McHenry County, Illinois - Chapter 40: The Part of Biography in General History - Citizens of Mc Henry County Am) Outlines of Personal History - Personal Sketches, 1922

Arranged In Encyclopedic Order 459-959

THE PART OF BIOGRAPHY IN GENERAL HISTORY - CITIZENS OF MC HENRY COUNTY AM) OUTLINES OF PERSONAL history - PERSONAL SKETCHES ARRANGED IN ENCYCLOPEDIC ORDER 459-959

General Surface

The surface of the county is varied, consisting of prairies, both level ami undulating, wooded ridges, and hills of considerable elevation. The configuration is such thai artificial drainage is rendered comparatively easy, while nature has provided ample water courses. The Fox River, rising in Wisconsin, Hows south, in Lake and McHenry counties, keeping near the county line. This is a noble stream, one of the finest in the country. Ultimately it unites with the Illinois River. The Fox enters McHenry County about eighl miles Erom the Wisconsin state line, flowing OUt of the Pistaqua Lake, which hotly lies in both counties, and is but the expansion of the river itself. A little over two miles further south, the river bends westward into .McHenry County, this time coming from Lake County. Prom this point it courses down the line until the southern line of the county is reached again at Alg ruin. The Nippersink, a tributary of the Fox, rises in .McHenry County and traverses the northeastern part of the county. This enmity is also the source of the Kishwaukee River, its chief branches rising in the central and western of the last half century. There are, however, several lefl yet. Son these arc fed by never failing springs while many are surface Bloughs and depend largely on Burface water and heavy rains for their existence.

The siat.' authorities after having caused a survey, or ratlin- a resurvey of tlif topography of the county after the Civil War. published in substance the following concerning its appi arance and condition : which further accounts for the wholesomeness of the climate. The county is somewhal unequally divided into woodland and prairie the latter being much in excess. Good timber is quite plentiful, ami the people are sup plied at home with all that is. required for fuel and some Eor general common building purposes. In 1880 it was believed that there was fully as much timber in the county as when firsl settled in the thirties, prairies stretching their broad grassy surface between the groves present an interesting natural phenomenon, ami in as much more than half of McHenry < Jounty is composed of them, the question of their origin cannot conditions unfavorable to the growth of timber. Those who hold to this theory maintain that prairies arc even now forming along the rivers and shores of lakes. River channels are constantly ehaiiLrim_r. by reason of freshets. The heaviest particles transported by the water fall nearest the channel, and here repeated deposits first cause hanks to he elevate, 1 above the Hoods. Trees spring up on the natural levies, serving to strengthen them and render them permanent. When an overflow takes place 1! harriers keep subsiding waters from returning to the river bed; and by frequent inundations the bottom lands become sloughs or swamps. The water is usually shallow and stagnant, and is thus soon invaded by mosses and aquatic plants, which grow beneath the surface ami contain in their fibers silica, alumina and lime, the constituents of clay. To thes,. plants mollusks and other small aquatic animals attach themselves and find in them their subsistence. Hence a constant decomposition, both of animal

"The marshy bottoms are tints gradually buill up to the surface of the water; vegetable matter becomes more abundant, rushes, reeds and eoarse grasses being added to other forms of plant life. These plants, rising above the water, absorb the carbonic acid gas of the air and converl them into woody fiber, which by decomposition firsl forms the clay mold and afterward the black mold of the prairie. Sucb agencies, now operating in the ponds which skirl river banks, originally formed all the prairies the Mississippi Valley. According to geologists, the surface of the land was submerged toward the close of the drift period, and as it slowly emerged afterward it was covered with extensive ponds of shallow watt r about the prairies, namely, the absence of trees, is accounted for first by the formation of ulmic acid, which is favorable to the growth of plants, Inn retards that of the trees; second the roots of trees require air, winch they cannot obtain when the surface is under water or covered by a compact sodj third, marshy Hats offer no solid points to which the trees may attach themselves. But when the land becomes dry, and the sod is broken by cultivation, almost all varieties of native woods grow and thrive upon the prairie. The uneven surface of some of the prairies is due to the Lve action of subsiding waters. The drainage following the creeks and rivers, finally resulted in the formation of rolling prairies.

aqueous condition in accounting for the prairies. It is a well-known fact in physical geography that the chief continents of the globe are generally surrounded by belts of timber, while further inland are areas of treeless tracts, and centrally extensive deserts. On the eastern coast of North America, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Hudson P>ay, as well as on the

These two /.ones of timber approach each other at the north and south, and within them lie the wide prairies of the Mississippi Valley. Farther west arc those arid regions which have caused them to be designated as the "Great American Desert." Other portions of the earth have likewise their areas of forest, treeless lands and barrens. In Africa, the Sahara; in Europe, the Steppes; iii Asia, the rainless wastes; in South America, the Atcama, all serve to illustrate that the operation of physical laws such as have caused the diversification of the United States has been general in all countries.

prairie and deserts corresponds with the variations in the amount of rainfall. The ii. is the great Bource of moisture, and the clouds arc tin' vehicles which transport it over the land. Actual investigation has proved thai most of the water taken from the ocean in form of vapor or clouds is discharged upon the rim of the continent; thai the amount of is found. Upon applying this theory to the American continent, it will be found that in going from New York to San Francisco, the amount of rainfall very nearly coincides with the all. 'rations of woodland prairie and desert. At New York the average rainfall is forty-two inches; the region extending thence to Ann Arbor, Mich., where the annual rainfall is twenty-nine inches, is well timbered; thence to Galesburg, 111., where the rainfall is twenty-four inches, the country is prairie interspersed with occasional chimps of woodland; thence to Ft. Laramie, having only twenty inches of rainfall, the country rapidly changes to continuous praine; thence to Ft, Tbuma, having three inches, it becomes a desert; and then to San Francisco, where the rainfall is twenty-two inches, it changes back to thick forests. Illinois lies within the region of alternate

"Still further some scientists claim that the treeless tracts are due to the nature of the soil. It is highly probable that each of the forces named in these theories may have had something to do with the forma lion of our beautiful and productive prairies."

Geological Formations

It is not the object of this chapter to go far into the detailed account of the geological t'oniiation of this county, but merely to give a general idea of the common geological formations as have been determined by state and other geologists, especially Prof. Worthen, former state geologist.

The geological formations in this county consist largely of drift. The bedrock, which is rarely exposed, belongs chiefly to the Niagara group. Along the western border of the county, is a narrow strip running north and south, the underlying formation belongs to the Cincinnati group. The drift deposits consist of clay and hardpan. with occasional beds of sand and gravel, and boulders frequently scattered throughout the mass, cover the whole surface of the county for an average depth of about seventy feet. The mighty agencies of nature at work during the glacial period ground away and transformed all of the original forma tions above the Silurian rocks, and buried these rocks themselves beneath a mass of dt'liris of heterogeneous character.

There arc no good opportunities afforded Eor observing sections of drift in this county. There being no natural exposures, excavations for wells afford aboul the only data accessible, and this is meagre. Wells are seldom sunk to a greater depth than forty feet, and in that distance little is found except blue clay, or hardpan, with an occasional pocket or irregular seam of quicksand and gravel. Boulders arc found both on the surface and in excavations. They are of varying size and of all sorts of material, such as granite, senite, trap, greenstone, limestone and sandstone. Near the Fox River the ridges contain large quantities of rolled sin. The mass of the drift, however, appears to be clay and hardpan, with occasional boulders. Logs of wood and other vegetable remains have frequently been found beneath the surface, at distances From fifteen to fifty feet .

With the exception of the narrow belt along the western line of the county, already referred to as belonging to the Cincinnati group, the underlying formation probably belongs wholly to the Niagara group. The oulcrops, however, are so few as to render absolute knowledge of the formation impossible. In the northeastern corner, in section 17, township 44, range !-. nearly on the county line between Lake and McIIenry. the limestone is exposed in an excavation by the roadside. It is unstratified and contains no well-preserved fossils. At the Sand Hills on the Kishwaukee. in the southwest part of section 21, township 4 1, range 6, a bed of limestone was Found in an excavation, fourteen feel below the surface. This is probably of the Niagara group.

The exposures of the Cincinnati formation arc limited to one locality, about two miles east of (iarden Prairie station, of the Galena division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, about one-fourth of a mile south of the main wagon road between that station and Marengo. This rock has been quite extensively quarried here. It is a bluff limestone, thinly bedded, and containing considerable chert in some part of the quarry. Frequently it has a Blight bluish tinge. Fossils are scarce and very imperfect

The only extensive stone quarry in the county is the one just men tioned. The rock being thin-bedded, and containing chert, is not cal culated to serve all purposes of a building stone, yet it becomes very useful in foundation and for the rougher kinds of masonry. Along the

Fox River the boulders found in the ridges have been quarried to some extent, and a rough building material obtained therefrom. Lime lia.s been burned from the limestone boulders in some places, bu1 no extensive manufacture of it has ever been attempted.

Good clay for brick-making is quite alum. lam in McHenry County, [ts prevailing culm-, when burned, is red, or reddish brown. At Woodstock and McHenry, however, a white strati colored brick is made. The it was formerly supposed to be a sedimentary formation more recent than the drift. That at McHenry, geologists tell us. belongs to the drift period proper. At Woodstock the same clay used in making brick lias also been profitably employed in making drain tile.

l'eat is abundant in the county, but the mosl extensive deposits are in the north half of the county. It is found in the sloughs or bogs, in varying depths and of various qualities. .Many years ago it was thoroughly tested and found to be excellent for fuel. In 1880 it was estimated that there were between 4,000 and 5.000 acres of sloughs containing peat in the counties of Lake and McHenry. One of the largest peal sloughs was situated near Hebron station, in sections 7 and 8 in township 46, range 7 This bed, with Blight exceptions, extends several miles to the southwest. to the Xippersink, probably covering an area of about three square miles. The average depth appears to be from six to ten feet. It was stated in the seventies, that these peat beds afforded an almost inexhaustible fuel supply, stored for future ages. Peat was used for fuel in Durfee's brick and tile works at Woodstock, where it proved very successful. But from the fact that coal and wood were to be had here, but little practical attention was ever given to the ase of peat, .Many of the sloughs, where it exists, have been drained and are today "pastures of living green" more valuable to its owner than for fuel, it is believed. Hence it will be observed that McHenry County does not possess great mineral wealth and depends largely on what its rich soil will produce, rather than from anything to be taken from beneath its surface.

Indian Occupation Origin Of The Indian

that he is the direct descendant of the two lust tribes of Israel; others that he is but the climatic development from the original man; and still others that with the scattering of mankind at the fall of the Tower of Babel, Some found their way across Asia into North America at a period long antedating recorded history aside from the preserved parchments of Sacred Writ. However, no matter what is the origin, the American Indian was found on this continent when its wonders and possililities were revealed to the Old World. By right of possession, he was the owner of this vast country, and many believe that shame will ever rest on the White .Man that the Aborigine was grievously deprived of his birthright.

Illinois Tribes

The tribes found in what later hecame the State of Illinois, are usually grouped under the name Illini, from whence comes our name Illinois. The leading tribes in the Illini confederation were the Sac, Fox, Winnebago, Chippewa, and Pottawatomi. The latter were friendly, and gave little or no trouble to the white settlers, very friendly relations existing between the Indians and the pioneers. The government had considerable trouble with the Sac and Fox Indians, making several treaties with them, which were regarded by the ignorant savages as "mere hits of paper," something in the same manner as a once powerful nation was to later treat similar sacred obligations, without the extenuating excuse of present site of Rock Island, violated the provisions of the treaty of 1804, and returned to the disputed territory in 1>:n. General Gaines, with ;i company of regulars and 1,500 volunteers took the Indians by surprise, burned their village, and forced a new treaty in which they ceded all their lands easl of the Mississippi River to the government and agreed to remain west of the " Father of Waters." < >nce more the solemn agreement was disregarded, and Black Hawk with bis people crossed the river. asibly to visit the villa'.'.' known as "Prophet's Town," but evidently with the idea of eventually regaining the longed for land lying along the eastern hanks of the Mississippi. This invasion precipitated what is known in history as The Black Hawk War.

Black Hawk War

Governor Reynolds eolleeted 1.800 volunteers, placing them under the command of Brig. Gen. Samuel Whiteside, who joined the regular army under General Atchison, and two companies under .Major stillman. After the village of the Prophet was burned, there was a small engagement at Stillman "s Hun. There were engagements at Apple River 1- an expedition against Rock Island, the battle of Bad Axe. and finally Black Hawk was captured, together with bis son and the Prophet, and sent to Washington, D. C, and thence as prisoners to Portress Monroe. There Black Hawk was confined until July 4, 1833, when he was set at liberty by order of the President, and together with his companions returned to Rock Island, where with impressive ceremonies they were set at liberty, and crossed the Mississippi River for the last time. In 1838, Black Hawk built himself a white man's dwelling near Des Moines. Iowa, and there rounded out his life, engaging in hunting, fishing and agricultural pursuits. , His death occurred October 3, 1838, and he was buried in a grave six foot deep, in a sitting posture. The body of the old warrior was clothed in a uniform presented to him by the President of the United states; m bis right hand was a cane given him by Henry Clay, and thus he rested on the banks of the "Father of Waters.'" but in death as in life, separated by it from what was to him the "Promised band." About the time of the Civil War. possibly earlier, the Iowa State University, of Iowa City, took the mortal remains of old Black Hawk up and placed them in the State museum, where a years later, through accident, his bones were burned along with many other invaluable Iowa relies.

body, it had no part in the Indian troubles, aor did any of its settlers participate in the Black Hawk War, save as residents of some other section. Prior to the coming of the firsl permanenl white settler in 1834, roving hands of Indians hunted over this territory, and camped along its streams. It is claimed thai Indian traders frequently came up the Fox [liver with their goods which they bartered in exchange for the pelts [ndians secured from their hunts.

Influence Ok The Indian

As long as the nomenclature of the State of Illinois remains as it is, the Indian will not he Eorgotten. The beautiful Fox River recalls the powerful Pox tribe that for SO many years spelled terror to the settlers

Indian Mounds

That the Indians used them for interment purposes, and also I'm- storing away of implements and articles of value to them, is admitted. Some claim that these mounds were watehtowers of the tribes, Erom which the advance of hostile tribes eould be watched. At any rate they are interesting and their value as monuments of a period in our history,

Indians Of Today

Gone is the warrior of old. His arrows with his bow. are but euri- OSitieS to be handed down to his children as heirlooms of the past. Few of the Indians now wear their tribal garb. .Many of the racial character isties have disappeared. The younger generations have been, ami are being, educated at Carlisle and other government schools. .Many of the Indians are wealthy and honored members of several of the western states, where they are living on the grants of land from the government. In a Eevi years more the descendants of the old-time warriors will be as other Americans, differentiated perhaps by here anil there features which recall the base reliefs in the capitol at Washington, or a dusky pigmentation dating bach to the days when the Red .Man had do adequate protection from the onslaught of the cold of winter or the heat of summer.

Earl'S Settlers And Settlements

The history of each comity of every state has its own distinguishing features, hut there are certain facts common to all of them. Before any permanent settlements could he made, explorations had to he set on foot by those fitted by nature and training for such arduous work, and from the reports brought back by them, those seeking new homes made their decisions. The hardy frontiersmen who traveled at different periods over the fertile prairies now included in McIIenry County, brought hack glowing accounts of the advantages to be had in this section of Illinois territory, hut owing to Indian disturbances, no permanent settlements were made here until 1S:!4. As soon as it was found that settlers could come here with impunity, others Hocked to get a title to some of the land the more foresiirhted saw soon would be very valuable, and the results prove that they knew their business thoroughly.

Primitive Conditions

No one of this generation has any conception of the conditions prevailing when the pioneers entered what was to become one of the most important divisions of the state. At that time there were no railroads, and travel on the rivers, canals and t he lakes was slow and expensive. For this reason, many preferred to load 1 heir possessions into a covered wagon, drawn either by horses or oxen, and travel across country, driving their stock before them. There were no conveniences then along the way. When oighl came, the hardy emigrants camped by the wayside, having to depend upon their scanty stores for food, although occasionally the men Eolka were able to bring down birds or game of Bome kind. If the time could be spared, Bome nimrod sough! an addition to the food supply in the numerous streams, but those were times thai would bav< there w;is no waste of any kind. It was a period when only the tit survived, as the records show. Many of little lit''' Manic flickered and went oul on the long journey Erom the old bome to the new. and more than cur aged person found lit''' too difficult, and bo laid <l<>\\ o its burdens, and made the wayside a permanent abiding place until summoned by the last call upon judgment day.

When the journey was over with all it-, dangers and hardships, the wagon that had been the family shelter for so many weary weeks, brought to a standstill, and the household g Is covered with a makeshift shelter on the land selected for the claim, the difficulties hail ..nly commenced. The fund, brought in the wagon naturally ran low. and until a crop could he put in. the pioneers had to depend chiefly mi what could he garnered from the woods and streams, Fortunately nearly all of them knew the value of wild growths and could find palatable and nourishing foods in what their great-grandchildren would consider weeds. It was not lon<_', of course licfore the cnertretie settlers had crops and from them ground their own meal, and made their own products. The homes of the pioneers were crudely fashioned from rough loirs, and the furniture was homemade. Class was a luxury, and stoves unknown. Clothing was made from cloth woven from flax and wool spun and carded by the women, and all of the stockings and sox were knit by them. The women generally planted and took care of the gardens; they made medicines from berries and roots, and in the very earliest days had to minister t,, and nurse the sick. The men cut down the forest growths, -rubbed out the stumps, and then plowed the land and planted the crops. They also hunted and fished, for in those days stock was too valuable to be killed to furnish meat, and when wild game was plentiful, the pioneers did not suffer.

Early Roads

made trails of their own, as convenience <>r preference suggested, and in time some of these were developed into well defined roads. In the early days all travel was done on horseback or in the wagons of the periods. Carriages and buggies were unknown, and it was many years after the firsl settlers of McHenry County had Located there before the railroads were built.

Kaki.V Mills

The first settlers had to grind their own meal, bul it was nut long after the pioneers had assembled before one and then others, erected crude horse-mills, and later water ones by means of which a certain amount of service could be secured, although the process was tedious and the trip a long one Eor si. me who Lived far distant from the nearest of these mills. Going to mill was quite a journey in those days, and the grain was carried in saddle bags en horseback, and the meal taken back in the same way.

It must lint he1 thought, however, that because there was plenty of hard work and hardships, that the pioneers failed to enjoy themselves. for they had their dancing and games, their spelling matches ami singing schools, their barn and house raisings, their apple-parings and quilting bees. Whenever a religious teacher could ho found, there were was severe enough In keep any of the pioneers away fnuu a " prcaching." They were kind-hearted, generous and sympathetic, always willin-- to lend a hand or listen to a tale of woe, and the advice given was generally sound and, always well meant. The pioneer has passed, but his influence lives on in the lives of the community his foresighl and persistent hard work established.

First Recorded Settlers

James Gillilan came to what is now Algonquin Township in November, 1834, bringing his family with him from West Virginia, and he was the first to locate here permanently. .Mrs. (iillilan was the tirst white woman in .McHenry County. In 18.'!."). two settlements were made in this county, one known as The Virginia Colony, located in wluit is now the eastern portion of Dorr Township; and The Pleasanl Gt Colony, located on the presenl site of Marengo. Those in the latter tlemenl were as follows: Oliver Chatfield, Calvin Spencer, Porter Chatfield, Rnssel Diggins, Richard Simpkins and Moody B. Bailey. The settlers of the Virginia Colony were as follows: James Duffield, Christopher Walkup, Josiah Walkup, William Hartman, John Gibson, John McClure and Samuel Gillian, nil of whom came in 1835.

Sunn after the organization of McHenry County, immigration set in at a wonderful rapid rate. Men came in on foot, on horseback, with horse-teams and more with ox-teams. Bui as the government surveyor had nut yet made his appearance, each man could only choose prairie or timber solely, stake out his --claim" or plow around it it' he had a plow to do with, put up his cabin and consider himself at home. Aedin- to Benry Clay the whole mass formed "a lawless hand of

The human disposition being the Bame then as qow, it became necessary to provide some mode of proving and recording those claims as a security against those disposed to "jump." A< rdingly the settlers formed themselves into an association for mutual protection organizing a sort of "court of claims." In pursuance of this object the territory was divided into "claim districts."

Each district was then subdivided into subdistricts in each of which three commissioners were appointed to record claims and hear and determine all contests in that regard. These claims when recorded became evidence of title. It does not appear that the claim commissioners had much to do with what is now McHenry County, hut so well did they perform their duty in the Lake precincts that hut Little trouble arose and what did. was easily and quietly adjusted. The survey of the land comprised in the county proceeded from the Third principal meridian eastward reaching the west range 5 in 1838 and finishing Lake County four years later when these courts of claims being no longer needed, ceased to exist.

These emigrants were a neighborly set. coming as they sometimes did in strings of from six to eighl covered wagons, the inmates of which were seeking to better their condition by putting to some use the immense waste of timber and prairie stretching away on every side as far the extent of inn iccupied. hea lit i fill country, still they enul.l QOt wand.-r <>n forever; they must have land, water and timber the last all important to them, as the tirst thing to be provided was shelter. The spoi having been selected and claim satisfactorily adjusted, they formed themselves into a co-operative society for the purpose of housebuilding, putting

Pioneer Conditions

Mills, log schoolhouses and villages soon made their appearance and if unlike in thai respeet, to those who in December, L620, left the .Mayflower for the bleak coasl of New England, they brought no minister with them, that necessary element of organized society, was not long behind the forerunners of civilization, and preaching in barns, school and private houses was done to audiences more attentive, if less fashionable than now. These itinerant ministers found beneath every "shake" roof a hearty welcome to the table and a no less hearty one to the "shakedown" for the night, unless the host provided with that rarity in those days, a spare bed.

The rate of taxation for the early settlers was one percent on the following schedule: slaves, or indentured, or registered negroes or mulatto servants, stock in trade, horses, mules, asses, and neat cattle above three years of age, swine, lumber, and one horse wagons, clocks, watches, etc.. hut none was levied on hank or railroad stock, piano or silverware. The tax of 1 S:;7 for this county realized $370.8(5.

Among the curiosities of ancient legislation is a tavern license of 1837, costing eight dollars. So that the landlord mighl not swindle his thirsty customers, the board established the following prices for liquors: brandy, rum or gin, pints. 25 cents; wine, 37i/2 cents; whisky, 1 u ' - ; beer or cider the same meals, ;iiy2 cents; lodgings, 12y2 cents; while a span of horses could chew hay all night for 25 cents.

Not until 18G8 was there any successful effort at organizing an old settler's or pioneer's society in this part of the state. Indeed it is singular that with the class of American-born people who settled this county thai such a society was nol formed long before 1868. And thru it was combined with Lake County. The original meeting was at Libertyville, Lake County. The committee in charge decided thai there should be held in McHenry, Wednesday, September s. 1869, a reunion of the old settlers of the two counties. This meeting was held and of it the Woodstock Sentinel said the nexl week: "The largest

"The officers of the meeting wen': William M. Jackson, president; II. \. Owen, secretary; J. II. Johnson, marshal, and George Q orator. Four hands of music were in attendance. The meeting was called tn order and a song, ' Way Out West,' very effectively sung. Hon. George Gage delivered an eloquenl oration, treating of the history and the pioneer life of the counties of Lake and McHenry.

On Oetoher II. 1875, the pioneers of these two counties held a reunion at McHenry. The officers that season were: William A. Mc- Connell, president ; Charles II. Bartlett, Nelson Landing and E. Gridley, vice-presidents I'm' Lake County; B. (i. Ayer, George <ia'_rr. X. Donnelly, vice-presidents for McHenry County. J. II. Johnson was marshal and that celebrated Illinois character - Hon. John Went worth. "Long John," delivered the address. Several hands of music were present; the crowd was large, hut a rain set in and this marred the occasion, 'fee exercises closed with a hall at the Riverside Hntel in the evening.

No regular organization had been effected, however, until .May in. 187(i. when at a meeting held at McHenry village the old Settlers Association of McHenry and Lake counties was organized and adopted a constitution.

The m\t meeting was held dune 13. 1>7S, on the Fair Grounds at Woodstock. There were fully 5,000 people present. The reunion was opened by singing the Star Spangled Banner. Rev. R. K. Todd offered the prayer. The address was by Joel H. Johnson, hut the oration of the day was by Hon. John P. Pamsworth. Other speakers were B. W. Raymond and Judge Morrison of Chicago. Mrs. Margaret Gillian, the first white woman who came to this county, was present, and naturally re- a grand success. An original poem composed £or the occasion by Peter (JotV, of Chicago, was presented but qo1 read on accounl of the time being short.

The ninth annual reunion and picnic of the Association was held at Slausscr's Park, Hainesville, August 21, 1884. Hon. L. L. .Mills, state's Attorney from Cools County, was the chief speaker. Portions of his address, all so full of true sentiment, must here find space for they will interest the present-day reader of local history, even as it will those yet unborn. While it has been said that "History Repeats Itself," this is not true in the instance of pioneer life, for remember there is but one set of pioneers or first settlers in any given community, hence let us recall the beautiful words of the speaker as they fell from his lips on thai hot day in August, thirty-live years ago:

"Fifty years ago this was a wilderness, without roads, except Indian trails; with forests deep and dark; with prairies of tall grass; with only jealous savages to welcome, and a cabin of logs for the home of the immigrant. Here, then, came and began this intense history of development, the young pioneer. lie had journeyed from the rockbound coast of New England, or neighboring places; his conveyance was a rude wagon; his companions, the young wife and prattling babe; his weapon of defense, the implement of his industry, the ax with the honest blade.

and the philosopher; the .Middle Ages painted the battles of rival countries and placed their heromaking art in the gallery of time. The hero of the nineteenth century is the pioneer. He seeks discovery all round the world. He is Livingstone in Africa, the Arctic explorer, foolish or wise in the enthusiasm of his time, facing the freezing storm to find the open sea; above all. he is tin' sturdy youth who cleaves the forests, wins lands waiting with fertility, builds towns and cities ami

"The "Id settlers of Illinois are of the class whose type is the heroism of the age. They laid the foundation of the State. Their spirit and toil i! log cabin is supplanted; the as and the plow arc minor implements compared with recenl inventions. The vicissitudes of the pioneer, his hardship in foresl and field, his unfailing pluck and s j > i i- i t and his indomitable will and industry arc a heritage for youth and an inspiration for the generations hereafter.

"It is well that we met these pioneers; they teach u< a thousand lessons. They were brave enough for Western wilds, persistenl enough to make long and wearisome and dangerous journeys through a strange land and to a strange destination. They had the breadth of vision to know the limitless possibilities of the West, the spit-it to develop them and the courage and persistence of success.

splendid harvests; the dark woods made beautiful for pastures; the school house in every hamlet and the church beckoning the hearts of men to higher things. ,

-"The enjoyment of the old settlers is an inspiration to the young. By toil and bravery and manly character they won this day and have the right to claim its triumph. To us the lesson comes that enterprise is the true spirit of the times, bravery the honoring characteristic of the American, patient industry the foundation of his success, and the school and the church the climax of his civilization. In the atmosphere of this celebration we learn that there is no maxim higher than manhood, no adage superior to industry and courage, and no success greater than a emu munity composed of men and women who love labor, ereel homes, and in law and peace are friends together under the protecting guidance of religious sentiments.

"To Lake and McHenry counties we may say your beginnings were made by splendid men. your woods were hewed by their industrious forestry, your fields were tilled and made fallow for the future by their toil, your schools and churches were builded by their sentiments.

"And in all the story of this magnificent growth no fact is a greater continuation of the pioneers endeavors than the patriotism of these counties. How many hundreds rushed to the defense of the flag in those sad days when the nation's life was threatened/ Regiments went forth from Lake and McHenry counties, and in them today there is not a graveyard where a soldier does not lie. dead from his country's battle. There is scarcely a home from Waukegan to the western limits of McHenry county that docs not mourn a boy or man who died for his nation.

"Thus the spirit of the pioneer expressed itself in t lie heart of the patriotic son; ami the sentiment of the ax ami plow in the early advances of the tirst settlers, to make the state, was proclaimed again by the voices ami sustained |>y the stout arms of the farmer hoys who Eoughl for

Of recenl years other matters seem to have crowded in upon the minds and actions of the old pioneer band which used to gather annually ,it these old settlers' gatherings, and no meetings have been held, which is a matter of regrel to many.

I, And Titles Original Owners

be verified by the records of the county. Of course there were settlers who came here to find homes in obedience to the admonition of Horace Greeley, "Go West, young man. go West." but the large majority who came were either imbued with the spirit of the adventurer or those who saw in this new Eldorado the opportunity to acquire "easy land" at little expense.

Peculiar Instances

Again there were others who came to the county and to this then virgin wilderness to escape the hand of the law for some trivial malfeasance in their old homes or to <ret away from matrimonial entanglements that were irksome and unpleasant. An instance of this latter kind is found in the case of William Walmsley, who came to McHenry County sometime during the year 1845, from the State of New Fork, and who purchased from the government and from individuals 600 acres of land. said land being that now owned by Helen L. Beach in section '_'!), township 11. range !) east, in the township of Nunda; that now owned by Louvain A. Werden in the same section of the same township; that now owned by Gilbert .1. Baillergeon in section -'!_, of the same township; that now Owned by John Lenzen in the same section of Burton Township, now owned by Delbert A. Whiting and Julius D. Smith in section 16, of BIcHenrj Township; and that owned by Frank L. Wattles in section 28 of the same township. Walmsley died, April 24, l-7t. having in the meantime sold ;ill said land to various persons. During all of the years thai Walmsley lived in this county, near the village of McHenry, he posed and was accepted as a single man, and no one ever bus] ted anything to the contrary, not knowing that he had ever 1 n married; but

September 7. 1874, twenty-nine years after Walmsley's arrival in the county, one Harty Walmslej tiled hill- for dower against all of the then owners of the land, claiming that she hail married William Walmsley November 5, 1828, in the town of Fariiiimj/iou, < >ntario I lounty, X. Y.. and that they had lived together several years after such marriage, she mad. out such a strong ease thai most of the parties who were sued settled with her by paying certain agr 1 sums of money and she gave them quitclaim deeds. Two of the parties, however, dragged the eases along

The only oi In]- thing worthy of note, or to which any romance attaches, iii regard to McHenry County titles is all set forth in the accompanying review of abstract sheets which atl'eet about 1,000 acres of land in Mc- Henry County and also in Boone ami Winnebago, jusl over the county lines. A word painter might build quite a story around the fact that this man. William Taylor, was sent to the country from Scotland to buy land and died here after many peculiar experiences.

The language of the documents left in the recorder's office of Mc- Henry County coiieernin'_r this man is so peculiar and so expressive that to attempt to make a story of his own, and we uive it literally a> to spell i 1 1 vr. punctuation, capitalization, etc. The first document hares no date of execution, hut is a power-of attorney given by David Chalmers, William

Little.jnhn. (I -ire Veates, Robert Catto, l'eter Williamson. Alex Foulertun. Alexander Smith, Charles Chalmers, and Nathaniel Fanplhar to one Alexander Ferguson to ad as the agent for what was known as the North American Investment and Loan Company, of which they were the direc

"Whereas by a certain contract in writing, bearing date the 8th and 10th of May A. 1). ISMIt. between (parties of the firsl part a- named above), and William Taylor, who has since deceased, of the other part, it was agreed by and between the said parties. amongSl other thini.'-, as the term of five years Erom and after the first day of June aerl in this presenl year, the said William Taylor binds and obliges himself to proceed to the United States of America and to leave tins country for thai purpose on or before the tirst day of June next in this presenl year and tn continue in the service of said Company a1 Buch places in North America as the Directors may from time to time appoint for the period of five full and complete years Erom and after thai date, during which said space the said William Taylor hinds and obliges himself faithfully and honestly to act in the capacity of Manager aforesaid in conducting the business of the Company and in the following Eortfa to the best of his ability the whole objects thereof as expressed in this contracl of eo-partneiy. declaring thai the said William Taylor shall invest the sum of Two Thousand Pounds Sterling in the original Capital Stock of the Said stock Company and shall subscribe the contracl of co-partnery thereof with all convenient speed, it beinjjc understood that the said William Taylor shall he entitled to have stock of the ahove amount assigned to him by the Directors out of the shares reserved by the Contract and placed at the disposal of the Directors and this without paying any premium upon the same and further declaring that as it is in the meantime intended that the investment of the Company's funds in America are to be made in the name of the Managers and Accountant jointly and the survivor of them, the said William Taylor hereby hinds and obliges himself, his heirs, executors and successors, whomsoever, without prejudice to his engagement as Manager aforesaid for the above mentioned period of five years instantly to divest himself of the whole or any part of the Company's property when required by the Directors so to do and to convey and transfer the same to any person or persons who may be appointed by the Directors of the said Company that purpose and to that vnd the said William Taylor hereby assigns, transfers, conveys, makes over to and in favor of the said Company for the time being the whole property of whatsoever description heritable and movable, real and per sonal. which he may afterwards acquire in North America as Manager aforesaid; and he hereby hinds and obliges himself, and his heirs and c\r,-utors to grant all necessary deeds for fully vesting such property in the said Directors or in any person they name at any time when required by them so to do, and further declaring that the said William Taylor in his capacity as Manager aforesaid, shall at all times and under all circumstances he bound to conform himself to the instructions of the Directors in the conduct of the Company's affairs as the same shall be notified to him through the Cashier's Agents of the Company, and further declaring thai the said William Taylor shall be bound with all convenient speed upon his arrival in America, to Bell and dispose of any property which be may at presenl possess in thai country, and thai be shall not be out it If. 1 tn make any fresh investments, or to enter into, or be connected with any transaction whatsoever in business in America, either in his own name or of any person or persons for his behoof and that all investments in America which shall hereafter be made in bis nam.' or in the names of any other person or persons for bis behoof, shall lie understood and held to have been made with the funds and for behoof of Company.

of the said Contract in writing, and in the pursuance thereof, did proceed to the United States of America and in his capacity as .Manager and Agent as aforesaid, and for behoof and on account of said Directors and with the funds of said Company, did purchase from the government of the United States sundry tracts or parcels of land, situated, lying and being in the State of Illinois, and described as follows: (Here follow lengthy descriptions of the lands referred to) "And whereas the titles to the said several tracts of land were taken by the said William Tayhr in his own name and so remain of record, and whereas the said William Taylor has since departed this life; therefore this indenture the said (parties of the first part as named above), of the one pari and Alexander Ferguson of the other part. Witnesseth that in consideration of the premises and for the further consideration of $100.00 to the parties of the first pari in hand paid by the parties of the second part, the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge, they, the said parties of the first part, do by these presents grant, bargain and sell, conform and convey unto the said party of the second part, all the right, title and interest and claim, legral or equitable in possession, remainder or reversion of them, the said parties of the first part in and to the several tracts or parcels of land above described and every part thereof, except to such portion of the same as may have been sold, paid for and conveyed by deed to the parties so purchasing by the said William Taylor during his lifetime. And they, the said parties of the first part, do by these presents, in virtue of the authority vested in them by the Contract aforesaid, require and direct the executors, Administrators or Heirs at law of the said William Taylor, deceased, to convey to the said Alexander Ferguson with all convenient speed, whatever title legal or equitable, they or either of them shall have acquired to said lands or any pari of them from said William Taylor be devise, descent or otherwise: And to that end. they.

the said parties of the firsl part, do by these presents constitute and appoinl tin' said Alexander Ferguson their true and lawful agenl and Attorney in fact, to demand, sue for and receive of and from the Administrators, Executors, and Heirs or other legal representatives of the said

William Tayl.u-. deceased. Hereby ratifying and fully confirming whal soever shall be lawfully done by the said Alexander Ferguson in the premises. In testimony whereof the said parties of the first pari have hereto set their hands and affixed their seals at the City of Aberdeen, in Scotland, this day of , 1844."

Following this comes the signatures, but none of them conform to the full given names inscribed above, the difference easily being recognized in D. Chalmers and N'athe Karquhar. This document was acknowledged December 31, 1844, before Jno. Braihie, Provost and Chief Magistrate of the City of Aberdeen, Kingdom of Great Britain (under official seal). -

Then follows a conveyance by commissioner's deed which indicates thai some litgiation followed the strange adventures of William Taylor in America and we quote the same as indicating the peculiar processes of those early days in Northern Illinois, as well as the peculiar phraseology that prevailed in those times:

"Deed recites that, whereas David Chalmers, William Littlejohn, George Yeats, Robert Catto, Peter Williamson, Alexander Fonlerton, Alexander Smith, Charles Chalmers and Nathan Farquhar, as Directors of the Aberdeen North American Investment and Loan Company lately, to wit : On the 8th clay of February, in the year 1845, filed their bill of Complaint on the Chancery side of the said Circuit Court of Winnebago County against Isabella Taylor, George Taylor, William Primrose, and Elizabeth Primrose, his wife., George Porter and Elspet, his wife. Alexander Ferguson and the unknown heirs and devisees of James Duncan, deceased, therein setting forth, among other things, that one William Taylor, late of the City of St Louis, deceased, did in his lifetime, as the agent of the Complainant in said Bill of Complaint named, with the money and for the benefit of themselves and the said Company, but in his own name, purchase all the tracts and parcels of land hereinafter mentioned and described : That after the purchase of the said land as aforesaid, the said William Taylor died seized of the legal title of said land, but as Trustee for the said Complainant as Directors of said Company, as in said Bill mentioned, leaving as his heirs at law Isabella Taylor. George Taylor, Elizabeth Primrose, wife of William Primrose, Elspel Porter, wife of George Porter; that said William Taylor in his life time by bis last Will and Testament, devised all liis real estate to Alexander Ferguson aforesaid and to James Duncan, now deceased, but thru i E the City of New Orleans, in said State of Louisiana; thai after the admission of s;i id Will to Probate the said James Duncan bad « 1 i <-- 1 and that the names "I" his heirs and devisees were unknown to Baid Complainants; thai the Baid Complainants also therein praying that the said

William Primrose and Elizabeth, his wife; George Porter and Elspet, his wife; Alexander Ferguson and the unknown Heirs and Devisees of .lame- Duncan, deceased, thai each and every of them to convey and release by Deed the said several tracts <>f land to Alexander Ferguson, or to such other person or persons as the said Complainants might at the time of making such decree designate in trust for the said Complainants as the Directors of the said Aberdeen North American In ment and Lean Company, and for such other and further relief a- the nature of the ease might require and should be agreeable to equity as in and by said Bill of Complaint filed with the clerk of said Court, on the Chancery side thereof, afterwards to-wit: On the 21st day of April at the April term of said Court in the said year Is-i."), such proceedings were had that the said Court by its Decree in that behalf made, fully established the said trusts in the said William Taylor in his life time and after his death in the said Isabella Taylor. George Taylor. William Primrose and Elizabeth, his wife. George, Porter and Elspet, his wife, the "24th of April, aforesaid, by good and sufficient Deeds of Conveyance, to convey and release to the said Alexander Ferguson, in Trust for the said Complainants in said Bill named, all the right, title, interest, claim or estate which they or any of them might have had in or to the hereinafter mentioned and described tract of land as they were in and by the said party of the first pari hereto, was afterwards, to-wit: On the 26th day of the month of April, liy a further order and decree of said Courl in that behalf and in pursuance of the Statute in eases made and provided, appointed a Special Commissioner to make, seal and execute for and in behalf of the said Isabella Taylor, William Primrose, and Elizabeth, his wife. George Porter and Elspet, bis wife, and tin' tinknown Heirs and Devisees of the said -lames Duncan, deceased, all such releases and conveyances as might be necessary to comply with said Decree, and to vest in the said Alexander Ferguson, all the right, title and interest, or estate of the said Isabella Taylor. Wil-

Ham Primrose and Elizabeth, his wife, George Porter and Elspet, his wife, and the unknown heirs and devisees of said James Duncan, deceased, or which they or either of them had or mighl have had to or in sanl hereinafter mentioned and described tracts and parcels of land as by the said Decrees remaining of record in the Office of the Clerk of said Court, reference being thereto had, will mure fully and at large appear.

"Now, therefore, the said party of the first part, by virtue of the power and authority granted and given to him by the said Decrees of said Court as above mentioned, in pursuance of the Statute in such eases provided, and in behalf of said Isabella Taylor, George Taylor, William Primrose and Elizabeth, his wife, George, Porter and Elspet, his wife, and I'm- and in consideration of the sum of $1.00 to him in hand paid by the said party, granted, hath bargained sold, alien, release and convey unto the said party, to him, and to his heirs and assigns, forever, all tle.se several tracts and parcels of land in said Bill of Complaint and in said Decree particularly mentioned and described, which are known, designated and described as follows:" (Here follows description of the following additional.)

"And also all the estate, right, title, interest, trust, property, claims and demands whatsoever, both at law and at equity in any manner whatsoever accruing of the said Isabella Taylor, George Taylor, William Primrose, Elizabeth, his wife, George Porter ami Elspet, his wife, and the unknown Heirs and Devisees of .lames Duncan, aforesaid deceased. and of each and every of them, of, in and to, or out of said lands, premises, and hereditaments and every part and parcel thereof. Provided, however, upon the Trusts by the above mentioned Decree in the said party of the second part, fully established and declared in favor of and for the benefit of the aforesaid David Chalmers. William Littlejohn, George Yates. Robert Catto, Peter Williamson, Alexander Smith, Charles Chalmers, Nathaniel Parquhar and Alexander Ponlerton as Directors of the aforesaid Aberdeen North American Investment and Loan Company and upon such trusts as they shall from time to time direct and appoint." from the above it can be seen thai there is abundant reason for the numerous bills in chancery and bills to clear titles that thrice a year burden the columns of the newspapers of McHenry County and crowd the docket of the Circuit Court.

New Assessment Law

BOUNDARIES ORIGIN OF NAMi: ANNEXATION TROUBLES HISTORIC rfn \ TION ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTS SELECTION <>F COUNT"? SLAT - POP1 LATION - FIRST ELECTION ROAD DISTRICTS PRECINCTS - PRE( I REFORMED TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION- REMOVAL OF COUNTY SEAT - FIRST COURTHOUSE - SECOND COl RTHOl SB PRESENT COURTHOUSE - PRESENT JAIL - POOR FARM - COINTY JUDGES - SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS SHERIFFS - COUNTS TREASURERS - COUNTS CLERKS - CIRCUIT Ml RES AND RECORDERS - CORONERS - SURVEYORS - SUPERINTENDEN1 - OF POOH - STATES ATTORNEYS - COUNTS COMMISSIONERS - BOARD OF si PERVISORS - NEW ASSESSMENT LAW.

McHenry Comity is the second from the eastern line of the State; it is bounded on the north by Wisconsin; on the east by Lake County; on the south by Cook, DeKalb and Kane counties; and on the west by

Origin Of Name

McHenry County was named in honor of Colonel William McHenry, who commanded a regiment during the Black Hawk War. marching through the territory now comprising the county that hears his name. to join Genera] Atkinson at Ft. Atkinson. Wis. This territory once belonged to the (ireat Xort Invest Territory, established in 17S7, and while Wisconsin was yet a territory itself, what is now .McHenry County, with thirteen other Illinois counties, desired to become a part of Wisconsin. The account of this affair will be given, before taking up the real county organization ami government questions.

For more than a dozen years before Wisconsin was admitted into the Union of States, many of the citizens and tax-payers living in the northern pari of niinois desired to be annexed to Wisconsin, it really amounted to a movement of secession. In Eacl this feeling bad existed

Lng stories connected with the Commonwealth. The final adjustment is a perpetual witness to the prophetic genius of Nathaniel Pope, the territorial representative of Illinois in Congress. Iii the lighl of subse alone, and unchallenged to add fifty miles to the northern boundary of Illinois, and thus make her with her commercial metropolis on the lakefront the keystone of the magnificenl arch of greal western states. As a statesman and patriot Nathaniel Pope is worthy to be placed at the head of the illustrious column which includes Lincoln, Douglas, Grant, Y"ates and Logan.

tense, and even hitter. The war cry of "til'ty-t'our forty or fight" did not more thoroughly arouse the enthusiastic' democracy over the Oregon boundary line than did this inter state controversy and kindle the sectional prejudices of the settlers in the disputed territory. The village of Rockford played quite a prominent part in this struggle and its influence was fell as far east as McIIenry County, as now described. "There was broughl to light in this city a Eew years ago a copy of the official proceedings of a mass-meeting held in Rockford July 6, 1840. This convention was composed of delegates from the northern fourteen counties of the state. Its purpose was secession from Illinois and annexation to the proposed new State of Wisconsin. History has never fully explained the causes of this movement. Tradition alone has interpreted its true animus. The apparent motive was a restoration of the boundary line as originally established between the two states tliat might be formed of the territory north of an east and west line running through the southern bend of Lake Michigan. This line, it was claimed, had been arbitrarily and unfairly extended fifty miles north when Illinois became a State." (Winnebago County History of IsSl.i The real reasons for this movement were two. First, the settlers in tin' northern and southern portions of the state had little or no interest in i imoii. The northern portion was settled mostly by people from to southern Illinois from slave-holding states to escape the limitations of their Eormer poverty. Between the i pie of the southern and northern portions of the state was a greal gulf fixed. Each misunderstood the other. The Illinois and Michigan canal was opposed bj the people of south, 'i-ii [llinois Eor Eear Li would Hood the state with Yankees. This conflid of interesl and opinion was a continuation of the struggle tween the civilization of Plymouth and Jamestown. The Puritan and the class distinctions of the cavalier had entered the western arena, where a few years later Lincoln and Douglas fought the historic battle nf t In' century.

The second reason for this sectional divorcemenl was the desire of the northern people 1" escape the burden of the enormous state debl winch had been created by the gigantic scheme of internal improvements. In 1840 during Governor Carlin's administration, the total debt of this borrowed itself out of a good credit. The state never repudiated its debt, but simply could not pay it at that time. Again, the state had little to show for its vast expenditures. Southern Illinois dominated the state, and the people in the sparsely settled northern counties were not responsible for the creation of so greal a -tat.' debt hence naturally rebelled, and wished to be annexed to Wisconsin, where taxes were not

Bistoric Situation

In order to fully understand the position at the date of the Rockford Convention in 1840, it is best to briefly refer to the Ordinance of the Northwest Territory, as adopted in 17s7. This ordinance provided Eor the division of this vast area for territorial purposes, which of course had no direct reference to present matters. It provided that not more than two states should bi> formed from the territory north of an easl and west line running through the southerly bend of Lake Michigan.

mittee to reporl a I > i 1 1 in pursuance of the petition. Before the bill became a law it was amended by the extension of the boundary line from the southerly bend of Lake Michigan to 42 degrees ami :;n minutes. Thus was added to Illinois a territory fifty miles from north to south, which now includes the northern fourteen counties of the State of Illinois. These radical changes were proposed ami carried through both houses of Congress by .Mr. Pope, entirely on his own persona] responsibility. The territorial legislature had not even petitioned for them, hut the greal ami Lasting advantage was so apparenl that the action of .Mr. Pope received the unqualified endorsement of the people.

When Wisconsin began to aspire to -tatehood, it was upon the language of the Ordinance of 1718, above quoted, which was declared a compact to remain in force forever unalterable, that our northern neighbor based her claim to the territory north of the original line. This

Let it he remembered that had it not been for Nathaniel Pope, Congressman, succeeding in getting the boundary line, as given in the old Ordinance of 17S7. changed to take in these fourteen northern counties of Illinois, this volume would necessarily be for a county within the State of Wisconsin.

As has been well said by another historic writer: "The beneficent results arising from the policy of Nathaniel Pope and the failure of the separatists are incalculable. No reflections are cast upon those who desired separation. They acted from worthy motives, hut they failed to foiis,.,' the future. Time has shown their error to have been that of judgment rather than of heart. The people of Wisconsin, however, never fully became reconciled to the situation. From the standpoint of state pride, it may be said that in the collapse of the movement was the magnificenl city of Chicago, the 'Queen of the north ami west,' saved to Illinois. The most wealthy and populous, as well as progressive, counties were preserved to our own beloved Commonwealth, which has become the pride of the nation."

On January 16, 1836, the county of McHenry was separated by Art of Legislature Erom whal was then known as Cook County, including the present count] of Cook and the counties of Lake, DuPage, Mc- Benry and Will. The acl creating tl ounty read as follows:

"Be it enacted, thai all that tract of country within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at a point on Lake Michigan where the township line dividing townships I- and 13 strikes said lake and running thence wesl along said line to the east line of range number 4, east of the third principal meridian, thence north to the boundary line iif the state thence east to Lake Michigan, thence east along the shore of said lake td place of beginning, shall constitute a new county to be called McHenry." The population according to the census of 1920 is 33,164.

The Legislature selected as a commission to locate a county seat the new county, M. L. Coville, of McLean County; Peter Cohen, of Will County; and Daniel Dunham, of Kane County. The locat suggested were Libertyville, Half Day. McHenry, Crystal Lake and settlement suggested, the commissioners decided, May in. 1837, upon McHenry as being the best suited for the seat of justice as it was near the geographical center of the county, as then constituted, containing thirty congressional townships.

Pirs1 Election

On Juno 1, 1837, McHenry County held it- firsl election, at the house of Biram Eennecott, near Balf Day. which is now in the presenl County of Lake. As a resull of the election, Charles II. Bartlett, Matthias Mason. Solomon Norton were elected county commissioners; Benry

Road Districts

The county was firsl divided into whal were railed Road Districts, this division being effected June 10, ls:i7. and as follows: Oak Pn cinct, which was ihat pari of the Lake road commencing a1 line of Mc- Eenry County and extending to the aorth line of Oak Precinct; thai part of the Lake road commencing at the aorth line of Oak Precincl and extending to the aorth line of BIcHenry County; thai pari of the road in Oak Precincl west of the aorth branch of the Chicago River, com mencing on the south line of said county, and extending to the north line of Oak Precinct; thai pari of the Desplaines road leading from Chicago to .Milwaukee, commencing at the smith boundary line of said county, and extending to the aorth line of Ferry Euhbard's claim; that pari of the Desplaines road commencing at the north end of Wynkoop's claim, and extending north to where said river crosses the Desplaines road; the road commencing near Washburn's on Indian Creek, and extending west to Bang's Lake; and Fox Precinct.

A further division was made in September. 1837, when the Commissioners' Court ordered. "That that tract of the country - viz.: following the smith line of said county a distance of twelve miles; thence north twelve miles, thence east to a point two miles east of Fox River, thence south for two miles from the river to the place of beginning - shall constitute a general precinct and magistrate's district *to be called Virginia Precinct and .Magistrate's District."

On June 1, 1840, "all that part of Virginia Precincl lying north of the north line of township 43, east of Fox River, was attached to BIcHenry Precinct."

BIcHenry Precinct, which was set aside on September 4, 1837, originally had the following boundaries, according to the following order: "That the following tract of country - viz.: Commencing at a point two miles east of Fox River, thence west following the aorth line of the Virginia Precinct twelve miles, thence north to the state line to a point two miles of Fox River, thence south following said river to place

Nipersink Precinct, ordered on the Bame date was the third precinct. The order separating it. read as follows: "Thai the following trad of country, viz.: Commencing on the north corner of McHenry Precincl on the state line, thence south following the west lim McHenrj Precincl to the southwest corner, thence west to the county line, thence north to the State line, thence east along said state line to the place of beginning shall constitute a general precincl and magistrate's district, t<> be called Nipersink Precincl and Magistrate's District."

Under the same date, "Ordered by the court, thai the following trad of country-viz. : Commencing at the southwest corner of Virginia Precinct, thence west following the south line of said county <>f McHenry to the wesl line of said county, thence north following said county to the southwest corner of Nipersink Precinct, thence east to the northwest corner of Virginia Precinct, thence south to the county line to the place of beginning shall constitute a genera] precincl and magistrate '8 district to be called the Kishwaukee Precinct and Magistrate's District."

On October -">, 1840, the Commissioners' Court ordered, That a new precincl be formed from McHenry Precinct, embracing township 16, raiiL't1 7. township 4(i. range S, and that part of township 46, range !>, which belongs to McHenry County shall be known and designated as and by the name of Independence Precinct."

Precincts Reformed

"McHenry Precinct contains the east half of township 4.">. range 7; township 4."i. range s; west half of township 4.">, range !'. and all that

On .March 29, 1841, the Commissioners' Court ordered "Thai township 45, range 5, ho annexed ami hereafter form a part of Nepersinh Precinct; ami that pari of township ll. range which heretofore belonged to Eagle Precinct ho attached to Kishwaukee Precinct; ami that Eagle Precinct I formed at the .March term of said eourl I he ami is hereby extinguished from the list of precincts in McHenry County; and that the place for holding elections in Nipersini Precinct he held at the schoolhouse neat Jason X. Jerome's, in said precinct; and that Joseph Mctcalf, Nathaniel Smith, and Welhy I")i«r«rins, he appointed judges of election in said precinct."

Another precinct was added on March (i, 184:i, by an order that provided, "That the petition of divers citizens of Independence Precinct be granted) that the precinct heretofore known as Independence Pre cinct i he divided) and that a new precinct be formed with the boundaries as follows, to-wit : To consist of the whole of township 4(i, range 'K and four miles off from the side of township 4(i, range S cast of the third principal meridian. That this precinct lie known and styled as Wentworth."

On December -">. lsl.'l, the Commissioners' Court ordered, "That a new precinct be formed off from the southeast corner of Virginia with boundaries as follows, viz : " ( 'ommencing at the southeast corner of McHenry County, running north to the line between McHenry and Lake counties to the northeast corner of section 5, on the south line of township II, range 9; thence west six miles to the northwest corner of section 4, township 13, range 8; thence south to the Kane County line; thence east to the place of beginning. Said precinct shall be known by the name of Fox Precinct."

In June, 1844, the boundaries of Fox Precinct were changed as follows: "Commencing at the northeast corner of section 4, running thence south to the southeast corner of section Hi, thence west one mile, thence south in the countj line." Under the same date, ii waa ordered, "That the lines of the Fox Preeinel be changed bo as to commence al the southwest corner of section 9, in township t::. north, range 8 easl on the \ line of Pox Preeinel ; thence easl on the south side of sections 9, 10, etc., nil it reaches the county line."

preeinel be formed Erom Nipersink Preeinel with the boundaries as Eol lows: Including townships 45 and 46 north, of range 5 easl of the third principal meridian, and thai said preeinel be called Byron."

Another preeinel was Formed on the same date, under the following order, "Thai a new preeinel be formed Erom the remainder of Nipersink Precinct, consisting of township 46 north, range 6 east, and thai said preeinel be called AJden.

holding i lections in Virginia Precinct be at the house of Benry M. Wait and s. King in said precinct, and thai the name id' said preeinel be changed to 1 'ass."

On March 2, 1847, the following order was given: "On the petition of Paschal Stowell and others. Kishwaukee Preeinel was divided, and township 1+ north, range t> east, was constituted a preeinel to be known as Franklin."

On March _. 1847, a second order is filed, towit: Denying petition of Ellison I). Marsh and others for the formation of a new preeinel to be known as ( Joral Precinct.

On Dri-cnilin- 7. 1847, the Commissioners' Courl ordered, "Thai the petition nf divers citizens residing north of the center line in township 44 north, range 8 cast of the third principal meridian and wesl of Fox River, asking to have thai pari of said township ahove described annexed to McBenry Preeinel be accepted."

The Commissioners' Courl ordered under date of June 7. 1848, "Thai township 4li north, range 5 oast, be, and is herehy, constituted an election preeinel by the name of Chemung."

Acting on the petition of John Purdy and others, on September 5, 1849, Independence Precincl was divided, and the western third of township 16, range s. taken Erom Independence and attached to Cishwaukee Precinct.

On November 6, 1849, ;it a general election, the people of McHenry Countj vi ted 1,943 in favor of township organization, and the Commissioners' Court therefore ordered, "Thai Carlisle Hastings, Phineas W. Platl and Frederick W. Smith, be, and arc hereby, appointed commissioners to divide the county of McHenry into towns or townships, as is provided by the 5th section of the 1st article of the acl to provide for township and county organization. Approved Feb. 12, 1849."

The results of the commissioners in dividing the county into townships are as follows: Benton, Richmond, Hebron. Alden, Chemung, Bryon, Hartland, Greenwood, .McHenry, Brooklyn, Center, Seneca. Marengo, Riley, Coral, Grafton, and Algonquin. During 1850, the name of Brooklyn was changed to Nunda, Byron to Dunham, Center to Dorr, and Benton to Burton. From 1850 to the present date, the affairs of the various townships, so far as county government has been concerned, have been in capable, honest hands, for only such have been elected to I lie board of county supervisors. A list of all members appears at the close of this chapter.

A review of the records of almost any county will show that at some time in its history, agitation has arisen over the location of the county seat. Frequently, as in the case of McHenry, changes in the original was the <:eo<:raphical center of the new county, but when Lake County took all of the country east of the section line running north and south three miles east of Fox River at McHenry; in other words, two thirds of range 9 east, together with all lyinf: cast of the line mentioned. McHenry was no longer the center of the countv. and dissatisfaction arose with it as the seal of justice. - Tin- objection was hh.it felt in the early days than it would be al this day, for then the settlers were so dependenl upon more primitive methods of travel. A few miles one way or the other made a vast difference to the "iirs who were forced to struggle, al tain periods of the year, through the mud and swollen streams, and for this reason, it' for no other, an effort was made to selecl a point equally distant from all the boundaries, ;it which to locate the county buildings. Petitions were Bent to the Legislature for the removal of the county seat from McHenry, now in the eastern part of the county, and an act was passed, and approved, Februarj 6, L843, authorizing the taking of a vote upon the subject. Crystal Lake. Walkup's Corners, four miles for the seat of justice. Centerville was chosen, it being the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of section .">. township 44, range 7. east of tlie third principal meridian upon which the new courthouse was to be erected. This selection was ratified by the election held September 1, 1843. (>n an-., nut of trouble that Alvin Judd had in proving up his claim In the land required for the scat of justice, owing to the fad that he did not reside upon the above described land in June 1843, nor upon the people of McHenry County, an appeal was made to the Legislature by Joel II. Johnson and others to change the name t > . Woodstock, after W Istock, Vermont, the old home of .Mr. Johnson and some of hi- fellow citizens, and this was done by special act under date of February, L845. 'I'M- name has since been retained.

In Is.",.",, another movement was inaugurated to change the location of the county scat to Algonquin Township, within one mile of the junction of crossing of the Illinois and Wisconsin and Pox Valley railroads, and between that point and Crystal Lake in -aid town. The question was put to the people at a general election in April, with the result that the rote stood: for removal, 1,048; against removal, 2,095.

by tlic county, and canceled prior to the completion of this building, but there appears to be no definite description of it. As a new building for it ;hkI also for the housing of the prisoners, was soon deemed necessary, it doubtless was riol a very imposing structure. Had it been very valuable, the public building would have hern moved to Centerville.

documents of the county were ordered removed to it. This second courthiiiisc was a plain. two-Story frame building, which Stood nearly in the on September 2, 1844. Owing to the fact that the new courthouse was utterly inadequate for the needs of the county, an additional building was erected for the use of the county officers, and it was familiarly known as the "Rat Hole." This name was applied to it after it losl the tin roof with which it was covered. This roof was blown oil' in a heavy wind Storm, Leaving tin' officials exposed to the inclemency of the weather. As they hurried out, a wag exclaimed, "See the rats crawl out of their holes." The name stuck as Long as the building stood, although sold by the county on February 25, 1856, to Lindsay Joslyn for $72:5.

Present Courthouse

As can be easily seen, this county was too important a section of the state to remain long without proper housing of its officials, and on May 21, IS.").'!, the board of supervisors authorized an inquiry into the probable cost of the erection of a proper courthouse and jail, appointing as a committee, C. M. Willard, A. Judd, II. T. Rice, Ira Slocumb and Daniel Stewart. Nothing definite was accomplished until September It. 1854, when the committee reported to the board in favor of securing the passage of an act authorizing the board to levy a special tax on the assessment of the county during 1855, for the purpose of erecting a suitable courthouse, and such law was passed at the next session of the Legislature.

dt' two mills was levied, and the ground owned by Mary McMahon and occupied by Hill's Tavern was broughl by tin' people of Woodstock and donated t" the county, and the county turned over t" the town of Woodstock tlir old courthouse to used for town purposes. It was later destroj <'<! by tin1.

Attn- some changes in plans, scaled proposals were received until January 21, 1856, for the buildings, to be completed by October 1. 1857. Messrs. Donnelly, Kasson and Qoodsel] were the members of the building committee. George Eebard and Son, of Marengo, received tin' .-outran for the brick, stone mason, plasterer and stone cutter work, their price being $18,000. Russell C. Mix and .lames A. Hind-, of Aurora, received the contract for the carpenter, joiner, glazier and iron and the many public records, the county board of supervisors has provided additions in either direction, which has given plenty of vault room and more adequate quarters for the convenience of the .judges and court same quality of material and stone trimmings, as well as roofiing, have been so added that the style of architecture has been kepi intact. It is a red brick structure.

Until the present jail was erected. .McIIenry provided for the incarceration of its prisoners within its several eourthouses, and the barred windows in the basement of the present courthouse show that at one time the cells within were used to confine those who had offended against the law. Living quarters were also set aside in the courthouse for the sheriff, but with the expansion of the county's business it was found inexpedient to continue these practices anil the present jail and sheriff's residence uas erected adjoining the courthouse, in 1887, at a cost of *17.- 000. It was erected under the supervision of R. J. Reck, a member of the board of supervisors, who had been appointed on the building committee. As the property now stands it has increased very considerably in value owing to the numerous improvements and the increase in building COStfi. New steelwork for the cases was put in about I'M:;, and other changes have been made as needed.

I'mil L884, the county was withoul a poor farm, although i1 cared for its paupers from the earliest days. As early as L859, an Act of Legia lature was secured authorizing this county to set apart the accessary funds to purchase at leasl one hundred acres of land and erect the -essary buildings, bul the measure was defeated when pul before the people. Dp to the securing of a farm, each township cared for its own unfortu Date poor under a special act approved February LO, L853.

In 1884 the hoard of county supervisors voted $25. 000 for the pur pose of buying the land and erecting buildings, the money to be pro vided by the issuance of five per cenl bonds. A committee was appointed to select a farm suitable, comprised sufficient acreage to care for the pauper element. The farm of 113 acres was finally purchased for $6,000 from .1. ('. Allen, and is near Kishwaukee, in Ilartland Township.

Proper buildings were erected on the farm and there the poor of the county have been eared for under a superintendent ever since. During the spring of 1919, the supervisors appropriated $9,000 for the building of a more roomy and modern residence on the poor farm. The contract was let June 9 to Andrew Lindquist of Marengo, with other contractors for special portions of the work.

At a special meeting of the hoard of supervisors held in March, 1921, the following report was made relative to the poor farm by the committee having it in charge, F. A. Walters, chairman, A. H. Hale, II. M. Turner, I). M. Wright, R. E. Haeger, Charles H. Ackman, and E. C. Hughes.

Superintendents Op Poor

Since the county has had a poor farm on which to care for the unfortunate poor, the superintendents have been as follows: X. S. Robb, 1884-95; Homer Brown, 1895-1902; George K. .Mills. 1902-13; Gardner Knapp. 1913 to the present t Line.

States Attorneys County Commissioners

From 1837 until the adoption of the township system in 1850, the following men served as members of the Commissioners' Court: 1837 - Charles II. Bartlett. Matthias Mason. Solomon Xorlon. Samuel Sherman;

After tlir abolishmenl of the County Commissioner Court came the present supervisor system wherein each civil township in the county is represented on what is termed the "board of county supervisors." The men holding such position since the system commenced in 1850 have been: 1850 - James C. Thompson, Chemung; Cyrus Allen. Byron; Amos D. Coon, Marengo; Ira E. Searles, Riley; Calvin Pike, Seneca; Olonzci Golder, Hartland; Andrew Easton, Allien; Josiah II. Giddings (chairman i. Hebron ; Joseph X. Barber, Greenwood; Blzaphan J. Smith, Centre; Blias A. Thomas, Algonquin; William Salisbury, Brooklyn; Charles II. Russell, Richmond; Sylvanus stillson, Benton; Charles Crego, Coral; Thomas s. Huntley, Grafton; Alex II. Nixon, McHenry.

Woodstock; Ira Slocumb, Greenwood; A. Coggswell, Eebron; John Sibley, Richmond; Alfred Stephens, Burton; A. II. Nixon, McHenry; H. M. Lamb, Nunda.; -I. P. .Miller. Algonquin.

Giddings, Bebron; A. 1'. Wells. Richmond; Lewis Batch, Burton; A. ('. Thompson, Greenwood; Richard Bishop, McHenrj ; ('. W. Hull'. Nunda; B. A. Thomas, Algonquin.

1894 - D. A. Seanor, Riley; C. P. Wright, Marengo; A. R. Thompson, Dunham; P. P. Axtell, Chemung; J. N. Woodburry, Alden; William Desmond, Bartland; F. E. Stevens. Coral; John Weltzein, Grafton; S. E. Clark, Greenwood; George .McConnell. Richmond; J. B. Gracy, Nunda. In 189") the practice was adopted and continued of electing the supervisors for a period of two years so that from thai date

The presenl board is composed of the following: II. II. Barber, Rilej ; D. M. Wright, Marengo; II. E. Whipple, Dunham; W. II. Ward, Chemung; II. G. Durkee, Alden; E. C. Hughes, Hartland; E. F. Kueker, Seneca; Charles Ackerman, Jr., Coral; John Conley, Grafton; P. A. Walters, Don'; L. X. Thompson, Greenwood; II. M. Turner, Hebron; F.

The Legislature Of Illinois in the winter of lill,S-l!l, enacted a law which has changed the old rati' of assessment in the State which was one-third of the actual value of real estate, to one-half. So that now where the assessor places the amount of "assessed valuation" on a given property to be $1,000. it signifies that such property has a supposed actual cash value of $2,000.

This [aw went into immediate effect and this caused quite an extra burden upon the part of county officials in order to comply with the new enactment. In most cases the assessor's hooks had already been turned

Over to the county clerk and now this officer is compelled In ;issis| the hoard of review in carrying out or extending a new column in all hooks matter of the disposition of the people in each county. The former provision was one by which there could not lie raised at the legal amount of