THE UNIVERSITY 

OF ILLINOIS 

LIBRARY 










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CHAMPAIGTJNTY, ILL,, 



CONTAINING 



Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent 
and Representative Citizens of the County, 

TOGETHER WITH 

PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS, AND 
OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. 



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CHICAGO: 

CHAPMAN BBOTHEES, 

1887. 






P E HAVE completed our labors in writing and compiling the PORTRAIT AND Bio- 
iGRAPHiCAL ALBUM of this county, and wish, in presenting it to our patrons, to speak 
briefly of the importance of local works of this nature. It is certainly the duty 
of the present to commemorate the past, to perpetuate the names of the pioneers, 
to furnish a record of their early settlement, and to relate the story of their progress. 
The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age, and this solemn duty which 
men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives and deeds should be made. In local history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, and to waft down the river of time a safe 
vessel in which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this region from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly the noble men, who in their vigor and prime 
came early to the county and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to their 
graves. The number remaining who can relate the history of the first days of settlement is 
becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of his- 
torical matter without delay, before the settlers of the wilderness are cut down by time. Not only 
is it of the greatest importance to render history of pioneer times full and accurate, but it is also essen- 
tial that the history of the county, from its settlement to the present day, should be treated through its various 
phases, so that a record, complete and impartial, may be handed down to the future. The present the age 
of progress, is reviewed, standing out in bold relief over the quiet, unostentatious olden times; it is a brilliant 
record, which is destined to live in the future; the good works of men, their magnificent enterprises, theii 
lives, whether commercial or military, do not sink into oblivion, but, on the contrary, grow brighter with age, 
and contribute to build up a record which carries with it precedents and principles that will l.e advanced and 
observed when the acts of soulless men will be forgotten and their very names hidden in obscurity. 

In the preparation of the personal sketches contained in this volume, unusual care and pains were 
taken to have them accurate, even in the smallest detail. Indeed, nothing was passed lightly over or treated 
indifferently ; and we flatter ourselves that it is one of the most accurate works of its nature ever published. 
As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the portraits of numerous represent- 
ative citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of to-day, as well as the pioneers, represented 
in this department; and we congratulate ourselves on the uniformly high character of the gentlemen whose 
portraits we present. They are in the strictest sense representative men, and are selected from all the call- 
ings and professions worthy to be given. There are others, it is true, who claim equal prominence with 
those given ; but of course it was impossible for us to give portraits of all the leading men and pioneers 
of the county. We are under great obligation to many of the noble and generous people of this county 
for kindly and material assistance in the preparation of this ALBUM. 



CHICAGO, October, 1887. 



CHAPMAN BROTHERS. 



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OF THE 




AND OF THE 





RY 

- 1 ' 






FIRST PRESIDENT. 



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HE Father of our Country was 
Ixsrn in Westmorland Co., Va., 
Feb. 22, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has riot 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to Virginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four children, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of six children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on 
the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental residence. George 
received only such education as the neighborhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
school, when he received private instruction in 
mathematics, His spelling was rather defective. 



I 



Remarkable stories are told of his great physical 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his companions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandoned. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 1751, though only 19 years of 
age, he was appointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the journey was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The 



t 



20 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



trip was a perilpus one, and several limes he came near 
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most important part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock 
were disabled early in the action, and Washington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says : " I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

After having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
look advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

When the British Parliament had closed the port 
of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- 
delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, 
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress lo pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under ever)' possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 1783, Washington, in 
a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army to 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all 
connection with public life. 

In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his presidential career ht was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments; trials from want of harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
fatally on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its 
final resting place, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and the more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have been able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
he as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength w;is 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. 
He commanded respect without any appearance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull. 




I 










SECOND PRESIDENT. 



2 3 




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OHN ADAMS, the second 
President and the first Vice- 
President of the United States, 
was born in Braintree ( now 
Quincy),Mass., and about ten 
^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1 640, with a family of eight 
sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
"school of affliction," from which he endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this purpose he placed himself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had thought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature," 
of the operations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having quick percep- 
tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial 
steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- 



tions he offered on the subject became very popular 
throughout the Province, and were adopted word for 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
lislature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against the 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the committee of five 
appointed June n, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on Adams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife, 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says,"the 
greatest question was decided that ever was debated 
in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, -' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, 






t 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from this 
time forward for ever. You will think me transported 
with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and support and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
wurth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed a 
delegate to France and to co-operate with Bemjamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such pvoposels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
Holland, where he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties. 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to goto England to drink the waters of 
Bath. While in England, still drooping anddespond- 
ing, he received dispatches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,he made the trip. 

February 24, 1785; Congress appointed Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
his own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. Again 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President,though not without much opposition. 
Serving in this office four years,he was succeeded by 
Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was upon this point which he was atissuewnh 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the 
classof atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
and how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supporting. In r824, his cup of happiness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " IN- 
DEPENDENCE FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious fourth of July God bless it God bless you all." 
In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at ore o'clock, re- 
signed his spirit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, 
as his portrait manifests.was intellectual ard expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and unconrteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and gracefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson, 



I 

4" 



LIBRARY 

OF THE 

UHlVERSiTY Or ILLINOIS 







-.. W 





r 





THIRD PRESIDENT. 





HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
born April 2, 1743, at Shad- 
'well, Albermarle county, Va. 

His parents were Peter and 
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
the former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. In 1760 he entered William 
and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion 
a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences,that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen 
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for ex- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and 
Greek authors he read with facility. A more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, upright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow. 

Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shad well, there 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, 
became the most distinguished resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Colonial Congress, 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed upon a number of important committees, 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of independence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and Adams suggested 
a few verbal changes before it was submitted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and signed July 
4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that 




28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



man what the emotions that swelled his breast 
who was charged with the preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
soverign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did no other effort 
of the mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, as Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Monticello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned 
Jan. i, 1794. In 17 97, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was the con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, this extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition into the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, he had been continually before the pub- 
lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and upon the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticello. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticello, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence, 
great preparations were made in every part of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their iestivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under whic h 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next 
day, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
him, the day of the month, and on being told it was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish that 
he might be permitted to breathe the airof the fiftieth 
anniversary. His prayer was heard that day, whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noLle 
life! To die on that day, the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day which his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desponding countrymen; for half a 
century they had labored together for the good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life became 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore 
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind ns 
well as personal courage ; and his command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic ; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. " He 
was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with which he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquity. 







r 








FOURTH PRESIDENT. 






AMES MADISON, "Father 
of the Constitution," and fourth 
President of the United States, 
was born March 16, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
June 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that heroic period of our 
country during which the founda- 
tions of this great republic were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to be called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing upon the shores of the Chesa- 
peake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing upon a very fine es- 
tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the foot of 
It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
political attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
1 8 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 



Blue Ridge. 



prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. He graduated in 1771, with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf ~ 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, and his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind 
singularly free from passion and prejudice, and with 
almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-loving voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was appointed to the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 



I 



It 



3 2 



JAMES MADISON. 



intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a member of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential members. 
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the General Assembly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were represented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Philadelphia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island 
was represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention ; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little power at home and little respect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by tne conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable power of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in person and character 
queenly, and probably no lady has thus far occupied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. 



British orders in council destroyed our commerce, and 
our flag was exposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest spirit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, upon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them on thegini- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the 1 8th of June, 1812, President Madison gave 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general approved; and Mr. Madison, on the 4111 
of March, 1313, was re-elected by a large majority, 
and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infant 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling with the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British fleet, early in Februaty, 
1813, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the \Vliite 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the door to 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of bei' g 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and on 
Feb. 13, i8r5,the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his I.eau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849. 



LIBRARY 

OF THE 

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 



FIFTH PRESIDENT. 



35 




EQOIftOE. 





AMES MONROE, the fifth 
Presidentof The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. His ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which he was born. When, 
at 17 years of age, in the pr6cess 
of completing his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia lo deliberate upon the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Britian, declared the separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly 
probable that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

HL- joined the army when everything looked hope- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came pouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whcm they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four months 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
had been beaten in seven battles. At the buttle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the left 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- 
moted a captain of infantry; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy- 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-camp ; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 1782, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Legislature of Virginia, and by that 
body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the confidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards 
employed wifh unremitting energy for the public good, 



f 



JAMES M02VROE. 



-i- 



he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
the Congress of the United States. 

Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of the old 
Confederacy, he was opposed to the new Constitution, 
thinking, with many others of the Republican parly, 
that it gave too much power to the Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member 
of the United States Senate ; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
building up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now combined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 



Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. He was again sent to France to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as the Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Their united efforts were suc- 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to the United States. 
This was probably the largest transfer of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
Madison. While in this office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of the War Department 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's admiustration. At the elec- 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little opposition, and 
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the United States; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. At that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not \\ish 
to have European powers longer attempting to sub- 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by European 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the United 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governments, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the United States. 

At the end of his fecond term Mr. Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died ( on the 4th of July, 1831. 










J, a , 



SIXTH PRESIDENT. 




:joi)i) QUINSY 



IiH?3W^ 




OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 
sixth President of the United 
States, was born in the rural 
home of his honored father, 
John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., 
on the i ith of July, 1767. His 
mother, a woman of exalted 
worth, watched over his childhood 
during the almost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, listen- 
ing to the booming of the great bat- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his father for Europe, 
through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
ihe notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering m;irks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again 
John Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to study; then accompnined his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant labor and of enobling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance 
with the most distinguished men on the Continent; 
examining architectural remains, galleries of paintings, 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross the human mind. After 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to com plete his education 
in an American college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent support. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty, 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating acommercial treaty with 
Great Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight in 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, 
upon arriving in London, he met with despatches 
directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. While waiting he was married to an 
American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged, Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London; 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. 



f 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, having ful- 
filled all the purposes of his mission, lie solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed him immediately 
among the most prominent and influential members 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
familiar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
Latin classics. In all the universities of Europe, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
All through life the Bible constituted an important 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read five 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, i8rg, for the United States. On the 
i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr, Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of office, new candidates began to be presented 
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
Party spirit was never more bitter. Two hundred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived ninety-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty-one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, the 
question wer.t to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. Adams. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
the past history of our country than the abuse which 



was poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams ; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his home in 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew 
Jackson. John C. Caliioun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, lie was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to 
do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. 'I he 
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
I he proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
in its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination : 
but no threats could intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the simple faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the prajer which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the zistof February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
said " This is the end of earth /'then after a moment's 
pause he added, " '/ am content" These were the 
last words of the grand "Old Man Eloquent." 
. 



LIBRARY 
OF THE 
V or ILLIM01S 






SEVENTH PRESIDENT. 








NDREVV JACKSON, the 
seventh President of the 
United States, was born in 
\Vaxha\v settlement, N. C., 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, one on the hand and the other upon the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and which probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their 
mother was successful in obtaining their exchange, 



and took her sick boys home. After a long illness 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supported himself in various ways, such as 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every Igind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
witn the Sharp Knife. 

In 1791, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new State was entitled to but one member in 
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack- 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 



1 






M 



44 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



, r d: 





sessions, a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic purty. Jefferson was his idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jackson took his seat, Gen. Washington, whose 
second'term of office was then expiring, delivered his 
lust speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not approve of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been 
" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held for six years. 

When the war of 1812 with Great Britian com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack r.pon New Orleans, where Gen. Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The 
expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire 
devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden opinions; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was 
"lingering u[n a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became necessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the bends of theTallapoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. 
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He readied their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on the 27111 of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable brea:U- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed A few probably, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
power of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were th.e 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than Gen. Jackson could have conducted this Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he- 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both ship and shore commenced a furious 
assault. The battle was long and doubtful. At length 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
And the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the l 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most memorable 
in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. At the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 



LIBRARY 

OF THE 

*' V or fLLIHOIS 






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EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 








ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
eighth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
place, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about half way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren 
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biography. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were required of him 
before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with 
a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After 
spending six years in an office in his native village, 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van 
Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
cause of State Rights ; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party held the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led htm 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, th,; 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years, 
constantly gaining strength by contending in the 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In 1812, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to 
Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 



MARTIN VAN BUR EN. 



ir 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic principles, he contended that, while the 
path leading lo the privilege of voting should be open 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with lint sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some propert) interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 1821 he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the community. In the 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
conspicuous ixjsition as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
the Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the 
"State Rights" view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
It was sup|X)sed that no one knew so well as he how 
to touch the secret springs of action; how to pull all 
the wires to put his machinery in motion ; and how to 
organize a political army which would, secretly and 
stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which 
few thought then could be accomplished. 

Whj.i Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
ap|>ointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
appoirted Minister to England, where he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and 
fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite ; and this, probably mure than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- 
tive. On the 2oth of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the power to'appoint a successor." 

His administration was filled with exciting events. 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re-election. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within his income, had now fortunately a 
competence for his declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occupied in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old 
age, probably far more happiness than he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life, 



LIBRARY 
OF THE 
..YY or iLLINOIS 







*-*r-* 



PRESIDENT. 








ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, was early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was conspicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
William Henry, of course enjoyed 
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with honor soon after the death of his father. He 
then repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he 
abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, 
having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory was then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
position. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two portions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called '' The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- 
liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap- 
pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these responsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times appointed to this office first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

W T henhe began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About 



Km 
ml T 

yjf4 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



I 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
of the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. One of 
these was called Tecumseh, or " The Crouching 
Panther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or " The Prophet." 
Tecumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enterprise in which he might 
engage. He was inspired with the highest enthusiasm, 
and had long regarded with dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whites upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
they dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator : he was, 
in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tippe- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Gov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a hollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

The troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage y<ell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and passion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply provided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
DUS yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing the foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can - 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves from the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, plundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive, 
The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. The horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, without bread or salt. 

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio.. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency against 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of 
Mr. Van Buren 's term, he was re-nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler for the Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which any President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was, seized by, a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of April ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States, 



LIBRARY 
OF THE 
V or JLLIMOIS 



TENTH PRESIDENT. 



$5 





OHN TYLER, the tenth 
Presidentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He 
was the favored child of af- 
fluence and high social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there 
was scarcely a case on the dock- 
I et of the court in which he was 
not retained. When but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

rVVhen but twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General Govern- 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con" 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes, Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion, of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the principles of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, a record 
in perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. There was a split in the Democratic 



I 



JOHN TYLER. 



party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; audit was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known that he was not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the North : but the Vice 
President has but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a position of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his long life he had been 
opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus surround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
mony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare ? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the 
incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. 
The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with 
his veto. He suggested, however, that he would 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the people of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
the four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
.land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into sympathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, until atthe close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratic candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, to the regret of neither party, and 
probably to his own unspeakable relief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, r 844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, Sherwood For- 
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unusual attractions. With sufficient 
moans for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to deslroy, by 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 



ilBRARY 
OF THE 
" y W fLLIMOIS 



f 



ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



59 








AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 
^President of the United States, 
was born in Mecklenburg Co., 
N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
ents were Samuel and Jane 
(Knox) Polk, the former a son 
of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
at the above place, as one of the 
first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1006, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huls, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
gradually increased in wealth until 
he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 






sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in -his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, both in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Folk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he -went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Folk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same politi- 
cal faith. He was a popular public speaker, and was 
constantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. 
He was a ma.n of unblemished morals, genial and 



JAMES K. POLK. 



courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the joys and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1823, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
member of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of Tennessee. In Congress he was a laborious 
member, a frequent and a popular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he spoke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the House as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 1 4th of Octo- 
ber, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, exerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
3d of March, approving of the annexation of Texas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passports and 
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message, President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western boundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and war 
was declared against Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of " observation," then of "occupation," 
then of " invasion, "was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It was by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's administration 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands. 
We now consented to peace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upper and Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory equal to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. ' Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temperate in all his habits, 
and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long" years 
of tranquility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera that fearful scourge was then sweeping up 
the Valley of the Mississippi. This he contracted, 
and died on the 151)1 of June, 1849,111 the fifty-fourth 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his countrymen, ^ 



t 



LIBRARY 

I.- v THE 

'GF ILLINOIS 



TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



1 





ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
President of the United States, 
was born on the 24th of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
father, Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In this front- 
ier home, away from civilization and 
all its refinements, young Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When six years of age he attended a common 
school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood ua his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and lie joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 1812, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison.on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his post. Every man knew that 
defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages then, baffled at every point, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, Major Taylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 




6 4 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually lie rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
had promised they should do. The services rendered 
here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
and was stationed over the Department of the South- 
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imposed upon him. 

In 1846, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico 
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
the sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The 
name of Gen. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen toil; de- 
claring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
office. So little interest had he taken in politics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
who had been long years in the public service found 
their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
umphantly elected over two opposing candidates, 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet; the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy , expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California wns 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians. 

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the gth of July, 1850. 
His last woids were, "I am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people ; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: " With a good store of 
common sense, Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat 
a little on one side of his head ; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
' touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, 
few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor- 
saving contempt for learning of every kind," 



LIBRARY 
OF THE 
't : ;L 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



ff 

6 7 , k 





^MILLAHH FILLMIIHE 







ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 

the 7th of January, 1800. His 
father was a farmer, and ow- 



ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. AbiatharMillard, 
of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she possessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
]x>sit:on, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, which he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy ; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate ; 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, Judge Walter 
Wood, who was struck with the prepossessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion about 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a boy loiters through university halls 
and then enters a law office, who is by no means as 



t 



68 



MILLARD FILLMORR. 



\ 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in foitune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, Miss ^Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had never taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degree the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United -States Congress. He entered that troubled 
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pursued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress ; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave him strength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
"He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in tiumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
names of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore became 
the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally triumphant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the gth of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
the South ; but the pro-slavery party in the South felt 
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The population of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
Fillmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 



' 



^ * 



FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



tf- 





* FRANKLIN PIERCED 

***** 





RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
fourteenth President of the 
; United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Christian wom- 
an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. 

Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked upon him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speakingkind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar ; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. He was 
one of the most popular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. The 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here 
he served for four years. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Appleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with which her husband was honoied. Of the 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



> 
I 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 2jih of May, 1847. 
He took an imi>ortant part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval ; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles. 1 ' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the 1 2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee -cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy be- 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 
an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of office. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1869. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contributed liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 






LIBRARY 
OF THE 
/ OF riLINOIS 




fiFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 






; v / 1'.; i> ; ,' : ,' : , r ; ,' ; .' ; i'.. i -i'-.''i'..-i r . J ,''i'.. 





AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co. , Penn. ,011 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
where the humble cabin of his 
father stood was called Stony 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a poor man, who had emigrated in 
1783, with little property save his. 
own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
lor eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native powers en- 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
facility. 

In the year 1809, he graduated with the highest 
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in .1812, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very rapidly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate one of the 
judges of the State, who was tried upon articles of 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ao. 
quired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency, 
appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
Clay, Wright and Calhoun. He advocated the meas- 
ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri- 



f 



JAMES BUCHAtfAti. 



I 



sals against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against that country ; and defended the course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the sup- 
porters of his administration. Upon this question he 
was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. 
He also, with voice and vote, advocated expunging 
from the journal of the Senate the vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. 
Earnestly lie opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the 
circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United 
States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should be respectfully received ; and 
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had 
no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," 
said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Folk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the course our Government pursued in that 
movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1050, 
which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side ; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
ceived 1 14 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 
1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On 
March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
years were wanting to fill up his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
allied in political principles and action for years, were 
seeking the destruction ol the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws, 
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. He therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- 
trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
party was such, that he had been willing to offerthem 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- 
operation of the Government to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This 
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand upon his sword hilt, he exclaimed, " The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, 1860; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Charleston : Fort Sumpter 
was besieged; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
were seized; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came 
from his lips to indicate his wish that our country's 
banner should triumph over the flag of the rebellion. 
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. 




* VT 




SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



4- 

7$ , i 




ABRAHAMS 




BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteenth President of the 
Jnited States, was born in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
1809. About the year 1780, a 
man by the name of Abraham 
Lincoln left Virginia with his 
family and moved into the then 
wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
field, was stealthily approached by 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty witlvfive 
little children, three boys and two 1 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
boys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth forever be enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched 
log-cabin; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
laborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he built a log- 
r.nbin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
sei ond child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
"All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son " I owe to my angel-mother. 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these he read 
and re-read until they were almost committed to 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
education, and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
God's word, "Thou shall not take the name of the 
Lord thy God in vain;" and a profane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat. 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- 
sissippi to New Orleans. Whatever Abraham Lin- 
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
great satisfaction to his employers. In this adven- 



i ' 

I 




ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



t 



ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 
his return they placed a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointment of Postmaster of New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected. Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
Mr. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
slavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
the Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6th of June, 1860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. An immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
prominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
the nominee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him : 
and as little did he dream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fix upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
only, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that vas poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high position. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. A gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, upon his arrival to "get up a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A detective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to 
take him from HarrisL-urg, through Baltimore, at an 
unexpected hour of the night. The train started at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
cation on the part ot the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 
In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
important positions. 

During no other administration have the duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those which fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his plans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo f .h personal and national Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. April 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would Le present. Gen. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, witn his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the play an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler. 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in speechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in tears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country will 
live with that of Washington's, its father; hiscountry- 
men being unable to decide which is the greater. 



LIBRARY 
OF THE 
ft; ""' t~ LUHOIS 







SE VENTEENTH PRESIDENT. 





NDREW JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
States. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
was born December 29, 1808, 
in Raleigh, N. C., His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer even the slight- 
est advantages of education upon 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
lost his life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native ability, became much interested 
in these speeches ; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the book of speeches. The owner, 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the book, 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed on- 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve hours 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos- 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs ; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature, 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Van 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opposition to those 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843,116 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that important post for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these res)>onsible posi- 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abiu 




8 4 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the free States of the North should return to the 
South persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir,"' 
said he 0:1 the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that Adam 
was a tailor and sewed fig leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of 1860, he 
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
Stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He retuined to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be punished ; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent 



opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. Il was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 



- - 

GF THE 



--LINOJS 





EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. 





I 



LYSSES S. GRANT, the 
eighteenth President of the 
United States, was born on 
the 291)1 of April, 1822, of 
Christian parents, in a humble 
home, at Point Pleasant, on the 
banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
Point. Here he was regarded as a 
solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resaca de la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one 
side of the aniro.il, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del .Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year 1860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, 
"Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
State in behalf of the Government. On the i5th of 



88 



UL YSSES S. GRA NT. 



4 



Tune, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
he was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a Major-General, and the military 
District of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
and enter upon the duties of his new office. 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series cf 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in it.; sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out cf 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was everywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in 1880 for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 




NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 



. l v..v..v..v..'r'..'.". v..'i .,'! '. .v. .'x> .; v : ,' ; ,' ; ,'.-,' ,",'.. ,' : 





UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
the nineteenth President of 
the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 
death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here, his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



born. He was married, in September, 1813, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock, 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 1812, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in i8r7- He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the i 



RUTHERFORD J3. HAYES. 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at birth that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that the neighbors were in the habit of in- 
quiring from time to time " if Mrs. Haves' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
him, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to 
him. You have got. him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

" You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. " You 
wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
mother. 

The boy was seven years old before he went to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
sister as he would have done at school. His sports 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being 
his sister and her associates. These circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and he was making good progress in his 
studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1845, after graduating at the Law School, he was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorn ey-at-law 
with Ralph P. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- 
mained three years, acquiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
this period, had a powerful influence upon his subse- 
quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members such men rs Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in after life. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
more than she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
hood. The Literary Cluu brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and nob)e aims, and lured him to display the 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the office of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

In 1861, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at 
the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up 
arms for the defense of his country. 

His military record was bright ard illustrious. In 
October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 7gth Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude 
that won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and placed 
in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, 
and for gallant and meritorious sei vices in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "for gallant and distinguished ftrvices 
during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Second Ohio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, "I 
shall never corne to Washington until I can come by 
the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. 

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. 
In i86g was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. 

In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, hcwever, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his ad mi nitration was an average on a 



''-LINOIS 



f 



TWENTIETH PRESIDENT. 



95 





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14 \FF;S- A AM?-KTP:.Ti 

1 S3h 




AMES A. GARl'IELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was born Nov. 19, 
1831, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and Eliza 
3 (Ballou) Garfield, both of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
\l, tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
poor Ohio farmers of that day. It 
was about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
tween the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
hard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. 
The household comprised the father and mother and 
their four children Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and 
James. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- 
tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
this time James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can 
tell how much James was indebted to his biother's 
toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed 
mother in he' struggles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, 
the humblest friend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until he 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtain 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city. 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he went 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
the meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. 
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian or Diciples Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- 
ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion : 



t 



I 



96 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called" show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian communions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
larian charity for all 'who loveour Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. n, 1858, who proved herself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, 
in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, i86r. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the officer 
(Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, 
in its operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen, Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the "Chief of Staff. " 

The military history of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for sixty years 
mainly by two men Elisha Whittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. There he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 1 880. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to which 
you will not find, if you wish instruction, the argu- 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

Upon Jan. r4, r88o, Gen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, iSSr, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Gaifield, and every 
day it grew in favo.' with the people, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Elaine, a man stepped behind 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but inflicting no further 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons how to live grar.dly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J , on the very bank cf the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly previous. The 
world wept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. 




TWENTY-FIRST PRESIDENT. 





HESTER A. ARTHUR, 

twenty-first Pres:' : .-m of the 
United States was born in 
F ranklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 
thefifthofOc'ober, 1830, and is 
the oldest of a family of two 
sons and five daughters. His 
father was the Rev. Dr. William 
Arthur, a Baptist d'.rgyman, who 
emigrated to tb'.s country' from 
the county Antrim, Ireland, in 
his 1 8th year, and died in 1875, in 
Newtonville, neai Albany, after a 
long and successful ministry. 

Young Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S< henectady, where 
he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration cf that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
and entered the office of ex-Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, 
Henry I). Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward iTv.rr'pd the daughter of Lieutenant 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was "lost at. 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover possession of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon, 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not be held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs. 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

Another great service was rendered by General 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



if 



100 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New York, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
jxjlitics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 
June, 1880. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on the continent. It 
was composed of the leading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, those moments of 
anxious suspense, when, the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering Garfield might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he hud so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored position in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and the world, as never 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York, 
Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarr.issing 
one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what'policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many important measures were to be immediately 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless. but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 1 




UBRARY 



TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



* 



+m^ 



SiHNKg<HJ!&*3gHKJ3i{NH! 





TEPHEN GROVfiR CLEVE- 
LAND, the twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in the obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
N. J., and in a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the " good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after the 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academics in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supporting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
influence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services 
the first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $too the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in- 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 



-.F 



104 



GROVER CLEVELAND. 







calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
ask the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
speak enthusiastically. " What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked 
the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got 
any." 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, while iic cuuld " look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Graver's persistency won, and 
he was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
fiis board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat he had 
none yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
but in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon two 
criminals. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 
. 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. In this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worse 
than squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
n, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.: and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of 
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of 
Arkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inauguration. 



LIBRARY 
i OF THE 

' v. - 'UINOIS 




LIBRARY 



GO VERNORS OF ILUMOIS. 





HADRACH BOND, the first 
Governor of Illinois after its 
organization as a State, serving 
from 1818 to 1822, was born in 
Frederick County, Maryland, 
in the year 1773, and was 
raised a farmer on his father's 
plantation, receiving or.ly a plain 
English education. He emigrated 
to this State in 1794, when it was a 
part of the "Northwest Territory," 
continuing in the vocation in which 
he had been brought up in his native 
State, in the " New Design," near 
Eagle Creek, in what is now Monroe 
County. He served several terms as 
a member of the General Assembly 
of Indiana Territory, after it was organized as such, 
and in 1812-14 he was a Delegate to the Twelfth 
and Thirteenth Congresses, taking his seat Dec. 3, 
1812, and serving until Oct. 3, (814. These were 
the times, the reader will recollect, when this Gov- 
ernment had its last struggle with Great Britain. 
The year 1812 is also noted in the history of this 
State as that in which the first Territorial Legislature 
was held. It convened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, and 
adjourned Dec. 26, following. 

While serving as Delegate to Congress, Mr. Bond 
was instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emp- 
t : on on the public domain. On the expiration of his 
term at Washington he was appointed Receiver of 
Public Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of the 
Territory. In company with John G. Comyges, 



Thomas H. Harris, Charles Slade, Michael Jones, 
Warren Brown, Edward Humphries and Charles W. 
Hunter, he became a proprietor of the site of the 
initial city of Cairo, which they hoped, from its favor- 
able location at the junction of the two great 
rivers near the center of the Great West, would 
rapidly develop into a metropolis. To aid the enter- 
prise, they obtained a special charter from the Legis- 
lature, incorporating both the City and the Bank of 
Cairo. 

In i8r8 Mr. Bond was elected the first Governor 
of the State of Illinois, being inaugurated Oct. 6, 
that year, which was several weeks before Illinois 
was actually admitted. The facts are these: In 
January, 1818, the Territorial Legislature sent a peti- 
tion to Congress for the admission of Illinois as a 
State, Nathaniel Pope being then Delegate. The 
petition was granted, fixing the northern line of the 
State on the latitude of the southern extremity of 
Lake Michigan; but the bill was afterward so amend- 
ed as to extend this line to its present latitude. In 
July a convention was called at Kaskaskia to draft a 
constitution, which, however, was not submitted to 
the people. By its provisions, supreme judges, pros- 
ecuting attorneys, county and circuit judges, record- 
ers and justices of the peace were all to be appointed 
by the Governor or elected by the Legislature. This 
constitution was accepted by Congress Dec. 30. At 
that time Illinois comprised but eleven counties, 
namely, Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson, 
Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washington 
and Franklin, the northern portion of the State be- 
ing mainly in Madison County. Thus it appears 
that Mr. Bond was honored by the naming of a \ 



f 



-1 



, i 112 



SHADRACH BOND. 



county before he was elected Governor. The present 
county of Bond is of small limitations, about 60 to 80 
miles south of Springfield. For Lieutenant Governor 
the people chose Pierre Menard, a prominent and 
worthy Frenchman, after whom a county in this State 
is named. In this election there were no opposition 
candidates, as the popularity of these men had made 
their promotion to the chief offices of the Slate, even 
before the constitution was drafted, a foregone con- 
clusion. 

The principal points that excited the people in 
reference to political issues at this period were local 
or "internal improvements," as they were called, 
State banks, location of the capital, slavery and the 
personal characteristics of the proposed candidates. 
Mr. Bond represented the " Convention party," for 
introducing slavery into the State, supported by Elias 
Kent Kane, his Secretary of State, and John Mc- 
Lean, while Nathaniel Pope and John P. Cook led 
the anti-slavery element. The people, however, did 
not become very much excited over this issue until 
1820, when the f.im KIS Missouri Compromise was 
adopted by Congress, limiting slavery to the south 
of the parallel of 36 30' except in Missouri. While 
this measure settled the great slavery controversy, 
so far as the average public sentiment was tempor- 
arily concerned, until 1854, when it was repealed 
under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas, the issue 
as considered locally in this State was not decided 
until 1824, after a most furious campaign. (See 
sketch of Gov. Coles.) The ticket of 1818 was a 
compromise one, Bond representing (moderately) the 
pro-slavery sentiment and Menard the anti-slavery. 

An awkward element in the State government 
under Gov. Bond's administration, was the imperfec- 
tion of the State constitution. The Convention 
wished to have Elijah C. Berry for the first Auditor 
of Public Accounts, but, as it was believed that the 
new Governor would not appoint him to the office, 
the Convention declared in a schedule that " an 
auditor of public accounts, an attorney general and 
such other officers of the State as may be necessary, 
may be appointed by the General Assembly." The 
Constitution, as it stood, vested a very large appoint- 
ing power in the Governor ; but for the purpose of 
getting one man into office, a total change was made, 
and the power vested in the Legislature. Of this 
provision the Legislature took advantage, and de- 



clared that State's attorneys, canal commissioners, 
bank directors, etc., were all " officers of the State " 
and must therefore be appointed by itself independ- 
ently of the Governor. 

During Gov. Bond's administration a general law 
was passed for the incorporation of academies and 
towns, and one authorizing lotteries. The session of 
1822 authorized the Governor to appoint commis- 
sioners, to act in conjunction with like commissioners 
appointed by the State of Indiana, to report on the 
practicability and expediency of improving the navi- 
gation of the Wabash River; also inland navigation 
generally. Many improvements were recommended, 
some of which have been feebly worked at even till 
the present day, those along the Wabash being of no 
value. Also, during Gov. Bond's term of office, the 
capital of the State was removed from Kask;iskia to 
Vandalia. In 1820 a law was passed by Congress 
authorizing this State to open a canal through the 
public lands. The State appointed commissioners 
lo explore the route and prepare the necessary sur- 
veys and estimates, preparatory to its execution; 
but, being unable out of its own resources to defray 
the expenses of the undertaking, it was abandoned 
until some time after Congress made the grant of 
land for the purpose of its construction. 

On the whole, Gov. Bond's administration was 
fairly good, not being open to severe criticism from 
any party. In 1824, two years after the expiration 
of his term of office, he was brought oat as a candi- 
date for Congress against the formidable John I'. 
Cook, but received only 4,374 votes to 7,460 for the 
latter. Gov. Bond was no orator, but had made 
many fast friends by a judicious bestowment of his 
gubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealously 
for him in the campaign. 

In 1827 ex-Gov. Bond was appointed by the Leg- 
islature, with VVm. P. McKee and Dr. Gershom 
Jayne, as Commissioners to locate a site for a peni- 
tentiary on the Mississippi at or near Alton. 

Mr. Bond was of a benevolent and convivial dis- 
position, a man of shrewd observation and clear ap- 
preciation of events. His person was erect, stand- 
ing six feet in height, and after middle life became 
portly, weighing 200 pounds. His features were 
strongly masculine, complexion dark, hair jet and 
eyes hazel ; was a favorite with the ladies. He died 
April 1 1, 1830, in peace and contentment. 



L Y 

OF THE 
' ' - r 'IINOIS 



G0 VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 








DWARD COLES, second 
Governor of Illinois, 1823- 
6, was born Dec. 15, 1786, 
in Albemarle Co., Va., on 
the old family estate called 
"Enniscorthy," on the 
Green Mountain. His fath- 
er, John Coles, was a Colonel in the 
Revolutionary War. Having been fit- 
ted for college by private tutors, he 
was sent to Hampden Sidney, where 
he remained until the autumn of 1805, 
when he was removed to William and 
Mary College, at Williamsburg, Va. 
This college he left in the summer of 
1807, a short time before the final and graduating 
examination. Among his classmates were Lieut. 
Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wm. S. Archer, 
United States Senator from Virginia, and Justice 
Baldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. The 
President of the latter college, Bishop Madison, was 
a cousin of President James Madison, and that cir- 
cumstance was the occasion of Mr. Coles becoming 
personally acquainted with the President and re- 
ceiving a position as his private secretary, 1809-15. 
The family of Coles was a prominent one in Vir- 
ginia, and their mansion was the seat of the old- 
fashioned Virginian hospitality. It was visited by 
such notables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison, 
Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the 
ago of 23, young Coles found himself heir to a plant- 
ation and a considerable number of slaves. Ever 
since his earlier college days his attention had been 
drawu to the question of slavery. He read every- 



thing on the subject that came in his way, and 
listened to lectures on the rights of man. The more 
he reflected upon the subject, the more impossible 
was it for him to reconcile the immortal declaration 
"that all men are born free and equal " with the 
practice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, to 
free his slaves the first opportunity, and even remove 
his residence to a free State. One reason which de- 
termined him to accept the appointment as private 
secretary to Mr. Madison was because he believed 
that through the acquaintances he could make at 
Washington he could better determine in what part 
of the non-slaveholding portion of the Union he would 
prefer to settle. 

The relations between Mr. Coles and President 
Madison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguished 
men, were of a very friendly character, arising from 
the similarity of their views on the question of slavery 
and their sympathy for each other in holding doc- 
trines so much at variance with the prevailing senti- 
ment in their own State. 

In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent a 
portion of the following autumn in exploring the 
Northwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a lo- 
cation and purchasing lands on which to settle his 
negroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, with 
an extra man and horse for emergencies, through 
many parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, 
determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time, 
however, a misunderstanding arose between our 
Government and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selected 
to repair to St. Petersburg on a special mission, bear- 
ing important papers concerning the matter at issue. 
The result was a conviction of the Emperor (Alex- 




L, 

, ,,6 



EDWARD COLES. 



ander) of the error committed by his minister at 
Washington, and the consequent withdrawal of the 
the latter from the post. On his return, Mr. Coles 
visited other parts of Europe, especially Paris, where 
he was introduced to Gen. Lafayette. 

In the spring of 1819, he removed with all his 
negroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, 111., with the 
intention of giving them their liberty. He did not 
make known to them his intention until one beautiful 
morning in April, as they were descending the Ohio 
River. He lashed all the boats together and called 
all the negroes on deck and made them a short ad- 
dress, concluding his remarks by so expressing him- 
self that by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed in 
the shortest and fullest manner that they were no 
longer slaves, but free as he was and were at liberty 
to proceed with him or go ashore at their pleas- 
ure. A description of the effect upon the negroes is 
best desciibed in his own language : 

" The effect upon them was electrical. They stared 
at me and then at each other, as if doubting the ac- 
curacy or reality of what they heard. In breathless 
silence they stood before me, unable to utter a word, 
but with countenances beaming with expression which 
no words could convey, and which no language 
can describe. As they began to see the truth of 
what they had heard, and realize their situation, there 
came on a kind of hysterical, giggling laugh. After 
a pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathed 
in tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent to 
their gratitude and implored the blessing of God 
on me." 

Before landing he gave them a general certificate 
of freedom, and afterward conformed more particu- 
larly with the law of this State requiring that each 
individual should have a certificate. This act of 
Mr. Coles, all the more noble and heroic considering 
the overwhelming pro-slavery influences surrounding 
him, has challenged the admiration of every philan- 
thropist of modern times. 

March 5, 1819, President Monroe appointed Mr. 
Coles Registrar of the Land Office at Edwardsvihe ; 
at that time one of the principal land offices in the 
State. While acting in th's capacity and gaining 
many friends by his politeness and general intelli- 
gence, the greatest struggle that ever occurred in 
Illinois on the slavery ques ion culminated in the 
furious contest characterizing the campaigns and 
elections of 1822-4. In the summer of 1823, when a 
new Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr. 
Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions, 
putting forward for the executive office Joseph 
Phillips, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C. 
Browne and Gen. James B. Modre, of the State Mil- 
itia. The anti-slavery element united upon Mr. 
Coles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns, 
succeeded in electing him as Governor. His plural- 
ity over Judge Phillips was only 59 in a total vote of 



over 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was elected 
by the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speech 
was marked by calmness, deliberation and such a 
wise expression of appropriate suggestions as to 
elicit the sanction of all judicious politicians. But 
he compromised not with evil. In his message to 
the Legislature, the seat of Government being ilvjn 
at Vandalia, he strongly urged the abrogation yf the 
modified form of slavery which then existed in this 
State, contrary to the Ordinance of 1787. His posi- 
tion on this subject seems the more remarkable, when 
it is considered that he was a minority Governor, the 
population of Illinois being at that lime almost ex 
clusively from slave-holding States and by a large 
majority in favor of the perpetuation of that old relic 
of barbarism. The Legislature itself was, of cor>e, 
a reflex of the popular sentiment, and a majority ot 
them were led on by fiery men in denunciations of 
the conscientious Governor, and in curses loud and 
deep upon him and all his friends. Some of the 
public men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort of 
mob, or "shiveree" party, who visited the residence 
of the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelled 
and groaned and spat fire. 

The Constitution, not establishing or permitting 
slavery in this State, was thought therefore to be 
defective by the slavery politicians, and they desired 
a State Convention to be elected, to devise and sub- 
mit a new Constitution; and the dominant politics 
of the day was "Convention" and "anti-Conven- 
tion." Both parties issued addresses to the people, 
Gov. Coles himself being the author of the address 
published by the latter party. This address revealed 
the schemes of the conspirators in a masterly man- 
ner. It is difficult for us at this distant day to esti- 
mate the critical and extremely delicate situation in 
winch the Governor was placed at that time. 

Our hero maintained himself honorably and with 
supreme dignity throughout his administration, and 
in his honor a county in this State is named. He 
was truly a great man, and those who lived in 
this State during his sojourn here, like those who 
live at the base of the mountain, were too near to see 
and recognize the greatness that overshadowed them. 

Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by Bishop 
De Lancey, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughter 
of Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestry, 
who cam i to this country with Win. Penn in 1682. 

After the expiration of his term of service, Gov. 
Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, sup- 
erintending his farm in the vicinity. He was fond 
of agriculture, and was the founder of the first agri- 
cultural society in the State. On account of ill 
health, however, and having no family to tie him 
down, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities. 
About 1832 he changed his residence to Philadel- 
phia, where he died July 7, 1868, and is buried at 
Woodland, near that city. 






LIBRARY 

OF THE 

'- ' L - UINOIS 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 





INIAN EDWARDS, Governor 
from 1827 to 1830, was a sou 
of Benjamin Edwards, and 
was born in Montgomery 
County, Maryland, in March, 
1775. His domestic train- 
" ing was well fitted to give 
his mind strength, firmness and 
ho: oiable principles, and a good 
foundation was laid for the elevated 
character to which he afterwards 
attained. His parents were Bap- 
tists, and very strict in their moral 
piinciples. His education in early 
youth was in company with and 
partly under the tuition of Hon. Win. 
Wirt, whom his father patronized, 
and who was more than two years 
older. An intimacy was thus 
fornud between them which was lasting for life. He 
was further educated at Dickinson College, at Car- 
lisle, Pa. He next commenced the study of law, but 
before completing his course he moved to Nelson 
County, Ky., to open a farm for his father and to 
purchase homes and locate lands for his brothers and 
sisters. Here he fell in the company of dissolute 
companions, and for several years led the life of a 
spendthrift. He was, however, elected to the Legis- 
lature of Kentucky as the Representative of Nelson 
bounty before he was 2 1 years of age, and was. re- 
elected by an almost unanimous vote. 



In 1798 he was licensed to practice law, and the 
following year was admitted to the Courts of Tennes- 
About this time he left Nelson County for 



see. 



Russellville, in Logan County, broke away from his . 
dissolute companions, commenced a reformation and 
devoted himself to severe and laborious study. He 
then began to rise rapidly in his profession, and soon 
became an eminent lawyer, and inside of four years 
he filled in succession the offices of Presiding Judge 
of the General Court, Circuit Judge, fourth Judge of 
the Court of Appeals and Chief Justice of the State, 
all before he was 32 years of age ! In addition, in 
1802, he received a commission as Major of a battal- 
ion of Kentucky militia, and in 1804 was chosen a 
Presidential Elector, on the Jefferson and Clinton 
ticket. In 1806 he was a candidate for Congress, 
but withdrew on being promoted to the Court of 
Appeals. 

Illinois was organized as a separate Territory in 
the spring of 1809, when Mr. Edwards, then Chief 
Justice of the Court of Appeals in Kentucky, received 
from President Madison the appointment as Gover- 
nor of the new Territory, his commission bearing date 
April 24, 1809. Edwards arrived at Kaskaskia in 
June, and on the i ith of that month took the oath of 
office. At the same time he was appointed Superin- 
tendent of the United States Saline, this Government 
interest then developing into considerable proportions 
in Southern Illinois. Although during the first three 
years of his administration he had the power to make 
new counties and appoint all the officers, yet he always 
allowed the people of each county, by an informal 



I 




NINIAN EDWARDS. 



vote, to select their own officers, both civil and mili- 
tary. The noted John J. Crittenden, afterward 
United States Senator from Kentucky, was appointed 
by Gev. Edwards to the office of Attorney General of 
the Territory, which office was accepted for a short 
time only. 

The Indians in 1810 committing sundry depreda- 
tions in the Territory, crossing the Mississippi from 
the Territory of Louisiana, a long correspondence fol- 
lowed between the respective Governors concerning 
the remedies, which ended in a council with the sav- 
ages at Peoria in 1812, and a fresh interpretation of 
the treaties. Peoria was depopulated by these de- 
predations, and was not re-settled for many .years 
afterward. 

As Gov. Edwards' term of office expired by law in 
1812, he was re-appointed for another term of three 
years, and again in 1815 for a third term, serving 
until the organization of the State in the fall of 1818 
and the inauguration of Gov. Bond. At this time 
ex-Gov. Edwards was sent to the United States 
Senate, his colleague being Jesse B. Thomas. As 
Senator, Mr. Edwards took a conspicuous part, and 
acquitted himself honorably in all the measures that 
came up in that body, being well posted, an able de- 
bater and a conscientious statesman. He thought 
seriously of resigning this situation in 1821, but was 
persuaded by his old friend, Wm. Wirt, and others to 
continue in office, which he did to the end of the 
term. 

He was then appointed Minister to Mexico by 
President Monroe. About this time, it appears that 
Mr. Edwards saw suspicious signs in the conduct of 
Wm. H. Crawford, Secretary of the United States 
Treasury, and an ambitious candidate for the Presi- 
dency, and being implicated by the latter in some of 
his statements, he resigned his Mexican mission in 
order fully to investigate the charges. The result 
was the exculpation of Mr. Edwards. 

Pro-slavery regulations, often termed "Black Laws," 
disgraced the statute books of both the Territory and 
the State of Illinois during the whole of his career in 
this commonwealth, and Mr. Edwards always main- 
tained the doctrines of freedom, and was an important 
actor in the great struggle which ended in a victory 
f or his party in 1824. 

In 1826 7 the Winnebago and other Indians com- 
mitted soire depredations in the northern part of the 



State, and the white settlers, who desired the lands 
and wished to exasperate the savages into an evacu- 
ation of the country, magnified the misdemeanors of 
the aborigines and thereby produced a hostility be- 
tween the races so great as to precipitate a little war, 
known in history as the "Winnebago War." A few 
chases and skirmishes were had, when Gen. Atkinson 
succeeded in capturing Red Bird, the Indian chief, 
and putting him to death, thus ending the contest, at 
least until the troubles commenced which ended in 
the " Black Hawk War " of 1832. In the interpre- 
tation of treaties and execution of their provisions 
Gov. Edwards had much vexatious work to do. The 
Indians kept themselves generally within the juris- 
diction of Michigan Territory, and its Governor, 
Lewis Cass, was at a point so remote that ready cor- 
respondence with him was difficult or impossible. 
Gov. Edwards' administration, however, in regard to 
the protection of the Illinois frontier, seems to have 
been very efficient and satisfactory. 

For a considerable portion of his time after his re- 
moval to Illinois, Gov. Edwards resided upon his 
farm near Kaskaskia, which he had well stocked with 
horses, cattle and sheep from Ke.itucky, also with 
fruit-trees, grape-vines and shrubbery. He estab- 
lished saw and grist-mills, and engaged extensively 
in mercantile business, having no less than eight or ten 
stores in this State and Missouri. Notwithstanding 
the arduous duties of his office, he nearly always pur- 
chased the goods himself with which to supply the 
stores. Although not a regular practitioner of medi- 
cine, he studied the healing art to a considerable ex- 
tent, and took great pleasure in prescribing for, and 
taking care of, the sick, generally without charge. 
He was also liberal to the poor, several widows and 
ministers of the gospel becoming indebted to him 
even for their homes. 

He married Miss Elvira Lane, of Maryland, in 
1803, and they became the affectionate parents of 
several children, one of whom, especially, is well 
known to the people of the l: Prairie State," namely, 
Ninian Wirt Edwards, once the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction and still a resident of Springfield. 
Gov. Edwards resided at and in the vicinity of Kas- 
kaskia from 180910 1818; in Edwardsville (named 
after him) from that time to 1824; and from the lat- 
ter date at Belleville, St. Claii County, until his 
death, July 20, 1833, of Asiatic cholera. Edwards 
County is also named in his honor. 






THE 



}- 



GL> VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 





3;OHN REYNOLDS, Governor 1831- 

4, was born in Montgomery Coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788. 
His father, Robert Reynolds and 
his mother, nee Margaret Moore, 
were both natives of Ireland, from 
which country they emigrated to 
the United States in 1785, land- 
ing at Philadelphia. The senior 
Reynolds entertained an undying 
hostility to the British Govern- 
ment. When the subject of this 
sketch was about six months old, 
his parents emigrated with him to 
Tennessee, where many of their 
relatives had already located, at the base of the 
Copper Ridge Mountain, about 14 miles northeast of 
the present city of Knoxville. There they were ex- 
posed to Indian depredations, and were much molest- 
ed by them. In 1794 they moved into the interior 
of the State. They were poor, and brought up their 
children to habits of manual industry. 

In 1800 the family removed to Kaskaskia, 111., with 
eight horses and two wagons, encountering many 
hardships on the way. Here young Reynolds passed 
the most of his childhood, while his character began 
to develop, the most prominent traits of which were 
ambition and energy. He also adopted the principle 
and practice of total abstinence from intoxicating 
liquors. In 1807 the family made another removal, 



this time to the " Goshen Settlement," at the foot of 
the Mississippi bluffs three or four miles southwest 
of Edwardsville. 

On arriving at his 2oth year, Mr. Reynolds, seeing 
that he must look about for his own livelihood and 
not yet having determined what calling to pursue, 
concluded first to attend college, and he accordingly 
went to such an institution of learning, near Knox- 
ville, Tenn., where he had relatives. Imagine his 
diffidence, when, after passing the first 20 years of 
his life without ever having seen a carpet, a papered 
wall or a Windsor chair, and never having lived in a 
shingle- roofed house, he suddenly ushered himself 
into the society of the wealthy in the vicinity of 
Knoxville! He attended college nearly two years, 
going through the principal Latin authors ; but it 
seems that he, like the rest of the world in modern 
times, had but very little use for his Latin in after 
life. He always failed, indeed, to exhibit any good 
degree of literary discipline. He commenced the 
study of law in Knoxville, but a pulmonary trouble 
came on and compelled him to change his mode 
of life. Accordingly he returned home and re- 
cuperated, and in 1812 resumed his college and 
law studies at Knoxville. In the fall of 1812 he was 
admitted to the Bar at Kaskaskia. About this time 
he also learned the French language, which he 
practiced with pleasure in conversation with his 
family for many years. He regarded this language 
as being superior to all others for social intercourse. ' 



f 



124 



JOHN REYNOLDS. 



1 



From his services in the West, in the war of 1812, 
he obtained the sobriquet of the " Old Ranger." He 
was Orderly Sergeant, then Judge Advocate. 

Mr. Reynolds opened his first law office in the 
winter and spring of 1814, in the French village of 
Cahokia, then the capital of St. Clair County. 

In the fall of 1818 he was elected an Associate 
Justice upon the Supreme Bench by the General 
Assembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly than 
ever into the practice of law, and the very next year 
was elected a member of the Legislature, where he 
acted independently of all cliques and private inter- 
ests. In 1828 the Whigs and Democrats were for 
the first time distinctively organized as such in Illi- 
nois, and the usual party bitterness grew up and 
raged on all sides, while Mr. Reynolds preserved a 
judicial calmness and moderation. The real animus 
of the campaign was " Jackson " and " anti-Jackson," 
the former party carrying the State. 

In August, 1830, Mr. Reynolds was elected Gov- 
ernor, amid great excitement. Installed in office, he 
did all within his power to advance the cause of edu- 
cation, internal improvements, the Illinois & Mich- 
igan Canal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the coun- 
try, etc.; also reccmmended the winding up of the 
State Bank, as its affairs had become dangerously 
complicated. In his national politics, he was a 
moderate supporter of General Jackson. But the 
most celebrated event of his gubernatorial admin- 
istration was the Black Hawk War, which occurred 
in 1832. He called out the militia and prosecuted 
the contest with commendable diligence, appearing 
in person on the battle-grounds during the most 
critical periods. He was recognized by the President 
as Major-General, and authorized by him to make 
treaties with the Indians. By the assistance of the 
general Government the war was terminated without 
much bloodshed, but after many serious fights. This 
war, as well as everything else, was materially re- 
tarded by the occurrence of Asiatic cholera in the 
West. This was its first appearance here, and was 
the next event in prominence during Gov. Reynolds' 
term. 

South Carolina nullification coming up at this time, 
it was heartily condemned by both President Jackson 
and Gov. Reynolds, who took precisely the same 
grounds as the Unionists in the last war. 

On the termination of his gubernatorial term in 
1834, Gov. Reynolds was elected a Member of Con- 
gress, still considering himself a backwoodsman, as 
he had scarcely been outside of the State since he 
became of age, and had spent nearly all his youthful 
days in the wildest region of the frontier. His first 
move in Congress was to adopt a resolution that in 
all elections made by the House for officers the votes 
should be given viva vote, each member in his place 
naming aloud the person for whom he votes. This 
created considerable heated discussion, but was es- 



sentially adopted, and remained the controlling prin- 
ciple for many years. The ex Governor was scarcely 
absent from his seat a single day, during eight ses- 
sions of Congress, covering a period of seven year->, 
and he never vacillated in a party vote; but he failed 
to get the Democratic party to foster his " National 
Road" scheme. He says, in " My Own Times " (a 
large autobiography he published), that it was only 
by rigid economy that he avoided insolvency while in 
Washington. During his sojourn in that city he was 
married, to a lady of the place. 

In 1837, while out of Congress, and in company 
with a few others, he built the first railroad in the 
Mississippi Valley, namely, one about six miles long, 
leading from his coal mine in the Mississippi bluff to 
the bank of the river opposite St. Louis. H-iving not 
the means to purchase a locomotive, they operated it 
by horse-power. The next spring, however, the com- 
pany sold out, at great sacrifice. 

In 1839 the ex-Governor was appointed one of the 
Canal Commissioners, and authorized to borrow 
money to prosecute the enterprise. Accord 1 ngly, he 
repaired to Philadelphia and succeeding in obtaining 
a million dollars, which, however, was only a fourth 
of what was wanted. The same year he and his 
wife made at our of Europe. This year, also, Mr. 
Reynolds had the rather awkward little responsibility 
of introducing to President Van Buren the noted 
Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-Day 
Saint!" 

In 1846 Gov Reynolds was elected a member of 
the Legislature from St. Clair County, more particu- 
larly for the purpose of obtaining a feasible charter 
for a macadamized road from Belleville to St. Louis, 
a distance of nearly 14 miles. This was immediately 
built, and was the first road of the kind in the State. 
He was again elected to the Legislature in 1852, when 
he was chosen Speaker of the House. In 1860, aged 
and infirm, he attended the National Democratic 
Convention at Charleston, S. C , as an anti-Douglas 
Delegate, where he received more attention from the 
Southern Delegates than any other member. He 
supported Breckenridge for the Presidency. After 
the October elections foreshadowed the success of 
Lincoln, he published an address urging the Demo- 
crats to rally to the support of Douglas. Immedi- 
ately preceding and during the late war, his corre- 
spondence evinced a clear sympathy for the Southern 
secession, and about the first of March, 1861, he 
urged upon the Buchanan officials the seizure of the 
treasure and arms in the custom-house and arson, il 
at St. Louis. Mr. Reynolds was a ratlur talkative 
man, and apt in all the Western phrases and catch- 
words that ever gained currency, besides many cun- 
ning and odd ones of his own manufacture. 

He was married twice, but had no children. He 
died in Belleville, in May, 1865, just after the close 
of the war. 



LIBRARY 
OF THE 

'IM'-LINOIS 



/ 




GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 





ILLIAM LEE D. EWING, 
Governor of Illinois Nov. 3 
to 17, 1834, was a native 
of Kentucky, and probably 
of Scotch ancestry. He had 
a fine education, was a gentle- 
man of polished manners and 
refined sentiment. In 1830 John Rey- 
nolds was elected Governor of the State, 
and Zadok Casey Lieutenant Governor, 
and for the principal events that followed, 
and the characteristics of the times, see 
sketch of Gov. Reynolds. The first we 
see in history concerning Mr. Ewing, in- 
forms us that he was a Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Vandalia soon after the organization of 
this State, and that the public moneys in his hands 
were deposited in various banks, as they are usually 
at the present day. In 1823 the State Bank was 
robbed, by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousand- 
dollar deposit. 

The subject of this sketch had a commission as 
Colonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergencies 
he acted also as Major. In the summer of 1832, 
when it was rumored among the whites that Black 
Hawk and his men had encamped somewhere on 
Rock River, Gen. Henry was' sent on a tour of 
reconnoisance, and with orders to drive the Indians 
from the State. After some opposition from his 
subordinate officers, Henry resolved to proceed up 
Rock River in search of the enemy. On the igth of 
July, early in the morning, five baggage wagons, 



camp equipage and all heavy and cumbersome arti- 
cle.; were piled up and left, so that the army might 
make speedy and forced marches. For some miles 
tho travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swamps 
and the worst thickets; but the large, fresh trail 
gave life and animation to the Americans. Gen. 
Dodge and Col. Ewing were both acting as Majors, 
and composed the " spy corps " or vanguard of the 
army. It is supposed the army marched nearly 50 
miles this day, and the Indian trail they followed 
became fresher, and was strewed with much property 
and trinkets of the red-skin-; that they had lost or 
thrown away to hasten their march. During the 
following night there was a. terrific thunder-storm, and 
the soldiery, with all their appurtenances, were thor- 
oughly drenched. 

On approaching nearer the Indians the next day. 
Gen. Dodge and Major Ewing, each commanding a 
battalion of men, were placed in front to bring on the 
battle, but the savages were not overtaken this day 
Forced marches were continued until they reached. 
Wisconsin River, where a veritable battle ensued, 
resulting in the death of about 68 of Black Hawk's 
men. The next day they continued the chase, and 
as soon as he discovered the trail of the Indians 
leading toward the Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formed 
his battalion in order of battle and awaited the order 
of Gen. Henry. The latter soon appeared on the 
ground and ordered a charge, which directly resulted 
in chasing the red warriors across the great river. 
Maj. Ewing and his command proved particularly- 
efficient in war, as it seems they were the chief actors 
in driving the main body of the Sacs and Foxes, in- 
, .fr. 



4 



WILLIAM L. D. EWING. 



eluding Black Hawk himself, across the Mississippi, 
while Gen. Atkinson, commander-in-chief of the ex- 
pedition, with a body of the army, was hunting for 
them in another direction. 

In the above affair Maj. Ewing is often referred to 
as a "General," which title he had derived from his 
connection with the militia. 

It was in the latter part of the same year (1832) 
that Lieutenant Governor Casey was elected to Con- 
gress and Gen. Ewing, who had been elected to the 
Senate, was chosen to preside over that body. At 
the August election of 1834, Gov. Reynolds was also 
elected to Congress, more than a year ahead of the 
time at which he could actually take his seat, as was 
then the law. His predecessor, Chailes Slade, had 
just died of Asiatic cholera, soon after the elec- 
tion, and Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out his 
unexpired term. Accordingly he set out for Wash- 
ington in November of that year to take his seat in 
Congress, and Gen. Ewing, by virtue of his office as 
President of the Senate, became Governor of the 
State of Illinois, his term covering only a period of 
15 days, namely, from the 3d to the 171)1 days, in- 
clusive, of November. On the 171!! the Legislature 
met, and Gov. Ewing transmitted to that body his 
message, giving a statement of the condition of the 
affairs of the State at that time, and urging a contin- 
uance of the policy adopted by his predecessor; and 
on the same day Governor elect Joseph Duncan 
was sworn into office, thus relieving Mr. Ewing from 



the responsible situation. This is the only time that 
such a juncture has happened in the history of Illi- 
nois. 

On the 29th of December, 1835, Gen. Ewing was 
elected a United States Senator to serve out the 
unexpired term of Elias Kent Kane, deceased. The 
latter gentleman was a very prominent figure in the 
early politics of Illinois, and a county in this State is 
named in his honor. The election of Gen. Ewing to 
the Senate was a protracted struggle. His competi- 
tors were James Semple, who afterwards held several 
important offices in this State, and Richard M. 
Young, afterward a United States Senator and a 
Supreme Judge and a man of vast influence. On 
the first ballot Mr. Semple had 25 votes, Young 19 
'and Ewing 18. On the eighth ballot Young was 
dropped ; the ninth and tenth stood a tie ; but on 
the 1 2th Ewing received 40, to Semple 37, and was 
accordingly declared elected. In 1837 Mr. Ewing 
received some votes for a continuance of his term in 
Congress, when Mr. Young, just referred to, -was 
elected. In 1842 Mr. Ewing was elected State 
Audit?r on the ticket with Gov. Ford. 

Gen. Ewing was a gentleman of culture, a lawyer 
by profession, and was much in public life. In person 
he was above medium height and of heavy build, 
with auburn hair, blue eyes, large-sized head and 
short face. He was genial, social, friendly and 
affable, with fair talent, though of no high degree of 
originality. He died March 25, 1846. 




r 





CF THE 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



i 



'3' ,, 





OSEPH DUNCAN, Governor 
1834-8, was born at Paris, 
Ky., Feb. 23, 1794- At the 
tender age of 19 years he en- 
listed in the war against Grea'. 
Britain, and as a soldier he 
acquitted himself with credit. He 
was an Ensign under the daunt- 
less Croghan at Lower Sandusky, 
or Fort Stiphenson. In Illinois 
I e first appeared in a public capa- 
city as Major-General of the Militia, 
a position which his military fame 
had procured him. Subsequently 
he became a State Senator from 
Jackson County, and is honorably 
mentioned for introducing the first bill providing for 
a free-school system. In 1826, when the redoubt- 
able John P. Cook, who had previously beaten such 
men as John McLean, Elias Kent Kane and ex- 
Gov. Bond, came up for the fourth time for Congress, 
Mr. Duncan was brought forward against him by his 
friends, greatly to the surprise of all the politicians. 
As yet he was but little known in the State. He was 
an original Jackson man at that time, being attached 
to his political fortune in admiration of the glory of 
his military achievements. His chances of success 
against Cook were generally regarded as hopeless, 
but he entered upon the campaign undaunted. His 
speeches, though short and devoid of ornament, were 
full of good sense. He made a diligent canvass of 
the State, Mr. Cook being hindered by the condition of 
his health. /The most that was expected of Mr. 
Duncan, under the circumstances, was that he would 



obtain a respectable vote, but without defeating Mr. 
Cook. The result of the campaign, however, was a 
source of surprise and amazement to both friends 
and foes, as Mr. Duncan came out 641 votes ahead! 
He received 6,321 votes, and Mr. Cook 5,680. Un- 
til this denouement, the violence of party feeling 
smoldering in the breasts of the people on account 
of the defeat of Jackson, was not duly appreciated. 
Aside from the great convention struggle of 1824, no 
other than mere !ocal and personal considerations 
had ever before controlled an election in Illinois. 

From the above date Mr. Duncan retained his 
seat in Co.igress until his election as Governor in 
August, 1834. The first and bloodless year of the 
Black Hawk War he was appointed by Gov. Rey- 
nolds to the position of Brigadier-General of the 
volunteers, and he conducted his brigade to Rock 
Island. But he was absent from the State, in Wash- 
ington, during the gubernatorial campaign, and did 
not personally participate in it, but addressed circu- 
lars to his constituents. His election was, indeed, 
attributed to the circumstance of his absence, be- 
cause his estrangement from Jackson, formerly his 
political idol, and also from the Democracy, largely 
in ascendency in the State, was complete ; but while 
his defection was well known to his Whig friends, 
and even to the leading Jackson men of this State, 
the latter were unable to carry conviction of that fact 
to the masses, as mail and newspaper facilities at 
that day were far inferior to those of the present 
time. Of course the Governor was much abused 
afterward by the fossilized Jackson men who re- 
garded party ties and affiliations as above all 
other issues that could arise ; but he was doubtless 



JOSEPH DUNCAN. 



4 



sincere in his opposition to the old hero, as the latter 
had vetoed several important western measures 
which were dear to Mr. Duncan. In his inaugural 
message he threw off the mask and took a bold stand 
against the course of the President. The measures 
he recommended in his message, however, were so 
desirable that the Legislature, although by a large 
majority consisting of Jackson men, could not refrain 
from endorsing them. These measures related 
mainly to banks and internal improvements. 

It was while Mr. Duncan was Governor that the 
people of Illinois went whirling on with bank and in- 
ternal improvement schemes that well nigh bank- 
rupted the State. The hard times of 1837 came on, 
and the disasters that attended the inauguration of 
these plans and the operation of the banks were mu- 
tually charged upon the two political parties. Had 
any one man autocratic power to introduce and 
carry on any one of these measures, he would proba- 
bly have succeeded to the satisfaction of the public; 
but as many jealous men had hold of the same plow 
handle, no success followed and each blamed the other 
for the failure. In this great vortex Gov. Duncan 
was carried along, suffering the like derogation of 
character with his fellow citizens. 

At the height of the excitement the Legislature 
" provided for " railroads from Galena to Cairo, Alton 
to Shawneetown, Alton to Mount Carmel, Alton to the 
eastern boundary of the State in the direction of 
Terre Haute, Quincy via Springfield to the Wabash, 
Bloomington to Pekin, and Peoria to Warsaw, in all 
about 1,300 miles of road. It also provided for the 
improvement of the navigation of the Kaskaskia, 
Illinois, Great and Little Wabash and Rock Rivers ; 
also as a placebo, $200,000 in money were to be dis- 
tributed to the various counties wherein no improve 
ments were ordered to be made as above. The 
estimate for the expenses for all these projects was 
placed at a little over $10,000,000, which was not 
more than half enough ! That would now be equal to 
saddling upon the State a debt of $225,000,000! It 
was sufficient to bankrupt the State several times 
over, even counting all the possible benefits. 

One of the most exciting events that ever occurred 
in this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Love- 
joy in the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan's 
term as Governor. Lovejoy was an " Abolitionist," 
editing the Observer at that place, and the pro- 
i y slavery slums there formed themselves into a mob, 



and after destroying successively three presses be- 
longing to Mr. Lovejoy, surrounded the warehouse 
where the fourth press was stored away, endeavoring 
to destroy it, and where Lovejoy and his friends 
were entrenching themselves, and shot and killed the 
brave reformer! 

About this time, also, the question of removing the 
State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit for 
its existence at Vandalia was drawing to a close. 
There was, of course, considerable excitement over 
the matter, the two main points competing for it be- 
ing Springfield and Peoria. The jealousy of the lat- 
ter place is not even yet, 45 years afterward, fully 
allayed. 

Gov. Duncan's term expired in 1838. In 1842 
he was again proposed as a candidate for the Execu- 
tive chair, this time by the Whig party, against Adam 
W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, the nominee of the 
Democrats. Charles W. Hunter was a third candi- 
date for the same position. Mr. Snyder, however, died 
before the campaign had advanced very far, and his 
party substituted Thomas Ford, who was elected, 
receiving 46,901 votes, to 38,584 for Duncan, and 
909 for Hunter. The cause of Democratic success 
at this time is mainly attributed to the temporary 
support of the Mormons which they enjoyed, and the 
want of any knowledge, on the part of the masses, 
that Mr. Ford was opposed to any given policy en- 
tertained in the respective localities. 

Gov. Duncan was a man of rather limited educa- 
tion, but with naturally fine abilities he profited 
greatly by his various public services, and gathered 
a store of knowledge regarding public affairs which 
served him a ready purpose. He possessed a clear 
judgment, decision, confidence in himself and moral 
courage to carry out his convictions of right. In his 
deportment he was well adapted to gain the admira- 
tion of the people. His intercourse with them was 
both affable and dignified. His portrait at the Gov- 
ernor's mansion, from which the accompanying was 
made, represents him as having a swarthy complex- 
ion, high cheek bones, broad forehead, piercing black 
eyes and straight black hair. 

He was a liberal patron of the Illinois College at 
Jacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, and 
died, after a short illness, Jan. 15, 1844, a devoted 
member of the Presbyterian Church, leaving a wife 
but no children. Two children, born to them, had 
died in infancy. 



t 



OF THE 
Y i * UINOIS 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 





I 



HOMAS CARLIN, the sixth 
Governor of the State of 
Illinois, serving from 1838 
to 1842, was also a Ken- 
tuckian, being born near 
Frankfort, that State, July 
18, 1789, of Irish paternity. 
The opportunities for an education 
being very meager in his native 
place, he, on approaching years of 
judgment and maturity, applied 
himself to those branches of learn- 
ing that seemed most important, 
and thus became a self-made man ; 
and his taste for reading and 
study remained with him through 
life. In 1803 his father removed 
lo Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where he 
died in 1810. 

In 1812 young Carlin came to Illinois and partici- 
pated in all the "ranging" service incident to the 
war of that period, proving himself a soldier of un- 
daunted bravery. In 1814 he married Rebecca 
Huitt, and lived for four years on the bank of the 
Mississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Mis- 
sc.tvi, where he followed farming, and then removed 
to Greene County. He located the town site of Car- 
n/".ton, in that county, and in 1825 made a liberal 
donation of land for county building purposes. He 
was the first Sheriff of that county after its separate 
organization, and afterward was twice elected, as a 
Jackson Democrat, to the Illinois Senate. In the 
Black Hawk War he commanded a spy battalion, a 
po,t of considerable danger. In 1834 he was ap- 
pointed by President Jackson to the position of 
Receiver of Public Moneys, and to fulfill the office 



more conveniently he removed to the city of Quincy. 

While, in 1838, the unwieldy internal improvement 
system of the State was in full operation, with all its 
expensive machinery, amidst bank suspensions 
throughout the United States, a great stringency in 
the money market everywhere, and Illinois bonds 
forced to sale at a heavy discount, and the " hardest 
times " existing that the people of the Prairie State 
ever saw, the general election of State officers was 
approaching. Discreet men who had cherished the 
hope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatua- 
tion, met with disappointment. A Governor and 
Legislature were to be elected, and these were now 
looked forward to for a repeal of the ruinous State 
policy. But the grand scheme had not yet lost its 
dazzling influence upon the minds of the people. 
Time and experience had not yet fully demonstrated 
its utter absurdity. Hence the question of arresting 
its career of profligate expenditures did not become 
a leading one with the dominant party during the 
campaign, and most of the old members of the Leg- 
islature were returned at this election. 

Under these circumstances the Democrats, in State 
Convention assembled, nominated Mr. Carlin for the 
office of Governor, and S. H. Anderson for Lieuten- 
ant Governor, while the Whigs nominated Cyrus Ed- 
wards, brotherof Ninian Ed wards, formerly Governor, 
and W. H. Davidson. Edwards came out strongly 
for a continuance of the State policy, while Carlin 
remained non-committal. This was the first time 
that the two main political parties in this State were 
unembarrassed by any third party in the field. The 
result of the election was: Carlin, 35,573; Ander- 
son, 30,335 ; Edwards, 29,629 ; and Davidson, 28,- 

7*5- 

Upon the meeting of the subsequent Legislature 

(1839), the retiring Governor CDuncan*) in his mes- 






136 



THOMAS CARLTN. 



sage spoke in emphatic terms of the impolicy of the 
internal improvement system, presaging the evils 
threatened, and uiged that body to do their utmost 
to correct the great error ; yet, on the contrary, the 
Legislature not only decided to continue the policy 
but also added to its burden by voting more appro- 
priations and ordering more improvements. Although 
the money market was still stringent, a further loan 
of $4,000,000 was ordered for the Illinois & Mich- 
igan Canal alone. Cti'cago at that time began to 
loom up and promise to be an important city, even 
the great emporium of the West, as it has since in- 
deed came to be. Ex-Gov. Reynolds, an incompe- 
tent financier, was commissioned to effect the loan, 
and accordingly hastened to the East on this respons- 
ible errand, and negotiated the loans, at considera- 
ble sacrifice to the State. Besides this embarrassment 
to Carlin's administration, the Legislature also de- 
clared that he had no authority to appoint a Secretary 
of State until a vacancy existed, and A. P. Field, a 
Whig, who had already held the post by appointment 
through three administrations, was determined to 
keep the place a while longer, in spite of Gov. Car- 
lin's preferences. The course of the Legislature in 
this regard, however, was finally sustained by the 
Supreme Court, in a quo warranto case brought up 
before it by John A. McClernand, whom the Gov- 
ernor had nominated for the office. Thereupon that 
dignified body was denounced as a "Whig Court!'* 
endeavoring to establish the principle of life-tenure 
of office. 

A new law was adopted re-organizing the Judici- 
ary, and under it five additional Supreme Judges 
were elected by the Legislature, namely, Thomas 
Ford (afterward Governor), Sidney Breese, Walter B. 
Scales, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas 
all Democrats. 

It was during Cov. Carlin's administration that the 
noisy campaign of " Tippecanoe and Tyler too " oc- 
curred, resulting in a Whig victory. This, however, 
did not affect Illinois politics very seriously. 

Another prominent event in the West during Gov. 
Carlin's term of office was the excitement caused by 
the Mormons and their removal from Independence, 
Mo., to Nauvoo, 111., in 1840. At the same time 
they began to figure somewhat in State politics. On 
account of their believing as they thought, accord- 
ing to the New Testament that they should have 



"all things common," and that consequently "all 
the earth " and all that is upon it were the" Lord's " 
and therefore the property of his " saints," they 
were suspected, and correctly, too, of committing 
many of the deeds of larceny, robbery, etc., that 
were so rife throughout this country in those days. 
Hence a feeling of violence grew up between the 
Mormons and "anti-Mormons." In the State of 
Missouri the Mormons always sup|x>'ted the Dem- 
ocracy until they were driven out by the Democratic 
government, when they turned their support to the 
Whigs. They were becoming numerous, and in the 
Legislature of 1840-1, therefore, it became a matter 
of great interest with both parties to conciliate these 
people. Through the agency of one John C. Ben- 
nett, a scamp, the Mormons succeeded in rushing 
through the Legislature (both parties not daring to 
oppose) a charter for the city of Nauvoo which vir- 
tually erected a hierarchy co'-ordinate with the Fed- 
eral Government itself. In the fall of 1841 the 
Governor of Missouri made a demand upon Gov. 
Carlin for the body of Joe Smith, the Mormon leader, 
as a fugitive from justice. Gov. Carlin issued the 
writ, but for some reason it was returned unserved. 
It was again issued in 1842, and Smith was arrested, 
but was either rescued by his followers or discharged 
by the municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus. 

In De-ember, 1841, the Democratic Convention 
nominated Ada:n W. Snyder, of Belleville, fir Gov- 
ernor. Ai he had been, as a mem'>er of the Legisla- 
ture, rather friendly to the M mnons, the latter 
naturally turned their support to the Democratic 
narty. The next spring the Whig; nominated Ex- 
Gov. Duncan for the same office. In the meantime 
the Mormons began to grow more odious to the 
masses of the people, and the comparative prospects 
of the respective pirties for success became very 
problematical. Mr. S.iyder died in May, and 
Thomas Ford, a Supre ne Judge, was substituted as 
a candidate, and was elected. 

At the close of his gubernatorial term, Mr. Carlin 
removed back to his old home at Carrollton, where 
he spent the rem. under of his life, as before his ele- 
vation to office, in agricultural pursuits. In 1849 
he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in the 
Illinois House of Representatives, and died Feb. 4, 
1852,31 his residence at Carrollton, leaving a wife 
and seven children. 






^94 THE 

f l r "-UHOIS 







4*- 



GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 





JHOMAS FORD, Governor 
from 1842 to 1846, and au- 
thor of a. very interesting 
history of Illinois, was bom 
at Uniontown, Pa., in the 
year 1 800. His mother, after 
the death of her first hus- 
band (Mr. Forquer), married Rob- 
ert Ford, who was killed in 1802, 
by the Indians in the mountains 
of Pennsylvania. She was conse- 
quently left in indigent circum- 
stances, with a large family, mostly 
girls. With a view to better her 
condition, she, in 1804, removed to 
Missouri, where it had been cus- 
tomary by the Spanish Govern- 
ment to give land to actual settlers; but upon her 
arrival at St. Louis she found the country ceded to 
the United States, and the liberal policy toward set- 
tlers changed by the new ownership. After some 
sickness to herself and family, she finally removed to 
Illinois, and settled some three miles south of Water- 
loo, but the following year moved nearer the Missis- 
sippi bluffs. Here young Ford received his first 



schooling, under the instructions of a Mr. Humphrey, 
for which he had to walk three miles. His mother, 
though lacking a thorough education, was a woman 
of superior mental endowments, joined to energy 
and determination of character. She inculcated in 
her children those high-toned principles which dis- 
tinguished her sons in public life. She exercised a 
rigid economy to provide her children an education ; 
but George Forquer, her oldest son (six years older 
than Thomas Ford), at an early age had to quit 
school to aid by his labor in the support of the family. 
He afterward became an eminent man in Illinois 
affairs, and but for his early death would probably 
have been elected to the United States Senate. 

Young Ford, with somewhat better opportunities, 
received a better education, though limited to the 
curriculum of the common school of those pioneer 
times. His mind gave early promise of superior en- 
dowments, with an inclination for mathematics. His 
proficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P. 
Cook, who became his efficient patron and friend. 
The latter gentleman was an eminent Illinois states- 
man who, as a Member of Congress, obtained a grant 
of 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, and after whom the 
county of Cook was named. Through the advice of 



THOMAS FORD. 



this gentleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to the 
study of law; nut Forquer, then merchandising, re- 
garding his education defective, sent him to Transyl- 
vania University, where, however, he remained but 
one term, owing to Forquer'-; failure in business. On 
his return he alternated his law reading with teach- 
ing school for support. 

In 1829 Gov. Edwards appointed him Prosecuting 
Attorney, and in 1831 he was re-appointed by Gov. 
Reynolds, and after that he was four times elected a 
Judge by the Legislature, without opposition, twice a 
Circuit Judge, once a Judge of Chicago, and as As- 
sociate Judge of the Supreme Court, when, in 1841, 
the latter tribunal was re-organized by the addition 
of five Judges, all Democrats. Ford was assigned to 
the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and while in this capacity 
he was holding Court in Ogle County he received a 
notice of his nomination by the Democratic Conven- 
tion for the office of Governor. He immediately re- 
signed his place and entered upon the canvass. In 
August, 1842, he was elected, and on the 8th of De- 
cember following he was inaugurated. 

All the offices which he had held were unsolicited 
by him. He received them upon the true Jefferson- 
ian principle, Never to ask and never to refuse 
office. Both as a lawyer and as a Judge he stood 
deservedly high, but his cast of intellect fitted him 
rather for a writer upon law than a practicing advo- 
cate in the courts. In the latter capacity he was void 
of the moving power of eloquence, so necessary to 
success with juries. As a Judge his opinions were 
"ound, lucid and able expositions of the law. In 
practice, he was a stranger to the tact, skill and in- 
sinuating address of the politician, but he saw through 
the arts of demagogues as well as any man. He was 
plain in his demeanor, so much so, indeed, that at 
one time after the expiration of his term of office, 
during a session of the Legislature, he was taken by 
a stranger to be a seeker for the position of door- 
keeper, and was waited upon at his hotel near mid- 
night by a knot of small office-seekers with the view 
of effecting a " combination ! " 

Mr. Ford had not the " brass " of the ordinary 
politician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes a 
political leader. He cared little for money, and 
hardly enough for a decent support. In person he 
was of small stature, slender, of dark complexion, 
with black hair, sharp features, deep-set eyes, a 
pointed, aquiline nose having a decided twist to one 
side, and a small mouth. 

The three most important events in Gov. Ford's 
administration were the establishment of the high 
financial credit of the State, the " Mormon War "and 
the Mexican War. 

In the first of these the Governor proved himself 
to be eminently wise. On coming into office he found 
the State badly paralyzed by the ruinous effects of 
the notorious "internal improvement" schemes of 



the preceding decade, with scarcely anything to 
show by way of "improvement." The enterprise 
that seemed to be getting ahead more than all the 
rest was the Illinois & Michigan Canal. As this 
promised to be the most important thoroughfare, 
feasible to the people, it was well under headway in 
its construction. Therefore the State policy wa- 
almost concentrated upon it, in order to rush it on U- 
completion. The bonded indebtedness of the State- 
was growing so large as to frighten the people, mid 
they were about ready to entertain a proposition for 
repudiation. But the Governor had the foresight to 
recommend such measures as would maintain the 
public credit, for which every citizen to-day feels 
thankful. 

But perhaps the Governor is remembered more for 
his connection with the Mormon troubles than for 
anything else; for it was during his term of office 
that the " Latter-Day Saints " became so strong at 
Nauvoo, built their temple there, increased their num- 
bers throughout the country, committed misdemean- 
ors, taught dangerous doctrines, suffered the loss of 
their leader, Jo Smith, by a violent death, were driven 
out of Nauvoo to the far West, etc. Having been a 
Judge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford of 
course was no i-corarnittal (Concerning Mor.non affairs, 
and was therefore claimed by both parties and also 
accused by each of sympathizing too greatly with the 
other side. Mormonism claiming to be a system of 
religion, the Governor no doubt was "between two 
fires," and felt compelled to touch the matter rather 
" gingerly," and doubtless felt greatly relieved when 
that pestilential people left the State. Such compli- 
cated matters, especially when religion is mixed up 
with them, expose every person participating in 
them to criticism from all parties. 

The Mexican War was begun in the spring of 
1845, and was continued into the gubernatorial term 
of Mr. Ford's su-cessor. The Governor's connection 
with this war, however, was not conspicuous, as it 
was only administrative, commissioning officers, etc. 

Ford's " History of Illinois " is a very readable and 
entertaining work, of 450 small octavo pages, and is 
destined to increase in value with the lapse of time. 
It exhibits a natural flow of compact and forcible 
thought, never failing to convey the nicest sense. In 
tracing with his trenchant pen the devious operations 
of the professional politician, in which he is inimit- 
able, his account is open, perhaps, to the objection 
that all his contemporaries are treated as mere place- 
seekers, while many of them have since been judged 
by the people to be worthy statesmen. His writings 
seem slightly open to the criticism that they exhibit 
a little splenetic partiality against those of his con- 
temporaries who were prominent during his term of 
office as Governor. 

The death of Gov. Ford took place at Peoria, 111., 
Nov. 2, 1850. 



LIBRARY 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 




Augustus C. French 




4ft 



AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH, 
Governor of Illinois from 
1846 to 1852, was born in 
the town of Hill, in the 
State of New Hampshire, 
Aug. 2, 1808. He was a 
descendant in the fourth 
generation of Nathaniel 
French, who emigrated from England 
in 1687 and settled in Saybury, Mass. 
In early life young French lost his 
father, but continued to receive in- 
struction from an exemplary and 
Christian mother until he was 19 years 
old, when she also died, confiding to 
his care and trust four younger broth- 
ers and one sister. He discharged his trust with 
parental devotion. His education in early life was 
such mainly as a common school afforded. For a 
brief period he attended Dartmouth College, but 
from pecuniary causes and the care of his brothers 
and sister, he did npt graduate. He subsequently 
read law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1831, and 
shortly afterward removed to Illinois, settling first at 
Albion, Edwards County, where he established him- 
self in the practice of law. The following year he 
removed to Paris, Edgar County. Here he attained 
eminence in his profession, and entered public life 
by representing that county in the Legislature. A 
strong attachment sprang up between him and Ste- 
phen A. Douglas. 

In 1839, Mr. French was appointed Receiver of 
the United States Land Office at Palestine, Craw- 
ford County, at which place he was a resident when 



elevated to the gubernatorial chair. In 1844 he was 
a Presidential Elector, and as such he voted for 
James K. Polk. 

The Democratic State Convention of 1846, meet- 
ing at Springfield Feb. 10, nominated Mr. French 
for Governor. Other Democratic candidates were 
Lyman Trumbull, John Calhoun (subsequently of 
Lecompton Constitution notoriety), Walter B. Scales. 
Richard M. Young and A. W. Cavarly, an array of 
very able and prominent names. Trumbull was per- 
haps defeated in the Convention by the rumor that 
he was opposed to the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
as he had been a year previously. For Lieutenant 
Governor J. B. Wells was chosen, while other candi- 
dates were Lewis Ross, Wm. McMurtry, Newton 
Cloud, J. B. Hamilton and W. W. Thompson. The 
resolutions declared strongly against the resuscita- 
tion of the old State Banks. 

The Whigs, who were in a hopeless minority, held 
their convention June 8, at Peoria, and selected 
Thomas M. Kilpatrick, of Scott County, for Governor, 
and Gen. Nathaniel G. Wilcox, of Schuyler, for 
Lieutenant Governor. 

In the campaign the latter exposed Mr. French's 
record and connection with the passage of the in- 
ternal improvement system, urging it against his 
election ; but in the meantime the war with Mexico 
broke out, regarding which the Whig record was un- 
popular in this State. The war was the absbrbihg 
and dominating question of the period, sweeping 
every other political issue in its course. The elec- 
tion in August gave Mr. French 58,700 votes, and 
Kilpatrick only 36,775. Richard Eells, Abolitionist 
candidate for the same office, received 5,152 votes. 



I k J44 



AUGUSTUS C. FRRNC&. 



By the new Constitution of 1848, a new election for 
State officers was ordered in November of that year, 
before Gov. French's term was half out, and he was 
re-elected for the term of four years. He was there- 
fore the incumbent for six consecutive years, the 
only Governor of this State who has ever served in 
that capacity so long at one time. As there was no 
organized opposition to his election, he received 67,- 
453 votes, to 5,639 for Pierre Menard (son of the 
first Lieutenant Governor), 4,748 for Charles V. 
Dyer, 3,834 for W. L. D. Morrison, and 1,361 for 
James L. D. Morrison. But Wm. McMurtry, of 
Knox County, was elected Lieutenant Governor, in 
place of Joseph B. Wells, who was before elected 
and did not run again. 

Governor French was inaugurated into office dur- 
ing the progress of the Mexican War, which closed 
during the summer of 1847, although the treaty of 
Guadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2, 
1848. The policy of Gov. French's party was com- 
mitted to that war, but in connection with that affair 
he was, of course, only an administrative officer. 
During his term of office, Feb. 19, 1847, the Legisla- 
ture, by special permission of Congress, declared that 
all Government lands sold to settlers should be im- 
mediately subject to State taxation; before this they 
were exempt for five years after sale. By this ar- 
rangement the revenue was materially increased. 
About the same time, the distribution of Government 
land warrants among the Mexican soldiers as bounty 
threw upon the market a great quantity of good 
lands, and this enhanced the settlement of the State. 
The same Legislature authorized, with the recom- 
mendation of the Governor, the sale of the Northern 
Cross Railroad (from Springfield to Meredosia, the 
first in the State and now a section of the Wabash, 
St. Louis & Pacific) It sold for $100,000 in bonds, 
although it had cost the State not less than a million. 
The salt wells and canal lands in the Saline reserve 
in Gallatin County, granted by the general Govern- 
ment to the State, were also authorized by the 
Governor to be sold, to apply on the State debt. In 
1850, for the first time since 1839, the accruing State 
revenue, exclusive of specific appropriations, was 
sufficient to meet the current demands upon the 
treasury. The aggregate taxable property of the 
State at this time was over $100,000,000, and the 
I y population 851,470. 



I 



In 1849 the Legislature adopted the township or- 
ganization law, which, however, proved defective, 
and was properly amended in 185 r. At its session 
in the latter year, the General Assembly also passed 
a law to exempt homesteads from sale on executions. 
This beneficent measure had been repeatedly urged 
upon that body by Gov. French. 

In 1850 some business men in St. Louis com- 
menced to build a dike opposite the lower part of 
their city on the Illinois side, to keep the Mississippi 
in its channel near St. Louis, instead of breaking 
away from them as it sometimes threatened to do. 
This they undertook without permission from the 
Legislature or Executive authority of this State ; and 
as many of the inhabitants there complained thai 
the scheme would inundate and ruin much valuable 
land, there was a slight conflict of jurisdictions, re- 
sulting in favor of the St. Louis project; and since 
then a good site has existed there for a city (East St. 
Louis), and now a score of railroads center there. 

It was in September, 1850, that Congress granted 
to this State nearly 3,000,000 acres of land in aid of 
the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
which constituted the most important epoch, in the 
railroad we might say internal improvement his- 
tory of the State. The road was rushed on to com- 
pletion, which accelerated the settlement of the in- 
terior of the State by a good class of industrious citi- 
zens, and by the charter a good income to the State 
Treasury is paid in from the earnings of the road. 

In 185 i the Legislature passed a. law authorizing 
free stock banks, which was the source of much leg- 
islative discussion for a number of years. 

But we have not space further to particularize 
concerning legislation. Gov. French's administra- 
tion was not marked by any feature to be criticised, 
while the country was settling up as never before. 

In stature, Gov. French was of medium height, 
squarely built, light complexioned, with ruddy face 
and pleasant countenance. In manners he was 
plain and agreeable. By nature he was somewhat 
diffident, but he was often very outspoken in his con- 
victions of duty. In public spjech he was not an 
orator, but was chaste, earnest and persuasive. In 
business he was accurate and methodical, and in his 
administration he kept up the credit of the State. 

He died in 1865, at his home in Lebanon, St. 
Clair Co., 111. 

I 



:f 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



4 



'47 





3:OEL A. MATTESON, Governor 
1 85 3-6, was born Aug. 8, 1808, 
in Jefferson County, New York, 
to which place his father had re- 
moved from Vermont three years 
before. His father was a farmer 
in fair circumstances, but a'com- 
mon English education was all 
that his only son received. Young 
Joel first tempted fortune as a 
small tradesman in Prescott, 
Canada, before he was of age. 
He returned from that place to 
his home, entered an academy, 
taught school, visited the prin- 
cipal Eastern cities, improved a farm his father had 
given him, made a tour in the South, worked there 
in building railroads, experienced a storm on the 
Gulf of Mexico, visited the gold diggings of Northern 
Georgia, and returned via Nashville to St. Louis and 
through Illinois to his father's home, when he mar- 
ried. In 1833, having sold his farm, he removed, 
with his wife and one child, to Illinois, and entered 
a claim on Government land near the head of An 
SaMe River, in what is- now Kendall County. At 
that time there were not more than two neighbors 
within a range of ten miles of his place, and only 
three or four houses between him and Chicago. He 
opened a large farm. His family \ras boarded f 



miles away while he erected a house on his claim, 
sleeping, during this time, under a rude pole shed. 
Here his life was once placed in imminent peril by 
a huge prairie rattlesnake sharing his bed. 

In 1835 he bought largely at the Government land 
sales. During the speculative real-estate mania which 
broke out in Chicago in 1836 and spread over the State, 
he sold his lands under the inflation of that period 
and removed to Joliet. In 1838 he became a heavy 
contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Upon 
the completion of his job in 1841, when hard times 
prevailed, business at a stand, contracts paid in State 
scrip; when all the public works except the canal 
were abandoned, the State offered for sale 700 tons 
of railroad iron, which was purchased by Mr. Mat- 
teson at a bargain. This he accepted, shipped and 
sold at Detroit, realizing a very handsome profit, 
enough to pay off all his canal debts and leave him a 
surplus of several thousand dollars. His enterprise 
next prompted him to start a woolen mill at Joliet, 
in which he prospered, and which, after successive 
enlargements, became an enormous establishment. 

In 1842 he was first elected a State Senator, but, 
by a bungling apportionment, John Pearson, a Senator 
holding over, was found to be in the same district, 
and decided to be entitled to represent it. Mat- 
teson's seat was declared vacant. Pearson, however, 
with a nobleness difficult to appreciate in this day of 




f 



148 



JOEL A. MATTESON. 



I 



greed for office, unwilling to represent his district 
under the circumstances, immediately resigned his 
unexpired term of two years. A bill was passed in a 
few hours ordering a new election, and in ten days' 
time Mr. Matteson was returned re-elected and took 
his seat as Senator. From his well-known capacity 
as a business man, he was made Chairman of the 
Committee on Finance, a position he held during 
this half and two full succeeding Senatorial terms, 
discharging its important duties with ability and faith- 
fulness. Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest, 
when work was resumed on the canal under the new 
loan of $r, 600,000 he again became a heavy con- 
tractor, and also subsequently operated largely in 
building railroads. Thus he showed himself a most 
energetic and thorough business man. 

He was nominated for Governor by the Demo- 
cratic State Convention which met at Springfield 
April 20, 1852. Other candidates before the Con- 
vention were D. L. Gregg and F. C. Sherman, of 
Cook ; John Dement, of Lee ; Thomas L. Harris, of 
Menard; Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton; and D. P. Bush, 
of Pike. Gustavus Koerner, of St. Clair, was nom- 
inated for Lieutenant Governor. For the same offices 
th.e Whigs nominated Edwin B. Webb and Dexter A. 
Knowlton. Mr. Matteson received 80,645 votes at 
the election, while Mr. Webb received 64,408. Mat- 
teson 's forte was not on the stump; he had not cul- 
tivated the art of oily flattery, or the faculty of being 
all things to all men. His intellectual qualities took 
rather the direction of efficient executive ability. His 
turn consisted not so much in the adroit manage- 
ment of party, or the powerful advocacy of great gov- 
ernmental principles, as in those more solid and 
enduring operations which cause the physical devel- 
opment and advancement of a State, of commerce 
and business enterprise, into which he labored with 
success to lead the people. As a politician he was 
just and liberal in his views, and both in official and 
private life he then stood untainted and free from 
blemish. As a man, in active benevolence, social 
rirtues and all the amiable qualities of neighbor or 
citizen, he had few superiors. His messages present 
a perspicuous array of facts as to the condition of the 
State, and are often couched in forcible and elegant 
diction. 

The greatest excitement during his term of office 
was the repeal of trie Missouri Compromise, by Con- 



gress, under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas in 
1854, when the bill was passed organizing the Terri- 
tory of Kansas and Nebraska. A large portion of 
the Whig party of the North, through their bitter op- 
position to the Democratic party, naturally drifted 
into the doctrine of anti-slavery, and thus led to what 
was temporarily called the "Anti-Nebraska" party, 
while the followers of Douglas were known us " Ne- 
braska or Douglas Democrats." It was during this 
embryo stage of the Republican party that Abraham 
Lincoln was brought forward as the "Anti-Nebraska " 
candidate for the United States Senatorship, wh le 
Gen. James Shields, the incumbent, was re-nom- 
inated by the Democrats. But after a fewballotings 
in the Legislature (1855), these men were dropped, 
and Lyman Trumbull, an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, 
was brought up by the former, and Mr. Matteson, 
then Governor, by the latter. On the nth ballot 
Mr. Trumbull obtained one majority, and was 'ac- 
cordingly declared elected. Before Gov. Matteson s 
term expired, the Republicans were fully organized 
as a national party, and in 1856 put into the field a 
full national and State ticket, carrying the State, but 
not the nation. 

The Legislature of 1855 passed two very import- 
ant measures, the present free-school system and a 
submission of the Maine liquor law to a vote of the 
people. The latter was defeated by a small majority 
of the popular vote. 

During the four years of Gov. Matteson 's admin- 
istration the taxable wealth of the State was about 
trebled, from $137,818.079 to $349,951,272; the pub- 
lic debt w:is reduced from $17,398,985 to $[2,843,- 
144; taxation was at the same time reduced, and the 
State resumed paying interest on its debt in New 
York as fast as it fell due; railroads were increased 
in their mileage from something les,s than 400 to 
about 3,000 ; and the population of Chicago was 
nearly doubled, and its commerce more than quad- 
rupled. 

Before closing this account, we regret that we have 
to say that Mr. Matteson, in all other res]>ects an 
upright man and a good Governor, was implicated 
in a false re-issue of redeemed canal scrip, amount- 
ing to $224,182.66. By a suit in the Sangamon Cir- - 
cuit Court the State recovered the principal and all 
the interest excepting $27,500. 

He died in the winter of 1872-3, at Chicago. 



V - ~Y 

OF THE 

YC 




(I 



i 



GO VEKNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



VVV.V'i^.-'rVW^ii^r'^^^ 





ILLIAM H. BISSELL, Gov- 
ernor 1857-60, was born 
f'f$ April 25, 1811, in the 
State of New York, near 
Painted Post, Yates County. 
His parents were obscure, 
honest, God-fearing people, 
who reared their children under the daily 
example of industry and frugality, accord- 
ing to the custom of that class of Eastern 
society. Mr. Bissell received a respecta- 
ble but not thorough academical education. 
By assiduous application he acquired a 
knowledge of medicine, and in his early 
manhood came West and located in Mon- 
roe County, this State, where he engaged in the 
practice of that profession. But he was not enam- 
ored of his calling: he was swayed by a broader 
ambition, to such an extent that the mysteries of the 
healing art and its arduous duties failed to yield him 
further any charms. In a few years he discovered 
his choice of a profession to be a mistake, and when 
he approached the age of 30 he sought to begin 
anew. Dr. Bissell, no doubt unexpectedly to him- 
self, discovered a singular facility and charm of 
speech, the exercise of which acquired for him a 
ready local notoriety. It soon came to be under- 



stood that he desired to abandon his profession and 
take up that of the law. During terms of Court he 
would spend his time at the county seat among the 
members of the Bar, who extended to him a ready 
welcome. 

It was not strange, therefore, that he should drift 
into public life. In 1840 he was elected as a Dem- 
ocrat to the Legislature from Monroe County, and 
was an efficient member of that body. On his re- 
turn home he qualified himself for admission to the 
Bar and speedily rose to the front rank as an advo- 
cate. His powers of oratory were captivating. With a 
pure diction, charming and 1 inimitable gestures, 
clearness of statement, and a remarkable vein of sly 
humor, his efforts before a jury told with irresistible 
effect. He was chosen by the Legislature Prosecut- 
ing Attorney for the Circuit in which he lived, and 
in that position he fully discharged his duty to the 
State, gained the esteem of the Bar, and seldom 
failed to convict the offender of the law. 

In stature he was somewhat tall and slender, and 
with a straight, military bearing, he presented a dis- 
tinguished appearance. His complexion was dark, 
his head well poised, though not large, his address 
pleasant and manner winning. He was exemplary 
in his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent. 
He was twice married, the first time to Miss James, 



15* 



WILLIAM H. BISSELL. 



of Monroe County, by whom he had two children, 
both daughters. She died soon after the year 1840, 
and Mr. B. married for his second wife a daughter 
of Elias K. Kane, previously a United States Senator 
from this State. She survived him but a short time, 
and died without issue. 

When the war with Mexico was declared in 1846, 
Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of his 
regiment, over Hon. D.on Morrison, by an almost 
unanimous vote, 807 to 6. Considering the limited 
opportunities he had had, he evinced a high order of 
military talent. On the bloody field of Buena Vista 
he acquitted himself with intrepid and distinguished 
ability, contributing with his regiment, the Second 
Illinois, in no small degree toward saving the waver- 
ing fortunes of our arms during that long and fiercely 
contested battle. 

After his return home, at the close of the war, lie 
was elected to Congress, his opponents being the 
Hons. P. B. Fouke and Joseph Gillespie. He served 
two terms in Congress. He was an ardent politician. 
During the great contest of 1850 he voted in favor 
of the adjustment measures; but in 1854 he opposed 
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise act and 
therefore the Kansas-Nebraska bill of Douglas, and 
thus became identified with the nascent Republican 
party. 

During his first Congressional term, while the 
Southern members were following their old practice 
of intimidating the North by bullying language, 
and claiming most of the credit for victories in the 
Mexican War, Ad Jefferson Davis claiming for the 
Mississippi troops all the credit for success at Buena 
Vista, Mr. Bissell bravely defended the Northern 
troops ; whereupon Davis challenged Bissell to a duel, 
which was accepted. This matter was brought up 
against Bissell when he was candidate for Governor 
and during his term of office, as the Constitution of 
this State forbade any duelist from holding a State 
office. 

In 1856, when the Republican party first put forth 
a candidate, John C. Fremont, for President of the 
United States, the same party nominated Mr. Bissell 
for Governor of Illinois, and John Wood, of Quincy, 
for Lieutenant Governor, while the Democrats nomi- 
nated Hon. W. A. Richardson, of Adams County, 
for Governor, and Col. R. J. Hamilton, of Cook 
County, for Lieutenant Governor. The result of the 



election was a plurality of 4,729 votes over Richard- 
son. The American, or Know-Nothing, party had a 
ticket in the field. The Legislature was nearly bal- 
anced, but was politically opposed to the Governor. 
His message to the Legislature was short and rather 
ordinary, and was criticised for expressing the sup- 
posed obligations of the people to the incorporators 
of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and for re- 
opening the slavery question by allusions to the 
Kansas troubles. Late in the session an apportion- 
ment bill, based upon the State census of 1855, was 
passed, amid much partisan strife. The Governor 
at first signed the bill and then vetoed it. A furious 
debate followed, and the question whether the Gov- 
ernor had the authority to recall a signature was 
referred to the Courts, that of last resort deciding in 
favor of the Governor. Two years afterward another 
outrageous attempt was made for a re-apportionment 
and to gerrymander the State, but the Legislature 
failed to pass the bill over the veto of the Governor. 

It was during Gov. Bissell's administration that 
the notorious canal scrip fraud was brought to light, 
implicating ex-Gov. Matteson and other prominent 
State officials. The principal and interest, aggregat- 
ing $255,500, was all recovered by the State except- 
ing $27,500. (See sketch of Gov. Matteson.) 

In 1859 an attempt was discovered to fraudu- 
lently refund the Macalister and Stebbins bonds and 
thus rob the State Treasury of nearly a quarter of a 
million dollars. The State Government was impli- 
cated in this affair, and to this day remains unex- 
plained or unatoned for. For the above, and other 
matters previously mentioned, Gov. Bissell has been 
severely criticised, and he has also been most shame- 
fully libelled and slandered. 

On account of exposure in the army, the remote 
cause of a nervous form of disease gained entrance 
into his system and eventually developed paraplegia, 
affecting his lower extremities, which, while it left 
his body in comparative health, deprived him of loco- 
motion except by the aid of crutches. While he was 
generally hopeful of ultimate recovery, this myste- 
rious disease pursued him, without once relaxing its 
stealthy hold, to the close of his life, March 18, 
1860, over nine months before the expiration of his 
gubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years. He 
died in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, of 
which he hart been a member since 1854. 



C Vi*HJiniOlf 




Gi. VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



'55 





OHN WOOD, Governor 1860-1, and 
the first settler of Quincy, 111., 
was bom in the town of Sempro- 
nius (now Moravia), Cayuga Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 20, 1798. He was 
the second child and only son of 
Dr. Daniel Wood. His mother, 
nee Catherine Crause, was of 
German parentage, and died 
while he was an infant. Dr. 
Wood was a learned and skillful 
physician, of classical attain- 
ments and proficient in several 
modern languages, who, after 
serving throughout the Revolu- 
tionary War as a Surgeon, settled on the land granted 
him by the Government, and resided there a re- 
spected and leading influence in his section until his 
death, at the ripe age of 92 years. 

The subject of this sketch, impelled by the spirit 
of Western adventure then pervading everywhere, 
left his home, Nov. 2, 1818, and passed the succeed- 
ing winter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following sum- 
mer he pushed on to Illinois, landing at Shawneetown, 
and spent the fall and following winter in Calhoun 
County. In 1820, in company with Willard Keyes, 
he settled in Pike County, about 30 miles southeast 
of Quincy, where for the next two years he pursued 
farming. In 1821 he visited "the Bluffs" (as the 
present site of Quincy was called, then uninhabited) 
and, pleased with its prospects, soon after purchased 
a quarter-section of land near by, and in the follow- 
ing fall (1822) erected near the river a small cabin, 



18 x 20 feet, the first building in Quincy, of which 
he then became the first and for some months the 
only occupant. 

About this time he visited his old friends in Pike 
County, chief of whom was William Ross, the lead- 
ing man in building up the village of Atlas, of that 
county, which was thought then to be the possible 
commencement of a city. One day they and others 
were traveling together over the country between the 
two points named, making observations on the com- 
parative merits of the respective localities. On ap- 
proaching the Mississippi near Mr. Wood's place, 
the latter told his companions to follow him and he 
would show them where he was going to build a city. 
They went about a mile off the main trail, to a high 
point, from which the view in every direction was 
most magnificent, as it had been for ages and as yet 
untouched by the hand of man. "Before them swept 
by the majestic Father of Waters, yet unburdened by 
navigation. After Mr. Wood had expatiated at 
length on the advantages of the situation, Mr. Ross 
replied, " But it's too near Atlas ever to amount to 
anything!" 

Atlas is still a cultivated farm, and Quincy is a 
city of over 30,000 population. 

In 1824 Mr. Wood gave a newspaper notice, 
as the law then prescribed, of his intention to apply 
to the General Assembly for the formation of a new 
county. This was done the following winter, result- 
ing in the establishment of the present Adams 
County. During the next summer Quincy was se- 
lected as the county seat, it and the vicinity then 
containing but four adult male residents and half 



JOHN WOOD. 



that number of females. Sinoe that period Mr. 
Wood resided at the place of his early adoption un- 
til his death, and far more than any other man was 
he identified with every measure of its progress and 
history, and almost continuously kept in public posi- 
tions. 

He was one of the early town Trustees, and after 
the place became a city he was often a member of 
the City Council, many times elected Mayor, in the 
face of a constant large opposition political majority. 
In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate. In 1856, 
on the organization of the Republican party, he was 
chosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on the 
ticket with Win. H. Bissell for Governor, and on the 
death of the latter, March 18, 1860, he succeeded to 
the Chief Executive chair, which he occupied until 
Gov. Yates was inaugurated nearly ten months after- 
ward. 

Nothing very marked characterized the adminis- 
tration of Gov. Wood. The great anti-slavery cam- 
paign of 1860, resulting in the election of the honest 
Illinoisan, Abraham Lincoln, to the Presidency of the 
United States, occurred during the short period 
while Mr. Wood was Governor, and tiie excitement 
and issues of that struggle dominated over every 
other consideration, indeed, supplanted them in a 
great measure. The people of Illinois, during all 
that time, were passing the comparatively petty strifes 
under Bissell's administration to the overwhelming 
issue of preserving the whole nacion from destruction. 

In 1861 ex-Gov. Wood was one of the five Dele- 
gates from Illinois to the " Peace Convention " at 
Washington, and in April of the same year, on the 
breaking out of the Rebellion, he was appointed 



Quartermaster-General of the State, which position 
he held throughout the war. In 1864 he took com- 
mand as Colonel of the i37th 111. Vol. Inf., with 
whom he served until the period of enlistment ex- 
pired. 

Politically, Gov. Wood was always actively identi- 
fied with the Whig and Republican parties. Few 
men have in personal experience comprehended so 
many surprising and advancing local changes as 
vested in the more than half century recollections of 
Gov. Wood. Sixty- four years ago a solitary settler 
on the "Bluffs," with no family, and no neighbor 
within a score of miles, the world of civilization away 
behind him, and the strolling red-man almost his 
only visitant, he lived to see growing around him, 
and under his auspices and aid, overspreading the 
wild hills and scraggy forest a teaming city, second 
only in size in the State, and surpassed nowhere in 
beauty, prosperity and promise ; whose people recog- 
nize as with a single voice the proverbial honor and 
liberality that attach to the name and lengthened 
life of their pioneer settler, "the old Governor." 

Gov. Wood was twice married, first in January, 
1826, to Ann M. Streeter, daughter of Joshua Streeter, 
formerly of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. They had 
eight children. Mrs. W. died Oct. 8, 1863, and in 
June, 1865, Gov. Wood married Mrs. Mary A., widow 
of Rev. Joseph T. Holmes. Gov. Wood died June 4, 
1880, at his residence in Quiiicy. Four of his eight 
children are now living, namely: Ann E., wife of 
Gen. John Till son; Daniel C., who married Mary J. 
Abernethy; John, Jr., who married Josephine Skinner, 
and Joshua S., who married Annie Bradley. The 
last mentioned now resides at Atchison, Kansas, and 
all the rest are still at Quincy. 





t * 

T.-Y IF 



GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



4 



'59 , , 





HCHARD YATES, the "War 
Governor," 1861-4, was born 
Jan. 18, 1818, on the banks of 
the Ohio River, at Warsaw, 
Gallatin Co., Ky. His father 
moved in 1831 to Illinois, and 
afier stopping for a time in 
Springfield, settled at Island 
Grove, Sangamon County. Here, 
after attending school, Richard joined 
the family. Subsequently he entered 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
where, in 1837, he graduated with 
first honors. He chose for his pro- 
fession the la*, the Hon. J. J. Har- 
din being his instructor. After ad- 
mission to the Bar he soon rose to distinction as an 
advocate. 

Gifted with a fluent and ready oratory, he soon 
appeared in the political hustings, and, being a 
passionate admirer of the great Whig leader of the 
West, Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to 
the party of his idol. In 1840 he engaged with great 
ardor in the exciting " hard cider " campaign for 
Harrison. Two years later he was elected to the 
Legislature from Morgan County, a Democratic 
stronghold. He served three or four terms in the 
Legislature, and such was the fascination of his ora- 
tory that by 1850 his large Congressional District, 
extending from Morgan and Sangamon Counties 
ivjrth to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him 
the Whig nomination for Congress. His Democratic 
opponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a very pop- 
ular man who had won distinction at the battle of 
Ccrro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who had 
beaten Hon. Stephen T. Logan for the same position, 



two years before, by a large majority. Yates was 
elected. Two years later he was re-elected, over 
John Calhoun. 

It was during Yates' second term in Congress that 
the great question of the repeal of the Missouri Com- 
promise was agitated, and the bars laid down for re- 
opening the dreaded anti-slavery question. He took 
strong grounds against the repeal, and thus became 
identified with the rising Republican party. Conse- 
quently he fell into the minority in his district, which 
was pro-slavery. Even then, in a third contest, he 
fell behind Major Harris only 200 votes, after the 
district had two years before given Pierce 2,000 
majority for President. 

The Republican State Convention of 1860 met at 
Decatur May 9, and nominated for the office of Gov- 
ernor Mr. Yates, in preference to Hon. Norman B. 
Judd, of Chicago^ and Leonard Swett, of Blooming- 
ton, two of the ablest men of the State, who were 
also candidates before the Convention. Francis A. 
Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated for 
Lieutenant Governor. This was the year when Mr. 
Lincoln was a candidate for President, a period re- 
membered as characterized by the great whirlpool 
which precipitated the bloody War of the Rebellion. 
The Douglas Democrats nominated J. C. Allen of 
Crawford County, for Governor, and Lewis W. Ross, 
of Fulton County, for Lieutenant Governor. The 
Breckenridge Democrats and the Bell-Everett party 
had also full tickets in the field. After a most fear- 
ful campaign, the result of the election gave Mr. 
Yates 172,196 votes, and Mr. Allen 159,253. Mr. 
Yates received over a thousand more votes than did 
Mr. Lincoln himself. 

Gov. Yates occupied the chair of State during the 



t 



i6o 



RICHARD YATES. 






most critical period of our country's history. In the 
fate of the nation was involved that of each State. 
The life struggle of the former derived its sustenance 
from the loyalty of the latter; and Gov. Yates 
seemed to realize the situation, and proved himself 
both loyal and, wise in upholding the Government. 
He had a deep hold upon the affections of the 
people, won by his moving eloquence and genial 
manners. Erect and symmetrical in person, of pre- 
possessing appearance, with a winning address and a 
magnetic power, few men possessed more of the ele- 
ments of popularity. His oratory was scholarly and 
captivating, his hearers hardly knowing why they 
were transported. He was social and convivial. In 
the latter respect he was ultimately carried too far. 

The very creditable military efforts of this State 
during the War of the Rebellion, in putting into the 
field the enormous number of about 200,000 soldiers, 
were ever promptly and ably seconded by his excel- 
lency ; and the was ambitious to deserve the title of 
"the soldier's friend." Immediately after the battle of 
Shiloh he repaired to the field of carnage to look 
after the wounded, and his appeals for aid were 
promptly responded to by the people. His procla- 
mations calling for volunteers were impassionate 
appeals, urging upon the people the duties and re- 
quirements of patriotism; and his special message 
in 1863 to the Democratic Legislature of this State 
pleading for material aid for the sick and wounded 
soldiers of Illinois regiments, breathes a deep fervor 
of noble sentiment and feeling rarely equaled in 
beauty or felicity of expression. Generally his mes- 
sages on political and civil affairs were able and com- 
prehensive. During his administration, however, 
there were no civil events of an engrossing character, 
although two years of his time were replete with 
partisan quarrels of great bitterness. Military ar- 
rests, Knights of the Golden Circle, riot in Fulton 
County, attempted suppression of the Chicago Times 
and the usurping State Constitutional Convention of 
1862, were the chief local topics that were exciting 
during the Governor's term. This Convention assem- 
bled Jan. 7, and at once took the high position that 
the law calling it was no longer binding, and that it 
had supreme power; that it represented a virtual 
assemblage of the whole people of the State, and was 
sovereign in the exercise of all power necessary to 
effect a peaceable revolution of the State Government 



and to the re-establishment of one for the "happiness, 
prosperity and freedom of the citizens," limited only 
by the Federal Constitution. Notwithstanding the 
law calling the Convention required its members to 
take an oath to support the Constitution of the State 
as well as that of the general Government, they 
utterly refused to take such oath. They also as- 
sumed legislative powers and passed several import- 
ant "laws!" Interfering with the (then) present 
executive duties, Gov. Yates was provoked to tell 
them plainly that " he did not acknowledge the right 
of the Convention to instruct him in the performance 
of his duty." 

In 1863 the Governor astonished the Democrats 
by " proroguing " their Legislature. This body, after 
a recess, met June 2, that year, and soon began to 
waste time upon various partisan resolutions ; and, 
while the two houses were disagreeing upon the 
question of adjourning sine die, the Governor, having 
the authority in such cases, surprised them all by 
adjourning them " to the Saturday next preceding the 
first Monday in January, 1865 ! " This led to great 
excitement and confusion, and to a reference of the 
Governor's act to the Supreme Court, who decided in 
liis favor. Then it was the Court's turn to receive 
abuse for weeks and months afterward. 

During the autumn of 1864 a conspiracy was de- 
tected at Chicago which had for its object the liber- 
ation of the prisoners of war at Camp Douglas, the 
burning of the city and the inauguration of rebellion 
in the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of the 
camp at the time, first had his suspicions of danger 
aroused by a number of enigmatically worded letters 
which passed through the Camp postoffice. A de- 
tective afterward discovered that the rebel Gen. 
Marmaduke was in the city, under an assumed 
name, and he, with other rebel officers Grenfell, 
Morgan, Cantrell, Buckner Morris, and Charles 
Walsh was arrested, most of whom were convicted 
by a court-martial at Cincinnati and sentenced to 
imprisonment, Grenfell to be hung. The sentence 
of the latter was afterward commuted to imprison- 
ment for life, and all the others, after nine months' 
imprisonment, were pardoned. 

In March, 1873, Gov. Yates was appointed a Gov- 
ernment Director of the Union Pacific Railroad, in 
which office he continued until his decease, at St. 
Louis, Mo., on the 27th of November following. 



1 



LIBRARY 
OF THE 

' < * -1INOIS 




GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



163 t , 





Michard JT. Ogles 

i 










UCHARD J. OGLESBY, Gov- 
ernor 1865-8, and re-elected 
in 1872 and 1884, was born 
July 25, 1824, in Oldham Co., 
Ky., the State which might 
s;.x be considered the " mother of 
Illinois Governors." Bereft of 
his parents at the tender age 
of eight years, his early education 
was neglected. When 12 years of 
age, and after he had worked a year 
and a half at the carpenter's trade, 
he removed with an uncle, Willis 
Oglesby, into whose care he had 
been committed, to Decatur, this 
State, where he continued his ap- 
prenticeship as a mechanic, working six months for 
Hon. E. O. Smith. 

In 1844 he commenced studying law at Spring- 
field, with Judge Silas Robbins, and read with him 
one year. He was admitted to the Bar in 1845, and 
commenced the practice of his chosen profession at 
Sullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County. 

The next year the war with Mexico was com- 
menced, and in June, 1846, Mr. Oglesby volunteered, 
was elected First Lieutenant of Co. C, Fourth Illinois 
Regiment of Volunteers, and participated in the bat- 
tles of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. 

On his return he sought to perfect his law studies 
by attending a course of lectures at Louisville, but 
on the breaking out of the California "gold fever " in 
1849, he crossed the plains and mountains to the 
new Eldorado, driving a six-mule team, with a com- 



pany of eight men, Henry Prather being the leader. 

In 1852 he returned home to Macon County, and 
was placed that year by the Whig party on the ticket 
of Presidential Electors. In 1856 he visited Europe, 
Asia and Africa, being absent 20 months. On his 
return home he resumed the practice of law, as a 
member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby. 
In 1858 he was the Republican no.ainee for the 
Lower House of Congress, but was defeated by the 
Hon. James C. Robinson, Democrat. In 1860 he 
was elected to the Illinois State Senate ; and on the 
evening the returns of this election were coming in, 
Mr. Oglesby had a fisticuff encounter with " Cerro 
Gordo Williams," in which he came out victorious, 
and which was regarded as " the first fight of the 
Rebellion." The following spring, when the war 
had commenced in earnest, his ardent nature 
quickly responded to the demands of patriotism and 
he enlisted. The extra session of the Legislature 
elected him Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Infantry, 
the second one in the State raised to suppress the 
great Rebellion. 

He was shortly entrusted with important com- 
mands. For a time he was stationed at Bird's Point 
and Cairo; in April he was promoted Brigadier Gen- 
eral ; at Fort Donelson his brigade was in the van, 
being stationed on the right of General Grant's army 
and the first brigade to be attacked. He lost 500 
men before re-inforcements arrived. Many of these 
men were from Macon County. He was engaged in 
the battle of Corinth, and, in a brave charge at this 
place, was shot in the left lung with an ounce ball, 
and was carried from the field in expectation of im- 



i 



t 



1 164 



RICHARD J. OGLESB Y. 



mediate death. That rebel ball he carries to this 
day. On his partial recovery he was promoted as 
Major General, for gillantry, his commission to rank 
from November, 1862. In the spring of 1863 he 
was assigned to the command of the i6th Army 
Corps, but, owing to inability fro n the effects of his 
wound, he relinquished this command in July, that 
year. Gen. Grant, however, refused to accept his 
resignation, and he was detailed, in December follow- 
ing, to court-;n irtial a id try the Surgeon General of 
the Army at Washington, where he remained until 
May, 1864, wh-'n he returned home. 

The Republican, or U lion, State Convention of 

1864 was held at Springfield, May 25, when Mr. 
Oglesby was nominated for the office of Governor, 
while other candidates before the Convention were 
Allen C. Fuller, of Boone, Jesse K. Dubois, of Sanga- 
mon, and John M. Palmer, of Macoupin. Wm. 
Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for Lieutenant 
Governor. On the Democratic State ticket were 
James C. Robinson, of ('lark, for Governor, and S. 
Corning Judd, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor. 
The general election gave Gen. Oglesby a majority 
of about 31,000 votes. The Republicans had also a 
majority in b.nh thi Legislature and in the repre- 
sentation in Congress. 

Gov. Oglesby was duly inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865. 
The day before the first time set for his installation 
death visited his lu ne at Decatur, and took from it 
his only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of six 
years, a great favorite of the bereaved parents. This 
caused the inauguration to be post|x>aed a week. 

The political events of the Legislative session of 

1865 were the election of ex-Gov. Yates to the 
United States Senate, and the ratification of the 13111 
amend. nent to the Constitutio.i of the United States, 
abolishing slavery. This session also signalized 
itself by repealing the 'v>torioa$ " black laws," part 
of which, although a dead letter, had held their place 
upon the statute books since 1819. Also, laws re- 
quiring the registration of voters, and establishing a 
State Board of Equalization, were passed by this Leg- 
islature. But the same body evinced that it was cor- 
ruptly influenced by a mercenary lobby, as it adopted 
some bad legislation, over the Governor's veto, nota- 
bly an amendment to a charter for a Chicago horse 
railway, granted in 1859 for 25 years, and now 
sought to be extended 99 years. As this measure 
was promptly passed ov*r his veto by both branches 
of the Legislature, he deemed it useless further to 
attempt to check their headlong career. At this 
session no law of a general useful character or public 
interest was perfected, unless we count such the 
turning over of the canal to Chicago to be deepened. 
The session of 1867 was still more productive of 
private and special acts. Many omnibus bills were 
ptoposed, and some passed. The contests over the 
location of the Industrial College, the Capital, the 

4. 



Southern Penitentiary, and the canal enlargement 
and Illinois River improvement, dominated every- 
thing else. 

During the year 1872, it became evident that if 
the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to the 
office of Governor, they could also elect him to the 
United States Senate, which they desired to do. 
Accordingly they re-nominated him for the Execu- 
tive chair, and placed upon the ticket with him for 
Lieutenant Governor, John L. Beveridge, of Cook 
County. On the other side the Democrats put into 
the field Gustavus Koerner for Governor and John 
C. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The election 
gave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from 
35>334 to 56,174, the Democratic defection being 
caused mainly by their having an old-time Whig and 
Abolitionist, Horace Greeley, on the national ticket 
for President. According to the general understand- 
ing had beforehand, as soon as the Legislature met 
it elected Gov. Oglesby to the United States Senate, 
whereupon Mr. Beveridge became Governor. Sena- 
tor Oglesby's term expired March 4, 1879, having 
served his party faithfully and exhibited an order of 
statesmanship beyond criticism. 

During the campaign of 1884 Mr. Oglesby was 
nominated for a "third term" as Executive of the 
State of Illinois, against Carter H. Harrison, Mayor 
of Chicago, nominated by the Democrats. Both 
gentlemen "stumped " the State, and while the peo- 
ple elected a Legislature which was a tie on a joint 
ballot, as between the two parties, they gave the 
jovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Gov- 
ernor, and he was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1885. The 
Legislature did not fully organize until this date, on 
account of its equal division between the two main 
parties and the consequent desperate tactics of each 
party to checkmate the latter in the organization of 
the House. 

Gov. Oglesby is a fine-appearing, affable man, with 
regular, well defined features and rotund face. In 
stature he is a little above medium height, of a large 
frame and somewhat fleshy. His physical appear- 
ance is striking and pre]x>ssessing, while his straight- 
out, not to say bluff, manner and speech are well 
calculated favorably to impress the average masses. 
Ardent in feeling and strongly committed to the pol- 
icies of his party, he intensifies Republicanism 
among Republicans, while at the same time his jovial 
and liberal manner prevents those of the opposite 
party from hating him. 

He is quite an effective stump orator. With vehe- 
ment, passionate and scornful tone and gestures, 
tremendous physical power, which in speaking he 
exercises to the utmost; with frequent descents to 
the grotesque; and with abundant homely compari- 
sons or frontier figures, expressed in the broadest 
vernacular and enforced with stentorian emphasis, 
he delights a promiscuous audience beyond measure. 






L 




f 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



167 k 





^^^ 

" 



'J O HN M, PA L HER 



^^ 






|:OHN Me AULEY PALMER, Gov- 
ernor 1869-72, was born on 
Engle Creek; Scott Co., Ky., 
Sept. 13, 1817. During his in- 
fancy, his father, who had been 
a soldier in the war of 1812, re- 
moved to Christian Co., Ky., 
where lands were cheap. Here 
the future Governor of the great 
Prairie State spent his childhood 
and received such meager school- 
ing as the new and sparsely set- 
tled country afforded. To this 
he added materially by diligent 
reading, for which he evinced an 
His father, an ardent Jackson man, 
was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiments, which 
he thoroughly impressed upon his children. In 1831 
he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison County. 
Here the labor of improving a farm was pursued for 
about two years, when the death of Mr. Palmer's 
mother broke up the family. About this time Alton 
College was opened, on the "manual labor " system, 
and in the spring of 1834 young Palmer, with his 
elder brother, Elihu, entered this school and remained 
18 months. Next, for over three years, he tried 
variously coopering, peddling and school-teaching. 

Duiing the summer of 1838 he formed the ac- 
quaintance of Stephen A. Douglas, then making his 



ea.ly aptitude. 



first canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and in 
political accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confi- 
dence, Sred his ambition and fixed his purpose. The 
following winter, while teaching near Canton, he be- 
gan to devote his spare time to a desultory reading 
of law, and in the spring entered a law office at Car- 
linville, making his home.- with his elder brother, 
Elihu. (The latter was a learned clergy man, of con- 
siderable orginality of thought and doctrine.) On 
the next meeting of the Supreme Court he was ad- 
mitted to the Bar, Douglas being one of his examiners. 
He was not immediately successful in his profession, 
and would have located elsewhere than Carlinville 
had he the requisite means. Thus his early poverty 
was a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributes 
the success of his life. 

From 1839 on, while he diligently pursued his 
profession, he participated more or less in local 
politics. In 1843 he became Probate Judge. In 
1847 he was elected to the State Constitutional Con- 
vention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 he 
was elected to the State Senate, and at the special 
session of February, 1854, true to the anti-slavery 
sentiments bred in him, he took a firm stand in op- 
position to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; 
and when the Nebraska question became a party 
issue he refused to receive a re-nomination for the 
Senatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuing 
a circular to that effect. A few weeks afterward, 




t 



168 



JOHN MC AULEY PALMER. 



however, hesitating to break with his party, he par- 
ticipated in a Congressional Convention which nomi- 
T. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and which 
unqualifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas- 
Nebraska act. But later in the campaign he made 
the plunge, ran for-the Senate as an Anti-Nebraska 
Democrat, and was elects 1. The following winter 
he put in nomination for the United States Senate 
Mr. Trumbiill, and was one of the five steadfast men 
who voted for him -until all the Whigs came to their 
support and elected their man. 

In 1856 he was Chairman of the Republican State 
Convention at Bloomington. He ran for Congress in 
1859, but was defeated, in 1860 he was Republican 
Presidential Elector for the State at large. In 1861 
he was appointed one of the five Delegates (all Re- 
publicans) sent by Illinois to the peace congress at 
Washington. 

When the civil conflict, broke out, he offered his 
services to his country, and was elected Colonel of the 
141)1 111. Vol. Inf., and participated in the engagements 
at Island No. 10; at Fanriington, where he skillfully 
extricated his command from a dangerous position ; 
at Stone River, where his division for several hours, 
Dec. 31, 1862, held the advance and stood like a 
rock, and for his gallantry there he was made Major 
General; at Chickamauga, where his and Van Cleve's 
divisions for two hours maintained their position 
when they were cut off by overpowering numbers 
Under Gen. Sherman, he was assigned to the 14th 
Army Corps and participated in the Atlanta campaign. 
At Peach-Tree Creek his prudence did much to avert 
disaster. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was as- 
signed to the military administration of Kentucky, 
which was a delicate post. That State was about 
half rebel and half Union, and those of the latter 
element were daily fretted by the loss of their slaves. 
He, who had been bred to the rules of common law, 
trembled at the contemplation of his extraordinary 
power over the persons and property of his fellow 
men, with which he was vested in his capacity as 
military Governor ; and he exhibited great caution in 
the execution of the duties of his post. 

Gen. Palmar was nominated for Governor of Illi- 
nois by the Republican State Convention which met 
at Peoria May 6, 1868, and his nomination would 
probably have been made by acclamation had he not 
persistently declared that he could not accept a can- 



didature for the office. The result of the ensuing 
election gave Mr. Palmer a majority of 44,707 over 
John R. Eden, the Democratic nominee. 

On the meeting of the Legislature in January, - 
1869, the first thing to arrest public attention was 
that portion of the Governor's message which took 
broad State's rights ground. This and some minor 
points, which were more in keeping with the Demo- 
cratic sentiment, constituted the e.itering wedge f >r 
the criticisms and reproofs he afterward received 
from the Republican party, and ultimately resulted 
in his entire aleniation from the latter element. The 
Legislature just referred to was noted for the intro- 
duction of numerous bills in the interest of private 
parties, which were embarrassing to the Governor. 
Among the public acts passed was that which limited 
railroad charges for passenger travel to a maximum 
of three cents per mile ; and it was passed over the 
Governor's veto. Also, they passed, over his yeto, 
the "tax-grabbing law" tc pay rmlror.i subscriptions, 
the Chicago Lake Front bill, etc. The riew State 
Constitution of 1870, far superior to the old, was a 
peaceful " revolution" which took place during Gov. 
Palmer's term of office. The suffering caused by the 
great Chicago Fire of October, 1871, was greatly 
alleviated by the prompt responses of his excellency. 

Since the expiration of Gov. Palmers 's term, he has 
been somewhat prominent in Illinois [wlitics, and 
has been talked of by many, especially in the Dem- 
ocratic party, as the best man in the State for a 
United States Senator. His business during life has 
been that of the law. Few excel him in an accurate 
appreciation of the depth and scope of its principles- 
The great number of his able veto messages abun- 
dantly testify not only this but also a rare capacity to 
point them out. He is a logical and cogent reasoner 
and an interesting, forcible and convincing speaker, 
though not fluent or ornate. Without brilliancy, his 
dealings are rather with facts and ideas than with 
appeals to passions and prejudices. He is a patriot 
and a statesman of very high order. Physically he is 
above the medium height, of robust frame, ruddy 
complexion and sanguine-nervous temperament He 
has a large cranial development, is vivacious, social 
in disposition, easy of approach, unostentatious in his 
habits of life, democratic in his habits and manners 
and is a true American in his fundamental principles 
of statesmanship. 



I" 

r , I 
( t c 'I.LINOIS 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



171 



."<''.< ''' '. 'i 'i ;.'<;;. '^.H^tg.' 





OHN LOWRiE' BEVER- 
IDGE, Governor 1 87 3-6, was 
born in the town of Green- 
wich, Washington Co., N. Y., 
July 6, 1824. His parents 
were George and Ann Bever- 
idge. His father's parents, An- 
drew and Isabel Beveridge, be- 
fore their marriage emigrated 
from Scotland just before the 
Revolutionary War, settling in 
Washington County. His father 
was the eldest of eight brothers, the 
youngest of whom was 60 years of 
age when the first one of the num- 
ber died. His mother's parents, 
Tames and Agnes Hoy, emigrated 
from Scotland at the close of the 
Revolutionary War, settling also in 
Washington Co., N. Y., with their 
first-born, whose " native land "was 
the wild ocean. His parents and 
grandparents lived beyond the time 
allotted to man, their average age 
being over 80 years. They belonged to the " Asso- 
ciate Church," a seceding Presbyterian body of 




America from the old Scotch school ; and so rigid 
was the training of young Beveridge that he never 
heard a sermon from any other minister except that 
of his own denomination until he was iu his ipth 
year. Later in life he became a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which relation he still 
holds. 

Mr. Beveridge received a good common-school ed- 
ucation, but his parents, who could obtain a livelihood 
only by rigid economy and industry, could not send 
him away to college. He was raised upon a farm, 
and was in his i8th year when the family removed 
to De Kalb County, this State, when that section was 
very sparsely settled. Chicago had less than 7,000 
inhabitants. In this wild West he continued as a 
farm laborer, teaching school during the winter 
months to supply the means of an education. In the 
fall of 1842 he attended one term at the academy at 
Granville, Putnam Co., 111., and subsequently several 
terms at the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris, 
Ogle Co., 111., completing the academic course. At 
this time, the fall of 1845, his parents and brothers 
were anxious to have him go to college, even though 
he had not money sufficient; but, njt willing to bur- 
den the family, he packed his trunk and with only 
$40 in money started South to seek his fortune. 




I 7 2 



JOHN' L. BEVERIDGE, 



Poor, alone, without friends and influence, he thus 
entered upon the battle of life. 

First, he taught school in Wilson, Overton and 
Jackson Cos., Tenn., in which experience he under- 
went considerable mental drill, both in book studies 
and in the ways of the world. He read law and was 
admitted to the Bar, in the South, but did not learn 
to love the institution of slavery, although he ad- 
mired many features of Southern character. In De- 
cember, 1847, he returned North, and Jan. 20, 1848, 
he married Miss Helen M. Judson, in the old Clark- 
Street M. E. church in Chicago, her father at that 
time being Pastor of the society there. In the spring 
of 1848 he returned with his wife to Tennessee, 
where his two children, Alia May and Philo Judson, 
were born. 

In the fall of 1849, through the mismanagement 
of an associate, he lost what little he had accumu- 
lated and was left in debt. He soon managed to 
earn means to pay his debts, returned to De Kalb 
Co., 111., and entered upon the practice of his pro- 
fession at Sycamore, the county seat. On arrival 
from the South he had but one-quarter of a dollar in 
money, and scanty clothing and bedding for himself 
and family. He borrowed a little money, practiced 
law, worked in public offices, kept books for some of 
the business men of the town, and some railroad en- 
gineering, till the spring of 1854, when he removed 
to Evanston, 12 miles north of Chicago, a place then 
but recently laid out, under the supervision of the 
Northwestern University, a Methodist institution. 
Of the latter his father-in-law was then financial 
agent and business manager. Here Mr. Beveridge 
prospered, and the next year (1855) opened a law 
office in Chicago, where he found the battle some- 
what hard; but he persevered with encouragement 
and increasing success. 

Aug. 12, 1 86 1, his law partner, Gen. John F. 
Farnsworth, secured authority to raise a regiment of 
cavalry, and authorized Mr. Beveridge to raise a 
company forit. He succeeded in a few days in rais- 
ing the company, of course enlisting himself along 
with it. The regiment rendezvoused at St. Charles, 
111., was mustered in Sept. 1 8, and on its organiza- 
tion Mr. B. was elected Second Major. It was at- 
tached, Oct. n, to the Eighth Cavalry and to the 
Army of the Potomac. He served with the regiment 
until November, 1863, participating in some 40 bat- 



tles and skirmishes : was at Fair Oaks, the seven days' 
fight around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- 
vine and Gettysburg. He commanded the regiment 
the greater part of the summer of 1863, and it was while 
lying in camp this year that he originated the policy 
of encouraging recruits as well as the fighting capac- 
ity of the soldiery, by the wholesale furlough system. 
It worked so well that many other officers adopted 
it. In the fall of this year he recruited another com- 
pany, against heavy odds, in January, 1864, was 
commissioned Colonel of the iyth 111. Cav., and 
skirmished around in Missouri, concluding with the 
reception of the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's 
army in Arkansas. In 1865 he commanded various 
sub-districts in the Southwest. He was mustered 
out Feb. 6, 1866, safe from the casualties of war and 
a stouter man than when he first enlisted. His men 
idolized him. 

He then returned to Chicago, to practice law, with 
no library and no clientage, and no political experi- 
ence except to help others into office. In the fall of 
1866 he was elected Sheriff of Cook County, serving 
one term; next, until November, 1870, he practiced 
law and closed up the unfinished business of his 
office. He was then elected State Senator; in No- 
vember, 1871, he was elected Congressman at large; 
in November, 1872, he was elected Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor on the ticket with Gov. Oglesby; the latter be- 
ing elected to the U. S. Senate, Mr. Beveridge became 
Governor, Jan. 21, 1873. Thus, inside of a few 
weeks, he was Congressman at large, Lieutenant 
Governor and Governor. The principal events oc- 
curring during Gov. Beveridge 's administration were: 
The completion of the revision of the statutes, begun 
in 1869; the partial success of th , "farmers' move- 
ment;" " Haines' Legislature " and Illinois' exhibit at 
the Centennial. 

Since the close of his gubernatorial term ex-Gov. 
Beveridge has been a member of the firm of Bever- 
idge & Dewey, bankers and dealers in commercial 
paper at 71 Dearborn Street (McCormick Block), 
Chicago, and since November, 1881, he has also been 
Assistant United States Treasurer : office in the 
Government Building. His residence is still at Ev- 
anston. 

He has a brother and two sisters yet residing in 
De Kalb County James H. Beveridge, Mrs. Jennet 
Henry and Mrs. Isabel French. 



iteft 
v-v,5f 



t. r , 




-i-** 



GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 








T M. CULLOM. 





HELBY M. CULLOM, Gover- 
nor 1877-83,13 the sixth child 
of the late Richard N. Cullom, 
and was born Nov. 22, 1829,111 
Wayne Co., Ky., where his fa- 
ther then resided, and whence 
both the Illinois and Tennessee 
branches of the family originated. In 
the following year the family emi- 
grated to the vicinity of Washington, 
Tazewell Co., 111., when that section 
was very sparsely settled. They lo- 
cated on Deer Creek, in a grove at 
the time occupied by a party of In- 
dians, attracted there by the. superior 
hunting and fishing afforded in that 
vicinity. The following winter was 
known as the " hard winter," the snow ^being very 
deep and lasting and the weather severely cold; and 
tiie family had to subsist mainly on boiled corn or 
hominy, and some wild game, for several weeks. In 
the course of time Mr. R. N. Cullom became a prom- 
inent citizen and was several times elected to the 
Legislature, both before and after the removal of the 
capital from Vandalia to Springfield. He died about 



Until about 19 years of age young Cullom grew up 
to agricultural pursuits, attending school as he had 
opportunity during the winter. Within this time, 
however, he spent several months teachino- school, 



and in the following summer he "broke prairie "with 
an ox team for the neighbors. With the money ob- 
tained by these various ventures, he. undertook a 
course of study at the Rock River Seminary, a 
Methodist institution at Mt. Mbrris, Ogle County; 
but the sudden change to the in-door life of a stu- 
dent told severely upon his health, and he was taken 
home, being considered in a hopeless condition. While 
at Mt. Morris he heard Hon. E. B. Washburne make 
his first speech. 

On recovering health, Mr. Cullom concluded to 
study law, under the instruction of Abraham Lincoln, 
at Springfield, who had by this time attained some 
notoriety as an able lawyer ; but the latter, being ab- 
sent from his office most of the time, advised Mr. 
Cullom to enter the office of Stuart & Edwards. 
After about a year of study there, however, his health 
failed again, and he was obliged to return once more 
to out-door life. Accordingly he bought hogs foi 
packing, for A. G. Tyng, in Peoria, and while he re- 
gained his health he gained in purse, netting $400 in 
a few weeks. Having been admitted to the Bar, he 
went to Springfield, where he was soon elected City 
Attorney, on the Anti-Nebraska ticket. 

In 1856 he ran on the Fillmore ticket as a Presi- 
dential Elector, and, although failing to be elected as 
such, he was at the same time elected a Representa- 
tive in the Legislature from Sangamon County, by a 
local coalition of the American and Republican par- 
ties. On the organization of the House, he received 
the vote of the Fillmore men for Speaker. Practicing 




i 176 



SHELB Y M. CULLOM. 



law until 1860, he was again elected to the Legisla- 
ture, as a Republican, while the county went Demo- 
cratic on the Presidential ticket. In January follow- 
ing he was elected Speaker, probably the youngest 
man who had ever presided over an Illinois Legis- 
lature. After the session of 1861, he was a candidate 
for the State Constitutional Convention called for 
that year, but was defeated, and thus escaped the 
disgrace of being connected with that abortive party 
scheme to revolutionize the State Government. In 
1862 he was a candidate for the State Senate, but 
was defeated. The same year, however, he was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln on a Government 
Commission, in company with Gov. Boutwell of 
Massachusetts and Cnarles A. Dana, since of the 
New York Sun, to investigate the affairs of the 
Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments at 
Cairo. He devoted several months to this duty. 

In 1864 he enteied upon a larger political field, 
being nominated as the Republican candidate for 
Congress from the Eighth (Springfield) District, in 
opposition to the incumbent, John T. Stuart, who had 
been elected in 1862 by about 1,500 majority over 
Leonard Swett, then of Bloomington, now of Chicago. 
The result was the election of Mr. Cullom in Novem- 
ber following by a majority of 1,785. In 1866 he 
was re-elected to Congress, over Dr. E. S. Fowler, by 
the magnificent majority of 4,103! In 1868 he was 
again a candidate, defeating the Hon. B. S. Edwards, 
another of his old preceptors, by 2,884 votes. 

During his first term in Congress he served on the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Expenditures in 
the Treasury Department; in his second term, on 
the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Territories ; 
and in his third term he succeeded Mr. Ashley, of 
Ohio, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He intro- 
duced a bill in the House, to aid in the execution of 
law in Utah, which caused more consternation among 
the Mormons than any measure had previously, but 
which, though it passed the House, failed to pass the 
Senate. 

The Republican Convention which met May 25, 
1876, nominated Mr. Cullom for Governor, while the 
other contestant was Gov. Beveridge. For Lieuten- 
ant-Governor they nominated Andrew Shuman, editor 
of the Chicago Journal. For the same offices the 
Democrats, combining with the Anti-Monopolists, 
ulaced in nomination Lewis Steward, a wealthy 



farmer and manufacturer, and A. A. Glenn. The 
result of the election was rather close, Mr. Cullom 
obtaining only 6,800 majority. He was inaugurated 
Jan. 8, 1877. 

Great depression prevailed in financial circles at 
this time, as a consequence of the heavy failures of 
1873 and afterward, the effect of which had seemed 
to gather force from that time to the end of Gov. 
Cullom's first administration. This unspeculative 
period was not calculated to call forth any new 
issues, but the Governor's energies were at one time 
put to task to quell a spirit of insubordination that 
had been begun in Pittsburg, Pa., among the laboring 
classes, and transferred to Illinois at Chicago, East 
St. Louis and Braidwood, at which places laboring 
men for a short time refused to work or allow others 
to work. These disturbances were soon quelled and 
the wheels of industry again set in motion. 

In May, 1880, Gov. Cullom was re-nominated by 
the Republicans, against Lyman Trumbull, by the 
Democrats; and although the former party was some- 
what handicapped in the campaign by a zealous 
faction opposed to Grant for President and to Grant 
men for office generally, Mr. Cullom was re-elected 
by about 314,565, to 277,532 for the Democratic State 
ticket. The Greenback vote at the same time was 
about 27,000. Both Houses of the Legislature again 
became Republican, and no representative of the 
Greenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov. 
Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, iS8i. In his mes- 
sage he announced that the last dollar of the State 
debt had been provided for. 

March 4, 1883, the term of David Davis as United 
States Senator from Illinois expired, and Gov. Cul- 
lom was chosen to succeed him. This promoted 
Lieutenant-Governor John M. Hamilton to the Gov- 
ernorship. Senator Cullom's term in the United 
States Senate will expire March 4, 1889. 

As a practitioner of law Mr. C. has been a member 
of the firm of Cullom, Scholes & Mather, at Spring- 
field ; and he has also been President of the State 
National Bank. 

He has been married twice, the first time Dec. 
12, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he had 
two daughters ; and the second time May 5, 1863, 
to Julia Fisher. Mrs. C is a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, with which religious body Mr. 
C. is also in sympathy. 









LIBRARY 

r THE 
f r "-UNOIS 



GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 



'79 t J 




*JHt+&&ait+m&ms*m+9j&*^^ 





!-'. * its 

;;^j^ 





OHN MARSHALL HAMIL- 
TON, Governor 1883-5, was 
born May 28, 1847, in a log 
house upon a farm about two 
miles from Richwood, Union 
County, Ohio. His father was 
Samuel Hamilton, the eldest son 



of- Rev. VVm. Hamilton, who, to- 
gether with his brother, the Rev. 
Samuel Hamilton, was among the 
early pioneer Methodist preachers in 
Ohio. The mother of the subject of 
this sketch was, before her marriage, 
Mrs. Nancy McMorris, who was 
born and raised in Fauquier or Lou- 
doun County, Va., and related to the 
two large families of Youngs and Marshalls, well 
known in that commonwealth ; and from the latter 
family name was derived the middle name of Gov. 
Hamilton. 

In March, 1854, Mr. Hamilton's father sold out 
his little pioneer forest home in Union County, O., 
and, loading his few household effects and family 
(of six children) into two emigrant covered wagons, 
moved to Roberts Township, Marshall Co., 111., being 
2 1 days on the route. Swamps, unbridged streams 
and innumerable hardships and privations met them 
on their way. Their new home had been previously 
selected by the father. Here, after many long years 
of toil, they succeeded in paying for the land and 
making a comforta'^-" home. John was, of course, 



brought up to hard manual labor, with no schooling 
except three or four months in the year at a common 
country school. However, he evinced a capacity 
and taste for a high order of self-education, by 
studying or reading what books he could borrow, as 
the family had but very few in the house. Much of 
his study he prosecuted by the light of a log fire in 
the old-fashioned chimney place. The financial 
panic of 1857 caused the family to come near losing 
their home, to pay debts ; but the father and two 
sons, William and John, "buckled to"' and perse- 
vered in hard labor and economy until they redeemed 
their place from the mortgage. 

When the tremendous excitement of the political 
campaign of 1860 reached the neighborhood of Rob- 
erts Township, young Hamilton, who had been 
brought up in the doctrine of anti-slavery, took a zeal- 
ous part in favor of Lincoln's election. Making special 
efforts to procure a little money to buy a uniform, he 
joined a company of Lincoln Wide-Awakes at Mag- 
nolia, a village not far away. Directly after the 
ensuing election it became evident that trouble 
would ensue with the South, and this Wide-Awake 
company, like many others throughout the country, 
kept up its organization and transformed itself into a 
military company. During the ensuing summer they 
met often for drill and became proficient; but when 
they offered themselves for the war, young Hamilton 
was rejected on account of his youth, he being then 
but 14 years of age. During the winter of 1863-4 he 
attended an academy at Henry, Marshall County ; 



i8o 



JOHN MARSHALL HAMILTON. 



and in the following May he again enlisted, for the 
fourth time, when he was placed in the 14151 111. 
Vol. Inf., a regiment then being raised at Elgin, 111., 
for the loo-day service. He took with him 13 other 
lads from his neighborhood, for enlistment in the 
service. This regiment operated in Southwestern 
Kentucky, for about five months, under Gen. Paine. 

The following winter, 1864-5, Mr. Hamilton taught 
school, and during the two college years 1865-7, he 
went through three years of the curriculum of the 
Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. The 
third year he graduated, the fourth in a class of 46, 
in the classical department. In due time he received 
the degree of M. A. For a few months he was the 
Principal of Marshall " College " at Henry, an acad- 
emy under the auspices of the M. E. Church. By 
this time he had commenced the study of law, and 
after earning some money as a temporary Professor 
of Latin at the Illinois Wesleyau University at 
Bloomington, he entered the law office of Weldon, 
Tipton & Benjamin, of that city. Each member of 
this firm has since been distinguished as a Judge. 
Admitted to the Bar in May, 1870, Mr. Hamilton 
was given an interest in the same firm, Tipton hav- 
ing been elected Judge. In October following he 
formed a partnership with J. H. Rowell, at that time 
Prosecuting Attorney. Their business was then 
small, but they increased it to very large proportions, 
practicing in all grades of courts, including even the 
U. S. Supreme Court, and this partnership continued 
unbroken until Feb. 6, 1883, when Mr. Hamilton 
was sworn in as Executive of Illinois. On the 4th 
of March following Mr. Rowell took his seat in Con- 
gress. 

'In July, 1871, Mr. Hamilton married Miss Helen 
M. Williams, the daughter of Prof. Win. G, Williams, 
Professor of Greek in the Ohio Wesleyan University. 
Mr. and Mrs. H. have two daughters and one son. 

In 1876 Mr. Hamilton was nominated by the Re- 
publicans for the State Senate, over other and older 
competitors. He took an active part " on the stump " 
in the campaign, for the success of his party, and was 
elected by a majority of 1,640 over his Democratic- 
Greenback opponent. In the Senate he served on 
the Committees on Judiciary, Revenue, State Insti- 
tutions, Appropriations, Education, and on Miscel- 
lany ; and during the contest for the election of a 
U. S. Senator, the Republicans endeavoring to re- 







elect John A. Logan, he voted for the war chief on 
every ballot, even alone when all the other Republi- 
cans had gone over to the Hon. E. B. Lawrence and 
the Democrats and Independents elected Judge 
David Davis. At this session, also, was passed the 
first Board of Health and Medical Practice act, of 
which Mr. Hamilton was a champion, aga'.r:'" . . 
much opposition that the bill was seveial times 
" laid on the table." Also, this session authorized 
the location and establishment of a southern pel 
tentiary, which was fixed at Chester. In the session 
of 1879 Mr. Hamilton was elected President pro tern. 
of the Senate, and was a zealous supporter of John 
A. Logan for the U. S. Senate, who wa?. this time 
elected without any trouble. 

In May, 1880, Mr. Hamilton was nominated on 
the Republican ticket for Lieutenant Governor, his 
principal competitors before the Convention being 
Hon. Win. A. James, ex-Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Judge Robert Bell, of Wabash 
County, Hon. T. T. Fountain, of Perry County, and 
Hon. M. M. Saddler, of Marion County. He engaged 
actively in the campaign, and his ticket was elected 
by a majority of 41,200. As Lieutenant Governor, 
he presided almost continuously over the Senate in 
the 32d General Assembly and during the early days 
of the 33d, until he succeeded to the Governorship. 
When the Legislature of 1883 elected Gov. Cullom 
to the United States Senate, Lieut. Gov. Hamilton 
succeeded him, under the Constitution, taking the 
oath of office Feb. 6, 1883. He bravely met all the 
annoyances and embarrassments incidental upon 
taking up another's administration. The principal 
events with which Gov. Hamilton was connected as 
the Chief Executive of the State were, the mine dis- 
aster at Braidwood, the riots in St. Clairand Madison 
Counties in May, 1883, the appropriations for the 
State militia, the adoption of the Harper high-license 
liquor law, the veto of a dangerous railroad bill, etc. 

The Governor was a Delegate at large to the 
National Republican Convention at Chicago in June, 

1884, where his first choice for President was Toh:i 
A. Logan, and second choice Chester A. Arthur; but 
he afterward zealously worked for the election of Mr. 
Blaine, true to his party. 

Mr. Hamilton's term a.f Governor expired Ja;:. 30, 

1885, when the great favorite " Dick " Oglesby was 
inaugurated. 







"iO/te^ 




4 




J 







f 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



~ 






INTRODUCTORY 







-* 




IIAMPAIGN COUNTY has 
an exceptionally interesting 
history. We have not, how- 
ever, proposed to place this 
on record, yet a few lines re- 
garding its location, advan- 
tages, and the wonderful 
transformation made from the wilder- 
ness of forty years ago, will not, we 
deem, be inappropriate. While there 
is no county in the State that possesses 
all the advantages of an Acadin, yet 
Champaign County may be credited 
with coming as near 1o this as any one 
of them. Jts geographical location is 
very favorable, being only 128 miles south of Chi- 
cago, 160 norttrwesFof St. Louis, 106 west of In- 
dianapolis, and ninety miles east of Peoria. This 
happy location gives it ready access by vail to the 
cities named, and enables it to secure the benefits of 
favorable markets. In area, Champaign County is 
among the largest in the State, and for the value of 
its products, it is excelled by few. It is exceed- 
ingly well laid out, being an oblong square, thirty-six 
miles north and south and twenty-eight miles east 
and west, and having an acreage of 645,120, with a 
population in round numbers of about 42,000. This 
entire area is under good cultivation, having good 
roads, elegant farms, fine houses and excellent 
schools. 

The county is traversed by four different lines of 



railroads, giving it ample transportation facilities. 
Its topography is very favorable. The land forms 
a watershed which carries the water off in every 
direction. One of the highest points between Chi- 
cago and Cairo is at Ludlow. The drainage is 
good, and there are very few sloughs now in the 
county. The soil is a rich, black vegetable loam, 
varying from one to two feet in depth, and very 
productive. The county is covered mostly with 
undulating prairies with occasional groves, and 
some slightly broken lands. It is well watered by 
numerous streams. Underlying the surface are ex- 
tensive coal beds which afford a ready and cheap 
article of fuel. The climate is of the medium tem- 
perature, which makes it very desirable as a place of 
residence, and very favorable to agricultural inter- 
ests as well as stock-raising. 

Though settlers came into the county at a very 
early date, the commencement of its rapid growth 
may be dated from the construction of the Illinois 
Central Railroad in 1854-55. This was the turning 
point in the history of the county. The settlements 
at first were confined to groves and timber belts, 
and the cabins were built of logs. The first white 
men to come into the county, as far as is known, 
were the United States surveyors, who divided the 
county into townships. This was in the summer of 
1 H2 1 . Prior to this, it is supposed, there were hunters 
and trappers here, but they left no name or sign 
behind them of their coming or going. The first 
settler or squatter, was Runnel Fielder, who came in 



j 

I 



186 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



1822, and located in the northeast corner of section 
11, Urbana Township. Fielder, however, made no 
entry of land until 1828, which was on section 12, 
Urbana Township. This pioneer has also the credit 
of planting the first orchard in the county. Per- 
manent settlement was not begun until the year 
1828. 

Champaign, like all new counties in this State, 
until brought under cultivation, was the home and 
nursery of malarial diseases. They were a great 
hindrance to the settlement of the count}'. Some- 
times there were not well persons enough in a 
neighborhood to take care of the sick. Physicians 
were few, or entirely wanting. 

The first school-house was built in 1832, near Ur- 
bana. Not long before this was the first school 
taught. The county was organized from lands at- 
tached to Vermilion County by an act of the Legis- 
lature, approved Feb. 28, 1833. The first meeting 
of the County Commissioners was held in May fol- 
lowing. Commissioners from Clark, Coles and 
Edgar Counties were appointed to locate the 
county seat. Urbana received this honor, though 
there were other places contesting. The only post- 
office in the county at that time was on the farm of 
Mathias Rhinehart, and was named Van Bnren, after 
Martin Van Buren, who was then occupying the 
position of Vice President of the United States. 
As soon as the county seat was determined upon, 
settlers began to gather in. They located at first 
on the south side of the grove. Stores and shops 
were soon started, and roads opened to the differ- 
ent parts of the county. The Van Buren post-office 
was moved to Urbana and its name perished. The 
population of the county at that time was about 
800. In 1835 it had increased to 1,250, and in 1850 
to 2,649, not quite 100 a year. 

From the advent of the railroads, Champaign 
County has bad a steady and healthy growth. 



until now she is one of the foremost counties in the 
State. The principal city is Champaign, which is a 
very active business place, and an attractive place 
of residence. Urbana is the county seat ;uid the 
next in population. Homer. Itantoul, Tolono and 
Mahomet are also thriving little cities. There are 
several prosperous villages, among which arc St. 
Joseph and Philo. 

Champaign County is the seat of one of the great 
educational institutions of Illinois, the State Uni- 
versity. It has an attractive and healthy location 
on high grounds, between Champaign and Urbana. 
The domain occupied by this University embraces 
about 625 acres. There are several buildings con- 
nected with this institution, all of which are well 
built, commodious and attractive. In addition to 
agriculture, horticulture, practical mechanics and 
engineering, the curriculum embraces a full Kn- 
glish and a classic course. Great pains have been 
taken by the State in selecting the best professors 
and educators for this University, in all its depart- 
ments, and thoroughness in all branches of study is 
its distinguishing feature. 

The public schools the county has endeavored 
to make first-class. Some of the city school 
buildings are elegant, and all are substantial, num- 
bering within the borders of the county about 245. 

In the growth and development of her vast re- 
sources, in her agriculture and stock-raising, in all 
the departments of labor in which busy man is en- 
gaged ; in her churches and schools, in civilization 
and culture, Champaign County has taken a front 
rank. Well ma}' her people be proud of their prod- 
uct; well may her pioneers turn with pride to their 
achievements. Within a half century a wilderness 
has been subdued and converted into beautiful 
farms and thriving, populous cities, and a com- 
munity established commanding the admiration of 
the country. 







L --Y 
OF THE 
r - . 



~( CF ILLINOIS 



4*- 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



189 t , 





HE portrait upon the oppo- 
site page is that of one of 
the best known and most 
highly esteemed men in 
Champaign Count)', Mark 
Carley. He was one of 
the early benefactors of its 
capital city, and has probably 
done more than any other one 
man in bringing it to its present 
prosperous^ condition. He has 
spent very much time and money 
upon improvements for the gen- 
eral good, and on every hand may 
be seen the silent evidences of the 
work which he inaugurated in this 
locality nearly thirty-five years 
ago. Our subject was born in Hancock, Hillsboro 
Co., N. II., Aug. 24, 1799. With the history of his 
ancestors prior to his grandfather he is not familiar, 
further than that he knows they were of English 
extraction. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Car- 
ley, was born in Massachusetts, Feb. 17, 1718, and 
in early manhood married Miss Sallie Washburu, 
who was born Sept. 1, 1729. This lady was con- 
nected with the numerous family of Washburns, 
who have since filled so large a space in .State and 
National affairs of this country. The father of 
Mark Carley was Elijah, the youngest of his par- 
ents' family, and who was born in Massachusetts, 
May 21, 1771. The mother of our subject, for- 
merly Miss Agnes Graham, was born in New 
Hampshire, July 18, 1772. The elder brothers of 



Elijah Carley served in the Revolutionary War, 
and one of them left a soldier's discharge signed by 
the hand of Washington himself. As may be sup- 
posed, this document is carefully preserved as an 
invaluable relic. Elijah Carley, Sr., and one of his 
eldest sons, served in the War of 1812. Two years 
prior to -this, however, the former removed from 
New Hampshire to Vermont with his family. 

In the year 1815 young Mark commenced to 
learn the trade of a house carpenter aiid millwright, 
at which he served an apprenticeship of four years, 
and subsequently followed milling and the gin busi- 
ness in Louisiana for seventeen years, and until 
he was thirty-five years old. In 1835 he removed 
to Clermont County, Ohio, where he purchased 300 
acres of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits 
He subsequently added to his first possessions and 
remained a resident of the Buckeye State until 
1853, in the meantime having visited California. 
After his return from the Pacific Slope he decided 
to make his home further westward, and coming 
to this county located first at Urbana, whence he 
removed to Champaign. Soon afterward he put 
up a dwelling on State street, and erected the first 
grain warehouse in the city, placing within it the 
first steam engine which operated a corn-sheller. 

In 1857 Mr. Carley purchased lots in Tolono, 
and there also built the first warehouse, and put in 
the first steam engine and side track for cars. He 
encouraged the settling up of Champaign by every 
means within his power, such as erecting, building 
and buying city property, and disposing of it at a 
reasonable figure to those who desired to become citi- 






,1 , 100 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



zens. His fine business abilities, in connection with 
his genial disposition and courteous manners to all, 
have secured for him scores of life-long friends, who 
esteem him as much as the}' are grateful to him for 
what he has done for them personally, and for what 
he has done for the community in general. He has 
now arrived at fourscore years and eight, with all 
his faculties in fine preservation, and retains the 
same love of sociabilit}' vhich characterized his 
younger years. He has contributed liberally to all 
worthy enterprises, giving of his time, means and 
influence to the support of every project calculated 
to increase the welfare and prosperity of Champaign 
County. 

Mark Carley was united in marriage with Miss 
Abigail W. Stevens, of Springfield, Vt., April 27, 
1830. Of this union there were born eleven chil- 
dren, only three of whom are now living, and are 
residents of Champaign. Mrs. Carle}- departed this 
life in the latter city, Nov. 12, 1871. She was a 
lady of much force of character, highly esteemed, 
and well worthy to be the companion of such a 
man as Mark Carley. 

Mr. Carley, during his earlier years, was a Clay 
Whig, and a Fremont and Lincoln Republican, but 
later has voted independently, giving his support to 
the men whom he believed best qualified for office. 
In this, as in all other duties of life, he has brought 
his conscience to bear, and has little to regret dur- 
ing the course of a remarkably long and worthy 
life. 



LLISON LOWMAN. This prosperous 
and enterprising farmer of Scott Town- 
ship came to this vicinity in the winter of 
1883, and has lived here since that time. 
His homestead, which is pleasantly located on section 
1 4, consists of eighty acres of good land with first- 
class improvements, where he has operated success- 
fully, and by his upright course as a business man 
and industry as a farmer, has gained for himself a 
good position socially and financially, and is es- 
teemed a valued factor of society. 

The parents of our subject, John and Mary (Alli- 
son) Lowman, were born, reared and married in 




Indiana County, Pa., where the father died about 
1881. The mother still survives, and continues to 
live in the Keystone State. The parental family 
included seven children, of whom Allison of our 
sketch was the oldest. He was born in the same 

Q 

county as his parents, on the 28th of October, 1837. 
He remained under the home roof until twenty- 
one years of age, and was soon afterward married, 
locating on his father's farm, where he remained un- 
til 18G2. In July of that year, the Civil War be- 
ing then in progress, he became a member of the 
1 1 th Pennsylvania Infantry, and served faithfully 
as a soldier until the preservation of the Union was 
fully assured. He was mustered out of the service 
at Harrisburg, Pa., and returning to his native coun- 
ty, resumed the peaceful vocation of a farmer's life 
on the old homestead, where he continued until 
starting for the West. 

The marriage of Allison Lowman with Miss 
Sarah Lytle was celebrated in Indiana County, Pa., . 
Dec. 18, 1858. Mrs. L. is the daughter of John 
and Mary (Robinson) Lytlc, both natives of Penn- 
sylvania. They located in Indiana County after 
their marriage, became the parents of thirteen 
children, and there passed the remainder of their 
days. Mrs. L. was born in that county on the 1st 
of Ma}', 1838. The children of our subject and 
his wife, eight in number, areas follows: Inez J., 
Alice M., Belle A., Elizabeth E., John L., Mary A., 
Samuel L. and Cora. Inez J. became the wife of 
"Chalmers Stitt, a farmer of Scott Township; Alice 
died in Indiana County, Pa., when but nine years 
old, while on a visit to her grandfather; Belle is 
the wife of Joseph Mullikin, and resides in Scott 
Township. Mr. Lowman has held the offices of 
Road Commisioner, School Director and Constable. 
Socially he is a member of Champaign Post No. 
140, G. A. It. Politically, he is a true blue Re- 
publican, and with his excellent wife a member in 
good standing of the Methodist Church. 

In March, 1869, after Mr. L. became a resident 
of Scott Township, and was living three-fourths of 
a mile south of Bondville, on a small tract of land 
where he had erected a new house, and which he 
had occupied but five days, about eleven o'clock at 
night a terrific storm of wind and rain burst upon 
them and the entire house with its contents was 

I 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



191 , , 



blown to the four winds. Mr. and Mr3. Lowmau 
with their three children were landed in the garden 
without serious injury, but as may be supposed, 
badly frightened. Mr. L., clad in only a shirt and 
overcoat, set out on horseback to find a shelter for 
his f ami 13', but the night was so dark that he became 
bewildered on the prairie and lost his wa3". lie 
finall3' gave the reins to his faithful horse, which 
carried him all right to the residence of a Mr. Fos- 
ter, who returned with him and assisted in the 
search for the wife and children. They twice 
passed the place where the house had stood before 
they could locate it, on account of the darkness. 
They finally found the stable where he had placed 
his family for shelter, and it was four o'clock in 
the morning before he had them . comfortably 
housed in the dwelling of Mr. Foster. 




R. SHAWHAN, County Superintendent 
Schools, is located at Urbana, of which 
he became a resident in 1882. He is a 
graduate of the Illinois University, and has been a 
teacher of long experience and more than ordinary 
abilitj'. He was called to the duties of his present 
position in 1881, and has acquitted himself with 
credit and satisfaction to all concerned. He was 
born in Rush County, Ind., March 20, 1844, and is 
the sou of William M. and Nancy (Redmond) 
Shawhan, who were both natives of Harrison Coun- 
ty, Ivy. The grandfather of our subject, John Shaw- 
han, married Miss McCune, of Kentucky, of which 
State he was also a native, and afterward engaged in 
milling on the Licking River. Their son, William 
M.. was born in 1803, received a practical education, 
and was associated with his father in the mill until 
1836. He then removed to Indiana, purchasing 300 
acres of land in Rush County, which he occupied for 
twenty years, and then sold, to become a resident 
of this county. Here he purchased 320 acres of 
land in Ra3*mond Township, together with 100 acres 
for his sons. He remained on this farm until his 
death, which took place while he was attending 
divine service at the Christian Church at Sidney, 
on the 2d of May, 1875. At the close of the serv- 



ice he droped dead, of heart disease as it is sup- 
posed. He had been a member of this religious 
organization since a young man, and later was elect- 
ed an Elder, in which capacit3' he served for many 
years. He was a man of large benevolence, and be- 
sides contributing money to the erection of the 
church building near his Indiana home, donated 
the land upon which it stood and also the sites for 
the academj" and district school-houses. He always 
took an active interest in the establishment of 
schools and churches throughout the county, and 
was School Treasurer of Raymond Township for a 
period of twelve years. Prior to the election of 
1846, he was Democratic in politics, and cast his 
last vote that 3"car, for which purpose he rode on 
horseback twelve miles to deposit his ballot in favor 
of the Free School law of Indiana. He assisted in 
the establishment of Butler University at Irvington, 
near Indianapolis, and kept up a scholarship for 
many years. During his residence in Kentucky 
he was a Captain in the State Militia. His family 
included ten children, of whom seven are now liv- 
ing, and the record is as follows: Charles is farm- 
ing in Nebraska, and Daniel in Indiana; Joseph, a 
resident of Kentucky, is employed as a traveling 
salesman; Margaret, Mrs. Higginbotham, is a resi- 
dent of Champaign; G. R., of our sketch, is the 
next eldest; James is farming in Champaign Coun- 
ty, and William is Postmaster in Nebraska. 

The subject of this biography spent his childhood 
and youth on the farm, receiving a good common- 
school education, and when seventeen years of age, 
commenced teaching. He was thus occupied mostly 
during the winter seasons for ten years following. 
He entered upon a course of study in the Illinois 
State University in 1871, and after graduating, re- 
sumed his labors as a teacher in Mansfield, Piatt 
County, having charge of a graded school which he 
conducted for two years. He then came to this 
.county, and was made Principal of the Homer 
graded school, which included five departments, 
and of which he had charge for a period of four 
and one-half years. In December, 1881, he was ap- 
pointed County Superintendent to fill a vacancy, 
elected in 1882 and re-elected in 1886. 

Prof. Shawhan was united in marriage with Miss 
Vista Brown in the spring of 1867. Mrs. Shavvhan 






192 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



is a native of Roscoe. Ohio, and the daughter of 
Samuel W. and Catherine (Potter) Brown, natives 
respectively of Marblehead, Mass., and Pennsylva- 
nia. The early representatives of the Potter family 
in this country were descendants of a brother of 
(leu. Joseph Wai-rcMi, of Bunker Hill fame, and by 
intermarriage, from Gov. Gage, of Boston. Of this 
marriage there have been born four children; two 
are living Gertrude and William VV. Prof. Sliaw- 
hau is Republican in politics, and with his excellent 
wife, a member in good standing of the Christian 
Church. Socially he belongs to the Masonic fra- 
ternity, and is a Good Templar. The family resi- 
dence is pleasantly located, and is the resort of the 
cultured and intelligent people of Urbana. 



1 



V RRISON SHREVE, one of the oldest and 
most honored pioneers of St. Joseph Town- 
ship, is a native of the Buckeye State, born in 
Brown County, Dec. 2, 1811, and is now fast ad- 
vancing to fourscore years. He came to this 
county with his family in the spring of 1853, and 
has consequently been a witness of the remarkable . 
changes which have occurred during a period of 
over thirty years. The scenes which he has wit- 
nessed and the experiences through which he has 
passed have probably brought to his mind many 
times the m:ixiin that "truth is stranger thin fic- 
tion." He came to Illinois when it was compara- 
tively young in years, and when he himself was 
strong and in the pride of his manhood, and he has 
witnessed with a feeling of gratification, the devel- 
opment of the State, which has now become one of 
the principal commonwealths in the West. 

The first representatives of the Shreve family in 
this country emigrated from Amsterdam, making 
their first settlement in Pennsylvania, a branch of 
the family settling in Mason County, Ky., in the 
early settlement of that region. In that locality, 
too, was born Caleb Shreve, the father of our sub- 
ject, whose marriage is recorded as having taken 
place in about 1799, in Mason County. Five years 
later, in 1804, he removed with his family to Ohio, 
and locating in Brown Count} 7 , continued a resident 
there until the spring of. 1834, whence he removed 



to Fountain County, lud., and from there in the 
spring of 1835 to this county. He purchased land 
in Sidney Township, upon which he settled, but 
only lived until the September following. The 
mother of our subject, before her marriage, was 
Miss Anna Slack, who was born near the city of 
Baltimore, Md., and was the daughter of John 
Slack, Esq.. who was also a native of that locality. 
By her marriage with Caleb Shreve she became the 
mother of twelve children, six sons and six daugh- 
ters, who all lived to mature years, married and 
reared families of their own. Caleb Shreve had 
served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and our 
subject still has in his possession the land warrant 
which was issued in payment of his services. 

Orrison Shreve passed his boyhood and youth iu 
Brown County, Ohio, and after repairing to Ripley 
learned the tanner's trade, which he followed in 
his native State for eleven years. When twenty- 
three years old he was married, Aug. 14, 1834, to 
Miss Eleanor Hamilton, a native of his own county, 
and the daughter of Robert and Nancy Hamilton. 
Our subject, resolving then to change his occupa- 
tion, located on a farm in Brown County, where he 
remained until fall, in 1853, and then began mak- 
ing preparations for a removal to the Prairie State. 
After reaching this county he located in St. Joseph 
Township near the Sidney line, where for several 
years he farmed on rented land, and met with good 
success. In 1871 he became a resident of the 
town of St. Joseph, and for thirteen years had 
charge of a water tank of the I., B. & W. R. R. 
Later he retired from active labor, and is passing 
the sunset of life in peace and quiet in St. Joseph. 

Mr. S. has been twice married. She who was 
the first companion, and whom he married in his 
native State, became the mother of eight children, 
namely: Joseph H., Robert N. ; Nancy A., now de- 
ceased; William O., a merchant of St. Joseph; 
Mary E., Amanda J., Joshua E. and Ely F. The lat- 
ler served as a soldier in the late war and was 
killed at the battle of Murfreesboro. Of these 
children, five died of cholera. The second wife of 
Mr. S. was formerly Miss Rebecca Hayden, our 
subject being her third husband. Of her former 
marriages there were born five children, and by her 
union with Mr. Shrevi- five children were born. ' 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



193 i 




Mr. S. became a member of the Methodist Episco- 
iml Church in 1834, with which he IIMS since been 
connected, and strives to perform his duties faith- 
fully. His wife is ;i member of the same church 
and attends quite regularly at St. .Joseph. 



AVID B. STAYTON, Ju., senior member 
of the linn of Stay ton A- Son, dealers in 
general merchandise, is numbered among 
the representative business men of St. .Jo- 
seph, among whose people he has grown up and 
among whom he was born on his father's old home- 
stead in St. Joseph Township, Dec. 2, 1862. Our 
subject is the sou of David B. and Sarah ( Hartley) 
Stayton, who are numbered among the oldest and 
mo:4 highly respected residents of St. Joseph Town- 
ship. The father, a native of Mason County, Ivy., 
was reared to farming pursuits, and at an early pe- 
riod in life became skilled in its various duties, also 
receiving fair advantages educationally. By the 
assistance of his worthy and intelligent wife he be- 
came an important factor in the business and ag- 
ricultural community, establishing a good home- 
stead and rearing a fine family of sons and daugh- 
ters. 

. The subject of this sketch took kindly to the ex- 
cellent parental training which he received at home, 
and has continually improved his mind bv the pe- 
rusal of books and the various periodicals of the 
day, which have kept him well posted upon the 
affairs of the world in general." He remained a 
member of his father's household until the spring 
of 1881, and was then united in marriage with Miss 
Lydia Bird/ell, of this county. Mrs. S. is the 
youngest daughter of John and Catherine Birdzell, 
who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The 
former was born in 1828, and died in March, 1884. 
His wife was born in 1832. Mrs. S. was born Nov. 
6, 1864, and reared on the farm by her parents, 
receiving a fair education. Of her marriage with 
our subject there have been born three bright 
daughters, named respectively Maude, Lettie and 
Oral Anna. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. S. located in 
St. Joseph Township, where they continued until 



July, 1884. Mr. S. then formed a partnership with 
William II. Swearingen, and they embarked in the 
grocery business. At the end of six months Mr. 
Swearingen disposed of his interests to D. B. Stay- 
ton, Sr., the father of our subject. The firm is a 
strong one, and carries a full stock of dry-goods, 
groceries -and notions, and has an extensive and 
constantly increasing trade. Their straightforward 
methods of doing business and promptness in meet- 
ing their obligations have commended them to the 
respect of the people in that section, by whom they 
are generously patronized and whose confidence 
they enjoy in a more than ordinary degree. 



<* MLLIAM WHITE, of St. Joseph Township, 
\f\/// has distinguished himself as one of the 
^7\y most energetic and successful farmers and 
stock-raisers of that region, where he is the owner 
of 300 acres of valuable land, a commodious and 
substantial residence, good barns and out-buildings, 
and everything required by the progressive and in- 
telligent agriculturist. The dwelling stands upon a 
gentle elevation, and commands a fine view of the 
surrounding country. The eye of the passer-by is 
invariably attracted to the neatness and good order 
of the entire premises, and the spirit of thrift which 
is one of its prevailing elements. 

The master spirit which has presided over the 
homestead which we have described, was first intro- 
duced to the responsibilities of life in Greenbrier 
County, W. Va., on the 3d of June, 1832. His 
parents, David and Elizabeth (Reynolds) White, 
were also natives of the Old Dominion, where they 
were married and remained until removing to Ross 
County, Ohio, where the death of both parents took 
place, the father dying in 1847, and the mother in 
1860. They reared a family of eight children, 
four sons and four daughters, who, with one excep- 
tion, were all married, and all but two remained 
residents of the Buckeye State. One brother is a 
resident of this count}', another was accidentally 
killed by a mowing-machine in Ohio. 

The subject of this sketch, who was the third 
child and son of his parents, spent his earliest years 
in his native State, but completed his education in 
the district schools of Ross County, Ohio. lie was 



t. 

f 



194 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



but sixteen years old when his father died, and re- 
mained with his mother three years afterward, then 
began life on his own account. b_y laboring on a 
farm at #1;") per month for three months. He was 
afterward proffered larger wages from another 
party, whieli he accepted, and remained in that 
vicinity until the fall of 186(J. His attention was 
then attracted by the reports coming from the rap- 
idly growing State of Illinois, and he resolved to 
investigate. He spent his first winter in Moultrie 
County, and in the spring of 1863 came to this 
county and commenced operating on a rented farm, 
of which he remained in possession as a tenant for 
five years. He then purchased eighty acres from 
the railroad company on section 30, in St. Joseph 
Township, upon which there were no improvements. 
He first put up a small log house which is still 
standing, and proceeded with the cultivation of his 
laud, meeting with success in his labors. He in- 
vested his surplus capital in additional real estate, 
and is now the owner of 300 acres, most of which 
is in a good state -of cultivation, well fenced and 
thoroughly drained with about 23,000 rods of tile. 
He has also added to his annual income by fattening 
each year numbers of cattle, usually shipping two 
carloads to the Eastern markets. He has attained 
quite a reputation also as a breeder of Belgian 
horses,, and exhibits some fine draft animals and 
roadsters. 

While energetically engaged in the labors and cares 
of farming, Mr. White, with a due appreciation^ the 
value of the home circle and domestic ties, was mar- 
ried, after reaching his majority, to Miss Mary Peni- 
will, and they commenced housekeeping in the hum- 
ble dwelling which our subject had erected when 
taking possession of his first purchase. His early 
hopes, however, were destined to disappointment, 
as his young wife died eleven months after her 
marriage. The thread of his life thus broken was 
again taken up in 1865, when he was united to Miss 
Mahala F., daughter of Lewis and Sarah Jones, who 
had become residents of St. Joseph Township in 
1835. Of this union there were born seven chil- 
dren, four sons and three daughters, viz., Marion 
E., Leona, Isaac. Sarah E., Bertha, Homer K. and 
Frederick. 

Mrs White is a member in good standing of the 



I'nited Brethren Church, in which Mr. White has 
been Trustee, and is one of its most valued sup- 
porters. He has never been backward in any en- 
terprise calculated for the welfare of the community 
when called upon for assistance, and is one of the 
Trustees of iluss Cemetery, which was laid out and 
devoted to burial purposes hi about IS.MO. I'.iliiu-all v 
he is stanch Republican, and om; of tin; strongest 
advocates of law and good order in these times 
when so many subjects tsnd to agitate and unsettle 
the people. 

In the career of Mr. White, who commenced the 
battle of life dependent entirely upon his own re- 
sources, we find a striking example of the results of 
an upright course and persevering industry. His 
possessions have been but the just reward of a man 
who has labored faithfully, been prompt to meet 
his obligations, and who has built up a recordijof 
which his children may well be proud. 




G. PARR, of Champaign, is filling an im- 
portant place in its business interests, and 
is at present employed as wholesale presser 
and shipper of hay, his business being located on 
Lynn street, north of the C., H. & W. R. K. Mr. 
Parr was born near Greenville, Bond Co., 111., Oct. 
2, 1832, and is the son of Samuel and Nancy (Cor- 
rick) Parr, natives respectively of Ireland and 
Virginia. The mother of our subject descended 
from substantial Scotch ancestry. Her father, Sam- 
uel Corrick, emigrated to America with his parents 
when four years old. Tliey located in Harrison 
County, Ohio, and engaged in farming pursuits, 
and Samuel resided in that county until twenty-five 
years of age. He then removed to Illinois and set- 
tled near Greenville on the east fork of Shoal 
Creek, where he built a grist and saw mill, and was 
occupied in running these until 1847. In the mean- 
time he had entered 400 acres of timber land, 
of which he cleared 100 acres. In the year named 
he sold out and removed to La Salle County, pur- 
chasing .'!20 acres of land near Peru, where he en- 
gaged in farming and remained until his death, in 
l,st;o. lie was married in 1816, to Miss Nancy * 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



195 



Corrick. They became the parents of eight chil- 
dren, and the mother departed this life upon the 
homestead of her husband in 1859. Of the eight 
children comprising the parental household, three 
only are now living, namely. Mrs. Sarah J. Delatour, 
of Chicago; James, a resident of Wilmettc, Cook 
Co., 111., now retired from active business, and W. 
G., our subject. 

Young Parr was reared on his father's farm and 
remained under the home roof until twenty-six 
years of age, taking care of his parents until they 
passed to their final rest. He was married, in 1859, 
to Miss Maria L. Mitchell, of Wisconsin, who was 
born in 1839, and was the daughter of Samuel 
Mitchell, of Virginia. Two years previously our 
subject had engaged in the dry-goods trade at 
Granville, Putnam County, but after eighteen 
months sold out and took charge of the old home- 
stead until 1864. He then sold this also, and re- 
moving to McLean County, opened up a stock of 
goods at Normal, selling the first commodity of 
the kind in that town. He remained there until the 
fall of 1870, and the following spring removed to 
Bloomington, where, in company with Mr. Aldrich, 
he engaged in the buying and shipping of hay. 
They left Bloomington in 1874, and established 
a similar business at Henderson Station, where our 
subject remained one year, and in 1875 came to 
Champaign, where he established his present busi- 
ness and has operated since that time. Here he has 
thirteen acres of land, which he purchased in 1884^ 
supplied with a shapely and convenient residence, 
and the requisite machinery and buildings for carry- 
ing on his business. He employs upon an average 
six men the year round, and has a profitable and 
constantly increasing trade. 

Mr. and Mrs. Parr became the parents of three 
children: Nora is a graduate of the High School; 
Harry G. is in the insurance business in Chicago; 
Katie is studying art in college. Mr. Parr is Re- 
publican in politics, and with his wife and two 
daughters is prominently connected with the Con- 
gregational Church. While living at Normal the 
first society of this denomination there, was organ- 
ized, in the parlor of our subject, in 18G4, and he 
was Secretary and Treasurer for seven years after- 
ward. . He has taken a genuine interest in the prog- 



ress of morality and education, and has contributed 
his full share toward the building up of society 
since coining here. 



ffiRA A. MANLEY, Agent of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad and the American Express Com- 
pany at Tolono, became a resident of this county 
in 1872. He is a native of Herkimer County, 
N. Y., born Sept. 30, 1829, and is the son of Ad- 
dison and Henrietta (Parsons) Manley, the former a 
native of Vermont, born in 1794, and the latter of 
Connecticut, born in 1796. The parents were mar- 
ried in Norway, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1820, and 
resided on a farm until 1842, when they took pos- 
session of a hotel in the town of Norway, which 
they carried on two years. Then, resolving to come 
to the West, in May, 1844, they started for Illinois, 
and located first on a farm at Byron, Rock River, 
ii: Ogle County. The father died in November 
following, leaving a wife aifd three children : Mary, 
the eldest, became the wife of Samuel Willard, of 
Newport, Herkimer Co., N. Y. ; Henrietta A. mar- 
ried John W. Andrews, and resides at' Kirkwood, 
Mo. ; her husband is engaged in the jewelry business 
in St. Louis. Our subject is tha second child and 
only son. The mother was married the second 
time, in 1847, to a .Mr. Jones, and died at Burling- 
ton, Iowa, in March, 1860. 

Ira A. Manley was fifteen years of age when the 
family came to Illinois. He completed his educa- 
tion at Mt. Morris Seminary in 1848, and then 
going to Philadelphia, Pa., entered the employ of 
the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, 
under whom he served as telegraph operator and 
clerk until the latter part of 1855. Then return- 
ing to Illinois he located in Iroquois County on a 
farm, where he remained until 1872, during the last 
ten years of which time he was also employed as 
agent of the Illinois Central at Bulkley, being the 
first railroad agent at that point. In 1872 he re- 
moved to Tolono, having been appointed to his 
present office. 

Our subject was married, on the 13th of October, 
1852, to Miss Amanda F. Eraley, who is a native of 
Philadelphia, Pa., and was born Jan. 23, 1831. She 



f 



IOC. 



CHAMPAION COUNTY. 



is the daughter of Thomas and Margaret. (IJakei-) 
Fraley. also natives of the (junker City. Of this 
marriage there were born live children: Ira A., 
Jr., was accidentally killed at the station at Tolono. 
Dec. 4, 1875, being then seventeen years of age. 
Those living are Alice V., now the wife of Charles 
II. Bell; Mary L,, Mrs. Ralph L. Brown; George 
W. and Horace A. 

Mr. Manley, politically, votes with the Repub- 
lican party, which he has cordially endorsed since 
its organization in 1850. He is also a strung advo- 
cate of temperance and interested in the success of 
the prohibition movement. Mr; and Mrs. M. are 
active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
our subject having been Superintendent in the Sab- 
bath-school for the last ten years. Socially he is a 
Royal Arch Mason. He owns his present home in 
Tolono. and Mrs. Manley has 1 10 acres of land ad- 
joining the town limits. 




ma 
J 



HOMAS W. CIIAMBERLIN, of the Ex- 
change Bank of Rantoul, is a gentleman 
highly respected for his excellent business 
qualities as well as for his genial and companiona- 
ble character. He has been identified with the 
business interests of Rantoul since 1875, and estab- 
lished the Exchange Bank in November of that 
year. Here a general banking business is con- 
ducted, and the institution, which is considered 
thoroughly reliable, has become one of the indis- 
pensable features of this locality one of which 
Rantoul has reason to be proud. 

The childhood and youth of our subject were 
passed in Hamilton and Warren Cos., Ohio, where 
his birth took place near Cincinnati, Aug. 20, 1840. 
His parents, Reuben and Susan (McClane) Cham- 
berlin, were natives respectively of Vermont and 
New Hampshire, of English and Scottish ancestry. 
After his marriage Reuben Chamberlin with his 
young wife located near Cincinnati, Ohio, and for 
many years was engaged as teacher in the public 
schools. Later he embarked in mercantile business, 
but did not live to cany out the plans which he had 
inaugurated, passing from earth when our subject 
was a small boy. The family included five children, 



of whom Thomas \V. is the the only surviving child. 
The mother is still living, making her home in Ran- 
toul, and for one of her years is quite active in 
mind and body. 

The subject of this sketch, after finishing his pri- 
mary studies, took a course in the Cincinnati Com- 
mercial College, and in May, 1864, came into Ford 
County, this State, where for a period of seven 
years he was in the employ of the American Ex- 
press Company. In 1872 he engaged in banking in 
Vermjlion County, where he remained until the es- 
tablishment of the Exchange Bank in Rantoul. .He 
has been prominent in local matters since coming 
here, having been at once recognized as a gentle- 
man of more than ordinary abilities, and one whose 
judgment could be relied upon. He has served as 
Village Treasurer, and is Director of the Rantoul 
Building and Loan Association, besides giving his 
support to other worthy enterprises. The Congre- 
gational Church recognizes in him one of its most 
useful and valued members, and in fact he has be- 
come quite indispensable to the best interests of 
the town in general. In only one particular has he 
failed to signalize himself as having performed all 
the duties of life he has never married. He is of 
that courteous and pleasing manner which at once 
indicates him as the true gentleman, whom the 
stranger recognizes at once, and for whom his 
friends have a faithful and lasting regard. 



ONALD McINTOSH, V. S., and Professor 
|] of Veterinary Science, has charge of one 
of the most important departments in the 
Illinois Industrial University, at Urbana. 
For this his natural talents have eminently fitted 
him, and he takes a genuine interest in the profes- 
sion to which he has given years of time and 
thought. He is a native of Scotland, born in the 
city of Perth, June 28, 1841, and is the son of 
William and Kate (Pennycook) Me In tosh, natives 
of the same country. They emigrated to America 
in 1 848, and located in New York City, where the 
father of our subject engaged as a contractor and 
builder. After two years' residence there he was 
recommended to a fine position at Kingston, Can- 




CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



197 



ad.-i, which he acceptcil, and was there employed at 
his chosen calling for a period of nine years. Af- 
terward he went to Guelph, in the western part of 
the Dominion, where he followed his vocation until 
his death, in 1887; the mother is still living. The 
parental family included nine children, of whom 
our subject was the second in order of birth. 

Young Mclntosh began his education in the 
schools of his native Scotland, and completed it at 
the grammar school in Elora, Canada. In 1804 he 
took up the study of medicine, which he pursued 
two years, and then entered the Veterinary College 
in the Province of Ontario, from which he grad- 
uated in 1869. Soon afterward he was appointed 
Veterinary Surgeon of the Dominion artillery, 
which position he occupied for a period of thirteen 
years. He then resigned, and started for the North- 
west Territory on a pleasure and exploring expedi- 
tion combined. In 1881 he returned East to New 
York City, and engaging with his brother as Veter- 
inary Surgeon, operated in that line until 1886, 
when he came to this county and took the position 
in the University which had been proffered him, 
and which he still holds. He has carried on the 
duties of his department with credit and success, 
and as an instructor is scarcely to be excelled. 

Prof. Mclntosh was married, in November, 1871, 
to Miss Charlotte Urquhart, a native of Niagara 
County, Canada. Their three children are named 
Winnifred, Mabel and Kate. The Professor is 
Republican in politics, and a member in good 
standing of the Presbyterian Church. 






ffiSAAC THOMPSON LEAS, who has distin- 
guished himself principally as a successful 
/ breeder of fine stock, is one of the valued land- 
marks of St. Joseph Township, where he has been 
an important factor of the rural community since 
1860. His birth took place near Covington, the 
county seat of Fountain County, Ind., Oct. 27, 
1833, and he traces his descendants across the water 
to where they originated, in England, whence they 
emigrated to this country in the Colonial days, set- 
tling in Pennsylvania. Daniel Leas, the grand- 
father of our subject, removed in early life from 



his native State of Ohio, and there reared a family 
of sons and daughters, among whom was George, 
the father of our subject. This lad, although born 
in Pennsylvania, was reared in Ohio, and there grew 
to manhood, learning the potter's trade, which he 
followed for several years thereafter. He was mar- 
ried, in 1830, to Miss Lydia, the eldest child of 
Abner and Huldah (Robinson) Crane. Her par- 
ents were natives of New Jersey, and Abner Crane 
was a private in the War of 1812. 

George Leas after his marriage removed to Foun- 
tain County, Ind., where he first followed his trade, 
and then took up farming, remaining there until his 
decease, in 1877. Isaac T., of our sketch, passed 
his boyhood and youth in his native count}' and 
upon reaching his majority and setting out to do 
for himself traced his steps to Central Illinois. He 
first engaged in stock-raising, meeting with unusual 
success, and ere long was considered an expert at 
his calling. In 1858 he purchased a tract of land 
on section 9, St. Joseph Township, to which he lias 
since added by degrees until he is the owner of 
520 broad acres, beautifully laid off in grain fields 
and pasture lands, and which invariably attracts the 
attention of the passer-l>3' on account of its loca- 
tion, its handsome and substantial buildings, and 
the evident care and forethought exercised, both 
as regards the estate as a homestead and a stock 
farm. Of late years he has turned his attention 
principally to the breeding of Norman horses, and . 
exhibits some of the finest animals in this section 
of country, models of beauty and strength. In 
connection with his cattle operations he ships sev- 
eral carloads annually to Chicago and other Eastern 
markets, from the proceeds of which he realizes a 
handsome sum annually. 

The marriage of Isaac T. Leas and Miss Ervilla 
Sumner, was celebrated at the home of the bride's 
parents near Covington, Ind., in October, 1860. 
The wife of our subject is the youngest daughter 
of the first settler of Champaign .County, namely, 
Selby Sumner, who married Miss Rebecca Hatha- 
way. Our subject and wife became the parents of 
eight children, two sons and six daughters, of whom 
two, Nettie and Frank, are deceased. Those sur- 
viving are Emma, Jennie, Clara, Gertrude, Sadie 
and Earnest, all at home with their parents. 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



The family residence is a commodious and sub- 
stantial structure, finely finished and furnished, and 
was erected in 1879. The barn in the rear had 
been put up two years previously. The grounds 
surrounding it are ample and neatly kept, and the 
whole has an air of plenty and comfort, refreshing 
to the eye. Mr. and Mrs. Leas are active members 
of Prairie Hope Church, in which our subject has 
served as Clerk for many years, and officiated as 
teacher in the Sabbath-school, in which he has al- 
ways maintained a lively interest. Their children 
have been carefully trained and well educated and 
present a group of which the parents may well be 
proud. 



f EC 

If: 



JIJ' EONARD McELWEE, a highly respected 
member of the farming community of St. 
Joseph Township, became a resident of the 
Prairie State when a youth of nineteen years, and 
located with his father's family upon the land which 
constitutes his present homestead. This is a good 
body of land, finely located, furnished with all nec- 
essary farm buildings, and constitutes one of the 
desirable homes so often seen in the district settled 
up by an intelligent and progressive ctass of peo- 
ple. Knell year adds something to its value and 
attractiveness, and our subject, if we ma}' judge 
from appearances, has availed himself uniformly of 
the modern improvements of the age. 

Mr. McElwee is a native of Pennsylvania, born 
in Lancaster County, Nov. 29, 1837. His grand- 
father, John McElwee, was a prominent iron manu- 
facturer of that county, and a descendant of sub- 
stantial Scotch ancestry, possessing in a marked de- 
gree the qualities for which that race is noted. He 
married and reared a.familj' of sons and daughters, 
among whom was Carson J., the father of our sub- 
ject, who was born in Maryland in about 1811. 
The latter learned the carpenter's trade in his 
youth, but later engaged in farming. Upon assum- 
ing domestic ties he chose for his wife Miss Eliza, 
the daughter of John and Ann J. Buchanan, and 
going into Pennsylvania they located on a farm in 
Lancaster County. This, however, they only occu- 
pied about three years, and thence removed to 



fountain County, Ind., where Mr. McElwee en- 
tered forty acres of land, in the improvement and 
cultivation of which he was engaged for ten years 
following. lie then sold out and purchased another 
farm, but only remained upon it until the spring of 
1856. Then, resolving to push further westward 
he came with his family to this county, and took 
possession of a tract of land on section 1, St. Joseph 
Township, where he remained until 1876. He then 
crossed the Mississippi into Cherokee County, Kan., 
where his death took place in 1883. The mother 
died on the homestead in St. Joseph Township, in 
August, 1864. 

The parental family included nine children, of 
whom seven lived to mature years, but three only 
now survive. Leonard C. of our sketch was the 
second born, and received his education mainly in 
the schools of Fountain County, Ind. He contin- 
ued with his parents until his marriage, coming 
with them to this county, but had previously 
formed an attachment to a young lad} 7 in Indiana, 
where he afterward returned, and was married in 
Fountain County, in the twenty-second year of his 
age. The maiden of his choice was Miss Anna M., 
daughter of David and Margaret Simons, of the 
latter-named county. The Simons' family first set- 
tled in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to 
Ohio and afterward to Indiana. 

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. McElwee re- 
turned to this county and located upon the home- 
stead which had built up from the uncultivated 
prairie by the father of our subject. Afterward, 
however, they were induced to return to Indiana, 
where Mr. McE. rented a farm in the neighborhood 
where he had been reared, and which he occupied 
with his family thereafter ten years. Subsequently 
he, purchased a timber tract of eighty acres in that 
vicinity, of which he cleared forty. He then sold 
out, and returning to this county purchased his 
father's farm in St. Joseph Township, where he 
now resides. This included 120 acres of thor- 
oughly cultivated land, to which he has since 
added forty-eight acres. He also put up a good 
residence in 1883, and this, together with the com- 
modious barn and other necessary out-buildings, 
forms a homestead which will bear comparison 
with those around it in its appearance and manage- 



'\ 



.t 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



201 



ment. Mr. McE. has given particular attention to 
stock-raising, and has a number of graded animals 
which are in the habit of carry ing off the blue ribbon 
at county fairs. 

The six children which completed the household 
circle of our subject and wife, consisted of three 
sons and three daughters, as follows : Samira J., 
now the wife of Thomas F. Mapes; Charles F. ; 
Eliza I)., the wife of William Osborne, of Edgar 
Count}*; James C., who married Miss Mary Alsop; 
Anderson C. and Orpha D. The latter two are at 
home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. McE. are 
members and regular attendants of the United 
Brethren Church, and politically, our subject is an 
independent voter, aiming to support the candi- 
dates best qualified for office. 




OLOMON NOX, a prosperous farmer of 
Urbana Township, is one of the old settlers 
of this county, having come here w.ith his 
parents in 1827, since which time he has 
been continuously identified with its agricultural 
development. He was born in Gallia County, Ohio, 
near Gallipolis, May 20, 1813. His maternal grand- 
father was of Irish descent and was a resident of 
Gallia County. 

Our subject's father, William Nox, was a farmer 
by calling and born in the State of Delaware. He 
was twice married, his first wife, whose name was 
Miss Reed, leaving at her death a family of ten 
children. The second marriage was with Miss Mary 
Gillespie, a native of Virginia. Soon after his first 
marriage William Nox moved to Gallia County, 
Ohio, and located on a farm, which he cleared and 
improved. Before he removed to Champaign Coun- 
ty, 111., he had cleared and cultivated three farms in 
Ohio. In 18-27 he first established himself near Sid- 
ney, this county, which was at that time in Vermilion 
County, and on that farm he passed the remainder 
of his days. His death occurred April 4, 1840, and 
' his wife died April 20. 1847. He was the father of 
twenty children, having had ten by each marriage. 
Solomon Nox was born of the second marriage 
and passed his early boyhood in Ohio. He was 
about fifteen years of age when he removed to 



Champaign County with his parents. He received 
a limited education and remained with his parents 
until his marriage with Miss Mary A. Busey, in 
1837. She was the daughter of Matthew and Sarah 
Busey. Her father died in 1863, and her mother 
May 1 3, 1 887, aged ninety-six years. After his 
marriage Mr. Nox settled on a farm near Sidney, 
where he remained for a number of years. He then 
removed to his present home on section 15, in 
Urbana Township, the date of his locating being 
in the spring of 1851. His farm contains 160 acres 
of valuable, well-improved land. 

In 1862 Mr. Nox enlisted in Co. G, 36th 111. 
Vol. Inf., and served his country faithfully for three 
years. He was engaged in several battles but 
fortunately escaped being either wounded or taken 
prisoner v In August, 1865, he was mustered out, 
returning to his home, and resumed his former 
occupation of general farming. He is very success- 
ful in stock-raising and supervises his farm without 
doing much active work himself. Although in the 
seventy-fourth year of his age he is strong and 
vigorous. He voted for Gen. Grant although he is 
a Democrat of the old Jacksoriian school. Mr. Nox 
began his career in life with but little capital except 
his own energy, and has acquired a fine property, 
enabling him to pass the declining years of his life 
in comfort and ease. 




?ILLIAM MEHARRY, for more than twenty 
years one of the most active and prosper- 
ous farmers of Champaign County, and 
one of the large land-owners of the Prairie State, 
left his rural residence and moved into the pleasant 
village of Tolono, where, surrounded by the comforts 
and luxuries of a modern home, secured through 
early industry and enterprise, he is passing the sun- 
set of life and enjoying the esteem and confidence 
of hosts of friends. 

The early years of Mr. Meharry were spent in 
Montgomery County, Ind., where he was born Oct. 
27, 1830. He is the son of Thomas and Unity 
(Patton) Meharry, natives of the Buckeye State, 
where the father followed farming until he re- 




.1 



202 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



moved to Indiana, where he died when seventy- 
four years of age. The mother, who was born 
Aug. 16, 1802, died Aug. 7, 1887. The seven chil- 
dren of the parental household are all living and re- 
corded as follows: Jane, the wife of Eli H. Dick, is 
a resident of Philo, 111.; William, of our sketch, was 
the second child ; Ellen, Mrs. John Martin, is a resi- 
dent of Montgomery County, Ind.; Jesse resides in 
Philo Township (see sketch) ; Polly Ann, who mar- 
ried Calvin McCorkle, was born July 3, 1838, and 
died Aug. 19, 1887; Abraham and Isaac were 
twins; the former is a resident of this county, and 
the latter occupies a part of the homestead in In- 
diana. 

Mr. Meharry remained under the home roof un- 
til twenty-seven years old, passing his time in as- 
sisting in the cultivation of the farm and in at- 
tendance upon the common schools. He early in 
life very wisely began to accumulate property. His 
first purchase of land was near Attica, Ind. This 
he tilled until 1864. In the meantime his father 
had purchased section 9 of Crittenden Township, 
this county which he gave to William, a few years 
later, when he sold out his property in Fountain 
County, Ind., and removed to the Prairie State, and 
in 1864 added to his landed interests by the pur- 
chase of section 32 of Philo Township, upon which 
he lived until the year 1883, and then, leaving his 
farm property in good shape, removed to the 
village of Tolono and purchased his present home, 
which is one of the most complete in the town. The 
dwelling is finished and furnished in modern style, 
and everything about the premises indicates culti- 
vated tastes and ample means. Mr. Meharry still 
owns the two sections of land above mentioned and 
a farm of 160 acres near the town limits of Tolono, 
besides valuable village property. His career has 
been marked by industry, energy and excellent 
judgment, and he has performed an important part 
in the building up of Tolono Township, and -the 
development of its resources. He has been honest 
and upright in his dealings, prompt to meet his 
obligations, and while enjoying the good things of 
this life and regard of his fellow-citizens, is simply 
in possession of that which he has justly earned. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
our subject, and which undoubtedly had much to 



do in shaping his future course, was his marriage 
with Miss Margaret McCorkle, which took place in 
1869. Mrs. M. is a native of Putnam Count}', Ind., 
and their union has been blest by the birth of two 
daughters May and Lelia. Mr. Meharry is a stanch 
supporter of the Republican party, and his estima- 
ble wife a member in good standing of the Presby- 
terian Church. 

The portrait department of the BIOGRAPHICAL 
Ai.itrM of Champaign County is greatly enhanced by 
including in it a likeness of this prominent and 
wealthy citizen. 




OBERT M. PORTERFIELD, a prominent 
hardware merchant of Sidney, was born in 
Armstrong County, Pa., Sept. 23, 1847. His 
parents were R. G. and Hannah (Campbell) 
Porterfield. His father was born May 31, 1814, and 
his mother Jan. 22, 1815. They were reared in Arm- 
strong County, and were there married May 16, 
1837. In 1867 R. G. and Hannah Porterfield 
moved from Pennsylvania to Sidney, this county, 
where they passed the remainder of their lives. 
The former died Oct. 22, 1872, and his wife Feb. 
25, 1879. 

Robert M. Porterfield was the^sixth in order of 
birth in a family of ten children, of whom the 
record is as follows: Nancy became the wife 
of George Forsy th, and is now deceased ; L. C. 
married Miss Mary A. Toy, and they live in 
Sidney Township; Sarah is deceased; S. A. married 
Miss Lydia Williams, who is deceased; Malinda, 
formerly the wife of George Wilson, is also dead ; 
Robert M. is the subject of this sketch ; Mary E. is 
single; J. W. is deceased; Hannah M. is the wife 
of John Kennie, and they reside in Sidney Town- 
ship, and Martha A. is dead. 

Robert M. Porterfield was married to Miss Maggie 
Hunter, Oct. 31, 1876. She was born Jan. 16, 
1853, and is the daughter of Samuel and Margaret 
(Fleming) Hunter. Her father was a prominent 
merchant, and was born in Armstrong County, Pa., 
July 21, 1826. Both parents died in Pennsylvania. 
Their family consisted of four children, of whom 
Margaret was the third in order of birth. The 



'4 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



203 



others' were John, William and Tillie. The latter, 
who is the wife of Samuel Beck, lives in Pennsyl- 
vania. Mrs. Porterfleld has become the mother of 
four interesting children, namely : Ira B., born 
Oct. 15, 1877; Charles C., Oct. 22, 1880; Frank 
M., Dec. 30, 1882, and Zula V., Jan. 13, 1885. 

Mr. Porterfleld is the owner of an extensive and 
highly cultivated farm, being the southeast quarter 
of section 22, Sidney Township. His farm is ex- 
cellently managed, and successfully carried on with 
the aid of all the best modern appliances. He also 
owns three well-improved town lots, upon which is 
erected one of the most elegant frame residences 
in the place. It is surrounded by an extensive 
lawn, planted with evergreen shrubbery and the fin- 
est hard maple trees in the township. His house 
and barn are unsurpassed by any in the county, 
everything within and without bearing witness to 
the cultured taste of its owner. Mr. Porterfteld 
and his wife are members in high standing of the 
Methodist Church. His political sympathies are 
with the Republican party. 




IfclLLISON HA WORTH. This gentleman 
has attained quite a reputation in Stanton 
Township and vicinity, as a stock-raiser and 
feeder, and dealer in Durham cattle. He is essen- 
tially a self-made man. provided with but limited 
advantages in his youth, but who, with the aid of 
his natural talents and industry, has secured a com- 
petency and a good position socially among his 
fellow-men. His real estate consists of a good farm 
located on section 27, which is provided with a 
complete family residence, a convenient and sub- 
stantial barn, and a proper assortment of valuable 
modern machinery. 

Our subject is a native of this State, born at Ver- 
milion Grove, Dec. 10, 1835. His parents, David and 
Miiriam (Mills) Haworth, were also natives of Ver- 
milion County, where they were reared and married, 
and where the mother is still living on the old 
homestead. David Haworth departed this life July 
25, 1876. The eleven children of the household 
included eight sons and three daughters, all of 
whom grew to mature years and present one of the 



finest families found in the Prairie State. Willison, 
the subject of this sketch, is the oldest; Clayborn 
married Miss Esther Williams; Maria died .Sept. 1, 
1864; James W., married Miss Rose Porter, of Ver- 
milion County; Elvin is living in California; John 
married Miss Ann Sigler, of Vermilion County, and 
went to Colorado, dying at Golden, that State, 
April 11, 1880. His wife died two years later, 
leaving two children, both now living. Beriah mar- 
ried Miss Anna Lewis, and is farming on the old 
homestead in Vermilion County; Horace married 
Miss Dora Kennedy; Mary J. became the wife of 
James Jndd ; Cecelia is the wife of Joseph Cook, 
and Lindley married Miss Mollie Hoskins. These 
are living in Vermilion County, mostly engaged 
in farming pursuits. 

The subject of our sketch passed his early days 
in his native county, and chose from its daughters 
Miss Martha E. Judd, who became his wife Feb. 
28, 1861. Mrs. Haworth is the daughter of Syl- 
vester R. and Eliza (Gowen) Judd, being the third 
of eleven children born to her parents, of whom 
only five are living. The mother is living and a 
resident of Champaign County. Her brothers and 
sisters are recorded as follows: James H. married 
Miss Haworth ; Thomas married Carrie Cline, and 
is a resident of Fulton County, 111. ; Martha E. is 
the wife of our subject; Josephine married James 
Mundy; Lorena is the wife of Eli Stratton, of 
Somers Township. The father of Mrs. Haworth 
was born in Kentucky, March 7, 1812. He was a 
miller by trade and a man generally respected in 
his community, being a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church, and holding the various town- 
ship offices. He died at Georgetown, in this State, 
on the 5th of May, 1877. The -mother was born 
Sept, 27, 1818, and is still living among her children. 
She became connected with the Christian Church 
at an early day, of which she has remained a consist- 
ent member to this time. Three sons of the family 
served as Union soldiers in the late war, all in Illi- 
nois regiments, and afterward returned safely to 
their homes. 

Mr. and Mrs. Haworth after their marriage, lo- 
cated first in Vermilion County, where they lived 
two years, and in the spring of 1863 took up their 
residence in Stanton Township, upon the eighty 



t. 



204 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



acres of land which Mr. II. had purchased, :md 
which is now included in the homestead. He after- 
ward purchased forty acres additional, which makes 
a farm of 120 acres, upon which he has effected 
fine improvements, setting out a good orchard, 
building neat fences, and in 1 882 put up a residence, 
which, with its adjacent buildings, is not excelled 
by any in the county. The live-stock is of excel- 
lent quality and receives the best of care. None of 
the land is allowed to run to waste, being utilized 
either in pasturage or the growing of grain and 
other -crops, either for market or the use of the 
household. Their two children are daughters. 
Flora E. is now the wife of Milton Simcox, of Stan- 
ton Township; Maria T., a music teacher, remains 
at home with her p_arents. 

The grandparents of our subject, John and 
Cecilia Haworth, were natives of North] Carolina- 
They spent their last days in Vermilion County, and 
their children became residents of this State, where 
some of them spent the remainder of their lives. 
The Haworths were of English ancestry, and were 
Quakers on both sides of the family. Willison, of 
our sketch, cast his first presidential vote for John 
C. Fremont, and his last one for James G. Blaine, 
indicating that for a period of nearly thirty years 
he has been connected with the Republican party. 



(,-ILLIAM HENDERSON. On section in, 
in Homer Township, is located one of the 
best conducted farms in that locality, 
owned and occupied by the gentleman whose name 
stands at the head of this sketch. He is the de- 
scendant of an excellent family who were of strong 
and sturdy character, possessing the spirit of the 
pioneer days, and who worked hand in hand with 
the courageous colonists, who, from time to time, 
left their homes in the East, or the other side of 
the Atlantic, to found new associations and build 
up new homes in an untried country. The parents 
of our subject, Alexander and Isabella (Chapman) 
Henderson, were natives respectively of North 
Carolina and Ohio, the former born Sept. C, 1815, 
and the latter Dec. 31, 181!). Both are still living, 
and residents of Montgomery County, Ind., and 




the father is in a moderate way carrying on agri- 
culture, with which he has been familiar through 
life. 

Alexander Henderson and his wife were careful 
and conscientious in their lives, and trained up 
their children in those moral and religious princi- 
ples which formed the basis of their own course in 
life. They were married on the 1 1th of Novem- 
ber, 1838, and in early life identified themselves 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the 
father has been Steward and otherwise prominently 
connected with it for many years. He was a man 
of much force of character, and great energy and 
industry, which qualities have become but little 
lessened by the flight of years, and he is now in the 
enjoyment of a competency. The ten children of 
the parental household are recorded as follows: 
Elizabeth, who became the wife of J. W. Hendrick, 
died at the home of her husband in Indiana in 
1874; William, of our sketch, was the second child; 
Amanda became the second wife of J. W. Hendrick; 
James married Miss Amanda Thomas; Milton mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Macomb; Mary became the wife of 
Simon Lynch; Alice is the wife of George Munns; 
Martha is Mrs. James Miller, and John married 
Miss Jennie Quick. One child died in infancy un- 
named. 

William Henderson, of our sketch, is a native of 
Parke County, Ind., and was born Feb. 17, 1841. 
He received thorough training in agricultural pur- 
suits, and, considering his early education and asso- 
ciations, it is not to be wondered at that he is more 
than ordinarily skillful in his tilling of the soil and 
the breeding of fine stock, to the latter of which he 
has given much attention, especially of late years. 
The youth and boyhood of our subject were passed 
mostly upon the farm and in attendance at the dis- 
trict schools. The pleasures of the young people 
of those days were simple and few, but it is proba- 
ble that they reaped fully as much enjoyment as 
do the sons and daughters of the present age, with 
their more expensive tastes. He was employed as 
a teacher at intervals for a period of ten years, 
making an excellent tutor and instructor. 

After the breaking out of the late war, and while 
in Indiana, resolving to become a Union soldier, 
Mr. II. enlisted in the 72d Indiana Infantry, and i 



pm 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



205 






served three year:; in Cum puny B. In the mean- 
time he was promoted Corporal. He participated 
with his comrades in many important battles, in- 
cluding the fight at Chickamanga, and served with 
the Army of the Cumberland the greater portion ' 
of the time. Although experiencing many hair- 
breadth escapes, enduring wearisome marches and 
other hardships connected with a soldier's life, he 
escaped without serious injury, and received his 
honorable discharge on the Oth of July, 1865. 

Our subject then came to Illinois, and after 
teaching school a part of one season returned to 
Indiana, where he was married. He had already 
become proprietor of 150 acres of land, upon which 
he now located, and occupied his time in improv- 
ing his farm during the summer seasons, while in 
thn winter he added to his income by teaching. 
His present homestead embraces 110 acres of land, 
which by constant and careful cultivation will now 
compare with the soil of any farm in its vicinity. 
All the farm stock is well cared for and in good 
condition, together with the machinery, fences, 
buildings, and everything about the place. 

In his various enterprises Mr. H. ha~s been at- 
tended by his faithful wife and companion, who be- 
came the sharer of his home and fortunes on the 
28th of March, 1867. This lady, formerly Miss 
Nancy J. Hoff, is also a native of Indiana, born 
Oct. 15, 1848, and the daughter of James and Han- 
nah (Barnett) Hoff, of Ohio. The ceremony which 
united her with William Henderson was performed 
by Squire J. T. Miller, of Waynetown, Ind., the 
wedding taking place at the home of the bride's 
parents near that city. Her father, James Hoff, 
was born in Ohio, June 27, 1823, and is still living 
on his farm near Waynetown. His wife, Hannah, 
a native of the same State, was born Sept. 18, 1826, 
and died very suddenly of heart disease, on Sun- 
day morning, July 11, 1886, on the old homestead. 
The four children of this household were, Nancy J., 
the wife of our subject; Jernsha A., who married 
Ambrose Fruits; Mnhala, who became the wife of 
Samuel Nixon, and Emma, who died of typhoid 
fever on the 25th of November, 1882. 

The six children of Mr. and Mrs. William Hen- 
derson are recorded as follows: Minnie was born 
Feb. 24, 1868; Edgar, born Oct. 20, 1809, died 



Oct. 6, 1870; Alice, born Feb. 23, 1871, died Aug. 
19. 1872; Oscar was born Sept. 1, 1872; Emma, Oct. 
22, 1877, and Alma, Nov. 20, 1881. Mr. Hender- 
son, with his wife and children, attends the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church at Lost Grove, where our 
subject is Steward and Trustee, and for several 
years has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school. 
He is especially active in all matters pertaining to 
religious work, and has been one of the first in or- 
ganizing societies and encouraging the erection of 
church buildings. He was a member of the first 
committee appointed to undertake the erection of 
the Methodist Church in Lost Grove, and has con- 
tributed liberally toward the support of the society, 
keeping up the Sunday-school and assisting in fur- 
nishing the house of worship with the conveniences 
necessary to make it an attractive resort for the 
young and a place of comfort for the old. Politi- 
cally he affiliates with the Republican party, and 
has served as School Trustee in Homer Township 
for a period of fifteen years. 



AMES H. FLATT, who is located on sec- 
tion 17, Somer Township, is a native of the 
Province of Ontario, Canada, and was born 
near the city of Hamilton, June 20, 1831. 
When fifteen years of age he started out in life to 
battle for himself, and coming to the States pro- 
ceeded westward to Lee County, 111., where he was 
engaged as a farm laborer for a period of seven 
years, with the exception of a time when he was ly- 
ing ill. The balance of the time was principally 
spent in working hard to pa3' the doctor's bill, 
which amounted to at least $100 per year. Not- 
withstanding this outlay and the low price paid for 
labor in those days, he managed to save something 
from his wages. In 1858 he returned to his old 
home in Canada, where he leased the farm for seven 
years, spending that time, however, for naught, as 
the venture did not prove successful. 

In the midst of his difficulties, however, Mr. Flatt 
found one true friend and sympathizer who was 
willing to share his fortunes for better or for worse. 
This vvas Miss Lovila Matilda Campbell, who be- 
came his wife on the 25th of November, 1858. She 



i 



206 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



4 



was the daughter of Louis Campbell, of Hamilton, 
Ontario, and was born not far from the birthplace 
of her husband. Resolving to again make his home 
in the West, Mr. Flatt, with his wife, came to Sa- 
dorus Township, this county, where he rented a 
tract of land, which he cultivated five years with 
fair success, and from the proceeds of which he was 
enabled to purchase 1 60 acres of raw prairie on sec- 
tion 22, in Sadorus Township. He at once com- 
menced the improvement of this property, and la- 
bored thereon for fifteen years following, until 1883. 
His fortunes had greatly mended, and he now dis- 
posed of his farm in order to purchase 357 acres, 
lying along the Illinois Central Railroad, in Somer 
Township, five miles northeast of Champaign. 

Robert Flatt, the father of our subject, was a 
Scotchman by birth, and died in the prime of life 
when James H., of our sketch, was but a lad. He 
was possessed of moderate means, his estate includ- 
ing seventy-five acres of land, which is now owned 
by his son William. The maiden name of the 
mother was Mary Baker. She was born in Penn- 
sylvania, and is still living, making her home with 
Jennett Flatt, at Waterville, Canada, and having 
arrived at the advanced age of eighty-six years. 
The parental household included twelve children, 
seven sons and five daughters, of whom five sons 
and four daughters arc still living. Margaret be- 
came the wife of Samuel Mordeu, and resides in the 
Province of Ontario; Abram married Miss Betsey 
Long, and is now a resident of Fairbury, 111. ; Will- 
iam married Miss Eleanor Boyle, and they are liv- 
ing on the homestead in Ontario; Fannie is the wife 
of Ed. Brown; Sarah, Samuel, Jenuettand John, are 
all residents of Ontario, and all, with one exception, 
have families of their own. 

The early education of our subject, with that of 
his brothers and sisters, was obtained in the old 
log school-house, with its seats and desks rudely 
fashioned out of slabs, and the other primitive fur- 
nishings of the pioneer days. Notwithstanding his 
limited advantages, Mr. Flatt is a gentleman of 
more than ordinary intelligence; one who has kept 
his eyes open to what was going on around him, 
and made the most of his opportunities. Since com- 
ing to this county he has been quite prominent in 
local affairs, the excellent character of the man and 



his value as a citizen receiving ready recognition. 
He is a believer in the Christian religion, and 
socially belongs to the Masonic fraternity, whose 
principles he learned to admire many years ago, be- 
ing made a Mason in about 1875. He now belongs 
to Lodge No. 537, at Sadorus. Politically he exerts 
his influence in support of Republican principles. 

At the time of coming to this vicinity, much of 
the land adjacent was considered absolutely worth- 
less. After the advent, however, of a few intelli- 
gent men, who understood drainage and the benefits 
arising from it, the Beaver Lake Drainage Associa- 
tion was formed, and Mr. Flatt became prominently 
identified with this, the result being that through the 
efforts of himself and others as persevering; a tract 
of territory was redeemed from the swamps and 
brought to a tillable condition. 

The record of the seven living children of Mr. 
and Mrs. Flatt is as follows: Orrnand married Miss 
Harriet Ann Rock, and lives in Sadorus Township; 
James Alvah married Miss Mary Earl, and located 
in Somer Township; Lovila Annis became the wife 
of George M. Fowler; those unmarried arc Sarah, 
Carrie, George and Edward. Ira W. and Charlotte 
Edgar are now deceased. Mrs. James H. Flatt is 
the daughter of Lewis and Jemima (Roy) Camp- 
bell, both natives of New Jersey. The father was 
born in 1799, and died July 3, 1877, being buried 
on the following day. He was a good man in every 
sense of the wqrd, and a consistent member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Campbell was 
born Sept. 16, 1805, and is still living, making her 
home in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. 

The children of the parental household are re- 
corded as follows: The eldest son, Daniel R., died 
when thirty years of age; Samuel S. upon leaving 
the parental roof located in St. Joseph County, 
Mich., and was afterward elected to the office of 
Road Commissioner. One day he sent his men to 
work informing them he would soon follow. He 
has never been seen by his friends since that day, 
although supposed to be still living; he was unmar- 
ried. Elizabeth T. died when twelve years of age; 
Lovila M. is the wife of our subject; Joseph R. 
married Miss Hannah Fcatherstone, and is carrying 
on a farm near Ft. Dodge, Iowa; Jemima A. be- 
came the wife of James Barlow, who is engaged in ^ 



T 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



207 



handling agricultural implements in Wise County, 
Tex.; Mary L.. the wife of Charles F. Flavveling, is 
living in this county; Carrie S., Mrs. J. Herod, is a 
resident of Texas; David L. married Miss Eleanor 
Hall, and is living in Sadorus Township; Margaret 
A., died in 1870, when about twenty-two years of 
age. 

No man is held in higher respect in Champaign 
County than James II. Flatt. As a man, citizen 
and farmer he is filling his niche in life most worth- 
ily, and present? in his daily walk an example 
worthy of imitation as a Christian gentleman of the 
noblest impulses, having a good influence upon all 
with whom he associates. His intelligence has led 
him to keenly appreciate the westward march of 
civilization, and he has taken great satisfaction in the 
prosperity of his adopted State, identifying himself 
with its interests, and jealous of its reputation as a 
commonwealth. No man feeling thus can fail be- 
ing of groat value to a county and a community. 
There is no truer saying than "that the works of 
men live after them," and Mr. Flatt will leave to 
his descendants a life history which they will be 
proud to peruse and to teach their children when 
he shall have passed from the scenes of his earthly 
labor. 




AVID B. GEORGE took possession of his 
present homestead on section 2, in Tolono 
Township, on the 10th of March, 1885. He 
was born in McLean County, this State, 
July 30, 1856, and is the son of James S. and Eliza- 
beth (Bennett) George, who are still residents of 
the township of Dauvers in that county. Our sub- 
ject was reared to farming pursuits, and received 
a good common-school education, supplemented 
by a full term at the Business College at Bloom- 
ington, whence he graduated in 1879. After leaving 
school he returned to the farm, where he continued 
until the fall of 1880. He was married, November 
6 of that year, to Miss Charity M., daughter of 
Nathaniel and Margaret (McCullongh) Perry. Mrs. 
G. was born in McLean County in 1861, and by 
her union with our subject has become the mother 
of two children Clyde and Scdella May. 

After marriage, Mr. George followed farming in 



his native county until 1885, then sold out and re- 
moved to his present homestead. This embraces 
1 60 acres, fairly improved and provided with a com- 
fortable dwelling and barn. Mr. George has not 
yet reached middle life, in fact has only just begun 
as a member of the fanning community, and bids 
fair to become one of its valued factors. He is in- 
telligent and well informed, has held the various 
local odices of his township, and politically casts his 
vote with the Democratic party. A lithographic 
view of his handsome residence is shown on another 
page of this work. 

James S. George, the father of our subject, is 
pleasantly located on section 36, Danvers Town- 
ship, McLean County, where he is engaged as a far- 
mer and carpenter. He is a native of Pendleton 
County, Va., and was born on the 24th of March, 
1824. His parents were William and Mary A. 
(Hawkins) George, both natives of Virginia, and 
the mother of German ancestry. William George 
was a carpenter by trade; he was born in 1796, and 
removed to Champaign County, 111., where he died 
in April, 1875. The parents were married in Hamp- 
shire County, Va., in 1816, the mother being eight- 
een years old. She removed with her husband to 
Illinois, and died of cholera in Danvers Township in 
1854, at the age of fifty-four years. The parental 
household included the following children : Samuel 
married Miss Rebecca Idleman, in Virginia; John 
died of cholera in 1 854; Thomas married Miss Col- 
lins Betts; James S. is our subject; Catharine, Mrs. 
Simons, lives in Harrison County, W. Va. ; Elsie, 
the wife of Elijah White, resides in Randolph 
County, W. Va. ; Mary became the wife of William 
Brown, of Virginia; Sarah married Silas Smith, of 
Tazewell Count}', 111.; Rebecca married William 
Emmett, of Tazewell County, 111.; William mar- 
ried Miss E. Deraming, of McLean County; 
Abraham and Isaac were twins; the first married 
Miss Goram, and Isaac married Miss R. Cook, of 
McLean County, 111. 

James S. George became a resident of the Prai- 
rie State in 1852, and for two years followed the 
trade of a carpenter. Not being quite satisfied 
with the results in this direction, he took up fanning 
pursuits, locating on the tract of land which lie now 
owns and occupies. He is making a specialty of , 



' 







208 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



stock-raising, and deals in high-grade Short-horn 
cattle. 

After coming to Illinois, Mr. George was mar- 
ried to Miss Elizabeth Bennett, on the 1 2th of Sep- 
tember, 1853, in Tazewell County. Mrs. George 
was born in Virginia, on the 12th of September, 
1829, and is the daughter of John and Catharine 
(Grapes) Bennett, natives of the same State, the 
father born in 1797. He emigrated to Iowa after 
his marriage, and died there in 1873. The mother 
died in Tazewell County, 'this State, in 1836, leav- 
ing four children, two boys and two girls. Eliza 
married John Roarbeck-; Elizabeth, Mrs. George, is 
the second child; David married Miss Salina Green; 
William was killed by lightning when sixteen years 
old. The education of Mr. and Mrs. George was 
necessarily somewhat limited, their parents being 
pioneers of a new country, and schooling facilities 
very meager. Realizing the advantages of mental 
culture they have given their children the best ad- 
vantages which the schools of the present day af- 
ford. Of these children, John died of cholera, in 
1854; David B. married Miss Charity Perry ; James 
W., Ida and Elmer are at home. While Mr. and 
Mrs. George have not identified themselves with 
any church organization they are firm believers in 
the Scriptures, and endeavor to follow the precepts 
of the Golden Rule. Mr. George is Democratic in 
politics, and in all respects is a worthy citizen and 
a valued member of society. 



-*- 






<ji? EWIS KUDER, Kerr Township. Thebeau- 
I (73) tiful homestead of the gentleman whose 
jii=^s name stands at the head of this biography, 
forms one of the most attractive spots in the land- 
scape of Champaign County. Its ample and sub- 
stantial buildings, in which beauty and utility are 
happily combined, are finely located, and invariably 
command the admiration of the passer-by as evinc- 
ing in a marked degree the outlay of ample means 
and the exercise of cultivated tastes. The dwell- 
ing is commodious and of a tasteful style of archi- 
tecture, and the well-built barn, with its adjacent 
structures for the storage of grain and the shelter 



of stock, is in keeping with the requirements of the 
modern and progressive fanner. 

Mr. Kuder is one of the most extensive land- 
owners in Central Illinois, the home farm alone em- 
bracing '.(00 acres. Besides this lie has 230 acres in 
one tract north, 120 a short distance east, and fifty 
in Vermilion County. The land is all in a high 
state of cultivation, and yields in abundance the 
richest crops of the Prairie State. Mr. Kuder 
manages the home farm, while his sons have charge 
of the others. In addition to general agriculture, 
Mr. Kuder is largely interested in stock-growing, 
in which department he has gained quite an envi- 
able reputation and has been remarkably success- 
ful. He is in all his operations uniformly system- 
atic and exact, prompt to meet his obligations, and 
is uniformly ranked among the representative men 
of one of the most prosperous counties in the State. 

Our subject, a native of Ohio, was born near 
Circleville, Picka way County, Dec. 22, 1819. He 
was the thirteenth child in a family of fifteen, the 
offspring of John and Mary (Chamberlin) Kuder. 
His paternal grandfather, Elias Kuder. was of Ger- 
man extraction, and a native of Bucks County, Pa. 
He was a carpenter by trade, and served as a soldier 
in the Revolutionary War during the entire struggle. 
His wife was a native of New Jersey, but beyond 
this the records are lost iu oblivion. John Kuder 
was also a native of Bucks County, Pa., where his 
father had settled after laying aside the implements 
of war. He inherited the patriotic impulses of his 
sire and took part in the War of 1812, being de- 
tailed to duty in Northern Ohio. , 

Lewis Kuder commenced early in life to make 
his own way in the world, and when quite young 
began learning the carpenter trade under the in- 
struction of his oldest brother, Solomon. He left 
the parental roof when eighteen years old, and for a 
time was employed on the Ohio Canal. Subse- 
quently he returned to his native place where he 
engaged at his trade, and in the manufacture of 
wagons. He then determined to seek his fortune 
in the farther West. He came to this "State in 
1838, locating at first near Danville, Vermilion 
County, where, for five or six years, he continued 
to follow carpentering. Having, b3' the exercise of 
industry and economy acquired sufficient capitnl. 







cs.fc FARM OF C.L.KuDER.5tc.32 




SCENES ON THE FARM PROPERTY OF LEWIS KUOER.SEC'S .20.21.28.29., KERR TOWNSHIP. 






.,-~ rv*>y 

Cf THE 
; ( if UIHOIS 



f 

-*- 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



211 



lie bought forty acres of partly improved land, 
and afterward purchased the interest of tin- other 
heirs to the estate of which his land formed a part. 
This constituted a fine property of 240 acres, and 
from this handsome beginning he steadily pro- 
gressed to his present position. 

The marriage of Lewis Kuder and Miss Susanna 
Wood was celebrated in 1844. Mrs. Kuder was 
the fourth in a family of sixteen children born to 
Henry and Nancy (Hoover) Wood. Her father 
was a native of Virginia, the son of John and Mary 
(Harper) Wood, also of the Old Dominion. Her 
mother, a native of Ohio, was the daughter of 
Daniel and Nancy Hoover, who were natives of 
Virginia, of German descent. Mrs. Kuder was 
born neir London, Madison Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1826. 
Mr. Kuder and his wife settled on the Kerr Town- 
ship farm in 1845. Their first dwelling was a small 
cabin, located there when our subject purchased 
the land. Thirty years ago he built a fine resi- 
dence, which is now in an excellent state of preserv- 
ation, and is occupied by his family. In 1869 he 
erected a fine, commodious barn, which accommo- 
dates a large number of horses and cattle. 

When Mr. Kuder first settled in Kerr Township 
there were but three cabins within live miles of his 
farm. Deer and wolves roamed over the prairie 
and the grass was as high as his little cabin. Dur- 
ing the first few years of his residence on the farm 
he continued to follow his trade, and employed 
help to run the farm, but a freshet having occurred 
which swept away many of his valuable horses, 
cattle and hogs, he gave up his trade and took 
charge of the farm himself. Among the improve- 
ments which he has instituted are five artesian wells 
which supply his stock with an abundance of the 
best water, and he annually replenishes his pastures 
with large numbers of young cattle, purchased 
chiefly from the best to be found in the Chicago 
market. 

Mr. Kuder and his wife have had a family of 
nine children Henry, Candus, Nancy, Sarah, Al- 
bert, Lincoln, Lydia, and two who died in infancy 
unnamed. Only two are now living, Albert and 
Lincoln, who arc married, and sketches of whom ap- 
pear elsewhere in this work. Mr. Kuder 1ms served 
as Supervisor of Kerr Township for several terms, 



and has held various local offices, but his farm in- 
terests require so much of his time that he has of 
late declined assuming additional cares, although 
he attends important elections, and is one of the 
most conscientious voters of the Republican party. 
A view of the handsome home farm of Mr. 
Kuder is shown on an adjoining page; also the 
residences of his two sons, who have inherited 
the thrift and energy of the father and arc already 
numbered among the important members of the 
agricultural community. 



OHN W. PARK, who became a resident of 
Champaign County in the fall of 1863, is 
widely and favorably known in this locality 
as having at one time been one of its most 
extensive land-owners, and at one time the pro- 
prietor of 700 acres in one body. Although now 
retired from active labor, he is still possessed of 
272 acres in Mahomet Township, which is operated 
by a tenant, but whose cultivation he superintends 
with the same good 'judgment as of old. He also 
owns 320 acres in Sherburne County, Minn. He 
now owns and occupies a pleasant home in Ma- 
homet, besides other valuable village property. 

Mr. Park is a native of Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson 
Co., Ohio, and was born'Oct. 14, 1813. His par- 
ents were John and Elizabeth (Hannah) Park, both 
natives of Virginia, where they were married and 
located for a time after. They afterward removed 
to Ohio, and from there to Kentucky, returning 
finally to the Buckeye State and settling in Clarke 
County, of which they- remained residents for sev- 
eral years. Afterward they lived in Marion and 
Ottawa Counties, where John Park was engaged 
in farming and butchering, and where both parents 
died. The household included five sons and three 
daughters. 

John W. Park remained with his parents until he 
was of age, and then commenced fanning on his 
own account. He was married in Ottawa County, 
Ohio, March 17, 1844, to Miss Caroline, daughter 
of Solomon and Sallie (Arnold) Streeter, both na- 
tives of New Hampshire, who, after, their marriage, 
located first in Genesee County, N. Y., whence 



212 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



they removed to Huron County, Ohio, and from 
there to Ottawa County, same State, where they 
passed tin: remainder of their lives. They reared 
a family of ten children, three boys and seven 
girls, of whom Caroline, Mrs. Park, was the eighth. 
She was born in Genesee County. Dec. 12, 1824, 
and by her marriage witli our subject became the 
mother of eleven children, seven of whom survive. 
Elizabeth A., the eldest, met her death by drown- 
ing in the Sangamon Uiver, when twenty-two years 
old; David G., the youngest, and two others, un- 
named, died in infancy; Mary .1. is the wife of 
William II. Paisley, who is farming in Mahomet 
Township; William W. married Miss Alice Clark, 
and is living in Kansas; James S. married Miss 
Sarah Angeline C'onniar, and lives in Nebraska; 
Clarissa I. is the wife of J. II. Hume, and lives in 
Mahomet Township; Caroline F., Mrs. William 
Harland, resides with her husband in Kureka, 111.; 
Abraham L. married Miss E. M. Kilgorc. and lives 
in Mahomet Township; Hugh V. is at home with 
his parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Park are members in good stand- 
ing of the Baptist Church, and our subject, politi- 
cally, is a warm adherent of Republican principle. 
He has taken a genuine interest in the progress and 
welfa're of his township, and has served as Trustee 
of Mahomet Village. 



ISAAC BROWN, who makes a specialty of 
breeding fine stock, owns and occupies ICO 
acres of good land on section 21, in Homer 
Township, of which he took possession in 1857. 
He has a good residence, a substantial barn, and 
all the other b'uildings necessary for convenience 
and comfort, and his fields are tenanted by high- 
grade Short-horn cattle, his stables with line horses, 
and various pens adjacent contain a fine assortment 
of Poland-China hogs. Among his horses is one 
especially fine stallion, Bonny B., sixteen hands 
high, a bright bay in color, and besides this valua- 
ble animal he has a number of English carriage 
horses. He has gained an enviable reputation in 
this locality as a breeder and stock-dealer, and ex- I 



hibits some of the finest animals in Central Illi- 
nois. 

Mr. Brown comes of stanch Pennsylvania stock, 
his parents having been George W. and Ruth 
(Rogers) Brown, natives of the Keystone State. 
and the father a farmer by occupation. He was 
born in 1807, and died in Homer Township, Sept. 
13, 1884. The mother was born in 1808, and died 
on the old homestead in Homer Township, Jan. 13, 

1872. Both parents were members of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, and the father a Democrat 
in politics. Their five children, all born in Penn- 
sylvania except the youngest, who was born in 
Ohio, were Ann M., who only lived to be four 
years of age; Isaac, of our sketch; David, John 
and William M. The latter followed farming, and 
died at his home in Homer Township on the 13th 
of November, 1871. 

The youth and boyhood of Isaac Brown were 
spent mostly in his native State occupied in agri- 
cultural pursuits. In September, 1857, deciding 
to change his location, he came to this State and 
county, locating near the town of Sidney. He was 
there employed at farming until purchasing the 
land in Homer Township where he is now living. 
He was first married in Indiana to Miss Sarah C. 
Cunningham, Dec. 25, 18(54. Nine years later this 
lady passed from earth at the age of thirty-one 
years, her death taking place on the 1st of April, 

1873. The seven children born of this union were 
George L. and Laura B., twins, born Dec. 25, 1865 ; 
William O., March 7, 1868; Irvin C., Dec. 23, 
1870; . Elizabeth O., Sept. 21, 1872. The next 
child died in infancy unnamed, and the youngest 
was James A., born March 26, 1873. The present 
wife of our subject, to whom he was married Dec. 
23, 1875, was formerly Miss Lucinda Forbis, a na- 
tive of Madison County, Ohio, whose birth took 
place at the home of her parents in Paint Town- 
ship, Nov. 22, 1846. This lady became the mother 
of six children, viz., Francis R. and Minnie, died 
in infancy; Milo E. was born March 15, 1871); 
Jessie W., May 8, 1881 ; Charles D.,Sept. 26, 1883, 
and Clarence, Sept. 28, 1885. 

Mr. Brown has been an Elder in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for many years, and is independ- 
ent in politics. He carries on the operations of his 



t 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



213 



farm and the breeding of stock after the most ap- 
proved modern methods, and everything about his 
premises indicates the enterprise and thrift of its 
proprietor. A lithographic view of the place and 
surroundings is shown on another page. 

George W. Brown, the father of our subject, was 
born in Fayette County, Pa., Jan 24, 1807, and 
died Sept. 13, 1884. He removed from his native 
State in 1836, and four years later purchased 157 
acres of land in Fayette County. To this he added 
fifty-seven acres, and afterward sold the whole with 
a view of coming to this State. He started from 
Ohio Sept. 13, 1857, landing in this county thirteen 
days later, and purchased 3G9 acres of land in 
Homer Township, which he occupied for a period 
of twenty-seven years, effecting many improve- 
ments, and becoming one of the most important 
members' of the farming community of that section. 
He was for many years a member of the Methodist 
Church, Democratic in politics, and a man straight 
and strict in his business affairs. He became very 
successful, and at his death had accumulated a 
large property. He was noted for his industry and 
frugality, and was the most highly respected by 
those who knew him best, being greatly missed by 
his near friends and neighbors when his earthly 
labors had ended. While in Ohio he occupied the 
office of Justice of the Peace for fifteen years. 



-*>- 



<\f| ACOB TINDALL. This gentleman in 1 876, 
after having been successfully engaged in 
various enterprises, in all of which he was 
remarkably successful, turned his attention 
to farming pursuits, and selected for his future 
operations a fine tract of land consisting of 191 
acres on section 31. in Homer Township. He had 
abundant faith in his venture, and time has proved 
that he was correct in regard to the capacities of 
the soil and his own judgment in presiding over its 
cultivation. The farm is finely laid off in pasture 
lands and grain fields, Mr. Tindall devoting his at- 
tention principally to the breeding of fine Short-horn 
cattle. It is said by those who are judges of 



stock, that his animals are scarcely to be equaled in 
any section of the State. He 1ms been particularly 
fortunate in his selections, and they have been given 
the care and treatment necessary to the develop- 
ment of their finest points. 

Our subject's birth took place in Morgan County, 
i this State, on the 10th of April, 1840. His par- 
ents were Jacob T. and Isabella (Ferguson) Tin- 
dall; the former born in Delaware, in February, 
1800, and the latter in the city of Baltimore, Nov. 
30, 1805. The mother of our subject was the 
daughter of Robert Ferguson, of Scotland. Jacob 
Tindall in early life learned the trade of a carpen- 
ter in Philadelphia, Pa., and for many years was in 
the employ of the well-known capitalist, Stephen 
Girard. Later he removed to Morgan County, 
111., and engaged in farming pursuits. He was 
a man of limited education, quiet in his habits, and 
was a keen but silent observer of what was going 
on around him, thus gaining a good fund of gen- 
eral information. He became a member of the 
Masonic fraternity during the early years of its 
organization, and was a man of deep religious con- 
victions, being connected with the Christian Church, 
and was often the host of Alexander Campbell, 
who put up at his house and shared his hospitality. 
The mother was a member of the same church, and 
is still living, making her home in Jacksonville, 
111. 

Jacob Tindall, Jr., remained a resident of his 
native county until reaching manhood, in the 
meantime receiving a common-school education 
and learning the trade of a carpenter from his 
father. He was occupied by the latter until the 
breaking out of the Rebellion, and enlisted first 
with the 100-days' men in the 145th Illinois In- 
fantry. At the expiration of that time, determining 
to see the fight to the end, he re-enlisted in> Co. E, 
58th 111. Vol. Inf., as a private, being mustered in 
at Camp Butler for the three years' service. He 
was soon promoted First Sergeant. With his com- 
rades he followed the fortunes of the regiment in 
its tedious marching through the South and its 
various encounters with the enemy, being present 
at the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and engaged 
in many other important battles of the war. At 
its close he received his honorable discharge and 



f 



f 



> 214 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



returned to his home in .Morgan County, where he 
resinned his trade of a carpenter. 

In 1805 Mr. Tindall crossed the Mississippi and 
went over into Missouri, where, for eight months 
following, he was employed as clerk in a drug- 
store. Upon returning to Illinois he took up his 
abode in Aycrs Township, this county, and for the 
(irst time in his life began to work on a farm, not 
as a laborer, but as foreman of a tract which was 
called the Broad Lands, owned by John Alexander. 
Two years later he was promoted, and given larger 
liberties and more responsibilities. At the end of 
three years, during which time he had been econom- 
ical and saved quite a little sum of money, he was 
enabled to purchase a quarter section of land in 
Vermilion County. This he sold a year later, and 
receiving a tempting offer to engage in the drug 
business, purchased stock and set up a store, which 
he conducted for three years. At the end of this 
time he sold out, and going to Danville engaged in 
the livery business. This also proved a fortunate 
venture, and at the end of two years he was en- 
abled to purchase a valuable tract of 191 acres, 
which he still owns and occupies. In the spring of 
1885 his house was destroyed by fire. He then 
moved a house from another part of the farm, and 
is now living in it. 

The lady who for the last seventeen years has 
presided with dignity and excellent judgment over 
his household affairs, and has proved herself full 
worthy to have been the companion of her hus- 
band, was in her girlhood Miss Ella M. Holmes, to 
whom he was married the 29th of December, 1870, 
the service being performed by Rev. Heath, of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Tindall is a 
native of the same county as her husband, and was 
born Nov. 10, 1844. Her parents, Robert and 
Mary (Leach) Holmes, were natives of England, 
the fatlier born in Scarborough and the mother in 
Gool. The mother had been previously married to 
a Mr. Martin. Her death took place in Morgan 
County, April 28, 1858. Robert Holmes died 
Sept. 13, 1847. Mrs. Tindall was reared by her 
grandparents in Morgan County, 111. The children 
of our subject and wife were born as follows: 
Robert E., born April 12,1872, died the 6th of 
.Inly following; Almah I., born March 3, 1874, 



died Aug. 17, 1875; Mary V., born Aug. 19, 1877; 
Ella .!., Dec. 10, 187!). 

.Mr. and Mrs. Tindall after their marriage, located 
in Vermilion County, where they lived until taking 
possession of their present farm. Politically.. .Mr. 
T. is a li true-blue" Republican, and has held var- 
ious township offices, being Commissioner of High- 
ways three years, a member of the Town Board for 
five years, and School Trustee. He is connected 
with the I. O. O. F., Lima Lodge No. 4, and En- 
campment No. 9, at Jacksonville. He also be- 
longs to Homer Lodge No. 199, A. F. <k A. M., 
the various offices of which he has filled with credit 
to himself, and satisfaction to the brethren. He 
takes a genuine interest in the educational and 
moral welfare of his community, and is a man 
whose opinions are generally respected. 



bEONIDAS H. HOWSER. The Howser fain- 
, ily has for some years constituted an im- 
i portant portion of the farming community 

of St. Joseph Township, being uniformly enterpris- 
ing and prosperous, fortunate in their investments, 
and possessed of the intelligence and foresight so 
essential to good citizenship, and of which charac- 
teristics the bone and sinew of a community must 
be composed in order to advance its prosperity. 

The subject of this sketch, one of the most en- 
terprising representatives of the name, was born in 
Clermont County, Ohio, June 29, 1840, and is the 
eldest son of Jonathan N. and Margaret J. (Dill- 
man) Howser. He was a boy of ten years when 
his parents left the Buckeye State and became resi- 
dents of this county, in 1856. His father pur- 
chased a tract of 240 acres on section 31, in St. 
Joseph Township, where he labored industriously, 
meeting with success, and where he still resides. 

Mr. Howser attended school at Old Cowden 
school-house, not far from his father's farm, where 
he completed his education, and received those im- 
pressions which have largely ministered to his later 
success in life. He early began to form his' plans 
for the future, and when in his twenty-second year, 
was united in marriage with one of his schoolmates, 
Miss Isabel, daughter of John Hudson, of this 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



215 



county, who was born in Indian:), Nov. 7, 1846. 
After remaining the companion of her husband but 
seven short years, the wife and mother passed from 
earth, leaving two children, a son and daughter 
William R. and Ollie May. In 1880 Mr. Howser 
was married to Miss Emma C. Sampson, a native 
of Illinois, and the daughter of Nelson Sampson, 
Esq., of Sidney Township. Of this union there 
has been born one child, a daughter, Edith B. 

The residence of our subject is a handsome frame 
structure, finely located, and with attractive sur- 
roundings, including good ont-bnildings, shade 
trees, shrubbery and ample grounds. The farm 
embraces 200 acres of highly cultivated land, thor- 
oughly drained with tile, provided with neat and 
substantial fencing, and all the necessary machin- 
ery required by the progressive modern farmer. 
A view of the place is to be seen on another page 
of this work. Mr. Howser has distinguished him- 
self as a stock-raiser, dealing largely in hogs, and 
cattle, numbers of which he fattens annually, and 
sends by the carload to the Eastern markets. Of 
late he has been giving considerable attention to 
the celebrated Belgian draft horses, being quite 
successful as a breeder, and able to exhibit some 
extraordinarily fine animals. He has in all respects 
proved one of the most valued .members of the 
farming community, whose interests he has ad- 
vanced by every means in his power, and being the 
encourager and supporter of every enterprise cal- 
culated to elevate the public mind and morals. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Howser are acceptable members 
of the Olive Christian Church, in Philo Township, 
in which the former is Treasurer and the latter 
Clerk. 



EOF. EDWARD SNYDER, M. A., holding 
the Chair of Modern Languages of the 
Illinois University, is a native of Sokal, 
Austrian Poland, born in 1835, and the 
son of Mathias and Paulina Anna Mlynarska. He 
was educated at the Universities of Lemberg and 
Vienna; entered the army in 1850 and participated 
in the campaign of 1859, in Italy, attaining the 
rank of First Lieutenant in the 74th Infantry. In 
1802 he emigrated to the United States, enlisted in 





the 178th New York Infantry, serving three years, 
and receiving the commission of Captain. After the 
close of the war he taught in St. Louis and Carlin- 
ville. III. In 1868 he was elected Professor of 
Military Science and German in the University of 
Illinois, and commissioned Colonel of the I. S. N. 
( i. : was appointed Professor of Modern Languages 
in 1874, and has held the position of Recording 
Secretary to the Board of Trustees since 1870: 

Prof. Snyder married, in July, 1869, Miss Mary 
S. Patchen, of Burton, Ohio, daughter of D. Pat- 
chen, of Carlinville, 111. Mrs. S. is a member of 
the Congregational Church, which the Professor also 
attends. Politically his tendencies are Republican. 



ANIEL MAPES, a representative of one 
nf the pioneer families of Champaign 
County, spent his earliest youth in the 
western part of New York State, where 
his birth took place July 23, 1827. The family is 
of English ancestiy, the grandfather of our subject, 
Samuel Mapes, having been born across the Atlantic. 
He married a lady of German descent, and raised 
a family of sons and daughters, among whom was 
Samuel, who, after reaching manhood, was married 
to Miss Sarah Button, and became the father of 
our subject. The Button family was of Scotch 
ancestry. 

After their marriage Samuel Mapes and his wife 
remained in New York State until the fall of 1827, 
and then removed to the eastern part of Ohio. 
After a residence there of two years, they pushed 
further westward into Indiana. Thence they mi- 
grated South, locating across the river in Kentucky, 
and remained in the vicinity of Cincinnati for the 
two years following. Not being yet satisfied with 
their location they removed once more, in the fall 
of 1833, and coming to this county settled on a 
tract of land in St. Joseph Township, near what was 
called "the bend," on the edge of a timber tract. 
Mr. M. possessed hut limited means, and had a large 
family to support, but made the best of circum- 
stances and succeeded in providing comfortably for 
all. He was finally enabled to purchase forty acres, 
which is included in the homestead of our subject, 



f 



21G 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



and where the dentil of Samuel Mapes took place, 
in August, 1874, when seventy-three years of age. 
The wife and mother died early in life, and the ten 
children were provided for by the father to the best 
of his ability. They consisted of seven sons and 
three daughters, nine of whom lived to mature 
years, and with the exception of two sons, all were 
married. They were named respectively, William, 
Alonzo A., Daniel, Asa B., James, Jackson, Samuel, 
Melissa B., Elizabeth and Permelia. Melissa be- 
came the wife of Park Orr, and Elizabeth married 
Z. M. Dunn, of St. Joseph Township; Permelia 
married E. Pettit. But two of the family now sur- 
vive Samuel, and Daniel of our sketch. 

Daniel Mapes was a boy of six jears when his 
parents came to this county, and received a limited 
education in the subscription schools. He remained 
under the home roof until twenty-one years of age, 
and then commenced life on his own account, work- 
ing out by the month until his marriage. He chose 
from among the maidens of his neighborhood Miss 
Elizabeth, the daughter of John W. and Zilpha 
Swearingen. After marriage the young people lo- 
cated on section 24, upon land included in the 
present homestead of our subject. This, through 
his perseverance and industry, has become a finely 
improved farm, containing 167 acres, upon which 
are good buildings and all the appointments of a 
first-class country estate. This is now under the 
management Of his sons, while our subject and his 
wife, in 1883, took up their residence in the town 
of St. Joseph, where they are spending their later 
years, surrounded by all the comforts and many of 
the Luxuries of life. 

Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Mapes seven are still living, namely, John M., who 
resides on the homestead ; William H. and Benja- 
min, in Nebraska; Thomas M., with his brother on 
the farm; Siegel A., of Nebraska; Effie J. and 
Charlie at home. Mr. Mapes since becoming a 
resident of this locality, has taken an active interest 
in local affairs, serving as School Director and oc- 
cupying other positions where his excellent judg- 
ment was of service to his township. Both he and 
his estimable wife became members of the Chris- 
tian Church at St. Joseph years ago, in which Mr. 
M. lias officiated as Elder, and has contributed lib- 



erally to its support. Politically, he is a Democrat 
of the old school, and holds stanchly to the princi- 
ples in which he has believed since he began to ex- 
ercise the risrht of suffrage. 



OHN R. OCHELTREE, dealer in furniture 
and undertakers' goods, established himself 
in business at Homer in the spring of 1800. 
The early years of his life were spent in ag- 
ricultural pursuits, and he has had quite an ex- 
perience in the lumber and grain trade. His present 
business is conducted after the most approved 
methods, and his stock embraces a fine assortment 
of everything required in both departments. He 
began life without means, but by the exercise of 
close economy and his own natural talents has se- 
cured a good property, and will be able to spend 
his declining years in the ease and comfort which 
he has so justly earned. Had it not been that he 
was forced to pay over $6,000 on account of 
friends, for whom he became security, he would 
have that much also added to his possessions. 
His life in all respects has been straightforward and 
upright, and his voice and influence have been felt 
and heard in many of the moral reforms of the 
present, especially that of temperance, which he has 
advocated with all the force of his eloquence and 
his example. He has not tasted liquor for a period 
of over sixty years, and has never used tobacco in 
any form. He possesses considerable literary tal- 
ent, and has used his pen in the writing of several 
fine articles opposing the use of intoxicating liq- 
uors, and the weed with which the mouths of so 
many men, both young and old, of the present day, 
are defiled. 

The subject of this history was born in Green- 
brier County, Va., March 22, 1817. He is the son 
of John and Eleanor (Wilson) Ocheltree, both also 
natives of the Old Dominion ; the former was born 
Nov. 30, 1774, and departed this life in Fayette 
County, Ohio, on the 24th of December, 1833. 
John Ocheltree was a farmer by occupation, and 
removed from his native State first to Ross County, 
Ohio, when our subject was but an infant. Seven- 
teen years later he took up his residence in Faycttc 
County, where he established a good homo and 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



217 



spent the remainder of his days. He was of excel- 
lent Scottish ancestry, his father having come from 
the Highlands, and although reared a Presbyterian 
eventually cast his lot with the Methodists. lie 
possessed an education better than is usual with the 
people of those days, and was especially fine in 
penmanship. The mother of our subject was born 
June 18, 1785, and survived her husband twenty- 
three years, remaining a widow until her death, 
which occurred in Vermilion County, 111., on the 23d 
of September, 1856. She also was connected with 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as a wife and 
mother fulfilled nobly her obligations to her part- 
ner and her children. 

The parental household included nine children : 
Martha, the eldest, was born Jan. 4, 1 808, and died 
in Ohio several years ago, having been married and 
become the mother of twelve children; Elizabeth, 
born July G, 1810, is the wife of Jacob M. Custer, 
now living in Homer; Mary, born Oct. 2. 1812, be- 
came the wife of Jesse Bryant, and both are now 
deceased; Eleanor, also deceased, was born Feb. 
6, 1815, and married John Allen, of Fail-mount, 
111.; John R., of our sketch, was the fifth child; 
Jane, born April 19, 1819, died many years ago in 
Ohio; Amanda, born Aug. 31, 1821, became the 
wife of S. Barker, and died in 1884; Malinda, born 
Oct. 24, 1825, became the wife of T. Hendrickson. 
and died Jan. 9, 1887; America, born June 14, 
1828, married G. Sampson, who is now deceased; 
she is living in Kansas. 

On the 7th of September, 1842, occurred a most 
important change in the life of Mr. Ocheltree, which 
had much to do in shaping his future course. On 
the evening of that day he was united in marriage 
with Miss Rebecca Martin, who since that time has 
been his companion and counselor in difficulty, and 
who perhaps more than any other has rejoiced in 
his prosperity. Mrs. Ocheltree was born in Scioto 
County, Ohio, July 14, 1823, and is the daughter 
of Jacob and Lucina (Clark) Martin. The former 
was a New England farmer, who removed to Ohio 
in 1810, and afterward to Indiana, dying in the lat- 
ter State in 1855, when seventy-three years of age. 
The mother did not long survive the loss of her part- 
ner, soon joining him in the other life, and being sev- 
enty-two years old. Both were consistent members 



of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and became 
the parents of seven children, namely, Franklin, 
George, Lncina, Ann, Rhoda, Emily and Rebecca. 
These also, with the exception of the wife of our 
subject, have passed to the silent land, Mrs. O. be- 
ing the only surviving member of her family. 

Mr. Ocheltree united with the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church in 1841, of which Mrs. O. has been a 
member since 1838. In religious work he has dis- 
played the same energy as in other matters, hold- 
ing the offices of Trustee, Steward and Chairman 
of important committees, and takes great satisfac- 
tion in the reflection that he has contributed more 
money for Christian purposes, probably, than any 
man of his means in this section. Upon first exer- 
cising the right of suffrage he voted the Democratic 
ticket, but upon the organization of the Free-Soil 
party identified himself with the latter, and from 
them came over to the Republicans, in 185C,anrl for 
a period of over thirty years has cordially endorsed 
Republican principles. The household circle of 
our subject and his wife was completed by the birth 
of nine children, namely, John A., Rhoda J. (now 
deceased), Jacob M., Hortense A., Martha E., Gilson 
S., Gilbert B., Benjamin' N. and Mary E. The lat- 
ter passed away in infancy. 



JnOSEPII H. HEADRICK, a gentleman in the 
i prime of life, is industriously engaged in 
, farming on a fine tract of laud in Newcomb 
Township, embracing 320 acres on section 
1, which constitutes his present homestead. The 
improvements on his farm are among the best, not 
only in Newcomb Township, butalsoin Champaign 
County. A living stream of water runs through 
the farm, except in exceedingly dry times, which 
makes it excellent for stock purposes. Our sub- 
ject's birth took place in Randolph County, this 
State, Sept. 19, 1846, on the farm of his father, 
and at thirteen years of age he started out in the 
world for himself, and since then has spent the 
most of his time in Champaign County. 

Our subject is the son of Andrew and Susan 
(Headrick) Headrick, who were natives of Ken- 
tucky, where they remained a few years after their 
marriage, and thence emigrated to McLean County, 
111. The mother died on the homestead in Ran- 



218 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



dolph Township, in August, 1856. The father is 
still living, and a resident of the latter-named 
county. The family included eight sons and one 
daughter, of whom our subject is the seventh child. 
He was naturally of an industrious and enterpris- 
ing disposition, and looked out for himself without 
difficulty, being always cheerful and willing to per- 
form his whole duty, and making many friends. 
During the progress of the late war he, in 1864, 
enlisted in Co. G. 164th 111. Vol. Inf., serving un- 
til the expiration of his term of enlistment, at 
which time the preservation of the Union was as- 
sured. After leaving the army he returned to 
his 'old home in McLean County, remaining in that 
vicinity until 1877, and then became a resident of 
Nevvcomb Township, this county, where he has 
since remained. 

Mr. Headrick was married when thirty years of 
age, in Newcomb Township, Sept. 10, 1876, to Mrs. 
Nancy (Richmond) Briney, who was born in 
Tazewell County, Sept. 26, 1847, and is the daugh- 
ter of Wilson and Mary (Judy) Richmond. She 
was reared by her parents on a farm in her native 
county, and when nineteen years of age became 
the wife of John B. Briney, who died in Tazewell 
County, March 24, 1873. Of this first marriage 
there were born three children Lilly M., John W. 
and Valentine W. The two latter are deceased. 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Headrick resulted in 
the birth of five children, whom they named as fol- 
lows: John W., Calvin A., Grace L., Guy W. and 
Walter. The latter died in infancy. Mr. Head- 
rick, politically, is identified with the Democratic 
party, and both he and his excellent wife are mem- 
bers in good standing of the Christian Church. A 
lithographic view of the residence and home place 
of Mr. Headrick is shown elsewhere in this work. 

wj AMES W. STONESTREET, one of the most 
| prominent and respected citizens of Ken- 
Township, as is evident from the number of 
}} years he has held the office of Assessor, was 
born in Hardy County, W. Va., Oct. 19, 1828. He is 
the son of Elisha and Hannah (Skidmore) Stone- 
street, natives of Virginia. His paternal grandparents 
were Butler and Mary (Williams) Stonestreet. and 
his maternal grandparents, Elijah and Eleanor 



(Westfall) Skidmore. In 1848 Elisha Stonestreet 

went to Illinois, and first located at Blue Grass, Ver- 
milion County, where he staid three years. After his 
death his widow returned to the South in order to 
settle up some business affairs there which required 
her personal attention. 

James W. Stonestreet was the fifth in order of 
birth in a family of nine children. During the ab- 
sence of his mother at the South he bought 120 
acres of land, upon which he moved a little house, 
and assuming the position of head of the family 
brought all of his brothers and sisters to live with 
him. All around his primitive home stretched the 
bare, unimproved prairie covered with rough, tall 
grass and wild flowers. The only post-office in the 
vicinity was located at Champaign. Many times 
during the night the little band of pioneers was 
startled by the howling of the wolves, which some- 
times made friends with the dogs, partaking of 
their food and robbing the family of all the fowls 
which they attempted to raise. In this desolate 
wilderness Mr. Stonestreet first engaged in farming, 
and struggled with the crude elements of nature 
until his efforts were finally crowned with success, 
and he succeeded in bringing his laud to a high 
state of cultivation. 

In the meantime one of his sisters, who had kept 
house for him, died in the year 1867, and he mar- 
ried, Jan. 16, 1868, Miss Ellen Keene, of Westfield, 
Clark Co., 111., the orphan daughter of Samuel and 
Irene (Flesher) Keene, who were among the old 
settlers of Indiana. After his marriage he settled 
on his farm on section 29, Kerr Township, which 
place has since continued to be his residence. 

Mr. Stonestreet and his wife have had a family 
of eleven sons, two of whom died in infancy un- 
named; the names of the others are as follows: 
James Edward, Freddie H., Walter C., Ashford 
Osborne, Samuel, David T., Otis, and Bertie and 
Bruce (twins). Of these James Edward and Sam- 
uel are dead; the rest live at home with their par- 
ents. 

Mr. Stonestreet has inherited much of the strong 
character and executive ability of his father, who 
was a highly educated man, possessing great mental 
power. Our subject was present at the organiza- 
tion of the township, of which he was elected the 
second Assessor, and which position he has ever 
since retained, with the exception of three years, 
when he was unable to perform its duties on ac- 
count of severe illness resulting from a white swell- 
ing, which had troubled him when a boy thirteen 
years of age. He has, on different occasions, held all 
the local offices, and now votes with the Democrats, 
though formerly he was a Republican. Himself 
and his wife belong to the United Brethren Church. 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



219 



eHRISTIAN F. SUMMIT, a representative 
German farmer of Ludlow Township, whose 
native place was the little Kingdom of 
Wurtemberg, crossed the sea in 1853, when a 
young man twenty-two years of age, and two years 
later sought the Prairie State, of which he has 
since been a resident. He has proved one of the 
most highly esteemed and reliable men of this sec- 
tion, and has in all respects identified himself with 
its interests and thoroughly adapted himself to 
American institutions and customs. In the estab- 
lishment of his home and the rearing of his family 
he has set an example worthy of imitation. He 
chose for his helpmeet a rarely intelligent lady, and 
their three children have been given an excellent 
education. He is now surrounded by a large cir- 
cle of friends who have learned to respect and es- 
teem him for his enterprise and industry, his prompt- 
ness in meeting his obligations, and his value as a 
farmer and a useful member of the community. 

The family patronymic is spelled Sammet in 
Germany. The birth of our subject occurred Jan. 
11,1831. He is the son of Frederick and Doro- 
thea Summit, both also natives of Wurtemberg, 
where they spent their entire lives on a farm. Our 
subject was placed in school at an early age and 
pursued his studies uninterruptedly until fourteen 
years old, when he was apprenticed to the black- 
smith's trade, which he worked at in the old coun- 
try until 1853, and in April of that year started 
for the New World. After a voyage of thirty 
days he landed in New York City, and first found 
employment on a farm near Syracuse, where he re- 
mained until coming to the West. He had been 
with one family during this time and was accom- 
panied by them to this State, remaining with them 
in Logan County for some time afterward and un- 
til his marriage. After this important change in 
his life he rented a tract of land in Logan County, 
until 1867, whence he removed to McLean County 
and cultivated rented land near Bloomington until 
1873. 

In the meantime Mr. Summit had purchased the 
land which he now owns and occupies, and which 
he took possession of in the spring of 1873. A 
few acres of this had been broken, and upon it 
stood a rude shanty. He occupied this with his 



young wife for a time until enabled to put up a 
good frame dwelling. He now has all the land in 
a good state of cultivation, with all necessary 
buildings, and has beautified his home by the plant- 
ing of choice fruit and shade trees. His stock and 
farming utensils are all first class, and his farming 
operations are being conducted with that skill and 
judgment which have assured him a comfortable 
home and competency. 

Mrs. Summit before her marriage was a resident 
of Philadelphia, by name Miss Magdalena Spoehrle. 
She also was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and 
was educated there in the same school as her hus- 
band. Her birth occurred Nov. 20, 1830, and her 
parents were Gottlieb and Catherina (Shafer) 
Spoehrle. She emigrated to America with her par- 
ents in 1854. and resided with them in the Quaker 
City until a short time before her marriage. She 
joined her future husband in Logan County on the 
16th of June, 1858, and they were married ten 
days later. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Summit, four in 
number, are Maude, Saddle, Lydia C. and Minnie 
C. John F., the second child, died when two and 
one-half years old in Logan County. Saddle and 
Lydia are teachers in the public school. The par- 
ents and children are consistent members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 




iiHOMAS O. DARRAH, a successful farmer 
of Pesotum Township, was born in Dela- 
ware County, Ohio, March 12, 1839. His 
parents were John and Elizabeth (Orr) Darrah. 
The father, born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1810, 
was the son of James and Nancy (Kent) Darrah, 
natives of Virginia. His maternal ancestors were 
from Ireland and Scotland, respectively, and emi- 
grated to this country, settling in Pennsylvania at 
an early day, where his mother was born in 1799 
in Huntingdon County. Our subject's parents re- 
moved from Ohio to Illinois when he was but an 
infant, settling in Pike County, where they re- 
mained until the spring of 1865, then removed to 
Champaign County, this State, where the father 
bought 320 aoes of laud then known as the How- 






I 



' '220 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



let farm, and where our subject remained until his 
marriage, when his father gave him a deed to 
eighty acres of the home farm. John Darrah died 
in 1886; the mother of our subject preceded her 
husband to the silent land in 1868. 

The marriage of Thomas O. Darrah and Miss 
Arclissa Nelson occurred Dec. 1, 1870. The3' are 
now the parents of two children Mertie M. and 
Sylvia M., both at home. The parents of Mrs. 
Darrah were Benham C. and Lydia Nelson, who 
were natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsyl- 
vania, and of German origin. Mr. Darrah's par- 
ents had a family of ten children, he being the 
eighth in order of birth. Of these three are now 
deceased. 

Mr. Darrah has been uniformly prosperous, and 
added to his first purchase until he now has 
185 acres all under a good state of cultivation, 
and notwithstanding he has traded to a considera- 
ble extent, he has always retained his first home- 
stead, the gift of his father. He has contributed 
his share in building up his community, and has 
filled the office of Township Supervisor for four 
years, Commissioner of Highways five years, and 
School Trustee eight. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat, and upholds the principles of that party. 

Mr. and Mrs. Darrah have been members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for the past six years, 
and are carrying out the principles of that faith in 
word and deed. They are worthy members of so- 
ciety and are highly respected by their friends and 
associates. 



AMUEL A. HYDE, a son of one of the 
earliest pioneers of Ileusley Township, is 
one of the few representatives of the ad- 
venturous spirits who sought the Western 
wilds at an early period in the history of this 
region, and established the homesteads few and far- 
between, with which the first settlement of the un- 
cultivated prairies commenced. Comparatively 
few are now left to tell the tale of their early strug- 
gles and the courage required to brave the hard- 
ships and dangers which confronted them on every 
hand. Too much credit can not be given to the 
pioneer fathers and mothers who have left to their 




children a heritage more valuable than gold or 
precious gcrns the legacy of sound principles, in- 
dependence of character, industry and persever- 
ance. One of the most prominent representatives 
of the pioneer element was Samuel Hyde, Sr., fa- 
ther of our subject, who was a native of Vermont, 
and emigrated with his family from his native hills 
about 1823. His father, Walter Hyde, was a na- 
tive of the same State, whence he removed to On- 
tario County, N. Y., with his family, where he 
lived a number of years, and then to Indiana, set- 
tling in Switzerland Countj^. 

Samuel, Sr., was but a lad when he left his na- 
tive State, and was twenty-one years old when his 
parents removed from New York to Indiana. He 
stood upon the present site of Indianapolis when 
it was but a wilderness, and assisted in clearing 
away the virgin trees in order to lay the founda- 
tion of the State House. He remained a resident 
of that section until his marriage, and after this 
event settled in Vigo County, where he farmed on 
rented land until 1844. That year, accompanied 
by his wife and ten children, with an outfit of six 
horses and three wagons, he started overland for the 
prairies of Illlinois. They carried their household 
goods and provisions with them, and, it being be- 
fore the days of palace cars and hotels, camped and 
cooked by the wayside. It was in the spring soon 
after the frost had left the ground, and the roads 
in some places were almost impassable. It took 
three days to reach Vermilion County, a distance 
of forty miles. 

The father of our subject rented land in the lat- 
ter-named county until 1849, and the following 
spring came to this county, and purchased a tract 
of 200 acres of wild land in what is now Hensley 
Township. He put up a log house on section 19, 
and commenced to improve the farm. He was one 
of the first of the permanent settlers in the town- 
ship and his neighbors were few and far between. 

He lived to see the county well developed, and 
where once had been the wild prairie watched with 
keenest satisfaction the establishment of beautiful 
homesteads and the cultivation of fields of yellow 
grain. He saw also the approach of the iron horse 
and noted with gratification the laying of the rail- 
road tracks, one after another, through one of the 






4- 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



221 



richest regions of the Prairie .State. After a well- 
spent life, during which he had made hosts of 
friends, he was gathered to his fathers on the 13th 
day of September, 1878. The mother of our sub- 
ject, who was formerly Miss Olive Franklin, was a 
native of New York State, and departed this life 
at the old homestead in July, 1875. 

Samuel Hyde was the ninth child of the parental 
household, and a little lad of eight years when his 
parents removed to Illinois. Five years later they 
came to this county, and here he gre'w to manhood 
and completed his practical education. He re- 
mained under the home roof until 1860, then 
farmed one year on the place he now owns and oc- 
cupies. At the expiration of this time the Rebel- 
lion began to assume alarming proportions, and he, 
in common with thousands of others, laid aside his 
personal plans and interests and proffered his serv- 
ices in behalf of the Union. He enlisted Sept. 22, 
1861, and was attached to the 3d Missouri Cavalry) 
serving in the Western army three years. At the 
expiration of this time he received his honorable 
discharge, and returning home resumed agricult- 
ure on his present farm. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Catherine 
Montgomery took place in Mahomet Township, 
Jan. 19, 1865. Mrs. Hyde was born in Salem, Nv 
J., and was the daughter of Gilpin Montgomery, a 
native of the same State. Her grandfather was 
born in Ireland and emigrated to America when a 
young man, locating in New Jersey, where he spent 
the remainder of his life. The father of Mrs. H. 
removed from New Jersey to Iowa in 1853, but 
only remained three or four months. He then re- 
turned East as far as Ohio and lived in Champaign 
County, that State, three years, after which he re- 
turned to this county and located in Mahomet 
Township. Thence he removed to Kansas in 1 883, 
settling in Neosha County, where he died Dec. 3, 
1886. The mother of Mrs. H., who in her girl- 
hood was Miss Elizabeth M. McCombs, was also a 
native of New Jersey, and died in Mahomet Town- 
ship, this county, Jan. 16, 1864. 

Our subject and wife have seven children Liz- 
zie, Orin, George, Charles, Harry, Rosie and Wil- 
ber. The parents and three of the children are 
members and regular attendants of the Methodist 



Episcopal Church. Mr. Hyde is a Republican in 
politics, and keeps himself well posted upon mat- 
ters of general interest. In his business habits and 
manner of living he is a worthy representative of a 
family widely known and universally respected. 




;ILLIAM C. FISHER, a well-known resi- 
dent of Hensley Township, and one of the 
honored pioneers of Champaign County, 
came to this section of country while the greater 
part of the soil was uncultivated, and was among 
the first to turn the sod and mark out the path for 
a later civilization. He is a man possessed of un- 
common energy of character, who lays his plans de- 
liberately and seldom fails of execution. Conse- 
quently, when he had once decided to build up a 
permanent home in the Prairie State the result was 
only a question of time, and he was as confident 
that it would be carried out as that the sun shone. 
The fine homestead which he now occupies, and the 
position which he enjoys among his fellow-towns- 
men, give ample evidence of what he has accom- 
plished and the manner in which it has been done. 
During the pioneer days he became intimately ac- 
quainted with dangerous difficulties and hardships, 
but met them all like a man, and held himself 
in readiness for any emergency. It is hardly nec- 
essary to say that he is accorded that peculiar rev- 
erence which belongs to all those who ventured into 
an untried region and were willing to brave its soli- 
tude and labors. 

Mr. Fisher was born in Ohio County, W. Va., 
Dec. 15, 1810. His father, John Fisher, also a na- 
tive of the Old Dominion, grew to manhood in his 
native State, and was there married and lived until 
1811. He then emigrated to Ohio with his family 
via the Ohio and Scioto Rivers toChillicothe, where 
they landed on the 10th of May, 1811. The father 
of our subject, who was one of the earlier settlers 
of that region, operated on rented land until 1820, 
then purchased a farm in Madison County, to 
which he removed and spent the remainder of his 
days, departing this life at the ripe old age of 
ninety-three years. The mother of our subject, 
formerly Miss Elizabeth Byers, was also a native 







'222 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



T 



of Virginia. She accompanied her husband on his 
various travels, lived to take up with him their 
abode in Madison County, Ohio, and there died in 
about 1850. Of their fifteen children nine grew to 
become men and women. 

William C. Fisher of our sketch was but a babe 
when his parents removed to Ohio. He grew to 
manhood in the Buckeye State and was there mar- 
ried. After assuming domestic ties he purchased 
100 acres of land in Fayette County, upon which 
he removed with his bride and lived until 1848, 
when he sold out. In the meantime his household 
had been increased by the birth of five children, 
and with his family he now started for the prairies 
of Illinois. Their outfit consisted of three horses 
and a wagon, and they made the entire journey 
overland, landing in Piatt County after a journey 
of eighteen days. Mr. Fisher rented laud there for 
the first year, and then coming to this county en- 
tered 160 acres on sections 7 and 18 of what is now 
Hensley Township, in addition to which he pur- 
chased fifty acres. His first claim was a Mexican 
warrant, and the 160 acres cost him $125. He 
purchased a small log house which stood about one 
and one-half miles distant, and which he removed to 
his land and fitted it up so that his family occupied 
it for several years. There was no grain mar- 
ket for several years, but corn found a ready sale 
in the field to cattle-feeders at ten cents per bushel. 
Deer and wolves were plenty, and the family were 
kept supplied with all the wild meat they could 
consume. 

When Mr. Fisher came to this township there 
were but three or four persons who had remained 
here. Their removal hence has been brought about 
in various ways, some by seeking different locali- 
ties, and others by passing to the land of the here- 
after. There was then but one house between his 
dwelling and Champaign, and it may be readily 
imagined that he watched with pleasure and satis- 
faction the gradual settling up of his adopted 
county, and the prosperity to which it slowly but 
surely attained. 

The marriage of our subject with Miss Jemima 
Coyner, took place at the residence of the bride's 
parelits on the 1 2th of February, 1 835. Mrs. F. was 
born in Ross County, Ohio, Dec. 1C, 1816, and is the 



daughter of John Coyner, of Pennsylvania. Her 
grandfather was a native of Germany, whence he 
emigrated in early life to the United States, and 
spent his last days in the Keystone State. His Son 
John removed from Virginia to Ohio in 1814, be- 
ing among the earliest settlers of Ross County, 
where he purchased a tract of land and improved a 
farm, which he occupied until his death. The 
mother of Mrs. Fisher, who before her marriage was 
Miss Hannah Lawell, was a native of Virginia and 
of Scotch parentage and descent. 

Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher there 
were born eight children, six now living: John, J. 
Madison and David C. are residents of, Hensley 
Township; Hannah married A. B. Hensley, and is 
now a resident of Kansas; Russell B. and Martin 
remained on the old homestead. Our subject and 
his wife identified themselves with the Methodist 
Church early in life, Mr. F. when twenty-one years 
old, and Mrs. F. when sixteen. Mr. F. in the old 
Whig days affiliated with that party, but since its 
abandonment has cordially supported the principles 
of the Republican, and casts his vote in support of 
them. 




p]NRY M. DUNLAP, proprietor of Rural 
Home Farm, is beautifully located on sec- 
tion 36, Champaign Township. He comes 
from an excellent family, and was trained 
by careful parents to habits of industry and princi- 
ples of honor. He was born in Leyden Township, 
Cook Co., 111., Nov. 14, 1853, and is the son of 
Hon. M. L. Dunlap, now deceased. The latter, a 
native of Cheny Valley, N. Y., was born Sept. 14, 
1814, and in early youth indicated the quiet and 
studious habits which directed his course later in 
life. His choice was the study of medicine, but he 
was never, however, permitted to carry out his 
wishes. He removed West with his father's family 
in 1836, and after remaining one winter with his 
parents went to Chicago, which was then a town of 
about 2,000 inhabitants. He engaged as clerk for 
a time, and afterward went to Lamont, where he 
became book-keeper for a firm of contractors on 
the Illinois and Michigan Canal, with whom he re- 
mained two years. In the meantime he saved a few 



i 

i 



f 



f 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



223 



hundred dollars, and concluding to engage in agri- 
culture, entered a tract of Government land in 
Cook County, about twelve miles west of the city 
limits of Chicago. This he at once proceeded to 
improve and cultivate, and also engaged in survey- 
ing. 

In about 1845 Mr. Dunlap turned his attention 
to horticulture, which he followed for several years. 
In 1855 he visited Champaign County, and pur- 
chased the north half of section 36, in what is now 
Champaign Township. Two years later he removed 
his family here, and in due time had one of the 
largest nurseries in the West. As a man of thrift 
and intelligence, making the interests of his adopted 
county his own, he contributed of his time and 
means to the carrying out of every enterprise which 
would benefit its people and increase its standing. 
He was a man of unusual energy, and if unsuccess- 
ful in one direction or enterprise, lost no time in 
bemoaning the loss, but at once set about some other 
project, and was usually successful. 

During the struggle for the location of the In- 
dustrial University, Mr. Dunlap aided materially in 
its establishment at Urbana, by his wide acquaint- 
ance and influence among the public men of the 
State. He also po'ssessed the pen of a ready writer, 
and was for many years a frequent and intelligent 
contributor to the leading journals of the West. 
When the Democratic Press, a Republican and 
leading free-soil paper of the West, was established, 
in 1853, Mr. Dunlap was engaged as its chief agri- 
cultural writer, and his weekly letters came to be 
looked for and read with warm interest. His intel- 
ligent arguments on farm and garden attained a 
wide popularity, and the impetus which his thoughts 
gave to agriculture will be recognized many years 
hence. His nom de plume, " Rural," was well known 
throughout the West. After the consolidation of 
the Press with the Chicago Tribune, Mr. Dunlap 
was retained as the agricultural correspondent, 
which engagement covered a period of twenty -two 
years. lie took a warm interest in State and Na- 
tional affairs. In earlier years he was an adherent 
of the Democratic party, with which he cast his last 
vote in 1852. After that time he was one of the 
most ardent adherents of Republican principles, 
lie was strongly opposed to slavery, and his house 



became one of the depots of the Underground 
Railroad, where the fleeing slave always found the 
latch-string out. A man of his generous sympa- 
thies and rare intelligence could not fail of recog- 
nition, and he was appointed to various offices of 
trust. In 1854 he was one of the four members 
who represented Cook County in the State Leg- 
islature, in which body his influence was uniformly 
felt, as elsewhere. 

Hon. M. L. Dunlap was married, in Chicago, to 
Miss Emeline Pierce, who was born March 18, 
1818, at Sandy Creek, Oswego Co., N. Y., and was 
the daughter of John and Hannah (Ballou) Pierce, 
natives of Rhode Island. Mr. Pierce served as a 
soldier in the War of 1812, was Sheriff of Oswego 
County, and in other respects a prominent man in 
the public affairs of that section. The children of 
the Pierce household were Theodore, now deceased ; 
Hiram J., a resident of Champaign; Oscar, of Grand 
View, Dak.; Merton, of Pax ton, 111.; Albert, de- 
ceased; Ernest L. and Ella, twins; the former a 
resident of Savoy, and the latter the wife of C. H. 
Riser, and now living in Kaukakee; Eva J., the 
wife of R. G. Riser, of Kankakee, and Louie J., de- 
ceased. 

Mr. Dunlap of our sketch was but four years old 
when he came to this county with his parents. He 
pursued his primary studies in the district schools, 
and afterward entered the Illinois State University 
at Urbana, from which he graduated in 1875. Soon 
afterward he went into Ford County, and became 
the assistant of his brother Merton, who was then 
and is still County Clerk there. After a few months 
of office work he returned to the old homestead, 
which he took charge of until 1883, and then be- 
came its possessor by purchase. He is extensively 
engaged in raising grain and stock, the latter of 
which includes horses, sheep, cattle and hogs. He 
also has a fine fruit orchard, in the cultivation of 
which he takes great pride, and produces annually 
some of the finest specimens to be found at the ag- 
ricultural fairs. The main orchard includes 150 
acres, among the trees of which are 150 varieties 
of apples. This orchard is one of the largest in the 
United States, and the largest in Central Illinois. 
In connection with this he has a steam cider mill, 
from which he turns out 1,000 barrels of cider an- 

1 - 







224 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



nually, and which finds a ready market. The farm 
and buildings are kept in first-class condition, and 
form one of the most attractive spots in this lo- 
cality. 

Mr. Dunlap was married in Urbana, July 5, 1877, 
to Miss Nora C. Biirt, who is a native of Coshocton 
County, Ohio, born Feb. 4, 1856, and the daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Mary L. Hurt. Of this union 
there have been born two children Mabel and 
Clarence. Mrs. Dunlap is connected with the 
Universalist Church. Politically our subject casts 
his vote with the Republican party. 



11. VAN VLECK, of Philo Milage, is a 
substantial representative of the family 
which originated in Holland and the first 
members of which came to this country prior to 
the Revolutionary War. The first of the family 
to locate ^in this country was the great-grandfather 
of our subject, who settled in the Mohawk Valley 
and remained a resident of the Empire State until 
his death. He there reared a family, among the 
members of which was James, the grandfather of 
our subject, who became a successful farmer, was 
married to Miss Rachel Francisco, of Spanish an- 
cestry, and spent the last years of his life in Herki- 
mer County, dying in 1822. His wife survived 
him until 1838, and until about seventy years of 
age. Their eldest son and child, also named James, 
was reared to manhood in that locality and when 
twelve years of age began to work in the woolen- 
mills of Honeoye, N. Y. 

James Van Vleck attained to great skill in the 
manufacture of woolens, and was also possessed of 
much mechanical skill, becoming perfectly familiar 
with the intricacies of machinery and operated as a 
millwright during the later years of his life. At 
the early age of twenty-three years, in company 
with his brother-in-law, he erected a large woolen- 
mill at Brownsville, N. Y., and was even at that 
time the master mechanic in its construction. 
Afterward, in 1840, in company with a partner, he 
established the mills at Macedon Locks, in Wayne 
County, where he operated four years. He then con- 
cluded to try farming, but after one year's experi- 



ence returned to his former business and re-estab- 
lished the old factory in Penficld, Monroe County. 
His partner died about th:it time but he remained 
there for several years and thence removed to Dans- 
ville, Livingston County, and afterward to Addison, 
Steuben County. In 185G he removed from the 
Empire State, and coining to Joliet, 111., was vari- 
ouslj' engaged until his death, Dec. 9, 1885, when 
seventy-four years old, having been born Dec. 1 1 , 
1811. The mother of our subject was Miss Mary 
A. Haskins, who was born at Hinsdale, Mass., where 
she was reared and educated and learned to weave. 
She came of a long-lived family and is yet living 
in Joliet, being about seventy-three years old. She 
was the youngest of twelve children, and was or- 
phaned by the death of both parents when a small 
child. The twelve all lived to a good old age and 
six yet survive, being well advanced in years. 

Our subject was the eldest in the family, consist- 
ing of two sons and one daughter. The latter, 
Mary, died in infancy. The parents afterward 
adopted a little girl named Elizabeth, who was re- 
garded as one of the family and became the wife 
of George Thompson, of Steuben County, N. Y. 
She is now deceased. Mr. Van Vleck received a 
good education, completing his studies at Albany 
University, from which he graduated in the class 
of 1854, being its youngest member. lie had 
attended a course in the law department, and was 
admitted to practice that same year. Soon after- 
ward he withdrew from the bar of the State and 
came to Illinois, locating in Winnebago County, 
where he was alternately engaged in teaching and 
farming. In 1858 he became a resident of Will 
County. During that year also he set out with an 
organized company to cross the plains, and after 
reaching California engaged in mining and mer- 
chandising until 1866. He then returned to Illi- 
nois via the Isthmus, arriving in this State in June. 

From that time until October our subject occu- 
pied himself in looking around for a permanent 
location, finally settling at Philo Village, where he 
began dealing in grain, which he continued for 
some years, ih the meantime also becoming con- 
nected with the agency of the Wabash Railroad. 
He also dealt in lumber, coal, live-stock and real 
estate. At the early age of eighteen years he had 1 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



225, 



obtained a practical knowledge of surveying, which 
lie followed for many years. The greater part of 
the township of Philo was surveyed by him, as well 
as portions of Raymond, Sidney and Urbana, and 
lie laid out the village of St. Joseph as early as 
1872. lie has operated of late years in company 
with his brother, and the firm of Van Vleek & Bro. 
now do a business of about $100,000 annually. 

Our subject was married at Joliet, Sept. 20, 
1809, to Miss Jennie S. Palmer, who was born and 
reared in that city and who died at the home of 
her husband in Philo Village, Oct. 26, 1872, being 
a few months over twenty-six years of age. The 
second marriage of Mr. Van Vleck took place in 
1874, with Mrs. Emma (Gordy) Moon. Mrs. Van 
V. was the daughter of Cyrus Gordy, and was born 
and reared in Ohio. A sketch of her uncle, Thomas 
Gordy, appears on another page in this volume. 
This lady died at the home of her husband in Philo 
Village, June 18, 1880. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married at Philo in 1881, was Mrs. Frances (Gil- 
lett) Godfrey, a native of New York State, and the 
daughter of William and Sarah Gillett. Of the 
first marriage of Mr. Van V. there was born a son, 
C. Frank, who is the only child of our subject. 

Mr. Van Vleck has served as Justice of the Peace 
in Philo Township for two years. Politically he 
is a solid Republican, and with his excellent lady 
is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian 
Church. 



eAPT. JOSEPH DAVIDSON. This gentle- 
man is widely and favorably known through- 
out Champaign County as possessing more 
than ordinary ability, and one who has proved him- 
self an important factor in the farming and busi- 
ness community of Philo Township. He is pleas- 
antly located on a fine stock farm, which occupies 
part of section 18, and also has a tract in Tolono 
Township, the whole including 455 acres, all of 
which is finely improved. The residence of our 
subject is a fine and imposing structure, and the 
grounds surrounding it are beautifully laid out and 
ornamented with choice shrubs and trees, the main 
feature being a fine grove which protects it from 



summer's heat and winter's storm. The barns and 
other outhouses correspond with the dwelling, and 
the whole estate forms a picture to delight the eye 
and attract the attention of the passer-by. 

Capt. Davidson took possession of his present 
homestead in 1867, although he had been a resident 
of Champaign County since the close of the war. 
His first purchase consisted of 160 acres, to which 
he afterward added by degrees. He has been uni- 
formly prosperous in his business and agricultural 
undertakings, and has contributed his full share 
toward the development of Philo Township. He 
is a native of Ironton, Lawrence Co., Ohio, and 
was born June 15, 1820. His father, Col. Joseph 
Davidson, was for some years Sheriff of Lawrence 
County, which he also represented in the Ohio 
Legislature for a period of four years. He owned 
a fine property in the Buckeye State, and was a man 
who commanded admiration and respect wherever 
known. After reaching middle life he moved to 
Iowa, locating on a farm near Farmington, Van 
Buren County, where his death occurred. The 
mother died in Ohio when her only son, Joseph of 
our sketch, was but nine years of age. His father 
in due time was married again, and our subject re- 
mained with him until seventeen years of age, 
when he set out to do for himself. He had no 
money and the occason of his leaving home was a 
severe chastisement which his father gave him with- 
out cause. He commenced the struggle with the 
world as a flatboatman on the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers, and for eight years following journeyed up 
and down between Cincinnati and New Orleans. 
During that period he saw many strange sights and 
met with some hard experiences; sometimes pos- 
sessed of a full purse and sometimes had nothing. 
Later in life he began to operate a steamboat up 
and down the Tennessee River, and during the war 
was engaged in transporting Government supplies, 
which proved quite a bonanza. He became Cap- 
tain of the J. H. Done, and later built a boat, J. II. 
Done No. 2. He transferred the first Ft. Don- 
nelson prisoners from the fort to Vicksburg for ex- 
change, and his craft was afterward utilized entirely 
for army officials. He became one of the most 
skillful pilots and Captains throughout that section 
of country. In June, 1864, he sold out his boats 



D 

f 



226 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



4 



and business to good advantage, and located in 
Ironton, Ohio, whence later he removed to Cham- 
paign County, 111., invested in land and began to 
operate as a general farmer. He was for a few 
years engaged in merchandising in Ironton, but 
confesses more of an affection for Champaign 
County than any other locality where his lot has 
been cast. 

Our subject was first married in Lawrence County, 
Ohio, in 1850, to Miss Eliza Frampton. This lady 
was a native of Ohio, born in Lawrence County, 
and died in that county, at Ironton, in 1856, leav- 
ing two children. Ada became the wife of Chester 
A. Bowman, now a successful young farmer of 
Philo Township, this county; Joseph M. is engaged 
as a grain dealer at St. Louis, Mo. 

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was 
married at Ironton, Ohio, in May, 1865, was for- 
merly Miss Susan Hover. She was bora in Penn- 
sylvania, of which State her parents were both 
natives. She possesses in a marked degree the 
energy and intelligence of her husband, and their 
home is the resort of the cultured people of Philo 
Township. Capt. Davidson is strongly Republican, 
but has steadily declined to become an office- 
seeker. 

* 

^ILLIAM DAWLEY. The subject of the 
following sketch owns and occupies a fine 
homestead in Scott Township, on section 
3. This comprises 240 acres of choice land, upon 
which he has erected a-fine set of frame buildings, 

O " 

and supplied the premises with all things needful 
for the carrying on of agriculture in a first-class 
manner. Mr. Dawley has been a resident of Scott 
Township since 1866. He was born in Greene 
County, Ohio, April 26, 1828, and is the son of Dev- 
vorix and Huldah Dawley, the former a native of 
Maryland and the latter of Kentucky. After their 
marriage they located in Ohio, and the mother 
died in Greene County in about 1837. After the 
death of his wife the .father of our subject removed 
to Muskingum County, Ohio, where he again mar- 
ried, and then removed to Fairfield County. lie 
died in Lancaster, that county, in about 18*0. 
The parental family consisted of seven children, 




three sons and four daughters, of whom our subject 
is the third child. He remained a resident of Ohio 
until 1851, when he came to Piatt County, this 
State, first working oat by the month, then operat- 
ing on rented land until 1866. He was married in 
Piatt County, Jan. 6, 1853, to Miss Susan Gay, also 
a native of the Buckeye State. They became the 
parents of nine children, three now deceased. Those 
surviving are Diantlm, John, Mary C., William, 
Ida and Clara. John married Miss Nancy Beck, 
and is farming in Scott Township. Those deceased 
are Albert, Kosaltha and Jane. 

Mr. Dawley has held the office of Highway Com- 
missioner, and is a man who takes a genuine inter- 
est in the welfare of his community. Politically he 
is a reliable Republican. Mrs. D. is a member in 
good standing of the Methodist Church. 



ENRY SADORUS, deceased, father of Henry 
T., Allen M. and William Sadorus, repre- 
sented in this work, was a native of Penn- 
sylvania and of German descent, as was 
also his wife, Mary (Titus) Sadorus. He followed 
farming in Allegheny County, Pa., from early man- 
hood until 1817, then left the farm and drifted 
down the Ohio River on a raft, landing at Cincin- 
nati, where he remained two years, engaged in var- 
ious kinds of business. Thence he migrated into 
Rush County, Ind., and purchased a farm of eighty 
acres, where he remained until 1824. In the mean- 
time he had been greatly prospered, but desiring to 
change his location once more, pushed still further 
westward into Illinois, and purchased 600 acres of 
land in Vermilion County. From this Champaign 
County was afterward detached, and Mr. Sadorus 
settled at the lower end of what is now known as 
Sadorus Grove. Here he remained engaged in the 
peaceful pursuit of agriculture, and rested from his 
earthly labors July 18, 1878, dying at the advanced 
age of ninety-five years, having been born July 26, 
1783. 

The subject of this history possessed a varied and 
interesting experience. During the progress of the 
Revolutionary War he served with the minute men 
who guarded the navy yard during the construction ' 




T 







RESIDENCE OF L H. Hows ER, SEC. 31, ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP 




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RESIDENCE OF G.W.GRISWOLD,SEC. 17 ,HARWOOD TOWNSHIP. 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



229 , , 



of Commodore Perry's fleet for the memorable 
cruise on Lake Erie. He witnessed the Indian war 
dance and the bloody massacre which followed, and 
during the early days of the settlement of Penn- 
sylvania, incurred, in common with those around 
him, the dangers and hardships of life in the wilder- 
ness. 

Henry Sadorus lived, however, to note the disap- 
pearance of the untamed savages, and to behold the 
native soil, where many years before had roamed 
wild animals and Indians, cultivated by the civil- 
ized whites and teeming with settlements. Upon 
coming to Illinois' his rich experience enabled him 
at once to grasp the duties of the pioneer, which he 
performed in a manner worthy his high character 
and the principles which had ruled his life. He was 
a citizen who enjoyed in a marked degree the re- 
spect of those around him, and of whom still fur- 
ther mention is made in the biography of his sons. 




., LEXANDER YEXLEY. 
Oil made his first advent 



\ 



This gentleman 
into Champaign 

County thirty years ago, in 1857. He is 
thoroughly acquainted with the vicissitudes 
of pioneer life, having had a rare experience with 
the difficulties of a new country, his first experi- 
ence having been when he was a boy in the Buck- 
eye State, to which he had emigrated with his par- 
ents from his native city of Quebec, Ontario, 
Canada. There he first opened his eyes to the light 
on the 24th of May, 1 834. His father, Alexander 
Yexley, Sr., was born in the city of London, En- 
gland, where he grew to manhood, was married, 
and soon afterward emigrated to America. He 
was a horse-trainer by profession, which he followed 
until his death, which occurred in 1835. The 
mother of our subject before her marriage was 
Miss Mary J. Brown, also a native of London. 
Their son, our subject, was but a year old when his 
father died. . The mother was subsequently mar- 
ried to W. Wood, and they removed to New York 
State, where they lived for a short time, thence 
going to Toledo, Ohio, and afterward into Defiance 
County, that State, where Mrs. Wood still lives. 
Mr. Yexley of our sketch was but a child when 



i his mother became a resident of Defiance County, 
Ohio. They located on the present site of Hicks- 
ville, which was then a wilderness, and the boy as- 
sisted in clearing a farm and establishing a comf orta- 
able home, remaining with his mother until eight- 
een years old, when he paid his stepfather $30 for 
his time, and started out for himself. He com- 
menced working for $8 a month, but his 
wages were raised as his usefulness increased, never, 
however, going over $14. When twenty-one years 
old he commenced dealing in stock, in which he 
was occupied until 1857. In that year he decided 
to tiy his fortunes in the farther West, and made 
the journey overland into Illinois, bringing with 
him four horses and selling three after his arrival. 
Coming into this county he commenced to break- 
prairie at $20 per month and during the summer 
season worked in the harvest field. In December 
of that year he returned to Ohio and resumed his 
stock operations, to which he also added that of a 
lively trade in furs. 

In 1863 Mr. Yexley returned to this county and 
purchased the farm which he now owns and occu- 
pies. Its condition, however, is now widely differ- 
ent from that in which he found it. There was 
then a house of one room, very little of the land 
was enclosed, and but a few acres had been turned 
by the plow. The passing traveler now descries an 
attractive homestead with shapely and substantial 
farm buildings, and the land under a good state of 
cultivation. Everything about the premises de- 
notes the supervision of the intelligent modern 
farmer. 

The lady who has been the sharer of the labors 
and successes of our subject, and to whom he was 
married Nov. 28, 1857, was formerly Miss Jane 
Ham. She was born in Fayette County, Pa., May 
23, 1841, and is the daughter of Bartholomew and 
Lucinda Ham, natives of Virginia. Mr. Ham re- 
moved from his native State to Ohio at an early 
period in the settlement of Fayette County, where 
he was one of the first pioneers. He cleared a farm 
from the wilderness and built a comfortable home 
which he occupied for many years. In 1851 he 
came to Illinois, locating first in Piatt County, and 
after operating there five years on rented land en- 
tered a claim in Condit Township, this county, ' 



t 



t 



t 



230 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



which bfcaiiie his home until about 18GO. He is 
now :i ivsiilent of Fisher. 

.Mr. anil Mrs. Yexley have become the parents of 
live children, namely: Lillie V., the wife of Will- 
iam .1'orter. of Merrick County, Neb.; Alta M., 
Tina 15., George A. and Katie M. Mrs. Y. is con- 
nected with the Methodist Church ; our subject po- 
litically is a supporter of Republican principles. 







LEXANDER P. WI1ITMORE owns and 
occupies one of the finest farms in Philo 
Township, which is located on section 4, 
and invariably attracts the attention of the 
passing traveler on account of the beauty of its 
location, the tasteful and imposing residence, and 
the substantial barn situated in the midst of fine 
grounds, everything indicating the cultivated tastes 
and ample means of the proprietor. Our subject 
purchased his present homestead in 1873. but did 
not take possession until four years later. It com- 
prises 164 acres drained by 500 rods of tile, in- 
closed with substantial fencing and cultivated by 
means of the most improved machinery. 

Mr. Whitmore has been a resident of Champaign 
County since 1865, arriving here on the 14th of 
April, the day made memorable by the assassination 
of Abraham Lincoln. He located in the city of 
Champaign, of which he remained a resident until 
1871, when he removed to a farm in Homer Town- 
ship, which he occupied until the removal to Philo. 
In the former township he became proprietor of 
150 acres, which he secured solely through his own 
industry and by the exercise of the closest econo- 
my, as he started out in the world poor in pocket, 
with no possessions but his rare good sense and 
willing hands. His subsequent career has been a 
fine illustration of what may be accomplished by 
energy, industry and prudence. The birth of 
Alexander P. Whitmore took place in Rutland 
County, Vt., April 15, 1834. He resided in his 
native State until reaching years of manhood, and 
thence removed to Washington County, N. Y., lo- 
cating at Ft. Ann, where he remained until coming 
to Illinois. He was married, Dec. 9, 1861, to Miss 
Susan J. Bourne, a native of his own town in Ver- 



mont, where she grew to womanhood, receiving a 
common-school education. Of this union there 
were born four children: Susie became the wife 
of Rev. George W. Morrow, who is now attending 
the Christian Church College on the Hudson at 
Stanford ville, N. Y., completing his studies for the 
ministry; the younger daughter, May, is at home 
with her parents. Two died in infancy unnamed. 
The Whitmore family were originally from New 
England, the father of our subject, Perley Whit- 
more, having been born in Rhode Island, where the 
first representatives of the family, who were of 
English descent, settled at an early day. He mar- 
ried Miss Marbury Stafford, of Rutland County, 
Vt., who descended from the German. They lo- 
cated in Granville, N. Y., where the father died in 
1850, when sixty years of age. The mother, who 
afterward remained a widow, came to Illinois and 
spent the remainder of her days with one of her 
sons, Thomas S., in Champaign, departing this life 
in 1884, when eighty-seven years of age. 

The parents of Mrs. Whitmore were also of New 
England birth. Her father, Orson Bourne, de- 
parted this life in Hubbardton, Vt., in 1885, when 
about seventy-five years old. The mother, who was 
formerly Miss Susan Sherman, died in New York 
near the Vermont State line, about the year 1859. 
Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore have come honestly by 
every penny of their possessions. Their beautiful 
home with its surroundings is the result of many 
years of industry and economy, the wife working 
side by side with her husband in the endeavor to 
place themselves in a worthy and honored position 
in the community. Their efforts have been amply 
rewarded, and their later years witness them enjoy- 
ing the fruits of their labors, and the esteem of all 
who know them. 



J- OHN K. BARD WELL, of Hensley Township, 
was born in Shelburne, Franklin Co., Mass., 
March 9, 1 835. His father, Ebenezer Bard- 
1 well, and his grandfather, Zenas, were born 
on the same farm. The Bard wells were among the 
earliest settlers of that section of the country, the 
farm having been handed down from father to son 
for several generations; it is now owned by a 



t 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



231 






brother of our subject. Ebene/.er Bard well spent 
his entire life on the farm where he first opened his 
eyes, and died there hi about 1872. He was mar- 
ried in early manhood to Miss Clarinda Rice, who 
was born in Conway, Franklin Co., Mass.. and was 
the (laughter of Daniel Rice, whose ancestors were 
among the earliest settlers there. The mother of 
our subject died on the old homestead in 1844. 
There the latter was reared, and received his early 
education in the district schools. He afterward 
pursued his studies in the academy at Bernardstown, 
and after his school days were over engaged at 
fanning. He remained with his parents until 1860, 
when he came West and purchased land in Critten- 
den Township, this county, which he occupied four 
years, and then purchased his present farm. This 
he has brought to a fine state of cultivation, has 
erected a commodious frame barn, and is now 
building a handsome house. 

Mr. Bardwell was married, in August, 1860, to 
Miss Levilla Kellogg, who was a native of his own 
town in Massachusetts, and the daughter of Elam 
and Betsey (Dole) Kellogg, both also natives of 
Shelburne. Elam Kellogg held the office of Deacon 
in the Congregational Church of Franklin County, 
Mass., for a period of over fifty years, and was one 
of three who voted the Free-Soil ticket at its birth , 
in Shelburne. lie was widely known as Deacon Kel- 
logg. Of the union of our subject and his wife 
there have been born seven children, three living 
Ellen, Julia and Faith. Four died in infancy,, 
Mr. and Mrs. B. and two of their children are con- 
nected with the Congregational Church at Cham- 
paign. Our subject is a stanch Republican, and 
greatly interested in the success of the Prohibition 
party. 



ILLIAM H. JOHNSON is proprietor of 
520 acres of improved land, embracing the 
greater part of section 12 in Sadorus 
Township. As a man of great force of character, 
who arose from a humble position in life to become 
one of the most important factors of a wealthy and 
prosperous community, he presents an example of 
courage and resolution which is highly worthy of 
emulation by the young man of to-day, who is so 




situated that if he rises at all it must be through 
his own efforts. 

Mr. Johnson was born in the city of Boston, 
Mass., Sept. 14, 1825, and was the twelfth child in 
a family of thirteen, of whom he is the only surviv- 
ing member. His parents, Enoch and Lydia John- 
son, were also natives of the Bay State, and pos- 
sessed but a moderate amount of this world's 
goods. When William H. was ten years of age he 
started out to do for himself. He had in his pocket 
a cash capital of $1.50, which he had earned pick- 
ing currants, and which he spent in paying his fare 
to New York City. He had formed large ideas of 
the metropolis from the stories recited by his 
young associates, and entered its gates with high 
hopes. His bright, open and intelligent face com- 
mended him to those from he sought employment, 
and he found a berth in Lovejoy's Hotel, where he 
remained for over three years. In the meantime, 
with the natural impulse of youth to be gay and 
foolish, he became surrounded by a group of young 
men, who began to lead him astray. His good sense 
saved him, however, and breaking away from them 
he left his situation and sought work elsewhere. A 
year later he left the city in company with a jour- 
neyman printer, and wandered up the river, first to 
Albany and thence to Troy, where he bound him- 
self to Thomas Henderson, an iron-nail maker, for 
a period of four years, but remained with him only 
three years, when he married, Nov. 20, 1842, at the 
age of sixteen years and two months. 

After this event his employer gave him his time, 
and he commenced work at journeyman's wages. 
Having a sensible and economic wife he was ena- 
bled to save some money, and one year later in- 
vested in real estate, purchasing two lots in the city 
of Troy, where he built a two-story house, of which 
he rented a part, and occupied the balance with his 
family. His wife was formerly Miss Catherine 
Leagle, and was only fourteen years of age at the 
time of her marriage. The first year of their union 
there was born a daughter, Adaline A., and two 
years later a boy, whom they named William. In 
1847 another daughter was added to the household, 
whom they named Sarah. When little Sarah was 
ten months old her mother was taken away by the 
cholera, which swept over the Eastern States, and 



1 



t 

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232 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



the life of Willie was saved only by the most des- 
perate remedies. This occurred in 1848, when our 
subject, was but twenty-three years of age. 

After the death of his wife Mr. Johnson em- 
ployed a housekeeper, and attempted to keep his 
little family together. This proved anything but 
satisfactory, and he then placed his children to 
board while he left them to toil for their support. 
His burden of sorrow was soon added to by the 
death of his only son, from the measles, about six 
months after the death of the mother. 

These afflictions had the effect of causing the 
father to lose his interest in the old scenes and sur- 
roundings, and placing his two little girls in the 
hands of his brother-in-law in the country, near by, 
he accepted a proposition from a company of nail- 
makers, to go to Cuba and construct and operate a 
nail-mill there. lie arrived in the West Indies in 
the fall of 1849, and located the site of the mill at 
Regains near Havana, where he put up the first 
nail and iron mill on the Island, under the pro- 
tection of the (Jueen of Spain, who gave his com- 
pany the exclusive right of manufacture, and for- 
bade the importation of spikes or nails to the Island 
for a long period of years. 

Mr. Johnson remained in Cuba a little over two 
years, and while there was married to Mrs. Cather- 
ine Louisa Hartman, a native of Hanover, Germany. 
After suffering a spell of the j'ellow fever he was 
again forced to face another cholera scourge, but 
determined to evade its dangers by returning 
North until the trouble was over. Before he could 
get away, however, his wife was stricken down, but 
after a desperate struggle for her life, finally recov- 
ered. The first husband of Mrs. Johnson died from 
cholera very suddenly at Havana, being taken 
down one Sunday morning while they were pre- 
paring for church. Of this union there was born 
one son, Frederick, who now makes his home with 
his mother and stepfather. 

After his wife was able to travel Mr. Johnson re- 
turned to Troy, N. Y., remaining unemployed there 
until the danger was over. In the meantime nearly 
all his friends and acquaintances had been carried 
off by the dreadful epidemic, and as he had lost all 
his property he left there, determined never to re- 
turn, lie accordingly engaged in the butchering 



business in Troy, which he followed four years, and 
then abandoned this to engage in the grocery trade-. 
Two years later ill-health compelled him to give up 
business entirely and receive treatment for con- 
sumption, which seemed to have taken hold upon 
i his constitution. Not experiencing any relief he 
concluded to go West. 

After reaching Chicago, in 1856, upon his west- 
ern venture, Mr. Johnson concluded to remain 
there for a time, and put up at the Massasoit House, 
near the Central Depot. Shortly afterward, however, 
he started out with a company of speculators to 
view the land in Central Illinois. He was greatly 
pleased, and purchased eighty acres on section 12, 
in Piatt County. Returning to Chicago he pur- 
chased two horses, some farming implements, and 
seed potatoes, and returning to his purchase, 
planted his potatoes on a piece of sod that had been 
broken on his land, unintentionally, by a man who 
owned land adjoining and supposed that his prop- 
erty included this strip also. Mr. Johnson raised a 
fine crop of "murphies," and the people came 
for miles around to buy them. He found himself 
unable to turn the sod with the team he had, and 
returning to Chicago, bought another horse and 
hired a trusty man to come to the farm with him. 
About this time, his wife who had remained in 
Troy, wrote that her little boy, who > had suf- 
fered severely with the measles, was still in feeble 
health, and he returned home, to find that the De- 
stroyer had again invaded his household. He ar- 
rived there just as the funeral was leaving, but 
with a sorrow born of despair, set himself mechan- 
ically about the arrangements for the future com- 
fort of his remaining family. 

Mr. Johnson now sold out all his possessions in 
Troy, and returned to the West with his family. At 
Toledo he purchased lumber for a house and shipped 
it, together with his household goods, to Bement 
on the Wabash Railroad, which had just been put 
in operation. Upon arriving at his farm and estab- 
lishing .his family in a house near by, he proceeded 
to the woods and cut the timbers for the frame of 
his projected dwelling, which in due time was 
completed and the family moved in. As will be 
seen, Mr. Johnson was entirely ignorant of the art 



CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. 



233 






of farming, and he conquered it only by the hard- 
est work and long continued efforts. 

Providence now smiled upon the efforts of our 
subject, and he remained upon the farm which he 
had built up until 18G2. In the meantime his own 
child and the child of his wife by her former 
husband were growing up, and he determined to 
give them the advantages of a better education 
than they could secure in Sadorus Township. He 
accordingly rented his farm and moving to the city 
of Quincy, placed the children in school, and re- 
mained there until they had completed their stud- 
ies, in 1865. Then all returned to the farm, which 
had been occupied by the husband of his daughter, 
James Gilman. While in (Quincy Mr. J. employed 
his time operating in grain, of which business he 
made a success. Upon returning to the farm he put 
up a fine residence, into which his family moved in 
the fall of 1865, and which our subject has since 
occupied. The beautiful dwelling, situated in the 
midst of choice fruit trees and surrounded by hand- 
some grounds, with stately and substantial out- 
houses, and the fields stretching away on either 
side, presents a picture of one of the finest home- 
steads in Central Illinois. The career of Mr. 
Johnson as a man and citizen, has been one of which 
his children will be proud to read in years to come. 

During his residence on the farm Mr. Johnson 
opened a station, a quarter of a mile away, which is 
now known as Ivesdale. For a period of fifteen 
years he conducted general merchandising in con- 
nection with the grain trade, while at the same time 
he officiated as Postmaster, Station Agent and Ex- 
press Agent, and was in fact, with his employes, al- 
most a village by himself. The post-office was 
opened in 18GC, and remained in his hands until he 
sold out his stock of merchandise. He had also es- 
tablished on the farm a nursery, which was man- 
aged by John Blocker, a native of Sweden, and a 
man well posted in his business. Mr. B. had charge 
of this for sixteen years. After retiring from his 
other business Mr. Johnson was able to give this 
branch more of his time. 

Our subject might live in luxury the balance of 
his days, without raising a finger to labor, but his 
natural habits of life have been such that it is im- 
possible for him to remain idle. His mind, at 



least, is actively engaged in projects that will en- 
hance the beauty of his homestead, and in this way 
reflect credit on his county. He spends his winters 
mainly in the South, returning to the farni in the 
spring, and while not lavish in his outlays for the 
convenience and comfort of himself and his family, 
wisely assists in the circulation of the " legal tender," 
benefiting the industrial and trade interests about 
him equally with himself. He takes no active part 
in politics, and to the repeated solicitations to be- 
come an office-holder, has steadily turned a deaf 
ear. 

Of the five children born to William II. and 
Catherine L. Johnson, two little boys (twins) died 
in infancy; William married Mary C., daughter of 
Elijah and Mary Centers, and lives in Chicago; he 
is employed on the Wabash Railroad as engineer, 
and is th