Hancock County, Illinois - The whole text, 1874 (part 1 of 2)

Scale, Two Inches Xo The Mile

Hancock County, one of the wealthiest in the State of Illinois, contains an area of 311,517 acres of improved land, and 486,400 acres in all. It is bounded on the north by Henderson County, on the east by McDonough and part of Schuyler Counties, on the south by Adams County, while the Mississippi River washes its western boundary for a distance of about thirty miles. It is divided into twenty-four townships, sixteen of which are congressional. Hancock County was, at an early day, a portion of Pike County. The three counties of St. Clair, Gallatin, and Randolph were formed under the territorial administration of Gen. St. Clair. Their exact boundary lines are, at this day, difficult to determine, as the maps of that time are obsolete. These counties, or divisions, were in practice till the 14th day of Septembei\ 1821, when the county of Madison was formed by Gov. Edwards. All the territory in Illinois north of a line drawn east from a point on the Mississippi just above Kahokia, was the domain of this county. From this territory came Bond County, and then Greene, Pike, and Sangamon. The original territorial counties were divided, Johnson from Randolph in 1812, Jackson from Randolph and Johnson in 1816, White from Gallatin in 1815, Franklin from Gallatin and White in 1818, Edwards from Gallatin in 1914, Crawford from St. Clair in 1816, Washington in 1818, Clark from Crawford in. 1819, Fayette from Bond, Edwards, Crawford, and Clark in 1821. Following the divisions of Madison County, we find that Pike in 1821 contained all the counties now lying west of the Illinois for its whole length, to the northern boundary of the State. This great county was divided as follows : First, Fulton County in 1823, then Calhoun, Clay, Adams, Hancock, MeDonough, and Warren - all from Pike - in 1825. The early settlers of this county were men of energy and courage, and came mainly from the Middle and Southern States. They were men of rough manners, but generous impulses. There are very few of them living at present ; but their names and the date of their coming to the county are mentioned sufficiently, and at length, in the township histories. They had to encounter the usual vicissitudes and hardships of the pioneers ; and were brave participants in the early Indian ware ; but there is no record extant that they were particularly assailed in the Black Hawk and Winnebago wars, the theater of the Indian depredations being more intimately associated in the memories of the early settlers of adjacent counties. The oldest living settler of this county at present is, most probably, I. J. Waggoner, of Montebello Township, who came in 1824. Amzi Doolittle, of Appanoose, is the only survivor of the first jury. The following will explain the early organization of the county - its first officers, jury, both grand and petit, and will throw light on about who were the early and prominent settlers :

Whereas, it has been represented to me, the undersigned. Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Illinois, north of the Illinois River, that the citizens of Hancock, in the said State, are desirous that the same should be organized, with as little delay as possible ; and, it appearing to my satisfaction that the said county contains three hundred and fifty inhabitants, and upwards, I do hereby, in pursuance of the powers vested in me by virtue of the ninth and eleventh sections of the act entitled " An Act Forming new Counties out of the Counties of Pike, and Fulton and the Attached Parts thereof," approved 13th day of January, 1825, order, direct, and appoint that an election be held in some convenient house in Fort Edwards, in the said county of Hancock, on the first Monday in August next, and to continue for one day only, for the following named officers, viz., Three County Commissioners, one Sheriff, and one Coroner, to serve when elected and qualified, in and for said county of Hancock.

And I do hereby nominate and appoint Luther Whitney, James White, and Geo. V. Cutler judges of the said election, whose duty it shall be to give twenty days' notice of said election, by posting up copies of this order, with such other notice of the same as they may deem necessary, in eight of the most public places in said county, distributing them, as near as practical, among the prin* cipal settlements of the county, to the end that all persons concerned may have due notice.

The election to be viva voce, and conducted in all respects as near as near as may be in conformity with the laws now in force regulating elections, and the result thereof, when ascertained, to be fairly and legibly made out, certified, and returned to the proper department, that commissions may issue without delay to such persons as may be entitled thereto.

And, lastly, it is ordered that Circuit Courts he held in and for the said county of Hancock on the third Monday in June and fourth Monday in October, at such places as may be selected by the County Commissioners of said county, until other regulations shall be made by law, or different times shall be appointed by the judge of said court.

Richard M. Young

. At a County Commissioner's Court, held in and for said county, at a special term, at Fort Edwards in said county, on the fourteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine ; present, James White, George Y. Cutler, and Henry Nichols, County Commissioners.

Ordered, that Isaac R. Campbell be appointed treasurer [ of the county, and that he give bond and security according to law, in the sum of one thousand dollars.

The court proceeded to lay off and divide the county i into districts, for the election of Justices of the Peace and Constables; whereupon, it is

Ordered, that all that part of the county, lying between the north line of Adams County and the line dividing townships four and five north, be erected into a district, to be known and designated District No. 1 ; and that elections for Justice of the Peace and Constables therein, be held at the house of Henry Nichols, in said district ; and that Luther Whitney, Henry Nichols, and John Clark be appointed judges .of election therein.

All that portion of the county, lying between the south line of township five north and the north line of said township, be erected into a district, to be known and designated District No. 2 ; and that elections therein be held at the house now occupied by Wm. Vance ; and that Hasen Bedell, Charles Robison, and John Waggoner be appointed judges of election therein.

All that portion of the county, lying north of the township line between townships five _ and six north to the northern boundary line of the county, be erected into a district, to be known and designated District No. 3 ; and that elections therein be held at the store of Alexander White ; and that Davison Hibbard, Peter Williams, and Edward White be appointed judges of election therein.

Ordered, that the following named persons be summoned to attend the Circuit Court of this county, at the October Term, to serve as a Grand Jury, viz., Daniel Crenshaw, Luther Whitney, Morrell Marston, John Clark, Leonard L. Abney, Philip Malett, Wm. Clark, Reuben Bratton. Thomas Payne, John Sikes, John Johnson, John Harding, Wm. Vance, Hazen Bedell, John Waggoner,

Ordered, that the following named persons be summoned to attend the Circuit Court of the county, at the October Term ensuing, to serve as Petit Jurymen, viz. /Horace B. Whitney, John R. Willcox, Edward Robertson, Sam. Brierly, James Brierly, Robert Harding, Aaron Harding, Abijah Willson. Abdiel Parsons, Richard Chaney, Benj. T. Tungate, Geo. W. Harper, Charles Robison, Charles Smith. Patrick Moffitt, William Wallace, Nathaniel Kennedy, John Campbell, Ralph Raborn, Thomas Softly. Enoch Hankins, Arthur Parvin, Abraham Moore, Alexander White. Asa Reed, Wm. Flint, Peter Williams, Dan Van Burkloe, Amzi Doolittle, Hezekiah Spillman, Richard

On reading and filing the petition of a number of the citizens of this county, recommending John Johnson as a suitable person to fill the office of Surveyor of this county, it is ordered, that he be recommended and nominated to the executive of this State to be commissioned Surveyor of this county.

Ordered, that until otherwise directed, the courts of this county shall be held at the house of James White, at or near the head of the lower rapids.

On the motion of Wesley Williams, it is ordered, that the Clerk of this court be permitted to hold his office at or near the house of Hazen Bedell, near the foot of the lower rapids, for the presifnt, if he chooses.

Ordered, that the Clerk of the court be required to copy the proceedings of the court into the records of this court, when provided; and also to copy the order issued by the Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court, north of the Illinois River, in relation to the organization of this county.

James White, George Y. Cutler. Progress and development marked the course of the county from this on. Emigration begairto pour in. The Blackhawk with other Indian wars did not seriously impede this advancement, and no trouble of moment occurred till :i people known as the Mormons had settled the county in large numbers. These people were the followers of a man named Joseph Smith, who professed to have tound plates in western New York that, on being t miniated by him, through inspiration, contained revelations from God, making him a prophet and the founder of a new church. He immediately went to work, and soon after the organization of the church, in 1830, the first stake was set at Kirtland, Ohio, and the early converts-- were there assembled ; but it appears that this was not intended as the permanent Zion, for in 1831 Smith was directed by revelation to go on a journey to Missouri, and there the Lord would point out to them the place for the New Jerusalem. The journey was made, and the Lord pointed out Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, as the central place of the land of promise, where the saints were directed to erect a temple. To this point the new converts were commanded to direct their steps. But Smith and Rigdon remained at Kirtland, and held the headquarters of the church at that point until 1838. At Kirtland Smith and Rigdon engaged in various business.

The Mormons who had settled at Independence acted on the presumption that the Lord had consecrated the land and other good things around about to the use of his saints, and claimed title thereto by a grant from heaven. As their Gentile neighbors claimed title to the same property from the United States, a conflict arose, which culminated in 1833 in the total expulsion of the saints from Jackson County. They fled to Clay County, where they lived quietly till 1836, when troubles again arising between them and their neighbors, they congregated in a thinlysettled portion of the county, which was organized into a county in 1837, called Caldwell County, with Far West as the county seat. Here the main body of them remained until after they were joined by Smith and Rigdon in 1838.

1838, a fight between them and the Gentiles occurred. When Smith heard of this, he raised a company at Far West and marched into Daviess County for the purpose, as he said, to quell the mob ; but there was no mob there. The citizens were exasperated by this proceeding, and gathered in numbers to drive back the invaders. The Mormons were reinforced, and marching against the Gentiles, forced them to retreat. The word then went forth that the property of the Gentiles had been consecrated by the Lord to the use of his saints. The Mormons had possession of the county for about a week, when the militia were called out, who drove them back, arrested Smith and others. The Governor of Missouri, thinking that peace could not be restored, ordered their expulsion from the State. Smith and Rigdon effected their escape, and at the head of their followers set their faces towards Illinois.

1839. in a condition of great destitution. Their suffering touched the quick and generous sensibilities of the people of Illinois, who received them with kindness and a power to alleviate their sufferings. At this time they were joined by a Doctor Galland, a man of great shrewdness and mental acumen. He soon won the confidence of Smith, who immediately received a revelation that the town of Commerce, of which Galland was principal proprietor, situated at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, should be the place where Zion was to once more unfurl its banners. They immediately moved there, and initiated the building of a city. This site was one of the most beautiful and picturesque on the banks of the Mississippi, ;md the name was soon changed to Nauvoo, which, according to a revelation which Smith had received, was the Hebrew for " Beautiful City.'" It grew wonderfully; and with the county soon contained a population variously estimated from twenty-five thousand to thirty thousand souls.

At this time politicians became aware of the power of | the prophet, and aspirants for office in both political parties vied with each other in attention to the leading spirits of the Mormons. The first exciting political campaign , after the Mormons became voters was in the summer of 1840. Both the Whig and Democratic candidates became at once the humble servants of Joseph Smith. The Mormons having been driven from Missouri by a Democratic goveruor, the Whigs in this first campaign in Hancock had a decided advantage, for the prophet had received a revelation inimical to the Democrats.

Up to this time the Mormons and their neighbors had lived in amity; but it was apparent that the political bone presented two kinds of meat, the absorption of either ' having a tendency to induce indigestion in the Mormon stomach.

On the 6th day of April, 1841, the corner-stone of the Temple was laid with imposing Masonic and military dis- j play. At the session of the Illinois Legislature in 1840-1, : Stephen A. Douglas was elected Judge of the Supreme ! Court, and assigned for circuit duty to the judicial circuit in which Hancock County was situated. He soon appointed John C. Bennett, who was Lieutenant-General of the Mormon soldiery, as Master in Chancery. This was looked upon as a bid for the Mormon vote in the interest of the Democratic party. At Warsaw, the chief commercial town of the county, was published a newsrjaper, called the " Warsaw Signal," edited b}r a young attorney, named Thomas C. Sharp. Up to this time the " Signal " had not published a word against the Mormons ; but it immediately reprimanded Judge Douglas for the appointment of Bennett. This article created throughout the county the most intense excitement. At the election in August, 1841, the Anti-Mormons won the day, being the first and last political victory until after the expulsion of the Mormons.

From this time on, the feeling between the Mormons and Anti-Mormons became more and more intense and bitter. First, vexatious lawsuits, in which there wasmore law than justice ; and finally thefts, larceny, and murder. The city of Nauvoo was besieged, the prophet, Smith, in jail at Carthage, killed. The Governor, Ford, called on for assistance by both parties, while mob law i^igned supreme. In 1846 the Mormons began to depart for their present home in Utah, and in a few months had all left, A little later the magnificent temple they had erected was burned by incendiaries.

We have not the space in this history to give the details concerning the Mormon troubles in this county, and consequently have only endeavored to show that political difficulties were «the commencement of their troubles. Whether the Mormons were treated too harshly, or whether the Anti:Mormons were in the main too radical, it is not our province to determine. That there were acts committed by both parties in the controversy that were wrong, it is perhaps a matter of opinion amongst all those who were participants or witnesses of the difficulties ; but there can be no doubt but that the interests of the county were benefited by the expulsion.

APPANOOSE. This town is pleasantly located on the Mississippi River, in the north-west part of the county, and nearly opposite Fort Madison, Iowa. It was laid out by Edward White and Amzi Doolittle, July 1st, 1836, on Section 2, Township 7, north Range 8, west of the Fourth Principal Meridian. Diafiftnce from Carthage, the county seat, on a straight line, 17 miles north-westerly. It received its j name from a chief of the Sac and Fox nation of Indians.

Augusta

AUGUSTA. Augusta was laid out in February, 1836, on the south- ! east quarter of Section 22, Township 3, north Range 5, I west, by Joel Catlin, Samuel B. Mead, and Wm. D. Aber- ; ncthy, and surveyed by James W. Brattle. From Carthage distant 16 miles due south-east. It received its name from Augusta, Georgia.

The county seat of Hancock County is located near the geographical center of the county. It was selcclcd for the county seat by Commissioners appointed by the County Commissioners' Court, and pre-empted for that purpose by the county, and was surveyed and laid off into town lots in 183r>. Carthage is located on the north-west quarter of Section 19, Township 5, north Range 6, west. It is distant 12 miles from the Mississippi, 12 miles from the eastern, and 15 miles from the northern and southern lines of the county. It contains, according to the government census of 1870, about fifteen hundred inhabitants.

Chili

CHILI. This town is located near the center of the south line of the county, and was laid out in April, 1836, on the west half of Section 30, 3, north and 6 west, by EHsha Worrell - James W. Brattle, surveyor. Distance from Carthage, 13 miles due south.

Fountain Green

FOUNTAIN GREEN. Fountain Green is pleasantly located in a fine section of farming country, on the south-east quarter of Section 28, Township 6, north Range 5, west. It was laid out in May, 1835, by Jabez A. Beebee and Stephen G. Ferris - James W. Brattle, surveyor. Distant from the county seat, 10 miles.

This town is situated in the north-east corner of the county, on the south-east corner of Section 21, Township 7, north Range 5, west. It was laid out in October, 1836, by Win. Smith and Marvin Tryou, and received its name from an early French adventurer in Illinois. Previous to ! this the post-office had been called Franklin. Distance from Carthage, 15 miles.

In September, 1839, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Geo. W. Robinson laid out a town and named it Nauvoo, a term from the Hebrew, signifying " Beautiful City." It is located at the head of the rapids, and occupies one of the most beautiful points on the upper Mississippi. Distance, 16 miles north-west of Carthage.

Plymouth

This town was laid out in January, 1836, on the northeast quarter of Section 36, Township 4, north Range 5, west, by W. Crockett, James Clark, Benj. Terrill, and Amarcas Cook - surveyed by J. W. Brattle. Distant from Carthage, 14 miles.

This town was laid out by Hezekiah Spillman, Marvin i Tryon, and J. W. Brattle, in April, 1837, on the southwest quarter of Section 4, 7, north 7, west, at the point on the Mississippi known as Spillman's Landing. Distant 16 miles from Carthage. It bears the Indian name of Pittsfield, Mass., the former residence of one of the pro- \ prietors.

PULASKI Was laid out in February, 1836, on the north-east quarter of Section 35, 3, north 5, west, by Alexander Oliver, With* McCready, and Benj. Bacon - J. W. Brattle, surveyor. It lies also in the south-east corner of the county, about 19 miles from Carthage. It received its name in honor of Count Pulaski.

Was laid out in November, 1835, by Walter R. Hurst and Wesley Williams, on the east half of Section 11,4, north 5, west, and is distant from Carthage. 11 miles south south-east.

Warsaw

This town is advantageously situated on the Mississippi River, opposite the month of the DesMoines, and 4 miles below the foot of the rapids. It was laid out in March, 1834, by John R. Wilcox, Mark Aldrich, John Montague, and John W. Vineyard - surveyed by James W. Brattle. Distance from the county seat, about 16 miles, a little south of west. About the beginning of the 18th century the French built Fort Johnston at this place ; it stood on the point of bluff near where Alber's mill now stands. In the middle of the 18th century, during the trouble be- tween the French and English, it was abandoned, because of an expected attack from the latter, via the Great Lakes. In the latter part of the 18th century, Ft. Edwards, named after Gov. Edwards, of Illinois, was built by Capt. (afterwards President) Zaehary Taylor. It stood on the bluff at the foot of Clay street, and was abandoned in 1825, and afterwards used by the Fur Company. The first families that located at this place were Major Morrill Marston, Major John R. Wilcox (both officers in the fort), Curtis Caldwell, John Clark, a French family by the name of Buisanette, Isham Cochran, Jarvis Beebe, and Mark Aldrich. All had families, except Major Marston. The first dwelling was built of logs by Jno. R. Wilcox, in 18-27. In 1832, the population was about two dozen. The Warsaw House, first occupied by Calvin Warren, was the first hotel ; it was built in 1835. Previous to this, however, the Fort was used as a stopping place for all new-comers. In 1833 a half-breed girl, Louisa Muir, and Amos Van Arssdall, were married, the first of which we have any account. Two children of Isham Cochran's died in 1830 - the first deaths. The first birth occurred in 1826, a daughter of Jno. R. Wilcox ; she died in infancy. The first school-house was built of logs, in 1835, on -the corner of Summit avenue and Fourteenth street. The first school was taught by Miss Sarah D. Lawton, now Mrs. Thomas Gregg, in a building erected fur a store-house, opposite the Warsaw House ; she began in the spring of 1835. The first church was built by the Congregationalists in 1836. It stands near Gardner's livery stable, and is now used for an office and dwelling. Dr. Watson, the first physician, came to "Warsaw in 1834. The first newspaper issued was the ""Western World,"- published in 1840 by D. N. White, from Pittsburgh. In 1845 the population was 473.

DALLAS Is a prominent town on the Mississippi River, part in Dallas Township, Hancock County, and part in Dallas Township, Henderson County. It is on the Quincy, Carthage & Burlington Railroad, and is one of the best business towns in that part of the country.

Burnside

BURNSIDE Is a thriving town in Pilot Grove Township ; is on the T., P. & W. R. R., is surrounded by a splendid country, and does a large local trade.

West Point

FERRIS, At the junction of the T., P. & W. and Quincy, Carthage & Burlington Railroad, in a fine farming region, and is a good shipping point.

Hamilton

HAMILTON Is a splendid town in Montebello Township, is delightfully located on the Mississippi River, opposite Keokuk ; is on the T.. P. & W. R. R., and is a place doing a good business, and peopled by the best class of citizens.

ELVASTON, Situated at the confluence of the T., P. & W. and T., W. & W. R. R., is beautifully situated on the high rolling prairie, in Prairie Township.

Early Newspapers

EARLY NEWSPAPERS. In June, 1836, the first newspaper was issued in the county. It was entitled the " Carthagenian," and was printed at Carthage, under the auspices of an association, by Thomas Gregg, editor and printer. It was continued until the spring following, when the stock was bought up by Doctor Galland, one of the company, and the press removed to Montrose, Iowa, and used in the publication of the " Western Adventurer." A campaign paper, entitled "The Echo," was issued from the office of the "Carthagenian," during the autumn, to advocate the claims of General Harrison. The county was then without a press until the fall of 1837, when the Mormans settled in it, and the " Times and Seasons " was commenced at Nauvoo by Don Carlos Smith and Ebenezer Robinson. It was a small medium sheet, issued monthly, at one dollar per annum, and devoted to the dissemination of the peculiar doctrines of the Mormon church. In the spring of 1840, D. N. White, then the editor of the " Pittsburgh Gazette," brought a press to Warsaw, and commenced the publication of the " Western World." This continued for six months, when the office passed into the hands of Thos. C. Sharp, Esq., who changed its name to that of " Warsaw Signal." In 1842, Wm. Smith, brother of the Prophet, issued at Nauvoo the " Wasp," a small weekly newspaper which was soon after enlarged and called the " Nauvoo Neighbor," by John Taylor, one of the twelve. In the spring of 1844, one number of a new paper, called the " Nauvoo Expositor," was issued by Wm. Law, Wilson Law, Robert D. Foster, Chas. Foster, Francis M. and Chauncey Higbee, seceders from the Mormon church, and edited by Sylvester Emmans. During flie summer of 1844 a small paper was gotten up in Warsaw, entitled the "Hancock Democrat."

PRODUCTS. WheaC", corn, and oats are the principal agricultural products of Hancock County ; but rye, hemp, flax, barley, beans, potatoes, and turnips are produced. The principal articles of export are beef, pork, bacon, lard, hides, tallow, butter, wheat, corn, flour, beans, honey, beeswax, furs, and peltries.

The Geological Structure

THE GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURE Of the soil of the Bounty Land tract generally, has been given as follows, by scientific men: First? vegetable mould, from ten to thirty inches deep ; second, pure yellow clay, three to eight feet ; third, gravelly clay mixed with pebbles, four to ten feet; fourth, limestone rock, two to twelve feet ; fifth, shale, covering a stratum of bituminous coal, four to five feet ; sixth, soapstone ; and, seventh, sandstone.

Streams Of Water

Bear Creek rises partly in Hancock and partly in Adams Counties, and after meandering through and watering, together with its tributaries, the southern end of the county, crosses the line in three, north eight, west, and enters the Mississippi, fourteen miles above Quincy. Brent's Creek is a small stream in the St. Mary's settlement, emptying into Crooked Creek. Camp Creek, in the northern part of the comity, empties into the Mississippi, between Appanoose and Pontoosue. Cedar Creek is a branch of Crooked Creek. Crooked Creek is the principal and important stream in the county. Its western branch heads I in the northern and central portions of the county, and, \ meandering to the south-east, joins the eastern branch in I the neighborhood of St. Mary's, and passing into Schuyler, empties into the Illinois River. Deer Creek, a small stream in the north part of the county. Long Creek meanders just north of Carthage, and is a branch of Crooked Creek. Prairie Creek, east of Carthage, is also a branch of Crooked Creek. Rock Creek empties also into Crooked Creek, Spring Creek, near the line of Henderson County.

Incidents Of Early History

INCIDENTS OF EARLY HISTORY. Hancock County is said to have been the birth-place of the celebrated Indian chief, Black Hawk. Whether such is a fact, of course is unknown ; but some of the early settlers have received the tradition from the Indians, and I believe from Black Hawk himself. The place designated is on Camp Creek, in the northern part of the county. The early sessions of the County and Circuit Courts were held at the head of the Rapids, at which was a post-office named Venus. After Carthage became the county seat, the courts were held in a log cabin on the south-east corner of the public square ; the building was also occupied by the several denominations as a'church, and by the citizens for a school-house. Richard M. Young was the first judge in the county; the judges following, up to 1846, were Judges Ralston, Lott, Douglas, Thomas, and Purple. The first ferrj' established in this county was by Luther Whitney and Wm. Vance, at Montebello, Dec. 7th, 1829. The first licensed attorney was Robert R. Williams, in 1830. In 1830, Russell Farnham was licensed to keep a tavern at Fort Edwards. In March, 1831, Geo. Y. Cutler, Luther Whitney, and John Johnson were appointed commissioners by the County Court, to ascertain the geographical center of the county, and make report at the next term. In June, 1831, John R. Wilcox was authorized to establish a ferry near Fort Edwards. In September, 1832, Edward White and Amzi Doolittle were authorized to 'establish a ferry at Appanoose.

Fort Edwards

FORT EDWARDS Was situated on the high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi, about a quarter of a mile above Main street, in Warsaw. It consisted of two block houses, a magazine, and four other buildings, and enclosed about a quarter of an acre. It was built soon after the war of 1812, to pro- , tect the frontier from the depredations of the Indians. It was evacuated about 1827. In 1830, it was occupied as a hotel.

Fort Johnson

Was situated on the high point, two hundred yards below Main street, in Warsaw. It was built before the war of 1812, and had gone to decay in 1827.

Nativity

Augusta Township is situated in the southeast corner of the county. It is bounded on the east by Scuyler jjCounty, on the south by Adams County, on the north- by St. Mary's Township, and on the west by Chili Township. It is a wealthy prairie township. Among the early settlers in this township may be mentioned Win, II. Mead, who came in

Hamilton, - - - Illinois

Hon. BENJAMIN WARREN.- Among the prominent citizens of this counly may be reckoned the subject of this biography. He was bom in York county, Me., on the 20lh of April, 1828, and was raised on a farm in his native county, where he received his early education and remained till seventeen years of age, when he went to Boston and spent about five years, a portion of the time attending school, and the rest engaged in clerking and in a real estate agency office. In 1849. he came to La Harpe, where his brother John had preceded him, in whose store he engaged at once as clerk, and, in 1850, entered into copartnership with him in business. He contin- . ued in the firm till 1863, during which time the house of ]. & B. Warren did as heavy a business as any similar firm in the counly.

In the fall or 1S61. Mr. Warren was elected Treasurer and ex officio Collector of the county, and served one term, having his office in Carthage. though his residence still remained in La Harpe, and his business was carried on.here at the same time. Immediately following the expiration of his term of office as County Treasurer, he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, in which he served four consecutive years. In 1872, he was re-elected Supervisor for the town of La Harpe, and is at present filling that office.

In the fall of 1872, he was elected to the State Senate from the senatorial district embracing Hancock and Henderson counties, for a term of four years ; and, during the last session of the Legislature, served on several of the most important committees. He was a member of the Committee on Revenue, on Finance, on Agriculture, and on Manufactures and Mining. In the Senate, he is an active and efficient member, a worker rather than a speaker, although in the latter direction his abilities are by no means deficient. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and was elected to the Senate on that ticket.

Since quitting mercantile business in 1863, Mr. Warren has been engaged in no regular occupation, but has been employed, aside from his public duties, in superintending the settlement of the affairs of the firm, and attending to his own private business. He is one of the substantial men of the county, and is highly esteemed for his intelligence and moral character. On the 1st of October, 1851, he was married to Miss Portia Armenia Nutt, of Ohio, by whom he has seven children who are all living.

Hox. A. J. BRADSHAW is the youngest of a family of ten children of John and Frances Bradshaw. the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of Kentucky. They settled in Illinois in 1S19, spending the winter in Madison county, and, in the spring of 1820, removed to the Mauvaisterre settlement, since in Morgan county, in the immediate vicinity of the city of Jacksonville. The country was then a wilderness, though beautiful in its native richness of soil and exuberance of wild prairie vegetation. The timber along the stream abounded with wild game. There were not to exceed five families in the whole territory now covered by Morgan county. Mr. Bradshaw, in common with the pioneer settlers who trod closely on the receding footsteps of the Indians, encountered all the perils and privations of frontier life but-lived to see the rudeness of nature give place to cultivated fields and smiling houses. He resided in the Mauvaisterre seltlement till his dealh, which occurred in March, 1846. Mrs. Bradshaw died in April, 1867.

On the above farm in the viciniiy of Jacksonville, A. J. Bradshaw was born on the 17th of April, 1830. Both his name (Andrew Jackson ) and that of the embryo town by-the side of which he was born, and which has since grown into a beautiful city, indicate how prominent in those days was the reputation of Old Hickory," as well as furnish no uncertain index to the politics of the people who settled there. Here, young Bradshaw grew up and attended the school, such as it was in those early days He was naturally of a quick and active mind, and made the best use of his opportunities which in a few years greatly improved with the growth and progress of Jacksonville in educational facilities. He remained here till October 1S54, At which lime he was twenty-four years of age, and was married ana baa two children. He was married on the 22d day of May, 1850, .0 Mary L Reeve a native of Mauvaisterre settlement, her parents havmg moved there from North Carolina and Kentucky among the first settlers.

In the fall of 1854. Mr. Bradshaw left the farm and .went into mercant.le business at Concord, Morgan county, in company wi,^IS|b;°'ller-'n;'a;'' E M Wiswell. He remained one year, when he sold out to his partner L the old farm being rented, he purchased another p ace six m es west of Jacksonville, on which he remained tUl .he spring of .863, when he sold out

^ughTe failu^of his brother-in-law at Concord, he was involved in heavy pS,iary liabilities, which embarrassed him for about t re e : years ; but, having es.Zblished a good business repu.aOon, he was enabled to command the means necessary to carry on his busines, and by energy andgood

At the expiration of his term of office, he came on a visit to his brother, Joel Bradshaw, in La Harpe Township, and, while here, bought the farm on which he now resides, moving on to the same in February, 1865, just before the close of the war. He has added to the original purchase till, at present, he has an estate of 1,020 acres, which has greatly increased in value since he bought it, making the investment a profitable one. He has made great improvements, both in the land and the buildings, and has one of the finest tracts of land in this section of Illinois.

Mr. Bradshaw was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors for La Harpe Township, in 1868, and also, at the general election that fall, was chosen Representalive from this district to ihe State Legislature, in which office he served two years. While in the Legislature, he served on the Committees on Finance, on Public Buildings, and on Manufactures and Agriculture.

Mr. Bradshaw is a man above the average intelligence, and his character for honor and integrity as a citizen, justly entitles, him to that confidence and esteem in which he is held by all who know him. He has had nine children, eight of whom are living. Some of his children he is giving good opportunities at Abington College, of which institution he is a trustee.

Hon. MILTON M. MORRILL. - Milton M. Morrill, a prominent Attorney of this county, and at present residing in Nauvoo, was one of the earliest settlers of this county. He was born on the 15th day of September, 1S20, at Belgrade, in the State of Maine. He was the eleventh of fourteen children, three of whom are living. The Hon. Lot Morrill, one of them, is the present United States Senator from Maine. The Hon. A. P. Morrill, his other living brother, is living now at Readville, Maine, having retired from active participation in the affairs of State. He has held a number of prominent offices, among which may be mentioned Member of Congress ( for two terms), and Governor of the State, for two terms. The parents of this distinguished family were Peasley Morrill and Nancy McCumber. They were both natives of the State of Massachusetts, and their ancestry were amongst the first settlers of New England, having come oyer in the historical " May Flower," of Puritan fame. The father of the subject of this brief biographical sketch, was a self-made man, of intelligence, and followed through life mercantile and agricultural pursuits. He was a man distinguished for public spirit, and held, in life, various offices of public responsibility.

At the age of seventeen, Milton, with a liberal education, obtained after the style of the youth of New England, by his own exertions, began life as a teacher, which pursuit occupied his attention till he was about twentythree years of age. He then entered the law office of his brother, the Hon. Lot Morrill, at Readville, Maine, and gave his entire attention and energies to acquiring a knowledge of law. In 1845, after four years of diligent application, he was admitted to the bar. in the State of Maine. In September, 1845, he left Maine for the west, and located at Nauvoo, in this county, where he has since resided, devoting his whole attention to the practice ot law. It will be in taste to here observe that Mr. Morrill has been eminently successful in this profession, and his talents as a keen and eloquent lawyer have been termed by high jurists as of the first otder. Although he has always had a modest aversion to holding offices of a public responsibility, yet, yielding to the solicitations of friends, he has consented to hold variuus offices of a public nature. He held the office of Associate Justice of the County Court, of this county, from 1S48 till 1852. In i860, he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of this State, to revise the Constitution of the State. In 1862, he was elected to the Legislature of Illinois. In 1S65, he was re-elected to the general Assembly. In 1870, he was returned by popular voice to the legislaiive halls. In May, 1847, he was united in marriage to a daughter of Davison Hibard. one of the earliest pioneers of Hancock county. He is the father of seven children. Politically, he is a strong Democrat of the Jacksonian and Stephen A. Douglass school. He takes great interest in the affairs of our country, and lends a helping hand to all efforts against monopolies and corruptions, no matter in what quarter they exist. Socially. Mr. Morrill is very pleasant and affable. He is a man who has great confidence in his fellow beings. He is perfectly devoid of anything that is sinister. He is a man very popular in the community in which he resides, and his popularity is undoubtedly due to his generous and quick impulses. We find him to-day enjoying good health and spirits, with a constitution unimpaired by the exenions of his unusually active life, and plainly indicating a sound mind in a sound body.

WILLIAM SMITH was bom in Peterborough^*. H., on the 8th day of July, i8or. His great grandfather, Robert Smith, came from Moneymore, Londonderry county, Ireland, in 1736,'bringmg with him four of his children who were the first settlers of Peterborough, N. H. Among them was William Smith, the grandfather of the subject of this record. He is spoken of, in the early history of Peterborough, as the " best informed of the early settlers." He was Justice of the Peace many years. Deacon of the Church, Delegate to the Provincial Congress in 1774, and "a man of singular discretion, modesty and goodness." Besides his public services at large, " he was much employed in the business of the town." His son, Jonathan

Smith, was the father of the subject of this biography. He was, also, Deacon. Justice of the Peace, Representative in the Legislature, and a man of prominence among his fellow citizens. He was chosen to preside over the Centennial Celebration of the settlement of Peterborough, held in that town in October, 1839. being then in the seventy-seventh year of his age. His faculties were apparently unimpaired, for his address on that occasion, which appears in the minutes of the meeting, was on unusually interesting and eloquent production.

The subject or this record was brought up, and received his early education, in the place of his nativity. He early manifested those traits of mind and character for which he has been distinguished through life, being thoughtful, studious, self-reliant, conscieiicious, and disposed to mark out for himself an independent course of action. At the age of twenty, he went into mercantile business in partnership with Timothy Fox, and continued eight years in Peterborough, at the expiration of which he sold out and came west by the way of New Orleans, in company with Dr. Matthias Spalding, Oliver and Cyrus Felt, and Samuel Steel, for the purpose of forming a mercantile company, landing at Monlebello in the spring of 1831, and establishing business under the firm name of Smith, Felt & Co. Monlebello is situated on the Mississippi River, a short distance above Hamilton, 111., and, at that time, was the county scat of Hancock county. Immediately on their arrival, they divided their stock of goods, Mr. Smith taking one half and coming to La Harpe, then called Crooked Creek, the town not having been laid out. He found two settlers living in the township, in log cabins, one of whom he bought out, and used the cabin^as a store. This was in the spring of 1831.

Of course, the prospect was not very encouraging for the sale of goods. The few settlers scattered over the country were poor, and struggling for their houses, having few wants and little with which to purchase even the comforts of life. Under such circumstances, few merchants, however enterprising, could make a living. The country was too new for the business, and the consequence was that Smith, Felt & Co., after trying the experiment for three years, closed out and dissolved partnership. In the mean lime, Mr. Smith had operated some in fanning, making improvements, buying and selling claims, and had accumulated a little means.

In 1832, during the excitement of the Black Hawk war, Mr. Smith remained alone in his store, which was within twelve miles of the ravages of the Indians in Iowa. There was then but one family between him and the Indians, a man at Ponloosuc, ( Spilman's Landing, it was then called ). and he had enclosed himself in a sort of fort for his protection. Mr. Smith remained alone at his post through the war. What few people there were in the country, were very much alarmed, and more so, perhaps, because of their isolated situation. On going to dinner one day, Mr. Smith found that the lady with whom he boarded, bad buried her cutlery and silver ware, for fear the Indians would come and rob her of it. She had a great many chickens running around the yard, and Mr. Smith suggested that, from what little he knew of Indian character, he should think they would be much more likely to rob her of her chickens. " Well," said she, " we will frustrate that, for we will kill Ihem and eat them ourselves." The result was that chickens were plenty on that table for several weeks after.

In 1834, Mr. Smith was elected to the office of Counly Commissioner, and served in that capacity four years. In 1835, he and Marvin Trynn bought the quarter section on which La Harpe is now situated, and laid out the town, which was first called Franklin, but in consequence of not being able to get a post-office of that name, it was changed to La Harpe. Il was named afier Father La Harpe, one of the early French missionaries in ihe Mississippi valley.

During the same year, in company with Levi Moffatt, he commenced the. erection of the Augusta Flour and Saw Mills, on Skunk River, in Iowa, which were put in successful opeiation in the winter of that year. Messrs. Smiih and Moffatt bought the claim together, and laid out the town of Augusta in the spring of 1836.

In the fall of 1836, he sold out his interest in Augusta, and in company with his brother, Jeremiah Smith and Lyman Oatman, went again into mepcantile business in La Harpe, continuing till 1840, when financial failure obliged them to close. Mr. Smith, though heavily involved in debt, weathered the-storm by getting an extension of time from his creditors under the laws of the Slate, and finally paid up every dollar, In that way he saved his own real estate which had not been put into the firm, and by his energy and good management succeeded in making ihe assets of the company pay all its liabilities.

Since 1840, he has spent his time in closing out the affairs of the firm, and in loaning and investing his own private means in different kinds of property, out of which he has realized a handsome competence. He has also, during these thirty years, devoted a share of his time to reading and ftudy, having accumulated a choice library of standard works which he takes great pleasure in perusing.

Mr. Smith is a deep thinker and an independent reasoner, and has thought out and solved for himself, to his own mental satisfaction and repose, many of the perplexing problems of life and destiny, involved in religious teaching and philosophy. He has a firm and settled faith in the all-embracing providence of an infinitely wise and good Creator and Father, who is ever revealing Himself to Ihe inward consciousness of His childrenof every race and clime, and who has prepared for them all, through the

St Mary, is in the eastern tier of townships, being in the fourth tier from the north and second from the south. It i, bounded on the north by Hancoek, on the east by McDonough County, on the south by Augusta and on the west by Harmony It is a wealthy township, contains the beautiful prairie, and people of tntcli.gence and pte.y. Among the early Killers in this township may be mentioned Wesley Walton, who ecme in r835 ; A. J. Holmes, in i!w: Wm. W.

Hancock Township is situated in the etalem tier of townships, being in Ihc third tier from the north and third from the south. It is bounded on the norlh by Fountain Green, on the east by McDonough County, on llic south by Si Mar,*, and on the west by Carthage. Among the early settlers in Ibis township may be mentioned b. A. Wright, who came in teaching and discipline of His love, here and hereafter, a blessed destiny of progress and attainment in that immortality for which He has created all human souls. In this faith, he rests in peace till his appointed time shall

Mr. Smith was married on the 8th day of October. 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Stearns, of Jaffrey, N. H. They have had a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, four of whom are living. The family of Mr. Smith are among the most intelligent and highly esteemed of the community in which they live.

JOHN WARREN was born in York county, State of Maine. January 6, 1815. He is the son of Luther and Charlotte Warren, both natives of York county, Me., and both born in 1792. Luther Warren lived on a farm in his native county till 1861, when he came to La Harpe, where he died in October, 1871. He died by the side of his son John, on the cars between this place and Ganton, without making a sound, or giving any intimation of his approaching demise. Mrs. Charlotte Warren, the widow, is still living, and resides with her son John in La Harpe.

The subject of this biography was brought up on his father's farm in his native county, and received the advantages of a good English education. At the age of nineteen he began school teaching in his native State, where he taught during the winter season for four years. In May, 1838, he came to La Harpe, then containing about a half dozen frame buildings and a few log cabins, and engaged in brick making in the summer and school teaching in the winter. He taught the first regular school ever taught in La Harpe, in the tirst building erected for school purposes, which has of late been used by Mr. Norris as a blacksmith's shop, and continued teaching here about five years.

On the gth of April, 1844, he commenced mercantile business on a small scale, and also general dealing in produce, buying and selling wheat and pork, and in his various operations made and lost considerable money. lie did business alone till 1850, when his brother, Benjamin Warren, went into partnership with him, and continued until 1862 under the firm name of J. & B. Warren.

On the I2th day of April, I3S2, Mr. Warren started for California by the overland route with an ox team, making the trip from St. Joseph, Mo., to Yreka City in one hundred and eleven days. On their journey out they went across the country of the Modoc Indians, and came near being massacred by those savages. Eight out of nine of the next train were assassinated, only one escaping, namely : James Harris, now living near Warsaw in this county. The reason the Indians did not attack Mr. Warren's party was, that they were too numerous, being forty in number and all armed. About a hundred of the savages surrounded the company, but were afraid to make an attack.

Mr. Warren was engaged, while in California, in making brick and erecting brick buildings, in which he did well financially, besides improving his health, the latter being the chief object sought in his trip, as constant altentention to business in the store had somewhat enfeebled the vigor of his system. He returned in December, 1853, via Panama and New York, and went back again into the store and remained till April, 1862.

In 1856, he erected the house where he now resides, on Main street, which is the finest residence in town, and one of the best in the county. From time to time Mr. Warren has expended a good deal of labor in beautifying his home, fitting it up and ornamenting the grounds with choice shrubbery, and is at present arranging an apartment connected with it for a conservatory. The trees, and especially the evergreens on this place, are among the most beautiful we have seen in Illinois.

In 1873, Mr. Warren purchased the post-office building, and on the first day of June look charge of the post-office, which he is attending to in connection with a prosperous business in books and stationery. He is one of the thorough and reliable business men of La Harpe.

In politics, Mr. Warren was a Democrat till the organization of the Republican parly, since which time he has acted with the latter, though he has never been an active politician or an office seeker. He was one of the first Board of Supervisors under the township organization, and has been Collector, etc., being often importuned to accept office, but has declined in preference for the duties of a private citizen.

Mr. Warren has been twice married. He married his first wife, Miss Polly Ricker, on the 28th of December, 1845. She had one child, which survived her only a few months. Mrs. Warren died April loth, 1S47; the child died on the 18th of July of the same year. Mr. Warren married for his second wife Miss Sophronia Ricker, his first wife's sister, the marriage occurring July 9th, 1848. Ten children, two sons and eight daughters have been the fruit of this union ; six are living. His son, Edgar L. Warren, is at present engaged with him in business, and is a young man of superior business habits and talents.

AMZI DOOL1TTLE. - Amzi Doolittle, the oldest living settler of Hancock county but one, was born June 16. 1803, in Madison county, New York He was the youngest but two of twelve children. His parents were Luther Doolittle and Mary E. Hazlcton, who were both natives of Vermont. They were people remarkable for intelligence and piety. An.zi's early education was very limited, but he has through life been remarkable for shrewd powers of observation and a memory very retent.ve. At the age of eighteen he came to Sang.mon county, Illinois, and remained there about five years engaged in agricultural pursuits. From Sangamon county he came to Schuyler county, 111., where he lived about one year. He then, in the year 1836 came to this county and settled on Section 2, Appanoose township, where he has since resided, engaged as a successful farmer, with the exception of about five years residence in Burlington, Iowa. In the year 1824, on the 20th of June, he was united in marriage to Pbcebe White, who was a native of Ohio. She lived till l84S. «>d on the *& of January of this year departed her life. Mr. Doolittle is the father of nine ch.ldren by his first wife On the 15th of March, 1846. Mr. Doolittle was united >n marriage to

Sarah M. Wallace, a widow, whose maiden name was Sarah M.Welsh, who is a native of White county, Tenn. Mr. Doolittle is the father of six children by his second wife, only three of whom are living. He started in life poor, and well understands the value of self-acquired experience and property. When he arrived in this State he was very poor, but by perseverance, energy and industry has been successful in accumulating one of the handsomest farms in the county. His property is worth in the neighborhood of thirty thousand dollars. He was one of the first settlers of this county, and his conversation is rich with the experience and remarkable vicissitudes of the early pioneers. In politics he was a Whig, as long as that party had a distinct organization. His first Democratic vote was cast for James Buchanan. He has ever since been a strong Democrat, and is enthusiastic in his admiration of that Democracy of which Jackson and Douglass were the honorable and patriotic exponents. In religion he stands on the broad platform of rationalism, and is proud of his early connection with the old " Iron-side Baptist " ecclesiastical organism. Socially he is pleasant and convincing. He is a fine type of the old settler and western farmer. He is distinguished for hospitality, and the stranger is never turned from his door weary and hungry. He is full of that generosity and old-fashioned hospitality for which the western and southern gentleman is proverbial. We find him to-day enjoying good health and spirits, and surrounded by an interesting family. It may be in taste to here observe that the old gentleman was in the Black Hawk and Winnebago war. He built the first mill in the county, in 1837, near his present farm. He has not in life been entirely successful in business, and has lost during the last few years about thirty thousand dollars. He was also on the first jury in the county.

Hon. JOHN B. RISSE- - The subject of this brief biographical sketch, the Hon. John B. Risse, was born October 28, 1835, in the city of Dorsten, in the Kingdom of Prussia. He came to Galena in this State with his. parents in April, 1844, where he resided till August, 1847, when he came to Nauvoo, in this county. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar, and resided at Nauvoo up to December 7, 1869" In this year, yielding to the solicitation of friends, he consented to run for Judge of the County Court of Hancock county. He was elected, and was re-elected November 4, 1873. He is a man eminently adapted for the office of County Judge, having the qualifications of an extensive knowledge of law pertaining to that branch of judiciary, and a most obliging and courteous manner. Politically he is a Democrat, and takes great interest in the accomplishment of its correct principles. He is a man remarkable for integrity and industry. His manner in social intercourse is modest and polished, and entirely free from anything that is sinister or ostentatious. In appearance he is somewhat above the medium height, has a sanguine temperament, and a countenance indicating force of mind and determination, with confidence in and charity for his fellow beings.

THOMAS GEDDES was born in Franklin county Pennsylvania, on the 7th of July, 1805. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, being the son of Paul Geddes, a farmer, and an early settler of Path Valley, Franklin county, Penn., where he resided over forty years, and was a man of prominence and excellent character. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church, and brought up his family to respect and reverence religion. He died in 1832. Mrs. Geddes was also a religious woman, and died in the faith in I&16.

The early life of Thomas Geddes was spent on his father's farm, till the age of eighteen, when he went to Shade's Gap, Huntington county, Penn., and learned the tanner's trade with John Blair, Esq. He remained four years, the two last of which he had charge of the yard. After working three years at his trade, at the request of his father, who had become enfeebled by age, he took charge of the home farm, where he remained about seven years. He then bought out the heirs. During his residence on the farm, on the gth of December, 1830, he married Miss Susan R. Walker, daughter of Elder Alexander Walker, of Path Valley. In the spring of 1837, he left the farm and came to Fountain Green, Hancock county, III., having the year previous visited the place and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land of Matthews & Miller. He arrived here with his wife and two children on the nth of May, 1837.

There being no vacant house for his accommodation, he went into a double log cabin belonging to Jabez A. Beebe, with the family of the proprietor, at Fountain Green, and that year erected a frame house on his land, which was the first farm house in the neighborhood. He has resided here ever since, and has erected new buildings and made improvements which present his home in striking contrast with what it was when he first took possession of it thirty-six years ago. He has five hundred acres of land in a good state of cultivation, and three of his sons are settled on portions of it.

Mr. Geddes has had ten children ; eight lived to maturity, and seven are still living, four sons and three daughters. Four of his sons were in the War of the Rebellion. Alexander W., his second son, Captain of Company A, 18th regiment, was killed in the battle of Champion Hills, before Vicksburg. Mr. Geddes was an ardent patriot during the Rebellion, and helped to raise the regiment above mentioned.

He has been a member of the Presbyterian church about fifty years - ever since he was nineteen years old - and since 1840 has held the office of elder in the church at Fountain Green, He has frequently been a delegate to meetings of the Presbytery, and was a member of the General Assembly in New Orleans in 1851, and in Albany, N. Y., in 18OS.

Mr. Geddes is a man of good intelligence, and of a consistent, Christian character. His children are all members of the church to which he belongs.

Mrs. Geddes is a lady of marked Christian character, having all her life acted from those principles of conscientious religious duty instituted into her mind by her parents in childhood.

Hon. JOHN DORNSEIF. - John Dornseif, of Nauvoo, in this county, is one of the prominent men of this county. He came here in the year 1853. He was born on the 25th of July, 1831, near Frankfort-on-the-Maine. He was the fourth of seven children. His parents were Jacob Dornseif and

Catharine Snyder. His father was a manufacturer and agriculturist, and a man distinguished for piety and intelligence. He was in good circumstances in life, and gave great attention to the mental and moral training of his children.

In 1844, he came to America, and, remaining through the winter in New Orleans, came to St. Louis in the spring of 1845, where he remained as a merchant till his death, in 1857.

The subject of this sketch received a liberal education in his native land, and was but thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to this country. His first occupation was in a tobacco factory in New Orleans. He, then, on the moving of his parents to St. Louis, continued the same pursuit for about one year. He then was employed in various capacities on the river - navigation for one summer. He then became a clerk in a grocery store in St, Louis, which occupied his whole energy till 1849, In the fall of this year, he went to New Orleans, and clerked for his brother-in-law in the Texas hotel for a space of eighteen months. He, at this time, returned to St. Louis, and entered his father's store as clerk, at which he remained for about two years. His mind was active, and he devoted his evenings to studies, especially of chemistry, at the German Polytechnic Institute. He is a man of intelligence and piety, and, during his stay in St. Louis, took an active interest in religion, and taught a class in the Sunday school with success and benefit. In 1852, he bought out a shoe store in St. Louis, and in this pursuit, as a successful and enterprising merchant, he remained till the year i860. In this year, he came to Nauvoo, in this county, where he has since resided, and where in all probability he will pass the balance of his days. His employment here since that time has been in the various occupations ol merchant, farmer, and general speculator. Although since coming here his avocation has made a great demand on his energies, yet, yielding to the solicitations of friends, he has held various offices of a public responsibility. He is a public-spirited citizen, and with a modest aversion to anything like a public trust, has only accepted such honors with protest and reluctance. In 1862, he was elected Alderman and Constable of Nauvoo. In 1864, he was elected Coroner of Hancock county, In 1869, he was elected Police Magistrate, and Treasurer, of Nauvoo. In 1870, he was elected Supervisor of Nauvoo. At present, he is holding the offices of Supervisor, Police Magistrate, and Alderman, of Nauvoo.

Politically, Mr. Dornseif is a Democrat - has always been enthusiastic in his admiration for genuine democracy. At the initiation of the late civil strife, he cast his vote for Stephen A. Douglass. When the war was going on, he was a strong Democrat, and upheld the great principles of the Democratic party. He is a man who takes a great interest in the Domocratic party.

Religiously, he is a Lutheran, and subscribes liberally to carry on the principles and tenets of that church founded on the Augsburg confession.

In 1854, he was united in marriage to Celia Bossier, a native of Missouri, by whom he is the father of six children. Socially, Mr. Dornseif is very pleasant and affable. He is a man who loves his friends, and loves to have them around him. He is a man very much respected for his worth and public spirit. He has, in his life, met with various reverses of a business nature. In i860, he lost considerable property by fire, but, in spite of these obstacles, he has again regained a footing as one of the solid men of Nauvoo.

Hon. THOMAS COKE SHARP. - Thomas C. Sharp was born on the 35th day of September at Mt. Holly, Burlington county, N. J, His father was the Rev. Soloman Sharp, a distinguishedAIethodist clergyman. He was given a liberal education, entered Dickinson college in 1835, and completing his literary studies he entered the law school of that institution and graduated in 1840. He immediately came west and settled in Quincy, where he remained but eight weeks. He then went to Warsaw in this county, and remained there till 1865. He began the practice of law in Warsaw, but soon became interested in journalism. He became the editor of the Western World. He changed the name to the Warsaw signal in 1872. During his stay in this county he has divided his time with law and journalism. In 1865 he was elected County Judge and moved to Carthage, where he has continued to reside. In June, 1870, he bought the Carthage Gazette, and with it and the practice of law has employed his time ever since.

THOMAS GREGG. - You ask me for a history of my lire, to be printed in your forthcoming Atlas of Hancock county, along with that of the other great men of the county. Of course I cannot decline so flattering an invitation ; though I shall expect you to be very particular as to whose " lives " you place alongside of mine.

Shakespeare, or somebody, says : "Some men are great by nature, while others have greatness thrust upon them." My greatness is of such a character that I shall not pretend to decide whether it is natural or has been thrust upon me by circumstances. I am entirely unaware, however, of any such fortuitous circumstances in my career ; so that whatever of the commodity I may possess, I think, must have been acquired in the natural way^ But, as I said before, I cannot determine how I got it ; and yet, of course, I must possess it, or you would not have asked me to have my " life" printed in a big book, along with other great men's lives.

But this is n't telling about my life. And really, now, come to think, I can 't for the life of me think of anything to tell. Oh, yes ! One day, a long time ago (I remember it was when I was quite a small boy), I was born. Let me see ; it was on the 14th day of the twelfth month (I was born and raised a Quaker, and taught to number the months as well as the days), or the I2th day of the fourteenth month ; and it was a long time before I could remember which. But I am certain of the year ; it was in 1808, the last which that other celebrated Thomas (Jefierson) served as President of the United States. The event occurred near a little village in Ohio called Belmont, in a county of the same name. There I was " raised," and in that village went to school ; and afterwards, at twenty, became a printer's devil in the office of the National Historian, at St. Clairsville, the county seat, in which places - the schools and the printing office - I learned to read and write, and print newspapers, and cypher up the profits of the printing business. In fact, if I were to be my own biographer, I should say that it was right there the seeds of my greatness were sown, which have since sprouted and grown so wonderfully.

In 1S36, I took Greeley's advice, and came west ; and the advice .having proved so advantageous lo me, I have been a Greeley man ever since. In the summer of that year I printed the first newspaper ever printed in Hancock county. It was at Carthage, and was called The Carthage man. It belonged to and was published under the auspices of a company of some thirty citizens, the names and '* lives" of some of whom you will doubtless have in your Atlas.

It was not a success, however ; and the next year (1837) I printed at Fort Des Moines, Wisconsin territory (now Montrose, Iowa), the first paper issued in what is now the county of Lee, Iowa.

And since I come to think of it, I am not certain but my greatness consists in publishing newspapers, and in making great fortunes at it - over the left ! If it is n't this, I do not know what it is, and shall not guess again. At any rate, I '11 enumerate them, their names and dates, and leave you and your readers to cypher out the amount of greatness achieved :

1846 lo 1856. Warsaw Signal (alternating with Mr. Sharp, its founder, and for several years its editor and publisher), 1857- Plymouth Locomotive, at Plymouth, 111. 1858. Hamilton Representative, at Hamilton, 111. And now, last, but not least :

Gregg's Dollar Monthly and Old Settlors' Memorial. - A monthly journal, devoted to the interests of home and the family circle, horticulture, hygiene, household economy, a pure literature, choice original and selected poems, art, science and education.

The Memorial Department will be a marked feature of the paper, and will contain incidents of early pioneer history, dates of settlement, personal experiences, biographies of early settlers, etc.

Contains sixteen large, double quarto pages monthly, of four columns each. Began May, 1873. Volume !1 < ommenced January, 1874. $1 per annum ; six copies for $5. Address, Th. Gregg, Editor and Publisher,

UNAS L. WILCOX was born in Haddam, Middlesex county, Conn., July 6, 1819. He is the oldest son of Lyman and Emily Wilcox, both natives of Middlesex, Conn. His early life, till the age of sixteen, was spent on a farm. At that time, he was apprenticed to A. Shaler, to learn the tanner's trade, and served three years. On completing his trade, he taught school one winter, in Connecticut. Hs was married on the 3d of April, 1839, to Miss Abigail Burr, of Connecticut, and immediately removed to the vicinity of La Harpe, 111. During the winter of 1839-40, he taught school in that town. His wife taught during the same winter, in a log cabin, one mile and a half east.

During the year 1841, Mr. Wilcox rented land in La Harpe township, and in 1842, purchased the northeast portion of section twenty-two, in Durham township. From that time till 1850, he was engaged in improving this place. He has added to it until he has, at present, two hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in the county, and no place presents better evidences of improvement and a high state of cultivation.

In the fall of 1849, Mr. Wilkox relumed to Connecticut with his family on a visit, and, while there, became interested in a chain pump which he introduced into the west. It was the first chain pump used west of the Alleghany mountains. Mr. Wilcox went into the manufacture of this pump, and sold it extensively for about four years, employing in the business from six to twelve men.

During the year 1855, and a portion of 1856, he was engaged in taking care of a sick wife, and seeking her restoration to health. With this object in view, he took her to Connecticut, but the change did uot benefit her. She died in Connecticut, July 12, 1856.

During that year, Mr. Wilcox built a portion of his present residence, which was added to. and completed in 1872. He.has one of the finest barns in the county, which was erected in 1869. The residence of Mr. Wilcox occupies an elevation commanding a fine view of the surrounding country for many miles on all sides. He can see six church steeples and the cars on three railroads, and, on a clear day, La Harpe, Nauvoo and BumS1de are distinctly visible.

Mr. Wilcox has arranged everything about his house, barn and farm, with reference to convenience and saving labor, and has gotten up a great many original contrivances which are quite remarkable. Among others is a milkcellar with an ice-house adjoining it, so constructed that the water from the melting ice runs down a pipe into a cemented vault made for the reception of the milk-pans, keeping the milk always cool, while there is another pipe to carry off the waste water, connected with the drain from the cellar: He has a handy contrivance for taking oft" the bed of his wagon, and, at the same time, elevating it to a position quite out of the way, in the roof of the shed. His cultivator wheels, when not doing service in the field, are utilized as the wheels of a hand-cart. He has an arrangement for load.ng corn other shelled or in the ear, without handling it at all by hand, whereby he has loaded forty bushels of shelled corn per minute. These, and various other contrivances about his house and barn, afford good mgMr"wilcox began life poor, bat by energy, diligence and economy, he has acquired , comfortable competence. He has been a great enemy to the cedil system all hi, life, and ha. believed in pay.ng arsh for every, thing.

Politically, he was originally a Whig, but became a Republican on the organization of that party. The only office he ever held was that of Overseer of Highways, and that cost him $ 3.60.

He has been devoted to the improvement of the country, and to the cause of education, and has given largely to build school-houses and churches. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the Methodist Church, and for twenty years has held the official position of Recording Steward.

Mr. Wilcox has taken a prominent part in what is known as the " Farmers' Movement." He was Master of the first Grange that was organized in the northern part of Hancock county, and holds that position still. By his ability and influence, he is doing much to extend the organization, believing that it will awaken a spirit of inquiry among the agricultural portion of the community, and lead to greater intelligence on all subjects pertaining to the interests of the farmers.

Mr. Wilcox has been twiee married. By the marriage recorded above he had seven children, five sons and two daughters, four of whom are living. He was married to his present wife, Miss fanny M. Bucil, of Killingwonh, Conn., October 5, 1858. By this union he has had Tour children, three sous and one daughter. The three sons are living.

HEZEKIAH LINCOLN is the son of Abraham Lincoln, an own cousin of Abraham Lincoln, late President of the United States. Mr. Lincoln was born in Hardin county, Ky., about the year 1798. He married Elizabeth Mudd in 1823, and came to Fountain Green township, Hancock county, October 20, 1829. He was the first Justice of the Peace in this part of Illinois, and filled the office for at least twenty years. He transacted all the business for the country round-about. He was active and efficient in the Black Hawk war ; was popular and highly respected, and did much to aid in the early settlement ol the country. He died in Fountain Green on the 22d of January, 1852. Mrs. Lincoln died on the nth of September, 1851. They had a family of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fifth. He ( Hezekiah Lincoln) was born in Grayson county, Ky., on the 10th of August, 1829, and consequently was only than three months old when he came with his parents to this county. He was brought up in the township of Fountain Green, and remained with his parents till the lime of their death. What education he received was in the common schools of the township, which, at thai early day, furnished but meagre facilities for the acquisition of knowledge.

After his father's death - the property being willed to his sisters during their lifetime, and after their death, or marriage, to be divided between the remaining children - he remained on the place five years, and, finding the situation unpromising of that success in business which he was ambitions to achieve, he left and started out on an independent course. In about five years he had accumulated means to go into mercantile business, which he did in company with John Sullivan, in Dallas City, in 1863, under the firm name of Sullivan & Lincoln. He soon sold out to Mr. Sullivan, and in the same town formed a partnership with Philip Knowles, in the dry goods business, and continued about one year, making well in the operation. He then sold out, and engaged in the same business with Wolfe Black in Fountain Green. In the fall of iS6g, Mr. Black removing to La Harpe, Mr. Lincoln came in with him, and continued until February, 1866, when, owing to a heavy decline in goods, Mr. Black failed, Mr. Lincoln having considerable money involved in the concern, to save himself, bought out Mr. Black's entire interest, and from that time forward has continued in the mercantile business in La Harpe, making it upon the whole successful, and acquiring a comfortable

In 1868, he removed from his old establishment into Bainter's Block, under the Opera House, where he has the finest sales. room in the city.

The fortunes of this family have been similar to those of their immortal relative, with the exception that none of them have been President of the United States. The same struggles for a position in the world, the same lack of early education, the same privations and hardships of pioneer life, have marked their early career. Mr. Lincoln was brought up from infancy in a rude frontier cabin. His father was in the country during the winter 0/ the "deep snow," when all kinds of game, except that which burrows in the ground, perished. The little stock of meat they brought with them being soon exhausted and there being no corn or vegetables raised, they were obliged to live on " coon meat," and got little of that sometimes. When they began to raise a little corn, they had to pound it in a hollow log to get it in condition lo make even the coarsest bread. Mr. Lincoln well remembers when a neighbor came to borrow his father's shoes to wear to Carthage, and his father was better off than his neighbor, for he had a pair to lend. He cheerfully took them off his (eet and loaned them for the trip on foot to the county-seat.

No one who looks into Mr. Lincoln's face, and listens to his quaint anecdotes, will doubt for a moment that he is the "great story-teller's" second cousin. There is a strong family resemblance.

Mr. Lincoln married Miss Phcebe Brewer, of La Harpe, January 14, 1869. She is an accomplished and competent lady and an assistant of her husband in the business of the store. They have no children,

ISAAC BLISS, second son and fourth child of a family of eleven children, only four of whom are now living, was bom in Muskingum, Ohio, September 9, 1824. His father, Samuel Bliss, was a native of Vermont. He died in 1852, at the advanced age of sixty-one. His molhcr. whose maiden name was Elizabeth Jordan, is still living, and enjoys good health at the ripe old age of seventy-eight. Her home is with Mr. Bliss. On his father's sidehe is ol English ancestors. Two grand-uncles, both Englishmen, fought in the war of '76, one in the Brinish and the other in the American army. Both were captains, and it is said they met in battle on the field. On his mother's side, his ancestors cannot be traced with any degree ol certainty. They were probably from Ireland.

residence in Wythe Township. In getting his education, Mr. Bliss enjoyed more extended advantages than many others at that time. Besides pursuing the common English brandies, he gave his attention to several of the sciences. During his past life, we see the fruits of this "much study" - twenty-six years spent in teaching in the school-room. Realizing the many advantages derived from a good education, he is giving his children the advantages of a good, thorough schooling.

October 4, 1849, Mr, Bliss was joined in tli Elizabeth M. Reairs. By this union four childre daughters. Two daughters are deceased. Mi workers in the cause of their Redeemer, by u Church. He has been Elder for the last eighteen years. In the Sabbath school, he has been either Superintendent or teacher for the last twenty years. Both children are also members of the church.

Politically, Mr. Bliss is a Republican. He was born and educated a Whig, under the instruction of his father, who was a radical member of that party. He is not what would be called a strong party man. In his work in the political field, he is guided by principle, and not by party favor. If he knows a candidate to be unfit for the position to which he aspires, he rejects him as unworthy of his trust. He is a supporter of men, and not of party candidates. His father being in good circumstances, Mr. Bliss received as his portion a quarter section of good land. On this he built a good house, and furnished it well. In 1852, he lost all by fire. This was followed by other financial losses, so that he was reduced to very limited circumstances. But he passed through, and to-day has a farm of 340 acres, all of which is under cultivation. On this he has a good house, with fine surroundings, a view of which is given elsewhere in this Atlas.

HON. DAVID GREENLEAF. - The subject of this sketch, Judge David Greenlcaf, of Carthage, belongs to an ancient and distinguished family. From all that can be gathered, it is believed that the ancestors of the Grccnleaf family were Huguenots, who left France on account of their religious principles some time in the course of the sixteenth century, and settled in England. The name was probably translated from the French Fuillevert. Edmund Greenleaf who is named in the Chart as the common ancestor, was born in the parish of Brixham, and county of Devonshire, near Torbay, in England, about the year 1600. He married Sarah Dole, and had several children born in England. In the year 1635 he came to America with his family, and settled in Newbury. Mass. He lived near " Old Town Bridge, where for some years he kept a tavem. He was by trade a silk-dyer. About the year 1650 he removed to Boston, where he buried his wife, and, afterwards, married a Widow Hill, who had several children by a former husband. In the early part of 1671. Mr. Greenleaf died.

Some reminiscences of the lives of these ancestors may not be uninteresting. Stephen Greenlcaf is called " Capt. Stephen " in the Newbury records. He was a famous man in his day. In " Mather's Magnalia " he is mentioned as commanding a company in the celebrated battle with the French and Indians at Wells, Maine, in 1690. He was the representative from Newbury in the general legislature for several years, and, in 1689, the agent of the Stale to treat wilh the Indians at Pennicook. Rev. .David Greenleaf, son of the above; was distinguished as a minister, a physician, and an apothecary. He was among the earliest graduates of Harvard College, graduating in 1699. He practiced medicine six years in Cambridge. He then prepared for the ministry, and preached nearly twenty years to one congregation, at Yarmouth, Mass. Then he opened an apothecary shop on what is now Washington street, between Court and Cornhill, Boston, which he continued until his death, in 1768. Dr. Daniel Greenleaf, son of the last, was a practicing physician of considerable note in Bolton, Worcester county, Mass., where he died in 1795. David Greenleaf was a goldsmith and jeweler, which business he followed very successfully in Coventry, Conn., nearly all his life. He died December 12, 1800, The other David also followed the same occupation, became wealthy, and was a military officer of high rank. He died March 10. 1835.

The Judge was born on the 6th day of May, 1803, in the cily of Hartford, Conn. He was the eleventh of twelve children, whose parents were David Greenleaf and Nancy Jones. His father followed through the earlier part of his life industrial pursuits of a mechanical nature ; but later in life became a skillful and unexcelled dentist ; and, although starting in life poor, became before his death, very wealthy. He was a man remarkable for industry and integrity, and paid great attention to the moral and mental interests of his family. Shortly before his death heJjccamc a military officer of high rank. The early education of the Judge was merely in the elementary branches. At the early age of seventeen, he went into a mercantile house in the city of Boston, where he remained for a space of three years. He then returned to Hartrord, Conn., where he" remained till 1835, when, on the 6th of April of this year, he left Hartford, and on the 1st of May following arrived in Quincy. In Hartford he followed the same occupation which he had pursued in Boston, although for a portion of the time he was having very poor health. In June following he came to Hancock county, and entered land in St. Mary's township. He remained in this township until April, 1843, engaged in farming. In 1843, he moved to Chili, in this county. In April, 1847, he moved to Carthage, where he has since resided, with the exception of about three years residence in Adams county. He has since his residence in Carthage, been engaged mainly in mercantile pursuits - dry goods first, and, at present, the drug business. Although the Judge has been through life busily

The firs, settlement was made in .hi. township by John Day in <)>,. on sect.on ,6, whore hls w f, now l.ve* In The nrsl se'"emenl ... , Beebe, settled in the township, locat.ng lespeclt.ely on sect.ons kept the previous year in a private house. The first regular school teacher waa J. M. Ferris. In 1836, Rev. Mr. Law ton of Carthage, a Congregational is t minister, held what is supposed to have been the first religious service in the township. The first post-office was established at Fountain Green Village in 1833. Jabez Beebe was Postmaster. In 1840s the town of Webster was laid out. There is one railroad station - La Crosse - in the northwestern part of the township. The township had originally more timber than prairie, but much of the timber land has been cleared. The barrens, or oak openings, are unsurpassed for wheat. The township has been settled by an intelligent ai<d thrifty class of people.

engaged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits, yet ii will be in taste to observe that, yielding to the solicitation or friends, he has held various offices of a public responsibility. He held the office of Justice of the Peace during his residence in St. Mary's township. In Chili he was Justice of the Peace. Since his residence in Carthage he has been Police Magistrate and Justice of the Peace more or less. In 1843 he was elected Probate Judge, and was reelected, holding the office for two terms. He was Postmaster of Carthage for six years, during the administrations of Martin Van Buren, Harrison and Tyler. He was County Commissioner of Hancock countyfrom 1836 till 1840. On the 1st day of January, 1829, he was united in marriage at Vernon, Conn., to Clarissa Croley, a native of that State. He is the father of three children. His first child. David Percival, was bom at Hartford, Conn., on the 33d day of March, 1S31, and is still living as a fanner in this county. His second child, Mary Ann Ripley, was born in Vernon, Conn., on the 2is( day of October, 1832. She became the wife of Dr. John Mack, of Carthage, and died in Lawrence county, in this State, leaving three children, David G., John, and Mary. His third child, Cornelia, who is yet living, was born at Vernon on the 2d day of July, 1834.

Politically, the Judge was a democrat up to the initiation of the civil war; but since then has preferred to support measures and ignore parties. In religion he is an Episcopalian. Socially, he is very pleasant and affable. Although he has been subject to the cares and labors of an unusually active life, his constitution is yet robust, and plainly indicates a sound mind in a sound body. The Judge was the founder of the Old Settlers' Association, and takes grea' interest in its workings.

county, Mass., March 7, 1806. He is of Scotch descent, two brothers of the Maynards having come from Sc uland and settled in Massachusetts at an early time. His father, Calvin Maynard, was a farmer in his native town of Phillipston, where he was highly respected as a town officer and citizen, and where he died in 1822. He had a family of eight children,- of whom the subject of this sketch was the oldest, and is at present the only surviving member.

He lived on his father's farm, and went to school till sixteen years of age, at which time his father died. The death of his father devolved the care of the farm upon him, who, with the assistance of a younger brother, carried it on one year, when, in the settling up of the estate, the farm had to go into liquidation, and he was thrown upon his own resources. He went to live with a physician in the neighborhood till he was twenty-one years of age. The bargain made with this physician was the following: Louis was to stay with him until he was iwcnLy-one years of age, at the end of which time he was to receive, in addition to his board and clothing, seventy dollars, with the privilege of attending an academy six weeks each fall, and of teaching each winter ; which he did, beginning at first with low wages, and rising gradually, till at last he got the highest wages then given for school teaching, which was twenty dollars a month and board. In this way, at the age of twenty-one, he had accumulated several hundred dollars, which he laid up for future use. From this time till the spring of 1831 he worked on a farm and taught school winters, when, with his younger brother, he made a tour of inspection to the west, traveling by canal and steamboat to Cleveland, Ohio, thence across the State and up the Mississippi to Illinois, visiting many places in the State, and finally locating on land near Canton, Fulton county. His brother remained on the land here, and he returned to his native place and engaged in farming and teaching school till 1835. In May, 1S35, he was married to Miss Adeline Ward, of Phillipston, Mass., and immediately with his wife and mother started for Illinois, and in due time arrived at his place near Canton. He had purchased a stock of merchandise in Boston, which he brought with hiin, and in August, 1835, came to La Harpc and opened a store tn a log cabin, which he caused to be erected after his arrival. He continued the business till 1S37, when his fortune became that of most of the dry goods dealers of that early day, when the few settlers had comparatively nothing to buy with - he was obliged to close out and wait a long lime to make collection of what was due him, some of which has not been made to the present day.

In 1837, he procured a quarter section of land near town, and went to farming. This he improved, and sold in 1854. He then bought the Wilcox farm, to which he has added about an equal number of acres since, making it one of the most desirable farms in the vicinity. Mr. Maynard still lives on this farm, and its highly improved state shows the evidences of his industry and careful culture. He has had a family of eight children, five of whom are living.

Mr. Maynard has been a professor of religion from his sixteenth year, from which early period he has also been a strong advocate of temperance both in theory and practice. Contrary to the usual custom then prevailing in New England, of treating visitors and using spirituous liquors at raisings, and in the hay and harvest fields, he and his brother resolved never to use the beverage on any occasion. When told by his uncle that he would not keep his resolution long, his reply was characteristic and well deserving the attention of all young men. Said he: "1 do not know what is to come in the future, but of this one thing I am sure, that so long as I never taste it, I shall tuver become a Jmnkard." lie has carried out his resolution to this day, and his truism is the true philosophy of keeping sober. H.e has had so much conscience in his temperance principles that he has never sold a bushel of grain to be shipped off, lest it should be converted into alcoholic stimulants.