in other counties in this State, and who shall continue in office until the next general election for such officers and until tbeir suooeseors are elected and qualified, and who shall have all the jurisdiction and perform all the duties which are or may be conferred upon such officers in other oounties of this Stats.

Set. 6 . All the Justices of the Peaoe, Constables or other town or precinct officers who have been heretofore elected and qualified in said oounty of Ver¬ milion whoso term of office shall not have expired at the time of said election and whose residence shall be embraced within the limits of said county of Ford shall continue in office until their term of office shall expire, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

Hkc. fi. For the purpose of fixing the permanent location of the oounty seat of said county of Ford, the voters of said county shall at said election for county officers vole for some plaoe to be designated upon tbeir ballots for a county seat, upon which ballots shall be written or printed, or partly written or printed the name of the place intended for the county seat. The place re¬ ceiving a majority of all the votes cast upon the question shall he the county seal of said county of Ford, but if no one place shall rooeive a majority of all the votes cast upon the question, then it shall bo the duly of the County Court of said oounty to call another election within thirty days thereafter at the several places of holding elections in said county, at which election the voters of said county shall proceed to vote as before, but shall choose from the two places having the greater number of votes at the former election, and the plaoe having the majority of all the votes ca>u at the second election shall be the per¬ manent county sent of said county of Ford.

Sec. 7. The notice of said election for county officers shall be given by the Clerk of the Oounty Court of Vermilion County in the same manner as in cases of general elections; said notice shall specify that a vote will be taken upon the looation of the oounty seat. The returns of ssid election for oounty officers shall be made to the Clerk of said court, who shall cause the same to be opened and canvassed and returns thereof made in the same manner os is provided by law in other cases.

Sr.c. 8. All suits and prosecutions that have been or may be commenced in said county of Vermilion, including all the proceedings in the County Court, in matters of probate before the organization of said county of Ford, shall not he affected by (his act or the operation thereof, but all such suits, prosecutions and proceedings shall be prosecuted, and conducted to their final termination in said county of Vermilion, and the officers of said county are hereby author¬ ised to execute all writs that may l>e necessary for the completion of said suits, prosecutions or proceedings within the limits of said county of Ford, and all judgments that may have heretofore been obtained, or that may hereafter be obtained in said county of Vermilion Itefore the organization of said county of Ford, slinll have the same lien upon all property within the limits of said county of Ford as if the said territory had not been created into a separate county.

Sec. 0. As soon as the county officers shall have been elected and quali¬ fied as aforesaid, the said oounty of Ford shall be considered organised. The oath of office may be administered to the several county officers by any person within the limits of the nsw oounty authorized by law to administer oaths, and as soon as said oounty is organized, the Clerk of the Circuit Court shall give no¬ tice thereof to the Judge of the circuit in which said county may be embraced, who slinll thereupon hold court at such place in said county of Ford as the County Court thereof shall designate until the county seat of said county shall become permanently located as heretofore provided, which court shall he holden at such times as the Judge of said circuit shall appoint until otherwise pro¬ vided by law, the said county of Ford shall be taken and oonsidered as a part of the Eighth Judicial Circuit.

Sec. 10. The school funds, if any, in the hands of the School Commis¬ sioners of Vermilion County belonging to the several towns or parts of towns embraced within the limits of said county of Ford, shall be by said Commis¬ sioners paid over to the School Commissioner of said county of Ford, so soon as he shall have given bond and lieen qualified on demand made.

Sec. 11. The County Court of said county of Ford shall at some term of onid court, by an order to be entered upon their records, appoint some compe¬ tent person a Commissioner for the purpose hereinafter expressed, who shall take an oath of office liefore some officer of said county authorized by law to administer oaths, said court shall at the same time provide a sufficient numlter of well bound blank books, and deliver the same to said Commissioner, who shall receipt the same to the Clerk of said court, and ns soon as the same shall )« delivered to said Commissioner he shall record in each liook a copy of the order of appointment and oath of office, and shall thereupon proceed to tronscribe into such books all deeds, mortgages and title papers of every descrip¬ tion, with the acknowledgments and certificates in relation thereto, of lands lying in the said county of Ford, which have >>een recorded, or may hereafter his recorded, l>efore the organization of said county, in the Reconler's office of said county of Vermilion. Sueh Commissioner shall be allowed by said County Court such stints as his services shall be worth, to >»« paid out of the county treasury. Said Commissioner sliall note at the end of each paper he shall iranscril*, the book and page from which the same was Iranscrilteu, and shall make a correct double index of said records, and on the completion of his duties, said Commissioner shall return said books to the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the said county of Ford, whereupon they shall be taken and consid¬ ered to all intents and purposes as books of records of deeds, mortgages and title papers for said county of Ford, and copies of said records certified by the officer hnving the custody of the same shall bt evidence a in all courts and places in the same manner that deeds and title papers regularly recorded in the llecorder's office, an evidence and with the same effect.

Her. 12. Of the swamp lands lying within the present limits of Vermilion County and of the proceeds of sales of said lands heretofore mode, and which may hereafter be made liefore the organization of said county of Ford, after deducting all expenses paid by. and for which the said county of Vermilion may be liable. The said oounty of Ford shall receive and lie entitled to a share in proportion to the numlterof Congressional towuships and parts of townships lying within the boundaries of said county of Ford, and the share of said coun¬ ty of Vermillion to said lands and proceeds of sales thereof as aforesaid, shall be in proportion to the number of Congressional townships and parts of town¬ ships remaining within the limits of said county of Vermilion after said county of Ford shall hare been organized.

I, Henry D. Dement, Secretary of Stale of the Stale of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing in a true copy of an Act to create the county of Ford and for other purposes now on tile in this office.

In witness whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the Great Seal of Stale, [l. s.] at the city of Springfield, this 11th day of June. A. 1>. 1HS3.

Agreeably to the fourth section of the foregoing act, an elec¬ tion was held on the first Monday in June, 1359, in the now county of Ford, for county officers. At the same time, in accord¬ ance with the sixth section, the fixation of the county seat was determined by the selection of Paxton, the name of the town at that time being Prospect City.

Clerk Of Tiik Circuit Court

Previous to 1872, the district of tho States Attorney, was co-extensive with that of the Circuit Judge, but by an act passed in 1872, each county, elected a State's Attorney.

The namos of the gentlemen who served as State's Attorneys at the various sessions of our Circuit Courts up to 1872, are: Ward II. Lamon, Vermilion County.

Masters In Chancery

This officer is appointed by the Judge of tho Circuit Court. The list of those serving in this capacity is as follows: R. S. Duck land S. L. Day, Levi A. Dodd, John R. Kiuncar, John C. Patton, F. L. Cook, und Milton II. Cloud, the present incumbent.

State Board Of Equalization

The Stato Board of Equalization was organized by act of the General Assembly, approved March 7, 1867. As at first com¬ posed, the board consisted of twenty-five members, one elected from each Senatorial District. In 1872. tho law was so amended m to reduce tho number of members to nineteen, one being elected for each Congressional District. The first board was appointed hy the Governor, and held offico for a term of two years. Subse¬ quent to the first board the term has been four years. The duties of this board arc to equalize the assessments between counties, by increasing or decreasing the total amount of the assessment on lands, lots or personal proporty or on all in each county, pro¬ vided the aggregate assessment in the State must not bo de¬ creased; and any increase of the same must not exceed one per cent. The board also assesses tho capital stock of incorporated companies, and also railroad property. The members who have represented the district which includes Ford County are as fol¬ lows: Ira C. Mosior, Kankakee County, 1863 to 1876; Clinton C. Campbell, Kankakee County, 1876 to 1880; Orville 1). Sackott, Ford County, 1880 to 1884.

The Gbneral Assembly

By the act of January 31, 1861, the representation was fixed at twenty-five Senators and eighty-five Representatives. Ford County was placed in the Ninth Senatorial District ami the For¬ ty-second Representative District. This being the first appor¬ tionment since the organization of Ford, the county was repre¬ sented for the two preceding years in the State Senate by Thomas A. Marshall, of Coles, anti in tho House of Ropresentatives for the sarao time by Samuel G. Craig, of Vermilion. The Ninth Senatorial District included the counties of Coles, Douglas, Cham¬ paign, Ford, Iroquois, Vermilion.

Statb 8Enator8

Under the apportionment of 1870, Ford retained her former position in the Senatorial District, but in the Legislature was unit¬ ed with Kankakee instead of Iroquois, and the number changed to seventy-nine, and two members allotted to our district.

State Senator Legislature

By the act of March 1, 1872, tho State was divided into Sen¬ atorial Districts as provided by the constitution of 1870, each district being entitled to one Senator and three Representatives. Fort! and Livingston Counties were united in the Eighteenth District.

County Government

An act for establishing county courts, approved February 12, 1840, and in force at the time of the organisation * of Ford County, provided for the election of a County Judge. Also, that at the same time there shall be elected two Justices of the Peace, whose jurisdiction shall be co extensive with the county, and who shall hold their offices for four years." They were to give bond, and have the same powers as township jus¬ tices and " moreover, sit with the County Judge, as members of the court for the transaction of the county business, and none other, and while sitting as members of the court shall bave an equal vote with the County Judge on all questions and matters legally and properly before said court. The said Judge with said two Justices shall in all cases whatever, have, exercise and possess all the power, jurisdiction and authority heretofore con¬ ferred on the County Commissioners Court." To distinguish these county justices from those of the several townships they were termed Associate Justices. In probate and certain other matters, the County Judge acted alone.

It is our purpose to give a list of the members of this court followed by a list of the Township Supervisors, dating from the adoption of township organization by this county. These Su¬ pervisors, when met for county business, compose what is termed the Hoard of Supervisors, which takes the place of the County Court, consisting of the County Judge and Associate Justices.

The records of Vermilion County show that that portion which now comprises Ford County was organized as a township February 16, 1856, from Middlefork Township and named Prairie City Township. Its name was changed to " Patton " September 15, 1857, on account of there being another Prairie City Township in the State.

Drummer Grove Township was organized from Patton Sep¬ tember 14, 1858, and included the present Townships of Drum¬ mer, Dix, Peach Orchard and Sullivant. Stockton Township was organized from Patton March 15, 1859, and included the present townships of Lyman, Brenton, Pella, Mona and Rogers. Therefore, at the time of the organization of Ford County, it consisted of three townships, viz.: Patton, Drummer Grove and Stockton - the former at that time including the present town¬ ships of Patton, Button and Wall. The first court after the election in June, 1859, for the transaction of county business, was held by David Patton, County Judge; William Swinford and Andrew J. Bartlett, Associate Justices.

Board Of Supervisors

March 7, 1864 - The name of Grant was changed to Rogers, and Stockton at this time, comprising the present townships of Lyman, Brenton and Pella, was changed to Brenton.

John Keesey was elected Assistant Supervisor for Patton Township, it being the opinion that this township had the popu¬ lation entitling it to two Supervisors.

July 14, 1879 - The board decided that under the census of 1870, as provided by law, Patton Township was entitled to but one Supervisor. Accordingly Mr. Froyd withdrew.

1882 - Joseph Burger, Chairman, Bicnton; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant; A. C. Bullington, Dix; L. Burns, Lyman; Abraham Croft, Patton; George Eastwood, Pella: John Iehl, Peach Or¬ chard; William Kenney, Wall; Hugh McCormick, Button; W. B. Sargeant, Rogers; John A. Scott, Mona; Charles II. Yeo¬ mans, Drummer.

When the new county of Ford was organized, a great and pressing want was a suitable place for holding court, rooms for county offices and a jail. There had been considerable discussion as to the proper site for the county buildings, and sonic proposi¬ tions were presented to the County Court in regard thereto. How¬ ever, on the 16th day of January, i860, the question was defi¬ nitely settled by an order entered in the County Court providing for the location of the court house and jail on the block where they now stand.

In June of the same year, an agreement was on tens] into for the erection of the present court house; the County Judge and Associate Justices representing the county, and James F. Hall being the contractor.

The original cost as provided in the contract was fixed at $11,000, but the plans being afterward somewhat changed and enlarged, permission was granted by a vote of the people April, 1861, to add $4,000 to the first amount. December, 1861, an additional contract was made with Mr. Hall, and the total price increased to $16,000, the additional cost being for excavation of the basement, grading the yard and construction of outbuildings. February 18, 1862, the building was accepted by the Roardnf Supervisors, and a county order issued to Mr. Hall for $2,890. The records are not very clear as to this sum, the writer being under the impression that this was the balance still unpaid on the $16,000, until assured by parties conversant with the facts that this last payment was for additional improvements not named in the contracts. This would bring the total cost of the court house, as it then stood, up to $18,890. The explanation for these additions to the original contract price is made " that the orig¬ inal plan was found to be unsatisfactory, and that it was thought best to make the change at that time rather than after the work was completed under the first contract." Nothing appears to the contrary but that the Supervisors and others representing the county acted wisely in this regard. Bonds were issued for the $16,000, bearing interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum. Of these bonds, there still remain unpaid $6,000 due November, 1884, and $6,000 due November, 1885.

The court house as first built, contained on the first or ground floor offices for the County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, and Sheriff, rooms for the jailer and family anti cells for the prisoners. The second floor contained court and jury rooms as at present.

After completion of the present jail, the cells in the court house were removed, and in their stead the present Circuit Clerk's office was fitted up. The County Clerk occupies the room formerly used by the jailer. March, 1875, a contract was entered into with William Daniels for building the fire-proof vaults at the west end of the court house, and other improvements, including the fitting up of the Clerk's offices as already men¬ tioned. The total cost of the same was $2,969.80. As our conrt house now stands, it is a substantial building, and is of ample size to meet the wants of our county for many years to come.

At a session of the Board of Supervisors May, 1871, a com¬ mittee, consisting of Supervisors C. E. Henderson, William Noel and James H. Flngg, was appointed, with instructions "to examine into the matter of building a new jail or to repair the old one so as to be capable of holding prisoners, and for that purpose they are hereby authorized to go abroad and examine such jails as in their judgment will be suitable."

At the meeting of the Board in June, the committee reported, as the result of their labors, a plan for a county jail. The board accepted the report, and decided in favor of erecting a Sheriff's residence and a jail. The plan presented by the Committee was followed.

The board again met in July of the same year, and appropri¬ ated $20,000 for the erection of the buildings named, ami directed the County Clerk to issue county orders from time to time as directed by the building committee, but not to exceed the sum of $15,000. The orders were to bear interest at ten per cent per annum.

In September, 1871, the board mado an additional appropri¬ ation of 812,000, " for the completion of the SherifFs residence and jail, said orders to bear interest at ten per cent per annum, 80,000 to be paid in five years, and 80,000 in ten years." The total cost of these buildings, not including discounts on county orders, was something more than $28,000. This is ascertained by the orders issued and estimating discounts on the same, there being no funds in tho county treasury at the time.

November G, 1867, an election was held to determine " whether said county of Ford shall subscribe to the capital stock of the La Fayette, Bloomington k Mississippi Railway to the amount of $4,000 per mile, for the distance which said road shall traverse said Ford County to aid in tho construction of said railway."

January 17, 1808, an election was held " to determine wheth¬ er said county shall subscribe to the capital stock of the La Fay¬ ette, Bloomington k Mississippi Railway to the amount of $30,000, in addition to what has already been subscribed."

This proposition was also adopted. In December, 1871, a committee representing tho Board of Supervisors reported that tho railroad company had complied with all requirements of the board. The question arising upon issuing the bonds as voted to the amount of $142,000, David Keighin, then a Supervisor from Mona, introduced a resolution fixing the rate of interest at six per cent, which was defeated by a vote of six to five.

January 2, 1372, the board ordered the bonds issued for the full amount, payable in ten years, with interest at ten per cent per annum. The certificate of stock was thereupon issued at the county by the railroad authorities.

Similar certificates were issued to other counties and several townships which had voted aid to this railroad. It was afterward claimed by these counties and townships that this was the only bona fide stock in this railroad, notwithstanding that certificates of stock had been issued to individuals by the Directors of said road in sufficient amounts to control the elections in selecting Directors; and thus control the railroad.

In the latter part of 1873, the board directed Alfred Sample, State's Attorney, to investigate tho management and records of said railroad. Mr. Sample did so, and made an exhaustive and satisfactory report to tho board of the results of his labors, he having carefully examined tho company's books at Tolodo, Ohio. At the next annual meeting for tho election of Directors of the L. B. k M. Railway, held at Bloomington, Ill., January 20, 1874, representatives of the several townships and counties ap¬ peared and presented their claims to be henrd, etc.

A warm, interesting and somewhat noisy meeting was held, which resulted in those representing the railroad company with¬ drawing and holding their meeting elsewhere.

The representatives of the people remained at the appointed place and proceeded to elect a board of twelve Directors, those from Ford County being O. D. Sackctt, Alfred Sample, John II. Collier and Merton Dunlap, who had been authorized by the Board of Supervisors to represent the interests of this county at said meeting.

Tho following officers were then elected: F. Ilenderson, President; O. D. Sackett, Vice President; N. S. Sunderland, Treasurer; A. Sample, Attorney; Merton Dunlap, Secretary.

The contest for the control of the railroad continued for about two years in tho courts, when the whole matter was suddenly brought to an end by the sale of the railroad under the mortgage which was given by tho directors of tho road at an early period of its existence.

While this relieved Ford County from any further responsi¬ bility in the management of the railroad, the indebtedness of $142,000 still remained.

January 22, 1880, a contract was entered into between the Board of Supervisors and a firm in Now York City by which these bonds were funded into six per cent bonds, due in twenty years, with the privilege to the county of paying the same any time after five years.

This indebtedness, together with the amount remaining un¬ paid on tho court house, includes all of the outstanding obliga¬ tions of Ford County.

It seems proper in this connection to make a brief mention of the contest between the people and the railroad companies, begin¬ ning in 1873. It was claimed that the latter were charging illegal and unjust rates for passenger fare and freights. This question assumed such a magnitude in Ford County that in the election for county officers in that year the voters united without regard to party, and the "Farmers' ticket" was elected by a large majority.

The State Legislature passed a stringent law against unjust discriminations, and proscribed that three cents per mile for roads of the class of the Illinois Central should be the maximum charge for passenger travel. Rates for transportation of freights were also fixed. A Board of Railroad Commissioners was appointed whose duty it was to see this law enforced.

The contest continued in the courts for several years with but little success for the people. December, 1870, a public meeting was held at the court house in Paxton, at which a resolution was adopted requesting A. Sample, State's Attorney, to prosecute all infractions of the railroad law in Ford County. Soon after this, the Commissioners met the business men and farmers of this locality in this city. Mr. Sample presented an extonded list of extortionate rates imposed by the railroads in violation of law. Of the Commissioners, lion. William Smith, Chairman, and Mr. Oberly earnestly favored the enforcement of the law.

This meeting, through which was manifested the determina¬ tion of the people to push matters, provoked considerable interest among the railway officials. Some of them came to this place to investigate as to how far the people were disposed to go and if matters could not be compromised.