Griggsville Township

Griggsville Township

Nathan W. Jones, who is yet living, laid out part of Griggsville. He is a well-preserved, energetic business man, the father of prominent sons, woll-known to the county.

There were numerous Bradburys, highly respected. Abel Shelly, lately deceased, an estinlable citizen. The Harringtons, brothers, Martin yet in life, a worthy man, and the venerable, pious Charles Harrington, who was once an efficient, upright Probate Judge of the county, and was a minister in the Baptist Church.

Alfred Grubb, once called "the little bay horse" for his sprightliness, was a good Sheriff and County Judge. Thomas Orr, noted as a grand juror for long years, was respected by all. Thomas Hull, a good farmer and remarkable for his active piety; these all leave numerous descendants of great respectability.

The Blairs, father and several sons, all good men, were in the vicinity of Barry before Pittsfield was laid out. William, son of the senior, was a marked member of the Illinois Legislature and an upright and useful man. He is long dead. Montgomery Blair, once a farmer, of later yeirs a fair-dealing merchant in Barry, was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1874. He lives, beloved by his family and friends. Harvey Blair is yet alive and an estimable farmer.

It is impossible in this sketch to notice all the earlier settlers. Some have emjgrated. others have died. At court time at an early day in Pittsfield Samuel Gibson, Henry Kent, George Gibson. Samuel G. Sitton, Esquire Hayden, the Tucker Brothers would be seen, and William Johnson. James Johnson, and John and Jacob Heavner, the latter, although dressed in the homeliest garb, with his long rifle and his nosom friend, James Johnson, was a conspicuous man. Both of these men were possessed of great nerve and endurance and made great havoc amongst the deer: small varmints they despised.

Simuel G. Sitton survives In his 75th year, and on June 29th, 1876, he cut on his own farm an acre of wheat with a sickle and bound it up on that dav and was in Pittsfield the next day as spry as usual. Harvey Dunn of Chambersburg. was an old settler and in 1874 was a member of tho Constitutional Convention of Illinois. He was a very unassuming but intelligent, honest man and is long dead.

Stephen R. Gray, venerable and respected in years, yet lives. He was sheriff about 1851; he is an early settler and resided at or near Rarry and was at one time postmaster thereat; for many years his home has been at Pittsfield.

Hamilton Wills is yet as happy as ever, jolly in person, comfortable in business, an old settler in Pittsfleld, as a Justice of the Peace in former years, useful and respected, yet alive to make a saddle and get up a fine harness.

Richard Kerr of Pleasant Hill township, was an old farmer, a leading whig, and represented Pike county in the Legislature one term. He died many years since, esteemed by all, leaving many relatives in Pike.

Bonaparte Greathouse of Milton, was a County Commissioner at an early day, of great worth, a good farmer, he is long dead and left surviving him a numerous family; several of his sons are practitioners of law.

Samuel L. Crane, now venerable in years, was a very early settler of Morgan county, Illinois, and has filled acceptably with perfect integrity the office of postmaster at Pittsfield; he is now in private life. He is the father of that useful son resident at Pittsfield, James H. Crane, who has been Circuit Clerk of Pike county and yet lives h'ere and is a deputy clerk in the office of George W. Jones, our present efficient and popular Circuit Clerk.

William B. Grimes yet lives in Pittsfield. He was an able and honest County Clerk for one term, succeeding William Steers, who was a good and worthy officer and his successor is Jonathan L. Frye, who was a son of an honest miller, Jonathan Frye. J. L. is now the incumbent of the County Clerk's office.

James McWilliams, venerable for his years, influential in his town of Griggsville, has been a representative of the county in the Legislature and often a Supervisor of Griggsville township. He is an early settler of Griggsville.

Daniel D. Hicks, now the esteemed cashier of the First National Bank, is an old resident of Pittsfield and has filled honorably several offices. He was once Sheriff of the county. During his term of office a riot took place on an election day in Pittsfield, when many wild boys who had been good soldiers in the late Mexican war took an active part in the riot, calling out "we are some pumpkins." By aid of a posse of the people, called by Hicks, the riot was put down.

Free Frank

Frank McWorter, and his wife Lucy, with three children, emigrated from Kentucky and settled in Hadley township in the spring of 1831; he had wintered in Greene county, Illinois, in 1830. That family were the first settlers in Hadley township, and none others arrived for two years.

Frank bought his own freedom and that of his wife and many of his children, and left provision in his will to buy grandchildren, which was carried out by his son, Solomon McWorter.

Frank died about the year 1857, at 77 years of age. Lucy, his wife, died in her 99th year in 1871. Fr..nk was born in South Carolina, Lucy in Virginia. Both these old people were members of the Baptist Church and people of exemplary lives. By industry and economy they left a valuable farm to their heirs. A large and respectable settlement of their descendants now exists around the old home.

This county has had many eminent physicians, prominent amongst whom at an early day were Doctors Hatch, senior, of Griggsville, long deceased, and his son, S. C. Hatch, M. D., now of Barry, yet practicing: he was a surgeon during the rebellion, in the Union army.

Dr. Higgins, also of Griggsville, once Superintendent of the State Insane Institution, and has been a useful member of the Legislature of Illinois, is yet in successful practice as M. D.

John Hay, the author of "Pike County Ballads," Secretary since to the Spanish Mission, and private secretary to Lincoln, now on the staff of the New York Tribune, was a boy at Pittsfield, of great hilarity, but not wicked as his ballads might imply.

Congressman

Pike county and the district is now represented by one of her own sons, for the first time, in Congress, by Scott Wike, well-known at the Pike county bar, and yet himself young in years and a -Bachelor. We hope he will not die, as President Buchanan, in the same state of life.

County Officers

Henry R. Ramsay, who died in November, 1873, at his farm in Atlas township, was an early settler, a man of great probity and intelligence. He was once County Commissioner of Pike county, and an active business man; he was much beloved.

Parvin Paullin, a native of New Jersey, came in mature years to Pike, served one term as a Representative in the Illinois Legislature from Pike, and was Probate Judge of the county. He discharged his duty with honor and efficiency; he died many years since.

Reuben W. Scanland, a member of the bar, but more noted as Squire, long a leading Justice of the Peace, popular and when in health and so inclined a very useful officer. He is dead several years.

Joshua Woosley of Barry township, has been a notea man and has served one term with great usefulness and with perfect integrity as Sheriff. He is an old settler and is yet an active man.

Captain Elisha Hurt was Sheriff of Pike county, and filled the office judiciously and honorably. He served during the war of the rebellion in the Union army with distinction.

John McTucker, last of Barry,' once of Hadley township, was on the Board of Supervisors from Hadley, and often on the committees of the Agricultural Society of Pike, a first-class farmer, an upright and intelligent man, of great benevolence and very popular. He lost his life by an accident in endeavoring to get upon a railroad car when nearing his home after a trip to California, taken on behalf of his brother, resident there. He left numerous and respected family and a valuable estate.

The Military Record

Pike county had brave sons in various regiments. We cannot enumerate all or any number of them. We refer to the muster rolls of regiments. We specify regiments in which we know that Pike had brave men and officers.

This county early in the rebellion furnished large numbers of men and officers to the early regiments, as to the 8th Illinois, which was at Shiloh, Donaldson and other battles and was distinguished; one of its heroes, Tip Winans, yet lives, although he was terribly wounded and is lame for life.

The 16th Illinois, in which Major Sam Hayes and Captain Geo. Stewart were officers, had a company or more from Pike. Other infantry regiments had many individuals who were valiant soldiers from Pike, as the 28th and 33d infantry.

The Lyon Regiment, of Missouri, enlisted many volunteers from Pike who went through the heavy fights of the west and south and many fell in action. Major Benjamin Sellon of that regiment, who was also in other command, survives after being severely wounded and has not yet recovered fully therefrom.

The 2nd Illinois Cavalry, noted in the field for bravery, raised a company or more from Pike. Of its officers, after its first organization, several Pike county men rose to high distinction and high command. Colonel John J. Mudd was advanced from that office to chief of cavalry in the Banks expedition to Red River, and fell bravely endeavoring to repulse an attack on a gunboat on which he was traveling.

The 99th Illinois Infantry was all enlisted in Pike county and served from 1862 until the end of the war. Colonel George W. K. Bailey was the first Colonel, being wounded severely at Vicksburg, the command fell on the Lieutenant Colonel, Asa C. Matthews, who distinguished himseli therein and at the latter part of the war was sent on a commission against Indians who had been active in the war of rebellion.

Almost every leading family of Pike county was represented in the regiment which were in the field, and it is impossible at this time to make up a Roll of Honor. If made it would redound to the glory of the brave boys in blue from old Pike.

Reuben B. Hatch, formerly a resident of Griggsville, a native of New Hampshire, more recently before his death, of Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, was appointed Quartermaster of Union troops in 1862, and did an immense deal of vigorous work in his department to forward the Union troops from Cairo to the field. Under General Grant he was present at the battle field of Belmont. He was with the department as Quartermaster at the surrender of Vicksburg, and was during hts service a most energetic officer, ranking as Colonel, and being the ranking Quartermaster of the army with Grant in the Mississippi Valley. He is buried at Griggsville, Illinois, and was interred with Masonic Honors.

Captain Benj. Matthews of Perry, is an old settler and a man of energy and great respectability. Although past the age when military duty could be exacted, he entered at the organization of the 99th Illinois and went to the field, serving with credit.

Captain George T. Edwards, the well-known host of the Griggsville and now Pittsfield House, was also a Captain in the 99th Illinois, and proved a stirring, brave officer, as he had been a superior Sheriff in the county.

Colonel Daniel H. Gilmer, a member of the bar, of great popularity. Master in Chancery of the Circuit Court of Pike county, and In successful practice of his profession, impelled by his patriotism, entered an Illinois regiment. His promotion was rapid and he soon was Colonel. He follow- ed the fluctuating fortunes of the war, and bravely leading his regiment fell in the Union army at the bloody battle of Stone river. His body, after tedious search, was found and was buried with distinguised honor in the cemetery south of Pittsfield. Many mourned for the gallant "Dick."

Major Samuel Hayes, once a very active lawyer, and a partner of Hon. C. L. Higbee before he became Judge, was an exceedingly jovial man, popular amongst the young. He was truly brave. When a mere youth he had been with the army of the United States in Mexico and went through the bloody fields. He entered the volunteer service in the 16th Illinois during the rebellion as Captain. He was immediately elected a Major of that regiment, went to the field, and after service in Missouri and the South, having always been a vigilant, brave officer, he died of disease engendered in the service of his country and is buried in the Pittsfield Cemetery, west of town.

Edward G. Bush, a son of Colonel Daniel B., Senior, is now a Major in the Regular Army of the United States. He has seen mucn service and has been promoted for gallantry; he is a good scholar and brave officer. He was the only cadet sent from Pike county to the West Point U. S. Military Academy, at which he was for a time Professor of Spanish, and graduated therefrom with honor and has continued in the United States Army. He is now with his regiment in Texas.

Dorus E. Bates, son of Dorus Bates, Esq., of Pittsfield, an early Justice of the Peace, was a Lieutenant in Sherman's regiment of United States Regulars, and was wounded in the siege of Vicksburg, under Grant. He was shot down at the siege and lost his arm from the wound received. He is now a worthy pensioner, and was in action an intrepid soldier and from boyhood has had many escapes from loss of life. He seemed to have a charmed life.

Jonathan Winans, Jr., was a private in the 8th Illinois and was with his regiment under Oglesby in many deadly battles. He was wounded almost unto death at; he was crippled for life, .ind it is a miracle that he now survives. He is a pensioner, and truly deserves the money received.

The Sny Carte Levee

Upon the immediate lands on the Mississippi bottom has been constructed at a cost of $650,000, an earth embankment, or levee, continuous throughout the length of the west side of said county of Pike. It begins at a sand ridge on the river Mississippi in Adams county, and meandering along said river through Pike, passes into Calhoun county, to the intersection of Hamburg Bay with said river. It is about fifty-two miles in length.

This structure was made, under general legislation of Illinois, by Commissioners William Dustin, John G. Wheelock and George W. Jones, appointed by the County Court of Pike county in 1872. Dustin's place, after his death, was filled by Benjamin F. Westlake.

This levee was carried through, after being underway over two years, by completion in the spring of 1875. It withstood a flood from the river and also very high water from the inland creeks in that year, but in April, 1876, owing to very rapid rises in the Mississippi and exceedingly high winds prevailing for several days, the levee was broken from the river side, the water pouring in destroying large and valuable crops of growing wheat and floating off fences, drowning out inhabitants. No lives were lost, but spring planting was retarded. Stock had to be withdrawn.

The county has paid, or contributed in bonds, $250,000 towards building the Hannibal & Naples Railroad, about 38 miles long, crossing the county from east to west, and the branch road, the Louisiana & Pike County Road, from the aforesaid road at Maysville to the corporation of Pittsfleld on the north line, about six miles. The Townships of Pittsfield and Newhurg paid in bonds about $31,000 to this branch road, and $100,000 was paid thereon out of the first named subscription.

Several passenger and freight trains pass daily on these roads. By these roads daily connection may be had to the Atlantic and Pacific, the entire trip in eight or ten days across the continent.

The Chicago & Alton Railway has a branch road from its Jacksonville branch to Louisiana, Missouri, traversing the southern tier of townships of Pike. This branch crosses the Illinois river by a bridge, with a draw to pass steamers, the bridge and road being in Pearl township at the Illinois. This road crosses on a magnificent bridge the Mississippi river to Louisiana, Missouri.

The Toledo, Wa'bash & Western aforesaid operates a road to Quincy which just crosses the northeast corner of Pike county on a bridge across the Illinois river.

The Quincy, Alton & St. Louis Railroad is constructed and operated from Quincy to Hannibal, and also to Louisiana. These pass through townships in s;id Levee District in Pike county.

Mail Facilities Now And Then

In 1833, and for many years, one weekly mail entered the county from the southeast, coming from St. Louis and going to Galena and intermediate offices (and those scarce), carried by change of horses, and by many contractors, in leather bags across the horse.

Some years after Pittsfield was laid out a tri-weekly horseback mail was carried from Jacksonville and other points east, then a tri-weekly mail coach to Pittsfield, for many years ran daily, with a delivery of mails from many points; in about two and a half days from New York and five from California to Pittsfield. Postage across the continent three cents for ordinary letters and regulated by weight. Mails now are carried by railroad trains to Pittsfield and distributed to parts of Pike daily and portions two or three times weekly. At all points a daily mail can be reached 'by a few miles travel.

Elections At An Early Day

When Pike was as defined in 1821, some exciting elections came off as well as in later years. The wars of the roses were almost fought over. Towns and voters were scarce as at old Sarum in England, but votes counted; so when the Ross family and the Atlas party were candidates there was a lively time electioneering from the mouth of the Illinois river all the way to Galena, in the present county of Jo Daviess, that being as lively a place and as populous as any in the State, was a precinct of Pike county. Think of sending to rally voters 300 miles and then to send again and almost fight to get returns of elections! Such were the trials of the candidates in an early day. How much better now. If an officeholder he may have been in the whiskey ring and have a fine to pay and to go to jail.

The Lawyers Of Pike

Daniel Brown Bush, the senior in years, was a native of and from the State of Massachusetts and was born in 1790. He was a member of the Massachusetts legislature and followed his profession in that State. He came to Pittsfield in 1834. He has filled many lucrative public offices, having been School Commissioner and County, or Probate Judge, Postmaster of Pittsfield, Justice of the Peace, and in all offices and in his profession has been a m ;.n of spotless reputation.

Colonel A. C. Matthews, at the bar, on the stump and in the tented field, as well as in the office of United States Revenue Collector, has distinguished himself.

Bar And Bench

Zachariah N. Garbutt, the original editor of the Free Press, of this county, was a member of the bar and for a time Master in Chancery of the county; he was a very merry soul. In the Mormon War he earned laurels by piling big sweet potatoes for the troops of Anti-Mormons. Earnest and somewhat original in his opinions, very independent in the expression of his thoughts, he was an upright man and something of a genius. He died before he had reached the meridian of life. "Life's a short summer - man a flower - He dies, alas! how soon! he dies." BAR AND BENCH

James Ward, lately resident, of Griggsville a native of Ohio, a member of the bar, a Justice of the Peace, re-elected because of his business habits and honesty, and once a Probate Judge, filled the several stations officially just named and passed through life highly respected and successful. He left a worthy family and numerous relatives.

Lord Coke

The Speaker of the Lobby, "who mixed reason with pleasure and wisdom with mirth," James W. Whitney, was a native of Massachusetts, a man of considerable early education, having some knowledge of Latin. TTo came to Illinois before the organization of the State government, which took place in 1818. He resided at an early day at or near Ed- wardsville, in Madison county, in this State. He was very taciturn when the subject of his own life was introduced; some suppose he left memoirs thereof, if so, this writer has been unsuccessful in finding such. The earliest Record Book of the Circuit Court of Pike county contains his handwriting and he was in 1821 Clerk of that Court; he wrote a peculiar hand and if style of writing is an index he should have been an oddity; he was such in some respects. One at first sight would in the earlier days of Pittsfield have taken him to be a well preserved preacher or schoolmaster of the days of the earlier Adamses. His dress was plain to homeliness, not being very prosperous and being indifferent in matters of that kind, his hair was sparse, was combed all to the back of his head and tied often with a buckskin s;rlng or old blick shoestring as a queue. He was a cosmopolite of Illinois (so to speak). His journeys were generally made, especially on the Military Tract, on foot and alone; he had an extensive acquaintance, he put up where night found him, with a friend. Upon such trips he was garrulous and carried the news, when newspapers were scarce. He lived often alone in a log cabin, at times at the city of Quincy, and thereafter in Pike county, in Pleasant Hill township. He never had a large library, but "bore the name of a learned man amongst those little used to books.

Whitney acquired from this reputation the name of "Lord Coke." He was delighted to be so called, and he was thus extensively and better known than by his proper name.

When theaters and shows were rare, at the convening of the Illinois Legislature all were agog, citizens, judges, and legislators to witness the convening of "The Lobby." It was a great event. A, great throng would assemble and after some ceremony "Lord Coke" would mount the stand and call the house to order. He would deliver h'is annual message, which would be received with cheers and laughter. M.iny hits and jokes were embodied in the message. Sometimes the satire was very broad and Lord Coke hurt his standing with the Supreme Court by a farcial account of that Court and leading member? of the bar meeting to "exterminate the varmints" of the State.

Lord Coke presided over the Lobby with magisterial sway, and when mock heroics moved the man he would be a very important personage. The Lobby was organized by appointing subordinate officers and numerous committees; the titles and functions of those committees would be of the most ludicrous character, and the members composing the same of physical form, public standing, and personal bearing the most opposite of the position and character 'S assigned on committee.

As an instance, Colonel Thomas Mather, President of the State Bank of Illinois, was a man short in stature, but of great rotundity of person, quiet in demeanor; Judge Thonus Brown and Jesse Thomas, Jr., were fine, portly-looking gentlemen. Such as these Lord Coke would announce, and that in print, as the most suitable members of a committee on gymnastics and ground and lofty tumbling.

At the meetings of the Lobby, which were frequent, sometimes nightly during the session of the Legislature, in the earlier days of Illinois, reports of committees would be called for and were submitted. These would be in accord with the burlesque titles of the committees; these reports were often written by Coke himself and there was a broad personality in them rather Hudibrastic.

When legislation assumed grave proportions, involving popular topics, as the "Illinois Canal and Internal Improvements," or "The Banks of the State," you would see Murray McConnel, John J. Hardin, Douglass, Lincoln, binder, Cavalry, and others on the floor taking part in debates produced by resolutions offered in the Lobby. These would be ably conducted and with great spice of debate. Some matters very prejudicial to the State were considered in a popular but not statesmanlike manner in this debating society of the State.

The "Internal Improvement System of Illinois," which engulfed Illinois in a worse than useless de'bt, owes its paternity to the spirit of the Lobby.

The Canal and the Illinois Central Railroad, and the more modern roads of the State, are not to be understood as included in the unfavorable comment as to improvements.

The system proposed in the Lo'bby was too lavish, indiscriminate and expensive for the times. And yet how much of its project has been since carried out.

At the bar, Whitney was not successful. There was a want of practical, everyday sense and his law was often obsolete. He is dead many years and passed away less noticed in his demise than many men of less note.

Alpheus Wheeler

He was a mem'ber of the bars he came to Pike county in 1833 or 1834, and resided for sometime at Highland then occasionally preaching. In 1838 and 1840 he was elected to the Legislature of Illinois, and in that body he was regarded as an oddity. He made some of his peculiar speeches and in his career in the Legislature encountered the wit and humor of another marked man, but of a more elevated type of manhood ond education, namely, Usher F. Linder, who died recently at Chicago. Linder told his story of the old woman and her pet coon on Wheeler in the Legislature and broke down the influence Wheeler and his friends anticipated he would have therein. For some years Wheeler had a law office in Pittsfield and obtained considerable business; he took great pride in his oratorical efforts, and made some1 lofty flights in his forensic displays.

On one occasion Wheeler addressed the jury and said, in reply to the mere remirk from Woodson that he submitted the case without any speech, which was intended to prevent Wheeler from speaking: "Gentlemen, I admire the State's Attorney; he has shown the most sublime eloquence, as from some men it consists in most profund silence."

This speecoh caused ?ome one who had a ready hand at a rough pencil sketch to draw a picture of a man's head with a big nose elevated in a tree top, that was upon the west wall of the Court room at Pittsfield, find remained there for many years, until the house was whitened up on the inside. That big nose was a caricature of Wheeler's.

Wheeler brought many suits for trespass and other causes, and on the trial of these much merriment was produced for the Judge, lawyers, jurors and citizens. Courts were great occasions in those days and drew crowds.

In a case for killing a cow, Wheeler, in reply to points made by O. H. Browning, then and now eminent, said: "The gentleman tells you Gentlemen of the Jury, that the plaintiff, my client, cannot recover in this suit because the cow war'nt no cow, because she never had a calf, but that she war a heifer. Gentlemen, that are not the notion of a sound and legal lawyer, but the notion of a musharoon." This almost convulsed the Court House with laughter.

Another objection of Browning's in this case that Wheeler answered was thus expressed: "Gentlemen of the Jury, Mr. Browning says that cow war'nt worth a cent. Now, gentlemen, where were there ever a cow that war'nt worth a cent? That cow were worth something for her meat, if she war'nt worth nothing for a milk cow - she war worth something for her horns, she war worth something for her hide, if not for her meat or milk, and gentlemen, she w-r worth something because the tail goes with the hide."

A suit brought by Wheeler for one Harpool against his brother, was for damage done to hogs, by cutting the toe nails off the hogs so as to prevent them from climbing. Wheeler, in describing the injury to the hogs, insisted that the hogs had a right to toe nails and a right to climb, and that, although they hud clone damage, yet it was laid down "root hog or die."

One Zumwalt was indicted for destroying a mill-dam of Doctor Hezekiah Dodge's. Wheeler in this case assailed the character of Dr. Dodge, who was a respectable man and whom the Jury did believe. Zumwalt was convicted upon evidence that he had said at his son-in-law's, on the night of the destruction of the dam of Dodge: "Just now the musrats are working on old Dodge's dam." Wheeler said of Dodge on the trial: "Dr. Dodge are a man so devoid of truth that when he speaks the truth he are griped."

During another of the lofty flights of Wheeler, a wag, John Jay Ross, a lawyer and a m..n who made and enjoyed a joke, laughed so at one of Wheeler's speeches that he became excited and turned upon Ross in a very contemptuous way, with a majestic sweep of his long arm, brought down at Ross, said: "I wish I had a tater, I would throw it down your throat."

The speech of Wheeler was not closed that evening, and the next morning early, when Wheeler was again addressing the Jury, and Ross ut the bar table, by some hand several large potatoes were put down in sight of Wheeler's eye. He fired up and let out a torrent of invective on Ross, every one, Judge and all, in a loud roar of laughter.

J. M. Bush is so well known as Editor of the Democrat that he needs no commentary. He has been long Master in Chancery of Pike, and has been a State Senator, filling these positions all most acceptably. He is a son of Daniel B. Bush and a brother of the Junior of that name.

The younger bar must wait for the next history to record their exploits. There are miny useful and intelligent men amongst them. Industry, temperance and integrity will ensure them success.

Amongst those long gathered to the rest of the blessed we mention the Rev. William Carter, for twenty-five years the influential good father in God and pastor of the Congregational Church in Pittsfield, a ripe scholar and pious m?n, he had his peculiarities, but no man of better and truer manhood ever lived here.

Dr. Orin S. Campbell, who died some years since, went to Atlas m 1833 or 1834 and resided there practicing his profession of medicine as a partner of Henry J. Ross, M. D., and afterwards removed to Pittsfield; he was also in partnership for a time with Dr. Worthington, and during his career as a physician was of great repute and very successful. He was a superior scholar and a man of great pleasantry with men. His memory is yet green amongst us.

Dr. Benjamin Norris, a graduate of Brown University, in the class with Prentice; of the Louisville Journal, came in 1835 to Pittsfield. He was a native of Rhode Island. He was long a leading physician, and very useful and successful, as numerous families can well attest. He was skilled as an entomologist and sent some valuable and rare specimens of insects to the Smithsonian Institution; he hid some rare specimens and a large cabinet of insects collected by himself, which he left in high state of preservation at his death.

We again recur to the living, and cannot speak of all, but tax our memory as to those widely known and conspicuous :nt an early day. Such are those who lay the foundations of society in new lands.

Dr. Alfred C. Baker of Barry now, at an early day of Pittsfield, once a partner of Dr. Worthington, is noted in his profession. He is a man of origimlity and intellect; he is a brother of the illustrious General E. D. Baker, distinguished in Illinois when a resident, and thereafter a Senator of the United States from California, who was slain by treachery at Ball's Bluff in Virginia. He was a man of brilliant intellect, an orator and the finest English belle letter scholar, when residing in Illinois; as a leader in our halls of legislation, on the stump and at the bar, he often addressed the Court and popular assemblies in Pike county in his most inimitable manner.

The Battle Ground Of The Giants

This county was fcamous for the political and forensic discussions of Lincoln, Douglas, John T. Stewart, D. M. Woodson, Orville H. Browning, Archy Williams, William Thomas, A. W. Cavalry, Judge Lyman Trumbull, E. D. Baker, Governors Yates, Palmer, and Oglesby, James Robertson, James Allen, Alexander Starne, Colonel Richardson, and numerous other public men have addressed the Court and popular assemblies in this county.

Younger America

Milton Hay, now ranking high as a lawyer at Springfield, resided here in his earlier days and was- at our bar. He has since been in a Constitutional Convention and in the Legislature of the State.

John G. Nicholay edited the Free Press here, and his been Secretary to President Lincoln, Consul to Paris, and is now Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States at Washington.

The Judiciary

Abraham Beck was the first Judge, nd the first estate administered upon was that of Peter Bourke - John Shaw, administrator - Belus Jones and Barnabas Haines, securities. The caption of letters issued ran as follows: "The People of the State of Illinois, by the Grace of God free and independent." The letters were dated May 21, A. D. 1821.

The Circuit Court of Pike county, as part of the State system of Courts, has been presided over by many Judges at different periods from 1821 to 1876, men of upright characters and extended judicial fame. Pike county has been in several Judicial Circuits at different periods.

The System Of Local Government

This was first by County Commissioners, three in number. Of these many were efficient, and none ever guilty of peculation. In 1857 a township organization was adopted, as permitted by general laws of the State. Until 1876 twenty-one political townships existed. In the latter year Levee Township was organized for political and school purposes.

Under this system the county affairs have been well managed. No startling acts have been done endangering the public business affairs, and much has been effected to advance the county by a wise administration of her affairs, by the Board of Supervisors, of whom many have been wise as local and county officers.

The Circuit Court

This is the leading court; h'.s general, civil, common law and equity jurisdiction, with jurisdiction in criminal cases. The Hon. C. L. Higbee

Execution For Murder

It may be well to mention that up to this Centennial year, but one execution for murder has been carried out under sentence of the law since Pike county has been of its present reduced limits.

Land Suits

This has jurisdiction as a Probate Court, and likewise in appellate cases of civil and criminal nature from justices of the peace, and has original civil jurisdiction of cases, such as a justice has, but higher in amount, up to $500.

The present judge is Hon. Strother Grigsby, who fills the office with dignity and impartiality. His decisions are sound and acceptable. He was a member of the bar.

Richard M. Atkinson, who is a member of the bar, was an upright and able judge in this court for several years, immediately before the term of Judge Grigsby.

The earliest we know of was at Atlas, and the first brick school' house was likely there, long used as a meeting house by the few religious denominations. Gradually schools sprung up over the county and a commendable zeal for education has existed, especially since the public school system was adopted hy the Illinois Legislature.

Griggsville erected, about twenty years since, a spacious and sightly two-story brick house which was burned, and is replaced by one similar to the former. In these have been kept large and excellent schools.

Pittsfield, in 1861, began and in about two years completed a very handsome two-story brick school house now in use, and containing a basement and eight spacious rooms for schools, all filled at times with scholars. It is conducted under the graded system of instruction and has a high or advanced school, teaching languages and sciences; Its principles and teachers have been of a high order of merit.

Brick or spacious frame houses exist in all the large towns in the county, and numerous sightly and well built school houses abound and are in view every few miles in all parts of the county.

The pecuniary support is derived from local funds, in part from the land grant of the United States, of a section to each township; by taxation by the school officers, and by a pro rata from a fund raised by legislative provision periodically.

Newspapers In Pike

The Sucker began in 1842, and was the earliest published in the county. Its proprietor, and editor was Michael J. Noyes, a remarkable man, of frank manners, industrious, shrewd, of fair education, honest in his business. In early life, as a land surveyor he laid off land for the United States under contract, when original surveys were made. He was a native of New Hampshire, and true to the views of his Northern ancestry, was an advocate of freedom. He was, before removing to this county, clerk of the circuit court of Pike County, Missouri. He died respected and honored, a leading officer in the Masonic fraternity, and leaving his wife, the partner of his early life, and a numerous family.

The Free Press was established in lieu of the Sucker. The first number it dated Pittsfield and Griggsville, Monday, April 13, 1846, published every Thursday (thereafter). Its second number is dated Thursday, April 23; editors and proprietors Z. N. Garbutt and M. H. Abbott. It was a Whig paper.

The Sentinel, established in 1845, by T. G. Trumbull and G. W. Smith, the former as editor. After it ceased its material and patronage went to the Union.

The Pike County Union, established on April 25, 1849, by John S. Roberts as editor and proprietor. That merged into the Pike County Democrat. Mr. Roberts has filled several responsible lucrative positions, and is now a justice of the peace in Pittsfield.

The Pike County Democrat was published under that name, and commenced in May, 1857. Milton Abbott was editor and proprietor. He sold out, and it is yet continued by J. M. Bush, at Pittsfield, vigorously conducted. It advocates the doctrine of the Democratic party and has a large circulation.

T. G. Trumbull, editor of the Sentinel, was a member of the bar of Illinois. He came from Connecticut, and was a nephew of the celebrated painter, Col. Trumbull, of Washington's military family. T. G. Trumbull had but little business at the bar. He was peculiar, and if asked about early rising expressed himself, "That it was not best to be about until the world was well aired by the uprisen sun." His health was feeble, his instincts gentlemanly, his education good, and retiring habits. He hns long been buried near Pittsfield. He had no relatives in this vicinity.

The Radical, for a brief time published as the exponent of a sentiment. It was edited with vim, by Major Charles S. Sellon. He was afterwards a vigorous and useful editor of the Illinois State Journal, published at Springfield, Illinois. His bravery led him to the front, and he served for a short time in the Union Army. By deafness he was physically disqualified for army life. He died a young man, mourned by his family and many friends. He is buried in the graveyard of St. Stephen's Church Pittsfield, 111. He was a son of the Rev. Mr. Sellon of New York.

The Pike County Journal was the offspring of the Free Press, and was established by Daniel B. Bush, Jr., in 1860, and edited by him until a sale thereof to Robert McKee. The Old Flag took the place of the fournal.

The Old Flag was the successor of the Pike County Journal, and owes its name to its first editor, Robert McKee, who was an able man when at his post. Its first issue was in the first week in March, 1868. This- paper yet supports ably the principles of the Republican party. Robert Criswell, once a spicy editor thereof, is now in the far West. It is now owned by Messrs. Jas. Criswell and Jas. Gallagher, the latter being its efficient editor. It has a liberal patronage.

Exports Of The Farm

This county is unsurpassed for its winter wheat. Large quantities are exported as flour and wheat. Beef and pork are staple commodities, and yield an immense revenue to the farmers. Corn is a most abundant crop and enters largely into commerce. Grass and hay are produced without stint.

Pike County in 1876 is composed of territory bounded on the south by the peninsula of Calhoun county, stricken off from the original territory of Pike; beginning on the south and embracing range seven south of the base line, and west of the fourth principal meridian; meandering the Illinois River for its Eastern boundary, and then north, including Township three south two west, fronting on the river, and also including Township three south ranges three and four west; thence west from the southwest corner of Township three south four west, or Fairmount, to the Mississippi River, in Township four south eight west; thence meandering with the channel of said river to the township line of seven south five west in said river, including twenty-six townships and fractional townships, laid off for political purposes into twenty-four townships, and designated as follows:

Chambersburg, Perry, Fairmount, Flint, Griggsville, New Salem, Hadley, Barry, Kinderhook, Levee, Detroit, Newburg, Pittsfield, Derry, Pleasant Vale, Montezuma, Hardin, Martinsburg, Atlas, Pearl, Spring Creek, Pleasant Hill. Sixteen of these townships are six miles square, and the fractional townships are of various sizes, as the land is shaped by the flow of the rivers Illinois and Mississippi. - The Illinois running in most places on the borders of the County nearly south; the Mississippi varying by its course the width of the County, from about thirty-eight miles on the north line to about eighteen on the south line, its- course being to the southeast.

This County is varied in its surface. Its greatest altitude from the rivors being about three hundred and ten feet on the summit ridge. Various large water courses flowing to each river furnishing, with living springs which abound, abundance of good water. The soil is much diver- sified. On both rivers and on several large creeks, there is a large acreage of fine alluvial land, which is productive when properly drained, and much of it required no drainage. The uplands adjacent to the bluffs of the two rivers are rolling, originally mostly timber, now largely in cultivation. Nearly every Township in the County had much rich and beautiful rolling prairie. The growth on a portion of the land, in many townships, was black-jack, a species of scrub oak. These were called barrens, but falsely so-called, as some of the finest farming, and especially wheat, and grass lands, are in the former barrens.

The productions of the County are diversified. Corn, wheat, oats, rye, and all small grains and grapes grow and with great luxuriance; sweet and Irish potatoes and all garden vegetables flourish. Fruits of every kind and the lesser berries yield large crops. The County is famed for its fine stock raising qualities.

The minerals are varied and numerous, but none developed to much extent. Abundance of fine stone and some superior quarries exist. There is a species of sandstone which opens out in rectangular figures from natural fissures. Limestone is plentiful. Near Rockport there is stone nearly similar to marble and beautifully veined. Perry and other medicinal springs have deserved celebrity. Salt springs exist, but as yet have not availed much for salt producing. It is evident that some races of people have delighted to inhabit this county. Many ancient mounds exist. Stone cises, or coffins, in considerable numbers have been found, and all the implements of the stone age are seen as original here. In a state of nature all the wild fruits of this latitude were abundant, but cultivation has done away with them.

The navigable waters of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers on the East and West are yet of immense value to our farmers and business men. These could be used to much greater advantage and less cost for freight, were the boats all properly constructed to avail of the water at its lower stages; presupposing that the National Government improves the rivers by narrowing and deepening the channels, upon the principle of constructing jetties at the mouth of the Mississippi. In the future, great developments will be made of how to manage the mighty rivers to economize and to use the water in times of drouth.

It is possible, we hold, to scour out and thus deepen our rivers in. and bordering on Illinois. Competition will thus increase in the means of transportation as freights increase. Who can foretell the destiny of the* West with deeper rivers and sea-going vessels? Perhaps ascending many hundred miles above New Orleans for freights. We confidently anticipate this.

Public Buildings

The first Court House in Pittsfield was a small frame, standing on the alley on the north side of the street facing, and north of the Public Square. It is now used by Joseph Heck as a store. The order for its

The second Court House in Pittsfield. now in use, was built in 1838-9 by County funds, derived from proceeds of sales of town lots of Pittsfield, by the County Commissioners. The first sale was on the 15th day of May, 1833. Subsequent sales were made by the Commissioners of town lots all on the old plat. The first Court House was also built out or proceeds of early sales. The present Court House is a large two-story brick with a dome and high roof. It is in good repair. The court room for the Circuit Court is in the second story, and has two jury rooms on the east thereof. The first story is used for the County Court and public offices. This house stands in the center of a public square, set out with trees. The plat of ground is three hundred and forty feet square, streets surrounding it. There are fire-proof County offices near the West entrance to the square. It is handsomely enclosed with a plain, painted, wooden fence. Trees are well-grown and mostly of native kinds. Blue grass and white clover clothe the ground.

Population And Settlement

This County is now densely settled for a farming country, and yet there are lands now -unoccupied, and vast tracts owned and occupied by few families. The county is capable of supporting a very much larger population than is now therein. Its people are from every State in the United States, and from every foreign land, almost, which has sent settlers to the middle states, and are intelligent, industrious and enterprising.

Public roads lead to all the towns in the county from Pittsfield. Ferries exist at many points on the rivers. There is a railway and wagon road bridge crossing from Pike county to Hannibal, Mo., and a railroad bridge at Louisiana.

Towns And Villages

Pleasant Hill is, as its name signifies, and well located. A railroad at its limits, and a large flour mill, business houses and churcnes in town.

Rockport, on the Sny Carte, for fifty years nearly the site of water mills; is an interesting business location; some neat stores and houses, and a very nice, roomy brick school house ornament it. A large trade has existed there.

Cincinnati, on the Mississippi river, is an old town, but has not grown much. The Sny levee may promote its growth. There are stores and warehouses there, and usual shops.

Atlas, the first town laid out, has lost standing by the removal of the county seat. A pretty situation, but is eclipsed by its neighbor, Rockport and little other than farming is now carried on there.

Detroit, Time and Nebo are all neat little villages, each having one or more churches, and stores and shops. Time and Nebo each have a flour mill.

Florence, first called Augusta, was laid out by Green, Barber, Worthington and Davis, and if big hopes could have so made, it would have rivalled Peoria. This was once a place of a good deal of business, and the landing for Pittsfield from steamboats. In 1849 the stampede to California set it back, and it has dwindled ever since.

The first settler was Mr. Lovelady, in 1829. David Callis, John Bond, the Akins, Dorsey and Gregory, in 1830. David Johnston and B. L. Matthews, in 1832.

The town was laid off in 1834 by Boone Scholl, and called Booneville. The next year relaid by N. M. Jones, and given the name Perry. First brick kiln by Shepardin, 1833. First blacksmith, W. Vanpelt, 1838. Chenowith and Cirpenter first Justices of the Peace, 1835.

Business Houses Now

Five dry goods stores, two hardware and tin shops, three grocery stores, one foundry, three blacksmith shops, two cabinet shops, six church buildings, a public school house of four departments, and three hundred and fifty pupils, three physicians - Dunn, Harris and W.illing - and three shoe shops. This is a sightly town and does a prosperous Dusmess.

shops, and adjacent a large woolen mill, established by the Messrs. Wike. Griggsville has a large carriage shop and flour mill, and the usual

Rockport has some shops of trades, and recently a large flour mill was burned. Coopers made or sold a large amount of barrels at this place.

Pittsfield has two large and well-equipped flour mills, a woolen mill, three or four wagon shops, two considerable carriage shops, two tobacco factories, and some lesser workers in tobacco, a foundry, several blacksmith shops a large factory for fan mills to clean grain and seeds, numerous large stores of various kinds; and some subdivision of business exists. The grocery is distinct from dry goods. Stores for finer wear for men and women, and hats, caps and boots exist. Four hardware stores, and all selling more or1 less machinery. Sale and manufacturing shops of furniture are carrying on business, and the lesser trades are carried on. Three drug and medicine stores, shops to sell candy and small wares, and three barber shops.

The first library was founded in Atlas in 1833-4. Part of the books now exist in the Pittsfield Library, an incorporated institution, the second, of a general nature. It has several hundred, and, perhaps, exceeding one thousand volumes. Libraries exist in other towns.

Pike County has had more than one organization as an Agricultural Society, and one now exists, located at Pittsfield. It has twenty acres or more of beautiful ground on section twenty-five, south of Pittsfield onehalf a mile. A Horticultural Society Antiquarian Society, and»Old Settlers Society exist.

Churches And Religion

Houses of worship of brick and frame, and even stone, exist. In all the larger towns will be found the following denominations, and even over the country, a diversity of church fellowship exists. The churches are: Methodist Episcopal, and other styles, as well as German Methodist; Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregational, Christian, Lutheran, Protestant Episcopal, United Brethren, Roman Catholics, and there may be others.

Hotels In Pittsfield Livery Stables

George Edwards, on South side of the Square. James F. Stobie, West of Oregon House - same lot. Pennington & Co., Southwest corner of the square. All well equipped, and carriages, close and open, as well as horses and buggies for hire.

Up to 1833 a boat by. steam was rarely up the rivers - Illinois and Mississippi - more than once in two weeks. Special trips were made to Spring Lake, in Pike, near Atlas, by the William Wallace, and one or two other steamers up to 1835, to carry goods to Atlas and to take out freight.

Now five steamers, elegantly equipped, make daily trips in good stages of water, on the two rivers, unless in winter when ice-bound. But few weeks occur when a daily packet does not ascend the Mississippi for Quincy and above. Packets ply on the Illinois river daily, ascending as high as the canal at LaSalle.

Tow boat steamers run up and down with fleets of large barge-like boats, with grain, stone and lumber on the Illinois river; these being the freights descending.

The mode of navigation in an earlier day was in keel boats with poles and by cordelling; and descending, only flat bottom boats and rafts were floated down stream.

County Surveyors

David Johnson, one of those Surveyors, in office about thirty ye.irs ago, is yet alive. He was an energetic man and Surveyor and of great worth.

A. G. Chamberlain, who lives at Barry, has been a deputy surveyor several times under the County Surveyor. He is a superior surveyor, and an intelligent, honest man.

Harris, recent incumbent of the office of County Surveyor, is a genius, a good companion, an upright man, and useful in his office. His successor is Mr. Clare, elected in 1875. He opens out well for a young officer. We predicta useful career for him.

Apology Of The Historian

In ending these outlines for history, biography and memoirs, prepared in a brief space of time, almost without books of reference, and with little aid from other sources, the historian craves your lenient judgment.

With the conqueror, but not as a conqueror, I say "Veni, Vidi," "I came, I saw," but the Vici. the last word of that phrase, I am not vain enough to appropriate.

May this County and Nation have many Centennials, but to offer up the prayer that any of my adult fellow citizens might enjoy the next Centennial, would be in vain since the days of Methuselah.

The ladies, God bless them, 'by that time, will have superseded the men and put them aside as false gods.v The men will then enjoy "Otium cum dignitate."

Source changes here: from With The Colors in Pike County, Illinois, by The Barry Record, published 1920; 258 words in this source stream.

Griggsville Township

The Griggsville Unit of the Women's Committee, Council of National Defense, was organized Oct. 17, 1917, with the following officers: Chairman, Miss Eva L. Shinn; treasurer, Mrs. Harold Hunter; secretary, Miss Mary Brierly. Department chairmen were as follows: Publicity, Mrs. G. P. Burden; Instruction, Mrs. Mae P. Harvey; Finance, Mrs. Harold Hunter ; Food Production and Conservation, Mrs. Mary H. Rodway; Public Health, Mrs. May P. Harvey; Recreation, Miss Hazel Sleight; Child Welfare, Mrs. R. H. Thackwray; Allied Relief, Miss Elsie Cree; Registration, Miss Eva L. Shinn; Liberty Loan, Mrs. A. W. Butterfield; Americanization, Mrs. Alice Shoemaker. Chairmen of school districts vere: Maysville, Miss Mildred Dunham; Bradbury, Mrs. Edgar Clark;

Fatherless Children of France: Four adopted for one year, $146; one adopted for five years, $36.50; total, $182.50. Miss Elsie Cree, chairman.

The total amount of bonds sold, receipts from tag days, and subscriptions to various drives for which the unit was almost entirely responsible was $131,094.17.

All of this work was accomplished by the women of the C. N. D. with the exception of the Liberty Loans, the United War Work Campaign and the Armenian Relief Fund Drive, when they worked in conjunction with the men's committee. The Abbie A. Hatch Chautauqua Circle of Griggsville fostered the C. N. D. work all through the war, taking account of the work at each regular meeting of the Circle, and giving assistance in every way possible. Much credit is due to the efficient work of Mrs. M. J. Cameron, who was township chairman until her removal to Baraboo, Wisconsin.