Eighth Judicial Circuit

Adams County FYI

Named after John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States, and not for John Adams, second President, as is sometimes stated.

The first County Court of Adams county was duly organized at the house of Willard Keyes. In Quincy on Monday, July 4, 1825.

Brown County FYI

Named for Jacob Brown [1775-1828] was a Brigadier General of NY volunteers during the early years of the War of 1812. By 1815, he was Commander-in-chief of the Army. He received a gold medal for his action at Chippewa, Erie, and Niagra.

Calhoun County FYI

Named for John C. Calhoun, a lawyer and statesman, Representative in Congress and United States Senator from South Carolina, Secretary of War under Monroe, Vice-President of the United States, and Secretary of State under Tyler, and was recognized as the "Father of Nullification."

Cass County FYI

Named for Lewis Cass, a soldier as well as a statesman, Territorial Governor of Michigan, Minister to France, United States Senator from Michigan, Secretary of War under Jackson, Secretary of State under Buchanan, and at one time a prominent candidate for the Presidency.

Mason County FYI

The name was chosen by influence of emigrants from Mason County, Kentucky. Mason County, on the Ohio River in northeast Kentucky was formed in 1789. The Kentucky County was named for George Mason [1725-1792], a member of the Virginia house of burgesses. He was also a member of the Virginia Convention of 1775 and the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Mason was the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights which was adopted in June 1776.

Menard County FYI

Named for Pierre Menard, Colonel of the Territorial militia, and first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.

New Market, Huron, Miller's Ferry and Petersburg were the contestants for the county seat, it was decided in favor of Petersburg.

In 1843, the courthouse was erected, at a cost of $6,640. About the time the courthouse was built, a jail was erected, at a cost of $300. This served as a repository of the lawless until 1870, when a new jail was put up, of brick and stone, which cost about $22,000

Pike County FYI

Named of Zebulon Pike, an early explorer of the Louisiana purchase. He was a General of the War of 1812.

In 1833, when the county seat moved to Pittsfield a new building was erected. It was a two-story frame house that cost just over $1,000. In 1839, yet another courthouse was built at a cost of $15,000. This latest building served the needs of the county until 1894 when the present courthouse was completed.

Schuyler County FYI

Named for Philip Schuyler, a soldier of the French and Indian wars, a Major General of the Revolution, a member of the Continental Congress and United States Senator from New York.