Joseph Borough Home

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Joseph Borough Home

1135 East Main St. Carlinville, IL 

Joseph Borough is one of the pre-eminent figures in the origins of Macoupin County. He also served with Abraham Lincoln in the state legislature. 

On April 12, 1829, the first three county commissioners met in Borough's home, which was said to be "about a half-mile east" of the town square.  The following day, Borough's home was also the site of the first county election, where 78 men cast their votes.  Borough was one of five men appointed by the General Assembly to supervise the election.

On June 1, 1829, Borough was one of three commissioners who selected the site of Carlinville as the seat of the new county.  Borough himself was hired to survey fifty lots for Carlinville. He received the sum of seventeen dollars and fifty cents for his work.

A war of 1812 veteran, Borough played a key role in the early history of three counties, including Macoupin.  He was a delegate from Madison County in the first Illinois Constitutional convention.

In 1827, Borough moved his family north to Greene County. He quickly became interested in forming a new county, and lobbied before the state legislature for the establishment of Macoupin County, which was carved from land attached to Greene. Macoupin County was officially formed on Jan. 17, 1829. 

After struggling to gain statewide office, Borough won a Senate seat from Macoupin County in 1836 and was part of the fabled Tenth General Assembly, which historians believe was the most politically talented legislature in state history.  Among the members were Lincoln, Stephen A Douglas, and a host of future governors, Congressmen, and Senators.

Borough acquired sizable amounts of land over the years, and eventually owned some 400 acres. His name is synonymous with the pioneer days of Macoupin County.