History of Tazewell county, Illinois ; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens. History of Illinois ... Digest of state laws online

Peter Weyhrich, dem 1735 227

Geo. Tomm, rep 1503

SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

John W. Moreland, dem.... 1688 137
Josiah Wood, rep 1551

SURVEYOR.

Wm. D. Cleveland, dem 1703 164

J. L. Hayward, rep 1539

ELECTION NOV., 1864.

PRESIDENT.

Abraham Lincoln, rep. 2147

Geo. B. MoClellan, dem 2307 160

CONGRESS.

S. M. Cullom, rep 2162

John T. Stuart, dem 2302 140

STATE SENATOR.

Geo. W. Minier, rep 2166

John B. Cohrs, dem 2302 136

STATES ATTORNEY.

Thomas A. Carter, rep 2145

C. A. Roberts, dem 2324 179



VOTE. M.\J.
REPRESENTATIVE.

John Wildhack, rep 2157

S. R. Saltonstall, dem 2287 130

CIRCUIT CLERK.

Geo. H. Harlow, rep 2159

H. P. Finigan, dem 2308 149

SHERIFF.

AVilliam A. Ross, rep 2176

James Hamson, dem 2287 111

CORONER.

Henry Riblet, rep 2139

William Divinney, dem 2329 190

ELECTION NOV. 7, 1865.

COUNTY JUDGE.

W. Don Maus, dem 1756

David Kyes, rep 1903 147

COUNTY CLERK.

John Gridley, dem 1796

W. W. Clemens, rep 1878 82

COUNTY TREASURER.

Peter AVevhrich, dem 1817

Charles Turner, rep 1842 25

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.

John W. Moreland, dem ...1793

S. K. Hatlield, rep 1875 82

SURVEYOR.

J. M. Miller, dem 1760

Leander King, rep 1908 148

ELECTION NOV. 6, 1866.

CONGRESS AT LARGE.

John A. Logan, rep 2312

T. Lyle Dickey, dem 2399 87

CONGRESS.

Shelby M. Cullom, rep 2.307

Edwin S. Fowler, dem 2406 99

REPRESENTATIVE.

William W. Sellers, rep .....2335

S. R. Saltonstall, dem 2361 26

SHERIFF.

John Reardon, rep 2295

J. H. Myers, dem 2395 100

CORONER.

Richard B. Howell, rep 2302

William Divinney, dem 2392 90

ELECTION NOV. 3, 1868.

PRESIDENT.

U. S. Grant, rep 2728

Horatio Seymour, dem 2735 7

CONGRESS.

S. M. Cullom, rep 2655

B. S. Edwards, dem 2759 104



716



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL, COUNTY.



VOTE. MA.T.
STATES ATTORNEY.

Charles Parker, rep 2699 14

C. G. Whitney, dein 2685

STATE SENATOR.

Nicholson, rep 2670

J. B. Cohrs, dem 27-16 76

REPRESENTATIVE.

J. Merriam, rep 2683

S. R. Saltonstall, dem 2725 42

CIRCUIT CLERK.

Eli Heiple, rep 2700

W. P. Allensworth, dem.... 2714 14

SHERIFF.

John Puterbaugh, rep 2647

Edward Pratt, dem 2763 116

CORONER.

A. Culver, rep 2704 46

W. A. Tinney, dem 2658

ELECTION NOV. 5, 1872.

PRESIDENT.

U.S. Grant, rep. 2360 268

Horace Greeley, dem 2092

Charles 0. Connor, dem 221

GOVERNOR.

Richard J. Oglesby, rep 2346 168

Gustavus Koerner, dem 2178

Benjamin G. Wright, dem.. 247

CONGRESS.

JohnMcNulta, rep 2350 203

Clifton H. Moore, lib 2147

S. S. Seeds, dem 285

STATE SENATOR.

Aaron B. Nicholson, rep.. ..2365 212

Edmond Syrich, Ub 2153

Ezra Davis, dem 284

STATES ATTORNEY.

W. F. Henry, rep 2386 246

A. W. Rodecker, lib 2140

Benj. F. Baker, dem 233

REPRESENTATIVE.

Herman W. Snow, rep 3677

Peter J. Hames 3315

Laban M. Stroud 3134

Jacob W. Noel 2782J

John N. Snedeker 1236

CIRCUIT CLERK.

Simon R. Drake, rep 2372 120

Samuel G. Puterbaugh, lib.2252
Wm. P. Latham, dem 217

SHERIFF.

T. C. Reeves, rep ..2545 604

J. S. Briggs, lib 1941

Wm. Knott, dem 262



VOTE. MAJ.
CORONER.

John M. Tinney, rep 2530 643

James Milner, lib 1887

Lyman Evans, dem 264

ELECTION NOV. 4, 1873.

COUNTY JUDGE.

David Kyes, dem 2055 991

J. W. Glassgow, rep 1064

COUNTY CLERK.

James Claton, dem 1276

R. D. Smith, rep 1799 520

COUNTY TREASURER.

Thomas Cooper, dem 1649 205

Thomas J. Brown, rep 1444

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.

M. E. Pomfret, dem 1853 825

Miss Mary Fuller, rep 1028

ELECTION NOV. 3, 1874.

CONGRESS.

John McNulta, rep 1834

A. E. Stevenson, dem 2210 376

STATE SENATOR.

James W. Robison, rep 1376

D. G. A. Railsback, dem 1640 264

J. H. Anthony, ind 1008

REPRESENTATIVE.

H. L. Sill, dem 4606|

Richard Holmes, rep 5986

G. W. Middlecoff, dem 1016J

Thomas Windle, dem 440^

R. A. Talbot, rep 29

SHERIFF.

Edw^ard Pratt, dem 2307 529

William Cobean, rep 1778

CORONER.

Hiram Vandervoort, rep.. ..1879
Henry Gulon, dem 2261 382

ELECTION NOV. 2, 1875.

TREASURER.

Thomas Cooper, dem 1794 700

John F. Beezley, rep 1094

SURVEYOR.

Leander King, dem 1728 627

J. L. Hayward 1101

ELECTION NOV. 7, 1876.

PRESIDENT.

R. B. Haves, rep 2850

S. J. Tilden, dem 3174 316

CONGRESS.

Adlai E. Stevenson, dem ...3247 412
Thomas F. Tipton, rep 2835



HISTORY OF TAZEWF:LL COUNTY.



717



VOTE, MA J,
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.

John H. Anthony, rep 2800

W. Don M;ius, dein ;n42 246

REPRESENTATIVE.

D. C. Smith, rep 84G4i

C. A. Moore, dem 9514.^

Thomas Wemlle, dem lOS'

STATES ATTORNEY.

W. F. Henry, rep 2832

W. L. Prettyman, dem 3215 383

CIRCUIT CLERK.

R. R. Drake, rep 2962

H. C. Sutton, dem 3091 129

SHERIFF.

PhilHp, rep 2774

Edward Pratt, dem 3289 515

CORONER.

Jacob Mueller, rep 2837

Henry Gulon, dem 3219 382

ELECTION NOV. 6, 1877.

COUNTY JUDGE.

Wilbur F. Henry, rep 1400

Alfred W. Rodecker, dem... 1961 561
David Kyes, ind 1050

COUNTY CLERK.

Flavel Shurtleff, dem 2151 204

Simeon R. Drake, rep 1953

WelUngton King, greenb'k 301



A'OTE. MAJ.
COUNTY TREASURER.

Thomas Cooper, dem 2477 927

Will. Moorhead, rep 1550

Wm. P. Latham, greenb'k.. 374

SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.

B. C. Allensworth, dem 2236 425

Josiah P. Wood, rep 1811

Daniel S. Elliott, greenb'k.. 373

ELECTION NOV. 5, 1878.

STATE SENATOR.

Abrani Mayfield, dem 2380 282

James W. Robison, rep 2098

George W. Minier 503

REPRESENTATIVE.

Green P. Orendorfl; dem ...3533^

Wm. R. Hall, dem 3858^

Josiah Snyder, rep 6185

Chas. C. Brackett 1409J

SHERIFF.

Andrew J. Kinsey, dem 2340 298

Wm. Cobean, rep 2042

N. F. Smith 539

CORONER.

Albert R. Warren, dem 2340 203

Robert D. Bradley 2137

Chas. E. Hayward 466

H. J. Puterbaugh 64




CHAPTER XV.

THE PRESS.

The printing-press is everywhere recognized as one of the most
important factors in shaping and moulding the character and destiny
of communities, and, perhaps, among the least appreciated by the
people called upon to sustain it. Printing presses are continually at
work in many towns of this county preparing the news aud gen-
eral information to be circulated in almost every home in the
county, and then almost every train that crosses the borders of the
county carries the newspapers fresh from the press. Contrast this
state of affairs with that of half century ago when the pioneer
came to found homes. They had no local weekly, no steam-engine
to bring in foreign papers, yet damp from the press, but, in-
stead, the mail boy at long intervals would bring a paper or two,
some religious paper or Eastern journal, into the neighoorhood.
This supplied all the news for the entire settlement.

At the present there are nine regular publications in this county.
During the year from the time the first paper was struck off till
1879, the newspaper enterprises have been numerous, and the
number of editors counted by the score. Among the gentlemen
who drove the quill for these publications, were some talented,
graphic and cultured writers, some of whom wielded a salutary influ-
ence in the county, while others won reputations not enviable. The
editorial staff of the various papers represent pleasant, forcible and
pointed writers and advocate their various theories, principles and
political views with much ability and effect.

PEKIN TIMES.

The Times is one of the leading journals of Central Illinois, and,
indeed, takes rank with the larger and more prosperous papers of
the Northwest. It is uncompromisingly Democrat in politics. In
its management is displayed considerable enterprise, tact, energy,
and superior business ability. Its editorials are able, and its local
columns are generally full, well arranged, and embrace all the hap-
penings of the city, and, indeed, of the entire county. Its list of
regular correspondents in various parts of the county contribute
well-prepared articles of the news of their district each week. The



-drffp^5^^*^«=sto.





EDITOR PEHIN TIMES



HISTORY OP TAZEAVELL COUNTY. 721

Times' office is furnished with the best material and presses, and for
mechanical execution, the work turned from it will compare favor-
ably with that of the largest printing establishments in the West.
The foreman and men of this department are fine executors of
the art. The general office is provided with a library, and the
sanctum sa)ictorum, the place where ye editor sits in his easy chair,
is not only finely fitted and furnished, but elegantly so, and for an
equal we must go to some of the largest establishments in the State.
The Pekin Times is the oldest paper in the county, and we labored
quite assiduously for weeks to get its early history, and only par-
tially succeeded. In 1850, the only newspaper published in the
county was the Tazewell County Mirror. It was published by
John Smith, who at present resides at Princeton, where he is pub-
lishing a paper. It was Whig in politics. In the fall of 1850, a
Democratic paper, the Pekin Weekly Reveille, was started by James
Shoaf and E. S. Rogers. The former subsequently won great
reputation as a newspaper man, at Decatur. He died some years
ago. The latter was a lawyer, and at present lives at Omaha, Neb.
They sold to J. C. Thompson in 1851. He was a young lawyer
from Ohio, went to Kansas, in 1854, and died. He published the
Reveille until the winter of 1853 and '54, when he sold to Merrill
C. Young, who, also, in the fall of 1854, bought the Mirror, and
consolidated them, and called it the Pekin Weekly Plaindealer.
This paper was published by Young & Underwood. It was inde-
pendent or neutral in politics, with Democratic tendencies. These
gentlemen ran it till the fall of 1856, when Young was elected Cir-
cuit Clerk and Underwood moved to Charleston, 111., where he is own
running a paper. During the winter of 1856 Young sold to Thos.
J. Pickett. He had published the Palladium here in 1840, and in
1838 the first paper was started by Jesse Nason. Pickett turned
the Plaindealer into the Register, a paper whicih enjoyed a long and
varied run. It was independent with Republican tendencies. In
the spring of 1858, about the time the Lincoln and Douglas
Senatorial campaign began, John McDonald bought it and pub-
lished it as a Democratic paper. He ran it till 1868, when Wm. T.
Meads bought it and conducted it till 1872. B. C. AUensworth
then went in partnership with him. Then John Mounts went in
with AUensworth. He now publishes the Havana Democrat. They
ran the Register a while, then AUensworth drew out and Mounts ran
it until it failed, when it fell into the hands of Wm. P. AUensworth.
It did not appear for a while in 1873, when a man named Wilkes
got hold of it and ran it till Oct., '73. Then \V. T. Dowdall and J. B.
Irwin, of Peoria, became its possessors, when it was christened the
Pekin Times. Irwin soon bought Dowdall out, and by untiring
energy and rare business tact, built up a larger circulation than it
ever enjoyed before. In July, 1877, Geo. E. Schaumleffle pur-
chased a third interest of the paper, and the firm name is now J.
B. Irwin & Co.
43



722 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

Joseph B. Irwin was born in Circlevillo, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1849.
His parents, John E. and Catharine (Tobias) Irwin, were natives of
Pennsylvania. Mr. Irwin passed his boyhood days in his native
town and attended the common schools and Circleville Academy,
where he received a good education. In January, 1872, he was
united in marriage with Inez M. Fifee. They have had born to
them two children, neither of whom are now living. Before leav-
ing the Buckeye State Mr. Irwin held the position of City Clerk of
Portsmouth for one year, and since residing in Pekin has been
School Inspector for three years. He came from Portsmouth, O., to
Peoria and engaged in the printing business on the Peoria Democrat.
In 1873 he came to Pekin and in company with W. T. Dowdall, of
Peoria, purchased the effects of the Pekin Register of W. P. Aliens-
worth and started the Pekin Times. When he first issued the
Times there was no subscription list, the paper had changed hands
often, its reputation was gone and everything was discouraging, but
by much hard work, perseverance and both business and editorial
ability he has placed the Times on a solid financial basis, and as a
news and literary production ranks among the leading weeklies of
the Northwest. We give his portrait in this volume.

George E. Schaumleffle, junior member of the firm of J. B. Irwin
& Co., and the literary man of the' Times, was born in Pekin, 111.,
March 1, 1854. His parents are P. and Lizzie (Volk) Shaumleffle,
the former a native of Bavaria, the latter of Hess Darmstadt, Ger-
many. George attended the public schools of Pekin and at six-
teen entered the printing office, the best of all schools. July 28,
1877, he bought an interest of the Times and since has conducted
its columns with marked ability. During the two years preceeding
he was local editor of this paper. As a writer Mr. S. is forcible and
pleasing. His editorials show him to have a thorough knowledge
of the great questions of the day ; his local squibs are full of life
and often smack with a high order of humor. He is young, a hard
worker and close student, and we predict for him a bright future
should his editorial career continue until he reaches the prime of

life.

A paper in the hands and under the control of men of such
business ability, tact, foresight and able writers, as J. B. Irwin and
George E. Schaumleffle, is sure to be a success.

THE TAZEWELL COUNTY REPUBLICAN.

The history of the Republican and its predecessors dates back to
some time in the year 1836, but the destruction of the files, which
contained a succinct compilation of its history, were destroyed by
fire, May 9, 1875, therefore, all that can be given is what the biog-
raphers have been able to secure through individual recollections up
to the year 1863, to-wit : In the month of October, 1848, the Taze-
well Mirror was purchased from John S. Lawrence by John Smith,



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY, 723

now of Princeton, 111, In 1850 Smith sold to Bernard Bailey, but
repurchased the Mirror in 1851 in company with Adam Henderson.
Henderson remained a member of the firm but six months, when
John Smith became sole publisher and proprietor. In 1855 Smith
moved the material of the office to Toulon, Stark county. Thomas
Pickett, after the removal of Smith, procured a comjilete outfit and
revived the paper but called it the Tazewell County Mirror.

In 1860, at the commencement of the famous Lincoln and Douglas
campaign for the Presidency, the Republican party had no organ in
Pekin. The leaders here foresaw a fierce contest would be made
between the two great political parties of the nation and desired the
principles of their party to be set forth to this people. Accord-
ingly, John Smith, the same gentleman who published the 3Hrror,
came back to Pekin, bought out the Mirror and started the Bepuhli-
can. A paper which has wielded influence and power for its party
principles that has been felt throughout Central Illinois. Some of
the ablest writers known to the State have conducted its columns.
Smith ran the Republican till 1862. Shortly before this Hezekiah
Naylor and O. White started the Patriot, which had a short unsuc-
cessful run, when it failed, and in 1862 Hart Montgomery went
in with Naylor and bought the Republican from Smith. They pub-
lished it until Wm. W. Sellers got a hold ot it, in 1863 or '64. He
made it a red-hot Republican organ and one of the best papers
published in the Northwest. He was a shrewd able writer and
could turn the English language into a two-edged sword Avhen
in a wordy conflict with an opj)oncnt. He conducted it until
his death, which occurred Dec. 15, 1872. It was then conducted
by his administrators for a short time, when Jacob P. Riblett and
Wm. H. Bates purchased it. They conducted it jointly for three
months when Bates withdrew. In 1874, D. W. Lusk bought Rib-
lett out and remained its proprietor until Nov. 3, 1876, when Bates
again became its owner. He remained at the helm until Feb. 14,
1879, when Joseph B. Bates, of the Lincoln, 111., Bejmblican, pur-
chased it, and is its present editor and proprietor. Mr. Bates is a
man of more than ordinary ability, and thoroughly understands the
management of a paper, to make it a real family journal. His locals
are fresh, short, and to the point; his editorials prove him to be
thoroughly versed in the civil, political and domestic economy of
our times and country. As a party advocate, he is temperate, yet
forcible and convincing, and will wield an influence in the county
that will be felt and recognized.

W. A. Wildhack, city editor, is a son of one of the early pioneers
and prominent men of this county, John Wildhack. He is a wide-
awake, able young man, a just and graphic writer, and the columns
under his management arc full, interesting and gives credit to both
himself and the paper,



724 HISTOKY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.



THE WASHINGTON HERALD.



The Washington Herald was established in July, 1868, by
Thomas Handsaker, its present editor and proprietor, and is one of
the best local and family newspapers in Central Illinois. In addi-
tion to the newspaper department, it has a most excellent book and
job printing department. At one time in Mr. H's career he could
have bought every article of printing material in the county for the
small sum of $500. To-day he is the publisher of one of the fore-
most of the nine newspapers published in the county. Washington
had a newspaper as far back as 1853. Mr. A. A. Couch, in connec-
tion with Albert Parker, both gentlemen from Peoria, started the
Washington Investigator, which, after a life of two years, suc-
cumbed, like thousands of others, to the inevitable. For ten years
the town was without a paper, when an adventurer came in with
type and press, and issued a paper, the name of which is now for-
gotten, canvassed the country thoroughly, received many advance
subscriptions, after which, like the Turk, " he silently folded his
tent and quietly stole away" in the night, leaving a huge obstacle in
the way of any one who might come after him to surmount. Not-
withstanding the above tacts, and being almost a stranger^ to the
business community of AVashington, Mr. H. came on with his
printing material, and went to work, asking no aid of any one, and
no pay ibr work until it was finished, and that, too, satisfactorily,
and by constant and indefatigable labor, he has established The
Herald Printing House on a firm, paying basis, and has^ the confi-
dence of the business men of the city, and the farmers of the entire
surrounding country. Mr. H. is progressive in his nature, and is
adding to his establishment the new and latest styles of type for the
convenience of his numerous customers as his means will permit,
or the business justify, and on July 1st, 1879, the commencement
of the twelfth volume"' of the Herald, if life and health are spared to
him, his paper will ai)pear in an entire new dress. The Herald has
always been noted and has become popular from the simple reason
that its chief aim has been to protect and build up the business of
the town, and although its columns are open to advertisers from all
sections, it never solicits advertising away from home, knowing that
the business men of Washington can do as well by their patrons as
those of other places, and much preferring that they should do the
business of this section. This fact alone, should induce the business
portion of Washington to give all their advertising and printing
to the Herald, wliich has always stood manfully by them in the past
and expects to in the future.

Thomas Handsaker. — The founder and at present the editor and
publisher of the Washington Herald, and the oldest resident printer
in Tazewell Co., was born in the city of Derby, England, Feb. 2,
1837, and emigrated with his parents 'to the United States in 1844,



HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY. 725

arriving in Alton, 111., in June of that year. In the fall of 1846 he
entered as an apprentice on the Alton Daily Telegmph, then edited
and published by the late Judge Bailache, in which office he worked
a little over two years, but the labor proving too heavy for his phys-
ical ability, he was given an honorable discharge and a new position
secured him by his employers upon a paper about to be started in
Carlinville, 111. At the age of 12 years he went to Carlinville, un-
packed and laid the type in the cases and set up the Washington
hand-press and had it in readiness for work one week before the
foreman, N. J. Howe, of Lockport, New York, but then engaged
upon the St. Louis Republican, arrived to take charge of the office.
Hon, Jeff L. Dugger was the editor and proprietor of the paper,
which, by the way, was called the jNIacoupin Statesman, and upon
the arrival of the foreman, he found the first number of the paper
set up, proved and corrected, all ready to go to press, and all this
mechanical work had been done by Handsaker, who was known by
the cognomen of the "Boy Printer," and to this day he feels a just
pride in the fact that he laid the first office and set the first type
that was ever set in "the State of Macoupin, " and refers to ex-Gov-
ernor Jno. M. Palmer, then a leading lawyer in Carlinville, for the
correctness of this assertion. Serving out his time upon the States-
man, he went to Sj^ringfield, where he worked one winter upon the
State printing, and from there found himself 'next in Chicago, where
he worked for Long John Wentworth, on blank work ; Langdon &
Rounds, book and job printers; and was for a time, in the Demo-
cratic Press job room. In September, 1 852, he arrived in Pekin,
Tazewell county, Illinois, on his way to New Orleans, but be-
ing prevailed upon by N. J. Howe, his former foreman and
chum in Carlinville, whom he found foreman of the Pekin Weekly
Plaindealer, Merill C. Young, editor and publisher, he went to
work, and remained until the winter, when he went to Peoria, and
during the Crimean war was an attache of the Peoria Morn-
ing News, and for several months he occupied the position of fore-
man. He again went to Chicago, where he was engaged in the
Democratic Press job rooms when the Pres=, and Chicago Tribune
were consolidated, and being thrown out of a job, he took himself to
Cincinnati, where he got cases on the Cincinnati Gazette before he
had been in the city an hour. Giving up working on a morning
paper, he secured a permanent i^osition in the book office of ^Nloon,
Wildstack, Keys & Overend, tlie largest book ])ublishing house in
the West at that time, which posjtion he held for several months.
In all his wanderings he did not forget the " Prairie State, " and
which, no doubt, contained more than one object of attraction of
more than ordinary magnetic power, so lie found himself, in August,
1855, foreman of the Atlanta (Logan county, Illinois) Forum, edited
and published by Samuel B. Dugger, Esq. While engaged in this
office he married Miss Aminda A. Clifton, in Pekin, October 4,
1855, and remained on the Forum until the spring of 1856, when



726 HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.

he returned again to Pekin. In the fall of 1856, he again took
cases in Peoria, where he remained until the late John McDonald
started the Tazewell Register, in Pekin, when he accompanied him,
and occupied the position of foreman for eight years. In July, 1868,
Mr. H., came to Washington and built up the Washington Herald
upon the ashes of two defunct predecessors, and nothwithstanding
the head-shaking and croakings about being able to make a paper
pay, he still lives, and has as good a lease of life and prospect of an
honorable and glorious future as many of his younger cotemporaries
Mr. H., can truthfully be said to be a self-made man, having secur-
ed the limited education which he possesses while making the nec-
essaries of life. His preceptors in the "Art Preservative" have all
passed away, while the larger part of his companions and fellow-
workmen of his youth have succumbed to the ravages of time, or
are scattered and lost — but not forgotten. The limited space allot-
ted to this sketch must necessarilly cut out some reminiscences that
might be interesting to the general reader, but we must close with
one, which is nothing more nor less than that during Mr. H's., ca-
reer as a printer, Tazewell county has seen the day when he could
have been the possessor of every bit of printing material and the
publisher of the only paper if he had only possessed shekels enough
to figure $500. What a change twenty years has made in the print-