The Early History of Marshall County and its Settlers  

"Earliest Historical Facts of Marshall-Putnam Counties" (Also Bureau and Stark Counties Embracing an Account of the Settlement and Early Progress - Compiled and Published by Mr. Henry A. Ford in 1860 ) 

 Marshall County History by Virgil E. Tipton - Donated by Jean Davis

Reeves The Outlaw  (Taken From the Henry Republican, March 27, 1873: Exciting Account of His Near Murder and His Expulsion from Marshall County  in the early 1840's (From the Lacon Home Journal) Written by Dr. Robert Boal)

 Old Putnam In Ye Olden Time (An article written about the a meeting in February 1868 of the settlers of Old Putnam county which included Putnam, Bureau, Marshall and La Salle counties.  Lists the names of those present at the meeting and when/where they settled.

• Old Settlers Meeting (The second meeting of the settlers of Old Putnam county (November 24, 1868))

Sketches of Marshall County Illinois from Dr. Samuel S. Wood (Marshall County Republican 1868)

Marshall County Incorporated Towns  (Taken from the Toluca Star, April 4, 1902)

Chronology of Events for 1880 for Henry, Marshall County, IL and the surrounding area. (Taken from the Henry Republican, January 6, 1881)

Chronology of Events for 1881 for Henry, Marshall County, IL and the surrounding area  (Taken from the Henry Republican, January 5, 1882)

 Chronology of Events in Marshall and Putnam Co. IL During 1921  (Includes, marriages, births, deaths and other events

 The Completion of the Lock and Dam at Henry, Illinois (Taken from the Henry Republican, January 18, 1872.)

Second Report of the Soldiers Orphan Home - Marshall and Putnam County Children  (Taken from the Henry Republican 1874: lists the children's names, their parents,  what village they were from, and what company and where their father was killed.)

1898 Photo of Marshall County - Donated by Tamie (she would like to find the family to give the photo to)

Sketches of Marshall County Residences From the 1873 Marshall County Atlas

• Residences of Evans Township

• Old Settlers Meeting (Article suggesting Marshall County have an old settlers reunion - Jan. 1868)

• First Meeting, Oct. 6, 1869 (Taken From the Henry Republican)

• The 1871 Old Settlers Picnic and Reunion  - Oration by Silas Ramsey and brief speeches by Robert Barnes, William Atwood, Ed S. Jones, Mrs. Ann Bullman (Taken From the Henry Republican)

• The 1872 Old Settlers Picnic and Reunion - Oration by Mr. Henry A. Ford,  and brief speeches by Col. G. L. Fort, Livingston Roberts, Robert Barnes, Richard Hunt, Silas Ramsey, George O. Barnes, Esq., Mrs. Ann Bullman (Taken From the Henry Republican)

• The 1875 Old Settlers Picnics and Reunions - Oration by Hon. Mark Bangs, and brief Speeches by Dr. Boal, Wm. Maxwell, Wm. Atwood, Samuel Henthorn, F. S. Potter , Rev. H. G. Pendleton and others (There were two picnics this year because of the weather - Taken From the Henry Republican)

• The 1876 Old Settlers Picnic and Reunion - Oration by Robert Boal, and brief Speeches by Samuel Lewis, A. M. Pool, John Williams, Jeriah Bonham, E. L. Monser, Joshua Myers and a letter from Eli Strawn, who could not attend (Taken From the Henry Republican)

• The 1878 Old Settlers Picnic and Reunion - Oration by Dr. Robert Boal and brief speeches by Rev. Lemuel Russell, John O. Dent, Judge Burns, William Gallaher, Mrs. Ann Bullman, and Col. Fort (Taken From the Henry Republican)

• The 1879 Old Settlers Picnic and Reunion - Oration by Perry Armstrong (Mr. Perry gives a wonderful history of early life in Marshall county) and speeches by Eli Strawn, C. W. Barnes, William Strawn, John S. Armstrong, Senator S. R. Lewis, Mrs. Anne Bullman and Hon. G. L. Fort.  Includes a mortality list of all old settlers who had died since the last reunion.

• The 1880 Old Settlers Picnic and Reunion - Oration by Rev. J. G. Evans and speeches by Livingston Roberts, C. W. Barnes, John Williams, James Martin, E. S. Jones and Squire Laughlin.

• The 1881 Old Settlers Picnic and Reunion - President's Address by Chauncey W. Barnes / Oration by Hon. G. O. Barnes / A Mammoth Chicken Pot Pie and Fish Chowder served for Dinner / Speeches by J. Newton Reeder, Wm. Barnes, Judge W. E. Parrett, Dr. Boal and other speaker mentioned / The Spinning Wheel, Flax Wheel and Reel of Ye Olden Time on Exhibition and Yarn and Linen thread spun by some of the Pioneer Women / List of all settlers who died from Aug. 1880 to Aug. 1881

• Delinquent Tax List For 1856

•  Proceedings of the 1857 Republican County Convention (Taken from "The Courier" newspaper, Henry, IL, Oct. 16, 1857)

• Proceeding of the Board of Supervisors of Marshall County, Illinois - March Session 1858 (Taken From "The Courier" Newspaper, Henry, IL, March 1858)

•  Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of Marshall County, Illinois - March Term 1878 (Taken from the Henry Republican - includes County Farm information.)

• Circuit Court Proceedings

  • May Session of 1869 Circuit Court (Henry News Republican, May 13, 1869)

  • The May Term of the 1870 Circuit Court  (Henry Republican, April 18, 1870)

  • List of Jurors for the January 1876 Term of the Circuit Court

• Township Elections

  • 1872 Marshall County Township Election Results

  • 1874 Marshall and Bureau County Township Election Results

  • 1876 Marshall County Township Election Results

  • 1877 Township Elections for Marshall and Putnam Counties

  • 1878 Township Elections for Marshall County

  • 1879 Township Elections for Marshall County

  • 1880 Township Elections for Marshall County

• Marshall County, Illinois Court News From the Past

  • Real Estate Transfers (Taken From the Henry Republican)

  • Court News (Henry Republican, January 21, 1875)

  • Proceedings of county court, March term 1877

  • Proceedings of county court, April term 1878

  • Court news April 6, 1882 - March Probate Records and Real Estate Transfers

  •  Court news April 27 1882 - March and April Probate Court

  •   Court news May 25, 1882 - May Probate and Real Estate Transfers

  • Court news June 8, 1882 - May Probate Records

  • Court news February 18 1915 - Probate Records

• The 1857 Flood of the Illinois River  (Taken from "The Courier" newspaper, Henry, IL, Feb. 13, 1857)

• The Hail Storm of 1869   (Considerable damage to Henry, Whitefield and Saratoga township)

• The Violent Wind and Rain Storm of 1877 (Extensive damage to Henry and Saratoga townships)

• Six Bridges Washed Out in Whitefield township by Heavy Rains  (June 20, 1878)

• The 1924 Flood of Marshall County (Taken From the Henry News Republican - Worst flood in Marshall County since 1902.  Worse storm damage to ever occur in Marshall county up to that time)

• The 1942 Lacon Tornado - the worse tornado in Marshall County History

  • Photos of the 1942 Tornado and It's Destruction of Lacon, Illinois -Donated by Donald Cox

  • The 1942 Tornado That Devastated Lacon - Taken From the Toluca Star - Transcribed by Terri Taylor - Photos Donated by the Family of Jack Gerardo

  •  Lacon Tornado Photos - Donated by the Family of Jack Gerardo

  • The 25th Anniversary of the Storm (News Article) - Transcribed and Donated by Terri Taylor

  • NEW!! 12/28/07  Tornado Movie Shown at Theatre - - Transcribed and Donated by Terri Taylor/

Country Schools

In the early part of Marshall County history, rural schools provided the education for most of its settlers' families.  By the mid 1950's, most rural school districts had consolidated with the larger urban schools and the children were bused into town to receive their education.  Many people still have fond memories of their little county school.  In this section we'll try to share those memories with pictures, history and stories of "how it was".  We'll also have photos of the school buildings now - if they still exist.  If you have a photo, a little school history or just a school memory to share, please email me and share your memories.

• Science Hall, Bennington Township

• Sherman School, Bennington Township - Photo and short history donated by Folkert D. Cramer

• Henry Public School Notes  List of students neither tardy or absent during May 1882 - Henry Republican

• Photo of the Lacon High School
• 1917 Lacon Grade School Photo -donated by Barb Lenox Garet
• 1919 Lacon Grade School Photo -donated by Barb Lenox Garet

• La Rose High School (photos and a short history)

• St. Ann's School, Toluca, IL - donated by Jean Bastion
• Class of 1909, Toluca, IL

• The 1930 Varna Graduation Class Photo  -- Donated by Dorothy Spear

• 1927-28 Varna 7th and 8th Grade Class - Donated by Dawn Coen

• Grade School Class - 1920's - Donated by Dawn Coen

• The History of Wenona Schools

Miscellaneous School News and Other Information

• September 5, 1878 School Notes

• The Good Old Days? (a 1920's Teacher's Contract)

Marshall County Teachers and Superintendents

• John Peck

• Our 1876 Teachers (List of Teachers for Marshall County who had received certificates as school teachers from County Superintendent Edwards, dating from Jan. 1st to May 15th, 1876

• Teachers for Red School and Sugar Grove for 1877 (Henry Republican)

• Our 1879 Teachers (List of Teachers for Marshall County who had received certificates as school teachers from County Superintendent Edwards, dating from Oct. 1, 1878 to Sept. 1, 1879.  Also includes New School Law for teachers.)

The First Marshall County Newspaper (Great article about the first newspaper in the county.  Taken from the Henry Republican, July 4, 1872 and written by Henry A. Ford.)

 The Marshall County Democrat of 1876 (Taken From the Henry Republican)

The Oldest Newspapers in the 8th Congressional District (Taken From the Henry Republican 1877)

Online Editions of Local Marshall County Newspapers

• Toluca Star Herald, March 22, 1929 edition, Toluca, Illinois

  • Page 1 (High School News, County News, Marriages and Obits)
  • Page 2 (Varna news items, News Items from the Toluca Star files from the past, advertisements)
  • Page 3 - (Toluca Election Notification and lots of advertisement)
  • Page 4  (Bond notice, Local Gossip, Sheriff's Sale, Church News)
  • Page 5 (Advertisement, Local Gossip)

• Henry Times, April 17, 1890 edition , Henry Illinois

  • Page 2   (Local an state news items, gossip columns, and advertisements)

  • Page 3   (Local news items, businesses and advertisements.)

• 12/02/07 NEW!! 1935 LaSalle County Bank Robbers Captured or Killed Near Magnolia - Tragic Deaths of Marshall and LaSalle County Men - Contributed by Terri Taylor

• County Items (Local county gossip from the Marshall Co. Republican, January 24, 1867)

• County Assessment of 1867 (How many horses, cattle, pianos, time pieces, etc. - Sep. 1867)

• Local News from the Henry Republican, Feb. 24, 1870 - Local Moves

• Local News from the Henry Republican, March 4, 1915

• MISCELLANEOUS NEWS ITEMS FROM THE HENRY ILLINOIS NEWSPAPERS (Courtesy Kandi Anderson McLaney)Kandi has provided numerous news items from the local gossip columns of the Henry Republican and Henry News Republican from the early 1870's to the mid 1900's.  

• Marshall County Doctors (List of Marshall County Doctors in 1878 - Henry Republican)

• SCUDDER: The Disciples of "Specific Medication" in Council at Florid - Election of Officers - Clinics, Etc.(Drs. Dr. J. F. O'Neal of Florid, Dr. J. C. Kalb of Henry, Dr. F. C. Gale of Lacon, Dr. Henry Tesmer of Sparland, Dr. A. H. Hatton of LaRose, Dr. Clendenen of LaSalle (Henry News Republican 1877)

• New Road between Henry and Wenona (September 1874)

• Route 89 Finished To LaRose Saturday  (June 21, 1928, Taken From the Henry News Republican)

• Routing of 89-C Announced by Highway Dept. (February 20, 1930, Taken From the Henry News Republican)

• Route No. 116-A Right of Way Now Sought ( February 12, 1931, Taken From the Henry News Republican)

• Post Offices of Marshall County - Past and Present (Includes date established and date discontinued)

• New Postal Route between Henry and Wyoming is Established (Aug. 7, 1879 - Henry Republican)

•  The History of the Toluca Marquette and Northern Railroad  (This railroad once ran through Marshall and Putnam counties from Rutland to McNabb)

• Peoria and Bureau Valley Railroad Schedule for Winter 1857  (Taken from "The Courier" newspaper, Henry, IL, Jan. 23, 1857)

• Railroad News

  • Railroad Items (C&A and St. Louis, Vandalia and Terre Haute Railroad  - taken from the Henry Republican, Mar 31, 1870)

  • Train is stranded at Wenona  (Henry Republican 1878)

  • Hearing On C. & A. Abandonment At Granville Friday (Henry News Republican, Feb. 12, 1925)

  • C.&A. Looses in Fight With Toluca Coal Company  (December 31, 1925, Taken From the Henry News Republican)

  • Santa Fe Building Viaduct on Route 2.  (September 29, 1927 , Taken From the Henry News Republican)

The Civil War

• Our Bold Soldier Boys:  (Taken From the Henry News Republican  - Lists the Name, Residence, Date of Enlistment, Wounds, Discharge, Death or Mustering Out of Officers and Soldiers who enlisted in the US Service  during the Civil War from Marshall and Putnam counties and its vicinity - Bureau (Lone Tree, Milo, Wheatland, Arispie), Peoria (Chillicothe) and Stark (Bradford, Osceola) Counties. Carefully complied from the Adjutant’s General Report 1861 to 1866.)

• Letter by Mahlon Hunt to his parents Richard and Ruth (Horrom) Hunt - Courtesy Jim Gray

• The 1879 Reunion of the 77th Illinois Infantry Regiment  (Taken from the Henry Republican, September 11, 1879 - Included description of the reunion, the roll of veterans present and their 1879 address, and the complete history of the 77th.

• Second Report of the Soldiers Orphan Home - Marshall and Putnam County Children  (Taken from the Henry Republican 1874: lists the children's names, their parents,  what village they were from, and what company and where their father was killed.)

World War I

• A Soldier's Letter - (Letters printed in the Putnam County Record and Henry News Republican from Marshall and Putnam County young men fighting during WWI)

Marshall County Veteran Burials:  
Taken From HONOR ROLL ILLINOIS VETERANS' COMMISSION [Reel #83]  

• A through D

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