Knox County, Illinois - Chapter 18: The Bar and Officials of the County, 1878

The Bak

Since 1877 Knox county lias been in the Tenth Judicial Circuit, which is composed of Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, "Warren, Henderson and Knox counties. Originally it was in the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which included all that part of the State known as the "Military Tract," and extended across the northern part of the State, including the counties of Cook and Jo Davies. Then it was changed to the Tenth and in 1873 to the Eighth. Below are brief personal sketches of the Judges and State's Attorneys serving this Circuit and county since its organization:

Richard M. Young. - The first judge of this circuit was the Hon. Richard M. Young, who was appointed in the year 1828, and made his residence at Galena; afterwards in 1833 he resided in Quincy and remained in office until January, 1837, when he resigned, having been by the Legislature elected United States Senator for six years. Judge Young was a native of Kentucky, and was one of the first settlers of Northern Illinois. He ranked high in his profession, and his counsels did much to shape the policy of the State. In his manners he was gentle, courteous and entertaining, which qualities rendered him attractive and popular. He was generous in his feelings and liberal in his views, and hence stood high in the esteem of all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He possessed a liberal endowment of intellectual ability and literary and legal acquirements, and these with his other qualifications admirably fitted him for the post he was called to fill. Upon all with whom he came in contact he left a lasting and favorable impression. His course in the United States Senate brought him to general notice, and after the expiration of his term he was appointed Commissioner of the General Land Office, by President Polk. He also discharged the duties of other offices, at the citv of Washington, with honor to himself and advantage to the country.

James H. Ralston. - The Hon. James H. Ralston, a native of Kentucky, was elected by the Legislature in 1S37 to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Young, and in August of the same year he resigned on account of his health, with a view of going to and living in Texas, whither he went, but soon returned to Quincy? his former residence, and resumed the practice of his profession. In 1840 he was elected State Senator. In 1846 President Polk appointed him Assistant Quartermaster of the United States army, and he was ordered to report for duty to the Commandant of the Illinois Volunteers, then en route for Mexico. Having discharged the duties of his station faithfully during the war with Mexico, he returned home and soon after emigrated to California.

Peter Lott. - The Hon. Peter Lott, a native of New York, was elected the successor of Judge Ralston, and continued in the office until January, 1841. He was subsequently appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court of Adams county, in which capacity he served until 1S48, when he was elected to the same office under the provisions of the new constitution, and served until 1852; he then went to California and was appointed Superintendent of the United States Mint in San Francisco, by President Pierce, and was removed in 1856 by President Buchanan, and afterwards moved to Kansas and lived in humble life.

Stephen A. Douglas. - Hon. Stephen A. Douglas was elected Judge by the Legislature in 1841, and continued in office till August, 1843, when he resigned, having been elected to Congress from the Fifth Congressional District. The life and career of this great man is so well and widely known as to render any extended notice of him useless. It is sufficient to sav that the circumstances under which he entered upon the duties of the office were sufficient to try thoroughly the force and scope of his abilities. The circuit was large, and the previous incumbent of the office had left the docket loaded with unfinished cases; but he was more than equal to the task. lie "cleaned out the docket" with that dispatch and ability which distinguished his subsequent course; and so profound was the impression which he made upon the people that, in the first Congressional election which occurred after he was established in his character as a judge, he received the nomination for member of the lower house of Congress, and was elected. Through the distinguished abilities which he displayed as a statesman, he received the appellation of the "Little Giant," and became the recognized leader of a great political party. In 1860 he received the nomination for the Presidency, but was beaten by Abraham Lincoln, his competitor for the United States Senate two years previous.

lowing, Mr. Douglas took strong Union ground and declared henceforth there could be but two parties in the country, patriots and traitors. In a few days thereafter he was taken sick, and died on the third of June, 1861, sincerely mourned by the whole nation. But two men have ever been more sincerely mourned than Stephen A. Douglas, - George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Jesse B. Thomas. - Hon. Jesse B. Thomas succeeded to the office. He was appointed in August, 1843, and continued in it until 1845, when he resigned. Judge Thomas possessed high legal abilities aud acquirements, and discharged the duties of the office with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of the people. After his resignation he was appointed to another circuit and soon after died.

Norman H. Purple. - Hon. Norman H. Purple was the next incumbent of the office. He was elected in 1S45, and served till May, 1849, when he resigned. The probable cause of this was the insufficiency of salary. The people of this district were anxious to retain him as judge, and probably would but for the cause stated. He was distinguished for high legal abilities and executive talents, and the office was rendered the more honorable by his having occupied it.

Wm. A. Minshall. - This man was the next judge. He was elected in May, 1849, and continued in the office until Ins death, which was in October, 1851. Judge M. was a native of Tennessee, and came early into the State. He was an active and successful lawyer and attained distinction in his profession. Previous to his election as judge, he had been a member of the Constitutional Convention, and also a member of the State Legislature.

Wm. Kellogg. - From 1849 to 1852 Hon. Wm. Kellogg of Canton, Fulton county, held the office of Circuit Judge. He was a relative of Wm. Pitt Kellogg, of Peoria, now ex-Governor of Louisiana. Judge Kellogg was an eminent lawyer for many years previous to his election.

The Kno'xville Journal of April 17, 1850, in reviewing the proceedings of the court which had just closed, refers to Judge Kellogg as follows: "Throughout the court Judge Kellogg presided with dignity and dispensed justice with impartiality, giving general satisfaction. Those who have heretofore contended that judges should be chosen directly by the people have lost nothing in the argument by the election of Judge Kellogg. Courteous but firm, mild but decided, willing to hear the authorities of law and the arguments of reason, but unwavering in an opinion once formed, he is possessed of the elements, intellectual and moral, which cannot but render him an efficient and respected judge."

John S. Thompson. - Hon. John S. Thompson, of Aledo, was judge from 1S55 to 1860, and again from 1864 to 1866. He is now in California, where he has accumulated a fortune.

Charles B. Lawrence, of Galesburg, 1861-4. Mr. Lawrence has since served on the Supreme bench of the State, and is now in Chicago. He has always been very highly esteemed by the citizens of Galesburg, as a lawyer, a judge, and as a gentleman.

Arthur A. Smith. - In the fall of 1867 the present incumbent, Hon. Arthur A. Smith, of Galesburg, was elected, who has been kept in office ever since.

In 1877 the Eighth Circuit, comprising Knox, Warren and Henderson counties, was consolidated with the circuit north, consisting of Mercer, Henry and Rock Island counties, and the whole is now denominated the " Tenth Judicial District," for which three judges are elected, viz: Arthur A. Smith, of Galesburg, John J. Glenn, of Monmouth, and George W. Pleasants, of Rock Island. These judges divide their work among themselves.

State's Attorneys. - The gentlemen who have filled the office of State's (or prosecuting) Attorney for the district of which Knox county forms a part, deserve more than a passing notice. Like the judges, they form a galaxy in which the citizens of the county may justly take pride. If it were possible, we would be pleased to give a more extended notice of the life work of each, but our space forbids.

Thomas Ford - The first incumbent of the office was the Hon. Thomas Ford. This gentleman served from the organization of the county until January, 1835. Possessed of high and noble qualities of manhood, a thorough student, a keen, energetic, untiring lawyer of strict integrity and high and laudable aspirations, he was universally esteemed and respected. Afterwards became judge of the northern district; and when he became known over the State he was chosen Governor by a spontaneous movement of the people. He held this office during the Mormon war.

William A. Richardson. - The successor of Mr. Ford was the Hon. William A. Richardson, who served till 1837. Mr. Richardson's personal merits and characteristics are too well known to the people to require any delineation. His predominating traits were courage, unyielding perseverance, and unvarying adherence to the course to which he was committed. He had command of a regiment of Illinois volunteers in the Mexican war, and in the battle of Buena Yista his cap was carried from his head by a musket ball. At the close of the war he returned home, where his services were recognized and rewarded by a generous people by an election to Congress. He was re-elected five times. His last election was in 1860. He was also appointed Governor of Nebraska, by President Buchanan. This post he resigned after a year's service.

Henry L. Bryant. - Hon. Henry L. Bryant succeeded Mr. Richardson, his time commencing in 1837 and continuing until 1839. He is characterized as a gentleman of fine qualities and an able lawyer.

William Elliot. - This man was the next occupant of the office. He served from January, 1839, till January, 1848. He was esteemed as a worthy man, a warm friend, and a good lawyer. He served in the Black Hawk war, and was wounded in a hand-to-hand conflict with a single Indian, whom he killed. He was Quartermaster in the Fourth Regiment of Volunteers during the Mexican war, and served through. He returned to Lewistown after the war, and soon died.

Robert 8. Blackwell. - This gentleman was the successor of Mr. Elliot, and served from 1848 till 1852. Mr. Blackwell was one of the most distinguished lawyers in the State, and is the author of ''Blackwell on Tax Titles."

Harmon G. Reynolds. - From 1850 to 1854 Hon. Harmon G. Reynolds, of Knoxville, held the office. Mr. Reynolds was an attorney at law, and an active man in all beneficent enterprises. He came from Rock Island to Knoxville some time between 1851 and 1855, where he practiced law, was State's Attorney and Postma&ter, and held prominent positions in the Masonic order. He moved from Knoxville to Springfield, where he served as grand secretary of the order. He now resides in Kansas.

William C. Qoncly. - Hon. William C. Goudy, of Lewistown, Fulton county, succeeded Mr. Reynolds for about one year in Knox county, although he served in other counties for a much longer time, the judicial circuits being divided occasionally. Mr. Goud}'- was a shrewd Democratic politician in earlier days, as well as a faithful servant of the people as a delegate to conventions, as a member of the State Senate, etc. Since 1859 he has resided in Chicago.

James H. Stewart. - Hon. James H. Stewart, now of Monmouth, Illinois, was appointed pro tern, in the autumn of 1855; was elected a few weeks afterward, and re-elected, until he had served about ten years.

The successive re-elections of the three last named sufficiently attest the acceptability with which they served the cause of the people vs. all the criminals.

We append sketches of the two following lawyers, who were eminently public men, and both of whom departed life young, and while residents of Knox county:

Hon. Julius Manning, one of the most eminent lawyers of Western Illinois, was born in Canada, about ten miles from Chateaugay, New York. He passed the most of his younger days in the State of New York, but completed his school education at Middleburg College, in Vermont. He came to Knoxville in 1839, where he resided until 1853, when he removed to Peoria. During his life he was County Judge, a member of the Legislature, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1862, where he was chairman of the judiciary committee. He was an invalid for several years before he died, and his death occurred July 4, 1862, in Knoxville, and his remains were interred in Knoxville Cemetery. In politics he was an anti-slavery Democrat, and as an eloquent pleader at the bar he was scarcely equaled in the West, As a citizen, he was highly esteemed by the entire community. His widow now resides in Galesburg. His principal law partner during life was Judge R, L. Hannaman.

Curtis K. Harvey, a prominent lawyer of Galesburg, and a very promising young man every way, was the only son of Hon. C. K. Harvey, born in Knoxville, educated at Knox College, graduated with honor, and commenced the study of law with Hon. A. M. Craig, his brother-in-law, with whom he formed a co-partnership immediately after he was admitted to the bar, in 1869. He afterwards was a part - ner of Judge Leander Douglass, of Galesburg. Mr. Harvey was a man of superior ability, fine education, a thorough knowledge of the principles of law, retentive and ready memory, and quick perception. He reasoned from principles with accuracy, was clear and logical in presenting his case to the jury, and his legal argument was also characterized by force and clearness.

He died March 2, 1878, in the prime of life, his age being only 30 years; and now side by side father and son lie buried in the cemetery at Knoxville.

The following carefully compiled list of county officials will be valuable for reference. We give a short biographical sketch of each of the Commissioners and the first of other officials.

County Officials County Commissioners

Kiggs Pennington, one of the pioneers of Central Illinois and a member of the first County Commissioners' Court, was a sharp, shrewd, calculating man of medium size, dark complexion, a keen black eye and full, intellectual forehead, and a general make-up that gave him the air of a thorough-going, wide-awake business man that he was. Mr. Pennington was the first man to settle in McDonough county, 111., coming originally from North Carolina. He remained, however, but a short time in McDonough county, when he removed to Knox county, arriving simultaneously with the Robertsons. Being a shrewd financier, he accumulated a large property and was considered one of the wealthiest men in Central Illinois, at one time, and leaving here in 1837 for Texas he took with him $13,000. Mr. Pennington returned to Knox county in the spring of 1810 on business, where he was received by his former co-workers here with a hearty welcome; returning again to Texas, he remained there until his death in 1869.

Dr. Charles Hansford, one of the first three County Commissioners of Knox county, came here in 1829, and was the first practitioner who located in the county. He located first in Henderson Grove, from whence he removed to Knoxville, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1851. Dr. Hansford was a man of fair education and marked native ability. Served one term in the Legislature, and was at one time one of the most popular men in the county. Though of small stature and slight physical form, he possessed great powers of endurance. His practice was very large, employing

Philip Hash was a member of the first Commissioners' Court. lie remained in the county but three years, when he went to Missouri, where he died.

Alexander Frakes, a native of Kentucky, was one of the earliest settlers of Knox county, and one of the County Commissioners for a number of years. Mr. Frakes was a fair type of that moving, restless frontier men who find more pleasure in the subjugation of a country than the occupation of it after it has been settled. He came to Knox county in the fall of 1828, at the age of 36 years, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 9, Henderson township. While he had a strong attachment for his friends, his inordinate love of money was the ruling element of his nature. Mr. Frakes evidently had a strong aversion to being crowded, and wished to go to a country less populous. He left here for Oregon in 1853, saying he wanted more elbow room, and wished to live far enough removed so as not to hear his neighbor's pigs squeal. He died several years ago in his adopted State of Oregon.

Thomas Maxwell, who very early served as a Commissioner, beinoelected in 1831, emigrated from Knox county in 1836, going to Texas, where the remainder of his life was passed.

James Ferguson came from Kentucky to this county in 1830, and settled in Henderson township; in 1832 moved into Orange township, where his children are still living. He was Major of the Hangers from this county during the Black Hawk war. He died in 1841.

Alfred Brown was first elected in 1833, and subsequently, under the County Court rule, Mr. Brown served as Associate Justice. He was a man of fine abilities, a Whig in politics and a farmer by occupation. He died in this county on the farm where he first located.

Jonathan Eice came to the county in the fall of 1831, died in April, 1855, on the place where he first settled. He served as Commissioner from 1834 to 1839.

Amos Ward was one of the leading men of the county in his day, and served with distinction as a member of this Court from 1842 till it wTas abolished in 1849. Although temporarily absent, Mr. Ward is still a resident of this county.

Daniel Meek, one of the best known and most popular citizens of the county, a Kentuckian, and for many years one of the most extensive farmers of the county. He was for many years Supervisor of Indian Point township.

Martin B. Mason, a member of the Commissioners' Court, resides near Yates City. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1806; came to this county in 1837, and before this Court was abolished in 1S49, had served with distinction as a member. Since the township organization law was adopted, he has served several years as a member of the Board of Supervisors.

This closes the list of the members of the County Commissioners' Court during its existence in this county. The time-honored custom of conducting the public affairs of counties was abolished by the constitution of 1849, and the County Court substituted, which continued until 1853, when it was replaced by the Board of Supervisors.

John B. Gum, the first Treasurer, was a fair type of the men who subdued the wilds of the great Northwest. He was a native of Kentucky, with a closely knit, well developed, muscular form, of medium stature, sandy complexion, with a contour of features indicative of firm determination and strong will power, but tempered with those greatest of Christian virtues, benevolence and charity. Mr. Gum came to Sangamon county, this State, as early as 1S26, removed soon after to Job's settlement, McDonough county, where he plante a crop of corn and potatoes; and while thus engaged he met a man who told him of the beautiful land lying in the vicinity of Henderson Grove, Knox Co., to which place he soon removed, arriving there during the year 1S28. Mr. Gum took an active part in the organization of this county, his own home being selected in which to transact the official business of the county, and there in that primitive log cabin was held the first Circuit C ourt, and there assembled the first County Commissioners' Court, and also rested the temporary seat of justice, of the infant county of Knox. John B. Gum had the honor of receiving the first appointment of County Clerk, but declining, was appointed first County Treasurer, and all through the early years of this county was found among its wisest councils. lie was quite modest, as illustrated by the following incident: He was elected Justice of the Peace, even against his inclination, and one day was called upon to marry a couple, which he timidly did, but immediately thereafter resigned the office, lest he would again be called to perform a like ceremony. He remained here until April 22, 1861, when he removed to California, where he died, in 1864, at the advanced age of 70. His widow still lives there, at the ripe old age of 75 or 76 years.

County Clerks Circuit Clerks

John G. Sanburn, the first Clerk of the county, who also held almost all county offices, both elective and appointive, for many years, was born in Canandaigua, New irork, May 13, 1797, and died in the city of Knoxville, tbis county, April 14, 1865, greatly mourned by all who knew him, which included almost every resident of the county.

His parents were among the earliest pioneers of New York. At the age of 20 he came west to Ohio, and one year thereafter went to Missouri, returning to his native State in 1819, making the journey on foot. Shortly afterwards he came to Yandalia, then the capital of this State. He came through this county in 1829, selecting Henderson as a home, believing it would be the county-seat of the county, which there was some talk of organizing. He proceeded to St. Louis, purchased a stock of general merchandise, and had them towed up the Mississippi on a flat-boat as far as Oquawka. Unfortunately they were injured by the water, many of them being destroyed. So the first stock of goods brought to Knox county and sold to the few settlers were damaged goods. On the county of Knox being organized, he was selected to fill the more important offices, and the early records attest the ability and fidelity with which the duties of these offices were performed. In compiling this history, we closely read the records penned by him, and for clearness, exactness and fine appearance they compare favorably with those subsequently made. He was married to Miss Alethea Owen, in November, 1832, who survives him and resides in Knoxville. She was the daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Owen, who came to the county in 1S29.

Mr. Sanburn was generous, of noble principles, and although not as social as some, yet his popularity was great. An old pioneer, almost his cotemporary, sums up his character in a few words, thus: "Any person who" could appreciate genuine goodness, would like him." Could a higher eulogy be passed upon any man?