James M. Strode
Encyclopedia
James M. Strode was a militia officer and politician from the U.S. state
of Illinois
. He served in the Illinois militia during the Winnebago War
and the Black Hawk War
. Strode, originally from Tennessee, lived much of his life in Galena, Illinois
. In Galena, during the Black Hawk War he was given command of the 27th Regiment of the Illinois militia and oversaw the construction of a fort in that city. Strode was involved in combat during the war at the infamous Battle of Stillman's Run
. In 1835 Strode was elected to represent much of the region of Illinois north of Peoria
in the Illinois State Senate.
of Tennessee
but lived much of life in Illinois
. During the late 1820s Strode lived in Springfield, Illinois
but from 1831 he lived in the city of Galena, Illinois
.
was being waged on the frontier in the mining region of southern Wisconsin
. Strode, living in Springfield, Illinois at the time, was one of hundreds of Sangamon County
volunteers called up by Illinois Governor
Ninian Edwards
. Edwards sent the forces into the lead mining region around Galena, Illinois to protect settlers there from raids by the Ho-Chunk
. Strode enlisted as a private and his company
commander was Captain Bowling Green (or Bowlin Green). Once in Galena, a company of volunteers was formed under the command of Henry Dodge and Strode served as company commander at the rank of captain; Strode's company was mustered into service on August 26, 1827 and discharged on September 16, 1827.
Strode traveled to Chicago
for the first time in 1831 and returned occasionally throughout his life. On one trip to the settlement at Chicago in 1832, with Benjamin Mills and Judge Richard M. Young
, the group became aware of the early unrest in the Black Hawk War
. Once in Chicago they warned the settlers there of the war and its danger to their settlement. Strode was at the disastrous defeat of Major Isaiah Stillman's
militia force at Stillman's Run
. An engagement he attended just for "the fun." Back in Galena, Strode rose to the rank of colonel and was given command of the frontier fort in Galena and the 27th Regiment of the Illinois Militia.
The fort was constructed in Galena beginning on May 19, 1832. The same day as fort construction began Strode detailed a small unit to carry dispatches from to General Henry Atkinson at Dixon's Ferry
(present-day Dixon, Illinois
). The group was ambushed by Kickapoo warriors later that day and one of the messengers was killed
. On May 21, 1832 Strode declared martial law
in Galena; his proclamation demanded that all able bodied men work on completing the fort from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until it was finished. His proclamation also prohibited the sale of "spirits
" at grocers and taverns from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The fort in Galena, known as the Stockade Refuge, was located at the center of town on Perry Street. It featured two blockhouse
s, one centered and the other in the corner of the stockade. The stockade's other three corners contained fortified houses. Strode's fortified home was about 200 feet to the east of the fort, along Bench Street. He also spent his command during the war passing down various orders to respond to incidents of violence across the frontier, such as the Plum River raid
.
state senator
and moved to Chicago a year later. As a state senator Strode represented much of the area north of Peoria
, and in 1835 he introduced legislation authorizing a government loan to commence work on the Illinois and Michigan Canal
. The US$
500,000 loan was negotiated by Illinois Governor Joseph Duncan
, and in June 1836 construction on the canal
began. In July 1836 he was commissioned as the register for the U.S. Land Office in Chicago, whose offices were located in the Saloon Building on Clark Street
.
. Strode worked as a prosecutor
until 1848.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. He served in the Illinois militia during the Winnebago War
Winnebago War
The Winnebago War was a brief conflict that took place in 1827 in the Upper Mississippi River region of the United States, primarily in what is now the state of Wisconsin. Not quite a war, the hostilities were limited to a few attacks on American civilians by a portion of the Winnebago Native...
and the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
. Strode, originally from Tennessee, lived much of his life in Galena, Illinois
Galena, Illinois
Galena is the county seat of, and largest city in, Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the United States, with a population of 3,429 in 2010. The city is a popular tourist destination known for its history, historical architecture, and ski and golf resorts. Galena was the residence of Ulysses S...
. In Galena, during the Black Hawk War he was given command of the 27th Regiment of the Illinois militia and oversaw the construction of a fort in that city. Strode was involved in combat during the war at the infamous Battle of Stillman's Run
Battle of Stillman's Run
The Battle of Stillman's Run, also known as the Battle of Sycamore Creek or the Battle of Old Man's Creek, occurred on May 14, 1832. The battle was named for Major Isaiah Stillman and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia which fled in a panic from a large number of Sauk warriors. According to...
. In 1835 Strode was elected to represent much of the region of Illinois north of Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
in the Illinois State Senate.
Early life
James M. Strode was from the U.S. stateU.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
but lived much of life in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. During the late 1820s Strode lived in Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
but from 1831 he lived in the city of Galena, Illinois
Galena, Illinois
Galena is the county seat of, and largest city in, Jo Daviess County, Illinois in the United States, with a population of 3,429 in 2010. The city is a popular tourist destination known for its history, historical architecture, and ski and golf resorts. Galena was the residence of Ulysses S...
.
Military service
James M. Strode began his military service on July 20, 1827 as the Winnebago WarWinnebago War
The Winnebago War was a brief conflict that took place in 1827 in the Upper Mississippi River region of the United States, primarily in what is now the state of Wisconsin. Not quite a war, the hostilities were limited to a few attacks on American civilians by a portion of the Winnebago Native...
was being waged on the frontier in the mining region of southern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. Strode, living in Springfield, Illinois at the time, was one of hundreds of Sangamon County
Sangamon County, Illinois
Sangamon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 197,465, which is an increase of 4.5% from 188,951 in 2000...
volunteers called up by Illinois Governor
Governor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
Ninian Edwards
Ninian Edwards
Ninian Edwards was a founding political figure of the state of Illinois. He served as the first and only governor of the Illinois Territory from 1809 to 1818, as one of the first two United States Senators from Illinois from 1818 to 1824, and as the third Governor of Illinois from 1826 to 1830...
. Edwards sent the forces into the lead mining region around Galena, Illinois to protect settlers there from raids by the Ho-Chunk
Ho-Chunk
The Ho-Chunk, also known as Winnebago, are a tribe of Native Americans, native to what is now Wisconsin and Illinois. There are two federally recognized Ho-Chunk tribes, the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska....
. Strode enlisted as a private and his company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
commander was Captain Bowling Green (or Bowlin Green). Once in Galena, a company of volunteers was formed under the command of Henry Dodge and Strode served as company commander at the rank of captain; Strode's company was mustered into service on August 26, 1827 and discharged on September 16, 1827.
Strode traveled to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
for the first time in 1831 and returned occasionally throughout his life. On one trip to the settlement at Chicago in 1832, with Benjamin Mills and Judge Richard M. Young
Richard M. Young
Richard Montgomery Young was a U.S. Senator from Illinois.Young was born in Fayette County, Kentucky and was admitted to the bar in 1814. In 1817, he moved his law practices to Jonesboro, Illinois and was appointed a Captain in the State Militia. He served in the Illinois state house from...
, the group became aware of the early unrest in the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
. Once in Chicago they warned the settlers there of the war and its danger to their settlement. Strode was at the disastrous defeat of Major Isaiah Stillman's
Isaiah Stillman
Cavalry Major Isaiah Stillman led Illinois militia in the first armed confrontation of the Black Hawk War against Black Hawk’s Sauk Indian Band...
militia force at Stillman's Run
Battle of Stillman's Run
The Battle of Stillman's Run, also known as the Battle of Sycamore Creek or the Battle of Old Man's Creek, occurred on May 14, 1832. The battle was named for Major Isaiah Stillman and his detachment of 275 Illinois militia which fled in a panic from a large number of Sauk warriors. According to...
. An engagement he attended just for "the fun." Back in Galena, Strode rose to the rank of colonel and was given command of the frontier fort in Galena and the 27th Regiment of the Illinois Militia.
The fort was constructed in Galena beginning on May 19, 1832. The same day as fort construction began Strode detailed a small unit to carry dispatches from to General Henry Atkinson at Dixon's Ferry
Dixon's Ferry
Dixon's Ferry was the former name for Dixon, Illinois, United States. It was located on the bank of the Rock River near present day Illinois Route 26, John Dixon operated a rope ferry service to transport mail from Peoria to Galena. He also established the first post office. The surrounding...
(present-day Dixon, Illinois
Dixon, Illinois
Dixon is a city in Lee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,733 as of the 2010 census, down from 15,941 at the 2000 census. Named for its founder, John Dixon , it is the county seat of Lee County. Located on the Rock River, Dixon was the boyhood home of former U.S...
). The group was ambushed by Kickapoo warriors later that day and one of the messengers was killed
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
. On May 21, 1832 Strode declared martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
in Galena; his proclamation demanded that all able bodied men work on completing the fort from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until it was finished. His proclamation also prohibited the sale of "spirits
Distilled beverage
A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
" at grocers and taverns from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The fort in Galena, known as the Stockade Refuge, was located at the center of town on Perry Street. It featured two blockhouse
Blockhouse
In military science, a blockhouse is a small, isolated fort in the form of a single building. It serves as a defensive strong point against any enemy that does not possess siege equipment or, in modern times, artillery...
s, one centered and the other in the corner of the stockade. The stockade's other three corners contained fortified houses. Strode's fortified home was about 200 feet to the east of the fort, along Bench Street. He also spent his command during the war passing down various orders to respond to incidents of violence across the frontier, such as the Plum River raid
Plum River raid
The Plum River raid was a bloodless skirmish that occurred at present-day Savanna, Illinois, on May 21, 1832, as part of the Black Hawk War. Most of the settlement's inhabitants, except for a few defenders, had fled for Galena, Illinois, before the raid happened...
.
Political career
In August 1832 Strode was elected as a DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
state senator
State Senator
A state senator is a member of a state's Senate, the upper house in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a legislator in Nebraska's one house State Legislature.There are typically fewer state senators than there are members of a state's lower house...
and moved to Chicago a year later. As a state senator Strode represented much of the area north of Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
, and in 1835 he introduced legislation authorizing a government loan to commence work on the Illinois and Michigan Canal
Illinois and Michigan Canal
The Illinois and Michigan Canal ran from the Bridgeport neighborhood in Chicago on the Chicago River to LaSalle-Peru, Illinois, on the Illinois River. It was finished in 1848 when Chicago Mayor James Hutchinson Woodworth presided over its opening; and it allowed boat transportation from the Great...
. The US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
500,000 loan was negotiated by Illinois Governor Joseph Duncan
Joseph Duncan (politician)
Joseph Duncan was a U.S. politician. He served as the sixth Governor of Illinois from 1834 to 1838. He was a Democrat and a two-term U.S. Representative....
, and in June 1836 construction on the canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
began. In July 1836 he was commissioned as the register for the U.S. Land Office in Chicago, whose offices were located in the Saloon Building on Clark Street
Clark Street (Chicago)
Clark Street is a north-south street in Chicago, Illinois that runs close to the shore of Lake Michigan from the northern city boundary with Evanston, to 2200 South in the city street numbering system...
.
Late life
Strode worked as an attorney for much of his life and after 1837 he was a "practicing member" of the Chicago Bar AssociationChicago Bar Association
Founded in 1874, the Chicago Bar Association is a voluntary bar association with over 20,000 members. Like other bar associations, it concerns itself with professional ethics, networking among members, and continuing legal education. It is located adjacent to the John Marshall Law School in the...
. Strode worked as a prosecutor
Prosecutor
The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
until 1848.