C.V. Chandler – Businessman / War Veteran / Philanthropist
Charles Vilasco Chandler was born in Macomb, McDonough County, IL., January 25, 1843. His father, Col. Charles Chandler, who died December 26, 1878, was a prominent banker of Macomb and a sagacious financier. In 1852 Chandler was persuaded by his friend William H. Randolph to partner in an investment of land in McDonough County to the…
Read MoreGeorge W. Swink – Businessman & Politician
George Washington Swink, or G.W. Swink, (1836–1910) was a landowner and politician in Colorado and is said to have been the holder of the first timber claim certificate in the United States, issued by President Grover Cleveland on November 3, 1887. George W. Swink was born June 30, 1836, in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, and moved with his parents to Schuyler County, Illinois, when he was four.…
Read MoreVillage of Bardolph
Unforgettable Forgottonia’s Bardolph is located in the central northeast section of McDonough County, 6 miles northeast of Macomb and 5 miles southwest of Bushnell. The village was originally laid out on August 3, 1852 by William H. Randolph and C.V. Chandler of Macomb. It was first established as “Randolph” after it’s founder, until it was discovered another…
Read MoreAdair, IL
Adair was laid out in August 1870 under the name of “Reedyville;” though the name has never been officially changed, the location is known as Adair because that name was given to the post office. The village is an unincorporated part of the New Salem Township and a census-designated place (CDP) in McDonough County, Illinois, It is located…
Read MoreVillage of Good Hope
Established in 1840, the village of Good Hope sits cozily on IL. Rt. 67, seven miles directly north of Macomb, IL. Illinois Route 9 passes just south of town. The Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad also cuts through the village. Good Hope residents have supported a school in their town for many years. It is believed a school…
Read MoreVillage of Sciota
The village of Sciota in Unforgettable Forgottonia was laid out in September 1867 by William B. Clarke and was called Clarkesville in his honor. Another town in Illinois already had been named Clarksville (without the “e”) so when the new town’s post office was established on February 7, 1868, it was called Amicus. This discrepancy between…
Read MoreRay “Rock” Hanson – War Hero / Athletic Coach
Raymond W. “Rock” Hanson former United States Marine Colonel and highly decorated veteran of World War I and World War II, was best known as the football coach at Western Illinois State Teachers College (now Western Illinois University) in Macomb, Illinois from 1926 to 1941. Hanson enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1916 and served during World War I. He was assigned to the 75th Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. Hanson…
Read MoreJames K. Magie – Journalist
James K. Magie was the owner of the Macomb Journal during the Civil War era in Macomb from 1861 to 1865. He accompanied Abraham Lincoln as he traveled around Illinois in the late 1850s debating politics with Stephen Douglas. Magie was with Lincoln in Macomb, when a significant strategy for the debates was settled upon,…
Read MoreMcDonough County Historical Society
Since 1969, the McDonough County Historical Society, a not-for-profit organization, has been an important force for promoting historical understanding and preserving materials that reflect the Forgottonia county’s heritage. Their mission supports the preservation of McDonough County, Illinois heritage. The organization also offers free historical programs at their meetings five times a year (September, November, January, March and…
Read MoreMike Wagner – NFL Super Bowl Champion
Michael Robert Wagner is a former professional football player, a safety for 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He won four Super Bowls as a member of the famed Steel Curtain defense. Born in Waukegan, Illinois, Wagner graduated in 1967 from Carmel High School in Mundelein. He played college football at…
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