Government

Government - local, state, and national levels - directly connect to DeKalb County's history. Objects can show us how everyday people lived their lives in the public sphere. In some cases, objects illuminate the relationship of ordinary people's lives with a government of them, by them, and for them. The objects in this section point to the balance between the roles of government in our lives and our roles in government.

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Wooden Box, circa 1861.
This box used by Captain Richard Smith would have held personal belongings and toiletries.
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Temperance Pledge, circa 1861-2
Temperance Pledge from Company F of the 13th Illinois Infantry Regiment, 1861-2.
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Western Union Telegram, 1920

Western Union Telegram about the passage of the 19th Amendment, September 3, 1920, fifteen days after the Amendment was passed.

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Petition with Signatures, 1903

Petition with signatures to move the county seat from Sycamore to DeKalb, 1903.

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DeKalb County World War I Ledger
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Official DeKalb County World War I ledger featuring Corporal Samuel Croswell, 92nd Division of the 365th Infantry Regiment.

Baseball glove circa 1944
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Baseball glove used by Jack E. Blevins while stationed in the Navy during World War II, circa 1944.
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Poor Farm Ledgers, 1860-1925
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The County Poor farm provided relief to local poor, and often included orphans, older people as well as the chronically and mentally ill.

"Gypsies" Mugshot, 1940.
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Mugshot and police records from people identified as "gypsies," 1940.
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Copy Books, 1863.
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Copy book used to document the history of the DeKalb County properties, 1863.

Township Minute book, 1858.
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Documenting the voter lists, election results and bills from DeKalb Township.

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Mayfield Grange table, circa 1940.
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Handmade table used by the Mayfield Grange featuring local businesses.

Earliest patent originating from DeKalb County, 1858.
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The earliest patent originating from DeKalb County was C.W. and W.W. Marsh's Improvement in Reaping Machines - also known as a Harvester Rake (Patent #21, 207), 1858.