Matteson

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

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

Joliet Businessman’s Life Ends In Disgrace

The History of Joliet – Chapter 5 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo MATTESON once was the most influential man in town Matteson, a Democrat, avoided the slavery dilemma. By taking the middle ground on this controversial issue, he became an enemy of Abraham Lincoln.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News Joel Aldrich MATTESON was the most influential man in Juliet. And in Joliet. He made a fortune, rose to the top in politics and became governor of Illinois. But his life ended in disgrace. As a young man with business … Read more

Joliet’s First Railroads Quick But Deadly

The History of Joliet – Chapter 6 By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo Despite the risks, residents clamored for fast transportation “As railroads expanded across the country, people in Joliet desired the faster method of travel. There were public hearings on the need, and newspapers called for a railroad to link Joliet to the rest of the country.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News Nothing was more important to the growth of the young city of Joliet than the coming of the railroads. But the rails of steel brought along disaster, … 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

Joliet: Our Town, Our History

The History of Joliet – Introduction By John Whiteside of The Herald News (used with permission) Submitted by Nancy Vargo Did you know? City’s vibrant story leaps off page “Our city’s founders were just plain people with the same kind of worries and concerns we often have today. But in living their lives here, they solved their problems, raised their families and built a great city.” By John WHITESIDE of The Herald News Did you know? The good citizens of Joliet in 1858 almost lynched an innocent man. They thought he had corrupted and then brutally murdered a 16-year-old girl. … Read more