Will County ILGenWeb

These pages are a part of the ILGenWeb Project. They provide a resource for genealogists searching in Will County, Illinois. You can post queries about surnames you are researching, see who else might be researching the same names as yourself, ask volunteers to do reference look-ups, volunteer to do reference look-ups, and get information on searching in Will County. My name is Dennis Partridge, and I am currently the host of Will County, you can contact me here, if you have any questions. I do not live in Will County, nor Illinois, but I will attempt to answer your research questions or point you in the direction of somebody who can.

City’s First Execution: Killer Hanged in 1866

The History of Joliet – Chapter 18 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “I don’t think I’m guilty.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News They thought his name was George CHASE. But they weren’t sure, and he wouldn’t tell them. They hanged him anyway in Joliet in the summer of 1866. CHASE was the first execution in the city. He was a convicted horse thief serving time in the prison on Collins Street. While the Civil War was still going on, CHASE attempted to escape in the spring of 1864. He … Read more

Prison Walls Rise From Stony Joliet Turf

The History of Joliet – Chapter 17 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “The ground at the new prison site was filled with limestone, which meant convicts couldn’t tunnel out. That limestone also could be used to build the prison walls and buildings.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In his inaugural speech during January 1853, Gov. Joel MATTESON of Joliet spoke of the need for a new state penitentiary in the northern part of Illinois. With an ever-increasing crime rate and the population quickly expanding, a place to house criminals … Read more

Newspaper Editor Spoke Out On Slavery

The History of Joliet – Chapter 16 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “Stephen A. Douglas, the Illinois senator who squared off against Abraham Lincoln in the famed debate of 1858, was often seen in Joliet seeking political advice from newspaper editor Calneh Zarley.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News During the early history of Joliet and throughout the Civil War, one of the most outspoken voices in the city was Calneh ZARLEY. They called him Cal. And Cal was a newspaper editor and owner of the Joliet Signal. His father, … Read more

Thinned Ranks Return to Joliet from Civil War

The History of Joliet – Chapter 15 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “The rebellion, in its death throes, has dealt one terrible last thrust.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In the summer of 1863, bands played, cannons fired and church bells rang when the news reached Joliet about the Union victory at Gettysburg. Residents believed the backbone of the rebellion had been broken. But there was more of the Civil War to come before the end. There were more volunteers for new regiments and finally the national draft. With … Read more

Bartleson Lost Arm, then His Life, for Nation

The History of Joliet – Chapter 14 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo I have still an arm left for my country, and she shall have that too, if necessary.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News Of all the warriors from Joliet who fought in the Civil War, the best remembered and most noble among them was Col. Frederick BARTLESON. The memory of this soldier is a city treasure. Described by George H. WOODRUFF, the local historian, BARTLESON was “a Christian in his convictions and always a man of pure morals.” … Read more

Some Area Men Civil War Heroes, Others Statistics

The History of Joliet – Chapter 13 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “The boys of the regiment are proud of that lad, and he will not fail of making a great man for want of friends to assist him.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News The first news to arrive home from a Civil War battlefield was good news. Joliet had a young hero. But he was just the first of many hometown heroes. In the fighting at Charleston, Mo., during August 1861, 15-year-old Harley WIXOM of Joliet had shot … Read more

Joliet Patriots Hear Call of Civil War

The History of Joliet – Chapter 12 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “Nothing was talked of or thought of but war …” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News When the Confederate cannons fired at Fort Sumter, Joliet quickly became a city filled with a patriotic fever. Filled with speeches, flags and bands. Filled with volunteers ready to fight and save the Union. The news of the war reached Joliet on a Sunday — April 14, 1861. From the pulpit to street corners, everyone talked about the war. That following Wednesday, … Read more

Cobbler Tried Thrice in Murder of Benjamin Pickles

The History of Joliet – Chapter 11 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “The bullet hit Pickles in the head, between the left eye and ear. His sons watched him die.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News With the beginning of the Civil War, crime came to Joliet. Like that night in the blacksmith shop on Eastern Avenue. These were some wild times in Joliet. Although there was a strong patriotic spirit in the city, the war had created problems with all the people passing through Joliet. William STEVENS, a local … Read more

Escaping Slaves Found Help in Joliet

The History of Joliet – Chapter 10 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “Although Illinois didn’t have slavery, state laws imposed a severe penalty upon anyone aiding a fugitive slave.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In the two decades before railroads began to span across the nation, another rail system grew quickly with freedom at the end of the line. And the underground railroad ran right through Joliet. Its chief conductor in Joliet was Samuel CUSHING, better known as Deacon CUSHING. “He has a history that would make a respectable … Read more

Lincoln’s Time in Joliet Memorable

The History of Joliet – Chapter 9 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “The article that was published on Oct. 14, 1856, referred several times to LINCOLN as “that black Republican.” Some local historians believe, however, that the speech he made in Joliet may have included the classic line, ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News On a warm fall day in 1856, a tall, gaunt man came to Joliet to make a speech at a political rally and beauty pageant in Demmond’s Woods. But … Read more