Firsts...in Hamilton Co., IL

FIRSTS....in Hamilton Co., IL

The first House in McLeansboro was of logs and was built by William McLean. It was just outside of the original plat of McLeansboro.

The first frame House was built by Benjamin Hood for the home of Jesse C. Lockwood.

The first Store was run by Jesse C. Lockwood, who also held several County offices and worked at farming.

The first Land entered according to the Land Entry Book in Hamilton County records was dated February 13, 1815 and entered by John B. Stovall, and among the first settlers were David Upton, who settled 6 miles from McLeansboro in 1816. Charles Heard, who came about the same time from Tennessee with his wife and five children. Other early setters were John Bishop and William Hungate.

The first Postmaster was Jesse C. Lockwood.

The first appointed Postmaster was William McLean.

The first Blacksmith was Solomon Collins.

The first Wagon maker was Samuel Patton.

The first Tinner was John S. Kinnear.

The first Tailor was Samuel Dietz.

The first Doctor was William McLean.

The first Surveyor was Thomas Sloo, Jr.

The first Representative to the Illinois General Assembly was Thomas Sloo, Jr., in 1822.

The first Church was Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church organized in 1820.

The first Circuit Court convened at McLeansboro on June 18, 1821 with the Hon. William Wilson one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Illinois presiding. Jesse C. Lockwood was appointed Clerk of the Court James Hall, Sheriff and James Lane Coroner.

The first legal Suit was brought at the second term of Court with the Hon. William Wilson presiding, November 19, 1821. Case of Samuel Handley VS Harden Billings. Suit dismissed at the cost of the plaintiff.

The first Judgment entered on record was at the third term of Court, June 17, 1822, the Hon. William Wilson presiding, case of Joseph Echols VS Jacob Barker for damages in the amount of $61.60.

The first Fine was on November 18, 1822 at the fourth term of Court, Hon. William Wilson presiding, in the case of The People VS Richard Green, and it was ordered by the Court that Richard Green be fined %5.00.

The first Divorce suit was at the March Term 1825, Mary Hardister VS Christopher Hardister.

The first Jail was erected by William Hall in 1821.

The first School was held in an old waste building or sheep pen. There was no floor, no stove, no door and no window. The next building used for a school was made of logs, but had a door, puncheon floor, and a greased paper over a hold cut in the logs to admit light. There were log benches to sit on.

The first School Teacher was Theodore Scott, an old Soldier of the War of 1812.

The first Masonic Lodge was organized October 5, 1853 and known as Polk Lodge #137. (Still in existence).

The first I.O.O.F #191 was organized October 17, 1856. (Still in existence).

The first Printing was done by James P. Stelle, and was known as "The Hamilton County News"; in 1855, it was edited by J. Moody.

The first calaboose Disaster was on March 28, 1878 when George A. Rogers was burned to death.

The first Banks were E. I. Tinkman Co. Bank in 1855, Hamilton County Bank in 1855, and the Bank of the Republic in 1856.

The first Mills. There was the Rice and Paper Mill in 1867, the City Flouring Mill in 1875, and the Peoples Mill in 1878.

The first Candidates. In the Campaign of 1823, Chester Carpenter and Jan Hall were candidates for the Legislature.

The above has been compiled from County Records, old histories and old diaries.

From: Goshen Trails; January 1969, p. 8
Article written by Lola Jordan
Printed by permission.