Jacksonville, Illinois
County: Morgan
Location: US 67, north of Jacksonville. US 36-54,
east of Jacksonville. US 36-54 , West of Jacksonville
Erected: 01/01/1966 Erected by:
Division of Highways and The Illinois State Historical Society
Jacksonville, county seat of Morgan County, was founded in 1825 and
named for Andrew Jackson. It was a contender for the state capitol in
1837. Jacksonville was an early education center. Seven men known as
the 'Yale Band' were instrumental in founding Illinois College, one
of the earliest colleges chartered in Illinois, in 1829. It graduated
the first college class in Illinois, in 1829. Jonathan Baldwin Turner,
outstanding faculty member and leader in agricultural education, settled here in
1833. For many years he led the fight for land grant colleges
resulting in the Morrill Act (1862). The Jacksonville Female Academy
was the first women's school incorporated by the Illinois legislature
(1835). In 1846 the Illinois Methodist Conference established the
Illinois Conference Female Academy which became MacMurray College
(1930). The Illinois Braille and Sight Saving School are also here.
Dr. Green Varadiman Black, internationally recognized pioneer in
modern dentistry, opened an office here in 1863 and practiced until
1897. Jacksonville was the home of three Illinois governors - Joseph
Duncan (1834-1838), Richard Yates (1861-1865), and Richard Yates, Jr.
(1901-1905). Stephen A. Douglas and William Jennings Bryant began
their law practices here in 1834 and 1883 respectively. Douglas was
Morgan County prosecuting attorney; Illinois legislator, secretary of
state, and supreme court judge; U.S. Representative and Senator: and
presidential candidate against Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Bryant, an Illinois College graduate, was a U.S. Representative, U.S. Secretary
of State, and three times presidential candidate.
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