Livingston County, Illinois - Chapter 9: Political, 1909

Chapter 9: Political

POLITICAL EVENTS IN LIVINGSTON COUNTY - CITIZENS WHO HAVE BEEN PROMINENT IN THEIB RESPECTIVE POLITICAL PARTIES - THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION OF 1856 - CONGRESSIONAL CONTESTS - THE LINCOLN-DOUGLAS CAMPAIGN oF 1858 - THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1860 - SOME LATER ELECTION CONTESTS - JOHN WENTWORTH'S REMINISCENCES OF SOME EARLY CAMPAIGNS - CITIZENS WHO HAVE REPRESENTED LIVINGSTON COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - OFFICIAL VOTE OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY IN 1908.

Livingston County has no cause to feel proud of its political record, inasmuch as not one of its native sons was ever called upon by any political party to fill any office within the gift of the people higher than that of Congressman - Lewis E. Payson serving five terms from this district, being first elected to that position in 1881.

From the earliest settlement of the county in 1830 to the advent of the Chicago and Alton Railroad in 1854-55, the population was small, the newspapers were few and poor, electioneering was almost entirely by personal solicitation and public address. Previous to 1857, the county was about evenly divided between the Whig and Democratic parties, and a politician in those days doubtless knew by name every voter in the county, and for the Legislature and other local offices people voted largely on their personal liking for the candidate, but as the population became larger and the political questions became more exciting, the voters clung more tenaciously to their party. This was eminently so during the war and the period immediately following, but as the war passions cooled, party allegiance slackened and independent voting, especially in local elections, became more common.

Although Livingston County was organized as a county in 1837, the settlement was slower than almost any other county in this section of the state, notwithstanding the fact the other counties were not organized until some years afterwards. At the first election held in the county in August, 1838, but 108 votes were cast, there

George H. Bennett

Not until 1856 was there anything of a political nature in Livingston County worth recording. Previous to that time, the people always voted for what they considered the best man, but the county was now advancing, and in 1857 the proposition to organize by townships was carried by a large majority.

After the Republican State Convention in Bloomington in 1856, the Republican party was organized in Livingston County. James Stout, a radical Abolitionist, and a rising young attorney of Pontiac, was one of the leaders, while Orlando Chubbuck, Walter Cornell. William B. Lyon, Decatur Veatch, Jason W. Strevell, S. L. Manker, James W. Remick, W. G. McDowell, Joseph Woolverton, Eli Myer, John Dehner, Edwin R. Maples, Charles L. Paige, George Olmstead, John R. Wolgamott, Aaron Weider, Thomas Crosswell, David McWilliams, Robert Aerl, Jerome P. Garner, Ira Lovelace, George W. Boyer, William R. Fyfe and Andrew J. Cropsey were always prominent in the councils of the party and leaders in the various townships at that time.

The Democratic party was well organized in the county about this time, all of the county offcials and post-masters being members of that organization. They were men of prominence and were among the early settlers of the county, including such men as V. M. Darnell, John Foster, Philip Rollins, Samuel C. Ladd, Jonathan Duff, A. E. Harding, Otho Pearre, Morris Johnson Captain Morgan L. Payne, J. W. Youmans, Darius Johnson, William M. Brooks, Hugh Mc- Kee, William Spence, Jonathan Moore, Judge Henry Jones, T. W. Brydia, Caleb Patton, John L. Marsh, Robert B. Amsbary, Rufus W. Babcock and A. W. Cowan. _

At the Republican State Convention held in Bloomington in 1856, there was a small representation from Livingston County in attendance, and when these returned, efforts were at once made to perfect a party organization and to establish a newspaper which would represent their views. The following year the paper was established (The Pontiac Sentinel) the money for the purchase of the material, etc., being subscribed by the leaders of the party throughout the county.

the famous "lost speech," that rose to the heights of prophetic power, so carrying the audience away by his eloquence that the reporters, entranced, forgot to take notes.

Those present at the convention from this county brought back an entirely different version of the "lost speech," which has never heretofore appeared in print. While the speech in its entirety had the hearty approval of everyone present from the county, it was thought by a majority of the delegates present from all over the state, that the speech was too radical and would only result in the breaking up of the party at once. The reporters present were approached about the matter and agreed to destroy their notes of the speech, which was done, mention only being made of the proceedings of the convention.

In 1856, Livingston County was in the Third Congressional district, which was composed of the counties of Will, Kendall, Grundy, La Salle, Putnam, Bureau, Livingston, Iroquois, Vermilion, Champaign, McLean and DeWitt. On July 2 of that year the Republican convention met at Ottawa to nominate a candidate for Congress. Owen Lovejoy of Princeton, was nominated, his opponents being Leonard Sweet of Bloomington, and Jesse O. Norton of Joliet.

The northern part of the district was settled principally by northern people, who were strongly anti-slavery of the Lovejoy type. The southern part was settled largely from the South. Its anti-slavery opinions were more conservative than those of Henry Clay. Lovejoy was what might be called a constitutional Abolitionist. He did not believe with William Lloyd Garrison that the constitution was a covenant with the devil and a league with hell, but that properly interpreted, it was a document of liberty, while his principal opponent before the convention, Leonard Sweet, represented the conservative element in the party. A bolting convention was called to be held at Bloomington on the 16th of the same month, and Judge T. Lyle Dickey of Ottawa, was nominated and a committee for an active canvass was selected. In the evening, there was a ratification meeting held in that city, which was addressed by Churchill Coffin of Peru, Judge Dickey and General Gridley. General Gridley was the last speaker to address the meeting and denounced Lovejoy as an Abolitionist, nigger thief, etc, and the meeting was declared adjourned, but immediately Lovejoy was called and to the surprise of the audience, who did not know he was present, he took the stand. He had spent bis life in the advocacy of an unpopular cause, often speaking before unfriendly and hostile audiences. He quickly proved himself an unrivalled orator. He acknowledged that the General Government had no power to interfere with slavery in the States, but claimed it had full control over that subject in the terrltories, that the fugitive slave law ought to be amended by giving the fugitive the right to testify and the right of trial by jury. As to being a "nigger thief," he said if by that was meant that he went to Kentucky or Missouri and induced slaves to run away, it was false, but "if it is meant when men and women come to my door and ask a crust of bread, a cup of water and point them to the North star, and I have had women come as white as your wife or mine, if you mean by that charge that I did give them bread and drink and point them to the land of liberty, if that is what you mean, I plead guilty." Then rising to the full height of impassioned eloquence and power, appealing to his audience, he said, "And who of you would not do the same?" The hearty applause showed that the appeal to the better nature of his audience had been successful. His speech was a masterly effort, the greatest of his life and had an electric effect upon his hearers. It was intensely dramatic, full of wit, declamation and pathos.

It killed the bolting convention, which was never heard of afterwards, and nearly all who participated in it became ardent supporters of Mr. Lovejoy. During the campaign following, Mr. Lovejoy visited this county and addressed the people from a platform erected in the court house yard. Pontiac has since then heard Douglas, Lincoln, Ingersoll, Tilton, Carey, Tillman, the great masters in public speaking, but never such an orator as Owen Lovejoy. Lovejoy carried Livingston County in 1856-58 and '60, always by good majorities.

At the election held in Livingston County on Tuesday, November 3, 1857, the Democrats elected every member of their ticket, with the one exception of Joseph Woolverton. of Reading Township, who defeated his Democratic opponent, James Gibson of Newtown Township, for county treasurer, by a majority of 41. Henry Jones was elected county judge and Jonathan Darnell and J. P. Morgan assistant judges, defeating Orlando Chubbuck, Decatur Veatch and

Jacob Angle, Republicans. $. S. Saul was elected county clerk, defeating S. F. Manker; James H. Hagerty defeated Jason W. Strevell for school commissioner, while Nelson Buck defeated James Stout for county surveyor.

In 1855 George W. Boyer was elected as a Republican to fill the office of county clerk. His health failed him and, instead of putting in a Republican as deputy, gave the office to S. 8. Saul, a Democrat, thereby weakening the party to a great extent. Such an oversight enabled the Democrats to make capital out of the office, The swamp lands came into market, and all the energy of Saul, Jonathan Duff, A. E. Harding and others, was put forth to curry favor with the Republicans, knowing that their party was a minority in the county. It succeeded admirably, for the Republicans went down to defeat with the one exception noted.

At this election, there were but ten voting precincts in the county. With the total number of votes cast they were as follows; Indian Grove, 104; Avoca, 148; Center (Pontiac), 260; Mud Creek, 58; Bayou, 33; New Michigan 88; Reading, 129; Nebraska, 18; Dwight, 84; Day's 24,

The following spring there was a noticeable split in the Democratic party in the county, the administration wing headed by Jonathan Duff, postmaster at Pontiac, C. M. Lee, ex- County Judge, and C. J. Beattie. The Douglas wing was headed by Samuel C. Ladd, Drs. Johnson, Perry and Hulsey, Messrs., E. B. Ollver, and F. H. Bond. The administration wing secured control of the convention to nominate candidates for township offices, the first to be elected under township organization in the county. Judge Duff was nominated for supervisor; John W. Chappel for town clerk; Samuel McCormick for tax collector; C. M. Lee for assessor; Dr. G. J. Sweet for overseer of the poor; A. A. Eylar, Philip Rollins and Nelson Buck, commissioners of highways; Jacob Streamer and Philip Rollins, justices of the peace; E. C. Jones and A. J. Platt, constables. The Republicans presented a solid front and succeeded in electing their entire ticket, with three exceptions - justice of the peace, one commissioner of highways and one constable. Judge Duff was defeated. The split in the party at the county seat extended throughout the county. and at each succeeding year thereafter the party pre-

After the township elections throughout the county came the Lincoln-Douglas campaign throughout the summer and fall. The Republicans were thoroughly organized from one end of the county to the other, and were rapidly receiving recruits from the democracy. Senator Douglas addressed his followers in Livingston County at Pontiac on August 19th, and was followed on September 21st by Owen Love- Joy.

At the election In November the Republicans carried the county by good majorities, Richardson S. Hick of Ancona being elected Representative from this (then the 48d) district. This was the third time that a citizen of this county was elected to either house of the General Assembly, Andrew McMillan being the first in 1842, Judge Eli Myer, the second in 1844, Willlam T. Russell was elected sheriff and Dr. Thomas Croswell, coroner, while Lovejoy was given a good majority.

The county convention to select delegates to the State and Congressional conventions was held in Pontiac, June 8, 1858. The State convention was held in Springfield and the Congressional in Joliet. William Russell, C. J. Beattie and Jerome Garner were selected for the State convention and Isaac G. Mott, Philip Cook and George W. Boyer to the Congressional. Jason W. Strevell, Jerome P. Garner, Charles J. Beattie. Philip Cook and John R. Wolgamott were appointed as the County Central Committee. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

"Resolved, That the Republicans of Livingston County stand with unwavering fidelity upon the platform and principles adopted at the conventions which assembled in Philadelphia and Bloomington; that we regard those principles as best adapted to the general welfare of the whole country, without regard to local or sectional differences.

"Resolved, That we heartily endorse the honorable and fearless course pursued by our faithful Senator in Congress, the Honorable Lyman Trumbull, and those Republicans who acted with him in opposition to the Lecompton and other Democratic frauds.

The convention of the anti-slavery or Abolltion party was held in a grove near Bruce, La Salle county, on July 3, 1858. The convention was large and earnest, and characterized by great unanimity of views and feelings. It was not a political meeting, and was not called either to endorse or oppose any political party, but to give expression to the great cardinal truths of democracy according to the true meaning of that much-abused word. The convention was organized by choosing Moses Rummery, president, and H. H. Hinman, secretary. The following resolutions were presented and adopted :

"Resolved, That the immediate and entire abolition of slavery throughout the United States is the constitutional right and most imperative duty of the general government.

"Resolved, That the government of the United States, as at present administered, is in direct antagonism with the principles upon which it was founded and the purposes for which it was instituted. and every principle of justice, every impulse of humanity, and every instinct of selfpreservation demands that it be radically reformed or utterly abolished.

"Resolved, That we repudiate all compromises with slavery, and every settlement of the slavery question other than by its immediate and entire abolition are an 'agreement with hell and a covenant with death,' and we pledge ourselves to labor unceasingly until liberty is proclaimed throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof.

"Resolved, That until the people of Illinois shall wipe out their foul black laws, and secure personal liberty to all fugitive slaves, they are directly responsible for the existence of slavery with all its inhuman wrongs. $

"Resolved, That a religion that has no remonstrance against slavery, and no real sympathy with the slave, is a gross caricature of Christianity and deserves the execration and contempt of all believers in Christ."

The convention then listened to an able address by I. G. Mott on the general aspect of the slavery question. He was followed by Mr. Buckley in a good speech, after which the meeting adjourned to partake of a very good dinner, which had been made ready in the adjoining grove. After dinner, the resolutions were taken up separately and discussed, and Otis Richardson made a very able and excellent speech, followed by William B. Fyfe, Rev. M. Harker, Mr. Buckley and Mr. Mott.

On Saturday evening, July 31, 1858, the first Republican club was organized in Livingston County at Pontiac. John Dehner was appointed chairman of the meeting and E. R. Maples, secretary. The object of the meeting was stated by the chairman, and on motion the "Lincoln Republican Club" was adopted as the name of the organization. The following named persons were then duly elected permanent officers: President, John Dehner; vice-president, Joshua Whitmore; secretary, E. R. Maples; assistant secretary, George W. Boyer. On motion, a committee of five was appointed by the chair to confer with the different townships in the county and to perfect a more thorough organization of the Republican party, whereupon the chair appointed the following gentlemen such committee: Jerome Garner, C. J. Beattie, John R. Wolgamott, George W. Boyer, Joshua Whitmore.

At a meeting of the Republicans of Avoca held at the school house Tuesday evening, August 24, 1858, for the purpose of organizing a club, Thomas G. McDowell was called to the chair, whereupon the meeting proceeded to elect

On Saturday, August 21, 1858, the Republicans of Livingston County met at the Court House in Pontiac to nominate delegates to attend the assembly convention to be held at Ottawa on Thursday the 26th. A. J. Cropsey was elected chairman and Philip Cook,

At a meeting called by the Republicans of the town of Rooks Creek held in Ruggle's school house, August 28, 1858, the following gentlemen were elected to act as officers of the Rooks Creek Republican Club: President, William T. Garner; vice-president, D. M. Breckenridge; secretary, R. W. McClelland; committeemen, Joseph Smith, R. D. Clark, F. Gorbett, William Johnson and James Marks.

The first county election was held on May 2, 1859, for the purpose of electing a County Judge to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Judge Henry Jones from the county. W. G. McDowell of Avoca was nominated by the Republicans and Charles M. Lee by the Democrats. The campaign was bitterly fought and was personal in the extreme. McDowell was elected by a majority of 39.

The county convention to nominate candidates for County Treasurer, School Commissioner and Surveyor met at the court house In Pontiac on August 27, 1859. Dr. C. M. Follett of Newtown was chairman, and R. B, Harrington secretary. Every township was represented, and Philip Cook was nominated for treasurer, Rey. I. T. Whittemore for school commissioner, and Eben W. Gower for surveyor.

The Democratic county convention met in Pontiac on Saturday, September 10, 1859. T. W. Brydia of Saunemin was elected chairman, and George W. Blakesley secretary. J. S. Gumm was nominated for county treasurer, T. F. Norton county surveyor, and A. E. Harding school commissioner. í

The Republicans of Livingston County met in convention at Pontiac on Saturday, April 21, 1860, to select four delegates to attend the state convention to be held at Decatur on May 9. The convention was largely attended, delegates being present from every township in the county. J. W. Strevell, A. J. Cropsey, R. P. Morgan and William Gagan were selected as delegates, and the following resolutions were adopted :

The news of the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for President of the United States was received in Livingston County with unbounded enthusiasm. As soon as the news came over the wire, the Republicans of Pontiac commenced congregating in the court house square, an anvil was secured from Challis' blacksmith shop and one hundred times did it boom forth over our prairies, each time carrying with it the enthusiastic shouts of the Republicans. Evincing that a brighter day would yet dawn on our country, as soon as the first glorious shock had subsided, it was agreed on all hands that a ratification should be held at the court house in the evening. The boys "shelled out" liberally, and at an early hour the court house presented the appearance of a solid blaze, illuminated in every nook and corner, many people living away from the square supposing the building to be on fire, rushed to the scene. But the light of the candles was not all that added splendor to the occasion. The court house was full of spirited Republicans, whose greatest difficulty was to suppress the outbursting of overflowing feelings. Speeches worthy of the occasion were made by Jerome Garner, J. W. Strevell, R. B. Harrington and "Uncle" John Dehner, who was president of the meeting. The following resolutions were adopted:

The resolutions were greeted with the wildest enthusiasm, and after three loud and long Cheers for "Honest Old Abe," the meeting adjourned. In the meantime, a large bonfire had been kindled at the northwest corner of the square, and it was far into the night before the celebration was over. e

The next evening, a Young Men's Republican Club was formed by electing Dr. Thomas Croswell president; George W. Wolgamott and J. P. Garner, vice-presidents; M. E. Collins and John A. Fellows, secretaries; John Dehner, treasurer; and H. G. Challis and Fred Joerndt, stewards.

The club in Esmen Township was composed of the following gentlemen as its officials: William R. Babcock, Samuel Kirkpatrick, Mr. Van Valkenburg, B. P. Babcock, James Day, Henry D. Marsh, C. W. Sterry, and Aaron Ross.

. Indian Grove organized with the following officials: R. B. Amsbary, J. L. McDowell, Aaron Weider, J. F. Blackburn, R. G. Crouch, C. N. Baird, S. P. Kimball, W. G. McDowell, A. J. Cropsey, Decatur Veatch and William Bull.

The Republican county convention to nominate candidates for circuit clerk, sheriff and coroner and to select delegates to the congressional, senatorial and representative conventions met in Pontiac on Monday, June 18, 1860. $. L. Manker, of Pontiac, was made chairman, and E. J. Udell secretary of the convention. A. J. Cropsey of Fairbury was selected as Livingston County's choice for representative from the district and was allowed to select his own delegates. Mr. Cropsey selected R. P. Morgan of Dwight, Joshua Whitmore, J. W. Strevell and William Gagan of Pontiac. David McWilliams of Dwight. Decatur Veatch of Indian Grove, J. W. Strevell and Philip Cook of Pontiac were selected as delegates to the congressional convention, and instructed to cast their ballots first, last and all the time for Owen Lovejoy. The following gentlemen were placed in nomination for circuit clerk: John R. Wolgamott and James W. Remick of Pontiac, G. S. Glenn of Dwight, William B. Lyons of Reading, and R. B. Harrington of Belle Prairie. Mr. Remick received the nomination on the fourth ballot. Edwin R. Maples was nominated by acclamation for sheriff. Dr. Darius Johnson was placed in nomination for coroner, but having recently become a convert to Republican principles, stated that he desired to serve the usual period of probation before aspiring to office, and nominated Dr. Thomas Croswell, which nomination was made by acclamation.

A ratification meeting of the Republicans of Livingston County was held in Longnecker's Grove in Sunbury Township on Saturday, June 23, 2,000 people being present. Early in the morning Pontiac seemed astir, everybody apparently partaking of the enthusiasm, and many up to that moment who calculated upon remaining at home, changed their minds and commenced looking around in search of a conveyance. The procession from Pontiac was assembled and arranged in regular order under the direction of Joshua Whitmore, who was selected as marshal of the day. The great feature of the Pontiac procession was a large flat boat, built for the occasion under the superintendence of Job E. Dye, which was arranged on a wagon bed. The boat was fitted up with seats capable of accommodating about thirty persons, in which was seated the glee club under the direction of Messrs. Olmstead, Stanard, Brucker and Daman, who enlivened the ride by singing appropriate songs,

A splendid American flag was flying from a flagstaff placed in the center of the boat, a railfence being neatly fitted midway upon the staff. The boat was twenty feet long, on the sides of which was painted in large letters. "Lincoln and Hamlin, 1,000,000 of rails, Old Abe's Boat," and on the rudder the words, "Our way Is clear.' Job Dye and Seymour Bennett navigated the concern safely to the place assigned for the meeting. The procession was quite lengthy, and with numerous flags and banners thrown to the breeze, made quite a brilliant appearance upon leaving town. The time of departure was about 8 o'clock, and after a pleasant ride of over three hours across the prairie, the Pontiacers came in sight of the grove, where they were joined by the Nevada Republican Club, who were drawn up in waiting. They had a very fine banner on which was inscribed "Nevada Republican Club, Lincoln."

In a few minutes after starting from this point, the delegates were met by Messrs, Fyfe, Gower and Cummings, who came out to meet and escort them to the grove. Arriving on the grounds, three rousing cheers were given by the vast assemblage for Lincoln and Hamlin, and the whole Republican ticket.

The Esmen and Sunbury clubs were on the grounds in full force, having arrived some time in advance of the Pontiac Club. The energy and determination of the Sunbury people were visible in the excellent manner in which thelr arrangements were completed, and a debt of gratitude was certainly due them from every friend of the Republican cause, It required no trifling amount of labor to prepare the grounds, arrange the tables, erect, a splendid platform, and decorate it in the manner in which they did. But whatever may be due to the gentlemen of Sunbury for their efforts, the ladies of the town and vicinity, upon whom the heavy burden fell of preparing an. excellent dinner for the multitude present, deserved a double amount of thanks. It was no small task for a thinly-settled town like Sunbury to feast a crowd such as was assembled on that day, and the example they set is really worthy of all praise. The committee who had charge of the affair were Asa Blakeslee, Isaac Ames, Eben Wicks, Eben Gower, assisted by their ladies.

Washington Bushnell, of Ottawa, was to have addressed the gathering, but he failed to show up and the Hons, A. J. Cropsey and J, W. Strevell were substituted to address the people at the forenoon meeting. After these gentlemen were through, the crowd then adjourned to two monstrous tables, each 125 feet long, ranged side by side and completely loaded down with the good things of life, and everyone went away satisfied, sufficient being left to supply another meeting. Other prominent speakers of the county addressed the afternoon meeting, the proceedings of which were greatly enlivened by the singing of the Pontiac Glee Club, the whole _ audience joining in on the chorus.

On Monday, July 16, 1860, the Republicans of Pontiac held a grand ratification meeting. The meeting in the afternoon was addressed by the Hon. Leonard Sweet, of Bloomington, and was held in a grove where now stands the homes of Mrs. C. W. Sterry and Dr. Charles H. Long. During the meeting the Bloomington "Wide Awakes," under Captain Brown, arrived in town and were met by the marshals and escorted up to the grounds where Mr. Sweet was speaking, and upon their arrival three rousing cheers were given by the audience for them, which were returned by the "Wide Awakes" in three more for Abe Lincoln.

The Pontiac Glee Club under J. W. Daman. sang a spirited compaign song, after which the Bloomington "Wide Awakes" followed suit with another. Mr. Sweet ceased speaking during these proceedings but recommenced immediately after, and continued for perhaps an hour longer in his usual strain of eloquence. In the evening General Scott, of Bloomington, addressed an immense crowd in front of the court house. General Scott's effort was a brilliant one, indeed, carefully prepared and well digested, and delivered in excellent style. The Bloomington "Wide Awakes" went through their drill in the court yard just previous to Mr. Scott's speaking, and showed themselves to be thoroughly drilled and disciplined. The marshal of the day was Joshua Whitmore, assisted by the following aides: John R. Wolgamott, John A. Fellows, James W. Remick, W. H. Stevens, L. E. Kent, Wallace Lord, Joseph R. Woolverton and William Garner.

Jonathan Duff, the leader of the administration forces of the Democratic party in Livingston County, was elected county judge in 1861, while his able assistant, Nelson Buck, was elected county surveyor. comparatively new settler of the county,' also a Democrat. was elected county treasurer. Robert B. Harrington was elected county clerk, and John W. Smith school commissioner, they being Republicans and among the early organizers of the party in Livingston County.

In 1863 the Republicans elected Michael E. Collins county treasurer, while the Democrats secured the election of Nelson Buck as county surveyor, and O. F. Pearre school commissioner.

Lincoln and Johnson carried Livingston County in 1864 by a good majority. William T. Ament was elected state's attorney, Dr. E. W. Capron coroner, and Amos Hart sheriff, all being Republicans. Six weeks after his inauguration Lincoln was assassinated and Andrew Johnson became President. Johnson made a tour of the North, accompanied by General Grant and Admiral Farragut. The military and naval heroes of the war were everywhere received with the greatest demonstration of joy, while the President was jeered and scarcely allowed to speak at all. At the request of Jonathan Duff and other leading Democrats of Pontiac, Dr. J. W. Youmans, also one of the leaders of the Democracy in the county, was appointed postmaster of Pontiac by President Johnson. The appointment of Dr. Youmans met with decided opposition from all directions and he never assumed active charge of the office, C. A. McGregor and Hugh L. Miller being designated by the leaders of the Democracy for this purpose. In 1866 Dr. Youmans became involved in serious trouble, left Pontiac never to return, and Mr. McGregor was appointed to fill the unexpired term.

Joseph F. Culver, who became a Republican in 1864, casting his first vote for the party that year, was elected county judge by the Republicans in November, 1865. NR. B. Harrington was re-elected county clerk; H. H. Hill, county superintendent of schools, and Alfred Huetson county surveyor, all being Republicans. Hugh Thompson, of Dwight, was elected by the Democrats as county treasurer, by a small majority.

In the campaigns of 1866-67 the Republicans were successful, James H. Gaff being elected sheriff; Thomas Croswell, coroner; William B. Fyfe, treasurer; and A. C. Huetson, surveyor.

In 1868 the national convention of the Republicans nominated General Grant, and the Democrats Governor Seymour of New York. Grant was elected, carrying Livingston by a good majority, the following county ticket being elected: state's attorney, Mason B. Loomis;

In 1869 the Republicans were again successful, electing their entire ticket. Byron Phelps, county clerk; A. C. Huetson, surveyor; Aaron Welder, treasurer; Lewis E. Payson, county Judge, and H. H. Hill school commissioner.

In 1870 the Democrats were successful, electing John W. Hoover sheriff and J. J. Wright coroner, by small majorities. Mr. Hoover was a farmer of Nebraska Township and proved a most capable official. On assuming charge of the office he became a citizen of Pontiac and has resided here since that time. After his retirement from the sheriff's office he engaged in the grocery business, became chief of the fire department and supervisor of Pontiac Township, the duties of which he has discharged to the general satisfaction of all concerned.

Aaron Weider was re-elected county treasurer, and A. C. Huetson county surveyor, by the Republicans in 1871, M. K. Wright being elected coroner.

In December, 1872, a movement took form which, within a year, politically revolutionized the county. The year had been a bountiful one in the production of the staple crop of the county - corn. During several preceding years the crop had been meager, and prices had ruled high. With this year's extraordinary yield, the prices fell to the lowest known since the general settlement of the county. It was believed that in justice the railroads ought to reduce their rates, and at least divide the losses which the farmers, their chief patrons, were meeting in selling their chief crop at ruinous prices. About this time the Legislature had passed a law requiring all railroads and warehouses to reduce their rates, The law was openly defied, and suits were at once commenced on the part of the people of the state to compel a compliance with the law. It took two bushels of corn to pay the freight on one to tide water. With foreclosures staring many citizens in the face and inability to pay their just debts, with the largest crop they ever raised in their possession, their minds were naturally led toward political action. While in other counties the matter was hardly thought of, in this the entire community was aroused to seek any relief they

The convention met in Pontiac on Monday, , January 6, 1873. Joseph H. Stitt, of Nebraska, was made chairman; S. T. K. Prime of Dwight, and E. M. Johnson and A. W. Kellogg, of Pontiac, secretaries. Delegates were present from twenty-one townships, and the convention proceeded to resolve itself into the Livingston County Farmers' Association. J. H. Stitt was elected president; William B. Fyfe, vice-president; S. T. K. Prime, secretary ; executive committee - S. S. Morgan, William Colon, J. P. Houston, George H. Wentz, and $. C. Ladd.

The resolutions adopted were strong in their denunciation of monopolies, and granges of the Patrons of Husbandry were formed in every township in the county. Co-operative stores were started in many towns throughout the county, probably at a great financial loss to the promoters, and the grange movement was soon lost sight of. At the November election in 1873 the Anti-Monopoly party carried the county by a majority of 1,400, electing R. R. Wallace, county judge; George W. Langford, county clerk; Joseph Stitt, county treasurer; M. Tombaugh, county superintendent of schools. In some townships not a Republican vote was cast.

The Democrats placed no ticket in the field, their organization for the time being extinct. their vote being generally given to the new party. In the fall of 1874, however, the Anti- Monopoly county ticket met with defeat, and B. E. Robinson was elected sheriff and Dr. E. G. Johnson, coroner, on the Republican ticket, but the next year the Republican ticket headed by Martin Dolde, of Pontiac, for county treasurer, was defeated by a small margin of thirtyfour votes, J. H. Stitt being re-elected treasurer.

The Anti-Monopoly party gradually grew into the Greenback party, and in the Presidential campaign of 1876 the leaders of the Anti-Monopoly party were first and foremost In the organization of the new party. At the election in November they polled 1,170 votes for Peter Cooper for President, the largest vote cast for that ticket in any county in the United States. Rutherford B. Hayes, the Republican candidate for President, carried the county by a good majority, and notwithstanding the fact that the Democratic and Greenback parties united on their state and county tickets, the

In 1877 the Democrats again organized independent of the Greenbackers and placed a county ticket in the field, J. T. Bullard, candidate for county treasurer, receiving the highest vote of his party - 650. The Greenback party elected their candidates for county judge and superintendent of schools, while the Republicans elected the county clerk and county treasurer.

In the elections for county officials in 1878- 79 the Republicans were successful, electing their candidates for sheriff, coroner, treasurer and surveyor. James A. Garfield received the Republican nomination for President in 1880, uniting those opposed to General Grant. Garfield was shot by an assassin July 2, 1881, and was succeeded by President Arthur. Livingston County was in the Republican column this year, all the county ticket being elected with the one exception of state's attorney. In 1882 the Democrats elected county judge and county treasurer, the Republicans the county clerk, sheriff and superintendent of schools.

defeated mainly because he was alleged to have used his official position for private gain. The Cleveland administration was distinguished by a revenue tariff, adherence to civil service reform and to the gold standard. Livingston County went Republican by a good safe majority, electing their candidates for state's attorney and circuit clerk.

During the 'Cleveland administration M. A. Renoe was appointed postmaster at Pontiac, he being the first Democrat to fill that position since the appointment of Charles A. McGregor by President Johnson in 1866. John C. George was appointed at Dwight, Charles Axt at Odell, W. E. Baker at Fairbury and W. W. Sears at Chatsworth.

In 1888 the Republicans were again returned to power in the national administration, Liv- Ingston County being carried by the Republieans, who elected their entire county ticket.

There was a Democratic landslide in Livingston County in 1890, they electing every member of their county tickets with the one exception of T. W. Coe, Republican, who was elected sheriff by a majority of over 500. R. R. Wallace was elected county judge; W. E. Baker, treasurer; John C. George, county clerk; and Henry A. Foster, county superintendent of schools.

In 1892 Mr. Cleveland was again returned to the Presidential chair, the Democrats carrying the county by a large majority, electing every member of their county ticket. During President Cleveland's administration Dr. J. J. Pearson was postmaster at Pontiac, James Kelagher at Dwight, Charles Axt at Odell, Thomas D. Karnes at Fairbury, and William H. Messler at Chatsworth.

Before the election in 1894, there was considerable disaffection in the Democratic ranks in Livingston County. By President Cleveland's steady adherence to the gold standard, ` he antagonized and displeased a large part of his party throughout the nation. The disaffection was notable in this county, the majority of the party being in favor of a more elastic currency. The Republicans carried the county at the November election, every member of their county ticket being elected by good majorities. Since this time not a Democrat has been elected to fill an office in the court house of Livingston County.

In 1896 gold had become the standard money of the country. The Republican national ticket was headed by William McKinley of Ohio. The Democratic party under the leadership of Mr. Bryan declared for the unlimited coinage of silver. A gold Democratic ticket with General John M. Palmer was also nominated. The Republicans carried Livingston County.

In 1900 the same presidential candidates were nominated by both parties as in 1896, with the same issues and with the same result. In August 1901, President McKinley was assassinated and was succeeded by Vice President Theodore Roosevelt.

In 1904 the conservative Democrats secured control of the Democratic national convention which nominated Alton B. Parker for President. The extraordinary personal popularity of President Roosevelt swept everything before him and, notwithstanding his incessant activity, frequently antagonizing powerful political and com-

From 1840 until the passing out of existence of the Whig party Livingston was reliably Democratic, and from its organization to the present time the Republican party has carried the county, with the one exception of 1892, at all national elections.

Campaign Features Of 1860

Soon after the nomination of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, the young Republicans of the village of Pontiac met and organized a "Wide- Awake" company, which, perhaps, as much as any other thing, shows how deep an interest was taken in the political struggle then golng on in this county. At the first meeting held for the purpose, over forty enrolled themselves, paying down the price of their uniform. The week following the company numbered ninety. The officers were: Captain, Edwin R. Maples; first lieutenant, Jerome P. Garner; second lieutenant, Job E. Dye; third lieutenant. Seymour Bennett; fourth lieutenant, J. M. Marble; sergeant-at-arms, Wallace Lord.

One of the first events this company took part in was the erection of a Lincoln and Hamlin pole in the court house yard on Saturday afternoon, July 14, 1860. The pole stood 115 feet out of the earth, proudly waving from the top of which were the names of Lincoln and Hamlin. The enthusiasm manifested on the occasion of the raising, exhibited the intense feeling in favor of the Republican cause with which the people of this region were then animated. All Republicans in town were vying with each other in erecting the symbol of liberty, but prominent among the active ones might be mentioned the names of Seymour Bennett, John and George Wolgamott, W. H. Stevens. George Olmstead, Wallace Lord, E. R. Maples, who rendered efficient service on the occasion, when a rail fence was built up around it, and a splendid American flag was flung to the breeze. Challis' anvil was brought out and made to belch forth in thunder tones. Joshua fence, made some exceedingly appropriate remarks, congratulating the Republicans upon the success with which their efforts in erecting the pole was crowned, and augured a similar termination to the campaign in November. After

On July 29, 1860, the Hon James C. Allen, candidate for Governor of Illinois on the Democratic ticket, addressed the people of the county in the court house yard. There was a great outpouring of the people of the county on this occasion, and uniformed bodies of the "Ever Readys." as the Democratic clubs were named, were out in full force, acting as an escort for the speaker. Captain Morgan L. Payne, William Myers, Samuel C. Ladd, Henry O'Neill, Jonathan Duff, Thomas Kelly, L. B. Perry, Capt. John A. Hoskins and George Goodwin were the marshals for the "Ever Readys" from Pontiac, while Thomas Little headed the delegation from Dwight. Large delegations of Republicans were present and the Pontiac "Wide Awakes" were out In full force, and by noon It was ascertained by those who had made a canvass of the people present. that a majority of the crowd were Republicans. It was well known by the Republicans that unless some mode was adopted to get an expression of the crowd, the Democracy would claim that the whole assemblage belonged to thelr party, and hence a proposition was made to one of their leaders to take a vote after Mr. Allen got through speaking. This was not accepted, and it was resolved by the "Wide Awnkes" that when the speaking was terminated, and the proceedings of the Democracy were wound up, three cheers be given for Lincoln and Hamlin by the Republicans. This course was adopted, and when, after the Democrats had given six cheers for Allen and three for Douglas, a young man by the name of Green mounted the platform and proposed three cheers for Lincoln and Hamlin. These were given with a will, the proceedings so exasperating the Democrats that a free fight, nearly terminating in a riot. soon followed, but, fortunately enough law-abiding citizens were present and these stepped in between the excited crowd and by judicious appeals put a stop to the further spread of the row.

On Friday, July 28, 1860, the Pontiac "Wide Awakes" visited Bloomington, on the occasion of the discussion between Lyman Trumbull and James C. Allen. A special train was chartered from Pontiac and at Lexington they were joined by forty "Wide Awakes" from that town, and on the arrival of both companies in Bloomington, they were received and escorted up town by the Bloomington "Wide Awakes." The Pontiac delegation was in evidence in the parade and received the following complimentary notice in the Pantagraph the following week:

"We were much pleased to see so many of the Pontiac 'Wide Awakes' in Bloomington last Friday. In a few days they have raised a company of over a, hundred men, and quite a number of others intend to join. Taking all things into consideration, this is the most of in the country. They have done nobly, and for their visit to us on the occasion of our recent demonstration, and the large share of interest which they contributed to the meeting, we thank them on behalf of our citizens. They will doubtless do much to awake the right spirit among their fellow citizens."

On Thursday morning, September 6, 1860, the Pontiac and Fairbury "Wide Awakes" started on a forty mile trip from Pontiac over the prairles of Livingston and La Salle counties to be present at the Republican demonstration to be held in Ottawa the next day. The day was very warm and dusty, making it impossible for the teams to get along very fast, and it was 9 o'clock at night before they reached the camping ground at Covell Creek, some three and one-half miles this side of Ottawa. Owing to a slight misunderstanding, the Ottawa "Wide Awakes" turned out Thursday evening for the purpose of receiving the Pontiac-Fairbury boys, but the greater portion of the company understood that they were not to go into Ottawa until the next morning, and they pitched their tents at the creek for that purpose. During the night a heavy shower came down, drenching the boys to the skin, but, notwithstanding this fact, early the next morning the company took up its line of march and arrived in Ottawa about 8 o'clock, where quarters were provided for them in a large hall.

A meeting of the citizens of Ottawa had been held the previous evening for the purpose of making arrangements to take care of the boys, and upon the arrival being made known, invitations from all quarters came in to have those as it were take their choice of the houses they were desirous of stopping at. The universal

No favors were too good to shower upon the Livingston County boys, and the recollection of the hospitality bestowed upon them was not soon forgotten. About 10 o'clock the Pontiac- Fairbury "Wide Awakes" were received in a military style by the Ottawa "Wide Awakes," under Captain Gray, and both companies marched to the depot, where they received the Peru "Wide Awakes." The Ottawa company, with snow-white trousers and new uniforms, made a handsome appearance as was ever witnessed by the Pontiac-Fairbury delegation during the entire campaign. The Livingston County boys, owing to their tiresome journey, camping out over night, and a smart shower of rain in the morning, which almost saturated them, did not make as showy an appearance as some of the other companies, but their sunburnt countenances and soiled uniforms only reflected credit on men who were thus willing to brave a scorching sun and a forty miles' journey to aid in the great battle then being fought between freedom and slavery. Everyone felt proud of them as they marched along the streets of Ottawa, and cheer upon cheer greeted them from every direction.

The Ottawa demonstration was the largest and most enthusiastic political gathering ever attended during the Lincoln-Douglas campaign by the delegates from Livingston County. The number of people in the city was estimated at from 20,000 to 25,000, who were addressed by the Hon. Cassius M. Clay, of Kentucky, and other noted speakers from all parts of Illinois, from stands erected in a grove near the city. The parade, both at noon and in the evening, was a long one, being participated in by delegations from La Salle, Grundy and Livingston counties, the whole being headed by the Great Western Band of Chicago.

'Part of the delegates from this county started on their return journey soon after the speaking, while the remainder took part in the torchlight procession at night, returning the next day, being well repaid for their long and tedious journey of eighty miles.

The uniform consisted of a black cap and cape made of oil cloth, and they were always referred to as "the black Republicans." Each member carried a torch, painted red, on the staff of which, directly under the lamp, hung a small American flag with the pictures of Lincoln and Hamlin printed thereon.

The company in Pontiac numbered one hundred strong, and were composed of men ranging in age from 21 to 35 years. They met regularly for drill and were put through their evolutions by Captain H. B. Reed, who had arrived in Pontiac in August, 1860, and Wallace Lord, who, previous to his coming to Pontiac, was a member of the famous Elisworth Zouaves - of Chicago. When the war broke out, every member of this company, with the exception of six, volunteered and went to the front.

The "Ever Readys" in Livingston County, as the Democratic marching clubs were called, were also actively engaged during the campaign of 1860. They were a splendid body of young men, well drilled and presented a fine appearance. The company from Pontiac were in demand at rallies all over the state. On Saturday, October 5, 1860, they went to Chicago, where they took part in a large demonstration in honor of Stephen A. Douglas. They also visited Bloomington and attended every rally of importance in the county. John A. Hoskins was the captain of the Pontiac company, being ably assisted by Joseph F. Culver, then deputy county clerk, George Goodwin, Captain Morgan L. Payne, William Myers, Thomas Kelly and L. B. Perry.

The organization and drilling of the "Wide Awakes" in 1860 created considerable excite ment in the south. Many of the young men prankfully drilling in 1860, shortly put to good use the military knowledge they acquired on the bloody battlefields of the South. Wallace Lord, one of the drill masters of the "Wide Awakes," went into the army with a commission of lieutenant, H. B. Reed with a captain's commission, while John A. Hoskins and Joseph F. Culver of the "Ever Readys" were both captains of companies in the 129th when that regiment left Pontiac for the front in 1862. A great majority of the "Every Ready" marching club went to the war, at the first call for men, and stood side by side with their old political enemy, the "Wide Awakes." Many never returned to their homes and are now sleeping in unknown graves on Southern battlefields. Wallace Lord, John S. Lee, Martin Dolde, Benjamin Barney, R. D. Folks, James H. Gaff, and "Uncle" John Balmer are the only members of the Pontiac "Wide Awakes" organization living at the present time, while David P. Murphy resides in Owego, the remainder having passed away. Time has dealt harshly with the "Ever Readys," there not being a member left to our knowledge, to tell the tale of the hard fought political campaign of 1860, and only one - Henry J. Babcock, of Kansas City, Kans., survives.

The features during the campaign of 1864 were small as compared to those of 1860, most of the men being at the front in the war. In 1868, during the Grant-Seymour campaign, the Republican marching clubs were known as "Tanners," while the Democrats had a similar organization called the "Hickory Boys." These organizations continued with diminishing grandeur in the county until 1896, when the Republicans began the formation of McKinley marching clubs. The marchers were, as a general rule, fully uniformed and presented a handsome appearance and attracted great attention. Since 1896 the campaign features have been few, and during the campaign of 1904 in this county they were almost lost sight of, Pontiac being without a marching club for the first time since 1860,

The following letter from "Long" John Wentworth (deceased), of Chicago, written to a friend in Pontiac under date of June 6, 1882, gives some idea of the manner in which a political campaign was conducted in Livingston County at an early date. In 1843, this county was in the Fourth .congressional district and Mr. Wentworth was the candidate for Congress. His trip through Livingston County is thus described:

"The State Legislature adjourned March 6, 1943. It was this Legislature which made the congressional apportionment under the census of 1840. It should have been made at the previous session, but a delay in the census returns kept the matter back. This caused an election to be held for the 28th congress in that year, instead of the year previous, and for the 29th congress the next year. About the 1st of April, 1843, I took a one-horse buggy and drove via DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties to Ottawa. From Ottawa 1 started for Pontiac, Bloomington, Urbana and Danville, tarrying for the first night at the home of Rees Morgan in La Salle County, who was at that time one of the most prominent men in that region. (Mr. Morgan was the first person to locate in Fayette Township.) The next day I passed for the first time into Livingston County, stopping at William K. Brown's, on Mud Creek. Here was one of the two post offices in the county, called Sunbury. ¿ver afterwards I made his hospitable home my headquarters when in that region. I would always send word to Mr. Brown when I was coming, and he would get together a number of the farmers up and down the creek, and we would talk over the affairs of the nation in a social manner. I do not remember that I made any speeches in the county while a member of Congress, unless it may have been at Pontiac, and I am not certain about that. If I ever did, it must have been in the house of Augustus Fellows. where I ever remained over night when in that region. On -my first visit, Mr. Brown pointed me out the proper route to the home of Hon Andrew McMillan, one of the members of the Legislature for the senatorial district composed of McLean and Livingston counties. Mr. Brown gave me the names of all the men living along the route and I made them a short call. I found Mr. McMillan a very interesting gentleman. He was quite advanced in years and a native of Virginia. During the last of my congressional term, 'Father' McMillan manifested some anxiety in my welfare, fearing that the Abolitionists were having too much influence over me. After dinner he mounted his horse and introducing me to all the settlers along the road, accompanied me to the house of Mr. Fellows in Pontiac. There was no man more highly respected in all Livingston County than Augustus Fellows and no one who more deserved to be. There I had quite an ovation. The people had heard of me as the coming congressman and came to see and hear. No candidate for congress had ever before visited the place. I leave it to Mrs. Fellows, now living, although having remarried, to give the number. 'There must have been about fifteen present in all. I wish I could remember the names of all I became acquainted with on that day. There was a Mr. Blue, who went with 'Father' McMillan and myself to Pontiac. I have an indistinct recollection that he or one of his sons afterwards was a candidate for some office upon the ticket with me, probably sheriff. There was Samuel C. Ladd (now deceased), a brother of Mrs. Fellows, and Daniel S. Ebersoll, the postmaster. There were large families of Darnalls, McDowells and Blues whom I remember, also Murell Breckenridge, Andrew Sprague, L. E, Rhoades, John Bradley, John K. Demoss and others whom I might think of in time. The next morning I set out for Bloomington, my friends in Pontiac having given me a list of names of men to be called upon on the way. I had so many calls to make that I only got as far as Lexington the next day.

"I can remember of no bridges in Livingston County during my entire term. All the streams had to be forded and they were very treacherous. Sometimes I would find them quite dry and sometimes I would fear for my safety in passing them. At my second nomination in Ottawa, in 1844, Albert Dolde, a very promising young lawyer at Bloomington, a delegate, was drowned on his return home, while trying to cross a stream on horseback between Pontiac and Bloomington, which had suddenly risen after he had passed over it on his way to Ottawa.

"At one of my early visits in the Mud creek region, my friends asked me to take a young lady home who lived on my road across the creek, which was then about two feet deep. I asked her how she calculated to get across the creek if I had not come along. 'Ford it,'-said she, at the same time throwing one of her feet upon the side of the buggy so that I could see her bare ankle. I said: 'It don't cost you much for stockings down here in Livingston County.' 'There's where you are mistaken, but we put them in our pockets when we ford the creeks, said she, and pulled out a pair of clean, white ones. I was telling one of my Livingston County friends that when I reached Washington, I was intending to frank home to her a pair of silk stockings. 'Don't you do it, says he, 'as her father don't vote our ticket and it will displease the daughters of our friends and they will put their fathers against you. You would have to send to all if you sent to one, and there are more than a dozen such girls in the county.'

I suppose your streams are all bridged now, as it cannot be possible that all the handsome stockings sold from Chicago into Livingston County are put on or taken off at the depots in consequence of having to ford the streams.

"Milk sickness was very prevalent among the cattle and fever and ague and bilious fever among the people. There were great complaints among the people because they could not have all the milk and butter they wanted when they had so much grain and corn to feed their cattle upon. There were a great many places in Livingston County where splendid crops of corn could be raised, but the roads were so poor that it would not pay to haul it to market and there was so much disease among the cattle that there was nothing to which the settlers could feed it except hogs, and there were then too many hogs for the people. I always found the best pork, ham and bacon in Livingston County and there were eggs and honey in abundance to go with them. There were good potatoes and all other vegetables.

"My early sympathies were excited for the people of Livingston County, and I wondered how people would settle there when so much better land could be purchased in other places. Their only mail facilities consisted of a horseback mail once a week from Ottawa to Bloomington. Here is the way the only two postoffices stood when I was first elected, taken from the United States Blue Book and Register, which is published once in two years, and so the receipts are given for two years:

"I bent my first efforts in behalf of Livingston County toward securing better mail facilities. The Postmaster-General said the proceeds would not warrant it, and I told him they never would as long as the people could have their letters and papers forwarded quicker by ordinary teams. There was a semi-weekly twohorse mail from Peoria, via Bloomington, to Danville. North of this and east of the canal towns the country was all about in the same condition as to mails. and the nature of the land and the diseases of the people and cattle were about the same. My first thought was to break down the one-horse with public documents from Washington.' The documents were printed at public expense and my constituents were entitled to a fair share of them and the

"There were a great many documents that had been encumbering the document room for years, members of congress not thinking them of sufficient interest to send away; and some of them were very large. There were a great many seeds to be distributed also. I ordered an extra supply at my own expense at the place where the department purchased. Then there was the great seal of sealing-wax, now out of use: 'United States of America' sealing-wax was heavy and you could put on as much as you pleased. It was used all through my distriet by children to cut their front teeth with. Every package had its great seal upon it, and the more wax the heavier it bore on the horse, I secured the appointment of several clerks in the department from my district, all of whom would come to my room evenings and help in writing letters, putting on the sealing-wax and directing documents. Among these clerks was General Merritt L. Covell, of Bloomington, at one time clerk of the Illinois State Senate. He was a plain and rapid penman and was acquainted with almost every man in the one-horse region, and he enabled me to send something to persons whom I might otherwise have omitted. I wish I could reproduce a picture he drew of a horse struggling under one of your weekly mails with a driver on top of the whole. While doing. all this, the Whig papers were attacking me for getting all the documents, garden seeds, stationery, and sealing wax there was in Washington. There was to be a Whig meeting at Bloomington and one of the invited orators was telling, before the meeting began, about any operations in this respect, when the late General Gridley, one of the most respectable and influential Whigs, said to him: 'You will make nothing by such statements. Long John is the only man that ever noticed our people; and what you want to do is to advocate Whig principles and tell them that if we can elect a Whig congressman, he will beat Long John in franking public documents. General Gridley and Judge Davis were always my friends as against any other Democrat, but they never voted for me because I was a General Jackson and Colonel Benton man, while they were ardent supporters of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.

"There were a great many very respectable members of the Whig party in Livingston County. I am indebted to them for a great many hospitalities in passing through the county. Many of them told me they had known Mr. Clay personally and their admiration for him knew no bounds. It is a remarkable fact that the Abolition candidate for Congress never received a vote while I was a candidate. In the bitter contest of 1848, when Lewis Cass, Zachary Taylor and Martin Van Buren were candidates, the latter received four votes. I suppose, if living, these will claim to be the 'seed of the church.' If the politicians of your county are like those of most counties, there will be at least one hundred men who will claim to be one of the four, and perhaps the real four are all dead. I will give the state of the vote at each of the four elections, my name being in the first column:

"The most exciting election we ever had had, up to that time in Illinois was the Presidential election of 1848, when Livingston County for the first time raised her vote above 200. General Cass had 130, General Taylor 82, Martin Van Buren 4; total 216, I lost some votes that year because some of the emigrants from the South feared that I was drifting toward Abolition, but they would not vote for the Whig candidate. Livingston County had two delegates in the conventions that nominated me. 1843, Andrew Mc- Millan and Augustus Fellows; 1844, Augustus Fellows and William K. Brown; 1846, William K. Brown and Garrett M. Blue; 1848, A. A. McDowell and John Blue.

Members Of The General Assembly

Livingston County has been honored by haying the following citizens to represent it in the State Senate and House of Representatives, the dates noting the year of their election:

State Senators: 1868-1870, Jason W. Strevell, Pontiac; 1872-74, James G. Strong, Dwight; 1876- 78, Samuel T. Fosdick, Chatsworth; 1876-86, George Torrance, Chatsworth and Pontiac; 1904- 68, Ira M. Lish, Saunemin. All the above were Republicans.

Following is the total number of votes cast for each candidate in Livingston County at the election, November 4, 1908. The total number of votes cast were 9,692. Of this number, 5,358 votes were cast for the Republicans, 3,778 for the Democrats, 346 for the Prohibition party, 77 for the Socialist party, 9 for the Socialist Labor party, 27 for Hearst's Independence party, 4 for the United Christian and 8 for the People's party. The totals are as follows:

PDR La we on, oe Me Nettaetngi Sia POE Seal Ses For Peon Warerway aa 5g Amt Mer SANPLAST oei pean Gas For Tinking Aaealdment w ssas- Azuinst Banking Amendment

FAIRBURY. - Aaron Weider Woman's Relief Corps No. 53 was organized March 3, 1900, by Mrs. Bessie Jenkins, of Pontiac. Past Presiidents - Mrs. Sarah Robinson, Ruth A. Carter, Elizabeth E. Stevens, Julia Furguson, Louisa Mires, Mary Watts, Louise Filley.