History

Joliet Township Illinois Residents in 1873

Joliet Township Residents in 1873 Transcribed and submitted by Anonymous Township Section Surname Given Notes?=Reading problems Joliet 1 Lynam J. Joliet 1 Lowe T. ? Joliet 1 Seavert J. Joliet 1 Giff A. Joliet 1 Hills J. Joliet 1 Wagner F. Joliet 1 Goddshaly A. Joliet 1 Mock J. Joliet 1 Kerchaval F. Joliet 1 Felker J. Joliet 2 Winkie C. Joliet 2 Cutler H.N. Joliet 2 Connor T.O. ? Joliet 2 Woodruft L.W. Joliet 2 Goddshaly A. Joliet 2 Hislry H.H. ? Joliet 2 Woldvogle B. Joliet 2 Woldvogle A. Joliet 3 Rieley Mrs. Joliet 3 Bro-s J. ? … Read more

Maximum Security is No Match

The History of Joliet – Chapter 34 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “Through the years, there were many escapes from Stateville. But not all of them were well planned.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In the summer of 1919, the toughest inmates in the old Joliet prison were moved to the big circular cellhouse at Stateville. The new prison was still under construction. But its builders said that round cellhouse was absolutely escape proof. Then surrounded by only a wooden stockade, Stateville had been on the state’s drawing boards … Read more

Beer King Watched Fortunes Fizzle

The History of Joliet – Chapter 35 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “The good ol’ days are now only memories.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News On Saturday, Jan. 17, 1920, a newspaper headline in the Joliet Evening Herald-News summed it all up: “U.S. Dry Today.” The 18th Amendment, which was approved in 1917, went into effect along with its accompanying Volstead Act. The act provided penalties for violations of making and selling liquor. The Prohibition era had started. “The final celebration of the passing of the wet era did … Read more

Grand Army Upheld Ideals After Civil War

The History of Joliet – Chapter 36 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “There never was a time when the Grand Army was grander than it is today.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News In the fall of 1923, a group of old soldiers gathered here in Joliet to remember those days that forever had bound them together. All had white hair. The youngest among them were “three score and ten plus,” The Herald News reported. They were the last of this state’s Civil War Union Army veterans gathered at what … Read more

Hit-and-run Marked City’s First Auto Death

The History of Joliet – Chapter 37 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo “The red car crashed into the seven people who were crossing the street. But the driver just kept going.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News “It may seem unfortunate to this man that he is the first to be convicted of such a crime in Will County. …  Automobile drivers must realize they do not have exclusive right or control over the highway …” — Judge Frederick HILL, Will County Circuit Court, Feb. 26, 1925. And 32-year-old Victor … Read more

The History of Joliet

The History of Joliet represents 37 articles written by an Herald News Reporter, John Woodside in 2001. In this series of weekly chapters, John progresses through the history of Joliet Illinois, from the time of the Native American occupation through the Civil War and First World War. In his articles he touches on Slavery, Lincoln, prohibition, business men, and crime… as any news reporter frequently covering the beat, John keeps coming back to crime stories… stories of the first execution, prison life, murder, and the first hit-and-run accident which also caused the city’s first auto fatality.

Channahon Township Illinois Residents in 1873

Channahon Township Residents in 1873 Transcribed and submitted by Michele Roberts Houchens Township Section Surname Given Notes?=Reading problems Channahon 1 Judge A. Channahon 1 Nichols H. Channahon 1 Zing A. Channahon 1 Barber S. Channahon 1 Hess J. Channahon 1 Fallon J. Channahon 1 Millon A. Channahon 1 Moran no given name Channahon 1 Mc.F. M. just initials Channahon 2 Padley H. Channahon 2 Price T. Channahon 2 Manahan J. Channahon 2 Caughlin M. Channahon 2 Van A. Channahon 2 O’Brien W. Channahon 2 Glidden S. Channahon 2 T. C. just initials Channahon 2 F. G.W. just initials Channahon 3 … Read more

Crete Township Illinois Residents in 1873

Crete Township Residents in 1873 Transcribed and submitted by Susan Zuiker-Lewis General Notes: Parentheses in Notes indicate additional information provided by transcriber. denotes acreage not noted, but calculated assuming standard: 160 acres per ¼ Section or name provided with *spelling corrected , or assumed from owners nearby. Range 14, Sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 27 are heavily wooded, small plots, many without names, or only w/initials Range 15, Section 5, 6, 7, 8, and 18 are heavily wooded, small plots, many without names, or only w/initials Township Range Section Surname Given Notes?=Reading problems Crete 14 … Read more

DuPage Township Illinois Residents in 1873

DuPage Township Residents in 1873 Transcribed and submitted by Kathy Zavada Township Section Surname Given Notes?=Reading problems DuPage 1 H.M. DuPage 1 Ward S. 68 acres DuPage 1 Laughlin W. 60 acres DuPage 1 Mos J. DuPage 1 Fox A. 65 acres DuPage 1 Shultz J. 74 acres DuPage 1 Martin H. DuPage 1 Finlan M. 98 acres DuPage 1 Godfrey A. DuPage 1 Shuster M. 102 acres DuPage 2 Strase S. 84 acres DuPage 2 M.F. 2 entries DuPage 2 S.S. DuPage 2 Derby C. 32 acres DuPage 2 Thomas DuPage 2 S.B.R. DuPage 2 C.B. DuPage 2 Eckerlen … Read more

Florence Township Residents in 1873

Florence Township Residents in 1873 Transcribed and submitted by Anonymous Township Section Surname Given Notes?=Reading problems Florence 1 Geiss H. Florence 1 Dutchman A. Florence 1 Dutchman W. Florence 1 Lichtenw?? H.H. ? Florence 1 Hayden J. Florence 2 Rodgers Estate Florence 3 Forsythe John Florence 3 Kirk J. Florence 4 Forsythe John Florence 5 Rodgers M. Florence 5 McIntyre A.D.& J.W. Florence 5 Morgan M. Florence 5 Jackson D.M. Florence 5 Nott Estate Florence 6 Rodgers M. Florence 6 Lacey Florence 7 Corbin R.S. Florence 7 Rockwell G. Florence 7 Linebarger Estate Florence 7 Ward H. Florence 7 Reed … Read more