Return to Hardin County Illinois
1. Articles On Harden County History
By Judge Arthur A. Miles 1939
Provided by Noel E. Hurford *Class of 1945*
Evidences of Indian occupation are numerous as several of their
cemeteries have been located, many of their arrowheads, axes, vessels and tools
have been found here. There are also in the surrounding country several crude
forts or fortified positions of which we have no history as being built by white
men.
As it was located so far inland from the first American
settlements, and as so little was known about the extent of the country, the
title of this particular territory was in dispute for almost 300
years.
Spain claimed all this country by Columbus’ discovery of the new
world in 1492; England by Cabot’s discovery of North America in 1498; Spain also
by discoveries and explorations DeLeon in 1503 and De Soto in 1541; France by
treaties with the Indians and explorations by Marquette in 1671 and LaSalle in
1680; and Virginia through capture during the Revolutionary War by Col. George
Rogers Clark in 1779.
The Connecticut Colony, the Massachusetts Colony, and the Plymouth
Colony as well as the Virginia Colony had charters which they claimed covered
this territory but all ceded their claims to the United States before the
Northwest Territory was set up by an Act of Congress in
1787.
Illinois was formed out of the Northwest Territory in 1809 and
admitted as a state in 1818, but the government of the United States held all
land as public domain until sold to settlers.
Hardin County was retarted in its growth by being situated in a bend of the river, and away from earlier built railroads.
Hardin County is a picturesque territory. Its high, rugged surface is broken by many beaufiful hills and valleys. No other county in the state affords so many wonderful views and landscapes. In no other county of the State is one brought so close to nature.
Hardin County is a
picturesque territory. Its high, rugged surface is broken by many beautiful
hills and valleys. No other county in the State affords so many wonderful
The public lands in this county, which had been reserved by the
Government, were opened for entry and settlement in the year 1847. This land was
entered at $1.25 per acre, and many farms are still owned in the same families
who took the Government patents. The land office at that time, was located at
Kaskaskia, Ill., on the Mississippi River.
The first settlers reached Hardin County in 1805 and built homes along the banks of the Ohio River. They were of the bold hardy race of people long remembered for their simplicity, hospitality and endurance. Their pioneer hearths were the scenes of genuine conviviality and good humor, and many were the tales they told and the songs they sang of the wild adventures of their day and generation; of their journey through the trackless forests, their encounters with savage foes, and their legends of our glorious Revolution, then fresh in their minds.
These early settlers were both farmers and hunters because they
farmed for their bread and hunted for their meat. Their farming implements were
crude and scanty; plows were made with wooden mole boards and pitchforks of
small forked saplings cut, peeled and dressed for the purpose. The grain was cut
with reaping hooks or sickles and flailed upon a floor, then ground by hand or
offen times carried for miles across the country to a water or horse power
gristmill. Their hunting equipment consisted of the rifle, the fishingnet and
the trap. They obtained sugar from the Maple tree, nuts of all kinds from the
forest and made much of their clothing from skins of animals shot or trapped for
meat.
During the transition period, from the earliest settlements to the
organization of the County government, there had been a gradual and continuous
improvement and advancement in all the material interests of the county. Forests
had been cleared; tools of iron and steel had been substituted for the wooden;
Churches had been built; schools had been maintained; mines opened; mills built;
stores established; government had been instituted; the establishment of justice
ordained; the first great step toward civilization bad been taken and the whole
people looked to the future with hopeful expectations of
blessings.
The three towns of the county in the order of their organization
are as follows:
Elizabethtown, settled by James
McFarland in 1808, was named for his wife, Elizabeth. It was organized as a
village in 1840. Some descendants of the early settlers still live in this
little city. Elizabethtown, although ordinarily quiet, has been the scene of
many romances, and some of its citizens still like to tell the beautiful
stories. Elizabethtown
is the County Seat and is built up of substantial business houses and good,
comfortable residences. There are also good schools and churches. Located on
high ground, it has a wonderful view of the river amid surrounding
country.
Rosiclare was settled in 1815 by a family named Roberts, and named
for two daughters of an early settler of French descent. The names of these two
girls were Rosi and Clare; hence the town was called Rosiclare.
theater. There are also many modern and comfortable residences. All of the streets are hard surfaced and sidewalks connect all sections.
The YMCA where many community functions were held through the years is still standing proud on Main Street in downtown Rosiclare.
Photo of YMCA provided by Bridgid Duffy Rose *Class of 1977* Rodger Ralph *Class of 1971* and Jack Barnerd.
Cave-in-Rock was settled in 1816 by Lewis Barker, or at least he
was among the earliest settlers. This town was named
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Outside View Of Cave-In-Rock Cave 1930
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Provided By Noel E. Hurford *Class of 1945*
Inside Cave-in-Rock Cave Looking Out
******************* *Classes of 1952 & 1953*
Click on the following LINK and SCROLL UP for recent information and pictures of Cave-in-Rock & other beautiful places in Southern Illinois.
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R5/REGION5.HTM#address
http://www.fayette.k12.il.us/brownstown/html/c-i-r.htm
1B. FARMING, MINING, FISHING, AND HUNTING
Written By James F. Ralph 1930
Provided By Noel E. Hurford *Class of 1945*
The First settlers reached Hardin County shortly after 1800 and built homes along the Ohio River. Through the years the people of Hardin County have made their living mostly by farming, hunting, fishing, trapping and mining. By 1807, about forty five families claimed squatters rights in the county. Some of those settlers whose names are still here today, include John Bradshaw, Chism Estes, James Ford, Frances Jordan, Henry Ledbetter, Sam Omelveny, Hampton Pankey, Hugh Robertson, Henry Rose, Stephen Stilley, and James Wilson. James McFarlan Sr, having been engaged by the government to provide beef for the garrison at Fort Massac, settled in 1808 at the present site of Elizabethtown. In 1812, Mc,Farlan built a tavern on a bluff overlooking the Ohio River, which first catered principally to the river travelers. With additions and revisions, the tavern, known later as the Rose Hotel, is standing and was in continuous use until the 1960’s The precinct in which McFarlan lived now bears his name.
William Wood settled on the river about two miles above the present site of Elizabethtown in 1808. On Dec 12,1811, Woods saw the “New Orleans’, the first steamboat to travel the Ohio pass by. In November, 1808, William Henry Harrison, Governor of the Indiana Territory, authorized Issac White and Jonathan TayIor to operate a ferry across the river at the site of Elizabethtown. B. A. Allen and Elisha Pierce was in charge of the ferry which, in 1813, was transferred to George Flynn. Bennona Lee located on Big Creek about one mile upstream from the river in 1809. The first water powered mill in the county was erected by Francis Jordan and Aaron Neal, on Big Creek, in 1811. In 1813, Jordan relocated at the present site of Somerset, a Neal continued to operate the mill until it was sold to Moss Twitchell. The flood of 1840 washed the mill away, and it was never rebuilt. The first chairs used in the county were built by John King. Stephen Stilley preached the first sermon in county in 1806, and Mr Ewell taught the first school in his cabin in 1815.
Iron was the first mineral
discovered in the county.
Old Iron Furnace
was
found a few miles north of Elizabethtown shortly after the
first
. THE OLD FURNACE WAS RECONSTRUCTED
BY THE GOLCONDA JOB CORPS IN 1967
Fluorspar and lead was discovered at Rosiclare in 1839 by William Pelt, and a Mr. White and Mr. Marshall took out a lease and began mining. There was little demand for flourspar in the early days, but by the turn of the century it had become the leading industry in the county and remained so for more than fifty years. A reduction in the use of flourspar in the steelmaking process, and the discovery of the mineral located near the earth’s surface in other areas, has virtually eliminated mining operations in the county.
Coal has been found in Hardin Co. and a few of these coal beds have been worked, but as the veins are thin, it has not been profitable to mine them to any great extent.
Along the banks of the Ohio River in this county are extensive limestone deposits, from which have been quarried many thousand tons of stone. Four large quarries operate n the county and furnish employment to several persons.
Governmental programs have had an impact on Hardin Countians. The
Civilian Conservation Corps was in existence from 1933 until 1942, and the Works
Progress Administration from 1935 until 1943 Later, the Job Corps was active in
the county, and in addition to helping alleviate
...
. Camp Hicks In 1936. C.C.C. Camp North Of Old Furnace
As Hardin Co lies wholly within the Shawnee National Forest, the
Unique, is the word best to describe Hardin Co. It’s rugs surface, broken by many beautiful hills and valleys, make a picturesque territory. No other county in the state offers many wonderful views and landscapes. In no other place is one brought so close to nature.
1C. Hardin County's New Temple Of Justice
Article Provided By The Hardin County Independent dated August 4,1927
Saturday, July 30, 1927 was set as the dedication day
of the new county court house which had just been completed to replace the
one that burned December 2, 1921. An elaborate program was drawn up with
dignitaries from Springfield speak, as well as distinguished local people and
county officials. It was to be a great day, but the weather did not cooperate.
Rain began on Friday and continued throughout the night and most of
Saturday.
However, as most of the people who were supposed to be in the
program were present, the committee decided to proceed. Judge Miller (the
judge’s first name not given) opened court and Congressman T. S. Williams
delivered a congratulatory address.
The congressman commended the Elizabethtown Women's Club for their
part in giving a generous donation to the court house fund. He included
commendation for the Club’s efforts toward getting the town’s lighting system
and the new school house.
The congressman read a resolution from the County Commissioners thanking Mrs. Josie Fowler for her gift of the clock which was made a permanent record of the court.
Hardin County Courthouse
The dedication was then turned over
to Honorable James A. Watson whwas master of ceremonies.
The county officials were introduced (names not
reported).
The next item was a duet by H. V. Hesselman and C. V. Parsons of Golconda. They sang a song written especially for the occasion It was so well received an encore was called for. Judge Oliver A. Harker, who had held court in the county 50 years earlier (in 1877), spoke He was followed by Judge Warren B Duncan, supreme judge of the district court.
The Harrisburg City School band of
more than 50 pieces was on hand to entertain The Harrisburg Quartet, Harry
Harper, Harlon Smith, Clyde Moore and Verner E. Joyner, sang Hesselman and
Parsons sang again. Prayer was offered again by Rev Clayton and Mrs Audrey Love
gave a welcome address
J. S. Abbott. Robinson, II, came forward and presented the clock on the new court house to the people of Hardin Counts from Mrs. Josie Fowler as a memorial to her husband. Dr F M Fowler and his brothers Senator H. Robert Fowler and S. N. Fowler. David A. Warford, representing the County Commissioners accepted the gift and Mrs R. F. Taylor gave a reading.
Hon. Henry R. Rathbone, congressman at large from the State of Illinois gave a speech designating "Egypt" which includes Hardin County as the garden spot of the world. George Pillow, Springfield, former resident of the courts was the last speaker of the day. The cornerstone of the court house reads as follows Hardin County Court House erected 1926, County Board John A Joyce, E. R. Kibler and W. H. Herrin.
1D. What To See While In Hardin County.
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