CHAPTER XXII.
Pg. 78

The Growth of Population After 1860.

     According to the United States Census Reports, Union County had a population of 11,145 in 1860, 16,370 in 1870, 17,830 in 1880, 21,549 in 1890, 22,610 in 1900, 21,856 in 1910, 20,249 in 1920 and 19,883 in 1930.  It will be interesting to see what the results of the present census will be since two large new industries have been established here since 1930.
     These figures indicate that the population increased steadily until 1900 since which time it has gradually decreased.  In the first ten years of this century it decreased as much as it had grown the the preceding ten years.
     Many factors caused this change in population.  After the building of the Illinois Central railroad the government was not the only agency promoting land settlement because, since the railroad had been granted large tracts of land by the government, the railroads also maintained land offices and paid horticulturists to study the soil and help the settles decide what crops would be the most profitable and the most suitable for the soil.  These horticulturists were probably the forerunners of our farm bureaus of today that have developed.  Settlers from many parts of the United States were attracted by the reports of their horticulturists.
     Another reason for the increase of more rapid transportation.  Transportation facilities have been related to the growth in agriculture and also in the more recent developments in manufacturing.
     The St. Louis and Cairo Railroad was built through the county passing through Jonesboro.  When the city of Jonesboro was asked to aid in the development, it responded by buying bonds amounting to $100,000 but later cancelled $57,000 worth of the bonds because the road was not completed at the agreed time.  It seems that the person, or president of the company who sold the rails to the railroad died and because his estate was tied up by litigation, the rails were not delivered at the agreed time.
     The building of the two railroads, the Illinois Central and the St. Louis to Cairo roads furnished not only work for the persons constructing the roads but also subsidiary industries appeared.
     At first almost all the farmers sold most of their surplus lumber they acquired from clearing their fields to the railroads for making ties, rails and also for stove wood because for many years the trains were heated and driven by wood for fuel.
     Several years after the first line of the Illinois Central was built through Union County, the "Mud Line" of this company was built through the county passing thru Wolf Lake and Ware. 
     Until the 1920's the railroads provided most of the means of transportation in the county.  Then as hard roads began to be completed all over the state, truck lines developed.
     Union county has not been affected much by the introduction of air transportation.

Page 78 -

     It is interesting to study population figures in the census showing that population decreased in the rural areas and increased in the towns after 1900 when population began to decline.  According to the census report:
Alto Pass Precinct decreased from 1522 in 1910 to 1304 in 1920 and 1298 in 1930. 
Alto Pass village decreased from 551 in 1900 to 500 in 1920 and 485 in 1930. 
Anna Precinct increased from 5,979 in 1910 to 5,986 in 1920 and 6,561 in 1930. 
The city of Anna increased from 2,809 in 1910 to 3,019 in 1920 and 3,436 in 1930. 
Balcom Precinct decreased from 523 in 1920 to 514 in 1930. 
Cobden Precinct decreased from 3,200 in 1910 to 2,560 in 1920 and increased to 2,712 in 1930. 
The village of Cobden had 988 population in 1910, 944 in 1920 and 1036 in 1930. 
Dongola Precinct decreased from 2,545 in 1910 to 2,106 in 1920 and 1,910 in 1930. 
The village of Dongola decreased from 702 in 1910 to 660 in 1920 and 635 in 1930. 
Jonesboro Precinct decreased from 2,561 in 1910 to 2,278 in 1920 and increased to 2,356 in 1930. 
The village of Jonesboro decreased from 1,169 in 1910 to 1,090 in 1920 and increased to 1,241 in 1920. 
Lick Creek Precinct decreased from 797 in 1910 to 694 in 1920 and 514 in 1930. 
Mill Creek Precinct decreased from 627 in1910 to 583 in 1820 and 508 in 1930. 
The village of Mill Creek decreased from 221 in 1910 to 209 in 1920 and 173 in 1930. 
Meisenheimer decreased from 403 in 1910 to 353 in 1920 and 296 in 1930. 
Preston  increased from 341 in 1910 to 352 in 1920 and 375 in 1930. 
Reynolds Precinct increased from 601 in 1910 to 678 in 1920 and decreased to 503 in 1930.
Rich Precinct was decreased from 591 in 1910 to 414 in 1920 and 292 in 1930.
Saratoga Precinct decreased from 902 in 1910 to 749 in 1920 and 657 in 1930.
Stokes Precinct decreased from 896 n 1910 to 748 and 1920 and 512 in 1930.
Union Precinct increased from 911 in 1910 and 941 in 1920 and decreased to 875 in 1920.
     The city of Anna had the largest increased in population and Rich Precinct had the largest decrease in population.
     As time went on the mode of living of the people became less and less difficult.  House were more comfortable, furniture furnishings of the home grew from the bare necessities to the comforts and beauty of many of our present homes.
     One thing that made life easier for the farmer was the establishment of rural free delivery.
     Mr. "Dick" Grear who is still living was our first mail carrier.  He began his work in 1900 for $365 per year.  He says that he could live comfortably on that amount of money in those days because it cost him very little to feed his horse and maintain his carriage.  At the time he became the carrier of route on there were only 1200 rural mail routes established in the United States.  At that time he was allowed also to deliver groceries and other packages to the farmer as well as the mail.
     As time went on life became more comfortable in this county with the introduction of modern conveniences, electricity, waterworks, paving, etc.