Tazewell County, IL Genealogy Trails
 
Tazewell County First Events
 


Here are a few first things that took place in Tazewell County before and after the county was organized.

Transcribed by: Candi Horton
Source: Chas. C. Chapman & Co., History of Tazewell County, Illinois, 1879.


1823 - First Cabin Built
The first cabin was built in Dillon Township, on Dillion Creek, by Nathan Dillion.


December, 1823 - First Death
Mr. KILLUM was the first white man to die in the county. He left Sugar creek, in Logan county, to go to Peoria.
Being compelled to wade the Mackinaw river at high water.
The weather suddenly turned cold and he perished on the prairie not far from where he crossed.


Sept. 2, 1824 - First Female Birth
Hannah DILLION the daughter of Nathan DILLION was the first female child to be born.
She was born in the first cabin built located on Dillion Creek, in Dillion Township.

(Date not stated) - First Male Birth
The first male born Stephen WOODROW.


1825 - First Improvement
A Grist-Mill ( band mill) was erected by William EADS and William DAVIS, in Elm Grove township.
It was ran by four horses and would not crack over three bushels of corn an hour.


(Date Not Stated)- First Cotton Gin
The first cotton gin was built by William EADS in connection with his grist-mill.


1825 - First Post office
The first Post office of the county was kept by Thomas DILLION, Dillion township.


1826- First Store
Absalom DILLON kept the first store in the county first at Dillion and then at Pekin in 1830.


1827 - First Water Mill
The first water grist-mill was built on Farm Creek by a man named LEEK.
It had one run of stones. The bolting was done by hand.


1827- First School House
The first school house was erected on section 27, Elm Grove township.
The first teacher was Samuel BENTLEY.


1827- First Camp-Meeting
Peter CARTWRIGHT, held the first camp-meeting in a grove on Dillion Creek, in Elm Grove township.

June 25, 1827- First Marriage and Marriage License Issued
John STOUT and Fanny STOUT where the first ones to be married after the county was organized.
The license was issued by Mr.Mordecai MOBLEY, the first County Clerk.
The license was wrote with a feather from a chicken and ink made from water and gunpowder.
The Rev. William BROWN conducted the ceremony.

(Date not Stated) - First Marriage Celebration
Daniel DILLION and Martha ALEXANDER was the first marriage celebration in the county.
The ceremony took place in Elm Grove township, the license was issued in Peoria.

Sept. 1831 - First Peddler
The court granted Laman CASE a lic. to peddle clocks. He was assessed $25.00 for a 3 month lic. for this privilege.

1832 - First Wool Factory
The first woolen factory was built by Theodorus FISHER. It was located on section 34, Elm Grove township.
It was run by ox power. An inclined wheel was used upon which they trod to make the motion.
This was an extensive concern for the first time, and settlers came from Knox, Peoria and Sangamon counties to get their wool carded.


June 1832- First Slave to be Emancipated
Morrison, a man of coullor[sic] presented his certifcated of Freedom from his owner, William N. BURNETT,
and had it confirmed by the court.

1833 - First Inquest
Hamilton PORTER, a nine year old widow's son, was accidentally shot.
The Coroner, Andrew THARP, was allowed $18.75 for performing this duty.

1848- Two "First- Class" Hotels
The Eagle and Manison House Hotels where established .
The Eagle was kept by Seth KINMAN.
The Mansion House, known as the Taylor House then, was presided over by William A. TINNEY.
 

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