Murphysboro in Jackson County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Conrad Will of Brownsville

Photographed By Jason Voigt, November 26, 2020

1. Conrad Will of Brownsville Marker

Inscription. Dr. Conrad Will, the "Father of Jackson County," was born in Pennsylvania in 1779 and came to Illinois in 1813. He was a physician but also operated a grist mill, tannery, and salt works. He was one of the founders of Jackson County and in 1816 donated land for Brownsville, the first county seat. Dr. Will was Jackson County's delegate to the first Illinois Constitutional Convention. He served in the General Assembly from 1818 until his death in 1835. When Will County, Illinois, was created in 1836, it was named in his honor.

Erected 2016 by The descendants of Conrad Will and the Illinois State Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1816.

Location. 37° 45.854′ N, 89° 20.099′ W. Marker is in Murphysboro, Illinois, in Jackson County. Marker is on Walnut Street east of 11th Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in front of the Jackson County courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Walnut St, Murphysboro IL 62966, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jackson County, Illinois (a few steps from this marker); Logan Day 1914

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(a few steps from this marker); Company H 27th Illinois Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. John Logan (within shouting distance of this marker); Israel Blanchard (within shouting distance of this marker); First Coal Mine in Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker); Elizabeth Jenkins Logan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Major General John A. Logan (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murphysboro.

More about this marker. Marker was dedicated on January 23, 2016.

Regarding Conrad Will of Brownsville. Brownsville is located 3.25 miles west of Murphysboro, and was the county seat of Jackson County until 1843 when the courthouse and downtown burned down. It is now a ghost town.

Also see . . .
1. Conrad Will on Wikipedia. (Submitted on November 27, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Jackson County unveils two historical markers. Published by The Southern: On January 23, 2016, this marker along with the Jackson County one (a

Photographed By Jason Voigt, November 26, 2020

2. Conrad Will of Brownsville Marker

Marker is on the right next to the steps

few steps away) were dedicated. Karla Draves, her brother Dane Jensen and their father Kurt Jensen (descendants of Will) unveiled this marker. (Submitted on November 27, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.