Whiteside County, Illinois - Chapter 4, 1877 (part 2 of 2)

The Sheriff returned in Court the following named persons as grand jurors: Jason Hopkins, Wiatt Cantrall, Henry Burlingame, Jacob Sells, James Talbot, Jeremiah Johnson, James Row, Hiram Harmon, Jabez Warner, W. F. Van Norman, A. "W. Newhall, Brainard Orton, John C. Pratt, Jonathan Haines, D. B. Young. "\Vm. Wick. John Wick, Erastus Allen, P. B. Vannest. David Mitchell, Hosea Jacobs. Daniel Reed, Edmund Cowdrey and C G. Woodruff. The Court ordered the Sheriff to summon six other persons, having the qualifications of grand jurors, from the bystanders, and the following were summoned accordingly: Wm. Heaton, Ivory Colcord, A. J. Matson, Horatio Wells, Chas. R. Rood and Hezekiah Brink. Wiatt Cantrall and C. G. Woodruff were afterwards discharged for cause.

The first case entered upon the docket was entitled '' William R. Cox vs. Hutchins Crocker, Assumpsit." Upon its being called the plaintiff's attorney appeared, and on his motion it was ordered that the suit be dismissed at plaintiff's costs.

Writs were issued against John Baker, A. M. AVing, Alfred Slocumb, Henry Boyer, A. C. Jackson, Harry Smith, John Chapman, Isaac Merrill and W. S. Barnes, for contempt of court in failing to attend as grand jurors, and also against J. A. Reynolds, D. P. Brewer, Lyman Blake, H. F. Rice. J. T. Atkinson, Joseph Town, Charles Clark, Ivy Buck, Chester Lusk, Van J. Adams and E. Wick, for contempt in failing to attend as petit jurors.

At the May term of the Circuit Court, in 1841, the first divorce case of which there is any record in Whiteside County, was entered upon the docket. In that suit Mary Beeman prayed for a divorce a vi)icuJo from her unworthy liege lord. James Beeman. The first criminal trial in the county was also held at this term of the Circuit Court, and was entitled "The People vs. Daniel Dolan, rape."' The case was tried on a change of venue from Lee. The jury found Dolan guilty, and fixed his punishment at three years in the penitentiary.

The following are the circuits to which Whiteside has been attached, together with the counties composing them, and the times fixed for holding Court in Whiteside.

By an act of the General Assembly approved March 2, 1839, the 6th Judicial Circuit included the counties of Rock Island, Whiteside, Carroll, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone and Jo Daviess, and provided that terms of the Court be held in Whiteside County on the second Mondays of April and September. The act of 1840, however, changed the time to the first Thursdays after the third Mondays in April and September.

The act approved February 2.3, 1841, gave to the 6th Judicial Circuit the counties of Jo Daviess, Stephenson. Winnebago, Boone, Lee, Carroll, Whiteside, Rock Island, Mercer and Henry, and fixed the time for holding courts in Whiteside on the second Monday of May, and the third Monday of September, in each year.

By the act approved February 27, 1847, the counties of Lee, Whiteside, Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Carroll and Jo Daviess were made to constitute the 6th Judicial Circuit, with the terms in Whiteside to be held at Sterling on the third Monday in April, and the fourth Monday in August of each year. In 1849 the Circuit was changed so as to include the counties of Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside and Carroll, with the terms in AVhiteside to be held on the third Mondays in April an4 September, jind was again changed in

1851 so as to include Henry, Rock Island, Ogle, Lee, Carroll and Whiteside, with terms in the latter on the third Mondays in April, and the first Mondays in October in each year. Between 1851 and 1857 the composition of the Circuit remained the same, while the terms of Court in Whiteside were changed twice, first in 1852 to the second Mondays in April and fourth Mondays in October, and in 1855 to the second Mondays in April and the second Mondays in October.

The act approved February 5, 1857, provided that the counties of Lee, Ogle, Whiteside and Carroll should compose a Judicial Circuit to be called the 22d Judicial Circuit, with the terms of Court in Whiteside to be held on the fourth Mondays in March and October. This act also provided for the election of the Judge and a State's Attorney. In 1859 terms of Court were ordered for Whiteside on the third Monday in January and May, and the second Monday in August, and in 1871 the terms were increased to four, to be held on the fourth Monday in August, first Monday in December and second Monday in March and June. By the act of March 28, 1873, Whiteside, Carroll, Ogle and Lee were made the 3d Circuit, terms unchanged; and by the act approved June 2, 1877, Winnebago, Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Whiteside, Ogle and Lee were constituted the 13th Circuit, with three Judges. The terms of Court in Whiteside so far have not been changed.

Following is a list of the Judges of the Circuit Court to the present date; also a list of the State's Attorneys in the Circuit to 1872, when the ofiice was abolished so far as it applied to Judicial Circuits, and a State's Attorney was elected in each county in the State:

By an act of the Greneral Assembly, approved March 4, 1837, each county of the State was authorized to elect one additional Justice of the Peace, ''to be styled by way of eminence and distinction, the Probate Justice of the Peace." These Justices were vested with the same powers and jurisdiction in civil cases, and were subject to the same rules of law, as other Justices of the Peace. In addition to these judicial powers, they were vested with the following ministerial powers:

To administer all oaths or affirmations concerning any matter or thing before them; to issue and grant letters of administration, testamentary, and of guardianship, and repeal the same; to take probate of wills, and repeal the same; to determine the person or persons entitled to letters of administration, or to letters testamentai-y, and in general to do and perform all things concerning the granting of letters testamentary, of administration or of guardianship; to receive, file, and record inventories, appraisement and sale bills; to require executors, administrators and guardians to exhibit and settle their accounts, and settle for the estates and property in their hands, and for that purpose to issue citations and attachments into every county in the State, to be executed by the Sheriff of the county.

of October, 1839. where the will of Joseph H. Carr was admitted to probate. Ivory Colcord and Wm. Wick were appointed administrators under the will, and gave bond in the sum of $800. The first Probate Justice of the Peace elected was Daniel B. Young, who was commissioned June 6. 1839, and held the office until February 8, 1842, when Robert L. Wilson assumed the duties. Col. Wilson continued in the position until 1849, when the powers and duties of the office were transferred to the County Court which had been created by an act of the General Assembly that year.

The act of the General Assembly approved February 12, 1849, provided that there should be established in each county in the State, a court of record to be styled the County Court, to be held by, and consist of one judge styled the County Judge. The act also provided that the County Judge should be elected on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1849, and every four years thereafter, and that a clerk of the court should be elected in each county at the same time and place of electing the judge, the term of the clerk to be the same as that of the judge. The County Court was vcvsted under the act with all the powers and jurisdiction of the Probate Court. The act further provided that the County Judge, with two Justices of the Peace designated and provided for, should, in all cases whatever, sit as a County Court, and have, exercise, and possess all the power, jurisdiction and authority of the County Commissioners" Court. And that terms for the transaction of county business, be held on the first Mondays of December, March, June and September, in each year. The terms for the transaction of probate business were ordered to be held on third Mondays of the months when the County Court was held, and on the first Monday of every other month. Under this act N. G. Reynolds was elected the first County Judge.

By the law of 1871-72 County Courts in addition to their probate powers, have concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Courts in all classes of cases wherein Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction, where the amount claimed, or the value of property in controversy, shall not exceed $500, and in all criminal offenses and misdemeanors where the punishment is not imprisonment in the penitentiary, or death. No appeals, however, are allowed from Justices of the Peace to the County Courts. The term of the court for probate matters commences on the third Monday in each month, except the months provided for holding law terms, which by the law of the last General Assembly were fixed for Whiteside County, to be held on the second Monday of January, May and October, in each year.

The hardships, toils and privations endured by the early settlers of Whiteside County cannot be written in a chapter. Not that our pioneers encountered more difficulties than usually fall to the lot of those who first push forward into new sections of the country, but because words fail to adequately describe all that these brave people are compelled to pass through in the establishment of their homes in an unbroken and uncultivated land," let it be where it may. Many of Whiteside's pioneers had been brought up where abundance prevailed, and where every article of luxury, to say nothing of necessitj-, could be had almost within the stretch of a hand. Markets were convenient, help plenty, and money eas}- of attainment. They knew nothing of the embarrassments of isolation. All around them were cities, villages and hamlets. In distress there were neighbors to assist; in prosperity hundreds came to congratulate them. When they needed medicine the man of pills and potions could be found '^right around the corner," and when they got into a bad fix a learned counsellor could be retained by going up "the very next stairs." The pastor was handy for a marriage, and always at home for a funeral. Societies for raising money for the conversion of the Hottentot and Hindoo, and for retailing neighborhood gossip, met weekly at some good sister's house where spiced cake and strong tea were dispensed. In short they were surrounded by all the elements of an advanced civilization, and gloried in the fact that the land of their birth was a land overflowing with corn and wine, and where every man was a friend to his neighbor and the "rest of mankind." But when they came to the broad prairies of the West they found everything changed. For miles there was not a human habitation. The great plains spread all around blooming in the spring time with the beautiful prairie flowers, and swept in the autumn and winter by the fierce winds which found no obstacle in their onward path save the dying grass. To be sure the rains descended as they did at their old homes, and the soft moan of the summer breeze sounded as familiarly as it did on the New England Hills, or in the valleys of the Middle States, but all else was new, lonesome and desolate. With brave hearts, however, they built their little cabins, and plunged the shining share into the unbroken glebe, and that success crowned their labors is well attested by the broad and fertile fields, and beautiful farm houses, thrifty orchards, and flourishing cities and towns, which now make Whiteside County one of the wealthiest and most prosperous in the State.

When the earliest settlers came to Whiteside the methods of travel were of the most primitive kind, and the way encountered with difficulties and dangers. The great lines of railway which now intersect almost every nook and corner of our great State, were unknown. In fact there were but few known roads, and those but seldom traveled. Trails led here and there, and these were followed as far as possible, and when one could not be found, the sun during the day, and the north star at night, guided the pioneer toward his destination.

The first work of the settler, after making a claim, was to erect a shelter for himself and family. These habitations were rude, but answered the purpose until the advancing years brought the means to build others of ampler room, and more imposing exteriors, yet we have it from those who now own their almost palatial residences, that the happiest years of their western life were passed in the prairie cabins. The hard work was to "break the prairie," for after that was done the deep loose soil was easily tilled, and produced abundantly. The trouble then was not in raising crops, but to find a market for them. For a number of years grain had to be taken to Chicago before it could be sold, and then the prices paid were very low, the entire proceeds of a load being hardly sufficient to purchase the actual "store goods" needed by the settler's family.

The journey to Chicago and return at that time for a Whiteside farmer, took about twelve days. Horses and mules were not very plenty then in "this neck of the woods," so the patient ox had to be yoked, and goaded on to the city on the lake. The settler would start when the earliest beams of the coming day streaked the horizon, and travel with all the rapidity he could until darkness closed in when he would be obliged to camp. This would be done by tethering his team, preparing his meal which he had brought from home, and then making his bed on the load, or if the ground was dry enough, under the wagon. The roads, or rather the trails, were in many places indistinct, and the passage, especially across the sloughs and streams, very laborious. In many instances the wagons would get mired in these sloughs, and the unlucky person owning them, or having them in charge, be obliged to wait until help came before they could be extricated from their imbedment, unless several settlers went in company, when they could help each other. These occurrences were very frequent, and occasioned a great deal of inconvenience and loss, but what could the settler do ? He had a family to provide for, and the only way of procuring some of the actual necessaries of life was by selling his wheat, and that wheat could only find a market in Chicago. The price of wheat varied at that time from twenty-five to sixty cents per bushel, so that the load, generally about fifty bushels, would scarcely bring enough to purchase the dry goods and groceries needed for the family. The nights on the journey home were usually passed in the same manner as those going in, as the surplus cash after the purchases were made was very small in amount. The way-side inns were in most cases of necessity passed by, much to the regret no doubt of the rubicund hosts.

The prairies and groves, however, Avere full of game, so that when the meat barrel got low, the table could be bountifully supplied with venison, and prairie chicken. In lieu of cloth hides of deer were sometimes dried, and made into breeches and coats and the raccoon furnished oil for the lamps, and fur for caps. The Indians were somewhat numerous at first, but as a general thing were peaceable. They remained only a few years after the settlement of the county, and then departed for their reservations at the far west. The peaceful disposition of these Indians saves us recounting any of the fearful scenes of border life which occurred in other localities.

Added to the other privations of the early settlers was the want of the church and school. Most of them came from localities where the privileges of both were abundant, and the utter lack of them at their new homes was a deprivation which was very severely felt. But with the energy charactistic of the pioneer they set themselves at work as early as possible to secure the services of the teacher and minister. Where they were not able to erect even a rude school house, or ruder church structure, the cabin of the settler was thrown open for both religious and educational purposes. The determination was strong that the children should not grow up in ignorance, nor want the benefit of moral and religious training. For quite a time religious services were conducted by some pious settler when a minister could not be obtained, and the school kept by a man or woman of the neighborhood who had received a good education at the schools of his of- her early home. Educational and religious matters were conducted in this way for several years, much to the advantage of both the older and younger people. Now there are schools and churches all over the county, and almost at the very doors of its citizens.

The wants of the early inhabitants of the county were few and simple as compared with those of the present day. The cotiee was neither Java, Kio nor Mocha, nor even chicory, but a substitute made from wheat, rye, potatoes or burnt bread, and when carefully manipulated by the superior cooks of those times, who were the wives and mothers of the household, and not the irrepressible hired girl of this period, the compound was claimed to be but little inferior to the genuine article. Substitutes of this kind became a necessity, as the prices of wheat, corn and pork ran very low, and money was scarce and difficult to procure. Men's wages were only from 37^ to 50 cents per day, and women's from 50 cents to $1 per week.

Many persons at that day followed transportation as an occupation, and it is represented that those were the most successful who substituted oxen for horses. It was desirable for both farmer and transportation men to have as many teams go together as possible, as difficulties would often occur between different parties, and might was right when beyond the reach of a Justice of the Peace, and a Constable. Parties engaged in hauling wheat to Chicago charged from twenty to twenty-five cents a bushel, and loaded back with salt, iron, nails, Jeather, and sometimes dry goods and groceries, for which they made a separate

Early Life Of Pioneers, And Incidents

Almost every State had its representatives in Whiteside in the early days, as well as at the present, but it was found more difficult to fraternize then than now. In new countries it takes a little time for persons brought up under different religious, social and political organizations, to freely associate with each other, but being poor alike, and their needs of the same class, they soon became accustomed to one another. As a rule our early settlers were intelligent, moral and law abiding. For the first twelve years of our history the records of the Circuit Court show that not a single person was convicted before it who had committed a crime in the county. Social intercourse early became unrestrained, the only tests being intelligence and moral honesty. If any were in distress their wants were immediately relieved. In the spring and summer a favorite amusement of those who lived in the vicinity of the rivers and creeks, was fishing with spears by a light made by burning hickory bark, and in the fall and winter all turned out to hunt the deer and chase the prairie wolf.

The Second State Bank of Illinois was Avinding up its business, and its notes were very much depreciated. The only good paper was a small supply of the bills of the State Bank of Missouri. The bank stock of the State was the Illinois State bonds, and they had run down to twenty cents on the dollar. Shortly afterwards the General Assembly passed a law creating a system of free banking, called the safety fund system, following the example of New York. The bonds of the Southern and Western States were used as the banking capital, and the result was a very unsafe instead of a safe system. Money became plenty. Every individual or corporation that could, purchased State bonds, as they were abundant and cheap, and issued promises to pay thereon. Watering stock became as common among statesmen and bankers, as watering milk among dairymen. Banks grew up all over the State, like Jonah's gourd, in a night. No one knew or appeared to care whether the money was good or bad. This pernicious inflation resulted in inflating prices. Wages advanced over one hundred per cent., and everything else in proportion. Money became so plenty, and of such doubtful value, that to get rid of the shinplasters, as they were called, land, merchandise, produce, in fact everything that would sell, ran up to over double the former value. This state of things prevailed until a wiser system of legislation was adopted, and banks compelled to base their issue upon a sound capital.

The settlers prior to 1840 had the pick of the land. All around them then extended the broad prairies, and a claim could be made on the choicest sections. These claims were generally "staked out," and some improvement made upon them, in order that they might be held until the Government placed the land in market, when some one or more of the claim owners were selected to go to Dixon or Galena and bid in such parts as were wanted, or means could be raised to pay for. Attempts were made in many instances to '-jump" these claims by parties who came afterwards, and the frequency and boldness with which this was done, led to the organization of societies by the legitimate claimants for protection against these second hand men. These claim fights, as they were called, will be found fully described further along in this chapter. It is reported that many selected their claims by going on an eminence and looking over the surrounding prairie. When the eyes of one had fallen upon a point that suited him he would say, " as for me and my house, I will dwell there," and in due time the little rude cabin was erected, and the heavy sod broken and made to produce a " sod crop."

became known at quite an early day, the river itself being then a navigable stream for boats of light draft. The first steamboat which plied the river as far as Sterling, was the Pioneer, commanded by D. S. Harris, and came up in 1836. The iV. P. Raicks, Gypsey and other steamers followed soon after. They made landings at every point were there was the semblance of a town. In 1844 the Lighter went up as far as Janesville, Wisconsin. The boats were mostly freighted with dry goods and groceries from St. Louis. About 1851 a schooner, built at Kishwaukee, ran down the river and cut all the ferry ropes. The master was prosecuted at several places, but defeated his prosecutors on the ground that Rock river was a navigable stream.

By the act of the General Assembly, approved February 27, 1837, entitled " an act to establish and maintain a general system of internal improvement," $100,000 was appropriated for the improvement of Rock river, and at the session of 1838, $50,000 was additionally appropriated, and operations actually commenced, but owing to the hard times at that period, and the unskillful management of the public funds by those who had them in charge, the great system of internal improvements which had been inaugurated in the State, collapsed before the work on any single portion, with the exception of the Illinois and Michio-an Canal, had progressed far. Evidences of the work under this system can be seen in this county on the south bank of Rock river from Rock Falls up around the rapids, in the shape now of a half filled canal. The design was to have boats go around these rapids by way of the canal. This matter of internal improvement, so far as it relates to Whiteside County, will be found more fully sketched in the history of Coloma township. The idea of making Rock river navio-able, however, vanished long ago, and the waters of the stream are now used for a much more profitable purpose.

While these schemes for the improvement of the navigation of the river were o-oing on, the valley was being rapidly settled, and a thriving and intelligent people improving farms which now have no superior in beauty and fertility in Northwestern Illinois. The great Father of Waters washing the western boundary of the county also early attracted settlers, in fact the earliest settler, John Baker, established himself on its banks in 1833, as will be seen by reference to the history of Fulton township. The high bluifs along the river for most of the distance on the county line present a bar to agricultural industry to any extent, but back of them extend the same rich prairies that are found in other portions of the county. Before the era of railroads the Mississippi river was the great thoroughfare for commerce and travel north and south, and along its banks sprung up thriving towns. Fulton and Albany, in this county, are among the earliest towns that grew up on the upper river. But with the advent of railroads the latter especially has suffered heavily, yet retains a good share of trade.

Although Whiteside was not an unhealthy county even at an early day, yet the disciples of Esculapius were around in fair numbers, and dosed out jalop and calomel with an unsparing hand. Several bills of a physician practising in Portland in 1838 have been resurrected, showing how medicine was dealt out to the pioneers. One of the bills is dated November 1,1838, and is as follows;

The bill shows that the doses were large, the medicine strong, and the prices low, yet we think our readers would infinitely prefer the higher charges and milder doses of the present day, rather than the heroic doses and smaller prices of early times.

One of the leading questions which agitated the people of the county as early as 1841. was that of setting off to the then Territory of Wisconsin that portion of the State of Illinois north of a line drawn from the southern bend or extremity of Lake Michigan due west to the Mississippi river. It was held that by the fifth article of the ordinance of Congress entitled: "An ordinance for the government of the Northwestern Territory," the southern boundary line of the State which should be formed must be on the line above mentioned, and that it could not be changed without the consent of the original States, and of the people in the Northwest Territory. The line, however, had been changed by act of Congress to where it now is without any such consent. Meetings were held in all parts of Northwestern Illinois in favor of the line as originally established by the ordinance, and means taken so far as the same were possible to have Congress repeal the act fixing the northern boundary line of the State of Illinois so far above it.

The feeling in favor of this change was intensified by the fact that a corrupt and profligate Legislature was at the time entailing upon the people a debt of millions upon millions of dollars by means of wild and extravagant legislation, known as internal improvements. The debt of the State of Illinois was then about eighteen millions of dollars, with the State paper worth only fifteen cents on the dollar. LTnder these circumstances it is no wonder that the people desired to get out of the State, and the question of properly establishing the northern boundary line afforded a good opportunity for making the application. But thanks to the moral courage and honesty of the people of the whole State, a new constitution Avas framed and adopted, which entirely changed the constitutional powers of the Legislature, and closed the doors to the entire horde of public plunderers. Means were also provided for an honest payment of the public debt, thus doing away with these reasons for desiring to become connected with another commonwealth. At the time of the agitation of the question, however, there was apparently no chance for the accomplishment of so worthy and honorable an object. Wheat was worth only twenty-five cents per bushel, and pork from fifty cents to one dollar per hundred, at that time, and these prices could only be obtained after a tedious voyage to Chicago with an ox-team. Groaning under a heavy State debt, and almost unable to raise monejfor their produce wherewith to pay for their land, and supply themselves with actual necessaries of life, the people felt like adopting any method which looked toward relief.

Elections were called in the different counties which would be affected by the change of the State line, for the purpose of allowing the people to express their sentiment upon the matter at the ballot box. The election in Whiteside was held in the year 1841, and resulted as follows as appears from the official record of the County Commissioners' Court :

The same unanimity of feeling in favor of becoming a part of Wisconsin, prevailed in the other counties, but notwithstanding it, and the active co-operation of the people and authorities of Wisconsin, the object failed of being accomplished. Had the boundary line been drawn as desired, the southern line of Whiteside Count;f would have formed a part of the southern line of the State of Wisconsin. At this day there are but few in our county who know anything of this project to sever its connection with the great State of Illinois, and become a part of our neighboring State on the north.

Marriage Licenses. The first marriage license issued under the county organization bears the date of June 13, 1839, the certificate reading as follows : "State of Illinois, Whiteside County, ss : Simeon Fuller, Esq., certifies by his certificate that he joined in marriage Sanford C. 3Iarch with Lueinda C. Smith. Guy Ray, Clerk County Commissioners' Court. Recorded July 1, 1839." Eleven marriages were recorded in 1839. one being that of Harvey Breston of Grant County, Wisconsin Territory, and Jane Hall, of Genesee Grove, Whiteside County, Illinois. In 1840 twenty-.six licenses were recorded, signed Guy Ray, Clerk of County Commissioners' Court, by A. Smith, Deputy. In 1841 twenty-three licenses were recorded, a portion of them this year being signed John Roy, Clerk, by J. A. Reynolds, Deputy. Twenty-five were recorded in 1842, signed John Roy, Clerk, by J. E. Roy, Deputy, the latter gentleman now a prominent minister of Chicago. In 1843 only seventeen were recorded; in 1844, twenty-six; in 1845, thirty-nine; in 1846, thirty-three; in 1847, thirty-seven; in 1848, fifty-six; in 1849, fifty-two; in 1850, fifty-six, the records of the marriages this year being signed by numerous Justices of the Peace, clergymen and by N. G. Reynolds, Judge of the County Court.

The following bond was recorded in October, 1839, being the first one of the kind on record : "Know all men by these presents, that we Alfred Slocumb, Wm. Nevitt, Gilbert Buckingham and Lewis Spurlock, of Whiteside County, are held and firmly bound to Mathew Chambers and Pariah Owen, of Knox County, and Erasmus D. Rice, of Fulton County, in the sum of $10,000 to be paid to said parties. Whereas the above bounden obligors have agreed to enter at the land office in Galena, the fractions of land upon which is situated the town of Albany, for the benefit and in trust for the above named obligees. The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bounden Alfred Slocumb, Wm. Nevitt, Gilbert Buckingham and Lewis Spurlock, shall use all and every lawful endeavor to buy and obtain in their names at the land sale in Galena, on Monday, October 21, 1839, the southeast and southwest fractional quarters of section 24, township 21 north, range 2 east, and after the said Alfred Slocumb et al. purchase the said fractions, then they shall make good deeds of general warrantee to each of the above persons for their respective lots, ( described in the instrument) all in Albany, the deeds to be made and delivered as soon as possible. Now, if the said Alfred Slocumb et al. shall deed all the lots as heretofore described to the persons aforesaid, then this obligation to be null and void; but if the said A. Slocumb et al. or either of them shall refuse to deed as aforesaid after being paid as aforesaid, then this obligation to be in full force and virtue. Alfred Slocumb, Wm. Nevitt, Gilbert Buckingham, Lewis Spurlock. Dated October 17, 1839."

The following is the ofiicial vote of Whiteside County for county ofl&cers and Representatives to the General Assembly, held on the 3d of August, 1840 : For County Commissioner, Hosea Jacobs, 462 votes; For Sherifi", John W. Mc- Lemore 452 votes; For Coroner, Ivory Colcord, 352, and Brainard Orton,77 votes; For Representatives to the General Assembly, Thomas Drummond, 313, Hiram W. Thornton, 306, Thompson Campbell, 222, and Thomas Van Valzah, 225- votes.

At the election held on the 7th of August, 1843, the ofiicial count gave Joseph P. Hoge 270, Cyrus Walker 297, and Mathew Chambers 20 votes for Congress; Hiram Harmon 320, and Henry Boyer 253, for County Commissioner; John Roy 296, and Albert Plympton 254, for County Commissioners' Clerk; Robt. L. Wilson 321, and Erastus G. Nichols 236, for Probate Justice ; William W. Gilbert 429, W. W. Gilbert 107, and Augustine W. Newhall 4, for Recorder ; David Hazard 202, David Brooks 161, and Augustine W. Newhall 128, for County Treasurer; Wm. Nevitt 382, G. Buckingham 128, and John C. Pratt 5, for School Commissioner ; W. S. Wilkinson 336, and James McCoy 220, for County Surveyor.

The following is the vote by precincts in the county, cast at the Presidential election, November 9, 1844: For the Whig candidate Lyndon cast 24 votes; Fulton 32, Rapids 4, Union 36, Portland 24,' Sterling 55, Albany 82, Round Grove 18, Prophetstown 47. Genesee Grove 26; total, 348. Democratic candidate: Lyndon 23, Fulton 18, Rapids 7, Union 45, Portland 32, Sterling 57, Albany 30, Round Grove 30, Prophetstown 34, Genesee Grove 17; total, 289. Abolition candidate: Lyndon 30, Fulton 2, Union 12, Portland, Sterling and Albany 1 each; total, 47. But 684 votes were polled in the county at that exciting and memorable contest, while at the last Presidential election a total

At the election for a niemher of the Constitutional Convention, on the 19th of April, 1847. three candidates, Aaron C. Jackson, Jonathan Haines and D. B. Young, were in the field, Jackson receiving 322 votes, Haines, 304 and Young 53.

At the election for Senator and Kepresentative, held August 7, 1848, Whiteside gave Capt. H. H. Gear 422 votes, L. P. Sawyer 370, and A. W. Benton 63. for Senator; Joseph Crawford 434 votes, Thos. J. Haines 355, and J. Baker 63, for Representative.

At the election for District Judge on the 29th of April, 1851, James McCoy received 202 votes, Ira 0. Wilkinson 191, John Wilson 92, and W. W. Heaton 89.

The railroad era for Whiteside County commenced in 1850 with the completion of the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad to Rockford. In 1852 the road was finished to Freeport, these places being then substituted for Chicago as market places. The next departure was when the Dixon branch of the Galena & Chicago Union railroad, now the Northwestern, was finished to Dixon, which point then became the shipping point and remained so for nearly two years. The road was finally finished to Sterling and Morrison, and thence on to Fulton, on the Mississippi river, in 1856. The construction of this modern channel of commerce and civilization, did away at once and forever with the old method of transportation by the ox and horse. The Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis railroad, running through the Rock river valley; the Western Union, traversing the western part of the county; the Mendota and Prophetstown branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, traversing the southern part of the county, and what is now called the Rock Falls branch of the latter road, terminating at Rock Falls, have been built since the year 1856. Upon the lines of these different roads are thriving cities and villages, affording a sure market for everything the farmer and producer can raise. They need no longer undertake long journeys at cost of time and inconvenience, and then get starvation prices for their loads. But a few hours now, and over good roads at that, will bring them to a market where the highest ruling prices are paid.

During the seasons of 1837, '38, '39, '40 and '41, claim disputes, or "fights" as they were called, were of frequent occurrence in this county, and in their nature not determinable by any recognized system of civil or criminal jurisprudence, hence claim laws had to be enacted by each settlement. The first meeting for that purpose was held at the store of Barnett & Mason, in Chatham, now Sterling. May 13, 1837, at which a constitution and by-laws were adopted for protecting the claims of actual setlers against non-resident claim holders, and claim "jumpers." Similar organizations were effected soon afterwards in different parts of the county, and as all of them adopted about the sarne constitution and by-laws as the one at Chatham, we give the preliminary steps taken, and the constitution and by-laws adopted at that place as a sample of the whole. They are as follows:

" At a meeting of the settlers of Rock River Rapids and vicinity, held at Barnett & Mason's store, to take into consideration the subjectof the protection of claims to actual settlers, and to devise means by which the rights of the same shall be respected and secured, it was moved and seconded that a committee of five be appointed to draft a constitution agreeable to the instructions given at this meeting. The following persons were chosen by ballot as said committee: Jason Hopkins, John W. Chapman, Wyott Cantrall, Nelson Mason and Elijah Worthington.

Instructions: Ist, This society to be known as the Association of the Rapids of Rock River. 2d, Each settler shall be entitled to hold 640 acres of prairie, and 120 acres of timber. 3d, A secretary shall be appointed whose duty it shall be to record, on application being made by the owner of a claim, the description of the claim, which shall be given to said secretary. 4th, The book of the records shall be open to the inspection of any one requesting the privilege. The secretary shall receive for each claim so recorded the sum of twenty-five cents.

Meeting adjourned until the last Saturday in May at the same place, to hear the report of the committee. Meeting met pursuant to adjournment. The committee reported the following constitution, which was adopted:

We, the undersigned, inhabitants residing at and near the upper rapids of Rock river, having formed ourselves into a society to be denominated the Rock River Rapids Association, which has for its object the defense and protection of individual claims upon government land, do adopt and establish the following constitution as embracing the laws and regulations by which we pledge ourselves to be governed.

Article 1. Each and every settler who has or shall hereafter become an actual settler within the limits of this Association, and who shall have previously subscribed his name to the constitution, shall be entitled to hold and claim 120 acres of timber and one entire section of prairie.

Article 2. And it shall be the duty of every settler who has made or shall make a claim upon government land, whether the same be more or less than the amount above specified, to designate the same by plowing or staking around, and if the latter, the stakes shall be permanently placed at least 80 rods apart; and, further, the validity of any claim shall not be aflFected by being in detached eighties or quarter sections, but on the contrary, the individual who makes his claim on separate pieces shall be entitled to the same number of acres as though the claim were in one tract. The boundaries of each tract must be definitely described: Provided, nevertheless, that where the settler can make his claim compactly, or in one body embracing the whole number of acres allowed by the constitution, without trespassing upon the claims of others, he is compelled to do so without taking advantage of this article of the constitution.

Article 12. Immediately on the adoption of this constitution a secretary shall be elected by ballot, whose duty it shall be to file and record all acknowledged claims within the limits of this society, and for his services thus rendered he shall be paid the sum of twenty-five cents, to be paid by the person having such claim recorded; and it is incumbent upon every person who claims the protection of this Association to furnish a statement of his claim, containing the number of acres of timber, also of prairie not exceeding in amount 640 acres, to the Secretary within sixty days after the organization of this Society and the adoption of this constitution.

Article 13. If any member of this society encourages any person or persons to settle upon any claim, unless forfeited according to the constitution, he shall be expelled and no longer receive the protection of this Society.

Growing out of the enforcement of the claim laws, a great many "claim fights'' took place. The claims as a general thing were large, and often when a stranger came into the country, and upon looking over the broad prairies selected a place that pleased him, would find that his choice was the claim of some other part}', but as there was no person living on it, and often no evidence of being claimed, he concluded to "jump it/' The next thing would be an order from the settler who had made the claim, and had it recorded in the books of the Association in whose territory it was, for the jumper to depart from that "neck of land" in double quick. Sometimes the order would be obeyed, but it frequently occurred that the jumper had made up his mind to stay where he had driven his stakes, settler or no settler. Association or no Association. In that case he would not have to wait long for the peculiar writs of ejectment used by the Association, to be served upon him. He might marshal his friends, if he had any, and face the foe, but in nearly every case it was useless, for what could one man, or a dozen men, do against the entire force of an Association when it came swooping down upon him, or his party, with every conceivable kind of weapon from a trusty rifle, to the old fashioned pitch fork? His family, horses, cattle, wagons, farm implements, and household goods, were removed from the claim, and the cabin taken away and either destroyed, or used for some other purpose. Often these fights would partake of the ludicrous as well as the terribly real. More than one Bull Run occurred on the prairies of Whiteside, the fugitives from which are, like those of the famous Bull Eun of the late war, if living, undoubtedly running yet. The jumper would be brave, and as he fondly congratulated himself even unto death, in the defence of his cabiu and claim, but no sooner did the warlike members of an Association, armed to the teeth with flint locks, hay forks, and pot hooks, appear in the tall grass than he would fly as though "Auld Sootie" was after him with a summons to appear forthwith in the land of fire and brimstone. Others more stubborn would make a lusty fight, and when defeated on the field, commence an action of trespass in the Circuit Court against all the parties they knew who had been engaged in ejecting them, but none were ever tried. At the first term of the court held in this county quite a large number of these cases were on the docket.

These Associations undoubtedly answered their purpose well, and protected many a worthy settler from being dispossessed of a claim which he had in good faith made, and upon which he meant to build a home for himself and family. Their existence terminated in 1839 in some parts of the county, and in 1840 and '41 in others. In these years the land was placed in market by the government, and sold either at Galena or Dixon. At these sales the proper Association would have some one or more of its number on hand, who would bid off the claim of each member in his own name, and immediately afterwards execute a deed of the same to the claimant. After these sales there was no further "jumping," and each settler could plant his vine and fig tree on his own undisputed domain, and sit under them when they grew large enough, with none to molest or make afraid.

Whiteside has been visited several times since its settlement by violent tornadoes, but with the exception of the one commonly called the "Great Tornado," which occurred on the evening of Sunday, the 3d of June, 1800, their ravages were confined to some particular locality, such as those at Tampico, Portland, Garden Plain and Union Grove, descriptions of which will be found in the histories of those townships.

The one on the 3d of June, 1860, swept a path over the whole county from Albany to the southeastern line, carrying death and destruction throughout its entire course. The storm commenced near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was described at the time by those who saw it, as a gathering of the clouds in separate masses with fearful outlines, and their opponent concussion and mingling together in one rolling, sweeping mass, with accompanying terrible thunder and lightning, more resembling a set battle and charging armies, than spirits of the air. These mingling masses of clouds came to the earth in the shape of a whirlwind, covering a strip of country about eighty rods wide. It appeared to be hollow in the center, of transparent blood-red color, while the two sides were black and thick with all conceivable sorts of floating matter which had been torn from its path. Before crossing the Mississippi river into Illinois, the most fearful destruction took place at Camanche, a village on the river almost opposite Albany. At that place ninety dwelling houses, all occupied, besides a large number of stores and business houses, with some churches and hotels, were totally destroyed. Twenty-nine persons were killed and many badly injured, some of them being maimed for life. The destruction of life and property at De Witt, and other places in Iowa, was also great. In Camanche alone eight hundred and sixty persons were left homeless. As the tornado reached the river at the latter place it struck a raft upon which were twenty-four persons, all of whom were blown into the river and drowned.

At Albany, people were preparing to attend the Sunday evening services at the different churches, and some had actually started from their homes. Looking over toward the Iowa side of the river, however, they saw a sight in the air which struck terror to their hearts, and caused them to hasten back and attempt to close the windows and doors of their houses. In many instances this precaution against the danger of a fierce wind had not been completed, before the terrible aerial visitor took possession of the town, and with a remorseless power and ferocity demolished the homes of the people, with their business houses, churches and schools, and killed five of their number, besides seriously injuring many others. Those who witnessed the scene next morning represent it as beggaring all description. The town was literally blown to pieces and scattered in every direction, not more than half a dozen houses remaining uninjured, and not over fifteen or twenty left standing on their foundations. But one business house was left in which business could be done at all.

Some of the effects of the tornado were very curious. Upon the roofs of several buildings the shingles were stripped off in fanciful shapes, leaving upon some a single covered spot. Others were entirely unshingled. In some cases every clapboard was torn from houses, and the sides of others literally perforated with boards, splintered timbers and sharp stakes. The lower stories of some were blown out entirely, leaving the upper story upon the ground.. Other buildings slid from their foundations and were carried along for several feet. One small frame house was lifted from its foundation and carried about a square, around another building which was torn to pieces, and let down within six feet of it without apparent injury. The bell from the brick church was swept out of the belfry and taken near the corner of Union and Main streets, where it was landed on the walk uninjured with the exception of a small piece which had been knocked from the base of the rim. Heavy brick and stone walls were leveled to the ground with apparently as much ease as the lightest wooden structures. Trees were torn from their roots and denuded of their branches, and in some instances literally twisted to pieces. Horses, cattle and hogs were killed on the spot, and chickens, geese and turkies either killed, or stripped of their feathers, and left as bare as if ready for market. On each side of the path of the storm-fiend the evidence of his power was visible in the shape of fragments of buildings, lumber, goods from the stores, household furniture, valuable papers,

It is wonderful when we consider the terrible and swift destruction of buildings and other property by this tornado at Albany, that so few lives were lost, there being, as we have mentioned, only five out of a population of eight hundred. The storm gave no time for escape, not even to the cellar, a place to which many flee at times of fierce winds. Their buildings were crashing around their defenceless heads; timbers, stones, brick, and missiles of a hundred descriptions were being hurled along the ground and through the air, and yet nearly all of them escaped with their lives. Those killed were Duty Buck, Ed. Efner, Mr. Sweet, Mr. Eiley, and one other whose name we have been unable to learn. All this destruction of property, injury to person, and death, was the work of only a minute or two, and then the destroyer passed on to other parts.

The news of this direful calamity was soon carried by telegraph and mail to all parts of the country, and created the most intense excitement, as well as awakening in every heart the deepest feelings of sympathy and commiseration for the sufferers. Open hands and warm hearts at once responded to their needs, the oflFerings coming up from far and near. These contributions were gratefully appreciated by the stricken ones at Albany, the remembrance of which remains yet green in the memory of those living.

The following is a list of those who suffered by the tornado, with the estimated loss of each, and was prepared and published at the time, and then pronounced as correct as could possibly be made:

After leaving Albany the tornado passed through the county in a course a little south of east, destroying trees and fences in its way, until it reached the house of Mrs. Senior, on the Baird estate, in Garden Plain, the upper story of which it severed completely from the rest of the building, and scattered it in a thousand fragments. The next house struck was that of K. C. Adams, also in Garden Plain, which was lifted bodily from its foundation, and moved a distance of some four or five feet, racking it considerably. From there it passed along without doing material damage to the line of Mt Pleasant and Lyndon townships where it played the serious prank of hoisting the large two story frame residence of Thomas Smith from its moorings, turning it one-quarter around, unroofing it, carrying it a rod from its foundation, and leaving it almost a wreck. There were seven persons in the house, but strange to say all escaped unhurt. The house of Draper Richmond further on met with a more serious fate. This was a frame building of medium size, and could not have been more badly scattered had a barrel of gunpowder been exploded within its walls. After the storm had passed Mrs. Richmond was found about twenty rods from the house so badly injured that she died in an hour afterwards. Mr. Richmond was also seriously hurt but recovered. George Digby's dwelling a little north of east of Richmond's was carried at first south a short distance, then taken north-east about fifty rods through a wheat field, when it was lifted high in the air and whirled into fragments. An apple tree ten inches in diameter was torn from its roots, stripped of its branches, and the body of the tree split into two nearly equal parts. The residence of Mr. Digby's father was partially destroyed. Further east the storm struck the house of Mr. Dow, removing it west several rods, then raising it into the air shattered it to pieces, while the barn which stood near by, was taken about the same distance east, and disposed of in a similar manner. Neither of the families of these gentlemen sufi'ered much injury, the wind storm being content to demolish their habitations. From here the tornado proceeded to the tbwnship of Montmorency, leaving only a few traces of its passage on the way. The residence of Alonzo Grolder was the first one assailed in that township, and although not destroyed, considerable of it was badly punished. A great deal of th^ furniture was destroyed, and in the kitchen and dining-room nearly all of it. In the dining-room was a large, old fashioned mirror, which amid the wreck of the other furniture was found unbroken, although carried completely across the room. Some of Mr. Golder's family were injured, but not seriously. A little school house near Mr. Golder's was literally blown into fragments. On its track eastward from here it turned Joel Wood's house entirely around, besides uni-oofing and otherwise damaging it. It was left in such a condition that it had to be rebuilt. A. J. Goodrich's dwelling was blown entirely to pieces, as were also Mr. Pike's and Capt. Doty's. Levi Macomber's house was badly racked. At Mr. Pike's a young girl had her leg broken. Capt. Doty's son had his collar bone broken, and some of the rest of the family were slightly injured. Without doing further damage the tornado passed out of the county, and pursued its eastward way.

Many of the calamities caused by this terrible visitation never reached the public ear. The sufferers, whoever they were, either did not care to have their misfortune appear in print, or in the hurry and excitement of gathering facts were overlooked by the writers for the public press. Neither has there been, nor can there be, a full and ade([uate description written of the frightful scenes, the pain, the sorrow, and the loss occasioned by the ferocious storm as it sped on its way on that memorable evening. Seventeen years have passed since then, but its results remain. It is hoped that Whiteside county may never see the like again.

Whiteside, together with other counties in the State, acquired title to the swamp and overflowed lands within its limits by an act of the General Assem- bly entitled "an act to dispose of the swamp and overflowed lands, and to pay the expense of selecting and surveying the same,'' approved June 22, 1852. The act provides that all these lands granted to the State of Illinois by the act of Congress entitled "an act to enable the State of Arkansas and other States to reclaim the swamp lands within their limits," approved September 28, 1850, be conveyed to the counties respectively in which the same may be situated, for the purpose of constructing the necessary levees and drains to reclaim them, and the balance, if any there be, to be distributed in each county ecjually among the townships thereof for the purposes of education, or applied to the construction of roads and bridges, or to such other purposes as may be deemed expedient by the Courts, County Judge, or Board of Supervisors, as provided in the act.

The second section of the act provides for the appointment of a Drainage Commissioner, and specifically states that the proper authorities shall not dispose of more of the lands than shall be absolutely necessary to complete the reclaiming and draining of the same, and in all cases where any remain unsold they should belong to the several townships in the County to be divided equally between them, and should constitute a part of the school fund of each township, and be disposed of by the School Commissioner of the county for educational purposes in the same manner as the sixteenth section in each township is by law, provided, however, that any county may apply the remainder to the construction of roads and bridges, or other works of internal improvement as may be deemed expedient.

Under this act the Board of Supervisors at their March term in 1855 appointed William Pollock, Drainage Commissioner, and ordered a sale of so much of the swamp lands as lie north and west of Rock River; all in township 21 north of range 7 east, south of Rock RiA^er, and all in township 20 north of range 7 east, to take place on the second Monday of October of that year, the price to be $3 per acre for the first quality, $1,50 for the second quality, and 50 cents for the third quality. The terms were fixed at twenty-five per cent, cash on all sales, the balance to remain on credit as provided in the resolution. The second sale took place on the second Monday in March, 1856, and included all the swamp land lying south of Rock River, not having been offered at the first sale, and the north tier of sections in township 20 north of range 7 east, and the third sale on the second Tuesday of October, 1857, which included all the swamp land owned by the county then remaining unsold. The largest of these sales was the one in March, 1856. The whole number of acres disposed of at these different sales was 63,414 and 57-100, and the total amount which came into the posession of the county as the proceeds of these sales, $167,243,63, one quarter of which, to-wit, $42,560,66 was cash, and the balance, $126,679,97 in notes. Some other sales were afterwards made which consisted in part of lands that had to be resold, and part of additional lands acquired under the act of Congress of 1854, making the whole number of acres sold 70,153 and 26-100, and the entire amount realized about $177,000.

At the December term of the Board of Supervisors, 1858, Dr. W. C. Snyder, of Fulton, was appointed Drainage Commissioner, under whose superintendence the ditching of the swamp lands was conducted. One hundred and thirty miles of these ditches were made at a cost to the county of $88,500. They were no sooner constructed than a large portion of this hitherto waste land began to be cultivated, and much of it now ranks among the most productive of the county. These lands, as near as we have been able to ascertain, are situ-^ ated as follows :

Of the money received by Wm. Pollock, Drainage Commissioner, from the sales of swamp lands, by order of Board of Supervisors he placed in the hands of the School Commissioner $42,489.36. This sum the School Commissioner was instructed to loan to residents of the county, at ten per cent, interest, with good security. The money was so placed, the county borrowing in September, 1857, and January, 1858, $4,328.71 of the amount, giving its bonds therefor, which were paid April 23, 1870.

The first distribution from the funds - arising from the sales of the swamp lands - to the several Congressional townships for educational purposes, as provided by the acts of Congress, and the General Assembly of the State, was made April 1, 1860, by order of the Board of Supervisors at its September session, 1859. W. S. Wilkinson, County Clerk, Ed. B. Warner, County Treasurer, M. R. Kelly, School Commissioner, and W. C. Snyder, Drainage Commissioner, being appointed a committee to make the apportionment and distribution. The amount distributed was $33,065.36 - $17,081.80 of the amount coming from the hands of the School Commissioner, and $15,983.53 from the Drainage Commissioner.

W, C. Snyder, Drainage Commissioner, at the September term, 1865, of the Board of Supervisors, reported the following apportionment of $14,773.53 from swamp land funds in his hands:

At the December session, 1869, of the Board of Supervisors, W. S. Wilkinson, and Supervisors W. M. Kilgour and D. S. Efner were appointed in behalf of the county to settle with M. R. Kelly - whose term of office as County Superintendent of Schools had expired - and apportion the funds in his hands to the Congressional townships. This fund was so much of the proceeds of swamp land sales as had been turned over to the School Commissioner by Wm. Pollock, Drainage Commissioner, less amount distributed April 1, 1860. The interest on this fund had been distributed each year as it accumulated, to the different townships. The apportionment was made February 1, 1870, and amounted to $25,088.05, distributed as follows:

At the annual meeting of the Board of Supervisors in September, 1870, a committee was appointed consisting of Supervisors Jas. Dinsmoor, D. F. Cole and G. L. Hough, to make an apportionment and distribution of the surplus swamp land funds in theliands of W. C. Snyder, Drainage Commissioner. The committee made the distribution March 1, 1871, to each political township, instead of Congressional townships as had been done formerly, and made their report at the 3Iarch term of the Board, 1871.

The last distribution of swamp land funds was made February 6, 1872, by a committee appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The Committee were instructed to make a division to the townships of the funds in the hands of the Drainage Commissioner not needed to meet current expenses. They made a report of their action at the February term of the Board, 1872. This distribution was also made to political tOAvnships.

The total amount of these swamp land funds distributed to the townships for school purposes, under the five different apportionments, was $155,390.97. In addition to this amount was the interest on about $25,000, being the fund in the hands of the School Commissioner after his first apportionment, and which was distributed annually for about nine years. This will swell the entire amount which the townships have received to about $175,000.00.

At the September session of the Board of Supervisors in 1873, it was stated that as the county oAvned but one hundred and sixty acres of swamp land, there existed no further necessity for the office of Drainage Commissioner, and it was, therefore, resolved that such office be declared discontinued. It was also ordered that the Drainage Commissioner deliver within thirty days to the County Clerk all the papers, books, documents, or other property in his possession belonging to the county, and relating to swamp land matters.

The grant of these swamp lands to the county was a munificent one, and the proceeds of their sales have proved of incalculable benefit to the townships, not only in bringing these lands to a proper condition for cultivation, but in adding to their school fund such a large sum for educational purposes.

Whiteside County Agricnltiirdl Society: - The Whitesid^County Agricultural Society w^as organized at the village of Union Grove on the 26th of February, 1856, the following gentlemen being elected its first officers: Eobert L. Wilson, President; A. R. Hamilton, Vice-President; Dr. L. S. Pennington, Secretary; Luther Dodge, Treasurer. The annual Fairs of the Society were held at Morrison until the year 1863, when the grounds were located at Sterling, where the Fairs have since been held. The grounds are situated on Rock river, a little southwest of the city of Sterling, and are admirably adapted for the purpose. The officers of the Society for 1876-7 are Samuel J. Baird, President; M. S. Coe, Vice-President; C. M. Worthington, Secretary, and J. W. Stewart, Treasurer. The Executive Committee are Joseph M. Patterson, Sterling, W. H. Colcord, Genesee, L. E. Rice, Lyndon, G. B. Quigley, Prophetstown, George Davidson, Hopkins, Tyler McWhorter, Montmorency, J. C. Paddock, Hume, E. Underwood, Portland, J. M. Wallace, Sterling. The Fairs held by this Society are unequalled in the amount and variety of the exhibitions, and are very largely attended.

Whiteside County Central Agricultural Society: - This Society was organized on the 28th of May, 1872, at Morrison, the objects being to promote all the industrial pursuits of the county, and especially the agricultural, horticultural, floricultural and mechanical interests, and also the fine arts and domestic manufactures. The constitution adopted provided that the officers of the Society should consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and an executive committee of nine members, the latter to serve for three years, their terms of service respectively to be so arranged that three members should be chosen each year. The first officers elected were James M. Pratt, President; A. M. Teller, Vice-President; Frank Clendenin, Secretary; E. G. Topping, Treasurei-. The executive committee consisted of Levi Fuller, James Wilson, H. F. Kellum, Geo. W. Mackenzie, John F. Demmon, Delos J. Parker, M. M. Potter, Joseph H. Marshall, and Lucius H. Pratt. The first Fair was held at Morrison on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th of September, 1872, and was a success. The grounds are admirably located, being well shaded, and upon the bank of Rock creek so that living water can be always at hand. The present officers are James M. Pratt, President; Robert E. Logan, Vice-President; Edwin J. Congar, Secretary; Chas. Bent, Treasurer. M. M. Potter, of Fenton

Lafayette Crandall, of Erie, Moses Lathe, of Lyndon, J. F. Demmon,of Clyde, D. J. Parker, of Garden Plain, Cephas Hiirless, of Genesee, A. M. Teller, of Union Grove, D. F. Cole, of Portland, and P. B. Reynolds, of Prophetstown, are the executive committee. The Society is entirely out of debt, and their last Fair held on the 4th. 5th, 6th and 7th of September, of this year, was very successful.

Spring Creek Union Agricultural Society: - This Society was organized in the summer of 1875. at Albany, the object being the same as the two other Agricultural Associations of the county. Unlike the others, however, it is a local society taking in the towns of Albany, Garden Plain and Newton, in Whiteside county, and some of the upper towns in Rock Island County. Under the constitution as adopted in 1875, the officers are a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee of eight members, of which the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer are ex officio members. The officers of the Society are Daniel Nicewonger, President; P. J. Kennedy, Vice President; J. F. Happer, Secretary, and Warren Olds, Treasurer. The Executive Committee is composed of Chas. D. Parker, James H. Booth, E. H. Nevitt, Charles George, l). J. Parker, Wm. Rowland, E. Rf Beckwith, and I. B. Williams. The Fairs are held at Booth's Grove, one mile'south of Albany. As a local organization it has been eminently successful.

Whiteside County Grange. Whiteside was among the first counties in the State, or for that matter in the Union, to organize subordinate Granges of the Patrons of Husbandry. \\\ no county was such interest taken in the Order, and in no county did subordinate Granges increase more rapidly. Nearly every township had its flourishing Grano-e, and several had two or three. In the year 1873, when these subordinate Granges had reached thirty in number, a County Grange was organized, called "The Whiteside County Grange." The requisite constitution and by-laws were passed, and stated meetings appointed to be held quarterly. Charles R. Rood, of Garden Plain, was elected its first Master, and L. E. Rice, of Lyndon, first Secretary. Its present officers are: Master, Robert E. Logan; Secretary, E. V. Lapham; Treasurer, Samuel Baird. The meetings are held regularly every quarter, either at Morrison, Sterling, or Lyndon. These Grange organizations from the National to the Subordinate have been widely influential for good, not only to the husbandman and producer, but to the people at large.

Old Settlers Association. As early as January, 1858, several of the first settlers of the county met at Wallace Hall, in Sterling, to enjoy a supper, and talk over the times and incidents of their pioneer life in Whiteside. The meeting resulted in organizin"' the Old Settlers' Association. All citizens of the county were entitled to membership who were residents prior to 1840. Col. E. Seely had the honor of being the first presiding officer. It is related that before the pioneers had half finished rehearsing the tales of the olden time, they were compelled to take their departure from the hall, so as to give their sons and daughters a chance to trip the "light fantastic toe." They had, probably, no objection to being disposessed by the young folks, had the latter waited until a reasonable time, but to be summarily ejected when in the very height of their discourse, was more than they had been accustomed to endure. The result was that the meeting of 1859 was the last one held at Wallace Hall, Sterling, when they accepted Deacon Hamilton's offer to occupy his grove at such time as they might deem most agreeable to all concerned. Upon consultation, the first Thursday of September, 1860, was selected for holding a basket picnic by the Old Settlers of Whiteside, and as it passed off so agreeably and pleasantly to all, it was resolved to hold an annual picnic thereafter, at the same place. Thousands of people now attend these annual gatherings, all being determined to give the fathers and mothers of Whiteside that consideration due to those who first opened up the soil to cultivation, and reared our hamlets, cities and towns.

Whiteside County Cdlnlonicm Chib. Many of the sons of Auld Scotia made their homes in Whiteside County some years ago, being attracted hither by its beauty, and the exceeding richness and fertility of its soil. Naturally they sought to become acquainted, and to revive in their new location the more important and interesting of the anniversaries, customs and games of their native land. The first meeting looking toward the formation of a society to carry out these purposes, was held at the Boynton House, in Sterling, on the 24th of January, 1873, that being the one hundred and fourteenth anniversary of the birth of the plowman bard, Robert Burns. After duly celebrating the event so dear to the heart of every true Scotchman, a vote was taken to ascertain whether the Scotchmen settled in Whiteside county were ready and willing to organize a Caledonian Club. The sentiment was found to be unanimously in favor of such an organization, whereupon a constitution was adopted, and twenty-two attached their signatures to the document.

The meeting for the election of the first officers of the Club was held in Morrison, on the 8th of March, 1873, and was organized by choosing John L. Brown, of Clyde, chairman, and James Laing, of Fenton, secretary. Upon a ballot being taken the following gentlemen were elected officers : Chieftain, Robert McNeil, of Coloma; Second Chieftain, James Lister, of Morrison; Third Chieftain, James Melville, of Ustick; Fourth Chieftain, James Laing, of Fenton; Finance Committee, Alexander Matthew, James Borland, and John Jones; Committee on Games, John Smith and John L. Brown. The two first meetings to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns were held in Sterling, and the last three in Morrison, and at each the attendance was gratifying, the bonnie lasses being largely represented, and the proceedings conducted in that spirit and enthusiasm so peculiar to the Scottish nature. At the second meeting at Sterling, Chief McNeil in an address stated the objects of the Club to be : First, the preservation of the ancient literature and customs of Scotland, and the encouragement and practice of her ancient games; Second, the establishment of a library and a gymnasium, and the employment of lecturers for the association; and Third, to foster charity which in its amount, character and mode of distribution, will be dependent upon the will of the majority of the association. These purposes have been faithfully carried into effect. Commencing with the year 1873 the Club has held an annual basket picnic immediately after harvest, at which, among other pleasing features, the ancient outdoor games of Scotland are practiced. These now rank among the most pleasant occasions of the year, and are largely attended by people of all nationalities.

The present officers of the Club are : Chieftain, Robert McNeil; Second Chieftain, Alexander Ritchie; Third Chieftain, James Melville; Fourth Chieftain, James Lister; Secretary, Benj. Matthew; Treasurer, Peter Durward; Librarian, John Calderwood. The library consists of over one hundred volumes, many of which are choice Scottish works. It is kept at the store of John Calderwood, in Morrison, and is open free of charge to the members of the Club and their families. Those not belonging to the Club who desire the use of books are charged a moderate price for the privilege.

This Society was organized at Lyndon in August, 1847, and was recognized by and became auxiliary to the American Bible Society in December of the same year. There had been a local organization at Lyndon, and perhaps elsewhere in the county, previous to that time, but no central society to combine the efforts of the friends of the cause, and to connect them with the parent society. In the summer of that year Rev. Geo. Stebbins, then pastor of the Presbyterian church at Sterling, was in New York, and chanced to say to Rev. Dr. Prime, editor of the New York Ohserver, that there was no Bible Society in Whiteside county, and the latter at once proposed to solicit a donation from the American Bible Society as a nucleus for an auxiliary. This was done, and a donation granted. The books were forwarded to Rev. Mr. Stebbins, and the society soon organized with Dr. A. Smith as its first President, Rev. Geo. Stebbins, Secretary, and Deacon John Roy, Treasurer. This was the germ, but it proved a vigorous one as the subsequent growth has evinced. Few more efficient and prosperous societies are to be found, considering its resources, and the extent of territory embraced.

The Lyndon period of this society, embracing some sixteen years, seems to have been in a measure lost track of, so far as records are concerned. In 1864 the headquarters of the society were transfex-red to Morrison, and on the 23d of March of that year, its first annual meeting at that city, was held. The annual discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. Webb, and the following officers elected for the next year : A. C. Jackson, President; 0. Cowles, Vice President; Dr. W. L. Cole, Treasurer; F. C. Woodruff, Secretary, and W. M. Spears and Dr. A. Smith, Executive Committee. This meeting is specially noted as being the first one held after the removal of the society to its present center, and the first one at which full minutes were kept, and some of the incidents are well remembered by those who were in attendance.

The total remittances of this auxiliary to the parent society up to the present year, have been $15,337,19, or about $500 a year since its organization. Of this amount $10,141,57 have been on account of books, and $5,193,62 as donations. Of the books obtained about $1,000 worth are on hand in the county and branch depositories, and about $7,500 worth have been put into circulation in the county, making an average of about $300 worth a year. There are about twenty branch Bible Societies in the county.

The obj ects of the society are, to supply thoroughly, and keep supplied, the entire population of the county with the bible; to see that not one family lives within the boundaries of the county, without the bible, that can possibly be induced to take one; to see that all the youth and children have at least a testament; that all the institutious of correction and charity have the bible; that all the hotels be supplied with the bible so far as they wish it, and will aid in the work, and that the railroad, steamboat, and depots and waiting rooms be also supplied with the bible. It also aims to do its part in supplying the world with the word of God.

Whiteside County Sunday School Association. The first meeting to organize a Sunday School Association for the county of Whiteside, was held at Morrison on the 1st of December, 1864, Rev. G. T. Crissman was called to the chair, and a committee consisting of Revs. J. T. Mason, J. W. Cass, J. W. White and Mr. W. F. Peters, appointed to recommend officers for permanent organization, and order of the meeting. The committee after- wards reported, recommending the following gentlemen for officers : President, W. D. Webb; Vice Presidents, Rev. W. A. Lipe, and Rev. J. W. Davidson; Secretary, J. R. Ashley; Treasurer, Dr. H. P. Roberts. The report was adopted. Reports were made by the schools represented at the meeting, when it was resolved to hold the meetings semi-annually, and a committee consisting of Revs. J. T. Mason, J, W. Cass, W. D. Webb, and Messrs. Thomas A, Gait and J. R, Ashley, was appointed a committee of arrangements for the same. In addition to the Sunday School friends of the county, there were present at the meeting D. L. Moody, whose fame as a revivalist has since become world wide, and Mr. Harwood, of Chicago, and W. F. Peters, Sunday School Agent. The presence of these gentlemen added much interest to the occasion.

The County Association is auxiliary to the District Association, and the latter to the State Association, the object being to establish a complete and harmonious system of effort in behalf of the Sunday Schools throughout the vState. The reports made by the representatives of the different schools in the county, at each of the meetings since the organization of this Association, show that a gratifying progress has been made in Sunday School work, and that to a considerable degree this progress is owing to the effect of systematic labor inaugurated by the system of Sunday School Associations.

The last annual meeting of the Association was held at Sterling on the 7th and 8th of May, 1877. The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year: President, D. J. Jenne, of Sterling; Recording Secretary, Payson Trask, of Fulton; County Secretary, Dr. H. C. Donaldson, of Morrison; Town- .ship Secretaries, David Parkhill, Ustick, Thomas Gulliland, Clyde, S. H. Kingery. Sterling, James Snyder, Mt. Pleasant, G. F. Goodell, Union Grove, J. M. Fay, Fulton, P. J. Kennedy, Garden Plain, E. Olds, Albany, Wm. Mitchell, Newton, M. O. Hurless, Fenton, Chas. W. Westervelt, Lyndon, L. E. Matthews, Erie, L. E. Tuttle, Coloma, Rev. H. M. Corbett, Portland, Geo. B. Quigley, Prophetstown, E. A. Hovey, Tampico, Chas. Toby, Hopkins, A. S. Ferguson, Genesee.

By the act of the General Assembly approved March 1, 1843, establishing seven Congressional districts in the State, Whiteside became a part of the Sixth district. Previous to this time Whiteside formed a portion of the district which included the whole northern part of the State, and was numbered the Third Disti-ict. The district of 1843 comprised the counties of Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Carroll, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside, Rock Island, Henry, Stark, Mercer, Henderson, Warren, Knox, McDonough, and Hancock, in all sixteen counties. By the apportionment of 1852, Whiteside was placed in the Second Congressional district with Cook, Du Page, Kane, De Kalb, Lee, and Rock Island; in 1861 in the Thirteenth district with Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll, Ogle, and Lee; and in 1872 in the Fifth district with Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll and Ogle.

The following are the names of Members of Congress who have represented the districts to which Whiteside has been attached, with the years when they were elected:

Previous to 1841, Whiteside was not included as a distinct county in the formation of Senatorial and Representative districts, its present territory having belonged at different times to other counties, but by the act of the General Assembly, approved February 26 1841, it formed with Rock Island, Henry and Lee, a Senatorial district, and with Lee a Representative district. By that act 12,000 white inhabitants formed the ratio of representation for a Senator, and 4,000 white inhabitants for a Representative.

By the act approved February 25, 1847, the ratio of representation was increased to 19,000 white inliabitants for a Senator, and 6,500 white inhabitants for a Representative. Under this apportionment Whiteside, Lee, Rock Island, Henry and Mercer formed a Senatorial district, and Whiteside and Lee a Representative district.

Under the Constitution of 1847, in force April 1, 1848, the Senatorial and Representative districts began to be numbered, the counties of Whiteside, Jo Daviess, Stephenson and Carroll forming a Senatorial district, and numbered the 23d, and Whiteside and Lee a Representative district and numbered the 44th.

By the act approved February 27, 1854, the counties of Whiteside, Lee, Kane and De Kalb were made to constitute the Fifth Senatorial district, and entitled to one Senator, and Whiteside and Lee the Forty-ninth Representative district, and entitled to one Representative.

The act approved January 31, 1861, constituted the counties of Whiteside, Lee and Ogle as the 20th Senatorial district, entitled to one Senator, and the county of Whiteside as the 48th Representative district, and entitled to one Representative.

Under the Constitution of 1870 the districts in the State are termed Senatorial, and -each entitled to one Senator, and three Representatives, the minority system obtaining in the election of the latter. The act approved March 1, 1872, constituted Whiteside and Carroll as the 11th Senatorial district.

Members Constitutional Conventions: - The following nanied gentlemen have represented Whiteside County in the Constitutional Conventions of 1847, 1861, and 1869, viz: 1847, Aaron C. Jackson; 1861, Leander Smith; 1869, James McCoy.

Statistics, Population, Etc 105

The following tables give the population of the county from 1840 to 1870 inclusive, as compiled from the Federal census, together with other valuable statistics derived from the same source.