\AkA. :< I .vIS HAW 
 
 'RY OF IKE COUNTY 
 
OF THE 
 UNIVERSITY 
 Of ILLINOIS 
 
 977.345 
 G88h 
 
 Illinois Historical Survey 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 A CENTENNIAL ADDRESS 
 
 DELIVERED BY 
 
 HON. WILLIAM A. GRIMSHAW 
 
 AT 
 
 P1TTSFIELD, PIKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS 
 JULY 4, 1876 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 DELIVERED BY 
 
 HON. WILLIAM A. GRIMSHAW 
 
 AT 
 
 PITTSFIELD, PIKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS 
 JULY 4, 1876 
 
77- 
 
 Address of the Committee of Invitation 
 
 Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois, June 3, 187 K. 
 ^ TO THE PEOPLE OP PIKE COUNTY: 
 
 At a meeting held at the court house in Pittsfield, on the 27th day 
 
 of May last, it was determined that the approaching Fourth of July 
 
 should be celebrated in an appropriate manner, on the Public Square in 
 
 " Pittsfield, by a basket picnic, with addresses, music, and fireworks at 
 
 night, and the undersigned were appointed a committee to extend an in- 
 
 -^ vitation to the entire county to take part in the celebration. 
 
 In discharging the duty devolved upon us by the action of the meet- 
 1 ing, we respectfully call your attention to the following resolution, which 
 ^recently passed the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
 > ^States, at Washington: 
 
 "BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate and House of Representatives of 
 
 ^s the United States of America: That it be and is hereby recommended 
 
 j by the Senate and House of Representatives to the people of the several 
 
 ^ States that they assemble in the several counties and towns on the ap- 
 
 *~$ preaching anniversary of our National Independence, and that they cause 
 
 -^to have delivered on such day an historical sketch of said county or town 
 
 C from its formation, and th.it a copy of said sketch may be filed in print 
 
 Jor manuscript in the Clerk's office of said County, and an additional copy 
 in print or manuscript be filed in the office of the Librarian of Congress 
 to the intent that a complete record may be thus obtained of the progress 
 ^of our institutions during the first centennial of their existence." 
 
 In pursuance of the action of Congress the President of the United 
 ^States and the Governor of this State have issued proclamations, request- 
 ^ ing the people of each County to meet at suitable places, and celebrate 
 
 Vhis first Centennial year of our national existence, in the manner in the 
 esolution we have quoted, suggested. 
 
 Pike, as the mother of all the counties North and West of the Illinois 
 has a history replete with interest, and it will be but discharging 
 a just obligation due to those who shall follow us upon the stage of ac- 
 tion, if, while meeting to celebrate the Centennial on the coming Fourth, 
 that history shall be presented in such form as to perpetuate it for the 
 * future. 
 
 In discharging the duties assigned to us let us call your attention to 
 the importance of the day we propose to celebrate. One hundred years 
 ago our forefathers, oppressed by a British Government then ruled by a 
 tyrannous King, conceived the bold idea of forming an independent gov- 
 ernment for themselves. The principal theory of government up to that 
 time had been that the powers of government were inherent in the ruler, 
 who ruled by divine right, and that the people derived their rights from 
 the government. The founders of our admirable system reversed the 
 whole order of government, and declared that the people were capable 
 of self-government, that all power was inherent in them, and that govern- 
 ments derive all just power from the consent of the governed. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 They made the government the creature of the people, and limited 
 it to the exercise of such powers only as should be delegated to it by the 
 people. Under it the rulers and officers are servants of the people. Thus 
 the people are sovereign and rule themselves through officers chosen by 
 them for that purpose. 
 
 By the Constitution, which is a delegation of powers to the general 
 government, our people have secured more religious and political liberty 
 than is enjoyed by any other government on earth. 
 
 That you fully appreciate the blessings of such a government, and 
 revere the memory of the good and wise men who established and de- 
 fended it in its infancy, is fully attested by the patriotic devotion with 
 which you defended it when in peril. One hundred years of the practical 
 workings of our government have fully proved the wisdom of its founders. 
 
 Though many things have occurred to mar our happiness in our ex- 
 istence as a government, we confidently repeat that today we enjoy the 
 most free, least oppressive, and most perfect system of government of any 
 people on the earth. 
 
 In its practical workings there may be and doubtless are defects, not 
 attributable to the system, but to its execution, but the remedy for all 
 such defects is in the hands of the people, whose government it is, and if 
 they do not remedy them they should not complain. All that is needed is 
 virtue, intelligence, and honesty, to make the government all it was 
 destined to be by its founders. 
 
 In view of these facts, fellow-citizens of Pike, may we not urge you 
 to renew your devotion to the country by laying aside all other business 
 and coming up to the county seat on the Fourth of July next, EN MASSE, 
 to celebrate the One Hundreth Anniversary of our National Independence. 
 
 Especially do we extend an invitation to the early settlers of our 
 county to be present and to take part in the exercises of the day. As 
 pioneers in the great work of subduing and bringing into cultivation the 
 fair land wherein we dwell, of establishing thousands of happy homes, and 
 creating the religious, social and material prosperity that exist within our 
 borders, they will meet with a hearty greeting from their successors on 
 that day. Let them then come, and witness the outpouring of a people 
 who will on that occasion come Irom the hill-tops, plains and valleys, that 
 they nave known but as the homes of the savages, man and beast. 
 
 In pursuance of the power conferred upon the Committee, they have 
 chosen as the historian of the county for that day, the Hon. Wm. A. 
 Grimshaw, himself or.c of the earliest settlers in the county, and who, 
 by reason thereof, and his eminent ability, is most fully qualified for the 
 position. 
 
 The Committee would most respectfully urge upon the citizens ot 
 each town to proceed immediately to the selection of a town historian to 
 the end that, with the general history of the county, to be prepared by 
 the County Historian, that of each town as a separate municipal organi- 
 zation may be preserved for the future Centennial Historian. 
 
 C. L. HIGBEE, Chairman. 
 
 WM. A. GRIMSHAW. 
 
 JAMES S. IRWIN. 
 
 WM. R. ARCHER. 
 
 STROTHER GRIGSBY. 
 
 J. M. BUSH. 
 
 RICHARD M. ATKINSON. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 Ladies, Gentlemen and Fellow Citizens : 
 
 With gratitude to Almighty God, who ruleth the destinies of nations, 
 as of individuals, we welcome this our Nation's birthday. 
 
 This Centennial day brings evidence to us of the wisdom and fore- 
 sight of the Fathers of this National Government. 
 
 How proud we all should and do feel that we are one illustrious, 
 powerful nation, and not divided into jealous, intriguing states; as a 
 people, free as the air we breathe, we are yet bound with the cords of 
 Nationality to the great idea of our Fathers, expressed by a Patriot, "The 
 Union, one and inseparable." Free as to all our individual rights and 
 with no encroachment upon our rights as citizens of Illinois, or of any 
 other State. Subject to the universal law of civilization, which requires 
 restraint on the actions of individuals, in furtherance and protection of 
 the general good of our fellow men. Long may we love, cherish and pro- 
 tect our United States, and love with our hearts' devotion the Flag of Our 
 Fathers, the emblem of our great and glorious nation, renowned to earth's 
 remotest bounds. 
 
 The office of historian for this occasion was conferred by the Com- 
 mittee, appointed by a meeting, as will be seen by the published report 
 thereof, to be annexed to the proceedings of this day. 
 
 'Sensible of the high honor which the office of historian confers, I 
 shrink from the effort to discharge it; by many it will be said these are 
 but dry details, such is often the task of the historian, and in asmuch as 
 the scope of my duty, on this occasion, is circumscribed by the reduced 
 limits of Pike County, as compared with its original boundaries, the sub- 
 jects of greatest interest are in a measure withdrawn from our consider- 
 tion in this sketch, and yet it is justifiable to claim for Pike County part 
 of the history of her former territory, now embraced in towns and cities 
 and counties of high repute, of great extent, solid in wealth, and leading 
 in all the incidents which make conspicuous and renowned the present 
 social and political position of a part of old Pike, now beyond her limits. 
 
 In this Centennial year we may indulge in patriotism, and yet in 
 days gone by, it is evident from the name of our loved, beautiful and 
 favored county, that upon it was bestowed a name worthy of its present 
 high standing, as a part of the great and fertile State of Illinois; the 
 limits of the original territory of Pike County are not excelled in scenery, 
 fertility, he.ilthfulness and in the various resources which serve to form a 
 great, civilized country, in this advanced age. The name of our county 
 was given in honor of the gallant General Pike, for whom Pike's Peak is 
 called. 
 
 We have assembled today to contemplate the stupendous events of a 
 Century. 
 
 Our nation, renowned as far as fame has spread, unsurpassed in all 
 the essentials of greatness, by any country on the Globe, is but in her 
 early life, compared with the nations of the old world. 
 
 One hundred years ago the thirteen feeble colonies entered upon a 
 desperate political enterprise. How discerning the great men who pro- 
 jected the government which supplanted the old Monarchy and exchanged 
 a government by and for the people, a representative Democracy, for the 
 old form of King, Lords and Commons. 
 
 Grand is the success of the United States of North America in her 
 system of government and in all that exalts a great, prosperous and free 
 nation. Imagine the scene if the heroic, stately Washington, the sage 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 Jefferson, the wise Adamses, the eloquent Patrick Henry and all the men 
 of civic and military renown, could now visit us, they who laid up in 
 store for us, or won by their mighty prowess, guided by God's good provi- 
 dence, the inestimable blessings we enjoy. Their deeds immortalized 
 them and conferred on us all the greatness of the past, since the memor- 
 able day of July 4,1776. 
 
 THE LIMITS OF THIS HISTORY 
 
 We are precluded from going into details as much as we could desire. 
 This history is prepared in the intervals of those pursuits which could 
 not be deferred, and it is impossible to do justice to the entire field which 
 might be embraced. We must content ourselves with a rapid review of 
 the most prominent incidents and abstain from writing extended bio- 
 graphies or even attempting a full history, many subjects will unavoid- 
 ably be ommitted, numerous persons of prominence will not be spoken of. 
 
 The aim has been to give so much of the lives of prominent men, 
 especially those who served the county , state and nation as will illus- 
 trate the history of Pike County and to some degree present the claims 
 of the most active or prominent in forming its history. 
 
 The citizens of this county have always been marked for a love of 
 our national government, for participation in all state measures to pro- 
 mote the common good of Illinois. 
 
 With one brief exception, the period of the Vigilance Committee, 
 local government has always been of an orderly character. The brief 
 excitement of that period led to more efficient laws for the protection of 
 society and thus good came out of evil. The escape of criminals from 
 punishment led to the organization of the Vigilance Committee. "From 
 seeming evil still educing good." Tragic scenes are not of this history. 
 
 No fratricidal strife, no display of brothers in battle array, with 
 deadly cannon and all the dread habiliments of war are portrayed here. 
 
 The life of our citizens has been with few exceptions that of peace- 
 ful farmers and townsmen, busy in the affairs of domestic life. Thus 
 your historian has no startling tales to tell. 
 
 Still as tht current of your own gentle river Illinois, with, a few 
 .swells in the stream of life, when wars, waged beyond the limits of our 
 present county, called off our men to war, has been the life of your peo- 
 plp. Industry has prevailed. Education has had its marked influence 
 and the holy gospel, taught in its beauty and simplicity, has pervaded 
 your every walk in life. Crime has, notwithstanding been perpetrated, 
 to be brought generally to condign punishment. Such is generally the 
 end of those who violate laws, human and divine. 
 
 PIKE COUNTY, HER EXTENT AND ORGANIZATION 
 
 This county, once embracing the fairest portions of the Eden-liko 
 State of Illinois, yet retaining in her limits land beautiful to look upon, 
 desirable to inhabit and famed for her fair daughters, her gallant sons, 
 prosperous farmers and mechanics, able professional men and 1 legislators, 
 her present territory equal yet almost to some of the old thirteen states, 
 owes much if not all of this to the patriotism and foresight of the Revolu- 
 tionary fathers. 
 
 Contemplate the vastness of Pike county, as she was, when organized 
 by the act of the Legislature of 1821 in these words: 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 AN ACT TO FORM A NEW COUNTY ON THE BOUNTY LANDS 
 APPROVED JANUARY 31, 1821. 
 
 SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
 represented in the general assembly, That all that tract of country within 
 the following boundaries, to-wit: beginning at the mouth of the Illinois 
 river and running thence up the middle of said river to the fork of the 
 same, thence up the south fork of said river until it strikes the state line 
 of Indiana, thence north with said line to the north boundary line of this 
 state, thence west with said line to the west boundary' line of this state 
 and thence with said line to the place of beginning, shall constitute a 
 separate county, to be called Pike. 
 
 "Oh Christ! it is a delicious sight to see, 
 
 What heaven hath done for this delicious land. 
 What fruits of fragrance blush on every tree; 
 What goodly prospects o'er the hills expand." 
 
 To repeat the extent of the boundaries. On the south, begin at the 
 junction of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, thence follow the Illinois 
 to the fork of the same, meaning the Kankakee, thence to the line of the 
 state of Indiana, thence North and West embracing the territory from 
 Chicago, following on the line of Wisconsin to the Mississippi river, in- 
 cluding the famed lead mines of Galena, and to the channel of the Missis- 
 sippi, thence descending to the place of beginning. 
 
 First note the beautiful, still gliding river, the Illinois, then observe 
 the majestic Father of Waters. Traverse all this territory, great in ex- 
 tent, formerly the home of savage tribes of Indians; the land marked by 
 the tread of the buffalo and dotted over with the graves and mounds, the 
 relics of extinct races, the fierce brute creation and game and fish abound- 
 ing, prairies illimitable, adorned with flowers of gorgeous hue, fruits de- 
 licious in profusion and great variety, forests of 'vast size filled with 
 gigantic trees and of many species, rivers bounding unfettered by man's 
 contrivances, then no locks and dams existed thereon, fish in myriads 
 were then the dwellers in those rivers, and these all existed in 1821 when 
 Pike county was struck off by name from the older settlements and the 
 few counties then existing in Illinois. 
 
 The territory of Pike county, as laid off in 1821, was cut off from 
 Madison county. The counties then existing and created in January. 
 1821, were, Sangamo, Greene, Madison, Pike, St. Clair, Bond, Montgomery, 
 Fayette, Washington, Monroe, Randolph, Jackson, Union, Alexander, 
 Clark, Crawford, Lawrence, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Jefferson, 
 Franklin, Johnson, Gallatin, Pope, all South and East of the river Illinois 
 excepting Pike, twenty-six in all. About one-half the century since our 
 Nation was pronounced by the Declaration of Independence to be frer 
 and independent has elapsed since the organization, and see how changed 
 Pike county is. Behold the marvellous picture, unsurpassed in history; 
 if we contemplate Pike county, as its original territory was, and view its 
 almost superhuman bounds to its present condition. 
 
 THE POPULATION OF ILLINOIS 
 
 Illinois was created a territory, off Indiana territory, in 1809, in 1818 
 a State. We are now living under the third Constitution, framed for our 
 guidance by the voluntary act of the people. In 1810 the census of the 
 inhabitants of Illinois was but twelve thousand, two hundred and eighty- 
 
two; in 1829, 55,211; in 1830, 157, 44g; in 1835, 272,427; in 1870, over 
 two and one-half millions by the last nation.il census. 
 
 About 1835 the Illinois & Michigan Canal was arresting the attention 
 of emigrants and speculators, it being a startling novelty, but wise public 
 work. Cook and Duncan, of Illinois, deserve the laurels for this grand 
 work, thereby uniting the waters of Lake Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 Originally this canal was about one hundred miles in length. It 
 serves a great purpose, economizing and facilitating the traffic in stone, 
 lumber and other heavy articles. This canal has been extended and deep- 
 ened since its first coming into use. 
 
 In 1830 the population of Pike county, in its present limits, was 
 3,396; in 1835 it had more than doubled, then mostly composed of a 
 farming population, the towns up to that date being few and small. Now 
 our population approximates thirty-eight thousand, and yet we have no 
 large city, but many interesting towns and villages. 
 
 Up to 1830 the most noted places or towns in Pike county, before its 
 subdivision, were Peoria, then known as Fort Clark; Warsaw, then called 
 Fort Edwards. Quincy was a very small place, and other towns, now 
 thriving county seats, were just starting. In 1830 Cook county was laid 
 off, it once being embraced in Pike county. 
 
 There was in the limits of Cook county, an Indian locality, Chicagoux, 
 so called as early as 1726; thus you see we may trace earlier settlers than 
 the Rosses, and Wheelocks, of Atlas, and Garret Van Duesen, of Blue 
 river, the latter the forerunner of Jonathan Frye as a miller. 
 
 The Indians say of the place we now call Chicago, "the first white ' 
 man who settled here was a negro." His name was Jean Baptiste Point 
 Au Sable, a native of St. Domingo, who went to Chicago in 1796; this man 
 afterwards died in Peoria. At Peoria, also, French settlement ante- 
 dated the settlement .of the present Pike county. 
 
 Observe what a grand array of counties has sprung up from the sub- 
 division of the original territory of Pike county. How historic the names 
 of these counties! See the map of the old Military Tract, once the almost 
 entire source of Revenue to the State, by its land taxes, beginning with 
 Calhoun and running up to Warren, Mercer, Henry and Knox on the 
 North. Some of the counties in that tract have been subdivided, as 
 Schuyler had Brown set off from her, Warren was divided and Henderson 
 created. Putnam was a large county, lying on both sides of the Illinois ; 
 river, and Stark was cut off therefrom. 
 
 Eighteen other counties have been created from old Pike North of 
 the "Military Tract." In 1832 the Sacs and Fox Indians devastated a I 
 portion of the country from Galena to the Yellow Banks, or Oquawka, in j 
 Warren, now Henderson, that being the Black Hawk war. Settlements ' 
 were very sparse then from Galena to Quincy, and also across to Chicago. 
 Now see the cities and towns, populous, beautiful, full of energy and in- 
 dustry, and the farms unsurpassed in fertility and comfort. 
 
 To revert, in 1827 the Winnebago Indians by an outbreak near 
 Galena, on Fevre river, got up a little war, soon ended. At those dates 
 Rock Island was a village, Dixon not existing, Galena a small place, but 
 the largest North of St. Louis, and larger than Chicago up to 1836, at the 
 sale of the canal lands. Galena was famed then more than now for her 
 lead mines. Then there was no Mol'.ne ;.nd her steel plough factory, and 
 wooden mould board ploughs were the great ploughs of the day. 
 
 Time and space forbid to recall all the progress of every part of old 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 Pike, the census of the counties, cities and towns in the territory once 
 Pike, but now in the newer counties would disclose vast growth in all the 
 essentials of a prosperous country. Chicago, Quincy, Peoria, and the 
 other cities outstripping in growth anything preceding them on this con- 
 tinent. 
 
 PIKE COUNTY 
 
 Let us confine ourselves for a time to the actual territory now within 
 this county, and consider its progress and present condition. 
 
 THE FIRST COUNTY SEAT 
 
 This was at Cole's Grove (now obsolete) but near Gilead, in the 
 limits of Calhoun county, there was held the first Probate 'Court on the 
 23rd of May, 1821, and the first Circuit Court for Pike County, John 
 Reynolds as Judge, beginning on the 1st day of October, 1821. At that 
 court a noted and peculiar trial took place of two Indians for murder, 
 and the following full record of the case is now to be seen at Pittsfield, 
 in Volume 1, Page 4, of the Records of the Circuit Court. 
 
 WEDNESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 30, 1821. 
 
 The People, &c., vs. Pemesan and Shonwennekeh (Two Indians). 
 
 The jury in this cause came into Court and returned the follow- 
 ing verdict, to-wit: We have agreed in our verdict, according to the 
 evidence before us, that Pemesan, otherwise called Traveler, is guilty 
 of manslaughter, and that the other, called Spice Bush, is not guilty. 
 It is therefore ordered and adjudged by the Court that the said 
 Shonwennekeh, otherwise called Spice Bush, go hence and be wholly 
 discharged and acquitted. And it is therefore further ordered and 
 adjudged by said Court, that the said Pemesan, otherwise called 
 Traveler, make his fine to the People of this 'State in the sum of 
 twenty-five cents, and be imprisoned for the term of twenty-four 
 hours. 
 
 The earliest record book of the proceedings of the County Commis- 
 sioners, prior to the June Term, 1832, is lost. A fire took place at Atlas 
 which consumed some records and files of the Courts, and it is probable 
 the aforesaid record was then lost. 
 
 SECOND COUNTY SEAT 
 
 Atlas was the second county seat and thereat was erected a Court 
 House of framework, but of no architectural pretensions, which never was 
 finished as a Court House, being used as such in an incomplete state. 
 There was also a small but solid log jail, a terror to evildoers, but not 
 often tenanted. 
 
 FIRST SETTLERS OF ATLAS 
 
 It was settled by New Englanders in 1821. In the summer of 1823 
 the town was laid out, its earliest settlers being Leonard Ross, who had 
 been a captain in the U. S. service during the war of 1812 with England, 
 nnd his brothers William, John, Clarence, Henry J., the latter being for 
 fifteen years the leading physician in Pike, and extending his ride to other 
 counties. He was an excellent physician, a genial friend and honest 
 man; he died in 1836, leaving no children. 
 
 The late Colonel William Ross was one of those pioneers of Atlas. 
 Those Ross brothers were all married men and had most estimable and 
 
10 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 refined families. Dexter Wheelock with his wife, settled at Atlas about 
 the time of the Ross family arriving. He had been during the war of 
 1812 a drummer, and was a very active, generous man, and for a time the 
 hotel keeper and had a family and other grocery store. He is long dead, 
 his wife and a son and daughter yet survive; and no more estimable man 
 of the early born settlers yet lives than John G. Wheelock, the aforesaid 
 son, now one of the 'Sny Levee Commissioners. 
 
 There was another conspicuous character among those early settlers 
 of Atlas. Benjamin Barney, who was a man of great physical powers, 
 of strong natural sense, benevolent, patriotic, not learned in book lore, 
 but wise in that which made him a leader in trying times; he was long 
 the County Blacksmith, and that meant the only one in fifty miles; sober, 
 industrious, always at his post. His tales of early adventure are mar- 
 vellous, and yet undoubtedly true. 
 
 Colonel Wm. Ross as aid to General Whitesides, and Ben Barney, 
 afterwards Colonel of the 17th Illinois Militia, both took part in the Black 
 Hawk war in 1832, and that campaign and the battle of Buena Vista 
 made Zachary Taylor president. 
 
 Colonel Ross died within a short period. Colonel Barney yet sur- 
 vives in a vigorous old age. 
 
 We will speak further of the Ross brothers. Leonard was Sheriff, 
 and William was until sometime after Pittsfield was laid out, Clerk of 
 the Circuit Court, Probate Judge, and County Court, as well as Postmaster 
 at Atlas, for a time the only post office in the present part of Pike county; 
 there was thereafter up to 1833 the post office at Clio, at Charles Strat- 
 ton's, and the post office at Bay, south of Pleasant Hill. 
 
 Colonel Ross was prominent as a representative from this county 
 in the Legislature in 1836, at the time of the unfortunate, illadvised In 
 ternal Improvement system, which fell through, entailing a debt of mil- 
 lions of dollars on the young, struggling State, and yet that is all paid. 
 He was afterwards state senator, and was noted for his shrewd public 
 spirit and for many donations. He was not the originator of the internal 
 improvement system; the Road Law of 1835. so called, which was of 
 value to Pike, was the work of Colonel Ross. 
 
 At Atlas, prior to Pittsfield's location, was a cabinet shop of Mr. 
 Branson, and Stephen R. Watson, yet in life near Barry, was the tailor 
 who dressed the men in Sunday best. An old resident, now of Pittsfield, 
 who is alive and upwards of eighty years of age, James Ross, had the first 
 turners lathe and a cabinet shop; he was also a constable at an early 
 day and was in the BlackHawk war. It was better than a farce to hear 
 Ross tell his yarns in his pr.lmy days; he was the Baron Munchausen then. 
 
 Ebenezer Franklin, an early settler, and about dating with the Rosa 
 family, to whom was born the first son in Pike county, has been gathered 
 to his fathers many years, leaving respected sons and descendants. 
 
 Robert and Joseph Goodin and Fisher Petty were amongst the noted 
 men of Highland. Petty was a County Commissioner at Pittsfield. Mr. 
 Murphy was the first County Surveyor. Joseph Goodin was County Sur- 
 veyor thereafter, a' good officer; he is yet living, but in Missouri. 
 
 Ephraim Cannon, Sheriff afterwards of Pike, was an early and res- 
 pected citizen. James M. Seeley was -for twelve years noted as the honest, 
 easy Sheriff. It was his duty to collect revenue; if a man was not ready 
 to pay his tax. Seeley paid it and trusted him. Seeley had a numerous 
 family, of whom Dr. E. M. Seeley, who was a surgeon during the late war, 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 11 
 
 was one; another, 'Dr. David Seeley, was an early settler of and died in 
 Texas. 
 
 Benjamin D. Brown, now of Barry, once lived at Atlas. He came 
 in 1834 from the East and was a first-class millwright and fitted up the 
 mills at Rockport, those were erected by the Rosses and others. 
 
 All the settlers above named, but Brown, ante-dated Pittsfield, as 
 did Colonel N. E. Quinby, who, with John Jay Ross, were resident lawyers 
 in Pike county preceding 1833; both are dead. 
 
 The business of the county prior to 1833 was all carried on at Atlas; 
 there were two general stores. Warburton & Co. of St. Louis, with whom 
 Col. Ross was a partner, had a large brick store and did an extensive 
 business, all on credit or barter. Mr. Francis Webster, who died after 
 residing some years in St. Louis, also had a general store; with him his 
 brother Thomas was clerk and is now a prominent officer in an insurance 
 office in St. Louis. 
 
 Dexter Wheelock kept a tavern, snug quarters, and also had liquors 
 for sale and groceries for family use. The old brick mansion at Atlas, 
 erected prior to 1833 by Colonel Ross, as well as the old brick mansion 
 of Leonard Ross and the brick residence of Sheriff Seeley, are yet stand- 
 ing. Edward McCord, who married Miss Seeley, resides in the latter. 
 
 PROMINENT SETTLERS IN OTHER PARTS OF PIKE 
 
 Prior to 1833 there were many prominent settlers, very useful and up- 
 right. Amongst these were George W. Hinman and Hawkins Judd, who 
 were County Commissioners with Colonel Ben. Barney, when they bought 
 of the United States for $200 the quarter section of land upon which 
 Pittsfield was located. Hinman and Judd are dead. 
 
 Garrett Van Deusen, an eccentric, Knickerbocker Dutchman, was a 
 justice of the peace in an early day, and likely one of the earliest settlers 
 east of Pittsfield, on Blue river, and was the originator of a queer device 
 to crack corn, operated likely as Adam ran the first mill. Van Deusen 
 used the stream of Blue river at a narrow place, and by catching and con- 
 fining the water thereform in a hollow tree or trough, open at the end up 
 stream and closed at the lower end, he worked a swinging pestle, which 
 was suspended over a mortar, to crack Indian corn. The process was to 
 let the trough fill with water nearly to overflowing, when by its weight it 
 would descend, dashing the pestle into the mortar and crushing the corn. 
 The pestle being adjusted some distance from the end of the trough, up 
 stream, the water spilled beyond the mortar and the machine adjusted 
 itself for another beat at the corn. 
 
 ATLAS 
 
 In the vicinity of Atlas Henry Long, from Baltimore City, settled 
 about the year 1827. During a residence of many years, until his de- 
 cease on his farm, he was a useful citizen and upright man. He reared a 
 second numerous family of intelligent and educated children. His son, 
 Jesse Long, has been a Supervisor of Atlas township and resides on the 
 old homestead of his father. 
 
 CHAMBERSBURG 
 
 This town has had her celebrities, as 'Benj. Metz, once a worthy mem- 
 ber of the Illinois Legislature; Jack Morris, James Johns, the whole and 
 numerous race of Metz junior, and also the abounding family of Ham. 
 This family cannot realize the joke of Lord Bacon to one Hog, who claim- 
 
12 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 ed kin to his Lordship; the Judge's reply was, "You are not bacon until 
 you are hung," and he then sentenced him to be hung. The Hams are 
 too honest to swing so high. 
 
 TOWNSHIP HISTORIES 
 
 Part of the plan proposed for the preservation and embodiment of 
 the history of the county is through reports from the respective town- 
 ships of local matters, of the biographies of men of repute. This should 
 cover all the matters and individuals not embraced in the general sketch 
 of the county now submitted. 
 
 Pittsfield, as the county seat, is so interwoven with the county at 
 large that more space is given to the sketch of men in this locality than 
 to others. 
 
 The historian now announces to the audience and the public that if 
 any subjects or individuals of note have not been introduced, it is not 
 through an intention to slight any such, but has been owing to the short 
 space of time allowed to work up this interesting field of labor, covering 
 a space of fifty-five years. The history not being closed, in fact, sug- 
 gestions will be thankfully received as to any additions proper to be 
 made; if communicated in writing, action will be taken upon them. 
 
 GENERAL TOPIC 
 
 Pike county has almost been the mother of states to the west or 
 Illinois. Having a pioneer population of an enterprising turn, large num- 
 bers have emigrated together to Oregon, Texas and California and other 
 remote points, following the star of empire. Many estimable farmers 
 have gone further east in Illinois and settled in the prairie counties who 
 once lived in Pike. 
 
 The health of this county is almost invariably good, excepting in low- 
 lands, where some malarious disease comes on at times. Long levity 
 exists to a marked degree, and children fairly swarm. Prosperity and 
 fine crops are the general results of industry. 
 
 In 1833, when Pittsfield came into being, mails, once, then thrice 
 weekly, were wonders. No newspapers existed for many years; elsewhere 
 we give the report of the rise and fall of newspapers. Church buildings 
 were not erected, but came in apace with population; we now have nearly 
 all known religions extant in the United States; these generally have 
 houses of worship, some of them of fair appearance. The Methodist 
 Episcopal has the highest steeple. We do not quite fill Dean Swift's des 
 cription: "High church, low steeple, dirty streets and proud people." 
 
 At present we have two banks, one National, under the acts of Con- 
 gress, the other has an old state charter. Griggsville and Barry also 
 have each a bank. 
 
 PITTSFIELD'S EARLY SETTLERS 
 
 It is said impartial history is not written of the living or of current 
 events. We now come to the sketch of many early settlers yet in life: 
 we do not speak in terms of eulogy for the re :son that they may hear these 
 remarks; the families of the departed have heard the preceding, and we 
 say that we have not set down anything in malice, and have not spoken 
 through favor. We will not enumerate, as we cannot in the time name 
 all the marked people of Pittsfield and the vicinity, but take those who 
 filled a large space for many years in public estimation. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 Mrs. Nancy M. Heath, who came in the first years of Pittsfield, is a 
 native of Ohio, a ward in childhood of Governor McArthur of that state; 
 she is venerable for her years, feeble in health, but of great endurance. 
 She has witnessed many of the trials and active scenes of western life; 
 her narrative of events, as told by her in person at an "Old Settlers" 
 meeting, was very interesting. She has outlived many relatives and 
 friends. Mrs. Heath and daughter, afterwards Mrs. A. V. Wills, kept one 
 of the earliest schools in the county, and likely the first in Pittsfield. 
 
 Thomas Worthington, M. D., yet in life, was the earliest resident 
 physician of Pittsfield; he came in 1833. For a long time he was not 
 outranked by any in his profession here, and while his health permitted 
 had a lucrative practice and was successful and popular. He was for one 
 term a State Senator from Pike. 
 
 Merrill E. Rattan, the first postmaster of Pittsfield, long since dead, 
 was also Probate Judge in Pike; he kept a hotel on the same lot on which 
 the "Oregon House" stands. 
 
 William Watson, once a Probate Judge, and his wife, are yet with 
 us, advanced in years. Mrs. Watson, long a sufferer, but once a model 
 housekeeper in the Mansion House, and a sincere friend. Mr. Watson is 
 daily seen, six days in the week, with chums enjoying checkers in his old 
 home, the "Mansion House Hotel." As a business man he was ever fore- 
 most, and by his industry, economy and honesty, he accumulated a hand- 
 some property. 
 
 Robert R. Greene, who, with his cousin, Austin Barber, opened and 
 carried on the evrliest large store in Pittsfield, yet survives; his health 
 long troubled him. He was an industrious, superior business man. Mrs. 
 Greene was one of the earliest and highly respected school teachers. 
 
 Austin Barber, in his day the merriest of the gay, honest as the day 
 is long, was for a period County Clerk. He left well written records, in 
 all particulars clean. 
 
 Henry T. Mudd, honored of late often in Missouri, was a boy here. 
 He is a first-class business man and early excelled in energy. He was 
 when a boy deputy in the post office and afterwards was County Clerk of 
 Pike. 
 
 THE POST OFFICE AT PITTSFIELD 
 
 This, from its central position and as a distributing office, has been 
 a marked office. Many individuals have filled the position of Postmaster. 
 Of Rattan and Crane we have spoken, and of Colonel D. B. Bush. Mr. 
 Porter Bennett and his father, Lucius Bennett, the latter as acting post- 
 master for many terms and at present. Mrs. Louisia Gilmer was appoint- 
 ed by President Grant and filled the office very acceptably until her death. 
 Miss Lizzie Gilmer, daughter of her predecessor and of the late gallant 
 Col. D. Harvey Gilmer, is now the incunrbent of this office; the duties of 
 the office are faithfully discharged. 
 
 Although a delicate matter for this historian to write as to relatives, 
 yet it would be far from complete unless record wasi made as to worthy 
 relatives. 
 
 John U. Grimshaw settled near Pittsfield in- 1834 and afterwards 
 moved to town and for many years was an active merchant exemplary in 
 his life and business, a true friend, a man of great intelligence, he has 
 long departed to the better land. He was a cousin of this writer. 
 
 Jackson Grimshaw, resident of Pittsfield for 14 years, then of Quincy, 
 has gone as all must go to the land beyond the grave. He was popular 
 
14 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 and much beloved and was a leading member of the Bar ,of the State; he 
 died in Quincy in December, 1885. He was a beloved younger brother of 
 the writer. 
 
 This county has sent many sons and daughters to adorn society in the 
 larger cities ami to carry the beauty and order of civilized life to distant 
 states and ' territories. We cannot particularize all who have gone out 
 from us. St. Louis has energetic business men and physicians who owe 
 to Pike county their earliest training. 
 
 Dr. John Hodgen, an eminent surgeon of St. Louis now, was raised 
 in Pike county and mostly about Pittsfield. 
 
 Who among the early settlers but remembers that quiet, unobtrusive 
 man, Jacob Hodgen, father of Dr. John Hodgen, and the benevolent mem- 
 ber and leader in his, the Christian Church. 
 
 Amongst our sons departed to other fields of glory were Messrs. O. 
 M. Hatch and Alexander Starne, both residents of Griggsville, then of 
 Pittsfield, each ran about the same career in Pike, (both were Clerk of the 
 Circuit Court and members of the Legislature from Pike county, both 
 have held the office of Secretary of State of Illinois, and are now resi- 
 dents of Springfield in prosperous circumstances. Mr. Starne recently has 
 been a State Senator from his district. They are yet in the vigor of man- 
 hood. 
 
 At Pleasant Vale, earlier than Pittsfield, were several reputable 
 families. Amos, Joseph and Pearly Jackson. 
 
 Major James Tolbert, an old Virginian, he was an officer in the 17th 
 Illinois Militia at an early day. He left a numerous respected family, 
 and was himself a substantial farmer and upright man. 
 
 Horace Horton, yet in life, was an old sea captain, a very "Jolly tar" 
 from the state of Connecticut, an energetic man. He settled in 1832 
 above Rockport and still resides there. 
 
 Lyman Scott, an early settler, married a daughter of Leonard Ross. 
 He was for a time one of the owners of a former mill at Rockport, he was 
 a pushing businessman and removed early to Kansas and is dead. 
 
 The Meredith and Neely settlements near the Illinois river, now 
 Detroit township, were composed of ?everal southern families, old settlers, 
 prior to the location of Pittsfield. 
 
 John Neely was an early County Commissioner, but removed to 
 Texas and is dead. 
 
 John Lyster. at t'mes a Justice of the Peace, died recently in that 
 settlement, of which he was an early and respected citizen and was often 
 on the Grand Jury. 
 
 David Dutton, of the vicinity of Pleasant Vale, long deceased, was a 
 very early and active farmer and became a wealthy mm, a warm friend, 
 peculiar in his ways so is to be eccentric. 
 
 At Bayville, Dr. Hezekiah Dodge, an early practitioner of medicine, 
 was from Virginia. He was a good study for a painter; he was, as one 
 described John Randolph, 'long, lean and lank, and moved upon a spindle 
 shank.' He was respectably connected, and left numerous descendants 
 who are highly esteemed. A son-in-law of his, Mr. Ferguson, was once 
 County Surveyor of Pike and a good citizen and officer. 
 
 The brothers Belus and Egbert Jones were old settlers. Belus was 
 never a lawyer, but a pettifogger, he hung on to Lord Coke (J. W. Whit- 
 ney) like a bobtail to n kite. At court time is was said; "No court till 
 Coke and Belus come*" 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 15 
 
 EARLY SETTLERS IN OTHER PARTS OF PIKE 
 
 Fearful that township histories may not be forthcoming, we sketch 
 hastily the following, as the history is partial and incomplete unless mem- 
 orial is preserved of the other meritorious persons whose names follow. 
 
 GRIGGSVILLE 
 
 About this town were many highly respected and useful men, not so 
 early settlers as the Atlas men already named. 
 
 George W. Johnson was the founder of Griggsville. 
 
 Nathan W. Jones, who is yet living, laid out part of Griggsville. He 
 is a well-preserved, energetic business man, the father of prominent sons, 
 woll-known to the county. 
 
 There were numerous Bradburys, highly respected. Abel Shelly, 
 lately deceased, an estinlable citizen. The Harringtons, brothers, Martin 
 yet in life, a worthy man, and the venerable, pious Charles Harrington, 
 who was once an efficient, upright Probate Judge of the county, and was 
 a minister in the Baptist Church. 
 
 Boone Scholl, the founder of Perry, \vhich was laid out first by the 
 name of Booneville was a very worthy man. 
 
 In the Northwest part of Pike there was an early settlement of very 
 reputable citizens. 
 
 Alfred Grubb, once called "the little bay horse" for his sprightliness, 
 was a good Sheriff and County Judge. Thomas Orr, noted as a grand 
 juror for long years, was respected by all. Thomas Hull, a good farmer 
 and remarkable for his active piety; these all leave numerous descendants 
 of great respectability. 
 
 The Blairs, father and several sons, all good men, were in the 
 vicinity of Barry before Pittsfield was laid out. William, son of the 
 senior, was a marked member of the Illinois Legislature and an upright 
 and useful man. He is long dead. Montgomery Blair, once a farmer, of 
 later yeirs a fair-dealing merchant in Barry, was a member of the Con- 
 stitutional Convention of 1874. He lives, beloved by his family and 
 friends. Harvey Blair is yet alive and an estimable farmer. 
 
 It is impossible in this sketch to notice all the earlier settlers. Some 
 have emjgrated. others have died. At court time at an early day in Pitts- 
 field Samuel Gibson, Henry Kent, George Gibson. Samuel G. Sitton, 
 Esquire Hayden, the Tucker Brothers would be seen, and William John- 
 son. James Johnson, and John and Jacob Heavner, the latter, although 
 dressed in the homeliest garb, with his long rifle and his nosom friend, 
 James Johnson, was a conspicuous man. Both of these men were pos- 
 sessed of great nerve and endurance and made great havoc amongst the 
 deer: small varmints they despised. 
 
 Simuel G. Sitton survives In his 75th year, and on June 29th, 1876, 
 he cut on his own farm an acre of wheat with a sickle and bound it up on 
 that dav and was in Pittsfield the next day as spry as usual. Harvey 
 Dunn of Chambersburg. was an old settler and in 1874 was a member of 
 tho Constitutional Convention of Illinois. He was a very unassuming but 
 intelligent, honest man and is long dead. 
 
 Stephen R. Gray, venerable and respected in years, yet lives. He 
 was sheriff about 1851; he is an early settler and resided at or near 
 Rarry and was at one time postmaster thereat; for many years his home 
 has been at Pittsfield. 
 
16 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 Hamilton Wills is yet as happy as ever, jolly in person, comfortable 
 in business, an old settler in Pittsfleld, as a Justice of the Peace in former 
 years, useful and respected, yet alive to make a saddle and get up a fine 
 harness. 
 
 Richard Kerr of Pleasant Hill township, was an old farmer, a lead- 
 ing whig, and represented Pike county in the Legislature one term. He 
 died many years since, esteemed by all, leaving many relatives in Pike. 
 
 Bonaparte Greathouse of Milton, was a County Commissioner at an 
 early day, of great worth, a good farmer, he is long dead and left surviv- 
 ing him a numerous family; several of his sons are practitioners of law. 
 
 Samuel L. Crane, now venerable in years, was a very early settler of 
 Morgan county, Illinois, and has filled acceptably with perfect integrity 
 the office of postmaster at Pittsfield; he is now in private life. He is the 
 father of that useful son resident at Pittsfield, James H. Crane, who has 
 been Circuit Clerk of Pike county and yet lives h'ere and is a deputy clerk 
 in the office of George W. Jones, our present efficient and popular Circuit 
 Clerk. 
 
 William B. Grimes yet lives in Pittsfield. He was an able and honest 
 County Clerk for one term, succeeding William Steers, who was a good 
 and worthy officer and his successor is Jonathan L. Frye, who was a son 
 of an honest miller, Jonathan Frye. J. L. is now the incumbent of the 
 County Clerk's office. 
 
 James McWilliams, venerable for his years, influential in his town of 
 Griggsville, has been a representative of the county in the Legislature 
 and often a Supervisor of Griggsville township. He is an early settler of 
 Griggsville. 
 
 Daniel D. Hicks, now the esteemed cashier of the First National 
 Bank, is an old resident of Pittsfield and has filled honorably several 
 offices. He was once Sheriff of the county. During his term of office a 
 riot took place on an election day in Pittsfield, when many wild boys who 
 had been good soldiers in the late Mexican war took an active part in 
 the riot, calling out "we are some pumpkins." By aid of a posse of the 
 people, called by Hicks, the riot was put down. 
 
 FREE FRANK 
 
 Frank McWorter, and his wife Lucy, with three children, emigrated 
 from Kentucky and settled in Hadley township in the spring of 1831; he 
 had wintered in Greene county, Illinois, in 1830. That family were the 
 first settlers in Hadley township, and none others arrived for two years. 
 
 Frank McWorter laid out the town of New Philadelphia. 
 
 Frank bought his own freedom and that of his wife and many of his 
 children, and left provision in his will to buy grandchildren, which was 
 carried out by his son, Solomon McWorter. 
 
 Frank died about the year 1857, at 77 years of age. Lucy, his wife, 
 died in her 99th year in 1871. Fr..nk was born in South Carolina, Lucy 
 in Virginia. Both these old people were members of the Baptist Church 
 and people of exemplary lives. By industry and economy they left a 
 valuable farm to their heirs. A large and respectable settlement of their 
 descendants now exists around the old home. 
 
 This county has had many eminent physicians, prominent amongst 
 whom at an early day were Doctors Hatch, senior, of Griggsville, long 
 deceased, and his son, S. C. Hatch, M. D., now of Barry, yet practicing: 
 he was a surgeon during the rebellion, in the Union army. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 17 
 
 Dr. Higgins, also of Griggsville, once Superintendent of the State 
 Insane Institution, and has been a useful member of the Legislature of 
 Illinois, is yet in successful practice as M. D. 
 
 John Hay, the author of "Pike County Ballads," Secretary since to 
 the Spanish Mission, and private secretary to Lincoln, now on the staff of 
 the New York Tribune, was a boy at Pittsfield, of great hilarity, but not 
 wicked as his ballads might imply. 
 
 CONGRESSMAN 
 
 Pike county and the district is now represented by one of her own 
 sons, for the first time, in Congress, by Scott Wike, well-known at the 
 Pike county bar, and yet himself young in years and a -Bachelor. We 
 hope he will not die, as President Buchanan, in the same state of life. 
 
 COUNTY OFFICERS 
 
 Henry R. Ramsay, who died in November, 1873, at his farm in Atlas 
 township, was an early settler, a man of great probity and intelligence. 
 He was once County Commissioner of Pike county, and an active business 
 man; he was much beloved. 
 
 Parvin Paullin, a native of New Jersey, came in mature years to 
 Pike, served one term as a Representative in the Illinois Legislature from 
 Pike, and was Probate Judge of the county. He discharged his duty with 
 honor and efficiency; he died many years since. 
 
 Reuben W. Scanland, a member of the bar, but more noted as Squire, 
 long a leading Justice of the Peace, popular and when in health and so 
 inclined a very useful officer. He is dead several years. 
 
 Joshua Woosley of Barry township, has been a notea man and has 
 served one term with great usefulness and with perfect integrity as 
 Sheriff. He is an old settler and is yet an active man. 
 
 Captain Elisha Hurt was Sheriff of Pike county, and filled the office 
 judiciously and honorably. He served during the war of the rebellion in 
 the Union army with distinction. 
 
 John McTucker, last of Barry,' once of Hadley township, was on the 
 Board of Supervisors from Hadley, and often on the committees of the 
 Agricultural Society of Pike, a first-class farmer, an upright and intelli- 
 gent man, of great benevolence and very popular. He lost his life by an 
 accident in endeavoring to get upon a railroad car when nearing his home 
 after a trip to California, taken on behalf of his brother, resident there. 
 He left numerous and respected family and a valuable estate. 
 
 THE MILITARY RECORD 
 "In records that defy the tooth of time." 
 
 Pike county had brave sons in various regiments. We cannot enum- 
 erate all or any number of them. We refer to the muster rolls of regi- 
 ments. We specify regiments in which we know that Pike had brave 
 men and officers. 
 
 Many soldiers of the American Revolution and the War of 1812 have 
 resided in Pike. 
 
 This county early in the rebellion furnished large numbers of men 
 and officers to the early regiments, as to the 8th Illinois, which was at 
 Shiloh, Donaldson and other battles and was distinguished; one of its 
 heroes, Tip Winans, yet lives, although he was terribly wounded and is 
 lame for life. 
 
18 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 The 16th Illinois, in which Major Sam Hayes and Captain Geo. Stew- 
 art were officers, had a company or more from Pike. Other infantry 
 regiments had many individuals who were valiant soldiers from Pike, as 
 the 28th and 33d infantry. 
 
 The Lyon Regiment, of Missouri, enlisted many volunteers from 
 Pike who went through the heavy fights of the west and south and many 
 fell in action. Major Benjamin Sellon of that regiment, who was also in 
 other command, survives after being severely wounded and has not yet 
 recovered fully therefrom. 
 
 The 2nd Illinois Cavalry, noted in the field for bravery, raised a 
 company or more from Pike. Of its officers, after its first organization, 
 several Pike county men rose to high distinction and high command. 
 Colonel John J. Mudd was advanced from that office to chief of cavalry 
 in the Banks expedition to Red River, and fell bravely endeavoring to re- 
 pulse an attack on a gunboat on which he was traveling. 
 
 Colonel Daniel B. Bush, Jr., was afterwards in command of that 
 regiment and served with distinction. He is now in California. 
 
 The 99th Illinois Infantry was all enlisted in Pike county and served 
 from 1862 until the end of the war. Colonel George W. K. Bailey was 
 the first Colonel, being wounded severely at Vicksburg, the command fell 
 on the Lieutenant Colonel, Asa C. Matthews, who distinguished himseli 
 therein and at the latter part of the war was sent on a commission against 
 Indians who had been active in the war of rebellion. 
 
 The 101st Illinois, under Governor Wood, had many men from Pike. 
 
 Almost every leading family of Pike county was represented in the 
 regiment which were in the field, and it is impossible at this time to make 
 up a Roll of Honor. If made it would redound to the glory of the brave 
 boys in blue from old Pike. 
 
 Reuben B. Hatch, formerly a resident of Griggsville, a native of New 
 Hampshire, more recently before his death, of Pittsfield, Pike county, 
 Illinois, was appointed Quartermaster of Union troops in 1862, and did 
 an immense deal of vigorous work in his department to forward the 
 Union troops from Cairo to the field. Under General Grant he was pres- 
 ent at the battle field of Belmont. He was with the department as Quar- 
 termaster at the surrender of Vicksburg, and was during hts service a 
 most energetic officer, ranking as Colonel, and being the ranking Quarter- 
 master of the army with Grant in the Mississippi Valley. He is buried at 
 Griggsville, Illinois, and was interred with Masonic Honors. 
 
 Captain Benj. Matthews of Perry, is an old settler and a man of 
 energy and great respectability. Although past the age when military 
 duty could be exacted, he entered at the organization of the 99th Illinois 
 and went to the field, serving with credit. 
 
 Captain George T. Edwards, the well-known host of the Griggsville 
 and now Pittsfield House, was also a Captain in the 99th Illinois, and 
 proved a stirring, brave officer, as he had been a superior Sheriff in the 
 county. 
 
 "The paths of glory lead but to the grave." 
 
 Colonel Daniel H. Gilmer, a member of the bar, of great popularity. 
 Master in Chancery of the Circuit Court of Pike county, and In successful 
 practice of his profession, impelled by his patriotism, entered an Illinois 
 regiment. His promotion was rapid and he soon was Colonel. He follow- 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 19 
 
 ed the fluctuating fortunes of the war, and bravely leading his regiment 
 fell in the Union army at the bloody battle of Stone river. His body, 
 after tedious search, was found and was buried with distinguised honor 
 in the cemetery south of Pittsfield. Many mourned for the gallant "Dick." 
 
 Major Samuel Hayes, once a very active lawyer, and a partner of 
 Hon. C. L. Higbee before he became Judge, was an exceedingly jovial 
 man, popular amongst the young. He was truly brave. When a mere 
 youth he had been with the army of the United States in Mexico and went 
 through the bloody fields. He entered the volunteer service in the 16th 
 Illinois during the rebellion as Captain. He was immediately elected a 
 Major of that regiment, went to the field, and after service in Missouri 
 and the South, having always been a vigilant, brave officer, he died of dis- 
 ease engendered in the service of his country and is buried in the Pitts- 
 field Cemetery, west of town. 
 
 Edward G. Bush, a son of Colonel Daniel B., Senior, is now a Major 
 in the Regular Army of the United States. He has seen mucn service and 
 has been promoted for gallantry; he is a good scholar and brave officer. 
 He was the only cadet sent from Pike county to the West Point U. S. 
 Military Academy, at which he was for a time Professor of Spanish, and 
 graduated therefrom with honor and has continued in the United States 
 Army. He is now with his regiment in Texas. 
 
 Dorus E. Bates, son of Dorus Bates, Esq., of Pittsfield, an early 
 Justice of the Peace, was a Lieutenant in Sherman's regiment of United 
 States Regulars, and was wounded in the siege of Vicksburg, under Grant. 
 He was shot down at the siege and lost his arm from the wound received. 
 He is now a worthy pensioner, and was in action an intrepid soldier and 
 from boyhood has had many escapes from loss of life. He seemed to have 
 a charmed life. 
 
 Jonathan Winans, Jr., was a private in the 8th Illinois and was with 
 his regiment under Oglesby in many deadly battles. He was wounded al- 
 most unto death at; he was crippled for life, .ind it is a miracle that he 
 now survives. He is a pensioner, and truly deserves the money received. 
 
 THE SNY CARTE LEVEE 
 
 Upon the immediate lands on the Mississippi bottom has been con- 
 structed at a cost of $650,000, an earth embankment, or levee, continuous 
 throughout the length of the west side of said county of Pike. It begins 
 at a sand ridge on the river Mississippi in Adams county, and meandering 
 along said river through Pike, passes into Calhoun county, to the inter- 
 section of Hamburg Bay with said river. It is about fifty-two miles in 
 length. 
 
 This structure was made, under general legislation of Illinois, by 
 Commissioners William Dustin, John G. Wheelock and George W. Jones, 
 appointed by the County Court of Pike county in 1872. Dustin's place, 
 after his death, was filled by Benjamin F. Westlake. 
 
 This levee was carried through, after being underway over two 
 years, by completion in the spring of 1875. It withstood a flood from the 
 river and also very high water from the inland creeks in that year, but in 
 April, 1876, owing to very rapid rises in the Mississippi and exceedingly 
 high winds prevailing for several days, the levee was broken from the 
 river side, the water pouring in destroying large and valuable crops of 
 growing wheat and floating off fences, drowning out inhabitants. No lives 
 were lost, but spring planting was retarded. Stock had to be withdrawn. 
 
 The land-owners hnve caused contracts to be let to repair the three 
 
20 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 breeches in the levee, which are rapidly proceeding, with the prospect of 
 corn crops being raised, planted in June, 1876. 
 
 RAILROADS 
 
 The county has paid, or contributed in bonds, $250,000 towards 
 building the Hannibal & Naples Railroad, about 38 miles long, crossing 
 the county from east to west, and the branch road, the Louisiana & Pike 
 County Road, from the aforesaid road at Maysville to the corporation of 
 Pittsfleld on the north line, about six miles. The Townships of Pittsfield 
 and Newhurg paid in bonds about $31,000 to this branch road, and 
 $100,000 was paid thereon out of the first named subscription. 
 
 Several passenger and freight trains pass daily on these roads. By 
 these roads daily connection may be had to the Atlantic and Pacific, the 
 entire trip in eight or ten days across the continent. 
 
 The Chicago & Alton Railway has a branch road from its Jackson- 
 ville branch to Louisiana, Missouri, traversing the southern tier of town- 
 ships of Pike. This branch crosses the Illinois river by a bridge, with a 
 draw to pass steamers, the bridge and road being in Pearl township at 
 the Illinois. This road crosses on a magnificent bridge the Mississippi 
 river to Louisiana, Missouri. 
 
 The Toledo, Wabash & Western operates the aforesaid Hannibal & 
 Naples Road and the six mile branch to Pittsfield. 
 
 The Toledo, Wa'bash & Western aforesaid operates a road to Quincy 
 which just crosses the northeast corner of Pike county on a bridge across 
 the Illinois river. 
 
 This road uses a bridge across the Mississippi river at Hannibal, 
 which is a rail and wagon road bridge. 
 
 The Quincy, Alton & St. Louis Railroad is constructed and operated 
 from Quincy to Hannibal, and also to Louisiana. These pass through 
 townships in s;id Levee District in Pike county. 
 
 These road;? all have fine steam engines, elegant passenger coaches 
 and freight cars passing daily. 
 
 MAIL FACILITIES NOW AND THEN 
 
 In 1833, and for many years, one weekly mail entered the county 
 from the southeast, coming from St. Louis and going to Galena and inter- 
 mediate offices (and those scarce), carried by change of horses, and by 
 many contractors, in leather bags across the horse. 
 
 Some years after Pittsfield was laid out a tri-weekly horseback mail 
 was carried from Jacksonville and other points east, then a tri-weekly 
 mail coach to Pittsfield, for many years ran daily, with a delivery of mails 
 from many points; in about two and a half days from New York and five 
 from California to Pittsfield. Postage across the continent three cents 
 for ordinary letters and regulated by weight. Mails now are carried by 
 railroad trains to Pittsfield and distributed to parts of Pike daily and 
 portions two or three times weekly. At all points a daily mail can be 
 reached 'by a few miles travel. 
 
 TELEGRAPH LINES 
 
 These have offices in all the railroad towns of Pike and hourly dis- 
 patches are sent. 
 
 EXPRESS LINES AND OFFICES 
 
 These are in many of the towns, and daily deliver packages of v.tluo 
 and general articles. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 21 
 
 ELECTIONS AT AN EARLY DAY 
 
 When Pike was as defined in 1821, some exciting elections came off 
 as well as in later years. The wars of the roses were almost fought over. 
 Towns and voters were scarce as at old Sarum in England, but votes 
 counted; so when the Ross family and the Atlas party were candidates 
 there was a lively time electioneering from the mouth of the Illinois river 
 all the way to Galena, in the present county of Jo Daviess, that being as 
 lively a place and as populous as any in the State, was a precinct of Pike 
 county. Think of sending to rally voters 300 miles and then to send 
 again and almost fight to get returns of elections! Such were the trials 
 of the candidates in an early day. How much better now. If an office- 
 holder he may have been in the whiskey ring and have a fine to pay and 
 to go to jail. 
 
 Fancy poll books were made in those earlier days, with fictitious 
 names thereon, to beat the Ross party. 
 
 THE LAWYERS OF PIKE 
 
 The living members of the Pike county bar number men of promi- 
 nence in the forum and in the halls of legislation. 
 
 C. L. Higbee is one of the most eminent of the Circuit Judges. 
 
 Daniel Brown Bush, the senior in years, was a native of and from 
 the State of Massachusetts and was born in 1790. He was a member of 
 the Massachusetts legislature and followed his profession in that State. 
 He came to Pittsfield in 1834. He has filled many lucrative public offices, 
 having been School Commissioner and County, or Probate Judge, Post- 
 master of Pittsfield, Justice of the Peace, and in all offices and in his pro- 
 fession has been a m ;.n of spotless reputation. 
 
 W. R. Archer is an honored and useful State Senator and has twice 
 been a member of Constitutional Conventions of Illinois. 
 
 Colonel A. C. Matthews, at the bar, on the stump and in the tented 
 field, as well as in the office of United States Revenue Collector, has dis- 
 tinguished himself. 
 
 Zachariah N. Garbutt, the original editor of the Free Press, of this 
 county, was a member of the bar and for a time Master in Chancery of 
 the county; he was a very merry soul. In the Mormon War he earned 
 laurels by piling big sweet potatoes for the troops of Anti-Mormons. 
 Earnest and somewhat original in his opinions, very independent in the 
 expression of his thoughts, he was an upright man and something of a 
 genius. He died before he had reached the meridian of life. 
 "Life's a short summer man a flower 
 He dies, alas! how soon! he dies." 
 BAR AND BENCH 
 
 James Ward, lately resident, of Griggsville a native of Ohio, a mem- 
 ber of the bar, a Justice of the Peace, re-elected because of his business 
 habits and honesty, and once a Probate Judge, filled the several stations 
 officially just named and passed through life highly respected and success- 
 ful. He left a worthy family and numerous relatives. 
 
 LORD COKE 
 
 The Speaker of the Lobby, "who mixed reason with pleasure and 
 wisdom with mirth," James W. Whitney, was a native of Massachusetts, 
 a man of considerable early education, having some knowledge of Latin. 
 TTo came to Illinois before the organization of the State government, 
 which took place in 1818. He resided at an early day at or near Ed- 
 
22 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 wardsville, in Madison county, in this State. He was very taciturn when 
 the subject of his own life was introduced; some suppose he left memoirs 
 thereof, if so, this writer has been unsuccessful in finding such. The 
 earliest Record Book of the Circuit Court of Pike county contains his 
 handwriting and he was in 1821 Clerk of that Court; he wrote a peculiar 
 hand and if style of writing is an index he should have been an oddity; 
 he was such in some respects. One at first sight would in the earlier days 
 of Pittsfield have taken him to be a well preserved preacher or school- 
 master of the days of the earlier Adamses. His dress was plain to home- 
 liness, not being very prosperous and being indifferent in matters of that 
 kind, his hair was sparse, was combed all to the back of his head and 
 tied often with a buckskin s;rlng or old blick shoestring as a queue. He 
 was a cosmopolite of Illinois (so to speak). His journeys were generally 
 made, especially on the Military Tract, on foot and alone; he had an ex- 
 tensive acquaintance, he put up where night found him, with a friend. 
 Upon such trips he was garrulous and carried the news, when newspapers 
 were scarce. He lived often alone in a log cabin, at times at the city of 
 Quincy, and thereafter in Pike county, in Pleasant Hill township. He 
 never had a large library, but "bore the name of a learned man amongst 
 those little used to books. 
 
 Whitney acquired from this reputation the name of "Lord Coke." 
 He was delighted to be so called, and he was thus extensively and better 
 known than by his proper name. 
 
 When theaters and shows were rare, at the convening of the Illinois 
 Legislature all were agog, citizens, judges, and legislators to witness the 
 convening of "The Lobby." It was a great event. A, great throng would 
 assemble and after some ceremony "Lord Coke" would mount the stand 
 and call the house to order. He would deliver h'is annual message, which 
 would be received with cheers and laughter. M.iny hits and jokes were 
 embodied in the message. Sometimes the satire was very broad and Lord 
 Coke hurt his standing with the Supreme Court by a farcial account of 
 that Court and leading member? of the bar meeting to "exterminate the 
 varmints" of the State. 
 
 Lord Coke presided over the Lobby with magisterial sway, and when 
 mock heroics moved the man he would be a very important personage. 
 The Lobby was organized by appointing subordinate officers and numerous 
 committees; the titles and functions of those committees would be of the 
 most ludicrous character, and the members composing the same of physi- 
 cal form, public standing, and personal bearing the most opposite of the 
 position and character 'S assigned on committee. 
 
 As an instance, Colonel Thomas Mather, President of the State Bank 
 of Illinois, was a man short in stature, but of great rotundity of person, 
 quiet in demeanor; Judge Thonus Brown and Jesse Thomas, Jr., were 
 fine, portly-looking gentlemen. Such as these Lord Coke would announce, 
 and that in print, as the most suitable members of a committee on gym- 
 nastics and ground and lofty tumbling. 
 
 At the meetings of the Lobby, which were frequent, sometimes 
 nightly during the session of the Legislature, in the earlier days of Illi- 
 nois, reports of committees would be called for and were submitted. 
 These would be in accord with the burlesque titles of the committees; 
 these reports were often written by Coke himself and there was a broad 
 personality in them rather Hudibrastic. 
 
 At the sessions of the Lobby would be seen the prominent men of 
 the State, including Judges, members of the Legislature and or the Bar. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 23 
 
 When legislation assumed grave proportions, involving popular 
 topics, as the "Illinois Canal and Internal Improvements," or "The Banks 
 of the State," you would see Murray McConnel, John J. Hardin, Douglass, 
 Lincoln, binder, Cavalry, and others on the floor taking part in debates 
 produced by resolutions offered in the Lobby. These would be ably con- 
 ducted and with great spice of debate. Some matters very prejudicial to 
 the State were considered in a popular but not statesmanlike manner in 
 this debating society of the State. 
 
 The "Internal Improvement System of Illinois," which engulfed 
 Illinois in a worse than useless de'bt, owes its paternity to the spirit of 
 the Lobby. 
 
 The Canal and the Illinois Central Railroad, and the more modern 
 roads of the State, are not to be understood as included in the unfavor- 
 able comment as to improvements. 
 
 The system proposed in the Lo'bby was too lavish, indiscriminate 
 and expensive for the times. And yet how much of its project has been 
 since carried out. 
 
 Lord Coke never was a family man in Illinois. Iti is said there was 
 a hidden sorrow in this particular before he came to Illinois. 
 
 At the bar, Whitney was not successful. There was a want of prac- 
 tical, everyday sense and his law was often obsolete. He is dead many 
 years and passed away less noticed in his demise than many men of less 
 note. 
 
 ALPHEUS WHEELER 
 
 "A youth to fortune and to fame unknown, 
 Fair science frowned not on his humble birth." 
 
 Who that ever saw his tall, ungainly form and heard him address a 
 public body could ever forget him? 
 
 He was a mem'ber of the bars he came to Pike county in 1833 or 
 1834, and resided for sometime at Highland then occasionally preaching. 
 In 1838 and 1840 he was elected to the Legislature of Illinois, and in 
 that body he was regarded as an oddity. He made some of his peculiar 
 speeches and in his career in the Legislature encountered the wit and 
 humor of another marked man, but of a more elevated type of manhood 
 ond education, namely, Usher F. Linder, who died recently at Chicago. 
 Linder told his story of the old woman and her pet coon on Wheeler in 
 the Legislature and broke down the influence Wheeler and his friends 
 anticipated he would have therein. For some years Wheeler had a law 
 office in Pittsfield and obtained considerable business; he took great pride 
 in his oratorical efforts, and made some 1 lofty flights in his forensic dis- 
 plays. 
 
 On one occasion Wheeler addressed the jury and said, in reply to 
 the mere remirk from Woodson that he submitted the case without any 
 speech, which was intended to prevent Wheeler from speaking: "Gentle- 
 men, I admire the State's Attorney; he has shown the most sublime elo- 
 quence, as from some men it consists in most profund silence." 
 
 Again he said of Woodson: "His eloquence is like the tall thunder 
 amongst the lefty oaks, coming down for to split things.'* 
 
 This speecoh caused ?ome one who had a ready hand at a rough 
 pencil sketch to draw a picture of a man's head with a big nose elevated 
 in a tree top, that was upon the west wall of the Court room at Pittsfield, 
 find remained there for many years, until the house was whitened up on 
 the inside. That big nose was a caricature of Wheeler's. 
 
24 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 Wheeler brought many suits for trespass and other causes, and on 
 the trial of these much merriment was produced for the Judge, lawyers, 
 jurors and citizens. Courts were great occasions in those days and drew 
 crowds. 
 
 In a case for killing a cow, Wheeler, in reply to points made by O. 
 H. Browning, then and now eminent, said: "The gentleman tells you 
 Gentlemen of the Jury, that the plaintiff, my client, cannot recover in this 
 suit because the cow war'nt no cow, because she never had a calf, but 
 that she war a heifer. Gentlemen, that are not the notion of a sound and 
 legal lawyer, but the notion of a musharoon." This almost convulsed the 
 Court House with laughter. 
 
 Another objection of Browning's in this case that Wheeler answered 
 was thus expressed: "Gentlemen of the Jury, Mr. Browning says that cow 
 war'nt worth a cent. Now, gentlemen, where were there ever a cow that 
 war'nt worth a cent? That cow were worth something for her meat, if 
 she war'nt worth nothing for a milk cow she war worth something for 
 her horns, she war worth something for her hide, if not for her meat or 
 milk, and gentlemen, she w-r worth something because the tail goes with 
 the hide." 
 
 The cause of Browning's point was that Wheeler had failed to prove 
 by witnesses the worth of the cow. 
 
 A suit brought by Wheeler for one Harpool against his brother, was 
 for damage done to hogs, by cutting the toe nails off the hogs so as to 
 prevent them from climbing. Wheeler, in describing the injury to the 
 hogs, insisted that the hogs had a right to toe nails and a right to climb, 
 and that, although they hud clone damage, yet it was laid down "root hog 
 or die." 
 
 One Zumwalt was indicted for destroying a mill-dam of Doctor 
 Hezekiah Dodge's. Wheeler in this case assailed the character of Dr. 
 Dodge, who was a respectable man and whom the Jury did believe. Zum- 
 walt was convicted upon evidence that he had said at his son-in-law's, on 
 the night of the destruction of the dam of Dodge: "Just now the mus- 
 rats are working on old Dodge's dam." Wheeler said of Dodge on the 
 trial: "Dr. Dodge are a man so devoid of truth that when he speaks the 
 truth he are griped." 
 
 During another of the lofty flights of Wheeler, a wag, John Jay Ross, 
 a lawyer and a m..n who made and enjoyed a joke, laughed so at one of 
 Wheeler's speeches that he became excited and turned upon Ross in a very 
 contemptuous way, with a majestic sweep of his long arm, brought down 
 at Ross, said: "I wish I had a tater, I would throw it down your throat." 
 
 The speech of Wheeler was not closed that evening, and the next 
 morning early, when Wheeler was again addressing the Jury, and Ross 
 ut the bar table, by some hand several large potatoes were put down in 
 sight of Wheeler's eye. He fired up and let out a torrent of invective on 
 Ross, every one, Judge and all, in a loud roar of laughter. 
 
 Wheeler once in a fine frenzy parodied Shakespeare thus: 
 
 "Who steals my purse steals trash, 
 
 Robs me of that which not enriches him but makes me poor, 
 all to injure my client." 
 
 Wheeler went to southwestern Missouri, Bates county, before the 
 war, and we lost sight of him he is said to be dead. 
 
 Strother R. Grigsby was formerly County Clerk and is now our 
 respected County Judge. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 25 
 
 J. G. Pettingil has been School Superintendent of Pike and is highly 
 esteemed. 
 
 J. M. Bush is so well known as Editor of the Democrat that he needs 
 no commentary. He has been long Master in Chancery of Pike, and has 
 been a State Senator, filling these positions all most acceptably. He is a 
 son of Daniel B. Bush and a brother of the Junior of that name. 
 
 James S. Irwin is well known as a prominent lawyer and has for 
 many years had a large practice. 
 
 The younger bar must wait for the next history to record their ex- 
 ploits. There are miny useful and intelligent men amongst them. In- 
 dustry, temperance and integrity will ensure them success. 
 
 " PRAYER ARDENT OPENS HEAVEN " 
 
 Amongst those long gathered to the rest of the blessed we mention 
 the Rev. William Carter, for twenty-five years the influential good father 
 in God and pastor of the Congregational Church in Pittsfield, a ripe 
 scholar and pious m?n, he had his peculiarities, but no man of better and 
 truer manhood ever lived here. 
 
 Dr. Orin S. Campbell, who died some years since, went to Atlas m 
 1833 or 1834 and resided there practicing his profession of medicine as 
 a partner of Henry J. Ross, M. D., and afterwards removed to Pittsfield; 
 he was also in partnership for a time with Dr. Worthington, and during 
 his career as a physician was of great repute and very successful. He was 
 a superior scholar and a man of great pleasantry with men. His memory 
 is yet green amongst us. 
 
 Dr. Benjamin Norris, a graduate of Brown University, in the class 
 with Prentice; of the Louisville Journal, came in 1835 to Pittsfield. He 
 was a native of Rhode Island. He was long a leading physician, and very 
 useful and successful, as numerous families can well attest. He was 
 skilled as an entomologist and sent some valuable and rare specimens of 
 insects to the Smithsonian Institution; he hid some rare specimens and a 
 large cabinet of insects collected by himself, which he left in high state 
 of preservation at his death. 
 
 We again recur to the living, and cannot speak of all, but tax our 
 memory as to those widely known and conspicuous :nt an early day. Such 
 are those who lay the foundations of society in new lands. 
 
 Dr. Alfred C. Baker of Barry now, at an early day of Pittsfield, once 
 a partner of Dr. Worthington, is noted in his profession. He is a man of 
 origimlity and intellect; he is a brother of the illustrious General E. D. 
 Baker, distinguished in Illinois when a resident, and thereafter a Senator 
 of the United States from California, who was slain by treachery at Ball's 
 Bluff in Virginia. He was a man of brilliant intellect, an orator and the 
 finest English belle letter scholar, when residing in Illinois; as a leader 
 in our halls of legislation, on the stump and at the bar, he often address- 
 ed the Court and popular assemblies in Pike county in his most inimitable 
 manner. 
 
 THE BATTLE GROUND OF THE GIANTS 
 
 This county was fcamous for the political and forensic discussions of 
 Lincoln, Douglas, John T. Stewart, D. M. Woodson, Orville H. Browning, 
 Archy Williams, William Thomas, A. W. Cavalry, Judge Lyman Trumbull, 
 E. D. Baker, Governors Yates, Palmer, and Oglesby, James Robertson, 
 James Allen, Alexander Starne, Colonel Richardson, and numerous other 
 public men have addressed the Court and popular assemblies in this 
 county. 
 
26 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 YOUNGER AMERICA 
 
 Milton Hay, now ranking high as a lawyer at Springfield, resided 
 here in his earlier days and was- at our bar. He has since been in a Con- 
 stitutional Convention and in the Legislature of the State. 
 
 John G. Nicholay edited the Free Press here, and his been Secretary 
 to President Lincoln, Consul to Paris, and is now Marshal of the Supreme 
 Court of the United States at Washington. 
 
 THE JUDICIARY 
 
 This county has had many good, useful and able men in the office of 
 Probate Judge, thereafter called County Judge. 
 
 Abraham Beck was the first Judge, nd the first estate administered 
 upon was that of Peter Bourke John Shaw, administrator Belus Jones 
 and Barnabas Haines, securities. The caption of letters issued ran as 
 follows: "The People of the State of Illinois, by the Grace of God free 
 and independent." The letters were dated May 21, A. D. 1821. 
 
 Second Judge, Nicholas Hanson. 
 
 Third Judge, William Ross May 1st, 1823, to July, 1825 court 
 being held at Atlas. 
 
 Fourth Judge, George W. Haight from July, 1825, to January, 1827. 
 
 Fifth Judge, William Ross from January, 1827, to December, 1834. 
 
 Sixth Judge, M. E. Rattan first term of court held by him, January 
 2', 1835. 
 
 Seventh Judge, William Watson first term, April 1, 1837. 
 
 Eighth Judge, D. B. Bush first term November 6, 1837. 
 
 Ninth Judge, Parvin Paullin first term October 7, 1839. 
 
 Tenth Judge, I. B. Donaldson first term October 2, 1843. 
 
 Eleventh Judge, James Ward first term August, 1847. 
 
 Twelth Judge, Charles Harrington first term December, 1853. 
 
 Thirteenth Judge, Alfred Grubb first term December, 1857. 
 
 Fourteenth Judge, John W. Allen first term November 21, 1861. 
 
 Fifteenth Judge, R. M. Atkinson first term November 24, 1865. 
 
 Sixteenth Judge, Strother Grigsby first term December, 1873 and 
 now in office. 
 
 The Circuit Court of Pike county, as part of the State system of 
 Courts, has been presided over by many Judges at different periods from 
 1821 to 1876, men of upright characters and extended judicial fame. 
 Pike county has been in several Judicial Circuits at different periods. 
 
 THE SYSTEM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
 
 This was first by County Commissioners, three in number. Of these 
 many were efficient, and none ever guilty of peculation. In 1857 a town- 
 ship organization was adopted, as permitted by general laws of the State. 
 Until 1876 twenty-one political townships existed. In the latter year 
 Levee Township was organized for political and school purposes. 
 
 Under this system the county affairs have been well managed. No 
 startling acts have been done endangering the public business affairs, and 
 much has been effected to advance the county by a wise administration of 
 her affairs, by the Board of Supervisors, of whom many have been wise 
 as local and county officers. 
 
 THE CIRCUIT COURT 
 
 This is the leading court; h'.s general, civil, common law and equity 
 jurisdiction, with jurisdiction in criminal cases. The Hon. C. L. Higbee 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 27 
 
 is the able and dignified judge, unsurpassed in the State or elsewhere, 
 for his legal ability and for dispatch of business. 
 
 George W. Jones is now, and has been at several periods, Clerk of 
 this court, and is an able, upright officer. 
 
 James H. Crane has been Clerk of this court, and is now an efficient 
 and gentlemanly deputy clerk in the office of Mr. Jones. 
 
 J. J. Topliff, M. D., now resident of Griggsville, was predecessor of 
 Jones, and was a very gentlemanly, honest officer. 
 
 EXECUTION FOR MURDER 
 
 It may be well to mention that up to this Centennial year, but one 
 execution for murder has been carried out under sentence of the law 
 since Pike county has been of its present reduced limits. 
 
 LAND SUITS 
 
 Many and serious land suits have been decided in our courts. 
 THE COUNTY COURT 
 
 This has jurisdiction as a Probate Court, and likewise in appellate 
 cases of civil and criminal nature from justices of the peace, and has ori- 
 ginal civil jurisdiction of cases, such as a justice has, but higher in 
 amount, up to $500. 
 
 The present judge is Hon. Strother Grigsby, who fills the office with 
 dignity and impartiality. His decisions are sound and acceptable. He 
 was a member of the bar. 
 
 Richard M. Atkinson, who is a member of the bar, was an upright 
 and able judge in this court for several years, immediately before the term 
 of Judge Grigsby. 
 
 We will file a list of the earlier County or Probate Judges and the 
 dates of their terms of office. 
 
 All who served in that office were respected and proved to be honest 
 men. 
 
 SCHOOLS 
 
 Of course, at the earliest days and for many years, there were none. 
 
 The earliest we know of was at Atlas, and the first brick school' 
 house was likely there, long used as a meeting house by the few religious 
 denominations. Gradually schools sprung up over the county and a com- 
 mendable zeal for education has existed, especially since the public school 
 system was adopted hy the Illinois Legislature. 
 
 Griggsville erected, about twenty years since, a spacious and sightly 
 two-story brick house which was burned, and is replaced by one similar 
 to the former. In these have been kept large and excellent schools. 
 
 Pittsfield, in 1861, began and in about two years completed a very 
 handsome two-story brick school house now in use, and containing a base- 
 ment and eight spacious rooms for schools, all filled at times with 
 scholars. It is conducted under the graded system of instruction and has 
 a high or advanced school, teaching languages and sciences; Its principles 
 and teachers have been of a high order of merit. 
 
 Brick or spacious frame houses exist in all the large towns in the 
 county, and numerous sightly and well built school houses abound and 
 are in view every few miles in all parts of the county. 
 
28 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 The pecuniary support is derived from local funds, in part from the 
 land grant of the United States, of a section to each township; by taxa- 
 tion by the school officers, and by a pro rata from a fund raised by legis- 
 lative provision periodically. 
 
 The schools are free to all children from six to twenty years of age. 
 
 The aforesaid houses in Pittsfield, Griggsville and other localities are 
 successors of more simple or rude structures. 
 
 NEWSPAPERS IN PIKE 
 
 The Sucker began in 1842, and was the earliest published in the 
 county. Its proprietor, and editor was Michael J. Noyes, a remarkable 
 man, of frank manners, industrious, shrewd, of fair education, honest in 
 his business. In early life, as a land surveyor he laid off land for the 
 United States under contract, when original surveys were made. He was 
 a native of New Hampshire, and true to the views of his Northern ances- 
 try, was an advocate of freedom. He was, before removing to this county, 
 clerk of the circuit court of Pike County, Missouri. He died respected 
 and honored, a leading officer in the Masonic fraternity, and leaving his 
 wife, the partner of his early life, and a numerous family. 
 
 The Free Press was established in lieu of the Sucker. The first 
 number it dated Pittsfield and Griggsville, Monday, April 13, 1846, pub- 
 lished every Thursday (thereafter). Its second number is dated Thurs- 
 day, April 23; editors and proprietors Z. N. Garbutt and M. H. Abbott. 
 It was a Whig paper. 
 
 The Sentinel, established in 1845, by T. G. Trumbull and G. W. 
 Smith, the former as editor. After it ceased its material and patronage 
 went to the Union. 
 
 The Pike County Union, established on April 25, 1849, by John S. 
 Roberts as editor and proprietor. That merged into the Pike County 
 Democrat. Mr. Roberts has filled several responsible lucrative positions, 
 and is now a justice of the peace in Pittsfield. 
 
 The Pike County Democrat was published under that name, and com- 
 menced in May, 1857. Milton Abbott was editor and proprietor. He sold 
 out, and it is yet continued by J. M. Bush, at Pittsfield, vigorously con- 
 ducted. It advocates the doctrine of the Democratic party and has a large 
 circulation. 
 
 T. G. Trumbull, editor of the Sentinel, was a member of the bar of 
 Illinois. He came from Connecticut, and was a nephew of the celebrated 
 painter, Col. Trumbull, of Washington's military family. T. G. Trumbull 
 had but little business at the bar. He was peculiar, and if asked about 
 early rising expressed himself, "That it was not best to be about until 
 the world was well aired by the uprisen sun." His health was feeble, his 
 instincts gentlemanly, his education good, and retiring habits. He hns 
 long been buried near Pittsfield. He had no relatives in this vicinity. 
 
 The Radical, for a brief time published as the exponent of a senti- 
 ment. It was edited with vim, by Major Charles S. Sellon. He was after- 
 wards a vigorous and useful editor of the Illinois State Journal, published 
 at Springfield, Illinois. His bravery led him to the front, and he served 
 for a short time in the Union Army. By deafness he was physically dis- 
 qualified for army life. He died a young man, mourned by his family and 
 many friends. He is buried in the graveyard of St. Stephen's Church 
 Pittsfield, 111. He was a son of the Rev. Mr. Sellon of New York. 
 
 The Radical was reduced like a razed vessel, until it was The Radi, 
 under command of O. W. Topliff, and lasted only a short time. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 29 
 
 The Pike County Journal was the offspring of the Free Press, and 
 was established by Daniel B. Bush, Jr., in 1860, and edited by him until 
 a sale thereof to Robert McKee. The Old Flag took the place of the 
 fournal. 
 
 The Old Flag was the successor of the Pike County Journal, and owes 
 its name to its first editor, Robert McKee, who was an able man when at 
 his post. Its first issue was in the first week in March, 1868. This- paper 
 yet supports ably the principles of the Republican party. Robert Criswell, 
 once a spicy editor thereof, is now in the far West. It is now owned by 
 Messrs. Jas. Criswell and Jas. Gallagher, the latter being its efficient 
 editor. It has a liberal patronage. 
 
 The Barry Adage, published weekly, is in it", second or third year. 
 
 The Griggsville Reflector is now two or {.hree years old. 
 
 Th,e Milton Beacon is now in its second year. 
 
 The newspapers published in this county have issued only once a 
 week. 
 
 EXPORTS OF THE FARM 
 
 This county is unsurpassed for its winter wheat. Large quantities 
 are exported as flour and wheat. Beef and pork are staple commodities, 
 and yield an immense revenue to the farmers. Corn is a most abundant 
 crop and enters largely into commerce. Grass and hay are produced with- 
 out stint. 
 
 Fruits of all kinds, great and small, abound. The apple corp when 
 shipped yields a great income. 
 
 PIKE COUNTY OF 1876 
 
 Pike County in 1876 is composed of territory bounded on the south 
 by the peninsula of Calhoun county, stricken off from the original terri- 
 tory of Pike; beginning on the south and embracing range seven south 
 of the base line, and west of the fourth principal meridian; meandering 
 the Illinois River for its Eastern boundary, and then north, including 
 Township three south two west, fronting on the river, and also including 
 Township three south ranges three and four west; thence west from the 
 southwest corner of Township three south four west, or Fairmount, to the 
 Mississippi River, in Township four south eight west; thence meandering 
 with the channel of said river to the township line of seven south five 
 west in said river, including twenty-six townships and fractional town- 
 ships, laid off for political purposes into twenty-four townships, and 
 designated as follows: 
 
 Chambersburg, Perry, Fairmount, Flint, Griggsville, New Salem, Had- 
 ley, Barry, Kinderhook, Levee, Detroit, Newburg, Pittsfield, Derry, Pleas- 
 ant Vale, Montezuma, Hardin, Martinsburg, Atlas, Pearl, Spring Creek, 
 Pleasant Hill. Sixteen of these townships are six miles square, and the 
 fractional townships are of various sizes, as the land is shaped by the 
 flow of the rivers Illinois and Mississippi. The Illinois running in most 
 places on the borders of the County nearly south; the Mississippi varying 
 by its course the width of the County, from about thirty-eight miles on 
 the north line to about eighteen on the south line, its- course being to the 
 southeast. 
 
 This County is varied in its surface. Its greatest altitude from the 
 rivors being about three hundred and ten feet on the summit ridge. 
 Various large water courses flowing to each river furnishing, with living 
 springs which abound, abundance of good water. The soil is much diver- 
 
30 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 sified. On both rivers and on several large creeks, there is a large acre- 
 age of fine alluvial land, which is productive when properly drained, and 
 much of it required no drainage. The uplands adjacent to the bluffs of 
 the two rivers are rolling, originally mostly timber, now largely in culti- 
 vation. Nearly every Township in the County had much rich and beau- 
 tiful rolling prairie. The growth on a portion of the land, in many town- 
 ships, was black-jack, a species of scrub oak. These were called barrens, 
 but falsely so-called, as some of the finest farming, and especially wheat, 
 and grass lands, are in the former barrens. 
 
 The productions of the County are diversified. Corn, wheat, oats, 
 rye, and all small grains and grapes grow and with great luxuriance; 
 sweet and Irish potatoes and all garden vegetables flourish. Fruits of 
 every kind and the lesser berries yield large crops. The County is famed 
 for its fine stock raising qualities. 
 
 The minerals are varied and numerous, but none developed to much 
 extent. Abundance of fine stone and some superior quarries exist. There 
 is a species of sandstone which opens out in rectangular figures from 
 natural fissures. Limestone is plentiful. Near Rockport there is stone 
 nearly similar to marble and beautifully veined. Perry and other medi- 
 cinal springs have deserved celebrity. Salt springs exist, but as yet have 
 not availed much for salt producing. It is evident that some races of 
 people have delighted to inhabit this county. Many ancient mounds 
 exist. Stone cises, or coffins, in considerable numbers have been found, 
 and all the implements of the stone age are seen as original here. In a 
 state of nature all the wild fruits of this latitude were abundant, but cul- 
 tivation has done away with them. 
 
 The latitude of this county is a little south of Philadelphia, Penn. 
 
 It is about eighty miles from St. Louis to its southern boundary. 
 
 The leading wagon roads of emigrant travel pass through this county. 
 
 Numerous old ferries exist on the rivers which once swarmed with 
 emigrant wagons. 
 
 The navigable waters of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers on the 
 East and West are yet of immense value to our farmers and business men. 
 These could be used to much greater advantage and less cost for freight, 
 were the boats all properly constructed to avail of the water at its lower 
 stages; presupposing that the National Government improves the rivers by 
 narrowing and deepening the channels, upon the principle of constructing 
 jetties at the mouth of the Mississippi. In the future, great developments 
 will be made of how to manage the mighty rivers to economize and to use 
 the water in times of drouth. 
 
 It is possible, we hold, to scour out and thus deepen our rivers in. 
 and bordering on Illinois. Competition will thus increase in the means of 
 transportation as freights increase. Who can foretell the destiny of the* 
 West with deeper rivers and sea-going vessels? Perhaps ascending many 
 hundred miles above New Orleans for freights. We confidently anticipate 
 this. 
 
 PUBLIC BUILDINGS 
 
 The public buildings and improvements generally, are very good 
 Moderate in cost not pretentious in structure. 
 
 The first Court House in Pittsfield was a small frame, standing on 
 the alley on the north side of the street facing, and north of the Public 
 Square. It is now used by Joseph Heck as a store. The order for its 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 31 
 
 erection was made by the County Commissioners on the 4th day of June, 
 1833. 
 
 The second Court House in Pittsfield. now in use, was built in 1838-9 
 by County funds, derived from proceeds of sales of town lots of Pittsfield, 
 by the County Commissioners. The first sale was on the 15th day of May, 
 1833. Subsequent sales were made by the Commissioners of town lots all 
 on the old plat. The first Court House was also built out or proceeds of 
 early sales. The present Court House is a large two-story brick with a 
 dome and high roof. It is in good repair. The court room for the Circuit 
 Court is in the second story, and has two jury rooms on the east thereof. 
 The first story is used for the County Court and public offices. This house 
 stands in the center of a public square, set out with trees. The plat of 
 ground is three hundred and forty feet square, streets surrounding it. 
 There are fire-proof County offices near the West entrance to the square. 
 It is handsomely enclosed with a plain, painted, wooden fence. Trees are 
 well-grown and mostly of native kinds. Blue grass and white clover 
 clothe the ground. 
 
 An ornamental two-story brick jail is upon the Northeast corner of 
 the streets surrounding the square. 
 
 These now in use are the second structures of the kind in Pittsfioid. 
 The first jail was of brick; it was sold and afterwards burned. 
 
 POPULATION AND SETTLEMENT 
 
 This County is now densely settled for a farming country, and yet 
 there are lands now -unoccupied, and vast tracts owned and occupied by 
 few families. The county is capable of supporting a very much larger 
 population than is now therein. Its people are from every State in the 
 United States, and from every foreign land, almost, which has sent set- 
 tlers to the middle states, and are intelligent, industrious and enterprising. 
 
 Public roads lead to all the towns in the county from Pittsfield. 
 Ferries exist at many points on the rivers. There is a railway and wagon 
 road bridge crossing from Pike county to Hannibal, Mo., and a railroad 
 bridge at Louisiana. 
 
 TOWNS AND VILLAGES 
 
 Pittsfield is the County Seat, and laid out 1833. Railroad here. 
 
 Griggsville is about the same age. Railroad here. 
 
 Barry was Wooster, and is not quite so old. Railroad here. These 
 are the leading towns. 
 
 Perry is a beautiful town, once Boonville. 
 
 Milton was laid out about 1836, and is a neat village, and has a large 
 flour mill. 
 
 Washington was laid out in 1836; is a neat village and has a large 
 flour mill. 
 
 Chainbersburg is a sightly town. 
 
 Kinderhook is handsomely situated; has many good oulldlngs, and is 
 on the H. & N. R. R., and has a large flour mill. 
 
 Pleasant Hill is, as its name signifies, and well located. A railroad 
 at its limits, and a large flour mill, business houses and churcnes in town. 
 
 Rockport, on the Sny Carte, for fifty years nearly the site of water 
 mills; is an interesting business location; some neat stores and houses, 
 and a very nice, roomy brick school house ornament it. A large trade has 
 existed there. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 We cannot enumerate all the steam flour mills, but many of the 
 towns have such which we have not specified. 
 
 Pleasant Vale, the oldest, and New Canton, are so united as to be one. 
 A flouring mill and the usual shops for trade are run here. 
 
 New Hartford and Summer Hill are neat little villages. Postoffices, 
 there, and churches. Very sightly situated, both towns. 
 
 Cincinnati, on the Mississippi river, is an old town, but has not grown 
 much. The Sny levee may promote its growth. There are stores and 
 warehouses there, and usual shops. 
 
 Atlas, the first town laid out, has lost standing by the removal of the 
 county seat. A pretty situation, but is eclipsed by its neighbor, Rockport 
 and little other than farming is now carried on there. 
 
 Detroit, Time and Nebo are all neat little villages, each having one 
 or more churches, and stores and shops. Time and Nebo each have a 
 flour mill. 
 
 Florence, first called Augusta, was laid out by Green, Barber, Wor- 
 thington and Davis, and if big hopes could have so made, it would have 
 rivalled Peoria. This was once a place of a good deal of business, and 
 the landing for Pittsfield from steamboats. In 1849 the stampede to Cali- 
 fornia set it back, and it has dwindled ever since. 
 
 PERRY AND PERRY TOWNSHIP 
 
 Considerate friends, residents thereof, have furnished the following 
 as to that locality and we record the same: 
 
 The first settler was Mr. Lovelady, in 1829. David Callis, John Bond, 
 the Akins, Dorsey and Gregory, in 1830. David Johnston and B. L. Mat- 
 thews, in 1832. 
 
 Mr. Sutton (Baptist) preached the first sermon at the residence of 
 Mr. Callis in 1829. 
 
 The first school was taught by Miss French in 1831. She now resides 
 in Brown county, Illinois. 
 
 The first merchant w~.s J. S. King, who was the first postmaster. 
 Mails then once a week. 
 
 The town was laid off in 1834 by Boone Scholl, and called Booneville. 
 The next year relaid by N. M. Jones, and given the name Perry. First 
 brick kiln by Shepardin, 1833. First blacksmith, W. Vanpelt, 1838. 
 Chenowith and Cirpenter first Justices of the Peace, 1835. 
 
 In 1836 population poured in. 
 
 In 1836 Hugh L. Sutphin became resident physician and was after- 
 wards a very worth State Senator. He is dead. 
 
 Perry" was incorporated in 1851, with but five hundred inhabitants. 
 
 BUSINESS HOUSES NOW 
 
 Five dry goods stores, two hardware and tin shops, three grocery 
 stores, one foundry, three blacksmith shops, two cabinet shops, six church 
 buildings, a public school house of four departments, and three hundred 
 and fifty pupils, three physicians Dunn, Harris and W.illing and three 
 shoe shops. This is a sightly town and does a prosperous Dusmess. 
 
 Mrs. Fifield is postmistress. Mails daily. The Township has four 
 hundred and seventy-five voters and increasing its Vote every year. 
 
 J. K. Cleveland, who has for many years been on the Grand Jury at 
 intervals, is the leading Justice of the Peace. 
 
 

 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 33 
 
 MANUFACTURES 
 
 The towns in Pike. Many of them carry on manufactures. 
 Barry has mills, pork houses of large capacity, blacksmith and other 
 
 shops, and adjacent a large woolen mill, established by the Messrs. Wike. 
 Griggsville has a large carriage shop and flour mill, and the usual 
 
 stores and shops of lesser trades. 
 
 Milton has many shops and has a pottery doing considerable business. 
 Handsome stores with large stocks of goods are here open. 
 
 Pleasant Hill has mills and tobacco factories. That Township adja- 
 cent is first-class tobacco land, and good for other crops. 
 
 New Hartford and Summer Hill each have blacksmith shops and 
 stores. Coopers make barrels here to a large amount. 
 
 El Dara has a large flour mill and usual small shops. 
 
 Perry has a woolen mill, flour mill, and the usual shops of trades. 
 
 Chambersburg has a flour mill, stores and usual shops of trades. 
 
 Kinderhook has a flour mill and usual shops of trades. 
 
 Rockport has some shops of trades, and recently a large flour mill 
 was burned. Coopers made or sold a large amount of barrels at this place. 
 
 Pittsfield has two large and well-equipped flour mills, a woolen mill, 
 three or four wagon shops, two considerable carriage shops, two tobacco 
 factories, and some lesser workers in tobacco, a foundry, several black- 
 smith shops a large factory for fan mills to clean grain and seeds, numer- 
 ous large stores of various kinds; and some subdivision of business exists. 
 The grocery is distinct from dry goods. Stores for finer wear for men and 
 women, and hats, caps and boots exist. Four hardware stores, and all 
 selling more or 1 less machinery. Sale and manufacturing shops of furni- 
 ture are carrying on business, and the lesser trades are carried on. Three 
 drug and medicine stores, shops to sell candy and small wares, and three 
 barber shops. 
 
 SOCIETIES 
 
 This county has numerous literary and other societies. 
 
 The first library was founded in Atlas in 1833-4. Part of the books 
 now exist in the Pittsfield Library, an incorporated institution, the second, 
 of a general nature. It has several hundred, and, perhaps, exceeding one 
 thousand volumes. Libraries exist in other towns. 
 
 Pike County has had more than one organization as an Agricultural 
 Society, and one now exists, located at Pittsfield. It has twenty acres or 
 more of beautiful ground on section twenty-five, south of Pittsfield one- 
 half a mile. A Horticultural Society Antiquarian Society, andOld Settlers 
 Society exist. 
 
 CHURCHES AND RELIGION 
 
 Religion, or the worship of Almighty God, is in high repute. 
 
 Houses of worship of brick and frame, and even stone, exist. In all 
 the larger towns will be found the following denominations, and even over 
 the country, a diversity of church fellowship exists. The churches are: 
 Methodist Episcopal, and other styles, as well as German Methodist; 
 Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregational, Christian, Lutheran, Protestant 
 Episcopal, United Brethren, Roman Catholics, and there may be others. 
 
 HOTELS IN PITTSFIELD 
 
 The Pittsfield House, kept by George T. Edwards on Northwest cor- 
 ner of the Square. 
 
34 HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 
 
 The Oregon House, kept by Abraham Butz, on Southwest corner of 
 the Square. 
 
 The Mansion House, kept by Joel Pennington, south side of the 
 Square. All the foregoing are brick houses. 
 
 LIVERY STABLES 
 
 George Edwards, on South side of the Square. 
 James F. Stobie, West of Oregon House same lot. 
 Pennington & Co., Southwest corner of the square. All well equip- 
 ped, and carriages, close and open, as well as horses and buggies for hire. 
 
 STEAMBOATS 
 
 Up to 1833 a boat by. steam was rarely up the rivers Illinois and 
 Mississippi more than once in two weeks. Special trips were made to 
 Spring Lake, in Pike, near Atlas, by the William Wallace, and one or two 
 other steamers up to 1835, to carry goods to Atlas and to take out freight. 
 
 Now five steamers, elegantly equipped, make daily trips in good 
 stages of water, on the two rivers, unless in winter when ice-bound. But 
 few weeks occur when a daily packet does not ascend the Mississippi for 
 Quincy and above. Packets ply on the Illinois river daily, ascending as 
 high as the canal at LaSalle. 
 
 Tow boat steamers run up and down with fleets of large barge-like 
 boats, with grain, stone and lumber on the Illinois river; these being the 
 freights descending. 
 
 The mode of navigation in an earlier day was in keel boats with poles 
 and by cordelling; and descending, only flat bottom boats and rafts were 
 floated down stream. 
 
 COUNTY SURVEYORS 
 
 This office has usually been filled by men of upright character and 
 very able. We cannot pretend to enumerate them. 
 
 David Johnson, one of those Surveyors, in office about thirty ye.irs 
 ago, is yet alive. He was an energetic man and Surveyor and of great 
 worth. 
 
 A. G. Chamberlain, who lives at Barry, has been a deputy surveyor 
 several times under the County Surveyor. He is a superior surveyor, and 
 an intelligent, honest man. 
 
 Gordon, of Griggsville, in his ripe old age, survives. He was a good 
 Surveyor in his day. 
 
 Joseph* Goodin we have spoken of elsewhere. 
 
 Harris, recent incumbent of the office of County Surveyor, is a gen- 
 ius, a good companion, an upright man, and useful in his office. His suc- 
 cessor is Mr. Clare, elected in 1875. He opens out well for a young offi- 
 cer. We predicta useful career for him. 
 
 APOLOGY OF THE HISTORIAN 
 
 In ending these outlines for history, biography and memoirs, pre- 
 pared in a brief space of time, almost without books of reference, and 
 with little aid from other sources, the historian craves your lenient judg- 
 ment. 
 
 With the conqueror, but not as a conqueror, I say "Veni, Vidi," "I 
 came, I saw," but the Vici. the last word of that phrase, I am not vain 
 enough to appropriate. 
 
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY 35 
 
 If, like the swan, this be my expiring song, I say with tne Roman, 
 "dignum et decorum est pro patria mori." 
 
 May this County and Nation have many Centennials, but to offer up 
 the prayer that any of my adult fellow citizens might enjoy the next Cen- 
 tennial, would be in vain since the days of Methuselah. 
 
 It is my anticipation, in the march of events, that the* next Centen- 
 nial History of Pike will be offered by a lady. 
 
 The ladies, God bless them, 'by that time, will have superseded the 
 men and put them aside as false gods. v The men will then enjoy "Otium 
 cum dignitate." 
 
 Farewell kind friends; may your paths be strewed witn flowers, and 
 every blessing attend you. 
 
 Adieu, until the next Centennial. The volume is closed. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
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