Illinois Genealogy Trails
Union County, IL Newspaper Data from 1888
Transcribed by Shauna Williams
THE TALK, Friday, September 28, 1888
LOCAL CHAT.
Ira INMAN left Monday for Denver, Colo.
George SANFORD is confined at home by illness.
Mrs. P. WARD has been seriously ill for the past week or two.
W.A. WALL has assumed the principalship of the Villa Ridge schools.
Mrs. Henry MOORE is rapidly recovering from her injuries received last week.
Mrs. A.L. GOULD of Villa Ridge is spending a few days with Mrs. J.W. STEPHENS.
C.K. PARKS is still seriously ill and but little improvement in his condition is reported.
Simeon DILLOW, an old resident near the hospital, has been seriously ill during the past week.
John ROBERTS has completed his new grist mill on Vienna street and is ready to being operations.
Miss Amy KIRKPATRICK has returned to Toledo, Ohio to resume her duties in the art school in that city.
Mrs. James DEWITT was quite sick the latter part of last week and the first of this, but is now improving.
Mrs. Moses GOODMAN has returned from Mt. Vernon, where she has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Dr. DAMON.
The three electric lights put up on the down town railroad crossings add much to the comfort and safety of those passing.
D.W. GREAR departed last night for St. Louis to attend a medical college. Mrs. GREAR will make her home meanwhile with Mr. G's parents in Jonesboro.
Chas. and W.W. WILEY were in Makanda Tuesday in attendance upon the wedding of their brother, Dan. Our Makanda correspondent gives account of the affair.
George OTRICH was thrown from a mule on the street Tuesday. He lit on his back and those who witnessed the performance pronounce it a wonder that he was not seriously hurt. The mule was led home.
The family of Eld. J.W. HUNSAKER awoke on Tuesday morning last to find that the residence had narrowly escaped being burned during the night. The fire, which had started in the dining room, after doing considerable damage became extinguished.
In our last issue ________ that Miss Lizzie ANDERSON taught in the intermediate department in our public schools and Miss Nellie PLATER in the secondary. It is the reverse Miss PLATER teaching in the intermediate and Miss ANDERSON in the secondary.
Mr. and Mrs. F. M. COLLINS left Wednesday for Belknap called there by a dangerous illness of the former's father, L.B. COLLINS. He suffered a paralytic stroke last week, from which he is not expected to recover. He is well known in Anna where he _____ for many years.
LOST AT JONESBORO FAIR.--A black embroidered shawl, trimmed with black lace. Finder will please leave at Otrich House, In Anna. Mrs. Harriet T. FOSTER.COBDEN.
Mrs. M. M. THOMPSON and family, of Carbondale, visited her sister Mrs. J.N. FITCH, the latter part of the week.
Mrs. and Mrs. W. CAMERON and children, of Jackson Miss., are visiting Mrs. C.'s parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. HERRIN.
The quarantine has been raised in Cobden. Secretary RAUCH of the State Board of Health came up from Cairo Tuesday accompanied by Mr. HUDSON traffic manager of the I.C. R.R. and after some explanation convinced our town authorities that quarantine ___ unnecessary here.DONGOLA.
Sept. 26.
Some one says George MEISENHEIMER has bought a farm near Mile Thirty Two. What next George?
Wm. FORD's boy turned out to be twins, a boy and a girl. Of course Bill is double happy.
Mrs. Buck FURGESON (?) is visiting relatives in Trenton, Tenn. She will be away about two weeks.
Uncle Henry MEISENHEIMEER who has been quite sick with malaria fever is reported much improved.
Miss. Lizzie MORTON, of Paris Tenn., is visiting her sister, Mrs. S.A. EDDLEMAN. She expects to be here some three weeks.
Mrs. D.Y. OLIVER, of Wetaug, visited friends here over Sunday. There is some talk of Mrs. O. moving back here this fall.
Our public schools started to work Monday with E.E. KIMMELL, of Marion, as principal. We wish him success and that he will give us a good school.
Word reaches us this week of the death of Henry CUHL(?) brother of our townsman, E. CUHL at Hot Springs, Ark. We did not learn the particulars.
Chris KEILHORN, who conducted the F. M. B.A. store here owned by W. F. JOHNSON, moved to Chester, Ill., this week. We are sorry to lost Mr. K. as he is a competent business man.
Uncle Doury PATTERSON died at his residence at Sullivan, Ill. ___ the 12th inst. Mr. P. was well known in Union county as one of the best temperance workers. He leaves a widow and six children, besides a large ___ of friends to mourn his demise.
A_ S_ LEGE_ and Ben ANDERSON _nd the prodigal son __ and arrived home from Washington territory last week. The boys said they could not find the place were the money grew on trees, they came back to old Union county where the land seekers always return. Ben says he is glad he got back safe, as those 'big injins' made him rather nervous. The boys will stay at home now for awhile.JONESBORO.
Judge CRAWFORD has been sick, but is about again.
S.D. HURST has had a tussle with remittent fever, but is able to be out now.WESTERN SARATOGA, Sept. 24.
Annie, little daughter of A. JACKSON, had the misfortune last Wednesday to have her hand run through a molasses mill, which completely pulverized the bones. The hand was amputated and the little sufferer is doing well as could be expected.
ALTO PASS, Sept. 20.
Mrs. Alice LAMER returned Tuesday from a visit with relatives and friends in Morris and Seneca, Ill.
WATER VALLEY.
W.B. WALKER has moved into the house which was lately vacated by John R. KERR.
We are sorry to learn that Grandma BROOKS is improving but very little, if any. She has been sick for several weeks with the continued fever.BETHEL. Sept. 20.
Born, to Street and M__tha ROYSTER, Sept. 20, a bouncing girl.
Miss Flora E. LENCE will take charge of the Sitter school, where she will "teach the young idea how to shoot" ___ing the coming winter.The Talk
November 2, 1888
LOCAL CHAT.
R.G. NASH is building a tenant house on Morgan street.
Mrs. T. M. SHICK departed Monday on a visit to Kansas City relatives.
Logan GRISHAM is erecting a handsome two story residence on Lincoln street.
Mr. and Mrs. Dan WILEY, of Makanda were the guests Sunday of Anna relatives.
Ed WHALEN and family were visiting relatives and friends in Dongola and Balcom this week.
Mrs. E. J. AVERS, of Villa Ridge, was the guest of Mrs. Dr. WARDNER at the Hospital Saturday.
Harry MOSS has been confined to his room for some three weeks with inflammatory rheumatism.
Miss Nettie HALL, of St. Joseph, Mo., is the guest of the families of her uncles, Frank and T.W.C. HALL.
Mrs. Rev. C. W. SCAWTHON has returned home Saturday from New York where she attended the National Convention of the W.C. T.U. as a delegate.
Mrs. M.E. WATKINS and little daughter, who have spent the past year in Covington, Ky., were in Anna yesterday, on their way to their former home in Ullin. Mrs. WATKINS expects to buy property in Anna and locate here permanently.
Ex-Mayor D.W. BROWN will erect a fine new brick dwelling on his residence lots on the corner of Monroe street and Asylum Avenue. The rock is being hauled for the foundation which will be put up this fall.
Uncle Jack TOLER, who lives two miles south of town, called at The Talk office one day recently to renew his subscription. Mr. TOLER is one of the pioneers of Union county, having lived here for 59 years. He is 83 years old and claims the distinction of being the second oldest man in the county. He enjoys very good health, though an occasional twinge of the "rheumatiz" reminds him of his advanced years. He said he didn't get to town very often but he would come in to vote for Cleveland and Thurmand and for Palmer.COBDEN.
Miss Cora MINOT has been visiting her sister in Malkey town the past week.
Died, at Mrs. SNYDER's place, Oct. 29th, Mrs. Martha Ann MAXWELL, aged 48 years. Interment took place at Toledo, Oct. 30th.
Mrs. Zeb REESE left Tuesday morning for her home in Inkster, Dakota, after a visit of some weeks with her parents, B.F. BIGGS and wife.
Mrs. J. SUMNER is erecting a very neat two story residence on the West side near the Catholic church. Mr. ROBINSON, of Anna, has the contract and will soon have the building completed.
Died, Tuesday, Oct. 30, Mrs. Rosa SCHLITTLER, aged 55 years, 8 months and 8 days, wife of F. SCHLITTLER, after a long and severe illness. She was a woman of quiet but very kindly disposition and very much attached to home. Interment in Cobden Cemetery, Thursday, Nov. 1.
Died, Thursday, Oct. 25, at Dongola, Mrs. Minnie LITTLE, aged 26 years, 7 months and 11 days, wife of James A. LITTLE. She was a woman beloved by all who knew her and enjoying the respect and esteem of all who with whom she came in contact. It is hard to understand why one so well fitted to live as an example whom others might follow, should be taken away just in the prime of life. But He, who doeth all things well and Whom she was a firm believer, called, and though loth to leave this world with its many endearments, she trustingly placed her hand in His and followed. She was a member of the Alto Pass Congregational church, having united with that body soon after its organization. The bereaved husband has the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community. Funeral from the Cobden Congregational church, Saturday, Oct. 27, and interment in Cobden cemetery. The funeral was largely attended by friends from Alto Pass, Cobden and Dongola.DONGOLA, Oct. 30.
Born to Mr. and Mrs.. Bob BLACK, Sunday evening, a girl.
Rev. PURDUE was here Saturday visiting friends. He came to attend the funeral of Mrs. LITTLE.
A birthday party at the Williams House Tuesday evening, in honor to Miss Mollie's 21st birthday, was a grand success. She received a number of valuable presents from some of our young men.
Died, Thursday evening, October 25th, at 1 o'clock, at the residence of J.F. LITTLE, Minnie, wife of James A. LITTLE, aged 26 years 4 months and 11 days. Funeral services at the Congregational church in Cobden, Saturday October 27. The deceased leaves a husband and an infant daughter to mourn her loss. She was a member of the Congregational church at Alto Pass. She corresponded for The Talk for some years from that place. She was followed to her last resting place by a large concourse of friends.JONESBORO, Nov. 1.
Mrs. HACKER has built a new side walk leading to her residence.
Sidney RINEHART, of Dongola, is moving into his residence at Grampion.
Ex-Sheriff George BARRINGER, of Jackson, Mo., is visiting relatives here.
George BARRINGER, of Jackson, Missouri, is visiting his parents this week.
Sheriff RICH and wife, James LINGLE and mother and sister went to Wolf Lake Wednesday on a grand hunting and nutting expedition.
James SOWERS, who has a position in the government printing office at Washington D.C. is visiting his parents here now.
Some persons were arraigned before Squire D.C. DOUGHERTY Monday for disturbing public worship at the Brummett school house last Saturday night's were fined $16 each.WATER VALLEY.
The remains of Uncle John FLY were buried at the cemetery here last week.
The wife of our worthy candidate for circuit clerk. W.H. PEAK has been on the sick list for a few days.
Little George KERR is very sick at his writing with malarial fever though not dangerously we hope. He came home sick.
W.A. SISK, John and James KERR and families returned home from Missouri one day last week much dissatisfied with their trip. They won't go again.
Married at the residence of the bride's parents, Jas. A. HUGHS at 7 p.m., Oct. 30, Mr. J. Monroe PARKER to Miss Charity C. HUGHS, both of near this place, W.C. KERR officiating. The wedding was a quiet affair no one being present but the family. May peace and ___ be there lot through life.FRIENDSHIP.
Miss Sarah PERRINE is busy again calling on her music pupils in district.
Mt. PLEASANT, Oct. 29.
James P. GREA____ has been on the sick list for a few days.
Miss Sophronia WOODARD is visiting relatives in Dongola this week.LICK CREEK, Oct. 28.
W.T. GOURLEY and family have returned from Franklin county.
Miss Emily SULLIVAN, of Vienna, will spend the winter at the home of Thomas JOLLY.WESTERN SARATOGA, Oct. 30.
The wife of C.P. MANEESE is very sick.
Frank LANDIS started to Arkansas today.
The wife of Isaac RYAN is very sick with bilious fever.
Peter SITTER says that last Friday was a lucky day for him and his wife for there was born ___.
Miss Nora KEAS is afflicted with involuntary twitching, and contraction of the nerves and muscles of the left eye and left side of her face. The doctor thinks it is caused by becoming too hot, by excessive exercise, then cooling off too suddenly, which caused sudden relaxation of said nerves.
Died, on the 27th inst, at the residence of James KEITH, Grandma LOYD. She had been a sufferer for many years with dropsy. She was about 70 years of age. She was a devoted Christian. Her many friends and kindred can be comforted when they remember that while it was earth's loss, it is Heaven's gain. Her remains were followed by a large concourse of friends to the Camp Ground Cemetery.BALCOM, Oct. 30.
Grandpa is gone again.
Miss Annie GARRETT is slowly recovering from her long and painful illness.
Miss Maggie JOHNSON is assisting the family of I.J. HESS during his sickness.
Tom BOSTIAN has bought a brand new horse. That's what makes Miss --- smile.OLIVE BRANCH, Oct. 30.
Rev. E. GLASGOW of Iowa, has been visiting relatives here. He preached once at the M.E. church during his visit.
BETHEL, Oct. 30.
W.S. LENCE is getting along nicely with his school here. We thought it all the time.
Thomas PRATT is not very well pleased with his neighbors. HE says the color don't suit him.The Talk
November 16, 1888
SCRAPS OF HISTORY
The Creation of Union County in 1818(?)
(This article has alot of faint spots throughout the microfilm. I will do my best to fill it all in.)
The Act creating Union county ___ date of January 2(?), 1818. It is entitled "An Act adding _ part of Pope county to Johnson county and forming a new county _______ Johnson county."
Section 1 ___ ___ boundaries of the new county of Johnson.
Section 2 ___ be further ___ that all the track of country lying within the following boundary, to wit Beginning on the range line between Ranges 1 and 2 east at the corner of Townships _ and _ south thence north along said range __ eighteen miles at the corner of Township 18 and 14 south thence west along the boundary line between Townships 1_ and 14 south, to the Mississippi river thence up the Mississippi river to the mouth of the Big Muddy river, thence up the Big Muddy river to where the township line between Towne 10 and 11 south, crosses the same, thence east along said township line to the place of beginning, shall constitute Union County. Provided, that all that tract of country lying south of Township 18 south of the Ohio river and west of the range line between Ranges 1 and 2 east, shall, until the same be formed into a separate county, be attached to and be a part of Union county.
Section 3 provides that the courts for the county shall be held at the house of Jacob HUNSAKER, Jr., until a permanent seat of justice shall be established and a court house erected.
Section 4 provides for the appointment of commissioners to fix the seat of justice, and without explaining why, provides for two sets of these officials. It starts out by declaring that William FATRIDGE, James BANE and Isaac D. WILCOX be appointed commissioners to fix the permanent seat of justice. It then proceeds to say that George WOLF, Jesse ECHOLS and Thomas COX are appointed commissioners to fix the permanent seat of justice, etc.
The first named commissioners are not recognized as the old settlers of Union county, while the other commissioners are. And in addition to this, WOLF, ECHOLS and COX did proceed at once to fulfill the position, as their report following shows:
To the Honorable the Justices of the County Court of Union.
The undersigned Commissioners, appointed by the Legislature of Illinois Territory, for the purpose of designating a seat of Justice for said county report as follows: That they met at the time and place mentioned in the law establishing said county, and proceeded to examine and take into view the most central, convenient and eligible spot for the same that the_ have chosen and designated to (your?) Honors, the northwest quarter of Section No. 30, in township 12, Range 1 west and that they have received a deed of conveyance for twenty acres, the donation required by law to which you are referred for particulars.
They also beg leave to designate and recommend the center of said donation as the suitable place for the erection of the public buildings. Giver under our hands and scale this 25th day of February, 1818.
(Signed) _____ Thomas COX
The first commissioners were not residents of the county of Union, and as the boundaries of Johnson and Pope had been disturbed in order to fix the new county, it is probable they were to look after any change that might be necessary to make in these older counties.
It will be noticed that the first part of the act describes the boundaries of Union county exactly as they are now, and it calls this original boundary line as including Union county, and then the proviso_ goes on to attach to this county and make a part thereof "until a new county is formed," all of what is now Alexander county, and a large portion of Pulaski county. Union county, therefore extended to the junction of the rivers of Cairo and the major part of Pul county until Alexander county was formed, which act passed the Legislature March 4, 1819, at which time Union county was assumed exactly the boundary lines that she now has.
The land mentioned in the report of the commissioners above, given for a county seat belonged to John GRAMMER. ON the 25th of February, 1818, he and his wife, Juliet, duly executed a deed donating "to the Justices of the county Court of Union county," the following described lands: "Being a part of the northeast quarter of section 30, Town 12 Range 1 west beginning near the northwest corner of said section at a stake and a dogwood tree, thence running south _ poles _links thence east 18 poles 24 links thence south 2_ poles _ thence east 28 poles 25 links thence north _ poles then west to the beginning. This is the tract of land that the commissioners fixing the county town say they _beg to leave to designate and recommend the center of said donation as the suitable place for the erection of the public buildings.
The county seal when explained, tells how the county came to be named Union. The figures upon the seal represent two men standing up and shaking hands. One of them is dressed in the old fashioned shad bellied coat and vest, broad brimmed hat and long hair. The other is in the conventional ministerial suit. It represents a meeting of a Baptist preacher named JONES and(?) George WOLF a drunkard preacher mentioned in another place as ___ of two men first in this county. JONES had been holding a remarkable series of meetings, and WOLF and __ met, shook hands and agreed to hold or continue the meeting, the two joining in the work, and calling it a union meeting. This was held in what is now the southeast portion of the county. The seal illustrating this historic incident in the county was designed and adopted by the county commissioners in 1850, and was, it is said, the suggestion of Governor DOUGHERTY. The meeting of these pioneer preachers that thus became historical probably occurred about 1816 or 1817.
A county commissioners court for the new county was elected, and consisted of Jesse ECHOLS, John GRAMMER, George HUNSAKER, Abner KEITH and Rice SAMS. They met, organized and held the first court at HUNSAKER's house, as the law directed March 2, 1818. The court's first official act was to accept John GRAMMER's donation and name the town Jonesboro.
Abner FIELD was clerk of this court and Joseph PALMER was the first sheriff of the county. The clerk certifies that on the 2d day of February 1818, George HUNSAKER, Wm. PYLE, John _ SMITH, Rice SAMS, Abner KEITH, Jesse ECHOLS and John BRADSHAW were each commissioned by the government as justice of the peace for Union county and the oath was taken and they entered upon their official duties. Robert(?) __LY was the first constable.
The court declared the road leading from Elvira to Jackson and from Penrod's to Elvira public road and David ARNOLD, William PYLE, George HUNSAKER, Ephraim ___ and Henry LARMER appointed road overseers and viewers. Robert H. LOYD was licensed to open a tavern. The first county order ever issued was one for $2 to Samuel PENROD for a wolf scalp. The constables for the county were John WENEA, William SHELTON, Samuel BUTCHER, Samuel HUNSAKER and Willie SAMS. The court realized that the mainstay of life was "suthin" to eat and drink, and with a wise forethought that is to be forever commended they ordered that the price of whisky should be 12 1/2 cents per half pint; rum, 50 cents; brandy, 50 cents; dinner, supper and breakfast, 25 cents each; bed, 12 1/2 cents; horse to stand at bay and corn all night, 37 1/2 cents.
Thus the young county was full blown, and was well started on her future great career. Courts and officers were in their positions, and the roads arranged for, and the price of meat and drink regulated to a nicety. Who was here to enjoy all its blessings, fell the great forest trees and open farms, kill the wolves and wild animals and tame and civilize and make habitable for their descendants this great wilderness?
A record of "marks and brands," opened at once after county was organized shows the following were here and were interested in domestic animals: Jacob WOLF, George WOLF, Edmund VANCIL, William DODD, Samuel HUNSAKER, MIchael LINBOUGH, David BROWN, William THORNTON, Wilkinson GOODWIN, Edmond HALLIMON, Joseph HUNSAKER, William PYLE, William GRAMMER, Rice SAMS, Abram HUNSAKER, Thomas SAMS, Benjamin MENEES, John MCINTOSH, George HUNSAKER, Jas. BROWN, Jeremiah BROWN, John WEIGLE, Christopher HANSIN, Isaac VANCIL, R.W. CROFTON, John CRUSE, James JACKSON, George SMILEY, Joseph PALMER, George JAMES, Robert HARGRAVE, John HARGRAVE, John HUNSAKER, John WHITAKER, Johnson SOMERS, Charles DOUGHERTY, Joel BOGGESS, Jonas VANCIL, Emanuel PENROD, John STOKES, Sam'l PENROD, Cliff HAZLEWOOD and John KIMMELL.
Those who had entered land that lies within the county up to and including the year 1818 were John YOST, Wilkinson GOODWIN, George HUNSAKER, William THORNTON, John HUNSAKER, John MILLER, George LARENCE, Henry CLUTTS, Christian MILLER, James MESAM, John HARRISTON, John KIMMELL, John FRICK, Edmond HOLEMAN, Adam CLAPP, John MILLER, George DEVOLT, Michael DILLON, John GRAMMER, Benjamin MENEES, John MILLER< Michael HOLHOUSER, John HARTLINE, Anthony LINGLE, John WHITAKER, Phillipp SHAVER, Phillipp PAULUS, William WORTHINGTON, John BRADSHAW, JOhn SAUNDERS, John R. MCFARLAND, John TYLER, Joseph WALLER Joseph WALKER, (Crease in paper) A. COKENOWER?, Andrew IRWIN, _____, _____, _______, Samuel PENROD, Robert W. CRAITON, Edward VANCIL, John GREGORY, Jacob LINGLE, Israel THOMPSON, Adam CAUBLE, Jacob RENDLEMAN, Jacob WEIGLE, George WOLF, Micheau LINBOUGH, Jonathan HASKY, Joseph BARBER, Lost COPE, John COPE, --- BARBER, Isaac BIGGS, Alexander BIGGS, the MEISENHEIMERS, John EDDLEMAN, Thomas MCINTOSH, Corneluis ANDERSON, Duvall LENCE, John LENCE, Benedict MULL, Peter CASPER, John WOOTEN, Anthony LINGLE, David CRISE, William MORRISON, Robert CROFTON, Jacob HILEMAN, David MILLER, A. CRUSE, Abraham BROWN, John KNUPP, Andrew SMITH, David MEISENHEIMER, Joseph SMITH, Thomas H. HARRIS, Richard MCBRIDE, S. LEWIS, Thos GREEN, Benjamin J. HARRIS, Jacob TREES, Joseph PALMER, Thomas GREEN, David KIMMELL, Alexander P. FIELD, Anthony MORGAN, James ELLIS, Jospeh MCELHANY, Abner FIELD, Thomas DEEN, Rice SAMS, Daniel SPENCE, William CRAIGLE, David MILLER, George CRIPE, Isaac CORNELL, Nicholas WILSON, Henry BECHTLE, Thoas. BECHTLE, Thos. LANES, John URI, Stephen DONAHUE, Jacob LITTLETON and S.W. SMITH.
From the best estimation we have been enabled to make there was here, in now what is Union county, a population of 1,800 souls. About one-third of the families were at that time free-holders.
The official census of 1820 shows of population of 2, 362. In the year 1830 it had increased to 3, 239. In 1840 to _, 524 in 1856 the population rose to 7,6_6 in 1860 to 11, 18_ ub 1870, to 16,_18 and in 1880 to 18,100. The smallest increase was from 1820 to 1830which was a little over 1,000 and the largest of any decade, from 1860 to 1870 was about _,337. This is accounted for by the fact that it was the period of the coming of the railroad a ray of light __ __ upon the eternal darkness.
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