Tazewell County, Illinois - Chapter 7: Important Labors of the Board of Supervisors, 1879

Chapter 7: Important Labors of the Board of Supervisors

IN 1847 a State election was held for members of the Constitutional Convention, which Convention prepared and submitted to the people a new constitution, which was adopted by a large majority. By this constitution, in place of the Commissioners' Court a County Court was organized in each county. This Court consisted of a County Judge, and, if the Legislature saw proper to so order it, two Associate Justices. This the Legislature favorably acted upon. The last meeting of the County Commissioners' Court was held Nov. 7, 1849. After the transaction of such business as properly came before them, they adjourned until court in course, but never re-assembled.

On the 3d of December of the same year the first regular term of the County Court was held. The duties of the Court in a legislative capacity were precisely the same as those of the County Commissioners' Court. In addition to the legislative power the members of this Court were permitted to exercise judicial authority, having all the rights and privileges of justices of the peace, together with all probate business. This Court consisted of a County Judge and two Associate Justices. The Judge and Associate Justices acted together for the transaction of all county business, but none other. The Justices had an equal vote with the Judge, and received the same salary while holding court, which was §2 per day. Two of the three constituted a quorum.

Benjamin F. James was chosen the first County Judge, being elected Nov. 6, 1849, - the first November election held. The first Associate Justices were Joseph Stewart and Lawson Holland. During the existence of this Court the people were agitating the question of township organization. Many counties of the State, since the new constitution, had adopted that mode of conducting county affairs. The constitution gave counties the privilege of adopting either the County Court or the Board of Supervisors. At the fall election in 1849 a vote was taken "for" or "against township organization," which resulted in favor of the new measure.

The County Court had but a short existence. The last meeting was held Saturday, April 6, 1850. In the mean time, however, the Court appointed B. S. Pretty man, Anson Gillon and J. M. Coons a commission to divide the county into townships. This duty they performed in due time. Generally they constituted each congressional township a separate town. Beginning at Fond du Lac township they fixed the boundary as it now is, and named it " Fond du Lac," according to the wish of the people. The first election under the township organization was held at Farm creek school-house.

Washington township was laid off six miles square east and adjoining Fond du Lac. It was called Washington because the village and post office bore that name. The east half of township 26 north, and range 2 west, was attached to Washington at the request of the citizens, as there were not sufficient - inhabitants to form a separate town. The first election was held in the district school-building at Washington.

Deer Creek had its boundaries fixed as they are at present. The first election was held at the Monmouth school-house. The township was named by Major R. N. Cullom, taking the name of the creek that flows through it.

Morton was laid off and named as it is at present. Harvey Campbell proposed the name in honor of Gov. Morton of Massachusetts. First election was held at W. W. Campbell's.

Groveland was constituted a township, and its boundaries fixed as they now are. The first election was held at the Randolph house, Groveland. The township took its name from the village.

Pekin township was at first one tier of sections less north and south than it is at present. The northern tier of sections of Cincinnati was taken from that township and added to Pekin. It was named after the city of Pekin.

Cincinnati township was laid oflp by this commission one tier of sections larger than it is at present. The first election was held at the Cincinnati hotel, Pekin.

Hopedale at first was christened Highland. The present boundaries were fixed. A portion of Boynton township was attached to Hopedale, there not being enough inhabitants to organize a township. First election '\\;as held at Mrs. Purviance's residence. The name Highland was changed because there was another township in the State wearing that name.

Sand Prairie, formerly JeiFerson, had its boundaries described as they are at present. First election held at John Hisle's. Malone township was not organized, but the territory was attached to Sand Prairie.

Hittle was first named Union, then changed to Waterford, and finally to Hittle. It included its present territory and a portion of Boynton. First election held at Hittle Grove church.

This system of county government is so entirely different in origin and management from the old mode by county commissioners, which had such a long and favorable run, that we deem a brief synopsis of the differences quite pertinent in this connection.

Elijah M. Haines, in his " Laws of Illinois Relative to Township Organization," says the county system "originated with Virginia, whose early settlers soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living alone in almost baronial magnificence on their own estates, and owning the laboring part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were not at hand, the voters being thinly distributed over a great area. The county organization, where a few influential men managed the whole business of the community, retaining their places almost at their pleasure, scarcely responsible at all except in name, and permitted to conduct the county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct, was, moreover, consonant with their recollections or traditions of the judicial and social dignities of the landed aristocracy of England, in descent from which the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1834 eight counties were organized in Virginia, and the system extending throughout the State, spread into all the Southern States and some of the Northern States, unless we except the nearly similar division into 'districts' in South Carolina, and that into 'parishes' in Louisana from the French laws.

" Illinois, which with its vast additional territory became a county of Virginia on its conquest by Gen. George Rogers Clarke, retained the county organization, which was formerly extended over the State by the constitution of 1818, and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848. Under this system, as in other States adopting it, most local business Avas transacted by three commissioners in each county, who constituted a county court, with quarterly sessions. During the period ending with the Constitutional Convention of 1847, a large portion of the State had become filled up with a population of New England birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system." It was maintained by the people that the heavily populated districts would always control the election of the commissioners to the disadvantage of the more thinly populated sections, - in short, that under the system, "equal and exact justice" to all parts of the county could not be secured. The township system had its origin in Massachusetts, and dates back to 1635.

De Tocqueville, in his work entitled " American Institutions, " in speaking of our political system, very properly remarks that two branches may be distinguished in the Anglo-American familv which have grown up without entirely commingling, - the one in the South, the other in the North. He discovers the causes which led to this condition of things, which are apparent to the most casual observer. " They arise, " he says, " not from design, but from the force of circumstances at the beginning. The planting of the original colony of Virginia at Jamestown had for its design the single and naked object of pecuniary profit to the proprietors. Its mission involved no principle for the benefit of mankind. It recognized the crown of Great Britain, from whence it derived the charter of its existence, as the source of political power. There was no recognition of the principle of self-government.

"But the circumstances attending the first settlement of the Colonies of New England, so called, were of an entirely different character. The early colonists in this instance were non-conformists, or dissenters from the Church of England. They came as exiles, fleeing from the wrath of ecclesiastical tyranny, whose displeasure they had incurred, - cast out as public offenders, 'as profane out of the mountain of God.' Whilst the colonists of Yirgina came with the law, those of New England came against the law, or perhaps, more properly speaking, without law. Thereupon arose on the part of the latter a positive necessity for the establishment of law for their mutual protection. The result was a written compact, - this being the first written constitution extant, based upon the general good. It was the first time since the 'morning stars sang together' that the people themselves met in council and framed a government based upon equal rights."

The supervisor is the chief officer and representative of the township, and it is his duty to prosecute and defend all suits in which the township is interested. The township clerk keeps the records of the towsnhip, and the treasurer takes charge of the funds. The establishment, vacation and repair of the public roads is committed to the three commissioners of highways. The supervisor, the two justices of the peace whose terms of office soonest expire, and the township clerk constitute a township board for examining and auditing the accounts of the town.

The Board of Supervisors convened for the first time just one month after the adjournment of the County Court. It assembled at the court-house in Tremont May 6, 1850, the following members being present : R. W. Briggs, Tremont ; William S. Maus, Pekin ; W. J. Thompson, Jefferson ; R. N. Cullom, Deer Creek ; B. F. Orendorff. Little Mackinaw ; W. W. Grossman, Delavan ; Seth Talbot, Elm Grove ; C. J. Gibson, Fond du Lac ; George L. Parker, Groveland ; Samuel P. Bailey, Cincinnati ; Nathan Dillon, Dillon ; Lyman Porter, Mackinaw ; Horace Clark, Morton ; Charles Holder, Highland ; Hezekiah Armington, Union ; George H. Daniels, Spring Lake. Hon. Richard N. Cullom was chosen chairman.

The last meeting of the Board at Tremont, was held August 26, 1850, when the Board moved in a body to Pekin and held a meeting on the same day in the new court-house, built by that city.

Since 1850 the business affairs of the county have been under the guidance of a Board of Supervisors, at present composed of 24 members. It would be unprofitable, as unnecessary, to present in detail the numerous orders, reports, resolutions, etc., of this body. Their proceedings partake a great deal of the nature of a legislature. Among so many men there are always some cool business heads, as well as a good many glib tongues. Some of them are practical, industrious workers, others are of the buncombe order, always ready to make a speech or a voluminous report. This has always been the case with such assemblies, and we suppose always will be.

By an act of the Legislature, approved Feb. 2, 1849, in regard to the disposal of the court-house at Tremont, it provided that in case the countv-seat was moved to Pekin, a deed of trust of the courthouse, should be made to Joseph L. ShaAV, Wells Andrews, Lyman Porter, Thomas P. Pogers and William A. Maus. The building was to be used and occupied exclusively for the purpose of education and for the use and benefit of the people of this county. Accordingly when the vote was taken and it was decided to make the move, and when the move was made, the above act was complied with, and for several years a high school was conducted there.

The Fire-Proof Building

This structure, which stands near the south-east corner of the public square, was ordered erected by the Board in 1857. The contract for its erection was awarded to J. P. Hall, and it was completed in the spring of 1859. The building committee of the Board consisted of R. B. Marley, David Hainline, James Mitchell, G. H. Rupert and William S. Maus. The committee ajipointed Dr. Maus superintendent. He was also authorized to provide for furnishing the office with suitable furniture. The idea of introducing iron furniture was considered rather a novel one, but it was urged that while the building might be rendered fire-proof as to the exterior, the interior fixtures being constructed of wood, there would really be no certainty that the records would be protected from fire. It was believed that in nearly every case where court-houses or other buildings containing records had been de- stroyed by fire, the cause originated in the interior. In such a case fire-proof walls alone would prove but a slight protection. The good sense of the Supervisors convinced them that iron cases, shelving and furniture would prove the best kind of insurance they could place upon the records of the county.

Acting under authority from the building committee. Dr. Maus visited several establishments in the East where iron furniture was manufactured. On his return he perfected a plan for the furniture needed, the drawing of which was executed by Thomas King. The building was first occupied the latter part of May, 1859, and ever since has kept the public records, which are invaluable, in safe custody.

At a meeting of the Board May 2, 1861, Supervisor Pratt introduced a resolution that, whereas our forts, arsenals and government stores had been seized and, "whereas many of our citizens have volunteered in defence of our country, and have come forward with the same spirit that actuated our sires in the days of ' 76, leaving their wives and children, homes and firesides, with their lives in their hands, periling their all at their country's call, and many of them without money or means to pay a single day's board, and their families entirely unprovided for, trusting to the God of mercies for the means of their sustenance," - therefore resolved that the Board pay their board and expenses while and before being mustered into service ; also maintain their families during their absence. The resolution was tabled and a substitute offered by Supervisor Maus, and passed, to the effect that a committee be appointed to examine all accounts and expenses incurred in raising volunteers, as well as such relief as may be necessary for the support of the families of such married men during their absence, and report the result to the Board. Said committee was appointed, and at the next meeting reported claims " for the support of women and children where husbands and fathers have volunteered," to the amount of $1,100. The whole matter was turned over to the Board, when $132.75 of the amount was allowed.

Again Supervisor Pratt attempted to get aid for the volunteers by making a motion that $2.50 per week be allowed on all bills for boarding volunteers while being organized. This motion was also rejected.

that eifect was presented to the Board. The City Council of Pekin also took cognizance of this refusal to aid troops. At a special meeting held Thursday, May 23, 1861, seemingly for no other purpose. Alderman Harlow offered the following :

"Whereas, the Supervisors of Tazewell county have been petitioned to bear a portion of the expense of volunteers and have refused, therefore, resolved, that we, the Board of Aldermen of the city of Pekin, do utterly disapprove and condemn the action of said Board of Supervisors, and, with all good and loyal citizens, feel that old Tazewell has been disgraced by the action of said Supervisors."

While the Board was not as liberal in this respect as some would have had it, yet it paid out considerable money for the support of families of soldiers. In September, 1864, the Board decided to give a bounty of $150. to each volunteer under the first call of that year for 500,000 men. In January, 1865, a bounty of $300. was offered. The sum of $128,000 was appropriated to pay said bounty. This was based on the quota of the county being 400; but in February it was found to exceed that number by 144, and a further sum of $53,000 was appropriated. To raise this a tax of three cents on the dollar was levied. A special assesment was made, and the tax collected in short order. The levy was made upon the property of soldiers, which was unavoidable, but the Board subsequently refunded such tax.

The Board have experienced much difficulty in regard to the swamp lands of the county : indeed, we believe they have been the source of the greatest trouble and expence to the Board. A vast system of drainage was undertaken, which proved highly beneficial although quite expensive, and for years more or less controversy was had in regard to this matter. The present Board is composed of the following gentlemen :

Chapter Yiii Blooded Stock

AX interest paramount to every other in agricultural pursiiits is that of stock-raising. Many of the farmers have realized this and have turned their attention largely to this branch of agriculture ; and the result is that Tazewell county can boast of as fine stock as any other county in Illinois. While this chapter is headed as if to treat on stock indiscriminately, yet as cattle are receiving, and have received, more attention than any other class of domestic animals, we shall devote most of the space to cattle. As thoroughbred stock was introduced into Tazewell county at a very early day, as early indeed as in almost any part of the State, we will speak of the first introduction of such stock into Illinois. The first, perhaps, that were brought into the State were by James X. Brown, in 1834, when he arrived in Sangamon county with the progenitors of his afterwards famed herd of "Island Grove." Some grades of the "Patton" stock are said to have been found in Madison and in some other southern counties' even earlier. G. W. Fagg, of Perry county, advertised a short -horn bull in the Union Agriculturist in 1841. The Prairie Farmer notices the Devons of James McConnell, near Springfield, in 1843. A letter of Gov. Lincoln, of Massachusetts, to Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, published in the Union Agriculturist for 1841, shows that the former sent some crosses of Ayrshire and short-horn cattle to a son in Alton that year, which was, perhaps, the first introduction of Ayrshire blood even in a diluted state. The Prairie Farmer, in 1844, chronicles the arrival at Chicago of an imported short -horn for Bronson Murray, of La Salle county. By the time of holding the first State Fair at Springfield, in 1851, the short-horn appeared in very respectable numbers, and Devons, although not much shown, were said bv the Prairie Farmer to be already found in quantity in the northern part of the State. In 1857 the formation of the Illinois Stock Importing Association, and their importations and sales, among other animals, of twentyseven short-horns, increased the interest in breeding.

The first introduction of blooded stock into Tazewell county, together with the history of the progress made in improving the stock of the county, would be an interesting article to many. We have not, however, been able to gather sufficient data of a reliable nature to warrant an article of great lengtli. The first importation into the county, and among the very first into the State, was made by Col. Charles Oakley. The importation was made in 1840 from England, and consisted of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, of the following stock and number: one full-blooded Durham roan bull; two roan cows ; one full-blooded stallion of the celebrated Campbell stock ; one full-blooded mare of the Bertram stock ; five Berkshire pigs, and a number of long-wooled Cotswold sheep. Three years later Col. Oakley again brought with him on his return from England stock of the following kinds : white Durham cow and calf; a number of pigs of the Woburn stock, and the stallion Sampson. The latter was not a direct importation of Col. Oakley's, but he was brought from New York here. This horse did much in the way of improving the farm horses of this section, and even now many of the Sampson breed of horses are to be seen traveling the roads.

Had the people ap])reciated at that early day the value of this stock imported by Col. Oakley, for many years past Tazewell county might have been, in regard to fine stock, foremost in the United States. The people, however, could not see any special benefit to be derived from investing in animals costing so much, and but little interest was taken in them. The Colonel's public duties would not permit him to give his personal attention to his stock, and the consequence was that in a few years they were scattered here and there, and but few persons ever derived any benefit from them save from the horses.

We deem it fitting in this connection to speak personally of Col. Charles Oakley, as he not only made the greatest effort ever made in an early day to improve the domestic animals of Illinois, but he was also prominently identified Avith great works of the State, and an honored and respected citizen of Tazewell county. He w'as born in AVest Chester county, N. Y., in 1792 ; came to this county with the Tremont colony in 1834, and erected the first house in Tremont. He was in the war of 1812, and in the Black Hawk war. In 1839, during the great internal improvement system, he was appointed State Fund Commissioner, and went to Europe to negotiate a loan. It was on his return from this trip that he brought the first lot of stock. In 1843 he, with Senator Michael Ryan, was by the Governor appointed to negotiate a loan to carry on the building of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. They went to Europe in the early part of 1843, and returned in November. In 1844 Col. Oakley again went to Europe, but came home still unsuccessful in borrowing funds. Early in the winter of 1844-5 he again proceeded to Europe, Ryan remaining at home, and finally succeeded in borrowing $1,600,000. He came home to be appointed Canal Commissioner, which position he held at his death. He again went to England in company with Charles L. Butler (brother of Ben Butler), to secure funds for the completion of the Indiana and Wabash Canal. For this service Butler was paid, after Col. Oakley's death, the sum of $25,000, none of which, however, ever found its way to the Colonel's family.

Col. Oakley was president of the first bank ever established at Pekin. It was a branch of the Bank of Illinois, and was first opened in that city in 1840. He was one of the most popular men in Illinois, during his day, and was once looked upon by his party as the proper person to succeed Gov. French as the chief executive of the State. In the very prime of life, however, he was stricken down. He died at his home in Tremont on the 31st of December, 1848. His widow still survives him, and at present resides at Peoria. She is about eighty years old, and in very feeble health. Oakley Avenue, a prominent thoroughfare in Chicago, perpetuates his memory.

It has cost time, labor and money to introduce thoroughbred stock, but the result of bringing imported stock and a scientific knowledge of breeding has placed Tazewell in the very front rank of counties in Illinois in the raising of fine cattle.

Among the foremost breeders of blooded stock in the county are : John Trout of Elm Grove, who owns Florence, bred by D. E. Davis, of Salem, N. J. For pedigree see page 561, Vol. 15 of the American Herd Book. He also has Breastplate, bred by J. G. Clark, Champaign county. 111.; pedigree number, 18,236; Elfrida, red and white, bred by Clark; pedigree number, 11,341; Pearl, also bred by the same man; pedigree number, 12,578. Mr. Trout also has Elfrida the Seventh, bred by himself; pedigree number, 28,853, American Herd Book. Thomas Wibray, section 4, Tremont township, has Duke of Herndoka; pedigree number, 19,485. Jos. Ropp owns Red Duke, bred by J. G. Clark of Champaign county.

This fine animal was got by Royal Airdrie, pedigree number, 18,236. Isaac Miars, of Elm Grove, has four head of short-horns, - one of them from AVyburn's herd, of Bloomington, the other three from Waltmire's herd, of Tremont. Hon. James Robison has a fine herd of short-horns, consisting of nine head from John Gillett's herd, Elkhart, Logan county. 111. There are many others in the county who are prominently identified with the improvement of the cattle stock of the county. William Birkett, section 26, has a fine herd of from 50 to 75 head of imported Jerseys and Durhams. He runs a large dairy farm, manufacturing with horse-power an average of 200 pounds of butter per week.

" I find a very marked improvement in cattle in the neighborhood of the breeders of short-horns in the early days of Illinois. The average lots of steers in Morgan, Menard, Cass, Sangamon and Logan average several hundred weight heavier at the same age than they do in counties that more recently introduced short-horns, and, besides, the quality in a good high-grade steer will command from one to one and one-half cents per pound more than common stock. This difference in price, at the low price of corn last winter, would buy corn enough to fatten a steer. AVith this difference in size and price in favor of the short-horns, it is apparent to every calculating farmer that they cannot afford to raise any but the best stock, and those well cared for, on our high-priced land. Perhaps no neighborhood is doing more to improve their cattle at the present time than the farmers in the vicinity of Tremont. They have purchased and brought to their farms within a few months ten young thoroughbred short-horn bulls, and quite a number of heifers also. This new introduction of short-horns will, in a few years, greatly improve the cattle of that vicinity, and there are some lots of cattle there now feeding that will weigh nearly two thousand pounds.

The improvement in the hog stock of the county is, perhaps, more noticeable than that of any other class of domesticated animals. Since the arrival of the first settlers with their hogs, bred and raised entirely in the timber, and almost altogether upon the roots and acorns of the native forests, there has been a most wonderful advance in securing better stock. For many years at first it seems to have made no difference with the farmers in regard to the breed of hogs. They reasoned that a hog was a hog, and that one was as good as another, and they therefore made no effort to better their stock. Several years ago, however, the Poland Chinas, Berkshires and Chester Whites were introduced, and as a result the class of hogs bred in Tazewell county are inferior to none. Among the many who breed the best grades, is N. M. Saltonstall, who has the pure Berkshire. He has about 25 head which are said to be the finest lot of hogs in the county.

In aggregate value the horses of the county are worth more than the combined aggregate value of all other domestic animals. Much interest is now being taken to improve the farm-horse stock as mtII as the roadsters. Among those who are especially interested in this branch of stock raising, are E. D. Fuller & Bro., of Elm Grove township. They have imported some of the finest horses brought to the United States. They have two fine horses which they went to France and purchased. The famous horse, Rob Roy, which they own, and which has taken the premium at the State fair, is a perfect model of a horse. Leon, which they also own, is a fine animal. This firm has made two importations, two horses each time. They have a fine herd of about 35 head of graded horses and colts. A. J. Danforth, of Washington, has a large stable of fine roadsters, some of which are among the best and fastest horses in the State.

The result of these importations, a scientific knowledge of breeding, the expenditure of vast sums of money and close attention M-ill be of as great benefit to the county as any other branch of commerce.