FAIRFIELD IS 63 YEARS OF AGE

Old Book Containing Record of First Incorporation is Found

Wayne County Press

Feb. 25, 1909

(Fairfield Sun.)

Donated by Betty Beeson

An old and warn book recently found among the pile of old records and books of different kinds in the office of Adam Rinard, and turned over to City Clerk Lewis, is of much interest, containing incorporation of the village of Fairfield. It appears the town was first incorporated in June, 1846 and again in September, 1848, and again in May, 1856. We copy below the record of the first incorporation with some of the actions of the trustees, which will be of interest.

Fairfield, Illinois, June 1, 1846. At a meeting of the citizens of the town of Fairfield, in Wayne County, Illinois, held at the court house on Monday, the first day of June A. D., 1846, for the purpose of incorporating said town, Ridgon B. Slocumb was appointed president of said meeting and Edwin Beecher, clerk, who were respectively sworn to perform the duties as such by Joseph G. Barkley, an acting Justice of the Peace of said county.

It appearing that due notice of said meeting has been given as required by law, a vote was thereupon taken upon incorporating said town, when the following persons voted in favor of such incorporation, viz:

Daniel Turney, Thomas Cooper, William McNely, Robert Wilson, Joseph G. Barkley, Richard L. Boggs, Samuel McDaniel, J. W. Barnhill, Isaac S. Warmoth, James B. Ardery, Caleb Wilmana, James Klecker, Charles Wood, R. B. Slocumb, Isaac Sailor, Sampson Wickersham, Edwin Beecher, being 18 votes in favor of and none against such incorporation and there being no other legal voters present.

On motion the meeting adjourned June 1^st 1846. President.

Edwin Beecher, Clerk.

At an election held on the 8^th day of June 1846, by the legal voters of the Town of Fairfield, to elect trustees for the corporation of the said town of Fairfield, R. B. Slocumb, president, and E. Beecher, clerk, The following votes were given by said electors, viz:

James Kleckner, Thomas Cooper, J. G. Barkley, I. Sailor, S. McDaniel, A. T. Dozier, John McLean, E. Beecher, R. L. Boggs, R. B. Slocumb, Charles Hornbrook, Jas. B. Ardery, Willis Harper.

        It appearing that the five persons receiving the highest votes, were Rigdon B. Slocumb, Thomas Cooper, James B. Ardery, Sampson Wickersham and Edwin Beecher they were declared, by the President, legally elected.

        On motion the meeting adjourned. President.

        Edwin Beecher, Clerk.