HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - Illinois Ancestors

348 Pages·2008·12.64 MB·English

STARK COUNTY
ILLINOIS
AND ITS PEOPLE
A RECORD OF SETTLEMENT, ORGANIZATION,
PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENT
J. KNOX HALL
SUPERVISING EDITOR
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME I
Chicago
THE PIONEER PUBLISHING COJIPANY
1916

CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
PHYSICAL FEATURES, GEOLOGY, ETC.
LOCATION AND BOUNDARIES-SURFACE- RIVERS^ AND CREEKS-GENERAL
CHARACTER-NATIVE VEGETATION-ANIMALS AND BIRDHEOLOGY
-THE COAL MEASUREHECTIONS OF MINING SHAFT-EXTENT OF
THE COAL DEPOSITS-BUILDING'STONE-THE GLACIAL EPOC,H-HOW
STARK COUNTY WAS FOEMED--cHARACTER OF THE GLACIAL DRIFT-
.....................................
THE IVATER SUPPLY. .9
CHAPTER I1
ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS
;MOUND BUILDERS--FIRST NOTICE OF MOUNDS IN THE UNITED STATE"
CHARACTElZ AND STRUCTURE OF THE MOUNDS-EARLY INVESTIGA-
TIONS AND THEORIE-WORK OF THE BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY-DIS-
TRICTS IN THE UNITED STATES-WHO WERE THE MOUND BUIIBERS-
MORE THEORIES-RELICS IN THE COUNTY OF STARK-ADAMS OTD
................................
SHALLEXBERGER'S WORK. -22
CHAPTER TI1
INDIAN HISTORY
DISTRIBUTION OF INDIAN NATIONS AT THE CLOSE OF TRE FIFTEENTR
CESTURY - THE ILLINOIS - SUBORDINATE TRIBES -T HE SACS AKD
FOXES--THE BUCK HAWK WAR-DEATH OF BLACK HAWK-THE
POTTAWATOMI-THEIE. VILLAGES IN STARK COUNTY-SRAB-BO-NEE
TREATIES WITH THE POTTAWATOMI-THEIR CHARACTER-THE
............................
T'rISXERA~mTDIANN AMES. -31
.*.
111
CONTENTS
CHAPTER IV
THE PERIOD OF PREPARATION
EARLY EXPLORATIONS IN AMERICA-SPANISH, FRENCH AND ENG-
LISH CLAIMS TO TERRITORY IN THE NEW WORLD--THE JESUIT
MISSIONARIES-DISCOVERY OF THE MXSSISSIPPI-MARQUETTE BlW
JOLIET-LA SBLI;E'S EXPEDITIONS-LOUISIANA--CROZAT AND LAW
-THE MISSISSIPPI BUBBLE-CONFLICT OF INTEREST-FRENCH AND
INDIAN WAR-ILLINOIS A BRITISH POSSESSION-THE WAR OF THE
REVOLUTION--CLARK'S CONQUEST OF THE NORTHWEST-ILLINOIS
UNDER VARIOUS JURISDICTIONS-ADMITTED AS A STATE-EVOLUTION
OF STARK COUNTY-aECAPITUUTI0N . .-.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -45
CHAPTER V
SETTLEMENT OF STARK COUNTY
AN OLD TRADING POST-EVELBNT, AND BOSS-ISAAC B. ESSEX THE ORIG-
INAL PIONEER-FIRST CABIN IN STBK COUNTY-LIST OF SETTLERS
EACH YEBB. TO YE AX PIONEER LIFE k7VD CUSTOMS--THE HOUSE
RAISING-FURNITUB;E AND UTENSILS-SWAPPING TVORK-AMUSE-
MENTS AND PASTIMES-MUKING ANIMALS-THE OLD TRAPPER'S
SOLILOQ ..................................................
CHAPTER VI
STARK COUNTY ORGANIZED
TIIE MILITARY LBND GRANT -FORGED TITLES--FIRST COUNTIES IN THE
ILLINOIS VALLEY-STARK COUNTY-THE ORGANIC ACT-FIRST ELEC-
TIONS--THE COUNTY SEAT--CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT-THE COURT-
HOUSE-THE ANNEX-THE COUNTY JAIL-SHERIFF MURCHISON'S
REPORT-THE POOR FARM-HOW THE COUNTY WAS NAMED. . . . .70
CHAPTER VII
TOWKSHIP HISTORY
ORIGIN OF THE TOWNSHIP-FIRST TOWNSRIl% IN THE UNITED STATES-
JUSTICES' DISTRICTS IN STARK COUNTY-ESTABLISHMENT OF CIVIL
CONTENTS
TOWNSHIPS IN ~~~~MIICB-ESSEX--GOSHENN
-TOULON-VALLEY-WEST JERSEY-MILITBftY LBND ENTRIES IN
UCE-EOF TIIE TOWNSHIPS WERE NAMED-EARLY SETTIZRS-
PRESENT DAY CONDITIONS-RAILROADS-SCHOOLS-POPULBTION a T D
..........*.,. ...................................
87
WWTH*
CHAPTER VIII
CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES
SPECULATION IN EARLY DAYS-NUMEROUS TOWNS PROJECTED--LIST OF
TOWNS AND VILIAGES N STARK COUNTY-CITIES OF TOULON AND
WYOMING-IIJCORPORATED VILLAGES OF BRADFORD AND LAFAYETTE
-MINOR VILLAGES-HISTORICBL SKETCH OF EACH-PRESENT DAY
CONDITIONS-POSTOFFICESA ND RURAL MNL ROUTES. ......... ill
CHAPTER IX
MILITARY HISTORY
WAR OF ~ ~ ~ ~ - B L BKCBWKK WAR-WBB, WITH MZXICO--WAR OF 1861-
'65-CONDITIONSL EADING UP TO THE WAX-THE SIAVERY QUESTION
--COMPROMISE UEGISLATION-USAS-NEBRBSKA BIU-POLITICAL
CUPAIGN OF SECESSION OF THE SLAVE STATES-FALL OF FORT
SUMTER-CBU FOR VOLUNTEERS-WBR MEETING AT TOULON-JLLI-
NOIS' BESPONSE-myE NLISTMENTS-BRIEF HISTORIES OF THE
BBGIMENTS IN WHICH STARK COUNTY WAS EJ3PRESENTED-ROSTER
OF STARK COUNTY COMPANIES-MISCELLANEOUS INFANTRY ENLIST-
MENTS-CAVALRY SERVICE-ARTILLERY-SOLDIERS' MONURIENT-
.................................
THE WORK AT HOME.. .135
CHAPTER X
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
EARLY CONDITIONS IN STARK COUNTY-DIFFICULTIES OF EARLY TRAVEL
-INDIAN TRAILS-PUBLIC HIGHWA4YS-KNOXVILLE & GALENA STATE
RO-FIRST ROAD DISTRICTS AND SUPERVISORS-PETITIOSS AND
TLEWERS-MODERN HIGHWAYS-STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSIOX---
STATE IN!lXR.hTAL ISIPROVEMENTS-ILLIhTOIS & MICHIGAN CANAL-
7.i CONTENTS
'
ACT OF 1836-- 1~AP~PR~O PRUTIONS FOR RIVER IMPROVEMENTS
AND RAILB,OaD+THE RAILROAD ERA-WESTEJiN AIR LINE-OTER-
ICAN CENTU--CRICAGO, ROCK ISLSYD & PACIFIC-EUSICAGO, BUR-
LINGTON & QUINCY-CHICAGO & NORTHTVESTERN-VALUE OF RAIL-
........................
ROAD PROPERTY IN THE COUNTY. .162
CHAPTER XI
FINANCX AND INDUSTRY
PUBLIC REVENUES-PROPERTY VALUES-PRINCIPAL FUNDS RAISED BY
TAXATION-BANKING INSTITUTIONS-GENEBtlT; HISTORY-EARLY
BANKING IN ILLINOIS-STAILK 'COUNTY BANKS--AGRICULTU-
CROP AND LIVE STOCK STBTISTICS-STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE-
FARAIERS' INSTITUTES-COAL MINING-MANUFACTURING-TELE-
...................................
PHONE COMPANIES.. -177
CHAPTER XI1
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CHARACTER OF THE EARLY SCHOOL+SCHOOLHOUSE AND FURNITURE-
TEXT-BOOKS-SPELLING SCHOOLS-THE THREE R'S-PUBLIC SCHOOL
SYSTEM-STARK COUNTY SCHOOLS--PIONEER TEACHERS--EDUCA-
TjrONAL PROGRESS BY TOWNSHIPS-THE SEMINARY-TOULON PUBLIC
SCHOOLS-TOULON ACADEMY-WYO31ING PUBLIC SCHOOIS-SCHOOL
OFFICERS-TEACHERS' INSTITUTE-TEACHERS' ASSOCLATION-THE
PRESHRIEF HISTOBIES OF THE VARIOUS hrE;WSPA4PER*EXTINCT
- -
NEWSPAPERS-PUBLIC LIBRABIES-WYOBIING TOULON LBFBY-
ETTE -B R A D F 0 R 1) -E LMIRA LIBRARY .ASSOCIATION-SCHOOL
LIBUIES . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 4
CHAPTER XI11
THE BENCH AND BAR
PURPOSE OF THE COURTS-THE LAWYER AS A CITIZEN-EARLY COURTS
OF STARK COUNTY-FIRST JURORS-SKETCHES OF EARLY JUDGES--
LIST OF CIRCUIT JUDGES SINCE 1839-CONSTITUTIONPAROLV ISIOSS
CONCERNING COURTS-PROBATE COURT-COUNTY COURT AND JLTDGES
-STATE'S ATTORNEPS-UNITED STATES COURTS-THE BL~R-COSDI-
TIONS OF EARLY DAYS-SICETCHES OF OLD-TIME LAWYERS-THE BAE
OF 19 13'-CRIMINAL CASES--A STRAY IKCIDEST .............. 219
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIV
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
XEDICINE AN OLD PROFESSION-HOME-MADE REMEDIES-CHARACTER OF
TZIE PIONEER DOCTOR-HIS METHODS OF TREATMENT-HARDSHIPS
OF FRONTIER PRACTICE-STANDING OF THE DOCTOR AS A CITIZEN-
STARK COUNTY DOCTORS-BRIEF SKETCHES OF OLD-TIME PHYSICIANS
-STARK COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY-REGISTERED PHYSICIANS IN
...................................................
1915 236
CHAPTER XV
CHURCH HISTORY
DIFFICULTIES IN WRITING CHURCH HISTORY-JESUIT MISSIONARIES-
THE METHODISTS-PEORIA MISSION-THE BAPTISTS--THE PRESBY-
TERIANS-THE CONGREGATIONALISTS-LATTER DAY SAINTS-CHRIS-
TUNS OR DISCIPLES-THE UNIVERSALISTS-UNITED BRETHREN-
THE CATHOLICS-HISTORIES OF THE VARIOUS CONGREGATIONS--
................
MISCELLANEOUS RELIGIOUS ORGANLZBTIONS -246
CHAPTER XVI
SOCIETIES AND FRATERNITIES
XUTUAL PROTECTION SOCIETY-ITS AIMS AND OBJECTS-AG&ICULTURAL
SOCIETIES AND FAIR ASSOCIATIONS--OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION-
THE LOG CABIN - OLD SETTLERS' MONUMENT -L ET'I'ERS FROM
PIONEERS-MASONIC FRATERNITY---ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR-
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS-DAUGHTERS OF REREKAH-
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC-'J3XPERANCE SOCIETIES--MISCEL-
....................................
I ~ E O U SSO CIETIES. ,266
CHAPTER XVII
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY
PURPOSE OF THIS CHAPTER-FIRST THINGS-PRICES AND WAGES-LIN-
COLN AXD DOUGLAS AT TOULON-THE UNDERGROUND B A I L R O S
FOUNTAIN WATKINS TELLS A STORY-A RESOLUTION-THE FIRST
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN-INDIAN RETALLATION-HUNTING IN EARLY
.........
DAYS--THE MOR3fON PROPHET-A POLITICAL HERO. -286
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVIII
STATISTICAL REVIEW
POPULATION AT EACH UNITED STATES CENSUS-CONSTITUTIONAL COS-
VEKTIONS-CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS--GENERAL ASSEMBLY-HOW
STARK HAS BEEN REPRESENTED IN THE LEGISLATUIIE-OFFXCUL ROS-
TER-LIST OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS SINCE l 8 3 9 - ~ 0 ~FO~R PRESIDENT
AT EACH ELECTION SINCE 1840-SURIMARYO F THE PRINCIPAL
. . . . . . . . . .
EVENTS CONNECTED WITH THE COUNTY'S HISTORY. .305
J. KNOX HALL
History of Stark County
CHAPTER I
PHYSICAL FEATURES, GEOLOGY, ETC.
LOCATION AND BOUNDAXIES-SURFACE-RIVERS AND CREEKS-SNEUL
CHARACTER-NATIVE VEGETATION-ANIMALS AND BIRDS--GEOLOGY
-THE COAL MEASURES-SECTIONS OF MINING SHAFTS--EXTENT OF
THE COAL DEPOSITS-BUILDING STONE-THE GLACIAL EPOCH-HOW
STARK COUNTY WAS FOBM~HARACTERO F THE GLACIAL DRIFT-
THE TVATER SUPPLY.
!
Stark County is situated northwest of the center of the state, its
western line being about fifty miles from the Mississippi River at
Keithsburg, and its northern boundary is eighty-seven miles from the -.
Wisconsin state line. On the north it is bounded by the counties of
.
Bureau and Henry; on the east by Bureau and Marshall counties;
on the south by Peoria County, and on the west by Knox and Henry
counties. It embraces Congressional townships 12 and 13 north,
Range 5 east; townships 12, 13 and 14, Range 6; and townships 12,
13 and 14, Range 7. As each of these townships contains thirty-six
square miles, the total area of the county is 288 square miles.
The general surface of the connty is slightly undulating, or roll-
ing?e xcept in the vicinity of the Spoon River and at some places along
Indian Creek, where it is more or less broken. More than nine-tenths
of the 184,320 acres responds easily to cultivation, and the remaining
tenth is by no means waste land, though its. cultivation is attended
by greater effort. Natural drainage is afforded by the Spoon River,
Indian and WaInut creeks, Cooper's Defeat, Camping Run, Jack
Creek, Mud Run, Jug Run and a number of smaller streams.
The Spoon River is composed of two branches. The East Fork
rises in Bureau County and the West Fork in Henry County, the
former flowing in a southwesterly direction and the latter toward the
To1 I -1
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