In 1968 the Cumberland County Historical and Genealogical Society of Illinois decided to commemorate the Sesquicentennial Year of the State of Illinois by creating a history of the county since 1884, which they named “Cumberland County History”. This decision was made after the Battey volume of the history of Cumberland, Jasper, and Richland was published in 1884 and the courthouse burned down in 1885, causing the loss of nearly all county records.
Rather than attempting to provide a comprehensive history of all organizations and individuals, the society focused on updating the county’s story from 1884 to 1968. To accomplish this, the society requested that a member of each family represented in the 1884 book provide information about their family up to 1968. Although many individuals responded to this request, some did not, resulting in an incomplete history. The society’s volunteers worked diligently to create this partial history, which was the result of their tireless and conscientious efforts.
Digital Book
Table of Contents
- Towns and Townships p. 1
- Business p. 67
- Churches p. 90
- Schools p. 125
- Organizations p. 147
- Military – p. 164
- Bits p. 196
- Biographies p. 213
- Pictures p. 578