The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Hancock County's Bi-Centennial Celebration Begins

President’s Message, by Keith Bruns, President

"Welcome to the year 2025, our 200th birthday of the county.  The Hancock County Historical Society, along with county and city officials within the county, and businesses will be participating in and helping with the celebration throughout the year.  We will be keeping people appraised on the celebration in our newsletter throughout 2025." 

Keith Bruns went on to say, "Hancock County, Illinois was a part of the Northwest Territory and was ceded to the United States on March 1, 1784.  Our county was a wilderness; its forest untouched by axe, its prairies covered by many wild grasses and pools of water.  Originally inhabited by the Sauk and Fox nations, early European-American settlers increased after the War of 1812.

"When Pike County was organized in 1821, this new county included Hancock County territory, and this condition continued until 1825."

Bicentennial committee members are Sharon Banner, Keith Bruns, Joyce Buckert, Susan Cheney, Patsy Davis, Amy Gee, Amy Graham, Samantha Harnack, Darre  Spangler, Bob Steinman, Cynthia Stewart, David Walker, Holly A. Wilde-Tillman, Sherry Wright, Brenda Young. Doug Lindner, editor of the Hancock County Journal Pilot, aided in publicity of the bicentennial events.

"Please attend as many events held in Hancock County as possible as noted in our newsletter, radio, TV and news in the Tri-states.  If you have questions, please call the Hancock County Historical Society 217-357-0043 about the events.

2 BICENTENNIAL FLAG RAISING

On January 13, 2025, the 200th year of Hancock County was celebrated with a flag ceremony at 8:45 a.m. on the courthouse yard.  Bob Steinman welcomed the crowd with Rev. Clark Irwin giving prayer.

Dan Moffitt, representative of the Moffitt family, Bicentennial Hancock County Farm owners helped raise the flag; the National Anthem was presented by Carol Brower and Janet Carlisle; Closing remarks were given by Sheriff Travis Duffy.  Five flags were flown and donated by Sheriff Duffy.  Courthouse tours were conducted that day.

The Proclamation Ceremony began at 1:00 p.m. with the welcome given by Bob Steinman and Holly Wilde-Tillman offering the prayer.  Mark Menn, Chairman of the County Board also addressed the crowd.  

An early history of Hancock County was given by Joy Swearingen.  Retired Judge Stephen Evans also gave a history of our county.  Presentation of Bicentennial events was announced by Bob Steinman.  Holly Wilde-Tillman, County Clerk,  gave closing remarks.

On the back of the program for the opening day of celebration notes:

1. The county was named for John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence and a prominent figure of the American Revolution.

2. In 1825 there were less than 350 inhabitants within the boundaries of Hancock County, IL.  As a result, Hancock County was attached to Adams for the purpose of county business.  On June 15, 1829, Judge Richard M. Young, being judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Illinois, entered into record that Hancock County contained upwards of 350 inhabitants and now ordered an election to be held on the first Monday of August 1829 for the three county commissioners, one sheriff and one coroner.  The election was held in Ft. Edwards, what is now Warsaw, Illinois.

3. There was a Lowering of the Flag ceremony at 3:45 p.m. by Cub Scout Pack #39 and Boy Scout Troop #72 and presented the Flag to the County.

Other activities in January through March 2025 include:  

Students from eight elementary schools and four high schools learning about Hancock County history and participating in contests.  Winning entries will be displayed at the Hancock County courthouse from March 17th through the 31st.