Christian County, IL Past and Present By Hon. J. C. McBride, 1904 582 pages, illustrated, indexed, searchable - Bonus Book – Portrait and Biographical Record of Christian County, IL By Lake City Publishing Co., 1893 460 pages, indexed, searchable Requires Adobe Reader 3.0 or higher to View $10.19 sale this week (Reg $11.99) + $1.99 shipping and handling Christian County was created on February 15, 1839 as Dane County (Laws, 1839, p. 104). Its name changed to Christian County in 1840, and was formed from Montgomery, Sangamon and Shelby Counties. Present area, or parts of it, formerly included in: Sangamon County (1821–1839), Shelby County (1827–1839), Montgomery County (1821–1839), Fayette County (1821–1827), Clark County (1819–1821), Bond County (1817–1821), Crawford County (1816–1819), Madison County (1812–1817), Edwards County (1815–1816), St. Clair County (1790–1812) and Knox, Northwest Territory (1790–1801). The County was named for Christian County in Kentucky through the influence of emigrants from that county and for Col. William Christian, a native of Augusta County, Virginia, and a veteran of the Revolutionary War, killed by Native Americans in southern Indiana in 1786. The County Seat is Taylorville (1839-Present). The current courthouse (pictured) was completed 1902, and is the third courthouse since 1839. CONTENTS – Past & Present Early Settlement First Settlement and Early Settlements The Organization and Growth of Christian County Township Organization Finances of the County County Jail Justices Districts Circuit Court Bench and Bar Prosecuting Attorneys Resident Lawyers Present Members of the Bar Incidents of Early Days Reynolds' History A Pathetic Speech Spoiled The "Bull Pen" or Pugilistic Times The Militia System A Deep Snow The Sudden Freeze The Rainy Season The Cyclone of 1880 Christian County's Heroes in War The Black Hawk War in 1832 The Mexican War The War of the Rebellion Draft Soldiers' Aid Society 14th Infantry 14th and 15th Illinois Veteran Battalion 41st Infantry Regiment 130th Infantry Regiment 3rd Cavalry Regiment 5th Cavalry Regiment 6th Cavalry Regiment 7th Cavalry Regiment 8th Cavalry Regiment 10th Cavalry Regiment 11th Cavalry Regiment 16th Cavalry Regiment 1st Artillery 2d Artillery 29th U. S. Colored Infantry 13th U. S. Colored Artillery Miscellaneous Organizations Spanish-American War The Press Schools Churches Transportation Coal Drainage Conclusion