Henry County, Illinois - The whole text, 1885 (part 27 of 31)

The second day of the Court the county was divided into five road districts, as follows : First included towns 16, 17 and 18 north, and 1 and 2 east ; second, 14, 15 north, 2 and 3 east ; third, 14, 15 west, 4 and 5 east : fourth, 16 and 17 north. The Supervisor of first was John P. Hanna; second, Albert Jagger; third, John F. Willard ; fourth, John C. Ward; fifth, Neely Withrow. There were then only about one hundred voters in all the county, and here H^ was quite a big undertaking for those men to build ^ the bridges and make the roads passable. ( y

The first road ordered surveyed and laid out in the county was from Andover to Geneseo, thence to the Rock River road at or near Joshua Browning's. C. K. Bartlett, A. M. Seymour and Joshua Browning were appointed viewers, and the conditions were the road was to be " laid without costs to the county." What would an Illinois Legislature think of such public economy as this? This economical order in reference to roads was kept up till 1838, when a road was ordered located from Andover Mills in the direction of Peoria, at the expense of the county. The first appropriation for bridges was $50, to apply in part upon a bridge across Green River, on the road via Cleveland and Dayton to Andover. The second bridge appropriation was $10 for a bridge on Camp Creek on the road from Andover to Cleveland.

The justices' districts and election precincts were the same as the road districts. In 1838 the place of holding elections in the first district was named "as the town of Dayton " - that means Brandenburg's house ; in the second district " the Company house ;" in the third, Henry G. Little's house; fourth, John C. Ward's ; and fifth at Joshua Browning's.

The County Commissioners' Court ordered that until the county seat should be permanently located, the Courts should be held in the town of Dayton.

These pioneers were evidently a somewhat martial people. An election for " Major " was held at Dayton, Aug. 12, 1837. Fifteen votes were cast, - eleven for James M. Allan and four for George Brandenburg. When this great military question was thus settled, the good people of the county had but little occasion to further fear the invasions of the murderous,and scalping Indians.

At the September term of the County Court, the County Surveyor was instructed to run out the line between Rock Island and Henry Counties. A man had frozen to death about or near the line, and as he was a total stranger and had some money and no heirs, Rock Island claimed the " stiff" and money. Henry County suspected this to be a fraud : hence the survey. Sure enough, the cadaver really belonged to Henry, and the county sued Rock Island, but never got either the money or the dead man.

A permit was granted Charles Oakley by tile Circuit Court, in 1837, to build a dam on the Green River, on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 12, township 17 north, 1 east, known as Green River Mills. The second permit was to Ithamar Pillsbury, to build a dam across Edwards River, on the northwest corner of section 18, township 14 north, 3 east. Here was soon after erected a saw-mill.

Cleveland was laid out, in April, 1836, by C. Atkinson and J. D. Tabor, on section 31, on the banks of Rock River. The first houses built in Cleveland were George Taylor's and C. Atkinson's ; the carpenters doing the work on the buildings were Thomas Glenn and George Brandenburg.

Luke C. Sheldon, Joshua Harper and George Brandenburg were appointed trustees of school lands in township 17, range 1 east; and Roderick R. Stewart, Elisha Cone and John C. Ward were appointed for township 17, range 3 east; James S. Miller, Asa Wisher and Albert Jagger for township 15, range 2 east ; Joseph GoodrichL Sullivan Howard and Robert Coultas for township 15, range 5 east; and Henry G. Little, J. F. Williams and Sylvester Blish for township 14, range 5 east.

'' Ordered, That the County Clerk be allowed the sum of ten dollars for his services for the year past; also ten dollars for attending to the military lands ; also five dollars for stationery." It is explained in the order that the salary of $20 is in addition " to' what has already been paid him by the day through mistake."

April 1, 1839, Milo M. Pollock, Edgar Jacks, John H. Wells, William H. Hubbard and William Mc- Henry were appointed Assessors, and James D. Tabor was appointed Collector.'

Marcus B. Osborn was appointed agent to receive from the State the money appropriated to the county ' by the Legislature of 1838-9. This was the noted "hush money" that was given to counties that did not get any of the railroads that were then so grandly voted by the State to build. It was the noted Legislature of "internal improvement " celebrity, when Illinois was struck with a craze that at that time looked as though the young State was irreparably ruined.

August, 1 841, William Ayers and George McHenry were elected County Commissioners, Osborn and Carson retiring. In 1842 James D. Tabor was again Collector, and Joseph Tillson was appointed Assessor. Charles C. Blish was Surveyor, John C. Ward, Treasurer.

June 7, 1843, the County Court met for the first time at the new county-seat, and made the following order: " Pursuant to adjournment the Court met this day at Sugar Tree Grove, and in consequence of the inclemency of the weather it is ordered that the Court adjourn till to-morrow morning." The next day the weather was no better, and the same order was again made. But the next day (June 9) the weather had improved, and the Court met and went to work to lay off into town lots the town and name it Cambridge.

In 1843 Luke C. Sheldon was elected one of the Commissioners, Marcus B. Osborn, Collector. James M. Allan again elected County Clerk. Alfred W. Perry was Deputy Sheriff in 1843.

By act of the General Assembly of 1850. the County Commissioner's Court was abolished and in lieu thereof the County Court, consisting of a County Judge and two Associate County Judges, was established.

William H. Blish was elected County Treasurer, Lewis M. Webber re-elected Sheriff, and Champlin Lester elected School Commissioner. August, 1848, William Miller and Stephen Palmer

The Probate Court met August 17, 1849, James M. Allan, Judge; M. B. Potter, Sheriff; and Samuel P. Brainard, Clerk. E. Otis was Deputy Clerk. In 1850, H. G. Reynolds was Deputy Counf.y Clerk, William Miller and John Piatt Associate Justices, Henry G. Griffin School Commissioner, W. H. Blish, Treasurer. At the February term, 185 1, Joseph Tillson, Judge ; Thomas F. Davenport, Clerk ; and Henry G. Little, Sheriff. December term, 1853, Stephen Palmer was County Judge. September term, 1854, Stephen Palmer, County Judge; John Piatt and Robt. Getty, County Justices; M. B. Potter, Sheriff; Daniel Bonar, Clerk. At the December term, this year, T. F. Davenport, Sheriff.

At a special term of the County Court, March 17, 1856, the county, through its agent, contracted to the Winnebago Swamp Land Company the swamp lands belonging to the county. The company agreed to drain the lands at once " as far as the same may be practical," and to pay the county $70,000 in ten years, five per cent, interest.

,OUNTY legal affairs were by law, at one time and another, transacted at five different places in the county. First at Dayton, then Richmond, Geneseo, Morristown and Cambridge. The county seat proper was " located " three times ; twice by Commissioners and once by the Legislature; the third and last time on a petition of a majority of the people.

Under the act of the Legislature the Commissioners to locate the county seat were sworn into office Oct. 3, 1837, by William McMurtry, of Henderson, Knox County, a Justice of the Peace. This man was afterward Lieutenant Governor of the State.

Andover had just sprung into vigorous existence, under the auspices of New York capitalists, and was a prominent candidate. Geneseo, with more justice probably in her claim, was also pushing her rights.

Richmond

It seems that Mr. Allan as early as 1836 saw that there would be in the near future need for a town or location for a county seat, and his idea was that some eligible spot would be near the geographical center of he county. He mounted his horse and rode until he found an established corner in Sugar Tree Grove, and from that point, guided by a pocket compass, rode due north, counting the steps of his horse, till he reached, as he supposed, section 17, township 16 north, 3 east, about five miles from where he started, and this led him into a rise in the middle of a beau-

The Commissioners met as required, and there was a large delegation from Andover. At Brandenburg's they met Major Allan, and proceeded to Geneseo ; then the cavalcade rode out in the bald prairie to Allantown - Richmond, and upon the highest ground they halted and surveyed the wide landscape o'er. Not a house nor a tree was within miles of the group of town-hunters, but there was a wide and extended view, and the rich rolling prairies lay spreading its broad acres at their feet. The county map was unrolled before them, and this was unquestionably nearly in the center.

Mr. Allan prevailed. His offer rather overwhelmed other bidders. He made a deed to the county for 120 acres of his quarter section, and reserved only 40 acres for himself. The entire tract was laid out in lots 4x8 rods - streets six rods wide. Each party had a public square. " Three choice lots " were donated to George Harris upon condition that he would build a public house of entertainment " by the first of next June." This house was soon up and the town started on its brilliant and brief career. A sale of lots was advertised in the Peoria, Galena, Chicago and Canton papers " to come off the first Wednesday in June." In the interval choice lots were ordered sold at private sale for $50, second choice for $25, one-third cash. Proposals were published for building a court-house, 18x24 feet, story and a half high; and at the December term, 1837, the clerk was ordered to let the work to the lowest bidder. George Harris secured the contract for the building, and so he' pushed the work on his own house and the court-house towards completion the next year. His public house mentioned above was 36 X40 feet, two stories. So far, this was by far the most extensive and pretentious building ever erected in the county.

At the June term, 1838, the Court pledged the faith of the county that all purchase money paid for lots should be returned in the event the county seat was removed from Richmond. This was official notice that it would possibly soon move.

At the August election, 1838, the new County Commissioners elected were Marcus B. Osborn, Sylvester Blish and John P. Hjtnna, and by act of the Legislature of the preceding winterlthe new Commissioners had to draw lots. In the drawing, Osborn retained his office three years, Blish two and Hanna one.

.At a special term, October, 1838, George Brandenburg was allowed $12 for "furnishing a court-room one term." At the December term, of this year, it was ordered that at the general elections all voters should vote at the county seat. - Probably the cause of this action was that at the election in 1837 there were just seven votes cast in Richmond. This act was repealed the same year, and people did not have all to go to the county seat to vote. At this time the Court informed the members of the Legislaturethat the county of Henry was seriously suffering, because there had been no session of the Circuit Court in the county. This appeal to the Legislature did bring the Circuit Court, as the next spring term convened there. There were, notwithstanding the long delay of the Court's coming, only ten eases on the docket at this first term.

criminal had to be guarded day and night. This suggested the necessity to the County Court to ordei published proposals for building a jail. On the ist of January, 1839, a contract was made with George Harris to build a jail, to be completed by the next September.

The first Circuit Court was in April, 1839. Thomas Ford, afterwards Governor, was the presiding Judge ; James M. Allan, Clerk. The only ciiminal, a counterfeiter, took a change of venue to Ogle County. Soon after the Court adjourned another prisoner was run in, and the two were being guarded at Harris' house. The house took fire, and when discovered the flames were beyond control ; and as the Courthouse was close by it too was burned to the ground. In the excitement, the two prisoners went to the wood-pile and relieved themselves of their shackles, and then went to work with a might and main to put out the fire, and, failing in this, removing property and saving it. The counterfeiter, Porter, was a small man, and he saw clothes hanging on the wall ; he attempted to take them down, but was not tall enough, except by tearing them, so he rushed back and got a stool to stand on ; but when he retured the clothes were in a blaze. He looked for something else to save, and noticed a small stand and carried that to a place of safety. There was a drawer in this stand, and in the drawer was an indictment on which a jury afterwards sent Porter to the penitentiary.

Harris had not completed the Court-house when it burned, and he wanted pay for his work. He and the Court could not agree; so, finally the matter was submitted to a vote of the people, and he was paid $30 in addition to what he had received, and the contracts were canceled. This last mentioned election was on July, 9, 1839.

But to return to the subject. The fire had swept from the earth the entire city of Richmond - except a straw covered stable. All was gone, and appearances indicated had gone away to stay. Every one in the county was agreed that new county buildings should be speedily erected; but just where they should be put up was another and more serious question. The old bidders for the county seat, with new friends, enlisted in hot haste and again entered the field, proclaiming the superior merits of the goods and wares they had to offer the county.

quiet investigation went on. At a meeting in a schoolhouse at Rock River, it was " resolved," in italics and big caps, "that we are in favor of removing the county seat from its present location." Then a petition was circulated, addressed to the County Court, praying for a call of a convention of the people to take action on this momentous question.

" It is further resolved at this meeting, by an unanimous vote, that we concur with a majority of the legal voters of the county (when they shall be taken), for the re-location of the coumy seat of said county. And we further disapprove of the minority remonstrating against any location that may be made by the majority." This was signed by George Colbert, Chairman, and George Tyler, Secretary, and dated June 1, 1839.

About the same time a meeting was held at Andover, which petitioned the Court to call a convention of the people, " to take the sense of the county ' on several topics of importance, among which are: ' ist. The Revenue law. 2d. The Internal Improve- { merit of the State. 3d. Adjusting the accounts of 1 G. W. Harris. 4th.' The removal of the county seat. ! On the last named subject we suggest the following consideratins in favor of a removal, ist. There have been strong objections from the first, to the present location, that it is remote from timber; that it is destitute of water power ; of facilities for steam power ; that it is not on the direct route of travel; * * * the difficulty of obtaining suitable persons to hold office at the town of Richmond." This last proposition will sound strange to readers of the present ) day and age. " Difficulty of obtaining suitable per- 1 sons to hold office !" Think of it, reader! when for every office now, from Path Master to President, there are clamorous applicants by the hundreds, sometimes by the thousands, for every place there is to fill!

The court yielded to these petitions of the people,, and at the June term, 1839, ordered a convention to meet at Geneseo, " to compare views and consult on ' such matters of immediate importance to the county^ as may be then and there proposed."

The convention met at Geneseo on July 9, and the next day the County Court met at the same place. These proceedings were had in Geneseo because there was nothing left in Richmond but the stable, and the population of the " fallen Babylon " were housed in said stable. In this stable the County Court held one meeting and then took up its bed and walked over the land of Nod - Geneseo, and held its sessions here, waiting the settlement of the great questions before the people. It remained there only a short time, until the question of removal of the county. seat was again strongly agitated, and steps accordingly taken toward changing its location.

At the December term, 1839, the Court petitioned the Legislature to legalize its acts in holding sessions at Geneseo, that officers of the county might be permitted to hold their offices at their respective homes.

At the session of the Legislature, 1839, an act was passed re-locating the county seat; and Alexander Turnbull, of Warren County, W. W. Conway, Rock Island, and Harmon Brown, Knox County, were appointed Commissioners to locate and name the new county town.

The earnest competitors now for the county capital were Geneseo and Morristown. The former apparently had every advantage, and this fact, probably, made the people of that place over-confident. At any rate, when the Commissioners to locate met and opened the bids there was practically no contest at all. Morristown carried off the prize easily. Her bid was overwhelming, compared with Geneseo's. Geneseo, it is said, offered the county a fair and liberal portion of the town, while Morristown, or Charles Oakley and Joshua Harper, offered an entire quarter-section for town lots and $1,000 in cash. This settled the matter at once, and Morristown became the seat of justice for Henry County. Geneseo was seriously disappointed; it was a blow under the belt. For some years her people contended they had really made the most liberal offer, while her enemies said the big end of her liberality was only manifested after the question had been settled. Then another wheel within this wheel was a statement made current that one of the Commissioners to locate, Turnbull, had been a candidate for the

Among the provisions for the new county seat, Morristown, was one that a public house should be built out of the fund ; and that within a certain time (one year) each of the colonists should erect a house upon his land. A good-sized building was erected out of the general fund, and three or four dwelling houses were erected by different parties. The town plat was one mile square. In the center was a public square, 440 feet each way. Lots, 45 feet front and 135 to 240 deep.

Thus, under promising prospects, was started the new town. It was thought the county-seat question had been about permanently settled, and a permanent population was expected to flow into the place. Mr. Crocker had entered Crocker's Grove (sometimes called Brown's), as well as a large tract adjoining. He had intended making an extensive farm and expected wide range for years for his catde. He regretted that Morristown had been located so near him, as it would cramp his grazing range.

The above named public house and three or four dwellings constituted the point of greatness and growth at which the embryo city of the plains seemed to halt in its strides to greatness. Murmurs at the place began to be heard ; the good people complained that the selection was bad, very inconvenient and not in the center of the county. In short, the most " knowinsomest " old settlers soon saw the the question of a new county seat would have to be all fought over again. The terms of the Circuit Court were held in Geneseo after the burning of Richmond, until the fall of 1841-. The first Circuit Court held in Morristown was in May, 1842, and the last in May, 1844.

The public house in Morristown was duly conveyed to the county and a contract for improving it was made with David Gove and Nathaniel Walters, for which work an order was issued to them for the sum of $70. June 28, 1841,^ contract was made with Thomas W. Carey and George Brandenburg for the erection of a " commodious court-house, f 8 by 24 feet, one and a half stories high," and also fdr building a jail. Brandenburg arid Carey rented' the public house for a term of two years, to pay $100 rent, and to "furnish suitable court-room for the use of all courts in the county." The court-house was built, and this was the building that, being transported finally to Cambridge on wagons, gave the county seat the reputation of being on wheels.

As said, the dissatisfaction with Morristown continued to grow. The people were determined to relocate the county seat, and they were determined no longer to trust "commissioners to locate." They had many reasons for mistrusting commissioners. Sinister influences too often were the weightier considerations, and for such good reasons the people, when they determined to found a new county-town, at the same time determined to fix that location themselves.

The people of Morristown themselves soon were free to admit that their place was not suitably located. Joshua Harper, one of the proprietors of the place, was a candidate for the Legislature in 1842, and he distinctly pledged the people that, if elcted, and a majority of the people so petitioned, he would vote to send the county seat to any p'oint they wished, " even into the Winnebago swamps." He was elected, and was fathful to his promise.

Cambridge, Geneseo and Sugar Tree Grove were the rival points for the new seat of justice. Some maneuvering was attempted to get it located on section 7, 15-3. This land was owned by Ithamar Pillsbury, of Andover. Joseph Tillson, called generally "' Judge "Tillson, was the powerful champion of Sugar-Tree Grove. He was, as said elsewhere, an early settler, and always an active man, and one of much weight and influence in county matters. Probably the gratitude of the good people of Cambridge will some day erect a suitable tablet to the memory of "Judge" Tillson in the Court- House Square. Petitions to locate at Sugar-Tree Grove were circulated. Col. Wells, of Wethersfield, drew a petition and circulated it in his town ; John Kilvington pressed the petition upon the attention of the people of Wethersfield and about Barren Grove. The activity of 'Judge " Tillson and his friends secured a majority in the county to sign the petition to locate the county seat at or near Sugar-Tree Grove, the present site of Cambridge. Geneseo remonstrated vigorously, and started for a signature and petition for the appointment again of "commissioners to locate." It was said that James M. Allan was the chief instigator in this movement of Geneseo.

To people wha have come into the county or grown up since this exciting county seat controversy raged so intensely, the story of the " fine work "done, the shrewd schemes put upon foot by the leaders on both sides of the question, sound strangely indeed. But we must remember that in those days a part of the great importance that attached to the question was the fact that then the county seat alone was the one point where the important leading town of the county was to be; men then supposed, as there were no great river town to be made in the county, that the county seat alone could induce people to build a city. The day of railroads was not then : it is now, and today there are several towns and cities in the county that have distanced Cambridge, the present county seat, " in climbing that ruggtd hill where fame's fair temple shines afar."

When a majority of the people had signed the petition to make Cambridge the county seat, the petition was forwarded to Col. Buford, of Rock Island, who then represented this district in the Senate. He introduced a bill at once to re-locate the county seat of Henry County. It was passed by the Senate and went to the House, where Joshua Harper was the member from this county. The bill passed the House and became a law Feb. 21, 1843. The location, as fixed by the bill, was on the northwest quarter and southwest quarter of section 7, township 115, 3 east, 40 acres from each quarter-section. The bill provided courts should be held at Morristown until suitable buildings could be provided in Cambridge. The bill also provided for the re-conveyance by the county of all property deeded in Morristown. See history of Cambridge.

'AMES D. TABOR was elected first Sheriff. His first term ended 1840. He was again elected, but the Governor refused to commission him, as his books were not straight. A new election was ordered, and Tabor was again elected, and by some hook or crook got his commission this time. He was again elected in 1842, and at the end of his term ran away and left his securities and many others in the lurch.

In 1838 the Legislature enacted that the County Commissioners should by lot determine their respective terms of office. Osborn drew the long term, and Hanna the short. Hanna was re-elected in

1840, John Carson was elected Commissioner. August, 1841, William Ayers, beating the old Commissioner, Osborn, one vote. It was Andover vs. Geneseo.

1841, September, George McHenry was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Carson, when the following named gentlemen were elected: 1842, Francis Loomis; 1843, Luke- C. Sheldon; 1844, Amos B. Cole ; 1845, Francis Loomis; 1846, Elisha F. Calkins; 1847, William Ayers; 1848, William Miller and Stephen Palmer; Calkins having removed from the county.

In 1849, under the new Constitution, a County Judge (also Probate Judge) and two Associates, styled County Justices, were elected, to-wit: J. M. Allan, Judge ; William Miller and John Piatt, Associates.

In 1857 the township organization system was adopted in the county, and the Board of Supervisors succeeded the old County Commissioners' Court.

1844, Lewis M. Webber succeeded Tabor as Sheriff. He was re-elected by a majority of one vote. Webber went to Rock Island and followed merchandising.

M. B. Potter succeeded Webber in 1848. The law prohibiting a Sheriff serving two terms in succession then went into effect. Henry G. Little was elected in 1850. Potter again in 1852. T. F. Davenport in 1854. J. F. Dresser in 1856. P. H. Sniff in 1858.

James M. Allan is a native of Tennessee ; reared in Alabama. His father was a Presbyterian minister. The Major came to Illinois in 1835, and to Henry County in 1836. A large man physically and mentally, and a man of big heart, naturally full of goodness and charity. He was appointed Circuit

At the election, 1839, by a very clever trick George Tyler beat Major Allan twelve votes for County Clerk. Tyler never qualified, and at the special election ordered, Allan received fifty -seven votes of the sixty-three votes cast in the county. He was his own successor in this office until 1849, when he became County Judge. And this last office he resigned the next year, having been elected a member of'the General Assembly. It is told of the Judge that one year the County Assessor and Collector having absconded, he voluntarily assessed the county and then in due time proceeded to collect the taxes" he had assessed. He assumed the office, and everybody was glad that he did and thanked him for it, which goes to show that the disease of "pap-sucking" did not rage so fiercely among the good people of Henry County as it has of late years in the nation.

In 1838 Judge Allan was appointed School Commissioner, and July following Treasurer pro tern. In short the entire round of places of honor and trust were freely accorded to him by the people of the county. He won the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He never betrayed or neglected a trust. He was of Southern blood, and he and his remarkable brother, William T., left the South and came to Illinois to escape the ownership of slaves they had inherited, and that by the laws of the State they could not liberate. William T. Allan was the forerunner and the peer of Owen Lovejoy in Northern Illinois. In freeing the land, in liberating the white man from the curse of African slavery, in striking the shackles from the slaves, he went forth like Peter the Hermit - eloquent, brave, sincere and unconquerable; defying the hooting mobs, and proclaiming the new religion of "free speech, free press and free man."

Major James M. Allan retired mostly from public, political or official life in 1852, and in 1858, in company with Atkinson (now of Moline), Edwards and others, organized the Winnebago Swamp Land Company, and purchased 50,000 acres of the swamp lands of Henry County. This wa's a vast, and at that day, a daring enterprise, and has resulted in draining and making splendid farms of what

An early settler who had known Allen long and well thus sums up his leading characteristics : " Allan, though brave as any man, large and of tremendous physical force, was never a burly braggadocio, but always polite, social and affable - kind and generous to all mankind, and in his intercourse with crowds of men diffident. He had a strong sense of duty, as well as a strong perception in which way lay his and the public's interest. When there was an imperative necessity he could make a speech to a crowd to a good purpose, or button-hole a voter and make a little speech to him alone, unequaled by any other man in the county. He is the Pater patrice of Henry County. He lobbied through the Legislamre the act organizing the county, filled nearly every office at different times ; stood by as a keen-eyed sentinel ever ready to protect the rights and integrity of the county, and he successfully attended the session of the Legislature and thwarted the movement of Gen. Henderson, who was then a resident of Stark County, in his scheme of detaching a portion of this county and adding it to the domain of Stark County."

The imperishable finger-marks of Major Allan are everywhere in the county. They will be his enduring monument for many and many long years after he has gone the way of all the earth.

Judge George E. Wait was elected County Judge in i86r, and at the expiration of his term Julius S. Hinman was elected his successor, which office he continuously held by re-election until his death, in the spring of 1885. The vacancy caused by the death of Judge Hinman was supplied by an election in May, 1885, when the present County Judge, John P. Hand, was elected.

The Circuit Judges of this Judicial Circuit are : G W. Pleasants, of Rock Island ; A. A. Smith, of Galesburg; and John J. Glenn, of Monmouth.

HEN the county was organized it was the Sixth Judicial Circuit. The first term of Court was held at Richmond, April i, 1839. Thomas Ford was the presiding Judge; Norman H. Purple, State's Attorney; James M. Allan, Clerk; James D. Tabor, Sheriff. No Grand Jury appeared, and the Sheriff was ordered to summon 23 qualified persons as a Grand Jury, and the same number as petit jurors. Judge Dan Stone's commission to James M. Allan, as Clerk, bears date Aug. 17, 1837. Governor Joseph Duncan issued Sheriff Tabor's commission. The first case on the docket was Arthur Thornton and Job Searl vs. Moses F. Stemson. Judgment by confession in the sum of $400. The first case on the People's docket was against Charles Atkinson, forfeiture of recognizance as witness.

There were nine cases on the docket at this term of the Court. The only criminal case was the People vs. John Porter, counterfeiting. Venue changed to Ogle County. This Court convened on the 1st and adjourned " until Court in course " on the 2d of April.

N. H. Purple, State's Attorney ; Allan, Clerk; Tabor, Sheriff. Milo M. Pollock was appointed Foreman of the Grand Jury. Jury empanelled, and Court adjourned for the day.

The first jury trial was The People vs. Hiram Pearce - disturbing the peace. The jurors were : Elias Walters, William Hite, James Withrow, William Walters, Charles W. Davenport, Luke C. Shelden, William Ayers, Edward A. Mix, Jesse Woolsey, William Woolsey, David Potter and Joshua Dodge. Verdict guilty, and fined $25.

The next term, April 6, 1840, the same officers as the preceding Court. Among the attorneys present was Mr. Harvey. Court adjourned on the 8th.

The next Court was begun May 17, 18-41. Thomas C. Browne, Judge; Hall, State's Attorney. Browne renewed James M. Allan's commission as Clerk. Knowlton, Knox, Manning and Southwick were of the attorneys at this Conrt. Adjourned May 18.

Circuit, Court, Sept. 27, 184T, begun and held at Geneseo. Browne, Judge; Kellogg, State's Attorney, pro tern. No jurors were summoned to this Court. The Sheriff was ordered to summon 23 grand and 23 petit jurors.

May 10, 1842, the next term convened at Morristown. Same officers as preceding term. Another term in Morristown, Sept. 26, 1842. Same officers. Then May 15, 1843, at same place. Joseph H. Wells, State's Attorney; Allan, Clerk, and- Tabor, Sheriff. Again, there was a term in September fol-

The November term, r85o, of the Circuit Court, Judge William Kellogg presided, Harmon G. Reynolds, State's Attorney, Ben Graham, Clerk, and M. B. Potter, Sheriff.

October term, T852 : M. Shallenbarger was State's Attorney, and Sylvester Blish, Master in Chancery. During his term the office became vacant by his death, and James M. Allan was appointed to fill the vacancy, by Judge Kellogg. At this term of the Court William H. Brainardjentered upon the duties of Circuit Clerk.

By act of the Legislature the terms of holding the Conrts in this, the 6th Judicial Circuit, was changed, and the Courts in Henry County were changed to the first Monday of March and the first Monday of October, of each year.

At the March term, 1859, the Judge failed to come, and there was no Court for this term. Judge Drury appointed a special term to convene April, 1859. At this term of the Court Purnel H. Sniff appeared as Sheriff.

Thomas J. Atwater, Circuit Clerk, died in February, 1872, and at the February term of the Court of that year Judge Pleasants appointed Lewis H. Patten to fill the vacancy. Mr. Patten has continued to hold the office by electiou since, and is the present Circuit Clerk.

There was no change until the February term, 1883, when A. A. Smith was the presiding Judge. He again presided at the October term, 1883. Judge

Glenn at the February term, 1884, Judge Pleasants at the October term, 1884. At the special March term, 1885, Judge Smith presided. At the June session Judge Glenn presided.

HE coming of Judges and lawyers was like an after-thojght to the stern and silent pioneers, and yet in one sense there was here half a century agp what might have been termed a pioneer Bench and Bar. These have been styled the " Circuit Riders," from the fact that in those days the Court circuits were boundless in extent and the lawyers were few, and twice a year Court and lawyers would travel on horseback from county to county, holding the short terms of Court in each, and dealing out the homoeopathic doses of justice that the wants of a simple people demanded.

Court day then was an event all over the county. The coming into the county-seat (generally Sunday afternoon) of the Judges and lawyers was a tremendous occasion, to which the people looked with an interest only now exceeded by the boys on circus day. The two transcendent days of interest were the August election and Court days. To the common rustic mind there was something awe-inspiring in the approach and in the presence of the Judge and lawyers.

The first lawyer to " stick stakes " was in the year 1845. Practically there was no " first," or, possibly, they were twins. At all events, two brothers, so far as is now known, came here about the time indicated above, and concluded to try their luck among the people of Henry County, William H. and Samuel P. Brainard. The last named soon found a more congenial and better paying business than the practice before the Courts by getting himself elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and this was so small in the way of fees that soon after he had to secure the office of County Clerk, in the hope that the two together would buy ample fall pumpkins to winter on. He evidently found himself a bloated office-holder, but in the other emoluments of life was in the happy state of preparation for a position as the " skeleton man " < in the first circus that might come along. 1849, the day of the California '49-ers, found him thus gyrating ( between the glimmering pumpkin pile and the evan* escent emoluments of his two offices, and His reduced system succumbed to an attack of " gold fever," and he struck out " across lots " to California. He appointed a deputy, gave him all the fees of both offices, " throwed " in the remaining small supply of " grub " ' on hand and to the vision of his constituents he van- , ished, in 1850.

His brother, William H., was some time after elected Circuit Clerk, and he profited by his brother's experience and did not join the two clerkships together ; but he joined to his first office the position of County School Commissioner, and was lucky enough to have the selling and transferring of most of the school lands, and from these he reaped a golden harvest.

In coming along the dead level of this vale, of ' tears, there tumbled into Henry County about the ; year 1848, Jerome B, Carpenter, who swung his ' shingle to the quiet breezes as an " attorney and : counsellor at law," - fees reasonable " except where v/ services furnished." The very few years spent here ^ . were by far the most successful and respectable of ( y his life thus far, for it is a fact that this legal luminary rolled about in the shadow and in sunshine, and it did sometimes look as though his " shiner " had got tangled behind the thick clouds and could hardly get out by the tallest kind of scratching. He left the county after three years and went to Chicago, thence ' to Texas, thence most probably to the . j

Hon. John Buckles, who first located in Cambridge, may well be classed as among the first of the real lawyers to come to this county as a permanent home for the practice of an honorable profession - a profession that sheds only luster upon those who can aid in shedding additional luster in return upon the ancient wig and woolsack. He came from Indiana ( to Henry County in the early '50's, and at once entered vigorously and successfully upon the practice, and from the first compelled a recognition of his eminent abilities. His greatest strength was probably as a trial lawyer, and especially in the cross>exam- < ination of witnesses. Here his legal acumen, his ready wit as keen as a Damascus blade, his thor- ough knowledge of human nature, his grasp of truth in a mountain of stuff and rubbish, were all at full play in an instant ; and woe be to the witness who had to pass through his hands after an attempt to scale the truth in his direct examination ! And such was his power in cross-examinations that he often by a single question broke down the force of a witness's entire testimony, even where the witness had not tried to prevaricate.

Buckles died in 1874, his death sending a shadow to many a heart among his wide range of acquaintances, admirers and warm friends. His widow and children are in Chicago.

Henry Cady will be remembered by some of the people of Cambridge and Geneseo, in both of which places he lived in the name, if not much in the style, of a lawyer. He came to the county about i860. We understand he has some political position in Lake County. We don't know what it is - it may be watching 'Lije Haines !

» One of the celebrated " so-called " lawyers that 5©? came to the surface in Henry County was Andrew Ba Crawford, now living in Chicago, and one of the rich of that city. He landed at an Irish hash-house in Geneseo, in 1858, as one of the railroad roustabouts. ^J ) The gang, of which Andy was a voracious specimen, was at that time building railroad fence through the county. Thus he graduated as a fence-builder, and was in Geneseo on pay-day and resigned as fence roustabout. It was a rare instance of nerve and courage in a man who could thus deliberately resign a soft and lucrative position that he might have held for life, and in cold blood face the grim realities of becoming a lawyer, " without the benefit of clergy. " When in search' of notes about the absent great, we inquired where he studied law. " Never studied at all, at any time or anywhere," was the invariable answer. " How did he get license ? " " Admitted by act of the Legislature," was the response to this inquiry. "What did he do when he quit railroading?" " Nothing, except saw wood a little. "

He never did know any technical law. He was no book-worm, and knew little of law or literature; but as a judge of the values of property, as a buyer and seller, he probably never had an equal in the county. He was full of common sense, and an energy and industry that never tired. What little law he practiced was all upon his intuitive knowledge of property and his common-sense resources, that were nearly infinite. He made the acquaintance of the Merriman Bros., bankers in Geneseo, soon after he located here, and they recognized his great financial qualifications ; and it was to this fact that he at once took a position in monetary affairs in the county and in a little while was recognized as a capitalist. And when he was elected to the State Senate an illnatured paper in an adjoining county said he was a reckless experiment as a politician, a lawyer without a case, but a financier and capitalist that could get on his money " two per cent, a minute."

How he came to be elected Senator was about as follows : There was a convention in session in Geneseo, and two candidates before it who had each other by the hair, and each determined never to surrender. The convention was having a monkey -andparrot time of it between these two candidates, and at just the right moment Andy Crawford was sprung upon the exhausted body and nominated. This was in 1870, and he was elected to the Senate for the short term.

He made a first-rate member of the Assembly ; had probably as much influence in it as any member of the Legislature. He made no pretentions to being a speaker, but he was what is always better in the end in a body of that kind, he was a worker ; and this and his good judgment made him an effective and valuable Senator.

Serving out his term with credit, he came back to Henry County, and satisfied that he had all he wanted of politics, he closed up his affairs here and in 1872 went to Chicago, where he has since resided and where the opportunities for exercising his great financial talents have found full and active play.

Since in Chicago he has accumulated a great fortune, and has owned or controlled and managed one of the important railroads entering the city.

This is a rough blocking of a sketch of [certainly no common man. Nominally a lawyer and a politician, in reality a Napoleon in finance ; and while it is true a financier is working always and wholly for self, yet there are periods in the development of young communities when the daring and brain of a great man in financial affairs is a public good. He

Andrew Crawford will be long and not unkindly remembered by the good people of Henry County, especially his many old friends and acquaintances of Geneseo.

A quarter of a century ago came Lawyer N. C. Bates. He was a fair lawyer and had a fair success here, but with that restless Western spirit that at one time or another has moved our people from ocean to ocean, he took Greeley's advice and " went West,"' locating in. Newton, Iowa, where he attained some eminence in his profession and died a few years ago.

S. Allen Grunder was here about 1870. Didn't ever astonish himself by extraordinary success. He, too, went West, and is probably still growing up with the country.

Whitfield Sandford was one of the early lawyers. He remained here until 1872, when he removed to Wahoo, Nebraska, where he now resides. He came to this county from Mansfield, Ohio, and resided at Geneseo. He was financially quite successful, and soon gave more attention to his rapidly increasing property than to the law practice. He started life as a harness-maker. He was a Republican and a member of the Congregational Church.

The Bar of Geneseo is the largest in the county, consisting of the following: Judge George E. Wait (see page 329), Major E. C. Moderwell (see page 244), E( C. Graves (see page 309), G. W. Shaw, F. H. McArthur, Charles Dunham and G. H. Smith.

In Cambridge are Lawyers Shepard & Marston - William H. Shepard (see page 352) and Ira D. Marston (see page 664), - A. R. Mock (see page 279) and Judge John P. Hand.

In Galva are Thomas E. Milchrist, State's Attorney (see page 385), Hiram Bigelow (see page 706) and Jonas W. Olson. The latter studied in Galva with John I. Bennett, now of Chicago, who at one time was in partnership in Galva with Albert H. Veeder. Jonas W. Olson has a most interesting history, for which the reader is referred elsewhere.

In Kewanee is the now oldest lawyer in the county, Levi North. (See page 593.) For some years he has mostly retired from active practice. This place was the home of Judge J. H. Howe. Away back in 1862, M. L. Easton, of Ohio, was in the practice here. He left in 1862. At one time Lucius D. Bishop, of Ohio, was here a short time. He removed to Stark County, thence to Washington City, where he died. O.-B. Ayres, now of Knoxville, Iowa, was also a resident lawyer. Charles H. Reed, who became the noted Chicago prosecuting attorney, was here and studied law with Howe & Reed. William C. Little, now of Wichita, studied with Judge Howe. Albums Vance read law with Charles K. Ladd. He is now in Osceola, Neb., and ex- Governor of Nebraska. George Lay was admitted in Cambridge and located in Kewanee. E. S. Martin also read with C. K. Ladd and was admitted in 1878. He went to Highmore, Dak., and is now Clerk of the United States District Court.

The present Bar of Kewanee is Levi North, A. W. Wood, C. C. Wilson (see cage 668), Charles K. Ladd, James K. Blish (see page 687) and F. S. Rosseter (see page 596).

For very full and complete biographies of every leading attorney now in the county the reader is referred to the biographical department in this book.

HE great influx of immigrants that began in 1852, which was the commencement of the-era of railroads in Illinois and the unexampled prosperity of the State, made the times ripe for the coming of the first newspaper and the printer with his modest little hand-press. The province of the newspaper is to guide and teach men the truth, - point out the way that is safe for them to go. Are we not then justified in the assertion that ;)} the first coming of the dingy little country newspaper to a new community is an event to be noted and commented upon? And is not its growth and spread and its well marked influences fit subjects of eager investigation? The publishers of this book would here render to the newspaper men of Henry County a world of thanks as a mild expression of their obligations for many and valued kind favors received at their hands - favors bestowed in that ready manner that could not come from any but the most disinterested and kindly friendships,

HE first number of the first paper issued in Henry County was published Feb. 13, 1853- - The Henry County Gazette, J. W. Eystra, editor. It was a modest little five-column folio, and showed rather a bad distribution, both of ink and subs. It excited some curiosity with its first issue, but its support over the county was indifferent enough to discourage Eystra, and in the course of a few months the publisher was wholly ready to sell to the first bidder. He was compelled by want of funds to issue only when it was absolutely necessary to fulfill the law in the matter of the few legal ads. that were required to be published. Before the first volume was thus irregularly completed the publication was discontinued. About this time Kewanee was commencing its big boom, and its want was an organ. The enterprising citizens clubbed together and purchased the outfit of the Gazette and took it to Kewanee and started the Henry County Dial, with Mr. Hyatt as editor and general proprietor. Hyatt, it seems, was a restless, odd kind of a man, and he filled up his life with changes and varieties of many kinds. After remaining in Kewanee a few months he pulled out and went over to Geneseo, and started th'e Geneseo Republic. He bobbed around here among papers and business men, then left the county and tried Rock Island a while, and then returned to his old loves in Henry County. After a few years, marked mostly by failures, he left the county and he and his brother [invented celluloid, went East and handled their patent and manufactured the goods, and got rich. We note this exceptional case among the fortunes of printers with the greater pleasure because of the rarity and novelty of Hyatt's varied failures and successes.

In the course of time the Henry County Gazette office materials, especially the old hand-press, has traveled to nearly every newspaper point in the county.

The Gazette arrived in Kewanee Aug. r5, 1855, and its coming was a great event in the young town. If there had been a brass band in the place it would no doubt have been called out to escort the great arrival to its new home.

HE first paper in Geneseo was established in T855 by Col. James Bowie and was Democratic in politics, very modest in its editorials and still more so in its lists of subscribers. The fact was, the paper was not more than fairly launched upon the troubled waters when the politics of the county became intensely anti-Democratic and Democracy went into a quick decline - largely moribund, and has so remained ever since save the galvanic jerks that may be noticed around the postoffices since the late national triumph of the Democratic party in the Presidential election.

The next paper, and now the oldest paper in the county, was the Geneseo Republic, started, as stated, by I. S. Hyatt, the first issue of which was June r, 1856. Mr. Hyatt became a bankrupt in 1858, and the property passed into the hands of assignees, James M. Allan and O. A. Turner, who continued the publication until the sale of the property by order of the court, when it passed into the hands of Merritt Munson, who was one of the able and active men who pushed vigorously and well any enterprise he undertook. He conducted the paper until Dec. 28, T858, when he sold to Geo. H. Lewis & Co. The new firm pushed the fortunes of the paper until June, 1862, when George A. Hobbs became theowner. Hobbs and his partners submerged their Independent'into the Republic, and moved along in good style.

Nov. 27, 1863, Adam Lieberknecht purchased, of iJames M. Hosford,its founder, the " Union Advocate, established Oct. 1, r86r, a Republican organ," and in a short time the Republic and Advocate were consolidated, with the "stipulation that the Republic should be conducted as a Republican organ, or-, in other words, the Advocate gave up its name but preserved its party principles ; and this, it seems, permanently settled the politics of the old, reliable Republic, as it has remained unflinchingly Republican in politics from that day to this. In June, 1877, Mr. Lieberknecht, by purchase, became the sole proprietor, and as such is successfully carrying it on to fortune and fame. There are but few rural, papers that excel the present Geneseo Republic. Its success from the day of Mr. Lieberknecht's .connection with it, both financially and politically, has been marked and uninterrupted. Mr. L. is a bonr newspaper man. See biographical sketch on page 620.

HE next paper in age is the Chronicle, published at present by Chapman Brothers, Vho are about the youngest newspaper men in the county. W. O. and J. H. Chapman are bright and clever young men - thorough workmen in their line, and as managers aud proprietors possess all the secrets of success that opens for them a most promising future. Their paper is second in age and second in size of the county papers, but it is only in these respects that the Chronicle takes a second place among the country papers in this portion of Illinois, The issue of the paper of Oct. 8, r88s, is Vol. 27, No. 49, a nine-column folio, teeming with sparkling local items, well-written, general editorials, and, what is most delightful to a

In the latter part of 1857 a stock company, composed of Judge Joseph Tillson, Dr. A. A. Dunn, V. M. Ayres and Henry W. Wells, purchased the oufit of the Galva Watchman, which was removed to Cambridge, and the first number of the Henry County Chronicle, an eight-column folio, was soon issued, with Dr, A. A. Dunn as editor.

In the year i860 Messrs. L. H. Patten and U. A. Dennison leased the office, and they continued, Mr. Dunn as editor, until 1881. In that year the latter entered the army, and Mr. Patten purchased Mr. Dennison's interest, assuming entire editorial control, which he held until 1866, when he was succeeded by Messrs. Everett & Casson. The latter gentleman conducted the paper until May 28, 1867, when it passed into the hands of Mr. George C. Smithe.

In March, 1878, the paper was supplied with a complete new dress and the name changed to simply the Chronicle. Mr. Smithe remained in charge of the paper until Oct. 24, 1878, upon which date his valedictory appeared, and Mr. C. A. Arnold, of Bluffton, Ind., assumed editorial control. The latter remained but a short time, however, and May 22, 1879, Mr. Smithe, who had been in Colorado during the winter, returned and re-purchased his paper.

On April 5, 1883, Mr. P. F. Powers, of Davenport, Iowa, who had managed the Chronicle for a few months during the absence of Mr. Smithe in Washington, D. C, purchased an interest in the paper, and the firm was known as Smithe & Powers'.

HE Kewanee Courier was founded in QMarch, 1876, by Dr. C. N. Whitney, an old newspaper man, formsr publisher of several papers in Minnesota and Illinois, and at one time editor of the Quincy Daily Whig. He now resides at Washington, D. C, holdprominent position under the Government.

During the year 1878 the papei was managed by a business partner of Mr. Whitney's, E. H. Phelps, formerly of the Wyoming Post, and now a prominent real-estate and insurance agent in Kansas City. In the fall of 1879 the paper was leased by its present publishers, Chesley & Bio., printers from Vermont State, and January 1, 1882, was purchased by its present proprietor, T. H. Chesley. (See page 485.) It is a six-column quarto, all home print. It is and has been a stanch Republican organ, though never an "offensive partisan." It is a credit to the city and worthy the liberal patronage it enjoys, both as an advertising medium and a family newspaper.

HE Henry County Dial was the second paper started in the county. We have already noticed that it was the office of the Gazette, taken to Kewanee, where it arrived August 15, 1855. J. H. Howe was engaged as editor for one year. Sept 13 following the office and material were sold to C. Bassett, a practical printer, who assumed control of the business and mechanical management, which he retained until June 12, 1856, when he sold the office to Mr. Howe and to Mr. H. M. Patrick. Nov. 13 Mr. Howe retired from the paper, transferring his interest to Mr. Patrick, who soon afterward associated with him Mr. Oliver White, who retired on Jan. 8, 1857. Mr. Patrick was succeeded a few months later by Mr. L. D. Bishop, who published the paper some two or three years, when he was succeeded by Mr. J. E. Wheeler, one of the original founders of the Chicago Tribune. Mr. Wheeler, an estimable man and able writer, published The Dial some six or seven years, and retired in December, 1866, on account of failing health. From the retiracy of Mr. Wheeler, The Dial changed hands at short intervals, passing through the hands of Oliver White, Hiram Y' Wyatt (associated with him for a short time a Mr. \ Shurtleff) and Geo. W. Wilson, who sold it after a ^ brief proprietorship to N. W. Fuller, who changed f\/t the name to the Kewanee Radical. Mr. Fuller be- y*! came the owner of the paper probably early in 1869, ~J and continued its publication until in May or June, ,»_,

The material of the office was purchased by C. Bassett, and on July 1 commenced the publication of his present paper, under the title of the Kewanee Advertiser, but which six months later he changed to The Independent, which he has published continuously to the present time without missing a single issue. Mr. Bassett is the oldest printer and editor in this part of the State, having commenced his apprenticeship in the town of Towanda, Pa., in March, 1833, and since March, 1840, has almost continuously been connected with some paper as editor and publisher. (See page 650.)

HE Galva Union was founded by Benj. W. Seaton, in [862. In 1864 he sold the- office to Eric Johnson, who ran it about six months, and then it passed to John I. Bennett. He had J. M. Edson as editor and manager until 1867, when Seaton again entered the office taking Edson's place, where' he remained until the office was sold to N. W. Fuller, who conducted its fortunes for one year, when Eric Johnson again became the owner and proprietor. He at once changed the name to The Republican, but under his second management it again soon went into a decline, and ceased to exist, leaving the ambitious town without a paper.

The Journal was-started in 1870, by Mr. Ward, on the ruins of the Galva Republican, and sometimes it flourished, and more, sometimes it didn't. It was transferred to Mr. Young, and he finally "Greeleyed" and "took his press and went West," settling down among the lively and festive prairie dogs of Kansas.

In the spring of 1868 B. W. Seaton commenced the publication of The Prairie Chief, in Galva, where he prospered for three months, and then moved the concern to Toulon, Stark County, and published the Stark County Democrat. In 1871 the concern returned to its native county, settled in Cambridge, again became The Prairie Chief, where it and its founders are to-day, prosperous, contented, independently Democratic, and growing- in popularity and wide-spread influenced

Mr. B. W. Seaton is the veteran newspaper man of the county, a thorough practical printer, and a strong and able writer. See his biography in the biographical part of this work, page 528.

HE Henry County News, of which Henry L. Kiner (see page 257) is editor and sole proprietor, is published at Geneseo. The material for the office was purchased in January, 1874, by H. V. Fisher and H. M. Belvel. Fisher is still a citizen of Geneseo, and in the hardware business. ' Belvel wandered into Iowa, published several papers and finally went to sea. Fisher & Belvel got out the first , issue on January 16, 1874. The outfit was then sold to Henry L. Kiner. The latter sold a third interest to his brother, Samuel R. Kiner, and a third interest to John Christian, an Englishman, who had recently come from London. Within the first yearH. L. Kiner and Christian bought the interest of S. R. Kiner. The firm was known as Christian & Kiner for four years. Kiner then bought Christian's interest. The latter, after a short time, went to Chicago, where he is now engaged in business on West Ma'dison Street. S. R. Kiner is in Washington, D. C, and is a clerk in- the War Department.

The paper, which is now (1885) in its twelfth volume, has been a successful publication financially, after the first two years, which were full of thorns and briars. A half dozen preceding papers had utterly perished from the face of the earth, taking their departure from Geneseo. They were conducted in the main by practical printers and experienced writers. H. L. Kiner, who has been from the beginning the leading spirit of the paper, commenced its publication when a mere boy jof 22 years of age. He had previously had a little experience in writing for the press, but of the practical workings of a newspaper office knew nothing whatever. He didn't know which end of the types the letters were on, or which end of the press the papers went in but he had a large share of. self-reliance, and with that element of strength, proceeded to hammer away at the task of making for himself a destiny, and a permanent place in newspaperdom for the Henry County News. His failure was predicted by everybody ; his success was believed in by nobody - except himself. Mr. Kiner's case is one in which the many were wrong, the one was right.

In the spring of 1883 Mr. Kiner sold the paper to H. J. Eaton, whose previous occupation was that of hardware merchant. Mr. Kiner went to Peoria, and conducted the city department of the Peoria Daily Journal until the fall of 1883, when he was obliged to return to Geneseo, owing to the want of success attending the administration of Mr. Eaton, and took the paper off the latter 's hands to prevent its suspension. Under Mr. Kiner's management the paper at once resumed its old character and attained its previous success. On returning to the publication of the News Mr. Kiner added largely to the material of the office, putting in a first-class outfit of steam machinery. It is now one of the best equipped offices in Western Illinois.

ALVA Standard was established in August, 1881, by Messrs, Frank M. Riggen and Thomas F. McKane. In politics it is Greenback, and it ably advocates the principles of that party. It is a 48-column, 6-page paper. One side was printed in Chicago for a time. Upon the 1st of November, 1881, Mr. Mc- Kane retired from the firm, Mr. Riggen conducting the business alone, and employing B. H. Galleher as editor. In April, T882, E. E. Eagan was engaged as editor, and discharged the duties of that position until November, 1883, when T. F. McKane again "put on the harness." February 1, 1883, McKane purchased an interest in the paper, and since that time has had the entire management of the office. In August, 1883, the size of the paper was changed to a 5-column quarto, and is now printed entirely at home on a Henry cylinder press. The body type used is bourgeois, brevier and minion. The office enjoys a very fair advertising and job patronage. The Standard office is located in the basement of the Olson block, which was fitted up especially for it. The personnel of the office is Riggen & McKane, proprietors; T. F. McKane (see page 387), editor ; Carrie West and Mattie Husted, compositors; Jay Johnson, apprentice. May it live long and prosper in its " Greenback " harvests.

ALVA News was established in 1879, by Beall Brothers, Asa and Marion, of Wyoming, 111. The first number was issued from a Washington hand-press, October 18 of '£" that year, and was a five-column quarto. The paper was published as a five-column quarto until March 20, 1880, when it was enlarged to a seven-column folio, and published semi-weekly. On Jan. 27, 1881, the paper was enlarged to a quarto or eight-page paper, which form and size it has maintained ever since.

Some time during the year 1880 the subscription list of the Woodhull Enterprise was purchased by Beall Bros., and that paper merged into the News. Fied. B. Beall, who had bought an interest in the concern, sold his interest in the same March ro, 1881, Robert H. Magner, of Woodhull, 111., and the firm to name became Beall & Magner. This firm sold the paper Sept. 8, 1881, to J. F. Boyd and Wade Errett, and the paper was owned and published by Boyd & Errett till Sept. 21, 1882, when Errett sold his interest to Thomas R. Boyd. Boyd & Brother published the paper until April 14, r883, when they sold the office and subscription list to E. E. Fitch, for eight years Superintendent of Galva schools, who is the present editor and proprietor.

The politics of the News has been from the first stalwart Republican, but it endeavors to treat its opponents fairly and with courtesy. Since its establishment a small job press, and an eight-column two revolution cylinder press have been added, and the value of the material of the office has been doubled. For sketch of Mr. Fitch, the editor, see page 366,

J: NE of the most interesting and valuable papers of Henry County is the Local Reporter. Mrs. Hannah M. Bryan is editor and proprietor (see page 228), and her son, Oscar D. Bryan, is the manager and local editor. It was started in the spring of 1880. Mrs. Bryan is the only lady newspaper publisher ever in the county, and her success is such as to encourage ladies in the future to enter this field of industry and possible great honors. Mrs. B. is the possessor of a pointed pen, wri'es poetry fluently, and through all her prose and poetry is a true vein of genuine wit.

The Local Reporter, as its name indicates, is devoted to home affairs mostly, is independent in politics; and until the ladies can vote we shall not blame Mrs. B. for keeping her bright and cheery little paper an independent, if not an indifferent looker-on in the boiling cauldron of politics. It is a five-column quarto; and every column in its pages is filled with evidences of financial and general prosperity.

SPLENDID four-page, seven-column paper is the Orion Times, fresh and newsy, and seems to be fairly well patronized by the home merchants as an advertising medium. The paper is now (October, 1885) in the eighth volume, and is exactly eight and one-half years old. William A Bolles (see page 427) the editor and proprietor, is an enterprising newspaperman, and his efforts should be fully appreciated.

The Orion Vidette first came to Orion in 1875, under the care of Dr. Chaffee. In a short time Ludi & Bolles bought the office, and changed the name to its present title. In 1883 N. J. Ludi retired from the concern, and Mr. Bolles became sole owner and proprietor. The paper is devoted to the local affairs of the county and the best interests of Orion, and receives, as it merits, a fair and liberal support from the people.

OODHULL Gazette, published at Woodhull, by William M. Repine, editor and s proprietor, is a sprightly and interesting l> sheet. It was started March 20, 1885, under very peculiar circumstances. The originator and present proprietor of the paper was foreman of the Woodhull Dispatch office in 1884-5. During the time the Dispatch editor became seriously infected with "the end of the world is at hand " hobby. The whole business of the office was left in his hands, when the proprietor-started for Creston, Iowa, to meet " the Lord coming on the clouds." Mr. Repine, the foreman, supplied the people with the paper for several months under verytrying and financially embarrassing circumstances, when, in March, 1885, the Dispatch editor, still being off in. Iowa and without any prospect of his returning to Woodhull, the Gazette was, with the advice of the most prominent citizens, brought into existence.

The Gazette has at present nearly 600 paying subscribers, with new subscribers almost daily. It is mostly circulated in Henry, Mercer and Knox Counties, but several copies go to 16 States and Territories. The paper is reasonably well patronized by advertisers and the office does a fair amount of job work. The office is fitted out with two new presses and a large assortment of type, plain and ornamental. The Gazette makes local news a specialty, and the editor is an uncompromising Temperance Prohibitionist. The Gazette will be more enterprising and interesting than usual during the next year, as Mr. Matt. Duhr, an experienced journalist, will contribute quite extensively to its pages, among other articles " Sketches of the Bishop Hill Colony " and " On

'N Jan. 1, 1856, was published the'first number fof Tenney, Hardy & Co.'s Advertiser, s&r a small quarto sheet to advertise their own business. It was issued monthly and was continued for a year, when the material of the office was_ purchased by C. Basseti, who changed the name to The Kewanee Advertiser, enlarged it to an eight-page, four-column quarto, and published it as an advertising medium. Its publication was continued until December, 1863.

July 4, 1863, Mr. Bassett issued the first number of the Union Democrat, a weekly Democratic paper, which he continued to publish until Nov. 24, 1864, and on April 26, 1866, he commenced the publication of the weekly Kewanee Advertiser, a five-column quarto, which he continued until Nov. 23, 1867.

sheet devoted to educational work, was published by Superintendent of Schools W. H. Russell. It was first issued in January, 1870, and made its monthly appearance for about two years.

In 1874 and 1875 a small sheet devoted to the interests of the Congregational Church was published monthly by the pastor of the Church, Rev. James Tompkins, called Our Home Paper.

OODHULL is well represented in the I ? newspaper line, having two well-edited papers. The oldest of these is the Dispatch, which is now in its sixth volume. It is a seven-column folio, well gotten up, and a credit to the community. O. B. Kail, the proprietor, is an active, stirring man, giving much attention to independent religious and political thought, and other matters generally.

HIS county did not exist when Black Hawk and his dusky warriors marched and counter-marched over its territory, pursuing and being pursued in savage war by Gov. Reynolds and his " Rangers " and hastily gathered little army of Southern Illinois pioneers. And its people, as citizens, perusing and garnering its early history, have no _ . direct concern in the story of the last regularly organized Indian warfare that was the finis of the chapter of the red man's history East of the Mississippi River. Nor did the county in its municipal capacity have any direct concern in the Mexican War of 1846-7. It sent no Henry County company or organized squad to any war until the late War, - the Rebellion, - when it may be said the county received its baptism in fire and blood, paying heavy tribute in the sacrifice of many of its best sons upon the lighted fires on the altars of a wide and general patriotism ; a patriotism never excelled, and pushed with a courage that never faltered and never for a moment relaxed. until the last armed foe of the Union had laid down his arms and sued for pe ace.

passed away from all our land, already the longest continuous period of profound peace so far in the present century ; and everything in our national his-^ tory betokens ah indefinite continuance of these peaceful blessings.

Saturday, April 14, 1861, was an eventful day in Henry County. The wires that day told the terrible story of the firing upon Fort Sumter. Men met each other with bated breaths ; they were stunned by the blow, and in a dazed sort of way one asked the other meaningless questions, and heard not the answers often, but continued to ask still other questions ; and they began to gather in knots and small crowds, and in time began to discuss the terrible news. Then the majority began to doubt the truth of the story - they could not at once believe that the flag of our common country had been fired upon by its own citizens. Every variety and shade of belief and disbelief, nearly as numerous as the individuals constituting the crowd, were entertained and expressed. Very soon any- one who had anything to say, whether his own opinions or fresh news from the seat of war, would quickly command an eager surrounding of earnest men. The day wore away and the long night of painful interest came. But few could sleep, and many did not even retire and try to rest. Sunday morning dawned, and the early hour found many gathered around the telegraph office at the depots eager for more news.

then compared with now, and all day long and all night again Sunday night people were in the gravest doubts and fears, and faint hopes that the first story would prove a false alarm. In the meantime the public sentiment was fast crystallizing into form ; the stun of the first blow was passing off, and a deep-seated anger was rapidly settling in men's souls. But the next day, Monday, confirmed the first reports, giving the complete details of the bombardment and surrender of the fort, and the further news of the call of the President for 75,000 troops, and Governor Yates' proclamation calling together the State Legislature in extraordinary session to enact such laws and provide such measures as the exigencies demanded. This instantly settled the questions in men's minds. The stars and stripes were flung to the breeze from cupola, public buildings and private residences, and everywhere bells were rung, thedrum and fife were heard at the head of the people. All business was stopped, and the people in mass rushed into the streets. Men cheered the flag as they had never cheered it before ; it looked very different to them to what it ever had; it had been fired upon by rebels; it had been hauled down and trailed in the dust by treason. The excitement of the 48 hours was a pent-up Utica that now burst forth in greatest fury. Without waiting the action of the Governor, the people began to enlist and get ready to go to war. Israel G. Heaps, of Annawan, placed his name at the head of the roll, made up on the 22d at that place. (See his sketch, page 194.)

The people came together in every town, village and school district in the county. Fiery and patriotic speeches were made, the sharp notes of the fife floated upon the air and drums were pounding vigorously, if not musically.

Among the civilians of Henry County to be counted one of the first soldiers to enlist for the war, was Hon. E. C. Moderwell, attorney at law and interested in the cattle business in the West. He came to Henry County in 1866, after the war was over. Born in Crawford Co., Ohio, March 6, 1S38; a graduate of Jefferson College in the class of 1859. Major Moderwell was one of the few who enlisted in the army before the war : that is, his enlistment preceded by 24 hours President Lincoln's call for 75,000 troops. There are very few now living of the fifty millions of Americans of whom this can be said. He was in Washington city, and instantly upon the arrival of the news of the firing on Fort Sumter, he, with others in the city, organized a company for the protection of the capital ; and of the very first to enroll their names in this company was E. C. Moderwell, and thus he was in the war before war was actually declared, and in first one place and then another stayed until the war was over.

As rapidly as the calls came for more troops, Henry County was never loth in filling its quota. The ir2th Regt. 111. Vol. Inf. was largely recruited from this county. This was known as Gen. Henderson's regiment. The Major was James M. Hosford, of Geneseo, commissioned Sept. 20, 1862, resigned Feb. 1, 1863. Major Tristam C. Dow succeeded him. Adjutant Henry W. Wells, was commissioned in September, 1862, and was mustered out for promotion, in the Tennessee Heavy Artillery, in November, 1863. He was succeeded as Adjutant by Bradford N. Thompson, who was promoted as Captain, and his successor was Gilbert R. Woolsey. The Quartermaster of this regiment was George C. Alden. In the abcve command was Company A, mostly from Annawan. The Captain was Tristam C. Dow, who was promoted and succeeded by Captain Asa A. Lee, who was killed-Nov. 18, 1863, when Captain John L. Dow was put in command, promoted from First Lieutenant, and was succeeded by James P. McChesney, he by L. W. Browning and he by T. J. Williams. These had all been promoted in regular order. In 1865, Jesse Goble was made Second Lieutenant.

Company C of this regiment was from Cambridge and the southwest part of the county. The first Captain was John J. Briggs; then John B. Mitchell. The First Lieutenant was A. P. Petrie, and the Second Lieutenants were H. Starboudy and W. Gillespie.

Company D was from Cambridge and Woodhull, and the first Captain was A. A. Dunn; the First Lieutenant, H. G. Griffin, and the Second Lieutenant was S. L. Patterson, succeeded by James H. Clark, now of Princeton.

Company G was from Galva and vicinity. The first Captain was A. W. Albro, succeeded by James McCartney. Thomas G. Milchrist was First Lieutenant; he was transferred to the 65th Regt. and succeeded by E. K. Mock ; and Second Lieutenant T. J. Townsend was commissioned March 31, 1863.

county, but largely from Cambridge. The first Captain was G. W. Stroufe; and the First Lieutenant was T. F. Davenport, and the Second Lieutenant Elisha Atwater, and on his promotion Joel Newman succeeded to the command.

Company I was from Geneseo and vicinity. Captain, J. E. Wilkins; First Lieutenant, George Lawrence; Second Lieutenant, H. S. Comstock, succeeded by Henry Fones, June 7, 1863.

Company K was from Geneseo and vicinity. Captain, Joseph Westley, resigned April r2, 1863, when Captain E. H. Colcord was put in command of the Company; First Lieutenant, C. G. Gearheart, resigned Jan. 3r, 1863, on promotion, when E. H. Colcord became his successor. He had been Second Lieutenant, and, when promoted, Jacob Bush succeeded to his place as First Lieutenant. In turn, Bush was promoted and S. W. Weaver became First Lieutenant April 12, 1863.

Company A of this regiment was from Kewanee and vicinity. Captain, Ralph A. Tenny, resigned, and Capt. E. C. Raymond took command, July 9, 1863. First Lieutenant, J. A. Pratt; killed June 26, 1863, E. C. Raymond succeeding him, and on his promotion, D. Ames Bigelow became First Lieutenant. Second Lieutenant, E. C. Raymond, succeeded by W. F. Dodge.

The first Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninth Regiment was H. J. Humphrey. He was succeeded by Anthony R. Mock, Dec. 5, 1864. Col. Mock was promoted from Captain of Co. B, a company principally raised in Geneseo, of which the first Captain was H. J. Humphrey ; second Captain, T. W. O. Broffet; third Captain, Ransom Harrington; fourth, A. A. Mock; fifth, T. J. McNair. The First Lieutenants were T. W. O. Broffett, R. Herrington, C. P. Mannville, Thomas J. McNair and J. C. Kilner.

Co. C of the Ninth 111. Inf. was from Geneseo. The Captains were J. S. Buckles, C. W. Blakempre, F. H. McArthur and S. A. Davidson. The First Lieutenants were C. W. Blakemore, J. W. Brackett, A. R. Mock, C. R. Marshall, S. A. . Davidson and Stephen Pettys. The Second Lieutenants were F. A. McArthur, C. M. Marshall, S. A. Davidson and F. W. Harding.

Co. H, of this regiment, was from Kewanee. The Captains of this company were in succession, Lewis D. Bishop, C. T. Scammon, F. W. Swerby, and the First Lieutenants were Edwin W. Luce, T. W. Stephenson, A. H. McClure, F. W. Swerby and James H. Murray. _

In the 57th Regiment was Co. D, from Bishop Hill.Galva and Kewanee. The Captains were Eric Forsee, Eric Johnson, P. M. Wickstrum, and- the First Lieutenants were Eric Johnson and Eric Berglend, and the Second Lieutenants were Eric Berglend, P. M. Wickstrum, G. E. Rodeea, A. G. Washner and Olof Anderson.

Co. H was from the southern part of the cpunty. The First Lieutenants were Nelson Flansbury and Alexander B. Hanna. The Second Lieutenant was Geo. Welch.

Co. A of the 42d Regiment was from Kewanee, with Lieut.-Col. C. Northrop, who was promoted from Major. F. A. Atwater then was Major, E. S. Church Captain, then J. S. McFadden, then H. M. Way. First Lieutenants were A. Bennett ' and W. H. Gier.

ENRY COUNTY is well provided with railroads, all parts of it being accessible to seme point on a wellequipped road. Not only is this the case, but the « roads lead direct to the best markets of the country, thus giving the farmer every advantage to market their produce. This is radically different from the condition of the earl, pioneers of this section, as is illustrated by the following incidents : The first market for the early settlers was St. Louis, and about half the year this was as completely shut off as the ports of Europe to them. Then they would go to Galena, Peoria and soon they began to haul by teams their truck to Chicago. The " lead mines " were an uncertain market, and sometimes a drove of hogs, not a large one either, would completely glut the market for weeks. Then the pioneer drovers would have to slaughter their stock and salt it 'down, provided they could get the salt, which often was not to be found. The writer even well remembers when Jacob Strawn, of Jacksonville, would often take possession of the St. Louis cattle market, and ride out on the roads leading to that place, buy all the incoming cattle, and by holding them compel the butchers to pay him his price.

The Secretary of the Old Settler's Society, T. F. Davenport, tells us of some of his experience in going, with his brother Charley, to market at Chicago. The family came West when the boys were yet young, and being fresh from New York city they soon learned that they were in the rawest possible state of pioneer greenness. Their city dress and notions were rapidly and roughly rubbed off, and they took to squirrel-skin caps and were soon acclimatized to the rough life about them. In the summer of 1839 it was told about the country that James Glenn had been to Chicago with a load of wheat and had brought back a full load - loaded each way - and had made the round trip in ten days. Tom and Charley Davenport heard of this remarkable feat, and begged their father to let them take the teams and go to Chicago. Consent was given. A halfbushel basket was filled with cooked provisions and on a bright September morning they started, loaded with 45 bushels of wheat and 1 1 bushels of oats, the latter for feed. The first day they reached Portland, the next day Dixon, and on the evening of the fourth day they were at the Point - nine miles from Chicago. 1 he fifth day they were in the city, sold their wheat for 55 cents a bushel, bought four barrels of salt and a few other things and started on the return, camping out the first night at the Point. The evening of the seventh day they reached Dixon, and arrived at home the evening of the eighth day, thus beating Glenn's time by nearly two days. Their total cash expenses for the entire trip was 25 cents paid for ferriage across the Chicago River. Tom remembers they sold their wheat to Frank Sherman - one of the family that built the Sherman House - and that he (Sherman) carried the sacks from the wagon into his little warehouse. The proceeds of this trip was all the money the family received or needed for the entire year, including their taxes on a 240-acre farm.

Maj. James M. Allan tells of his experience as a merchant at one time in Geneseo. He had invested all his capifal and credit in goods, which he had sold to the farmers on credit. His stock was about sold out, and it seemed utterly impossible to collect any money. The people simply had none. He made up his mind to buy hogs and drive them to the Illinois River for sale or shipment there. He rode over the county, and soon his debtors had willingly turned him out over 400 hogs on their store bills. This was the greatest accommodation to the farmers, and opened up a possible way to the merchant to pay his bills and buy a new stock of goods. He had collected his hogs and started on the long drive. There was three or four inches of snow on the ground. The first afternoon he drove aDOiit nine miles, and with the night came the most terrible snow-storm. In the morning it was blistering cold, and nearly two feet of snow on the level. What was he to do? It was impossible to turn back or go ahead. The hogs could not travel in the deep snow, and he had no feed to keep his hogs alive. But this was one of the sudden emergencies of the pioneers that had trained them to quick and effective actions. Mr. Allan concluded to make a snow-plow, and cut a way for the hogs to move. He made his plow, and was told that only oxen would do to pull it. The cattle were hitched to it ,-.nd started off slowly. In a little while they literally came to a stojD, bogged in the deep snow. This would not do, and the hogs were every moment getting only the hungrier. The Major could see the trouble with oxen was their legs were too short. He hitched horses to his plow, and the success was complete, and the plow thus made a canal through the snow, leaving about five inches of snow on the ground. The hogs were divided into as many small squads as he could get men to take charge of, and started thus toward the river. He understood the animals well enough' to know that if all started together they would bunch and crowd each other out of the plowed way into the deep snow, where they could^only helplessly flounder. Thus scattered for nearly a mile, the procession moved toward the river, which point was happily reached, and Mr. Allan disposed of his property, and thus succeeded in collecting his debts from the farmers and replenishing his stock of goods.

; NE of the strongest railroad corporations in the country is the above named, and its management furnishes the public with the best of accommodations. Its equipments for passenger travel are the very finest, and its capacity and arrangement for general traffic are unsurpassed. It has always, perhaps, kept a better road than any other company in the West. The road bed is about perfect, the tracks smooth and firm, and the rolling stock of the first-class. The passenger coaches have always been elegantly furnished, and the trains run closely to time. A double track now extends almost all the way between Galesburg and Chicago.

This company controls and operates about 4,500 miles of road, about sixty miles of which are in Henry County. The main line - that running* from Galesburg to Chicago - passes through Galva and Kewanee, and the St. Louis Division passes through the Western tier of townships, while the Galva & Keithsburg Branch starts at Galva and runs almost due West, passing through Nekoma, Woodhull and Alpha, thus affording the southeastern, southern and western portion of the county ample railroad accommodations.

The main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad, or at least that portion running from Galesburg to Chicago, was originally chartered the Central Military Tract Railroad. This road was organized at Galesburg, 111., in Feb., 185 1. Its charter gave them the privilege to construct a railroad from Galesburg to some point on the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad; but June 19, 1852, the-charter was so ammended as to give them the right to connect with any railroad leading directly or indirectly to Chicago. Sheffield was the point they first thought of aiming for, and contracts were let in 1851-2 for building the road to that place. Subsequently, however, they determined to meet the Chicago & Aurora Road at Mendota.

This change was caused by the following circumstances : While the Peoria & Oquawka road was being slowly worked up by local subscription alone, Mr. C. S. Colton chanced to meet United States Senator J. W. Grimes, of Burlington, Iowa, in Boston, Mass., and Mr. Wadsworth, of Chicago, President of the Chicago & Aurora Railroad, a branch of the Chicago & Galena Railroad ; and after consultation they concluded that an independent route direct to Chicago was the most feasible. Soon after this James W. Brooks, President of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, and James F. Joy, both of Detroit, Mich., interested themselves in the Central Military Tract Road. They proposed that if the people along the route from Galesburg to Mendota would subscribe $300,000, they would furnish enough more to complete the grading of the road and laying of the ties; and when that was done they could borrow money on the bonds of the enterprise to complete the road and set it in operation.

Two years of fruitless effort to raise the necessary funds were spent, Eastern capitalists refusing to invest where the Legislature reserved the right to fix the rates for fares and freights. Accordingly, another meeting was held at Galesburg, and a charter drafted principally from the charter of the Illinois Central Railroad, which obviated the objection referred to in regard to fixing rates by the Legislature. This charter gave the company the entire control over their property the same as any other personal property, with full powers to fix rates of transporlatation. Mr. C. S. Colton was delegated to visit Springfield, and to secure the passage by the Legislature, which he did; and this same charter was the foundation of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which is to-day one of the most magnificent systems of railroads in the world.

In 1852, another survey was made from Galesburg to Mendota. Oct. 14, of this year, the Central Military Tract Company increased their stock from $100,000 to $600,000 and elected the following 13 directors : J. W. Brooks, Henry Ledyard, J. F. Joy and G. V. N. Lothrop, of Detroit ; I. H. Burch, C. G. Hammond and John H. Kinzie, of Chicago ; Chauncey S. Colton, W. Selden Gale, James Bunce and Silas Willard, of Galesburg; William McMurtry, of Henderson, and John H. Bryant, of Princeton. They elected Mr. Brooks President, J. M. Berrien and David Sanborn, Secretary and Treasurer. Work was pushed rapidly forward, and by Sept. n, 1854, the cars reached Princeton, and during October and November the track was laid through this county and the first locomotive, the Reindeer, passed overit with a construction train. About r 85 6, the Chicago & Aurora, the Northern Cross, the Peoria & Oquawka and the Central Military Tract Companies were all consolidated under the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. This name was derived from the terminal points. J. W. Brooks was elected President of the new road. This road opened up one of the most magnificent sections of the United States, known as the Military Tract, the northern line of which passed through the middle of Henry County. Upon the building of this road settlers began to pour in, and within five or six years every quarter-section of land was taken, and to-day it is one of the highest cultivated sections in the country.