Coles County IL Archives History - Books .....Agricultural Association 1879 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 7, 2007, 12:47 am Book Title: History Of Coles County AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. An association entitled the Coles County Agricultural Society was formed at Charleston on the 24th day of May, 1841, and held three successive fairs, the first, October 1, 1841, the second, October 1, 1842, and the third, September 27, 1843. The permanent officers of the Society for 1841 were as follows: James Hite, President; B. F. Jones, H. J. Ashmore and M. Ruffner, Vice Presidents; T. A. Marshall, Treasurer, and J. F. Whitney, Secretary. The officers for 1842 were: Thomas Monson, President; Michael Ruffner, Isaac Gruwell, Vice Presidents; L. R. Hutchason, Treasurer; D. J. Van Deren, Secretary: and for 1843, James T. Cunningham, President; George H. Nabb and Fountain Turner. Vice Presidents; L. R. Hutchason, Treasurer; D. J. Van Deren, Secretary; Laban Burr, John A. Olmstead, John Hite, Joel Connelly, John Apperson, B. F. Jones, Thomas Monson, Thomas Farris, R. A. Miller and William Frost, a Board of Directors.* The following extract is from the records: "From 1843 to 1855, the Society appears to have been entranced in a sort of Rip Van Winkle sleep, a "masterly inactivity" of eleven years' duration, until the passage of the two acts of the Legislature of Illinois, February 14, 1855, and February 15, 1855, the first to encourage the formation of county agricultural societies, and the last, a general act of incorporation of agricultural and horticultural societies and associations for improving the breeds of domestic animals, whereupon the Society appears to have awakened from its lengthy slumber, and recommenced its labors with more of vigor, comeliness of proportion and hope to its friends than prior to that wise legislative aid by the State, and accordingly, in the spring of 1855, a re-organization was effected, and a constitution and by-laws adopted, as was then supposed, in conformity with the acts above referred to. The records under the new organization are said to be lost, so that the present Secretary is unable to give a history of its proceedings for 1855. Certain it is, however, the Society held a fair in the fall of that year, but what was contained in its list of premiums, who were judges, who competitors, to whom and for what premiums were awarded, is enshrouded in darkness. Nor is the present Secretary able to give a full list of the officers elected for that year, but as far as informed, the following is believed to be correct: James T. Cunningham, President; D. J. Van Deren, Secretary; B. F. Jones, J. K. Decker, M. F. Hackett, a portion of the Board of Directors; Thomas G. Chambers, Treasurer. The present Secretary is informed that the Society, having complied with the act of February 14, 1855, received from the Treasurer of State the sum of $50, as authorized by that act. Before the election of the present Secretary, but at what time he is not informed, the Society had purchased seven and three-fifths acres of land for the use of the same for its fair grounds, and had paid the sum of $100 in part payment for the same, the title to which remains yet unperfected." *These fairs were hold on the commons, we are told, the Society having no grounds of its own. The act of February 14, 1855, referred to in the foregoing records, is as follows: An Act to encourage the formation of County Agricultural Societies. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That whenever the President and Treasurer of any County Agricultural Society shall certify that the sum of (at least) fifty dollars has been collected, and is in the hands of the Treasurer for the use of said society, the Treasurer of this State shall, when called upon for that purpose, pay to the said Treasurer or fiscal agent or officer of said society, the sum of fifty dollars; and the receipt of said Treasurer of such society therefor shall entitle the said Treasurer of this State to a credit for that amount in the settlements of his account as such State Treasurer. SEC. 2. The said sum of fifty dollars, thus appropriated, shall be expended in the purpose of premiums, to be procured and distributed under the direction of said societies respectively in the manner prescribed in the constitution, by-laws, or other regulations of said societies. SEC. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The act of February 15, 1855, also alluded to in the extract from the minutes of the Society, provides for the incorporation of such societies, the mode of forming them, who shall be members, etc., and gives the usual privileges of all corporate bodies. But its great length and lack of interest to the general reader, are sufficient excuses far omitting it here. Under these acts the Society revived, as already stated, took new lease of life, and commenced business in earnest. The minutes, however, of the first meeting, under the new dispensation, being lost, the proceedings of that fair are "as a sealed book." The proceedings of 1856 are given in full, together with the premium-lists, officers and all matters of interest occurring during the year. At a meeting of Society held in the Court House, June 2, 1856, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: John Cofer, President; William Miller, Vice President; H. J. Keeler, Secretary; Thomas G. Chambers, Treasurer; B. F. Jones, J. T. Cunningham, J. K. Decker, M. F. Hackett and James Hammett, Executive Committee. At a meeting of the officers, held soon after their election, they met and made out a list of premiums, also a list of what should be exhibited. It is as follows: FIRST DAY.-DOMESTIC ANIMALS. Horses.- Best stallion, 4 years old and over, Class 1, No. 1 $6 00 Second best 3 00 Best stallion, 3 years old, Class 1, No. 2 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best stallion, 2 years old, Class 1, No. 3 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best stallion, 1 year old, Class 1, No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best sucking horse-colt, Class 1, No. 5 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best brood-mare, 4 years old and over, Class 2, No. 1 6 00 Second best 3 00 Best filly, 3 years old, Class 2, No. 2 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best filly, 2 years old, Class 2, No. 3 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best filly, 1 year old, Class 2, No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best sucking mare-colt, Class 2, No. 5 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best pair horses or mares, Class 3, No. 1 5 00 Best saddle horse or mare, Class 3, No. 2 3 00 Best buggy horse or mare, Class 3, No. 3 3 00 Jacks.- Best jack, 3 years old and over, Class 4, No. 1 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best jack, 2 years old, Class 4, No. 2 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best jack 1 year old. Class 4, No. 3 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best sucking jack-colt, Class 4, No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Jennies.-Best jenny, 3 years old and over, Class 5, No. 1 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best jenny, 2 years old, Class 5, No. 2 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best jenny, 1 year old, Class 5, No. 3 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best sucking jenny jolt, Class 5, No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Mules.- Best pair of mules, Class 6, No. 1 5 00 Best sucking mule-colt, Class 6, No. 2 3 00 Cattle.- Best bull, 4 years old and over, Class 7, No. 1 5 00 Second best 3 00 Best bull, 3 years old, Class 7, No. 2 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best bull, 2 years old, Class 7, No. 3 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best bull, 1 year old, Class 7, No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best sucking bull-calf, Class 7, No. 5 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best cow, 4 3rears old and over, Class 8, No. 1 8 00 Second best 3 00 Best heifer, 3 years old, Class 8, No. 2 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best heifer, 2 years old, Class 8, No. 3 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best heifer, 1 year old, Class 8. No. 4 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best sucking heifer-calf, Class 8, No. 5 3 00 Second best 2 00 Best pair work cattle, Class 9, No. 1 5 00 Sheep.- Best buck, Class 10, No. 1 $2 00 Second best buck 1 00 Best ewe, Class 10, No. 1 2 00 Second best ewe 1 00 Swine.- Best boar, 1 year old and over, Class 11, No. 1 8 00 Best boar 6 months old and under 12 months old, Class 11, No. 2 8 00 Best pig under 6 months old, Class 11, No. 8 2 00 Best breed-sow, 1 year old and over, Class 11, No. 4 8 00 Best breed-sow, 6 months and under 12 months old, Class 11, No. 5, 3 00 Poultry.-Best pair of chickens, Class 12, No. 1 2 00 Second best pair of chickens 1 00 Farming Utensils.-Best sod plow, Class 18 8 00 Best Subsoil plow, Class 13 8 00 Best harrow, Class 13 2 00 Best land-roller, Class 13 2 00 Best mower and reaper combined, Class 18 5 00 Best thresher and separator, Class 13. 5 00 Best seed-sower, Class 18 8 00 Best hay-rake, Class 13 2 00 Mechanical Department.-Best harness for all purposes, Class 14, No. 1 8 00 Second best harness for all purposes 2 00 Best riding-saddle, Class 14, No. 2 8 00 Second best riding-saddle 2 00 Agricultural Products.-Best acre of wheat (dimension and quality indorsed by responsible, disinterested party), to be reported to the Secretary prior to November 10, with instruction as to soil, time and manner of sowing, tillage of ground, species of wheat, etc., Class 15, No. 1 5 00 Best acre of corn (with same conditions as to the wheat, etc.), Class 15, No. 2 5 00 Fruit Department.-Greatest and best variety of apples, with statement as to soil, slope of ground, etc., and any concurrent facts or conditions by which it is believed its superiority had been induced, Class 16, No. 1 3 00 Second best and greatest variety (same statement) 2 00 Greatest and best variety of fruits, with statement as above relative to each, species, etc., Class 16, No. 2 3 00 Second greatest and best variety (same statement) 2 00 SECOND DAY.-LADIES' DEPARTMENT. Dairy.- Best 5 lbs. butter, with process of manufacture, Class 17, No. 1 2 00 Best 10 lbs. cheese, with process of manufacture, Class, 17, No. 2 2 00 Domestic Manufactures.-Best fancy quilt, Class 18, No. 1 2 00 Best coverlet, Class 18, No. 2 2 00 Best carpet, 10 yards and upward, Class 18, No. 8 2 00 Best rag carpet, 10 yards and upward, Class 18, No. 4 2 00 Best woolen cloth, 10 yards and over, Class 18, No. 5 8 00 Best jeans, 10 yards and over, Class 18, No. 6 2 00 Best flannel, 10 yards and over (white, striped or plaid), Class 18 No. 7 2 00 Best pair of blankets, Class 18, No. 8 1 00 Best yarn socks. Class 18, No. 9 50 Best cotton hose, Class 18, No. 10 50 Fancy or Needle Work.-Best specimen fancy needle work, Class 19, No. 1 8 00 Best quality, embracing the greatest variety, of articles useful and ornamental, Class 19, No. 2 5 00 At a meeting held August 2, 1856, the Board passed a resolution to adopt the list of premiums as above given, and appointed a committee to prepare the fair grounds for the forthcoming exhibition. At a subsequent meeting, an agreement was made with D. J. Van Deren and H. J. Keeler to inclose the grounds. At a meeting September 13, it was ordered that a well be dug and curbed upon the Society's grounds; badges were ordered for life members, and for the officers, Robert Leith was appointed Marshal; E. W. True, J. R. Jeffries, James Shoemaker, William Jones and Richard Champion, Deputy Marshals, together with some other unimportant matters pertaining to the fair soon to take place, were arranged. The fair came off on the 24th and 25th of September, and, from the entries made in the different classes, seems to have been a very interesting and successful meeting. Particularly were the stock classes well represented, and a number of entries made in each class. The Secretary published a report which is copied in the records, showing the list of Judges for the articles and stock adjudged, and the names of those to whom premiums were awarded, but its extreme length forbids its insertion in this work, however interesting it might prove to our readers, especially those who are engaged in stock-raising. But it is impossible to follow the Society through all the years since its re-organization in 1855. Suffice it, that at the present time it is in a flourishing state, and the people of the county are justly proud of their association. The last meeting took place in September, 1878, occupying five days, the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st; the premium-list embraces ten pages of closely printed matter in a pamphlet printed for gratuitous distribution. The grounds of the Society comprise twenty-four acres well improved, substantially inclosed, with stock-stalls and all necessary buildings, and of a total value of about $6,000. The present officers are as follows, viz., S. D. Dole, of Mattoon, President; James Shoemaker, of Loxa, I. J. Montfort, of Charleston, T. G. Chambers, of Charleston. M. B. Valodin, of Oakland, Vice Presidents; E. R. Connely, Samuel Van Meter, C. E. Wilson, Adam Millar and Isaac Flenner, Board of Directors; R. S. Hodgen, Secretary, and J. K. Decker, Treasurer. The farmers of Coles County have for years past devoted considerable attention to the improvement of their stock, and many of them are at present engaged largely in breeding blooded horses, cattle and hogs. Of horses, the Norman stock is being introduced in the county, and as draft horses are popular, while other blooded horses are receiving some attention. W. A. Whittemore, H. M. Ashmore, J. W. Wright and I. N. Gibbs are specially engaged in breeding fine horses. Blooded cattle are being more extensively raised, as this section of the country is more favorably adapted to cattle than horses. S. C. Ashmore, William Millar, Ambrose Edwards and Isaac Flenner make a specialty of Short Horns. R. L. Reat, of Herefords and Jerseys, and R. S. Hodgen, of Jerseys. Shepard & Alexander are known, not only over the State of Illinois, but throughout the entire country, for their fine breed of Poland-China hogs. Their fine specimens of this famous stock of hogs have been exhibited at Chicago, St. Louis, Indiana State Fair, Illinois State Fair, Kansas State Fair, and all the surrounding county fairs, where they have been invariably awarded the highest prizes. But we shall refer more particularly to this subject in the history of Charleston Township. In conclusion of the history of the Agricultural Society and the fine stock of the county, we deem it of some general interest to the reader, to append the following abstract from the Assessor's returns for 1878, as showing the amount of stock, its value, together with other property, and the grain produced for the past year: Assessed valuation. Horses, number of head 10,402 $ 208 028 Cattle, " " 15,973 143,875 Mules and asses, number of head 1,393 30,075 Sheep, number of head 6,971 5,948 Hogs, " " 35,176 39,746 Steam engines 20 6,010 Fire-proof safes 50 1,353 Carriages and wagons 3,664 48,067 Watches and clocks 3,552 7,754 Sewing machines 1,575 14,854 Piano-fortes 179 8,300 Melodeons and organs 167 4,579 Improved lands 268,803 3,333,290 Unimproved lands 49,491 249,074 Improved town and city lots 2,463 769,909 Unimproved town and city lots 3,384 76,325 Total value of assessed property in the county* $5,642,818 *Several items of taxable property not given in the above table. No. of acres of wheat in 1878 19,500 No. of acres of corn in 1878 100,616 No. of acres of oats in 1878. 10,075 No. of acres of meadow in 1878 24,549 No. of acres of other field products 6,300 No. of acres of inclosed pasture 97,408 No. of acres of orchard 6,706 No. of acres of wood-land 53,200 Additional Comments: Extracted from: THE HISTORY OF COLES COUNTY. ILLINOIS, CONTAINING A History of the County—its Cities, Towns, &c; a Directory of its Tax-Payers; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; General and Local Statistics; Map of Coles County; History of Illinois, Illustrated; History of the Northwest, Illustrated; Constitution of the United States, Miscellaneous Matters, &c, &c. ILLUSTRATED CHICAGO: WM. LE BARON, JR., & CO., 186 DEARBORN STREET. 1879. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/coles/history/1879/historyo/agricult110gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 21.5 Kb