L I E) RAR.Y OF THE U N IVERSITY or ILLINOIS liUNois mi'jr'vi tm^ / y i ^^'- on various topics that cannot but prove interesting and acceptable to ..^t-ejur patrons. Messrs. J. Simpson, Dr. A. W. Hyde, E. Mathews, I'ltKFACK. N. D. Hillis, M. S. (ireeiK Mrs. Pliebe Button, and many others who have contributed to tlic work in Henderson County, have placed the patrons of tlie work under lasting obligations for \-alu- able matter rescued from oblivion, where it was surely tending. The biographical department contains the names and ])rivate sketches of nearly every person of im])ortance in the counties. A few persons, whose sketches we would be pleased to have presented, for various reasons refused or delayed furnishing us with the desired information, and in this matter only we feel that our work is incom- plete. However, in most of such cases we have obtained, in i*egard to the most important ])ersons, some items, and have woven them into the county or township sketches, so that, as we believe, we cannot })e accused of negligence, partiality or jjrejudice. LIST OF PORTRAITS. William Drury, Vashti Drury, J. M. Emerson, Fredrick Frick, B. C. Taliaferro, William Gayle, . Daniel Mowry, Samuel Careen, . James Heaton, J. S. Brokaw, Mary A. Brokaw, . Richard Kiddoo, Dennis Murto, J. F. CURTS, . Martin Bear, . Mrs. Martin Bear, Jacob Bear, SvjiuEL Mickey, George McPherren, Thomas Candor, . Dan W. Sedwick, . WiLLiAJi Hanna, J. C. Cabeen, S. P. Cabeen, John Cooper, . j. musgove, William Beaty, Joseph Glancey, c. schenck, Daniel Jones, George Curry, J. AV. KiMEL, M. C. Paul, C. D. Eltinge, James F. Peasley, . J. W. Brook, Mary C. Brook, 33 H. B. Fraziek, . 699 51 Charles E. Drew, . 717 69 R. A. McKinley, . . 735 87 A. J. Streeter, 753 105 A. P. Petrie, . 771 . 123 R. A. Lomax, . 789 141 William Lomax, . 807 . 159 B. C. COGHILL, . 825 177 G. W. Chandler, . 843 . 195 Alvah W. Paul, 861 213 Joseph Allen, . * . . 879 231 W. H. CORTELYOU, . 897 249 Lewis Duke, . 913 . 267 James Duke, 931 285 J. B. Patterson, . . 949 . 303 R. H. Barnes, . 967 321 P. D. Salter, . 985 339 David Rankin, 1003 357 F. M. Davidson, . . 1021 . 375 George H. Dixson, 1039 393 Joseph Dixson, . 1057 . 411 T. G. RiCHEY, . 1075 429 A. L. Porter, . 1093 . 447 John N. Bruen, 1111 465 I. J. Brook, . . . . . 1129 . 483 H. W. Whiteman, . '. 1147 501 Samuel Galbraith, . 1165 . 519 A. Wallbaum, 1183 537 William B. Dean, . 1201 . 555 William H. Gittings, . 1219 573 George C. Watson, . 1237 . 591 Isaac T. Harter, 1255 609 A. 0. McQuowN, . . 1273 . 627 William Mc^Millan, 1309 645 S. S. Hutchinson, . 1327 . 663 R. W. RlCIIEY, . 1345 681 INDEX. Abington Township 512 Accidents, Biggsville 1337 Adams, John B 740 Additional Matter 820 Additional Matter 1407 Agricultural Society 1330 Akin, James M 998 Aledo, Mercer County 539 Aledo Public Schools 564 " Aledo Weekly Record," 552 Allen, John S 204 Allen, Joseph 1282 Alyea, Thomas 99 Anderson, Joseph 505 Anderson, Alexander 987 Anderson, James 990 Anderson, William W 1405 Annegers, G. Henry 1 046 Annegers, Herman G., Jr 1049 Annegers, Herman G., Sr 1049 Ansley, Dr. J. M 738 Arthur, Martha 108(5 A Scrap of Ancient History 99 Associate Reformed Branch, Suez Township 630 Atkins, John H 1136 Attig, Nicholas 510 Bailey, John A 1391 Bailey, William Stuart 1042 Bainter, Peter C 1312 Bald Bluff Churches 1140 Bald Bluff Township 1142 Baker, Dr. Jacob Russell 529 Banking in Keithsburg 152 Barnes, J. E 1007 Barnes, Robert H 1128 Barnett, John 1192 Bassett, Isaac Newton 832 Bay, James E 293 Beal, Perry 1086 Bear, Jacob 293 Bear, Martin 287 Beard, Dr. E 1133 Beatv, Ely 1083 Beck, Robert C 1268 Beckett, Joseph 1314 Bedford Townshii) 1096 Bell, John 252 Bell, John , 263 Bell, Silas W 1397 Bell, William 1392 Bentley, James L 604 Beverlin, Thomas 293 Biggs, John 989 Biggsville Township 1315 Biggsville, Village of. 1332 Biographical, Bald Bluff 1151 Biographical, Bedford 1113 Biographical, Biggsville 1348 Biographical, Carman Township 1404 Biographical, Greenville 1079 Biographical, Honey Creek 1205 Biographical, Olena Township . . . 1035 Biographical, Oquawka 962 Biographical, South Henderson.. 1248 Biographical, Terra Haute 1280 Biographical, Walnut Grove 1174 Biographical — Abington Township 515 Duncan Township 498 Eliza Township 287 Greene Township 671 Keithsburg Township 118 Ohio Grove Township 444 Millersburg Township 205 Mercer Township 583 New Boston Township 72 North Henderson Township . 809 Perryton Township 324 Preemption Township 713 Richland Grove Township . . . 737 Rivoli TownshiiJ 763 Suez Township 634 Birdsall, Paul D 1354 Bishop, Edwin 289 Bi.ssell, Ammi 690 Black Hawk W^ar 23 Black, Albert 1048 Black, Sauniel Wilson 1048 Black, William 1048 Blue, George A . . . . .- 813 Boden, William N 1009 Boise, Milton S 618' Bolton, William 1312 Boone. George 248 Boone, Hopkins 659 Boone, Washington 607 Bopes, David 327 Boruff, Milton 506 Bowen, John 1136 Boyd, Joseph P "251 Boyd, John R 1383 Boyd, Martin 597 Boyd, William C 259 Bradford, W. W 336, Brady, John, Jr 242 Brain, William 326 Brainard, Charles H 1263 Brainard, Davis S 1002 Bras, Charles W Ill Braucht, Jacob 247 Braucht, John 503 Breckenridge, Hugh 748 Breckenridge, William (,' ()91 8 INDEX, Bredsford, Harrison 1390 Brewer, Louis Waldo 527 Bridger, G. W 116 Bridger, Henry T 644 Bridger, James 742 Bridgfprd, Oliver A 241 Bridgford, W. A 238 Britt, Zelota 1119 Brock, John W 984 Brokaw, Abram 1122 Brokaw, Josiah 1139 Brook, Isaiah J 1254 Brook, James William » . . . . 1054 Brook, John A 1189 Brooks, Benjamin F 1012 Brooks, Isaac 782 Brouse, Charles AV 1396 Brown, Allen S 811 Brown, Benjamin F 809 Brown, Harrison 637 Brown, John H 451 Brown, Joshua H 643 Brown, Loami 622 Brown, Samuel 622 Brownlee, David S 650 Brownlee, James H 648 Brownlee, William C 461 Briggs, William 723 Bristol, C. Beecher 738 Bruen, John N 1248 Bruen, Stephen H 1295 Bruington, George 648 Bruington, Gus 643 Bryan, William P 1311 Bryans, David 1081 Bullock, John V 529 Burgett, Frederick P 154 Business of Aledo 548 Butler, James H 1123 Butler, Jesse 1289 Cabeen, Hon. Robert J 525 Cabeen, John W 445 Cabeen, Samuel 445 Cabeen, Samuel P 444 Cabeen, Thomas B 153 Cable, Richland Grove Township 737 Calhoun, Henry G 180 Campbell, Alexander 202 Campbell, Dr. James A 616 Campbell, Matthew S 639 Campbell, Robert 647 Campbell, John 1088 Campbell, Jolin 1395 Campbells, The 199 Cameron, Peter 725 Candor, Capt. Daniel M 334 Candor, Josiah 334 Candor, Thomas 446 Cannum, Mark 603 Carman Township 1401 Carothers, Andrew, Jr 1046 Carothers, Andrew, Sr 1046 Carothers, Jacob 1046 Carothers, John, Jr 1051 Cartwright, George 1213 Carver, Jesse 720 Carver, Redding L 720 Castle, Edward M 504 Caswell, James A 1005 Cemeteries, Walnut Grove 1171 Cemeteries of Ohio Grove Town- ship 443 Cemetery of Greene Township . . . 668 Cemetery of Suez Township 632 Chandler, George W 1285 Chandler, John T 1305 Chard, William J 1187 Chidester, Nelson 745 Chidester, Sidney 100 Childs, Augustus B 823 Chowning, Dr. John P 264 Church, Beard 472 Churches in Greenville 1072 Churches of Bedford 1098 Churches of Biggsville 1339 Churches of Oquawka 954 Churches of Aledo 575 Churches of Duncan Township. . . 495 Churches of Millersburg 217 Churches of New Boston 86 Churches of Rivoli Township. . . . 755 Churches, South Henderson 1236 Churches, Terre Haute Tp 1279 Churches, Walnut Grove 1167 Circuit Court of Henderson county 883 Cisna, Zilile 1406 Cistern Tragedy 1402 Clark, Lemuel T 1155 Clark, James G 739 Clark, Samuel 737 Clark, Sarah 737 Clarke, David Andrew 719 Clarke, G. R 20 Clover, Cornelius 1207 Cluff, John W 1209 Cochran, William 1089 Cofiian, Martin L 605 Cole, William Anderson 620 Coleman, John 780 Collins, J. H 510 Collins, William P 674 Commissioners' Record 56 Constitutional Conventions 908 Cook, Henry C 188 Cool, George M 616 Cooper, David H 329 Cooper, Hamlet 329 Cooper, Levi 338 Cooper, Ephraim 1155 Cooper, John 1151 Cooper, John 1215 Cooper, R 991 Company E, 9th Regiment 701 Company A and G, 13th Regiment 788 Company I, 17th Regiment 730 Company C, 26th Infantry 703 Company G, 27th Regiment 787 Company C, 36th Regiment 729 Company A, 37th Regiment 729 Company B, 65th Regiment 853 INDEX. 9 Company D, 83d Regiment 794 Company D, 83d Regiment 854 Company G, 124th Regiment 794 Company G, 124th Regiment 850 Company B, 126th Regiment 795 Company B, 126th Regiment 858 Company F, 140th Regiment 796 Company F, 140th Regiment 859 Company C, 11th Cavah-y 859 Company H, 11th Cavalry 860 Connell, James H 833 Connolly, William 722 Conway, Joseph 721 Correll Richard H 1188 Cortelyou, R. V 1128 Cortelyou, William H 1135 Corns, Warner 344 County Officers, Henderson county 899 Cowden, George Henry 1369 Cowden, Isaac B 1043 Cox, Richard 744 Cox, John G 1118 Crabs, George D 325 Cramer, R. S 112 Crane, J. H 244 Crane, Robert W 1210 Creighton, Samuel M 460 Crenshaw, J. W 1299 Crime in Greenville 1068 Criswell, Dr. M 333 Cronch, W. A. M 1083 Crosby, Edwin T 680 Crownover, Robert 1213 Cullison, William B 778 Cummins, Thomas S 190 Cumming, John 1007 Cunningham, James 1006 Curry, George 1037 Curry, William 1214 Curts, John 1036 Dallas City 1204 Damp, Michael 341 Darrah, Charles B 1088 David, Dr. E. B 619 Davidson, Francis Marion 1189 Davis, Abner 964 Davis, Abner 1054 Davis, Andrew J 1055 Davison, D. A 260 Dean, James Henry 1044 Dean, William B 1207 Deceased otficers, Henderson Co. 1198 Deets, Joseph 819 Dehaven, Alfred 1409 Delany, William 1 195 Democratic Press in Aledo 554 Denison Family 73 Deiiison, Henry W 92 Descrijition of Mercer County. ... 31 Detwiler, Charlds W " 622 Detwiler, Lewis Cass 621 Dilley, John Webster 620 Dilley, William 458 Dingwell, John 647 Discoveries 17 Ditto, John W 522 Ditto, George W 1153 Dixson, George H 1177 Dixson, Joseph 1176 Doak, Daniel F 174 Doak, William 345 Dool, John .- 262 Dool, Robert 343 Doughty, Lucien B 613 Doughty. Thomas L 103 Ooughty, T. H Ill Douglass, Samuel C 1352 Douglass, Andrew J 517 Drew, Charles E 1055 Duke, James 1082 Duke, Lewis 1082 Duncan, John C 1380 Durling, A 1119 Downey, Joseph A 259 Downing, John 265 Drury, C'ourtney 94 Drury, Silas 289 Drury, William 93 Dryden, Cary 252 Duncan, Jonathan 454 Duncan Township 492 Dunlap, Isaac N 593 Dunn, Henry 498 Dynn, John 191 Dunn, J. M 336 Durston, ( 'harles F 597 Durston, Samuel L 775 Durston, Sidnej^ 774 Fames, Thadeus 1000 Early Courts 820 Early History of Richland Grove Township 732 Earlv Settlement of Greene Tpi . . 656 Early Settlement of Suez Tp 623 Early Settlements 45 Early Settlement Biggsville 1318 Early Settlements of Henderson county 867 Early Settlers of (ii-eenville 1065 Early schools. South Henderson. 1233 Eckley, George 738 Edgar, Richard S 247 Edmunds, Marion 1308 Edmunds, Oliver 1284 Education in Perryton Township . 347 Educational, Greenville 1070 Education in Henderson countv. • 1196 Edwards, Nicholas :..:... 590 Edwards, Adoniram 1194 Edwards, Thomas R 1358 Efforts to move County Seat 910 Egbert, W. W 261 Eightv-fourth Reg. 111. Inf. 363 Election — Ohio Grove Township . 439 Eliza Township 269 EUett, Benjamin D 172 Emerson, Dr. Edward L 780 Emerson, James M ' 822 Emerson, Oliver P 175 l<:n.erson, William S 179 10 INDEX. Engle, Charlef* Episcopal Church Episodes — Greene Townsliip. . . . Epperly, William Evangelical Lutlieran Church. . . . Evans, George M Evans, Hamilton Evans, John Evans, John, Jr Everett, Samuel F Fair, William Faran John Feather, James Fehx, M. F Felton, Herchel Felton, J. B Fender, Jonas Fifty-ninth Infantry Filler, Jacob C Finch, William Findlev, Mitchell M Findley, William A Fires in Greene Townshij) First Settlers in Duncan Township Fisk, H.W Flack, Thomas S Fleharty Family Flehartv, Bennett E Fleharty, Govert S Flehartv, H. C Fleharty, J. Q. A Fleharty, Rev. J. J. Fleharty, S. F Flehartv, Stephen W Fleharty, S. W., Wm. I)., Mary A.. and William Fleharty, William L Fleming, Marshall Flory, Moses K Foote, George M Forbes, John Ford. J. L Forsyth, Elijah Fort, John B Forty-tifth Infantry Forward, Isaac Foster. Robert Foster, John R Foster, William A Foulkes, Richard Frazier, Jesse A^ Frazier, Hugh B Frazier, Mis*s Amanda E Frew, William B Frick, Clarence Frick, Frederick Froehlich, G. F. W Fuller, Jefferson Fuller, William (Taddis, Robert W Galbraith, Franklin Galljraith, Samuel Garber, Leonard Gardner, John C Garrett, Richard 741 711 (565 499 734 641 10P,5 1405 lOoO 719 1088 255 480 617 234 343 500 1062 1085 1314 1001 1008 662 493 338 1154 802 809 805 804 804 805 805 803 806 804 116 675 1182 1307 1186 480 1052 1060 1266 728 1378 1389 1O80 671 673 354 607 192 516 996 234 ()38 1053 1258 1258 507 (588 819 Garrett, William C 775 Garretson, P. S 130O Gaunt, Jonathan 332 Gayle, William 128 Gearhart, David 1126 Geiger, John ^ . . 586 Genung, Joseph 1283 Geology of Gi-eene Township. . . . 652 Gibb, James 1355 Gibb, Paul D 1383 Gibson, Sanuiel C 1195 Gilmore, Edwin 241 Gilmore Familv 588 Gilmore, J. G."^. 326 Gilmore, J. M 244 Gilmore, Joseph C 511 Gilmore, Robert M 1351 Gingles, James 342 Gilbert, John G 688 Gillespie, William C ()90 Gittings, Clarence R 1298 Gittings, Benjamin Berrv 1206 Gittings, AViliiam K. . . .' 1206 Gladman, William H 834 Gladstone 1243 Glancey, John 292 Glancev, Joseph 515 Glenn,"Robert K. X 1389 Glover, Allen F 184 Goding, Joseph A 676 Goempler, Peter 1009 Goodnight, John 1124 Gordou, Daniel M 13(il Gordon, Miles 1384 Gore, George 117 Gorman, James 337 Graham, James 459 Graham, William F 639 Graham, Albert INI 1276 Graham, Andrew G 1376 Graham, David 1373 Graham, Russell 1398 Graham, William B 1376 Gray, George 336 Green Bower Nurserv 669 Green, Charles W. . .' 988 Greene Township 652 Greenville Township 1064 Greenwood, Thomas J 64-1 Greer, Minerva A 518 Griffin Brothers' Tile Works, Rich- land Grove Township 734 Griffin, John 695 Griffith, Edward 233 Groom, Peter 1 123 Gruwell, Benjamin F 174 Gufty, Theodore 346 Gustin, Lemuel 479 Guthrie, Jacob 474 Guthrie, Robert 678 Habits and Customs of Pioneers. . 36 Haflher, Charles 1006 Hageman, James 1116 Hail, Eugene A 983 Halsey, James H 1 155 INDEX. 11 Halstead, (.'• B 327 Hainill, Adam B 10815 Hamilton, Robert 470 Hamilton, B. F 1301 Hamlet, Perrvton TuwHshij) 317 Hammock, William II 1275 Hammond, William 720 Hand, Lewis H lOOS Hanna, D. C 1408 Hanna, John 1408 Hanna, William 978 Hardin, Alvis. 190 Hardin, Benjamin L 179 Harison, W. H 22 Harris, Nancy 1153 Harriott, Van R 676 Harronn, J. E 570 Harter, Isaac F 1404 Hartley, Jose])h 1085 Hartman, Frederick 328 Hartson, John L 108 Harvey, J. F 230 Hawkins, John J 188 Hazelwood, James H 1127 Heaton, James 185 Heaton, William II 140 Hedges, Cyrus 1268 Hedges, Thornton 12(58 Helwig, John.. 203 Henderson, William. ' 457 Henry, John 525 Ilenrv, Wesley 521 Herbert, J. N 1313 Heriford, John 467 Hevener, Solomon 1407 Hicks, Robert 725 Hindman, Daniel T 600 Hist(jrical Society ()6 History of Henderson County. . . • 863 Hite, John \. ... 1155 Hixson, Winfield S 1121 Hoagland, Francis A 677 Hodson, Robert 993 Holmes, George W 1391 Holmes, Stephen 1397 Holmes, Louis D 615 Holmes, William Henry 600 Holister, Lee 325 Hoisted, David M 193 Honev Creek Township 1199 Hopkins, William T 1404 Hospitality, Walnut Grove 1162 Howard, Thomas Andrew 1208 Howe, Lucien B 240 Hoye, Rev. John F 621 Hufi'man, Henry 256 Hugenschntz, John Henry 1048 Humbert, Robert ' 191 Humes, Joseph H 813 Humphrey, John C 192 Hunter, James M 1308 Hunter, Samuel 1308 Huston, Matthew 1135 Huston, Walter 1118 Hu.ston,W. 1120 Hutchinson, Benjamin 1087 Hutchinson, James C 1366 Hutchinson, Robert M ]39() Hutchinson, William John 1250 Indian Implements 29 I.0.( ).F., Rivoli Township 761 Irvin, Dr. George 611 Ives, Gideon Ill Jackson, Isom 115 Jackson, Thomas J 115 Jamison, George M 1349 Jamison, James W 1349 Jamison, John 1350 Jamison, John C 1348 Jamison, William R 1350 Jamison, AVilson B 1350 Jenne, Lansing K 204 Jennings, Jefi'erson H 1084 Jewel, Zachariah 264 Johnson, Aaron 1127 Johnson, J. M 1120 Johnston, Dr. D. R 615 Johnston, John Y 721 Johnston, John Y 722 Johnston, Lorimer 635 Johnston, M. H 814 Johnston, Peter W 816 Johnston, Thomas L 722 Jones, Daniel 747 Jones, Milton M 523 Jones, Orson 747 Jordan, Capt. John A 741 Journalism, Biggsville -. . . 1337 Keithsburg Township 118 Kellogg, James 521 Kellogg, James A 477 Kellv, Potter 724 Kellv, Henrv L 1388 Kelly, Samuel 199 Kemp, Jesse 1262 Kemp, John 1212 Kendall, A 330 Kennedv, Matthew K 679 Kes.sel, John 1010 Kiddoo, John S 243 Kiddoo, Richard 236 Kiddoo, William 243 Kiddoo, William 233 Kimel, Henry 601 King, Jacob R 1207 King, Joseph S 1138 Kinsley, Samuel 516 Kirliy, Joseph 1213 Kirbv, Risdon Henry 1212 Kirlin, David 102 Kitzmiller, Frank E. . . . 679 Knox, James E 1387 Knox, Asa 235 Krause, Jacob 689 Laffertv, James H 649 Lalfertv, John 642 LaflertV, John B 639 Lafierty, William A 639 Lair, Joseph 605 Laird, John 1 154 12 INDEX. Lakes, Eliza Township 283 Lambert, Francis 288 Landers, John W 521 Landi-eth, Lewis 509 Landreth, Thomas 251 Larue, William B 824 La Salle 18 Lathrop, Urban D 695 Latter Day Saints, 220 Laut, George D 1195 Leary, Thomas 680 Lee, Graham 331 Lee, James M 651 Leech, John Humphries 294 Leinbach, Daniel 1136 Lemon, Francis 614 Lemon, W. R 266 Leuze, George 507 Lewis, William 109 Likely, Thomas 636 Linell, Joseph S 1012 Literary Relic 935 Little, David W 723 Livingston, David H ; . 499 Lloyd, Eenijah 173 Lloyd, James 503 Logan, Jasper 1215 Logan, John 1208 Lomax Family, The 1205 Longshore, James H 260 Looser, Jacob 110 Lorimer, William A. . . . •• 594 Louden, William R 1294 Lovitt, John W., Sr 1294 Lovitt, O. F 1313 Lovitt, Price 1294 Lovitt, William J 1283 Lunblad, Joseph Oscar 606 Lunn, Charles Elsworth 500 Lutz, O. C 113 Lynn, Alexander Wright 1270 Lynn, Samuel W 1262 Mack, Daniel 727 Maddux, Thomas 599 Main, William Riley 51 7 Maley, William M 1079 Manners and Customs of Indians 28 Mannon, James M 96 Marder, Michael 506 Mardock, Michael 506 Markee, Jesse 611 Marlatt, Thomas 189 Marquette 18 Marquis, Samuel 832 Marrow, John A 640 Marsden, Thomas 1406 Marsden, William H 1 285 Marsden, William W 1406 Marsh, Mordecai L 595 Marsh, William A 253 Marshall, Alexander 1047 Marshall, Elisha L 835 Marshall, James A 1047 Marshall, John 1047 Marshall, Robert 1047 Marshall, Robert W -. 1051 Marshall, William 1047 Marston, Nathaniel 1045 Martin, Andrew W 1352 Martin, Charles A 1272 ^lartin. Judge Preston 1371 Martin, Mrs. Eliza 296 Martin, N. R 1193 Martin, Robert J 1360 Martin, William F 1401 Mason, John 292 Masonic, Preemption Township. . 712 Masonic, Sagetown 1232 Mascmry in Ocjuawka 953 Masons, Rivoli Township 760 Mathers, George W 1393 Mathers, Joseph 1190 Mathers, Robert 1191 Mathews, James 1300 Mauk, Henrv W 647 Mauk, John' 642 Maxwell, John A 777 Maxwell, Thomas J 1351 Mavgie, Joseph H 1287 Mayhew, D. S 508 Maynard, Lewis P 1303 Mc Arthur, Alexander 593 Mc Bride, Alexander 477 McBride, James 450 McBride, John F. 617 McCallister, Harrv F 995 McCartnev, David W 1191 McChesneV, William H 1267 * McClannahan, William S 692 McClellen, John 455 McClellen, Richard C 643 McClun, J. B 1407 McClure, Warren B 528 McCreight, John W 678 McCurdy, George 1157 ]McCutchan, Dr. James F. C 651 McDill, John 1355 McDill, John C 1264 McDill, Robert 1356 McDill, Samuel 1380 McDonald, Hugh. 1085 McDougall, John H 1394 McFarland, Alexander 1269 McFarland, John 1011 McGee, John 478 McGinnis, John T 242 McGuffin, John G 565 McHard, William 346 Mclntire, John B 473 Mclntire, Moses 473 McKee, John 1379 McKee, Joseph 604 McKee, William 603 McKim, Frank 1395 McKim, Marvin 1305 McKinley, Robert A 1371 McKinney. John, Sr 824 McKinnie, Dr. Ebenezer L 648 McLain, Aaron H 1393 McT..aughlin, James R 639 liSDEX. 13 McLaughlin, John J^ (550 McMilhin, Robert T 1084 Mc:\Iillan, William 1302 MoMullen, ^hijor 740 McMurry, Thomas i:)12 McPherren, George 449 McPherren, Jesse W 012 ]\lcQuo\vn, Arthur 1308 Mc(2uo\vn. Isaac 1307 MeCiuown; John II 1384 McWhorter. Tyler 018 Mekemsen, Andrew 1 204 Mekemson, Joseph Scott 1205 Mercer County Agricultural Board. 489 Mercer County Poor Farm 481 Mercer Township .' . 581 Merritt, J. Y 290 Merryman, Albert I) 740 Merryman, David 1) 740 Merryman, Henry 739 Merryman, Timo'thv D 785 Mertz, Charles A . /. 200 Methodist Episcopal Church, Pre- emption 709 Methodist Ej^iscopal Church, Suez Township 034 Methodist Episcopal Church, Swe- dona 734 Michener, Joseph M 1398 Mickey, Robert 1374 Mickey, Samuel 1154 Miller, Abraham 48 Miller, G.D 344 Miller, William M 258 Millersburg Township 205 Milligan, David 470 Milligan, Joseph H 1394 Milliken, Wesley 1181 Mills, Eliza Township 277 Mills, John 1299 Mifls, Myron H 1079 Moirs, The 988 Montgomery, James 1377 Montgomery, John 333 Montgomery, John H 1182 Moore, Beet 1211 Moore, George 288 Moore, Joseph B 598 Morey, Benjamin F 091 Morford, John T 818 Morgan, George 1304 Morgan, Thomas 1304 Morgan, William P 643 Morris, Edwin 698 iMorris, George W 097 Morris, John 098 Morris, William 1154 Morrow, James K 251 Mowry, Daniel 740 Murray, David B 1150 Murray, William T 109 Musgove, James 1082 Murto, Dennis 202 Natural History 68 Neglev, Jacob S 1314 Nelson, Alexander P 1359 Nelson, Alfred W 815 Nelson, George C 1280 Nelson, J. C 1282 Nesl:)itt, Henry 006 Nevius, John S 1127 Nevius, S. P 1122 Nevius, William 1 452 New Boston Township 72 Newsjiapers of Henderson county 895 Newspapers of Keithsburg 137 Ni.-hols, Isaac 1059 Nichols, Peter 1059 Nichols, Thomas 1052 Nigger Ridge, Greene Township.. 62 I Ninety-first Regiment 1089 ' Noble Family .^. 183 Noble, Daniel 274 I Noble, D.F 290 ' Noble, D. J 95 Noble, Ira 296 ; Noble, L. D 297 Noble, Mrs. Harriet 296 I Noonan, Timothy 262 i North Henderson Township 796 Noted Criminal Trials 915 Odd-Fellows of Millersburg 221 Odd-Fellows, North Henderson . . 799 Odd-Fellows of Oquawka 951 Odendahl, Frederick 1005 Ogle, Jasper 528 Ogle, Jcseph D. . ; 528 Ogle, Lewis F 527 Ohio Grove Township 424 Old Settlers, South Hender.son. . . 1228 Olena Township 1020 Olena tragedy 1231 O'Learv, Cornelius 154 Oliver." S. A 266 One Hundred and Second Regi- ment 380 One hundred and eighteenth Regi- ment 1091 One hundred and thirty-eighth Regiment 1095 Oquawka and Washington Plank Road 943 Oquawka Historical Societj' 947 Oquawka Incorporated 938 Oquawka Township 919 Organizations in Greene Township 665 Organization of Duncan Township 497 Organization of Eliza Township.. 281 Organization of Greene Township 660 Organization of Henderson county 865 Organization of Keithsburg Tp. . . 165 Organization of Mercer Township 49 Organization of Millersburg Tp . . 227 Organization of Preemption Tp . . 713 Organization of Suez Township. . 626 Orth, C. S 197 Ott, Edward 189 Otto, Julius E 725 Page, James 638 Painter, Charles T 1288 14 INDEX, Pardee, David 176 Park, Cephas 995 Park, Russell 684 Parkerson, Robert C 478 Parks, John 475 Patterson, J. B 962 Patterson, James 997 Patterson, Moses 471 Patterson, William T 453 Paul, John 1214 Paul, M. A 1306 Paul, Melzav C 1290 Pearson, John E 1390 Pease, A 649 Pease, John A 649 Pease, Joseph 649 Pease, Martin 648 Peasley, James F 1281 Peasley, John S 1035 Peasley, Moses 1280 Pence, John A 1011 Pence, Robert 1209 Pence, Thomas F 1288 Pendarvis, Lemuel A 11 89 Pendarvis, William G 1188 Penny, W. H 1122 Pepper, Hon. John C 607 Pepper, John C 834 Pepper, William 456 Perry ton Township 298 Peterman, Jacob C 1010 Peterson, Peter 470 Petrie, Cornelius L 773 Petrie, Hon. Alexander P 767 Pfanstiehl, A. A 1114 Phelps, Nelson H 1156 Phel])s, Stejihen l^umner 966 Physicians, Walnut Grove 1164 Pickup, G.W 266 Pinkerton, Albert M 678 Pinkerton, George W 695 Pinkerton, John C 687 Pinkerton, Joseph 686 Pinkerton, Wallace W 693 Pinkerton, William M 683 Pioneer Log Cabin 41 Pioneer Settlements of Millersburg 207 Pioneers of Bedford 1102 Plat of Oquawka 936 Plummer, Samuel G 1365 Pogue, Eleazer , 1000 Pogue, John 1174 Pogne, William G 1176 Political Parties 886 Pollock, James 1043 Pollock, Samuel 518 Poor Farm 91 1 Porter, Alexander L 1253 Postlewait, Matthew S 779 Potter's Clav in Greene Township 654 Poull, Jacob 1408 Powley, James P 116 Pratt, John 97 Pratt, John 297 Prentiss, S.V 92 Prouty, AVilliam M. 102 Preemption Township 704 Presbyterian ( 'hurch, Suez 032 Public Improvement, Biggsville. . 1329 Public Improvements, Keithsburg 166 Putney, Ira, Jr 1042 Quaintance, James S, 739 Railroads 62 Railroads 904 Ramsev, James H 616 Randall, Roswell P 1038 Randall, Stephen 113 Range, William L 198 Rankin David 1178 Rankin, James F 1179 Rankin, Samuel S 1180 Rankin, Thomas 1180 Ransom, Asa W 637 Rathbun, Dr. John B 781 Refinery, Gladstone 1246 Regan, Hugh 1397 Relics, South Henderson 1223 Religion in Keith.sburg 148 Religious, Lomax 1203 Religious Meetings, Eliza Tp 284 Religious, Ohio Grove Townshiji. 442 Remarkable Family 1278 Renwick, Andrew 1252 Republican Partv in Mercer County 60 Retherfcrd, William ' 509 Retzer, Jacob 1302 Revolutionary Heroes 1410 Reynolds, Gov 25 Revnolds, Hugh A 1088 Reynolds, Hugh R 138(5 Revnolds, J. W^arren 778 Revnolds, William D 188 Rezner, Eli 1388 Rice, John H 1157 Rice, William C .999 Richey, Cornelius Springer 828 Richey, R. W 994 Richey, T. G 1185 Richland Grove Township 732 Riddell, S. H 255 Riggs, H. M 238 Riggs, William H 229 Rivoli Township 742 Roads, Eliza Township 281 Robb, Thomas S 455 Roberts, Henry H 100 Robinson, George L. F 686 Robinson, William 1306 Roderick, M. L 1302 Rodman, Robert 1050 Rodman, William H 1050 Rogers, W. A 1307 Rose, Hiram 981 Rosenberry, Dr. James S 742 Rosenbum, Andrew J 777 Rowley, John 1153 Rubert, John 261 Ruberts, R. W 1297 Rujile, Samuel H 987 Russell, A 1153 INDEX. 16 Kuissell, Samuel E Rural Places in Eliza Township. . Ryason, James Sage, Gideon Salter, John Salter, Paul D Sapp, George B Schell, Charles F Schenck, Cornelius Schenck Family Schenck, William J Schirmer, Herman Schlotz, Justice Schmitt, John Schools of Biggsville Schools of Eliza Township Schools of Greene Township Schools of Keithsburg Schools of Millersburg Schools of New Boston Schools of ( )lena Township Schools of Oquawka Schools of Preemption Township. Schools of Rivoli Township Schools, Walnut Grove Schrader, August Scott, Notley Scott, Samuel Scudder, Lyman H Seastone, John Seat of Justice, fiercer County . . . Seaton, Duncan Seaton, John Seaton, John J Secret Orders, Terre Haute Tp . . . Secret Societies of New Boston . . . Sedwick, Dan. W Sedwick, George W Seventh Illinf>is Cavalry Seventli Missouri Cavalry Seventy-eighth Infantry Sexton, John G Sexton, Roswell C Shafer, Aaron P Sharer, Christian Shaw, Clinton Shaw, Lee W Shearer, George A Shearer, Nicholas Sheese, Samuel Sherer, A. A Sheriff, Paul Sherrard, David Shevler, Dr. James H Shields, William Shingledecker, P. D . .' Shook, Dykeman Shook, George W Shook, James Short, Abner ' Short, Isaac C Shroyer, A. P Signor, George H Signer, Willard I Simmons, Samuel (i89 282 1271 127-1 13()9 1372 203 1009 111(5 lll.'^ IIIU 1002 1002 108.5 1338 284 ()07 144 228 85 1031 9.59 713 749 1163 293 817 197 114 110 572 523 459 524 1278 89 (134 620 1096 1141 1063 774 694 258 468 776 1210 634 472 500 254 173 739 726 291 263 13.59 13-58 1187 1379 1353 786 117 12.57 1210 Simonson, Garret 112(5 Simpson, Jonathan 9(55 Simpson, William H 640 Sixteenth Illinois Infantry 1017 Sloan, Adam 1385 Sloan Family 1296 Sloan, Henderson 12(i(> Sloan, James 1357 Sloan, James 1397 Slocumb, Charles G 203 Smith, Alfred H 337 Smith, Alexander M 1010 Smith, Asa 991 Smith, D.C.C 467 Smith, Eli W 1370 Smith,.George 727 Smith, Hugh, 194 Smith, John B 693 Smith, Lucius E 698 Smith, Nathan P 784 Smith, Samuel H 1087 Smith, Stephen 745 Smith, Thomas C 1002 Smith, Warren L 697 Smith, William E 11.57 Smith, William H. H 477 Societies of Aledo -581 Societies of Keithsburg 155 Soldiers of Eliza Township : . 282 Soldiers' Monument 837 Soldiers' Monument 1410 South Henderson Townshii) 1216 Southern, Charles W 696 Spangler, Jacob 1080 Sparrow, Charles 1209 Speculators. Eliza Township 279 Spicer, Reuben H. Sr 763 Spicer, Thomas 638 Sprowl, Samuel 475 Stanley, Wyett 1120 Steam Mill, Greene Township. . . . 670 Steele, Cyrus W 1041 Steele, David A 246 Stephens, Prof. Alex 569 St. Joseph Catholic Church 711 Stevens, John H 1045 Stewart, James G 1375 Stewart, Samuel M 1365 Stewart, William L 644 .Stone Quarry, Gladstone 1247 Storms and Floods 945 Stratton, J. D 254 Streeter, Hon. Alson J 769 Strong, Luke 616 Stuart, William. 685 Suez Postofflce 626 Suez Township 623 Swafibrd, Jacob H. , 99 Swanson, John •. . 1 156 Swartwout, Cornelius 331 Swezy, Jerome A 187 Taliaferro, C. W 1081 Talliaferro, Benjamin Coleman. . . 830 Tenth Illinois Infantry 1013 Terre Haute Township 1277 10 INDEX. Terry, William Tharp Family Thar}). William Thede, C. F Thirtieth Regiment Thomas, Isaac Thompson, Benjamin F Thompson, William P Thornton, H.W Thornton, J. D Timber in Eliza Township Tolman, James Gary Towns of Henderson county Townsley, Benjamin F Townsley's Tile and Brick Factory Tracy, Victoria CM /. Tragedies in Keithsburg Trask, Andrew Trask, E. H Turnbull, Rev. Thomas B Tweed, Hiram Sylvester Tweed, John Twelfth Illinois Cavalry Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry. . Udolpho, Rufus Unangst, Jacob Wilson United Brethren, Richland United Presbyterians, Suez Town- ship '. Valentine, William Van Arsdale, S. B Vance, James Vance, William R Vandalsem, W. C A^an Doren, William J Van Tuyl, W. E. B Vater, George Vaughn, Charles Venable, Joseph Vernon, Caleb Vernon, James Vetter, Michael Villages of Millersburg Village of Swedona Viola, Greene Township Viola Vineyard Vogt, George H Volkel, Fred Voorhees, Henry D Voorhees, Jaques Wade, Josephus Wadleigh, Luke Wagy, Abraham Wagy, Lemuel Wait, F. G Wait, Meigs Walker, William C Wallace, William B Wallbaum, August Walnut Grove Township 09G 1125 1132 608 791 1385 621 1192 235 245 282 1276 887 594 583 783 162 638 1303 617 1270 1263 1139 1019 1269 605 734 629 257 1134 524 474 335 1194 1377 503 1211 182 505 239 328 211 733 661 668 1152 508 1119 1131 176 992 1056 1059 330 324 1405 . 1387 1261 1157 Walter, George 343 Walters, John 1156 War of 1812 1410 War Record of Greene Township. 670 Watson, Abram 746 Watson, Hezekiah 1392 WeUster, Hammond 458 Werts, George W 469 West End Creamery, Miller.sburg 583 White, James R 1007 White, Snowden K 605 Whitehall, Thomas 526 Whiteman, Henrv Miller 1259 Whiteman, David A 1398 Whitham, Kenneth M 608 Whiting, George W 197 Whitsitt, John 715 Wiegand, William 1386 Wild animals, Walnut Grove. . .. 1159 Wilkins, Samuel 1378 Williams, James M 1290 Willis, J. M 621 Willits, Dr. T 97 Willits, Isaiah 171 Willits, Levi 583 Willits, Mary D 101 Willits, Milton L 96 Willits, Mrs. Sarah G 527 Willitt, Thomas 114 Wilitts, Thomas 254 Willits, Thomas T 836 Willits, William M 523 Wilmerton, William 714 Wilson, David 741 Wilson, James McCormick 829 Wilson, John A 1353 Wilson, William A 94 Winchester, W. A 526 Winders, William 596 Wirt, Martin 176 Wolf, George S 823 Wolfe, Jacob 181 Wolff, Reuben S 1152 Wood, J. W 246 Wood, Newton 1409 Wood, W. A 345 Woodard, Alonzo 1275 Woodhams, T. G 786 Woods, Alexander M 608 Woods, James H 1409 Woods, Richard H 1087 Woodside, Hugh G 1137 Wordin, Charles C 599 Wright, George A 607 Wright, James C 596 Wvcofl; J. P 192 York, Charles 240 Young, Jacob and H. V 1125 Zentmire, Wilson P 257 HISTORY OF Mercer and Henderson Counties. DISCOVERIES AND EXPLORATIONS. That our readers may have a full understanding of the history of Mercer and Henderson counties, it will be necessary to take them back, not merely to the time of their earliest settlement by the whites, but a time far anterior to that. This part of the State of Illinois has at different periods been in the possession and under the dominion of various persons and powers, whose acts play an important part in the history of this section. Of com-se we fully realize that, to the present population, the present history will prove much more interesting than that which precedes, but as the foundation of the house is much less appreciated by the occupants and is yet one of its very important parts, so that part of history which forms the basis for what follows must necessarily be of the utmost value as a foundation or root on which to develop the complete work. Though but a little more than half a century has passed since the soil of this part of the Mississippi valley was occupied and cultivated by white men, three times that length of time had elapsed since its first discovery. During that 150 years it was occupied by various tribes of Indians, and was under the dominion of several powerful governments, who contended for its possession with varying success, with but little apparent design of occupation other than for the purpose of trading with the original owners, in furs and such other natural products as they could easily gather, and their simple and indolent habits required. Indeed the fur trade seems to have been not only the chief object, but eventually to have led to the peopling of the country with those who added to the industry of fur catching that of agriculture. The first white men to visit Illinois with a view of making extended explorations were Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette, their travels in this state beginning in 1673. Joliet was born at Quebec in 1645, and educated for a priest of the 2 18 HISTORY OF IVIEECER AJTO HENDERSON COUNTIES. Roman Catholic Cliiircli, but at the time of which we write liacl aban- doned his profession, and at the age of twenty-eight was engaged in the fur trade. Father Marquette was born in France in 1637. He was also a priest of the same church and of the order of Jesuits. It was with a view to promulgate the doctrines of his church that he left comparative comfort in his native country, crossed the Atlantic and braved the western wilderness, hundreds of miles beyond the boundaries of civili- zation, to convert the Lidians to the faith he professed, m which, by his kindness, he made many endurmg friendships. These two men, with their several objects in view, set out from the Jesuit Mission on the Strait of Mackinaw with five other French com- panions on their journey. May IT, 1763, their objective point being the Mississippi river, of which they had but a vague idea. Coasting along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, they reached Green Bay, on the west side of the lake, and the mouth of Fox river, in Wisconsin. Up this river they pushed their canoes as far as the depth of the water would permit. Having reached the head waters of the Fox, it was but a few miles to the waters of the Wisconsin, which flows thence into the Mississippi. Across this stretch of prairie they carried their small boats and scanty outfits, and again launched them. On the 17th of June, just one month after their embarkation at the Mackinaw, they found themselves on the broad bosom of the Father of Waters (mean- ing of the Indian words composing the name Mississippi), Down the river they glided rapidly and easily, touching frequently at difiFerent points on either shore, and doubtless the soil of these counties was pressed, for the first time by white men, by the feet of Joliet and Mar- quette and their companions. On landing at one place their journal shows that they went ashore and remained several days with the natives. This could not have been far from this part of the river's course — probably near Rock Island on the west side. They were treated kindly by the Indians, and given all the supplies at their dis- posal for the further prosecution of their explorations. They continued their course until they came near the mouth of the Arkansas river, where, finding Indians who showed some signs of hostility, they deemed it expedient to return. They now entered the mouth of the Illinois river, up which they toiled to Lake Michigan, whose western shore they followed to Green Bay, where they arrived the latter part of September. In this journey they had spent about four months and traveled nearly 3,000 miles. Joliet had accomplished his purpose of discovering a route to the great water thoroughfares and opening up friendly relations with the inhabitants along their shores, and Father DISCOVERIES AJSTD EXPLORATIONS. 19 Marquette had made known the gospel to those with whom his brief visits brought him in contact. Tlie formal occupation of the Mississippi and Illinois valleys was. accomplished in 168(>, in the name of the French, by Robert La Salle,, who came, with about thirty followers, for the purpose of buildmg forts; on the Illinois river at different points, and establishing trading points. with the natives in the name and for the benefit of the French govern- ment, which he represented. Even at this early date the English and French were disputing the rights of each other to the trade of these valleys, and this ex|)edition was watched with suspicious eyes by the former. JSTot only so, but the entei-prise which bid fair to be popular and profitable was jealously viewed by the order of Jesuits, who had been excluded from it, and their rivals of the Recollet order selected as spiritual counsel and companions. Of the last was father Hennepin,, after whom, 150 years later, was named a town on the Illinois river. Owing to these, and unfaithful members of the expedition, treacherous guides and hostile Indians, with many unforseen mishaps, the story of La Salle's travels sounds more like fiction than truth. Often, almost alone, he traveled for many days through the wilderness in the dead of winter and almost without a mouthful of food. His forts and trading posts were built and destroyed and rebuilt by turns, until at last, liaving^ formally taken possession of the country and traversed the Illinois river fi-om Lake Michigan, the Kankakee to its junction therewith, and the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, he was basely assassinated by his own followers in January, 1687. In taking possession of the country he gave it the name of his reigning monarch and called it Louisiana, so that what is now Mercer and Henderson counties and Illinois was once called by that name. Yery much that would be interesting to the general reader concern- ing La Salle's voyages must necessarily be omitted, as our work has not so much to do with the State of Illinois and the great water-courses exj^lored by him as with the locality under immediate consideration. Father Hennepin, whose name has already been mentioned, made by La Salle's order an excursion from the mouth of the Illinois up the Mississippi as far as the Falls of St. Anthony, and may have touched at points bordering on this section. Henry Tonti, one of La Salle's companions, figures largely in the early explorations of this part of the country. He spent over twenty years in establishing posts and build- ing fortifications for their jjrotection. Under his command was all of the territory from the Allegheny to the Rocky Mountains, and from the Gulf of Mexico as far north as imagination could carry. Although the French had, as noted, taken possession of this large 20 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. tract of country, it was not an undisputed occupation. The English, having settled the Atlantic coast, were gradually pushing their settle- ments toward the west, and finding the fur trade a profitable source of revenue to individual enterprise and also to the government, disputed with the French who inhabited the shores of the great lakes, the right to the monopoly. To carry out their plans it became necessary for either to enlist the Indians in their schemes, as from them they were to derive their profit. Accordingly, the natives of the Alleghenies and the Ohio valley were naturally arrayed against each other and many and blood}*- wars were the consequence. In the mother countries the French and English were engaged from time to time in combat, which naturally extended to the colonies of America, and thus were the strug- gles for the fur trade, which might otherwise have been confined to active competition, transformed into long-continued and bloody conflict. These wars in history are termed the French and Lidian wars, and lasted for a period of more than fifty years. At last, in 1763, at a treaty between these nations, all that jDortion of the Mississippi valley east of the river was ceded to England, and thus for a time, until the war of the revolution, this section of country remained a pro\'ince *of ■Great Britain. The great struggle of the colonists, commencing in 1775 and ending with their independence in 1783, though mostly confined to the shores of the Atlantic were not wholly so, for while a fierce conflict was going ■on at the east, the valleys of the Mississippi, Wabash and Ohio were receiving some attention from both the English and Americans. At the beginning of that war the whole northwest was in the possession of the British. The brilliant achievements which wrested these beautiful valleys from English rule were brought about by Gen. George Rogers Clarke, of Virginia. He well understood the relations existing between the Indians and the mother country, and though the natives had been stirred up to jealousy by the rapid encroachments of white settlers upon their domain, he wisely judged that if the British posts and forts could be wrested from them, the subjugation of the Indians would be a com- paratively easy matter. Accordingly he applied to the authorities of Yirginia for men and means for the accomplishing of the enterprise, and though they could at that time ill be spared, they were granted, and Clarke set out upon the undertaking. Though many hardships conse- quent upon hunger and fatigue had to be endured, the whole line of forts, including Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes, was taken with scarcely a show of resistance, the inhabitants of the posts apparently being desirous of coming under the new government. In February, 1777, DISCOVERIES AND EXPLORATIONS. 21 Yincennes was taken, and thus hostilities for this region, not only between the Americans and English, but for the time being between the Americans and Indians were terminated, and the possession of the northwest made secure. But for these brilliant strokes of Gen. Clarke it is hard to conceive what would have been the history of this part of the country. Possibly a union of all the tribes from Maine to Florida might have been effected, which in conjunction with foreign foes, though then somewhat discouraged, would have retained possession of the whole Mississippi valley even to this time. The close of the war of independence left this portion of the country under the government of the United States, and as a part of Virginia. In 1778, the legislature of Virginia formed, from the ter- ritory under that dominion, all of the country now embraced in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, the county of Illinois, so that what is now embraced in Mercer and Henderson counties was once a part of Virginia. Illinois continued a part of Virginia until March 1, 1784, when that state ceded it with all other territory north of the Ohio river to the United States. In 1787, the whole country under consideration was, by an ordinance passed by the government, set apart and named the Northwestern Ter- ritory. After a while the territory was divided into smaller territories, and what is now the state of Illinois fell into that portion called Indiana Territory as one of its counties, with its old name of 1778 — Illinois county. In 1809, the country now known as Illinois and Wisconsin was erected into a separate territory with the name of Illinois Territory. The population of this vast region was then only about half that of Mercer and somewhat less than Henderson county, being all told 9,000. Many of the oldest citizens of this region, but then residents of other states, doubtless remember, if not the event itself, many incidents of as early a date. Now there are 102 counties in the State of Illinois, few of which contain a smaller population than did both these gi'eat states only seventy-iive years ago, one of which has residing within its limits a population sixty times as great. At the time of which we write, the territory was divided into two coimties — St. Clair and Randolph. Though the valley of the Mississippi was a part of the United States, and though it belonged to the government, it was occupied almost exclusively by the Indians, and they claimed it as their rightful possession in which to live and derive support, not from the cultivation of its soil, but from its natural products. In 1804 William Henry HaiTison, authoiized by the general government, made a treaty with 22 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the chiefs and head men of the Sac and Fox nations who were then the occupants of all this region, whereby all the country on both sides of the Mississippi and including all the country west of the Illinois, was given up to the government for purposes of settlement by the whites. Out of this treaty, a number of years later, gi-ew what is knowTi as the Black Hawk war. GENERAL HARRISON. In 1816 all that portion of the state between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and extending from the mouth of the latter about 170 miles north, and including the counties of which we now write, was surveyed by the government and subsequently set apart as bounties to .soldiers of the regular army who had served in the war with Great Britain, and which had just preceded the date just given. The whole tract contained 207 entu'e townships and several fractions. These land grants or bounties became a kind of currency in this part of the coun- try, and were used not only by actual settlers in making homes for themselves, but large numbers were bought by speculators for a trifling part of their face value. From misunderstandings as to their real value and of their validity, many claims were put in jeopardy, and much litigation in regard to the land titles in the parts of the counties embraced by the military tract have been the result. Whoever has held successfully a disputed title in the Bounty lands, from bitter expe- rience has learned the history of these land schemes and speculations better than any but the attorneys engaged in unravelling them can know or care to learn. BLACK HAWK WAK, 23 In 1818 the territory now embraced in Illinois became a separate organization and was admitted into the Union as a State. As yet but fifteen counties had been formed in the state and all of these in the southern part. None had been formed in the militarj' tract, nor indeed was there much necessity for such organizations, as there was scarcely a family permanently established. However, a few years later, Pike county, embracing all of the wiklerness of Warren, Mercer, Henderson and a number of other counties, was organized. From and after the Black Hawk war, settlements were quite rapid west of the Illinois river, and new counties were accordingly as rapidly authorized. The army which went forward to suppress the uprising of the Indians under that chief in 1832 had much to do in settling the section between the mouth of the Illinois and Rock Island. It was then discovered by many of the soldiery that the garden of Illinois lay ^long that line of march. Many of them profited by their exj^erience by themselves selecting homes in the section under consideration. Information sent by others to friends in the east and south brought many more, so that in 1825 the county of Warren, embracing all ot the territory now included in Warren and Henderson, and Mercer with its present limits, were formed and attached to Peoria for political pur- poses. Subsequently, Warren county was organized and Mercer was attached to Warren for a few years. In 1835 Mercer was organized, and in 1841 Henderson with its present limits was cut off fi-om the west side of Warren and immediately organized. This then brings us to the consideration of the several counties as separate organizations, and as such we shall refer to them as separate items of historical interest. BLACK HAWK WAR. Though this was not the battle-field of the Indian troubles, yet its proximity to the scenes of the struggle makes the Black Hawk war a peculiarly interesting topic for consideration ; indeed this portion of the valley of tlie Mississippi was the home of the Indian. On its banks and those of the Edwards, Pope and Henderson rivers, and the smaller streams of the two counties, he built his wigwam, hunted game and fished in their waters. This country was dear to him and for it, though not in it, he made his last desperate struggle. The rich mines of lead at and in the vicinity of Galena had for some time been worked. That section, about fifteen miles square, had been bought b}^ the government in 1804, and its occupation by the whites had been the source of some ill-feeling on the part of tlie Indians, which was resented by the whites. In 1825 or thereabouts real trouble began to show itself and conflicts between the two races 24 HISTOEY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. were common. At this time the number of miners had increased to more than 1,500 and they were not always careful to avoid crossing the Indian claims, nor were they always particular about holding sacred the rights of Indians to their property, or of shooting their game or stealing their ponies, and it finally came about that an Indian's scalp was considered as much of a trophy as was a white man's to an Indian. These gi'owing animosities finally culminated in an attack by the Winnebago Indians on the 30th of July, 1827, on two keel-boats which were passing up the Mississippi river with supj^lies for Fort Snelling. Several of the crew were killed and others wounded. The state gov- ernment being a23prised of the outbreak ordered forward, to the threat-^ ened portion of the state, military to quell the hostiles. The whole country roundabout was in confusion and alarm, and settlers throughout the northern part of the state fled to distant points where had been erected fortifications for safety. At G-alena 3,000 people, men w(3men and children from the surrounding country were gathered for protection. Several hundred men at Galena were armed and equipped, and in Sangamon and Morgan, counties a regiment was formed and sent forward, but before they arnved the Indians had been driven far north and some of the leaders captured. Hardly had the excitement occasioned by this outbreak died out, however, until trouble began with the Sac and Fox tribes. The leaders and chiefs of these were Keokuk and Black Hawk, whose names have been perpetuated in different localities in this vicinity by places which bear their names. These men were not friends ; had they been, the war which was soon to follow might have been a much more serious affair than it proved. Keokuk was loyal to the government and con- trolled much the larger portion of the people, though they were anx- ious for war, and in accordance with the stipulations of a preceding treaty he with a majority of the two tribes remained on the west side of the Mississippi river. Black Hawk, however, claiming that the treaty alluded to was void, crossed the river with 300 warriors in the spring of 1831 with a view of occupying his former home near where the city of Kock Island now stands. Here had these people lived for more than a hundred years and this was the principal town of the Sac nation. According to one provision of the treaty the Indians had a right to occupy the lands until wanted by the government for actual settlement, and though the Indians had been ordered to vacate them no actual settlers were very near — in all of Mercer and Henderson counties perhaps not more than five or six families, and in the whole county of Rock Island not one. However, in those times people liv- BLACK HAWK WAR. 25 ing within forty miles of each other were neighbors, and the two races could not well exist within twice the distance without encroaching on each other. Doubtless both parties were much to blame in bringing about this final conflict, and doubtless both were anxious that the final test should be made. It is not our province to discuss causes or details, but simply relate facts that seem to have a close connection with the territory whose history we set out to write. On the 30th of April, 1831, a petition signed by forty persons was- sent to the executive of Illinois representing that the Indians had done much damage to their property, and that their lives and homes were in constant danger. John Reynolds was then Governor of Illinois and believing from this petition and other information received, that Black Hawk was determined to retain possession of the dis- puted territory to the detriment of the state, resolved to expel him. He accordingly made a call for volunteers. In a very short time 700 militia were assembled at Beardstown on the Illinois river ready to take up the line of march toward the camp of Black Hawk. Before moving, however, Gen. Gaines, who was then stationed at St. Louis, passed up the river to Rock Island in command of a regiment of United States troops, with the hope of returning the Indians to the west side of the river without the necessity of calling upon the militia. The Indians were obstinate and refused to move, and according to previous arrangement the volunteers from Beards- town were advised to go forward, which they did with much enthu- siasm, their numbers having in the meantime been swelled to twice the original call. The brigade was accompanied by Governor RejTiolds ; and Joseph Duncan, whose name appears on the records of Mercer and Henderson as a large land-holder in the early times of this section, was appointed brigadier-general. On the 15th of June, this, the largest body of military that had ever been seen in the state, left their encampment at Rushville, just west of the Illinois river, and marched to within a few miles of the Sac village. This line of march took them directly through the central part of Mercer county, and the exact route is still known and pointed out, it being on the old Indian trail (which was nearly on the Henderson and Warren county line) and extending through Mercer county northward between Aledo and Joy. Wlien the Indians found that the government and state were in earnest, and that they were nearly surrounded with bristling bayonets and cannon, and were about to be cut oft", they took the alarm, and the night before the intended attack escaped to the west side of the river. Doubtless their retreat was known and could have been cut oif, but Gen, Gaines was. '26 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. • anxious that tlie affair slioulcl end witliout bloodslied. The soldiery were somewliat disappointed, and in a sjiirit of revenge burned theu* town, though the wigwams and cabins were needed to protect them- selves from the rain whicli was falling incessantly. Thus bloodlesslv terminated the campaign, but the war was not yet at an end. Black Hawk had promised to submit to the government of the country and to the counsel of the friendly chiefs, but he still had the defiant will which ere long must needs break out in the act which did not terminate so favorably to him and his braves. During the fol- lowing \vinter he was busy inciting the Indians to hostility, and by spiing had succeeded in raising a force of 500. His headquarters weVe at the site of old Fort Madison, just on the west side of the Mis- :sissippi. From thence they proceeded up the river on horses, the women and children in canoes, to a point just opposite the present town of Oquawka. Here they were met by White Cloud, the prophet, who, at a council held at the place named, advised them to go forward and cross the river, and that numerous other tribes would sm'ely join them in a war against the whites. Accordingly the Indians crossed the IVIississippi at Rock Island and ascended the Rock river to the <30untry still occupied by the Winnebagos, near its source. Couriers were sent to warn them to return, but with no eftect. The attitude of Black Hawk looked so alarming that the settlers of the whole of the north half of the state fled precipitately to the southern part and to tlie more thickly settled portions of Indiana. Governor Reynolds at once called for volunteers to meet at Beards- town. About 2,000 men assembled upon this call, and on the 27tli of April the army started on their march to Oquawka, where they were joined by two companies from Shelby county. Here the army encamped for several days awaiting supplies and provisions, which were furnished them from Rock Island and St. Louis. As soon as they could be supplied, baggage wagons were loaded and all was got in readiness for a march to Dixon, where they had been informed the •enemy was encamped. When the army was ready to start a letter was brought from Gen. Atkinson, who commanded several companies of the regular army at Fort Armstrong, that Black Hawk had •descended the Rock river, and requesting the governor to march immediately with troops to Fort Ai-mstrong. The army was then put in motion and moved to the mouth of Rock river, where they were received into the serA-ice of the United States, and Gen. Atkinson .assumed command. The volunteers now took up their course along Rock river toward Dixon, where they were joined a few days later by Gen. Atkinson and BLACK HAWK WAR. 27 the regulars. From this point Majors Stilhnan an.d Bailey had been detailed to protect the pioneer border, and having as yet seen but little service they were anxious to go farther up the river to reconnoitre. Accordingly orders were given to proceed up the river for this purpose, and with nearly 300 men they advanced about thirty miles, whei-e they captured a few Indians and pursued some others, who had fled, into the very ambush of Black Ilawk, who with only about forty warriors put them to flight and killed several of them. The retreat was as inglorious as it was confusing ; ammunition, food, horses and wagons were left in the precipitate flight, and the fugitives did not stop running until they arrived at Dixon, in squads of from two or three to a dozen. The war was now fully inaugurated, and the next day the army started for the held of action. They found the ground strewn with their comrades in a horribly mutilated condition, with heads and limbs sundered from the bodies and hearts plucked out. The fragments were g;atliered together and buried in one common graxe on the spot. The Indians had fled, well knowing that the fury of the whites would be fully aroused upon the discovery of the atrocious deeds. The Government now sent Gen. Scott with 1,000 United States troojDS to superintend operations in the future campaigns. New levies of troops were made and sent foi"ward by the State. On the 6th of June Black Hawk made an attack with about 150 warriors on the fort at Apple river, near Galena. There were only twenty-five men in the fort, but they defended it mth desperation for fifteen hours, and the Indians were finally compelled to retire, the only damage sustained being the loss of one man, the burning of the houses of the callage, iind the destruction of other property. Other conflicts followed rapidly in succession between bands ol Indians and detachments of American troops, but as the engagements ■did not occur in the ^^cinity of the counties of which we write, we shall but mention them. The battle at Kellogg's Grove, and other conflicts in the northern portion of Illinois and the southern part of Wisconsin occuri'ed during the months of June and July. At last, about the first of August, the Indians were completely hemmed in at a point on the Mississippi called Bad Axe, where they were driven into the river, many being killed and many others being drowned in the attempt to gain the opposite shore. The loss of the Indians was not far short of 300, and near 100 more were wounded and taken prisoners. The war -vartually ended with the battle of Bad Axe, a,nd the further pursuit of the hostiles was not deemed necessary. Many of the names of those engaged in the war, such as Anderson, 'Turney, Ewing, Breese, Dement, Ford, Duncan, Dodge and Lincoln, 28 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES, afterward became noted in the history of the state and of the nation. Among the many who distinguished themselves, none made a more brilliant record than did Gen. James D. Henry, of Springfield, after whom has been named an adjoining county. A few weeks subsequent to the battle of Bad Axe, Black Hawk and the Prophet were captured by some friendly Indians and turned over to the United States authorities. They were held in custody for about one year, when they were set at liberty ; subsequently Black Hawk settled down in Lee county, Iowa, for a short period, and then moved to the vicinity of the Des Moines, twenty miles above its mouth. In 1838 he contracted a disease which ended his life when he had attained the age of seventy-two years. Abraham Miller, formerly a resident of Mercer county, says, in a letter to the Historical Society of Mercer county, that he frequently saw Black Hawk after his expulsion from this section, in the neighborhood of New Boston, where, Mr. Miller says. Black Hawk's daughter lies buried. Quite a number of citizens of Mercer and Henderson counties yet survive who were per- sonally acquainted with this great chief, notably amongst whom is Colonel Patterson of Oquawka, whose intimacy with him and his his- tory we shall notice at length on a subsequent page. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS. The Indians inhabiting this portion of the state at the time of the advent of the white settler, and for many years previous, were the Sac and Fox nations, and consisted of the Ottawa, Kickapoo, Chippewa, Shawnee, Mascoutin, Piankeshaw aud Pottawottamie tribes. They had obtained possession of this part of the State by conquest from other tribes who had lived here before the occupation by these nations. The Sacs and Foxes were at the beginning of the present century indeed but one nation in reality, intermarrying, living, hunting and fighting together as an individual nation. As their history is so closely connected with this section, doubtless many of our younger readers, whose fathers and mothers and elderly friends have recollec- tions reaching back to the closing scenes of the Indian's last years on the east side of the Mississippi and their final departure, will be inter- ested to read something relating to their modes of life. Before the arrival of the Europeans and their intercourse with them, their manners, implements of agriculture, hunting and war, were much more rude than after contact with the more enlightened whites. They were at first found in possession of the most simple utensils ; the flint dart, of which many have been found along the timber lands of the streams, were the points for the arrows, which, shot from the bow, brought down the game which was their principal subsistence. The MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE INDIANS. 29 "boys as soon as they were strong enough were given this instrument, and their education consisted in its use and the knowledge of the habits of the animals it was designed to destroy. This, too, was their instrument of warfare. For the different pur- poses different shaj^ed points were used. Some were fashioned with "barbs at the base, so that the arrows having entered the object would not be easily withdrawn, which, possibly were used for shooting hsh ; some were made broad at the base, and were no doubt designed to make a large wound, and were j^erhaps used for the slaying of the larger animals and in war ; and yet others were e\'idently intended for small game, and where it was not desirable to injure the flesh more than absolutely necessary. Of these three principal varieties cuts are here given, but there were numerous modifications of these, as can be seen by reference to the collections in the possession of a number of persons 30 HISTORY OF IVIERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. in this section. For knives and axes tliej also used flint and granite stones fashioned into proper shapes. Mr. Tvler McWhorter has in his vahiable and extensive cabinet a very large number of these and other implements used by these people. These rude implements Were, after the fur trade was established, gradually superseded by knives and guns procured from the ti-aders in exchange for furs, and many of the. Indians soon became as skillful in the use of the rifle as the white men, and afterward made effectual and savage use of it against the race by whom it had been supplied. However, when our fathers and grandfathers found these people here tiiey were still anything but cultured in their ways. Their houses consisted of a few poles ten or fifteen feet in length, planted in the ground in circular form and approaching each other at the top, and covered with the skins of animals. In the winter the fire was kindled in the middle of the area inside and the smoke found its way out at the top, where an opening had been left. At this fire they cooked their food by roasting animars flesh held on the ends of sharp- ened sticks, and by baking cakes of meal that had been made by breaking the grains with stones on flat, heated stones. A common food was made by boiling the carcass of an animal with kernels of corn and such vegetables as they could And. Abraham Miller, an early settler at the town of Millersburg, relates that he saw Black Hawk and a few of his friends regale themselves on a stew prepared from a polecat thrown into the kettle without any dressing whatever. Skins of ani- mals taken in the chase constituted their beds, and around the smoul- dering embers of the camp-flre they smoked their pipes and recounted there the incidents of the chase or war, and slept the long winter nights upon these primitive couches. The business of the Indian was to kill game and spear fish, while that of the wife was to till the soil in summer, gather and chop the wood for the fires and do the drudgery for the simple household. Cleanliness was by no means essential to respectability, neither did the clothing nor the person of the Indian receive so many ablutions but that all these events in his life could be easily remembered. Marriage with them was not even a matter of form, unless it be considered in the light of a bargain and sale, for such it really was, ponies, and bear and deer skins being almost always given in exchange for wives. In general they had but few children. The women were treated as slaves and were subject in consequence of exposure to many and severe attacks of sickness. The stories found in novels of the wooing of the dusky maiden by the noble warrior or daring hunter, and of their tender attachment for DESCRIPTION. 31. their wives and children, are in the main very mnch overdrawn, A few rare exceptions are known. It is said tliat Black Hawk was a most devoted husband, and was, throughout his long life, trae to his marital relations. The amusements of the Indians were the war dance, athletic sports, and the narration of their hunting and war experiences, but in none of these did the females take any part. Though hltliy in their habits, to the extreme they were nevertheless proud, and were fond of decorating their dirty bodies with paint, feathers, and such bits of ribbons and beads as they could obtain. After its introduction by the whites the Indians grew very fond of whisky, and drunkenness became much more common with them than with their pale brethren. Sometimes when a fresh supply of liquor was obtained, a whole band, with the exception of two or three, who' were required to remain sober for the pm^jose of keeping the rest from murdering each other, would get on a grand big drunk, which would not end until the whisky was all gone or they got beyond the power of locomotion. DESCRIPTION. Mercer county lies on the northwestern border of the state and em- braces a little more than fifteen townships, or about 550 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Rock Island county, on the east by Henry . and Ivn(3x, on the south by Warren and Henderson, and on the west by the middle of the Mississippi river. The fourth principal meridian passes along the eastern border, and it embraces townships 13, 14 and 15 north, and ranges 1, 2, 3, 4, and a part of 5 and 6 west. It is inter- sected from the east to the west, through the northern portion, by Edwards river, which, near the western border, changes its course, and running in a southwesterly direction, empties into the Mississippi about a mile and a half below New Boston. A few miles south of the Edwards is Pope creek, which passes through the county in the same direction, and enters the Mississippi at Keithsburg. In addition to these there are in the northwest, Eliza creek, which empties into Swan lake, and Camp creek, a tributary of the Edwards. South of these is- North Pope, a tributary of Pope creek, and in the southeast are North Henderson and Duck creeks. These, together with some smaller, streams, furnish an abundant supply of water. A large portion of the county is prairie, while along the borders of the streams are the so-called barrens. The soil of the prairie is a deej) black or chocolate colored loam, with a yellow or dark brown clay subsoil. The soil of the barrens is similar to that of the prairie, only lighter colored and of 32 HISTORY OF MEECEK AJSTD HENDERSON COUNTIES. less depth, while along the upper part of the slope it is of a light brown or yellowish color, owing to the character of the subsoil, wliich comes near the surface. In some portions of the barrens there is but a thin covering of the soil, and in these places it is quite light colored. The most extensive allu^^al deposit is along the Mississippi bottom. This extends along the whole western border of the county, with a varied width of from two to five miles. Of this, that portion which is situated on the northwest and extends as far south as ISTew Boston, is much cut up by swamps, lakes and bays. Thi-ough a large portion of these bottom lands there are one or more low ridges of sand. The soil of this sandy portion is of but little value, there being but few seasons when it is wet enough to produce. In other portions the soil is a deep black loam and very productive. ISTarrow alluvial belts are also found along nearly all the water-courses, the soil of which is very dark colored, but more or less intermingled with sand and peb- bles. Coal of a good quality is found in various parts ; the veins are ft-om three to five feet thick. The mines furnish a large amount of good coal. The seam furnishing the largest portion of the coal of this county extends over most of the northeastern half of the county, but is most extensively mined in the townships of Greene, Rivoli, Rich- land Grove and Preemption. In the township sketches, devoted to these townships, will be found more extended notices of these mines. The soil of this county is well adapted to agricultural purposes, and is in nearly every part of the county productive of large crops of corn, oats and hay. Wheat is not much raised. Formerly, spring wheat was grown to a considerable extent, but of late years its cultivation has gi-eatly decreased. Recently, considerable attention has been given to producing winter wheat. The land along or near the water-courses, though of a lighter character, is valuable for the production of fi'uit. Nearly all the lands along the streams were formerly heavily timbered, but here the first settlers built their cabins, and in consequence of habits acquired in their eastern and southern homes, much of the orig- inal forest has disappeared. In the early times coal was not used for fuel ; indeed it was scarcely known to exist, and its value as a fuel was overlooked for a number of years. Fencing and house-building also required much timber, and so the once heavily timbered portions of the county now resemble much more than formerly the open prairies wliich lie beside them. The kinds of timber most abundant are white, bmT, black, red and laurel oak, red and white elm, blue and white ash, hickory, maple, wild cherry, and occasionally a black walnut. In the bottoms are also locust, sycamore, cottonwood, box alder, wild plum A SCRAP OF ANCIENT HISTORY. 35 and crab-apple, and occasionally pecans and buckeyes. Grape vines and other climbers are abundant. In later years the hand of man has added niany varieties of fruit and ornamental trees, which thrive apparently as though in their native soil. Tlie osage orange grows well here, and many of the most tasty farms are now fenced with this shrub. The climate is rather cold for it, however, and its fruit scarcely ever comes to perfection. In the larger rivers, especially near their moutlis, are abundant supplies of fish, and formerly in the timber along their banks were found many wild animals, such as deer, squirrels, raccoons, turkeys and chickens. The game has almost all vanished from before the face of the white man. The description of the county will be given more in detail in the several township sketches. A SCRAP OF ANCIENT HISTORY. The following, written nearly half a century ago, by a visitor to this section, will doubtless prove interesting to many readers. It is from Augustus Mitchell's description of Illinois in 183Y. "Mercer county is situated in the northern part of the Military Bounty tract. It lies north of Warren, south of Rock Island, west of Henry, and east of Louisa and Musquitine counties, *Wisconsin terri- tory, from which it is separated by the Mississippi river. The town of Mercer is located in the exact geograj^hical center and with the express view of becoming the county seat of Mercer county. It is situated midway between Pope and Edwards rivers, which run through the county parallel to each other, and at this point are not more than five miles apart. The site is healthy and elevated, com- manding a beautiful view of the surrounding country, which is as rich and as well adapted to the culture of wheat, and indeed of all kinds of grain, as any in the state. The county is settling rapidly with a moral, industrious and enterprising po]3ulation. The water-power afibrded by Pope and Edwards rivers is equal to that of any county in the state : a circumstance of much importance, not only for fur- nishing lumber for building, but for the erection of grain and fiouring mills. There is one saw mill now in operation within two and one- half miles of Mercer, and several others will be built the approaching season, also within a few miles of the town. The situation of Mercer admits of the convenient access to the timber, stone and stone coal of both Pope and Edwards rivers and their branches. Mercer is situa- ted about fourteen miles from New Boston, on the Mississippi, at which there is an excellent landing. It is also on the direct route from the *Now Iowa. 36 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. latter place to Hennepin, and from Oqiiawka to Rock Island. ITew Boston, the seat of justice, is the only other town in the county, and is situated at the upper Yellow bank, just above Edwards river, nearly opposite the mouth of the Lower Iowa, a considerable stream of the Wisconsin territory. This place has a good landing and a fine harbor, and when the opposite territory becomes settled it cannot fail to become a town of considerable importance, as it will be the commercial entre- pot of a large extent of fertile country." HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. Perhaps most of the grown people of this section have some knowl- edge, either by actual observation or from the lips of the few worthy pioneers who still linger on the shores of time, of the early modes of life which obtained during most of the first quarter of a century of its history. But the last original settler will soon have left us, and then these things, but for the historian's pen, would become but matters of tradition. Even now, amongst the younger class, the stories of the early hardships, trials and triumphs of this worthy class of heroic men and women, are not so very fully realized, and in the near future an account of what were once considered ' ' afflictions grievous to be borne," will, without doubt, prove interesting reading to the grand- children of those whose voices will have been hushed, and whose weary bodies will have been lain away in the soil they first turned to the sun. How they came. — A single instance would almost answer for the history of the emigration of all of the early settlers to this section. We will give it in substance, though not exactly in the words of one who came to this country in 1838 : Far across the dense woodlands of Indiana, near where Ohio's broad waters roll onward to join the Mississippi in its course to the great ocean, among the graceful forest trees, and gushing springs and fertile fields of Ohio, rests in quiet beauty a shady hillside, a bright green valley, and a dancing water-brook. Near the lane which passes this spot and crosses the little stream of water just beyond, may be seen a fine old farm house surrounded with towering elms and fronted with Evergreens of dififerent varieties. But not with this place, as it. exists to-day, has our narrative to do. True, the surroundings have changed but little in half a century. The trees are much larger, and the house has been so metamorphosed that its former occupant would not recognize it ; but the hillside and the brook, the valley and the forest, present the same appearance as when forty-odd years ago the scene which we are about to describe might have been witnessed. HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. 3T It was no uncommon occurrence that was taking place there, but because of its being a usual circumstance it becomes of the gi-eater importance and is described the more minutely. To the parties con- cerned, however, it was a matter of the greatest moment. The family who had for years occupied this place had caught a glimpse of the wonderful countiy in the Bounty tract, one of the number having the year before made a trip to the new State of Illinois and brought back glowing accounts of the broad prairies, the fine belts of timber, the richness of the soil, the abundance of game, and the many other real and fancied advantages to the emigrant bold enough to face the dan- gers and privations incident to a pioneer life. The matter had been talked over for many months. The children talked it over and won- dered at the length of the journey, the exciting incidents of the trip,, and the novel scenes that awaited them in their new home, little com- prehending the hardships to which they would be subjected. The . mother and wife had said but little, but naturally shrank from the trial of leaving relatives, friends and home, and taking up her abode in the wilderness. She could scarcely reconcile herself to the life of priva- tion, and perhaps danger, that awaited her and those she loved. But the father argued that the little farm on which they lived, and rented by the year, but barely gave them a support ; that the prospect, a& much as he liked his neighbors, and much as he prized the social and other privileges, was very feeble for an independence. He was advanc- ing in vears, and the children would soon arrive at manhood and wom- anhood with no provision for old age for himself and wife, and with nothing for the young folks vtdth which to begin life. And so it was decided to remove to what seemed to be the land of promise. Accordingly, their plans had been announced to their neighbors, a sale had been made of what they found to be superfluous articles, though perhaps with a \aew to realize a little ready money, with which to make a substantial start in their new location and to liquidate a few debts that had been contracted at the stores, and all was ready for the journey. The wagon had been backed to the front door the evening before^ and the cows, and a few sheep, that they had concluded to take with them, and which had been reserved from the sale, had been penned up, that they might not stray away before the hour at which they were wanted to begin the journey. Tlie morning had arrived, the candles were lighted, the fire in the fireplace was crackling, and the kettle boil- ing, preparatory to taking the last meal in the house. The breakfast was dispatched in an unusually short time, and then commenced the exciting process of packing up. Bedsteads were knocked to pieces, 38 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. bed-clotlies were thrown in all directions, and things in general pre- sented a confused appearance. The children seemed to enjoj the ex- citement, the mother hastened about, but on her face was a look of dejection ; but the father and husband moved around with a finn gait, attending to the work of preparation with no sign that beti'ayed the feeling of reluctance with which he was leaving the place that he had for so many years called home, though doubtless much of his cheerfulness was assumed for the effect that his demeanor might have on the other, members of the family. Soon the household effects and the simpler class of farming uten- sils were stowed away in the wagon, the bows to support the wagon cover were put in their staples, and the white cover stretched on and tied. Then the oxen were hitched to the wagon, the sheep and cows turned into the road, and all were ready to start. Numerous relatives and friends by this time had gathered to bid them good-by, looking on in the meantime with mingled feelings of sorrow and wonder. When at last the moment for starting came, the wife broke into weeping ; and though the husband showed no outward signs of regret, when he bid his nearest friends farewell his hand shook a little and his voice was huskv. Such a trip as lay before these adventurers would now be consid- ered comparatively a trivial undertaking, but at the time of whicli we write it was of a more serious nature. It would well compare with the embarkation of the hundred pilgrims, who left their native shores two hundred years earlier to make their way across the boundless deep, to find a home in the new world. Indeed, the hardships of the wilder- ness road which lay before were greater than those experienced by the emigrants of the Maj^ower. The length of time required to complete the journey was almost as great. The mother and the youngest children rode in the wagon, while the father and oldest boy trudged along on foot to guide the oxen and attend to the stock. It would be interesting to listen to the account of all the incidents of their long and tedious joiarney, but time and space forbids more than brief allusions. The roads, even in Ohio and Indi- ana, were but poor, and after crossing the Wabash, consisted of mere trails across prairies, through sloughs, fording creeks and ferrying rivers. There were but few bridges across the streams then, especially on this side of the Wabash, and after some days out some of the streams were found to be so swollen by recent rains that the emigrants were compelled to go into camp for several days to wait for the flood to subside. On one such occasion they became so impatient that, put- ting into the stream before it had fallen sufficiently, they all came near HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. 39 losing their lives. At another place, where there was a prospect of having to stay several days, a raft was constructed of timbers cut and prepared on the spot, and lashed together with bed cords. On this they crossed to the other side, bringing over the last wheel of the wagon after a whole day's work, thus camping only a few hundred feet from their camping place of the night before. Their little stock ot provisions soon gave out, but they did not suffer for lack of food, as the timber was full of game and the rifle supplied them with plenty of meat. The cattle easily subsisted upon the grass that grew along the road. However, the journey was a wearisome one, and all were well pleased when at length it was completed. Finally, at the close of a weary day, the company came to a halt, not with a design of locating at this stopping place, but, knowing tliat they must be in the vicinity of the point toward which they had been traveling, they concluded to camp a few days and look around. Accordingly, arrangements for more than an ordinary stop were made, and our pioneer the next day started out on foot to select a location for his future home, leaving his family in camp. After a few day's search, he had fully made up his mind, and the camp was removed to the spot selected for the future home, provided the land was not already the property of some one else. It was yet early spring and they at once set about planting some corn and other vegetables, even before the land they were breaking had been secured, living in the meantime in the now empty box of the wagon. After the crop was planted, the father made his way to the land office, and secured the cpiarter on which he had pitched his tent. By fall, a cabin was erected, and thus began the new life of one of the many brave families who at that early date came to this country to seek an independence and a home. Doubtless many of the earliest settlers will recognize the expe- riences of this family thus far as that of their own, and many of the younger people will imagine they have heard the story before, as told by father or mother, who may long since have been laid to rest in the little cemetery at Sugar Grove or the Yellow Banks, near the great river. The experiences of the first emigrants were so similar that a rep- etition of them destroys the novelty ; but it could never destroy the charm or lose the interest, while at the same time it renders the faith- ful description the more valuable, applying as it does, to so many cases. With the change of the name of the state from which the family came, and the addition or suppression of a few more details which marked their journey, no doubt the narrative might be made to fit the emigra- 40 fflSTOEY OF MEECER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. tion to this section of a majority of its early occupants. A few brouglit horses, which drew the gi-eat prairie schooner wagon, and not infre- quently a horse and an ox did duty in the same team. A single ox or a single horse has drawn to this country all of the worldly wealth pos- sessed by some of what have proved its most worthy citizens. The First Dwellings. — Judge Gilmore, whose recollection of the early features of the country are probably as correct as any, gives us the pen picture of the pioneer cabin which follows. The pioneer cabins were nearly all built after the same pattern, the plans and specifications being very simple indeed. The building site was a spot in the edge of the grove, so as to be near the patch of prairie designed to be cultivated, and within the shelter of the grove for the protection of themselves and stock from the cold winds of winter. This was considered a colder climate than that from which most of them had come, and protection from its inclemencies was a matter for serious consideration. The very first cabins were constructed from logs entirely undressed, the small difterence in length being considered no disadvantage to looks or utility. The trees selected for the purpose were generally a foot or less in diameter. From these logs were cut, usually about sixteen feet in length. In both ends of the logs notches were cut to receive the notches cut in each other, so that in their building up they would lie close one upon the other, in the manner of a rail pen. When the pen was built to the height of six or seven feet, a portion of one or two logs on one side would be removed for a window ; another opening would be made for a door, and another for the stick and mud chimney, which would be built outside as a kind of an addition to the house. In winter the windows consisted of greased paper pasted over the opening mentioned. In summer none were needed. The door was usually made from boards that had been fashioned from a straight grained tree by no other tool than the ax. The latch was a liome-made affair, similar to those still to be seen on farm gates. A little above the latch a small auger hole was bored through the door, and through this hung a thong of buckskin attached to the latch, by which it could be lifted from the outside by pulling the string. The floor of the dwelling in very many instances was the earth. The hearth of the fire place, where the cooking was done, was made of such flat stones as could be found in their natural state. A little later bricks for this purpose, and in a few instances for entire chimneys, were made by tramping mud in a box with the bare feet and burning a few hundred of them at a time. Abraham Miller, formerly of Mercer county, but now in Oregon, wi-ites that he made the fii-st bricks ever HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. 41 used in Mercer county, and that the mud for them was mixed with his bare feet. The cabins were covered with boards riven from straight grained trees the full length of one side of the building, and held in their places by the weight of the bodies of small trees. The cracks between the logs composing the sides of the cabin were filled with wedge shaped pieces .of wood called "chinks," and these were daubed over with mud, the hands in many cases being used as the trowel. Abraham Miller says that the young men were particular to leave finger marks on this kind of work, as it was a sure road into the good graces of the maidens, who held this sign of industry and democracy in high repute. -liUrf^r^:^^ A PIONEER LOG CABIN. In the construction of these simple dwellings the only tools em- ployed were an ax, a saw and an auger, and in ^-ery many cases only the ax. Not a nail or any piece of iron was used, and not a pane of glass; neither paint nor plaster were available. Decorations, such as pictures or brackets for the walls, would have been a great curiosit)^ In their place festoons of corn for the next year's planting hung from poles in the upper space of the cabins. The trusty rifle lay in two wooden hooks over the door or fire place, and from pegs near the chimney often hung bits of venison that were being dried for future use, and was called "jerk." These were the decora- tions of grandfather's house. 42 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. The pioneer cabin has seen its day, however, and is now a thing of the past. It has been superseded by the more pretentious hewed log- house of two or more rooms, and this in turn has given place to the fine frame and brick dwellings which dot the prairies and groves all over. A few of the ancient cabins are still doing service as pig-sties or hen houses, and the modern traveler would hardly dream that once^ they were the dwellings of large and happy families. We give in this connection a view of a cabin still standing in Eliza township, Mercer county, though the artist has had to draw somewhat on imagination for the surroundings, as the once pioneer mansion now serves the ignoble purpose of sheltering the chickens. Ancient House Furniture. — -Perhaps in nothing has there been a greater change than in the furniture, botli ornamental and useful, with which the houses of this county have been supplied. Any one curious enough to make a list of the numberless articles now considered indis- pensable to a well furnished house, will be surprised to find that scarcely an article now in use was in the early times of this section even known. And so also the few utensils and ornaments used by our grandmothers would be curiosities now. Sewing machines only began to come intO' use here in about 1S60, and now scarcely a family is without one. Grandmother Dennison, of Keithsburg, says all of the clothing in use by the family was made by the skillful and industrious fingers of the^ housewife with the needle and thimble. Not only so, but even the cloth of which the clothes were made was a home manufacture. Each family kept a few sheep, and from these the wool was sheared, washed, picked, carded, spun, woven, dyed and cut, in many instances, all at home. ISTone of the young ladies of to-day know what a "wool pickin'" is. The last one was had years ago. The picking of the particles of dirt and burs from the fleece was a very tedious process, and in the early times it was customary for the matron of the family to call in the help of all the young and middle aged ladies foi* some miles around to assist in this work. These invitations were gladly accepted, for the picking always ended with a frolic at night, to which the young ladies' beaux were invited. So in the making up of clothing, there were in use the big sheep shears, the cards, which were two insti'uments much resembling the instruments used for currying horses at the present day, the spinning- wheel, the hand loom and the dye kettle. None of these remain in use, but occasionally one may be found in the garret of the house of an old settler. Many of the early settlers were skillful in the use of some of the: HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS. 43 simplest tools of the shoemaker, and could turn out a decent, but rough pair of shoes from leather that they had themselves tanned from the skins of animals that they had themselves reared. Even the lasts and the pegs were of home manufactiwe. The simple kits of tools used in the manufacture of leather and shoes were, however, soon superseded by the tan yards and the professional shoemaker, and they in turn have had their time and are almost extinct. The few pelts that are now taken from the cattle are sent to the great cities and tanned by improved processes, made into shoes by machines driven by steam, and shipped back to us in nice green boxes containing a dozen pairs of all sizes and qualities. The culinary implements were as rude and simple as it is possible to conceive. The old Dutch oven for baking bread, a skillet and an iron pot, that hung from a wooden hook in the great wide chimney, were about all that were considered necessary for baking, frying and boiling. There was not a stove in the county until about 1845, and, therefore, the fireplace, extending almost across one end of the cabin, was the only source of heat in the winter, and also answered all the demands of cooking. Even the first cook stoves were simple affairs- compared to those in present use, and were constructed with a double purpose of heating and cooking. In a letter from Abraham Miller, he says: "Our early crops were mainly corn, wheat, oats, flax for home use, and the most useful vege- tables of all kinds, all of which did remarkably well. We raised melons in abundance. The only market point for the county was New Boston, then only known as Dennison's Landing and wood yard, at upper Yellow Sand Banks, on the Mississippi river. The first store or trading post was there in 1834, and was kept by a man by the name of Irvin, who was. very exact, both in a commercial and moral point of view. He was a seceder by profession. So correct was he in his views of the Sabbath that he penned up his rooster on that day, that he might not disturb the holy day. Tliis is neither jest nor hoax. I only men- tion it to show that, in those early times and among backwoods settlers, religious rites, according to each order, were strictly observed. Prices of produce were very low. Wheat was not more than forty cents per bushel, and this was the highest priced article, proportionately, that the fanner had to sell. In those days we were all new beginners and had but little surplus to market. We raised our own hogs and hominy, killed deer, wild turkeys, prairie hens, caught fish and found wild bees. We had to get what little groceries we had with raccoon and deer skins, and frequently the best of us did without any. We were inured to anything from hard times down, and small privations were not noted. 44 inSTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Our wives and daughters could spin and weave, and wear the product of their own industry. We drank parched com or pea coffee until we got to raising wheat and rye enough to answer the purpose. We drank tea made from sycamore chips. A favorite tea was made of red-root leaves, sweated under a Dutch oven, rolled between the two hands and dried. When drawn and sweetened with well scummed honey, your readers are assured it was not bad to take. This tea we called grub hyson. An early merchant of New Boston, after the discovery of this tea, caught at the idea, and when his black tea ran short in the store, tradition says, he sold many a pound of red-root leaves. "The men and boys could wear buckskin breeches; and a coon- skin cap, with the tail dangling behind the head as an ornament thereto, was not a novel sight. We were all poor, but on a social equality. We hardly had an idea of what aristocracy was. With the greatest of pleasure I yet look back on those good old times as my golden days, when all around was clothed in the wild, yet gorgeous robes of nature, and while its half-forgotten scenery plays about and flits across mem- ory's path, imagination paints the flush of youth where age as well as grief have coursed bitter tears down its lachrymal furrows. Despite this, for the moment, the blood of boyhood rushes through the sunken veins and makes the aged young. "We had our backwoods mechanic in almost every farmer and farmer's boy, who learned early in life, and who turned his hand to anything necessary for carrying on our backwoods operations, both in wood and iron. But as the country grew up mechanics of almost all kinds dropped in, but it was only npon a small scale that they were patronized, or that they expected patronage, as they generally added to their mechanical skill agricultural industries, and pursued their trades •only at odd times."" The wool picking has been alluded to. It had its corresponding diversion for the young men in the corn husking, or "shuckin'," as it was called. It was common, not only in the early days, but until with- in a score of years, to break the ears from the stalks as they stood in the field, and haul them to the vicinity of the barn and then invite all the young men to come in on some afternoon or evening to strip them of their husks. Thus a wearisome task for the single handed fanner, requiring weeks of labor, would be performed in a single evening. The husking bee would usually end with a sumptuous supper, and fre- quently with a spree, to which the young ladies had been previously invited. Other pastimes of the olden time, some of which are but barely obsolete, were the quiltings, which partook of features of the wool pickings, the singing schools, the spellings, wolf hunts, house and EAKLY SEITLEMENT. 45 iDarn raisings. At all of these the joung people took great interest and manifested their skill according to the adaptation of age or sex for such amusements. The Fourth of July was, fifty years ago, kept more as a reminder of its origin than it is to-day, and some of the early celebrations were ^rand affairs. There was less of show and noise than to-day, but of all that goes to make up a grand holiday, and that conduces to a hearty rejoicing oji account of our country's independence, was present in full force. The people were more democratic in their habits and thoughts, and consequently a gathering of the kind embraced all the citizens of the county. Not unfrequently a revolutionary hero honored the scene with his presence, and exhibited himself in the evolutions and drill learned by necessity in his country's birth. EARLY SETTUiMENT. The Eastern, Middle and Southern states, from which the early -settlers came, were densely covered with a vigorous growth of timber. A patch of prairie was a curiosity east or south of the center of Li- diana. Tlie avocations of the pioneer in the east and south had been, for the first half of his manhood, to cut down the giant trees of the forest, roll the logs together and burn them. With the unpleasant remembrances of log rolling, brush burning and stump grubbing, it seems a little strange that the prairies of the Mississippi valley and the tiibutaries thereto were not the very first to claim tlie early settler's attention. Here were open farms ready for the plow. Not a stump, or a root, or a stone, was in the way of immediate successful cultiva- tion. The oldest and most carefully cultivated fields of Ohio, Indiana ■or Kentucky, from which most of the first settlers came, were not as clear of obstacles to the agriculturist's implements as were the prairies of Mercer county. Then where shall we seek for the reasons for the neglect of the more generous soil of the prairie and the preference for groves and the poorer soil bordering thereon ? We must not forget that times have ■greatly changed within a half century. Irriplements that could not be used'on rough and stumpy grounds are a modern invention. Corn planters, grain diills, reapers and cultivators were invented after the prairies began to be cultivated, and their uses admissable. These machines were not invented for the rough lands of the east, but for the broad, level fields of the western states. Again, we must keep in mind, habits of thought and action are not very easily changed. In parts of the old world implements of ^agriculture have not changed, much in some thousands of years. Tlie 46 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. pioneers of this county were used to a wooded countiy. Thej were used to having stake and ridered fences ; houses and barns made of logs ; used to having large, blazing fires of wood in the large chimney place in the winter, and used to wasting large quantities of fine logs by burning in great heaps every year. So when they came here, with all these habits and predispositions, it must naturally have occurred to- them that the supply of wood was limited and everyone sought for a good piece of timber, which should adjoin another piece ^of prairie, whether that prairie was of the best or not. So we find all of the first settlers hugging close to the water-courses upon whose banks grew the only reminder of their former southern or eastern homes. One need not in this respect be told the early history of any locality in the state. Tlie same rule governed all over, and Mercer county was. no exception. Of course, navigation had something to do with settling the shores of such streams as were large enough to allow the steamboat to ply back and forth upon its waters. Steamboats began running along the Missis8ipj)i in 1823, and to this circumstance, doubtless, we can trace very many of the first settlements in the valley. The vicin- ity of New Boston was permanently occupied first by parties who sup- plied the boats with wood, and this, indeed, was the very first settle- ment made by white men in the county. It was in the year 182 Y that the Dennison family came to that point to supply the boats with fuel, and in the plat of the town of New Boston they as proprietors reserve the right to the monoi3oly of that trade, and of running a ferry. The Dennisons were a large and respectable family, who had come origi- nally from Indiana, but had lived a year in Sangamon county. These were the first to make what is now embraced in Mercer county a permanent home. Tlirough the influence of this family others came in, a year or two later, and settled in the immediate neighbor- hood. Indians were still plenty on this side of the river and some of them were quite unfriendly to the encroaching settler, though they endeavored to keep up a show of ft-iendship with the government. This hostile disposition on the part of the Indians made it not only desirable, but imperative, that settlers should keep within a reasonable distance of each other, and of the river, and for this reason, more than any other, no settlements were made far up the Edwards or Pope rivers until after the Indians had been removed in 1832. Among the earliest records of Warren county we find the names of parties who voted once or twice in this vicinity, but of whose identity all other trace seems to have been lost. Tlie earliest settler cannot now even remember the names. These were probably steamboat men,, hunters or laborers, who possibly may have been here but a few days.. EABLY SETTLEltlENT. 47 In those times the ballot was not guarded so closely but that a man could have deposited his ballot, even if he had not been in the precinct the prescribed number of days. The names of such cut no figure in the history of the county, and need not be even repeated here. We have to do especially with those who came here to reside, to subdue the forest and the soil, to provide for families who have since made themselves known and felt in the community, who founded society and moulded opinions, and who, in a general way, have left their mark upon the county. They are yet known, or if departed, they are remembered for their bravery, their endurance of hardships, their virtue and honor. Of such we desire to wi'ite, and of such we desire to perpetuate the memories. The Dennison family came originally from Ohio, and lived a short time in Indiana. In 1826 they came to Sangamon county in this state and stayed about a year, and in the year above named came to tlie vicinity of New Boston. For two years the Dennisons and Shaunces, who at that time lived a few miles farther north, and the Yanatas at Keithsburgh, were almost the sole occupants of the county. In 1830 the census reports show Mercer county as having a population of only twenty-seven persons, and these nearly all belonged to the two families named. In 1831 the Indian troubles began, and did not end until the fall of 1832, and of course no additions were made during that time, nor indeed for a year or so after, when confidence in the peaceful solu- tion of the troubles was fully restored. Tlie year 1834: brought a number of settlers, not only to the Den- nison neighborhood, but to other portions of the county. In tlie spring of the year named, several persons from Indiana came in and took claims, planted sod corn, and went back in the fall and brought out their families. Among those worthy of record were Josej^h Glancey, "Wm. Drury, William, ISTewton J. and Joshua Willits, Isaac Drury, Joseph, John S. and Lewis Noble. Several of the names mentioned will be found in future pages with extensive and numerous notices, as they proved to be valuable acquisi- tions to the then new but growing community. Jesse Willits was after- ward first probate judge, with his appointment from the governor. His name appears on the poll book as the first man to deposit a ballot, after the county was organized in 1835. Silas Drury was the first sheriif, and Isaac Drury was one of the fii"st county commissioners. Other prominent settlers in the west end of the county (and then con- sidered in reality the same neighborhood), were John Long, first school commissioner, Wm. I. Ne^dus, Eli Reynolds, a physician, and Isaac Dawson, a carpenter. 48 HISTORY OF JfERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. In the meantime a new and distinct settlement was forming, some ten miles up the Edwards river, at a point then and for years afterward known as the Sugar Grove settlement, and after the organization of the county, called the Sugar Grove precinct. A large family, consisting of four brothers, John, Isaac, George and Abraham Miller, with several rel- atives and friends, settled at this point in 1834, completely surrounding the grove. The Miller family was originally from Crab Orchard, Tennessee, whence they had removed to near Ci-a"w^ordsville, Indiana, in about 1820. From that place several members of the family came on here, in the latter part of April, 1834, bringing ^\nth them several yoke of oxen and some agricultural implements, for the purpose of making claims and of planting sod corn. All but Abraham Miller, Junior (son of George Miller), and his wife and wife's sister, returned to Indiana and came out subsequently. Abraham Miller, Jun., proved to be a- man of much note in public affairs of this county, and indeed the whole family was, for ten years or more, during their sojourn here, an influential one. Abraham Miller remained with the growing crops, built a cabin, and became the first permanent settler of the grove, and indeed of a radius of ten or twelve miles. Several other families, some relatives and others mere acquaintances, followed these during the next season, so that by the time the county was organized in 1835, it was found most convenient to divide the county into two precincts : the one at New Boston, which had just been laid out and given that name, instead of Dennison's Landing, and the Sugar Grove precinct. By the fall of 1835 there were probably about sixty inhabitants in and about the Grove, and between 200 and 250 in the whole county. The groves along the Edwards river were gradually being occupied by settlers, who pushed farther and farther toward its source. In the spring of 1835 a distinct settlement, known as the Richland settle- ment, or Farlow's Grove, was begun. Tliis was not in what is now known as Richland Grove township, but in reality along the north side of the Edwards, in what is now Preemption township. John Farlow and family, who settled on section 22, came from Indiana in the spring of 1835, and settled as stated. In the fall of the same year Hopkins Boone, now a resident of Viola, occupied section 34. Mr. Boone, with his family, came from Pennsylvania. This was the farthest from the mouth of the river that any one had yet settled, and indeed at that time there was not a family residing between that point and the Pock river, nor for many miles to the east, and but one family on the south, between that and Monmouth. The next spring (1836) Rev. John Montgomery, a Presbyterian minister, and James ORGANIZATION OF MERCER CONUTY. 49" Boone, came out from Pennsylvania and located in the Richland neigh- borhood. Gabriel Barkley, Rev. Joseph Jones, a Baptist minister, and C. Miller, came the same year from Indiana and settled in the vicinity of Farlow's Grove. Thus have we ti'aced the main settlements of the Edwards valley, from the mouth of that river to near the eastern line of the county. In the same way the banks of Pope creek were being occupied, but not quite so rapidly, nor were the neighborhoods quite so distinct, but were considered somewhat as branches of the three principal settle- ments named. Up the North Hefiderson, from the ^dcinity of Oquawka, the pioneer was gradually extending his domain, until the banks of these streams were lined on either side, where grew the native forests, with the pioneer's cabins and the pioneer's patches of corn and other crops. As the settlements grew older and more populous they gradually divided in interest, and centers began to form at points which at the first were considered as being in the same neighborhood, and thus two or more new neighborhoods were by common consent, and by conven- ience, formed from one. Keithsburg and Eliza, on the west side of the county, separated their interests from New Boston. Ohio Grove, farther iqj the Pope, and North Henderson, became more dis- tinct and held less close relations with Sugar Grove or the Miller neighborhood. Most of these places had for their centers either a post office or a voting place, and in some cases a church organization was the distinctive feature. ORGANIZATION OF MERCER COUNTY. By the year 1835 the territory now embraced within the limits of Mercer county had received quite a number of permanent settlers. The Black Hawk war had ended three years previously, and the excite- ment caused thereby had almost all passed away. Information had been spread abroad that this country, so lately overrun b}' the Indians, and about which comparatively little was known, was one of the most desirable for settlement in the west. Accordingly, emigrants began to find their way up the Mississippi and overland, from the more thickly settled portions of Ohio, in search of cheap homes ; some in search of good hunting grounds, the game having begun to be scarce in their former haunts. So they came, some on horseback, some on foot, some up the river on boats, and some in wagons, bringing with them all their worldly goods, and their families. Nearly all were poor, but nearly all came with the one pui-pose of securing an independence and a home for their families, which could not be obtained in the older sections of 50 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. the country, where land had already become comparatively dear. The iu'st settlements were made along the Mississippi river, and from thence they gradually spread outward and followed the smaller rivers toward their sources. By the date named, there were jjrobably forty or fifty families in the territory designed for Mercer county. The act of the legislature organizing the county was passed January 31, 1835. By a provision of the act, an election was directed to be . held on the first Monday of April, 1835, in the town of New Boston, at the house of Eli Keynolds, and at the house of Geo. Miller, for county oflicers. James Irvin, George Piper and Benjamin Yanata, or any two of them, were to be judges at New Boston, and George Mil- ler, David Shaunce and Ebenezer Gi'esswell, or any two of them, at the house of George Miller. New Boston was designated as the tem- porary county seat. The following is an exact copy of the act, as will be found on page 156 of the session laws for the year 1835, and as it will be deemed a historical relic by many, we think it advisable to give it entire. AN ACT TO ORGANIZE MERCER COUNTY. Section 1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois represented in the general assembly, That on the first Monday of A]3ril next, between the hours of eight o'clock in the morning and seven o'clock in the evening, an election shall be held in the town of New Boston, at the house of Eli Reynolds, and the house of George Miller, in the county of Mercer, for three county commissioners, one sheriff, and one coroner, for said county, who shall continue in ofl&ce until their successors shall be duly elected and qualified. Sec 2. That James Irvin, George Pi^^er and Benjamin Vanata, or any two of them, shall be judges of the election to be held at the town of New Boston, and George Miller, David *Shonce and Ebenezer Cresswell, or any two of them, shall be judges of the election to be held at the house of George Miller. Said judges shall be authorized to appoint two clerks at each precinct, and said judges and clerks shall be qualified in the same manner as judges and clerks of elections are now required by law, and said elections shall in every respect be conducted in conformity with the election laws of this state. Sec 3. Until the county seat of said county of Mercer shall be located, it shall be the duty of the county commissioner's court of said county to procure a suitable house at New Boston, and the several courts shall be held at New Boston until suitable buildings are furnished at the county seat thereinafter to be located, and the said town of New Boston is hereby declared the temporary seat of said county of Mercer until the same shall be permanently located by law. Sec 4. Said county of Mercer is hereby declared to be organized, with such corporate powers as belong to other counties in this state. This act to be in force from and after its passage. Approved January 31, 1835. The act was passed at Yandalia, which was at that date the capital of the state, to and fi-om which the legislator of the olden time, unlike * Shaunce. VASHTI DRURY. U. OF IL .. UB. ORGAinZATION OF MERCER COUNTY. 53 his more aristocratic successor who may travel in the palace cars, jour- neyed to and fro on liorseback, with his changes of raiment strapped on behind his saddle. The act of organization was completed on the 6th day of April of the same year by the election of officers, as provided in the law. Two voting places were designated. The one precinct embracing the terri- tory in the west part of the county, and the other the eastern settle- ments. At the election in the New Boston precinct there were thirty- five votes cast for Edward Willett for coroner ; twenty-five and twelve votes respectively for Silas Drury and John Long for sherift'; and twenty-four, thirty-three,. sixteen and thirty votes, respectively, for Isaac Drury, • Abraham Miller, Joseph Noble and Erastus Dennison for county commissioners. Jesse Willits, Benjamin Yanata and Samuel Piper were the judges, and William C. Townsend and Ephraim Gil- more acted as clerks. At tlie Miller precinct, Isaac Drury, Joseph Noble, Erastus Dennison and Abraham Miller received five, nine, thirteen and twelve votes, respectively, for commissioners ; John Long received six, and Silas' Drury seven, votes for sheriff", and Edward Willett received thirteen votes for coroner. David Shaunce and Ebe- nezer Cresswell acted as judges, and John and Abraham Miller as clerks. The result of the election can be seen by the reader without recapitulation. We cannot think of a more interesting item of history than the list of names of those who took part in the election tliat day, as showing wlio were the residents, heads of families and politicians of Mercer county in 1835. A number of the names figure prominently in the history of the county, some drop out of sight in a very few years, and a very few, with whitening heads and bent forms, are still with us to tell the stoiy of the early times, waiting only a little while when they will follow on to a new and better country beyond the river of time. As the list is short we give it entire, as recorded on the poll book of the two precincts. There may have been a few others entitled to vote, but if there were their names are not now remembered. Jesse Willits, Samuel Piper, Benjamin Yanata, Hamilton Christie, Newton Willitts, John Long, Silas Drmy, Lewis Noble, William Drury, George Fisher, Joseph Leonard, William Jackson, William Willitts, John Hall, Elias Fisher, William Wilson, John Kester, James H. Barnes, William J. Nevius, Joseph Dennison, William Pool, Adam W. Richie, John Richardson, W. Dennison, John Reynolds, Edward Willett, William Dennison, Joseph Noble, Joseph Glancy, Isaac Drury, M. Leeper, Jesse Kester, Robert Reynolds, E. S. Dennison, Ephraim Gilmore, William C. Townsend. Second precinct — John W. 4 54 HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES. Dennison, David Shaunce, Eli Reynolds, Isaac Dawson, John Farlow, John Shaunce, George Miller, Ebenezer Creswell, Abraham Miller, Sen., John Miller, A. Miller, Jun., Harrison W. Riggs, George Miller, Jun. One week after the first election was held (April 13, 1835) the commissioner's court, corresponding in later times to the board of supervisors, met at New Boston and transacted the first public business. The court consisted of the recently elected commissioners, Isaac Drury, Abraham Miller and Erastus Dennison. The first business was to ajjpoint a clerk, which they did in the person of William C. Townsend. Ephraim Gilmore was then appointed treasurer, John Long, school commissioner, Harrison W. Riggs, judge of election in first, and Isaac Miller in second precinct. William Demiison was granted a license to run a ferry at New Boston, on the Mississippi river, for which Dennison had to pay four dollars tax. In his license he was allowed to charge for ferriage for 1835 : for each four-horse wagon, $1.50 ; two-horse wagon, $1 ; man and horse, 50c ; one horse, 18f c ; cattle, each, 18f c ; sheep and hogs, each, 6^c ; each footman, ISf c (it will be noticed that it was somewhat cheaper for a man to send his horse across alone); each yoke of work cattle, 50c (cheaper to send them separately). The county was laid off into four road districts, of which Abraham Miller was designated as supervisor of first, Lewis Noble of second, Jesse Kester of third, and James H. Bane of fourth. Ordered that a tax of $1.20 be levied on each quarter section of taxable land in the county. Tlie above embraced all of the business of the first day. On the second day, Tuesday morning at eight o'clock, the court, consisting of the commissioners, the clerk, and Silas Drury, sheriff, met and transacted additional important business. The following per- sons were selected as grand jurors for the first term of circuit court in Mercer county : George Miller, Isaac Miller, John Farlow, Jesse Wil- lits, John Hill, Mark Willits, David Shaunce, Lewis Noble, Daniel Pinkley, John W. Dennison, William Willitts, Joseph Glancey, John Reynolds, George Blake, Benjamin Yanata, John Long, James Irvin, Wesley Wicks, Ephraim Gilmore, John Kester, Jesse Kester, Thomas Morgan and John Bates. And for petit jurors : John Miller, Isaac Miller, George Miller, Abraham Miller, Isaac Dawson, William W. Wilson, John Shaunce, Isaac Drury, Wm. H. Dennison, Joseph Noble, Joseph A. Dennison, William Drury, Harrison W. Riggs, William Jackson, Robert Reynolds, Newton Willits, Joseph Leonard, Joshua Willits, James H. Bane, Eli Reynolds, John P. Reynolds, Drury Rey- nolds, Christopher Shuck, John Rankins. This, with the addition of levying a tax of one-half of one per cent on certain personal pi'ojv erty, embraced all the business of the special term. ORGANIZATION OF M^ROEK COUNTY. 55 At the fii'st regular term, which was held June 1, 1835, though the first appointed clerk had recorded, as the first item, that he had taken the oath and given bond, he failed to get the bond approved, and so at the regular meeting it was found necessary to appoint -. a new clerk, in the person of William Drury, upon which Mr Towjisend resigned. Mr, Drury did not experience the trouble in giving security, as did his predecessor, E. S. Dennison and Joseph Leonard going on the bond in the sum of $1,000. Mr. Drury made a good clerk and served until succeeded by Abaham Miller in October 1837. Mr. Drury, in signing his name to all of his legal documents, makes a peculiar flourish be- neath his signature, which cannot be described without an engraving, and indeed which could'not be easily imitated. Judge Gilmore is our authority for a story that has been received for more than forty years as genuine history, that when Miller was elected to succeed- Drury, he was found one day sitting on the sand bank barefooted trying to cut the figure in the sand with his great toe. The e^ddence in the record bear- ing on the case is quite strong. Tlie fij'st two or three times that Miller signs his name to the record there is an evident, but fruitless, attempt to imitate Drury's flourish, but after that it is entirely abandoned. In the Recorder's oflice is a relic that marks its author as a boss mechanic. It consists of a blank book of home manufacture, arid to William Drury is given the credit of its cbnstruction. It is one of tlie first record books, and its description is worthy of a place here. The book consists of about one hundred pages of foolscap paper. This the maker evidently ruled himself with columns to suit his convenience, and also headed in a proper maimer. The c