Nothing Done to Preserve the 
Old Logan Homestead


  Pictures and a few pieces of wood are the only things left to preserve the memory 
  of the old Logan homestead which was located at 210 South Main street on the site 
  now occupied by Vallie's Café.

  Above is pictured a front view of the structure facing South Main street and below 
  is a side view, which also shows the First Christian Church that was destroyed by 
  fire several years ago while occupying the lot now covered by the McCreery Lumber 
  Company.


  The late Frank Spiller and Charles Settlemoir were perhaps the most interested in 
  preserving the remains of the building.  Mr. Spiller took small pieces of wood and 
  made letter openers and at least one gavel to be used by judges presiding over the 
  circuit and county courts.

  Mr. Settlemoir carved out various gadgets, and last year when the lawyers of the 
  county were guests of Gov. Horner and Speaker of the House Louie E Lewis at Spring-
  field, they presented a gavel to Mr. Lewis, it being part of the Logan homestead 
  and was carved by Mr. Settlemoir.

  While legislative groups have spent large sums in perpetuating other historical 
  places in the state, nothing was ever done to preserve the landmark which housed 
  Gen. Logan and his bride while they were residents of Benton.



  Mrs. Logan in a reminiscent story of "Franklin County, an How I Came to Know and 
  Love Its People," concluded with, "Space forbids which I should like to write of 
  the good times we had at the county fairs, court week and other special occasions.  
  Like all generations we had our diversions and times when we laid aside dull care 
  and were made better by reasonable indulgence in amusements.

  Hon. John A. Logan, the lawyer, soldier and statesman, was born February 9, 1826 
  in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Ill., when the state was in its infancy.  He served 
  in the Mexican War as a lieutenant of Company H, First Regiment Illinois Volunteers.

  In 1849 he was elected to the office of county clerk of Jackson county, but soon 
  resigned that position to enter the law department of the Louisville University, 
  where in due time he graduated with honor, and began the practice of law in partner-
  ship with his uncle, Hon. Alex. M. Jenkins.

  In 1852 he was elected to represent Franklin and Jackson counties in the Illinois 
  legislature, for a period of two years, after which he was elected prosecuting 
  attorney for the Third Judicial District, and performed the duties of that office 
  from 1854 to 1857, during which time he resided at Benton and as a member of the 
  Benton bar.

  The purpose of this sketch is mainly to speak of him as a citizen of this county, 
  and a member of its bar.  His history is too well known to need further mention here.  
  He became eminent as a lawyer, able, brave, and heroic as a volunteer general of the 
  army, and pre-eminently useful and brilliant statesman.

  He died at his residence in the city of Washington on Sunday afternoon, December 
  26, 1886.