Historical encyclopedia of Illinois

Front matter

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Preface

Why publish this book? There should be many and strong reasons to warrant such an nndertaking. Are there such reasons? What considerations are weighty enough to have induced tlie publishers to make this venture? and what special claims has Illiuois to such a distinction? These are reasonable and inevitable inquiries, and it is fitting they should receive attention.

In the first place, good State Histories are of great importance and value, and Ihcre is abundant and cheering evidence of an increasing j)opular interest in them. This is true of all such works, whatever States may be their subjects; and it is conspicuously true of Illinois, for the following, among many other reasons: Because of its gi-eat prominence in the early history of the West as the seat of the first settlements of Europeans northwest of the Ohio River — the unique character of its early civilization, duo to or resulting from its early French population brought in contact with the aborigines — its political, military, and educational prominence— its steadfast loyalty and patriotism — the marvelous development of its vast resources — the number of distinguished statesmen, generals, and Jurists whom it has furnished to the Government, and its gi'and record in the exciting and perilous conflicts on the Slavery question.

This is the magnificent Commonwealth, the setting forth of whose history, in all of its essential departments and features, seemed to warrant the bringing out of another volume devoted to that end. Its material has been gathered from every available source, and most carefully examined and sifted before acceptance. P]special care has been taken in collecting material of a biographical character ; facts and incidents in the personal history of men identified with the life of the State in its Territorial and later periods. This material has been gathered from a great variety of sources widely scattered, and much of it quite inaccessible to the ordinary inquirer. The encyclopedic form of the work favors conciseness and compactness, and was adopted with a view to condensing the largest amount of information within the smallest practicable space.

And so the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois was conceived and planned in the belief that it was needed; that no other book filled the place it was designed to occupy, or furnished the amount, variety and scope of information touching the infancy and later life of Illinois, that would be found in its pages. In that belief, and in furtherance of those ends, the book has been constructed and its topics selected and written. Simplicity, perspicuity, conciseness and accuracy have been the dominant aims and rules of its editors and writers. The supreme mission of the book is to record, fairly and truthfully, historical facts; facts of the earlier and later history of the State, and drawn from the almost innumerable sources connected with that history; facts of, interest to the gieat bodv of our people, as well as to scholars, officials, and other special classes; a book convenient for reference in the school, the iflfice, and the home. Hence, no attempt at fine wiiting, no labored, irrelevant and

4 PREFACE.

long-drawn iiccounts of matters, persons or things, which really need but a few plain words for their adoqiiato elucidation, will be found in its pages. On the otiier luiiid, perspicuity and fitting develoi)inent are never intentionally saeriliced to mere conciseness and brevity. Whenever a subject, from its nature, demands a more elaborate treatment — and there are many of this character — it is handled accordingly.

As a rule, the method pursued is the separate and topical, rather than the chronological, as being more satisfactory and convenient for reference. 'I'hat is, each topic is considered Eejwrately and exhaustively, instead of being blended, chronologically, with others. To pass from subject to subject, in the mere arbitrary order of time, is to sacrifice simplicity and order to coinjilexity and confusion.

Absolute freedom from error or defect in iiU cases, in handling so many thousands of items, is not claimed, and could not reasonably be expected of any finite intelligence; since, in complicated cases, some element may possibly elude its sharpest scrutiny, liut every statement of fact, made herein without qualification, is believed to be strictly correct, and the statistics of the volume, as a wiiole, are submitted to its readers with entire confidence.

Considerable space is also devoted to biogi-aphical sketches of persons deemed worthy of mention, for tlieir close relations to the State in some of its varied interests, political, govcnmiental, financial, social, religious, educational, industrial, commercial, economical, military, judicial or otherwise; or for their supposed personal deservings in other respects. It is believed that the extensive recognition of such individuals, by the publishers, will not be disapproved or regretted by the public; that j^ersonal biography has an honored, useful and legitiniiito ]ilace in such a history of Illinois as this volume aims to be, and that the omission of such a department would seriously detract from the completeness and value of the book. Perhaps no more delicate and diflQcult task has confronted the editors and publishers than the selection of names for this part of the work.

While it is believed that no unworthy name has a place in the list, it is freely admitted that there may be many others, equally or possibly even more worthy, whose names do not appear, partly for lack of definite and adequate information, and partly because it was not deemed best to materially increase the space devoted to this class of topics.

And so, with cordial thanks to the publishers for the risks they have so cheerfully assumed in this enterprise, for their business energy, integrity, and determination, and their uniform kindness and courtesy; to the many who have so generously and helpfully promoted the success of the work, by their contributions of valuable information, interesting reminiscences, and rare incidents; to Mr. Paul Selby, the very able associate editor, to whom especial honor and credit are due for his most efiicient, intelligent and scholarly services; to lion. Harvey B. llurd, Walter B. Wines, and to all others who have, by word or act, encouraged us in this enterprise— with grateful recognition of all these friends and helpers, the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, with its thousands of topics and many thousands of details, items and incidents, is now respectfully submitted to the good people of the State, for whom it has been jiropared, in the earnest hope and confident belief that it will be found instructive, convenient and useful for the purposes for which it was designed.

PREFATORY STATEMENT,

Since the bulk of the matter contained in this volume was practically completed and ready for the press, Dr. Newton Bateman, who occupied the relation to it of editor-in-chief, has passed beyond the sphere of mortal existence. In placing the work before the public, it therefore devolves upon the undersigned to make this last jirefatory statement.

As explained by Dr. Bateman in his preface, the object had in view in the preparation of a "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" has been to present, in compact and concise form, the leading facts of Territorial and State history, from the arrival of the earliest French explorers in Illinois to the present time. This has included an outline history of the State, under the title, "Illinois," supplemented by special articles relating to various crises and eras in State history; changes in form of government and administration; the history of Constitutional Conventions and Legislative Assemblies; the various wars in which Illinoisans have taken part, with a summary of the principal events in the history of individual military organizations engaged in the Civil War of 1861-05, and the War of 1898 with Spain; lists of State ofticevs, United States Senators and Members of Congress, with the terms of each ; the organization and development of political divisions; the establishment of charitable and educational institutions; the growth of public improvements and other enterprises which have marked the progress of the State; natural features and resources; the history of early newspapers, and the growth of religious denominations, together with general statistical information and unusual or extraordinary occurrences of a local or general State character — all arranged under topical heads, and convenient for ready reference by all seeking information on these subjects, whether in the family, in the office of the professional or business man, in the teacher's study and the school-room, or in the public librai'y.

While individual or collected biographies of the public men of Illinois have not been wholly lacking or few in number — and those already in existence have a present and constantly increasing value — they have been limited, for the most part, to special localities and particular periods or classes. Rich as the annals of Illinois are in the records and character of its distinguished citizens who, by their services in the public councils, upon the judicial bench and in the executive chair, in the forum and in the field, have reilected honor upon the State and the Nation, there has been hitherto no comprehensive attempt to gather together, in one volume, sketches of those who have been conspicuous in the creation and upbuilding of the State. The collection of material of this sort has been a task requiring patient and laborious research ; and, while all may not have been achieved in this direction that was desirable, owing to the insufliciency or total absence of data relating to the lives of many men most prominent in public affairs during the period to which they belonged, it is still believed that what has been accomplished will be found of permanent value and be appreciated by those most deeply interested in this phase of State history.

The large number of topics treated has made brevity and conciseness an indispensable feature of the work ; consequently there has been no attempt to indulge in graces of style or

P K E F A T R Y S T A T E M E N T .

e.aboratioii of narrative. The object has been to present, in simple language and concise form, facts of history of interest or value to those who may choose to consult its pages. Absolute inerrancy is not claimed for every detail of the work, but no pains liiis been spared, and every available authority consulted, to arrive at complete accuracy of statement.

In view of the important bearing which railroad enterprises have had upon the extraordinary development of the State within the past fifty years, considerable space has been given to this department, especially with reference to the older lines of railroad whose history has been intimately interwoven with that of the State, and its progress in wealth and population.

In addition to the acknowledgments made by Dr. 15ateman, it is but proper tliat I should express my personal obligations to the late Prof. Samuel M. Inglis, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and his assistant, Prof. J. II. Freeman; to ex Senator John M. Palmer, of Springfield ; to the late Hon. Joseph Medill, editor of "The Chicago Tribune" ; to the Hon. James B. Bradwell, of "The Chicago Legal News"; to Gen. Green B. Raum, Dr. Samuel Willard, and Dr. Garrett Xewkirk, of Cliicago (the latter as author of the principal portions of the article on the "Undergi'ound Railroad") ; to the Librarians of the State Historical Library, the Chicago Historical Library, and the Chicago Public Library, for special and valuable aid rendered, as well as to a large circle of correspondents in different parts of the State who have courteously responded to requests for information on special topics, and have thereby materially aided in securing whatever success may have been attained in the work.

In conclusion, I cannot omit to pay this final tribute to the memory of my friend and associate, Dr. Bateman, whose death, at his home in Galesburg, elsewhere recorded, was deplored, not only by his associates in the Facult)' of Knox College, his former pupils and immediate neighbors, but by a large circle of friends in all parts of the State.

Although his labors as editor of this volume had been substantially finished at the time of his death (and they included the reading and revision of every line of copy at that time prepared, comprising the larger proportion of the volume as it now goes into the hands of the public), the enthusiasm, zeal and kindly appreciation of the labor of others which he brought to the discharge of his duties, have been sadly missed in the last stages of preparation of the work for the press. In the estimation of many who have held his scholarship and his splendid endowments of mind and character in the highest admiration, his connection with the work will be its strongest commendation and the surest evidence of its merit.

With myself, the most substantial satisfaction I have in dismissing the volume from my hands and submitting it to the judgment of the public, exists iu the fact that, in its preparation, I have been associated with such a co-laborer — one whoso abilities commanded universal respect, and whose genial, scholarly character and noble qualities of mind and heart won the love and confidence of all with whom he came in contact, and whom it had been my privilege to count as a friend from an early period in his long and useful career.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

Abraham Lincoln {Frontispiece) 1

Annex Central Hospital for Insane, Jacksonville 84

Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children, Lincoln 237

Bateman, Newton (Portrait) 3

Board of Trade Building, Chicago 277

"Chenu Mansion," Kaskaskia (1898), where La Fayette was entertained in 1825 .... 315

Chicago Academy of Sciences 394

Chicago Drainage Canal 94

Chicago Historical Society Building 394

Chicago Post Office (U. S. Gov. Building) 88

Chicago Public Buildings 395

Chicago Thoroughfares 89

Chicago Thoroughfares 93

Chief Chicagou (Portrait) 246

Comparative Size of Great Canals 95

Day after Chicago Fire 92

Early Historic Scenes, Chicago 170

Early Historic Scenes, Chicago (No. 2) 171

Engineering Hall, University of Illinois 280

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois 12

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois — The Vineyard 13

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois — Orchard Cultivation 13

First Illinois State House, Kaskaskia (1818) 314

Fort Dearborn from the West (1808) 246

Fort Dearborn from Southeast (1808) 247

Fort Dearborn (1853) 247

General John Edgar's House, Kaskasia 315

Henry de Tonty (Portrait) 246

House of Governor Bond, Old Kaskaskia (1891) 315

House of Chief Ducoign, the last of the Kaskaskias (1893) 314

Home for Juvenile Female Offenders, Geneva. 236

Illinois Eastern Hospital for Insane, Kankakee 85

Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, Quincy 438

Illinois State Normal University, Normal 504

Illinois State Capitol (First), Kaskaskia 240

Illinois State Capitol (Second), Vandalia 240

Illinois State Capitol (Third), Springfield '. 240

Illinois State Capitol (Present), Springfield 241

Illinois State Building, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893 601

Illinois State Penitentiary, Joliet 306

Illinois State Penitentiary— Cell House and Women's Prison 307

Illinois State Keformatory, Pontiac 493

•8 LISTOFILLUSTEATIONS.

PAGE

Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Jacksonville 300

Interior of iloom, Kaskaskia Hotel (189:!) whore La Fayette Hauquet was held in 1825 314

Institution for the Blind, Jacksonville 301

Kaskaskia Hotel, where La Fayette was feted in 1825 (as it appeared, IS'J'-l) 314

La Salle (Portrait) 246

Library Building, University of Illinois 334

Library Building — Main Floor — University of lUiuois 335

Lincoln Park Vistas, Chicago 120

Map of Burned District, Chicago Fire, 1871 276

Map of (! rounds. World's Columbian Exposition, 1893 600

Map of Illinois Following Title Page

Map of Illinois River Valley " " "

JlcCormick .Seniinary, Chicago 362

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Cliicago 90

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 206

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 207

Natural History Hall, University of Illinois 151

Xewberry Library, Chicago 394

Northern Hospital for the Insane, Elgin 402

Old Kaskaskia, from Garrison Hill (as it appeared in 1893) 314

Old State House, Kaskaskia (1900) 315

Pierre Menard Mansion, Kasksiskia (189:i) 314

Kemnanl of Old Kaskaskia (as it appeared in 1898) 315

Scenes in South Park, Chicago 604

Seiljy, Paul (Protrait) 5

Nheridan Road and on the Boulevards, Chicago 121

Soldiers' Widows' Home, Wilmington 439

Southern Illinois Normal, Carbondale 505

Southern Illinois Penitentiary and Asylum for Incurable Insane, Chester 492

University Hall, University of Illinois 150

University of Chicago 363

University of Illinois, Urbana. (Group of Buildings) 540

University of Illinois, Urbana. (Group of Buildings) 541

View from Engineering Hall, University of Illinois 281

View on Principal Street, Old Kaskaskia (1891) 315

Views in Lincoln Park, Chicago 91

V lews of Drainage Canal 96

Views of Drainage Canal 97

War Eagle (Portrait) ^ 246

Western Hospital for the Insane, Watertown 403

World's Fair Buildings 605

PREFACE.

In keeping with the general aim and purpose of the foregoing "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois." the matter embraced in the following pages, constituting a part of the special P'ulton County edition of the work, is intended as a bringing together, in as concise fonn as practicable, of matters of historic interest without unnecessary elaboration or embellishment. Romance, anecdote and mere speculation have been accorded no consideration. Neither have the personal character and achievements of the indi\-idual, no matter how important a part lie ma\- have taken, been dilated upon, but only adverted to incidentally to the proper presentation of the subject matter, which is a brief histor}- of Fulton County and not a history' of its people — that part of the work being abundantly covered in the biographical department, which was exclusively in other hands.

Much labor has been devoted to verification of statements, names and dates, and to this end old settlers, official records and other authorities have been freely consulted as far as opportunity offered. By tlie exercise of such precautions many misstatements found in other publications have been avoided or corrected. In this connection I wish to express mv indebtedness to Dr. W. S. Strode, Fulton County's able naturalist, who prepared the articles on the "Natural History" of the county, which will be found to contain much information that will be invaluable to the future historian ; also to H. S. Cutler, of the publisher's stafY, for assistance in preparing the matter upon the topics of the educational and ecclesiastical histoiy of the county, as well as the history of the fraternal and benevolent societies.

^^'hile errors are unavoidable in a work of this character, treating of events of which no one of the present day has personal knowledge, and especially where so many names and dates are involved and the sources of information cannot always be relied upon as infallible, it is yet hoped that we have succeeded in reducing such shortcomings to the minimum. The gathering and verification of facts derived from many different sotuxes and the preparation, from the mass of information thus obtained, of a history for the press have proved a greater ta.sk and consumed more time than I at fir.st anticipated. The publishers, while urging its early completion, have awaited the furnishing of my manuscript with courteous consideration, believing, with me, that the greater time thus employed would result in a more thoroughly prepared work, and would, therefore, prove to the greater benefit of its patrons.

At the same time, the fact is worthy of recognition that much credit is due to the publishers for the financial outlay which they have incurred, and the great care evidently taken by them in the preparation of the work as a whole, including the insertion of many finely executed portraits and other illustrations, thereby adding largely to the intrinsic value and interest of the volume. Human effort and intelligence have their limitations and perfection is never attainable in publications of this kind. Nevertheless the work throughout has been conscientiously prepared, and I feel assured that it will prove of permanent value to present and future generations.

Chapter I. Introductory

First White Visitors to Fulton County Soil — Coming of Joliet and Marquette — Search for an Outlet to the South Sea — Planting of European Colonies in the New \\'orl(l — Joliet and Marquette's Trip Down the Mississippi and Up the Illinois in 1673 — Indian Tribes Constituting the Illinois Confederacy — Second Visit of ]\Iarquette in 1675 — His Death — Arrival of La Salle and Tonti — Building of Fort Creve-Couer — Period of French Occupation — Fur Trading Stations on the Illinois — Region Within the Present Limits of Fulton Count}' Known to \Miite Men in the Latter Part of the Seventeenth Century 617-621

Chapter II. Natural History

Geology and Topography of Fulton County — Surface Conditions — Varieties of Soil — Geologic Strata Found in the County — Mineral Resources — Coal Area and Products — Extent of Different Systems — Other Mineral Products — Fire Clay and Iron — Sand and

Limestone — Copper and Granite Specimens 621-623

(By \y. S. Strode, M. D.)

CHAPTER III. NATURAL HISTORY— (Continued. )

Animal and Bird Life — Animals \Vhich Have Become Extinct — Destruction of the Wild Turkey — List of Principal Mammals Still in Existence — Fur-Bearing Animals — Birds That Have Disappeared or Are Decreasing in Numbers — Some Species That Are Holding Their Own — Classified List of Birds Still in

Existence 623-626

(Bv \\'. S. Strode. M. D.)

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

CHAPTER IV. NATURAL HISTORY—) Continued.)

Fishes. Reptiles ;uk1 Shell-Bearing Animals of Fulton County — I'-ishing Industry and Commercial Value of Its I'rcxlucts — Classilied List of Reptiles and Related Species — Mussel Shell Species iMiund in Fulton County Water — Their Value for Manufacturing- Purposes — List of Land and \\'ater Shells 626-631

CHAPTER V. NATURAL HISTORY— ( Concluded.)

Flora of I-"ultou Ctnnity — Total of Indigenous I'nxlucts of the Soil in Illinois — Restrictive Influence of Agriculture and Stock Feeding — Prominent Local Botanists — Lists of Native Trees, Fruit-Bearing Shrubs, firasses and Other Native Products — Sources From

Which the Lists Flave Been Compiled 631-636

(By \\'. S. Strode. M. D.)