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COMMUNITIES 

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EARLIEST SETTLERS OF LOGAN COUNTY
This is Chapter V of Judge Lawrence B. Stringer's 1911 History of Logan County. He discusses the first settlers of Logan County.
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These accounts of the Old Settlers Association meetings are an interesting slice of history and are particularly notable for the names of the early settlers.


History of Logan County
CHICAGO: INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO. 1886

Stringer:  History of Logan Co.-1911 [Churches in Logan County]


Judge Lawrence B. Stringer: Full text of several Logan County Communities

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Images for Lawrence B. Stringer's History of Logan County, IL., 1911

 

 

ATLANTA

www.atlantaillinois.org

History of Logan County - Atlanta
CHICAGO: INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO. 1886

A history of Atlanta, 1853-1953  (prepared by citizens of Atlanta as a part of the observance of the centennial, June, 1953).

Atlanta was founded in 1853.  The Hoblit Carriage building still exists, where lawyer and later politician Abraham Lincoln spent the night(s) as the Hoblit's guest.  Lincoln made a speech here in support of John C. Freemont for Republican President Candidate (Oct. 23, 1856).  Lincoln also attended a Fourth of July celebration here at Turner's Grove on July 4th, 1859, picnic  on the southeast edge of Atlanta and was presented a gold-handled cane by Sylvester Strong.  In downtown Atlanta, you will find an official Looking For Lincoln  sign describing the connection between Atlanta, Illinois, and Abraham Lincoln. On June 22, 1860, Atlanta was one of the first towns in Illinois to establish a Wide Awake Chapter. The  Wide Awakes  were a political party in the 1860s that strongly supported Abraham Lincoln for president of the United States. Lincoln was a frequent visitor in Atlanta while traveling as a lawyer on the 8th Judicial Circuit, which helped him gain Atlanta's support. The group adopted two campaign banners to support Lincoln. The Nations Choice banner that is shown on the right side of the sign was used by Atlanta's Wide Awake Group. It is now on display at the  Lincoln Heritage Museum. In the middle of the sign, you will see a drawing by Lloyd Ostendorf depicting the Wide Awakes walking through Atlanta carrying their banner. “Our Cause Is Just” is the Civil War story of the John and Esther Hawes family from Eminence Township in Logan County near Atlanta, Illinois. The documentary is based upon letters written by brothers Henry and George Hawes and half-brother James Ewing—all three soldiers in battle—to parents John and Esther and family back home.


The Brandt Sisters Trio was part of the entertainment at the 1940 President's Birthday Ball. The Brandt sisters were five sisters born in Atlanta, Illinois who sang close harmonies. At different times, all five sisters sang as part of this close harmony trio, but it seems that Irma, Wanda and Mary were involved in the group for a longer period than Lois or Betty. These five sisters had five brothers as well, all the children of Merle and Nellie Brandt.  At first the Brandt Sisters were content to sing at local events, but by 1938 their talent was being recognized and they signed contracts to perform across the country. They were also heard occasionally on the radio (WLS and WJBC). Irma, Wanda and Mary travelled with the Major Bowes show across the West in 1941. 
Atlanta is located on the famous Route 66 (1950's - 1970's) from Chicago to California.  2019 Fall Festival

 

 

 

Bakerville ("roadside thoughts")

 

Location of a griest mill, saw mill, and brick tile factory built by Samuel Baker. In 1833, Samuel Baker came to Illinois when in his mid-teens. he probably came to Bakerville after the Civil War. Previously, the Baker family lived at the Yankeetown Settlement about 2 miles southwest. The chimney and some clay pits remain from Baker's grist and saw mills, and the brick-tile factory. The site is marked by a historical marker.

 

BEASON

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Founded in 1872 and platted by Silas Beason and others. Silas Beason was a lawyer and was instrumental in attracting the Illinois Central Railroad to Beason.  2019 Gail's Pumpkin Patch

 

BELL

Bethel Township

 

Originally a branch of the Sugar Creek Congregation located east of Bethel, the church was built in 1854. Big Prairie post office was located east of the present church and Bethel grade school stood across the road. The cemetery adjoins the church.

BROADWELL

Judge Lawrence B. Stringer:  History of Logan County, 1911 - Broadwell

 

BURTONVIEW

 

Is the smallest town in Logan County. In 1871 a railroad was started and it was completed in January 1873. The town was settled in 1873. Originally it was known as Burton, the Burton View in 1873 when a post office was established there. Later it was changed to one word Burtonview.

 

CHESTERVALE

History of Logan County - Chester
CHICAGO: INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO. 1886

 

CHESTNUT

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Chicago Tribune (1992): Chestnut - heart Of The Heartland

 

Platted in 1872 by David Clark and named in honor of railroad official Logan B. Chestnut.  The Illinois Central Railroad played an important role in development of the community. It claims to be the geographic center of the state of Illinois. A monument in the village park and common honors this distinction.  Lincoln stained glass window reflects church's ties to The Grand Army of the Republic, Union cause.

 

CORNLAND

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Was surveyed and platted in August, 1871, and named by Joshua Day who had owned the land. The town was dedicated September 28, 1871.  John D. Gillett, known as the "Cattle King of the World" in the 1870's, had his farm-home here.  In 2010, the State Bank of Cornland celebrated its 90th year.  The "One and Only Cornland" celebrates Zip Code Day.

 

Corwin

 

ELKHART

                                                       www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org

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                                                        http://www.elkhartillinois.us

Elkhart Hill is 777 feet high and covers more than 600 acres. Native Americans

 believed the hill to be in the shape of an elk's heart.

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The gravesite of Captain Adam Bogardus, wing shoe champion of the world, who traveled with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show and a Mississippi River boat show is here. The John Dean Gillett Memorial Chapel is on Elkhart Hill. J. D. Gillett became known as the "Cattle Kind of the World" because of his breeding of short-horn cattle. We was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln. The hill is also the gravesite of Richard J. Oglesby, General, Governor, and Senator.

 

EMDEN

 

Emden was named for Emden, on the River Ems in northern Germany. The town was surveyed in 1871. Teis Smid, a blacksmith and William Smith are credited with the establishment of Emden.

 

EVANS

 

FOGARTY

 

HARTSBURG

 

Founded in 1871 by David Harts and surveyed by Thomas Gardner of Pekin, Illinois

 

LAKE  FORK

 

Founded in 1881. Indian mounds have been identified in the area. 

 

LATHAM

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Surveyed in 1871 and incorporated in 1884.  It was a station on the Peoria, Lincoln, Mt. Pulaski, Decatur and Evansville Railroad.  Named for Civil War Colonel Robert B. Latham of nearby town of Lincoln, who helped build the railroad.  There still exist landmarks in Latham's name in the town of Lincoln (a building on the west side of the square and Latham Park).

  

LAWNDALE

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Lawndale was laid out and platted by Thomas Easten in 1854. Easten had already erected a saw mill, home, and store on the Kickapoo Creek near the sited. At one time, the Lawndale elevator handled more grain shipments than any elevator between Chicago and St. Louis. Lawndale was also known as Kickapoo by the early settlers of the area.

 


LINCOLN

                                                                                            http://www.lincolnil.gov
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History of Logan County [Lincoln]  (need to click on re-fresh button a couple of times!!)
CHICAGO: INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO. 1886
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Judge Lawrence B. Stringer:  History of Logan County (1911)
CHICAGO Pioneer Publishing COMPANY

 

Stringer:  History of Logan County - 1911 [History of Lincoln University / College]


Paul J. Beaver:  Abraham Lincoln in Logan County, Illinois 1834 - 1860

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Leigh Henson:  Mr. Lincoln, Route 66, and other Highlights of Lincoln, Illinois

Logan County Fair Over the Years
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Lincoln was the first city to be named for Abraham Lincoln, and event which occurred in 1853 before he became a nationally known figure. Abraham Lincoln christened the town, named in his honor, with the juice from a watermelon. Stephen A. Douglas spoke here on September 4, 1858, during his famous campaign against Abraham Lincoln for the Senate seat.  Lincoln was in attendance, but did not speak.  In Lincoln, IL., on October 16, 1858, Abraham Lincoln followed up Stephen A Douglas's speech on the previous day with a speech of his own — they agreed to give separate speeches the day after the last Lincoln-Douglas debate (in Alton).  Lincoln at Lincoln: Abraham Lincoln Rallies Logan County, Illinois, in His First Namesake Town on October 16, 1858.
 
Abraham Lincoln Speaking in Lincoln, IL Oct. 16, 1858.  A description of Abraham Lincoln's appearance on the day prior to his speech was provided by the eyewitness account of Mount Pulaskian, S. Linn Beidler (as reported in the Lincoln Herald on February 17, 1885.  Stringer quotes from the Herald). Lincoln College was chartered on February 6, 1865 - President Lincoln was notified of this several months before his assassination.  On June 10, 1869, The Civil War Monument was dedicated, with Richard J. Oglesby as the main speaker.  The brass band from nearby Mt. Pulaski was on hand to play that day. William Scully (1821-1906), was one of the largest landowners of tenant farmland in the Midwest. He eventually owned approximately 250,000 acres in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, including 30,000 acres in Logan County. Additionally, Scully was a pioneer leader with respect to scientific farming; particularly with soil conservation practices and techniques. William Keepers Maxwell Jr. (August 16, 1908 – July 31, 2000) was an American editor, novelist, short story writer, essayist, children's author, and memoirist. He served as a fiction editor at The New Yorker from 1936 to 1975.  Watering Holes of the Route 66 Era:  Entertainment in the Fast Lane.  Al Capone frequented "Coonhound" Johnny's!  For over 50 years, The Tropics Restaurant had been the focal point of the “four-corners” intersection in Lincoln.  With its quintessential Route 66 flair, the sign has long evoked memories for the community and travelers alike of the mid-century era of the true family restaurant.  Two Woolly Mammoth tusks were discovered by a Lincoln College (Illinois) freshman in September 2005, who stumbled upon them while studying river mussels in Sugar Creek (Logan County). Radiocarbon dating analysis revealed surprisingly late date – this animal died about 11,600 years ago.  Emmy and Tony Award winning actor, Hal Holbrook, addresses 2016 Lincoln College graduates and conferred honorary doctorate.  Paul Beaver, Lincoln College Professor Emeritus, author, lecturer.  2019 Railsplitter & Abe Lincoln Look-alikes Weekend Chinese Mid-Autumn Full-Moon Festival by Lincoln College Chinese Students LCGHS Bill Donath:  The Spanish Influenza Epidemic In Logan County, Illinois, 1918-1920.

 

East Lincoln Township

 

West Lincoln Township

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LUCAS

 

MIDDLETOWN

Judge Lawrence B. Stringer: History of Middletown, Il.

Middletown was founded by Hiram S. Allen on October 12, 1832. It is the oldest town in Logan County. Abraham Lincoln, then living in New Salem, witnessed the deed to the first lot sold in the community in June, 1833. The town was a stagecoach stop midway on the route between Peoria and Springfield -  the oldest such wooden structure in Illinois.  Abraham Lincoln stayed at this Dunlap House.
 

 This 1860 American Flag was handmade by women in Middletown for the Atlanta Wide Awakes Float. Later, it was cloaked oghver Abraham Lincoln’s shoulders during a Springfield parade when he was candidate for President in 1860.  Atlanta was one of the first towns in Illinois to establish a Wide Awake Chapter. The  Wide Awakes  were a political party in the 1860s that strongly supported Abraham Lincoln for president of the United States. Lincoln was a frequent visitor in Atlanta while traveling as a lawyer on the 8th Judicial Circuit, which helped him gain Atlanta's support.


 Middletown is also home to the Knapp library and museum. The Knapp building is the oldest brick building in Logan county.

 

MOUNTJOY

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  MOUNT  PULASKI 

 

City of Mt. Pulaski.com

 

Stringer:  History of Logan County 1911 - Mt. Pulaski

 

Mount Pulaski Township Historical Society Website

 

American Legion Ryman-Fuiten Post 447

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Facebook:  MountPulaskiILLINOIS
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Brief History of Mount Pulaski 1911
by Judge William Stringer

History of Mt. Pulaski 1911 - 1836-1936
 [full text - published a year following MP's 100th Anniversary]]

by Judge William Stringer

History of Logan County [Mt. Pulaski Township]
CHICAGO: INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO. 1886
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Judge Lawrence B. Stringer:   History of Logan County, 1911 - Mount Pulaski

Judge Lawrence B. Stringer: History of Mount Pulaski, 1836 - 1936 (full text)

OLD SETTLERS' MEETINGS 1873 - 1910, LOGAN COUNTY, IL

Mount Pulaski Bands and Choirs from Yesteryears

Mt. Pulaski Photos & Stories Through the Years [late 1800's - 1961]

One Soldier's Experience in WWII

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Founded in 1836. Named for Count Casimir Pulaski, a Revolutionary War Patriot. Mt. Pulaski Courthouse served as Logan County Courthouse from 1848 through 1855.  The courthouse is one of two remaining courthouses on the Eighth Judicial Circuit where Abraham Lincoln practiced law.  The Mount Pulaski Courthouse is listed on the National Historic Register and was purchased and restored by the State of Illinois in 1936.  In 1999, a joint resolution was passed by the United States Congress requesting that General Pulaski receive an United States Honorary Citizenship.  President Barack Obama granted this enactment with his signature in 2009. Wright Brother's Bi-Plane race against an Illinois Central Train from Chicago to Springfield in 1910 - $10,000.  There is a Mt. Pulaski Township Historical Society, which cares for its 2-building 2-story historical museum and genealogical center on the south side of the square across from the courthouse.  On June 10, 1869, The Logan County Civil War Monument was dedicated, with Richard J. Oglesby as the main speaker.  The brass band from nearby Mt. Pulaski was on hand to play that day.  In 1902, The Mt. Pulaski Yankee Windmill Company was formed.  Among many attractions in this museum is an Abraham Lincoln room, an old walk-in bank vault, and music room partially devoted to a stared member of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Vaughn DeLeath, who was born and raised here.  Her 1925 hit recording, "Ukulele Lady", was used in the 1999 film, The Cider House Rules.  De Leath was an early exponent of a style of vocalizing known as crooning. One of her hit songs, "Are You Lonesome Tonight?," recorded in 1927, achieved fame when it became a hit for Elvis Presley in 1960.  "Vinegar Hill" became the reference to Mount Pulaski during Prohibition.  Trains would stop to let off boozers to buy the "precious cargo".  The annual Christmas on Vinegar Hill kicks off


the
Yuletide season - 38 years & counting!  The annual Mt. Pulaski Horse Show on the south side of the square drew large crowds each year from 1912 to 1936.  It morphed into the Logan County Fair, which began in 1937.  Herbert Dickens Ryman, Jr., who lived in Mount Pulaski in his early years, graduated cum laude in 1932 from the Chicago Art Institute.  He became an accomplished Hollywood artist and Disney Imagineer. Ryman worked in watercolor, oils, and pen & ink sketches. In 1953 Ryman drew the first illustrations of Walt Disney's vision of a theme park that eventually became Disneyland.  His father, Herbert Dickens Ryman, Sr., was killed on the French battlefield in WWI administering to an injured soldier.  Mt. Pulaski Memorial Day Annual Cemetery Rites 2019 Fall Festival. Edwin W. Goodpaster, retired national editor for The Baltimore Sun. x

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NARITA

 

NEW HOLLAND
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Judge Lawrence B. Stringer:  History of Logan County, 1911 - New Holland
2019 Fall Festival

 

Oran Township

Orvil Township

Prairie Creek Township

 

SAN JOSE

Judge Lawrence B. Stringer: History of San Jose

Village of San Jose website
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The town itself lies in two counties: Logan and Mason. It lies in the extreme northwest
 part of Logan County. It was surveyed and platted by E. Z. Hunt in 1857.

 

SKELTON

 

Sheridan Township

 

UNION


 

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