An excerpt from a Belleville News Democrat article describing Thomas Brady, our first Sheriff.
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
Belleville's history forever tied to America's military
While many patriots retired to the area, a few were here before the Revolution.
Thomas Brady lived in Cahokia before the war. He mustered a group of fighting men from Cahokia and Prairie du Pont that in 1777 marched to St. Joseph, Mich., to free an enemy-held garrison, according to local historians.
Only one man was lost in the fighting as they captured the garrison. But as they tried to return home, the British caught them near Calumet (now part of the city of Chicago). Two of Brady's soldiers died in the fight, and he was taken prisoner. He escaped and returned home, where he was appointed the first St. Clair County sheriff in 1790.
Contact reporter Scott Wuerz at swuerz@bnd.com or 239-2626. Contact reporter Jennifer A. Bowen at jbowen@bnd.com or 239-2667.
