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CORNELL 

UNIVERSITY 

LIBRARY 


FROM 


Cornell  University  Library 
F  547P6  H67 


History  of  Piice  county.  III  nois:  togeth 


olin 


3   1924  028  805  898 


The  original  of  this  book  is  in 
the  Cornell  University  Library. 

There  are  no  known  copyright  restrictions  in 
the  United  States  on  the  use  of  the  text. 


http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028805898 


FIRST  COURT-HOUSE,  1821. 


HISTORY 


PIKE  COUNTY 

ILLINOIS^ 


TOGETHER  WITH  SKETCHES  OF  ITS  CITIES,  VILLAGES  AND  TOWNSHIPS,  EDU- 
CATIONAL, RELIGIOUS,  CIVIL,  MILITARY,  AND  POLITICAL  HISTOR'V'; 
PORTRAITS  OF  PROMINENT  PERSONS  AND  BIOGRAPHIES 
OF  REPRESENTATIVE  CITIZENS. 


HISTORY  OP  ILLINOIS, 


EMBRACING  ACCOUNTS  OF  THE  PRE-HISTORIC  RA»ES,  ABORIGINES,  FRENCH, 

ENGLISH  AND  AMERICAN  CONQUESTS,  AND  A  GENERAL  REVIEW 

OF  ITS  CIVIL,  POLITICAL  AND  MILITARY  HISTORY. 


Digest  of  State  Laws, 


ILLUSTRATED. 


CHICAGO: 

CHAS.   C.   CHAPMAN  &  CO., 
1880. 


11 


N^ 


BLAKELY,   EKOWN   &   MARSH,  BOUND  •'BY 

PRINTERS,  DONOHUE   &   HENNEEERRY, 

155  i  157  DEARBORN  ST.,  CHICAGO.  I05  &  IO9  MADISON  ST.,  CHICAGO 


PREFACE. 


The  history  of  Pike  county  possesses  features  of  unusual  interest  in 
comparison  with  those  of  other  neighboring  counties,  especially  those 
in  the  Military  Tract.  Here  the  sturdy  pioneer  located  and  began  to 
exert  his  civilizing  influence  long  before  other  sections  contained  a 
settler;  and  this  is  not  only  the  oldest  settled  county  of  all  north  of  its 
south  line,  but  it  was  the  first  county  organized  in  the  Military  Tract. 
Another  fact  woithy  of  note  is,  that  it  originally  embraced  all  the  coun- 
try lying  between  the  great  Father'  of  Waters  and  the  placid  Illinois, 
extending  east  to  the  Indiana  line,  and  north  to  the  Wisconsin  line.  Pe- 
oria, Rock  Island,  Galena  and  Chicago  were  originally  little  settlements 
of  this  then  vast  c.unty. 

In  matters  of  general  public  interest  and  progress,  Pike  county  has 
ever  taken  a  leading  and  prominent  position.  Here  have  lived  men 
who  have  taken  no  unimporta.nt  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  State, — in 
moulding  the  political  sentiments  and  destiny  of  the  country.  Pike 
county  has  been  the  Ecene  of  conflict  between  some  of  the  most  giant 
intellects  of  the  nation.  Here  the  shrewd  and  enterprising  Easterner, 
the  courtly  Southerner  and  the  sturdy,  practical  Wes'.erner,  have  met 
and  mingled,  have  inherited  the  better  traits  possessed  by  each  other, 
and  thus  have  formed  a  society,  a  people  superior  in  many  particulars 
to  that  of  most  localities.  The  original  settlers,  the  earliest  pilgrims, 
have  nearly  all  passed  away.  Here  and  there  we  see  the  bended  form 
and  whitened  head  of  some  of  these  ve.terans,  but  they  are  not  numer- 
ous. Most  of  them  have  gone  to  that  country  which  is  always  new,  yet 
where  the  trials,  struggles  and  hardships  of  pioneer  life  are  never 
known. 

Accurate  and  reliable  history  is  most  difficult  to  write.  Those  who 
have  never  experienced  the  difficulties  incident  to  such  labor  cannot 
realize  how  nearly  impossible  it  is,  or  can  appreciate  the  earnest,  honest 
and  faithful  labor  of  the  historian.  After  the  most  careful  and  pains- 
taking searches  and  inquiry  upon  any  particular  subject  or  about  any 
event,  "he  will  even  then  find  many  doubts  arising  in  his  mind  as  to  its 
accuracy  and  entire  truthfulness.  Each  individual  of  whom  inqury  is 
made  will  give  you  a  different  account  of  any  event.  One  of  them 
may  be  as  honest  as  the  other  and  try  to  relate  his  story  correctly,  yet 
they  will  be  so  widely  different  that  the  most  searching  and  logical 
mind  will  be  unable  to  harmonize  them.  This  fact  is  forcibly  illustrated 
in  an  incident  related  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh.  While  in  prison  in  a 
tower  of  England   he   engaged  himself  in  writing  the  history  of  the 


PEEFAOE. 

world.  One  day  a  brawl  occurred  in  the  yard  of  the  tower,  of  which 
he  desired  to  learn  the  particulars.  Two  of  the  principal  actors  came 
before  him,  and  each  related  the  account  of  the  trouble,  yet  so  widely 
different  were  they  that  he  found  it  utterly  impossible  to  tell  what  the 
facts  were.  He  then  remarked,  "  Here  I  am  engaged  in  writing  the 
history  of  events  that  occurred  3,000  years  ago,  and  yet  I  am  unable  to 
learn  the  facts  of  what  happens  at  my  window."  This  has  been 
the  channel  of  our  experience,  and  that  of  all  others  who  have  at- 
tempted national  or  local  history.  As  an  exampje  in  Pike  county,  we 
'  noticed  in  a  Pittsfield  cemetery  "  Orvillee"  on  the  headstone  as  the 
name  of  the  person  buried  in  a  certain  grave,  and  "  Orval  E."  on  the 
footstone. 

Aside  from  mistakes  occurring  from  the  above  causes,  doubtless  there 
are  many  others  to  be  found  within  these  pages.  To  suppose  that  a 
volume  of  this  magnitude,  and  containing  so  many  thousands  o£  names 
and  dates  and  brief  statements  would  be  wholly  accurate,  is  a  supposi- 
tion we  presume  no  sane  man  will  make.  While  we  do  not  claim  for 
this  work  critical  accuracy  or  completeness,  yet  we  are  quite  certain 
that  it  will  be  found  measurably  and  practically  so.  Let  it  rest  as  the 
foundation  for  the  future  historian  to  build  upon. 

As  one  of  the, most  interesting  features  of  this  work,  we  present  the 
portraits  of  numerous  representative  citizens.  It  has  been  our  aim  to 
have  the  prominent  men  of  to-day,  as  well  as  the  pioneers,  represented 
in  this  department,  and  we  flatter  ourselves  on  the  uniform  high  charac- 
ter of  the  gentlemen  whose  portraits  we  present.  They  are  in  the 
strictest  sense  representative  men,  and  are  selected  from  all  the  callings 
and  professions  worthy  to  be  represented.  There  are  others,  it  is  true, 
who  claim  equal  prominence  with  those  presented,  but  as  a  matter  of 
course  it  was  impossible  for  us  to  represent  all  the  leading  men  of  the 
county. 

As  we  quit  our  long,  tedious,  yet  nevertheless  pleasant  task  of  writ- 
ing and  compiling  the  History  of  Pike  County,  we  wish  to  return  the 
thanks  of  grateful  hearts  to  those  who  have  so  freely  aided  us  in  col- 
lecting material,  etc.  To  the  county  officials  and  editors  of  the  various 
newspapers  we  are  particularly  grateful  for  the  many  kindnesses  and 
courtesies  shown  us  while  laboring  in  the  county.  To  James  Gallaher, 
editor  of  The  Old  Flag,  we  especially  acknowledge  our  indebtedness 
for  the  excellent  historical  sketch  of  Pittsfield  presented  in  this  vol- 
ume. Last  and  most  of  all  we  wish  to  thank  those  who  so  liberally 
and  materially  aided  the  work  by  becoming  subscribers  to  it.  We  feel 
we  have  discharged  our  duties  fully,  have  fulfilled  all  our  promises,  have 
earned  the  laborer's  pay.  Thus  feeling,  we  present  the  volume  to  the 
critical,  yet  we  hope  and  believe  justly  charitable  citizens  of  Pike 
county — or  more  especially,  our  subscribers. 

Chas.  C.  Chapman  &  Co. 

Chicago,  May,  1880. 


CONTENTS. 


HTSXOKY  OF  ILtlNOIS. 


MOUND-BUILDEES 

INDIANS 

Illinois  Confederacy 

Starved  Rock. 

Sacs  and  -t'oxps 

Manners  and  Customs 

Single-handed  Comtiat  with  Indians. 
EARLY  DIS    OVERIBS 

Nicholas  Perrot 

Joliet  and  Marquette 

LaSalle's  Exploratiois, 

Great  Battle  of  the  Illinois 

Tonti  Safe  at  Green  Bay 

LaSal  e^e  .Aspassinatioii 

FRENCH  OCCUPATION 

First  SetMements 

'I  he  Mississippi  Company 

ENGLISH  RULE 

Gen.  Clark'a  Exploits 

ILLINOIS 

County  of  Illinois 

NORTHWESTERN  lERRIiORY 

Ord  nanc  ■  of  17S7 

St.  Cla'r  Gnvernor  of  N.  \V.  Ter  itory. 

ILLINOIS  TERRITORY 

WAROP1818— JHB  OUIBRBAK 

Mass' ere  of  Fori.  Deaihorn 

Expeditions  up  th  ;  Mississippi 

ILLINOIS  AS  A  STATE 

Orcranization 

Derivation  of  thi;  name  "  Illinois  "  — 

Sta  (!  B  nk 

L'iPayette's  Visit 

Grammir  and  Cook  Contracted 


17 
21 
23 
•Ji 
24 
27 
29 
31 
31 
31 
:)3 
34 
41 
43 
44 
44 
45 
47 
51 
55 
55 
56 
56 
69 
59 
59 
60 
71 
74 
74 
77 
78 
79 


INDIAN  TROUBLES 

Winnenagn  War 

BLACK  HAWK  WAR 

Stillman'e  Run 

Batile  of  Bad  Axe 

Black  Hawk  Captured 

Biograi.hical  Sketch  of  Biack  H  wk. . . 
PROM  It.34  TO  1842 

Interiial  Improvcmebte 

II  inoi- a  d  Michigan  Canal 

M-irtyr  lor  Liberty 

PRAIRIE  PIRA 1  BS 

MORMONWAR 

MEXICAN  WAR 

Battle  ot  BuenaVistn 

THE  WAR  FOR  THE  UNION 

Slates  Seceding 

The  Fall  c  f  Sumpter 

Call  for  Troops  Promptly  Answered. . . 

The  War  Ended— TheUiiion  Re^ti  red. 

Schedule  i-f  Regiments 

DUELS....' 

DRESS  AND  MANNERS 

PHYSICAL  FEATURES  OF  ILLINOIS.. 

AGRICULTURE 

GOVERNORS  OF  ILLINOIS 

Lleuieuant  Governors 

S  ate  Officials 

U.  S.  Senators 

Represjntatives  in  Congress 

CHICAGO 

The  Great  Fir  

Commerce  of  Chicago 

STATES  OF  THE  UNION 


83 

8i 

84 

87 

90 

91 

92 

95 

96 

97 

98 

102 

104 

liS 

119 

125 

126 

127 

128 

137 

138 

141 

149 

154 

155 

157 

160 

161 

162 

165 

170 

172 

173 

177 


HISTORY  OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 


CHAPTER  I. 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT..  191 

Inlroductory 191 

Ante-Pioneer  History..  194 
First  A  i.erican  Settle- 
ment  195 

Original  Pike  County. .  195 
First     Settle :  en:      of 

Pike  County 199 

Franklin  and  Shinn...  199 

The  Rosses 2J0 

See  ey,    McGiffln    and 

others 201 

Sickly  Season 202 

Public  Improvement. . .  203 

Crimi'al  Drowned 204 

Col.  Barney 206 


James  Ward  Drowne.l. 


1827. 
1828. 


CHAPTER  II. 


EARLY  SETTLEMENT- 
CONTINUED 215 

Big  Snow 215 

First  Negro  Settlers...  216 
Numerous  Settlers..  ..  217 


Black  Hawk  Wiir 218 

James  W.  Whitney 218 

.  Promiaent  Cbara.ters.  219 
Mr.  Hinman^s  Letter..  224 
Mr.  Garrison's  Let  cr..  230 
Coun  y-SentRemoved.  231 
The  Beautiful  Prairies.  231 

Pra  rie  Fires 233 

Incidents     oX   Pioneer 

Life 234 

Tr  de 235 

The  Gospel 2.37 

Education 238 

Miscellany 239 

First  Things 240 

What     tni;      Pioneers 

H  .ve  Done 242 

CHAPTER  III. 

ORGANIC  HISTORY 246 

CHAPTER  IV. 

IMPOR  'ANT  LABORS 
OF  THE  COUNTY 
COMMISSIONERS, 

COURT 253 

First  Meetini; 253 

Tavern  License 254 

•    First    Justice    of    the 
Peace 254 


Laying  Out  Roads 256 

Various  Proceedings  257-260 
Difficulty  in   Selecting 

C  UQty-Seat 263- 

County    Divided    into 

Townships 264 

Fearless    Commission- 
ers    264 

Coirtr-House 265 

Connty-Seat  Re-located  267 

The  Clerk  Resigns 268 

Ad  Quod  Damnum 269 

First    Coiirt-Honse    at 

Piftsfleld 269 

Present  Court^House..  269 

First  Jail 272 

Last  Mueting 273 

CHAPTER  V. 
GEOLOGY 274 

CHAPTER  VI. 

ZOOLOGY 282 

CHAPTER   VII; 
BOTANY 288 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
ARCHEOLOGY 303 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTEE  IX. 
BOAED    OF     StrPEKVI- 

SORS 307 

County  Court 307 

Township  OrgaDizatidn  307 

Jail 309 

Supervieore 310 

CHAPTEE  X. 

BLACK  HAWK  WAE 319 

'J  roopfl  EaiBect 330 

The  Stampede 333 

CHAPTEE  XI. 

CRIMINAL  EBCOED....  324 

CHAPTER  XII.' 

PIONEER  LIFE .'.  341 

CHAPTEE  XIII. 
OLD  SETTLERS'  ASSO- 
CIATION  355 

CHAPTER  ilV. 

THE  REBELLION 368 

The   First  I.  dications 

of  the  "War 368 

Pi  Bt  Call  lor  Troops...  371 

Meetings  Held 371 

Bounty 373 

Pilte  Coanty's  Soldiers  375 
The  Close 383 

Starved  Eocl; 25 

An  Iroquois  Chief 37 

Gen.  Geo.  R.  Clark 49 

Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clar 58 

Old  Port  D  arbom  61 

Old  Kinzie  House 65 

Pontiac 69 

Black  Hawk 85 

Alkire,B.W 750 

Angle,  H.C  803 

Barney.  Benjamin 207 

Bolin,  J.  0 459 

Brakefleld,  James 627 

Brewster,  Charles        878 

Brown.  H 6.35 

Chenoweth,J.  H 478 

Clark,  Samuel 859 

Conhoy,  J.  H 687 

'Crjniall,  E.  A 833 

Davis,  Samuel 814 

Deam,  D.  W 786 

Dorsey,  B  F 487 

Eastman,  Lycurgus 538 

Gay,  James 615 

Harrington,  Martin 406 

Laws .". ..  919 

Jurisdiction  of  Courts 919 

County  Courts 9i0 

Com'r  of  Highways 930 

Fences 923 

Drainage 921 

Trespass  of  Stock 924 

Estrays 925 

Horses 9i6 

Marks  and  Brands 927 

Articles  of  Agreem  ent 927 

Notes 928 

Judgment  Note 929 

Interest 929 

Wills 931 

Descent 935 

Deeds 936 

Mortgages  and  Trust  Deeds  937 
Trust  Deeds 938 


CHAPTER  XV. 

PIKE  COUNTY  BAR 

Pioneer  Courts 

Circuit  Judges 

Prosecuting  Attorneys 

Toe  Bar 

Bar  of  the  Past 

The  Present  Bar 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

TOWNSHIP  HISTORIES 
Chambersburg. ..  ..... 

Flint 

Detroit 

Montezuma '. 

Pearl 

Perry 

Griggsville 

Newburg 

Hardin 

Spring  Creek 

Fairmonnt 

New  Sale/n 

Pittsfleld 

Martin-^burg 

Pleasant  Hill 

Hadley 

Derry 

Atlas 

Eo~s 

Barry 

Pleasant  Vale 

ILICSTRATIONS. 


Kinderhook 833 

Levee 868 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

COUNTY  OFFICIALS  ...  870 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

POLITICAL 873 

Election  Eeturne 875 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  PRESS 889 

Tie  Old  Flag 889 

Plk :  County  Democrat  881 
Griggsvllle  Reflector. .  894 

Barry  Adage 895 

The    Unic  nn     Green- 
back   896 

MUton  Beacon . . . . , 899 

Perry  Paragraph 901 

The  Independent  Press  902 
Otaer  Pap;rs 905 

CHAPTER  XX. 

MISCELLANEOUS 904 

Railroads 904 

Sny  Island  Levee 909 

Co.  Treasurer's  Report.  911 

Marriage  Licenses 911 

Agricultural   Statistics  911 

Table  (if  Distances 914 

Educational  Statistics  915 
Agricultural  Board —  916 


C.  R.  I.  &P.  R.  R.  D-.pot..     99 

Eye  and  Ea:- Infi  mary 111 

Deaf  and  Dumb  Institute..  115 

Scene  on  Fox  River 321 

Lincoln  Monument 1-^7 

Asylum  for  Pecble-Minded  143 
Southern  Normal   Univer- 
sity   151 

PORTRAITS. 

Helme,  John 688 

Hinman,  A a25 

Hookiiif^,  Benjamin  B 547 

Hull.  D  900 

Jeffres,  Elijah 626 

Johnston,  D 498 

Jones,  Nathan  W 352 

Manton,  James..: 442 

Martin,Hutson 279 

Ma;sie,  M.  D 842 

Matthews,  B.  L 269 

McMahan,  L.  W 558 

McWilliams,  James 261 

Miller,  James  B 598 

Reynolds,  Tttomas 423 

Ross,  Col.  W 244 

Seaborn,  Robert 617 

iJIGERT  OF  STATE  LAWS. 

Liens 938 

Bill  of  Sale 940 

Days  of  Grace 941 

Limitation  of  Action 941 

Receipts 942 

Exemptions    from   Forced 

Sales 942 

Landlords  and  Tenants 943 

Criminal  Law , 946 

Taxes 948 

Subscription 949 

Contract  for  Personal  Ser- 
vices    950 

Newspaper  Libel 951 

Tender 951 

Drunkenness 958 

Marriage  Contract 954 

School  Months 956 


Central  Insane  Hospital. ..  160 

Industrljl  Univers  ty 160 

TlieCiib 176 

Court-Hou?e 190 

Map  of  P  ke  County 14-15 

Present  Jail 333 

OldJail 505 

First  Court-House,F.ontispiece 


Shinn,  William 695 

Simmons,  Cephas 388 

Smith,  Eugene 907 

Starkey,  Jonathan 648 

Strublnger,  J.  H 316 

Sweet,  I.  A 917 

Thomas,  J.  A 731 

Watson,  William 655 

Westlake,  B.  F 578 

Williams,  S.  R 767 

Wills,  A.  V 887 

Wills,  sr.,  Willlim  R 298 

Wills,  jr.,  William  R 675 

Willsey,  B.  J 714 

Willeey,  James  G 666 

Yates,  George 567 


Infants 

Adoption  of  Children 

Church  Organizations 

Game 

Millers 

Paupers 

Public  and  Private  Convey- 
ances . 


Wages  and  Stakeholders.. 

Sundaj^ 

Definliion  of  Commercial 
Terms 

Legal  Weights  and  Meas- 
ures  

Bees 

Dogs 

Cruelty  to  Animals 

Names 


956 
967 
957 
958 
960 
960 

962 
963 
964, 

964 

964 
967 


R  6  W. 


R.7  W. 


R.  6    W. 


^l@M4|^J^ 


R.  4  ii: 


n.  J  ii: 


/.^i'  1/ 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS. 


FORMER  OCCUPANTS. 


MOUND-BUILDEES. 

The  numerous  and  well-authenticated  accounts  of  antiquities 
found  in  various  parts  of  our  country,  clearly  demonstrate  that  a 
people  civilized,  and  even  highly  cultivated,  occupied  the  broad 
surface  of  our  continent  before  its  possession  by  the  present  In- 
dians; but  the  date  of  their  rule  of  the  Western  World  is  so  re- 
mote that  all  traces  of  their  history,  their  progress  and  decay,  lie 
buried  in  deepest  obscurity.  Nature,  at  the  time  the  first  Euro- 
peans came,  had  asserted  her  original  dominion  over  the  earth ;  the 
forests  were  all  in  their  full  luxuriance,  the  growth  of  many  cen- 
turies; and  naught  existed  to  point  out  who  and  what  they  were 
who  formerly  lived,  and  loved,  and  labored,  and  died,  on  the  conti- 
nent of  America.  This  pre-historic  race  is  known  as  the  Mound- 
Builders,  from  the  numerous  large  mounds  of  earth-works  left  by 
them.  The  remains  of  the  works  of  this  people  form  the  most  in- 
teresting class  of  antiquities  discovered  in  the  United  States.  Their 
character  can  be  but  partially  gleaned  from  the  internal  evidences 
and  the  peculiarities  of  the  only  remains  left, — the  mounds.  They 
consist  of  remains  of  what  were  apparently  villages,  altars,  temples, 
idols,  cemeteries,  monuments,  camps,  fortifications,  pleasure 
grounds,  etc.,  etc.  Their  habitations  must  have  been  tents,  struc- 
tures of  wood,  or  other  perishable  material;  otherwise  their  remains 
would  be  numerous.  If  the  Mound-Builders  were  not  the  ancestors 
of  the  Indians,  who  were  they?  The  oblivion  which  has  closed  over 
them  is  so  complete  that  only  conjecture  can  be  given  in  answer  to 
the  question.  Those  who  do  not  believe  in  the  common  parentage 
of  mankind  contend  that  they  were  an  indigenous  race  of  the  West- 
ern hemisphere;  others,  with  more  plausibility,  think  they  came 
from  the  East,  and  imagine  they  can  see  coincidences  in  the  religion 
of  the  Hindoos  and  Southern  Tartars  and  the  supposed  theology  of 


18  HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS. 

the  Mound-Builders.  They  were,  no  doubt,  idolators,  and  it  has 
been  conjectured  that  the  sun  was  the  object  of  their  adoration.  The 
mounds  were  generally  built  in  a  situation  affording  a  view  of  the 
rising  sun:  when  enclosed  in  walls  their  gateways  were  toward  the 
east;  the  caves  in  which  their  dead  were  occasionally  buried  always 
opened  in  the  same  direction;  whenever  a  mound  was  partially  en- 
closed by  a  semi-circular  pavement,  it  was  on  the  east  side ;  when 
bodies  were  buried  in  graves,  as  was  frequently  the  case,  they  were 
laid  in  a  direction  east  and  west;  and,  finally,  medals  have  been 
found  representing  the  sun  and  his  rays  of  light. 

At  what  period  they  came  to  this  country,  is  likewise  a  matter  of 
speculation.  From  the  comparatively  rude  state  of  the  arts  among 
them,  it  has  been  inferred  that  the  time  was  very  remote.  Their 
axes  were  of  stone.  Their  raiment,  judging  from  fragments  which 
have  been  discovered,  consisted  of  the  bark  of  trees,  interwoven 
with  feathers;  and  their  military  works  were  such  as  a  people 
would  erect  who  had  just  passed  to  the  pastoral  state  of  society 
from  that  dependent  alone  upon  hunting  and  fishing. 

The  mounds  and  other  ancient  earth-works  constructed  by  this 
people  are  far  more  abundant  than  generally  supposed,  from  the  fact 
that  while  some  are  quite  large,  the  greater  part  of  them  are  small 
and  inconspicuous.  Along  nearly  all  our  water  courses  that  are 
large  enough  to  be  navigated  with  a  canoe,  the  mounds  are  almost' 
invariably  found,  covering  the  base  points  and  headlands  of/  the 
bluifs  which  border  the  narrower  valleys ;  so  that  when  one  finds  him- 
self in  such  positions  as  to  command  the  grandest  views  for  river 
scenery,  he  may  almost  always  discover  that  he  is  standing  upon, 
or  in  close  proximity  to,  some  one  or  more  of  these  traces  of  the 
labors  of  an  ancient  people. 

GALENA    MOUNDS. 

On  the  top  of  the  high  bluffs  that  skirt  the  west  bank  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, about  two  and  a  half  miles  from  Galena,  are  a  number  of 
these  silent  monuments  of  a  pre-historic  age.  The  spot  is  one  of 
surpassing  beauty.  From  that  point  may  be  obtained  a  view  of  a 
portion  of  three  States,— Illinois,  Iowa  and  Wisconsin.  A  hundred 
feet  below,  at  the  foot  of  the  perpendicular  cliffs,  the  trains  of  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  thunder  around  the  curve,  the  portage  is 
in  full  view,  and  the  "  Father  of  Waters,"  with  its  numerous  bayous 


HISTOEY    OF   ILLINOIS.  19 

and  islands,  sketches  a  grand  pamorama  for  miles  above  and  below. 
Here,  probably  thousands  of  years  ago,  a  race  of  men  now  extinct, 
and  unknown  even  in  the  traditions  of  the  Indians  who  inhabited 
that  section  for  centuries  before  the  discovery  of  America  by  Colum- 
bus, built  these  strangely  wonderful  and  enigmatical  mounds.  At 
this  point  these  mounds  are  circular  and  conical  in  form.  The  larg- 
est one  is  at  least  forty  feet  in  diameter  at  the  base,  and  not  less 
than  fifteen  feet  high,  even  yet,  after  it  has  been  beaten  by  the 
storms  of  many  centuries.  On  its  top  stands  the  large  stump  of  an 
oak  tree  that  was  cut  down  about  fifty  years  ago,  and  its  annual 
rings  indicate  a  growth  of  at  least  200  years. 

One  of  the  most  singular  earth-works  in  the  State  was  found  on 
the  top  of  a  ridge  near  the  east  bank  of  the  Sinsinawa  creek  in  the 
lead  region.  Jt  resembled  some  huge  animal,  the  head,  ears,  nose, 
legs  and  tail,  and  general  outline  of  which  being  as  perfect  as 
if  made  by  men  versed  in  modern  art.  The  ridge  on  which  it  was 
situatfed  stands  on  the  prairie,  300  yards  wide,  100  feet  in  iieight, 
and  rounded  on  the  top  by  a  deep  deposit  of  clay.  Centrally, 
along  the  line  of  its  summit,  and  thrown  up  in  the  form  of  an 
embankment  three  feet  high,  extended  the  outline  of  a  quadruped 
measuring  250  feet  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  to  the  end  of  the 
tail,  and  having  a  width  of  18  feet  at  the  center  of  the  body.  The 
head  was  35  feet  in  length,  the  ears  10  feet,  legs  60  and  tail  75.  The 
curvature  in  both  the  fore  and  hind  legs  was  natural  to  au  animal 
lying  on  its  side.  The  general  outline  of  the  figure  most  nearly 
resembled  the  extinct  animal  known  to  geologists  as  the  Megathe- 
rium. The  question  naturally  arises.  By  whom  and  for  what  pur- 
pose was  this  earth  figure  raised?  Some  have  conjectured  that 
numbers  of  this  now  extinct  animal  lived  and  roamed  over  the  prai- 
ries of  Illinois  when  the  Mound-Builders  first  made  their  appearance 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  that  their  wonder 
and  admiration,  excited  by  the  colossal  dimensions  of  these  huge 
creatures,  found  some  expression  in  the  erection  of  this  figure. 
The  bones  of  some  similar  gigantic  animals  were  exhumed  on  this 
stream  about  three  miles  from  the  same  place. 

LARGE    CITIES. 

Mr.  Breckenridge,  who  examined  the  antiquities  of  the  Western 
country  in  1817,  speaking  of  the  moilnds  in  the  American  Bottom, 
says:     "The  great  number  and  extremely  large  size   of  some  of 


20  HISTOKVr    UF    ILLINOIS. 

them  may  be  regarded  as  furnishing,  with  other  circumstances, 
evidences  of  tlieir  antiquity.  I  have  sometimes  been  induced  to 
think  that  at  the  period  when  they  were  constructed  there  was  a 
population  here  as  numerous  as  that  which  once  animated  the 
borders  of  tlie  Nile  or  Euphrates,  or  of  Mexico.  The  most  num- 
erous, as  well  as  considerable,  of  these  remains  are  found  in  pre- 
cisely those  parts  of  the  country  where  the  traces  of  a  numerous 
population  might  be  looked  for,  namely,  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Ohio  on  the  east  side  of  the  Mississippi,  to  the  Illinois  river,  and 
on  the  west  from  the  St.  Francis  to  the  Missouri.  I  am  perfectly 
satisfied  that  cities  similar  to  those  of  ancient  Mexico,  of  several 
hundred  thousand  souls,  have  existed  in  this  country." 

It  must  be  admitted  that  whatever 'the  uses  of  these  mounds — 
whether  as  dwellings  or  burial  places — these  silent  monuments 
were  built,  and  the  race  who  built  them  vanished  from  the  face 
of  the  earth,  ages  beibre  the  Indians  occupied  the  land,  but  their 
date  must  probably  forever  baffle  human  skill  and  ingenuity. 

It  is  sometimes  difficult  to  distinguish  the  places  of  sepulture 
raised  by  the  Mound-Builders  from  the  more  modern  graves  of  the 
Indians.  The  tombs  of  the  former  were  in  general  larger  than 
those  of  the  latter,  and  were  used  as  receptacles  for  a  greater  number 
of  bodies,  and  contained  relics  of  art,  evincing  a  higher  degree  of  civ- 
ilization than  that  attained  by  the  Indians.  The  ancient  earth- 
works of  the  Mound-Builders  have  occasionally  been  appropriated 
as  burial  places  by  the  Indians,  but  the  skeletons  of  the  latter  may 
be  distinguished  from  the  osteological  remains  of  the  former  by 
their  greater  stature. 

What  finally  became  of  the  Mound-Builders  is  another  query 
which  has  been  extensively  discussed.  The  fact  that  their  works 
extend  into  Mexico  and  Peru  has  induced  the  belief  that  it  was 
their  posterity  that  dwelt  in  these  countries  when  they  were  first 
visited  by  the  Spaniards.  The  Mexican  and  Peruvian  works,  with 
the  exception  of  their  greater  magnitude,  are  similar.  Relics  com- 
mon to  all  of  them  have  been  occasionally  found,  and  it  is  believed 
that  the  religious  uses  which  they  subserved  were  the  same.  If, 
indeed,  the  Mexicans  and  Peruvians  were  the  progeny  of  the 
more  ancient  Mound-Builders,  Spanish  rapacity  for  gold  was  the 
cause  of  their  overthrow  and  final  extermination. 

A  thousand  other  queries  naturally  arise  respecting  these  nations 


HI8TOI4Y    OF   ILLIKOIS.  21 

which  now  repose  under  the  ground,  but  the  most  searching  investi- 
gation can  give  us  only  vagae  speculations  for  answers.  JSTo  histo- 
rian has  preserved  the  names  of  their  mighty  chieftains,  or  given  an 
account  of  their  exploits,  and  even  tradition  is  silent  respecting 
them. 

Following  the  Mound-Builders  as  inhabitants  of  North  America, 
were,  as  it  is  supposed,  the  people  who  reared  the  magnificent 
cities  the  ruins  of  which  are  found  in  Central  America.  This  peo- 
ple was  far  more  civilized  and  advanced  in  the  arts  than  were  the 
Mound-Builders.  The  cities  built  by  them,  judging  from  the  ruins 
of  broken  columns,  fallen  arches  and  crumbling  walls  of  temples, 
palaces  and  pyramids,  which  in  some  places  for  miles  bestrew  the 
ground,  must  have  been  of  great  extent,  magnificent  and  very  pop- 
ulous. When  we  consider  the  vast  period  of  time  necessary  to  erect 
such  colossal  structures,  and,  again,  the  time  required  to  reduce 
them  to  their  present  ruined  state,  we  can  conceive  something  of 
their  antiquity.  These  cities  must  have  been  old  when  many  of 
the  ancient  cities  of  the  Orient  were  being  built. 

The  third  race  inhabiting  North  America,  distinct  from  the 
former  two  in  every  particular,  is  the  jaresent  Indians.  They 
were,  when  visited  by  the  early  discoverers,  without  cultivation,' 
refinement  or  literature,  and  far  behind  the  Mound-Builders  in 
the  knowledge  of  the  arts.  The  question  of  their  origin  has  long 
interested  archaeologists,"  and  is  the  most  difficult  they  have  been 
called  upon  to  answer.  Of  their  predecessors  the  Indian  tribes 
knew  nothing;  they  even  had  no  traditions  respecting  them.  It  is 
quite  certain  that  they  were  the  successors  of  a  race  which  had 
entirely  passed  away  ages  before  the  discovery  of  the  New  World. 
One  hypothesis  is  that  the  American  Indians  are  an  original  race 
indigenous  to  the  Western  hemisphere.  Those  who  entertain  this 
view  think  their  peculiarities  of  physical  structure  preclude  the 
possibility  of  a  common  parentage  with  the  rest  of  mankind. 
Prominent  among  those  distinctive  traits  is  the  hair,  which  in  the 
red  man  is  round,  in  the  white  man  oval,  and  in  the  black  man  fiat. 
A  more  common  supposition,  however,  is' that  they  are  a  derivative 
race,  and  sprang  from  one  or  more  of  the  ancient  peoples  of  Asia. 
In  the  absence  of  all  authentic  history,  and  when  even  tradition  is 


22  HISTOET   OF   ILLINOIS. 

wanting,  any  attempt  to  point  out  the  particular  location  of  their 
origin  must  prove  unsatisfactory.  Though  the  exact  place  of  origin 
may  never  be  known,  yet  the  striking  coincidence  of  physical 
organization  between  the  Oriental  type  of  mankind  and  the  Indians 
point  unmistakably  to  some  part  of  Asia  as  the  place  whence  they 
emigrated,  which  was  originally  peopled  to  a  great  extent  by  the 
children  of  Shem.  In  this  connection  it  has  been  claimed  that  the 
meeting  of  the  Europeans,  Indians  and  Africans  on  the  continent 
of  America,  is  the  fulfillment  of  a  prophecy  as  recorded  in  Gen- 
esis ix.  27 :  "  God  shall  enlarge  Japheth,  and  he  shall  dwell  in  the 
tents  of  Shem ;  and  Canaan  shall  be  his  servant."  Assuming  the 
theory  to  be  true  that  the  Indian  tribes  are  of  Shemitic  origin, 
they  were  met  on  this  continent  in  the  fifteenth  century  by  the 
Japhetic  race,  after  the  two  stocks 4iad  passed  around  the  globe  by 
directly  difierent  routes.  A  few  years  afterward  the  Hamitic 
branch  of  the  human  family  were  brought  from  the  coast  of  Africa. 
During  the  occupancy  of  the  continent  by  the  three  distinct  races, 
the  children  of  Japheth  have  grown  and  prospered,  while  tlie  called 
and  not  voluntary  sons  of  Ham  have  endured  a  servitude  in  the 
wider  stretching  valleys  of  the  tents  of  Shem. 

When  Christopher  Columbus  had  finally  succeeded  in  demon- 
strating the  truth  of  his  theory  that  by  sailing  westward  from  Eu- 
rope land  would  be  discovered,  landing  on  the  Island  of  Bermuda 
he  supposed  he  had  reached  the  East  Indies.  This  was  an  error, 
but  it  led  to  the  adoption  of  the  name  of  "  Indians  "  for  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  Island  and  the  main  land  of  America,  by  which  name 
the  red  men  of  America  have  ever  since  been  known. 

Of  the  several  great  branches  of  North  American  Indians  the 
only  ones  entitled  to  consideration  in  Illinois  history  are  the  Algon- 
quins  and  Iroquois.  At  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  America  the 
former  occupied  the  Atlantic  seaboard,  while  the  home  of  the 
Iroquois  was  as  an  island  in  this  vast  area  of  Algonquin  popula- 
tion. The  latter  great  nation  spread  over  a  vast  territory,  and  various, 
tribes  of  Algonquin  lineage  sprung  up  over  the  country,  adopting, 
in  time,  distinct  tribal  customs  and  laws.  An  almost  continuous 
warfare  was  carried  on  between  tribes ;  but  later,  on  the  entrance  of 
the  white  man  into  their  beloved  homes,  every  foot  of  territory 
was  fiercely  disputed  by  the  confederacy  of  many  neighboring  tribes. 
The  Algonquins  formed  the  most  extensive  alliauce  to  resist  the 
encroachment  of  the  whites,  especially  the  English.     Such  was  the 


HISTORY    OF   ILLINIOS.  23 

nature  of  King  Philip's  war.  This  King,  with  his  Algonquin 
braves,  spread  terror  land  desolation  throughout  New  England.With 
the  Algonquins  as  the  controlling  spirit,  a  confederacy  of  conti- 
nental proportions  was  the  result,  embracing  in  its  alliance  the  tribes 
of  every  name  and  lineage  from  the  Northern  lakes  to  the  gulf. 
Pontiac,  having  breathed  into  them  his  implacable  hate  of  the 
English  intruders,  ordered  the  conflict  to  commence,  and  all  the 
British  colonies  trembled  before  the  desolating  fury  of  Indian 
vengeance. 

ILLINOIS    CONFKDEEACT. 

The  Illinois  confederacy,  the  various  tribes  of  which  comprised 
most  of  the  Indians  of  Illinois  at  one  time,  was  composed  of  five 
tribes:  the  Tamaroas,  Michigans,  Kaskaskias,  Oahokas,  and  Peorias. 
The  Illinois,  Miamis  and  Delawares  were  of  the  same  stock.  As 
early  as  1670  the  priest  Father  Marquette  mentions  frequent  visits 
made  by  individuals  of  this  confederacy  to  the  missionary  station  at 
St.  Esprit,  near  the  western  extremity  of  Lake  Superior.  At  that 
time  they  lived  west  of  the  Mississippi,  in  eight  villages,  whither 
they  had  been  driven  from  the  shores  of  Lake  Michigan  by  the 
Iroquois.  Shortly  afterward  they  began  to  return  to  their  old 
hunting  ground,  and  most  of  them  finally  settled  in  Illinois. 
Joliet  and  Marquette,  in  1673,  met  with  a  band  of  them  on  their 
famous  voyage  of  discovery  down  the  Mississippi.  They  wer? 
treated  with  the  greatest  hospitality  by  the  principal  chief.  On  their 
return  voyage  up  the  Illinois  river  they  stopped  at  the  principal 
town  of  the  confederacy,  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  river  seven 
miles  below  the  present  town  of  Ottawa.  It  was  then  called  Kas- 
kaskia.  Marquette  returned  to  the  village  in  1675  and  established 
the  mission  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  the  oldest  in  Illinois. 
When,  in  1679,  LaSalle  visited  the  town,  it  had  greatly  increased 
numbering  460  lodges,  and  at  the  annual  assembly  of  the  different 
tribes,  from  6,000  to  8,000  souls.  In  common  with  other  western 
tribes,  they  became  involved  in  the  conspiracy  of  Pontiac,  although 
displaying  no  very  great  warlike  spirit.  Pontiac  lost  his  life  by 
the  hands  of  one  of  the  braves  of  the  Illinois  tribe,  which  so  enraged 
the  nations  that  had  followed  him  as  their  leader  that  they  fell  upon 
the  Illinois  to  avenge  his  death,  and   almost   annihilated   them. 

STARVED    EOCK. 

Tradition  states  that  a  band  of  this  tribe,  in  order  to  escape  the 
general  slaughter,  took  refuge  upon  the  high  rock  on  the  Illinois 


24  HISTOEr    OF   ILLINOIS. 

river  since  known  as  Starved  Rock.  Nature  has  made  this  one  of 
the  most  formidable  military  fortresses  in  the  world.  From  the 
waters  which  wash  its  base  it  rises  to  an  altitude  of  125  feet.  Three 
of  its  sides  it  is  impossible  to  scale,  while  the  one  next  to  the  land 
may  be  climbed  with  difficulty.  From  its  summit,  almost  as  inac- 
cessible as  an  eagle's  nest,  the  valley  of  the  Illinois  is  seen  as 
a  landscape  of  exquisite  beauty.  The  river  near  by  struggles 
between  a  number  of  wooded  islands,  while  further  below  it  quietly 
meanders  through  vast  meadows  till  it  disappears  like  a  thread  of 
light  in  the  dim  distance.  On  the  summit  of  this  rock  the  Illinois 
were  besieged  by  a  superior  force  of  the  Pottawatomies  whom  the 
great  strength  of  their  natural  fortress  enabled  them  to  keep  at  bay. 
Hunger  and  thirst,  however,  soon  a,ccomplished  what  the  enemy 
was  unable  to  effect.  Surrounded  by  a  relentless  foe,  without  food 
or  water,  they  took  a  last  look  at  their  beautiful  hunting  grounds, 
and  with  true  Indian  fortitude  lay  down  and  died  from  starvation. 
Years  afterward  their  bones  were  seen  whitening  in  that  place. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  the  remnants  of  this 
ouce  powerful  confederacy  were  forced  into  a  small  compass  around 
Kaskaskia.  A  few  years  later  they  emigrated  to  the  Southwest, 
and  in  1850  they  were  in  Indian  Territory,  and  numbered  but  84 
persons.  , 

SACS   AND    FOXES. 

The  Sacs  and  Foxes,  who  figured  most  conspicuously  in  the  later 
history  of  Illinois,  inhabited  the  northwestern  portion  of  the  State. 
By  long  residence  together  and  intermarriage  they  had  substan-  ■ 
tially  become  one  people.  Drake,  in  his  "  Life  of  Black  Hawk," 
speaks  of  these  tribes  as  follows :  "  The  Sacs  and  Foxes  fought  their 
way  from  the  waters  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Green  Bay,  and  after 
teaching  that  place,  not  only  sustained  themselves  against  hostile 
tribes,  but  were  the  most  active  and  courageous  in  the  subjugation, 
or  rather  the  extermination,  of  the  numerous  and  powerful  Illinois 
confederacy.  They  had  many  wars,  offensive  and  defensive,  with 
the  Sioux,  the  Pawnees,  the  O.sages,  and  other  tribes,  some  of  which 
are  ranked  among  the  most  fierce  and  ferocious  warriors  of  the 
whole  continent;  and  it  does  not  appear  that  in  these  conflicts,  run- 
ning through  a  long  period  of  years,  they  were  found  wanting  in 
this,  the  greatest  of  all  savage  virtues.  In  the  late  war  with  Great 
Britain,  a  party  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  fought  under  the  British 


HISTOKT    OF    ILLINOIS.  27 

standard  as  a  matter  of  choice;  and  in  the  recent  contest  between  a 
fragment  of  these  tribes  and  the  United  States,  although  defeated 
and  literally  cut  to  pieces  by  an  overwhelming  force,  it  is-  very 
questionable  whether  their  reputation  as  braves  would  suffer  by  a 
comparison  with  that  of  their  victors.  It  is  believed  that  a  careful 
review  of  their  history,  from  the  period  when  they  first  established 
themselves  on  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi  down  to  the  present 
time,  will  lead  the  inquirer  to  the  conclusion  that  the  Sacs  and 
Foxes  Were  truly  a  courageous  people,  shrewd,  politic,  and  enter- 
prising, with  no  more  ferocity  and  treachery  of  character  than  is 
common  among  the  tribes  by  whom  they  were  surrounded."  These 
tribes  at  the  time  of  the  Black  Hawk  War  were  divided  into  twenty 
families,  twelve  of  which  were  Sacs  and  eight  Foxes.  The  follow- 
ing were  other  prominent  tribes  occupying  Illinois:  the  Kickapoos, 
Shawnees,  Mascoulins,  Piaukishaws,  Pottawatomies,  Chippewas, 
and  Ottawas. 

MANNERS   AND    CUSTOMS. 

The  art  of  hunting  not  only  supplied  the  Indian  with  food,  but, 
like  that  of  war,  was  a  means  of  gratifying  his  love  of  distinction. 
The  male  children,  as  soon  as  they  acquired  sufficient  age  and 
strength,  were  furnished  with  a  bow  and  arrow  and  taught  to  shoot 
birds  and  other  small  game.  Success  in  killing  large  quadrupeds 
required  years  of  careful  study  and  practice,  and  the  art  was  as 
sedulously  inculcated  ia  the  minds  of  the  rising  generation  as  are 
the  elements  of  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic  in  the  common 
schools  of  civilized  communities.  The  mazes  of  the  forest  and  the 
dense,  tall  grass  of  the  prairies  were  the  best  fields  for  the  exercise 
of  the  hunter's  skill.  No  feet"  could  be  impressed  in  the  yielding 
soil  but  that  the  tracks  were  the  objects  of  the  most  searching 
scrutiny,  and  revealed  at  a  glance  the  animal  that  made  them,  the 
direction  it  was  pursuing,  and  the  time  that  had  elapsed  since  it 
had  passed.  In  a  forest  country  lie  selected  the  valleys,  because 
they  were  most  frequently  the  resort  of  game.  The  most  easily 
taken,  perhaps,  of  all  the  animals  of  the  chase  was  the  deer.  It  is 
endowed  with  a  curiosity  which  prompts  it  to  stop  in  its  flight  and 
look  back  at  the  approaching  hunter,  who  always  avails  himself  of 
this  opportunity  to  let' fly  the  fatal  arrow. 

Their  general  councils  were  composed  of  the  chiefs  and  old  men. 
When  in  council,  they  usually  sat  in  concentric  circles  around  the 


28  .       HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

speaker,  and  each  individual,  notwithstanding  the  fiery  passions 
that  rankled  within,  preserved  an  exterior  as  immovable  as  if  cast 
in  bronze.  Before  commencing  business  a  person  appeared  with 
the  sacred  pipe,  and  another  with  fire  to  kindle  it.  After  being 
lighted,  it  was  first  presented  to  heaven,  secondly  to  the  earth, 
thirdly,  to  the  presiding  spirit,  and  lastly  the  several  councilors, 
each  of  whom  took  a  whifi".  These  formalities  were  observed  with 
as  close  exactness  as  state  etiquette  in  civilized  courts. 

The  dwellings  of  the  Indians  were  of  the  simplest  and  rudest 
■character.  On  .some  pleasant  spot  by  the  bank  of  a  river,  or  near 
an  ever-running  spring,  they  raised  their  groups  of  wigwams,  con- 
structed of  the  iDark  of  trees,  and  easily  taken  down  and  removed 
to  another  spot.  The  dwelling-places  of  the  chiefs  were  sometimes 
more  spacious,  and  constructed  with  greater  care,  -but  of  the  same 
materials.  Skins  taken  in  the  chase  served  them  for  repose. 
Though  principally  dependent  upon  hunting  and  fishing,  the 
uncertain  supply  from  those  sources  led  them  to  cultivate  small 
patches  of  corn.  Every  family  did  everything  necessary  within 
itself,  commerce,  or  an  interchange  of  articles,  being  almost  unknown 
to  them.  In  cases  of  dispute  and  dissension,  each  Indian  relied 
upon  himself  f^r  retaliation.  Blood  for  blood  was  the  rule,  and 
the  relatives  of  the  slain  man  were  bound  to  obtain  bloody  revenge 
for  his  death.  This  principle  gave  rise,  as  a  matter  of  course,  to 
innumerable  and  bitter  feuds,  and  wars  of  extermination  where  such 
were  possible.  War,  indeed,  rather  than  peace,  was  the  Indian's 
glory  and  delight, — war,  not  conducted  as  civilization,  but  war 
where  individual  skill,  endurance,  gallantry  and  cruelty  were  prime 
requisites.  For  such  a  purpose  as  revenge  the  Indian  would  make 
great  sacrifices,  and  display  a  patience  and  perseverance  truly  heroic; 
"but  when  the  excitement  was  over,  he  sank  back  into  a  listless,  un- 
occupied, well-nigh  useless  savage.  During  the  intervals  of  his 
more  exciting  pursuits,  the  Indian  employed  his  time  in  decorating 
his  person  with  all  the  refinement  of  paint  and  feathers,  and  in  the 
manufacture  of  his  arms  and  of  canoes.  These  were  constructed  of 
bark,  and  so  light  that  they  could  easily  be  carried  on  the  shoulder 
from  stream  to  stream.  His  amusements  were  the  war-dance,  ath- 
letic games,  the  narration  of  his  exploits,  and  listening  to  the  ora- 
tory of  the  chiefs;  but  during  long  periods  of  such  existence  he 
remained  in  a  state  of  torpor,  gazing  listlessly  upon  the  trees  of 
the  forests  and  the  clouds  that  sailed  above  them ;  and  this  vacancy 


HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS.  2& 

imprinted  an  habitual  gravity,  and  even  nielancholy,  upon  his  gen- 
eral deportment. 

The  main  labor  and  drudgery  of  Indian  communities  fell  upon 
the  women.  The  planting,  tending  and  gathering  ,of  the  crops, 
making  mats  and  baskets,  carrying  burdens, — in  fact,  all  things  of 
the  kind  were  performed  by  them,  thus  making  their  condition  but 
little  better  than  that  of  slaves.  Marriage  was  merely  a  matter  of 
bargain  and  sale,  the  husband  giving  presents  to  the  father  of  the 
bride.  In  general  they  had  but  few  children.  They  were  sub- 
jected to  many  and  ^vere  attacks  of  sickness,  and  at  times  famine 
and  pestilence  swept  away  whole  tribes. 

■  SINGLE-HANDED    COMBAT   WITH   INDIANS. 

The  most  desperate  single-handed  combat  with  Indians  ever 
fought  on  the  soil  of  Illinois  was  that  of  Tom  Higgins,  August  21, 
1814:.  Higgins  was  25  years  old,  of  a  muscular  and  compact 
build,  not  tall,  but  strong  and  active.  In  danger  he  possessed  a 
quick  and  discerning  judgment,  and  was  without  fear.  He  was  a 
member  of  Journey's  rangers,  consisting  of  eleven  men,  stationed 
at  Hill's  Fort,  eight  miles  south-west  of  the  present  Greenville,  Put- 
nam county.  Discovering  Indian  signs  near  the  fort,  the  company, 
early  the  following  morning,  started,  on  the  trail.  They  had  not 
gone  far  before  they  were  in  an  ambuscade  of  a  larger  party.  At 
the  first  fire  their  commander,  Journey,  and  three  men  fell,  and 
six  retreated  to  the  fort;  but  Higgins  stopped  to  "have  another 
pull  at  the  red-skins,"  and,  taking  deliberate  aim  at  a  straggling 
savage,  shot  him  down.  Higgins'  horse  had  been  wounded  at  the 
first  fire,  as  he  supposed,  mortally.  Coming  to,  he  was  about  to 
effect  his  escape,  when  the-  familiar  voice  of  Burgess  hailed  him 
from  the  long  grass,  "Tom,  don't  leave  me."  Higgins  told  him  to 
come  along,  but  Burgess  replied  that  his  leg  was  smashed.  Hig- 
gins attempted  to  raise  him  on  his  horse,  but  the  animal  took  fright 
and  ran  away.  Higgins  then  directed  Burgess  to  limp  off  as  well 
as  he  could;  and  by  crawling  through  the  grass  he  reached  the  fort 
while  the  former  loaded  his  gun  and  remained  behind  to  protect 
him  against  the  pursuing  enemy.  When  Burgess  was  well  out  of 
the  way,  Higgins  took  another  route,  which  led  by  a  small  thicket, 
to  throw  any  wandering  enemy  off  the  trail.  Here  he  was  con- 
fronted by  three  savages  approaching.  He  ran  to  a  little  ravine 
near  for  shelter,  but  in  the  effort  discovered  for  the  first  time  that 


30  HISTOET    OF    ILLINOIS. 

he  was  badly  wounded  in  the  leg.  He  was  closely  pressed  by  the 
largest,  a  powerful  Indian,  who  lodged  a  ball  in  his  thigh.  He  fell, 
but  instantly  rose  again,  only,  however,  to  draw  the  fire  of  the  other 
two,  and  again  fell  wounded.  The  Indians  now  advanced  upon  him 
with  their  tomahawks  and  scalping  knives;  but  as  he  presented  his 
gun  first  at  one,  then  at  another,  from  his  place  in  the  ravine,  each 
wavered  in  his  purpose.  Neither  party  had  time  to  load,  and  the 
large  Indian,  supposing  finally  that  Higgins'  gun  was  empty,  rushed 
forward  with  uplifted  tomahawk  and  a  yell;  but  as  he  came  near 
enough,  was  shot  down.  At  this  the  others  raised  the  war-whoop, 
and  rushed  upon  the  wounded  Higgins,  and  now  a  hand-to-hand 
conflict  ensued.  They  darted  at  him  with  their  knives  time  and 
again,  inflicting  many  ghastly  flesh-wounds,  which  bled  profusely. 
One  of  the  assailants  threw  his  tomahawk  at  him  with  such  pre- 
cision as  to  sever  his  ear  and  lay  bare  his  skull,  knocking  him  down. 
They  now  rushed  in  on  him,  but  he  kicked  them  off,  and  grasping 
one  of  their  spears  thrust  at  him,  was  raised  up  by  it.  He  quickly 
seized  his  gun,  and  by  a  powerful  blow  crushed  in  the  skull  of  one, 
but  broke  his  rifle.  His  remaining  antagonist  still  kept  up  the  con- 
test, making  thrusts  with  his  knife  at  the  bleeding  and  exhausted 
Higgins,  which  he  parried  with  his  broken  gun  as  well  as  he  could. 
Most  of  this  desperate  engagement  was  in  plain  view  of  the  fort; 
but  the  rangers,  having  been  in  one  ambuscade,  saw  in  this  fight 
only  a  ruse  to  draw  out  the  balance  of  the  garrison.  But  a  Mrs. 
Pursely,  residing  at  the  fort,  no  longer  able  to  see  so  brave  a  man 
contend  for  his  life  unaided,  seized  a  gun,  mounted  a  horse,  and 
started  to  his  rescue.  At  this  the  men  took  courage  and  hastened 
along.  The  Indian,  seeing  aid  coming,  fled.  Higgins.  being  near- 
ly hacked  to  pieces,  fainted  from  loss  of  blood.  He  was  carried  to 
the  fort.  There  being  no  surgeon,  his  comrades  cut  two  balls  from 
his  flesh;  others  remained  in.  For  days  his  life  was  despaired  of; 
but  by  tender  nursing  he  ultimately  regained  his  health,  although 
badly  crippled.  He  I'esided  in  Fayette  county  for  many  years  after, 
and  died  in  1829. 


HI8T0EY    OF    ILLINOIS.  31 


EAELY  DISCOVERIES 

NICHOLAS    PEEKOT. 

The  first  white  man  who  ever  set  foot  on  the  soil  embraced  within 
the  boundary  of  the  present  populous  State  of  Illinois  was  Nich- 
olas Perrot,  a  Frenchman.  He  was  sent  to  Chicago  in  the  year  1671 
by  M.  Talon,  Intendant  of  Canada,  for  the  purpose  of  inviting  the 
Western  Indians  to  a  great  peace  convention  to  be  held  at  Green 
Bay.  This  convention  had  for  its  chief  object  the  promulgation  of 
a  plan  for  the  discovery  of  the  Mississippi  river.  This  great  river 
had  been  discovered  by  De  Soto,  the  Spanish  explorer,  nearly  one 
hundred  and  fifty  years  previously,  but  his  nation  left  the  country 
a  wilderness,  without  further  exploration  or  settlement  within  its 
borders,  in  which  condition  it  remained  until  the  river  was  dis- 
covered by  Joliet  and  Marquette  in  1673.  It  was  deemed  a  wise 
policy  to  secure,  as  far  as  possible,  the  friendship  and  co-operation 
of  the  Indians,  far  and  near,  before  venturing  upon  an  enterprise 
which  their  hostility  might  render  disastrous.  Thus  the  great  oon- 
.  vention  was  called. 

JOLIET    AND     MARQUETTE. 

Although  Perrot  was  the  first  European  to  visit  Illinois,  he  was 
not  the  first  to  make  any  important  discoveries.  This  was  left  for 
Joliet  and  Marquette,  which  they  accomplished  two  years  thereafter. 
The  former,  Louis  Joliet,  was  born  at  Quebec  in  1645.  He  was 
educated  for  the  clerical  '  profession,  but  he  abandoned  it  to 
engage  in  the  fur  trade.  His  companion.  Father  Jacques  Mar- 
quette, was  a  native  of  France,  born  in  1637.  He  was  a  Jesuit 
priest  by  education,  and  a  man  of  simple  faith  and  great  zeal  and 
devotion  in  extending  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  among  the  In- 
dians. He  was  sent  to'  America  in  1666  as  a  missionary.  To  con- 
vert the  Indians  he  penetrated  the  wilderness  -a  thousand  iniles 
in  advance  of  civilization,  and  by  his  kind  attention  in  their  afflic- 
tions he  won  their  affections  and  made  them  his  lasting  friends. 
There  were  others,  however,  who  visited  Illinois  even  prior  to  the 
famous  exploration  of  Joliet  and^  Marquette.     In  1672  the  Jesuit 


32  HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS. 

missionaries,  Fathers  Claude  Allouez  and  Claude  Dablon,  bore  the 
standard  of  the  Cross  from  their  mission  at  Green  Bay  through 
western  Wisconsin  and  northern  Illinois. 

According  to  the  pre-arranged  plan  referred  to  above,  at  the  Jes- 
uit mission  on  the  Strait  of  Mackinaw,  Joliet  joined  Marquette, 
and  with  five  other  Frenchmen  and  a  simple  outfit  the  daring  ex- 
plorers on  the  ITtli  of  May,  1673,  set  out  on  their  perilous  voyage 
to  discover  the  Mississippi.  Coasting  along  the  northern  shore  of 
Lake  Michigan,  they  entered  Green  Bay,  and  passed  thence  up  Fox 
'i-iver  and  Lake  Winnebago  to  a  village  of  the  Mnscatines  and 
Miamis,  where  great  interest  was  taken  in  the  expedition  by  the 
natives.  With  guides  they  proceeded  down  the  river.  Arriving 
at  the  portage,  they  soon  carried  their  light  canoes  and  scanty  bag- 
gage to  the  Wisconsin,  about  three  miles  distant.  Their  guides 
now  refused  to  accompany  them  further,  and  endeavored,  by  re- 
citing the  dangers  incident  to  the  voyage,  to  induce  them  to  return. 
They  stated  that  huge  demons  dwelt  in  the  great  river,  whose  voices 
could  be  heard  a  long  distance,  and  who  engulfed  in  the  raging 
waters  all  who  came  within  their  reach.  They  also  represented  that 
if  any  of  them  should  escape  the  dangers  of  the  river,  fierce  tribes  of 
Indians  dwelt  upon  its  banks  ready  to  complete  the  work  of  de- 
struction. They  proceeded  on  their  journey,  however,  and  on  the 
17th  of  June  pushed  their  frail  barks  on  the  bosom  of  the  stately 
Mississippi,  .down  which  they  smoothly  glided  for  nearly  a  hundred 
miles.  Here  Joliet  and  Marquette,  leaving  their  canoes  in  charge 
of  their  men,  went  on  the  western  ^hore,  where  they  discovered  an 
Indian  village,  and  were  kindly  treated.  They  journeyed  on  down 
the  unknown  river,  passing  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois,  then  run- 
ning into  the  current  of  the  muddy  Missouri,  and  afterwaid  the 
waters  of  the  Ohio  joined  with  them  on  their  journey  southward. 
Near  the  mouth  of  the  Arkansas  they  discovered  Indians  who 
showed  signs  of  hostility;,  but  when  Marquette's  mission  of  peace 
was  made  known  to  them,  they  were  kindly  received.  After  pro- 
ceeding up  the  Arkansas  a  short  distance,  at  the  advice  of  the 
natives  they  turned  their  faces  northward  to  retrace  their  steps.  Af- 
ter several  weeks  o*f  hard  toil  they  reached  the  Illinois,  up  which . 
stream  they  proceeded  to  Lake  Michigan.  Following  the  western 
shore  of  the  lake,  they  entered  Green  Bay  the  latter  part  of  Sep- 
tember, having  traveled  a  distance  of  2,500  miles. 


HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS.  33 

On  liis  way  up  the  Illinois,  Marquette  visited  the  Kaskaskias, 
near  what  is  now  Utica,  in  LaSalle  county.  The  following  year 
he  returned  and  established  amon^  them  the  mission  of  the  Im- 
maculate Virgin  Mary.  This  was  the  last  act  of  his  life.  He  died 
in  Michigan,  May  18,  1675. 

lasalle's  exploeations. 
The  first  French  occupation  of  Illinois  was  effected  by  LaSalle, 
in  1680.  Having  constructed  a  vessel,  the  "  GrijBQn,"  above  the 
falls  of  Niagara,  he  sailed  to  Green  Bay,  and  passed  thence  in 
canoe  to  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Joseph  river,  by  which  and  the  Kan- 
kakee he  reached  the  Illinois  in  January,  1680;  and  on  the  3d  he 
entered  the  expansion  of  the  river  now  called  Peoria  lake.  Here, 
at  the  lower  end  of  the  lake,  on  its  eastern  bank,  now  in  Tazewell 
county,  he  erected  Fort  Crevecoeur.  The  place  where  this  ancient 
fort  stood  may  still  be  seen  just  below  the  outlet  of  Peoria  lake.  It 
had,  however,  but  a  temporary  existence.  From  this  point  LaSalle 
determined,  at  that  time,  to  descend  the  Mississippi  to  its  mouth. 
This  lie  did  not  do,  however,  until  two  years  later.  Eeturning  to 
Fort  Frontenac  for  the  purpose  of  getting  material  with  which  to 
rig  his  vessel,  he  left  the  fort  at  Peoria  in  charge  of  his  lieutenant, 
Henri  Tonti,  an  Italian,  who  had  lost  one  of  his  hands  by  the 
explosion  of  a  grenade  in  the  Sicilian  wars.  Tonti  had  with  him 
fifteen  men,  most  of  whom  disliked  LaSalle,  and  were  ripe  for  a 
revolt  the  first  opportunity.  Two  men  who  had,  previous  to  LaSalle's 
departure,  been  sent  to  look  for  the  "  Grifiin  "  now  returned  and 
reported  that  the  vessel  was  lost  and  that  Fort  Frontenac  was  in 
the  hands  of  LaSalle's  creditors.  This  disheartening  intelligence 
had  the  effect  to  enkindle  a  spirit  of  mutiny  among  the  garrison. 
Tonti  had  no  sooner  left  the  fort,  with  a  few  men,  to  fortify  what 
was  afterward  known  as  Starved  Rock,  than  the  garrison  at  the 
fort  refused  longer  to  submit  to  authority.  They  destroyed  the 
fort,  seized  the  ammunition,  provisions,  and  other  portables  of  value, 
and  fled.  Only  two  of  their  number  remained  true.  These  hast- 
ened to  apprise  Tonti  of  what  had  occurred.  He  thereupon  sent 
four  of  the  men  with  him  to  inform  LaSalle.  Thus  was  Tonti  in 
the  midst  of  treacherous  savages,  with  onjy  five  men,  two  of  whom 
were  the  friars  Kibourde  and  Membre.  With  these  he  immediately 
returned  to  the  fort,  collected  what  tools  had  not  been  destroyed, 
and  conveyed  them  to  the  great  town  of  the   Illinois  Indians. 


34  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

By  this  voluntary  display  of  confidence  he  hoped  to  remove  the 
jealousy  created  in  the  minds  of  the  Illinois  by  the  enemies  of  La- 
Salle.     Here  he  awaited,  unmolested,  the  return  of  LaSalle. 

GEEAT    BATTLE     OF    THE     ILLINOIS.  ' 

Neither  Tonti  nor  his  wild  associates  suspected  that  hordes  of  Iro- 
quois  were   gathering   preparatory    to    rushing  down  upon  their 
country  and  reducing  it  to  an  uninhabited  waste.     Already  these 
hell-hounds  of  the  wilderness  had  destroyed  the  Hurons,  Eries,  and 
other  natives  on  the  lakes,  and  were  now  directing  their  attention 
to  the  Illinois  for  new  victims.     Five  hundred  Iroquois  warriors 
set  out  for  the  home  of  the  Illinois.     All  was  fancied  security  and 
idle  repose  in  the  great  town  of  this  tribe,  as  the  enemy  stealthily 
approached.     Suddenly  as  a  clap  of  thunder  from  a  cloudless  sky 
the   listless  inhabitants  were  awakened  from  their  lethargy.     A 
Shawnee  Indian,  on  his  return  home  after  a  visit  to  the  Illinois, 
first  discovered  the  invaders.     To  save  his  friends  from  the  im- 
pending danger,  he  hurriedly  returned  and  apprised  them  of  the 
coming  enemy.     This  intelligence  spread  with  lightning  rapidity 
over  the  town,  and  each  wigwam  disgorged  its  boisterous  and  as- 
tounded inmates.    Women  snatched  their  children,  and  in  a  delirium 
of  fi-ight  wandered  aimlessly  about,  rending  the  air  with  their 
screams.     The  men,  more  self-possessed,  seized  their  arms  ready 
for  the  coming  fray.     Tonti,  long  an  object  of  suspicion,  was  soon 
surrounded  by  an  angry  crowd  of  vs^arriors,  who  accused  him  of  be- 
ing an  emissary  of  the  enemy.     His  inability  to   defend  himself 
properly,  in  consequence  of  not  fully  understanding  their  language 
left  them  still  inclined  to  believe  him  guilty,  and  they  seized  his 
effects  from  the  fort  and  threw  them  into  the  river.     The  women 
and  children  were  sent  down  the  river  for  safety,  and  the  warriors, 
not  exceeding  four  hundred,  as  most  of  their  young  men  were  off 
hunting,  returned  to  the  village.     Along  the  shores  of  the  river 
they  kindled  huge  bonfires,  and  spent  the  entire  night  in  greasing 
their  bodies,  painting  their  faces,  and  performing  the  war-dance, 
-  to  prepare  for  the  approaching  enemy.     At  early  dawn  the  scouts 
who  had  been  sent  out  returned,  closely  followed  by  the  Iroquois; 
The  scouts  had  seen  a  chief  arrayed  in  French  costume,  and  re- 
ported their  suspicions  that  LaSalle  was  in  the  camp  of  the  enemy, 
and  Tonti  again  became  an  object  of  jealousy.     A  concourse  of 
wildly  gesticulating  savages  immediately  gathered  about  him,  de- 


HISTOEY   OF   ILLINOIS. 


35 


manding  his  life,  and  nothing  saved  him  from  their  uplifted  weap- 
ons but  a  promise  that  he  and  his  men  would  go  with  them  to  meet 
the  enemy.  With  their  suspicions  partly  lulled,  they  hurriedly 
crossed  the  river  and  met  the  foe,  when  both  commenced  firing. 
Tonti,  seeing  that  the  Illinois  were  outnumbered  and  likely  to 
be  defeated,  determined,  at  the  imminent  risk  of  his  life,  to  stay 
the  fight  by  an  attempt  at  mediation.  Presuming  on  the  treaty  of 
peace  then  existing  between  the  French  and  Iroquois,  he  exchanged 
his  gun  for  a  belt  of  wampum  and  advanced  to  meet  the  savage 
multitude,  attended  by  three  companions,  who,  being  unnecessarily 
exposed  to  danger,  were  dismissed,  and  he  proceeded  alone.  A 
short  walk  brought  him  in  the  midst  of  a  pack  of  yelping  devils, 
writhing  and  distorted  with  fiendish  rage,  and  impatient  to  shed 
his  blood.  As  the  result  of  his  swarthy  Italian  complexion  and 
half-savage  costume,  he  was  at  first  taken  for  an  Indian,  and  before 
the  mistake  was  discovered  a  young  warrior  approached  and  stabbed 
at  his  heart.  Fortunately  the  blade  was  turned  aside  by  coming 
in  contact  with  a  rib,  yet  a  large  flesh- wound  was  ififlicted,  which 
bled  profusely.  At  this  juncture  a  chief  discovered  his  true  char- 
acter, and  he  was  led  to  the  rear  and  efforts  were  made  to  staunch 
his  wound.  When  suflBciently  recovered,  he  declared  the  Illinois 
were  under  the  protection  of  the  French,  and  demanded,  in  consid- 
eration of  the  treaty  between  the  latter  and  the  Iroquois,  that  they 
should  be  suffered  to  remain  without  further  molestation.  During 
this  conference  a  young  warrior  snatched  Tonti's  hat,  and,  fleeing 
with  it  to  the  front,  held  it  aloft  on  the  end  of  his  gun  in  view  of 
the  Illinois.  The  latter,  judging  that  Tonti  had  been  killed, 
renewed  the  fight  with  great  vigor.  Simultaneously,  intelligence 
was  brought  to  the  Iroquois  that  Frenchmen  were  assisting  their 
enemies  in  the  fight,  when  the  contest  over  Tonti  was  renewed 
with  redoubled  fury.  Some  declared  that  he  should  be  immediately 
put  to  death,  while  others,  friendly  to  LaSalle,  with  equal  earnest- 
ness demanded  that  he  should  be  set  at  liberty.  During  their 
clamorous  debate,  his  hair  was  several  times  lifted  by  a  huge  sav- 
age who  stood  at  his  back  with  a  scalping  knife  ready  for  execution. 
Tonti  at  length  turned  the  current  of  the  angry  controversy  in  his 
favor,  by  stating  that  the  Illinois  were  1,200  strong,  and  that  there 
were  60  Frenchmen  at  the  village  ready  to  assist  them.  This  state- 
ment obtained  at  least  a  partial  credence,  and  his  tormentors  now 


36  HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS. 

determined  to  use  him  as  an  instrument  to  delude  the  Illinois  with  a 
pretended  truce.  The  old  warriors,  therefore,  advanced  to  the  front 
and  ordered  the  firing  to  cease,  while  Tonti,  dizzy  from  the  loss  of 
blood,  was  furnished  with  an  emblem  of  peace  and  sent  staggering 
across  the  plain  to  rejoin  tlie  Illinois.  The  two  friars  who  had  just 
returned  from  a  distant  hut,  whither  they  had  repaired  for  prayer 
and  meditation,  were  the  first  to  meet  him  and  bless  God  for  what 
they  regarded  as  a  miraculous  deliverance.  With  the  assurance 
brought  by  Tonti,  the  Illinois  re-crossed  the  river  to  their  lodges, 
followed  by  the  enemy  as  far  as  the  opposite  bant.  Not  long  after, 
large  numbers  of  the  latter,  under  the  pretext  of  hunting,  also  crossed 
the  river  and  hung  in  threatening  groups  about  the  town.  These 
hostile  indications,  and  the  well-known  disregard  which  the  Iroquois 
had  always  evinced  for  their  pledges,  soon  convinced  the  Illinois 
that  their  only  safety  was  in  flight.  With  this  conviction  they  set 
lire  to  their  village,  and  while  the  vast  volume  of  flames  and  smoke 
diverted  the  attention  of  the  enemy,  they  quietly  dropped  down  the 
river  to  join  their  women  and  children.  As  soon  as  the  flames  would 
permit,  the  Iroquois  entrenched  themselves  on  the  site  of  the  vil- 
lage., Tonti  and  his  men  were  ordered  by  the  suspicious  savageB 
to  leave  their  hut  and  take  up  their  abode  in  the  fort. 

At  first  the  Iroquois  were  much  elated  at  the  discomfiture  of  the 
Illinois,  but  when  two  days  afterward  they  discovered  them  recdn- 
noitering  their  intrenchments,  their  courage  greatly  subsided. 
With  fear  they  recalled  the  exaggerations  of  Tonti  respecting  their 
numbers,  and  concluded  to  send  him  with  a  hostage  to  make  over- 
tures of  peace.  He  and  his  hostage  were  received  with  delight  by 
the  Illinois,  who  readily  assented  to  the  proposal  which  he  brought, 
and  in  turn  sent  back  with  him  a  hostage  to  the  Iroquois.  On  his 
return  to  the  fort  his  life  was  again  placed  in  jeopardy,  and  the 
treaty  was  with  great  difficulty  ratified.  The  young  and  inexpe- 
rienced Illinois  hostage  betrayed  to  his  crafty  interviewers  the  nu- 
merical weakness  of  his  tribe,  and  the  savages  immediately  rushed 
upon  Tonti,  and  charged  him  with  having  deprived  them  of  the  spoils 
and  honors  of  victory.  It  now  required  all  the  tact  of  which  he  was 
master  to  escape.  After  much  difficulty  however,  the  treaty  was  con- 
cluded, but  the  savages,  to  show  their  contempt  for  it,  immediately 
commenced  constructing  canoes  in  which  to  descend  the  river  and 
attack  the  Illinois. 


m 

^1 '  i 


^1    !.  I : 


saiS^Sss&sS''**' 


AN    IROQUOIS    CHIEF. 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  39 

FRENCHMEN    DKIVEN    AWAY. 

Tonti  managed  to  apprise  the  latter  of  their  designs,  and  he  and 
Membre  were  soon  after  summoned  to  attend  a  council  of  the  Iro- 
quois, who  still  labored -under  a  wholesome  fearof  Count  Frontenac, 
and  disliking  to  attack  the  Illinois  in  the  presence  of  the  French, 
they  thought  to  try  to  induce  them  to  leave  the  country.  At  the 
assembling  of  the  council,  six  packages  of  beaver  skins  were  intro- 
duced, and  the  savage  orator,  presenting  them  separately  to  Tonti, 
explained  the  nature  of  each.  "The  first  two,"  said  he,  "  were  to  de- 
clare that  the  children  of  Count  Frontenac,  that  is,  the  Illinois, 
should  not  be  «aten;  the  next  was  a  plaster  to  heal  the  wounds  of 
Tonti;  the  next  was  oil  wherewith  to  anoint  him  and  Membre, 
that  they  might  not  be  fatigued  in  traveling;  the  next  proclaimed 
that  the  sun  was  bright;  and  the  sixth  and  last  required  them  to 
decamp  and  go  home." 

At  the  mention  of  going  home,  Tonti  demanded  of  them  when 
they  intended  to  set  the  example  by  leaving  the  Illinois  in  the 
peaceable  possession  of  their  country,  which  they  had  so  unjustly  in- 
vaded. The  council  grew  boisterous  and  angry  at  the  idea  that 
they  should  be  demanded  to  do  what  they  required  of  the  French, 
and  some  of  its  members,  forgetting  their  previous  pledge,  declared 
that  they  would  "eat  Illinois  flesh  before  they  departed."  Tonti,  in 
imitation  of  the  Indians'  manner  of  expressing  scorn,  indignantly 
kicked  away  the  presents  of  fur,  saying,  since  they  intended  to  de- 
vour the  children  of  Frontenac  with  cannibal  ferocity,  he  would  not 
accept  their  gifts.  This  stern  rebuke  resulted  in  the  expulsion  of 
Tonti  and  his  companion  from  the  council,  and  the  next  day  the 
chiefs  ordered  them  to  leave  the  country. 

Tonti  had  npw,  at  the  great  peril  of  his  life,  tried  every  expedient 
to  prevent  the  slaughter  of  the  Illinois.  There  was  little  to  be  ac- 
complished by  longer  remaining  in  the  country,  and  as  longer  delay 
might  imperil  the  lives  of  his  own  men,  he  determined  to  depart,  not 
knowing  where  or  when  he  would  be  able  to  rejoin  LaSalle.  With 
this  object  in  view,  the  party,  consisting  of  six  persons,  embarked  in 
canoes,  which  soon  proved  leaky,  and  they  were  compelled  to  land 
for  the  purpose  of  making  repairs.  "While  thus  employed,  Father  Ei- 
bourde,  attracted  by  the  beauty  of  the  surrounding  landscape,  wan- 
dered forth  among  the  groves  for  meditation  and  prayer.  Not  return- 
ing in  due  time,  Tonti  became  alarmed,  and  started  with  a  compan- 


40  HISTOEY   OF   ILLINOIS. 

ion  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the  long  delay.  They  soon  discovered 
tracks  of  Indians,  by  whom  it  was  supposed  he  had  been  seized,  and 
guns  were  fired  to  direct  his  return,  in  case  he  was  alive.  Seeing 
nothing  of  him  during  the  day,  at  night  they  built  fires  along  the 
bank  of  the  river  and  retired  to  the  opposite  side,  to  see  who  might 
approach  them.  Near  midnight  a  number  of  Indians  were  seen 
flitting  about  the  light,  by  whom,  no  doubt,  had  been  made  the  tracks 
seen  the  previous  day.  It  was  afterward  learned  that  they  were  a 
band  of  Kickapoos,  who  had  for  several  days  been  hovering  about 
the  camp  of  the  Iroquois  in  quest  of  scalps.  They  had  fell  in 
with  the  inofiensive  old  friar  and  scalped  him.  Thus,  in  the  65th 
year  of  his  age,  the  only  heirto  a  wealthy  Burgundian  house  per- 
ished under  the  war-club  of  the  savages  for  whose  salvation  he  had 
renounced  ease  and  affluence. 

liSTHUMAN    BUTCHEET. 

During  this  tragedy  a  far  more  revolting  one  was  being  enacted 
in  the  great  town  of  Illinois.  The  Iroquois  were  tearing  open  the 
graves  of  the  dead,  and  wreaking  their  vengeance  upon  the  bodiea 
made  hideous  by  putrefaction.  At  this  desecration,  it  is  said,  they 
even  ate  portions  of  the  dead  bodies,  while  subjecting  them  to  every 
indignity  that  brutal  hate  could  inflict.  Still  unsated  by  their  hell- 
ish brutalities,  and  now  unrestrained  by  the  presence  of  the  French, 
they  started  in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  Illinois.  Day  after  day 
they  and  the  opposing  forces  moved  in  compact  array  down  the 
river,  neither  being  able  to  gain  any  advantage  over  the  other.  At 
length  the  Iroquois  obtained  by  falsehood  that  which  number  and 
prowess  denied  them.  They  gave  out  that  their  object  was  to  pos- 
sess the  country,  not  by  destroying,  but  by  driving  out  its  present 
inhabitants.  Deceived  by  this  false  statement,  the  Illinois  separa- 
ted, some  descending  the  Mississippi  and  others  crossing  to  the 
western  shore.  The  Tamaroas,  more  credulous  than  the  rest,  re- 
mained near  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois,  and  were  suddenly  attacked 
by  an  overwhelming  force  of  the  enemy.  The  men  fled  in  dismay, 
and  the  women  and  children,  to  the  number  of  700,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  ferocious  enemy.  Then  followed  the  tortures,  butch- 
eries and  burnings  which  only  the  infuriated  and  imbruted  Iroquois 
could  perpetrate.  LaSalle  on  his  return  discovered  the  half-charred 
bodies  of  women  and  children  still  bound  to-  the  stakes  where  they 
had  suifered  all  the  torments  hellish  hate  could  devise.  In  addition 


HI8T0EY    OF    ILLINOIS.  il 

to  those  who  had  been  burnt,  the  mangled  bodies  of  women  and 
children  thickly  covered  the  ground,  many  of  which  bore  marks  of 
brutality  too  horrid  for  record. 

After  the  ravenous  horde  had  sufficiently  glutted  their  greed  for 
carnage,  they  retired  from  the  country.  The  Illinois  returned  and 
rebuilt  their  town. 

TOKTI     SAFE     AT    GEEEN    BAT. 

After  the  death  of  Ribourde,  Tonti  and  his  men  again  resumed 
their  journey.  Soon  again  their  craft  became  disabled,  when  they 
abandoned  it  and  started  on  foot  for  Lake  Michigan.  Their 
supply  of  provisions  soon  became  .exhausted,  and  they  were 
compelled  to  subsist  in  a  great  m'easure  on  roots  and  herbs. 
One  of  their  companions  wandered  off  in  search  of  game,  and  lost 
his  way,  and  several  days  elapsed  before  he  rejoined  them.  In  his 
absence  he  was  without  flints  and  bullets,  yet  contrived  to  shoot 
some  turkeys  by  using  slugs  cut  from  a  pewter  porringer  and  a  fire- 
brand to  discharge  his  gun.  Tonti  fell  sick  of  a  fever  and  greatly 
retarded  the  progress  of  the  march,  bearing  Green  Bay,  the  cold 
increased  and  the  means  of  subsistence  decreased  and  the  party  would 
have  perished  had  they  not  found  a  few  ears  of  corn  and  some  froz- 
en squashes  in  the  fields  of  a  deserted  village.  Near  the  close  of 
November  they  had  reached  the  Pottawatomies,  who  warmly  greet- 
ed them.  Their  chief  was  an  ardent  admirer  of  the  French,  and 
was  accustomed  to  say:  "  There  were  but  three  great  captains  in  the 
world, — himself,  Tonti  and  LaSalle."  For  the  above  account  of 
Tonti's  encounter  with  the  Iroquois,  we  are  indebted  to  Davidson 
and  Stuve's  History  of  Illinois. 

lasalle's  ketuen. 

LaSalle  returned  to  Peoria  only  to  meet  the  hideous  picture  of 
devastation.  Tonti  had  escaped,  but  LaSalle  knew  not  whither.  Pass- 
ing down  the  lake  in  search  of  him  and  his  men,  LaSalle  discov- 
ered that  the  fort  had  been  destroyed ;  but  the  vessel  which  he  had 
partly  constructed  was  still  on  the  stocks,  and  but  slightly  injured. 
After  further  fruitless  search  he  fastened  to  a  tree  a  painting  repre- 
senting himself  and  party  sitting  in  a  canoe  and  bearing  a  pipe  of 
peace,  and  to  the  painting  attached  a  letter  addressed  to  Tonti. 

LaSalle  was  born  in  France  in  1643,  of  wealthy  parentage,  and  edu- 
cated in  a  college  of  the  Jesuits,  from  which  he  separated  and  came 
to  Canada,  a  poor  man,  in  1666.     He  was  a  man  of  daring  genius, 


42  HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS. 

and  outstripped  all  his  competitors  in  exploits  of  travel  and  com- 
merce with  the  Indians.  He  was  granted  a  large  tract  of  land  at 
LaOhine,  where  he  established  himself  in  the  fur  trade.  In  1669 
he  visited  the  headquarters  of  the  great  Iroquois  confederacy,  at 
Onondaga,  New  York,  and,  obtaining  guides,  explored  the  Ohio 
river  to  the  falls  at  Louisville.  For  many  years  previous,  it  must 
be  remembered,  missionaries  and  traders  were  obliged  to  make  their 
way  to  the  Northwest  through  Canada  on  account  of  the  fierce 
hostility  of  the  Iroquois  along  the  lower  lakes  and  Niagara  river, 
which  entirely  closed  this  latter  route  to  the  upper  lakes.  They 
carried  on  their  commerce  chiefly  by  canoes,  paddling  them  through 
Ottawa  river  to  Lake  Nipissing,  carrying  them  across  the  portage 
to  French  river,  and  descending  that  to  Lake  Huron.  This  being 
the  route  by  which  they  reached  the  Northwest,  we  have  an  explana- 
tion of  the  fact  that  all  the  earliest  Jesuit  missions  were  established 
in  the  neighborhood  of  the  upper  lakes.  LaSalle  conceived  the 
grand  idea  of  opening  the  route  by  Niagara  river  and  the  lower 
lakes  to  Canada  commerce  by  sail  vessels,  connecting  it  with  the 
navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  and  thus  opening  a  magnificent  water 
communication  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico. This  truly  grand  and  comprehensive  purpose  seems  to  have 
animated  him  in  his  wonderful  achievements,  and  the  matchless 
difiiculties  and  hardships  he  surmounted.  As  the  first  step  in  the 
accomplishment  of  this  object  he  established  himself  on  Lake 
Ontario,  and  built  and  garrisoned  Fort  Frontenac,  the  site  of  the 
present  city  of  Kingston,  Canada.  Here  he  obtained  a  grant  of 
land  from  the  French  crown,  and  a  body  of  troops,  by  which  he 
repulsed  the  Iroquois  and  opened  passage  to  Niagara  Falls.  Hav- 
ing by  this  masterly  stroke  made  it  safe  to  attempt  a  hitherto 
untried  expedition,  his  next  step,  as  we  have  seen,  was  to  build  a 
ship  with  which  to  sail  the  lakes.  He  was  successful  in  this  under- 
taking, though  his  ultimate  purpose  was  defeated  by  a  strange  com-j 
bination  of  untoward  circumstances.  The  Jesuits  evidently  hated 
LaSalle  and  plotted  against  him,  because  he  had  abandoned  them 
and  united  with  a  rival  order.  The  fur  traders  were  also  jealous  of 
his  success  in  opening  new  channels  of  commerce.  "While  they  were 
plodding  with  their  bark  canoes  through  the  Ottawa,  he  was  con- 
structing sailing  vessels  to  command  the  trade  of  the  lakes  and  the 
Mississippi.     These  great  plans  excited  the  jealousy  and  envy  of 


HISTOET    OF   ILLINOIS.  4:5 

small  traders,  introduced  treason  and  revolt  into  the  ranks  of  hi&- 
men,  and  finally  led  to  the  foul  assassination  by  which  his  great 
achievements  were  permanently  ended. 

lasalle's  assassination. 
Again  visiting  the  Illinois  in  the  year  1682,  LaSalle  de- 
scended the  Mississippi  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  He  erected  a 
standard  upon  which  he  inscribed  the  arms  of  France,  and  took 
formal  possession  of  the  whole  valley  of  this  mighty  river  in  the 
name  of  Louis  XIY.,  then  reigning,  and  in  honor-of  whom  he  named 
the  country  Louisiana.  LaSalle  then  returned  to  France,  was 
appointed  Governor,  and  returned  with  a  fleet  of  immigrants  for  the 
purpose  of  pl'auting  a  colony  in  Illinois.  They  arrived  in  due  time 
in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  but  failing  to  find  the  mouth  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, up  which  they  intended  to  sail,  his  supply  ship,  with  the 
immigrants,  was  driven  ashore  and  wrecked  on  Matagorda  Bay. 
With  the  fragments  of  the  vessel  he  constructed  rude  huts  and 
stockades  on  the  shore  for  the  protection  of  his  followers,  calling 
the  post  Fort  St.  Louis.  He  then  made  a  trip  into  New  Mexico 
in  search  of  silver  mines,  but,  meeting  with  disappointment, 
returned  to  find  his  colony  reduced  to  forty  souls.  He  then  resolved 
to  travel  on  foot  to  Illinois.  With  some  twenty  of  his  men  they 
filed  out  of  their  fort  on  the  12th  of  January,  1687,  and  after  the  part- 
ing,— which  was  one  of  sighs,  of  tears,  and  of  embraces,  all  seeming 
intuitively  to  know  that  they  should  see  each  other  no  more, — they 
started  on  their  disastrous  journey.  Two  of  the  party,  Du  Haut 
and  Leotot,  when  on  a  hunting  expedition  in  company  with  a 
nephew  of  LaSalle,  assassinated  him  while  asleep.  The  long 
absence  of  his  nephew  caused  LaSalle  to  go  in  search  of  him.  Oji 
approaching  the  murderers  of  his  nephew,  they  fired  upon  him,  kill- 
ing him  instantly.  They  then  despoiled  the  body  of  its  clothing,, 
^nd  left  it  to  be  devoured  by  the  wild  beasts  of  the  forest.  Thus, 
at  the  age  of  43,  perished  one  whose  exploits  have  so  greatly 
enriched  the  history  of  the  New  World.  To  estimate  aright  the 
marvels  of  his  patient  fortitude,  one  must  follow  on  his  track 
through  the  vast  scene  of  his  interminable  journeyiugs,  those  thou- 
sands of  weary  miles  of  forest,  marsh  and  river,  where,  again  and 
again,  in  the  bitterness  of  baifled  striving,  the  untiring  pilgrim 
pushed  onward  toward  the  goal  he  never  was  to  attain.  America 
owes  him  an  enduring  memory;  for  in  this  masculine  figure,  cas^ 


44      ■  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

in  iron,  she  sees  the  heroic  pioneer  who  guided  her  to  the  possession 
of  her  richest  heritage. 

Tonti,  who  had  been  stationed  at  the  fort  on  the  Illinois,  learning 
of  LaSalle's  unsuccessful  voyage,  immediately  started  down  the 
Mississippi  to  his  relief.  Eeaching  the  Gulf,  he  found  no  traces  of 
the  colony.  He  then  returned,  leaving  some  of  his  men  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Arkansas.  These  were  discovered  by  the  remnant  of 
LaSalle's  followers,  who  guided  them  to  the  fort  on  the  Illinois, 
where  they  reported  that  LaSalle  was  in  Mexico.  The  little  band 
left  at  Fort  St.  Louis  were  finally  destroyed  by  the  Indians,  and  the 
murderers  of  LaSalle  were  shot.  Thus  ends  the  sad  chapter  of 
Robert  Cavalier  de  LaSalle's  exploration. 

FRENCH  OCCUPATION. 

FIEST     SETTLEMENTS. 

The  first  mission  in  Illinois,  as  we  have  already  seen,  was  com- 
menced by  Marquette  in  April,  16Y5.  He  called  the  religious 
.society  which  he  established  the  "  Mission  of  the  Immacnlate  Con- 
ception," and  the  town  Kaskaskia.  The  first  military  occupation  of 
the  country  was  at  Fort  Crevecceur,  erected  in  1680;  but  there  is  no 
evidence  that  a  settlement  was  commenced  there,  or  at  Peoria,  on 
the  lake  above,  at  that  early  date.  The  first  settlement  of  which  there 
is  any  authentic  account  was  commenced  with  the  building  of  Fort 
St.  Louis  on  the  Illinois  river  in  1682;  but  this  was  soon  abandoned. 
The  oldest  permanent  settlement,  not  only  in  Illinois,  but  in  the  val- 
ley of  the  Mississippi,  is  at  Kaskaskia,  situated  six  miles  above  the 
mouth  of  the  Kaskaskia  river.  This  was  settled  in  1690  by  the 
removal  of  the  mission  from  old  Kaskaskia,  or  Ft.  St.  Louis,  on  the 
Illinois  river.  Cahokia  was  settled  about  the  same  time.  The 
reason  for  the  removal  of  the  old  Kaskaskia  settlement  and  mission, 
was  probably  because  the  dangerous  and  difficult  route  by  Lake 
Michigan  and  the  Chicago  portage  had  been  almost  abandoned,  and 
travelers  and  traders  traveled  down  and  up  the  Mississippi  by  the 
Fox  and  Wisconsin  rivers.  It  was  removed  to  the  vicinity  of  the 
Mississippi  in  order  to  be  in  the  line  of  travel  from  Canada  to 
Louisiana,  that  is,  the  lower  part  of  it,  for  it  was  all  Louisiana  then 
south  of  the  lakes.  Illinois  came  into  possession  of  the  French  in 
1682,  and  was  a  dependency  of  Canada  and  a  part  of  Louisiana. 
During  the  period  of  French  rule  in  Louisiana,  the  population 


HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS.  45 

probably  never  exceeded  ten  thousand.  To  the  year  1730  the  fol- 
lowing five  distinct  settlements  were  made  in  the  territory  of 
Illinois,  numbering,  in  population,  140  French  families,  about  600 
"converted  "  Indians,  and  many  traders;  Cahokia,  near  the  mouth 
of  Oahokia  creek  and  about  five  miles  below  the  present  city  of 
St.  Louis;  St.  Philip,  about  forty-five  miles  below  Cahokia;  Fort 
Chartres,  twelve  miles  above  Kaskaskia;  Kaskaskia,  situated  on  the 
Kaskaskia  river  six  miles  above  its  confiuence  with  the  Mississippi, 
and  Prairie  du  liocher,  near  Fort  Chartres.  Fort  Chartres  was 
built  under  the  direction  of  the  Mississippi  Company  in  1718,  and 
was  for  a  time  the  headquarters  of  the  military  commandants  of 
the  district  of  Illinois,  and  the  most  impregnable  fortress  in  JSIorth 
America.  It  was  also  the  center  of  wealth  and  fashion  in  the  West. 
For  about  eighty  years  the  French  retained  peaceable  possession 
of  Illinois.  Their  amiable  disposition  and  tact  of  ingratiating  them- 
selves with  the  Indians  enabled  them  to  escape  almost  entirely  the 
broils  which  weakened  and  destroyed  other  colonies.  Whether 
exploring  remote  rivers  or  traversing  hunting  grounds  in  pursuit 
of  game,  in  the  social  circle  or  as  participants  in  the  religious  exer- 
cises of  the  church,  the  red  men  became  their  associates  and  were 
treated  with  the  kindness  and  consideration  of  brothers.  For  more 
than  a  hundred  years  peace  between  the  white  man  and  the  red  was 
unbroken,  and  when  at  last  this  reign  of  harmony  terminated  it 
was  not  caused  by  the  conciliatory  Frenchman,  but  by  the  blunt 
and  sturdy  Anglo-Saxon.  During  this  century,  or  until  the  coun- 
try was  occupied  by  the  English,  no  regular  court  was  ever  held. 
When,  in  1765,  the  country  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  English, 
many  of  the  French,  rather  than  submit  to  a  change  in  their  insti- 
tutions, preferred  to  leave  their  homes  and  seek  a  new  abode. 
There  are,  however,  at  the  present  time  a  few  remnants  of  the  old 
French  stock  in  the  State,  who  still  retain  to  a  great  extent  the 
ancient  habits  and  customs  of  their  fathers. 

THE    MISSISSIPPI     COMPANV. 

During  the  earliest  period  of  French  occupation  of  this  country, 
M.  Tonti,  LaSalle's  attendant,  was  commander-in-chief  of  all  the 
territory  embraced  between  Canada  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and 
extending  east  and  west  of  the  Mississippi  as  far  as  his  ambition  or 
imagination  pleased  to  allow.  He  spent  twenty-one  years  in  estab- 
lishing forts  and  organizing  the  first  settlements  of  Illinois,      Sep- 


46  HISTORY  OF    ILLINOIS. 

tember  14,  1712,  the  French  government  granted  a  monopoly  of  all 
the  trade  and  commerce  of  the  country  to  M.  Crozat,  a  wealthy 
merchant  of  Paris,  who  established  a  trading  company  in  Illinois, 
and  it  was  by  this  means  that  the  early  settlements  became  perma- 
nent and  others  established.  Orozat  surrendered  his  charter  in 
1717,  and  the  Company  of  the  "West,  better  known  as  the  Missis- 
sippi Company,  was  organized,  to  aid  and  assist  the  banking  system 
of  John  Law,  the  most  famous  speculator  of  modern  times,  and 
perhaps  at  one  time  the  wealthiest  private  individual  the  world 
has  ever  known;  but  his  treasure  was  transitory.  Under  the 
Company  of  the  West  a  branch  was  organized  called  the  Company 
of  St.  Philip's,  for  the  purpose  of  working  the  rich  silver  mines  sup- 
posed to  be  in  Illinois,  and  Philip  Renault  was  appointed  as  its 
agent.  In  1719  he  sailed  from  France  with  two  hundred  miners, 
laborers  and  mechanics.  During  1719  the  Company  of  the  West 
was  by  royal  order  united  with  tlie  Royal  Company  of  the  Indies, 
and  had  the  influence  and  support  of  the  crown,  who  was  deluded 
by  the  belief  that  immense  wealth  would  flow  into  the  empty  treas- 
ury of  France.  This  gigantic  scheme,  one  of  the  most  extensive 
and  wonderful  bubbles  ever  blown  up  to  astonish,  deceive  and  ruin 
thousands  of  people,  was  set  in  operation  by  the  fertile  brain  of 
John  Law.  Law  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1671,  and  so  rapid  had 
been  his  career  that  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  was  a  "  bankrupt, 
an  adulterer,  a  murderer  and  an  exiled  outlaw."  But  he  possessed 
great  financial  ability,  and  by  his  agreeable  and  attractive  manners, 
and  his  enthusiastic  advocacy  of  his  schemes,  he  succeeded  in 
inflaming  the  imagination  of  the  mercurial  Frenchmen,  whose  greed 
for  gain  led  them  to  adopt  any  plans  for  obtaining  wealth. 

Law  arrived  in  Paris  with  two  and  a  half  millions  of  francs, 
which  he  had  gained  at  the  gambling  table,  just  at  the  right  time. 
Louis  XIY.  had  just  died  and  left  as  a  legacy  empty  coffers  and  an 
immense  public  debt.  Every  thing  and  everybody  was  taxed  to 
the  last  penny  to  pay  even  the  interest.  All  the  sources  of  in- 
dustry were  dried  up;  the  very  wind  which  wafted  tke  barks  of 
commerce  seemed  to  have  died  away  under  the  pressure  of  the 
time;  trade  stood  still;  the  merchant,  the  trader,,  the  artificer,  once 
flourishing  in  aflluence,  were  transformed  into  clamorous  beggars. 
The  life-blood  that  animated  the  kingdom  was  stagnated  in  all 
its  arteries,  and  tlie  danger  of  an  awful  crisis  became  such  that 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  4:7 

the  nation  was  on  the  verge  of  bankruptcy.  At  this  critical  junc- 
ture John  Law  arrived  and  proposed  his  grand  sclieme  of  the 
Mississippi  Company;  200,000  shares  of  stock  at  500  livres  each  were 
at  first  issued.  This  sold  readily  and  .great  profits  were  realized. 
More  stock  was  issued,  speculation  became  rife,  the  fever  seized 
everybody,  and  the  wildest  speculating  frenzy  pervaded  the  whole 
nation.  Illinois  was  thought  to  contain  vast  and  rich  mines  of 
minerals.  Kaskaskia,  then  scarcely  more  than  the  settlement  of  a 
few  savages,  was  spoken  of  as  an  emporium  of  the  most  extensive 
traffic,  and  as  rivaling  some  of  the  cities  of  Europe  in  refinement, 
fashion  and  religious  culture.  Law  was  in  the  zenith  of  his  glory,  and 
the  people  in  the  zenith  of  their  infatuation.  The  high  and  the  low, 
the  rich  and  the  poor,  were  at  once  filled  with  visions  of  untold 
wealth,  and  every  age,  set,  rank  and  condition  were  buying  and  selling 
stocks.  Law  issued  stock  again  and  again,  and  readily  sold  until 
2,235,000,0001ivres  were  in  circulation,  equaling  about  $450,000,000. 
While  confidence  lasted  an  impetus  was  given  to  trade  never  before 
known.  An  illusory  policy  everywhere  prevailed,  and  so  dazzled 
the  eye  that  none  could  see  in  the  horizon  the  dark  cloud  announc- 
ing the  approaching  storm.  Law  at  the  time  was  the  most  influ- 
ential man  in  Europe.  His  house  was  beset  from  morning  till 
night  with  eager  applicants  for  stock.  Dukes,  marquises  and 
counts,  with  their  wives  and  daughters,  waited  for  hours  in  the 
street  below  his  door.  Finding  his  residence  too  small,  he  changed 
it  for  the  Place  Yendome,  whither  the  crowd  followed  him,  and  the 
spacious  square  had  the  appearance  of  a  public  market.  The  boule- 
vards and  public  gardens  were  forsaken,  and  the  Place  Vendome 
became  the  most  fashionable  place  in  Paris;  and  he  was  unable  to 
wait  upon  even  one-tenth  part  of  his  applicants.  The  bubble  burst 
after  a  few  years,  scattering  ruin  and  distress  in  every  direction. 
Law,  a  short  time  previous  the  most  popular  man  in  Europe,  fled 
to  Brussels,  and  in  1729  died  in  Yenice,  in  obscurity  and  poverty. 

ENGLISH  EULE. 

As  early  as  1750  there  could  be  perceived  the  first  throes  of  the 
revolution,  which  gave  a  new  master  and  new  institutions  to  Illi- 
nois. France  claimed  the  whole  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  Eng- 
land the  right  to  extend  her  possessions  westward  as  far  as  she 
might  desire.      Through  colonial  controversies   the  two   mother 


4:8  HISTUKY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

countries  were  precipitated  into  a  bloody  war  within  the  Nortli- 
western  Territory,  George  Wasliiugton  firing  the  first  gun  of  the 
military  struggle  which  resulted  in  the  overthrow  of  the  French 
not  only  in  Illinois  but  in  J^orth  America.  The  French  evinced  a 
determination  to  retain  control  of  the  territory  bordering  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  from  Canada  to  the  Gulf,  and  so  long  as  the  En- 
glish colonies  were  confined  to  the  sea-coast  there  was  little  reason 
for  controversy.  As  the  English,  however,  became  acquainted 
with  this  beautiful  and  fertile  portion  of  our  country,  they  not  only 
learned  the  value  of  the  A'^ast  territory,  but  also  resolved  to  set  up  a 
counter  claim  to  the  soil.  The  French  established  numerous  mili- 
tary and  trading  posts  from  the  frontiers  of  Canada  to  New  Or- 
leans, and  in  order  to  establish  also  their  claims  to  jurisdiction  over 
the  country  they  carved  the  lilies  of  France  on  the  forest  trees,  or 
sunk  plates  of  metal  in  the  ground.  These  measures  did  not, 
however,  deter  the  English  from  going  on  with  their  explorations; 
and  though  neither  party  resorted  to  arms,  yet  the  conflict  was 
gathering,  and  it  was  only  a  question  of  time  when  the  storm 
should  burst  upon  the  frontier  settlement.  The  French  based 
their  claims  upon  discoveries,  the  English  on  grants  of  territory 
extending  from  ocean  to  ocean,  but  neither  party  paid  the  least 
attention  to  the  prior  claims  of  the  Indians.  From  this  posi- 
tion of  affairs,  it  was  evident  that  actual  collision  between  the 
contending  parties  would  not  much  longer  be  deferred.  The  En- 
glish Government,  in  anticipation  of  a  war,  urged  the  Governor 
of  Yirginia  to  lose  no  time  in  building  two  forts,  which  were 
equipped  by  arms  from  England.  The  French  anticipated  the 
.  English  and  gathered  a  considerable  force  to  defend  their  possessions. 
The  Governor  determined  to  send  a  messenger  to  the  nearest  ^ 
French  post  and  demand  an  explanation,  This  resolution  of  the 
Governor  brought  into  the  history  of  our  country  for  the  first  time 
the  man  of  all  others  whom  America  most  loves  to  honor,  namely, 
George  Washington.  He  was  chosen,  although  not  yet  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  as  the  one  to  perform  this  delicate  and  difficult  mission. 
"With  five  companions  he  set  out  oft  Nov.  10,  1753,  and  after  a  per- 
ilous journey  returned  Jan.  6,  1754.  The  struggle  commenced  and 
continued  long,  and  was  bloody  and  fierce;  but  on  the  10th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1765,  the  ensign  of  France  was  replaced  on  the  ramparts  of 
Fort  Chartres  by  the  flag  of  Great  Britain.     This  fort  was  th& 


GEN.  GEORGE  ROGERS  CLARK. 


HISTOET    OF    ILLINOIS.  51 

■depot  of  supplies  and  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  the  united  forces 
of  the  French.  At  this  time  the  colonies  of  the  Atlantic  seaboard 
were  assembled  in  .preliminary  congress  at  New  York,  dreaming  of 
liberty  and  independence  for  the  continent;  and  Washington,  who 
led  the  expedition  against  the  French  for  the  English  king,  in  less 
than  ten  years  was  commanding  the  forces  opposed  to  the  English 
tyrant.  Illinois,  besides  being  constructively  a  part  of  Florida  for 
over  one  hundred  years,  during  which  time  no  Spaniard  set  foot 
upon  her  soil  or  rested  his  eyes  upon  her  beautiful  plains,  for  nearly 
ninety  years  had  been  in  the  actual  occupation  of  the  French,  their 
puny  settlements  slumbering  quietly  in  colonial  dependence  on  the 
distant  waters  of  the  Kaskaslda,  Illinois  and  Wabash. 

GEN.     glare's    exploits. 

The  l^orthwest  Territory  was  now  entirely  under  English  rule, 
and  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary  war  the  British  held 
every  post  of  importance  in  the  West.  While  the  colonists  of  the 
East  were  maintaining  a  fierce  struggle  with  the  armies  of  England, 
their  western  frontiers  were  ravaged  by  merciless  butcheries  of  In- 
dian warfare.  The  jealousy  of  the  savage  was  aroused  to  action  by 
the  rapid  extension  of  American  settlement  westward  and  the  im- 
proper influence  exerted  by  a  number  of  military  posts  garrisoned  by 
British  troops.  To  prevent  indiscriminate  slaughters  arising  from 
these  causes,  Illinois  became  the  theater  of  some  of  the  most  daring 
exploits  connected  with  American  history.  The  hero  of  the  achieve- 
ments by  which  this  beautiful  land  was-  snatched  as  a  gem  from 
the  British  Crown,  was  George  Roger's  Clark,  of  Yirginia.  He  had 
closely  watched  the  movements  of  the  British  throughout  the 
Northwest,  and  understood  their  vyhole  plan;  he  also  knew  the 
Indians  were  not  unanimously  in  accord  'with  the  English,  and 
therefore  was  convinced  that  if  the  British  could  be  defeated  and 
expelled  from  the  Northwest,  the  natives  might  be  easily  awed  into 
neutrality.  Having  convinced  himself  that  the  enterprise  against 
the  Illinois  settlement  might  easily  succeed,  he  repaired  to  the  cap- 
ital of  Yirginia,  arriving  Nov.  5,  1777.  While  he  was  on  his  way, 
fortunately,  Burgoyne  was  defeated  (Oct.  17),  and  the  spirits  of  the 
colonists  were  thereby  greatly  encouraged.  Patrick  Henry  was 
Governor  of  Virginia,  and  at  once  entered  heartily  into  Clark's 
plans.  After  satisfying  the  Virginia  leaders  of  the  feasibility  of 
his  project,  he  received  two  sets  of  instructions, — one  secret,  the 


52  HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

other  open.  The  latter  authorized  him  to  enlist  seven  companies- 
to  go  to  Kentucky,  and  serve  three  months  after  their  arrival  in 
the  West.  The  secret  order  authorized  him  to  arm  these  troops, 
to  procure  his  powder  and  lead  of  General  Hand  at  Pittsburg,  and 
to  proceed  at  once  to  subjugate  the  country. 

HE     TAKES     KASKASKIA. 

With  these  instructions  Col.  Clark  repaired  to  Pittsburg,  choos- 
ing rather  to  raise  his  men  west  of  the  mountains,  as  he  well  knew 
all  were  needed  in  the  colonies  in  the  conflict  there.  He  sent  Col. 
W.  B.  Smith  to  Holstein  and  Captains  Helm  and  Bowman  tO' 
other  localities  to  enlist  men;  but  none  of  them  succeeded  in  rais- 
ing the  required  number.  The  settlers  in  these  parts  were  afraid 
to  leave  their  own  firesides  exposed  to  a  vigilant  foe,  and  but  few 
could  be  induced  to  join  the  expedition.  With  these  companies 
and  several  private  volunteers  Clark  commenced  his  descent  of  the 
Ohio,  which  he  navigated  as  far  as  the  falls,  where  he  took  posses- 
sion of  and  fortified  Corn  Island,  a  small  island  between  the  present 
cities  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  New  Albany,  Ind.  Here,  after  having 
completed  his  arrangements  and  announced  to  the  men  their  real 
destination,  he  left  a  small  garrison;  and  on  the  24th  of  June,  dur- 
ing a  total  eclipse  of  tlie  sun,  which  to  them  augured  no  good,  they 
floated  down  the  river.  His  plan  was  to  go  by  water  as  far  as  Fort 
Massac,  and  thence  march  direct  to  Kaskaskia.  Here  he  intended  to 
surprise  the  garrison,  and  after  its  capture  go  to  Cahokia,  then  to 
Yincennes,  and  lastly  to  Detroit.  Should  he  fail,  he  intended  to 
march  directly  to  the  Mississippi  river  and  cross  it  into  the  Spanish 
country.  Before  his  start  he  received  good  items  of  information: 
one  that  an  alliance  had  been  formed  between  France  and  the  United 
States,  and  the  other  thaj;  the  Indians  throughout  the  Illinois 
country  and  the  inhabitants  at  the  various  frontier  posts  had  been  led 
by  the  British  to  believe  that  the  "  Long  Knives,"  or  Yirginians, 
were  the  most  fierce,  bloodthirsty  and  cruel  savages  that  ever  scalped 
a  foe.  With  this  impression  on  their  minds,  Clark  saw  that 
proper  management  would  cause  them  to  submit  at  once  from  fear, 
if  surprised,  and  then  from  gratitude  would  become  friendly,  if 
treated  with  unexpected  lenity.  The  march  to  Kaskaskia  was 
made  through  a  hot  July  sun,  they  arriving  on  the  evening  of  the 
4th  of  July,  1778.  They  captured  the  fort  near  the  village  and 
soon  after  the  village  itself,  by  surprise,  and  without  the  loss  of 


HISTOET    OF   ILLINOIS.  53 

n  single  man  and  without  killing  any  of  the  enemy.  After  suffi- 
ciently working  on  the  fears  of  the  natives,  Clark  told  them  they 
were  at  perfect  liberty  to  worship  as  tliey  pleased,  and  to  take 
whichever  side  of  the  great  conflict  they  would;  also  he  would  pro- 
tect them  against  any  barbarity  from  British  or  Indian  foe.  This 
had  the  desired  effect;  and  the  inhabitants,  so  unexpectedly  and  so 
gratefully  surprised  hy  the  unlooked-for  tnrn  of  affairs,  at  once 
swore  allegiance  to  the  American  arms;  and  when  Clark  desired 
to  go  to  Cahokia  on  the  6tli  of  July,  they  accompanied  liim,  and 
"through  their  influence  the  inhabitants  of  the  place  surrendered 
and  gladly  placed  themselves  under  his  protection. 

In  the  person  of  M.  Gibkult,  priest  of  Kaskaskia,  Clark  found  a 
powerful  ally  and  generous  friend.  Clark  saw  that,  to  retain  pos- 
session of  the  ISTorthwest  and  treat  successfully  with  the  Indians,  he 
must  establish  a  government  for  the  colonies  he  had  taken.  St.  Vin- 
cent, the  post  next  in  importance  to  Detroit,  remained  yet  to  be 
taken  before  the  Mississippi  valley  was  conquered.  M.  Gibault 
told  him  that  he  would  alone,  by  persuasion,  lead  Vincennes  to 
throw  off  its  connection  with  England.  Clark  gladly  accepted  this 
offer,  and  July  14th,  in  company  with  a  fellow-townsman,  Gibault 
started  on  his  mission  of  peace.  On  the  1st  of  August  he  returned- 
with  the  cheerful  intelligence  that  everything  was  peaceably  ad-- 
justed  at  Vincennes  in  favor  of  the  Americans.  During  the  inter-' 
val.  Col.  Clark  established  his  courts,  placed  garrisons  at  Kaskaskia 
and  Cahokia,  successfully  re-enlisted  his  men,  and  sent  word  to 
have  a  fort  (which  proved  the  germ  of  Louisville)  erected  at  the 
falls  uf  the  Ohio. 

While  the  American  commander  was  thus  negotiating  with  the 
Indians,  Hamilton,  the  British  Governor  of  Detroit,  heard  of  Clark's 
invasion,  and  was  greatly  incensed  because  the  country  which  he 
had  in  charge  should  be  wrested  from  him  by  a  few  ragged  militia. 
He  therefore  hurriedly  collected  a  force,  marched  by  way  of  the 
Wabash,  and  appeared  before  the  fort  at  Vincennes.  The  inhabi- 
tants made  an  effort  to  defend  the  town,  and  when  Hamilton's 
forces  arrived,  Captain  Helm  and  a  man  named  Henry  were  the 
only  Americans  in  the  fort.  These  men  had  been  sent  by  Clark. 
The  latter  charged  a  cannon  and  placed  it  in  the  open  gateway,  and 
the  Captain  stood  by  it  with  a  lighted  match  and  cried  out,  as  Ham- 
ilton came  in  hailing  distance,  "Halt!"     The  British  officer,  not 


64:  HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS. 

knowing  the  strength  of  the  garrison,  stopped,  and  demanded  the 
surrender  of  tlie  fort.  Helm  exclaimed,  "  No  man  shall  enter  here 
till  I  know  the  terms."  Hamilton  responded,  "  Yon  shall  have  the 
honors  of  war."  The  entire  garrison  consisted  of  one  officer  and  one 
private. 

VINCENNES    CAPTURED. 

On  taking  Kaskaskia,  Clark  made  a  prisoner  of  Eocheblave, 
commander  of  the  place,  and  got  possession  of  all  his  written 
instructions  for  the  conduct  of  the  war.  From  these  papers  he 
received  important  information  respecting  the  plans  of  Col.  Ham- 
ilton, Governor  at  Detroit,  who  was  intending  to  make  a  vigorous 
and  concerted  attack  upon  the  frontier.  After  arriving  at  Yin- 
cennes,  however,  he  gave  up  his  intended  campaign  for  the  winter, 
and  trusting  to  his  distance  from  danger  and  to  the  difficulty  of 
approaching  him,  sent  off  his  Indian  warriors  to  prevent  troops  from 
coming  down  the  Ohio,  and  to  annoy  the  Americans  in  all  ways.  Thus 
he  sat  quietly  down  to  pass  the  winter  with  only  about  eighty  soldiers, 
but  secure,  as  he  thought,  from  molestation.  But  he  evidently  did 
not  realize  the  character  of  the  men  with  whom  he  was  contending. 
Clark,  although  he  could  muster  only  one  hundred  and  thirty  men, 
determined  to  take  advantage  of  Hamilton's  weakness  and  security, 
and  attack  him  as  the.  only  means  of  saving  himself;  for  unless  he 
captured  Hamilton,  Hamilton  would  capture  him.  Accordingly, 
about  the  beginning  of  February,  1779,  he  dispatched  a  small  galley 
which  he  had  fitted  out,  mounted  with  two  four-pounders  and  four 
swivels  and  manned  with  a  company  of  soldiers,  and  carrying  stores 
for  his  men,  with  orders  to  force  her  way  up  the  Wabash,  to  take 
her  station  a  few  miles  below  Vincennes,  and  to  allow  no  person  to 
pass  her.  He  himself  marched  with  his  little  band,  and  spent  six- 
teen days  in  traversing  the  country  from  Kaskaskia  to  Yincennes, 
passing  with  incredible  fatigue  through  woods  and  marshes.  He 
was  five  days  in  crossing  the  bottom  lands  of  the  "Wabash;  and  for 
five  miles  was  frequently  up  to  the  breast  in  water.  After  over- 
coming difficulties  which  had  been  thought  insurmountable,  he 
appeared  before  the  place  and  completely  surprised  it.  The  inhab- 
itants readily  submitted,  but  Hamilton  at  first  defended  himself  in 
the  fort.  Next  day,  however,  he  surrendered  himself  and  his  gar- 
rison prisoners-of-war.  By  his  activity  in  encouraging  the  hostili- 
ties of  the  Indians  and  by  the  revolting  enormities  perpetrated  by 


HISTOEY    OF   ILLINOIS.  65 

those  savages,  Hamilton  had  rendered  himself  so  obnoxious  that  he 
was  thrown  in  prison  and  put  in  irons.  During  his  command  of 
the  British  frontier  posts  he  offered  prizes  to  the  Indians  for  all  the 
scalps  of  the  Americans  they  would  bring  him,  and  earned  in  con- 
sequence thereof  the  title,  "Hair-Buyer  General,"  by  which  he  was 
ever  afterward  known. 

The  services  of  Clark  proved  of  essential  advantage  to  his  coun- 
trymen. They  disconcerted  the  plans  of  Hamilton,  and  not  only  saved 
the  western  frontier  from  depredations  by  the  savages,  but  also 
greatly  cooled  the  ardor  of  the  Indians  for  carrying  on  a  contest  in 
which  they  were  not  likely  to  be  the  gainers.  Had  it  not  been  for 
this  small  army,  a  union  of  all  the  tribes  from  Maine  to  Georgia 
against  the  colonies  might  have  been  effected,  and  the  whole  current 
of  our  history  changed. 

ILLINOIS. 

COUNTY   OF   ILLINOIS. 

In  October,  1778,  after  the  successful  campaign  of  Col.  Clark,  the 
assembly  of  Virginia  erected  the  conquered  country,  embracing  all 
the  territory  northwest  of  the  Ohio  river,  into  the  County  of  Illi- 
nois, which  was  doubtless  the  largest  county  in  the  world,  exceeding 
in  its  dimensions  the  whole  of  Great  Britian  and  Ireland.  To  speak 
more  definitely,  it  contained  the  territory  now  embraced  in  the  great 
States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  "Wisconsin  and  Michigan.  On  the 
12th  of  December,  1778,  John  Todd  was  appointed  Lieutenant- 
Commandant  of  this  county  by  Patrick  Henry,  then  Governor  of 
Virginia,  and  accordingly,  also,  the  first  of  Illinois  County. 

NOETHWESTERN  TEERITORY. 


Illinois  continued  to  form  a  part  of  Virginia  until  March  1, 1784, 
when  that  State  ceded  all  the  territory  north  of  the  Ohio  to  the 
United  States.  Immediately  the  general  Government  proceeded  to 
establish  a  form  of  government  for  the  settlers  in  the  territories 
thus  ceded.  This  form  continued  until  the  passage  of  the  ordi- 
nance of  1787,  for  the  government  of  the  Northwestern  Terri- 
tory. No  man  can  study  the  secret  history  of  this  ordinance  and 
not  feel  that  Providence  was  guiding  with  sleepless  eye  the  des- 


56  HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS. 

tinies  of  these  unborn  States.  American  legislation  has  never 
achieved  anything  more  admirable,  as  an  internal  government, 
than  this  comprehensive  ordinance.  Its  provisions  concerning  the 
distribution  of  property,  the  principles  of  civil  and  religious  liberty 
which  it  laid  at  the  foundation  of  the  communities  since  established, 
and  the  efficient  and  simple  organization  by  which  it  created  the 
first  machinery  of  civil  society,  are  worthy  of  all  the  praise  that  has 
ever  been  given  them. 

OKDINANCE    OF     1787. 

This  ordinance  has  a  marvelous  and  interesting  history.  Con- 
siderable controversy  has  been  indulged  in  as  to  who  is  entitled  to 
the  credit  for  framing  it.  This  belongs,  undoubtedly,  to  Nathan 
Dane;  and  to  Bufus  King  and  Timothy  Pickering  belong  the 
credit  for  suggesting  the  proviso  contained  in  it  against  slavery, 
and  also  for  aids  to  religion  and  knowledge,  and  for  assuring  for- 
ever the  common  use,  without  charge,  of  the  great  national  high- 
ways of  the  Mississippi,  the  St.  Lawrence  and  their  tributaries  to 
all  the  citizens  of  the  United  States.  To  Thomas  Jefferson  is  also 
due  much  credit,  as  some  features  of  this  ordinance  were  embraced 
in  his  ordinance  of  1784.  But  the  part  taken  by  each  in  the  long, 
laborious  and  eventful  struggle  which  had  so  glorious  a  consum- 
mation in  the  ordinance,  consecrating  forever,  by  one  imprescript- 
ible and  unchangeable  monument,  the  very  heart  of  our  country  to 
Freedom,  Knowledge,  and  Union,  will  forever  honor  the  names  of 
those  illustrious-  statesmen. . 

Mr.  Jefferson  had  vainly  tried  to  secure  a  system  of  government 
for  the  Northwestern  Territory.  He  was  an  emancipationist  and 
favored  the  exclusion  of  slavery  from  the  territory,  but  the  South 
voted  him  down  every  time  he  proposed  a  measure  of  this  nature. 
In  1787,  as  late  as  July  10,  an  organizing  act  without  the  anti- 
slavery  clause  was  pending.  This  concession  to  the  South  was 
expected  to  carry  it.  Congress  was  in  session  in  New  York.  On 
July  5,  Rev.  Manasseh  Cutler,  of  Massachusetts,  came  into  New 
York  to  lobby  on  the  Northwestern  Territory.  Everything 
seemed  to  fall  into  his  hands.  Events  were  ripe.  The  state  of  the 
public  credit,  the  growing  of  Southern  prejudice,  the  basis  of  his 
mission,  his  personal  character,  all  combined  to  complete  one  of 
those  sudden  and  marvelous  revolutions  of  public  sentiment  that 


HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS.  57 

once  in  five  or  ten  centuries  are  seen  to  sweep  over  a  country  like 
the  breath  of  the  Almighty. 

Cutler  was  a  graduate  of  Yale.  He  had  studied  and  taken  de- 
grees in  the  three  learned  professions,  medicine,  law,  and  divinity. 
He  had  published  a  scientific  examination  of  the  plants  of  New 
England.  As  a  scientist  in  America  his  name  stood  second  only  to 
that  of  Franklin  He  was  a  courtly  gentleman  of  the  old  style, 
a  man  of  commanding  presence  and  of  ihviting  face.  The  Southern 
members  said  they  had  never  seen  such  a  gentleman  in  the  North. 
He  came  representing  a  Massachusetts  company  that  desired  to 
purchase  a  tract  of  land,  now  included  in  Ohio,  for  the  purpose  of 
planting  a  colony.  It  was  a  speculation.  Government  money  was 
worth  eighteen  cents  on  the  dollar.  This  company  had  collected 
enough  to  purchase  1,500,000  acres  of  land.  Other  speculators  in 
New  York  made  Dr.  Cutler  tlieir  agent,  which  enabled  him  to 
represent  a  demand  for  5,500,000  acres.  As  this  would  reduce  the 
national  debt,  ai:d  Jefferson's  policy  was  to  provide  for  the  public 
credit,  it  presented  a  good  opportunity  to  do  something. 

Massachusetts  then  owned  the  territory  of  Maine,  which  she.was 
crowding  on  the  market.  She  was  opposed  to  opening  the  North- 
western region.  This  fired  the  zeal  of  Virginia.  The  South  caught 
the  inspiration,  and  all  exalted  Dr.  Cutler.  The  entire  South  ral- 
lied around  him.  Massachusetts  could  not  vote  against  him,  be- 
cause many  of  the  constituents  of  her  members  were  interested 
personally  in  the  -Western  speculation.  Thus  Cutler,  making 
friends  in  the  South,  and  doubtless  using  all  the  arts  of  the  lobby, 
was  enabled  to  command  the  situation.  True  to  deeper  convic- 
tions, he  dictated  one  of  the  most  Compact  and  finished  documents 
of  wise  statesmanship  that  has  ever  adorned  any  human  law  book. 
He  borrowed  from  Jefierson  the  term  "Articles  of  Compact,"  which, 
preceding  the  federal  constitution,  rose  into  the  most  sacred  char- 
acter. He  then  followed  very  closely  the  constitution  of  Massa- 
chusetts, adopted  three  years  before.  Its  most  prominent  points 
were: 

1.  The  exclusion  of  slavery  from  the  territory  forever. 

2.  Provision  for  public  schools;  giving  one  township  for  a  semi- 
nary and  every  section  numbered  16  in  each  township;  that  is,  one 
thirty-sixth  of  all  the  land  for  public  schools. 

3.  A  provision  prohibiting  the  adoption  of  any  constitution  or 


58  HISTOET    OF    ILLINOIS. 

the  enactment  of  any  law  that  should  nullify  pre-existing  contracts. 
Beit  forever  remembered  that  this  compact  declared  that  "re- 
ligion, morality,  and  knowledge  being  necessary  to  good  govern- 
ment and  the  happiness  of  mankind,  schools  and  the  means  of  edu- 
cation shall  always  be  encouraged."  Dr.  Cutler  planted  himself 
on  this  platform  and  would  not  yield.  Giving  his  unqualified  dec- 
laration that  it  was  that  or  nothing, — that  unless  they  could  make 
the  land  desirable  they  did  not  want  it, — he  took  his  horse  and  buggy 
and  started  for  the  constitutional  convention  at  Philadelphia.  On 
July  13,  1787,  the  bill  was  put  upon  its  passage,  and  was  unani- 
iuously  adopted.  Thus  the  great  States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois, 
Michigan,  and  Wisconsin,  a  vast  empire,  were  consecrated  to  free- 
dom, intelligence,  and  morality.  Thus  the  great  heart  of  the  nation 
was  prepared  to  save  the  union  of  States,  for  it  ^as  this  act  that  was 
the  salvation  of  the  republic  and  the  destruction  of  slavery.  Soon 
the  South  saw  their  great  blunder  and  tried  to  have  the  compact 
repealed.  In  1803  Congress  referred  it  to  a  committee,  of  which 
John  Randolph  was  chairman.  He  reported  that  this  ordinance 
was.  a  compact  and  opposed  repeal.  Thus  it  stood,  a  rock  in  the 
way  of  the  on-rushing  sea  of  slaver^'. 

SYMPATHY  WITH  SLAVERY. 

"With  all  this  timely  aid  it  was,  however,  a  most  desperate  and 
protracted  struggle  to  keep  the  soil  of  Illinois  sacred  to  freedom. 
It  was  the  natural  battle-field  for  the  irrepressible  confiict.  In  the 
southern  end  of  the  State  slavery  preceded  the  compact.  It  ex- 
isted among  the  old  French  settlers,  and  was  hard  to  eradicate. 
That  portion  was  also  settled  from  the  slave  States,  and  this  popu- 
lation brought  their  laws,  customs,  and  institutions  with  them.  A 
stream  of  population  from  the  North  poured  into  the  northern  part 
of  the  State.  These  sections  misunderstood  and  hated  each  other 
perfectly.  The  Southerners  regarded  the  Yankees  as  a  skinning, 
tricky,  penurious  race  of  peddlers,  tilling  the  country  with  tinware, 
brass  clocks,  and  wooden  nutmegs.  The  Northerner  thought  of  the 
Southerner  as  a  lean,  lank,  lazy  creature,  burrowing  in  a  hut,  and 
rioting  in  whisky,  dirt,  and  ignorance.  These  causes  aided  in 
making  the  struggle  long  and  bitter.  So  strong  was  the  sympathy 
with  slavery  that,  in  spite  of  the  ordinance  of  1787,  and  in  spite  of 
the  deed  of  cession,  it  was  determined  to  allow  the  old  French  set- 
tlers to  retain  their  slaves.     Planters  from  the  slave  States  might 


GEN.  ARTHUR  ST.  CI.AIR. 


HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS.  59 

bring  their  slaves  if  they  would  give  them  an  opportunity  to  choose 
freedom  or  years  of  service  and  bondage  for  their  children  till  tliey 
should  become  thirty  years  of  age.  If  they  chose  freedom  they 
must  leave  the  State  within  sixty  days,  or  be  sold  as  fugitives. 
Servants  were  whipped  for  oflfenses  for  which  white  men  were  fined. 
Each  lash  paid  forty  cents  of  the  fine.  A  negro  ten  miles  from 
home  without  a  pass  was  whipped.  These  famous  Jaws  were  im- 
ported from  the  slave  States,  just  as  the  laws  for  the  inspection  of 
flax  and  wool  were  imported  when  there  was  neither  in  the  State. 

ST.    CLAIE,    GOVEENOE    OF     ITOETHWESTEEN    TEEEITOEY. 

On  October  5,  1787,  Maj.  Gen.  Arthur  St.  Clairwas,  by  Congress, 
elected  Governor  of  this  vast  territory.  St.  Clair  was  born  in  Scot- 
land and  emigrated  to  America  in  1755.  He  served  in  the  French 
and  English  war,  and  was  major  general  in  the  Revolution.  In 
1786  he  was  elected  to  Congress  and  chosen  President  of  that  body. 

ILLINOIS   TERRITOEY. 

After  the  division  of  the  Northwestern  Territory  Illinois  became 
one  of  the  counties  of  the  Territory  of  Indiana,  from  which  it  was 
separated  by  an  act  of  Congress  Feb.  3, 1809,  forming  the  Territory 
of  Illinois,  with  a  population  estimated  at  9,000,  and  then  inplnded 
the  present  State  of  Wisconsin.  It  was  divided,  at  the  time,  into 
two  counties, — St.  Clair  and  Randolph.  John  Boyle,  of  Ken- 
tucky, was  appointed  Governor,  b^  the  President,  James  Madison, 
but  declining,  Ninian  Edwards,  of  the  same  State,  was  then 
appointed  and  served  with  distinction;  and  after  the  organization 
of  Illinois  as  a  State  he  served  in  the  same  capacity,  being  its  third 
Governor. 

WAR  OF  1812.    THE  OUTBREAK. 

For  some  years  previous  to  the  war  between  the  United  States 
and  England  in  1812,  considerable  trouble  was  experienced  with  the 
Indians,  Marauding  bands  of  savages  would  attack  small  settle- 
ments and  inhumanly  butcher  all  the  inhabitants,  and  mutilate 
their  dead  bodies.  To  protect  themselves,  the  settlers  organized 
companies  of  rangers,  and  erected  block  houses  and  stockades  in 
every  settlemen-t.  The  largest,  strongest  and  best  one  of  these  was 
Fort  Russell,  near  the  present  village  of  Edwardsville.  This  stockade 


60  HISTOKY   OF   ILLINOIS. 

was  made  the  main  rendezvous  for  troops  and  military  stores,  and 
Gov.  Edwards,  who  during  the  perilous  times  of  1812,  when  Indian 
hostilities  threatened  on  every  hand,  assumed  command  of  the  Illi- 
nois forces,  established  his  headquarters  at  this  place.  The  Indians 
were  incited  to  many  of  these  depredations  by  English  emissaries, 
who  for  years  continued  their  dastardly  work  of  "  setting  the  red 
men,  like  dogs^  upon  the  whites." 

In  the  summer  of  1811  a  peace  convention  was  held  with  the 
Pottawatomies  at  Peoria,  when  they  promised  that  peace  should 
prevail ;  but  their  promises  were  soon  broken.  Tecumseh,  the  great 
warrior,  and  fit  successor  of  Pontiac,  started  in  the  spring  of  1811, 
to  arouse  the  Southern  Indians  to  war  against  the  whites.  The  pur- 
pose of  this  chieftain  was  well  known  to  Gov.  Harrison,  of  Indiana 
Territory,  who  determined  during  Tecumseh's  absence  to  strike  and 
disperse  the  hostile  forces  collected  at  Tippecanoe.  This  he  success- 
fully did  on  Nov.  7,  winning  the  sobriquet  .of  "  Tippecanoe,"  by 
which  he  was  afterwards  commonly  known.  Several  peace  councils 
were  held,  at  which  the  Indians  promised  good  behavior,  but  only 
to  deceive  the  whites.  Almost  all  the  savages  of  the  Northwest 
were  thoroughly  stirred  up  and  did  not  desire  peace.  The  British 
agents  at  various  points,  in  anticipation  of  a  war  with  the  United 
States,  sought  to  enlist  the  favor  of  the  savages  by  distributing  to 
them  large  supplies  of  arms,  ammunition  and  other  goods. 

The  English  continued  their  insults  to  our  flag  upon  the  high 
seas,  and  their  government  refusing  to  relinquish  its  offensive  course, 
all  hopes  of  peace  and  safe  commercial  relations  were  abandoned, 
and  Congress,  on  the  19th  of  June,  1812,  formally  declared  war 
against  Great  Britain.  In.  Illinois  the  threatened  Indian  troubles 
had  already  caused  a  more  thorough  organization  of  the  militia  and 
greater  protection  by  the  erection  of  forts.  As  intimated,  the  In- 
dians took  the  war-path  long  before  the  declaration  of  hostilities 
between  the  two  civilized  nations,  committing  great  depredations, 
the  most  atrocious  of  which  was  the 

MASSACEE   AT   FOET   DEAEBOEN. 

During  the  war  of  1812  between  the  United  States  and  England, 
the  greatest,  as  well  as  the  most  revolting,  massacre  of  whites  that 
ever  occurred  in  Illinois,  was  perpetrated  by  the  Pottawatomie  In- 
dians, at  Fort  Dearborn.  \This  fort  was  built  by  the  Government, 
in  1804,  on  the  south  side  of  the  Chicago  river",  and  was  garrisoned 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


61 


by  64  men  under  command  of  Capt.  ISTathan  Heald,  assisted  by 
Lieutenant  Helm  and  Ensign  Ronan;  Dr.  Yoorhees,  surgeon.  Tlie 
residents  at  the  post  at  that  time  were  the  wives  of  officers  Heald 
and  Helm  and  a  few  of  the  soldiers,  Mr.  Kinzie  and  his  family,  and 
a  few  Canadians.  The  soldiers  and  Mr.  Kinzie  were  on  the  most 
friendly  terms  with  the  Pottawatomies  and  Winnebagoes,  the  prin- 
cipal tribes  around  them.  ' 

On  the  Yth  of  August,  1812,  arrived  the  order  from  Gen.  Hull,  at 
Detroit,  to  evacuate  Fort  Dearborn,  and  distribute  all  United  States 
property  to  the  Indians.     Chicago  was  so  deep  in  the  wilderness 


OLD  FORT  DEARBORN. 

that  this  was  the  first  intimation  the  garrison  received  of  the  dec- 
laration of  war  made  on  the  19th  of  June.  The  Indian  chief  who 
brought  the  dispatch  advised  Capt.  Heald  not  to  evacuate,  and 
that  if  he  should  decide  to  do  so,  it  be  done  immediately,  and  by 
forced  marches  elude  the  concentration  of  the  savages  before  the 
news  could  be  circulated  among  them.  To  this  most  excellent  ad- 
vice the  Captain  gave  no  heed,  but  on  the  12th  held  a  council  with 


62  HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

the  Indians,  apprising  them  of  the  orders  received,  and  oiFering  a 
liberal  reward  for  an  escort  of  Pottawatomies  to  Fort  Wayne.  The 
Indians,  with  many  professions  of  friendship,  assented  to  all  he 
proposed,  and  promised  all  he  required.  The  remaining  oflScers  re- 
fused to  join  in  the  council,  for  thej  had  been  informed  that  treach- 
ery was  designed, — that  the  Indians  intended  to  murder  those  in 
the  council,  and  then  destroy  those  in  the  fort.  The  port  holes  were 
open,  displaying  cannons  pointing  directly  upon  the  council.  This 
action,  it  is  supposed,  prevented  a  massacre  at  that  time. 

Mr.  Kinzie,  who  knew  the  Indians  well,  begged  Capt.  Heald 
not  to  confide  in  their  promises,  or  distribute  the  arms  and  ammu- 
nitions among  them,  for  it  would  only  put  power  in  their  hands  to 
destroy  the  whites.  This  argument,  true  and  excellent  in  itself, 
was  now  certainly  inopportune,  and  would  only  incense  the  treach- 
erous foe.  But  the  Captain  resolved  to  follow  it,  and  accordingly  on 
the  night  of  the  13th,  after  the  distribution  of  the  other  property,  the 
arms  were  broken,  and. the  barrels  of  whisky,  of  wjiich  there  was  a 
large  quantity,  were  rolled  quietly  through  the  sally-port,  their 
heads  knocked  in  and  their  contents  emptied  into  the  river.  On  that 
night  the  lurking  red-skins  crept  near  the  fort  and  discovered  the 
destruction  of  the  promised  booty  going  on  within.  The  next  morn- 
ing the  powder  was  seen  floating  on  tlie  surface  of  the  river,  and 
the  Indians  asserted  that  such  an  abundance  of  "  fire-water"  had 
been  emptied  into  the  river  as  to  make  it  taste  "  groggy."  Many 
of  them  drank  of  it  freely. 

On  the  14th  the  desponding  garrison  was  somewliat  cheered  by 
the  arrival  of  Capt.  "Wells,  with  15  friendly  Miamis.  Capt.  Weils* 
heard  at  Fort  Wayne  of  the  order  to  evacuate  Fort  Dearborn,  and 
knowing  the  hostile  intentions  of  the  Indians,  made  a  rapid  march 
through  the  wilderness  to  protect,  if  possible,  his  niece,  Mrs.  Heald, 
and  the  officers  and  the  garrison  from  certain  destruction.  But 
he  came  too  late.  Every  means  for  its  defense  had  been  destroyed 
the  night  before,  and  arrangements  were  made  for  leaving  the  fort 
on  the  following  morning. 

The  fatal  morning  of  the  16th  at  length  dawned  brightly  on  the 
world.  The  sun  shone  in  unclouded  splendor  upon  the  glassy  waters 
of  Lake  Michigan.  At  9  a.  m.,  the  party  moved  out  of  the  south- 
ern gate  of  the  fort,  in  military  array.  The  band,  feeling  the  solem- 
nity of  the  occasion,  struck  up   the  Dead  March  in  Saul.     Capt. 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  63 

Wells,  with  his  face  blackened  after  the  manner  of  the  Indian8,.led 
the  advance  guard  at  the  head  of  his  friendly  Miamis,  the  garrison 
with  loaded  .arms,  the  baggage  wagons  with.the  sick,  and  the  women 
and  children  following,  while  the  Pottawatomie  Indians,  about  500 
in  number,  who  had  pledged  their  honor  to  escort  the  whites  in 
safety  to  Fort  "Wayne,  brought  up  the  rear.  The  party  took  the 
road  along  the  lake  shore.  On  reaching  the  range  of  sand-hills 
separating  the  beach  from  the  prairie,  about  one  mile  and  a  half- 
from  the  fort,  the  Indians  deiiled  to  the  right  into  the  prairie,  bring 
ing  the  sand-hills  between  them  and  the  whites.  This  divergence 
was  scarcely  effected  when  Capt.  Wells,  who  had  kept  in  advance 
with  his  Indians,  rode  furiously  back  and  exclaimed,  "  They  are 
about  to  attack  us.  Form  instantly  and  charge  upon  them!" 
These  words  were  scarcely  uttered  before  a  volley  of  balls  from 
.Indian  muskets  was  poured  in  upon  them.  The  troops  were  hastily 
formed  into  line,  and  charged  up  the  bank.  One  veteran  of  70  fell 
as  they  ascended.  The  Indians  were  driven  back  to  the  prairie,  and 
then  the  battle  was  waged  by  54  soldiers,  12  civilians,  and  three  or 
four  women — the  cowardly  Miamis  having  fled  at  the  outset — 
against  500  Indian  warriors.  The  whites  behaved  gallantly,  and 
sold  their  lives  dearly.  They  fought  desperately  until  two-thirds 
of  their  number  were  slain;  the  remaining  27  surrendered.  And 
now  the  most  sickening  and  heart-rending  butchery  of  this  calam- 
itous day  was  committed  by  a  young  savage,  who  assailed  one  of 
the  baggage  wagons  containing  12  children,  every  one  of  which  fell 
beneath  his  murderous  tomahawk.  When  Capt.  Wells,  who  with 
the  others  had  become  prisoner,  beheld  this  scene  at  a  distance,  he 
exclaimed  in  a  tone  loud  enough  to  be  heard  by  the  savages,  "  If, 
this  be  your  game,  I  can  kill  too;"  and  turning  his  horse,  started 
for  the  place  where  the  Indians  had  left  their  squaws  and  children. 
The  Indians  hotly  pursued,  but  he  avoided  their  deadly  bullets  for 
a  time.  Soon  his  horse  was  killed  and  he  severely  wounded.  With 
a  yell  the  young  braves  rushed  to  make  him  their  prisoner  and  re- 
serve him  for  iorture.  But  an  enraged  warrior  stabbed  him  in  the 
back,  and  he  fell  dead.  His  heart  was  afterwards  taken  out,  cut  in 
pieces  and  distributed  among,  the  tribes.  Billy  Caldwell,  a  half- 
breed  Wyandot,  well-known  in  Chicago  long  afterward,  buried  his 
remains  the  next  day.  Wells  street  in  Chicago,  perpetuates  his 
memory. 


64  HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

In  this  fearful  combat  women  bore  a  coiispicuous  part.     A  wife 
of  one  of  the  soldiers,  who  had   frequently  heard  that  the  Indians 
subjected  their  prisoners  to  tortures  worse  than  death,  resolved  not 
to  be  taken  alive,  and  continued  fighting  until  she  was  literally  cut 
to  pieces.     Mrs.  Heald  was  an  excellent  equestrian,  and  an  expert 
in  the  use  of  the  rifle.  She  fought  bravely,  receiving  several  wounds. 
Though  faint  from  loss  of  blood,  she  managed  to  keep  in  her  saddle. 
A  savage  raised  his  tomahawk  to  kill  her,  when  she  looked  him  full 
in  the  face,  and  with  a  sweet  smile  and  gentle  voice  said,  in  his 
own  language,    "  Surely  you  will  not  kill  a  squaw."     The  arm  of 
of  the  savage  fell,  and  the  life  of  this  heroic  woman  was   saved. 
Mrs.  Helm  had  an  encounter  with  a  stalwart  Indian,  who  attempted 
to  tomahawk  her.    Springing  to  one  side, -she  received  the  glancing 
blow  on  her  shoulder,  and  at  the  same  time  she  seized  the  savage 
round  the  neck  and   endeavored  to   get  his   scalping-knife   which 
hung  in  a  sheath  at  his  breast.    "While  she  was  thus  struggling,  she 
was  dragged  from  his  grasp  by  another  and  an  older  Indian.     The 
latter  bore   her,  struggling  and  resisting,  to  the  lake  and  plunged 
her  in.     She  soon  perceived  it  was  not  his'  intention  to-  drown  her, 
because  he  held  her  in  such  a  position  as  to  keep  her  head  out  of 
the  water.     She  recognized  him  to  be  a  celebrated  chief  called 
Black  Partridge.     When  the  firing  ceased  she  was  conducted  up 
the  <6and-bank. 

SLAUGHTER    OF    PEISONEES. 

The  prisoners  were  taken  back  to  the  Indian  camp,  when  a  new 
scene  of  horror  was  enacted.  The  wounded  not  being  included  in 
the  terms  of  the  surrender,  as  it  was  interpreted  by  tKe  Indians, 
and  the  British  general.  Proctor,  having  offered  a  liberal  bounty  for 
American  scalps,  nearly  all  the  wounded  were  killed  and  scalped, 
and  the  price  of  the  trophies  was  afterwards  paid  by  the  British 
general.  In  the  stipulation  of  surrender,  Capt.  Heald  had  not 
particularly  mentioned  the  wounded.  These  helpless  sufferers  on 
reaching  the  Indian  camp,  were  therefore  regarded  by  the  brutal 
savages  as  fit  subjects  upon  which  to  display  their  cruelty  and  satisfy 
their  desire  for  blood.  Eeferring  to  the  terrible  butchery  of  the 
prisoners,  in  an, account  given  by  Mrs.  Helm,  she  says:  "An  old 
squaw,  infuriated  by  the  loss  of  friends  or  excited  by  the  sanguin- 
ary scenes  around  her,  seemed  possessed  of  demoniac  fury.  She 
seized  a  stable-fork  and  assaulted  one  miserable  victim,  who  lay 


HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


65 


groaning  and  writhing  in  the  agonies  of  his  wounds,  aggravated  by 
the  scorching  beams  of  th-e  sun.  With  a  delicacy  of  feeling,  scarcely 
to  have  been  expected  under  such  circumstances.  Wan-bee-nee-wan 
stretched  a  mat  across  two  poles,  between  me  and  this  dreadful  scene. 
I  was  thus  spared,  in  some  degree,  a  view  of  its  horrors,  although  I 
could  not  entirely  close  my  ears  to  the  cries  of  the  sufferer.  The 
following  night  five  more  of  the  wounded  prisoners  were  toma- 
hawked."- 

KINZIE    FAMILY     SAVED. 

That  evening,  about  sundown,  a  council  of  chiefs  was  held  to 
decide  the  fate  of  the  prisoners,  and  it  was  agreed  to  deliver  them 


OLD  KINZTE  HOUSE. 

to  the  British  commander  at  Detroit.  After  dark,  many  warriors 
from  a  distance  came  into  camp,  who  were  thirsting  for  blood,  and 
were  determined  to  murder  the  prisoners  regardless  of  the  terms  of 
surrender.  Black  Partridge,  with  a  few  of  his  friends,  surrounded 
Kinzie's  house  to  protect  the  inmates  from  the  tomahawks  of  the 
bloodthirsty  savages.  Soon  a  band  of  hostile  warriors  rushed  by 
them  into  the  house,«nd  stood  with  tomahawks  and  scalping-knives, 
awaiting  the  signal  from  their  chief  to  commence  the  work  of  death. 


66  HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS. 

Black  Partridge  said  to  Mrs.  Kinzie:  "We  are  doing  everything 
in  our  power  to  save  you,  but  all  is  now  lost;  you  and  your  friends, 
together  with  all  the  prisoners  of  the  camp,  will  now  be  slain."  At 
that  moment  a  canoe  was  heard  approaching  the  shore,  when  Black 
Partridge  ran  down  to  the  river,  trying  in  the  darkness  to  make  out 
the  new  comers,  and  at  the  same  time  shouted,  "Who  are  you?" 
In  the  bow  of  the  approaching  canoe  stood  a  tall,  manly  personage, 
with  a  rifle  in  his  hand.  He  jumped  ashore  exclaiming,  "  I  am 
Sau-ga-nash."  "  Then  make  all  speed  to  the  house;  our  friends  are 
in  danger,  and  you  only  can  save  them."  It  was  Billy  Caldwell, 
the  half-breed  Wyandot.  He  hurried  forward,  entered  the  house 
with  a  resolute  step,  deliberately  removed  his  accouterments,  placed 
his  rifle  behind  the  door,  and  saluted  the  Indians:  "  How  now,  my 
friends!  a  good  day  to  you.  I  was  told  there  were  enemies  here, 
but  am  glad  to  find  only  friends."  Diverted  by  the  coolness  of  his 
manner,  they  were  ashamed  to  avow  their  murderous  purpose,  and 
simply  asked  for  some  cotton  goods  to  wrap  their  dead,  for  burial. 
And  thus,  by  his" presence  of  mind,  Caldwell  averted  the  murder  of 
the  Kinzie  femily  and  the  prisoners.  The  latter,  with  their  wives 
and  children,  were  dispersed  among  the  Pottawatoihie  tribes  along 
the  Illinois,  Kock  and  Wabash  rivers,  and  some  to  Milwaukee. 
The  most  of  them  were  ransomed  at  Detroit  the  following  spring. 
A  part  of  them,  however,  remained  in  captivity  another  year. 

EXPEDITION    AGAINST    THE    INDIANS. 

By  the  middle  of  August,  through  the  disgraceful  surrender  of 
Gen.  Hull,  at  Detroit,  and  the  evacuation  of  Fort  Dearborn  and 
massacre  of  its' garrison,  the  British  and  Indians  were  in  possession  of ' 
the  whole  Northwest.  The  savages,  emboldened  by  their  successes, 
penetrated  deeper  into  the  settlements,  committing  great  depre- 
dations. The  activity  and  success  of  the  enemy  aroused  the  people 
to  a  realization  of  the  great  danger  their  homes  and  families  were 
in.  Gov.  Edwards  collected  a  force  of  350  men  at  Camp  Kussell, 
and  Capt.  Eussell  came  from  Yincennes  with  about  50  more.  Being 
oflicered  and  equipped,  they  proceeded  about  the  middle  of  October 
on  horseback,  carrying  with  them  20  days'  rations,  to  Peoria.  Capt. 
Craig  was  sent  with  two  boats  up  the  Illinois,  with  provisions 
and  tools  to  build  a  fort.  The  little  army  .proceeded  to  Peoria 
Lake,  where  was  located  a  Pottawatomie  village.     They  arrived  late 


HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS.  67 

at  night,  within  a  few  miles  of  the  village,  without  their  presence 
being  known  to  the  Indians.  Four  men  were  sent  out  that  night 
to  reconnoiter  the  position  of  the  village.  The  four  brave  men  who 
volunteered  for  this  perilous  service  were  Thomas  Carlin  (after- 
ward Governor),  and  Eobert,  Stephen  and  Davis  Whiteside.  They 
proceeded  to  the  village,  and  explored  it  and  the  approaches  to  it 
thoroughly,  without  starting  an  Indian  or  provoking  the  bark^of  a 
dog.  The  low  lands  between  the  Indian  village  and  the  troops  were 
covered  with  a  rank  growth  of  tall  grass,  so  highland  dense  as  to 
readily  conceal  an  Indian  on  horseback,  until  within  a  few  feet  of 
liim.  The  ground  had  become  still  more  yielding  by  recent  rains, 
Tendering  it  almost  impassable  by  mounted  men.  To  prevent  de- 
tection, the  soldiers  had  camped  without  lighting  the  usual  camp- 
fires.  The  men  lay  down  in  their  cold  and  cheerless  camp,  with 
many  misgivings.  They  well  remembered  how  the  skulking  sav- 
:ages  fell  upon  Harrison's  men  at  Tippecanoe  during  the  night.  To 
:add  to  their  fears,  a  gun  in  the  hands  of  a  soldier  was  carelessly 
'discharged,  raising  great  consternation  in  the  camp. 

AN    INDIAN    KILLED. 

Through  a  dense  fog  which  prevailed  the  following  morning,  the 
army  took  up  its  line  of  march  for  the  Indian  town,  Capt.  Judy 
with  his  corps  of  spies  in  advance.'  In  the  tall  grass  they  came  up 
-with  an  Indian  and  his  squaw,  both  mounted.  The  Indian  wanted 
"to  surrender,  but  Judy  observed  that  he  "did  not  leave  home  to  take 
prisoners, '  and  instantly  shot  one  of  them.  With  the  blood 
-streaming  from  his  mouth  and  nose,  and  in  his  agony  "  singing  the 
•death  song,"  the  dying  Indian  raised  his  gun,  shot  and  mortally 
■wounded  a  Mr.  Wright,  and  in  a  few  minutes  expired.  Many  guns 
•were  immediately  discharged  at  the  other  Indian,  not  then  known 
to  be  a  squaw,  all  of  which  missed  her.  Badly  scared,  and  her  lius- 
"band  killed  by  her  side,  the  agonizing  wails  of  the  squaw  were 
heart-rending.  She  was  taken  prisoner,  and  afterwards  restored 
ito  her  nation. 

TOWN    BITENED. 

On  Gearing  the  town  a  general  charge  was  made,  the  Indians 
fleeing  to  the  interior  wilderness.  Some  of  their  warriors  made  a 
«tand,  when  a  sharp  engagement  occurred,  but  the  Indians  were 
Touted.     In 'their  flight  they  left  behind   all  their  winter's  store  of 


68  HISTORY   OB'    ILLINOIS. 

provisions,  which  was  taken,  and  their  town  burned.  Some  Indian 
children  were  fouud_  who  had  been  left  in  1  he  hurried  flight,  also 
some  disabled  adults,  one  of  whom  was  in  a  starving  condition  and 
with  a  voracious  appetite  partook  of  the  bread  given  him.  He  is 
said  to  have  been  killed  bj  a  cowardly  trooper  straggling  behind, 
after  the  main  army  had  resumed  its  retrograde  march,' who  wanted 
to  be  able  to  boast  that  he  had  killed  an  Indian. 

About  the  time  Gov.  Edwards  started  with  his  little  band  against 
the  Indians,  Gen.  Hopkins,  with  2,000  Kentucky  riflemen,  left 
Vincennes  to  cross  the  prairies  of  Illinois  and  destroy  the  Indian 
villages  along  the  Illinois  river.  Edwards,  with  his  rangers,  ex- 
pected to  act  in  concert  with  Gen.  Hopkins'  riflemen.  After 
marching  80  or  90  miles  into  the  enemy's  country,  Gen.  Hopkins' 
men  became  dissatisfied,  and  on  Oct.  20  the  entire  army  turned 
and  retreated  homeward  before  even  a  foe  had  been  met.  After  the 
victory  of  the  Illinois  rangers  they  heard  nothing  of  Gen.  Hopkins 
and  his  2,000  mounted  Kentucky  riflemen ;  and  apprehensive  that  a 
large  force  of  warriors  would  be  speedily  collected,  it  was  deemed 
prudent  not  to  protract  their  stay,  and  accordingly  the  retrograde 
march  was  commenced  the  very  day  of  the  attack. 

■PEOEIA     BURNED. 

The  force  of  Oapt.  Craig,  in  charge  of  the  provision  boats,  was 
not  idle  during  this  time.  They  proceeded  to  Peoria,  where  they 
were  flred  on  by  ten  Indians  during  the  night,  who  immediately 
fled.  Capt.  Craig  discovered,  at  daylight,  their  tracks  leading  up 
into  the  French  town.  He  inquired  of  the  French  their  where- 
abouts, who  denied  all  knowledge  of  them,  and  said  they  "  had 
heard  or  seen  nothing;  "  but  he  took  the  entire  number  prisoners, 
burned  and  destroyed  Peoria,  and  bore  the  captured  inhabitants 
away  on  his  boats  to  a  point  below  the  present  city  of  Alton,  where 
he  landed  and  left  them  in  the  woods, — men,  women,  and  children, — 
in  the  inclement  month  of  November,  without  shelter,  and  without 
food  other  than  the  slender  stores  they  had  themselves  gathered  up 
before  their  departure.  They  foimd  their  way  to  St.  Louis  in  an 
almost  starving  condition.  The  burning  of  Peoria  and  taking  its 
inhabitants  prisoners,  on  the  mere  suspicion  that  they  sympathized 
with  the  Indians,  was  generally  regarded  as  a  needless,  if  not 
wanton,  act  of  military  power. 


PONTIAC,  THE  OTTAWA 


CHIEF. 


HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS.  71 

SECOND    EXPEDITION    AGAINST    THE    INDIANS. 

In  the  early  part  of  1813,  the  country  was  put  in  as  good  defense 
as  the  sparse  population  admitted.  In  spite  of  the  precaution  taken, 
numerous  depredations  and  murders  were  committed  by  the  In- 
dians, which  again  aroused  the  whites,  and  another  expedition  was 
sent  against  the  foe,  who  had  collected  in  large  numbers  in  and 
around  Peoria.  This  army  was  composed  of  about  900  men,  collect- 
ed from  both  Illinois  and  Missouri,  and  under  command  of  Gen. 
Howard.  They  inarched  across  the  broad  prairies  of  Illinois  to 
Peoria,  where  there  was  a  small  stockade  in  charge  of  United  States 
troops.  Two  days  previously  the  Indians  made  an  attack  on  the 
fort,  but  were  repulsed.  Being  in  the  enemy's  country,  knowing 
their  stealthy  habits,  and  the  troops  at  no  time  observing  a  high  de- 
gree of  discipline,  many  unnecessary  night  alarms  occurred,  yet  the 
enemy  were  far  away.  The  army  marched  upj;he  lake  to  Chili- 
cothe,  burning  on  its  way  two  deserted  villages.  At  the  present 
site  of  Peoria  the  troops  remained  in  camp  several  weeks.  "While 
there  they  built  a  fort,  which  they  named  in  honor  of  G-en.  (jfeorge 
Eogers  Clark,  who  with  his  brave  Yirginians  wrested  Illinois  from 
the  English  during  the  Eevolutionary  struggle.  This  fort  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire  in  1818.  It  gave  a  name  to  Peoria  which  it  wore  for 
several  years.  After  the  building  of  Fort  Crevecceur,  in  1680,  Peo- 
ria lake  was  very  familiar  to  "Western  travel  and  history;  but  there 
is  no  authentic  account  of  a  permanent  European  settlement  there 
until  1778,  when  Laville  de  Meillet,  named  after  its  founder,  was 
started.  Owing  to  the  quality  of  the  water  and  its  greater  salu- 
brity, the  location  was  changed  to  the  present  site  of  Peoria,  and  by 
1796  the  old  had  been  entirely  abandoned  for  the  new  village. 
After  its  destruction  in  1812  it  was  not  settled  again  until  1819, 
and  then  by  American  pioneers,  though  in  1813  Fort  Clark  was 
built  there. 

EXPEDITION     UP    THE    MISSISSIPPI. 

The  second  campaign  against  the  Indians  at  Peoria  closed  with- 
out an  engagement,  or  even  a  sight  of  the  enemy,  yet  great  was  the 
benefit  derived  from  it.  It  showed  to  the  Indians  the  power  and 
resources  of  his  white  foe.  Still  the  calendar  of  the  horrible  deeds 
of  butchery  of  the  following  year  is  long  and  bloody.  A  joint  ex- 
pedition again  moved  against  the  Indians  in  1814,  under  Gov. 


72  HISTOET    OF  ILLINOIS. 

Clark  of  Missouri.  This  time  they  went  up  the  Mississippi  in 
barges,  Prairie  du  Chien  being  the  point  of  destination.  There  they 
found  a  small  garrison  of  British  troops,  which,  however,  soon  fled, 
as  did  the  inhabitants,  leaving  Clark  in  full  possession.  He  im- 
mediately set  to  work  and  erected  Fort  Shelby.  The  Governor 
returned  to  St.  Louis,  leaving  his  men  in  peaceable  possession  of 
the  place,  but  a  large  force  of  British  and  Indians  came  down  upon 
them,  and  the  entire  garrison  surrendered.  In  the  mean  time  Gen. 
Howard  sent  108  men  to  strengthen  the  garrison.  Of  this  number 
66  were  Illinois  rangers,  under  Oapts.  Rector  and  Eiggs,  who  oc- 
cupied two  boats.     The  remainder  were  with  Lieut.  Campbell. 

A    DESPERATE    FIGHT. 

At  Rock  Island  Campbell  was  warned  to  turn  back,  as  an  attack 
was  contemplated.  The  other  boats  passed  on  up  the  river  and 
were  some  two  miles  a'head  when  Campbell's  barge  was  struck  by  a 
strong  gale  which  forced  it  against  a  small  island  near  the  Illinois 
shore.*  Thinking  it  best  to  lie  to  till  the  wind  abated,  sentinels 
were  stationed  while  the  men  went  ashore  to  cook  breakfast.  At 
this  time  a  large  number  of  Indians  on  the  main  shore  under 
Black  Hawk  .commenced  an  attack.  The  savages  in  canoes  passed 
rapidly  to  the  island,  and  with  a  war-whoop  rushed  upon  the  men, 
who  retreated  and  sought  refuge  in  the  barge.  A  battle  of  brisk 
musketry  now  ensued  between  the  few  regulars  aboard  the  stranded 
barge  and  the  hordes  of  Indians  under  cover  of  trees  on  the  island, 
with  severe  loss  to  the  former.  Meanwhile  Capt.  Rector  and  Riggs, 
ahead  with  their  barges,  seeing  the  smoke  of  battle,  attempted  to 
return ;  but  in  the  strong  gale  Riggs'  boat  became  unmanageable 
and  was  stranded  on  the  rapids.  Rector,  to  avoid  a  similar  disaster, 
let  go  his  anchor.  The  rangers,  however,  opened  with  good  aim 
and  telling  effect  upon  the  savages.  The  unequal  combat  having 
raged  for  some  time  and  about  closing,  the  commander's  barge, 
with  many  wounded  and  several  dead  on  board, — among  the  former 
of  whom,  very  badly,  was  Campbell  himself, — was  discovered  to  be 
on  fire.  Now  Rector  and  his  brave  Illinois  rangers,  comprehending 
the  horrid  situation,  performed,  without  delay,  as  cool  and  heroic  a 
deed — and  did  it  well— as  ever  imperiled  the  life  of  mortal  man. 
In  the  howling  gale,  in  full  view  of  hundreds  of  infuriated  savages, 
and  within  range  of  their  rifles,  they  deliberately  raised  anchor. 


HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS.  73 

lightened  their  barge  by  casting  overboard  quantities  of  provisions, 
and  guided  it  with  the  utmost  labor  down  the  swift  current,  to  the 
windward  of  the  burning  barge,  and  under  the  galling  fire  of  the 
enemy  rescued  all  the  survivors,  and  removed  the  wounded  and 
dying  to  their  vessel.  This  was  a  deed  of  noble  daring  and  as 
heroic  as  any  performed  during  the  war  in  the  West.  Eector  hur- 
ried with  his  over-crowded  vessel  to  St.  Louis. 

It  was  now  feared  that  Riggs  and  his  company  were  captured 
and  sacrificed  by  the  savages.  His  vessel,  which  was  strong  and  well 
armed,  was  for  a  time  surrounded  by  the  Indians,  but  the  whites 
on  the  inside  were  well  sheltered.  The  wind  becoming  allayed  in 
the  evening,  the  boat,  under  cover  of  the  night,  glided  safel}"^  down 
the  river  without  the  loss  of  a  single  man. 

STILL    ANOTHER    EXPEDITION. 

Notwithstanding  the  disastrous  termination  of  the  two  expedi- 
tions already  sent  out,  during  the  year  1814,  still  another  was  pro- 
jected. It  was  under  Maj.  Zachary  Taylor,  afterward  President. 
Rector  and  Whiteside,  with  the  Illinoisan,  were  in  command  of 
boats.  The  expedition  passed  Hock  Island  unmolested,  when  it 
was  learned  the  country  was  not  only  swarming  with  Indians,  but 
that  the  English  were  there  in  command  with  a  detachment  of  regu- 
lars and.artillery.  The  advanced  boats  in  command  of  Hector,  White- 
side and  Hempstead,  turned  about  and  began  to  descend  the  rapids, 
fighting  with  great  gallantry  the  hordes  of  the  enemy,  who  were 
pouring  their  fire  into  them  from  the  shore  at  every  step. 

Near  the  mouth  of  Eock  river  Maj.  Taylor  anchored  his  fleet  out 
in  the  Mississippi.  During  the  night  the  English  planted  a  battery 
of  six  pieces  down  at  the  water's  edge,  to  sink  or  disable  the  boats, 
and  filled  the  islands  with  red-skins  to  butcher  the  whites,  who 
might,  unarmed,  seek  refuge  there..  But  in  this  scheme  they  were 
frustrated.  In  the  morning  Taylor  ordered  all  the  force,  except  20 
boatmen  on  each  vessel,  to  the  upper  island  to  dislodge  the  enemy. 
The  order  was  executed  with 'great  gallantry,  the  island  scoured, 
many  of  the  savages  killed,  and  the  rest  driven  to  the  lower  island. 
In  the  meantime  the  British  cannon  told  with  efi'ect  upon  the  fleet. 
The  men  rushed  back  and  the  boats  were  dropped  down  the  stream 
out  of  range  of  the  cannon.  Capt.  Rector  was  now  ordered  with 
his  company  to  make  a  sortie  on  the  lower  island,  which  he  did. 


74  HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS. 

driving  the 'Indians  back  among  the  willows ;  but  they  being  re-in- 
forced,  in  turn  hurled  Rector  back  upon  the  sand-beach. 

A  council  of  officers  called  by  Taylor  had  by  this  time  decided 
that  their  force  was  too  small  to  contend  with  the  enemy,  who 
outnumbered  them  three  to  one,  and  the  boats  were  in  full  retreat 
down  the  river.  As  Kector  attempted  to  get  under  way  his  boat 
grounded,  and  the  savages,  with  demoniac  yells,  surrounded  it, 
when  a  most  desperate  hand-to-liand  conflict  ensued.  The  gallant 
ranger,  Samuel  Whiteside,  observing  the  imminent  peril  of  his 
brave  Illinois  comrade,  went  immediately  to  his  rescue,  who  but  for 
his  timely  aid  would  undoubtedly  have  be,en  overpowered,  with  all 
his  force,  and  murdered. 

Thus  ended  the  last,  like  the  two  previous  expeditions  up  the 
Mississippi  during  the  war  of  1812,  in  defeat  and  disaster.  The 
«nemy  was  in  undisputed  posession  of  all  the  country  north  of  the  ■ 
Illinois  river,  and  the  prospects  respecting  those  territories  boded 
nothing  but  gloom.  With  the  approach  of  winter,  however,  Indian 
depredations  ceased  to  be  committed,  and  the  peace  of  Ghent,  Dec. 
24,  1814,  closed  the  war.  , 

ILLINOIS  AS  A  STATE. 

OEGANIZATION. 

In  January  of  1818  the  Territorial  Legislature  forwarded  to 
Nathaniel  Pope,  delegate  in  Congress  from  Illinois,  a  petition  pray- 
ing for  admission  into  the  national  Union  as  a  State.  On  April 
18th  of  the  same  year  Congress  passed  the  enabling  act,  and'  Dec. 
3,  after  the  State  government  had  been  organized  and  Gov.  Bond 
had  signed  the  Constitution,  Congress  by  a  resolution  declared  Illi- 
nois to  be  "one  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  admitted  into 
the  Union  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  original  States  in  all 
respects." 

_  The  ordinance  of  1787  declared  that  there  should  be  at  least  three 
States  carved  out  of  the  Northwestern  Territory.  The  boundaries 
of  the  three,  Ohio,  Indiana  and  Illinois,  were  fixed  by  this  law. 
Congress  reserved  the  power,  however,  of  forming  two  other  States 
out  of  the  territory  which, lies  north  of  an  east  and  west  line  drawn 
through  the  southern  boundary  of  Lake  Michigan.  It  was  generally 
•conceded  that  this  line  would  be  the  northern  boundary  of  Illinois  ; 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  75 

but  as  this  would  give  the  State  no  coast  on  Lake  Michigan;  and 
rob  her  of  the  port  of  Chicago  and  the  northern  terminus  of  the 
Illinois  &  'Michigan  canal  which  was  then  contemplated,  Judge 
Pope  had  the  northern  boundary  moved  fifty  miles  further  north. 

EOUNDAEY    CHANGED. 

Not  only  is  Illinois  indebted  to  Nathaniel  Pope  for  the  port  where 
now  enter  and  depart  more  vessels  during  the  year  than  in  any 
other  port  in  the  world,  for  the  northern  terminus  of  the  Illinois 
&  Michigan  canal,  and  for  the  lead  mines  at  Galena,  but  the  nation, 
the  undivided  Union,  is  largely  indebted  to  him  for  its  perpetuity. 
It  was  he, — his  foresight,  statesmanship  and  energy, — that  bound 
our  confederated  Union  with  bands  of  ir6n  that  can  never  be  broken. 
The  geographical  position  of  Illinois,  with  her  hundreds  of  miles 
of  water-courses,  is  such  as  to  make  her  the  key  to  the  grand  arch 
of  Northern  and  Southern  States.  Extending  from  the  great  chain 
of  lakes  on  the  north,  with  snow  and  ice  of  the  arctic  region,  to  the 
cotton-fields  of  Tennessee  ;  peopled,  as  it  is,  by  almost  all  races, 
classes  and  conditions  of  the  human  family  ;  guided  by  the  various 
and  diversified  political,  agricultural,  religious  and  educational 
teachings  common  to  both  North  and  South, — Illinois  can  control, 
and  has  controlled,  the  destinies  of  our  united  and  beloved  republic. 
Pope  seemingly  foresaw  that  a  struggle  to  dissolve  the  Union  would 
be  made.  With  a  prophetic  eye  he  looked  down  the  stream  of  time 
for  a  half  century  and  saw  the  great  conflict  between  the  South  and 
North,  caused  by  a  determination  to  dissolve  the  confederation  of 
States;  and  to  preserve  the  Union,  he  gave  to  Illinois  a  lake  coast. 

Gov.  Ford,  in  his  History  of  Illinois,  written  in  1847,  while 
speaking  of  this  change  of  boundary  and  its  influence  upon  our 
nation,  says: 

"What,  then,  was  the  duty  of  the  national  Government?  Illinois 
was  certain  to  be  a  great  State,  with  any  boundaries  which  that 
Government  could  give.  Its  great  extent  of  territory,  its  unrivaled 
fertility  of  soil  and  capacity  for  sustaining  a  dense  population, 
together  with  its  commanding  position,  would  in  course  of  time 
give  the  new  State  a  very  controlling  influence,  with  her  sister 
States  situated  upon  the  Western  rivers,  either  in  sustaining  the 
federal  Union  as  it  is,  or  in  dissolving  it  and  establishing  new  gov- 
ernments.    If  left  entirely  upon  the  waters  of  these  great  rivers,  it 


76  HISTOBY    OF   ILLINOIS. 

was  plain  that,  in  case  of  threatened  disruption,  the  interest  of  the 
new  State  would  be  to  join  a  Southern  and  Western  confederacy; 
but  if  a  large  portion  of  it  could  be  made  dependent  upon  the  com- 
merce and  navigation  of  the  great  northern  lakes,  connected  as  they 
are  with  the  Eastern  States,  a  rival  interest  would  be  created  to 
check  the  wish  for  a  "Western  and  Southern  confederacy. 

"It  therefore  became  the  duty  of  the  national  Government  not 
only  to  make  Illino.is  strong,  but  to  raise  an  interest  inclining  and 
binding  her  to  the  Eastern  and  Northern  portions  of  the  Union. 
This  could  be  done  only  through  an  interest  in  the  lakes.  At  that 
time  the  commerce  on  the  lakes  was  small,  but  its  increase  was  con- 
fidently expected,  and,  indeed,  it  has  exceeded  all  anticipations, 
and  is  yet  only  in  its  infancy.  To  accomplish  this  object  effectually, 
it  was  not  only  necessary  to  give  to  Illinois  the  port  of  Chicago  and 
a  route  for  the  canal,  but  a  considerable  coast  on  Lake  Michigan, 
with  a  country  back  of  it  sufficiently  extensive  to  contain  a  popu- 
lation capable  of  exerting  a  decided  infiuence  upon  the  councils  of 
the  State. 

"  There  would,  therefore,  be  a  large  commerce  of  the  north,  west- 
ern and  central  portion  of  the  State  afloat  on  the  lakes,  for  it  was 
then  foreseen  that  the  canal  would  be  made;  and  this  alone  would 
be  like  turning  one  of  the  many  mouths  of  the  Mississippi  into 
Lake  Michigan  at  Chicago.  A  very  large  commerce  of  the  center 
and  south  would  be  found  both  ^ipon  the  lakes  and  rivers.  Asso- 
ciations in  business,  in  interest,  and  of  friendship  would  be  formed, 
both  with  the  North  and  the  South.  A  State  thus  situated,  having 
such  a  decided  interest  in  the  commerce,  and  in  the  preservation  of 
the  whole  confederacy,  can  never  consent  to  disunion ;  for  the  Union 
cannot  be  dissolved  without  a  division  and  disruption  of  the  State 
itself.  These  views,  urged  by  Judge  Pope,  obtained  the  unquali- 
fied assent  of  the  statesmen  of  1818. 

"  These  fkcts  and  views  are  worthy  to  be  recorded  in  history  as 
a  standing  and  perpetual  call  upon  Illinoisans  of  every  age  to 
remember  the  great  trust  which  has  been  reposed  in  them,  as  the 
peculiar  champions  and  guardians  of  the  Union  by  the  great  men 
and  patriot  sages  who  adorned  and  governed  this  country  in  the 
earlier  and  better  days  of  the  Republic." 

During  the  dark  and  trying  days  of  the  Rebellion,  well  did  she 
remember  this  sacred  trust,  to  protect  which  two  hundred  thousand 


HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS.  77 

of  her  sons  went  to  the  bloody  field  of  battle,  crowning  their  arms 
with  the  laurels  of  war,  and  keeping  inviolate  the  solemn  obliga- 
tions bequeathed  to  them  by  their  fathers. 

FIRST    CONSTITUTION. 

In  Jnly  and  August  of  1818  a  convention  was  held  at  Kaskaskia 
for  the  purpose  of  drafting  a  constitution.  This  constitution  was 
not  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people  for  their  approval  or  rejection, 
it  being  well  known  that  they  would  approve  it.  It  was  about  the 
first  organic  law  of  any  State  in  the  Union  to  abolish  imprisonment 
for  debt.  The  first  election  under  the  constitution  was  held  on  the 
third  Thursday  and  the  tWo  succeeding  days  in  September,  1818. 
Shadrach  Bond  was  elected  Governor,  and  Pierre  Menard  Lieuten- 
ant Governor.  Their  term  of  office  extended  four  years.  At  this 
time  che  State  was  divided  into  fifteen  counties,  the  population  being 
about  40,000.  Of  this  number  by  far  the  larger  portion  were  from 
the  Southern  States.  The  salary  of  the  Governor  was  $1,000,  while 
that  of  the  Treasurer  was  $500.  The  Legislature  re-enacted,  ver- 
batim, the  Territorial  Code,  the  penalties  of  which  were  unneces- 
sarily severe.  Whipping,  stocks  and  pillory  were  used  for  minor 
offenses,  and  for  arson,  rape,  horse-stealing,  etc.,  death  by  hanging 
was  the  penalty.     These  laws,  however,  were  modified  in  1821. 

The  Legislature  first  convened  at  Kaskaskia,  the  ancient  seat  of 
empire  for  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  years,  both  for  the 
French  and  Americans.  Provisions  were  made,  however,  for  the 
removal  of  the  seat  of  government  by  this  Legislature.  A  place  in  the 
wilderness  on  the  Kaskaskia  river  was  selected  and  named  Vandalia. 
From  Vandalia  it  was  removed  to  Springfield  in  the  year  1837. 

DERIVATION    OF    THE  'NAME     ILLINOIS. 

The  name  of  this  beautiful  "  Prairie  State "  is  derived  from 
lUini,  an  Indian  word  signifying  superior  men.  It  has  a  French 
termination,  and  is  a  symbol  of  the  manner  in  which  the  two  races, 
the  French  and  Indians,  were  intermixed  during  the  early  history 
of  the  country.  The  appellation  was  no  doubt  well  applied  to  the 
primitive  inhabitants  of  the  soil,  whose  'prowess  in  savage  warfare 
long  withstood  the  combined  attacks  of  the  fierce  Iroquois  on  the 
one  side,  and  the  no  less  savage  and  relentless  Sacs  and  Foxes  on  the 
other.  The  Illinois  were  once  a  powerfnl  confederacy,  occupying 
the  most  beautiful  and  fertile  region  in  the  great  valley  of  the 


78  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

Mississippi,  which  their  enemies  coveted  and  struggled  long  and 
hard  to  wrest  from  them.  By  the  fortunes  of  war  they  were  dimin- 
ished in  number  and  finally  destroyed.  "  Starved  Eoct,"  on  the 
Illinois  river,  according  to  tradition,  commemorates  their  last  trag- 
edy, where,  it  is  said,  the  entire  tribe  starved  rather  than  surrender. 

The  low  cognomen  of  "  Sucker,"  as  applied  to  lUinoisans,  is  said 
to  have  had  its  origin  at  the  Galena  lead  mines.  In  an  early  day, 
when  these  extensive  mines  were  being  worked,  men  would  run  up 
the  Mississippi  river  in  steamboats  in  the  spring,  work  the  lead 
mines,  and  in  the  fall  return,  thus  establishing,  as  was  supposed,  asim- 
ilitude  between  their  migratory  habits  and  those  of  the  fishy  tribe 
called  "Suciliers."  For  this  reason  the  lUinoisans  have  ever  since 
been  distinguished  by  the  epithet  "  Suckers."  Those  who  stayed 
at  the  mines  over  winter  were  mostly  from  Wisconsin,  and  were 
called  "  Badgers."  One  spring  the  Missourians  poured  into  the 
mines  in  such  numbers  that  the  State  was  said  to  have  taken  a  puke, 
and  the  offensive  appellation  of  "  Pukes  "  was  afterward  applied  to 
all  Missourians. 

The  southern  part  of  the  State,  known  as  "  Egypt,"  received  this 
appellation  because,  being  older,  better  settled  and  cultivated,  grain 
was. had  in  greater  abundance  than  in  the  central  and  northern  por- 
tion, and  the  immigrants  of  this  region,  after  the  manner  of  the 
children  of  Israel,  went  "thither  to  buy  and  to  bring  from  thence 
that  they  might  live  and  not  die." 

STATE    BANK. 

Tlie  Legislature,  during  the  latter  years  of  territorial  existence^ 
granted  charters  to  several  banks.  The  result  was  that  paper  money 
became  very  abundant,  times  flush,  and  credit  unlimited;  and  every- 
body invested  to  the  utmost  limit  'of  his  credit,  with  confident 
expectation  of  realizing  a  handsome  advance  before  the  expiration 
of  his  credit,  from  the  throng  of  immigrants  then  pouring  into  the 
country.  By  1819  it  became  apparent  that  a  day  of  reckoning 
would  approach  before  their  dreams  of  fortune  could  be  realized. 
J3anks  everywhere  began  to  waver,  paper  money  became  depreci- 
ated, and  gold  and  silver  driven  out  of  the  country.  The  Legisla- 
ture sought  to  bolster  up  the  times  by  incorporating  the  "  Bank 
of  Illinois,"  which,  with  several  branches,  was  created  by  the  ses- 
sion of  1821.  This  bank,  being  wholly  supported  by  the  credit  of 
the  State,  was  to  issue  one,  two,  three,  five,  ten  and  twenty-dollar 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  79 

notes.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  bank  to  advance,  upon  personal  prop- 
erty, money  to  the  amount  tif  $100,  and  a  larger  amount  upon  real 
estate.  All  taxes  and  public  salaries  could  be  paid  in  such  bills; 
and  if  a  creditor  refused  to  take  them,  he  had  to  wait  three  years 
longer  before  he  could  collect  his  debt.  The  people  imagined  that 
simply  because  the  government  had  issued  the  notes,  they  would 
remain  at  par;  and  although,  this  evidently  could  not  be  the  case, 
they  were  yet  so  infatuated  with  their  project  as  actually  to  request 
the  United  States  government  to  receive  them  in  payment  for  their 
public  lands!  Although  there  were  not  wanting  men  who,  like 
John  McLean,  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Eepresentatives,  fore- 
saw the  dangers  and  evils  likely  to  arise  from  the  creation  of  such 
a  bank,  by  far  the  greater  part  of  the  people  were  in  favor  of  it. 
The  new  bank  was  therefore  started.  The  new  issue  of  bills  by  the 
bank  of  course  only  aggravated  the  evil,  heretofore  so  grievouslv 
felt,  of  the  absence  of  specie,  so  that  the  people  were  soon  com- 
pelled to  cut  their  bills  in  halves  and  quarters^  in  order  to  make 
small  change  in  trade.  Finally  the  paper  currency  so  rapidly  depre- 
ciated that  three  dollars  in  these  bills  were  considered  worth  only 
one  in  specie,  and  the  State  not  only  did  not  increase  its  revenue, 
but  lost  full  two-thirds  of  it,  and  expended  three  times  the  amount 
required  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  State  government. 

Lafayette's  visit. 
In  the  spring  of  1825  the  brave  and  generous  LaFayette  visited 
Illinois,  accepting  the  earnest  invitation  of  the  General  Assembly, 
and  an  affectionately  written  letter  of  Gov.  Cole's,  who  had  formed 
his  personal  acquaintance  in  France  in  1817.  The  General  in  reply 
said:  "  It  has  been  my  eager  desire,  and  it  is  now  my  earnest  inten- 
tion, to  visit  the  Western  States,  and  particularly  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois. The  feelings  which  your  distant  welcome  could  not  fail  to 
excite  have  increased  thkt  patriotic  eagerness  to  admire  on  that 
blessed  spot  the  happy  and  rapid  results  of  republican  institutions, 
public  and  domestic  virtues.  I  shall,  after  the  22d  of  February 
(anniversary  day),  leave  here  for  a  journey  to  the  Southern  States, 
and  from  New  Orleans  to  the  "Western  States,  so  as  to  return  to 
Boston  on  the  lith  of  June,  when  the  corner-stone  of  the  Bunker 
Hill  monument  is  to  be  laid, — a  ceremony  sacred  to  the  whole  Union 
and  in  which  I  have  been  engaged  to  act  a  peculiar  and  honorable 
part." 


80  HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

General  LaFayette  and  suite,  attended  bj  a  large  delegation  of 
prominent  citizens  of  Missouri,  made  a  visit  by  the  steamer  Natch- 
ez to  the  ancient  town  of  Kaskaskia.  ISTo  military  parade  was 
attempted,  but  a  multitude  of  patriotic  citizens  made  him  welcome. 
A  reception  was  held,  Gov.  Cole  delivering  a  glowing  address  of 
welcome.  During  the  progress  of  a  grand  ball  held  that  night,  a 
very  interesting  interview  took  place  between  the  honored  General 
and  an  Indian  squaw  whose  father  had  served  under  him  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  The  squaw,  learning  that  the  great  white  chief 
was  to  be  at  Kaskaskia  on  that  night,  had  ridden  all  day,  from  early 
dawn  till  sometime  in  the  night,  from  her  distant  home,  to  see 
the  man  whose  name  had  been  so  often  on  her  father's  tongue,  and 
with  which  she  was  so  familiar.  In  identification  of  her  claim  to 
his  distinguished  acquaintance,  she  brought  with  her  an  old,  worn 
letter  which  the  General  had  written  to  her  father,  and  which  the 
Indian  chief  had  preserved  with  great  care,  and  finally  bequeathed 
on  his  death-bed  to  his  daughter  as  the  most  precious  legacy  he  had 
to  leave  her. 

By  12  o'clock  at  night  Gen.' LaFayette  returned  to  his  boat  and 
started  South.     The  boat  was  chartered  by  the  State. 

BAELY  GOVERNORS. 

In  the  year  1822  the  term  of  office  of  the  first  Governor,  Shadrach 
Bond,  expired.  Two  parties  sprung  up  at  this  time, — one  favorable, 
the  other  hostile,  to  the  introduction  of  slavery,  each  proposing  a 
candidate  of  its  own  for  Governor.  Both  parties  worked  hard  to 
secure  the  election  of  their  respective  candidates;  but  the  people  at 
large  decided,  as  they  ever  have  been  at  heart,  in  favor  of  a  free 
State.  Edward  Coles,  an  anti-slavery  man,  was  elected,  although  a 
majority  of  the  Legislature  were  opposed  to  him.  The  subject  of 
principal  interest  during  his  administration  was  to  make  Illinois  a 
slave  State.  The  greatest  effort  was  made  in  1824,  and  the  propo- 
sition was  defeated  at  the  polls  by  a  majority  of  1,800.  The  aggre- 
gate vote  polled  was  11,612,  being  about  6,000  larger  than  at  the 
previous  State  election.  African  slaves  were  first  introduced  into 
Illinois  in  1720  by  Eenault,  a  Frenchman. 

Senator  Duncan,  afterward  Governor,  presented  to  the  Legisla- 
ture of  1824-5  a  bill  for  the  support  of  schools  by  a  public  tax ;  aud 
William  S.  Hamilton  presented  another  bill  requiring  a  tax  to  be 


HISTOKY    OF   ILLINOIS.  81 

used  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  and  repairing  the  roads, — both 
of  which  bills  passed  and  became  laws.  But  although  these  laws 
conferred  an  incalculable  benefit  upon  the  public,  the  very  name  of 
a  tax  was  so  odious  to  the  people  that,  rather  than  pay  a  tax  of  the 
smallest  possible  amount,  they  preferred  working  as  they  formerly 
did,  five  days  during  the  year  on  the  roads,  and  would  allow  their 
children  to  grow  up  without  any  instruction  at  all.  Consequently 
both  laws  were  abolished  in  1826. 

In  the  year  1826  the  office  of  Governor  became  again  vacant. 
Ninian  Edwards,  Adolphus  F.  Hubbard  and  Thomas  C.  Sloe  were 
candidates.  Edwards,  though  the  successful  candidate,  had  made 
himself  many  enemies  by  urging  strict  inquiries  to  be  made  into 
the  corruption  of  the  State  bank,  so  that  Jiad  it  not  been  for  his 
talents  and  noble  personal  appearance,  he  would  most  probably  not 
have  been  elected.  Hubbard  was  a  man  of  but  little  personal  merit. 
Of  him  tradition  has  preserved,  among  other  curious  sayings,  a 
speech  on  a  bill  granting  a  bounty  on  wolf-scalps.  This  speech, 
delivered  before  the  Legislature,  is  as  follows:  "  Mr.  Speaker,  I  rise 
before  the  question  is  put  on  this  bill,  to  say  a  word  for  mj  constit- 
uents. Mr.  Speaker,  I  have  never  seen  a  wolf.  I  cannot  say  that 
I  am  very  well  acquainted  with  the  nature  and  habits  of  wolves. 
Mr.  Speaker,  I  have  said  that  I  had  never  seen  a  wolf;  but  now  I 
remember  that  once  on  a  time,  as,  Judge  Brown  and  I  were  riding 
across  the  Bonpas  prairie,  we  looked  over  the  prairie  about  three 
miles,  and  Judge  Brown  said,  'Hubbard,  look!  !there  goes  a  wolf; ' 
and  I  looked,  and  I  looked,  and  I  looked,  and  I  said,  '  Judge,  where?' 
and  he  said,  'There!'  And  I  looked  again,  and  this  time  in  the 
edge  of  a  hazel  thicket,  about  three  miles  across  the  prairie,  I  think 
I  saw  the  wolf's  tail.  Mr.  Speaker,  if  I  did  not  see  a  wolf  that 
time,  I  think  I  never  saw  one;  but  I  have  heard  much,  and  read 
more,  about  this  animal.     I  have  studied  his  natural  history. 

"  By  the  bye,  history  is  divided  into  two  parts.  There  is  first 
the  history  of  the  fabulous;  and  secondly,  of  the  non-fabulous,  or 
unknown  age.  Mr.  Speaker,  from  all  these  sources  of  information 
I  learn  that  the  wolf  is  a  very  noxious  animal ;  that  he  goes  prowl- 
ing about,  seeking  something  to  devour;  that  he  rises  up  in  the 
dead  and  secret  hours  of  night,  when,  all  nature  reposes  in  silent 
oblivion,  ^and  then  commits  the  most  terrible  devastation  upon  the 
rising  generation  of  hogs  and  sheep.    ^ 


82  HISTOET    OF   ILLINOIS. 

"  Mr.  Speaker,  I  have  done ;  and  I  return  my  thanks  to  the  house 
for  their  kind  attention  to  my  remarks." 

Gov.  Edwards  was  a  large  and  well-made  man,  with  a  noble, 
princely  appearance.  Of  him  Gov.  Ford  says:  "He  never  con- 
descended to  the  common  low  art  of  electioneering.  Whenever  he 
went  out  among  the  people  he  arrayed  himself  in  the  style  of  a 
gentleman  of  the  olden  time,  dressed  in  fine  broadcloth,  with  short 
breeches,  long  stockings,  and  high,  fair-topped  boots;  was  drawn  in 
a  fine  carriage  driven  by  a  negro;  and  for  success  he  relied  upon  his 
speeches,  which  were  delivered  in  great  pomp  and  in  style  of  diffuse 
and  florid  eloquence.  When  he  was  inaugurated  in  1826,  he 
appeared  before  the  General  Assembly  wearing  a  golden-laced  cloak, 
and  with  great  pomp  pronounced  his  first  message  to  the  houses 
of  the  Legislature." 

GEAMMAE   AND    COOK    CONTEASTED. 

Demagogism  had  an  early  development.  One  John  Grammar, 
who  was  elected  to  the  Territorial  Legislature  in  1816,  and  held  the 
position  for  about  twenty  years,  invented  the  policy  of  opposing 
every  new  thing,  saying,  "  If  it  succeeds,  no  one  will  ask  who 
voted  against  it:  if  it  proves  a  failure,  he  could  quote  its  record." 
When  first  honored  with  a  seat  in  the  Assembly,  it  is  said  that 
he  lacked  the  apparel  necessary  for  a  member  of  the  Legislature, 
and  in  order  to  procure  them  he  and  his  sons  gathered  a  large 
quantity  of  hazel-nuts,  which  were  taken  to  the  Ohio  Saline  and 
sold  for  cloth  to  make  a  coat  and  pantaloons.  The  cloth  was  the 
blue  strouding  commonly  used  by  the  Indians. 

The  neighboring  women  assembled  to  make  up  the  garments ;  the 
cloth  was  measured  every  way,— across,  lengthwise,  and  from  corner 
to  corner, — and  still  was  found  to  be  scant.  It  was  at  last  con- 
cluded to  make  a  very  short,  bob-tailed  coat  and  a  long  pair  of  leg- 
gins,  which  being  finished,  Mr.  Grammar  started  for  the  State 
capital.  In  sharp  contrast  with  Grammar  was  the  character  of  D. 
P.  Cook,  in  honor  of  whom  Cook  county  was  named.  Such  was 
his  transparent  integrity  and  remarkable  ability  that  his  will  was 
almost  the  law  of  the  State.  In  Congress,  a  young  man  and  from 
a  poor  State,  he  was  made  Chairman  of  the  Ways  and  Means  Com- 
mittee. He  was  pre-eminent  for  standing  by  his  committee,  regard- 
less of  consequences.   It  was  his  integrity  that  elected  John  Quincy 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  83 

Adams  to  the  Presidency.  There  were  four  candidates  in  1824, 
Jackson,  Clay,  Crawford  and  Adams.  There  being  no  choice  by 
the  people,  the  election  was  thrown  into  the  House.  It  was  so  bal- 
anced that  it  turned  on  his  vote,  and  that  he  cast  for  Adams,  elect- 
ing him.  He  then  came  home  to  face  the  wrath  of  the  Jackson 
party  in  Illinois. 

The  first  mail  route  in  the  State  was  established  in  1805.  This 
was  from  Vihcennes  to  Cahokia.  In  1824  there  was  a  direct  mail 
route  from  Vandalia  to  Springfield.  Tlie  first  route  from  the  central 
part  of  the  State  to  Chicago  was  established  in  1832,  from  Shelby- 
ville.  The  difficulties  and  dangers  encountered  by  the  early  mail 
■carriers,  in  time  of  Indian  troubles,  were  very  serious.  The  bravery 
and  ingenious  devices  of  Harry  Milton  are  mentioned  with  special 
commendation.  When  a  boy,  in  1812,  he  conveyed  the  mail  on  a 
wild  French  pony  from  Shawneetown  to  St.  Louis,  over  swollen 
streams  and  through  the  enemy's  country.  So  infrequent  and 
irregular  were  thje  communications  by  mail  a  great  part  of  the  time, 
that  to-day,  even  the  remotest  part  of  the  United  States  is  unable  to 
appreciate  it  by  example. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  Illinois  was  the  Illinois  Herald, 
established  at  Kaskaskia  by  Mathew  Duncan.  There  is  some  va- 
riance as  to  the  exact  time  of  its  establishment.  Gov.  Keynolds 
claimed  it  was  started  in  1809.  Wm.  H.  Brown,  afterwards  its 
editor,  gives  the  date  as  1814. 

In  1831  the  criminal  code  was  first  adapted  to  penitentiary  pun- 
ishment, ever  since  which  time  the  old  system  of  whipping  and 
pillory  for  the  punishment  of  criminals  has  been  disused. 

There  was  no  legal  rate  of  interest  till  1830.  Previously  the  rate 
often  reached  as  high  as  150  per  cent.,  but  was  usually  50  per  cent. 
Then  it  was  reduced  to  1 2,  then  to  10,  and  lastly  to  8  per  cent. 

INDIAN  TROUBLES. 

WINNEBAGO    WAR. 

The  Indians,  who  for  some  years  were  on  peaceful  terms  with 
the  whites,  became  troublesome  in  1827.  The  "Winnebagoes,  Sacs 
and  Foxes  and  other  tribes  had  been  at  war  for  more  than  a  hun- 
dred years.  In  the  summer  of  1827  a  war  party  of  the  Winnebagoes 
surprised  a  party  of  Chippewas  and  killed  eight  of  them.      Four 


84  HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS. 

of  the  murderers  were  arrested  and  delivered  to  the  Ohippewas, 
by  whom  they  were  immediately  shot.  This  was  the  first  irritation 
of  the  Winnebagoes.  Ked  Bird,  a  chief  of  this  tribe,  in  order  to 
avenge  the  execution  of  the  four  warriors  of  his  own  people,  attacked 
the  Ohippewas,  but  was  defeated;  and  being  determined  to  satisfy 
his  thirst  for  revenge  by  some  means,  surprised  and  killed  several 
white  men.  Upon  receiving  intelligence  of  these  murders,  the 
whites  who  were  working  the  lead  mines  in  the  vicinity  of  Galena 
formed  a  body  of  volunteers,  and,  re-inforced  by  a  company  of  United 
States  troops,  marched  into  the  country  of  the  Winnebagoes.  To  , 
save  their  nation  from  the  miseries  of  war,  JRed  Bird  and  six  other 
men  of  his  nation  voluntarily  surrendered  themselves.  Some  of 
the  number  were  executed,  some  of  them  imprisoned  and  destined, 
like  Red  Bird,  ingloriously  to  pine  away  within  the  narrow  confines 
of  a  jail,  when  formerly  the  vast  forests  had  proven  too  limited  for 
them. 

JOHN    REYNOLDS    ELECTED     GOVEENOB. 

In  August,  1830,  another  gubernatorial  election  was  held.  The 
candidates  were  William  Kinney,  then  Lieutenant  Governor,  and 
John  Reynolds,  formerly  an  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
both  Jackson  Democrats.  The  opposition  brought  forward  no  can- 
didate, as  they  were  in  a  helpless  minority.  Reynolds  was  the 
successful  candidate,  and  under  his  administration  was  the  famous 

BLACK  HAWK  WAR. 

In  the  year  of  180i  a  treaty  was  concluded  between  the  United 
States  and  the  chiefs  of  the  Sac  and  Fox  nations.  'One  old  chief  of 
the  Sacs,  however,  called  Black  Hawk,  who  had  fought  with  great 
bravery  in  the  service  of  Great  Britain  during  the  war  of  1812,  had 
always  taken  exceptions  to  this  treaty,  pronouncing  it  void.  In  1831 
he  established  himself,  with  a  chosen  band  of  warriors,  upon  the  dis- 
puted territory,  ordering  the  whites  to  leave  the  country  at  once.  The 
settlers  complaining,  Gov.  Reynolds  dispatched  Gen.  Gaines,  with  a 
company  of  regulars  and  1,500  volunteers,  to  the  scene  of  action. 
Taking  the  Indians  by  surprise,  the  troops  burnt  their  villages  and 
forced  them  to  conclude  a  treaty,  by  which  they  ceded  all  lands  east 
of  the  Mississippi,  and  agreed  to  remain  on  the  western  side  of  the 
river.  Necessity  forced  the  proud  spirit  of  Black  Hawk  into 
submission,  which  made  him  more  than  ever  determined  to  be 


...a  .i 


BLACK  HAWK,  THE  SAC  CHIEF. 


HISTOBr    OF    ILLINOIS.  87 

avenged  upot:  his  enemies.  "Having  rallied  around  hitn  the  warlike 
braves  of  the  Sac  and  Fox  nations,  he  crossed  the  Mississippi  in  the 
spring  of  1832.  Upon  hearing  of  the  invasion,  Gov.  Reynolds 
hastily  collecte'^  a  body  of  1,800  volunteers,  placing  them  under  the 
command  ox  iiiig-Gen.  Samuel  Whiteside. 

stillman's  euit. 

The  army  marched  to  the  Mississippi,  and  having  reduced  to 
ashes  the  Indian  village  known  as  '"Prophet's  Town,"  proceeded 
for  several  miles  up  the  river  to  Dixon,  to  join  the  regular  forces 
under  Gen.  Atkinson.  They  found  at  Dixon  two  companies  of 
volunteers,  who,  sighing  for  glory,  were  dispatched  to  reconnoiter 
the  enemy.  They  advanced  under  command  of  Maj.  Stillman,  to  a 
creek  afterwards  called  "Stillman's  run;"  and  while  encamping 
there  saw  a  party  of  mounted  Indians  at  the  distance  of  a  mile. 
Several  of  Stillman's  party  mounted  their  horses  and  charged  the 
Indians,  killing  three  of  them;  but,  attacked  by  the  main  body 
under  Black  Hawk,  they  were  routed,  and  by  their  precipitate 
flight  spread  such  a  panic  through  the  camp  that'  the  wliole  company 
ran  oif  to  Dixon  as  fast  as  their  legs  could  carry  them.  On  their 
arrival  it  was  found  that  there  had  been  eleven  killed.  The  party 
came  straggling  into  camp  all  night  long,  four  or  five  at  a  time, 
each  squad  positive  that  all  who  were  left  behind  were  massacred. 

It  is  said  that  a  big,  tall  Kentuckian,  with  a  loud  voice,  who 
was  a  colonel  of  the  militia  but  a  private  with  Stillman,  upon  his 
arrival  in  camr>  gave  to  Gen.  "Whiteside  and  the  wondering  multi- 
tude the  folio v.-ing  glowing  and  bombastic  account  of  the  battle: 
"Sirs,"  said  lie,  "our  detachment  was  encamped  among  some  scat- 
tering timber  on  the  north  side  of  Old  Man's  creek,  with  the  prairie 
from  the  north  gently  sloping  down  to  our  encampment.  It  was 
just  after  twilight,  in  the  gloaming  of  the  evening,  when  we  dis- 
covered Black  Hawk's  army  coming  down  upon  us  in  solid  column; 
they  displayed  in  the  form  of  a  crescent  upon  the  brow  of  the  prai- 
rie, and  such  accuracy  and  precision  of  military  movements  were 
never  witnessed  oy  man;  they  were  equal  to  the  best  troops  of 
Wellington  in  Spain,  j.  have  said  that  the  Indians  came  down  in 
solid  columns,  and  displayed  in  the  form  of  a  crescent;  and  what  was 
most  wonderful,  there  were  large  squares  of  cavalry  resting  upon 
the  points  of  the  curve,  which  squares  were  supported  again  by 


88  HISTOKY   OF    ILLINOIS. 

•other  columns  fifteen  deep,  extending  back  through  the  woods  and 
over  a  swamp  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  which  again  rested  on  the 
main  body  of  Black  Hawk's  army  bivouacked  upon  the  banks  of  the 
Kishwakee.    It  was  a  terrible  and  a  glorious  sight  to  see  the  tawny 
warriors  as  they  rode  along  our  flanks  attempting  to  outflank  us, 
with  the  glittering  moonbeams  glistening  from  their  polished  blades 
and  burnished  spears.     It  was  a  sight  well  calculated  to  strike  con- 
sternation in  the  stoutest  and  boldest  heart;  and  accordingly  our 
men  soon  began  to  break  in  small  squads,  for  tall  timber.     In  a 
very  little  time  the  rout  became  general,  the  Indians  were  soon 
upon  our  flanks  and  threatened  the  destruction  of  our  entire  detach- 
ment.     About   this   time   Maj.  Stillman,   Col.  Stephenson,  Maj. 
Perkins,  Capt.   Adams,  Mr.  Hackelton,  and  myself,  with   some 
others,  threw  ourselves  into  the  rear  to  rally  the  fugitives  and  pro- 
tect   the  retreat.      But  in  a  short  time   all   my  companions-  fell 
bravely  fighting  hand-to-hand  with  the  savage  enemy,  and  I  alone 
was  left  upon  the  field  of  battle.     About  this  time  I  discovered  not 
far  to  the  left  a  corps  of  horsemen  which  seemed  to  be  in  tolerable 
order.     I  immediately  deployed  to  the  left,  when,  leaning  down  and 
placing  my  body  in  a  recumbent  posture  upon  the  mane  of  my 
horse  so  as  to  bring  the  heads  of  the  horsemen  between  my  eye 
and  the  horizon,  I  discovered  by  the  light  of  the  moon  that  they 
were  gentlemen  who  did  not  wear  hats,  by  which  token  I  knew  they 
were  no  friends  of  mine.     I  therefore  made  a  retrogade  movement 
and  recovered  my  position,  where  I  remained  some  time  meditating 
what  further  I  could  do  in  the  service  of  my  countrj',  when  a  ran- 
dom ball  came  whistling  by  my  ear  and  plainly  whispered  to  me. 
'  Stranger,  you  have  no  further  business  here.'     Upon  hearing  this  I 
followed  the  example  of  my  companions  in  arras,   and  broke  for 
tall  timber,  and  the  way  I  ran  was  not  a  little." 

For  a  long  time  afterward  Maj.  Stillnan  and  his  men  were  sub- 
jects of  ridicule  and  merriment,  which  was  as  undeserving  as  their 
expedition  was  disastrous.  Stillman's  defeat  spread  consternation 
throughout  the  State  and  nation.  The  number  of  Indians  was 
greatly  exaggerated,  and  the  name^of  Black  Hawk  carried  with  it 
associations  of  great  military  talent,  savage  cunning  and  crpelty. 

ASSAULT    ON    APPLE    EIVEE     FOET. 

A  regiment  sent  to  spy  out  the  country  between  Galena  and  Kock 
Island  was  surprised  by  a  party  of  seventy  Indians,  and  was  on  the 


HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS.  .  89 

point  of  being  thrown  into  disorder  when  Gen.  Whiteside,  thdn 
serving  as  a  private,  shouted  out  that  he  would  shoot  the  first  man 
who  should  turn  his  back  to  the  enemy.  Order  being  restored,  the 
battle  began.  At  its  very  outset  Gen.  Whiteside  shot  the  leader  of 
the  Indians,  who  thereupon  commenced  a  hasty  retreat. 

In  June,  1832,  Black  Hawk,  with  a  band  of  150  warriors,  attack- 
ed the  Apple  Eiver  Fort,  near  Galena,  defended  by  25  men.  This 
fort,  a  mere  palisade  of  logs,  was  erected  to  aiford  protection  to  the 
miners.  For  fifteen  consecutive  hours  the  garrison  had  to  sustain 
the  assault  of  the  savage  enemy ;  but  knowing  very  well  that  no 
quarter  would  be  given  them,  they  fought  with  such  fury  and  des- 
peration that  the  Indians,  after  losing  many  of  their  best  warriors, 
were  compelled  to  retreat. 

Another  party  of  eleven  Indians  murdered  two  men  near  Fort 
Hamilton.  They  were  afterwards  overtaken  by  a  company  of 
twenty  men  and  every  one  of  them  was  killed. 

KOCK  EITBE  EXPEDITIOIT. 

A  new  regiment,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Atkinson,  assem- 
bled on  the  banks  of  the  Illinois  in  the  latter  part  of  June.  Maj. 
Dement,  with  a  small  party,  was  sent  out  to*  reconnoittr  the  move- 
ments of  a  large  body  of  Indians,  whose  endeavors  to  surround  him 
made  it  advisable  for  him  to  retire.  Upon  hearing  of  this  engage- 
ment, Gen.  Atkinson  sent  a  detachment  to  intercept  the  Indians, 
while  he  with  the  main  body  of  his  army,  moved  north  to  meet  the 
Indians  under  Black  Hawk.  They  moved  siuwly  and  cautiously 
through  the  country,  passed  through  Turtle  village,  and  marched 
up  along  Eock  river.  On  their  arrival  news  was  brought  of  the 
discovery  of  the  main  trail  of  the  Indians.  Considerable  searcli 
was  made,  but  they  were  unable  to  discover  any  vestige  of  Indians 
save  two  who  had  shot  two  soldiers  the  day  previous. 

Hearing  that  Black  Hawk  was  encamped  on  Rock  river,  at  the 
Manitou  village,  they  resolved  at  once  to  advance  upon  the  enemy; 
but  in  the  execution  of  their  design  they  met  with  opposition  from 
their  oflBcers  and  men.  The  officers  of  Gen.  Henry  handed  to  him 
•a  written  protest;  but  he,  a  man  equal  to  any  emergency,  ordered 
the  officers  to  be  arrested  and  escorted  to  Gen.  Atkinson.  Within 
a  few  minutes  after  the  stern  order  was  given,  the  officers  all  collected 
around  the  General's  quarters,  many  of  them  with  tears  in  their 


90  HIBTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

eyes,  pledging  themselves  that  if  forgiven  they  would  return  to  duty 
and  never  do  the  like  again.  The  General  rescinded  the  order,  and 
they  at  once  resumed  duty. 

THE    BATTLE  OF    BAD-AXE. 

Gen.  Henry  marched  on  the  15th  of  July  in  pursuit  of  the 
Indians,  reaching  Eock  river  after  three  days'  journey,  where  he 
learned  Black  Hawk  was  encamped  further  up  the  river.  On  July 
19th  the  troops  were  ordered  to  commence  their  march.  After 
having  made  fifty  miles,  they  were  overtaken  by  a  terrible  thunder- 
storm which  lasted  all  night.  Nothing  cooled,  however,  in  their 
courage  and  zeal,  they  marched  again  fifty  miles  the  next  day, 
encamping  near  the  place  where  the  Indians  had  encamped  the 
night  before.  Hurrying  along  as  fast  as  they  could,  the  infantry 
keeping  up  an  equal  pace  with  the  mounted  force,  the  troops  on  the 
morning  of  the  21st  crossed  the  river  connecting  two  of  the  four 
lakes,  by  which  the  Indians  had  been  endeavoring  to  escape.  They 
found,  on  their  way,  the  ground  strewn  with  kettles  and  articles  of 
baggage,  which  the  haste  of  their  retreat  had  obliged  the  Indians 
to  throw  away.  The  troops,  inspired  with  new  ardor,  advanced  so 
rapidly  that  at  noon  they  fell  in  with  the  rear  guard  of  the  Indians. 
Those  who  closely  pursued  them  were  saluted  with  a  sudden 
fire  of  musketry  by  a  body  of  Indians  who  had  concealed  them- 
selves in  the  high  grass  of  the  prairie.  A  most  desperate  charge 
was  made  upon  the  Indians,  who,  unable  to  resist,  retreated 
obliquely,  in  order  to  out-flank  the  volunteers  on  the  right;  but  the 
latter  charged  the  Indians  in  their  ambush,  and  expelled  them 
from  their  thickets  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  dispersed  them. 
Night  set  in  and  the  battle  ended,  having  cost  the  Indians  68  of 
their  bravest  men,  while  the  loss  of  the  Illinoisans  amounted  to  but 
one  killed  and  8  wounded. 

Soon  after  this  battle  Gens.  Atkinson  and  Henry  joined  their 
forces  and  pursued  the  Indians.  Gen.  Henry  struck  the  main  trail, 
left  his  horses  behind,  formed  an  advance  guard  of  eight  men, 
and  marched  forward  upon  their  trail.  When  these  eight  men 
came  within  sight  of  the  river,  they  were  suddenly  fired  upon  and 
five  of  them  killed,  the  remaining  three  maintaining  their  ground 
till  Gen.  Henry  came  up.  Then  the  Indians,  charged  upon  with 
the  bayonet,  fell   back  upon  their  main  force.     The  battle  now 


HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS.  91 

became  general;  the  Indians  fought  with  despefate  valor,  but  were 
furiously  assailed  bj  the  volunteers  with  their  bayouets,  cutting 
many  of  the  Indians  to  pieces  and  driving  the  rest  into  the  river. 
Those  who  escaped  from  being  drowned  took  refuge  on  an  island.  On 
hearing  the  frequent  discharge  of  musketry,  indicating,  a  general 
engagement,  Gen.  Atkinson  abandoned  the  pursuit  of  the  twenty 
Indians  under  Black  Hawk  himself,  and,  hurried  to  the  scene  of 
action,  where  he  arrived  too  late  to  take  part  in  the  battle.  He 
immediately  forded  the  river  with  his  troops,  the  water  reaching 
up  to  their  necks,  and  landed  on  the  island  where  the  Indians  had 
secreted  themselves.  The  soldiers  rushed  upon  the  Indians,  killed 
several  'of  them,  took  others  prisoner,  and  chased  the  rest  into 
the  river,  where  they  were  either  drowned  or  shot  before  reaching 
the  opposite  shore.  Thus  ended  the  battle,  the  Indians  losing  300 
besides  50  prisoners;  the  whites  but  17  killed  and  12  wounded. 

INCIDENTS    OF    THE    BATTLE. 

Many  painful  incidents  occurred  during  this  battle.  A  Sac 
woman,  the  sister  of  a  warrior  of  some  notoriety,  found  herself  in 
the  thickest  of  the  fight,  but  at  length  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
river,  when,  keeping  lier  infant  child  safe  in  its  blankets  by  means 
of  her  teeth,  she  plunged  into  the  water,  seized  the  tail  of  a  horse 
with  her  hands  whose  rider  was  swimming  the  stream,  and  was 
drawn  safely  across.  A  young  squaw  during  the  battle  was  stand- 
ing in  the  grass  a  short  distance  from  the  American  line,  holding 
her  child — a  little  girl  of  four  years — in  her  arms.  In  this  posi- 
tion a  ball  struck  the  right  arm  of  the  child,  shattering  the  bone, 
and  passed  into  the  breast  of  the  young  mother,  instantly  killing 
her. ,  She  fell  upon  the  child  and  confined  it  to  the  ground  till  the 
Indians  were  driven  from  that  part  of  the  field.  Gen.  Anderson, 
of  the  United  States  army,  hearing  its  cries,  went  to  the  spot,  took 
it  from  under  the  dead  body  and.  carried  it  to  the  surgeon  to  have 
its  wound  dressed.  The  arm  was  amputated,  and  during  the  oper- 
ation the  half-starved  child  did  not  cry,  but  sat  quietly  eating  a 
hard  piece  of  biscuit.  It  was  sent  to  Prairie  du  Chien,  where  it 
entirely  recovered. 

BLACK    HAWK    CAPTUEED. 

Black  Hawk,  with  his  twenty  braves, retreated  up  the  Wisconsin, 
river.     The  Winnebagoes,  desirous  of  securing  the  friendship  of 


92  HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

the  whites,  went  in  pursuit  and  captured  and  delivered  them  to 
Gen.  Street,  the  United  States  Indian  agent.  Among  the  prisoners 
were  the  son  of  Black  Hawk  and  the  prophet  of  the  tribe.  These 
with  Black  Hawk  were  taken  to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  soon  con- 
signed as  prisoners  at  Fortress  Monroe. 

At  the  interview  Black  Hawk  had  with  the  President,  he  closed 
his  speech  delivered  on  the  occasion  in  the  following  words:  "  We 
did  not  expect  to  conquer  the  whites.  They  have  too  many  houses, 
too  many  men.  I  took  up  the  hatchet,  for  my  part,  to  revenge 
injuries  which  my  people  could  no  longer  endure.  Had  I  borne 
them  longer  without  striking,  my  people  would  have  said,  '  Black 
Hawk  is  a  woman;  he  is  too  old  to  be  a  chief;  he  is  no  Sac'  These 
reflections  caused  me  to  raise  the  war-whoop.  I  say  no  more.  It 
is  known  to  you.  Keokuk  once  was  here;  you  took  him  by  the 
hand,  and  when  he  wished  to  return  to  his  home,  you  were  willing. 
Black  Hawk  expects,  like  Keokuk,  he  shall  be  permitted  to  return 
too." 

BIOaKAPHICAL    SKETCH    OF   BLACK    HAWK. 

Black  Hawk,  or  Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah,  was  born  in  the  prin- 
cipal Sac. -village,  near  the  junction  of  Rock  river  with  tlie  Missis- 
sippi, in  the  year  1767.  His  father's  name  was  Py-e-sa.  Black 
Hawk  early  distinguished  himself  as  a  warrior,  and  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  was  permitted  to  paint,  and  was  ranked  among  the  braves. 
About  the  year  1783  he  went  on  an  expedition  against  the  enemies 
of  his  nation,  the  Osages,  one  of  whom  he  killed  and  scalped;  and 
for  this  deed  of  Indian  bravery  he  was  permitted  to  join  in  the 
scalp  dance.  Three  or  .four  years  afterward  he,  at  the  head  of  two 
hundred  braves,  went  on  another  expedition  agairlst  the  Osages,  to 
avenge  the  murder  of  some  women  and  children  belonging  to  his 
own  tribe.  Meeting  an  equal  number  of  Osage  warriors,  a  fierce 
battle  ensued  in  which  the  latter  tribe  lost  one-half  their  number. 
Tiie  Sacs  lost  only  about  nineteen  warriors.  He  next  attacked  the 
Oherokees  for  a  similar  cause.  In  a  severe  battle  with  them  near 
the  present  city  of  St.  Louis  his  father  was  slain,  and  Black  Hawk, 
taking  possession  of  the  "  Medicine  Bag,"  at  once  announced  him- 
self chief  of  the  Sac  nation.  He  had  now  conquered  the  Oherokees, 
and  about  the  year  1800,  at  the  head  of  five  hundred  Sacs  and 
Foxes  and  a  hundred   lowas,  he  waged  war  against  the   Osage 


;a 


HISTOET    OF   ILLINOIS.  93 

nation,  and  subdued  it.  For  two  years  he  battled  successfully  with 
other  Indian  tribes,  all  of  which  he  conquered. 

The  year  following  the  treaty  at  St.  Louis,  in  1804,  the  United 
States  Government  erected  a  fort  near  the  head  of  Des  Moines 
Kapids,  calle_d  Fort  Edwards.  This  seemed  to  enrage  Black  Hawk, 
who  at  once  determined  to  capture  Fort  Madison,  standing  on  the 
west  side  of  the  Mississippi,  above  the  mouth  of  the  Des  Moines. 
The  fort  was  garrisoned  by  about  fifty  men.  Here  he  was  defeated. 
The  difficulties  with  the  British  Grovernment  arose  about  this  time, 
and  the  war  of  1812  followed.  That  government,  extending  aid  to 
the  Western  Indians,  induced  them  to  remain  hostile  to  the  Ameri- 
cans. In  August,  1812,  Black  Hawk,  at  the  head  of  about  five 
hundred  braves,  started  to  join  the  British  forces  at  Detroit,  passing 
on  his  way  the  site  of  Chicago,  where  the  famous  Fort  Dearborn 
massacre  had  a  few  days  before  been  perpetrated.  Of  his  con- 
nection with  the  British  but  little  is  known. 

In  the  early  part  of  1815,  the  Indians  west  of  the  Mississippi 
were  notified  that  peace  had  been  declared  between  the  United 
States  and  England,  and  nearly  all  hostilities  had  ceased.  Black 
Hawk  did  not  sign  any  treaty,  however,  until  May  of  the  following 
year.  From  the  time  of  signing  this  treaty,  in  1816,  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  he  and  his  band  passed  their 
■time  in  the  common  pursuits  of  Indian  life. 

Ten  years  before  the  commencement  of  this  war,  the  Sac  and 
Fox  Indians  were  urged  to  move  to  the  west  of  the  Mississippi. 
All  were  agreed,  save  the  band  known  as  the  British  Band,  of  which 
Black  Hawk  was  leader.  He  strongly  objected  to  the  removal,  and 
was  induced  to  comply  only  after  being  threatened  by  the  Grovern- 
ment. This  action,  and  various  others  on  the  part  of  the  white 
settlers,  provoked  Black  Hawk  and  his  band  to  attempt  the  capture 
of  his  native  village,  now  occupied  by  the  whites.  The  war  fol- 
lowed. He  and  his  actions  were  undoubtedly  misunderstood,  and 
had  his  wishes  been  complied  with  at  the  beginning  of  the  struggle, 
much  bloodshed  would  have  been  prevented. 

BLACK    HAWK    SET   AT   LIBERTY. 

Bj  order  of  the  President,  Black  Hawk  and  his  companions, 
who  were  in  confinement  at  Fortress  Monroe,  were  set  free  on  the 
4th  day  of  June,    1833.      Before  leaving   the  fort  Black  Hawk 


94  HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS. 

4 

made  the  following  farewell  speech  to  the  commander,  which  is  not 
only  eloquent  but  shows  that  within  his  chest  of  steel  there  beat  a 
heart  keenly  alive  to  the  emotions  of  gratitude: 

"  Brother,  I  have  come  on  my  own  part,  and  in  behalf  of  my 
companions,  to  bid  you  farewell.  Our  great  father  has  at  length 
been  pleased  to  permit  us  to  return  to  our  hunting  grounds.  "We 
have  buried  the  tomahawk,  and  the  sound  of  the  rifle  hereafter  will 
only  bring  death  to  the  deer  and  the  buffalo.  Brothers,  you  have ' 
treated  the  red  man  very  kindly.  Tour  squaws  have  made  them 
presents,  and  you  have  given  them  plenty  to  eat  and  drink.  The 
memory  of  your  friendship  will  remain  till  the  Great  Spirit  says  it 
is  time  for  Black  Hawk  to  sing  his  death  song.  Brother,  your 
houses  are  as  numerous  as  the  leaves  on  the  trees,  and  your  young 
warriors  like  the  sands  upon  the  shore  of  the  big  lake  that  rolls 
before  us.  The  red  man  has  but  few  houses  and  few  warriors,  but 
the  red  man  has  a  heart  which  throbs  as  warmly  as  the  heart  of  his 
white  brother.  The  Great  Spirit  has  given  us  our  hunting  grounds^ 
and  the  skin  of  the  deer  which  we  kill  there  is  his  favorite,  for  its 
color  is  white,  and  this  is  the  emblem  of  peace.  This  hunting 
dress  and  these  feathers  of  the  eagle  are  white.  Accept  them,  my 
brother.  I  have  given  one  like  this  to  the  White  Otter.  Accept  it  as 
a  memorial  of  Black  Hawk.  When  he  is  far  away  this  will  serve 
to  remind  you  of  him.  May  the  Great  Spirit  bless  you  and  your 
children.     Farewell." 

After  their  release  from  prison  they  were  conducted,  in  charge 
of  Major  Garland,  through  some  of  the  principal  cities,  that 
they  might  witness  the  power  of  the  United  States  and  learn 
their  own  inability  to  cope  with  them  in  war.  Great  multitudes 
flocked  to  see  them  wherever  they  were  taken,  and  the  attention 
paid  them  rendered  their  progress  through  the  country  a  triumphal 
procession,  instead  of  the  transportation  of  prisoners  by  an  ofiicer. 
At  Kock  Island  the  prisoners  were  given  their  liberty,  amid  great 
and  impressive  ceremony.  In  1838  Black  Hawk  built  him  a 
dwelling  near  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  and  furnished  it  after  the  manner 
of  the  whites,  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  hunting  and 
fishing.  Here,  with  his  wife,  to  whom  he  was  greatly  attached,  he 
passed  the  few  remaining  days  of  his  life.  To  his  credit,  it  may  be 
said,  that  Black  Hawk  remained  true  to  his  wife,  and  served  her 


HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS.  95 

with  a  devotion  uncommon  among  Indians,  living  with  her  up- 
ward of  forty  years. 

BLACK  hawk's    DEATH    AND    BTTRIAL. 

At  all  times  when  Black  Hawk  visited  the  whites  he  was 
received  with  marked  attention.  He  was  an  honored  guest  at  the 
old  settlers'  re-union  in  Lee  county,  Illinois,  at  some  of  their 
meetings  and  received  many  tokens  of  esteem.  In  September, 
1838,  while  on  his  way  to  Eock  Island  to  receive  his  annuity  from 
the  Government,  he  contracted  a  severe  cold  which  resulted  in  a 
fatal  attack  of  bilious  fever,  and  terminated  his  life  October  3. 
After  his  death,  he  was  dressed  in  the  uniform  presented  to  him  by 
the  President  while  in  Washington.  He  was  buried  in  a  grave  six 
feet  in  depth,  situated  upon  a  beautiful  eminence.  The  body  was 
placed  in  the  middle  of  the  grave,  in  a  sitting  posture  upon  a  seat 
constructed  for  the  purpose.  On  his  left  side  the  cane  given  him 
by  Henry  Clay  was  placed  upright,  with  his  right  hand  resting 
upon  it.  Thus,  after  a  long,  adventurous  and  shifting  life.  Black 
Hawk  was  gatliered  to  his  fathers. 

FROM  1834  TO   184S. 

INTERNAL    IMPROVEMENTS. 

Ko  sooner  was  the  Black  Hawk  war  concludgd  than  settlers 
began  rapidly  to  pour  into  the  northern  pari  of  Illinois,  now  free 
from  Indian  depredations.  Chicago,  from  a  trading  post,  had 
grown  into  a  commercial  center,  and  was  rapidly  coming  into 
prominence. 

At  the  general  election  in  l83i  Joseph  Duncan  was  chosen 
Governor,  by  a  handsome  majority.  His  principal  opponent  was 
ex-Lieutenant  Governor  Kinney.  A  reckless  and  uncontrollable 
desire  for  internal  public  improvements  seized  the  minds  of  the 
people.  In  his  message  to  the  Legislature,  in  1835,  Gov.  Duncan 
said:  "  When  we  look  abroad  and  see  the  extensive  lines  of  inter-- 
eommunication  penetrating  almost  every  section  of  our  sister  States; 
when  we  see  the  canal  boat  and  the  locomotive  bearing  with  seem- 
ing triumph  the  rich -productions  of  the  interior  to  the  rivers,  lakes 
and  ocean,  almost  annihilating  time,  burthen  and  space,  what 
patriot  bosom  does  not  beat  high  with  a  laudable  ambition  to  give 
Illinois  her  full  share  of  those  advantages  which  are  adorning  her 


96  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

sister  States,  and  which  a  magnificent  Providence  seems  to  invite 
bj  a  wonderful  adaptation  of  our  whole  country  to  such  improve- 
ments?" 

STUPENDOUS    SYSTEM   OF   IMPROVEMENTS  INAUGUEATED. 

The  Legislature  responded  to  the  ardent  words  of  the  Governor, 
and  enacted  a  system  of  internal  improvements  without  a  parallel 
in  the  grandeur  of  its  conception.  They  ordered  the  construction 
of  1,300  miles  of  railroad,  crossing  the  State  in  all  directions. 
This  was  surpassed  by  the  river  and  canal  improvements.  There 
were  a  few  counties  not  touched  by  railroad,  or  river  or  canal,  and 
they  were  to  be  comforted  and  compensated  by  the  free  distribution 
of  $200,000  among  them.  To  inflate  this  balloon  beyond  credence,  it 
was  ordered  that  work  should  commence  on  both  ends  of  each  of  these 
railroads  and  rivers,  and  at  each  river-crossing,  all  at  the  same  time. 
This  provision,  which  has  been  called  the  crowning  folly  of  the 
entire  system,  was  the  result  of  those  jealous  combinations  ema- 
nating from  the  fear  that  advantages  might  accrue  to  one  section 
over  another  in  the  commencement  and  completion  of  the  works. 
We  can  appreciate  better,  perhaps,  the  magnitude  of  this  grand 
system  by  reviewing  a  few  figures.  The  debt  authorized  for  these 
improvements  in  the  first  instance  was  $10,230,000.  But  this,  as 
it  was  soon  found,  was  based  upon  estimates  at  least  too  low  by 
half.  This,  as  we  readily  see,  committed  the  State  to  a  liability  of 
over  $20,000,000,  equivalent  to  $200,000,000,  at  the  present  time, 
with  over  ten  times  the  population  and  more  than  ten  times  the 
wealth. 

Such  stupendous  undertakings  by  the  State  naturally  engendered 
the  fever  of  speculation  among  individuals.  That  particular  form 
known  as  the  town-lot  fever  assumed  the  malignant  type  at  first  in 
Chicago,  from  whence  it  spead  over  the  entire  State  and  adjoining 
States.  It  was*  an  epidemic.  It  cut  up  men's  farms  without  regard 
to  locality,  and  cut  up  the  purses  of  the  purchasers  without  regard 
to  consequences.  It  was  estimated  that  building  lots  enough  were 
sold  in  Indiana  alone  to  accommodate  every  citizen  then  in  the 
United  States. 

Chicago,  which  in  1830  was  a  small  trading-post,  had  within  a 
few  years  grown  into  a  city.  This  was  the  starting  point  of  the, 
wonderful  and   marvelous   career   of  that   city.      Improvements, 


HISTOET   OF    ILLINOIS.  97 

unsurpassed  by  individual  efforts  in  the  annals  of  the  world,  were 
then  begnn  and  have  been  maintained  to  this  day.  Though  visited 
by  the  terrible  fire  fiend  and  the  accumulations  of  years  swept 
away  in  a  night,  yet  she  has  arisen,  and  to-day  is  the  best  built  city 
in  the  world.  Eeports  of  the  rapid  advance  of  property  in  Chicago 
spread  to  the  East,  and  thousands  poured  into  her  borders,  bringing 
money,  enterprise  and  industry.  Every  ship  that  left  her  port 
carried  with  it  maps  of  splendidly  situated  towns  and  additions, 
and  every  vessel  that  returned  was  laden  with  immigrants.  It  was 
said  at  the  time  that  the  staple  articles  of  Illinois  export  were  town 
plots,  and  that  there  was  danger  of  crowding  the  State  with  towns 
to  the  exclusion  of  land  for  agriculture. 

ILLINOIS    AND    MICHIGAN    CANAL. 

The  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal  again  received  attention.  This 
enterprise  is  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  early  development 
of  Illinois,  on  account  of  its  magnitude  and  cost,  and  forming 
as  it  does  the  connecting  link  between  the  great  chain  of  lakes  and 
the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers.  Gov.  Bond,  the  first  Governor, 
recommended  in  his  first  message  the  building  of  the  canal.  In 
1821  the  Legislature  appropriated  $10,000  for  surveying  tlie  route. 
This  work  was  performed  by  two  young  men,  who  estimated  the 
cost  at  $600,000  or  $700,000.  It  cost,  however,  when  completed, 
$8,000,000.  In  1825  a  law  was  passed  to  incorporate  the  Canal 
Company,  but  no  stock  was  sold.  In  1826,  upon  the  solicitation  of 
Daniel  P.  Cook,  Congressman  from  this  State,  Congress  gave 
800,000  acres  of  land  on  the  line  of  the  work.  In  1828  commis- 
sioners were  appointed,  and  work  commenced  with  a  new  survey 
and  new  estimates.  In  1 834-5  the  work  was  again  pushed  forward, 
and  continued  until  1848,  when  it  was  completed. 

PANIC — EEPtTDIATION  ADVOCATED. 

Bonds  of  the  State  were  recklessly  disposed  of  both  in  the  East 
and  in  Europe.  Work  was  commenced  on  various  lines  of  railroad, 
but  none  were  ever  completed.  On  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad, 
from  Meredosia  east  eight  miles,  the  first  locomotive  that  ever 
turned  a  wheel  in  the  great  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  was  run. 
The  date  of  this  remarkable  event  was  l^ov.  8,  1838.  Large  suras 
of  money  were  being  expended  with  no  assurance  of  a  revenue. 


98  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

and  consequently,  in  1840,  the  lisgislatiire  repealed  the  improve- 
ment laws  passed  three  years  previously,  not,  however,  until  the 
State  had  accumulated  a  debt  of  nearly  $15,000,000.  Thus  fell, 
after  a  short  but  eventful  life,  by  the  hands  of  its  creator,  the  most 
stupendous,  extravagant  and  almost  ruinous  folly  of  a  grand  sys- 
tem of  internal  improvements  that  any  civil  community,  perhaps, 
ever  engaged  in.  The  State  banks  failed,  specie  was  scarce,  an 
enormous  debt  was  accumulated,  the  interest  of  which  could  not 
be  paid,  people  were  disappointed  in  the  accumulation  of  wealth, 
and  real  estate  was  worthless.  All  this  had  a  tendency  to  create  a 
desire  to  throw  off  the  heavy  burden  of  State  debt  byi  repudiation. 
This  was  boldly  advocated  by  some  leading  men.  The  fair  fame 
and  name,  however,  of  the  State  was  not  tarnished  by  repudiation. 
Men,  true,  honest,  and  able,  were  placed  at  the  head  of  affairs;  and 
though  the  hours  were  dark  and  gloomj',  and  the  times  most  try- 
ing, yet  our  grand  old  State  was  brought  through  and  prospered, 
until  to-day,  after  the  expenditure  of  millions  for  public  improve- 
ments and  for  carrying  on  the  late  war,  slie  has,  at  present,  a  debt 
of  only  about  $300,000. 

MA.RTTB   FOE    LIBERTY. 

The  year  1837  is  memorable  for  the  death  of  the  first  martyr  for 
liberty,  and  the  abolishment  of  American  slavery,  in  the  State. 
Elijah  P.  Lovejoy  was  shot  by  a  mob  in  Alton,  on  the  night  of  the 
Tth  of  November  of  that  year.  lie  was  at  the  time  editor  of  the 
Alton  Ohiserver,  and  advocated  anti-slavery  principles  in  its 
columns.  For  this  practice  three  of  his  presses  had  be'en  destroyed! 
On  the  arrival  of  the  fourth  the  tragedy  occurred  which  cost  him 
his  life.  In  anticipation  of  its  arrival  a  series  of  meetings  were 
'  held  in  which  the  friends  of  freedom  and  of  slavery  were  represented. 
The  object  was  to  effect  a  compromise,  but  it  was  one  in  which 
liberty  was  to  make  concessions  to  oppression.  In  a  speech  made 
at  one  of  these  meetings,  Lovejoy  said :  "  Mr.  Chairman,  what 
have  I  to  compromise?  If  freely  to  forgive  those  who  have  so  greatly 
injured  me;  if  to  pray  for  their  temporal  and  eternal  happiness;  if 
still  to  wish  for  the  prosperity  of  your  city  and  Statej  notwith'  ' 
standing  the  indignities  I  have  suffered  in  them, — if  this  be  the 
compromise  intended,  then  do  I  willingly  make  it.  I  do  not  admit 
that  it  is  the  business  of  any  body  of  men  to  say  whether  I  shall 


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HISTORY  OF  ILLIKOIS.  101 

or  shall  not  publish  a  paper  in  this  city.  That  right  was  given  to 
me  by  my  Creator,  and  is  solemnly  guaranteed  hy  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States  and  of  this  State.  But  if  by  compromise  is 
meant  that  1  shall  cease  from  that  which  duty  requires  of  me,  I 
cannot  make  it,  and  the  reason  is,  that  I  fear  God  more  than  man. 
It  is  also  a  very  different  question,  whether  1  shall,  voluntarily  or 
at  the  request  of  my  friends,  yield  up  my  position,  or  whether 
I  shall  forsake  it  at  the  hands  of  a  mob.  The  former  I  am  ready  at 
all  times  to  do  when  circumstances  require  it,  as  I  will  never  put 
my  personal  wishes  or  interests  in  competition  with  the  cause  of 
that  Master  whose  minister  I  am.  But  the  latter,  be  assured  I 
•  never  will  do.  You  have,  as  lawyers  say,  made  a  false  issue.  There 
are  no  two  parties  between  whom  there  can  be  a  compromise.  I 
plant  myself  down  on  my  unquestionable  rights,  and  the  ques- 
tion to  be  decided  is,  whether  I  shall  be  protected  in  those  rights. 
You  may  hang  me,  as  the  mob  hung  the  individuals  at  Yicksburg; 
you  may  burn  me  at  the  stake,  as  they  did  old  Mcintosh  at  St. 
Louis;  or,  you  may  tar  and  feather  me,  or  throw  me  into  the  Mis- 
sissippi as  you  have  threatened  to  do;  but  you  cannot  disgrace  me. 
I,  and  I  alone,  can  disgrace  myself,  and  the  deepest  of  all  disgrace 
would  be  at  a  time  like  this  to  deny  my  Maker  by  forsaking  his 
cause.  He  died  for  me,  and  I  were  most  unworthy  to  bear  his 
name  should  I  refuse,  if  need  be,  to  die  for  him.^'  Not  long 
afterward  Mr.  Lovejoy  was  shot.  His  brother  Owen,  being  pres- 
ent on  the  occasion,  kneeled  down  on  the  spot  beside  the  corpse, 
and  sent  up  to  God,  in  the  hearing  of  that  very  mob,  one  of  the 
most  eloquent  prayers  ever  listened  to  by  mortal  ear.  He  was  bold 
enough  to  pray  to  God  to  take  signal  vengeance  on  the  infernal 
institution.,  of  slavery,  and  he  then  and  there  dedicated  his  life  to 
the  work  of  overthrowing  it,  and  hoped  to  see  the  day  when  slavery 
existed  no  more  in  this  nation.  He  died,  March  24,  1864,  nearly 
tliree  months  after  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  of  President 
Lincoln  took  effect.  Thus  he  lived  to  see  his  most  earnest  and 
devout  prayer  answered.  But  few  men  in  the  nation  rendered  bet- 
ter service  in  overthrowing  the  institution  of  slavery  than  Elijah 
P.  and  Owen  Lovejoy. 

CAELIN    ELECTED  GOVEENOE. 

Thomas  Carlin,  Democrat,  was  elected  Governor  in  1838,  over 
Cyrus  Edwards,  Whig.     In  1842  Adam  "W.  Snyder  was  nominated 


102  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

for  Governor  oa  the  Democratic  ticket,  but  died  before  election. 
Thomas  Ford  was  placed  in  nomination,  and  was  elected,  ex-Gov- 
ernor Duncan  being  his  opponent. 

PEAIEIE  PIEATES. 

The  northern  part  of  the  State  also  had  its  mob  experiences,  but 
of  an  entirely  different  nature  from  the  one  just  recounted.  There 
has  always  hovered  around  the  frontier  of  civilization  bold,  desper- 
ate men,  who  prey  upoil  the  unprotected  settlers  rather  than  gain 
a  livelihood  by  honest  toil.  Theft,  robbery  and  murder  were  car- 
ried on  by  regularly  organized  bands  in  Ogle,  Lee,  Winnebago  and 
DeKalb  counties.  The  leaders  of  these  gangs  of  cut-throats  were 
among  the  first  settlers  of  ftiat  portion  of  the  State,  and  conse- 
quently had  the  choice  of  location.  Among  the  most  prominent  of 
the  leaders  were  John  DriscoU,  William  and  David,  his  sons ;  John 
Brodie  and  three  of  his  sons;  Samuel  Aikens  and  three  of  his  sons; 
William  K.  Bridge  and  Norton  B.  Boyce. 

These  were  the  representative  characters,  those  who  planned 
and  controlled  the  movements  of  the  combination,  concealed  them 
when  danger  threatened,  nursed  them  when  sick,  rested  them  when 
worn  by  fatigue  and  forced  marches,  furnished  hiding  places  for 
their  stolen  booty,  shared  in  the  spoils,  and,  under  cover  of  darkness 
and  intricate  and  devious  ways  of  travel,  known  only  to  themselves 
and  subordinates,  transferred  stolen  horses  from  station  to  station; 
for  it  came  to  be  known  as  a  well-established  fact  that  they  had 
stations,  and  agents,  and  watchmen  scattered  throughout  the  coun- 
try at  convenient  distances,  and  signals  and  pass-words  to  assi'st 
and  govern  them  in  all  their  nefarious  transactions. 

Ogle  county,  particularly,  seemed  to  be  a  favorite  and  chosen 
field  for  the  operations  of  these  outlaws,  who  could  not  be  convicted 
for  their  crimes.  By  getting  some  of  their  number  on  the  juries, 
by  producing  hosts  of  witnesses  to  sustain  their  defense  by  per- 
jured evidence,  and  by  changing  the  venue  from  one  county  to 
another,  and  by  continuances  from  term  to  term,  they  nearly  always 
managed  to  be  acquitted.  At  last  these  depredations  became  too 
common  for  longer  endurance;  patience  ceased  to  be  a  virtue,  and 
determined  desperation  seized  the  minds  of  honest  men,  and  they 
resolved  that  if  there  were  no  statute  laws  that  could  protect  them 


HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS.  103 

against  the  ravages  of  thieves,  robbers  and  counterfeiters,  they 
worfld  protect  themselves.  It  was  a  desperate  resolve,  and  desper- 
ately and  bloodily  executed. 

BUKNING    OF    OGLE    COUNTY    COUKT-HOUSE. 

At  the  Spring  term  of  court,  1841,  seven  of  the  "Pirates  of  the 
Prairie,"  as  they  were  called,  were  confined  in  the  Ogle  county  jail 
to  await  trial.  Preparatory  to  hiolding  court,  the  j  ndge  and  lawyers 
assembled  at  Oregon  in  their  new  court-house,  which  had  just 
been  completed.  Near  it  stood  the  county  jail  in  which  were  the 
prisoners.'  The  "  Pirates "  assembled  Sunday  night  and  set  the 
court-house  on  fire,  in  the  hope  that  as  the  prisoners  would  have  to 
be  removed  from  the  jail,  they  might,  in  the  hurry  and  confusion 
of  the  people  in  attending  to  the  fire,  make  their  escape.  The 
whole  population  were  awakened  that  dark  and  stormy  night,  to 
see  their  new  court  edifice  enwrapped  in  flames.  Although  the 
building  was  entirely  consumed,  none  of  the  prisoners  escaped. 
Three  of  them  were  tried,  convicted  and  sent  to  the  penitentiary 
for  a  year.  They  had,  however,'  contrived  to  get  one  of  their  num- 
ber on  the  jury,  who  would  not  agree  to  a  verdict  until  threatened 
to  be  lynched.  The  others  obtained  a  change  of  venue  and  were 
not  convicted,  and  finally  they  all  broke  jail  and  escaped. 

Thus  it  was  that  the  law  was  inadequate  to  the  protection  of  the 
people.  The  best  citizens  held  a  meeting  and  entered  into  a  solemn 
compact  with  each  other  to  rid  the  country  of  the  desperadoes  that 
infested  it.  They  were  regularly  organized  and  known  as  "  Regu- 
lators." They  resolved  to  notify  all  suspected  parties  to  leave  the 
country  within  a  given  time;  if  they  did  not  comply,  they  would 
be  severely  dealt  with.  Their  first  victim  was  a  man  named  Hurl, 
who  was  suspected  of  having  stolen  his  neighbor's  horse.  He  was 
ordered  to  strip,  his  hands  were  tied,  when  thirty-six  lashes  of  a 
raw-hide  were  applied  to  his  bare  back.  The  next  was  a  man 
named  Daggett,  formerly  a  Baptist  preacher.  He  waS'  sentenced, 
to  receive  five  hundred  lashes  on  his  bare  back.  He  was  stripped, 
and  all  was  ready,  when  his  beautiful  daughter  rushed  into  the 
midst  of  the  men,  begging  for  mercy  for  her  father.  Her  appeals, 
with  Daggett's  promise  to  leave  the  country  immediately,  secured 
his  release.  That  night,  new  crimes  having  been  discovered,  he 
was  taken  out  and  whipped,  after  which  he  left  the  country,  never 
again  to  be  heard  from. 


104  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

The  friends  and  conarades  of  the  men  who  had  been  whipped 
were  fearfully  enraged,  and  swore  eternal  and  bloody  vengeance 
Eighty  of  them  assembled  one  night  soon  after,  and  laid  plans  to 
visit  White  Rock  and  murder  every  man,  woman  and  child  in  that 
hamlet.  They  started  on  this  bloody  mission,  but  were  prevailed 
upon  by  one  of  their  number  to  disband.  Their  coming,  however, 
had  been  anticipated,  and  every  man  and  boy  in  the  town  was 
armed  to  protect  himself  and  his  family. 

CAMPBELL    KILLED THE    MUEDEEEES    SHOT. 

John  Campbell,  Captain  of  the  "  Regulators,"  received  a  letter 
from  William  Driscoll,  filled  with  most  direful  threats, — not  only 
threatening  Campbell's  life,  but  the  life  of  any  one  who  should 
oppose  their  murderous,  thieving  operations.  Soon  after  the  re- 
ceipt of  this  letter,  two  hundred  of  the  "  Regulators  "  marched  to 
DriscoU's  and  ordered  him  to  leave  the  county  within  twenty  days, 
but  he  refused  to  comply  with  the  order.  One  Sunday  evening, 
just  after  this,  Campbell  was  shot  down  in  his  own  door-yard  by 
David  Driscoll.  He  fell  in  the  arms  of  his  wife,  at  which  time 
Taylor  Driscoll  raised  his  rifle  and  pointed  it  toward  her,  but  low- 
ered it  without  firing. 

News  of  this  terrible  crime  spread  like  wild-fire.  The  very  air 
was  filled  with  threats  and  vengeance,  and  nothing  but  the  lives  of 
the  murderous  gang  would  pay  the  penalty.  Old  John  Driscoll 
was  arrested,  was  told  to  bid  his  family  good-bye,  and  then  with 
his  son  went  out  to  his  death.  The  "Regulators,"  numbering  111, 
formed  a  large  circle,  and  gave  the  Tfriscolls  a  fair  hearing.  They 
were  found  guilty,  and  the  "Regulators"  divided  into  two  "death 
divisions," — one,  consisting  of  fifty-six,  with  rifles  dispatched  the 
father,  the  other  flfty-five  riddled  and  shattered  the  body  of  the 
son  with  balls  from  as  many  guns.  The  measures  thus  inaugu- 
rated to  free  the  country  from  the  dominion  of  outlaws  was  a  last 
desperate  resort,  and  proved  effectual. 

MORMON  WAR. 

In  April,  1840,  the  "  Latter-Day  Saints,"  or  Mormons,  came  in 
large  numbers  to  Illinois  and  purchased  a  tract  of  land  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Mississippi  river,  about  ten  miles  above  Keokuk.  Here 
they  commenced  building  the  city  of  Nauvoo.  A  more  picturesque 
or  eligible  site  for  a  city  could  not  have  been  selected. 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  105 

The  origin,  rapid  development  and  prosperity  of  this  religious 
sect  are  the  most  remarkable  and  instructive  historical  events  of 
the  present  century.  That  an  obscure  individual,  without  money, 
education,  or  respectability,  should  persuade  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  people  to  believe  him  inspired  of  God,  and  cause  a  book,  con- 
temptible as  a  literary  production,  to  be  received  as  a  continuation 
of  the  sacred  revelation,  appears  almost  incredible;  yet  in  less  than 
half  a  century,  the  disciples  of  this  obscure  individual  have  in- 
creased to  hundreds  of  thousands;  have  founded  a  State  in  the  dis- 
tant wilderness,  and  compelled  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  to  practically  recognize  them  as  an  independent  people. 

THE   FOUNDEK   OF   MOEMONISM. 

The  founder  of  Mormonism  was  Joseph  Smith,  a  native  of  Ver- 
mont, who  emigrated  while  quite  young  with  his  father's  family  to 
western  New  York.  Here  his  youth  was  spent  in  idle,  vagabond 
life,  roaming  the  woods,  dreaming  of  buried  treasures,  and  in  en- 
deavoring to  learn  the  art  of  finding  them,  by  the  twisting  of  a 
forked  stick  in  his  hands,  or  by  looking  through  enchanted  stones. 
Both  he  and  Iiis  father  became  famous  as  "  water  wizards,"  always 
ready  to  point  out  the  spot  where  wells  might  be  dug  and  water 
found.  Such  was  the  character  of  the  young  profligate  when  he 
made  the  acquaintance  of  Sidney  Kigdon,  a  person  of  considerable 
talent  and  information,  who  had  conceived  the  design  of  founding 
a  new  religion.  A  religious  romance,  written  by  Mr.  Spaulding,  a 
Presbyterian  preacher  of  Ohio,  then  dead,  suggested  the  idea,  and 
finding  in  Smith  the  requisite  duplicity  and  cunning  to  reduce  it 
to  practice,  it  was  agreed  that  he  should  act  as  prophet;  and  the 
two  devised  a  story  that  gold  plates  had  been  found  buried  in  the 
earth  containing  a  record  inscribed  on  them  in  unknown  characters, 
which,  when  deciphered  by  the  power  of  inspiration,  gave  the  his- 
tory of  the  ten  lost  tribes  of  Israel. 

ATTEMPT   TO   AEEEST   JOE    SMITH. 

After  their  settlement  in  and  about  Nauvoo,  in  Hancock  county, 
great  depredations  were  committed  by  them  on  the  "  Gentiles." 
The  Mormons  had  been  received  from  Missouri  with  great  kind- 
ness by  the  people  of  this  State,  and  every  possible  aid  granted 
them.    The  depredations  committed,  however,  soon  made  them 


106  ■  HISTOEY    OF    ILLll^OIS. 

odious,  when  the  question  of  getting  rid  of  them  was  agitated.  In 
the  fall  of  1841,  the  Governor  of  Missouri  made  a  demand  on  Grov. 
Oarlin  for  the  arrest  and  delivery  of  Joe  Smith  as  a  fugitive  from 
justice.  An  executive  warrant  issued  for  that  purpose  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  an  agent  to  be  executed,  but  was  returned  without 
being  complied  with.  Soon  afterward  the  Governor  handed  the 
same  writ  to  his  agent,  who  this  time  succeeded  in  arresting  Joe 
Smith.  He  was,  however,  discharged  by  Judge  Douglas,  upon  the 
grounds  that  the  writ  upon  which  he  had  been  arrested  had  been 
once  returned  before  it  was  executed,  and  was  fundus  officio.  In 
1843  Gov.  Oarlin  again  issued  his  writ,  Joe  Smith  was  arrested 
again,  and  again  escaped.  Thus  it  will  be  seen  it  was  impossible 
to  reach  and  punish  the  leader  of  this  people,  who  had  been  driven 
from  Missouri  because  of  their  stealing,  murdering  and  unjust 
dealing,  and  came  to  Illinois  but  to  continue  their  depredations. 
Emboldened  by  success,  the  Mormons  became  more  arrogant  and 
overbearing.  Many  people  began  to  believe  that  they  were  about 
to  set  up  a  separate  government  for  themselves  in  defiance  of  the 
laws  of  the  State.  Owners  of  property  stolen  in  other  counties 
made  pursuit  into  ISTauvoo,  and  were  fined  by  the  Mormon  courts 
for  daring  to  seek  their  property  in  the  holy  city.  But  that  Wliich 
made  it  more  certain  than  anything  else  that  the  Mormons  con- 
templated a  separate  government,  was  that  about  this  time  they 
petitioned  Oongress  to  establish  a  territorial  government  for  them 
in  Nauvoo. 

OEIGIN    OF    POLYGAMY. 

To  crown  the  whole  folly  of  the  Mormons,  in  the  Spring  of  1844 
Joe  Smith  announced  himself  as  a  candidate  for  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  many  of  hip  followers  were  confident  he  would 
be  elected.  He  next  caused  himself  to  be  anointed  king  and 
priest,  and  to  give  character  to  his  pretensions,  ho  declared  his 
lineage  in  an  unbroken  line  from  Joseph,  the  son  of  Jacob,  a,nd 
that  of  his  wife  from  some  other  important  personage  of  the  ancient 
Hebrews.  To  strengthen  his  political  power  he  also  instituted  a 
body  of  police  styled  the  "Danite  band,"  who  were  sworn  to  pro- 
tect his  person  and  obey  his  orders  as  the  commands  of  God.  A 
female  order  previously  existing  in  the  church,  called  "  Spiritual 
wives,"  was  modified  so  as  to  suit  the  licentiousness  of  the  prophet. 
A  doctrine  was  revealed  that  it  was  impossible  for  a  woman  to  get 


HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS.  107 

to  heaven  except  as  the  wife  of  a  Mormon  elder;  that  each  elder 
might  marry  as  many  women  as  he  could  maintain,  and  that  any 
female  might  be  sealed  to  eternal  life  by  becoming  their  concubine. 
This  licentiousness,  the  origin  of  polygamy  in  that  church,  they 
endeavored  to  justify  by  an  appeal  to  Abraham,  Jacob  and  other 
favorites  of  G-od  in  former  ages  of  the  world. 

JOE    SMITH   AS   A   TTKANT. 

Smith  soon  began  to  play  the  tyrant  over  his  people.  Among 
the  first  acts  of  this  sort  was  an  attempt  to  take  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Law,  one  of  his  most  talented  disciples,  and  make  her  his 
spiritual  wife.  He  established,  without  authority,  a  recorder's 
oifice,  and  an  office  to  issue  marriage  licenses.  He  proclaimed  that 
none  could  deal'  in  real  estate  or  sell  liquor  but  himself.  He 
ordered  a  printing  office  demolished,  and  in  many  ways  controlled 
the  freedom  and  business  of  the  Mormons.  Not  only  did  he  stir  up 
some  of  the  Mormons,  but  by  his  reckless  disregard  for  the  laws  of 
the  land  raised  up  opposition  on  every  hand.  It  was  believed  that 
he  instructed  the  Danite  band,  which  he  had  chosen  as  the  ministers 
of  his  vengeance,  that  no  blood,  except  that  of  the  church,  was  to 
be  regarded  as  sacred,  if  it  contravened  the  accomplishment  of  his 
object.  It  was  asserted  that  he  inculcated  the  legality  of  perjury 
and  other  crimes,  if  committed  to  advance  the  cause  of  true  believ- 
ers; that  G-od  had  given  the  world  and  all  it  contained  to  his  saints, 
and  since  they  were  kept  out  of  their  rightful  inheritance  by  force, 
it  was  no  moral  offense  to  get  possession  of  it  by  stealing.  It  was 
reported  that  an  establishnient  existed  in  Nauvoo  for  the  manufac- 
ture of  counterfeit  money,  and  that  a  set  of  outlaws  was  maintained 
for  the  purpose  of  putting  it  in  circulation.  Statements  were  cir- 
culated to  the  effect  that  a  reward  was  offered  for  the  destruction  of 
the  Warsaw  Signal,  an  anti-Mormon  paper,  and  that  Mormons  dis- 
persed over  the  country  threatened  all  persofts  who  offered  to  assist 
the  constable  in  the  execution  of  the  law,  with  the  destruction  of 
their  property  and  the  murder  of  their  families.  There  were  rumors 
also  afloat  that  an  alliance  had  been  formed  with  the  Western 
Indians,  and  in  case  of  war  they  would  be  used  in  murdering  their 
enemies.  In  short,  if  only  one-half  of  these  reports  were  true  the 
Mormons  must  have  been  the  most  infamous  people  that  ever  ex- 
isted. 


108  HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS. 

MILITARY   FOEOES    ASSEMBLING. 

"William  Law,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  printing-press 
destroyed  by  Smith,  went  to  Carthage,  the  county-seat,  and 
obtained  warrants  for  the  arrest  of  Smith  and  the  members  of  the 
City  Council,  and  others  connected  with  the  destruction  of  the 
press.  Some  of  the  parties  having  been  arrested,  but  discharged 
by  the  authorities  in  l^auvoo,  a  convention  of  citizens  assembled  at 
Carthage  and  appointed  a  committee  to  wait  upon  the  Governor  for 
the  purpose  of  procuring  military  assistance  to  enforce  the  law. 
The  Governor  visited  Carthage  in  person.  Previous  to  his  arrival 
the  militia  had  been  called  out  and  armed  forces  commenced  assem- 
bling in  Carthage  and  Warsaw  to  enforce  the  service  of  civil  process. 
All  of  them,  however,  signified  a  willingness  to  co-operate  with  the 
Governor  in  preserving  order.  A  constable  and  ten  men  were  then 
sent  to  make  the  arrest.  In  the  meantime,  Smith  declared  martial 
law;  his  followers  residing  in  the  country  were  summoned  to  his 
assistance;  the  Legion  was  assembled  and  under  arms,  and  the 
entire  city  was  one  great  military  encampment. 

THE    SMITHS    ARRESTED. 

The  prophet,  his  brother  Hiram,  the  members  of  the  City  Coun- 
cil and  others,  surrendered  themselves  at  Carthage  June  24,  1845, 
on  the  charge  of  riot.  All  entered  into  recognizance  before  a  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  to  appear  at  court,  and  were  discharged.  A" new 
writ,  however,  was  immediately  issued  and  served  on  the  two 
Smiths,  and  both  were  arrested  and  thrown  into  prison.  The 
citizens  had  assembled  from  Hancock,  Schuyler  and  McDonough 
counties,  armed  and  ready  to  avenge  the  outrages  that  had  been 
committed  by  the  Mormons.  Great  excitement  prevailed  at  Car- 
thage. The  force  assembled  at  that  place  amounted  to  ,1,200  men, 
and  about  500  assembled  at  Warsaw.  Nearly  all  were  anxious  to 
march  into  Nauvoo.  This  measure  was  supposed  to  be  necessary 
to  search  for  counterfeit  money  and  the  apparatus  to  make  it,  and 
also  to  strike  a  salutary  terror  into  the  Mormon  people  by  an  exhi- 
bition of  the  force  of  the  State,  and  thereby  prevent  future  out- 
rages, murders,  robberies,  bnrnings,  and  the  like.  The  2Yth  of 
June  was  appointed  for  the  march ;  but  Gov.  Ford,  who  at  the 
time  was  in  Carthage,  apprehended  trouble  if  the  militia  should 
attempt  to  invade  Nauvoo,  disbanded  the  troops,  retaining  only  a 
guard  to  the  jail. 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  109 

JOE    SMITH    AND    HIS    BEOTHEE    KILLED. 

Gov.  Ford  went  to  Nauvoo  on  the  2'rth.  The  same  morning 
about  200  men  from  Warsaw,  many  being  disguised,  hastened  to 
Carthage.  On  learning  that  one  of  the  companies  left  as  a  guard 
had  disbanded,  and  the  other  stationed  150  yards  from  the  jail  while 
eight  men  were  left  to  guard  the  prisoners,  a  communication  was 
soon  established  between  the  Warsaw  troops  and  the  guard;  and  it 
was  arranged  that  the  guard  should  have  their  guns  charged  with 
blank  cartridges  and  fire  at  the  assailants  when  they  attempted  to 
enter  the  jail.  The  conspirators  came  up,  jumped  the  fence  around 
the  jail,  were  fired  upon  by  the  guard,  which,  according  to  arrange- 
ment, was  overpowered,  and  the  assailants  entered  the  prison,  to 
the  door  of  the  room  where  the  two  prisoners  were  confined.  An 
attempt  ,was  made  to  break  open  the  door;  but  Joe  Smith,  being 
armed  with  a  pistol,  fired  several  times  as  the  door  was  bursted 
open,  and  three  of  the  assailants  were  wounded.  At  the  same  time 
several  shots  were  fired  into  the  room,  by  some  of  which  John 
Taylor,  a  friend  of  the  Smiths,  received  four  wounds,  and  Hiram 
Smith  was  instantly  killed.  Joe  Smith,  severely  wounded,  attempt- 
ed to  escape  by  jumping  out  of  a  second-story  window,  but  was  so 
stunned  by  the  fall  that  he  was  unable  to  rise.  In  this  position  he 
was  dispatched  by  balls  shot  through  his  body.  Thus  fell  Joe 
Smith,  the  most  successful  imposter  of  modern  times.  Totally  ignor- 
ant of  almost  every  fact  in  science,  as  well  as  in  law,  he  made  up  in 
constructiveness  and  natural  cunning  whatever  in  him  was  want- 
ing of  instruction. 

CONSTEENATION   AT    QUINCT. 

Great  consternation  prevailed  among  the  anti-Mormons  at 
Carthage,  after  the  killing  of  the  Smiths.  They  expected  the  Mor- 
mons would  be  so  enraged  on  hearing  of  the  death  of  their  leaders 
that  they  would  come  down  in  a  body,  armed  and  equipped,  to 
seek  revenge  upon  the  populace  at  Carthage.  Messengers  were 
dispatched  to  various  places  for  help  in  case  of  an  attack.  The 
women  and  children  were  moved  across  the  river  for  safety.  A 
committee  was  sent  to  Quincy  and  early  the  following  morning, 
at  the  ringing"  of  the  bells,"  a  large  concourse  of  people  assembled 
to  devise  means  of  defense.  At  this  meeting,  it  was  reported  that 
the  -Mormons  attempted  to  rescue  the  Smiths ;  that  a  party  of  Mis- 
sourians  and  others  had  killed  them  to  prevent  their  escape ;  that 


110  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

the  Governor  and  his  party  were  at  Kauvoo  at  the  time  when  intel- 
ligence of  the  fact  was  brought  there;  that  they  had  been  attacked 
by  the  Nauvoo  Legion,  and  had  retreated  to  a  house  where  they 
were  closely  besieged;  that  the  Governor  had  sent  out  word  that 
he  could  maintain  his  position  for  two  days,  and  would  be  certain 
to  be  massacred  if  assistance  did  not  arrive  by  that  time.  It  is 
unnecessary  to  say  that  this  entire  story  was  fabricated.  It  was 
put  in  circulation,  as  were  many  other  stories,  by  the  anti-Mormons, 
to  influence  the  public  mind  and  create  a  hatred  for  the  Mormons. 
The  effect  of  it,  however,  was  that  by  10  o'clock  on  the  28th, 
between  two  and  three  hundred  mfen  from  Qnincy,  under  command 
of  Maj.  Flood,  went  on  board  a  steamboat  for  Nauvoo,  to  assist  in 
raising  the  siege,  as  they  honestly  believed. 

VAKIOUS   DEPREDATIONS. 

It  was  thought  by  many,  and  indeed  the  circumstances  seem  to  war- 
rant the  conclusion,  that  the  assassins  of  Smith  had  arranged  that  the 
murder  should  occur  while  the  Governor  was  in  ISTauvoo;  that  the  . 
Mormons  would  naturally  suppose  he  planned  it,  and  in  the  first  out- 
pouring of  their  indignation  put  him  to  death,  as  a  means  of  retalia- 
tion. They  thought  that  if  they  could  have  the  Governor  of  the  State 
assassinated  by  Mormons,  the  public  excitement  would  be  greatly 
increased  against  that  people,  and  would  cause  their  extermination, 
or  at  least  their  expulsion  from  the  State.  That  it  was  a  brutal  and 
premeditated  murder  cannot  be  and  is  not  denied  at  this  day;  but 
the  desired  effect  of  the  murder  was  not  attained,  as  the  Morrhons 
did  not  evacuate  Nauvoo  for  two  years  afterward.  In  the  meantime, 
the  excitement  and  prejudice  agaiust  this  people  were  not  allowed 
to  die  but.  Horse-stealing  was  quite  common,  and  every  case  that 
occurred  was  cliarged  to  the  Mormons.  That  they  were  guilty  of 
such  thefts  cannot  be  denied,  but  a  great  deal  of  this  work  done  at 
that  time  was  by  organized  bands  of  thieves,  who  knew  they  could 
carry  on  their  nefarious  business  with  more  safety,  as  long  as  sus- 
picion could  be  placed  upon  the  Mormons.  In  the  summer  and 
fall  of  1845  were  several  occurrences  of  a  nature'  to  increase  the 
irritation  existing  between  the  Mormx)ns  and  their  neighbors.  A 
suit  was  instituted  in  the  United  States  Circuit  Court  against  one 
of  the  apostles,  to  recover  a  note,  and  a  marshal  sent  to  summons 


Ti™Tili!ir; 


HISTOEY   OF   ILLINOIS..  113 

tlie  defendant,  who  refused  to  be  served  with  the  process.  Indig- 
nation meetings  were  held  by  the  saints,  and  the  marshal  threat- 
ened for  attempting  to  serve  the  writ.  About  this  time,  General 
Denning,  sheriff,  was  assaulted  by  an  anti-Mormon,  whom  he  killed. 
Denning  was  friendly  to  the  Mormons,  and  a  great  outburst  of 
passion  was  occasioned  among  the  friends  of  the  dead  man. 

INCENDIARISM. 

It  was  also  discovered,  in  trying  the  rights  of  property  at  Lima, 
Adams  county,  that  the  Mormons  had  an  institution  connected 
with  their  church  to  secure  their  effects  from  execution.  Incensed 
at  this  and  other  actions,  the  anti-Mormons  of  Lima,  and  Green 
Plains,  held  a  meeting  to  devise  means  for  the  expulsion  of  the 
Mormons  from  tjiat  part  of  the  country.  It  was  arranged  that  a 
number  of  their  own  party  should  fire  on  the  building  in  which 
they  were  assembled,  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  injure  anyone, 
and  then  report  that  the  Mormons  had  commenced  tlie  work  of 
plunder  and  death.  This  plot  was  duly  executed,  and  the  startling 
intelligence  soon  called  together  a  mob,  which  threatened  the  Mor- 
mons with  fire  and  sword  if  thoy  did  not  immediately  leave.  The 
Mormons  refusing  to  depart,  the  mob  at  once  executed  their  threats 
by  burning  135  houses  and  forcing  the  inmates  to  flee  for  their 
lives.  The  sheriff  of  Hancock  county,  a  prominent 'Mormon 
armed  several  hundred  Mormons  and  scoured  the  country,  in  search 
of  the  incendiaries,  but  they  had  fled  to  neighboring  counties,  and 
he  was  unable  either  to  bring  them  to  battle  or  make  any  arrests. 
One  man,  however,  was  killed  without  provocation;  another 
attempting  to  escape  was  shot  and  afterwards  hacked  and  muti- 
lated; and  Franklin  A.  Worrell,  who  had  charge  of  the  jail  when  i 
the  Smiths  were  killed,  was  shot  by  some  unknown  person  con- 
cealed in  a  thicket.  The  anti-Mormons  committed  one  murder. 
A  party  of  them  set  fire  to  a  pile  of  straw,  near  the  barn  of  an  old 
Mormon,  nearly  ninety  years  of  age,  and  when  he  appeared  to  ex- 
tinguish the  flames,  he  was  shot  and  killed. 

The  anti-Mormons  left  their  property  exposed  in  their  hurried 
retreat,  after  having  burned  the  houses  of  the  Mormons.  Those 
who  had  been  burned  out  sallied  forth  from  Nauvoo  and  plundered 
the  whole  country,  taking  whatever  they  could  carry  or  drive 
away.  By  order  of  the  Governor,  Gen.  Hardin  raised  a  force  of 
350  men,  checked  the  Mormon  ravages,  and  recalled  the  fugitive 
anti-Mormons  home. 


114  niSTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

MAKING-   rEEPAEATION   TO    LEAVE. 

At  this  time  a  convention,  consisting  of  delegates  from  eight  of 
the  adjoining  counties,  assenabled  to  concert  measures  for  the  expul- 
sion of  the  Mormons  from  the  State.  The  Mormons  seriously  cm- 
templated  emmigration  westward,  believing  the  times  forboded 
evil  for  them.  Accordingly,  during  the  -winter  of  1846-'46,  the 
m-ist  stupendous  preparations  were  made  by  the  Mormons  for 
removal.  All  the  principal  dwellings,  and  even  the  temple,  were 
converted  into  work-shops,  and  before  spring,  12,000  wagons  were 
in  readiness;  and  by  the  middle  of  February  the  leaders,  with  2,000' 
of  their  followers,  had  crossed  the,  Mississippi  on  the  ice. 

Before  the  spring  of  1846  the  majority  of  the  Mormons  had  left 
Nauvoo,  but  still  a  large  number  remained. 

THE    BATTLE   OF   NAUVOO. 

In  September  a  writ  was  issued  against  several  prominent  Mor- 
mons, and  placed  in  the  hands  of  John  Carlin,  of  Carthage,  for 
execution.  Carlin  called  out  a  posse  to  help  make  the  arrest,  which 
brought  together  quite  a  large  force  in  the  neighborhood  of  Nauvoo. 
Carlin,  not  being  a  military  man,  placed  in  command  of  the  posse, 
first.  Gen.  Singleton,  and  afterward  Col.  Brockman,  who  proceeded 
to  invest  the  city,  erecting  breastworks,  and  taking  other  means  for 
defensive  as  well  as  offensive  operations.  What  was  then  termed  a 
battle  next  took  place,  resulting  in  the  death  of  one  Mormon  aiid 
the  wounding  of  several  others,  and  loss  to  the  anti-Mormons  of 
three  killed  and  four  wounded.  At  last,  through  the  intervention 
of  an  anti-Mormon  committee  of  one  hundred,  from  Quincy,  the 
Mormons  and  their  allies  were  induced  to  submit  to  such  terms  as 
the  posse  chose  to  dictate,  which  were  that  the  Mormons  should 
immediately  give  up  their  arms  to  the  Quincy  committee,  and  re- 
move from  the  State.  The  trustees  of  the  church  and  five  of  their 
clerks  were  permitted  to  remain  for  the  sale  of  Mormon  property,', 
and  the  posse  were  to  march  in  unmolested,  and  leave  a  sufficient 
force  to  guarantee  the  performance  of  their  stipulations.  Accord- 
ingly, the  constable's  posse  marched  in  with  Brocknian  at  their 
head.  It  consisted  of  about  800  armed  men  and  600  or  TOO 
unarmed,  who  had  assembled  from  all  the  country  around,  through' 
motives  of  curiosity,  to  see  the  once  proud  city  of  Nauvoo  hum- 
bled and  delivered  up  to  its  enemies.     They  proceeded  into  the 


/ 


'  r^^A^  'l! 


HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS.  1  17 

city  slowly  and  carefully,  examining  the  way  for  fear  of  the  explo- 
sion of  a  mine,  many  of  which  had  been  made  by  the  Mormons, 
by  burying  kegs  of  powder  in  the  ground,  with  a  man  stationed  at 
a  distance  to  pull  a  string  communicating  with  the  trigger  of  a 
percussion  lock  aifixed  to  the  keg.  This  kind  of  a  contrivance  was 
called  by  the  Mormons  "  hell's  half-acre."  When  the  posse 
arrived  in  the  city,  the  leaders  of  it  erected  themselves  into  a  tri- 
bunal to  decide  who  should  be  forced  away  and  who  remain. 
Parties  were  dispatched  to  hunt  for  fire-arms,  and  for  Mormons,  and 
to  bring  them  to  judgment.  When  brought,  they  received  their 
doom  from  the  mouth  of  Brockman,  who  sat  a  ^rlm  and  nnawed 
tyrant  for  the  time.  As  a  general  rule,  the  Mormons-were  ordered 
to  leave  within  an  hour  or  two;  and  by  rare  grace  some  of  them 
■  were  allowed  until  next  day,  and  in  a  few  cases  longer  time  was 
granted. 

MALTBEATMENT   OF   NEW   CITIZENS. 

Nothing  was  said  in  the  treaty  in  regard  to  the  new  citizens,  who 
Jiad  with  the  Mormons  defended  the  city;  but  the  posse  no  sooner 
had  obtained  possession  than  they  commenced  expelling  them. 
Some  of  them  were  ducked  in  the  river,  and  were  in  one  or  two 
instances  actually  baptized  in  the  name  of  some  of  the  leaders 
of  the  mob;  others  were  forcibly  driven  into  the  ferry-boats  to  be 
taken  over  the  river  before  the  bayonets  of  armed  ruffians.  Many 
of  these  new  settlers  were  strangers  in  the  country  from  various 
parts  of  the  United  States,  who  were  attracted  there  by  the  low 
price  of  property;  and  they  knew  but  little  of  previous  difliculties 
or  the  merits  of  the  quarrel.  They  saw  with  their  own  eyes  that 
the  Mormons  were  industriously  preparing  to  go  away,  and  they 
knew  "  of  their  own  knowledge  "  that  any  effort  to  expel  them  by 
force  was  gratuitous  and  unnecessary  cruelty.  They  had  been  trained, 
by  the  States  whence  they  came,  to  abhor  mobs  and  to  obey  the  law, 
and  they  volunteered  their  services  under  executive  authority  to 
defend  their  town  and  their  property  against  mob  violence,  and,  as 
they  honestly  believed,  from  destruction ;  but  in  this. they  were  partly 
mistaken;  for  although  the  mob  leaders  in  the  exercise  of  unbridled 
power  were  guilty  of  many  injuries  to  the  persons  of  individuals, 
although  much  personal  property  was  stolen,  yet  they  abstained 
from  materially  injuring  houses  and  buildings.  ' 


118  lUSTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

THE    MOKMONS    EEACH    SALT   LAKE. 

The- fugitives  proceeded  westward,  taking  the  road  through  Mis- 
souri, but  were  forcibly  ejected  from  that  State  and  compelled  to 
move  indirectly  through  Iowa.  After  innumerable  hardships  the 
advance  guard  reached  the  Missouri  river  at  Council  Bluffs,  when 
a  United  States  officer  presented  a  requisition  for  500  men  to 
serve  in  the  war  with  Mexico.  Compliance  with  this  order  so  di- 
minished their  number  of  effective  men,  that  the  expedition  was 
again  delayed  and  the  remainder,  consisting  mostly  of  old  men, 
women  and  children,  hastily  prepared  habitations  for  winter. 
Their  rudely  constructed  tents  were  hardly  completed  before  winter 
set  in  with  great  severity,  the  bleak  prairies  being  incessantly  swept 
by  piercing  winds.  While  here  cholera,  fever  and  other  diseases, 
aggravated  by  the  previous  hardships,  the  want  of  comfortable' 
quarters  and  medical  treatment,  hurried  many  of  them  to  prema- 
ture graves,  yet,  under  the  influence  of  religious  fervor  and  fanati- 
cism, they  looked  death  in  the  face  with  resignation  and  cheerful- 
ness, and  even  exhibited  a  gayety  which  manifested  itself  in  music 
an<l  dancing  during  tlie  saddest  hours  of  this  sad  winter. 

At  length  welcome  spring  made  its  appearance,  and  by  April 
they  were  again  organized  for  the  journey;  a  pioneer  party,  con- 
sisting of  Brigham  Young  and  140  others,  was  sent  in  advance  to 
locate  a  home  for  the  colonists.  On  the  21  of  July,  1847,  a  day 
memorable  in  Mormon  annals,  the  vanguard  reached  the  valley  of 
the  Great  Salt  Lake,  having  been  directed  thither,  according  to 
their  accounts,  by  the  hand  of  the  Almighty.  Here  in  a  distant  wil- 
derness, midway  between  the  settlements  of  the  East  and  the  Pacific,, 
and  at  that  time  a  thousand  miles  from  the  utmost  verge  of  civili- 
zation, they  commenced  preparations  for  founding  a  colony,  which 
has  since  grown  into  a  mighty  empire. 

MEXICAN  WAR 

During  the  month  of  May,  1846,  the  President  called  for  four 
regiments  of  volunteers  from  Illinois  for  the  Mexican  war.  This 
was  no  sooner  known  in  the  State  than  nine  regiments,  numbering 
8,370  men,  answered  the  call,  though  only  four  of  them,  amounting 
to  3,720  men,  could  be  taken.  These  regiments,  as  well  as  their 
officers,  were  everywhere  foremost  in  the  American  ranks,  and  dis- 


HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS.  119 

tinguislied  themselves  by  their  matchless  valor  in  the  bloodiest 
battles  of  the  war.  YeterariB  never  fought  more  nobly  and  effect- 
ively than  did  the  volunteers  from  Illinois.  At  the  bloody  battle  of 
Buena  Yista  they  crowned  their  lives — many  their  death — with  the 
laurels  of  war.  Never  did  armies  contend  more  bravely,  determinedly 
and  stubbornly  than  the  American  and  Mexican  forces  at  this  famous 
battle;  and  as  Illinois  troops  were  ever  in  the  van  and  on  the  blood- 
iest portions  of  the  field,  we  believe  a  short  sketch  of  the  part  they 
took  in  the  fierce  contest  is  due  them,  and  will  be  read  with  no  lit- 
tle interest. 

BATTLE    OF   B0ENA   VISTA. 

General  Santa  Anna,  with  bis  army  of  20,000,  poured  into  the 
valley  of  Aqua  Nueva  early  on  the  morning  of  the  22d  of  February, 
hoping  to  surprise  our  army,  consisting  of  about  5,000  men,  under 
Gen.  Taylor  and  which  had  retreated  to  the  "Narrows."  They 
were  hotly  pursued  by  the  Mexicans  who,  before  attacking,  sent 
Gen.  Taylor  a  fiag  of  truce  demanding  a  surrender,  and  assuring 
him  that  if  he  refused  he  would  be  cut  to  pieces;  but  the  demand 
was  promptly  refused.  At  this  the  enemy  opened  fire,  and  the  con- 
flict began.  In  honor  of  the  day  the  watchword  with  our  soldiers 
was,  "  The  memory  of  Washington."  An  irregular  fire  was  kept  up 
all  day,  and  at  night  both  armies  bivouacked  on  the  field,  resting  on 
their  arms.  Santa  Anna  that  night  made  a  spirited  address  to  his 
men,  and  the  stirring  strains  of  his  own  band  till  late  in  the  night 
were  distinctly  heard  by  our  troops;  but  at  last  silence  fell  over  the 
hosts  that  were  to  contend  unto  death  in  that  narrow  pass  on  the 
morrow. 

Early  on  the  following  morning  the  battle  was  resumed,  and  con- 
tinued without  intermission  until  niglitfall.  The  solid  columns  of 
the  enemy  were  hurled  against  our  forces  all  day  long,  but  were 
met  and  held  in  check  by  the  unerring  fire  of  our  musketry  and  ar- 
tillery. A  portion  of  Gen.  Lane's  division  was  driven  back  by  the 
enemy  under  Gen.  Lombardini,  who,  joined  by  Gen.  Pacheco's  divis- 
ion, poured  upon  the  main  plateau  in  so  formidable  numbers  as 
to  appear  irresistible. 

BEATEEY   OF   THE    SECOND    ILLINOIS. 

At  this  time  the  2d  Illinois,  under  Col.  Bissell,  with  a  squadron 
of  cavalry  and  a  few  pieces  of  artillery  came  handsomely  into  action 


120  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

and  gallantly  received  the  concentrated  fire  of  the  enemy,  which 
they  returned  with  deliberate  aim  and  terrible  effect;    every  dis- 
charge of  the  artillery  seemed  to  tear  a  bloody  path  through  the 
heavy    columns   of  enemy.      Says   a  writer:      "The  rapid   mus- 
ketry of  the  gallant  troops  from  Illinois  poured  a  storm  of  lead 
into  their  serried  ranks,  which  literally  strewed  the  ground  with 
the  dead  and  dying."     But,  notwithstanding  his  losses,  the  enemy 
steadily  advanced  until  our  gallant  regiment   received  fire  from 
three  sides.     Still  they  maintained  their  position  for  a  time  with 
unflinching  firmness  against  that  immense  host.     At  length,  per- 
ceiving the  danger  of  being  entirely  surrounded,  it  was  determined 
to  fall  back  to  a  ravine.     Col.  Bissel,  with  the  coolness  of  ordinary 
drill,  ordered  the  signal  "cease  firing"  to  be  made;  he  then  with 
the  same  deliberation  gave  the  command,  "Face  to  the  rear.  Bat- 
talion, about  face;  forward  march,"  which  was  executed  with  the 
regularity  of  veterans  to  a  point  beyond  the  peril  of  being  out- 
flanked.    Affain,  in  obedience  to  command  these  brave  men  haltedi 
faced  about,  and  under  a  murderous  tempest  of  bullets  from  the  foe, 
resumed  their  well-directed  fire.     The  conduct  of  no  troops  could 
have  been  more  admirable;  and,  too,  until  that  day  they  had  never 
been  under  fire,  when,  within  less  than  half  an  hour  eighty  of  their 
comrades  dropped  by  their  sides.    How  different  from  the  Arkansas 
regiment,  which  were  ordered  to  the  plateau,  but  after  delivering 
their  first  volley  gave  way  and  dispersed. 

SADDEST   EVENT   OF    THE   BATTLE. 

But  now  we  have  to  relate  the  saddest,  and,  for  Illinois,  the  most 
tnournful,  event  of  that  battle-worn  day.  We  take  the  account 
from  Colton's  History  of  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  "As  the  enemy 
on  our  left  was  moving  in  retreat  along  the  head  of  the  Plateau,' 
our  artillery  was  advanced  until  within  range,  and.  opened  a  heavy 
fire  upon  him,  while  Cols.  Hardin,  Bissell  and  McKee,  with  their 
Illinois  and  Kentucky  troops,  dashed  gallantly  forward  in  hot  pur- 
suit. A  powerful  reserve  of  the  Mexican  army  was  then  just 
emerging  from  the  ravine,  where  it  had  been  organized,  and 
advanced  on  the  plateau,  opposite  the  head  of  the  southernmost 
gorge.  Those  who  were  giving  way  rallied  quickly  upon  it;  when 
the  whole  force,  thus  increased  to  over  12,000  men,  came  forward 
in  a  perfect  blaze  of  fire.  It  was  a  single  column,  composed  of  the 
best  soldiers  of  the  republic,  having  for  its  advanced  battalions  the 


SCENE  ON  FOX  RIVEE. 


HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS.  123- 

veteran  regiments.  The  Kentucky  and  Illinois  troops  were  soon 
obliged  to  give  ground  before  it  and  seek  the  shelter  of  the  second 
gorge.  The  enemy  pressed  on,  arriving  opposite  the  head  of  the 
second  gorge.  One-half  of  the  column  suddenly  enveloped  it,  while 
the  other  half  pressed  on  across  the  plateau,  having  for  the  moment 
nothing  to  resist  them  but  the  three  guns  in  their  front.  The  por- 
tion that  was  immediately  opposed  to  the  Kentucky  and  lUinois^ 
troops,  ran  down  along  each  side  of  the  gorge,  in  which  they  had 
sought  shelter,  and  also  circled  around  its  head,  leaving  no  possible 
way  of  escape  for  them  except  by  its  mouth,  which  opened 
upon  the  road.  Its  sides,  which  were  steep, — at  least  an  angle  of 
4r5  degrees, — were  covered  with  loose  pebbles  and  stones,  and  con- 
verged to  a  point  at  the  bottom.  Down  there  were  our  poor  fel- 
lows, nearly  three  regiments  of  them  (1st  and  2d  Illinois  and  2d 
Kentucky),  with  but  little  opportunity  to  load  or  fire  a  gun,  being 
hardly  able  to  keep  their  feet.  Above  the  whole  edge  of  the 
gorge,  all  the  way  around,  was  darkened  by  the  serried  masses  of 
the  enemy,  and  was  bristling  with  muskets  directed  on  the  crowd 
beneath.  It  was  no  time  to  pause.  Those  who  were  not  immedi- 
ately shot  down  rushed  on  toward  the  road,  their  number  growing 
less  and  less  as  theywent,  Kentuckians  and  Illinoisans,  officers  and 
men,  all  mixed  up  in  confusion,  and  all  pressing  on  over  the  loose 
pebbles  and  rolling  stones  of  those  shelving,  precipitous  banks, 
and  having  lines  and  lines  of  the  enemy  firing  down  from  each 
side  and  rear  as  they  went.  Just  then  the  enemy's  cavalry,  which 
had  gone  to  the  left  of  the  reserve,  had  come  over  the  spur  that 
divides  the  mouth  of  the  second  gorge  from  that  of  the  third,  and 
were  now  closing  up  the  only  door  through  which  there  was  the 
least  shadow  of  a  chance  for  their  lives.  Many  of  those  ahead 
endeavored  to  force  their  way  out,  but  few  succeeded.  The  lancers 
were  fully  six  to  one,  and  their  long  weapons  were  already  reeking^ 
with  blood.  It  was  at  this  time  that  those  who  weris  still  Lack  in 
that  dreadful  gorge  heard,  above  the  din  of  the  musketry  and  the 
shouts  of  the  enemy  around  them,  the  roar  of  Washington's  Bat- 
tery, No  music  could  have  been  more  grateful  to  their  eai-s.  A 
moment  only,  and  the  whole  opening,  where  the  lancers  were  bcsy, 
rang  with  the  repeated  explosions  of  spherical-case  shot.  They 
gave  way.  The  gate,  as  it  were,  was  clear,  and  out  upon  the  road 
a  stream   of  our  poor   fellows  issued.     They  ran   panting   down 


124  HI8T0ET    OF    ILLINOIS. 

toward  the  battery,  and  directly  under  the  flght  of  iron  then  pas- 
sing over  their  heads,  into  the  retreatins;  cavalry.  Hardin,  McKee, 
Clay,  Willis,  Zabriskie,  Hoaghton — but  why  go  on?  It  would  be 
a  sad  task  indeed  to  name  over  all  who  fell  during  this  twenty 
minutes'  slaughter.  The  whole  gorge,  from  the  plateau  to  its 
mouth,  was  strewed  with  our  dead;  All  dead!  J^o  wounded  there 
- — not  a  man;  for  the  infantry  had  rushed  down  the  sides  and  com- 
pleted the  work  with  the  bayonet." 

VICTOEY   FOE    OTTE    AEMY. 

The  artillery  on  the  plateau  stubbornly  maintained  its  position, 
The  remnants  of  the  1st  and  2d  Illinois  regiments,  after  issuing 
from  the  fated  gorge,  were  formed  and  again  brought  into  action, 
the  former,  after  the  fall  of  the  noble  Hardin,  under  Lieut.  Col. 
Weatherford,  the  latter  under  Bissell.  The  enemy  brought  forth 
reinforcements  and  a  brisk  artillery  duel  was  kept  up;  but  gradually, 
as  the  shades  of  night  began  to  cover  the  earth,  the  i  rattle  of  mus- 
ketry slackened,  and  when  the  pall  of  night  was  thrown  over  that 
bloody  field  it  ceased  altogether.  Each  army,  after  the  fierce  and 
long  struggle,  occupied  much  the  same  position  as  it  did  in  the 
morning.  However,  early  on  the  following  morning,  the  glad 
tidings  were  heralded  amidst  our  army  that  the  enemy  had  retreated, 
thus  again  crowning  the  American  banners  with  victory. 

OTHER  HOJSrOEED  NAMES  OF  THIS  WAE.~ 

Other  bright  names  from  Illinois  that  shine  as  stars  in  thisi 
war  are  those  of  Shields,  Baker,  Harris  and  Coflfee,  which  are 
indissolubly  connected  with  the  glorious  capture  of  Vera  Cruz 
and  the.  not  less  famous  storming  of  Cerro  Gordo.  In  this  latter 
action,  when,  after  the  valiant  Gen.  Shields  had  been  placed  hors 
de  comhat,  the  command  of  his  force,  consisting  of  three  regiments, 
devoled  upon  Col.  Baker.  This  ofiicer,  with  his  men,  stormed  with 
unheard-of  prowess  the  last  stronghold  of  the  Mexicans,  sweeping 
everything  before  them.  Such  indeed  were  the  intrepid  valor  and 
daring  courage  exhibited  by  Illinois  volunteers  during  the  Mexican 
war  that  their  deeds  should  live  in  the  memory  of  their  countrymen 
until  those  latest  times  .when  the  very  name  of  America  shall  have 
been  forgotten. 


125 
TliE   WAE  FOE  THE   UNION. 

Oa  the  fourth  day  of  March,  1861,  after  the  most  exciting  and 
momentous  political  campaign  known  in  the  history  of  this  country, 
Abraham  Lincoln — America's  martyred  President — was  inaiTgu- 
rated  Chief  Magistrate  of  the  United  States.  This  fierce  contest 
was  principally  sectional,  and  as  the  announcement  was  flashed  over 
the  telegraph  wires  that  the  Republican  Presidential  candidate  had 
been  elected,  it  was  hailed  by  the  South  as  a  justifiable  pretext  for 
dissolving  the  Union.  Said  Jefferson  Davis  in  a  speech  at  Jackson, 
Miss.,  prior  to  the  election,  "If  an  abolitionist  be  chosen  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  you  will  have  presented  to  you  the 
question  whether  you  will  permit  the  government  to  pass  into 
the  hands  of  your  avowed  and  implacable  enemies.  Without 
pausing  for  an  answer,  I  will  state  my  own,  position,  to  be  that 
such  a  result  would  be  a  species  of  revolution  by  which  the 
purpose  of  the  Government  would  be  destroyed,  and  the  obser- 
vances of  its  mere  forms  entitled  to  no  respect.  In  that  event, 
in  such  manner  as  should  be  most  expedient,  I  should  deem  it 
your  duty  to  provide  for  your  safety  outside  of  tlie  Union."  Said 
another  Southern  politician,  when  speaking  on  the  same  sub- 
ject, "We  shall  fire  the  Southern  heart,  instruct  the  Southern 
mind,  give  courage  to  each,  and  at  the  proper  moment,  by  one 
organized,  concerted  action,  we  can  precipitate  the  Cotton  States 
into  a  revolution."  To  disrupt  the  Union  and  form  a  government 
which  recognized  the  ab'solute  supremacy  of  the  white  population 
and  the  perpetual  bondage  of  the  black  was  what  they  deemed 
freedom  from  the  galling  yoke  of  a  Republican  administration. 

ABEAHAM  LINCOLN  DID  NOT  SEEK  THE  PEE8IDENCY. 

Hon.  E.  W.  Miles,  of  Knox  county,  sat  on  the  floor  by  the  side 
'  of  Abraham  Lincoln  in  the  Library-room  of  the  Capi|;ol,  in  Spring- 
field, at  the  secret  caucus  meeting,  held  in  January,  1859,  when 
Mr.  Lincoln's  name  was  first  spoken  of  in  caucus  as  candidate  ibr 
President.  When  a  gentleman,  in  making  a  short  speech,  said, 
"  We  are  going  to  bring  Abraham  Lincoln  out  as  a  candidate  for 
President,"  Mr.  Lincoln  at  once  arose  to  his  feet,  and  exclaimed, 
"For  God's  sake,  let  me  alone!  I  have  suffered  enough!"  This 
was  soon  after  he  had  been  defeated  in  the  Legislature  for  United 
States  Senate    by  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  and  only  those  who    are 


126  HIBTOET    OF    ILLINOIS. 

intimate  with  that  important  and  unparalleled  contest  can  appre- 
ciate the  full  force  and  meaning  of  these  expressive  words  of  the  , 
martyred  President.  They  were  spontaneous,  and  prove  beyond  a 
shadow  of  doubt  that  Abraham  Lincoln  did  not  seek  the  high  posi- 
tion of  President.  Nor  did  he  use  any  trickery  or  chicanery  to 
obtain  it.  But  his  expressed  wish  was  not  to  be  complied  with"; 
our  beloved  country  needed  a  savior  and  a  martyr,  and  Fate  had 
decreed  that  he  should  be  tJie  victim.  After  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
elected  President,  Mr.  Miles  sent  him  an  eagle's  quill,  with  which 
the  chief  magistrate  wrote  his  first  inaugural  address.  The  letter 
written  by  Mr.  Miles  to  the  President,  and  sent  with  the  quill, 
which  was  two  feet  in  length,  is  such  a  jewel  of  eloquence  and 
prophecy  that  it  should  be  given  a  place  in  history: 

Pebsiper,  December  31, 1860. 
Hon.  a.  Lincoln  : 

Dear  Sir  :— Please  accept  the  eagle  quill  I  promised  you,  by  the  hand  of  our 
Representative,  A.  A.  Smith.  The  bird  from  whose  wing  the  quill  was  taken,  was 
shot  by  John  F.  Dillon,  in  Persifer  township,  Knox  Co.,  Ills.,  in  Feb.,  1857  Hav- 
ing heard  that  James  Buchanan  was  furnished  with  an  eagle  quill  to  write  his 
Inaugural  with,  and  believing  that  in  1860,  a  Republican  would  be  elected  to  take 
his  place,  I  determined  to  save  this  quill  and  present  it  to  the  fortunate  man,  who- 
ever he  might  be.  Reports  tell  us  that  the  bird  which  furnished  Buchanan's  quill 
was  a  captured  bird,— lit  emblem  of  the  man  that  used  it ;  but  the  bird  from  , 
which  this  quill  was  taken,  yielded  the  quill  only  with  his  life, — fit  emblem  of  the 
man  who  is  expected  to  use  it,  for  true  Republicans  believe  that  you  would  not 
think  life  worth  the  keeping  after  the  surrender  of  principle.  Great  difficulties 
surround  you  ;  traitors  to  their  country  have  threatened  your  life  ;  and  should 
you  be  called  upon  to  surrender  it  at  the  post  of  duty,  your  memory  will  live  for- 
ever in  the  heart  of  every  freeman  ;  and  that  is  a  grander  monument  than  can  be 
built  of  brick  or  marble. 


"For  if  hearts  may  not  our  memories  keep, 
Oblivion  liaete  each  vestige  sweep. 
And  let  onr  memories  end." 

Youra  Truly, 


R.  W.  Miles. 


STATES    SECEDING. 


At  the  time  of  President  Lincoln's  accession  to  power,  several 
members  of  the  Union  claimed  they  had  withdrawn  from  it,  and 
styling  themselves  the  "  Confederate  States  of  America,"  organ- 
ized a  sefiarate  government.  The  house  was  indeed  divided 
against  itself,  but  it  should  not  fall,  nor  should  it  long  continue 
divided,  was  the  hearty,  determined  response  of  every  loyal  heart 
in  the  nation.  The  accursed  institution  of  human  slavery  was 
the  primary  cause  for  this  dissolution  of  the  American  Union. 
Doubtless  other  agencies  served  to  intensify  the  hostile  feel-: 
ings  which  existed  between  the  ISTorthern  and  Southern  portions 


HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS.  127 

of  our  country,  but  their  remote  origin  could  be  traced  to  this  great 
national  evil.;  Had  Lincoln's  predecessor  put  forth  a  timely,  ener- 
getic effort,  he  mighty  have  prevented  the  bloody  war  our  nation 
was  called  to  pass  through.  On  the  other  hand  every  aid  was  given 
the  rebels ;  every  advantage  and  all  the  power  of  the  Government 
was  placed  at  their  disposal,  and  when  Illinois'  honest  son  took  the 
reins  of  the  Eepublic  he  found  Buchanan  had  been  a  traitor  to  his 
trust,  and  given  over  to  the  South  all  available  means  of  war. 

THE  FALL  OF  SUMTEK. 

On  the  12th  day  of  April,  1861,  the  rebels,  who  for  weeks  had 
been  erecting  their  batteries  upon  the  shore,  after  demanding  of 
Major  Anderson  a  surrender,  opened  fire  upon  Fort  Sumter.      For 
thirty- four  hours  an  incessant  cannonading  was  continued;  the  fort 
was  being  seriously  injured;  provisions  were  almost  gone,  and  Major 
Anderson  was  compelled  to  haul  down  the  stars  and  stripes.     That 
dear  old  flag  which  had    seldom  been  lowered  to  a  foreign  foe  by 
rebel  hands  was  now  trailed  in  the  dust.     The  first  blow  of  the 
terrible  conflict  which  summoned  vast  armies  into  the  field,  and 
moistened  the  soil  of  a  nation  in  fraternal  blood  and  tears,  had 
been  struck.     Tlie  gauntlet  thus  thrown  down  by  the  attack  on 
Sumter  by  the  traitors  of  the  South  was  accepted — not,  however, 
in  the  spirit  with  which  insolence  meets  insolence— but  witli  a  firm, 
determined  spirit  of  patriotism  and  love  of  country.     The  duty  of 
the  President  was  plain  under  the  constitution  and  the  laws,  and 
above  and  beyond  all,  the  people  from  whom  all  political  power  ia 
derived,  demanded  the  suppression  of  the  Rebellion,  and  stood  ready 
to  sustain   the   authority   of  their  representative   and   executive 
officers.     Promptly  did  the  new  President  issue  a  procJamation 
calling  for  his  countrymen  to  join  with  him  to  defend  their  homes 
and  their  country,  and  vindicate  her  honor.     This  call  was  made 
April  14,  two  days  after  Sumter  was  first  fired  upon,  and  was  for 
75,000   men.     On   the  15th,  the  same  day  he  was  notified,  Gov. 
Yates  issued  his  proclamation  convening  the  Legislature.     He  also 
ordered  the  organization  of  six  regiments.     Troops  were  in  abund- 
ance, and  the  call  was  no   sooner   made   than  filled.     Patriotism 
thrilled  and  vibrated  and  pulsated  through  every  heart.     The  farm, 
the  workshop,  the  office,  the  pulpit,  the  bar,  the  bench,  the  college, 
the  school-house, — every  calling  offered  its  best  men,  their  lives  and 
their  fortunes,  in  defense  of  the  Government's  honor  and  unity. 


128  HISTORV    OF    ILLINOIS. 

Bitter  words  spoken  in  moments  of  political  heat  were  forgotten 
and  forgiven,  and  joining  hands  in  a  common  cause,  they  repeated 
'the  oath  of  America's  soldier-statesman :  "  By  the  Great  Eternal, 
the  Union  must  and  shall  ie  preserved."  The  honor,  the  very 
life  and  glory  of  the  nation  was  committed  to  the  stern  arbitrament 
of  the  sword,  and  soon  the  tramp  of  armed  men,  the  clash  of 
musketry  and  the  heavy  boom  of  artillery  reverberated  throughout 
the  continent;  rivers  of  blood  saddened  by  tears  of  mothers,  wives, 
sisters,  daughters  and  sweethearts  flowed  from  the  lakes  to  the 
gulf,  but  a  nation  was  saved.  The  sacrifice  was  great,  but  the 
Dnion  was  preserved. 

CALL  FOK  TEOOPS  PEOMPTLT  ANSWEEBD. 

Simultaneously  with  the  call  for  troops  by  the  President,  enlist- 
ments commenced  in  this  State,  and  within  ten  days  10,000 
volunteers  offered  service,  and  the  sum  of  $1,000,000  was  tendered 
by  patriotic  citizens.  Of  the  volunteers  who  offered  their  services, 
onl}^  six  regiments  could  be  accepted  under  the  quota  of  the  State. 
Bat  the  time  soon  came  v/hen  there  was  a  place  and  a  musket  for 
every  man.  The  six  regiments  raised  were  designated  by  numbers 
commencing  with  seven,  as  a  mark  of  respect  for  the  six  regiments 
which  had  served  in  the  Mexican  war.  Another  call  was  antici- 
pated, and  the  Legislature  authorized  ten  additional  regiments  to 
be  organized.  Over  two  hundred  companies  were  immediately 
raised  from  which  were  selected  the  required  number.  E^o  sooner 
was  this  done  than  the  President  made  another  call  for  troops,  six 
regiments  were  again  our  proportion,  although  by  earnest  solicita- 
tion the  remaining  four  were  accepted.  There  were  a  large  number 
of  men  with  a  patriotic  desire  to  enter  the  service  who  were  denied 
this  privilege.  Many  of  them  wept,  while  others  joined  regiments 
from  other  States.  In  May,  June  and  July  seventeen  regiments 
of  infantry  and  five  of  cavalry  were  raised,  and  in  the  latter  month, 
when  the  President  issued  his  first  call  for  500,000  volunteers, 
Illinois  tendered  thirteen  regiments  of  infantry  and  three  of  cavalry, 
and  so  anxious  were  her  sons  to  have  the  Rebellion  crushed  that 
the  number  could  have  been  increased  by  thousands.  At  the 
close  of  1861  Illinois  had  sent  to  the  field  nearly  50,000  men,  and 
liad  17,000  in  camp  awaiting  marching  orders,  thus  exceeding  her 
fall  quota  by  15,000. 


HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS.  129 

A   VAST   AEMY    RAISED    IN   ELEVEN   DATS. 

la  July  and  August  of  1862  the  President  called  for  600,000 
men — our  quota  of  which  was  52,296 — and  gave  until  August  18  as 
the  limits  in  which  the  number  might  be  raised  by  volunteering, 
after  which  a  draft  would  be  ordered.  The  State  had  already  fur- 
nished 17,000  in  excess  of  her  quota,  and  it  was  first  thought  this 
number  would  be  deducted  from  the  present  requisition,  but  that 
could  not  be  done.  But  thirteen  days  were  granted  to  enlist  this 
vast  army,  which  had  to  come  from  the  farmers  and  mechanics. 
The  former  were  in  the  midst  of  harvest,  but,  inspired  by  love  of 
country,  over  60,000  of  them  left  their  harvests  ungathered,  their 
tools  and  their  benches,  the  plows  in  their  furrows,  turning  their 
backs  ou  their  homes,  and  before  eleven  days  had  expired  the 
demands  of  the  Government  were  met  and  both  quotas  filled. 

The  war  went  on,  and  call  followed  call,  until  it  began  to  look  as 
if  there  would  not  be  men  enongh  in  all  the  Free  States  to  crush 
out  and  subdue  the  monstrous  war  traitors  had  inaugurated.  But 
to  every  call  for  either  men  or  money  there  was  a  willing  and  ready 
response.  And  it  is  a  boast  of  the  people  that,  had  the  supply  of 
men  fallen  short,  there  were  women  brave  enough,  daring  enough, 
patriotic  enough,  to  have  offered  themselves  as  sacrifices  on  their 
country's  altar.  On  the  21st  of  December,  1864:,  the  last  call  for 
troops  was  made.  It  was  for  300,000.  In  consequence  of  an  im  • 
perfect  enrollment  of  the  men  subject  to  military  duty,  it  became 
evident,  ere  this  call  was  made,  that  Illinois  was  furnishing  thous- 
ands of  men  more  than  what  her  quota  would  have  been,  had  it 
been  correct.  So  glaring  had  this  disproportion  become,  that 
under  this  call  the  quota  of  some  districts  exceeded  the  number  of 
able-bodied  men  in  them. 

A   GENERAL    SUMMARY. 

Following  this  sketch  we  give  a  schedule  of  all  the  volunteer 
,  troops  organized  from  this  State,  from  the  commencement  to  the 
close  of  the  war.  It  is  taken  from  the  Adjutant  General's  report. 
The  number  of  the  regiment,  name  of  original  Colonel,  call  under 
which  recruited,  date  of  organization  and  muster  into  the  United 
States'  service,  place  of  muster,  and  aggregate  strength  of  each 
organization,  from  which  we  fitid  that  Illinois  put  into  her  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty  regiments  256,000  men,  and  into  the  United  States 


130  HISTOEY    OF   ILLINOIS. 

army,  through  other  States,  enough  to  swell  the  number  to  290,000^ 
This  far  exceeds  all  the  soldiers  of  the  Federal  Government  in  all 
the  war  of  the  Revolution.     Her  total  years  of  service  were  over 
600,000.     She  enrolled  men  from  eighteen  to  forty-five  years  of  age,, 
when  the  law  of  Congress  in  1864 — the  test  time — only  asked  for 
those  from  twenty  to  forty-five.     Her  enrollments  were  otherwise 
excessive.      Her  people  wanted  to  go,  and  did  not  take  the  pains  to 
correct  the  enrollment;   thus  the  basis  of  fixing  the  quota  was  too 
great,  and  the  quota  itself,  at  least  in  the  trying  time,  was  far  above 
any  other  State.     The  demand  on  some  counties,  as   Monroe,  for 
example,  took  every  able-bodied  man  in  the  county,  and  then  did 
not  have  enough  to  fill  the  quota.     Moreover,  Illinois  sent  20,844 
men  for  one  hundred  days,  for  whom  no  credit  was  asked.     She 
gave  to  the  country  73,000  years  of  service  above  all  calls.     With 
one-thirteenth  of  the  population  of  the  loyal  States,  she  sent  regu- 
larly one-tenth  of  all  the  soldiers,  and  in  the  perils  of  the  closing 
calls,  when  patriots  were  few  and  weary,  she  sent  one-eighth  of  all 
that  were  called  for  by  her  loved  and  honored  son  in  the  "White 
House.     Of  the  brave  boys  Illinois  sent  to  the  front,  there  were 
killed  in  action,  5,888;   died  of  wounds,  3,032 ;   of  disease,  19,496; 
in  prison,  967;  lost  at  sea,  205;  aggregate,  29,588.    As  upon  every 
field  and  upon  every  page  of  the  history  of  this  war,  Illinois  bore 
her  part  of  the  suffering  in  the  prison-pens  of  the  South.     More 
than  800  names  make  up  the  awful  column  of  Illinois'  brave  sons 
who  died   in   the  rebel  prison  of  Andersonville,  Gra.      Who  can 
measure  or  imagine  the  atrocities  which  would  be  laid  before  the 
world  were  the  panorama  of  sufferings  and  terrible  trials  of  these 
gallant  men  but  half  unfolded  to  view?     But  this  can  never  be 
done  until  new  words  of  horror  are  invented,  and  new  arts  dis- 
covered by  which  demoniacal  fiendishness  can  be  portrayed,  and 
the  intensest  anguish  of  the  human  soul  in  ten  thousand  forms  be 
painted. 

No  troops  ever  fought  more  heroically,  stubbornly,  and  with  bet- 
ter effect,  than  did  the  boys  from  the  "Prairie  State."  At  Pea 
Kidge,  Donelson,  Pittsburg  Landing,  luka,  Corinth,  Stone  Elver, 
Holly  Springs,  Jackson,  Yicksburg,  Chicamauga,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, Murfreesboro,  Atlanta,  Franklin,  Nashville,  Chattanooga,  and 
on  every  other  field  where  the  clash  of  arms  was  heard,  her  eons 
were  foremost. 


HISTORY  OF   ILLINOIS.  131 

CAPTUEE    OF   THE   ST.    LOUIS   ARSENAL. 

Illinois  was  almost  destitute  of  firearms  at  the  beginning  of  the 
conflict,  and  none  could  be  procured  in  the  East.  The  traitorous 
rioyd  had  turned  over  to-  the  South  300,000  arms,  leaving  most 
■arsenals  in  the  North  empty.  Grov.  Yates,  however,  received  an 
order  on  the  St.  Louis  arsenal  for  10,000  muskets,  which  he  put  in 
the  hands  of  Captain  Stokes,  of  Chicago.  Several  unsuccessful 
attempts  were  made  by  the  Captain  to  pass  through  the  large  crowd 
of  rebels  which  had  gathered  around  the  arsenal,  suspecting  an 
attempt  to  move  the  arms  would  be  made.  He  at  last  succeeded 
in  gaining  admission  to  the  arsenal,  but  was  informed  by  the  com- 
mander that  the  slightest  attempt  to  move  the  arms  would  be  dis- 
covered and  bring  an  infuriated  mob  upon  the  garrison.  This  fear 
was  well  founded,  for  tlie  following  day  Gov.  Jackson  ordered  2,000 
armed  men  from  Jefferson  City  down  to  capture  the  arsenal.  Capt. 
Stokes  telegraphed  to  Alton  for  a  steamer  to  descend  the  river,  and 
about  midnight  land  opposite  the  arsenal,  and  proceeding  to  the 
same  place  with  700  men  of  the  7th  Illinois,  commenced  loading 
the  vessel.  To  divert  attention  from  his  real  purpose,  he  had  500 
guns  placed  upon  a  different  boat.  As  designed,  this  movement 
was  discovered  by  the  rabble,  and  the  shouts  and  excitement  upon 
their  seizure  drew  most  of  the  crowd  from  the  arsenal.  Capt. 
■Stokes  not  only  took  all  the  guns  his  requisition  called  for,  but 
emptied  the  arsenal.  When  all  was  ready,  and  the  signal  given  to 
start,  it  was  found  that  the  immense  weight  had  bound  the  bow  of 
the  boat  to  a  rock,  but  after  a  few  moments'  delay  the  boat  fell  away 
from  the  shore  and  floated  into  deep  water. 

"Which  way?"  said  Capt.  Mitchell,  of  the  steamer.  "'Straight 
in  the  regular  channel  to  Alton,"  replied  Capt.  Stokes.  "What  if 
we  are  attacked?"  said  Capt.  Mitchell.  "  Then  we  will  fight,"  was 
the  reply  of  Capt.  Stokes.  "What  if  we  are  overpowered?"  said 
Mitchell.  "  Run  the  boat  to  the  deepest  part  of  the  river  and  sink 
her,"  replied  Stokes.  "I'll  do  it,"  was  the  heroic  answer  of 
Mitchell,  and  away  they  went  past  the  secession  battery,  past  the 
St.  Louis  levee,  and  in  the  regular  channel  on  to  Alton.  When 
they  touched  the  landing,  Capt.  Stokes,  fearing  pursuit,  ran  to  the 
market  house  and  rang  the  fire  bell.  The  citizens  came  flocking 
pell-mell  to  the  river,  and  soon  men,  women  and  children  were 
tugging  away  at  that  vessel  load  of  arms,  which  they  soon  had 
■deposited  in  freight  cars  and  oif  to  Springfield. 


133  HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

LIBERALITY    AS   WELL    AS    PATEIOTISM. 

The  people  were  liberal  as  well  as  patriotic;  and  while  the  men 
were  busy  enlisting,  organizing  and  equipping  companies,  the  ladies 
were  no  less  active,  and  the  noble,  generous  work  performed  by 
their  tender,  loving  hands  deserves  mention  along  with  the  bravery,, 
devotion  and  patriotism  of  their  brothers  upon  the  Southern  fields 
of  carnage. 

The  continued  need  of  money  to  obtain  the  comforts  and  neces- 
saries for  the  sick  and  wounded  of  our  army  suggested  to  the  loyal 
women  of  the  North  many  and  various  devices  for  the  raising  of 
funds.  Every  city,  town  and  village  had  its  fair,  festival,  picnic, 
excursion,  concert,  which  netted  more  or  less  to  tlie  cause  of 
hospital  relief,  according  to  the  population  of  the  place  and  the 
amount  of  energy  and  patriotism  displayed  on  such  occasions. 
Especially  was  this  characteristic  of  our  own  fair  State,  and  scarcely 
a  hamlet  within  its  borders  which  did  not  send  something  from  its 
stores  to  hospital  or  battlefield,  and  in  the  larger  towns  and  cities 
were  well -organized  soldiers'  aid  societies,  working  systematically 
and  continuously  from  the  beginning  of  the  war  till  its  close.  The 
great  State  Fair  held  in  Chicago  in  May,  I860,  netted  $250,000. 
Homes  for  traveling  soldiers  were  established  all  over  the  State,  in 
which  were  furnished  lodging  for  600,000  men,  and  meals  valued 
at  $2,600,000.  Food,  clothing,  medicine,  hospital  delicacies, 
reading  matter,  and  thousands  of  other  articles,  were  sent  to  the 
boys  at  the  front. 

MESSAGES    OF   LOVE   AND    ENCOUEAGEMENT. 

Letters,  messages  of  love  and  encouragement,  were  sent  by 
noble  women  from  many  counties  of  the  State  to  encourage  the 
brave  sons  and  brothers  in  the  South.  Below  we  give  a  copy  of  a 
printed  letter  sent  from  Knox  .county  to  the  "boys  in  blue,"  as 
showing  the  feelings  of  the  women  of  the  North.  It  was  headed, 
"  Feom  the  Women  of  Knox  County  to  Theie  Beothees  in  the 
Field."  It  was  a  noble,  soul-inspiring  message,  and  kindled  aiiew 
the  intensest  love  for  home,  country,  and  a  determination  to  crown 
the  stars  and  stripes  with  victory : 

"  You  have  gone  out  from  our  homes,  but  not  from  our  hearts. 
Never  for  one  moment  are  you  forgotten.  Through  weary  inarch 
and  deadly  conflict  our  prayers  liave  ever  followed  you;  your 
sufierings  are  our  sufferings,  your  victories  oar  great  joy. ' 


HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS.  133 

"  If  there  be  one  of  you  who  knows  not  the  dear  home  ties,  for 
whom  no  mother  prays,  no  sister  watches,  to  him  especially  we 
speak.  Let  him  feel  that  thongli  he  may  not  have  one  mother  he 
has  many,'  he  is  the  adopted  child  and  brother  of  all  our  hearts. 
N"ot  one  of  you  is  beyond  the  reach  of  onr  sympathies;  no  picket- 
station  so  lonely  that  it  is  not  enveloped  in  the  halo  of  our 
prayers. 

''  During  all  the  long,  dark  months  since  our  country  called  you 
from  us,  your  courage,  your  patient  endurance,  your  fidelity,  have 
awakened  our  keenest  interest,  and  we  have  longed  to  give  you  an 
expression  of  that  interest. 

"By  the  alacrity  with  which  you  sprang  to  arms,  by  the  valor 
with  which  those  arms  have  been  wielded,  you  have  placed  our 
State  in  the  front  ranks;  yon  have  made  her  worthy  to  be  the  home 
of  our  noble  President.  For  thus  sustaining  the  honor  of  our 
State,  dear  to  us  as  life,  we  thank  you. 

''  Of  your  courage  we  need  not  speak.  Fort  Donelson,  Pea 
Eidge,  Sliiloh,  Stone  River,  Vicksburg,  speak  with  blood-bathed 
lips  of  your  heroism.  The  Army  of  the  Southwest  fights  beneath 
no  defeat-shadowed  banner;  to  it,  under  God,  the  nation  looks  for 
deliverance. 

"  But  we,  as  women,  have  other  cause  for  thanks.  We  will  not 
speak  of  the  debt  we  owe  the  defenders  of  our  Government;  that 
blood-sealed  bond  no  words  can  cancel.  But  wc  are  your  debtors 
in  a  way  not  often  recognized.  You  have  aroused  us  from  the 
aimlessness  into  which  too  many  of  our  lives  had  drifted,  and  have 
infused  into  those  lives  a  noble  pathos.  We  could  not  dream  our 
time  away  while  our  brothers  were  dying  for  us.  Even  your  suffer- 
ings have  worked  together  for  our  good,  by  inciting  us  to  labor  for 
their  alleviation,  thus  giving  us  a  work  worthy  of  our  womanhood. 
Everything  that  we  have  been  permitted  to  do  for  your  comfort 
has  filled  our  lives  so  much  the  fuller  of  all  that  makes  life  valua- 
ble. You  have  thus  been  the  means  of  developing  in  us  a  nobler 
type  of  womanhood  than  without  the  example  of  your  heroism  we 
could  ever  have  attained.  For  this  our  whole  lives,  made  purer 
and  nobler  by  the  discipline,  will  thank  you. 

"This  war  will  leave  none  of  us  as  it  found  us.  We  cannot 
buffet  the  raging  wave  and  escape  all  trace  of  the  salt  sea's  foam. 
Toward    better  or    toward    worse    we    are    hurried    with   fearful 


134  HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

haste.  If  we  at  home  feel  this,  wliat  must  it  be  to  you!  Our 
hearts  throb  with  agony  when  wo  think  of  you  wounded,  suffering, 
dying;  but  the  thought  of  no  physical  pain  touches  us  half  so 
deeply  as  the  thought  of  the  temptations  which  surround  you. 
"We  could  better  give  you  up  to  die  on  the  battle-field,  true  to  your 
God  and  to  your  country,  than  to  have  you  return  to  us  with 
blasted,  blackened  souls.  When  temptations  assail  fiercely,  you 
must  let  the  tliought  that  your  mothers  are  praying  for  strength 
enable  you  to  overcome  them.  But  fighting  for  a  worthy  cause 
worthily  ennobles  one;  herein  is  our  confidence  that  you  will 
return  better  men  than  you  went  away. 

"By  all  that  is  noble  in  your  manhood;  by  all  that  is  true  in 
our  womanhood ;  by  all  that  is  grand  in  patriotism ;  by  all  that  is 
sacred  in  religion,  we  adjure  you  to  be  faithful  to  yourselves,  to  us, 
to  your  country,  and  to  your  God.  Never  were  men  permitted  to 
fight  in  a  cause  more  worthy  of  their  blood.  Were  you  fighting 
for  mere  conquest,  or  glory,  we  could  not  give  yon  up;  but  to  sus- 
tain Si  principle,  the  greatest  to  which  human  lips  have  ever  given 
utterance,  even  your  dear  lives  are  not  too  costly  a  sacrifice.  Let 
that  principle,  the  corner-stone  of  our  independence,  be  crushed, 
and  we  are  all  slaves.  Like  the  Suliote  mothers,  we  might  well 
clasp  our  children  in  our  arms  and  leap  down  to  deatli. 

"To  the  stern  arbitrament  of  the  sword  is  now  committed  the 
honor,  the  very  life  of  this  nation.  Ton  fight  not  for  yourselves 
alone;  the  eyes  of  the  whole  world  are  on  you;  and  if  you  fail  our 
[Nation's  death-wail  will  echo  through  all  coming  ages,  moaning  a 
requiem  over  the  lost  hopes  of  oppressed  humanity.  But  you  will 
not  fail,  so  sure  as  there  is  a  God  in  Heaven.  He  never  meant 
this  richest  argosy  of  the  nations,  freighted  with  the  fears  of  all 
the  world's  tyrants,  with  the  hop.es  of  all  its  oppressed  ones,  to 
flounder  in  darkness  and  death.  Disasters  may  come,  as  they  have 
come,  but  they  will  only  be,  as  they  have  been,  ministers  of  good. 
Each  one  has  led  the  nation  upward  to  a  higher  plane,  from  whence 
it  has  seen  with.a  clearer  eye.  Success  could  not  attend  us  at  the 
West  so  long  as  we  scorned  the  help  of  the  black  hand,  which 
alone  had  power  to  open  the  gate  of  redemption;  the  God  of 
battles  would  not  vouchsafe  a  victory  at  the  East  till  the  very  foot- 
prints of  a  McClellan  were  washed  out  in  blood. 

"But  now  all  things  seem  ready;    we  have  accepted  the  aid  of 


HISTOE^    OF    ILLINOIS.  135 

that  hand;  those  footsteps  are  obliterated.  In  his  own  good  time 
w^  feel  that  God  will  give  us  the  victory.  Till  that  hour  comes  we 
bid  you  fight  on.  Though  we  have  not  attained  that  heroism,  or  ■ 
■decision,  which  enables  us  togweyou  up  without  a  struggle,  which 
can  prevent  our  giving  tears  for  your  Mood,  though  many  of  us 
must  own  our  hearts,  desolate  till  you  return,  still  we  bid  you  stay 
and  fight  for  our  country,  till  from  this  fierce  baptism  of  blood  she 
shall  be  raised  complete;  the  dust  shaken  from  her  garments  puri- 
fied, a  new  Memnon  singing  in  the  great  Godlight." 

sheema.n''s  maech  to  the  sea. 

On  the  15th  of  November,  1864,  after  the  destruction  of  Atlanta, 
and  the  railroads  behind  him,  Sherman,  with  his  army,  began  his 
march  to  the  sea-coast.  The  almost  breathless  anxiety  with  which 
his  progress  was  watched  by  the  loyal  hearts  of  the  nation,  and  the 
trembling  apprehension  with  which  it  was  regarded  by  all  who 
hoped  for  rebel  success,  indicated  this  as  one  of  the  most  remark- 
able events  of  the  war;  and  so  it  proved.  Of  Sherman's  army,  45 
regiments  of  infantry,  three  companies  of  artillery,  and  one  of 
cavalry  were  from  this  State.  Lincoln  answered  all  rumors  of 
Sherman's  defeat  with,  "It  is  impossible;  there  is  a  mighty  sight 
of  fight  in  100,000  "Western  men."  Illinois  soldiers  brought  home 
300  battle  flags.  The  first  United  States  flag  that  floated  over 
Richmond  was  an  Illinois  flag.  She  sent  messengers  and  nurses  to 
every  field  and  hospital  to  care  for  her  sick  and  wounded  sous. 

Illinois  gave  the  country  the  great  general  of  the  war,  U.  S. 
^rant. 

CHAEACTEE    OF   ABEAHAM    LINCOLN. 

One  other  name  from  Illinois  comes  up  in  all  minds,  embalmed 
in  all  hearts,  that  must  have  the  supreme  place  in  this  sketcli  of 
our  glory  and  of  our  nation's  [^honor:  that  name  is  Abraham 
Lincoln.  The  analysis  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  character  is  difficult  on 
account  of  its  symmetry.  In  this  age  we  look  with  admiration  at 
his  uncompromising  honesty;  and  well  we  may,  for  this  saved  us. 
Thousands  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  our  country,  who 
knew  him  only  as  "Honest  Old  Abe,"  voted  for  him  on  that 
account;  and  wisely  did  they  choose,  for  no  other  man  could  have 
carried  us  through  the  fearful  night  of  war.  When  his  plans  were 
too  vast  for  our  comprehension,  and  his  faith  in  the  cause  too  sub- 


136  UISTOEY    VF    ILLINUIS. 

lime  for  our  participation;  when  it  was  all  night  about  us, 'and  all 
dread  before  us,  and  all  sad  and  desolate  behind  us;  when  not  one 
ray  shone  upon  our  cause;  when  traitors  were  haughty  and  exult- 
ant at  the  South,  and  fierce  and  blasphemous  at  the  North ;  when 
the  loyal  men  seemed  almost  in  the  minority ;  when  the  stoutest 
heart  quailed,  the  bravest  cheek  paled ;   when  generals  were  defeat- 
ing each  other  for  place,  and  contractois  \^ere  leeching  out  the  very 
heart's  blood  of  the  republic;  when  everything  else  had  failed  us, 
we  looked  at  this  calm-,  patient  man  standing  like  a  rock  in  the 
storm,  and  said,  "  Mr.  Lincoln  is  honest,  and  we  can  trust  him  still." 
Holding  to  this  single  point  with  the  energy  of  faith  and  despair, 
we  held  together,  and  under  God  he  brought  us  through  to  victory. 
His  practical  wisdom  made  him   the  wonder  of  all  lands.     With 
such   certainty   did   Mr.  Lincoln  follow  causes  to  their  ultimate 
effects,  that  his  foresight  of  contingencies  seemed  almost  prophetic. 
He  is  radiant  with  all  the  great  virtues,  and  his  memory  will  shed 
a  glory  upon  this  age  that  will  fill  the  eyes  of  men  as  they  look 
into  history.     Other  men  have  excelled  him  in   some  points;  but, 
taken  at  all  points,  he  stands  head  and  shouldei'S  above  every  otlier 
man  of  6,000  years.     An  administrator,  he  saved  the  nation  in  the 
perils  of   unparalleled   civil  war;     a   statesman,   he  justified  his 
measures  by  their  success;  a  philanthropist,  he  gave  liberty  to  one 
race  and  salvation  to  another;  a  moralist,  he  bowed  from  the  sum- 
mit of  human  power  to  the  foot  of  the  cross;  a  mediator,  he  exer- 
cised mercy  under  the  most  absolute   obedience   to  law;  a  leader, 
he  was  no  partisan;  a  commander,  he  was  untainted  with  blood;  a 
ruler  in  desperate  times,  he  was  unsullied  with  crime;  a  man,  lie 
has  left  no  word  of  passion,  no  thought  of  malice,  no  trick  of  craft, 
no  act  of  jealousy,  no  purpose  of  selfish  ambition.     Thus  perfected, 
without  a  model  and  without  a  peer,  he  was  dropped  into  tliese 
troubled" years  to  adorn  and  embellish  all  that' is  good  and  all  that 
is  great  in  our  humanity,  and  to  present  to  all  coming  time  the 
representative  of  the  divine  idea  of  free  government.     It  is  not 
too  much  to  say  that  away  down  in  the  future,  when  the  republic 
has  fallen  from  its  niche  in  the  wall  of  time;    when  the  great  war 
itself   shall  h/ive  faded  out   in    the   distance  like  a  mist  on  the 
horizon ;  when  the  Anglo-Saxon  shall  be  spoken  only  by  the  tongue 
of  the  stranger,  then  the  generations  looking  this  way  shall  see 
the  great  President  as  the  supreme  figure  in  this  vortex  of  history. 


HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


13T 


THE   WAE    ENDED— THE   UNION    KESTOEED. 

The  rebellion  was  ended  with  the  surrender  of  Lee  and  his  army, 
and  Johnson  and  his  command  in  April,  1865.  Onr  armies  at  the 
time  were  up  to  their  maximum  strength,  never  so  formidable, 
never  so  invincible;  and,  until  recruiting  ceased  by  order  of  Sec- 
retary Stanton,  were  daily  strengthening.     The  necessity,  however,. 


LINCOLN  MONUMENT  AT  SPRINGFIELD. 

for  so  vast  and  formidable  numbers  ceased  with  the  disbanding  of 
the  febel  forces,  which  had  for  more  than  four  years  disputed  the 
supremacy  of  the  Government  over  its  domain.  And  now  the 
joyful  and  welcome  news  was  to  be  borne  to  the  victorious  legions 
that  their  work  was  ended  in  triumph,  and  they  were  to  be  per- 
mitted "to  see  homes  and  friends  once  more." 


138 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


Schedule— Showing  statement  of  volunteer  troops  organized  within  the  State,  and  sent  to  the 
field,  commencing  A^ril,  1861,  and  ending  December  31,  18t)5,  with  number  of  regiment,  name 
of  original  commanding  officer,  date  of  organization  and  muster  into  United  States'  service, 
place  of  muster,  and  the  aggregate  strength  of  each  organization. 

INFANTRY. 


as 

35 

36 

27 

3S 

29 

SO. 

31' 

33 

33 

34 

35 

36 

37 

.38 

39 

40 

41 

42 

43 

44 

45 

46 

47 

■J' 

49 

.-)U 

.')1 

.'53 

.-)3 

-54 

56 

.66 

5 

E8 

5!? 

M 

61 

■62 

03 

64 

«5 


Commanding  officer  at  organiza- 
tion. 


Col.  John  Cook 

"    Kichard  J.  Oglesby. . 

"    Eleazer  A.  Paine 

"    Jas.  D.  Morgan 

"    W.  H.L.Wallace... 

"    John  McArthur 

"    John  B.  Wyman 

*'    John  M.  Palmer 

"    Thos.  J.Turner 

"    KobertF.  Smith.... 

"    Leonard  F.  Eoes 

"    Michael  K.  Lawler . . . 

"    John  B.  Turchin 

"    Chas.  C.  Marsh 

"    Ulysses  S.  Grant 

^'    Henry  Dougherty — 

"    Jas.  A.  Mulligan. .. . 

"    Frederick  Hecker. . . 

"    Wm.  N.  Color 

"    JohnM.  Loomis 

"    Nap.  B.  Buford 

''    A.K.Johnson 

'*    Jas.  S.  Rearden 

'■    Philip  B.  Fouke 

"    John  A.  Logan 

"    John  Logan 

"    Chas.  B.Hovey 

"    Edward  N.  Kirk 

"    Gus.  A.  Smith 

"    Nich.  Greusel 

"    Julius  White 

"    Wm.  P.  Carlin 

"    Austin  Lio'ht 

"    Steph.  G.  Hicks 

"    Isaac  O.Pugh 

"    Wm.A.Webb 

"    Julius  Eaith 

"    Chas.  Noblesdorff .. . 

"    John  E.  Smith 

^^    John  A.  Davis. .  >i . . . 

"    JohnBryner 

"    Isham  N.  Haynie — 

"    Wm.  R.Morrison... 

"  'Moses  M.  Bane 

'•    G.  W.  Gumming 

'*    Isaac  G.  Wilson 

•'    W.  H.  W.  Cushmau. 

■>    Thos.  W.  Hams 

"    David  Stuart 

''    Robert  Kirkham 

'     Silas  D.  Baldwin 

•■    Wm.  F.  Lvnch 

•'    P.  SidneyPost 

"    Silas  C.  Toler 

"    Jacob  Fry 

"    James  M.  True 

''    Franc's  ATora 

Lt.  Col.  D.  D.  Williams... 

Col.  Daniel  Cameron  

Patrick  E.  Burke 

Resell  M.  Hough. ... 
6P     ••'    Ellas  Stuart 

69  "    Jos.  H.  Tucker 

70  "    O  T.Reeves 

Yll    '■    Othniol  Gilbert 


Date  of  organization  and 
muster  into  the  United 
States  service. 


July  2.5,  1861. 


May  24,  1861. 
May  25,  1861. 
May  24,  1861. 


May  28,  1861., 


June  13,  1861.. 
June  15, 1861.. 
June  25, 1861. . 
June  18, 1861. . 
July  8,    1861.. 


Oct.  31,1861. 


Aug.  3, 1861  . . 
July  27,  1861.. 
Sept.  30, 1861.. 
Sept.  8, 1861.. 
Deo.  31,  1861. 
Aug.  15,1861.. 
Sept.  7,  18S1.. 


Sept.  23, 1861 

Sept.  18, 1301 

Aug.  16, 1861 .     . . 
December,  1861... 

Aug.  10,1861 

Aug,  9, 1861 

Sept.  17,1861 

Dec.  16,1881 

Sept.  13,  1861 

Dec.  2f),  1-61 

Dec.  28. 1861 

Oct.  1,1861 

Nov.  18, 1861 

Dec.  31,  1861 

Sept.  12,  1861 

Dec.  '61,  Feb.  '62.. 

Nov.  19, 1861 

March.  1863 

Feb.  18.1863 

Oct.  31,1861 

Feb.  27,  1862 

Dec.  26,  1861 

Dec.  24,  1361 

August,  1861 

Feb.  17, 1863 

March  7,1862.... 
April  10,1862 


Dec.  31, 1862. . 
.May  15,  1862.. 
April.  1863.... 
Juno  13,  1862.. 
June  20,  1862. , 
June  14,  1862. , 
July  4,  1862... 
Jul V  36,  1862.. 


Place  where  mustered 
into  the  United  State: 
service. 


Cairo,  Illinois. 


Dixon 

Jacksonville . 

Freeport 

Quincy 

Peoria 

Anna 


Joliet .... 
Mattoon... 
Belleville. 
Chicago. . . 
Chicago... 


Camp  But'er... 


Tamp  Butler. . 
Camp  Butler.. 
Camp  Butler.. 
Camp  Butler. , 
Camp  Butler. . 
Camp  Butler. 
Camp  Butler. . 


.\urora 

Chicago 

Camp  Butler 

Chicago 

"'alem 

Decatur 

Chicago 

Camp  Butler 

Chicago 

Galena 

Camp  Butler 

Peoria 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Butler.  . .   . 

Quincy 

Camp  Douglas.   .. 

Geneva 

Ottawa 

Anna .■-... 

Camp  Douglas  . . . 

Shawnoetown 

Camp  Douglae. . 
Camp  Douglas  . . . 
St.  Lotiia,  Mo. .:.. 

Anna 

Carrollton 

Anna 

Anna 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Douglas 

St.  Louis,  Mo 

Camp  Douglas 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Douglas 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Douglas:.... 


IIISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


33ff 


Schedule — Showing  statement  of  volunteer  troops  organized  within  the  State,  and  sent  to  th& 
field,  commencing  April,  1861,  and  ending  December  31, 1865,  with  nnmber  of  regiment,  name 
of  original  commanding  officer,  date  of  organization  and  muster  into  United  States'  service,- 
place  of  muster,  and  the  aggregate  strength  of  each  organization. 

INPANTEY. 


100 
101 
10:i 
IO3 
IO4 
IO5 
106 
lOr 
108 
IO9 
"0 
"1 

11a 
"3 
114 
113 

"6 

117 

118 
119 
120 
121 
12'J 
133 
124 
1«5 
1-36 
127 
128 

lag 
.130 

131 

13a 

133 

134 

13 


Commanding  officer  at  organiza- 
tion. 


Date  of  organization  and 
muster  into  the  United 
States  service. 


Col.  Frederick  A.  Starring.. 

Jas.  F.  Jaquess 

Jason  Marsh 

George  Ryan 

Alonzo  W.  Maclj 

David  P.  Grier 

W.  H.  Bennison 

Lyman  Guinnip 

ThOB.  G.  Allen 

Jas.  J.  DoUius 

Fredericls  Hecker 

Abner  C.  Harding 

Louis  H.  Waters 

Robert  S.  Moore 

David  D.  Irons 

John  E.  Whiting 

F.  T.  Sherman 

John  Christopher 

Timothy  O'Mera 

Henry  M.  Day 

Smith  D.  Atiiins 

Holden  Putnam 

Wm.  Vi'.  Orme 

Lawr'n  S.  Church 

Thos.  E.  Champion . 

F.  S.  Riltherford 

J.J.  Funkhouser 

G.W.K.  Bailey  

Fred.  A.  Bartleson 

Chas.  H.  Fox 

Wm.  McMurtry 

Amos  C.  Bahcock 

Absalom  B.  Moore 

Daniel  Dustin 

Robert  B.  Latham 

Thomas  Snell 

John  Warner 

Alex.  J.Nimmo  

Thos.  S  Casey 

James  S.  Martin 

T.  J.  Henderson 

Geo.B.  Hoge 

James  W.  Judy. 

Jesse  H.  Moore  

Nathan  H.  Tupper. 

Risden  M.  Moore 

John  G.Fonda 

Thos.  J.  Kenney 

George  W.  McKeaig 

Never  organized ^ 

Col.  John  I.  Rinaker 

James  Moore 

Thomas  J.  Sloan 

Oscar  F.  Harmon 

Jonathan  Richmond 

John  VanArman 

Robert  M.  Hudley 

George  P.  Smith 

Nathaniel  Niles 

George  W.  Neeley.. 

Thomas  C.  Pickett 

Thad.  Phillips 

W.  W  McChesney....... 

Jihn  S.Wolfe 


Aug.  31,1862... 

Sept,  4, 18fi2... 
sept.  2.  1862, . 
Aug.  2a,  1868. 
*Sept.  3, 186i., 
Sept.  1,  18b2... 
Aug.  S8, 1862., 
Aug.  25, 1862... 
Aug.  26, 186^.. 


Aug.  21, 1862.. 
Sept.  1,1862,. 
Aug.  27, 1862, 


Sept  22,  1862. , 
Aug.  27,  1862.., 
*Ang  25, 18ii'., 
Nov.  22, 1862,. 
Sept.  8,  1862... 
Sept.  4, 1862.... 
Oct.  13, 1862.,.. 
Aug.  211,1863... 
Sept.  4, 18112  , , 
Sept.  6, 1863... 
Sept.  8, 186i.. 
Sept.  3,  lt6i  ... 
Aug.  26,  1862.., 
Aug.  30,1863.  . 
Sept.  3,  1862.... 


Oct,  2,  1862. . . . 
Aug.  27,  1863. . 
Sept.  2,  1862.. 
Sept.  17, 1862. , 
Sept.  4,1864,.. 
Aug.  28,  1862.. 
sept.  11,1861,. 


Sept.  18, 1862 

Sept.  12,1862 

Oct.  1,1862 

Sept.  18,  1863 

Sept.  13,  1863. 

Sept.  30  1862 

Sept.  19, 1863 

Nov,  39. 1863 

Oct.  7,  1863 

Oct.  29, 1862 


Sept.  4,1862... 
Sept.  6  1862  ., 
Sept.  10,  1862. 
Sept.  4,  1862,.. 


Sept.  5, 1862. . 
Dec  18, 1862... 
Sept.  8, 1862,,. 
Oct.  23. 1865... 
Nov.  13,1862,.. 
June  1,1864... 
May  31,1864,.. 


Place  where  mustered 
into  the  United  States 
service. 


Camp  Douglas 

Camp  Butler 

Rockford 

Dixon 

Kankakee 

Peoria.., 

Quincy 

Danville 

Ceutralia 

Anna 

Camp  Butler 

Monmouth 

tiuincy 

Heoria 

Peoria 

Shawneetown 

Camp  Douglas    

Camp  Douglas 

Camp  Douglas 

Camp  Butler 

Rockford 

Princeton  and  Chicago. 

Bloomiugtou, 

Rockford*. 

Rockford 

Camp  Butler 

Centralia 

Florence,  Pike  Co . , 

Joliet 

Jacksonville 

Knoxville 

peoria 

Ottawa 

Chicago 

Lincoln 

Camp  Butler 

Peoria 

Anna 

Anna 

Sa'em 

Peoria 

Camp  Douglas 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Butler 

Decatur 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Butler 

Quincy 

Camp  Butler 


N  OitfQ 


June  6,1864. 


Carlinville.,,  .. 

Mattoon 

Camj  Butler... 

Danville 

Chicago 

Camp  Douglas . 
Camp  Butler. , . 

Pontiac 

Camp  But'er. .. 
Camp  Massac. 

Camp  Fry 

Camp  Butler.' 

Camp  Fry 

Mattoon 


1471 

968- 

989 

987 

1110- 

1031 

1028 

974 

928. 

1187 

961 

138o 

936. 

93'J 

99i 

994 

907 

1^86. 

96a 

1041 

1265 

1036 

1091 

1437 

1206 

1082 

1078 

936 

921 

911 

998 

917 

977 

1001 

1097 

944 

937 

967 

873 

994 

1095 

1258 

990 

960 

952 

995 

1101 

952 

844 


1050 
1130 
933 
998 
957 
866' 
1011 


853 
8S1 
878 


140 


HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS. 


ScHEDtiLB— Showing  statement  of  volunteer  troops  organized  within  the  State,  and  sent  to  the 
field  commencing  April,  1861,  and  ending  December  31, 1865,  withnnmher  of  regiment,  name 
of  original  commanding  ofHcer,  date  of  organization  and  muster  into  United  States  service, 
place  of  muster,  and  the  aggregate  strength  of  each  organization. 

INFANTBY. 


Commanding  oflficer  at  organiza- 
tion. 


136  Col.  Fred.  A.  Johns 

137  "  John  Wood 

138  "  J.  W.  Goodwin 

139  "  Peter  Davidson 

140  '■  L.  H.  Whitney 

'41     "  Stephen  Bronson — 

142  "  EoUin  V.  Anlsney.. 

143  "  Dudley  C.Smith 

144  "  Cyrus  Hall 

145  '  George  W.  Laclcey. 

146  "  Henry  H.  Dean 

147  ■'  Hiram  F.  Sickles 

148  -  "  Horace  H.  Wilsie — 

149  "  Wm.  C.  Kueifner 

VO     "  George  W.  lieener. . . 

151      "  French  B.  Woodall . . 

153  "  F.  D.  Stephenson 

158     "  Stephen  Bronson 

154  '■  McLean  F.Wood..   . 

155  "  Gustavns  A.  Smith. 

156  '•  Alfred  F.  Smith 

...      "  J.W.  ^i'son 

"  JohnA.  BrosB 

. . .  Capt.  John  Curtis 

'•  Simon  J.  Stookey... 

^'  James  Steele 


Date  of  organization  and 
muster  into  the  United 
States  service. 


une  1,1864... 
Junes,  1864... 
June  31, 1864.. 
June  1,1864... 
June  18, 1864.. 
June  16, 1864.. 
.June  18, 1864.. 
June  11, 1864.. 
Oct.  21,1864... 
.June  9, 1864... 
Sept.  20, 1864.. 
Feb.  18, 1865... 


Feb.  11,  1865... 
Feb.  14,  1865  . 
Feb.  25,  1865.. 
Feb.  18,  1865.. 
Feb.  ar,  1865. . , 
Feb.  33,  1865. 
Feb.  28,  1865  . 
March  9.  1865. 
Dec.  1,  1861... 


June  21,  1864.. 
June  15,  1864.. 


Place  where  mustered 
into  the  United  States 
service. 


Centralia 

Quincy 

Quincy 

Peoria 

Camp  Butler, . 

Elgin 

Uamp  Butler.. 

Mattoon 

A  ton,  Ills 

Camp  Butler.. 
Camp  Butler, . 

Chicago 

Quincy 

Camp  Butler. . 
Camp  Butler. ; 

Quincy 

Camp  Butler. . 

Chicago 

Camp  Butler. . 
Camp  Butler. . 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Quincy 

Camp  "Butler. . 
Camp  Butler. . 
Chicago 


CAVALEY. 


ICol. 
2 


Thomas  A.  Marshall 

Silas  Nob'e 

Eugene  A.  Carr 

T.Lyle  Dickey 

John  J.  Updegraff 

Thomas  H.  Cavanaugh . 

Wm.  Pitt  Kellogg 

John  F.  Farnswoi'tb. . . . 

Albert  G.  Brackett 

James  A.  Barrett 

HobertG.  IngersoU 

ArnoVoss 

Joseph  W.Bell 

Horace  Capron 

W  arren  Stewart 

Christian  Thielman 

John  L.  Beveridge 


June,  1861 

Aug.  34,  "  . .  . . 
Sept.  21,"  ...'. 

Sept,  30,  " 

December  "  . . . 
Nov.,  '61,  Jan., 
August,  "61 . .  . . 
*ept.  18,  '61.... 

Oct.  26,  '61 

Nov.  25, '61 

Dec.  20, '61 

Dec,  '61,  Feb., 


Jan.  7,  '63 

Organized  Dec.  35, '63.. 

Jan.  an*  April,  '63 

Jan.  38,  '64 


Bloomlngton... . 
Camp  Butler. . . 

Camp  Butler 

Ottawa 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Butler. . . . 
Camp  Butler. . . . 

St.  Charles 

Camp  Douglas . . 
Camp  Butler. . . . 

Peoria 

Camp  Butler.  . . 
Camp  Douglas. . 

Peoria 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Butler 

St.  Charles 


FIEST  EEGIMBNT— ILLINOIS  LIGHT  AETILLBEY. 


Co 
A 
B 
0 
D 
E 
F 
G 
H 
I 
K 
L 
M 


Field 
Capt. 


and  Staff. 

C.  M.  Willard 

Ezra  Taylor 

C.  Haughtaling 

Edward  McAllister. 
A.  0.  Waterhouse.. 
John  T.  Cheney  . . . 

Arthur  O'Leary 

Axel  Silversparr 

Edward  Bouton 

A.  Franklin 

.Tohn  Eourke 

John  B.Miller 

Recruits 


Oct.  31,1861. 
•Tan.  14, '63... 
Dec.  19, '61... 
Feb.  25,  '62. . 
Feb.  28,  '62  . 
Feb.  30,  '62. . 
Feb.  15, '63... 
fan.  9, '62.... 
F"h.  23, '62.. 
Aug  12,  '62 


Chicago   

Chicago 

Ottawa 

Ptaiufield 

Chicago 

Camp  Butler. . . 

Cairo 

Chicago : 

Chicago 

.'hawneetown  . 

Chicago 

Chicago 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


141 


SoHEDOT-B— Showing  statement  of  volunteer  troops  organized  within  the  State,  and  sent  to  the 
field  commencing  April,  1861,  and  ending  December  31, 1865,  with  number  of  regiment,  name 
of  original  commanding  officer,  date  of  organization  and  muster  into  United  States  service, 
place  of  muster,  and  the  aggregate  strength  of  each  organization. 

LIGHT  ARTILLERY. 


Commanding  oificer  at  organiza- 
tion. 


Date  of  organization  and 
muster  into  the  United 
States  service. 


Place  where  mustered 
into  the  United  States 
service. 


SECOND  REGIMENT— ILLINOIS  LIGHT  ARTILLERY. 


*    O  ET 

CM 


Capt. 


Peter  Davidson 

Riley  Madison 

Caleb  Hopkins 

Jasper  M.  Dresser 

Adolph  Schwartz 

John  W.Powell... 
Charles  J.  Stolbrand. 
Andrew  Steinbeck... 
Charles  "W,  Keith.  .. 
Benjamin  P.  Rogers. 
William  H.  Bolton... 
JohnC.  Phillips 

Field  and  Staff 

Recruits    


Aug.  ir,  1861 
June  20,  '61 . . . 
Aug.  5,  'ei . . . . 
Dec.  17,  '61 . . . 

Feb.  1, '62. 

Dec.  11, '61.... 
Deo.  31, '61.,,, 


Feb.  S8,  '63. 
June  6,  '6S. . 


Peoria 

Springfield 

Cairo 

Cairo 

Cairo 

Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.. 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Butler, 

Camp  Butler 

Camp  Butler 

Chicago 

Chicago 


116 
137 
154 
117 
136 
190 
108 
115 
107 
108 
145 
100 
10 
1171 


INDEPENDENT  BATTERIES. 


Boardof  Trade 
Springfield. . . . 

Mercantile 

Elgin 

Coggswell's. . . 
Henshaw's  — 

Bridges' 

Colvm's 

Busteed's 


Capt. 


James  S.  Stokes 

Thomas  P.Vaughn... 

Charles  G.  Cooley 

George'  W.  Reuwick. . 
William  Coggswell... 

Ed.  C.  Henshaw 

Lyman  Bridges 

John  H.Colvin 


July  31,  1868. 
Aug.  SI,  '62.. 
Aug.  39,  '62.. 
Nov.  IE,  '62.. 
Sept  23, '61.. 
Oct.  15,  '63. . . 
Jan.-l,  ^S.... 
Oct.  10,  '63. . . 


Chicago 

Camp  Butler. . . 

Chicago 

Elgin 

Camp  Douglas. 

Ottawa , 

Chicago" 

CJiicago 

Chicago 


199 
270 
342 
221 
196 
232 
91 
127 


RECAPITULATION. 

Infantry 185,941 

Cavalry    : 33  082 

Artillery 7,277 


DUELS. 

ThtJ  code  of  chivalry  so  common  among  Southern  gentlemen 
and  SO  frequently  brought  into  use  in  settling  personal  differences 
has  also  been  called  to  settle  the  "affairs  of  honor''  in  our  own 
State,  however,  but  few  times,  and  those  in  the  earlier  days. 
Several  attempts  at  duels  have  occurred;  before  the  disputants  met 
in  mortal  combat  the  differences  were  amicably  and  satisfactorily 
settled;  honor  vs^as  maintained  without  the  sacrifice  of  life.  In 
1810  a  law  was  adopted  to  suppress  the  practice  of  dueling.  This 
law  held  the  fatal  result  of  dueling  to  be  murder,  and,  as  it  was 
intended,  had  the  effect  of  mating  it  odious  and  dishonorable. 
Prior  to  the  constitution' of  1848,  parties  would  evade  the  law  by 


142  HISTOEY    OP    ILLINOIS. 

going  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  the  State  to  engage  in  their  con- 
tests of  honor.  At  that  time  they  incorporated  in  the  Constitutioa 
iin  oath  of  office,  which  was  so  broad  as  to  cover  the  whole  world. 
Any  person  who  had  over  fought  a  duel,  ever  sent  or  accepted  a. 
challenge  or  acted  the  part  of  second  was  disfranchised  from  liolding^ 
office,  even  of  minor  importance.  After  this  went  into  effect,  no 
other  duel  or  attempt  at  a  duel  has  been  engaged  in  witliin  the 
State  of  Illinois,  save  those  fought  by  parties  living  outside  of 
the  State,  who  came  here  to  settle  their  personal  differences. 

THE   FinST   DUEL. 

The  first  duel  fought  within  tlie  boundaries  of  this  great  State 
was  between  two  young  military  officers,  one  of  the  French  and 
the  other  of  the  English  army,  in  the  year  1765.  It  was  at  the 
time  the  British  troops  came  to  take  possession  of  Fort  Chartres, 
and  a  woman  was  the  cause  of  it.  The  affair  occurred  early 
Sunday  morning,  near  the  old  fort.  They  fought  with  swords,  and 
in  the  combat  one  sacrificed  his  life. 

BOND    AND   JONES. 

In  1809  the  next  duel  occurred  and  was  bloodless  of  itself,  but  out 
of  it  grew  a  quarrel  which  resulted  in  the  assassination  of  one  of 
the  contestants.  The  principals  were  Shadrach  Bond,  the  fli-st 
Governor,  and  Rice  Jones,  a  bright  young  lawyer,  who  became  quite 
a  politician  and  the  leader  of  his  party.  A  personal  difference  arose 
between  the  two,  which  to  settle,  the  parties  met  for  mortal  combat 
on  an  island  in  the  Mississippi.  The  weapons  selected  were  hair- 
trigger  pistols.  After  taking  their  position  Jones'  weapon  was 
prematurely  discharged.  Bond's  second,  Dunlap,  now  claimed  that 
according  to  tlie  code  Bond  had  the  right  to  the  next  fire.  But 
Bond  would  not  take  so  great  advantage  of  his  opponent,  and  said 
it  was  an  accident  and  would  not  fire.  Such  noble  conduct 
touched  the  generous  nature  of  Jones,  and  the  difficulty  was  at 
once  amicably  settled.  Dunlap,  however,  bore  a  deadly  hatred  for 
Jones,  and  one  day  while  he  was  standing  in  the  street  in  Kaskaskia, 
conversing  with  a  lady,  lie  crept  up  behind  him  and  shot  him  dead 
in  his  tracks.     Dunlap  successfully  escaped  to  Texas. 

EECTOR  AND   BARTON.   - 

In  1812  the  bloody  code  again  brought  two  young  men  to  the 
field  of  honor.     They  were  Tiiomas  Rector,  a  son  of  Oapt.  Stephen 


HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS.  145 

Kector  who  bore  such  a  noble  part  in  the  war  of  1812,  ana  Joshua 
Barton.  They  liad  espoused  the  quarrel  of  older  brothers.  The 
affair  occurred  on  Bloody  Island,  in  the  Mississippi,  but  in  the 
limits  of  Illinois.  This  place  was  frequented  so  often  by  Missou- 
rians  to  settle  personal  difficulties,  that  it  received  the  name  of 
Bloody  Island.     Barton  fell  in  this  conflict. 

STEWAET   AND    BENNETT. 

In  1819  occurred  the  first  duel  fought  after  the  admission  of  the 
State  into  the  Union.  This  took  place  in  St.  Clair  county  between 
Alphonso  Stewart  and  William  Bennett.  It  was  intended  to  be  a 
sham  duel,  to  turn  ridicule  against  Bennett,  the  challenging  party- 
Stewart  was  in  the  secret  but  Bennett  was  left  to  believe  it  a 
reality.  Their  guns  were  loaded  with  blank  cartridges.  Bennett, 
suspecting  a  trick,  put  a  ball  into  his  gun  without  the  knowledge 
of  his  seconds.  The  word  "fire"  was  given,  and  Stewart  fell 
mortally  wounded.  Bennett  made  his  escape  but  was  subsequently 
captured,  convicted  of  murder  and  suffered  the  penalty  of  the  law 
by  hanging. 

PEAESON   AND    BAKEE. 

In  1840  a  personal  difference  arose  between,  two  State  Senators, 
Judge  Pearson  and  E.  D.  Baker.  The  latter,  smarting  under  the 
epithet  of  "  falsehood,"  threatened  to  chastise  Pearson  in  the  public 
streets,  by  a  "  fist  fight."  Pearson  declined  making  a  "blackguard'' 
of  himself  but  intimated  a  readiness  to  fight  as  gentlemen,  accord- 
ing to  the  code  of  honor.  The  affair,  however,  was  carried  no 
further. 

HAEDIN    AND    DODQE. 

The  exciting  debates  in  the  Legislature  in  1840-'41  were  often 
bitter  in  personal  "  slings,"  and  threats  of  combats  were  not 
infrequent.  During  these  debates,  in  one  of  the  speeches  by  the 
Hon.  J.  J.  Hardin,  Hon.  A.  E.  Dodge  thought  he  discovered  a 
personal  insult,  took  exceptions,  and  an  "  affair  "  seemed  imminent. 
The  controversy  was  referred  to  friends,  however,  and  amicably 
settled. 

m'cleenand  and  smith. 

Hon.  John  A.  McClernand,  a  member  of  the  House,  in  a  speech 
delivered  during  the  same  session  made  charges  against  the  Whig 
Judges  of  the   Supreme  Court.     This  brought  a  note  from  Judge 


146  HISTORY    OB'   ILLINOIS. 

T.  W.  Smith,  by  the  hands  of  his  "  friend '"  Dr.  Merriman,  to 
McClernand.  This  was  construed  as  a  challenge,  and  promptly 
accepted,  naming  the  place  of  meeting  to  be  Missouri;  time,  early; 
the  weapons,  rifles;  and  distance,  40  paces.  At  this  critical  junc- 
ture, the  Attorney  General  had  a  warrant  issued  against  the  Judge, 
whereupon  he  was  arrested  and  placed  under  bonds  to  keep  the 
peace.     Thus  ended  this  attempt  to  vindicate  injured  honor. 

LINCOLN  AND  SHIELDS. 

During  the  hard  times  subsequent  to  the  failure  of  the  State  and 
other  banks,  in  1842,  specie  became  scarce  while  State  money  was 
plentiful,  but  worthless.  The  State  ofBcers  thereupon  demanded 
specie  payment  for  taxes.  This  was  bitterly  opposed,  and  so  fiercely 
contested  that  the  collection  of  taxes  was  suspended. 

During  the  period  of  the  greatest  indignation  toward  the  State 
ofiicials,  under  the  nom  de  plume  of  "  Rebecca,"  Abraham  Lincoln 
had  an  article  published  in  the  Sangamo  Journal,  entitled  "  Lost 
Township."     In  this  article,  written  in  the  form  of  a  dialogue,  the 
oiBcers  of  the  State  were  roughly  handled,  and  especially  Auditor 
Shields.     The  name  of  the  author  was  demaded  from  the  editor  by 
Mr.  Shields,  who  was  very  indignant  over  the  manner  in  wliich  he 
was  treated.      The  name  of  Abraham  Lincoln  was  given  as  the 
author.     It  is  claimed  by  some  of  his  biographers,  however,  that 
the  article  was  prepared  by  a  lady,  and  that  when  the  name  of  the 
author  was  demanded,  in  a  spirit  of  gallantry,   Mr.  Lincoln  gave 
his  name.     In  company  with  Gen.  Whiteside,  Gen.  Shields  pur- 
sued Lincoln  to  Tremont,  Tazewell  county,  where  he  was  in  attend- 
ance upon  the  court,  and  immediately  sent  him  a  note  "requiring 
a  full,  positive  and  absolute  retraction  of  all  offensive  allusions" 
made  to  him  in  relation  to  his  "private  character  and  standing  as 
a  man,  or  an  apology  for  the  insult  conveyed."     Lincoln  had  been 
forewarned,  however,  for  "William  Butler  and  Dr.  Merrirhan,  of 
Springfield,  had  become  acquainted  with  Shields'  intentions  and  by 
riding  all  night  arrived  at  Tremont  ahead  of  Shields  and  informed 
Lincoln  what  he  might  expect.     Lincoln  answered  Shields'  note, 
refusing  to  offer  any  explanation,  on  the  grounds  that  Shields'  note 
assumed  the  fact  of  his  (Lincoln's)  authorship  of  the  article,  and 
not  pointing  out  what  the  offensive  part  was,  and  accompanying  the  . 
same  with  threats  as  to  consequences.     Mr.  Shields  answered  this, 
disavowing  all  intention  to  menace;   inquired  if  he  was  the  author, 


HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS.  147 

asked  a  retraction  of  that  portion  relating  to  his  private  character. 
Mr.  Lincoln,  still  technical,  returned  this  note  with  the  verbal 
statement  "  that  there  could  be  no  further  negotiations  until  the 
first  note  was  withdrawn."  At  this  Shields  named  Gen.  White- 
side as  his  "  friend,"  when  Lincoln  reported  Dr.  Merriman  as  his 
"friend."  These  gentlemen  secretly  pledged  themselves  to  agree 
upon  some  amicable  terms,  and  compel  their  urincipals  to  accept 
them.  The  four  went  to  Springfield,  when  Lincoln  left  for  Jack- 
sonville, leaving  the  following  instructions  to  guide  his  friend,  Dr. 
Merriman: 

"  In  case  Whiteside  shall  signify  a  wish  to  adjust  this  aifair  with- 
out further  difficulty,  let  him  know  that  if  the  present  papers  be 
withdrawn  and  a  note  from  Mr.  Shields,  asking  to  know  if  I  am  the 
author  of  the  articles  of  which  he  complains,  and  asking  that  I  shall 
make  him  gentlemanly  satisfaction,  if  I  am  the  author,  and  this 
without  menace  or  dictation  as  to  what  that  satisfaction  shall  be,  a 
pledge  is  made  that  the  following  answer  shall  be  given : 

I  did  write  the  "Lost  Township  "  letter  which  appeared  in  the  Journal  of  the 
3d  inst.,  but  had  no  participation,  in  any  form,  in  any  other  article  alluding  to 
you.  I  wrote  that  wholly  for  political  effect.  I  had  no  intention  of  inj  uring 
your  personal  or  private  character  or  standing,  as  a  man  or  gentleman ;  and  I  did 
not  then  think,  and  do  not  now  think,  that  that  article  could  produce  or  has  pro- 
duced that  effect  against  you ;  and,  had  I  anticipated  such  an  effect,  would  have 
foreborne  to  write  it.  And  I  will  add  that  your  conduct  toward  me,  so  far  as  I 
know,  had  always  been  gentlemanly,  and  that  I  had  no  personal  pique  against 
you,  and  no  cause  for  any. 

"  If  this  should  be  done,  I  leave  it  to  you  to  manage  what  shall 
and  what  shall  not  be  published.  If  nothing  like  this  is  done,  the 
preliminaries  of  the  fight  are  to  be: 

"1st.  Weapons. — Cavalry  broad  swords  of  the  largest  size,  pre- 
cisely equal  in  all  respects,  and  such  as  are  now  used  by  the  cavalry 
company  at  Jacksonville. 

"  2d.  Position.— A.  plank  ten  feet  long  and  from  nine  to  twelve 
inches  broad,  to  be  firmly  fixed  on  edge,  on  the  ground,  as  a  line 
between  ns  which  neither  is  to  pass  his  foot  over  on  forfeit  of  his 
life.  .Next  a  line  drawn  on  the  ground  on  either  side  of  said  plank, 
and  parallel  with  it,  each  at  the  distance  of  the  whole  length  of  the 
sword,  and  three  feet  additional  from  the  plank;  and  the  passing  of 
his  own  such  line  by  either  party  during  the  fight,  shall  be  deemed 
a  surrender  of  the  contest. 


148  HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

"3d.  Time. — On  Thursday  evening  at  6  o'clock,  if  you  can  get 
it  so;  but  in  no  case  to  be  at  a  greater  distance  of  time  than  Friday 
evening  at  5  o'clock. 

"ith".  PZace.— Within  three  miles  of  Alton,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  the  particular  spot  to  be  agreed  on  by  you. 

"  Any  preliminary  details  coming  within  the  above  rules,  you  are 
at  liberty  to  make  at  your  discretion,  but  you  are  in  no  case  to 
swerve  from  these  rules,  or  pass  bej^ond  their  limits." 

The  position  of  the  contestants,  as  prescribed  by  Lincoln,  seema 
to  have  been  such  as  both  would  have  been  free  from  coming  in 
contact  with  the  sword  of  the  other,  and  the  first  impression  is  that 
it  is  nothing  more  than  one  of  Lincoln's  jokes.  He  possessed  very 
long  arms,  however,  and  could  reach  his  adversary  at  the  stipulated 
distance. 

Not  being  amicably  arranged,  all  parties  repaired  to  the  field  of 
combat  in  Missouri.  Gen.  Hardin  and  .Dr.  English,  as  mutual 
friends  of  both  Lincoln  and  Shields,  arrived  in  the  meantime,  and 
after  much  correspondence  at  their  earnest  solicitation  the  aifair 
was  satisfactorily  arranged,  Lincoln  making  a  statement  similar  to 
the  one  above  referred  to. 

SHIELDS  AND  BUTLEK. 

William  Butler,  one  of  Lincoln's  seconds,  was  dissatisfied  with 
the  bloodless  termination  of  the  Lincoln-Shields  aifair,  and  wrote  an 
account  of  it  for  the  Sangamo  Journal.  This  article  refiected  dis- 
creditably upon  both  the  principals  engaged  in  that  controversy. 
Shields  replied  by  the  hands  of  his  friend  Gren.  Whiteside,  in  a 
curt,  menacing  note,  which  was  promptly  accepted  as  a  challenge 
by  Butler,  and  the  inevitable  Di:  Merriman  named  as  his  friend, 
who  submitted  the  following  as  preliminaries  of  the  fight: 

Time. — Sunrise  on  the  following  morning. 

Place. — Col.  Allen's  farm  (about  one  mile  north  of  State  House.) 

Weapons. — liifles. 

Distance. — One  hundred  yards. 

The  parties  to  stand  with  their  right  sides  toward  each  other — 
the  rifles  to  be  held  in  both  hands  horizontally  and  cocked,  arms 
extended  downwards.  Neither  party  to  move  his  person  or  his 
rifle  after  being  placed,  before  the  word  fire.  The  signal  to  be: 
"Are  you   ready?     Fire!     one — two — three!"    about  a   second   of 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  149 

time  intervening  between  each  word.     Neither  party  to  fire  before 
the  word  "  fire,"  nor  after  the  word  "  three." 

Gen.  Whiteside,  in  language  curt  and  abrupt,  addressed  a  note  to 
Dr.  Merriman  declining  to  accept  the  terms.  Gen.  Shields,'  how- 
ever, addressed  another  note  to  Butler,  explaining  the  feelings  of 
his  second,  and  offering  to  go  out  to  a  lonely  place  on  the  prairie  to 
fight,  where  there  would  be  no  danger  of  being  interrupted;  or,  if 
that  did  not  suit,  he  would  meet  him  on  his  own  conditions,  when 
and  where  lie  pleased.  Butler  claimed  the  affair  was  closed  and 
decHned  the  proposition. 

VTHITESIDE   AND    MEKEIMAN. 

Now  Gen.  Whiteside  and  Dr.  Merriman,  who  several  times  had 
acted  in  the  capacity  of  friends  or  seconds,  were  to  handle  the 
deadly  weapons  as  principals.  While  second  in  the  Shields-Butler 
fiasco,  Whiteside  declined  the  terms  proposed  by  Butler,  in  curt 
and  abrupt  language,  stating  that  tlie  place  of  combat  could  not  be 
dictated  to  him,  for  it  was  as  mnch  his  right  as  Merriman's,  who, 
if  he  was  a  gentleman,  would  recognize  and  concede  it.  To  this 
Merriman  replied  by  the  hands  of  Oapt.  Lincoln.  It  will  be 
remembered  that  Merriman  had  acted  in  the  same  capacity  for  Lin- 
coln. Whiteside  then  wrote  to  Merriman,  asking  to  meet  him  at 
St.  Louis,  when  he  would  hear  from  him  further.  To  this  Merri- 
man replied,  denying  his  right  to  name  place,  but  offered  to  meet 
in  Louisiana,  Mo.  This  Whiteside  would  not  agree  to,  but  later 
signified  his  desire  to  meet  him  there,  but  the  affair  being  closed, 
the  doctor  declined  to  re-open  it. 

PEATT  AND  CAjVIPBELL. 

These  two  gentlemen  were  members  of  the  Constitutional  CoUt 
vention  of  1847,  and  both  from  Jo  Davies  county.  A  dispute  arose 
which  ended  in  a  challenge  to  meet  on  the  field  of  honor.  They 
both  repaired  to  St.  Louis,  but  the  authorities  gaining  knowledge 
of  their  bloody  intentions,  had  both  parties  arrested,  which  ended 
this  "  affair." 

DRESS  AND  MANNERS. 

The  dress,  habits,  etc.,  of  a  people  throw  so  much  light  upon  their 
conditions  and  limitations  that  in  order  better  to  show  the  circum- 
stances surrounding  the  people  of  the  State,  we  will  give  a  short 


150  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

exposition  of  the  manner  of  life  of  our  Illinois  people  at  different 
epochs.  The  Indians  themselves  are  credited  by  Charlevoix  with 
being  "  very  laborious," — raising  poultry,  spinning  the  wool  of  the 
buffalo  and  manufacturing  garments  therefrom.  These  must  havie 
been,  however,  more  than  usually  favorable  representatives  of  their 
race. 

"  The  working  and  voyaging  dress  of  the  French  masses,"  says 
Reynolds,  "was  simple  and  primitive.  The  French  were  like  the 
lilies  of  the  valley  (the  Old  Ranger  was  not  always  exact  in  his 
quotations), — they  neither  spun  nor  wove  any  of  their  clothing,  but 
purchased  it  from  the  merchants.  The  white  blanket  coat,  known 
as  the  capot,  was  the  universal  and  eternal  coat  for  the  winter  with 
the  masses.  A  cape  was  made  of  it  that  could  be  raised  over  the 
head  in  cold  weather. 

"  In  the  house,  and  in  good  weather,  it  hung  behind,  a  cape  to 
the  blanket  coat.  The  reason  that  I  know  these  coats  so  well  is, 
tliat  I  have  worn  many  in  my  youth,  and  a  working  man  never  wore 
a  better  garment.  Dressed  deer-skins  and  blue  cloth  were  worn 
icommonly  in  the  winter  for  pantaloons.  The  blue  handkerchief 
and  the  deer-skin  moccasins  covered  the  head  and  feet  generally  of 
the  French  Creoles.  In  1800,  scarcely  a  man  thought  himself  clothed 
unless  he  had  a  belt  tied  around  his  blanket  coat,  and  on  one  side 
was  hung -the  dressed  skin  of  a  pole-cat,  tilled  with  tobacco,  pipe, 
flint  and  steel.  On  the  other  side  was  fastened,  under  the  belt,  the 
the  butcher-knife.  A  Creole  in  this  dress  felt  like  Tarn  O'Shanter 
filled  with  usquebaugh;  he  could  face  the  devil.  Checked  calico 
shirts  were  then  common,  but  in  winter  flannel  was  frequently 
worn..  In  the  summer  the  laboring  men  and  the  voyagers  often 
took  their  shirts  off  in  hard  work  and  hot  weather,  and  turned  out 
the  naked  back  to  the  air  and  sun." 

"  Among  the  Americans,"  he  adds,  "home-made  wool  hats  were 
the  common  wear.  Fur  hats  were  not  common,  and  scarcely  a  boot 
was  seen.  The  covering  of  the  feet  in  winter  was  chiefly  moccasin^ 
made  of  deer-skins,  and  shoe  packs  of  tanned  leather.  Some  wore 
shoes,  but  not  common  in  very  early  times.  In  the  summer  the 
greater  portion  of  the  young  people,  male  and  female;  and  many  of 
the  old,  went  barefoot.  The  substantial  and  universal  outside  wear 
was  the  blue  linsey  hunting-shirt.  This  is  an  excellent  garment, 
and  I  have  never  felt  so  happy  and  healthy  since  I  laid  it  off.     It  is 


O 


'^^ 


5f— ^X 


^l 


HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS.  15S 

made  of  wide  sleeves,  open  before,  with  ample  size  so  as  to  envelop 
the  body  almost  twice  around.  Sometimes  it  had  a  large  cape, 
which  answers  well  to  save  the  shoulders  from  the  rain.  A  belt  is 
mostly  used  to  keep  the  garment  close  around  the  person,  and, 
nevertheless,  there  is  nothing  tight  about  it  to  hamper  the  body. 
It  is  often  fringed,  aad  at  times  the  fringe  is  composed  of  red,  and 
other  gay  colors.  Tlie  belt,  frequently,  is  sewed  to  the  hunting-shirt. 
The  vest  was  mostly  made  of  striped  linsey.  The  colors  were  made 
often  with  alum,  copperas  and  madder,  boiled  with  the  bark  of  trees, 
iusuch  a  manner  and  proportions  as  the  old  ladies  prescribed.  The 
pantaloons  of  the  masses  were  generally  made  of  deer-skin  and 
linsey.     Course  blue  cloth  was  sometimes  made  into  pantaloons 

"  Linsey,  neat  and  fine,  manufactured  at  home,  composed  generally 
the  outside  garments  of  the  females  as  well  as  the  males.  The 
ladies  had  linsey  colored  and  woven  to  suit  their  fancy.  A  bonnet, 
composed  of  calico,  or  some  gay  goods,  was  worn  on  tlie  head  when 
they  were  in  the  open  air.  Jewelry  on  the  pioneer  ladies  was 
uncommon;  a  gold  ring  was  an  ornament  not  often  seen." 

In  1830  a  cliange  of  dress  began  to  take  place,  and  before  1830, 
according  to  Ford,  most  of  the  pioneer  costume  had  disappeared. 
"The  blue  linsey  hunting-shirt,  with  red  or  white  fringe,  had  given 
place  to  the  cloth  coat.  [Jeans  would  be  more  like  the  fact.]  The 
raccoon  cap,  with  the  tail  of  the  animal  dangling  down  behind,  had 
been  thrown  aside  for  hats  of  wool  or  fur.  Boots  and  shoes  had 
supplied  the  deer-skin  moccasins;  and  the  leather  breeches,  strapped 
tight  around  the  ankle,  had  disappeared  before  unmentionables  of  a 
more  modern  material.  The  female  sex  had  made  still  greater  pro. 
gress  in  dress.  The  old  sort  of  cotton  or  woolen  frocks,  spun,  woven 
and  made  with  their  own  fair  hands,  and  striped  and  cross-barred 
with  blue  dye  and  turkey  red,  had  given  place  to  gowns  of  silk  and 
calico.  The  feet,  before  in  a  state  of  nudity,  now  charmed  in  shoes 
of  calf-skin  or  slippers  of  kid;  and  the  head,  formerly  unbonneted, 
but  covered  with  a  cotto  i  handkerchief,  now  displayed  the  charms 
of  the  female  face  under  many  forms  of  bonnets  of  straw,  silk  and 
leghorn.  The  young  ladies,  instead  of  walking  a  mile  or  two  to 
church  on  Sunday,  carrying  their  shoes  and  stockings  in  their  hands 
until  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  place  of  worship,  as  formerly, 
now  came  forth  arrayed  complete  in  all  the  pride  of  dress,  mounted 
on  fine  horses  and  attended  by  their  male  admirers." 


154  HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

The  last  half  century  has  doubtless  witnessed  changes  quite  as 
^reat  as  those  set  forth  by  our  Illinois  historian.  The  chronicler 
of  to  day,  looking  back  to  the  golden  days  of  1830  to  1840,  and 
comparing  them  with  the  present,  must  be  struck  with  the  tendency 
of  an  almost  monotonous  uniformity  in  dress  and  manners  that 
«omes  from  the  easy  inter  communication  afforded  by  steamer,  rail- 
way, telegraph  and  newspaper.  Home  manufacturers  have  been 
driven  from  the  household  by  the  lower-priced  fabrics  of  distant 
mills.  The  Kentucky  jeans,  and  the  copperas-colored  clothing  of 
home  manufacture,  so  familiar  a  few  years  ago,  have  given  place  to 
the  cassimeres  and  cloths  of  noted  factories.  The  ready-made- 
clothing  stores,  like  a  touch  of  nature,  made  the  whole  world  kin- 
and  may  drape  the  charcoal  man  in  a  dress-coat  and  a  stove-pipe 
hat.  The  prints  and  silks  of  England  and  France  give  a  variety  of 
■choice,  and  an  assortment  of  colors  and  shades  such  as  the  pioneer 
women  could  hardly  have  dreamed  of.  Godey,  and  Demorest,  and 
Harper's  Bazar  are  found  in  our  modern  farm-houses,  and  the  latest 
fashions  of  Paris  are  not  uncommon. 

PHYSICAL  FEATUEES  OF   ILLINOIS. 

In  area,  the  State  has  55,410  square  miles  of  territory.  It  is 
about  150  miles  wide  and  400  miles  long,  stretching  in  latitude 
from  Maine  to  North  Carolina.  The  climate  varies  from  Portland 
to  Kichmond.  It  favors  every  product  of  the  continent,  including 
the  tropics,  with  less  than  half  a  dozen  exceptions.  It  produces 
every  great  food  of  the  world  except  bananas  and  rice.  It  is  hardly 
too  much  to  say  that  it  is  the  most  productive  spot  known  to  civil- 
ization. With  the  soil  full  of  bread  and  the  earth  fnll  of  minerals; 
■with  an  upper  surface  of  food  and  an  under  layer  of  fuel;  with  per- 
fect natural  drainage,  and  abundant  springs,  and  streams,  and  navi- 
gable rivers;  half  way  between  the  forests  of  the  North  and  the 
fruits  of  the  South;  within  a  day's  ride  of  the  great  deposits  of 
iron,  coal,  copper,  lead  and  zinc;  and  containing  and  controlling 
the  great  grain,  cattle,  pork  and  lumber  markets  of  the  world,  it  is 
not  strange  tliat  Illinois  has  the  advantage  of  position. 

There  are  no  mountains  in  Illinois;  in  the  southern  as  well  as  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  State  there  are  a  few  hills;  near  the  banks 
of  the  Illinois,  Mississippi,  and  several  otlier  rivers,  the  ground  is 


UISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS.  155' 

elevated,  forming  the  so-called  bluffs,  on  wliich  at  the  present  day 
maj  be  found,  uneifaced  by  the  hand  of  Time,  the  marks  and  traces, 
left  by  the  water  which  was  formerly  much  higher;  whence  it  may 
be  safe  to  conclude  that,  where  now  the  fertile  prairies  of  Illinois 
extend,  and  the  rich  soil  of  the  country  yields  its  golden  harvests, 
must  have  been  a  vast  sheet  of  water,  the  mud  deposited  by  which 
formed  the  soil,  thus  accounting  for  the  present  great  fertility  of  the 
country. 

Illinois  is  a  garden  400  miles  long  and  150  miles  wide.  Its  soil 
is  chiefly  a  black,  sandy  loam,  from  6  inches  to  60  feet  thick.  About 
the  old  French  towns  it  has  yielded  corn  for  a  century  and  a  half 
without  rest  or  help.  She  leads  all  other  States  in  the  number 
of  acres  actually  under  plow.  Her  mineral  Wealth  is  scarcely 
second  to  her  agricultural  power.  She  has  coal,  iron,  lead,  zinc, 
copper,  many  varieties  of  building  stone,  marble,  fire  clay,- cuina 
clay,  common  brick  clay,  sand  of  all  kinds,  gravel,  mineral  paint, — 
in  fact,  everything  needed, for  a  high  civilization. 

AGRICULTUEE. 

If  any  State  of  the  Union  is  adapted  for  agriculture,  and  the  other 
branches  of  rural  economy  relating  thereto,  such  as  the  raising  of 
cattle  and  the  culture  of  fruit  trees,  it  is  pre-eminently  Illinois. 
Her  extremely  fertile  prairies  recompense  the  farmer  at  less 
trouble  and  expense  than  he  would  be  obliged  to  incur  elsewhere,  in 
order  to  obtain  the  same  results.  Her  rich  soil,  adapted  by  nature 
for  immediate  culture,  only  awaits  the  plow  and  the  seed  in  order 
to  mature,  within  a  few  months,  a  most  bountiful  harvest.  A 
review  of  statistics  will  be  quite  interesting  to  the  reader,  as  well  as 
valuable,  as  showing  the  enormous  quantities  of  the  various  cereals 
produced  in  our  prairie  State: 

In  1876  there  was  raised  in  the  State  130,000,000  of  bushels  of 
corn, — twice  as  much  as  any  other  State,  and  one-sixth  of  all  the  corn 
raised  in  the  United  States.  It  would  taKe  375,000  cars  to  transport 
this  vast  amount  of  corn  1o  market,  which  would  make  15,000  trains 
of  25  cars  each.  She  harvested  2,747,000  tons  of  hay,  nearly  one- 
tenth  of  all  the  hay  in  the  Republic.  It  is  not  generally  appreciated, 
but  it  is  true,  that  the  hay  crop  of  the  country  is  worth  more  than 
the  cDtton  crop.    The  hay  of  Illinois  equals  the  cotton  of  Louisiana- 


156 


HISTOEY   OF    ILLINOIS. 


Go  to  Charleston,  S.  C,  and  see  them  peddling  handfuls  of  hay  or 
grass,  almost  as  a  curiosity,  as  we  regard  Chinese  gods  or  the  cryo- 
lite of  Greenland;  drink  your  coffee  and  condensed  milk;  and  walk 
back  from  the  coast  for  many  a  league  through  the  sand  and  burs 
till  you  get  up  into  the  better  atmosphere  of  the  mountains,  with- 
out seeing  a  waving  meadow  or  a  grazing  herd;  then  you  will  begin 
to  appreciate  the  meadows  of  tlie  Prairie  State. 

The  value  of  her  farm  implements  was,  in  1876,  $211,000,000, 
and  the  value  of  live  stock  was  only  second  to  New  York.  The 
same  year  she  had  25,000,000  hogs,  and  packed  2,113,845,  about 
one-half  of  all  that  were  packed  in  the  United  States.*  She  marketed 
$57,000,000  worth  of  slaughtered  animals,^ — more  than  any  other 
State,  and  a  seventh  of  all  the  States. 

Illinois  excels  all  other  States  in  miles  of  railroads  and  in  miles 
of  postal  service,  and  in  money  orders  sold  per  annum,  and  in  the 
amount  of  lumber  sold. 

Illinois  was  only  second  in  many  important  matters,  taking  the 
reports  of  1876.  This  sample  list  comprises  a  few  of  the  more 
important:  Permanent  school  fund;  total  income  for  educational 
purposes;  number  of  publishers  of  books,  maps,  papers,  etc.;  value 
of  farm  products  and  implements,  and  of  live  stock;  in  tons  of  coal 
mined. 

The  shipping  of  Illinois  was  only  second  to  New  York.  Out  of 
one  port  during  the  business  hours  of  the  season  of  navigation  she 
sent  forth  a  vessel  every  nine  minutes.  This  did  not  include  canal- 
boats,  which  went  one  every  five  minutes. 

No  wonder  she  was  only  second  in  number  of  bankers  or  in  phy- 
sicians and  surgeons. 

She  was  third  in  colleges,  teachers  and  schools;  also  in  cattle, 
lead,  hay,  flax,  sorghum  and  beeswax. 

She  was  fourth  in  population,  in  children  enrolled  in  public 
schools,  in  law  schools,  in  butter,  potatoes  and  carriages. 

She  was  fifth  in  value  of  real  and  personal  property,  in  theologi- 
cal seminaries,  and  colleges  exclusively  for  women,  in  milk  sold, 
and  in  boots  and  shoes  manufactured,  and  in  book-binding. 

She  was  only  seventh  in  the  production  of  wood,  while  she  was 
the  twelfth  in  area.  Surely  that  was  well  done  for  the  Prairie  State. 
She  then  had,  in  1876,  much  more  wood  and  growing  timber  than 
she  had  thirty  years  before. 


HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS.  157 

A  few  leading  industries  will  justify  emphasis.  She  manufactured 
$205,000,000  worth  of  goods,  which  placed  her  well  up  toward 
New  York  and  Pennsylvania.  The  number  of  her  manufacturing 
establishments  increased  from  1860  to  1870,  300  per  cent. ;  capital 
employed  increased  350  per  cent.;  and  the  amount  of  product  in- 
creased 400  per  cent.  She  issued  5,500,000  copies  of  commercial 
and  financial  newspapers,  being  only  second  to  New  Yoi'k.  She  had 
6,759  miles  of  railroad,  then  leading  all  other  States,  worth  $636,- 
458,000,  using  3,245  engines,  and  67,712  cars,  making  a  train  long 
enough  to  cover  one-tenth  of  tlie  entire  roads  of  the  State.  Her 
stations  were  only  five  miles  apart.  She  carried,  in  1876,  15,795,- 
000  passengers  an  average  of  33J  miles,  or  equal  to  taking  her 
entire  population  twice  across  the  State.  More  than  two-thirds  of 
her  land  was  within  five  miles  of  a  railroad,  and  less  than  two  per 
cent,  was  more  than  fifteen  miles  away 

The  State  has  a  large  financial  interest  in  the  Illinois  Central 
railroad.  The  road  was  incorporated  m  1850,  and  the  State  gave 
each  alternate  section  for  six  miles  on  each  side,  and  doubled  the 
price  of  the  remaining  land,  so  keeping  herself  good.  The  road 
received  2,595,000  acres  of  land,  and  paid  to  the  State  one-seventh 
of  the  gross  receipts.  The  State  received  in  1877,  $350,000,  and 
had  received  up  to  that  year  in  all  about  $7,000,000.  It  was  prac- 
tically the  people's  road,  and  it  had  a  most  able  and  gentlemanly 
management.  Add  to  the  above  amount  the  annual  receipts  from 
the  canal,  $111,000,  and  a  large  per  cent,  of  the  State  tax  was  pro- 
vided for. 

GOVEENORSOF   ILLINOIS. 

Shadrach  Bond — Was  the  first  Governor  of  Illinois.  He  was  a 
native  of  Maryland  and  born  in  1773;  was  raised  on  a  farm;  re- 
ceived a  common  English  edncation,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1794. 
He  served  as  a  delegate  in  Congress  from  1811  to  1815,  where  he 
procured  the  right  of  pre-emption  of  public  laud,  lie  was  elected 
Governor  in  1818;  was  beaten  for  Congress  in  1824  by  Daniel  F. 
Cook.     He  died  at  Kaskaskia,  April  11,  1830. 

Edward  Coles — "Was  born  Dec.  15,  1786,  in  Virginia.  His  father 
was  a  slave-holder;  gave  his  son  a  collegiate  education,  and  left  to 
him  a  large  number  of  slaves.  These  he  liberated,  giving  each 
head  of  a  family  160  acres  of  land  and  aconsiderable  sum  of  money. 


158  HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

He  was  President  Madison's  private  secretary.  He  came  to  Illinoin; 
in  1819,  was  elected  Governor  in  1822,  on  tlio  anti-slavery  ticket; 
moved  to  Philadelphia  in  1833,  and  died  in  1868. 

Ninian  Edwards. — In  1809,  on  the  formation  of  the  Territory  of 
Illinois,  Mr.  Edwards  was  appointed  Governor,  which  position  he 
retained  until  the  organization  of  the  State,  when  he  was  sent  to 
the  United  States  Senate.  He  was  elected  Governor  in  1S26.  He 
was  a  native  of  Maryland  and  born  in  1775;  received  a  collegiate 
education;  was  Chief  Justice  of  Kentucky,  and  a  Republican  in 
politics. 

John  Reynolds — Was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1788,  and  came 
with  his  parents  to  Illinois  in  1800,  and  in  1830  was  elected  Gov- 
ernor on  the  Democratic  ticket,  and  afterwards  served  three  terms 
in  Congress.  He  received  a  classical  education,  yet  M'as  not  polished. 
He  was  an  ultra  Democrat;  attended  the  Charleston  Convention  in  . 
1860,  arid  urged  the  seizure  of  United  States  arsenals  by  the 
South.     He  died  in  1865  at  Belleville,  childless. 

Joseph  Duncan. — In  183J:  Joseph  Duncan  was  elected  Governor 
by  the  Whigs,  although  formerly  a  Democrat.  He  had  previously 
served  four  terms  in  Congress.  He  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1794; 
had  but  a  limited  education;  served  with  distinction  in  the  war  of 
1812;  conducted^the  campaign  of  1832  against  Black  Hawk.  He 
came  to  Illinois  when  quite  young. 

Thomas  Carlin — Was  elected  as  a  Democrat  in  1838.  He  had 
but  a  meager  education ;  held  many  minor  offices,  and  was  active 
both  in  the  war  of  1812  and  the  Black  Hawk  war.  He  was  born  in 
Kentucky  in  1789;  came  to  Illinois  in  1812,- and  died  at  Carrolltoii, 
Feb.  14, 'l  852. 

Thomas  Ford — Was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  the  year  1800;  was 
brought  by  his  widowed  mother  to  Missouri  in  1804,  and  shortly 
afterwards  to  Illinois.  He  received  a  good  education,  studied  law; 
was  elected  four  times  Judge,  twice  as  Circuit  Judge,  Judge  of 
Chicago  and  Judge  of  Supreme  Court.  He  was  elected  Governor 
by  the  Democratic  party  in  1842;  wrote  his  history  of  Illinois  in 
1847  and  died  in  186o/ 

Augustus  C.  French— Wa,s  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  1808; 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1831,  and  shortly  afterwards  moved  io 
Illinois  when  in  1846  he  was  elected  Governor.  On  the  adoption 
of  the  Constitution  of  1848  he  was  again  chosen,  serving  until  1853. 
He  was  a  Democrat  m  politics. 


HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS.  259 

Joel  A.  MoMeson — Was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1808. 
His  father  was  a  farmer,  and  gave  his  son  only  a  common  school 
education.  He  first  entered  upon  active  life  as  a  small  tradesman, 
but  subsequently  became  a  large  contractor  and  manufacturer.  He 
was  a  heavy  contractor  in  building  the  Canal.  He  was  elected  Gov- 
ernor in  1852  upon  the  Democratic  ticket. 

William  H.  Bissell — Was  elected  by  the  Republican  party  in 
1856.  He  had  previously  served  two  terms  in  Congress;  was 
colonel  in  the  Mexican. war  and  has  held  minor  official  positions.  He 
was  born  in  ^ew  York  State  in  1811;  received  a  common  educa- 
tion; came  to  Illinois  early  in  life  and  engaged  in  the  medical  pro- 
fession. This  he  changed  for  the  law  and  became  a  noted  orator, 
and  the  standard  bearer  of  the  Republican  party  in  Illinois.  He 
died  in  1860  while  Governor. 

Richard  Yates — "The  war  Governor  of  Illinois,"  was  born  in 
Warsaw,  Ky.,  in  1818;  came  to  Illinois  in  1831:  served  two  terms 
in  Congress;  in  1860  was  elected  Governor,  and  in  1865  United 
States  Senator.  He  was  a  college  graduate,  and  read  law  under  J,  J. 
Hardin.  He  rapidly  rose  in  his  chosen  profession  and  charmed  the 
people  with  oratory.  He  filled  the  gubernatorial  chair  during  the 
trying  days  of  the  Rebellion,  and  by  his  energy  and  devotion  won 
the  title  of  "  War  Governor."  He  became  addicted  to  strong  drink, 
and  died  a  drunkard. 

Richard  J.  Ogleshy — Was  born  in  1824,  in  Kentucky;  an  orphan 
at  the  age  of  eight,  came  to  Illinois  when  only  12  years  old.  He 
was  apprenticed  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade;  worked  some  at 
farming  and  read  law  occasionally.  He  enlisted  in  the  Mexicain 
War  and  was  chosen  First  Lieutenant.  After  his  return  he  again 
took  up  the  law,  but  during  the  gold  fever  of  1849  went  to  Califor- 
nia; soon  returned,  and,  in  1862,  entered  upon  his  illustrious 
political  career.  He  raised  the  second  regiment  in  the  State,  to 
suppress  the  Rebellion,  and  for  gallantry  was  promoted  to  Major 
General.  In  1864  he  was  elected  Governor,  and  re-elected  in  1872, 
and  resigned  for  a  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate.  He  is  a  staunch 
Eepublican  and  resides  at  Decatur. 

Shelby  M.  Cullom — Was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1828;  studied 
law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his 
profession  in  1848;  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  in  1856, 
and  again  in  1860.     Served  on  the  war  commission  at  Cairo,  1862. 


160  HISTORY   OF    ILLINOIS. 

and  was  a  member  of  the  39th,  40th  and  41st  Congress,  in  all  of  which 
he  served  with  eredit  to  his  State.  He  was  again  elected  to  the 
State  Legislature  in  1872,  asd  re-elected  in  1874,  and  was  elected 
Goyernor  of  Illinois  in  1876,  which  office  he  still  holds,  and  has 
administered  with  marked  ability. 

LIEUTENANT   GOVEENOBS. 

Pierre  Menard — Was  the  first  Lieut.  Gov.  of  Illinois.  He  was 
born  in  Quebec,  Canada,  in  1767.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1790 
where  he  engaged  in  the  Indian  trade  and  became  wealthy.  He 
died  in  1844.     Menard  county  was  named  in  his  honor. 

Adolphus  F.  Hubhard — Was  elected  Lieut.  Gov.  in  1822.  Four 
years   later  he  ran  for  Governor  against  Edwards,  but  was  beaten. 

William  Kinney — Was  elected  in  1826.  He  was  a  Baptist 
clergyman;  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1781  and  came  to  Illinois  in 
1793. 

Zadock  Casey — Although  on  the  opposition  ticket  to  Governor 
Keynolds,  the  successful  Gubernatorial  candidate,  yet  Casey  was 
elected  Lieut.  Gov.  in  1830.  He  subsequently  served  several  terms 
in  Congress. 

Alexander  M.  Jenkins — Was  elected  on  ticket  with  Gov..Duncan 
in  1834  by  a  handsome  majority. 

S.  H.  Anderson — Lieut.  Gov.  under  Gov.  Cariin,  was  chosen  in 
1838.     He  was  a  native  of  Tennessee. 

John  Moore — Was  born  in  England  in  1793;  came  to  Illinois  in 
1830;  was  elected  Lieut.  Gov.  in  1842.  He  won  the  name  of 
"  Honest  John  Moore." 

Joseph  B.  Wells — Was  chosen  with  Gov.  French  at  his  first 
election  m  1846. 

William  McMurtry. — In  1848  when  Gov.  French  was  again 
chosen  Governor,  William  McMurtry  of  Knox  county,  was  elected 
Lieut.  Governor. 

Gustavus  P  Koerner — Was  elected  in  1852.  He  was  born  in 
Germany  in  1809.  At  the  age  of  22  came  to  Illinois.  In  1872  he 
was  a  candidate  for  Governor  on  Liberal  ticket,  but  was  defeated. 

John  TTooc^Ti-Was  elected  in  1856,  and  on  the  death  of  Gov, 
Bisseli  became  Governor, 

Francis  A.  Hoffman — Was  chosen  with  Gov.  Yates  in  1860. 
He  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1822,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1840. 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


161 


Williajn  Brass — Was  born  in  New  Jersey,  came  to  Illinois  in 
1848,  was  elected  to  office  in  1864. 

John  Dougherty — "Was  elected  in  1868. 

John  L.  Beveredge — Was  chosen  Lieut.  Gov.  in  1872.  In  1873 
Oglesbj  was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  when  Beveridge  became 
Governor. 

Andrew  Shuman — Was  elected  Nov.  7,  1876,  and  is  the  present 
incumbent. 

SUPERINTENDENT   OP  PUBLIC   INSTRUCTION. 


Ninian  W.  Edwards 1854-56 

W.  H.  Powell 1857-58 


Newton  Bateman 1859-75 

Samuel  M.  Etter 1876 


ATTORNEY  GENERALS. 


Daniel  P.  Cook. 1819 

William  Mears 1820 

Samuel  D.  Lockwood 1821-32 

James  Turney 1823-28 

George  Forquer 1829-83 

James  Semple 1833-34 

Niniari  E.Ed  wards 1834-35 

Jesse  B.  Thomas,  Jr 1835 

"Walter  B.  Scates  1836 

Asher  P.  Linder 1837 


Geo.  W.  Olney 1838 

Wickliflfe  Kitchell 1839 

Josiali  Lamborn 1841-43 

James  A.  McDougall 1843-46 

David  B.  Campbell 1840 

[Office  abolished  and  le-created  in  1867] 

Robert  G.  Ingersoll 1867-68 

Washington  Bushnell 1869-73 

James  K.  Edsall 1873-79 


TEEAStlKEKS. 


John  Thomas 1818-19 

R.  K.  McLaughlin 1819-23 

Ebncr  Field 1823-36 

James  Hall 1827-30 

John  Dement 183 1-36 

Charles  Gregory 1886 

John  D.  Whiteside 1887-40 

M.  Carpenter 1841^8 

John  Moore 1848-56 


James  Miller 1857-60 

William  Butler 1861-62 

Alexander  Starne 1863-64 

James  H.  Beveridge 1865-06 

George  W.  Smith 1867-68 

Erastus  N.  Bates .' '  869-72 

Edward  Rutz  1873-75 

Thomas  S.  Ridgeway 1876-77 

Edward  Rutz 1878-79 


SECRETARIES  OP   STATE. 


Elias  K.  Kane 1818-23 

Samuel  D.  Lockwood 1833-23 

David  Blackwell  1833-34 

Morris  Birkbeck 1834 

George  Forquer 1835-38 

Alexander  P.  Field 1829-40 

Stephen  A.  Douglas 1840 

Lyman  Trumbull 1841-43 


Thompson  Campbell 1843-46 

Horace  S.  Cooley 1846-49 

David  L.  Gregg 1850-53 

Alexander  Starne 1853-56 

Ozias  m!  Hatch 1857-60 

Sharon  Tyndale 1865-68 

Edward  Hummel 1869-73 

George  H.  Harlow 187-3-7!) 


162  HISTOEY-OF    ILLINOIS. 

AUDITORS. 

Elijah  C.  Berry 1818-31      Thompson  Campbell 1846 

I.  T.  B.  Stapp 1831-35      Jesse  K.  Dubois 1857-64 

LeviDavis 1835-40      OrlinH.Miner 1865-68 

James  Shields 1841-43      Charles  E.  Lippencott 1839-76 

W.  L.  D.  Ewing 1843-45      Thompson  B.  Needles 1877-79 

UNITED    STATES    SENATORS. 

Ninian  Edwards. — On  the  organization  of  the  State  in  1818, 
Edwards,  the  popular  Territorial  Governor,  was  chosen  Senator  for 
the  short  term,  and  in  1819  re-elected  for  full  term. 

Jesse  B.  Thomas — One  of  the  federal  judges  during  the  entire 
Territorial  existence  xvas  chosen  Senator  on  organization  of  the 
State,  and  re-elected  in  1823,  and  served  till  1829. 

John  McLean — In  1824  Edwards  resigned,  and  McLean  was 
elected  to  fill  his  unexpired  term.  He  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
in  1791,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1815;  served  one  terra  in  Congress, 
and  in  1829  was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate,  but  the  following  year 
died.  He  is  said  to  have  been  the  most  gifted  man  of  his  period  in 
Illinois. 

Elias  Kent  Kane — "Was  elected  Nov.  30,  1824,  for  the  term  be- , 
ginning  March  4,  1825.     In  1830  he  was  re-elected,  but  died  before 
the  expiration  of  his  term.     He  was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  in 
1814  came  to  Illinois,     He  was  first  Secretary  of  State,  and  after- 
wards State  Senator. 

David  Jewett  Baker — Was  appointed  to  fill  the  unexpired  term 
of  John  McLean,  in  1830,  Nov.  12,  but  the  Legislature  refused  to 
endorse  the  choice.  Baker  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  in 
1792,  and  died  in  Alton  in  1869. 

John  M.  Robinson. — Instead  of  Baker,  the  Governor's  appointee, 
the  Legislature  chose  Robinson,  and  in  1834  he  was  re-elected.  In 
1843  was  elected  Supreme  Judge  of  the  State,  but  within  two 
months  died.  He  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Illinois 
while  quite  young. 

William  L.  D.  E-wing—'W&s  elected  in  1835,  to  fill  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  Kane.     He  was  a  Kentuckian. 

Richard  M.  Young — "Was  elected  in  1836,  and  held  his  seat 
from  March  4,  1837,  to  March  4,  1843,  a  full  term.     He  was  a 


HISTOEY    op    ILLINOIS.  163 

native  of  Kentucky;  was  Circuit  Judge  before  his  election  to  the 
Senate,  and  Supreme  Judge  in  1842.  He  died  in  an  insane  asylum 
at  Washington. 

Samuel  MoRoberts — The  first  native  Illinoisian  ever  elevated  to 
the  high  office  of  U.  S.  Senator  from  this  State,  was  born  in  1799, 
and  died  in  1843  on  his  return  home  from  "Washington.  He  was 
elected  Circuit  Judge  in  1824,  and  March  4,  1841,  took  his  seat  in 
the  U.  S.  Senate. 

Sidney  Breese — "Was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate,  Dec.  17,  1842, 
and  served  a  full  term.  He  was  born  in  Oneida  county,  N.  Y. 
He  was  Major  in  the  Black  Hawk  war;  Circuit  Judge,  and  in  1841 
was  elected  Supreme  Judge.  He  served  a  full  term  in  the  U.  S. 
Senate,  beginning  March  4,  1843,  after  which  he  was  elected  to  the 
Legislature,  again  Circuit  Judge,  and,  in  1857,  to  the  Supreme 
Court,  which  position  he  held  until  his  death  in  1878. 

James  Semple — "Was  the  successor  of  Samuel  McKoberts,  and 
was  appointed  by  Gov.  Ford  in  1843.  He  was  afterwards  elected 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Stephen  A.  Douglas — "Was  elected  Dec.  14,  1846.  He  had  pre- 
viously served  three  terms  as  Congressman.  He  became  his  own 
successor  in  1853  and  again  in  1859.  From  his  first  entrance  in  the 
Senate  he  was  acknowledged  the  peer  of  Clay,  "Webster  and  Cal- 
houn, with  whom  he  served  his  first  term.  His  famous  contest 
with  Abraham  Lincoln  for  the  Senate  in  1858  is  the  most  memor- 
able in  the  annals  of  our  country.  It  was  called  the  battle  of  the 
giants,  and  resulted  in  Douglas'  election  to  the  Senate,  and  Lincoln 
to  the  Presidency.  He  was  born  in  Brandon,  "Vermont,  April  23, 
1813,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1833,  and  died  in  1861.  He  was 
appointed  Secretary  of  State  by  Gov.  Carlin  in  1840,  and  shortly 
afterward  to  the  Supreme  Bench. 

James  Shields — "Was  elected  and  assumed  his  seat  in  the  U.  S. 
Senate  in  1849,  March  4.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1810,  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1827.  He  served  in  the  Mexican  army,  was 
elected  Senator  from  "Wisconsin,  and  in  1879  from  Missouri  for  a 
short  term. 

Lyman  Trumbull — Took  his  seat  in  the  (J.  S.  Senate  March  4, 
1855,  and  became  his  own  successor  in  1861.  He  had  previously 
served  one  term  in  the  Lower  House  of  Congress,  and  served  on 
the  Supreme  Bench.     He  was  born  in   Connecticut;   studied  law 


164  HISTOKY    OF   ILLINOIS. 

and  came  to  Illinois  early  in  life,  where  for  years  he  was  actively 
engaged  in  politics.     He  resides  in  Chicago. 

Orvill  H.  Browning — ^Was  appointed  U.  S.  Senator  in  1861,  to 
fill  the  seat  made  vacant  by  the  death  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  until 
a  Senator  could  be  regularly  elected.  Mr.  Browning  was  born  in 
Harrison  county,  Kentucky;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1831',  and 
settled  in  Quincy,  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law, 
and  was  instrumental,  with  his  friend,  Abraham  Lincoln,  in  form- 
ing the  Republican  party  of  Illinois  at  the  Bloomington  Conven- 
tion. He  entered  Johnson's  cabinet  as  Secretary  of  the  Interior, 
and  in  March,  1868,  was  designated  by  the  President  to  perform  the 
duties  of  Attorney  General,  in  addition  to  his  own,  as  Secretary  of 
the  Interior  Department. 

William  A.  Richardson — Was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  in 
1863,  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  his  friend,  Stephen  A  Douglas. 
He  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Ky.,  about  1810,  studied  ]a,w, 
and  settled  in  Illinois;  served  as  captain  in  the  Mexican  "War,  and, 
on  the  battle-field  of  Bnena  Vista,  was  promoted  for  bravery,  by  a 
unanimous  vote  of  his  regiment.  He  served  in  the  Lower  House 
of  Congress  from  1847  to  1866,  continually. 

Richard  Yates — "Was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  in  1865,  serv- 
ing a  full  term  of  six  years.  He  died  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Nov.  27, 
1873. 

John  A.  Logan — Was  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  in  1871.  He 
was  born  in  Jackson  county,  111.,  Feb.  9,  1826,  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Mexican  War, 
where  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  Regimental  Quartermaster.  On 
returning  home  he  studied  law,  and  came  to  the  bar  in  1852;  was 
elected  in  1858  a  Representative  to  the  36th  Congress  and  re-elected 
to  the  37th  Congress,  resigning  in  1861  to  take  part  in  the  sup- 
pression of  the  Rebellion;  served  as  Colonel  and  subsequently  as  a 
Major  General,  and  commanded,  with  distinction,  the  armies  of 
the  Tennessee.  He  was  again  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  in  1879 
for  six  years. 

David  Davis— y^&s,  elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  in  1877  for  a  term 
of  six  years.  He  was  born  in  Cecil  county,  Md.,  March  9,  1815, 
graduated  at  Kenyon  College,  Ohio,  studied  law,  and  removed  to 
Illinois  in  1835;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  settled  in  Blooming- 
ion,  where  he  has  since  resided  and  amassed  a  large  fortune.     He 


HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS.  165 

was  for  many  years  the  intimate  friend  and  associate  of  Abraham 
Lincoln,  rode  the  circuit  with  him  each  year,  and  after  Lincohi's 
election  to  the  Presidency,  was  appointed  by  him  to  fill  the  position 
of  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 

REPRESENTATIVES  IN  CONGRESS. 

FIFTEENTH  CONGKESS.  NINETEENTH    CONGRESS. 

John  McLean 1818     Daniel  P.  Cook 1825-36 

SIXTEENTir  CONGRESS.  TWENTIETH  CONGRESS. 

Daniel  P.  Cook 1819-20     Joseph  Duncan 1827-28 

SEVENTEENTH   CONGRESS.  TWENTY-FIKST    CONGRESS. 

Daniel  P.  Cook ,. 1821-22     Joseph  Duncan 1829-30 

EIGHTEENTH    CONGRESS.  TWENTY-SECOND  CONGRESS. 

Daniel  P.  Cook 1823-34     Joseph  Duncan 1831-33 

TWENTY-THIRD    CONGRESS. 

Joseph  Duncan 1833-34     Zadock  Casey 1833-34 

TWENTY-FOURTH    CONGRESS. 

Zadock  Casey 1835-36     "William  L.  May 1835-36 

John  Reynolds 1835-36 

TWENTY-FIFTH    CONGRESS. 

Zadock  Casey 1837-38     William  L.  May 1837-88 

John  Reynolds 1837-38 

TWENTY-SIXTH    CONGRESS. 

Zadock  Casey 1839-40     John  T.  Stuart 1839-40 

John  Reynolds 1839^0 

TWENTY-SEVENTH    CONGRESS. 

Zadock  Casey 1841-43     John  T.  Stuart  1841-43 

John  Reynolds 1841-42 

TWENTY-EIGHTH   CONGRESS. 

Robert  Smith 1843^4  Joseph  P.  Hoge 1843^4 

Orlando  B.  Pinklin 1843-44  John  J.  Hardin 1843-44 

Stephen  A.  Douglas 1843-44  John  Wentworth 1843-44 

John  A.  McClernand 1843-44 

TWENTY-NINTH  CONGRESS. 

Robert  Smith 1845-46  Joseph  P.  Hoge 1845-46 

Stephen  A.  Douglas 1845-46  John  A.  McClernand 1845-46 

Orlando  B.  Finklin 1845-46  John  Wentworth 1845-46 

John  J.  Hardin 1845 

THIRTIETH    CONGRESS. 

John  Wentworth 1847-48  Orlando  B.  Finklin 1847-48 

Thomas  J.  Turner 1847  Robert  Smith 1847^8 

Abraham  Lincoln 1847-48  William  A.  Richardson 1847-48 

John  A.  McClernand 1847-48 


166  HISTOEV   OF    ILLINOIS. 

THIRTY-FIRST    CONGRESS. 

John  A.  McClemaad 1 849-50     Edward  D.  Baker 1849-50 

Jolm  Wentworth 1849-50     William  H.  Bissell , . .  .1849-50 

Timothy  R.  Young ,1849-50     Thomas  L.  Harris 1849 

William  A.  Richardson 1849-50 

THIRTY-SECOND    CONGRESS. 

William  A.  Richardson 1851-53  Richard  Yates  1851-52 

Thompson  Campbell 1851-53  Richard  S.  Maloney 1851-52 

Orlando  B.  Finklin 1851-53 Willis 1851-53 

John  Wentworth 1851-53  William  H.  Bissell 1851-52 

THIRTY-THIRD    CONGRESS. 

William  H.  Bissell. . : .1853-54  Thompson  Campbell 1853-54 

John  C.  Allen 1853-54  James  Knox 1853-54 

Willis 1853-54  Jesse  O.  Norton 1853-54 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1853-54  William  A.  Richardson 1863-54 

Richard  Yates 1853-54 

THIRTY-FOURTH    CONGRESS 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1855-56     Samuel  S.  Marshall 1855-56 

Lyman  Trumbull 1855-56     J.  L.  D.  Morrison 1855-56 

James  H.  Woodworth 1855-56     John  C.  Allen 1855-56 

James  Knox. 1855-56     Jesse  O.  Norton 1855-56 

Thompson  Campbell 1855-56     William  A.  Richardson 1855-56 

THIRTY-FIFTH    CONGRESS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1857-58  Samuel  S.  Marshall 1857-58 

Charles  D.  Hodges 1857-58  Isaac  N.  Morris 1857-58 

William  Kellogg 1857-58  Aaron  Shaw 1857-58 

Thompson  Campbell 1857-58  Robert  Smith 1857-58 

John  F.  Parnsworth 1857-58  Thomas  L.  Harris 1857-58 

Owen  Lovejoy 1857-58 

THIRTY-SIXTH    CONGRESS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1859-60     John  F.  Parnsworth 1859-60 

John  A.  Logan 1859-60     Philip  B.  Pouke 1859-60 

Owen  Lovejoy 1859-60     Thomas  L.  Harris 1859-60 

John  A.  McClernand 1859-60      William  Kellogg 1859-fiO 

Isaac  N  Morris 1859-60     James  C.  Robinson 1859-60 

•  THIRTY-SEVENTH    CONGRESS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1861-63  Isaac  N.  Arnold 1861-63 

James  C.  Robinson 1861-63  Philip  B.  Pouke 1861-«? 

John  A.  Logan . . . ; 1361-63  William  Kellogg 1861-63 

Owen  Lovejoy 1861-63  Anthony  L.  Knapp 1861-62 

John  A.  McClernand 1861-63  William  A.  Richardson 1861-62 

THIRTY-EIGHTH    CONGRESS. 

Elihu  B.  Washburne 1863-64     William  J.  Allen 1863-64 

Jesse  0.  Norton 1863-64     Isaac  N.  Arnold 1863-64 

James  C.  Robinson 1803-64     John  R.  Eden 1863-64 


l|>   rl's   I     1^  '  ^  I     »>I8Sai([-iB,«yJ  BiiacSst;];'  •    J    JJ/jJ 


CENTRAL  HOSPITAL  FOR  THE  INSANE,  JACKSONVILLE. 


0fii"^R    CO     —  " 

ILLINOIS   INDUSTRIAL    UNIVERSITY,   CHAMPAIGN — POUNDED    BY  THE    STATE 
ENDOWED   BY   CONGRESS. 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


169 


Lewis  W.  Ross 1863-64 

John  T.  Stuart.. , 1863-64 

Owen  Lovejoy , 1863-64 

"William  R.  Morrison 1863-64 

John  C.  Allen. 1863-64 


John  F.  Farnsworth 1863-64 

Charles  W.  Morris 1863-64 

Eben  C.  IngersoU 1803-64 

Antflony  L.  Knapp 1868-64 


THIKTY-NINTH    CONGRESS. 


Elihu  B.  Washburne 1865-66 

Anthony  B.  Thornton 1863-66 

John  "Wentworth. 1865-66 

Ahner  C.  Hardin 1865-66 

Eben  C.  IngersoU IS'jri-SG 

Barton  C.  Cook 1865-60 


Jonn  F.  Farnsworth 1865-66 

Jehu  Baker 1865-66 

Henry  P.  H.  Bromwell 1865-66 

Andrew  Z.  Kuykandall 1805-66 

Samuel  S.  Marshall 1865-66 

Samuel  W.  Moulton 1865-66 


Shelby  M.  CuUom 1865-66     Lewis  W.  Ross . 


.1865-66 


FORTIETH   CONGRESS. 


Elj^m  B.  Washburne, 1867-68 

Abner  C.  Hardin. 1867-68 

Eben  C.  IngersoU 1867-68 

Norman  B.  Judd 1867-68 

Albert  G.  Burr 1867-68 

Burton  C.  Cook  '. 1867-68 


John  F.  Farnsworth 1867-68 

Jehu  Baker 1867-68 

Henry  P.  H.  Bromwell 1867-68 

John  A.  Logan 1867-08 

Samuel  S.  Marshall 1867-68 

Green  B.  Raum 1867-68 


Shelby  M.  OuUom.. . : 1867-68    .Lewis  W.  Ross. 


.1867-68 


PORTT-PIBST    CONGRESS. 


Norman  B.  Judd 1869-70 

John  F.  Farnsworth 1869-70 

H.  C.  Burchard 1869-70 

John  B.  Hawley 1869-70 

Eben  C.  IngersoU 1869-70 

Burton  C.  Cook 1869-70 

Jesse  H.  Moore 1869-70 


Shelby  M.  Cullom 1869-70 

Thomas  W.  McNeely 1869-70 

Albert  G.  Burr 1869-70 

Samuel  8.  Marshall 1869-70 

John  B.  Hay 1869-70 

John  M.  Crebs 1869-70 

John  A,  Logan 1869-70 


FORTY-SECOND   CONGRESS. 

Charles  B.  Farwell 1871-73     James  C.  Robinson 1871-73 


John  F.  Farnsworth 1871-73 

Horatio  C.  Burchard 1871-73 

John  B.  Hawley.- 1871-73 

Bradford  N.  Stevens 1871-73 

Henry  Snapp 1871-73 

Jesse  H.  Moore 1871-73 


Thomas  W.  McNeely 1871-73 

Edward  Y.  Rice 1871-73 

Samuel  8.  Marshall 1871-73 

John  B.  Hay 1871-73 

John  M.  Crebs 1871-73 

John  S.  Beveredge 1 871-73 


FORTY-THIRD    CONGRESS. 


John  B.  Rice 1873-74 

Jasper  D.  Ward 1873-74 

Charles  B.  Farwell  1873-74 

Stephen  A.  Hurlbut 1873-74 

Horatio  C.  Burchard 1873-74 

John  B.  Hawley 1873-74 

Franklin  Corwin 1873-74 


Robert  M.  Knapp 1873-74 

James  C.  Robinson 1873-74 

John  B.  McNulta 1873-74 

Joseph  G.  Cannon 1873-74 

John  R.  Eden 1873-74 

James  S.  Martin 1873-74 

William  R.  Morrison 1873-74 


iro 


HISTORT    OF    ILLINOIS. 


-Greenbury  L.  Fort 1873-74 

Granville  Barrere 1873-74 

William  H.  Ray 1873-74 

rORTY-FOUBTH    CONGRESS. 


Isaac  Clements 1873-74 

Samuel  S,  Marshall 1873-74 


Bernard  G.  Caulfleld 1875-76 

Carter  H.  Harrison 1875-76 

Charles  B.  Parwell 1875-76 

Stephen  A.  Hurlbut 1875-76 

Horatio  C.  Burchard 1875-76 

Thomas  J.  Henderson 1875-76 

Alexander  Campbell 1875-76 

Greenbury  L.  Fort 1875-'(6 

Richard  H.  "Whiting 1875-76 

John  C.  Bagby '. 1875-76 

FORTY-FIFTH 

William  Aldrich . .' 1877-78 

Carter  H.  Harrison 1877-78 

Lorenzo  Brentano 1877-78 

William  Lathrop 1877-78 

Horatio  C.  Burohard 1877-78 

Thomas  J.  Henderson 1877-78 

Philip  C.  Hayes 1877-78 

Greenbury  L.  Fort 1877-78 

Thomas  A.  Boyd 1877-78 

Benjamin  F.  Marsh 1877-78 

FORTY-SIXTH 

William  Aldrich 1879-80 

George  R.  Davis 1879-80 

Hiram  Barber 1879-80 

.Tohn  C.  Sherwin 1879-80 

R.M.  A.  Hawk 1879-80 

Thomas  J.  Henderson 1879-80 

Philip  C.  Hayes 1879-80 

Greenbury  L.  Fort 1879-80 

Thomas  A.  Boyd 1879-80 

Benjamin  F.  Marsh 1879-80 


Scott  Wike 1875-76 

William  M.  Springer 1875-76 

Adlai  E.  Stevenson 1875-76 

Joseph  G.  Cannon 1875-76 

John  R.  Eden 1875-76 

W.  A.  J.  Sparks 1875-76 

William  R.  Morrison 1875-76 

William  Hartzell 1875-76 

William  B.  Anderson 1875-76 

CONGRESS. 

Robert  M.  Knupp 1877-78 

William  M.  Springer 1877-78 

Thomas  F.  Tipton 1877-78 

Joseph  G.  Cannon 1877-78 

John  R.  Eden ' 1877-78 

W.  A.  J.  Sparks 1877-78 

William  R.  Morrison 1877-78 

William  Hartzell 1877-78 

Richard  W.  Townshend 1877-78 

CONGRESS. 

James  W.  Singleton 1879-80 

William  M.  Springer 1879-80 

A.  E.  Stevenson 1879-80 

Joseph  G.  Cannon 1879-80 

Albert  P.  Porsythe 1879-80 

W.  A.  J.  Sparks 1879-80 

William  R.  Morrison 1879-80 

John  R.  Thomas 1879-80 

R.  W.  Townshend 1879-80 


CHICAGO. 

While  we  cannot,  in  the  brief  space  we  have,  give  more  than' a 
meager  sketch  of  such  a  city  as  Chicago,  yet  we  feel  the  history  of 
the  State  would  be  incomplete  without  speaking  of  its  metropolis, 
the  most  wonderful  city  on  the  globe. 

In  comparing  Chicago  as  it  was  a  few  years  since  with  Chicago 
of  to-day,  we  behold  a  change  whose  veritable  existence  we  should 


HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS.  171 

be  inclined  to  doubt  were  it  not  a  stern,  indisputable  fact.  Eapid 
as  is  the  customary  development  of  places  and  things  in  the  United 
States,  the  growth  of  Chicago  and  her  trade  stands  without  a  parallel. 
The  city  is  situated  on  the  west  shore  of  Lake  Midiigan  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Chicago  river.  It  lies  14  feet  above  the  lake,  having 
been  raised  to  that  grade  entirely  by  the  energy  of  its  citizens,  its 
si tei  having  originally  been  on  a  dead  level  with  the  water  of  the 
lake. 

The  city  extends  north  and  south  along  the  lake  about  ten  miles,, 
and  westward  on  the  prairie  from  the  lake  five  or  six  miles,  embrac- 
ing an  area  of  over  40  square  miles.  It  is  divided  by  the  river 
into  three  distinct  parts,  known  as  the  North,  "West  and  Soutli 
Divisions,  or  "Sides,"  by  which  they  are  popularly  and  commonly 
known.     These  are  connected  by  33  bridges  and  two  tunnels. 

The  first  settlement  of  Chicago  was  made  in  1804,  during  which 
year  Fort  Dearborn  was  built.  At  the  close  of  1830  Chicago  con- 
tained 12  houses,  with  a  population  of  about  100.  The  town  was 
organized  in  1833,  and  incorporated  as  a  city  in  1837.  The  first 
frame  building  was  erected  in  1832,  and  the  first  brick  house  in 
1833.  The  first  vessel  entered  the  harbor  June  11,  1834;  and  at 
^  the  first  official  census,  taken  July  1,  1837,  the  entire  population, 
was  found  to  be  4,170.  In  1850  the  population  had  increased  to 
29,963;  in  1860,  to  112,172;  in  1870,  298,977;  and,  according  to 
the  customary  mode  of  reckoning  from  the  number  of  names  in 
the  City  Directory,  the  population  of  1879  is  over  500,000. 

Nicholas  Perrot,  a  Frenchman,  was  the  first  white  man  to  visit, 
the  site  of  Chicago.  This  he  did  in  1671,  at  the  instigation  of  M.. 
Toulon,  Governor  of  Canada.  He  was  sent  to  invite  the  Western 
Indians  to  a  convention  at  Green  Bay.  It  has  been  often  remarked 
that  the  first  white  man  who  became  a  resident  of  Chicago  was  a 
negro.  His  name  was  Jean  Baptiste  Pointe  au  Sable,  a  mulatto  from 
tlie  West  Indies.  He  settled  there  in  1796  and  built  a  rude  cabin  on 
tlie  north  bank  of  the  main  river,  and  laid  claim  to  a  tract  of  lan(]; 
surrounding  it.  He  disappeared  from  the  scene,  and  his  claim  was 
"jumped"  by  a  Frenchman  named  Le  Mai,  who  commenced  trad- 
ing with  the  Indians.  A  few  years  later  he  sold  out  to  John  Kin- 
zie,  who  was  then  an  Indian  trader  in  the  country  about  St. 
Joseph,  Mich.,  and  agent  for  the  American  Fur  Company,  which 
had  traded  at  Chicago  with  the  Indians  for  some  time;   and  this 


1Y2  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

fact  had,  probably  more  than  any  other,  to  do  with  the  determina- 
tion of  the  Government  to  establish  a  fort  there.  The  Indians 
were  growing  numerous  in  that  region,  being  attracted  by  the 
facilities  for  selling  their  wares,  as  well  as  being  pressed  northward 
by  the  tide  of  emigration  setting  in  from  the  south.  It  was  judged 
necessary  to  have  some  force  near  that  point  to  keep  them  in 
check,  as  well  as  to  protect  the  trading  interests.  Mr.  Kinzie 
moved  his  family  there  the  same  year  Fort  Dearborn  was  built 
and  converted  the  Jean  Baptiste  cabin  into  a  tasteful  dwelling. 

For  about  eight  years  things  moved  along  smoothly.  The  garri- 
son was  quiet,  and  the  traders  prosperous.  Then  the  United  States 
became  involved  in  trouble  with  Great  Britain.  The  Indians  took 
the  war-path  long  before  the  declaration  of  hostilities  between  the 
civilized  nations,  committina:  great  depredations,  the  most  atro- 
cious of  which  was  the  massacre  of  Fort  Dearborn,  an  account  of 
which  may  be  found  in  this  volume  under  the  heading  of  "  The 
War  of  1812." 

THE    GREAT   FIRE. 

From  the  year  1840  the  onward  march  of  the  city  of  Chicago  *» 
to  the  date  of  the  great  fire  is  well  known.  To  recount  its  marvel- 
ous growth  in  population,  wealth,  internal  resources  and  improve- 
ments and  everything  else  that  goes  to  make  up  a  mighty  city, 
would  consume  more  space  than  we  could  devote,  however  interest- 
ing it  might  be.  Its  progress  astonished  the  world,  and  its  citizens 
stood  almost  appalled  at  the  work  of  their  own  hands.  She  was 
happy,  prosperous  and  great  when  time  brought  that  terrible  Octo- 
ber night  (Oct.  9,  1871)  and  with  it  the  great  fire,  memorable  as 
the  greatest  fire  ever  occurring  on  earth.  The  sensation  conveyed 
to  the  spectator  of  this  unparalleled  event,  either  through  the  eye, 
the  ear,  or  Other  senses  or  sympathies,  cannot  be  adequately 
described,  and  anjj  attempt  to  do  it  but  shows  the  poverty  of  lan- 
guage. As  a  spectacle  it  was  beyond  doubt  the  grandest  as  well  as 
the  most  appalling  ever  offered  to  mortal  eyes.  From  any 
elevated  standpoint  the  appearance  was  that  of  a  vast  ocean  of 
flame,  sweeping  in  mile-long  billows  and  breakers  over  the  doomed  ; 
city. 

Added  to  the  spectacular  elements  of  the  conflagration— the 
intense  and  lurid  light,  the  sea  of  red  and  black,  and  the  spires  and 
pyramids  of  flame  shooting  into  the  heavens — was  its  constant  and 


HI8T0EY   OF   ILLINOIS.  173 

terrible  roar,  drowning  even  the  voices  of  the  shrieking  multitude; 
and  ever  and  anon — for  a  while  as  often  as  every  half-minute — 
resounded  far  and  wide  the  rapid  detonations  of  explosions,  or  fall- 
ing walls.  In  short,  all  sights  and  sounds  which  terrifj'  the  weak 
and  unnerve  the  strung  abounded.  But  they  were  only  tlie  accom- 
paniment which  the  orchestra  of  nature  were  furnishing  to  the 
terrible  tragedy  there  being  enacted. 

The  total  area  burned  over,  including  streets,  was  three  and  a 
third  square  miles.  The  number  of  buildings  destroyed  was 
17,450;  persons  rendered  homeless,  98,500;  persons  killed,  about 
200.  Not  including  depreciation  of  real  estate,  or  loss  of  business, 
it  is  estimated  that  the  total  loss  occasioned  by  the  fire  was 
$190,000,000,  of  which  but  $44,000,000  was  recovered  on  insur- 
ance. The  business  of  the  city  was  interrupted  but  a  short  time; 
and  in  a  year  after  the  fire  a  large  part  of  the  burned  district  was 
rebuilt,  and  at  present  there  is  scarcely  a  trace  of  the  terrible  dis- 
aster, save  in  the  improved  character  of  the  new  buildings  over 
those  destroyed,  and  the  general  better  appearance  of  the  city — . 
now  the  finest,  in  an  architectural  sense,  in  the  world. 

One  of  the  features  of  this  great  city  worthy  of  mention  is  the 
Exposition,  held  annually.  The  smouldering  ruins  were  yet  smok- 
ing when  the  Exposition  Building  was  erected,  only  ninety  days 
being  consumed  in  its  construction.  The  accompanying  engrav- 
ing of  the  building,  the  main  part  of  which  is  1,000  feet  long, 
will  give  an  idea  of  its  magnitude. 

COMMEKCE    OF    CHICAGO. 

The  trade  of  Chicago  is  co-extensive  with  the  world.  Every- 
where, in  every  country  and  in  every  port, , the  trade-marks  of  her 
merchants  are  seen.  Everywhere,  Chicago  stands  prominently 
identified  with  the  commerce  of  the  continent.  A  few  years  ago, 
grain  was  carted  to  the  place  in  wagons;  now  more  than  10,000 
miles  of  railroad,  with  thousands  of  trains  heavily  ladened  with  the 
products  of  the  land  center  there.  The  cash  value  of  the  produce 
handled  during  the  year  1878  was  $220,000,000,  and  its  aggregate 
weight  was  7,000,000  tons,  or  would  make  700,000  car  loads. 
Divided  into  trains,  it  would  make  28,000  long,  heavily  ladened 
freight  trains,  wending  their  way  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States 
toward  our  great  metropolis.     These  trains,  arranged  in  one  con- 


174  HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

tinuons  line,  would  stretch  from  London  across  the  broad  Atlantic 
to  New  York  aud  on  across  our  continent  to  San  Francisco. 

.In  regard  to  tiie  grain,  lumber  and  stock  trade,  Chicago  has  sur- 
passed all  rivals,  and,  indeed,  not  only  is  without  a  peer  but  excels 
any  three  or  four  cities  in  the  world  in  these  branches.  Of  grain, 
the  vast  quantity  of  134,851,193  bushels  was  received  during  the 
year  1878.  This  was  about  two-fifths  more  than  ever  received 
before  in  one  year.  It  took  13,000  long  freight  trains  to  carry  it 
from  the  fields  of  the  Northwest  to  Chicago.  This  would  make  a 
continuous  train  that  would  rt?ach  across  the  continent  from  New 
York  to  San  Francisco.  Speaking  more  in  detail,  w«  have  of  the 
various  cereals  received  during  the  year,  62,783,577  bushels  of  corn, 
29,901,220  bushels  of  wheat,  18,251,529  bushels  of  oats,  133,981,104 
pounds  of  seed.  The  last  item  alone  would  fill  about  7,000  freight 
cars. 

The  lumber  received  daring  the  year  1878  was,  1,171,364,000  feet, 
exceeded  only  in  1872,  the  year  after  the  great  fire.  This  vast 
amount  of  lumber  would  require  195,000  freight  cars  to  transport 
it.  It  would  build  a  fence,  four  boards  high,  four  and  one-half 
times  around  the  globe. 

In  the  stock  trade  for  the  year  1878,  the  figures  assume  propor- 
tions almost  incredible.  They  are,  however,  from  reliable  and 
trustworthy  sources,  and  must  be  accepted  as  authentic.  There 
were  received  daring  the  year,  6,339,656  hogs,  being  2,000,000  more 
than  ever  received  before  in  one  year.  It  required  129,916  stock 
cars  to  transport  this  vast  number  of  hogs  from  the  farms  of  the 
West  and  Northwest  to  the  stock  yards  of  Chicago.  These  hogs 
arranged  in  single  file,  would  form  a  connecting  link  between 
Chicago  and  Pekin,  China. 

Of  the  large  number  of  hogs  received,  five  millions  of  them  were 
slaughtered  in  Chicago.  The  aggregate  amount  of  product  manu- 
factured from  these  hogs  was  918,000,000  pounds.  The  capacity  of 
the  houses  engaged  in  slaughtering  operations  in  Chicago  is  60,000 
hogs  daily.  The  number  of  hands  employed  in  these  houses  is 
from  6,000  to  8,000.  The  number  of  packages  required  in  which 
to  market  the  year's  product  is  enormously  large,  aggregating  500,- 
000  barrels,  800,000  tierces  and  650,000  boxes. 

There  has  been  within  the  stock  yards  of  the  city,  during  the 
year  1878,  1,036,066  cattle.     These  were  gathered  from  the  plains 


HISTORY   OF   ILLINOIS.  175 

of  Oregon,  Wyoming  and  Utah,  and  the  grazing  regions  of  Texas, 
as  well  as  from  all  the  Southern,  Western  and  Northwestern  States 
and  Territories  and  from  the  East  as  far  as  Ohio.  If  these  cattle 
were  driven  from  Chicago  southward,  in  single  file,  through  the 
United  States,  Mexico,  and  the  Central  American  States  into  South 
America,  the  foremost  could  graze  on  the  plains  of  Brazil,  ere  the 
last  one  had  passed  the  limits  of  the  great  city. 

Not  only  does  Chicago  attract  to  its  great  market  the  products  of 
a  continent,  but  from  it  is  distributed  throughout  the  world  manu- 
factured goods.  Every  vessel  and  every  train  headed  toward  that 
city  are  heavily  ladened  with  the  crude  products  of  the  farm,  of  the 
forests,  or  of  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  and  every  ship  that  leaves  her 
docks  and  every  train  that  flies  from  her  limits  are  filled  with 
manufactured  articles.  These  goods  not  only  find-  their  way  all 
over  our  own  country  but  into  Europe,  Asia,  Australia,  Africa, 
South  America,  Mexico,  and  the  Islands  of  the  sea;  indeed,  every 
nook  and  corner  of  the  globe,  where  there  is  a  demand  for  her 
goods,  her  merchants  are  ready  to  supply. 

The  wholesale  trade  for  the  year  18T8  reached  enormous  figures, 
aggregating  $280,000,000.  Divided  among  the  leading  lines,  we 
find  there  were  sold  of  dry  goods,  $95,000,000  worth.  The  trade  in 
groceries  amounted  to  $66,000,000;  hardware,  $20,000,000;  boots 
and  shoes,  $24,000,000;  clothing,  $17,000,000;  carpets,  $8,000,000; 
millinery,  $7,000,000;  hats  and  caps,  $6,000,000;  leather,  $8,000,- 
000;  drugs,  $6,000,000;  jewelry,  $4,500,000;  musical  instruments, 
$3,300,000.  Chicago  sold  over  $5,000,000  worth  of  fruit  during 
the  year,  and  for  the  same  time  her  fish  trade  amounted  to  $1,400,- 
000,  and  her  oyster  trade  $4,500,000.  The  candy  and  other  con- 
fectionery trade  amounted  to  $1,534,900.  This  would  fill  all  the 
Christmas  stockings  in  the  United  States. 

In  1852,  the  commerce  of  the  city  reached  the  hopeful  sum  of 
$20,000,000;  since  then,  the  annual  sales  of  one  firm  amount  to 
that  much.  In  1870,  it  reached  $400,000,000,  and  in  1878  it  had 
grown  so  rapidly  that  the  trade  of  the  city  amounted  during  that  ■ 
year  to  $650,000,000.  Her  manufacturing  interests  have  likewise 
grown.  In  1878,  her  manufactories  employed  in  the  neighborhood 
of  75,000  operators.  The  products  manufactured  during  the  year 
were  valued  at  $230,000,000.  In  reviewing  the  shipping  interests  of 
Chicago,  we  find  it  equally  enormous.    So  considerable,  indeed,  is  the 


1T6  HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

commercial  navy  of  Chicago,  that  in  the  seasons  of  navigation,  one 
vessel  sails  every  nine  minutes  during  the  business  hours;  add  to 
this  the  canal-boats  that  leave,  one  every  five  minutes  during  the 
same  time,  and  you  will  see  something  of  the  magnitude  of  her 
shipping.  More  vessels  arrive  and  depart  from  this  port  during  the 
season  than  enter  or  leave  any  other  port  in  the  world. 

In  1831,  the  mail  system  was  condensed  into  a  half-breed,  who 
went  on  foot  to  Niles,  Mich.,  once  in  iwo  weeks,  and  brought  back 
what  papers  and  news  he  could  find.  As  late  as  1846,  there  was 
often  but  one  mail  a  week,  A  post-office  was  established  in 
Chicago  in  1833,  and  the  postmaster  nailed  up  old  boot  legs  upon 
one  side  of  his  shop  to  serve  as  boxes.  It  has  since  grown  to  be 
the  largest  receiving  office  in  the  United  States. 

In  1844,  the  quagmires  in  the  streets  were  first  pontooned  by 
plank  roads.  The  wooden-block  pavement  appeared  in  1857.  In 
1840,  water  was  delivered  by  peddlers,  in  carts  or  by  hand.  Then 
a  twenty-five  horse  power  engine  pushed  it  through  hollow  or  bored 
logs  along  the  streets  till  1854,  when  it  was  introduced  into  the 
houses  by  new  works.  The  first  fire-engine  was  used  in  1835,  and 
the  first  steam  fire-engine  in  1859.  Gas  was  utilized  for  lighting 
the  city  in  1850.  The  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  was 
organized  in  1858.  Street  cars  commenced  running  in  1854.  The 
Museum  was  opened  in  1863.  The  alarm  telegraph  adopted  in 
1864.  The  opera-house  built  in  1865.  The  telephone  introduced 
in  1878. 

One  of  the  most  thoroughly  interes,ting  engineering  exploits  of 
,  the  city  is  the  tunnels  and  water- works  system,  the  grandest  and 
most  unique  of  any  in  the  world;  and  the  closest  analysis  fails  to 
detect  any  impurities  in  the  water  furnished.  The  first  tunnel  is 
five  feet  two  inches  in  diameter  and  two  miles  long,  and  can  deliver 
50,000,000  gallons  per  day.  The  second  tunnel  is  seven  feet  in 
diameter  and  six  miles  long,  running  four  miles  under  the  city,  and 
can  deliver  100,000,000  gallons  per  day.  This  water  is  distributed 
through  410  miles  of  water  mains. 

Chicago  river  is  tunneled  for  the  passage  of  pedestrians  and  vehi- 
cles from  the  South  to  the  "West  and  North  divisions. 

There  is  no  grand  scenery  about  Chicago  except  the  two  seas,  one 
of  water,  the  other  of  prairie.  Nevertheless,  there  is  a  spirit  abont 
it,  a  push,  a  breadth,  a  power,  that  soon  makes  it  a  place  never  to 


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HISTORY    6f   ILLINOIS.  177 

be  forsaken.  Chicago  is  in  the  field  almost  alone,  to  handle  the 
wealth  of  one-fourth  of  the  territory  of  this  great  republic.  The 
Atlantic  sea-coast  divides  its  margins  between  Portland,  Boston, 
New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore  and  Savannah,  but  Chicago  has 
a  dozen  empires  casting  their  treasures  into  her  lap.  On  a  bed  of 
coal  that  can  run  all  the  machinery  of  the  world  for  500  centuries; 
in  a  garden  that  can  feed  the  race  by  the  thousand  years;  at  the 
head  of  the  lakes  that  give  her  a  temperature  as  a  summer  resort 
equaled  by  no  great  city  in  the  land;  with  a  climate  that  insures 
the  health  of  her  citizens;  surrounded  by  all  the  great  deposits  of 
natural  wealth  in  mines  and  forests  and  herds,  Chicago  is  the 
wonder  of  to-day,  and  will  be  the  city  of  the  future. 

STATES  OF  THE  UNION. 

THEIR  SETTLEMENT,  ORIGIN  OF  NAME  AND  MEANING,  COGNOMEN,  MOT- 
TOES, ADMISSION  INTO  THE  UNION,  POPULATION,  AREA,  NUMBER  OF 
SOLDIERS  FURNISHED  DURING  THE  REBELLION,  NUMBER  OF  REPRE- 
SENTATIVES IN  CONGRESS,  PRESENT  GOVERNORS,  ETC.,  ETC.,  ETC. 

Alabama. — This  State  was  first  explored  by  LaSalle  in  1684,  and 
settled  by  the  French  at  Mobile  in  1711,  and  admitted  as  a  State  in 
1817.  Its  name  is  Indian,  and  means  "  Here  we  rest."  Has  no 
motto.  Population  in  1860,964,201;  in  1870,996,992.  Furnished 
2,576  soldiers  for  the  Union  army.  Area  50,722  square  miles. 
Montgomery  is  the  capital.  Has  8  Representatives  and  10  Presi- 
dential electors.  Eufus  W.  Cobb  is  Governor;  salary,  $3;000; 
politics,  Democratic.     Length  of  term,  2  years. 

Arkansas — Became  a  State  in  1836.  Population  in  1860,  435,- 
450;  in  1870,484,471.  Area  52,198  square  miles.  Little  Rock, 
capital.  Its  motto  is  Regnant  Populi — "  The  people  rule."  It  has 
the  Indian  name  of  its  principal  river.  Is  called  the  "  Bear  ^tate." 
Furnished  8,289  soldiers.  She  is  entitled  to  4  members  in  Congress? 
and  6  electoral  votes.  Governor,  "W.  R.  Miller,  Democrat;  salary, 
13,500;  term,  2  years. 

California — Has  a  Greek  motto,  Eureka,  which  means  "  I  have 
found  it."  It  derived  its  name  from  the  bay  forming  the  peninsula 
of  Lower  California,  and  was  first  applied  by  Cortez.  It  was  first 
visited  by  the  Spaniards  in  1542,  and  by  the  celebrated  English 


178  HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS. 

navigator,  Sir  Francis  Drake,  in  1578.  In  1846  Fremont  took 
possession  of  it,  defeating  the  Mexicans,  in  the  name  of  the  United 
States,  and  it  was  admitted  as  a  State  in  1850.  Its  gold  mines 
from  1868  to  1878  produced  over  $800,000,000.  Area  188,982  square 
miles.  Population  in  1860,  379,994.  In  1870,  560,247.  She  gave 
to  defend  the  Union  15,225  soldiers.  Sacramento  is  the  capital. 
Has  4  Representatives  in  Congress.  Is  entitled  to  6  Presidential 
electors.  Present  Governor  is  William  Irwin,  a  Democrat;  term, 
4  years;  salary,  $6,000. 

Colorado — Contains  106,475  square  miles,  and  had  a  population 
in  1860  of  34,277,  and  in  1870,  39,864.  She  furnished  4,905 , 
soldiers.  Was  admitted  as  a  State  in  1876.  It  has  a  Latin  motto, 
J^il  sine  Numine,  which  means,  "  Nothing  can  be  done  without 
divine  aid."  It  was  named  from  its  river.  Denver  is  the  capital. 
Has  1  member  in  Congress,  and  3  electors.  T.  W.  Pitkin  is  Gov- 
ernor; salary,  $3,000;  term,  2  years;  politics,  Republican. 

Connectiout — Qui  transtulit  nustinet,  "  He  who  brought  us  over- 
sustains  us,"  is  her  motto.  It  was  named  from  the  Indian  Quon- 
ch-ta-Cut,  signifying  "Long  River."  It  is  called  the  "Nutmeg- 
State."  Area  4,674  square  miles.  Population  1860,  460,147;  in 
1870,  537,454.  Gave  to  the  Union  army  55,755  soldiers.  Hart- 
ford is  the  capital.  Has  4  Representatives  in  Congress,  and  is- 
entitled  to  6  Presidential  electors.  Salaiy  of  Governor  $2,000; 
term,  2  years. 

Delaware. — "  Liberty  and  Independence,"  is  the  motto  of  thia 
State.  It  was  named  after  Lord  De  La  Ware,  an  English  states- 
man, and  is  called, ''  The  Blue  Hen,"  and  the  "  Diamond  State."  It 
was  first  settled  by  the  Swedes  in  1638.  It  was  one  of  the  original 
thirteen  States.  Has  an  area  of  2,120  square  miles.  Population  in 
1860,  112,216;  in  1870,  125,016.  She  sent  to  the  front  to  defend 
the  Union,  12,265  soldiers.  Dover  is  the  capital.  Has  but  1  mem- 
ber in  Congress;  entitled  to  3  Presidential  electors.  John  W. 
Hall,  Democrat,  is  Governor;  salary,  $2,000;  term,  2  years. 

Florida — Was  discovered  by  Ponce  de  Leon  in  1512,  on  Easter- 
Sunday,  called  by  the  Spaniards,  Pascua  Florida,  which,  with  the 
variety  and  beauty  of  the  flowers  at  this  early  season  caused  him  to 
name  it  Florida— which  means  in  Spanish,  flowery.  Its  motto  is, 
"  In  God  we  trust."  It  was  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1845.  It  has 
an  area  of  59,268  square  miles.      Population  in  1860,  140,424;  in 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  l79 

1870, 187,756.  Its  capital  is  Tallahassee.  Has  2  members  in  Con- 
gress. Has  4  Presidential  electors.  George  F.  Drew,  Democrat, 
Grovernor;    term,  4  years;  salary,  $3,500. 

Georgia — Owes  its  name  to  George  II.,  of  England,  who  first 
established  a  colony  there  in  1732.  Its  motto  is,  "  Wisdom,  justice 
and  moderation."  It  was  one  of  the  original  States.  Population 
in  1860,  1,057,286;  1870,  1,184,109.  Capital,  Atlanta.  Area  58,- 
000  square  miles.  Has  9  Representatives  in  Congress,  and  11 
Presidential  electors.  Her  Governor  is  A.  H.  Colquitt,  Democrat; 
term,  4  years;  salary,  $4,000. 

Illinois — Motto,  "  State  Sovereignty,  National  Union."  Name 
derived  from  the  Indian  word,  Illini,  meaning,  superior  men.  It 
is  called  the  ''Prairie  State,"  and  its  inhabitants,  "Suckers." 
Was  first  explored  by  the  French  in  1673,  and  admitted  into  the 
Union  in  1818.'  Area  55,410  square  miles.  Population,  in  1860 
1,711,951 ;  in  1870,  2,539,871.  She  sent  to  the  front  to  defend  the 
Union,  258,162  soldiers.  Capital,  Springfield.  Has  19  members  jn 
Congress,  and  21  Presidential  electors.  Shelby  M.  Cullom,  Repub. 
lican,  is  Governor;  elected  for  4  years;  salary,  $6,000. 

Indiana — Is  called  "Hoosier  State."  Was  explored  in  1682, 
and  admitted  as  a  State  in  1816.  Its  name  was  suggested  by  its 
numerous  Indian  population.  Area  33,809  square  miles.  PopuT 
lation  in  1860,  1,350,428;  in  1870,  1,680,637.  She  put  into  the 
Federal  army,  194,363  men.  Capital,  Indianapolis.  Has  13  mem- 
bers in  Congress,  and  15  Presidential  electors,  J.  D.  Williams, 
Governor,  Democrat;  salary,  $3,000;  term,  4  year. 

Iowa — Is  an  Indian  name  and  means  "This  is  the  land."  Its 
motto  is,  "  Our  liberties  we  prize,  our  rights  we  will  maintain." 
It  is  called  the  "  Hawk  Eye  State."  It  was  first  visited  by 
Marquette  and  Joliet  in  1673;  settled  by  New  Englanders  in 
1833,  and  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1846.  Des  Moines  is  the 
capital.  It  has  an  area  of  66,045,  and  a  population  in  1860  of  674,913, 
and  in  1870  of  1,191,802.  She  sent  to  defend  the  Government, 
75,793  soldiers.  Has  9  members  in  Congress;  11  Presidential 
electors.  John  H.  Gear,  Republican,  is  Governor;  salary,  $2,500; 
term,  2years. 

Kansas — Was  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1861,  making  the 
thirty-fourth  State.  Its  motto  is  Ad  astra  per  aspera,  "  To  the 
stars  through  difficulties."     Its  name  means,  "  Smoky  water,"  and 


180  HISTOKY   OF    ILLINOIS. 

is  derived  from  one  of  her  rivers.  Area  78,841  square  miles. 
Population  in  1860,  107,209;  in  1870  was  362,812.  She  furnished 
20,095  soldiers.  Capital  is  Topeka.  Has  3  Representatives  in  Con- 
gress, and  5  Presidential  electors.  John  P.  St.  John,  Governor; 
politics,  Republican ;  salary,  $3,000;  terra,  2  years. 

Kentuchy — Is  the  Indian  name  for  "  At  the  bead  of  the  rivers." 
Its  motto  is,  "  United  we  stand,  divided  we  fall."  The  sobriquet 
of  "  dark  and  bloody  ground  "  is  applied  to  this  State.  It  was  first 
settled  in  1769,  and  admitted  in  1792  as  the  fifteenth  State.  Area 
37,680.  Population  in  1860,  1,155,684;  in  1870,  1,321,000.  She 
put  into  the  Federal  army  75,285  soldiers.  Capital,  Frankfort. 
Has  10  members  in  Congress  ;  12  Electors.  J.  B.  McCreary, 
Democrat,  is  Governor;  salary,  $5,000 ;  term,  4  years. 

Louisiana — Was  called  after  Louis  XIY.,  who  at  one  time 
owned  that  section  of  the  country.  Its  motto  is  "  Union  and  Con- 
fidence." It  is  called  "The  Creole  State."  It  was  visited  by  La 
Salle  in  1684,  and  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1812,  making  the 
eighteenth  State.  Population  in  1860,708,002;  in  1870,  732,731. 
Area  46,431  square  miles.  She  put  into  the  Federal'  army  5,224 
soldiers.  Capital,  New  Orleans.  Has  6  Representatives  and  8 
Electors.  F.  T.  Nichols,  Governor,  Democrat;  salary,  $8,000; 
term,  4  years. 

Maine. — This  State  was  called  after  the  province  of  Maine  in 
France,  in  compliment  of  Queen  Henrietta  of  England,  who  owned 
that  province.  Its  motto  is  Dirigo,  meaning  "  I  direct."  It  is 
called  "The  Pine  Tree  State."  It  was  settled  by  the  English  in 
1625.  It  was  admitted  as  a  State  in  1820.  Area  31,766  square 
miles.  Population  in  1860,  628,279;  in  1870,  626,463;  69,738  sol- 
diers went  from  this  State.  Has  5  members  in  Congress,  and  7 
Electors.  Selden  Conner,  Republican,  Governor;  term,  1  year; 
salary,  $2,500. 

Maryland — Was  named  after  Henrietta  Maria,  Queen  of 
Charles  I.  of  England.  It  has  a  Latin  motto,  Creoit0  et  multiplica- 
mini,  meaning  "  Increase  and  Multiply."  It  was  settled  in  1634, 
and  was  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States.  It  has  an  area  of  11,- 
124  square  miles.  Population  in  1860  was  687,049;  in  1870,  780,- 
806.  This  State  furnished  46,053  soldiers.  Capital,  AnnapoHs. 
Has  6  Representatives,  and  8  Presidential  electors.  J.  H.  Carroll, 
Democrat,  Governor;  salary,  $4,500;  term,  4  years. 


HISTOEY    OF    ILLINOIS.  181 

Massachusetts — Is  the  Indian  for  "  The  country  around  the  great 
hills."  It  is  called  the  "  Bay  State,"  from  its  numerous  bays.  Its 
motto  is  Ense petit  placidam  sub  libertate  quietem,  "  By  the  sword 
she  seeks  placid  rest  in  liberty."  It  was  settled  in  1620  at  Plymouth 
by  English  Puritans.  It  was  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States, 
and  was  the  first  to  take  up  arms  against  the  English  during  the 
Eevolution.  Area  7,800  square  miles.  Population  in  1860,  1,231,- 
066 ;  in  1870,  1,457,351.  She  gave  to  the  Union  array  146,467  sol- 
diers. Boston  is  the  capital.  Has  11  Eepresentatives  in  Con- 
gress, and  13  Presidential  electors.  Thomas  Talbot,  Republican,  is 
Governor;  salary,  $5,000;  term,  1  year. 

Michigan — Latin  motto,  Luehor,  and  8i  quoeris  peninsular) i, 
amcenam  circumspice,  "  I  will  defend" — "If  you  seek  a  pleasant 
peninsula,  look  around  you."  Tlie  name  is  a  contraction  of  two 
Indian  words  meaning  "Great  Lakp."  It  was  early  explored  by 
Jesuit  missionaries,  and  in  1837  was  admitted  into  the  Union.  It 
is  known  as  the  "  Wolverine  State."  It  contains  56,243  square 
miles.  In  1860  it  had  a  population  of  749,173;  in  1870, 1,184,059. 
She  furnished  88,111  soldiers.  Capital,  Lansing.  Has  9  Repre- 
sentatives and  11  Presidential  electors.  C.  M.  Croswell  is  Gov- 
ernor; politics.  Republican;  salary,  $1,000;  term,  2  years. 

Minnesota — Is  an  Indian  name,  meaning  "  Cloudy  Water."  It 
has  a  French  motto,  L'Etoile  du  Word—'-'-  The  Star  of  the  North." 
It  was  visited  in  1680  by  La  Salle,  settled  in  1846,  and  admitted 
into  the  Union  in  1858.  It  contains  83,531  square  miles.  In  1860 
had  a  population  of  172,023;  in  1870,  439,511.  She  gave  to  the 
Union  army  24;002  soldiers.  St.  Paul  is  the  capital.  Has  3  mem- 
bers in  Congress,  5  Presidential  electors.  Governor,  J.  S.  Pills- 
burj',  Republican;  Salary,  $3,000;  term,  2  years. 

Mississippi — Is  an  Indian  name,  meaning  "  Long  River,"  and  the 
State  is  named  from  the  "  Father  of  Waters."  The  State  was  first 
explored  by  De  Sota  in  1541;  settled  by  the  French  at  Natchez  in 
1716,  and  was  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1817.  It  has  an  area  of 
47,156  square  miles.  Population  in  1860,  791,305;  in  1870,827,- 
922.  She  gave  to  suppress  the  Rebellion  545  soldiers.  Jackson  is 
the  capital.  Has  6  representatives  in  Congress,  and  8  Presidential 
electors.  J.  M.  Stone  is  Governor,  Democrat;  salary,  $4,000; 
term,  4  years. 

Missowri — Is  derived  from  the  Indian  word  "  muddy,"  which 


182  HISTORY    OF   ILLINOIS. 

more  properly  applies  to  the  river  that  flows  through  it.  Its  motto 
is  Salus  populi  suprema  lex  esto,  "  Let  the  welfare  of  the  people 
be  the  supreme  law."  The  State  was  first  settled  by  the  French 
near  Jefferson  City  in  1719,  and  in  1821  was  admitted  into  the 
Union.  It  has  an  area  of  67,380  square  miles,  equal  to  43,123,200 
acres.  It  had  a  population  in  1860  of  1,182,012;  in  1870,  1,721,- 
000.  She  gave  to  defend  the  Union  108,162  soldiers.  Capital, 
Jefferson  City.  Its  inhabitants  are  known  by  the  offensive  cogno- 
man  of  ''  Pukes."  lias  13  representatives  in  Congress,  and  15 
Presidential  electors.  J.  S.  Phelps  is  Governor;  politics,  Demo- 
cratic; salary,  $5,000;  term,  4  years. 

Nebraska — Has  f ^r  its  motto,  "  Equality  before  the  law."  Its 
name  is  derived  from  one  of  its  rivers,  meaning  "broad  and  shal- 
low, or  low."  It  was  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1867.  Its  capital 
is  Lincoln.  It  had  a  population  in  1860  of  28,841,  and  in  1870, 
123,993,  and  in  1875,  246,280'.  It  has  an  area  of  75,995  square 
miles.  She  furnished  to  defend  the  Union  3,157  soldiers.  Has  but 
1  Representative  and  3  Presidential  electors.  A.  Nance,  Repub- 
lican, is  Governor;  salary,  $2,500;  term,  2  years. 

Nevada—''^  The  Snowy  Land "  derived  its  name  from  the  Span- 
ish. Its  motto  is  Latin,  Yolens  et  potens,  and  means  "willing 
and  able."  It  was  settled  in  1850,  and  admitted  into  the  Union  in 
1864.  Capital,  Carson  City.  Its  population  in  1860  was  6,857; 
in  1870  it  was  42,491.  It  has  an  area  of  112,090  square  miles. 
She  furnished  1,080  soldiers  to  suppress  the  Eebellion.  Has  1  Rep- 
resentative and  3  Electors.  Governor,  J.  H.  Kinkhead,  Republican; 
salary,  $6,000;  term,  4  years. 

New  Hampshire— W 3,5  first  settled  at  Dover  by  the  English  in 
1623.  Was  one  of  the  original  States.  Has  no  motto.  It  is 
named  from  Hampshire  county  in  England.  It  also  bears  the 
name  of  "  The  Old  Granite  State."  It  has  an  area  of  9,280  miles, 
which  equals  9,239,200  acres.  It  had  a  population  in  1 860  of  326,- 
073,  and  in  1870  of  318,300.  She  increased  the  Union  army  with 
33,913  soldiers.  Concord  is  the  capital.  Has  3  Representatives 
and  5  Presidential  electors.  N.  Head,  Republican,  Governor; 
salar}',  $1,000;  term,  1  year. 

New  Jersey — Was  named  in  honor  of  the  Island  of  Jersey  in  the 
British  channel.  Its  motto  is  "  Liberty  and  Independence."  It  was 
first  settled  at  Bergen  by  the  Swedes  in  1624.     It  is  one  of  the  orig- 


HISTORY  OF  ILLINOIS.  183 

inal  thirteen  States.  It  has  an  area  of  8,320  square  miles,  or  5,324,- 
800  acres.  Population  in  1860  was  672,035 ;  in  1870  it  was  906,096. 
She  put  into  the  Federal  army  75,315  soldiers.  Capital,  Trenton. 
Has  7  Representatives  and  9  Presidential  electors.  Governor, 
George  B.  McClelland,  Democrat;  salary,  $5,000;  term,  3  years. 

New  York. — The  "Empire  State"  was  named  by  the  Duke  of 
York,  afterward  King  James  II.  of  England.  It  has  a  Latin  motto, 
Excelsior,  which  means  "  Still  Higher."  It  was  first  settled  by  the 
Dutch  in  1614  at  Manhattan.  It  has  an  area  of  47,000  square 
miles,  or  30,080,000  acres.  The  population  in  1860  was  3,880,735; 
in  1870  it  was  4,332,759.  It  is  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States. 
Capital  is  Albany.  It  gave  to  defend  our  Government  445,959 
men.  Has  33  members  in  Congress,  and  35  Presidential  electors. 
Governor,  L.  Robinson,  Democrat;  salary,  $10,000;  term,  3  years. 

North  Carolina — Was  named  after  Charles  IX.,  King  of  France. 
It  is  called  "  The  Old  North,"  or  "  The  Turpentine  State."  It  was 
iirsi  visited  in  1524  by  a  Florentine  navigator,  sent  out  by  Francis 
I.,  King  of  France.  It  was  settled  at  Albemarle  in  1663.  It  was 
one  of  the  original  thirteen  States.  It  has  an  area  of  50,704  square 
miles,  equal  to  32,450,560  acres.  It  hadia  1860  a  population  of 
992,622,  and  in  1870,  1,071,361.  Raleigh  is  the  capital.  She- 
furnished  3,156  soldiers  to  put  down  the  Rebellion.  Has  8  mem- 
bers in  Congress,  and  is  entitled  to  10  Presidential  electors.  Z.  B. 
Vance,  Democrat,  is  Governor;  salary,  $5,000;  term,  4  years. 

Ohio — Took  its  name  from  the  river  on  its  Southern  boundary, 
and  means  "  Beautiful."  Its  motto  is  Imperium  in  Lnperio — 
"An  Empire  in  an  Empire."  It  was  first  permanently  settled  in 
1788  at  Marietta  by  New  Englanders.  It  was  admitted  as  a  State 
in  1803.  Its  capital  is  Columbus.  It  contains  39,964  square 
miles,  or  25,576, 960  acres.  Population  in  1860,  2,339,511;  in  1870 
it  had  2,665,260.  She  sent  to  the  front  during  the  Rebellion  310,- 
654  soldiers.  Has  20  Representatives,  and  22  Presidential  electors. 
Governor,  R.  M.  Bishop,  Democrat;  salary,  $4,000;  term,  2  years. 

Oregon- — Owes  its  Indian  name  to  its  principal  river.  Its  motto 
is  Alis  volat  propriis — "She  flies  with  her  own  wings."  It  was 
first  visited  by  the  Spaniards  in  the  sixteenth  century.  It  was  set- 
tled by  the  English  in  1813,  and  admitted  into  the  IJnion  in  1859. 
Its  capital  is  Salem.  It  has  an  area  of  95,274  square  miles,  equal 
to  60,975,360  acres.     It  had  in  1860  a  population  of  52,465;  in 


184  HISTOKY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

1870,  90,922.  She  furnished  1,810  soldiers.  She  is  entitled  to  1 
member  in  Congress,  and  3  Presidential  electors.  "W".  W.  Thayer, 
Republican,  is  Governor;  salary,  $1,500 ;  terra,  4  years. 

Pennsylvania. — This  is  the  "Keystone  State,"  and  means  "Penn's 
Woods,"  and  was  so  called  after  William  Penn,  its  original  owner. 
Its  motto  is,  "Virtue,  liberty  and  independence."  A  colony  was 
established  by  Penn  in  1682.  The  State  was  one  of  the  original 
thirteen.  It  has  an  area  of  46,000  square  miles,  eqiialing  29,440,- 
000  acres.  It  had  in  1860-  a  population  of  2,906,215;  and  in  1870, 
3,515,993.  She  gave  to  suppress  the  Eebellion,  338,155.  HaiTis- 
burg  is  the  capital.  Has  27  Eepresentatives  and  29  electors.  H. 
M.  Hoyt,  is  Governor;  salary,  $10,000;  politics,  Eepublican;  term 
of  oflBce,  3  years.  " 

Rhode  Island. — This,  the  smallest  of  the  States,  owes  its  name  to 
the  Island  of  Ehodes  in  the  Mediterranean,  which  domain  it  is  gaid 
to  greatly  resemble.  Its  motto  is  "  Hope,"  and  it  is  familiarly 
called,  "Little  Rhody."  It  was  settled  by  Roger  Williams  in  1636. 
It  was  one  of  the  original  thirteen  States.  It  has  an  area  of  1,306 
square  miles,  or  835,840  acres.  Its  population  in  1860  numbered 
174,620;  in  1870,  217,356.  She  gave  todefend  the  Union,  23,248. 
its  capitals  are  Providence  and  Newport.  Has  2  Representatives, 
and  4  Presidential  electors.  C.  Yanzandt  is  Governor;  politics, 
Republican;  salary,  $1,000; 'term,  1  year. 

South  Carolina. — The  Palmetto  State  wears  the  Latin  name  of 
Charles  IX.,  of  France  (Carolus).  Its  motto  is  Latin,  Animis 
opibusque  jparati,  "  Ready  in  will  and  deed."  The  first  permanent 
settlement  was  made  at  Port  Royal  in  167^,  where  the  French 
Hnguenots  had  failed  three-quarters  of  a  century  before  to  found  a 
settlement.  It  is  one  of  tlie  original  thirteen  States.  Its  capital  is 
Columbia.  It  has  an  area  of  29,385  square  miles,  or  18,806,400 
acres,  with  a  population  in  1860  of  703,708;  in  1870,  728,000. 
Has  5  Representatives  in  Congress,  and  is  entitled  to  7  Presidential . 
electors.     Salary  of  Governor,  $3,500;  term,  2  years. 

Tennessee — Is  the  Indian  name  for  the  "  River  of  the  Bend,"  i.  e, 
the  Mississippi,  which  forms  its  western  boundary.  She  is  called 
"The  Big  Bend  State."  Her  motto  is,  "  Agriculture,  Commerce." 
It  was  settled  in  1757,  and  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1796,  mak- 
ing the  sixteenth  State,  or  the  third  admitted  after  the  Revolution- 
ary War — Yermont  being  the  first,  and  Kentucky  the  second.     It 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS.  185 

has  an  area  of  45,600  square  miles,  or  29,184,000  acres.  In  1860 
its  population  numbered  1,109,801,  and  in  1870,  1,257,983.  She 
furnished  31,092  soldiers  to  suppress  the  Rebellion.  Nashville  is 
the  capital.  Has  10  Representatives,  and  12  Presidential  electors. 
Governor,  A.  S.  Marks,  Democrat;  salary,  $4,000;  term,  2  years.    ■ 

Texas — Is  the  American  word  for  the  Mexican  name  by  which 
all  that  section  of  the  country  was  known  before  it  was  ceded  to  the 
United  States.  It  is  known  as  "  The  Lone  Star  State."  The  first  set- 
tlement was  made  by  LaSalle  in  1685.  After  the  independence  of 
Mexico  in  1822,  it  remained  a  Mexican  Province  until.1836,  when 
it  gained  its  independence,  and  in  1845  was  admitted  into  the 
Union.  It  has  an  area  of  237,504  square  miles,  equal  to  152,002,- 
560  acres.  Its  population  in  1860  was  604,215;  in  1870,  818,579. 
She  gave  to  put  down  the  Rebelion  1,965  soldiers.  Capital,  Austin. 
Has  6  Representatives,  and  8  Presidential  electors.  Governor,  O. 
M.  Roberts,  Democrat;  salary,  $5,000;  term,  2  years.  • 

'  Y ermont^-^&AX%  the  French  name  of  her  mountains  Verde  Mont^ 
"Green  Mountains."  Its  motto  is  "Freedom  and  Unity."  It 
was  settled  in  1731,  and  admitted  into  the  Union  in  1791.  Area 
10,212  square  miles. '  Population  in  1860,  315,098;  in  1870,  330,551- 
She  gave  to  defend  the  Government,  33,272  soldiers.  Capital,  Mont- 
pelier.  Has  3  Representatives,  and  5  electors.  Governor,  H.  Fair- 
banks, Republican;  term,  2  years;  salary,  $1,000. 

Virginia. — The  Old  Dominion,  as  this  State  is  called,  is  the 
oldest  of  the  States.  It  was  named  in  honor  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
the  "  Virgin  Queen,"  in  whose  reign  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  made  his 
first  attempt  to  colonize  that  region.  Its  motto  is  Sic  semper 
tyrannis,  ".So  always  with  tyrants."  It  was  first  settled  at  James- 
town, in  1607,  by  the  English,  being  the  first  settlement  in  the 
United  States.  It  is  one  of  original  thirteen  States,  and  had  before 
its  division  in  1862,  61,352  square  miles,  but  at  present  contains 
but  38,S52  square  miles,  equal  to  24,545,280  acres.  The  population 
in  1860  amounted  to  1,596,318,  and  in  1870  it  was  1,224,830.  Rich- 
mond is  the  capital.  Has  9  Representatives,  and  11  electors.  Gov- 
ernor, F.  W.  M.  Halliday,  Democrat ;  salary,  $5,500,;  term,  4  years. 

West  Virginia. — Motto,  Montani  semper  liberi,  "  Mountaineers 
are  always  free."  This  is  the  only  State  ever  formed,  under  the 
Constitution,  by  the  division  of  an  organized  State.  This  was  done 
in  1862,  and  in  1863  was  admitted  into  the  Union.     It  has  an  area  of 


186 


HISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 


23,000  square  miles,  or  14,720,000  acres.  The  population  in  1860 
was  376,000;  in  1870  it  numbered  445,616.  She  furnished  32,003. 
Capital,  Wheeling.  Has  3  Representatives' in  Congress,  and  is 
entitled  to  5  Presidential  electors.  The  Governor  is  H.  M.  Mathews, 
Democrat ;  term,  4  years ;  salary,  $2,700. 

Wisconsin — Is  an  Indian  name,  and  means  "Wild-rushing 
channel."  Its  motto,  Civitatas  successit  harbarum,  "  The  civilized 
man  succeeds  the  barbarous."  It  is  called  "  The  Badger  State." 
The  State  was  visited  by  the  French  explorers  in  1665,  and  a  settle- 
ment was  made  in  1669  at  Green  Bay,  It  was  admitted  into  the 
Union  in  1848.  It  has  an  area  of  62,924  square  miles,  equal  to 
34,511,360  acres.  In  1860  its  population  numbered  775,881;  in 
1870,  1,055,167.  Madison  is  the  capital.  She  furnished  for  the 
Union  army  91,021  soldiers.  Has  8  members  in  Congress,  and  is 
entitled  to  10  Presidential  electors.  The  Governor  is  W.  E.  Smith; 
politics,  Republican;  salary,  $5,000;  term,  2  years. 


HISTOET    OF   ILLINOIS.  187 

ILLINOIS    INSTITUTE    FOE    DEAF   AND    DUMB. 

The  first  class  of  unfortunates  to  attract  the  notice  of  the  legis- 
lature were  the  deaf  mutes.  The  act  establishing  the  institution  for 
the  education  of  these  unfortunates  was  approved  by  Gov.  Carlin, 
Feb.  23,  1839,  the  asylum  to  be  located  at  Jacksonville.  The 
original  building,  .afterward  called  the  south  wing,  was  begun  in 
1842,  and  completed  in  1849,  at  a  cost  of  about  $25,000.  A  small 
portion  of  the  building  was  ready  for  occupancy  in  1846,  and  on 
the  26th  day  of  January,  of  that  year,  the  Institution  was  formally 
opened,  with  Mr.  Thomas  Officer  as  principal.  The  first  term 
opened  with  but  four  pupils,  which  has  increased  from  year  to  year, 
until  the  average  attendance  at  the  present  time  is  about  250. 

ILLINOIS    INSTITUTE    FOE    THE    INSANE. 

In  response  to  an  appeal  from  the  eminent  philanthropist. 
Miss  D.  L.  Dix,  an  act  establishing  the  Illinois  Hospital 
for  the  Insane,  was  approved  by  Gov.  French,  March  1,  184Y. 
Nine  trustees  were  appointed,  with  power  to  select  a  site, 
purchase  land,  and  erect  buildings  to  accommodate  250  patients. 
On  the  1st  of  May  the  board  agreed  upon  a  site,  IJ  miles 
from  the  court-house  in  Jacksonville.  In  1851  two  wards  in 
the  east  wing  were  ready  for  occupancy,  and  the  first  patient 
was  admitted  Nov.  8, 1851.  In  1869  the  General  Assembly  passed 
two  acts  creating  the  northern  asylum  for  the  insane,  and  the 
southern  asylum  for  the  insane,  which  was  approved  by  Gov. 
Palmer,  April  16,  1869.  Elgin  was  selected  as  a  locatiqn  for  the 
former,  and  Anna  for  the  latter.  The  estimated  capacity  of  the 
three  asylums  is  1,200  patients.  In  addition  to  the  State  institu- 
tions for  the  insane,  there  are  three  other  asylums  for  their  benefit, 
one  in  Oook  county,  which  will  accommodate  about  400  patients, 
and  two  private  institutions,  one  at  Batavia,  and  one  at  Jack- 
sonville. 

ASYLUM   FOE    FEEBLE-MINDED. 

The  experimental  -school  for  feeble-minded  children,  the  first 
institution  of  its  kind  in  the  North- west,  M'as  created  by  an  act 
approved,  Feb.  15,  1865.  It  was  an  outgrowth  of  the  institution 
for  deaf  and  dumb,  to  which  idiots  are  frequently  sent,  under  a 
mistaken  impression  on  the  part  of  parents,  that  their  silence 
results  from     inability  to  hear.     The  selection  of  a  site   for  the 


1S8  UISTORY    OF    ILLINOIS. 

building  was  intrusted  to  seven  commissioners,  whoj  in  July,  1875, 
agreed  upon  the  town  of  Lincoln.  The  building  was  begun  in 
1875,  and  completed  three  years  later,  at  a  cost  of  $154,209.  The 
average  attendance  in  1878  was  224. 

THE    CHICAGO    CHAEITABLE    EYE    AND    EAE    INFIEMAET. 

The  association  for  foundiog  this  institution  was  organized  in 
Jtlay,  1858,  and  Pearson  street,  Chicago,  selected  for;  the  erection 
of  the  building.  In  1865  the  legislature  granted  the  institution 
a  special  charter,  and  two  years  later  made  an  appropriation  of 
$5,000  a  year  for  its  maintenance,  and  in  1871  received  it  into  the 
circle  of  State  institutions;  thereupon  the  name  was  changed  by 
the  substitution  of  the  word  Illinois  for  Chicago.  The  building 
was  swept  away  by  the  great  fire  of  1871,  and  three  years  later  the 
present  building  was  completed,  at  a  cost  of  $42,843. 

THE    SOUTHEEN*  ILLINOIS   NOEMAL    UNIVEESITY 

Is  located  at  Carbondale.  This  University  was  opened  in  1874, 
and  occupies  one  of  the  finest  school  edifices  in  the  United  States. 
It  includes,  besides  a  normal  department  proper,  a  preparatory 
department  and  a  model  school.  The  model  school  is  of  an 
elementary  grade;  the  preparatory  department  is  of  the  grade  of  a. 
high  school,  with  a  course  of  three  years.  The  normal  course  of  four 
years  embraces  two  courses,  a  classical  and  a  scientific  course;  both 
make  the  study  of  the  English  language  and  literature  quite 
prominent. 

THE    ILLINOIS    INDUSTEIAL    UNIVERSITY, 

Located  at  Urbana,  was  chartered  in  1867.  It  has  a  corps  of  twen- 
ty-five instructors,  including  professors,  lecturers  and  assistants, 
and  has  an  attendance  of  over  400  pupils.  It  comprises  four 
colleges  (1)  Agriculture,  (2)  Engineering,  (3)  Natural  Science, 
(4)  Literature  and  Science.  These  colleges  embrace  twelve  subor- 
dinate schools  and  courses  of  instruction,  in  which  are  taught 
domestic  science  and  art,  commerce,  military  science,  wood  engrav- 
ing, printing,  telegraphy,  photographing  and  designing.  This  insti- 
tution is  endowed  with  the  national  land  grant,  and  the  amount  of 
its  productive  fund  is  about  $820,000.  The  value  of  its  grounds, 
buildings,  etc.,  is  about  $640,000.  It  is  well  supplied  with  appara- 
tus, and  has  a  library  of  over  10,000  volumes. 


HISTOKY  OF  PIKE  COMTY. 


CHAPTER  I. 


EAELY    SETTLEMENT. 


INTEODUCTOET. 


We  now  begin  to  chronicle  the  history  of  one  of  the  largest  and 
wealthiest,  as  well  as  the  oldest,  counties  in  the  great  State  of  Illi- 
nois. To  say  that  our  task  is  a  most  difficult  one  will  only  be 
expressing  the  sentiment  of  all  who  have  attempted  the  compilation 
of  loxjal  history.  Only  such  persons  can  fully  appreciate  the  em- 
barrassment arising  from  the  multiplied  perplexities  that  are 
continually  crowding  around  the  local  historian.  We  shall  seek  to 
make  this  a  record  as  detailed  and  accurate  as  accessible  data  will 
permit.  Of  course  it  will  be  impossible  to  gather  up  all  of  the  frag- 
mentary facts  of  the  three-score  years  of  the  county's  history,  of 
most  which  no  written  record  was  ever  made,  and  many  even 
important  facts  have  slipped  through  the  meshes  of  memory  never 
to  be  recalled.  Doubtless  when  the  early  pilgrim  reads,  or  has 
read  to  him,  historical  items  recorded  in  this  volume,  it  will  rekin- 
dle in  memory  recollections  of  kindred  facts,  not  given  us,  and  that 
otherwise  would  have  been  forever  cast  into  the  darkness  of  oblivion. 
Eecords  of  these  items  should  be  made  as  they  are  brought  to  light, 
that  the  future  historian  may  have  the  greater  abundance  of  material 
from  which  to  compile. 

Truth  and  accuracy  will  be  pur  motto,  yet  that  some  errors  will 
occur  in  names  and  dates,  and  even  in  statements,  cannot  be  denied. 
Studious  care  will  be  taken,  however,  to  avoid  as  many  such  inac- 
curacies as  possible. 

The  face  of  the  country  of  this  county,  save  that  portion  bordering 
on  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  rivers,  is  mostly  rich,  rolling  prairie, 
watered  by  Bay,  McGee,  Six  Mile,  Honey,  Pigeon  and  McCraney's 


13 


193  HISTOET   OF    PIKE  COUNTY. 

creeks,  with  their  numerous  and  small  tributaries,  along  which  are 
extensive  bodies  of  timber.  The  farmers  have  planted  artificial 
groves  extensively  over  the  prairie,  which  has  had  the  effect  of 
ameliorating  the  climate,  by  keeping  the  winds  of  an  open  country 
from  the  surface  of  the  earth.  By  the  energy  and  enterprise  of  the 
citizens  of  this  county,  it  has  been  transformed  from  the  native 
wilderness  into  one  of  the  most  attractive  portions  of  the  State,  if 
not  of  the  West.  It  is  claimed  that  there  is  no  spot  on  the  face  of 
the  earth  capable  of  sustaining  a  denser  population  than  the  MiH- 
tary  Tract;  and  those  familiar  with  this  beautiful  portion  of  our  State 
know  that  Pike  county  is  not  excelled  by  any  other  within  its 
boundary.  That  this  county  contains  as  intelligent,  enterprising  and 
•thrifty  agriculturists  as  probably  can  be  found  elsewhere  in  the 
same  breadth  of  territory  in  the  United  States,  few  will  deny.  Fine 
barns,  with  all  the  modern  improvements,  comfortable  dwellings, 
lawns,  gardens,  out-houses,  etc.,  are  to  be  found  on  every  hand; 
towns  and  cities  have  sprung  up  as  if  by  magic,  and  every  knoll  is 
graced  by  a  church  edifice  or  school  building. 

The  natural  resources  of  Pike  county,  as-above  alluded  to,  for 
agricultural  and  manufacturing  purposes,  and  marketing,  give  to 
the  farmers  and  manufacturers  of  the  county  superior  advantages. 
The  agricultural  interests  of  the  county  are  well  advanced.  Indeed, 
it  may  be  said  that  Pike  is  the  great  agricultural  county  of  Illinois. 
The  soil  is  mostly  rich  prairie  loam,  and  has  great  productive  qual- 
ities. It  is  mostly  divided  into  farms  of  medium  size,  from  80  to 
320  acres;  but  few  large  farms  are  to  be  found.  The  benefit  of  this 
is  apparent  by  the  increased  population  and  a  better  cultivation. 
The  staple  crops  of  cereals  are  corn,  wheat  and  oats,  which  generally 
yield  abundantly.  This  is  the  condition  of  Pike  county  at  present. 
How  different  when  Ebenezer  Franklin,  with  his  family,  located  . 
within  its  borders!  Then  these  prairies  were  a  vast  wilderness 
covered  with  a  rank  growth  of  prairie  grass,  and  much  of  the  land 
now  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  was  covered  with  heavy  for- 
ests. At  that  time  the  native  red  men  roamed  unmolested  over  the 
flowery  prairies  and  through  dark  forests. 

We  wish  to  quote  in  this  connection  the  eloquent,  just  and  ap- 
propriate tribute  paid  to  Pike  county  by  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Grimshaw 
in  his  "Centennial  Address."  It  speaks  in  praiseworthy,  yet  truth- 
ful, descriptive  terms  of  both  people  and  county: 

"  The  citizens  of  this  county  have  always  been  marked  for  a  love 
of  our  national  Government,  for  participation  in  all  State  measures 
to  promote  the  common  good  of  Illinois.  With  one  brief  exception, 
the  period  of  the  '  vigilance  committee,'  local  government  has 
always  been  of  an  orderly  character.  The  brief  excitement, of  that 
period  led  to  more  efiicient  laws  for  the  protection  of  society,  and 
thus  good  came  out  of  evil.  ISTo  fratricidal  strife,  no  display  of 
brothers  in  battle  array  with  deadly  cannon  and  all  the  dread  habil- 
iments of  war,  are  portrayed  here.  The  life  of  our  citizens  has 
been  with  few  exceptions  that  of  peaceful  farmers   and  townsmen, 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  193 

•busy  in  the  affairs  of  domestic  life.  .  Thus  j'our  historian  has  no 
startling  tales  to  tell. 

"  Still  as  the  current  of  your  own  gentle  river,  Illinois,  with  a 
few  swells  in  the  stream  of  life,  when  wars  waged  beyond  the  lim- 
its of  the  present  county  called  off  our  men  to  war,  has  been  the  life 
of  your  people.  Industry  has  prevailed.  Education  has  had  its 
marked  influence,  and  the  holy  gospel,  taught  in  its  beauty  and 
simplicity,  has  pervaded  every  walk  in  life.  Crime  has,  notwith- 
standing, been  perpetrated,  to  be  brought  generally  to  condign 
punishment.  Such  is  generally  the  end  of  those  who  violate  the 
laws,  human  and  divine. 

"  This  county,  once  embracing  the  fairest  portion  of  the  once 
Eden-like  State  of  Illinois,  yet  retaining  within  her  limits  land 
beautiful  to  look  upon,  desirable  to  inhabit,  and  famed  for  her  fair 
daughters,  her  gallant  sons,  prosperous  farmers  and  mechanics,  able 
professional  men  and  legislators,  her  present  territory  equal  yet 
almost  to  some  of  the  old  thirteen  States,  owes  much,  if  not  all,  of 
this  to  the  patriotism  and  foresight  of  the  Kevolutionary  fathers. 

"  Contemplate  the  vastness  of  Pike  county  as  she  was  when  organ- 
ized by  the  act  of  the  Legislature  of  1821,  in  these  words: 

■  Section  1. — Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois  represented  in 
the  General  Assembly,  That  all  that  tract  of  country  within  the  following  bounda- 
ries, to  wit:  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river  and  running  thence  up 
the  middle  of  said  river  to  the  fork  of  the  same,  thence  up  the  south  fork  of  said 
river  until  it  strikes  the  State  line  of  Indiana,  thence  north  with  said  line  to  the 
north  boundary  line  of  this  State,  thence  west  with  said  line  to  the  western  bound- 
ary line  of  this  State,  and  thence  with  said  line  to  the  place  of  beginning,  shall 
constitute  a  separate  county  to  be  called  Pike. 

"  To  repeat  the  extent  of  the  boundaries:  On  the  south,  begin  at 
the  junction  of  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers,  then  follow  the 
Illinois  to  the  fork  of  the  same,  meaning  the  Kankakee,  thence  to 
the  line  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  thence  north  and  west  embracing 
the  territory  from  Chicago,  following  on  thp  line  of  Wisconsin  to 
the  Mississippi  river,  including  the  famed  lead  mines  of  Galena, 
and  to  the  channel  of  the  Mississippi,  thence  descending  to  the 
place  of  beginning.  ' 

"  First  note  the  beautiful,  still  gliding  river,  the  Illinois,  then 
observe  the  majestic  Father  of  Waters ;  traverse  all  this  territory, 
great  in  extent,  formerly  the  home  of.  savage  tribes  of  Indians,  the 
land  marked  by  the  tread  of  the  buffalo  and  dotted  over  with  the 
graves  and  mounds,  the  relics  of  extinct  races,  the  fierce  brute  crea- 
tion and  game  and  fish  abounding,  prairies  illimitable,  adorned 
with  flowers  of  gorgeous  hues,  fruits  delicious  in  profusion  and  great 
variety,  forests  of  vast  size  filled  with  gigantic  trees  and  of  many 
species,  rivers  bounding  unfettered  by  man's  contrivances;  then  no 
locks  and  dams  existed  thereon,  fish  in  myriads  were  the  dwellers 
in  those  rivers, — and  these  all  existed  in  1821,  when  Pike  county 
was  struck  off  by  name  from  the  older  settlements  and  the  few 
counties  then  existing  in  Illinois. 


194  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

"Pike  county  has  been  the  mother  of  States  to  the  west  of  lUi- 
nois.  Having  a  pioneer  population  of  an  enterprising  turn,  large 
numbers  have  emigrated  together  to  Oregon,  Texas  and  California 
and  other  remote  points,  following  the  star  of  empire.  Many  estima- 
ble farmers  who  once  lived  in  Pike  have  gone  further  east  in  Illi- 
nois and  settled  in  the  prairie  counties. 

•'The  health  of  this  county  is  almost  invariably  good  excepting 
in  lowlands  where  some  malarious  disease  comes  on  at  times.  Lon- 
gevity exists  to  a  marked  degree  and  children  fairly  swarm.  Pros- 
perity and  fine  crops  are  the  general  results  of  industry." 

ANTE-PIONEEE    HISTORY. 

Before  proceeding  further  in  detailing  the  immediate  history  of 
the  county,  we  desire  to  mention  a  few  important  facts  relative  to 
the  earliest  history  of  this  section  of  the  State.  In  1673  the  great 
French  explorers,  Marquette  and  Joliet,  passed  down  the  Missis- 
sippi and  up  the  Illinois  in  their  canoes,  on  their  first  famous  voy- 
age down  the  great  Father  of  Waters.  Seven  years  later,  Jan .  3, 
1680,  LaSalle,  with  his  little  band  of  Frenchmen,  came  down  the 
Illinois  river  as  far  as  Peoria  lake,  landed  upon  the  opposite  shore, 
and  erected  a  fort — Fort  Oreve-coeur.  This  fort  was  soon  evacuated 
and  destroyed,  yet  the  enterprising  Frenchmen  continued  among 
the  Indians  as  traders.  They  exerted  no  perceptible  civilizing  influ- 
ence, however,  upon  the  red-skins:,  indeed,  by  life  and  inter-mar- 
riage among  them,  they  became  in  all  respects  more  and  more  like 
them,  until  their  identity  was  almost  lost. 

Tear  after  year  rolled  by  until  almost  a  century  and  a  half  had 
passed  since  LaSalle  stepped  ashore  from  his  skiff,  before  the  abo- 
rigines who  occupied  the  territory  embraced  within  the  present 
boundary  of  Pike  county  were  molested  by  the  encroachments  of  the 
white  man.  Generation  after  generation  of  natives  appeared  upon 
the  wild  scenes  of  savage  life,  roamed  the  forest  and  prairie,  and 
glided  over  the  beautiful,  placid  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers  in 
their  log  and  bark  canoes,  and  passed  away.  Still  the  advance  of 
civilization,  the  steady  westward  tread  of  the  Anglo-Saxon,  disturbed 
them  not.  The  buffalo,  deer,  bear  and  wolf  roamed  the  prairie  and 
woodland,  the  Indian  their  only  enemy.  But  nature  had  destined 
better  things  for  this  fertile  region.  She  had  been  too  lavish  in  the 
distribution  of  natural  advantages  to  leave  it  longer  in  the  peaceable 
possession  of  those  who  had  for  centuries  refused  to  develop,  even 
in  the  slightest  degree,  any  of  her  great  resources.  She  accordingly 
directed  hitherward  the  footsteps  of  the  industrious,  enterprising 
pioneer;  and  so  fertile  was  the  soil  and  so  beautiful  the  fiowers,  so 
sparkling  were  the  streams  and  shady  the  groves,  that,  in  advance  of 
all  the  surrounding  country,  the  pioneers  sought  and  settled  the 
timber  land  and  prairie  of  Pike  county. 

The  thrilling  scenes  through  which  the  pioneer  settlers  passed  in 
the  settlement  of  this  portion  of  Illinois  must  ever  awaken  emotions 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  195 

of  wal-mest  regard  for  thera.  To  pave  the  way  for  those  who  fol- 
lowed after  them,  to  make  their  settlement  in  the  West  a  pleasure, 
they  bore  the  flood-tide  wave  of  civilization ;  they  endured  all,  suf- 
fered all.  But  few  of  these  spirits  now  survive;  they  have  passed 
away  full  of  years  and  honors,  leaving  their  cliildren,  and  children's 
children  and  strangers  to  succeed  them  and  enjoy  the  fruits  of  the 
toil,  privations  and  savings  of  their  long  and  eventful  lives. 

Life  with  them  is  o'er,  their  labors  all  are  done, 
And  others  reap  the  harvest  that  they  won. 

Too  great  honor  cannot  be  accorded  them,  and  we  regret  that  we 
have  not  the  data  to  speak  more  fully  and  definitely  of  them,  their 
personal  experiences,  their  lives  and  their  characters. 

FIRST   AMERICAN   SETTLEMENTS. 

Coming  on  down  through  the  years  for  over  a  century,  we  wish 
to  speak  of  the  first  American  settlements  in  the  State,  as 'an  intro- 
ductory to  the  more  immediate  history  of  the  original  Pike  county. 

The  first  settlement  made  within  the  borders  of  the  great  State 
of  Illinois  by  citizens  of  the  United  States  was  in  1784,  when  a  few 
families  from  Virginia  founded  a  small  colony  or  settlement  near 
Bellefontaine,  in  Monroe  county.  The  next  American  settlement 
was  made  in  St.  Olair  county,  two  of  which  were  made  prior  to  the 
year  1800. 

The  first  American  settlers  in  Illinois  were  chiefly  from  Ken- 
tucky, Yirginia,  Pennsylvania,  North  Carolina,  Tennessee  and  some 
from  Maryland.  Some  of  these  had  served  with  Gen.  Clark,  who 
conquered  the  country  from  the  British  in  1778.  This  whole  people 
did  not  number  more  than  12,000  in  1812,  but  with  the  aid  of  one 
company  of  regular  soldiers  defended  themselves  and  their  settle- 
ments against  the  numerous  a^d  powerful  nations  of  Kickapoos, 
Sacs,  Foxes,  Pottawatomies  and  Shawnees,  and  even  made  hostile 
expeditions  into  the  heart  of  their  couiltry,  burning  their  villages 
and  defeating  and  driving  them  from  the  territory. 

When  the  State  was  admitted  in  1818  the  settlements  extended 
a  little  north  of  Edwardsvill?  and  Alton ;  south  along  the  Missis- 
sippi to  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio;  east  in  the  direction  of  Carlysle  to 
the  Wabash,  and  down  the  Wabash  and  Ohio  to  the  conjunction  of 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi.  Such  was  the  extent  of  the  settlement 
in  Illinois  when  the  Territory  was  clothed  with  State  honors. 

There  were  but  15  organized  counties  represented  in  the  conven- 
tion to  frame  the  first  Constitution.  These  were  St.  Clair,  Kan- 
dolpb,  Madison,  Gallatin,  Johnson,  Edwards,  White,  Monroe,  Pope, 
Jackson,  Crawford,  Bond,  Union,  Washington  and  Franklin.  The 
last  three  were  the  youngest  counties,  and  were  formed  in  1818. 

ORIGINAL    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Pike  county  was  the  first  or  second  county  organized  after  the 
State  was  admitted  into  the  Union.     It  was  erected  Jan.  31,  1821, 


196  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

andv  included  all  of  the  territory  west  and  north  of  the  Illinois 
river,  and  its  south  fork,  now  the  Kankakee  river.  At  the  first 
election  in.Fike  county  after  its  organization  only  35  votes  were 
polled,  even  though  it  did  extend  over  the  entire  northern  part  of 
the  State,  and  out  of  which  more  than  fifty  counties  have  since  been 
organized. 

A  "  Gazetteer  of  Illinois  and  Wisconsin,"  published  about  1822, 
says  that  the  county  "  included  a  part  of  the  lands  appropriated  by 
Congress  for  the  payment  of  military  bounties.  The  lands  con- 
stituting that  tract;  are  included  withm  a  peninsula  of  the  Illinois 
and  the  Mississippi,  and  extend  on  the  meridian  line  (4th),  passing 
through  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois,  162  miles  north.  Pike  county 
will  no  doubt  be  divided  into  several  counties;  some  of  which  will 
become  very  wealthy  and  important.  It  is  probable  that  the  sec- 
tion about  Fort  Clark  (now  Peoria)  will  be  the  most  thickly  settled. 
On  the  Mississippi  river,  above  Rock  river,  lead  ore  is  found  in 
abundancfe.  Pike  county  contains  between  700  and  800  inhabi- 
tants. It  is  attached  to  the  first  judicial  circuit,  sends  one  mem- 
ber to  the  House  of  Representatives,  and,  with  Greene,  one  to  the 
Senate.  The  county-seat  is  Cole's  Grove,  a  post  town.  It  was  laid 
out  in  1821  and  is  situated  in  township  11  south,  in  range  2  west 
of  the  fourth  principal  meridian ;  very  little  improvement  has  yet 
been  made  in  this  place  or  vicinity.  The  situation  is  high  and 
healthy  and  bids  fair  to  become  a  place  of  some  importance." 

Thus  the  historian  of  three-score  years  ago  speaks  of  Pike  county 
as  it- was  in  its  original  magnitude  and  wildness.  How  changed 
is  the  face  of  the  country  since  then!  Who  could  have  foretold 
its  future  greatness  with  any  degree  of  knowledge  or  certainty! 

We  deem  it  within  the  province  of  this  work  to  speak  of  the 
earliest  settlement  of  all  this  vast  region.  Much  of  it  was  settled 
prior  to  that  portion  contained  within  the  present  boundaries  of 
the  county,  and  as  it  was  for  many  years  a  part  of  Pike  county  it 
is  proper  we  should  refer  to  it,  briefly,  at  least. 

The  earliest  history  and  the  first  occupation  of  the  original  Pike 
county  are  enshrouded  in  almost  impenetrable  obscurity.  After 
the  lapse  of  more  than  three-quarters  of  a  century,  the  almost  total 
absence  of  records,  and  the  fact  that  the  whites  who  visited  or 
lived  in  this  region  prior  to  1820  are  all  dead,  render  it  impossible 
now  to  determine  with  any  degree  of  certainty  the  name  of  him 
who  is  entitled  to  the  honor  of  being  recorded  as  "first  settler." 
Perhaps  the  first  man  who  sojourned  within  the  Military  Tract 
lived  in  what  is  now  Calhoun  county.  He  went  there  about  1801, 
and  lived  for  years  before  any  other  settler  came,  and  remained 
alone  and  unknown  for  a  long  time  after  the  first  pioneers  moved 
into  that  section.  His  home  was  a  cave  dug  out  by  himself,  and 
was  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  Mississippi  river.  In  1850 
the  boards  of  Jiis  cave  floor  were  dug  up  and  the  ground  leveled. 
Who  he  was  or  where  he  came  from  was  known  only  to  himself, 
for  he  refused  all  intercourse  with  the  settlers. 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  19T 

The  next  settlers,  perhaps,  were  French  trappei-s  and  half-breeds 
who  formed  quite  a  large  colony  on  the  Illinois  river  near  the  Deer 
Plains  Ferry,  Calhoun  county.  These  remained  there  until  the 
great  high  water  of  1815  or  1818,  which  drove  them  away.  Andrew 
Judy  lived  at  this  point  at  a  very  early  day.  _  Major  Roberts  settled 
in  Calhoun  county  in  June,  1811.  He  came  from  Ohio.  John 
Shaw  came  into  that  county  at  a  very  early  day  and  was  one  of  the 
leading  men  in  the  organization  of  Pike  county,  and  for  some  time 
was  County  Commissioner.  He  settled  at  Gilead,  the  site  of  the 
original  county-seat  of  Pike  county.  He  was  the  most  noted  and 
influential  man  in  his  day  of  all  in  all  this  region.  He  carried  on 
farming,  stock-raising,  and  conducted  a  store,  and  engaged  in  poli- 
tics very  largely.  His  influence  was  so  great  that  he  was  able  to 
rule  the  county  indirectly,  which  he  did  for  many  years.  He  was 
denominated  the  "  Black  Prince,"  on  account  of  his  having  great 
sway  over  the  community.  It  is  said  that  he  had  control  over  a 
large  band  of  half-breeds,  with  which  and  his  numerous  other  hench- 
men he  controlled  the  elections,  and  carried  every  measure  he  de- 
sired. He  forged  deeds,  even  by  the  quire,  doctored  poll  books, 
etc.  So  great  was  his  influence  and  at  the  same  time  so  injurious 
to  the  settlers  that  the  public  issue  was  gotten  up  in  its  politics,  of 
"Shaw,"  or  "Anti-Shaw,"  and  not  until  there  was  a  great  and  united 
struggle  that  John  Shaw  lost  his  supremacy. 

There  was  a  man  by  the  name  of  Davison  who  was  found  living 
as  a  hermit  a  few  miles  above  the  mouth  of  Spoon  river  on  its 
banks  by  the  first  settlers  in  Fulton  county.  He  was  a  physician 
and  a  man  of  culture  and  refinement.  How  long  he  had  resided 
there  before  discovered  by  the  whites  is  not  known,  but  evidently 
for  many  years,  as  the  shrubbery  and  trees  that  he  had  planted 
had  grown  quite  large.  He  was  selected  as  one  of  the  first  grand 
jurors  for  the  Circuit  Court  of  Pike  county.  He  refused  all  inter- 
course with  the  whites,  and  about  1824  put  his  effects  in  a  canoe, 
paddled  down  Spoon  river  and  up  the  Illinois  to  Starved  Kock, 
where  he  lived  in  obscurity  until  he  died,  which  was  a  few  years 
afterward. 

In  1778  the  French  made  a  settlement  at  the  upper  end  of  Peoria 
lake.  The  cpuntry  in  the  vicinity  of  this  lake  was  called  by  the 
Indians  Pim-i-te-wi,  that  is,  a  place  where  there  are  many  fat 
beasts.  Here  the  town  of  Laville  de  Meillet,  named  after  its 
founder,  was  started.  Within  the  next  twenty  years,  however,  the 
town  was  moved  down  to  the  lower  end  of  the  lake  to  the  present 
site  of  Peoria.  In  1812  the  town  was  destroyed  and  the  inhabi- 
tants carried  away  by  Captain  Craig.  In  1813  Fort  Clark  was 
erected  there  by  Illinois  troops  engaged  in  the  war  of  1812.  Five 
years  later  it  was  destroyed  by  fire.  Some  American  settlers,  how- 
ever, early  came  into  this  neighborhood.  These  were  mostly  sol- 
diers of  the  war  of  1812  who  had  been  given  bounty-land  for  their 
services  and  had  come  to  possess  it.  An  old  veteran  of  that  war 
by  the  name  of  Wm.  Blanchard  came  to  Peoria  in    1819,    soon 


198  HISTOBT    OF    PIKE    COtTNTT. 

moved  over  the  river  into  Tazewell  county,  and  in  1830  moved  just 
over  the  line  into  Woodford,  and  is  still  living  there,  perhaps  the 
oldest  living  settler  north  of  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  by  the  whites  in  all  Northwestern 
Illinois,  of  which  any  record  or  reliable  knowledge  now  remains, 
existed  about  1820  on  the  banks  of  the  river  now  known  as  the 
Galena.  This  river  was  then  known  as  Feve,  or  Bean  river.  The 
Indian  name  for  the  river  was  Mah-cau-bee,  the  fever  that  blisters, 
and  was  named  from  the  fact  of  the  Indians  having  small-pox  here. 
Hundreds  of  the  natives  died  and  they  gave  the  names  of  Big 
Small-Pox  river  and  Little  Small-Pox  river  to  the  streams  upon 
which  they  lived.  The  former  was  changed  by  the  whites  to  the 
more  pleasant  name  of  Fever  river;  the  smaller  is  still  known  as 
Small-Pox  creek.  Galena  was  known  as  "Fever  Kiver  Settle- 
ment," and  we  find  frequent  mention  of  it  in  the  old  Commis- 
sioners' Court  records.  John  S.  Miller,  who  was  perhaps  the  first 
settler  there,  and  Moses  Meeker,  perhaps  the  next,  often  applied  tO' 
the  court  at  Cole's  Grove  for  licenses,  recommendations  to  the 
Governor  to  be  appointed  Justice  of  the  Peace,  etc. 

Fever  river  was  also  known  in  an  early  day  by  the  name  of  Beaa 
river,  from  the  French  name,  Kiviere  au  Feve,  given  it  by  the  early 
traders  and  adventurers.  This  section  of  country  is  referred  to 
in  the  "Gazetteer  of  Illinois  and  Missouri,"  a  work  published  in 
1822  and  now  very  rare,  as  follows: 

'■'•Bean  river  (Riviere  au  Feve,  Fr.),  a  navigable  stream  of  Pike- 
county,  emptying  into  the  Mississippi  three  miles  below  Cat-Fish 
creek,  and  20  miles  below  Dubuque's  mines,  and  about  70  above 
Bock  river.  Nine  miles  up  this  stream  a  small  creek  empties  into- 
it  from  the  west.  The  banks  of  this  creek,  and  the  hills  which 
bound  its  alluvium,  are  filled  with  lead  ore  of  the  best  quality. 
Three  miles  below  this  on  the  banks  of  Bean  river  is  the  Traders' 
Tillage,  consisting  of  ten  or  twelve  houses  or  cabins.  At  this 
place  the  ore  procured  from  the  Indians  is  smelted  and  then  sent 
in  boats  either  to  Canada  or  New  Orleans.  The  lands  on  this  stream 
are  poor,  and  are  only  valuable  on  account  of  the  immense  quanti- 
ties of  minerals  which  they  contain." 

In  the  same  work  Chicago  is  simply  mentioned  as  "a  village  of 
Pike  county,  containing  12  or  15  houses  and  about  60  or  70  inhab- 
itants." Fort  Dearborn  had  been  built  there  in  1804,  but  so  far 
was  it  in  the  wilderness  that  when  the  massacre  of  the  garrison  in 
1812  occurred  many  days  elapsed  before  it  was  known  to  the  near- 
est white  settlement.  There  was  also  a  fort  and  military  garrison 
on  the  Mississippi  river  where  "Warsaw  is  now  located.  .This  wafr 
known  as  Fort  Edwards,  and  the  name  also  occurs  frequently  in 
the  old  records  of  Pike  county.  One  of  the  main  wagon-roads,  and 
one  upon  which  the  Commissioners  expended  much  time  and 
money,  was  known  as  the  Fort  Edwards  road. 

By  1820  to  1825  many  settlements  had  sprung  up  through  Central 
Illinois,  but  scarcely  before  1830  was  there  any  considerable  num- 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  199 

ber  of  whites  living  north  of  the  north  line  of  the  present  bound- 
ary of  Pike  county.  It  is  true,  prior  to  that-  Adams,  Fulton  and 
Schuyler  counties  had  been  organized,  but  they  were  very  thinly 
populated.  By  1830  and  after  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war  in 
1832  and  the  expulsion  of  the  Indians  the  northern  part  of  the 
State  settled  up  quite  rapidly. 

THE   FIRST    SETTLEMENT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY    AS    IT   IS  AT    PRESENT. 

We  now  come  to  a  period  in  the  history  of  the  settlement  of  this 
county  when  we  will  restrict  ourselves  to  the  present  boundaries  of 
Pike  county.  The  few  broken  references  to  the  settlement  of  the 
Military  Tract  and  Northern  Illinois  we  offer  as  a  slight  historic 
token  to  the  grand  old  original  Pike  county — to  Pike  county  as  it 
was  in  its  primitive  days.  They  are  brief  an4  scattering,  but, 
owing  to  the  fact,  as  previously  remarked,  that  there  are  no  records 
extant,  and  that  the  earliest  pioneers  have  passed  away,  it  is  impos- 
sible to  give  more,  other  than  to  elaborate  and  enlarge  on  the  facts 
already  stated,  which  we  will  not  do  for  want  of  space. 

Prior  to  the  coming  of  the  first  settler  to  Pike  county  there  had 
often  been  French  traders,  hunters  and  travelers  passing  through 
the  native  forests  and  crossing  the  wild  and  beautiful  prairies.  They 
pitched  their  tent  for  the  night,  and  amid  the  vast  wilderness, 
inhabited  only  by  wild  beasts  and  the  native  red  man,  rested  their 
weary  limbs  only  to  move  at  the  early  dawn.  The  first  individual 
of  whom  we  have  account,  and  this  is  traditionary,  that  settled  in 
Pike  county  as  it  is,  or  who  made  it  his  home  for  any  considerable 
time,  was  J.  B.  Teboe  (Tibault),  a  Canadian  Frenchman.  He  came 
somewhere  during  the  period  between  1817  and  1819,  and  occupied 
a  cabin  on  the  banks  of  the  Illinois  river,  situated  on  what  is  now 
section  33,  Flint  township.  There  is  no  doubt  this  man  was  in  that 
locality  prior  to  1820.  He  lived  as  a  hunter,  and  for  a  time  we 
think  ran  a  ferry,  but  whether  he  is  entitled  to  the  honor  of  being 
termed  the  "  first  settler  "  we  very  much  doubt.  He,  it  seems, 
tilled  no  land  and  made  no  permanent  abode,  nor  had  a  family.  He 
was  killed  at  Milton  in  ISli. 

FEANKLIN   AND    SHINN    THE   FIRST    SETTLERS. 

The  man  who  may  properly  be  denominated  the  first  settler  of 
Pike  county  was  Ebenezer  Franklin.  He  came  to  the  county  in 
March,  1820,  and  first  stopped  upon  the  northwest  quarter  of  sec- 
tion 27,  half  a  mile  east  from  where  Atlas  was  afterward  located 
and  up  "Jockey  Hollow."  He  brought  with  him  his  family,  con- 
sisting of  his  wife,  son  and  three  daughters,  besides  a  Mr.  Israel 
Waters.  This  gentleman  afterward  moved  to  Adams  county. 
When  Franklin  first  came  he  found  no  neighbor  with  whom  lie 
could  stop  until  he  had  reared  his  cabin.  He  was  obliged  to  pitch 
his  tent  and  gather  his  family  around  him  in  his  tented  mansion 
provided  with  the  meager  and  rude  furniture  he  brought  with  him 


200  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT. 

and  what  he  constructed  after  his  arrival.  There  is  no  doubt  the 
family  suffered  from  the  chilling  winds  of  early  spring,  but  they 
were  sturdy  pioneers  and  withstood  the  privations  and  hardships  as 
became  true  pioneers.  Pie  resided  in  his  tent  until  May,  when  he 
erected  a  rude  log  cabin. 

The  next  settler  to  come  in  after  Franklin  was  Daniel  Shinu. 
He  came  from  Batavia,  Ohio,  and  arrived  about  the  last  of  April, 
1820.  On  his  way  here  he  stopped  at  Edwardsville,  where  he  left 
most  of  his  large  family,  which  consisted  of  a  wife  and  eight  chil- 
dren: Benjamin,  John,  Eliza,  Hannah,  Mary,  Phebe,  ■  Daniel  and 
Nancy.  John  Webb,  now  living  five  miles  east  of  Pittsfield,  then 
only  six  years  of  age,  came  with  them.  Mr.  Webb  is  now  fhe  oldest 
living  settler  in  the  county  by  four  years,  that  is,  he  came  to  the 
county  four  years  prior  to  any  other  man  now  living  in  the  county. 
Mr.  Shinn  was  the  first  man  who  brought  a  wagon  into  Pike  county, 
probably  the  first  to  the  Military  Tract.  He  settled  near  Mr. 
Franklin,  and  the  two  lived  in  tents  until  May,  when  they  both 
erected  cabins,  aiding  one  another  in  their  labors.  Mr.  Shinn  with 
two  of  his  sons  cleared  a  piece  of  ground  and  planted  three  acres  of 
corn.  It  took  but  comparatively  little  labor  to  raise  grain,  but  to 
have  it  ground  or  prepared  for  food  was  a  hard  task.  At  this  early 
day  there  were  no  mills  within  reach  of  these  early  pilgrims.  The 
first  mill  they  had  to  go  to  was  a  horse-mill  run  by  John  Shaw  in 
Calhoun  county.  Mr.  Franklin  erected  his  cabin  upon  the  south- 
east quarter  of  section  22,  Atlas  township,  or  what  is  now  Atlas, 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  Atlas  and  about  150  yards  north  of 
where  the  road  has  since  run.  Many  years  ago,  even,  the  place  was 
covered  with  a  spindling  growth  of  young  trees. 

Ml'.  Shinn  located  as  a  near  neighbor  to  Mr.  Franklin.  He 
became  a  great  wolf-hunter,  prompted  by  the  fact  of  his  being  una- 
ble to  raise  stock,  owing  to  their  ravages.  He  lost  200  pigs  by 
that  rapacious  animal,  and  resolved  to  make  war  upon  them.  He 
finally  succeeded  in  raising  fine  hogs  by  shutting  them  up  in  a 
close  log  stable  from  their  earliest  pighood. 

The  Shinn  family  were  originally  from  E"ew  Jersey.  On  their 
way  West  they  stopped  for  awhile  at  Cincinnati,  where  they  fol- 
lowed gardening.  After  a  long  and  useful  life  Mr.  Shinn  died  at  a 
little  over  70  years  of  age,  while  on  a  visit  to  his  daughter  at  Pitts- 
field  in  1852.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  early  history  of  the 
county. 

THE    COMING   OF   THE   BOSSES. 

In  the  year  1820  there  also  came,  from  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  the 
Eosses:  William  (Col.),  Clarendon,  Leonard  (Capt.),  and  Henry  J. 
(Dr.);  also  Samuel  Davis,  Wm.  Sprague  and  Joseph  Cogswell,  all 
settling  in  or  near  Atlas  .Leonard  had  been  Captain  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  William  obtained  his  title  afterward  "by  having  been  ap- 
pointed Colonel  of  Illinois  militia.  Davis  was  a  bee-hunter,  who 
built  for  himself  and  large  family  a  log  cabin  on  section  16.    Two 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  201 

years  afterward  he  moved  into  Missouri.  Most  of  these  men 
brought  their  families  to  their  new  homes  the  following  February, 
having  previously  left  them  at  Alton.  Mr.  Cogswell  was  from 
Berksliire,  Mass. 

The  Rosses  in  coming  West  had  a  tedious  journey.  They  came 
by  ilat- boats  down  the  Alleghany  and  Ohio  rivers,  and  by  wagons 
from  Shawneetown  to  Upper  Alton,  where  at  that. time  but  one 
house  existed,  occupied  by  Major  Hunter.  Here  they  left  their 
families,  and  coming  northward,  they  found  an  Indian  camp  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  where  they  split  puncheons  and  laid 
them  across  two  canoes  -and  thus  safely  carried  over  their  .wagons. 
The  horses  we're  made  to  swim  alongside.  Continuing  up  the  Mis- 
sissippi bottom  they  marked  the  trees  as  they  went,  for  there  were 
no  roads  and  nothing  to  guide  them  but  an  occasional  Indian  trail. 
They  arrived  at  section  27  in  township  6  south  and  5  west,  ''  at 
last,"  whence,  according  to  tradition,  the  name  "Atlas."  Some 
wished  to  name  the  place  "  Charlotte,"  after  a  certain  lady  in  the 
company.  This  beautiful  land  of  prairie  and  timber  charmed  the 
immigrants,  and  they  at  once  set  to  worktheir  energies  and  con- 
structed a  camp  to  shelter  themselves  while  preparing'  quarters  for 
their  families.  They  hurried  up  four  rough  log  cabins,  knowing 
that  Indians  were  numerous  and  that  probably  not  more  than  five 
white  men  were  within  60  miles  of  them  east  of  the  Mississippi. 

SEELET,   m'gIFEIN    AND    NEWMAN. 

James  M.  Seeley,  father  of  Dr.  Seeley,  of  Pittsfield,  came  to  this 
county  about  this  time.  Charles  McGiffin  and  Levi  Newman  set- 
tled on  this  side  of  the  Mississippi  river  opposite  Louisiana  on  a 
slough  called  "  McGiffin's  Slough,"  but  not  known  by  tliat  name 
now;  but  they  had  no  families.  McGiffin  died  two  years  afterward 
and  Newman  moved  over  into  Morgan  county. 

John  and  jeeemiah  ross,  beown,  wood  and  kkyes. 

In  1821,.  John  and  Jeremiah  Ross,  brothers  of  the  preceding' 
Rufus  Brown,  John  Wood  (afterward  State  Governor)  and  'Willard 
Keyes  arrived  at  Atlas.  Here  Brown  kept  a  tavern,  but  he  and 
these  two  Rosses  and  Mr.  "Wood  removed  to  Adams  county.  When 
they  first  came  to  Pike  county  Wood  and  Keyes  first  settled  on  the 
16th  section  just  below  New  Canton  and  kept  bachelor's  hall  on  the 
bank  of  a  creek,  subsequently  named  "Keyes  "  creek,  after  one  of 
these  men.  They  had  a  few  hogs,  two  j'oke  of  oxen  and  a  small 
iron  plow,  by  which  latter  they  broke  up  a  piece  of  ground  before 
building  a  cabin.  In  three  or  four  years  they  sold  out  and  went  to 
Adams  county,  where  Wood  founded  the  city  of  Quincy.  He  was 
then  a  young  man,  vigorous  and  ambitious.  One  day  he,  with 
William  Ross,  the  founder  of  Atlas,  and  Capt.  Ross,  the  Sheriff  of 
Pike  count}',  were  traveling  over  the  country  north  and  west  of  this 
county,  but  then  within  its  borders.   When  nearing  the  Mississippi 


202  HISTORY   OF   PIKE    OOUNTY. 

river  he  told  his  companions  to  follow  him  and  he  would  show  them 
where  he  was  going  to  build  a  city.  They  went  about  a  mile  off  the 
main  trail  when  they  reached  the  present  site  of  the  city  of  Quincy. 
The  view  presented  to  the  trio  of  sturdy  frontiersmen  was  a  magnifi- 
cent  one.  The  hand  of  the  white  man  had  never  touched  the  soil, 
or  disturbed  the  beautiful  decorations  of  nature.  Below  them  swept 
the  Father  of  Waters  yet  unburdened  by  steam  navigation.  Mr. 
"Wood  tried  to  show  his  companions  the  advantages  the  location 
had,  but  Mr.  Ross,  thoroughly  interested  in  building  up  his  own 
town  of  Atlas  and  so  sanguine  of  its  futui'e  greatness,  that  the  beau- 
tiful and  excellent  location  selected  by  Mr.  Wood  was  completely 
overshadowed  by  that  enjoyed  by  his  village.  Mr.  Wm.  Ross  con- 
gratulated his  young  friend  and  hoped  he  would  make  of  his  town 
a  success,  but  he  despaired  of  it  ever  amounting  to  much,  for,  as  he 
remarked  to  the  Governor,  "  It's  too  near  Atlas." 

OTHBE    SETTLERS. 

In  1821  there  also  came  to  the  county  James  McDonald,  who 
settled  opposite  Louisiana,  on  Sny  Island,  and  kept  a  ferry.  He 
opened  the  first  farm  on  the  road  between  Atlas  and  Louisiana,  but 
floods  drowned  him  out.  He  was  from  Washington  county,  N.  Y., 
and  his  family  Consisted  of  himself,  wife  and  four  daughters.  The 
next  spring  he  was  found  dead  at  his  ferry,  supposed  to  have  been 
murdered.     Joseph  Jackson  afterward  married  his  widow. 

In  the  summer  of  1821,  Garrett  Van  Deusen  came  to  the  county 
and  settled  on  the  Illinois  river  near  the  old  Griggsville  Landing. 
He  was  the  first  settler  on  the  east  side  of  the  county  except  two 
transient  French  families,  who  had  located  some  distance  below. 
He  erected  the  second  band-mill  in  the  county,  the  first  having  been 
put  up  by  Col.  Ross,  at  Atlas. 

THE    "  SICKLY    SEASON." 

The  summer  of  1821  sorely  tried  the  hearts  of  the  sturdy  settlers 
in  and  about  Atlas.  That  was  a  sickly  season  and  scarcely  a  family 
but  followed  some  of  its  members  to  the  newly  made  cemetery, 
until  over  one-half  the  entire  population  were  numbered  with  the 
dead.  The  prevailing  cause  of  the  visitation  of  such  a  calamity  to 
the  settlers  was  the  malaria  emanating  from  the  vegetable  decay  of 
the  newly  broken  prairie  and  the  decomposition  of  immense  quan- 
tities of  fish  in  the  ponds  below  the  town.  The  victims  of  this 
dreadful  malady  were  laid  in  coffins  made  from  bass-wood  puncheons, 
hollowed  out  and  consigned  to  earth  in  a  grave-yard  near  Franklin's 
first  location,  and  about  400  yards  west  of  Shinn's.  The  bones  and 
dust  of  80  persons  now  lie  buried  there,  and  at  present  there  is  not 
a  stone  or  head-board,  or  any  signs  whatever  of  its  being  a  cemetery. 
There  was  no  physician  nearer  than  Louisiana  during  this  scourge, 
and  with  this  fact,  and  taking  into  consideration  the  poor  facilities 
the  settlers  had  for  providing  for  and  nursing  the  sick,  it  remains 
no  wonder  that  so  many  died. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  203 

During  this  year  Col.  Ross  built  a  small  brick  house,  the  first  in 
the  countj'.  Two  years  afterward  he  erected  a  much  larger  brick 
structure  adjoining  it. 

FIRST    PUBLIC    IMPROVEMENTS. 

This  year  also  the  first  court-house  in  the  county  was  built. 
Daniel  Shinn  took  the  contract  for  cutting  and  hauling  the  logs,  at 
$6,  and  for  $26  he  got  out  the  puncheons  and  finished  the  building. 
It  was  completed  without  nails  or  iron  in  any  shape.  It  was  16  by 
18  feet  in  dimensions,  with  one  door  and  two  windows,  the  door  on 
the  east  side,  one  window  on  the  south  side  and  another  on  the  west 
side;  desks  made  of  puncheons;  chimney  outside;  and  the  clap- 
boards of  the  roof  held  on  with  weight-poles  and  knees.  There 
were  no  trees  around  the  house,  but  plenty  of  hazel-brush  in  the 
vicinity. 

This  year  the  first  school  was  taught  in  the  county,  by  John  Jay 
Koss,  son  of  Capt.  Leonard  Ross.  It  was  kept  in  the  court-house, 
and  the  names  of  his  pupils  were,  so  far  as  remembered,  Orlando, 
Charlotte,  Schuyler,  Mary  Emily  and  Elizabeth  Ross,  Benjamin, 
John,  Eliza  and  Phcebe  Shinn,  John  "Webb,  Frederick  and  Eliza 
Franklin,  Jeremiah  and  William  Tungate,  James,  Laura  and  Nancy 
Sprague.  James  "W".  Whitney  taught  the  next  school,  which  was 
also  at  Atlas. 

A   FEW    MORE   OF   THE    EARLIEST    PILGRIMS. 

About  this  time  Dexter  Wheeloek  and  wife  settled  at  Atlas,  where 
for  a  time  he  kept  a  hotel  and  a  general  store.  He  had  been  a 
drummer  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  an  active  and  generous  man. 
He  died  many  years  ago,  and  his  son,  John  G.  Wheeloek,  has  been 
a  prominent  citizen  of  the  county. 

The  spring  of  1822  two  brothers  named  Buchanan  settled  at  "Big 
Spring."  A  Mr.  Allen  (father  of  Lewis)  came  to  the  county  this 
year,  and  was  probably  the  first  settler  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mil- 
ton. His  wife  was  a  sister  of  the  celebrated  Daniel  Boone.  An 
old  gentleman  named  Clemmons  also  settled  about  this  time  near 
Milton,  where  his  sons  now  reside.  Joel  Moore,  now  living  two 
miles  north  of  Pittsfield,  on  Bay  creek,  was  the  first  settler  on  that 
stream.  ' 

This  year  Mr.  Franklin  sold  out  his  place  near  Atlas,  to  Col. 
Ross,  for  $30  or  $40,  and  removed  to  a  point  a  little  south  of  Pitts- 
field,  where  Mr.  Allen  now  lives;  he  gold  out  here  again  ere  long 
to  Mr.  Goodin,  and  located  near  Milton,  on  a  prairie  called  after 
him,  "  Franklin's  Prairie;"  and  this  home  too  he  subsequently  sold, 
removing  this  time  to  Perry.     He  died  in  Milton  in  1878. 

Mr.  Hoskins.  (father  of  John)  came  to  the  county  soon  after  the 
Ross  family. 

FIRST   WHITE    CHILD    BORN    IN    THE    COUNTY. 

The  first  white  person  born  in  this  county  was  Nancy  Ross, 
daughter  of  Col.  Wm.  Ross,  born  May  1 ,  1822.     She  died  Nov.  18 


204  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

of  the  same  year  at  Atlas.  Some  say,  however,  that  there  was  a 
white  person  born  in  this  county  some  time  previous  to  this;  how 
true  that  is  we  cannot  state  authoritatively. 

TEIP   TO    LOUISIANA. 

The  first  settlers  suffered  much  from  want  of  provision,  as  well  as 
from  the  loneliness  of  their  wilderness  homes.  During  the  year 
1822,  Franklin  and  Shinn,  getting  out  of  provisions,  started  to  Lou- 
isiana for  a  supply.  On  arriving  at  the  river  they  gave  the  cus- 
tomary  signal  for  the  ferryman  to  come  over  after  them,  but  could 
not  make  him  hear.  Being  strong  and  fearless  they  undertook  to 
swim  the  great  river,  even  with  their  clothing  on.  They  buffeted 
the  waves  well  for  a  time,  and  made  good  progress,  but  unfortu- 
nately Mr.  Shinn  took  the  cramp,  and  came  near  drowning,  and 
would  have  drowned  if  it  had  not  been  for  his  companion's  pres- 
ence of  mind.  Franklin,  by  beating  him,  got  him  out  of  the  cramp. 
In  order  to  make  further  progress,  however,  they  were  compelled 
to  divest  themselves  of  their  clothing.  After  a  long,  hard  and  dan- 
gerous struggle  they  finally  landed  upon  the  Missouri  shore,  about 
three-quarters  of  a  mile-  below  town,  but  void  of  clothing.  They 
made  their  presence  known,  however,  and  were  soon  furnished  with 
clothing. 

OEIMINAL  DE0W;NBD. 

During  this  same  year  (1822)  a  man  by  the  name  of  Franklin, 
not  Ebenezer,  stole  a  gun  from  a  Mr.  Hume.  In  making  away  with 
it  in  his  haste  he  was  unfortunate  enough  to  lose  it  while  swimming 
McGee's  creek.  He  was  pursued,  caught,  and  in  a  very  summary 
trial  before  Ool.  Ross,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  was  sentenced  to  have 
25  lashes  laid  upon  his  bare  back.  This  punishment  being  inflicted 
(and  we  are  told  he  bore  it  nobly),  he  was  given  his  liberty.  He 
soon  committed  another  crime,  however,  was  caught,  but  broke  from 
custody.  The  pioneers  were  full  of  pluck,  and  when  they  set  out  to 
accomplish  anything  they  generally  did  it,  at  whatever  price.  He 
was  tracked  to  Fort  Edwards  (now  Warsaw)  and  again  captured. 
They  had  no  jail  or  place  to  confine  such  a  cunning  fellow  with  any 
safety,  so  it  was  determined  to  send  him  to  the  jail  at  Edwardsville. 
Cons''table  Farr  and  John  Wood  (ex-Governor)  took  charge  of  him 
to  convey  him  to  Edwardsville.  Knowing  he  would  take  advan- 
tage of  every  opportunity  to  escape,  they  lashed  him  to  the  back  of 
a  mule,  by  tying  his  feet  uYiderneath.  They  came  to  a  creek  on 
their  journey,  and  the  young  man  thinking  that  an  excellent  oppor- 
tunity to  escape,  plunged  in,  even  against  the  threatenings  of  his 
escort.  He  heeded  them  not,  but  yelled  back  that  he  would  "goto 
h— 1  and  kick  the  gate  open  for  them. '-''  The  water  was  high  and 
before  the  mule  had  reached  the  farther  shore  he  went  down  be- 
neath the  waves,  carrying  with  him  his  rider.  Both  were  drowned. 
Franklin's  body  was  rescued  and  buried  upon  the  bank  of  the  creek. 
When  Messrs.  Farr  and  Wood  returned  to  Atlas,  Ool.  Eoss  asked 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  205 

them  where  their  prisoner  was,  they  had  returned  so  quickly.  "  Oh, 
we've  drowned  him,"  was  their  indifferent  reply.  "  You  have  to 
account  for  him  in  some  way  according  to  law,  you  know,"  said  Col. 
Ross.  "Oh,  yes,"  they  again  replied,  "we've  drowned  him." 
Franklin's  bones  were  some  time  afterward  taken  up  and  wired  to- 
gether by  Dr.  Vandeventer,  and  the  skeleton  is  now  in  the  posses- 
sion of  his  family  at  Versailles,  111. 

BISSELL,  HUSONG,  NICHOLi.S  AND  MATTHEWS. 

In  1823  Alfred  Bissell  came  to  tlie  county  and  located  at  New 
Hartford,  or  rather,  nearly  a  mile  north  of  the  present  town.  Mr. 
Bissell  raised  the  first  apples  in  Pike  county.  He  finally  sold  out 
to  a  Mr.  Brown,  some  of  whose  family  still  reside  upon  the  place. 
Daniel  Husong  came  to  the  county  the  same  year,  also  an  old 
man  by  the  name  of  Nicholas,  who  was  the  first  settler  near  High- 
land. Another  gentleman,  Mr.  John  Matthews,  who  was  consid- 
erably advanced  in  life,  the  father  of  B.  L.  Matthews,  and  the 
grandfather  of  Col.  Matthews,  came  and  located  north  of  Griggs 
ville. 

After  this  period  settlers  came  in  rapidly,  and  it  is  quite  impos- 
sible for  us  to  note  the  advent  of  each  one.  That  will  be  done  to  a 
very  great  extent  in  our  township  histories. 

FIKST  FOUETH-OF-JULT  CELEBEATION. 

The  first  Fourth-of-July  celebration  ever  held  in  Pike  county, 
and  probably  in  the  Military  Tract,  was  held  at  Atlas  in  1823. 
Col.  Koss  thus  speaks  of  it  in  a  letter  written  at  the  time  to  a 
friend  in  the  East, which  is  still  preserved:  "July  4,  1823. — The 
first  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of  July  was  held  in  Atlas,  Pike 
county,  111.  Oration  delivered  by  Nicholas  Hanson,  of  Albany, 
N.  Y.  The  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read.  There  was  an 
audience  of  about  fifty  persons,  who  afterward  partook  of  an  excel- 
lent dinner  prepared  by  Rufus  I3rown  at  his  tavern.  The  audience 
marched  in  procession  after  dinner.  A  jolly  good  time  was  had 
drinking  toasts,  etc.,  and  'all  went  merry  as  a  marriage  bell;'  this 
being  the  first  celebration  ever  held  in  Pike  county,  or  in  this  Mil- 
itary Tract." 

This  Eufus  Brown,  spoken  of,  subsequently  removed  to  Quincy, 
where  he  built  a  log  house  on  the  lot  where  the  Quincy  House  now 
stands.  After  living  in  Quincy  for  a  time,  he  pulled  up  and  moved 
further  West,  and  has  since  died. 

FIRST    JAIL    AND    VISIT    OF    THE    INDIANS. 

1824. — This  year-  the  first  jail  at  Atlas  was  built.  Daniel 
Husong  hewed  the  logs  and  Daniel  Shinn  did  most  of  the  work  on 
the  building.  The  door  was  four  inches  thick.  Wrought  spikes 
were  used,  and  for  hinges  bars  were  employed  which  were  as  thick 
as  a  man's  arm.     The  only  window  was  a  hole  about  the  size  of  a 


206  flISTOET    OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

pane  of  glass.     The  logs  were  a  foot  square  and  "  scotched  "  down, 
and  the  place  for  ushering  in  prisoners  was  in  the  roof.     It  was  a 

food  jail,  however, — even  better,  some  think,  than  the  jail  at 
'ittsfield  some  years  ago.  The  old  Atlas  jail  building  is  still  in 
existence,  but  has  been  removed  to  near  the  Levee  and  is  consider- 
ably dilapidated. 

This  year  old  Keokuk  and  600  of  his  men,  on  their  way  to  fight 
Indians  below  St.  Louis,  stopped  on  the  Sny  near  Atlas,  over  night, 
and  had  a  war  dance.  They  had  sent  to  the  whites  at  Atlas  a 
notice  in  advance  that  they  intended  them  no  harm.  Keokuk  was 
a  fine-looking  man,  it  is  said,  while  Black  Hawk,  who  also  fre- 
quently visited  this  region,  was  rather  a  small  man,  with  one  eye. 

FIRST   MALE    CHILD    BOEN    IN    THE   COUNTY. 

Nov.  11,  1824,  Marcellus  Koss  was  born,  a  son  to  Col.  Wm. 
Ross  at  Atlas,  the  first  white  male  child  born  in  Pike  county.  .  It 
is  stated,  however,  in  Mr.  Grimshaw's  historical  sketch,  that  a  son 
to  Ebenezer  Franklin  was  born  before  this,  and  still  others  say 
that  a  son  was  born  before  this  date  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Ward.  In 
the  proceedings  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Association  it  is  stated  that 
Rev.  John  Hopkins,  of  New  Hartford,  was  born  in  Pike  county 
May  30,  1822 ;  that  he  attended  school  at  Atlas  when  there  were 
but  five  scholars,  and  that  he  bound  after  the  first  reaper  in  the 
county.  In  July,  1836,  Col.  William  Ross  and  family  removed  to 
Pittsfield,  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  and  where  Marcellus 
still  resides . 

COL.    BAENEY. 

In  1826  there  came  to  Atlas,  from  Berkshire,  Mass.,  that  eminent 
man,  Col.  Benjamin  Barney,  who  still  survives,  residing  at  Barry. 
He  "was  a  man  of  great  physical  powers,  of  strong  natural  sense, 
benevolent,  patriotic,  not  learned  in  book  lore,  but  wise  in  that 
which  made  him  a  leader  in  trying  times;  was  sober,  industrious 
and  always  at  his  post.  His  tales  of  early  adventure  are  marvelous, 
and  yet  undoubtedly  true." — Grimshaw.  He  was  born  in  Septem- 
ber, 1795,  emigrated  first  to  Sandusky,  O.,  and  afterward  was  one 
of  the  first  five  settlers  in  Seneca  county  in  that  State.  In  Ohio 
he  married  Minerva  Harris,  who  died  in  1849.  He  was  the  first 
blacksmith  in  Pike  county,  and  probably  the  first  in  the  whole 
Military  Tract.  He  made  the  first  plow  ever  made  in  this  county, 
and  was  for  a  long  time  known  as  "  the  county  blacksmith."  He 
was  induced  to  stop  at  Atlas  mainly  on  account  of  his  being  offered 
the  position  of  Deputy  Sheriff  by  Capt.  Ross,  the  newly  elected 
Sheriff.  Col.  Barney  bore  a  prominent  part  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war,  and  his  life  has  all  along  been  so  identified  with  the  history 
of  Pike  county  that  his  name  will  occur  frequently  in  this  volume. 


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HI8T0BY    OF    PIKE    OOTJNTT.  209 

ooL.  barney's  teip  to  OAEKOLLTON. 

During  this  age  of  quick  transit  we  often  speak  of  mail  "  facili- 
ties," but  for  pioneer  times  it  would  be  more  appropriate  to  say- 
mail  "  difficulties."  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  it  cost  25  cents 
for  the  early  pilgrims  who  came  to  this  country  to  get  a  letter  from 
their  friends  in  the  East  or  South,  and  then  the  mails  came  only  at 
long  intervals.  Col.  Barney  relates  a  bit  of  experience  as  a  mail- 
carrier  in  early  day,  which  is  quite  thrilling. 

There  had  been  no  mail  received  at  Atlas  for  about  six  weeks. 
The  Illinois'  river  \vas  high,  and  filled  with  running  ice  so  that  it 
was  impossible  to  cross  it  with  any  degree  of  safety.  Oapt.  Eoss 
was  postmaster  at  Atlas,  the  only  place  in  the  county  where  there 
was  a  postoffice,  and  he  as  well  as  the  other  settlers  were  exceed- 
ingly anxious  to  get  the  mail  from  CarroUton,  the  point  from 
which  the  Pike  county  mail  was  brought.  CarroUton  is  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river  and  40  miles  distant  from  Atlas.  Postmaster 
Ross  had  made  liberal  offers  to  induce  some  one  to  go  after  the 
mail,  but  none  had  yet  succeeded  in  getting  it.  The  six  dolla,rs  he 
had  offered  was  a  great  motive,  and  at  least  three  men  at  different 
times  had  attempted  the  trip,  but  could  get  no  further  than  the 
Illinois  river,  and  would  return  discouraged.  At  last,  becoming 
exceedingly  anxious  to  hear  from  the  outside  world,  Mr.  Koss  made 
the  very  liberal  offer  of  ten  dollars  to  any  one  who  would  carry  the 
mail  to  CarroUton  and  return  with  the  mail  from  that  point.  This 
offer  was  made  Saturday  night,  and  Col.  Barney  resolved  to  attempt 
to  win  the  prize.  It  must  be  remembered  that  in  those  primitive 
times  ten  dollars  was  considered  a  large  amount  of  money;  and  the 
Colonel  said,  when  he  returned  and  got  his  money,  that  he  felt  as 
though  he  was  rich  enough  to  start  a  bank. 

Mr.  Barney  was  up  before  day  Sunday  morning  getting  ready 
for  the  trip.  His  wife  prepared  a  lunch  of  corn-cake  and  venison 
for  him  to  take  with  him  and  eat  upon  the  way ;  but  unfortunately 
he  forgot  it  when  he  left  home.  He  had  traveled  but  a  few  miles 
ere  it  began  to  snow.  The  large  flakes  began  to  fall  thicker  and 
faster,  and  the  wind  began  to  blow  and  soon  the  storming  elements 
were  raging  around  him  with  great  fury.  He  quickened  the  pace 
of  his  horse  and  finally  arrived  at  the  Illinois  river  at  a  point 
where  there  had  been  a  ferry  and  where  he  intended  to^cross.  The 
man  who  had  conducted  the  ferry  had  recently  died,  leaving  a 
family  of  wife  and  several  small  children.  They  lived  in  a  rude 
cabin  upon  the  western  bank  of  the  river;  the  widowed  mother 
lay  sick  and  near  death's  door;  they  were  without  medicine,  food 
or  care,  and  suffering  untold  misery.  The  Colonel  put  his  horse 
in  the  smoke-house  attached  to  the  cabin,  which  was  so  small  that 
the  horse  could  not  turn  around  in  it.  He  then  hired  a  lad  who 
was  there  at  this  time  to  assist  him  over  the  river.  After  much 
difficulty  he  reached  the  eastern  bank  and  started  off  on  his  trip  to 
CarroUton  on  foot. 

14 


210  HISTOEY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

The  Atlas  mail  was  small,  yet  he  found  ^reat  difficulty  in  making 
his  way  through  the  deep  snow.  He  at  last  reached  his  destination, 
got  the  mail  and  started  homeward.  Before  leaving  Carrollton, 
however,  he  called  upon  the  doctor  and  reported  the  condition 
of  the  woman  at  the  ferry.  The  physician  said  he  hkd  been 
down  to  the  river  two  or  three  times  on  his  way  to  visit  her  but 
could  not  get  over,  and  had  concluded  that  she  was  dead.  He  gave 
the  Colonel  some  medicine  for  her,  and  the  kind  lady  at  the  post- 
office  gave  him  a  large  package  of  provisions  also  to  take  to  the 
distressed  woman.  This  package  weighed  about  16  pounds,  and 
with  the  mail,  which  was  quite  large  and  consisted  mostly  of  mili- 
tary matter,  he  started  on  foot  for  the  river.  It  was  dusk  when  he 
arrived  in  the  river  bottom.  To  add  to  the  already  great  peril  in 
which  he  found  himself,  a  large  pack  of  wolves,  about  50  in  num- 
ber, followed  him,  some  of  them  yelping  furiously.  The  bolder 
ones  would  approach  closely  and  gnarl  at  the  lone  footman,  whom 
they  were  eager  to  make  a  meal  of.  He  would  frighten  them  off 
by  slapping  his  hands  on  the  mail-bags,  making  a  loud,  sharp 
noise.  This  he  did  repeatedly,  and  perhaps  it  was  the  only  way  he 
could  get  through  safely,  as  he  had  no  fire-arms  or  weapons  of  any 
kind.  He  reached  the  river  only  to  find  difficulties  more  compli- 
cated: he  could  not  get  over.  He  hallooed,  but  in  vain.  He  got 
into  an  old  boat  which  lay  fastened  in  the  ice  out  from  the  shore, 
and  lay  down,  thinking  he  would  be  compelled  to  remain  there 
during  the  night.  He  soon  found  himself  shivering  with  cold, 
and  would  certainly  freeze  to  death  if  he  remained  there  longer. 
He  aroused  himself,  got  a  pole  and  finally  worked  his  way  over  the 
river,  from  cake  to  cake  of  the  floating  ice,  though  a  dangerous  task 
it  was.  He  remained  over  night  at  the  cabin  and  gave  the  widow 
the  medicine  and  provision  sent  her.  These  relieved  her  present 
wants,  but  she  continued  to  decline,  and  shortly  afterward  died, 

The  Colonel  at  last  reached  Atlas,  with  the  long-looked-for  mail. 
He  made  the  settlers  joyous  with  the  letters  brought  from  their 
friends  and  was  himself  made  happy  by  the  receipt  of  ten  dollars, 
which  he  had  certainly  well  earned. 

DROWNING    OF   JAMES   WARD. 

In  the  spring  of  1826,  James  "Ward,  who  had  settled  about  four 
miles  south  of  Atlas  near  Six-Mile  creek,  and  whose  farm  lay  partly 
on  the  bluff  and  partly  in  the  bottom,  made  a  trip  to  Fort  Clark,  ' 
now  Peoria,  and  other  settlements  in  that  direction  in  company 
with  Col.  iioss,  on  an  electioneering  tour,  or  to  view  some  land. 
On  arriving  at  Crooked  creek  on  their  return,  just  above  a  drift  of 
flood-wood,  Mr.  Ward  ventured  to  cross,  but  was  drowned.  Mr. 
Ross,  thus  left  in  a  wilderness  with  the  shades  of  night  fast  hover- 
ing around  him,  and  the  gloom  cast  over  him  by  the  loss  of  his 
companion,  wandered  on  down  the  stream,  not  daring  to  cross  and 
not  desiring  to  stop.  Soon  he  saw  a  light  in  the  distance  and  fol- 
lowed on  down  until  he  came  to  the  cabin  of  a  lone  hunter.     Here 


HISTOEY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  211 

he  was  taken  in,  provided  for  and  kept  for  the  night.  In  the 
morning  the  body  was  recovered  and  buried  npon  the  bank.  The 
horse  had  made  the  shore  and  was  found  fastened  to  a  tree  by  his 
bridle  being  caught  in  a  limb.  A  year  or  so  afterward  the  bones 
of  the  drowned  man  were  taken  up  and  re  interred  with  Masonic 
honors. 

COL.  boss'  keel-boat. 

In  1826  Col.  Eoss  built  a  keel-boat  called  "  The  Basket,"  which 
was  hauled  down  to  the  Sny  and  launched.  It  would  hold  about  50 
tons,  and  in  this  craft  the  Colonel  shipped  the  produce  of  the 
neighborhood,  as  beef,"pork,  hides,  etc.  He  used  to  pack  about  400 
head  of  cattle  every  season.  Dressed  beef  was  only  two  and  a  half 
cents  a  pound.  Dealers  had  the  hide  and  tallow  as  their  reward 
for  killing  and  .dressing.  They  sold  their  beef  in  the  South,  Eew 
Orleans  generally,  for  five  dollars  a  barrel,  tallow  ten  cents  a  pound, 
dry  hides  five  cents,  andgreen  hides  two  and  a  half  cents  a  pound. 
To  get  their  boats  over  sand-bars  they  would  unload  the  barrels, 
roll  them  over  the  bars  and  then  reload.  On  one  trip  it  required 
one  whole  day  to  get  over  a  distance  of  twelve  miles . 

A   FEW    OCCUEEENCES    OF    1826. 

Capt.  Hale,  a  Missionary  Baptist  minister,  came  to  the  county  in 
the  summer  of  1826,  but  at  this  time  several  other  ministers  were 
also  preaching  in  Pike  county,  as  Messrs.  Garrison,  Medford  'and 
Lewis  Allen.  Mr.  Medford  was  a  smart  man,  and  had  a  circuit 
extending  from  Rushville  to  some  point  in  Calhoun  county.  Capt. 
Hale  probably  organized  the  first  Baptist  Church  in  the  county. 

This  year  also  the  first  store  building  in  the  county  was  erected, 
by  Col.  Eoss  at  Atlas.  It  was  built  of  hewed  logs,  and  in  dimen- 
sions was  ]  6  feet  square.  The  principal  part  of  a  merchant's  stock 
those  days  was  whisky. 

In  the  fall  of  1826  the  first  whisky  made  in  the  county  was  man- 
ufactured by  Mr.  Milhizor,  a  Pennsylvania  Dutchman,  although  it 
is  also  claimed  that  Mr.  Blair,  spoken  of  a  little  further  on,  erected 
the  first  distillery;  but  his  distillery  was  erected  in  1829  or  1830. 
Mr.  Milhizer  made  but  one  barrel  of  whisky.  * 

Soon  after  his  arrival  Col.  Eoss  put  up  a  band-mill  by  which  he 
could  grind  four  or  five  bushels  a  day,  but  he  soon  built  a  larger 
mill  which,  with  four  good  horses,  would  grind  from  26  to  30  bush- 
els a  day.  Settlers  from  even  25  miles  above  Quincy  used  to  come 
to  this  mill.  Good  fine  flour,  however,  was  brought  from  Cincin- 
nati, O.,  but  this  costly  article  was  used  only  on  occasion  of  visits 
from  friends,  or  on  Sunday  when  the  family  thought  they  could  stand 
the  expense  of  such  a  luxury.  For  most  of  their  milling  at  this 
period  the  settlers  in  this  section  went  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.  There 
was  no  Alton  then. 

The  first  coal  burned  in  Pike  county  was  from  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
and  used  by  Benj.  Barney  in  his  blacksmith  shop  in  1826.     During 


212  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

the  summer  of  1827  there  was  a  great  deal  of  rain,  and  the  streams 
•>rose  higher  than  they  ever  did  afterward  until  1851.  The  Sny  Carte 
"was  navigable  for  steam-boats  at  least  as  far  up  as  Atlas,  as  Col. 
Ross  proved  to  the  astonishment  of  many.  He  had  three  steam- 
boats in  his  service,  and  one  of  them  in  particular,  the  "Mechanic," 
-came  up  to  a  point'  directly  opposite  Atlas.  Its  arrival  was  an- 
nounced by  the  firing  of  guns. 

The  first  wheat  raised  in  Pike  county  was  raised  this  year  by  Col. 
Ross  and  Mr.  Seeley,  and  it  was  also  the  first  wheat  ground  within 
the  limits  of  the  county. 

This  year  came  Benjamin  B.  Barney,  no  relation  of  Col.  Barney. 
Ilndeavoring  to  trace  their  relationship  one  day  the  Colonel  said  he 
was  from  Massachusetts,  when  Benjamin  B.  replied  with  an  oath, 
"  Oh,  if  you  are  a  Yankee  you  are  no  connection  of  mine."  This 
Benjamin  B.  Barney  bought  Col.  Ross'  horse-mill  and  kept  it  a 
long  time,  probably  until  it  was  worn  out  or  finally  abandoned. 

1827. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Atlas,  Henry  Long,  from  Baltimore  city,  settled 
about  the  year  1827.  During  a  residence  of  many  years,  until  his 
decease  on  his  farm,  he  was  a  useful  citizen  and  upright  man.  He 
reared  a  second  numerous  family  of  intelligent  and  educated  chil- 
dren. His  son,  Jesse  Long,  has  been  a  Supervisor  of  Atlas  town- 
ship, and  resides  on  the  old  homestead  of  his  father.  Nathan  "Wat- 
son, now  living  about  five  miles  south  of  Pittsfield  with  his  son  Job, 
came  to  the  county  in  1827.  During  this  year  or  some  time  pre- 
viously, there  came  to  Atlas,  James  M.  Seeley,  who  was  for  12  years 
(1828 — '40)  noted  as  the  honest,  easy  Sheriff  of  Pike  county.  It 
was  his  duty  to  collect  revenue.  If  a  man  was  not  ready  to  pay  his 
tax,  Seeley  paid  it  and  trusted  him.  Mr.  S.  had  a  numerous  family, 
of  whom  Dr.  E.  M.  Seeley,  who  was  a  surgeon  during  the  late  war, 
was  one;  another  was  Dr.  David  Seeley,  who  was  an  early  settler 
of  Texas,  where  he  died. 

1828. 

Among  the  many  prominent  citizens  now  living  who  came  to  the 
county  in  1828,  was  James  Ross,  who  introduced  and  used  the  first 
cradle  in  the  county  for  cutting  wheat.  It  was  a  great  curiosity  to 
the  pioneers,  but  a  familiar  thing  to  him,  as  he  was  from  Pennsyl- 
vania where  cradles  were  common.  He  equipped  and  ran  the  first 
turner's  lathe  and  cabinet-shop  in  Pike  county.  This  shop  was  in 
one  end  of  the  first  clerk's  oflice  building  in  Atlas.  His  shop  was 
burned  out  here.  He  is  now  closing  his  long  and  eventful  life  in 
Pittsfield.  Even  when  he  was  60  years  of  age  he  was  a  fine  dancer 
and  could  whistle  almost  equal  to  the  flute.  It  has  always  been 
interesting  to  hear  him  tell  stories  of  pioneer  times. 

This  year  a  saw  and  grist  mill  was  built  at  Rockport  by  James 
McMurphy  and  son,  who  used  limestones  for  burrs.     They  also  built 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  213 

a  flat-boat  which  they  ran  to  Galena  in  their  trade.  At  this  time 
there  were  but  three  steam-boats  on  the  Mississippi  river. 

This  year  Wm.  Montgomery  Blair,  a  New-Light  minister,  came 
with  his  family  to  Kinderhook.  His  son  Montgomery,  now  living 
at  Barry,  was  then  19  years  of  age.  The  family  emigrated  origi- 
nally from  Kentucky  to  Ohio,  then  to  Indiana  and  lastly  to  this 
county.  When  they  arrived  here,  however,  they  found  that  several 
other  families  had  preceded  them  in  this  part  of  the  county,  namely, 
an  old  hermit  named  Peter  Harper,  a  refugee  from  justice,  having 
come  here  from  Indiana.  He  was  at  Kinderhook.  To  the  north 
of  where  Barry  now  stands  were  David  Edwards  and  Edward 
Earle,  and  to  the  south  lived  Samuel  Gary,  ■on  section  30,  then  the 
Jackson  family  and  Mr.  Howard  and  John  Milhizer.  Harper  lived 
at  Kinderhook  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Blair  built  the  first  log  cabin  at  Kinderhook,  and  the  next 
year  he  built  the  first  mill  in  this  part  of  the  county,-  and  also  a  dis- 
tillery, which  is  said  by  some  to  be  the  first  in  the  county.  Although 
this  gentleman  made  considerable  whisky,  the  distillery  had  finally 
to  be  abandoned  on  account  of  there  not  being  grain  enough  raised 
in  the  country  to  make  the  business  pay.  He  sometimes  made  as 
high  as  two  or  three  barrels  of  whisky  per  day  by  a  process  known 
as  "  steam  distilling."  Wheat  at  this  time  was  only  three  "  bits  " 
a  bushel,  and  Mr.  Blair  kept  a  stock  on  hand  for  two  or  three  years 
waiting  for  a  better  market.  Milling  was  so  diflScult  to  obtain  that 
several  days  were  generally  wasted  by  persevering  parties  lingering 
around  the  mill  to  see  that  their  grist  was  ground  in  its  proper 
itnrn,  or  in  frequent  visits  to  the  mill.  At  this  period  beef  and 
pork  were  only  one  and  a  half  cents  a  pound.  A  large  three-year- 
old  steer  would  bring  only  ten  dollars. 

About  this  period  Benj.  Matthews,  a  lad  of  18  years,  settled  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  county. 

1829    AND    ONWARD. 

By  this  time  the  immigrants  had  become  so  numerous  and  the 
events  of  history  so  complicated  that  they  cannot  be  very  well 
grouped  by  years  either  in  the  memories  of  old  settlers  or  in  writ- 
ten history. 

The  second  court-house  was  built  in  1829  by  Elijah  Petty  and 
Col.  Ross,  contractors,  at  a  cost  of  $650.  About  this  time  the 
clerk's  ofiice  building  was  erected  in  Atlas.  It  was  a  double  log 
building,  and  one  end  was  occupied  by  JamSs  Ross  as  a  cabinet 
shop.  This  building  was  totally  destroyed  by  fire  one  night  during 
the  winter  of  the  big  snow,  as  referred  to  further  on.  Many  of  the 
earliest  records  were  thus  lost,  and  many  others  would  have 
been  burned  but  for  the  great  exertions  and  bravery  of  Mr.  James 
Ross. 

John  Barney,  now  residing  at  Pittsfield,  is  a  brother  of  Col.  Benj. 
Barney,  and  came  to  the  county  in  1830.  Soon  after  the  county- 
seat  was  removed  to  Pittsfield,  Mr.  John  Barney  was  elected  treas- 


214  HISTOET   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

urer,  which  office  he  filled  with  fidelity  for  a  number  ot  years.  All 
the  money  raised  and  expended  for  the  construction  of  the  present 
court-house  and  the  first  Pittsfield  jail  passed  through  his  hands. 
It  being  once  charged  that  he  was  a  little  behind  with  the  public 
funds,  an  investigation  was  instituted,  which  resulted  in  showing  that 
instead  of  his  being  in  debt  to  the  county,  the  county  was  owing  him 
over  a  hundred  dollars. 

Fielding  Hanks  settled  in  Pike  county  in  1830,  and  was  proba- 
blv  the  first  tanner  here. 


CHAPTEE  11. 
EAELY  SETTLEMENT— COKTINUED. 

THE  WINTER  OF  THE  BIG  SNOW. 

We  now  ooine  to  the  winter  of  the  deep  snow,  1830-'l.  The  snow 
of  that  winter  commenced  falling  Nov.  10,  and  did  not  all  go  away 
until  the  following  April,  yet  the  largest  fall  of  snow  did  not  begin 
until  the  29th  of  December.  This  was  the  heaviest  snow  that  ever 
fell  in  Illinois  within  the  memory  of  the  oldest  settler  of  this  part 
of  the  Statei  According  to  the  traditions  of  the  Indians  as  related 
to  the  pioneers,  a  snow  fel  1  from  50  to  75  years  before  the  settle- 
ment by  the  white  people,  which  swept  away  the  numerous  herds  of 
buffalo  and  elk  that  roamed  over  the  vast  prairies  at  that  time. 
This  tradition  was  verified  by  the  large  number  of  bones  of  these 
animals  found  in  different  localities  on  the  prairies  when  iirst  visited 
by  the  whites.  The  deep  snow  is  one  of  the  landmarks  of  the  pio- 
neer. He  reckons,  in  giving  dates  of  early  occurrences,  so  many 
years  before  or  so  many  after  the  deep  snow.  He  calculates  the 
date  of  his  coming,  his  marriage  and  birth  of  his  children  from  it, 
and  well  might  it  make  a  lasting  impression  upon  their  minds. 

In  the  northern  portion  of  the  county  the  snow  at  first  was  about 
three  feet  deep  on  a  level,  and  as  it  settled  a  crust  formed  on  the 
surface.  The  winter  was  also  unusually  cold,  and  this,  in  connec- 
tion with  the  snow  covering  the  mast  and  other  food  of  wild  animals, 
resulted  in  starving  and  freezing  to  death  most  of  the  game,  as  deer, 
wild  hogs  and  turkey.  The  deer,  indeed,  had  been  rendered  scarce 
by  the  sweeping  fires  of  tlie  preceding  autumn  which  the  Indians 
had  set  out.  After  all  this,  however,  there  was  but  very  little  suf- 
fering among  the  citizens  of  this  county.  They  had  plenty  of  meat 
and  hulled  corn,  and  with  this  simple  fare  they  were  content. 
What  wild  game  there  was  alive  in  the  forest  was  easily  caught,  on 
account  of  their  reduced  condition  and  the  depth  of  the  crusty  snow 
which  impeded  their  progress  in  the  chase.  Col.  Koss  chased  down 
two  deer  with  a  horse,  and  caught  and  killed  them  by  hand.  The 
men  got  out  of  liquor,  however,  and  this  was  their  greatest  priva- 
tion; but  their  suffering  on  this  account  was  probably  more  imagin- 
ary than  real.  On  the  18th  of  February  two  men  who  had  engaged 
to  chop  some  wood  for  Col.  Barney  backed  out  of  their  agreement 


216  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

when  they  found  he  had  no  whisky.  Mr.  Barney,  recollecting  that 
a  neighbor  owed  him  a  pint  of  whisky  on  a  bet  made  at  some  former 
time,  induced  the  men  to  go  to  work  by  offering  them  a  treat.  This 
whisky  being  the  last  in  the  neighbor's  demijohn  had  some  drug  in 
it,  but  that  "  did  not  hurt  the  liquor  any,"  as  it  was  so  scarce  and 
costly,  it  being  worth  $1.25  a  gallon.  Clothing  was  also  a  little 
scarce,  as  the  new  comers  into  the  new  country  had  but  very  few 
sheep.  For  most  of  their  substantial  clothing  the  pioneers  of  these 
times  had  to  depend  upon  home-made  material. 

In  the  northern  part  of  the  county  the  snow  was  so  deep  as  to 
cover  the  ears  of  the  outstanding  corn  and  make  it  very  difficult  to 
gather.  Joshua  Woosley,  who,  on  account  of  the  two  preceding- 
years  being  very  favorable,  inadvertently  let  his  stock  of  corn  on 
hand  get  quite  low,  gave  men  three  bushels  a  day  for  picking 
corn;  and  it  was  surprising  how  much  of  the  article  these  hardy 
pioneers  would  gather  amid  such  surroundings.  Twenty  men  in 
four  days  gathered  2,500  bushels. 

During  the  spring  a  freshet  came  with  the  melting  snow,  and  the 
waters  of  the  Sny  undermined  the  mills.at  Kockport  so  that  they 
sank  down.  Col.  iioss  had  50  or  60  men  at  work  there  nearly  all 
spring  tilling  up  the  places  washed  out. 

During  this  winter  the  clerk's  office  building  at  Atlas  was  burned 
down.  Col.  Ross  first  discovered  fire  breaking  out  in  that  end  of 
the  structure  where  "  Jimmy"  Koss  had  his  cabinet-shop,  and  raised 
the  alarm;  but  the  wind  was  blowing  fiercely  and  nearly  all  was 
lost.  This  building  was  not  more  than  five  rods  from  Col.  Barney's- 
residence,  and  he  and  "Jimmy"  succeeded  in  rescuing  some  of  the 
papers  and  records  of  the  office,  which  but  few  of  the  other  citizens 
seemed  to  care  but  little  about.  Many  such  things  grow  valuable 
with  the  lapse  of  time,  and  doubtless  many  more  papers  might  have 
been  saved  which  would  render  this  history  more  complete. 

The  year  1831  was  also  marked  by  a  freeze  in  August  which 
nearly  ruined  the  corn  crop  before  it  was  sufficiently  mature,  and  con- 
sequently the  following  spring  the  farmers  had  to  send  to  Kentucky 
for  seed  corn,  paying  for  it  on  its  delivery  $3  a  bushel.  Boats  came 
up  the  river  about  one  a  week,  and  their  arrival  was  always  the  oc- 
casion of  joy  or  disappointment.  The  settlers,  however,  got  all  the 
seed  corn  they  wanted,  those  who  were  flush  being  willing  to  divide  . 
with  their  less  fortunate  neighbors  and  trust  them,  depending  upoa 
the  success  of  their  next  crop  for  pay.  Shipping  on  the  Mississippi 
at  this  period  was  limited  to  only  three  steam-boats  between  St.. 
Louis  and  Galena,  and  whatever  freighting  was  done  by  flat  and 
keel  boats,  which  were  poled,  rowed,  sailed,  cordelled  and  towed. 

THE  FIRST  NBGEO  SETTLERS. 

"  Free  Frank,"  a  colored  man,  arrived  in  Hadley  township,  this 
county,  in  the  spring  of  1831,  with  his  wife  Lucy  and  three  chil- 
dren.    They  were  originally  from  Kentucky  and  had  spent  the  pre- 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOtJNTT.  217 

ceding  winter  in  Greene  county,  111.  This  family  were  the  first 
settlers  in  that  township,  and  none  others  arrived  for  two  years. 
To  conform  to  the  custom  of  the  age  the  Legislature  gave  Free 
Frank  the  surname  of  McWorter,  and  he  was  ever  afterward 
known  as  Frank  McWorter.  He  was  a  live,  enterprising  man,  and 
laid  out  the  town  of  New  Philadelphia,  which  once  had  great 
promise  of  making  a  good  town.  He  liad  bought  his  own  freedom 
and  that  of  his  wife  and  many  of  his  children,  and  left  provision  in 
his  will  to  buy  grandchildren,  which  was  carried  out  by  his  son, 
Solomon  McWorter.  Frank  died  about  the  year  1857,  at  7T  years 
of  age.  His  wife  died  in  her  99th  year  iu  1871.  Mr.  McWorter 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  his  wife  in  Virginia.  They  were  both 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  led  exemplary  lives.  By  in- 
dustry and  economy  they  left  a  valuable  farm  to  their  heirs.  A 
large  and  respectable  settlement  of  their  descendants  now  exists 
around  the  old  home. 

In  1832  or  1833  a  colored  man  came  to  the  southern  part  of  the 
county  known  by  the  name  of  "Bob,"  who  wanted  to  marry  a  white 
girl,  the  daughter  of  a  Mr.  Guernsey.  This  aroused  the  indignation 
of  the  whites,  and  as  soon  as  he  saw  the  citizens  after  him  he  took 
to  his  heels  and  ran  away  so  fast  that  "  50  men  couldn't  catch  him !" 

NUMBEOUS  SETTLERS. 

Before  the  Black  Hawk^war  there  came  to  this  county,  settling 
in  various  parts,  besides  those  we  have  mentioned  and  many  others, 
Hawkins  Judd,  Geo.  W.  Hinraan,  Stephen  B.  Watson,  Garrett 
YanDeusen,  Daniel  Clingensmith,  N.  E.  Quinby,  M.  Branson  and 
Horace  Horton.  Messrs.  Hinman  and  Judd  were  County  Com- 
missioners with  Col.  Barney  when  they  bought  of  the  United  States 
for  $200  the  quarter  section  of  land  upon  which  Fittsfield  was 
located.  They  are  now  dead.  Mr.  Yan  Deusen,  an  eccentric 
Knickerbocker  Dutchman,  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  likely  one 
of  the  earliest  settlers  east  of  Pittsfield  on  Blue  river,  and  was  the 
originator  of  a  queer  device  to  crack  corn,  operated  something  after 
the  manner  supposed  to  be  in  vogue  in  the  days  of  Adam  and  Eve. 
He  used  the  stream  of  Blue  river  at  a  narrow  place,  and  by  catching 
and  confining  the  water  therefrom  in  a  hollow  tree  or  trough,  open 
at  the  end  up  stream  and  closed  at  the  lower  end,  he  worked  a 
swinging  vessel  which  was  suspended  over  a  mortar  to  crack  Indian 
corn.  Tlie  process  was  to  let  the  trough  fill  With  water  nearly  to 
overfiowing,  when  by  its  weight  it  would  descend,  dashing  the  pestle 
into  the  mortar  and  crushing  the  corn.  The  pestle  being  adjusted 
some  distance  from  the  end  of  the  trough  up  stream,  t.he  water 
spilled  beyond  the  mortar,  and  the  machine  adjusted  itself  for  an- 
other beat  at  the  corn.  Col.  N.  E.  Quinby  was  a  lawyer.  Mr. 
Clingensmith  settled  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county:  he  died 
in  1835.  Capt.  Horton  was  a  jolly  tar  from  Connecticut,  an  en- 
ergetic man  and  a  good  settler.  He  came  in  1832  and  located  above 
Rockport.  Branson  and  Watson,  the  latter  a  tailor,  settled  at  Atlas. 


■218  HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 


THE   YEAK    OF   THE    BLACK  HAWK   WAE. 

Chronologically  we  Lave  row  arrived  at  the  period  of  tlie  Black 
Hawk  war,  and  the  connection  of  Pike  county  with  that  epoch  will 
be  given  in  the  chapter  upon  that  war.  No  county  perhaps  took  a 
more  active  and  decided  part  in  this  struggle  of  the  pioneers  with 
the  Indians  than  this  county.  Almost  as  soon  as  it  was  known  that 
soldiers  were  wanted  Pike  county  had  filled  her  quota.  In  an  early 
day  Indians  were  quite  numeious  here,  but  we  have  no  record  of 
any  depredations  being  committed  by  them  other  than  petty  theft. 
The  Sacs  and  Foxes  made  their  headquarters  along  the  Sny  for 
many  years,  where  they  were  often  visited  by  Black  Hawk  and 
Keokuk.  At  or  near  Atlas  the  whites  often  saw  them  in  their  war 
<lances.  These  Indians  however  gave  the  settlers  of  Pike  county 
very  little  trouble.  Indeed  they  sometimes  evinced  some  title  to 
the  epithet  "noble."  As  for  example,  when  a  squaw  was  at  one 
time  sick  of  a  fever  and  was  nursed  and  doctored  by  a  white  family 
^t  Atlas  until  she  got  entirely  well  to  the  surprise  of  her  Indian 
friends,  they  were  very  thankful  and  showed  their  gratitude  in  many 
ways. 

In  this  connection  we  may  relate  a  little  anecdote  characteristic 
■of  early  times.  John  Jay  Koss  and  a  Mr.  Filer  thought  they 
would  have  some  fun  one  day  by  frightening  Mr.  Young  and  his 
family  who  resided  at  Atlas,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  his  house  they 
imitated  the  noise  and  whoop  of  Indians  so  perfectly  that  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Young  thought  they  were  surrounded  by  blood-thirsty  red- 
skins. They  were  greatly  frightened  and  chugged  their  children 
into  a  small  cellar  which  was  not  large  enough  for  themselves  to 
get  into.  They  ran  out  into  the  mustard  patch  and  remained  there 
until  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day,  so  scared  were  they,  before  they 
•dared  to  return  to  the  house  and  liberate  their  suffering  children. 

JAMES    W.  WHITNEY. 

t 

A  very  noted  character  in  the  earliest  days  of  Pike  county 
was  James  W.  Whitney,  more  generally  known  as  "Lord  Coke," on 
fl,ccount  of  his  knowledge  of  law.  He  was  teacher  of  the  second 
school  at  Atlas,  but  having  no  family  or  permanent  home  he  can 
scarcely  be  denominated  a  "  settler."  He  was  the  first  Circuit  and 
County  Clerk,  and  held  many  local  offices.  He  was  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  a  man  of  considerable  education,  having  some 
knowledge  of  Latim  He  came  to  Illinois  before  it  was  a  State  and 
resided  at  or  near  jEdwardsville.  Not  much  is  known  of  his  former 
life,  as  he  was  always  very  taciturn  when  the  subject  was  intro- 
duced. It  is  said  that  there  was  a  hidden  sorrow  in  his  former  life 
which  was  a  delicate  matter  to  touch  upon.  He  wrote  a  very  pecu- 
liar hand,  which  would  indicate  that  he  was  an  oddity.  At  first 
sight  one  would  have  taken  him  to  be  a  well-preserved  preacher  or 
schoolmaster  of  the  days  of  the  earlier  Adamses.     His  dress  was 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  219 

plain  and  even  homely;  his  hair  was  sparse  and  all  combed  to  the 
back  of  his  head,  and  often  tied  with  a  buckskin  string  or  old  black 
shoe-string  as  a  cue.  Pecuniarily  he  was  not  prosperous,  and  he 
was  very  indifferent  with  respect  to  his  dress.  He  made  his  jour- 
neys generally  afoot  and  alone,  putting  up  where  night  found  him, 
with  some  friend,  and  his  acquaintance  was  very  extensive.  He 
was  always  welcomed  by  the  lonely  pioneers,  as  he  was  a  kind  of 
gazetteer,  bringing  them  the  news  when  newspapers  were  scarce. 
He  lived  sometimes  alone  in  a  log  cabin  and  sometimes  he  made 
the  city  of  Quincy  his  headquarters. 

"  Lord  Coke  "  was  also  known  as  the  "  Speaker  of  the  Lobby,"  as 
he  was  the  leader  ot  that  branch  of  the  Legislature  for  many  years. 
When  theaters  and  shows  were  rare,  the  citizens,  judges  and  legis- 
lators at  Vandalia  were  all  agog  to  witness  the  convening  of  the 
Lobby.  It  was  a  great  event.  A  throng  would  assemble,  and  after 
some  ceremony  "  Lord  Coke"  would  mount  the  stand  and  call  the 
house  to  order.  He  would  deliver  his  annual  message,  which  would 
be  received  with  cheers  and  laughter.  Many  hits  and  jokes  were, 
embodied  in  the  message.  Sometimes  the  satire  was  very  broad, 
and  at  one  time  he  hurt  his  standing  with  the  Supreme  Court  by  a 
farcical  account  of  a  meeting  represented  to  have  been  held  by  that 
Court  and  leading  members  of  the  Bar  to  "  exterminate  the  varmints  . 
of  the  State."  He  presided  over  the  "Lobby"  with  magisterial 
sway,  and  when  mock  heroics  moved  the  man  he  would  be  a  very 
important  personage.  The  '"Lobby"  was  organized  by  appointing 
subordinate  officers  and  numerous  committees,  whose  titles  and 
functions  would  be  of  the  most  ludicrous  character;  and  tlie  mem- 
bers composing  the  same  would  be  in  physical  form,  public  stand- 
ing and  personal  bearing  the  most  opposite  of  that  position  and 
characjter.  For  example,  Col.  Thos.  Mather,  President  of  the  State 
Bank  of  Illinois,  was  a  man  short  in  stature  but  of  great  rotundity 
of  person,  quiet  in  demeanor;  Judge  Thomas  Brown  and  Jesse 
Thomas,  jr.,  were  line,  portly  gentlemen.  Such  as  these  "  Lord 
Coke  "would  announce,  and  that  in  print,  as  the  most  suitable 
members  of  "the  committee  on  gymnastics  and  ground  and  lofty- 
tumbling."  Many  reports  of  these  committees  would  be  submitted 
which  would  be  in  accord  with  their  burlesque  titles.  These  reports 
were  often  written  by  "Lord  Coke"  himself,  and  there  was  a  broad 
personality  in  them  rather  Hudibrastic. 

At  the  Bar  "  Lord  Coke"  was  not  successful,  as  there  was  a  want 
of  practical  sense  in  his  applications  and  his  law  was  often  obsolete. 
He  died  Dec.  13,  1860,  between  83  and  85  years  of  age. 

OTHBE  PEOMINENT  CHAEAOTEES. 

Parvin  Panllin,  a  native  of  IMew  Jersey,  came  in  mature  years 
to  this  county,  served  one  term  as  a  Representative  in  the  Illinois 
Legislature,  and  was  Probate  Judge,  discharging  always  his  duty 
with  honor  and  efficiency.     He  died  many  years  ago. 


220  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Ephraim  Cannon  was  an  early  settler  of  Pike  county,  and  for  a 
time  Sheriff. 

Robert  and  Joseph  Goodin  and  Fisher  Petty  were  amongst  the 
noted  men  of  Highland.  Petty  was  a  County  Commissioner  at 
Pittsfield;  Mr.  Murphy  was  the  first  County  Surveyor;  and  Joseph 
Goodin  was  County  Surveyor  thereafter  and  a  good  officer.  He  was 
living  a  few  years  ago  in  Missouri. 

John  George  Nicolay,  an  illustrious  representative  of  Pike  county 
education,  was  born  in  Germany,  and  came  to  this  county  an  ob- 
scure boy;  beigg  very  studious  he  became  highly  self-educated; 
learned  the  printer's  trade  in  Pittsfield;  married  Miss  Bates  of 
that  place ;  he  edited  the  F.ree  Press  for  a  short  time,  and  when 
O.  M.  Hatch  was  elected  Secretary  of  State  Mr.  N.  was  his  clerk 
for  two  years  at  Springfield ;  read  law  in  Abraham  Lincoln's  offiee, 
and  on  the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  to  the  Presidency  of  the  United 
States  he  became  one  of  his  private  secretaries;  subsequently  he 
was  Consul  to  Paris,  and  is  now  Marshal  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  United  States,  which  is  a  life  oflSce  or  a  tenure  during  good 
behavior. 

John  Hay,  sou  of  Dr.  Hay,  of  Warsaw,  and  nephew  of  Milton 
Hay,  next  mentioned,  and  for  some  time  a  resident  of  Pittsfield, 
was  a  c"mpanion  of  Mr.  Nicolay  in  the  study  of  law  in  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's office  at  Springfield  and  in  being  private  secretary  of  the. 
President.  While  in  Pittsfield  he  published  "  Pike  County  Bal- 
lads," a  collection  of  capital  pieces  of  poetry,  among  the  most  noted 
of  which  are  "  Banty  Tim,"  •'  Little  Breeches  "  and  "  Bludsoe." 

Milton  Hay,  now  ranking  high  as  a  lawyer  at  Springfield,  resided 
in  Pittsfield  in  his  earlier  days  as  an  attorney  at  law.  He  has  since 
been  in  a  Constitutional  Convention  and  in  the  Legislature  of  the 
State. 

Major  Charles' J.  Sellon  we  can  claim  as  a  son. of  Pike  county,  his 
parents  having  been  the  present  wife  of  Col.  D.  B.  Bush,  by  her 
former  husband.  Rev.  John  Sellon,  an  Episcopal  clergyman  who 
once  owned  St.  Ann's  Church,  New  Tork  city,  and  was  a  wealthy 
man,  and  whose  sister  was  the  wife  of  Sir  Benjamin  Brodie,  the 
eminent  English  physician.  Charles  J.  was  brought  up  princi-  . 
pally  in  the  family  of  Col.  Bush,  was  in  the  Mexican  war  (in  the 
battle  of  Buena  Vista),  and  during  our  late  war  was  Major  of  an 
Illinois  regiment;  was  editor  of  the  Springfield  (111.)  Jov/rnal;  still 
later  on  the  Peoria  Transcript.     He  died  in  1862. 

"  Aunt "  Roby  Eoss,  still  living  at  Barry,  in  her  92d  year,  came 
with  her  people  to  Atlas.  She  was  born  Sept.  27,  1789,  in  Een- 
sellaer  county,  N.  Y.,  and  was  first  the  wife  of  Clarendon  Eoss  and 
afterward  of  his  brother  Capt.  Leonard  Eoss.  Clarendon  Eoss  was 
the  first  man  who  died  in  the  county  and  Captain  Eoss  is  long  since 
dead.  Aunt  Eoby's  memory  is  still  clear,  and  she  relates  many  in- 
teresting experiences  and  events  of  early  times.  Her  house  was  the 
stopping  place  for  many  people;  she  has  fed  as  many  as  a  hundred 
in  a  day.     She  would  arrange  tables  out  of  doors  made  of  clapboards 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  221 

placed  upon  sticks,  supported  by  stakes  driven  in  the  ground.  In 
that  day  they  had  an  abundance  of  meat,  vegetables  and  sometimes 
fried  cakes  and  crab-apple  sauce.  Mrs.  Ross's  son  Schuyler,  by  her 
first  husband,  died  at  the  age  of  20,  in  1832,  at  Atlas. 

Merrill  E.  Eattan,  the  first  Postmaster  at  Pittsfield,  long  since 
dead,  was  also  Probate  Judge.  He  kept  a  hotel  on  the  same  lot 
where  the  Oregon  House  now  stands.  Wm.  Watson,  once  a  Pro- 
bate Judge^  is  still  living  in  Pittsfield.  As  a  business  man  Mr. 
Watson  was  ever  foremost  and  has  accumulated  some  property. 
Eobert  R.  Greene  and  his  cousin  Austin  Barber  .opened  and  carried 
on  the  first  large  store  in  Pittsfield.  These  gentlemen  are  both  yet 
living  in  that  town.  Mrs.  G.  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  highly 
respected  school-teachers.   Mr.  Barber  was  for  a  period  County  Clerk. 

^m.  A.  Grimshawcame  to  Pike  county  in  1833.  For  his  biog- 
raphy see  history  of  Pittsfield  township.  John  U.  Grimshaw, 
cousiiji  of  the  former,  settled  near  Pittsfield  in  1834,  and  afterward 
moved  to  town  and  for  many  years  was  an  active  merchant.  He 
died  many  years  since.  Jackson  Grimshaw,  a  brother  of  William 
A.,  was  a.resident  of  Pittsfield  for  14  years,  then  of  Quincy,  Ills., 
where  he  died  in  December,  1876. 

B*elus  and  Egbert  Jones,  brothers,  were  old  settlers.  Bel  us  was 
never  a  lawyer,  but  a  pettifogger,  who  hung  ou  to  "  Lord  Coke  "(  J. 
W.  Whitney)  like  k  bobtail  to  a  kite.  At  court  time  it  was  said, 
"  If  0  court  till  Coke  and  Belus  come." 

Major  James  Tolbert,  an  old  Yirginian,  was  an  ofiicer  iuithe  17th 
Illinois  Militia  at  an  early  day.  He  was  an  early  settler  of  Pike 
county. 

Lyman  Scott,  an  early  settler,  married  a  daughter  of  Leonard 
Ross.  He  was  for  a  time  one  .of  the  owners  of  a  former  mill  at 
Rockport.  He  was  a  pushing  business  man.  Many  years  ago  he 
went  to  Kansas  and  is  now  dead. 

Johri  Neeley,  an  early  County  Commissioner,  removed  to  Texas 
and  has  since  died. 

John  Lyster,  at  times  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  was  an  early  settler 
in  the  Meredith  and  Neeley  neighborhood  near  the  Illinois  river, 
now  Detroit  township. 

David  Dutton  early  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Pleasant  Yale,  once 
County  Commissioner,  a  prosperous  farmer,  and  peculiar  in  his 
ways.     He  has  long  since  deceased. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  Pike  county  was  Mrs.  Nancy  M. 
Heath,  who  taught  the  first  school  in  Pittsfield  in  the  winter  of 
1834.  She  had  14  scholars,  taught  in  a  rented  house  and  boarded 
herself.  Her  terms  were  $3  per  scholar  for  12  weeks.  The  names 
of  her  patrons  were  Jonathan  Pike,  Col.  Johnson,  Wm.  Watson, 
Ephraim  Cannon,  James  Mc!N"ary,  Wm.  Grimshaw,  Dr.  Worthing- 
ton,  Mr.  Davis,  and  John  TurnbuU.  Her  maiden  name  was  Dun- 
bar, and  she  was  born  Jan.  1,  1791,  the  first  white  child  born  in 
Cincinnati;  was  brought  up  by  Gov.  McArthur,  of  Ohio;  in  1818 
she  married  Dr.  Jonathan  Heath,  who  was  born  on  the  south  bank 


222  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

of  the  Potomac,  Morefield,  Hardy  county,  V^.  She  came  to  Naples 
Morgan  county,  in  1825,  taught  school  there,  and  came  to  Pittsfield  in 
1834.  The  school-house,  which  was  also  their  dwelling,  was  a  small 
hewed-log  house  rented  of  Mr.  TurnbuU.  She  has  had  six  children, 
five  girls  and  one  son,  all  dead.  Mrs.  Heath  is  still  living  in  Pitts- 
field,'  but  has  had  feeble  health  for  many  years.  Her  daughter, 
afterward  Mrs.  A.  Y.  Wills,  also  taught  school  with  her. 

Dr.  Hezekiah  Dodge  emigrated  from  Virginia  to  Bayville,  this 
county,  in  an  early  day.  In  his  physical  structure  he  was  "  long, 
lean  and  lank,  and  moved  upon  a  spindle  shank." 

Mr.  Gray,  an  early  settler  and  prominent  citizen  of  the  county, 
was  Sheriff  about  1851;  was  Postmaster  at  Barry,  and  afterward  for 
many  years  his  home  has  been  in  Pittsfield. 

Joshua  Woosley,  an  early  settler  of  Hadley  township,  has  been 
Sheriff",  and  taken  quite  an  active  part  in  the  politics  of  the  counfy. 
He  is  still  a  man  of.great  activity,  living  on  the  old  homesteacj. 

Among  many  other  pioneers  of  Pike  county  we  would  mention, 
Henry  E..  Ramsey,  Jacob  Hodgen  (father  of  Dr.  John  Hodgen), 
Charles  T.  Brewster,  W.  B.  Grimes,  D.  B.  Bush,  Elias  Kent  Kane 
(nephew  of  the  celebrated  Elisha  Kent  Kane,  the  Arctic  explorer), 
all  of  whom  have  been  more  or  less  prominent  in  the  history  of  this 
county.  A  little  anecdote  concerning  Mr.  Kent,  who  settled 
in  Montezuma  township  in  1836,  we  cannot  forbear  to  relate  here. 

He  went  out  deer-hunting  one  day,  soon  scaring  up  three  large 
deer,  which  ran  around  him  in  a  circle  about  300  yards  distant.  He 
stood  watching  them  with  cocked  gun  in  his  hands,  not  knowing 
why  he  did  not  shoot;  but  subsequently  learned  from  friends  thslt 
he  must  have  had  the  "  buck  ague."  , 

Many  other  names  of  early  settlers  will  appear  in  the  histories  of 
the  respective  townships. 

Among  the  sons  of  Pike  county  who  have  departed  to  other  fields 
of  glory,  are:  Ozias  M.  Hatch  and  Alexander  Starne,  both  of  Pitts- 
field, then  of  Griggsville;  both  have  run  about  the  same  career  in 
this  county,  having  been  Clerks  of  the  Circuit  Court,  members  of 
the  Legislature,  and  Secretaries  of  State;  arid  both  are  now  resi- 
dents of  Springfield,  in  prosperous  circumstances.  Mr.  Starne  left 
Philadelphia  in  1836,  "  with  the  intention  of  getting  so  far  away 
from  home  that  he  never  could  get  back  again,"  and  he  chose  the 
beautiful  section  of  country  called  Pike  county  for  his  permanent 
home.  He,  relates  many  amusing  stories  concerning  the  olden 
times,  clock  peddlers,  abolition  riots.  Dr.  Dix's  first  laud  purchase 
and  trip  to  the  grist-mill. 

Among  other  numerous  settlers  in  various  parts  of  the  county 
we  would  name  the  following:  Rev.  John  Shinn,  one  of  the  early 
preachers  of  the  county,  settled  just  west  of  Phillips'  Ferry;  then 
came  David  Johnson,  who  bought  the  farm  owned  by  him.  He 
settled  there  in  1828,  and  for  many  years  was  Surveyor  of  the 
county.  JSTear  him  was  Richard  Wade;  the  next  two  who  came 
were  a  Mr.  Bateman  and  Andrew  Phillips.     Geo.  W.  Hinman,  an. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  223 

t 

early  prominent  man,  came  in  1829.  Joel  Moore  was  the  first  set- 
tler north  of  Atlas  toward  Grigggville.  JS'athan  W.  Jones,  a  resi- 
dent of  Griggsville,  was  a  well-known  early  settler.  Abel  Shelley, 
the  Bradburys,  Charles  and  Martin  Harrington  were  also  promi- 
nent pioneers.  Boone  Scholl,  the  founder  of  Perry,  which  was  laid 
out  first  as  "  Booneville,"  was  an  early  settler. 

In  concluding  our  personal  mention  of  early  settlers,  we  quote  the 
following  from  Mr.  Grimshaw's  "Centennial  Address;" 

"  Alfred  Grubb,  once  called  the  '  Little  Bay  Horse,'  for  hi& 
sprightliness,  was  a  good  SherifiP  and  a  County  Judge.  Thomas 
Orr,  noted  as  a  grand  juror  for  many  long  years,  was  respected  by 
all.  Thomas  Hull,  a  good  farmer  and  remarkable  for  his  active 
piety.  These  all  leave  numerous  descendants  of  respectability. 
The  Blairs  (father  and  several  sons),  all  good  men,  were  in  the 
vicinity  of  Barry  before  Pittsfield  was  laid  out.  William,  son  of 
the  senior,  was  a  marked  member  of  the  Illinois  Legislature,  and 
an  upright  and  useful  man.  He  is  long  dead.  Montgomery  Blair 
was  once  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1847. 
Harvey  Blair  is  yet  alive,  and  is  an  estimable  farmer. 

"It  is  impossible  in  this  sketch  to  notice  all  the  early  settlers; 
some  have  emigrated,  others  have  died.  At  court  time  at  an  early 
day  in  Pittsfield,  Samuel  Gibson,  Henry  Kent,  George  Gibson, 
Sam'l  Sitton,  Esquire  Hayden,  the  Tucker  brothers  would  be  seen,. 
and  Wm.  Johnson,  James  Johnson,  John  and  Jacob  Heavener. 
The  latter  dressed  in  the  homeliest  garb,  with  his  long  rifle  as 
bosom  friend.  James  Johnson  was  a  conspicuous  man.  Both  of 
these  men  were  possessed  of  great  nerve  and  endurance,  and  made 

treat  hayoc  amongst  the  deer.  Small  "varmint"  they  despised, 
am'l  G.  Sitton  survives  in  his  75th  year;  and  on  June  29th,  1876, 
he  cut  on  his  own  farm  an  acre  of  wheat  witii  a  sickle  and  bound 
it  tip  on  that  day,  and  the  next  day  was  at  Pittsfield  as  spry  as 
usual.  Harvey  Dunn,  of  Chambersburg,  was  an  old  settler,  and 
in  1847  was  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  Illinois. 
He  was  a  very  unassuming  but  intelligent,  honest  man;  but  is 
long  dead.  Stephen  E,.  Gray,  venerable  and  respected  in  years, 
yet  lives.  He  was  Sheriff  about  1851.  He  is  an  early  settler  and 
resided  at  or  near  Barry,  and  was  at  one  time  Postmaster  thereat, 
Hamilton  "Wills  is  yet  as  happy  as  ever,  jolly  in  person,  comfort- 
able in  business,  an  old  settler  in  Pittsfield,  as  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  former  years  useful  and  respected.  Richard  Kerr,  of 
Pleasant  Hill  township,  was  an  old  farmer,  a  leading  whig,  and 
represented  Pike  county  in  the  Legislature  for  one  term.  He  died 
many  years  since,  esteemed  by  all,  leaving  many  relatives  in  Pike. 
"Bonaparte  Greathouse,  of  Milton,  was  County  Commissioner 
at  an  early  day,  a  man  of  great  worth  and  a  good  farmer.  He  is 
long  dead  and  left  surviving  him  a  numerous  family.  Several  of 
his  sons  are  practitioners  at  law.  Sam'l  L.  Crane,  now  venerable 
in  years,  was  a  very  early  settler  of  Morgan  county,  .III.,  and  has 
filled  acceptably  with  perfect  integrity  the  oflice  of  Postmaster  at 


224  HISTOET   OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

Pittsfleld.  He  is  now  in  private  life.  He  is  the  father  of  that 
useful  son,  resident  of  Pi ttsfield, 'James  H.  Crane,  who  has  been 
Circuit  Clerk  of  Pike  county,  yet  lives  here,  and  is  a  Deputy  Clerk 
in  the  office  of  Geo.  W.  Jones,  our  present  and  efficient  popular 
circuit  clerk.  Wni.  B.  Grimes  yet  lives  in  Pittslield.  He  was  an 
able  and  honest  County  Clerk  for  one  term,  succeeding  Wm. 
Steers,  who  was  a  good  and  worthy  officer;  and  his  successor  is 
Jonathan  L.  Frye,  who  was  a  son  of  an  honest  miller,  Jonathan 
Frye.  James  McWilliams,  venerable  for  his  years,  influential  in 
his  town  of  Griggsville,  has  been  a  Representative  of  the  county 
in  the  Legislature  and  often  a  Supervisor  of  Griggsville  township. 
Daniel  D.  Hicks,  now  the  esteemed  Cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  is  an  old  resident  of  Pittsfleld  and  has  honorably  filled 
several  offices.  He  was  once  Sheriff  of  the  county.  During  his 
term  of  office  a  riot  took  place  one  election  day  in  Pittsfleld,  when 
many  wild  boys  who  had  been  good  soldiers  in  the  Mexican  war 
took  a  most  active  part  in  the  riot,  calling  out,  '  We  are  some 
punkins.'  By  aid  of  a  posse  of  the  people,  called  by  Hicks,  the- 
riot  was  put  down." 

ME.    HINMAN's   LETTBB. 

We  copy  the  following  very  excellently  prepared  historical  article 
from  the  Griggsville  Reflector  of  July  1,  1876.  It  was  prepared 
by  Asa  Hinman,  son  of  the  veteran  pioneer,  George  W.  Hinman. 
It  so  clearly  portrays  various  features  of  the  county's  history,  and 
knowing  that  it  will  be  accepted  as  from  a  reliable  source,  we  make 
no  alterations  in  it,  but  present  it  as  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Hinman: 

"In  1829,  I  think  Oct.  14lh,  my  father,  George  W.  Hinman, 
crossed  the  Illinois  river  at  Phillips'  Ferry  with  his  family  to  make 
a  permanent  residence  in  Pike  county.  He  drove  out  to  the  foot 
of  the  mound  upon  which,  the  town  of  Griggsville  now  stands, 
and  stopped  with  a  man  by  the  name  of  Bateman,  who  had  made 
a  small  improvement  and  laid  claim  to  the  S.  W.  quarter  of  sec. 
14,  T.  4.  S.,  3  W.,  which  my  father  soon  afterward  bought  and 
occupied.  This  was  on  the  main  traveled  route  from  Phillips' 
Ferry' to  Quincy  and  Atlas,  the  county- seats  of  Adams  and  Pike, 
the  two  routes  parting  on  top  of  the  mound  in  what  is  now  called 
Quincy  Avenue.  The  first  settlement  on  the  road,  which  was  then 
known  as  the  Atlas  trail,  after  passing  the  site  where  Griggsville 
was  afterward  built,  was  seven  miles  out  on  Bay  creek,  where  Joel 
Moore  had  settled  some  two  or  three  years  before.  He  emigrated 
from  North  Carolina,  and,  as  1  have  understood,  served  in  the 
army  of  the  United  States  for  the  land  he  lived  upon.  The  next 
settlement  was  Col.  Seeley's,  twelve  miles  farther  and  three  miles 
from  Atlas,  on  the  trail  to  Quincy.  It  was  thirty  miles  to  the  first 
house,  where  lived  John  Wiggle,  a  German,  who  formed  the 
nucleus  for  the  large  German  settlement  that  afterward  settled  in 
that  part  of  Adams  county. 

"  I  believe  Atlas  was  the  only  laid-out  town  in  Pike  county  at 


PERRY 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  227 

that  time.  At  Phillips'  Ferry  there  was  a  small  settlement.  I 
will  name  those  I  remember:  Nimrod  Phillips,  Dr.  Bennett,  first 
owners  of  the  ferry,  Tebo  &  McWorthy.  One  and  a  half  miles  np 
the  road  lived  Charles  Hazelrig,  the  only  blacksmith  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  county. 

"The  settlement  on  the  road  west  from  the  ferry  was  David 
Johnson's,  who  settled  on  the  farm  owned  for  a  long  time  by  the 
Rev.  John  Shjnn  and  now  the  property  of  E.  S.  Parker.  Mr.  John- 
son settled  there  in  1828.  He  was  surveyor  in  this  countyfor  many 
years.  Near  this  place  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  lived  Richard 
Wade.  The  next  two  settlements  were  Bateman,  of  whom  I  have 
spoken,  and  Andrew  Phillips,  who  lived  just  east  of  Marshall's 
blacksmith  shop.  Dr.  Phillips  lived  one  and  a  half  miles  south  of 
town  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Davis.  North  of  town  lived  Mar- 
shall Kee,  John  Matthews,  father  of  B.  L.  Matthews,  and  grand- 
father of  Col.  Matthews,  Abel  Shelly,  "Wm.  "Wilkerson,  Sam  Hola- 
way,  Abraham  Scholl,  Sam  Chenoweth,  and  an  old  gentleman  by 
the  name  of  Ayers.  All  these  I  hate  named  were  mpn  of  families; 
and  none  to  my  knowledge  now  remain  but  David  Johnson,  who 
still  lives  in  the  town  of  Perry,  and  is  badly  crippled  with  rheuma- 
tism, but  otherwise  is  in  good  health.  Many  of  their  children  and 
grandchildren  yet  remain  in  the  county. 

"Although  the  immediate  descendants  of  these  old  pioneers  grew 
up  without  an  opportunity  to  get  an  education,  many  of  them  are, 
yes,  I  may  say  most  of  them,  are  noble,  high-minded  men  and  wo- 
men, and  are  generally  among  the  foremost  to  make  a  sacrifice  to 
secure  for  their  children  a  substantial  education;  and  while  on  this 
I  subject  I  will  say,  if  there  was  a  school-house  in  the  county  I  was  not 
aware  of  its  location.  The  first  school-house  near  Griggsville  was 
built  in  1831.  It  was  located  a  little  northeast  of  town,  a  small  log 
cabin,  stick-and-clay  chimney,  the  fioor  laid  from  slabs  split  from_ 
lind  logs,  and  the  seats  made  of  some  material  mounted  on  wooden 
legs.  For  light,  one  log  was  cut  out  of  the  building,  a  hewn  slab 
put  under  this  opening  and  paper  pasted  over  it  in  cold  weather; 
then  with  a  rousing  log  fire,  Webster's  speller,  the  Testament, 
sometimes  the  Life  of  Washington,  sometimes  Jack  Downing,  Rob- 
inson Crusoe,  or  whatever  happened  to  be  in  the  library  at  home, 
and  a  few  copies  of  Daboll's  or  Pike's  arithmetic,  and  a  long  'gad' 
or  two.  Master  Robert  Rankin  used  to  'teach  the  young  idea  how 
to  shoot.'  Some  of  my  young  friends  no  doubt  will  laugh  at  ray 
description  of  our  educational  privileges  in  those  days,  but  this 
happened  less  than  half  a  century  ago  and  within  less  than  half  a 
mile  and  in  sight  of  that  fine  school-house  that  so  adorns  the  town 
and  adds  so  much  to  your  educational  privileges.  My  description 
ot"  this  one  will  answer  with  very  little  variation  all  the  first  schools 
in  this  part  of  the  county. 

"The  next  settlements  to  those  already  mentioned  were  along  the 
blufi"  near  Oharabersburg  and  a  few  in  the  neighborhood  of  Detroit. 
The  first   settlers   were   poor,  honest   and   brave,  always  kind  to 

15 


228  HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

friends  and  ready  to  resent  an  insult,  but  rarely  with  any  weapon 
only  sncli  as  nature  furnished  them  with. 

"The  first  settlements  were  nearly  entirely  confined  to  the  edge 
of  the  timber  where  small  fields  could  be  cleaned  and  plowed  with 
one  yoke  of  oxen  or  a  span  of  horses,  the  prairie  sod  being  tough, 
requiring  heavy  teams  to  plow  it. 

"  At  this  time  game  was  very  abundant.  Deer,  turkeys,  prairie 
chickens,  quail,  raccoon,  opossum  and  skunk  v?ere  here  in  immense 
numbers.  The  buffalo  had  disappeared,  but  from  the  amount  of 
horns  and  bones  that  lay  bleaching  on  the  prairies  they  must  have 
been  here  in  vast  numbers. 

"  At  this  time  occasional  bands  of  Indians  would  come  in  to  hunt, 
but  the  settlers  would  form  into  companies,  shoulder  their  rifles 
and  march  out  to  their  camps  and  drive  them  away. 

"  Now,  I  can  imagine  some  of  my  young  friends  would  like  to 
know  how  these  poor  settlers  lived  and  what  kind  of  houses  they 
had,  how  they  dressed  themselves,  and  many  other  questions.  Well, 
I  have  told  yqu  game  was  plenty;  so  was  wild  honey;  the  land  pro- 
ductive and  every  man  and  boy  who  was  large  enough  knew  how  to 
use  the  rifle  and  bring  down  the  game.  And  up  to  the  winter  of 
1830-'l  the  winters  had  been  very  mild.  Flax  grew  well,  and  cot- 
ton for  the  first  few  years  did  well.  The  women  had  all  been  raised 
to  spin,  weave  and  manufacture  all  the  clothing  that  was  needed  in 
the  family;  but  a  large  portion  of  the  men  dressed  deer-skins  and 
made  themselves  pants  and  coats,  or  what  they  called  hunting- 
shirts.  Some  wore  moccasins  made  of  the  same  material,  others 
would  buy  leather  and  manufacture  shoes  for  their  own  family,  or 
perhaps  some  neighbor  would  become  quite  an  expert  at  cobbling, 
and  besides  doing  all  the  shoe  work  for  his  own  family,  would  do 
also  a  good  deal  for  his  neighbors;  and  I  have  seen  women  that 
.  could  make  quite  a  respectable  shoe.  The  men  would  frequently 
manufacture  caps  for  themselves  and  boys  from  the  skins  of  foxes, 
coons  and  muskrats.  Honey,  at  that  day,  was.  almost  the  only 
sweetening,  besides  maple  sugar,  that  was  used.  Yery  little  tea 
and  coffee  were  used.  Cows  were  cheap  and  the  rich  and  nutritious 
grass  caused  them  to  produce  choice  milk  and  butter.  Everybody 
used  milk  in  those  days.  Potatoes,  squashes,  pumpkins  and  the 
various  vegetables  were  securely  stored  for  winter.  The  people 
had  no  moTiey ;  they  made  but  very  few  debts  and  very  little  dealing 
at  the  stores.  What  they  did  was  mostly  trade  in  furs,  peltries  and 
beeswax ;  and  some  of  the  oldest  settlers  would  have  a  little  surplus 
to  sell  to  new  comers. 

"  It  was  several  years  before  there  was  any  grain  shipped  from 
this  part  of  the  country.  The  only  means  of  transportation  was  a 
keel-boat  owned  and  run  by  Ira  Kellogg  from  Naples  to  St.  Louis. 
It  would  make  a  trip  once  in  five  or  six  weeks.  Naples  was  the 
only  trading  point  for  all  the  east  side  of  the  county.  All  the  mills 
I  can  think  of  now  that  were  then  in  Pike  county,  were  Johnson's 
little  grist  and  saw  mill,  two  miles  above  Ohambersbyrg,  built  in 


HI8T0EX    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  229 

1830  or  1831,  Van  Deusen's  little  corn-cracker  on  Blue  river,  that 
would  grind  from  one  to  two  bushels  per  hour  according  to  the 
stage  of  water,  and  Barney's  horse-mill,  some  four  or  five  miles 
from  where  Pittsfield  now  stands.  As  these  mills  did  not  accom- 
modate half  the  settlers,  hand-mills,  mortars  and  pestles  were  re- 
sorted to,  and  quantities  of  hominy  were  used  during  the  winter 
season. 

"Now,  for  the  habitations.  Well,  they  were  all  built  of  logs 
after  the  fashion  of  the  school- house  I  described.  All  had  fire- 
places and  only  one  room.  The  cooking  was  done  in  iron  vessels 
on  and  around  the  log  fire.  If  the  weather  was  cold,  the  family 
large,  or  company  in,  which  very  frequently  happened,  the  wood 
was  piled  on  so  as  to  raise  the  heat  and  cause  all  hands  to  sit  back 
to  give  the  cooks  room  to  work.  In  at  least  two  corners  of  the 
cabin  would  be  one-legged  bedsteads,  made  by  boring  two  holes  at 
right  angles  into  the  logs  and  two  to  correspond  into  a  single  post 
to  receive  the  outer  ends  of  the  two  rails.  Clapboards,  being  laid! 
across,  formed  quite  a  convenient  bedstead;  and  besides  these  I 
have  often  seen  a  loom  and  spinning-wheel  in  use  in  the  same 
cabin.  This  state  of  afiairs  would  often  last  for  years  before  another- 
room  would  be  added. 

"  At  the  time  of  which  1  write,  settlements  were  not  very  rapid. 
The  land  was  not  in  market.  Congress  had  passed  an  act  that  all 
actual  settlers  who  had  lived  for  one  year  upon  the  public  lands 
were  entitled  to  enter  or  buy  160  acres  at  any  time  before  the  land 
was  offered  at  public  sale,  which  was  in  the.  fall  of  1830;  but  very 
few  of  the  settlers  had  any  money  to  buy  the  land  upon  which  they 
lived.  The  land  office  for  this  district  was  at  Edwardsville,  at  which 
place  a  loan  office  was  opened  by  Mason  &  Co.  They  would  loan 
$200  to  a  settler  which  would  pay  the  Government  for  160  acres  of 
land,  the  settler  giving  mortgage  on  the  land  and  personal  security 
for  the  payment  of  the  $200  with  35  per  cent,  interest. 

"  Soon  after  this,  -settlements  became  more  frequent,  many  of 
the  new  comers  bringing  some  money  with  theni.  Many  of  the  old 
settlers  who  had  borrowed  money  at  the  enormous  rate  of  interest 
referred  to,  sold  their  land  and  improvements,  thereby  enabling 
them  to  pay  the  mortgage  and  have  some  money  left  to  buy  another 
tract  of  unimproved  land.  The  most  of  these  early  settlers  were 
from  the  Southern  States.  Yery  few  of  them  had  ever  had  many 
advantages  of  an  education ;  and,  coming  into  a  new  country,  where 
for  several  years  schools  were  unknown,  and  then  for  several  years 
more  the  only  schools  we  had  being  gotten  up  by  the  individual 
efforts  of  the  poor  settlers,  we  see  how  limited  their  education  must 
have  been.  We  had  no  school  fund  then,  no  law  to  levy  tax  for 
school  purposes,  and  school-houses  were  built  by  individual  effort, 
and  teachers  hired  in  the  same  way.  Books  and  papers  were  very 
scarce.  I  think  the  nearest  paper  published  in  the  State  was  at 
Yandalia,  the  seat  of  Government  at  that  time.    Our  postoffice  was 


230  HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

at  JM^aples,  in  Morgan,  now  Scott,  county,  where  we  paid  twenty-five 
cents  postage  on  a  letter. 

"  With  these  limited  advantages  nearly  all  the  children  of  that 
day  grew  to  be  men  and  women  with  but  little  education,  or  what 
is  considered  so  at  the  present  day.  And  let  me  say  to  my  young 
friends,  when  you  feel  disposed  to  laugh  at  the  speech,  orthography, 
or  grammar  of  old  fogies  who  have  come  up  from  those  days,  just 
laugh  and  feel  good,  and  then  remember  them  with  gratitude  for 
the  many  sacrifices  and-  noble  efi'orts  they  have  made  to  secure  to 
you  the  grand  educational  advantages  you  now  enjoy  under  our 
free-school  system. 

"  In  December,  1830,  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  three  feet  on  a 
level  and  drifted  in  many  places  to  eight  or  ten  feet.  This  was  kept 
up  by  snow-falls  until  the  middle  of  March.  This  has  been  known 
and  referred  to  as  the  winter  of  the  deep  snow.  During  this  win- 
ter vast  numbers  of  deer,  turkey  and  other  game  died,  or  were 
killed  by  thoughtless  hunters.  During  these  early  settlements 
wolves  were  very  abundant  and  very  destructive  on  pigs  and  sheep. 
This  county  had  a  great  many  snakes,  of  which  the  rattlesnake  was 
the  most  numerous  and  dangerous,  persons  and  animals  being  fre- 
quently bitten  by  them,  causing  the  most  intense  pain  and  occa- 
sionally producing  death.  The  habits  of  these  reptiles  were  to 
gather  up  late  in  the  fall  at  some  rocky  bluff  or  other  place  where 
they  could  make  their  way  underground  beyond  the  reach  of  frost 
and  remain  there  until  warm  weather  in  May,  when  they  crawled 
out  and  lay  around  in  the  sun  a  few  days  and  then  dispersed  for 
miles  over  the  surrounding  country.  During  the  time  of  their 
coming  out  in  May  we  used  to  visit  their  dens  and  kill  them  in 
large  numbers.  This  practice,  in  the  course  of  a  few  years,  greatly 
lessened  their  numbers,  but  still,  in  some  localities  a  few  remain. 

"  In  the  fall  of  1830,  if  my  recollection  is  right,  we  had  the  first 
preaching,  by  a  Methodist  minister  named  Hunter,  whose  circuit  or 
mission  covered  all  the  territory  south  of  Rushville  and  Warsaw, 
lying  between  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers.  He  went  around 
this  circuit  once  in  four  weeks.  The  preaching  place  for  a  little 
society  that  was  formed  in  the  neighborhood  of  G-riggsville  was  at 
my  father's  house,  on  the  S.  W.  quarter  of  sec.  14,  T.  4  S.,  R.  3  W. 

"Asa  Hinman." 

ME.    GAEEISON's    LBTTEE. 

In  1876,  when  F.'M.  G-rimes  was  preparing  the  history  of  Monte- 
zuma township,  he  received  the  following  very  descriptive  letter 
from  Z.  A.  Garrison,  of  Oregon: 

"  Fifty  years  ago  I  with  my  father  and  his  family  crossed  the 
Illinois  river  in  a  small  hand  ferry-boat  at  Meacham's  Ferry,  where 
Montezuma  now  stands.  We  went  west  four  miles  and  settled  in 
the  timber,  a  pretty  country  abounding  with  game  of  all  kinds. 
Deer,  turkey  and  bees  were  very  plenty.  The  Indians  were  our  most 
numerous  neighbors,  being  about  twenty  to  one  white  man.     In  the 


HISTORY-  OF   PIKE    COUNTY,  231 

winter  of  1829  and  1830,  the  deep  snow  fell,  which  was  four  feet  on 
a  level.  The  summer  following  I  was  tending  the  ferry  for  Solo- 
mon Seevers  at  Montezuma  and  saw  the  first  steam-boat  that 
ploughed  the  Illinois  river.  It  was  a  small  stern-wheeler.  When 
opposite  the  ferry  the  wheel  rolled  np  so  much  grass  that  it  could 
not  turn,  and  the  men  had  to  cut  it  loose  and  pole  her  through  the 
grass.  There  was  but  one  water  mill  in  the  county  and  that- was 
on  Big  Blue.  It  was  a  tub-wheel  and  a  very  faithful  one  it  was. 
When  it  got  one  grain  cracked  it  would  jump  upon  another  with  a 
powerful  vim  and  crack  it  too.  The  nearest  store  in  the  county  was 
kept  by  Col.  Koss  at  Atlas.  Women  wore  homespun  cotton  dresses, 
and  deer-skin  moccasins.  Men  and  boys  dressed  in  buckskin  from 
head  to  foot,  and  on  the  Jiead  a  coon  or  fox  skin  cap;  ate  hog  and 
hominy,  lived  sociably  and  enjoyed  each  other's  company  with  true 
friendship." 

COUNTY-SEAT    MOVED   TO    PITTSFIELD.  • 

By  the  year  1831  it  was  seen  that  the  county-seat  could  not  long 
remain  at  Atlas,  and  a  movement  was  started  to  fix  its  future  and 
permanent  location.  The  Legislature  of  the  following  winter 
authorized  the  appointment  of  three  commissioners  to  locate  the 

Jermanent  seat  of  justice,  which  commissioners  were  Hawkins 
udd,  Geo.  W.  Hinman  and  Benj.  Barney.  Aftpr  thoroughly  can- 
vassing the  situation  they  chose  that  beautiful  site,  centrally  located 
in  the  county,  whereon  the  present  town  of  Pittsfield  stands.  The 
parties  who  wished  to  make  the  best  of  the  situation  had  not  the 
necessary  $200  to  enter  the  land  with.  It  was  difficult  to  borrow  it 
anywhere  in  the  county  except  of  the  Koss  family,  and  they  were 
interested  in  Atlas  and  opposed  to  Pittsfield.  Of  course  some  ill- 
feeling  was  engendered,  and  Mr.  Hinman  and  Col.  Barney  got  so 
mad  they  swore  they  "  would  never  hold  office  again,"  and  the  Colo- 
nel has  kept  his  word.  They  signed  a  note  and  obtained  the  money 
of  Col.  Ross,  had  the  ground  surveyed,  let  the  building  of  the 
court-house  to  a  Mr.  Bnrke,  and  the' commissioners  held  court  in  it 
in  the  fall  of  1833,  and  the  next  spring  the  Circuit  Court  was  held 
there.  The  Commissioners  favoring  the  location  were  elected  by  a 
handsome  majority  at  the  next  election,  showing  how  the  people  of 
the  county  felt  on  the  subject. 

THE    BEAUTIFUL    PEAIBIES. 

The  large  prairies  of  the  county  presented  a  most  beautiful  sight 
before  they  \^ere  settled.  The  following  very  descriptive  lines  on 
"The  Prairies  of  Illinois,"  by  Capt.  Basil  Hall,  graphically  por- 
trays their  beauty  in  their  wild  and  native  state: 

"  The  charm  of  prairie  exists  in  its  extension,  its  green,  flowery 
carpet,  its  undulating  surface,  and  the  skirt  of  forest  whereby  it  is 
surrounded;  the  latter  feature  being  of  all  others  the  most  signifi- 
cant and  expressive,  since  it  characterizes  the  landscape,  and  defines 
the  form  and  boundary  of  the  plain.     If  the  prairie  is  little,  its 


232  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

greatest  beauty  consists  in  the  vicinity  of  the  encompassing  edge  of 
forests,  which  may  be  compared  to  the  shores  of  a  lake,  being  inter- 
sected with  many  deep,  inward  bends,  as  so  many  inlets,  and  at  in- 
tervals projecting  very  far,  not  unlike  a  promontory  or  protruding 
arm  of  land.  These  projections  sometimes  so  closely  approach  eacE 
other,  that  the  traveler  passing  through  between  them  may  be  said 
to  walk  in  the  midst  of  an  alley  overshadowed  by  the  forest,  before 
he  enters  again  upon  another  broad  prairie.  Where  the  plain  is  ex- 
tensive, the  delineations  of  the  forest  in  the  distant  background  ap- 
pear as  would  a  misty  ocean  beach  afar  off.  The  eye  sometimes 
surveys  the  green  prairie  without  discovering  on  the  illimitable 
plain  a  tree  or  bush,  or  any  other  object  save  the  wilderness  of 
iiowers  and  grass,  while  on  other  occasions,  the  view  is  enlivened  by 
the  groves  dispersed  like  islands  over  the  plain,  or  by  a  solitary 
tree  rising  above  the  wilderness.  The  resemblance  to  the  sea  which 
some^of  these  prairies  exhibit  is  really  most  striking.  In  the  spring, 
when  the  young  grass  has  just  clothed  the  soil  with  a  soddy  carpet 
of  the  most  delicate  green,  but  especially  when  the  sun  is  rising  be- 
hind a  distant  elevation  of  the  ground  and  its  rays  are  reflected  by 
myriads  of  dew-drops,  a  more  pleasing  and  more  eye-benefitting 
view  cannot  be  imagined. 

"The  delightful  aspect  of  the  prairie,  its  amenities,  and  the  ab- 
sence of  that  sombre  awe  inspired  by  forests,  contribute  to  forcing 
away  that  sentiment  of  loneliness  which  usually  steals  upon  the 
mind  of  the  solitary  wanderer  in  the  wilderness;  for,  although  he 
espies  no  habitation,  and  sees  no  human  being,  and  knows  himself 
to  be  far  off  from  every  settlement  of  man,  he  can  scarcely  defend 
himself  from  believing  that  he  is  traveling  through  a  landscape 
embellished  by  human  art.  The  flowers  are  so  delicate  and  elegant 
as  apparently  to  be  distributed  for  mere  ornament  over  the  plain; 
the  groves  and  groups  of  trees  seem  to  be  dispersed  over  the  prairie 
to  enliven  the  landscape,  and  we  can  scarcely  get  rid  of  the  impres- 
sion invading  our  imagination,  of  the  whole  scene  being  flung  out 
and  created  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  sentiment  of  beauty  in  refined 
men. 

"In  the  summer  the  prairie  is  covered  with  tall  grass,  which  is 
coarse  in  appearance,  and  soon  assumes  a  yellow  color,  waving  in 
the  wind  like  a  ripe  crop  of  corn.  In  the  early  stages  of  its  growth 
it  resembles  young«wheat,  and  in  this  state  furnishes  such  rich  and  ' 
succulent  food  for  cattle  that  the  latter  choose  it  often  in  preference 
to  wheat,  it  being  no  doubt  a  very  congenial  fodder  to  them,  since 
it  is  impossible  to  conceive  of  better  butter  than  is  made  while  the 
grass  is  in  this  stage. 

"  In  the  early  stages  of  its  growth  the  grass  is  interspersed  with 
little  flowers, — the  violet,  the  strawberry-blossom,  and  others  of 
the  most  delicate  structure.  When  the  grass  grows  higher  these 
disappear,  and  taller  flowers,  displaying  more  lively  colors,  take 
their  place;  and  still  later  a  series  of  still  higher  but  less  delicately 
formed  flowers  appear  on  the  surface.     While  the  grass  is  green 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  233 

these  beautiful  plains  are  adorned  with  every  imaginable  variety  of 
color.  It  is  impossible  to  conceive  of  a  greater  diversity,  or  dis- 
cover a  predominating  color,  save  the  green,  which  forms  a  beauti- 
ful dead  color,  relieving  the  splendor  of  the  others.  In  the  summer 
the  plants  grow  taller,  and  the  colors  more  lively;  in  the  autumn 
another  generation  of  flowers  arises  which  possesses  less  clearness 
and  variety  of  color  and  less  fragrancy.  In  the  winter  the  prairie 
presents  a  melancholy  aspect.  Often  the  fire,  which  the  hunters 
annually  send  over  the  prairies  in  order  to  dislodge  the  game,  will 
destroy  the  entire  vegetation,  giving  to  the  soil  a  uniform  black  ap- 
pearance, like  that  of  a  vast  plain  of  charcoal;  then  the  wind  sweep- 
ing over  the  prg,irie  will  find  nothing  which  it  might  put  in  motion, 
no  leaves  which  it  might  disperse,  no  haulms  which  it  might  shake. 
No  sooner  does  the  snow  commence  to  fall  than  the  animals,  unless 
already  frightened  away  by  the  fire,  retire  into  the  forests,  when  the 
most  dreary,  oppressive  solitude  will  reign  on  the  burnt  prairies, 
which  often  occupy  many  square  miles  of  territory." 

PEAIEIE   FIEES. 

Fires  would  visit  the  grassy  plains  every  autumn.  The  settlers 
who  had  pushed  out  from  the  timber  took  great  precaution  to  pre- 
vent their  crops,  houses  and  barns  from  being  destroyed,  yet  not 
always  did  they  succeed.  Many  incidents  are  related  of  prairie 
fires.  The  great  conflagrations  were  caused  either  accidentally,  or 
designedly  from  wantonness,  or  with  a  view  of  bewildering  the 
game.  The  fire  often  spread  further  than  it  was  intended  it  should. 
Wherever  were  extensive  prairie  lands,  one-half  was  burned  in  the 
spring  and  the  other  half  in  the  autumn,  in  order  to  produce  a  more 
rapid  growth  of  the  naturally  exhuberant  grass,  destroying  at  the 
same  time  the  tall  and  thick  weed  stalks.  Yiolent  winds  would 
often  arise  and  drive  the  flames  with  such  rapidity  that  riders  on 
the  fleetest  steeds  could  scarcely  escape.  Oh  the  approach  of  a 
prairie  fire  the  farmer  would  immediately  set  about  "burning  back," 
— that  is,  burning  off  the  grass  close  by  the  fences,  that  the  larger 
fire  upon  arriving  would  become  extinguished  for  want  of  aliment. 
In  order  to  be  able,  however,  to  make  proper  use  of  this  measure  of 
safety,  it  was  very  essential  that  every  farmer  should  encompass 
with  a  ditch  those  of  his  fences  adjoining  the  prairie.  When  known 
that  the  confiagration  could  cause  no  danger,  the  settler,  though 
accustomed  to  them,  could  not  refrain  from  gazing  with  admiration 
upon  the  magnificent  spectacle.  Language  cannot  coAvey,  words 
cannot  express,  the  faintest  idea  of  the  splendor  and  grandeur  of 
such  a  conflagration  during  the  night.  It  was  as  if  the  pale  queen 
of  night,  disdaining  to  take  her  accustomed  place  in  the  heavens, 
had  dispatched  myriads  upon  myriads  of  messengers  to  light  their 
torches  at  the  altar  of  the  setting  sun  until  all  had  flashed  into  one 
long  and  continuous  blaze. 

The  following  graphic  description  of  prairie  fires  was  written  by 
a  traveler  through  this  region  in  1849:- 


2B4:  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

''Soon  the  fires  began  to  kindle  wider  and  rise  higher  from  the 
long  grass;  the  gentle  breeze  increased  to  stronger  currents,  and 
soon  fanned  the  small,  flickering  blaze  into  fierce  torrent  flames, 
^hich  curled  up  and  leaped  along  in  resistless  splendor;  and  like 
quickly  raising  the  dark  curtain  from  the  luminous  stage,  the  scenes 
before  me  were  suddenly  changed,  as  if  by  the  magician's  wand,  into 
one  boundless  amphitheater,  blazing  from  earth  to  heaven  and 
sweeping  the  horizon  round, — columns  of  lurid  flames  sportively 
mounting  up  to  the  zenith,  and  dark  clouds  of  crimson  smoke  curl- 
ing away  and  aloft  till  they  nearly  obscured  stars  and  moon,  while 
the  rushing,  crashing  sounds,  like  roaring  cataracts  mingled  with 
distant  thunders,  were  almost  deafening;  danger,  death,  glared  all 
around;  it  screamed  for  victims;' yet,  notwithstanding  the  immi- 
nent peril  of  prairie  fires,  one  is  loth,  irresolute,  almost  unable' to 
withdraw  or  seek  refuge." 

INCIDENTS    or   PIONEER   LIFE. 

The  amusements  of  the  pioneers  were  peculiar  to  themselves. 
Saturday  afternoon  was  a  holiday  in  which  no  man  was  expected  to 
work.  A  load  of  produce  might  be  taken  to  "  town  "  for  sale  or 
traffic  without  violence  to  custom,  but  no  more  serious  labor  could 
be  tolerated.  When  on  Saturday  afternoon  the  town  was  reached, 
"fun  commenced."  Had  two  neighbors  business  to  transact,  here 
it  was  done .  Horses  were  "  swapped,"  difficulties  settled  and  free 
fights,  indulged  in.  Blue  and  red  ribbons  were  not  worn  in  those 
days,  and  whisky  was  free  as  water;  twelve  and  one-half  cents  would 
buy  a  quart,  and  thirty-five  or  forty  cents  would  buy  a  gallon,  and 
at  such  prices  enormous  quantities  were  consiimed.  Go  to  any 
town  in  the  county  and  ask  the  first  pioneer  you  meet,  he  will  tell 
you  of  notable  Saturday-afternoon  tights,  either  of  which  to-day 
would  fill  a  column  of  the  Police  News,  with  elaborate  engravings 
to  match.  Indeed,  fights  on-  Saturday  in  the  villages  and  settle- 
ment centers  were  so  customary  that  when  a  Saturday  passed  with 
no  fight  in  the  neighborhood,  it  was  the  occasion  of  considerable 
remark  for  weeks. 

Kough,  ready  to  fight,  as  these  pioneers  were,  their  latch-string 
was  always  out.  J^o  stranger  ever  stopped  at  their  cabins  without 
receiving  a  hearty  welcome. 

The  settler  in  the  early  days  was  not  only  hospitable  but  also 
philanthropic,  a^id  never  neglected  an  opportunity  to  aid  a  neigh- 
bor. House-raisings  were  his  special  delight.  Let  a  new-comer 
arrive  in  the  neighborhood  and  all  were  ready  to  help  him.  One 
would  send  a  bushel  or  two  of  potatoes,  another  a  piece  of  meat, 
another  some  other  article  that  could  be  used  to  eke  out  the  larder; 
but  when  the  new-comer  had  his  logs  cut  and  all  ready  for  the  rais- 
ing, then  the  fun  commenced.  Teams,  men,  axes,  all  were  on  the 
ground  at  an  early  hour,  logs  were  hauled,  scored,  one  side  hewed, 
it  may  be,  and  before  night  willing  hands  had  erected  a  residence 
as  comfortable  and  commodious  as  any  in  the  settlement,  and  at 


HISTOBT   OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  235 

night  was  ready  for  the  "  house-warming,"  where  dancing  was  kept 
up  until  the  "  wee  short  hours,"  and  where  all  enjoyed  themselves 
in  a  manner  unknown  to  the  people  of  to-day.  Let  a  neighbor  get 
sick  in  the  fall,  as  frequently  occurred,  and  some  neighbor  would 
inaugurate  a.  "  chopping  bee  "  or  corn-gathering,  for  his  benefit, 
when  all  his  fall  work  would  be  done  in  a  day, — corn  gathered  and 
cribbed,  wood  chopped  and  hauled,  and  everything  put  in  good 
shape  for  the  winter.  After  the  day's  labors  were  completed,  song 
and  dance  were  in  order,  and  until  morning,  perhaps,  the  younger 
members  of  the  community  would  keep  up  their  hilarity. 

The  only  amusements  of  the  pioneers  had  a  hospitable,  kindly 
core  and  were  connected  with  some  helpful  act  for  needy  neighbors. 
It  was  not  only  in  amusements,  but  in  all  other  acts  of  life  that  this 
kindliness  was  manifested,  as  instances  which  living  witnesses  can 
testity  to  will  illustrate. 

TEADE. 

The  earliest  commercial  transactions  carried  on  in  this  county 
were  but  neighborhood  exchanges,  in  great  part.  True,  now  and 
then  a  farmer  would  load  a  flat-boat  with  beeswax,  honey,  tallow 
and  peltries,  with  perhaps  a  few  bushels  of  wheat  or  corn  or  a  few 
hundred  clapboards,  and  float  dowa  the  Illinois  or  Mississippi  river 
to  St.  Louis,  or  even  to  E^ew  Orleans,  where  he  would  exchange  his 
produce  for  substantials  in  the  way  of  groceries  and  a  little  ready 
money,  with  which  he  would  return  by  some  one  of  two  or  three 
steam-boats  then  running;  or  if  the  period  of  the  trip  was  before 
the  advent  of  steam-boats  he  would  turn  his  load  into  cash  and 
come  home  on  foot. 

After  the  advent  of  steam-boats  a  new  system  of  commerce  sprang 
up.  Every  town  would  contain  one  or  two  merchants  who  would 
buy  corn,  wheat  and  dressed  hogs  in  the  fall,  store  them  in  ware- 
houses on  the  river  at  some  of  the  "  landings,"  and  when  the  river 
opened  in  the  spring  would  ship  his  winter's  accumulations  to  St. 
Louis,  Cincinnati  or  IMew  Orleans  for  sale,  and  with  the  proceeds 
visit  IsTew  York  and  lay  in  six  months'  supply  of  goods.  So  far  as 
the  farmer  was  concerned  in  all  these  transactions  money  was  an 
unknown  factor.  Goods  were  always  sold  on  twelve  months'  time 
and  payment  made  with  the  proceeds  of  the  farmers'  crops.  When 
the  crops  were  sold  and  the  merchant  satisfied  the  surplus  was  paid 
out  in  orders  on  th^  store  to  laboring  men  and 'to  satisfy  other 
creditors.  When  a  day's  work  was  done  by  a  working  man  his 
employer  would  say,  "  Well,  what  store  do  you  want  your  order  on  ? " 
and  the  order  was  always  cheerfully  accepted.^ 

Hogs  were  always  sold  ready  dressed.  The  farmer,  if  forehanded, 
would  call  in  his  neighbors  some  bright  fall  or  winter  morning  to 
help  "kill  hogs."  Immense  kettles  filled  with  water  had  been 
boiling  since  dawn.  The  sleds  of  the  farmer  covered  with  loose 
plank  formed  a  platform  for  dressing,  and  a  cask  or  half  hogshead, 
with  an  old  quilt  thrown  over  the  top,  was  prepared  in  which  to 


236  HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COITNTT. 

scald.  From  a  crotch  of  some  convenient  tree  a  projecting  pole 
was  rigged  to  hold  the  dead  animals.  When  everything  was 
arranged  the  best  shot  of  the  neighborhood  loaded  his  trusty  rifle 
and  the  work  of  killing  commenced.  To  rhake  a  "  hog  squeal  "  in 
shooting  or  "  shoulder-stick,"  i.e.,  run  the  point  of  tjie  knife  used 
into  the  shoulder  instead  of  the  cavity  of  the  breast,  was  a  disgrace. 
As  each  hog  fell  the  "sticker"  mounted  him  and  plunged  a  long, 
well-sharpened  knife  into  his  throat,  and  others  caught  him  by  the 
legs  and  drew  him  to  the  scalding  tub  now  filled  with  hot  water, 
into  which  a  shovel-full  of  good  green-wood  ashes  had  been  thrown. 
The  cleaners  now  took  the  departed  porcine,  immersed  him  head 
first  into  the  scalding  tub,  drew  him  back  and  forward  a  time 
or  two,  tried  the  hair,  and  if  it  would  "  slip "  easily  the  animal 
was  turned  and  the  other  end  underwent  the  same  process.  As 
soon,  as  taken  from  the  water  the  scrapers  with  case-knives  went  to 
work  and  soon  had  the  animal  denuded  of  hair,  when  two  stout 
fellows  would  take  it  up  between  them  and  a  third  man  to  manage 
the  "  gambrel "  (which  was  a  stout  stick  about  two  feet  long,  sharp- 
ened at  both  ends  to  be  inserted  between  the  muscles  of  the  hind 
legs  at  or  near  the  hock  joint),  the  animal  would  be  elevated  to  the 
pole  and  the  entrails  removed  by  some  skillful  hand. 

When  the  work  of  killing  was  completed  and  the  hogs  had  time 
to  cool,  such  as  were  intended  for  domestic  use  were  cut  up,  the 
lard  tried  out  by  the  women  of  the  household,  and  the  surplus  taken 
to  town  to  market.  In  those  days  almost  every  merchant  had,  at 
the  rear  end  of  his  place  of  business  or  at  some  convenient  neigh- 
boring building,  a  "  pork-house,"  and  would  buy  the  pork  of  his  cus- 
tomers and  of  such  others  as  would  sell  to  him,  and  "  cut "  it  for 
market.  This  gave  employment  to  a  large  number  of  hands  in 
every  village  cutting  pork — work  which  lasted  all  winter;  also  to  a 
large  number  of  -teams  hauling  to  the  river,  and  coopers  making 
pork  barrels. 

Prices  of  pork  then  were  not  so  high  as  at  present.  Thousands 
of  hogs  dressed  for  market  have  been  sold  in  this  county  at  $1.25 
to  fl.SOijper  himdred  pounds:  sometimes  they  were  sold  by  the  dozen, 
bringing  from  $12  to  $18  per  dozen,  owing  to  size  and  quality. 
When,  as  the  county  grew  older  and  communications  easier  between 
the  seaboard  and  the  great  West,  prices  went  up  to  $2  and  $2.50  per 
hundred  pounds,  the  farmers  thought  they  would  always  be  content 
to  raise  pork  at  such  a  fine  price.  \ 

There  was  one  feature  in  this  method  of  buying  pork  that  made 
any  town  in  Pike  county  a  paradise  for  the  poor  man  in  winter. 
"  Spare-ribs,  "  "  tender  loins,  "  "  pigs'  heads  "  and  "  feet  "  were  not 
considered  of  a.nj  value,  and  were  given  freely  to  all  who  asked.  If 
a  barrel  were  taken  to  any  pork-house  and  salt  furnished,  the  barrel 
would  be  filled  and  salted  down  with  tender  loins  or  spare-ribs  for 
nothing.  So  great  in  many  cases  was  the  quantity  of  spare-ribs, 
etc.,  to  be  disposed  of,  that  they  would  be  hauled  away  in  wagon 
loads  and  dumped  in  the  woods  out  of  town. 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKECOUETTT.  23Y 

In  those  days  if  wheat  brought  half  a  dollar  per  bushel  the 
farmer  was  satisfied.  A  good  young  milch-cow  could  be  bought  for 
from  $5  to  $10,  and  that  payable  in  work. 

Those  might  truly  be  called  close  times,  yet  the  citizens  of  the 
county  were  accommodating,  and  no  case  of  actual  suffering  for  the 
necessaries  of  life  was  known  to  exist  before  each  vied  with  the 
other  to  relieve  it. 

PREACHING  or  THE  GOSPEL . 

The  early  settlers  were  not  entirely  without  preaching.  Says  an 
old  pioneer  on  this  subject:  "The  ministers  of  the  gospel  of  the 
Savior  of  the  world  hunted  us  up  and  preached  to  what  few  there 
were;  therefore,  we  did  not  degenerate  and  turn  heathen,  as  any 
community  will  where  the  sound  of  the  gospel  is  not  heard.  I  shall 
not  give  their  names,  though  sacred  in  memory,  for  they  were  not 
after  the  fleece,  b\it  after  the  flock,  because  they  had  but  little  to 
say  about  science  and  philosophy,  but  spoke  of  purer  things." 

In  speaking  of  the  early  preachers  Col.  Wm.  Ross,  in  a  letter 
read  before  the  first  meeting  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Association,  said: 
*'  Among  my  early  recollections  are  the  faithful  services  rendered 
by  pioneer  ministers  of  the  gospel,  among  whom  the  name  of 
Brother  Trotter  is  familiar.  He  rendered  faithful  services  as  a 
minister  of  Christ,  and  was  well  received  by  all  Christian  denomina- 
tions as  a  liberal-minded  Christian  and  a  noble  man.  " 

Rev.  W.  D .  Trotter,  the  gentleman  above  referred  to,  was  present 
at  this  meeting,  and  reviewed  the  hardships  and  trials  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Pike  county  to  the  great  entertainment  of  the  audience. 
He  had  been  a  missionary  in  this  county  as  early  as  1830.  He  ex- 
hibited a  balance  sheet  of  his  receipts  and  expenditures  during 
the  year  1832-'3,  in  what  was  then  called  Blue  River  Mission.  He 
received  from  the  mission  $88;.  the  conference  paid  him  $12  in  ad- 
dition, making  his  salary  $100  for  his  services  for  the  year. 

Hon.  Wra.  A.  Grinshaw  delivered  the  oration  of  the  occasion 
and  referred  to  this  subject  in  the  following  language:  "  We  all 
worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  our  own  conscience,  and 
under  our  vine  and  fig  tree.  "When  Brother  Trotter,  who  is  now 
present,  venerable  with  years  and  revered  for  piety,  or  old  Father 
"Wolf,  now  gathered  to  his  fathers,  blessed  for  his  good  deeds,  came 
a,round  to  his  appointment,  all  of  every  religion  and  no  one  religion 
turned  out  to  meeting  in  the  woods  or  the  log  school-house,  or  at 
a  settler's  home;  we  had  no  fine  churches  in  those  days.     Mormons 

guzzled  the  unwary  by  their  startling  pretense  at  new  revelations, 
'r,  if  disappointed  by  the  regular  minister,  old  Father  Petty  would 
recite  in  prayer  Belshazzar's  feast  in  trembling  tones  of  piety. " 

In  early  day  when  public  gatherings  were  occasions  of  great  ex- 
citement and  means  of  conveyance  rare  the  people  would  walk  a 
great  way  to  church.  Girls  have  been  known  to  walk  six  miles  to 
church,  to  "  meeting  "  as  it  was  termed  in  those  days.     Persons 


238  I  HISTOKT    Of    PIKE    COUNTY. 

very  often  would  ride  horseback,  two  or  three  on  a  horse,  and  go  ten 
or  fifteen  miles  in  this  way,  bringing  along  their  bread  and  cheese. 
Until  public  buildings  were  erected  meetings  would  be  held  in 
private  houses,  as  they  were  offered  by  their  owners,  or  in  groves. 

EDTTOATION. 

Though  struggling  through  the  pressure  of  poverty  and  privation 
the  early  settlers  planted  among  them  the  school-house  at  the  earli- 
est practical  period.  So  important  an  object  as  the  education  of 
their  children  they  did  not  defer  until  they  could  build  more  comely 
and  convenient  houses.  They  were  for  a  time  content  with  such  as 
corresponded  with  their  rude  dwellings,  but  soon  better  buildings 
and  accommodations  were  provided.  As  may  readily  be  supposed, 
the  accommodations  of  the  earliest  schools  were  not  good.  Some- 
times schools  were  taught  in  small  log.  houses  erected  for  the  pur- 
pose. Stoves  and  such  heating  apparatus  as  are  now  in  use  were 
unknown.  A  mud-and-stick  chimney  in  one  end  of  the  building, 
with  earthen  hearth  and  fire-place  wide  and  deep  enough  to  take 
in  a  four-foot  back-log,  and  smaller  wood  to  match,  served  for  warm- 
ing purposes  in  winter  and  a  kind  of  conservurory  in  summer.  For 
windows,  part  of  a  log  was  cut  out  in  either  ^ide  and  may  be  a  few 
lights  of  eight-by-ten  glass  set  in,  or  just  as  likely  as  not  the 
aperture  would  be  covered  oyer  with  greased  paper.  Writing 
benches  were  made  of  wide  planks,  or  likely  puncheons,  resting  on 
pins  or  arms,  drive  u  into  two-inch  auger- holes  bored  into  the  logs 
beneath  the  windows.  Seats  were  made  out  of  puncheons,  and 
flooring  of  the  same  material.  Everything  was  rude  and  plain,  but 
many  of  fAmerica's  greatest  men  have  gone  out  from  just  such 
school-houses  to  grapple  with  the  world  and  make  names  for  them- 
selves, and  have  come  to  be  an  honor  to  their  country.  Among 
these  we  can  name  Abraham  Lincoln,  our  martyred  President,  one 
of  the  noblest  men  ever  known  to  the  world's  history.  Stephen  A. 
Douglas,  one  of  the  greatest  statesmen  of  the  age,  began  his  career 
in  Illinois  teaching  in  one  of  these  primitive  school-houses. 

Things  are  changed  now.  "We  no  longer  see  the  log  school-house. 
Their  places  are  filled  with  handsome  frame  or  brick  structures, 
which,  for  elegance  and  beauty  of  design,  rival  those  of  older 
settled  countries;  and  in  place  of  the  "  masters  "  who  were  "  looked 
up  to  "  as  superior  beings,  and  were  consulted  on  all  matters  of  law, 
physic  and  religion,  there  are  teachers  of  liberal  culture,  intelligent 
and  progressive,  many  of  whom  have  a  broad  and  comprehensive 
idea  of  education,  and  regard  their  labor  as  something  more  than 
merely  teaching  in  order  to  make  a  living, — more  than  a  knowledge 
of  a  great  number  of  facts  in  the  great  universe  of  mind  and  mat- 
ter. It  means  culture,  the  developing  and  disciplining  of  all  the 
faculties  of  the  human  mind.  It  is  the  comprehension  of  the  entire_ 
being  of  man.  And  the  school  or  teacher  who  takes  charge  and  care 
of  the  young  should  provide  the  means  and  methods  for  carrying 
forward  the  process  in  all  departments  of  their  complex  nature, 
physical,  mental  and  spiritual. 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  239 


EAELY  MILLING. 


One  of  the  greatest  difficulties  encountered  by  the  early  settlers 
was  in  having  their  milling  done.  By  a  liberal  application  of  enter- 
prise and  muscle  they  experienced  but  little  trouble  in  producing 
an  abundance  of  the -cereals,  but  having  it  converted  into  breadstuff 
was  a  source  of  much  hard  labor.  The  hand-mill  introduced  was  a 
great  improvement  over  the  mortar  or  tin  grater,  a  description  of 
which  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Then  the  band-mill  was 
introduced. 

John  Shaw  ran  a  horse-mill  for  a  time  in  Calhoun  county,  where 
the  earliest  settlers  sometimes  went,  but  it  appears  he  soon  aban- 
doned it.  Wm.  Ilos§  then  started  one  at  Atlas.  The  burrs  of  this 
mill  were  limestone,  and  it  is  said  that  in  every  bushel  of  meal 
ground  in  this  mill  there  would  be  a  peck  of  stone  dust.  Many  of 
the  settlers  had  to  travel  long  distances  to  mill,  and  then  often  wait 
for  several  days  before  they  could  get  their  grist. 

After  the  large  mill  was  built  at  Rockport  it  was  the  great  center 
for  milling  for  all  this  section  of  country. 

MOBMONS. 

The  Mormons  first  settled  at  "Mormontown,"  about  three  miles 
east  of  Pittsfield,  in  1839,  and  by  1845  there  were  300  voters  in  that 
settlement.  They  were  quiet  and  harmless.  On  the  building  of 
Nauvoo  most  of  them  removed  to  that  place.  They  tried  to  work 
some  miracles  about  Pittsfield,  but  not  with  very  signal  success. 
We  heard  of  but  one  crime  committed  by  them  during  their  career 
in  this  county,  and  that  was  not  particularly  a  Mormon  crime.  A 
man  among  them  named  Benj.  Sweat  was  convicted  of  passing 
counterfeit  gold  :  was  caught  at  Jacksonville.  He  was  very  poor 
and  excited  the  sympathies  of  the  people,  and  a  petition  was  pre- 
sented for  his  release,  which  was  granted. 

COTTON. 

In  pioneer  times  a  little  cotton  was  raised  in  the  Military  Tract, 
and  as  late  as  1861  and  1862  there  was  cotton  raised  in  Pikecounty. 
Lindsay  Dilworth,  living  eight  miles  from  Pittsfield,  raised  17 
pounds  from  three  rows,  each  100  feet  long.  One-half  of  it  was 
frost-bitten  :  the  remainder  was  white  and  fine-fibered.  In  1862 
Wm.  Boss,  jr.,  raised  some  very  good  cotton. 

ASIATIC  CHOLERA. 

While  this  scourge  wrought  great  devastation  in  some  sections  of 
the  United  States  in  1848-'9,  Pikecounty  almost  escaped  its  ravages. 
In  and  about  Pittsfield  Dr.  Comstock,  DeWitt  St.  John,  David 
Ober  and  wife,  Mr.  Main,  Alvin  Hash's  wife  and  several  strangers 
died,  and  at  Kinderhook  there  were  16  or  20  cases  of  the  disease. 
It  seemed  to  have  got  out  into  the  county  from  Louisiana,  whither 
it  had  been  brought   by  steamers   from  the  lower  Mississippi. 


240  HISTOKT    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

STATE   IMPEOVEMENTS. 

The  celebrated  interDal  improvement  system  inaugurated  by  the 
State  in  1836-'7  did  not  give  Pike  county  any  railroads  or  canals, 
or  even  promise  any;  but  ah  appropriation  of  several  thousand 
dollars  was  made,  which  was  economically  expended  in  the  im- 
provement of  highways.  Commissioners  were  appointed,  men 
were  hired  to  superintend  the  work,  and  wagon  roads  were  made 
evener  or  improved  from  Quincy  through  the  northeastern  part 
of  the  colmty,  from  Pittsfield  to  Florence,  and  one  from  Griggsville 
to  the  Illinois  river.  These  works  were  completed,  however,  by 
county  and  township  aid. 

OEIGIN  OF    NAMES  OF  CREEKS. 

McCraney's  creek,  formerly  called  "  McDonald's  creek,"  by  the 
Grovernment  survey,  was  named  after  McCraney,  who  was  the  first 
settler  upon  its  banks.  He  was  a  man  of  great  endurance  and  a 
skillful  sportsman.  One  day  he  chased  down  a  gray  wolf  with  his 
horse,  when  he  placed  one  foot  upon  the  animal's  neck  and  with 
the  other  succeeded  in  breaking  his  legs  so  that  he  could  get  some- 
thing with  which  to  completely  dispatch  him. 

Hadley  creek  was  named  after  Ool.  Levi  Hadley,  an  early  settler. 

Dutch  Church  creek  was  named  after  a  rocky  bluff  near  its  bank 
which  is  supposed  to  resemble  an  old  Dutch  church  in  the  city  of 
Albany,  N.  Y.    Keyes  creek  was  named  after  Willard  Keyes. 

Ambrosia  creek  was  named  from  the  purity  of  its  waters. 

Two-Mile  creek  was  named  from  its  crossing  the  bluff  two  miles 
from  Atlas. 

Six-Mile  creek  is  six  miles  below  Atlas. 

Bay  creek  was  so  called  from  the  bay  into  which  it  runs. 

FIEST  THINGS  IN  PIKE  COUNTY. 

The  first  settler  in  Pike  county  was  Ebenezer  Franklin,  who 
also  cut  the  first  tree  and  built  the  first  log  cabin,  in  1820. 

The  first  white  person  born  in  the  county  was  Nancy,  daughter 
to  Col.  Wm.  Ross,  at  Atlas,  May  1,  1822,  who  died  ISfov.  18,  the 
same  year. 

Marcellus  Eoss,  now  living  one  mile  east  of  Pittsfield,  was  the 
first  white  male"  child  born  "in  Pike  county. 

The  first  death  in  the  county  was  that  of  Clarendon  Eoss,  at 
Atlas. 

Daniel  Shinn  brought  the  first  wagon  into  the  county  in  1820. 

Col.  Benj.  Barney  was  the  first  blacksmith  in  the  county,  erect- 
ing his  shop  at  Atlas  in  1826.  He  also  burned  the  first  coal  in  the 
county,  it  having  been  shipped  from  Pittsburg,  Pa. 

James  Poss  brought  and  used  the  first  grain  cradle  here,  in  1828. 

James  Eoss  also  equipped  and  ran  the  first  turner's  lathe  and 
cabinet  shop,  at  Atlas,  in  1828 . 


HISTOEY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  241 

Gol.  Wm.  Ross  built  the  first  brick,  house  in  the  county,  at  Atlas, 
in  1821. 

He  also  erected  the  first  store  building,  at  Atlas,  in  1826,  and 
also  the  first  grist-mill,  a  band-mill,  at  Atlas,  about  the  same  time. 

Fielding  Hanks  was  the  first  to  follow  tanning  in  Pike  county. 

The  first  Circuit  Court  was  held  at  Coles'  Grove,  Oct.  1,  1821. 

The  first  Court  at  Atlas  was  held  "  the  first  Thursday  after  the. 
fourth  Monday  in  April,"  which  would  be  May  1,  l'823. 

The  first  coui't-house  within  the  present  limits  of  Pike  county 
was  built  at  Atlas  in  1824. 

The  first  jail  was- erected  at  Atlas  in  1824. 

The  first  school  was  taught  at  Atlas  by  John  Jay  Eoss  in  1822. 

The  first  Church  was  organized  in  the  Ross  family  at  Atlas  prior 
to  1830.     It  was  Congregational. 

The  first  church  building  in  Pittsfield  was  the,  Congregational, 
and  built  by  Col.  Ross. 

Capt.  Hale,  a  Baptist  minister,  probably  organized  the  first  Baptist 
church  in  Pike  county. 

The  first  library  was  founded  at  Atlas,  about  1833-4. 

The  first  Fourth-of-July  celebration  was  held  at  Atlas  in  1823. 

The  first  political  meeting  was  held  in  Montezuma  township  in 
1834,  when  Col.  Ross,  who  was  running  for  the  Legislature,  made 
■a  speech.  About  50  voters  were  present,  besides  boys.  No  nomi- 
nations or  appointments  were  made. 

The  first  whisky  distilled  in  the  county  was  manufactured  by  Mr. 
Milhizer  in  1826. 

The  first  wheat  was  raised  by  Col.  Ross  and  Mr.  Seeley  near 
Atlas,  which  was  also  the  first  ground  in  Pike  county  and  made 
into  biscuit.     The  flour  was  bolted  through  book  muslin. 

The  first  apples  were  raised  by  Alfred  Bissell,  near  New  Hartford, 
and  the  first  at  Pittsfield  by  Col.  Wm.  Ross. 

The  first  man  hung  in  the  Military  Tract  was  a  Mr.  Cunning- 
ham, at  Quincy. 

The  first  man  executed  in  Pike  county  was  Bartholomew  Barnes, 
at  Pittsfield,  Dec.  29,  1872. 

The  first  State  Senator  elected  from  Pike  county  was  Col.  Wm. 
Ross. 

The  first  County  Commissioners  were  Capt.  Leonard  Ross,  John 
Shaw  and  Wm.  Ward. 

The  first  County  Treasurer  was  Nathaniel  Shaw,  appointed  in 

The  first  County  and  Circuit"  Clerk  was  James  W.  Whitney. 

T.  L.  Hall,  of  Detroit  tp.,  taught  the  first  singing  school,  at  Atlas. 

The  first  Justices  of  the  Peace  wereEbenezer  Smith  and  Stephen 
Dewey,  appointed  in  1821. 

The  first  Constable  was  Belus  Jones,  appointed  in  1821. 

The  first  Masonic  lodge  was  held  up-stairs,  at  the  house  of  Col. 
Ross,  in  Atlas,  between  1830  and  1834.  The  desk  used  on  the 
occasion  is  still  in  the  possession  of  Marcellus  Ross.     It  is  a  plain 


2i2  HISTOKY   OF   PIKE  COUNTY. 

box,  strongly  built,  fifteen  inches  square  and  two  and  one-half  feet 
high,  and  contains  two  shelves.  In  one  side  is  a  door  swung  on 
hinges. 

WHAT  THE  PIONEEBS  HAVE  DONE. 

Pike  county  is  a  grand  county,  in  many  respects  second  to  none 
^  in  the  State,  and  in  almost  everything  that  goes  to  make  a  live, 
prosperous  community,  not  far  behind  the  best.  Beneath  its  fertile 
soil  is  coal  enough  to  supply  the  State  for  generations;  its  harvests 
are  bountiful;  it  enjoys  a  medium  climate  and  many  other  things 
that  make  them  a  contented,  prosperous  and  happy  people;  but  the 
people  owe  much  to  those  who. opened  up  these  avenues  that  have 
led  to  their  present  condition  and  happy  surroundings.  Unremit- 
ting toil  and  labor  have  driven  off  the  sickly  miasmas  that  brooded 
over  swampy  prairies.  Energy  and  perseverance  have  peopled  every 
section  of  the  wild  lands,  and  changed  them  from  wastes  and  deserts 
to  gardens  of  beauty  and  profit.  When  but  a  few  years  ago  the 
barking  wolves  made  the  night  hideous  with  their  wild  shrieks  and 
howls,  now  is  heard  only  the  lowing  and  bleating  of  domestic  ani- 
mals. Only  a  half  century  ago  thS  wild  whoop  of  the  Indian  rent 
the  air  where  now  are  heard  the  engine  and  rumbling  trains  of  cars, 
bearing  away  to  markets  the  products  of  the  soil  and  the  labor  of 
its  people.  Then  the  savage  built  his  rude  huts  on  the  spot  where 
nowTise  the  dwellings  and  school-houses  and  church  spires  of  civil- 
ized life.  How  great  the  transformation !  This  change  has  been 
brought  about  by  the  incessant  toil  and  aggregated  labor  of  thou- 
sands of  tired  hands  and  anxious  hearts,  and  the  noble  aspirations 
of  such  men  and  women  as  make  any  country  great.  What  will 
another  half  century  accomplish  ? 

There  are  few,  very  few,  of  these  old  pioneers  yet  lingering  on  the 
shores  of  time  as  connecting  links  of  the  past  with  the  present. 
What  must  their  thoughts  be  as  with  their  dim  eyes  they  view  the 
scenes  that  surround  them?  We  often  hear  people  talk  about  the 
old-fogy  ideas  and  fogy  ways,  and  want  of  enterprise  on  the  part  of 
the  old  men  who  have  gone  through  the  experiences  of  pioneer  life. 
Sometimes,  perhaps,  such  remarks  are'  just,  but,  considering  the 
experiences,  education  and  entire  life  of  such  men,  such  remarks  are 
better  unsaid.  They  have  had  their  trials,  misfortunes,  hardships 
and  adventures,  and  shall  we  now,  as  they  are  passing  far  down  the 
western  declivity  of  life,  and  many  of  them  gone,  point  to  them  the 
finger  of  derision  and  laugh  and  sneer  at  the  simplicity  of  tbfeir 
ways?  Let  us  rather  cheer  them  up,  revere  and  respect  them,  for 
beneath  those  rough  exteriors  beat  hearts  as  noble  as  ever  throbbed 
in  the  human  breast.  These  veterans  have  been  compelled  to  live 
for  weeks  upon  hominy  and,  if  bread  at  all,  it  was  bread  made  from 
corn  ground  in  hand-mills,  or  pounded  up  with  mortars.  Their 
children  have  been  destitute  of  shoes  during  the  winter  ;  their 
families  had  no  clothing  except  what  was  carded,  spun,  wove  and 
made  into  garments  by  their  own  hands;  schools  they  had  none; 


^iCaii:ar>>'!y'3/i^^ 


t> 


^ 


HISTOKT    OF   PIKE    COTJNTT.  245 

churches  thej'  had  none;  afflicted  with  sickness  incident  to  all  new 
countries,  sometimes  the  entire  family  at  once;  luxuries  of  life  they 
had  none;  the  auxiliaries,  improvements,  inventions  and  labor-sav- 
ing machinery  of  to-day  they  had  not;  and  what  they  possessed  they 
obtained  by  the  hardest  of  labor  and  individual  exertions ;  yet  they 
bore  these  hardships  and  privations  without  murmuring,  hoping  for 
better  times  to  come,  and  often,  too,  with  but  little  prospects  of 
realization. 

As  before  mentioned,  the  changes  written  on  every  hand  are  most 
wonderful.  It  has  been  but  three-score  years  since  the  white  man 
began  to  exercise  dominion  over  this  region,  erst  the  home  of  the 
red  man,  yet  the  visitor  of  to-day,  ignorant  of  the  past  of  the  coimty, 
could  scarcely  be  made  to  realize  that  within  these  years  there  has 
grown  up  a  population  of  50,000  people,  who  in  all  the  accomplish- 
ments of  life  are  as  far  advanced  as  are  inhabitants  of  the  counties  of 
older  States.  Schools,  churches,  colleges,  palatial  dwellings,  beauti- 
ful grounds,  large,  well-cultivated  and  productive  farms,  as  well  as 
cities,  towns  and  busy  manufactories,  have  grown  up,  and  occupy 
the  hunting  grounds  and  camping  places  of  the  Indians,  and  in 
every  direction  there  are  evidences  of  wealth,  comfort  and  luxury. 
There  is  but  little  left  of  the  old  landmarks.  Advanced  civilization 
and  the  progressive  demands  of  revolving  years  have  obliterated 
all  traces  of  Indian  occupancy,  until  they  are  only  remembered  in 
name. 

In  closing  this  chapter  we  again  would  impress  upon  the  minds 
of  our  readers  the  fact  that  they  ,owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  those 
who  pioneered  Pike  county,  which  can  be  but  partially  repaid. 
Never  grow  unmindful  of  the  peril  and  adventure,  fortitude,  self- 
sacrifice  and  heroic  devotion  so  prominently  displayed  in  their  lives. 
As  time  sweeps  on  its  ceaseless  flight,  may  the  cherished  memories 
of  them  lose  none  of  their  greenness,  but  may  the  future  genera- 
tions alike  cherish  and  perpetuate  them  with  a  just  devotion  to 
gratitude. 


CHAPTEK  III. 
ORGANIC  HISTOET. 

THE    MILITAET  TRACT. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  between  the  United  States  and  England 
in  1812  our  Government  laid  off  a  tract  of  land  in  Illinois  for  the 
soldiers  who  participated  in  that  war.  The  land  thus  appropriated 
was  embraced  in  the  region  between  the  Mississippi  and  the  Illinois 
rivers,  and  south  of  the  north  line  of  Mercer  county.  Its  northern 
boundary,  therefore,  ran  east  to  Peru  on  the  Illinois  river,  and  a 
little  south  of  the  middle  of  Bureau  and  Henry  counties.  To  it  the 
name  ''  Military  Tract "  was  given,  and  by  that  name  this  section  is 
still  known.  Within  this  boundary  is  embraced  one  of  the  most 
fertile  regions  of  the  globe.  Scarcely  had  Congress  made  the  proper 
provisions  to  enable  the  soldiers  to  secure  their  land  ere  a  few  of  the 
most  daring  and  resolute  started  to  possess  it.  There-  were  only  a 
few,  however,  who  at  first  regarded  their  "  quarter-section  "  of  suf- 
ficient value  to  induce  them  to  endure  the  hardships  of  the  pioneer 
in  its  settlement  and  improvement.  Many  of  them  sold  their  patent 
to  a  fine  "  prairie  quarter  "  in  this  county  for  one  hundred  dollars, 
others  for  less,  while  some  traded  theirs  for  a  horse,  a  cow,  or  a 
watch,  regarding  themselves  as  just  so  much  ahead.  It  is  said  that 
an  Qld  shoemaker,  of  New  York  city,  bought  several  as  fine  quarters 
of  land  as  are  in  Pike  county  with  a  pair  of  shoes.  He  would  make 
a  pair  of  shoes  for  which  the  soldier  would  deed  him  his  "  patent 
quarter"  of  land.  This  was  a  source  of  no  little  trouble  to  the 
actual  settlers,  for  they  could  not  always  tell  which  quarter  of  land 
belonged  to  a  soldier,  or  which  was  "  Congress  land"  and  could  be 
pre-empted.  Even  when  a  settler  found  a  suitable  location  known 
to  be  "  patent  land,"  with  a  desire  to  purchase,  he  experienced  great 
difficulty  in  finding  the  owner,  and  often  did  not  find  him  until  he  had 
put  hundreds  of  dollars'  worth  of  improvements  on  it,  when  the 
patentee  was  sure  to  turn  up.  Many  of  the  early  settlers  presumed 
that  the  owner  never  would  be  known ;  but  in  many  instances,  after 
a  patent  quarter-section  was  made  valuable  by.  improvement,  the 
original  patent  would  be  brought  on  by  some  one,  who  would 
oust  the  occupant  and  take  possession,  sometimes  paying  him  some- 
thing for  his  improvements  and  sometimes  not.     Many  holders  of 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  247 

patents  had  no  pity.  This  condition  of  affairs  presented  a  tempta- 
tion to  merciless  "land-sharks,"  who  would  come  into  this  section 
and  work  up  cases,  ostensibly  for  the  original  patentees,  but  really 
for  their  own  pockets.  The  most  notorious  of  these  was  one  Toliver 
Oraig,  who  actually  made  it  a  business  to  forge  patents  and  deeds. 
This  he  carried  on  extensively  from  184Y  to  1854,  especially  in 
Knox  and  Fulton  counties,  and  to  some  extent  in  Pike.  He  had 
forty  bogus  deeds  put  on  record  in  one  day  at  Knoxville.  He  was 
arrested  in  New  York  State,  in  1854,  by  O.  M.  Boggess,  of  Mon- 
mouth, and  taken  to  the  jail  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  attempted 
suicide  by  arsenic;  but  at  the  end  of  the  year  he  was  released  on 
bail. 

PIKE  COUNTY. 

As  a  part  of  the  Territory  of  Illinois  in  1790  all  of  that  portion 
of  Ilfinois  south  of  what  is  now  Peoria  was  made  a  county  and 
named  St.  Clair,  in  honor  of  Gen.  St.  Clair,  Governor  of  the 
Northwestern  Territory.  Cohokia  was  the  county-seat  of  this 
county.  In  1812  that  part  of  Illinois  Territory  above  St.  Louia 
was  created  into  a  county  called  Madison,  with  Edwardsville  as- 
the  county-seat,  Illinois  was  admitted  as  a  State  in*  1818,  and  in. 
1821  all  that  part  of  Madison  county  between  the  Mississippi  and: 
Illinois  rirers  was  organized  into  a  county  and  named  Pike.  Its- 
name  was  chosen  in  honor  of  Gen.  Pike,  of  the  war  of  1812.  The 
tract  of  country  now  known  as  Pike  county  was  surveyed  by  the 
Government  in  the  years  18 17-'9,  and  soon  afterward  attracted  at- 
tention on  account  of  its  natural  advantages  for  commerce,  fertility 
of  soil  and  abundance  of  water.  It  is  the  oldest  county  in  the 
Military  Tract,  and  one  of  the  largest,  containing  510,764  acres,  or 
800  square  miles,  in  23  townships.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the. 
act  organizing  the  county  : 

An  act  to  fobh  a  new  ooxraTT  on  the  bounty  lands.    Appeoyed  Jan.  81, 1821. 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  that  all  that  tract  of  country  within  the  follow- 
ing boundaries,  to  wit :  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river  and  running 
thence  up  the  middle  of  said  river  to  the  fork  of  the  same,  thence  up  the  south 
fork  of  said  river  until  it  strikes  the  State  line  of  Indiana,  thence  north  with  said 
line  to  the  north  boundary  line  of  this  State,  thence  west  with  said  line  to  the  west 
boundary  line  of  this  State,  and  thence  with  said  line  to  the  place  of  beginning, 
Shall, constitute  a  separate  county  to  be  called  Pike. 

Sbc.  3.  Be  it  further  enacted  that  there  shall  be  appointed  the  following  per- 
sons, to  wit :  Levi  Eoberts,  John  Shaw  and  Nicholas  Hanson,  to  meet  at  the 
house  of  Levi  Koberts,  in  said  county,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  March  next,  to 
fix  the  temporary  seat  of  justice  of  said  county,  the  said  seat  of  justice  to  be  south 
of  the  base  line  of  said  county. 

Sec.  3.  Be  it  further  enacted,  etc.,  that  the  citizens  of  Pike  county  be  hereby 
declared  entitled  in  all  respects  to  the  same  rights  and  privileges  that  are  allowed 
in  general  to  other  counties  in  the  State. 

Sec.  4.  Be  it  further  enacted,  etc.,  that  said  county  of  Pike  be  and  form  a  part 
of  the  first  judicial  circuit. 

This  act  to  take  effect  and  be  in  force  from  and  after  its  passage. 


248  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT. 

COUNTY-SEAT  LOCATED. 

The  following  act  was  passed  at  the  next  session  of  the  Legisla- 
ture : 

An    ACTDBFINIlfO    THE   BOUNDABIBS    OF 'PiKB    COUNTY,  AND   FOB   OTHER  PURPOSES.        APPEOVBD 

Dec.  30, 1822. 

Section  1 .  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois  represented  in 
General  Assembly,  that  the  county  of  Pike  shall  be  bounded  as  follows,  to  wit: 
On  the  north  by  the  base  line;  on  the  east  by  the  Illinois  river;  on  the  west  by 
the  Mississippi ;  and  all  the  rest  and  residue  of  the  territory,  composing  the 
county  of  Pike  before  the  passage  of  this  act,  shall  be  attached  to,  and  be  apart  of, 
said  county  until  otherwise  disposed  of  by  the  General  Assembly  of  this  State. 

Sec.  2.  Be  it  further  enacted,  etc.,  for  the  purpose  of  fixing  the  permanent 
seat  of  justice  of  said  county,  the  following  persons  be  and  the  same  are  hereby 
appointed  Commissioners,  to  wit:  Garrett  VanDusen,  Ossian  M.  Ross,  John  M. 
Smith,  Daniel  Ford  and  Daniel  Shinn,  who,  after  being  duly  sworn  by  some  judge 
or  justice  of  the  peace  of  this  State,  faithfully  and  impartially  to  discharge  the 
duties  imposed  upon  them  by  this  act,  shall  meet  at  the  house  of  John  Shaw,  in 
said  county,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  March  next,  and  proceed  to  deterniine  on 
the  permanent  seat  of  justice  of  said  county,  and  designate  the  same,  taking  into 
consideration  the  condition  and  convenience  of  the  people,  the  future  population 
of  the  county,  and  the  health  and  eligibility  ot  the  place ;  and  they  are  hereby 
authorized  to  receive  as  a  donation  for  the  use  of  said  county  any  quantity  of 
land  that  may  be  determined  on  by  them,  from  any  proprietor  that  may  choose  to  ■ 
oflFer  such  donation  of  land ;  which  place,  so  fixed  and  determined  upon,  the  said 
Commissioners  shall  certify,  under  their  hands  and  seals,  and  return  the  same  to 
next  Commissioners  of  Court  in  said  county,  which  shall  cause  an  entry  there- 
of to  be  made  upon  their  books  of  record . 

Sec.  3.  Be  it  further  enacted,  etc. ,  that  the  said  Commissioners  shall  receive, 
as  a  compensation  for  their  service,,  the  sum  of  two  dollars  per  day  for  each  day 
by  them  necessarily  spent  in  discharging  the  duties  imposed  upon  them  by  this 
act,  to  be  allowed  by  the  Commissioners  of  the  Court,  and  paid  out  of  the  county 
treasury. 

Pursuant  to  that  portion  of  the  above  act  as  relating  to  locating 
the  county-seat,  the  Commissioners  made  their  report  to  the  County 
Commissioners  at  their  March  term  of  Court,  1823,  and  presented 
the  Court  with  a  deed  from  William  E.oss  and  Rufus  Brown  for  an 
acre  of  land  upon  section  27,  Atlas  township. 

COUNTIES  CUT  FKOM  PIKE. 

"When  Pike  county  was  organized  it  embraced  all  of  that  country 
between  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi  rivers,  and  extended  east  along 
the  line  of  the  main  fork  of  the  Illinois,  the  Kankakee  river,  to  the 
Indiana  State  line  and  on  to  the  northern  boundary  of  the  State,  in- 
cluding the  country  where  Rock  Island,  Galena,  Peoria  and  Chi- 
cago now  are.  It  was  indeed  a  large  county,  and  embraced  what  is 
now  the  wealthiest  and  most  populous  portion  of  the  Great  West. 
The  extensive.lead  mines  of  Galena  had  not  yet  been  discovered,  and 
Chicago  was  only  a  tradingjand  military  post.  The  Commissioners  of 
Pike  county,  as  will  be  noticed  in  the  following  chapter,  exercised 
full  authority,  so  far  as  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices  were 
concerned,  over  all  this  vast  region. 

Settlers  soon  began  to  locate  nere  and  there  in  the  Military  Tract. 
Two  years  had  scarcely  passed  ere  the  few  settlers  east  of  the  fourth 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  249 

principal  meridian  and  north  of  the  base  line  desired  a  county,  and 
appealed  to  the  Legislature  for  power  to  organize  one.  Ossian  M. 
Ross,  the  founder  of  Lewistown,  Fulton  county,  and  one  of  the 
prime  movers  in  the  organization  of  that  county,  was  at  that  time 
a  member  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  of  Pike  county. 
The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  act  referred  to : 

An  act  approved  Jan.  28,  1823,  forming  the  county  of  Fulton  out 
of  all  the  attached  part  of  Pike,  beginning  where  the  fourth  princi- 
pal meridian  intersects  the  Illinois  river,  thence  up  the  middle  of  said 
river  to  where  the  line  between  ranges  five  and  six  east  strikes  the 
said  river,  thence  north  with  the  said  line  between  ranges  five  and 
sik  east,  to  the  township  line  between  townships  nine  and  ten  north, 
then  west  with  said  line  to  the  fourth  principal  meridian,  then  south 
to  the  place  of  beginning;  and  all  the  rest  and  residue  of  the  at- 
tached part  of  the  county  of  Pike  east  of  the  fourth  principal  merid- 
ian shall  be  attached  to  Fulton  county. 

Jan.  13,  1826,  Schuyler  county  was  cutoff  from  Pike  and  Fulton, 
and  included  all  that  country  within  the  following  boundaries: 
"  Commencing  at  a  place  where  the  township  line  between  town- 
ships two  and  three  south  touches  the  Illinois  river,  thence  west  on 
said  line  to  the  range  line  between  ranges  four  and  five  west,  thence 
north  from  said  line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  township  three 
north,  range  one  west,  thence  east  on  said  township  line  to  the  Illi- 
nois river,  thence  down  the  said  river  to  the  place  of  beginning." 

The  same  year  an  act  was  passed  forming  new  counties .  Those 
formed  were  Adams,  Hancock,  McDonough,  Warren,  Mercer,  Henry, 
Putnam  and  Knox.  Their  boundaries  were  fixed  by  the  act  of  Jan. 
30, 1825.  Calhoun  county  was  cut  off  from  Pike  county  and  organ- 
ized in  1825. 

GENERAL    REVIEW. 

No  whites  settled  north  of  Alton  for  agricultural  purposes  prior 
to.l819.  During  that  year  and  the  next  there  was  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  settlers  to  organize  a  county.  Accordingly  the  Legislature 
of  1K20-'1,  as  above  seen,  organized  the  county  of  Pike,  which  then 
included  all  of  the  State  of  Illinois  between  the  Illinois  and  Missis- 
sippi rivers.  The  county-seat  was  first  fixed  at  Coles'  Grove,  ad- 
joining the  locality  of  Gilead,  afterward  the  county-seat  of  Calhoun 
county.  This  place  was  named  after  Edward  Coles,  Governor  of 
Illinois. 

We  copy  the  following  topographical  sketch  of  Pike  county  from 
"  Peck's  Illinois  Gazetteer,"  published  in  1834,  as  giving  an  idea  of 
the  county  at  that  early  date: 

"Pike  county  is  the  oldest  county  in  the  Military  Tract,  and  was 
erected  from  Madison  and  other  counties  in  1821.  It  then  em- 
braced the  whole  county  northwest  of  the  Illinois  river,  but  by  sub- 
sequent formation  of  new  counties  it  is  now  reduced  to  ordinary 
size,  containing  twenty-two  townships,  or  about  800  square  miles. 
It  is  bounded  north  by  A^ams,  east  by  Schuyler  and  the  Illinois 


250  HISTOET   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

rivel-,  south  by  that  river  and  Calhoun,  and  west  by  the  Mississippi. 
Besides  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  rivers,  which  wash  two  sides, 
it  has  the  Sny  Carte  slough,  running  the  whole  length  of  its  west- 
ern border,  which  floats  steam-boats  to  Atlas  at  a  full  stage  of  water. 
.Pike  county  is  watered  by  the  Pigeon,  Hadley,  Keyes,  Black, 
Dutch  Church,  Six-Mile  and  Bay  creeks,  which  flow  into  the  Mis- 
sissippi ;  and  Big  and  Little  Blue,  and  the  North  and  West  Forks 
of  McGee's  creek,  which  enter  into  the  Illinois.  Good  mill-sites 
are  furnished  by  these  streams. 

"  The  land  is  various.  The  section  of  country,  or  rather  island, 
between  the  Sny  Carte  slough  and  the  Mississippi,  is  a  sandy  soil, 
but  mostly  inundated  land  at  the  spring  flood.  It  furnishes  a  great 
summer  and  winter  range  for  stock,  affording  considerable  open 
prairie,  with  skirts  of  heavy  bottom  timber  near  the  streams. 
Along  the  bluffs  and  for  two  or  three  miles  back  the  land  is  chiefly 
timbered,  but  cut  up  with  ravines  and  quite  rolling.  Far  in  the  in- 
terior and  toward  Schuyler  county  excellent  prairie  and  timber 
lands  are  found,  especially  about  the  Blue  rivers  and  McGee's 
creek.     This  must  eventually  be  a  rich  and  populous  county. 

"  In  Pleasant  Vale,  on  Keyes  creek,  is  a  salt  spring  twenty  feet 
in  diameter,  which  boils  from  the  earth  and  throws  off  a  stream  of 
some  size,  and  forms  a  salt  pond  in  its  vicinity.  Salt  has  been  made 
here,  though  not  in  great  quantities. 

"  In  the  county  are  seven  water  saw-mills,  four  grist-mills,  one 
carding-machine,  five  stores,  and  a  horse  ferry-boat  across  the  Mis- 
sissippi to  Louisiana." 

HANSON  AND  SHAW. 

The  State  Constitution,  adopted  on  the  admission  of  Illinois  into 
the  Union  in  1818,  prohibited  slavery  in  this  State.  Owing  to  this 
fact  many  of  the  early  immigrants  coming  West,^who  were  from 
the  slave  States  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  passed  right  through 
this  garden  of  Eden  into  Missouri.  An  effort  was  made,  therefore, 
to  so  amend  the  Constitution  as  to  permit  slavery  in  this  State  that 
it  might  be  more  attractive  to  settlers,  and  the  sequel  showed  that 
Illinois  had  a  ilarl-ow  escape  from  the  dreadful  evils  of  slavery. 
When  the  necessary  preliminary  resolution  was  offered  in  the  Sen- 
ate it  was  ascertained  that  the  requisite  two-thirds  vote  to  pass  the. 
resolution  for  the  call  of  a  convention  to  amend  the  Constitution 
could  be  obtained  and  to  spare;  but  in  the  House  they  needed  one 
vote.  At  first  it  was  strenuously  argued  that  the  two-thirds  vote 
meant  two-thirds  of  the  two  Houses  in  joint  convention;  but  the 
opponents  were  too  powerful  in  their  argument  upon  this  point. 
The  majority,  however,  was  not  to  be  foiled  in  their  purpose.  An- 
other mode  presented  itself:  all  that  was  required  was  courage  to 
perpetrate  a  gross  outrage  on  a  recalcitrant  member.  There  had 
been  a  contested  election  case  from  Pike  county.  The  sitting  mem- 
ber decided  by  the  House  to  be  entitled  to  the  seat  was  Nicholas 
Hanson,  and  the  contestant,  John  Shaw,  the  "  Black  Prince."  Han- 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  251 

son's  vote  liad  been' obtained  for  the  re-election  of  Jesse  B.  Thomas, 
strongly  pro-slavery,  to  the  United  States  Senate;  but  further  than 
this  he  would  not  go.  Shaw,  who  favored  the  convention  project, 
was  now  discovered  to  be  entitled  to  the  seat.  A  motion  was  there- 
upon made  to  reconsider  the  admission  of  Hanson,  which  prevailed. 
It  was  next  further  moved  to  strike  out  the  name  of  Hanson  and 
insert  that  of  Shaw.  During  the  pendency  of  the  resolution  a 
tumultuous  crowd  assembled  in  the  evening  at  the  State  House, 
and  after  the  delivery  of  a  number  of  incendiary  speeches,  inflam- 
ing the  minds  of  the  people  against  Hanson,  they  proceeded 
through  the  town  (Yandalia)  with  his^  effigy  in  a  blaze,  accompa- 
nied with  the  beating  of  drums,  the  sound  of  bugles,  and  shouts  of 
"Convention  or  death."  Amotion  to  expel  Hanson  and  admit 
Shaw  was  adopted,  and  the  latter  awarded  the  majority  by  voting 
for  the  convention  resolution,  which  thus  barely  passed.  The  night 
following,  a  number  of  members  of  both  Houses  entered  their  sol- 
emn protest  against  this  glaring  outrage  of  unseating  Hanson,  both 
with  the  object  intended  and  the  manner  of  perpetrating  it.  Many 
reflecting  men,  earnest  in  their  support  of  the  convention  question, 
condemned  it,  and  it  proved  a  powerful  lever  before  the  people  in 
the  defeat  of  the  slavery  scheme,  ^he  passage  of  the  convention 
resolution  was  regarded  as  tantamount  to  its  carriage  at  the  polls. 

The  pro-slavery  party  celebrated  their  triumph  by  an  illumina- 
tion of  the  town,  and  the  procession,  accompanied  by  all  the  horrid 
paraphernalia  and  discordant  music  of  a  charivari,  marched  to  the 
residence  of  Governor  Coles,  and  the  quarters  of  the  chief  oppo- 
nents of  the  measure,  where  they  performed  with  their  demoniac 
music  to  annoy  and  insult  them. 

The  convention  resolution  was  finally  defeated  by  1,800  majority 
at  the  polls. 

It  is  thus  seen  how  Pike  county  gave  the  casting  vote  on  the 
slavery  question  in  this  State  in  1820. 

MAEQUBTTE    COITNTY. 

The  counties  now  bounding  Pike  on  the  north  are  Adams  and 
iPrown;  but  in  1841  there  was  a  county  struck  off  from  the  east 
side  of  Adams  and  called  Marquette.  Columbus,  being  more  cen- 
trally located  in  Adams  county,  became  ambitious  for  the  county- 
seat,  but  as  Quincy  was  too  powerful  against  this  project,  the  eastern 
portion  of  Adams  county  was  struck  off  by  an  act  of  the  Legis- 
lature in  order  that  the  ambition  of  Columbus  might  be  satisfied 
and  become  a  county-seat.  No  attempt  was  made  to  organize  the 
county  until  1846,  when  Quincy  again  proved  too  powerful  for 
them,  and  the  following  Legislature  repealed  the  act  defining  the 
boundaries  of  the  county. 

OOtTNTY-SEAT   CONTEST. 

In  1842-'3  an  effort  was  made  to  divide  the  county,  the  new 
county-seat  to  be  at  Barry.     Dr.  Thomas  "Worthington  was  a  mem- 


252  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COTTNTT. 

ber  of  the  State  Senate,  and  Wm.  Blair  of  the  House,  each  repre- 
senting the  interests  of  his  section  of  the  county.  The  bill  introduced 
by  Mr.  Blair  proposed  to  divide  the  county  by  a  line  running 
north  and  south  through  its  extent;  but,  after  the  presentation 
of  many  petitions  and  remonstrances,  and  a  period  of  consider- 
able excitement,  the  bill  failed  to  pass  the  House.  In  1850  the 
county  was  divided  into  19  townships,  and  organized  under  the  town- 
ship organization  law  of  the  Constitution  of  1848.  Under  this 
mode  the  county  is  at  present  conducted.  And  that  was  the  end 
of  this  little  fight.  The  county  remains,  therefore,  to  the  present 
day  as  it  was  outlined  by  the  Legislature  of  1 826.  In  the  fall  of 
1846  the  effort  was  renewed.  Meetings  were  held  in  various  parts 
of  the  county,  and  speeches  were  made  on  both  sides  of  the  ques- 
tion ;  but  public  interest  soon  died  down. 


CHAPTEK  IV. 

IMPOKTANT  LABORS  OF  THE  COUNTY  COMMIS- 
SIONEES'  COURT. 

FIRST   MEETING. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  of  Pike 
county  was  held  April  24, 1821.  There  were  present  Leonard  Ross, 
John  Shaw,  and  William  "Ward,  the  three  Commissioners.  After 
the  Court  was  organized,  Stephen  Dewey  was  appointed  Clerk  pro 
tern,  in  the  absence  of  James  "W.  Whitney,  the  Clerk.  The  records 
give  but  little  information  in  regard  to  the  organization  of  the 
county.  They  begin  with  unqualified  statements,  and  "record  the 
acts  of  the  honored  Court  with  greatest  simplicity. 

The  first  business  before  the  Court  was  an  application  for  a  li- 
cense to  sell  spirituous  liquors  made  by  Belus  and  Egbert  Jones. 
The  license  was  granted  upon  the  payment  of  $3  into  the  newly 
made  treasury  by  the  Joneses. 

Belus  Jones  was  then  appointed  Constable  for  the  county  of 
Pike.  The  liquor  traffic  evidently  was  not  great  enough  to  em- 
ploy the  entire  time  of  the  two  gentlemen,  and  as  the  newly  organ- 
ized county  needed  a  Constable,  Mr.  Jones'  services  were  solicited 
in  that  capacity. 

The  county  must  needs  have  a  Treasurer;  accordingly  Nathaniel 
Shaw  was  appointed  to  this  important  office.  The  Court  then  ad- 
journed to  meet  at  7  o'clock  a.  m.,  April  25. 

According  to  adjournment  the  Commissioners  assembled  upon 
the  morning  of  the  25th.  The  first  business  presented  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Court  was  an  application  for  license  to  sell 
liquors  presented  by  Thomas  Ferguson.  The  Court  seemed  to  pos- 
sess a  willingness  to  encourage  the  liquor  business  within  the  newly 
made  county,  as  they  granted  Mr.  Ferguson  license  for  $2.60. 
Why  they  should  grant  him  a  license  for  50  cents  less  than  they 
charged  the  Joneses,  we  can  not  tell.  Perhaps  an  increase  of  busi- 
ness and  fiattering  prospects  enabled  them  to  reduce  the  "  tax. " 

Ebenezer  Smith  and  Stephen  Dewey  were  then  recommended 
"  as  fit  and  suitable  persons  for  the  Governor  to  commission  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace."     The  Court  then  adjourned  until  June. 


254  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


SECOND  MEETING. 

Monday,  June  4,  1821,  the  date  set  for  the  convening  of  the 
Court,  John  Shaw  appeared  and  opened  Court,  but  there  not  being 
a  quorum  present  the  Court  was  kept  open  until  4  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  when  all  of  the  Commissioners  appeared  and  took  their 
seats.  Upon  the  following  day  James  W.  Whitney,  who  had  been 
appointed  Clerk  of  the  Court,  although  we  find  no  record  of  his 
appointment,  "  appeared  in  open  Court  and  took  the  several  oaths 
required  by  law,  and  gaye  bond  in  the  penal  sum  of  $1,000,  and 
tendered  Levi  Koberts  and  Eigdon  C.  Fenton  his  securities,  who 
were  accepted  and  approved  by  the  Court." 

TAVEEN  LICENSE. 

At  the  June  term,  1821,  Nathaniel  Hin6ksley  was  granted 
license  "  to  keep  a  tavern. " 

A  tavern  in  those  days  was  a  combination  of  an  inn  and  a 
saloon.  The  proprietor,  however,  did  not  expect  to  derive  any  great 
revenue  from  the  hotel,  but  looked  to  his  liquors  for  an  income. 
Many  of  these  "  taverns  "  were  the  smallest  of  log  cabins.  Here 
and  there  all  over  the  country,  sometimes  miles  from  any  other 
cabin,  they  might  be  found.  Some  of  them  were  indicated  to  be 
such  by  signs  nailed  to  a  post,  tree,  or  to  the  side  of  the  cabin. 
These  were  of  the  rudest  make  and  design.  Some  simply  had  the 
word  "entertainment"  scrawled  upon  them,  while  others,  more  ex- 
plicit, read  "entertainment  for  man  and  beast."  Some  were  still 
more  definite  and  said  simply  "  whisky  and  oats.  "  The  storms  of 
a  half  century,  the  advancement  of  civilization,  the  culture  of  the 
age,  have  all  combined  to  transform  these  rudest  of  signs,  scrib- 
bled by  an  uncultured  pioneer  upon  hewn  boards,  into  gilded  and 
glittering  letters  artistically  traced  upon  French-plate  glass. 

The  name  by  which  the  place  was  known  where  liquor  was  vended 
was  shortly  after  this  changed  from  "  tavern  "  to  "  grocery "  or 
"  groggery, "  and  subsequently  assumed  the  appellation  of"  saloon ; " " 
and  finally,  that  coming  into  disrepute,  many  have  adopted  the 
more  modern  title  of  "sample  room,"  "hall,"  " garden,"  etc. 

The  following  schedule  of  "tavern  rates"  was  then  established 
to  govern  Hincksley  : 

Victuals,  per  meal, 25  cents 

Horse  keeping,  per  night 373^  " 

Lodging,  per  night, 12i|  " 

Whisky,  per  half  pint, 13j|  " 

Kum  and  gin,  per  half  pint,  35 

French  Brandy,  per  half  pint 50      " 

Wine,  per  half  pint 37}^  " 

JOHN   KINZIE  JUSTICE  OF  THE  PEACE   FOE  PIKE  COUNTY. 

Upon  motion  of  Abraham  Beck,  Esq.,  John  Kinzie  was  recom- 
mended to  the  Governor  of  Illinois  as  a  fit  and  suitable  person  for 


)) 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE   COTTNTT.  255 

Justice  of  the  Peace  for  Pike  county.  This  gentleman  was  the 
well-known  first  settler  of  Chicago,  and  at  that  time  resided  there, 
it  then  being  in  this  county.  It  must  be  remembered  that  Pike 
county  at  that  time  spread  over  a  vast  territory,  and  embraced  all 
of  the  northern  part  of  the  State.  Yes,  though  unlearned  in  law 
and  unacquainted  with  science  and  literature,  the  Commissioners 
held  jurisdiction  over  a  large  district;  and  that  they  conducted  the 
public  affairs  rightly,  and  built  a  firm  and  solid  foundation  upon 
which  the  future  prosperity  and  greatness  of  this  portion  of  our 
beloved  State  should  rest,  can  not  be  gainsaid.  This  is  plainly 
evident  from  the  unparalleled  strides  made  in  agricultural  and  me- 
chanical progress;  from  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  busy  inhabi- 
tants now  dwelling  within  this  territory;  and  from  the  vast  stores 
of  wealth  accumulated  solely  from  resources  within '  it.  Those 
great  and  unconcealed  wonders  reflect  honor  and  credit  each  day 
upon  their  founders;  and  as  days  and  years  multiply,  when  the 
same  territory  over  which  they  presided  shall  be  teeming  with 
millions  of  earnest  and  energetic  people,  then  will  great  honors  and 
more  exultant  praise  and  adoration  be  expressed  for  the  brave, 
sturdy  pioneers  who  explored  and  opened  up  a  region  so  prolific, 
and  founded  a  community  that  for  genius,  enterprise  and  wealth 
will  in  the  near  future  out-rank  many  older  settled  countries,  and 
indeed  will  vie  with  many  kingdoms  of  the  earth.  Then  these  vast 
prairifes  will  be  cultivated  as  a  garden.  Every  forest  tree  and 
woodland  will  be  utilized,  and  populous  cities  with  numerous  fac- 
tories and  vast  stores  of  commerce  may,  be  numbered  by  the  score. 
Then  will  the  modes  of  travel  be  superior  to  the  remarkable  rail- 
road facilities  of  to-day,  and  transport  the  increased  products  with 
greater  facility.  Indeed,  everything  will  then  be  as  different  and 
as  superior  to  what  they  are  at  present  as  the  things  of  to-day  are 
as  compared  with  those  of  fifty  years  ago.  Our  readers  may  re- 
gard this  as  wild  and  unreasonable  speculation,  as  wholly  vision- 
ary; but  they  are  only  the  conclusions  deduced  from  a  careful  study 
of  history,  of  a  comparison  of  what  has  been  accomplished,  with 
certain  advantages,  with  the  results  that  the  superior  advantages 
now  enjoyed  will  as  certainly  accomplish. 

THE    POOE. 

One  of. the  first  acts  of  the  noble-hearted  Commissioners  was  to 
make  provisions  for  their  poor.  The  pioneers  were  generous  and 
liberal  to  a  fault  when  it  came  to  provide  the  necessities  of  life  to 
those  more  unfortunate  in  their  midst.  June  6,  1821,  Baxter 
Bradwell  and  Joel  Bacon  were  appointed  overseers  of  the  poor. 

EECOED    BOOK.. 

A  record  book  was  then  ordered  to  be  purchased,  for  which  $3.00 
was  given.  This  is  a  common  paper-covered  blank  book  of  about 
200  pages,  and  at  the  present  time  the  price  would  be  considered 
high  if  the  book  were  sold  at  half  that  amount. 


256  HISTOET   OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

LAYING   OUT   EOADS; 

For  many  years  the  petitions  for  roads  occupied  a  very  large  pro- 
portion of  the  Court's  time  and  attention,  and  consumed  more  space 
to  record  than  all  other  proceedings.  They  are  similar  in  construc- 
tion, and  it  would  be  useless,  and  worse,  to  speak  of  them  as  often 
as  they  occur.  "We  will  only  give  a  specimen  of  these  applications 
and  the  mode  of  dealing  with  them.  The  records  read  as  follows: 
"A  petition  of  sundry  inhabitants  •  of  this  county  was  presented 
praying  that  a  road  may  be  laid  out  from  McDonald's  Ferry  on  the 
Mississippi  river,  the  nearest  and  best  course  to  the  Illinois  river  to 
meet  a  road  that  may  be  laid  out  from  thence  to  Yandalia."  The 
prayer  was  granted,  and  Daniel  Shinn,  Clarendon  Ross  and  Eben- 
ezer  Franklin  were  appointed  a  committee  to  view  and  ascertain 
where  said  road  should  be  located.  i%^^ 

Upon  the  3d  of  July  of  the  same  year  the  committee  reported 
and  their  report  was :  "  Accept  as  far  as  the  north  line  of  section  27 
of  township  6  south,  in  range  5  west  [Atlas  township],  that  being 
as  far  as  said  Commissioners  were  able  to  proceed,  owing  to  the  ex- 
cessive growth  of  vegetation ;  and  it  is  further  ordered  that  the  time 
for  viewing  and  laying  out  the  remainder  of  said  road  shall  be  ex- 
tended until  after  the  vegetation  shall  be  destroyed  by  frost." 

Five  days'  work  upon  this  road  was  required  of  each  man  who 
lived  within  two  and  one-half  miles  of  it.  This  rule  also  applied 
to  other  roads  laid  out  in  those  primitive  times.  One  dollar  was 
allowed  for  each  day  a  man  labored  more  than  that. 

A  petition  was  also  presented  for  a  road  from  Ferguson's  Ferry 
on  the  Illinois  river,  to  Fort  Edwards,  upon  the  Mississippi  river. 
Again  we  find  "  a  petition  presented  by  sundry  citizens,  Oct.  4, 
1821,  for  a  road  from  Fort  Clark  (now  Peoria)  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Illinois  river."  Accordingly  James ^ixon,  John  Shaw  and  Eben- 
ezer  Smith  were  appointed  a  committee  to  view  the  road  from  the 
house  of  Ebenezer  Smith  to  Fort  Clark. 

FEEEY  LICENSE. 

June  6,  1821,  a  license  was  granted  James  McDonald  "to  keep 
a  ferry  upon  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river,  opposite  to  the 
town  of  Louisianaville,  on  condition  of  his  paying  a  tax  of  one  dol- 
lar, besides  Clerk's  fee,  and  on  his  entering  into  bonds  according 
to  law,  and  that  the  following  rates  of  ferriage  be  established,  to 
wit : " 

For  a  single  person,. 35    cents 

For  a  single  horse, 25 

Every  head  of  cattle  over  one  year  old 35 

Every  hog,  sheep  or  goat,'. 6}^ 

Every  four-wheeled  carriage, 1  00 

Every  hundred  weight  of  dead  lumber, 63^ 

Every  two  wheeled  carriage, 75 


HISTOET    or   PIKE   COUNTY.  257 

MILITIA  PEECINOTS. 

Among  the  pioneers  "training"  or  "muster  day"  was  one 
which  was  looked  forward  to  with  feelings  of  pleasure.  It  was  nec- 
essary to  have  a  well  organized  militia  to  repel  any  invasions  of 
the  Indians  which  at  that  time  were  numerous  through  this  sec- 
•tion  of  the  country.  The  Commissioners'  Oourf,  in  its  official  capac- 
ity, took  note  of  this,  and  accordingly,  June  6,  they  "ordered  that  the 
militia  of  this  county  be  organized  into  a  regiment,  and  all  that  part 
of  the  county  lying  south  of  the  township  line  between  townships 
8  and  9  compose  the  first  company  district;  and  all  north  of  that 
line  to  the  base  line  compose  the  second  company  district ;  and  all 
north  of  the  base  line  be  and  compose  the  third  company  district. 
Baxter  Broadwell,  Wra.  Metz  and  Eigdon  C.  Fenton  were  ap- 
pointed Judges  of  election  in  the  first  company  district;  "Wm. 
Keyes,  Peter  D.  Moyer  and  Clarendon  Kosswere  appointed  judges 
of  election  in  the  second  company  district;  Ossian  M.  Koss,  Dr. 
Davison  and  Amos  Eveland,  as  judges  of  election  in  the  third  com- 
pany district.  An  election  was  then  called  for  June  30,  1821,  to 
select  officers  for  the  various  companies.  The  base  line,  which  runs 
east  and  west  upon  a  parallel  with  Beardstown,  was  made  the  divid- 
ing line  between  the  two  militia  battalions  of  the  regiment  of  Pike 
county.  The  battalion  south  of  the  base  line  was  the  first,  and  the 
one  north  the  second,  battalion. 

INDIAN  TRAILS. 

A  sum  not  to  exceed  ten  dollars  was  appropriated  "  to  defray  the 
expenses.of  opening  and  clearing  out  the  old  trace  from, the  head 
or  upper  end  of  Salt  Prairie  to  the  lower  end  of  Sni  Carte  Prairie, 
and  five  dollars  for  opening  and  cleaning  out  the  old  trace  from  the 
lower  end  of  Sni  Carte  Prairie  to  Ross  settlement."  Further  on  in 
the  records  we  find^these  orders  rescinded,  and  at  the  same  time 
Joel  Bacon  and  James  Levin  were  ordered  credited  with  the  amount 
of  their  road  tax  for  having  opened  the  said  "  trace."  These  traces 
were  old  Indian  trails,  but  having  been  deserted  for  newer  ones 
were  unfit  for  travel. 

SUNDRY  ACTS. 

John  Shaw  was  paid  $5.00  for  his  services  as  an  interpreter  at  the 
October  term  of  the  Circuit  Court  during  the  trial  of  two  Indians 
for  murder.  These  'were  Shoawennekek  and  Pemesan,  who  are 
spoken  of  in  connection  with  this  trial  more  fully  in  the  chapter 
upon  the  criminal  record. 

Ossian  M.  Ross  was  then  recommended  to  the  Governor  as  a  suit- 
able person  for  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Pike  county.  Mr.  Ross  at 
this  time  lived  where  Lewistown,  Fulton  county,  now  stands.  He 
was  with  one  exception  the  first  settler  of  that  county,  and  was  the 
founder  of  Lewistown. 


258  HISTORY  OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

There  was  no  jail  in  the  county  at  this  time,  and  at  the  October 
term,  1821,  "Nathan  Shaw  was  given  $22.50  for  guarding  Indian 
prisoners."  These,  we  presume,  were  the  two  Indians  referred  to 
above,  and  who  were  on  trial  for  murder.  The  same  amount,  and 
for  the  same  purpose,  was  given  to  Christopher  Long. 

Jan.  10,  1822,  "  Abner  Eads,  of  Peoria,  made  application  for 
license  to  keep  a  tavern  in  the  house  where  he  now  resides,|which 
is  granted  on  him  paying  $1.50." 

Jan.  12,  1822,  the  Sheriff  was  paid  $50  for  his  salary  for*the 
year.  Mr.  Whitney  was  given  $30  for  his  services  as  Circuit 
Clerk,  and  $30  as  Clerk  of  the  Commissioners'  Court,  and  $60  for 
his  salary  as  Judge  of  Probate.  j|§^ 

Jan.  12,  1822,  John  Shaw  was  paid  $8  for  locating  the  county- 
seat,  and  Levi  Roberts  $4  for  like  services. 

Abraham  Beck,  Judge  of  Probate,  died,  and  Jan.  12,  1822,  the 
administrator  of  his  estate  was  paid  $16.60  as  salary  while  he  was 
Judge. 

FIEST   INQUEST. 

The  official  papers  of  the  inquest  held  over  the  body  of  James 
McDonald  were  ordered  filed.  McDonald  ran  a  ferry  across  the 
Mississippi  river  at  Louisiana.  It  is  supposed  he  was  murdered  at 
his  landing  during  the  winter.  He  was  found  lying  dead  upon^the 
ice  one  day  by  two  men  on  their  way  to  Louisiana.  They  went  to 
his  ferry,  but  found  him  dead,  and  evidences  of  a  long  and  severe 
scuffle  all  around  him,  as  if  he  had  been  struggling  for  life  in  a 
hand-to-hand  combat.  The  tracks  of  two  men  led  from  this  place 
across  to  Louisiana,  and  it  was  generally  supposed  they  were  the 
men  who  killed  McDonald,  although  nothing  in  a  legal  way  was 
ever  done  with  them. 

TEEASUEBe's   FIEST   EEPOET. 

The  first  report  made  by  a  County  Treasurer  of  Pike  county  was 
made  March  5,  1822.     We  give  it  in  full: 

Oasli  received  into  the  Treasuiy $765 

Cash  paid  out  under  order  of  Court $701,383^ 

Treasurer's  compensation 38.25 

$739.53J^ 

Balance  in -Treasury $35.47 

EOSS'    TAVEEN. 

Ossian  M.  Eoss  was  then  granted  a  license  to  keep  a  tavern  at 
his  house.  He  lived  where  the  city  of  Lewistown  now  is.  The  same 
schedule  which  regulated  other  "  Public  Inns"  or  "  Tavern-Keep-' 
ers  "  were  adopted  to  regulate  him. 

David  W.  Barnes,  O.  M.  Eoss  and  Daniel  Sweetland  were  ap- 
pointed trustees  of  the  school  section,  tp.  6  north,  R.  3  east,  which 


HI8T0ET    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  259 

is  Jjewistown  tp.,  Fulton  Oo.     These  gentlemen  lived  in  Lewis- 
town,  and  were  its  first  settlers. 

ELECTION  PKECINCTS. 

June  5,  1822,  the  county  was  diyided  into  three  election  precincts. 
All  that  part  of  the  county  lying  north  of  the  township  lines,  between 
towns  i  and  5  south  and  west  of  the  Illinois  bluffs,  and  all  north  of 
the  base  line,  was  the  first  precinct.  Election  was  ordered  in  this 
precinct  at  the  house  of  O.  M.  Eoss,  and  that  gentleman  was  ap- 
pointed judge  of  election.  All  that  part  of  the  county  lying  north 
of  township  lines  between  towns  9  and  10  south,  and  west  of  Illi- 
nois bluffs  and  north  of  the  base  line,  was  made  another  precinct, 
and  the  "  polls  ordered  opened  at  the  house  of  Rufus  Brown  and 
Daniel  "Whipple,  Leonard  Eoss  and  Wm.  Eoss,  judges,"  "  The  re- 
mainder of  the  county  was  made  another  precinct,  and  election  held 
at  county-seat,  and  John  Shaw,  Stephen  Dewey  and  Amos  Ban- 
croft, judges." 

datenpoet's  taveen. 

June  6,  1822,  it  was  ordered  that  a  license  to  keep  a  tavern  at  or 
near  Fort  Armstrong,  be  granted  to  George  Davenport  for  $3.00. 
This  place  was  on  the  lower  end  of  Eock  Island.  Mr.  Davenport 
was  the  man  who  kept  the  trading  post  at  Fort  Armstrong,  and  in 
honor  of  him  Davenport,  Iowa,  was  named.  The  generous  Com- 
missioners permitted  Davenport  to  charge  higher  rates  for  "  enter- 
tainment "  than  they  did  those  nearer  to  the  borders  of  civilization. 

NEW  COMMISSIONEES. 

An  election  was  held  in  August,  1822,  for  selecting  three  new 
Commissioners.  Those  chosen  were  David  Dutton,  James  M.  Seeley 
and  Ossian  M.  Eoss.  Much  trouble  appears  to  have  grown  out  of 
this  election,  as  we  find  the  election  of  the  three  honorable  gentle- 
men was  contested,  and  evidently  very  strongly,  too.  The  con- 
testants were  Ebenezer  Smith,  James  Nixon  and  William  Metz. 
The  case  was  appealed  to  the  Circuit  Court,  Judge  John  Eeynolds 
presiding.  He  decided  in  favor  of  .the  contestants.  We  cannot 
tell  upon  what  gronnds_they  contested  the  rights  of  Dutton,  Seeley 
and  Eoss  to  take  their  seats  as  Commissioners,  but  from  what  we 
can  glean  from  the  indefinite  records  they  did  not  comply  with 
the'  law  in  taking  the  oath  of  office,  as  the  contestants  claimed. 
These  were  merely  technical  grounds,  but  the  law  must  be  com- 
plied with  to  the  letter.  Smith,  Nixon  and  Metz  held  a  term  of 
Court  Sept.  3  and  4,  1822,  but  transacted  no  business  of  import- 
ance. The  other  gentlemen  called  Court  for  Oct.  10,  but  no  quorum 
was  present.  Another  session  was  held  Oct.  24,  Commissioners 
Dutton  and  Seeley  being  present.  We  find  recorded  upon  the  fol- 
lowing day  "  a  certificate  of  the  Hon .  John  Eeynolds  setting  forth 


260  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

the  result  of  the  contested  election."     This  decision  was  the  result 
of  a  second  hearing  of  the  case  by  the  Judge,  and  is  as  follows: 

"State  of  Illinois,  ss: — Upon  a  second  and  full  examination  of 
the  documents  transmitted  to  me  in  relation  to  the  contested  elec- 
tion of  the  Sheriff,  Coroner  and  County  Commissioners  for  the  county 
of  Pike;  and  being  satisfied  that  the  certificates  heretofore  given  by 
me  of  the  election  of  Rigdon  C.  Fen  ton  as  Sheriff,  Joel  Bacon  as  Core-  • 
ner  and  Ebenezer  Smith,  "William  Metz  and  James  Nixon  as  County 
Commissioners,  was-  given  without  sufficient  consideration,  I  do 
hereby  revoke  the  said  certificates,  and  do  now  certify  that  Leonard 
Eoss  was  duly  elected  Sheriff,  Daniel  Whipple,  Coroner,  and  James 
M.  Seeley,  David  Dutton  and  Ossian  M.  Ross  County  Commis- 
sioners for  Pike  county  in  said  State. 

"  Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  this  4th  day  of  September,  1822. 

"  John  Eeynolds, 
"  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  said  State,  and  presiding  in  the 
first  Judicial  Circuit." 

Thus,  after  a  long  and  hotly  contested  trial,  the  Judge  reversed 
his  former  decision  and  reinstated  Seeley,  Dutton  and  Ross,  as 
well  as  the  Sheriff  and  Coroner,  whom  he  had  decided  were  not 
legally  and  rightfully  entitled  to  hold  the  positions  to  which  they 
claimed  they  had  been  elected. 


We  find  the  following  quaint  item  on  record,  which  is  in  refer- 
ence to  renting  an  office  for  the  County  and  Circuit  clerks  .  "John 
Shaw,  having,  proposed  to  lease  the  county  the  building  in  Coles' 
Grove,  adjoining  the  one  now  occupied  by  Rigdon  C .  Fenton,  for 
the  term  of  one  year,  to  be  occupied  as  a  Clerk's  office,  for  the  sum 
of  6J  cents,  and  to  be  repaired  by  the  county,  under  the  direction 
of  said  Shaw,  and  to  suit  his  convenience." 

COUNTY^SEAT  MOVED  TO  ATLAS. 

Evidently  a  little  rivalry  had  sprung  up  between  the  settlements 
at  Atlas  and  Coles'  Grove,  the  latter  of  which  had  been  the  county- 
seat  up  to  this  time  (1823).  Atlas  was  the  most  important  town 
in  the  county,  and  it  became  ambitious  to  have  the  county  build- 
ings located  there,  which  it  finally  secured.  Pursuant  to  an  act  of 
the  Legislature,  approved  Dec.  30,  1822,  "to  fix  upon  and  locate  the 
permanent  seat  of  justice  for  Pike  county,"  the  commission  ap- 
pointed made  their  report  at  the  March  term  of  the  Commissioners' 
Court,  1823,  and  presented  a  deed  from  William  Ross  and  Rufus 
Brown  for  one  acre  of  land,  which  was  given  as  an  inducement  for 
the  county  to  locate  its  seat  of  justice  there.  The  report  reads  as 
follows  : 

"  The  Commissioners  appointed  to  fix  upon  and  locate  the  per- 
manent seat  of  justice  of  Pike  county  have  attended  to  the  services 
assigned  them,  and  do  report  that  they  have  fixed  the  permanent 


r 


'^!rt«.    " 


GRieCSVILLE 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNtY.  263 

seat  of  justice  of  said  county  upqn  section  27,  town  6  south,  range 
5  west,  and  have  taken  a  deed  of  the  proprietor  of  one  acre  of  land 
on  which  to  erect  the  public  buildings,  which  is  particularly  de- 
scribed in  said  deed,  and  that  they  have  named  the  seat  of  justice 
Atlas. 

"  John  M.  Smith, 
"  Daniel"  Mooee, 
>  "  Daniel  Shinn.  " 

NEW  commissioner. 

An  election  was  held  March  18,  1823,  to  select  a  County  Com- 
■  raissioner  to  fill  vacancy  occasioned  by  0.  M.  Ross,  resigning.    The 
county  of  Fulton,  where  Mr.  Eoss  lived,  having  just  been  formed, 
and  he  chosen  Sheriff,-  Amos   Bancroft  was  elected  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy. 

DIFFICULTY  IN  SELECTING  COUNTY-SEAT. 

It  appears  that  some  dissatisfaction  arose  from  the  selection 
made  by  the  Commissioners  for  a  county-seat.  "We  presume  that 
the  feeling  was  then  as  now  in  this  and  all  other  counties.  More 
than  one  place,  settlement  or  town,  think  it  is  the  most  suitable 
and  proper  place  for  the  county-seat.  In  relation  to  the  difiiculty 
at  this  time  we  find  the  following  statement  on  record  :  "Nicholas 
Hanson  and  Leonard  Ross  presented  a  report  of  certain  persons 
appointed  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  as  Commissioners  to  locate 
the  permanent  seat  of  justice  for  Pike  county,  and  moved  to  have 
said  report  filed  and  recorded,  which  said  motion  for  the  reasons 
following  :  1st,  The  authority  given  by  the  act  aforesaid  was  a 
special  joint  authority  and  should  have  been  strictly  pursued  ;  2d, 
It  happens  that  but  three  out  of  five  Commissioners  acted  in  the 
location  of  the  countj'^-seat,  when  the  law  gave  no  power  to  a  ma- 
jority to  act  ;  3d,  That  said  Commissioners  did  not  return  and 
present  their  report  at  or  before  the  time  prescribed  by  law  for  the 
return  of  said  report  ;  4th,  That  the  legal  and  qualified  County 
Commissioners  were  in  session  at  the  time  prescribed  by  law  for 
the  return  of  said  report.  And  for  the  reasons  aforesaid  this  Court 
does  adjudge  and  decide  that  the  proceedings  of  said  Commission- 
ers to  locate  the  permanent  county-seat  of  Pike  county  are  void, 
and  that  the  temporary  seat  of  justice  of  said  county  still  remains 
at  Coles'  Grove." 

This  decision  was  finally  reversed,  as  seen  from  the  following  or- 
der made  at  the  June  term  of  the  Court  in  1824:  "  The  doings  of 
this  Court  at  a  special  term  held  on  26,  27  and  28  of  January  last, 
and  also  doings  of  this  Court  at  last  March  term  be,  and  the  same 
are  hereby,  confirmed  and  established,  except  a  contract  entered 
into  with  John  Shaw  for  the  purpose  of  leasing  a  house,  the  rent  of 
which  was  6J  cents,  in  Coles'  Grove,  which  contract  is  by  mutual 
consent  released  and  dissolved;  and  also  an  order  of  adjudication 
respecting  the  county-seat,  which  order  is  revoked  and  rescinded." 

17 


264  HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

Thus,  according  to  the  selection  made  by  the  commission  ap- 
pointed for  that  purpose,  the  county-seat  was  moved  from  Coles' 
Grove,  now  in  Calhoun  county,  to  Atlas. 

COUNTY    DIVIDED    INTO    TOWNSHIPS. 

Upon  the  28th  of  January,  1824,  the  county  of  Pike  was  divided 
into  three  townships  by  the  Court,  as  follows:  That  part  commenc- 
ing at  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  thence  up  the  said  river  to 
the  north  line  of  the  first  tier  of  sections  above  the  north  line  of 
town  8  south,  thence  running  on  said  line  west  to  the  Mississippi 
river,  thence  down  said  river  to  place  of  beginning,  constituted 
Coles'  Grove  township.  That  part  embraced  within  the  boundary 
beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  section  36  of  township  7  south, 
on  range  line  between  ranges  4  and  5  west,  thence  along  said 
range  line  north  to  the  north  line  of  the  county,  thence  west  to  the 
Mississippi  river,  thence  down  said  river  to  a  point  directly  west  of 
the  place  of  beginning,  thence  to  the  place  of  beginning,  which 
composed  Atlas  township.  That  part  of  the  county  within  the  fol- 
lowing limits  was  known  as  Franklin  township:  Commencing  on 
the  Illinois  river  one  mile  north  of  the  north  line  of  township  8 
south,  thence  up  the  said  river  to  the  base  line,  thence  along  said 
line  to  the  range  line  between  ranges  4  and  5  west,  thence  south 
running  on  the  said  range  line  ,to  the  northwest  corner  of  sec- 
tion 31,  of  town  7  south,  and  range  4  west,  thence  along  the 
north  line  of  said  section  31,  and  said  first  tier  of  sections  north  of 
town  8  south,  to  the  place  of  beginning,  together  with  all  of  the 
attached  part  of  Pike  county  lying  north  of  the  aforesaid  bounda- 
ries. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  these  were  exceedingly  large  townsliips. 
They  embraced  several  counties,  and  extended  over  one  of  the  fair- 
est portions  of  this  great  State.  These  divisions  were  made  for  the 
convenience  of  the  settlers  in  voting,  making  roads,  etc.,  yet  from 
the  extended  size  of  each  township  we  can  see  that  many  of  the 
early  voters  had  to  travel  many  miles  to  cast  his  ballot. 

FEAELESS    COMMISSIONERS. 

During  the  year  the  Commissioners  pursued  the  even  tenor  of 
their  way,  granting  petitions  for  roads,  ferries,  tavern  licenses  and 
election  precincts;  appointing  and  removing  officers  with  an  in- 
flexibility of  purpose  that  is  really  amusing."  When  they  investi- 
gated a  matter  there  were  no  palliating  circumstances  to  screen  the 
delinquent,  but  the  judicial  guillotine  cut  oif  official  heads  with  a 
refreshing  impartiality.  JSTegligent  officers  feared  the  power  of  the 
"  triple  C  "  more  than  Damocles  feared  the  hair-suspended  sword. 
They  simply  and  plainly  said  "  Go,"  and  the  official  hesitated  not 
but  went  at  once,  and  that  was  the  end  of  it. 

In  reference  to  this  subject  we  find  the  following  quaint  docn- 
ment  on  record  under  date  of  July  29,  1824: 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  265 

"It  appearing  to  this  Court  thattlie  Clerk  for  some  ^me  past  has 
not  resided  at  the  county-seat,  nor  kept  the  records  and  papers  be- 
longing to  the  county  at  this  place;  and  the  Court  having  consid- 
ered the  fa&ts  and  the  law  arising  upon  the  case,  does  adjudge  and 
determine  that  the  said  office  of  Clerk  is  now  vacant,  and  that  for 
the  aforesaid  cause  James  W.  Whitne}',  the  Clerk,  be  and  is  hereby 
removed  from  office." 

We  suppose  th'a?  Whitney  remained  at  Coles'  Grove  after  the 
county-seat  had  been  removed  to  Atlas,  and. the  inconveniences  of 
having  the  county  offices  and  officials  scattered  over  the  country  in 
that  wise  would  not  be  endured  longer  by  the  strict,  law-abiding 
Court. 

The  Court  assembled  upon  the  following  day,  and  not  yet  having 
selected  a  clerk,  appointed  Mr.  Whitney  Clerk  pro  tem.  It  appears 
that  the  Commissioners  had  nothing  personally  against  Mr.  Whit- 
ney, for  the  very  next  act  of  the  Court  was  to  recommend  him  to  the 
Governor  as  a  fit  and  proper  person  to  be  appointed  County  Sur- 
veyor, to  fill  the  vacancy  having  occurred  bv  the  removal  of  Stephen 
Dewey  out  of  the  county.  This  man  Dewey,  the  first  Surveyor  of 
Pike  county,  laid  out  the  town  of  Lewistown,  Fulton  county,  where 
he  shortly  afterward  removed  and  served  for  many  years  as  Circuit 
and  County  Clerk,  and  did  efficient  work  in  the  organization  and 
establishment  of  that  county. 

It  appears  that  the  Court  could  find  no  suitable  person  to  take 
charge  of  the  Clerk's  office,  for  upon  July  30,  two  days  after  Mr. 
Whitney  was  so  summarily  removed  from  office,  he  was  re-instated. 
Perhaps  a  compromise  was  made  between  the  Court  and  Mr.  Whit- 
ney. It  is  more  than  likely  that  he  was  compelled  to  move  to  the 
coiinty-seat  in  order  to  receive  again  the  patronage  of  the  Court. 
He  served  until  April  27,  1825,  when  he  resigned  and  George  W. 
Britton  was  appointed  in  his  stead.  Whitney  was  indicted  for  mal- 
feasance in  office,  and  the  suit  was  withdrawn  on  condition  he 
would  resign. 

NEW  JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE. 

At  the  September  terra,  1824,  in  compliance  with  a  petition  from 
the  citizens  on  and  near  Fever  river  (now  Galena)  and  the  lead 
mines,  John  Connelly,  Moses  Meeker  and  John  S.  Miller  were 
recommended  as  proper  persons  for  the  Governor  to  commission  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace  of  Pike  county.  These  men  were  the  very  earli- 
est settlers  in  northern  Illinois,  and  of  whom  we  speak  more  fully 
in  a  former  chapter.  April  27  of  the  following  year  Chas.  D.  St. 
Traine  was  recommended  for  the  same  office. 

COUET-HOUSE. 

The  little  temporary  log  court-house  first  built  in  Atlas  soon  be- 
came too  small  to  accommodate  the  Court  and  county  officers,  so  the 


266  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

building  of  a  new  court-house  was  discussed  and  determined  upon 
by  the  honorable  Court,  as  is  evinced  by  the  following  order  : 

"  Notice  is  hereby  given  that  on  the  25th  day  of  June  instant,  at  the  court-house 
in  Atlas,  Pike  county,  Illinois,  at  2  o'clock,  p.  m.,  will  be  let  to  the  lowest  bidder 
the  building  of  a  court-house  so  far  as  is  hereinafter  expressed :  To  be  40x30  feet 
on  the  floor  and  20  feet  high,  two  stories ;  to  be  built  of  brick,  the  two  side  walls 
below  to  be  one  and  a  half  brick  thick,  the  other  walls  to  be  one  brick  thick. 
The  outside  to  be  finished  complete  with  doors  and  windows ;  the  lower  floor  to 
be  laid  with  brick  or  tile,  flre-places  and  partitions,  except  the  partition  of  the 
grand  jury  room,  to  be  done  with  a  plain  wooden  cornice.  The  Commissioners 
reserve  one  bid  for  the  county.  Plans  to  be  shown  and  further  particulars  made 
known  at  time  and  place  of  sale. 

"  N.  B.— County  orders  to  be  given  to  undertakers  on  interest  until  paid.  It  is 
proposed  to  give  the  job  of  procuring  the  stone  and  mortar  for  building  separate 
from  the  other  part  or  parts,  all  of  which  is  to  be  completed  by  the  first  day  of 
January,  A.  D.  1837.    Suflicient  securities  will  be  required." 

The  contract  for  furnishing  stone  and  mortar  was  struck  off  to 
Daniel  Shinn  and  Joseph  Petty  for  $200.  The  main  contract  was 
given  to  Leonard  and  William  Ross  at  $1,260. 

It  appears,  however,  that  the  building  of  this  fine  structure  was 
never  carried  to  completion.  The  building  rose  in  its  magnificent 
proportions  only  in  the  visions  of  the  honorable  Commissioners.  It 
was  evidently  too  fine  and  expensive  for  the  times.  They  rented 
an  office  for  the  County  and  Circuit  Clerks,  which  in  the  winter  of 
1830-'31  burned  down. 

Nothing  further  was  done,  according  to  the  records,  toward  tlie 
building  of  a  new  court-house  until  April  7,  1829,  when  the  sub- 
ject was  again  before  the  Court  for  its  consideration.  The  Court 
then  ordered  the  contract  for  the  erection  of  a  building  of  the  fol-  » 
lowing  dimensions  and  description  to  be  let:  "  Said  house  to  be  30 
feet  long  by  18  feet  wide,  to  be  two  stories  high, — the  lower  one 
nine  feet  and  the  upper  one  eight  feet  high.  To  be  covered  and 
enclosed  in  a  good,  workmanlike  manner.  To  leave  and  case  two 
outside  doors  in  the  lower  story,  and  also  six  windows  in  the  same, 
and  six  windows  in  the  upper  story.  To  put  in  joists  and  sleepers 
for  the  upper  and  lower  floors,  putting  them  down  loose  so  as  to 
serve  as  floors.  To  be  underpinned  with  six  pillars,  to  be  substan- 
tially made  of  stone,  placing  one  at  each  corner  of  the  house  and 
one  under  each  side  in  the  middle;  all  to  be  done  in  a  good,  work- 
manlike manner.  The  undertaker  to  give  bond  with  good  and 
sufficient  security  in  double  the  sum  at  which  the  same  shall  he 
stricken  ofl^  for  prompt  and  faithful  performance  of  his  contract. 
The  contractor  shall  receive  his  pay  out  of  the  first  moneys  which 
shall  come  into  the  treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated." 

The  records  continue  as  follows:  "The  court  next  proceeded  to 
sell  the  building  .of  said  court-house  to  the  lowest  bidder,  and  after 
sufficient  notice  was  given  thereof,  and  the  same  for  a  long  time 
exposed,  it  was  stricken  off  to  James  Hice  for  the  sum  of  $493, 
that  being  the  lowest  sum  bid  therefor." 

James  E.ice  failed  to  furnish  the  required  security  for  the  faithful 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  267 

performance  of  his  contract,  and  accordingly  June  1,  1829,  the 
Sheriif  was  ordered  to  again  "put  up  at  public  .auction  and  sell  the 
building  of  the  same  to  the  lowest  bidder,  with  the  addition  to  the 
former  plan  of  six  feet  in  length  and  six  feet  in  breadth."  They 
further  altered  the  plans  upon  the  6th  of  June,  upon  which  day 
they  met  for  the  purpose  of  letting  the  contract  for  building  it. 
They  made  the  following  alterations:  "There  shall  be  ten  stone 
pillars,  18  inches  above  the  surface  of  the  ground,  six  windows  in 
the  lower  story  with  16  lights  in  each  window,  8  by  10,  and  8  win- 
dows in  upper  story  with  12  lights  in  each  window,  8  by  10." 

The  contract  was  "  struck  off"  to  Elisha  Petty  for  $600.  Wil- 
liam Eoss  went  upon  his  bond  for  $1,200.  Mr.  Petty  was  subse- 
quently allowed  $42.28  for  extra  work. 

The  courthouse  was  accepted  by  the  Court  Sept.  7,  1829. 

COUNTY-SEAT    EE-LOOATED. 

It  appears  that  the  location  of  the  county-seat  at  Atlas  was  not  en- 
tirely satisfactory  to  every  person,  as  we  find  an  election  was  held  in 
March,  1827,  to  select  commissioners  to  re-locate  the  county-seat. 
David  Button,  Joel  Meacham  and  William  Meredith  were  chosen 
for  this  work.  That  any  definite  move  was  made  by  these  gentlemen 
toward  selecting  another  site  for  the  county-seat  we  are  not  aware; 
the  records  are  silent  as  to  anything  done  by  these  gentlemen.  By 
the  year  1832  the  subject  of  changing  the  county-seat  from  Atlas, 
however,  was  freely  discussed.  It  was  desired  to  liave  it  more  cen- 
trally located.  The  Legislature  of  1832-'3  appointed  a  commis- 
sion to  re-locate  the  county-seat.  These  gentlemea  made  their 
report  in  April  13,  1833,  which  is  as  follows: 

"We,  the  undersigned,  having  been  appointed  commissioners  to  change  and  re- 
locate the  seat  of  justice  of  the  county  of  Pike  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  by  an  act  approved  Feb.  33,  1833,  beg  leave  to  report  to  your  honorable 
body  now  in  session,  that  after  being  duly  sworn  in  conformity  with  said  act,  did , 
on  the  9th  day  of  April,  1833,  enter  upon  the  duties  assigned  us  by  said  act,  by  ex- 
amination of  said  county  of  Pike,  haviug  a  due  regard  to  the  piesent  as  well  as 
the  future  settlement  and  prospective  growth  of  said  county,  have  selected  and  lo- 
cated the  southeast  quarter  of  section  34,  in  township  5  south,  and  range  4  west  of 
the  fourth  principal  meridian,  as  the  county -seat  of  the  county  of  Pike,  said  coun- 
ty-seat to  be  known  and  designated  by  the  name  of  Pittsfleld. 
"April  17,  1833. 

"SAMUEL  ALEXANDER, 
"EARLPEIROB, 
"JOHN  W.STERNE." 

Each  of  these  gentlemen  was  paid  $36  for  his  services. 

The  town  was  platted  and  a  sale  of  lots  held  April  16, 1833.  The 
records  proceed  as  follows:  "The  amount  of  notes  and  cash,  after 
paying  Wm.  Ross,  Esq.,  $200  borrowed  of  him  to  enter  the  quar- 
ter section  on  which  the  town  of  Pittsfield  is  located;  the  expenses 
to  Alexander  Peirce  and  Sterne  $108,  for  locating  said  seat  of  jus- 
tice; also,  for  advertising  sale  of  lots,  paying  for  the  survey  of  the 
same,  making  plat  and  all  the  expenses  of  the  Com"missioners' 


268  HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Court,  which  have  accrued  in  and  about  the  location,  sale  of  lots, 
laying  off  the  town,  etc.,  leaves  the  amount  of  $901.88,  wh^ch  sum 
is  delivered  over  to  the  Treasurer  as  a  special  fund  for  the  purpose 
of  erecting  public  buildings."  Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  county 
purchased  the  land  upon  which  the  business  and  much  of  the  resi- 
dence portion  of  the  town  of  Fittsfield  now  stands  for  Jhe  sum  of 
$200.  The  new  town  having  been  surveyed,  large  hard-wood  stakes 
were  driven,  designating  the  corner  of  each  lot,  and  being  also  the 
only  guide  to  the  location  of  streets. 

April  15  was  the  day  appointed  for  the  first  sale  of  lots  at  public 
auction.  The  settlers  assembled  from  all  parts  of  the  county  upon 
the  site  of  the  proposed  village,  each  anxious  .to  become  the  owner 
of  a  town  lot.  This  and  subsequent  sales  were  held,  and  lots  seem 
to  have  met  with  a  ready  sale  at  fair  prices,  which  is  the  best  evi- 
dence that  the  pioneers  were  not  only  enthusiastic  in  sentiment  in 
relation  to  the  bright  prospects  and  future  greatness  of  the  town 
they  were  building,  but  were  also  willing  to  lend  all  the-  material 
aid  in  their  power  to  the  consummation  of  the  desired  end. 

Another  sale  of  lots  was  held  Oct.  28,  1833,  from  which  the 
county  realized  $1,150.74  cash,  and  notes  to  the  amount  of  $876.^3. 
Another  sale  was  held  June  4,  1834,  when  38  lots  were  sold,  real- 
izing $1,060  cash,  after  dediicting  $67  as  expenses,  and  $704  worth 
of  notes.  Another  sale  was  had  Monday,  May  2,  1836,  when  102 
lots  were  sold  for  $9,354.50.  Another,  Oct.  6,  1837,  when  28  lots 
brought  $4,110. 

THE  OLEEK  RESIGNS. 

The  following  document  appears  upon  pages  121- and  122  of  2d 
volume  of  County  Commissioners'  Court  records.  It  is  the  resig- 
nation of  William  Ross,  as  Clerk.  He  had  served  the  county  in 
that  capacity  faithfully  and  ably  for  a  decade,  and  now  as  he  is  about 
to  leave  he  writes  his  old  associates  the  following  resignation: 

Atlas,  Sept.  1, 1834 
To  the  Hon.  Benj.  Barney,  Oeo.  W.  Hinman  and  Andrew  Phillips,  County  Com- 
missioners for  the  County  of  Pike,  and  State  of  Illinois  : 

Gentlemen  : — The  period  will  soon  arrive  in  which  it  will  become  my  duty  to 
resign  to  you  the  office  I  hold  on  the  appointment  of  your  Court,  oq  account  of  my 
having  been  elected  a  member  of  the  next  General  Assembly  of  this  State.  To 
hold  both  ofiSces  is  incompatible  with  the  Constitution  of  our  State  and  contrary 
to  my  wishes.  I  will  therefore  for  the  purpose  of  giving  the  Court  time  to  select 
my  successor,  propose  to  make  this  my  resignation  of  the  office  of  Clerk  of  yom 
Court,  to  take  effect  on  the  25th  day  of  November,  1834. 

In  doing  this,  I  beg  of  you  to  do  me  the  justice  to  be  assured  that  in  presenting 
myself  as  a  candidate  at  the  late  election,  which  has  terminated  in  the  necessity  of 
my  withdrawing  my  services  from  you,  it  is  not  without  a  strict  regard  to  all 
the  consiierations  which  1  conceive  bind  a  dutiful  citizen  to  his  country.  I 
have  been  influenced  by  no  ambitious  motives  or  self-aggrandizement;  but  my 
sole  object  has  been  to  restore  and  sustain  the  dignity  of  our  country. 

Permit  me  here  to  remark  that  it  is  a  source  of  great  pleasure  to  me  that  during 
a  period  of  about  ten  years  which  1  have  had  the  honor  to  serve  this  CQunty  in  sev- 
eral important  offices,  I  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  discharge  those  duties  to  tue 
satisfaction  of  my  fellow-citizens  generally.  . 

Relying  upon  the  guidance  of  that  Being  which  controls  the  destinies  of  man,  i 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  269; 

liope  andjtrust  that  I  may  be  be  permitted  to  retain  tbat  continuation  of  confidence 
■which  has  been  so  recently  manifested  toward  me  until  my  latest  breath. 
With  sentiments  of  great  personal  consideration, 

I  remain,  yours  sincerely, 

W.  Ross,  C.  C.  C.  C.  P.  C. 

AD  QUOD  DAMNUM. 

This  was  a  process  to  secure  a  mill  site.  In  tliose  early  times 
the  milling  of  the  country  was  of  no  little  importance.  Mills  were 
of  such  great  public  necessity  that  they  were  permitted  to  be  located 
upon  any  person's  land,  if  the  miller  thought  the  site  desirable. 
Sites  along  the  streams  were  selected  for  water-power.  A  person 
looking  for  a  mill-site  would  follow  up  and  down  the  stream  for 
the  desired  location,  and  when  found  he  would  go  before  the  Com- 
missioners' Court  and  secure  a  writ  of  ad  quod  damnum.  This 
would  enable  the  miller  to  have  the  adjoining  land  officially  exam- 
ined and  the  amount  of  damage  for  making  the  dam  was  secured. 

The  old  records  contained  numerous  applications  for  these'writs. 
We  quote  one  only  as  a  specimen  of  others: 

"  On  application  of  Wm.  Ross,  and  previous  notice  having  been  given  of  his  in- 
tention, by  publication  on  the  door  of  the  court-house  for  four  weeks  preceding 
the  sitting  of  the  Court,  it  is  ordered  tliat  a  writ  of  ad  quod  damnum  issue,  directed 
to  the  Sherifl  of  the  county,  commanding  him  to  summon  twelve  good  and  law- 
ful men  of  his  county  to  meet  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  18,  in  township 
6  south,  and  range  5  west,  to  locate  and  set  apart  by  metes  and  bounds  so  much 
of  the  said  quarter  section,  not  exceeding  three  acres,  as  they  shall  think  neces- 

ary  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  dam  across  the  Sny  Carte  for  a  water  grist  and 

aw-mill." 

FIRST    COUET-HOUSE   AT    PITTSFIELD. 

The  county-seat  having  been  re-located,  a  town  laid  out,  lots 
sold,  business  houses  and  dwellings  being  erected,  it  became  the 
duty  of  tne  Court  to  have  a  court-house  built  in  the  new  town. 
Accordingly,  Tuesday,  June  4,  1833,  the  contract  for  building  a 
court-house  at  Pittsfield  was  let  to  Israel  !N.  Burtt,  he  agreeing  to 
■erect  the  structure  for  $1,095.  This  he  speedily  did,  and  the  old 
building  still  stands  upon  the  street  at  the  corner  of  the  alley, 
facing  and  just  north  of  the  Public  Square.  It  is  a  frame  build- 
ing, in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  and  is  occupied  by  Mr.  Heck 
as  a  bakery  and  grocery. 

PEESENT    COUET-HODSE. 

Two  years  had  scarcely  rolled  by  ere  the  building  of  a  new  court- 
house was  begun  to  be  agitated.  Some  of  the  more  aristocratic 
thought  the  county  should  have  a  finer  Court  edifice,  one  more  in 
keeping  with  the  wealth  and  progress  of  the  county.  It  is  true  the 
county  had  grown  rapidly  in  population  and  wealth.  Notice, 
therefore,  was  given  by  the  Court  that  plans  for  a  new  building 
would  be  received.  Upon  the  5th  day  of  February,  1836,  the  Court 
accepted  the  plans  that  were  presented  by  Benjamin  L.  Osborne, 
and  gave  him  a  premium  of  $20  for  the  plans. 


270  HISTOET   OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

The  county  not  owning  desirable  ground,  as  it  was  thought,  upon 
which  to  locate  the  contemplated  structure,  the  Court  appointed 
James  Johnson,  James  D.  Morrison  and  William  Watson  agents 
to  procure  by  purchase  or  exchange  a  suitable  piece  of  ground. 
This  committee  accordingly  procured  of  Daniel  B.  Bush  a  part  ot 
lot  6,  block  5,  being  the  whole  front  of  said  lot  upon  the  Public 
Square,  running  back  100  feet,  for  which  they  gave  Mr.  Bush  a 
part  of  lot  8,  block  5.  This  location  was  not  satisfactory  to  all  par- 
ties, and  quite  a  bitter  war  arose  as  to  where  the  court-house  should 
stand.  It  was  at  last  decided  that  it  should  be  located  upon  the 
center  of  the  Public  Square. 

At  the  September  term,  1836,  Wm.  Eoss,  Uriah  Brown  and 
James  Johnson  were  appointed  agents  upon  the  part  of  the  county 
to  contract  for  the  erection  of  a  court-house,  "said  building  to  bfr 
placed  in  the  center  of  the  Public  Square,  and  not  to  cost  over 
$15,000."  These  gentlemen  entered  into  contract  with  Benjamin 
T.  Osborne,  George  D.  Foot  and  Judson  Clement  for  the  erection 
of  the  court-house  for  the  sum  of  $15,000.  Daniel  D.  White, 
Henry  Caswell  and  Lyman  Beeman  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  superintend  its  erection. 

The  construction  of  the  court-house  was  pushed  rapidly  on,  and 
Dec.  8,  1838,  it  was  delivered  over  to  the  Sheriff,  though  in  an  un- 
finished condition.  It  was  used  for  court  purposes  in  this  way  for 
a  time  before  completion.  By  June,  1839,  it  was  completed,  and 
Foot,  Clement  and  Osborne  were  paid  the  balance  due  them  in 
county  orders,  upon  which  the  county  paid  12  per  cent,  interest. 

This  structure  still  stands  and  is  in  use  to-day.  It  is  located  in 
the  center  of  a  small  square,  which  is  set  with  many  large  and 
beautiful  trees.  The  main  upper  room  is  used  for  circuit  com-t 
purposes.  Besides  this  room  there  are  two  other  smaller  ones,  one 
of  which  is  occupied  by  the  State's  Attorney,  the  other  a  jury  room. 
Upon  the  main  floor  there  is  a  hall-way  running  through  the  build- 
ing from  north  to  south.  Upon  either  side  of  this  are  oflices  for  , 
the  county  officials.  Upon  the  west  side  are  the  County  Judges, 
Sheriff's  and  School  Superintendent's  offices,  and  upon  the  oppo- 
site side  are  the  offices  of  the  County  Treasurer  and  Surveyor. 

This  building  when  erected  was  among  the  finest  and  largest 
court-houses  in  the  West,  and  for  many  years  it  stood  foremost 
among  the  public  buildings  of  Illinois,  and  was  pointed  to  with 
pride,  not  only  by  the  citizens  of  Pike  county,  but  by  those  through- 
out Central  Illinois.  It  stood  as  a  monument  of  the  enterprise  of 
the  pioneers  of  this  sectiofi,  and  was  one  of  the  gi-andest  evidences 
of  the  prosperity  of  the  newly  settled  State.  It  stands  to-day  as 
solid  as  when  first  built.  Every  stone  and  brick  is  in  its  placej 
and  every  timber  has  stood  the  storms  of  nearly  half  a  century  un- 
shaken. Around  this  old  building  cluster  pleasant  recollections  of 
the  long-ago.  Within  its  storm-beaten  walls  have  been  heard  pleas 
as  rich  in  eloq'ience  as  were  ever  presented  to  judge  or  jurj. 
Within  those  old  walls,  made  sacred  by  time  and  the  memories  of 


HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  271 

some  of  the  grandest  cliaracters  and  most  gifted  men  known  in  the 
history  of  Illinois,  many  a  scene  full  of  historic  interest  has  oc- 
curred, which,  could  we  accurately  picture,  would  be  read  more  as  a 
romance  than  prosaic  history.  What  numbers  of  trembling  and 
downcast  prisoners  have  stood  before  the  learned  tribunal  within 
the  old  upper  room,  to  plead  "Guilty,"  or  "Not  Guilty!  "  Then 
the  long,  hotly-contested  trial  came;  witnesses  examined  and  cross- 
examined;  the  wrangle  and  wordy  wars  between  the  lawyers;  the^ 
appeal  to  the  jury  and  addresses,  which  for  logic,  eloquence,  touch- 
ing, sympathetic  eloquence,  have  not  been  excelled  in  all  the  broad 
land.  How  many  times  have  the  twelve  jurors,  sworn  to  be  im- 
partial, filed  into  their  little  secret  room,  to  consult  and  decide  the 
iate  of  the  prisoner  at  the  bar!  Then  how  often  have  the  joyous 
words  come  forth,  "Not  Guilty!"  J3ut,  again,  how  very  many 
have  stood  before  the  Judge  to  hear  in  measured  tones  their  sen- 
tence! Sometimes  it  was  thought  Justice  was  outraged;  that  the 
Judge,  jury  and  Prosecuting  Attorney  had  prostituted  their  high 
positions,  violated  their  sworn  duty,  and  made  easy  the  escape  for 
culprits;  yet,  taking  it  all  in  all,  the  goddess  of  justice  has  shed  no 
more  tears  over  insults  to  her  holy  and  righteous  charge  here  than 
she  has  at  any  other  judgment-bar  in  the  State.  Law  and  justice 
have  almost  always  been  vindicated,  and  the  offender  punished. 

Could  these' old  walls  speak  and  tell  us  of  the  eloquent  and  effect- 
ive pleadings  of  Lincoln,  Baker,  Eichardson,  McDougal,  Browning, 
Bushnell,  Manning,  Walker  and  others,  or  of  the  learned  decisions 
of  Douglas,  Young,  Thomas  and  Walker,  that  they  have  listened  to, 
how  eagerly  we  would  seek  them !  We  do  not  forget  that  at  the  pres- 
ent time  justice  is  as  swiftly  vindicated  as  ever  before;  that  tlie  Pike 
county  Bar  is  at  its  maximum  in  point  of  legal  ability'.  It  takes 
the  mazes  of  time  to  add  the  luster  of  fame  to  the  labors  and  char- 
acter of  most  men.  That  which  is  of  the  past,  or  of  the  future,  we 
are  wont  to  believe  possesses  more  merit  than  that  which  we  have 
with  US.     Thus  it  is  with  the  legal  lights  of  to-day.  • 

Just  west  of  the  court-house  and  within  the  Court  Square  stands 
the  "fire- proof."  This  building  contains  the  offices  of  the  Circuit 
and  County  Clerks,  and  was  erected  in  1864.  It  was  first  ordered 
built  upon  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Square,  but  that  order  was 
rescinded  and  it  was  decided  to  erect  it  "  near  the  west  gate  of  the 
Public  Square,  upon  the  south  side  of  the  walk,  the  south  side 
ranging  with  the  south  side  of  the  court-house,  the  west  end  24 
feet  from  the  fence  of  the  Public  Square. " 

FENCE   AEOTJND    THE    SQUARE. 

Speaking  of  the  fence  around  the  Public  Square  calls  to  mind 
an  order  of  the  Court  of  June,  1845,  giving  the  "President  and 
Trustees  of  Pittsfield  permission  to  fence  the  Public  Square  and 
plant  within  the  enclosure  ornamental  or  shade  trees.  Heretofore, 
we  presume,  there  was  neither  fence  nor  shrubbery  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  court-house,  save  the  hazel-brush  that  stood  in  its  native 


■272  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

growth  within  the  Square.     Here,  we  are  told  that  Wm.  E.  Peters 
■often  fed  his  cattle. 

We  find  in  the  records  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  that  in  April, 
1854,  that  body  appropriated  $200,  on  condition  that  the  town  of 
Pittsfield  should  appropriate  a  like  amount,  to  build  a  fence  around 
the  Public  Square,  "ten  feet  inside  of  present  fence,  and  put  hitch- 
ing posts  where  the  fence  stood." 

FIKST   JAIL   AT    PITTSFIELD. 

Necessarily,  as  faithful  historians,  we  are  compelled  to  mar  the 
pleasant  progress  of  this  chapter  by  reference  to  prison  bars.  It 
seems  as  the  county  advanced  in  wealth  and  population  the  evil 
principle  kept  pace  with  it;  and  as  immaculate  and  good  as  the 
pioneer  fathers  undoubtedly  were,  even  among  them  there  were 
wicked  and  vicious  characters.  The  old  log  jail  at  Atlas  never  was 
a  very  strong  or  secure  one,  and  prisoners  were  continually  escap- 
ing. When  the  county-seat  was  moved  to  Pittsfield,  it  was  deter- 
mined to  build  a  good,  substantial  jail.  Accordingly  the  contract 
for  building  a  jail  was  let  to  M.  E.  Hattan,  March  5,  1835,  for  a 
prison  to  cost  $3,889.  The  building  was  to  be  28x36  in  size,  two 
stories  high,  and  to  be  made  of  stone.  It  appears  that  considerable 
time  was  employed  in  its  erection,  for  we  find  it  was  not  received 
by  the  county  until  June,  1839,  when  Mr.  Eattan  was  allowed  $300 
for  the  extra  work  performed. 

A    NEW    EEGIME    IN    CHOOSING    COMMISSIONERS. 

Heretofore  the  terms  of  ofSce  of  all  three  of  the  Commissioners 
had  expired  at  the  same  time,  being  elected  for  two  years;  but  in 
1838  a  new  rule  was  adopted,  in  compliance  with  an  act  of  the  Leg- 
islature. Now  they  were  to  be  elected  for  three  years  and  one  re- 
tire every  year,  thus  leaving  two  experienced  men  in  office.  Por 
the  first  terms,  however,  one  of  them  should  serve  only  one  year, 
Mother  two,  and  the  third  three  years.  On  convening  at  the  fall 
term  of  this  year  they  drew  lots  to  decide  the  term  each  should 
serve.  Three  pieces  of  paper,  upon  which  were  written  "  one  year," 
"two  years,"  i"  three  years,"  respectively,  were  thrown  together, 
and  each  Commissioner  drew  one.  John  W.  Burch  drew  "  one 
year,"  Alfred  Grubb,  "  two  years,"  and  John  Neeley  "  three 
years." 

POOR   FARM. 

At  the  December  term,  1843,  the  Court  provided  a  farm  for  the 
poor  of  the  county,  and  instead  of  "  letting  out"  or  "  selling"  the 
paupers  as  heretofore,  they  were  obliged  to  go  to  that  farm.  The 
first  pauper  of  whom  we  find  mention  on  the  records  was  Joseph 
Moore.  He  died  in  June,  1830.  Green  Street  was  the  next  one 
mentioned. 


HISTOEY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


273 


LAST    MEETINGS. 

The  Commissioners'  Court  continued  to  manag;e  the  affairs  of 
the  county  until  1849,  when  the  new  Constitution  of  the  State 
went  into  effect,  which  abolished  tbis  time-honored  Court.  Before 
adjourning  finally,  however,  it  ordered  a  vote  to  be  taken  for  or 
against  township  organization,  and  then  adjourned  till  "  court  in 
course,"  but  never  re-assembled. 


CHAPTER  Y. 
GEOLOGY* 

A  large  proportion  of  the  upland  of  Pike  county  was  originally 
heavily  timbered,  but  there  are  several  small  prairies  in  the  cen- 
tral and  northern  portions.  It  is  a  well-watered  county,  and  the 
valley  of  the  Mississippi  is  from  8  to  12  miles  wide,  most  of  it 
lying  on  the  Illinois  side.  More  than  one-fifth  of  the  area  of  the 
county  lies  in  this  valley.  The  general  level  of  the  uplands  may 
be  estimated  at  from  200  to  300  feet  above  the  great  water  courses, 
with  no  very  well-defined  water-shed.  The  soil  on  the  timbered 
lands  is  generally  a  chocolate-colored  clay  loam,  becoming  lighter 
in  color  on  the  banks  of  the  streams  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
river  bluffs. 

The  geological  structure  of  this  county  is  somewhat  peculiar, 
and  the  strata  exposed  within  its  limits, comprise  the  upper  part  of 
the  Niagara  limestone,  the  whole  series  of  Lower  Carboniferous 
limestones  except  the  Chester  group,  and  a  limited  thickness  of 
Coal  Measures,  with  the  usual  surface  deposits  of  Loess  and  Drift. 
Tlie  most  northerly  outcrop  of  Devonian  beds  is  in  Calhoun  county. 
The  Loess  and  Drift  measure  40  to  100  feet  in  thickness  in  Pike 
county,  the  Coal  Measures  20  to  60,  St.  Louis  limestone  one  to  30, 
Keokuk  group  100  to  125,  Burlington  limestone  150  to  200,  Kin- 
derhook  100  to  120,  and  the  Niagara  limestone  one  to  50. 

The  Niagara  limestone  is  found  only  in  the  southwest  part  of 
the  county,  where  its  main  outcrop  is  at  the  base  of  the  blufifs 
between  Kockport  and  the  south  line  of  the  county  and  for  a  short 
distance  up  Six-Mile  creek.  It  contains  a  few  fossils  at  the  out- 
crop near  Pleasant  Hill,  among  which  are  Trilobites  and  a  few 
shells.  At  Mr.  Wells'  place,  N.  W.  J  sec,,  17,  Pleasant  Hill  town- 
ship, the  bufi'-colored  magnesia  beds  of  this  group  are  exposed 
about  10  feet  in  thickness,  and  the  rock  has  been  quarried  for 
building-stone.  On  the  S.  E.  J  sec.  8  there  is  an  exposure  of  about 
22  feet  of  this  limestone,  the  lower  10  feet  being  a  gray,  even- 
bedded  limestone,  and  the  upper  12  feet  a  buff-colored  magnesian 

♦Abstracted  from  State  Geological  Report  by  Prof.  A.  fl.  Worthen. 


HISTOEY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  275 

rock,  closely  resembling  the  rock  from  the  Grafton  quarries.  It 
is  the  prevailing  rock  at  Pleasant  Hill,  where  it  forms  a  limestone 
bench  about  30  feet  high,  above  the  road,  at  the  base  of  the  bluffs. 
Two  miles  north  of  Pleasant  Hill^  on  a  branch  of  Six-Mile  creek, 
the  upper  part  of  this  limestone  is  exposed  in  the  bed  of  the  creek. 

KINDERHOOK   GEOUP. 

One  of  the  best  exposures  of  this  group  in  this  county  is  just 
above  Kinderhook :  whence  the  name.  It  is  at  the  point  of  the 
bluff,  and  comprises  2C  feet  of  Loess,  15  of  Burlington  limestone,  6 
of  thin-bedded,  fine-grained  limestone,  36  of  thin-bedded  sandstone 
and  sandy  shales,  and  40  feet  of  clay  and  sandy  shales,  partly 
hidden.  Fossil  shells  are  found  in  the  sandstone.  This  group  is 
also  well  exposed  at  Kockport  and  two  miles  below  Atlas,  and 
somewhat  exposed  at  the  base  of  the  Illinois  river  bluffs.  Almost 
everywhere  in  the  county  the  Burlington  limestone  overlies  the 
group,  which  determines  the  topographical  features  of  the  region 
also  underlaid  by  the  shales  and  gritstones  of  the  group. 

BURLINGTON   LIMESTONE. 

This  limestone  forms  the  bed  rock  over  fully  one-half  the  up- 
.  lands.  It  is  from  50  to  100  feet  in  thickness,  and  its  best  expo- 
sures are  among  the  river  bluffs.  It  is  a  rather  coarse-grained, 
gray  stone,  interspersed  with  brown  layers,  and  is  largely  com- 
posed of  the  fossilized  remains  of  crinoids  and  mollusks.  In  the 
Mississippi  bluff,  near  .the  north  line  of  the  county,  40  feet  or  more 
of  the  lower  portion  of  this  limestone  is  exposed,  forming  the  upper 
escarpment  of  the  bluff,  and  consisting  of  alternate  beds  of  gray  and 
brown  limestone,  usually  in  regular  and  tolerably  thick  beds.  It 
has  fossils,  and  has  been  extensively  quarried  on  Big  Blue  creek 
for  building  purposes.  On  the  eastern  side  of  the  county  the  most 
northerly  outcrop  of  this  limestone  is  near  Griggsville  Landing, 
where  the  cherty  beds  of  the  upper  division  of  this  rock  are  exposed 
at  the  base  of  the  bluff.  The  outcrop  here  is  about  50  feet  thick. 
It  appears  about  the  same  at  Montezuma,  and  is  seen  exposed  at 
points  all  along  these  bluffs.  It  is  well  exposed  on  Bay  creek, 
forming  the  main  portion  of  the  bluffs  along  this  stream  from  near 
Pittsfield  to  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county.  It  is  the  most  im- 
portant of  all  the  limestones  exposed  in  this  county,  both  as  regards 
extent  of  exposure  and  its  economical  value.  As  a  building  stone 
it  is  not  equal  to  the  magnesian  beds  of  the  Wiagara  group,  as 
found  near  Pleasant  Hill,  but  is  nevertheless  very  durable.  It  can 
be  found  over  half  the  county. 

KEOKUK  GROUP. 

This  group  lies  just  above  the  Bnrlington  limestone,  and  out- 
crops over  a  large  portion  of  the  northern  and  northeastern  parts 
of  the  county,  where  it  is  frequently  found  immediately  beneath 


276  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

the  Coal  Measures.  The  St.  Louis  group,  which  should  properly 
intervene,  was  worn  away  before  the  coal  epoch.  It  consists  of 
light  gray  and  bluish  gray  chgrty  limestones  at  the  base,  which 
closely  resemble  the  upper  beds  of  the  Burlington  limestone.  Some 
of  the  limestone  strata  are  as  crinoidal  in  their  structure  as  the 
Burlington,  but  they  are  'usually  more  bluish  gray  in  color. 
There  is  usually  a  series  of  cherty  beds,  10  to  30  feet  in  thickness, 
separating  the  main  limestones  of  the  two  groups,  which  may 
properly  be  regarded  as  transitional.  The  upper  division  consists 
of  lime- clay  shales  and  thin-bedded  limestones,  containing  geodes 
lined  with  crystallized  quartz,  chalcedony,  calcite,  dolomite,  crystals 
of  zinc  blende  and  iron  pyrites.  The  pyrites  is  usually  in  minute 
crystals  implanted  on  quartz. 

This  division  may  be  seen  a  mileand  a  half  southeast  of  Griggsville, 
and  where  it  iirst  appears  beneath  the  Coal  Measures  the  geodes  are 
imbedded  in  a  ferruginous  sandstone,  which  perhaps  represents 
the  conglomerate  usually  lying  at  the  base  of  the  Coal  Measures. 
This  indicates  that  before  or  during  the  formation  of  this  conglom- 
erate the  shales  originally  inclosing  the  geodes  were  swept  away, 
and  the  geodes  were  then  enclosed  in  sand  which  subsequently 
hardened.  These  geode-bearing  limestones  are  exposed  near  Perry 
Spring's,  where  the  waters  derive  their  mineral  ingredients  from 
these  beds.  At  Ohambersburg,  the  limestones  of  this  group  form 
the  bed  of  McGee's  creek.  Other  prominent  exposures  of  these 
limestones  are  at  Griggsville  Landing,  on  Hadley's  creek,  near 
Huntley's  coal-bank,  etc.  From  this  stratum  much  good  building 
stone  has  been,  quarried. 

ST.    LOUIS    GKOUP. 

On  the  banks  of  McGee's  creek  only  are  indications  of  the  pres- 
ence of  this  group.  The  beds  exposed  here  consist  of  brown  mag- 
nesian  limestone  and  shales,  20  to  30  feet  thick.  A  mile  and  a  half 
northwest  of  Perry  quarries  have  been  opened  in  these  beds,  and 
about  three  miles  north  of  Perry  Springs  they  are  again  exposed, 
overlaid  by  shale,  tlie  whole  being  about  20  feet  in  thickness. 

COAL    MEASUEES. 

The  coal  formation  occupies  but  a  limited  area  in  the  central 
and  northern  portions  of  this  county,  underlying  the  whole  of  New 
Salem  township,  and  a  portion  onl}'  of  the  four  surrounding  town- 
ships. The  thickness  does  not  probably  exceed  60  feet.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  principal  points  where  coal  has  been  dug  in  Pike 
county: 

Huntley's,  KW.  i  sec.  15,  Hadley  township;  coal  16  to  24 inches 
thick,  overlaid  by  about  6  inches  of  black  shale. 

Huntley's  new  bank,  N.W.  J  sec.  10,  Hadley  township;  bed  6 
feet  thick,  with  a  parting  of  clay  shale  in  the  middle,  about  2  inches 
in  thickness.  The  coal  in  the  upper  part  of  this  seam  is  rather 
soft,  and  contains  considerable  iron  bisulphide.    The  lower  division 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  27T 

affords  a  harder  and  better  coal  and  rests  upon  a  gray  fire  clay  2 
feet  or  more  in  thickness. 

Three  miles  east  of  Barry  coal  has  been  dug  on  a  small  branch 
south  of  the  Philadelphia  road ;  and  a  mile  further  south  there  is  a 
blue  clay  shale  25  to  30*feet  thick  exposed  along  the  creek  which 
intersects  the  river  bluffs  near  New  Canton.  It  contains  septaria 
and  tiiten-raergel,  and  closely  resembles  the  shale  over  the  coal  at 
Huntley's  mine. 

From  this  point  the  wiestern  boundary  of  the  Coal  Measures 
trends  southeast wardly  to  Houseworth's  coal  bank,  two  miles  and  a 
half  northwest  of  Pittsfield,  on  N.W.  J  sec.  16,  Pittsfield  township. 
Coal  about  18  inches  thick,  overlaid  by  about  three  feet  of  dark  blue 
shale,  passing  upward  into  sandy  shale  10  feet  more. 

Fonr'miles  west  of  Griggsville,  coal  is  found  on  Mr.  Dunham's 
place.  It  is  14  to  20  inches  thick,  overlaid  by  about  two  feet  of 
fossiliferous  black  shale.  This  seam  of  coal  outcrops  on  S.  E.  J  sec. 
11,  same  township,  and  in  the  ravines  between  Griggsville  and 
Philadelphia,  via  New  Salem. 

A  half  mile  south  of  Griggsville  coal  has  also  been  worked,  the^ 
seam  being  18  to  2i  inches  thick. 

On  Lazarus  Ross' place,  a  mile  and  a  half  northwest  of  Perry 
Springs,  some  indications  of  coal  may  be  seen  in  the  bluffs  of  tlie 
middle  fork  of  McGee's  creek. 

QUATEENAEY    SYSTEM. 

A  broad  belt  of  alluvial  bottom  lands,  6  to  12  miles  wide,  skirts 
the  whole  western  border  of  Pike  county.  The  deposit  consists  of 
alternations  of  clay,  sand  and  loam,  in  quite  regular  strata,  but  of 
variable  thickness.  The  soil  is  exceedingly  fertile,  and  where  they 
are  above  high  water,  they  constitute  the  most  productive  and  val- 
uable lands  in  the  county.  A  large  proportion  of  this  land  was 
originally  prairie,  but  now  there  are  many  belts  of  heavy  timber 
skirting  the  small  streams  intersecting  these  bottoms. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  county  there  is  very  little  bottom  land 
from  the  south  line  of  the  county  to  the  north  line  of  Flint  town- 
ship, where  it  begins  to  widen,  and  thence  to  the  north  line  of  the 
county  the  Illinois  bottoms  are  2  to  5  miles  wide;  but  they  are  too 
low  and  wet  for  cultivation.  A  portion  of  them  are  lieavily  tim- 
bered with  Cottonwood,  sycamore,  soft  maple,  elm,  ash,  hackberr}'', 
honey  locust,  linden,  black  walnut,  water  oak,  hickory,  etc. 

LOESS. 

The  river  bluffs  on  both  sides  of  the  county  are  capped  with  this 
formation,  which  ranges  from  10  to  60  feet  or  piore.  It  always 
overlies  the  Drift,  where  both  are  present,  and  hence  is  of  more 
recent  origin.  It  generally  consists  of  buff  or  brown  marly  clays 
or  sands,  usually  stratified,  and  often  so  coherent  as  to  remain  in 
vertical  walls  20  or  30  feet  high  when  cut  through.     From  75  to 


278  flISTOEY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

80  per  cent,  of  it  is  silica,  10  to  15  per  cent,  alumina  and  iron  per- 
oxide, 3  to  4  per  cent,  lime,  and  1  to  3  per  cent,  magnesia.  In  the 
vicinity  of  Chambersbnrg  the  Loess  is  60  to  70  feet  thick.  Every- 
where it  furnishes  a  light,  porous  sub-soil,  which  is  admirably 
adapted  to  the  growth  of  fruit  trees,  vines  and  small  fruits.  In 
some  places  it  contains  a  variety  of  fossil  shells  which  present  the 
usual  bleached  and  water- worn  appearance  of  the  dead  shells  of  oar 
ponds  and  bayous.  It  also  affords  a  variety  of  chalky  lumps  and 
masses  which  assume  many  imitative  forms,  as  of  potatoes  and  the 
disks  called  "  clay-stones  "  in  New  England.  It  also  gives  origin 
to  the  bald  knobs  so  frequently  met  with  along  the  river  bluffs,  and 
is  often  rounded  into  natural  mounds  which  have  been  very  gener- 
ally nsed  by  the  Indians  as  burial  places.  The  bones  of  extinct 
animals  are  often  found  in  the  marly  beds  of  this  formation,  along 
with  land  and  fresh- water  shells. 

DEIFT. 

This  deposit  consists  of  variously  colored  clays  containing  gravel 
and  boulders.  It  underlies  the  Loess,  and  hence  is  not  visible  along 
the  bluffs.  In  the  interior  of  the  county  it  is  often  penetrated  by 
well-diggers.  It  thins  out  toward  the  bluffs.  At  the  base  of  the 
Drift  near  Barry  there  is  a  bed  of  clean,  yellow  flint  gravel,  par- 
tially cemented  by  iron  oxide  into  a  ferruginous  conglomerate. 

ECONOMICAL    GEOLOGY. 

Pike  county  has  an  abundance  of  building  stone.  The  Niagara 
limestone  near  Pleasant  Hill  furnishes  a  buff  magnesian  rock,  in 
very  regular  beds,  fully  equal  in  quality  to  that  of  Grafton  and 
Joliet.  Part  of  the  stone  in  the  public-school  building  at  Pittsfield 
was  brought  from  Joliet,  while  stone  just  as  good  and  beautiful  was 
outcropping  within  ten  miles, of  that  town.  "A  want  of  the  knowl- 
edge of  this  fact,"  says  Mr.  Worthen,  "has  probably  cost  the  citi- 
zens of  Pike  county  far  moi'e  than  their  proportion  of  the  entire 
cost  of  thq  geological  survey  of  Illinois." 

The  Burlington  limestone,  which  outcrops  over  a  wide  area  in 
this  county,  will  furnish  an  unlimited  supply  of  excellent  building 
stone.  It  is  probably  not  less  than  150  feet  thick.  The  more  flinty 
portions  are  the  best  material  for  macadamizing  roads.  Near 
Montezuma  is  a  10-foot  bed  of  excellent  dimension  stone.  Similar 
beds  are  exposed  on  Big  Blue  creek  four  miles  southeast  of  Pitts- 
field,  where  they  are  40  feet,  thick,  containing  masses  two  to  four 
feet  in  thickness.  On  the  west  side  of  the  county  it  forms  an 
almost  continuous  outcrop,  10  to  40  feet  thick,  along  the  river 
bluffs;  and  on  the  east  side  of  the  county  it  also  forms  a  continuous 
oiitcrop  in  the  bluffs  from  Griggsville  Landing  south. 

The  lower  portion  of  the  Keokuk  limestone  is  fully  as  useful  as 
the  preceding.  Excellent  quarries  are  worked  two  miles  north  ot 
Griggsville  on  the  south  fork  of  McGee's  creek.    The  stone  is  com- 


M^^ 


'W. 


DERRY     TP 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  281 

posed  almost  entirely  of  the  joints  and  plates  of  crinoids,  cemented 
together  by  a  calcareous  paste. 

The  St.  Louis  group,  although  limited  in  extent,  furnishes  some 
good  building  stone,  mostly  found  in  Perry  township  and  vicinity, 
as  already  described. 

The  coal  deposits  in  this  county  are  all,  except  at  Huntley's 
place,  too  thin  for  profitable  working.  Where  surface  "  stripping," 
•however,  can  be  done,  it  pays  to  mine  the  thinner  deposits.  Hunt- 
ley's is  probably  a  local  deposit,  a  "  pocket,"  which  will  soon  be 
exhausted. 

No  mineral  ore,  except  a  little  iron,  has  been  found  in  Pike 
■county. 

The  Burlington  and  Keokuk  groups  furnish  the  best  of  material 
for  quick-lime.     The  St.  Louis  group,  which  is  generally  preferred, . 
is  very  limited. 

Good  hydraulic  limestone  for  cement  can  be  obtained  from  the 
Kinderhook  group. 

Fire  clay,  which  usually  underlies  the  coal,  can  be  mined  with 
the  coal  to  advantage.  The  brown  clays  of  the  Drift  and  the  Loess 
furnish  superior  material  for  brick. 

For  marble  the  bed  of  oolitic  conglomerate  of  the  Kinderhook 
group  at  Kockport  furnishes  a  stone  capable  of  a  fine  polish  and 
makes  a  beautiful  variegated  marble  ;  but  the  bed,  so  far  as  ex- 
amined, is  rather  thin  for  profitable  working.  Some  of  the  sub- 
crystalline  beds  of  the  Burlington  limestone  also  receivle  a  high 
polish  and  make  a  fine  ornamental  stone. 

The  Perry  mineral  springs,  three  in  number,  issue  from  the  up- 
per part  of  the  Keokuk  limestone  which  underlies  the  valley  and 
outcrops  along  the  bluffs.  The  principal  ingredients  of  the  water 
here  are  the  bi-carbonates  of  lime  and  magnesia,  the  silicate  of 
potash  and  soda  and  the  carbonate  of  potash.  For  further  account 
of  these  springs  see  history  of  Perry  township  in  this  volume. 

There  are  a  few  small  caves  in  Pike  county,  two  near  Barry,  into 
one  of  which  one  can  enter  a  distance  of  550  feet  and  the  other  400 
feet.  In  early  day  panthers  were  known  to  inhabit  these  caves.  In 
Pearl  township,  on  land  owned  by  Judge  Atkinson,  the  railroad 
employees  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  company  were  blasting  rock  in 
18,71  or  1872,  when  they  discovered  a  small  cave  in  which  were 
found  lime  carbonate  drippings  in  the  form  of  stalagmites  and  sta- 
lactites. Many  of  these  are  of  imitative  forms  and  can  be  imag- 
ined to  be  petrified  human  beings  or  animals.  An  exaggerated 
account  of  this  cave  was  published  in  the  Pittsfield  papers  at  the 
time,  which  led  many  people  to  believe  something  wonderful  was 
found  at  the  place. 

18 


284  HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

family  are  the  Savannah  sparrow,  the  field  and  the  chipping  spar- 
row, the  black  snow-bird,  the  tree  sparrow,  the  song  sparrow,  the 
swamp  and  the  fox-colored  sparrow,  the  black-throated  bunting,  the 
rose-breasted  gros-beak  and  the  ground  robin.  Titmouse  family 
is  represented  by  the  chickadee  and  the  tufted  titmouse.  Creeper 
family. — There  are  two  specimens  of  this  family, — the  white-bellied 
nnt-hatch  and  the  American  creeper.  SkylarTc  family.— Th\% 
melodious  family  is  represented  here  by  only  the  common  skylark 
of  the  prairie.  JBlack-bird  family. — The  rusty  black-bird,  the  crow 
black-bird,  the  cow-bird,  the  red-winged  black-bird,  the  meadow- 
lark,  the  orchard  and  the  Baltimore  orioles  of  this  family,  are  the 
most  beautiful  and  brilliant  of  birds  that  inhabit  this  region. 
Crow  family.— ^\yQ  blue-jay  and  the  common  crow  comprise  the 
species  of  this  family. 

Birds  of  Prey. — This  order  of  birds  comprises  all  those,  with 
few  exceptions,  which  pursue  and  capture  birds  9,nd  other  animals 
for  food.  They  are  mostly  of  large  size,  the  females  are  larger  than 
the  males,  they  live  in  pairs,  and  choose  their  mates  for  life.  M&st 
raptorial  birds  have  disappeared.  Among  them  are  the  golden 
eagle,  which  was  always  r9,re  but  now  no  longer  seen  here;  the  bald 
eagle,  or  properly  the  white-headed  eagle,  once  quite  common,  now 
scarce.  Some  well-preserved  specimens  of  this  genus  are  in  the 
county.  Tills  eagle  enjoys  the  honor  of  standing  as  our  national 
■emblem.  Benjamin  Franklin  lamented  the  selection  of  this  bird 
as, emblematical  of  the  Union,  for  its  great  cowardice.  It  has  the 
ability  of  ascending  in  circular  sweeps  without  any  apparent  mo- 
tion of  the  wings  or  the  tail,  and  it  often  rises  in  this  manner  until 
it  disappears  from  view;  when  at  an  immense  height,  and  as  if  ob- 
^ serving  an  object  on  the  ground,  it  sometimes  closes  its  wingS  and 
glides  toward  the  earth  with  such  velocity  that  the  eye  can  scarcely 
follow  it,  causing  a  loud  rustling  sound  like  a  violent  gust  of  wind 
among  the  branches  of  the  forest.  The  Hawk  family  \\2js,  eight  or 
.nine  species,  some  but  seldom  seen,  others  common.  The  turkey- 
buzzard  has  almost,  if  not  quite,  disappeared.  Of  the.  owl  genera 
;are  several  species,  though  all  are  but  seldom  seen  because  of  their 
nocturnal  habits.  Among  them  are  the  barn  owl,  the  screech  owl, 
the  long  and  the  short  eared  owl,  the  barred  owl,  and  the  snowy 
owl,  the  latter  being  the  rarest. 

Climbers. — But  few  of  this  order  remain  in  the  county,  the  most 
common  of  which  are  the  woodpeckers.  Of  the  various  kinds  are 
the  golden-winged,  the  pileated,  the  hairy,  the  downy,  the  yellow- 
bellied,  red-bellied  and  the  red-headed.  At  an  early  day  the  Car- 
olina parrot,  generally  called  the  "  parrokeet,"  was  often  seen,  but 
he  has  now  entirely  deserted  this  section.  The  yellow  and  biack- 
billed  cuckoos  are  occasionally  seen. 

Scratchers. — This  order  contains  but  few  genera  in  this  county. 
The  wild  turkey,  the  choicest  of  game,  has  almost  entirely  disap- 
peared, and  was  the  only  one  of  its  family  that  ever  sojourned  here. 
Tn  an  early  day  they  were  in  abundance.     Or ouse  family. — The 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COTJMTY.  285 

chiefest  among  this  family  is  the  prairie  chicken,  which,  if  not 
carefully  protected,  must  ere  lorig  follow  the  wild  turkej^  never  to 
return.  The  ruffled  grouse,  wrongfully  called  "  pheasant,"  has  of 
late  made  its  appearance.  It  is  quite  fond  of  cultivated  fields,  and, 
if  properly  protected  and  encouraged  until  it  becomes  fairly  settled, 
will  make  a  fine  addition  to  the  game,  and  fill  the  place  of  the 
prairie  chicken.  Partridge  family. — The  fate  of  that  excellent  bird, 
the  quail,  is  only  a  question  of  a  short  time.  The  Dove  family . — 
The  wild  pigeons  continue  to  make  their  semi-annual  visits,  but 
not  in  such  vast  numbers  as  years  ago.  Acres  of  forest  were  so 
often  filled  at  night  with  these  birds  that  the  breaking  of  boughs 
and  the  flying  of  pigeons  made  a  noise  that  could  be  heard  for 
miles,  and  the  shot  of  a  sportsman's  gun  could  not  be  heard  at  a 
distance  often  feet.  Highly  interesting  is  the  description  by  Audu- 
bon of  the  enormous  flights  which  he  observed  on  the  Ohio  in  the 
fall  of  1813;  they  obscured  the  daylight  and  lasted  three  days  with- 
out interruption.  According  to  a  very  moderate  estimate  of  his, 
each  flight  contained  the  stupendous  number  of  one  billion,  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  thousand  million,  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
thousand  pigeons.  These  flights  caused  a  general  commotion 
among  the  entire  rural  population.  Desirous  of  booty  and  anxious 
lest  their  crops  should  be  spoiled,  the  farmers,  arming  themselves 
with  rifles,  clubs,  poles,  torches  and  iron  pots  filled  with  sulphur, 
proceed  to  the  resting  places  of  the  birds.  The  work  of  slaughter 
being  accomplished  everybody  sat  down  among  mountains  of  dead 
pigeons,  plucking  and  salting  the  birds  which  they  selected,  aban- 
doning the  rest  to  the  foxes,  wolves,  raccoons,  opossums  and  hogs, 
whole  herds  of  which  were  driven  to  the  battle-field.  The  plaintive 
notes  of  the  Carolina  dove,  commo-nly  known  as  the  turtle-dove, 
are  still  heard. 

Swimmers. — This  order  of  birds,  which  formerly  frequented  this 
county  in  large  numbers,  have  almost  disappeared.  They  are  mi- 
gratory, and  in  their  usual  season  would  appear  coming  from  the 
north  or  south,  as  winter  passes  into  summer  or  summer  into  winter. 
Diver  family. — The  great  northern  diver,  or  loon,  sometimes  visits 
this  section,  but  inhabits  the  frigid  zone.  Gull  family. — Of  this 
family  are  Wilson's  tern  and  silvery  gull.  Pelican  family . — The 
rough-billed  pelican  was  the  only  genus  of  this  family  that  ever 
stopped  in  Pike  county,  and  'it  has  now  altogether  ceased  to  make 
its  visits  here.  CorTUor ant  family. — The  double-crested  cormo- 
rant, or  sea  raven,  has  been  seen  here.  Duck  family. — This  family 
of  migratory  birds  visited  the  ponds  and  streams  of  this  county  in 
large  numbers  before  it  became  so  thickly  settled,  both  on  their 
northern  and  southern  passage,  but  now  mostly  confine  themselves 
to  the  Illinois  and  Mississippi,  where  large  numbers  are  found. 
This  family  furnishes  most  game  for  sportsmen  and  for  the  table. 
There  are  the'  wood-duck,  the  big  black-headed  duck,  the  ring- 
necked  duck,  the  red-head,  the  canvas-back,  the  dipper,  the  shell- 
drake  or  goosander,  the  fish-duck,  the  red-breasted,  and  the  hooded 


286  UISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTi'. 

merganser,  the  mallard  and  the  pintail,  the  green-winged  and  the 
blue-winged  teal,  the  spoonbill  and  the  gad  wall,  the  baldpate,  the 
American  swan,  the  trumpeter  swan  and  the  M'hite- fronted  goose. 

Waders. — Probably  less  is  known  of  this  order  of  birds  than  of 
any  other,  because  of  their  shyness  and  solitary  habits.  They  fre- 
quented the  marshes,  but  cultivation  has  drained  their  favorite 
haunts.  C rune  family. — The  whooping  crane,  always  rare,  is  now 
never  seen .  The  sand-hill  cranes  stop  on  their  journeys  north  and 
south.  Heron  family. — The  great  blue  heron  or  crane,  least  bittern, 
the  green  heron,  night  heron  and  the  American  bittern,  compose 
those  of  this  family  visiting  this  region.  Ibis  family. — The  glossy 
ibis  has  been  seen  here.  Plover  family. — The  golden  plover,  the 
killdeer  and  the  king  plover  comprise  this  family  known  here. 
Phalarope  family. — The  Wilson's  and  the  red  phalarope  have  fre- 
quented the  swamps  of  this  county.  Snipe  family. — Various  birds 
of  this  family  have  been  common  in  and  around  the  swamps  of  this 
county.  Among  them  were  Wilson's  snipe,  grey  or  red-breasted 
snipe,  the  least  and  the  semi-palmated  sandpiper,  the  willet,  the 
tell-tale,  the  yellow-leg,  the  solitary  sandpiper,  the  spotted  sand- 
piper, the  field  plover,  long-billed  curfew,  the  common  rail,  the 
clapper  rail  or  mud  hen,  and  the  coot. 

Reptiles: — All  of  the  species  of  this  class  that  ever  inhabited  this 
region  are  still  to  be  found  here  except  the  poisonous  snaked.  The 
rattlesnake,  of  the  genus  Crotalus,  is  of  a  yellowish-brown  color, 
and  has  a  serifs  of  horny  joints  at  the  end  of  the  tail,  which  make 
a  rattling  sound.  These  were  the  most  venomous  of  all  snakes 
found  here,  and  were  numerous  in  the  early  settlement.  There  are 
two  kinds,  the  bandy,  or  striped,  and  the  prairie  rattlesnake,  the 
latter  being  still  occasionally  found.  The  copperhead  was  always 
rare.  Among  the  harmless  snakes  are  the  water-snake,  the  garter- 
snake,  the  bull-snake,  the  milk- snake,  the  black-snake,  and  the  blue 
racer. 

Many  reptiles  found  here  are  erroneously  called  lizards,  but  are 
salamanders  and  other  like  innocent  creatures.  Lizards  are  never 
found  in  this  county.  Among  the  tortoises  or  turtles  are  found  the 
map  turtle,  the  snapping  and  the  soft-shelled  turtle.  Of  the  batra- 
chian,  or  naked  reptiles,  there  are  a  few,  and,  though  loathsome  to 
sight  and  touch,  are  harmless.  The  toad,  the  bull-frog,  the  leop- 
ard-frog, the  tree-toad,  with  some  tailed  batrachia,  comprise  the 
most  of  this  order.  The  Illinois  river  bull-frog  is  as  large  as  a 
man's  head,  often  much  larger,  and  his  deep  bellow>ing  can  be  heard 
for  a  mile  or  more. 

FISHES. 

Although  fishes  are  the  lowest  class  of-  vertebrates,  their  varied 
forms  and  colors,  which  often  rival  those  of  precious  stones  and 
burnished  gold,  the  wonderful  power  and  velocity  of  some,  the 
wholesome  food  furnished  by  many,  and  the  exciting  sport  of  their 
capture,  combine  to  render  fishes  subjects  of  great  interest  to  the 


HISTOBT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


287 


casual  observer,  as  well  as  to  the  amateur  and  professional  natural- 
ist. The  number  of  known  species  of  fishes  is  about  ten  thousand. 
The  waters  of  this  county  are  quite  prolific  of  the  finnj'  tribe.  The 
commerce  in  fish  has  become  quite  extensive  along  the  Illinois  and 
Mississippi.  Sickle-hacked  family. — This  family  furnishes  the 
game  fish,  and  are  never  caught  larger  than  four  pounds  in  weight. 
The  varous  genera  found  here  are  the  black  bass,  goggle-eye,  the 
croppy,  or  big  black  sun-fish,  and  the  two  common  sun-fish.  Pike 
family. — There  are  but  two  species  of  this  family, — the  pickerel, 
weighing  from  five  to  twenty-five  pounds,  ^nd  the  gar  pike.  Sucker 
family. — Of  this  tribe  are  the  buftalo,  red-horse,  white-sucker,  two 
species  of  black-suckers,  mullet  ranick.  Fish  of  this  family  are 
found  in  all  tlie  streams  of  the  county.  They  abound  wherever 
there  is  water.  Cat-fish  family. — Of  this  voracious  family  the 
channel  cat-fish,  the  mud  cat-fish  and  two  species  of  the  small  cat- 
fish inhabit  the  waters  of  this  county,  and  are  caught  ranging  in 
weight  from  one  to  thirty  pounds. 

The  shovel-fish  is  yet  abundant,  and  itsfiesh,  as  well  as  its  gen- 
eral appeai'ance,  resembles  that  of  the  cat-fish. 

Besides  these  varieties  there  are  the  chub,  silver-sides,  and  fresh- 
water herring,  and  large  numbers  of  other  species  denominated 
minnows,  which  are  found  in  the  smallest  spring  branches,  as  well 
as  the  larger  streams. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
BOTANY. 

Persons  coming  to  the  West  for  the  first  time  in  their  lives  are 
deeply  impressed  with  the  high  and  rolling  character  of  our 
prairies,  which  they  had  before  always  imagined  low  and  level j 
and  this  feature  of  the  prairie,  combined  in  early  days  with  its 
beautiful,  dreamy  covering  of  flowering  plants  and  grassy  verdure 
in  spring  and  summer,  inspired  one  to  sing: 

A  iDillowy  ocean  with  green  carpet  spread, 
Whicli  seems  almost  too  neat  for  man  to  tread ! 
With  glittering  stars  of  amaryllis  white, 
With  violets  blue  and  roses  red  and  bright, 
With  golden  cinquefoil,  star-grass,  buttercups. 
With  dazzling  cardinal  flowers  and  painted-cups. 
And  lone  but  cheerful  meadow  larks  to  sing, 
This  grassy  sea  appeared  in  smiling  spring. 
In  summer  came  the  stately  compass-plant. 
As  if  to  guide  the  wandering  immigrant. 
Then  asters,  golden-rods  and  wild  sunflowers 
O'erspread  the  vales  in  labyrinthine  bowers. 
Thus  nature,  clad  in  vesture  gold  and  green, 
Brought  autumn  in  and  closed  the  floral  scene. 

Also  the  beautiful,  clean-cut  hills  of  our  forests  present  a  taste- 
ful view  scarcely  ever  witnessed  iu  the  East.  But  at  the  present 
day  both  our  prairie  and  our  timber  are  under  either  cultivation 
or  pasturage,  and  blue  grass,  white  clover  and  a  large  number  of 
introduced  weeds  from  the  East  have  taken  the  place  of  the  origi- 
nal flora.  Industrially  this  cultivation  is  a  gain,  but  poetically  it 
is  a  loss..  Only  in  the  most  retired  situations  can  many  interest- 
ing plants  be  found  which  used  to  be  abundant.  Several  species, 
of  prairie  clover,  false  wild  indigo,  rosin-weed,  mountain  mint,, 
loosestrife,  etc.,  have  almost  disappeared  with  the  original  prairie,, 
while  a  few  of  the  modest  strawberry,  star-grass  and  blue-eyed: 
grass  remain  with  us  as  sweet  reminiscences  of  the  past. 

Nearly  all  the  plants  growing  spontaneously  in  cultivated  or 
waste  grounds  are  "  introduced;"  that  is,  they  have  been  brought 
here  by  white  settlers, — unintentionally,  of  course,  with  reference 
to  most  of  the  weeds.  In  the  timbered  sections  no  particular 
weed  is  on  the  increase  in  the  present  decade,  but  in  the  prairie 
section,  the  garden  parsnip,  common  thistle,  rich  weed  (in  artificial 


flISTOEY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  289 

groves),  toad  flax,  wild  lettuce,  and  oxybaphus  (a  four-o'clock  plant) 
are  increasing  rapidly;  and  along  the  railroads  several  sand  plants 
are  making  good  headway,  as  sand-bur,  polanisia,  ox-eye. daisy,  etc. 

Before  settlement  by  the  whites  the  prairie  was  mostly  covered 
by  two  or  three  kinds  of  grass.  Several  other  kinds  grew  in 
patches  here  and  there,  notably  the  Indian  grass  and  blue  joint, 
which  grew  very  tall.  In  wet  places  grew  "  slough "  grass  and 
many  sedges,  and  along  the  channeled  sloughs  abounded  several 
species  of  golden-rod,  aster  and  wild  sunflower,  which  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  summer  and  in  autumn  formed  waving  yellow  stripes 
across  the  prairie,  and  were  peculiarly  charming.  They  seemed 
to  have  a  sedative  effect  upon  the  feelings. 

About  2,300  species  of  plants  are  found  within  the  United 
States,  1,600  of  which  can  be  found  in  Illinois,  and  about  950  in 
Pike  county.  We  now  give  a  list  of  all  the  common  plants  grow- 
ing spontaneously  in  Pike  county,  and  some  of  the  most  interest- 
ing rare  ones,  excepting  mosses,  mushrooms,  etc.;  and  we  name 
all  the  trees  and  shrubs,  rare  as  well  as  common.  We  give  the 
English  names,  following  Gray's  Manual,  fifth  edition,  mainly,  in 
respect  to  names,  and  altogether  with  respeqt  to  the  order  in  which 
the  families  range.  By  the  way,  we  make  a  few  corrections  of 
popular  errors  as  to  names.  Some  names,  even  in  the  books,  are 
applied  to  two  or  more  diflerent  plants,  as  sycamore,  button  snake- 
root,  black  snakeroot,  goose-grass,  hair-grass,  loosestrife,  etc.  Also, 
every  plant  has  several  names, — communities  diifering  widely  in 
this  regard.  We  endeavor  to  select  the  most  common  name  as  we 
can  judge  from  Gray's  Botany. 

Crowfoots. — Common  virgin's  bower,  a  vine,  and  Pitcher's  vir- 
gin's bower,  a  half  vine,  are  occasionally  found  :  the  leather-flower, 
a  cultivated  vine  bearing  large,  blue  flowers,  is  of  the  same  genus. 
The  Pennsylvanian,  Yirginian  and  wood  anemones  occur  here  and 
there.  Liver-leaf  ("  liver-wort ")  is  common  on  forest  hillsides. 
Rue  anemone,  and  the  early,  the  purplish  and  the  tall  meadow-rues 
are  common  in  the  woods.  The  true  buttercups  of  the  East  are 
not  found  here,  but  the  most  common  flower  corresponding  to  them 
is  the  creeping  crowfoot.  The  small-flowered,  the  hooked,  the 
bristly  and  the  early  crowfoots  also  occur.  Isopyrnm  grows  in 
moist,  shady  places.  Marsh  marigold  is  common  in  early  spring, 
growing  in  mud  supplied  with  fresh  water  :  in  the  Ed,st  they  are 
called  "  cowslips"  and  sometimes  used  for  greens.  Water  plantain 
spearwort,  growing  in  mud,  and  yellow  water  crowfoot,  growing  in 
water  and  with  the  submersed  leaves  finely  divided,  are  seen  occa- 
sionally. Wild  columbine,  so  easily  recognized  by  its  resemblance 
to  the  cultivated  species,  abounds  in  the  margins  of  the  woods  ;  so 
also  two  species  of  wild  larkspur.  Yellow  puccoon  is  very  scarce. 
White  baneberry  is  occasionally  seen  in  the  deep  woods. 

Custard-Apple  Family. — The  papaw  is  common  along  the  Illi- 
nois river,  it  fruits  better  in  Calhoun  county  than  Pike,  being 
of  a  moi'e  modern  growth  here.     This  is  a  fragile  bush,  with  large-. 


-290  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

leaves,  bearing  fruit  about  the  size  and  appearance  of  short,  thick, 
green  cucumbers,  which  have  a  pulp  like  the  banana.  To  "  learn" 
to  like  them  one  must  merely  taste  of  them  at  times  far  apart. 

Moonseed  Family. — Canadian  moonseed  is  abundant  in  the 
woods.  It  is  a  smooth,  twining  vine  like  the  morning-glory,  with, 
a  beautiful,  round,  yellow  root,  which  has  a  tonic-bitter  taste,  and 
is  sometimes  called  sarsaparilla.  The  true  wild  sarsaparilla  belongs 
to  the  Ginseng  family. 

Barberry  Fainily. — May-apple  is  abundant  and  blue  cohosh 
somewhat  rare. 

Welter  Lilies. — The  pond,  or  white  water  lily,  is  abundant  in 
large,  open  ponds  in  the  river  bottoms,  and  the  yellow  water,  or 
frog  lily,  growing  in  shallow,  stagnant  water,  is  scarce,  as  is  also 
the  yellow  nelumbo,  a  similar  plant. 

Pojppy  Family. — The  well-known  blood-root  is  the  only  repre- 
'Sentative  of  this  family  growing  wild  in  this  country. 

Fumitory  Family. — The  celebrated  Dutchman's  breeches  is  the 
•only  member  of  this  family  in  our  woods.  Bleeding  heart  is  of  the 
same  genus. 

Mustard  Family. — Marsh  cress  is  common  ;  lake  cress,  grow- 
ing in  water,  is  sometimes  seen;  and  horse-radish  flourishes  beyond 
the  bounds  of  cultivation.  Pepper-root,  an  early-flowering  plant,  is 
•common  in  the  dense  forest.  Two  varieties  of  spring  cress  are  fre- 
quent. Two  species  of  the  delicate  little  rock  cress  are  also  fre- 
quent. Hedge  mustard  is  the  most  common  mustard-like  weed 
that  grows  on  cultivated  and  waste  grounds.  Tansy  mustard  is 
rare.  Black  mustard,  the  type  of  this  family,  flourishes  on  culti- 
vated and  waste  grounds.  White  mustard  is  very  rare  at  the 
present  day.  Shepherd's  purse  is  abundant  early  in  the  season,— 
a  weed  everywhere  :  its  seed-pod  is  triangular,  somewhat  inflated, 
and  in  shape  resembles  a  shepherd's  purse  of  the  olden  time.  Wild 
peppergrass  is  common  in  late  summer :  seed-pods,  wafer-form. 
Whitlow  grass  grows  in  sandy  gronnd.  To  the  Mustard  family 
belong  the  radish,  turiiip  and  cabbage  of  our  gardens. 

Caper  Family. — Folanisia,  a  fetid  pod-bearing  plant,  is  com- 
mon on  sandy  ground,  and  is  extending  along  the  railroads  where 
sand  and  gravel  are  deposited. 

Violets. — Common  blue  violet  is  abundant,  the  other  kinds 
more"  rare,  namely,  hand-leaf,-  arrow-leaved,  larkspur,  bird-foot, 
downy  yellow',  etc.     Heart's-ease  belongs  to  this  order. 

Rock-Rose  Family. — Frost-weed  grows  in  sandy  soil,  and  pin- 
weed  on  dry  ground. 

St.  John^s-worts. — Two  or  three  rare  species  are  found  in  this 
county.  / 

Fink  FaTnily. — Starry  campion,  sleepy  catchfly,  corn  cockle, 
sandwort,  long-leaved  stitchwort  and  forked  chickweed  are  found 
here  and  there.  Common  chickweed  and  three  species  of  monse- 
.ear  chickweed  and  bouncing  bet  are  more  common.     Carpet  weed 


HISTOEY    OF    PJKE    COUKTY.  291 

is  common  on  the  sand;  it  grows  in  the  form  of  a  bunchy-  lamp- 
mat. 

Fwslane  Family. — Akin  to  the  beautiful  portulaca  is  our  uni- 
versal purslane,  often  called  "  pursley."  Spring  beauty  belongs  to 
this  family.  It  is  one  of  our  earliest  spring  flowers,  and  may  be 
distinguished  by  the  plant's  having  but  two  leaves,  long  and  nar- 
row and  somewhat  fleshy.  The  flower  is  a  light  rose  color,  .with 
deeper  veins. 

Mallows  Family. — Cornmon,  or  low  mallows  and  velvet-leaf,  or 
Indian  mallows  are  very  abundant.  The  latter  is  a  tall,  pestiferous 
weed  about  our  fields,  with  seed-vessels  resembling  poppy-bolls. 
Sida  and  bladder  ketmia,  or  flower  of  an  hour,  are  common.  To 
this  order  belong  the  hollyhock  and  okra,  in  cultivation. 

Linden  Family. — Bass-wood,  known  as  lin  among  Southern  peo- 
ple, is  the  only  member  of  this  family  growing  here. 

GeraniuTn  Family. — "Wild  crane's-bill  is  common  in  early  spring, 
having  a  solitary,  rose-colored  flower  on  the  summit.  Carolina 
crane's-bill  is  rather  rare.  Spotted  and  pale  touch-me-nots  are  com- 
mon in  moist,  shaded  places,  growing  in  dense  patches.  The  bal- 
samine  of  cultivation  is  of  the  same  genus.  Yellow  wood-sorrel  is 
everywhere,  and  liere  and  there  the  violet  wood-sorrel  prevails  to 
some  extent.  This  is  erroneously  called  "  sheep-sorrel."  Sheep,  or 
field  sorrel  grows  on  sandy  or  gravely  ground,  has  lance-shaped  and 
pointed  leaves,  obscure  flowers,  and  seeds  like  pie-plant  or  yellow- 
dock,  while  wood-sorrel  grows  mostly  in  cXaj  soil,  has  three  leaflets 
like  clover,  showy  fl'owers,  and  seeds  in  a  pod.  The  two  sorrels  be- 
long to  diiferent  orders,  but  have  a  similar  taste. 

Rue  Family. — The  northern  prickly  ash,  a  common  shrub  in  our 
woods  but  growing  scarcer,  and  the  still  rarer  hop-tree,  are  the  only 
members  of  this  family  in  Pike  county.  Garden  rue  is  of  the  same 
order,  or  family. 

Cashew  Fam,ily. — In  America  this  would  seem  to  be  rather  the 
sumac  family.  The  smooth  sumac  is  common  everywhere,  fragrant 
sumac  abundant  in  sandy  ground,  and  poison  ivy  is  common  along 
fences — some  places  abundant.  The  latter  is  a  coarse,  woody  vine 
with  innumerable  rootlets,  and  has  three  leaflets  to  each  leaf,  with 
these  leaflets  sometimes  partly  divided.  When  the  plant  is  young 
it  can  be  distinguished  from  box-elder  by  the  latter  having  a  white 
"  bloom  "  on  the  stem ;  and  at  all  times  it  can  be  distinguished 
from  Virginia  creeper  (  American  ivy,  an  innocent  plant )  by  the 
latter  having  flve  leaflets  to  each  leaf,  and  the  whole  leaf  in  shape 
like  that  of  buckeye. 

Vine  Family.,  that  is,  the  grape-vine  family. — Yirginia  creeper, 
just  described,  is  as  abundant  as  any  weed.  The  winter,  or  frost 
grape  is  common,  but  the  summer  grape,  a  delicious  fruit,  is  very 
scarce,  if  indeed  it  can  be  found  at  all  in  this  county.  It  used  to  be 
abundant,  but  the  vines  have  been  destroyed  by  reckless  grape 
gatherers. 

Buckthorn  Family. — The  noted  red-root,  or  jSTew  Jersey  tea,  a 


292  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUXTY. 

shrub  in  the  margin  of  prairies  and  to  some  extent  in  all  other  sit- 
nations,  is  the  only  representative  of  this  family  here,  and  it  is  be- 
coming rarer  by  the  encroachments  of  cultivation  and  pastm-age. 
The  leaves  make  very  good  tea. 

Staff-tree  Family. — The  climbing  bittersweet  and  waahoo  are 
all  there  are  of  this  family  in  onr  limits.  The  former  is  a  smooth, 
woody  vine,  common  in  the  woods,  climbing  by  simply  twining, 
and  bearing  orange-colored  berries  in  clusters,  .often  called  wax- 
work and  used  in  ornamentation.  This  vine  is  often  called  simply 
■bittersweet,  but  the  true  medical  bittersweet  is  a  very  different 
plant,  scarcely  a  vine  at  all,  and  not  growing  wild  in  this  county. 
The  waahoo,  or  bnrning-bush,  is  a  real  bush  of  about  the  size  and 
proportions  of  a  plum-tree;  its  twigs  have  four  white  lines,  and  its 
crimson  fruit  in  autumn  after  the  leaves  have  fallen  are  very  showy. 
The  flowers  are  dark  purple. 

Soapberry  Order  includes  the  Maple,  Bladdernntand  Soapberry 
(proper)  families.  Of  the  maples  the  most  common  are  the  sugar  and 
the  white.  Thelatterisoneofthe  softmaples,  the  red  maple  of  other 
sections  of  the  United  States  being  the  other.  The  red  does  not 
grow  in  this  county.  Box-elder  is  sometimes  called  ash-leaved 
maple,  and  belongs  to  this  family.  The  American  bladdernut  is  a 
tree-like  shrub  about  10  feet  high,  producing  large  three-lobed,  in- 
flated seed  pods.  The  Ohio  buck-eye  is  common  in  the  river  bot- 
toms. 

Milkworts. — Seneca  snakeroot  and  two  other  species  of  milkwort 
are  found  in  this  region. 

Pulse  Family. — This  large  family  is  characterized  by  having 
seeds  in  pdds  like  beans  and  peas,  which  are  members  of  the  family. 
The  first  in  the  list,  according  to' the  books,  are  the  clovers, — red 
and  white.  Two  other  species  of  this  genus.occur,  indeed,  but  are  too 
rare  to  enumerate  here.  Then  the  white  sweet  clover,  more  recently 
escaped  from  cultivation;  then  two  species  of  prairie  clover,  almost 
extinct.  Goat's  rue,  false  indigo  (Amorpha)  and  lead  plant  abound 
on  dry,  sandy  loam  in  river  bottoms.  The  common  locust  was  in- 
troduced here,  but  this  is  too  far  north  for  it  to  be  hardy  enough  to 
withstand  our  winds  and  the  borer.  A  honey- locust  occurs  herfi 
and  there.  One  milk  vetch  is  frequent.  Six  species  of  tick  trefoil 
abound.  These  are  those  plants  in  the  woods  bearing  "pods "of 
triangular,  flat  burs.  Two  species  of  bush  clover  are  found  here. 
One  vetch  (taVe)  and  one  marsh  vetchling,  ground-nut,  kidney  bean, 
false  indigo  (Baptisia)  and  wild  senna  are  found  here  and  there. 
Hog  peanut,  called  wild  pea  or  bean  by  some,  abounds  everywhere' 
in  the  woods.  Red-bud  is  an  ugly  little  tree  except  in  the  spring 
before  the  leaves  appear,  when  the  whole  top  is  of  a  beautiful 
purplish-red  from  the  blossoms.  Partridge  pea  is  abundant  "in 
spots,"  grows  like  a  weed  in  low  places,  20  inches  to  2  feet  high, 
has  leaves  like  a  locust,  and  bears  a  -very  large  yellow  flower. 
The  sensitive  plant  may  be  found  within  the  bounds  of  this  county, 


HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  293 

but  if  SO,  it  is  very  scarce.  Kentucky  coffee-tree  is  rare.  It  is 
famous  for  its  beautiful  compound  leaves  and  glossy  beans. 

Rose  FdTnily. — Most  of  our  fruits  come  from  this  family,  as  the 
apple,  peach,  plnm,  cherry,  strawberry,  etc.  The  wild  plum  (yellow 
or  red)  is  becoming  very  scarce.  The  wild  black  cherry  is  abun- 
dant; the  choke-cherry  is  a  shrub  found  occasionally.  Nine-bark, 
common  meadow-sweet  and  goat's-beard  are  species  of  spiraea  fre- 
quently found.  Agrimony  is  a  coarse  herb  occasionally  found, 
having  leaves  resembl  ing  those  of  tlie  strawberry  and  bearing  a  kind 
of  drooping  b"r;  plant  about  two  feet  high.  One  species  of  avens 
is  very  common;  three  other  species  are  fonnd.  Common  cinque- 
foil,  or  five-linger,  resembles  the  strawberry  very  closely,  and  abounds 
in  dry  soil.  Norwegian  cinquefoil  has  similar  leaves,  but  the  plant 
is  coarse  and  grows  three  feet  high;  not  common.  Another  species 
is  also  found.  One  species  of  wild  strawberry  abounds  in  retired 
sitnajtions;  itwas  common  over  the  original  prairie.  The  blackberry 
and  the  raspberry  prevail  here  as  elsewhere,  but  their  sylvan  terri- 
tory is  narrowed  to  close  limits  by  the  encroachments  of  man.  Of 
the  roses  proper  the  dwarf  wild  rose  is  the  most  conjmon,  but  its 
territory  is  also  very  limited  now-a-days.  The  early  wild  rose  occurs. 
Three  species  of  red  haw  (hawthorn)  occur,  and  two  varieties  of  one 
species.  The  black,  or  pear,  thorn  is  the  iiiost  common,  with  two 
varieties,  then  the  scsirlet-fruited  thorn,  and  lastly  the  cockspur 
thorn.     The  crab-apple  is  well  known. 

Saxifrages. — Two  or  tliree  species  of  gooseberry  are  common; 
swamp  saxifrage  and  a  species  of  alum-root  are  sometimes  met 
with. 

Orpine  Family. — Ditch  stonecrop  is  common  during  wet  seasons. 

Evening  Primrose  Family. — Common  evening  primrose,  en- 
chanter's nightshade,  and  one  species  of  willow-herb,  are  common; 
seed-box,  water-purslane,  sun-drops  and  two  other  species  of  false 
loosestrife  occur  occasionally. 

Loosestrife  Family. — One  species  not  infrequent. 

Gourd  Family. — The  wild  balsam-apple  is  a  vigorous,  herba- 
ceous vine,  bearing  bur-like  fruit,  about  cultivated  grounds,  and 
the  one-seeded  star  cucumber  flourishes  in  the  shaded  river  bottoms. 

Parsley  Family. — This  family  is  characterized  by  having  their 
seed-bearing  tops  like  those  of  parsnips.  Most  of  the  poisonous 
plants  growing  in  this  country,  belong  to  this  family.  Two  species 
of  black  snakeroot  prevail  in  this  county.  Parsnip  itself  is 
becoming  a  common  weed  in  open  bnt  protected  places;  and  there 
may  be  found  here  and  there  the  cow  parsnip,  cowbane,  meadow 
parsnip,  spotted  cowbane,  rattlesnake  master,  two  species  of  water 
parsnip,  honewort,  chervil,  two  species  of  sweet  cicely,  poison  hem- 
lock. Of  the  whole  family  the  most  poisonous  are  the  spotted 
cowbane  and  poison  hemlock. 

Ginseng  Family. — Ginseng,  oQ  account  of  its  popular  medical 
qualities,  has   been  pretty  well  thinned  out.     The  true  wild  sar- 


294  HISTOEY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

saparilla  (a  plant  of  tlie  appearance  of  a  large  ginseng)  is  some- 
times found,  and  spikenard  is  common  in  the  forest  ravines. 

Dogwoods. — The  most  common  dogwood  is  the  white-berried,  or 
panicied  cornel;  next  the  rough-leaved,  the  alternate-leaved,  the 
flowering,  the  silky,  and  lastly  the  red-osier. 

Honeysuckle  Family. — Common  elder  is  becoming  too  abun- 
dant. Yellow  honeysuckle  is  common.  Horse  gentian,  or  fever- 
wort,  is  a  forest  weed  bearing  5  to  10  yellow  berries  in  a  circle 
aronnd  the  stem  at  every  place  where  the  two  opposite  leaves  are 
attached.  The  true  black  haw  is  scarce,  but  sheep-berry,  which  is 
generally  called  black  haw,  is  common. 

Madder  Family. — Two  species  of  the  small  bed-straw  are 
abundant,  and  the  sweet-scented  is  common,  while  occasionally 
maj'  be  found  cleavers,  or  goose-grass.  Wild  liquorice  occurs 
rarely .  'These  herbs  are  all  of  a  flax-like  appearance,  having  sev- 
eral beautiful  little  leaves  in  a  whorl  at  each  joint.  Button  bush 
is  common  in  wet  ground. 

Composites. — This  order  is  by  far  the  largest  of  all.  Its  flowers 
are  compound,  that  is,  there  are  several,  sometimes  many,  small 
flowers  crowded  close  together  in  a  head,  as  sunflower,  lettuce, 
dandelion,  aster,  chrysanthemum.  May-weed,  etc.  Their  time  of 
flowering  is  generally  late  in  the  season. 

Iron-weed  is  common  on  flat  ground:  its  summit  in  August  is 
a  beautiful  royal  purple.  Four  species  of  button  snakeroot  (one 
called  also  blazing  star)  are  abundant  on  protected  original  prairie, 
and  occur  nowhere  else.  Five  species  of  thoroughwort  grow  here, 
that  called  boneset  being  abundant.  The  species  called  trumpet,  or 
Joe-Pye  weed,  is  a  tall,  interesting  weed,  with  3  to  6  leaves  in  each 
whorl,  that  is,  at  each  joint.  Kuhnia  is  not  rare;  it  resembles 
boneset.  Mist-flower  grows  in  our  limits.  Of  the  asters  there  are 
about  30  species  growing  within  this  county,  about  half  of  them 
very  common.  The  flowers  have  a  starry  appearance:  hence  the 
name.  The  most  remarkable  of  them  is  the  New  England  aster, 
a  large  purple  flower  along  the  roadsides  in  September.  Five 
species  of  fleabane,  similar  to  the  asters  in  appearance,  are  com- 
mon, namely,  horse- weed,  which  is  abundant  on  waste  and  culti- 
vated grounds,  Eobin's  plantain,  common  fleabane.  and  two  daisy 
fleabanes,  one  of  them  called  also  sweet  scabious.  About  18 
species  of  golden-rod  can  be  found  in  this  county,  only  half  of  them 
common,  however.  The  most  abundant  is  the  Solidago  Canaden- 
sis. From  these  much  honey  is  made  by  bees  in  September.  Four 
species  of  rosin-weed  used  to  prevail  on  the  original  prairie,  tjut 
their  territory  is  very  limited  at  the  present  day.  The  most  noted 
of  them  has  divided  leaves,  and  is  also  called  compass  plant,  or 
polar  plant,  the  leaves  having  once  been  thought  to  point  north 
and  south.  They  do  indeed  stand  with  their  faces  somewhat  paral- 
lel, but  they  are  just  as  apt  to  have  their  edges  toward  other  points 
of  the  compass.  One  species  of  rosin-weed  has  undivided  leaves, 
large  and  rough,  and  is  called  prairie  dodk.     This  and  the  compass 


HISTOEY    OF   PIKP:    COUNTY.  295- 

plant  flourish  on  flat  prairie  soil  which  is  not  pastured.  The  species 
called  cup-plant  gi'ows  along  the  banks  of  channeled  sloughs.  The 
leaves  join  together  at  the  base  so  as  to  form  a  cup.  It  is  a  very 
large  weed.  Parthenium,  a  similar  plant,  is  not  rare.  Ragweed 
is  the  most  comtaon  weed  we  have  along  the  roadsides:  called  also- 
hogweed,  Roman  wormwood,  etc.  Great  ragweed  is  the  largest 
weed  that  grows  in  this  country.  Common  along  fences.  Cockle- 
bnr  is  on  the  increase.  We  have  a  State  law  "  providing  "  for  their 
destruction.  Ox-eye,  Lepachys  and  six  species  of  cone-flower  are- 
almost  common.  Six  species  of  wild  sunflower  flourish  along  fences 
in  unfrequented  situations.  Thej'  are  tall  weeds,  but  not  trouble- 
some. One  kind  has  tuberous  I'oots  and  is  really  an  artichoke. 
Three  species  of  tickseed  occur  in  this  county.  The  true  Spanisli 
needle  does  not  grow  here,  but  three  species  of  its  genus  abound 
here,  especially  during  wet  seasons,  namely,  common  and  swamp- 
beggar-ticks  and  the  larger  bur-marigold.  The  smaller  bur-marigold- 
is  found  in  shallow  running  water.  Fetid  marigold  is  abundant  in 
dry  situations  along  the  wagon  roads.  When  struck,  even  lightly,, 
it  yields  a  rank  aromatic  odor:  called  also  false  dog-fennel.  Sneeze- 
weed,  which  looks  somewhat  like  a  Spanish  needle,  is  abundant 
during  wet  seasons  and  exceedingly  scarce  at  other  times.  May- 
weed, or  dog-fennel,  every  one  is  familiar  with.  So  with  yarrow. 
The  ox-eye  daisy,  or  white-weed,  a  vexatious  weed  in  the  East,  is 
just  beginning  to  creep  in  along  the  railroads.  Biennial  worm- 
wood is  a  common  but  harmless  weed  in  waste  places.  Common 
and  plantain-leaved  everlasting  are  common.  Fire-weed  abundant. 
Golden  rag- wort  here  and  there  in  the  spring.  The  famous  Canada 
thistle  is  seldom  seen:  the  common  thistle  abounds  more  and  more.. 
Two  other  species  are  common,  growing  very  tall.  Burdock  is  a 
Composite.  Dandelion  belongs  in  this  connection.  Wild  lettuce 
and  false  or  blue  lettuce  are  common  milky  weeds,  growing  very 
tall.  Two  species  of  sow-thistle,  comparatively  harmless,  are  mod- 
estly on  the  increase. 

Lobelias.  — The  celebrated  medical  lobelia,  or  Indian  tobacco, 
flourishes  along  our  garden  fences.  The  great  lobelia,  or  blue  car- 
dinal flower,  is  abundant  in  moist  ground.  Tiie  cardinal  flower  is 
the  most  showy,  dazzling-red  flower  we  have  growing  wild:  found 
in  wet  ground  and  on  the  banks  of  sloughs.  A  small  and  slender 
species  of  lobelia  is  common  in  protected  situations. 

Campanula.,  or  Bellflower  family. — The  tall  bellflower  is  com- 
mon. Venus's  looking-glass  is  found  here  and  there.  "  Blue- 
bells" do  not  belong  here:  they  are  the  smooth  lungwort,  belonging 
to  the  Borage  family. 

Ebony  Family. — Persimmon,  or  date  plum;  rather  scarce,  but 
,  more  abundant  farther  south. 

Plantain  Family. — The  common  plantain  of  our  door-yards-.. 
Four  other  species  of  this  family  may  occur  in  this  county,  but. 
they  are  exceedingly  rare. 


296  HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Primrose  Family.  —  Two  species  of  loosestrife  (Lysimacliia) 
occur. 

Figwort  Family. — Mullein,  toad-flax  ("bntter-and-eggs  "),  fig- 
wort,  beard-tongue,  two  species  of  Gerardia,  two  species  of  louse- 
wort  and  cow-wheat,  are  common,  while  monkey-flower,  hedge 
hyssop,  false  pimpernel,  purslane  and  corn  speedwell  are  sometimes 
seen.  Toad -flax  has  persistent  roots  like  witch-grass  and  threatens 
to  become  a  pest.     The  snap-dragon  of  our  gardens  is  a  fig-wort. 

Vervains. — Verbenas  belong  to  this  order.  The  most  abundant 
plant  belonging  to  this  family,  and  growing  wild,  is  the  hoary  ver- 
vain; next  are  the  bracted  (prostrate),  the  white,  or  nettle-leaved, 
and  the  blue.  They  all  prefer  dry,  waste  grounds,  and  are  much 
inclined  to  hybridize.  Fog-fruit  is  abundant  in  sandy  ground 
along  the  rivers. 

Mint  family. — Common  are  wood  sage,  or  American  ger- 
mander, wild  mint,  bugle-weed,  American  pennyroyal,  and  hedge 
nettle,  two  species.  Motherwort,  catnip,  heal-all,  and  wild  mint 
are  abundant.  Here  and  there  are  water  horehound,  mountain 
mint,  horse-mint,  blephilia  (two  species),  giant  hyssop  (two  spe- 
cies), false  dragon-head,  or  lion's-heart,  mad-dog  skullcap  and  one 
other  species  of  skullcap.  Ground  ivy,  or  gill-over-the-ground,  is 
abundant  about  dwellings.  "What  is  generally  called  "horse-mint" 
in  the  West  is  "  wild  bergamot"  according  to  the  books,  while  wild 
mint  is  often  taken  for  peppermint.  True  peppermint,  spearmint, 
and  horehound  are  scarce  within  our  limits.  South  of  the  Illinois 
river  horehound  takes  the  place  of  catnip  along  the  fences  and  road- 
sides. Salvia,  sage  and  Mexican  sage  are  cultivated  plants  belong- 
ing to  this  order.. 

Borage  Family. — Hairy  and  hoary  puccoon,  smooth  lungwort, 
stick-seed,  beggar's  lice  and  common  hound's-tongue  are  common; 
all  other  species  rare.  Comfrey  belongs  to  this  family.  Smooth 
lungwort  is  often  called  "  blue-bells."  It  is  common  in  early  spring 
about  door-yards  and  along  fences  near  dwellings.  Common 
hound's-tongue  flourishes  along  the  roads;  flowers  a  dull  purple, 
appearing  in  early  summer.  Boggar's-lice  is  a  species  of  hound's- 
tongue. 

Water-leaf  Family. — Ellisia  appears  in  cool,  shady  places,  and 
resembles  small  tomatoes  in  leaf  and  fruit. 

Polemoniums,  or  Phloxes. — Greek  valerian,  paniculate,  hairy 
and  divaricate  phlox  are  frequent.  The  true  wild  sweet- William  is 
very  rare. 

Convolvulus,  or  Morning-glory  Family. — The  most  common 
plant  of  this  order  growing  spontaneously  beyond  the  bounds  of 
cultivation  is  hedge  bindweed,  or  Kutland  beauty.  Eight  species  of 
dodder  ("  love- vine  ")  may  be  found,  all  rare  except  one.  It  appears 
like  orange-colored  thread  growing  on  the  tops  of  weeds. 

Nightshade  Family. — To  this  family  belong  Irish  potatoes,  to- 
matoes, egg-plant,  bitter-sweet,  tobacco  and  Jerusalem, cherry.  The 
most  common  weeds  of  this  family  are  jimson-weed,  horse-nettle 


's.j'r'r'^       l^'i^^?*^/? 


S'ft^. 


PITTSFIELD  Tr 


HI8T0ET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  299 

("bull  nettles"),  common  or  black  nightshade  and  two  species  of 
ground-cherry.  The  white-flowered  jimson-weed  (Datura  Stramo- 
nium) is  called  common  stramonium  or  thornapple  by  Dr.  Gray, 
while  the  purple-flowered  he  calls  purple  thornapple. 

Oentiana. — One  beautiful  species  of  American  centaury,  Ameri- 
can Columbo  and  several  species  of  gentian  are  found  within  our 
limits,  but  all  of  them  are  scarce.  "  Horse  gentian  "  belongs  to  the 
Honeysuckle  family. 

Dogbanes. — Spreading  dogbane  in  the  borders  of  thickets  and 
Indian  hemp  (Amsonia)  on  the  river  banks  are  common. 

Milhweeds. — Common  milkweed,  or  silkweed,  is  common;  has 
large,  boat-shaped  pods  of  glistening  cotton.  Swamp  milkweed  is 
also  common.  Butterfly  weed,  or  pleurisy-root,  whorled  milkweed 
and  two  species  of  green  milkweed  occur  not  rarely. 

Olive  Family. — -It  would  seem  more  natural  to  us  Westerners 
to  call  this  the  Ash  family,  as  we  have  no  members  of  this  order 
About  us  except  the  five  species  of  ash, — white,  black,  blue,  red  and 
green,  the  white  being  the  most  common.  Some  of  these  kinds  are 
•difficult  for  the  beginner  to  distinguish. 

Birthworts. — -Wild  ginger  is  common  in  deep,  wooded  ravines. 
The  leaf  is  kidney-shaped,  plant  but  few  inches  high,  and  the  root 
tastes  like  ginger. 

Fowr-d'cloGh  Family. — Oxybaphus  is  rapidly  increasing  along 
the  railroads,  and  in  low,  sandy  places. 

Poheweeds. — The  common  poke  with  its  purple-juiced  clusters 
of  berries  is  well  known. 

Goosefoots. — Lamb's-quarters,  or  pigweed,  a  common  weed  in 
our  gardens,  is  t.he  type  of  this  order.  Beet  and  spinach  bejong 
here.  Next  in  abundance  to  lamb's-quarters  are  oak-leaved  goose- 
foot,  maple-leaved  goosefoot,  Jerusalem  oak  and  Mexican  tea. 
Wormseed  is  a  fetid  plant  -belonging  to  the,  genus  goosefoot. 
Orache  is  becoming  abundant  in  the  towns  and  cities. 

Amaranths. — The  cultivated  coxcomb,  globe  amaranth  and 
prince's  feather  (red,  chaffy  spikes)  illustrate  the  characters  of  this 
family.  Pigweed  is  one  of  the  most  common  weeds  in  cultivated 
ground.  The  pigweed  of  the  last  paragraph  should  be  called  goose- 
foot  only,  or  lamb's-quarters.  White  pigweed,  generally  known  in 
the  West  as  "  tumble-weed,"  is  abundant  in  some  fields.  Amaran- 
tns  blitoides  has  recently  become  very  abundant  in  our  towns.  At 
a  little  distance  it  resembles  common  purslane.  Acnida  and  Froe- 
lichia  are  common  in  sandy  soil  near  the  rivers. 

Buckwheat  Family  or  Knotweeds. — Goose-grass  is  the  most 
ubiquitous  member  of  this  order,  forming  a  carpet  in  every  door- 
yard.  A  taller  variety  with  wider  leaves  also  abounds  under  the 
shade  trees  about  the  premises.  Two  species  of  smart-weed,  mild 
water-pepper,  water  Persicaria  and  two  other  species  of  knotweed 
are  all  common.  Out  of  14  species  of  what  appears  to  be  smart- 
weed,  only  two  are  biting  to  the  taste.  Arrow-leaved  tear-thumb, 
black  bindweed  and  climbing  false  buckwheat  are  common  vines. 

19 


300  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Pie-plant,  "yellow  dock"  and  sheep-sorrel  represent  another  di- 
vision of  the  kaotweed  familj.  The  most  common  member  of  this 
division  in  Pike  county  is  curled,  or  "yellow"  dock;  then  follow 
sheep-sorrel  (abounding  in  sandy  soil),  pale,  water,  swamp  and 
bitter  docks. 

Laurel  Family, — ^Sassafras  is  common  along  the  bluffs  and  bot- 
toms of  the  rivers.     Spice  bush  is  also  found  in  Pike  county. 

SandoZ-wood  Family . — Bastard  toad-flax  rather  scarce. 

Spurges. — Spotted  spurge,  an  herb  growing  more  prostrate  than 
all  others,  on  cultivated  ground;  milky;  no  visible  flowers.  Three 
other  species  of  spurge  are  almost  common.  Three-seeded  Mer- 
cury, known  in  former  years  to  inhabit  only  the  dark  forest,  has 
followed  to  our  city  residences  where  it  can  find  a  similar  situation. 
Croton  is  common  near  the  rivers;  an  insignificant  little  herb. 

Nettle  Order. — Of  the  Elm  family  are  the  white  and  the  slippery 
elm  and  the  hackberry, — the  first  mentioned  abundant,  the  other 
two  scarce.  Of  the  Bread-fruit  and  Fig  family  is  the  red  mul- 
berry, which  is  scarce.  Of  the  Nettle  family  proper  are  the  true 
nettle  (rare),  wood  nettle  (common),  richw'eed,  pellitory,  hemp  and 
hop.  Eichweed,  or  elearweed,  like  the  Mercury  of  the  last  para- 
graph, has  followed  man  to  his  artificial  groves  and  is  very  abun- 
dant on  flat  ground  under  heavy  shade-trees,  in  some  places.  It  is 
remarkable  that  botanists  have  placed  in  this  order  the  Osage 
orange  tree  of  our  hedges,  the  bread-fruit  tree  of  the  far-off  Pacific 
isles,  the  fig  and  the  banyan,  and  the  poison  upas  of  the  East 
Indies. 

Plane-  Tree  Family. — "  Sycamore,"  or  button-wood,  or  American 
plane.     The  true  sj'camore  of  Europe  is  a  different  tree. 

Walnut  Family. — Black  and  white  walnut  (butternut)  are  well 
known.  Three  species  of  shell-bark  and  two  of  smooth-bark,  be- 
sides pecan  in  the  river  bottoms,  are  common  in  this  country.  The 
list  comprises  the  shag-bark,  the  western  shell-bark,  the  mocker- 
nut  or  white-heart,  the  pig-nut  or  broom,  bitter-nut  or  swamp  , 
hickories,  and  the  pecan.  The  latter  used  to  be  abundant  in  the 
river  bottoms,  but  the  larger  trees  having  been  cut  out  for  both 
the  timber  and  the  fruit,  most  of  the  pecan  growth  now  is  too 
young  to  produce  much  fruit. 

Oah  Family. — This  family  comprises  not  only  the  oaks  but  also 
the  chestnut,  beech,  hazel-nut  and  iron-wood.  Some  of  the  oaks, 
hybridize  so  much  tiiat  it  is  difficult  to  keep  track  of  the  species 
and  varieties.  White  oak,  of  course,  takes  tlie  lead  here  as  else- 
where, but  the  blackjack  is  about  as  abundant.  The  latter  is 
usually  the  "second  growth,"  and  is  as  good  as  hickory  for  fire- 
wood. Bur-oak,  scarlet  oak  and  black  oak  (yellow-barked,  or 
quercitron)  are  common.  Laurel  or  shingle  oak,  yellow  chestnut 
oak  and  red  oak  are  occasionally  met  with.  Laurel  oak  is  so  called 
on  account  of  the  shape  of  its  leaves,  and  is  also  called  shingle  oak, 
on  account  of  its  being  so  good  in  pioneer  times  for  clapboards. 
Two  species  of  iron-wood  flourish  here.     They  belong  to  difierent 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  301 

genera,  one  liaviiii;  seeds  in  clusters  of  involucres  resembling  hops: 
hence  it  is  called  hop  hornbeam.  The  other  iron-wood  or  horn- 
beam is  also  called  blue  or  water  beech. 

Biroh  Family. — The  red,  or  river  birch  is  sometimes  found 
along  the  rivers  aud  creeks. 

Willows. — The  most  common  willow,  as  well  as  the  largest,  is 
the  black;  then  the  prarie,  glaucous,  heart-leaved,  shining  and 
long-leaved.  The  black  and  the  shining  willows  have  tough  twigs 
which  are  very  brittle  at  the  base.  Several  other  species  of  willow 
occur,  but  are  rare.  The  quaking  asp,  or  American  aspen,  the 
cotton-wood,  balm-of-Gilead,  Lombardy  poplar  and  silver-leaf,  or 
white  poplar,  are  well  kTiown., 

Arum  Family. — Indian  turnip  ( Jack-in-the  pulpit)  abundant; 
skunk  cabbage  common  in  wet  places  supplied  by  spring-water; 
sweet  flag  and  green  dragon  very  rare. 

Duckweeds. — One  species  common  on  the  surface  of  ponds.  It 
does  not  take  root  in  the  earth. 

Cat-tails. — Common  cat-tail  (a  kind  of  flag)  and  a  species  of  bur 
reed  occur  in  wet  places. 

.  Pondweeds. — Several  species  grow  tlirougliout  this  country. 
They  grow  in  or  under  water. 

Water- Plantain  Fam^ily. — Arrowhead  (two  species,  with  several 
variations)  is  abundant.  Has  large,  arrow-shaped  leaves  and  white 
flowers  in  threes,  and  grows  along  the  sloughs.  Water  plantain  is 
sometimes  found  :  grows  in  same  situation  as  last. 

Amaryllis  Family. — The  star-grass  is  common.     It  is  a  modest 
'^  little  grass-like  plant,  putting  forth  its  conspicuous,  yellow,  3-petal- 
ed  flowers  in  June. 

Iris  Family. — The  larger  blue  flag  is  becoming  rare.  The  blue- 
eyed  grass  looks  like  the  star-grass  just  mentioned,  except  that  the 
flowers  are  white  or  pale  blue. 

Yam  Family. — Wild  yam-root  is  a  green  vine  sometimes  seen 
in  the  woods. 

Smilax  Family. — Common  green-brier,  Smilax  hispida  and 
carrion  flower  are  all  not  very  rare. 

Lily  ^??^^Z?/.— Purple  trillinm,  or  three-leaved  nightshade,  is 
abundant:  flowers  in  May.  One  other  species  of  trillinm  some- 
times occurs.  Bellwort  is  an  early  flower  in  the  woods. 
Smaller  Solomon's  seal  and  false  spikenard  are  common.  Wild 
orange-red  lily  is  common  in  the  margins  of  prairies  which  are  not 
pastured  and  have  never  been  broken.  White  dog's-tooth  violet 
and  great  Solomon's  seal  are  reported  here.  It  is  another  early- 
flowering  plant  of  a  similar  appearance  to  the  last  and  in  similar 
situations.  Squill  (eastern  quamash,-  or  wild  liyacinth)  is  said 
also  to  be  found  in  this  county.  Wild  garlic,  having  tops  like  our 
garden  top-onions,  and  wild  leek  are  common  in  low  places  not  pas- 
tured. 

Bush  Family. — The  bog-rush  is  a  very  common,  yellowish, 
grass-like  herb  along  roads   and  paths,    especially  those   leading 


302  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

through  the  forest ;  but  it  is  also  found  to  some  extent  in  all  other 
situations. 

Pioher el-weed  Family. — Water  star-grass,  growing  under  run- 
ning water  in  the  forest  brooks,  is  common. 

Spiderworts. — Common  spiderwort  is  common. 

Sedges. — There  are  three  or  four  dozen  species  of  sedge  growing 
within  the  limits  of  any  one  county,  but  they  are  all  unimportant 
plants.  They  have  a  grass-like  appearance,  but  can  readily  be  dis- 
tinguished frum  the  grasses  by  their  having  triangular  stems  and 
bur-like  tops  (seed  clusters),  while  the  grasses  have  round  or  round- 
ish stems.  What  is  generally  called  lake  grass  along  the  rivers  is 
a  true  sedge,  and  its  English  name  is  great  bulrush.  It  is  by  far 
the  largest  of  the  sedges.     The  river  club-rush  is  next  in  size. 

.Grasses. — Blue  grass  takes  the  lead  for  prevalence  and  utility. 
Nex't,  two  species  of  fox-tail.  Besides  these  the  most  common 
grasses  are  white  grass,  rice  cut  grass,  Indian  rice  or  water  oats, 
timothy,  rush  grass  (two  species),  bent  grass,  wood  reed-grass, 
dropseed  (two  genera);  reed  bent-grass,  blue  joint  grass,  porcupine 
grass,  fresh-water  cord-grass,  Koeleria,  Eatonia  (two  species),  melic 
grass,  fowl  meadow  grass  and  its  congener,  Glyceria  fluitans,  low 
spear-grass,  red  top,  Eragrostis  (three  species),  fescue  (two  species), 
chess,  Bromus  ciliatus,  reed  (a  tall,  broora-corn-like  grass  growing 
in  dense  fields  in  the  swamps  of  the  river  bottom),  hordeum  pra- 
tense  (a  kind  of  wild  barley),  two  species  of  lyme-grass  or  wild  rye, 
bottle-brush  grass,  reed  canary  grass,  Paspalum,  wire  grass,  eight 
species  of  panic-grass,  among  them  two  kinds  of  tickle-grass  and 
one  old-witch  grass,  crab-grass  and  barn-yard  grass,  sand-bur  (in 
sand)  and  two  species  of  beard-grass.  About  two  dozen  other 
kinds  of  grass  can  be  found  in  the  county,  but  they  are  all  very 
rare. 

Horsertails. — Scouring  rush  and  common  horse-tail  (especially 
along  railroads)  are  common  :  two  other  species  scarce. 

Ferns. — Maiden-hair,  brake,  a  spleenwort,  a  shield  fern,  a  blad- 
der-fern and  the  sensitive  fern  are  common  in  the  order  here  named, 
while  one  species  of  flowering  fern  and  two  or  three  other  ferns 
may  be  found. 


CHAPTER  yill. 

ARCHAEOLOGY. 

» 

Perhaps  no  district  of  country  in  the  West  contains  more  traces 
of  that  pre-historic  people  known  to  us  on]y  as  the  "  Mound-Bnild- 
ers"  than  the  district  between  the  Illinois  and  the  Mississippi  riv- 
ers. Tiiere  is  scarcely  a  township  of  land  in  tliis  section  which 
does  not  contain  more  or  less  of  these  traces,  and  in  some  of  them 
are  works  whiph  in  extent  and  character  will  compare  with  any  in 
the  West. 

The  mounds  in  this  county  are  evidently  of  three  classes  :  sacred 
mounds,  which  were  used  for  the  sacrificial  fires;  burial  mounds, 
which  were  erected  over  the  last  remains  of  important  personages; 
and  mounds  which  were  used  for  domestic  habitations.  These  were 
probably  residences  similar  to  those  of  some  tribes  of  our  present 
Indians.  First,  poles  or  logs  set  up  in  a  circle,  then  covered  with 
brush  or  grass,  and  the  whole  with  earth  to  a  considerable  extent. 
The  sacrificial  mounds  always  contained  burnt  earth,  burnt  bones, 
and  frequently,  too,  the  charred  bones  of  human  beings.  In  the 
burial  mounds  only  the  bones  of  a  few  persons  are  found,  probably 
of  some  chief  and  his  immediate  family,  and  usually  near  them  are 
utensils  of  the  kitchen,  arrows,  pottery,  and  such  articles  as  were 
most  prized  in  life  by  the  departed. 

In  some  localities  immense  shell-heaps  exist,  while  it  is  not  un- 
common to  find  in  the  mounds  sliells  from  the  sea,  notably  the 
conch-shell  and  sea-periwinkles,  the  latter  very  common.  Imple- 
ments of  both  hardened  copper  and  copper  in  a  soft  state  are  often 
found,  and  a  metal  reserhbling  iron  in  texture  and  color,  but  hard 
enough  to  cut  glass  and  which  resists  the  action  of  almost  all  the 
acids. 

That  these  mounds  were  not  erected  by  the  same  race  as  our 
present  Indians  is  at  once  apparent  from  the  bones  of  the  latter 
being  of  a  reddish  hue,  while  those  of  the  Mound-Builders  are  of 
a  different  shade  and  much  larger. 

It  is  our  opinion  that  the  Mound-Builders  were  a  pastoral  peo- 
ple, who  had  made  considerable  progress  in  civilization.  In  the 
winter,  doubtless,  they  drove  their  flocks  and  herds  to  the  bluffs 
and  rich,  sheltered  bottoms  where  they  could  obtain  shelter,  and 


304  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

in  the  summer  they  drove  them  to  the  prairies  for  pasturage. 
Doubtless,  like  the  Chinese  of  to-day,  they  esteemed  their  native 
hills  sacred  and  sought  to  be  buried  there,  no  matter  where  the 
iron  hand  of  Death  overtook  them ;  and  their  friends,  respecting 
this  desire,  were  in  the  habit  of  bringing  the  bones  of  each  family 
or  tribe  to  these  sacred  burial  places,  after  they  had  been  stripped 
of  their  flesh,  for  permanent  burial. 

Perhaps  some  future  archaeologist  will  delve  among  these  ruins 
and  find  a  key  to  the  mystery  of  theBuilders,  of  whom  we  to-day 
know  next  to  nothing;  and  unless  some  means  arc  taken  by  the 
Government  or  societies  organized  for  the  purpose,  and  these  meas- 
ures at  no  distant  day,  they  will  have  become  so  far  obliterated  by 
the  plow  and  by  nnskiiled  daggers  that  the  slight  clues  they  contain 
will  be  buried  in  oblivion  greater  than  now  enshrouds  the  history 
of  their  builders. 

A  few  years  ago  some  of  the  prominent  gentlemen  of  Pike 
county  interested  themselves  in  organizing  an  "  Archaeological 
Society,"  but  of  late  the  interest  seems  to  have  abated  very  per- 
ceptibly, and  the  Society  so  enthusiastically  organized  can  now 
scarcely  be  said  to  be  in  existence. 

The  gentlemen  proposing  to  organize  an  "  Antiquarian  Society  " 
met  at  the  court-house  in  Pittsfield,  May  24,  1873,  when  Dr.  T. 
Worthington  was  called  to  the  chair  and  K.  H.  Criswell  appointed 
secretary.  They  organized  the  "  Pike  County  Antiquarian  Soci- 
ety," and  the  permanent  officers  elected  at  this  meeting  were,  Pres- 
ident— ^Wm.  A.  Grimshaw  ;  Vice  Presidents — Wm.  McAdams, 
Esq.,  Dr.  E.  S.  Hull,  of  Madison  county,  Capt.  W.  H.  Eeed,  of 
Calhoun  county,  Dr.  T.  "Worthington,  of  Pike,  Dr.  A.  Mittower,  of 
Pike,  Richard  Perry,  of  Pike,  li.  J.  Harris,  of  Pike,  C.  L.  Obst,'  of 
Pittsfield,  Archaeologist  Artist;  Dr.  Thos.  Alton,  Secretary;  Wm.K. 
Archer,  Treasurer. 

W.  B.  Grimes,  Dr.  Mittower  and  C.  L.  Obst  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  solicit  contributions  to  the  cabinet  of  the  Society,  and 
invite  the  exhibition  of  such  relics  as  owners  are  unwilling  to  part 
with,  the  object  being  to  obtain  possession  of  evidences  and  traces 
of  the  people  of  antiquity,  their  implements  and  usages  as  far  as 
practicable. 

A  letter  was  read  before  the  Society  from  Mr.  McAdams,  of  Wa- 
terville,  Jersey  county.  May  18,  1873,  as  follows: 

"  I  see  in  the  papers  a  call  for  a  meeting  in  Pittsfield  on  the  24th  , 
inst.,  to  organize  a  society  with  a  view  of  fui-ther  investigation  and 
more  perfect  knowledge  of  relics  and  ancient  remains  near  the  Il- 
linois and  Mississippi  rivers.  I  have  for  the  last  15  years,  during 
my  leisure  hours,  been  making  some  investigations  of  the  mounds 
and  tumuli  of  Jersey  and  Calhoun  counties.  There  is  not  perhaps 
in  ail  the  West  a  section  richer  or  more  interesting  in  its  great 
numbers  of  relics  of  an  almost  unknown  race  of  people  who  once 
inhabited  this  country.  No  thorough  investigation  has  been  made. 
Already  many  of  them  have  been  destroyed  by  the  cultivation  of 


HISTORY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  305 

Slew  fields.  Before  many  years  the  majority  of  them  will  be  ob- 
literated, or  so  defaced  that  the  original  plan  of  constrnction  will 
be  lost.  There  should  be  a  society  like  the  one  you  propose  to  or- 
ganize, not  only  for  the  purpose  of  investigation  but  also  for  the 
-purpose  of  making  some  record  of  their  work.  Comparatively  little 
is  known  of 'the  mounds  of  Jersey  and  Calhoun,  although  I  have 
visited  many  of  them  and  collected  quite  a  number  of  interesting 
relics.  Yours  truly, 

"Wm.  MoAdams." 

The  second  week  in  June,  1873,  the  Society  made  an  excursion 
to  the  southern  part  of  the  county  and  spent  several  daj's  among 
the  numerous  mounds  in  that  locality,  where  they  found  many 
relics  of  the  aborigines,  among  which  werearrow  heads,  fish-spears, 
iStone  knives  and  hatchets,  earthen  vessels  of  various  kinds,  copper 
kettles,  stone  pipes,  shell  and  copper  beads,  silver  ear-rings,  silver 
buckles,  etc.  Nearly  all  these  articles  were  found  imbedded  in  the 
mounds  with  human  bones,  pieces  of  pottery,  etc.,  generally  at  a 
depth  of  about  three  feet  below  the  surface.  In  some  cases  stone 
vaults  containing  bones  and  other  relics  were  discovered  a  few  feet 
beneath  the  surface.  The  members  of  the  Society  who  went  on 
that  excursion  say  they  had  a  most  enjoyable  trip  and  consider 
^themselves  well  repaid  for  their  trouble. 

In  the  summer  df  1873,  Col.  D.  B.  Bush  presented  to  the  Society 
for  its  museum  Indian  trappings  of  great  value.  Thos.  James,  of 
Martinsburg,  presented  a  large  lot  of  beautiful  beads  and  amulets 
from  the  Big  Mound  of  Sacramento  valley,  Cal.;  also,  moss,  peat, 
-cinnabar  and  Chinese  corn,  etc. — all  from  California.  Col.  S.  S. 
Thomas  presented  a  rare  and  beautiful  specimen  of  coquine  and 
concrete  shells  from  St.  Augustine,  Florida.  In  September  of  the 
same  year.  Col.  A.  C.  Matthews  contributed  to  the  museum  one 
'beaked  saw-fish  {Pristis)  from  Matagorda  Island,  Texas;  auto- 
graph letter  of  Henry  Clay,  dated  Oct.  5,  1829,  Ashland,  Ky. ; 
pass  of  Lieut.  Gen.  S.  B.  Buckner,  C.  S.  A.;  one  copy  of  army  cor- 
respondence; also  coin  and  fossils.  Geo.  H.  French  presented  a 
stone  mortar  from  Pilot  Blufi',  Illinois  river;  E.  JS.  French,  speci- 
mens of  columnar  limestone;  Hon.  J.  M.  Bush  presented  one  copy 
•of  the  Massachusetts  Centennial,  published  at  Boston,  Sept.  5, 
1789,  about  four  months  after  the  inauguration  of  President  Wash- 
ington; Hon.  W.  A.  Grimshaw  presented  books  as  follows:  Amer- 
ican volume.  Ancient  Arraeca;  Lines  of  Humboldt;  two  volumes 
of  Smithsonian  Institute  Eeports,  1866-6;  two  volumes  of  History 
of  Wisconsin;  stone  and  flint  implements,  bone  needle  and  speci- 
mens of  pottery.  Patrick  Ilalpin  presented  specimens  of  Ameri- 
■can  and  Italian  marble. 

In  December,  Mr.  R.  Perry  contributed  specimens  of  silicious 
:and  ferruginous  conglomerate;  Dr.  A.  McFarland,  a  very  nice 
human  skeleton,  five  bottles  containing  in  alcohol  specimens  of 
•ophidian,  all  indigenous  to  Pike  county,  and  also  one  containing 


306  HISTOKY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

taenia;  Tlios.  Williams,  seven  beantifiil  flint  implements;  and  N. 
W.  Kibler,  a  very  large  tooth  of  a  pachyderm. 

Feb.  21,  1874,  Geo.  Bell,  Thos.  Bloomer,  Hiram  Horton  and  G. 
S.  Pennington  found  remains  of  five  human  skeletons  in  the  Mis- 
sissippi bluffs  on  the  farm  of  Mrs.  L.  B.  Lyon  at  the  mouth  of 
Dutch  creek  hollow.  One  skull  measured  26  inches  'from  the  top 
of  the  cranium  around  under  the  lower  jaw.  Indeed,  many 
more  skeletons  are  in  these  bluffs.  Several  wagon-loads  of 
rock  had  been  thrown  over  these  remains.  The  heads  appeared  to 
be  laid  toward  a  common  center  of  about  three  feet  space.  One 
skull  contained  a  rock  which  had  doubtless  been  tlirown  there  when 
the  remains  were  buried.  The  bones  were  very  brittle  and  difficult 
to  secure  in  their  integrity  from  among  the  roots.  There  are  seven 
of  these  mounds  in  Mr.  Horton's  field,  in  a  semi-circle,  all  contain- 
ing human  remains.  Also  a  sjjecies  of  pottery  has  been  found 
there. 

In  the  southeast  part  of  Pearl  township  about  a  mile  from  the 
Illinois  river  two  copper  vessels  were  once  found,  one  smaller  than 
the  other,  under  some  flat  stones  which  had  been  plowed  up,  and  a 
little  lower  down  stone  coffins  were  found  in  a  field  where  they  had 
been  plowing;  but  these  ".remains"  were  probably  left  there  by 
early  French  explorers. 

Mr.  0.  L.  Obst,  photographer  in  Pittsfield,  who  is  a  fine  archae- 
ologist and  the  virtual  founder  of  the  "Pike  County  Antiquarian 
Society,"  has  a  splendid  collection ;  namely,  100  varieties  of  flint 
implements,  four  varieties  of  stone  hatchets,  four  of  wedges,  varie- 
ties of  stone  disks  of  various  materials,  as  iron  ore,  sandstone,  gran- 
ite and  greenstone,  four  varieties  of  plummets,  mostly  iron  ore, 
two  of  hammers,  pestles,  round  stone  for  clubs,  eight  kinds  of 
pipes,  iron  ore  and  greenstone  chisels,  plowshares  and  hoes,  a  large 
variety  of  pottery,  drills  and  mortars,  bone  of  the  pre-historic  bison, 
sinkers,  weights,  etc.,  etc.  Mr.  Obst  has  also  a  good  collection  of 
geological  specimens. 

The  museum  of  the  Society  is  in  the  Public  Library  room  over 
the  postoffice  in  Pittsfield,  but  the  association  is  not  active  at  pres- 
ent and  their  collection  of  relics  seems  neglected. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

IMPORTANT  LABORS  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  SUPERVISORS. 

COUNTY  COITET. 

In  184:7  a  State  election  was  held  for  members  of  the  Constitu- 
tional Convention,  which  Convention  prepared  and  submitted  to  the 
people  a  new  Constitution,  which  was  adopted  by  a  large  majority. 
By  this  Constitution,  in  place  of  the  Commissioners'  Court  a  County 
Court  was  organized  in  each  county.  This  Court  consisted  of  a 
County  Judge,  and,  if  the  Legislature  saw  proper  to  so  order  it,  two 
Associate  Justices.  Tliis  the  Legislature  favorably  acted  upon. 
The  last  meeting  of  the  County  Commissioners'  Court  was  held 
November,  1849.  After  the  transaction  of  such  business  as  prop- 
erly came  before  them,  they  adjourned  until  court  in  course,  but 
never  re-assembled. 

On  the  iirst  Monday  of  December  of  the  same  year  the  first  regu- 
lar term,  of  the  County  Court  was  held.  The  duties  of  the  Court 
in  a  legislative  capacity  were  precisely  the  same  as  those  of  the 
County  Commissioners'  Court.  In  addition  to  the  legislative  power 
the  members  of  this  Court  were  permitted  to  exercise  judicial 
authority,  having  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Justices  of  the 
Peace,  together  with  all  probate  business.  This  Court  consisted  of 
a  County  Judge  and  two  Associate  Justices.  The  Judge  and  As- 
sociate Justices  acted  together  for  the  transaction  of  all  county  busi- 
ness, but  none  other.  The  Justices  had  an  equal  vote  with  the 
Judge,  and  received  the  same  salary  while  holding  Court,  which  was 
$2  per  day.     Two  of  the  three  constituted  a  quorum. 

The  County  Judge  who  served  undeJ-  this  regime  was  James 
Ward.  The  Associate  Justices  were  Joshua  Woosley  and  William 
P.  Harpole. 

TOWNSHIP  OEGANIZATION. 

The  Constitution  of  1847  provided  for  township  organization 
in  those  counties  desiring  it.  (Hons.  Wm.  E.  Archer  and  Wm. 
A.  Grimshaw,  both  of  this  count}',  were  members  of  the  Conven- 
tion framing  this  Constitution.)  The  question  of  organizing 
according  to  this  provision   soon  began,  of  course,  to  agitate  the 


"308  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

people  of  Pike  county,  and  the  controversy  grew  bitter, — the  bit- 
terest indeed  that  this  more  than  usually  peaceful  community  ever 
indulged  in.  Immigrants  from  the  East  were  familiar  with  the 
workings  of  township  legislation  and  management,  and  desired  to 
perpetuate  their  home  institution  in  the  West;  but  the  other  citi- 
zens of  the  county  were  afraid  that  the  introduction  of  the  measure 
would  necessitate  an  increase  of  office  holders,  useless  expenses  and 
many  unforeseen  vexations.  The  Judges  in  office  were  all  opposed 
to  the  innovation, — so  much  so  indeed  that  they  continued  to  hold 
Court  even  after  the  great  victory  of  the  innovators  in  carrying  the 
■county  by  1,563  votes  against  317,  and  the  election  of  new  mem- 
bers. For  a  short  time  the  county  had  two  legislatures  at  once. 
The  vote  was  taken  at  the  general  election  of  November  6,  1849,  at 
which  election  Peter  Y.  Shankland  was  elected  County  Clerk  on 
this  hotly  contested  issue,  and  Stephen  R.  Gray  Sheriif.  Both  these 
gentlemen  were  Democrats,  in  favor  of  township  organization.  In- 
deed, as  a  matter  of  curiosity,  but  of  no  political  significance,  we 
may  state  that  the  fight  on  both  sides  was  nearly  all  done  by  the 
Democrats,  the  "Whigs  taking  but  little  part. 

An  election  was  held  in  November,  1849,  to  vote  "  for "  or 
""against"  township  organization,  which  resulted  in  favor  of  the 
measure.  This  was  met  with  bitter  opposition  however,  and  an  ap- 
peal was  taken  to  the  Circuit  Court  by  Samnel  L.  Crane.  The  law 
was  decided  to  be  constitutional,  and  the  election  a  fair  one. 

The  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Pike  county  first  assembled  April 
S,  1850,  this  being  one  of  the  first  counties  in  the  State  to  organize 
under  the  township  mode. 

There  were  present  at  this  meeting  the  following  members : 
Montgoiftery  Blair,  Barry;  Hazen  Pressy,  Washington;  Archibald 
Brooks,  Chambersburg;  David  Preble,  Salem;  Wilson  Adams, 
Hardin;  Wm.  Ross,  Newburg;  Thos.  Hull,  Kinderhook;  A.  "W. 
Bemis,  Martinsburg;  R.  C.  Robertson,  Milton;  James  M.  Seeley, 
Atlas,  and  John  McTucker,  Hadley.  Supervisor  Blair  was  elected 
temporary  Chairman  and  Col.  Ross  chosen  Chairman.  The  Board 
then  adjourned  to  re-assemble  April  23, 1850.  There  were  present 
at  this  the  second  meeting  the  following  gentlemen:  Wm.  Eoss; 
Archibald  Brooks;  Darius  Dexter,  Perry;  Amos  Hill,  Griggsville; 
David  Preble;  John  McTucker;  Montgomery  Blair;  Jesse  Seniff, 
Detroit;  Thomas  Hull;  A.  W.  Bemis;  J.  M.  Seeley;  J.  T.  Hyde, 
Pittstield;  R.  C.  Robertson;  Wilson  Adams;  Hazen  Pressy;  and 
James  Talbot,  Pleasant  Vale. 

The  County  Court,  when  in  session  in  1849,  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  divide  the  county  into  townships.  This  committee  made 
their  report  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  which  is  as  follows  : 

"  We,  the  undersigned.  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  honor- 
able the  County  Court  at  the  December  term,  1849,  to  divide  Pike 
county  into  towns  or  townships  pursuant  to  the  declared  wish  of  the 
citizens  of  said  countj',  decided  by  a  majority  of  votes  given  for 
and  against  township  organization  at  an  election  held  on  Tuesday 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  309 

•after  the  first  Monday  in  November,  1849,  under  and  by  authority 
of  an  act  to  provide  for  township  and  county  organization,  and  may 
organize  whenever  a  majority  of  votes  of  said  county  at  any  gen- 
eral election  shall  so  determine,  respectfully  report  that,  after  ma- 
ture deliberation  and  hearing  the  views  and  consulting  the  wishes 
of  the  people  through  delegations  appointed  by  the  different  pre- 
cincts, they  have  unanimously  agreed  upon  the  following  division 
boundaries  and  names,  and  report  the  same  as  organized  : 

"  John  Lystee, 
"  S.  E.  Geay, 
"  John  K.  Cleveland. 
"  Commencing  at  the  northeastern  corner  of  the  county  and 
making  fractional  townships  3  s.,  1  and  2  w.,  a  town  by  the  name 
of  Chambersburg;  Congressional  township  3  s.,  3  w..  Perry;  3  s., 
4  w.,  Fairmount;  4  s.,  7  w.,  and  fractional  of  4  s.  and  8  w.,  Kin- 
derhook;  4  s.,  6  w.,  Barry;  4  s.,  5  w.,  Hadley;  4  s.,  4  w.,  New 
Salem;  4  s.,  3  w.,  Griggsville;  fractional  township  4  s.,  2  W.,  Flint; 
fractional  township  5  s.,  2  w.,  Detroit;  Congressional  township  5  s., 
2  w.,  Newburg;  5  s.,  4  w.,  Pittsfield;  5  s.,  5  w.,  Washington  ;  5  s., 
6  w.,  and  the  fractional  townships  5  s.,  7  w.,  and  5  s,,  8  w.,  and  6 
s.,  7  w.,  Pleasant  Vale;  6  s.,  5  w.,  6  s.,  6  w.,  7  s.,  5  w.  and  7  s.,  8 
w.,  Atlas;  6  s.,  4  w.,  Martinsbnrg;  6  s.,  3  w.,  Hardin;  6  s.,  2  w., 
Milton;  fractional  township  7  s.,  2  w.,  Pearl;  7  s.,  3  w.,  Spring 
Creek;  and  7  s.,  4  w..  Pleasant  Hill." 

Subsequently  the  Board  of  Supervisors  were  notified  by  the 
State  Auditor  that  the  names  of  Washington  and  Milton  must  be 
changed,  owing  to  other  townships  in  the  State  bearing  those 
names.  On  motion  of  Supervisor  Robertson  the  name  of  Milton 
was  changed  to  Montezuma  ;  and  on  motion  of  Supervisor  Pressly 
that  of  Washington  to  Derry. 

In  1876  the  fractional  part  of  township  4  s.,  8  w.,  and  heretofore 
a  part  of  Kinderhook  township  was  organized  into  a  separate  town- 
ship and  named  Levee.  In  1879  that  part  of  Atlas  township  in 
town  7  s.,  5  w.,  was  organized  into  a  separate  township  and  named 
Ross. 

JAIL. 

At  the  April  meeting,  1863,  the  Board  of  Supervisors  resolved 
to  build  a  new  jail,  Ihe  cost  of  which  should  not  exceed  $15,000.  Su- 
pervisors Gray,  Dimmitt,  Smitherman,  Roberts,  Dennis,  Adams 
and  Shields  were  appointed  a  committee  to  carry  out  the  decisions 
of  the  Board,  and  they  authorized  a  sub-committee  to  visit  jails  of 
other  counties  and  procure  plans  and  specifications  ibr  consideration 
and  adoption  by  the  above  committee;  and  also  with  full  power  to 
appoint,  if  they  see  proper,  a  sub-committee  as  acting  superintend- 
ents of  the  erection  of  said  building;  and  also  the  said  committee 
was  given  power  to  dispose  of  the  old  part  of  the  present  jail,  to- 
gether with  the  lot,  and  to  purchase  a  more  suitable  lot  whereon  to 
erect  the  new  building. 


310 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


At  a  meeting  held  Tuesday,  Sept.  16,  1863,  Supervisor  Dennis 
offered  a  resolution  to  increase  the  appropriation  for  the  building 
of  the  jail  and  Sheriff's  residence  from  $15,000  to  $25,000.  Su- 
pervisor Hollis  moved  that  the  appropriation  be  $20,000.  His 
motion  was  lost,  and  Mr.  Dennis'  was  adopted. 

The  jail  building,  of  which  we  give  a  cut  in  this  volume,  was  com- 
pleted in  due  time,  and  now  stands  an  honor  to  the  county. 

SUPEEVISORS. 

Below  we  give  a  full  list  of  all  the  Supervisors  from  the  time  the 
county  was  organized  under  the  township  law  till  the  present  time, 
by  years,  together  with  the  name  of  the  chairman  and  the  township 
each  member  is  from: 


William  Ross, 
Archibald  Brooks,  Chambersburg. 
Darius  Dexter,  Perry. 
Amos  Hill,'  Griegsville. 
David  Preble,  New  Salem. 
John  McTucker,  Hadley. 
Montgomery  Blair,  Barry. 
Jesse  Seniff,  Detroit. 
Thomas  Hull,  Kinderhook. 
A.  W.  Bemis,  Martinsburg. 
J.  M.  Seeley,  Atlas. 


1850. 

Newburg,  Chairman. 

J.  F.  Hyde,  Pittsfield. 

R.  C.  Robertson,  Milton  (Montezuma). 

Wilson  Adams,  Hardin. 

Hazen  Pressy,  Washington,  Derry. 

James  Talbot,  Pleasant  Vale. 

William  Turnbull,  Flint. 

William  Morrison,  Fairmount. 

Thomas  Barton,  Pleasant  Hill. 

J.  P.  Stark,  Spring  Creek. 


1851. 


William 
Amos  Hill,  Grriggsville. 
Thomas  Odiorne,  Atlas. 
Hazen  Pressy,  Derry. 
William  Morrison,  Fairmount. 
William  Turnbull    Flint. 
Thomas  Barton,  Pleasant  Hill. 
William  Grammar,  Hadley . 
John  Lyster,  Detroit. 
Worden  Willis,  Pleasant  V-ale. 
Montgomery  Blair,  Barry. 


Ross,  Kewburg,  Chairman. 

Darius  Dexter,  Perry. 

D.  H.  Gilmer,  Pittsfield. 

R.  C.  Robertson,  Montezuma. 

William  Adams,  Hardin. 

Harvey  W.  McClintock,  Martinsburg. 

David  Preble,  New  Salem. 

J.  P.  Stars,  Spring  Greek. 

Thomas  Hull,'  Kinderhook. 

Constantine  Smith,  Pearl. 

Peter  Karges,  Chambersburg. 

1852. 


■      H.R. 

James  Brown,  Chambersburg. 
Darius  Dexter,  Perry. 
David  Preble,  New  Salem. 
John  E.  Ayres,  Fairmount. 
M.  B.  Churchill,  Kinderhook. 
S.  K.  Taylor,  Derry. 
D.  H.  Gilmer,  Pittsfield. 
M.  J.  Noyes. 
Amos  Hill,  Grigsville. 
John  Lyster,  Detroit. 


Ramsay,  Atlas,  Chairman. 

William  Turnbull,  Flint. 

H.  W.  McClintock,  Martinsbvu-g. 

K.  C.  Thurman,  Pleasant  Hill. 

William  Grammar,  Hadley. 

B.  F.  Brown  ell,  Barry. 

S.  Grigsbv,  Plea'^ant  Vale. 

Richard  Robertson,  Montezuma. 

A.  Main,  Hardin. 

K  ohn  P.  Stark,  Spring  Creek. 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


311 


William 
James  Brown,  Chambersburg. 
William  Dustin,  Atlas. 
Daniel  Fisher,  New  Salem. 
Thomas  Hull,  Kinderhook. 
Harlow  Huntley,  Hadley. 
Tyre  Jennings,  Barry. 
B.  L.  Matthews  Perry. 
H.  T.  Mudd,  Pittsfleld. 
Oonstantine  Smith,  Pearl. 


J.  8.  Roberts, 
James  Brown,  Chambersburg. 
Calvin  Greenleaf,  Flint. 
Jonathan  Frye,  Detroit. 
Dennis  Leary,  Montezuma. 
Constantine  Smith,  Pearl. 
B.  L.  Matthews,  Perry. 
James  Winn,  Griggsville. 
B.  F.  Westlake,  Newburg. 
John  Heavener,  Hardin. 
Wm.  E.  Smith,  Spring  Creek. 


1853. 

Turnbull,  Chairman. 

William  E.  Smith,  Spring  Creek. 
Cornelius  Sullivan,  Martinsburg. 
Jonathan  Frye,  Detroit. 
Dennis  Leary,  Montezuma. 
William  Kinman,  Griggsville. 
Samuel  G.  Sitton,  Hardin. 
William  C.  Crawford,  Fairmount. 
L.  H.  Stone,  Pleasant  Hill. 
P.  A.  Landrum,  Derry. 

1854. 

Martinsburg,  Ohai'rman. 

Daniel  Fisher,  New  Salem. 

Henry  T.  Mudd,  Pittsfleld. 

L.  H.  Stone,  Pleasant  Hill. 

Wm.  Grammar,  Hadley. 

Jethro  Petty,  Derry. 

Wm.  Dustin,  Atlas. 

Tyre  Jennings,  Barry. 

Charles  T.  Brewster,  Pleasant  Vale. 

S.  B.  Gaines,  Kinderhook. 

Wm.  C.  Crawford,  Fairmount. 


B.  P.  Westlake, 
John  Loer,  Chambersburg. 
Wm.  Thackwray,  Flint. 
D.  Leary,  Montezuma. 
Constantine  Smith,  Pearl. 
B.  L.  Matthews,  Perry. 
James  Winn,  Griggsville. 
Wilson  Adams,  Hardin. 
Wm.  C.  Smith,  Spring  Creek. 
Wm.  C.  Crawford,  Fairmount. 
Daniel  Fisher,  New  Salem. 
H.  T.  Mudd,  Pittsfleld. 


1855. 

Newburg,  Chairman. 

John  S.  Roberts.  Martinsburg. 

John  Ray,  Pleasant  Hill. 

Joseph  P.  Smith,  Hadley. 

J.  S.  Vertrees,  Perry. 

Simon  K.  Taylor,  Derry. 

Tyre  Jennings,  Barry. 

Thos.  Odiorne,  Atlas. 

Charles  T.  Brewster,  Pleasant  Vale. 

S.  B.  Gaines,  Kinderhook. 

R.  C.  Allen,  Detroit. 

Nicholas  Hobbes,  Fairmount. 

1856. 


J.  S.  Roberts, 
John  Loer,  Chambersburg. 
Jonathan  Frye,  Detroit. 
Wm.  Wheeler,  Pearl. 
0.  M.  Hatch,  Griggsville. 
Joseph  G.  Colvin,  Hardin. 
Wm.  H.  Love,  Fairmount. 
Daniel  D.  Hicks,  Pittsfleld. 
Alex.  Hemphill,  Pleasant  Hill. 
Jo'siah  Long,  Atlas. 
Daniel  Pyle,  Flint. 


Martinsburg,  Chairman. 

Edwin  Wooley,  Montezuma. 
John  L.  Gaine,  Perry. 
B.  F.  Westlake,  Newburg. 
Wm.  E.  Smith,  Spring  Creek. 
Wm.  F.  Hooper,  New  Salem. 
Richard  Hayes,  Hadley. 
James  Wallace,  Pleasant  Vale. 
A.  Landrum,  Derry. 
John  P.  Grubb,  Barry. 

1857. 


John  W.  Allen,  Detroit,  Chairman. 
B.  B.  Metz,  Chambersburg.  Wm.  F.  Hooker,  New  Salem. 

Joseph  G.  Pyle,  Flint.  Daniel  D.  Hicks,  Pittsfleld. 

Spencer  Hudson,  Montezuma.  Joshua  Butler,  Martinsburg. 

Constantine  Smith,  Pearl.  Alex.  Hemphill,  Pleasant  Hill. 


312 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE  COUNTY. 


Thos.  Reynolds,  Perry. 
Alfred  Gordon,  Griggsville. 
B.  F.  Westlake,  Newburg. 
J.  G.  Colvin,  Hardin. 
John  H.  Brewer,  Fairmount. 
Wm.  E.  Smith,  Spring  Creek. 


Richard  Hayes,  Hadley. 
■John  L.  [Jnaerwood,  Derry. 
Jesse  Long,  Atlas. 
J.  R.  Williams,  Barry. 
James  Wallace,  Pleasant  Vale., 
M.  B.  Churchill,  Kinderhook. 


1858. 


Wm.  Turnbull, 
Harvey  Dunn,  Chambersburg. 
Jonathan  Frye,  Detroit. 
E.  N.  French,  Montezuma. 
Hiram  Hess,  Pearl. 
Thos.  Reynolds,  Perry. 
James  Winn,  Griggsville. 
B.  F.  Westlake,  ]S[ewburg. 
Adam  Puterbaugh,  Hardin. 
Wm.  E.  Smith,  Spring  Creek. 
John  H.  Brewer,  Fairmount. 


Flint,  Ohairman. 
Thos.  Gray,  New  Salem. 
Austin  Barber,  Pillsfield. 
Joshua  Butler,  Martinsburg. 
John  G.  Sitton,  Pleasant  Hill. 
Wm.  Grammar,  Hadley. 
John  L.  Underwood,  Derry. 
Sherman  Brown,  Atlas. 
James  B.  Williams,  Barry. 
James  Wallace,  Pleasant  Vale. 
A.  T.  Love,  Kinderhook. 


John  S.  Roberts, 
Wilson  S.  Dennis,  Chambersburg. 
James  L.  Thompson,  Flint. 
Jonathan  Frye,  Detroit. 
Isaac  S.  Brown,  Montezuma. 
Oonstantine  Smith,  Pearl. 
B.  L.  Matthews,  Perry. 
James  Winn,  Griggsville. 
Benj.'F.  Westlake,  Newburg. 
Wilson  Adams,  Hardin. 
Wm.  E.  Smith,  Spring  Creek. 


1859. 

Martinsburg,  Ghairman. 
John  Vail  Fairmount. 
James  C.  Conkright,  Kew  Salem^ 
Isaac  W.  Jones,  Pittsfield, 
Thos.  Barney,  Pleasant  Hill. 
Wm.  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Simon  K.  Taylor,  Derry. 
Sherman  Brown,  Atlas. 
Richard  St.  John,  Barry. 
James  Wallace,  Pleasant  Vale. 
John  G.  Wheelock,  Kinderhook. 


John  S.  Roberts, 
James  H.  Dennis,  Chambersburg. 
Jas.  L.  Thompson,  Flint. 
John  W.  Allen,  Detroit. 
E.  C.  Clemmons,  Montezuma. 
Hiram  Hess,  Pearl. 
James  Johns,  Perry. 
T.  H.  Dimmitt,  Griggsville. 
B.  F.  Westlake,  Newburg. 
J.  C.  Colvin,     ardin. 
Wm.  E.  Smith,  Spring  Creek, 


John  S.  Roberts, 

J.  H.  Dennis,  Chambersbm-g. 
Geo.  H.  Sanford,  Flint. 
John  W.  Allen,  Detroit. 
Wm.  B.  Grimes,  Montezuma. 
Andrew  N.  Hess,  Pearl. 
Geo.  W.  Baldwin,  Perry. 
Thos.  H.  Dimmitt,  Griggsville. 
B.  F.  Westlake,  Newburg. 
Jos.  G.  Colvin,  Hardin. 
Wm.  E.  Smith,  Spring  Creek. 


1860. 

Martinsburg,  OJiairmin. 
John  Vail,  Fairmount. 
Jas.  C.  Conkright,  New  Salem. 
David  A.  Stanton,  Pittsfield, 
Alex,  Parker,  Pleasant  Hill. 
Wm,  Grammar,  Hadley. 
James  B.  Landrum,  Derry. 
Sherman  Brown,  Atlas. 
Lewis  D.  White,  Barry. 
Harrison  Brown,  Pleasant  Hill, 
John  G.  Wheelock,  Kinderhook. 

1861. 

Martinsburg,  Ghiirman. 

John  Vail,  Fairmount, 
A,  J.  McWilliams,  New  Salem. 
D,  A.  Stanton,  Pittsfield. 
A,  J,  Lovell,  Pleasant  Hill. 
Wm.  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Isaac  Pryor,  Perry. 
J.  G.  Adams,  Atlas. 
John  McTucker,  Barry. 
Perry  H.  Davis,  Pleasant  Vale. 
John  Aron,  Kinderhook. 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 


313. 


John  S.  Roberts, 
James  H.  Dennis,  Chambersburg. 
Geo.  H.  Sanford,  Flint. 
Jonathan  Prye,  Detroit. 
Geo.  Underwood,  Montezuma. 
Andrew  N.  Hess,  Pearl, 
James  W.  Brown,  Perry. 
T.  H.  Dimmilt,  Griggsville. 
B.  F.  Westlake,  Kewburg. 
J.  G.  Colvin,  Hardin. 
Wm.  E.  Smith,  Spring  Creek. 


John  S.  Roberts, 
James  H.  Dennis,  Chambersburg. 
Wm.  Thackwray,  Flint. 
L.  J.  Smitherman,  Detroit. 
J.  0.  Bolin,  Montezuma. 

A.  N.  Hess,  Pearl. 
Augustus  Akin,  Perry. 

T.  H.  Dimmilt,  Griggsville. 
Strother  Grigsby,  Newburg. 

B.  F. Westlake,  Newburg. 
J.  G.  Colvin,  Hardin. 

D.  SoUis,  Spring  Creek. 


James  H.  Dennis, 
Wm.  Thackwray,  Flint. 
L.  J.  Smitherman,  Detroit. 
E.  N.  French,  Montezuma. 

A.  N.  Hess,  Pearl. 
Harvey  Dunn,  Jr.,  Perry. 
Thos.  H.  Dimmitt,  Griggsville. 
Nathan  Kelley,  Newburg. 

B.  C.  Lindsay,  Hardin. 
David  Hollis,  Spring  Creek. 
John  Vail,  Fairmount. 


1862. 

Martinsburg,  Ohaiiinan. 

Wm.  Morrison,  Fairmount. 
A.  J.  Mc Williams,  New  Salem. 
D.  A.  Stanton,  Pittsfield. 
L.  H.  Stone,  Pleasant  Hill. 
Wm.  Grammar,  Hadley. 
J.  B.  Landrum,  Derry. 
J.  G.  Adams,  Atlas. 
Henry  Wallace,  Barry. 
P.  H.  Davis,  Pleasant  Vale. 
John  Aron,  Kinderhook. 

1863. 

Martinsburg,  Chairman. 

Wm.  Morrison,  Fairmount. 

A,  J.  MoWilliams,  New  Salem. 

S.  R.  Gray,  Pittsfield. 

A.  Hemphill,  Pleasant  Hill. 

Wm.  Grammar,  Hadley. 

Thos.  Harris,  Derry. 

J.  G.  Adams,  Atlas. 

Wm.  P.  Shields,  Barry. 

J.  R.  Thomas,  Pleasant  Vale. 

John  Aron,  Kinderhook. 


1864. 

Chambersburg,  Chairman. 
John  Preble,  New  Salem. 
N.  A.  Wells,  Pittsfield. 
J.  S.  Roberts,  Martinsburg. 
Alex.  Hemphill,  Pleasant  Hill. 
Wm.  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Thos.  S.  Harris,  Derry. 
J.  G.  Adams,  Atlas. 
Wm.  P.  Shields,  Barry. 
James  Wallace,  Pleasant  Vale. 
John  G.  Wheelock,  Kinderhook. 

1865. 


P.  H.  Davis, 

Jas,  H.  Dennis,  Chambersburg. 

Wm.  TurnbuU,  Flint. 

L.  J.  Smitherman,  Detroit. 

Robert  E.  Gilliland,  Montezuma. 

A.  N.  Hess,  Pearl. 

John  E.  Morton,  Perry. 

T.  H.  Dimmitt,  Griggsville. 

Wm.  J.  Ross,  Jr.,  Newburg. 

Samuel  Heavener,  Hardin, 

David  Hollis,  Spring  Creek. 


Pleasant  Vale,  Chairman. 

John  Vail,  Fairmount. 
Asahel  Hinman,  New  Salem. 
J.  M.  Bush,  Pittsfield. 
David  Roberts,  Martinsburg. 
Alex.  Hemphill,  Pleasant  Hill. 
Wm.  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Albert  Landrum,  Derry. 
Wm   Dustin,  Atlas. 
Wm.  P.  Shields,  Barry. 
John  Q.  Wheelock,  Kinderhook. 


1866. 
James  H.  Dennis,  Chambersburg,  Chairman. 
William  Turnbull,  Flint. 


L.  J.  Smitherman,  Detroit. 
George  Marks,  Montezuma. 


James  M.  Ferry,  Pittsfield. 

R.  A.  McClintock,  Martinsburg, 

A.  F.  Hemphill,  Pleasant  Hill. 


314 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


Joshua  Hanks,  Pearl. 
John  E.  Morton,  Perry. 
T.  H.  Dimmitl,  Griggsville. 
Strother  Grigsby,  Newburg. 
David  Hollis,Spring  Creek. 
John  Vail,  Fairmount. 
John  Preble,  New  Salem. 


James  H.  Dennis, 
James  L.  Thompson,  Flint. 
L.  J.  Smitherman,  Detroit. 
John  O.  Bolin,  Montezuma. 
Joshua  Hanks,  Pearl. 
John  A.  Morton,  Perry. 
Thomas  H.  Dimmitt,  Griggsville, 
Strother  Grigsby,  Newburg. 
Jos.  G.  Colvin,  Hardin. 
David  Hollis,  Spring  Creek. 
John  Vail,  Fairmount. 


James  H.  Dennis, 
"William  Anderson,  Flint. 
John  W.  Allen,  Detroit. 
James  A.  Brown,  Montezuma. 
Joshua  Hanks,  Pearl. 
Harvey  Thornbury,  Perry. 
T.  H.  Dimmitt,  Griggsville. 
Strother  Grigsby,  Newburg. 
John  C.  Dinsmore,  Hardin. 
F.  J.  Halford,  Spring  Creek. 
John  Vail,  Fairmount. 


William  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Albert  Landrum,  Derry. 
J.  G.  Adams,  Atlas. 
William  M.  P.  Shields,  Barry. 
James  Wallace,  Pleasant  Vale. 
R.  M.  Murray,  Klnderhook. 


1867. 

Chambersburg,  Chairman. 
John  Preble,  New  Salem. 
George  W.  Jones,  Pittsfield. 
William  M.  McClintock,  Martinsburg. 
A.  F.  Hemphill,  Pleasant  Hill. 
William  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Albert  Landrum,  Derry. 
J.  G.  Adams,  Atlas. 
M.  Blair,  Barry. 
Perry  H.  Davis,  Pleasant  Vale. 
Thomas  Mclntire,  Kinderhook. 

1868. 

Chambersburg,  Ohairman. 
John  Preble,  New  Salem. 
George  W.  Jones,  Pittsfield. 
John  Melton,  Martinsburg. 
William  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Albert  Landrum,  Derry. 
Montgomery  Blair,  Barry. 
P.  H.  Davis,  Pleasant  Vale. 
A.  J.  Lovell,  Pleasant  Hill. 
J.  G.  Adams,  Atlas. 
R.  M.  Murray,  Kinderhook. 


1869. 


George  W.  Jones, 
James  H.  Dennis,  Chambersburg. 
William  Anderson,  Flint. 
John  Lyster,  Detroit, 
James  A.  Brown,  Montezuma. 
David  Hess,  Pearl. 
B.  L.  Matthews,  Perry. 
Noah  Divilbiss,  Perry. 
T.  H.  Dimmitt,  Griggsville. 
B.  P.  Westlake,  Newburg. 
B.  C.  Lindsay,  Hardin. 
Frank  J.  Halford,  Spring  Creek. 


Pittsfield,  Chairman. 

T.  M.  Coss,  Fairmount. 
John  Preble,  New  Salem. 
Joseph  Turnbaugh,  Martinsburg. 
J.  B.  Harl,  Pleasant  Hill. 
William  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Maberry  Evans,  Derry. 
A.  Simpkins,  Atlas. 
Montgomery  Blair,  Barry. 
P.  H.  Davis,  Pleasant  Hill. 
John  Aron,  Kinderhook. 


1870. 
George  W.  Jones,  Pittsfield,  Chairman. 


Lewis  Ham,  Chambersburg. 

William  Anderson,  Flint. 

isamuel  Havden,  Detroit. 

James  A.  Brown,  Montezuma. 

George  W.  Roberts,  Pearl. 

B.  L.  Matthews,  Perry. 

T.  H.  Dimmitt,  Griggsville. 

Thompson  J.  Pulliam,  Newburg. 

Alvin  Petty,  Hardin. 

F.  J.  Halford,  Spring  Creek. 


Taylor  M.  Coss,  Fairmount. 
John  Preble,  New  Salem. 
John  Brittain,  Martinsburg. 
A.  J.  Lovell,  Pleasant  Hill. 
J.  W.  Burke,  Derry. 
William  Dustin,  Atlas. 
M.  Blair,  Barry. 
P.  H.  Davis,  Pleasant  Vale. 
John  Clutch,  Kinderhook. 


J 


DERRY   TP 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


317 


1871. 


George  W.  Jones 
Lewis  Ham,  Chambersburg. 
■William  Anderson,  Flint. 
B.  "W.  Fiynn,  Detroit. 
James  A.  Brown,  Montezuma. 
Oeorge  W.  Roberts,  Pearl. 
Thomas  Reynolds,  Perry. 
James  McWilliams,  Griggsville. 
T.  G.  Pulliam,  Newburg. 
Francis  Frye,  Hardin. 
T.  J.  Halford,  Spring  Greek. 


,  Pittsfleld,  Chairman. 

William  Morrison,  Fairmount. 
John  Preble,  New  Salem. 
Hardin  Goodin,  Martinsburg. 
A.  J.  Lovell,  Pleasant  Hill. 
William  Grammar,  Hadley. 
William  Dustin,  Atlas. 
James  W.  Burke,  Derry. 
Calvin  Davis,  Barry. 
M.  D.  Massie,  Pleasant  Vale. 
John  Clutch,  Kinderhook. 

1872. 


George  W.  Jones,  Pittsfleld,  Chairman. 


Lewis  Ham,  Chambersburg. 
B.  W.  Fiynn,  Detroit. 
William  T.  Dugdell,  Montezuma. 
G.  W.  Roberts,  Pearl. 
Thomas  Reynolds,  Perry. 
James  McWilliams,  Griggsville. 
Strother  Grigsby,  Newburg. 
Francis  Frye,  Hardin. 
David  Hollis,  Spring  Creek. 
William  Corey,  Fairmount. 


Lewis  Ham, 
David  Pyle,  Flint. 
B.  W.  Fiynn,  Detroit. 
Milton  Grimes,  Montezuma. 
George  W.  R')berts,  Pearl. 
Thomas  Reynolds,  Perry. 
James  McWilliams,  Griggsville. 
P.  H.  Cooper,  Newburg. 
Wright  Hicks,  Hardin. 
F.  J .  Halford,  Spring  Creek. 
William  Corey,  Fairmount. 


James  H.  Dennis, 
William  Turnbull,  Flint. 
William  Douglas,  Detroit. 
A.  J.  Worcester,  Montezuma. 
Andrew  N.  Hess,  Pearl. 
Thomas  Reynolds,  Perry. 
James  McWilliams,  Griggsville. 
Nathan  Kelley,  Newburg. 
Wright  Hicks,  Hardin. 
CO.  Melton,  Spring  Creek. 
William  Corey,  Fairmount. 


John  Preble,  New  Salem. 
William  Fowler,  Martinsburg. 
A.  J.  Lovell,  Pleasant  Hill. 
William  Grammar,  Hadley. 
J.  W.  Burke,  Derry. 
William  Dustin,  Atlas. 
Calvin  Davis,  Barry. 
M.  D.  Massie,  Pleasant  Vale. 
John  Clutch,  Kinderhook. 


1873. 

Pittsfleld,  Chairman. 

Addison  Cadwell,  New  Salem. 
Lewis  Dutton,  Pittsfleld. 
William  Fowler,  Martinsburg. 
A.  J.  Lovell,  Pleasant  Hill. 
William  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Thomas  H.  Coley,  Derry. 
Josiah  Long,  Atlas. 
John  P.  Grubb,  Barry. 
John  Horn,  Pleasant  Vale. 
John  Clutch,  Kinderhook. 

1874. 

Chambersburg,  Chairman. 

Addison  Cadwell,  New  Salem. 
Lewis  Dutton,  Pittsfleld. 
Francis  Fowler,  Martinsburg. 
A.  J.  Lovell,  Pleasant  Hill. 
William  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Maberry  Evans,  Derry. 
J.  G.  Adams,  Atlas. 
Calvin  Davis,  Barry. 
John  B.  Horn,  Pleasant  Vale. 
J"ohn  Clutch,  Kinderhook. 

1875. 


William  B.  Grimes,  Pittsfleld,  Chairman. 
3.  L.  Metz,  Chambersburg.  Addison  Cadwell,  New  Salem. 

Austin  Wade,  Flint.  Thomas  Aiton,  Martinsburg. 

Henry  Moler,  Detroit.  A.  J.  Lovell,  Pleasant  Hill. 

'A.  J.  Worcester,  Montezuma.  William  Grammar,  Hadley. 


20 


318 


HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


D.  W.  Miller,  Pearl. 
Thomas  Reynolds,  Perry. 
James  Mc Williams,  Griggsville. 
J.  H.  Farrington,  Hardin. 
C.  C.  Melton,  SpringCreek. 
R.  B.  McLaughlin,  Fairmount. 


A.  J.  Worcester, 
J.  L.  Metz,  Chambersburg. 
Joseph  Wilson,  Flint. 
Henry  Moler,  Detroit. 
G.  W.  Roberts,  Pearl. 
Z.  Wade,  Perry. 
George  Pratt,  Griggsville. 
C.  P.  Chapman,  Newburg. 
R.  R.  Pollock,  Spring  Creek. 
R.  B.  McLaughlin,  Fairmount. 
Addison  Cadwell,  New  Salem. 
Wm.  B.  Grimes,  Pittsfield. 


J.  W. 
George  Ham,  Chambersburg. 
Joseph  Wilson,  Flint. 
David  Btoner,  Detroit. 
Charles  E.  Bolin  Montezuma. 
A.  N.  Hess,  Pearl. 
Z.  Wade,  Perry. 
George  Pratt,  Griggsville. 
C;  P.  Chapman,  Newburg. 
Wright  Hicks,  Hardin. 
W  R.  Wilson,  Spring  Creek. 
R.  B.  McLaughlin,  Fairmount. 


Calvin 
George  Ham,  Chambersburg. 
Joseph  Wilson,  Flint. 
W.  T.  Smith,  Detroit. 
C.  E.  Bolin,  Montezuma. 
G.W.Roberts,  Pearl. 
J.  W.  Grimes,  Perry. 
George  Pratt,  Griggsville. 
C.  P  Chapman,  Newburg. 
J.  H.  Griffin,  Hardin 
M.  W.  Bogart,  Spring  Creek. 
Dele  Elder,  Fairmount. 


J.  C.  Newton,  Chambersburg. 
David  Pyle,  Flint. 

B.  W.  Flynn,  Detroit. 

N.  D.  McEvans,  Montezuma. 

G.  W.  Roberts,  Pearl. 

Z.  Wade,  Perry. 

George  Pratt,  Griggsville. 

C.  P.  Chapman,  Newburg. 
George  Main,  Hardin. 

C.  C.  Melton,  Spring  Creek. 
Dele  Elder,  Fairmouat. 


Maberry  Evans,  Derry. 
J.  G.  Adams,  Atlas. 
Alex.  White,  Barry. 
M.  D.  Massie,  Pleasant  Vale. 
William  Ross,  Newburg. 
R.  M.  Murray,  Kinderhook. 

1876. 

Montezuma,  Chairman. 

Thomas  Alton,  Martinsburg. 
A.  J.  Lovell,  Pleasant  Hill. 
William  Grammar,  Hadley. 
Maberry  Evans,  Derry. 
Samuel  Taylor,  Atlas.t 
W.  F.  White,  Barry. 
R.  M!  Murray,  Kinderhook. 
John  W.  Brammeil,  Pleasant  Vale. 
J.  H.  Farrington,  Hardin. 
F.  A.  Douglas,  Levee. 

1877. 

Burke,  Derry,  Oliairman. 

Addison  Cadwell,  New  Salem. 
Lewis  Dutton,  Pittsfield. 
William  Fowler,  Martinsburg. 
Johu  S.  Lockwood,  Pleasant  Vale. 
William  Grammar  Hadley. 
Samuel  Taylor,  Atlas. 
W.  P.  White,  Barry. 
F.  L.  Zernberg,  Pleasant  Hill. 
R.  .vl.  Murray,  Kinderhook. 
Marcus  Hardy,  Levee. 

1878. 

Davis,  Barry,  Gludnnan. 

John  Preble,  New  Salem. 
Lewis  Dutton,  Pittsfield. 
P.  H.  Sullivan,  Martinsburg. 
A.  L.  Galloway,  Pleasant  Hill. 
.     H.  L.  Hadsell,  Hadley. 
T.  H.  Coley,  Derry. 
Samuel  Taylor,  Atlas. 
J.  8.  Lockwood,  Pleasant  Vale. 
Samuel  Clark,  Kinderhook. 
Marcus  Hardy,  Levee. 

1879. 

Abel  Dunham,  New  Salem. 

H.  S.  Lloyd,  Pittsfield. 

P.  H.  Sullivan,  Martinsburg. 

A.  L.  Galloway,  Pleasant  Hill. 

Orrin  Campbell,  Hadlejr. 

T.  H.  Coley,  Derry. 

C,  B.  Dustin,  Atlas. 

E.  A.  Crandall,  Perry. 

M.  D.  Massie,  Pleasant  Vale. 

John  Clutch,  Kinderhook. 

Marcus  Hardy,  Levee. 


CHAPTER  X. 
BLACK  HAWK  WAK. 

In  November,  1830,  50  or  60  of  the  Sac  and  Fox  tribes  of  Indians 
came  down  on  a  hunting  excursion  and  camped  on  Bay  creek. 
These  tribes  at  that  time  were  living  on  Rock  river  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  State,  and  wished  once  more  to  visit  the  scenes  of  their 
former  hunting-ground.  Some  little  trouble  occurred  between 
these  Indians  and  the  whites  on  account  of  the  disappearance  ot 
hogs  in  the  neighborhood.  The  settlers  turned  out  and  caught 
some  of  the  red  men,  tied  them  up  and  administered  to  them  severe 
flacrellations  with  withes,  and  they  imnaediatelj'  left  the  country, 
never,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  to  return  in  a,  body  to  Pike 
county.  This  episode  comes  as  near  to  anything  of  a  warlike  na- 
ture, especially  a  hostile  collision  with  the  Indians,  as  any  that  we 
have  any  record  of  occuring  in  Pike  county. 

In  the  fall  of  1831  Black  Hawk  and  his  tribes  appeared  on  Rock 
, river,  where  they  committed  several  petty  depredations.  The  set- 
tlers of  Rock  River  and  vicinity  petitioned  Gov.  Reynolds  for  aid, 
stating  that  "  Last  fall  the  Black  Hawk  band  of  Indians  almost  de- 
stroyed all  of  our  crops,  and  made  several  attacks  on  the  owners 
when  they  attempted  to  prevent  their  depredations,  and  wounded 
one  man  by  actually  stabbing  him  in  several  places.  This  spring 
they  acted  in  a  more  outrageous  and  menacing  manner."  This  pe- 
tition represented  that  there  were  600  or  700  Indians  among  them: 
it  was  signed  by  35  or  40  persons.  Another  petition  sets  forth  that 
"  The  Indians  pasture  their  horses  in  our  wheat-fields,  shoot'  our 
cows  and  cattle  and  threaten  to  burn  our  houses  over  our  heads  if 
we  do  not  leave."  Other  statements  place  the  Indians  at  not  more 
than  300. 

According  to  these  petitions,  Grov.  Reynolds  in  May,  1831,  called 
for  700  mounted  men.  Beardstown  was  the  designated  place  of 
rendezvous,  and  such  were  the  sympathy  and  courage  of  the  settlers 
that  the  number  offering  themselves  was  nearly  three  times  the  num- 
ber called  out.  They  left  Rushville  for  Rock  Island  June  15, 1831 ; 
and  on  the  30th  of  the  same  month,  in  a  council  held  for  the  pur- 
pose. Black  Hawk  and  27  chiefs  and  warriors  on  one  part,  and  Gen. 
Edmund  P.  Gaines,  of  the  U.  S.   army,  and  John  Reynolds,  Gov- 


320  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

ernor  of  Illinois,  on  the  other  part,  signed  a  treaty  of  peace  and 
friendship.  This  capitulation  bound  the  Indians  to  go  and  remain 
west  of  the  Mississippi  river. 

In  April,  1832,  in  direct  violation  of  the  treaty  above  referred  to, 
Black  Hawk,  with  some  500  followers,  appeared  again  upon  the  scene 
of  action,  and  fear  and  excitement  spread  through  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  State.  To  again  drive  them  from  the  State,  Gov. 
Reynolds  called  on  the  Militia  April  16,  1832. 

TROOPS  EAISED  IN  PIKE  COUNTY. 

No  sooner  had  volunteers  been  called  for  than  every  county  and 
settlement  throughout  this  portion  of  the  State  promptly  responded. 
Nowhere,  however,  was  such  alacrity  shown  in  answering  the 
call  as  in  Pike  county.  The  hearts  of  the  sturdy  pioneers  were 
easily  touched  by  the  stories  of  depredations  by  the  Indians.  These 
stories  were  doubtless  greatly  exaggerated,  yet  the  frontiersmen 
who  knew  the  subtlety  and  treachery  of  the  red  men  well  knew 
they  could  not  be  trusted;  and  almost  any  crime  was  expected  of 
them. 

Col.  Wm.  Eoss,  then  Captain  of  the  Pike  County  Militia  Com- 
pany, received  word  from  the  Governor  on  Friday,  the  20th,  and 
he  immediately  issued  the  following  : 

"  CoMPASY  Obdbbs. — The  volunteer  company  of  Pike  county  will  meet  at  Atlas, 
on  Monday,  the  23d  inst.,  ready  to  take  up  their  march  by  sun-rise,  except  such 
part  of  the  company  as  are  living  on  the  east  side  of  said  county,  which  pai't  will 
meet  the  company  at  the  house  of  William  Henman,  about  four  miles  this  side  of 
Phillip's  Ferry,  on  the  same  day,  all  with  a  good  horse,  and  rifle,  powder-horn, 
half  pound  of  powder,  and  one  hundred  balls,  with  three  days'  provision^.  The 
commanding  officer  of  said  company  flatters  himself  that  every  man  will  be 
prompt  to  his  duty. 

[Signed,]  "  W.  Ross,  Capt.  1st  Rifles,  Pike  Co. 

"  April,  1833." 

The  Captain  then  called  upon  Beiij.  Barney  at  his  blacksmith 
siiop  and  told  him  of  the  nature  of  the  order  he  had  received,  and 
for  him  to  forthwith  mount  a  horse  and  start  out  to  notify  the  set- 
tlers to  assemble  immediately.  Mr.  Barney  was  engaged  at  his 
forge  at  the  time,  making  a  plow  ;  but  he  straightway  laid  down 
hammer  and  tongs,  untied  his  leathern  apron,  left  his  fire  to 
smolder  and  die,  and  Started  immediately  upon  his  mission.  He 
first  went  to  a  man  at  the  mouth  of  Blue  creek ;  from  thence  he 
made  a  circuit  of  the  county,  appealing  to  all  to  assemble  at  Atlas 
wiihout  delay.     He  tells  us  that  almost  all  of  them  left  their  work 

■  and  started  immediately. 

The  men  having  assembled  at  Atlas,  the  martial  band  began  to 
discourse  lively  music  to  stir  the  patriotism  of  the  militia-men 
to  a  high   pitch    so  that  they  would  enlist  for  the  service.    The 

'  music  did  not  seem  to  "  enthuse  "  them  with  as  great  a  desire  to 
enlist  as  their  leaders  had  anticipated.  Something  more  potent 
must  be  had ;  so  two  buckets  of  whisky  were  summoned  to  their 


HISTORY    OF    PUCK    COUNTY.  321 

aid;  the  men  were  formed  in  two  lines  facing  each  other,  and  wide 
enough  apart  to  admit  of  two  men  walking  up  and  down  the  line 
between  them.  Capt.  Ross  and  Lieut.  Seeley  started  down  the  line, 
each  with  a  bucket  of  liquor ;  two  boys  followed  with  water,  and 
then  came  the  music,  it  was  understood  that  those  who  would 
fall  in  after  the  music  would  enlist  for  service.  By  the  time  the 
third  round  was  made  100  men  were  in  line,  which  was  even  more 
than  the  quota  of  this  county  under  that  call.  Win.  Eoss  was 
elected  Captain  and  Benj.  Barney,  1st  Lieutenant.  The  company 
adjourned  to  meet  at  Griggsville  on  the  following  day  at  10  o'clock 
A.  M.  The  men  went  to  their  homes  in  various  parts  of  the  county 
to  notify  their  families  of  their  enlistment  and  to  make  slight 
preparations  for  their  journey.  We  are  told  that  with  four  or  five 
exceptions,  and  those  lived  along  the  Illinois  river,  every  man  was 
at  Griggsville  by  sunrise  on  the  day  appointed. 

The  company  then  started  for  Beardstown,  the  place  of  rendez- 
vous for  the  troops  in  this  part  of  the  State.  The  Illinois  river 
was  very  high  and  much  difficulty  was  experienced  in  crossing  it. 
The  ferry  would  carry  but  six  horses  at  a  time ;  and  while  waiting 
for  transportation  the  horses  stood  in  mud  up  to  their  knees.  It 
was  a  gloomy  time  and  they  had  no  liquor  with  which  to  cheer  up 
the  new  volunteers.  Capt.  Ross  was  among  the  first  to  cross  over, 
while  Lieut.  Barney  remained  with  the  men  upon  the  western  bank. 
Great  dissatisfaction  was  being  manifested  by  the  men  under  Lieut. 
Barney,  who  were  waiting  in  the  mud  and  water  to  cross  the  river, 
all  of  whom  did  not  get  over  until  11  o'clock  that  night.  Lieut. 
Barney  sent  word  to  Capt.  Ross  to  forward  him  a  jug  of  whisky. 
This  was  done  ;  a  fire  was  built,,  striking  it  by  the  flint  locks  of 
their  guns;  the  whisky  was  distributed,  and  once  more  the  troops 
were  in  good  spirits  and  ready  for  any  hardship. 

The  Pike  county  troops  arrived  at  Beardstown  the  next  day,  be- 
ing the  first  companj''  to  reach  that  point.  The  Governor  and  some 
of  the  leading  oflicers  were  already  there.  It  was  found  that  the 
Pike  county  company  was  too  large;  it  accordingly  was  divided 
and  formed  into  two  companies.  Lieut.  Barney  was  chosen  Cap- 
tain of  one  of  these,  and  Joseph  Petty,  Captain  of  the  other. 
James  Ross  was  elected  1st  Lieutenant  of  Capt.  Petty's  company, 
and  a  Mr.  Allen,  of  Capt.  Barney's  company.  Capt.  Koss  was 
chosen  Colonel  and  aid  of  the  cotumanding  General.  It  was  he 
who  appointed  Abraham  Lincoln,  our  martyr  President,  to  the 
Captaincy  of  one  of  the  Sangamon  county  companies  in  this  war. 

The  troops  marched  from  Beardstown  to  Rock  Island,  where 
they  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  by  Gen.  Zachary 
Taylor.  At  Fort  Armstrong,  which  was  at  that  point,  there  were 
then  only  about  50  United  States  troops.  The  Pike  county  volun- 
teers, with  others,  then  marched  up  toward  Dixon  on  Rock  river, 
the  course  the  Indians  had  taken.  They  followed  them  for  some 
days,  but  did  not  overtake  them  or  encounter  them  in  any  engage- 
ment.    During  the   entire  campaign   the  Pike  county  troops  did 


322  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

not  meet  the  foe  in  battle  array;  not  a  leaden  ball  was  shot  at  any 
of  these  men  during  the  50  days  they  were  out.  During  this  time 
they  ran  short  ot  provisions,  and  sent  to  Chicago,  but  in  that  pres- 
ent great  city,  where  millions  of  hogs  are  slaughtered  annually  and 
the  greatest  grain  market  in  the  world  exists,  they  could  not  get  a 
barrel  of  pork  or  of  flour.  The  Pike  county  volunteers  then  went 
to  Ottawa  and  shared  with  some  troops  at  that  point.  They  ob- 
tained rations  enough  there  to  last  them  about  three  days,  when 
they  marched  on  down  the  river  to  the  rapids,  where  there  was  a 
boat  filled  with  United  States  provisions.  There  they  drew  rations 
for  tlieir  homeward  march.  Capt.  Barney  drew  seven  days'  rations 
for  ills  men,  but  Capt.  Petty  thought  they  would  get  home  in  three 
or  four  days,  so  only  drew  four  days'  rations,  much  to  the  regret  of 
the  hungry  stomachs  of  his  men,-  as  it  took  them  longer  to  get 
home  than  he  had  anticipated.  The  privates  of  this  call  received 
$8  a  month,  and  were  paid  off  that  fall  by  United  States  agents, 
who  came  to  Atlas. 

THE  STAMPEDE. 

\ 

While  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State  four  regiments  of  troops 
camped  together,  among  whom  were  the  men  from  this  county. 
They  formed  a  hollow  square,  upon  the  inside  of  which  were  the 
officers'  tents.  The  horses,  about  1,000  in  number,  were  guarded 
in  a  corral  outside  of  the  square.  In  the  dead  hour  of  night,  when 
not  a  light  remained  burning,  and  the  slow  tread  of  the  faithful 
sentinel  was  the  only  sound  that  broke  the  silence,  the  horses 
became  frightened  and  stampeded.  In  the  wildest  rage  they  dashed 
forward,  whither  they  knew  not ;  they  headed  toward  the  camp  of 
slumbering  soldiers,  and  in  all  the  mad  fury  of  frightened  brutes 
they  dashed  forward  over  cannon,  tents  and  men,  wounding  several 
of  the  latter  quite  severely.  The  troops  heard  their  coming  and 
supposed  each  wild  steed  was  ridden  by  a  wilder  and  less  humane 
red-skin  ;  the  treacherous  and  subtle  toe  was  momentarily  expected 
and  the  frightened  men  thought  they  were  now  coming  down  upon 
them.  They  had  all  heard  of  the  night  attack  upon  the  rangers  at 
the  famous  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  and  feared  a  repetition  of  that 
night's  bloody  work.  Capt.  Barney,  with  quickness  of  thought  and 
military  skill,  in  a  loud  voice  gave  orders  for  his  men  to  form  at 
the  rear  of  their  tents.  He  hallooed  lustily,  and  when  he  went  up 
and  down  the  line  feeling  his  way  he  found  every  man  in  his  place. 
The  commanding  officers  hearing  the  Captain's  orders  and  knowing 
there  would  be  safety  with  his  company  if  anywhere,  ran  to  him. 
Fortunately  the  horses  were  riderless,  which  was  soon  discovered, 
and  then  the  frightened  men  began  joking.  Col.  De  Witt  joked 
Capt.  Barney  considerably  about  his  hallooing  so  loud,  when  Gen. 
Taylor  spoke  up  and  said  he  was  glad  the  Captain  was  so  prompt 
to'give  orders  for  his  men  to  form,  as  it  showed  a  soldierly  disposi- 
tion ;  besides,  it  let  him  know  where  he  might  go  for  safety. 

A  third  company  subsequently  went  from  Pike  county  under 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COPNTT.  323 

Capt.  Hale  and  Lieut.  David  Seeley  :  about  50  men  composed  this 
company  of  mounted  riflemen.  They  enlisted  for  three  months 
and  participated    in  the  famous  battle  of  Bad-Ax. 

The  people  of  this  county  were  not  disturbed  by  the  Indians  at 
this  time,  but  so  timid  were  they  that  they  were  easily  frightened. 
The  following  incident  is  related  by  Samuel  Clark,  of  Kinder- 
hook  township.  In  1832,  during  the  Black  Hawk  war,  a  man 
while  passing  a  neighbor's  house  heard  the  cries  of  a  child  who  was 
in  the  hduse.  He  supposed  the  Indians  were  within  committing 
their  foul  deeds,  and  accordingly  raised  the  alarm  that  the  Indians 
were  there  murdering  all  the  members  of  the  family,  and  every- 
body who  came  that  way.  This  created  the  greatest  consternation 
in  the  settlement,  for  the  people  had  heard  of  the  bloody  deeds 
committed  upon  the  settlers  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State. 
The  settlers  fled  for  safety.  Some  went  to  the  fort,  others  ran 
hither  and  thither  they  knew  not  where.  One  very  large  fleshy 
woman  mounted  a  horse  and  rode  in  the  direction  of  the  fort  at  full 
speed.  She  came  to  a  ditch  about  ten  feet  wide  and  as  many  feet 
deep;  the  horse  halted,  but  she  urged  him  to  jump,  which  he  did 
at  great  peril,  but  fortunately  landed  safely  on  the  opposite  side. 
After  the  people  had  become  quite  exhausted  with  running  they 
learned  that  no  Indians  were  near,  but  that  the  yells  came  from  the 
child  because  his  father  was  chastising  it. 


CHAPTER  XI. 
CRIMINAL  RECORD. 

INTEODUCTOKT. 

Since  the  two  Indians,  Shonwennekek  andPemesan,  were  indicted 
for  murder,  there  have  been  41  other  indictnaents  for  this  grave 
crime  returned  by  the  grand  juries  of  Pike  county,  many  of  which 
included  more  than  one  individual.  This  represents  a  long  and 
bloody  calendar,  a  stain  that  every  good  citizen  would  have  blotted 
out  were  it  possible.  It  has  been  made  by  the  blood  of  many  vic- 
tims, dyed  in  crimson  never  to  be  erased,  and  we  only  record  what 
has  occurred.  Wlio  can  picture  .  the  agony  of  heart,  the  remorse, 
the  anguish  of  mind,  to  say  nothing  of  the  physical  pains  caused 
by  these  bloody  deeds  ?  Both  the  victim  and  his  friends,  as  well  as 
the  perpetrator  of  the  crime,  have  suffered  untold  misery. 

Often  has  the  deadly  weapon  been  brought  into  use  on  the  slight-  ■ 
est  pretext.  A  moment  after  he  had  taken  the  life  of  his  victim 
and  he  had  realized  that  his  hands  were  stained  with  the  life-blood 
of  a  fellow  man,  the  perpetrator  of  the  deed  would  have  given  every- 
thing he  possessed  or  ever  hoped  for,  and  in  some  cases  life  itself, 
could  he  but  recall  the  deed;  but  alas  !  it  is  done,  never  to  be 
undone.  The  feeling  has  not  been  thus  in  every  instance  where 
the  bloody  victim  fell  at  the  feet  of  the  man-slayer,  but  frequently 
so.  Sometimes  the  joy  was  great  when  he  who  sent  the  deadly 
messenger  saw  its  work  well  done. 

Among  this  long  catalogue  of  criminals  only  one  has  ever  suffer- 
ed the  extreme  penalty  of  the  law,  and  most  of  them  have  had  light 
punishment.  We  begin  with  the  first  person  indicted  for  murder, 
and  give  every  indictment  during  the  county's  existence.  There 
are  a  multitude  of  cases  of  murder  or  manslaughter  of  which  we 
make  no  mention,  as  no  indictments  were  made  for  want  of  suffi- 
cient evidence. 

Pemesan  and  Shonwennekek. 
(Two  Indians.) 

These  Indians  were  indicted  Oct.  2,  1821,  at  the  very  first  term 
of  Court  held  in  Pike  county,  for  the  murder  of  a  Frenchman.   The 


HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  325 

evidence  showing,  however,  that  the  shooting  of  the  deceased  was 
more  an  act  of  carelessness  than  of  premeditated  murder,  the 
next  morning  the  jury  returned  a  verdict  for  manslaughter  on  the 
part  of  Pemesan,  or  "  Traveler,"  and  that  Shonwennekek,  or  "  Spice- 
bush,"  was  not  guilty.  The  Court  had  assigned  Daniel  P.  Cook 
and  Polemon  II.  Winchester  as  counsel  for  the  Indians,  and  John 
Shaw  and  Jean  Baptist  Patelle  were  the  sworn  interpreters.  No 
attoi-ncy  for  the  people  appears  on  record,  but  of  course  there  must 
have  been  such  an  officer  present.  It  appears  that  these  Indians 
were  out  hunting  one  day,  and  when  the  Frenchman  suddenly  ap- 
peared in  view  in  the  distance  they  took  him  to  be  a  deer  or  some 
other  animal,  and  Pemesan  immediately  fired  atid  killed  him.  No 
sooner  was  this  done  than  they  discovered  their  mistake,  and  Shon- 
wennekek proposed  that  they  run  away;  but  Pemesan  argued  that 
as  it  was  an  accident  the  whites  would  do  them  no  harm.'  There- 
upon they  immediately  surrendered  tli6mselves  to  a  magistrate. 
Peraesan's  punishment  was  a  tine  of  25  cents  and  imprisonment 
for  24  hours.  He  accordingly  paid  the  fine  and  served  out  his  sen- 
tence in  a  rail  pen  which  was  guarded  for  the  occasion. 

Charles  Collins,  James  Whitly,  Alfred  Miller  and  James 

Stockton. 

These  parties  were  indicted  for  murder  May,  2,  1843,  but  after 
their  case  was  continued  from  term  to  term  with  hopes  of  arresting 
them,  they  were  never  found. 

Wmship  Moreton 

was  indicted  Sept.  10,  1841,  but  the  following  April  his  case 
was  stricken  from  the  docket. 

John  Bartholomew,  et~al. 

were  indicted  April  5,  1848,  for  the  murder  of  John  Crewson, 
or  Cruson,  near  the  Mississippi  river  a  iewdays  preceding  (March 
29  ),  while  the  latter  was  hauling  a  log  for  the  rafting.  He  was 
shot  beside  his  team.  The  others  indicted  with  Bartholomew  were 
Benj.  Chouls  and  John  Stipp.  The  two  latter  took  a  change  of 
venue  to  Adams  county,  where  a  nolle  prosequi  was  entered  April 
2,  1849.  Bartholomew's  case  was  continued  from  term  to  term 
until  Sept,  12,  1853,  when  it  was  stricken  from  the  docket. 

John  McGuyre 

was  indicted  Sept.  6,  1849,  for  the  murder  of  Wm.  Bennett  near 
Phillip's  Ferry,  Sept.  1,  preceding.  That  day  McGuyre  went  to 
the  house  of  Mr.  Pease  where  Mr.  Bennett  was  and  urged  him  to 
go  gunning,  but  which,  by  the  solicitation  of  Mr.  Pease,  he  declined 
doing.  McGuyre  left  and  returned  about  sun-down,  when  Pease  and 
Bennett  were  eating  their  supper,  who  invited  him  to  partake  ;  he 


■326  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

refused,  saying,  "  G — d  d — n  you!  1  ain  tired  waiting  for  you  and 
"  am  going  to  shoot  you  now."  He  immediately  fired  a  load  of  buck- 
shot, which  struck  Bennett  in  the  face,  killing  him.  McGuyre 
commenced  reloading  his  gun  with  the  declared  intention  of  kill- 
ing Pease,  but  the  latter  made  his  escape  and  raised  the  alarm. 
McGuyre  ran  away  but  was  arrested  on  the  6th  and  taken  before 
the  Circuit  Court  then  in  session,  and  at  first  pleaded  guilty  ;  but 
after  the  consequence  of  such  a  plea  was  explained  to  him,  he  pleaded 
not  guilty,  and  for  want  of  time  hi^  case  was  continued  to  the 
next  term  of  Court.  McGuyre  broke  jail  twice:  the  first  time  he 
was  caught  at  McGee's  creek,  in  crossing  which  he  came  very 
near  being  drowned,  and  the  second  time  he  got  out  through  the 
wall,  a  stone  having  been  removed  by  the  aid  of  friends  outside. 
This  was  effected  without  awaking  a  family  which  was  asleep  di- 
rectly above.  He  has  never  been  re-taken,  and  his  case  was  finally 
stricken  from  the  docket  with  leave  to  reinstate. 

George   Kesterson 

was  indicted  for  murder  March  29,  1851,  but  for  some  reason  was 
never  brought  to  trial. 

Philip  Wilcox 

"was  indicted  Oct.  11,  1851,  and  he  also  was  never  tried. 

Preston  F.  Groves 

was  indicted  March  23,  1853,  for  the  murder  of  Eobert  Carr,  about 
5  miles  east  of  Pittsfield.  Both  these  parties  were  married  men 
and  frequented  a  house  of  ill  repute.  Groves  was 'tried  and  acquit- 
ted March  28,  1853. 

Jonathan  W.  Hutchinson. 

P  This  man  was  indicted  Nov.  2T,  1854,  for  killing  Francis  P- 
Wells  in  Brown  county.  A  change  of  venue  had  been  taken  from 
that  county,  his  case  was  tried  at  Pittsfield,  and  after  the  jury  was 
out  several  days  it  brought  in  a  verdict  of  not  guilty,  Sept.  18, 
1855. 

Hugh   W.  Wren 

was  indicted  Sept.  14,  1855,  for  manslaughter  ;  about  a  fortnight 
afterward  his  bail  was  forfeited  by  his  escape  and  his  case  was 
never  brought  to  trial. 

James  Daniels 

was  accused  of  killing  Newton  Soules  in  Calhoun  county  in_  a 
saloon.  Soules  had  burned  his  hair  previously.  Daniels  was  in- 
dicted in  the  Pike  county  Court  Sept.  12,  1866  ;  but  Aug.  5,  1869, 
his  case  was  discontinued. 


HISTOEY    OF    PJKE    COUNTY.  327 

Stephen  Cole  et.  at. 

were,  according  to  the  record,  indicted  for  murder  March  9,  1857- 
In  this  suit  it  seems  that  no  parties  were  ever  brought  to  trial. 

Robert  Ellis. 

This  criminal  was  indicted  April  14,  1860,  for  the  murder  of 
Benj.  F.  Wade,  Dec.  23  preceding,  a  little  west  of  Detroit.  Wade 
broke  Ellis'  whisky  bottle  and  a  quarrel  ensued  which  resulted  in 
the  fatal  affray  in  the  yard  of  Francis  Phillips.  Ellis  stabbed 
Wade  with  a  large  pocket-kniie.  Ellis  pleaded  not  guilty  but  was 
convicted  of  manslaughter  Nov.  24,  1860,  and  sentenced  to  one  year 
in  the  penitentiary^. 

Edwin  G.  Hendriok. 

This  party  was  indicted  Aug.  10,  1860,  for  poisoning  to  death 
Emeline  Amanda  Hendrick.  He  pleaded  not  guilty,  was  tried, 
and,  after  the  jury  had  two  days'  consultation,  he  was  acquitted. 

James  Likes^  Simon  Likes,  Lyman  Likes,  Philip  JYeal,  Christo- 
pher Neal  and  Wm.  Bothwick. 

The  indictment  in  this  case,  Nov.  23,  1860,  was  for  the  murder 
of  Samuel  Macumber,  an  innocent  man  about  65  years  of  age, 
living  in  Barry  township,  and  who  was  killed  Oct.  23,  1860.  The 
parties  set  upon  their  victim  in  cold  blood  and  killed  him  with 
clubs  and  stones.  Maciimber  was  a  Baptist  minister,  who  had 
married  the  mother  of  the  Neals,  and  it  was  alleged  that  he  mal- 
treated her  in  some  way.  After  trial  all  the  indicted  parties  were 
acquitted  Dec.  8,1860,  except  Christopher  Neal,  who  was  convicted 
of  manslaughter  and  sentenced  for  life,  and  James  Likes  was 
acquitted  the  next  term  of  Court. 

Thomas  Johnson,  Fielding  Johnson,  John  Hopkins,  Andrew  J. 
Winsor,  Mary  Pearson,  JvMa  Bell,  Angeline  Bell  and  Hampton 
Winsor. 

These  parties  were  indicted  during  the  spring  term  of  Court  in 
1*863,  for  the  murder  of  Andrew  J.  Pearson,  in  Flint  township. 
The  victim,  a  farmer,  was  found  murdered  by  hanging,  and  robbed. 
November  18,  1862,  Pearson  started  from  his  house  in  search  of 
some  of  his  stock.  '  Night  came  on  and  he  did  not  return.  Suspicion 
was  aroused,  inquiries  and  search  were  made,  and  finally  his  body 
was  found  in  a  ravine,  a  half  mile  from  home,  covered  up  with 
leaves,  brush,  etc. :  two  hundred  dollars  in  money  had  been  taken 
from  his  person.  The  robbers  also  went  to  his  house,- and,  finding 
no  one  at  home,  they  entered  it  and  took  about  seventy  dollars  more, 
which  they  found  in  a  bureau.  They  then  took  a  good  horse  and 
.  decamped.     Of  the  above  parties,  some  were  directly  accused  by  the 


328  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

indictment,  some  impleaded  with  them,  and  severances  were  ob- 
•tained.  Some  of  them  were  desperadoes  from  Missouri;  some  of 
the  parties  took  a  cliange  of  venue  to  Brown  county.  The  result 
of  the  whole  prosecution  was,  that  Thomas  Jolmson  and  John  Hop- 
kins were  convictedof  manslaughter  April  27, 1863,  and  sentenced 
for  life;  Fielding  Johnson  was  convicted  of  the  same  and  sentenced 
for  20  years,  and  the  rest  were  discliarged. 

During  the  trial  the  guilty  criminals  pleaded  guilty  of  man- 
slaughter, confessing  as  follows:  They  lived  in  Missouri,  were 
rebels  in  Porter's  army,  which  subsequently  disbanded.  They  worked 
several  days  for  a  neighbor  of  Pearson's  named  Diinmitt,  and  spent 
several  evenings  at  Mr.  Pearson's  house.  This  man  and  his  wife, 
Mary  (impleaded  above),  frequently  quarreled.  The  night  previous 
to  the  murder  they  had  an  unusually  wicked  altercation,  after  which 
Mrs.  P.  went  into  a.  fit.  After  coming  out  'she  told  the  accused 
that  if  they  would  kill  Pearson  she  would  give  them  a  horse.  The 
girls,  Julia  and  Angeline  Bell,  her  daughters  by  a  former  husband, 
also  expressed  the  wish  that  they  should  kill  him.  The  next  morn- 
ing they  invited  Pearson  out  for  a  walk  and  told  him  they  were 
going  to  hang  him.  He  said  he  did  not  blame  them.  Two  of  them 
'  held  him  up  while  the  ot'.ier  adjusted  the  rope.  He  did  not  resist  nor 
struggle.  After  he  was  dead  they  took  sixty  dollars  from  his  pocket, 
carried  it  to  the  house  and  reported  what  they  had  done.  All  were 
rejoiced  and  gave  the  prisoners  ten  dollars  apiece.  Mrs.  Pearson 
gave  them  a  horse,  "asking  them  not  to  betray  her,  and  they  started 
for  Missouri.  The  daughters  asked  for  and  received  a  lock  of  their 
hair  for  mementoes,  and  a  parting  kiss. 

The  young  men  wei-e  not  over  twenty  years  of  age,  did  not  look 
like  criminals,  and  were  said  to  be  respectfully  connected. 

John  W.  Parks  and  Henry  C.  Price. 

These  parties  were  indicted  Apr.  18, 1864,  for  the  murder  of  Peter 
0.  Staats,  an  old  settler  of  Hadley  township,  on  the  road  between 
New  Salem  and  Maysville.  Staats  was  twice  shot  in  the  back,  one 
ball  coming  out  at  the  breast.  The  accused  took  a  change  of  venue 
to  Adams  county  and  were  finally  acquitted. 

George  Crow,  cdias  Roselle^ 

was  indicted  April  19,  1864,  for  the  murder  of  a  Mr.  Gard. 
May  21,  following,  he  broke  jail,  and  the  shooting  necessary  to  his 
capture  June  11,  in  Greene  county,  resulted  in  his  death  the  next 
day  in  jail. 

Austin  and  Abraham  Stevens 

were,  according  to  the  records,  indicted  April  19,  1864,  for  murder, 
but  it  appears  that  there  was  never  any  trial  of  the  case. 


HI8T0ET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  329 

Wm.  W.  Moore  and  J.  S.  Wilson 

were  indicted  the  same  day  for  being  accessory  after  the  fact  of  the 
murder.  They  moved  their  case  to  Brown  county,  and  from  the 
evidence  elicited  it  appears  that  young  Moore,  only  sixteen  years 
of  age,  had  killed  John  Ziff,  living  near  Pittsfield.  Mr.  Moore's 
father  and  Ziff  had  a  dispute  about  some  wood  which  Moore  had 
been  cutting  on  land  which  Ziff  claimed  and  which  Moore  had 
rented.  Ziff  struck  Moore  with  an  ax,  knocking  him  down  and 
then  stamping  upon  him.  The  lad  seeing  his  father  in  this  condi- 
tion, ran  up  and  struck  Ziff  a  blow  upon  the  top  of  his  head  with 
the  edge  of  an  ax,  thus  literally  cleaving  his  head  clear  to  his 
fihoiilders. 

Samuel  Evans  and  Matthew  Oilmer,  Gilmore,  or  Gilmaw 

These  men  were  indicted  Nov.  29,  186i,  for  killing  Cornelius 
Myers,  Evans  being  a  resident  of  Montezuma.  They  broke  jail,  and 
after  several  months  Evans  was  recaptured  in  Tennessee.  He  took  a 
change  of  venue  to  Brown  county,  where  he  was  convicted  of  man- 
slaughter and  sentenced  for  twelve  years  in  the  State  prison.  There 
he  became  insane,  and  after  his  release  he  stole  a  horse,  was  ar- 
rested, and  while  in  jail  his  insanity  became  so  marked  that  he  was 
finally  sent  to  the  asylum  at  Jacksonville. 

CJvas.  Srummell  or  Brumhle,  -etc. 

This  rascal,  whose  name  was  spelled  half  a  dozen  different  ways' 
was  indicted  March  15,  1866,  for  the  murder  of  Edward  Garrison, 
of  New  Canton.  The  fatal  deed  was  perpetrated  by  stabbing  the 
victim  with  a  pocket-knife.  Sept.  19,  1867,  he  was  convicted  of 
the  charge  and  sentenced  to  State  prison  for  three  years. 

Name  not  Given. 

Although  not  strictly  within  the  purview  of  this  chapter,  we  may 
mention  here,  as  the  parties  were  both  residents  of  Griggsville,  this 
county,  that  Dr.  J.  II.  Caldwell,  of  that  place,  went  to  Texas  in  May 
or  June,  1868,  employing  a  young  man  to  accompany  him,  who, on 
the  24:th  of  June,  murdered  and  robbed  the  doctor,  but  was  sum- 
marily lynched  by  the  infuriated  people  when  the  deed  occurred. 

Mc  Wright  Murray 

was  indicted  for  murder  in  1869,  but  the  case  was  ultimately 
stricken  from  the  docket. 

Joseph  Daul  and  Anthony  Scheiner. 

These  criminals  were  indicted  April  20,  1869,  for  committing 
murder  in  "Brown  county,  as  the  result  of  an  affray  connected  with 
the  burning  of  show  tents  at  Mount  Sterling.     A  change  of  venue 


330  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

was  taken  to  Pike  county,  and  after  a  two  dajs'  trial  the  chaps  were 
•sentenced  to  15  years'  liard  labor. 

Capt.    Wm.  E.  Stout. 

This  man  was  indicted  April  6,  1871,  charged  with  the  murder 
of  a  Mr.  Kimball,  at  Cockle-bur  slough,  the  preceding  year.  By 
change  of  venue  his  case  was  taken  to  the  Brown  county  Court. 

Samuel  Douglas 

was  the  homicide  who  beat  to  death  James  Sapp,  June  12,  1871, 
near  Pleasant  Hill.  At  the  tirst  beating  he  left  Mr.  Sapp  lying 
prostrate,  and  induced  a  Mr.  McKenna  to  accompany  him  to  the 
place,  who  tried  to  lift  him  up,  when  Douglas  gave  the  poor  vic- 
tim several  additional  blows,  from  which  he  died  a  few  days  after- 
ward. Douglas  and  McKenna  were  both  arrested,  but  the  latter 
was  dismissed  for  want  of  evidence  against  him.  Douglas  was  held 
for  manslanghter^  the  indictment  being  made  Oct.  12,  1871.  He 
was  convicted  and  sentenced  ISTov.  29,  1871,  for  six  and  a  half  years 
in  the  penitentiary. 

John  Shannahan. 

Sept.  16,  1871,  in  Pleasant  Yale  township,  Wm.  Hall  claimed 
that  Shannahan  had  said  somethingmean^bout  him,  and  proceeded 
to  assault  him  with  a  club.  The  latter  warded  off  the  blow,  snatched 
the  chib  from  Hall,  who  then  started  to  run  away;  Shannahan, 
however,  soon  overtook  him,  struck  him  on  the  head  with  the  club, 
knocking  him  over  into  a  gully  senseless,  and  Shannahan  tumbling 
down  with  him.  Hall's  ankle  was  broken  in  the  fall,  and  he  died 
soon  afterward.  Shannahan  was  arrested  and  committed  to  jail, 
where  he  suffered  from  a  feeble  constitution  and  a  diseased  leg, 
which  had  to  be  amputated.  He  was  indicted  by  the  grand  jury, 
Oct.  12,  1871,  but  he  died  before  the  trial  took  place. 

Bartholomew  Barnes. 

The  only  execution  ever  taking  place  in  Pike  county  was  that  of 
Bartholomew  Barnes,  Dec.  29,  1871,  in  the  Pittsfield  jail-yard,  for 
the  murder  of  John  Gresham  in  Calhoun  county.  The  snil;  was 
first  instituted  in  that  county,  and  a  change  of  venue  being  taken 
to  this  county,  the  case  was  called  at  the  session  of  the  Pike 
county  Circuit  Court  Nov.  27,  1871 ;  and  after  a  thorough  trial  the 
traverse  jury  returned  a  verdict  of  guilty  of  murder  in  the  first  de- 
gree, and  that  he  should  suffer  death  by  hanging.  The  particulars 
of  the  murder  are  well  condensed  in  Judge  Higbee's  sentence  given 
Dec.  6,  as  below.  The  court-house  was  crowded  to  overflowing 
with  ladies  and  gentlemen  to  hear  the  sentence  of  death  pronounced 
upon  the  young  convict.  At  10|  a,  m.  he  was  brought  in  to  re- 
ceive his  sentence.     Death-like  stillness  reigned  within  the  room, 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COtTNTY.  331 

as  the  Judge,  in  a  solemn  and  impressive  manner,  addressed  him, 
broken  only  by  the  prisoner,  who,  standing  with  brazen  effrontery ,^ 
gave  vent  occasionally  to  protests  oF  innocence.     The  Judge  said: 

"  In  discharging  the  unpleasant  duty  required  of  me  by  the  law, 
it  seems  proper  that  I  should  place  on  the  files  of  this  Court  a  brief 
statement  of  the  facts  and  proofs  whicli  render  it  the  duty  of  the 
Court  to  pronounce  a  judgment  which  is  to  deprive  a  human  being 
of  his  life. 

"  By  the  record  in  this  case  it  appears  that  you  were  indicted  at 
the  May  term  of  the  Calhoun  Circuit  Court,  1871,  for  the  murder 
of  John  Gresham,  and  the  case  was  brought  here  on  a  change  of 
venue  for  trial;  that  thei-e  is  uo  prejudice  in- this  county  which 
would  injuriously  affect  your  rights  is  sufficiently  manifest  by  the 
fact  that  the  crime  for  which  you  have  been  tried  was  committed 
in  another  county;  and  of  the  twelve  jurors  selected  for  your  trial 
every  one  has  stated  under  oath  that  he  never  heard  of  the  case  un- 
til called  into  the  jury  box. 

"From  the  evidence  it  appears  that  somewhere  about  the  first 
of  February  last,  for  some  cause  (which  is  not  apparent)  you 
became  very  much  enraged  against  the  deceased  in  the  town  of  Pleas- 
ant Hill  and  threatened  to  whip  him.  When  told  by  the  town  con- 
stable that  that  would  not  be  permitted  and  that  he  would  arrest 
you  if  you  did  not  keep  quiet,  you  said  that  jon  would  see  the  de- 
ceased at  same  other  time  and  tear  his  heart  out.  On  the  27th  day 
of  February  tlie  deceased,  his  son  ( 15  years  of  age )  and  yourself,, 
were  ini  Clarksville,  Mo.,  and  crossed  the  river  on  your  return,  in 
the  afternoon  in  the  same  boat,  the  deceased  and  his  son  within  a 
wagon;  and  after  the  boat  landed,  as  they  were  leaving  the  river 
for  home,  you  asked  the  privilege  of  riding  with  them,  to  which 
the  boy  objected,  his  father  being  quite  drunk  at  the  time.  You 
then  said  to  them  that  if  they  would  let  yoxi  ride  you  would  be 
quiet  and  peaceable;  whereupon  the  deceased  consented,  and  you 
got  into  the  wagon  and  seated  yourself  on  a  board  beside  the 
deceased,  the  boy  standing  up  in  front  driving.  You  had  gone 
but  a  short  distance  when  some  words  passed,  but  no  blows  or 
attempts   to   strike  ensued,  and  you  jumped   out,    saying,  'You 

d d   old   son  of  a  bitch!'     At  the  time  you  jumped  out    the 

board  on  which  the  deceased  was  sitting  tipped  up  and  he  fell 
out  on  the  other  side  on  his  back  near  the  wagon  and  near  to  a  fence. 
You  ran  back  to  the  wagon  and  to  where  the  deceased  lay,  and 
turning  your  back  to  the  fence,  you  seized  the  rails  with  which  to 
steady  yourself,  and  with  the  deceased  still  lying  on  his  back  im- 
mediately in  front  of  you,  with  the  heel  of  your  boot  you  stamped 
his  face,  head  and  breast  until  yoii  killed  him.  The  evidence  shows 
that  in  this  brutal  manner,  and  when  the  deceased  was  lying  on 
his  back  perfectly  helpless,  in  the  presence  of  his  son  and  another 
witness  who  was  near  by,  you  stamped  from  eight  to  ten  times, 
breaking  his  nose,  cheek-bone  and  jaw,  and  crushing  out  one  eye, 
and  forced  the  heel  of  your  boot  through  his  skull  into  his  brain 


332  HISTOET    OF    riKE    COUNTY. 

more  than  an  inch  in  depth,  and  so  crushed  and  disfigured  his  face 
that  it  could  not  be  recognized  by  Dr.  Thomas,  who  had  lived  a 
near  neighbor  to  deceased  for  20  years. 

r'»  "  While  engaged  in  this  work  of  deatli,  Mr.  Ojler,  who  was  a 
short  distance  off  and  saw  it  all,  hallooed  and  started  to  run  to  you. 
On  seeing  him  you  jumped  over  the  fence  and  started  to  run.  You 
were  pursued  and  captured  in  a  few  minutes,  and  blood  was  found 
all  over  the  heel  of  your  boot,  with  hair  and  whiskers  still  adhering 
to  it.  Soon  afterward  you  declared  that  you  had  not  seen  deceased 
on  that  day. 

"In  answer  to  all  this  proof  you  produced  a  single  witness,  your 
brother,  who  testified  that  in  the  fall  of  1869  deceased  made  some 
threats  against  you,  which,  so  far  as  the  evidence  shows,  he  never 
attempted  to  execute.  J3eyond  this  you  offer  no  explanation  or 
justification  of  this  dreadful  crime. 

"  Upon  this  proof  the  jury  have  found  you  guilty  of  murder,  aud 
their  verdict  declares  that  you  shall  suffer  death  by  hanging.  Tou 
have  been  well  defended  by  able  attorneys,  fairly  tried,  and,  as  it 
seems  to  me,  properly  convicted;  and  it  only  remains  now  for  the 
Court  to  pronounce  the  judgment  of  the  law,  which  is,  to  deprive 
you  of  your  life.  Unpleasant  as  this  duty  is,  I  am  not  at  liberty 
to  shrink  from  it.  You  have  deprived  John  Gresham  of  his  life  by 
a  foul  and  brutal  murder,  and  the  law  demands  your  life  as  the  pen- 
alty. As  the  time  which  can  be  extended  to  you  to  prepare  to 
meet  this  dreadful  punishment  is  limited  by  law,  let  me  admonish 
yon  not  to  spend  it  in  vain  efforts  to  arrest  your  doom,  but  rather 
devote  every  moment  of  the  time  allotted  you  to  prepare  for  the 
final  trial  wherein  injustice  is  never  done  and  where  all  must 
answer  for  every  act  of  his  life.  It  is^the  order  of  this  Court,  Bar- 
tholomew Barnes,  that  you  be  taken  from  here  to  the  county  jail  of 
this  county  and  there  confined  until  Friday,  the  twenty-ninth  day 
of  December,  1871,  and  that  between  the  hours  of  10  o'clock  a.  m. 
and  3.  p.  m.  of  said  day,  in  said  jail,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  wit- 
nesses required  by  law,  hanged  by  the  neck  until  you  are  dead." 

We  take  the  following  account  of  the  execution  from  the  Old 
J^^of  Jan.  4.  1872: 

"  The  dreadful  day  having  arrived,  a  large  crowd  gathered  around 
the  jail,  which  increased  constantly  as  the  hour  of  execution  ap- 
proached. There  was  no  disturbance,  however,  the  anxiety  of  sus- 
pense seeming  to  pervade  the  throng  and  keep  thera  quiet,  and 
waiting  almost  with  suspended  breath  until  the  tragedy  was  over. 
The  execution  was  delayed  until  afternoon  in  order  to  give  the 
prisoner  all  the  time  possible.  About  half  past  one,  or  later,  in 
company  with  the  physicians,  the  jury  and  others,  we  were  admitted 
to  the  Sheriff's  room  and  waited  the  last  preparations  for  the  final 
scene.  The  leave-taking  of  the  brother  and  sister  and  relatives  of 
the  prisoner  we  did  not  witness.  At  about  a  quarter  past  two  the 
great  iron  door  leading  from  the  Sheriff's  room  into  the  hall  of  the 
jail  was  unbarred,  and  those  in  waiting  entered  the  hall  and  took 


PIKE    COUNTY     JAIL 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  335 

places  in  front  of  the  scaffold  and  waited  with  uncovered  heads  the 
appearance  of  the  prisoner.  "We  need  hardly  tell  our  readers  there 
was  stillness  in  that  company  and  that  all  sound  was  hushed  ex- 
cept the  long-drawn  breathings  of  men  who  knew  they  stood  in 
the  chamber  of  Death,  that  a  living  mortal  man  was  soon  to  be  his 
victim,  and  that  a  fellow  being  was  within  a  few  moments  of  eternity 
and  judgment.  There  was  the  scaffold,  rather  a  rough-looking 
structure,  and  of  larger  dimensions  than  we  had  expected  to  see; 
above  it,  from  a  pulley  fastened  to  a  beam,  hung  a  rope  apparently 
about  half  an  inch  in  thickness,  with  knot  and  noose  on  the  end 
of  it. 

"As  we  stood,  there  contemplating  the  scene,  and  held  our  watch 
to  note  the  time,  some  few  remarks  were  made  in  a  whisper  and 
several  times  a  reporter  asked  us,  '  What  time  is  it  now  V  Seven- 
teen minutes  past  two,  eighteen  minutes,  nineteen  minutes,  each 
elapsing  minute  increasing  the  anxiety  of  suspense  and  expectation; 
twenty  minutes,  and  the  Sheriff  and  prisoner,  accompanied  with 
deputies  and  ministers,  appeared  on  the  corridor  and  descended 
one  flight  of  steps  and  ascended  the  other  which  led  to  the  scaffold. 
The  prisoner  was  pale  from  long  contiaement,  but  we  could  not 
say  that  he  flinched  or  quailed  at  the  sight  of  the  gallows  or  when 
standing  on  the  platform.  When  his  eyes  first  caught  sight  of 
scaffold  and  rope  there  was  an  expression  of  surprise  which  was 
momentary,  and  that  was  all.  He  was  well  dressed  in  a  black  suit 
with  a  tine  shirt,  white  stockings  and  slippers,  and  looked  like  a 
gentleman.  He  was  told  to  be  seated  on  a  seat  of  boards  that  had 
been  prepared,  which  he  did.  Revs.  Priestly  and  Johnsey,  Methodist 
preachers,  sitting  on  each  side  of  him.  They  sat  only  for  a  moment 
when  deputy  Landrum  told  him  to  stand  up,  which  he  did.  They 
both  stood  close  to  the  grated  window  when  the  death  warrant  was 
read  to  him  by  Mr.  Landrum  distinctly,  but  with  evident  emotion, 
and  was  heard  by  the  prisoner  attentively,  but  without  any  mani- 
festations whatever.  When  the  reading  was  over  and  Mr.  Landrum 
had  folded  the  paper,  '  Let  us  pray  '  was  announced,  and  a  prayer 
was  pronounced  by  Eev.  Mr.  Johnsey,  which  to  our  ear  was  some- 
what peculiar  if  not  poetical,  the  prisoner  all  the  while  uttering 
fervid  ejaculations,  such  as,  'O  Lord,  have  mercy  on  my  soul!' 
On  rising  from  his  knees  after  the  prayer  he  deliberately  stepped 
forward,  and  taking  the  rope  in  his  right  hand,  passed  the  noose 
into  his  left  and  seemed  to  take  a  careful  look  at  it.  He  was  then 
told,  if  he  had  any  thing  to  say,  to  say  it  now.  He  hesitated  a 
moment  as  if  not  fully  comprehending  what  was  meant;  but  upon 
being  told  a  second  time,  he  said,  '  Well,  I  say  that  I  believe  all 
my  sins  have  been  pardoned;  and  Itliank  the  jailor  for  his  kindness 
to  me,  and  I  hope  that  no  one  will  ever  again  be  hung.'  He  was 
then  told  to  take  farewell  of  all;  and  having  shaken  hands  with  the 
ministers,  Sheriff  and  attendants,  he  asked  leave  to  pray  once  him- 
self, and  was  told  to  <io  so,  when,  kneeling  down  with  his  face 
toward  the  window  in  the  west,  he  said,  as  we  understood, '  0  Lord, 

21 


336  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

I  pray  the.e  to  forgive  mj  sins,  to  save  ray  soul  and  take  me  to 
heaven,'  repeating  the  petitions,  as  we  thought,  twice  or  more. 
He  then  arose  and  stepped  forward  on  the  trap,  and  the  rope  was 
put  over  his  head  and  adjusted  about  his  neck,  and  the  black  cap 
drawn  over  his  face,  his  hands  and  feet  having  been  previously  tied, 
he  all  the  while  praying,  '  O  Lord,  save  my  soul." 

"This  was  the  most  solemn  and  anxious  moment  of  the  execution, 
both  to  the  doomed  man  and  to  the  spectators.  There  stood  a 
man  on  the  immediate  coniines  of  two  worlds,  just  ready  to  step 
into  eternity  and  know  the  grand  secret;  only  one  moment  more 
to  live  in  this  life. 

"  The  cap  was  drawn  over  his  face  at  twenty-five  minutes  past  two; 
the  elapsing  seconds  now  seemed  as  long  as  minutes;  the  Sheriff 
and  an  attendant  were  the  last  to  come  down  from  the  steps.  The 
fatal  lever  which  should  spring  the  trap  was  at  the  bottom,  con- 
cealed by  a  piece  of  carpet.  'What  time  is  it  now?'  said  the  re- 
porter  to  us.  Twenty-five  minutes  and  fifteen  seconds  past  two, 
and  quick  as  a  flash  the  man  who  was  standing  on  the  scaffold  and 
still  saying,  '  O  Lord,  save  my  soul,'  dropped  till  his  head  hung 
more  than  six  inches  below.  There  was  no  noise  more  than  the 
sudden  tightening  of  the  cord  with  a  heavy  weight  would.occasion. 
A  trap  door  swung  into  a  niche  prepared  to  receive  it  and  remained 
there.  The  rope  had  been  perfectly  tested  and  did  not  stretch  the 
least.  The  fall  was  more  than  six  feet.  His  neck  had  been  instantly 
broken  and  all  pain  was  over.  The  victim  did  not  struggle  at  all. 
At  the  end  of  the  first  minute  there  was  a  slight  motion  of  the  feet 
and  limbs,  swaying  slightly,  which  was  continued  until  after  the 
end  of  the  second  minute,  and  evidently  caused  by  muscular  con- 
traction. At  the  end  of  three  and  a  half  minutes  there  was  one 
violent  and  last  contraction  of  muscle;  shoulders  heaved  and  the 
whole  body  was  lifted  up,  and  then  relapsed  and  hung  motionless; 
at  the  end  of  twenty  minutes  the  doctors  pronounced  Barnes  dead, 
and  at  the  end  of  twenty-five  minutes  the  body  was  cut  down  and 
laid  out,  while  a  further  examination  was  made  by  the  doctors,  who 
pronounced  his  neck  broken  and  his  life  to  be  extinct;  at  the  end 
of  thirty  minutes  from  the  time  of  the  drop  and  within  about  five 
minutes  of  3  o'clock  he  was  placed  in  a  cofiSn  and  at  once  carried 
out  and  delivered  to  his  relatives  to  be  taken  to  Pleasant  Hill  for 
buriah" 

The  preparations  for  the  hanging  had  been  very  complete,  and 
there  was  not  a  single  mistake  or  slightest  failure  in  any  particular; 
and  Sherift'  McFarland  deserves  praise  for  the  manner  in  which  he 
bore  himself  and  performed  his  melancholy  duties. 

Barnes  made  a  "  confession  ''  in  which  he  insisted  to  the  last  that 
he  did  not  mean  to  kill  G-resham,  and  claimed  that  he  was  drnnk 
and  did  not  know  what  he  was  about.  The  warrant  was  printed  it 
a  very  large  plain  hand  by  the  pen  of  doctor  J.  J.  Topliff,  who  was 
Circuit  Clerk  at  the  time.  • 


mSTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNT!.  337 

John  Barnes, 

cousin  of  the  preceding,  was  indicted  N"ov.  29, 1871,  for  the  murder 
of  McLaughlin,  in  Detroit,  on  the  sixteenth  of  that  month.  Tlie 
name  of  the  murdered  man  was  ascertained  only  by  its  being 
marked  on  his  arm  with  India  ink.  Both  tlie  men  had  been  in  a 
saloon  drinking  and  had  had  a  quarrel  about  a  red  ball.  McLaugh- 
lin shook  his  fist  in  Barnes'  face  and  told  him  not  to  open  his  face 
again  about  it.  He  turned  around,  and  when  his  eyes  were  averted 
Barnes  jumped  to  his  feet  having  a  knife  in  his  hand  which  he  swung 
with  great  force,  the  blade  striking  McLaughlin's  face  and  neck,  sev- 
ering the  jugular  vein  and  windpipe  and  completely  cutting  his 
throat.  Barnes  then  made  a  back  stroke  which  missed  McLaughlin, 
who  then  staggered  into  a  back  room  and  fell  dead.  Barnes  was 
immediately  arrested  and  committed  to  the  Pittsfield,  jail  where, 
sometime  after  his  indictment,  he  gradually  wasted  away  with  pul- 
monary consumption  and  died. 

Jack  Connor,  alias  Wm.  G.  Walton,  and  Ghas.  Berry, 

were  indicted  in  the  Pike  Circuit  Court  Oct.  18,  1872,  for  man- 
slaughter. April  11,  1873,  Connor  was  acquitted  and  Berry  was 
convicted  and  sentenced  for  one  year. 

Peter  B.  Ford. 

On  the  night  of  May  3,  1872,  George  DeHaven,  of  Barry,  was 
killed  on  a  shebang  boat  just  above  Florence,  by  Peter  B.  Ford. 
Two  disreputable  women  and  two  or  three  low-lived  men  were  on 
board.  "  Tack,"  Henry  Schaifner  and  DeHaven  came  on  the  boat, 
which  was  owned  by  the  Fords.  After  drinking  awhile  Tack 
hauled  open  his  coat  and  declared  he  was  the  best  man  on  board,  and 
attacked  Elisha  N.  Ford.  At  the  same  time  DeHaven  sprang  at 
Peter  Ford  with  brass  knuckles  on  one  hand  and  a  cocked  revolver 
in  the  other,  pointed  at  Peter's  breast.  Peter  knocked  the  revolver 
aside  and  shot  DeHaven,  who  died  in  about  20  minutes.  Elisha 
and  the  two  women  were  arrested,  but  after  examination  were  dis- 
charged. Peter  was  also  arrested,  and  indicted  Oct.  21,  1872,  for 
murder,  was  convicted,  and  "  sent  up  "  for  18  years.  A  motion  for 
a  uew  trial  was  made,  but  denied,  and  the  sentence  was  executed. 

James  Bay  and  L.  J.  Hall. 

At  Pleasant  Hill,  June  22,  1872,  L.  J.  Hall,  a  grocer,  had  a 
controversy  with  a  Mr.  McGinn,  when  a  young  man  named  James 
Eay  interfered,  knocking  McGinn  down  with  a  beer  glass  and  beating 
him  and  stamping  upon  him.  Hall  meanwhile  keeping  off  all  who 
would  interfere.  When  the  beating  ceased  McGinn  was  found 
dead.  Hall  then  gave  Ray  some  money,  telling  him  to  make  his 
escape,  which  it  seems  he  did  most  effectually.  Hall  was  arrested, 
and  examined,  but  acquitted  of  being  an  accessory.  McGinn  left 
a  wife  and  eight  children. 


338  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Matthew  Harris  and  Thomas  Stapleton. 

At  a  place  called  the  cut-oif,  on  the  Sny  Levee,  in  the  spring  of  1873 
were  two  large  squads  of  men  at  work.  The  one  workinghigher  up  the 
river  received  $2. 00  per  day  to  each  man  and  those  below  received 
$1.75.  After  those  above  had  completed  their  work,  their  employers 
told  them  they  could  go  and  work  with  those  below  if  they  were  will- 
ing to  work  at  the  same  rate*  They  all  went  to  work,  but  after  awhile 
became  dissatisfied  with  the  wages,  threatened  to  strike,  and  made  a 
good  deal  of  disturbance.  Their  employers  discharged  several  of 
the  ring-leaders  who  still  continued  to  make  trouble.  When  pay- 
day arrived  the  strikers  drank  a  great  deal,  came  to  the  place  of 
work  and  were  determined,  as  they  said,  to  clean  out  Harris,  the 
time-keeper,  and  Stapleton,  the  "  walking-boss."  As  the  two  latter 
were  coming  from  the  store  after  dinner,  the  mob  of  strikers  fell 
upon  them  and  Harris  and  Stapleton  both  fired  at  the  first  man, 
Pat  Vaughan,  killing  him  and  slightly  injuring  another  man.  This 
proceeding  deterred  the  rioters  from  any  further  aggressions. 
Stapleton  and  Harris  were  arrested,  but  to  keep  them  safe  from  the 
rioters  they  were  lodgad  in  the  jail  at  Pittsfield.  They  were  in- 
dicted April  12  following,  tried,  convicted  of  murder,  and  July  1 
both  were  sentenced  to  State  prison  for  one  year. 

Andrew  Harroilton. 

Near  Nebo,  Feb.  5,  1875,  a  number  of  young  people  assembled 
at  the  house  of  Mrs.  McKee,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  part  in  a 
dance.  Among  those  present  were  Andrew  Hamilton  and  Clifton 
U.  Daniels,  both  young  men  and  sons  of  well-known  farmers  in 
the  vicinity.  During  the  dance  a  quarrel  arose  between  Hamilton 
and  Daniels,  when  the  former  drew  a  revolver  and  shot  Daniels  in 
the  neck  at  its  juncture  with  the  chest.  The  wounded  man  stag- 
gered against  the  wall  and  fell  dead  almost  instantly.  Hamilton 
immediately  fled,  and,  so  far  as  appears  from  the  records,  has  never 
been  captured. 

John  A.  Thomas 

was  indicted  Oct.  li,  1876,  for  murder,  but  three  days  afterward 
was  acquitted. 

John  H.  Mallory. 

A  man  named  Davis  got  to  peeping  around  Mallory's  house  at 
night  to  see  some  girls,  and  Mallory,  discovering  the  fact,  ran  out 
with  a  gun  and  shot  Davis  as  he  dodged  behind  a  cedar  bush,  and 
killed  him.  This  occurred  at  Barry.  Mallory  was  indicted  Octo- 
ber 14,  1876,  for  manslaughter.  The  case  dragged  along  in  the 
Courts  until  April  6,  1878,  when  the  accused  was  acquitted. 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.      ,  339 

George  Hashins. 

About  four  miles  northwest  of  Kinderhook  a  quarrel  took  place, 
March  4,  1877,  between  two  .young  men,  Geo.  Raskins  and  a  Mr. 
Simpkins,  originating  in  a  controversy  about  a  dog  biting  a  sister 
of  Simpkins.  A  tussle  ensued  during  which  Simpkins  was  stabbed 
with  a  knife,  and  from  the  effects  of  the  wound  he  shortly  after-  , 
ward  died.  Haskins  was  arrested,  and  April  10,  1877,  he  was  in- 
dicted for  murder;  but  the  trial  resulted  in  his  conviction  for  man- 
slaughter, and  Oct.  19,  following,  he  was  sentenced  to  two  years, 
imprisonment  at  hard  labor.  He  was  only  nineteen  years  of  age 
and  Simpkins  seventeen. 

Henry  A.  Fowler. 

This  ruffian  and  a  Mr.  Hamilton  were  attending  a  dance  near 
Nebo  in  the  spring  of  1878,  where  they  drank  and  quarreled  until 
Fowler  cut  Hamilton  across  the  arm  with  a  knife,  and  the  latter 
bled  to  death.  Fowler  was  arrested  and  April  6,  1878,  was  indicted 
for  murder.  Before  his  trial  he  escaped  from  jail,  but  voluntarily 
returned  and  delivered  himself  up.  The  trial  resulted  in  his  con- 
viction and  sentence  to  confinement  in  the  State  prison  for  two 
years. 

TJwmas  McDonald. 

James  A.  Brown  was  murdered  near  his  own  door  in  Montezuma 
March  11,  1878,  shortly  before  daylight.  Jan.  25  preceding  he  had 
been  waylaid,  drugged  and  robbed  by  two  men  in  a  small  wood 
near  his  home,  and  lay  exposed  all  night  in  a  stupid  condition  until 
found  the  next  morning,  and  was  restored  to  consciousness  with 
much  difficulty.  Thomas  McDonald  was  afterward  arrested  and 
identified  as  one  of  those  two  men:  the  other  culprit  remained  at 
large.  Mr.  Brown  and  his  friends  had  feared  that  an  effort  would 
be  made  to  prevent  him  (Brown)  from  appearing  at  a  certain  trial, 
and  the  tragedy  just  mentioned  showed  how  well  grounded  their 
fears  had  been.  For  several  nights  preceding  the  murder  noises 
had  been  heard  in'  the  vicinity  of  the  residence  of  Brown,  and  he 
Went  armed.  About  4  o'clock  that  morning  (Monday)  he  stepped 
from  his  house  to  an  out-house  a  few  yards  distant,  taking  his  rifle 
with  him.  On  his  return  a  few  minutes  later,  and  when  within 
two  or  three  paces  of  the  door,  he  was  shot,  the  ball  entering  the 
back  of  the  head  and  coming  out  toward  the  front.  Hearing  the 
report  the  family  rushed  out  to  find  the  victim  lying  where  he  fell, 
and  in  a  few  moments  he  ceased  to  live.  Excitement  became  so  in- 
tense that  the  Sheriff  had  to  obtain  assistance  from  the  State  Gov- 
ernment to  aid  in  keeping  the  peace.  The  excitement  was  greatly 
intensified  by  a  report  that  the  Sheriff  intended  to  remove  the  pris- 
oner from  the  Pike  county  jail  to  another  county.  McDonald  was 
tried  and  found  innocent.  A  full  account  of  his  case  is  given  in 
the  history  of  Pittsfield. 


340  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Colonel  Williams. 

A  number  of  people  gathered  at  the  house  of  Monte  Gant  about 
ten  miles  south  of  Pittslield,  on  Christmas  eve,  to  have  a  dance, 
and  were  enjoying  themselves  in  the  usual  way,  when  some  of  the 
boys  asked  Andrew  Main  (commonly  denominated  "  Coon  Main  ") 
to  call  off  a  set.  Main  refusing,  they  said  they  could  get  along 
well  enough  without  him.  He  thought  this  a  good  time  as  any  to 
whip  some  of  the  boys,  and,  the  quarrel  continuinsr  for  some  time, 
he  commenced  striking  them.  Main  struck  Williams,  knocking 
him  down.  Williams  then  commenced  stabbing  at  Main  with  his 
pocket  knife.  Main  got  hold  of  a  long  iron  poker  and  commenced 
striking  at  Williams.  About  this  time  tlie  landlord  interfered  and 
turned  them  from  the  house,  when  the  latter  and  his  brother  Col- 
onel immediately  left  and  were  followed  by  Main  and  two  or  three 
others.  Then  Colonel  Williams  shot  Main  with  a  revolver,  and  he 
and  his  brother  immediately  ran  awa}',  no  effort  being  made  at  the 
time  to  arrest  them.  The  wounded  man  then  retured  to  the  house, 
lay  down  on  a  bed,  saying  that  Colonel  Williams  had  shot  him, 
and  died  about  five  hours  afterward.  Williams  lias  been  arrested, 
and  is  now  in  the  Pittsfield  jail  awaiting  trial. 

Boyles, 

a  lad  seventeen  years  of  age,  is  also  in  jail  for  helping  his   brother 
to  escape  who  had  killed  a  companion  with  a  pocket  knife. 


CHAPTER   XII. 
PIONEER  LIFE. 

LOG    CABINS. 

We  shall,  in  this  chapter,  give  as  clear  and  exact  a  description  of 
pioneer  life  in  this  county  as  we  can  find  language  to  picture  it  in, 
commencing  with  the  time  the  sturdy  settlers  first  arrived  with 
their  scanty  stores.  They  had  migrated  from  older  States,  where 
the  prospects  for  even  a  competency  were  very  poor,  many  of  them 
coming  from"  Kentucky,  for,  it  is  supposed,  they  found  that  a  good 
State  to  emigrate  from.  Their  entire  stock  of  furniture,  imple- 
ments and  family  necessities  were  easily  stoi-ed  in  one  wagon,  and 
sometimes  a  cart  was  their  only  vehicle. 

As  the  first  thing  after  they  arrived  and  found  a  suitable  loca- 
tion, they  would  set  about  the  building  of  a  log  cabin,  a  description 
of  which  may  be  interesting  to  the  younger  readers,  and  especially 
their  descendants,  who  may  never  see  a  structure  of  the  kind. 
Trees  of  uniform  size  were  selected  and  cut  into  pieces  of  the  de- 
sired length,  each  end  being  saddled  and  notched  so  as  to  bring  the 
logs  as  near  together  as  possible.  The  cracks  were  "chinked  and 
daubed"  to  prevent  the  wind  from  whistling  through.  This  had 
to  be  renewed  every  fall  before  cold  weather  set  in.  The  usual 
height  was  one  story  of  about  seven  or  eight  feet.  The  gables  were 
made  of  logs  gradu  illy  shortened  up  to  the  top.  The  roof  was  made 
by  laying  small  logs  or  stout  poles  reaching  from  gable  to  gable, 
suitable  distances  apart,  on  which  were  laid  the  clapboards  after  the 
manner  of  shingling,  showing  two  feet  or  more  to  the  weather. 
The  clapboards  were  fastened  by  laying  across  them  heavy  poles, 
called  "  weight  poles,"  reaching  from  one  gable  to  the  other,  being 
kept  apart  and  in  their  place  by  laying  pieces  of  timber  between 
them  called  "runs,"  or  "knees."  A  wide  chimney  place  was  cut 
out  of  one  end  of  the  cabin,  the  chimney  standing  entirely  outside, 
and  built  of  rived  sticks,  laid  up  cob-house  fashion  and  filled  with 
clay,  or  built  of  stone,  often  using  two  or  three  cords  of  stone  in 
buildino-  one  chimney.  For  a  window,  a  piece  about  two  feet  long 
was  cut  out  of  one  of  the  wall  logs,  and  the  hole  closed,  sometimes 
with  glass,  but  oftener  with  greased  paper  pasted  over  it.     A  door- 


342  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

way  was  also  cut  through  one  of  the  walls,  and  the  door  was  made 
of  spliced  clapboards  and  hung  with  wooden  hinges.  This  was 
opened  by  pulling  a  leather  latch-string  which  raised  a  wooden 
latch  inside  the  door.  For  security  at  night  this  latch-string  was 
pulled  in,  but  for  friends  and  neighbors,  and  even  strangers,  the 
"  latch-string  was  always  hanging  out,"  as  a  welcome.  In  the  inte- 
rior, upon  one  side,  was  the  huge  fire-place,  large  enough  to  contain 
a  back-log  as  big  as  the  strongest  man  could  carry,  and  hold- 
ing enough  wood  to  supply  an  ordinary  stove  a  week  ;  on  either 
side  were  poles  and  kettles,  and  over  all  a  mantel  on  which  was 
placed  the  tallow  dip.  In  one  corner  stood  the  larger  bed  for  the 
old  folks,  under  this  the  trundle-bed  for  the  children  ;  in  another 
corner  stood  the  old-fashioned,  large  spinning-wheel,  with  a  smaller 
one  by  its  side  ;  in  another  the  pine  table,  around  which  the  family 
gathered  to  partake  of  their  plain  food  ;  over  the  door  hung  the 
ever-trustful  rifle  and  powder-horn ;  while  around  the  room  were  scat- 
tered a  few  splint-bottomed  chairs  and  three-legged  stools  ;  in  one 
corner  was  a  rude  cupboard  holding  the  table  wai-e,  which  consisted 
of  a  few  cups  and  saucers  and  blue^edged  plates,  standing  singly 
on  their  edges  against  the  back,  to  make  the  display  of  table  furni- 
ture more  conspicuous. 

These  simple  cabins  were  inhabited  by  a  kind  and  true-hearted 
people.'  They  were  strangers  to  mock  modesty,  and  the  traveler, 
seeking  lodgings  for  the  night  or  desirous  of  spending  a  few  days 
in  the  community,  if  willing  to  accept  the  rude  offering,  was  always 
welcome,  although  how  they  were  disposed  of  at  night  the  reader 
may  not  easily  imagine  ;  for,  as  described,  a  single  room  was  made 
to  serve  the  purpose  of  kitchen,  dining-room,  sitting-room,  bed- 
room, and  parlor,  and  many  families  consisted  of  six  or  eight  mem- 
bers. 

SELECTION    OF    HOMES. 

For  a  great  many  years  but  few  thought  it  advisable  to  attempt 
farming  on  the  prairie.  To  many  of  them  the  cultivation  of  the 
prairies  was  an  untried  experiment,  and  it  was  the  prevaling 
opinion  that  the  timber  would  soon  become  very  scarce, — a  fear 
soon  proven  to  be  without  foundation.  Another  obstacle  that  was 
in  the  way  for  a  great  many  years,  was  that  no  plows  suitable  for 
breaking  the  prairie  land  could  be  had.  The  sod  was  very  much 
tougher  then  than  it  was  in  after  years  when  the  stock  had  pastured 
the  prairies  and  killed  out  the  grass  to  some  extent.  It  would  be 
astonishing  to  the  younger  residents  to  see  the  immense  crops  of 
prairie  grass  that  grew  upon  the  fields  which  are  to-.day  in  such  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  It  grew  in  places  six  to  twelve  feet  high. 
It  was  these  immense  crops  of  grass  thatfurnished  the  fuel  for  the 
terrible  tires  that  swept  over  the  prairies, during  the  fall.  Then, 
again,  there  was  so  much  of  the  prairie  land  that  was  considered 
too  wet  to  be  ever  suitable  for  cultivation.  Many  of  the  older  set- 
tlers now  living  well  remember  when  farms  that  are  now  in  the 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COTJNTY.  343 

highest  state  of  cultivation  were  a  vast  swamp.  There  was  another 
drawback  in  the  settlement  of  the  prairies,  and  that  was  the  great 
labor  and  cost  of  fencing.  But  the  principal  reason  for  locating  in 
the  timber  was  that  many  of  their  cabins  were  poor,  half-finished 
afiairs,  and  protection  from  the  driving  storms  was  absolutely  re- 
quired. The  timber  also  sheltered  stock  until  such  times  as  sheds 
and  out-buildings  could  be  erected.  That  the  time  should  soon 
come  when  intelligent,  enterprising  farmers  would  see  that  their 
interest  lay  in  improving  prairie  farms,  and  cease  clearing  fields, 
when  there  were  boundless  acres  presenting  no  obstacle  to  the  most 
perfect  cultivation,  argues  nothing  in  the  policy  of  sheltering  for  a 
time  in  the  woods.  In  regard  to  the  pioneers  settling  along  the 
timber,  we  often  hear  remarks  made  as  though  the  selection  of  such 
locations  implied  a  lack  of  judgment.  Those  who  are  disposed  to 
treat  it  in  that  manner  are  asked  to  consider  carefully  the  above 
facts,  when  they  will  conclude  such  selection  argued  in  tlieir  favor. 
Clearing  of  timber  land  was  attended  with  much  hard  labor.  The 
underbrush  was  grabbed  up,  piled  into  heaps  and  burned.  The  large 
trees  were  in  many  cases  left  standing,  and  deadened  by  girdling. 
This  was  done  by  cutting  through  the  bark  into  the  wood,  generally 
through  the  "  sap,"  all  around  the  trunk. 

MILLING. 

Not  the  least  of  the  hardships  of  the  pioneers  was  the  procuring 
of  bread.  The  first  settlers  must  be  supplied  at  least  one  year  from 
other  sources  than  their  own  lands.  But  the  first  crops,  however 
abundant,  gave  only  partial  relief,  there  being  no  mills  to  grind  the 
grain.  Hence  the  necessity  of  grinding  by  hand  power,  and  many 
families  were  poorly  provided  with  means  for  doing  this.  Another 
way  was  to  grate  the  corn.  A  grater  was  made  from  a  piece  of  tin, 
sometimes  taken  from  an  old,  worn-out  tin  bucket  or  other  vessel. 
It  was  thickly  perforated,  bent  into  a  semi-circular  form,  and  nailed, 
rough  side  upward,  on  a  board.  The  corn  was  taken  in  the  ear, 
and  grated  before  it  got  dry  and  hard.  Corn,  however,  was  eaten 
in  various  ways. 

Soon  after  the  country  became  more  generally  settled,  enterpris- 
ing men  were  ready  to  embark  in  the  milling  business.  Bites  along 
the  streams  were  selected  for  water-power.  A  person  looking  for  a 
mill-site  would  follow  up  and  down  the  stream  for  a  desired  loca- 
tion, and  when  found  he  would  go  before  the  County  Commis- 
sioners and  secure  a  writ  o^  ad  quod  damnum.  This  would  enable 
the  miller  to  have  the  adjoining  land  officially  examined,  and  the 
amount  of  damage  by  making  a  dam  was  named.  Mills  being  such 
a' great  public  necessity,  they  were  permitted  to  be  located  upon  any 
person's  land  where  the  miller  thought  the  site  desirable. 

The  Hominy  Block. — Before  giving  the  particulars  of  the  anec- 
dote about  to  be  related  it  would  be  well  to  describe  the  hominy 
block,  for  there  are  thousands  in  this  county,  doubtless,  especially 
of  the  rising  generation,  who  have  never  so  much  as  heard  of  the 


•34i  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

hominy  block.  It  consisted  of  a  hole  bored  or  burned  in  the  end 
of  a  log  or  stump,  basin  form,  in  which  the  corn  was  placed  and 
then  pounded  with  an  iron  wedge,  block  of  wood  or  a  rolling  pin. 
-Sometimes  the  pounding  apparatus  consisted  of  a  long,  heavy  bldck 
of  wbod  attached  to  a  spring-pole  above,  which  lessened  the  labor  of 
preparing  a  meal.  The  one  we  have  in  question  consisted  of  a 
burncd-out  place  in  the  top  of  a  stump,  a  heavy  block  or  pole  at- 
tached to  a  transverse  spring-pole,  but  was  run  by  water  power 
instead  of  the  common  way.  This  hominy  block  was  made  and 
■owned  by  -Amasa  Shinn,  who  resided  in  or  near  Kinderhook  town- 
ship. Mr.  Shinn  would  fill  the  block  with  corn  at  night,  set  it  in 
motion,  and  by  morning  it  would  be  pulverized  and  ready  to  be 
made  into  bread  for  breakfast.  There  came  a  time,  however,  when 
Mr.  Shinn  and  family  preferred  to  fast,  for  at  least  one  meal. 
Squirrels  were  quite  numerous  in  those  day's — far  more  than  they 
•are  at  present — and  one  evening  after  Mr.  Shinn  had  set  his  mill  in 
motion  as  usual,  a  squirred  hopped  upon  the  edge  of  the  block  and 
began, wistfully  to  scrutinize  the  corn  below.  Finally  he  concluded 
to  have  some;  and  while  the  hammer  was  up,  jumped  into  the 
block  and  began  helping  himself,  when  the  huge  pounder  alighted 
upon  him.  During  the  remainder  of  the  night  the  pounder  kept 
regularly  descending  into  the  block,  thoroughly  mashing  and  mix- 
ing the  squirrel  and  the  corn.  When  Mr.  Shinn  came  down  the 
next  morning  for  his  meal  he  found  a  conglomerate  of  squirrel  and 
meal. 

Many  interesting  and  ludicrous  incidents  are  related  in  reference 
to  going  to  mill,  waiting  for  grists,  etc.,  many  of  which  are 
greatly  overdrawn.  Harrison  Henry,  now  deceased,  often  related 
an  incident  that,  although  untrue,  was  commendable  for  its  witticism 
and  application  to  the  mills  of  pioneer  days.  He  would  tell  the 
story  of  himself  in  the  following  language:  "I  went  to  Mr.  Ever- 
itt's  mill  (an  overshot  water-mill)  one  day,  and  remained  until 
night  for  my  turn.  When  my  turn  came  Mr.  Everitt  filled 
the  hopper  with  corn,  and  taking  me  with  him  to  the  house,  retired 
■for  the  night,  leaving  the  mill  to  do  the  work  alone.  During  the 
night  I  was  awakened  by  the  barking  of  Mr.  Everitt's  dog.  This 
annoyed  me  not  a  little,  but  I  finally  fell  asleep  again.  In  the  early 
morning  when  I  awoke,  I  heard  the  almost  steady  barking  of  th.e 
dog,  and  went  down  to  the  mill  to  learn  what  it  was  barking  at.  On 
arriving  there  I  found  that  the  dog  had  eaten  all  the  meal  and  was 
barking  for  morel  He  would  wait  until  a  little  meal  would  come 
down,  when  he  would  ravenously  lick  it  up,  and  then  look  up  the 
spout  and  bark  for  more!  "  Mr.  Henry  would  continue:  "I  don't 
tell  this  incident  to  injure  the  mill,  for  it  was  a  very  good  and  faith- 
ful mill;  it  grinds  away  faithfully  on  one  grain  until  it  finishes  it, 
and  then  jumps  right  on  to  another." 

NATIVE   ANIMALS. 

The  wild  animals  infesting  this  county  at  the  time  of  its  settle- 


HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  M6 

ment  were  the  deer,  wolf,  bear,  wild-cat,  Ibx,  otter,  raccoon,  wood- 
■chuck  or  gronnd-dog,  skunk,  mink,  weasel,  niuskrat,  opossum,  rab- 
bit and  squirrel;  and  the  principal  feathered  game  were  the  quail, 
prairie-chicken,  and  wild  turkej.  Several  of  these  animals  furnished 
-meat  for  the  early  settlers;  but  their  principal  meat  did  not  consist 
long  of  game.  'Pork  and  poultry  were  soon  raised  in  abundance. 
The  wolf  was  the  most  troublesome  animal,  it  being  the  common 
enemy  of  the  sheep.  It  was  quite  difficult  to  protect  the  sheep  from 
their  ravages.  ,  Sometinies  pigs  and  calves  were  also  victims  of  the 
wolf.  Their  bowlings  in  the  night  would  often  keep  families  awake, 
and  set  all  the  dogs  in  the  neighborhocM  to  barking.  Their  yells 
were  often  terrific.  Says  one  settler:  "Suppose  six  boys,  having 
six  dogs  tied,  whipped  them  all  at  the  same  time,  and  yon  would 
hear  such  music  as  two  wolves  would  make."  To  effect  the  destruc- 
tion of  these  animals  the  county  authorities  ofl'ered  a  bounty  for 
their  scalps;  and,  besides,  big  hunts  were  inagurated  for  their  des- 
truction, and  "  wolf  hunts  "  are  prominent  among  the  memories  of 
the  early  settlers.  Such  events  were  generally  turned  into  a  holi- 
day, and  everybody  that  could  ride  a  nag  or  stand  the  tramp  on  foot 
joined  in  the  deadly'  pursuit.  A  large  circuit,  was  generally  made 
by  the  hunters,  who  then  closed  on  every  side,  driving  the  hungry 
wolves  into  the  center  of  the  corral,  where  they  were  despatched. 
The  return  home  with  the  carcasses  was  the  signal  for  a  general  turn- 
out, and  these  "  pleasure  parties  "  are  still  referred  to  by  old  citizens 
as  among  the  pleasantest  memories  of  early  life  in  Pike  county. 
Many  a  hungry  wolf  has  been  run  down  on  the  prairies  w)iere  now 
is  located  a  town  or  a  fine  farm  residence.  This  rare  old  pastime, 
like  much  of  the  early  hunting  and  fishing  the  pioneers  indulged  in 
here,  departed  at  the  appearance  of  the  locomotive. 

BEE-HUNTING. 

During  the  early  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  State,  one  of  the 
prevailing  customs  of  the  poineers  was  "bee-hunting."  Often  a 
small  company  would  travel  many  miles  into  a  wild,  unsettled 
country,  in  search  of  the  sweet,  flavored  honey  of  the  wild  bee. 
Large  trees  containing  many  gallons,  and  often  a  barrel,  were  fre- 
quently found  by  bee-hunters.  The  little,  busy  bees  would  be 
carefully  watched  as  they  flew  heavily  laden  with  the  richest  extract 
of  the  flowers  that  were  purely  native  and  unknown  to  the  present 
generation.  They  always  took  a  "  bee-line  "  for  their  homes.  This 
was.  a  correct  guide  to  the  sturdy  hunter,  who  had  studied  with  care 
the  ways  of  the  bee  and  by  their  knowledge  took  advantage  of  the 
little  insect.  Once  on  the  trail,  good  bee-hunters  were  almost  cer- 
tain to  capture  the'rich  prize.  A.fter  the  bee-tree  was  discovered  it 
was  no  trouble  to  get  possession  of  the  honey.  The  tree  was  felled, 
and  the  hunters  would  rush  for  their  booty  ere  it  was  lost  by  run- 
ning out  upon  the  ground. 


346  HISTORY    OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

MANNERS  AND  CUSTOMS. 

The  pioneer  was  more  freely  and  heartily  social  with  his  friends 
and  cold  toward  his  enemies,  than  we  seem  to  be  at  the  present 
day_;  and  he  showed  what  race  he  belonged  to  by  his  efforts  to 
establish  religious,  philanthropic  and  educational  institutions.  The 
young  folks,  we  have  no  doubt,  found  many  ways  of  robbing  old 
Time  of  loneliness.  It  would  be'  unfair  to  suppose  them,  especi- 
ally the  ladies,  destitute  of  fashionable  aspirations,  but  the  means 
for  gaud}^  display  were  very  much  circumscribed  in  those  days. 
The  male  attire  consist^  chiefly  of  buckskin,  or  homespnn 
cloth, — we  might  add  home-woven,  the  loom  being  far  more  com- 
mon in  or  near  their  rude  huts  than  the  piano  or  organ.  They 
were  not,  however,  destitute  of  musical  taste,  and  many  of  their 
vocal  performances  would  compare  favorably  with  our  present 
choirs.  We  may  safely  say  they  sang  with  the  spirit.  Most  of 
the  ladies,  also,  wore  homespun,  which  they  manufactured  from 
wool,  flax,  cotton,  and  the  bark  or  lint  of  the  nettle,  colored  with 
such  ingredients  as  nature  provided,  without  the  aid  of  art.  A  few 
even  adopted  buckskin.  Hovy  many  yards  of  the  latter  article 
were  required  for  a  fashionable  dress  in  those  times,  or  in  what 
particular  style  it  was  cut  and  tripimed,  we  are  not  informed,  and 
must  leave  the  ladies  to  draw  their  own  conclusions.  These  dresses 
certainly  were  durable,  and  shielded  the  wearer  in  out-door  exer- 
cises incident  to  the  planting,  attending  and  gathering  of  crops,  in 
which  pursuit  the  ladies  in  all  new  countries  assist.  - 

Another  of  the  prevailing  fashions  was  of  that  of  carrying  fire- 
arras,  made  necessary  by  the  presence  of  roving  bands  of  Indians, 
most  of  whom  were  ostensibly  friendly,  but  like  Indians  in  all 
times,  treacherous  and  unreliable.  These  tribes  were  principally 
Pottawatomies.  There  were  also  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State 
several  tribes  of  hostile  Indians,  ready  at  any  time  to  make  a  mur- 
derous, thieving  raid  upon  the  white  settlers;  and  an  Indian  war 
at  any  time  was  an  accepted  probability;  and  these  old  settlers 
to-day  have  vivid  recollections  of  the  Black  Hawk  and  other  Indian 
wars.  And,  while  target  practice  was  much  indulged  in  as  an 
amusement,  it  was  also  necessary  for  a  proper  self-defense,  the 
settlers  finding  it  necessar}"^  at  times  to  carry  their  guns  with  them 
when  they  went  to  hoe  their  corn.  In  some  instances  their  guns 
were  stacked  in  the  field  and  the  laborers  worked  for  a  certain  dis- 
tance around  them,  and  then  moved  the  guns  to  a  certain  position 
and  again  proceeded  with  their  work. 

These  were  only  a  few  of  the  hardships  incident  to  pioneer  lite, 
which  was  largely  made  up  of  privations,  inconveniences  and  dan- 
gers. They  had  few  labor-saving  machines  and  no  reliable  markets. 
Even  communication  by  letter  with  their  distant  friends  and  rela- 
tives was  rendered  difiicult  for  want  of  proper  mail  facilities,  and 
sometimes  for  the  want  of  money  to  pay  the  postage  on  the  letters 
sent  to  them, — the  postage  then  b6ing  twenty-five  cents  for  a  single  • 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  347 

letter,  many  of  which  remained  in  the  office  for  weeks  on  account 
of  the  inability  of  the  persons  addressed  to  pay  the  postage. 

MAEKETS. 

The  earliest  settlers  of  the  county  went  to  St.  Louis  with  what 
little  produce  they  had  to  sell,  and  the  merchants  bought  all  their 
goods  in  that  city.  Soon,  however,  Louisiana  became  a  market, 
and  produce  was  wagoned  to  that  city  and  from  there  sent  south 
■  on  the  river.  There  was  at  that  time  no  sale  for  corn,  or  com- 
paratively none,  and  wheat  would  bring  but  a  small  price;  so  that 
really  there  was  no  impetus  given  to  the  raising  of  grain  of  any 
•sort,  except  for  home  consumption,  until  the  advent  of  the  railroad. 
At  that  time  improvement  began.  The  great  resources  of  the 
county  which  had  scarcely  supplied  more  than  home  demand  were 
then  turned  to  supply  the  wants  of  thousands.  That  occasion,  the 
advent  of  railroads,  was  the  commencement  of  agricultural  develop- 
ment. It  was  the  commencement  of  the  manufacturing  institu- 
tions the  countj'  can  now  boast  of;  it  was  the  building  of  her  thriv- 
ing cities  and  towns;  indeed  it  was  the  beginning  of  progress. 

One  of  the  earliest  steam-boats  in  the  Illinois  river  trade  was  the 
steamer  "  Exchange,"  which  plied  between  St.  Louis  and  Peoria. 
She  was  familiarly  known  as  "the  Shingle  Weaver,"  so  called  from 
the  fact  of  her  carrying  upon  her  hurricane  deck  a  machine  for  cut- 
ting shingles,  which  was  operated  by  the  machinery  of  the  boat, 
cutting  whenever  the  boat  was  in  motion.  Shingle  timber  would 
be  obtained  ab  the  wood-yards  along  the  river,  and  market  found 
for  the  manufactured  goods  at  St.  Louis.  This  boat  was  an  especial 
favorite  with  the  people  of  this  county,  many  of  whom  would, 
when  desiring  to  take  a  trip  by  the  river,  wait  for  her  coming,  and 
most  of  the  early  stocks  of  goods  for  the  eastern  part  of  the  county 
were  shipped  on  her;  she  also  carried  most  of  the  county's  "bees- 
wax "  and  other  products  to  their  market. 

-  "When  the  first  settlers  came  to  the  wilderness"  says  an  old  set- 
tler, "  they  all  supposed  that  their  hard  struggle  would  be  prin- 
cipally over  after  the  first  year ;  but  alas!  we  looked  for  'easier 
times  next  year  '  for  about  ten  years,  and  learned  to  bear  hardships, 
privation  and  hard  living  as  good  soldiers  do.  As  the  facilities  for 
making  money  wore  not  great,  we  lived  pretty  well  satisfied  in  an 
-atmosphere  of  good,  social,  friendly  feeling,  and  thought  ourselves 
as  good  as  those  we  left  behind  when  we  emigrated  West." 

CHILLS  AND  FEVEE. 

One  of  the  greatest  obstacles  to  the  early  settlement  and  prosper- 
ity of  this  county  was  the  "chills  and  fever,"  or  "  ague,"  or  "  Illinois 
shakes,"  as  it  was  variously  styled.  This  disease  was  a  terror  to 
new  comers.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  everybody  was  afilicted  with 
it.  It  was  no  respecter  of  persons;  everybody  shook  with  it,  and 
it  was  in  every  person's  system.     They  all  looked  pale  and  yellow  as 


348  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

tKougli  they  were  frostbitten.  It  was  not  contagious,  but  was  a 
kind  of  miasma  floating  around  in  the  atmosphere  and  absorbed' 
into  the  system.  It  continued  to  be  absorbed  from  day  to  day,  and 
•Week  to  week,  until  the  wliole  body  corporate  became  charged  with 
it  as  with  electricity,  and  then  the  shock  came;  and  the  shock  was 
a  regular  shake,  with  a  iixed  beginning  and  an  ending,  coming  oa 
each  day,  or  each  alternate  day,  with  a  regularity  that  was  surpris- 
ing. After  the  shake  came  the  fever,  and  this  "  last  estate  was 
worse  than  the  first.  "  It  was  a  burning,  hot  fever  and  lasted  for 
hours.  When  you  had  the  chill  you  couldn't  get  warm,  and  when 
you  had  the  fever  you  couldn't  get  cool.  It  was  exceedingly 
awkward  in  this  respect;  indeed  it  was.  Nor  would  it  stop  for  any 
sort  of  contingency.  Not  even  a  wedding  in  the  family  would 
stop  it.  It  was  imperative  and  tyrannical.  When  the  appointed 
time  came  around  everything  else  had  to  be  stopped  to  attend 
to  its  demands.  It  didn't  even  have  any  Sunday  or  holidays. 
After  the  fever  went  down  you  still  didn't  feel  much  better.  You 
felt  as  though  you  had  gone  through  some  sort  of  collision  and 
came  out  not  killed  but  badly  demoralized.  You  felt  weak,  as 
though  you  had  run  too  far  after  something,  and  then  didn't 
catch  it.  You  felt  languid,  stupid  and  sore,  and  was  down  in 
the  mouth  and  heel  and  partially  raveled  out,  so  to  speak.  Yonr 
back  was  out  of  fix  and  your  appetite  was  in  a  worse  condition 
than  your  back.  Your  head  ached  and  your  ej'cs  had  more  white 
in  them  than  usual,  and  altogether  you  felt  poor,  disconso- 
late and  sad.  You  didn't  think  much  of  yourself,  and  didn't 
believe  other  people  did  either,  and  you  didn^t  caye.  Yon 
didn't  think  much  of  suicide,  but  at  the  same  time  you  almost  made 
up  your  mind  that  under  certain  circumstances  it  was  justifiable. 
You  imagined  that  even  the  dogs  looked  at  you  with  a  kind  of  self- 
complacency.  You  thought  the  sun  had  a  kind  of  sickly  shine 
about  it.  About  this  time  you  came  to  the  conclusion  that  you 
would  not  accept  the  whole  State  of  Illinois  as  a  gift,  and  if  you 
had  the  strength  and  means,  you  picked  up  Hannah  and  the  baby 
and  your  traps,  and  went  back  "  yander  "  to  Injianny,  Ohio,  or  old 
Kaintnck. 

"  And  to-day  the  swallows  flitting 
Round  my  cabin  see  me  sitting 
Moodily  witMu  the  sunshine, 

Just  inside  my  silent  door, 
Waiting  for  the  '  agar,'  seeming 
Like  a  man  forever  dreaming ; 
And  the  sunlight  on  me  streaming. 

Throws  no  shadow  on  the  floor ; 
For  I  am  too  thin  and  sallow 

To  make  shadows  on  the  floor — 

Nary  shadow  any  more ! " 

The  above  is  no  picture  of  the  imagination.  It  is  simply_  re- 
counting what  occurred  in  hundreds  of  instances.  Whole  families 
would  sometimes  be  sick  at  one  time,  and  not  one  member  scarcely 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  34&' 

able  to  wait  upon  another.     One  widow  lady  on  the  Illinois   river 
informs  us  that  she  lost  nine  children  from  this  dreaded  disease! 

COOKING. 

To  witness'the  various  processes  of  cooking  in  those  days  would, 
alike  surprise  and  amuse  those  who  have  grown  up  since  cooking 
stoves  and  ranges  came  into  use.  Kettles  were  hung  over  the  large 
fire,  suspended  on  trammels  which  were  held  by  strong  poles.  The 
long-handled  frying-pan  was  used  for  cooking  meat.  Lt  was  held 
on  the  fire  by  hand  ;  or,  to  save  time,  the  handle  was  laid  across 
the  back  of  a  chair.  This  pan  was  also  used  for  baking  short-cake. 
A  better  article  was  a  cast-iron  spider,  which  was  set  upon  coals  on 
the  hearth.  But  the  best  thing  for  baking  bread  was  the  flat-bot- 
tomed bake-kettle,  of  greater  depth,  with  closely  fitting  cast-iron 
cover,  and  commonly  known  as  the  "Dutch  oven."  With  coals 
over  and  under  it  bread  and  buscuit  would  quickly  and  nicely  bake. 
Turkeys  and  spare^ribs  were  sometimes  roasted  before  the  fire,  sus-- 
pended  by  a  string,  a  dish  being,  placed  underneath  to  catch  the 
drippings., 

IMPLEMENTS. 

The  agricultural  implements  used  by  the  first  farmers  here  would 
in  this  age  of  improvement  be  great  curiosities.  The  plow  used 
was  called  the  bar-share  plow.  The  iron  point  consisted  of  a  bar  of 
iron  about  two  feet  long,  and  a  broad  share  of  iron  welded  to  it. 
At  the  extreme  point  was  a  coulter  that  passed  through  a  beam  six 
or  seven  feet  long,  to  which  were  attached  handles  of  corresponding 
length.  The  mold-board  was  a  wooden  one  split  out  of  winding 
timber,  or  hewed  into  a  winding  shape  in  order  to  turn  the  soil 
over.  Sown  seed  was  brushed  in  b}'  dragging  over  the  ground  a 
sapling  with  a  bushy  top.  In  harvesting  the  change  is  most  strik- 
ing. Instead  of  the  reapers  arid  mowers  of  to-day,  the  sickle  and^ 
cradle  were  used.  The  grain  was  threshed  with  a  flail,  or  trodden 
out  by  horses  or  oxen. 


The  men  were  not  called  upon  to  endure  alone  all  the  hardships 
and  labor  of  frontier  life.  The  women  also  had  their  physical  labor 
to  perform,  and  much  of  it. was  quite  arduous.  Spinning  was  one 
of  the  common  household  duties.  This  exercise  is  one  which  few 
of  the  present  generation  of  girls  have  ever  enjoyed.  The  wheel 
used  for  spinning  flax  was  called  the  "  little  wheel,"  to  distinguish 
it  from  the  "  big  wheel,"  used  for  spinning  yarn.  These  stringed 
instruments  furnished  the  principal  music  of  the  family,  and  were 
operated  by  our  mothers  and  grandmothers  with  great  skill,  attained 
without  pecuniary  expense  and  with  far  less  practice  than  is  neces-- 
sary  for  the  girls  of  our  period  to  acquire  a.  skillful  use  of  their 
costly  and  elegant  instruments. 


350  HISTOET   OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

The  loom  was  not  less  necessary  than  the  wheel.  Not  every 
house,  however,  in  which  spinning  was  done  had  a  loom;  hut  there 
were  always  some  in  each  settlement  who,  besides  doing  their  own 
weaving,  did  some  for  others.  Settlers,  having  succeeded  in  spite 
of  the  wolves  in  raising  sheep,  commenced  the  manufacture  of 
woolen  cloth;  wool  was  carded  and  made  into  rolls  by  hand-cards, 
and  the  rolls  were  spun  on  the  "  big  wheel."  "We  occasionally  find 
now,  in  the  houses  of  the  old  settlers,  one  of  these  big  wheels,  some- 
times used  for  spinning  and  twisting  stocking  yarn.  They  are 
turned  with  the  hand,  and  with  such  velocity  that  it  will  run  itself 
while  the  nimble  worker,  by  her  backward  step,  draws  out  and 
twists  her  thread  nearly  the  whole  length  of  the  cabin.  A  common 
article  woven  on  the  loom  was  linsey,  also  called  linsey-woolsey,  the 
chain  being  linen  and  the  filling  woolen.  This  cloth  was  used  for 
dresses  for  the  girls  and  mothers.  Nearly  all  the  clothes  worn  by 
the  men  were  also  home-made.  Karely  was  a  farmer  or  his  son 
seen  in  a  coat  made  of  any  other.  If,  occasionally,  a  young  man 
appeared  in  a  suit  of  "boughten  "  clothes,  he  was  suspected  of  hav- 
ing gotten  it  for  a  particular  occasion,  which  occurs  in  the  life  of 
nearly  every  man. 

Not  until  the  settlers  had  supplied  themselves  with  the  more  use- 
ful articles  of  clothing  and  with  edibles  of  various  kinds;  did  wheat 
bread  become  a  common  article  of  food.  It  is  true  they  had  it 
earlier,  but  this  was  only  served  on  extra  occasions,  as  when  visitors 
came,  or  on  Sundays;  and  with  this  luxury  they  would  have  a  lit- 
tle "  store  coffee."  "  The  little  brown  jug  "  found  a  place  in  almost, 
every  home,  and  was  often  brought  into  use.  No  caller  was  per- 
mitted to  leave  the  house  without  an  invitation  to  partake  of  its 
contents. 

PLEASURES  OF  PIONEEE    LIFE. 

The  history  of  pioneer  life  generally  presents  the  dark  side  of  the 
picture;  but  the  toils  and  privations  of  the  early  settlers  were  not  a 
series  of  unmitigated  sufferings.  No;  for  while  the  fathers  and 
mothers  toiled  hard,  they  were  not  averse  to  a  little  relaxation,  and 
had  their  seasons  of  fun  and  enjoyment.  They  contrived  to  do 
something  to  break  the  monotony  of  their  daily  life  and  furnish 
them  a  good,  hearty  laugh.  Among  the  more  general  forms  of 
amusement  were  the  " quilting-bee,"  "corn-husking,"  "apple-par- 
ing," "  log-rolling  "  and  "  house-raising."  Our  young  readers  will 
doubtless  be  interested  in  a  description  of  these  forms  of  amuse- 
ment, when  labor  was  made  to  afford  fun  and  enjoyment  to  all  par- 
ticipating. The  "quilting-bee,"  as  its  name  implies,  was  when  the 
industrious  qualities  of  the  busy,  little  insect  that  "improves  each 
shining  hour  "  were  exemplified  in  the  manufacture  of  quilts  for 
the  household.  In  the  afternoon  ladies  for  miles  around  gathered 
at  an  appointed  place,  and  while  their  tongues  would  not  cease  to 
play,  their  hands  were  as  busily  engaged  in  making  the  quilt;  and 
desire  was  always  manifested  to  get  it  out  as  quickly  as  possible. 


VM^/i^)c^y±--  <^^:^^-x^- 


sriggsville: 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  353 

for  then  the  fun  would  bejijin.  In  the  evening  the  gentlemen  came, 
and  the  hours  would  then  pass  swiftly  by  in  playing  games  or  danc- 
ing. "Oorn-huskings"  were  when  both  sexes  united  in  the  work. 
They  usually  assembled  in  a  large  barn,  which  was  arranged  for  the 
occasion ;  and  when  each  gentleman  had  selected  a  lady  partner  the 
husking  began.  When  a  lady  found  a  red  ear  she  was  entitled  to 
a  kiss  from  every  gentleman  present;  when  a  gentleman  found  one 
he  was  allowed  to  kiss  every  lady  present.  After  the  corn  was  all 
hnsked  a  good  supper  was  served;  then  the  "old  folks"  would 
leave,  and  the  remainder  of  the  evening  was  spent  in  the  dance  and 
in  having  a  general  good  time.  The  recreation  afforded  to  the 
young  people  on  the  annual  recurrence  of  these  festive  occasions 
was  as  highly  enjoyed,  and  qliite  as  innocent,  as  the  amusements  of 
the  present  boasted  age  of  reHnement  and  culture. 

F0ENITIJEE  OF  THE  PIONEER    CABINS. 

The  furniture  of  the  cabin  was  as  primitive  as  the  occupants.  In 
one  corner — perhaps  in  two  or  three  corners — were  the  bedsteads. 
These  were  your  genuine  "cottage  bedsteads,^  made  by  boring  one 
hole,  say  four  feet  from  one  corner  of  the  cabin,  into  a  "  house-log," 
another  hole,  say  six  feet  from  the  same  corner,  on  another  side; 
opposite  these  holes  was  set  an  upright  post,  usually  a  section  from 
the  body  of  a  peeled  sapling;  in  this  post  two  holes  would  be  bored 
at  any  desired  height,  and  at  right  angles  with  each  other;  poles 
were  inserted  in  these  holes,  making  in  this  manner  a  square  frame; 
over  this  frame  was  laid  a  covering  of  clapboards,  or,  as  some  de- 
nominated them,  "  shakes,"  and  on  top  of  this  platform  the  bed 
was  spread.  The  chairs  were  not  exactly  chairs,  but  three-legged 
stools" or  puncheon  benches.  The  cupboard  was  literally  a  cup- 
board, being  a  puncheon  supported  by  pins  driven  into  holes  in  the 
house  logs  at  some  convenient  corner.  The  boxes  which  had  held 
the  family  dry  goods  while  en  route  to  the  new  country  generally 
furnished  the  table,  and  a  trough  or  troughs  the  meat  and  soap  bar- 
rels. Hollow  logs  sawed  into  sections  and  provided  with  a  pun- 
cheon bot.tom  furnished  a  receptacle  for  meal,  potatoes,  beans,  wheat, 
"and  sich  like  truck" — to  use  the  pioneer  vernacular.  The  table 
was  bounteously  supplied  with  "samp,"  "lye  hominy,"  "corn 
pone,"  honey,  venison,  pork,  stewed  pumpkin,  wild  turkey,  prairie 
chicken  and  other  game.  "Wheat  bread,  tea,  coffee,  and  fruit — ex- 
cept wild  fruit — were  luxuries  not  to  be  indulged  in  except  on 
special  occasions,  as  a  wedding  or  gala  day.  "  Samp  "  was  quite  a 
frequent  dish.  It  was  made  by  burning  a  hole  into  some  conven- 
ient stump  in  the  shape  of  a  mortar;  this  hole  was  filled  with  corn 
and  pounded  by  a  large  pestle  hung  like  theold-fashioned  well-sweep 
pendent  from  a  long  pole,  which  was  nearly  balanced  on  an  upright 
fork.  This  pole  had  a  weight  attached  to  one  end  and  the  pestle 
to  the  other;  the  weight  would  lift  the  pestle,  while  manual  force 
was  expected  to  bring  it  down.  When  the  "  samp  "  was  pounded 
sufficiently,  it  was  washed  and  boiled  like  rice. 

22 


354  HTSTOET    OF    PIKE    COUHTY. 

The  traveler  always  found  a  welcome  at  the  pioneer's  cabin.  It 
was  never  full;  although  there  might  already  be  a  guest  for  every 
puncheon,  there  was  still  "  room  for  one  more,"  and  a  wider  circle 
would  be  made  for  the  new-comer  at  the  log  fire.  If  the  stranger 
was  in  search  of  land,  he  was  doubly  welcome,  and  his  host  would 
volunteer  to  show  him  all  the  "first-rate  claims  in  this  neck  of 
woods,"  going  with  him, for  dnrs,  showing'the  corners  and^advan: 
tages  of  every  "  Congress  tract"  within  a  dozen  miles  from  his  own 
cabin. 

To  his  neighbors  the  pioneer  was  equally  liberal.  If  a  deer  was 
killed,  the  choicest 'bits  were  sent  to  his  nearest  neighbor,  a  half- 
dozen  miles  away,  perhaps.  When ,  a  "shoat"  was  butchered,  the 
same  custom  prevailed.  If  a  new-comer  came  in  too  late  for 
"  cropping,"  the  neighbors  would  supply  his  table  with  just  the 
same  luxuries  they  themselves  enjoyed,  and  in  as  liberal  quantity, 
until  a  crop  could  be  raised.  When  a  new-comer  had  located  his 
claim,  the  neighbors  for  miles  around  would  assemble  at  the  site  of 
the  new-comer's  proposed  cabin  and  aid  him  in  "gittin"  it  up. 
One  party  with  axes"  would  fell  and  hew  the  logs;  another  with 
teams  would  haul  the  logs  to  the  ground ;  another  party  would  "  raise 
the  cabin";  while  several  of  the  old  men  would  "rive  the  clap- 
boards "  for  the  roof.  By  night  the  cabin  would  be  up  and  ready 
for  occupying,  and  by  the  next  day  the  new-comer  was  in  all  re- 
spects as  well  situated  as  his  neighbors. 

Saturday  was  a  regular  holiday,  in  which  work  was  ignored  and 
everybody  went  to  town  or  to  some  place  of  general  resort.  When 
all  were  together  in  town,  sport  began.  Of  course  whisky  circula- 
ted freely  and  everybody  indulged  to  a  greater  or  less  extent. 
Quarrels  were  now  settled  by  hand-to-hand  encounters;  wrestling- 
matches  came  off  or  were  arranged  for  the  future;  jumping,  foot- 
racing, and  horse-racing  filjed  up  the  interval  of  time;  and  every- 
body enjoyed  the  rough  sport  with  a  zest  unknown  among  the 
more  refined  denizens  of  the  present  day. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

OLD  SETTLEES'  ASSOCIATION. 

It  is  not  strange  that  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  any  new  conn- 
try  a  deep-seated  aad  sincere  friendship  should  spring  up  that 
would  grow  and  strengthen  with  their  years.  The  incidents  pecu- 
liar to  life  in  a  new  country, — the  trials  and  hardships,  privations 
and  destitution,^are  well  calculated  to  test  not  only  the  physical 
powers  of  endurance,  but  the  moral,  kindly,  generous  attributes  of 
manhood  and  womanhood.  Then  are  the  times  that  try  men's 
souls,  and  bring  to  the  surface  all  that  may  be  in  them  whether 
good  or  bad.  As  a  rule  there  is  an  equality  of  conditions  that  rec- 
ognizes no  distinctions.  All  occupy  a  common  level,  dnd  as  a 
natural  consequence  a  strong  brotherly  and  sisterly  feeling  rise  up 
that  is  as  lasting  as  time.  For  "a  fellow  feeling  makes  us  won- 
drous kind."  With  such  a  community  there  is  a  hospitality,  a 
kindness,  a  benevolence,  a  charity  unknown  and  unpracticed  among 
the  older,  richer  and  more  densely  commonwealths.  The  very 
nature  of  the  surroundings  teaches  them  to  feel  each  other's  woe 
and  share  each  other's  joy.  An  injury  or  a  wrong  may  be  ignored, 
but  a  kindly,  charitable  act  is  never  forgotten.  The  memory  of  old 
associations  are  always  fresh.  Haven  locks  may  bleach  and  whiten, 
full,  round  clieeks  become  sunken  and  hollow,  the  fires  of  intelli- 
gence vanish  from  the  organs  of  vision,  the  brow  become  wrinkled 
with  care  and  age  and  the  erect  form  bowed  with  accumulating 
years,— but  the  true  friends  of  "long  ago"  will  be  remembered  as 
long  as  life  and  reason  endure. 

The  surroundings  of  pioneer  life  are  well  calculated  to  test  the 
"  true  inwardness"  of  the  human  heart.  As  a  rule  the  men  and 
women  who  first  settle  in  a  new  country, — who  go  in  advance  to 
spy  out  the  land  and  prepare  it  for  the  coming  people, — are  bold, 
fearless,  self-reliant  and  industrious.  In  these  respects,  no  matter 
from  what  remote  section  or  country  they  may  come,  there  is  a 
similarity  of  character.  In  birth,  education,  religion  and  language, 
th?re  may  be  a  vast  difference,  but  imbued  with  a  common  pur- 
pose,— the  founding  and  building  of  homes, — these  differences  are 
soon  lost  by  association,  and  thus  they  become  one  people  united 
by  a  common  interest;  and  no  matter  what  changes  may  come  in 


356  HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

after  years  the  associations   thus  formed  are  never  buried  out  of 
menaory. 

In  pioneer  life  are  always  incidents  of  peculiar  interest,  not  only 
to  tlie  pioneers  themselves,  but  which  if  properly  preserved,  would 
be  of  interest  to  posterity;  and  it  is  a  matter  of  some  regret  that 
"The  Old  Settlers'  Association  "  was  not  formed  years  before  it 
was,  and  that  more  copious  records  were  not  kept.  Such  an  asso- 
ciation with  well  kept  records  of  the  more  important  events,  such 
as  dates  of  arrivals,  births,  marriages,  deaths,  removals,  nativities, 
etc.,  as  any  one  can  easily  and  readily  see,  would  be  the  direct 
means  of  preserving  to  the  literature  of  the  country  the  history  of 
every  community,  that  to  future  generations  would  be  valuable  as 
a  record  of  reference,  and  a  ready  and  sure  method  of  setthng 
important  questions  of  controversy.  Such  records  would  possess 
facts  and  figures  that  could  not  be  had  from  any  other  source. 
Aside  from  this  historic  importance  such  associations  serve  as  a 
means  of  keeping  alive  and  further  cementing  old  friendships  and 
renewing  among  its  members  associations  that  were  necessarily 
interrupted  by  the  innovation  of  increasing  population,  cultivating 
social  intercourse  and  creating  a  charitable  fund  for  such  of  their 
old  members  as  were  victims  of  misfortune  and  adversity. 

The  subject  of  organizing  an  old  settlers'  society  was  brought  up 
in  the  summer  of  1869.  In  the  Pike  County  Democrat  oi 3 u\j 
29,  that  year,  the  following  significant  passage  occurs:  "  The  time 
will  come  when  the  history  of  this  county  will  be  written.  For 
that  history,  the  meeting  of  such  society  will  furnish  the  best  ma- 
terial, and  the  parties  now  living  attest  the  facts  that  will  form  a 
large  portion  of  it."  There  was  nothing  definitely  done  toward 
the  organization  of  this  society  until  the  summer  of  1872,  when 
some  of  the  leading  old  settlers  interested  themselves  in  it.  The 
first  meeting  was  held  on  what  is  called  Blue  creek,  Aug.  21,  1872. 
The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Wm.  Turnbull,  of  Flint,  on 
whose  motion  Oapt.B.F.  Westlake  was  appointed  temporary  Chair- 
man. Upon  taking  the  chair  Capt.  Westlake  stated  in  brief  the 
object  of  the  meeting,  and  for  the  purpose  of  efiecting  on  organiza- 
tion hesuggested  the  propriety  of  appointing  acommitteeon  perma- 
nent organization  to  report  to  the  meeting  at  1  o'clock,  p.  m.  This 
committee  consisted  of  Col.  A.  C.Matthews,  Jas.  H.  Dimmittand 
Wm.  Turnbull.  The  meeting  was  then  addressed  by  Rev.  Mr.  Mc- 
Coy, after  which  an  adjournmemtwas  had  until  1  o'clock,p.M.  After 
the  dinner  was  dispatched  the  people  were  called  together  by  the 
choir,  discoursing  most  pleasant  music.  After  singing  the  commit- 
tee on  permanent  organization  reported  the  following  named  per- 
sons as  oflicers  of  the  "  Old  Settlers'  Association  of  Pike  and  Calhoun 
Counties,  111." 

For  President,  Col.  Wm.  Ross,  Newburg;  1st  Vice  President, 
Col.  Benj.  Barnev,  Pleasant  Vale;  2d  Vice  President,  Daniel  B. 
Bush,  Pi'ttstield ;  3d  Vice  President, Capt.  B.  F.  Westlake,  Newbnrg; 
4th  Vice  President,  Capt.  Benj.  L.  Matthews,  Perry;  5th  Vies 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  S61 

President,  Jos.  Brown,  Cliainbersburg;  6tli  Vice  President,  John 
Lyster,  Detroit;  7th  Vice  President,  Jas.  Grimes,  Milton;  8th  Vice 
President,  A.bel  Shelley,  Griggsville;  9th  Vice  President,  Perry 
"Wells,  Atlas;  10th  Vice  President,  Sam'l  G.  Sitton.  Hardin;  11th 
Vice  President,  Wm.  Grammar,  Hadley;  12th  Vice  President, 
Montgomery  Blair,  Barry;  13th  Vice  President,  John  Brittain, 
Martinsburg;  14th  Vice  President,  Thos  H.  Dimmitt,  Griggsville. 
Secretary,  Mar«ellus  Ross,  IMewburg;  1st  Assistant  Secretary,  Dr. 
E.  M.  Seelev,  Pittsfield;  2d  Assistant  Secretary  Wm.  Turnbull, 
Plint. 

Col.  Barney  presided  at  this  meeting,  Col.  Eoss  being  absent  on 
account  of  sickness.  A  communication  was  however  read  from  the 
President.  Rev.  W.  D.  Trotter,  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers  of  the 
county,  spoke  for  about  an  hour,  reviewing  the  early  life  of  the 
pioneers.  Hon.  William  A.  Grimshaw  delivered  the  address  of  the 
day.  It  was  an  ably  prepared  historical  review  of  the  county's  his- 
tory. Indeed,  so  replete  is  it  with  interesting  facts  of  pioneer 
times  that  we  give  the  entire  address  in  this  connection: 

ADDRESS    OF    HON.  WILLIAM    A.  GEIMSHAW. 

Mr.  President,  Ladies  and  Oentlemen : — Selected  by  your 
committee  of  arrangements  to  bid  you  welcome  here  to-daj',  I  do 
60  most  cordially,  as  an  old  settler  myself,  of,  say,  the  second  period 
of  Pike  county,  coming  here  in  the  year  1833  ;  that  being  after  the 
winter  of  the  deep  snow,  which  was  our  early  noted  period  in  the 
annals  of  this  then  wild,  romantic,  and  beautiful  country,  sparsely 
settled  and  embraced  in  the  bounds  of  Pike  county.  That  show 
with  us,  once,  was  the  starting  point  of  the  date  of  current  events, 
although  our  records  of  the  courts  of  justice  do  not  legally  recog- 
nize that  as  a  "  day  in  law,"  yet  we  even  in  courts,  in  the  simplicity 
of  our  early  language,  often  heard  events  traced  by  that  snow  as 
the  date  point. 

In  the  early  days  we  all  enjoyed  the  largest  constitutional  liberty; 
we  voted  for  him  we  liked  best,  as  I,  a  Whig,  did  for  "  honest  Joe 
Duncan,"  a  Democrat,  on  a  deiep  question  in  those  days,  the  Illi- 
nois and  Michigan  Canal,  "  the  deep  cut ;"  we  also  each  worshipped 
God  according  to  the  dictates  of  our  own  conscience  and  under  our 
vine  and  fig-tree.  When  Brother  Trotter,  who  is  now  present, 
venerable  with  years  and  i-evered  for  piety,  or  old  Father  Woolf, 
now  gathered  to  his  fathers,  blessed  for  his  good  deeds,  came 
around  to  his  appointment,  all,  of  every  religion  and  no  one  religion, 
turned  out  to  meeting  in  the  woods  or  the  log  school-house  or  at  a 
settler's  home.  We  had  no  fine  churches  in  those  days.  Mormons 
puzzled  the  unwary  by  their  startling  pretense  at  new  revelations. 
Or,  if  disappointed  by  the  regular  minister,  old  Father  Petty  would 
recite,  in  prayer,  Belteshazzar's  feast,  in  trembling  tones  of  piety. 

Our  worthy  and  venerable  President  (elect  but  absent).  Col.  Wm. 
Ross,  who  has  been  often  honored  by  the  people  of  Pike  Co.  by  their 


358  HISTOET   OF    PIKE  COUNTY. 

votes,  electing  him  to  high  offices  of  public  trust,  could  tell  you 
much  of  the  first  period  or  earliest  years  of  the  settlement  of  your 
county,  as  he  arrived  in  the  county  in  1820  and  settled  at  Atlas, 
which  was  the  county-seat  in  its  day,  and  was  laid  out  by  the  Ross 
brothers.  Atlas  was  yet  the  place  at  which  the  county  records 
were  kept  in  1833,  but  in  the  spring  of  the  year  Pittstield  was  sur- 
veyed and  laid  off  into  lots  and  the  sale  thereof  made  at  different 
periods,  the  first  sale  of  lots  being  in  that  spring.  tA  court-house 
was  built  in  the  summer  of  1833  at  Pittsfield  ;  from  that  event 
the  greater  prosperity  of  the  county  and  an  increase  of  population 
began. 

The  terror  infused  into  the  public  mind,  beyond  the  settlements 
of  Illinois,  by  the  Black  Hawk  war,  which  had  retarded  emigration 
to  our  State,  the  Indians  being  removed  to  the  West  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, the  tide  of  emigration  began  to  set  in,  and  you  witness  to- 
day, in  the  presence  here  of  this  assemblage,  the  vast  change  in  a 
little  over  fifty  years  since  the  Yankees  (who  came  before  the  clock- 
peddlers)  set  foot  within  the  limits  of  Pike  county,  as  it  now  exists. 
Clock  peddlers  were  the  only  gentlemen  in  those  days,  as  they  rode 
in  the  only  covered  carriages. 

It  is  true,  when  you  consider  the  rise  and  growth  of  Chicago  in' 
our  own  State,  and  of  St.  Louis  in  Missouri,  rival  cities,  each  of 
nearly  four  hundred  thousand  people,  we  don't  seem  to  have  much 
to  brag  of  as  to  our  growth.  Consider,  however,  that  we  are  almost 
strictly  an  agricultural  county,  that  being  our  chief  and  most  profit- 
able pursuit,  and  then  the  greatest  zealot  for  progress  must  admit 
that,  from  a  beginning  of  a  few  families  in  1821,  we  are  now  a 
county  not  to  be  sneezed  at,  and  especially  when  our  vote  at  the 
polls  is  counted.  Excluding  counties  in  which  cities  have  arisen, 
we  are  most  densely  populated,  more  so  than  many  in  our  beauti- 
ful Illinois,  and  yet  we  have  broad  acres  of  valuable  lands  in  a  state 
of  nature. 

Once  our  prairies  were  the  home  of  the  bounding  deer  in  vajt 
herds,  of  the  prarie  wolf,  the  prairie  fowl  in  great  flocks,  the  tim- 
ber land  abounded  with  the  squirrel,  the  turkey  and  the  pigeon, 
and  in  the  hollow  trees  we  had  the  beautiful  but  noisy  paroquet; 
as  well  as  in  their  haunts  numerous  other  birds  and  animals.  These 
have  in  a  great  measure  disappeared  until  game  is  a  rarity.  The 
wild  fruits  once  abounding  have  been  superseded  by  more  luscious, 
cultivated  fruits.  And  yet,  who  of  the  old  settlers  does  not  remem- 
ber with  a  twinkle  in  his  eye  the  old  settlers'  first  substitute  for  an 
apple,  a  big  turnip;  and  also  find  a  good  taste  in  the  mouth  when 
he  thinks  of  those  nice  preserved  plums,  crab-apples  and  ground 
cherries,  and  the  pumpkin  pie,  and  the  pork  mince  meat.  We 
then  think  of  the  prairie  and  woodland  each  abounding  in  the  sea- 
son in  beautiful  flowers,  rivaling  in  their  colors  the  rainbow.  These 
were  the  holiday  delights  of  dame  and  maiden,  and  the  husband 
and  lover  were  alike  made  glad  in  their  contemplation.  The  retro- 
spect of  nature  has  its   beauties.     The  reality  of  the  first  settler  s 


TIISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  369 

life  in  a  new  countiy  is  ofteu  fall  of  prose  and  but  little  poetry. 
Compare  tlie  simple  and  even  poor  furniture  of  our  early  homes 
with  the  elegant,  furniture  now  in  use,  and  what  a  contrast !  But 
with  all  the  drawbacks  of  an  early  settler's  life  few  repine  at  their 
lot  in  this  beautiful  land.  TS^one  can  who  accept  with  reflection 
and  thankfulness  the  many  mercies  which  crown  our  lives. 

I  am  reminded  by  this  retrospection,  that  yesterday,  on  return- 
ing home,  I  found  a  written,  kind  notification  from  your  Com- 
mittee, in  charge  of  the  convening  of  this  your  first  Old  Settlers' 
meeting,  that  I  was  invited  and  expected  to  address  you  to-day.  I 
then  took  my  pen  to  endeavor  to  bridle  my  thoughts  and  to  bid 
them  serve  the  request  of  the  Committee,  that  1  should  speak  as 
to  the  "honesty,  patience,  industry,  self-sacrifice  and  hospitality 
of  the  old  settlers." 

Honesty  was  the  rule,  crime  the  exception,  in  early  days.  It 
would  seem  as  if  at  the  first  mention  of  the  honesty  of  the  old  set- 
tlers it  was  a  sarcasm,  on  the  idea  of  lawyers  settling  here,  and  as 
if  I  had  some  personal  experience  and  revelation  to  make.  Of 
course  T  know  something  and  much  of  the  facts,  and  will  relate 
them. 

§t  was  well  known  that  because  we  had  no  locks  we  never  locked 
our  houses  and  out  buildings;  it  was  proverbial  that  the  deer  skin 
of  the  door  latch  was  never  pulled  in,  that  is  the  latch  string  was 
out;  then  we  had  not  much  to  tempt  people  to  steal;  so  our  things 
lay  about  loose;  our  plows  with  their  wooden  mold-boards  hung 
on  the  fences  with  impunity;  but  at  Christmas  time,  the  plow  or 
ox  skull  hung  upon  a  tree  by  the  way  side,  reminded  the  passer-by, 
on  the  three-year  old,  riding  to  see  his  girl,  that  a  fool's  head  was 
too  soft  to  butt  either  of  those  pendants  in  the  tree. 

At  an  early  day  an  old  ax,  worth  fifty  cents  perhaps  in  these 
days  being  stolen,  the  vile  thief  was  ordered  to  leave  the  settle- 
ment of  Atlas,  and  did  leave  for  his  country's  good.  It  was  said 
that  loud  porcine  cries  were  heard  upon  the  "Sny  Island  "  at  times, 
because  men  would  kill  their  neighbor's  hogs  :  that  was  a  trifling 
affair  and  cost  only  the  penalty  of  going  halves  with  the  nearest 
justice;  thus  dividing  the  meat — unless  the  head  and  ears  were 
found  and  those  bearing  some  man's  recorded  mark;  then  that  was 
a  case  for  the  Grand  Jury.  Hog  stealing  was  said  to  be  caused  by 
drinking  Sny  water. 

We  have  told  only  of  the  style  of  dishonest  tricks  in  those  days. 
With  more  facts  to  bear  us  out,  we  can  now  affirm  that  the  general 
reputation  of  our  early  settlers  was  remarkably  good  for  honesty 
in  general,  but  there  was  a  slight  propensity  to  "  hook  timber"  to 
make  rails  and  to  use  as  house  logs,  and  some  fellows  in  the  land, 
held,  in  fact  it  was  "  common  la^w,"  that  a  ''  bee  tree  "  even  in  your 
pasture  lot  was  lawful  plunder. 

As  to  the  patience  of  our  people,  if  that  means  bearing  up  with 
the  courage  of  a  true  man  and  true  woman  under  the  perils  to 
limb  and  property,  the  early  settlers  were  exemplary  for  that;  the 


«' 


360  HISTOBT   OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

trials  of  an  early  settler's  life  were  legion.  His  resources,  so  far 
as  supplies  for  his  family,  were  small ;  his  debts  were  a  great  vex- 
ation, and  some,  if  not  all,  had  these  pests,  until  the  lands  were 
entered  and  paid  for,  the  money  often  being  loaned  "at  interest  as 
high  as  75  per  centum  per  annum.  Then  if  you  went  to  mill,  you 
'ourneyed  a  score,  aye,  three-score  miles;  to  meeting  often  as  far. 
"o  bridges,  and  but  few  roads  existed;  the  saddle,  or  the  ox  cart, 
or  truck,  wooden-wheeled  wagon,  and  no  fine  carriages,  was  the 
mode  of  travel. 

Corn  dodger,  without  salt,  and  pork  or  side-meat,were  great  staples; 
vegetables  and  fruits,  unless  wild  fruits,  were  rarely  on  the  table, 
unless  when  company  came  to  spend  the  afternoon,  or  to  a  quilt- 
ing, then  the  best  the  house  or  the  neighborhood  afforded  was 
forthcoming  for  the  visitor.  The  quilting  parties  were  generally 
the  resort  of  young  and  old.  Marriages  were  rare  in  those  days, 
because  bachelors  were  more  plenty  than  belles. 

As  to  the  industry  of  the  old  settlers,  as  a  class,  industry  was  to 
the  extent  of  present  ability,  implements,  health  and  condition,  and 
was  not  surpassed  by  the  toil  of  men  of  the  present  day.  The  ma- 
tron and  the  few  young  ladies  had  much  toil  and  vexation,  and  that 
was  often  more  excessive  on  wash-day,  because  of  having  to  pickfp 
fuel  as  it  could  be  gleaned,  or  carrying  the  clothes  to  and  from 
the  wash  place,  which  was  a  branch  or  spring.  The  clothes-line 
was  a  grape  vine  or  a  fence,  and  the  hogs  and  calves  trespassed  on 
that  to  "  chaw  the  things,"  and  to  keep  the  "creeters"  off,  old 
boss  and  the  old  woman  (not  yet  25  years  old)  often  had  a  hard 
fight  lest  the  baby  in  the  cradle  sitting  near  the  out-door  fire  should 
be  "  up  sot." 

Self-sacrifice  was  one  of  the  many  and  noblest  virtues  of  the 
early  settler;  in  times  of  sickness  you  were  free  to  call  up  any 
neighbor  for  help,  to  sit  up  with  the  sick,  to  ride  25  or  even  more 
miles  for  the  doctor,  and  that  mostly,  as  our  doctors  said,  in  the 
dead  of  night,  to  the  great  horror  of  the  doctor,  who  had  to  saddle 
up  and  travel,  even  in  the  dead  of  night,  to  the  farthest  limits  of 
his  own  or  to  an  adjoining  county. 

'Although  the  county  of  Pike  was  naturally  healthy,  the  over 
toil,  the  privation,  the  imperfect  protection  from  the  inclemency  of 
seasons,  the  water  used  from  shallow  water-holes,  all  these  tended 
to  multiply  disease  and  death.  This  county  was  never,  as  a  gen- 
eral thing,  visited  so  much  with  sickness  and  death  as  other  coun- 
ties in  our  State. 

In  the  early  day  no  iron  horse  snorted  and  raced  over  our 
prairies.  The  steamer  once  perhaps  in  several  weeks  dragged  itself 
along.  Twelve  days  was  a  short  time  for  a  trip  from  Kew  York 
here,  and  that  mostly  by  stage.  Our  mails  arrived  once  a  week, 
and  a  letter  cost  us  our  "  last  quarter."  News  from  Europe  a 
month  old  was  fresh.  No  troublesome  quotations  of  daily  markets 
puzzled  or  enlightened  us.  A  counterfeit  United  States  bill  was 
almost  legal  tender.     Hoop-poles,  staves  and  cord  wood  were  equal 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  361 

at  a  later  day  to  gold.  Store  pay  was  better  than  any  of  the  fore- 
going, but  often  lead  to  heavy  mortgages  and  secret  bills  of  sale. 
The  laws  were  quickly  enforced.  Once  a  client  of  a  celebrated 
lawyer  was  taken  out  of  Court  and  the  penalty  of  the  law  put  on 
his  back  with  stripes  before  the  motion  for  a  new  trial  was  over; 
then  the  client  protested  against  a  new  trial  lest  if  convicted  he 
would  be  a  second  time  whipped. 

Now  how  changed  is  everything  around  us!  In  the  early  day 
there  was  more  variety  in  dress,  if  less  taste.  All  dressed  in  their 
best,  and  sometimes  (if  the  ladies  will  pardon  such  an  o'er  true 
tale)  a  white  satin  bonnet,  the  worse  for  the  wear,  was  seen  over  a 
blue  "  Dolly  Varden  "  ruffled  cap.  The  most  distinguished  man 
at  shows,  for  a  number  of  years,  was  an  old,  gaunt,'straight  man, 
with  a  bell-crowned  hat,  in  the  height  of  the  fashion  when  he  was 
young,  which  was  nearly  twelve  inches  perpendicular;  horses  often 
carried  double  in  those  days,  if  girls  were  plenty,  and  about  spark- 
ing and  wedding  time.  Oh  how  sociable!  and  yet  all  was  modesty 
and  innocence. 

Hospitality — that  signifies  strictly  "practice  pf  entertaining 
strangers,"  but  in  its  true  early  settler's  ways  much  more  was 
meant,  intended,  and  done.  On  a  journey  almost  every  house  was 
a  welcome  home  to  the  weary  traveler;  if  any  charge  was  made 
for  the  entertainment  it  was  very  moderate;  at  times  the  parting 
word  to  you  was,  "  You  are  welcome  to  such  as  we  had,  and  please 
call  again  when  traveling  this  way." 

Hospitality  scarce  expresses  the  fine  sensibility,  the  manly  Chris- 
tian spirit,  of  many  of  the  olden  time.  The  pioneer  feels  that  each 
and  every  settler  of  his  neighborhood  (and  he  does  not  criticise 
much  as  to  who  is  his  neighbor)  is  entitled  to  such  help  and  good 
feeling  as  may  be  asked  or  should  be  extended. 

I  felt  and  still  feel  a  large  degree  of  sympathy,  and  that  the  most 
cordial,  with  the  old  settlers.  It  occurs  to  me  that  as  Pike  county 
~once  included  Calhoun,  and  as  some  of  the  settlers  there  are  co- 
temporaries  with  our  earliest  settlers,  we  should  include  the  Cal- 
houn old  settlers  in  our  Society — in  fact  just  this  week  that  was 
named  to  me  in  that  county. 

With  great  hopefulness  as  to  jthe  prosperity  of  this  new  Society, 
desiring  for  it  many  happy  re-unions,  I  offer  to  you  the  thanks  of 
myself,  an  old  settler,  for  your  courtesy  in  inviting  me  to  address 
this  meeting;  and  may  God  bless  our  vast  population,  spread  over 
our  large  county,  which  had  when  first  known  to  myself  about 
three  thousand  people,  and  now  contains  approaching  forty  thou- 
sand, although  the  liive  of  people  has  swarmed  many  times. 

Farewell,  mj'  friends,  one  and  all.  Let  us  part  with  mutual 
good  wishes,  as  we  never  more  can  all  meet  again  in  this  life. 

At  the  first  meeting  it  was  decided  to  invite  the  old  settlers  of 
Calhoun  county  to  join  with  the  Pike  county  Old  Settlers'  Society. 


'B'62  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

In  harmony  with  this   decision  Calvin  Twichell,   Smith  Jennings 
•and  William  Wilkinson  were  elected  Vice-Presidents. 

SECOND    MEETING. 

The  second  meeting  of  the  Old  Settlers'  Association  was  held  in 
September,  1873.  The  following  letter  from  Judge  William 
Thomas,  of  Jacksonville,  was  read: 

"  Jacksonville,  Aug.  30,  1873. 

"Me.  Maecellus  Ross,  Secretary: — Dear  Sir, — I  have  received 
two  invitations  to  attend  the  Old  Settlers'  Meeting  in  Pike  county 
on  Wednesday  next.  I  regret  that  I  cannot  accept  either,  for  I 
would  be  glad  to  meet  the  survivors  of  those  with  whom  I  became 
•acquainted  forty -five  years  -ago.  I  attended  the  Circuit  Court  in 
Atlas  in  June.  1827,  which  was  my  first  visit  to  Pike.  The  Oourt . 
was  held  by  Judge  Lockwood,  who  now  resides  atBatavia,  in  Kane 
■county.  The  attorneys  in  attendance  were  John  W.  Whitney,  N. 
Hanson,  and  John  Jay  Ross,  of  Pike  county,  Gen.  James  Turney 
and  Alfred  W.  Oaverly,  of  Greene  county,  now  of  Ottawa,  and  J. 
W.  Pugh,  of  Sangamon  county,  Mr.  Jenkins,  of  Calhoun  county, 
■John  Turney  and  myself,  of  Morgan  county.  Oapt.  Leonard  Eoss, 
one  of  nature's  noblemen,  was  Sheriff.  Col.  Wm.  Eoss  was  Clerk; 
■James  M.  Seeley  was  an  oflBcer  of  the  Court.  Of  all  these.  Judge 
Lockwood,  Mr.  Caverly,  and  myself  are  the  only  survivors.  The 
Court  was  in  session  three  days,  and  then  went  to  Calhoun  county. 
It  was  held  in  a  log  cabin  in  the  prairie,  near  which  was  a  log  cabin 
occupied  by  the  grand  jury.  The  traverse  jury  had  the  privilege 
of  the  prairies. 

"  In  September  afterward,  returning  from  the  Winnebago  war  I 
left  tlie  boat  at  Quincy,  where  I  purchased  a  horse,  saddle  and 
■bridle  for  $40.  From  Quincy  I  came  to  Atlas,  a  good  day's  travel; 
remained  in  Atlas  one  day  and  two  nights,  and  then  set  out  for 
home.  Passing  Col.  Seeley's,  I  found  no  other  house  until  I 
reached  Blue  river,  where  Van  Deusen  had  a  small  grist-mill,  and 
I  crossed  the  Illinois  river  on  Van  Deusen's  ferry.  That  night  I 
reached  Exeter.  The  weather  was  pleasant,  the  roads  were  dry  and 
smooth. 

"  Pike  county  was  then  a  wilderness.  I  came  as  directed,  the 
nearest  and  best  route  home.  I  could  never  then  have  been  made 
to  believe  that  I  should  live  to  see  a  population  of  30,000  within 
its  boundaries. 

"  Capt.  Ross  entertained  the  jury  and  the  lawyers  in  their  double 
log  cabin  free  of  charge,  expressing  his  regret  that  we  could  not   , 
stay  longer.     I  was'  at  Atlas  at  the  Presidential  election  in  1824 
and  voted  for  John  Quincy  Adams  for  President. 

"Judge  Lockwood,  Mr.  McOonnell  and  myself,  in  attending 
Oourt  at  Atlas  (the  year  I  do  not  recollect),  passed  the  present  site 
of  Griggsville  and  saw  the  man,  Mr.  Scholl,  raising  the  first  log 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  363 

cabin  on  that  hill.  I  suppose  the  land  had  been  laid  out  in  town 
lots. 

"  In  the  early  settlement  of  the  Military  Tract  traveling  cost  but 
little.  The  old  settlers  were  always  glad  of  the  opportunity  of 
entertaining  travelers,  and  especialljr  the  judge  and  lawyers,  from 
whom  they  could  obtain  interesting  accounts  in  relation  to  what 
was  going  on  in  the  world  around  them.  Besides,  we  often  had 
to  encamp  in  the  woods  and  prairies  because  no  house  was  within 
reach  at  dark,  and  this  was  called  "lodging  at  Munn's  tavern,"  be- 
cause of  the  large  number  of  quarter  sections  of  land  owned  by  him. 
I  have  often  fared  sumptuously  in  the  log  cabins  on  bread  made  of 
grated  meal,  venison,  honey,  butter  and  milk  and  stewed  pumpkins, 
and  slept  comfortably  and  soundly  on  the  puncheon  floor.  *     *     * 

"  Feb.  14,  1823,  Wm.  Koss  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Probate.  In  1823  Geo.  Cadwell,  then  of  Greene  county  but  after- 
ward included  in  Morgan,  was  elected  to  the  Senate  for  Greene 
and  Pike,  and  Archibald  Job,  who  was  still  living,  for  the  House. 
Cadwell's  term  expired  in  two  years,  and  in  1824  Thos.  Carlin, 
afterward  elected  governor  in  1836,  was  elected  to  the  Senate. 
Cadwell  was  an  educated  physician,  a  man  of  talent  and  stern  in- 
tegrity: he  died  in  1824  or  1825. 

"  At  the  meetinij  of  the  Legislature  in  1824  Nicholas  Hanson 
and  John  Shaw  both  produced  certificates  of  election  to  the  House. 
•  The  question  which  was  entitled  to  the  seat  was  referred  to  the 
Speaker,  who  decided  in  favor  of  Hanson.  During  the  ses- 
sion the  question  was  again  brought  before  the  House,  and  de- 
cided l)y  a  unanimous  vote  in  favor  of  Hanson.  Near  the  close  of 
the  session  the  question  was  reconsidered  and  Shaw  admitted,  in 
consideration  of  which  Shaw  voted  for  the  resolution  for  a  call 
of  a  convention. 

"  For  several  years  after  I  came  to  the  State,  deer,  wild  turkey 
and  wild  beasts  were  plenty,  especially  on  the  Illinois  and  Missis- 
sippi rivers.  But  for  this  fact  many  of  our  early  settlers  would 
have  suffered  for  provisions,  or  have  been  compelled  to  retreat  for 
supplies. 

"In  passing  from  Eushville  to  Quincy,  the  Judge,  Mr.  Caverly 
and  myself  slept  on  tlie  prairie  during  the  night,  and  the  next 
morning,  which  was  Sunday,  we  found  a  house  a  few  miles  distant 
in  the  barrens;  and  we  could  not  make  the  family  believe  it  was 
not  Saturday.  The  nearest  neighbor  lived  five  miles  distant.  They 
lived  on  wild  game,  grated  corn  meal  and  roasted  ears,  and  lived 
well.     We  thought  at  breakfast  we  could  not  wish  for  better  fare. 

"In  passing  from  Atlas  to  Gilead  in  Calhoun  county  we  always 
made  the  house  of  an  old  gentleman  named  Munn  our  stopping- 
place.  He  and  his  wife  were  always  glad  to  see  us  and  made 
sumptuous  preparations  for  our  comfort. 

"  If  I  were  at  the  stand  and  questioned  I  could  probably  answer 
many  questions  in  regard  to  matters  of  interest  to  the  present  in- 
habitants; but  as  I  do  not  know  the  points  on  which  they  would 


364  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

question  me,  and  as  I  huve  already  extended  this  letter,  considering 
the  hot  weather,  to  what  may  be  considered  a  reasonable  length,  I 
close,  hoping  that  you  may  have  a  good  day  and  a  good  time. 
"  Respectfully  your  friend,         "  William  Thomas." 

This  meeting  was  addressed  hy  many  old  settlers,  who  related 
very  interesting  experiences.  The  exercises  were  interspersec 
with  music  and  a  grand  picnic  dinner,  etc.  Letters  were  reac 
from  Edwin  Draper  and  Levi  Pettibone,  of  Louisiana,  Mo.,  besides 
the  one  from  Judge' Thomas,  above  given.  Wm.  A.  Grimshaw 
was  elected  President,  James  Mc Williams,  of  Griggsville,  Vice 
President,  and  G-eo.  W.  Jones  Assistant  Secretary.  The  following 
resolution  was  adopted:  ^^  Sesolved,  That  the  old  settlers  of  Pil« 
and  Calhoun  counties  be  requested  to  notify  the  President  and 
Secretary  of  the  Old  Settlers'  organization,  the  names  of  all  mem- 
bers of  this  Association  who  shall  depart  this  life  during  the 
present  year,  and  that  the  Secretary  be  instructed  to  enter  the 
same  upon  record." 

Among  those  who  addressed  the  assembly'  were  Hon.  Wm.  A, 
Grimshaw,  John  T.  Hodgen,  of  St.  Louis,  Calvin  Twichell,  oi 
Calhoun  county,  J.  T.  Long,  now  of  Barry,  for  many  years  a  resi- 
dent of  Adams  county,  Wm.  TurnbuU,  of  Flint,  A.  P.  Sharpe,  ol 
Griggsville,  Alvin  Wheeler,  theoldest  living  settler  of  Pike  county 
(came  here  in  1818),  now  75  years  of  age.  Col.  D.  B.  Bush  closed 
the  line  of  history  by  giving  a  sketch  of  Pittsfield.  Dr.  Worthing- 
ton  claimed  Frederick  Franklin,  of  Montezuma,  as  the  oldest  living 
settler  of  Pike  county  now  living.  He  was  the  son  of  Ebenezej 
Franklin,  the  first  settler  in  the  county. 

In  this  connection  we  give  the  very  interesting  letter' of  Mr. 
Draper : 

"  Louisiana,  Mo.,  Sept.  1,  1873.; 

"  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Gkimshaw  and  others:  Gentlemen, — Through 
the  politeness  of  some  friend  of  your  county-seat  I  am  indebted 
for  an  invitation  to  attend  the  meeting  of  old  settlers  of  your  county 
at  Pittsfield,  on  the  3d  inst.  ;for  this  invitation  I  presume  I  am  in- 
debted for  the  fact  of  being  nearly  connected  by  marriage  with  Levi 
Pettibone,  Esq.,  an  old  settler  and  perhaps  the  oldest  man  in  Pike 
county, Mo.,  and  perhaps  with  few  exceptions  the  oldest  man  in 
Missouri,  he  being  now  nearing  the  completion  of  his  93d  year. 
But  from  whatever  cause,  I  esteem  it  a  compliment  altogether  un- 
deserved to  myself,  but  which  nevertheless  I  should  take  the  great- 
est pleasure,  if  circumstances  permitted,  of  meeting  with  the  old 
settlers  of  your  county,  among  whom  I  am  proud  to  recognize,  not 
only  the  many  distingished  public  men,  but  many  old  and  long 
esteemed  personal  friends,  some  of  whom  have  long  been  settlers  ot 
Pike  c.iunty  111.,  and  not  a  few  of  them  old  settlers  of  Pike  and 
Lincoln  counties,  Mo.,  who,  not  content  with  aiding  to  break  up  the 
wilds  of  Missouri  and  bring  them  into  the  paths  and  fields  ot 
civilization,  have  largely  colonized  Pike  county  111.,  where  they  have: 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  365 

been  long  enough  J:o  earn  the  appellation  of  '  old  settlers,'  where 
they  are  realizing  the  rich  frnits  of  their  industry  in  land  flowing 
with  milk  and  honey,  and  as  I  lament  to  know,  many  of  them  are 
resting  beneath  the  sods  that  are  no  respecters  of  persons  in  the 
final  winding  up  of  human  affairs.  The  memory  of  many  of  these 
persons,  both  living  and  dead,  carry  me  far  back  into  the  history  of 
the  past,  in  the  early  history  of  Missouri,  of  whose  soil  I  have  been' 
an  occupant  since  the  year  1815,  before  either  your  State  or  Mis- 
souri had  a  State  Government.  Though  then  quite  young  (but  eight 
years  old)  I  was  old  enough  to  remember  everything  I  saw,  and 
everybody  1  knew, — ^much  more  so  than  persons  and  facts  of  later 
years;  but  to  attempt  to  recount  or  name  any  considerable  number  of 
them  would  be  to  inflict  a  bore  upon  you  that  I  dare  not  presume 
upon;  but  as  I  presume  that  a  part  of  the  exercises  of  the  occasion 
would  be  to  recur  to  the  early  history  of  the  West,  including  your 
State  and  ours,  I  cannot  resist  the  temptation  to  jot  down  a  few  facts 
and  names,  even  at  the  risk  of  being  laid  upon  the  table  as  a  bore. 

"The  date  1816  shows  that  the  early  settlers,  among  whom  was 
my  father,  were  crowding  into  Missouri  even  before  the  forts  were 
all  vacated,  whither  the  old  settlers  had  fled  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
tection from  hostile  savages,  who  had  but  recently  had  almost 
undisputed  possession  of  a  large  park  of  our  State.  To  get  into 
Missouri,  then  largely  considered  as  the  promised  land,  we  had  to 
cross  the  Mississippi  river,  the  Father  of  Waters.  I  don't  know 
how  much  of  a  father  he  was  at  that  time,  but  I  have  been  acquainted 
with  him  since  that  time,  and  I  don't  know  much  difference  in 
his  size  between  then  and  now,  except  occasionally,  as  in  1851,  he 
pfot  into  a  terrible  rage  and  had  uncontrolled  possession  from  Lou- 
isiana to  Atlas,  and  rolled  on,  whether  vexed  or  unvexed,  in  solemn 
majesty  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

"  Bnt  to  continue.  He  had  to  be  *  crossed '  to  get  into  Missouri. 
In  18l5,  as  history  shows,  no  steam-boats  were  known  on  our  rivers, 
and  the  only  modes,  or  rather  mode,  of  crossing  the  river  at  St. 
Louis  was  by  means  of  a  small  keel-boat  or  barge  without  any  deck 
or  covering,  propelled  by  poles ;  and  our  wagons  were  crossed  by 
placing  two  planks  or  slabs  across  the  keel,  running  the  wagons  by 
hand  upon  these  slabs  across  the  boats  and  '  scotching '  the  wheels 
with  billets  of  wood,  filling  in  the  inner  parts  of  the  boat  with 
horses,  children,  etc.  Yet  we  conquered  the  old  gentleman  and 
rode  across  in  triumph,  but  not,  however,  until  after  waiting  two 
days  on  the  eastern  bank  for  the  wind  to  lie,  which  had  so  ruffled 
the  surface  and  temper  of  the  'father'  that  he  could  not,  safely  at 
least,  be  mounted  by  an  insignificant  keel-boat  until  the  cause  of 
his  irritation  had  ceased. 

"Safely  on  the  Missouri  shore,  the  first  night  was  passed  in  the 
city  of  St.  Louis,  then  containing  about  1,200  inhabitants  and  very 
few  brick  houses  ;  I  did  not  count  them,  however.  No  railroads 
then  were  even  thought  of  in  the  West,  so  far  as  1  remember,  but 
now — well,  you  can  tell   the  tate  yourselves.     St.  Louis  has  now 


360  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    OOUHTY. 

450,000  inhabitants,  and  would  likely  have  a  lyillion  but  for  Chi- 
cago and  the  railroads,  which  liave  revolutionized  the  course  of 
nature  and  the  natural  riglits  of  St.  Louis,  which  depended  on  the 
nayigation  of  the  great  rivers  to  work  for  her  ;  and  while  her  great 
land-owner  slept  a  quarter  of  a  century  Chicago  and  the  railroads 
were  surging  ahead  of  her. 

"Excuse  this  digression,  which  I  could  not  help  while  reflecting 
on  the  immense  change  all  over  the  West  since  I  first  crossed  the 
great  river. 

"  I  have  alluded  to  the  fact  of  your  county  being  largely  colon- 
ized from  Pike  and  Lincoln  counties,  Mo.  It  would  be  impossible' 
for  me  to  enumerate  all  of  them,  even  if  I  knew  them  all ;  but 
among  the  names  I  remember  well  those  of  the  Gibsons,  the  Sit- 
tons,  Buchanan,  Yokems,  Galloway,  Uncle  Jake  Williamson,  the 
Cannons,  CoUard,  "Wellses,  Kerrs,  Noyes,  Metz,  Johnsons,  McCon- 
nells,  Andersons,  etc.,  etc.,  all  of  whom  went  from  Pike  or  Lin- 
coln. All  of  them  were  good  citizens,  while  some  of  them  held 
high  and  honorable  positions  in  public  office.  Your  former  valued 
Sheriff,  Ephraim  Cannon,  was  for  a  while  a  school-mate  of  mine, 
larger  and  older  than  I,  but  still  a  school-mate.  The  only  special 
recollection  I  have  of  our  school-boys'  life  was  that  the  tieacher 
once  asked  him,  when  nearly  time  to  close  school,  'How  high  is 
the  spn  V  He  replied  he  had  no  means  of  measuring  the  height, 
but  '  from  appearance  it  was  about  a  rod  high.' 

"John  J.  Collard,  Esq.,  a  former  Clerk  of  one  of  your  Courts,  was 
the  son  of  an  old  settler  of  Lincoln  county,  dating  before  the  war 
of  1812,  if  my  memory  is  not  at  fault.  I  have  attended  your  Courts 
when  held  at  the  old  county-seat,  Atlas,  and  since  its  location- at 
your  beautiful  town  Pittsfield.  The  old  settlers  at  Atlas,  as  well  as 
of  Pittsfield,  were  the  Bosses,  most  of  whom  I  knew  personallVf 
and  had  a  slight  acquaintance  with  the  '  Bashaw'  of  Hamburg,  Mr. 
Shaw.  Old  Father  Burnett  and  his  boys  John  and  Frank  belonged 
to  both  Pikes,  in  Illinois  and  Missouri.  The  sons  wore  out  their, 
lives  in  trying  to  sustain  a  ferry  between  the  two  Pikes. 

"  But  I  must  forbear,  fearing  that  I  have  already  bored  you,  a 
thing  I  feared  at  the  start.  I  could  write  a  half  quire  of  recollec- 
tions of  Pike  in  Missouri,  and  some  of  Pike  in  Illinois,  if  there 
were  any  market  for  them.  But  I  must  close  with  my  best  wishes 
for  your  people,  both  old  and  young. 

"Edwin  Dkapee." 

third  meeting. 

At  the  Old  Settlers'  meeting,  Sept.  2,  1874,  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Gritn- 
shaw  delivered  an  address  of  welcome,  and  interesting  speeches^ 
were  made  by  Col.  Benj.  Barney,  Rev.  J.  P.  Dimmitt,  Dr.  Hodgen,;; 
Mr.  Turnbul'l,  Judge  Grigsby  and  others.  Dr.  P.  E.  Parker  was 
elected  Secretary  in  place  of  G.  W.  Jones,  resigned.  A  motion  was 
adopted  changing  the  time  of  membership  from  1840  to  1850;  also 
a  motion  to  establish  a  portfolio  and  gallery  of  likenesses  of  old  set- 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  36T 

tiers;  and  members  and  others  were  invited  to  send  pictures.  A 
Bocial  reception  of  old  settlers  was  given  in  the  evening  at  Bush's 
Hall.  '    . 

FOURTH   MEETING. 

At  the  4:tli  annual  meeting  of  the  old  settlers  at  Perry,  Aug.. 
19,  1875,  old-time  customs  were  commemorated  by  the  erection  of 
a  cabin  complete  in  all  its  details.  It  looked  as  if  a  family  had 
been  living  in  it  for  years.  Cooking  utensils  hanging  around  the 
wall,  suspended  on  a  string  were  slices  of  pumpkin  and  dried  ap- 
ples, corn  hung  from  the  posts,  suspended  by  the  husks,  the  rifle 
hung  on  the  wooden  hook  over  the  door,  the  spinning  wheel,  the 
reel  and  the  hand-cards  occupied  prominent  positions;  the  mam- 
moth gourd  for  a  water  bucket  and  the  lesser  one  as  a  dipper  at- 
tracted considerable  attention .  On  the  outside  walls  the  skins  of 
different  fur-bearing  animals  were  stretched;  climbing  vines  were 
turned  up  to  the  roof,  and  the  sunflower  in  all  its  magnificence 
nodded  here  and  there  close  to  the  house,  and  last,  but  not  least, 
the  latch-string  hung  on  the  .outside.  The  cabin  was  presided  over- 
during  the  early  part  of  the  day  by  Mr.  Wm.  Grotts,  who  enter- 
tained his  visitors  with  his  "  fiddle,"  playing  Arkansas  traveler, 
MonejMusk,  Old  Rosin  the  Bow,"  etc.  Mr.  Grottswas  born  in  this 
State  in  1802,  in  Madison  county.  His  father  was  killed  by  Indians 
in  Bond  county  in  1814. 

FIFTH   MEETING. 

During  the  Old  Settlers'  meeting  at  Griggsville,  Aug.  30,  1876',. 
they  formed  a  procession  in  front  of  the  M.  E.  -Church,  headed  by 
an  old  truck  wagon  drawn  by  oxen,  containing  a  band,  the  people 
being  dressed  in  the  Sunday  attire  of  pioneer  times,  girls  and  boys 
riding  double  on  horseback  without  saddles,  showing  how  they 
went  to  church  in  olden  times.  This  was  one  of  the  most  attractive 
features  of  the  procession,  the  young  ladies  especially  conducting 
themselves  with  becoming  grace,  and  appeared  as  if  they  were  in- 
spired with  the  spirit  of  their  grandmothers.  An  old  dilapidated! 
wagon  drawn  by  oxen  was  loaded  with  the  old-fashioned  loom, 
spinning  wheel,  flax  wheel  and  reel,  and  an  old  plow  was  followed 
by  most  of  our  modern  machinery  in  the  shape  of  reapers,  mowers, 
harrows,  etc.  After  these  a  man  dressed  in  Indian  costume  on  his 
pony,  ladies  and  gentlemen  in  modern  style  in  buggies  and  carriages,, 
the  fire  engine  drawn  by  members  of  the  base- ball  clubs  in  uniform, 
aiid  a  modern  child-wagon,  with  children  was  drawn  by  a  very  smalt 
donkey. 


CHAPTER  XIY. 
THE  EEBELLION. 

FIEST    INDIOATtONS    OF   THE   WAE. 

"When,  in  1861,  the  war  was  forced  upon  the  country,  the  people 
were  quietly  pursuing  the  even  tenor  of  their  ways,  doing  whatever 
their  hands  found  to  do, — working  the  mines,  making  farms,  or 
cxiltivating  those  already  made,  establishing  homes,  founding  cities 
and  towns,  building  shops  and  manufactories;  in  short,  the  country 
was  alive  with  industry  and  hopes  for  the  future.  The  people  were 
just  recovering  from  the  depression  and  losses  incident  to  the  finan- 
cial panic  of  1857.  The  future  looked  bright  and  promising,  and 
the  industrious  and  patriotic  sons  and  daughters  of  the  North  were 
buoyant  with  hope,  looking  forward  to  the  perfecting  of  new  plans 
for  comfort  and  competence  in  their  declining  years.  They  little 
heeded  the  mutterings  and  threatenings  wafted  from  the  South. 
They  never  dreamed  that  there  was  one  so  base  as  to  attempt  the 
destruction  of  the  Union  their  fathers  had  purchased  for  them  with 
their  life-blood.  While  thus  surrounded  with  peace  and  tranquillity 
they  paid  but  little  attention  to  the  rumored  plots  and  plans  of  those 
who  lived  and  grew  rich  from  the  sweat  and  toil,  blood  and  flesh, 
of  others. 

The  war  clouds  grew  darker  and  still  darker,  the  thunders  of 
treason  grew  louder  and  louder  until  Aprill2, 1861,  when  the  fear- 
ful storm  burst  upon  the  country  and  convulsed  a  continent  with 
its  attendant  horrors. 

On  that  day  the  rebels,  who  for  weeks  had  been  erecting  their 
batteries  upon  the  shore,  after  demanding  of  Major  Anderson  a 
surrender,  opened  fire  upon  Fort  Sumter.  For  hours  an  incessant 
cannonading  was  continued;  the  fort  was  being  damaged  severely; 
provisions  were  almost  gone,  and  Major  Anderson  was  compelled  to 
haul  down  the  stars  and  stripes, — that  dear  old  flag  which  had 
seldom  been  lowered  to  a  foreign  foe;  by  rebel  hands  it  was  now 
trailed  in  the  dust.  How  the  blood  of  patriotic  men  of  the  North 
boiled  when  on  the  following  day  the  news  was  flashed  along  the 
telegraph  wires  that  Major  Anderson  had  been  forced  to  surrender! 
And  nowhere  was  greater  indignation  manifested  than  in  Pike 
county. 


IcJ.tl^. 


PERRY 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  371 

THE    FIKST    CALL    FOE    TROOPS. 

Immediately  upon  the  surrender  of  Fort  Sumter,  Abraham  Lin- 
coln, America's  martyr  President — who  but  a  few  short  weets  be- 
fore had  taken  the  oath  of  office  as  the  nation's  chief  executive — 
issued  a  proclamation  calling  for  75,000  volunteers  for  three  months. 
The  last  word  of  that  proclamation  had  scarcely  been  taken  from 
the  electric  wires  before  the  call  was  filled,  and  men  and  money 
were  counted  out  by  hundred^  and  thousands.  The  people  who 
loved  their  whole  government  could  not  give  enough.  Patriotism 
thrilled  and  vibrated  and  pulsated  through  every  heart.  The  farm, 
the  workshop,,  the  office,  the  pulpit,  the  bar,  the  bench,  the  college, 
the  school-house, — every  calling  offered  its  best  men,  their  lives 
and  fortunes,  in  defense  of  the  Government's  honor  and  unity. 
Bitter  words  spoken  in  moments  of  political  heat  were  forgotten 
and  forgiven,  and,  joining  hands  in  a  common  cause,  they  repeated 
the  oath  of  America's  soldier  statesman,  ^^ By  the  Great  Eternal,  the 
Union  must  and  shall  he  preserved^ 

Call  the  young  men  in  the  prime  of  their  life ; 
Call  them  from  mother,  from  sister,  from  wife ; 
Blessed  if  they  live,  revered  if  they  fall, — 
They  who  respond  unto  Liberty's  call. 

Seventy-five  thousand  men  were  not  enough  to  subdue  the  Rebel- 
lion; nor  were  ten  times  the  number.  The  war  went  on,  and  call 
followed  call,  until  it  began  to  look  as  if  there  would  not  be  men 
enough  in  all  the  Free  States  to  crush  out  and  subdue  the  monstrous 
war  traitors  had  inaugurated.  But  to  every  call  for  either  men  or 
money  there  was  a  willing  and  ready  response;  and  it  is  a  boast  of 
the  people  that,  had  the  supply  of  men  fallen  short,  there  were 
women  brave  enough,  daring  enough,  patriotic  enough,  to  offer 
themselves  as  a  sacrifice  on  their  country's  altar.  Such  were  the 
impulses,  motives  and  actions  of  the  patriotic  men  of  the  North, 
among  whom  the  sons  of  Pike  made  a  conspicuous  and  praiseworthy 
ecord. 

VAKIOnS  MEETINGS  HELD  IN  THE  COUNTY. 

The  tocsin  of  war  was  sounded,  meetings  were  held  in  every 
township,  village  and  city,  at  which  stirring  and  spirited  addresses 
were  made,  and  resolutions  adopted'  admitting  of  but  one  interpre- 
tation,— that  of  unconditional  allegiance  and  undying  devotion  to 
their  country  and  their  country's  flag;  that,  at  whatever  cost  of 
blood  or  treasure,  the  stars  and  stripes,  wherever  floating,  must  be 
honored;  and  the  supremacy  of  the  law  of  the  ]S"ational  Tjnion  sus- 
tained. 

A  Union  meeting  was  held  in  Pittsfield  April  20, 1861,  the  Chair- 
men of  which  were  David  A.  Stanton,  Wra.  K  Wills  and  D.  D. 
Hicks,  and  the  Secretaries  F.  C.  Brown  and  A.  C.  Matthews.     The' 
Committee  on  Resolutions  were  "Wm.  A.  Grimshaw,  0.  L.  Higbee, 
J.  W.  Mackintosh,  D.  B.  Bush,  jr.,  JSTathan  Kelly  andWm.  Steers. 

23 


372  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

L.  H.  "Waters,  of  Macomb,  delivered  the  principal  speech,  which 
was  a  ver^^  eloquent  one,  and  Hon.  Scott  Wike,  Messrs.  D.  H.  Gil- 
mer and  S.  M.  Hayes  made  short  speeches.  A  series  of  resolutions 
were  adopted  setting  forth  the  inauguration  of  the  war  by  the  firino 
on  Fort  Sumter  and  the  necessity  of  rallying  to  the  support  of  the 
Government. 

April  22  a  meetinj;;  was  lield  in  tlie  court-house  for  the  purposejof 
forming  a  company  of  home  guards.  The  company  organized,  elect- 
ing S.  M.  Hayes  Captain.  M.  J.  N5yes  presided  at  this  meeting. 
About  this  time  the  "  Pike  County  Union  Guards  "  were  also  organ- 
ized, with  John  Mc Williams  for  Captain.  In  July  Jas.  S.Barnard 
was  elected  Captain  of  the  latter  company  and  P.  G.  Athey  Captain 
of  a  cavalry  company  of  130  men,  all  from  Pike  county. 

Durjng  this  summer  also  Wm.  W.  Taylor,  a  Breckenridge  Demo- 
crat of  Perry,  was  suspected  of  disloyalty  and  made  in  an  informal 
manner  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  by  some  soldiers  of  Col. 
Grant's,  regiment. 

Aug.  5,  1861,  a  company  called  the  "  Henderson  Home  Guards " 
was  organized  in  Pittsfield,  numbering  130  men,  with  Daniel  D. 
Hicks  as  Captain,  each  member  to  arm  and  equip  himself;  it  was! 
also  called  the  "  Henderson  Union  Guards." 

BOtlNTT. 

The  subject  of  bounty  for  soldiers  was  one  that  engaged  the  un- 
divided attention  of  the  law-making  power  of  this  county  during 
these  trying  times.  Tiiat  the  reader  may  know  what  was  done  by 
the  county  officials  we  give  a  very  full  account  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  whenever  the  boimty.  subject  was 
being  considered  by  that  honorable  body.- 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  held  Aug.  4, 
1862,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  feasibility  or  propriety  of 
offering  bounty  to  soldiers.  Supervisor  Smith  moved  that  the  Chair 
appoint  a  committee  of  five  to  draft  resolutions  expressive  of  the 
sense  of  the  meeting.  Thereupon  the  Chair  appointed  Messrs. 
Smith,  Westlake,  Wallace,  McWilliams  and  Adams. 

Mr.  Wallace  presented  a  petition  from  the  citizens  of  Barry, 
asking  an  appropriation  by  the  Board  of  $16,000. 

The  Committee  on  Resolutions  submitted  the  followiog  report 
the  next  day : 

Whbbbas,  Several  Soutliern  States  of  tliis  Union  in  convention  assembled  have 
absolved  themselves  by  resolution  from  allegiance  to  the  United  States  of  America 
and  formed  themselves  into  a  so-called  "  confederacy,"  thereby  disclaiming  any 
right,  benefit  or  protection  from  or  under  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States; 
and 

Whekbas,  Said  confederacy  have  organized,  armed  and  equipped  hostile  armies 
and  did  fire  upon,  reduce  and  take  into  their  possession  Fort  Sumter  with  all  its 
defenses,  and  unlawfully  seize  and  take  into  possession  other  forts,  arsenals  and 
other  property  belonging  to  the  United  States,  thereby  bidding  defiance  to  tlie 
Constitution  and  the  laws  of  the  same;  and 


HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    CODNTV.  373 

Whereas,  It  still  exists  and  unsubdued,  aad  our  present  army  is  insufHcient  in 
numbers  to  put  down  the  rebellion ;  and 

,  Whereas,  The  President  of  the  United  States  has  recently  made  a  call  upon  the 
several  States  of  this  Union  to  raise  300,000  men  in  addition  to  the  present  army ; 

Therefore  we,  the  representatives  of  the  several  townships  of  the  county  of  Pike 
and  State  of  Illinois  have  here  assembled  for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  pro- 
priety of  offering  encouragememt  to  the  volunteers  who  will  immediately  enter 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States ;  therefore  be  it 

Besolved,  That  the  sum  of  $3,000  be  paid  to  the  first  three  companies  that  are 
raised  or  organized  in  the  county  of  Pike  under  said  call,  provided  said  companies 
are  organized  on  or  before  the  20th  inst. ;  and  that  the  Clerk  of  this  Court  be  au- 
thorized to  issue  orders  on  the  Treasury  for  the  said  sums  of  money  whenever  said 
volunteers  'are  Accepted  and  mustered  into  service ; 

JResohed,  That  $1,000  be  appropriated  to  the  families  of  those  who  have  here- 
tofore volimteered  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  we  recommend  that 
each  township  shall  through  their  Supervisor  call  a  meeting  to  provide  for 
the  future  wants  of  all  families  of  volunteers;  that  the  Supervisor  of  each  town- 
ship shall  be  a  committee  to  distribute  all  appropriations  made  by  the  county  or 
town; 

Resolved,  That  the  Supervisors  of  each  township  shall  report  at  the  September 
meeting  the  number  of  families  of  volunteers  in  their  townships,  and  their  names. 

By  invitation  Judge  Higbee  addressed  tlie  Board  briefly,  after 
which  Cols.  Ross  and  Bush  made  short  addresses. 

Mr.  Dennis  moved  to  amend  the  report  by  striking  out  "  $3,000  " 
and  inserting  "$50  to  each  volunteer  private  who  may  qnlist  under 
the  present  call."  Mr.  Westlake  mov^d  to  amend  the  amendment 
of  Mr.  Dennis  by  striking  out  "  $50"  and  inserting  "  $25;"  which 
motion  was  lost.  The  amendment  oiFered  by  Mr.  Dennis  was  also 
defeated. 

Mr.  Landrum  offered  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  proposition  of  the  appropriation  by  the  county  of  $6,000  to 
be  submitted  to  the  people  for  their  vote  for  or  against  levying  a  tax  to  meet  said 
appropriation,  at  an  election  to  be  held  at  the  usual  places  of  holding  elections  in 
the  several  towns,  on  Tuesday,  the  13th  inst. ;  said  fund,  if  so  voted,  to  be  appro- 
priated to  aid  in  raising  volunteers. 

Resolved,  That  a  proposition  be  also  submitted  at  the  same  time  for  or  against 
appropriating  $3,000  as  a  fund  for  the  necessitous  families  of  volunteers  as  have 
heretofore  or  may  hereafter  be  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Wallace  moved  to  strike  out  that  portion  of  Mr.  Landrum's 
resolution  referring  to  the  submission  to  the  people,  and  that  the 
Board  appropriate  the  amount  specified  in  said  resolution ;  which 
motion  \yas  carried. 

The  question  recurring  on  Mr.  Landrum's  resolution  as  amended 
it  was  put  and  lost. 

Mr.  Dennis  moved  to  strike  out  the  first  resolution  and  amend 
the  second  so  that  $4,000  be  appropriated  for  the  support  of  desti- 
tute families  of  soldiers  in  the  service. 

Mr.  Frye  moved  to  lay  all  on  the  table  without  further  action 
until  the  September  meeting;  which  motion  was  lost.  The  question 
then  recurring  on  the  amendment  of  Mr.  Dennis,  it  was  adopted. 

The  substance  of  the  resolution  as  passed  appropriated  $4,000  for 
the  families  of  destitute  soldiers. 


374  HISTOET   OF,  PIKE    COUNTY. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Sapervisors  lield  June  23 
1865,  to  either  offer  a  bounty  for  enlistments  or  to  aid  persons  who 
may  be  drafted  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,-  Supervisor 
Koberts  offered  the  following  resolutions: 

Whbrbas,  The  President  of  the  United  States  has  called  for  300,000  volunteers 
and  ordered,  in  case  the  same  are  not  made  by  the  15th  of  February  next,  that  a 
draft  shall  be  made  to  fill  the  quota ;  and 

Whereas,  Such  draft  will  fall  heavy  on  many  poor  persons  in  this  coutitywho 
have  large  families  to  support;  and 

Whereas,  The  property  of  the  county  receives  the  protection  of  the  Govern- 
ment, as  well  as  persons,  and  should  be  made  to  bear  its  just  proportions  of  the 
burdens  of  war;  therefore 

Besolved,  That  our  Representatives  in  the  Legislature  now  in  session  be  respect- 
fully requested  to  procure  the  passage  of  an  act  as  speedily  as  possible,  authoriz- 
ing the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  this  coimty  to  oflfer  a  bounty  to  volunteers  and  to 
aid  in  procuring  substitutes  for  drafted  persons,  and  to  provide  such  funds  as  will 
be  necessary  therefor  by  issuing  bonds  payable  within  20  years,  bearing  interest 
not  exceeding  ten  per  cent,  per  annum. 

Seaolmd,  That  in  case  of  the  passage  of  such  an  act,  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
will  pay  to  each  volunteer  credited  to  any  town  in  this  county  subject  to  the  draft 
a  bounty  of  $500,  and  in  case  of  a  draft,  each  person  so  drafted  in  this  county  who 
shall  procure  a  substitute  shall  receive  from  the  county  the  sum  of  $500  to  aid  him 
in  paying  for  such  substitute. 

Mr.  Shields  moved  to  postpone  the  resolution  indefinitely. 
After  remarks  by  Supervisors  Shields,  Koberts,  Kelley,  Dunn 
and.  others,  Mr.  Shields  withdrew  the  motion,  and  in  lieu  thereof 
moved  that  it  be  postponed  to  the  April  meeting  of  the  Board. 
This  he,  however,  withdrew,  and  Supervisor  Dimmitt  moved  to 
refer  the  resolution  offered  by  Mr.  Roberts  to  a  committee;  and 
Mr.  Dimmitt,  from  this  committee  reported  on  the  following  day 
this  resolution : 

Besolved,  That  there  be  paid  to  each  volunteer  or  drafted  man  in  this  county 
under  the  call  of  Dec.  19,  1864,  the  sum  of  $400,  such  money  to  be  raised  by  the 
issue  of  county  bonds  (interest  not  to  exceed  ten  per  cent.)  payable  annually  in 
lawful  money  of  the  United  States. 

Besolved,  That  when  such  bonds  shall  have  been  issued  they  shall  be  divided 
among  the  several  townships  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  taxable  property 
assessed  in  each  township  for  the  year  1864;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  super- 
visor to  receive  said  bonds  and  pay  over  to  each  drafted  main  and  volunteer  the 
sum  of  $400  when  actually  mustered  into  service.    , 

Mr.  Shields  moved  that  said  resolution  be  laid  on  the  table  until 
the  April  meeting;  which  motion  \*as  lost.  Mr.  Smitherman 
then  moved  that  it  be  submitted  to  the  people  of  the  county  on 
Jan.  28,  1865;  and  Mr.  Yail  moved  to  amend  by  taking  said  vote 
on  the  30th;  which  motion  was  withdrawn;  and  Mr.  Eoberts 
moved  that  whatever  action  this  Board  may  take  shall  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  people  on  Jan.  30,  1865;  which  motion  was 
adopted.  Mr.  Roberts  then  moved  to  amend  the  first  resolution 
by  inserting  "$500  "  in  piace  of  "$400;"  which  was  adopted. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  held  Jan.  31,  the  day  after  the  elec- 
tion, they  found  after  a  canvass  of  the  returns  that  3,416  votes  had 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  375 

been  cast,  of  which  2,131  were  for  the  tax  and  1,285  against  it.  It 
was  then  resolved  by  the  Board  to  give  a  bounty  of  $500  to  each 
volunteer  to  fill  the  quota  of  Pike  county;  and  in  case  said  quota 
shall  not  be  tilled  by  volunteers,  then  a  bounty  of  $500  shall  be 
paid  to  each  person  who  shall  be  drafted.  For  this  purpose  $127,- 
000  were  raised  in  the  county. 

Kinderhook  township  gave  $1,500  bounty,  and  paid  $180  for 
transportation. 

PIKE  county's  soldiers. 

A  few  statistical  items  will  show  what  was  done  by  Pike  county, 
and  whether  she  was  worthy  the  trust  reposed  in  her.  According 
to  the  census  of  1860  the  county  had  a  population  of  27,182.  The 
war,  however,  continued  for  several  years,  and  the  county  increased 
in  population;  accordingly  we  will  place  the  population  in  round 
numbers  at  30,000.  There  are  five  persons  to  every  voter,  accord- 
ing to  the  customary  basis  of  reckoning.  That  would  make  the 
number  of  men  in  the  county  6,000.  Pike  county  put  in  the  field 
3,132  men,  being  over  one-half  of  her  voters. 

The  quota  of  the  county  for  the  calls  of  1861  was  762,  which 
were  quickly  furnished.  In  1862  the  quota  for  this  county  was 
521.  For  the  calls  of  Feb.  1  and  March  14,  1864,  it  was  786,  and 
for  the  call  of  500,000,  July.  18,  1864,  it  was  617,  making  the  large 
number  of  2,687  men  as  the  quota  for  this  county  up  to  Dec.  31, 
1864.  The  county  not  only  furnished  this  number,  but  sent  of  her 
brave  sons  2,853,  being  166  in  excess  of  her  various  quotas.  Sub- 
sequent calls  increased  the  quota  of  Pike  county  to'3,221,  which 
the  county  did  not  fill  by  89. 

Pike  county  was  largely  represented  in  the  following  regiments 
and  companies.  Besides  those  referred  to,  her  sons  were  in  many 
other  regiments,  but  we  give,  only  those  which  were  largely  made 
up  from  this  county! 

EIGHTH     REGIMENT. 

Company  G  of  this  Regiment  was  entirely  furnished  by  Pike 
county,  with  James  S.  Barnard  as  Captain:  afterward Elisha  Jones 
and  Charles  H.  Hurt  served  the  Company  in  that  position.  The 
1st  Lieutenants  in  succession  were  Elihu  Jones,  Wm.  P.  Sitton, 
Charles  H.  Hurt  and  George  Sanderson.  The  2d  Lieutenants  were 
Wm.  P.  Sitton,  Charles  H.  Hurt  and  Wm.  A.  Saylor. 

The  8th  Illinois  Regiment  was  organized  April  25, 1861,  Colonel 
Oglesby  commanding.  A  contest  for  rank  and  seniority  arose  be- 
tween the  7th  and  8th,  botii  being  organized  on  the  same  day.  The 
contest  was  finally  ended,  giving  to  Col.  Cook  the  first  number  7, 
as  the  number  of  his  Regiment,  with  the  second  rank  of  Colonel, 
and  Col.  Oglesby  the  second  number  for  his  Regiment,  with  the 
first  rank  as  Colonel. 

The  first  enlistment  was  for  three  months,  during  which  timethe 


376  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Regiment  was  taken  to  Cairo.  July  25,  1861,  its  terra  of  three 
months  having  expired,  the  8th  reorganized  for  three  years'  service. 
It  took  part  in  many  of  the  most  important  engagements  of  the 
war;  was  in  the  advance  attack  on  Fort  Donelson,  where  it  lost  57 
killed,  191  wounded  and  10  missing.  It  was  also  at  Pittsburg 
landing,  where  it  lost  26  killed,  97  wounded  and  11  missing;  and 
it  went  through  the  fatigue  and  dangers  of  the  siege  of  Corinth. 
The  Regiment  re-enlisted  in  1863  and  was  veteranized  March  24, 
1864;  took  part  in  the  engagement  at  Vicksburg,  Spanish  Fort  and 
many  other  important  engagements. 

SEVENTH  EEGIMENT. 

Company  D,  of  the  7th,  being  a  new  company  of  that  old  Regi- 
ment, was  from  Pike  county.  It  was  organized  Feb.  14,  1865, 
under  Capt.  Samuel  N.  Hoyt,  of  Griggsville,  with  Andrew  Moore 
as  1st  Lieutenant  and  Wm.  J.  Hanlin  as  2d  Lieutenant.  The  Com- 
pany served  until  July  9,  1865,  when  it  was  mustered  out. 

SIXTEENTH  BEOIMENT. 

Company  K,  of  the  16th  Infantry,  was  largely,  indeed  almost  alto- 
gether, from  Pike  county.  They  enlisted  May  25, 1861,  and  served 
until  July  8,  1865.  The  Company  was  organized  by  Geo.  D.  Stew- 
art, Captain,  who  served  until  April  25,  1865,  and  John  Bryant,  of 
Pittsfield,  was  appointed  to  fill  the  position.  The  1st  Lieutenant 
was  James  Hedger,  and  following  came  French  B.  Woodall,  John 
Bryant  and  F,rankliii  J.  Cooper.  The  2d  Lieutenants  were  Richard 
B.  Higgins,  JosejA  E.  Haines  and  Asbury  Brown. 

The  16th  was  organized  and  mustered  into  service  at  Quincy, 
Col.  Robert  A.  Smith  commanding.  In  July,  1861,  it  was  removed 
to  Green  river  as  railroad  guard,  after  which  the  Regiment  was 
scattered  along  the  line  of  the  road  as  guard.  July  10,  Col.  Smith's 
force  was  attacked  at  Missionary  Station  by  1,600  mounted  rebels, 
but  he  held  his  position  until  the  arrival  of  reinforcements,  when 
the  enemy  fled.  It  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bird's  Point,  Mo., 
and  New  Madrid,  where  it  supported  the  siege  guns.  They  cap- 
tured 5,000  prisoners  and  a  large  amount  of  artillery,  small  arms 
and  ammunition  at  Tiptonville,  Tenn.  In  January,  1862,  it  par- 
ticipated in  the  siege  of  Corinth  and  Nashville.  It  was  "mustered 
out  July  8,  1865. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH    EEGIMENT   CONSOLIDATED. 

Pike  county  furnished  Company  B  of  this  Regiment,  and  almost 
all  of  Companies  E  and  I.  Company  B  was  commanded  first  after 
consolidation  by  Capt.  John  T.  Thomson,  of  New  Hartford,  who  was 
honorably  discharged  May  15,  1865,  when  Geo.  W.  Chrysup  was 
appointed  and  served  until  March  15,  1866.  The  1st  Lieutenants 
in  succession  were  Robert  Young,  Henry  L.  Hadscll,  Geo.  W. 
Chrysup    and  Job  Pringle.     The  2d  Lieutenants  were  Geo.  "W. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT.  37 Y 

Chrysup,  Job  Pringle  and  Tlioinas  James.  The  oflBcers  of  the  Com- 
pany were  James  M.  Gale,  Henry  S.  Stokes  and  Joseph  A.  Hanks. 

Goinpaiiicb  B,  E  and  I  of  the  original  organization  were  from 
this  county.  Company  B  was  first  commanded  by  Capt.  Thomas 
H.  Butler,,  deceased,  then  by  Capt.  Geo.  W.  Stobie,  and  finally  by 
Capt.  John  T.  Thompson.  The  1st  Lieutenants  were  John  T. 
Thompson  and  Robert  Yonng:  2d  Lieutenants,  George  Stobie, 
David  C.  Troutner  and  Cyrus  K.  Miller.  Lieutenant  Troutner 
soon  died  and  Lieutenant  Miller  died  July  8,  1863.  Company  E 
was  first  commanded  by  Captain  Thomas  M.  Kilpatrick,  who  was 
promoted  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  and  was  killed  in  battle  at  Pitts- 
burg Landing.  John  M.  GrifBn  then  commanded  the  Company. 
The  1st  Lieutenants  were  John  M.  Grifiin,  'Fredrick  C.  Bechdoldt, 
who  was  killed  July  12,  1863,  and  Wm.  B.  Griffin;  the  2d  Lieu- 
teuant  was  Burrel  McPherson.  Company  I  was  commanded  until 
consolidation  of  Regiment  by  Capt.  ElishaHurt;  1st  Lieutenants, 
Philip  S.  Likes  and  David  Dixon;  2d  Lieutenant,  David  Dixon 
and  Henry  L.  Hadsell. 

The  28th  Infantry  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler  in  August, 
1861,  by  Lieut.  Col.  Lewis  H.  "Waters  and  Maj.  Charles  J.  Sellon, 
the  latter  from  Pike  county.  Aug.  28  it  was  ordered  to  Thebes, 
111.;  Sept.  9,  to  Bird's  Point,  Mo.;  Oct.  2,  to  Fort  Holt, Ky.,  where 
it  remained  until  Jan.  21,  1862,  when  it  was  assigned  to  Brig.  Gen. 
Lew  Wallace's  Division.  Feb.  6  it  took  part  in  the  capture  of 
Forts  Henry  and  Heiman;  Feb.  13  a  detachment  of  48  men  and  12 
ofiicers  under  Col.  Johnson  met  the  enemy  500  strong  at  Little 
Bethel  Church,  five  miles  from  Fort  Holt,  and  immediately  attacked 
and  routed  them.  The  Regiment  also  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Pittsburg  Landing;  was  assigned  to  the  left  line  in  a  peach  orchard, 
where  it  was  immediately  attacked  by  the  enemy,  but  who  were 
repulsed.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th  it  held  a  position  on  the 
right  line  and  was  hotly  engaged  until  the  battle  closed  and  the 
victory  won.  During  these  two  long,  trying,  bloody  days  the 
Regiment  behaved  nobly  and  was  never  broken  or  driven  back  by 
the  enemy,  though  often  most  heavily  pressed.  It  sustained  a  loss 
of  239  killed  and  wounded.  In  May,  1862,  it  was  engaged  in  the 
siege  of  Corinth:  Oct.  5  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Metamora,  losing 
97  killed  and  wounded;  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Yicksburg  from 
June  11  to  July  4,  1863;  on  the  12th  of  July,  1863,  near  Jackson, 
Miss.,  the  41st,  63d  and  28th  Illinois  and  3d  Iowa,  not  exceeding 
800  men,  were  ordered  to  charge  across  an  open  field  some  600 
yards  and  carry  a  strong  line  of  the  enemy's  works,  mounting  12 
guns  and  manned  by  at  least  2,000  men.  The  Brigade  swept  gal- 
lantly forward  under  a  destructive  fire  of  grape,  canister  and  minie 
bullets.  The  enemy  appeared  upon  both  flanks  as  it  reached  the 
ditch;  it  was  compelled  to  fall  back  with  a  loss  of  more  than  half 
of  their  rank  and  file  killed  or  wounded.  The  eight  Companies  of 
this  Regiment,  in  line,  numbering  128  men,  lost  73  killed  and 
wounded  and  16  taken  prisoners. 


378  HISTOET   OF   PIKE    OOUNTT. 

Jan.,  1864,  the  Regiment  re-inlisted  as  veterans,  took  part  in  the 
advance  upon  Spanish  Fort,  and  were  mustered  out  March  16, 1866 

THIRTY-THIED   EEGIMENT. 

Company  I  of  the  33rd  was  made  up  in  Pike  county.  The  orig- 
inal Captain  was  Wm.  H.  Lawton,  who  resigned  June  8,  1863, 
and  "Wm.  T.  Lyon  received  the  commission.  The  1st  Lieutenants 
were  Wm.  T.  Lyon,  Charles  T.  Kinney  and  Nathaniel  W.  Eey- 
nolds ;  the  2nd  Lieutenants  were  Edward  A.  F.  Allen,  Charles  T. 
Kinnej',  Nathaniel  W.  Reynolds  and  David  F.  Jenkins.  The 
Company  was  wholly  from  the  porthern  part  of  the  county. 

The  33rd  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler  Sept.,  1861,  by  Col. 
Charles  E.  Hovey  ;  Nov.  20,  it  removed  to  Ironton,  Mo.,  beyond 
St.  Louis,  where  it  remained  during  the  winter.  In  March,  1862, 
it  removed  to  Arkansas,  engaging  in  many  expeditions  through  , 
that  State.  In  1863  it  returned  to  Pilot  Knob;  was  engaged  in  the 
battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  the 
assault  and  siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  the  siege  of  Jackson;  in  Angnst, 
1863,  moved  to  New  Orleans  and  engaged  in  the  campaign  up  the 
Bayou  Teche,  and  returned  to  New  Orleans  in  November;  thence 
ordered  to  Brownsville,  Tex.,  but  before  landing  was  ordered  to 
Arkansas  Pass.  The  Regiment  re-enlisted  Jan.  1,  1864,  took  part 
in  the  engagement  at  Spanish  Fort,  Mobile,  and  April  14, 1865, 
moved  to  Vicksburg,  and  in  November  ordered  to  Camp  Butler, 
111.,  for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

SIXTY- EIGHT  EEGIMENT. 

Company  B  of  this  Regiment,  which  was  organized  for  three 
months'  service  in  June,  1862,  was  from  this  county,  mostly  from 
the  northern  part.  Capt.  Daniel  F.  Coffey  served  the  Company 
as  Commander.  1st  Lieutenant,  Judson  J.  F.  Gillespie;  2nd  Lieu- 
tenant, "Wm.  Reynolds.  * 

SEVENTY-THIED  EEGIMENT. 

Company  H  of  the  73rd  Illinois  Infantry,  commanded  by  Capt. 
James  L  Davidson,  who  subsequently  was  promoted  to  Lieut.  Col- 
onel, was  from  Pike  county.  After  Capt.  Davidson's  promotion 
Joseph  L.  Morgan  was  appointed  to  the  Captaincy.  The  1st  Lieu- 
tenants were  Samuel  Pnrcell,  who  resigned  April  28,  1863,  Joseph 
L.  Morgan  and  James  G.  "Wolgemath.  The  2nd  Lieutenants  were 
Clement  L.  Shinn  and  De  "Witt  C.  Simmons. 

This  Regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Butler,  in  August,  1862, 
and  immediately  became  a  part  of  Gen.  Buell's  army.  It  partici- 
pated in  every  engagement  fought  by  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
from  Oct.,  1862,  until  the  rout  of  Gen.  Hood's  army  at  Nashville 
and  the  winding  up  of  the  whole  matter.  The  dead  of  this  Regi- 
ment are  found  on    the   battle-fields  of  Perryville,   Murfreesboro, 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  379 

Ohickamauga,  Missionary  Eidge,  through  East  Tennessee  and  the 
succession  of  battles  from  Chattanooga  to  the  fall  of  Atlanta.  It 
had  two  Majors  and  two  Adjutants  killed,  and  nearly  every 
officer  of  the  Kegi  men  t  wounded  at  some  onetime  :  several  of  them 
many  times.     It  was  mustered  out  June  10,  1866. 

NINETY- NINTH     EEGIMENT. 

The  99th  was,  strictly  speaking,  a  Pike  county  Eegiment.  It 
was  organized  in  Pike  county  in  August,  1862,  by  Col.  George  W. 
K.  Bailey,  and  was  mustered  in  at  Florence,  Aug.  23,  1862,  by 
Col.  J.  H.  Eathbone.  Upon  the  same  day  it  removed  to  St.  Louis, 
going  into  Benton  Barracks,  and  was  the  first  Eegiment  out  of  the 
State  under  the  call  of  1862.  Sept.  8,  ordered  to  Eolla;  served  in 
that  department  to  the  spring  of  1863;  was  assigned  to  the  Brigade 
of  Brig.  Gen.  Fitz  Henry  Warren;  engaged  in  the  skirmish  ajt  Bear 
creek,  losing  one  killed  and  four  wounded  and  one  taken  prisoner, 
and  in  the  battle  of  Hartsville,  Mo.,  losing  35  killed  and  wounded; 
went  into  camp  at  Houston ;  Jan.  27,  moved  to  West  Plains,  Mo., 
reporting  to  Brig,  Gen.  Davidson ;  March  3,  removed  to  Pilot  Knob, 
thence  to  St.  Genevieve,  arriving  the  12th;  and  March  15,  1863, 
embarked  for  Milliken's  Bend,  La.,  arriving  the  26th,  and  was 
assigned  to  the  1st  Brigade,  Brig.  Gen.  W.  P.  Benton  command- 
ing; 14th  Division,  Brig.  Gen.  E.  A.  Carr  commanding  ;  13th 
Army  Corps.  Moved  from  Milliken's  Bend  April  11,  arriving  at 
New  Carthage  the  12th;  was  at  Grand  Gulf  April  29;  crossed  the 
river,  and  May  1  was  engaged  in  the  battle  near  Port  Gibson, 
called  Magnolia  Hills,  losing  37  men  killed  and  wounded;  marched 
with  the  army  toward  Jackson,  and  returned  by  Champion  Hills 
and  Black  Eiver  Bridge;  May  19,  was  at  the  defenses  of  Vicks- 
burg;  on  the  22d  the  Eegiment  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  assault, 
losing  103  killed  and  wounded,  out  of  300  men.  The  Colonel  and 
Major  were  wounded  early  in  the  day,  leaving  Capt.  A.  C.  Matthews 
in  command.  Its  line  during  the  day  was  close  to  the  enemy's 
works,  and  its  colors  planted  on  their  breastworks.  This  position 
was  held  until  4  p.  m.,  when  it  was  relieved  by  another  Eegiment 
and  moved  back  150  yards  to  where  its  knapsacks  had  been  left. 
While  calling  the  roll  the  line  which  had  relieved  the  Eegiment  was 
driven  back  in  great  confusion.  The.99th  advanced  and  opened  a 
heavy  fire,  drove]  the  enemj'  back  into  liis  works  and  held  him 
there,  probably  saving  the  wliole  Division  from  stampede.  Was 
engaged  during  the  siege  in  Gen.  Benton's  Brigade — 8th  and  18th 
Indiana,  and  33d  and  99th  Illinois.  The  99th  lost  during  the  entire 
campaign  and  siege  253  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  July  5  the 
9th,  13th  and  15thCorps^,  Maj.  Gen.  Sherman  commanding,  moved 
after  Johnson's  army  to  Jackson;  returned  to  Vicksburg  July  24;. 
Aug.  21  removed  to  New  Orleans,  and  on  the  26th  went  into  camp 
at  Brashear  City.  Oct.  3,  1863,  the  campaign  of  the  Teche  was 
commenced.     The  Eegiment  was  in  several  skirmishes,  and  a  de- 


"380  HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

'tachment  of  the  Regiment,  Oapt.  A.  C.  Matthews  commanding, 
was  engaged  in  the  battle  at  Grand  Ooteau;  Nov.  9,  returned  to 
Brashear  Citj  and  moved  to  New  Orleans;  Nov.  16,  embarked  for 
Texas,  landing  on  the  25th  at  Mustang  Island;  marched  up  toMat- 
-agorda  Island  and  commenced  the  attack  on  Fort  Esperanza,  which 
"was  soon  surrendered. 

The  99th  remained  in  Texas  during  the  spring  of  1864.  June 
16  of  this  year  it  evacuated  the  island  and  reported  to  Gen.  Reynolds, 
at  Algiers,  La.  The  Regiment  performed  garrison  duty  on  the 
Mississippi  during  the  entire  summer,  in  the  First  Brigade,  Brig. 
■Gen.  Slack;  1st  Division,  Gen.  Dennis;  19th  Corps, Gen.  Reynolds. 
The  99th  was  brigaded  with  the  21st  Iowa,  29th  Wisconsin  and 
47th  Indiana. 

In  November,  1864,  removed  to  Memphis,  where  the  Regiment 
was  consolidated  into  a  Battalion  of  five  Companies,  and  Lieut.  Col. 
A.  C.  Matthews  assigned  to  the  command.  Col.  Bailey  and  the  other 
■supernumerary  officers  being  mustered  out. 

Moved  to  Germantown  and  went  on  duty  guarding  railroad; 
Dec.  25,  three  men  of  the  Battalion  were  captured  and  murdered  by 
guerrillas;  moved  to  Memphis  Dec.  28;  Jan.  1,  1865,  embarked 
for  New  Orleans,  arriving  on  the  9th.  Feb.  1  embarked  for  Dau- 
phine  Island,  Ala. ;  was  assigned  to  the  1st  Brigade,  1st  Div.,  13th 
Corps,  with  21st  Iowa,  47th  Indiana  and  29th  Wisconsin,  Gen. 
Slack  commanding  Brigade,  Brig.  Gen.  Yeatch  commanding  Di- 
vision. 

March  17,  moved  t'o  Fort  Morgan;  on  the  26th,  arrived  at  Fish 
river;  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Spanish  Fort  iintil  the  30th,  when 
the  Division  was  sent  to  Ge  neral  Steele's  army,  and  April  1  went 
into  position  at  Fort  Blakely.  The  99th  assisted  in  the  investment 
and  capture,  and  on  the  12th  entered  Mobile. 

In  June,  1865,  the  Division  was  ordered  to  Red  river  to  receive 
the  surrender  of  Kirby  Smith,  and  it  proceeded  to  Shreveport,  La. ; 
from  this  place  Col.  Matthews  was  detailed  to  proceed  with  a  body- 
guard of  the  6th  Missouri  Cavalry  to  the  Indian  Territory  and 
receive  the  surrender  of  Brig.  Gens.  Cooper  and  Standwaite,  and  to 
form  temporary  treaties  of  peace  with  the  Indian  tribes.  The  Ool. 
formed  treaties  with  ten  tribes,  including  the  Choctaws,  Oherokees, 
Chickasaws  and  Osages,  and  returned  (having  traveled  a  thousand 
miles)  on  the  3d  of  July. 

July  19,  ordered  to  Baton  Rouge,  and  Julv  31  was  mustered  out 
by  Capt.  E.  S!  Howk,  A.  CM. 

Arrived  at  Springfield,  111.,  Aug.  6,  received  final  payment  and 
discharge  Aug.  9,  1865. 

The  Regiment  was  commanded  by  Col.  Bailey  until  Dec.  16, 
1864,  when  he  was  mustered  out.  The  Lieut.  Colonels  were  Lem- 
uel Parke  and  Asa  C.  Matthews  ;  the  Majors  at  various  times  were 
Edwin  A.  Crandall,  Asa  C.  Matthews  and  John  F.  Richards;  Ad- 
jutants, Marcellus  Ross,  Harvey  D.  Johnson  and  Joseph  R.  Furrey; 
Quartermasters,  Isaac  G.  Hodgen,  Joshua  K.  Sitton  and  James  F. 


HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT.  381 

-Greathouse ;  Surgeons,  Joseph  H.  Ledlie  and  Edwin  May ;  1st 
Asst.  Surgeon,  Archibald  E.  McNeal  and  John  F.  Curtis  ;  2d  Asst. 
Surgeon,  Abner  T.  Spencer  ;  Chaplains,  Oliver  A.  ToplifF  and 
Wm.  M.  Evans. 

Oompany  A. — Captains— Geo.  T.  Edwards  and  Isaac  G.  Hodgen; 
1st  Lieutenant— James  K.  Smith  ;  2d  Lieutenants— James  F.  Sto- 
bie,  Thos.  A.  Hubbard,  John  W.  Savior.  (Hubbard  died  Feb.  15, 
1863.) 

Oompany  B. — Captains — Benj.  L.  Matthews  and  James  W.  Fee ; 
1st  Lieutenants — James  W.  Fee,  James  A.  Elledge  and  Harvey 
Thornbury  ;  2d  Lieutenants— James  A.  Elledge,  Harvey  Thorn- 
bury  and  Milton  L.  Tiell. 

Company  G. — Captains — Asa  C.  Matthews  and  John  A.  Bal- 
lard ;  1st  Lieutenants — Joshua  K.  Sitton,  Lucien  W.  Shaw,  John 
A.  Ballard,  Win.  B.  Sitton  (died  July  10,  1864),  N.  Henry  Kinne  ; 
2d  Lieutenants — Lucien  "W.  Shaw  and  Wm.  B.  Sitton. 

Company  2>.— Captains — John  F.  E,ichards  and  Wm.  B.  Clandy; 
1st  Lieutenants— Francis  M.  Dabney,  Wm.  B.  Clandy  and  John 
Bowsman  ;  2d  Lieutenants — Wm.  T.  Mitchell,  Wm.  B.  Clandy 
and  John  Bowsman. 

Company  ^.—Captains — John  C.  Dinsmore,  Allen  D.  Eich- 
ards  ;  1st  Lieutenants^Joseph  G.  Colvin,  Allen  D.  Richards  and 
Robert  PI.  Griffin  ;  2d  Lieutenant— Allen  D.  Richards. 

Company  F. — Captains — Eli  R.  Smith,  Daniel  McDonald. 
Oaptain  Smith  was  killed  in  battle  May  22, 1863.  1st  Lieutenants 
— Leonard  Greaton,  Jacob  E.  Stauffer  ;  2d  Lieutenants — Daniel 
McDonald  and  Jesse  Parke. 

Company  G. — Captains — Henry  D.  Hull  and  Henry  B.  Atkin- 
son ;  1st  Lieutenants — James  H.  Crane  and  Henry  B.  Atkinson  ; 
2d  Lieutenant — Lewis  Dutton. 

Company  H. — Captains — Lewis  Hull  and  Melville  D.  Massie; 
Ist  Lieutenants — Melville  D.  Massie,  Benj.  L.  Blades  and  Daniel 
Eiley;  2d  Lieutenants — Gottfried  Wenzel  and  Benj.  L.  Blades. 

Company  I. — Captain — Joseph  G.  Johnson;  1st  Lieutenants — 
John  G.  Sever  and  George  S.  Marks:  2d  Lieutenant — Robert  E. 
Gilliland. 

Oompany  K. — Captain s^-Isaiah  Cooper  and  John  G.  Sever;  1st 
Lieutenants — Wm.  Gray  (died  May  30,  1863,  of  wounds  received 
in  battle  May  22,  1863),  Augustus  Hubbard  and  Zebulon  B.  Stod- 
dard; 2d  Lieutenants — Thos.  J.  Kinman  (killed  in  battle  May  22, 
1863)  and.  John  Andrew. 

NINETY-NINTH    REGIMENT    AS    CONSOLIDATED. 

April  2, 1863,  according  to  orders  from  the  War  Department,  the 
99th  was  consolidated  into  a  Battalion  of  live  Companies, — A,  B,  C, 
D  and  E,  officered  as  follows: 

Colonel,  Asa  C.  Matthews;  Adjutant,  Joseph  R.  Furrey;  Quar- 
termaster, James  F.  Greathouse;  Surgeon,  Edwin  May;  1st  Asst. 
Surgeon,  John  F.  Curtis;  Chaplain,  Wm.  M.  Evans. 


382  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Company  A. — Oapt.,  John  F.  Richards;  .1st  Lieut.,  Win.  B. 
Claiidy;  2d  Lieut,  John  Bowsman. 

Company  B. — Capt.,  James  W.  Fee;  1st  Lieut.,  Jacob  E.  Stauf- 
fer;  2d  Lieut.,  Joseph  Dugdell. 

Company  C. — Capt.,  Melville  D.  Massie;  1st  Lieut.,  Henry  B. 
Atkinson;  2d  Lieut.,  "Wm.  L.  Carter. 

Company  D. — Capt.,  Isaac  G.  Hodgen;  1st  Lieut.,  James  K. 
Smith;  2d  Lient.,  Sylvester  Durall. 

Company  E. — Capt.,  John  A.  Ballard,  1st  Lieut.,  N.  Henry 
Kinne;  2d  Lieut.,  Clayton  B.  Hooper. 

ONE    HDNDEED   AND    THIRTY-SEVENTH    REGIMENT. 

Company  F  of  this  Regiment  was  organized  by  Robert  B.  Robin- 
son, of  Barry,  this  county;  Company  G,  by  Orville  C.  Holcomb,  of 
Milton,  and  Company  I,  by  Levi  Barbour,  of  Pittsfield.  These  three 
Companies  of  this  Regiment  were  made  up  from  Pike  county.  The 
Isl  Lieutenant  of  Company  F  was  De  Witt  C  Simmons,  of  Griggs- 
ville,  and  the  2d  Lieutenant  David  D.  Kidwell,  of  Barry.  The  1st 
Lieutenant  of  Company  G  was  John  M.  Johnson,  and  the  2d  Lieu- 
tenant, Joseph  S.  Latimer.  The  1st  Lieutenant  of  Company  I  was 
Henson  S.  V'anDeventer  and  the  2d  Lieutenant,  Wm.  A.  Hubbard. 

This  Regiment  was  organized  at  Camp  Wood,  Quincy,  by  Col. 
John  Wood,  and  was  mustered  in  June  5, 1864,  for  100  days.  June 
9,  the  Regiment  left  Quincy  and  proceeded  to  Memphis,  Tenn., 
where  it  was  assignedto  the  ith  Brigade,  District  of  Memphis,  Ool. 
E.  L.  Baltwick,  of  Wisconsin,  commanding.  On  July  9  it  was  as- 
signed to  the  3d  Brigade,  Col.  John  Wood  commanding,  and  was 
stationed  on  the  Hernando  road,  on  picket  dutj'.  The  Regiment 
was  mustered  out  of  the  U.  S.  service  at  Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  4, 
1864. 

SECOND    CAVALRY. 

Of  this  regiment  Company  K  and  parts  of  other  Companies  were 
from  Pike  county.  It  was  organized  July  30,  1861,  with  Pressly  G. 
Athey  as  Captain,  who  resigned  Jan.  27, 1862,  whenThos.  W.Jones, 
1st  Lieutenant,  was  promoted  Captain.  He  was  subsequently  pro- 
moted to  the  position  of  Major.  Daniel  B.  Bush,  jr.,  was  at  first 
Major,  and  was  subsequently  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  and  finally  Colonel.  In  1865  Montgomery  Demmons  was 
promoted  to  the  Captaincy.  The  1st  Lieutenants  were  .Thos.  W. 
Jones,  Benj.  F.  Garrett  and  Wm.  R.  Scull,  and  the  2d  Lieutenants, 
Benj.  F.  Garrett,  -Franklin  Kinman,  L.  Mitchell,  Montgomery 
Deramons  and  David  C.  Rock. 

Besides  the  Regiments  and  Companies  noticed  above.  Pike  county 
gave  many  men  to  numerous  other  Companies.  Her  sons  fought 
upon  every  battle-field  of  that  great  war,  and  upon  the  field  of 
every  great  battle  during  that  long,  hard  struggle  for  the  supremacy 
of  the  Union  the  life-blood  of  some  of  her  sotis  was  shed.  They 
were  found  in  the  foremost  of  the  fight  :  indeed,  they  were  found 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  383 

wherever  duty  called  them.  It  is  an  easy  matter  to  be  a  patriot 
"in  the  piping  times  of  peace,  in  th^  sunny  hours  of  prosperity," 
but  when  war,  discord  and  rebellion  present  their  horrid  forms  to 
strike  the  liberty  of  a  hundred  years,  it  is  then  the  patriot  shines 
in  his  devotion  to  his  country.  "When  the  painful  duty  presented 
itself  to  the  patriots  of  this  county  to  send  thousands  of  her  citi- 
zens into  danger,  and  many  of  them  to  certain  death,  there  was  no 
hesitation.  Men  enrolled  their  names  with  a  steady  hand,  bade  wife 
and  little  ones,  fathers,  mothers,  brothers  and  sisters  farewell,  and 
went  boldly  to  the  front  and  saved  this  glorious  blood-bought 
Union. 


Our  armies  bravely  contended  until  finally,  after  four  long  years 
of  bloodshed  and  carnage,  the  news  was  flashed  over  the  wires  that 
Lee  had  surrendered.  This  joyful  news  reached  this  countj' Mon- 
day, April  10,  1865,  being  within  two  days  of  four  years  from  the 
time  the  batteries  were  opened  on  Fort  Sumter.  On  receiving  the 
news  of  the  fall  of  Richmond  the  people  were  very  jubilant  over 
the  success  of  the  Union  forces.  They  assembled  in  all  parts  of 
the  county  and  had  grand  jubilees.  The  streets  of  the  cities  were 
brilliantly  illuminated;  bonfires,  rockets  and  music  were  seen  on 
every  hand;  it  was  indeed  a  season  of  rejoicing;  and  well  might  it 
be,  for  what  had  been  endured,  what  had  been  suffered. 

Scarcely  had  the  downfall  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  been  re- 
ceived ere  the  sad  news  of  the  assassination  ol*  Abraham  Lincoln 
was  flashed  over  the  wires.  On  that  beautiful  April  morning,  five  • 
days  after  the  announcement  of  Lee's  surrender,  the  people,  joyful 
over  the  near  approach  of  the  return  of  their  loved  ones  from  the 
South,  the  sorrowing  news  of  the  President's  death  was  announced. 
Mf.  Lincoln  was  bound  to  the  people  of  this  county  with  stronger 
cords  than  simply  being  a  good  ruler.  He  had  spent  many  days 
here,  had  many  warm  personal  friends,  and  it  was  like  the  loss  of  a 
brother.  They  felt  the  loss  keetily;  the  tolling  bells,  the  sym- 
pathetic dirges,  interpreted  not  merely  the  grief  of  the  people  at  the 
loss  of  a  President,  but  the  sorrow  of  a  community  at  the  death  of 
brother,  a  son,  one  who  was  closely  akin  to  all.  Meetings  were 
held  and  appropriate  resolutions  passed.  Dwellings,  stores,  churches 
and  public  buildings  were  draped,  and  the  flags  which  had  been  sent 
up  in  moments  of  rejoicing  were  taken  down,  draped,  and  sent  up 
at  half-mast. 

THE    CLOSE. 

The  war  ended  and  peace  restored,  the  Union  preserved  in  its  in- 
tegrity, the  sons  of  Pike,  who  had  volunteered  their  lives  in  de- 
fense of  their  Government,  and  who  were  spared  to  see  the  army  of 
the  Union  victorious,  returned  to  their-  homes  to  receive  grand 
ovations  and  tributes  of  honor  from  friends  and  neighbors  who  had 
eagerly  and  zealously  followed  them  wherever  the  fortunes  of  war 


384  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COTTNTT. 

called.  Exchanging  their  soldiers'  uniforms  for  citizens'  dress,  most 
of  them  fell  back  to  their  old  vocations, — on  the  farm,  at  the  forge, 
at  the  bench,  in  the  shop,  and  at  whatever  else  their  hands  found  to- 
do.  Brave  men  are  honorable  always,  and  no  class  of  citizens  are 
entitled  to  greater  respect  than  the  volunteer  soldierj  of  Pike 
county,  not  alone  because  thej  were  soldiers,  but  because  in  their 
associations  with  their  fellow-men  their  walk  is  upright,  and  their 
honesty  and  character  without  reproach. 

Their  country  first,  their  glory  and  their  pride, 
Land  of  their  hopes,  land  where  their  fathers  died; 
When  in  the  right,  they'll  keep  their  honor  bright; 
When  in  the  wrong,  they'll  die  to  set  it  right. 

The  soldiers  of  Pike  county  met  at  the  court-house  Aug.  23, 
1866.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Maj.  T.  W.  Jones,  when  Dr. 
E.  M.  Seeley  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  James  H.  Crane  was  ap- 
pointed Secretary.  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  to  take  measures 
for  raising  funds  for  the  erection  of  a  monument.  Elaborate  resolu- 
tions were  adopted  with  reference  to  the  loyalty  and  fidelity  of  the- 
soldiery,  etc.,  and  sympathy  with  the  suffering,  the  widows  and  or- 
phans etc.;  and  committees  of  soldiers,  five  in  each  township,  were 
appointed  to  solicit  donations.  A  central  committee  for  the  county  ■ 
was  also  appointed,  and  a  committee  to  solicit  $10,000  from  the- 
county  treasury.  Considerable  enthusiasm  was  manifested  in  this 
work  of  love,  and -a  wish  to  honor  the  heroic  dead,  the  citizen 
soldiers  who  yielded  their  lives  a  sacrifice  to  their  country,  but 
nothing  definitely  toward  the  final  carrying  out  of  the  project  was 
ever  done.  Although  no  marble  pile  rises  heavenward  to  commemo- 
rate the  fallen  heroes,  yet  we  know  that  the  memory  of  their  valor 
and  heroic  devotion  to  our  country  will  never  fade  in  the  minds 
and  hearts  of  the  citizens,  and  that  their  love  and  gratitude  are  as 
strong  and  undying  as  though  a  monument  of  stones  were  piled 
up  as  high  as  Babel's  tower. 


CHAPTER  XY. 
PIKE  COUNTY  BAR. 

PIONEER  COIJETS. 

The  records  of  the  early  Courts  found  in  the  Circuit  Clerk's^ 
office  open  as  follows: 

"At  a  Circuit  Court  begun  and  held  at  Cole's  Grove,  within  and 
for  the  county  of  Pike,  on  Monday,  the  first  day  of  October,  in  the 
year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty-one.  Present,  Hon. 
John  Reynolds,  Judge. 

"The  Sheriff  of  the  county  returned  a  panel  of  grand  jurors, 
which  being  called  over,  sixteen  of  them  appeared  and  were  sworn 
agreeably  to  law,  viz:  Levi  Roberts,  foreman;  Ebenezer  Franklin, 
Gardner  H.  Tullus,  Joel  Bacon,  George  Tully,  Ebenezer  Smith, 
David  Dutton,  Amos  Bancroft,  James  Nixon,  Nathaniel  Shaw, 
Thomas  Proctor,  Richard  Dilley,  Stephen  Dewey,  William  Massey,, 
Comfort  Shaw,  Daniel  Phillips;  and  the  following  persons  were 
called  but  made  default,  to  wit:  Leonard  Ross,  Henry  J.  Ross, 
Daniel  Shinn,  James  M.  Seeley,  Abraham  Kuntz,  Levi  Newman, 
Henry  Loup,  John  Bolter  and  John  Jackson. 

"  Joseph  Jervais  and  John  Shaw,  interpreters  sworn  to  give  evi- 
dence to  tlie  grand  jury." 

The  first  case  called  was  "  Solomon  Smith,  assignee  of  Elias  K. 
Kane,  vs.  Wra.  Frye,  action  of  debt."  The  case  was  continued,  as, 
the  defendant  was  reported  by  the  Sheriff  not  found. 

The  second  case  was  a  "libel  for  a  divorce,"  by  Salley  Durham, 
plaintiff,  vs.  John  Durham,  defendant.  The  defendant  not  appear- 
ing, the  case  went  against  him. 

The  fourth  case  was  the  indictment  of  two  Lidians  for  murder, 
an  account  of  which  is  given  in  our  chapter  entitled  "  Criminal 
Record." 

Pike  county  was  originally  in  the  1st  Judicial  Circuit,  then  in  the 
5th,  and  is  now  in  the  11th,  comprising  the  counties  of  Adams, 
Hancock,  McDonough,  Fulton,  Schuyler,  Brown  and  Pike.  By 
provision  of  a  recent  State  law  the  Circuit  elects  three  Judges,  who 
divide  the  work  between  them. 

Four  Appellate  Districts  were  defined  in  the  State  in  1877,  for 
each  of  which  the  Supreme  Court  appoints  three  Judges,  and  these; 


386  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Judges  elect  one  of  their  own  number  the  presiding  Judge.  Each 
District  elects  its  own  Clerk,  and  these  officers  are  all  chosen  for  six 
years.  The  sessions  of  the  Court  are  held  the  3d  Tuesday  of  May 
and  jS'ovember  each  year.  Pike  county  is  in  the  3d  Appellate 
District,  and  the  Court  is  held  at  Springfield. 

CIRCUIT    JUDGES. 

We  now  proceed  to  give  a  short  sketch  of  all  the  Judges  and 
attorneys  who  have  been  or  are  now  connected  with  the  Bar  of  Pike 
county. 

Hon.  John  Reynolds  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  of  Irish 
descent,  and  was  reared  amid  pioneer  associations  and  imbibed  the 
characteristics,  manners  and  customs  of  the  pioneers.  He  disliked 
polish,  condemned  fashion,  and  was  addicted  to  inordinate  pro- 
fanity. These,  garnished  by  his  varied  reading,  a  native  shrewd- 
ness and  a  wondei-ful  faculty  of  garrulity,  make  him,  considering  the 
high  offices  he  held,  one  of  the  public  oddities  of  Illinois.  He 
was  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  when  he  held  Court 
at  Atlas. 

Hon.  John  Y.  Sawyer. — By  the  Constitution  the  terms  of  office  of 
the  Supreme  Judges  were  to  expire  with  the  close  of  the  year  1824. 
The  Legislature  re-organized  the  judiciary  by  creating  both  Circuit 
and  Supreme  Courts.  The  State  was  divided  into  five  judicial 
circuits,  providing  two  terms  of  Court  annually  in  each  county. 
The  salaries  of  the  Cii'cuit  Judges  were  fixed  at  $600.  Judge 
Sawyer  was  the  first  Circuit  Judge  to  hold  Court  in  this  county. 
He  was  chosen  for  the  First  Circuit. 

Hon.  Richard  M.  Young  was  appointed  Judge  of  this  Circuit  in 
,  1828,  and  remained  in  the  office  till  January,  1837,  when  he  resigned 
to  accept  a  seat  in  the  (Juited  States  Senate.  Judge  Young  was  a 
native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Northern 
Illinois.  He  ranked  high  in  his  profession,  and  his  coansels  did 
much  to  shape  the  policy  of  the  State.  In  his  manners  he  was 
gentle,  courteous  and  entertaining,  which  qualities  rendered  him 
attractive  and  popular.  He  was  generous  in  his  feelings  and  lib- 
eral in  his  views;  possessed  liberal  endowment  of  intellectual  abil- 
ity and  literary  and  .legal  acquirements,  and  these,  with  his  other 
qualifications,  admirably  fitted  him  for  the  post  he  was  called  to 
till.     He  died  from  insanity. 

Hon.  James,  H.  Ralston,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  elected  by  the 
Legislature  in  1837,  and  in  August  of  the  same  year  he  resigned  on 
account  of  his  health,  with  a  view  of  going  to  Texas,  whither  he 
went,  but  soon  returned  to  Quincy.  In  1840  he  was  elected  State 
Senator.  In  1846  President  Polk  appointed  him  Assistant  Quar- 
termaster of  the  U.  S.  army.  Having  discharged  his  duties  faith- 
fully during  the  war  with  Mexico,  he  returned  home  and  soon  after 
emigrated  to  California. 

Hon.  Peter  Lott,  a  native  of  New  York,  was  elected  the  successor 


\J^J>^-r7-^^^^:^-^^ 


BRISeSVILLE: 


HISTOBY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  389 

of  James  Ualston,  and  continued  in  the  office  until  January,  1841. 
He  was  subsequently  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Ad- 
ams county,  and  served  until  1852:  he  then  went  to  California  and 
was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the  U.  S.  Mint  in  San  Francisco 
by  President  Pierce,  and  was  removed  in  1857  by  President 
Buchanan,  and  afterward  moved  to  Kansas  and  lived  in  humble 
life. 

Hon.  Stephen  A.  Douglas  was  elected  Judge  by  the  Legislature 
in  1841.  The  life  and  career  of  this  great  man  is  so  well  and  widely 
known  as  to  render  any  extended  notice  of  him  useless.  It  is  suf- 
ficient to  say  that  the  circumstances  under  which  he  entered  upon 
the  duties  of  his  office  were  such  as  to  thoroughly  try  the  scope  of 
his  ability.  The  Circuit  was  large;  the  previous  incumbent  of  the 
office  had  left  the  "  docket"  loaded  with  unfinished  "  cases,"  but  he 
was  more  than  equal  to  the  task.  He  "  cleaned  out  the  docket  " 
with  that  dispatch  and  ability  which  distinguished  his  subsequent 
course;  and  so  pi'ofound  was  the  impression  he  made  upon  the 
people  that,  in  the  first  Congressional  election  which  occurred  after 
he  was  established  in  his  character  as  Judge,  he  received  nomination 
as  a  member  of  Congress,  and  was  elected. 

Hon.  Jesse  S.  Thomas  was  appointed  in  August,  1843,  and  con- 
tinued to  hold  the  position  until  1845,  when  he  resigned.  Judge 
Thomas  possessed  high  legal  abilities  and  acquirements,  and  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  his  office  with  honor  to  himself  and  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  people.  After  his  resignation  he  was  appointed 
to  another  Circuit,  and  soon  ,  after  died.  .  IJe  was  a  delegate  to 
Congress  from  Indiana  as  early  as  1808.  His  district  was  what 
are  now  the  States  of  Indiana,  Illinois,  "Wisconsin  and  Michigan. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  U.  S.  Senators  of  Illinois. 

Hon.  Norman  H.  Purple  was  the  next  incumbent  of  the  office. 
He  was  elected  in  1845  and  served  till  May,  1849,  when  he  resigned. 
The  probable  cause  for  this  was  the  insufficiency  of  salary.  The 
people  of  this  district  were  anxious  to  retain  him  as  Judge,  and 
probably  would,  but  for  the  cause  stated.  He  was  distinguished 
for  high  legal  abilities  and  executive  talents,  and  the  office  was  ren- 
dered the  more  honorable  for  his  having  occupied  it. 

Hon.  William  A.  Minshall  was  elected  in  May,  1849,  and  con- 
tinued to  hold  the  office  till  his  death,  in  October,  1851,  although  in 
1850  his  district  was  changed.  Judge  M.  was  a  native  of 
Tennessee,  and  came  early  into  the  State.  He  was  an  active  and 
successful  lawyer,  and  attained  distinction  'in  his  profession.  Pre- 
vious to  his  election  as  Judge  he  had  been  a  member  of  the  Con- 
stitutional Convention,  and  also  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature. 

Hon.  0.  C .  Skinner  succeeded  Judge  Minshall  and  occupied  the 
office  from  May,  18j51,  to  May,  1853,  when  he  was  elected  to  the 
Supreme  Bench,  and  remained  there  till  1858,  when  he  resigned. 
He  was  a  sound,  able  lawyer,  and  popular  as  a  Judge,  and  gained 
eminence  in  his  position  as  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Hon.  Pinhney  H.  Walker  served  until  his  appointment,  in  1858, 

24 


390  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

to  fill  a  vacancy  on  the  Supreme  Bench.  In  1859  he  was  elected  to 
the  Supreme  Court  for  nine  years,  whicli  position  he  now  holds. 
Judge  Walker  is  a  native  of  Kentuck}',  and  came  into  the  State 
with  his  father  among  the  first  settlers,  and  located  in  MeDonough 
county.  He  had  only  such  advantages  for  obtaining  his  literary 
acquirements  as  a  newly  settled  country  aiforded,  but  a  strong, 
determination,  added  to  high  intellectual  abilities  and  good  health 
carried  him  over  all  of  the  educational  wants  of  the  times,  and 
gave  him  a  fair  position  as  a  scholar.  The  same  qualifications 
rendered  him  thorough  as  a  student  of  law,  and  gave  him  superi- 
ority as  a  counselor.     His  present  residence  is  at  Rushville. 

Hon.  John  S.  Bailey  was  the  succeeding  incumbent  of  the  office 
and  served  for  three  years.  Previous  to  his  appointment  he  was 
State's  Attorney  for  this  district.  He  was  considered  a  sound 
lawyer,  and  made  an  impartial  Judge.  He  now  resides  at  Ma- 
comb, and  yet  follows  his  chosen  profession. 

Son.  Chauncey  L.  Iligbee,  of  Pike  county,  was  first  elected  in 
1861,  and  was  re-elected  twice,  each  time  for  six  years.  His  repu- 
tation as  an  able  lawyer  is  unquestioned,  and  fewer  appeals  were 
made  from  his  decisions  than  from  any  other  Judge  in  the  l^tate. 
He  was  elected  to  the  Appellate  Court  in  1877,  when  the  present 
incumbent,  Judge  Shope,  of  Lewistown,  was  chosen. 

Son.  8.  P.  Shope. — Judge  Shope,  of  Lewistown,  was  born  in 
Mississippi  but  reared  in  Ohio.  In  the  spring  of  1839  he  came  to 
Illinois,  read  law  with  Judges  Purple  and  Powell  in  Peoria,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  Bar  June  11,  1856.  He  first  opened  an  office 
in  Metamora,  111,  but  in  a  short  time  removed  to  Lewi'stown,  where 
he  still  resides.  He  has  had  a  large  practice  as  a  lawyer,  not  only 
in  his  own  Judicial  District,  but  also  in  Logan,  Mason  and  Cass 
counties.  In  August,  1877,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  this  District 
without  opposition.  His  thorough  knowledge  of  law,  quick  com- 
prehension and  well-known  impartiality,  render  him  a  popular 
Judge. 

PBOSECTJTING  ATTOENETS. 

During  the  earliest  period  of  the  county's  history  the  Attorney 
General  of  the  State  acted  as  Prosecuting  Attorney  in  Circuit  Dis- 
tricts. After  the  expiration  of  Attorney-General  Forquer's  terni 
the  Circuit  was  given  a  State's  Attorney.  This  mode  remained  in 
vogue,  although,  of  course,  the  districts  were  often  changed  and  cut 
down,  until  1872,  when"  the  county  was  given  a  Prosecuting  At- 
torney, who  is  known  both,  as  State's  Attorney  and  County  At- 
torney. This  oflncial  is  not  now,  as  formerly,  called  out  of  the 
county  to  prosecute  for  the  people. 

The  Prosecuting  Attorneys  serving  this  county  are  as  follows: 
Hon.   Thomas  Ford  served  for  several  years  previous  to  1836. 
He  was  possessed  of  high  and  noble  qualities  of  manhood,  a  thor- 
ough student,  a  keen,  energetic,  untiring  lawyer,  of  strict  integrity 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  391 

and  laudable  aspirations,  and  was  universally  esteemed  and  re- 
spected. He  afterward  became  Judge  of  the  northern  district,  and 
when  he  had  become  known  over  the  State,  was  chosen  Governor 
by  a  spontaneous  movement  of  the  people.  Mr.  Ford  failed  to 
appear  at  the  Courts  of  this  county  very  much,  and  in  his  place  in 
1832  Hon.  J.  H.  Kalston  served,  and  in  1833  Gen.  John  J.  Hardin. 

Son.  William  A.  Richardson^  who  served  till  1837.  Mr.  Rich- 
ardson's personal  merits  and  characteristics  are  too  well  known  to 
require  any  delineation.  His  predominating  traits  were  courage, 
unyielding  perseverance  and  unvarying  adherence  to  the  cause  to 
which  he  was  committed.  He  had  command  of  a  regiment  of  Illi- 
nois volunteers  during  the  Mexican  war,  and  in  the  battle  of  Buena 
Vista  his  cap  was  carried  from  his  head  by  a  musket  ball.  He  re- 
turned home  and  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  re-elected  five 
times.     He  was  also  appointed  Governor  of  Nebraska  by  Buchanan, 

Ron.  Henry  L.  Bryant,  of  Lewistown,  succeeded  Mr.  Richardson, 
and  served  until  1839.  He  is  characterized  as  a  gentleman  of  fine 
qualities  and  as  an  able  lawyer. 

Hon.  William  Elliott  served  from  January,  1839,  till  January, 
1848.  He  was  esteemed  as  a  worthy  man,  a  warm  friend  and  a 
good  lawyer.  He  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  was  wounded 
in  a  hand-to-hand  conflict  with  a  single  Indian,  whom  he  killed. 
He  was  Quartermaster  in  the  4th  Regiment  during  the  Mexican 
war,  and  served  through.  He  returned  to  Lewistown  and  continued 
his  practice  until  about  1866,  when  he  moved  upon  a  farm  in  Peoria 
county,  near  Farmington,  where  he  died  in  February,  1871. 

Hon.  Hohert  8.  Blackwell  was  the  successor  of  Mr.  Elliott,  and 
served  from  1848  till  1852.     Mr.  Blackwell  was  one  of  the  most , 
distinguished  lawyers  in  the  State,  and  is  the  author  of  "  Blackwell 
on  Tax  Titles." 

Harmon  G.  Reynolds. — From  1852  to  1854,  H^n.  Harmon  G. 
Reynolds,  of  Knoxville,  held  the  office.  Mr.  Reynolds  was  an  at- 
torney-at-law  of  great  ability,  and  an  active  man  in  all  beneficent 
enterprises.  He  came  from  Rock  Island  to  Knoxville  some  time 
about  1851,  where  he  practiced  law,  was  State's  Attorney  and  post- 
master, and  held  prominent  positions  in  the  Masonic  order.  He 
moved  from  Knoxville  to  Springfield,  where  he  served  as  Grand 
Secretary  of  the  order.     He  now  resides  in  Kansas. 

William,  O.  Gaudy. — Hon.  William  C.  Gondy,  of  Lewistown, 
succeeded  Mr.  Reynolds.  Mr.  Goudy  was  a  shrewd  Democratic 
politician  in  earlier  days,  as  well  as  a  faithful  servant  of  the  people 
as  a  delegate  to  conventions,  as  a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  etc. 
As  a  lawyer  he  is  accounted  ,one  of  the  ablest  that  ever  practiced 
at  the  Bar.  He  has  accumulated  large  wealth  and  now  resides  in 
Chicago,  where  he  moved  in  1859. 

Calvin  A.  PTarT-en,  followed  Mr.  Blackwell  in  the  office.  Mr. 
Warren  served  from  May,  1852,  until  August,  1853.  This  gentleman 
was  a  popular,  fluent  speaker  and  successful  lawyer. 


392  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    CO0NTT. 

Hon.  John  8.  Bailey.,  of  McDonbugli  county,  filled  the  office 
until  September,  1858,  when  he  resigned  for  a  seat  npon  the  Bench. 

Daniel  H.  Gilmer  served  as  State's  Attorney  ^to  tern  in  I860 
as  also  did  Thomas  E.  Morgan  in  1862,  and  Win.  E.  Archer. 

Ron.  L.  H.  Waters  was  appointed  by  the  Governor  to  fill  the. 
unexpired  term  of  Mr.  Bailey.  He  was  from  Macomb,  and  served 
nntil  the  fall  of  1860.  A  year  later  he  entered  the  army  as  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel of  the  28th  Illinois  Infantry.  Resigning,  he  was 
commissioned  to  raise  another  regiment,  which  he  succeeded  in 
doing  and  received  the  appointnient  of  Colonel.  This  was  the  84th 
Illinois  Infantry  and  did  excellent,  service  under  his  eflScient  com- 
mand. At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Macomb  and  prac- 
ticed law,  and  about  four  years  later  moved  to  Missouri.  He  now 
resides  at  Jefferson  City  that  State. 

Thomas  E.  Morgan  was  the  next  incumbent.  Mr.  Morgan  was 
a  lawyer  of  fine  ability  and  ranked  at  the  head  of  the  Bar  in  this 
part  of  the  State.     He  died  July  22,  1867. 

L.  W.  James,  of  Lewistown,  was  the  next  incumbent.  Mr.  James 
is  a  lawyer  of  more  than  ordinary  talent,  and  was  one  of  the  best 
prosecutors  in  the  district,  and  is  said  to  be  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
young  men  in  the  State.     He  now  resides  at  Peoria.- 

Jeff  Orr. — "When  each  county  throughout  the  Circuit  was  given 
a  Prosecuting  Attorney  Jeff  Orr  was  chosen  for  Pike  county,  and 
since  has  served  with  marked  ability.  He  is  a  young  member  of 
the  Bar,  endowed  with  great  energy,  and  gifted  with  superior  native 
talent.     He  has  resided  in  Pittsfield  since  1873. 

THE    BAE. 

The  Bar  of.  Pike  county  has  ever  stood  foremost  of  all  in  this 
great  State.  Some  of  the  best  legal  minds,  and  fairest  logicians 
and  finest  ora,tars  of  the  age  have  practiced  at  this  Bar. 

In  reviewing  the  Bar  of  the  county  our  readers  must  bear  in 
mind  that  as  ibe  prosperity  and  well-being  of  every  community 
depends  upon  the  wise  interpretation,  as  well  as  upon  the  judi- 
cious framing,  of  its  laws,  it  must  follow  that  a  record  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Bar,  to  whom  these  matters  are  generally  relegated, 
must  form  no  unimportant  chapter  in  the  county's  history.  Upon 
a  few  principles  of  natural  justice  is  erected  the  whole  superstruc- 
ture of  civil  law  tending  to  relieve  the  wants  and  meet  the  desires 
of  all  alike.  But  where  so  many  interests  and  counter  interests 
are  to  be  protected  and  adjusted,  to  the  judiciary  is  presented  many 
interesting  and  complex  problems.  But  change  is  everywhere  im- 
minent. Tiie  laws  of  yesterday  do  not  compass  the  wants  and 
necessities  of  the  people  of  to-day.  The  old  relations  do  not  exist. 
New  and  satisfactory  ones  must  be  established.  The  discoveries  in 
tlie  arts  and  sciences,  the  invention  of  new  contrivances  for  labor, 
the  enlargement  of  industrial  pursuits,  and  the  increase  and  devel- 
opment of  commerce  are  without  precedence,  and  the  science  oi 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTV.  393 

the  law  must  keep  pace  with  them  all;  nay,  it  must  even  forecast 
events  and  so  frame  its  laws  as  will  most  adequately  subserve  the 
wants  and  provide  for  the  necessities  of  the  new  conditions.  Hence 
the  lawyer  is  a  man  of  the  day.  The  exigencies  he  must  meet  are 
those  of  his  own  time.  His  capital  is  his  ability  and  individuality. 
He  can  not  bequeath  to  his  successors  the  characteristics  that  dis; 
.tinguished  him,  and  at  his  going  the  very  evidences  of  his  work 
disappear.  And  in  compiling  this  short  sketch  one  is  astonished 
at  the  paucity  of  material  for  a  memoir  of  those  who  have  been  so 
intimately  connected  with,  and  who  exerted  such  an  influence  upon, 
the  county's  welfare  and  progress.  The  peculiarities  and  the  per- 
sonalities, which  form  so  pleasing  and  interesting  a  part  of  the  lives 
of  the  members  of  the  Bar,  and  which  indeed  constitute  the  charm 
of  local  history,  are  altogether  wanting.  Unlike  the  fair  plaintiff 
in  Bardell  vs.  Pickwick,  we  have  no  pains-taking  sergeant  to  relate 
"the  facts  and  circumstances"  of  the  case.  The  Court  records 
give  us  the  facts,  but  the  circumstances  surrounding  and  giving 
an  interest  to  the  events  are  wanting. 

The  great  prominence  in  history  occupied  by  the  Bar  of  the  Mili- 
tary Tract  is  well  known,  and  ranking  with  and  a  part  of  this  is 
the  Pike  county  Bar.  High  as  stood  the  local  standard  of  its  at- 
tainment and  repute,  whenever  its  chieftains  were  called  to  combat 
on  other  arenas,  they  left  no  lost  laurels  there.  Here  were  taught, 
needed',  developed,  the  stalwart  qualities  that  attach  to  and  betoken 
the  most  complete  fruition  of  legal  excellence,  as  attained  in  the 
recognition,  study,  comprehension  and  application  of  the  abstruse 
and  limitless  principles  and  history  of  that  noblest  portion  of  juris- 
prudence, land  law. 

It  is  no  such  difficult  task  to  become  what  the  world  calls  a 
lawyer,  but  with  hope  to  tread  the  higher  paths  of  the  profession, 
easy  effort,  varnished  knowledge,  common  mind  muscle,  need  not  ap- 
ply. There  are  grades  to  which  any  may  attain,  but  there  are  also 
summits  to  which  few  can  aspire.  Education,  industry,  and  per- 
sistency may  rightly  demand  and  ensure  success  and  eyen  eminence 
in  the  settlement  of  commercial  collisions,  or  in  the  adjustment  of 
the  thousand  ordinary  interests  that  coiistantly  appeal  to  a  lawyer's 
guidance.  The  babbling  charlatan  may,  equally  with  the  profound- 
jurist,  claim  a  fictitious  standing  as  a  criminal  advocate;  but  such 
will  always  stiimble  among  the  rugged  paths  of  "  land  law"  prac- 
tice, where  rests  the  settlement  of  the  earth's  ownership  and  where 
true  learning,  combined  with  most  grasping  mental  strength,  can 
only  be  at  home. 

On  this  broad  field,  years  since,  inviting  and  fast  filling  with  ad- 
venturous immigration,  where  existed  land  titles  of  every  shade, 
affected  by  conflicting  legislation  varying  as  the  years,  was  gained 
the  rare  training  and  reputation  of  the  legal  athletes,'  an  arena  such 
as  was  found  in  no  other  section  of  the  State;  and  in  addition  to 
these  advantageous  themes  of  practice,  the  professional  necessities 


394  HISTOET    OF   PIKE   COUNTr. 

of  the  Bar  vastly  aided  its  members  in  their  advance  to  self-reliant 
supremacy.     The  reasons  for  this  are  novel,  but  conclusive. 

Law  in  those  past-off  days  demanded  of  its  votaries  different 
qualities  from  now.  It  exacted  the  instincts  of  the  smarter  men,  of 
genius  and  nerve  and  novelty.  It  was  the  intellectual  over  the  ed- 
ucated who  chiefly  led  tlie  van.  Of  books  there  were  few.  Author- 
ities and  precedents  slumbered  not  in  the  great  handy  libraries. 
The  entire  resources  of  the  Bounty  Tract  could  hardly  fill  out  the 
shelves  of  one  ordinary  lawyer's  library  to-day.  Hence  alijje, 
whether  engaged  in  counsel  or  in  litigation,  native  resource,  re- 
membrance of  past  reading,  but  mainly  the  readiness  and  aptitude 
with  which  legal  principles  drawn  from  rudimental  reading  or 
educed  by  intuition  could  be  applied  to  any  interest  or  exigence  in 
"  the  infinite  vanity  of  human  concerns,"  were  the  armories  wlience 
were  drawn  their  welded  weapons  of  assured  success. 

He  was  a  luckless  lawyer  who  had  to  hunt  his  books  io  settle  a 
suddenly  controverted  point,  or  answer  a  bewildered  client's  query; 
and  he  was  a  licensed  champion,  who,  theorizing  from  his  instored 
legal  lore,  or  instinctive  acumen,  knew  on  the  instant  where  best  to 
point  his  thrust  and  was  equally  ready  with  every  form  of  parry  and 
defense.  The  off-hand  action  and  advice  of  such  men,  nerved  by 
necessity  and  skilled  by  contest,  became  of  course  to  be  regarded 
almost  like  leaves  of  law. 

One  can  thus  somewhat  realize  what  keen,  pliant,  incisive  re- 
source was  attained  by  such  careers,  how  inspiring  and  attractive 
were  their  collisions,  how  refined  and  subtle  and  sharpened  their 
intellects  must  have  become. 

It  should  not  be  supposed  that  looseness,  lack  of  accuracy  or  legal 
formula,  marked  the  rulings  of  the  Bench  or  Bar.  There  was  friend- 
ship and  familiarity,  it  is  true,  because  everybody  knew  everybody; 
the  court-houses  were  shambling  great  log  shanties,  their  furniture, 
chairs  and  desks,  split-bottomed  and  unplaned,  would  have  set  a 
modern  lawyer's  feeling  on  edge,  but  the  Bench  was  always  filled 
with  character,  knowledge  and  dignity  (in  fact,  the  second  Judge 
who  held  Court  in  Pike  county,  jolm  York  Sawyer,  weighed  386 
pounds,  and  if  that  Bench  was  not  full  of  judicial  dignity  where 
will  the  proper  amount  of  avoirdupois  be  found?),  and  forensic  ruling 
and  requirement  was  governed  by  as  much  judicial  precision  and 
professional  deference  as  would  marlc  the  records  of  the  most  pre- 
tentious tribunals  in  the  land. 

The  Bar  in  those  days  was  a  sort  of  family  to  itself.  There  was 
a  mutual  acquaintance.  All  traveled  the  Circuit,  went  to  every 
county  on  Court  week,  came' from  all  quarters.  Egypt  and  Galena 
had  their  representatives.  Some  went  there  because  they  had  busi- 
ness: some  because  they  wanted  to  get  business,  and  all  that  they 
might  learn. 

In  Court,  by  practice  and  observation,  was  acquired  much  of 
knowledge  that  the  paucity  of  books  denied  the  student  and  young 
practitioner.     Out  of  Court  their  association  was  like  that  of  a  de- 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  395 

bating  society  or  law  school.  They  mingled  in  common,  ate,  drank, 
smoked,  joked,  disputed  together.  The  Judge  had  at  the  tavern  the 
spare  room,  if  such  a  room  there  was,  and  the  lawyers  bunked 
cosily,  dozens  together,  in  the  "omnibus,"  as  the  big,  many-bedded 
room  was  called,  and  there  they  had  it.  Whatever  of  law  point 
past,  pending,  or  probable  could  be  raised,  they  "went  for,"  dis- 
cussed, dissected,  worried,  fought  over  it  until,  whether  convinced 
or  not,~  all  knew  more  than  when  they  commenced;  and  thus,  strug- 
gling over  these  made-up  issues  of  debate,  became  sharpened,  by 
mutual  attrition,  the  legal  faculties  that  were  panting  for  future 
and  more  serious  contests. 

These  lawyers  were  on  exhibition,  too,  and  they  knew  it.  Every 
man  in  the  county  came  to  town  Court  week  if  he  could.  There 
were  but  few  people  in  the  country  then,  and  Court  week  was  the 
natural  periodical  time  for  the  farmers  to  meet,  swap  stories,  make 
trades,  learn  the  news,  hear  the  speeches  and  form  their  own  opin- 
ions as  to  which  of  these  "  tonguey  fellers  it  is  safest  to  give  business 
to  or  vote  for  for  the  Legislator." 

A  pretty  good  idea  how  universal  was  the  gathering  of  necessity 
at  the  county-seats  in  those  primitive  days  may  be  gleaned  from  the 
fact  that  often  Sheriff,  Capt.  Ross  and  Deputy  Sheriff  "Jimmy"  lioss 
had  to  go  on  the  jury  to  make  up  the  number.  They  could  not  find 
enough  men  in  reach  to  sit  as  jurors.  They  had  "jolly  old  times, 
those  limbs  of  the  law — jolly,  indeed.  Most  of  them  were  young. 
All  were  instinct  with  the  very  cream  of  zeal,  enterprise  and  origin- 
ality that  inheres  to  a  new  community,  and  among  them  jibe  and 
jest  and  fun  and  yarn  and  repartee  and  sell  were  tossed  about  like 
meteoric  showers. 

An  amusing  incident  is  told  in  which  figured  an  eminent  surviv- 
ing member  of  the  Bar,  of  the  Military  Tract.  He,  the  Judge,  and 
the  Prosecuting  Attorney,  traveling  over  the  prairie,  while  lighting 
their  pipes,  eitlier  thoughtlessly  or  accidentally  set  the  grass  on 
fire.  It  spread,  swept  toward  the  timber,  destroyed  a  settler's  fences 
and  improvements,  and  some  luckless  wight  was  indicted  for  the 
offense.     The  lawyer  above  was  engaged  as  counsel  for  the  culprit. 

The  Prosecuting  Attorney  of  course  had  his  duty  to  perform  to 
the  furtherance  of  the  ends  of  justice;  the  Judge  had  the  outraged 
interests  of  law  to  protect  under  the  solemnity  of  his  position  and 
oath;  but  it  required  all  the  earnest  effort  of  the  gifted  counsel,  all 
the  generous  ruling  of  the  Judge,  all  the  blundering  action  of  the 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  the  united  sympathies,  in  fact,  of  this  secretly 
sinning  legal  trinity  to  prevent  the  jury  from  finding  a  verdicl 
against  the  innocent  accused.  Countless  are  the  racy  legends  of  Illi- 
nois life  and  law,  unrecorded  and  fast  fading  away  as  the  memories 
that  hold  them  pass  from  existence,  but  time  and  space  give  now 
no  warrant  for  their  recital. 

BAE    OF    THE    PAST. 

Of  those'  attorneys  who  resided  in  the  couuty  at  one  time,  or 


396  HISTOET   OF    PIKE   COTTNTT. 

practiced  here,  and  are  now  either  dead,  have  qnit  the  practice  or 
moved  away,  w6  will  speak  first : 

Gen.  E.  D.  BaJcer,  whose  father  was  an  Admiral  in  the  English 
navy,  and  whose  brother.  Dr.  Alfred  C.  Baker,  now  resides  at  Barry, 
was  an  eminent  lawyer,  a  fine  rhetorician  and  orator,  a  man  of 
great  intellect,  and  a  leader  in  the  halls  of  legislation.  After  manv 
years'  practice  in  Illinois  he  went  to  California,  which  State  soon 
sent  him  to  Congress  as  Senator,  but  he  was  finally  slain  by  treach- 
ery at  Ball's  BlnfiP  in  Virginia. 

Hon.  0.  H.  Browning,  of  Qaincy,  too  well  known  to  describe 
here,  has  practiced  at  this  Bar. 

Col.  JD.  B.  Bush,  of  Pittsfield,  is  the  oldest  man  in  the  county 
who  has  been  a  member  of  the  Bar  at  this  Court.  He  was  admit- 
ted to  practice  in  1814. 

Son.  J.  M.  Bush,  the  present  editor  of  the  Detnocrat,  has  prac- 
ticed law  here  with  commendable  success. 

Nehemiah  Bushnell,  a  partner  of  Mr.  Browning's  at  Qnincy, 
has  also  practiced  law  in  the  Pike  county  Circuit  Court.  He  was 
an  easy,  quiet  and  thorough  lawyer,  and  a  superior  man  in  the  U. 
S.  Court.     He  died  in  1872. 

Alfred  W.  Cavalry  was  a  smooth,  pretty  talker.  He  moved  to 
Ottawa  and  died  there- a  year  or  two  ago  at  a  very  advanced  age. 

George  W.  Crow,  of  Barry,  was  a  young  man  but  not  much  of  a 
lawyer.     He  went  to  Kansas. 

Stephen  A.  Douglas  practiced  at  the  Pike  county  Bar  in  early  ■ 
days. 

Daniel  H.  Gilmer  was  a  young  but  able  lawyer,  thorough-going, 
learned,  careful  and  popular.  For  a  time  he  was  a  partner  of  Archi- 
bald Williams,  and  was  subsequently  a  Colonel  in  the  army,  suc- 
ceeding Col.  Carlin  :  he  was  killed  at  Stone  river.  His  daughter 
Lizzie  is  now  Postmistress  at  Pittsfield. 

Jachson  Grimshaw,  younger  brotlier  of  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Grimshaw, 
was  leader  of  the  Bar  in  his  day.  He  resided  at  Pittsfield  fourteen 
years,  then  went  to  Quincy,  where  he  died  in  December,  1875. 

The  following  high  eulogy  was  paid  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Grim- 
shaw  by  Hon.  I.  N.  Morris  before  the  Bar  of  Quincy,  at  the  time 
of  his  decease  :  "  I  rise  to  second  the  motion  to  place  on  the 
records  of  this  Court  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  members  of 
the  Bar  of  Quincy,  as  a  slight  testimonial  to  the  memory  of  Jack- 
son Grimshaw.  It  is  but  little  we  can  do,  at  best,  to  keep  the 
defacing  march  of  time  from  obliterating  every  sensitive  memory 
of  our  departed  friends,  but  we  can  do  something  toward  it  and 
let  us  do  that  little  in  this  instance.  Jackson  Grimshaw  deserves  a 
living  place  in  our  minds  and  in  our  hearts.  Yet  he  was  mortal. 
He,  like  other  men,  had  his  faults  and  his  virtues.  His  faults 
belonged  to  himself  His  virtues  to  all.  When  the  melancholy 
news  came  out  from  his  residence,  at  11  o'clock,  yesterday,  that  he 
was  dead,  its  echo  went  over  the  city  like  the  sound  of  a  funeral 
bell,  and   "poor  Grimshaw  "  was  the  general  wail  amid  the  heart- 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  39Y 

felt  sorrow  of  all.  His  genius  was  of  no  ordinary  kind ;  liis  energy 
was  tifeless,  and  he  was  true  to  his  profession,  his  client  and  his 
honor.  I  challenge  any  man  to  say  if  he  ever  heard  either 
impeached,  even  by  a  suspicion.  If  there  was  any  thing  the 
deceased  hated  more  than  any  other,  it  was  .an  illiberal,  tricky, 
unmanly,  dishonorable  act,  inside  or  outside  ofthe  profession,  more 
especially  inside  of  it.  He  had  no  patience  with  anything  low  or 
mean.  These  words  grate  on  the  ear,  but  I  know  of  none  more 
appropriate  or  expressive.  His  impulses  flowed  from  a  pure  and 
noble  inspiration,  and  were  guided  by  a  cultivated  mind.  I  repeat 
it  with  pride,  Jackson  Grrimshaw  was  an  honest  man.  He  bowed 
to  no  expediency,  nor  to  sordid  motive.  He  was  easily  excited, 
and  the  blood  would  mount  to  his  -cheeks  instantly  at  a, wrong  or 
indignity,  and  he  would  rebuke  it  on  the  spot.  All  will  concede 
there  was  not  a  particle  of  deceit  or  hypocrisy  about  him.  What 
he  was  he  was,  and  we  all  understood  him.  He  did  not  ask  a  favor 
in  a  smiling,  cunning,  obsequious  way,  but  he  trod  the  world  as  a 
man,  and  he  looked  with  pity  and  disdain  upon  the  servile  who 
crawl  upon  their  belly.  In  short,  I  say  from  a  long  and  intimate 
acquaintance,  notwithstanding  his  quick  resentment  and  hasty 
words,  he  was  superior  in  all  the  better  qualities  of  the  head  and 
heart,  for  he  never  meant  or  planned  a  wrong:  never  coolly  devised 
an  evil,  or  gave  the  le^st  countenance  to  it  in  another.  I  do  not 
speak  the  language  of  romance  or  eulogy,  but  the  simple,  unadorned 
language  of  truth,  and  by  that  standard  let  him  be  judged.  He 
would  not  prostitute  his  profession  to  plunder  the  widow  or  the 
orphan,  or,  in  other  words,  he  did  not  study  or  practice  it  merely 
as  a  means  of  gain,  but  for  the  higher  and  nobler  purpose  of  estab- 
lishing justice  among  men,  and  not  degrading  the  court-house 
into  a  place  of  tricks,  technicalities  and  legal  legerdemain.  His 
sense  of  right  was  exalted,  and  he  was  not  a  spawn  of  nature,  but 
was  cast  in  the  best  mold.  I  repeat  it,  he  was  in  the  broadest 
sense  ofthe  term  an  lionest  and  honorable  lawyer  and  man. 

It  is  no  disparagement  to  others  to  say  that  in  his  profession  he 
was  the  peer  of  any  of  them.  He  was  a  close  student,  but  what 
was  better,  he  was  a  close  thinker.  The  principles  bearing  on  his 
case  shone  through  his  mind  as  the  face  in  the  mirror,  and  they 
were  unfolded  to  the  Court  and  the  Jury  in  language  clear,  forcible 
and  convincing.  His  plain  law,  his  impressment  of  facts,  his  eluci- 
dation, his  power  of  analysis,  his  clear,  forcible  language  and 
delivery,  placed  him  justly  in  the  front  rank  at  the  Bar.  • 

Zaphariah  N.  Oarhutt  was  born  in  Wheatland,  K.  Y.,  about 
the  year  1813;  graduated  at  the  University  of  Vermont;  studied 
law  in  Washington  city  in  the  office  of  Matthew  St.  Clair  Clark; 
he  directly  emigrated  to  Jacksonville,  111.,  where  he  finished  his 
legal  course;  he  came  to  Pike  county  about  the  year  1839,  returned 
East  for  a  year,  and  then  came  back  to  Pittsfield,  where  he  estab- 
lished the  Free  Press  in  1846,  and  from  which  paper  he  retired  in 
1849;  he  also  practiced  law  some,  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  and 


•398  HISTOKY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Master  in  Chancery.  He  was  a  strong  anti-slavery  "Whig  and  a 
temperance  advocate,  and  in  the  Mormon  war,  as  Mr.  Grilnshaw 
says,  "He  earned  laurels  by  piling  up  big  sweet  potatoes  for  the 
troops  of  the  anti-Mormons."  Earnest  and  somewhat  original  in 
his  opinions,  very  independent  in  the  expression  of  his  thoughts,  he 
was  an  upright,  jovial  man,  and  something  of  a  genius.  Finally, 
-  while  traveling  for  a  firm  in  St.  Louis  on  commercial  business,  he 
was  attacked  with  varioloid  in  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  he  died  in 
1855.  In  1841  he  married  Phimelia  B.  Scott,  a  native  of  New 
York  State,  and  who  has  since  married  Mr.  Purkitt,  and  still  re- 
sides in  PittsfieJd. 

Alfred  Grubh  was  first  Sheriff,  then  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, then  County  Judge,  and  then  admitted  to  the  Bar,  and  prac- 
ticed in  the  Courts.  He  had  considerable  legal  knowledge,  and 
was  "well  versed  in  the  rules  of  practice,  but  his  natural  ability  was 
comparatively  deficient. 

Gen.  John  J.  Hardin,  who  had  descended  from  a  stock  of 
soldiers  and  lawyers,  was  a  fine  attorney.  He  used  to  practice  con- 
siderably at  the  Bar  in  this  county,  and  often  stop  here  on  his  way 
to  Calhoun  and  return.  For  a  period  he  was  State's  Attorney  on 
this  Circuit.     He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista. 

Milton  Say,  formerly  of  the  firm  of  Hay  &  Baker,  now  ranks 
high  as  a  lawyer  at  Springfield,  111.,  being  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Hay,  Greene  &  Littler,  and  has  accumulated  a  fortune.  He  has 
been  a  member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Convention  and  of  the 
State  Legislature. 

Mr.  Hewitt  practiced  here  a  while,  and  went  to  Iowa. 

Capt.  Joseph  Klein,  of  Barry,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar,  but 
never  practiced  in  the  Circuit;  was  a  partner  of  J.  L.  Underwood 
until  1869.  He  had  considerable  ability.  He  was  once  a  steam- 
boat captain,  and  came  from  St.  Louis  to  this  county. 

Josiah  Lamhorn,  a  lame  man,  once  Attorney  General  of  the 
State,  resided  at  Jacksonville,  and  afterward  at  Springfield.  He 
had  a  great  deal  of  talent,  but  was  a  corrupt  man. 

Abraham  Lincoln  practiced  at  the  Pike  county  Bar  in  early 
days. 

Samuel  D.  LocJcwood,  who  resided  at  Jacksonville,  was  a  very 
superior  man  as  a  lawyer  and  as  a  gentleman.  He  was  once  Attorney 
General  of  the  State,  Judge  of  the  old  Fifth  Circuit,  and  was  the 
author  of  the  original  criminal  code  of  Illinois.  He  resigned  the 
office  on  account  of  ill  health,  and  went  up  to  or  near  Aurora, 
where  he  died  a  short  time  ago.  He  was  also  one  of  the  original 
trustees  of  the  Asj'lura  for  the  Blind  at  Jacksonville. 

Gen.  Maxwell,  of  Eushville,  has  appeared  before  the  Bar  in  this 
county.  His  favorite  song  was,  "The  big  black  bull  went  roaring 
down  the  meadow."  At  one  time  he  was  a  partner  of  Wm.  A. 
Minshall,  and  at  another  of  Wm.  A.  Richardson. 

Isaac  N.  Morris,  of  Quincy,  but  recently  deceased,  has  practiced 
law  in  Pike  county. 


HISTOEY    (1F    PIKE   COUNTY.  399 

Murray  0''  Oonnell,  of  Jacksonville,  practiced  here  considerably. 
He  was  a  rough-speaking  man,  but  of  great  wit.  During  Buchan- 
an's administration  he  was  5th  Auditor  of  the  Treasury.  He  was 
murdered  at  the  age  of  seventy. 

John  G.  Pettingill,  School  Superintendent  for  a  number  of 
years,  was  also  a  lawyer  in  this  county,  but  is  now  living  in  Mis- 
souri. 

N.  E.  Quinby,  another  Pike  county  lawyer,  is  now  deceased. 

James  H.  Ralston,  formerly  of  Quincy,  used  to  practice  here 
aud  was  for  a  time  Circuit  Judge.  He  was  finally  killed  and  de- 
voured by  wolves  in  California. 

Hon.  Wm.  A.  Richardson,  State's  Attorney  for  a  long  time,  used 
to  practice  here,  but  of  late  years  he  has  visited  the  county  more' 
in  the  role  of  a  politician. 

John  Jay  Ross,  son  of  Capt.  Leonard  Ross,  was  a  lawyer  of  Pike 
county,  but  his  practice  was  mostly  confined  to  Atlas.  He  is  now 
dead. 

David  A.  Smith,  once  of  Jacksonville,  practiced  here  a  great 
deal.    He  was  a  partner  of  Gen.  Hardin  at  the  time  the  latter  died. 

Thomas  Stafford,  a  Barry  lawyer,  had  not  much  ability.  He 
soon  removed  from  Barry  to  parts  not  now  remembered. 

Mr.  Starr  practiced  at  Coles'  Grove  in  very  early  day  :  he  after- 
ward went  to  Cincinnati. 

John  T.  Stewart,  of  the  firm  of  Stewart,  Edwards  &  Brown, 
Springfield,  is  a  "shrewd  lawyer  of  the  Scotch  kind.  He  was  the 
first  antagonist  of  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in  the  Congressional  race 
that  the  latter  made  in  1838,  and  was  beaten  by  eighty-odd  votes. 
The  noted  "  Black  Prince"  turned  the  election.  This  district  then 
extended  to  Galena  and  Chicago. 

E.  O.  Tingle,  Barry,  whose  father  was  a  Judge  in  Maryland,  was 
a  well-read  lawyer,  but  he  did  not  stay  iij  Barry  long. 

Son.  Lyman  Trumiull,  ex-U.  S.  Senator  and  now  practicing 
law  in  Chicago,  has  appeared  as  attorney  in  the  Pike  county  Court. 

James  Ward  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  in  this  county  was  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  and  Probate  Judge.  He  died,  leaving  a  family  at 
"'G-riggsvil-Jo  and  numerous, relatives. 

Oalvin  A.  Warren,  of  Quincy,  but  now  dead,  has  visited  here 
some  as  a  lawyer,  and  was  State's  Attorney  for  a  time. 

Charles  Warren,  for  a  time  partner  of  Milton  Hay  in  Pittsfield, 
was  counsel  of  the  commission  appointed  to  ascertain  the  damages 
incurred  by  the  damming  of  Copperas  creek. 

Alpheus  Wheeler,  an  eccentric  preacher  and  lawyer,  came  from 
old  Virginia  to  Pike  county  at  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
residing  for  some  time  at  Highland.  In  1838  and  1840  he  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature  of  Illinois  where  he  made  his  peculiar 
speeches  and  encountered  the  wit  and  humor  of  another  remarkable 
man,  but  of  a  more  elevated  type  of  manhood  and  education, 
namely,  Usher  F.  Linder,  who  died  recently  at  Chicago.  On  one 
occasion  Mr.  Wheeler  addressed  the  Chair,  saying,  "  Mr.  Speaker,  I 


400  HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

have  a-rose — "  "  Does  the;^entleinan  keep  a  flower  garden?"  inter- 
rupted tlie  Speaker.  Mr.  W. '  practiced  law  in  Pi ttsfield  and  ob- 
tained considerable  business.  He  took  great  pride  in  his  oratorical 
efforts  and  made  some  lofty  flights  in  speeches  to  the  jury.  On  one 
occasion  when  D.  M.  Woodson,  State's  Attorney,  submitted  a  case 
without  argument  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  Wheeler  from 
speaking,  the  latter  replied :  "  Gentlemen,  I  admire  the  State's  At- 
torney; he. has  shown  the  most  sublime  eloquence,  as  from  some 
men  it  consists  in  most  profound  silence."  He  used  to  say  of 
Woodson,  "  His  eloquence  is  like  the  tall  thunder  amongst  the  lofty 
oaks,  coming  down  for  to  split  things."  This  remark  at  one  time 
excited  some  one  who  had  a  ready  hand  at  a  rough  pencil  sketch  to 
draw  a  pictur-e  of  a  man's  head  with  a  big  nose  elevated  in  a  tree- 
top,  upon  the  west  wall  of  the  court-room  at  Pittslield,  and  it.  re- 
mained there  for  many  years,  until  the  house  was  whitened  up  on 
the  inside.  That  big  nose  was  a  caricature  of  Wheeler's.  In  a  case 
for  killing  a  cow,  when  O.  H.  Browning  made  some  points  for  the 
defendant,  Mr.  Wheeler  replied:  "The  gentleman  tells  you, gentle- 
men of  the  jury,  that  the  plaintiff,  my  client,  cannot  recover  in  this 
suit  because  the  cow  warn't  no  cow  because  she  never  had  a  calf, 
but  that  she  war  a  heifer.  Gentlemen,  that  are  not  the  notion  of  a 
sound  and  legal  lawyer  but  the  notion  of  a  musharoon."  This  al- 
most convulsed  the, court-house  with  laughter.  Another  objection 
of  Browning's  in  this  case  was  thus  replied  to  by  Mr.  Wheeler: 
"  Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  Mr.  Browning  says  that  our  cow  warn't 
worth  a  cent.  Now,  gentlemen,  where  were  there  ever  a  cow  that 
warn't  worth  a  cent?  That  cow  were  worth  something  for  her  meat, 
if  she  warn't  worth  nothing  for  a  milk  cow.  She  war  worth  some- 
thing for  her  horns;  she  war  worth  something  for  her  hide,  if  not 
for  her  meat  or  milk;  and  gentlemen,  she  war  worth  something  be- 
cause the  tail  goes  with  the  hide."  The  cause  of  Browning's  point 
was,  that  Wheeler  had  failed  to  prove  by  witnesses  the  worth  of  the 
cow. 

A  suit  brought  b}^  Wheeler  for  one  Harpole  against  his  brother 
was  for  damage  done  to  hogs  by  cutting  the  toe-nails  off  the  hogs 
so  as  to  prevent  them  from  climbing.  Wheeler,  in  describing  the 
injury  done  to  the  hogs,  insisted  that  the  hogs  had  a  right  to  toe- 
nails and  a  right  to  climb,  and  that,  although  they  had  done  dam- 
age, yet  it  was  laid  down,  "  root  hog  or  die." 

One  Zumwalt  was  indicted  for  destroying  a  mill-dam  of  Dr.^ 
Hezekiah  Dodge's.  Wheeler  in  thrs  case  assailed  the  character  ot 
Dr.  Dodge,  who  was  a  respectable  man  and  whom  the  jury  did  be- 
lieve. Zumwalt  was  convicted  upon  evidence  that  he  had  said 
at  his  son-in-law's,  on  the  night  of  the  destruction  of  the  dam  of 
Dodge's,  "  Just  now  the  musrats  are  working  on  old  Dodge's  dam. 
Wheeler  said  of  Dodge  on  the  trial,  "  Dr.  Dodge  are  a  man  so  de- 
void of  truth  that  when  he  speaks  the  truth  he  are  griped." 

Daring  another  of  the  lofty  flights  of  our  hero,  a  wag,  John  J. 
E.OSS,  a  lawyer  and  a  man  who  made  and  enjoyed  a  joke,  laughed 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  401 

SO  at  one  of  Mr.  Wheeler's  speeches  that  he  became  excited,  and, 
turning  upon  Koss  in  a  very  contemptuous  way,  with  a  majestic 
sweep  of  his  long  arm  brought  down  at  Eoss,  said :  "  I  wish  1  had 
a  tater:  I'd  throw  it  down  your  throat."  Wheeler  did  not  close  his 
speech  that  evening,  and  the  next  morning  early,  when  he  was 
again  addressing  the  jurj'  and  Ross  at  the  Bar  table,  by  some  hand 
several  large  potatoes  were  put  down  in  sight  of  Wheeler's  eye. 
He  fired  up  and  let  out  a  torrent  of  invective  upon  Ross,  every  one, 
Judge  and  all,  in  a  loud  roar  of  laughter. 

In  a  fine  frenzy  at  one  time,  Mr.W.  parodied  Shakspeare  thus: 

"  Who  steals  my  purse  steals  trash ; 
Robs  me  of  that  which  not  enriches  him  but  malses  me  poor, — 

all  to  injure  my  client." 

Wheeler  went  to  Bates  county,  Mo.,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  lost  sight  of  by  people  of  this  county.  It  is  reported  that  he 
is  not  now  living. 

James  W.  Whitney  was  denominated  "  Lord  Coke  "  on  account 
of  his  knowledge  of  law.  For  a  sketch  of  him  see  chapter  on  the 
early  settlement  of  this  county. 

Archibald  Williams,  formerly  of  Quincy  but  later  of  Kansas  and 
U.  S.  Circuit  Judge,  has  been  an  eminent  practitioner  at  the  Bar 
of  Pike.  ' 

John  H.  William,^,  now  of  Quincy  and  a  Circuit  Judge,  is  a  son 
of  Archibald  Williams,  a  man  of  good  sense,  and'  has  been  an  able 
pleader  at  the  Bar  of  Pike  county.  He  is  one  of  three  Judges  of 
this  Circuit,  but  seldom  holds  Court  in  Pike  county. 
.  David  M.  Woodson  was  a  State's  Attorney  of  the  old  1st  District, 
which  then  included  Pike  county;  afterwai'd  was  Circuit  Judge 
for  18  years,  then  was  member  of  the  Legislature.  His  partner  in 
the  law  was  Charles  D.  Hodges,  late  Circuit  Judge  of  Greene 
county. 

Gov.  Richard  Yates  delivered  his  "  maiden"  speech  as  an  at- 
torney here  in  Pittsfield. 

THE  PEESENT  BAE. 

We  have  endeavored  to  mention  the  names  and  give  what  facts 
we  could  learn  of  every  attorney  who  has  ever  practiced  in  the 
courts  of  Pike  county."  We  will  now  speak  of  those  who  compose 
the  Bar  at  present.  No  name -will  intentionally  be  omitted.  The 
list  we  give  was  furnished  by  some  of  the  leading  attorneys  of  the 
county,  and  we  believe  full  and  complete. 

Son.  Wm.  B.  Archer  is  a  native  of  New  York  city,  where  he 
read  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1838,  and  shortly  after- 
ward moved  to  this  county,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided,  ever 
active  to  forward  any  movement  for  the  progress  and  prosperity  of 
the' county. 


402  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTT. 

B.  M.  Atkinson  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1868;  was  elected 
County  Judge  in  1865  and  served  two  terms. 

Quitman  Brown  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Milton. 

A.  G-  Crawford. — Mr.  Crawford  is  a  native  son  of  Pike;  studied 
law  at  Pittsfield,  and  graduated  from  the  Chicago  law  school.  He 
received  his  non-professional  education  in  the  schools  of  this 
county  and  at  Blackburn  University  at  Carlinville. 

Joseph  L.  Dohhin. — This  gentleman,  who  resides  at  Pittsfield, 
has  been  gaining  a  foot-hold  in  this  county  as  an  attorney  of  high 
rank. 

Edward  Doocy,  Griggsville,  is  a  graduate  of  Illinois  College  at 
Jacksonville,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1874.  He  was  born 
in  Griggsville  in  1861,  and  as  a  lawyer  he  now  has  a  successful 
practice. 

Isaac  J.  Dyer,  Time,  was  reared  in  Jacksonville ;  had  but  limited 
literary  education;  received  his  professional  education  at  the  law 
school  of  Washington  University  at  St.  Louis,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  Bar  in  1873.  He  served  in  the  late  war  and  was  disabled  for 
life  by  wounds  in  the  left  arm. 

James  F.  Greathouse,  of  Pittsfield,  is  a  son  of  one  of  the  early 
pioneers  of  Pike  county.  He  was  reared  in  Montezuma  township 
and  has  thus  far  continued  to  reside  in  the  county.  He  served  hi& 
country  during  the  trying  days  of  the  Pebellion. 

Delos  Grigshy,  son  of  Judge  Grigsby,  has  recently  been  admitted! 
to  the  Bar. 

Hon.  Wm.  A.  Grimshaw,  the  oldest  practicing  attorney  of  the 
county,  ranks  as  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  State;  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  Bar  in  Philadelphia  at  the  age  of  19;  in. 1833  became 
to  Pike  county,  since  which  time  he  has  been  actively  identified' 
with  almost  every  public  interest  of  the  county. 

Samuel  V.  Hayden  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Milton. 

Harry  Higlee,  son  of  Judge  Higbee,  and  partner  of  Messrs. 
Wike  &  Matthews,  attended  Columbia  Law  School,  New  Tork 
city,  and  the  Chicago  Law  School,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in 
1878. 

Geo.  W.  Hinm,an  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Perry. 

James  S.  Irwin  was  a  college  class-mate  of  the  noted  John  0. 
Breckinridge,  who  was  once  Vice  President  ot  the  United  States  and 
afterward  a  leader  in  the  Southern  Confederacy.  Mr.  Irwin  is  one 
of  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  State. 

Henry  C.  Johnston,  of  Pittsfield.  Mr.  Johnston  has  resided  in 
Pittsfield  for  some  tim<e,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law. 

J.  W.  Johnson  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1869,  came  to  Pike 
county  the  following  year,  taught  school  for  two  years  and  then 
located  at  Pittsfield.  He  is  at  the  present  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  law  in  company  with  J.  S.  Irwin. 

W.  I.  Klein,  who  graduated  at  Ann  Arbor,  is  practicing 
law  at  Barry  at  the  present  time. 

A.  G.  Lang  is  also  practicing  at  Barry. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  403. 

Hon.  A.  C.  Matthews  is  a  native  of  this  county,  his  father  being 
one  of  the  sturdy  pioneers.  lie  served  in  the  late  war  with  dis- 
tinction as  Colonel  of  the  99th,  and  subsequently  was  Collector  of 
Internal  Eevenue  for  several  years  in  the  9th  District,' then  Super- 
visor of  Internal  Revenue. 

Jefferson-  Orr.  Mr.  Orr  is  at  present  the  State's  Attorney.  As 
a  lawyer  and  as  a  man  of  integrity  and  ability  he  ranks  high. 

Peter  T.  Stoats,  Griggsville.  While  engaged'  in  the  practice  of 
law  Mr.  Staats  also  teaches  school  occasionally. 

J.  L.  Underwood,  of  Barry,  was  born  in  !New  York  city  May 
10,  1826,  the  son  of  Robert  L.  and  Martha  Underwood;  emigrated 
first  to  A.dams  county,  and  in  1837  to  Pike  county,  settling  at 
Eldara;  read  law  here  and  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1865,  but 
had  been  practicing  law  four  years  before  that  time.  Although 
living  at  Eldara  his  office  for  many  years  was  at  Barry,  to  which 
place  he  has  more  recently  moved. 

Hon.  Scott  Wike  studied  law  at  Harvard  University,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1858;  the  following  year  he  located  at 
Pittsfield  and  began  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession.  He  is 
one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  Circuit, 

Thos.  Worthington,  jr.,  son  of  Dr.  Thos.  Worthington,  was  born 
in  Tennessee  while  his  mother  was  there  on  a  visit  during  the 
holidays.  But  he  is,  strictly  speaking,  an  Illinoisan.  He  read  law 
with  Judge  Atkinson  and  in  the  law  school  at  Chicago,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1877.  He  is  now  in  the  office  with  Judge 
Atkinson  at  Pittsfield. 

Ed.  Yates,  a  partner  of  Jeff  Orr,  the  State's  Attorney,  at  Pitts- 
field, ranks  among  the  leading  attorneys  at  this  Bar,  and  unrivaled, 
in  his  ability  to  relate  anecdotes. 


TOWNSHIP  HISTORIES. 


CHAMBERSBURG  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township  lies  in  the  extreme  northeastern  part  of  the 
county.  It  is  bounded  upon  the  north  by  Versailles  tp.,  Brown 
CO.,  on  the  west  by  Perry  tp.,  on  the  south  by  Flint,  and  on  the  east 
by  the  Illinois  river.  Along  the  river  is  much  bottom  land,  whole 
sections  of  which  are  entirely  useless  for  agricultural  purposes. 
Both  the  north  and  south  forks  of  McGee's  creek  traverse  this  town- 
ship: thej'joinon  section  27,  and  empty  into  the  Illinois  river 
about  a  mile  above  Naples,  which  is  on  the  opposite  shore,  in  Scott 
county. 

The  first  pioneers  who  came  to  this  township  were  James  Wells, 
Samuel  Atchison,  a  Mr.  Brewster  and  a  Mr.  Van  Woy.  They 
came  in  1822.  The  first  named  located  on  section  20,  and  Mr. 
Atchison  erected  his  cabin  on  section  17.  The  first  sermon 
preached  in  the  township  was  at  the  house  of  Hachel  Brown,  in 
1827,  by  Eev.  John  Medford,  a  Methodist  preacher.  The  first 
church  edifice  was  erected  on  section  31.  The  first  school  was 
taught  in  1830  in  an  old  log  house  which  stood  near  where  Joseph 
Brown  lives,  by  John  Lyster.  The  first  Sunday-school  in  the  town- 
ship was  organized  by  the  Methodists  in  the  town  of  Chambersburg. 
The  first  wedding  in  the  township  was  in  1826,  the  contracting 
parties  being  James  Medford  and  Eliza-  Brown.  The  wedding 
occurred  at  the  residence  of  the  bride's  mother,  and  the  ceremony 
was  performed  by  Esquire  Wells.  The  first  person  overtaken  by 
death  in  the  township  was  Michael  Brown,  who  died  in  1826. 
He  came  to  the  township  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year. 

Joseph  Brown  is  the  oldest  pioneer  living  in  the  township. 
James  Pool  is  the  next  oldest.  Harvey  Dunn  was  an  early  settler 
here.  Pie  was  a  member  of  the  convention  which  framed  the  Con- 
stitution of  1847.  He  was  an  unassuming,  intelligent  and  honest 
man,  and  died  many  years  ago. 

The  privations  of  the  pioneer  families  in  this  township  were  in 
some  respects  very  great,  cut  oflF  as  they  were  from  almost  all 
social,  religious,  educational  and  commercial  advantages.  Of  course 
they  enjoyed  these  in  a  limited  degree.  The  first  settlers  were  people 
who  valued  greatly  such  privileges,  and  though  they  were  for  many 


^^-^'a^^^^    7>4^^^^^^«^^^^^t^ 


PERRY 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT.  407 

jears  without  school-houses  and  churches,  easily  found  the  facilities 
for  enjoying  themselves,  both  socially  and  religiously.  The  great- 
est privations  arose  from  the  want  of  the  means  of  communication 
with  the  outside  world.  The  absence  of  railroads,  or  even  good 
wagon  roads,  rendered  the  locality  almost  inaccessible  to  postal  and 
commercial  facilities,  and  traveling  for  other  than  business  pur- 
poses was  out  of  the  question.  Most  of  the  original  pioneers  are 
represented  here  by  descendants,  but  they,  with  few  exceptions, 
have  passed  to  a  country  that  is  always  new,  where,  however,  the 
trials  of  pioneer  life  are  unknown. 

The  first  settlers  were  all  farmers,  after  a  fashion  now  unknown. 
They  raised  a  little  corn  and  a  few  vegetables,  and,  like  their  red 
neighbors,  depended  largely;Upon  their  rifle  for  subsistence.  Their 
houses  were  but  little  superior  to  those  of  the  Indians,  being 
merely  little  cabins  erected  only  with  the  help  of  the  ax  and  per- 
haps an  auger.  No  locks,  nails  or  any  other  article  of  iron  entered 
into  their  construction,  but  such  devices  as  could  be  wrought  out 
on  the  ground  by  the  use  of  the  tools  named  and  of  such  materials  as 
the  locality  afforded.  The  only  boa,rds  used  for  any  purpose  were 
such  as  could  be  hewed  out  of  logs. 

CHAMBEKSBUEG. 

The  town  of  Ohambersburg  is  located  on  the  north  fork  of  Mc- 
Gee's  creek,  on  section  8.  It  was  surveyed  and  laid  out  May  7, 
1833,  by  Seabourn  Gilmore  and  B.  B.  Metz.  Mcintosh  and 
Givens  were  the  first  settlers  of  the  town.  They  owned  a  distillery 
and  store  here  before  the  town  was  laid  out.  There  are  several 
good  stores,  churches,  a  school-house,  shops,  etc.,  in  the  town;  and 
for  an  inland  village  it  transacts  a  very  good  trade. 

PERSONAL  SKETCHES. 

James  Barry  is  a  native  of  Morgan  county,  O.,  and  was  born  in 
1834;  he  ip  a  son  of  Wilson  and  Eosanna  Barry,  the  former  a  native 
of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  Vermont;  he  was  brought  to  this 
county  at  the  age  of  nine  years;  Feb.  1,  1855,  he  married  Eleanor 
E.  Kurfman,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1838.  Everything 
was  in  its  native  wildness  when  Mr.  B.  came  to  this  county,  and  as 
his  father  soon  died,  he  began  life  for  himself  at  an  early  age,  work- 
ing for  $13  a  month;  he  had  many  obstacles  to  overcome,  but  his 
enterprising,  persevering  disposition  overcame  all  of  them.  He 
prospered  for  a  time  here  and  removed  to  Eockport,  with  the 
intention  of  going  to  Missouri  the  following  spring,  but  the  out- 
break of  the  war  prevented  him.  He  bought  land  again  in  this 
county,  met  with  disasters,  but  has  again  establislied  himself,  now 
owning  190  acres  of  land.  Mr.  B.  is  a  member  of  the  U.  Baptist 
Church.     P.  O.,  Ohambersburg. 

Joah  Brooks  ;  P.  O.,  Ohambersburg.  Mr  B.  was  born  in  Pike 
county  in  1832^  and  is  a  son  of  A.  H.  and  Lucy  Brooks,  natives  of 
Tennessee.     In  1863  he  married  the  widow  Brooks,  whose  maiden 

25 


408  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COTTNTT. 

name  was  Elizabeth  Hume.  She  was  born  in  1833.  Six  children 
have  blessed  this  union.  Mr.  B.  is  engaged  in  farniing  on  sec.  9 
but  formerly  followed  blacksmi thing.     Members  of  M.'E.  Church! 

Joseph  Brown,  farmer,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  Chambersbnrg;isa  native 
of  the  Green  Mountain  State,  where  he  was  born  in  1816'  his 
father,  Michael  Brown,  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  this 
country  when  18  years  of  age;  his  mother,  the  daughter  of  Joseph 
Greir,  was  born  near  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Mr.  B.  came  with  his 
parents  to  Illinois  in  1820  and  located  near  Shawneetowu,  111.,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1824  was  brought  to  this  county,  and  has  lived  on  the 
same  farm  since  the  spring  of  1825,  and  has  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  rnnningf  flat  and  steam-boats  on  the 'river.  In  1858  he 
"  married  Mrs.  Catharine  Jones,  a  native  of  Coshocton  Co.,  0.  Three 
children  have  been  born  to  them,  two  of  whom  are  dead.  Mr. 
Brown  is  an  old  pioneer,  coming  here  when  the  wolves  were  thick 
as  squirrels  and  could  be  heard  in  all  directions,  and  turkev  and 
deer  seen  in  large  numbers.  He  is  the  oldest  pioneer  now  living 
in  the  township.     His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

Nancy  Burrows,  widow  of  the  late  Robert  G.  Burrows,  was 
born  in  East  Tenn.  Dec.  18,  1825,  and  is  a  daughter  of  William 
Deviney,  deceased.  She  was  married  to  Mr.  Burrows  June  5, 
1850.  They  had  8  children,  of  whom  3  are  living, — Ada  E.,  wife 
of  David  M.  Reynolds,  of  Pike  county ;  Ella  F.  and  Laura  A.  Mrs. 
B's  brother,  Oapt.  P.  Deviney,  who  spent  most  of  his  life  on  the 
waters,  now  resides  in  St.  Louis,  where  she  also  has  a  sister  resid- 
ing, and  one  sister  in  California,  whom  she  has  not  seen  for  29 
years.  Mr.  Burrows,  her  husband,  was  born  in  New  York  city, 
May  2,  1819;  by  profession  he  was  a  civil  engineer,  but  desiring  a 
more  active  life  he  went  upon  the  waters;  he  was  mate  of  the  Cal- 
houn on  the  Illinois  river  from  the  time  she  was  launched  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  Jan.  13,  1879.  He  was  a  man  of  culture 
and  education,  widely  known  and  highly  respected,  and  a  worthy 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

James  W.  Ghenoweth  was  born  in  1847  in  Pike  county,  and  is  a 
son  of  Wm.  and  Sarah  Chenoweth;  he  first  married  Mary  Erving 
in  1874.  One  child  was  born  to  them.  Mrs  C.  died  the  same  year, 
and  in  1878  Mr.  0.  married  Miss  Maggie  Erving,  who  was  born  in 
1857.  Mr.  C.  commenced  buying  and  shipping  stock  eight  years 
ago,  and  in  this  business  has  succeeded  very  well. 

Miles  B.  Chenoweth;  P.  O.  Chambersburg;  was  born  in  1827  in 
Bartholomew  Co.,  Ind.  His  parents,  Abraham  and  Rachel  Cheno- 
weth, were  both  natives  of  Kentucky;  they  moved  to  Clinton  Co., 
Ind.,  in  the  fall  of  1832,  and  in  1836  to  Pike  county,  111.,  where  our 
subject  grew  to  manhood  and  embarked  in  farming;  in  1848  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  AnnaE.  Allen,  a  native  of  Madison  Co., 
]Sr.  Y.,  born  April  7,  1830,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  4  children. 
They  have  been  members  of  the  Christian  Church  for  35  years,  and 
in  all  public  enterprises  Mr.  C.  is  very  liberal. 

jE".  I).  Cooper  was  born  in  1812  in  Sumner  Co.,  Tenn.,  and  was 
the  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  Cooper,  the  former  of  K  C,  and 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  409 

his  mother  of  Tenn.  With  his  parents  our  subject  moved  to  Ky., 
and  in  1829  caine  to  Illinois,  and  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  in 
Pittsfield.  In  1843  he  married  Miss  Yeturia  Hobbs,  who  was  born 
in  Ky.,  in  1818.  Mr.  0.  ^.followed  farming  up  to  1857,  and  then 
embarked  in  the  grocery  business ;  he  went  West,  and  in  1860  came 
back  to  Illinois,  and  again  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  until . 
1865,  then  embarked  in  the  milling  business,  which  he  continued 
two  years;  farmed  for  a  year;  engaged  in  the  milling  business  in 
Yersailles,  111.,  for  about  a  year  and  a  half;  returned  to  the  farm, 
where  he  lived  for  7  years;  then  sold  out  and  bought  the  Chambers- 
burg  Mills,  which  he  has  been  running  since.  In  connection  with 
the  flouring-mill,  which  he  has  put  in  excellent  repair,  he  has  a 
'saw-mill. 

/.  JS^  Dennis,  Chambersburg,  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
the  township,  indeed  of  the  county.  Mr.  D.  has  served  many  terms 
as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  and  as  Chairman  of  that 
body.. 

Thomas  Dorman,  farmer,  sec.  4 ;  P.O.  Chambersburg.  Mr.  D. 
is  a  son  of  Lewis  and  Eliza  J.  Dorman;  born  in  1851  in  Brown  Co., 
111.;  his  father  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and  his  mother  a  native  of  Brown 
Co.,  111.,  where  Thorpas  was  raised  until  the  age  of  15;  he  then  en- 
gaged in  engineering,  and  for  3  years  followed  blacksmithing,  at 
Hersman  Station,  then  went  to  Jaques'  Mills,  where  he  worked  two 
years.  He  was  married  to  Miss  America  Berry  in  1872;  she  was 
born  in  Ohio  in  1850.  Of  the  3  children  born  to  them  one  is  dead. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

George  H.  Dunn  was  born  in  Morgan  Co.,  111.,  Feb.  28,  1838. 
His  parents,  Harvey  and  Angeline  Dunn,  were  born  in  IST.  Y.  and 
Mass.,  respectively.  Mr.  D.  was  brought  to  this  county  by  his 
parents  in  1839,  and  up  to  the  year  1850  lived  in  the  town  of  Cham- 
bersburg, and  then  moved  on  a  farm  on  sec.  5,  where  he  lived  until 
the  death  of  his  father  in  Dec,  1869.  He  shortly  afterward  returned 
to  Chambersburg  and  has  since  lived  in  retired  life.  In  April,  1864, 
he  married  Miss  Susan  M.  Dennis.  Mr.  D.  is  a  brother  of  Dr. 
Dunn,  of  Perry.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Blue  Lodge,  also  the 
Chapter  of  Knight  Templars  of  the-Masonic  fraternity. 

Thomas  Grayham,  farmer  sec.  17;  P.  O.  Chambersburg.  Mr.  G. 
was  born  in  1833  in  Kentucky;  at  the  age  of  22  he  came  to  this 
county  and  followed  carpentering  and  boat-building.  His  parents 
were  John  and  Susan  Grayham.  Our  subject  was  married  to  Miss 
Siretta  J.  Hushing,  who  was  born  in  Nashville,  Tenn.  To  them 
have  been  born  10  children,  .6  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  G.  has 
been  very  successful  as  a  farmer.  Mrs.  G.  is  k  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church. 

Joel  Ham,  farmer,  sec.  20;  P.  O.  Chambersburg.  In  Rutherford 
Co.,  Tenn.,  in  1829,  there  was  born  to  James  and  Mary  Ham  the 
subject  of  this  sketch;  they  moved  to  this  county  when  their  son 
was  one  year  old;  here  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  May  9,  1850,  was 
married  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Wells,  who  was  born  in  this  township 


410  HTSTOET   OF    PIKE    COTJNTT. 

April  29,  1833.  James  A.,  Orson,  Sarah  H.,  Bennett  D.  and 
Charles  are  the  uames  of  the  children  born  to  them.  Mrs.  H.  died 
and  Sept.  8,  1859,  Mr.  H.  married  Miss  Malvina  Lee,  who  was  born 
May  24,  1836,  at  Orleans,  Ind.  Ten  children  have  been  born  to 
them, — Benj.  F.,  Angenettia,  Lucretia,  David  L.,  Enoch,  "Walter  8., 
Harvey,  Anna  E.,  Dollie  P.,  Frederick  A.  The  following, of  his 
former  children  are  dead:  James  A.,  Orson  and  Oliarlie;  and  of 
the  latter,  Benjamin,  Lucretia  and  Dollie.  Mr.  H.  began  life  very 
poor,  but  now  owns  400  acres  of  land.  He  well  remembers  about 
the  early  settlers  pounding  corn  with  an  iron  wedge  in  the  top  of  a 
stump  burned  out  for  the  purpose,  and  when  it  tooi  two  d.ays  for 
his  father  to  go  to  mill  with  the  grist  in  a  sack  thrown  over  the 
horse's  back.  All  the  sugar  they  used  was  from  the  maple  trees 
standing  in  the  forest.  Mrs.  H.  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

John  H.  Ham,  farmer,  sec.  20  ;  P.  O.  Ohambersbnrg  ;  is  the  son 
of  Lewis  and  Julia  A.  Ham,  and  was  born  in  this  county  in  1855  ; 
his  mother  died  in  December,  1878.  In  1874  Mz-.  H.  took  nnto 
himself  a  wife  in  the  person  of  Miss  Alice  Conner  :  she  was  born 
in  Pike  county  in  1854  :  only  one  of  the  two  children  born  to  them 
is  living.     Mrs.  H.  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

James  L.  Ham,,  one  of  the  largest  farmers  in  this  county,  was 
born  June  15,  1832,  in  this  township  ;  his  parents  came  here  in 
1830  from  Kutherford  county,  Tenn. ;  their  names  were  James  and 
Mary  (Broiles)  Ham,  one  a  native  of  S.  C.  and  the  other  of  Tenn., 
and  of  German  descent, — -both  very  old  families  in  those  States,, 
and  took  part  in  the  Kevolutionary  war,  their  great-grandfather, 
Gen.  Williams,  serving  under  Washington.  James  Ham,  the 
father  of  our  subject,  during  liis  life-time  was  a  very  large  and 
successful  farmer,  owning  and  working  1,500  acres  of  land  in  this 
township  at  the  time  of  his  death,  wliich  occurred  in  1868.  He 
began  life  in  1830  with  a  team  and  35  cents.  He  raised  a  large 
family  of  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  lived  to  be.  grown, — fonr 
now  living  in  this  county  and  one  in  Stark  county.  James  L.  was 
married  .  Sept.  25,  1853,  to  Julia  A.  Wells,  daughter  of  James 
Wells,  the  oldest  settler  in  this  township.  He  had  a  family  of  four 
children, — John  H.,  who  is  married  and  lives  on  sec.  20,  Henry  A., 
Marshall  A.  and  Keuben  L.  Mr.  Ham  has  served  the  township  for 
several  years  as«Supervisor,  and  was  Chairman  of  that  body  :  he  is 
now  acting  as  Justice  of  the  Peace.  *He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  lor  many  years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Masoniic  and  Odd  Fellows  fraternities,  and  has  been  prominently 
connected  with  the  Pike  County  Agricultural  Society,  being  Pres- 
ident, Vice-President  or  Director  for  the  last  fifteen  years,  and  is 
now  Vice-President. 

■  William  Hawk,  farmer,  sec.  4  ;  P.  O.  Chambersburg;  was  born 
Aug.  3,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Rachel  Hawk.  He  came 
with  his  parents  to  Brown  county.  111.,  when  nine  years  of  age,  and 
in  1854  located  in  Pike  county.     Mr.  H.  served  three  years  in  Oo. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  411 

G,  99th  111.  Vol.  Inf.;  was  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  then  trans- 
ferred to  the  Army  of  the  Gulf;  was  in  the  battle  of  Tort  Blakely, 
then  returned  to  New  Orleans,  then  to  Memphis,  then  to  Mobile, — 
was  there  when  tliat  place  was  captured,  then  to  Shreveport  and 
Baton  Rouge.  H6  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming. 
'  Henry  Hendricks,  fatmer,  sec.  16  ;  P.  O.  Chambersburg.  Mr. 
H.  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Hendricks,  the  former  a  native 
of  Kentucky  and  the  latter  of  Yermont.  They  were  married  in 
Jennings  county,  O.,  where  in  1836  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  ;  in  1849  Mr.  H.  came  with  his  parents  to  Brown  county.  111., 
where  he  lived  until  he  became  of ,  age  and  married  Miss  Elmina 
Hume,  who  was  born  in  1837.  To  them  have  been  born  seven 
children.  Mr.  H.  has  held  some  township  oifices  ever  since  he 
came  to  this  county  in  1861.  Mrs.  H.  is  a  member,  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

D.  J.  Molhs,  of  the  firm  of  Smith  &  Hobbs,  was  born  in  1848 
in  Pike  county,  111.,  and  is  the  son  of  Henson  and  Jane  Hobbs  ; 
his  father  was  born  in  Kentucky  and  his  mother  in  this  county  ; 
in  1857  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Missouri,  and  returned  to 
Pike  county  in  1861.  He  worked  two  years  in  a  woolen  mill  at 
Perry,  this  county.  In  1868  he  married  Miss  Bettie  Ann  Wilkins, 
who  was  born  in  Ohio  Dec.  22,  1848.  Four  children  have  been 
born  to  them.  Mr.  H.  embarked  in  the  wagon  business  in  1870, 
turning  out  good  wagons  and  buggies  and  meeting  with  fair  suc- 
cess.    Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Geo.  T.  Hume,  merchant,  Chambersburg,  was  born  in  Pike 
county  in  1855,  and  is  a  son  of  Thos.  and  Elmina  Hume,  father  a 
native  of  Pike  county  and  mother  of  Brown  county,  Illinois.  Mr. 
H;  grew  to  manhood  in  this  immediate  vicinity,  receiving  a  liberal 
education,  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business;  he  carries  a 
large  stock  of  dry  goods,  hats,  caps,  boots,  shoes,  notions,  etc.,  and 
transacts  a  large  business.  He  married  Miss  Vienna  McPherson 
in  1877;  she  was  born  in  DeWitt  county,  Illinois,  in  1858. 

W.A.  Hume,  merchant,  Chambersburg,  was  born  in  1837  in  this 
county,  and  is  a  son  of  W.  A.  and  Margaret  Hume,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky.  They  came  to  this  State  in  1828  (where  both  of  them 
died)  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  bound  out;  in  1864  he 
married  Miss  Caroline  Pool,  who  was  born  in  Pike  county  in  1846. 
Two  of  the  four  children  born  to  them  are  living.  Mrs.  H.  died  in 
1873,  and  Mr.  H.  married  again  in  1874  Miss  Mary  Winegar.  Miss 
W.  was  born  in  this  county  in  1850.  Of  this  union  two  children 
have  been  born.  Mr.  H.  has  held  the  offices  of  Collector,  Treasurer 
and  Town  Clerk.  He  embarked  in  the  dry-goods  business  in  1865 
and  met  with  good  success.    He  owns  a  farm  of  230  acres. 

John  O.  Irving  was  born  in  1862  in  Pike  county  and  is  a  son  of 
Christopher  and  Mary  Irving,  the  former  a  native  of  Scotland  and 
the  latter  of  England;  they  came  to  America  and  were  married  in 
Massachusetts  and  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  early  days.  In  1878 
Mr.  I.  married  Miss  Ida  M.  Newton,  who  was  born  in  Morgan 


il2  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

county,  Illinois,  in  1859;  they  have  one  child.  Mr.  I.  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  since  he  was  of  age.  Mrs.  I.  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

R.  M.  Irving,  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  was  born  Sept.  25, 1848 
in  Pike  Co.,  111.,  and  is  the  son  of  Christopher  and  Mary  Irving; 
at  the  age  of  15  R.  M.  commenced  doing  business  for  himself,  en- 
gaging in  farming  and  finally  becoming  a  stock-shipper.  When  he 
and  his  brother  commenced  in  the  cattle  business  they  borrowed 
$200  and  bought  calves,  and  from  the  start  kept  increasing  their 
number  until  now  he  is  shipping  about  200  head  a  year.  He  and 
his  brother  own  a  fine  farm  of  280  acres. 

JE.  O.  Jackson  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1845;  he  is  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  Harriet  (Twichell)  Jackson,  natives  of  ISTew  York 
State.  He  is  a  farmer  and  owns  100  acres  of  land.  He  was  edu- 
cated in  a  seminary  in  Orland  Town,  Ind.  At  the  present  time  he 
is  running  a  "  leveeing  "  machine,  throwing  up  embankments  along 
streams  of  water,  so  as  to  make  bottom  lands  tillable.  It  has  proved 
a  success.  This  machine  will  throw  a  cubic  yard  of  dirt  in  a 
minute,  and  the  expense  is  only  5  cents  per  yard.  It  takes  12 
horses  and  3  men  to  do  the  work.  Over  100  acres  of  wheat  was 
raised  in  1879  on  lands  that  had  been  ponds  of  water  before;  the  ma- 
chine had  been  used  for  grading  roads,  but  Mr.  Jackson  has  im- 
proved it  till  he  can  do  all  kinds  of  work  with  it.  In  1876,  he 
married  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Gardner,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of 
this  county. 

A.  W.  James,  farmer,  sec.  32  ;  was  born  in  1818,  Rutherford 
county,  Tenn.,  son  of  Casey  and  Martha  James,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia. In  1838  he  married  Matilda  Clardy,  who  was  born  in  Bed- 
ford county,  Tenn.,  and  died  in  Sept.,  1844.  March  19,  1848,  he 
married  Elizabeth  Sartain,  who  was  born  in  1827,  in  Tenn.,  and 
they  had  6  children.  Mr.  J.  came  to  Adams  county  in  1852,  and 
in  1862  to  this  county,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  held 
the  oiBces  of  Constable,  School  Director  and  Road  Commissioner. 

John  M.  Kelsey  was  born  in  this  county  in  1852,  son  of  Samuel 
and  Annie  E.  Kelsey,  the  former  born  Nov.  18,  1827,  and  the  lat- 
ter April  26,  1834.  In  1875  he  married  Matilda  Smith,  who  was 
born  in  this  county  in  1859,  and  they  had  3  children.  Mr.  K.  is  a 
farmer  and  also  follows  grain  threshing  with  the  Spence  machine. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  His  father  was  in  the 
late  war,  belonging  to  Co.  B.,  99th  Reg.  111.  Inft.,  and  died  at  Mem- 
phis, Tenn.,  while  in  service. 

Andrew  Kleinlein  was  born  in  Germany  in  1820,  and  is  a  son  of 
Peter  and  Martha  Kleinlein.  At  the  age  of  33  he  crossed  the  ocean 
and  landed,  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  followed  butchering  for  10 
months,  then  worked  in  an  engine  house  2  years  for  the  Great 
"Western  R.  R.  Co.,  and  in  1858  came  to  this  county  and  com- 
menced farming.  In  1856  he  married  Miss  Caroline  Berceka,  who 
was  born  in  1833  in  Hamburg  and  came  across  the  ocean  in  1865. 
Of  their  9  children  7  are  living,  2  of  wljom  are  married.    Mr.  and 


HISTOKY    OP   PIKE    COUNTY.  413 

Mrs.  K.  have  been  raembers  of  the  (rermati  Lutheran  Church,  and 
he  owns  140  acres  of  good  land. 

John  Leahr,  son  of  Joseph  and  Anna  M.  Leahr,  was  born  in 
Germany  in  1840.  ,  He  came  to  New  York  when  but  15  years  old, 
thence  to  Pike  county,  where  he  commenced  farming,  and  in  1867 
he  married  Miss  Emma  Smith,  who  was  born  in  1847,  in  Ohio. 
They  had  7  children,  of  whom  5  are  living.  Mr.  L.  has  been  School 
Director  and  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

David  E.  Loer,  farmer,  sec.  5;  P.  0.,  Chamhersburg;  son  of 
Henry  and  Matilda  Loer;  was  born  in  Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  in 
1832.  His  father  died  in  1847  and  his  mother  in  1879.  He  moved 
to  Indiana  with  his  parents  when  quite  young;  in  1852  he  married 
Miss  Sarah  Leisur,  who  was  born  in  Rush  connty,  Ind.,  in  1833,  and 
,died  in  1867,  in  Grant  county,  Ind.  They  had  3  children,  2  of 
whom  are  living.  In  1868  he  married  Mrs.  Maria  Glassgow,  a 
widow  having  3  children,  and  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1836.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  L.  have  3  living  children  and  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church. 

John  Loer  was  born  Aug.  22,  1814,  in  Colraia  tp.,  Hamilton 
Co.,  Ohio.  His  father,  Thomas  Loer,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  and 
son  of  Henry  Loer,  a  native  of  Germany,  who  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica with  his  parents  before  the  Revolutionary  war,  being  then  8 
years  of  age.  He  served  under  Washington  during  the  war,  for 
which  he  received  a  pension  until  his  death.  After  the  war  he 
married  Sarah  Barkus  and  settled  in  Virginia;  thence  they  removed 
to  Ohio  about  1795;  he  died  in  Hamilton  in  1841.  Thomas  LoeV, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  died  in  Henry  county,  Ind.,  in  1873,  aged 
86.  John's  mother,  Sarah  {nee  Patterson  )  was  the  daughter  of 
George  Patterson,  a  native  of  Scotland,  who  came  to  America  before 
the  iievolution,  settling  in  Grant  county,  Ky.,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death.  John  Loer  married  Martha  Hickman  in  1835,  in 
Ohio,  and  moved  to  this  county  in  1839,  locating  in  this  township. 
He  was  a  cooper  by  trade  and  brought  5  coopers  with  him,  intend- 
ing to  conduct  that  business  here;  he  built  a  frame  cooper  shop  20 
X  40,  bought  timber  and  opened  up  business,  which  he  followed  2 
years  with  success;  then  went  into  the  pork  speculation,  buying 
pork  at  $1.50  per  cwt.,  or  $5.00  per  barrel,  shipping  to  New  Orleans, 
some  of  which  brought  only  75  cents  per  barrel.  Mr.  L.  lost 
heavily  by  this  venture,  and  returned  to  coopering,  which  he  fol- 
lowed with  varying  success  until  1849.  At  one  time  during  the 
wild-cat-money  period  he  took  a  cargo  of  barrels  to  Alton  and  was 
obhged  to  sell  them  for  50  cents,  when  they  had  cost  him  62J  cents 
to  have  them  made,  besides  the  freight,  which  was  25  cents  each.  He 
took  Shawneetown  money  for  pay  and  was  advised  to  hurry  home 
and  dispose  of  it,  as  it  was  liable  to  become  worthless  any  day. 
Mrs.  Loer  died  in  1847,  leaving  5  children.  In  1849  Mr.  L.  mar- 
ried Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Hannah  Hall  Reese,  of  Ky.,  and 
they  had  6  children,  2  living.  In  1849  he  invested  in  a  saw-mill 
on  McGee's  creek,  which  he  carried  on  until  1862,  then  traded  for  a 


414  HISTOEY   OP    PIKE   COUNTY. 

farm  on  sec.  16  and  carried  on  farming  until  1877;  sold  the  farm 
in  1879  and  bought  a  flouring  will  in  Ohambersburg  which  he  now 
operates.  Mr.  L.  has  served  as  Supervisor  for  several  years :  also 
as  Road  Commissioner,  Collector  and  School  Director.  The  pres- 
ent fine  school  building  was  built  under  the  administration  of  Mr.' 
Loer  while  he  was  Director.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  Mr.  L.  belongs  to  the  Masonic  traternitv. 

Franh  Marden  is  ohe  of  the  leading  and  enterprising  citizens  of 
Pike  county.     Residence,  Chambersburg. 

Mark  McGinnis  was  born  in  East  Tennessee  in  1823.  His 
father,  David,  was  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  his  mother,  Sarah,  a 
native  of  Yirginia.  When  he  was  9  or  10  years  of  age  he  moved 
with  his  parents  to  Indiana,  living  there  six  years;  then  came  to 
Morgan  county.  111.,  and  then  to  Pike  in  1844  and  located  at 
Chambersburg.  He  followed  coopering  16  years,  and  in  1842 
married  Mary  Bushfield,  who  was  born  in  1828  in  Kentucky. 
They  had  7  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living,  Thomas  B.  Mr. 
Mc(t.  is  now  farming  and  has  considerable  property.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
McG.  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Henry  Metz  was  born  in  this  county  in  1842;  his  father,  Benj. 
B.,  was  born  in  Maryland  in  1806,  and  his  mother,  Jane  Metz,  was 
born  in  Ohio  in  1812.  In  1871  Henry  married  Alvira  Morrison, 
who  was  born  in  this  county  in  1855;  of  their  4  children  3  are 
living.  Mr.  M.  is  a  farmer,  his  land  lying  adjoining  the- town  of 
Chambersburg.  Mr.  M.  served  4  years  in  the  late  war,  first  in  Co. 
L.,  then  transferred  to  Co.  I,  10th  111.  Cav.;  was  mustered  ont  in 
1865  at  San  Antoiwo,  Texas.  In  1864  he  was  taken  prisoner  by 
Joseph  Shelby ;  was  held  for  14  days  and  then  paroled,  and  was  ex- 
changed in  6  months.     Mrs.  M.  is  a  Methodist. 

James  L.  Mets,  son  of  Benj.  B.  Metz,  was  born  in  this  county 
Jan.  27,  1834.  His  father  moved  from  Maryland  to  Virginia, 
where  he  married  Miss  Jane  Lawson.  They  came  to  Pike  county 
in  1833,  and  became  one  of  the  first  and  most  influential  settlers  of 
Chambersburg  township.  He  died  April  9, 1870.  James  L.  married 
Emily  Morris,  daughter  of  John  and  Emily  Morris,  of  Pikeconnty. 

Dr.  John  W.  Murphy,  son  of  John,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  of 
Nancy,  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  Highland  county,  C,  in  1844. 
His  father  died  Jan.  10,  1845,  in  Ohic ;  in  1850  his  mother  removed 
to  Indiana  and  then  back  to  Ohio.  During  the  late  war  he  enlisted 
in  Co.  H,  39th  O.  V.  I. ;  was  in  the  battle  of  Corinth,  was  in  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  then  at  Chattanooga  and  in  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign and  through  to  the  sea  and  around  by  Washington,  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Ky.;  then  came  home  and  learned  the 
cooper's  trade  and  milling  business.  The  Doctor  came  to  Pike 
county  in  1869;  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  in  1871,  and 
attended  the  American  College  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  in  1874  he  located 
in  Chambersburg  and  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine;  in 
1877-'8  attended  medical  college  and  returned  home,  continuing 
his  profession.     In  1876  he  married  Annie  Lockerbie  Tiiompson, 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT'.  415 

who  was  born  in  1861  in  Cincinnati,  O.,  and  who  was  a  teacher. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Augustus  Myers  was  born  in  1819  in  Baden,  Germany.  His 
parents  were  Andone  and  Catherine  Myers,  both  natives  of  Ger- 
many. He  emigrated  to  America  in  1846,  worked  in  Cincinnati 
8  years  by  the  month,  then  in  this  county  to  1858,  when  he  married 
Louise  Oarterman,  who  was  born  in  1829,  in  Lippe  Detmold,  Ger- 
many, who  came  to  this  country  in  1857.  Of  their  8  children  7 
are  living.  Mr.  M.  has  been  very  successful  in  farming,  now  hav- 
ing 300  acres  of  nice  land,  sec.  19.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Lutheran  Church  at  Perry.     P.  O.,  Chambersburg. 

Thomas  J.  Smith,  of  the  firm  of  Smith  &  Hobbs,  wagon  and 
carriage  manufacturers,  was  born  in  1835  in  Clarke  county,  Ind., 
a  son  of  Nicholas  W.  and  Susan  E.  Smith,  the  former  born  in 
Kentucky,  the  latter  in  Vermont.  In  1852  he  married  Margaret 
T.  Montgomery,  who  was  born  in  183Y,  also  in  Clarke  county,  Ind. 
Of  their  10  children  only  5  are  living.  Mr.  S.  studied  and  practiced 
medicine  4  years  in  Indiana,  and  since  1871  he  has  practiced  med- 
icine and  been  connected  with  the  carriage  manufactory  at  Cliam- 
bersbnrg.  From  1863  to  1865  he  served  in  Co.  I,  40th  Ind.  Vet. 
Vol.  Inf.;  fought  in  the  battles  of  Pulaski,  Columbia,  Spring  Hill, 
Franklin,  Tenn.  (where  he  was  wounded),  Nashville,  and,  in  the 
whole  campaign  after  Gen.  Hood.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are  Methodists, 
and  he  is  an  Odd  Fellow. 

Valentine  Smith  was  born  in  1819  in  Baden,  Germany,  near 
the  river  Rhine;  his  parents,  Vincent  and  Mary,  were  also  natives 
of  Baden.  He  crossed  the  sea  in  a  sail  vessel,  landing  at  New 
Orleans;  then  went  to  Cincinnati,  and  in  1855  he  came  to  this 
county,  where  he  has  lived  ever  since,  a  prosperous  farmer,  owning 
373  acres  of  good  bluff  land.  In  1848  Mr.  S.  married  Martha 
Thrasher,  who  was  born  in  1830  in  Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  and  of 
their  twelve  children  nine  are  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church,  reside  on  sec.  30,  and  their  postoflSce 
is  Chambersburg. 

George  L.  Thompson,  blacksmith,  Chambersburg,  was  born  in 
"Woodford  county,  Ky.,  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Thompson, 
the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  Scotland;  in 
1833  he  emigrated  to  Indianapolis  with  his  grand-parents,  and  the 
next  year  with  his  parents,  to  Perry  township,  in  this  county;  in 
the  spring  of  1835  he  left  his  parents,  returning  to  Indianapolis, 
where  he  learned  his  trade;  in  the  fall  of  1855  he  settled  at 
Chambersburg,  where  he  has  since  followed  his  trade.  In  1845  he 
married  Hannah  S.  O'Harrow,  who  was  born  June  20,  1829,  in 
Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  and  they  have  had  six  children.  Being  an 
early  comer  to  this  wild  West,  Mr.  T.  has  often  seen  large 
packs  of  wolves  and  killed  many  a  deer.  One  day  -  when  well 
on  his  way  home  with  a  deer  on  horseback,  the  wolves  attacked 
him,  and  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  his  booty  and  seek  safety. 
The  wolves  devoured  the    deer   with   characteristic  greed.      Mr. 


416  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT. 

Thompson  used  to  go  to  the  town  of  Perry  to  buy  such  things  as 
were  kept  for  sale  in  an  old  log  hut  12  feet  square,  kept  by  Joseph 
King,  who  was  an  old  bachelor,  and  cooked,  ate  and  sold  goods  in 
the  same  room.     His  wife  is  a  Methodist. 

FranMin  Todd  v/a,s  born  in  1825  in  Bourbon  county,  Ky.;  his 
father,  John  P.,  was  born  in  Yermont,  and  his  mother,  Mary,  in 
Pennsylvania;  his  father  died  in  1827,  and  in  1832  he  accompanied 
bis  mother  to  their  new  home  in  Chambersburg,  when  there  were 
but  two  cabins  there,  occupied  by  James  and  John  Fike.  In  1843 
Mr.  Todd  married  Lucretia  Draper,  who  was  born  in  Scott  county, 
111.,  in  1825,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Huldah  Draper,  her 
father  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  her  mother,  of  Ohio.  Mr. 
•and  Mrs.  T.  have  had  11  children,  7  of  whom  are  living.  From 
1840  to  1855  Mr.  T.  followed  coopering  in  Chambersburg,  part  of 
the  time  when  there  were  iO  coopers  at  work.  Since  that  time  he 
has  been  a  successful  farmer,  and  now  owns  160  acres  of  land. 
Twelve  years  ago  he  was  $4,000  in  debt,  but  has  now  paid  it  all.  He 
has  been  School  Director  and  Road.  Commissioner.  He  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  are  public-spirited, 
worthy  citizens. 

Robert  Todd  was  born  in  Bourbon  county,  Ky.,  in  1819,  son  of 
John  apd  Mary  Todd,  natives  of  Maryland  and  South  Carolina, 
respectively.  His  father  died  in  1828,  and  in  1832  he  came  with 
his  mother  to  this  county.  In  1843  he  married  Margaret  Edwards, 
who  was  born  in  1824  in  Greenup  county,  Ky. ;  they  have  had  3 
children.  Mr.  T.  now  owns  120  acres  of  good  land  on  sec.  5, 
besides  other  valuable,  property;  he  has  been  Constable,  Tax  Col- 
lector, School  Trustee  and  Director,  and  was  in  the  Mormon  war. 
In  his  earl}'  day  here  Indian  trails  were  sometimes"  his  only  guide 
in  traveling  over  the  country,  and  for  two  years  St.  Louis  was  his 
trading  post.     P.  O.,  Chambersburg. 

Eli  D.  Tucker  was  born  in  1857  at  Sutton,  Worcester  Co.,  Mass., 
son  of  Ebenezer  and  Elizabeth  T.,  the  former  a  native  of  Ehode 
Island,  and  the  latter  of  Massachusetts;  both  his  parents  dying 
while  he  was  very  young,  he  was  bound  out  at  the  age  of  7,  but 
at  the  age  of  fourteen,  being  maltreated,  he  ran  off  to  West  Warren, 
Mass.,  where  he  worked  at  $10  a  month  on  a  farm;  commencing 
in  1871,  he  worked  two  years  in  a  rubber  manufactory;  in  1874  he 
came  to  Illinois,  worked  on  a  farm  and  repairing  telegraph  wires 
on  the  O.  &  M.  E.  E.;  in  1877  he  became  an  employee  at  the 
Perry  Mineral  Springs;  JSfov.  8.  1878,  he  began  to  learn  the  black- 
smith's trade  under  Frank  Marden,  of  this  place,  and  is  doing  well. 

James  T.  Varner  was  born  in  1830  in  Morgan  county.  111.,  son 
of  John  and  Sarah  (Wood)  Yarner,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of 
German  ancestry.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1849  and  now  owns 
90  acres  on  sec.  6,  and  is  a  farmer  and  cooper.  In  1850  he  mar- 
ried JSTancy  Hanks,  and  they  have  one  son  and  three  daughters 
living.  Mr.  Y.  has  been  Eoad  Commissioner  and  is  a  Democrat 
P.  0.,  Chambersburg. 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  417 

Wm.  W.  Winegar  was  born  in  this  place  (Ohatnbersburg)  in 
1844,  son  of  John  and  Freelove  Winegar,  his  father  a  native  of 
Massachusetts  and  his  mother  of  Ohio;  he  served  three  years  in 
the  army,  in  Co.  F,  99th  111.  Inf.,  being  in  the  siege  of  Yicksburg, 
etc.;  transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  Gnlf;  was-  wounded  at  Fort 
G-ibson.  In  1866  he  married  Mary  E.  Breden,  and  they  had  one 
child,  which  died  in  infancy;  Mrs.  W".  died  in  1867,  and  in  1874 
Mr.  W.  married  Clarinda  Jones,  who  was  born  in  Brown  county, 
111.,  in  1851,  and  they  have  had  one  son.  Since  1865  Mr.  Winegar 
has  followed  blacksmithing,  with  fair  success.  He  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Dr.  Henry  JR.  Walling  was  born  March  28,  1836,  in  Orange 
county,  Ind.,  son  of  James  and  Catherine  Walling,  the  former  a 
native  of  Tennessee,  and  the  latter  of  Orange  county,  Ind.  In  1853 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  came  with  his  parents  to  Coles  county, 
111.,  and  in  February,  1854,  they  moved  to  this  county.  Sept.  12, 
1863,  Henry  R.  was  married  by  T.  M.  Hess,  at  Homer  111.,  to  Miss 
S.  S.  Gaston,  who  was  born  Aug.  18,  1840,  in  Lawrence  county, 
111.  Her  migrations  were:  at  the  age  of  three  months  she  was 
taken  to  Cinncinnati,  in  1850  to  Paducah,  in  1861  to  Douglas 
county.  111.,  and  in  1863  to  Homer,  Campaign  Co.,  111.  After 
their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  iirst  settled  at  Areola,  Douglas  Co., 
where  he  followed  preaching  for  a  while;  jbut  he  took  to  the 
study  of  medicine,  which  he  pursued  with  zeal  while  woi-king  his 
way  at  manual  labor;  in  1866  he  attended  medical  college  in  phio, 
and  then  went  to  Mt.  Yernon,  III.,,  where  he  clerked  in  a  drug 
store;  he  then  went  to  Bridgeport,  where  he  had  a  driving  practice; 
but  health  failing,  he  went  to  ^tna.  111.,  where  also  he  had  a  large 
practice,  and  in  1870  he  settled  at  Ferry  in  this  county,  where  he 
again  preached  the  gospel  as  well  as  practiced  medicine.  He  now 
has  a  nice  piece  of  property  in  Perry. 

In  1877  he  moved  to  Louisiana,  Mo.,  where  he  again  followed 
preaching  (for  the  Christian  denomination),  and  the  next  year  back 
to  this  place(Chambersburg),  where,  Sept.  2,  he  opened  an  office  and 
commenced  business;  he  also  has  a  drug  store.  His  wife  is  an 
intellectual  woman  and  a  good  painter  of  pictures.  In  this  family 
there  have  been  born  5  children,  only  2  of  whom  are  living.  The 
Doctor  is  a  Republican. 

F  LINT  TOWNSHIP. 

This  is  the  smallest  township  in  the  county  and  was  the  first  one 
settled.  'In  1817  a  Canadian  Frenchman  by  the  name  of  Teboe, 
located  on  section  33  in  this  township.  He  was  the  first  resident 
■of  Pike  county,  as  mentioned  in  the  first  chapter  in  this  book. 
Mr.  Teboe's  residence,  which  was  on  the  banks  of  the  Illinois  river, 
was  the  favorite  resort  of  hunters  and  trappers.  He  was  killed  at 
Milton  in  the  year  1844.  G-arrett  Van  Deusen  was  the  next  settler. 
He  opened  a  ferry  across  «the  Illinois,  which  is  still  carried  on  at 
Yalley  City,  near  Griggsville  Landing,  and  is  known  as  Phillips' 


418  HISTORY   OF    PIKE  COUNTY. 

Ferry.  Mr.  Van  Deiisen  sold  his  claim  to  Mr.  Niinrod  Phillips, 
many  of  whose  descendants  are  still  residents  of  Pike  county. 

The  early  settlers  were  alive  to  the  importance  of  educating  their 
children  and  anxiously  desired  to  have  the  proper  facilities,  or  as 
good  as  they  could  afford,  to  carry  on  this  great  work.  Accordingly 
the  citizens  met  on  section  19,  near  Flint  creek,  in  1846,  for  the 
purpose  of  inaugurating  or  organizing  for  school  purposes.  There 
being  no  houses  in  the  vicinity  their  deliberations  were  carried  on 
upon  a  log  in  the  wild  forest.  Among  those  present  at  this  meeting 
were  Josiah  Wade,  Wm.  Thackwray,  James  Crawford,  Richard 
Sweeting,  James  L.  Thompson,  James  G.  and  David  Pyle,  E.  A.  F. 
Allen,  Francis  Wade,  J.  Husband  and  Wm.  Turnbull.  Peter 
Kargis  presided  over  the  deliberations  of  this  body.  The  first 
school  in  the  township  was  taught  in  the  winter  of  1845-'6  by  Wm. 
Turnbull,  James  G.  and  David  Pyle,  and  James  L.  Thompson,  who 
gave  their  services  without  any  compensation.  The  school  was 
hold  in  an  old  log  house  bought  and  paidfor  by  a  few  of  the  citizens. 

The  first  and  only  church  ever  built  in  the  township  was  erected 
at  Griggsville  Landing  in  1871  ;  it  is  known  as  Union  Church,  but 
the  M.  E.  society  is  the  only  one  having  an  organization  at  this 
place.  We  were  unable  to  obtain  its  history  definitely,  as  we  failed 
to  find  the  records. 

Flint  township  was  named  from  a  stream  which  runs  through  it 
called  Flint  creek.  The  name  is  very  appropriate,  as  the  bluffs  of 
Flint  township  contain  a  variety  of  flint  rock.  In  the  crevices  of 
the  rocks,  in  the  bluffs  on  Flint,  are  found  a  variety  of  fossils  whose 
formation  would  puzzle  the  most  skillful  geologist.  They  are 
mostl}^  of  the  crinoid  family.  Mr.  Wallace,  who  has  a  very  fine 
collection  and  many  relics  of  the  Indian  days,  gave  us  much  infor- 
mation on  the  point.  Mr.  IST.  A.  Woodson,  of  Griggsville,  also 
showed  us  a  very  fine  and  rare  collection  of  fossils,  which  he  had 
obtained  by  many  days  of  hard  labor  on  the  bluffs  and  in  the  rocks 
of  Flint  township. 

The  township  is  divided  into  three  school  districts,  and  contains 
three  school-houses,  known  as  North,  Middle  and  South  Flint. 

To  a  stranger  Flint  township  presents  at  first  sight,  as  he 
approaches  from  the  east,  a  rugged  and  desolate  appearance ;  and 
one  would  suppose  that  an  ignorant  and  rather  indolent  class  of 
people  dwell  here  ;  but  such  is  far  from  being  the  case.  We  were 
not  a  little  astonished  at  the  intelligence  and  enterprise  of  its  noble- 
hearted  citizens.  Although  the  surface  of  Flint  township  is  rough 
and  broken,  it  is  a  fine  locality  for  growing  and  feeding  stock. 

FUnt  Magnesia  Springs. — In  the  south-eastern  portion  of  Flint 
township,  on  the  land,  or  rather  rock,  of  Wm.  Reynolds,  there  is  a 
living  spring  of  magnesia  water  flowing  from  a  crevice  in  the  rock, 
and  empties  into  the  Big  Blue  river.  It  would  require  a  volume 
as  large  as  this  to  describe  fully  all  the  wonders  of  nature  found  in 
Flint  township. 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE   COTTNTY.  419 

VALLEY    CITY. 

This  little  village,  and  the  only  one  in  Flint  township,  was 
founded  at  Phillips'  ferry  by  Wallace  Parker  in  the  year  1877. 
The  postoffice  at  Griggsville  Landing,  one-half  mile  below,  and 
known  as  Flint,  was  then  discontinued  and  a,nother  established  at 
the  new  town,  taking  the  name  of  Valley  City.  The  town  contains 
one  store  and  postoffice. 

Valley  City  Christian  Temperance  Union. — This  society  was 
established  in  the  spring  of  1879  on  the  Murphy  plan,  and  has  thus 
far  been  very  successful.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  the  society, 
by  the  aid  of  the  citizens  of  the  township,  erected  a  hall  28  by  40 
feet  in  size,  with  16-foot  story,  and  finished  in  first-class  style,  at  a 
cost  of  $1,000.  The  ground  upon  which  the  hall  was  erected,  which 
is  valued  at  $100,  was  donated  by  Wallace  Parker. 

PEESONAL    SKETCHES. 

Wm.  Bright,  lumber  dealer,  Yalley  City,  was  born  in  this  county 
Oct.  13,  1847.  His  father,  Geo.  W.,  was  a  farmer,  a  native  of  West 
Tennessee,  and  was  a  soldier  in-  the  Mexican  war.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  pioneers  of  Pike  county,  and  died  in  1855.  In  1867  Wil- 
liam married  Hannah  Davis,  who  died  in  1869,  and  Mr.  B:  again 
married  in  1872,  this  time  Belle  Griffin,  and  they  had  2  children, 
William,  deceased,  and  Mabel  L.  Mr.  B.  is  proprietor  of  the  saw- 
mill at  Griggsville  Landing,  formerly  owned  by  I.  S.  Freeman,  and 
is  doing  a  good  business. 

Levi  Butler,  Uvmer,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  Valley  City;  was  born  in 
Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  4,  1831 ;  he  came  with  his  parents  in  1833 
to  this  county,  where  he  still  resides.  Oct.  14,  1853,  he  married 
Louisa  Wilson,  and  of  their  10  children  9  are  living:  Parvin,  Joseph, 
John,  David,  Ellen,  Emma,  Loraine,  Ann  and  Maggie.  Parvin 
married  Elizabeth  Walker,  and  resides  in  this  township. 

George  Carrell,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  sec.  29;  P.  O.,  Valley 
City;  was  born  June  25,  1823,  in  Morgan  Co.,  O.;  his  grandfather 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812;  his  father,  Joseph,  a  farmer,  was 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  died  Jan.  13,  1867.  George  has  been 
Constable  or  Deputy  Sheriff  12  years.  March  27,  1845,  he  mar- 
ried Providence 'Wells  in  Morgan  Co.,  O.,  who  was  born  in  Guern- 
sey Co.,  O.,  March  19,  1829;  they  have  three  children— John  J., 
Nancy  J.  and  Sarah  E.;  the  two  former  are  married. 

John  Carrell,  farmer,  sec.  29;  P.  O.,  Valley  City;  was  born  in 
Morgan,  now  Noble,  Co.,  O.,  April  26,  1846,  the  son  of  George  Car- 
rell, of  this  township;  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  this  county 
when  but  3  years  old;  has  pursued  various  vocations,  but  for  the 
past  9  years  has  been  farming.  Feb.  7, 1870,  he  married  Sarah 
Bartlett,  daughter  of  N.  Bartlett,  near  Maysville;  their  3  children 
are  Wilbur,  Robert  and  an  infant  girl. 

James  L.  Cawthon,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.,  Griggsville;  was 
born  March  4, 1836,  in  Virginia,  the  son  of  Christopher  Cawthon,  de- 
ceased, who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  hence  a  pensioner 


420  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COITNTT. 

until  his  death  in  1863.  James  L.  came  to  this  county  in  1857 
where  he  has  since  been  farming.  At  first  he  worked  by  the  month 
until  he  laid  by  enough  to  begin  for  himself.  Nov.  14,  1858,  he 
married  Louisa  Hensell,  daughter  of  the  late  Daniel  Hensell,  of 
Griggsville,  and  they  have  had  8  children,  of  whom  6  are  living — 
Mary,  Laura,  Eddie,  Albert  and  Frankie. 

John  Clark,  farmer,  sec.  7;  son  of  the  late  John  Clark,  of 
Griggsville;  was  born  in  Hamilton  Co.,  O.,  Sept.  14,  1830;  v^as 
brought  by  his  parents  to  Ogle  Co.,  111.,  in  1835;  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1857.  June  8,  1852,  he  married 
S.  Janett  Berger,  daughter  of  Samuel  Berger,  of  Polo,  111.,  and  of 
their  6  children  5  are  living — Henry,  Julia  E.,  Libbie,  Jennie  and 
Fred  A. 

Rachel  Conover  was  born  in  Northampton  Co.,  Penn.,  Nov.  7, 
180Y;  married,  in  New  Jersey,  Abraham  Conover,  and  had  2  children 
— Catherine,  now  Mrs.  Wallace  Parker,  of  Yalley  City,  andEachel, 
deceased.  Mr.  Conover  died  Aug.  1, 1827.  Mrs.  0.  kept  house  for  a 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  in  Pennsylvania;  the  former  came  to  Pike 
county  and  erected  a  house  on  the  present  site  of  Griggsville,  which 
is  still  standing;  he  then  returned  to  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died 
in  1835,  Mrs.  Moore  having  previously  died.  In  1836  Mrs.  0. 
came  with  the  Moore  family  and  her  own  children,  and  occupied 
the  house  that  Mr.  Moore  had  previously  built.  She  now  residefr 
with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Parker. 

William  Glenn,  sr.,  sec.  29;  P.  O.,  Yalley  City;  born  in  March, 
1800,  in  Ireland;  in  1830  he  landed  in  Philadelphia;  he  remained 
in  Pennsylvania  5  years;  is  a  mason  by  trade;  came  to  Pike  county 
and  entered  the  land  whereon  he  now  resides  in  1835;  then  went  to 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  five  years,  and  then 
moved  back  to  this  county;  has  been  a  prominent  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser,  but  being  old,  has  turned  the  business  over  to  his  son  Wil- 
liam. In  1835  he  married  Maria  Topping,  and  of  their  6  children 
6  are  living, — -James,  Thomas,  "William,  Catharine  and  Maria. 
Their  son  Eobert  was  killed  in  the  late  war  during  Gen.  Forest'a 
raid  through  Tennessee. 

Elizabeth  Husband,  sec.  30  ;  P.  O.,  Yalley  City ;  was  born  in 
Coshocton  Co.,  O.,  May  1,  1834,  the  daughter  of  George  McOune, 
deceased,  also  a  native  of  Coshocton  Co.,  O.,  who  was  the  first  white 
child  born  in  that  county.  He  removed  with  his  family  to  St, 
Louis  Co..  Mo.,  in  1835,  where  he  resided  until  the  fall  of  1864, 
when  he  came  to  Pike  county,  and  died  Dec.  18  of  the  same  year. 
He  was-  Sheriff  in  St.  Louis  county,  Missouri,  County  Treasurer, 
Tax  Collector  and  held  other  offices  of  trust.  Mrs.  Husband's 
grandfather,  Joseph  Fuller,  was  a  soldier  under  Gen.  Washington. 
She  was  married  Aug.  20,  1850,  to  Edward  Monnier,  in  Eock  Hill, 
Mo.,  and  had' 3  children,— Henry  E.,  born  Oct,  6,  1853;  Ida  L., 
Oct.  25,  1860;  and  James,  Feb,  19,  1862.  Mr.  M.  died  Feb.  19, 
1863;  in  1865  she  married  Jonathan  Husband,  who  was  born  in 
Yorkshire,  Eng.,  Sept.  21,  1803,  and  emigrated  to  America  in 
1825- he  died  Nov.  28  1870 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  421 

Bohert  Husband,  farmer,  sec.  W;  was  born  April  11,  1842,  in 
this  tp.,  the  son  of  Jonathan  Husband,  deceased,  an  early  pioneer 
of  this  county,  who  in  company  with  Mr.  Wade  and  "Wm.  TurnbuU 
owned  the  same  coffee-mill.  March  15,  18Y1,  Robert  married 
Esely  Grable,  and  of  their  3  children  2  are  living, — Nellie  and- 
Eddie.  Mr.  H.  was  a  prosperous  farmer,  but  worked  2  years  in  a 
saw-mill  in  Wisconsin. 

Sylvester  MoSie,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  19; P.  O., Griggs- 
ville.  This  man  was  born  in  Noble  county,  O.,  Feb.  22,  1860,  and 
is  the  only  son  of  Ezra,  who  now  resides  with  him.  The  family 
emigrated  in  1864  to  this  county,  where  he  still  resides.  Oct.  20, 
1869,  he  married  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Wm.  Orr,  of  Derry  tp, 
'Of  their  4  children  3  are  living, — Addie  C,  Eosie  E.  and  Alma. 
Little  Wilbert  W.  died  Oct.  26,  1879.  Sylvester's  mother's 
maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Mummy,  and  she  died  Jan.  17,  1870;. 

Wallace  Parher  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  !N.  Y.,  Feb.  17, 
1825,  and  is  the  son  of  James  Parker,  of  Griggsville;  came  with 
his  parents  to  Pike  county  in  1844,  where  he  followed  farming 
until  21  years  of  age,  when  he  became  a  merchant  in  Valley  City; 
has  been  very  successful  except  in  some  grain  speculation  in 
Chicago  andSt. Louis.  Atpresent  he  carries  a  stock  of  about  $3,000 
worth.  In  Feb.,  1849,  he  married  Catharine  Conover,  and  of  their 
7  children  only  4  are  living,  Rachel  C,  Hardin  W.,  James  H.  and 
Helen  F.  Mr.  P.  is  also  Express  Agent,  Postmaster  and  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  at  Yalley  City.  He  has  given  his  son  James  H.  an 
interest  in  the  store.  Ho  also  has  a  fine  collection  of  Indian  relics, 
as  battle-axes,  arrowheads,  pipes,  frying-pans,  a  copper  needle,  the 
burnt  jaw-bone  of  an  Indian  and  numerous  other  curiosities.  Some 
of  these  he  has  picked  up  and  others  he  has  obtained  by  opening 
Indian  graves. 

David  Pyle,  farmer,  sec.  18;  P.  O.  Griggsville.  This  gentle- 
man was  born  in  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  Feb.  4,  1817;  his  parents, 
Ralph  and  Rachel  Pyle,  deceased,  emigrated  with  him  to  New 
Orleans  in  1818,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated.  In  1834  he 
came  with  his  mother  to  Phillips'  Ferry  on  a  visit;  went  to  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  then  to  Cincinnati,  O.,  and  then  back  to  this  county 
in  the  fall  of  1835;  the  next  spring  he  bought  a  farm  on  sec.  19j 
where  he  lived  for  21  years,  and  which  he  then  sold,  removing  to 
Morgan  county,  111.;  in  1862  he  returned  to  this  township,  pur- 
chasing a  farm  on  sec.  18,  where  he  still  resides.  He  was  married 
Aug.  2,  1838,  to  Martha  A.  Willsey,  and  they  have  had  11  chil-. 
dren,  all  living;  namely,  Ralph  W.,  Joseph  H.,  Christopher  W., 
Rachel  E.,  Isaac  N.,  Martha  A.,  Carrie,  David  W.,  Morgan  L., 
James  C.  and  Emma  L.  All  but  three  of  these  are  married,  and 
living  in  this  county. 

E.  M.  Roberts,  farmer,  sec.  28,  was  born  in  London,  Eng.,  June 
23,  1828;  in  1836  the  family  emigrated  to  America,  settling  in 
Pike  county.  Feb.  19,  1867,  he  married  Susan  W.  Kempton,  while- 
visiting  friends  in  Fairhaven,  Mass.  They  have  had  5  children,  of 
whom  4  are  living:  Sarah  M.,  Evp.n  M.;  Lo'jis  F.  and  George  B. 


422  HI8T0EY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT. 

Mr.  Koberts  is  a  coasin  to  the  popular  Roberts  Brothers,  publish- 
ers, Washington  street,  Boston,  Mass. 

Joseph  A.  Rulon  is  of  French  ancestry.  During  the  Catholic 
persecution  of  the  Protestants  in  France  two  of  the  Rulon  Broth- 
ers, being  Protestants,  were  arrested  and  placed  under  a  guard  in 
a  private  house  up  stairs.  They  knew  it  would  be  certain  death 
if  they  were  brought  to  trial;  hence  they  attempted  to  bribe  the 
guardsmen  to  let  them  escape,  but  in  vain.  They  then  asked  the 
guards  simply  to  remain  just  outside  the  room  and  they  would  take 
care  of  the  rest;  the  guards  then  received  the  offered  fees,  stepped 
out  of  the  room  and  guarded  the  door.  The  Rulons  then  made  a 
rope  of  the  bed-clothes,  by  which  they  made  their  escape  through 
the  window;  and  in  the  night  found  their  way  to  the  wharf  where 
they  boarded  a  brig  bound  for  America.  Some  time  after  landing 
in  America  one  of  these  men  married,  and  his  descendants  are  scat- 
tered throughoiit  the  country.  One  of  these,  Jesse,  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Revolution,  participating  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  and  he 
was  tlie  father  of  Joseph  C,  a  sailor,  who  in  1832  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Indiana;  but  after  a  short  time  he  began  trafficking  and  came  to 
Meredosia,  III.,  in  1849.  He  was  capsized  and  drowned  in  the 
Mississippi  river  Jan.  12,  1852,  while  attempting  to  board  a  steamer 
from  a  small  row-boat.  He  was  the  father  of  Joseph  C.  Rulon, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  was  born  Sept.  5,  1831,  on  the  Mon- 
mouth battle  grounds,  on  the  very  spot  where  his  grandfather  fought 
in  the  bloody  battle  of  Monmouth  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He 
was  married  June  6,  1856,  to  Mary  E.  Bonds,  and  their  two  child- 
ren are  Albert  E.  and  Flora  E.  The  latter  is  teaching  instrumental 
music.  Mr.  R.  came  to  Pike  county  in  1871,  where  he  still  re- 
sides, and  is  foreman  of  the  railroad  bridge  at  Phillips'  Ferry. 

John  C.  Scott  is  i,  native  of  Scott  Co.,  where  he  was  born  Dec. 
22,  1823,  being  the  first  white  child  born  in  that  county;  was 
brought  up  on  a  farm;  came  to  this  county  in  1836,  in  1843  re- 
turned to  Scott  Co.,  where  he  married,  in  Jan.  1845,  Mary  A.  Hob- 
son,  who  died  the  next  year;  then  Mr.  S.  returned  to  this  county, 
where,in  1850,  he  married  Martha  Wilson,  and  of  their  11  children 
the  following  9  are  living:  Charles  W.,  James  M.,  Leonard  G.,  Da- 
vid W.,  Frank  W.,  Joseph  L.,  Benjamin  E.,  Margaret  J.  and  George 
E.  Mr.  Scott  is  a  farmer  on  sec.  7.  His  father,  John  Scott,  was 
the  first  settler  in  Scott  county,  and  for  him  that  county  was 
named.  Having  been  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1312  he  was  a  pen- 
sioner until  his  death  in  Jan.,  1856.    He  was  a  noble-hearted  man. 

John  G.  Sleight,  sr.,  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  Eng.,  Oct.  5, 
1805;  in  1827  he  married  Rebecca  Walker,  and  their  8  children 
are:  Betsy  G.,  Sally  G.,  Ann  G.,  Walker  G.,  Eliza  G.,  Mary  G., 
John  G.  and  Rebecca  G.,  deceased.  They  came  to  America  in  1857, 
stopping  at  Griggsville  until  the  following  spring,  when  they  set- 
tled on  sec.  6,  where  Mr.  S.  still  resides.  Mrs.  S.  died  June  19, 
1862,  and  Mr.  Sleight's  son-in-law,  Joseph  Wilson,  resides  .with 
him  and  conducts  the  farm.    Mr.  Wilson  was  born  in  1838  in  Griggs- 


crr}%CiP  Ji 


PERRY  T? 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  425 

ville  tp.,  and  is  the  father  of  4.-  children,  of  whom  but  one,  Elizabeth 
F.,  is  living;. 

Walker  G.  Sleight  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  Eng.,  Aug.  29, 1833; 
came  to  Pike  county  in  1856,  where  he  still  resides,  a  farmer,  on 
sec.  7;  P.  0.,  Griggs  ville. 

Samuel  Thachwray,  farmer,  sec.  32;  P.  O.,  Griggsville.  He  was 
born  March  25,  1837,  in  Pike  county,  and  is  a  son  of  Wm.  Thack- 
wray,  deceased;  his  mother,  Hannah T., is  now  in  her  80th year,  re- 
siding on  the  old  homestead,  sec.  31,  with  her  son  James.  Mr. 
T.  is  a  successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  Nov.  9, 1865,  he  married 
Mary  A.  Lynde,  daughter  of  flenry  Lynde,  of  Griggsville.  She 
was  born  Nov.  10,'1843,  in  this  county.     Of  their  4  children,  these 

3  are  living:  Annie,  Cassie  and  Melva. 

James  L.  Thompson,  farmer,  sec.  18;  P.  O.,  Griggsville.  This 
early  settler  of  Pike  county  was  born  in  Charlestown  (now  part  of 
Boston),  Mass.,  Sept.  11,  1812,  and  is  the  son  of  Dr.  Abraham  R. 
Thompson,  a  native  of  the  same  place  and  a  college  class-mate  of 
Daniel  Webster;  they  .were  intimate  friends  all  through  life.  Dr. 
T.  died  in  Charlestown  in  1870.  James  L.  was  educated  in  Boston 
in  the  school  of  Willard  Parker,  now  a  noted  physician  of  New 
York  city.    He  was  commission  merchant  in  the  city  of  Boston, 

4  or  5  years,  when  he  suifered  a  severe  loss  by  the  crisis  of  1836; 
in  the  fall  of  1837  he  emigrated  West  and  settled  on  sec.  18,  this 
tp.,  where  he  now  resides,  on  a  farm  of  160  acres  of  well-improved 
land.  When  but  19  years  of  age  Mr.  T.  went  to  sea,  taking  a  cargo 
of  ice  from  Boston  to  New  Orleans,  where  he  loaded  his  ship  with 
staves,  cotton  and  coffee,  which  he  carried  to  Tarragona,  Spain; 
there  he  loaded  with  a  cargo  of  wine  and  dried  fruits,  and  shipped 
for  Buenos  Ayres,  S.  A. ;  at  this  place  he  took  on  a  cargo  of  jerked 
beef,  which  he  brought  to  Havana,  Cuba,  whence  he  took  a  load  of 
coffee  and  sugar  to  Boston.  Fifteen  months  were  consumed  in  this 
ronnd  trip,  which  was  full  of  interest  and  had  its  frightful  scenes. 
In  1850  Mr.  T.  went  overland  to  California,  suffering  untold  priva- 
tions on  the  way.  En  route  he  met  with  Col.  Robert  Anderson, 
afterward  of  Fort  Sumter  notoriety,  and  had  a  convei^sation  with 
him.  In  California  Mr.  T.  met  with  Admiral  James  Alden,  who 
procured  for  him  a  situation  as  Purser  on  the  U.  S.  Surveying 
Steamer  "Active."  He  was  on  the  survey  of  the  northwestern 
boundary,  the  report  of  which  was  accepted  by  Emperor  William. 
This  report,  requiring  about  a  quire  of  foolscap,  was  all  written  by 
Mr.  T.  It  took  two  seasons  to  complete  the  survey.  After  being 
absent  about  6  years  he  returned  to  his  family  here  in  1856,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  has  been  married  four  times,  and  is  the 
father  of  seven  children, — James  L.,  J.  B.,  Henry,  Frederick  W., 
Katie,  Charlie  and  Benj.  F. 

Austin  Wade,  farmer,  sec.  6;  P.  O.,  Griggsville.  The  birth  of 
this  gentleman  took  place  July  23,  1832,  in  this  county;  he  is  the 
son  of  Josias  Wade,  of  Griggsville;  Sept.  27,  1855,  he  married 
Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Joseph  Pyle,  of  Naples,  III,  and  of  their  8 

26 


426  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

children  6  are  living, — Willard,  Elizabeth,  Arthur,  Luraiiie,Ferber 
and  Homer.  Mr.  Wade  resided  7  years  in  Morgan  county,  111. 
and  two  years  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

Coleman  Wade,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.,  Valley  City;  at  native  of 
Pike  county,  and  was  born  July  7,  1837,  the  son  of  Josias  Wade, 
of  Griggsville,  and  brother  of  the  preceding;  was  educated  in  Griggs- 
ville;  has  been  very  successful  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  Jan. 
20,  1859,  he  married  Rachel,  daughter  of  Joseph  Pyle,  of  Naples, 
and  they  have  had  6  children,  of  whom  5areli\'ing:  Lillian,  Ernest, 
Raymond,  Clifford  and  Irene.  The  four  yonngest  are  attending  the 
Middle  Flint  school,  wliere  Lillian  i#  engaged  as  assistant  teacher. 

John  Wade,  farmer,  see.  30;  P.  O.,  Griggsville;  born  Jan.  12, 
1822,  in  Blyth,  Nottinghamshire,  Eng.,  and  is  the  son  of  Francis 
Wade,  deceased.  All  the  school  education  he  has  had  he  received 
before  he  was  8  years  old.  The  family  emigrated  to  America  in  1834, 
locating  in  Trenton,  JST.  J.,  tiience  to  Pennsylvania,  and  in  July, 
1838,  landed  at  Phillips'  Ferry,  in  this  county;  May  18.  1866,  he 
married  Ann  Stoner.  Their  7  children  are:  Maria,  Mary  J.,  Arthur, 
Francis,  Fred,  John  and  George.  Mr.  W.  now  owns  370  acres,  of 
land,  and  is  a  successful  farmer  and  stock-raiser. 


DETROIT  TOWNSHIP. 

Detroit  township  is  situated  on  the  Illinois  river  and  consists  for 
the  most  of  broken  land.  To  Lewis  Allen  belongs  the  honor  of 
being  the  first  settler  in  the  township.  Hecame  in  1823  and  erected 
a  cabin  on  section  31.  He  was  a  native  of  Warren  county,  Ky., 
and  was  born  Nov.  11,  1794.  Garrett  Van  Deusen.  Wm.  Meredith 
and  a  Mr.  Morgan,  also,  were  very  early  settlers  in  this  township. 
The  first  birth  in  the  township  was  a  daughter  of  David  and  Hannah 
Mize,  who  died  in  infancy,  which  was  also  the  first  death  to  occur. 
The  first  marriage  was  Robert  Cooper  to  Nancy  Rice  in  1826,  at 
the  residence  of  Wm.  Meredith.  The  first  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.'  Elijah  Garrison,  a  Ol'iristian  minister,  at  the  house  of  David 
Mize  in  1826.  The  early  pioneers  were  industrious  people  and 
were  not  neglectful  of  the  education  of  their  children;  for  as  early 
as  1827,  David  Mize,  Ezekiel  Cleramons,  Wm.  Meredith,  Joseph 
Neeley  and  others  banded  together  and  erected  a  school-house  on 
section  16.  and  employed  a  teacher,  placing  their  children  in  their 
charge  for  instruction  and  intellectual  improvement.  The  first 
■  teacher  was  Abraham  Jones. 

The  next  great  question  which  occupied  the  minds  of  these  noble 
fathers  and  mothers  was  the  preparations  for  public  worship.  They 
accordingly  organized  themselves  into  a  body,  or  rather  each  person 
considered  himself  one  of  the  building  committee,  and  as  early  as 
1834  there  was  a  church  building  erected  by  the  Baptists  at  Blue 
river  graveyard.  Previous  to  this  meetings  were  held  in  school- 
houses  and  private  dwellings. 

Garrett  Yan  Deusen  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  Isaac 
Tenifi^  the  first  Supervisor.  The  township  received  its  name  from 
the  postoffice  which  had  been  established  several  years  previously, 
and  named  by  Col.  Daniel  Bush  at  Pittsfield  and  Wm.  Johnson, 
the  first  postmaster  at  Detroit. 

The  pioneers  had  many  encounters  with  wild  animals  during  the 
early  settlement  of  the  county,  two  or  three  of  which,  related  by 
Mrs.  Dinsmore,  who  is  still  residing  in  this  township,  we  will  place 
on  record  in  this  connection.  On  one  occasion,  while  she  and  her 
husband  were  passing  through  the  woods,  a  huge  lynx  came  bound- 
ing up  behind  her  and  grabbed  her  dress  with  his  claws.  She 
hastily  called  the  dogs  and  they  quickly  came  to  her  side.     The  wild 


428  HISTORY   OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

animal  loosened  his  hold  and  gazed  upon  the  dogs.  Thej  were 
greatly  frightened  and  did  not  attempt  an  attack  upon  the  lynx, 
but  ran  to  the  house.  The  lynx,  too,  concluded  to  leave  and  took 
to  the  forest. 

This  same  lady  tells  of  another  time  when  she  was  attacked  or 
about  to  be  attacked  by  one  of  these  iierce  creatures;  She  was  en- 
gaged in  the  woods  making  sugar,  with  her  camp  fire  near  a  large 
log.  She  heard  a  noise  upon  the  opposite  side,  which  was  made  by 
the  lynx  just  in  the  act  of  preparing  to  make  a  leap,  as  she  sup- 
posed. She  set  the  dog  upon  it,  and  as  it  sprang  over  the  log  he 
alighted  upon  a  large,  powerful  lynx.  The  iierce  contest  that  ensued 
was  a  short  one,  for  the  dog  was  completely  overpowered;  and  as 
soon  as  he  could  release  himself  from  the  clutches  ot  his  antagonist 
he  "run  home  a-howlin'  with  his  tail  between  his  legs,  and  run 
under  the  house,"  where  he  remained  for  some  time. 

We  will  give  Mrs.  Dinsmore's  panther  story  in  her  own  language 
as  nearly  as  we  can.  "  One  day  when  1  wasa-comin'  thro'  the  woods 
I  seeii  a  large  painter  come  out  of  the  brugh  and  begin  to  drink  out 
of  a  puddle  of  water  in  the  path;  and  I  shooed  at  him,  and  he  paid 
no  attention  to  me,  and  I  took  oif  my  bonnet  and  shooed  and  shooed 
at  him;  but  he  wouldn't  shoo;  he  jist  staid  there  and  lapped  away 
till  he  got  done  and  then  went  off."     - 

Mrs.  Dinsmore  also  relates  that  she  was  once  standing  in  the  door 
when  she  saw  her  father  stab  and  kill  an-  Indian. 

JBig  Blue  Hollow. — This  is  quite  an  historical  locality.  In  1842 
it  ranked  as  the  second  place  in  the  county  in  the  amount  of  busi- 
ness transacted.  There  were  then  three  flouring  mills,  a  saw-mill, 
and  a  store  in  this  mountainous-looking  region;  these  mills  were 
known  by  the  name  of  Providence  Mills,  and  were  owned  by 
Jonathan  Frye.  In  1835  he  erected  there  a  two-story  frame  house 
and  sided  it  with  shaved  clapboards;  this  house  is  still  standing 
there,  with  the  old  siding  upon  it,  and  is  occupied  by  Mr.  Wm. 
Reynolds  and  family. 

FLORENCE. 

This  is  the  oldest  town  in  Detroit  township,  and  was  founded 
in  1836  by  the  Florence  Company;  this  company  was  composed 
principally  of  Pittsfield  business  men,  among  whom  were  Austin 
Barber,  Eobert  R.  Greene,  Wm.  Ross,  Thos.  Wofthington  and 
James  Davis.  The  town  is  located  on  the  Illinois  river,  and  was 
intended  for  river  transportation  for  the  town  of  Pittsfield,  and  a 
gravel  road  was  constructed  from  Pittsfield  to  this  place.  The  land 
was  first  settled  by  John  Roberts.  Col.  Wm.  Ross  and  Stephen  Gay 
kept  the  first  store  in  the  place.  A  saw-mill  was  erected  here  in 
1836,  by  the  Florence  Company,  which  was  converted  into  a  steam 
fiouring  mill  in  1842.  During  the  early  pioneer  days  Florence  was 
known  by  the  name  of  Augusta. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  429 

DETROIT.  ^ 

This  lively  little  business  village  was  founded  in  1837  by  Peter 
H.  Lucas,  and  named  by  him  after  the  postoiBce  which  had  been 
established  at  this  point  some  years  previous.  *  Soon  after  Henry 
Neeley  added  to  the  town  plat  what  is  known  as  Neeley's  addition, 
and  consists  of  all  that  part  of  town  north  of  Hain  street. 

Detroit  contains  2'general  stores,  1  drugstore,  2  blacksmith  shops, 
1  wagon  manufactory,  1  shoemaker's  shop,  a  millinery  store,  and  a 
broom  factory.  Three  physicians  reside  in  the  place.  There  are  in 
the  town  3  church  edifices  and  4  church  organizations.  The  citi- 
zens have  erected  a  fine  two-story  brick  school-house  and  employ 
two  teachers. 

CHTTECHES. 

Detroit  Christian  Church. — This  church  was  organized  Feb.  25, 
1876,  by  Elders  Rufus  Moss  and  J.  "W".  Miller,  with  a  membership 
of  33.  The  first  deacons  were  Nathaniel  Smith  and  John  Turner. 
C.  L.  Hall  was  appointed  Elder  and  afterward  elected  to  that  office, 
in  company  with  his  brother,  W.  C.  Hall.  The  present  Deacons  are 
Albert  Field  and  John  Turner.  The  congregation  sustains  a  large 
and  interesting  Sunday-school,  which  was  organized  the  first  Lord's 
day  in  1876,  with  25  members.  It  now  has  an  attendance  of  about 
85,  with  W.  C.  Hall  as  superintendent.  The  congregation  at  pres- 
ent worship  in  the  house  belonging  to  the  Predestinarian  Baptists. 
The  present  membership  is  140.     Elder  Thomas  Weaver  is  Pastor. 

Detroit  M.  E.  Church.,  South. — This  society  was  organized  in 
1861,  and  consisted  of  parties  who  left  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  on  account  of  the  political  excitement  that  then  pervaded 
all  of  the  Churches.  They  erected  a  meeting-house  in  1870,  and 
sustain  a  Sabbath-school:  membership  30.  Services  are  held  each 
alternate  Sabbath  morning  and  evening  by  Pev.  J.  Metcalf,  Pastor. 

Detroit  M.  E.  Church. — The  Methodists  had  an  organization  in 
this  township  at  an  early  day.  As  early  as  1828  this  people  held  a 
camp-meeting  on  the  Meredith  farm,  sec.  16.  The  exact  date,  how- 
ever, of  the  first  organization  of  this  society  is  not  certainly  known. 
The  congregation  erected  a  brick  house,  36  by  48  feet  in  size,  in 
the  town  of  Detroit,  in  1857,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500.  The  Church  now 
sustains  a  good  Sunday-school,  has  preaching  each  Sunday  evening 
and  each  alternate  Sunday  morning,  by  Rev.  James  A.  Wills,  Pas- 
tor.    The  number  of  communicants  at  present  is  75. 

Detroit  Predestinarian  Baptist  Church. — ^In  the  year  1828 
the  Baptists  began  holding  services  in  the  Blue  River  school- 
house,  and  in  1834  they  erected  a  church  edifice.  Soon  after  this 
the  question  of  missions  divided  them,  and  the  Missionary  Baptists 
retained  this  ho>use,.and  in  1840  the  Pred'estinarians  formed  another 
organization.  The  former  society  is  now  extinct,  and  the  latter, 
by  the  help  of  others,  in  1857  erected  a  house  of  worship  in  De- 
troit.    They  have  no  regular  services,  the  society  being  very  weak. 


430  HISTOBT    OF    PIKE    COFNTY. 

PEESONAL    SKETCHES. 

Below  are  personal  sketches  of  many  of  the  old  settlers  and  lead- 
ing citizens  of  this  township. 

Wm.  Anthony,  \  native  of  this  county,  was  born  Dec.  9,  1833. 
His  father,  Martin  Anthony,  came  to  this  county  about  the  year 
1831.  William  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  had  limited  school  advan- 
tages. He  attended  school  a  mile  and  a  half  from  home,  in  an  old 
log  cabin  witli  no  ceiling,  and  a  fire-place  across  one  end  of  the 
house.  His  books  consisted  of  a  testament  and  spelling-book. 
July  17,  1867,  he  married  Orle  A.,  daughter  of  the  late  Leander 
Jelfers,  of  the  vicinity  of  Hannibal,  Mo.  Mrs.  Anthony  was  born 
Aug.  22,  1847,  in  Cincinnati,  O.  They  have  had  six  children,  of 
whom  three  are  living, — Ida,  Mattie  and  Nellie.  Mr.  A.  is  engaged 
in  general  farming  on  sec.  6,  this  township.     P.  O.,  Griggsville. 

I).  J.  Aldrioh  was  born  in  Worcester  county,  Mass.,  Oct.  3, 
1802,  and  is  the  son  of  Jesse  Aldrich,  deceased.  He  was  educated 
in  the  academy  at  Uxbridge,  and  after  leaving  school  engaged  in 
teaching  at  $8.50  per  month  in  winter,  and  worked  on  a  farm  by 
the  month  in  summer,  receiving  $40  per  month.  For  two  and  a 
half  years  he  traveled  throughout  the  Middle  and  Western  States, 
a  distance  of  13,000  miles,  visiting  many  points  of  interest.  In 
1825  he  visited  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  and  while  there  entered  160 
acres  of  land  eight  miles  north,  in  Dexter  township.  May  8, 1837,, 
he  married  Eliza  A.  Taft  and  they  had  two  children, — AdaUne, 
deceased,  and  Augusta.  Mr.  A.  came  to  Pike  county  in  1838  and 
settled  on  sec.  18,  this  township.  Mrs.  Aldrich  died  April  30, 
1871.  She  was  a  woman  of  fine  education  and  a  worthy  member 
of  the  M..E.  Church. . 

Sarah  Allen  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  Jan.  21,  1828,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  John  Burlend,  deceased,  who  brought  his  family  to 
America  in  1831,  and,  like  all  pioneers,  endured  many  liardships. 
He  died  April  4,  1871,  aged  88  years.  Mrs,  Allen  was  married 
May  4, 1852,.  to  Francis  Allen,  and  they  had  4  children,— Charlotte 
M.,  John  W.,  deceased,  Francis  E.  and  David  Franklin.  Charlotte  is 
married  to  Sylvester  Thompson,  and  resides  near  Pittsfield.  Mr. 
Allen  was  a  farmer  on  sec.  16  until  his  death,  which  occurred  July 
23,  1874.  He  belonged  to  the-  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  a  promi- 
nent and  worthy  citizen. 

George  P.  Bechdoldt  was  born  in  Germany  March  28,  1828,  the 
son  of  Jacob  P.,  who  came  to  America  with  his  family  in  1837, 
and  settled  in  Little  York,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  until  1839, 
when  he  removed  to  Calhoun  county,  111.,  and  died  the  same  year, 
leaving  a  widow  and  8  children,  who  had  to  endure  many  hardships 
and  privations.  Two  of  the  children  had  married  and  remained 
in  the  East.  Geo.  P.  is  tlie  9th  of  11  children;  his  education  was 
principally  in  German,  before  he  came  to  America.  April  10,, 
1851,  he  married  Frances  S.  Price,  daughter  of  Robert  Price,  well 
known  in  the  early  SQ.ttlement  of  Scott  and  McDonough  counties. 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  431 

She  was  born  May  29,  1834,  in  McDonoutfh  Co.,  111.  They  have 
had  11  children,  of  whom  9  are  living — Julia,  Helen,  Theodore, 
Maria,  Anna,  Esther,  Ettie,  Edith  and  Frederick.  Mr.  B.  is  a 
prominent  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on  the  north  i-  of  S.  E.  J-  of  sec. 
32.     P.  0.,  Milton. 

Dr.  Wm.  Cobel  was  born  m  Middle  Tennessee  May  30,  1826,  the 
son  of  Geo.  A.  and  Mary  Cobel,  who  emigrated  with  their  family 
to  Hendricks  county,  Ind.,  in  1833.  The  doctor  is  a  graduate  of  both 
the  Keokuk  (regular)  Medical  College  and  of  the  Eclectic  Medical 
College,  of  Cincinnati,  O.,  and  began  practice  in  1859.  He  has 
lost  but  one  case  out  of  300  in  the  last  12  months,  and  that  was  a 
chronic  case  of  heart-disease.  He  settled  in  the  town  of  Detroit, 
this  county,  in  1873;  in  1878  he  met  with  an  accident,  dislocating 
his  hip  joint,  but  he  still  continues  to  ride  day  and  night.  Nov. 
21,  1851,  he  married  Elizabeth  J.  McClure,  and  of  their  5  children 
only  '2  are  living,  Wm.  M.  and  Fannie  A.  Mrs.  Cobel  died  Nov. 
12,  1878_,  aftering  a  lingering  illness  of  22  years'  standing.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  a  faithful  and  respected 
worker  in  the  moral  interests  of  society.  Wm.  M.  Cobel  is  how 
teaching  school  near  Detroit. 

John  L.  Crauens  was  born  Jan.  1,  1844,  in  Jefferson  Co.,  Ind., 
the  son  of  John  C.  Cravens,  of  the  same  State;  was  educated  at 
Hanover  College,  Ind.;  he  chose  the  profession  of  teaching,  enter- 
ing upon  this  work  in.  1866;  he  taught  three  terms  in  Boone 
County,  Mo.,  when  he  went  to  college  until  1870,  and  then  to  Wa- 
pello Co.,  Iowa,  where  he  raised  a  crop,  and  in  September  he 
returned  to  Boone  county,  Mo.;  taught  school  until  1875,  when  he 
came  to  Fike  Co.,  and  now  has  charge  of  the  Toil-Gate  school,  dis- 
trict 4,  in  this  township.  In  the  late  war  he  served  4  months  in 
Co.  K,  137th  111.  Yol.  Inf.,  and  was  honorably  discharged.  In  1873 
he  married  Elizabeth  D.  Snyder,  of  Boone  county,  Mo.,  and  their 
two  children  are  Lillian  B.  and  W.  Guy. 

Thomas  Dolby,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  5,  was  born  in 
England  in  1853,  the  son  of  David  and  Sarah  Dalby,  deceased.  His 
brother  James  was  in  the  73d  Keg.,  I.  Y.  I.,  under  Capt.  Davidson, 
of  Griggsville;  was  taken  prisoner  and  confined  in  the  pen  at  An- 
dersouville,  where  he  died  from  starvation.  He  lost  another  brother, 
Joseph,  wh'o  died  from  a  wound  received  by  a  saw-log  rolling  off  a 
wagon  and  catching  him;  so  that  Mr.  D.  now  has  no  brother  in  Amer- 
ica. Aug.  27, 1849,  Mr.  iD.  married  Hannah  Burland,  who  was  born 
in  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  in  1853.  Mr.  Dalby  is  the  owner  of  400  acres 
of  land. 

James  W.  Dempsey  was  born  in  Chillicothe,  O.,  Aug.  20,  1834, 
the  son  of  Coleman  Dempsey,  who  emigrated  to  Missouri  in  1854. 
After  spending  two  years  in  Texas,  erecting  telegraph  wire  from 
Galveston  to  Houston,  and  thence  to  Shreveport  on  Ked  river, 
James  W.  returned  to  'Missouri.  By  profession  he  is  a  civil  engi- 
neer, and  by  trade  a  gunsmith.  He  is  a  "  natural  genius."  He 
came  to  Pike  county  in  1856,  where  he  followed  engineering  mostly 


432  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

for  14  j'ears.  In  1870  he  began  trading  in  guns,  ammunition,  etc. 
in  Detroit,  and  also  dealt  in  sporting  goods,  cigars,  tobacco  andcon- 
fectionerj:  he  now  has  a  full  supply  of  dry  goods,  groceries, 
hardware  and  confectionery,  the  stock  being  about  $3,000_in  value. 
His  trade  is  increasing.  Aug.  22, 1856,  he  married  Minerva,  daugli- 
ter  of  Jesse  Sinff,  deceased,  of  Detroit.  They  had  four  children,  of 
whom  but  one,  Harry,  is  living,  who  was  born  Dec.  11,  1868. 
Mrs.  D.  died  May  20, 1879,  mourned  by  all  who  knew  her. 

Miss  Virginie  Binsmore,  teacher,  was  born  Dec.  26,  1853,  in 
Hardin  township.  Her  father,  John  0.  Dinsmore, deceased,  was  Cap- 
tain of  Co.  E,  99th  1.  V.  I.,  in  the  Rebellion,  and  was  also  an  of- 
iicer  in  the  Mexican  war,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Bnena 
Vista,  Cerro  Gordo  and  others,  and  saw  Ool.  Hardin  fall.  He  died 
in  February,  1874,  on  the  old  homestead  near  Time,  this  county. 
Miss  Dinsmore  has  been  a  teacher  for  7  j^ears,  and  now  has  charge 
of  the  primary  department  of  the  Detroit  schools.  She  is  well  liked 
as'an  instructor  and  disciplinarian. 

William  Douglas  was  born  March  9,  1817,  in  New  Galloway, 
Kirkcudbrightshire,  Scotland,  where  he  received  a  common-school 
education,  and  came  to  America  in  1836,  stopping  in  the  East  for 
several  years.  Dec.  19,  1841,  he  married  Permelia,  daughter  of 
Edmund  Strawn,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1830,  just  in  time  to  suf- 
fer the  privations  of  the  severe  winter  of  the  deep  snow.  Mrs.  Doug- 
las was  born  in  Guilford  Co.,  N.  C,  Aug.  25,  1823.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
D.  have  had  12  children,  of  whom  7  are  living, — Andrew,  Mary, 
Edmund,  John  T.,  Churchwell,  William  W.  and  James  S.  The  4 
eldest  are  married.  Mr.  Douglas  is  a  mechanic  by  trade,  in  which 
capacity  he  wrought  during  the  earlier  portion  of  his  life,  but  is 
now  a  prominent  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on  sec.  33.  He  spent  one 
year  in  Canada  and  6  years  in  Missouri.  He  helped  erect  the  State 
University  in  the  latter  State,  and  also  assisted  in  the  erection  of 
the  first  mill  in  Pittsfield  in  1849. 

John  W.  Dunniway  was  born  in  Gallatin  county,  Ky.,  Jan.  17, 
1834,  the  son  of  David  and  Annie  (Crow)  Dunniway.  They  came 
to  Pike  county  in  1836,  settling  on  sec.  18,  enduring  the  usual  hard- 
ships of  that  day,  their  houses  consisting  of  little  log  cabins,  etc. 
They  came  by  boat,  having  sent  their  teams  through  by  land,  and 
when  the  teams  arrived  the  hair  was  all  worn  off  the  horses'  legs, 
so  terrible  were  the  roads  and  swamps  through  which  they  passed. 
Mr.  D.  died  March  5,  1869,  at  the  age  of  69  years,  and  Mrs.  D.  re- 
sides with  her  son  on  the  old  home  place,  at  the  age  of  77.  She 
was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ky.  John  W.  was  married  Kov.  29, 
1855,  to  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  David  Rupart,  who  came  to  Pike 
county  in  1840.  They  have  4  children,  viz:  MaryE.,  "Williain  A., 
David  F.  and  Frederick  A.     Mr.  D.  is  a  farmer   and  stock-raiser. 

James  W.  Ellis,  a  native  of  this  tp.,  was  born  Oct.  10,,  1838,  and' 
is  the  son  of  Thomas  Ellis,  deceased,  and  brother  of  John  and  T.B. 
Ellis.     He  received  his  education  in  a  log  cabin  known  as  "mud 
college,"  raised  a  farmer,  and  knows  all  about  heavy  work  in  pio- 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  433 

neer  times.  Dec.  28,  1869,  he  married  Miss  0.  J.  Phillips,  daughter 
of  James  Phillips,  of  this  tp.,  and  they  have  had  2  children,  Charlie, 
deceased,  and  Lillian.     Mr.  Ellis  is  a  farmer  on  sec.  16. 

John  B  Ellis  was  bora  Oct.  17,  1834,  in  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  the 
son  of  Thomas  Ellis,  deceased,  who  brought  his  family  to  this  county 
in  1836.  John  B's  mother,  Elizabeth  Ellis,  still  resides  on  the  old 
homestead,  at  the  age  of  74.  Nov.  6,  1862,  Mr.  E,  married  Ellen 
Croft,  daughter  of  George  Croft,  of  Montezuma  tp.,  and  their  7 
children  are,  Ellen  E.,  Thomas  G.,  John  W.,  Peter  J.,  David  C, 
Annie  S.  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Ellis  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on 
sec,  16. 

Thomas  Ellis,  deceased,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Milton,  Oxford- 
shire, Eng.,  Dec.  IS,  1808;  educated  in  the  village  school,  and  March 
16,  1832,  married  Elizabeth  Brooks,  and  they  have  had  7  children: 
Thomas  B.,  John  B.,  Peter,  James  W.,  Elizabeth  A.,  Harriott  and 
Ellen  J.,  deceased.  Mrs  Ellis  was  born  July  15, 1804,  in  Shipton,  Ox- 
fordshire, Eng. ;  they  came  to  America  in  1832,  locating  at  Lock- 
port,  N.  Y.,  where  they  remained  until  1835,  when  they  removed 
to  this  county;  resided  on  a  rented  farm  one  year;  then  purchased 
80  acres  at  a  sale  of  school  land  in. Detroit  tp.,  where  Mrs.  Ellis 
.still  resides.     Mr.  E.  died  March  21,  1868. 

Thomas  B.  Ellis  was  born  in  Lockport,  IS".  Y.,  Nov.  8, 1832,  son 
of  the  preceding;  is  a  farmer  on  sec.  15.  Oct.  9, 1873,  he  married 
Fannie  Allen,  daughter  of  J.  W.  Allen,  of  Milton.  Their  4  chil- 
dren are  Thomas  II.,  John  A.,  Charles  L  and  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Ellis 
served  3  years  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  C,  99th  L  Y.  I.,  participating 
in  the  sieare  of  Yicksbura:  ahd  in  other  en ffascements ;  he  was  taken 
prisoner  while  on  a  scouting  expedition  in  Texas  near  Victoria;  he 
was  held  in  camp  in  Camp  Ford,  Texas,  for  6  months  and  then  ex- 
changed. .  He  was  discharged  in  1865. 

Bernard  W.  Flinn,  farmer,  sec.  5,  and  the  present  Connty  Treas- 
urer, was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  March  29,  1814,  the  son  of 
John  Flinn,  deceased,  who  was  a  native  of  Ireland;  he  was  brought 
by  his  parents  to  Morgan  county,  0.,  in  1819,  where  they  remained 
until  1826,  and  then  were  in  Zanesville,  O.,  until  1839;  a  portion  of 
this  time  he  engaged  in  wholesale  dry  goods,  and  afterward  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  Coshocton  Co.,  O.  In  1841  he  moved  to 
Cincinnati,  0.,  and  became  proprietor  of  the  St.  Charles  House;  in 
1852  he  removed  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  to  Pike  county  in  October, 
1856,  settling  on  sec.  5,  this  tp.,  where  he  still  resides,  owning  385 
acres  of  land.  In  February,  1841,  he  married  Sarah  Brownell,  and 
they  have  had  8  children,  of  whom  5  are  living,  namely:  James,  who 
married  Charlotte  Stephens  and  resides  at  Pana,  111.;  Esley,  now 
Mrs.  James  Dimmitt,  of  Detroit  tp. ;  Cornelia,  Lewis  H.  and  Charles. 
Mr.  Flinn  was  elected  Treasurer  at  the  November  election  in  1879 
•  by  a  majority  of  323  votes. 

Norton  Foreman,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  31;  was  born 
Aug.  2,  1843,  in  Newburg  township,  this  county,  and  is  the  son  of 
Jamos  Foreman,  who  came  to  this  county  in  early  day;  was  edu- 


434:  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

cated  in  Detroit  and  reared  on  a  farm.  Dec.  17,  1863,  he  married 
Sarah  E.,  danejhter  of  James  Bond,  of  Piatt  county,  111.  Their  5 
children  are  William,  James  F.,  Annie,  Nellie  and  Edwin. 

Townsencl  Foreman,  farmer,  was  born  July.  28,  1845,  in  New- 
bnraj  tp.,  this  county,  the  son  of  James  W.  and  Jane  Foreman- 
was  raised  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common-school  education- 
May  15,  1867,  he  married  Mary  J.  Goldman.  Hie  was  a  merchant 
in  Detroit  4  or  5  years,  th'en  a  farmer  until  1874,  when  he  moved 
to  Lewistown,  Fulton  county.  111.,  where  he  again  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising 2  years;  he  sold  out  and  entered  the  livery  business  in 
that  place;  he  then  returned  to  Detroit,  where  he  is  engaged  in 
farming.  He  is  also  proprietor  of  an  "  Eclipse  "  thresher,  which  he 
operates  each  season  tcr  the  entire  satisfaction  of  his  many  patrons. 

James  E.  French  was  born  Oct.  25, 1832,  in  Indiana,  and  is  the 
son  of  Jacob  French,  deceased,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1834, 
settling  in  Griggsville  township;  received  his  education  in  an  old 
log  cabin,  in  a  subscription  school  at  a  distance  of  4  or  5  miles 
from  home.  Nov.  10,  1850,  he  married  Caroline  C.  Madden, 
daughter  of  Bonhara  A.  Madden,  an  early  settler  of  the  Illinois 
river  valley.  Mrs.  French  was  born  Feb.  10,  1833,  in  Indiana. 
Their  4  children  are  George  iT.,  who  married  Frances  Thackston, , 
and  resides  in  Greene  county,  111.;  Henry  C,  who  married  Mari- 
etta McEvers,  and  resides  near  Montezuma;  M.  E.  and  Wilhara  A. 
Mr.  French  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on  sec.  32. 

Paul  P.  i'VeracA,  P.  O.,  Florence,  was  born  September  20,  1833, 
in  Harrison  county,  Ind.,  and  was  brought  to  this  county  by  his 
parents  about  1842;  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  is  now  engaged 
in  farming,  and  also  has  a  half  interest  in  the  Florence  horse 
ferry.  Dec.  20,  1853,  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Edward 
Farthing,  deceased,  and  of  their  9  children  only  4  are  living,  namely: 
Wm,  P.,  Nancy  J.,  Edward  and  Annie.  Mr.  French  traded  in  live 
stock  and  followed  general  merchandising  in  Florence  for  several 
years,  but  his  health  failing,  he  had  to  change  business. 

Elizabeth  Goldman,  widow  of  the  late  Benjamin  Goldman,  was 
born  in  Clark  county  Ky.,  Dec.  29,1830,  the  daughter  of  David 
and  Anna  Dunniway,  who  brought  their  family  of  5  children  to 
this  county  in  1836,  settling  on  sec.  7,  this  township,  where  Mrs. 
Dnnniway  still  resides,  at  the  age  of  77.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goldman 
were  married  Nov,  26,  1848,  in  this  township,  and  of  tiieir  4  chil- 
dren 3  are  living,  Mary  J.,  Julia  C.  and  Elizabeth  D.  Julia  mar- 
ried Taylor  Foreman,  who  is  managing  the  farm  of  his  mother-in- 
law.  Mr.  Goldman  was  born  Dee.  24,  1824,  in  Clark  county,  Ky., 
and  is  the  son  of  Abraham  and  Susannah  Goldman,  deceased,  who 
brought  him  to  Pike  county  in  early  day,  where  he  was  brought  np 
on  a  farm  amid  all  the  privations  of  pioneer  times.  He  was  a 
Class-Leader  in  the  M.  E.  Church  for  many  years.  An  eminent, 
Christian  and  a  worthy  head  of  the  family.  His  death  occurred 
October  20,  1874. 

Elizabeth  A.    Goldman  was  born  in  this  county  January  31, 


HISTOEY    01-    PI]fE    COUNTY.  435 

184:1,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Ellis,  deceased,  and  a  sister 
of  John  and  Thomas  B.  Ellis,  of  this  township,  elsewhere  noticed. 
Jan.  2,  1852,  she  married  Josiah  Goldman,  and  S  of  their  9  chil- 
dren are  living,  viz:  John,  Millicent,  Fannie,  Ilettie,  Thomas,  Jane, 
Ellen  and  James  Monroe.     John  is  superintending  the  farm. 

Wm.  C.  Hall  was  born  May  29,  1844,  in  this  county,  and  is  the 
son  of  T.  L.  Hall,  of  early  day  here,  who  came  in  1828,  when  he 
had  to  go  to  Atlas,  a  distance  of  26  miles,  to  mill.  He  taught  the 
first  singing-school  in  Atlas,  said  to  be  the  first  in  the  county.  In 
1840  he  built  a  saw- mill  on  Little  Blue  creek.  He  was  brought 
up  a  Presbyterian,  but  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  a  mem- 
ber f)f  the  Christian  Church.  His  death  occurred  January  5,  1872. 
Wm.  C.  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  early  day,  having  all  the  usual 
experiences  ot  clearing  wood  land.  October  9,  1866,  he  married 
Nellie,  daughter  of  John  S.  Shinn,  of  Criggsville,  and  they  have 
one  little  boy,  Willy.  Mr.  Hall  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on 
sec.  16. 

James  D.  Heavner.  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  32;  V.  0.  Mil- 
ton; was  born  Jan.  7,  1835,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob 
Heavner,  who  emigrated  with  his  family  to  Sangamon  county  in 
lS27,and  to  this  county  in  1828;  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war.  under  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  died  in  1867.  Jaiifes  D.  was 
married  J^Tov.  4,  1858,  to  Matilda,  daughter  of  Manley  Thomas,  an 
early  settler.  Of  their  7  children  the  following  6  are  living:  Clara, 
Lizzie,  Maggie,  Nannie,  Do  vie  and  Mattie. 

Samuel  Lightle  was  brought  to  this  county  when  a  boy  by  his 
parents  in  1835;  educated  in  the  old-fashioned  subscription  school; 
married,  Dec.  31,  1858,  Martha,  daughter  of  Coleman  Dempsey,  of 
Pike  county,  Mo.  Of  their  10  children  these  8  are  living:  Mary 
A.,  Isaac  'S.,  Clara  II.,  John  W.,  Annettie  J.,  Charlotte  M.,  Nellie 
E.  and  James  W.     Mr.  L.  is  a  farmer  on  sec.  8.    P.  O.,  Detroit. 

.Stewart  Lindsey,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  31,  owning  200 
acres  of  land,  was  born  Oct.  1,  1808,  in  Scott  county,  Ky.,  and  is 
the  son  of  Robert  Lindsey,  who  emigrated  with  his  parents  from 
Virginia  to  Kentucky  in  1788.  Stewart's  grandfather,  Aaron  Rey- 
nolds, was  one  of  Daniel  Boone's  associates  as  an  early  settler  of 
Kentucky.  His  mother  was  born  in  a  fort  called  Craig's  Station, 
in  Woodford  county,  Ky.  He  was  educated  in  a  log  cabin  with  a 
triangular  fire-place  across  one  end  of  the  room,  with  a  window  ten 
feet  in  length  and  one  light  high.  The  text  books  consisted  of  a 
Webster's  speller,  Testament  and  Guthrie's  Arithmetic.  The  seats 
consisted  of  split  logs  with  legs  fastened  in  them.  Jan.  27,  1835, 
he  married  Mary  Hays,  and  they  had  10  children,  of  whom  9  are 
living,— Falissa  A.,  John  W.,  Newton  J.,  James,  Oscar,  Mary, 
Robert,  Charles  and  Frank.  The  name  of  the  deceased  was  Samuel. 
Four  of  his  sons  ^qy&  in  the  late  war;  Samuel  was  a  prisoner  at 
Andersonville,  wher^  he  contracted  a  disease  that  caused  his  death.  < 
The  others  were  honorably  discharged. 

Aaron  Loveless   was  bocn  in  Medina  county,  O.,  Dec.  7,  1883, 


436  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COU^'TY. 

and  is  the  son  of  Wm.  Loveless,  of  Detroit  tp.,  who  brought  his 
family  to  this  county  in  1839.  Oct.  13,  1858,  he  was  married  to 
Eebecca  Yelliott,  daughter  of  Luke  Yelliott.  She  is  a  native  of 
England,  and  was  born  in  1840.  Mr.  Loveless  is  a  farmer  and 
resides  on  sec.  7;  he  is  also  proprietor  of  a  portable  saw-mill,  which 
he  has  successfully  operated  for  two  years,  and  which  is  now  situ- 
ated on  Cicero  Scoby's  farm,  between  Pittsfield  and  Griggsville. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loveless  have  had  6  children,  of  whom  4  are  living, 
— Addie,  Albert.  "Wesley  and  Clayton. 

Wm.  Loveless  was  born  in  Monmouth  county,  i^.  J.,  Oct.  26, 
1816;  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Medina  county,  0.,  in  1830, 
where  he  remained  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he  married 
Rebecca  Snyder,  Feb.  22,  1838.  They  emigrated  to  this  county  in 
1839.  Mr.  Loveless  is  a  mechanic,  and  worked  in  various  places  in 
this  county  for  several  years.  About  1848  he  purchased  a  farm  on 
sec.  18,  Detroit  tp.,  but  has  resided  in  this  tp.  all  the  time.  They 
resided  in  Rockport,  this  county,  for  about  3  years,  and  in  Wiscon- 
sin for  5J  years,  where  he  pursued  his  profession.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Loveless  have  3  children, — Aaron,  "Wilson  and  Emily.  Aaron 
married  Rebecca  Yelliott,  of  this  Ip.;  "Wilson  married  Nellie  Ole- 
son,  and  resides  in  Oak  county,  "Wis.;  and  Emily  married  James 
Shriver,  and  resides  in  the  house  with  her  parents. 

Samuel  S.  McAtee  was  born  near  Baltimore,  Md.,  July  23,1855, 
and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  I.  McAtee,  of  Shelby  county,  Mo.  He 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Missouri,  where  his  parents 
took  him  in  1857,  and  in  1872  came  to  Pike  Co.,  and  to  Detroit  in 
1875,  where  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons,  in  which  he 
has  been  successful.  Dec.  24,  1877,  he  married  Ollie  Sanderson, 
daughter  of  Reuben  Sanderson,  of  Detroit. 

Wm,.  Moore  was  born  in  Detroit,  Pike  Co.,  111.,  Dec  29,  1853, 
and  is  the  son  of  "Wm.  Moore,  of  Detroit  tp.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  at  the  age  of  21  was  apprenticed  to  A.  F.  Reinika,  a 
blacksmith  of  Detroit,  and  in  1878  he  began  business  for  himself, 
and  has  a  good  trade.  He  also  manufactures  wagons  in  company 
with  Mr.  McAtee. 

George  M.  Neeley,  P.  O.,  Detroit,  a  native  of  this  county,  was 
born  March  1,  1839,  where  Detroit  now  stands.  His  father,  Henry 
Neeley,  was  a  resident  of  Horse-Shoe  Bend,  on  the  Sangamon  river, 
before  Illinois  was  a  State.  In  1821  he  went  up  in  a  keel-boat  to  a 
French  trading  post  on  the  Upper  Mississippi.  He  emigrated  with 
his  father,  Joseph  Neeley,  from  North  Carolina  to  Tennessee,  where 
they  remained  several  years,  when  Joseph  Neeley  emigrated  to 
Illinois,  and  soon  after  was  followed  by  his  son,  Henry,  who  came 
to  Pike  Co.  in  1831  and  settled  on  sec.  18,  Detroit  tp.  Henry  saw 
the  first  house  erected  in  Pittsfield,  and  states  that  the  parties  erect- 
ting  it  began  at  the  top  of  the  rafters  to  lay  on  the  roof.  Mr.  Neeley 
died  Aug.  1,  1869,  at  the  place  where  he  first  settled  in  Pike  Co. 
Geo.  M.  was  married  April  4,  1861,  to  Lizzie  Mclver,  by  whom  he 
had  2  children,  Alfred  and  Emma.     He  again  married  Sept.  10, 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  437 

1874,  Lizzie  Stephens,  daughter  of  Elijah  Stephens,  of  Jasper 
county,  Mo.  They  have  2  children, — Lillie  and  George  Arthur. 
Mr.  JSteeley  is  a  farmer;  also  proprietor  of  the  Detroit  House  in 
Detroit;  he  spent  about  18  years  of  his  life  in  Texas,  Mexico  and 
the  Southern  States,  and  while  there  served  three  years  in  the  Con- 
federate army.     He  is  now  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  Detroit  tp. 

Henry  Perry,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Manchester, 
Eng.,  Dec.  10,  1840,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Perry,  deceased.  He 
came  to  America  in  1856  and  settled  in  Detroit  tp.,  where  he  still 
resides.  July  14,  1859,  he  married  Sarah  H.,  daughter  of  Amos 
Taylor,  a  pioneer  of  this  Co.  They  have  had  9  children:  8  are 
living, — Maria,  Laura  A.,  John  H.,  Eosa  M.,  Elizabeth  H.,  "Wm.  M., 
Mattie  M.  and  Lillie  M.  The  name  of  the  deceased  was  Eobt.  H. :  he 
accidentally  shot  himself  with  a  gun  while  climbing  a  fence  in  the 
fall  of  1878.  Mr.  Perry  served  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  I,  99th  Eeg. 
I.  V.  L  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Hartsville,  Mo.,  where  he 
received  a  slight  wound,  and  in  the  campaign  of  Yicksburg.  He 
was  discharged  in  1865. 

;'  James  Phillips  was  born  in  Cherry  Yalley,  Otsego  county,  N.  Y., 
March  12,  1812,  and  is  the  son  of  Barnabas  Phillips,  dec.  He  came 
to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1837jand  settled  in  the  town  of  Griggs- 
ville.  His  father  jvas  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  worked  in 
a  flouring  mill  at  intervals  for  about  10  years,  then  settled  on  sec. 
21,  Detroit  tp.,  where  he  still  resides  a  prominent  farmer.  Dec. 
29,  1842,  he 'married  Armina  Hughes:  they  have  had  9  children,  8 
of  whom  are  living, — Clarissa  J.,  Edward  D.,  Francis  M.,  Martha  E., 
Lucinda  C,  Mary-C,  Owen  E.  and  James  M.  Mr.  Phillips  is  a  very 
worthy  citizen. 

A.  F.  Peiniha,  blacksmith,  was  born  in  Germany,  Sept.  16, 
1848,  and  is  the  son  of  Simon  Eeinika,  of  Pittsfield;  was  reared  on 
a  farm  until  17  years  of  age;  was  then  apprenticed  to  August  Sit- 
ler,  a  shoemaker  of  Detroit,  but  the  trade  not  being  pleasant  to 
him  he  went  back  to  farming,  whicii  he  pursued  2  years,  when  he 
engaged  upon  a  saw-mill  for  9  months  ;  he  then  apprenticed 
himself  to  Conrad  Winant,  a  blacksmith  of  Pittsfield,  with  whom 
he  worked  18  months;  then  went  back  to  the  farm  again  for  one 
season,  then  went  to  work  for  Geo.  Carrier,  a  blacksmith  of  Pitts- 
field. In  Oct.  1872,  he  began  business  for  himself  in  Detroit, 
where  he  still  remains,  doing  a  large  business;  Nov.  27,  1871,  he 
married  Mary  E.  Ayers,  and  their  4  children  are  Allie  M.,  Harry 
0.,  Lurie  and  Wm.  A. 

Wm.  Reynolds  was  born  in  Gallia«county,  0.,  Oct.,  1825,  and 
came  to  Pike  Co.  in  1840;  was  raised  on  a  farm;  served  21 
months  in  the  Mexican  war,  then  returned  to  Ohio  and  married 
Susan  Fry,  by  whom  he  had  12  children,  of  these  10  are  living, — 
Geo.  W.,  Wm.  L.,  Stephen  A.,  Frances  J.,  Emily,  Maud,  Henry 
and  Mary.  Mn  E.  returned  to  Illinois  in  1850,  and  now  resides 
on  sec.  4,  Detroit  tp.,  in  the  Big  Blue  valley,  and  is^  engaged  in 
farming.     He  was  2d  Lieutenant  in   Co.  B.  68th  Eeg.  I.  Y.  I.,  in 


438  HISTORY   OF   PIKE   COUNTT. 

the  late  war.  About  1854  or  1856  he  engaged  in  brick-laying 
and  assisted  in  laying  the  brick  in  all  the  principal  buildings  in 
Pittsfleld,  Grriggsville,  Perry  and  New  Saleuj,  up  to  about  1870. 

Joseph  Rhodes,  farmer,  sec.  6,  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  Jan. 
8,  1824;  learned  the  business  of  a  wool-stapler  under  Mr.  Atkin- 
son; then  worked  as  journeyman  until  1848,  when  he  came  to 
America  and  worked  with  one  Greenbanks,  of  New  England,  until 
1856,  and  then  came  to  Pike  county  and  settled  upon  his  farm. 
Although  farming  was  entirely  new  to  him  he  has  by  good  sense, 
hard  work  and  economy  made  for  himself  a  nice  farm  of  190  acres. 
He  is  a  prominent  farmer  in  this  tp.  and  makes  wheat  raising  a 
speciality.  In  1844  he  married  Martha,  daughter  of  James  Whit- 
field, a  hind  for  Arthur  Heywood,  a  large  land-owner  in  England. 
Their  9  children  are  William,  Henry,  Charles,  Albert  E.,  Manuletta, 
Daniel  E.,  Sarah  J.  and  Mary  J.  (twins),  and  Julia  A.  Mrs. 
Rhodes  also  is  a  native  of  Yorkshire  and  was  born  July  10,  1823. 

William  Sanderson  ^2i,s  born  Dec.  28,  1826,  in  Highland  Co., 
O.,  and  is  the  son  of  George  Sanderson,  dec. ;  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
received  a  common-school  education,  came  to  Pike  county  in  1855, 
where  he  still  resides,  on  sec.  30,  this  tp.  In  Nov.,  1848,  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  Paris,  and*  their  children  are  Alva  0.  and  Rnfus  A. 
Mrs.  Sanderson  died  in  1852.  Sept.  17,  1857,  I^r  S.  married  Jane, 
daughter  of  John  A.  Williams,  dec,  who  was  a  native  of  North 
Carolina  and  settled  in  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1830,  just  in  time 
to  help  wad§  through  the  "  deep  snow."  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanderson 
have  5  children :  Gilbert  C,  Linnie  L.,  Orin  E..,  Willy  A.  and  Clara 
B.  Mr.  Sanderson's  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  His 
widow  draws  a  pension  and  resides  among  her  children. 

Joshua  K.  Sitton;  P.  O.,  Detroit;  was  born  Nov.  25,  1824,  in 
Lincoln  Co.,  Mo.,  the  son  of  Jesse  Sitton,  who  brought  his  family 
here  in  1828,  and  died  in  the  fall  of  1832,  a  Baptist  minister.  He 
preached  all  over  Pike  county  and  in  the  counties  of  Morgan  and 
Sangamon.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  in  the 
battle  of  New  Orleans  under  Gen.  Jackson.  Oct.  6,  1847,  Joshua 
K.  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Heavner,  daughter  of  Jacob  Heavner, 
dec,  an  early  settler  in  this  State.  They  have  had  6  children,  of 
whom  only  3  are  living,  namely,  Jesse,  Mary  E.  and  Annettie.  Mr. 
Sitton  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on  sec.  20.  In  1849  he  went 
overland  to  California  and  returned  in  1851.  He  served  18  months 
in  the  late  war,  in  Co.  C,  99th  I.  V.  I.,  and  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Magnolia  Hill,  Black  Kiver,  Raymond,  Wilson  Creek,  siege 
of  Yicksburg  and  others.  -He  was  wounded  at  Yicksburg,  in  cop- 
sequence  of  which  he  was  discharged  in  1864.  He  was  a  commis- 
sioned officer  all  the  time  he  served  in  the  army.  He  went  oat  as 
First  Lieutenant  and  was  discharged  as  Quartermaster. 

Mary  J.  Smith  was  born  in  Cumberland  Co.,  Ky.,  Feb.  4,  1828, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Samuel  Baker,  who  brought  his  family  to  this 
county  in  1834,  settling  on  sec.  33,  on  what  is  now  known  as  the 
"  Douglas  farm."     He  died  in  March,  1837.     Mary  J.  was  married 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  439 

Sept.  1,  18J:6,  to  Eichard  R.  Smith,  a  native  of  Clark  Co.,  Ky.,  who 
was  born  July  19, 1821  and  was  brought  to  Morgan,  now  Scott  Co., 
111.,  in  1828,  settling  in  Winchester.  He  was  raised  on  the  farm, 
and  in  1848  came  to  Pike  county,  settling  on  sec-  3-3,  Detroit  tp., 
where  he  resided  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  Oct.  19,  1862.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  had  7  children,— 
Harriet  A.,  now  Mrs.  Wm.  H.  Butler;  Sarah  J,  now  the  wife  of  Mr. 
A.  Armstrong;  Judith  Y.,  now  the  widow  of  Mr.  A.  Landers; 
Mary  H.,  dec;  Martha  C,  now  Mrs.  Henry  T.  Bagby;  Wm.  S.  and 
Eichard  D. 

Mrs.  Nancy  Smith.  This  lady's  father,  Samuel  Blake,  brought 
his  family  to  this  county- in  1833;  the  next  year  he  died,  leaving  a 
widow  and  7  small  children.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  has  there- 
fore seen  hard  times, — times  when  wolves  made  the  night  hideous, 
when  young  live-stock  had  to  be  kept  in  pens,  when  a  hewed-log 
house  was  considered  almost  an  extravagant  luxury,  and  when  mill- 
ing was  almost  impossible;  she  has  worked  in  the  field  at  picking 
brush,  rolling  logs,  building  fence,  gathering  corn,  etc.  She  built 
traps  and  caught  turkeys,  and  her  sister  Margaret  at  onetime  waded 
into  the  Little  Blue  creek,  waist  deep  in  the  water  with  an  ax  and 
killed  a  deer,  which  the  dogs  were  trying  to  drag  down;  several 
times  Mrs.  Smith  went  5  miles  to  mill  taking  a  sack  of  corn  horse- 
back. The  first  steam-boat  that  she  saw  on  the  Illinois  river  she 
remembers  was  the  "Eaccoon."  Feb.  9,  1842,  she  married  George 
V.  Stackpole,  a  native  of  Thomaston,  Maine,  who  died  Sept.  8,  1871 . 
He  was  Capt.  of  various  boats  on  the  Illinois  river;  filled  every 
position  on  boats  from  deck-hand  to  proprietor!  Our  subject  was 
again  married  Nov.  3,  1878,  this'time  to  JSTathaniel  P.  Smith,  who 
was  born  in  Ohio,  Oct.  16,  1823;  he  was  paised  a  farmer's  boy; 
taught  school  most  of  the  time  for  about  14  years;  came  to  this 
county  in  1873,  and  now  resides  on  sec.  28,  this  tp. 

William  K.  Smith  is  a  native  of  Scott  county,  Ky.,  born  April 
4,  1804;  came  to  Morgan  county.  111.,  in  1839,  where  he  followed 
farming  until  1851,  when  he  came  and  settled  on  sec.  33,  this 
township,  where  he  has  since  resided;  but  he  has  placed  the  farm 
in  charge  of  his  son-in-law,  John  F.  Kingman.  In  July,  1825,  Mr. 
Smith  married  Lucinda  Kendrick,  and  they  have  had  one  child, 
James  W.,  now  living  in  Montezuma  tp.  Mrs.  Smith  died  Oct.  13, 
1841,  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Mr. 
S.,  in  Oct.,  1843,  married  Elizabeth  Kendrick,  a  sister  of  his  former 
wife,  and  they  ha-ve  had  4  children,  of  whom  2  are  living, — Susan 
J.  (now  Mrs.  J.  F.  Kinman)  and  Joanna  I.  Mrs.  Smith  died  Oct. 
3,  1875,  a  worthy  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

James  Stoner  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  Nov.  21,  1827,  the 
son  of  Thomas  Stoner,  who  brought  his  family  to  America  in  1844', 
settling  in  this  township,  where  James  still  resides,  a  farmer  on 
sec.  17.  In  1856  he  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  George  Croft, 
of  Montezuma  tp.  They  have  2  children,  Ellen  and  Frederick. 
Mrs.  S.  died  in  1866,  aud'in  1866  Mr.  S.  married  Harriet,  daughter 


440  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COtTNTT 

of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ellis,  of  this  township;  their  2  children  are  Pan- 
nie  and  James. 

Creed  Strain  was  born  Sept.  9, 1833,  in  this  county,  and  is  the 
son  of  Edmund  Strawii,  deceased,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1830' 
July  12,  1857,  Mr.  Creed  Strawn  married  Helen,  daughter  of  Zach- 
ariah  Owuby.  Her  grandmother  relates  this  interesting  incident: 
An  Indian  chief  entered  the  house  one  day,  and,  looking  at  the 
baby  (Mrs.  Strawn's  uncle)  which  was  lying  in  the  cradle,  said: 
"  Pretty  pale-face,  how  swap?  Give  pony  to  boot."  This  baby  is 
now  Thomas  Ownby,  of  Eldara.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Strawn  have  had 
2  children,  both  dead. 

L.  B.  Taylor,  farmer,  sec  29,  was  born  Feb.  10,  1840,  in  this 
coimtv,  the  son  of  Amos  Taylor,  who  was  born  near  Hartford,  Conn., 
and  vvho  died  Oct.  31,  1866.  Aug.  15,  1862,  L.  B.  married 
Hannah,  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Walker,  deceased,  and  their  children 
areAlonzo,  John  H.,  Edward,  Kobert,  Clara,  Emma,  Alva  0.  and 
Ira.  Mr.  Taylor  served  three  years  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  I,  99th 
I.  Y.  1.,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Magnolia  Hill,  Black  River,  siege 
of  Yicksburg,  etc.,  and  was  discharged  July  30,  1865. 

William  B.  Thompson,  who  has  resided  in  this  State  since  1817, 
was  born  in  Eorrulee  Bottom,  Mo.,  March  13,  1813.  His  father 
was  James,  deceased,  a  native  of  Yirginia,  and  a  pioneer  in  Mis- 
souri Territory,  who  settled  in  Washington  county,  111.,  in  1817. 
He  was  in  the  Indian  war  of  1791,  and  was  at  St.  Clair's  defeat, 
where  he  was  wounded  in  the  right  leg,  which  rendered  him  a 
cripple  for  life.  March  17,  1844,  Wm.  B.  married  Mary  A.  Brooks. 
Their  children  are- Benjamin  E.,  Sylvester  W.,  Susan  J.,  James  S., 
Sarah  E.  and  William  D.     Mr.  T.  is  a  farmer  on  sec.  32. 

Thomas  TFarfe,  farmer,  gee.  16.  A  native  of  this  connty,  was 
born  April  7,  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  B.  Wade,  who  was  a 
pioneer  of  Pike  county,  having  been  brought  here  by  his  parents 
when  but  6  years  old.  There  were  but  13  families  in  the  county 
when  he  settled  there.  Thomas  Wade  was  raised  on  a  farm  three 
miles  south  of  Griggsville.  Sept.  25,  1857,  he  married  Ellen, 
daughter  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ellis,  a  widow  lady  of  Detroit  township. 
They  had  3  children, — Thomas,  Albertie  and  James.  In  Sept., 
1875,  Mrs.  Wade  died,  and  in  April,  1876,  he  married  Frances 
Lindville,  and  they  have  one  little  boy,  Harvey.  Mr.  Wade  owns 
a  half  interest  in  the  Florence  horse  ferry.  He  served  in  the  late 
war  in  Co.  H.,  73d  Eegiment,  I.  Y.  I.,  and  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Stone  river. 

Birrel  Walk,  farmer,  sec.  35;  P.  O.,  Milton;  was  born  Dec.  14, 
1832,  near  Lexington,  IN.  C;  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  this 
county  in  1836,  and  settled  near  Milton.  His  father,  Teter  Walk, 
worked  very  hard  and  endured  many  privations  in  preparing  for  fu- 
ture prosperity.  -He  died  in  the  winter  of  1839-40.  Our  subject  was 
raised  on  a  farm  and  knows  all  about  grubbing,  picking  bush, 
rolling  logs,  driving  oxen,  etc.,  etc.  Jan.  3,  1861,  he  married 
Eliza  J.  Poland,  and  their  children  are  Hardin  W.,  Cordelia  J., 


^^^724^ 


'^?^>^^ 


PITTSFIELD  TP 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  443 

Hulburt  C,  Sarah  A.,  Cora  B.  and  Lincoln  Teter.  In  1853  Mr. 
Walk  went  overland  to  California  and  returned  in  1866. 

Jasper  Walk,  farmer,  sec.  36,  was  born  in  this  township  Aug. 
lY,  1839.  His  mother,  Mahala  "Walk,  came  to  this  county  in  1836, 
and  still  resides  with  her  son  at  the  age  of  70  years.  She  was  born 
in  Davidson  county,  N.  C.  Her  father  owned  the  Horshoe  Neck  on 
the  Yadkin  river.  Oar  subject  lives  in  a  house  made  of  hewed 
logs  39  years  ago,  built  by  Thomas  Clemons,  the  original  settler  on 
section  36.  March  28,  1860,  he  married  Rachel  Anthony,  and  they 
have  had  7  children,  5  of  whom  are  living,  namely,  Ella  Bell, 
Alice  A.,  Harvey  C,  Charlotte  A.  and  Jasper  C.  Mr.  Walk  was 
a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  in  Co,  I,  99th  Reg.  I.  V.  I.,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Port  Gibson,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Black 
River  and  others.  At  the  siege  of  Vicksburg  he  was  under  fire  for 
47  days;  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Black  River,  and,  was  dis- 
charged July  30,  1865,  at  Baton  Rouge. 

Augustus  F.  White,  farmer,  sec.  35,  was  born  in  Cornwall,  Con- 
necticut, May  6,  1832,  and  is  the  son  of  Comfort  White,  deceased. 
He  received  a  common-school  education,  and  attended  the  great 
Barrington  Academy,  of  Berkshire  county,  Mass.;  he  also  attended 
the  Stockbridge  Academy  of  the  same  county.  He  taught  school 
most  of  the  time  for  22  years.  April  9,  1858,  he  married  Harriet 
Watts,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  3  children — Charles  A.,  Mary 
A.  and  John  E.,  deceased.  In  1852  Mr.  W.  went  to  California  by 
ship,  crossing  the  isthmus  of  Panama  by  way  of  Lake  Nicaragua, 
and  returned  by  the  Panama  route  the  next  year.  His  ancestors 
came  across  the  ocean  in  the  Mayflower,  and  he  is  a  descendant 
of  the  same  family  of  which  Perigrine  White  was  a  member,  the 
first  white  child  born  in  America. 

Elijah  Williams  was  born  in  Clinton  county,  O.,  Aug  6,  1844, 
and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  Williams,  deceased,  also  a  native  of  Ohio. 
He  received  a  common-school  education,  and  in  1867  came  to  Illi- 
nois and  located  in  Sangamon  Co.,  and  in  1872  to  Brown  Co., 
where  he  engaged  in  various  occupations  for  one  year,  and  then 
became  salesman  in  a  wholesale  tin  and  hardware  store  for  F.  H. 
Hudson,  of  Yersailles,  111.  In  December,  1877,  he  engaged,  with  J. 
W.  Wright  &  Co.,  of  the  same  place,  in  retailing  dry  goods  and 
notions  through  various  parts  of  the  country;  in  the  spring  of  1878, 
he  was  elected  to  the  oifice  of  Assessor.  The  June  following  he 
opened  a  restaurant,  and  in  March,  1879,  he  removed  to  Florence_^and 
went  into  the  mercantile  business,  where  he  now  has  a  thriving 
trade.  In  December,  1869,  he  married  Ida  Campbell.  Their  4 
children  are  Charles  H.,  Effie  M.,  Joseph  F.  and  an  infant  girl. 
Mr.  W.  served  3  years  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  D, 79th Reg.  O.  V.  I., 
and  was  in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Peach-Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Stone 
River,  Savannah,  Charleston  and  others.  He  was  taken  prisoner 
by  a  company  of  Hood's  cavalry,  while  out  foraging,  and  placed  in 
Libby  prison,  but  was  released  in  21  days. 

Harvey  D.  Williams,  Principal  of  Detroit  Schools,  was  born  in 

27 


4M  HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT. 

Carroll  Co.,  Ya.,  Nov.  10,  1847,  and  is  the  son  of  Nicholas  Wil- 
liams,  who  came  to  Hancock  county  about  the  year  1852.  The 
Professor  was  educated  in  Quincy  College,  111.,  and  began  his 
chosen  profession  in  1868,  in  Hancock  county,  and  in  1870  came  to 
Pike  county,  where  he  has  since  taught,  and  is  now  teaching  his 
sixth  year  in  Detroit.  He  gives  general  satisfaction  as  an  instructor 
and  disciplinarian.  Aug.  22,  1872,  he  was  married  to  Cammie, 
daughter  of  David  Williams,  of  this  township. 

Samuel  M.  Williams,  lawyer,  was  born  in  Salisbury,  K".  C,  Feb. 
9,  1829,  and  is  the  son  of  John  A.  Williams,  a  pioneer  of  this 
county,  who  brought  his  family  here  in  1834,  and  endured  all  the 
privations  of  pioneer  life.  He  was  Deacon  in  the  Baptist  Church 
in  Detroit  25  years,  and  died  March  26,  1876,  in  Pettis  county, 
Mo.,  where  he  had  resided  four  years.  May  1,  1864,  Samuel  M. 
married  Eunice,  daughter  of  Ede  Hatch,  deceased,  who  resided  in 
this  township  until  within  two  years  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  Newburg  township.  May  15,  1842.  He  was  a  worthy  citizen  and 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  have 
three  children,  viz:  Frances,  Claiborne  and  Samuel.  Mrs.  Wil- 
liams had  previously  been  married  and  had  three  children,  Henry, 
Henrietta  and  Harlov  Hosford,  deceased.  Mr.  Williams  has  prac- 
ticed law  25  years. 

Bula  A.  Wilson  was  born  Jan.  13, 1828,  and  was  brought  to  this 
county  by  her  parents  in  1833,  and  has  seen  many  hardships  and 
troubles ;  has  done  all  kinds  of  heavy  farm  work,  pulled,  hackled, 
spun  and  wove  flax,  and  hauled  many  a  load  of  wood.  She  was 
unusually  kind,  benevolent  and  charitable,  and  wherever  there  was 
sickness  and  suffering  Mrs.  Wilson  was  found  ;  yet  when  she  was 
left  a  widow,  sick  with  rheumatism,  and  a  little  speechless  boy,  she 
was  placed  in  a  poor-house..  Sept.  26, 1861,  she  married  John  Hol- 
iday, who  was  drowned  in  jthe  Mississippi  river  at  St.  Louis,  Sept. 
16, 1863.  They  had  one  son,  John  H.  Jan.  13,  1876,  she  married 
Charles  Wilson,  a  native  of  Sweden. 

Luke  Yelliott,  P.  O.  Detroit,  was  born  in  Dbncaster,  Yorkshire, 
Eng.,  about  1809,  and  is  the  son  of  Luke  Yelliott,  sr.  In  1842  he 
came  to  Pike  county  and  settled  on  the  farm  he  now  owns,  and 
where  he  resides.  He  was  married  in  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  Feb.  10, 
1840  (just  one  week  after  the  marriage  of  Queen  Yictoria),  to 
Mary,  daughter  of  Jolin  and  Rebecca  Burland,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  1831,  enduring  many  of  the  hardships-  of  pioneer  life. 
Mrs.  Burland  used  locust  thorns  for  pins,  such  was  the  scarcity  of 
household  articles.  They  both  died  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Yelliott, 
aged  87  and  77  years,  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yelliott  have 
had  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are  living,  Rebecca  and  Sarah 
(twins),  John  and  Annette  (twins),  Luke,  Edward  B.,  and  Mary  A. 


MONTEZUMA  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township  borders  on  the  Illinois  river  and  lies  between 
Detroit  on  the  north  and  Pearl  on  the  south.  It  was  one  of  the 
first  townships  in  this  early  settled  coiinty  to  receive  the  pioneer. 
A  very  complete  and  interesting  historical  sketch  of  this  township 
was  prepared  by  Mr.  F.  M.  Grrimes,  editor  of  the  Milton  Beacon, 
in  1876,  and  we  make  no  apology  for  quoting  much  of  this  sketch. 
The  people  of  Montezuma  and  neighboring  townships  had  a  grand 
centennial  celebration  at  Milton,  July  4, 1876,  and  Mr.  Grimes  was 
appointed  to  the  pleasant  yet  arduous  and  difficult  task  of  prepar- 
ing an  historical  sketch  of  this  township  as  a^Centennial  History. 
After  his  introductory,  he  begins  the  sketch  of  the  settlement  as 
follows  : 

SETTLEMENT. 

One  hundred  years  ago  the  sound  of  the  white  man's  ax  had  not 
been  heard  in  our  forests.  The  ringing  of  the  anvil,  the  rattle  of 
the  reaper,  the  hum  of  the  thresher,  and  whistle  of  the  engine 
would  have  been  strange  music  to  the  ear  of  the  wild  Indian,  whose 
song  and  warhoop  were  the  only  sounds  indicative  of  human  exis- 
tence. The  soul-stirring  music  of  the  band,  the  melodious  tones  of 
the  oi'gan  and  the  still  sweeter  voices  of  the  choir,  would  have  been 
in  strange  contrast  with  the  howl  of  the  wolf  or,  the  scream  of  the 
panther  as  they  roamed  fearlessly  o'er  the  spot  where  we  now 
stand.  The  bark  canoe  and  the  majestic  steamer;  the  rude  wig- 
wam and  the  stately  mansion;  the  Indian  pony  and  the  iron  horse; 
the  slow  footman  and  the  lightning  telegraph,— but  faintly  illustrate 
the  vast  difference  between  the  savage  of  then  and  the  civilized  of 
to-day. 

But  little  is  known  of  the  history  of  Montezuma  township  prior 
to  the  year  1819,  at  which  time  Ebenezer  Franklin  settled  upon  the 
lands  now  owned  by  his  son  Frederick  Franklin,  our  townsman. 
Other  settlements  were  afterwards  made  by  Charles  Adams,  James 
Daniels,  David  Daniels,  David  Hoover,  Daniel  Hoover,  Joel  Meach- 
am,  Thomas  Davis  (1826),  Elijah  Garrison  (1826),  Solomon  Far- 
rington  (1827),  John  F.  Long  (1828),  Fielden  Hanks  (1829),  William 
Morton,  Frederic  Franklin  (came  with  his  father),  E.  C.  Clemmons, 
James  Cheathani  (1834),  Josiah  Hoover  (came  with  his  father  in 
1826),  George  Hoover  (came  with  his  father),  Daniel  Hoover  (182).6 
The  last  eight  are  still  residents.     Z.  A.  Garrison,  John  Batter- 


446  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

shell  (1832),  now  a  resident  of  Spring.  Creek  township,  Ezekiel 
Olemmons,  Boone  Allen,  John  Morton,  George  Morton,  Peter 
Dillon,  John  Garrison,  Joseph  Garrison,  John  Loop,  J^icholas 
Jones,  John  Jones,  Wm.  McBride,  Smith  Aimes,  Joshua  Davis 
Josiah  Sinims,  William  Kennoy  (1826),  Solomon  Seevers,  — Roark 
James  Grimes  (1836),  John  Bacus,  Job  Wilkinson,  B.  Greathonse, 
John  Greathouse,   Louis  Allen,  Elijah  Garrison. 

Like  all  settlers  of  new  countries  they  suffered  many  hardships 
and  inconveniences.  The  nearest  mill  for  the  first  few  years  was 
Edwardsville,  80  miles  distant.  Mr.  Franklin  informs  us  that  there 
were  then  about  200  Indians  in  the  neighborhood.     *      *      *      * 

In  the  year  1829  a  horse-mill  was  built  by  Freeinan  Tucker  on 
the  lot  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Franklin.  The  nearest  trading  points 
were  at  Atlas  and  Bridgeport,  opposite  Bedford.  The  first  regularly 
laid  out  road  ran  from  Montezuma  to  Atlas,  and  was  among,  if  not 
the  first,  in  the  county.  Houston  was  the  physician.  Polly  Davis 
taught  the  first  school  in  a  small  cabin  on  the  land  now  owned  by 
Josiah  Hoover.  In  addition  to  her  labors  as  teacher  she  had  the 
care  of  eight  children. 

The  inliabitants  were  pre-eminently  religious.  Shouting  was 
very  common  and  the  "  jerks  "  had  not  ceased  to  afflict  the  religious 
fanatic.  Preaching  and  prayer  meetings  were  held  at  private 
houses  until  better  accommodations  could  be  had.  The  Christian 
Ciiurch  prevailed  at  that  time,  and  an  organization  was  efiected 
prior  to  1828.  There  were  five  resident  ministers;  four  of  the 
Christian  and  one  of  the  Baptist  faith.  The  present  Christian 
Church  has  been  perpetuated  since  the  year  1833. 

The  call  for  volunteers  for  the  Black  Hawk  war  created  no  little 
consternation  among  the  people.  A  meeting  was  called  at  Flor- 
ence and  John  Battershell,  Joseph  Gale,  William  Kenney,  Joshua 
Davis,  Smith  Aimes,  Josiah  Simms  and  Edward  Irons  enlisted. 
The  first  two  are  still  living.  There  were  others  from  the  adjoin- 
ing towns  or  counties  who  afterwards  became  residents,  as  Jesse 
Lester,  then  a  resident  of  Detroit,  now  residing  here,  James  Grimes, 
resident  of  Greene  county,  and  others  whose  names  we  cannot  give. 

About  the  year  1830,  by  virtue  of  a  law  allowing  slaveholders 
the  privilege  of  passing  through  this  State  with  slaves,  slavery  ex- 
isted in  the  township  for  a  period  limited  by  th^  law  to  30  days.  Jacob 
Rosel  brought  a  negro  woman  here,  and  not  wishing  to  remove 
for  the  time,  kept  her  until  the  expiration  of  the  30  days  and  took 
her  to  Missouri  for  a  few  days,  and  brought  her  back  again,  and  so 
continued  to  do,  thus  evading  the  law  for  nearly  a  year. 

The  first  marriage  so  far  as  we  can  learn  was  that  of  Joseph  Gale 
and  Elizabeth  Garrison,  about  the  year  1830.  John  F.  Long  is 
now  the  oldest  resident  voter  in  the  township,  having  been  a  legal 
voter  47  years,  and  has  not  missed  to  exceed  three  general  elections. 
The  oldest  native-born  resident  is  Daniel  G.  Hoover,  son  of  Daniel 
and  Rebecca  Hoover.     Calvin  Greathouse,  son  of  John  and  Cathe- 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  447 

dne  G-reathouse,  was  the  first  native-born.     He  is  now  a  resident 
of  Texas. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Even  in  the  earlier  days  the  settlers  regarded  the  edncation  of 
their  children  as  their  'first  duty.  In  many  instances  the  tuition 
was  paid  by  the  father's  labor  with  the  maul  and  wedge,  or  the 
mother's  work  at  the  wheel  and  loom.  The  first  board  of  school 
trustees  now  on  record  was  composed  of  the  following  names: 
Nathan  Tucker,  E  C.  Eobertson,  Jacob  Wagner,  John  F.  Long  and 
Solomon  Farrington,  who  met  at  Milton  July  15,  1840,  and  appor- 
tioned the  funds  then  on  hand,  $83.06,  upon  the  schedules  of  W. 
M.  Porter  and  Charles  Daniels. 

A  subsequent  meeting  is  recorded  as  follows: 

June  5th,  1841. 
Trustees  of- schools  met  at  Milton  and  ordered: 

1st.  That  the  debtors  to  the  school  fund  be  required  punctually  to  pay  the  inter- 
eat  when  due,  and  annually  to  pay  ten  per  cent,  of  the  principal. 

3d.  That  65  days  be  considered  one  quarter  of  a  year,  and  that  each  school 
teacher  teach  8  hours  in  each  day. 

3d.  That  the  trustees  receive  for  their  services  50  cts.  per  day,  and  the  treasurer 
receive  $1.00  per  day. 

Mathew  Bakek, 
Waltek  W.  Tuceee, 
James  Grimes, 
FiELDBN  Hanks, 
John  S.  Bacus, 

Trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  Thomas  Davis'  house  in  November  of  the 
same  year,  the  township  was  laid  off  in  districts,  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  and  4. 
Lots  No.  4,  14  and  15  of  the  16th  section  were  ordered  to  be  sold  on 
the  24th  of  December  on  1,  2,  3,  4  and  5  years'  time.  From  1840 
to  1850  we  find  the  name  of  B.  Greathouse  as  Treasurer  most  of  the 
time.  The  names  of  a  portion  of  the  teachers  are  as, follows:  T. 
M.  Johnson,  Louisa  Greene,  W.  W.  Tucker,  A.  Meacham,  A.  D. 
Robertson,  W.  Porter,  G.  Lester,  Joseph  M.  Jones  (now  resident 
of  Oregon),  'N.  W.  Saxton,  J.  J.  Meacham,  A.  Jones,  H.  D.  Bennett, 
C.  L.  Easley,  T.  P.  Hoit,  Noble  Shaw,  Martha  Greathouse,  B.  F. 
Turpin.  Matthew  Morton,  Sidney  Coffey,  James  Brook,  JSTancy  L. 
Eeed,  John  Porter,  Sherman  Goss,  Edwin  Woolley,  Joseph  Colvin 
(now  living  in  Time),  W.  F.  Anderson,  Addison  S.  Smith,  John  W. 
Allen  (now  residing  near  Milton),  R.  R.  Clark.  James  M.  Grimes, 
Adam  Aeott,  Mary  A.  Clemmons,  CarolineE.  Davis,  Harmon  J.Kim- 
ball, Wm.  B.  Grimes,  Edwin  P.  Simmons,  John  S.  Woolley,  Emeline 
Spencer,  Robert  Owen  and  Samuel  Heaton.  From  1850  to  the 
present  we  can  only  fiiention  a  few  of  the  names:  Hampton,  Eag- 
lin,  Hurley,  Roberts,  Walden.  Underwood,  Eakins,  Harris,  Ewing, 
'^.  C.  Boren,  P.  A.  Long,  J.  H.  Long,  W.  M.  Landess,  JST.  J.  Colvin, 
Fannie  Allen,.  Jane  Allen,  A.  F.  White,  W.  E".  Barney,  Sarah  B. 
Stuart,  N.  D.  Mc.  Evfers,  G.  W.  Manley,  J.  L.  Harris,  Lucinda  K. 


448  flISTOET    OF   PIKE   OOUNTr. 

Smith,  G.  B.  Garrison,  W.  Z.  Garrison,  Amanda  Boren  and  J.  M.. 
Faris.  The  teachers  during  the  last  year  were  John  King,  Miss 
Cromwell,  Mrs.  A.  Binns,  L.  D.  Riggs,  Geo.  A.  Holcotnb,  0.  E. 
Thurman,  J.  G.  "Webster,  J.  L.  Craven,  "W".  F.  Colvin,  and  the 
writer.  Several  of  the  above  named  persons  have  devoted  the 
greater  portion  of  their  lives  to  the  profession.  During  the  past 20 
years  Mr.  F.  M.  Grimes  taught  19  successive  terms  in  this  town- 
ship. 

Montezuma  has  always  been  proud  of  her  schools,  and  according 
to  her  population  she  stands  second  to  none  in  the  county,  perhaps 
in  the  State.  Liberal  wages  have  been  paid,  and  there  seems  to  be 
a  determination  on  the  part  of  the  patrons  to  sjjare  no  pains  in 
giving  to  their  children  the  greatest  of  blessings,  a  liberal  educa- 
tion. As  evidence  that  our  schools  have  been  all  that  we  claim  for' 
them,  we  point  to  the  business  and  professional  men  who  received 
their  education  in  our  schools,  viz:  J.  F.  Greathouse,  who  now 
ranks  among  the  best  lawyers  of  the  county,  F.  M.  Greathouse,  his 
brother,  now  present  State's  Attorney  of  Calhoun,  and  stands  at  the 
head  of  the  Bar  in  that  county;  W.  B.  Grimes,  ex-Oounty  Olerk, 
and  Y.  A.  Grimes,  present  Deputy;  "W.  H.  Thomas,  attorney,  now 
in  California;  J.  H.  Nicolay,  who  held  a  position  in  the  U.  S. 
Treasury  at  Washington;  JohnG.  Ificolay,  present  Marshal  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  U.  S.,  held  his  residence  here  for  several 
years  prior  to  entering  upon  his  apprenticeship  as  a  printer  in 
Pittsfield,  and  whs^t  education  he  received  in  the  common  schools, 
was  obtained  in  the  schools  in  this  township. 

AGEIOULTUEB. 

For  many  years  the  tillers  of  the  soil  were,  of  necessity,  com- 
pelled to  use  such  implements  as  came  within  their  reach.  The 
plow  with  wooden  mold-board  is  within  the  recollection  of  many- 
who  were  raised  in  our  midst.  The  sickle  and  the  scythe  were  suf- 
ficient for  the  amount  of  small  grain  raised,  but  as  the  acreage 
increased,  the  demand  for  something  more  expeditious  was  supplied 
by  the  introduction  of  the  reaper.  Mr.  R.  H.  Robertson  was  the 
first  to  lead  in  this  progressive  movement,  and  in  about  the  year 
1845,  bought  and  cut  his  grain  with  a  McCormick  reaper.  Next 
year  Mr.  E.  C.  Clemmons  followed  the  example.  A.  Boren  and 
John  F.  Long  soon  after  introduced  one  in  the  south  part  of  the 
township.  Flailing  and  tramping  with  horses  soon  gave  way  to 
the  "  beater,"  which  was  run  by  Wm.  Stults.  This  was  quite  a 
relief  to  the  boys  who  rode  the  horses  from  day  to  day,  and  bare- 
back at  that,  on  a  tramping  floor  not  more  than  30  feet  in  diameter. 
Ourrecollections  on  this  point  are  very  vivid  indeed.  The  "  beater 
soon  gave  way  to  the  improved  thresher  and  cleaner ;  the  wooden 
fork  was  not  adequate  to  the  task  of  taking  care  of  the  straw;  the 
wooden  plows  were  laid  in  the  shade  and  the  Stebbins  and  Modie 
plows  took  their  places;  the  wooden  harrow  was  not  in  keeping 
with  the  times,  and  the  material  from  which  it  was  made  served 


HISTORY    01"    PIKE    COUNTY.  449 

for  other  purposes.  That  the  soil  from  which  our  crops  is  produced 
is  of  the  best  and  most  endurable  quality,  is  demonstrated  beyond 
a  dpubt  by  the  manner  in  which  it  has  from  year  to  year  been  tilled. 
Until  late  years  the  clover  crop  was  as  rare  as  the  flax  crop  is  at 
the  present.  Year  after  year  have  our  lands  yielded  bountiful 
crops,  without  rest  or  nourishment  in  return,  and  why  should  we 
wonder  that  it  should  show  some  signs  of  diminished  productive- 
ness? The  improved  methods  of  culture,  deep  plowing,  clovering 
and  pasturing,  have  made  much  of  our  land  better  than  it  was  when 
it  was  first  turned  by  the  plow-share. 

The  introduction  of  improved  and  blooded  stock  was  left  to  a 
few  of  our  most  enterprising  farmers,  who,  in  the  past  25  years 
have  made  rapid  strides  in  this  particular,  so  much  so  that  this  for 
the  past  two  or  three  years  may  be  called  the  banner  township,  so 
far  as  the  show  of  fine  cattle  is  concerned.  Isaac  Brown  &  Sons, 
John  0.  Bolin,  E.  N.  French,  Geo.  Hoover,  E..  0.  Allen  and  others, 
have  done  a  commendable  work  in  the  improvement  of  cattle,  hogs 
and  sheep. 

The  majority  of  our  farmers  now  have  more  or  less  of  the  im- 
proved breeds  upon  their  farms.  The  original  scrub  hog  is  as 
scarce  now  as  the  imported  was  20  years  ago.  In  order  that  the 
progress  of  the  next  century  may  be  readily  estimated  by  the 
readers  who  at  that  time  may  chance  to  see  this  record,  we  give 
some  of  the  statistics  furnished  by  Eli  Grimes,  present  Assessor: 
;  Merchandise,  value,  $27,460;  moneys  and  credits,  $66,486;  im- 
proved lands,  12,257  acres,  $327,925;  unimproved  lands,  8,261 
acres,  $43,660;  wheat,  3,019  acres;  corn,  4,148  acres;  oats,  509 
acres;  meadows  and  pasture,  3,085  acres;  town  lots,  improved,  155; 
unimproved,  391;  total  value  of  town  lots,  $58,919;  total  value  of 
personal  property,  $173,175;  total  value  of  real  estate,  $371,585. 
Grand  total,  $607,539. 

VILLAGES. 

There  are  three  villages  in  this  township,  the  largest  and  most 
important  of  which  is  Milton,  situated  on  section  5.  At  the  close 
of  the  Black  Hawk  war  in  1832,  and  when  the  people  of  the  South 
and  East  were  assured  that  the  settlers  through  this  section  of  the 
State  had  no  more  to  fear  from  the  Indians,  there  was  a  most  wonder- 
ful influx  of  settlers  here.  There  has  never  been  a  period  in  the 
history  of  the  settlement  of  the  Mississippi  valley  or  the  Great 
West,  when  emigration  w^s  greater  than  it  was  to  Central  Illinois 
during  the  few  years  subsequent  to  the  close  of  the  war,  say  from 
1833  to  1837.  The  people  poured  in  by  thousands,  and  the  beauti- 
ful groves  and  "  points  "  of  Pike  county  received  their  portion. 
During  this  period  we  find  unprecedented  prosperity  on  every 
hand.  Then,  to  add  to  the  almost  wild  excitement  incident  to  the 
prosperity  and  speculation  then  rife,  the  State  inaugurated  the  most 
stupendous  system  ot  internal  improvements  ever  attempted  by  a 
government.'  The  wildest  imagination  can  scarcely  conceive  tlie  mag- 


i50  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

nitude  of  this  vast  system.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  it  proved  an  incentive 
to  the  settlers  here  to  embark  in  speculations,  especially  in  land. 
Towns  were  laid  out  on  every  hand,  and  a  majority  of  the  villages 
of  Pike  county  were  platted,  christened  and  started  upon  their 
career  during  this  eventful  period.  In  this  township  the  villages 
of  Milton,  Montezuma  and  Bedford  were  ushered  into  existence  at 
this  time. 

The  beautiful  little  village  of  Milton  was  platted  by  Freeman 
Tucker,  March  2,  1835.  As  early  as  1828  Wm.  Kenney  erected  a 
log  cabin  here.  Some  little  improvement  was  made  in  the  neigh- 
borhood from  that  time  until  they  laid  off  the  town.  There  are 
several  good  store  buildings,  filled  with  a  fine  assortment  of  goods 
in  their  various  lines,  situated  around  a  beautiful  little  square, 
which  is  set  with  trees,  etc.,  and  forms  a  pleasant  summer  park. 
The  first  store  was  kept  by  Tucker  &  "Wethers,  and  the  first  school 
was  taught  by  George  Lester.  The  first  church  structure  was  situ- 
ated on  the  Public  Square.  Milton  is  situated  upon  a  beautiful 
prairie,  and  enjoys  a  fine  local  trade. 

The  village  of  Montezuma,  which  is  located  on  the  Illinois  river, 
on  section  12,  and  four  miles  from  Milton,  was  laid  out  by  an 
Alton  Company  for  a  river  landing.  In  1836  Joel  Meacham,  who 
ran  a  ferry  across  the  river  at  this  point  for  many  years,  laid  out 
an  addition,  which  comprises  about  one-half  of  the  town.  Monte- 
zuma had  great  promise  of  making  a  town  of  some  importance, 
being  an  excellent  landing  for  boats  at  all  stages  of  water,  but  the 
introduction  of  railroads  and  the  springing  up  of  inland  towns, 
have  so  crippled  river  transportation  that  at  present  it  afibrds  profit 
to  scarcely  any  one.  The  village  contains  at  present  about  100  in- 
habitants. 

Bedford,  which  is  situated  on  sections  13  and  24,  and  about  one 
mile  and  a  half  below  Montezuma  on  the  river,  was  laid  out  by 
David  Hoge,  April  16,  1836.  It  has  an  excellent  river  landing,  and 
for  years  a  vast  amount  of  grain,  pork  and  various  kinds  of  pro- 
duce, were  annually  shipped  from  here.  It  no  longer,  however, 
claims  any  great  prominence  among  the  towns  of  the  county.  Its 
present  population  numbers  about  100. 

'  :  ;  SONAL  SKETCHES. 

We  refrain  from  dwelling  longer  on  the  history  of  the  township, 
or  any  of  its  villages,  choosing  rather  to  devote  the  space  to  giving 
personal  sketches  of  the  more  prominent  citizens  of  the  township, 
believing  such  sketches  are  of  equal  importance,  and  afford  greater 
interest. 

Austin  R.  Allen,  physician,  is  the  son  of  John  W.  and  Louisa 
Allen,  who  settled  in  this  county  in  an  early  day.  He  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation  but  taught  school  for  many  years ;  was  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  in  pioneer  times,  and  in  1861  was  elected  County 
Judge;  in  1865  he  completed  the  canvas  for  the  census,  and  is  now 
traveling  in  Virginia.     Austin  R.  began  his  medical  studies  with 


HISTOET   OF   PIKE-  COUNTY.  451 

his  brother,  0.  I.  Allen,  a  practitioner  in  this  section  since  1866; 
attended  medical  lectures  at  the  St.  Louis  Medical  College  1875-8, 
and  March  5  of  the  latter  year  he  was  graduated,  and  estab- 
lished himself  in  Milton,  where  he  now  has  a  large  practice.  He 
was  born  in  Detroit  township  in  1857. 

John  Battershell,  sr.,  of  the  firm  of  Battershell  &  Mitchell,  mer- 
chants, Milton,  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ky.,  March  13, 1811,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Abigail  (Rector)  Battershell,  natives  of  Mary- 
land and  Kentucky.  Mr.  B.  settled  in  Scott  county,  Illinois,  in 
1829,  where  he  engaged  in  farming;  in  1859  he  settled  in  Pike 
county,  on  a  farm  of  305  acre?,  in  this  township,  valued  at  $50  per 
acre.  In  1829  he  married  Miss  Betsey  Richards,  a  native  of 
Virginia,  who  died  at  Winchester,  III.  They  had  8  children, 
7  of  whom'  are  living, — Martha,  Mitchell,  Sarah,  Hezekiah, 
Mary,  Matilda,  and  John,  jr.  He  then  married  Anna  Smith,  a 
native  of  Tennessee,  by  whom  he  has  3  children:  Charles,  Eva  and 
Emma  (twins).  The  present  business  partnership  was  formed  in 
1878,  which  is  the  largest  and  controls  the  most  extensive  trade 
in  Milton. 

A.  W.  JBemis,  retired  farmer  and  claim  agent,  was  born  in  Wor- 
cester county,  Mass.,  in  1814,  and  is  the  son  of  Aaron  and  Martha 
(Frost)  Bemis,  who  settled  in  Summer  Hill,  this  county,  in  1835, 
where  he  purchased  land  and  resided  until  his  death,  in  1871.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  married  Mary  P.  Ford,  a  native  of  Greene 
county,  and  they  have  2  children,  Albert  and  Laurie.  He  first  set- 
tled at  Atlas,  then  on  the  old  homestead  at  Summer  Hill,  then  in 
1851  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  Montezuma,  and  in 
1853  he  became  extensively  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  at  Time, 
where  he  resided  until  1873;  he  then  returned  to  his  present  place 
in  Montezuma.  He  was  Township  Treasurer  13  years,  Justice  of 
the  Peace  many  years,  was  the  first  Supervisor  of  Martinsburg  tpl., 
and  in  1851-3  he  was  Postmaster  at  Montezuma. 

John  0.  £oUn,  retired  farmer;  P.  O.  Milton;  was  born  in  Pick- 
away county,  O.,  in  1824,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Charles  and 
Betsey  (Griffin)  Bolin,  natives  of  Delaware,  who  came'to  this  county 
in  1838  and  settled  in  Pleasant  Hill  township;  in  1848  they  moved 
to  Martinsburg  township,  where  Mrs.  B.  died  the  next  year;  he 
then  moved  to  Milton,  where  he  married  Miss  Minerva  Clemmons, 
and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  In  1851  John  0.  was 
admitted  to  the  partnership,  and  for  10  years  this  firm  carried  on 
a  large  dry-goods  trade.  Mr.  Charles  Bolin  then  retired,  and  in 
1868  died.  He  was  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  John  O.  then  dis- 
posed of  the  stock  of  goods  in  1865,  and  built  his  present  residence, 
where  he  has  60  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $100  per  acre.  He  also 
has  a  farm  of  155  acres  on  sec.  16,  valued  at  $50  an  acre.  In  1845 
he  married  Rebecca  McCoy,  a  native  of  Missouri,  who  died  in  1863. 
His  present  wife,  Mary,  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Hoover.  Mr. 
Bolin  was  Supervisor  for  a  number  of  terms.  He  is  a  Democrat, 
and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 


452  HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COTJNTT. 

Ahsalom  Boren,  jr.,  farmer,  sec.  32,  P.  O.  Milton  ;  is  the  son  of 
Absalom  and  Catherine  (Anderson)  Boren,  natives  of  Indiana, 
where,  in  Posey  county,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  1819* 
he  came  to  this  county  in  1839,  and  settled  in  this  tp.  where  he 
has  since  made  his  home.  The  same  year  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Lucinda,  daughter  of  James  Grimes,  an  early  settler  of  this 
county.  She  was  born  in  "White  county  in  1823.  The  fruits  of 
this  union  are  5  children,  living, — Nancy  K.,  John  "W.,  Uriel  E., 
Angeline  Q.  E.,  and  Sarah  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Boren  has  served  as  School  Di- 
rector, and  his  name  is  linked  with  those  who  were  the  founders  of 
Montezuma. 

John  W.  Boren,  harness-maker,  was  born  in  this  county, 
Aug.  2,  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Absalom  and  Lucinda  (GrimeB) 
Boren,  who  settled  in  Montezuma  tp.  in  1836,  where  they,  still 
reside.  He  was  married  in  1872  to  Miss  Mary  Smith,  a  native 
of  this  county.  He  first  established  himself  in  business  on 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  Square,  and  in  18Y6  settled  in  his  pres- 
ent location.  He  carries  a  stock  of  ^1,500,  and  has  a  good  trade. 
Is  Justice  of  the  Peace,  having  filled  that  office  4  years,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

John  M.  Brooking,  farmer,  sec.  32;  P.  O.  Milton ;  born  on  the 
Ohio  river,  in  Ohio,  in  1822,  and  is  the  son  of  Wm.  and  Sarah  (Rubell) 
Brooking,  natives  of  Ohio,  where  they  both  died.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  married  May  4,  1842,  to  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter 
of  John  Colvin,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1852  and  settled  in  this 
tp.,  where,  he  has  since  made  his  home;  moved  to  his  present  es- 
tate in  1858,  consisting  of  120  acres,  valued  at  $40  per  acre.  Their 
children  are  Andrew  F.,  Arnold  D.,  John  W.,  Amanda,  Sarah  J. 
and  Kebecca  M.  Mr.  B .  served  as  School  Director  one  term,  and 
is  a  self-made  man,  who,  by  his  energy  and  perseverance  has  secured 
for  himself  a  good  home. 

Jomies  Cheatham,  retired  farmer,  residence  Milton,  was  born  in 
Cumberland  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1813;  is  the  son  of  Kichardson  Cheatham, 
a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  he  died  at  an  early  day.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  came  to  this  county  in  1834,  and  settled  in  this  tp. 
on  sec.  4,  where  he  built  a  lo»  cabin  and  cultivated  80  acres  of  land; 
the  same  year  he  married  Miss-  Virginia  Robertson,  a  native  of 
South  Carolina,  who  with  her  mother  and  brother  came  to  this 
county  the  same  year.  The  license  for  this  pioneer  couple  was  the 
3d  one  issued  at  Pittsfield.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  them; 
Samuel,  who  married  Sarah  Lyster,  and  resides  on  the  homestead; 
Lucy  Ann,  wife  of  F.  McFadden,  residents  of  Magnolia ;  and 
Walter,  who  was  drowned  when  19  years  of  age.  Mr.  0.  settled 
on  his  present'  place  in  1872,  where  he  lives  in  retirement  and  en- 
joyment of  past  industry.  They  number  among  the  living  relics  of 
Montezuma. 

J.  P.  Clemmons,  farmer,  sec.  3;  P.   O.  Milton;  is  the  son  of 
Ezekiel  and  Phosbe  (Reed)  Clemmons,  natives  of  Rouen  Co.,  N.  0., 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY..  453 

where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  1814.  The  family 
emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1823  and  settled  in  Lawrence  county.  lu 
1825  they  moved  to  this  comity  and  settled  in  Deti-oit  tp.,  and  3 
years  afterward  settled  in  this  tp.,  where  his  parents  both  died. 
Mr.  0.  moved  on  his  present  farm  in  1836,  consisting  of  196  acres, 
valued  at  $60  per  ^  acre.  The  same  year  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Jane,  daughter  of  Wm.  Hayden,  and  they  had  3  children,  2  of 
whom  are  living,  Mary  and  Phcebe.  His  present  wife,  Polly,  nee 
Grimes,  is  a  native  of  "White  county.  111.,  and  they  have  had  2 
children, — Henry  and  Sarah.  Mr.  C.  had  no  opportunities  for  an 
early  education,  and  at  the  age  of  21  years  he  was  enabled  to  pur- 
chase 40  acre's  of  land,  which  by  his  energy  and  perseverance  he 
had  accumulated.  To  him  belongs  the  honor  of  being  the  oldest 
living  settler  in  Montezuma,  a  record  which  he  may  value,  and  to 
which  his  posterity  ever  look  with  pride.  Pie  built  the  first  school- 
house  erected  in  Detroit  tp.,  and  has  experienced  all  the  hardships 
of  pioneer  life. 

Oeorge  Croft,  farmer,  sec.  2;  P.  O.  Milton;  is  the  son  of 
Mathew  and  Mary  (Rumans)  Croft,  natives  of  York,  England,  where 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  1806.  He  acquired  his 
early  education  in  the  colleges  of  his  native  place,  where  he  engaged 
as  teacher  in  the  academy.  In  1831  he  was  selected  by  the  Wes- 
leyan  Missionary  Society,  of  London,  to  preach  the  gospel  in  the 
West  Indies.  He  reached  the  Islands  in  1831,  and  preached  through- 
out the  different  Islands  for  13  years.  While  there  he  met  and  mar- 
.ried  (in  1834),  Miss  Ellen  Stoner,  a  native  of  Leeds,  England,  where 
she  was  born  in  1807.  Mr.  C.  has  crossed  the  Atlantic  9  times,  and 
lived  under  most  of  the  flags  of  Europe.  He  spent  the  summer  of 
1879  in  his  native  home,  but  prefers  to  live  under  the  flag  of  our 
common  country.  His  farm  of  440  acres  is  the  fruits  of  his  own 
industry,  his  first  purchase  being  but  160  acres.  It  is  valued  at 
$50  per  acre.  Here  he  settled  in  1856,  living  in  a  log  house  until 
he  had  erected  his  present  commodious  residence.  He  is  the  father 
of  6  children,  5  of  whom  are  living;  David  S.,  Helen,  George,  Han- 
nah L.  and  Thomas.  He  is  Local  Elder  in  the  M.  E.  Church,  and 
a  gentleman  well  known  throughout  the  county. 

8.  W.  Daniels,  of  the  firm  of  Merchant  &  Miller,  and  who  re- 
sides at  Bedford,  was  born  in  this  county  in  1829,  and  is  the  son  of 
James  and  Olive  Daniels, natives  of  N.  Y.,  and  Yt.,  who  emigrated 
to  Madison  county,  thence  to  this  county  in  1826,  settling  on  the 
section  where  he  entered  120  acres  of  land,  where  they  both  died. 
He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  an  early  pioneer  of  Pike 
county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1846,  to  Miss 
Frances  E.,  daughter  of  John  French.  To  them  have  been  born  5 
children:  Wesley  P.,  George,  Julia,  Thomas,  and  Eozella.  Mr.  D. 
began  milling  in  the  early  days.  He  is  also  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile trade  at  Bedford  and  runs  the  ferry  at  that  place;  is  con- 
ducting a  good  business. 
Joseph  Dugdell,  farmer,  sec.  ,22;    P.  O.   Milton;  was  born   in 


454  .HISTOET   OF    PIKE  CO0NTY. 

Yorkshire,  England,  Dec.  25,  1810;  was  married  Jan.  28,  1832,  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Farra,  also  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  where  she' 
was  born  Oct.  11,  1810.  He  emigrated  to  America  in  1843  and 
spent  one  winter  in  Morgan  county,  thence  he  went  to  Scott  county, 
and  in  1847  to  this  county,  setling  in  this  tp.,  where  he  has  since 
made  it  his  home.  He  moved  to  his  present  place  in  1852,  upon 
which  was  a  log  cabin,  and  which  has  long  since  given  place  to  his 
present  commodious  residence.  Mr.  D.  has  a  farm  of  '280  acres, 
valued  at  $40  per  acre.  He  is  the  father  of  4  children:  Charles, 
Joseph,  jr.,  Wm.  T.,  and  Hanna  E.,  all  of  whom  are  married,  and 
grandchildren  surround  him  in  his  declining  years. 

Taylor  B.  Franklin,  farmer  sec.  11 ;  P.  O.  Milton;  is  the  grand- 
son of  Ebenezer  Franklin,  the  earliest  settler  of  Pike  county,  and 
eldest  son  of  Frederick  Franklin,  who  passed  a  life  of  usefulness  in 
Montezuma  tp.,  where  he  died  in  1878.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  married  in  April,  1869,  to  Miss  Priscilla  Stathen,  a  native  of 
Ohio,  and  there  have  been  born  to  them  4  children;  Augustus, 
William,  Fred  E.  and  Cora  H.  Mr.  F.  resides  upon  a  portion  of 
his  father's  estate,  consisting  of  141  acres,  valued  at  $25  per  acre. 
Sixty  years  have  passed  since  Ebenezer  Franklin  set  foot  on  the 
soil  of  Pike  county,  and  to  his  posterity  belong  the  honor  of  his 
name. 

David  Foreman,  farmer  and  harness- maker,  sec.  31  ;  P.,0.  Mil- 
ton ;  was  born  in  Highland  county,  O.,  in  1834,  and  is  the  son  of 
Jacob  and  Margaret  Briggs,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Ohio,  who 
came  to  this  county  in  1850,  and  settled  on  sec.  1,  Spring  Creek 
township,  where  he  resided  until  1863,  when  he  mov£d  to  his  son's 
■home,  where  he  died  Feb.  8,  1871  :  she  died  ]S!ov.  30,  1857.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  purchased  his  present  estate,  consisting  of 
80  acres,  valued  at  $3,000  ;  has  been  engaged  at  his  trade  since 
1852  at  Pittsfield  and  Milton,  and  has  a  good  business.  Was  mar- 
ried Jan.  21,  1855,  to  Miss  Nancy  llussell,  who  a  short  time  after- 
ward was  accidentally  burned  to  death.  In  1859  he  was  united  to 
Miss  Phoebe  N.,  daughter  of  Abner  Long,  a  native  of  McDonongh 
county.  To  them  have  been  born  7  children,  4  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing :  Henry  L.,  Sarah  M.,  Margaret  R.  and  Araminta  J.;  the 
deceased  are  Milton  A.,  Jacob  N.  and  John  H.  Members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

Edward  JV.  French,  farmer,  sec.  8  ;  P.  O.  Milton  ;  born  in  Cal- 
edonia Co.,  Vt.,  in  1829,  the  fourth  sou  of  Isaac  and  Eebecca 
(JFoUy)  French,  natives  of  that  State,  where  they  both  died.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  emigrated  to  the  West  in  1849,  and  set- 
tled in  Rock  Co.,  Wis.  Two  years  afterward  he  moved  to^  this 
county  and  engaged  as  clerk  with  George  Underwood  in  Milton. 
While  in  this  capacity  he  purchased  40  acres  of  land  on  sec.  4,  a 
portion  of  which  is  included  in  his  present  estate  of  330  acres,  val- 
ued at  $100  per  acre.  He  was  married  in  1852  to  Miss  Sarah, 
second  daughter  of  Daniel  Hoover,  by  whom  he  has  4  children: 
Noel  E.,  Mary  A.,  George  H.,  now  a  student  of  engineering  in  the 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  455 

University  at  Champaign,  111.,  and  William  O.  Mr.  F.  is  a  self- 
made  rnan  in  every  respect.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  7 
years  of  age,  and  he  was  bonnd  out  until  14  years  of  age.  With- 
out the  advantages  of  education  he  has  accumulated  a  handsome 
landed  property,  secured  by  his  own  industry  and  close  application 
to  business.'     Is  a  Republican. 

Harrison  C.  French,  farmer,  sec.  30  ;  P.  O.  Milton  ;  was  the 
youngest  child  of  Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Folly)  French,  natives  of 
Vermont,  where  they  both  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  Caledonia  Co.,  Vt.,  in  1834  ;  emigrated  to  this  county 
in  1856,  where  he  resided  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  as  2d  Ser- 
geant in  Co.  E,  I.  Y.  I.,  and  served  9  months;  was  taken  pris- 
oner at  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  confined  in  prison  at  Tuscaloosa, 
Ala.;  thence  to  Macon,  Ga.,  and  in  Libby  at  Richmond,  Va.,  where 
he  was  exchanged  April  6,  and  sent  to  Annapolis  as  paroled  pris- 
oner. He  was  reduced  to  a  mere  skeleton  by  the  effects  of  prison 
life.  Returning,  he  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss  Emily,  daughter 
of  John  Long.  Their  7  children  are  all  living,  Augustus  H., 
Orra  J.,  Lefie  A.,  Herbert,  Nellie,  Walter  and  Ruth.  He  settled 
on  his  present  estate  in  1872,  consisting  of  160  acres,  valued  at  $40 
per  acre.  His  wife  is  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  he  is 
a  Republican. 

Zachariah  A.  Garrison,  farmer,  sec.  36;  P.  O.  Pearl;  was  born 
in  Posey  Co.,  Ind.,  March  29,  1816,  and  is  the  son  of  Elijah  and 
Sally  (Allen)  Garrison,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  a  lineal  descend- 
ant of  Daniel  Boone.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  this 
county  with  his  parents  in  Oct.,  1826.  His  father  entered  a  large 
tract  of  land  near  Milton,  which  he  lost  by  unsuccessful  specula- 
tions. He  then  moved  upon  the  river  bottom,  where  he  died  in 
1840.  His  devoted  wife  lived  until  1846,  when  she  too  was  called 
to  join  the  settlements  of  a  better  home.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  married  in  1834,  to  Miss  Louisiana,  daughter  of  Thomas  Davis, 
who  died  in  1839,  leaving  one  child,  Mary  L.,  who  resides  in  Ore- 
gon. He  again  married  in  1842,  Miss  Cynthia  Waters,  who  died 
in  1852.  Of  this  marriage  one  child  was  born,  Hannah  J.,  wife  of 
Orsen  Gilbert.  His  present  wife,  Lydia  Wilson,  is  a  native  of 
Ohio.  Mr.  G.  was  engaged  in  running  log  rafts  down  the  river  as 
early  as  1835,  and  afterwards  followed  the  river  as  pilot  until  1852, 
when  he  built  a  hotel,  where  he  was  engaged  for  11  years.  In  1861 
he  enlisted  as  Captain  of  Co.  E.,  I.  Y.  I.,  and  two  months  afterward 
was  appointed  recruiting  officer.  In  this  capacity  he  served  until 
1864,  when  he  moved  to  Oregon  and  spent  some  years.  On  his 
return  he  settled  on  his  present  place. 

W.  Y.  Grimes,  M.  D.,  was  born  in, this  township  in  1857.  His 
parents  were  Milton  and  Mary  (McClintock)  Grimes,  early  settlers 
of  Pike  county.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  A.  G.Jones, 
of  Milton,  and  spent  2  years  in  the  drug  business  with  W.  M.  Crary. 
Soon  afterward  he  entered  the  Missouri  Medical  College  at  St. 
Louis,  and  was  graduated  at  that  institution  in  1877.  The  following 


4:66  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT. 

year  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  this  village  and 
established  himself  in  the  drug  business  the  same  year.  Mr.  G. 
has  been  local  editor  and  correspondent  of  the  Milton  Beacon  a 
greater  part  of  the  time  since  it  started,  and  is  deservedly  popular 
with  all  classes.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

8.  V.  Harden,  attorney  at  law,  is  the  son  of  Elisha  and  Vir- 
ginia (Sweringen)  Hayden,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Missouri,  who 
came  to  this  county  in  1833  and  settled  in  Detroit  township.  In  1852 
they  moved  to  this  tp.,  and  in  1867  upon  their  present  farm,  where 
they  still  reside.  To  them  have  been  born  5  children,  3  of  whom 
are  living, — Gabriella  L.,  Samuel  V.  and  Mary  B.  His  farm  of 
132  acres  is  valued  at  $70  per  acre.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  this  county  in  1856,  and  entered  upon  the  study  of  law 
at  Hills  boro.  111.  He  then  entered  the  Union  Law  College  at  Chi- 
cago  and  was  graduated  at  that  institution  in  1879,  when  he  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  this  village.  The  family  number 
among  early  pioneers  and  are  highly  respected  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

Wni.  Hess,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  the  son  of  David  and  Ann 
(.Wheeler)  Hess,  natives  of  Ohio,  who  emigrated  to  this  State  at  an 
early  day  and  settled  in  Pearl  tp..  Pike  Co.,  in  1836,  where  he  still 
resides.  Mrs.  H.  died  in  1877.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  Greene  Co.,  111.,  in  1830.  He  was  married  Oct.  18,  1855, 
to  Miss  Margaret  0.  Wagner,  who  died,  leaving  him  one  child,  J. 

D.  His  present  wife,  Nancy  C,  nee  Smith,  is  a  native  of  Pike  Co. 
To  them  have  been  born  6  children, — Sarah  A.,  L.  C,  "Wm.  H.,  Eva 

E.  B.,  Ada  B.,  and  Euthy  B.  He  settled  on  his  present  place  in 
1862,  the  homestead  land  consisting  of  240  acres,  valued  at  $50 
per  acre.  He  has  also  land  on  sees.  20,  21,  32  and  16,  amounting 
to  nearly  800  acres,  making  him  the  largest  landholder  in  the  tp. 

0.  0.  Holcomh,  merchant,  dealer  in  groceries  and  crockery,  suc- 
ceeded Geo.  Underwood  in  1857.  In  1863  he  disposed  of  his  stock 
and  enlisted  as  Captain  of  Co.  G.,  137th  I.  Y.  I.,  100-day  men,  and 
served  his  time.  He  again  entered  upon  a  mercantile  pursuit  in 
the  store  now  occupied  as  the  postoffice,  and  moved  to  his  present 
location  in  1879.  He  was  born  in  Portage  Co.,  0.,  in  1833.  His 
mother,  Dafney  Holcomb,  settled  in  this  township  in  1842,  where 
she  died  in  1879.  He  was  married  in  1854  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Kin- 
man,  by  whom  he  has  3  children :  Lillian,  George  A.  and  John  H. 
Mr.  H.  is  one  of  the  oldest  living  merchants  of  Milton,  and  enjoys 
a  good  patronage. 

David  0.  Hoover,  farmer,  sec.  17;  P.  O.  Milton;  is  the  youngest 
son  of  Daniel  Hoover,  jr.,  who  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1825  and 
settled  in  White  county,  where  he  remained  until  1827,  when 
he  moved  to  this  county  and  settled  in  this  township  on' sec.  9. 
Here  he  pre-empted  land  and  resided  until  his  death.  May  24, 1868. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  June  23,  1826;  was  married 
Oct.  16,  1856,  to  Miss  Eunice  A.  Stults.     Mr.  H.  left  the  home- 


HI8T0ET    OF    PIKE    COtTNTY.  i  457 

stead  in  1869  and  moved  to  Yernon  Co.,  Mo.,  where  he  remained  2 
years.  Again  in  the  fall  of  1879  to  the  same  county,  where  he  is 
residing  on  a  farm  of  320  acres.  His  eldest  son,  Charles,  who  lives 
on  the  homestead,  was  married  Jan.  1,  1880,  to  Miss  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  Jackson  Morton.  Upon  them  and  others  of  his  children 
devolves  the  care  of  the  farm,  consisting  of  240  acres,  valued  at 
$50  per  acre.  William  L.,  Ruth  A.,  Frank  L.,  Fred  A.,  Alva  B. 
and  Fayette,  were  the  children  of  this  industrious  pioneer,  and 
grandchildren  of  one  of  the  first  pilgrims  to  Pike  county. 

David  J.  Hoover,  farmer,  sec.  8;  P.  O.,  Milton;  was  born  in 
"White  Co.,  111.,  in  1829;  is  the  eldest  son  of  John  and  Cynthia 
(Patton)  Hoover,  who  settled  in  White  Co.  in  1826,  and  in  this 
township  in  1830,  where  they  both  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  married  in  1859  to  Miss  Amanda  F.  Smithers,  a  native  of  this 
State.  To  them  have  been  born  7  children,  all  of  whom  are  living: 
Edgar  W.,  Willie  H.,  Cordelia,  Minnie  V.,  Orphy  O.,  Ina  E.  and 
Arty  E.  He  settled  on  his  present  estate  in  1862,  consisting  of 
,404|  acres;  the  eastern  section,  200  acres,  is  valued  at  $60  per  acre: 
the  remainder  at  $40.  Mr.  H.  has  been  School  Director  for  the 
past  6  years,  and  numbers  among  the  early  settlers.  Without  the 
opportunities  of  educational  advantages  his  devotion  to  his  pro- 
fession has  placed  him  among  the  independent  farmers  of  this 
county. 

Eli  Hoover,  farmer,  sees.  9  and  10;  P.  O.  Milton;  is  the  fourth 
SOD  of  John  and  Cynthia  (Patton)  Hoover,  -natives  of  Maryland 
and  Kentucky,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1829  and  settled  in 
this  township,  on  sec.  8,  where  he  entered  60  acres  of  land  and  re- 
sided until. his  death  in  1867.  His  wife  preceded  him  to  the  spirit 
world  in  1864.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  the  homestead 
in  this  township  in  1836;  was  married  in  1863  to  Miss  Mary  Stewart, 
a  native  of  Greene  Co.,  111.,  where  she  was  born  in  1841.  The  fruits 
of  this  marriage  are  4  children :  Delia  A.,  Arthur  Y.,  Otis  C.  and 
Caddie  G.  The  homestead  upon  which  he  resides  consists  of  236 
acres,  valued  at  $60  per  acre.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  number  among  the  early  pioneers. 

George  Hoover,  farmer,  sec.  11;  P.  O.  Milton;  is  the  second  son 
of  Daniel  and  America  (Greathouse)  Hoover,  natives  of  Maryland 
and  Kentucky,  who  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1825  and  settled  inWhite 
Co.,  and  in  1827  moved  to  this  county  and  settled  on  sec.  9,  near 
Milton,  where  he  made  a  claim  which  he  afterward  pre-empted. 
Here  he  lived  until  his  death.  May  24,  1868.  His  respected  wife 
followed  him  to  the  better  land  in  September  of  the  same  year. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Posey  Co.,  Ind.,  Oct.  23, 
1821,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county,  where  he  was  married 
Jan.  24, 1844,  to  Miss  Sophia  A.  Hatcher,  a  native  of  Franklin  Co., 
Va.,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Charlotta  (Thurman)  Hatcher,  who 
settled  in  this  township  in  April,  1838,  where  they  passed  the  re- 
mainder of  their  years  on  earth.  Mr.  H.  settled  upon  his  present 
estate  in  1867,  consisting  of  over  600  acres  of  land,  the  valuation 


458  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

of  which  will  range  from  $30  to  $50  per  acre.  This  tract  of  land 
includes  the  same  farm  he  occupied  in  1847.  He  is  the  father  of  5 
living  children,  3  daughters  and  2  sons — Geneva  A.,  Louisa  F. 
tlddie  A.,  Laura  and  Olvsses  Gr.  He  is  the  oldest  native-born 
settler  of  this  township,  a  life-long  supporter  of  the  Whig  party, 
and  a  strong  advocate  of  the  Kepublican  form  of  government. 

John  A.  Hoover,  sec.  18;  P.  O.  Milton;  is  the  son  of  John 
Hoover,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  county  who  settled  in  Monte- 
zuma tp.  in  1829,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
1834.  In  1859  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  mercantile  trade  at  Mil- 
ton, in  which  capacity  he  was  engaged  until  1871.  Since  then  he 
has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  speculation,  and  by  tact  and 
energy  has  secured  a  good  property.  Mr.  H.  is  one  of  this  ex- 
tensive family,  unmarried,  but  his  social  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart  have  won  for  him  a  host  of  friends. 

Josiah  Hoover,  farmer,  sec.  9;  P.  O.  Milton;  the  eldest  living 
son  of  David  and  Mahala  (Greathouse)  Hoover,  natives  of  Mary-, 
land  and  Kentucky,  who  settled  in  White  Co.,  111.,  in  1820,  and 
wei-e  among  the  early  pilgrims  of  that  county,  where  the  subject 
of  this^' sketch  was  born  in  May,  1823.  In  1827  the  family  came 
to  this  county,  crossing  the  Illinois  river  on  a  pirogue,  a  large 
canoe.  He  erected  his  shanty  south  of  Milton  on  sec.  9,  "where  he 
died  in  March,  1876,  in  the  79th  year  of  his  age.  She  died  Aug. 
7,  1873.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1848  to  Miss 
Caroline,  daughter  of  Thomas  Smith,  an  early  settler  of  White  Co. 
He  is  the  father  of  9  children,  7  of  whom  are  living — Smith,  Alice, 
Mary,  Mattie  F.,  Sidney  J.,  Ida  M.  and  Lincoln.  His  opportuni- 
ties for  an  early  education  were  limited,  and  his  success  in  life  is  due 
to  his  indomitable  will  and  perseverance.  His  homestead  near  Mil- 
ton consists  of  246  acres,  valued  at  $75  an  acre.  He  is  one  of 
Montezuma's  early  pilgrims,  and  although  in  declining  health,  is 
made  happy  by  the  large  circle  of  children  and  grandchildren  that 
surround  him. 

William  Hxitton,  farmer,  sec.  3;  P.  O.  Milton ;  was  born  in  Eng- 
land in  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Betsey,  (Watenworth,) 
natives  of  England,  where  they  both  died.  Mr.  H.  emigrated  to 
America  in  1855,  settling  in  this  tp.,  where  he  has  since  made  it 
his  home.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Olemraons,  and 
they  have  2  children,  John  and  Mary.  Mr.  H.  settled  on  his  present 
estate  in  1868,  consisting  of  84  acres,  valued  at  $60  per  acre.  Mr. 
H.  is  a  School  Director,  and  one  of  Montezuma's  best  citizens. 

J.  G.  Johnson,  proprietor  of  the  Johnson  House,  Milton,  is  a  son 
of  Joseph  and  Esther  (Jolly)  Johnson,  natives  of  South  Carolina, 
who  emigrated  to  Indiana  in  1800,  and  settled  in  Posey  Co.,  being 
among  the  pioneers  of  that  State,  where  they  both  died.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Posey  Co.,  Ind.,  in  1821;  was  mar- 
ried in  1843  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Henderson,  who  died  in  Indiana  in 
1847,  leaving  one  child,  Mary  A.  He  then  married  Elizabeth 
Travers,  a  native  of  Indiana,  who  bore  him  one  child,  D.  R.,  and  she 


y  W 


^        *'    ifS*]*^'*-'^ 


MONTEZUMA  Tf 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COITNTY.  461 

too  was  called  to  a  better  home.  His  present  wife  is  Judith  C, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Baker,  an  early  settler  of  Detroit  tp.,  where 
she  was  born  in  1835.  The  fruits  of  this  marriage  are  2  children, 
Johanna  H.  and  J.  G.  H.  Mr.  J.  came  to  this  county  in  1856  and 
settled  in  Milton,  where  he  engaged  in  merchandising,  and  in  1862 
received  appointment  as  Captain,  and  raised  Co.  I,  99th  I.  V.  I. , 
and  served  2^  years,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Yicksburg, 
Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills  and  Mobile,  and  was  mustered  out  in 
Jan.,  1865,  by  reason  of  consolidation.  Eeturning,  he  formed  the 
partnership  of  Johnson  &  Goodin  in  the  dry -goods  trade.  Two 
years  afterward  he,  sold  out  and  engaged  in  farming,  until  1875, 
when  he  disposed  of  his  farm  and  opened  a  private  boarding-house. 
The  following  year  he  leased  the  Eagle,  now  Johnson  House.  Mr. 
J.  has  been  prominently  identiiied  with  the  interests  of  the  town  in 
several  offices.  He  is  a  radical  Republican,  a  good  citizen,  and  an 
excellent  hotel  keeper. 

Solomon  T.  Johnston.,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.  Milton;  is  the  son 
of  Thomas  and  Catherine  (Main)  Johnston,  natives  of  Pennsj'lvania, 
who  emigrated  to  Pike  Co.,  in  1850,  settling  in  Hardin  tp.,  where 
he  died.  His  aged  wife  still  survives.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Beaver  Co.,  Pa.,  in  1832;  was  married  in  1853  to  Miss 
Susan,  daughter  of  John  Heavener;  settled  on  his  present  farm  of 
240  acres  in  1856.  In  1862  he  enlisted  as  Corporal  in  Co.  E,  99th 
I.  V.  I.,  and  served  15  months,  participating  in  the  battle  at  Port 
Gibson,  where  he  was  wounded  by.a  minie  ball  that  passed  through 
the  lungs  and  lodged  in  the  back,  where  it  still  remains.  He  was 
confined  in  the  hospital  6  months,  when  he  was  discharged.  In  con- 
sequence of  this  wonnd  Mr.  J.  is  disabled  from  physical  labor.  He 
served  one  term  as  Collector.  Is  politically  a  Democrat.  Hi§  chil- 
dren are  Melinda.  Louisa,  Eilen,  Thomas,  Andrew,  Allen,  Otis,  Eva, 
Poe  and  Frank. 

Urban  B.  Kennedy^  principal  of  the  high  school  at  Milton,  was 
born  in  Morgan  Co.,  111.,  in  1854,  and  is  a  grandson  of  John 
Wright,  a  native  of  Tennessee,  who  settled  in  that  couuty  in  1825, 
and  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Wright)  Kennedy,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee,  living  residents  of  Morgan  county.  Mr. 
Wright  died  in  1872,  and  Wright's  Precinct  still  bears  the  honor 
of  his  name.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  entered  upon  the  studies 
of  his  profession  in  the  State  Normal  University  at  Blooraington, 
111.,  where  he  remained  3  years,  and  began  teaching  in  1872  in 
Scott  county,  where  he  remained  3  years,  when  he  returned  to 
his  native  county  and  officiated  2  years,  where  he  was  married  in 
1877  to  Miss  Kate,  daughter  of  John  Stewart,  of  Scott  county. 
They  are  the  parents  of  2  children,  Walter  I.  and  one  not  yet 
christened.  Mr.  K.  has  filled  his  present  position  3  years,  and 
he  is  highly  esteemed  by  the  community. 

Wm.  M.  Landess,  merchant,  dealer  in  hardware,  stoves  and  tin- 
ware at  Milton,  succeeded  Long  &  Riggs  in  this  business  in  1871, 
the  copartnership   being   Landess   &   Colvin.     Eighteen   months 

28 


462  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

afterward  Oolvin  retired,  and  the  business  has  since  been  conducted 
by  Mr.  L.,  who  carries  a  stock  of  $3,000,  and  has  a  lucrative  trade. 
He  was  born  in  Highland  county,  O.,  March  11,  1839  ;  came  to 
this  county  in  1863  and  engaged  in  teaching  school  until  he  begaii 
his  business  career.  He  was  married  Dec.  16,  1866,  to  Miss  <ftn- 
nie  Yan  Pelt,  daughter  of  William  Yan  Pelt,  of  Perry.  They  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

John  F.  Long,  farmer,  sec.  32  ;  P.  O.  Milton  ;  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee in  1805,  son  of  Kobert  and  Betsy  (Wasson)  Long,  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  both  of  whom  have  died.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  came  to  this  county  in  Oct.,  1828,  and  settled  west  of  Milton. 
A  few  years  later  he  entered  the  land  of  his  present  estate,  where 
he  has  since  made  it  his  home.  He  was  married  in  Yanderbnrgh 
county,  Ind.,  Feb.  23,  1826,  to  Miss  Sally  A.  Patton,  a  native  of 
that  county,  where  she  was  born  in  1809.  To  them  have  been 
born  8  children,  7  of  whom  are  living,  Phoebe  J.,  Eobert  N;^ 
William  H.,  James  H.,  Samuel  A.,  Mary  E.  and  Sarah  M. '  Mary. 
E.  married  F.  Bowman  and  they  reside  on  the  homestead.  Their 
children  are  William,  Robert,  John  O.,  Leroy  and  Henry  M.  Mr. 
L  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  one  time,  and  has  been  otherwise 
identified  with  the  interests  of  the  town.  His  farm  consists  of  200 
acres,  valued  at  $5,500.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  he  is  one  of  the  few  living  pioneers  of  this 
township.  In  the  75th  year  of  his  age  he  enjoys  good  health,  and 
is  happily  surrounded  at  his  home  by  his  children  and  grandchil- 
dren . 

Thomas  G.  Lytle,  farmer,  sec.  23  ;  P.  O.  Bedford  ;  was  born  on 
the  Potomac,  Washington  Co.,  Md.,  in  1824.  Is  son  of  James 
and  Eleanor  (Burckhurtt)  Lytle,  natives  of  that  State,  where  they 
died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1846  to  Miss  Eliz- 
abeth Miller,  a  native  of  Maryland,  who  died  leaving  'him  2 
children,  Josiah  and  Thomas.  His  present  wife,  Eliza  Killbren,  is 
a  native  of  Scott  county.  They  have  had  4  children, — Elizabeth, 
William,  John   and  Charles  A.     Mr.  L.  came  to  this  county  in 

1856,  from  Berkshire  Co.,  Ya. ;  moved  on  his  present  farm  in 
1873,  consisting  of  80  acres,  valued  at  $30  per  acre.  Has  been 
Justice  of  the  Peace  2  terms,  and  Commissioner  of  Highways. 
Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Malinda  Mohair,  farmer,  sec.  34;  P.  O.  Bedford;  widow  of 
Michael  Mahair,  who  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1829  and  emigrated 
to  America  in  1849.     He  engaged  in  farming  until  his  marriage  in 

1857,  to  Miss  Malinda,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Barringer,  an  early 
settler  of  this  county.  After  marriage  he  settled  on  the  Li,ttle 
Blue,  where  he  lived  until  1865,  when  he  moved  on  the  present 
estate  of  170  acres,  valued  at  $40  per  acre.  Their  living  children 
are  William  A.,  James  B.  and  Lydia  A.;  they  lost  3:  Edward, 
Jolm,  and  one  in  infancy.  Mr.  Mahair  died  in  1875.  He  was 
School  Director  many  years. 

N .  D.  J/c^wJ's,  merchant,  Montezuma,  was  born  in  this  township 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  463 

in  1846;  is  the  only  living  child  of  T.  L.  and  Sarah  (Aiken)  M'cEvers, 
natives  of  Ohio,  who  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1829,  traveling 
the  entire  distance  in  keel-boats.  He  settled  on  his  present  place 
at  Montezuma  and  was  for  years  engaged  in  boating.  He  is  still  a 
living  relict  of  early  times.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his 
early  education  at  the  Jacksonville  Business  College,  at  which  in- 
stitution he  was  graduated  in  1868.  Returning  home,  his  time  was 
divided  between  teaching  and  advancing. his  education  at  the  Nor- 
mal School  at  Bloomington.  In  1874  he  purchased  the  building 
and  stock  of  goods  of  S.  B.  Clemmons,  to  which  he,  has  built  an 
addition  and  increased  the  stock,  now  amounting  to  about  $4,000, 
yvith  an  increasing  trade.  He  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  the 
grain  and  commission  business.  He  has  been  Township  Treasurer 
many  years  and  Township  Collector  one  year;  is  Supervisor  at 
the  present  time,  being  the  first  Greenback  Supervisor  in  the 
county;  has  also  been  Postmaster  most  of  the  time  during  his  busi- 
ness career.  In  1873  he  was  married  to  Miss  Adelia,  daughter  of 
Franklin  Morton,  a  native  of  this  county.  Theodore  F.  is  their 
only  living  child. 

John  C .  Mitohell,  firm  of  Mitchell  &  Battershell,  merchants.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Monroe  Co.,  O.,  in  1835.  He  was 
married  in  1859  to  Miss  AbbyMcCurdy,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  died  in  Ohio.  In  1866  he  enlisted  in  the  194th  O.  Y.  I.,  Co. 
I,  as  private,  and  was  promoted  to  2d  and  1st  Lieutenant,  which 
he  filled  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Same  year  he  moved  to  this  State 
and  settled  in  Lawrence  Co.,  where  he  engaged  as  clerk;  subse- 
quently he  removed  to  Clay  Co.  and  followed  the  same  calling  for 
7  years,  when  he  cast  his  lot  in  a  large  commercial  house  in  St. 
Louis  in  the  capacity  of  book-keeping.  In  1875  he  came  to  this 
county  and  engaged  as  clerk  with  Butler  &  Adams,  until  the  form- 
ation of  the  present  partnership  in  1878.  His  present  wife,  Maggie, 
nee  Groshern,  is  a  native  of  this  State,  by  whom  he  has  2  children, 
James  M.  and  Jennie.  Mr.  M.  is  a  Democrat,  a  Notary  Public, 
and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Robert  0.  Morris,  proprietor  Grange  Company  "Warehouse,  Mon- 
tezuma, is  a'  native  of  Adair  Co.,  Ky.,  where  he  was  born  Dec.  8, 
1850;  came  to  this  county  in  Sept.,  1874,  and  for  a  time  engaged  in 
farming.  Subsequently  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  store  of 
W.  H.  Hall  at  Milton.  Nine  months  afterward  he  sold  out  and 
took  possession  of  the  warehouse  in  Jan.,  1880,  where  he  is  doing  a 
large  trade  in  lumber,  grain,  lime  and  cement,  and  is  an  active, 
energetic,  thorough  business  man. 

Jackson  Morton,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.  Milton;  son  of  William 
Morton,  who  settled  in  this  township  in  1830,  where  he  is  stilL  a 
living  representative  of  the  pioneers.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Hawkins  Co.,  Tenn.,  in  1827;  was  married  in  1856 
to  Miss  Ann  Main,  a  native  of  England;  the  same  year  he  settled 
upon  his  present  estate,  consisting  of  120  acres,  valued  at  $40  per 
acre.     He  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  pioneer  family,    and  well 


464  HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNIT. 

known  "throughout  the  town  and  county.  Rosan  A.,  Mary,  Emma 
and  Carrie  are  his  living  children :  2  deceased,  William,  jr.,  and  Ida! 
William  Morton,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.  Milton;  was  born  in 
Cheatham  Co.,  IT.  Carolina,  in  1800,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Annie 
(Poe)  Morton,  natives  of  N.  C,  who  emigrated  at  an  early  day  to 
Tennessee,  thence  to  this  county,  and  settled  on  sec.  14,  in  1830. 
Both  died  in  this  township.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  left  home 
when  16  years  of  age  and  went  to  Tennessee,  where  he  remained 
until  1830,  when  he  came  to  this  township  and  settled  upon  his 
present  farm,  consisting  of  120  acres  of  valuable  land,  at  that  time 
but  a  wilderness  and  resort  for  roving  Indians.  He  was  married  in 
1824  in  Tennessee,  to  Miss  Cecil  George,  a  native  of  that  State. 
To  them  were  born  11  children,  6  of  whom  are  living, — Eliza 
Jackson,  Wilburn,  Jeremiah,  Wm.  C,  and  Oelia.  His  present 
wife,  Lucinda,  nee  Castile,  is  a  native  of  Tennessee.  Mr.  M.  is  one 
of  the  oldest  living  settlers  of  this  township.  He  lived  6  weeks 
_in  a  small  brush  hut  that  stood  on  the  site  of  his  present  home. 
He  is  now  almost  totally  blind,  and  though  80  years  of  age,  his 
mind  and  memory  are  clear.  He  served  5  or  6  years  as  Constable, 
and  is  one  of  Pike's  oldest  pioneers.  He  is  the  father  of  2  children 
by  his  last  marriage,  Joseph  C.  and  George  F. 

Charles  H.  Menoud,  farmer,  sec.  32;  P.  O.  Pearl;  was  born  in 
Fairlield,  Conn.,  in  1820.  His  parents  were  Stephen  P.  and  Lydia 
(Donaldson)  Eenoud,  natives  of  that  State,  who  came  to  this  county 
in  1837,  purchased  land  and  returned.  Their  final  settlement  was 
made  in  1843,  in  Detroit  township,  where  he  lived  until  '55,  when 
he  sold  out  and  went  to  Ohio.  The  following  year  he  settled  in 
in  Henry  Co.,  111.,  and  on  the  homestead  in  this  county  in 
1864,  where  he  died  in  1866.  She  is  still  living  in  the  86th  year  of 
her  age.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1844  to  Mary 
Wickam,  a  native  of  Kent,  England,  who  died  March  5-,  1865,  and 
9  children  have  been  born  to  them :  George  F.,  Caroline,  Mary, 
Eliza,Marsha,  Robert  E.,  Richard  G.,  Charles  H.  and  Stephen.  His 
present  wife,  Kary,  daughter  of  Hiram  Duff,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
who  settled  near  Milton  in  1826.  The  family  can  be  numbered 
among  the  early  pilgrims  of  Montezuma  tp. 

David  Roberts,  farmer,  sec.  33;  P.  O.  Bedford;  was  born  in 
Delaware  Co.,  Aug.  8,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Lovina 
(Pool)  Roberts,  natives  of  Yermont  and  New  York,  who  came  to 
this  county  in  1837,  and  entered  land  on  sees.  29  and  36,  and  went 
to  Ohio;  returned  in  1838  and  settled  on  sec.  36;  subsequently  he 
moved  to  Hardin  township  and  Spring  Creek,  thence  to  Pleasant 
Hill,  and  in  1850  he  moved  the  family  to  Pittsfield  and  crossed 
the  plains  to  California,  returning  in  1851.  He  died  at  his  home  in 
1856.  He  was  a  minister  of  the  Christian  denomination,  to  which 
he  gave  much  of  his  time.  His  estimable  wife  died  in  1872.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1862  to  Miss  Susan,  daughter 
of  Asa  Cooper,  a  native  of  this  county.     Lavinia  E.,  Lizzie,  John 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  4:65 

J.,  David,  jr.,  and  George,  are  their  living  children.     Mr.  and  Mrs. 
R.  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

William  Roberts,  farmer, '  sec.  27;  P.  O.  Milton ;  was  born  in 
England  in  1853,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1857,  stopping  in 
Peoria  county  one  year,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  where  he  has 
since  made  it  his  home.  He  was  married  in  1875  to  Miss  Ellen 
Crane,  a  native  of  England.  To  them  have  been  born  3  children, 
Frederick,  Caroline  and  Mary  Ellen.  He  settled  on  his  present 
farm  in  1865,  consisting  of  65  acres,  valued  at  $2,000.  >He  is  a 
Deacon  of  the  Christian  Church,  of  which  his  family  are  members. 

William  P.  Sargent,  proprietor  of  hotel,  Bedford,  was  born  in 
Worcester  Co.,  Mass.,  in  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and 
Polly  (Frost)  Sargent,  who  emigrated  from  that  State  in  1839  and 
settled  in  Summer  Hill.  Some  years  later  they  moved  to  this 
township  and  settled  south  of  Bedford,  where  they  both  died.  The 
subject  of  jjthig  sketch  was  married  in  1853  to  Miss  Harriet  E., 
daughter  of  Silas  A.  Chandler,  a  native  of  this  county.  In  1838  he 
moved  to  Bedford  and  engaged  at  milling  some  years,  and  opened 
public  house  in  1871.  He  owns  the  hotel  and  37  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  .$3,000.  Mr.  S.  is  the  father  of  3  children,  Wm.  0., 
Hattie  E.  and  Martha.  Is  School  Director,  and  one  of  the  oldest 
,  and  most  worthy  citizens. 

Noble  Shaw,  farmer,  sec.  6 ;  P.  O.  Milton;  is  the  son  of  Aaron 
and  Phoebe  (Eardike)  Shaw,  natives  of  J^orth  Carolina,  where  she 
died  a't  an  early  day.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Guil- 
ford Co.,  N.  C.,  in  1819,  and  emigrated  with  his  father  to  this 
county  in  the  fall  of  1829,  stopping  through  the  winter  at  Mon- 
tezuma, and  the  following  spring  settling  on  Franklin  Prairie, 
where  he  died  in  1830.  Bereft  of  parents  while  yet  a  youth,  and 
left  alone  in  the  wilderness,  he  sought  employment  among  the 
scattered  settlers  of  Pike.  By  strict  economy  he  was  in  a  few  years 
enabled  to  purchase  60  acres  of  his  present  estate,  which  he  has 
since  increased  to  120.  He  was  married  in  1845  to  Miss  Julia  A. 
Frane,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  she  was  born  in  1826.  To 
them  have  been  born  9  children,  all  of  whom  are  living:  Mary, 
William  T.,  Ada  A.,  James  A.,  John,  Louella,  Frank  M.,  Daniel  B. 
and  Yirgil.  Mr.  S.  has  served  as  Road  Commissioner,  School 
Trustee  and  Director  several  years,  and  numbers  among  those  of 
the  early  settlers,  an  honored  and  respected  citizen. 

W.  S.  Smith,  of  the  firm  of  Butler  &  Smith,  grocers,  Milton,  was 
born  in  Detroit  tp.,  this  county,  in  1869,  the  son  of  Richard  Smith, 
an  early  settler  of  this  county,  where  he  died  in  1863.  This  firm 
succeeded  John  T.  Hall  in  this  trade  in  1879,  and  although  young 
men,  their  energies  and  abilities  call  out  a  large  and  increasing 
trade. 

L.  J.  Smitherman,  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Rutherford  Co., 
Tenn.,  Jan.  7,  1819;  was  married  to  Miss  Miriel  Brown,  a  native 
of  Lawrence  Co.,  Ala.,  where  she  was  born  March  22,1821.  Of 
this  marriage  6  children  have  been  born,  one  of  whom  is  living,  Wil- 
liam, who  married  Louisa  Lester  in  1863,  and  they  have  3  children, 


466  HISTOEY   OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

Otis,  Mayo  and  Inez.  Mr.  S.  settled  in  Morgan  Co.,  near  Jack- 
sonville, in  1827.  Jesse  and  Jincy  Brown,  parents  of  Mrs  S., 
were  early  pioneers  in  that  county.  Three  years  afterward  he 
moved  to  McDonough  county,  thence  to  Geneva  county,  and  back 
to  his  native  State;  returning,  he  settled  in  Detroit  tp.,  where  he 
still  owns  200  acres,  the  original  homestead.  Mr.  S.  has  been 
prominent  in  the  county,  having  served  as  Assessor  a  number  of 
years,  Supervisor  a  number  of  terms  and  elected  County  Treasurer 
in  1867;  was  re-elected  in  1869,  and  is  Village  Trustee  at  the 
present  time.     Democrat. 

Elisha  Sowers,  farmer,  sec.  26;  P.  O.  Bedford;  was  born  in 
Hamilton  Co.,  N.  J.,  in  1813;  he  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Ann 
(Potter)  Sowers,  natives  of  that  State,- who  emigrated  to  Ohio,  where 
they  both  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1836  to 
Miss  Caroline  Scoggin,  a  native  of  Hamilton  county,  O.,  where  she 
was  born  in  1816.  Their  children,  are  Melissa,  Henry,  Mary, 
Thomas  A.,  Oliver,  William  W.,  Benton,  Edward  and  Amanda. 
Mr.  Sowers  came  to  this  county,  in  1856  and  settled  on  his  present 
estate,  consisting  of  730  acres.  Mr.  S.  is  the  largest  land-holder  in 
the  township,  and  is  a  well-known  citizen. 

Oliver  Sowers,  farmer,  sec.  84;  P.  O.  Milton;  was  born  iu  Ham- 
ilton Co.,  O.,  in  1849,  and  is  the  son  of  Elisha  and  Caroline  (Scog- 
gin) Sowers,  and  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1856;  was 
married  in  1869  to  Miss  Mary  Nicolay,  a  native  of  this  county; 
has  a  farm  of  120  acres  of  well  cultivated  land.  He  is  a  School 
Director,  and  numbers  among  Montezuma's  enterprising  farmers. 
Gusty,  Francis,  John  H.  and  Archey  are  their  children. 

Jane  Stewart,  sec.  20;  P.  O.  Milton;  is  the  widow  of  Benja- 
min Stewart,  who  was  born  in  Rock  Castle  Co.,  Ky.,  April  26,  1809. 
He  came  to  this  county  at  an  early  day  and  settled  in  this  township, 
where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Eldorado,  Kan., 
July  22,  1874.  He  was  married  Dec.  6,  1838,  to  Miss  Jane,  daugh- 
ter of  Thompson  and  Sarah  A.  (Smith)  Williams,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  who  was  born  in  Scott  Co.,  Ky.,  April  8, 1820,  a  de- 
scendant of  the  Rains  family,  of  Yirginian  origin.  Mr.  S.  made 
his  first  settlement  on  the  present  farm  of  Josiah  Hoover,  and  was 
among  the  early  pioneers.  He  was  a  citizen  highly  esteemed,  and 
left  a  large  circle  of  friends.  Of  their  several  children  6  are  living: 
Thompson  W.,  Sarah  B.,  Philadelphia  G.,  William  L.,  Julia  A. 
and  Emma  B.  Wm.  L.  resides  on  the  homestead,  upo.n  which  his- 
parents  settled  in  1851.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  were  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

Henry  Tanhersley,  farmer,  sec.  1,  P.  0.  Montezuma;  was  born 
in  Scott  county  in  1854,  and  is  the  son  of  Edward  and  Phoebe 
(Sweet)  Tankersley,  natives  of  Kentucky,  who  settled  in  Morgan 
county  in  1821,  then  in  Scott  county  in  1849.  He  surveyed  both 
counties  for  early  settlements,  and  was  County  Judge  in  both  Mor- 
gan and  Scott  counties.  In  1864  he  came  to  this  county,  and 
settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his  son  and  widow,  where  he 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  467 

died  in  1866.  His  life  was  marked  with  a  degree  of  prominence 
throughout.  He  was  Magistrate  many  years,  and  an  early  pioneer 
of  Morgan  county.  He  left  3  children,  all  of  whom  are  living: 
Lyman  T.,  Thomas  and  Sarah.  Mr.  T.  has  a  farm  of  140  acres, 
valued  at  $40  per  acre. 

Davis,  L.  Thurman,  farmer,  sec.  21 ;  P.  O.  Milton ;  was  born  in 
Cumberland  Co.,  Ky., '  in  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and 
Polly  (Robinson)  Thurman,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  So.  Carolina, 
who  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1837,  and  settled  on  the  present 
homestead,  consisting  of  140  acres,  100  of  which  is  now  under  cul- 
tivation, valued  at  $40  per  acre.  He  died  Feb.  2,  1871,  and  she 
followed  him  Feb.  2,  1SY7.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  mar- 
ried August,  1858,  to  Miss  Martha  A.,  daughter  of  William  Smith, 
the  first  settler  of  Winchester,  Scott  county,  where  she  was  born 
in  1833.  Priscilla  and  Amarilla  are  their  living  children.  Mrs. 
T.  has  been  a  life-long  invalid,  but  tenderly  cared  for  by  a  fond 
husband  and  children.  Mr.  T.  had  no  opportunities  for  education, 
but  through  his  energy  and  indomitable  will  has  accumulated  con- 
siderable property.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  number  among  the  early  settlers  and  highly  respected 
citizens. 

Thomas  L.  Thurman,  farmer,  sec.  21 ;  P.  O.  Milton ;  was  born 
in  Franklin  Co.,  Va.,  in  1799,  son  of  David  and  Susanna  (Left- 
wich),  natives  of  that  State,  where  they  died.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  emigrated  to  Cumberland  Co.,  Ky.,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Millie  Black,  who  vCas  born  in  Bedford  Co.,  Va., 
in  1801;  she  died  in  this  county  in  1871.  To  them  were  born  9 
children,  5  of  whom  are  living:  Sarah  A.,  William  H.,  James  L., 
John  T.  (who  married  Mary  Boren.  By  this  marriage  3  grand- 
children surround  him),  Lolu,  Unie,  and  Howard.  Henrietta, 
the  youngest  daughter,  resides  on  the  homestead.  Mr.  T.  came  to 
this  county  in  1842,  and  settled  on  his  present  estate  of  120  acres, 
valued  at  $40  per  acre;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  denomi- 
nation, and  politically  belongs  to  the  old-line  Whigs. 

Benjamin  F.  Wheeler,  retired  farmer;  residence,  Milton;  was 
born  in  Clermont  Co.,  O.,  in  1818,  the  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Mary  (McCarty)  Wheeler,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Pennsylvania, 
respectively,  who  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  1834,  and  settled  in  Pearl 
township,  where  they  both  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
married  in  Pearl  in  1844  to  Miss  Almira,  daughter  of  Peter  Clem- 
mons,  whV)  settled  in  this  county  in  1829.  Of  their  several  chil- 
dren, but  one  is  living:  John  A.,  who  married  Amanta  Morton. 
Two  children  have  been  born  to  them,  Cora  B.  and  Anna  E.  Mr. 
W.  settled  in  this  township  in  1863,  and  on  his  present  estate  in 
1875,  consisting  of  SOJ  acres,  valued  at  $100  per  acre.  The  home- 
stead occupied  by  his  son  has  173  acres,  besides  12  acres  of  timber. 
Mr.  W.  is  a  self-made  man ;  his  opportunities  for  education  were 
limited,  and  his  success  has  been  effected  only  through  his  untiring 
industry.  Is  one  of  the  "  City  Fathers,"  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


PEAEL  TOWNSHIP. 

"^  This  is  the  most  southeastern  township  of  the  county.  It  is 
mostly  timbered  land,  with  a  small  strip  of  prairie  land  near  its 
center.  It  is  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Illinois  river,  and  a  greater 
part  of  the  township  is  very  rou'gh,  and  is  adapted  principally  to 
stock-raising.  The  first  settlers  to  locate  within  its  borders  came 
about  1824  or  1825,  and  were  A.  Perkins,  J.  E.  Ottwell,  William 
Pruett  and  John  Ottwell.  The  first  improvements  were  made  on 
sections  15  and  27.  Among  the  more  prominent  early  settlersof 
the  township  were  Thomas  S.  Long,  Thomas  Lumley  and  William 
Camerer.  The  first  child  born  in  the  township  was  John  Ottwell, 
and  the  first  person  to  die  was  Thomas  Murray.  The  first  parties 
married'  were  William  Ottwell  and  Miss  Eachel  Collins.  They 
were  united  by  Eev.  Mr.  Osborn,  -a  Baptist  minister,  who  also 
.preached  the  first  sermon  in  the  township,  in  1829,  in  the  house  of 
John  Ottwell.  The  first  school-house  was  erected  in  1837  on  sec- 
tion 28.  The  first  church  was  built  in  1867.  The  first  Justice  of 
the  Peace  was  James  McConnell. 

VILLAGES. 

Pearl. — The  village  of  Pearl  is  quite  an  old  town,  and  is  situated 
on  sections  16,  17  and  20,  and  contains  about  50  inhabitants. 

Bee  Creek  village  is  situated  on  Bee  creek,    section   33,  and  is 
about  the  size  of  Pearl.    It  contains  a  postoffice,  a  small 
store,  a  saw,  a  flouring  mill,  a  blacksmith  shop  and  a  physician. 

Bee  Creek  Mills. — This  establishment  was  first  built  in  ISSe'as  a 
horse-mill,  and  in  1857  it  was  propelled  by  steam.  In  1867  it  was 
torn  down  and  rebuilt  by  George  Schutz.  Mr.  Wm.  Wheeler  pur- 
chased it  the  same  year  and  is  still  its  owner.  It  is  now  operated 
by  G.  W.  Eoberts,  and  be  it  to  his  credit  to  say  that  Mr.  Eoberts 
makes  the  best  quality  of  flour  and  has  &  large  run  of  custom.  A 
few  years  ago  people  came  a  distance  of  25  miles  to  this  mill. 
There  is  also  a  saw-mill  attached  to  it. 

Pearl  Station. — This  is  the  largest  village  in  the  township,  con- 
taining about  150  inhabitants,  and  is  situated  upon  the  Louisiana 
branch  of  the  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  railroad.  It  was  sur- 
veyed by  order  of  Thomas  S.  Long,  guardian  of  the  heirs  of  Samuel 
Fulcher,  and  is  located  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  10.    It 


HISTOEY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  469 

was  surveyed  in  September,  1872,  by  County  Surveyor  H.  J.  Harris. 
Chowrow  is  tlie  name  of  a  little  settlement  on  section  33. 

CHUECHES. 

Trinity  M.  E.  Church  is  located  at  Pearl  Landing  on  the  Illinois 
river.  It  was  organized  in  1856  by  Eev.  E.  Elliott,  with  six  mem- 
bers, at  the  house  of  T.  H.  Lincoln.  It  was  known  by  the  name 
of  Pearl  Landing  M.  E.  Church,  which  name  it  continued  to  bear 
until  1871,  when  the  present  church  structure  was  erected.  The 
Society  worshiped  in  Mr.  Lincoln's  house  for  two  years,  when  they 
removed  their  place  of  worship  to  the  Pearl  Prairie  school-house. 
"While  worshiping  at  this  place  the  Society  was  more  commonly' 
known  as  the  Pearl  Prairie  M.  E.  Church,  but  was  really  the  same 
organization.  In  1869  the  Society  moved  to  the  new  school-house 
at  Pearl  Landing,  and  in  1871  occupied  tlie  present  church  edifice. 
Kev.  Charles  McKown  is  Pastor. 

Pearl  Prairie  Christian  Church  was  organized  several  years  ago, 
and  in  1867  erected  a  neat  house  of  worship  in  Pearl  on  section  20. 

Below  we  give  personal  sketches  of  some  of  the  more  prominent 
citizens  of  the  townsliip. 

James  H.  Dawson,  physician,  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ind., 
Aug.  3,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  John  W.  and  Effie  A.  Dawson;  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  24  enlisted  in 
the  late  war,  Co.  D,  1st  Mo.  Inft.,  where  he  served  for  2  years. 
He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Keokuk  Medical  College,  in  Keokuk,  Iowa ; 
began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Pleasant  Hill,  this  county,  in 
1874,  remaining  there  one  year.  He  then  located  in  Chowrow, 
this  county,  where  he  still  resides  and  has  built  up  a  good  practice. 
In  Feb.,  1858,  he  married  Miss  Sarali  Hamner,  daughter  of  Jesse 
Hamner,  deceased,  an  early  settler  of  this  county,  and  they  have 
3  children — Mollie,  Anna  and  Flora. 

Enoch  W.  Garrison  was  born  in  Posey  county,  Ind.,  Dec.  22, 
1818.  He  is  a  son  of  Elijah  Garrison,  who  landed  his  family  in  this 
county  long  before  railroads  were  thought  of  and  when  the  Indians 
and  wild  animals  roamed  at  large,  and  the  wolves  made  the  night 
hideous  by  their  constant  howling.  He  located  in  Montezuma  tp. 
Enoch  W.  hunted  coons  where  Milton  now  stands,  and  on  one  oc- 
casion a  panther  chased  their  dogs  from  the  hunting  grounds.  He 
was  deprived  of  educational  advantages,  as  there  were  no  schools  in 
the  first  settlement  of  this  county.  In  a  few  years,  however,  came 
the  days  of  subscription  schools  and  teachers  with  ox  gads  in  their 
hands;  he  attended  school  for  a  short  time  in  a  log  cabin  where 
Milton  now  stands.  He  has  been  married  three  times,  and  is  the 
father  of  8  children,  of  whom  4  are  living ;  "William,  Lewis  A., 
Hannah  L.  and  Enoch  "W.  Mr.  G.  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  and  resides  on  sec.  2,  this  tp. ;  has  been  a  hunter  all  his  life; 
hunting  and  trapping  in  winter  and  farming  during  the  summei. 

Ransom  Kessinger,  a  native  of  Scott  county,  111.,  was  born  Sept. 
3, 1830,  and  is  a  son  of  Solomon  Kessinger,deceased,  well  known  in 


470  HISTOEY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

the  pioneer  days  of  Scott  county.  He  was  a  native  of  Kentucky  and 
came  to  Jacksonville  in  1825,  when  there  was  but  one  house 
in  that  city;  came  to  this  county  with  his  family  in  1844  and  set- 
tled in  Pearl  tp.,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
Feb.  10,  1862.  Our  subject  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  received  a 
common-school  education;  served  3  years  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  I 
99th  Eeg.  I.  V.  I.,  and  was  in  the  following  battles:  Hartsville, 
Mo.,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge, 
Matagorda,  Fort  Gaines,  on  Mobile  Bay,  and  others;  he  was  hon- 
orably discharged  in  1865.  June  11,  1863,  he  married  Sarah  J. 
Peacock,  daughter  of  Henry  Peacock,  deceased,  an  early  settler  of 
Pike  county;  they  have  had  10  children,  of  whom  8  are  living,— 
^Henry,  Nancy,  Catharine,  Jacob,  Peter,  Ransom,  Martha  and  John. 
Mr.  Kessinger  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  resides 
on  sec.  20.     He  is.  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

Thomas  8.  Long  was  born  in  Jiucks  county.  Pa.,  Oct.  3,  1807: 
parents  first  moved  to  New  Jersey;  he  moved. from  that  State  with 
his  family  in  an  early  day  and  located  in  this  then  wild  country. 
They  are  the  oldest  married  immigrants  living  in  Pearl  tp.  Mr. 
Long  is  a  son  of  Morgan  and  Kachel  Long,  deceased.  Mrs.  Long 
was  born  Nov.  7,  1810,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Barney  and  Margaret 
Deemer,  deceased;  they  have  had  9  children,  of  whom  5  are  living 
— Thomas  S.,  Morgan,  Mary  A.,  Elizabeth  and  Rachel.  Mr.  Long 
engaged  in  the  mei'cantile  business  for  3  or  4  years  after  the  close 
of  the  war,  but  now  is  retired  from  active  business  and  resides  in 
Pearl,  on  sec.  16.  In  early  days  he  had  to  go  a  distance  of  18  or  20 
miles  to  mill;  at  one  time  he  went  in  a  wooden-wheeled  wagon, 
was  water  bound  while  gone,  and  was  unable  to  get  to  the  mill; 
he  stopped  at  a  horse-mill  and  staid  over  Sunday,  when  they  ground 
the  corn  the  same  day,  and  he  returned  on  Monday. 

Thomas  S.  Long,  jr.,  was  born  June  21,  1833,  in  Bucks  county. 
Pa.,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  S.  Long,  of  Pearl  Prairie;  came  to 
Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1835.  Aug.  27,  1854,  he  married  Mary 
C.  Peacock,  daughter  of  Henry  Peacock,  dec,  an  early  settler  of 
Calhoun  coiintj'^,  111.,  and  they  have  had  10  children,  8  of  whom  are 
liviiie-. — Henry  T.,  Fannie  L.,  Sarah  M.,  Nancy  A.,  Polly  C,  James 
W.,  Ettie  C,  and  Ransom  A.  Mr.  Long  is  a  carpenter,  and  also  a 
farmer,  on  sec.  16  this  tp. 

A.  J.  Ottwell  is  the  oldest  settler  living  in  Pearl  tp.,  and  was  born 
in  Ross  county,  O.,  April  22,  1817;  is  a  son  of  John  and  Zyporiah 
Otwell,  dec,  who  were  natives  of  Delaware.  Mt.  Ottwell  was  brougli|fj 
here  by  his  parents  in  1828,  was  raised  on  a  farm,  received  but  4 
months'  schooling,  and  that  in  a  subscription  school.  He  is  a  self- 
made  man,  and  has  filled  every  office  in  the  tp.  except  Justice  of 
the  Peace.  The  Black  Hawk  Indians  camped  on  the  same  land 
Mr.  Otwell  now  owns.  At  that  time  there  were  but  3  families  in 
the  tp.,  viz:  Joshua  and  John  Ottwell  an4  Abraham  Janes.  He 
went  20  miles  to  mill.  His  father  was  the  first  blacksmith  in  the 
county  and  erected  a  shop  near  the  mouth  of  Bee  creek  in  Pearl  tp., 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  471 

in  Dec,  1828.  The  next  shop  was  erected  in  Atlas  by  Benjamin 
Barney  in  1830.  When  people  came  from  Atlas  and  the  surround- 
ing country  to  Mr.  Ottwell's  shop,  they  would  make  a  visit  of  several 
days,  and  fish  and  hunt  while  their  work  was  being  done  in  the  shop. 
Feb.  29,  1844,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Henry,  daughter  of  Jacob 
Henry,  dec,  an  early  pioneer.  They  have  had  12  children,  8  of 
whom  are  living,  namely,  Mary  J.,  Charles,  George  A.,  Elizabeth, 
Alex.  J  ,  Louise,  Sarah  and  Emalissa  0.  Inearly  life  Mr.  Otwell 
engaged  in  boating  8  years,  but  is  now  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
residing  on  sec.  9. 

Joshua  R.  Ottwell.  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  Oct.  6, 1845, 
and  is  a  son  of  William  Ottwell;  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools;  was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war  in  Co. 
Gr,  137th  Reg.  I.Y.I.  In  1865  he  married  Miss  Lucy  Woods, 
daughter  of  James  Woods,  dec.  They  have  had  6  children,  of  whom 
4  are  living,  namely, — Thomas  J.,  Frances  L.,  Jesse  E.  and  Walter 
J.  Mr.  O.  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  resides  on 
the  old  homestead,  sec.  28. 

Oeorge  W.  Roberts  was  born  in  Kinderhook  Dec.  25,  1841,  and 
is  a  son  of  Ezekiel  Eoberts.  In  1852,  he,  in  company  with  his 
eldest  sister,  started  for  California;  when  about  half  way  across  the 
plains  his  sister  sickened  and  died,  leaving  him,  but  a  boy,  alone  in 
a  dreary  country.  He  returned  and  worked  by  the  month  in  this 
county  until  he  accumulated  some  capital,  when  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  on  Bee  creek;  he  sold  out  to  Mr.  Smith  in  1876, 
and  has  since  been  operating  the  Bee  Creek  Mills.  He  has  served 
8  terms  as  Supervisor,  and  has  filled  every  other  tp.  office  except 
Justice  of  the  Peace.  He  married  Lowena  Albert,  by  whom  he  had 
7  children,  viz:  Josephine,  George  E.,  Ezekiel,  Mary,  Wm.  J., 
James  W.  and  Florence. 

William  Wheeler  was  born  in  Clermont  county,  O.,  March  7, 1823, 
and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  Wheeler,  dec.  He  came  to  this  county 
in  1834,  and  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  on  sec.  32.  In  1843  he 
married  Matilda  Battershell,  and  they  have  had  12  children;  7  are 
living,  v-iz  :  Washington  W.,  ISTancy,  Matilda  W.,  Amanda  M., 
Dora  E  ,  Sarah  E.  and  Lora  M.  Mr.  W.  went  to  California  in  1849j 
and  returned  in  1852.  He  used  to  kill  deer  and  turkeys  ;  helped 
raise  a  house  in  1836  in  a  valley  where  sycamores  have  since  grown 
12  inches  in  diameter. 

William  T.  Williams,  physician,  was  born  in  Adams  county.  111., 
March  20,  1841,  and  is  a  son  of  G.  _W.  Williams,  of  that  county. 
He  received  a  common-school  education,  and  at  the  age  of  16  years 
began  to  read  medicine;  he  was  graduated  at  the  Iowa  Medical 
Gollege  at  Keokuk,  and  began  practice  in  this  tp.  in  April,  1869, 
where  he  still  resides  and  has  a  large  practice.  July  16,  1863,  he 
married  Margaret  A.  Walker,  daughter  of  Archibald  Walker,  dec, 
and  they  have  had  5  children,  3  of  whom  are  living,  namely,  George 
F.,  Hattie  B.  and  Myra  Grace.  Few  doctors  have  built  up  so_  large 
a  practice  in  so  short  a  time  as  has  Dr.  Williams.  He  was  in  the 
late  war  in  Co.  K.,  53d  Mo. 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township,  which  in  many  respects  is  second  to  none  in  the 
county,  is  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  and  is  bounded  upon 
the  north  by  Brown  county,  on  the  east  by  Fairnaount  townsEip, 
on  the  south  by  Griggsville,  and  on  the  west  by  Chambersburg 
township.  When  it  was  first  settled  there  was  but  little  prairie 
land  within  its  borders;  almost  the  entire  surface  was  covered  with 
timber;  much  of  it,  however,  was  of  small  growth.  We  now  behold 
highly  improved  and  cultivated  farms  throughout  the  township, 
the  result  of  the  well-directed  labor  of  the  pioneers,  their  descend-' 
ants,  and  those  who  came  here  in  later  years.  Among  the  early 
pilgrims  who  located  here  prior  and  up  to  !l83o,  we  mention  James 
H.  Chenoweth,  Robert  Gregory,  William  Browning,  James  Eit- 
chie,  Matthew  Dale,  Gideon  Bentley,  Joseph  King,  David  Johnson, 
B.  L.  Matthews,  Nicholas  James,  David  Callis,  Jolm  Bond,  Clias. 
Dorsey,  Joseph  Cavender,  John  Hume,  Abel  Slielley,  John  Mat- 
thews, Mr.  Lovelady  and  John  Gillaspie.  The  latter  six  gentle- 
men came  to  the  county  as  early  as  or  even  before  1829.  Jaipes 
Wells  came  in  1825,  and  his  son,  Stephen  Y.  Wells,  who  was  born 
the  same  year,  was  the  first  white  child  boi-n  in  the  township. 
George  Bright,  a  veteran  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  came  in  1827. 
Only  two  or  three  of  these  pioneers  are  living  in  the  township  at 
the  present  time.  Some  have  moved  to  other  scenes  of  labor,  but 
by  far  the  greater  number  are  dead.  After  1835  settlers  came  in 
quite  rapidly,  and  improvements  were  made  throughout  the 
township-. 

The  following  very  interesting  historical  article  was  furnished  us 
by  Mr.  A.  Hinman,  and  is  given  in  his  own  language; 

"Go  back  with  me  50  years  and  compare  our  condition  then 
with  what  it  is  at  present.  Fifty  years  ago  our  inhabitants  con- 
sisted of  a  few  hundred  hardy  pioneers  who  settled  along  the  river 
bluffs  and  around  the  edges  of  groves  of  timber,  and  were  living 
in  little  log  cabins  and  subsisting  on  corn  bread,  wild  game  and 
honey,  with  such  vegetables  as  they  could  raise  on  their  new  im- 
provements. We  had  very  few  roads  then,  only  such  as  were 
naturally  made  by  the  settlers  passing  frpm  one  settlement  to 
anothcB.  We  had  no  bridges  across  streams,  nor  conveyance  of 
any  kind  except  by  horseback  or  in  an  ox  wagon;  no  railroads  or 


HISTOET   OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  4Y3 

steamboats  in  those  days;  what  little  transportation  was  done  in 
those  days  was  done  with  keel- boats.  We  had  no  schools  nor  free- 
school  system,  and  when  our  little  log  school-houses  began  to 
spring  up  it  was  by  the  individual  effort  of  the  poor  settlers. 
Although  these  schools  were  of  a  very  poor  character,  they  were  a 
great  benefit  to  the-  children  of  pioneers,  who  were  able  to  attend 
one  or  two  winters.  We  had  no  churches,  stores,  shops  or  manu- 
facturing establishments;  we  had  no  railroads  in  the  State,  or  tel- 
egraph lines ;  but  many  of  us  have  lived  to  see  the  wonderful 
changes  that  have  taken  place  in  half  a  century.  From  a  few  hun- 
dred settlers  we  have  multiplied  to  many  thousands.  The  land 
that  was  bought  by  the  early  settler  for  $1.25  per  acre  has  advanced 
in  price  until  it  is  worth  from  $40  to  $100  per  acre.  Public  roads 
have  been  laid  out,  graded  and  bridged.  The  log  school-house  has 
given  place  to  fine  frame  and  brick  structures,  which  are  supplied 
with  competent  teachers,  good  books,  etc.  Instead  of  horseback 
and  ox-wagon  rides  we  have  fine  carriages,  spring  wagons,  etc.; 
and  instead  of  keel-boats  we  have  magnificent  steamers  plying  up 
and  down  our  noble  rivers.  In  the  last  few  years  over  100  miles 
ofVrailroad  have  been  built  within  our  county,  with  two  bridges 
spanning  the  Father  of  Waters,  connecting  us  with  our  Western 
States  and  Territories.  Fifty  years  ago  our  State  had  not  a  single 
rod  of  railroad:  now  she  has  10,000  miles.  The  first  of  this  grand 
system  of  railroads  was  commenced  in  1837  or  '38,  at  Naples,  on 
the  Illinois  river,  and  was  built  to  Jacksonville.  A  few  days  ago  I 
was  on  this  road  at  Naples  and  found  still  in  use  some  of  the  old 
original  ties  upon  which  tlie  road  was  first  built.  They  are  red 
cedar,  and  were  brought  from  Tennessee. 

"We  have  seen  the  time  when  our  grand  old  county's  credit  was 
so  poor  that  she  could  not  borrow  $300  to  buy  the  160  acres  of  land 
upon  which  to  locate  our  county-seat.  I  have  seen  the  credit  of ' 
onr  State  so  poor  that  the  interest-bearing  bonds  could  not  be  sold 
for  25  cents  on  the  dollar;  but  now  these  things  are  all  changed; 
and  I  feel  thankful  to  the  Giver  of  all  Good  that  I  have  been  per- 
mitted to  live  out  so  nearly  the  time  allotted  for  man's  existence 
here.  Among  all  those  improvements  for  the  good  of  our  people 
none  has  given  me  more  satisfaction  than  our  free-school  system, 
where  every  child  in  the  land  has  an  equal  chance  to  gain  an  edu- 
cation. .  I  pay  no  tax  more  cheerfully  than  my  school- tax,  although 
individually  I  never  had  the  benefit  of  one  cent  of  the  public  money 
for  my  education,  for  the  reason  that  I  lived  a  little  too  early  in  a 
new  country  to  get  an  education  at  all." 

The  first  school  taught  in  the  township  was  in  1830,  in  the  south- 
eastern corner;  John  Cavender  was  the  teacher.  He  was  one  of 
the  strict  "old  masters  "  who  have  lived  their  day  of  usefulness  and 
have  given  place  to  the  more  modern  teacher.  Our  free- school 
system  was  not  inaugurated  until  many  years  after  this  school  was 
tauwht.     So  much  per  quarter  was  charged  for  each  pupil.     Evi- 


474:  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTT. 

dently  Mr.  Cavender  carried  on  an  excellent  school, — at  least  in  his 
own  estimation,  for  his  charges  were  high.  Each  pupil  was  re- 
quired to  pay  $3.50  per  term.  Mr.  Cavender  was  remarkably  strict 
as  to  the  deportment  of  his  pupils.  He  would  "  blaze  "  the  trees  be- 
tween the  boys  and  girls,  keeping  them  separate;  and  the  one  who 
dared  overstep  the  bounds  suffered  for  it.  He  made  it  a  rule  to 
"  flog  "  at  least  one-half  the  scholars  each  day. 

Perry  Springs. — These  springs  are  located  in  the  ea3t  part  of 
the  township,  and  are  greatly  valued  for  their  curative  properties. 
We  quote  the  following  descriptive  and  historical  article  concerning 
these  springs,  published  in  1872:    ■ 

"  Perry  Springs  have  received  a  national  celebrity,  being  the 
most,  noted  resort  in  the  West.  They  are  situated  most  beautifully 
near  a  creek  among  the  hills  west  of  the  Illinois  river,  and  at  the 
confluence  of  several  deep  ravines.  The  sui-rounding  country  is 
very  broken,  hills  are  steep,  and  covered  with  a  beautiful  forest 
growth.  These  springs  have  long  been  known  by  the  Indians. 
What  is  now  known  as  the  Magnesia  Spring  gushes  through  a  rock 
in  great  quantities,  and  was  called  by  them  "spring  in  the  rock." 
Its  medicinal  qualities  were  well  known  to  them,  and  they  brought 
their  sick  to  it' from  great  distances  to  be  healed.  Little  cabins 
were  used  by  invalids  until  1856,  when  Zack  Wade,  who  was  at- 
tracted there  for  his  health,  erected  a  very  good  hotel  building.  To 
B.  A.  Watson,  Esq.,  of  Springfield,  111.,  is  due  the  credit  of  devel- 
oping not  only  this  spring  but  also  others  in  close  proximity, 
erecting  ano.ther  very  large  hotel, with  many  extensive  improvements; 
and  to  his  indefatigable  energy  and  determination  through  numer- 
ous unforeseen  obstacles,  is  to  be  given  the  praise  of  furnishing  the 
country  the  finest  natural  resort  in  America .  The  water  is  strongly 
impregnated  ,with  magnesia,  lime,  iron,  potassa,  soda,  salt,  etc., 
'etc.  There  are  three  springs  within  a  few  steps  of  the  hotel  build- 
ing, called  respectively  Magnesia,  Iron  and  Sulphur  springs.  Each 
not  only  tastes  differently,  but  operates  differently;  and  what  a  wise 
provision  of  Providence  is  here  illustrated, — three  springs  but  a  few 
rods  apart,  all  strongly  medicated  and  having  each  different  medic- 
inal properties ;  and  of  all  the  diseases  that  afflict  the  human  family 
but  very  few  of  them  but  what  one  of  these  springs  would  relieve, 
if  not  wholly  cure.  It  is  a  singular  fact  that  these  springs  are  not 
affected  in  their  flow  of  water  by  dry  or  wet  weather,  or  their  tem- 
perature by  either  hot  or  cold  weather.  In  the  summer  the  water 
ranges  at  50°,  and  in  the  winter  at  48°  Fahr."  v 

The  name  of  the  township  was  derived  from  the  town  situated 
near  its  center,  and  the  histories  of  the  two  are  so  closely  identified 
that  we  pass  from  the  history  of  the  township  to  that  of  the 
town. 

PBEET. 

This  beautiful  little  village  is  situated 'on  sections  21  and  28  of 
Perry  township.     It  was  laid  out  by  Joseph  S.  King,  Feb.  16, 1836, 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  475 

and  first  christened  "  Booneville,"  in  honor  of  the  famous  Kentucky 
hunter.  If  was  settled  largely  by  Kentuckians,  and  a  great  many 
of  these  people  and  their  descendants  still  reside  here;  but  a  ma- 
jority of  the  population  are  Eastern  people:  the  German  predomi- 
aate  above  every  other  foreign  class.  There  is  not  a  negro  in  the 
town.  When  one  occasionally  "  strikes "  the  place  the  boys  all 
gather  around  him,  anxious  to  see  this  curious  colored  man,  which 
annoys  this  dark-skinned  gentleman  not  a  little,  and  he  consequently 
makes  his  stay  brief. 

As  above  mentioned,  the  town  was  first  named  Booneville,  but 
was  subsequently  changed  to  Perry,  in  honor  of  Com.  Perry,  of 
lake  Erie  fame.  This  name  was  given  by  David  Oallis,  with  whom 
the  honor  of  naming  the  town  was  left.  Mr.  Callis  was  the  father 
of  Mrs.  Keynolds,  wife  of  Thos.  Reynolds,  now  living  near  Perry. 

Joseph  S.  King,  who  came  to  Perry  in  1832,  was  its  first  mer- 
chant. Dr.  Sutphin,  who  came  in  1835,  was  its  first  physician. 
The  town  has  enjoyed  its  season  of  prosperity  as  well  as  adversity, 
and  is  now  quite  a  business  point.  It  contains  several  good  stores, 
three  of  which  are  quite  large  establishments.  Thev  carry  a  gen- 
eral line  of  merchandise,  and  a  large  and  well  selected  assortment. 
Among  the  business  men  and  the  business'houses  are  the  following: 
Shastid  &  Cockill,  A.  S.  "Whittaker,  and  J.  F.  Metz,  all  general 
dealers;  Dunn  &  Brengelman  and  Dana  Ayers,  druggists;  three 
restaurants;  one  hotel,  kept  by  H.  J.  Chenoweth;  two  barber  shops; 
one  livery  stable;  four  blacksmith  shops,  and  one  mill.  It  also 
contains  one  school-house,  six  churches,  and  one  newspaper. 

The  first  school-house  in  the  town  was  built  in  1835.  It  was  a 
log  structure  and  school  was  taught  here  by  Hannah  French.  The 
present  school  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $4,000.  It  con- 
tains four  rooms.  There  are  in  attendance  at  present  an  average  of 
200  pupils.  Prominent  among  the  teachers  who  have  taught  here 
are  Mr.  Freeman,  Richard  Noyes  and  Allen.  C.  Mason.  Mr.  Luce 
is  the  present  teacher.- 

The  Perry  Cornet  Band  was  organized  in  18T6.  They  have 
fine  instruments,  and  the  baad  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county. 
Geo.  W.  Ham,  B.  Hume,  C.  Norris  and  Frank  Bright  are  all  that 
were  members  when  it  was  organized.  A.  Cregory  was  the  first 
leader,  and  A.  A.  Hinman  is  the  present  leader. 

CHUECHES. 

Methodist  Church. — A  nucleus  of  the  present  church  at  Perry 
was  formed  by  a  few  people  who  met  at  the  house  of  David  Callis 
about  the  year  1833.  At  that  time  a  class  was  formed  consisting 
of  David  Callis  and  Avife,  Ira  Andrews  and  wife,  Mr.  Gillaspie  and 
wife,  Margaret  Matthews,  G.  W.  Hinman  and  wife,  Isaac  Davis  and 
wife,  B.  L.  Matthews  and  wife,'N .  W.  Reynolds  and  wife,  and  Susan 
Beard.  From  that  time  regular  meetings  were  held  at  private 
houses,  but  principally  at  the  residences  of  David  Callis  and  J.  B. 
Matthews.     These  meetings  were  held  only  once  in  four  weeks. 


476  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Wilson  Pitner  was  the  first  regular  preacher  employed  by  this  So- 
ciety, his  circuit  extending  as  far  as  Atlas  and  other  p»ints  in  the 
county  -The first  house  of  worship. was  built  on  sec.  28  in  1839. 
It  was  about  20  by  24  feet  in  size,  made  of  hewn  logs,  and  it  had  a 
seating  capacity  of  about  100  persons.  The  first  Trustees  of  this 
Church  were  Z.  Wade,  Isaac  Davis,  N.  W.  Reynolds,  B.  L. 
Matthews  and  John  McFarland.  The  first  Steward  was  Isaac 
Davis.  The  Society  occupied  this  building  for  religious  meetings 
until  1848,  when  a  new  house  of  worship  was  built.  This  structure 
was  located  in  Chenoweth's  addition,  was  30  by  40  feet  in  size,  and 
cost  about  $2,000.  It  has  been  remodeled  at  a  cost  of  $1,000.  Its 
present  size  is  30  by  50  feet,  with  sittings  for  350  people.  Among 
the  early  pastors  were  Kevs.  Wm.  H.  Taylor,  Mr.  Hunter,  Mr. 
Piper,  Isaac  Kimber,  James  Matteson.  Among  others'who  served 
in  that  capacity  in  later  years  were  Revs.  W.  F.  Gilmer  and  J.  C. 
H.  Hobbs.  The  present  Pastor  is  Wm.  H.  Wilson,  and  the  pres- 
ent membership  about  200.  After  the  building  was  repaired  the 
Society  bought  a  good  organ,  which  is  still  in  use.  The  Trustees 
are,  Dr.  Harvey  Dunn,  Asahel  Hinman,  S.  D.  Fagin,  Rufus  Rey- 
nolds and  Z.  'Wade.  The  Sunday-school  has  a  regular  attendance 
of  about  100  scholars,  and  is  superintended  by  Dr.  R.  F.  Harris. 

Christian  Chwrch. — The  first  meeting  for  the  organization  of 
this  Church  took  place  at  the  house  of  Nicholas  Hobbs,  on  the 
southeast  quarterof  sec.  29,  about  the  year  1837.  Nicholas  Hobbs 
and  wife,  Abraham  Chenowetli  and  wife,  Gideon  Bentley  and  wife, 
Samuel  Yan  Pelt,  Wm.  Van  Pelt  and  wife,  Wm.  Chenoweth  and 
wife  and  others,  met  at  that  time  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a 
Church.  Samuel  Van  Pelt,  Wm.  Van  Pelt  and  Nicholas  Hobbs 
were  the  ofiiciating  Elders  on  this  occasion.  Religious  meetings 
were  held  at  different  private  houses  throughout  the  neighborhood 
until  1839,  when  the  congregation  erected  a  house  of  worship. 
This  building  was  a  frame  18  by  24  feet  in  size,  and  was  located  on 
the  southeast  quarter  of  sec.  28,  which  was  in  the  village  of  Perry. 
The  congregation  was  supplied  with  traveling  preachers  for  a 
number  of  years,  among  whom  were  Elders  Wm.  Strong  and  John 
Keari.  The  first  Elders  elected  at  the  organization  were  Nicholas 
Hobbs,  Wm.  Van  Pelt  and  Wm.  Chenoweth.  The  first  Deacons 
were  Abraham  Chenoweth  and  Gideon  Bentley.  The  principal 
preaching  was  done  by  the  Elders  for  the  first  few  years,  when  the 
congregation  engaged  Elder  David  Hobbs  to  officiate  as  Pastor. 

In  April,  1843,  the  great  revivalist,  Elder  Wm.  Brown,  of  Ken- 
tucky, held  a  protracted  meeting  in  this  church,  lasting  over  two 
weeks.  The  religious  fervor  produced  by  his  efibrts  was  very  sat- 
isfactory, and  some  80  conversions  were  made.  The  old  church 
building  being  too  small  to  hold  the  immense  crowds  that  were 
drawn  to  hear  him,  one  side  was  removed  and  a  large  shed  addition 
was  built,  which  was  capable  of  holding  some  500  people.  For  the 
next  few  years  meetings  were  held  in  the  old  building,  at  the  school- 
house,  and  occasionally  in  the  Baptist  church.     In  1851  a  more 


s-'^.*"!.:!*-! 


'(Prru^  ,  \ 


Aco 


PERRY  Tf 


HISTORY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  4Y9 

commodious  house  of  worship  was  built  on  lot  4,  block  1,  Thomp- 
pon's  addition.  It  was  34  by  50  feet,  with  seats  for  400  people, 
and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,000.  The  building  committee 
were  James  H.  Chenoweth,  David  Johnson  and  Charles  Dorsey. 
Elder  Alpheus  Brown  for  a  while  previous  -to  this  had  been  regular 
Pastor.  Being  a  carpenter,  he  in  company  with  John  Reed  took 
the  contract  for  and  erected  this  church.  Elder  Brown  continued 
his  services  with  the  congregation.  This  building  was  occupied 
until  1879,  during  which  time  the  congregation  employed  the 
regular  services,  as  pastors,  of  Elders  Donan,  Wm.  Mclntyre, 
Samuel  Johnson,  A.  G.  Lucas,  H.  E.  Walling,  Clark  Braden  and 
others.  During  the  labors  of  these  worthy  and  able  men,  there 
was  much  good  done,  and  many  accessions  were  made  to  the  ranks 
of  the  Church. 

In  April,  1879,  the  congregation  commenced  agitating  the  ques- 
tion of  the  necessity  for  and  propriety  of  building  a  more  modern 
and  commodious  house  of  worship.  A  building  committee  was 
appointed  with  full  power  to  examine  and  adopt  plans  for  the  erec- 
tion of  a  suitable  building.  Tliis  committee  consisted  of  Jon 
Shastid,  Alex.  Dorsey,  John  S.  Dorsey,  Bennett  F.  Dorsey,  Mat- 
thias Gregory,  Jasper  M.  Browning,  Dr.  W.  D.  C.  Doane  and 
James  Walker.  Jon  Shastid  was  appointed  Treasurer  of  the  com- 
mittee, and  Alex.  Dorsey  and  James  Walker  executive  oflScers. 
Plans  were  accepted,  contracts  made,  the  work  vigorously  prose- 
cuted, and  the  building  completed  by  the  first  of  January,  1880. 
It  is  built  in  the  Gothic  style,  is  38  by  64  feet  in  size,  with  an 
auditorium  finely  frescoed  and  furnished,  and  with  a  seating  capac- 
ity to  accommodate  500  people.  It  cost  about  $4,000,  and  it  is  a  credit 
to  the  society  and  an  ornament  to  the  town.  The  present  mernber- 
ship  of  the  congregation  is  about  330.  The  Pastor  is  Elder  J.  T. 
Smith,  who  took  an  active  part  in,  and  was  one  of  the  main  workers 
in  collecting  money  for,  the  erection  of  the  new  building.  The 
Elders  are  Jasper  M.  Browning,  Alex.  Dorsey  and  Bennett  F. 
Dorsey.  The  Deacons  are  Wm.  Love,  Wm.  M.  Browning,  Henry 
Mays  and  Edward  Wade.  Clerk,  J.  E.  Smith,  and  Treasurer  D.  S. 
Rickart.  The  Sunday-school  is  conducted  by  Superintendent  J. 
B.  Wartori,  and  has  an  average  attendance  of  over  100. 

Zion  Ohuroh  is  located  on  sec.  4,  and  was  erected  in  1852.  It 
is  a  substantial  structure,  and  meetings  have  been  held  in  it  since 
its  erection  every  two  weeks,  with  few  exceptions.  The  society  had 
held  meetings  years  previous  to  the  erection  of  this  edifice.  Eev. 
Smith  was  the  first  minister.  The  congregation  numbered  but  10 
members  when  the  house  was  built;  at  present  the  membership  is 
50.  Since  the  erection  of  the  building  they  have  not  missed  a 
month  without  holding  Sunday-school  in  it. 

Lutheran  Chwoh.—Ttm,  Church  was  organized  in  1859,  and  was 
the  first  church  of  that  denomination  in  Pike  county.  The  congre- 
gation met  for  the  first  10  years  in  the  Christian  church,  but  in 

29 


480  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

1869  built  a  new  church,  at  a  cost  of  $2,200.     The  present  member- 
ship numbers  80.     Uev.  Recker  is  the  present  Pastor. 

PERSONAL    SKETCHES. 

As  a  portion  of  the  history  of  Perry  and  Perry  township  we  give 
biographical  sketches  of  pioneer  and  leading  citizens,  believing  such 
personal  mention  forms  the  better  part  of  local  history.  Those  who 
have  made  and  are  making  the  history  of  Perry  and  the  township 
deserve  special  mention  in  a  work  of  this  nature. ' 

Dana  Ayres  was  born  in  Massachusetts  Dec.  7,  1809;  is  the 
son  of  Jason  and  Betsey  (Holman)  Ayres;  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools  of  Massachusetts,  and  between  the  ages  of  16  and 
26  manufactured  salt  from  sea  water.  In  1836  he  came  to  this 
county,  and  in  1838  settled  in  the  town  of  Perry,  since  which  time 
he  has  followed  the  drug  business.  In  1838  lie  married  Alice 
Cleland,  and  they  have  2  children,  a  son  and  daughter.  In  politics 
Mr.  Ayres  is  a  Republican.  He  voted  the  Free-Soil  ticket  in  1840, 
and  in  1842  was  elected  County  Magistrate.  He  has  been  School 
Trustee,  Collector,  and  Trustee  for  the  Corporation. 

George  W.  JSaldwiro  was  born  in  New  York  city  in  1830;  is  the 
son  of  David  and  Ann  (Desney)  Baldwin.  His  early  educational 
advantages  were  very  limited.  In  1858  he  married  Sarah  Jane 
Mason,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire.  Of  their  6  children  5  are 
living,  4  sons  and  one  daughter.  One  son  is  studying  dentistry, 
and  one  of  his  daughters  is  a  teacher.  By  occupation  Mr.  Bald- 
win is  a  miller,  but  has  at  present  retired  from  business. 

Stephen  Banning,  son  of  Thomas  and  Keziah  Banning,  was  born 
May  15,  1815.  His  father  was  fr.om  Virginia,  and  his  mother  from 
Maryland ;  both  are  of  German  descent.  He  was  educated  in  a  sub- 
scription school,  and  came  from  Ohio  to  Illinois  in  1837,  settling 
near  Chambersburg.  December  10,  1839,  he  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth Rigg.  Of  their  8  children,  only  3  girls  are  living,  and  are 
married.  Mr.  B.  has  been  School  Director  and  Road-master.  He 
owns  160  acres  of  good  land  on  sec.  26.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

W.  A.  Beavers,  deceased,  son  of  "Wm.  Beavers,  was  born  in  Mis- 
souri Dec.  1, 1824;  emigrated  to  Pike  Co.  in  1869,  and  followed 
merchandising  for  several  years.  In  1860  he  married  Mary  Eliza- 
beth Smith,  who  was  born  in  Pike  Co.  Aug.  26, 1838.  Her  parents, 
Aberland  and  Lucy  A.,  were  natives  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Beavers  have  3  children :  Herschel  Y.,  born  Aug.  26,  1861;  Av- 
erill,  born  in  1863,  and  L.  F.  (a  girl),  born  Sept.  29, 1870.  Mr.  B. 
owned  160  acres  of  land,  and  followed  farming  several  years  previ- 
ous to  his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  13,  1873. 

Williamson  Bond  was  born  July  12,  1837,  and  is  the  son  of 
John  (a  native  of  Virginia)  and  Frances  Ann  {nee  Aikins,  a  native 
of  Tennessee)  Bond.  Both  parents  are  of  German  descent.  In 
1858  he  was  married  to  Jennie  James.  They  "have  one  daughter, 
Frances  Ann,  born  in  1861.  Mr.  Bond  has  been  School  Director 
for  2  years ;  is  a  Democrat.  He  owns  130  acres  of  land  on  sec.  36. 
Benj.  F.Bradbury  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1824,the  son  of  Benjamin 


HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  481 

and  Betsy  (Davis)  Bradbury,  natives  of  Maine,  and  of  English  descent. 
He  is  by  occupation  a  farmer;  came  to  Pike  county  in  1853,  where 
he  now  has  190  acres  of  land.  Sept.  13, 1848,  ho  married  Elizabeth 
Carlisle.  They  have  3  sons  and  4  daughters.  He  is  a  Baptist,  and 
she  a  Presbyterian ;  he  is  also  a  Granger  and  a  Democrat. 

H.  U.  Brengelmcm,  druggist,  Perry,  111. 

Robert  Brim,  deceased,  was  a  farmer  on  sec.  7;  was  born  in 
South  Carolina  in  1832,  and  emigrated  to  Pike  county  in  1846;  he 
ran  a  restaurant  2  years  in  Perry,  and  2  in  Chambersburg.  In  1856 
he  married  Catharine  Taylor.  Of  their  6  children  2  are  dead.  Mrs. 
B.  is  a  daughter  of  Simon  H.  Taylor,  who  came  to  Pike  county  54 
years  ago.  At  one  time  he  owned  520  acres  of  land  in  Pike  county, 
and  other  lands  in  other  counties,  entering  his  choice  land  at  $1.25 
an  acre.  Mr.  Taylor  is  still  living,  and  Mrs.  Taylor  died  in  1876. 
Mr.  Brim  was  a  Democrat. 

Archibald  Broohs,  farmer,  sec.  16;  P.  O.  Chambersburg;  was 
born  in  this  county  in  1850,  and  is  the  son  of  Archibald  and  Sophia 
(Sutlift)  Brooks,  the  father  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  the  mother 
a  native  of  Indiana;  educated  in  the  common  school;  owns  120  acres 
of  land.  In  1872  he  married  Emily  Remington,  daughter  of  Orson 
R.,  of  Perry.  Their  3  children,  boys,  are  all  living.  Mrs.  B.  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church  in  Chambersburg.  Mr.  B.  has 
been  3  years  a  School  Director,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

Jasper  M.  Browning;  P.  O.  Perry;  born  in  this  township  July 
1,  1834,  is  the  son  of  Caleb  and  Penelope  (Power)  B.,  both  of  Eng- 
lish descent.  His  father  is  a  farmer,  who  came  to  this  county  in 
1833,  but  at  the  present  time  is  living  in  Kansas.  Jasper  M.  is 
also  a  farmer  on  sec.  15,  where  he  owns  140  acres  of  land.  In  1865 
he  married  Rachel  Allen,  and  they  have  5  boys  and  2  girls.  Mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church.     Republican. 

Lemuel  Calhoun,  farmer,  sec.  11;  P.  O.,  Perry;  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee May  30,  1829,  the  son  of  Hansel  and  Harriet  (Carpenter) 
Calhoun;  educated  in  the  subscription  school;  emigrated  to  this 
county  in  1835,  and  has  lived  on  sec.  11  for  27  years.  In  1852  he 
married  Mary  Elizabeth  Thompson.  Of  their  6  children  4  are 
living,  all  girls.  He  has  been  School  Director;  is  an  Odd  Fellow; 
owns  138- acres  of  land,  and  pays  all  his  debts  once  a  year;  is  a 
Democrat.    Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church . 

Wm.  H.  M.  Gallis  was  born  in  Brunswick  Co.,  Va.,  ISTov. 
7,  1822,  son  to  David  and  Sarah  (Walpole)  Callis,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  of  English  descent;  went  to  school  but  one  year  in  his 
life,  and  that  was  in  the  old-fashioned  log  school-house  in  this 
county,  having  emigrated  here  in  1829.  He  has  seen  every  man, 
woman  and  child  within  10  miles  of  his  father's  house  all  there  at 
one  time, -and  fed  on  old-fashioned  corn  hominy;  he  has  killed 
many  panthers  in  Perry  township.  In  1844  he  married  Harriet 
Eliza  lugalls;  of  their  4  children  3  are  living  and  married;  one 
child  died  in  1845.  Mr.  C.  has  given  his  children  a  good  education, 
at  one  time  moving  even  into  Iowa  for  the  purpose  of  sending  them 


482  HISTORY  or  pike  county. 

to  a  good  school.  His  son  is  a  graduate  of  Simpson  Centennial 
College.  He  is  now  living  on  his  farm  on  sec.  25.  He  drilled  with 
Abraham  Lincoln  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oallis 
are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

John  Campbell,  undertaker,  carpenter  and  builder,  and  dealer  in 
coffins,  caskets,  shrouds,  etc..  Perry,  was  born  Dec.  21,  1845,  the 
son  of  A.  and  K.  C.  (Coffee)  Campbell,  both  of  Kentucky ;  educa- 
ted in  the  high  school  at  Griggsville  ;  commenced  to  learn  his 
trade  at  17  years  of  age,  and  has  followed  it  ever  since.  In  1868 
he  married  Emma  Smith  :  Katie,  born  July  8,  1870,  is  their  only 
child.  Mr.  0.  is  a  Republican,  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  belongs  to  the 
United  Workmen  ;  and  he  and -his  wife  are  Methodists. 

Milton  Cheeh  was  born  in  Bedford  Co.,  Ya.,  Nov.  16,  1804; 
parents  both  natives  of  Yirginia,  and  of  English  descent ;  went  to 
school  but  two  months  in  his  life  ;  is  a  farmer  ;  came  to  Pike 
county  in  1832,  undergoing  the  usual  hardships  of  pioneer  life. 
He  once  walked  10  miles  to  Jeff  Hume's  iriill,  and  offered  to  split 
200  rails  for  a  bushel  of  meal  ;  but  Jeff  did  not  want  rails  ;  he 
wanted  money.  Mr.  Cheek  was  compelled  to  go  home  that  long 
distance  after  sundown  without  any  meal  and  even  without  any 
supper  ;  and  his  family  had  to  subsist  upon  potatoes  a  while 
longer.  At  present  he  owns  a  farm  of  79^  acres.  In  1826  he 
married  Martha  Carroll,  and  they  had  10  children.  Mrs.  Cheek 
died  in  1860,  and  in  1863  he  married  Marinda  Crystal,  and  they 
have  had  3  children.  He  is  School  Director  and  Road  Overseer  : 
is  a  Democrat. 

D.  J.  Ohenoweth  was  born  in  this  county  Jan.  13,  1848,  son  of 
James  H.  and  Artemisia  C.  (Burkhead)  Chenoweth,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  of  German  descent.  He  owns  a  farm  of  20  acres  and 
runs  a  meat  market  in  Perry.  In  1867  he  married  Eleanor  Dor- 
sey,  and  they  have  4  children  living.  Both  he  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church.     He  is  a  Republican. 

S.  J.  GhenowetJh  was  born  in  Kentucky  Oct.  29,  1.819 ;  his  pa- 
rents, Abraham  and  Rachel,  were  natives  of  that  State  and  of  Welsh 
descent ;  emigrated  to  Pike  county  Nov.  16,  1836,  settling  one 
mile  east  of  Perry,  and  in  company  with  his  father  improved  160 
acres  of  land.  He  followed  farming  until  1851,  when  he  started  a 
saw-mill  3  miles  northeast  of  Perry,  and  after  running  it  18 
months  he  sold  it ;  then  farmed  for  3  years,  then  was  in  Mis- 
souri 4  years,  and  then  (1861)  came  back  to  this  place  and  contin- 
ued farming  and  clearing  land.  In  1872  he  started  the  first 
hotel  in  Perry.  H.  J.  married  in  1841,  and  is  the  father  of  9  chil- 
dren, 6  of  whom  are  living,  2  boys  and  4  girls.  Mr.  C.  has  been 
School  Director  and  member  of  the  Town  Board.     Republican. 

Jacoh  Y.  Chenoweth  was  born  in  this  township  June  27, 1850, 
son  of  James  H.  and  Artemisia  C.  (Burkhead)  Chenoweth ;  is  a 
farmer  and  dealer  in  live  stock.  May  13,  1875,  he  married  Eliza- 
beth Parke,  and  they  have  2  little  girls.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  0.  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church.  ]\f  r.  C.  owns  a  farm  of  81  acres 
in  Pike  county,  and  80  acres  in  Kansas. 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTT.  483 

James  H.  Ghenoweth,  one  of  Pike  county's  oldest  and  most  re- 
spected citizens,  was  born  in  Nelson  Co.,  Ky.,  July  9,  1801.  His 
father,  Wm.  Ghenoweth,  went  to  that  State  from  Yirginia  when  a 
young  man,  and  took  part  in  many  an  Indian  fight  on  "  the  dark 
and  bloody  ground."  He  married  the  widow  of  John  Hinton, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Mary  YanMeter;  of  this  family  were  10 
children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  be  grown:  William,  Jacob,  Abraham, 
Isaac,  Miles,  James,  Hardin,  Letitia,  Ruth  and  James  H.  Jacob, 
Abraham  and  James  all  came  to  Pike  county  and  were  among  its 
more  worthy  and  substantial  pioneer  citizens.  James  H.,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch,  first  came  to  this  State  in  1832,  stopping  for  a 
while  in  Scott  Co.,  and  came  to  Pike  in  the  spring  of  1833,  locating 
on  sees.  27  and  28,  Perry  tp.,  where  he  entered  240  acres  of  land. 
He  at  once  erected  a  double  log  cabin,  in  which  he  lived  for  several 
years;  he  then  built  the  frame  house  which  still  occupies  the  site  ; 
30  acres  of  this  farm  Mr.  C.  laid  off  in  town  lots  as  "  Ohenoweth's 
Addition  to  the  Town  of  Perry."  Mr.  0.  is  one  of  the  oldest  resi- 
dents of  the  county,  and  is  a  good  example  of  what  industry  and 
economy  will  accomplish.  He  is  now  78  years  of  age,  and  is  the 
owner  of  between  500  and  600  acres  of  land  in  this  county,  as  well 
as  land  in  Missouri. 

Mr.  C.  was  married  in  1831  to  Artemisia  Burkhead,  of  Nelson 
Co.,  Ky.  One  child,  Abraham,  was  born  to  them  in  Kentucky, 
James  H.,  jr.,  Mary,  Joseph  K.,  deceased,  Joseph  S.,  Robert  A., 
Ruth,  David  J.,  Jacob  V.  and  Susanna  R.,  deceased,  were  all  born 
in  Pike  county;  the  8  children  living  are  all  married.  Three, 
David,  Jacob  and  Ruth  ( the  latter  the  wife  of  Chas.  O.  Turner)  are 
still  living  in  this  county.  Mr.  C.'s  wife  died  Jan.  4, 1874,  and  Mr. 
0.  is  now  living  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Turner.  Mr.  0.  was  for- 
merly a  Whig,  but  since  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party 
he  has  voted  with  that  party.  One  of  his  sons,  Robert  A.,  served 
two  years  during  the  Rebellion  in  the  33d  111.  Inft.  Mr.  C.  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church,  as  also  was  Mrs.  0. ;  and  in  the 
affairs  of  the  Church  he  has  always  taken  a  prominent  part.  All  of 
his  children  are  also  members  of  that  Church. 

Mr.  C.  js  familiarly  known  as  "Uncle  Jim,"  and  no  man  in  the 
township  is  better  known,  and  has  fewer  enemies. '  He  was  always 
full  of  fun,  and  liked  to  fish  and  hunt,  and  enjoy  himself  in  such 
sport.  His  average  weight  is  212  pounds.  One  of  his  favorite 
games  was  tying  men  who  boasted  of  their  strength.  He  would 
take  his  rope  and  tell  his  man  that  he  would  tie  him,  giving  him 
leave  to  fight  or  do  anything  but  gouge  and  bite  :  that  was  all  he 
asked  of  the  strongest  man,  and  he  never  yet  failed  in  his  object. 
He  drank  whisky  with  the  "  boys,"  and  sometimes  when  alone, 
from  the  time  he  was  16  years  old  until  he  was  74.  At  present  he 
only  takes  wine.  He  thinks  lie  averaged  a  quart  of  liquor  per  day 
for  57  years  ;  and  the  other  day  he  figured  it  up,  counting  only  one 
.  pint  per  day,  and  it  made  over  72  barrels,  of  44  gallons  each !  He 
is  willing  to  throw  off  2  barrels  in  the  estimate,  which  would  leave 


484r  HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

even  70  barrels,  or  3,080  gallons.  Now,  if  it  cost  $2  per  gallon,  it 
would  amount  to  $6,160;  and  if  the  whiskj  he  has  drank  were  sold 
at  10  cents  a  drink,  allowing  10  drinks  to  the  pint,  it  would  amount 
to  $24,640;  and  he  thinks  he  has  drank  twice  that  amount,  or  $49,. 
280  worth  of  whisky!  Perhaps  he  has  given  away  as  much  as  he 
has  drank,  which  would  make  a  total  expense  of  $98,560!  And 
he  is  yet  stout  enough  to  round  this  number  out  to  even  $100,000, 
either  by  drinking  the  liquor  or  giving  it  away!  Mr.  Chenoweth's 
portrait  appears  in  this  volume. 

Job  Clark,  farmer,  sec.  29,  was  born  in  Hamilton  Co.,  0.,  Jan. 
6,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Christiana  (  Keed  )  Clark,  the 
father  a  native  of  Greene  Co.,  Pa.,  and  his  mother  of  Hamilton  Co., 
O.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Illinois; 
he  came  to  Pike  county  in  May,  1867 ;  by  occupation  he  was  a 
millwright,  but  since  he  came  here  he  has  been  farming,  meeting 
with  splendid  success.  His  residence  is  as  good  as  any  in  the  town- 
ship, if  indeed  not  the  best.  He  is  engaged  in  raising  Poland- 
China  hogs  and  thorough-bred  cattle.  He  was  married  in  1853  to 
Miss  H.  E.  Gilham.  Mr.  C.  has  served  his  township  in  various 
offices,  and  politically  is  a  De^mocrat. 

W.  0.  Cohh  was  born  in  Perry,  Pike  Co.,  July  19, 1855,  and  is 
the  son  of  Chauncey  and  Elizabeth  (Parks)  Cobb.  Mr.  C  at  the 
present  time  is  keeping  a  barber  shop  in  the  town  of  Perry  ;  for- 
merly he  was  by  occupation  a  carpenter.  He  is  a  natural  genius, 
and  capable  of  doing  anything  well  that  he  undertakes.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican. 

F.  M.  Cooper  was  born  in  Morgan  Co.,  111.,  Jan.  19,  1831,  son 
of  G.  W.  and  Mahala  (Clayton)  Cooper,  his  father  a  native  of  ]JT.  C. 
and  his  mother  of  Georgia;  is  a  farmer  and  plasterer.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1858  10  Artemisia  Hobbs,  and  they  have  6  boys  and  1  girl, 
and  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  C.  is  a  Democrat, 
in  politics. 

Joi  Dixon,  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Barker)  Dixon,  was  born 
in  England  in  1828,  where  he  was  educated ;  he  is  a  farmer  and 
owns  280  acres  of  land,  one  of  the  best  stock  farms  in  Illinois.  In 
1858  he  emigrated  to  Pike  county,  and  Oct.  4  of  the  "same  year 
married  Ann  Stephenson,  a  native  of  England.  They  have  had  6 
boys  and  3  girls.     Mr.  Dixon  is  a  Democrat. 

Luther  Dodge  was  born  in  Vermont  in  1815;  was  educated  in  a 
subscription  school,  and  is  at  present  a  farmer.  He  has  been  twice 
married,  the  second  time  to  Margaret  Crawford,  m  1861.  She  is  a 
native  of  Tennessee,  and  was  born  in  1822.  She  was  the  fourth  child 
of  a  family  of  14  children,  11  of  whom  are  living,  all  married  but 
one,  who  has  taught  school  14  years.  Her  name  is  Kachel  Craw- 
ford. Mrs.  Dodge's  stepmother,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Crawford,  lives 
with  her,  and  is  81  years  of  age.     Mr.  Dodge  is  a  Eepublican. 

Deacon  Alexander  Dorsey,  the  son  of  Charles  Dorsey,  was  born 
in  Rutherford  county,  Tenn.,  Nov.  29,  1824;  his  father  was  born  in 
North  Carolina  in  1795,  and  was  the  son  of  "Wm.  Dorsey,  who  served 


,~sM 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  485 

for  several  years  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Oct.  16,  1823,  Charles 
Dorsey  married  Miss  Eleanor  Broiies,  of  his  native  county.  She 
was  born  June  25,  1805.  Dec.  31,  1828,  Mr.  Dorsey  landed  in 
Pike  county  and  wintered  iu  a  board  tent.  During  the  following 
spring  he  cleared  a  piece  of  la,nd  on  which  a  portion  of  Detroit  now 
stands.  In  the  spring  of  1831  he  moved  to  Ferry  township  and 
settled  on  sec.  24,  and  was  one  of  the  leading  farmers  and  stock- 
raisers  of  the  county.  Alexander  Dorsey  received  his  education  in 
Pike  county;  in  the  winter  of  1845-'6  he  made  a  visit  to  his  old 
home  in  Tennessee,  where  he  married  Miss  Jane  Fox,  who  was  born 
in  Rutherford  county,  Nov.  29,  1829.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dorsey  are 
both  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  he  has  been  Elder  and 
Deacon  for  many  years,  and  was  a  member  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee that  erected  the  new  church  building. 

£.  F.  Dorsey  was  born  near  the  celebrated  Mineral  Springs  of 
Perry,  Nov.  11,  1832;  he  is  the  fourth  son  of  Charles  and  Eleanor 
Dorsey,  the  former  a  native  of  Raleigh,  N.  C.  Our  subject  on  arriv- 
ing at  the  age  of  18,  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda,  daughter  of  Elder 
David  Hobbs,  who,  as  well  as  his  wife,- were  natives  of  Kentucky, 
and  came  to  Illinois  in  1829,  settling  in  Scott  county;  and  Mrs. 
Dorsey  was  born  Oct.  8, 1832.  They  have  a  family  of  two  children: 
Ejlgar,  the  elder,  was  born  May  9,  1859,  and  Asa  L. ,  March  22, 
1861.  Edgar  married  Anna,  daughter  of  M.  B.  Chenoweth,  Dec. 
31,  18^7;  reside  at  the  old  homestead  and  have  a  little  daughter, 
Dottie  D.  Dorsey.  Asa  married  Carrie  Clark,  May  15,  1879,:  she 
was  a  daughter  of  Job  Clark,  a  native  of  Ohio,'  and  she  was  born  in 
this  county. 

The  sous  are  engaged  with  their  father,  under  the  firm  name  of 
B.  F.  Dorsey  &  Sons,  in  importing  and  breeding  Berkshire  and 
Poland  hogs,  and  Spanish  or  American  Merino  sheep,  sending  stock 
of  this  kind  to  Colorado,  Michigan,  Mexico,  Texas  and  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  have  a  farm  of  387  acres  on  sec.  22,  known  as  the  Wolf 
Grove  stock  farm.  It  is  said  that  they  have  on  this  fine  farm  the 
champion  herd  of  sheep  in  America.  It  consists  of  500  thorough- 
bred Merino  sheep,  one  buck  in  which  herd  cost  Mr.  Dorsey  $600, 
and  clipped  the  past  season  28J  pounds  of  wool;  another  cost  $300. 
They  also  Lave  a  herd  of  100  thorough-bred  Berkshire  and  Poland- 
China  hogs.  One  of  these,  "  Knight  of  Gloucester,  No.  201,"  was 
bought  by  the  firm  in  England,  and  is  worth  $560. 

They  exhibited  at  the  first  fair  ever  held  in  Pike  county,  which 
was  in  the  year  1851,  since  which  time  they  have  exhibited  their 
stock  at  some  of  the  leading  fairs  in  Illinois  and  Missouri,  and 
always  successful  as  competitors.  They  have  taken  over  600 
prizes  within  the  last  four  years,  never  failing  to  carry  off  the 
sweepstakes  at  each  and  every  fair.  At  the  Illinois  State  Fair  in 
1879  they  took  on  their  herd  nine  first  and  four  second  prizes, 
including  the  breeders  and  sweepstakes  in  each  class.  The  breed- 
ers on  which  the  prize  was  given  consisted  of  one  boar  and  four 
sows.     They  took  it  on  Berkshires  and  Polands,  which  was  never 


486  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COITNTT. 

doue  at  the  Illinois  State  Fair,  or  indeed  at  any  other  State  fair,  so 
far  as  is  known  to  us. 

Mr.  J),  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  has  been  for 
32  years.  He  has  served  12  or  15  years  as  Elder.  As  a  repre- 
sentative citizen  of  Pike  county  we  give  Mr.  Dorsey's  portrait  in 
this  volume. 

Charles  Dorsey,  son  of  Alexander  and  Jane  (Fox)  Dorsey,  was 
born  in  Pike  county  in  1855;  he  had  only  the  benefits  of  the  com- 
mon school,  and  has  engaged  in  farming  and  clerking.  In  1877 
he  was  married  to  Ada  Chenoweth,  and  they  have  one  girl,  Anna. 

John  8.  Z?(?TOe2// residence  Perry ;  was  born  in  April,  1830,  in 
this  county;  he  is  the  son  of  Charles  and  Eleanor  (Broiles)  Dor- 
sey, referred  to  above;  by  occupation  he  is  a  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser;  he  owns  370  acres  of  land  near  Perry,  and  is  counted  as  one 
of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  county ;  he  devotes  considerable  time 
and  attention  to  breeding  fine  blooded  stock,  and  makes  the  Poland- 
China  hog  and  American  Merino  sheep  a  specialty;  in  this  busi- 
ness he  is  connected  with  his  brother,  Alexander  Dorsey.  In  1857 
Mr.  D.  was  married  to  Mary  Hardy,  and  they  have  four  children — 
two  boys  and  two  girls.  Mr.  D.  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  Mrs.  D .  of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Town  Board  of  Perry,  and  has  been  for  three  terms. 

John  W.  Dorsey  was  born  in  Pike  county.  111.,  in  1853,  and  is 
the  son  of  Alexander  and  Jane  Dorsey,  nee  Fox.  Mr.  D.  owns 
110  acres  of  land  on  sec.  21,  in  this  township,  and  is  engaged  in 
raising  fine  stock.  Oct.  27,  1872,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  Jane 
Ham,  who  was  born  in  Chambersburg  township  in  1856.  Their 
children  are:  Izzie  Jane,  Mary  L.  and  Minnie  Bell.  Mr.  D.  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church,  of  Lodge  No.  76,  I.  0.  0.  F., 
and  Secretary  of  Perry  Grange.  Mrs.  D.  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

T.  B.  Dunn  was  born  in  the  town  of  Chambersburg,  Pike  Co., 
in  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Harvey  and  Phadima  (Winegar)  Dunn; 
the  former  was  born  in  Feb.  2,  1806,  and  his  mother,  June  29, 
1819.  His  father  died  Dec.  28,  1868,  and  his  mother,  June  11, 
1848.  Mr.  Dunn  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
this  county;  from  1864  to  1868  was  engaged  in  the  dry -goods 
business  in  Chambersburg,  since  which  time  he  has  been  engaged 
in  farming.  April  5,  1864,  he  was  married  to  Nancy  Jane  Ban- 
ning, daughter  of  Stephen  Banning,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the 
county.  They  have  two  boys  and  two  girls.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Among  the  cariosities 
which  he  has  in  his  possession  is  a  mirror  which  came  over  in  the 
Mayflower. 

S.  D.  Faqvn,  farmer,  P.  O.  Perry;  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1843; 
his  father,  George  Fagin,  was  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State;  his 
mother  was  Julia  Hahn.  Mr.  F.  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation; was  married  in  1866  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Capt.  B.  L.  Mat- 


PEF?RY   Tf 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  489 

/ 

thews,  and  they  have  3  children,  all  boys,  and  ,  living.     They  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

John  P.  Gardner,  farmer,  sec.  7;  was  born  in  England,  Nov. 
16,  1828,  and'  is  the  son  of  John  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Powell)  Gard- 
ner, both  natives  of  England.  John  'P.  received  his  education  in 
the  high  schools  of  England;  he  started  to  travel  at  an  early  age 
in  life;  when  he  was  only  16  years  old  he  went  on  a  cruise  to 
South  Africa ;  when  21  he  came  to  America.  In  1852  he  married 
Anna  Parker.  He  is  a. successful  farmer.  P.  O.,  Perry. 
J  ALpheus  Glines  was  born  in  Perry  Jan.  26,  1853,  the  son  of  L. 
D.  and  Ellen  (Cruthers)  CI.;  his  father  was  a  native  of  New  York, 
and  mother,  of  Ohio  ;  father  came  to  Illinois  in  1851.  Alpheus 
received  a  common-school  education  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  stone 
mason,  the  occupation  of  his  father.  J&e  and  his  brother  have  been 
engaged  in  bridge-building  in  this  and  adjoining  counties.  Alpheus 
is  a  member  of  tlie  M.  E.  Church  at  Perry. 

Joseph  A.  Gould  was  born  in  the  town  of  Perry  Dec.  28,  1853  ; 
his  parents  were  Josiah  P.  and  Lucy  C.  (Watson)  Gould.  He 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  this  county,  and 
by  occupation  is  a  plasterer.  At  the  early  age  of  16  he  began  to 
learn  his  trade,  at  which  he  has  worked  ever  since.  In  1875  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Lydia  Bxirnett :  they  have  2  children,  both 
girls.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Christian  Church 
in  Perry.     At  present  he  resides  in  Griggsville. 

Matthias  Gregory,  farmer,  sec.  22.  Mr.  Gregory  was  brought 
to  Pike  county  in  1829,  and  has  seen  the  vast  wilderness  trans- 
formed into  a  garden,  as  it  were.  There  was  not  a  house  in  the 
town  of  Perry  ox.  Griggsville  at  that  time.  Mr.  G .  was  born  in 
Coffee  county,  Tenn.,  Feb.  12,  1822,  and  is  the  son  of  Eobert  and 
Nancy  (Broiles)  Gregory,  both  natives  of  South  Carolina,  and  of 
English  descent.  He  received  his  education  in  the  log  school- 
houses  of  Pike  county.  In  1843  he  was  married  to  Mary  Cheno- 
weth.  They  have  5  children,  all  boys,  and  3  of  them  are  married. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church  at 
Perry.  He  is  a  Trustee  of  the  Church,  and  a  member  of  the  build- 
ing committee.  He  has  served  15  years  as  School  Director.  In 
1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  99th  111.  Inf.,  under  Capt.  Matthews. 

Glayiorn  Ham.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  March, 
1827,  in  Bedford  county,  Tenn.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary 
(Broiles)  Ham  ;  his  father  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  his 
mother  of  South  Carolina,  and  both  of  German  descent.  By  occu- 
pation Mr.  H.  is  a  farmer,  which  business  he  has  followed  for  31 
years.  He  has  been  very  successful,  now  owning  400  acres  of  land 
in  this  county.  In  1836  he  came  to  this  county  and  settled  on  sec. 
36,  Perry  township,  where  he  still  lives.  He  nas  been  twice  mar- 
ried. In  1848  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Margaret 
Smith,  by  whom  he  had  3  children  ;  2  are  living.  He  married  his 
second  wife,  America  C.  James,  in  1857,  and  they  have  8  children, 
3  boys  and  5  girls,  all  living.     His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 


490  HISTOET   OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

Church.  He  served  as  School  Director  for  8  years,  and  as  Eoad 
Commissioner  3  years.  His  father,  though  illiterate  in  respect  to 
'  school  education,  not  being  able  to  write  his  own  name,  was  a  verv 
successful  business  man.  When  he  came  to  the  county  in  1829  he 
was  not  worth  $100,  but  when  he  made  a  division  of  his  property 
among  his  children  he  owned  1,T00  acres  of  land,  and  personal 
property  to  the  value  of  $14,000. 

George  W.  Ham,  farmer,  sec.  21 ;  P.  O.  Perry.,  Mr.  Ham  is  a 
son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Ann  (Elliott)  Ham,  natives  of  the 
Eastern  States,  and  of  English  descent ;  he  was  born  Sept.  5, 1859; 
he  attended  the  common  schools  and  entered  the  Illinois  College 
at  Jacksonville,  where  he  graduated  in  1876  ;  he  then  entered  the 
dry-goods  store  of  Metz  &  Wilson,  where  he  clerked  for  two  years. 
In  1878  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  May  Eeed.  A  son  was 
born  to  them  Dec.  3,  1879.  Mr..  Ham  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Perry  Cornet  Band. 

James  T.  Ham  is  the  son  of  Clayborn'  and  Margaret  C.  (Smith) 
Ham,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  Missouri,  respectively.  James  T. 
was  born  on  sec.  36,  Perry  tp.,  Aug.  8, 1851.  Hu  owns  a  farm  on  sec. 
35,  this  tp.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  agricnltura!  pursuits.  In  1871, 
March  31,  he  was  united  in  the  holy  bond-  of  matrimony  with 
Melissa  C.  James.  Alma  A.,  born  Feb.  9,  1873,  and  Lola  Estella, 
born  Dec.  23,  1877,  are  their  2  children.  His  grandfather,  James 
Ham,  was  one  of  the  early  pioneers  of,  and  one  of  the  wealthiest 
men  in  Pike  county. 

Elijah  Hamilton,  farmer,  sec.  1;  P.O.  Chambersburg.  Mr. 
H.  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  he  was  born  in  1816  ;  his  parents 
were  Allen  and  Salina  Hamilton,  who  came  to  Illinois  in  1820,  set- 
tling in  Sangamon  county.  In  1839  Elijah  Hamilton  came  to  Pike 
county,  locating  on  sec.  1,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided,  and 
owns  200  acres  of  land.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  but  has  not 
voted  for  several  years.  He  is  a  bachelor,  and  his  widowed  sister, 
Mrs.  Jane  Webb,  lives  with  him.  She  was  born  July  26,  1806. 
Elijah  is  one  of  a  family  of  11  children,  only  3  of  whom  are  now 
living. 

John  Hardy  was  born  in  Ohio  Feb.  8,  1839,  the  son  of  John  and 
Maria  Hardy,  both  natives  of  Ohio  and  of  English  descent.  Mr. 
Hardy  came  to  Illinois  in  1840  and  to  Pike  county  in  1846,  and 
lives  on  sec.  19,  where  he  owns  a  farm  of  213  acres,  which  is  said 
to  be  the  best  farm  between  the  two  rivers.  He  has  refused  to 
accept  $100  per  acre  for  it.  In  1858  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Eebecca  Walker,  the  daughter  of  Kobert  Walker,  an  early 
settler  of  Pike  county.  In  1872  Mr.  Hardy  took  a  trip  to  Europe 
for  his  health,  benefiting  him  greatly.  He  has  also  traveled  over 
the  Western  States  considerably. 

Martin  Harrington  was  born  in  Worcester  Co.,  Mass.,  Dec.  24, 
1797.  His  father,  Samuel  Harrington,  was  a  native  of  Grafton, 
Mass.,  and  was  born  Aug.  3, 1769.  On  arriving  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
six,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Abigail  Putnam,  who  was  born  Sept.  15, 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  491 

1775.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Zadock  Putnam,  who  was  closely 
related  to  the  daring,  brave  and  patriotic  Gen.  Israel  Putnam,  of 
Eevolutionary  fame.  Mr.  Putnam's  father  was  Nathaniel  Putnam, 
who  built  the  first  wagon  set  up  in  "Worcester  Co.,  Mass.  It  is 
related  that  over  200  came  from  long  distances  to,  see  one  pair  of 
wheels  following  another. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  connected  by  a  long  line  of  ancestry 
as  far  back  as  the  original  Puritans  who  came  over  in  the  "  May 
Flower."  Among  that  highly  honored  and  respected  band  who 
landed  on  the  cold,  bleak  shores  of  Plymouth,  is  made  honorable 
mention  of  the  Harringtons,  whose  names  yet  stand  engraved  on 
that  ever  memorable  rock,  'around  which  clusters  the  purest  and 
brightest  thoughts  of  all  true  lovers  lof  American  liberty.  The 
Harringtons  are  also  connected,  on  the  paternal  side,  with  the  Brig- 
hams,  of  early  Massachusetts  history,  and  on  the  maternal  side,  with 
the  as  yet  revered  name  of  the  Elliots.  Major  Elliot,  great-grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  served  with  distinction  during 
the  Eevolutionary  struggle. 

Mr.  Samuel  Harrington  had  a  family  of  4  children,  of  whom 
Martin  is  the  second.  Three  are  yet  living  at  quite  an  advanced 
age.  Mr.  Harrington  died  at  his  residence,  O'ctober  6th,  1802. 
His  wife  survived  him  until  April,  1871.  After  being  a  widow 
seven  years,  she  was  married  to  Capt.  David  Trask,  of  Leicester, 
.Worcester  county,  Mass.  They  had  a  family  of  5  children.  The 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  early  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  by 
the  death  of  his  father,  but  with  that  true  Yankee  pluck  and  stick- 
to-it-iveness,  he  overcame  all  obstacles  in  his  way,  and  succeeded 
in  acquiring  a  good  English  education;  but  that  served  only  a  nu- 
cleus, around  which  he  'has  been  constantly  adding  to  his  store  of 
knowledge,  until  now  we  find  him  possessed  with  conversational 
powers  seldom  surpassed  by  the  most  cultured  men  of  the  country 
—not  only  being  informed  in  local  matters,  but  his  range  of  intellect 
grasps  the  broadest  questions.  In  his  conversation  one  can  not  long 
be  a  listener  without  being  richly  compensated  by  his  large  fund  of 
information.  Previous  to  his  marriage,  his  vocation  was  that  of  a 
scythe  manufacturer. 

Ori  the  22d  of  June,  1822,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Myra,  daughter 
of  Josephus  Willard,  Esq.,  of  Grafton,  Mass.  They  had  a  family  of 
3  children,  of  whom  two  are  yet  living.  In  the  year  1827  he  moved 
with  his  family,  to  Amsterdam,]^ew  York,  at  which  place  he  was 
the  first  manufacturer  of  turned' carriage  axle-trees,  with  pipe-boxes, 
which  business  he  continued  for  a  period  of  9  years,  with  other 
machine  business.  Mrs.  Harrington  died  at  her  residence,  New 
York,  in  ''832,  and  the  following  year  (1833)  Mr.  Harrington  mar- 
ried his  second  wife.  Miss  Catharine,  daughter  of  Evert  Hagaman. 
She  departed  this  life  April  27,  1875:  her  remains  rest  in  tne  new 
cemetery  in  Perry.  A  fine  monument  erected  to  her  memory  by 
her  husband  marks  t^e  spot.  They  have  had  born  to  them  a  family 
of  five  children.     His  son,  F.  M.  Harrington,  is  now  practicing  law 


L,' 


492  HISTOET   OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

in  Kirksville,  Mo.,  where  he  has  grown  into  a  large  and  lucrative 
practice.  In  1836  Mr.  Harrington  left  New  York  and  came  to 
Illinois,  locating  in  Pike  county.  He  says  he  was  in  the  county 
when  settlements  and  improvements  were  scarce.  He  is,  therefore 
justly  classed  among  the  old  settlers.  By  industry  and  persever- 
ance Mr.  Harrington  has  succeeded  in  getting  together  considerable 
wealth,  so  that  his  old  days  can  be  passed  in  reajjing  the  reward'of 
a  well  spent  life.  His  son-in-law  in  Missouri  has  been  twice  elected 
to  the  legislature  of  that  State,  and  all  his  children  are  getting 
wealthy.  The  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  respected  in  the 
county.  Mr.  Harrington's  brother,  Hon.  Charles  Harrington,  who 
was  for  some  time  Judge  of  the  County  Court  of  Pike  county,  in 
its  early  organization,  was  also  one  of  the  pioneer  preachers  of  this 
section  of  the  country. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch,  now  far  past  the  meridian  of  life, 
enjoys  excellent  health,  and  his  is  another  of  the  many  instances  of 
what  can  be  accomplished  by  a  well  directed  industry.  By  his 
generous  and  straightforward  principles,  he  has  won  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  his  neighbors  and  fellow-citizens.  During  the  war 
he  was  a  strong  supporter  of  the  cause  of  the  Union.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  liepublican  party.  A  few  years  since  he  retired  from  the 
active  pursuits  of  life,  and  is  now  residing  at  his  residence  in  Perry. 
We  give  the  portrait  of  Mr.  H.  in  this  volume. 

Asahel  HinTnan.  The  ancestor  in  a  direct  line  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  and  the  founder  of  the  Hinman  family  in  America,  was 
Sergt.  Edward  Hinraan,  who  emigrated  from  England,  his  native 
country,  between  1650  and  1652,  settling  at  Stratford,  Conn.  Soon 
afterward  he  was  married  to  Hannah,  daughter  of  Francis  and 
Mary  Stiles,  of  Windsor,  Conn.  Their  first  child  was  named  Sarah, 
born  at  Stratford,  in  1652.  Sergt.  Hinman  was  an  extensive  farmer, 
and  was  lai-gely  engaged  in  the  buying  and  selling  of  land,  owned 
and  operated  a  mill,  etc.  He  died  at  Stratford  in  1681,  leaving  a 
family  of  4  sons  and  4  daughters.  There  has  been  a  tradition  in  the 
family  from  the  early  settlement  that  Sergt.  Hinman  was  Sergeant- 
at-Arms  for  King  Charles  I.  He,  like  many  others,  became  exiled 
to  escape  the  vengeance  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  as  it  was  well  known 
that  Cromwell  was  firm  in  condemning  to  death  the  supporters  and 
defenders  of  Charles  I.  This  proves  him  to  have  been  a  most 
trustworthy  loyalist  and  honest  man,  for  no  other  could  have  re- 
ceived the  confidence  of  the  crown  at  that  critical  period.  It  would 
also  appear  from  the  above  that  Sergt.  Hinman  was  a  respectable 
Englishman,  and  of  a  good  family,  as  none  other  would  have  been 
selected  to  have  constituted  the  body  guard  of  the  King. 

Edward  Hinman,  jr.,  youngest  son  of  Sergt.  Hinman,  was  born 
at  Stratford  in  1672.  He  was  married  to  Hannah  Jennings,  and 
they  had  12  children.  Jonas  Hiiiman,  the  eldest  son  of  Edward, 
jr.,  was  born  at  Stratford  in  the  year  1700.  "When  a  young  man 
he  went  to  live  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  where  he  married'  Elizabeth 
Crane.     Ten  children  were  born  of  this  union.  Mary  Hinman,  his 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  4:93 

youngest  child,  married  Asahel  Hinman,  a  son  of  James  Hinman, 
and  was  a  grandson  of  Sergt.  Edward  Plinman.  After  the  close  of 
the  Revolution  Asahel  Hinman  and  family  became  pioneers  in  the 
wilds  of  Kentucky,  locating  in  Bullitt  county.  Next  to  the  young- 
est child  in  this  family  was  George  W.  Hinman,  who  was  the  father 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  the  first  of  the  family  to  settle  in 
Pike  county. 

George  W.  Hinman  was  born  in  Bullitt  county,  Ky.,  in  April, 
1791.  When  he  was  8  years  old  his  father  and  family  removed  to 
Ohio  county,  Ky.  He  was  married  in  the  year  1815  to  Miss  JSTancy 
Stewart,  of  that  county.  Here  2  children  were  born  to  them, — 
Maria  and  Asahel,  the  latter  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  In  1819 
he  moved  to  Indiana,  where  2  more  children  were  born, — Eliza 
Ann,  now  deceased,  and  Phoebe.  In  1829  he  came  to  this  county, 
locating  on  the  S.  W.  J  of  sec.  14,  Griggsville  tp.  In  his  house  on 
this  land  took  place  the  first  religious  meeting  in  this  part  of  the 
county.  Geo.  W.  Hinman  was  a  man  of  sterling  worth  and  un- 
blemished honor.  He  was  a  man  of  deep  thought,  strong  religious 
convictions,  undeviating  honesty,  a  fit  and  honorable  representative 
of  his  worthy  ancestors.  Such  qualities,  together  with,  tiie  experi- 
ence in  pioneer  life  in  Kentucky  and  Indiana,  fitted  him  to  take  a 
prominent  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  county.  In  1830  he  was 
elected  one  of  the  three  County  Commissioners.  He  was  appointed 
with  two  others,  by  the  Legislature,  to  expend  certain  moneys  ac- 
cruing under  the  internal-improvement  act  on  the  roads  >of  the 
county,  and  in  many  other  ways  serve  the  public.     "  Hinman's 

,  Ghapel "  (Methodist)  was  principally  built  by  him.  He  and  his 
wife  are  both  buried  in  the  ground  attached  to  the  Chapel.  He  died 
Dec.  8,  1854. 

Asahel  Hinman  is-  the  only  child  of  Geo.  W.  Hinman,  now  living 
in  Pike  county.  He  was  born  in  Ohio  county,  Ky.,  Jan.  19,  1817, 
and  was  brought  to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1829.  On 
reaching  his  majority  his  father  gave  him  $100,  with  which  he 
entered  80  acres  of  land.     Dec.  23,  1838,  he  was  married  to  Sarah 

.McLain,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  McLain,  of  Adair  county,  Ky. 
In  the  spring  of  1839  he  built  a  hewed-log  cabin  18  feet  square  on 
his  land.  It  was  a  story-and-a-half  house,  and  contained  two 
rooms.  Here  he  lived  for  28  years.  His  farm  now  consists  af  600 
acres,  and  is  one  of  the  finest  improved  in  the  county .  He  is  also 
the  owner  of  the  large  flouring-mill  at  Perry,  called  "  Hinman's 
Mill,"  and  which  is  carried  on  by  his  sons,  George  W.  and  Asahel 

,A.,  in  company  with  himself.  He  was  one  of  the  original  stock- 
holders in  organizing  the  5th  National  Bank  of  Chicago  ;  also  the 
Griggsville  National  Bank,  of  which  he  is  a  Director.  He  is  also 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Farmers'  Insurance  Company  of  Griggs- 
ville, and  was  chosen  its  President. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  are  now  residing  in  Perry,  surrounded  by  their 
family,  consisting  of  three  children, — ^George  W.,  Sarah  F.  and 
Mary.     Asahel,   the  youngest,   is   married   and  living   at   Perry. 


494:  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Catharine,  the  eldest  child,  married  the  Rev.  Thomas  Bonnel,  and 
resides  in  Christian  county,  111.  John  "W.  and  Nancy  J.  are  de- 
ceased.   We  give  Mr.  Hinman's  portrait  in  this  volume. 

A.  A.  Hinm.an  was  born  in  Pike  county  in  1859,  and  is  the  son 
of  Asahel  and  Sarah  (McLain)  Hinman.  He  attended  the  common 
schools  of  Pike  county  and  also  the  Wesleyan  University  at  Bloom- 
ington.  111.  He  was  united  in  marriage  in  1878  with  Ella  Oat,  and 
they  have  one  child,  A.  J.  A.  Hinman.  Mr.  Hinman  is  a  miller,  own- 
ingan  interest  in  the  Hinman  Mills.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat, 

George  W.  Minman,  son  of  Asahel  Hinman,  whose  sketch  io 
given  above,  was  educated  in  the  high  schools  of  Perry  and  Grriggs- 
ville,  and  also  attended  the  Chicago  law  school,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  1871.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  the  same 
year  in  Missouri.  Subsequently  he  moved  to  Perry,  where  he 
practiced  8  years,  meeting  with  remarkable  success,  seldom  losing 
a  case.  At  present  he  is  turning  his  attention  to  milling,  being  a 
partner  of  the  iirm  of  Hinman  &  Sons.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M. 
E.  Church. 

James  JERggins,  jeweler,  Perry,  was  born  in  Clinton,  N.  J.,  Oct. 
11,  1845;  he  is  the  son  of  Lewis  and  Anna  Higgins;  received  his 
education  in  the  common  and  select  schools  of  New  Jersey;  he 
came  to  Perry  in  1867,  where  he  clerked  for  5  or  6  years ;  then 
engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  and  in  1876  started  a  jewelry 
store,  and  thus  far  in  his  business  has  met  with  success.  In  1871 
he  was  married  to  Mary  L.  Cleveland,  and  they  have  3  children,  2 
girls  and  a  boy.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E .  Church.  In 
1863  he  enlisted  in  the  35th  IST.  J.  Zouaves  and  was  in  all  the  bat- 
tles that  the  corps  was  in  from  Chattanooga  to  Savannah. 

Henry  Hvppe,iY.,  farmer,  sec.  8;  P.  O.  Perry;  Mr.  Hippe  was 
born  in  Germany  in  1818,  and  is  a  son  of  Herman  Hippe;  was 
educated  in  the  schools  of  Germany,  and  came  to  America  in  1832, 
stopping  at  New  Orleans,  and  the  same  year  settling  on  sec.  8,  this 
tp.,  where  he  owns  80  acres  of  land.  His  eldest  son,  Henry,  is 
carrying  on  the  farm  at  the  present  time. 

Hinson  8.  Hohis  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1814,  and  is  the 
eldest  of  a  family  of  9  children;  his  parents  were  Solomon  and  Mary  ' 
L.  (Young)  Hobbs;  his  father  was  born  in  the  fort  where  Cincinnati 
now  stands,  and  is  of  English  descent;  his  mother  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky and  is  of  German  descent.  Solomon  Hobbs  and  wife  with  6 
children,  in  company  with  Obadiah  Mitchell  and  wife,  7  children 
and  one  negro,  Benj.  Morris  and  wife  and  4  children,  with  one 
wagon  and  8  pack-horses,  came  from  Kentucky  to  Illinois.  Our 
subject  came  to  Pike  county  in  1834;  since  1842  he  has  been  farm- 
ing, meeting  with  success;  he  is  the  owner  of  600  acres  of  land, 
nearly  400  of  which  are  in  Perry  tp.  He  was  married  in  1842  to 
Mary  M.  Taylor,  daughter  of  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Pike  county. 
They  have  had  7  children,  4  boys  and  3  ^irls:  two  of  the  former 
and  one  of  the  latter  are  married.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  M. 
E.  Church,  and  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 


t  HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  495 

Isom  L.  Ingram  was  born  in  Smith  county,  Tenn.,  June  12,  1822, 
a,nd  is  a  son  of  Joshua  P.  and  Susanna  (Lenix)  Ingram,  natives  of 
Tennessee,  and  of  English  descent.  He  engaged  in  the  coopering 
business  for  16  years,  then  followed  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  for 
several  years  has  been  engaged  in  farming,  and  owns  172  acres  of 
land  on  sec.  2,  this  township.  He  came  to  Pike  county  in  1833, 
and  Oct.  25,  1843,  he  was  united  in  marriage  witli  Perlina  Kusk; 
8  children  have  been  born  to  them.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.     He  has  served  as  School  Director  for  1 5  years. 

A.  J.  Johnson^  farmer,  sec.  36,  was  born  in  Indiana,  and  is  a  son 
of  Enos  and  Sarah  (Caw)  Johnson,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  of  English  descent,  and  the  latter  of  Virginia  and  of 
Dutch  descent;  in  1846  he  came  to  Pike  county,  where  he  is  engaged 
in  farming.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  99th  111.  Inf ,  under  Capt. 
Smith;  he  was  discharged  in  1865;  he  served  in  13  hard- fought 
battles.  In  1850  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Amanda  Bond; 
7  children  have  been  born  to  them .  His  wife  is  a  Missionary  Bap- 
tist, and  he  is  a  Methodist. 

David  Johnston,  dec,  one  of  the  earliest  and  molt  respected  citi- 
zens of  this  county,  was  born  in  Wythe  county,  Va.,  July  13,  1797, 
and  was  a  son  of  Larkin  and  Mary  (Davis)  Johnston;  he  emigrated 
to  Kentucky,  where  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Day,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Margaret  Day,  of  Kentucky.  In  1826  he  came  to  Illinois, 
locating  in  Sangamon  county;  and  in  1828  he  located  on  a  farm 
near  Griggsville,  Pike  county,  .which  he  improved,  and  where  he 
lived  for  two  years;  in  1830  he  moved  to  Perry  tp.,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,' which  occurred  in  Sept.,  1879,  when  he  was  at  the  ad- 
vanced, age  of  82  years,  2  months  and  8  days.  In  1835  he  was 
elected  County  Surveyor,  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  about  13 
years.  He  and  his  wife  Sarah  (Day)  Johnston  had  a  family  of  '9 
children,  whose  names  were:  Mary,  now  Mrs.  David  Winslow,  of 
DeWitt  Co.,  111.;  Margaret  E.,  now  Mrs.  H.  J.  Chenoweth,  of  Perry; 
Sarah  J.,  wife  of  Hinson  Hobbs,  of  Kansas;  Minerva  A.,  wife  of 
Wm.  Taylor,  Perry;  Delilia,  now  Mrs.  James  Hughes,  of  Clay  Co., 
Neb.;  Harvey  D.,  who  married  Maria  Swakyer,  and  resides  in  Mo.; 
Thomas,  who  married  Mary  E.  Chenoweth,  and  lives  at  Marysville, 
Mo. ;  Artemisia,  now  Mrs.  James  B.  Chenoweth,  of  Clinton  Co.,  Mo., 
and  Ann  Eliza,  now  Mrs.  Thomas  Seaborn,  of  McDonough  Co.,  111., 
Sept.  9,  1865,  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Johnston  died,  and  Sept.  14,  1871. 
Mr.  J.  married  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Lucas.  For  some  years  previous  to 
his  death  Mr.  Johnston  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Perry.  Mrs.  Lucas  was  the  widow  of  J.  B.  Lucas,  her  maiden  name 
being  Adams.  She  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Kentucky,  in  183 1. 
By  her  last  marriage  she  has  one  son,  David  L.,  born  Mar.  15, 1874. 
Mrs.  J.  lives  with  her  two  sons,  David  L.  and  James  P.  Lucas,  a  son 
by  a  former  marriage.  Mr.  J.  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church  for  28  or  30  years,  and  led  an  exemplary  life.  Mrs.  J.  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  has  been  for  15  or  16 
years. 


496  HI8T0ET    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  ' 

Joseph  Jones,  farmer,  sec.  16;  P.  O.  Perry;  is  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania,  where  he  was  born  Jan.  6,  1814;  his  parents,  Joseph  and 
Susanna  Jones,  were  natives  of  the  Keystone  State,  the  former  of 
Welsh  and  the  latter  of  German  ancestry ;  Mr.  J.  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Elizabeth  Cheek  in  1841;  live  children  have  been 
born  to  them,  two  boys  and  three  girls,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr. 
J.  came  to  this  county  in  1835.  He  never  was  inside  of  a  court- 
room. 

Joseph  Kirgan ;  residence,  Perry ;  was  born  in  Clermont  county, 
O.,  April  10,  1829 ;  his  father,  Thomas  Kirgan,  was  a  native  of  Ire- 
land; his  mother,  Mary  (Fred)  Kirgan,  was  a  native  of  Ohio;  parents 
were  farmers,  in  good  circumstances;  by  occupation  Joseph  is  a 
farmer  and  has  had  some  experience  in  milling;  at  present  he  is 
engaged  in  business  in  Perry,  and  owns  a  substantial  residence  in 
town.  He  was  married  Jan.  1,  1863,  to  Sarah  Wilkins,  who  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  order  of 
Odd  Fellows. 

Fred  Lipcamian,  sr.,  is  a  native  of  Germany;  came  to  America 
in  1836;  lived  one  year  in  E"ew  York,  and  then  came  to  Pike  county, 
where  he  has  ever  since  resided ;  he  is  a  farmer,  owning  160  acres 
of  land  on  sec.  9.  In  1840  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Barbara 
Lutz,  and  to  them  have  been  born  10  children,  6  boys  and  4 girls. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

JFred  Lipcaman,  jr.,  farmer,  sec.  16,  was  born  in  Pike  county, 
Jan.  14,  1847,  and  is  a  son  of  Fred"  and  Barbara  (Lutz)  Lipcaman, 
natives  of  Germany;  he  was  married  in  1872  to  Kate  Hose;  three 
children,  one  boy  and  two  girls,  have  been  born  to  them,  all  of  whom 
are  living.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He 
is  a  diligent,  successful  farmer. 

George  Lipcaman,  sr.,  resides  on  sec.  9,  P.  O.  Perry. 

George  Jipoaman,  jr.,  farmer,  sec.  5;  P.  O.  Perry;  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  Pike  county,  where  he  was  born  in 
1841 ;  he  is  the  son  of  Fred  and  Barbara  (Lutz)  Lipcaman,  spoken 
of  above.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
this  county.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  service  to  defend  his  coun- 
try and  served  until  186-5;  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  and 
participated  in  many  of  the  important  engagements  of  the  war. 
He  was  married  in  1867  to  Anna  Bradbury. 

Thomas  J.  Magee,  miller,  Perry,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and 
was  born  Aug.  2,  1851;  his  parents,  Thomas  M.  and  Mary  (Crosier) 
Magee,  are  of  Irish  descent;  his  father  is  one  of  the  prominent 
citizens  of  Perry.  Thomas  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Adams  county.  Kecently  in  company  with  his  father,  he, 
has  started  a  first-class  mill  in  Perry.  Oct.  8,  1874,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Martha  H.  Burton.     They  have  one  child,  a  girl. 

William  M anion,  farmer,  sec.  26 ;  P.  O.  Perry.     The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  born  in  England  in  1843  ;  he  is  the  son  of  James 
and  Charlotte  (Hammerton)  Manton.     He  came  to  Illinois  in  1854,  . 
and  as  a  farmer  has  been  quite  successful.     In  1866  he  was  married 


496  HISTORY   OF   PIKE   COTJNTT,  • 

Joseph  Jones,  farmer,  sec.  16;  P.  O.  Perry;  is  a  native  of  Penn- 
sylvania,  where  he  was  born  Jan.  6,  1814;  his  parents,  Joseph  and 
Susanna  Jones,  were  natives  of  the  Keystone  State,  the  former  of 
Welsh  and  the  latter  of  German  ancestry ;  Mr.  J.  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Elizabeth  Cheek  in  1841;  live  children  have  been 
born  to  them,  two  boys  and  three  girls,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr, 
J.  came  to  this  county  in  1835.  He  never  was  inside  of  a  court- 
room. 

Joseph  Kirgan\  residence,  Perry;  was  born  in  Clermont  county, 
O.,  April  10,  1829 ;  his  father,  Thomas  Kirgan,  was  a  native  of  Ire- 
land ;  his  mother,  Mary  (Fred)  Kirgan,  was  a  native  of  Ohio ;  parents 
were  farmers,  in  good  circumstances;  by  occupation  Joseph  is  a 
farmer  and  has  had  some  experience  in  milling;  at  present  he  ig 
engaged  in  business  in  Perry,  and  owns  a  substantial  residence  in 
town.  He  was  married  Jan.  1,  1863,  to  Sarah  "Wilkins,  who  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  order  of 
Odd  Fellows. 

Fred  Lipowman,  sr.,  is  a  native  of  Germany;  came  to  America 
in  1836;  lived  one  year  in  New  York,  and  then  came  to  Pike  county, 
where  he  has  ever  since  resided;  he  is  a  farmer,  owning  160  acres 
of  land  on  sec.  9.  In  1840  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Barbara 
Lutz,  and  to  them  have  been  born  10  children,  6  boys  and  4  girls. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Fred  Lipcaman,  jr.,  farmer,  sec,  16,  was  born  in  Pike  county, 
Jan.  14,  184V,  and  is  a  son  of  Fred  and  Barbara  (Lutz)  Lipcaman, 
natives  of  Germany;  he  was  married  in  1872  to  Kate  Hose;  three 
children,  one  boy  and  two  girl^,  have  been  born  to  them,  all  of  whom 
are  living.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He 
is  a  diligent,  successful  farmer. 

George  Lipcaman,  sr.,  resides  on  sec.  9,  P.  O.  Perry. 

George  Z/ipcaman,  jr.,  {armer,  sec.  5;  P.  O.Perry;  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  Pike  county,  where  he  was  born  in 
1841 ;  he  is  the  son  of  Fred  and  Barbara  (Lutz)  Lipcaman,  spoken 
of  above.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
this  county.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  service  to  defend  his  coun- 
try and  served  until  186.5;  took  part  in  the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  and 
participated  in  many  of  the  important  engagements  of  the  war. 
He  was  married  in  1867  to  Anna  Bradbury. 

Thomas  J.  Magee,  miller,  Perry,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and 
was  born  Aug.  2,  1851;  his  parents,  Thomas  M.  and  Mary  (Crosier) 
Magee,  are  of  Irish  descent;  his  father  is  one  of  the  prominent 
citizens  of  Perry.  Thomas  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Adams  county.  Recently  in  company  with  his  father,  he, 
has  started  a  first-class  mill  in  Perry.  Oct.  8,  1874,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Martha  H.  Burton.     They  have  one  child,  a  girl. 

William,  Manton,  farmer,  sec.  26 ;  P.  O.  Perry.     The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  born  in  England  in  1843  ;  he  is  the  son  of  James 
and  Charlotte  (Hammerton)  Manton.     He  came  to  Illinois  in  1854, . 
and  as  a  farmer  has  been  quite  successful.     In  1866  he  was  married 


C^^;-:^.:^ 


500  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

At  the  age  of  21  Capt.  Matthews  commenced  active  life  with  not 
so  much  as  a  dime,  and  with  no  expectation  of  anything  beine 
given  to  him.  He  first  started  for  the  Galena  lead  mines;  for  one 
year  prospected,  wprked  by  the  month,  etc.,  not  being  very  snccess- 
fnl;  the  second  year  he  took  job  work,  running  a  smelting  furnace 
and  cutting  wood.  He  laid  up  about  $300  this  year,  when  he  went 
near  Naples,  Morgan  Co.,  now  Scott  Co.,  and  invested  a  part  of 
this  in  80  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  erected  a  log  house,  and  in 
this  he  commenced  housekeeping  after  he  was  married.  He  then 
bought  land  on  sec.  33,  Perry  tp.,  upon  which  he  moved  in  1833. 
Up  to  1856  Mr.  M.  turned  his  entire  attention  to  farming  and  stock- 
raising.  That  year,  in  company  with  Cephas  Simmons,  ne  built  the 
first  steam  grist-mill  that  was  built  in  Griggsville.  This  mill  is 
now  run  by  Mr.  Frye.  Mr.  M.  since*  that  time  has  occupied  his 
time  in  farming  mostly,  and  resides  with  his  family  on  sec.  28, 
this  tp. 

Capt.  Matthews  is  a  Republican  in  politics;  was  formerly  a 
Whig.  During  the  wa,r  of  the  Kebellion  he  took  a  prominent  and 
active  part  in  support  of  the  administration  of  President  Lincoln, 
and  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  He  raised  Co.  B  of  the 
99th  111.  Inft.,  and  was  unanimously  chosen  its  Captain.  He 
served  for  about  six  months,  when  he  was  severely  attacked  with 
chronic  rheumatism,  on  account  of  which  he  was  obliged  to  resign 
his  office  and  return  home,  and  suffered  severely  for  three  years  af- 
terward. The  Captain  has  been  a  member  of  the  M.  E .  Church 
for  the  last  46  years.  We  give  his  portrait  in  this  book,  which 
was  engraved  from  a  photograph  taken  at  the  age  of  69  "years. 

J.  C.  Meredith  was  born  in  Missouri  Feb.  2,  1849;  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Amelia  (Beatty)  Meredith,  the  former  a  Welshman, 
his  mother  a  native  of  Connecticut.  J.  C.  attended  the  common 
schools  of  this  county,  where  he  received  his  education;  he  has  fol- 
lowed farming,  but  at  present  is  engaged  in  keeping  a  restaurant 
in  Perry.  In  1879  he  was  joined  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony 
with  Melissa  Bradbury:  both  of  them  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  Mr.  M.  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  order  and  also 
of  the  Ancient  Order  of  the  United  Workmen. 

Josefh  F.  Metz,  merchant,  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Va., 
Jan.  31,  1824,  and  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Lucy  (Hoskinson)  Metz. 
His  father  was  born  in  Berks  county,  Penn.,  June  7,  1799,  and 
his  mother  in  Monongahela  county,  Ya.,  June  19,  1800.  His 
father  was  of  German  descent  and  his  mother  of  Welsh.  Has  been 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  20  years,  since  1844  at 
Chambersburg.  He  came  to  Perry  in  November,  1875.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  in  1852  with  Elizabeth  Akin.  Three  children, 
2  girls  and  a  boy,  have  been  born  to  them.  Mrs.  M.  died  June  13,. 
1867.  James  A.,  the  eldest  son,  is  married  and  engagedin  the 
store  with  his  father.  May  7,  1872,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Elliott,  who  is  a  member  of  the  M;  E.  Church  at  Perry.  Mr.  M. 
is  a  member  of  both  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  orders. 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  501 

George  S.Metz,  farmer,  sec.  13;  P.  O.  Perry.  Mr.  Metz  was 
■born  in  Pike  county  in  1841;  he  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Lucy 
(Hoskinson)  Metz,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the 
latter  of  Yirginia.  Geo.  S.  owns  220  acres  of  land  in  this  county. 
Aug.  23,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  99th  111.  Inf ,  under  Capt.  J. 
W.  Fee,  and  served  until  1865.  He  was  in  the  40-day  siege  of 
Yicksburg  under  Gen.  Grant,  and  was  in  every  battle  that  the  Reg- 
iment was  in.     He  is  a  radical  Republican,  politically. 

Thomas  Morgan  was  born  in  county  Warwick,  England,  Feb. 
22,  1816.  James  and  Letitia  (Clark)  Morgan,  his  parents,  were 
^natives  of  England.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  and  high 
schools  of  his  native  country.  He  came  to  America  in  1842,  and 
lived  in  St.  Louis,  then  in  Alton,  Missouri,  and  Kansas,  and  then 
<5ame  to  Pike  county  in  1862.  By  occupation  he  is  a  stone  and 
brick  mason,  having  learned  his  trade  in  England.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1839  to  Anna  Toltom,  a  native  of  England.  They  have  3 
•children,  all  girls.    Mr.  M.  is  a  democrat  and  a  Free  Mason. 

A.  J.  Morris,  farmer,  sec.  35 ;  P.  O.  Perry.  Mr.  Morris  was 
born  in  Scott  county,  111.,  Nov.  29,  1840;  he  received  his  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  Missouri;  he  formerly  conducted  a 
«aw-mill,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  farm  in  Perry  tp.  His  parents 
were  James  and  Prudy  (Barrett)  Morris.  In  1868  he  was  married 
to  Mary  Hewey.  Three  children  were  born  to  them:  James 
Walter,  dec,  Melissa  -Ellen  and  Edward  Nathaniel. 

W.  W.  Morris  was  born  in  this  county  in  1837,  and  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Emily  (Henly)  Morris,  natives  of  Kentucky.  He  is  a 
farmer,  owning  190  acres  of  land  in  this  township.  In  1859  he 
married  Mary  F.  Metz,  and  they  have  7  sons  and  2  daughters.  He 
is  a  Democrat,  has  been  School  Director  two  terms,  and  he  and  his 
wife  are  Methodists. 

John  E.  Morton  was  born  in  Kentucky  Sept.  9,  1833,  the  son 
■of  Charles  M.  and  Mary  L.  (Hawkins)  Morton,  natives  of  Orange 
•county,  Ya.,  the  former  of  Scottish  descent,  and  the  latter  English; 
John  E.  obtained  his  school  education  in  Adams  county.  111., 
whither  the  family  had  emigrated  when  he  was  an  infant.  In 
October,  1861,  he  came  into  Pike  county.  He  followed  farming 
until  1860,  kept  store  in  Adams  county  two  years,  then  continued 
the  mercantile  business  at  Perry  Springs,  in  partnership  with  his 
father-in-law,  two  years:  went  to  Perry  in  1865,  where  he  kept 
store  two  years,  and  then  commenced  the  business  of  packing  pork 
•and  dealing  in  grain  and  lumber.  In  1871  his  building  was 
burned  down,  and  he  lost  nearly  $4,500.  He  is  now  farming.  In 
1855  he  married  Emily  J.  Brown,  and  they  have  had  3  children. 
He  is  a  Master  in  Lodge  No.  95  of  the  Masonic  Order;  his  wife  is 
a  Presbyterian. 

Maj.  W.  K.  Oat  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  July  25,  1804,  a 
son  of  Jesse  and  Charlotte  (Happle)  Oat,  of  German  descent;  for 
thirty  years  he  followed  farming  in  Hunterdon  county,  N.  J.,  and 
in  1868  he  emigrated  West,  settling  in  the  town  of  Perry.     Dec. 


502  HISTOET    OF   PIKE  OOTJNTT. 

4,  1845,  he  married  Mary  M.  (Bensted),  widow  of  J.  W.  Calvert. 
The  major  has  been  married  three  times.  He  and  his  present  wife 
are  Presbyterians.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  School 
Director  and  member  of  the  Town  Board. 

Jesse  Pierce yj&s  born  in  Adams  county,  111.,  in  1844,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Wilson)  Pierce,  natives  of  Kentucky. 
He  is  a  farmer  on  sec.  7.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  H., 
129th  resjiment,  under  Oapt.  Case,  and  was  discharged  June  8, 
1865.  He  went  with  Sherman  on  his  Grand  March  to  the  Sea. 
In  1867  he  married  Martha  Green,  and  their  children  are  4  boys 
and  3  girls.     Mr.  Pierce  is  a  Republican. 

Dr.  J.  Q.  Phillips  was  born  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  in  1826.  His 
parents,  Joseph  M.  and  Nancy  (Miller)  Phillips,  were  natives  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Kentucky,  respectively.  He  received  his  com- 
mon-school education  in  Illinois.  In  1855  he  graduated  in  med- 
icine at  the  Missouri  University,  and  practiced  in  Iowa  nine  years; 
most  of  the  time  in  Illinois  he  has  been  in  Brown  county.  In 
1878  he  came  to  Perry,  where  he  has  a  successful  practice.  In  1850 
he  married  Mary  Ann  Thompson,  and  in  1869  he  married  a  sec- 
ond wife,  Minerva  A.  McClure.  He  has  been  a  School  Director 
and  Town  Trustee  in  Mount  Sterling.  He  served  two  terms  in 
the  Legislature  as  a  representative  of  Brown  county.  Politics, 
Democrat.  In  1847  he  was  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  discharged 
in  1848  at  Santa  Fe.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  war  of  the 
Rebellion;  was  Captain  of  36th  111.,  but  so  on  resigned  on  account  of 
ill  health. 

W.  A.  Reed,  wagon  and  carriage  manufacturer.  Perry,  was  born 
in  Hamilton  county,  O.,  May  11,  1838,  the  son  of  Joseph  and 
Mary  (Ward)  Reed,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish 
ancestry.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  and  select 
schools  of  Ohio,  and  Perry,  111.;  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade, 
but  at  present  is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wagons,  buggies, 
etc.,  at  which  he  is  very  successful.  In  1860  he  was  married  to 
Lizzie  Lynn,  in  Winchester,  111.,  and  they  have  2  children,  both 
girls.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  R.  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
of  which  he  has  been  Recording  Steward.  He  has  served  as  Town 
Clerk  and  Police  Magistrate. 

0.  Remington  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1830;  his  father,  Anthony, 
was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  his  mother.  Wealthy  Ann,  nee 
Aldridge,  was  born  in  Ohio.  Their  ancestry  was  English.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Pike  county  in  1835,  and  has  lived 
in  this  county  ever  since.  He  followed  farming  until  1877;  then 
he  was  in  the  hardware  business  a  little  over  a  year  in  Perry.  In 
1854  he  was  married,  but  his  wife  died,  and  he  married  again  in 
1872.  He  has  had  3  children  by  each  wife.  He  is  a  Democrat; 
has  been  Road  Commissioner,  School  Trustee  and  Director.  He 
was  a  partner  in  the  Perry  Woolen  Mills  two  years. 

Norman  Reynolds  was  born  in  Scott  county.  111.,  in  1844,  and 
is  the  son  of  Allen  B.  and  Louisa  (Bradbury)  Reynolds.      His 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  503 

father  was  born  in  Putnam  county,  N.  Y.,  and  his  mother  in 
Brown  county,  O.,  and  both  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestry.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  is  a  farmer  by  occupation.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in 
the  33d  111.  Vol.  Inf.,  and  while  serving  as  cook  he  lost  his  sight 
and  became  so  blind  that  in  1863  he  was  discharged.  He  was  in 
the  battles  of  Cotton  Plant  and  Boliver  Bend,  both  in  Arkansas. 
He  is  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary  energy.  He  says  that  he  can 
do  any  kind  of  work  now  that  he  ever  could  do  when  he  could  see, 
and  will  walk  all  over  and  around  the  town  of  Perry,  and  even  go 
into  the  country  four  or  five  miles.  He  superintends  all  his  work. 
In  1877  he  married  Mattie  A.  Crawford.  They  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Eepublican. 

N.  W.  Reynolds  was  born  in  North  Salem,  West  Chester  Co., 
N.  Y.,  April  4,  1802;  he  is  the  son  of  Zadok  M.  and  Polly  Eey- 
nolds,  natives  of  the  Empire  State,  and  of  English  descent;  he 
emigrated  West  in  an  early  day  and  Aug.  11,  1837,  located  in  the 
town  of  Perry,  where  he  has  ever  since  lived.  At  the  age  of  16 
our  subject  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  manufacturing  sad- 
dles, harness  and  trunks,  which  business  he  followed  until  1864. 
In  1844  he  started  the  first  hotel  in  the  town  of  Perry,  called  the 
Perry  House,  and  conducted  it  with  success  until  1860.  In  1824 
he  married  Eliza  C.  Crissey,  who  died  Sept.  11,  1859.  They  had 
4  children,  all  now  married  and  doing  well.  In  1860  Mr.  E.  mar- 
ried again.  His  present  wife  is  a  Baptist,  while  he  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church  and  has  been  Class-Leader,  Steward  and 
Trustee;  in  politics  he  is  a  Kepublican.  He  is  a  charter  member 
of  the  Masonic   Lodge  at  Perry,  No.  95,  and  also  of  the  Chapter. 

Thomas  Reynolds^  one  of  the  early  settlers  and  now  one  of  the 
most  prominent  citizens  of  Perry  tp.,  was  born  at  Argyle,  Wash- 
ington county,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  8,  1816;  his  father,  William,  was  a 
native  of  Ireland  and  his  mother,  Nancy  {nee  Martin)  Eeynolds,  a 
native  of  New  York  and  of  Scottish  ancestry.  His  father  came  to 
America  when  20  years  of  age,  locating  at  Argyle,  N.  Y.,  where 
he  married.  In  1826  he  moved  to  the  western  part  of  New  York 
State.  He  and  his  wife  both  died  at  Jamestown,  N.  Y.,  aged  64 
and  60  respectively.  Thomas  first  settled  in  Pike  county  in  the 
summer  of  1842,  when  he  bought  a  grain  thresher  and  separator, 
the  first  in  the  county,  and  followed  threshing  with  some  kind  of 
machine  in  connection  with  farming  for  23  years.  Feb.  4,  1844, 
he  married  Lucy  Jane  Callis,  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  (Wal- 
pole)  Callis,  of  Virginia,  and  early  settlers  in  this  county.  The 
ancestry  of  the  Walpoles  is  traced  in  a  direct  line  to  Sir  Edward 
Walpole,  of  England,  a  branch  of  the  family  having  settled  in 
Virginia,  previous  to  the  Kevolution.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eeynolds 
have  6  children:  Nancy  Malvina,  who  married  Eobert  Buckthorp; 
Sarah  Jane,  who  married  Henry  Cocking:  these  reside  at  Jackson- 
ville, 111.;  David  M.,  who  married  Ada  Burrows  and  resides  in 
Spring  Creek  township,  this  county;  William  T.,  John  W.  and. 


604  HISTOKT   OF   PIKE    COUNTT. 

Hugh  Lee  are  with  their  pareats.  Mr.  Reynolds  and  most  of  his 
family  are  Methodists. 

Although  Perry  tp.  is  largely  Republican  and  Mr.  Reynolds  is 
a  Democrat,  he  has  been  elected  to  fill  nearly  every  office  in  the 
gift  of  the  towflship,  besides  having  been  County  Treasurer  two 
years.  He  was  Supervisor  for  9  or  10  years,  School  Director  20 
years.  Road  Commissioner,  etc.,  etc.  He  was  elected  County 
Treasurer  in  1876,  when  he  furnished  security  of  $1,100,  035, 
which  was  far  heavier  than  any  ever  before  given  in  the  county.  He 
was  expected  to  collect  and  pay  off  bonds  for  the  Sny  levee. 
During  his  term  of  office  the  county  prosecuted  a  suit  against  the 
railroads  to  collect  tax  on  their  capital  stock,  and  the  decision  was 
in  favor  of  the  county.  Mr.  R.  took  an  active  part  in  securing  this 
result.  .While  Treasurer  he  resided  in  Pittsfield.  He  is  now  on 
his  farm,  N.  "W.  ^  sec.  26.  In  1845  he  bought  180  acres,  but  he 
now  has  240  at  his  homestead,  216  on  sees.  31  and  32,  Chambers- 
burg  tp.,  and  240  on  sees.  10  and  11,  Spring  creek  tp.  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds' portrait  will  be  found  in  this  volume. 

Joseph  B.  MicJcart,  carpenter  and  contractor,  was  born  Aug.  5, 
1847,  and  is  a  son  of  David  S.  Rickart,  who  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and 
a  merchant  in  Perry,  where  Joseph  also  resides.  His  mother  is  of 
German  ancestry.  By  occupation  Mr.  R.  is  a  carpenter,  and  is  ac- 
counted one  of  the  best  mechanics  in  Perry.  He  began  to  learn 
his  trade  at  the  age  of  20,  and  has  continued  to  follow  it  with  en- 
ergy and  success.  He  does  considerable  contracting,  and  is  a  man 
who  loves  the  association  of  books. 

Oha/rles  Schaffnit,  insurance  agent  and  dealer  in  musical  instru- 
ments and  sewing-machines.  Perry,  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Oct. 
24, 1848,  and  is  a  son  of  Martin  and  Mary  (Lutz)  Schaffnit,  natives  of 
Germany.  He  received  his  education  partly  in  the  common  schools, 
and  also  attended  the  Central  Wesleyan  College  of  Missouri.  He 
came  to  Perry  in  1871,  where  he  has  met  with  eminent  success  in 
his  business.  He  represents  the  German  Insurance  Company  of 
Freeport,  the  Phoenix  of  Hartford,  the  American  of  Chicago,  and 
the  Home  Life  of  New  York.  His  father  came  to  Illinois  in  1847; 
in  1872  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  to  Louisa  Yockey; 
to  them  have  been  born  3  children, — 2  boys  and  1  girl,  all  living. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  of  which  he 
has  been  Steward.  Mr.  L.  is  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Perry,  and 
handles  the  Whitney  &  Holmes  organ  and  all  kinds  of  sewing 
machines. 

D.  D.  Sohaub,  carpenter,  was  born  in  Monroe,  O.,  Feb.  23, 1838; 
his  parents,  David  and  Catharine  B.  (Bitz)  Schaub,  were  both  of  Ger- 
man descent.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  Baldwin 
University  of  Ohio.  At  the  early  age  of  14  he  began  to  learn  the 
carpenter's  trade,  and  most  of  his  life  since  has  been  spent  in  this 
calling.  He  is  a  Trustee  of  the  town  of  Perry,  and  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order.  In  1863  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Caroline 
Feldner.     Both  of  them  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 


FIRST  JAIL  AT   PITTSFIELD 


HISTOBT   OF    PIKE   OOTJNTT.  507 

Jon  Shastid  was  born  in  Tennessee,  June  2,  1827,  and  is  a  son 
of  John  G.  and  Elizabeth  (Edwards)  Shastid,  the  former  a  native 
of  Tennessee,  and  his  mother  of  North  Carolina.  John  came  to 
Pike  county  in  1836,  locating  at  Pittsfield.  In  1862  he  moved 
to  Perry.  •  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and 
the  Illinois  College  at  Jacksonville.  He  followed  teaching  from 
1844:  to  1868.  He  taught  three  terms  in  the  country  and  has 
taught  in  Pittsfield,  Griggsville,  Perry,  Barry,  Mt.  Sterling  and 
Lewistown.  In  1869  he  embarked  in  the  commercial  business  with 
his  father-in-law,  under  the  firm  name  of  Kockill  &  Shastid,  and 
they  have  transacted  a  successful  business.  In  1864  Mr.  Shastid  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Esther  Anna  Kockill,  and  both  are  members 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

Benjamin  Taylor  Shoemaker,  deceased,  was  born  in  New 
Jersey,  Feb.  12,  1812,  and  was  the  son  of  Daniel  Shoemaker.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  State.  He  was  a  natural  genius  and  a  me- 
chanic of  siiperior  ability.  As  a  farmer  he  was  very  successful,  and 
was  considered  one  of  the  best  farmers  in  the  county  where  he  lived 
in  New  Jersey.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1868,  and  died  Oct.  26, 
1872.  Plis  wife,  whom  he  married  in  1863,  bought  120  acres  of 
land  near  Perry.  She  was  a  widow  lady  at  the  time  they  were  mar- 
ried, having  been  the  wife  of  Mr.  Felmley:  her  maiden  name  was 
Ellen  Yoorhees.  Mr.  Shoemaker  had  5  children  by  a  former  wife, 
all  of  whom  are  living  and  married.  Mrs.  S.  had  2  children  by  her 
former  husband.  The  elder  son,  David,  is  teaching  in  Carrollton, 
Greene  county.  He  has  been  attending  college  at  Ann  Arbor, 
Mich. 

John  0.  Smith,  dec,  Was  born  in  Illinois  in  1833,  and  was  the 
son  of  Absalom  and  Sarah  (Tunnel)  Smith.  He  was  engaged  in 
farming  during  his  life,  at  which  business  he  was  successful,  and 
owned  a  farm  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1876.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  in  1868  with  Miss  Elizabeth  T.  Shelton  ;  two  children, 
one  boy  and  one  girl,  were  born  to  them.  Mrs.  S.  was  born  in  Pike 
county.  111.,  in  1845,  and  is  the  daughter  of  C.  Shelton,  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  Pike  county.  She  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church 
at  Perry. 

W.  W.  Smith  was  born  in  West  Yirginia  in  1833,  the  son  of 
Gabriel  and  Elizabeth  (Nair)  Smith,  natives  of  Virginia  ;  father 
of  German,  and  mother  of  Irish  descent ;  was  educated  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  W.  Ya.;  is  engaged  in  farming,  owning  200  acres 
in  this  county.  For  10  years  he  was  engaged  in  threshing  in  Pike 
county.  Aug.  16,  1860,  he  was  joined  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matri- 
mony with  Frances  A.  Brown.  Ella  Y.,  George  M.  and  Harvey 
D.  are  their  living  children.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are  members 
of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd 
Fellows  fraternities.  Ancient  Order  of  the  United  Workmen,  and 
of  the  society  for   protection  against  horse-thieves.     He  came  to 


508  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COITNTT. 

this  county  in  1857,  settling  at  Perry,  at  which  place  he  has  since 
resided. 

John  Jacob.  Snider,  farmer,  sec.  6  ;  P.  O.  Perry.  Henry  and 
Catharine  Snider  are  the  parents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and 
they  emigrated  to  this  conuty  in  1850  ;  John  Jacob,  who  was  born 
in  Germany  April  7, 1840,  came  to  this  county  and  located  at  Perry 
in  1853  ;  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  learned  the 
trade  of  a  tailor,  at  which  business  he  was  engaged  8  years.  Sept. 
21,  1865,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Maria  Herche  ;  4  chil- 
dren, 2  boys  and  2  girls,  were  born  to  them.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
S.  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

George  W.  Steele,  miller.  Perry,  was  born  in  Pike  Co.,  111.,  Jan. 
29, 1840  ;  his  parents,  L.  J.  and  Sarah  (Walker)  Steele,  were  natives 
of  Kentucky,  his  father  of  German,  and  his  mother  of  English 
descent.  Geo.  W.  received  his  education  mostly  in  Adams  Co., 
111.  He  has  been  engaged  in  Hinman  Mills  at  Perry  for  the  last  8 
years.  In  1859  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Catharine  Mull : 
of  the  7  children  born  to  them  6  are  living, — 5  boys  and  one  girl. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

James  Stewart,  farmer,  sec.  2  ;  P.  O.  Perry.  The  subject  of 
this  biography  was  born  in  the  State  of  Kentucky  March  17, 1818; 
he  is  the  son  of  Peter  Stewart,  of  Delaware,  and  Tamar  Stewart, 
nee  Hancock,  of  Maryland,  and  both  of  Scottish  descent..  Mr. 
Stewart  did  not  have  the  advantages  of  school,  never  having  attend- 
ed a  day  in  his  life.  Until  he  was  18  years  of  age  he  did  not  live 
within  20  miles  of  a  school-house.  He  came  to  Pike  county  in 
1825.  He  is  the  owner  of  300  acres  of  land,  and  as  a  farmer  is 
successful.  In  1839  he  was  united  in. marriage  with  Miss  K. 
Arnott.  His  third  wife  was  Martha  Jane  Newton,  who  was  bora 
in  Brown  Co.,  O.,  May  29, 1810.  When  Mr.  Stewart  first  came  to 
Morgan  county  his  nearest  neighbor  was  6  miles  distant,  and  there 
was  only  one  house  in  Jacksonville. 

Hansom  Stowe,  manufacturer,  Perry,  is  a  son  of  David  and  Sally 
(Palmer)  Stowe,  natives  of  Vermont ;  he  was  born  in  1815; 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  Green  Moun- 
tain State  ;  in  1850  came  to  Illinois,'  and  in  1852  to  Perry,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  had  been  engaged  in  farming,  but  since 
that  date  has  been  running  a  plow  manufactory  in  Perry,  and  ha& 
been  moderately  successful.  In  1835  he  took  unto  himself  a  wife 
in  the  person  ot  Ann  Prindle  ;  by  this  union  2  children  were  born. 
Mrs.  S.  died  in  1871,  and  in  1873  Mr.  Stowe  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Sarah  Stewart.  Israel  F.,  born  in  1874,  is  their  only 
child.     Mrs.  S.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Richard  Sweeting,  farmer,  sec.  33  ;  P.  O.  Perry.  Mr.  S.  is  a 
native  of  England,  and  was  born  Sept.  10,  1819.  His  parents, 
Jonathan  and  Mary  (Norfolk)  Sweeting,  were  also  natives  of  En- 
gland. Richard  came  to  Americaat  the  age  of  19,  and  to  Pike 
county  in  1850,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Dorotha  Marshall,  and  they  have  had  11  children,  7 


HISTOET   OF   PIKE    COITNTT.  509 

of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  S.  learned  the  bakery  and  confectionery 
trade  in  England,  but  has  been  farming  since  he  came  to  America. 
He  arrived  in  his  adopted  country  with  $3.75.     He  now  owns  a 

food  farm  of  160  acres.     His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Church  of 
Ingland. 

Sutphin  Taylor,  farmer,  sec.  18  ;  P.  O.  Perry  ;  was  born  in  Pike 
county  in  1844,  the  son  of  Simon  H.  and  Nancy  Taylor,  Kentuck- 
ians, — his  father  of  Welsh  and  mother  of  German  descent.  Mr. 
T.  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  13.  children.  For  several  years 
he  engaged  in  blacksmithing.  In  1870  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Lucinda  Barnett.  Mr.  T.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge 
at  Perry.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

William  Taylor,  the  son  of  Wm.  and  Charlotte  (Philpot)  Taylor, 
was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1838;  his  parents  were  natives  of  Eng- 
land. He  received  his  education  mostly  in  Pike  county,  where  he 
came  in  1850,  and  went  to  Ottawa,  La  Salle  Co.,  where  in  1861  he 
enlisted  in  Co.  E,"  26th  111.  Inf,  and  was  discharged  in  1863  on 
account  of  disability.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Corinth,  luka,  Par- 
ker's Cross  Roads,  Farmington,  and  several  skirmishes  while  in 
Missouri.  Has  resided  in  Perry  since  his  discharge  from  the  army, 
where  he  has  been  elected  township  Collector  for  7  years  in  succes- 
sion. In  1865  he  was  married  to  Elmira  Francis.  They  have  two 
children,  both  girls.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  at 
•Perry. 

William  Thompson,  iarmev,  sec.  15;  P.  O.  Perry.  Wm.  Thomp- 
son was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  Oct.  31,  1828;  his  parents  were 
Wm.  and  Hannah  (Lowe)  Thompson,  the  former  of  the  Keystone, 
the  latter  of  the  Bay  State.  Mr.  T.  came  to  Pike  county  in  1835, 
and  has  resided  on  sec.  15,  Perry  tp.,  ever  since,  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, at  which  business  he  has  been  very  successful,  owning  three 
farms  in  this  county.  His  father  died  Sept.  11,  1871,  and  his 
mother  is  living  with  him.  In  his  fathei-'s  family  were  8  children, 
2  boys  and  6  girls,  5  of  whom  are  living,  and  all  in  this  county 
except  one.  His  mother,  Hannah  (Lowe)  Thompson,  was  born  in 
1^2,  and  his  father  was  born  June  3,  1795,  and  served  in  the  war 
of  1812. 

Wm,.  M,  Todd  was  born  Oct.  12,  1840,  in  this  county,  and  is  the 
son  of  Wm.  and  Lucy  (Morris)  Todd,  of  Kentucky  ;  he  received 
only  a  common-school  education.  He  was  united  in  marriage  in 
1875  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Davis,  nee  Eemington.  They  have  two 
children.  By  occupation  Mr.  T.  is  a  farmer,  but  also  has  followed 
the  business  of  a  plasterer.  Mr.  T.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  as  Constable. 
Charles  TFacZe,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.O.  Perry.  On  the  4th  day  of 
January,  1854,  there  was  born  to  John  and  Yibiler  (Taylor)  Wade, 
a  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  he  attended  the  common  schools 
in  this  county.  He  was  married  April  8, 1877,  to  Fannie  M.  Hobbs. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Eepnblican. 


510  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUil^TY. 

John  Wade,  deceased,  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1829,  and  early 
became  a  resident  of  Pike  county,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He 
was  married  in  1850  to  Yibiler  Taylor,  and  of  the  5  children  born 
to  them — 3  boys  and  2  girls — one  son  and  one  daughter  are  married. 
Mr.  Wade  died  several  years  ago.  Mrs.  Wade  is  the  daughter  of 
Simon  H .  Taylor,  who  emigrated  to  Pike  county  in  1825,  and  has 
since  resided  here.     Mrs.  W.  resides  on  sec.  8. 

Z.  Wade  was  born  in  Kentucky  June  4,  1823,  and  is  the  son  of 
Josiah  and  Frances  Wade,  th^  father  of  Yirginia  and  of  English 
descent,  and  the  mother  of  Kentucky  and  of  Welsh  descent.  Mr. 
Wade  came  to  Pike  county  in  1830,  and  has  seen  a  vast  wilderness 
transformed  into  a  f^'uitful  field.  He  is  the  first  man  who  discov- 
ered the  medical  properties  of  the  famous  Perry  Springs;  he  con- 
ducted them  very  successfully  for  6  years.  As  a  farmer  he  has 
been  quite  successful :  he  now  owns  two  farms.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Republican;  has  served  three  terms  as  a  Supervisor,  and  has  been  a 
School  Trustee,  Road  Commissioner,  etc.  In  1849  he  wg.s  married 
to  Mary  Morrison,  and  they  have  a  family  of  one  boy  and  two  girls. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  of  which 
Mr.  W.  has  ever  been  an  active  member. 

Leonard  Wagner,  farmer  sec.  4;  P.  O.  Peri-v;  was  born  in  Pike 
county  in  1841,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Catharine  (Lutz)  Wag- 
ner, both  natives  of  Germany.  Mr.  W.  is  engaged  in  farming  on 
sec.  4,  where  he  owns  80  acres.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  99th 
111.  Inf ,  under  Capt.  B.  L.  Matthews;  he  was  in  almost  all  the 
battles  in  which  his  regiment  was  engaged;  he  was  discharged  in 
1865.  He  was  married  in  1867  to  Caroline  Schwer.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

William  Wagner,  farmer  sec.  6;  P.  O.  Perry.  The  parents  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  John  and  Catharine  Wagner,  were  na- 
tives of  Germany;  William  was  born  in  this  county  in  1842; 
attended  the  common  schools  and  received  a  fair  education;  his 
father  came  to  Pike  county  43  years  ago.  William  is  engaged  in 
farming,  owning  a  farm  of  135  acres.  In  1867  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Louisa  Jane  Eider,  and  they  have  a  family  of 
4  boys  and  4  girls.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  are  members  of  the 
Zion  M.  E.  Church. 

W.  C.  Walpole  was  born  in  Tennessee,  and  is  the  son  of  William 
and  Rebecca  (James)  Walpole,  the  former  a  native  of  Yirginia,  and 
the  latter  of  Tennessee;  he  came  to  Pike  county  in  1833  and  has 
resided  here  ever  since.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in,  the  99th  111.  Inf, 
Co.  B,  under  Capt.  Matthews,  and  served  until  1865;  was  in  the 
battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Champion  Hills,  Black  River,  siege  of ' 
Yicksburg,  Matagorda,  Tex.,  and  Spanish  Fort,  but  was  never 
wounded  or  taken  prisoner.  In  1854  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Marina  Piper,  and  they  have  a  family  of  one  boy  and  one  girl, 
at  home.  All  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  His  wife's  father, 
Abraham  Piper,  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Pike  county. 


HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  511 

Ilenry  Warren  was  born  in  Ohio,  Sept.  30,  1827,  and  is  a  son  ot 
John  and  Sarah  (Brantlingter)  Warren,  both  natives  of  Ohio, 
mother  of  German,  and  father  of  English  ancestry.  Henry  began 
to  learn  his  trade  when  a  boy,  and  has  worked  at  it  ever  since,  and 
has  conducted  a  shop  in  Perry  for  several  years.  In  1854:  he  was 
married,  and  his  wife  died  May  16,  1869.  He  has  a  family  of  2 
boys  and  2  girls.  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Perry. 

B.  A.  Watson,  proprietor  of  the  Perry  Mineral  Springs,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Tennessee.  Here  he  was  born  in  1818.  His  parents,  W.  "W. 
and  Maria  (Cape)  Watson,  were  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Ken- 
tucky respectively.  When  our  subject  was  18  years  of  age  he 
emigrated  to  Illinois,  and  from  1840  to  1865  he  was  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  confectioneries  at  Springfield,  at  which  business 
he  was  quite  successful.  Thinking  to  better  his  condition  he  moved 
to  the  celebrated  Perry  Springs,  where  he  expended  the  enormous 
sum  of  $100,000  in  the  erection  of  buildings  and  other  improve- 
ments. These  Springs  are  very  largely  attended  by  parties  from 
all  parts  of  the  United  States.  We  speak  at  length  of  them  in  our 
history  of  the  township.  Mr.  W.  was  married  to  Miss  Emma  R. 
Planck,  in  1845;  by  this  union  Y  children  have  been  born.  The 
eldes.t  son  and  daughter  are  both  married,  the  latter  the  wife  of  Dr. 
A.  B.  Carey,  of  Pittsfield.  Mrs.  W.  died  in  1870.  Mr.  W.  has 
served  as  Postmaster  in  Perry  Springs  for  tlie  last  10  years. 

Jacob  Weber,  born  in  Germany  in  1829,  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Keadiner)  Weber,  natives  of  Germany,  where  they  both  died. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  emigrated  to 
America  in  1852 ;  is  a  blacksmith,  and  commenced  to  learn  his  trade 
at  the  age  of  14,  and  worked  at  it  8  years  in  Germany;  also  8  years 
in  Philadelphia;  the  last  18  years  he  has  followed  farming,  with 
success.  He  owns  150  acres  of  land  on  sec.  17.  In  1854  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Klos,  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  They  have  2  sons 
and  5  daughters.     Mr.  Weber  is  a  Democrat. 

A.  S.  WMtiaker  was  born  Oct.  25, 1818,  in  Greene  county,  JST.  T.; 
he  is  the  son  of  William  E.  and  Anna  (Dubois)  Whittaker,  natives 
of  New  York,  the  former  of  English  ancestry,  and  the  latter  of 
French.  He  commenced  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade  at  the  age  of 
14  and  worked  at  it  until  1853,  since  which  time  he  has  kept  a 
general  store.  He  has  had  2  partners  since  starting  in  business 
here,  but  for  the  last  5  years  he  has  been  alone.  In  1840  he  married 
Lucinda  Smith,  and  they  have  5  daughters  and  one  son.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  W.  are  Universalists,  and  he  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No.  95, 
A.  F.  and  A.  M. 

Smith  WilMns,  wagon  and  carriage  maniifacturer,  was  born  in 
Eoss  countv,  O.,  in  1851.  His  parents  were  Peter  and  Elizabeth 
(Bowen)  Smith,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  German  ancestry;  he  was 
educated  in  a  common  school.  For  several  months  he  has  been 
running  the  engine  at  Hinman's  Mill.     June  11,  1875,  he  married 


512  HISTOET   OF   PIKE    COTJNTr. 

Sarah  Kelley,  and  they  have  2  sons  and  one  daughter.  Politically, 
Mr.  Wilkins  is  a  Eepublican. 

W.  H.  Wilson  was  born  Sept.  16,  1845,  in  England,  and  is  the 
son  of  Henry  and  Catharine  S.  (Stratton)  "Wilson,  natives  of  Eng- 
land; received  his  school  education  in  the  common  school  in  Brown 
county.  111.;  six  months  he  attended  Bryant  &  Stratton's  Commer- 
cial College.  He  has  lived  in  Pike  county  since  1855,  except  one 
year,  1864,  he  was  in  the  army.  He  now  lives  half  a  mile  from 
Perry,  where  he  and  his  father  own  400  acres  of  land  and  follow 
farming.  In  1869  he  married  Miss  C.  E.  Bradbury,  and  they  have 
2  daughters, — Grace,  9  years  old,  and  Bessie,  5..  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W. 
are  Presbyterians.  As  to  politics  Mr.  "W.  votes  for  the  best  man. 
Mr.  Wilson  pays  as  he  goes,  never  contracting  debts. 

Henry  Winters  was  born  in  1845,  in  Calhoun  county,  111.;  when 
young  his  parents  brought  him  into  Pike  county,  but  he  was  educated 
at  the  Warren  Institute  at  Warrenton,Mo.  By  occupation  he  is  a  bar- 
ber. During  the  war  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  99th  Reg.  111.  Y.ol.,  and  was 
in  the  battle  of  Hartsville,  Mo.,  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  Seven 
holes  were  shot  through  his  coat,  but  he  received  no  wound.  He 
was  in  Gen.  Grant's  command. 

Fra/rtk  Wright,  carriage  blacksmith,  was  born  in  1855,  son  of 
Kobert  and  Harriet  Wright,  his  father  of  Irish  ancestry,  and  his 
mother  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  After  traveling  and  working  in 
several  States  he,  in  1867,  settled  in  Pike  county.  He  has  followed 
the  trade  of  blacksmithing  ever  since  he  was  16  years  of  age.  In 
1878  he  married  Flora  Schaub,  and  Charley,  born  in  1879,  is  their 
only  child.     He  is  a  Democrat,  and  she  a  Methodist. 

Fred  Zimmerman,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.  O.  Perry;  was  born  in  this 
county  Sept.  19,  1843;  his  parents  were  George  and  Anna  Maria 
(Lutz)  Z.,  natives  of  Germany.  He  owns  124  acres  of  good  land, 
and  is  a  successful  farmer.  In  1866  he  married  Catharine  Bemer, 
and  they  have  3  boys  and  2  girls.  They  are  both  Methodists,  and 
he  is  a  Democrat  and  an  Odd  Fellow. 

George  Zimmerman,  farmer,  sec.  4;  P.  O.  Perry;  was  born  Oct. 
7,  1810,  in  Germany,  and  is  an  early  settler  of  this  county,  having 
come  to  America  in  1833,  stopping  4  years  in  New  York,  and  in 
1837  settling  in  Pike  county,  on  the  place  where  he  still  resides. 
In  1836  he  married  Anna  Maria  Lutz,  and  their  8  children  are  aU 
living,  5  of  them  married.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  M.  E.  Church.  He  is  an  independent  Democrat ;  has  served  as 
a  School  Director.     He  owns  160  acres  of  land. 


GKIGGSVILLE  TOWNSHIP. 

Among  the  beautiful,  productive  and  well-improved  lands  in  the 
Military  Tract — and  there  is  no  fairer  section  in  this  great  State — 
Griggsville  township  stands  foremost.  It  possessed  many  of  the 
charms  that  were  likely  to  attract  the  attention*  and  receive  the 
favor  of  the  pioneer  seeking  a  home  in  a  new  country, — the  fine 
points  of  timber,  high  rolling  land,  running  water,  and  the 
absence  of  all  those  things  which  were  popularly  supposed  to  pro- 
duce prevalent  sickness  in  a  new  settlement.  Accordingly,  early 
in  the  history  of  Pike  county  we  find  the  groves  and  "  points  "  of 
this  township  settled;  as  early  as  1825  came  Henry  Bateman,  who 
located  on  sec.  14.  He  doubtless  had  traveled  this  region  over, 
and  had  selected  this  spot  because  of  the  particular  charms  it  pos- 
sessed for  him.  He  was  not  molested  by  the  encroachment  of  new 
settlers  for  some  years.  From  1829  to  1831  came  several  pioneers, 
among  whom  were  George  "W.  Hinman,  Abel  Shelley,  Uriah  El- 
ledge,  Abi^aham  Goldman,  JSfimrod  Phillips  and  others.  The  first 
birth  in  the  township  was  the  son  of  Mr.  Bateman,  and  the  first 
person  to  die  was  his  wife. 

Ere  many  years  had  rolled  by  all  the  good  points  of  timber  had 
been  taken.  Many  years,  however,  elapsed  before  any  consider- 
able number  of  the  pioneers  pushed  out  upon  the  beautiful  prairie 
land.  It  was  formerly  believed  that  these  wild  prairies  never 
would  be  inhabited.  They  might  do  for  cattle  to  rove  over,  as  they 
do  over  the  vast  pampas  of  South  America.  As  late  as  1860  the 
argument  used  by  Stephen  A.  Douglas  in  securing  the  passage, 
through  Congress,  of  the  act  granting  to  the  State  the  alternate 
sections  of  land  for  six  miles  on  either  side  of  the  railroad  (the  Illi- 
nois Central)  to  be  built,  was  that  in  no  other  way  could  these  vast 
prairies  ever  be  settled.  A  wonderful  revolution  has  been  made  in 
this  respect,  however,  as  in  many  others.  JSTow  the  timbered  land 
is  forsaken  for  the  poorest  of  prairie. 

Mledge  Canon. — This  township  is  not  without  its  natural  fea- 
tures of  interest  as  well  as  the  works  of  nature's  art.  One  is  known 
as  "  The  Canon,"  which  the  writer  has  christened  "Elledge  Canon." 
This  narrow,  deep  hollow,  is  situated  on  sec.  6,  on  the  south  branch 
of  McGee's  creek,  and  upon  the  land  of  Thomas  P.  Elledge;  hence 
.its  name.      As  we  wended    our  way  through   this  narrow  pass, 


514  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

observing  with  deepest  interest  the  mossy  cliffs  on  either  side,  we 
determined  to  name  it  a  canon.  On  mentioning  our  intentions, 
however,  to  Mr.  Elledge,  we  learned  that  it  had  been  known  as 
"The  Canon  "  for  several  years.  We  therefore  prefixed  the  word 
"  Elledge,"  which  we  deem  but  just  and  proper. 

The  Unfortunate  Calf. — In  the  pioneer  days  of  this  county  there 
occurred  many  laughable  incidents.  Among  those  which  were  related 
to  us  as  happening  in  this  township  is  the  following,  showing  how 

freat  a  trouble  may  arise  from  a  little  matter.  On  a  certain  occasion 
ohn  Dix  purchased  a  calf  and  tied  it  to  his  cart  to  lead  home.  On  the 
way  home  his  oxen  took  fright  and  ran  away,  dragging  the  poor 
calf  over  the  rough  roads  by  the  neck.  "We  imagine  it  an  interest- 
ing scene  to  observe  Mr.  Dix  running  at  the  top  of  his  speed,  and 
keeping  barely  close  enough  to  reach  the  caudal  appendage  of  the 
calf  as  it  dangled  among  the  brush.  He  finally  overtook  the  oxen 
a,nd  rescued  the  choking  calf  by  lifting  it  up  and  throwing  it  into 
the  cart.  A  neighbor's  dog  subsequently  bit  the  calf,  from  the  ef- 
fects of  which  it  died.  Had  this  been  the  last  of  the  calf  it  would 
have  been  better  for  all  the  parties  concerned,  but  it  still  lives  in 
the  memories  of  many.  Had  it  been  forgotten,  a  vast  amount  of 
time,  worry  and  expense  would  have  been  saved.  Not  being  able 
to  settle  the  case  among  themselves,  Mr.  Dix  sued  his  neighbor. 
From  the  Justice's  Court  it  was  appealed  to  the  Circuit  Court, 
which  then  sat  at  Atlas.  After  a  somewhat  extended  trial  for  so 
small  a  case,  it  was  finally  settled,  as  it  was  thought;  but  one  day  an 
oflicer  of  the  Court  came  to  Mr.  Dix  with  a  demand  for  the  costs  of 
the  case,  which  surprised  him  not  a  little.  The  demand  however 
was  upon  Levi  Dix,  another  individual.  Mr.  Dix  refused  to  pav  it, 
and  another  lawsuit  occurred,  which  was  finally  settled  by  Mr.  Dix 
proving  that  Levi  Dix  never  owned  a  calf.. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  settlers  of  Griggsville  township,  like  all  the  setlers  of  50 
years  ago,  had  many  difficulties  to  overcome  before  any  perceptible 
progress  could  be  made  in  establishing  educational  institutions. 
The  first  efforts  at  instruction  of  any  kind  were  very  simple  lessons 
in  rudimentary  knowledge,  given  at  the  residences  of  the  early  set- 
tlers. The  first  school  was  taught  by  John  Cavender  in  a  small 
log  cabin  on  the  Judge  Harrington  farm,  where  now  resides  George 
Harrington.  The  first  school-house  was  built  before  there  were  any 
regular  schools.  It  was  erected  on  sec.  14  in  1833.  Since,  the 
schools  have  multiplied,  and  at  present  they  stand  second  to  none 
in  the  county,  great  care  being  taken  in  the  selection  of  teachers 
and  the  use  of  proper  text-books.  This  locality  has  a  system  of 
schools  that  the  patrons  may  well  be  proud  of.  There  are  now 
seven  school-houses  in  the  township,  besides  the  city  schools  of 
Griggsville. 


HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  515 


OEGAiJIZATION. 


The  township  of  Griggsville  was  organized  under  the  township 
organization  law  in  1850.  The  first  election  was  held  in  April  of 
that  year.  At  that  election  Am"os  Hill  was  chosen  Supervisor, 
James  A.  Kennev,  Town  Clerk;  Porter  Cotton,  Assessor;"  Samuel 
Keynolds,  Collector;  Samuel  Hill,  Wm.  Hinman  and  James  Shinn, 
Commissioners  of  Highways;  John  Crow  and  B.  F.  Coffey,  Jus- 
tices of  the  Peace;  S.  B.  EUedge  and  Frank  Hatch,  Constables. 

GRIGGSVILLE. 

This  city  is  pleasantly  located  upon  the  "Wahash  Kailway,  about 
four  miles  from  the  Hlinois  river.  It  is  situated  upon  a  beautiful 
eminence.  In  its  immediate  vicinity  the  land  is  sufficiently  roll- 
ing,'requiring  no  drainage,  and  makes  what  is  apparently  a  healthy 
location.  It  was  laid  out  in  1833,  by  Joshua  Stanford,  Nathan  W. 
Jones  and  Kichard  Griggs,  and  was  named  Griggsville  by  Mr. 
Jones  in  honor  of  Kichard  Griggs.  It  consisted  of  eight  blocks  on 
the  north  side  and  eight  upon  the  south  side  of  Quincy  Avenue. 
Each  block  contained  eight  lots  of  one-quarter  of  an  acre  each.  The 
original  plat  made  provisions  for  a  public  square,  containing  two 
acres.  It  was  subsequently  re-platted,  however,  and  instead  of  a 
public  square  two  lots  in  block  3,  two  lots  in  block  14,  two- lots  in 
block  2  and  two  lots  in  block  15,  were  given  for  Church  and  school 
purposes.  There  has  since  been  added  to  the  original  plat  John- 
son's, Jones  &  Purkitt's,  McConnell  &  Clark's,  Parsons',  Simmons' 
and  Hatch's  additions.  The  place  was  incorporated  by  a  vote  under 
an  act  of  the  General .  Assembly  approved  Sept.  10,  1 849,  on  the 
16th  of  November,  1852;  and  on  the  23d  of  the  same  month,  Reu- 
hen  Hatch,  Porter  Cotton,  Jesse  G.  Crawford,  Charles  Kenhey  and 
Marshal  Ayer^  were  elected  Trustees.     On  the  26th  of  November, 

1878,  it  was  voted  to  organize  as  a  city  under  an  act  of  the  General 
Assembly  approved  Sept.  10,  1872.     At  an  election  held  April  15, 

1879,  the  following  officers  were  elected  :  Mayor,  Daniel  Dean; 
Aldermen — James  B.  Morrison,  H.  L.  Hurt,  Wm.  A.  "Wise,  James 
'Oliver,  David  Borrowman,  John  W.  Stead;  Clerk,  E.  A.  F.  Allen; 

Attorney,  Edward  Dopey;  Treasurer,  James  A.  Farrand. 

An  Abolition  Melee. — In  the  year  1838  there  occurred  an  inci- 
■dent  in  Griggsville  which,  although  not  commendable  in  itself, 
would  be  well  to  record  in  the  annals  of  Griggsville's  history.  In 
"those  early  days,  as  in  more  modern  times,  there  were  the  pro- 
slavery  and  the  anti-slavery  parties.  At  the  annual  election  that 
autumn  each  party  brought  forth  a  strong  man  for  Constable. 
Marshall  Key  was  theDemocratic  candidate,  and  B.  F.  Coffey  the 
Whig  candidate.  A  very  hot  contest  ensued,  which  resulted  in  the 
■election  of  Coffey.  Some  of  the  opposition  seemed  to  take  offense 
at  the  proceedings.  Whether  Coffey  was  fairly  elected  or  not  we 
are  not  prepared  to  say.  Be  that  as  it  may,  however,  a  Key  man 
assaulted  a  Coffey  man  immediately  after  the  election,  striking  him 


516  HI8T0BT   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

in  the  back.     A  general  melee  then  followed,  but  no  one  was  se- 
riously hurt. 

In  a  tew  weeks   after  the  above  occurrence  a  gentleman  visited 
Griggsville,  holding  anti-slavery  meetings  and  circulating  a  peti- 
tion to  Congress  asking  that  honorable  body  to  abolish  slavery  in 
the  District  of  Columbia,  and  the  non-admission  of  Texas  as  a  State. 
The  petition  was  first  presented  for  signers  at  a  religious  meeting 
at  the  Methodist  Church.     Previous  to  the  close  of  the  service  the 
minister  gave  notice  that  the  above  petition  was  in  the  hands  of  a 
gentleman  present,  and  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  have  any  one 
present  who  felt  so  disposed,  sign  it.     Quite  a   number   walked 
forward  and  signed  their  names.     A  few  parties  in  the  audience 
signified  their  disapproval  of  such  proceedings,  excitement  running 
high  among  the  more  ignorant  class .    They  met  in  a  saloon,  known 
then  as  a  "  grocery,"  where  liquor  was  sold,  and  passed  resolutions 
that  the  parties  who  had  signed  that  obnoxious  petition  should  be 
compelled  to  erase  their  signatures  from  it.     To  carry  out  this 
design,  on  the  morning  following  the  last  anti-slavery  meeting, 
they  pursued  the  gentleman  who  held  the  petition,  overtaking  him 
on  the  farm  of  J.  K.  Moore,  and  compelled  him  to  produce  the 
document.      They  then   returned  and  waited  upon  those  parties 
whose  names  appeared  upon  the  paper,  and  demanded  of  them  that 
they  should  immediately  erase  them,  under  the  penalty  of  violence 
if  they  should  refuse.     Some  complied  with  this  demand,  but  others 
did  not.     These  disturbers  of  the  peace-  then  notified  the  obstinate 
ones  that  they  must  erase  their  names,  and  accordingly  appointed 
an  evening  to  "  finish  up  the  business. "     They  again  met  in  the 
same  grocery  to  more  fully  complete  their  organization,  and  "  fire 
up."     The  good  people  of  the  country  being  afraid  of  their  man  ceu- 
vers,  came  pouring  into  town  about  twilight,  well  armed  and  equip- 
ped, to  act  on  the  defensive.      They  met  with  the  peaceable  people 
of  Griggsville  in  the  hotel  and  organized,  appointing  Mr.  Blood  as 
their  Captain.     A  committee  was  also  appointed  to  confer  with  a 
committee  of  the  other  party,  in  which  conference  the  committee 
from  the  citizens  informed  the  disturbers  that  they  must  imme- 
diately disband,  or  else  they  would  be  dealt  with  harshly,  and  that 
the  first  man   who  dared  to  intimidate  another  petitioner  would 
receive  a  "fresh  supply  of  ammunition." 

The  disturbers  then  seeing  the  turn  of  aflTairs,  decided  to  abide 
the  decision  of  the  citizens  and  immediately  disbanded.  Thus 
ended  what  might  have  assumed  the  form  of  a  riot,  had  it  not  been 
for  the  timely  aid  and  energy  of  the  peaceful  citizens  of  the  neigh- 
borhood. 

War  Record. — It  is  no  wonder  that  this  township,  whose  politi- 
cal education  has  consisted  largely  in  means  of  bringing  discomfort 
to  the  slaveholders  and  their  hired  slave-catchers,  should  take  a 
deep  interest  in  a  war  which,  though  not  primarily  waged  in  the 
interest  of  the  colored  race,  must  nevertheless  result  in  their  lib- 
eration.    To  that  end  Griggsville  made  a  large  and  precious  sacri- 


<s-, 


'^?H 


GRISGSVJLLE 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  619 

fice.  The  alarm  of  war  had  scarcely  sounded  before  the  able-bodied 
citizens  of  the  township  were  seen  marching  toward  the  nearest 
recruiting  stations  in  squads,  as  it  were.  It  is  difficult  to  give  the 
number  that  went  from  the  township,  but  suffice  it  to  say  that 
more  enlistments  are  recorded  from  Griggs ville  than  from  any  other 
point  in  the  county. 

Quite  a  number  of  those  who  went  to  defend  their  country  from 
'  'Grriggsville  were  killed  in  actual  conflict.  Some  died  in  rebel 
prisons  from  starvation,  and  others  of  wounds  or  disease  contracted 
in  the  army.  Their  bones  lie  mingled  with  the  soil  of  the  country 
which  they  went  out  to  rescue  from  the  hands  of  those  who  sought 
to  destroy  it.  The  sacrifice  was  a  costly  one,  but  their  country 
•demanded  it,  and  they  gave  it  willingly. 

EELIGIOUS. 

The  old  pioneers,  though  they  would  not  have  hesitated  much 
to  engage  in  a  rough-and-tumble  fight,  and  did  not  hesitate  to  take 
a  dram  once  in  a  while  (though  they  say  the  whisky  did  not  con- 
tain as  much  infernal  fire  as  it  does  now),  were  yet  almost  uni- 
versally pious  people,  and  enjoyed  themselves  religiously  quite  as 
■well  as  the  more  fastidious  church-goers  of  to-day.  The  religious 
services  were  simple,  the, church  buildings  were  simple,  the  meth- 
ods of  conveyance  to  and  from  the  church  were  simple,  and  the 
manners,  dress  and  intercourse  of  the  people  who  attended  church 
were  primitive  in  the  extreme.  But  some  of  the  old  pioneers 
assert  that  the  natural  organs  of  voice  with  which  they  praised 
■God  were  to  be  preferred  to  the  organ  now  pumped  by  a  boy,  and 
skillfully  manipulated  by  a  popular  but  not  piousyoung  lady  or 
gentleman,  dressed  in  silk  or  broad-cloth  instead  of  the  ancient 
linsey-woolsey  or  jeans.  In  a  religious  point  of  view,  from  the  very 
•earliest  days  this  township  has  always  taken  a  great  interest  in  the 
establishment  of  Churches  and  missions. 

Baptist  Church. — The  first  regular  Baptist  church  at  Griggs- 
"ville  was  organized  Aug.  4, 1834,  by  liev.  Alvin  Bailey,  with  seven 
members.  Henry  Carmer  was  chosen  Deacon  and  Clerk,  which 
position  he  held  until  1861,  when  he  removed  from  the  place.  The 
■first  members  were  Amos  Blood,  two  ladies  by  the  name  of  Susan 
Blood,  Joseph  B.  Cooper,  Sarah  Bradstreet,  Henry  Carmer  and 
Mary  B.  Carmer.  This  church  struggled  hard  in  its  infancy,  but 
by  the  earnest  labors  of  its  faithful  members  has  grown  to  a  large 
and  prosperous  organization.  For  some  time  the  church  held  reg- 
ular services  in  a  house  owned  by  Mr.  Blood,  and  they  had  no  pas- 
tor until  in  1835,  when  Eev.  Calvin  Greenleaf  took  charge  and 
held  the  position  until  1838;  then  Thomas  H.Ford  to  1840; 
Chandler  Curtis  from  1840  to  1841 ;  Ambler  Edson  from  1843  to 
1844 ;  B.  B.  Carpenter  from  1 845  to  1870.  Since  that  time  the 
following-named  pastors  have  served:  L.  C.  Oarr,  H.  L.  Stetson, 
li.  F.  Gray,  B.  "W.  Morgan,  and  C.  E.  Lathrop,  the  present  Pastor. 

In  the  year  1836  the  congregation  began  the  erection  of  a  frame 

31 


520  HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

building,  40  by  54  feet  in  size,  which  was  finished  in  1840.  About 
the  yeai?  1853  they  built  an  addition  to  this  structure.  In  1873 
the  old  building  was  torn  down  and  a  new  brick  edifice  was 
erected,  at  a  cost  of  about  $20,000.  Services  are  held  each  Sunday 
morning  and  evening  by  Rev.  C.  R.  Lathrop,  Pastor,  and  Sunday- 
school  at  12  o'clock.  The  present  number  of  conamunicants  is  213. 
When  Mr.  Carraer  removed  in  1861,  Mr.  John  Petrie  was  elected 
his  successor  as  Deacon,  and  Henry  Lynde  as  Clerk,  which 
positions  they  both  hold  at  present.  This  Church  has  enjoyed 
various  revival  seasons,  and  over  650  different  persons  have  at  vari- 
ous tinies  been  members  of  the  Church. 

Origgsville  M.  E.  Church. — This  Church  was  organized  in  1835 
by  Rev.  William  Hunter,  with  the  following  charter  members: 
Dr.  James  M.  Higgins,  Mrs.  Margaret  Higgins,  Jesse  Gr.  Craw- 
ford, Peleg  Gardner,  Mrs.  Caroline  Gardner,  James  Hutchinson, 
sr.,  and  James  Hutchinson,  jr.,  and  Samuel,  Mary,  Eliza'  and 
Sarah  Hutchinson.  Dr.  Higgins  was  the  first  Class-Leader. 
Among  the  early  pastors  was  the  Rev.  Wilson  Pitner,  a  very  earn- 
est worker,  and  a  preacher  well  fitted  for  conducting  revivals  and 
camp-meetings.  On  one  occasion  during  a  camp-meeting  here, 
while  discoursing  upon  the  day  of  judgment  and  upon  the  appear- 
ance of  Gabriel  with  his  trumpet  on  that  great  and  awful  day,  the 
appearance  of  the  saints  robed  in  white,  etc.,  the  women  became 
very  happy  and  set  up  a  shout  which  completely  drowned  the  sten- 
torian voice  of  the  enthusiastic  minister.  In  order  to  quiet  them 
he  reached  back  and  took  the  horn,  which  was  used  for  calling  the 
audience  together,  and  began  blowing  it.  This  only  intensified  the 
excitement  of  the  almost  fanatical  persons  who  were  engaged  in 
shouting.  They  thought,  without  looking  to  see  from  whence  the 
noise  came,  that  Gabriel  had  indeed  come,  and  was  now  in  their 
very  midst,  blowing  his  trumpet.  It  was  some  time  before  the 
people  could  become  quieted. 

There  was  a  ''  class  "  organized  in  the  county  about  two  miles 
east  of  Griggsville,  previous  to  1831,  but  the  members  of  this  soci- 
ety united  with  the  Griggsville  Church  immediately  after  the  erec- 
tion of  a  church  edifice,  which  was  in  1836  or  1837.  In  1846  the 
society  erected  another  building,  and  so  rapid  was  the  growth  of 
the  congregation  that  they  soon  found  it  necessary  to  erect  another 
structure,  which  was  accomplished  in  1852.  This  society  now  has 
a  membership  of  about  250.  Services  are  held  each  Sunday  morn- 
ing and  evening  by  Rev.  H .  Shaw,  the  Pastor.  Sunday-school  at 
2:30  p.  M. 

Congregational  Church.— On  Feb.  1, 1837, 11  persons,  residents 
of  Griggsville,  but  members  of  different  Congregational  and  Pres- 
byterian Churches  elsewhere,  met  for  the  purpose  of  consulting 
respecting  the  organization  of  a  Church.  Resolutions  were  passed 
declaring  that  it  was  expedient  to  organize  a  Church,  and  the  day 
previous  to  the  organization  was  to  be  set  apart  as  one  of  fasting 
and  prayer.     In  accordance  with  the  resolutions  the  16th  day  of 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  521 

February,  1837,  was  observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  ;  on 
the  following  day  the  Church  was  duly  organized,  with  Rev.  A.  G. 
Norton  as  Pastor.  Geo.  T.  Purkett  was  regularly  appointed  Dea- 
con Jan.  4, 1838.  The  Sunday  school  was  organized  May  12, 1837. 
Kev.  A.  G.  Norton  closed  his  labors  with  the  Church  in  February, 
1838,  and  has  been  succeeded  by  the  following  Pastors,  given  in 
their  order  :  Revs.  "Wm.  Whittlesej^  A.  L.  Pennover,  J.  Ballard,  J. 
T.  Holmes,  G.  B.  Hubbard,  W.  H.  Starr,  T.  Lyman,  Rollin  Mears, 
W.  Herrott,  N.  P.  Coltrin,  W:  W.  Whipple,  G.  H.  McArthur,  E. 
0.  Barnard,  G.  H.  Bailey  and  S.  M.  Wilcox,  the  present  Pastor. 
The  whole  number  of  members,  from  the  organization  to  the  pres- 
ent time,  has  been  663  ;  the  present  membership  is  169. 

Hinman  Ghajpel  M.  E.  Church.- — The  church  edifice  of  this 
society  is  on  sec.  6,  this  township.  The  class  worshiped  in  pri- 
vate and  schoolhouses  for  several  years.  About  the  year  1844 
they  erected  a  house  of  worship.  Services  are  held  each  alternate 
Sabbath  by  Rev.  A.  P.  Stover,  Pastor.  Sunday-school  each  Sun- 
day. 

Maysville  United  Brethren  Church  was  organized  in  1842,  in 
the  house  of  Lewis  Dunham.  Caleb  Boyer,  now  of  Fulton  county, 
was  among  the  first  ministers.  This  society  erected  a  small  house 
of  worship  about  the  year  1857,  and  in  the  year  1870  they  erectee 
a  new  edifice,  at  a  cost  of  $1,000  besides  the  labor.  Services  ard 
held  each  Sunday,  and  preaching  each  alternate  Sunday  by  the  Pas- 
tor, Rev.  Wm.  Pease.  The  number  of  communicants  at  present 
is  65. 

Griggsville  Church  of  Christ  was  organized  July  26,  1874,  with 
the  following  12  members  :  J.  E.  Alcorn,  M.  E.  Alcorn,  Jesse 
Fielding,  Atlanta  Fielding,  Theodore  Ball,  Anna  Crawford,  Adelia 
Elledge,  Phoebe  Rickart,  Rachel  Mason,  Eadie  Jenkins,  Amos  Wil- 
liams and  Ellen  Williams.  This  was  at  the  beginning  of,  or  soon 
before,  a  protracted  effort  which  closed  Aug.  25, 1874,  with  a  mem- 
bership of  141.  The  Trustees  elected  were  J.  E.  Alcorn,  I.  L.  Lewis 
and  Peter  Harshman.  The  congregation  completed  the  erection  of 
a  house  of  worship  in  1877,  at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  The  present  mem- 
bership numbers  72. 

MILLING. 

Mill  interests  in  the  early  history  of  the  county  were  considered 
of  much  greater  importance  than  at  present.  The  easy  communi- 
cation between  neighborhoods,  towns  and  cities  by  means  of  the 
railroad  has  revolutionized  almost  everything,  but  nothing  more 
than  that  of  transforming  the  grain  into  flour  or  meal.  To  the 
early  settler  one  of  the  most  important  items  in  his  calculations 
was  the  grinding  of  his  grain.  There  were  no  steam  mills  then, 
and  a  site  for  a  water  mill  was  an  important  thing.  The  pioneers 
were  all  poor,  and  though  mill  sites  might  have  been  plenty,  they 
could  not  improve  them.    Therefore  numerous  devices  were  invented 


522  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

to  convert  wheat  and  corn  into  bread.  A  few  were  possessed  of 
hand-mills,  not  greatly  unlike  those  in  use  some  2,000  years  ago, 
and  to  which  allusion  is  made  in  the  Bible,  Matthew  xxiv,  41: 
"  Two  women  shall  be  grinding  at  the  mill,"  etc.  By  and  by  some 
of  the  more  forehanded  farmers  brought  in  a  kind  of  horse-mill, 
which,  though  a  very  primitive  affair,  was  considered  a  val-uable 
accession  to  the  industries  of  the  neighborhood,  and  a  wonderful 
convenience.  These  mills  were  mostly  used  for  simply  cracking 
corn,  upon  which  the  old  pioneers  lived.  Corn  was  the  staple  feed 
for  man  and  beast,  and  upon  it  they  all  thrived  and  grew  healthy 
and  strong. 

The  "  Pike  Mills  "  were  erected  in  1877,  by  the  firm  of  McMa- 
han  &  Co.,  composed  of  L.  W.  McMahan,  I).  P.  Baldwin  and  Gr.  P. 
Baldwin.  The  latter  has  sold  out  his  interest.  The  machinery  is 
all  of  the  latest  improved  style,  adapted  to  the  new-process  system', 
and  this  was  the  first  mill  of  the  kind  in  this  section  of  the  State. 
It  has  proven  a  success  to  the  owners,  giving  a  larger  yield  and 
better  quality  of  flour  than  the  old  system.  The  building  is  four 
stories  high,  with  four  run  of  burrs  and  a  capacity  of  200  barrels  in 
24  hours.  They  have  a  large  patronage  in  the  ]S"ew  England 
States  and  in  Chicago  for  their  flour. 

L.  W.  McMahan  has  been  a  resident  of  the  county  for  2i  years. 
For  a  number  of  years  previous  to  going  into  the  present  business 
he  was  in  the  grain  trade.  His  acquaintance  with  the  valuable 
milling  qualities  of  the  wheat  raised  in  this  section  induced  him  to 
invest  in  this  enterprise. 

Fryers  Flouring  Mill. — This  mill  was  erected  about  the  year 
1855,  by  Mr.  0.  Simmons.  After  passing  through  different  hands, 
Mr.  Frye,  in  1877,  purchased  it,  and  in  1878  he  sold  a  half  interest 
to  Mr.  Mc Williams,  of  Griggsville.  The  mill  has  been  re-modeled 
by  Mr.  Frye,  and  is  one  of  the  best  mills  in  the  county.  Its  capac- 
ity is  80]  barrels  in  24  hours,  and  the  flour  is  of  excellent  quality. 

BIOGRAPHICAL    DEPARTMENT. 

In  justice  to  the  pioneers  and  prominent  citizens  of  the  city 
and  township  of  Griggsville — -those  who  have  made  and  are  now 
making  the  history  of  this  section — we  wish  to  speak  personally, 
and  short  biographical  sketches  of  them  here  follow: 

Edward  A.  F.  Mien  was  born  in  Beverly,  Essex  Co.,  Mass.,  July, 
13,  1823;  he  came  to  Quincy,  III,  in  1838,  and  to  Griggsville  in 
1841.  He  served  three  years  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  I.,  33d  III  Inf., 
and  one  year  of  this  time  was  2d  Lieutenant.  He  was  subsequently 
in  the  Quartermaster's  department  for  three  years.  He  was 
married  July  13,  1844,  to  Sarah  A.  Lyon.  They  had  9  children,  of 
whom  6  are  living:  Henrietta,  now  Mrs.  Gilbert  Brooks,  of  Clinton, 
111.;  John  J.,  M.  E.  preacher,  of  Monroe  City,  Mo.;  'Martha  E. 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  523 

now  Mrs.  James  Vannatta,  of  "West  Chicagq;  David  E.,  Hattie  M. 
and  Ruth.     David  E.  is  a  painter  by  profession. 

Robert  Allen,  sr.,  was  born  in  Cumberland  Co.,  Ky.,  May  31, 
1803.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Amanda  Turk  in  1824,  and  removed 
to  Henry  Co.,  Tenn.,  thence  to  Naples,  111.,  1834,  where  for  three 
years  he  was  extensively  engaged  in  building  flat-boats,  trading  in 
live  stock,  and  freighting  to  Kew  Orleans  and  other  Southern  points. 
He  left  Naples  in  1837,  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Griggsville, 
dealing  in  live  stock  and  butchering.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  were  the 
parents  of  7  children,  of  whom  3  aro  living  :  A.  S.  and  R.  P., 
prominent  citizens  of  Griggsville,  and  Mrs.  Win.  Jones,  now  of 
Ohillicothe,  Mo.  Mrs.  Allen  died  Jan.  16,  1841.  In  1842  Mr. 
Allen  again  was  married,  this  time  to  Sarah  Stanford,  who  now 
survives  him.  Mr.  Allen  gave  liberally  to  the  support  of  Churches 
and  missions,  and  held  positions  of  honor  and  trust ;  one  being  that 
of  Postmaster  during  President  Buchanan's  administration.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  died  Jan.  1,  1880,  from  a 
stroke  of  paralysis  received  some  years  before.  In  the  death  of  Mr. 
Allen  his  wife  lost  a  loving  husband,  his  children  a  kind  father, 
and  the  community  an  honest  and  influential  man. 

Wm.  F.  Anderson,  deceased,  was  .born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  in 
1801.  He  was  the  oldest  of  4  brothers,  whose  father,  Capt.  Wm. 
Anderson,  was  lost  at  sea,  in  the  year  1813.  Mr.  Anderson  was 
one  of  the  firm  of  Beecher  &  Anderson,  of  New  Fork,  for  about  5 
years.  He  came  West  during  the  financial  crisis  of  1836,  and 
traveled  in  different  parts  of  the  country  until  1841,  when  he  mar- 
ried Laura  E.  Gilpin.  They  settled  in  Springfield,  111.,  where  he 
engaged  in  farming  for  2  years.  In  1849  he  engaged  in  business 
in  St.  Louis.  In  1851  he  came  to  Griggsville  and  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  with  J.  D.  Philbrick  for  a  short  time,  when  the 
latter  retired  and  Mr.  Anderson  carried  on  the  business  alone  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  May  21, 1867.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson 
had  7  children,  whose  names  'are  Eloise  L.  (now  widow  of  Henry 
Cotton),  Wm.  F.,  M.Louise,  deceased,  A.  G.,  Alexander  C,  Charles 
H.  andGeo.S. 

Isaac  Bailey  was  born  in  Cumberland  Co.,  Me.,  in  1829;  son  of 
Josiah  Bailey.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  at  his  majority  began 
working  on  the  railroad  as  a  section  hand,  then  as  section  boss; 
in  1854  he  came  to  Illinois  and  was  Roadmaster  of  the  C,  B.  &  Q. 
for  some  time;  then  section  boss  again  for  3  years,  then  Roadmaster 
again  on  the  H.  &  St.  Joe  R.  R.  7  months;  2  years  on  the  Missis- 
sippi Central,  and  is  at  present  Roadmaster  on  the  Hannibal  branch 
of  the  Wabash  R.  R.  Oct.  9,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Lizzie  E. 
Pitney,  and  they  have  had  5  children,  of  whom  Geo.  W.,  Minnie 
and  Frank  are  living. 

David  Baldwin,  deceased,  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  in  1793. 
He  was  a  large  contractor  in  New  York  citv  for  25  or  30  years. 
He  came  to  Pike  county  in  1835,  located  in  Perry  and  purchased 


524  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

large  tracts  of  land.;  ajso  engaged  in  farming.  In  1849  he  erected 
the  Perry  Flouring  Mill;  was  the  father  of  6  children,  of  whom  3 
are  living:  Alex.,  David  P.  and  Geo.  W.  Mr.  Baldwin  died  in 
1854. 

T.  K  Ball,  son  of  G.  O.  and  Delia  (Kellogg)  Ball,  the  father 
formerly  of  New  York,  was  born  in  this  county  in  1848;  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools;  has  followed  farming  until  the  last 
three  years.  In  1867  he  married  Anna  Cadwell,  and  their  6 
children  are  all  living.  He  belongs  to  the  Christian  Church,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

Levi  Bartlett  is  a  native  of  New  Hampshire  and  came  to  Illinois 
about  the  year  1867;  is  engaged  in  all  kinds  of  mechanical  jobbing  in 
light  machinery,  making  sewing-machines  a  speciality:  he  also  re- 
plates  spoons,  etc.  He  was  married  in  1861  to  Harriet  G.  Crane, 
and  they  have  2  children,  Albert  J.  and  Gracie  G. 

E.  W.  Baxter  is  a  native  of  Hillsboro,  N.  H.,  ,and  was  born 
July  19,  1837;  he  is  the  son  of  M.  E.  Baxter,  of  Griggsville.  Mr. 
Baxter  came  in  September,  1857,  to  Griggsville,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  meat  business  for  15  years,  holaing  an  interest  in  the 
same  for  four  years  afterward.  In  Jan.,  1872,  he  associated  him- 
self with  Allen  &  Bryant,  grain  and  live-stock  dealers.  This  firm 
dissolved  in  Sept.,  1873,  Messrs.  Baxter  and  Bryant  continuing 
in  the  business  for  6  years,  for  the  most  part  in  connection  with 
merchandising.  In  1877  Mr.  Baxter  purchased  the  entire  interest 
in  the  mercantile  business,  and  is  now  conducting  the  same.  He 
also  has  a  stock  of  groceries,  qneensware,  and  is  doing  a  large 
business.  He  was  married  in  April,  1857,  to  Helen  M.  Harvey, 
sister  of  Dr.  Harvey,  of  this  place.  They  have  6  children :  Mary 
E.,    Helen  M.,  Emma  F.,  Harvey  E.,  Geo.  E.  and  Arthur. 

John  Biokerdike  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England,  Aug.  18, 
1835,  and  is  a  son  of  John  Bickerdike,  deceased,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  1842.  He  selected  a  location  for  his  future  home  and 
returned  to  England,  bringing  his  family  here  the  following  year. 
He  was  the  father  of  9  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  5th. 
Mr.  B.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools 
of  Pike  county.  His  brother,  George,  was  killed  during  the  late  war. 
Mr.  Bickerdike  has  been  married  twice,  and  is  the  father  of  7 
children,  of  whom  live  are  living  :  Wm.  A.,  George  F.,  Charles  E., 
Mary  K.  and  Nancy  E.  His  first  wife  was  Eebecca  J.  Pearcy,  and 
the  second  was  Elizabeth  Perry.  He  resides  on  sec.  36,  Griggs- 
ville tp.,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  P.  0. 
Griggsville.  » 

Ephraim  Biggs.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Preble 
county,  O.,  June  30.  1822.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm,  came  to  Defi- 
ance county,  O.,  about  the  year  1854,  where  he  remained  until  1867, 
when  he  removed  to  Pike  county.  111.,  where  he  still  resides,  and  is 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  to  Mary 
A.  Mendenhall,  by 'whom  he  had  8  children,  of  whom  4  are  living, 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  525 

namely,  Sarah  M.,  Martha  E.,  Eachel  A.  and  Melissa.  Mrs.  Biggs 
diedin|1848.  Mr.  Biggs  was  again  married  in  1860,  this  time  to  Mrs. 
Phoebe  Grimes.  They  had  one  child,  Wm.,  deceased.  This  second 
wife  died  in  1862,  and  in  186i  Mr.  Biggs  married  Mrs.  Nancy 
Fribley.  They  had  2  children,  Geo.  W.  and  Fannie.  The  third 
Mrs.  Biggs  died  in  1866,  and  in  the  year  1870  he  married  Mrs. 
Kosanna  Moore.  They  had  one  child.  Mr.  Biggs'  father  served  in 
the  war  of  1812. 

M.  Blake  &  Sons.  These  enterprising  farmers  reside  on  sec.  8, 
Griggsville  tp.  Mr.  Blake  was  born  in  Adams  Co.,  O.,  Oct. 
22, 1822.  He  was  married  in  1849  to  Melinda  Thompson.  They 
had  7  children,  6  of  whom  are  living;  John,  Nicholas,  and  Henry, 
who  are  engaged  in  business  with  their  father;  Kobert,  Rebecca  J. 
and  Melinda  A.  Mr.  Blake  came  "West  in  1851,  and  settled  in  Mis- 
souri, residing  in  Macon,  Shelby  and  Marion  counties,  but  in  1865  he 
removed  with  his  family  to  Pike  Co.,  111.,  where  they  still  reside.  He 
was  a  soldier  in  the  late  war,  in  Co.  G,  30th  Regiment,  Mo.  Yol.  Inf. 
For  some  time  he  was  disabled  by  sickness,  yet  he  served  his  time 
out,  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  1865. 

John  Blake  was  born  in  Adams  Co.,  O.,  June  26, 1850;  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church  in  Perry.  He  received  a  common- 
school  education,  and  his  vocation  is  farming  and  stock-raising. 

Nicholas  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  at  Hinman  Chapel, 
Griggsville  tp.;  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio,  and 
is  also  a  farmer.  He  is  a  native  of  Missouri,  and  was  born  May  2, 
1852. 

Henry  was  born  in  Missouri,  and  is  also  a  farmer. 

J.  M.  Bodine  is  chief  miller  in  Pike  Mills,  Griggsville. 

David  Borrowman  was  born  in  Lanarkshire,  Scotland,  in  1825. 
He  came  to  St.  Louis  with  his  parents  in  1838 ;  is  a  marble  and 
stone-cutter,  and  has  carried  on  this  business  in  Griggsville  for  15 
years.  He  uses  the  celebrated  Kinderhook  limestone,  which  is  a 
superior  quality  of  stone.  Mr.  B.  was  married  in  1854:  to  Jane 
Barker,  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  They  had  5  children,  of  whom  but 
two  are  living.  Mr.  B's  father,  John  Borrowman,  located  in  Cal- 
houn Co.,  111.,  in  1841,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-rais- 
ing until  his  death  from  cholera,  which  occurred  in  1849,  during  the 
prevalence  of  that  fearful  scourge  in  this  country. 

Ellen  Brakefield,  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  Jan.  19, 1835, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Abraham  Goldman,  so  well  known  in  the 
early  settlement  of  Pike  county.  Mr.  Goldman  helped  to  erect  the 
first  log  house  in  Griggsville.  Mrs.  Brakefield  was  married  June  28, 
1849,  to  Samuel  Brakefield;  they  had  4  children;  two  only  are  liv- 
ing,— Olive  and  Llewella.  Mr.  B.  was  born  Nov.  27,  1824,  in 
Pennsylvania,  was  taken  to  New  York  by  his  parents  when  very 
small.  He  came  to  Pike  county  about  the  year  1848,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  had  previously  been 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brooms.  On  the  morning  of  the  13th 
of  June,  1874,  Mr.  Brakefield  was  killed  while  in  the  act  of  cross- 


526  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

ing  the  railroad  track  with  a  team  in  front  of  a  train  of  cars.  His 
body  was  carried  several  yards  by  the  cars,  and  mutilated  in  a  most 
shocking  manner.  He  was  a  prominent  citizen  and  a  member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church.  Few  men  possessed  so  many  virtues,  and  few 
as  well  respected  as  he.  It  is  no  wonder  that  the  entire  community 
was  thrown  into  consternation  at  the  intelligence  of  his  untimely 
death. 

James  Brahefield  was  born  in  Kent,  England,  April  22,  1822, 
and  when  he  was  about  one  year  old  his  parents,  Charles  and  Mary 
Brakefield,  brought  him  to  America,  settling  in  Clinton  county, 
Pa.,  whence  they  soon  removed  to  Schenectady,  N.  Y.  At  the  age 
of  22  years  James  located  at  Griggsville,  111.,  where  he  followed 
farming  and  broom  manufacture.  In  1845  he  married  Elizabeth 
Carmer,  a  native  of  Paterson,  N.  J.,  and  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Mary  (Hunt)  Carmer,  who  were  early  settlers  in  this  county,  com- 
ing here  in  1831-'2.  Henry  Carmer  was  a  native  of  New  York 
city,  and.his  wife  of  Philadelphia,  neither  of  whom  is  now  living. 
Mr.  C.  was  reared  in  the  mercantile  business,  but  in  an  early  day  he 
came  to  Pike  county,  where  he  followed  farming  until  his  death  in 
December,  1862,  at  the  age  of  70  years,  his  wife  having  died  the 
previous  August.  In  March,  1857,  Mr.  Brakefield  went  into  mer- 
cantile business  with  J.  M.  Crandall,  but  after  3  years'  partnership 
he  returned  to  his  former  vocation.  In  1866  he  entered  partner- 
ship with  L.  W.  Dix.  In  1871  his  health  commenced  to  fail,  con- 
sumption setting  in,  and  he  died  April  26,  1873.  During  his  life 
Mr.  Brakefield  wds  prominently  identified  with  the  interests  of  the 
county. 

Henry  R.  Brown,  a  pioneer  of  Pike  Co.,  was  born  in  Brown 
Co.,  O.,  July  15,  1821,  and  is  a  son  of  the  late  William  Brown,  so 
well  known  in  the  pioneer  history  of  this  county.  He  came  here 
with  his  parents  in  1834  and  settled  on  sec.  29,  Griggsville  tp.; 
has  dropped  corn  on  Griggsville  prairie  after  a  large  breaking  plow, 
the  rows  being  one  mile  in  length.  This  was  for  Nathan  W.  Jones, 
who  now  resides  in  Griggsville.  He  also  worked  in  a  cotton  gin  in 
Morgan  county  for  about  3  years.  Like  all  other  boys  of  those 
early  days,  Mr.  Brown  was  deprived  of  educational  advantages,  and 
was  compelled  to  undergo  many  hardships  and  privations.  He 
saw  the  first  steamboat  that  sailed  on  the  Illinois  river.  He  has 
seen  over  20  deer  in  one  drove,  but  never  shot  one.  He  was  married 
Jan.  18,  1842,  to  Harriet  Park,  and  had  one  son,  Geo.  W.  Mrs. 
Brown  died  Jan.  18,  1844.  Mr.  Brown  was  again  married  Dec.  22, 
1847,  this  time  to  Jane  Chapman,  daughter  of  E.  W.  Chapman, 
deceased,  so  well  known  in  the  early  history  of  this  county.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Brown  have  had  8  children,  6  of  whom  are  living:  John 
Q.,  Mary  J.,  Sarah  F.,  Alice,  Amos  "W.  and  Willy  H.  They  are 
all  married  except  the  two  youngest. 

J.  Q.  Brown  was  born  in  Griggsville  township,  Oct.  13,  1848, 
and  is  a  son  of  H.  R.  Brown.      He  was  reared  on   a  farm   and 


eRIGGSVILLE 

FOB   BlOGBftPHlCAL    SKETCH     SEE    PAGE   52S. 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTT.  52'9 

educated  in  the  common  and  hi^h  schools  of  Griggsville.  He  was 
married  Nov.  26,  1873,  to  Ella  E.  Eastman,  daughter  of  Lycurgus 
Eastman,  of  Griggsville,  whose  biography  also  appears  in  this  work. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  have  two  children,  Alice  E.  and  Eichard  E. 
Mr.  Brown  is  engaged  in  farming  and  resides  on  sec.  8,  Griggsville 
township. 

Eien  F.  Bryarit  was  born  in  East  Cambridge,  Mass.,  Feb.  7, 
1832,  and  was  brought  to  this  county  by  his  parents  in  the  year 
1837  ;  was  raised  on  a  farm  until  18  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to 
Georgetown,  Harrison  Co.,  O.,  and  there  apprenticed  himself  to 
Heberling  &  Russell,  machinists.  He  remained  with  them  about 
18  months,  then  returned  to  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
until  he  reached  his  majority  ;  then  went  to  sea.  He  sailed  first 
from  JS'ew  Bedford,  Mass.,  on  a  whaling  vessel,  and  at  ISTew  Zealand 
changed  to  a  merchant  vessel,  bound  for  Salem,  Mass.  They  rounded 
Cape  Horn,  stopped  at  Rio  Janeiro,  and  arrived  in  Salem  in  Octo- 
ber, J  854.  This  completed  his  voyage  around  the  world,  which 
was  quite  a  rare  thing  for  a  Pike  county  boy.  Mr.  Bryant  then 
returned  to  his  old  home  in  Pike  county,  following  farming  for  2 
years,  then  in  1856  he  again  sailed,  but  this  time  on  the  Illinois 
river.  He  remained  here  until  1868,  except  one  trip  to  the  Hud- 
son river,  via  New  Orleans  and  Boston.  He  then  again  engaged 
in  farming,  which  is  his  present  occupation,  and  resides  on  sec.  25, 
Griggsville  tp.  Mr.  Bryant  is  the  son  of  Eben  Bryant,  who  was 
born  in  South  Reading  (now  Wakefield),  Mass.,  in  June,  1806.  He 
was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  but  on  removing  to  Illinois  he  became 
a  farmer.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  several 
years,  and  died  in  1869.  Our  subject  was  the  oldest  son,  and  was 
married  in  May,  1863,  to  Edith  Dean,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Dean, 
a  boot  and  shoe  merchant  of  Prairie  City,  111.  Mr.  Dean  spent 
several  years  of  his  life  in  Montana,  where  he  engaged  in  mining 
and  farming. 

J.  B.  Bryant  was  born  in  Pike  county  in  1848  ;  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  and  in  the  year  1871  engaged  in  the  jewelry 
business  in  Griggsville.  His  father,  Eben  Bryant,  was  a  native  of 
Wakefield,  Mass.,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1838,  settling  in 
Griggsville  tp.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  May  3,  1869. 

Anrbos  Butterfield,  son  of  the  late  Leonard  Butterfield,  well 
known  in  this  county,  was  born  in  Griggsville  tp.  May  17,  1849  ; 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  this  township,  and  raised 
a  farmer.  He  was  married  Aug.  16,  1872,  to  Mary  Hensel,  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  Hensel,  of  Griggsville  tp.  They  have  one  little  girl, 
Minnie,  born  Aug.  17,  1873. 

Leonard  Butterfield,  deceased,  was  born  Dec.  14,  1805,  in 
Nashua,  N.  H.;  was  married  to  Susan  Lamson  in  the  city  of  Bos- 
ton Sept.  27,  1832.  He  spent  the  5  following  years  in  the  State  of 
North  Carolina,  as  a  missionary  among  the  Cherokee  Indians,  and 
in  1837  came  to  Griggsville,  where  he  resided  until  the  death  of 


630  HI8T0ET   OF    PEKE   OOTTNTT. 

his  wife,  which  occurred  Aug.  21, 1870  ;  he  then  visited  his  broth- 
ers and  sisters  in  the  East.  He  returned  to  Griggsville  in  1873, 
where  he  remained  until  May  27,  1874  ;  June  2  of  this  year  he 
was  married  to  Rebecca  Noyes,  and  resided  in  ISTew  Hampshire 
tintil  his  death,  which  took  place  July  29, 1877.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

Henry  Oa/rTner,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  N'ew  York  city,  and 
was  born  Jiily  25,  1793;  was  educated  in  Ifew  York,  and  was  a 
hardware  merchant  for  several  years  in  Patterson,  N.  J.  In  1831 
he'removed  with  his  family  to  Richmond,  Ind.,  where  he  remained 
till  1833,  when  he  came  to  Griggsville  township.  There  were  but 
three  houses  in  Griggsville  at  that  time.  He  engaged  in  farming 
for  about  17  years,  and  was  bookkeeper  for  Keuben  Hatch,  of 
Griggsville,  for  a  few  years,  and  afterward  for  Brakelield  &  Cran- 
dall.  In  the  year  1861  he  removed  to  Hancock  Co.,  where  he  died 
Dec.  19,  1862.  He  was  the  father  of  3  children,— Elizabeth  W., 
now  Mrs.  James  Brakeiield ;  Mary  "W.,  now  widow  of  Henry  Gold- 
man; and  Lydia,  now  Mrs.  Thomas  Brakefield.  Elizabeth  W.  was 
married  to  James  Brakefield,  April  22,  1845.  They  had  7  chil- 
dren, of  whom  3  are  living, — Mary  W.,  now  Mrs.  Simmons; 
Henrj'  C,  Lillie  C.  and  Ettie  J.  Mr.  B.  was  a  prominent  mer- 
chant of  Griggsville  for  a  number  of  years.  He  died  April 
26,  1873. 

Rev.  B.  B.  Carpenter  was  born  in  Vermont,  Dec.  3,  1810,  and 
was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Schoharie  Co.,  JS".  Y.,  when  but  six 
months  old,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age, 
when  he  went  to  "Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.  He  was  apprenticed  to 
John  Hughes,  a  tailor,  of  Cambridge,  N.  Y.,  with  whom  he 
remained  for  three  years.  He  pursued  this  occupation  for  three 
and  a  half  years,  when  he  began  preparing  for  the  ministry.  He 
attended  the  Brandon  Academy  two  and  a  half  years,  and  then 
entered  the  Hamilton  University.  He  completed  only  the  Sopho- 
more year  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  was  married  in  1841  to 
Mary  Richards,  and  they  had  4  children:  3  are  now  living, — James 
B.,  Chester  L.,  and  Charles  D.  The  name  of  the  deceased  was 
Laura.  Mr.  Carpenter  came  to  Illinois  in  1839,  and  was  ordained 
minister  in  the  Baptist  Church  at  Dixon  in  1840,  where  he 
remained  as  Pastor  of  the  Church  until  1844,  when  he  took  charge 
of  the  Lamoille  (111.)  Baptist  Church  for  one  year;  he  then  was 
Pastor  of  the  Griggsville  Baptist  Church  for  twenty-five  years,  but 
is  now  retired  on  account  of  ill  health. 

David  F .  Coffey,  deceased,  one  of  the  pioneers,  was  born  in 
Simpson  county,  Ky.,  May  18,  1817,  and  was  a  son  of  Nathan 
•Coffey,  deceased,  well  known  in  this  county,  who  broiight  his  fam- 
ily here  in  1829  and  settled  on  sec.  3,  Griggsville  township,  at  the 
summit  of  the  hill  which  was  afterward  christened  "  Coffey  _Hill,' 
and  is  still  called  by  that  name.  He  was  the  father  of  13  children, 
of  whom  David  F."was  the  6th.  The  latter  was  married  in  1842 
to  Elizabeth  Conner,  daughter  of  Francis  Conner,  deceased,  who 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  531 

came  to  Franklin  Co.,  111.,  in  1832.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coffey  had  10 
,  children,  of  whom  9  are  living, — Sarah  E.,  Nathan  F.,  J.  Hardin, 
Delitha  M.,  Daniel  F.,  Burton  B.,  Thomas  M.,  Mary  J.  and  Grace 
L.  Mr.  Coffey  was  Captain  of  Co.  B,  68th  Regt.  111.  Inf ,  in  the 
Rebellion,  but  was  detailed  to  hospital  service  during  the  second 
battle  of  Manassas.  He  died  Sept.  22,  1867,  at  the  age  of  50 
years;  had  been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  about 
twenty- seven  years. 

John  Graven,  sr.,  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  was  born  Jan.  7, 
1802;  was  married  in  1831  to  Esther  Warton,  and  the  same  year 
came  to  America  and  settled  in  the  wilds  of  Morgan  Co.,  111.,  6 
miles  west  of  Jacksonville,  where  he  remained  until  1850,  engaged 
in  farming.  He  then  removed  with  his  family  to  Pike  county  and 
settled  on, sec.  20,  Griggsville  tp.,  where  he  again  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising.  He  is  now  retired  from  active  life  and 
resides  on  a  little  farm  adjoining  Griggsville  on  the  west.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Craven  have  2  children :  Sarah  A.,  now  Mrs.  E.  T.  Williams, 
and  John,  who  resides  at  the  old  homestead  in  this  township. 

John  Craven  was  born  in  Morgan  Co.,  111.,  Feb.  13, 1835,  and  is 
a  son  of  John  Craven,  sr.,  of  Griggsville  tp.  He  was  raised  on  a 
farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Morgan  Co.  He  came 
to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1850,  settling  on  sec.  20,  Griggs- 
ville tp.,  where  he  still  resides,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  was  married  May  12, 1864,  to  Henrietta  George, 
daughter  of  Samuel  George,  deceased,  who  came  to  Griggsville  in 
1847.  Mrs.  Craven  was  born  Oct.  17,  1837,  in  London,  England. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craven  have  had  6  children,  of  whom  5  are  living: 
Mary  E.,  Anna,  Maud  and  Jennie  (twins)  and  John. 

Jesse  G.  Crawford  was  born  in  Overton  Co.,  Tenn.,  May  6, 1810. 
He  received  a  common  school  education  there  and  emigrated  to  Il- 
linois in  1829,  settling  in  Macoupin  Co. ;  in  1830  he  came  to  Jack- 
sonville, where  he  remained  three  and  a  half  years,  then  came  to 
Griggsville  in  1833.  At  that  time  there  was  no  town  there.  A  log 
house  stood  near  where"the  center  of^Quincy  Avenue  now  is.  It  still 
stands  just  back  of  the  postoffice,  but  is  weather-boarded,  and  is 
owned  by  J.  R.  Stanford's  heirs.  Mr.  C.  erected  the  first  two-story 
frame  house  on  the  Griggsville  prairie  in  1833,  for  Amos  Blood. 
He  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1833  to  Jane  Avery,  daughter  of 
Nicholas  Avery,  an  early  settler  in  Pike  Co.  They  had  4  children, 
— only  one  living,  James.  Mrs.  Crawford  died  in  1847.  Mr.  Craw- 
ford again  married,  this  time  Maria  J.  Houts.  They  have  3  chil- 
dren,— Abbie  M.,  now  Mrs.  A.  H.  Butler;  Clara  E.,  now  Mrs.  Henry 
Hatch;  and  George  B. 

D.  W.  Cre'e  was  born  in  Griggsville  tp.  in  1844,  and  is  the  son  of 
"Walker  Cree,  of  Griggsville.  In  the  year  1863  Mr.  Cree  engaged 
in  the  sale  of  furniture,  stoves,  and  tinware,  wall  paper,  picture 
frames,  etc.,  with  a  capital  of  $300.  He  now  carries  a  stock  of 
$4,000,  and  has  a  large  trade. 


532  HISTOET   OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

James  M.  Cree  was  born  in  Maysville,  this  county,  Jan.  15, 1842. 
He  came  to  Griggsville  when  14  years  old,  where  he  still  resides, 
and  is  proprietor  of  the  Oree  House  in  this  place,  one  of  the  best 
hotels  in  the  county.  He  was  married  March  31,  1865,  to  Lida  A 
Pond. 

Nathan  H.  Davis  was  born  in  Strafford  Co.,  N.  H.,  Aug.  4, 1812 j 
was  raised  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Canada, 
his  parents  having  moved  there  with  their  children  in  1818. 
When  he  obtained  his  majority  he  went  to  Boston,  Mass.,  where 
he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  worked  on  the  bridges  of  the 
Boston  &  Lowell  R.  E.  for  three  successive  summers.  In  183T 
Mr.  Davis  started  for  the  then  far  West  and  arrived  in'Quincy,  111.^ 
Aug.  14  of  the  same  year,  and  in  a  few  days  came  to  Barry,  this 
county,  where  he  pursued  his  profession  for  a  number  of  years  and 
then  purchased  a  farm  in  Uerry  township,  on  sec.  1.  He  then 
engaged  in  farming,  working  at  his  trade  at  intervals.  July  18, 
1839,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  Lourimore,  daughter  of  Robert  S. 
and  Mary  Lourimore,  deceased.  Mrs.  Davis  was  born  in  Butler 
Co.,  O.,  May  8,  1817,  where  she  remained  until  8  years  of  age, 
when  her  parents  took  her  to  Dark  Co.,  0.,  mid  in  1837  they  moved 
to  Pike  Co.,  111.,  where  she  still  resides.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  have 
had  7  children,  of  whom  4  are  living, — Josepliine,  Frances,  Louisa 
and  David;  all  are  married.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  farmer,  and  has  been 
extensively  engaged  in  stock-raising.  He  is  a  son  of  Nathan 
Davis,  who  was  born  in  N.  H.,  Nov.  22,  1772.  His  mother  was 
Sally  Boynton,  who  was  born  in  1777  in  Old  Salem,  Mass. 

Aaron  H.  Dean  was  born  in  Litchfield,  Conn.,  March  17,  1831, 
son  of  Hiram  L.,  and  nephew  of  Daniel  Dean,  Mayor  of  Grigg- 
ville,  but  he  came  to  Pike  Co.  in  an  early  day  (1836),  with  his  parents; 
educated  in  the  old-fashioned  log  school-house;  learned  the  black- 
smith's trade;  settled  on  sec.  36,  whence  he  walked  3  miles  every 
day  to  his  shop  in  Griggsville,  working  for  $1.25  a  day.  Wolves 
sometimes  followed  hirn  on  his  trips.  On  his  way  to  a  Thanksgiv- 
ing dinner  one  day,  in  an  ox  cart,  the  oxen  ran  away  with  fam- 
ily and  all,  into  the  brush;  but  the  family  got  to  their  dinner  all 
right  at  last.  With  these  oxen  they  did  all  their  teaming  for  5  or 
6  years.  Hiram  L.  Dean  died  Sept.  7,  1876,  aged  68  years.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  In  1830  he  married  Wealthy 
M.  Saunders,  by  whom  he  had  2  children, — Harriet  M.,  now  Mrs. 
David  Stover,  and  Aaron  H.  Mrs.  Dean  was  born  in  Litchfield, 
Conn.,  March  17,  1811.  She  is  now  residing  at  the  old  homestead 
with  her  son.  Jan.  1,  1852,  our  subject  married  Delilah  Seniff,  by 
whom  he  has  had  2  children, — Martha  E.  and  Mary  E.  Mrs.  Dean 
died  in  June,  1856,  and  in  November,  1858,  Mr.  Dean  married 
Nancy  C.  Dunniway.     Their  only  son,  David  F.,  is  deceased. 

Daniel  Dean  was  born  Sept.  2,  1815,  in  Litchfield,  Conn.,  and  is 
the  son  of  Amos  Dean,  an  early  settler  of  Pike  Co.,  who  came  here 
in  1836  and  settled  in  Griggsville  tp.  Daniel  was  educated  in  the 
free  schools  of  Litclifield,  and  in  the  year  1837  he  followed  his  pa- 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  533 

rents  to  this  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising 
until  1867,  when  he  retired,  and  is  now  residing  in  Griggsville  and 
is  the  present  Mayor  of  the  city.  He  was  married  in  1836  to 
Lydia  Scranton,  by  whom  he  had  Schildren, — Jane,  Mary  A.  and 
Wm.  H.  The  latter  has  charge  of  the  farm.  Mrs.  Dean  died  Nov. 
19,  1877.  She  had  been  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  for  over 
40  years. 

JTenry  E.  Dean,  deceased,  was  born  in  Litchtield,  Conn.,  Oct. 
5,  1809,  where  at  the  age  of  22  he  united]  with  the  Congregational 
Church.  He  removed  with  his  parents  to  this  county  in  the  fall 
of  1836,  and  settled  on  sec.  34,  Griggs\!ille  tp.  Here  he  united  with 
the  M.  E.  Church.  He  died  March  15,  1877,  leaving  a  wife  and  7 
children.  He  was  married  Jan.  13,  1842,  to  Mary  L.  Cohenour, 
daughter  of  John  Cohenour,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dean  had  8 
children,  of  whom  7  are  living, — Annie  E.,  Harriet  A.  (now  Mrs. 
John  Hedges,  of  Christian  Co.,  111.,)  John  A.,  Geo.  H.,  Mary  J., 
Oliver  R.  and  Charles  D.  Mrs.  Dean  was  born  in  Huntingdon  Co., 
Pa.,  Jan.  9,  1821,  where  she  was  raised  until  15  years  of  age,  when 
she  came  with  her  parents  to  this  county,  settling  in  Griggs- 
ville tp. , 

Lucy  M.  Diokerson,  a  native  of  England,  was  born  Sept.  19, 
1842,  and  is  the  daughter  of  "Wm.  Hobson,  who  came  to  Illinois 
about  the  year  1847,  and  settled  in  Flint  tp.  He  was  a  stone  mason 
and  was  killed  while  the  Griggsville  high  school  building  was 
under  the  process  of  erecton,  by  a  runaway  team  Our  subject  was 
married  in  1858  to  James  D.  Dickerson.  They  have  5  children, — 
Orson  J.,  Wm.  I.,  Ella  M.,  Stephen  L.  and  Laura  M. 

Theodore  Dickerson  was  born  in  JSorthfield,  Mass.,  Dec.  24, 
1796,  and  there  received  his  education.  In  1811  hewas  apprenticed 
to  Gustus  Lyman,  a  blacksmith,  of  Deerfield,  Mass.,  where  he  served 
6  years.  In  1818  he  went  to  Salem,  Mass.,  worked  at  his  trade  one 
year,  went  to  Boston  in  1819,  and  in  1820  began  business  in  that 
place  for  himself.  In  1831  he  came  to  Pike  county,  and  settled  on 
sec.  1,  Griggsville  tp.  In  1833  lie  removed  to  Griggsville,  which 
then  contained  but  three  or  four  houses;  kept  boarding  house  in 
1833,  when  3  families  lodged  in  the  same  room.  In  1822  Mr.  D. 
was  married  in  Boston,  to  Mary  T.  Beckford,  a  native  of  Salem, 
Mass.  She  was  born  Jan.  1,  1800.  They  have  had  7  children,  4 
■of  whom  are  living, — Theodore  F.,  Elijah,  Emma  A.  and  Horace  P. 

J.  E.  Dix  <&  Son,  boot  and  shoe  dealers.  This  enterprising  firm 
embarked  in  the  boot  and  shoe  trade  in  Griggsville  in  1859,  in  which 
they  are  still  engaged,  enjoying  a  large  trade. 

John  Dix,  while  residing  in  his  native  place,  Townsend,  Mass., 
studied  the  books  and  reports  concerning  the  West,  from  which  he 
learned  that  "  all  the  worthless  land  belonged  to  Uncle  Sam,  while 
the  very  best  land  belonged  to  the  soldiers."  He  therefore  pur- 
chased a  soldier's  claim  in  1837,  and  started  West  to  occupy  the  land, 
<5oming  by  water  around  Florida  and  up  the  Mississippi,  meeting 
■with  many  exciting  experiences .     On  arriving  at  the  promised  land 


634  HISTORY    OF   PIKE   COUNTY/ 

in  this  Great  West,  he  found  it  rough  and  bluffy,  and  not  worth 
two  cents  an  acre.  Having  been  brought  up  in  a  city,  Mr.  Dix 
said  he  was  very  "green"  when  he  came  to  the  West;  and  after 
settling  on  his  land  he  "  started  up  the  creek  to  hunt  for  a  rock  to 
make  a  grindstone,  to  grind  his  ax,  to  chop  some  logs,  to  build  a 
cabin,  to  make  some  shingles  in,  to  sell  to  buy  pork  with."  He  re- 
lates many  other  awkward  experiences  he  had  in  his  introduction 
to  Western  pioneer  life.  We  give  one  more.  Hearing  of  a  mill  at 
some  distance  he  loaded  some  corn  upon  his  ox-cart,  and  blazing  the 
trees  as  he  went  to  mark  the  way,  he  at  last  arrived  at  the  mill, 
when  lo!  it  was  only  a  saw-mill!  JSTight  overtook  him  on  his  way 
home  and  he  was  obliged  to  get  out  of  the  cart  and  feel  for  the 
blazed  trees  in  order  to  find  his  way  home.  In  1818  Mr.  Dix 
married  Mary  Wilson,  a  native  of  Lynn,  Mass.  They  had  7  chil- 
dren, of  whom  but  2  are  living,  Ellen  M.  and  John  E. 

Levi  W.  Dix,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Maiden,  Mass.,  and  was 
born  Feb.  15,  1821 ;  was  the  son  of  John  Dix,  now  of  Griggsville. 
He  came  to  Illinois  with  his  father  in  1837,  and. was  married  in 
184:1  to  Kuth  E.  Kiddle,  a  native  of  Yarmouth,  Nova  Scotia,  and 
daughter  of  Arthur  Kiddle,  deceased.  They  had  5  children,  3  liv- 
ing,— Sarah  F.,  E.ollin  M.,  and  Margaret  E.  Mr.  Dix  engaged  in 
merchandising  with  James  Brakefield  in  Griggsville,  and  died 
April  30,  1874. 

John  W.  Doan  was  born  Nov.  12,  1834,  in  Clermont  Co.,  0., 
and  is  a  son  of  Wm.  and  Susanna  Doan_j  deceased.  The  former  was 
a  native  of  Connecticut  and  the  latter  of  Massachusetts.  Our  sub- 
ject was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio,  and  was  raised 
on  a  farm.  He  came  to  Pike  county  with  his  mother  and  family 
in  1859,  where  he  has  since  resided.  His  father  was  the  Hon.  Wm. 
Doan,  an  ex-Member  of  Congress  from  Ohio,  and  also  a  surgeon  of 
the  1st  Keg't,  3d  Brigade,  and  8th  Division  in  the  Ohio  State 
Militia.  Our  subject  resides  on  sec.  15,  Griggsville  tp.,  and  is  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  stock-raising. 

Edward  Doocy  was  born  Oct.  24,  1851,  in  Griggsville,  and  is  a 
graduate  of  Illinois  College  at  Jacksonville,  111.,  of  the  class  of 
1871.  He  read  law  about  3  years,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1874, 
and  is  now  practicing  in  Griggsville.  He  is  now  a  successful  prac- 
titioner, and  bids  fair  to  become  one  of  Pike  county's  foremost  attor- 
neys. He  is  President  of  the  Pike  County  Christian  Tempetance 
Union. 

Ahel  Dunham,  a  native  of  Harrison  Co.,  O.,  was  born  July  16, 
1819,  and  is  a  son  of  Wm.  and  Mary  (Chaney)  Dunham,  deceased; 
was  raised  on  a  farm  and  received  a  limited  education  in  a  subscrip- 
tion school.  He  was  married  Aug.  13,  1839,  to  Eachel  Hardin, 
by  whom  he  had  10  children,  and  of  these  6  are  living,  Aman- 
da, Isabelle,  Mary  E.,  Frances  A.,  Joshua  L.  and  Joseph  M. 
His  father  was  a  soldier  of  the  Kevolution  and  was  among  the 
number  who  cut  their  shoes  into  pieces,  broiling  them  in  the  fire 
and  making  coffee  of  them.     Our  subject  came  to  Illinois  in  1845, 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  636 

arriving  at  Griggsville  Landing  "N^ov.  26,  1845,  at  8  p.  m.  He  fol- 
lowed farming  and  stock-raising  until  within  a  few  years  ;  is  now 
retired  and  resides  in  the  village  of  May-sville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dun- 
ham are  both  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

Nathaniel  Z'wTiAaOTisanative  of  Marjdand;  was  a  son  of  Lewis 
Dunham,  who  brought  his  family  to  this  county  in  1844,  and  was 
born  Sept.  12,  1802  ;  was  a  cooper  by  trade,  but  for  the  most  part 
followed  farming  after  moving  West.  He  died  Sept.  14,  1866. 
Our  subject  was  born  in  Warren  Co.,  O.,  Feb.  14,  1834,  and  came 
with  his  parents  to  this  county  in  1844,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  was  married  Oct.  26, 1854,  to  Mary  A.  Kiser,  daughter  of  Daniel 
Kiser,  deceased,  who  also  settled  in  Pike  county  in  1844.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dunham  have  had  7  children,  of  whom  5  are  living, — Daniel, 
Wm.  H.,  Lewis  O.,  Charles  E.  and  Orpha  J.  Mrs.  Dunham  was 
born  in  Warren  Co.,  Ind.,  May  3,  1838.  Mr.  D.  resides  on  sec. 
18,  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 

Wm.  Dunhim  was  born  in  Harrison  Co.,  O.,  April  lY,  1829,  son 
of  Lewis  and  Sarah  A.  D.,  who  with  the  family  emigrated  to  this 
county  in  1844.  Lewis  died  in  Sept.,  1865,  and!  Sarah  A.  is  now 
Mrs.  Leander  Filson,  of  Maysville,  this  Co.  In  1850  Mr.  D.  went 
to  California  and  followed  mining  and  trading  in  stock  ;  on  his 
return  he  was  shipwrecked  Nov.  15,  1853,  off  the  coast  of  the 
island  Anicapa,  350  miles  from  San  Francisco,  and  was  not  rescued 
for  5  days.  The  crew  and  passengers  also  had  another  narrow  ' 
escape  from  death  by  explosion  of  a  boiler,  which  was  discovered 
red  hot.  He  returned  to  this  county  Jan.  12,  1854,  and  for  a  time 
followed  breaking  prairie.  Aug.  9,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Nancy, 
daughter  of  Thos.  Carnes,  now  of  Schuyler  Co.,  111.  They  have 
had  11  children,  of  whom  6  are  living  :  Thomas,  Elizabeth  A., 
Julia  B.,  William  H.,  Nathaniel  W.  and  Jason.  Mrs.  Dunham 
died  May  28,  1877,  and  Mr.  D.  married  the  widow  of  Wm.  Ervin, 
Oct.  4  following.  Mrs.  Dunham  had  5  children  by  her  first  hus- 
band, of  whom  4  are  living, — George  H.,  Sarah  J.,  Martha  D.  S. 
and  Harriet  E.  E.  Mr.  D.  is  a  farmer  on  sec.  7,  Mr.  D.  helped 
to  construct  the  first  railroad  in  Illinois,  that  from  Naples  to 
Jacksonville. 

Lycurgus  Eastman.  Roger  Eastman,  an  ancestor  of  our  sub- 
ject, was  born  in  Wales  in  1611,  and  came  to  Massachusetts  in 
1640,  locating  at  Salisbury  ;  his  wife's  name  was  Sarah,  who  died 
Dec.  16,  1694,  aged  83 ;  had  10  children.  Philip,  the  3d  child, 
moved  to  Haverhill,  where  his  house  was  burned  by  the  Indians 
and  some  of  the  family  taken  prisoners.  Ebenezer,  a  son  of  his, 
was  born  Jan.  10, 1689,' and  died  July  28, 1748  ;  his  3d  child,  Capt. 
Joseph,  was  born  June  10,  1715,  married  Abigail  Mellen,  who  died 
in  March,  1801  ;  of  their  6  children  the  3d  was  Moses,  who  was 
born  March  3, 1743,  and  who  married  Lucretia  Tyler  in  Pembroke, 
N.  H. ;  he  died  in  1796,  and  his  eldest  son,  Charles,  was  born  Dec. 
11,  1774,  and  married  Sally  Bradley  Nov.  29,  1798,  at  Concord,  N. 
H.;  she  died  Dec.  9,  1809,  and  he  Sept.  26,  1847  ;  but  by  his  sec- 


536  HISTORY    OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

ond  marriage  he  had  6  children,  of  whom  Lycurgus,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  the  youngest ;  he  was  born  in  Concord,  N.  H., 
July  4,  1807,  where  he  resided  until  17  years  old,  when  he  was 
apprenticed  to  learn  the  wheelwright's  trade  at  Quincy,  Mass.  In 
1834  he  emigrated  West,  locating  on  sec.  8,  this  tp.,  where  he 
remained  33  years,  and  then  sold  his  farm  and  moved  to  Griggs- 
ville,  where  he  now  lives.  In  1832  he  married  Elouisa  B.  Sim- 
mons, and  their  4  children  are  :  Maria  B.,  now  Mrs.  E.  O.  Hills, 
of  Chicago  ;  Susan  B.,  wife  of  Peter  Northrop,  of  Turner,  111.; 
Harriet  N.,  a  missionary  teacher  in  Toungoo,  Burmah;  and  Charles 
L.,  of  Whiting,  Kansas.  Mrs.  Eastman  died  Aug,  12,  1844,  and 
Mr.  E.  again  married,  in  May,  1845,  this  time  JRebecca  L.  Hum- 
phris,  by  whom  he  had  7  children  ;  4  are  living,  namely,  Emeline 
H.,  now  the  wife  of  Dr.  J.  L.  Love,  of  Whiting,  Kan.;  Lucy  J., 
teacher  of  grade  4  in  Griggsville  Union  School ;  Ella  E.,  now  Mrs. 
John  Q.  Brown,  a  farmer  in  this  tp.;  and  George  E.,  of  Whiting, 
Kan.  The  names  of  the  deceased  were  Elouisa  R.,  Lucretia  G. 
(Mrs.  Henry  C.  Love)  and  Etta  Adelaide. 

Thomas  P.  JElledge  is  a  son  of  Boone  Elledge,  and  great-grandson 
of  Neddie  Boone,  a  brother  of  Daniel  Boone,  the  hero  of  pioneer  days 
of  Kentucky.  The  Elledges  still  keep  up  the  name  of  Boone  in  the 
family.  Thomas  P.  was  born  in  Harrison  Co.,  Ind.,  April  27,  1825; 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  and 
came  with  his  parents  to  this  county  in  1836,  settling  on  sec.  6, 
Griggsville  tp.,  where  he  still  resides,  and  is  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  Feb.  11, 1847,  to  Margaret  J. 
Simpson,  daughter  of  the  late  Matthew  Simpson,  and  they  have  had 
6  children,  Rebecca  J.,  James  A.,  Hattie  A.,  Matthew  B.,  Mary  C. 
and  an  infant.     The  three  latter  are  deceased. 

Uriah  Elledge,  son  of  Boone  Elledge,  deceased,  was  born  in  Clark 
Co.,  Ky.,  Kov.  22,  1802.  He  came  to  Scott  Co.,  111.,  in  1823;  had 
to  go  to  Upper  Alton  on  Wood  river,  a  distance  of  125  miles,  to 
mill.  In  1826  a  Mr.  John  Pearson  erected  a  horse-mill  within 
about  2  miles  of  Mr.  EUedge's  house.  While  in  Scott  county  Mr. 
E.  worked  for  Alex.  Bell  18  months.  He  was  married  March  26, 
1825,  to  Catharine  Scott,  daughter  of  John  Scott,  |for  whom  the 
county  was  named.  They  had  8  children,  of  whom  5  are  living, — 
Rebecca  E.,  Mary  M.,  John  H.,  Emily  J.  and  Uriah  D.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Elledge  removed  to  where  Griggsville  now  stands,  in  1825, 
but  on  account  of  sickness  returned  to  Scott  county,  the  following 
autumn.  In  1830  he  came  back  to  Griggsville  tp.,  where  he  resides 
on  sec.  13.  Mrs.  Mledge  died  Jan.  9,  1855,  and  Dec.  12,  1858,  Mr. 
Elledge  married  Mrs.  Delia  Ball,  by  whom  he  has  had  4  children, — 
Anna  B.,  Florence  M.,  Charles  H.  and  Frederick  O.  In  the  year 
1849  Mr.  Elledge,  accompanied  by  his  son,  Daniel  B.,  went  over- 
land to  California,  with  the  first  emigrant  train  that  went  in  search 
of  gold.  Daniel  died  there,  and  Mr.  Elledge  returned  in  December, 
1851.  He  served  in  the  Winnebago  war,  and  3  of  his  sons,  William, 
John  and  Uriah,  were  in  the  late  war.   William  died  while  in  the 


1 


'Oc^4^  ^i^^CKy?  c- 


3RISGSVILLE 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  539 

service.     His  daughter  Eebecca  was  the  first  female  child  born  in 
Griggsville  tp.,  which  occurred  Oct.  26,  1831. 

Moses  Elliott  was  born  in  Wheeling,  Ya.,  March  18,  1819,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Esther  Elliott,  deceased;  was  raised  on  a 
farm  in  Koss  county,  0.;  received  a  common-school  education,  and 
was  the  eldest-  of  10  children.  He  was  married  Oct.  2,  1863,  to 
Jane  Perry,  daughter  of  Joseph  Perry,  deceased,  and  now  resides 
on  sec.  35,  Griggsville  tp.,  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 
Mrs.  Elliott  was  born  in  Ireland  Aug.  24,  1815,  and  came  with  her 
parents  to  Ofinada  in  1834,  and  to  Pike  county  in  1849.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Elliott  have  had  2  sons, — Geo.  P.  and  Eichard  W. 

E.  Q.  Farrand  was  born  in  Bridgeport,  Yt.,  Nov.  13,  1814;  left 
his  native  State  at  the  age  of  18  and  went  to  Michigan,  where  he 
remained  until  1845,  then  removed  to  Morgan  county,  111.,  and  in 
1849  went  to  California,  where  he  remained  until  1852.  He  then 
returned  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Griggsville.  Since  1861  he  has 
been  successfully  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade,  and  dealing  in  doors, 
sash,  blinds,  etc.,  carrying  a  stock  of  $12,000  to  $15,000.  In 
1852  he  married  Elizabeth  J.  McWilliams,  of  Griggsville,  and 
they  have  4  boys, — James  A.,  M.  K.,  Harvey  L.  and  Frederick  H. 

Joseph  A.  Ferguson,  son  of  David  and  Margaret  Ferguson,  was 
born  in  Franklin  Co.,  Pa.,  May  2,  1822;  was  raised  a  farmer;  came 
to  this  county  in  1847;  bought  a  farm  on  sec.  16,  Griggsville  tp., 
where  he  still  resides,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 
He  was  married  Dec.  17,  1845,  to  Jennie  N.,  daughter  of  James 
and  Martha  Stark,  of  Franklin  Co.,  Pa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferguson 
have  5  children, — "Wm.  J.,  Margaret  J.,  David  A.,  Albert  P.  and 
Edward  C.  Wm.  J.  is  married  to  Ella  Hitch  and  resides  in  Griggs- 
ville ;  Margaret  J.  is  married  to  Wm.  S.  Murray,  and  resides  ia 
Murrayville,  Morgan  Co.,  111. 

David  Fielding,  deceased,  was  born  in  Miami  Co.,  O.,  May  11,, 
1807.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  New  Carlisle,  O. 
He  was  married  Dec.  1,  1835,  to  Mary  (Moore)  Smallcy,  widow  of 
Jesse  Sinalley,  and  daughter  of  Samuel  Moore.  She  was  born  in 
Dayton,  O.,  Oct  18,  1805,  when  there  were  but  6  buildings  in  that 
place.  She  had  3  children  by  her  first  husband, — Ellen,  Abigail, 
deceased,  and  Prudence  E..  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fielding  had  6  children, 
— Charlotte,  Mary,  Jesse,  Fannie,  Clara  and  Albert.  The  two 
latter  are  deceased.  Mr.  Fielding  was  a  worthy  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church  for  31  years.  He  died  March  9,  1867,  loved  and 
respected  by  all.  His  last  words  were,  "  I  never  thought  it  would 
be  so  easy  when  I  came  to  die."  He  left  messages  for  absent 
children,  requesting  them  to  meet  him  in  Heaven.  He  partook  of 
the  Lord's  Supper  just  before  his  death.  Mr.  Fielding  had  -been 
married  once  before,  to  Charlotte  Miller,  by  whom  he  had  4  children, 
— Maria,  Jeremiah,  Daniel  and  Henrietta. 

Wathom  French  was  born  in  Merrimac  Co.,  JST.  H.,  in  1804,  and 
was  raised  on  a  farm  iiritil  18  years  old ;  then  went  to  sea  and  remained 
8  years.    During  this  time  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  14  times  and 

32 


540 


HISTORY    OF'PIKB    COUNTY. 


visited  the  cities  of  Rochelle,  St.  Petersburg,  Amsterdam,  Stock- 
holm and  others.  He  sailed  around  Cape  Horn  on  his  way  to  Japan 
during  his  whaling  voyage,  wherein  72  whales  were  caught,  from 
which  2,500  barrels  of  oil  were  obtained.  In  1831  he  removed  to 
New  Orleans,  where  he  resided  for  three  years  and  followed  carpen- 
tering. In  1835  he  located  at  Alton,  and  came  to  Griggsville  one 
year  afterward.  At  tliat  time  Grigsrsviile  contained  160  inhabitants. 
In  1840  Mr.  F.  was  married  to  Harriet,  daughter  of  the  late  David 
Hoyt,  of  pioneer  history.  Tiiey  had  4  children,  of  whom  3  are 
living, — ^Wm.'H.,  Lizzie  E.  (now  Mrs.  Bar.nhart)  her  husband 
being  of  the  firm  of  Barnhart  Bros.  &  Co.,  Chicago)  and  Mary  W., 
teacher  in  the  high  school  at  Decatur,  111.  Wm,  H.  is  agent  for 
the  Western  Associated  Press,  Chicago. 

Frcmois  Frye  was  born  in  Detroit  tp.,  Pike  Co.,  in  1843,  and 
is  the  son  of  the  noted  Jona,than  Frye,  the  great  pioneer  miller  of 
Big  Blue  river.  Our  subject  was  married  in  Aug.,  1867,  to  Mary 
L.,  daughter  of  J.  M.  Griffin,  of  Kansas.  They  have  5  children, 
— Alta,  Wm.  E.,  Eva  Lee,  John  W.  and  Lora  E.  Mr.  Frye  is  one 
of  the  proprietors  of  Frye's  Mill  in  Griggsville. 

Peleg  Oardner  was  born  in  Hancock  Co.,  Me.,  April  20, 1803, 
and  is  the  son  of  Peleg  Gardner,  deceased.  He  went  to  Boston, 
Mass.,  in  1824,  where  he  remained  for  11  years,  working  at  the 
carpenter's  trade.  He  was  married  in  Boston  July  16,  1826,  to 
Caroline  Hutchinson,  by  whom  he  had  4  children,  all  of  whom  are 
dead.  He  came  to  Griggsville  in  1835,  where  he  pursued  his  pro- 
fession for  several  years.  Mrs.  Gardner  died  in  1850  and  the  year' 
following  Mr.  Gardner  married  Maria  J.  Fielding,  who  died  May 
14,  1853.  Sept.  4th  of  the  same  year  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
C.  Bazin.  After  toiling  many  years  in  improving  the  town  ot 
Griggsville  Mr.  Gardner  had  a  stroke  of  paralysis  which  has 
rendered  him  a  permanent  invalid. 

Jacob  Goldman  is  a  native  of  Clark  county,  Ky.,  where  he  was 
born  Oct.  15,  1816.  -When  but. 13  years  of  age  he  came  to  Pike 
county  with  his  parents,  who  settled  on  sec.  23-,  Griggsville  tp., 
where  he  has  resided  since  that  time.  He  has  enjoyed  many  a  deer 
and  wolf  hunt.  Once  he  saw  36  deer  in  one  herd,  and  at  one  time 
killed  9  wolves.  He  saw  the  first  steam-boat  that  plied  the  Illinois 
river  and  knows  all  about  grubbing  and  picking  brush,  rolling  logs, 
etc.;  and  after  working  hard  all  day  he  would  grind  corn  in  a  hand- 
mill  until  9  or  10  o'clock  at  night,  to  procure  bread  for  the  follow- 
ing day.  They  used  harness  and  single  and  double  trees  of  their 
own  Tnanufacture,  which  were  made  of  hickory  bark,  corn  "  shucks " 
and  poles.  Mr.  Goldman  helped  to  raise  the  first  house  in  Pitts- 
field  and  hewed  the  first  timber  that  was  used  for  building  purposes 
in  Griggsville.  He  has  been  chased  by  wolves  when  bringing 
home  his  game  on  old  "  Blaze,"  but  his  faithful  dog  "  Tiger  "  was 
ever  on  the  alert,  and  would  invariably  drive  them  away.  He  has 
been  married  twice,  the  first  time  to  Bethlehem  Wade,  aijd  the 
second  time  to  Otelia,  Jaritzs,  who  crossed  the  ocean  in  1834.    Mr, 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  541 

Ooldman  is  the  father  of  12  children,  of  whom  8  are  living, — Josiah, 
Newton' B.,  Ellen  H.,  Hardin  H.,  Emma  J.,  Melvin,  Elizabeth  and 
Tictoria.     He  is  engaged  in  farming  on  sec.  34,  Griggsville  tp.    • 

Alfred  Gordon,  a  pioneer  of  Pike  county,  was  born  in  Hillsboro 
Co.,  N.  H.,  Nov.  4,  1794;  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
■the  common  schools.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1836  and  settled 
in  Griggsville  tp.  In  1843  he  purchased  a  farm  on  sec.  16  of  this 
tp.,  where  he  still  resides.  He  was  married  in  March,  1824,  to 
Mary  D.  Jones,  by  whom  he  had  5  children, — Alfred  A.,  Nathan- 
iel H.,  Moses, .  Mary  A.  and  Geo.  Washington,  all  of  whom  are 
dead  except  George,  who  resides  with  his  father  and  attends  to  the 
farm.  In  185Y  George  was  married  to  Ellen  Smith,  daughter  of 
John  Smith,  deceased,  an  early  settler  of  Pike  county.  They-  have 
Iiad  4  children,  3  of  whom  are  living, — Charley,  Willie  and  Nellie. 
The  tw:o  latter  are  twins.  Mrs.  Alfred  Gordon  died  April  24, 1867. 
Our  subject  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  under  Gen.  Dear- 
laorn,  and  endured  unusual  hardships  and  privations.  He  has  been 
«,  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  over  47  years  and  has  held 
many  offices  of  trust.  In  N.,  H.  he  was  Overseer  of  the  Poor  and 
was  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature  of  that  State  for  4  successive 
terms.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Treasurer  of  the  school 
fund  in  Pike  Co.;  is  also  a  surveyor,  which  business  he  has  pur- 
sued more  or  less.  In  the  year  1842  he  taught  school  in  Griggs- 
ville. 

Dcmiel  B.  Chiffin  was  born  in  Pike  Co.,  Oct.  17, 1839,  and  is 
the  son  of  Lorenzo  D.  Griffin,  deceased.  He  was  married  in  1860 
to  MaryE.  Baker,  and  they  had  one  child.  Mrs.  Griffin  and  child 
both  died  in  1862,  of  the  small-pox,  as  also  di'd  Mr.  G.'s  father. 
In  1864  he  again  married,  this  time  Sarah  A.  Fowler,  and  they  had 
-6  children,  of  whom  3  are  living, — Lizzie,  Eiley  and  Noley.  Mr. 
■Griffin  is  an  engineer  by  profession,  but  is  now  engaged  in  pack- 
ing and  shipping  flour  with  McMahan  &  Co. 

M.  Hains further,  merchant,  Griggsville,  is  a  native  of  Germany; 
•came  to  America  in  1853  and  located  in  Winchester,  Scott  Co.,  111., 
-and  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business;  also  clothing,  boots  and 
■shoes.  He  located  in  Griggsville  in  1860,  where  he  followed  the 
same  business.  He  carries  a  stock  of  about  $18,000,  and  has  a  large 
trade.  He  commenced  business  by  peddling  over  the  country, 
■carrying  his  goods  on  his  back.  He  was  married  in  1863  to  Ee- 
becca  Cohn,  and  they  have  had  6  children,  5  of  whom  are  living, — 
Millie,  Nathan,  Bessie,  Harry  and  Lusettie. 

Alel  Harrington  was  born  in  Albany  county,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  20, 
1824,  and  is  a  son  of  the  late  Judge  Harrington,  so  well  known  in 
the  pioneer  history  of  this  county.  Our  subject  came  to  this  county 
with  his  parents  in  1835,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  mar- 
Tied  Feb.  7,  1847,  to  Eliza  J.  Sheeley,  daughter  of  Abel  and  Mary 
A.  Sheeley,  well  known  in  the  history  of  this  and  Morgan  counties. 
■She  was  born  in  Naples,  Scott  Co.,  in  1825.  Mr.  H.'s  mother-in- 
law,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  (Kenney;  Sheeley,  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Pa., 


542 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COITNTT. 


May  16,  1801 ;  sbe  came  to  what  is  now  Scott  county  in  1821,  and 
to  this  county  in  1829.  She  was  married  in  Feb.,  1819,  to  John 
Hollins.  They  had  two  children.  Mr.  Hollins  died  in  1822,  and 
in  1824  his  widow  married  Abel  Shelley.  They  had  9  children,  4 
of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Harrington  resides  on  sec.  2 ;  P.  0.; 
Griggsville. 

Charles  Harrington,  deceased.  Judge  Charles  Harrington  was 
born  in  that  part  of  Grafton,  Mass.,  known  as  New  England  vil- 
lage, in  1T95;  in  1811  he  went  to  Kodman,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
remained  three  years,  engaging  in'  the  woolen  business;  his  factory, 
with  two  others,  was  burned,  it  is  supposed,  by  a  jealous  Canadian; 
he  then  taught  school  for  a  time  and  located  in  Guilderland,  N.  Y., 
where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Charles  Mason  in  the  manu- 
facture of  woolen  goods;  he  Remained  there  until  1836,  when  he 
came  to  Griggsville  and  continued  his  residence  in  Pike  coiinty 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  Aug.  15,  1873.  He  was  a  worthy 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  47  years,  and  an  ordained  min- 
ister for  29  years.  He  was  called  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the 
Perry  Baptist  Church,  where  he  remained  for  several  years.  Upon 
the  organization  of  the  Quincy  Baptist  Association  in  1843,  he  was 
elected  Moderator,  and  held  the  positi'on  for  11  years.  In  1850  he 
was  elected  County  Judge  for  Pike  county.  He  was  ever  a  bold, 
fearless  champion  of  the  cause  of  temperance,  truth  and  morality. 
His  efforts  in  the  cause  of  temperance  when  a  young  man,  as  well 
as  his  activity  and  zeal  in  religious  meetings  after  he  made  a  pro- 
fession of  religion,  led  the  Church  in  Schenectady,  of  which  he  was 
first  a  member,  to  see  his  aptness  to  teach,  and  they  granted  him 
license  to  preach.  He  was  a  very  forcible,  convincing  speaker,  but 
never  depended  upon  preaching  for  a  support.  He  supplied  many 
weak  and  destitute  churches  at  different  times. 

Charles  W.  Harrington  was  born  in  Griggsville  tp.  Dec.  14, 
1852,  and  is  the  son  of  the  late  Samuel  Harrington,  an  early  pio- 
neer. He  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools;  was  married  in  Aug.,  1875,  to  Anna,  daughter  of  Christian 
Hoss,*.of  Griggsville  tp.  They  have  had  3  children. — Mattie.  Ellis 
and  Freddie.  Mr.  H.  is  engaged  in  farming  and  owns  80  acres  ot 
valuable  land  on  sees.  11  and  12,  Griggsville  tp.  In  1874  he 
took  a  tour  through  Kansas  and  Missouri,  and  returned  the  same 
year. 

Geo.  P.  Harrington.,  son  of  Judge  Harrington,  was  born  in 
Griggsville  tp.,  sec.  1.,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  July  17, 
1839.  Judge  Harrington,  a  native  of  Grafton,  Mass.,  was  born 
Nov.  17,  1795;  was  married  Jan.  9,  1823,  to  Hannah  Scranton,  by 
whom  he  had  6  children, — Abel,  Samuel,  Paniel,  James,  Abbieand 
George  P.,  who  is  the  youngest.  Mrs.  Harrington  was  born  in 
Stephentown,  Eensellaer  Co.,  JST.  Y.,  Oct.,  1801,  and  died  Oct.  25, 
1878.  Our  subject  was  married  Jan.  26,  1867,  to  Louisa,  daughter 
of  Ebenezer  C.  Maddiix,  deceased.  They  had  6  children,  of  whom 
4  are  living, — Bertha,  Jennie,  Hannah  and  Louisa.     Mrs.  Harring- 


HISTOET   OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  543 

ton  died  Dec.  18,  1879,  loved  and  respected  by  all.  She  was  born 
in  Hamilton  Co.,  O.,  June  20,  1848.  In  1868  the  family  removed 
to  Kansas,  where  Mrs.  H.  was  attacked  with  chills,  from  which  she 
never  recovered.  The  following  year  they  returned  to  Pike  county. 
The  Independent  Press,  of  Griggsville,  contained  the  following 
obituary  notice  Dec.  25, 1879 : 

"  Loving  hearts  are  doomed  to  sorrow, 
Trusting  souls  to  pine  and  die ; 
Beauteous  flowers  bloom  and  perish 
'Neath  the  hot  and  burning  sky. 

"  Then,  if  all  in  life  is  fleeting, 
If  on  earth  no  joy  is  given. 
Let  us  seek  for  rest  unchanging, 
In  the  Christian's  home  in  heaven." 

Samuel  M.  Harrington  wa's  born  in  Albany  Co.,  JN".  Y.,  April 
19, 1827,  and  is  a  son  of  the  late  Judge  Harrington.  He  came  to 
this  county  with  his  parents  in  1835.  He  was  married  in  1848  to 
Charity  Elledge,  daughter  of  William  and  Tabitha  Elledge ;  they 
have  had  4  cliildren,  of  whom  3  are  living, — Sarah  A.,  Charles  "W". 
a^d  Ada  Belle.  Mr.  H.  spent  one  year  in  Colorado  during  the 
gold  excitement.  His  grandfather,  Samuel  Harrington,  was  born 
in  Grafton,  Mass.,  Aug.  13,  1769,  and  his  grandmother  was  Abigail 
Putnam,  a  relative  of  Gen.  Israel  Putnam,  renowned  in  the  war  of 
the  Eevolution.  Mr.  H.  was  a  member  of  the  U.  B.  Church.  He 
died  June  24,  1875.  If  we  should  attempt  to  enumerate  his  many 
virtues  we  shquld  fill  pages  of  history. 

Ferry  JSarshman  was  born  in  Preble  Co.,  O.,  Oct.  13,  1842,  and 
is  the  son  of  Peter  Harshman,  now  of  Griggsville  tp.  He  came 
with  his  parents  to  this  county  in  1852,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  now  lives  near  Griggsville,  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  owns  about  320  acres  of  land. 

Peter  Harshman,  son  of  Peter  Harshman,  sr.,  deceased,  was  born 
in  Preble  Co.,  O.,  in  1813.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  received 
a  limited  education  in  a  subscription  school.  He  was  married  in 
1836  to  Susannah  Sherer,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Catharine  Sherer,  • 
deceased,  and  a  sister  of  Dr.  D.  J.  Sherer,  of  Grandview,  Edgar 
Co.,  111.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harshman  have  had  10  children,  of  whom 
5  are  living, — ISToah  L.,  Perry,  Eli,  Eachel  Ann  and  Daniel.  They 
removed  to  this  county  in  1852  and  settled  in  Pittsfield  tp.,  where 
they  resided  until  the  spring  of  1869,  whenjthey'removed  to  Griggs- 
ville tp.  and  settled  on  sec.  11 .  Mr.  H.  and  his  son  Noah  are  now 
traveling  in  Washington  Territory  and  the  West.  He  has  always 
been  engaged  in  farming.  Mrs.  Harshman's  father  was  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  was  one  of  the  soldiers  of  Hull's  army  that  sur- 
rendered at  the  siege  of  Detroit. 

Dr.  L.  J.  Harvey  was  born  in  Warner,  N.  H.,  Oct.  6,  1851 ; 
had  an  academical  education;  came  to  Griggsville  in  1872  and  read 
medicine  under  the  late  Dr.  Wilson;  attended  Bellevue  Hospital 


544:  HISTOEY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Medical  College,  of  New  York  city,  and  also  the  St.  Louis  Medical 
College,  where  he  graduated  in  1875;  after  spending  a  few  months 
in  the  city  hospital  there  he  located  in  Griggsville,  where  he  has  a 
large  practice  In  May,  1876,  he  married  Bella  Kenney,  daughter 
of  Charles  Kenney,  of  Griggsville,  and  they  have  one  little  boy, 
IraK 

Frank  Hatch  was  born  in  Hillsboro  Co.,  N.  H.,  March  21, 
1825,  and  is  a  son  of  Reuben  Hatch  (deceased),  who  was  also  a 
native  of  l^ew  Hampshire.  He  was  reared  and  educated  for  the 
most  part,  in  Griggsville,  having  come  to  this  place,  with  his 
parents  in  1836.  He  was  married  Nov.  30,  1852,  to  Kebecca  Ben- 
nett, daughter  of  Simeon  Bennett  (deceased).  They  have  3  chil- 
dren,— Charles  P.,  Celia  J.  and  Marshall  P.  Mr.  Hatch  has  seen 
the  rough  places  made  smooth,  and  the  vacant  prairies  of  Pike 
county  made  into  valuable  farms.  He  resides  on  sec.  16,  Griggs- 
ville tp.,  where  he  is  engaged  .in  farming  and  stock-raising, 
making  the  latter  a  specialty. 

Isaac  A.  Hatch,  banker,  was  born  in  Hillsboro,  N.  H. ,  Sept.  13, 
1812  ;  came  to  Griggsville  in  1835,  where  he  still  resides;  has  fol- 
lowed farming,  milling,  collecting  revenue,  merchandising  and 
banking  in  this  county;  is  now  in  the  last  named  business.  Oc- 
tober, 1840,  he  married  Lydia  B.,  sister  of  Moses  E.  Baxter,  of 
Griggsville.     Their  2  children  are  Abbie  A.  and  John  Franklin. 

Mason  Hatch  was  born  in  this  township  April  26,  1846,  son  of 
Sylvanus  Hatch,  deceased;  the  latter  was  born  in  Hillsboro,  N. H., 
in. 1816;  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  died  March  17,1868. 
Mason  was  educated  in  the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  111., 
and  has  taught  school  most  of  the  time  for  8  years,  but  is  now 
farming  on  the  old  home  place,  sec.  9. 

Jacob  Hendricks  was  born  in  Harrison  Co.,  O.^  March  22,  1831, 
and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  Hendricks,  of  Adams  Co.,  111.  He  was 
•raised  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  common-school  education;  was 
married  Aug.  28,  1855,  to  Nancy  M.  Bobison,  daughter  of  William 
Eobison,  deceased,  who  brought  his  family  to  this  county  in  1847. 
t  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hendricks  have  had  10  children,  of  whom  7  are  liv- 
ing,— Leah  J.,  William  E.,  Mary  E.,  Andrew  G.,  Laura  0.,  Estella 
E.,  and  Charles  E.  Mr.  Hendricks  is  a  farmer,  but  is  now  engaged 
in  the  grain  and  stock  business  at  Maysville. 

George  D.  Hensell  was  born  in  Wheeling,  W.  Ya.,  March  23, 
1854,  son  of  Eobert  Hensell,  now  of  Griggsville  ;  when  our  sub- 
ject was  one  year  old  the  family  emigrated  to  Griggsville,  where 
he  was  educated.  For  3  years  he  has  been  teaching,  and  is  now 
teaching  his  second  term  in  Middle  Flint  district,  Flint  tp.,  where 
the  growing  prosperity  of  his  school  sufficiently  attests  his  qualifi- 
cations. June  12,  1878,  he  married  Nellie  Cover,  daughter  of 
Daniel  Cover,  sr.,  of  Griggsville. 

John  W.  Hensell  was  born  in  Portland,  Jefferson  Co.,  0.,  Aug. 
8,  1848,  son  of  Eobert  L.,  of  Griggsville  ;  he  has  lived  on  a  farm 
since  10  years  old,  and  now  resides  on  sec.  26,  Griggsville  tp.;  the 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  545 

emigration  of  his  people  to  this  county  was  in  1855.  He  was  mar- 
ried Oct.  28,  1869,  to  Mary  J.  Warton,  daughter  of  Wm.  Warton, 
deceased,  so  well  known  in  the  early  settlement  of  Pike  connty  ; 
and  they  have  4  children ,^Fred,  Delia  M.,  George  O.  and  Estella. 

Dr.  James  Montgomery  Miggins,  youngest  son  of  John  and 
Elizabeth  Higgins,  was  born  in  Montgomery  Co.,  Md.,  July  30, 
1808;  educated  chiefly  in  Rockville,  Md.;  studied  medicine  in 
Washington,  D.  C. ;  graduated  in  the  medical  department  of  Colum- 
bia College  in  that  city  March  11,  1829,  and  has  followed  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  ever  since, — over  half  a  century  now.  Jan. 
25, 1831,  he  married  Margaret  Davis  in  Bourbon  Co.,  Ky.,  niece 
of  Gov.  Edward  Tiffin,  first  Gdvernor  of  Ohio  ;  in  the  following 
spring  he  emigrated  to  Jacksonville,  111.,  and  in  Nov.,  1834,  he 
removed  with  his  wife  and  infant  child  to  Griggsville,  this  county, 
where  physicians  were  scarcer  than  in  Jacksonville  ;  in  1846  he 
was  elected  Representative  to  the  State  Legislature  ;  in  1848  he 
was  elected  Medical  Superintendent  of  the  Illinois  State  Hospital 
for  the  Insane  at  Jacksonville,  where  he  superintended  the  building 
of  the  original  hospital,  at  a  cost  surprisingly  low,  as  attested  by  a 
Legislative  commission ;  he  opened  the  institution  in  the  fall  of 
1851,  and  conducted  it  with  great  acceptability  until  the  summer 
of  1854,  when  he  returned  to  Griggsville,  where  he  has  practiced 
ever  since  except  in  1862-3,  when  he  was  Surgeon  of  the  114th 
Eeg.  III.  Yol. 

B.esides  an  infant  son  that  died  in  Jacksonville  in  1832,  felie  Doc- 
tor and  ills  wife  have  had  6  children,  as  follows  :  Isaac  Newton, 
James  M.,  Edward  Tifiin,  Mary  E.,  Drusilla  C.  and  Lizzie  M., — all 
living  except  the  eldest  daughter,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Jones.  Isaac  N. 
studied  and  graduated  in  medicine,  but  has  followed  journalism  up 
to  the  present  time.  In  company  with  his  brother  James  M.,  Be 
published  the  Pihe  County  Union,  the  first  newspaper  in  Griggs- 
ville, and  which  was  afterwrard  transferred  to  Pittsfield  ;  subse- 
quently he  became  editor-in-chief  of  the  Illinois  State  Register 
at  Springfield,  and  after  several  years  he  became  managing  editor 
of  the  Chicago  Hepublioan,  and  for  10  years  past  has  occupied  that  _ 
relation  to  the  San  Francisco  Morning  Call,  a  daily  paper  of 
45,000  circulation.  James  M.,  jr.,  a  practical  printer,  has  been 
connected  with  the  Illinois  State  Register  in  various  relations,  a 
part  of  the  time  one  of  its  editors.  Edward  T.  holds  an  important 
position  in  the  W.  U.  Telegraph  office  at  Chicago.  Mary  E.  mar- 
ried J.  Howard  Jones  in  1861,  and  died  Aug.  9,  1874,  in  Chicago, 
leaving  2  sons  and  an  infant  daughter.  Drusilla  C.  became  the 
second  wife  of  Mr.  Jones  on  the  Christmas  of  1878,  and  they 
reside  in  Chicago.  Lizzie  M.  is  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of 
Griggsville. 

Edwin  Mitch,  deceased,  was  born  Sept.  25,  1843,  in  Adams 
county.  111.;  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Perry,  this  county,  and 
was  raised  on  a  farm.  He  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  stock 
for  several  years;  was  married  Jan.  22,  1867,  to  Mary  Simpkin, 


64-6  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    OOUNTT. 

daughter  of  Thomas  Simpkin,  deceased.  They  had  4  boys — Edwin 
L.,  Thomas  S.,  Eufus  and  Eoy  M.  Mr.  Hitch  was  a  worthy  citi- 
zen and   higlily  esteemed.     He  died  Jan.  29,  1877,  in  Griggsville. 

Prof.  B.  M.  Hitch  is  Principal  of  the  High  School  at  Griggs- 
ville.  This  department  is  in  excellent  running  order;  everything 
moves  on  with  the  system  and  regularity  of  clock-work,  and  the 
best  of  order  prevails.  Save  one  or  two  exceptions,  the  best  series 
of  text  books  is  used.  Miss 'Abbie  Hatch,  Assistant,. Miss  L.  E. 
Campbell,  Teacher  of  Grammar  School. 

Gapt.  B.  B.  Hopkins  was  born  in  London,  England,  Jan.  2, 
1838,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  Hopkins,  deceased;  came  to  America 
when  but  14  years  old,  arriving  a^  Griggsville  Landing,  Dec.  9, 
1852;  spent  a  year  crossing  and  re-crossing  the  Western  plains  as 
assistant  wagon-master  in  the  service  of  the  Government;  enlisted 
Sept.  5,  1861,  as  a  private  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  G,  5th  111.  Oav., 
under  Oapt.  John  A.  Harvey,  now  of  St.  Louis,  and  brother  of  ex- 
Governor  Harvey,  of  Kansas.  Mr.  Hopkins  was  promoted  to  the 
Captaincy  of  his  Company  in  December,  1862;  he  resigned  his  com- 
mission in  the  army  in  July,  1864,  on  account  of  disability.  He  has 
been  engaged  in  raising  short-horned  thorough-bred  cattle  and 
Cotswold  sheep  since  1865.  He  was  married  Nov.  15,  1864,  to 
Ann,  second  daughter  of  Thomas  Simpkin,  deceased,  known  as  the 
"land  king"  of  Pike  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hopkins  have  5 
children. 

John  Houston  was  born  in  1817,  in  Hillsboro,  N.  H.,  and  is  the 
son  of  John  Houston,  deceased.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1837,  and'set- 
tled  in  Griggsville  tp.:  his  brother  "William  preceded  him  2  years. 
Mr.  Houston  returned  to  N.  H.  in  1840,  and  remained  there  until 
1843,  when  he  returned  to  Illinois.  In  1847  he  again  went  to  N.  H., 
and  was  married  to  Mary  Lane.  They  had  8  children,  of  whom 
4  are  living — Lavica,  Samuel,  Frederick  and  Alice.  Mr.  H.  has 
been  a  successful  brick  and  stone  mason,  and  is  also  an  excellent 
plasterer,  but  does  not  follow  this  as  a  business.  In  1858,  he  was 
elected  Sheriff  of  Pike  county,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  2 
years. 

Edward  8.  Hoyt;  P.  O.,  Griggsville;  was  born  in  this  town 
Feb.  22,  1846;  received  a  common-school  education  in  Griggsville, 
and  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  Jones  Commercial  College,  of  St.  Louis, 
Mo.  He  followed  boating  on  the  Illinois  river  for  seven  years,  and 
now  has  charge  of  the  warehouse  at  Griggsville  Landing.  In  the 
winter  season  he  engages  with  his  father  in  the  packing  of  pork  in 
Griggsville.  He  was  married  in  November,  1869,  to  Emily, 
daughter  of  the  popular  Capt.  Samuel  Rider,  of  this  county.  They 
have  3  children — Herbert,  Clara  and  Mary  A. 

Arnold  Hughes,  son  of  Elliott  and  Jane  S.  Hughes,  was  born  in 
Danville,  Montgomery  Co.,  Mo.  He  is  a  grandson  of  Col.  Thos- 
Hughes,  of  Paris,  Ky.;  his  mother  was  the  eldest  daughter  of  John 
E.  McConnell,  of  Lexington,  Ky.  In  1838  his  parents  removed  to 
Montgomery   county,  Mo.,  within  a  few  miles  of  where  Daniel 


SRiaSSVILLE    TP 


HISTOBT    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  649 

Eoone  lived  and  died.  Our  subject  served  an  apprenticeship  at 
the  printer's  trade  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  and  from  there  went  on  a 
"tour,"  working  at  St.  Paul,  Omaha,  St.  Joe,  Kansas  City,  St. 
Louis,  Jackson,  etc.  In  Shelby  county.  111.,  he  edited  one 
of  the  best  country  papers  in  the  State.  He  is  editor  of  the  "  In- 
dependent Pressy  published  weekly  at  Griggsville,  by  Hughes  & 
Nelson.  These  enterprising  young  men  wield  an  influence  that 
will  make  their  paper  a  success.  Mr.  Hughes  was  married  Sept.  26, 
1878,  to  Miss  E.  D.  Hudson. 

Senry  L.  Hurt  was  born  in  Madison  Co.,  Va.,  Aug.  21,  1825. 
His  ancestry  settled  in  King  and  Queen  Co.,  Ya.,  about  two  centu- 
ries ago.  Mr.  H.  came  to  Pike  county  in  the  fall  of  1866,  and 
settled  in  G-riggsville,  where  he  now  resides,  S.  E.  corner  of  Cory 
and  Washington  sts.  He  is  a  miller  by  occupation,  but  he  retired 
from  that  business  some  years  ago.  In  politics  he  has  always  been 
independent,  but  since  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party  he 
has  generally  voted  with  that  party.  In  religion  he  is  a  Baptist, 
and  has  advocated  the  cause  of  temperance  from  boyhood,  claiming 
to  have  had  strictly  temperance  parents  that  set  an  example  he  has 
tried  to  follow.  His  first  marriage  was  in  Culpepper  Co.,  Ya.,  Jan. 
5, 1854,  with  Elmira  Smith,  who  died  of  consumption  Jan.  9, 1870. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  His  second  marriage 
was  in  Griggsville,  Feb.  15,  1871,  with  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  the 
late  John  C.  Shaw,  who  came  to  Pike  county  when  there  were  only 
about  3  houses  between  Griggsville  and  the  Illinois  river.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hurt  have  no  children,  but  have  adopted  2  nieces.  Amy 
and  Emma  Copson,  whom  they  are  trying  to  educate.  Mrs.  H.  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  John  C.  Shaw  was  born  in  Attle- 
boro,  near  ITun  Eaton,  Warwickshire,  England,  March  12,  1796. 
His  father,  Josiah  Shaw,  acquired  considerable  wealth'  and  was  for 
many  years  engaged  in  ribbon  manufacture.  His  mother's  maiden 
name  was  Ann  Clark.  In  1819  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Towe, 
and  after  carrying  on  the  brick-making  and  building  business  for  a 
number  of  years  in  his  native  place,  he  emigrated  to  America  in 
1829,  and  settled  in  Washington  Co.,  N.  Y.,  following  farming. 
After  remaining  there  about  3  years  he  removed  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  on  sec.  13,  Griggsville  tp.,  Sept.,  1833,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death.  In  1840  he  built  a  flouring-mill,  also  a  saw-mill, 
on  Flint  creek.  A  few  years  later  he  removed  the  mills  to  Griggs- 
ville Landing,  on  the  Illinois  river.  After  a  few  years  he  again 
commenced  farming,  which  he  followed  until  the  infirmities  of  age 
caused  him  to  retire  from  active  life.  He  and  his  wife  both  united 
with  the  Baptist  Church  in  Griggsville.  They  raised  9  children, 
3  sons  and  6  daughters. 

Samuel  Hutchinson,  inventor  and  manufacturer  of  Hutchin- 
son's adjustable  harrow,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1813;  came 
to  Pike  Co.  in  1834,  landing  here  with  less  than  $5.00  in  his  pocket. 
He  is  a  mechanic,  and  has  helped  to  erect  a  great  many  houses  in 
Griggsville.     He  was  married  in  1838  to  Laura  Bachelor,  and  they 


550  HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

had  5  children,  3  of  whom  are  living.  He  was  again  married  in 
1855,  this  time  to  Jane  A.  Edwards.  He  was  married  a  third  time 
to  Sarah  E.  Jones,  and  they  had  4  children,  2  of  whom  are  living. 

A.  J.  Ives  was  born  in  Canada,  July  19,  1850  ;  came  to  Illinois. 
in  1869;  was  educated  in  the  Wesleyan  University  at  Bloora- 
ington;  began  teaching  in  18Y3.  His  father  was  a  farmer.  Mr. 
Ives  came  to  Pike  Co.  in  1876 ;  was  married  to  Eosella  Kenedy, 
July  19,  1873.     They  have  one  child,  Elmer  K. 

David  Jenkins,  a  native  of  Clermont  Co.,  O.,  was  born  Dec.  16, 
1841;  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio,  and  came  to 
Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1855,  remaining  in  Altona,  Knox  Co., 
until  the  spring  of  1857,  when  they  removed  to  Pike  Co.,  where 
they  still  reside.  He  was  married  July  26,  1872,  to  Ede  A.  Elder, 
daughter  of  William  and  Phoebe  Elder,  deceased.  They  have  had  1 
little  girl,  Anna.  Mr.  Jenkins  is  engaged  in  farming,  and  resides 
on  sec.  25,  Griggsville  township.  He  served  in  Co.  I,  33d  Reg't. 
111.  Vol.,  in  the  Rebellion  for  4  years  and  3  months,  partici- 
pating in  several  battles.  His  father,  Joseph  "W.  Jenkins,  was  bora 
in  Gloucester  Co.,  N.  J.,  March  9, 1800,  and  w;i,s  raised  on  a  farm; 
was  brought  to  Clermont  Co.,  O.,  by  his  parent^;  in  1806;  wasmar- 
ried  in  1841  to  Susannah  Fisher,  by  whom  hu  had  3  children, — 
Catharine,  Mary  A.  and  David.  He  is  a  saddler  and  liarness- 
maker  by  trad^,  at  which  he  has  worked  most  of  the  time  during 
his  life.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jenkins  now  reside  with  their  son  David. 

Nathan  W.  Jones,  one  of  the  founders  of  Griggsville,  was  born 
in  Worcester  Co.,  Mass.,  April  27,  1803;  emigrated  in  1830  to 
Jacksonville,  111.,  where  he  served  as  Steward  of  the  Illinois  Col- 
lege for  one  year;  in  the  winter  of  1831  he  returned  East,  by  way 
of  New  Orleans  and  New  York,  on  account  of  high  water,  and  in 
the  spring  he  brought  his  family  to  Jacksonville;  and  in  1833  he 
came  to  this  point,  where  he  bought  a  piece  of  land  and  helped  to 
lay  out  the  town  of  Griggsville,  and  suggested  the  name  of  the 
town.  He  built  the  first  frame  house  in  Griggsville,  which  still 
stands.  At  first  he  was  a  farmer  for  a -number  of  years,  and  since 
has  followed  merchandising,  etc.  In  company  with  Joshua  K. 
Stanford  he  kept  the  first  store  in  Griggsville,  taking  in  trade 
the  first  year  (1833)  9  bear-skins,  from  bears  killed  within  10' 
miles  of  town.  He  owned  the  warehouses  at  Griggsville  Landing 
for  a  number  of  years,  and  was  an  extensive  grain  merchant,  being 
the  first  who  paid  ca^h  for  grain  in  this  township.  He  and  Mr. 
Winn  cut  the  first  harvest  in  this  township  without  liquor.  Mr. 
Jones'  ancestrj'  are  of  New  England  stock,  and  ot  English  origin. 
They  are  referred  to  in  Bancroft's  History  of  the  United  States. 
In  1823  Mr.  Jones  married  Hannah  P.  Glazier,  and  their  8  chil- 
dren are:  Sarah,  now  widow  of  James  H.  Chase,  Buffalo,  N.  T.; 
George  W.,  Clerk  of  Appellate  Court  at  Springfield,  and  formerly 
Circuit  Clerk  of  Pike  Co.;  John  W.,  deceased;  William  H.,  who 
•died  in  California  in  1851,  in  his  20th  year;  John  H.,  Confidential 
Clerk   of    the   Grain    Inspector   of  Cliicago,   formerly    Assistant 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  551 

Treasurer  of  Illinois;  Lucy  T.  and  Henrietta  H.,  deceased;  and 
Charles  W.,  bookkeeper  in  Griggsville.  Mr.  Jones'  portrait  is  given 
in  this  volume. 

S.  M.  Kennedy  was  born  in  Clermont  Co.,  O.,  Sept.  12,  1845; 
moved  to  Pike  county  in  1858,  where  he  has  since  resided;  is  chief 
engineer  \i\.  the  Pike  Mills,-  of  Griggsville.  He  was  married  in 
1870  to  Harriet  Baldwin,  by  whom  he  has  had  3  children, — Willy, 
Nellie  and  Mervyn  Ehea.  He  served  4  months  in  Co.  H,  137th  I. 
Y.  I.,  in  the  late  war,  and  assisted  in  opposing  Forest's  raid  on 
Memphis. 

Kenn'ey  <&  Clark,  the  largest  firm  in  Griggsville,  established 
themselves  in  general  merchandising  in  1864,  succeeding  Mr. 
Charles  Kenney.  They  carry  a  general  stock  of  dry  goods,  cloth- 
ing, boots  and  shoes,  groceries,  queensware,  hats  and  caps,  carpets, 
etc.,  etc>,  amounting  to  a  stock  of  over  $20,000.  Mr.  Clark's  father, 
John  Clark,  was  an  early  settler  in  Ogle  Co.,  111.,  having  located 
there  about  the  year  1880,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1857,  where 
he  died  in  1872.     He  was  a  farmer  on  sec.  15,  Griggsville  tp. 

W.  E.  Kneeland  is  a  native  of  Griggsville,  and  was  educated  in 
the  union  schools  of  this  place.  He  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  March,  1879,  and  has  a  general  stock  of  dry  goods,  gro- 
ceries, boots  and  shoes.  His  trade  is  increasing,  and  he  carries  a 
stock  of  $3,500. 

John  Lasbury  was  born  in  Kensington,  near  London,  Eng.,  IS  ov. 
11, 1830,  and  was  educated  in  the  ^ame  place.  He  learned  the 
butcher's  trade  when  quite  young,  and  came  to  America  in  1852  in 
a  sail-ship  :  was  10  weeks  coming  from  Liverpool  to  New  Orleans, 
and  3  weeks  from  New  Orleans  to  St.  Louis.  From  St.  Louis  he 
walked  to  Griggsville  in  a  deep  snow,  a  distance  of  about  110  miles; 
this  he  accomplished  in  3  days'  time.  He  worked  for  the  late 
Kobert  Allen,  of  Griggsville,  for  about  2  years  ;  was  the  first  butcher 
in  Griggsville:  supplied  Griggsville  and  Pittsfield  both  with  meat 
from  one  beef,  and  sometimes  would  have  some  left,  which  he  would 
take  to  Perry.  He  was  married  March  20, 1858,  to  Sarah  Simpkin, 
daughter  of  Thos.  Simpkin,  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lasbury  have 
5  children, — Mary,  Ann,  Elizabeth,  John  and  Yincent.  Mr.  L.  re- 
sides on  sec.  28,  Griggsville  tp.,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  has  some  fine  cattle,  and  he  brought  the  first 
long-wooled  sheep  to  this  part  of  the  country.  These  sheep  were 
brought  from  Canada. 

James  B.  Lewis  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  Nov.  10, 
1835.  His  parents  brought  him  to  Woodford  Co.,  111.,  in  1837, 
and  to  Adams  Co.  in  1842.  He  was  educated  in  Quincy,  and  at 
the  age  of  15  was  apprenticed  to  J.  C.  Bernard,  a  harness-maker  of 
that  place,  with  whom  he  remained  5^  years.  He  located  in 
Griggsville  in  1865,  and  remained  here  17  months,  and  then  removed 
to  Alton,  where  he  resided  in  1858;  when  he  returned  to  Griggs- 
ville. He  was  married  in  Alton,  111.,  June  18,  1862,  to  C.  F.  Fef-  • 
guson,  and  they  have  3  children, — Mary  H.,Louise  E.  and  Maud  W. 


562  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY, 

Robert  M.  Love  was  born  in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  June  14,  1818,  and 
is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Lydia  (Morgan)  Love.  The  former  is  de- 
ceased, the  latter  resides  in  Pittsfield,  and  is  83  years  old.  Mr. 
Love  has  cut,  split  and  hauled  wood  7  miles  for  6  "bits "  a  cord, 
and  paid  $1.50  a  yard  for  Kentucky  jeans  to  make  himself  a  pair  of 
pants.  He  was  married "  Oct.  3,  1841,  to  Mary  A.,  daughter  of 
Charles  Troy,  deceased.  She  was  born  Jan.  5, 1824,  in  Morgan  Co., 
ni.  The  Troy  family  were  burned  out  by  the  Indians  and  they 
suffered  untold  privations.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Love  had  10  children, — 
Henry  C,  deceased,  Charles  E.,  Lydia  J.,  Jerome  G.,  Georgia  Ann, 
Eleanor,  Julia,  John  E.,  Sarah  E.  and  Robert  F.  Mr.  Love  first 
settled  in  Perry  tp. ,  but  for  30  years  has  resided  on  sec.  17,  Griggs- 
ville  tp.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  Tie 
owns  160  acres  of  land,  120  of  which  is  well  improved.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  as  also  are  Mrs.  Love  and  4  daughters. 

Wm,.  E.  Ludlow  was  born  in  Griggsville  in  1858,  and  is  the  son 
of  Robert  McK.  Ludlow,  deceased.  Mr.  L.  is  a  partner  with  Mr. 
Frye  in  Frye's  flouring-mill.  He  was  educated  in  the  schools  of 
Griggsville.  His  father  was  accidentally  shot  and  killed  while  hunt- 
ing in  Dec,  1859. 

Henry  Lynde,  Esq.,  was  born  in  West  Brookfield,  Mass.,  Ifov. 
11,  1815;  was  educated  in  Munson  Academy,  Hampden  Co.,  Mass.; 
came  to  Alton,  111.,  Dec.  1,  1836,  and  the  following  spring  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  in  Griggsville,  which  he  continued  for 
4  years,  when  he  engaged  in  farming,  which  occupation  he  followed 
for  25  years  within  2  miles  of  East  Griggsville.  In  1868  he  rented 
his  farm  and  retired  to  Griggsville,  where  he  still  resides,  and  is 
engaged  in  insurance  and  real  estate  business.  He  has  filled  the 
office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  since  1873,  and  is  also  a  Notary  Public; 
has  been  Township  Trustee  of  Schools  for  21  consecutive  years  and 
has  filled  other  offices  of  trust.  He  was  married  Sept.  13,  1838,  to 
Ann  C.  Shaw,  daughter  of  John  C.  Shaw,  deceased.  They  had  10 
children,  of  whom  6  are  living, — Mary  A.  (now  Mrs.  Samuel  Thack- 
wray),  Sarah  J.  (now  Mrs.  H.  T.  Frits),  Burton  C,  H.  Lovell  (Mrs. 
Samuel  L.  Fiester);  the  two  latter  reside  at  Whiting,  Kansas;  Nellie 
W.  (now  Mrs.  T.  A.  Hill,  of  Griggsville),  and  Minnie  L.  Their  eld- 
est son  was  killed  during  the  Rebellion;  their  eldest  daughter, Eliz- 
abeth, was  married  iu  Sept,  1863,  to  Dr.  Wm.  H.  D.  Noyes, 
and  died  in  July,  1873,  while  on  a  visit  to  her  friends  in  Griggs- 
ville. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lynde  are  members  of  the*  Baptist  Church, 
and  he  has  been  Vice  President  of  the  S.  S.  County  Convention  for 
several  years. 

Wm.  Marden,  son  of  Frank  Marden,  of  Chambersburg,  was  born 
in  Perry,  Pike  Co.,  Nov.  19,  1855 ;  was  educated  here  and  at  the 
age  of  21  engaged  in  the  livery  business  in  Perry,  and  is  still  pro- 
prietor of  the  Perry  Livery  Stable ;  is  also  proprietor  of  the  Griggs- 
ville Liverv  Stable,  doing  a  successful  business  in  both  places.  His 
stock  in  Griggsville  is  about  $2,300,  and  in  Perry  $2,000.     He  was 


HISTOKT   OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  653 

married  Oct.  17,  1878,  to  Venie,  daughter  of  John  E.  Moiton,  of 
Perry. 

Robert  Marshall  was  born  in  Cadiz,  Harrison  Co.,  O.,  May  1, 
1848,  and  is  the  son  of  "Wm.  Marshall,  of  Griggsville,  who  came 
here  in  1861,  where  he  still  resides,  and  is  a  blacksmith.  He  is  a 
first-class  mechanic,  and  has  built  up  a  large  trade.  Mr.  Marshall 
is  the  father  of  9  children,  of  which  our  subject  is  the  eldest.  His 
son,  Wm.  Marshall,  jr.,  is  also  a  mechanic,  and  is  working  in  the 
Griggsville  Plow  Manufactory. 

Wm.  Marshall  was  born  near  Greenburg,  Westmoreland  Co., 
Pa.,  March  1,  1822;  is  the  father  of  8  children,  4  of  whom  are  now 
living.  His  eldest  son,  Kobert,  resides  with  his  father;  his  second 
son,  William,  follows  blacksmithing  and  is  a  promising  young  man. 
Mr.  Marshall  came  to  Pike  county  in  the  spring  of  1861  and  settled 
in  Griggsville,  where  he  has  ever  since  carried  on  blacksmithing  suc- 
cessfully. 

Thomas  Manton,  a  native  of  Lincolnshire,  England,  was  born 
April  16,  1844,  and  is  a  son  of  James  Manton,  near  Pittsfield,  who 
brought  his  family  to  America  in  1854,  locating  in  Detroit  tp.,  where 
he  remained  until  1857,  and  then  came  to  Griggsville  tp.  Mr. 
Manton  is  at  present  a  bachelor  and  resides  on  sec.  5,  Griggsville 
tp.,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  His  sisters, 
Mary  and  Lizzie,  preside  over  his  house. 

Wm.  McBratney  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1834,  and  is  the  son  of 
John  McBratney,  deceased;  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents 
in  1836;  remained  in  Pennsylvania  one  year;  came  to  Adams  Co., 
111.,  where  John  McBratney  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1871.  Old  Mrs.  McBratney  still  resides  in  Adams  Co.,  wiA 
her  daughter,  and  is  87  years  old.  Our  subject  came  to  Griggs- 
ville in  1856,  where  he  engaged  in  blacksmithing,  which  he,  still 
carries  on.  He  worked  4  j^ears  as  a  journeyman  after  arriving  in 
this  town.  He  was  married  Oct.  5,  1865,  to  Lucinda  McDonald, 
and  they  have  4  children, —  Charles  F.,  Frank,  Jennie  E.  and  Wm. 
Emmet.  The  latter  was  named  for  the  noted  Emmet,  the  first 
Representative  in  the  British  Parliament  from  Ireland,  after  the  re- 
bellion in  that  country.  Mr.  McBratney  also  manufactures  plows 
and  wagons,  and  deals  in  agricultural  implements. 

John  McOlain  was  born  in  Adair  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1807;  was  educated 
there  in  a  subscription  school;  came  to  Pike  Co.  in  1830  and  settled 
in  Griggsville  tp.  At  that  time  there  was  not  a  fence  between  his 
farm  and  Atlas.  In  1839  he  married  Abigail  Shores.  They  had 
6  children,  of  whoni  3  are  living, — Thomas  S.,  Ann  Eliza  and  An- 
geline,  all  married.  He  has  been  a  successful  farmer  all  his  life, 
until  within  the  past  9  years,  during  which  time  he  has  resided  in 
Griggsville. 

Jjevi  W.  McMahan  was  born  in  Marion  Co.,  Ind.,  near  Indian- 
apolis, March  31,1841;  parents  were  Wm.  and  Maria  (Thomas) 
McMahan.  The  former,  a  native  of  Clermont  Co.,  O.,  was  a  farmer 
in  Indiana,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1856  with  his  family,  Levi  W. 


554  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

bein^  then  14  years  of  age ;  has  ever  since  been  in  the  cabinet  busi- 
ness in  Griggsville;  his  wife  was  a  native  of  Maine.  At  the  ageot 
19  Levi  opened  a  confectionery  establishment  in  Griggsville  for 
about  one  year,  then  followed  farming  4  years,  and  then  commenced 
general  mercantile  business  at  Griggsville;  in  2  years  he  returned 
to  farming  again,  and  dealing  in  grain  and  stock  ;  he  now  carries 
on  milling.  Mr.  McMahan  is  one  of  the  most  active,  enterprising 
and  public-spirited  men  of  the  county,  and  has  done  much  toward 
the  improvement  of  the  town  where  he  lives.  The  business  enter- 
prise— the  Pike  Flouring  Mills — of  which  he  is  at  the  head,  is  one 
of  the  most  extensive  in  the  county.  April  28,  1861,  he  married 
Hattie,  daughter  of  Cephas  and  Lucy  Simmons;  of  their  3  children, 
Nellie  and  Alice  are  living.     Mrs.  McM.  died  May  6,  1876. 

The  "  Pike  Mills,"  owned  by  Mi.  McM  and  D.  P.  Baldwin,  were 
built  on  modern  principles,  with  the  new  process  for  grinding  flour; 
also  an  elevator  with  a  storage  capacity  of  20,000  bushels  of  grain. 
The  mill  is  33  by  80  feet,  three  stories  and  basement,  the  eaves  36 
feet  from  the  ground,  and  the  whole  structure,  built  of  brick,  cost 
over  $20,000.  The  mill  and  cooper-shop  furnish  a  home  market 
for  200,000  bushels  of  grain  per  annum.  It  has  4  run  of  stone, 
having  a  capacity  of  grinding  200  barrels  of  flour  a  day.  The  mill 
was  planned  by  Mr.  McMahan,  and  soon  after'  work  commenced  on 
the  building  he  took  for  partners  two  brothers,  D.  P.  and  George 
Baldwin,  the  former  being  his  present  partner.  They  give  employ- 
ment the  year  round  to  about  20  men  on  an  average,  at  times  to 
nearly  double  that  number,  including  the  cooper  shop.  The  mill 
stands  near  the  railr.oad  track,  is  a  very  fine  structure,  and  an  orna- 
ment to  the  city.  It  is  calculated  to  give  the  travelers  who  pass' 
through  a  good  impression  of  the  enterprise  and  energy  of  the  town 
of  Griggsville.    We  give  Mr.  McMahan's  portrait  in  this  book.  . 

ffon.  James  Mb  Williams.  The  first  of  this  gentleman's  ancestry 
in  America  were  Alexander  Mc Williams  and  wife.  Highland  Scotch, 
who  emigrated  to  America  in  1776.  On  board  the  vessel  for  this 
country  Alexander  McWilliams,  the  father  of  the  subject  ,of  this 
sketch,  was  born.  On  arriving  in  Americathey  settled  at  Browns- 
ville, Pa. ;  they  afterward  moved  to  Ohio,  Belmont  county,  where 
he  died  in  1824,  aged  84  years.  He  and  his  wife  were  both  mem- 
bers of  the  Union  Presbyterian  Church.  Alex.  McWilliams,  jr., 
received  his  early  education  at  Brownsville,  where  at  the  age  of  22 
he  married  Miss  Jane  Paxton,  daughter  of  John  Paxton,  of  Pro- 
testant Irish  descent.  In  this  family  were  born  3  children,  the 
youngest  of  whom  is  James,  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Mrs.  McW. 
died  about  1803.  Her  husband  married  a  second  wife  a  short  time 
afterward,  by  whom  he  had  11  children.  He  died  at  the  age  of  65, 
at  his  residence  in  Union  county,  O.  He  always  followed  farming 
as  an  occupation. 

James  received  the  most  of  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Ohio, 
and  until  22  his  time  was  largely  employed  on  his  father's  farm. 
He  then  (1824)  married,  in  Belmont  county,  Miss  Margaret,  dangh- 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE   COUNTV.  555 

ter  of  Alexander  Latimer,  formerly  of  Scotland.  They  had  a  family 
-of  8  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living.  Mr.  McW.  first  came  to 
Illinois  in  the  fall  of  1834,  landing  at  Naples,  where  he  spent  the 
winter.  The  spring  following  he  bought  320  acres  of  land  on  sec. 
^,  Griggsville  tp.,  on  which  he  immediately  settled  with  his  family. 
After  having  lived  here  about  four  years  his  wife  died  (Dec.  28, 
1838).  In  Jnne,  1839,  he  married  Miss  Lucretia  Prescott,  a  native 
■of  Groton,  Mass. 

Since  first  settling  in  this  county  Mr.  McW.  has  taken  an  active 
and  prominent  part  in  its  affairs,  socially,  financially  and  politically. 
As  early  as  1838  he  was  elected  on  the  Democratic  ticket  a  Repre- 
sentative in  the  State  TiOgislature,  where  he  served  a  term  of  two 
years,  the  first  session  being  held  at  Vandalia,  and  the  second  at 
'Springfield.  Since  then  he  has  been  County  Commissioner,  Super- 
visor of  Griggsville  Township,  etc.,  etc.,  and  has  been  continually 
in  office  of  some  kind.  Up  to  1848  he  followed  farming;  he  then 
engaged  in  the  lumber  trade  at  Griggsville,  which  he  conducted 
■successfully  until  4  or  5  years  ago.  He  was  one  of  the  original 
•stockholders  and  organizers  of  the  Griggsville  National  Bank,  which 
was  put  in  motion  principally  through  his  exertions.  The  bank 
opened  tor  business  Aug,  1,  1873,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  and  has 
done  a  profitable  business  since  that  date.  On  its  first  organization 
Mr.  McW.  was  elected  its  president,  and  he  has  acted  in  that  capac- 
ity up  to  the  present  time.  It  was  probably  through  his  exertions 
more  than  any  other  man,  that  Griggsville  enjoys  its  present  railroad 
facilities,  he  having  taken  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  securing 
the  road.  Credit  is  also  due  him  for  the  fact  that  the  town  is  free 
from  railroad  debt,  in  the  shape  of  bonds,  he  having  taken  a  fore- 
most part  in  the  financial  plans  for  liquidating  the  debt. 

During  the  late  war  Mr.  McWilliams  was  a  firm  supporter  of 
President  Lincoln's  administration,  using  his  means  and  exerting 
his  influence  at  all  times  to  encourage  a  bold  and  energetic  prose- 
-cution  of  the  war.  His  son,  Capt.  John  Mcf Williams,  served  for  90 
days  in  the  8th  111.  Inf.,  and  immediatelyafterreturning  home  from 
service  in  that  regiment  he  re-enlisted  and  participated  in  many  an 
■engagement  during  Gen.  Sherman's  campaign  on  his  famous  march 
to  the  sea. 

Mr.  McWilliams  has  a  family  of  four  children  living,  all  of  whom 
are  married.  He  is  now  living  at  Griggsville,  and  is  78  years  of 
age,  enjoying  good  health,  prepared  to  live  in  comfort.  He  is  one 
of  three  of  the  oldest  residents  in  the  township  now  living.  He 
and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Congregational  Church.  We 
give  his  portrait  in"  this  volume.  It  is  from  a  picture  taken  at  the 
age  of  63. 

Jacob  K.  Moore  was  born  in  Merrimac  Co.,  N.  H.,  Jan.  27, 1808, 
«on  of  Stephen  and  Phoebe  (Kimball)  Moore,  deceased;  reared  on  a 
farm  and  educated  in  the  town  of  Canterbury,  N.  H. ;  was  an  itin- 
•erant  seller  of  books  at  auction,  and  clocks  and  other  articles  for  7 
years,  then  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Sanbornton,  N.  H.,  until 


556  HISTORY    OF    PTKE    COUNTY. 

1837,  when  he  lost  all  by  fire.  In  1835  he  married  Cynthia  A. 
Gerrish,  and  they  have  had  5  children, — Frances  A.  (Eussell,  dec.) 
Joseph  D.,  Ph(Bbe  K.,  Geo.  H.  and  Albert.  Mr.  Moore  came  to 
Brown  Co.,  111.,  by  wagon  in  1838,  and  purchased  40  acres  of  land 
and  next  year  he  brought  his  family  in  a  wagon  to  his  new  home 
in  the  West,  a  distance  of  1,600  miles;  they  were  40  days  on  the 
road.  They  removed  to  Griggsville  April  16,  1849.  Mr.  M.  is  aa 
auctioneer,  and  has  also  followed  farming.  He  now  resides  on  sec. 
22.  Although  zealous  in  the  late  war  he  has  never  aspired  to  any 
oflSce;  He  is  liberal  toward  all  the  Churches,  although  not  a  mem- 
ber of  any  particular  one.  When  he  first  came  West  he  had  but 
$10  and  a  span  of  old  horses,  but  he  now  owns  243  acres  of  valuable 
land,  besides  giving  800  acres  to  his  children.  He  has  also  given 
his  children  a  good  education  and  interested  himself  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  good  schools. 

James  B.  Morrison,  of  the  firm  of  Morrison  &  Kenney,  grocery 
and  hardware  merchants  in  Griggsville,  came  here  in  1854.  This 
firm,  established  in  1865,  carry  a  stock  of  about  $5,000,  and  do  the 
largest  business  in  their  line  in  Griggsville. 

George  A.  Mv/re  was  born  in  Fayette  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1833;  was 
educated  in  Winchester,  Scott  Co.,  111.,  having  come  to  that  place 
in  1840  in  emigration  with  his  mother;  learaed  the  trade  of  saddle 
and  harness-maker  under  Hale  &  Strawn,  in  Winchester;  in  1855 
he  began  business  for  himself  in  Griggsville,  where  he  still  re- 
mains, with  a  large  trade.  He  has  taken  premiums  constantly  at 
the  Pike  Co.  fair  on  all  of  his  work,  and  has  earned  a  first-class 
reputation.  In  1864  he  married  Julia,  daughter  of  Cephas  Sim- 
-mons,  and  they  have  had  4  children,  of  whom  3  are  living,  viz: 
Geo.  W.,  Bertha  and  Helen. 

Wm.  Newhouse  was  born  in  Delaware  Co.,  O.,  in  1830,  and  was 
reared  on  a  farm ;  at  23*  he  engaged  in  the  cooper  business ;  he 
came  to  Pike  county  in  ]852  and  returned  to  Ohio  the  same  year; 
in  1857  he  came  to  LaHarpe,  Hancock  Co.,  111.,  where  he  remained 
22  years ;  he  then  located  in  Griggsville,  where  he  now  carries  on 
the  coopering  business;  30  years'  practice  has  made  him  a  fine 
workman.  In  1856  he  married  Eliza  J.  Findley,  and  of  their  3 
children,  2  are  living,  Samuel  and  Freddie,  the  former  being  now 
in  partnership  with  his  father,  and  the  firm  is  known  as  Ifew- 
house  &  Son. 

Samuel  A.  Oliver  is  a  native  of  Maine ;  emigrated  to  Missouri 
in  1859,  and  in  1865  he  became  a  merchant  in  Hannibal;  in  Nov., 
1878,  he  came  to  Griggsville  and  opened  a  general  stock  of  grocer- 
ies, queensware,  glassware,  lime,  salt  and  oil,  keeping  on  hand 
about  $3,500  worth.  He  has  had  much  to  contend  with  here,  but 
by  integrity  and  enterprise  has  won  the  confidence  of  the  com- 
m-unity.  In  1861  he  married  Frances  M.  Davis,  and  their  only 
child  is  Willie. 

T.  W.  Parker  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  a  son  of  James  Parker, 
now  of  Griggsville.     He  engaged  in  the  drug  business  here  in  1867 


556  flISTOET    OF    PTKE    COUNTY. 

1837,  when  he  lost  all  by  fire.  In  1835  he  married  Cynthia  A. 
Gerrish,  and  they  have  had  5  children, — Frances  A.  (Kussell,  dec.) 
Joseph  D.,  Phce'be  K.,  Geo.  H.  and  Albert.  Mr.  Moore  came  to 
Brown  Co.,  111.,  by  wagon  in  1838,  and  purchased  40  acres  of  land, 
and  next  year  he  brought  his  family  in  a  wagon  to  his  new  home 
in  the  West,  a  distance  of  1,600  miles;  they  were  40  days  on  the 
road.  They  removed  to  Griggsville  April  16,  1849.  Mr.  M.  is  an 
auctioneer,  and  has  also  followed  farming.  He  now  resides  on  sec. 
22.  Although  zealous  in  the  late  war  he  has  never  aspired  to  any 
office;  He  is  liberal  toward  all  the  Churches,  although  not  a  mem- 
ber of  any  particular  one.  When  he  first  came  West  he  had  but 
$10  and  a  span  of  old  horses,  but  he  now  owns  243  acres  of  valuable 
land,  besides  giving  800  acres  to  his  children.  He  has  also  given 
his  children  a  good  education  and  interested  himself  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  good  schools. 

James  B.  Morrison,  of  the  firm  of  Morrison  &  Kenney,  grocery 
and  hardware  merchants  in  Griggsville,  came  here  in  1854.  This 
firm,  established  in  1865,  carry  a  stock  of  about  $5,000,  and  do  the 
largest  business  in  their  line  in  Griggsville. 

Oeorge  A,  Mv/re  was  born  in  Fayette  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1833;  was 
educated  in  Winchester,  Scott  Co.,  111.,  having  come  to  that  place 
in  1840  in  emigration  with  his  mother;  learued  the  trade  of  saddle 
and  harness-maker  under  Hale  &  Strawn,  in  Winchester;  in  1855 
he  began  business  for  himself  in  Griggsville,  where  he  still  re- 
mains, with  a  large  trade.  He  has  taken  premiums  constantly  at 
the  Pike  Co.  fair  on  all  of  his  work,  and  has  earned  a  first-class 
reputation.  In  1864  he  married  Julia,  daughter  of  Cephas  Sim- 
•mons,  and  they  have  had  4  children,  of  whom  3  are  living,  viz: 
Geo.  W.,  J3ertha  and  Helen. 

Wm.  JSewhoiise  was  born  in  Delaware  Co.,  O.,  in  1830,  and  was 
reared  on  a  farm;  at  23* he  engaged  in  the  cooper  business;  he 
came  to  Pike  county  in  1852  and  returned  to  Ohio  the  same  year; 
in  1857  he  came  to  LaHarpe,  Hancock  Co.,  111.,  where  he  remained 
22  years ;  he  then  located  in  Griggsville,  where  he  now  carries  on 
the  coopering  business;  30  years'  practice  has  made  him  a  fine 
workman.  In  1856  he  married  Eliza  J.  Findley,  and  of  their  3 
children,  2  are  living,  Samuel  and  Freddie,  the  former  being  now 
in  partnership  with  his  father,  and  the  firm  is  known  as  l^ew- 
house  &  Son. 

Samuel  A.  Oliver  is  a  native  of  Maine;  emigrated  to  Missouri 
in  1859,  and  in  1865  he  became  a  merchant  in  Hannibal;  in  Nov., 
1878,  he  came  to  Griggsville  and  opened  a  general  stock  of  grocer- 
ies, queensware,  glassware,  lime,  salt  and  oil,  keeping  on  hand 
about  $3,500  worth.  He  has  had  much  to  contend  with  here,  but 
by  integrity  and  enterprise  has  won  the  confidence  of  the  com- 
mianity.  In  1861  he  married  Frances  M.  Davis,  and  their  only 
child  is  Willie. 

T.  W.  Parker  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  a  son  of  James  Parker, 
now  of  Griggsville.     He  engaged  in  the  drug  business  here  in  1867 


GRIGGSVILLE 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE   OOTTNTT.  559 

and  now  carries  a  stock  of  $4,500,  in  drugs,  medicines,  stationery, 
fancy  goods,  books,  etc.;  keeping  on  hand  a  well  selected  variety  of 
articles  in  all  these  branches  of  the  trade,  prosperity    attends  him. 

Otis  Pa/rsons  was  born  in  Gloucester,  Mass.,  in  1812,  the  second 
of  9  children;  was  a  merchant  in  Griggsville  for  several  years,  and 
farmer  for  a  time.  He  came  to  Alton,  ill.,  in  1835,  and  to  Griggs- 
ville the  next  year.  His  parents  were  also  natives  of  Gloucester, 
Mass.  His  mother  is  still  living  (December,  1879)  at  the  age  of  97 
years.  She  remembers  that  at  the  time  of  George  Washington's 
death,  she  saw  the  messenger  proclaiming  the  sad  news  that  "  Wash- 
ington, the  Great,'  is  dead!  "  But  4  of  her  9  children  are  living, — 
Solomon,  Superintendent  of  Tremont  Temple,  Boston;  Otis,  Jacob 
and  Samuel.  Grandmother  Parsons  is  the  only  child  of  Capt. 
Eobert  Tomlinson ,  who  was  a  voyager  and  was  lost  at  sea ;  says 
she  has  always  been  a  Democrat  from  birth,  and  a  strong  advocate 
of  temperance;  has  been  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  a  great 
many  years.  This  good  old  mother  has  always  been  kind  and  af- 
fectionate to  her  children,  but  very  firm.  Our  subject,  Otis,  is  the 
father  of  7  children,  of  whom  6  are  living. 

Giles  Penstone  is  a  native  of  England,  and  came  to  America  in 
1849,  settling  in  Pike  Co.,  111.,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He 
was  married  in  1837  and  has  had  7  children,  of  whom  5  are  living. 
His  2  sons,  Giles  H.  and  Edward,  served  8  years  in  the  late  war  in 
Co.  H,  73d  I.  V.  I.  _ 

.  Flavins  J.  Phillips,  son  of  Andrew  Phillips,  deceased,  was  born 
in  Pike  Co.,  111.,  Aug.  21,  1831.  He  was  educated  mostly  in 
Griggsville,  and  in  the  early  part  of  his  life  he  ran  the  ferry  at 
Valley  City,  known  as  Phillips'  Ferry.  His  grandfather,  Nimrod 
Phillips,  purchased  the  ferry  in  1822,  which  has  since  borne  his 
name.  Our  subject  was  married  Jan.  13, 1856,  to  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  I^athan  Jester,  deceased,  an  early  settler  in  Western  Illinois. 
They  have  had  9  children,  of  whom  7  are  living, — James  K.,  John 
C,  Ellen,  George  L.,  Salina,  Howard  M.  and  Mary  A.  Mr.  Phil- 
lips is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  His  father  was  born 
in  North  Carolina  in  1801,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Illinois 
in  the  year  1822  and  located  in  Scott  Co.,  where  he  remained  until 
1826,  when  he  came  to  Pike  county. 

James  M.  Phillips,  son  of  Andrew  Phillips,  deceased,  was  born 
in  Scott  Co.,  111.,  Kpv.  27,  1826,  and  like  other  pioneers  has  suf- 
fered many  privations  and  hardships.  He  resided  where  Griggs- 
ville now  stands  before  there  was  'any  town  there,  and  was  there 
during  the  deep  snow  of  1830-1 ;  was  educated  in  Griggsville,  and 
in  1855  was  married  to  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Nathan  Jester,  de-  , 
ceased.  They  had  5  children,  of  whom  3  are  living,  —  Ste- 
phen A.  D .,  Emily  J.  and  David  M.  Mr.  Phillips  is  engaged  in 
tarming  and  resides  on  sec.  36,  Griggsville  tp.  He  had  many 
interesting  experiences  with  wolves  and  Indians.  At  one  time, 
when  they  had  been  committing  depredations,  such  as  killing  stock, 
etc.,  he  assisted  in  driving  them  away.     One  Indian  seemed  deter- 

33 


660  >  HISTORY    OF   PIKE  COUNTY. 

mined  to  load  his  gun  and  fight,  but  was  caught  by  one  of  the 
whites  and  severely  whipped  with  a  brush. 

Oeorge  Pratt,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  was  born  Aug.  5, 1812- 
spent  6  years  of  the  early  part  of  his  life  on  the  sea  ;  was  superin- 
tendent of  the  Valentine  &  Chamberlain  packing-house  at  Cam- 
bridgeport,  Mass.,  for  2  years  previous  to  coming  "West ;  he  came 
to  Griggsville  in  1837,  where  he  has  since  resided  ;  was  a  cooper 
and  pork  packer  for  25  years  in  this  place,  and  then  became  broken 
down  in  health,  and  has  since  lived  rather  a  retired  life  except  to 
loan  money  on  real  estate.  He  is  now  serving  his  4:th  terra  as 
Supervisor  for  Griggsville  tp.  Has  been  married  3  times  and  has 
had  6  children,  of  whom  4  are  living, — George  E.,  with  Kenney  & 
Clark  in  Griggsville  ;  Albert  J.,  in  dry-goods  business,  and  of  the 
firm  of  Atwater  &  Pratt,  Jacksonville,  111.;  Franklin,  farmer;  and 
Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Edwin  Plummer,  of  McPherson,  Kan. 

Samuel  Ramsey  was  born  in  Gallia  Co.,  O.,  Aug.  4,  1852,  where 
he  was  raised  and  educated  ;  learned  the  blacksmith  trade  (which 
was  his  father's  trade  also);  came  to  Pike  county  in  1875,  and  to 
Maysville  in  1878,  where  he  established  a  wAgon  and  blacksmith 
shop,  and  is  a  first-class  workman.  He  has  pursued  his  occupation 
ever  since  grown,  except  for  about  4  years,  during  which  time  he 
operated  as  engineer  on  the  Ohio  river.  He  was  married  Aug.  6, 
1878,  to  Julia  M.,  daughter  of  Wm.  Hill,  deceased. 

Jamies  T.  Reynolds,  son  of  E..  D.  Reynolds,  of  New  Salem,  was 
born  in  Clermont  Co.,  O.,  Dec.  9,  1839,  and  came  to  Pike  county 
with  his  parents  in  1851.  He  was  married  March  2, 1862,  to  Eliza 
J.,  daughter  of  James  Rankin,  of  Antrim  county,  Ireland  ;  they 
have  4  children, — John  J.,  James  W.,  Thomas  M.  and  Isaac  N. 
Mr.  E.  enlisted  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  E,  16th  I.  Y.  I.,  where  he' 
served  for  one  year,  and  was  then  promoted  to  the  position  of  Cap- 
tain of  Co.  I,  18th  I.  Y.  I.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  New 
Madrid  and  Shiloh,  and  was  wounded  in  the  latter  engagement,  on 
account  of  which  he  was  discharged.  He  is  now  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, and  resides  on  sec.  10,  Griggsville  tp. 

A.  Rollins,  a  native  of  Maine,  was  born  March  5,  1812.  His 
father,  John  Rollins,  was  a  musician  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He 
removed  with  his  family  to  Clermont  Co.,  O.,  in  1815,  when  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  but  three  years  old.  They  settled  in  the 
timber  with  wild  animals  for  neighbors ;  had  no  guns,  hence  the 
animals  were  unmolested,  but  they  caught- many  turkeys  in  a  kind 
of  trap  or  pen  made  for  that  purpose.  Mr.  Rollins'  early  educa- 
tional advantages  were  very  limited,  not  having  enjoyed  the  free 
schools,  as  do  the  boys  of  the  present  day.  He  is  well  versed  in 
rolling  logs,  raising  cabins,  pulling  dog-wood  and  other  hard  work. 
He  was  married  March  17,  1835,  to  Hannah  Tedrow,  daughter  of 
David  Tedrow,  deceased.  They  have  had  eight  children,  of  whom 
4  are  living,  Augustus  "W".,  Melissa,  Amelia  and  Lecter. '  Mr.  Rol- 
lins removed  to  Pike  Co.  in  1839,  having  been  here  in  the  fall  of 
1838  and  bought  a  farm  near  the  Pine  Settlement.   He  however  did 


HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  561 

not  take  possession  of  the  farm,  as  he  lost  over  $500  in  casli  while 
en  route  for  his  new  home.  He  went  to  work  with  a  will,  after 
losing  the  $900  he  had  paid  on  the  farm,  so  that  in  a  few  years  he 
laid  up  enough  to  start  again.  He  bought  a  farm  near  New  Salem, 
where  he  resided  about  15  years.  He  has  been  very  successful,  and 
now  resides  on  sec.  4,  Griggsville  tp.,  engaged  in  farming  and  stock 
raising. 

L&m/ael  Rounds  was  born  June  7,  1806,  in  Brown  Co.,  O.,  and 
is  the  son  of  Lemuel  Hounds,  deceased,  a  native  of  Maine.  The 
latter  emigrated  to  Ohio  in  1800,  settling  in  Brown  Co.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  biography  came  to  Pike  Co.  in  1842,  locating  on  sec. 
16,  Fairmount  tp.,  where  he  followed  farming  and  stock-raising 
until  1875;  he  then  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to  Griggsville, 
where  he  now  resides.  He  was  married  in  1826  to  Elizabeth  Jack- 
son, by  whom  he  had  6  children.  Of  these  only  John  and  Richard 
are  living.  Mrs.  R  died  Oct.  5,  1869;  and  Mr.  R.  Oct.  25,  1879, 
married  Mrs.  Martha  Hagar,  daughter  of  Charles  F.  Frye,  a  well- 
known  early  settler.  Mr.  Rounds'  only  daughter,  Mrs.  Amanda 
Martin,  died  Nov.  22, 1879.  His  son,  Cephas  S.,  was  killed  on  the 
railroad  at  East  St.  Louis  March  2,  1879. 

Robert  Seaborn,  being  an  early  pioneer  of  Pike  county,  should 
have  more  than  a  passing  notice  in  the  pages  of  this  history.  He 
was  born  in  Frankfort,  now  part  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Oct. 
11, 1814,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Rodgers)  Seaborn. 
The  former  was  a  native  of  England  and  came  to  America  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  last  century .  He  was  then  a  single  man,  but 
soon  after  married.  He  was  a  merchant  tailor  at  that  place  for 
several  years,  and  died  March  4,  1805,  leaving  a  widow  and  3  chil- 
dren,-of  whom  our  subject  was  the  youngest.  Robert  passed  his 
early  years  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  where  his  mother  went  to 
live,  and  where  he  received  his  education.  There,  at  the  age  of  16 
or  16,  he  was  apprenticed  to  Jacob  Young  to  learn  the  carriage- 
smith's  trade;  at  the  age  of  21,  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
apprenticeship,  he  went  to  New  York  city,  and  after  a  year  or  two 
went  to  New  Haven,  Conn .,  then  to  Boston,  where  he  found  em- 
ployment with  Theodore  Dickinson,  at  present  an  old  settler  in  this 
county;  he  remained  there  some  three  years,  during  which  time  he 
was  married  to  Caroline  Beckford,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Dickinson;  he 
was  married  in  the  Hanover  Street  Congregational  church,  of  which 
he  was  a  member,  by  Rev.  Lyman  Beecher,  father  of  Henry  Ward 
Beecher.  He  then  went  to  the  British  territories,  looking  for  a 
location;  but  not  finding  a  suitable  place,  returned  to  Boston;  he 
then  moved  to  Preble  county,  O.,  where  he  bought  a  small  farm. 
In  the  summer  of  1831  he  came  to  Pike  county  for  the  first  time, 
to  look  up  a  location,  and  bought  160  acres  of  land  on  sec.  11, 
Griggsville  tp.,  and  160  acres  in  the  creek  bottom,  both  of  which 

E laces  were  sligntly  improved.     He  made  the  return  to  Ohio  for 
is  family,  which  then  consisted  of  a  wife  and  two  sons, — Robert, 
who  was  born  in  Boston,  and  George,  who  was  born  in  Ohio.   While 


662  HISTORY    OF   PIKE   OOUNTT. 

living  on  8ec.  11  he  had  the  misfortune  to  have  his  house  and  every- 
thing in  it  destroyed  by  fire.  Mr.  S.  met  with  another  accident  by 
fire  previous  to  this,  losing  all  earthly  possessions.  When  he  made 
his  trip  from  Boston  to  Ohio  he  sent  his  household  goods,  books, 
etc.,  around  by  sea  to  New  Orleans,  then  via  the  Mississippi  and 
Illinois  rivers;  the  boat  on  which  they  were  sent,  however,  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  When  the  last  fire  occurred  they  were  obliged 
to  live  in  a  smoke-house  for  the  season.  This  structure  was  an  old  log 
house,  without  any  floor,  and  but  poorlj^  chinked  and  daubed.  Dur- 
ing the  year  his  frieiids  and  neighbors  assisted  him  to  build  a  frame 
dwelling.  This  was  made  of  one  and  a  half-inch  plank  stood  on 
end,  and  two  stories  high;  in  this  he  lived  several  years.  During 
this  time  every  misfortune  seemed  to  attend  him,  when  he  sold  his 
farm  and  moved  to  Griggsville.  There  he  lived  for  a  year,  when 
he  bought  a  farm  on  sec.  9,  of  Jacob  Bradbury;  since  that  time  he 
has  prospered  financially  in  all  his  business  undertakings. 

Mr.  Seaborn's  wife  died  on  the  25th  of  March,  184:2,  leaving  a 
family  of  5  children, — Robert,  George,  Henry  C,  Elizabeth,  who 
resided  in  McLean  county.  111.,  but  is  now  deceased,  and  Ann  Car- 
oline. April  20,  1842,  Mr.  S.  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  Ann 
Bryant,  formerly  Mary  Ann  Hovey,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary 
G.  Hovey,  who  were  natives  of  Massachusetts,  and  lived  for  many 
years  in  this  county.  There  were  4  children  born  of  this  union: 
David  R.,  William'H.,  Charles  C.  and  Howard  M.  The  two  lat- 
ter died  at  the  age  of  18  and  31,  respectively.  David  R.  and  Wil- 
liam H.  are  both,  living  in  New  Salem  township.  William  and 
Charles  both  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  during  the  Rebellion,  and 
served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Seaborn  are  both 
firm  believers  in  the  Christian  religion,  and  have  done  their  part 
in  supporting  and  building  churches,  promoting  educational  inter- 
ests, etc.  They  are  now  living  at  their  home  about  one  mile  west 
of  Griggsville.  Mr.  Seaborn's  portrait  will  be  found  in  this 
volume. 

A.  P.  Shar^pe  came  to  Pike  Co.  in  1834,  when  he  was  25  years 
of  age,  and  entered  200  acres  of  land  on  sees.  19  and  20,  Griggs- 
ville tp.,  where  he  still  resides.  He  also  entered  80  acres  on  sec. 
30,  this  tp.,  and  80  acres  of  timber  land  on  sec.  24,  Salem  tp.  To 
enter  this  land  he  went  to  Quincy  alone  on  horseback,  a  distance 
of  50  miles,  when  there  were  but  2  cabins  on  the  route,  and  Mr. 
S.  shared  all  the  hardships  of  pioneer  life.  He  had  to  go  to  Mor- 
gan (now  Scott)  county  to  mill,  and  if  successful  in  getting  his 
grist  ground  immediately,  he  could  make  the  trip  in  3  days.  He 
has  actually  sold  wheat  in  Griggsville  for  two  "  bits  "  a  bushel, 
taking  his  pay  in  trade,  not  being  allowed  to  have  any  groceries  at 
that.  At  one  time  he  took  30  bushels  of  wheat  to  that  town  and 
gave  half  of  it  for  a  pair  of  cow-hide  boots,  and  the  other  half  for 
a  small  roll  of  cotton  cloth.  At  another  time  he  sold  his  crop  of 
beans  for  30  cents  a  bushel,  taking  his  pay  in  sacks  and  a  few  httle 
trinkets.     Mr.  Sharpe  was  born  in  Pomfret,  Windham  Co.,  Conn., 


HISTOKT    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  563 

Jan.  15,  1809;  the  first  2  years  upon  his  lonely  farm  in  Pike  Oo. 
he  kept  "bach,"  and  Sept.  1,  '3Y,  in  Connecticut,  he  married  Miss 
F.  L.  Hutchins,  who  was  born  in  the  town  of  Thompson,  Wind- 
ham Co.,  Conn.,  Dec.  9,  1816.  Mr.  S.  has  been  a  very  successfal 
farmer  and  stock-raiser,  owning  now  283  acres  of  land.  Mr.  S. 
paid  promptly  for  all  his  land  by  selling  beef  at  $1.25  per  cwt., 
pork  at  $1.50,  and  corn  from  8  to  10  cents,  and  other  things  in 
proportion.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are  the  parents  of  11  children,  of 
whom  8  are  living,  namely,  Edwin  H,,  Ellen  (now  Mrs.  Fisher), 
Joseph  K.,  Frederick  L.,  Mary  H.,  Anna  T.,  Charles  F.  Mary  H. 
and  Mrs.  Fisher  are  very  fine  artists.  Many  of  their  pictures  dec- 
orate the  State  institutions  of  this  State. 

WilUam  Shaw,  son  of  John  Shaw,  deceased,  was  born  in  War- 
wickshire, Eng.,  in  1826,  and  was  brought  to  America  by  his 
parents  in  1827,  stopping  in  New  York  4  years;  then  came  to  Pike 
Co.  He  has  pursued  various  occupations,  and  now  owns  200  acres 
of  land,  and  is  engaged  in  general  farming  on  sec.  13,  Griggsville 
tp.  He  was  married  .in  1860  to  Mary  Alexander,  daughter  of  'reo. 
Alexander,  deceased.  The  building  now  used  by  Mr.  Shaw  as  a 
,  barn  was  erected  by  his  father  in  an  early  day  on  Flint  creek,  as  a 
flouring  mill. 

James  Shinn,  sr.,  was  born  July  10,  1806,  in  Salem  Co.,  N.  J.; 
moved  to  Hamilton  Co.,  O.,  in  1824,  where  he  engaged  in  farming 
on  the  ground  where  a  portion  of  Cincinnati  now  stands;  came 
to  Pike  county  in  1831,  settling  in  Derry  tp. ;  and  after  one  year 
he  removed  to  Griggsville  tp.,  where  he  still  resides.  In  1827  he 
married  Mary  Smith,  of  Clermont  Co.,  O.:  they  have  had  10  chil- 
dren, of  whom  6  are  living,  namely,  Horace  B.,  John  B.,  Hannah 
A.,  Charles  W.,  Kate  and  Victoria  P.  Hannah  (now  Mrs.  Elder), 
lives  in  Washington  Territory,  and  Kate  (now  Mrs.  Stephens,  is 
in  Santa  Kosa,  Oal.     Charles  W.  is  an  architect  in  Springfield,  111. 

James  Shinn,  son  of  S.  L.  Shinn,  was  born  in  Griggsville,  Aug. 
31,1841;  his  father  was  born  in  Camden,  N.  J.,  in  1811.  James 
served  two  years  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  G,  8th  I.  V.  I.,  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  siege  of  Corinth,  and  the 
campaigns  of  Yicksburg  and  Ked  River,  the  latter  including  the 
defeat  of  Gen.  Banks  at  Pleasant  Hill ;  he  was  then  transferred  to 
the  Signal  Service  under  Gen.  Meyer,  where  he  served  one  year.  In 
1864  he  married  Kate  Glenn,  daughter  of  Wm.  Glenn,  and  they 
have  3  children, — Herbert  S.,  Delia  M.  and  Augusta. 

John  B.  Shinn,  son  of  James  Shinn,  of  Griggsville,  was  born  in 
Hamilton  Co.,  O.,  Oct.  28,  1830,  where  Cincinnati  now  stands; 
came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1831  and  settled  near  Atlas, 
where  they  remained  one  year;  then  removed  to  Griggsville  tp., 
locating  on  sec.  24,  where  John  was  brought  up  ;  he  attended  Mc- 
Kendree  College,  at  Lebanon,  111.,  one  year,  and  then  married 
Charlotte  E.  Fielding,  Sept.  6,  1853.  Of  their  8  children  7  are  liv- 
ing, namely,  Charles  B.,  Grace  L.,  Edwin  F.,  John  F.,  Annie  M., 


664  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Mary  B.  and  an  infant.     Mr.  S.  is  a  farmer,  and  has  taught  school 
several  years. 

ParDin  Shinn,  son  of  John  S.  Shinn,  of  Griggsville,  was  born 
Oct.  10, 1838,  in  this  tp.;  married  Oct.  20,  1863,  Louise,  daughter 
of  Wm.  Thackwray,  deceased.  Mrs.  Shinn's  mother,  Hannah  (Sweet- 
ing) Thackwray,  is  living  in  Flint  tp.,  at  the  age  of  80  years;  and 
her  grandfather,  Kichard  Sweeting,  came  to  Pike  county  in  1834. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  have  four  children,  viz:  Louise  E.,  Eugeuie,  Eva 
L.  and  Ross.     Mr.  S.  is  a  farmer  on  sec.  22,  and  has  been  prosperous. 

Samuel  L.  Shinn  was  born  in  Salem  Co.,  K".  J.,  in  1811;  came 
to  Pike  county  in  1831,  settling  in  Griggsville  tp.  His  father,  John 
ShinUj  also  came  the  same  year  and  procured  land  for  all  his  sons. 
So  numerous  were  the  Shinns  that  the  locality  was  called  "  Shinn- 
town."  The  subject  of  this  sketch  in  1834  married  Sarah  Evans, 
and  they  had  16  children,  of  whom  only  7  are  living:  Clement, 
Joseph,  James,  John,  Jane,  Mary  and  Ellen.  Mr.  S.  has  been  a 
Local  Preacher  in  the  M.  E.  Church  for  25  years.  He  went  with 
his  father  when  he  went  to  pray  for  the  man  who  was  frightened  at 
the  falling  stars  in  1833.  Until  18Y9  he  was  a  farmer;  he  then  re- 
tired from  farming,  and  went  to  Griggsville. 

Wm.  M.  Shinn,  deceased,  was  born  in  Hamilton  Co.,  0.,  Dec.  1, 
1830,  and  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Shinn,  so  well  known  in  the 
pioneer  days  of  Pike  county.  At  the  age  of  two  years  he  emigrated 
to  this  county  with  his  parents,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm.  He  was 
educated  in  tlie  common  schools  of  Pike  county,  and  at  the  age- of 
21,  in  company  with  others,  went  the  overland  route  to  California, 
with  a  train  of  wagons  drawn  by  ox  teams.  He  remained  there  for  8 
years,  traveling  through  Oregon  and  Washington  Territory  a  por- 
tion of  the  time.  He  then  returned  to  Pike  county  to  live  with  his 
father,  who  was  then  very  infirm.  He  was  married  Feb.  5,  1861, 
to  Mary  A.  Jenkins,  daughter  of  Joseph  Jenkins,  of  Griggsville 
tp.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shinn  had  4  children,  of  whom  but  one,  Eva,  is 
living,  a  bright  little  girl  of  10  years.  Mr.  Shinn  died  Jan.  11, 
1879,  a  worthy  member  of  the  Bethel  M.  E.  Church,  of  Newburgtp. 

Cephas  Simmons  was  born  in  Bullitt  Co.,  Ky.,  Sept.  3,  1809, 
the  eldest  son  and  3d  child  of  Richard  and  Sophia  Simmons,  early 
pioneers  in  that  State.  The  country  being  new,  they  had  to  un- 
dergo untold  suffering.  The  State  at  that  early  period  of  its  his- 
tory was  sparsely  settled,  and  they  had  none  of  the  conveniences 
of  modern  times,  while  the  native  savages  and  ferocious  animals 
were  numerous.  They  could  raise  but  little  produce,  and  even 
then  could  find  but  poor  markets.  A  patch  of  corn  and  a  little 
patch  of  wheat  comprised  almost  the  sum  total  of  their  farming. 
"When  Cephas  was  only  3  years  old  his  father  died.  He  was  there- 
fore thrown  upon  his  own  resources  at  a  very  tender  age,  with  no 
capital  but  his  hands  and  will  to  begin  with.  He  came  to  Illinois 
in  1827  and  resided  with  his  uncle,  Enos  Simmons,  in  Morgan  Co., 
for  2  years,  and  there  he  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Pa- 
tience  Bradbury,   who   was  born  in  Clermont  Co.,  0.,  in  1810. 


HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COtTNTT.  565 

When  first  married  Mr.  Siininons'  wealth  consisted  of  a  colt  and 
two  calves,  but  bj'  energy  and  perseverance  he  has  brought  to  him- 
self better  days.  He  now  has  a  family  of  7  children,  all  married. 
He  sent  two  of  his  sons  into  the  late  war.  D.  C.  volunteered  for  3 
years,  and  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Perry  ville,  Ky.,  and  still 
carries  the  ball  in  his  body.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simmons  are  both 
prominent  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  as  also  are  most  of 
their  children.  Among  our  portraits  of  prominent  citizens  of  Pike 
Co.,  appears  Mr.  Simmons.' 

Matthew  Simpson,  deceased,  was  born  in  Harrison  Co. ,  O.,  Nov. 
13,  1807;  settled  here  in  1837,  enduring  many  of  the  hardships  of 
pioneer  life.  He  was  a  Methodist,  and  died  Jan.  4,  1877,  loved 
and  respected  by  all.  He  was  first  married  April  19,  1827,  to  Su- 
sannah Orr,  by  whom  he  had  7  children, — Margaret  J.,  Mary,  Isa- 
bella. Thomas,  John,  James  and  Alexander,  twins,  and  deceased. 
He  married  afterward  Mrs.  Susan  Pryor,  and  they  had  2  children, 
— ^Edward,  deceased,  and  Llewella  M.  Mrs.  Simpson  was  born 
in  Knox  Co.,  O.,  April  22,  1828,  daughter  of  Samuel  Ward,  de- 
ceased, who  came  to  Pike  Co.  in  1844.  She  now  resides  on  sec.  17, 
Griggs  ville  tp.  She  was  first  married  in  1864  to  Nathaniel  P. 
Pryor,  who, died  the  same  year. 

John  Q.  Sleight,  jr.,  a  native  of  Lincolnshire,  Eng.,  was  born 
June  12,  1840,  the  son  of  John  G.  Sleight,  sr.,  afterward  of  Flint 
tp.  He  came  to  America  in  October,  1857,  settling  in  Flint  tp. 
In  1866  he  was  married  to  Ruth  Reynolds,  and  they  have  2  children, 
Charles  W.  and  Mary  Leah.  In  1869  he  purchased  314  acres  of 
land  in  Griggsville  tp.,  sees.  2  and  3.  This  is  one  of  the  best  farms 
in  P  ke  Co.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are  Baptists. 

Edwa/rd  L.  Stoats  was  born  in  Warren  Co.,  O.,  July  27,  1836; 
was  raised  mostly  on  a  farm,  and  emigrated  to  Illinois  with  his 
parents  in  1843,  locating  in  Quincy;  in  1844  they  removed  to  this 
county,  where  he  is  engaged  in  farming.  His  father,  Wm.  Staats, 
is  a  native  of  Penn,,  and  is  now  at  Hot  Springs,  Ark.  Edward's 
mother  was  born  in  N.  C.  May  6, 1810;  of  her  6  children  our  sub- 
ject is  the  eldest.  They  have  a  farm  of  160  acres  on  sec.  14,  this 
tp,  Edward  in  1862  married  Anna  King,  daughter  of  Joseph  King, 
dec,  of  Perry.     Mrs.  S.  died  in  Jan.,  1864. 

Peter  T.  Staats;  P.  0.  Griggsville;  born  in  Adams  Co.,  111., 
June  80,  1843,  the  son  of  Wm.  Staats;  received  a  common-school 
education  in  Griggsville,  and  finishe4  his  education  in  Quincy.  He 
is  now  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in  Griggsville,  in  which  he 
succeeds  well;  he  also  teaches  school  some.  Dec.  23,  1867,  he 
married  Maria,  daughter  of  Magruder  Edmonson,  of  Versailles, 
111.,  formerly  of  Quincy.  Their  3  children  are  Eugene  A.,  Olin  C, 
and  Inez  G. 

Dr.  E.  a,  Stoner  was  born  in  Clermont  Co.,  0.,  and  came  with 
his  parents  to  Schuyler  (now  Brown)  Co.,  111.,  in  1836,  where  he 
remained  until  1849,  when  he  came  to  this  county.  He  graduated 
in  the  Missouri  Medical  College  of  St.  Louis  in  1854,  and   began 


666  HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

practicing  the  same  year  in  Perry,  this  Co.;  in  1861  he  located  in 
Griggsville,  where  he  has  built  up  a  large  practice.  In  1856  he 
married  Miss  A,  E.  Whitaker,  daughter  of  1} .  D.  "Whitaker,  and 
their  3  children  are  Emma  W.,  Stanley  and  Alice. 

Charles  Thrasher,  deceased,  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Conn., 
Eeb .  13, 1795 .  He  was  a  shoemaker  in  his  younger  days,  but  sub- 
sequently engaged  in  farming.  In  1853  he  emigrated  to  Pike  Co. 
and  settled  on  sec.  11,  Griggsville  tp.  Sept.  13,  1840,  he  married 
Mrs.  Eigney,  daughter  of  John  Meagley,  deceased,  and  they  had  4 
children,  3  of  whom  are  living, — Matilda,  Amaziah  and  Benjamin. 
Matilda  is  married  to  Samuel  Layman  and  resides  near  Woodburn, 
Oregon;  Amaziah  is  married  to  Mary  Hope  and  resides  in  Tama, 
Iowa,  and  Benjamin  is  married  to  Belle  Bright,  and  they  also  re- 
side in  Tama,  Iowa.  Mr.  Thrasher  has  been  married  3  times  and  is 
the  father  of  18  children.  In  1853  he  went  overland  to  Oregon 
and  California,  but  his  health  failed  and  he  returned  after  9  months. 
Mr,  Thrasher  died  July  Ij  1863,  greatly  lamented  by  all  who  knew 
him. 

Wm.  Turnbull,  decease^,  was  born  in  the  county  of  York,  Eng., 
Oct.  16,  1805;  was  the  3d  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Turnbull,  who 
were  also  natives  of  England.  He  ^received  a  good  English  and 
mechanical  education  in  the  best  of  schools  in  the  town  in  which  he 
resided.  After  finishing  his  education,  his  business  while  in  Eng- 
land was  that  of  general  superintendent  of  the  manufacturing  estab- 
lishment of  his  father.  He  came  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring 
of  1830,  landing  in  New  York,  thence  proceeded  to  Maryland, 
locating  sear  Baltimore,  in  which  place  he  lived  4  years,  still  fol- 
lowing the  same  vocation.  In  1835  he  traveled  for  Messrs.  Garside 
&  Co.,  of  Manayunk,  selling  flax  thread  and  traveling  among  the 
farmers,  endeavoring  to  encourage  them  to  grow  the  staple  necessary 
to  feed  their  mknufactories.  In  1836  he  was  married  in  Philadel- 
phia to  Grace  Wade,  daughter  of  Francis  and  Elizabeth  "Wade,  who 
were  also  natives  of  England.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  have  had  one  son 
and  two  daughters.  In  the  fall  of  1839  he  came  to'  Illinois,  locat- 
ing in  Flint  tp.,  where  he  followed  farming.  He  has  also  traveled 
considerably  in  this  country.     He  died  Sept.  10,  18Y8. 

Benjamin  F.  Wade,  deceased,  was  born  in  Alton,  111.,  in  July, 
1827;  reared  on  a  farm,  experiencing  in  early  days  all  the  hardships 
of  pioneer  life;  was  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican  war  under  Col.  E.  "w. 
B.  Newberry  and  Gen.  Taylor,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Palo  Alto,  Eesaca  De  La  Palma,  Monterey  and  Buena  Vista.  In 
1852  he  went  to  California,  where  he  followed  mining  four  years; 
returned  to  Pike  Co. ;  was  married  Sept.  10,  1860,  to  Jane  Elliott, 
and  they  had  4  children,  3  of  whom  are  living,  Martha  E.,  John  K. 
and  Dorcas  H.  Mrs.  Wade  was  born  in  Boss  Co.,  O.,  Oct.  14, 1823, 
and  is  a  sister  of  Moses  Elliott,  of  Griggsville  tp.  Mr.  Wade  was 
a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  died  Dec.  23,  1859. 

Josias  Wade  was  born  in  Franklin  Co.,  N.  Y.,  May  22,  1804; 
his  father,  Josias  Wade,  sr.,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Indian  war  and 


!#;  "«». 


GRIGG'SVILLE  TP 


HISTOEY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  569 

participated  in  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe,  under  Gen.  Harrison.  In 
1825  our  subject  was  married  to  Cynthia  Owens,  and  they  had  8 
children.  In  1827  he  removed  to  Missouri,  and  in  1830  he  came  to 
Pike  Co.,  settling  on  sec.  7,  Flint  tp.  Mrs.  Wade  died  in  July, 
1863,  and  Dec.  20,  1870,  he  married  Hannah  C.  Lyon.  He  resides 
in  Griggsville,  retired  from  active  labor.  He  is  the  father  of  Aus- 
tin and  Coleman  Wade,  two  prominent  citizens  of  Flint  tp. 

Mrs.  Margaret  E.  Wade  was  born  in  Jefferson  Co.,  O.,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Robert  Spence,  deceased,  and  widow  of  the  late  Brunce 
Wade.  Mr.  Wade  was  born  in  1820,  in  Kentucky,  and  was  married 
Aug.  22,  1860,  to  Miss  Spence,  and  they  had  one  daughter,  Mary, 
now  Mrs.  Sylvester  Yandament,  who  resides  with  her  mother  in 
Griggsville.  Mrs.  Vandament  has  3  children, — Minnie,  Myrtle  and 
Ellen. 

Bolert  J.  Walker,  farmer,  sec.  12;  was  born  near  Boston,  Lincoln- 
shire, Eng.,  Dec.  28,  1819,  and  crossed  the  ocean  in  1836.  He  ap- 
prenticed himself  to  Jesse  G.  Crawford,  a  carpenter  of  Griggsville, 
serving  3  years ;  after  which  he  worked  at  his  trade  for  14  years, 
when  he  cut  his  knee  with  a  broad-ax;  he  then  began  farming 
and  the  culture  of  fruit-trees,  making  the  latter  a  specialty.  Aug.- 
1, 1847,  he  married  Amanda  Evans,  and  of  their  11  children  8  are 
living, — M.  Jane,  Ann  L.,  Geo.  J.,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  Emma  C, 
Willard  S.  and  Fannie. 

Fra/nk  Warton,  known  throughout  the  country  as  "Banty," 
owing  to  his  small  stature,  was  born  March  22,  1858,  son  of  Wm. 
Warton,  deceased,  an  early  settler  in  Pike  county.  Mr.  Warton  is 
a  farmer,  owning  a  nice  little  farm  on  sec.  27,  this  tp. 

John  Warton  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  June  24,  1815.  In 
1833  he  was  brought  over  the  sea  with  his  parents  and  stopped  in 
Morgan  Co.,  111.,  while  he  and  his  father  erected  a  house  on  their 
land  in  Griggsville  tp.,  sec.  27,  where  John  still  resides,  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock-raising.  His  parents  were  also  natives  of  York- 
shire, Eng.,  and  had  5  children,  of  whom  John  was  the  4th.  In 
Oct.,  1841,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Haxbey,  of  Scott 
Co.,  111.  Their  6  children  are,  Ann,  Thomas,  Kachel,  John,  Sarah 
J.  and  Georgje.     All  married,  except  John  and  George. 

Wm.  Warton,  a  native  of  Yorkshire,  England,  was  born  in  Dec, 
1817.  He  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in  1838,  remaining 
in  Morgan  Co.,  111.,  about  five  months,  when  they  removed  to  Pike 
Co.  He  was  married  June  27, 1848,  to  Elizabeth  Haxbey,  daughter 
of  George  Haxbey,  deceased.  Mr.  Haxbey  came  to  Scott  county  in 
1830,  and  suffered  with  others  during  the  big  snow.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Haxbey  had  4  children, — Mary  J.,  now  Mrs.  John  Hensell,  Wil- 
liam, Elizabeth  and  Frank.  Mr.  Warton  was  a  farmer  and  resided 
on  sec.  27,  Griggsville  tp.,  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Oct.  30, 
1859.  Mr.  Haxbey  came  first  to  New  York,  and  then  to  Illinois, 
by  way  of  the  Great  Lakes,  in  a  sailing  vessel.     The  journey  occu- 

fied  10  weeks.     When  they  arrived  at  Chicago  they  found  a  few 
'rench  and  Indians  there,  wading  through  the  swamps.    Mr.  Hax- 


570  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

bey  and  Kichard  Waugh  employed  some  Frenchmen  at  Chicago  to 
bring  their  families  to  Jacksonville,  which  at  that  time  was  a  vil- 
lage of  4  or  5  bouses.  The  Indians  would  approach  them  at  night 
and  sit  around  the  camp-lire  and  converse  with  the  Frenchmen, 
which  frightened  the  families  of  the  new  arrivals  very  much.  Mrs. 
Warton  has  vivid  recollections  of  the  pioneer  days  in  Illinois, 
when  wolves  made  the  nights  hideous  by  their  constant  howling. 
Great  credit  is  due  these  pioneers  for  their  iintiring  efforts  in  set- 
tling this  wild  country,  and  for  the  hardships  and  privations  they 
endured  in  preparing  the  way  for  the  prosperity  of  future  genera- 
tions. 

William  Warton,  jr.,  was  born  July  20, 1852,  in  this  tp.,  where 
he  still  resides  on  sec.  27,  engaged  in  farming.  When  he  was  8 
years  old  his  father,  William  W.,  sr.,  died,  leaving  a  wife  and  4 
small  children,  of  whom  William,  jr.,  is  the  2d.  After  working  by 
the  month  for  different  farmers  for  6  years,  he  began  agriculture 
for  himself  In  1874  he  went  to  Fort  Scott  in  "  grass-hopperdom," 
but  the  desolation  which  had  just  been  wrought  by  that  pestiferous 
insect  so  discouraged  him,  that  he  returned  to  old  Pike.  ■  Sept.  3, 
1878,  he  married  Fannie  McPherson,  daughter  of  Stephen  McP., 
dec,  of  Missouri.  They  have  one  child,  Elsie  May. 
'  Dr.  T.  M.  Watson,  a  native  of  Pike  Co.,  was  born  Nov.  25, 1851, 
the  son  of  John  Watson,  of  Barry.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the  Eclec- 
tic Medical  Institute  of  Cincinnati,  O.,  and  began  practice  in 
Griggsville  in  1874.  He  now  practices  the  Homeopathic  system  of 
medicine  exclusively,  and  is  enjoying  an  extensive  practice,  having 
the  patronage  of  a  large  portion  of  the  wealthy  and  intelligent  citi- 
zens. In  May,  1874,  he  married  Helena,  daughter  of  J.  L.  Terry, 
of  Barry.  During  a  service  of  two  terms  upon  the  Municipal 
Board  he  has  been  prominently  Identified  with  every  measure  for 
public  improvement,  and  for  the  best  interests  of  the  commilnity. 

John  Weiler  is  a  native  of  Hamilton  Co.,  O.,  and  came  to  Illi- 
nois in  1864,  and  to  Pike  county  in  Jan.,  1879,  where  ^e  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  carriages  and  spring  wagons.  He  has  a  large 
business,  employing  ""O  to  14  hands  constantly.  He  also  pursued 
the  same  occupation  in  Quincy  for  12  years. 

August  Wellenreiter  was  born  in  Baden,  Ger.,  Feb.  17,  1836, 
the  sou  of  Wesley  W.,  deceased,  who  brought  his  family  to  Ameri- 
ca in  June,  1856.  Mr.  W.  married  Nov.  24, 1863,  Malinda  Turner, 
and.  they  have  had  9  children,  of  whom  4  are  living, — Lizzie, 
Johnnie,  Charlotte  and  Wesley  Leander.  He  is  a  prominent  far- 
mer of  this  tp.,  residing  on  the  Thrasher  farm. 

B.  D.  Whitaker  was  born  Jan.  23, 1809,  in  Greene  Co.,  N.  T., 
in  sight  of  the  Catskill  Mountains,  and  has  not  had  a  school  educa- 
tion.'' In  1830  he  went  to  New  York  city,  where  he  remained 
until  1839.  After  prospecting  West  a  year  or  two  he  settled  in 
Perry,  this  Co.,  where  he  followed  merchandising  and  pork-pack- 
ing ior  14  years;  he  then  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery  and 
commission  business  in  St.  Louis  25  years.     While  there  he  was  a 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  571 

member  of  the  "Old  Guards,"  who  were  called  into  service  twice 
during  the  late  war,  and  who  donated  their  wages  to  the  Soldiers' 
Orphan  Home  near  St.  Louis.  Mr.  "W".  now  resides  in  Griggsville, 
the  possessor  of  a  family  Bible  155  years  old,  which  contains  the 
family  record  dating  back  to  the  birth  of  our  subject's  great-grand- 
father, Edward  Whitaker,  March  10,  1705,  who  was  one  of  three 
brothers  that  came  from  Leeds,  Eng.,  in  a  very  early  day.  Mr.  "W". 
married  ISTov.  10,  1832,  in  New  York  city,  Delia  D.  Wood,  and 
they  have  had  6  children,  of  whom  4  are  living  :  James  K.,  of  San 
Francisco,  Cal.;  Ann  Eliza,  now  Mrs.  Dr.  Stoner,  of  Griggsville; 
Helena  A.,  now  Mrs.  B.  A.  Dozier,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  and  Emma 
F.,  now  Mrs.  Benj.  Lacy,  of  Baltimore,  Md. 

M.  W.  TTAi^e  was  born  in  Caledonia  Co.,Yt.,  Aug.  1,  1803,  and  is 
a  son  of  Nicholas  White,  deceased.  Our  subject  on  his  mother's  side 
is  the  17th  generation  from  John  Rogers,  who  was  burned  at  the 
stake.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Baron,  and  his  grand- 
mother was  a  Rogers.  He  was  married  May  9, 1837,  to  Susan  M. 
Whitelaw,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mehetabel  Whitelaw,  of  Rye- 
gate,  Yt.,  and  granddaughter  of  Gen.  James  Whitelaw,  a  native  of 
Scotland,  and  the  first  surveyor  of  all  the  New  England  States.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  White  have  had  5  children,  of  whom  3  are  living, — James 
H.,  Horace  A.  and  Madeline,  now  Mrs.  Thurlow  Wilson,  of  Griggs- 
ville. Mr.  White  emigrated  to  Morgan  Co.  111.,  in  1837,  when 
there  was  no  railroad  in  the  State,  and  deer  and  wolves  roamed  at 
will' through  the  forests,  and  across  the  prairies.  He  made  keys 
for  securing  the  rails  by  cross  ties  for  the  first  railroad  that  was 
built  in  Illinois,  viz. :  that  from  Naples  to  Jacksonville.  Here- 
moved  with  his  family  to  Griggsville  in  1855,  having  resided  for 
17  years  previous  to  this  in  Scott  Co.,  and  about  6  months  in  St. 
Louis.  He  has  engaged  in  various  occupations,  and  now  resides  in 
Griggsville. 

David  Wilson,  a  native  of  Lincolnshire,  Eng. ,  was  born  in  Nov. , 
1828,  the  son  of  Joseph  Wilson,  an  early  settler  of  Pike  county. 
His  parents  came  with  him  across  the  ocean  in  1829,.  and  to  this 
'  county  in  1831 ;  he  was  raised  a  farmer,  and  is  still  engaged  in  this 
business.  Dec.  21,  1856,  he  married  Susan  M.,  daughter  of  John 
Bell,  deceased,  who  was  an  early  settler  of  this  county.  They  have 
one  son,  Wm.  Joseph,  who  was  born  Nov.  19, 1856.  Mr.  Wilson 
still  remains  on  the  farm  on  sec.  12,  Griggsville  tp.  He  has  re- 
sided in  Pike  county  48  years,  and  42  years  of  that  time  in  this  tp. 

Joseph  Wilson  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  Eng.,  in  March,  1793, 
the  son  of  Isaac  Wilson.  He  came  to  America  in  1829,  stopping 
in  New  York  State  2  years,  then  coming  to  this  county,  settling 
on  sec.  12,  this  tp.,  where  he  still  resides.  His  many  experiences 
in  pioneer  life  are  such  as  those  related  in  our  chapter  on  that  gen- 
eral subject.  In  1826  he  married  Elizabeth  Walker,  and  they  have 
had  10  children,  of  whom  6  are  living, — Louisa,  now  Mrs.  Levi 
Butler  ;  Martha,  now  Mrs.  John  Scott ;  Elizabeth,  now  the  wife 
of  Geo.  Wilson;  David,  Joseph  and  George.     David  and  Joseph 


572  '  HISTORY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

are  married.  Mrs.  "Wilson  died  Sept.  20,  1876,  having  been  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  oyer  50  years.  The  youngest  son, 
George,  remains  at  home  attending  the  farm.  Mr.  W.  has  never 
been  out  of  the  State  but  once  since  he  first  located  here,  and  that 
was  a  two  weeks'  visit  in  Indiana.  He  is  unusually  active,  still 
attending  to  business.     He  owns  280  acres  of  land. 

James  Winn,  deceased,  was  born  in  West  Cambridge,  Mass., 
Jan.  31,  1808,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated  ;  he  was  a  farmer 
and  horticulturist,  and  was  in  the  Quincy  vegetable  market  in  Bos- 
ton for  several  years  ;  in  1834  he  came  to  Pike  county,  entering 
land  in  this  tp. ;  he  also  purchased  the  undivided  one- half  of  the 
north  half  of  sec.  28,  and  the  south  half  of  sec.  21,  in  this  tp. 
May  12,  1836,  he  married  Hannah  Converse,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Converse,  dec,  and  they  had  9  children,  of  whom  7  are  living, — 
Hannah  J.,  Sarah  L.,  James,  Harriet,  Charles,  Abba  and  Julia  E. 
For  5  or  6  years  after  arriving  in  this  county  he  engaged  in  pork- 
packing,  and  for  2  years  was  a  partner  of  Nathan  W.  Jones  in 
farming.  Mr.  Winn  was  a  Congregationalist,  and  died  Jan.  10, 
1860,  a  great  loss  to  all  who  knew  him. 


NEWBURG  TOWNSHIP. 

The  history  of  Newbury  township  is  so  closely  interwoven  with 
the  associations  and  early  settlenaent  of  Pittsfield  that  to  separate 
the  intricate  facts  is  almost  impossible,  and  would  involve  discus- 
sions as  to  the  correctness  of  its  record  regarding  dates,  etc.  Be- 
sides, in  order  to  secure  a  thorough  history  of  a  township  an 
undivided  interest  must  be  manifested,  and  the  assistance  of  those 
settlers  whose  knowledge  dates  back  to  its  primitive  days  secured. 
Therefore  the  history  of  ]Srewburg  bears  the  expression  and  interest 
of  its  people. 

The  wealth  and  magnificence  of  this  county  grew  from  its  beautiful 
groves  as  much  as  from  any  other  one  thing.  These  goodly  forests 
in  their  primeval  beauty  drew  the  pioneer  as  surely  as  the  magnet 
does  the  needle.  ISTo  other  considerations  overbore  the  generous 
"shelter  which  these  islands  of  shade  and  cool  streams  gave, — about 
the  only  comforts  which  these  early  settlers  found  in  their  new 
home;  all  others  were  surroundings  of  discomfort.  The  cramped 
cabins,  the  absence  of  schools  and  markets,  sickness, — ^always  the 
attendant  of  new  locations, — severe  storms,  depredations  of  wild 
beasts,  fires,  snakes,  poorly  paid  toil  and  the  uncertainties  of  the 
future, — all  gave  way  to  the  supporting  shelter  of  a  grove  of  tim- 
ber. Thus,  when  Daniel  Husong,  the  iirst  white  settler  in  'New- 
burg  township,  located  here,  he  selected  one  of  these  beautiful 
groves.  He  built  a  log  cabin  on  section  23,  the  site  now  occupied 
by  the  residence  of  David  Kiser,  in  the  year  1832.  This  was  the 
first  house  erected  in  the  township.  Nicholas  Criss,  Hiram  Heed 
and  Hawkins  Judd  made  improvements  upon  this  section  the  same 
year.  John  Durand,  Jacob  Heavener  and  A.  B.  Quimby  followed 
soon  after,  and  the  settlement  became  more  extended.  Peter  K. 
Stringham,  a  native  of  ISTewburg,  IST.  T.,  came  in  1833  and  settled 
on  section  33,  where  a  town  was  laid  out  and  a  postoffice  estab- 
lished. Stringham  was  followed  by  "  Aunty "  and  John  Dun- 
ham, who  succeeded  in  retaining  the  establishment  four  or  five 
years,  but  its  neighbor,  Detroit,  was  springing  into  existence,  and 
hither  the  postoffice  was  removed  under  the  appointment  of  B.  John- 
son. E .  W.  Hickerson  came  in  1833  and  settled  near  Pittsfield. 
To  him  and  Squire  Hayden  belongs  the  honor  of  being  the  oldest 
living  settlers  of  the  township. 

The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  Kev.  E.  L.  Allen,  of  the  Bap- 


574  HISTOBT   OF    PIKE  COUNTY. 

tist  denomination,  in  1830,  in  a  log-school-house  long  since  decayed. 
The  first  school-house  was  erected  on  section  15,  in  1835,  and 
school  was  taught  here  by  Daniel  Foster.  The  first  church  build- 
ing was  erected  the  same  year,  and  was  known  as  the  Bethel 
Church,  and  was  built  by  the  Methodists.  Robert  Kerr,  Emery 
Scott  and  the  two  Misses  Criss,  sisters,  and  daughters  of  Nicholas 
Oriss,  were  the  first  parties  married.  The  ceremony  was  per- 
formed by  M.  E.  Eattan,  Esq.,  of  Pittsfield.  The  first  death  was 
that  of  George  Westlake,  father  of  Hon.  Benj.  F.  "Westlake.  L.  E. 
Hayden  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

When  the  township"  was  organized,  a  committee  of  three  was  ap- 
pointed to  select  a  name.  After  some  discussion  it  was  named  in 
honor  of  the  birth-place  of  Peter  K.  Stringham  and  Capt.  Benj.  F. 
Westlake,  both  early  pilgrims  in  this  county  and  township.  'Eew- 
burg  in  its  early  days  contained  many  acres  of  brush  and  timber, 
much  of  which  has  been  swept  away,  and  the  works  of  the  busy 
husbandman  in  well  cultivated  and  productive  fields  are  visible  on 
every  hand. 

BIOGEAPHICAL   DEPAETMENT. 

In  continuance  of  the  local  history  of  the  township  we  will  give 
personal  sketches  of  many  of  the  old  settlers  and  prominent  men 
of  the  same. 

John  Barney,  retired  farmer,  sec.  18 ;  was  born  in  Berkshire  Co., 
Mass.,  in  1809,  came  to  this  county  in  1830,  settling  in  Atlas  tp., ' 
where  he  resided  4^  years,  when  he  moved  to  Barry  tp. ;  in  1855 
he  settled  upon  his  present  estate,  at  that  time  consisting  of  200 
acres,  the  most  of  which  he  has  since  sold,  and  is  living  in  retire- 
ment. He  was  appointed  County  Treasurer  by  the  County  Com- 
missioners in  1831  and  re-appointed  for  7  consecutive  years.  He 
was  married  in  Pittsfield,  in  1837,  to  Miss  Clarissa  Shaw,  a  native 
of  Massachusetts,  by  whom  he  has  2  children, — Eliza  J.  and  Orville 
H.  Mr.  B.  numbers  among  the  few  who  are  left  of  the  early  pio- 
neers of  Pike  Co. 

Gha/rles  TF.  Bickerdike,  farmer,  sec.  6;  P.  O.  Griggsville;  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Anna  (Griggs)  Bickerdike,  natives  of  England, 
where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  1842;  the  family  emi- 
grated the  following  year  to  this  country,  settling  in  Griggsville 
tp.,  where  his  parents  both  died.  Mr.  B.  was  married  to  Miss  N. 
E.  Shrigley,  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  have 'one  daughter,  Anna  J. 
Mr.  B.  has  a  farm  of  160  acres,  valued  at  $40  an  acre.  He  and  bis 
wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Frcmcis  Casteel,  farmer,  sec.  14;  P.  O.  Detroit  ;  Mr.  C.  was 
born  in  Knox  Co.,  Tenn.,  in  1822,  the  son  of  Daniel  Casteel,  who 
settled  in  Bond  Co.,  111.,  where  he  died  July,  1834.  The  same  year 
Francis  came  to  this  county  and  settled  north  of  Detroit,  where 
he  resided  8  years.  He  moved  upon  his  present  estate  in  1848,  con- 
sisting of  200  acres  of  highly  improved  and  well  cultivated  land, 
the  soil  of  which  then  held  the  grim  grasp  of  mighty  monarchs,  the 


HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  5Y5 

growth  of  centuries.  Mr.  0.  was  married  to  Miss  Lucinda  Cooper, 
a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  is  the  father  of  4  children.  Is  School 
Director.  Belongs  to  the  Methodist  Church,  and  is  identified  with 
the  Eepnblican  party. 

Stefhen  Gasteel,  farmer,  sec.  9;  P.  O.  Pittsfield;  owns  160 
acres  of  laild,  valued  at  $50  per  acre.  He  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and 
Ehoda  (Hensley)  Casteel,  both  natives  of  Tennessee;  he  was  born 
in  Knox  Co.,  Tenn.,  Oct.  16,  1824;  he  was  married  in  this  county 
March  8,  1849,  to  Elizabeth  Bush,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  in 
1819;  they  are  the  parents  of  5  children,  and  have  as  members  of 
their  family  two  grandchildren.  Mr.  C.  has  held  local  ofiBces,  and 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

C.  P.  Chapman,  miller,  is  a  native  of  Tolland  county,  Conn., 
where  he  was  born  in  1826;  he  came  to  this  county  in  1847;  he 
first  engaged  as  a  clerk  for  Ross  &  Gray;  in  1854  a  partnership  was 
formed  to  carry  on  the  milling  business  under  the  name  of  Gay, 
Chapman  &.Co.  Mr.  Gay  retired  from  the  firm  two  years  after- 
ward, and  in  1869  the  old  mill  was  supplanted  by  the  erection  of 
the  present  structure,  it  being  the  largest  mill  in  this  section  of  the 
State.  Mr.  A.  Dow  was  admitted  to  the  firm  in  1872,  and  they 
now  command  a  large  trade.  Mr.  Chapman  organized  the  1st  Na- 
tional Bank  in  1869,  of  which  he  is  Vice  President  and  Director, 
and  was  also  principal  mover  in  the  Woolen  Mills  company  for 
three  years,  and  has  otherwise  interested  himself  in  the  business 
welfare  of  Pittsfield. 

Lafayette  Crane,  farmer,  sec.  4;  P.  O.  Griggsville.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  ranks  among  the 
more  prominent  farmers  of  the  county.  He  was  married  in  Ohio 
in  1839,  to  Lydia  Harns,  who  was  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State, 
and  was  born  in  1815,  and  died  in  1840;  he  was  again  married  in 
the  same  State,  this  time  to  Sarah  Leeds,  in  1842;  she  was  also  a 
native  of  Ohio;  by  this  union  2  children  were  born,  and  in  1846 
Mrs.  C.  died ;  in  1847  he  was  married  to  Susan  Leeds,  who  was 
born  in  the  same  State  in  1828 ;  six  of  the  8  children  born  to  them 
are  still  living. 

John  C.  Cunningham,  retired  farmer,  sec.  30;  P.  O.  Pittsfield. 
Mr.  C.  is  a  native  of  Pike  Co.,  Mo.,  where  he  was  born  in  1819,  the 
son  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (Watson)  Cunningham,  early  pioneers 
of  Pike  Co.,  Mo.,  and  where  his  father  died  in  1846.  Mr.  C.  was 
married  in  1840  to  Mrs .  Elizabeth  Morris ;  five  children  have  been 
born  to  them,  3  of  whom  are  living, — Elizabeth  L.,  Mary  E.  and 
John  T.  Our  subject  came  to  this  county  in  1849,  and  located  in 
Hardin  tp.,  on  sec.  19,  where  he  resided  21  years;  then  he  moved 
to  his  present  estate,  where  he  lives  in  retirement,  and  the  enjoy- 
ment of  a  well-directed  industry.  Mr.  C.  has  served  3  terms  as 
Assessor,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of 
the  county. 

/.  JR.  Davidson,  retired  farmer,  sec.  30,  P.  O.  Pittsfield ;  is  the 
son  of  John  and  Mary  (Eoberts)  Davidson,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  his 


676  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTT. 

father  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  who  died  in  1840.  His  esti- 
mable wife  is  still  living,  in  the  82d  year  of  her  age.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  born  in  Highland  Co.,  O.,  in  1826;  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Luoinda,  daughter  of  Moses  Hicks,  a  native  of 
Brown  Co.,  O.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  them,  only  one  of 
whom,  Cornelia,  is  still  living.  The  eldest  and  only  son,  Ira  "W"., 
was  killed  by  a  horse  in  1878.  Adaline,  wife  of  Geo.  Hardin,  died 
in  1879;  the  other  two  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  D.  came  to  this  county 
in  1867  and  settled  upon  his  present  estate,  consisting  of  142  acres, 
valued  now  at  $100  per  acre.  The  family  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.     Mr.  D.  is  a  Republican. 

John  Dunham,  youngest  son  of  Hezekiah  Dunham  (a  native  of 
Saratoga  Co.,  N.  T.,  a  Baptist  Deacon  and  soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  and  who  died  in  1810),  was  born  in  Saratoga  Co.,  N. 
T.,  Jan.  1,  1793;  he  came  to  this  county  in  1838  and  settled  in  this 
tp.  near  his  present  home;  his  marriage  occurred  in  February,  1816, 
his  partner  in  life's  journey  being  Ann  C.  Pettis,  a  native  of  Grand 
Isle,  Yt.,  where  they  were  married.  They  have  6  children  living. 
Mr.  D.  owns  a  small  and  valuable  farm  qn  sec.  14,  is  one  of  the 
earliest  pioneers  of  this  county,  and  earnest  in  the  cause  of  Repub- 
lican principles  and  religious  teaching.     P.  O.  Detroit. 

Isaac  Durand,  who  resides  in  Newburg  tp.,  sec.  5,  is  the  owner 
of  132  acres  of  well  improved  land,  and  is  one  of  the  substantial 
and  enterprising  farmers  of  the  township.  He  was  born  in  this 
county  in  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Rhoda  (Riggs)  Durand, 
who  were  early  settlers  here.  John  Durand  is  a  native  of  Maine, 
and  his  wife  of  New  York.     Our  subject's  P.  O.  address  is  Pittsfield. 

Moses  Durand,  farmer,  sec.  6  ;  P.  O.  Pittsfield.  Mr.  D.  was 
born  in  Pittsfield  tp.  in  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  John  Durand,  an 
early  settler  of  this  county,  and  a  resident  of  Pittsfield.  He  was 
married  in  1861  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Rayburn,  a  native  of  McLean 
Co.,  111.,  by  whom  he  has  5  children  living, — William  D.,  Edwin 
S.,  Rosa  O.,  Francis  E.  and  Hattie  A.  Mr.  D.  moved  upon  his 
present  estate  in  1877  ;  it  consists  of  200  acres  of  very  valuable 
land,  valued  at  $60  per  acre.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  oi  the  Baptist  Church. 

George  Elliott,  farmer,  sec.  3,  where  he  owns  135  acres  of  land  ; 
P.  O.  Griggsville.  Mr.  E.  is  the  son  of  John  and  Esther  Elliott, 
both  natives  of  Ireland  ;  he  was  born  in  Ross  Co.,  0.,  March  9, 
1829,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1847  ;  Sept.  18,  1857,  in  this 
county,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  J.  Lightle,  a  native  of  Ross  Co., 
O.,  where  she  was  born  Sept.  29,  1831  ;  they  have  8  children  by 
this  union,  7  of  whom  are  living, — Maria  C,  Lewis  B.,  Hester  A., 
Rebecca  A.,  James  F.,  Eunice  J.  and  Warren  ;  John  W.  is  de- 
ceased. 

George  D.  Foot,  farmer,  sec.  32  ;  P.  O.  Pittsfield  ;  was  born 
in  Albany  Co.,  IST.  Y.,  in  1810  ;  moved  to  Illinois  in  1832,  settling 
in  St.  Clair  Co.,  where  he  was  married  in  1835  to  Miss  Abbie  J. 
St.  John,  a  native  of  Albany  Co.,  IST.  Y.,  where  she  was  born  in 


-vM^-'^ 


NEWBURGH  TP 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  579 

1816.  They  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1836  and  settled  in 
Pittsfield,  where  he  with  others  contracted  for  and  built  the  pres- 
ent court-house  ;  he  then  moved  to  Columbia,  Boone  Co.,  Mo., 
where  he  erected  the  State  University  ;  4  years  afterward  he 
returned  and  settled  upon  his  present  estate  of  200  acres,  valued  at 
$70  per  acre.  Fourteen  children  have  been  born  to  this  highly 
respected  couple,  12  of  whom  are  living  :  Talmadge  O.,  Edward 
N.,  Amelia  M.,  John,  James  P.,  Lydia  S.,  Josiah  C,  Jane,  Henry, 
Almira  C,  Ida  M.  and  May  A.  Mr.  F.  is  a  School  Director,  and 
numbers  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  county. 

INicholas  Foreman,  farmer,  sec.  26  ;  P.  O.  Detroit.  Mr.  F.  was 
born  in  Highland  Co.,  0.,  in  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  David  Fore- 
man, who  settled  in  Pittsfield  in  1840,  where  he  resided  until  his 
death  in  1857.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1859  to 
Miss  Nancy  Williams,  a  native  of  this  county.  They  settled  upon 
their  present  valuable  farm  of  320  acres  in  1864.  They  have  a 
family  of  5  children. 

0.  L.  GeisBTidorfer,  farmer,  sec.  33  ;  P.  O.  Pittsfield.  This  gen- 
tleman was  born  in  Bavaria,  Ger.,  in  1818,  and  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica in  1840,  locating  on  his  present  estate  of  320  acres.  In  1847 
he  married  Miss  Margaret  Miller,  a  native  of  Germany,  wlio  died 
after  raising  a  family  of  3  children  :  Dorothy,  Mary  and  John. 
His  second  wife,  Henrietta  Hooker,  is  a  native  of  Prussia.  By 
this  union  7  children  have  been  born  :  George,  William,  Siegel, 
Leonard,  Edward,  Emma  and  Frederick.  Mr.  G.  is  a  School  Direc- 
tor, and  is  well  known  throughout  the  town  and  county. 

William  Sildebrand,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.  O.  Pittsfield;  is  a  na- 
tive of  Germany,  where  he  was  born  in  1822;- he  emigrated  to 
America  in  1858  and  settled  upon  his  present  estate  the  same  year; 
it  consists  of  230  acres,  valued  at  $50  per  acre.  He  chose  for  his 
wife  a  daughter  of  his  own  native  land,  by  whom  he  has  5  children: 
'Mary,  Lizzie,  William,  jr.,  Henry  and  Emma.  Mr.  H.  is  a  Eepub- 
lican,  and  the  family  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Asa  L.  Kill,  retired  farmer,  sec.  20;  P.  O.  Pittsfield.  Mr.  H. 
was  born  in  Vermont  in  1808 ;  came  to  this  county  in  1833  and 
returned  to  his  native  State,  but  again  settled  here  permanently  in 
1835.  He  was  united  in  marriage  in  Putnam  Co.,  111.,  to  Miss 
Charlotte  C.  Pratt,  who  was  born  in  MassachTisetts  in  1830.  Of 
his  several  children  4  are  living.  His  present  farm  consists  of  160 
acres  valued  at  $80  per  acre.  Mr.  H.  has  attained  his  present 
position  in  life  by  frugality,  untiring  energy  and  indomitable  will. 
He  numbers  among  the  earlier  pioneers  of  the  county. 

Isabel  Hogsett,  sec.  24;  P.  O.  Detroit.  Mrs.  H.  is  the  widow  of 
James  Hogsett,  who  was  born  in  Greenbrier  Co.,  Va.,  in  1817;  he 
was  married  in  1843  to  Miss  Isabel,  daughter  of  John  and  Isabel 
Hays,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  where  Mr.  H.  died  at  an  early  day.  Mrs . 
Hays  then  came  to  this  county  with  her  children,  and  is  at  this 
writing  residing  with  her  daughter  in  the  87th  year  of  her  age. 
Mrs.  Isabel  Hogsett  was  born  in  Highland  Co.,  O.,  in  1825,  and 

34 


580  HISTORY   OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

emigrated  to  the  West  in  1848.  Mr.  H.  settled  on  the  estate  now 
owned  by  his  widow  and  children,  of  130  acres,  valued  at  $60  an 
acre.  After  a  life  of  activity  and  usefulness,  and  just  when  he  be- 
gan to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  industry,  he  was  called  from  earth. 
He  died  in  1868,  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

S.  0.  Howland,  farmer,  sec.  23;  P.  O.  Detroit;  is  a  son  of  Lu- 
cius and  Mary  (Ohilds)  Howland,  natives  of  Massachusetts,  who 
settled  in  this  tp.  in  1839,  and  from  which  both  were  called  to  a 
better  home  in  1842.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Geau- 
ga Co.,  0.,in  1822;  in  1844  he  was  married  to  Miss  Amy,  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Parker.  After  his  marriage  he  purchased  50  acres 
of  lahd  in  this  section,  and  by  his  indomitable  energy  and  perse- 
verance has  secured  a  handsome  property,  his- present  productive 
estate  covering  240  acres  of  valuable  land.  His  wife  died  in  1850, 
and  in  1857  he  was  married  again  to  Miss  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of 
E.  "W".  Hickerson,  an  early  pioneer  of  Pike  county.  She  was  the 
first  child  born  in  Pittsfield.  Mr.  H.  has  served  as  Supervisor  and 
Town  Collector,  and  numbers  among  the  early  pilgrims  of  Pike 
'  county. 

Robert  Hunter,  farmer,  sec.  28 ;  P.  O.  Pittsfield.  Mr.  H.  was 
born  in  Donegal,  Ireland,  in  1848.  His  mother  with  4  children 
emigrated  to  America  in  1864,  settling  in  this  county,  Aug.  23<  1861. 
He  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  28th  111.  Inf.,  and  served  until  Aug./ 1864; 
he  again  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  62d  111.  Inf.,  Feb.  8,  1865;  he  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Little  Bethel,  Pittsburg  Landing,  where  he 
was  wounded,  Hatchie,  Tenn.,  and  Yicksburg.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  in  1872  with  Miss  Kebecca  Kelley,  a  native  of  this  county, 
by  whom  he  has  4  children, — Sarah  J.,  Alexander,  James  W.  and 
Margaret.     Mr.  H.  is  a  School  Director. 

David  F.  Riser,  farmer,  sec.  23;  P.  O.  Pittsfield.  Mr.  K.  is  a 
native  of  Indiana,  where  he  was  born  in  1841;  he'  was  brought  to 
this  county  by  his  parents,  Jacob  and  Martha  Kiser,  when  two 
year?  of  age.  He  was  married  to  Janetta,  daughter  of  Kiohmond 
Williams,  an  early  pioneer  of  Pike  who.  settled  on  this  section, 
where  he  died.  The  fruit  of  this  union  has  been  3  children,  2  of 
whom  are  living, — Lydia  and  Essie.  Mr.  K.  and  wife  are  both 
children  of  the  pioneer  generation.  Their  fine  farm  and  improve- 
ments attest  the  industry  of  its  occupants. 

Harvey  Kiser  is  a  son  of  Jacob  Kiser,  an  early  settler  of  Pike 
county,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  1841.  He 
married  Mary  A.  Casteel,  daughter  of  Stephen  Oasteel,  by  whom 
he  has  one  child,  William  0.  "They  have  an  adopted  child,  Lou- 
ral.  Mr.  K.  has  a  farm  of  80  acres,  and  politically  he  is  a  Ee- 
publican.     He  is  engaged  in  farming  on  sec.  11,  P.  0.  Griggsville. 

Jacob  L.  Kiser,  farmer,  sec.  14';  P.  O.  Detroit.  Mr.  K.  was 
born  in  Virginia  in  1809 ;  came  to  the  county  in  1841,  and  settled 
on  sec.  29,  where  he  resided  until  1857,  when  he  moved  upon  his 
present  estate  of  80  acres,  valued  at  $100  per  acre.  In  1839  he 
was  united  in  matrimony  to  Miss  Martha,  daughter  of  David  Fore- 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COTJNTT.  581 

man,  by  whom  he  has  1  living  children.  Mr.  K.  is  a  "  stalwart  " 
Eepublican,  and  numbers  among  those  of  the  early  settlers  of 
Pike  Co. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Zanders,  sec.  17,  P.  O.  Pittsfield;  widow  of  William 
Landers,  who  was  born  in  Highland  Co.,  0.,  in  1825.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Elizabeth  Sanderson,  and  she  married  Mr.  Landers  in 
1846;  ten  years  afterward  they  moved  to  this  county,  settling  on 
the  present  estate,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
Four  of  their  6  children  are  living, — Perry,  Mary,  William  and 
Leslie  ;  the  last  two  reside  on  the  homestead,  as  also  the  mother 
of  Mrs.  L.,  in  the  83d  year  of  her  age. 

Perry  8.  Zanders,  farmer,  sec.  22,  P.  O.  Pittsfield ;  was  born  in 
Highland  Co.,  O.,  in  1852,  son  of  William  Landers,  who  settled  in 
this  tp.  in  1856,  where  he  died  in  1879.  In  1874  Perry  S.  married 
Dora,  daughter  of  Dr.  Boyd,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Alice.  He 
resides  on  the  homestead,  which  consists  of  177  acres  of  land, 
valued  at  $50  per  acre. 

Y.  MbAlUsier,  farmer,  sec.  11,  P.  O.  Griggs ville.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  personal  sketch  is  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  where  he 
was  born  March  31,  1818;  he  came  to  this  county  in  1839,  and 
settled  in  Griggsville;  the  same  year  he  was  married  in  Delaware 
to  Sarah  A.  Taylor.  She  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  where  she 
was  born  in  1820 ;  she  died  in  1844.  By  this  union  4  children 
were  born, — ^Edwin,  John,  Sarah  and  Caroline.  He  was  again 
married  in  1849  to  Rachel  Jones,  also  a  native  of  the  Keystone 
State,  and  born  in  1820.  Seven  children  were  born  to  them,  6  of 
whom  are  living  :  Rebecca,  Lucretia,  Cyrus,  Mary  A.,  Naomi  and 
Huldah ;  James,  deceased.  Mr.  McAllister  was  licensed  to  preach 
in  the  M.  E.  Church  in  1856,  and  has  labored  faithfully  ever  since 
in  the  propagation  of  the  gospel,  frequently  preaching  two  or  three 
times  a  day  after  laboring  hard  during  the  week  on  the  farm. 

E.M.  Norton,  farmer,  sec.  13;  P.  O.  Detroit;  was  born  near 
Cincinnati,  O.,  in  1822;  is  the  son  of  John  and  Zerua  (Chadwick) 
Norton,  natives  of  Massachusetts,  who  settled  in  Hardin  tp.  in 
1842,  where  they  both  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  crossed  the 
.plsiins  to  California  in  1850,  and  returned  3  years  afterward.  In 
1855  he  was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  Dinsmore,  a  native  of  this 
county,  and  located  in  Hardin  tp. ;  3  years  afterwards  he  moved 
to  Detroit,  and  in  1868  removed  to  California  with  his  family, 
where  he  remained  three  years,  when  he  returned  and  settled  upon 
his  present  estate.  He  is  the  father  of  8  living  children :  Emily, 
Mary,  Margaret,  Harry,  John,  Noel,  Cora,  and  Nora.  Politically 
he  is  a  Republican. 

'Giles  H.  Fenstone,  farmer,  sec.  9;  P.  O.  Griggsville.  Mr.  P. 
is  the  son  of  Giles  and  Sarah  Peustone,  natives  of  England,  who 
came  to  America  in  1849,  and  settled  in  this  county.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  in  London,  Feb.  22, 1838.  In  Pike  county, 
Aug.  1,  1867,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  J.  Edom,  who  was  born 
in  flie  Buckeye  State  in  1844.     They  are  the  parents  of  6  children. 


682  HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

Charles  H.,  Mary  E.,  Sarah  J.,  Ellen  E.  and  Edward  J.    Mr.  P. 
has  held  several  township  offices,  and  owns  a  fine  farm  of  240acres. 

Francis  A.  Phillips,  farmer,  sec.  3;  P.  O.  Griggsville;  son  of 
Nathan  and  Nancy  Phillips,' both  natives  of  North  Carolina;  they 
emigrated  to  this  State  in  an  early  day,  settling  in  this  county. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  he  was 
born  in  1824;  he  was  married  to  Mary  Elliott,  who  was  born  in 
Ohio  in  1827,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  5  children,  4  of  whom  are 
living:  Maria,  Martha,  Benjamin  and  Newton;  August,  deceased. 
Mr.  P.  has  held  the  office  of  constable  4  years  and  School  Director 
several  years.     His  father  was  in  the  war  of  1812. 

'  Joh  Pringle,  retired,  was  born  in  England  in  1844,  and  in  emi- 
gration came  with  his  parents  to  America  when  he  was  8  years  of 
age,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1856,  settling  in  Pittsfield.  He 
engaged  in  farming  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  28th  HI. 
Inf.  Vol.,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  participating  in  the 
battles  of  Shiloh,  Jackson,  Miss.,  Yicksburg,  Hatchie,  Miss.;  was 
promoted  to  the  position  of  Corporal,  Sergeant  and  2d  Lieutenant; 
returned  to  Pittsfield,  and  for  11  years  clerked  in  a  drv-goods  store. 
Nov.  11, 1879,  he  married  Mahala  Miller. 

E.  D.  Base,  farmer,  sec.  20 ;  P.  O.  Pittsfield ;  born  in  Rensel- 
laer  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1806;  married  in  1825  Koxana  Allen,  and  they 
have  6  children.  He  came  to  this  county  in  March,  1839,  settling 
on  his  present  estate  of  160  acres  of  valuable  land.  Mr.  Rose  has 
served  as  Town  Assessor  and  Constable.  His  son  Henry  enlisted 
in  the  39th  Regiment  I.  Y.  I.,  was  taken  prisoner  at  Sweetwater, 
Ya.,  and  confined  in  Andersonville  prison,  where  he  died  from  the 
effects  of  prison  life  and  starvation. 

Mrs.  Sa/rah  Buby,  sec.  7;  P.  O.  Pittsfield.  She  is  the  widow  of 
A.  R.  McKibbon,  who  was  born  in  Highland  Co.,.0.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Sarah  Clark,  a  native  of  the  same  county,  where  she  was 
born  in  1832.  She  married  Mr.  McKibbon  in  1849.  He  came  to 
this  coiinty  in  1860,  and  in  the  following  year  settled  on  the  pres- 
ent estate  of  180  acres,  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1871. 
Their  7  children  are  all  living:  Eliza,  Caroline,  Margaret,  Hester, 
Louy,  Emma  and  Lewis.  Mrs.  McK!.  was  again  married  in  1877, 
this  time  to  J.  M.  Ruby,  and  the  family  reside  on  the  homestead. 
Members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Maroellus  Boss  is  the  son  of  Col.  Wm.  Ross,  deceased,  who  is 
so  often  referred  to  in  the'  pages  of  this  volume.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  born  at  Atlas,  Nov.  11,  1824,  the  first  white  male 
child  born  within  the  present  limits  of  Pike  county;  at  the  age  of 
11  years  he  was  brought  to  Pittsfield  (one  mile  east  of  town  in 
Newburg  tp.)  by  his  parents,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided. 
Aug.  10,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Martha  Kellogg,  from  Pittsfield, 
Mass.,  and  their  children  now  living  are  Henry  J.,  Charles  K., 
Frank  C.  and  Mattie  H.  Charles  and  Frank  are  in  "Washington 
Territory.  Mr.  Marcellus  Ross  remembers  a  visit  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  to  their  home  in  Atlas,  when  he,  a  little  boy,  was  picked 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  683 

up  and  pleasantly  talked  to  by  that  eminent  statesman.  Mr.  Eoss 
has  in  his  house  the  first  Masonic  chest  used  in  the  lodge  in  this 
county,  described  on  pages  241-2  of  this  book. 

William  Sohemel,  farmer,  sec.  32 ;  P.  O.  Pittsfield ;  was  born 
in  Germany  in  1835,  emigrated  to  America  in  1854,  settling  in 
Pittsfield.  In  1868  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  George  Zim- 
merman, an  early  settler  of  this  county;  in  1868  he  moved  upon 
his  present  farm,  consisting  of  166  acres,  valued  at  $65  per  acre. 
George  D.,  "William  A.,  Joseph  A.,  Emma  M.,  Anna  J.  and  Ida  E. 
are  their  living  chifdren. 

Oioero'  Scdbey,  farmer,  sec.  9;  P.  O.  Pittsfield ;  son  of  James 
and  Khoda  Scobey,  natives  of  New  York  and  Kentucky  respect- 
ively, who  first  settled  in  Clark  Co.,  111.,  and  came  to  this  county 
in  1839,  settling  on  Griggsville  Prairie.  His  father  died  in  1841, 
and  his  mother  died  in  1877.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
in  Indiana  in  1831,  in  which  State  he  married  Mary  DuflF,  a  native 
of  Illinois,  and  their  2  children  are  William  "W.  and  Anna  M. 
Mr.  S.  has  a  farm  of  260  acres,  valued  at  $40  an  acre.  He  has 
been  Assessor  one  year.  He  numbers  among  the  early  settlers  of 
Pike  county. 

John  Webl),  farmer,  was  born  near  Jersey  City  in  1814,  and  was 
brought  to  this  county  by  Daniel  Shinn  in  1820,  the  family  set- 
tling near  Atlas.  Some  years  afterward  Mr.  "W.  clerked  for  Mr. 
Gay  in  Pleasant  Yale  tp.,  and  3  years  afterward  engaged  in  the 
wood  business  at  Florence,  until  1839,  when  he  went  into  mer- 
chandising and  farming  at  New  Canton;  in  1851  he  came  to  Pitts- 
field and  became  interested  in  pork-packing  and  general  merchan- 
dising, where  he  remained  23  years;  in  1875  he  settled  on  his 
f resent  farm  in  Newburg,  where  he  has  since  made  it  his  home, 
n  1840  he  married  Cornelia  Dunham,  a  native  of  Warren  Co.,  N. 
T.  Mr.  W.  is  the  oldest  living  settler  in  Pike  county  at  the  pres- 
ent time,  by  four  years. 

John  A.  Weeks,  farmer,  sec.  5;  P.  O.  Pittsfield;  son  of  Ezekiel 
and  Elizabeth  (McFadden)  Weeks,  who  settled  in  Harrison  Co.,  O., 
in  early  day,  where  in  1826  John  A.  was  born.  The  family  emi- 
grated to  this  county  in  1848,  settling  upon  their  present  place, 
where  they  have  since  made  it  their  home.  In  1841  Mr.  W.  was 
married  to  Angeline  Stagg,  who  died  in  1857,  leaving  4  children. 
His  present  wife,  Martha  L.  Wacaser,  is  a  native  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  they  have  7  children.  Mr.  W.  has  a  farih  of  80  acres, 
valued  at  $40  per  acre. 

W.  T.  Weeks.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
where  he  was  born  Aug.  2,  1838;  10  years  later  he  was  brought  to 
this  county,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  farming  in  this  township. 
He  was  married  in  Kansas  in  1861,  to  Rosanna  Pennocks,  who 
was  born  in  New  York  in  1842.  In  1863  Mr.  W.  enlisted  in  Co. 
L,  2d  Nebraska  Cavalry,  and  served  for  one  year,  and  served  as 
scout  along  the  Missouri  and  Kansas  line  for  2  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  politically  a  Republican. 


684  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Capt.  Benj.  F.  WestlaJce,  whose  portrait  is  given  in  the  pages  of 
this  volume,  resides  on  sec.  29,  this  tp.;  his  grandparents  ami- 
grated  from  England,  their  native  country,  prior  to  the  Eevolution 
and  his  grandfather  and  three  of  his  brothers  served  in  the  conti- 
nental army  under  "Washington.  George  "Westlake,  the  father  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  native  of  Orange  county,-  N.  T., 
and  for  many  years  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Church;  he  came 
to  this  county  with  his  son,  Capt.  Benj.  F.,  where  at  his  residence 
•in  184:2  he  died,  his  being  the  first  death  that  occurred  in  this  town- 
ship; his  wife,  Hester  (Wilson)  "Westlake,  a  native  of  T*Iew  Jersey, 
died  here  July  9,  3852.  Capt.  Westlake  was  born  in  Newburg, 
Orange  Co.,  K  Y.,  March  8,  1810.  He  visited  Illinois  in  1836, 
meeting  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  of  Springiield,  with  whom  he  traveled 
through  many  counties,  mostly  by  stage;  in  1837  he  settled  in 
Pittsfield,  and  served  as  jailor  one  year,  when  he  moved  on  his  pres- 
ent estate,  at  that  time  consisting  of  1,120  acres;  he  purchased  two 
yokes  of  oxen,  built  a  brick  kiln  and  made  the  brick  of  which  his 
commodious  residence  is  composed.  He  gave  the  name  to  New-, 
burg  township,  christening  it  after  his  native  town  in  New  York. 

Capt.  Westlake  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  at  the  age  of 
18  with  Dr.  Gidney,  of  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  but  owing  to  the  feeble 
•  health  of  his  father  he  returned  home  and  devoted  his  attention  to 
farming,  which  he  has  followed  from  thkt  time,  and  at  present  has 
about  2,000  acres  of  good  farm  land,  besides  having  given  to  his 
children  about  1,000  acres.  The  Captain's  early  life  was  passed  on 
his  father's  farm  near  Newburg,  and  his  first  experience  in  business 
was  selling  vegetables  in  that  town,  furnishing  and  hauling  rock, 
which  he  did .  for  the  foundation  of  nearly  every  building  in  that 
town  up  to  the  time  he  left. 

Capt.  Westlake  was  president  of  the  commission  appointed  by  the 
County  Court  to  construct  the  Sny  levee.  Under  this  commission 
the  work  was  vigorously  prosecuted  and  successfully  completed,  re- 
claiming about  100,000  acres  of  rich  farming  land.  He  represented 
his  township  in  tlie  Board  of  Supervisors  from  its  organization  until 
1863;  in  1862  he  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  Provost 
Marshal  of  the  9th  District  of  Illinois,  which  position  he  filled  with 
honor  to  himself  and  credit  to  the  country,  obtaining  the  enviable 
reputation  of  being  one  of  the  best  officers  in  the  State.  He  was 
one  of  the  original  stockholders  in  organizing^the  Peninsula  Loan 
and  Trust  confpany,  now  the  Pike  County  Bank,  of  which  he  is 
president. 

He  was  married  March  24, 1842,  by  Eev.  Wm.  Carter,  in  this  tp., 
to  Miss  Charlotte  Goodwin,  who  was  born  March  22,  1822.  The 
names  of  the  11  children  born  to  them  are  as  follows:  George, 
Fannie  S.,  Hardin  J.,  Susan,  Ann,  Catharine,  Wm.  Henry,  Benj. 
F.,  jr.,  Charlotte,  Charles  F.  and  Thomas. 

George  W.Westlake,  farmer,  sec.  29;  P.  O.  Pittsfield;  was  born 
in  this  tp.,  in  1848,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  B.  F.  Westlake.    in 


HISTOKY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  685 

18T5  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Brown.     He  now  owns  a  farm  of 
250  acres,  valued  at  $90  per  acre. 

LutherWheeler,  blacksmith,  was  born  in  Fairfield  in  1827;  served 
his  time  at  Bridgeport,  coach  ironing;  emigrated  to  this  county  in 
1858,  and  established  himself  in  business  in  Pittsfield;  also  con- 
ducted a  livery  stable  one  year,  and  in  1861  he  went  to  Montgomery 
county,  and  four  years  afterward  returned  and  settled  in  Milton, 
where  he  remained  until  1877,  in  which  year  he  occupied  his  pres- 
ent place  of  business.  In  1859  he  married  Annetta  Yelliott,  a 
native  of  this  county ;  they  have  had  4  children,  2  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing.    Mr.  W.  has  a  fair  trade,  and  is  a  thorough  Republican. 


HARDIN  TOWNSHIP. 

Two  of  the  largest  streams  of  the  county  traverse  this  township 
from  the  northern  boundary,  making  their  exit  almost  due  south  of 
where  they  enter ;  these  are  Bay  and  Honey  creeks,  and  the  timber 
bordering  their  banks  and  those  of  their  numerous  small  tributaries, 
must  have  been  picturesque  and  romantic  in  their  original  condition. 
Then  doubtless  the  points  of  timber  and  the  valleys  were  frequent  re- 
sorts for  the  red  man.  Even  now,  when  dotted  over  with  fields,  houses 
and  barns,  and  lowing  herds,  one  cannot  help  but  admire  the  beauty 
of  the  scenery  presented  by  these  groves. 

Embracing  a  good  deal  of  timber  land,  as  this  township  did, 
it  soon  attracted  a  liberal  share  of  immigration,  as  it  is  a  fact  that 
all  the  pioneers  sought  the  timber  districts  in  which  to  locate  their 
claims,  believing  that  it  would  be  easier  to  make  farms  by  grubbing 
andclearing  the  lands  than  it  would  be  to  reduce  prairie  land  to 
farm  tillage  and  remunerative  returns  ;  but  as  time,  advanced  and 
later  settlers  were  forced  out  upon  the  prairies  and  began  to  experi- 
ment upon  them,  the  first  settlers  were  made  to  realize  that  they 
had  made  some  costly  mistakes  by  selecting  timbered  claims.  They 
had  been  pitching  brawn  and  muscle  against  nature ;  for  all  that 
the  prairies  needed  was  to  be  tickled  with  the  plow  to  make  them 
yield  living  crops  the  first  year>  and  heavy  remunerative  returns  the 
second. 

The  first  pilgrims  in  Hardin  were  Benjamin  Barney,  l^^athaniel 
Bagby,  Solomon  Main,  Jacob  Henry,  Joseph  Halford,  Jesse  Mason 
and  Aaron  Thornton.  The  first  couple  united  in  marriage  in  the 
township  were  Nathaniel  Thornton  and  Lucinda  Bagby;  the  cere- 
mony was  performed  by  Rev.  Lewis  Allen.  The  first  school  taught 
by  Jesse  Garrison,  in  1833,  upon  sec.  2. 

TIME. 

The  pleasant  little  village  of  Time  is  located  where  the  four  cor- 
ners of  sees.  2,  3,  10  and  11  meet.  It  is  a  small  place,  perhaps 
of  120  inhabitants,  and  contains  four  stores,  two  wagon  and  black- 
smith shops  and  a  flouring  mill.  It  is  also  the  residence  of  two 
physicians  and  one  lawyer.  There  was  at  one  time  a  woolen  factory 
in  Time,  but  times  grew  hard  and  the  time  came  when  Time  must 
abandon  the  manufacture  of  cloth,  we  presume  for  all  time  to  come. 
At  present  the  old  Time  Woolen  Mills  is  converted  into  a  wagon 
shop  and  plow  manufactory,  which  gives  Time  somewhat  the  ap- 
pearance of  old  times. 


2^^^^^^ 


HARDIN  TP 


.i^^f^ 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  589 

Star  Mills. — This  enterprise  was  inaugurated  by  Smith  &  Son- 
ner.'  The  building  was  erected  in  1877,  and  is  now  owned  and  op- 
erated by  Mr.  Sonner.  The  capacity  of  the  mill  is  about  50  bar- 
rels a  day,  besides  being  capable  of  grinding  about  the  same 
amount  of  corn.  Mr.  Sonner  makes  a  choice  article  of  flour,  and 
enjoys  a  good  run  of  custom. 

The  Time  Puhlic  Schools. — The  system  of  education  in  Hardin 
township  is  well  up  to  the  standard  in  point  of  excellence.  The 
Time  public  school  has  for  its  Principal  Miss  Ellen  Cromwell,  a 
lady  of  much  ability  and  expei'ience  as  an  instructor. 

Independence  Christian  Church  was  organized  May  8,  1858,  in 
the  log  school-house  at  Independence,  by  Elders  James  Burbridge, 
Eobert  Nicholson  and  Andrew  Main,  with  the  following  26  members : 
Eobert  Nicholson  and  wife,  Andrew  Main,  Ephraim  Nott  and  wife, 
Geo.  "W.  Williams  and  wife,  Barnett  Collins  and  wife,  James  Col- 
lins, John  Nicholson  and  wife,  Cornelius  Nicholson  and  wife,  Mary 
Burbridge,  Thomas  Burbridge,  Permelia  Williams,  Francis  Scott  and 
wife,  George  Ward,  David  Collins,  Lydia  Collins,  Cynthia  Bur- 
bridge, Emily  Gunn,  Joseph  Troutner  and  Polly  Burbridge .  The  first 
Elders  were  Robert  Nicholson,  Andrew  Main  and  Joseph  Troutner. 
Elder  James  Burbridge  was  the  first  Pastor.  The  congregation 
erected  a  house  of  worship  in  1867  in  Independence,  and  services 
are  held  each  alternate  Sunday  by  Elder  J.  W-  Miller,  Pastor. 
Present  number  of  communicants  is  50. 

There  are  two  other  churches  located  in  the  township,  one  of  the 
M.  E.  and  the  other  of  the  Christian  denomination,  both  of  which 
are  located  at  Time.  After  some  considerable  searching,  however, 
we  failed  to  find  the  records  from  which  to  glean  any  historical 
items. 

PERSONAL    SKETCHES. 

We  will  now  make  personal  mention  of  the  leading  citizens  and 
old  settlers  of  this  township. 

Benjarwm  Barney  was  born  in  Pike  county,  where  Montezuma 
now  stands,  Feb.  1,  1825.  His  parents  emigrated  to  this  county 
from  Ohio,  in  1824.  Being  a  pioneer,  he  knows  all  the  hardships 
of  pioneer  life;  as  soon  as  he  was  large  enough  to  ride  on  horse- 
back he  went  to  Frye's  Mill  on  Big  Blue,  a  distance  of  12  miles, 
and  nearly  always  had  to  remain  all  night  to  get  his  grinding  done, 
and  no  place  to  sleep,  except  on  the  corn-sack;  he  has  had  many  ex- 
citing scenes  in  the  chase,  having  killed  deer,  wolves  and  wild-cats. 
Dec.  21,  1845,  he  married  Miss  Caroline  Harvey,  and  they  had  3 
children,— William  A.,  James  B.  and  Alfred  F.  In  1852  Mr. 
Barney  removed  to  Oregon  with  his  family,  where  Mrs.  Barney 
died  the  same  year;  in  1857  he  returned  to  Pike  county,  where  he 
married  Cynthia  H.  Mays,  and  their  8  children  are  Andrew,  J.,  dec, 
John  W.,  Henry  L.,  Laura  E.,  Marion,  Robert  A.,  Artilla  D.  and 
Minnie.  Mr.  B.  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  on  sec. 
26,  this  tp. 


590 


HISTOBY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 


JFranois  M.  Ba/rney,  a  native  of  Pike  county,  was  born  May  13, 
1837,  and  is  a  son  ot  Joseph  "W".  Barney,  dec,  who  came  to  this 
coiinty  in  1824:.  His  grandfather,  Benjamin  B.  Barney,  was  one 
of  the  first  pioneers  of  this  county,  and  erected  the  first  horse-mill 
in  the  county  for  grinding  corn.  This  aged  gentleman  crossed  the 
plains  to  California  in  1849,  being  then  in  his  91st  year,  and  ar- 
rived there  in  apparently  good  health,  but  died  on  ship-board  while 
returning,  in  1854:.  Our  subject  was  raised  on  afa^rm  and  received 
a  common-school  education;  in  1866  he  married  Miss  S.  A.  Furry, 
daughter  of  Christopher  Furry,  dec.  They  have  had  5  children,  3 
of  whom  are  living,  viz: — Cora  B.,  William  R.  and  Edgar  F.  He 
has  held  the  oflBce  of  Town  Clerk,  and  is  at  present  the  Police  Mag- 
istrate for  the  village  of  Time.  He  served  3  years  in  Co.  A,  20th 
Heg.  I.  Y.  I.,  as  a  private  in  the  late  war,  and  was  in  the  battles  of 
Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Siege  of  Yicksburg,  Britton's  Lane,  Kene- 
saw  Mountain,  Champion  Hills,  Raymond  and  others;  he  also  par- 
ticipated in  the  Meridian  raid,  in  which  he  came  well-nigh  being 
captured.  He  is  a  harness-maker  by  trade,  but  failing  health 
required  him  to  seek  another  vocation,  and  he  now  keeps  a  grocery 
store  in  Time. 

Henry  Benn,  son  of  William  and  Sarah  Beiin,  was  born  Sept. 
18,  1833,  in  this  tp.  His  father,  dec,  came  to  this  county  in  1826, 
being  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Hardin  tp.,  and  was  Captain  of 
the  Home  Guards  in  the  early  days  of  the  county's  history.  He 
was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  first 
settled  on  sec  7,  where  he  died  in  1859.  Mrs.  Benn  resides  with 
her  son  David,  in  this  tp.,  at  the  age  of  74  years.  Our  subject  was 
raised  on  a  farm  and  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising 
on  the  old  home  place.  April  17,  1858,  he  married  Matilda  J.  Mc 
Clintock,  daughter  of  Robert  McClintock,  dec,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  an  early  day.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benn  have  9  children, — 
Charles  F.,  Hettie  M.,  Ida  J.,  Evaliua,  William  R.,  Lillie  and  Lulu 
(twins),  Lora  and  John  H.  In  the  year  1857,  while  chopping  wood 
with  a  neighbor.  Mr.  Benn  received  a  blow,  by  accident,  upon  Ms 
left  hand,  from  the  ax  of  the  neighbor,  crippling  him  for  life. 

Thomas  B.  Burbridge,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  29;  son  of 
Robert  Burbridge,  dec,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  in  Bath 
county,  Ky.,  Feb.  28,  1818;  came  with  his  parents  to  Pike  county, 
Mo.,  in  1825,  where  he  remained  until  the  Spring  of  1840,  when  he 
removed  to  this  county.  His  father  followed  farming  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1842.  Our  subject,  being  a 
pioneer,  has  seen  many  Indians,  and  has  ridden  on  horseback  to 
mill,  a  distance  of  6  miles,  where  he  sometimes  had  to  wait  all  day 
and  all  night  for  his  grinding,  with  nothing  to  eat  but  parched 
corn ;  he  went  3  miles  to  school,  which  was  taught  by  subscription, 
about  3  months  in  the  year,  in  a  log  building,  with  split  logs  for 
seats,  a  log  taken  out  of  one  side  of  the  house  for  a  window,  a  huge 
fire-place  in  one  end  of  the  room  for  heating;  the  writing  desk 
consisted  of  a  puncheon  supported  by  pins  in  the  wall.     Mr  B. 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  591 

came  to  this  county  in  1839,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  1842 
he  married  Mary  McNary,  daughter  of  John  McNary,  dec,  and 
they  had  T  children, — Cynthia,  Jaly,  Robert,  John,  James,  Thomas 
and  Harriet.  Mrs.  B.  died  in  1862,  and  April  12, 1866,  he  married 
Emily  Hodge,  who  died  Oct.  9,  1875.  Mr.  B.  is  surrounded  by 
his  children,  who  take  good  care  of  him  in  his  old  age. 

James  H.  Ooriboy  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  was  born  in  1883; 
his  parents  died  when  he  was  quite  young,  leaving  him  penniless; 
about  the  year  1837  he  was  brought  to  America;  is  a  shoemaker 
by  trade j  at  which  he  has  been  very  successful.  He  now  resides  at 
Time,  owning  400  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  is  engaged  in  farming 
and  stock-raising.  In  1860  he  married  Lucy  Bagley,  and  their 
children  are  John,  William,  Philip,  Ella,  Alvina  and  Raymond. 
We  give  Mr.  C's  portrait  in  this  volume. 

John  Couch  was  born  in  Highland  county,  Ohio,  April  4,  1833, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Couch;  he  was  raised  on  a  farm 
and  came  to  this  county  in  1854;  was  married  in  1855  to  Margaret 
Colvin  and  they  have  9  children,  namely,  Alfred  M.,  SamanthS,  A., 
Winfield  S.,  Elizabeth  J.,  John  W.,  Benton,  Charles,  Wesley  and 
Mary  A.  Mr.  C.  is  engaged  in  farining  and  resides  on  sec.  27. 
P.  6.,  Time. 

Miss  Mien  Oronvwell,  Principal  of  the  Public  Schools,  Time, 
Pike  county.  111. 

Benjamin  C.  Culver,  sec.  20,  was  born  in  Chittenden  county, 
Yt. ;  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  at 
home.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1868,  settling  on  sec.  20.  He 
has  been  married  3  times  and  is  the  father  of  9  children,  viz:  Lu- 
cina,  Jackson,  Clarissa,  Giles,  Judson,  Jay  L.,  Mary,  Adell  and 
Willy  E.,  dec. 

Jackson  C.  Culver,  son  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Erie 
county.  Pa.,  April  20,  1834;  came  with  his  parents  to  Pike  county 
in  1859;  served  4  years  and  7  months  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  L,  12th 
Reg.  Penn.  Ca.v;  was  in  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Run,  Antietam, 
Gettysburg,  Winchester  and  others;  was  taken  prisoner  at  Gettys- 
burg and  confined  in  Libby  prison  6  weeks ;  was  then  removed  to 
Bell  island  in  James  river,  where  he  was  held  3  months  and  ex- 
changed. He  was  wounded  near  Harper's  Perry,  iu  his  right  ankle, 
which  rendered  him  a  cripple  for  life.  He  is  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  in  Independence,  this  county,  and  carries  a  stock  of 
about  $3,000,  consisting  of  dry-goods,  groceries,  boots  and  shoes, 
hardware,  queonsware, — in  fact,  everything -kept  in  a  first-class 
general  store.  He  has  won  the  confidence  of  the  people  and  is 
doing  a  good  business.  Feb.  11,  1872,  he  married  Martha, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Smart,  of  Detroit  tp. 

James  Dinsmore,  an  early  pioneer,  was  born  in  Fleming  county, 
Ky.,  Sept.  25, 1808;  came  to  Scott  county  in  1825,  where  he  saw 
plenty  of  Indians,  and  in  1831  he  went  into  the  Black  Hawk  war; 
was  present  or  near  by  at  the  evacuation  by  the  Indians  of  an 
Indian  town  at  Rock  Island,  111.     In  May,  1819,  he  was  married  to 


592  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Sarati  Mars,  and  they  have  had  14  children,  5  of  whom  are  living, 
— Eldridge,  Marshall,  David,  George  and  Jane,  now  Mrs.  Dr. 
Scott,  of  Time.  Mr.  D.  removed  to  this  county  in  1838,  and  has 
endured  the  hardships  of  the  early  pioneers ;  has  ground  corn  in  a 
hand-mill  for  bread. 

Ma/rshall  Dkismore,  son  of  the  preceding,  was  born  March  4, 
1827,  in  Scott  county,  111. ;  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county  in 
1838 ;  went  with  the  first  emigration  across  the  plains  to  Califor- 
nia in  1849,  and  returned  with  the  first  company  that  returned  by 
way  of  the  Nicaragua  route.  When  he  visited  Sacramen-to  City, 
there  was  but  one  house  there,  and  San  Francisco  was  about  the 
present  size  of  Montezuma  in  this  county.  He  helped  to  erect  the 
first  house  in  Georgetown,  California.  Dec.  31,  1854,  he  married 
Martha  January,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county.  111.,  April  16, 
1834,  and  they  have  4  children, — Susan  J.,  "William  H.,  Mary 
E.  and  Noah.E.  Mr.  D.  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising, 
and  resides  on  sec.  27,  this  tp. ;  has  held  various  offices  of  trust. 
Four  of  his  brothers  were  in  the  late  war. 

I.  J.  Dyer,  lawyer,  was  born  in  Kutledge,  Granger  Co.,  Tenn., 
July  8,  1839,  and  is  a  son  of  W.  M.  Dyer,  dec,  who  came  to  Jack- 
sonville with  his  family  in  1841,  where  our  subject  was  raised;  but 
he  educated  himself  after  his  marriage.  He  attended  a  common 
school,  in  company  with  his  cliildren,  in  this  tp.,  and  all  the  ex- 
penses of  his  education  were  defrayed  by  his  own  hand,  by  hard 
labor  on  the  farm.  He  was  in  the  late  war  and  wounded  in  the 
left  arm,  disabling  it  for  life.  He  has  been  married  twice,  and  is 
the  father  of  3  children,  namely,  Lyman  E.  and  Simon  L.,  twins, 
and  Effie  B.  He  studied  law  in  the  Washington  University  Law 
School  at  St.  Louis,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  by  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Illinois,  Sept.  13,  1873. 

G.  K  Fletcher,  a  native  of  Littleton,  Massachusetts,  was  born 
Nov.  10,  1832;  came  with  his  parents  to  Pike  county  in  1838, 
where  they  remained  until  1846,  when  they  removed  to  Clarksville, 
Mo.  He  is  a  cOoper  and  miller  by  trade;  also  operated  a  steam- 
engine.  In  1855  he  came  to  Pike  county;  here  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing for  2  seasons;  has  been  married  twice  and  is  the  father  of  3 
children, — John  H.,  Mary  E.  and  Sarah  O.,  dec.  In  the  fall  of 
1867  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Time,  and  is  doing  a 
large  business ;  carries  a  stock  of  $2,500,  consisting  of  dry -goods, 
groceries,  boots  and  shoes,  queensware,  etc. 

Aaron  Fuller  was  born  in  Jejfferson  county.  Pa.,  Jan.  26,  18S3; 
came  to  Greene  county.  111.,  in  1844;  has  resided  in  the  States  of 
Missouri,  Kansas  and  Arkansas  since  he  had  a  family.  In  Feb., 
1854,  he  married  Elizabeth  Oaks,  and  they  have  had  7  children,  of 
whom  4  are  living,  namely,  Mary  E.,  Ida  H.,  Clara  M.  and  LilUe 
B.  Mr.  Fuller  is  engaged  in  blacksmithing  and  wood  work  in 
Time,  and  does  a  good  business;  he  manufactures  a  very  good  plow, 
which  has  an  increasing  demand. 


HI8T0KT    OF   PIKE    OOITNTT.  593 

• 

M.  H.  Griffin,,  physician;  was  born  in  Georgetown,  Brown  Co., 
0.,  March  29,  1833,  and  is  a  son  of  William  Griffin,  dec,  who  emi- 
grated with  his  family  to  this  county  in  1862.  He  graduated  at 
Sie  Eclectic  Medical  Institute  at  Cincinnati,  O.,  receiving  bis  di- 
ploma in  1879.  He  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  this  tp.  in 
1871;  had  been  a  medical  student  for  3  years  previous  to  entering 
upon  the  duties  of  physician;  during  this  time  he  taught  school; 
he  served  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  E,  99th  Reg.  I.  Y.  1.,  as  First 
Lieutenant,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Magnolia  Hills,  Raymond, 
Jackson,  Miss.,  Champion  Hills,  Black  River  Bridge,  siege  of 
Yicksburg,  and  others.  In  December,  1858,  he  married  Louisa 
Hooper,  daughter  of  William  Hooper,  dec,  once  County  Treasurer 
of  Pike  county.  They  have  had  9  children,  of  whom  7  are  living, 
viz.:  William  W.,  Jessie  G.,  Maggie,  Nannie,  Fannie,  John  and 
Hattie. 

Otis  A.  Hashins,  P.  O.  Time;  was  born  in  Bristol  county,  Mass., 
Nov.  21,  1816;  came  to  this  county  in  1844,  where  he  worked  at 
the  carpenter's  trade  for  one  year;  then  began  farming  as  a  renter. 
He  now  owns  over  1,000  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  is  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock-raising.  March  12,  1844,  he  married  Nancy 
Thomas,  daughter  of  Samuel  Thomas,  of  Greene  county,  111.,  and 
they  have  4  children,— "William  H.,  Idelia,  Mary  J.  and  Samuel. 

J.  G.  Saydon,  Teacher  of  Pleasant  Grove  School,  was  born  in 
Hendricks  county,  Ind.,  Oct.  13,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Abner  Hay- 
don,  dec,  who  brought  his  family  to  Sangamon  county,  111.,  in 
1844.  He  labored  under  great  disadvantages  in  obtaining  his  edu- 
cation; at  the  age  of  16  he  was  unable  to  write  his  name,  but  by 
industry  and  perseverance  he  has  educated  himself,  and  is  now 
teaching.  The  pupils  of  his  school  are  advancing  rapidly  in  their 
respective  studies.  Oct.  29,  1869,  he  married  Lovena  J.  Kent, 
daughter  of  Henry  Kent,  well  known  in  the  early  settlement  of 
this  county.  Their  4  children  are, — Henry,  J.  G.,  Charley  and 
Nellie. 

George  A.  Henry,  son  of  Jacob  Henry,  whq  came  from  Warren 
county,  Ky. ,  was  an  early  pioneer,  and  has  seen  many  hardships; 
he  did  the  milling  for  2  families  ;  carried  corn  on  a  horse,  and  so 
thronged  was  the  business  at  the  old  horse-mill  at  Milton  that  he 
would  be  compelled  to  arise  at  midnight  and  go  to  mill  in  order  to 
get  his  grinding  done  in  time  to  get  home  the  next  night;  would 
frequently  have  to  remain  all  night  at  the  mill  for  his  grinding, 
with  no  place  to  sleep,  and  nothing  to  eat  but  parched  corn.  On 
one  occasion,  he  and  another  boy  were  there  all  night,  and  toward 
morning,  becoming  tired  of  parched  corn,  they  concluded  to  have 
a  change  of  diet.  The  proprietor  retired,  leaving  them  in  charge 
of  the  mill.  There  was  an  old  rooster  on  top  of  the  mill,  which, 
after  chasing  for  some  time,  they  succeeded  in  catching,  and  which 
they  picked  and  roasted,  and  ate  with  a  relish.  Notwithstanding 
the  hard  times,  there  was  plenty  of  wild  game  and  honey  to  be 
obtained.     July  24,  1850,  Mr.  Henry  was  married  to  Nancy  J. 


594  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

French,  and  they  had  14  children;  of  these,  10  are  living,  and  all 
at  home  but  the  eldest;  their  names  are  as  follows:  Franklin  P. 
James  M.,  Emeline,  William,  Austin,  Mary,  Flora,  Ella,  George 
and  Minnie.  Mr.  Henry  resides  on  sec.  2,  this  tp.,  on  the  old 
home  place,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  The 
house'  where  he  attended  school  was  12  by  14  feet,  and  had  a  mud- 
and-stick  chimney  and  a  clapboard  door;  the  seats  were  sawed 
from  a  log  with  a  whip-saw;  they  had  no  stove,  but  a  large  fire- 
place; the  window  consisted  of  a  log  cut  out  of  one  side  of  the 
house,  with  cloth  pasted  over  the  crack.  On  windy  days  the  fire- 
place smoked  so  badly  that  the  school  would  retire  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  Henry.     The  ceiling  consisted  of  poles  covered  with  boards. 

Chas.  Y.  Johnson,  farmer,  sec.  21,  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  Co., 
N.  y.,  May  15,  1815,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Kachel  Johnson, 
dec. ;  he  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  came  to  this  county  in  1837.  In 
1838  he  married  Emily  Span  ;  4  of  their  8  children  are  living,  viz: 
Mary,  Rebecca,  Phila  and  Emma,  all  married.  Mr.  J.'s  father 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  son  was  lost  in  the  late 
war, 

Henry  Kent  was  born  in  Fayette  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1801,  and  is  a  son 
of  Henry  and  Mary  Kent,  dec;  he  was  educated  in  a  log  cabin, 
with  round  poles  for  seats,  a  log  cut  out  of  one  side  of  the  house, 
with  a  greased  paper  pasted  over  the  crack  for  a  window,  and  a 
huge  fire-place  in  one  end  for  warming  the  room.  Coming  in 
1836  to  this  wild  "West,  Mr.  Kent  has  killed  many  a  deer  in  this 
county,  and  witnessed  the  scenes  of  pioneer  tim'es.  He  is  a  black- 
smith by  trade,  but  has  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  and 
speculating  in  land  since  coming  to  Illinois.  He  has  been  married 
twice,  and  is  the  father  of  15  children,  of  whom  8  are  living, — 
George  "W.,  Martha,  MaTy,  Eliza  J.,  Fannie,  Lovina,  Charlotte  and 
Henrietta.  Two  sons,  Walter  D.  and  Newton  P.,  were  soldiers  in 
the  late  war. 

David  Lacy,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  sec.  12,  was  born  in  Da- 
vidson Co.,  N.  C,  June  25,  1818,  and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Eliza- 
beth Lacy,  dec,  who  brought  their  family  to  Pike  county  in  1839. 
Our  subject  came  to  this  county  in  1842,  where  he  engaged  in  the 
masonry  business  until  1851  ;  he  was  married  in  1855  to  Mrs. 
Catharine  M.  Devol,  and  they  have  6  children, — Margaret  A.,  Julia 
F.,  Lincoln  S.,  Sarah  E.,  Lucretia  B.  and  Amanda  J.  Mr.  Lacy 
went  overland  to  California  in  1852,  and  returned  by  ship  in  1853. 

AVvin  Main,  son  of  Andrew  Main,  was  born  Jan.  17,  1844,  in 
this  tp.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  when  in  his  18th  year  he 
enlisted  in  the  late  war,  in  Co.  B,  28th  Eeg.  I.  Y.  I.,  and  served 
3  years  ;  he  was  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  ECatchie  Eiver,  siege  of 
Vicksburg  and  others.  Sept.  7,  1865,  he  married  Miss  LydiaFoot, 
daughter  of  George  D.  Foot,  of  Newburg  tp.;  they  have  6  chil- 
dren,—Clara  M.,  Eufus  H.,  Josiah  S.,  Blanche  M.,  E.  I.  and  Geor- 
giana.  Mr.  M.  resides  on  sec.  8,  this  tp.,  and  is  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming. 


rsij 


■li' 


HISTOBT   OF   PIKE    COITNTY.  595 

Andrew  Main,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  6,  was  born  in  Jack- 
son Co.,  O.,  Aug.  6, 1817,  and  is  a  son  of  Solomon  and  Susan  Main, 
so  well  known  in  the  early  settlement  of  this  county,  who  came 
here  in  1828.  He  loaned  his  gun  to  a  friend  to  use  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war,  which,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  was  returned,  and  he 
was  also  a  soldier  in  that  war.  Andrew  Main  was  educated  in  a 
log  house  with  slab  seats,  greased  paper  for  windows,  and  a  large 
fire-place  in  one  end.  Mr.  M.  used  to  go  to  a  horse-mill  on  horse- 
back, and  in  the  earlier  part  of  their  pioneer  life  he  ground  corn 
in  a  hand-mill ;  he  hunted  with  the  Indians  and  killed  deer  with 
them.  Sept.  28,  1838,  he  married  Lutilia  Johnson,  and  they  have 
had  16  children,  9  of  whom  are  living  ;  their  names  are  Alvin, 
Andrew  P.,  Colonel,  Philip,  George,  William,  Thomas,  Jane  and 
Minerva. 

George  Main  was  born  in  Beaver,  now  Lawrence,  county.  Pa., 
Dec.  17,  1838,  and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  Main,  dec,  who  brought  his 
family  to  this  county  in  1859,  settling  in  this  tp.,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1873.  Our  subject  was  married 
in  1866  to  Miss  Myra  Williams,  and  their  children  are  Fred, 
George,  Owen,  Myrtle  and  Kalph.  Mr.  Main  is  a  blacksmith, 
wagon  and  plow  maker,  in  company  with  Mr.  Philip,  in  Time  ; 
they  do  a  good  business,  and  give  general  satisfaction.  Mr.  Main 
has  held  various  offices  of  trust  in  this  tp. ;  served  over  3  years  in  the 
late  war  in  Co.  K,  2d  Peg.  111.  Cav.,  and  was  in  54  engagements, 
among  which  were  the  following  :  Middleburg,  Lamare,  Holly 
Springs,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  Pleasant  Hills, 
Yellow  Bayon,  etc.  He  was  captured  at  Middleburg  and  held 
prisoner  at  Vicksburg  for  6  weeks,  when  he  was  exchanged. 

Jacob  Maim,  was  born  in  Beaver  Co.,  Pa.,  Sept.  14,  1848,  and  is 
a  son  of  Daniel  Main,  deceased,  who  first  came  tothis  county  about 
the  year  1850,  and  moved  his  family  here  in  1852.  Our  subject 
was  married  Sept.  7,  1868,  to  Mary  Mortion,  daughter  of  Matthew 
Mortion,  deceased.  They  have  had  4  children,  of  whom  3  are  liv- 
ing, viz:  Effie,  Ottie  and  Alraira.  Mr.  Main  is  a  farmer,  and  resides 
on  sec.  19.     P.  0._,  Pittsfield. 

Philip  J.  Main,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in  Beaver 
Co.,  Pa.,  Jan.  12,  1846;  he  is  a  brother  and  partner  of  George 
Main,  of  Time.  He  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1859,  and 
in  1871  was  married  to  Josephine  Horton,  by  whom  he  has  had 
2  children;  only  one,  Yinnie,  is  living.  He  served  100  days  in  the 
late  war,  in  Co.  H,  137th  Eeg.  I.  V.  I.,  and  was  in  the  battle  of 
'Memphis,  Tenn. 

Oyrus  McFaddin  was  born  in  Brown  Co.,  O.,  Jan.  16, 1840,  and 
is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  McFaddin.  He  came  to  Illinois  in 
1852,  remaining  one  year,  when  he  returned  to'  Ohio;  came  back 
to  this  county  in  1855;  he  served  3  years  in  the  late  war  in  Co. 
G,  99th  Eeg.  I.  Y.  I.,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Magnolia  Hills, 
Champion  Hills,  Black  Eiver  Bridge,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  Jackson, 
Miss.,  and  others.     Feb.   11,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Eebecca  J. 


596  HISTORY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

Mitchell,  and  they  have  had  6  children;  of  these  4  are  living, 
namely,  Mary  N. ,  Frank  "W.,  Charles  L.  and  George  A.  Mr.  Mc- 
Faddin  resides  on  sec.  22,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  the  rais- 
ing of  stock. 

James  B.  Miller,  deceased,  was  born  in  Fayette  Co.,  Pa.,  April 
25,  1818,  and  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Lydia  Miller,  deceased. 
He  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1853,  and  settled  in  Monte- 
zuma tp.  2  years,  then  removed  to  this  tp.,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  on  sec.  16  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Feb.  11,  1874. 
He  was  a  worthy  member  of  the  New-School  Presbyterian  Church 
for  many  years;  was  also  an  Elder  for  30  years.  He  was  a  gen- 
erous, kind-hearted  man.  In  1841  he  married  Miss  Mary  Griffin, 
daughter  of  Wm.  Griffin,  deceased,  who  brought  his  family  to  this 
county  in  1852  ;  she  is  also  a  sister  of  Dr.  Griffin,  of  Time  ;  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Miller  had  11  children;  of  these  8  are  living,  to-wit:  Sam- 
uel W.,  Sarah  F.,  "William  F.,  Elizabeth  G.,  Lydia,  Anna,  Eobert 
B.and  James  A.  Mrs.  Miller  resides  on  the  old  home  place.  "We 
give  Mr.  Miller's  portrait  in  this  volume. 

James  Y.  Jifoore,  a  veteran  of  the  Mexican  war,  was  born  March 
4,  1818,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  Moore,  deceased,  who 
moved  with  their  family  from  Russellville,  Ky.,  to  Charleston,  Coles 
Co.,  111.,  in  1836.  Our  subject  was  a  school-mate  of  the  noted  des- 
peradoes, the  James  boys,  near  E.ussellville,  Logan  Co.,  "Ky.  He 
served  one  year  as  2d  Lieutenant  in  Co.  C,  5th  Reg.  I.  Y.  I.,  when  he 
became  diseased,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  has  never  recovered. 
He  draws  a  small  pension.  In  1849  he  married  Mary  A.  l^orton, 
and  their  children  are  Laura  Tyler,  of  Fort  Scott,  Kansas,  Charley, 
telegraph  operator  at  Tallula,  111.,  and  Dora  Smith,  of  St.  Louis. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  reside  in  Time. 

William  R.  Moore,  teacher  of  Union  school,  district  No.  4,  Hardin 
tp.,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  April  18, 1848.  He  was 
educated  at  North  Missouri  Normal  School,  at  Kirksville,  Mo. 
Dec.  24, 1872,  he  married  Miss  Jennie,  daughter  of  William  H. 
Bennett,  of  Pittsfield.  Mr.  Moore  conducts  his  school  on  the  latest 
normal  plans,  and  is  a  successful  teacher. 

Mvin  Petty  was  born  in  Pike  county.  Mo.,  Oct.  15,  1826.  His 
father,  Fisher  Petty,  came  to  this  county  in  1828,  having  emigrated 
from  Columbus,  Ohio,  to  Pike  county.  Mo.,  when  a  yoiing  man. 
"When  the  Petty  family  located  here,  the  land  was  nearly  all  vacant 
between  their  residence  and  where  Pittsfield  now  stands.  Atlas 
was  then  the  county-seat.  Deer,  turkey,  wolves,  etc.,  were  plenty 
at  that  time,  deer  being  nearly  or  quite  as  tame  as  modern  sheep; 
they  would  frequently  come  within  a  few  rods  of  the  house,  and 
turkeys  would  pass  through  the  yard.  Feb.  7,  1849,  Mr.  Alvin 
Petty  married  Julia  A.  Duffield,  daughter  of  James  Duffield,  of 
Martinsburg  tp.,  who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  is  82 
years  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Petty  have  had  8  children,  of  whom  7  are 
living, — Marion  M.,  Catharine,  Isaac  N.,  James  F.,  Ella,  "William 
and  Frederick.     Mr.  Petty  is  a  natural  genius,  and  has  worked  at 


^^cl-^fi^e^ 


HARDIN   TP 


HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTr.  599 

nearly  all  kinds  of  mechanical  labor;  but  his  general  occupation  is 
farming  and  stock-raising.  He  resides  on  sec.  6;  owns  293  acres 
of  valuable  land. 

J.  H.  Rainwater,  teacher  of  Honey  Creek  school,  this  tp.,  was 
born  Dec.  11,  1858,  and  is  a  son  of  John  Kainwater,  deceased,  who 
died  in  JMashville,  Tenn.,  during  the  Eebellion.  Mr.  R.  was  edu- 
cated in  Piitsfield,  and  has  chosen  teaching  as  his  vocation.  His 
school  is  well  conducted,  and  he  has  won  the  confidence  of  parents 
and  pupils. 

Joseph  M.  Russell,  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Martins- 
burg  tp.,  May  7,  1837,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Russell,  de- 
ceased, so  well  known  in  the  early  history  of  this  county;  his  father 
helped  survey  the  present  town  plat  of  Pittsfield.  The  Indians 
were  their  nearest  neighbors,  and  the  wolves  made  the  night  hid- 
eous with  their  howling.  Our  subject  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and 
now  resides  on  sec.  19.  Aug.  26,  1859,  he  married  Martha  Kiser, 
daughter  of  Samuel  Kiser,  deceased.  They  have  6  children, — 
EHza,  John,  Mary,  George,  David  and  Elmer.  Mrs.  Russell  was 
born  in  Warren  county,  Ind.,  March  5,  1843,  and  was  brought  by 
her  parents  in  the  fall  of  1844,  to  this  county,  where  she  has  since 
resided. 

Anthony  Sonner  was  born  Oct.  17,  1830,  in  Highland  county, 
Ohio,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  Sonner,  deceased.  He  came  to  Pike 
county  in  1860,  where  he  has  since  resided;  he  is  a  miller  by  trade, 
but  has  been  engaged  in  farming  since  coming  to  Illinois,  until  the 
last  3  years.  In  Oct.,  1855,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Hicks,  and 
they  had  6  children;  of  these,  3  are  living, — Charley,  Ora  and 
Brady. 

Evans  Scott,  physician,  was  born  in  Somerset  coyntj'-.  Pa.,  Feb. 
7,  1835.  He  was  educated  partlj'  in  Ohio  and  partly  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  graduated  at  the  Medical  College  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  in 
1864;  he  served  over  3  years  in  the  late  war  in  the  3d  111.  Cav. ; 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  he  had  charge  of  a  ward  in  a  hospital 
at  Keokuk.  He  began  practice  at  Time,  in  1865.  He  now  has  a 
large  practice. 

Richard  Thornton  was  born  in  this  tp.,  May  18,  1840,  and  is  a 
son  of  "Nathan  and  Lucinda  Thornton.  He  was  raised  on  a  farm 
and  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  and  resides  on 
sec.  17.  He  was  married  March  16,  1864,  to  Margaret  Watson 
and  their  4  children  are  James  A.,  Benjamin  F.,  Flora  H.  and  Nella 
J.  Mrs.  Thornton  died  Jan  20,  1875^  and  March^lO,  1876,  Mr.  T. 
married  Phila  Y.  Johnson,  daughter  of„Charles  V.  Johnson:  they 
have  one  child,  Richard  S. 

John  L.  Troutner  was  born  in  this  tp.  May  11,  1847,  and  is  a 
son  of  the  late  Rev.  Joseph' Troutner,  who  came  to  this  county  from 
Oiiio,  in  1838,  settling  near  Pittsfield,  and  was  a  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser,  and  was  also  Deputy  Sheriff  of  the  county  about  as  early  as 
1841 ;  he  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  24  years  in  succession,  and  was 
School  Treasurer  12  years;  also  filled  other  ofiices  of  trust;  he 
clerked  in  the  first  store  at  Pittsfield ;  he  died  at  his  residence  in 

35 


600  HISTOEY    OF   PIKE    COTJNTT. 

this  tp.  Oct.  22,  1878,  highly  esteemed  by  all.  John  L.  is  the 
eldest  of  12  children,  all  living;  was  married  in  July,  1849,  to  Isa- 
bella Elder,  who  was  born  in  Florence,  Pike  Co.  He  resides  on 
sec.  19,  and  is  engaged  in  farming. 

Harry  White,  son  of  Silas  and  Louisa  (Jones)  "White,  was  born 
May  19,  1845,  and  raised  as  a  wool-carder;  he  operated  the  woolen 
mills  in  Time  from  1865  to  1870;  he  served  3, years  in  the  late  war 
in  Co.  D,  1st  Reg.  M.  Y.  I.;  was  for  awhile  in  Benton  Barracks 
at  St.  Louis;  has  worked  in  a  mill  all  summer  and  traveled  in  the 
winter;  has  gone  from  Buffalo  to  Denver;  owns  a  farm  in  Franklin 
county,  Kan.;  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  in  Kansas  4  years. 
In  1876  he  married  Mattie Bagby,  daughter  of  E.  D.  Bagby,  dec; 
they  have  one  child,  Trula.  He  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  on  sec. 
9.  While  in  the  service  he  was  in  the  battles  of  Pilot  Knob,  Round 
Pond,  Mill  Creek  and  others. 

Samuel  Willard,  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  Aug.  25, 
1843;  was  educated  in  a  common  school  and  raised  on  a  farm.  At 
the  age  of  19  he  enlisted  in  the  war  and  served  3  years  in  Co.  E, 
99th  I.  V.  I.,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Fort  Gibson,  Black  River 
Bridge,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  Fort  Blakely,  Spanish  Fort  and  others; 
was  also  detailed  musician;  was  honorably  discharged  July  31, 
1865.  He  was  married  in  1867  to  Miss  Frances  Miller,  daughter 
of  James  B.  Miller,  dec.  Mr.  W.  owns  120  acres  of  land  in  Mar- 
tinsburg  tp.,  but  now  resides  in  Time. 

Henry  J.  Williams  was  born  in  Scott  county,  Ky.,  Sept.  25, 1826^ 
and  is  a  son  of  Thompson  "Williams,  who  removed  with  his  family  to 
Jacksonville,  111.,  in  1832,  and  in  1833  came  to  this  county,  locating 
in  Montezuma  tp.,  on  what  was  known  as  Franklin  Prairie,  on  sec.  9. 
Our  subject  was  raised  a  farmer,  and  received  his  education  in  an 
old  log  school-house  with  a  stick  chimney,  slab  benches,  and  a  fire- 
place in  one  end,  between  7  and  8  feet  wide.  Mr  .Williams  was  in 
Pittsfield  when  there  was  but  one  house  there;  the  prairie  grass 
was  as  high  as  a  horse's  back.  He  moved  to  Pittsfield  in  1856, 
remaining  there  about  6  months,  when  he  removed  to  sec.  22,  this 
tp.,  where  he  still  resides,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising;  he  has  had  a  fine  two-story  brick  residence,  which  was 
burned  in  1861.  He  now  owns  1,100  acres  of  valuable  land.  June 
6,  1850,  he  married  Ruth  A.  Chenoweth,  who  was  born  in  Macomb, 
McDonough  county.  111.  They  have  11  children,  viz:  Abbie, Laura, 
Amanda,  Henry,  Mary  E.,  Robert,  Nola,  Rose,  John,  Charley  and 
Stella.  Tlie  eldest  is  about  29  years  old.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact 
that  there  has  never  occurred  a  death  or  a  wedding  in  this  family. 
Mr.  Williams'  father  and  Jacob  Hodgen  founded  the  first  Chris- 
tian Church  in  Montezuma  tp.,  which  was  the  first  Church  of  that 
denomination  in  the  eastern  part  of  Pike  county.  They  had  to 
grind  their  corn  in  a  horse  mill  or  an  ox  mill.  Mr.  W.  has  actually 
gone  to  mill  every  day  in  the  week  and  returned  with  no  meal  on 
Saturday  night,  so  thronged  was  the  mill.  He  has  ridden  10  miles 
on  horseback  many  times  to  mill,  and  arrived  there  before  daylight. 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  601 

Andrew  Yaeger,  a  native  of  Germany,  was  born  Oct.  24,  1828; 
came  to  America  in  1853,  settling  in  Newburg  tp.,  where  he  re- 
sided until  186^,  and  then  removed  to  this  tp.,  locating  on  sec. 
14,  where  he  still  resides,  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 
In  1853  he  married  Barbara,  daughter  of  Adam  Kern,  dec.  Not 
having  money  enough  to  marry  according  to  the  laws  of  Germany, 
Mr.  Yaeger  brought  his  intended  wife  to  America  and  married  her 
here.  They  have  had  8  children,  of  whom  7  are  living,  namely, 
Lucy  J.,  Mary  A.,  John  G.,  Barbara  M.,  William  F.,  Henry  0., 
and  Anna  C. 


SPRING  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

This  is  one  of  the  southern  tier  of  townships,  and  is  bounded 
upon  the  north  by  Hardin,  the  east  bj  Pearl,  south  by  Calhoun 
county,  and  upon  the  west  by  Pleasant  Hill  township.  It  is  a  fiill 
Congressional  township  and  received  its  name  frqm  the  principal 
stream  which  runs  through  it.  The  surface  is  very  broken  and 
principally  covered  with  timber,  with  small  necks  of  prairie.  Many 
springs  of  sparkling  water  are  found  gushing  from  the  hillsides  in 
this  township. 

Silas  Wilson  came  to  the  township  in  1832,  and  erected  a  log 
cabin  and  made  other  improvements,  on  sec.  8,  where  he  remained 
for  many  years.  Benj.  Allison,  David  Scranton,  Barnard  Col- 
lins, J.  P.  Stark  and  Mr.  HoUis  came  in  soon  after.  These  early 
pilgrims  did  not  find  all  the  conveniences  which  makes  life  pleasant. 
The  hunting  was  better  than  now,  but  all  those  things  which  are 
now  thought  to  be  necessaries,  were  then  wanting.  Money  was  so 
scarce  that  it  was  hardly  talked  of  as  a  commodity.  In  place  of  the 
Short-horn  cattle  and  Berkshire  hogs,  which  can  be  seen  in  every 
pasture  and  feed-yard  in  this  magnificent  county,  were  the  black, 
brindle,  pie-bald,  polled,  streaked  and  speckled  cattle  which,  for  the 
want  of  a  name  were  usually  called  natives.  They  were  as  uneven 
in  quality  as  variegated  in  color,  and  lacked  all  the  beef  qualities 
for  which  their  successors,"  the  Short-horns,  are  so  famous.  They 
answered  the  purpose  for  which  they  were  wanted,  however,  per- 
haps full  as  well  if  not  better  than  the  present  popular  breed  would 
have  done.  The  working  cattle  were  lively  and  endured  fatigue 
and  heat  well,  and  even  after  the}-  were  fatted  they  stood  the  long 
drives  which  the  then  system  of  marketing  demanded,  much  better 
than  the  cattle  of  the  present  day  would.  They  could  hardly  have 
been  called  handsome,  but  they  were  in  all  ways  the  chief  help  and 
profit  of  the  farmer.  As  much  can  hardly  be  said  of  the  wind-splitting 
prairie  rooters  that  were  the  only  hogs  then  known  iu  these  parts; 
but  they  were  hogs,  and  did  not  like  to  be  trifled  with.  They  lived 
on  roots  and  nuts  and  could  outrun  a  horse.  When  the  farmer 
went  to  feed  them  he  put  the  corn  where  he  was  sure  the  contrary 
fellows  would  find  it.  If  he  had  tried  to  call  them  with  that  long, 
sonorous  half  shout  and  half  groan  now  in  use  to  bring  hogs  to 
their  feed,  tlie  chances  are  decidedly  that  he  would  have  scared 
them  out  of  the  timber  and  might  never  have  seen  them;  but  they 
were  handy  to  drive,  as  men  then  had  to'drive  hogs  to  market. 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  603 

Rachel  Collins  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  township, 
her  birth  occurring  in  1833.  Joseph  Collins,  who  died  the  same 
year,  was  the  first  person  to  die  in  the  township.  Joel  Meacham 
and  Sarah  Adkins  were  the  first  couple  united  in  marriage.  The 
ceremony  was  performed  by  Kev.  Levi  Hinman,  who  also  preached 
the  first  sermon  in  the  township  in  1833.  He  was  a  minister  of 
the  Baptist  denomination.,  F.  A.  Collins  was  the  first  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  and  John  P.  Stark  the  first  Supervisor.  All  of  the 
earliest  adventurers  are  now  gone,  most  of  them  to  that  country 
which  is'always  hew,  but  where  the  hardships  and  privations  of  pio- 
neer life  are  never  known. 

VILLAGES, 

Nebo. — This  little  village  is  situated  on  the  Louisiana  branch  ot 
the  Chicago  &  Alton  Kailroad,  and  is  a  lively  business  point.  The 
gentlemen  who  represent  the  leading  business  interests  of  the  town, 
— "Wm.  E.  Davis,  David  HoUis,  Mr.  Moore,  the  miller,  and  Dr. 
Pollock, — are  spoken  of  personally  below. 

Stewart. — This  is  a  station  on  the  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis 
Eailway ;  is  situ^ated  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  23,  and  the 
northwest  quarter  of  section  24,  of  this  township,  and  was  laid  out 
by  County  Surveyor  H.  J.  Harris,  in  1872,  for  D.  W.  Knight, 
Daniel  Allison  and  John  McCormick. 

CHURCHES. 

The  Neho  Baptist  Church  was  organized  on  the  first  Saturday  in 
April,  1863,  by  Eev.  J.  J.  W.  Place,  with  a  membership  of  37. 
The  congregation  erected  a  house  of  worship  in  1864  and  now  has 
services  once  each  month,  and  sustains  a  Sunday-school  during  the 
summer  season.  The  present  membership  numbers  67.  Kev.  F. 
H.  Lewis  is  Pastor. 

The  Regular  Predestinarian  Baptist  Church  at  Spring  Creek, 
was  constituted  in  August,  1862,  by  Elder  Samuel  Applegate,  with 
16  members.  The  society  worshiped  for  about  five  years  in  the 
Spring  Creek  school-house,  which  stood  where  Nebo  now  stands. 
They  erected  a  house  of  worship  in  1857  or  1858,  which  was  burned 
in  February,  1879.  The  following  autumn  they  erected  another 
and  a  more  commodious  and  substantial  church  building.'  The 
present  Pastor  is  S.  E.  Williams. 

PERSONAL  SKETCHES. 

The  personal  mention  of  any  community  forms  the  most  inter- 
esting feature  of  its  history.  As  part  of  the  history  of  Spring 
Creek  township  we  make  mention  of  the  following  early  settlers 
and  prominent  citizens. 

Nathan  Allison.  Being  an  old  settler  of  Pike  county,  Mr.  A.  is 
identified  with  its  history,  and  therefore,  should  have  more  than 


60-i  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

passing  notice  in  a  work  of  this  nature.  He  was  born  in  Pike 
county,  O.,  March  8,  1817,  and  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  Allison,  one 
of  the  pioneers  of  Pike  county,  and  who  removed  from  Ohio  to 
Indiana  in  1824,  and  to  this  county  in  1834;  in  1836  he  purchased 
the  farm  of  Silas  "Wilson  on  sec.  8,  Spring  Creek  township,  upon 
which  was  the  only  house  in  the  township,  and  the  Allison  family 
was  the  only  one  residing  in  the  township,  until  a  few  months  later, 
when  the  Scranton  family  moved  in.  Our  subject  located  in  Cal- 
houn county  in  the  fall  of  1886,  and  there  constructed  quite  a  novel 
mill,  there  being  a  stream  in  the  hillside  near  his  house.  He  made 
a  trough,  which  worked  on  a  pivot.  To  one  end  of  the  trough  was 
attached  a  large  maul  or  pounder,  which  set  in  a  box  or  trough 
beneath ;  the  other  end  of  the  trough  was  placed  under  the  falling 
water  on  the  hillside;  as  soon  as  the  trough  was  filled  with  water 
one  end  would  be  overbalanced,  and  at  the  same  time 
the  water  would  pour  out  of  it,  when  immediately  the  pounder 
would  fall  down  with  a  thud,  and  smash  the  few  grains  of  corn 
that  were  in  the  mortar.  Occasionally  an  unfortunate,  coon  would 
step  in  to  partake  of  some  of  the  meal  and  would  remain  there 
until  some  one  came  to  his  rescue,  and  he  would  come  out  all 
mangled  and  bleeding,  never  more  to  return  to  the  forest.  Mr.  A. 
was  married  in  1836  to  Elizabeth  Wilson,  daughter  of  Silas  Wilson; 
and  they  had  four  children,  of  whom  two  are  living, — Mahala  and 
Felix.  Mrs.  Allison  died  in  1849.  Mr.  Allison^is  now  living  with 
his  fourth  wife.  He  erected  the  first  house  in  Nebo, .and  is  now 
engaged  in  farming  and  the  raising  of  stock  on  sec.  30. 

W^n.  H.  Bacus,  teacher  of  Nebraska  schools,  Spring  Creek  town- 
ship, was  born  in  this  county  Oct.  19,  1843,  and  is  a  son  of  John  S. 
Bacus,  deceased.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  Martha  J.  Mays.  To 
them  have  been  born  three  children, — Minnie  D.,  James  H.  M. 
and  an  infant,  deceased.  Mr.  B.  has  a  very  large  and  interesting 
school, — indeed,  so  large  that  one  with  the  most  unflagging  energy 
and  dispatch  can  scarcely  do  justice  to  it.  He  hears  30  recitations 
daily  and  keeps  exceptionally  good  order,  although  many  of  the 
pupils  are  very  small. 

William  S.  Buchanan,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  36,  was  born 
March  8,  1833,  in  Calhoun  county.  111.,  and  is  a  son  of  the  late 
Henry  P.  Buchanan;  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  a  wild  section  of 
the  country  where  deer,  wolves,  etc.,  were  numerous,  and  has  killed 
many  deer  and  other  wild  animals.  There  was  no  free-school  sys- 
tem here  in  those  early  days,  and  money  being  a  scarce  article  in 
pioneer  days,  Mr.  B.'s  educational  advantages  were  like  those 
of  other  pioneer  boys,  very  meager.  He  was  married  in  1856 
to  Miss  Catharine  McConnell,  daughter  of  Robert  McConnell, 
deceased,  a  pioneer  of  Pike  county,  Mo.  They  have  had  12  chil- 
dren, only  4  of  whom  are  living, — Eobert  H.,  Mary  0.,  Thomas 
A.  and  James  A.  Besides  a  farmer,  Mr.  B.  is  also  a  blacksmith  and 
wagon  maker, — in  fact,  he  can  do  almost  any  kind  of  work  he  turns 
his  hand  to. 


HISTOKY    OF    VIKE    COUNTY.  605 

Jokn  A.  Bunn  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Mo.,  March  4, 1845,  and 
is  a  son  of  George  Bunn,  deceased.  Mr.  B.  went  into  Calhoun 
county.  111.,  with  his  mother  in  1851,  where  he  remained  until 
1865,  when  lie  went  to  Missouri  and  remained  five  years;  he  came 
to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1871  and  resides  on  sec.  36, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  farming.  lie  was  marriedjin  1871  to  Mary  E. 
Borrowman,  by  whom  he  has  four  children, — Minnie  O.,  Edgar  K., 
deceased,  Cora  A.  and  Hattie  A. 

E.  B.  Oollard  was  born  Oct.  16,1841,  in  Pleasant  Hill  township, 
this  county,  and  is  a  son  of  John  J.  and  Mary  E.  Collard,  deceased, 
so  well-known  in  the  early  settlement  of  Pike  county.  His  father 
filled  the  ofiice  of  County  Clerk  of  Pike  countj'  for  two  terms  and 
filled  every  county  office  as  deputy,  except  that  of  Surveyor.  Our 
subject  was  raised  for  the  most  part  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the 
common  schools;  he  was  married  Nov.  25,  1877,  to  Miss  Emily  M. 
Harpole,  daughter  of  L.  C.  Harpole,  of  this  township.  They  have 
one  child,  Arthur  B.  Mr.  Collard  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Strout  Station,  on  tlie  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  R. 
K.,  aud  carries  a  stock  of  about  $1,500,  consisting  of  dry-goods, 
groceries,  boots  and  shoes,  and  the  general  variety  usually  kept  in 
a  first-class  store.  He  is  also  Agent  for  the  Railroad  Company, 
express  agent  and   Postmaster. 

John  Collyer  was  born  in  Owen  county,  Ind.,  June  30,  1838, 
and  is  a  son  of  William  Collyer,  deceased;  Mr.  C.  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising  on  sees. 
7  and  8;  he  came  to  this  county  in  1851,  and  was  married  Aug.  15, 
1857,  to  Miss  Ellen  Baker;  to  them  have  been  born,  five  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living,  namely,  William  E.,  Llewella,  Nora  A. 
and  John  M. 

Leonard  G.  Mamner,  agriculturist  anj3.  stock-raiser,  sec.  8, 
was  born  May  31,  1832,  and  is  a  son  of  Jesse  Hamner,  deceased; 
he  was  brought  up  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  school; 
Aug.  23,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Pearcy  Wilson,  by  whom  he  has 
had  six  children:  of  these  3  are  living,  namely,  Eliza  J.,  Minerva 
A.  and  John  Henry.     P.  O.,  Nebo. 

Bruce  Harpole,  farmer,  stock-raiser  and  dealer  in  stock,  sec. 
27.  Was  born  in  Pleasant  Hill  township,  this  county,  Nov.  12, 
1835,  and  is  a  son  of  Adam  and  Lucinda  (McMullen)  Harpole,  so 
well  known  in  the  early  settlement  of  this  county.  Mr.  H.  was 
raised  a  farmer's  boy  and  knows  all  about  grubbing  and  picking 
brush,  rolling  logs,  driving  oxen,  etc.  He  has  plowed  with  the 
wooden  mold-board  plow,  used  wooden-wheeled  wagons  and  hickory- 
bark  lines  in  driving  horses.  He  was  married  Nov.  13,  1859,  to 
Miss  Rebecca  E.  Stark,  daughter  of  John  P.  Stark.  Four  of  their 
eight  children  areliving, — Adam,  Lucinda,  Robert  B.  and  Charlie  A. 

Charles  E.  Harpole  was  born  in  Calhoun  county,  March  22, 1846, 
and  is  a  son  of  Adam  and  Lucinda  Harpole;  the  former  is  de- 
ceased, and  the  latter  is  residing  near  her  son  in  this  county.  Mr. 
H.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common-school  education. 


606  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTT. 

He  was  married  April  6,  1866,  to  Miss  Martha  A.,  daughter  of 
Willis  and  Hannah  (Mc  Neely),  of  Calhoun  county.  They  have  had 
6  children,  i  of  whom  are  living, — Henry  A.,  Mary  O.,  Hattie  J. 
and  John  JB.     Mr.  H.  resides  on  sec.  33  and  is  engaged  in  farming. 

Z.  C.  Marfole,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  26,  Was  horn  in 
Pleasant  Hill  township  Dec.  11, 1830.  His  parents,  Joel  and  Hannah 
Harpole,  were  well  known  to  the  pioneer  days  of  Pike  county. 
His  father  served  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  Our  subject  was  reared 
on  a  farm  and  knows  all  about  the  privations  that  pioneer  boys  are 
heir  to.  His  educational  advantages  were  very  limited,  there  being 
no  free  schools  in  those  days.  His  mother  wove  cloth  to  pay  for 
his  education.  He  has  plowed  many  a  day  with  a  wooden  mold- 
board  plow,  and  has  reaped  grain  with  a  hand  sickle,  trampled  out 
wheat  with  horses,  went  to  church  in  an  ox  wagon^  and  ground 
corn  on  a  hand-mill  and  was  compelled  to  do  a  good  many  other  thinga 
which  seem  odd  to  the  boys  of  this  day.  In  1853  he  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Sarah  Martin,  daughter  of  Willis  Martin,  an 
early  settler  of  Illinois.  Of  the  9  children  born  to  them  7  are 
living, — James  E..,  William  H.,  Emily  Y.,  John  D.,  Martha,  and 
Albert  and  Alice,  twins. 

A.  Hatch.  This  enterprising  young  man  was  born  in  Ontario 
county,  E.  Y.,  May  6,  1852.  He  came  to  Pike  county  with  his 
parents  in  1862.  He  received  a  good  common-school  education 
and  a  musical  education,  and  is  now  teacher  of  cornet-band  music, 
and  has  met  with  excellent  success  thus  far.  In  Prairieville,  Pike 
county.  Mo.,  in  1879,  he  began  with  a  class  of  new  and  inexperi- 
enced men,  and  in  six  months  time  it  was  demonstrated  that  that 
was  the  best  band  in  the  county.  The  parents  of  our  subject  are 
A.  G.  and  Alvira  Hatch,  and  he  is  the  youngest  of  3  children, — 
A.  W.,  Ellen  J.  and  himself.  He  resides  with  his  mother  on  the 
farm,  sec.  24,  and  during  the  summer  season  is  engaged  in  farming. 

David  SoUis,  Nebo,  was  born  in  Gibson  county,  Tenn.,  April 
6,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  A.  L.  and  Sarah  (Payne)  HoUis,  who 
brought  their  family  to  Illinois  in  1830,  and  to  Pike  county  in  1845. 
Mrs.  Hollis  is  a  second,  or  grand  niece  of  Thomas  Paine,  the  noted 
deist  of  revolutionary  fame.  Our  subject  was  raised  on  a  farm  and 
received  a  limited  education  in  the  subscription  schools,  paying  his 
own  tuition  with  money  he  earned  by  hard  work.  He  began  act- 
ive life  with  nothing  but  his  hands  and  a  determined  will.  He 
now  owns  400  acres  of  land  and  a  third  interest  in  a  large  store  at 
ISTebo.  This  firm  carries  a  stock  of  about  $4,500,  consisting  of 
general  merchandise,  and  is  doing  a  large  business,  employing  3 
to  4  clerks.  Mr.  Hollis  held  the  office  of  County  Treasurer  for 
2  years,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  Spring  Creek  township  for  20 
years.  He  was  married  in  1846  to  Mary  C.  Leggett,  and  by  this 
union  5  children  were  born:  Sarah  M.,  Lewis  Y.,  Elizabeth  J., 
Barbara  E.  and  Mary,  deceased.  Mrs.  H.  died  in  1868,  and  in  1878 
Mr.  H.  married  Sarah  M.  Mason,  by  whom  he  has  3  children,— 
Anna  L.,  David  P.  and  Nellie  M. 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    OOTJNTT.  607 

Dennis  JLeary,  deceased.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Ireland,  June  24,  1812,  and  came  to  America  when  a  young  man. 
He  was  a  painter  by  trade,  and  did  a  good  deal  of  work  in  New 
Orleans,  Mobile,  and  throughout  the  Southern  cities  generally.  He 
owned  land  in  Pike  county  for  many  years,  and  in  1873  purchased 
a  farm  on  sec.  25  of  this  township.  He  was  united  in  marriage 
Feb.  17, 1851,  with  Mrs.  Eliza  French,  daughter  of  Wm.  Morton, 
of  the  vicinity  of  Milton,  this  county.  She  was  born  Aug.  21, 
1825,  in  East  Tennessee.  They  had  six  children, — John,  Leander, 
Thomas,  Albert,  deceased,  Alfred  and  Ella.  Mrs.  Leary  had  two 
children  by  her  former  husband, — Martha  and  William  French. 
Mr.  Leary  died  May  7, 1S76.  His  son  Thomas,  who  is  a  subscriber 
for  this  book,  is  a  prominent  school-teacher,  and  is  now  (March  I, 
1880)  teaching  at  Pearl  Prairie . 

8.  T.  Moore,  proprietor  of.  Nebo  Mills.  This  enterprising  gen- 
tleman took  charge  of  the  Nebo  flouring  mills  in  1877,  and  has 
operated  them  with  the  very  best  of  success.  Others  have  tried  at 
different  times  to  build  up  a  trade  here,  but  in  vain.  The  secret  of 
Mr.  M.'s  success  is  that  he  makes  the  very  best  of  flour,  and  has 
won  the  confidence  of  the  farmers  ot  the  surrounding  country.  He 
also  has  a  corn-sheller  attached  to  his  mill,  which  enables  him  to 
pay  the  highest  market  price  for  that  cereal.  He  was  born  in  Mon- 
roe county,  HI.,  Jan.  12,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  James  B.  Moore,  of 
Brighton,  111.  He  was  married  May  4,  1860,  to  Harriet  F.  Kan- 
dolph,  of  Jersey  county.  111.  They  have  had  7  children,  of  whom 
5  are  living, — Josephine  C,  Eddie,  Frank  T.,  Nellie  R.  and  James 
L.  Mr.  Moore  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  also  attended  the  McKendree  College,  of  Lebanon,  111. 

Br.  R.  R.  Pollock,  Nebo.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
in  Union  county,  O.,  Feb.  28,  1843,  and  is  a  son  of  John  1).  and 
Eachel  G.  Pollock,  who  brought  their  family  to  Edgar  county.  111., 
in  1844,  where  they  remained  until  1856,  when  they  removed  to 
Polk  conntv,  Iowa.  Our  subject  remained  there  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  rebellion,  when  he  enlisted  in  CompanyA,  10th  Iowa 
Inf.,  and  served  three  years  and  two  months.  He  participated  in 
many  of  the  leading  battles  of  the  war,  such  as  Corinth,  Black 
Eiver  Bridge,  or  Champion  Hills,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  Chattanooga, 
Dalton,  etc.  The  Doctor  afterward  attended  Abingdon  College, 
Knox  Co.,  111.,  for  two  years,  where  he  became  acquainted  with 
Miss  Anna  E.  Ferguson,  whom  he  married  Aug.  8,  1866.  The 
union  has  been  blessed  with  two  children,  Kobert  Cleon  and  John 
Roy.  The  Doctor  attended  lectures  at  the  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1870  and  1871,  and  began  practice  in 
Nebo  in  the  latter  year,  where  he  enjoys  a  good  patronage. 

John  W.  Scranton  was  born  in  this  township  Jan.  19,  1847,  and 
is  a  son  of  David  Scranton,  also  of  this  township;  he  was  reared  on 
a  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  this  county;  before 
settling  in  life  he  took  two  trips  through  the  West.  March  3, 1872, 
he  married  Miss  Marv  E.  Bowman,  daughter  of  Eobert  and  Mary 


608  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUIMTY. 

E.  Bowman.  They  have  two  children,  Cora  Belle  and  William 
Otis.  Mr.  Scranton  is  engaged  in  farming  and  resides  on  sec.  7- 
P.  O.  Nebo. 

John  N.  Smith,  book-keeper,  was  born  May  22,  1845,  in  this 
township,  and  is  a  son  of  Wm.  E.  Smith,  of  Nebo,  and  of  whom 
we  make  further  mention  below.  Mr.  Smith  was  reared  for  the 
most  part  upon  the  farm,  but  worked  in  a  flouring-mili  prior  to 
reaching  his  majority.  He  is  now  engaged  as  book-keeper  in  the 
Nebo  flouring-mills.  He  was  joined  in  matrimonj'  Oct,  1, 1865, 
with  Miss  Sarah  E.  Creigmiles.  Three  children  have  blessed  this 
union,  namely,  Laura  M.,  Thomas  T.  and  Ellen  F.  Mr.  Smith 
served  six  months  in  the  late  war,  in  Company  I,  70th  111.  Inf 

William  E.  Smith.  Eeing  an  early  settler  of  Pike  county,  Mr. 
Smith  is  entitled  to  personal  mention  in  a  work  of  this  nature. 
He  came  with  his  parents  from  Oswego  Co.,  N.  T.,  to  this  county 
in  1836.  He  was"  born  in  Columbus  Co.,  JST.  Y.,  Dec.  14,  1819. 
His  parents  were  Amasa  and  Sarah  (Sikes)  Smith.  William  was 
reared  upon  a  farm,  and  received  a  common-school  education,  and 
has  suffered  many  of  the  privations  incident  to  pioneer  life.  Jan. 
3,  1841,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Polly  Allison,  daugh- 
ter of  Benj.  Allison,  deceased,  one  of  Pike  county's  pioneers.  To 
them  have  been  born  11  children,  4  of  whom  are  deceased.  The 
narcies  of  the  children  are,  William,  John,  Mercy  A.,  Mary  J., 
Samuel  H.,  Daniel  W.  and  Charles  W.  Mr.  Smith  is  engaged  in 
the  lumber  trade  at  Nebo,  carrying  a  stock  of  $2,500.  He  is  also 
an  undertaker. 

John  D.  Wilson.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Lincoln 
county,  Mo.,  March  21,  1834.  His  father,  David  Wilson,  brought 
his  family  to  this  county  in  the  autumn  of  1834,  and  located  in 
Pleasant  Hill  township,  where  he  remained  the  rest  of  his  life,  save 
the  last  3  years  which  he  spent  in  Nebo.  Our  subject  was  raised  upon 
the  farm,  and  being  a  pioneer  boy  knows  all  about  the  privations  of 
frontier  life.  He  was  married  in  1856  to  Miss  ]S"ancy,  daughter  of 
George  Turnbaugh,  so  well' known  in  the  pioneer  days  of  Pike 
county.     Mr.  W.  is  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  resides  in  Nebo. 

W.  E.  Wilson  was  born  and  raised  on  sec.  13,  Pleasant  Hill 
township,  this  county-,  and  is  a  son  of  David  and  Isophena  Wilson, 
deceased.  His  birth  dates  Aug.  17,  1844.  May  13,  1870,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Ellen  J.,  daughter  of  Harrison  and 
Matilda  Frye,  of  Pike  county,  Mo.  Only  1  of  the  3  children  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  is  living,  whose  name  is  Claudie.  Mr.  W. 
has  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Ifebo  for  the  last 
12  years,  but  has  recently  sold  to  Fowler  &  Son,  near  Pittstield. 

jaooh  Windrailler,  proprietor  of  the  Nebo  Hotel,  is  a  native  of 
this  county,  and  was  born  Jan.  3,  1849,  the  son  of  Peter  and  Se- 
velia  Windmiller.  Peter  W.  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Pike 
county,  and,  like  other  settlers,  endured  many  privations  and  hard- 
ships in  preparing  the  way  for  the  prosperity  of  future  generations. 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


609 


For  some  time  after  he  first  settled  here  there  was  only  one  wheeled 
vehicle  in  this  entire  neighborhood,  and  that  was  a  wooden- 
wheeled  ox-cart.  He  often  gathered  his  corn  in  a  one-horse  sled. 
Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  Nov.  27,  1873,  was  married 
to  JVTary  Stone,  and  they  have  one  child,  Laren  O. 


FAIRMOUNT  TOWNSHIP. 

This  is  certainly  one  of  the '  finest  townships  in  this  favored 
county,  and  for  general  agricultural  purposes,  is  unrivaled  by  any. 
Where,  less  than  half  a  century  ago  the  deer,  wolf  and  bear  roamed 
at  will,  the  native  red  man  their  only  enemy,  are  now  handsome 
residences,  with  fine  grounds  and  convenient  out-houses,  churches, 
school-houses  and  well  cultivated  fields.  The  native  prairies  have 
been  conquered  from  their  virgin  state  by  the  energy  and  skill  of 
the  sturdy  pioneer.  Instead  of  rank  growths  of  prairie  grass, 
which  blossomed  in  its  beauty  over  these  fertile  prairies,  we  now 
behold  the  waving  fields  of  corn,  broad  acres  of  undulating  wheat, 
numerous  herds  of  thorough-bred  stock  grazing  in  green  pas- 
tures,— indeed,  every  evidence  of  wealth  and  prosperity. 

To  those  who  opened  up  and  developed  the  wonderful  resources 
of  Fairmount,  the  present  and  coming  generations  will  owe  eternal 
gratitude.  They  suffered  untold  privations  and  inconveniences, 
labored  with  unflagging  energy  and  will,  receiving  only  meager 
compensation  for  their  toil,  were  far  away  from  their  friends  and 
their  old  homes,  and  with  scarcely  any  means  of  communication 
with  them.  The  pioneers  were  encouraged  and  kept  up  with  the  , 
hope  of  soon  establishing  comfortable  homes  for  themselves  and 
their  families  and  with  a  noble  ambition  of  conferring  on  posterity 
blessings  which  shall  ever  be  a  monument  to  their  memories. 

The  northern  part  of  Pike  county  was  not  settled  for  over  a  de- 
cade after  the  southern  portion  was.  It  is  a  matter  of  no  little  sur- 
prise to  know  that  for  so  many  years  this  beautiful  section  was  left 
without  the  pioneer.  Many  doubtless  passed  to  and  fro  through  it 
on  their  way  northward  and  westward  and  return,  and  perhaps, 
marveled  at  the  beauty  of  its  groves  and  prairies;  but  it  was  so  far 
from  civilization  that  the  most  sturdy  and  daring  did  not  feel  dis- 
posed to  pitch  their  tents  and  make  their,  home  here.  Over  11 
years  elapsed  from  the  time  that  Ebenezer  Franklin,  Daniel  Shiun 
and  the  Kosses  came  to  the  county,  before  Barker  Crane,  the  first 
settler  of  Fairmount,  came  to  live  in  this  then  wild  country.  Mr. 
Crane  made  improvements  on  sec.  3  in  1831,  but  even  he  re- 
mained for  only  a  short  period.  We  do  not  know  whether  it  was 
his  remoteness  from  other  settlements  that  drove  him  away,  or  that 
he  found  a  more  desirable  location,  as  none  are  left  to  inform  us. 

At  the  close  of  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  when  the  people  of  the 
older  settled  East  and  South  were  assured  that  no  further  apprehen- 
sions need  be  felt  relative  to  Indian  troubles,  settlers  came  pouring 


giSTOET    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  6J  1 

into  this  fair  State  by  the  thousands,  and  the  beautiful  groves  and 
prairies  of  Fairmount  did  not  fail  to  receive  her  portion.  Prior  to 
1841  we  find  the  following  settlers,  besides  others,  living  in  this 
township  :  H.  Lake,  who  located  on  section  10;  John  Wilson,  on 
Bection  3;  Thomas  Kirgan,  on  section  2;  John  Brown,  on  section 
14;  Ebenezer  Franklin,  on  section  12;  Asa  Lake,  on  section  10; 
Tandy  Hume,  on  section  16;  and  Henry  Benson,  on  section  19. 

The  children  of  these  early  settlers  were  not  long  without  the 
instructions  and  discipline  of  the  schoolmaster,  for  we  find  as  early 
as  1840,  Henry  Benson  taught  school  in  a  log  school-house  on  sec. 
16.  This  rude  structure,  which  was  erected  by  the  contribu- 
tion of  the  labor  of  the  pioneers,  would  not  compare  favorably  with 
the  more  modern,  neat  and  tasteful  frame  and  brick  structures  that 
adorn  many  of  the  knolls  through  this  section.  Jesse  Elledge,  a 
■  Baptist  minister,  was  one  of  the  earliest  teachers  of  the  township. 
Soon,  too,  the  minister  of  the  gospel  found  his  way  here  among 
these  pioneers.  The  first  preaching  was  done  by  Elder  Michael 
Hobbs,  of  the  Christian  denomination,  in  1841.  He  was  not  a 
regular  preacher,  being  engaged  in  farming,  but  desiring  to  see  his 
friends  and  neighbors  following  the  meek  and  lowly,  yet  truly  di- 
vinely great  Nazarene,  would  have  them  assemble  in  cabins  and 
school- houses,  and  tell  them  of  his  love  and  earthly  mission.  His 
brother,  the  well  known  Elder  David  Hobbs,  was  also  a  preacher. 
For  a  time  the  Mormons,  who  were  numerous  in  Adams  county, 
which  lies  just  north  of  this  township,  .preached  their  peculiar  faith 
to  this  people,  and  won  many  converts.  A  few  years  afterward, 
however,  this  community  joined  in  the  excitement  incident  to  the 
expulsion  of  the  Mormons  from  Illinois. 

During  the  late  war  Fairmount  proved  loyal  to  the  core,  and 
furnished  many  of  her  brave  sons  as  a  sacrifice  to  retain  an  undi- 
vided Union.  Many  of  those  who  went  to  the  front,  after  enduring 
years  of  untold  hardships  and  danger,  were  permitted  to  return  to 
their  homes,  where  they  are  now  living,  to  enjoy  the  liberties  they 
80  nobly  fought  for.  Many  of  them,  however,  went  to  return  no 
more.  They  were  pierced  by  the  shot  and  shell  from  Southern 
musket  and  cannon,  or  died  from  the  cruelties  inflicted  upon  them 
in  the  prison  pens  to  which  they  were  consigned, — all  for  defend- 
ing the  best  government  ever  established  by  man. 

L  CHUKOHES. 

'  There  are  no  villages  in  this  township,  yet  the  people  enjoy  almost 
equal  religious  privileges  with  the  citizens  of  towns.  There  are  in 
the  township  five  church  oi'ganizations,  with  three  church  buildings. 
The  United  Brethren  church  stands  on  sec.  29,  near  the  school- 

i. house,  and  cost  about  $1,600.  This  is  known  as  the  Woodland 
Church,  and  was  dedicated  in  1867,  and  was  the  first  church  build- 
ing erected  in  the  township.  It  was  dedicated  by  N.  A.  Walker. 
The  Society  was  organized  in  1866,  by  Eev.  D.  0.  Martin,  and 
meetings  were  held  in  the  Woodland  school-house  until  their  church 


612  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

edifice  was  completed.  The  present  membership  is  140.  Eev. 
W.  P.  Pease  is  Pastor.  The  attendance  at  the  Sunday-school  is 
about  80. 

The  Presbyterian  church,  which  is  located  on  sec.  10,  cost  about 
$1,600.  The  house  of  worship  of  the  Baptist  congregation  is  on 
sec.  7,  and  cost  $400. 

The  Society  of  the  Methodist  denomination  worship  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  while  the  Christian  congregation  hold  their 
meetings  in  the  South  Prairie  school-house,  on  sec.  11.  The  first 
Methodist  preacher  in  the  township  was  Rev.  Mr.  Cleveland.  He 
preached  his  first  sermon  in  this  township  at  the  residence  of  Wm. 
Morrison  in  1840. 

PEESONAL  SKETCH  HISTORY. 

Following  we  give  personal  sketches  of  the  early  settlers  and 
prominent  citizens  of  the  township,  which  forms  an  important 
factor  in  its  history. 

A.  B.  Allen  was  born  in  Ohio  county,  Ky.,  Sept.  14, 1825 ;  his 
father,  Asa  Allen,  was  born  in  Tennessee  and  of  Grerman  descent, 
his  mother,  Abigail  (Campbell)  Allen,  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  of 
English  descent.  Mr.  Allen  came  to  Pike  county  in  1844,  and  in 
1846  was  married  to  Emily  Askew  and  they  have  had  11  children, 
8  of  whom  a.re  living.  Mr.  Allen  was  very  poor  in  early  life,  and 
worked  out  for  $8  per  month.  He  now  owns  320  acres  of  land, 
raises  stock,  and  is  considered  a  very  good  farmer.  He  belongs  to 
the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

Lewis  H.  Baldwin  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1812;  is  the  son 
of  John  and  Sarah  Ann  (Hawkins)  Baldwin,  the  former  a  native  of' 
Connecticut,  and  of  English  descent.  In  early  life  Mr.  B.  worked 
at  blacksmithing,  but  is  now  a  farmer.  He  cameto  this  county  in 
1835,  aiid  in  1836  married  Maria  JaneEUedge.  After  his  marriage 
he  worked  out  for  $8  per  month,  but  he  now  owns  500  acres  of 
good  land  in  Pike  county,  and  he  and  his  son  own  about  the  same 
amount  in  Missouri,  and  one  acre  within  the  corporation  of  Perry. 
He  used  to  be  an  old-line  Whig,  but  is  now  a  Eepublican;  has  been 
School  Director  25  years,  and  School  Trustee.  These  are  the  only 
ofiices  that  he  would  accept.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baldwin  have  4  chil- 
dren.    Mrs.  B.  is  a  Baptist. 

Philip  S.  Brower,  farmer,  sec.  14;  P.  O.  Perry;  was  born  in 
Madison  county,  N.  T.,  April  27,  1832;  came  to  this  county  with 
his  parents  in  1842;  his  father,  John  Brower,  was  a  native  of  New 
York,  and  his  mother.  Delight  (Smith)  Brower,  also  a  native  of 
New  York.  June  3,  1854,  Mr.  B.  married  Amanda  Carolines,  and 
they  have  had  5  children,  3  of  whom  are  living,  Malcolm  C,  Elm- 
wood  and  Alpheus.  In  1852  he  took  a  trip  to  California  and  was 
absent  2  years.  He  owns  306  acres  of  land.  His  wife  is  a  Meth- 
odist. 

William  Cory,  farmer,  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
Feb.  20,  1820;  he  is  the  son  of  "William  and  Eachel  (Tombs)  Cory, 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  613 

natives  of  New  Jersey,  the  former  of  Irish,  and  the  latter  of  Scotch 
descent;  at  the  age  of  18  he  commenced  to  learn  the  carpenter's 
trade,  at  which  he  worked  10  years,  since  which  time  he  has  fol- 
lowed farming.  In  the  fall  of  1837  he  visited  Illinois  to  see  the 
country,  and  in  1841  he  settled  in  this  tp.,  on  sec.  10,  where  he  has 
lived  ever  since.  March  31,  1844,  he  married  Nancy  Jane  Wilson, 
a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  and  of  their  10  children,  9  are  living, — 

5  boys  and  4  girls;  one  girl  deceased.  Mr.  Cory  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church;  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been 
Assessor,  Township  Treasurer,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Supervisor, 
TownshiD  Clerk,  S,chool  Director,  and  Secretary  of  his  Church.  P. 
0.,FishiIook. 

Josej>h  E.  Coss,  farmer,  brother  of  Theodore  S.  Coss,  was  born 
in  Ross  county,  O.,  in  1846;  besides  the  common  school  he  at- 
tended also  the  commercial  College  at  Quincy.  In  18Y0  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  Allen,  and  of  their  4  children  2  are  living,^Effie  Am- 
marana  and  Orien  Forest.  Both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  been  Town 
Clerk.  Six  months  he  kept  store  at  Fish  Hook.  October  22, 1864, 
he  enlisted  in  Co.  F,  28th  111.  Inf.,  under  Capt.  H.  D.  Hadsell,  and 
was  discharged  Oct.  21,  1866.  He  was  in  the  battles  at  Spanish 
Fort,  and  fort  Blakely,  where  he  was  under  fire  18  days,  and  other 
battles,  skirmishes,  etc.  "Was  shipwrecked  on  the  "George  Pea- 
body  "  when  there  was  a  storm  for  36  hours;  120  horses  were  thrown 
overboard  and  10  men  were  lost.  Eesides  on  sec.  28.  P.  O.Fish 
Hook. 

Taylor  M.  Coss,  farmer,  sec.  29;    P.  O.  Baylis;    son  of  Edward 

and  Annie  Coss,  natives  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  Boss  county,  O.,  in 

■  1836;  came  to   this  county  in   1854,  and  in   1860  was  married   to 

JVIiss  Emma  Phillips,  born  in  this  county  in  1840;  they  have  had 

6  children,  4  of  whom  are  living, — Florence  B.,  William  T.,  Ida 
M.  and  Ada  E.  Mr.  C.  has  held' the  ofiice  of  Supervisor,  Collector, 
School  Trustee,  and  School  Director  for  many  years.  He  owns  420 
acres  of  excellent  land,  has  been  engaged  in  buying  hogs  for  other 
parties,  and  raises  considerable  stock  on  his  own  farm.  He  had 
1,500  bushels  of  wheat  to  market  this  season.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  and 
their  eldest  daughter  are  members  of  the  United  Brethren  Church 
at  Woodland. 

Theodore  S.  Coss  was  born  in  1840  in  Ross  county,  O.,  and  is 
the  son  of  Edward  and  Anna  (Moore)  Coss,  natives  of  the  same 
State,  the  father  of  German,  and  the  mother  of  English  descent;  in 
1871  he  married  Belle  Manns,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Cora  May,  born  in  February,  18T2.  During  the  war  Mr. 
Coss  enlisted  in  Co.  G,  3d.  111.  Cav.,  under  Capt.  J.  B.  Moore,  Aug. 
6, 1861;  was  discharged  April  10,  1863;  was  in  the  battle  of  Pea 
Ridge  ;  was  under  Gen.>Curtis  when  he  drove  Price  from  Spring- 
field to  the  Boston  Mountains,  and  was  in  several  other  engage- 
ments.    Residence,  sec.  20;  P.  O.  Fish  Hook. 


614  HISTOET    OV   PIKE    COUNTY. 

George  I.  K.  Crawford  was  born  in  this  county  in  1859,  and  is 
the  son  of  J.  Gr.  and  Ehoda  (Molear)  Crawford;  his  father,  who  still 
owns  land  here,  has  been  a  resident  of  this  township  for  30  years. 
The  subject,  of  this  sketch  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
here.  In  1879  he  married  Lillie  Cory,  and  they  have  a  child,  born 
ISTov.  21,  1879,  whose  name  is  Clarence  Cory.  By  occupation  Mr. 
Crawford  is  a  farmer.  In  religion  he  is  a  Presbyterian,  and  in  poll, 
tics  a  Republican.     His  wife  is  a  Methodist. 

Samuel  M.  Crawford  was  born  in  this  county  July  29,  1856, 
educated  in  the  common  school,  and  Illinois  College  at  Jackson- 
ville, and  at  the  Gem  City  Commercial  College  at  Quincy;  by  oc- 
cupation Mr.  C.  is  a  teacher;  lived  on  the  farm  with  his  father 
until  of  age;  he  is  not  a  member  of  any  Church,  and  is  a  Eepub- 
lican. 

W.  D.  C.  Doan,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Ohio  April  16, 1828,  being 
the  son  of  "William  and  Susanna  (Bennett)  Doan,  from  the  Eastern 
States,  his  father  a  physician.  The  subject  of  this  paragraph  began 
the  study  of  medicine  at  the  age  of  18,  with  his  father,  who  died 
two  years  afterward;  he  then  finished  reading  with  his  uncle,  Dr. 
Elijah  Bennett,  in  Clermont  county,  O.';  at  22  he  commenced 
practice  in  this  tp.  He  first  came  to  Pike  county  in  1848, 
in  1850  to  this  tp.,  where  he  has  since  lived.  In  1851  he  married 
Rachel  Hobbs,  and  of  their  4  children  but  one  is  living,  Rachel 
Eilie,  and  they  have  one  grandchild  living  with  them,  Mary  E.  Doan 
Crawford.  The  Doctor  owns  215  acres  of  land.  Resides  on  sec.  10. 
He  is  one  of  the  oldest  practitioners  of  the  County.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Democrat,  and.  both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.     His  postoffice  is  Perry. 

Lem  Gardner  was  born  in  Adams  county.  Pa.,  Dec.  17,  1810,- 
and  is  the  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Seybold),  of  German  de- 
scent, who  were  in  good  circumstances  and  followed  farm  life.  Levi 
obtained  a  fair  education  in  the  subscription  schools  of  his  native 
State.  Came  to  Illinois  in  1836,  and  has  resided  here  most  of  the 
time  since;  he  could  ride  all  over  this  county  when  he  first  came, 
he  tells  us,  without  seeing  scarcely  any  improvements;  his  father- 
in-law,  who  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  county,  killed  7  bears 
in  Fairmount  tp.,  in  one  day.  In  1837  he  married  Matilda  Ifeal, 
by  whom  he  had  8  children,  5  of  whom  are  living, — one  son  and 
four  daughters.  By  occupation  Mr.  Gardner  is  a  tanner  and  cur- 
rier; he  had  a  tannery  in  this  county  5  or  6  years,  but  since  1850 
he  has  been  farming.  Lives  now  on  sec.  5.  In  politics  Mr.  G.  is  a 
Republican,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church.  In  1862  Mr.  Gardner  enlisted  in  the  99th  regi- 
ment as  a  musician  (a  fifer);  was  in  the  battle  at  Magnolia,  Miss., 
Champion  Hills  and  Black  River;  he  was  discharged  before  the 
close  of  the  year,  that  is,  at  the  close  of  -the  siege  of  Vicksbiirg, 
where  he  was  present. 

John  Henthoi'n,  farmer,  sec.  17;  was  born  in  England,  April 
20,  1820,  of  English  parents;  learned  weaving  by  the  hand-loom; 


ATLAS     TP 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  617 

emigrated  to  America  in  1844,  stopping  in  New  York  State,  and 
in  1850  came  to  Adams  county,  111.,  and  in  1852  to  Pike  county; 
for  two  years  while  in  New  York  State  he  superintended  a  factory, 
where  62  looms  were  run.  He  now  owns  360  acres  of  land,  in 
good  cultivation,  and  well  stocked.  In  1842  he  married  Bettie 
Holt,  and  of  their  8  children  7  are  living.  Mr.  Henthorn  has  been 
School  Director  several  terms,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

John  D.  Henthorn  was  born  in  this  county,  July  21,  1857,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Betsey  (Holt)  Henthorn,  natives  of  Eng- 
land; received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  this  county; 
by  occupation  he  is  a  farmer,  and  his  residence  is  on  sec.  9.  He 
has  four  brothers  and  two  sisters  living,  and  one  sister  dead. 

Thomds  Hall,  residence  sec.  29;  P.  O.  Fish-Hook;  is  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  Sophia  Hull,  and  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1830;  received 
his  education  mostly  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  State. 
In  1850  he  married  Elizabeth  Bowman,  who  was  born  in  1880  in 
this  county,  and  they  have  S  children  living.  Mr.  Hull  is  a  farm- 
er, and  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  since  1845.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace 
10  or  11  years,  Koad  Commissioner,  Collector,  School  Director, 
Class-Leader  and  Sunday-school  Superintendent.  He  is  an  indus- 
trious man,  and  has  earned  all  he  ever  possessed. 

Israel  Kir g an.  This  gentleman's  father,  Thomas  Kirgan,  was 
a  native  of  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  and  when  a  babe  he  was 
brought  by  his  parents,  Daniel  and  Mary  Kirgan,  to  America, 
nearly  100  years  ago.  He  was  a  tanner  by  trade,  but  followed  farm- 
ing and  milling  after  his  arrival  in.  this  county.  He  died  March 
30,  1877,  in  his  90th  year,  in  Perry,  this  county,  where  he  had 
lived  many  years.  His  5  children  still  own  the  home  farm,  which 
consists  of  280  acres,  2^  miles  southwest  of  Perry.  Mrs.  Mary 
(Fred)  Kirgan,  his  mother,  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  Israel,  the 
subject  of  this  biography,  was  born  Aug.  12,  1815,  in  Clermont 
county,  0.  He  first  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  but  when  his  father 
broke  up  he  emigrated  to  this  county,  in  1835,  settling  on  Fish- 
Hook  creek,  N.  W.  \  sec.  2,  at  which  time  he  had  only  six  "  bits  " 
in  his  pocket,  one  horse  and  a  yoke  of  cattle,  and  was  $40  in  debt. 
From  this  start  Mr.  K.  has  become  one  of  the  most  substantial  and 
leading  farmers  in  Fairmount  township,  now  being  the  owner  of 
240  acres  of  land.  About  the  first  work  he  did  was  to  split  9,600 
,rails,  at  six  "  bits  "  a  hundred.  Coming  to  this  county  as  early  as 
1835,  he  has  seen  this  country  in  its  primitive  state,  with  the  wild 
animals  roving  over  it  in  large  numbers.  One  day  he  saw  65  deer 
in  one  grove.  There  were  but  five  houses  then  on  the  south  prai- 
rie, namely,  Alfred  Bissell,  sec.  2;  Mr.  O'Neil,  sec.  16;  Mr.  Mc- 
Gee,  sec.  16;  James  Seybold,  sec.  16;  and  Ebenezer  Franklin,  sec. 
12; — all  of  whom  resided  in  log  houses.  Israel's  father's  family 
used  the  first  cooking-stove  brought  to  this  prairie. 

The  subject  of  this  notice,  in  1834,   married  for  his  first  wife 


36 


618  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

Miss  Margaret  Jane  Kennedy,  a  native  of  Ohio,  who  died  in  1845 
leaving  a  family  of  5  children,  namely,  "William,  Benjatain,  Mary 
John  and  an  infant:  of  these,  William  and  John  are  all  that  are 
living  now.     March  3,  1855,  Mr.  K.  married  Sarah  Jane  Houston, 

-  and  by  her  he  had  9  children,  of  whom  8  are  living:  David  L. 
Clinton  D.,  Eben,  Chapman,  George  B.,  Ira,  Israel  F.  and  Harvev 
D.  In  politics  Mr.  Kirgan  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  religion  is  still 
a  believer  in  Christianity  ;  used  to  be  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
David  Kurfman,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.  O.  Fish  Hook;  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  Jan.  29,  1815,  and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  and  Susannah 
(Barnett)  Kurfman,  natives  of  Maryland,  and  of  German  descent. 
David  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  State; 
when  he  first  started  to  school  he  could  scarcely  speak  English. 
He  was  married  the  first  time  in  1837  to  Hannah  Deeter,  and  they 
were  the  parents  of  two  girls,  both  of  whom  are  married.  His  sec- 
ond marriage  was  with  Nancy  Bagby,  in  1861 ;  of  thig  union  6 
children  were  born, — 4  boys  and  2  girls.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K. 
are  connected  with  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  K.  came  from  Penn- 
sylvania to  Pike  county  in  1850,  and  settled  in  Pittsfield  township; 
in  7  years  thereafter  removed  to  Fairmount. 

^  George  Lake,  farmer,  sec.  10;  P.  O.  Fish  Hook.  Mr.  Lake  was 
born  in  Fairmount,  Pike  Co.,  111.,  July  12,  1854,  and  is  a  son  of 
Harvey  and  Elizabeth  (Lee)  Lake,  the  former  a  native  of  New 
York,  and  his  mother  of  one  of  the  Eastern  States.  He  attended 
the  common  schools  of  this  county,  and  received  a  fair  education. 
In  1874  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Nancy  Groves.  Jesse, 
their  only  child,  was  born  in  1876. 

John  Lahe  was  born  in  this  township  in  1853,  and  is  the  son  of 
Harvey  and  Elizabeth  Lake.  He  attended  the  common  schools  of 
this  county,  receiving  a  good  common-school  education.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  farming  on  sec.  10.  His  postoffice  address  is 
Perry.  Jan.  19,  1871,  he  was  joined  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matri- 
mony with  Mary  Olive  Seybold,  a  native  of  Minnesota.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Harvey  Lake,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Pike  county. 

Wm.  H.  Love  was  born' Jan.  15,  1821,  in  New  Jersey,  the  son  of 
Samuel  and  Lydia  (Morgan)  Love;  his  father  was  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, and  his  mother  of  New  York  State.  He  was  brought  to  Ill- 
inois in  1828  and  to  Pike  county  in  1833,  and  the  family  settled 
one  mile  west  of  Perry,  on  the  farm  at  present  owned  by  Esquire 
Morton.  In  April,  1846,  he  moved  upon  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives,  owning  287  acres.  He  was  married  March  30,  1843,  to  Miss 
Harriet  E.  Bentley.  To  them  have  been  born  9  children,  7  of  whom 
are  living, — 6  boys  and  1  girl.  Mrs.  Love  is  the  daughter  of 
Gideon  Bentley,  an  early  and  prominent  settler  of  Pike  county. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  of 
which  he  is  a  Deacon.  Mr.  L.  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life,  in 
which  business  he  has  been  successful,  although  in  the  early  days 
he  suffered  many  hardships.     His  family  started  from  New  York 


HISrORY    OF    riKK    COUNTY.  619 

in  a  skiff,  which  thov  wouhi  run  ovor  all  the  dams  that  were  on 
their  route,  and  thoy  encountered  eij^ht  or  ten  of  them,  and  the 
■women  would  get  out  of  the  boat  and  walk  down  past  the  dam. 
The  first  morning  after  their  arrival  in  Fairnunint  tp.  their  nearest 
noiiijhbor  sent  over  after  two  ears  of  et)rn,  the  boy,  who  was  bare- 
foot (and  there  was  snow  on  the  <> round)  statins;  that  "  thev  wanted 
it  tor  breakfast !"  Mr.  I.,  also  states  that  he  e;\lled  upon  one  of  the 
neighbors  one  morning  and  found  them  partaking  of  their  break- 
fast on  parehed  eorn  ami  "  sycamore  tea  !"  All  the  table  furniture 
they  had  was  one  plate,  one  knife  anil  one  fork.  Mr.  Love,  when  he 
first  came,  nseil  oxen  to  plow  with  (using  a  wooden  mold-board 
plowV  and  used  a  harrow  with  wooden  teeth. 

Lt>imhl  Marti  i>,  farmer,  see.  11;  P.O.  Perrj\  The  subject  of 
this  personal  sketeh  was  born  Jan.  21, 1854;  his  parents  are  Samuel 
and  Amanda  (Rounds)  M.artin;  he  was  the  eldest  son  of  a  family  of 
10  children.  There  were  two  daughters,  however,  older  than  he. 
Mr.  M.  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mary  G.  Cil^lines,  and  they  have 
two  children,  one  boy  and  one  girl.  Both  j\lr.  and  Mrs.  '^l.  are 
members  of  the  (.Ibristian  Churcli  in  Perry.  Politically  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

iS'.  F.  Martin  was  born  in  Kentucky,  March  4, 1S22;  he  is  the  son 
ofNehemiah  and  Drusilla  (Ooltrell)  Martin,  natives  of  Virginia  and 
of  German  ancestry.  Ills  mother  died  when  he  was  only  two  years 
old.  In  1840  he  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Fairraount  tp. 
In  1850  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  .\manda  Rounds,  and  the 
union  has  been  blessed  with  10  cliild*'en, — 1>  boys  and  4  girls,  S  of 
whom  are  living.  His  wife  died  Nov.  '22,  1>7!>.  She  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Oliristian  Church.  Mr.  T\I.  is  a  Democrat  in  polities, 
and  has  served  as  School  Director,  School  Trustee,  Road  Commis- 
sioner and  Overseer  of  the  Poor.  He  owns  a  farm  of  1(>0  acres  on 
sec.  S. 

^•1.  Q.  J\[(U<o)),  farmer,  sec.  l.'>i  P.  O.  Fisb-lLiok ;  is  a  native  of 
Vermont,  where  he  was  born  Aug.  11>,  1811  ;  be  was  tlie  son  of 
Carlo  and  Lydia  Mason.  His  father  was  a  carpenter.  They  came 
to  Pike  Cimnty  from  Iventucky  in  J8(i2.  A.  G.  was  mai-ried  to 
Betsy  0.  Mason  in  lSo4;  this  union  has  been  blessed  witli  a  family 
of  three  children,  all  sons,  and  two  of  whom  are  married.  Their 
nanu-s  are  A.  H.,  Wm.  and  E.  II.  The  latter  enlisted  in  Co.  F, 
.Mst  AVisconsin  Infantry,  and  served  for  three  mouths.  Mrs.  ]\lason 
died  ]\Iay  2,  1870. 

ii\  .fi.  J/i'Z(i )/;//'//»,  farmer,  sec.  22  ;  P.  O.  Perry;  was  born  in 
Ohio,  June  15,  1827,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Anna  (^Boggess) 
McLaughlin,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  of  Irish  descent, 
and  tl>e  mother  a  native  of  Ohio  and  of  Kuglisb-Cernian  ancestry. 
His  only  opportunity  for  an  education  was  in  the  common  schools 
of  Pike  county  in  early  day,  where  he  was  brought  in  18;i7.  In 
.  1848  he  was  niarried  to  Sai-ab  Flannsigan.  Three  of  their  7  chil- 
dren are  living.  lie  has  bold  all  the  township  otiices,  with  the 
exception  of  tliat  of  Assessor.     Ho  and  his  wife  are  mem  bei  s  oi  the 


620  HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

M.  E.  Church,  of  which  he  has  been  Steward.  He  has  been  en- 
gaejed  in  farming  all  his  life,  in  which  he  has  great  success.  At 
present  he  buys  and  feeds  considerable  stock. 

William  MoLaughlin  is.  a  native  of  the  old  Dominion  State, 
and  was  born  Dec.  2;  1802.  His  father,  James  McLanghlin,  was  a 
native  of  Ireland,  and  his  mother,  Sarah  McLaughlin,  nee  Cole, 
was  born  in  New  Jersey.  William  was  married  in  1823  to  Anna 
Boggess,  a  native  of  Ohio,  where  she  was  born  in  1806,  who  bore 
him  12  children,  6  of  whom  are  living.  Four  of  the  sons  are  mar- 
ried, and  living  in  Fairmount  township.  His  wife  and'  all  his 
children,  except  one,  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Farming 
.has  been  his  life  occupation,  and  he  at  present  owns  575  acres  of 
land  in  Pike  county.  "When  he  arrived  at  Griggsville  Landing,  in 
this  county,  in  1836,  he  owned  but  one  horse,  $25  in  money,  and  a 
very  limited  amount  of  househpld  .furniture,  and  had  a  family  of 
wife  and  5  children.  From  this  meager  position  he  has  become 
one  of  the  wealthiest  men  in  the  county,  accumulating  by  close 
attention  to  business,  hard  labor  and  perseverance.  He  has  seen 
the  country  change  from  its  wild  state  to  a  fertile  field  of  plenty. 
When  he  first  settled  here  he  thought  he  would  always  have  plenty 
of  outside  range.  He  has  held  about  all  the  township  offices,  and 
has  been  Steward,  Class-Leader  and  Trustee  of  his  church,  and 
has  been  licensed  as  an  Exhorter. 

A.  A.  Ogle,  farmer,  sec.  6;  P.  O.  Fish-Hook;  is  a  son  of  James 
and  Martha  Ogle,  both  natives  of  St.  Clair  county.  111.,  and  was 
born  in  Adams  county  in  1855.  He  attended  the  common  schools 
of  that  county,  where  he  received  a  fair  education.  In  1874  he 
took  unto  himself  a  wife  in  the  person  of  Sarah  Elizabeth  Bowman, 
who  bas  borne  him  two  children,  both  girls. 

John  M.  Parker  was  born  in  this  county  in  1846,  the  son  of 
John  and  Lydia  Parker,  natives  of  New  England;  married  Sarah 
J.  Whitten  in  1862,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1845,  and  they  have 
had  7  children,  one  dec.  Mr.  P.  has  followed  threshing  and  farm- 
ing, and  has  been  moderately  successful.  His  residence  is  on  sec.  27, 
Fairmount  tp.     P.  0.,  Perry. 

Ja^nes  A.  Phillips  was  born  in  the  State  of  Kentucky,  Jan.  10, 
1828,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Jackson)  Phillips,  the  lat- 
ter a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  ancestry,  the  former  of 
Scottish  descent,  and  a  native  of  Maryland.  He  was  married  in 
1850  to  Mary  Wheeler,  and  the  union  has  been  blessed  with  6 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  James  A.  learned  the  trade  of 
shoemaking,  but  never  followed  the  business  a  great  deal.  For  the 
7  years  subsequent  to  his  marriage  he  worked  out  by  the  month; 
then  bought  a  farm  in  this  county,  whither  he  had  come  in  1858, 
locating  in  this  township,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  has  served  as  Stew- 
ard, Class-Leader,  Trustee,  and  Sunday-school  Superintendent. 

Richard  Razy  was  born  in  Tennessee,  S'ept  12,  1815;  his  father's 
name  was  .Rufus  Razy,  who  was  born  in  New  Tork;  his  mother 


•  .1"' 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  621 

was  Mary  Bigelow,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  State.  Mr.  E. 
emigrated  to  Fike  county'in  1852,  locating  in  Perry.  He  never 
attended  school  but  five  days  in  his  life,  yet  he  is  able  to  read.  His 
mother  died  when  he  was  but  three  days  old.  At  present  he  is  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1836  in  "Watertown,  Wash- 
ington Co.,  0,,  to  Harriet  Mason.  Eight  children  were  born  of 
this  union,  4  boys  and  4  girls.  Two  of  the  former  are  deceased. 
Mrs.  E.  was  born  in  CasWeton,  N.  Y.,  July  10, 1815 ;  she  was  the 
daughter  of  Carlo  Mason,  who  died  in  the  town  of  Perry  in  1855.- 
They  had  two  sons  in  the  Eebellion,  both  in  the  99th  Illinois  In- 
fantry; Kathdn,  who  was  in  Co.  F,  was  killed  in  the  first  charge  ot 
"Vicksburg;  and  James  B.,  who  was  in  Co.  B.,  died  of  sickness. 
Among  other  Pike  county  boys  of  Co.  F  of  this  regiment  who  were 
killed  in  tlie  first  charge  at  Vicksburg,  were  Capt.  Smith,  Albert 
Orr,  Andrew  Scranton,  John  Elder  and  E.  Lee. 

Charles  Read  is  a  native  of  England,  and  was  Dorn  in  1831;  in 
1836  he  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents,  Eobert  and  Susan 
(Callow)  Eead.  He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  this  county,  whither  he  was  brought  in  1837.  He  was  married 
in  1867,  to  Mary  Brown,  a  native  of  Ohio.  The  result  of  this  union 
has  been  9  children,  5  boys  and  4  girls.  Mr.  M.  is  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, and  owns  280  acres  of  good  land.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

Silas  Reed,  farmer,  sec.  25;  P.  0.  Perry;  was  born  in  Ohio,  Oct. 
1,  1831,  and  is  the  son  of  William  Eeed,  who  had  married  a  Miss 
Clark,  of  Pennsylvania.  He  received  a  good  education,  besides 
having  attended  the  commpn  schools.  He  entered  an  academy,  now 
called  Clermont  College,  and  also  attended  the  graded  schools  of 
Clermont  county.  He  was  married  in  1861  to  Eebecca,  daughter 
of  Lewis  Baldwin,  who  was  born  Jan.  26,  1842,  in  Pike  county. 
They  have  a  familj'  of  5  children.  Mr.  E.  came  to  Pike  county 
with  liis  parents  in  1859,  and  was  engaged  as  school-teacher  and 
book-keeper  for  some  time,  but  is  now  engaged  in  farming. 

Henry  Robinson,  farmer,  sec.  22  ;  P.  O.  Perry;  is  a  son  of  James 
N.  and  Mary  Allen  (Cohenour)  Eobinson,  and  was  born  in  Brown 
county,  111.,  May  5,  1850;  his  father  lived  in  this  county  35  years 
ago,  but  at  present  he  is  living  in  Brown  county,  and  has  been  very 
successful  financially.  Henry  received  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  ot  Brown  county,  and  since  1876  has  been  engaged  in 
farming  in  this  township.  In  1877  he  was  married  to  Olive  Poe. 
Their  only  son  is  James  Herbert,  who  was  born  Aug.  5,  1878.  Mrs. 
E.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Jerome  W.Rush,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  sec.  22;  P.  O.  Perry. 
Mr.  E.  was  born  in  Eoss  county,  O.,  in  1827,  and  is  a  son  of  John 
W.  and  Sarah  (Brown)  Eush,  the  former  a  native  of  Yirginia,  and 
of  German  descent,. the  latter  of  Maryland,  and  of  English  descent. 
He  attended  schools  in  the  log  school-houses  of  this  county,  and  the 
Mt.  Sterling  high  school  for  two  terms.  In  1852,  Oct.  12,  he  was 
married  to  Nancy   C.  Yates,  and  of  the  5  children   which  have 


622  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

blessed  their  union,  all  are  living.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  came  to  Pike  county  in  1837,  and 
located  on  sec.  36.  He  is  now  engaged  as  stock-raiser  and  stock 
dealer,  and  owns  400  acres  of  land,  all  but  80  acres  of  which  is 
prairie.  He  keeps  a  deer  park,  in  which  he  at  times  has  as  many 
as  20  deer. 

Jasper  Seyhold.  By  occupation  Mr.  S.  is  a  farmer,  and  owns  255 
acres  of  land  in  this  county.  In  1866  he  was  united  in  marriage 
with  Mary  E.  Stauffer,  who  has  borne  him  9  children,  4  boys  and  5 
girls,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Jasper  Seybold  was  born  in  Madison 
county,  111.,  June  26,  1833,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Olive  (Gas- 
kill)  Seybold.  His  father  was  born  in  Illinois,  and  his  mother  in 
l!^ew  York.  He  received  his  education  mostly  in  log  school- 
houses.  He  was  brought  from  Madison  county  to  Pike  county  in 
1836,  and  has  ever  since  resided  in  the  county.  He- has  served  as 
Township  Collector  and  as  School  Director  for  20  years. 

Ira  W.  Stevenson  was  born  in  Pike  county  Oct.  9,  1853,  and  is 
a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Ann  (Wilson)  Stevenson;  the  former  was 
a  well-known  pioneer  of  this  county,  and  died  Feb.  1,  1880.  He 
was  a  successful  farmer,  and  owned  680  acres  of  land  when  he  died. 
Ira  W.  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools,  and,  besides 
farming,  he  deals  in  stock.  In  March,  1874,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Jennie  Glines;  only  one  of  the  two  children  born  to 
them  are  living,  Nellie  May,  who  was  born  in  1877. 

August  Strauss,  iATvaev,  sec.  1;  P.  O.,  Perry.  This  gentleman 
was  born  in  Germany,  Aug.  11,  1840;  he  was  landed  in  New  York 
in  1857,  and  came  to  Pike  county  in  1858,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided, with  the  exception  of  three  years  spent  in  the  army.  He 
learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith  in  the  old  country,  but  since 
1858  has  been  engaged  in  farming.  Aug.  9,  1862,  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  B,  99th  111.  Inft.,  and  remained  in  the  service  until  the  close 
of  the  war;  he  was  in  every  battle  that  his  regiment  was  in,  and 
in  all  the  marches,  always  being  willing  and  ready  for  duty.  He 
never  received  a  wound.  He  was  in  the  charge  on  Yicksburg  and 
aided  in  carrying  the  Colonel  off  the  field  when  he  was  wounded. 
Mr.  S.  was  married  Jan.  2,  1868,  to  Sarah  Harter,  and  both  of  them 
are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  of  Perry,  of  which  he  is  a 
Trustee.     He  is  engaged  in  farming,  and  owns  80  acres  of  land. 

Frederick  Strauss  was  born  Oct.  1, 1841,  in  Germany,  and  is  a 
son  of  Henry  D.  and  "Wilhelmina  (Baul)  Strauss.  Mr.  S.  came  to 
Pike  county  in  1867,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  a  good 
German  and  a  good  English  education.  He  is  engaged  in  farming 
on  sec.  12,  and  owns  80  acres  of  land.  His  is  the  oldest  settled 
place  in  the  township,  part  of  his  land  having  been  under  cultiva- 
tion for  over  50  years.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Co.  B,  99th  111.  Inf., 
under  Capt.  Matthews;  in  1863  was  transferred  to  the  4th  Reg. 
Vet.  Ees.  Corps,  in  which  he  was  a  non-commissioned  officer.  He 
served  three  years,  lacking  11  days.  He  was  in  many  of  the  impor- 
tant battles  of  the  war;  was  at  the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  and  says 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  633 

that  the  day  after  the  rebels  surrendered  was  the  most  lonesome 
day  of  his  life.  He  had  become  so  accustomed  to  the  firing  of  the 
artillery  that  he  was  lost  and  lonesome  without  its  constant  roar. 
In  1869  he  was  married  to  Denia  Hake,  and  they  have  a  family  of 
6  children,  4  of  whom  are  living.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Perry  Lutheran  Church. 

Merriman  Tucker,  farmer,  sec.  5  ;  P.  0.  Fish-HoDk  ,  was  born 
in  Virginia  in  1819,  and  is  the  son  of  C.  and  Julia  (Warren)  Tucker, 
the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  the  latter  of  V  irginia, 
and  both  of  Irish  ancestry.  His  opportunities  for  an  early  educa- 
tion were  very  limited,  and  most  of  his  education  was  obtained  af- 
ter he  was  21  years  of  age.  In  1842  he  was  married  to  Miss  A. 
Reeves;  6  children  have  been  born  to  bless  their,  union.  Mr.  T.  is 
a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  while  she  is  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  Their  son,  Ooalston  Tucker,  during  the  dark  days  of 
the  rebellion  went  to  defend  his  country,  enlisting  in  the  lith 
Eeg.  111.  Inf.,  and  served  till  1865.  Mr.  T.  is  engaged  in  farming 
and  has  made  it  a  business  to  improve  a  farm  and  then  sell  it. 
He  has  followed  this  mode  until  he  has  improved  12  farms  in  Pike 
and  Brown  counties.  When  he  first  came  here,  he  tells  us,  he  could 
see  wolves  more  frequently  than  he  "can  hogs.at  large  at  the  pres- 
ent day . 

John  Vail,  farmer,  owning  over  200  acres  of  land,  was  born  Sept. 
24;  1815,  in  Ohio,  son  of  Solomon  and  Jane  Vail;  the  former  was 
born  in  Washington  Co.,  Pa.,  and  of  German  descent,  and  his 
mother,  in  Westmoreland  Co.,  of  the  same  State,  and  of  Irish  an- 
cestry. Mr.  V.  came  to  Illinois  in  1842,  landing  at  Quincy  Oct.  10; 
he  had  then  only  $300.  He  embarked  in  farming  and  owns  200 
acres  of  land  and  an  interest  in  160  more, — all  in  Pike  county.  In 
1846  he  was  married  to  Helena  A.  Reed.  Three  boys  and  four  girls 
were  born  to  them.  -His  wife,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  died  May  4,  1868.  Mr.  Vail  politically  is  a  Democrat; 
has  served  as  Town  Clerk  3  years,  and  also  as  Supervisor,  Assessor 
and  Road  Commissioner. 

Zeander  Vail,  farmer,  sec.  23;  P.  O.,  Perry.  Leander  Vail  was 
born  in  Pike  county.  111.,  Oct.  20,  1848;  he  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Helena  (Reed)  Vail,  early  pilgrims  to  this  county.  He  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Pike  county.  He  was 
united  in  marriage  Jan.  23,  1879,  to  Mary  Elledge,  daughter  of  A. 
A.  Elledge,  and  was  born  in  this  county  Oct.  25,  1848.  Pier  father 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county.  Mr.  Vail  has  served 
the  township  as  Collector,  and  is  Clerk  at  the  present  time.  As  a 
farmer  he  has  been  successful.  He  deals  in  cattle  and  hogs,  which 
he  buys  and  selh  to  shippers. 

/.  W.  Walker,  farmer,  sec.  24;  P.  O.,  Perry;  is  a  native  of  this 
county  and  the  son  of  Robert  and  Hannah  (Scott)  Walker,  well 
known  in  the  earlv  history  of  Pike  county.  J.  W.  was  born  Nov. 
27,1850;  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  this 
county,  and  began  life  as  a  farmer,  now  owning  160  acres  of  good 


624  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY/. 

land.  In  July,  1871,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Ellen  Batley, 
and  to  them  have  been  born  3  children,  one  son  and  two  daughters. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Richard  T.  Walmsley  was  born  in  Ehode  Island  in  1851;  his 
parents  are  Eichard  and  Mary  (Carpenter)  Walmsley,  his  father  a 
native  of  England  and  his  mother  of  Rliode  Island;  Eichard  T. 
attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  State,  where  he  received 
a  fair  education;  for  a  time  he  worked  in  the  cotton  factories  of 
Ehode  Island,  Massachusetts  and  Kentucky,  and  in  1868  came  to 
Illinois  with  his  father,  with  whom,  in  connection  with  another 
brother,  he  owns  180  acres  of  land,  and  they  are  engaged  in  farm- 
ing.    His  mother  died  Jan.  26,  1866. 

Ira  J.  Wilsonvi&s  born  in  New  Hampshire,  Jan.  7,  1831,  and 
is  a  son  of  James  and  Mar^  "Wilson,  both  natives  of  Vermont  and 
of  Irish  descent.  Sept.  10,  1857,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Marietta  Corey,  a  native  of  this  county.  Both  he  and  his  wife  re- 
ceived a  good  common- school  education.  Mr.  W.  went  to  Oregon 
in  1852,  in  1854  to  California,  two  years  later  returned  to  Illinois, 
and  in  the  following  year  was  married,  as  stated  above,  and  is  now 
engaged  in  farming  in  this  township.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1836 
with  his  father,  who  settled  in  Grriggsville,  and  in  1837  located  on 
sec.  3,  this  tp.     Mrs.  Wilson  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

James  Woods,  farmer,  sec.  16;  P.O.,  Fish  Hook;  is  a  native  of 
Brown  county,  0.,  and  was  born  in  1808,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel 
and  Elsie  (Eitchie)  Woods,  the  former  of  Irish  descent  and  the  lat- 
ter a  native  of  Ireland.  Mr.  W.  has  a  limited  education  which  he 
received  in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio ;  he  came  to  Pike  county 
in  March,  1845,  and  engaged  in  farming,  now  owning  160  acres  of 
land  on  sec.  16.  He  was  married  in  1829,  to  Eachel  Jackson,  and 
6  of  the  8  children  born  to  them  are  living,  all  of  whom  are  mar- 
ried. In  1879  Mr.  W.  had  been  married  for  half  a  century,  and 
both  he  and  his  wife  have  been  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  for 
60  years.     She  is  3  years  and  4  months  younger  than  he  is. 


/" 


•,   1 


NEW  SA' 


NEW  SALEM  TOWNSHIP. 

This  is  a  full  Congressional  township,  and  is  officially  known  as 
township  four  south,  range  four  west  of  the  fourth  principal  meri- 
dian. New  Salem  is  a  prairie  township,  and  in  an  agricultural  point 
of  view  is  an  especially  fine  section  of  country.  It  was  not  set- 
tled as  early  as  some  of  the  more  southern  townships  of  the  county 
were,  but  at  present  ranks  with  any  in  regard  to  improvements.  It 
is  settled  with  an  enterprising  class  of  people  who  never  lag  in  such 
matters. 

Although  it  is  what  we  may  term  a  prairie  township  it  is  well 
watered  and  drained.  Strange  to  say,  even  in  this  peninsula,  formed 
by  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  rivers,  there  is  no  well-defined 
water-shed.  However,  we  find  so  many  streams  having  their 
origin  in  this  township  and  flowing  in  different  directions,  we  con- 
clude it  to  he  one  of  the  highest  tracts  of  land  in  the  county.  Bay 
creek,  and  one  of  its  main  branches,  have  their  origin  in  New 
Salem.  Also  the  south  Fork  of  McGee's  creek,  a  branch  of  the 
Middle  Fork  of  the  same  creek,  and  another  small  stream  which 
runs  off  into  Adams  county,  the  name  of  which  we  do  not  know. 

The  first  pioneer  who  ventured  to  locate  in  this  township  was 
Mr.  Joab  Shinn,  who  came  in  1830  and  located  on  sec.  14  in  the 
edge  of  the  beautiful  grove  there. 

The  next  settlement  was  made  in  the  southern  part  of  the  town- 
ship, sec.  24,  in  1831,  by  Isaac  Conki'ight  and  his  two  sons.  About 
the  same  time  came  William  Scholl ;  also  Nathan  Swiggart  and 
Samuel  Griffith,  who  located  on  sec.  14,  in  company  with  Mr. 
Shinn.     Then  came  William  Crump,  Henry  Brown  and  others. 

In  1832  the  Black  Hawk  war  occurred,  and  although  the  battle 
grounds  were  many  miles  distant,  yet  it  was  the  cause  of  much  ex- 
citement and  apprehension  in  this  county.  The  immediate  result 
of  this  was  to  check  immigration  to  this  State,  and  for  a  few  years 
few  new  settlers  made  their  appearance  in  this  section.  However, 
after  the  lapse  of  a  few  seasons,  when  it  began  to  be  definitely  un- 
derstood in  the  East  and  South  that  no  further  molestations  were 
likely  to  occur,  a  new  tide  of  immigration  set  toward  this  county 
never  before  or  since  equaled.  This  began  in  1834  and  continued 
for  about  five  years.  A  system  of  advertising  and  speculation 
similar  to  that  now  prevailing  in  the  country  several  hundreds  ot 
miles  further  West,  brought  tnousands  upon  thousands. 

Not  unlike  the  excitement  which  prevailed  at  later  periods  in  re- 


628  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

gard  to  the  Western  gold,  silver  and  lead  mines, was  that  which  swept 
through  the  Eastern  and  Southern  States  in  regard  to  Illinois  lands 
and  town  lots.  During  the  years  1835-7,  more  than  500  towns  were 
laid  out  in  Illinois,  many  of  these  in  Pike  county.  Railroads  were 
projected  through  nearly  all  of  them,  and .  these,  with  the  town 
sites,  were  platted,  showing  depot  grounds,  parks  and  drives,  and 
were  sent  with  the  most  exaggerated  descriptions  to  all  parts  of  the 
country.  The  State  Government  caught  the  epidemic,  and  bills 
for  railroads,  canals,  and  other  internal  improvements  were  passed, 
corresponding  in  magnitude  with  the  universal  expectancy  of  the 
people.  In  1837  a  financial  crisis  came  and  found  this  State  but 
ill-prepared  for  the  shock.  As  a  consequence,  the  numerous  rail- 
roads, canals  and  paper  cities  vanished  in  thin  air.  For  a  number 
of  years  after  this,  improvements  and  immigration  was  at  a  stand- 
still. Of  course  tliis  part  of  the  country,  having  no  extra  inducements 
to  offer,  partook  of  the  general  stagnation,  and  for  a  score  of  years 
no  remarkable  advance  was  made  either  in  population  or  improve- 
ment. Occasionally  a  new  arrival  was  announced.  A  relation  or 
friend  writing  to  the  old  home  in  the  East  or  South,  would  induce 
■  some  one  to  come  out  to  see  the  country,  and  perhaps  work  a  year, 
and  once  here,  he  would  likely  stay.  As  in  other  parts  of  the 
State,  the  first  settlers  located  in  or  near  the  timber,  and  there  we 
find  the  first  improvements.  Ere  many  years,  however,  some  of 
the  more  enterprising  pushed  out  upon  the  fertile  prairies.  They 
discovered  that  farms  much  more  profitable  could  be  made,  much 
easier  and  quicker  than  in  the  timber. 

The  first  person  who  met  death  in  this  township  was  Mr.  Oar- 
rington,  who  died  in  1834.  The  first  sermon  preached  was  by  Eev. 
Samuel  Oglesby,  a  Methodist  minister.  This  sermon  was  delivered 
at  the  funeral  of  Sarah  Tedrow. 

The  first  school-house  in  New  Salem  was  built  in  1834.  The 
building  stood  on  sec.  15  and  for  several  years  was  used  for  re- 
ligious purposes.  The  first  church  was  built  in  the  village  of  Kew 
Salem  in  1844,  by  the  Methodist  brethren.  The  first  steam-mill 
was  built  in  1856-7,  by  Cooper  Temple,  near  the  village  of  New 
Salem. 

The  Wabash  Railroad  passes  through  the  township,  entering 
from  the  east  about  the  middle  of  sec.  24,  running  on  a  direct 
westerly  line  until  the  town  of  New  Salem  is  reached,  when  it 
strikes  a  west  northwest  course  to  Pineville. 

There  are  two  pleasant  little  country  villages  in  this  township, 
both  of  which  areon  the  line  of  the  Wabash  Railroad,  and  in  the 
midst  of  a  fine  farming  community.  The  older.  New  Salem,  was 
laid  out  Dec.  22,  1847,  by  William  F.  Hooper  and  Jacob  Shinn. 
It  is  located  on  sees.  22  and  ]  5.  The  original  town  was  further 
north  than  the  main  portion  of  the  present  village  is.  Pineville, 
which  is  located  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  sec.  7,  was  laid  out 
by  William  Pine,  jr.,  Oct.  26,  1869.  The  name  has  since  been 
changed  to  Baylis,  that  being  the  name  of  the  postoifice. 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  629 

NEW    SALEM    UNIVEE3ALIST    CHUECH. 

The  Universalist  Church  in  New  Salem  owes  its  existence  prin- 
cipally to  the  earnest  efforts  of  Daniel  Fisher  and  David  Preble 
(two  laymen  whose  wives  were  sisters),  and  a  few  zealous  friends 
who  aided  their  efforts. 

They  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  town,  and  are  grate- 
fully remembered  for  what  they  were,  and  what  they  did  to  benefit 
society,  for  they  have  both  gone  to  their  final  rest. 

Their  dwelling-houses  were  open  for  religious  worship  in  the 
early  days  when  church  accommodations  were  wanting,  and  the 
ministers  of  other  forms  of  faith  besides  their  own  held  services 
in  them. 

Among  the  early  advocates  of  Universalism  who  preaclied  in 
]S«w  Salem  and  vicinity,  were  Eevs.  Abel  Chandler,  William  Gam- 
age,  E.  Manford  and  Father  Wolf.  The  last  mentioned  was  a 
Dnnkard  or  German  Baptist,  who  believed  in  the  final  salvation 
of  all  souls.  The  first  seeds  of  the  Universalist  faith  were 
sown  principally  by  these  men.  Mr.  Gamage  was  the  first  Uni- 
versalist minister  who  had  continuous  appointments  in  the  vicinity 
of  New  Salem.  He  probably  preached  in  Mr.  Fjsher's  house  in 
1849,  and  held  services  once  a  month  for  some  two  or  three  years. 
He  resided  a  part  of  the  time  in  Naples,  and  a  part  of  the  time  in 
BaiTv,  and  depended  principally  upon  school-teaching  for  his  sup- 
port. 

The  soil  here  was  favorable  to  the  growth  of  the  Universalist  faith, 
as  is  shown  by  the  eagerness  of  the  people  to  obtain  that  kind  of 
religious  reading.  For  when  the  Universalist  State  Missionary, 
Rev.  W.  E.  Reily,  visited  New  Salem,  in  the  month  of  August, 
1851,  to  preach  on  Sunday,  but  was  prevented  from  holding  re- 
ligious services  by  a  heavy  rain  storm  that  prevailed  at  the  time, 
he  sold  twelve  dollars  worth  of  Universalist  books. 

When  school-houses  were  built,  and  religious  services  were  held 
in  them,  the  appointment  for  a  Universalist  meeting  sometimes 
created  bitter  opposition,  and  to  avoid  this,  Messrs.  Fisher  and 
Preble  concluded  to  make  the  attempt  to  build  a  church  edifice, 
though  the  friends  were  neither  numerous  nor  wealthy.  They  said  we 
will  get  what  help  we  can,  and  what  is  lacking  we  will  pay  ourselves. 
Mr.  Fisher  bought  the  land  on  which  the  church  stands,  and  after- 
ward deeded  to  the  society,  and  the  present  church  building, 
valued  at  $2,500,  was  completed  and  dedicated  the  17th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1854.      ' 

Rev.  D.  R.  Biddlecome  had  been  engaged  to  preach  every  other 
Sabbath,  a  short  time  before  the  dedication  of  the  church,  and  he 
preached  the  dedication  sermon.  He  continued  his  labors  for  two 
years  and  a  half,  arid  organized  a  Church  August  5,  1855.  A  part 
of  this  time  he  occupied  three-fourths  of  his  time  in  New  Salem, 
though  he  resided  at  Griggs ville. 
In  the  spring  of  1857,^ev.  A.  M.  Worden  was  engaged  as  Pas- 


630  HISTOEY   OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

tor,  and  continued  his  pastorate  for  six  years,  preaching  one-half  of 
the  time  in  New  Salem,  and  the  other  half  in  Barry;  except  the 
last  year,  when  he  preached  all  the  time  in  New  Salem.  He  resided 
all  the  time,  except  the  last  year,  in  Barry.  The  Sunday  School 
was  commenced  during  his  pastorate  in  the  summer  of  1862. 

Rev.  William  Gamage  was  engaged  to  teach  the  village  school,  in 
the  fall  of  1866,  and  was  employed  to  preach  every  other  Sunday 
in  New  Salem  for  two  years. 

During  the  years  1872-3and,  75,  Rev.  John  Hughes  preached 
one  Sabbath  a  month  here.  The  Church  was  re-organized  during 
his  ministry.  He  never  resided  in  the  parish,  but  usually  came  on 
Saturday  and  left  on  Monday,  and  of  course  had  not  much  oppor- 
tunity to  do  parish  work,  though  he  had  large  congregations.  The 
strength  of  the  parish  at  that  time  was  20  families,  30  church  mem- 
bers, and  a  Sunday-school  of  81  scholars  and  teachers. 

Rev.  T-  H.  Tabor  supplied  for  the  parish  one  Sunday  in  a  month 
for  six  months  during  the  summer  of  1876.  In  the  month  of  De- 
cember, 1878,  he  returned  to  New  Salem,  held  services  every  eve- 
ning for  a  week,  andjthe  Sabbath  previous  and  the  Sabbath  after 
these  week  meetings.  During  these  meetings  27  new  members 
united  with  the  Church. 

Mr.  Tabor  was  engaged  to  preach  for  the  parish  one-half  of  the 
time  in  March,  1 879,  and  is  now  the  resident  Pastor.  The  reported 
strength  of  the  parish  at  the  commencement  of  the  year  1880  was  58 

BIOGEAPHIES. 

We  give  in  connection  with  the  above  sketch  brief  biographies 
of  the  old  settlers  and  prominent  persons  of  the  township.  They 
will  be  found  to  form  an  interesting  feature  of  this  volume. 

J .  a.  Allen;  P.  0.,  Baylis;  was  born  in  this  county  in  1850;  his 
parents,  J.  M.  and  Mary  Allen,  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  came 
here  in  an  early  day  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  J.  R.  now  resides. 
In  1867  he  married  Mahala  A.  Houston,  who  was  born  in  Adams 
bounty,  this  State,  in  184:8,  and  they  had  7  children,  namely,  Wil- 
liam i).,  Charles  T.,  Andy  M.,  Leva  (deceased),  J.  L.,  Jeff.  R.  and 
Mary  M.  Mr.  Allen  has  followed  carpentering  and  farming;  owns 
90  acres  of  land.  He  had  one  brother,  who  lost  his  life  in  the  late 
war;  was  first  wounded  near  Helena,  Ark.,  and  died  at  Cape  Gir- 
ardeau. 

John  Andrews,  dealer  in  general  merchandise.  New  Salem,  is.  a 
native  of  England,  where  he  was  born  Feb.  6,  1840;  he  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1854,  and  two  years  later  came  to  thi«  county,  and 
in  1861  embarked  in  the.  mercantile  business  at  New  Salem.  In 
1863  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  M.  A.  Temple;  she  was 
born  in  St.  Louis  in  1842,,and  died  in  1865.  In  1868  Mr.  A.  was 
married  to  Miss  H.  L.  Fisher,  a  native  of  Ohio.  To  them  have 
been  born  5  children:  Charles,  Harry,  Maud,  Alice  and  John.  Mr. 
A.  has  held  the  office  of  Postmaster,  at  New  Salem,  since  1867. 
He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Universalist  Church. 


HI8T0ET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY..  631 

John  Games,  deceased,  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Carnes, 
natives  of  Maryland,  was  born  in  1812;  at  the  age  of  14  he  moved 
to  Ohio,  and  in  1858  married  Michel  Hardin,  vcho  was  born  in 
Harrison  county,  O.,  in  1814,  and  they  had  one  child.  He  came 
to  this  State  about  35  years  ago,  and  located  in  this  tp.,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1867.  Mrs.  Carnes  carried 
on  the  farm  until  her  son  John  was  old  enough  to  attend  to  it. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carnes  were  members  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church.     P.  O.,  New  Salem. 

Solomon  G.  Ohaney,  farmer,  sec.  16;  P.  O.,  New  Salem;  was 
born  in  1843,  son  of  Elijah  and  Mary  Chaney,  the  former  a  native 
of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  England,  who  came  to  this  county  in 
1835,  and  remained  until  their  death.     Solomon  was   married  in 

'  1866  to  EmmaEddingfield,  who  was  born  in  1843  in  Lancaster,  O., 
and  they  had  7  children, — Emma  E.,  Hiram  E.,  Maude  E.,  Alcyone 
A.,  Hermon  G.,  Eosa  C.  and  Mary  L.;  Maude  is  dead.  Mr.  C.  enlisted 
in  the  late  war  in  1861,  in  Co.  I,  33d  Reg.  III.  Inf. ;  was  in  the 
battle  at  Fredericktown,  Mo.,  campaign  in  Arkansas,  then  through 
Missouri,  was  in  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  at  JN'ew  Orleans,  then  on 
the  Texas  coast,  then  Mobile,  Ala.  He  was  mustered  out  Dec.  10, 
1865,  at  Camp  Butler,  this  State,  and  has  since  followed  farming; 
owns  40  acres  of  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Chaney  are  members  of  the 
Universalist  Church.  Mr.  C.  is  also  a  Free  Mason. 
Joseph  E.  Chaney,  farmer,  was  born  in  1833,  in  Washington,  D. 

\  C,  and  is  a  son  of  Elijah  and  Mary  C.  Chaney,  the  former  a  native 
of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  England,  who  came  to  America  in 
1820.  At  the  age  of  \\  years  Joseph  E.  went  to  England,  and  re- 
turned in  18  months,  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  New  Salem. 
He  is  a  farmer  and  resides  on  sec.  20  ;  owns  160  acres  of  land,  and 
it  is  well  improved.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  are  members  of  the  Uni- 
versalist Church. 

A.  B.  Cohh,  physician;  P.  O .,  New  Salem ;  was  born  in  Steuben  Co., 
N.  Y.,  in  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  Philanthropy  and  Harriet  Cobb,  of 
English  descent,  his  father  a  native  of  New  York  and  mother  of 
Massachusetts.  At  the  age  of  13  he  came  with  his  parents  to  this 
county  and  located  in  Perry,  where  he  learned  the  harness  and  sad- 
dler's trade,  which  he  followed  for  6  years;  then  read  medicine  under 
Dr.  Carey  3  years,  and  in  1856-7  attended  the  Missouri  Medical 
College;  then  commenced  practice  in  Hadley  tp.,  and  remained 
there  12  years.  Was  Postmaster  4  years,  and  also  School  Director. 
In  1853  he  married  Miss  Emma  J.  Shields,  who  was  born  in  1836, 
in  Fulton  county,  111.,  and  died  Feb.  8,  1868,  in  Hadley  tp.  They 
had  5  children,  4  of  whom  are  living.  In  1870  Dr.  Cobb  married 
Laura  Huntley,  born  in  1835,  and  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  They 
have  one  chiM,  and  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

A.  W.  Cochran,  sec.  4;  P.  0.,  New  Salem;  was  born  in  Bel- 
mont county,  Ohio,  in  1815;  his  father,  James,  a  native  of  Ireland, 
was  in  the  war  of  the  Kevolution,  and  present  at  St.  Clair's  defeat. 
His  mother,  Elizabeth,  was  a  native  of  Germany.     Our  subject 


632  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

came  to  this  county  in  1865.  In  1851  he  married  Miss  Eebecca 
Cornwell,  born  in  1825,  and  they  had  10  children;  only  5  of  these 
are  living.  Mr.  C.  has  followed  butchering,  and  of  late,  farming 
and  trading  on  the  Mississippi  river.  He  has  held  the  office  of 
School  Director  for  the  remarkably  long  period  of  ii  years,  and 
in  Ohio  was  School  Treasurer.  During  the  war  he  supported  13 
families  while  the  husbands  and  fathers  served  in  the  neld.-  Mr. 
Cochran  had  an  exciting  experience  in  Ohio  during  the  war,  which 
we  relate.  While  he  was  electioneering  for  McClellan,  a  man  who 
was  both  preacher  and  doctor,  accompanied  by  8  soldiers,  came  to 
Mr.  C.  and  threatened  to  hang  him ;  but  when  the  soldiers  learned 
that  Mr.  0.  was  supporting  13  soldiers'  families  they  released  him 
and  were  about  to  hang  the  reverend  doctor,  when  they  were  dis- 
suaded by  the  kindly  feeling  of  Mr,  Cochran. 

John  D.  Combs  was  born  in  1T92  in  France,  and  was  the  son  of 
John  D.  and  Mary  A.  Combs,  who  were  also  natives  of  France; 
the  family  emigrated  to  New  Castile  in  Portugal,  when  he  was 
young;  at  the  time  of  Bonaparte's  defeat  at  this  place,  John  D.  fled 
to  seek  shelter  from  the  shot  and  shell  of  the  British  army;. he  got 
lost  from  his  mother  and,  supposing  she  had  been  killed,  wandered 
around  in  search  of  his  father,  he  being  on  Bonaparte's  staff,  but 
found  him  dead.  Our  subject  was  now  left  without  parents, 
brother  or  sister,  and  he  knew  not  what  to  do;  a  Jewish  peddler 
proved  to  be  a  good  Samaritan  to  him,  taking  him  in  charge, 
feeding  him  and  conveying  him  to  Lisbon ;  here  the  orphan  wan- 
dered about  the  city,  sleeping  out  of  doors  and  in  abandoned  re- 
treats for  3  or  4  weeks,  and  getting  nothing  to  eat  except  what  he 
could  pick  up  from  the  back  doors  of  hotels  and  boarding-houses. 
Here  again  a  good  Samaritan  appeared  in  the  person  of  an  Ameri- 
can sea  captain,  and  took  him  aboard  of  his  ship  and  cared  for  him 
until  his  (the  captain's)  death.  The  captain's  wife  then  became 
his  guardian  and  bound  him  out  to  the  boot  and  shoemaker's  trade; 
after  ^  years'  stay  he  ran  away  from  his  master  and  enlisted  in  the 
U.  S.  service  for  5  years  under  Scott's  command  at  Baltimore, 
thence  to  New  •  Orleans  and  up  the  Mississippi  river,  stopping  at 
Baton  Eouge,  St.  Louis  and  Council  Bluffs.  This  expedition  was 
for  the  purpose  of  making  treaties  with  the  Indians  in  Nebraska 
and  as  far  north  as  the  Yellowstone.  After  5  years'  service  he  was 
mustered  out  at  Omaha,  Neb.,  and  went  to  New  Orleans  for  his  pay; 
then  returned  to  this  State,  then  a  territory,  and  located  at  Alton, 
where  he  was  first  married.  After  working  at  his  trade  for  several 
years,  he  commenced  selling  goods  on  the  Illinois  river,  at  Perry, 
and  also  at  N  ew  Salem.  He  is  at  present  living  a  retired  life  at 
the  age  of  88  years.  He  has  been  3  times  married,  but  is  now  a 
widower;  is  unusually  spry  and  active  for  one  of  .his  age,  and 
challenges  any  man  in  the  county  for  a  half-mile  race.  P.  0., 
New  Salem. 

J.  S.  Gonkright,  sec.  26;  P.  O.,  New  Salem;  was  born  in  this 
county  in  1836;  his  parents,  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  Conkright,  were 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    CO0NTT.  633 

natives  of  Kentucky.  He  owns  160  acres  of  good  land.  In  1863 
he  was  married  to  Harriet  L.  Bean,  of  this  county,  who  was  born 
ill  1847;  they  have  2  children,  John  W.  and  Harris.  They  are 
members  of  the  Universalist  Church. 

William  Crump,  farmer,  sec.  24;  P.  O.,  New  Salem;  was  born 
in  Washington  county,  Penn.,  in  1815;  his  parents,  Stephen  and 
Nancy  Crump,  were  natives  of  Yirginia.  From  1828  to  1835  the 
family  lived  in  Virginia.  Our  subject  came  to  this  State  in  the 
spring  of  1835  and  settled  in  Quincy;  while  there  he  manufactured 
wagons.  In  1837  he  moved  to  this  county,  and  in  1838  he  married 
Miss  Margaret  Hooper,  who  was  born  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio, 
in  1821,  and  they  had  8  children, — Joseph,  John,  George  W., 
Nathan,  MaryE.,  Thomas  H.,  Harriet  E.  and  Jennie  A.;  the  second 
and  fifth  are  dead.  Mr.  Crump  has  followed  farming,  principally, 
since  settling  in  this  county.  "When  he  came  here  the  settlement 
was  very  thin,  there  being  but  one  family  between  his  farm  and 
Griggsville;  the  nearest  mill  was  8  miles  away.  Mr.  and  Mi«.  C. 
are  Methodists. 

M.  S.  Darrah,  sec.  15 ;  P.  O.,  New  Salem ;  was  born  in  this  county 
in  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Darrah;  his  father 
was  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  his  mother  of  Pennsylvania.  Except  10 
years  in  Champaign  County,  this  State,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
has  always  resided  in  this  county.  His  occupation  is  that  of  a 
farmer,  and  he  owns  120  acres,  his  residence.being  on  sec.  15.  Oct. 
25,  1865,  he  married  Maggie  M.  Hooper,  who  is  also  a  native  of  this 
county,  and  they  have  5  children, — Gertie,  deceased;  Gracie,  de- 
ceased; Franklin,  Freddie,  Mary  G.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  are  members 
of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr.  D.  served  3  months  in  the  war,  in  the 
regimentpl  band,  and  was  discharged  on  account  of  bleeding  at  the 
lungs. 

H.  L.  Davidson,  son  of  Joshua  and  Susanna  Davidson,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  1818  in  Ohio,  where  he  was  brought 
up;  in  1856  he  emigrated  to  this  county,  settling  on  a  farm  \\  miles 
north-west  of  Baylis,  where  he  followed  both  farming  and  black- 
smithing.  In  1841  he  married  Miss  Hannah  Tipton,  who  was  born 
in  1819  in  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  and  of  their  8  children  3  are 
living,  to  wit:  John  H.,  Susan  and  Mary  L.  Mrs.  D.  died  in  1878. 
In  1877  Mr.  D.  moved  into  Baylis,  where  he  erected  a  wagon  and 
blacksmith  shop,  and  he  does  all  kinds  of  work  in  his  line.  He 
was  a  local  preacher  in  the  M.  E.  Church  25  years,  and  for  the  last 
6  years  he  has  held  the  same  position  in  the  IJnited  Brethren 
Church. 

W.  R.  Deeder  was  born  in  1838  in  Huntingdon  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania; when  10  years  of  age  he  came  with  his  parents,  Isaac  and 
JSophia  Deeder  to  this  county,  settling  at  Pittsfield;  in  1859  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  J.  Mountain,  a  native  of  Adams  county,  111.,  and  they 
had  one  child.  Mrs.  D.  died  in  1863,  and  the  next  year  Mr.  D.  mar- 
ried Sophronia  Osborne,  who  was  born  in  1857  in  Tennessee,  and 
they  have  had  7  children,  5  now  living.     Mr.  D.  has  been  School 


634  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COCJSlf.         '       j 

Director,  and  is  now  an  ordained  minister  of  the  Baptist  Church  at 
Fairmount.  lie  served  3  ye'^rs  and  8  months  in  the  Idte  war  in 
the  2d  Regiment,  Battery  A,  since  which  time  he  has  followed 
farming  and  blacksmithing.     Residence,  sec.  4;  P.  O.,  Baylis. 

Theodore  Doyle,  physician,  was  born  in  Marion  county,  Ohio,  in 
1846.  His  father,  Nicholas  Doyle,  was  a  native  of  Ireland-  his 
mother,  Maria,  was  a  native  of  Bedford  county,  Penn.  '  At  the  age 
of  10  years  he  moved  to  Crawfordsville,  Indiana,  lived  there  2 
years,  then  moved  to  Champaign  county,  this  State.  In  1867 
he  came  to  this  county,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine  while  in  tiie  eastern  part  of  the  State.  He 
graduated  at  the  American  Eclectic  Medical  College  at  St.  Louis, 
and  commenced  practice  in  Kinderhook,  this  county.  Sept.  4, 1870, 
Dr.  Doyle  married  Delight  S.  "Winsor,  vi^ho  was  born  Dec.  15, 1844, 
in  this  county,  and  they  had  2  children.  Mrs.  D.'s  parents  were 
Alonzo  and  Margaret  Winsor,  natives  of  New  York.  The  Dr.  has 
an  extensive  practice.     P.  O.,  New  Salem. 

John  W.  EUsherry,  son  of  Wesley  and  Sarah  Ellsberry,  natives 
of  Kentucky,  was  born  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  in  1825.  When 
he  was  2  years  old  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Brown  county,  0., 
where  he  was  raised  and  educated.  In  1848  he  came  to  Pike 
county  and  located  in  this  tp.,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Oct.  23, 
1852,  he  married  Mary  J.  Mace,  who  was  born  in  Somerset  (now 
Piscataquis)  county,  Maine,  in  1823,  and  came  to  this  county  in 
1836,  and  they  have  had  4  children,  namely:  Henry  B.,  John  M., 
EllaD.  and  Harmon  P. ;  the  latter  died  in  Noyember,  1867.  Onr  sub- 
ject has  lield  the  office  of  Commissioner  of  Highways,  School  Direc- 
tor, Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  Assessor.  His  principal  occupation  has 
been  farming,  though  formerly  he  was  a  blacksmith;  also  carried 
on  a  saw- mill,  and  kept  a  lumber  yard.  He  now  owns  80  acres  of 
land  with  good  house  on  it,  and  well  fenced.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  are 
members  of  the  Universalist  Church.     P.  0.,  New  Salem. 

O.  W.  English,  farmer,  sec.  9 ;  P.  O.,  New  Salem ;  was  born  in 
Clermont  county,  O.,  in  1827.  His  parents,  Robert  and  Martha 
English,  were  natives  of  New  York,  and  came  to  this  county  when 
G.  W.  was  8  years  old;  at  that  time  there  was  no  house  bej;ween 
them  and.  Quincy,  a  distance  of  25  miles;  and  here  our  subject  has 
lived  ever  since,  except  3  years  spent  in  California,  prospecting  for 
gold.  He  went  in  1852  and  made  $1,000;  he  went  across  the 
isthmus  and  returned  the  same  way  to  New  York.  In  1850  Mr. 
English  married  Sarah  E.  Bryant,  who  was  born  in  Vermont  in 
September,  1832,  and  their  6  children  are, — Nathan,  George, Luella, 
Emma  E.  and  Mary  F.  His  eldest  son  is  studying  for  the  ministry, 
in  Lincoln,  Nebraska.  Mary  is  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  at 
Baylis,  111.  All  the  family,  except  Mary,  are  Methodists.  Mr.  E.  is  a 
zealous  Sunday-school  worker.  Mr.  English  being  also  a  worker  in 
his  country's  cause,  organized  the  Union  League  in  many  places  m 


x 


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PLEAS  A  NT  VALE  Tf 


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HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  637 

this  county,  and  was  President  of  County  League.     He  is  a  farmer 
and  stock-raiser,  and  naakes  a  specialty  of  PoJand-China  hogs. 

John  Mving,i'a.Ymer,  sec.  6  ;  P.  O.,  Baylis;  was  born  in  Jefferson 
connty,  0.,  in  1817.  His  parents,  Alexander  and  Susan  Ewing, 
were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  came  to  Ohio  in  an  early  day, 
and  in  1851  came  to  Illinois  and  died  in  this  county.  In  18il  onr 
subject  married  Keziah  Tipton,  born  in  1825,  in  Jefferson  county, 
Ohio;  and  they  have  had  i  children,  to  wit :  Alexander,  Susan  0. 
and  Nancy  A.  Susan  died  4  years  ago.  Mr.  E.  has  been  School 
Director.  In  early  life  he  was  in  limited  circumstances,  but  by 
industry  and  economy  he  has  acquired  160  acres  of  land.  His  wife 
is  a  Baptist. 

Charles  B.  Fish,  sec.  15;  P.  O.,  New  Salem;  son  of  Eleazer  and 
Lucy  Fisk;  was  born  in  New  Hampshire  in  1829;  he  was  taken  to 
Massachusetts  with  his  parents  when  he  was  one  year  old,  and  in 
1840  came  to  Griggsville,  this  county.  In  1860  he  married  Betsey 
E.  Cobbs,  who  was  born  in  1837  or  1838,  in  New  York,  and  they 
have  2  living  children.  Mr.  F.  has  been  Overseer  of  Highways, 
School  Trustee,  and  is  now  President  of  the  Town  Board  of  New 
Salem.  Mrs.  F.  is  a  Methodist.  When  he  commenced  in  life  for 
himself  Mr.  Fisk  was  in  very  limited  circumstances,  but  he  now 
has  80  acres  of  nice  land.  On  his  arrival  here  his  nearest  neigh- 
bors were  Amos  Blood,  A.  P.  Sharpe  and  Thos.  Bates. 

William  H.  Fish,  physician;  P.  O., Baylis;  was  born  ia  Mil- 
bury,  Mass.,  in  1848.  His  parents,  Kobert  and  Susan  Fish,  were 
natives  of  England,  and  came  to  America  in  1842,  and  located  in 
Milbury,  and  then  emigrated  to  Hadley,  this  county,  in  1854, 
where  our  subject  was  raised  and  educated,  and  also  taught  com- 
mon school.  He  graduated  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Sur- 
geons in  Keokuk,  Iowa,  Feb.  14,  1878;  had  commenced  practice  at 
Benville,  Brown  county,  in  1873.  After  remaining  there  2  years, 
he  came  to  this  place,  where  he  has  since  remained.  Dr.  F.  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  has  a  good,  growing  practice. 

James  M.  Furry  was  born  in  Highland  county,  O.,  in  1828 ; 
his  father,  Christopher  Furry,  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
his  mother,  Mary  [nee  Edward),  was  of  Irish  descent,  and  born  in 
Ohio.  Mr.  Furrj'^  spent  8  or  9  years  in  Ross  county,  and  in  1849 
he  married  -Elizabeth  Ann  Patton,  born  in  Kentucky  in  1828. 
They  have  had  11  children.  Our  subject  came  to  this  county  in 
1856,  and  is  now  a  merchant.  He  deals  in  dry -goods,  groceries, 
hats  and  caps,  boots  and  shoes,  crockery,  etc.  He  was  Justice  of 
the  Peace  in  Ohio,  and  Supervisor  in  Pittsfield.  His  oldest  child 
died  at  the  age  of  5  years,  and  more  recently  his  second  son  died, 
aged  28,  who  was  traveling  salesman  for  a  St.  Louis  firm..  Resi- 
dence, New  Salem. 

J.  P.  Gibbons,  son  of  Lile  and  Mary  Gibbons,  natives  of  Ohio, 
was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  in  1847;  at  the  age  of  18  years 
he  came  to  this  county,  and  in  1871  married  Catharine  Ewing,  a 
native  of  Wayne  county,  Ohio,  born  in  1847;  and  their  3  children 

37 


638  flISTOEY   OF   PIKE  COUNTr. 

are,  M.  H.  G. ,  Mettie  C.  and  Joseph  O.  Mrs.  G.  is  a  Presby- 
terian. Mr.  G.  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life;  owns  92  acres  of 
good  land,  and  resides  on  sec.  9.     P.  O.,  New  Salem. 

John  Gray,  farmer  and  blacksmith,  sec.  5;  P.  O.,  l^ew  Salem- 
was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  in  1814;  his  parents,  Thomas 
(a  native  of  Yermont)  and  Hannah,  came  to  Ohio  in  a  very  early 
day.  At  the  age  of  17  oiir  subject  went  to  Clermont  county,  0. 
and  came  to  this  county  in  1838,  and  has  lived  here  ever  since. 
In  1840  he  was  married  to  Nancy  Bradbury,  a  native  of  Clermont 
county,  Ohio,  and  had  5  children.  He  afterward  married  Mrs. 
Stag  Barnard,  and  they  had  2  children.  Mr.  G.  has  held  the  office 
of  Commissioner  of  Highways  for  the  last  6  years.  He  owns  80 
acres  of  land  near  New  Salem. 

Fredei'iok  Halhauer,  farmer,  sec.  33;  P.  O,,  New  Salem;  was 
born  in  1824,  in  Saxony,  Germany;  his  parents  were  Partaloms 
and  Eosena  Halbauer.  Frederick  came  to  America  and  located  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1848 ;  then  lived  7  years  in  Burlington  county, 
same  State,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1856.  The  same  year  he 
married  Miss  Eosena  Enos,  who  was  born  in  1831  in  Bavaria,  and 
they  have  had  8  children,  one  of  whom  is  dead.  Mr.  H.  owns  90 
acres  of  good  land,  well  improved. 

Dr.  H.  Hatch  is  a  prominent  physician  in  New  Salem. 

John  Hooper,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  New  Salem;  son  of  John 
and  Hannah  Cooper,  natives  of  New  Jersey;  was  born  in  Cler- 
mont county,  Ohio,  in  1823.  At  the  age  of  12  he  came  with  his 
brother  Thomas  to  this  State,  and  lived  2  years  in  Coles  county; 
came  to  Pike  county  in  1837,  where  he  has  since  resided,  in  1844 
he  married  Mary  Ann  Shinn,  who  was  born  in  Indiana  in  1825; 
and  came  to  this  county  in  1835;  they  had  11  children,  7  of  whom 
are  living, — Hannah,  Peter  F.,  J.  C.,  Asa,  Newton  N.,  Louisa 
and  Minnie  M.  Mr.  H.  owns  200  acres  of  land,  all  acquired  by  his 
own  industry;  he  has  held  the  office  of  School  Trustee  for  the  last 
20  years;  been  School  Director  several  terms;  has  lived  on  his 
present  farm  24  years,  and  is  well  known  throughout  this  and 
adjoining  townships  as  an  efficient  school  officer.  '  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H. 
are  Methodists.     Mr.  Hooper  is  also  a  Free  Mason. 

William  R.  Hooper,  farmer,  sec.  15 ;  P.  O.,  New  Salem ;  was 
born  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  in  1842.  His  fether,  Peter 
Hooper,  was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  his  mother,  Lida  Hoopfer, 
a  native  of  Kentucky.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1848,  locating  in 
Griggsville  tp.,  then  lived  in  Champaign  county,  this  State,  18 
months;  in  1866  he  married  Miss  L.  B.  Dillon,  who  was  born  in 
1844  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  and  they  have  had  2  children,  a 
boy  and  a  girl.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  in  1862,  in  Co.  K,  99th 
Eeg.  He  was  in  several  battles,  and  was  discharged  in  1865 ;  since 
that  time  he  has  followed  farming,  and  owns  154  acres  of  land. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  are  members  of  the  Universalist  Church  of  New 
Salem. 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  639 

Alonzo  Hubhard,  farmer,  sec.  16;  P.  O.,  New  Salem;  was  born 
in  Portsmouth,  Eockingham  county,  N.  H.,  in  1816.  His  father, 
Joshua  Hubbard,  was  a  native  of  Maine,  and  his  mother,  Eliza  H. 
C.  Hubbard,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  had  good  educational 
advantages,  having  attended  the  Academy  at  Portsmouth,  and  also 
at  Lowell,  Mass.  In  1837  he  came  to  Mason  county,  Kentucky, 
followed  farming  and  tobacco  raising,  then  took  a  trip  to  JSTew 
Orleans,  thence  to  this  county;  after  remaining  one  year  he  re- 
turned to  Kentucky  to  settle  business  there,  then  came  back  and 
settled  permanently  in  this  tp.  March  20,  1845,  he  married  Char- 
lotte Brown,  who  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1825,  and  came  to  America 
when  8  years  old.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hubbard  have  6  children,  namely, 
Henry,  William,  Amos,  Eliza  H.  C,  Louise  F.  and  Hilton.  Two  of 
the  sons  were  in  the  army;  Henry  belonged  to^Co.  K,  99th  111. 
Vol.,  was  with  Sherman  in  his  march  to  the  sea.  William  belonged 
to  Co.  I,  18th  Eeg.  I.  Y.  I.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hubbard  are  members 
of  the  Universalist  Church,  at  New  Salem. 

Elijah  Jeffers,  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Clermont  county,  O., 
Jan.  1,  1803;  he  is  the  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Rollins)  Jeffers, 
the  former  a  native  of  England,  and  the  latter  of  Ireland.  Our 
subject  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  has  successfully  followed 
agricultural  pursuits  thus  far  through  life.  He  came  to  this  county 
Oct.  17, 1837;  hence  is  one  of  the  oldest  pioneers  who  have  helped 
to  convert  the  native  wilds  of  this  county  into  fruitful  fields.  He 
had  but  a  limited  education  and  possessed  only  $300  when  he  came 
to  the  county.  His  first  purchase  was  80  acres  of  wild  land,  which 
he  improved  and  to  which  he  added  from  time  to  time,  until  one 
time  he  owned  between  600  and  600  acres,  most  of  which  he  has 
divided  among  his  children.  He  has  held  local  township  offices 
and  been  class-leader  in  the  M.  E.  Church  over  20  years,  of  which 
Church  he  has  been  an  active  and  prominent  member  for  53  years, 
as  also  has  his  wife.  In  1826  or  1827,  in  Ohio,  he  was  married  to 
Hannah  Pine,  daughter  of  William  and  Hannah  Pine,  natives  of 
England  and  New  Jersey,  respectively.  Of  this  union  11  children 
have  been  born,  10  of  whom  are  living  :  John  C,  William  P., 
Mary  A.,  Samuel,  Isaac  E.,  Eachel,  James,  Lucinda,  Francis  L. 
and  Martha  F.     We  give  Mr.  Jeffers'  portrait. 

George  Johnston,  blacksmith  and  wagon-maker ;  P.  O.,  New 
Salem ;  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Penn.,  Dec.  4,  1834.  His 
father,  Eobert  Johnston,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  his  mother, 
Nancy  Johnston,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania;  when  2  years  old  he 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
raised.  In  1857  he  came  to  Brown-  county,  this  State,  where  he 
followed  blacks mithing,  and  in  1858  came  to  Pike  county.  In 
1859  he  married  Sarah  A.  Eeed,  who  was  born  in  Brown  county, 
this  State,  Feb.  12,  1836,  and  they  have  had  6  children.  Mr.  J. 
has  followed  blacksmithing  22  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order. 


640 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 


Nathan  Einman,  farmer,  sec.  35;  P.  0.,Pittsfield;  is  a  son  oi 
Levi  and  Susannah  Kinman,  natives  of  ^orth  Carolina  ■  he  was 
brought  to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1831.  In  184-3  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Eliza  Cadwell ;  she  was  born  in  the  State  of 
Kentucky  in  1821,  and  died  in  1868.  To  them  were  born  9  chil- 
dren,  7  of  whom  are  living  :  Eobert  H.,  Joseph  M.,  William  F. 
John  0.,  Lewis  F.,  Mary  0.,,  JS"athan  J.,  Charles  A.  and  Arthur  li! 
After  the  demise  of  his  former  wife  he  was  married  to  Eliza  J." 
Conkright,  who  was  born  in  the  State  of  Ohio  in  1839.  Mr.  K.  has 
held  the  office  of  County  Commissioner,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

James  F.  Lemmon,  painter  and  carpenter;  P.  O.,  Baylis;  was 
born  in  Adams  county,  111.,  in  1850.  His  parents  were  Wm.  and 
Cornelia  Lemmon,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana  and  the  latter  of 
North  Carolina.  At  the  age  of  13  he  left  his  parents,  and  at  16 
he  began  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade;  at  17  he  went  into  the 
U.  S.  army  and  served  three  years-  and  two  hours.  At  first  lie 
was  in  Co.  D,  37th  Eeg;  then  he  was  in  Co.  C,  5th  U.  S.  Inf.  In 
1871  he  was  married  to  America  Fox  in  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  "who 
was  born  in  1846  in  Chariton,  Mo.,  and  they  have  had  2  children, 
one  of  which  has  died.  Since  his  return  from  the  army  he  has  been 
engaged  in  painting  of  all  kinds.  He  is  now  Constable  in  ISTew 
Salem  tp.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  L.  are  Methodists.  • '     ' 

John  McOarter,  farmer,  sec.  20 ;  P.  O .,  I^ew  Salem ;  was  born  in 
Philadelphia,  Penn.',  in  1833.  His  parents,  James  and  Margaret 
McCarter,  were  natives  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  this  country  in 
1832,  locating  where  our  subject  was  born  ;  then  came  to  IlHnois, 
settling  in  Adams  county;  in  1837  they  came  to  this  county,  where 
John  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  a  common-school  education.  In 
1870  he  married  Eliza  M.  Little,  who  was  born  in  Tyrone  county, 
Ireland,  in  1841,  and  came  with  her  parents  to  America  in  1858. 
They  had  3  children,  namely,  Emma,  John  William  and  Maud  L. 
Mr.  McC.  followed  carpentering  15  years,  but  is  now  a  farmer  and 
owns  380  acres  of  land,  well  improved  ;  he  makes  a  specialty  of 
raising  short-horned  cattle;  also  raises  large  crops  of  wheat.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McC.  are  Presbyterians. 

Archibald  B.  McDonald,  farmer,  sec.  4;  P.  0.,  Baylis;  was  born 
in  Sumner  county,  Tenn.,  in  1814.  His  father,  A.  B.  McDonald, 
was  born  in  Scotland,  and  his  mother,  Elizabeth  McDonald,  was 
born  in  North  Carolina.  He  came  to  this  State  in  1832  and  located 
in  Morgan  county,  and  moved  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1840. 
May  16,  1841,  he  married  Ehoda  E.  Askew,  who  was  born  in  Green 
county,  Ky.,  in  1824,  and  they  have  had  12  children,  6  of  whom 
are  living.  Mrs.  McDonald  died  in  1875,  and  in  1878  Mr.  Mc- 
Donald married  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Hull,  a  mother  of  4  children;  she 
was  born  in  1825  in  Washington  county,  Ky.,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church. 

John  D.  Mclntire  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pa.,  in  1819,  son 
of  Eobert  and  Elizabeth  Mclntire,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland. 


HISTORY   OF    PifeE    COUNTY.  641 

Onr  subject  grew  to  manhood  in  his  native  State,  and  in  1849 
moved  to  Ohio;  two  years  later  he  came  to  IJlinois,  locating  in  La- 
Salle  county,  where  he  remained  13  years,  and  in  1864  came  to  this 
county.  He  first  learned  the  tailor's  trade,  which  business  he  fol- 
lowed for  13  years,  and  then  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and 
now  owns  122  acres  of  land  on  sec.  6,  this  tp.  He  has  held  the 
oiBces  of  Collector,  School  Director,  etc.  He  was  married  in  1846 
to  Miss  Adeline  Hutton,  a  native  of-  Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  and 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Susan  Hutton.  Eight  of  their  11  chil- 
dren are  living,  namely :  Anna  L.  (now  Mrs;  Jefifers),  Clara,  Nettie, 
Jesse,  Herbert  J.,  Frank  N.,  Merritt  L.  and  Nora  E. 

David  Miller,f&vxaev,  sec.  19;  P.  O.,  Baylis;  son  of  Thomas  and 
Nancy  Miller,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  this  county  in 
1839.  In  1863  he  married  Elizabeth  Carnes,  born  in  1846,  and 
they  have  2  children  living, — Mary  A.  and  Francis.  Mr.  M.  owns 
69  acres  of  good  land.  He  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.-  Church,  and 
has  license  to  preach.  Mrs.  M.  is  a  member  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren Church. 

Hiram  ^oore  was  born  in  this  county  in  1845,  the  son  of  John 
and  Sarah  Moore,  natives  of  Maryland,  who  came  to  this  county  40 
years  ago;  the  former  died  in  this  tp.,  in  1876,  the  latter  is  still 
living  with  her  children.  Our  subject  married  Miss  Mary  Dunham 
in  1865;  ^he.is  a  native  of  this  county  and  was  born  in  1849;  their 
children  are  Cora,  Laura,  Minnie,  George  E,,  Amos  E.  and  Freddie. 
Mr.  M.  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  for  the  last  14  years  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  for  himself.  "When  he  first  began  in  life  he 
had  only  $100,  but  by  close  application  and  business  tact  he  has  ac- 
cumulated considerable  property.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  United  Brethren  Church. 

James  Morgan,  harness-maker.  New  Salem;  is  a  native  of 
England,  and  born  in  1826;  his  parents  were  James  and  Letitia 
Morgan,  also  natives  of  England.  He  came  to  America  with  his 
parents  when  he  was  14  years  old  and  settled  in  Illinois.  In  1866 
he  married  Mary  Ann  Young,  who  was  born  in  Illinois  in  1835, 
and  they  have  one  living  child.  He  has  worked  at  his  present  em- 
ployment for  35  years,  and  thoroughly  understands  his  business. 

AsMon  Pilling,  son  of  Samuel  O.  and  Mary  Pillmg,  was  born  in 
England  in  1803.  In  early  life  he  followed  hand-weaving,  and 
worked  in  the  manufactory  until  he  came  to  this  country,  which  was 
in  1842.  He  landed  in  New  York,  then  went  to  Bhode  Island  and 
remained  4  years,  then  came  to  Adams  county,  this  State;  thence 
in  1874  to  this  county.  In  1825  he  married  Nancy  "Wild,  who  was 
born  in  England  in  1809;  they  have  4  living  children, — John,  Mary, 
Jane  and  Cordelia.  Mrs.  Pilling  died  in  1854,  and  the  same  year 
Mr.  P.  married  Sarah  Blake,  who  was  born  in  1807,  in  Rhode 
Island;  she  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  During  the  past 
6  years  Mr.  P.  has  lived  a  retired  life.     P.  O.,  Baylis. 

David  F.  Pine,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.O.,  Baylis;  was  born  in  this 
county  in  1850.     His  father,  William,  was  a  native  of  New  York, 


642  HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

and  his  mother,  Nancy,  a  native  of  Yermont.  In  1871  he  mar- 
ried Mary  F.  McKinney,  who  was  born  in  this  county  in  1853. 
They  have  had  4  children;  only  1  is  living, — Frederick.  Mr.  P. 
has  followed  farming  during  his  entire  life,  owning  40  acres  of 
good  land.  His  father  laid  out  the  town  of  Baylis.  Mrs.  Pine  is 
a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

John  W.  Pine,  a  brother  of  the  preceding,  is  a  farmer  and  re- 
sides on  sec.  6,  owning  105  acres  of  well-improved  land.  He  came 
to  Pike  county  with  his  parents  in  1838,  and  in  1854  he  married 
Mary  ]McCleeGy,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1835,  and 
they  have  8  living  children, — Lucinda,  George  IE.,  Sarah  E.,  Jen- 
nie, Lucetta,  Mary  E.,  Lucy  and  Irene.  Mr.  P.  has  always  been  a 
farmer.     P.  0.,  Baylis. 

John  G.  Reynolds  is  a  promising  young  man  of  23'  or  24  years 
of  age,  and  is  a  teacher  of  vocal  music,  but  now  proposes  to  become 
a  florist  and  fruit-grower;  has  studied  12  years,  and  has  been  in- 
structed by  F.  K.  Phcenix,  of  Bloomington,  and  J.  E.,  Hull,  of 
Hancock  county ;  has  visited  the  best  florists  of  the  State  and  of  St. 
Louis,  Mo.  He  has  a  nice  hot-house  well  filled  with  flowers  and 
bulbs.  One  of  his  flower  stands  brought  $86  at  the  temperance 
supper  in  Yalley  City,  Dec.  9,  1879. 

M.  D.  Reynolds  was  born  in  Botetourt  county,  Virginia,  in  1817. 
His  parents,  Thomas  and  Priscilla  Keynolds,  were  also  natives  of 
Virginia.  In  1838  he  married  Delilah  Slade,  who  was  born  in 
Lexington,  Ky.,  in  1815,  and  they  have  had  8  children, — James  T., 
Cynthia  M.,  Sarah  E.,  Bell,  John  G.  and  Annie  A.  Mr.  Reynolds 
came  from  Ohio  to  this  county  in  1851  and  located  on  see.  16, 
this  tp.,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since,  following  brick  masonry 
and  farming;  he  owns  82  acres  of  land.  He  has"  held  the  oflices  of 
School  Director  and  Koad  Overseer.  He  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  M.  E.  Church.     He  is  also  a  Freemason.     P.  O.,  New  Salem.  ■ 

Ernest  Sannebech  was  born  in  Prussia  in  1834.  His  parents, 
Frank  and  Sophia  Sannebeck,  were  natives  of  Prussia.  Our  sub- 
ject came  to  this  country  and  located  in  Baltimore,  Md.  While 
there  he  followed  butchering;  in  1856  he  came  to  Louisville,  Ky. 
He  served  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  A,  1st  Reg.  K.  V.  He  was  in 
Indiana  4  years',  then  in  St.  Louis,  and  in  1877  came  to  this  place. 
In  1869  he  married  Miss  M.  Bolender,  who  was  born  in  Hesse  in 
1845.  Mr.  S.  carries  on  a  butcher  shop  in  Baylis,  and  also 
keeps  the  Pineville  Hotel. 

Meinhart  Sannelech,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in 
Prussia  in  1828  ;  he  came  to  America  in  1S54  and  located  at  Bal- 
timore. In  185S  he  went  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  in  1859  and  '60, 
was  in  Texas.  In  1861  he  went  back  to  Louisville,  and  in  1873 
went  to  Chicago,  111.;  in  1877  he  moved  to  Barry,  this  county, 
thence  to  Baylis,  where  he  is  engaged  in  butchering;  is  also  inter- 
ested in  the  Pineville  Hotel ;  he  served  3  years  in  the  Prussian 
army.  In  1860  he  married  Catharine  Bolender,  who  was  born  in 
1834  in  Germany.     They  have  3  children,— Frank,  19  years  old, 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  643 

Henry,  15  years  old,  and  Conrad,  3.ged  13  years, — all  born  in  Louis- 
ville, Ky. 

W.  E.  Seaborn,  farmer,  sec.  6;  F.  O.,  Baylis;  son  of  Eobert 
and  Mary  A.  Seaborn,  was  born  in  this  county  in  1845.  He  en- 
tered the  U.  S.  service  in  Co.  B,  68th  Eeg.  111.  Inf.;  served  3 
months  guarding  posts;  was  mustered  out;  again  enlisted  as  a 
teamster  in  the  West;  served  1  year,  then  returned  home  and  en- 
gaged in  buying  and  shipping  stock.  In  1872  he  married  Sallie 
Seed,  who  was  born  in  1849.  They  have  had  2  children;  one  is 
dead,  and  they  have  adopted  a  child.  Mr.  S.  now  follows  farming, 
owning  130  acres  of  land. 

Henry  Shaffner  was  born  in  Iliffhland  county,  Ohio,  in  1826, 
and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  Shaffner,  natives  of  Dauphin 
county,  Penn.  At  the  age  of  16  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Ed- 
gar county,  111.;  in  1844  moved  to  Brown  county,  and  in  1851  he 
came  to  this  county,  at  first  locating  one  mile  south  of  Salem,  but 
in  1870  he  settled  on  sec.  14,  where  he  now  resides.  He  used  to  be 
a -cooper,  but  is  now  a  farmer,  owning  84  acres  of  land.  In  1850 
he  married  Martha  Dunham,  who  was  born  in  1832  in  Harrison 
county,  Ohio.  Their.children  are  Mary  J.,  John  W.,  Louis,  Sarah 
A.  and  Eliza.  The  iirst  2  are  dead.  United  Brethren.  P.  O.,  New 
Saletn. 

W.  0.  Shaffner  was  born  in  1848  in  Brown  county.  111.,  and  is 
a  son  of  John  and  Susannah  Shaffner,  father  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, mother  of  Ohio.  His  father  died  in  1874,  a  worthy  member 
of  the  U.  B.  Church,  and  a  good  citizen  every  way.  W.  O.  still 
lives  with  his  mother;  up  to  1868  he  followed  farming,  and  then  he 
learned  the  wagon-maker's  trade  under  C.  C.  Shaffner ;  for  the  last 
5  years  has  conducted  the  business  for  himself  in  ISTew  Salem. 

John  Sigsworth  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  Jan.  26,  1825;  his 
parents,  Joseph  and  Ann,  were  both  natives  of  England,  and  emi- 
grated to  America,  in  1830,  settling  in  Ohio,  and  in  1836  settled 
in  this  county.  At  the  age  of  25  John  went  to  California  where 
he  followed  herding  cattle  and  farming;  returned  to  this  county  in 
1853;  in  1854  went  to  California  again,  but  since  1858  has  followed 
shipping  stock  and  farming  in  this  county.  In  1846  he  married 
Sarah  M.  Brawley,  who  was  born  in  1826  in  Oliio.  Ciiildren, — ^, 
Dennis  B.,  Lida  A.,  Mary  E.,  Elizabeth  J.,  Alice  A.,  John  A., 
deceased,  and  Joseph  "W.  Mr.  S.  has  been  Assessor,  Collector  and 
School  Director.     P.  O.,  New  Salem. 

David  Siarhey  is  a  native  of  Pike  county,  a  son  of  Jonathan  and 
Jane  Starkey,  natives  of  Yirginia.  He  was  born  in  1854,  and  has 
hved  here  all  his  life;  is  now  on  sec.  9,  and  owns  120  acres  of  nice 
land.  He  has  never  been  as  far  as  75  miles  from  home  but  3 
times  in  his  life.  In  1876  he  married  Annie  Gray  and  they  had 
one  cliild,  who  is  not  now  living. 

Henry  A.  Starkey  was  born  in  1849  in  Huron  county,  Ohio; 
his  parents,  James  and  Elizabeth,  were  born  in  Wheeling,  Yir- 
ginia; in  1874  he  emigrated  to  Missouri  and  married  Annie  Stod- 


^-*: 


644  HISTOEY   OF   PIKE  COUNTY. 

gress,  Dec.  20  of  that  year;  she  was  a  native  of  Ohio.  In  1877 
they  emigrated  to  this  county  and  now  reside  on  sec.  4;  P.  0.,  New 
Salem.  James  Anderson  is  their  only  child.  Mrs.  S.  is  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

Jonathan  Starkey,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  sec.  4,  P.  0.,  New 
Salem,  and  whose  portrait  appears  in  this  volume,  was  born  in 
Culpepper  county,  Va.,.  in  1813.  His  parents  were  John  and  Mary 
(Groves)  Starkey,  also  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion ;  they  emi- 
grated to  Ohio  when  our  subject  was  7  years  of  age,  where  he 
remained  until  he  was  23  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Pike 
county,  locating  in  New  Salem  tp.,  being  one  of  the  early  pilgrims 
to  this  locality,  and  where  he  has  since  remained.  When  he  first 
came  he  had  but  $40  in  money,  but  through  the  kindness  of  a 
friend,  from  whom  he  borrowed  $50,  he  was  enabled  to  purchase 
50  acres  of  land,  which  he  did  on  sec.  9.  Upon  this  land,  which 
was  then  in  its  native  condition,  he  erected  a  log  cabin  14  by  16 
feet  in  size,  in  which  he  lived  for  5  years.  Being  a  man  of  great 
energy,  industrious,  and  of  economical  habits,  he  was  enabled  to 
add  to  his  small  means,  until  he  has  become  one  of  the  most 
extensive  farmers  and  stock  dealers  in  Pike  eounty,  owning  at  one 
time  over  1,200  acres  of  fine  farming  land,  and  feeding  from  100 
to  150  head  of  cattle,  and  from  200  to  300  head  of  hogs  annually, 
besides  a  large  number  of  horses  and  sheep.  He  has  provided 
liberally  for  his  children,  giving  them  nice  farms,  until  now  he  has 
only  a  little  over  200  acres  left  in  the  home  farm,  which  is  on  sec. 
4,  and  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  Mr.  Starkey  has  been 
a  hard-working  man,  and  has  done  as  much  perhaps  as  any  one 
man  in  developing  the  wonderful  resources  of  this  fair  county. 
Although  a  member  of  no  church,  he  has  never  been  behind  any  of 
his  most  enterprising  neighbors  in  favoring  any  and  all  enterprises 
which  he  has  been  called  upon  to  help  push  forward,  having  paid 
considerable  to  help  erect  school-houses  and  churches,  and  to  pay 
the  ministry.  In  fact,  Mr.  S.  is  one  of  Pike  county's  old,  useful 
and  honored  citizens,  and  as  such  we  present  to  our  readers  his 
portrait. 

Mr.  Starkey  has  been  twice  married, — the  first  time  in  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1834,  to  Jane  L.  Laughtery,  who  was  born  in  the  Key- 
stone State  in  1815.  She  died  Sept.  28,  1876.  To  them  were  born 
9  children,  of  whom  8  are  living:  Charles,  Eachel,  James,  Nich- 
olas, William,  Mary,  Maria  and  David.  John  was  the  name  of  the 
deceased.  July  30,  1879,  Mr.  S.  was  again  married,  this  time  to 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Margaret  Carothers. 

William  Starkey,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  Baylis;  was  born  in 
this  county  in  1846,  the  son  of  Jonathan  and  Jane  Starkey,  spoken 
of  above.  In  1873  he  married  Emeline  Seybold,  who  was  born  in 
this  county  in  1860.  Their  children  are  Olive,  Cora  and  Har^. 
Mr.  S.  is  a  prominent  farmer,  owning  215  acres  of  nice  land.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  liberal  in  all  public 
enterprises. 


,f^f^y. 


dcK^c....^^^^x^--^^  /t5  /ci/i./tijfyU 


NEW  SALEM    TP 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  647 

William  H.  Stauffer  was  born  in  this  county,  Jan.  23,  1847. 
His  parents  were  Jolin  and  Sarah  Stauffer,  the  former  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  Yirginia;  his  father  came  to  this 
State  in  1836,  and  settled  in  Fairmount  tp.,  where  he  still  resides. 
Our  subject  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  follows  that  occupation.  In 
1871  he  was  married  to  Eachel  E.  "Wood,  who  was  born  in  186 1  in 
this  county.  They  have  2  children, — George  E.  and  Nelia  A. 
Mr.  S.  owns  80  acres  of  well-improved  land,  with  good  buildings. 
F.  0.  Eaylis.     Kesidence,  «ec.  8. 

Bev.  T.  H.  Tabor  was  born  in  Eutland  county,  Vermont,  in 
1824.  His  parents  were  Arden  and  Phoebe  Tabor,  and  moved  to 
Kew  York  when  our  subject  was  9  years  of  age.  Mr.  Tabor 
studied  for  the  ministry,  and  by  his  own  effort  accomplished  his 
work.  In  1843  he  married  Eliza  Leonard,  who  was  born  in  1824 
in  Hampshire  county,  Mass.,  and  died  in  June,  1850,  leaving  2 
children.  In  1856  he  married  Miss  B.  A.  Morris,  who  was  born' 
in  1831  in  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.  His  2  sons  are  also  ministers, 
preaching  the  Universalist  doctrine.  Mr.  Tabor's  first  work  was 
in  South  Dansville,  E^ew  York;  thence  in  Oct.,  1854,  to  Earlville, 
LaSalle  county,  this  State  ;  next  to  Woodstock  in  1856,.  then 
Briggsville,  Wisconsin,  in  1857;  then  went  to  Markesan,  Wiscon- 
sin, remaining  6  years;  next,  in  1864,  to  Bluefsland,  and  remained 
there  until  September,  1867.  He  there  erected  a  church.  In  1867  he 
went  to  Macomb  and  remained  until  the  spring  of  1872,  then  to 
Kirkwood,  till  1874,  next' to  Yates  City,  then  for  2  years  divided 
his  time  between  Bradford  and  LaFayette,  and  occasionally  visited 
New  Salem;  then  in  the  fall  of  1876  went  to  Bloomfield,  Iowa,  re- 
maining one  year ;  then  came  back  to  Monmouth  and  remained 
until  March,  1879,  then  came  to  New  Salem,  where  he  added  27 
members  to  the  society.  He  has  been  an  ardent  worker  in  the 
Master's  cause.     Residence,  New  Salem. 

Oajpt.  Isaac  H.  Walling^  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  H.  Walling,  natives 
of  New  Jersey,  was  born  in  1836  on  sea,  off  Cape  Hatteras,  on  his 
father's  ship  "  Chingaoria;"at  the  age  of  12  years  he  went  to  sea  as 
cabin-boy,  then  as  able  seaman  2  years,  then  as  mate  for  4  or  5 
years.  In  1855  or  1856  he  shipped  on  schooner  "Kenosha"  in 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  to  run  from  there  to  Chicago;  served  1  year,  then 
went  back  to  New  York  and  shipped  on  a  cruise  to  Liverpool,  Isle 
of  Man,  and  to  Sligo,  then  back  to  New  York;  then  shipped  on 
schooner  "T.  A.  Ward,"  Capt.  Hoff,  commander,  and  went  to 
Cadiz,  Malaga,  Salona,  Genoa,  Barbary  States,  Bio  Janeiro,  S.  A., 
and  back  to  Baltimore;  then  shipped  on  a  wreckiiig  vessel,  where 
a  fortunate  circumstance  occurred  to  our  subject,  but  fatal  to  a 
cousin  of  his  named  Balnbridge.  He  exchanged  places  with  him 
to  accommodate  him,  so  that  he  might  go  to  port  and  purchase 
supplies;  while  on  the  way  the  ship  and  all  its  crew  were  lost.  He 
was  first  at  the  wreck  of  the  "  New  Era  "  and  "  Powhattan,"  the 
latter  of  which,  laden  with  human  freight,  sunk  in  sight,  and  all  on 


648  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

board  perished.  After  this  Oapt.  "W.  took  many  voyages;  was 
shipwrecked  several  times;  was  taken  prisoner  at  Charleston,  8.0. 
by  a  man-of-war,  during  the  Rebellion  when  he  was  at  sea.  On  the 
schooner  "Harriet  Harker,"  which  was  owned  by  our  subject,  he 
was  cast  away  35  miles  north  of  Cape  Hatteras,  where  he  lay  three 
days  and  nights  in  the  water  without  anything  to  eat  or  drink,  but 
at  last  landed  safely.  At  another  time  he  escaped  a  watery 
grave  by  not  taking  a  schooner  when  going  to  rescue  another  vessel, 
as  it  was  taken  by  another  party  and  was  lost  with  all  on  board. 
Then  went  to  launch  a  brig  "  Kedstow,"  60  miles  south  of  Cape 
Henry.  In  1876  he  was  again  wrecked  near  Cape  Charles,  at  the 
mouth  of  Chesapeake  Bay.  This  was  his  last  trip  at  sea.  By  the 
persuasion  of  his  family,  and  being  tired  of  sea  life,  he  came  West 
and  located  at'Baylis,  where  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile  trade, 
in  which  the  wrecks  are  not  so  dangerous  to  life. 

John  White,  farmer,  sec.  31;  P.  O.  New  Salem;  was  born  in 
Ireland  in  1809.  His  parents,  John  and  Margaret  "White,  were' 
also  natives  of  Ireland.  He  came  to  America  at  the  age  of  22  and 
located  at  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  6  years,  and  most  of  the 
time  followed  weaving;  then  came  to  Quincy,  this  State,  and  fol- 
lowed tearning;  came  to  this  county  in  1839  and  located  at  New 
Philadelphia,  then  bought  land  where  he  is  at  present  living.  In 
1845  he  married  Margaret  White,  who  was  born  in  Scotland,  and 
they  had  one  child,  now  dead.  Mrs.  W.  died  in  1846,  and  in  1856 
be  married  Mary  E.  Cunningham,  who  was  born  in  1834  in  Ire- 
hmd,  and  came  to  America  in  1856.  Their  children  are:  William, 
Margaret,  Anna  B.,  Mary  J.,  Joseph,  Robert,  Emmet,  Emily  and 
Frank.  The  deceased  are  Thomas  J.  and  an  infant.  Mr.  W.  owns 
640  acres  of  land  at  the  home  place  and  80  acres  in  Pleasant  Yale 
tp.,  all  of  which  he  has  accumulated  himself.  He  and  his  wife  are 
Presbyterians. 

William  R.  TFrn^eT-fio^AaOT,  physician,  was  born  in  Massachusetts, 
in  1847;  his  parents,  Jonathan  and  Margaret;  are  natives  of  Eng- 
land, who  came  to  America  about  the  year  1842  and  located  in 
Bristol,  Rhode  Island,  then  moved  to  where  our  subject  was  born. 
At  the  age  of  2  years  he  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county, 
where  he  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  attended  the  common  schools; 
at  the  age  of  19  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  nnder  Dr.  J. 
Sykes,  of  Be-verly,  Adams  county,  studied  2  years,  then  attended 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  gradu- 
ated Feb.  22,  1872,  and  the  March  following  began  his  practice  in 
Baylis.  Feb.  24,  1870,  he  was  married  to  Martha  E.  Harvey,  who 
was  born  in  June,  1846,  and  they  had  4  children.  The  Doctor  is  a 
Trustee  of  Schools,  a  member  of  the  State  Medical  Association, 
and  of  the  Masonic  Order. 


PITTSFIELD  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township  is  si(;uated  more  nearly  in  the  geographical  center 
of  the  county  than  any  other.  It  is  a  full  Congressional  township 
and  is  officially  known  as  township  5  south,  and  range  4  west  of 
the  4th  principal  meridian.  In  an  agricultural  point  the  township 
ranks  among  the  finest  in  this  favored  county.  It  contains  a 
wealthy  and  intelligent  class  of  agriculturists,  who  have  made  the 
very  best  of  improvements  throughout  the  township. 

We  shall  not  dwell  at  length  upon  the  history  of  the  township, 
as  we  give  an  extended  sketch  of"  the  town  of  Pittsfield,  which 
largely  embraces  the  history  of  the  township;  and  we  also  speak  at 
some  length  in  the  personal  sketches  of  the  leading  farmers  of  this 
community. 

The  pioneer  who  first  located  here  was  Joel  Moore.  He  erected 
a  little  cabin  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  sec.  12;  then  came 
Ephraim  Cannon  and  Moses  Kiggs,  all  of  whom  became  promi- 
nent in  the  early  history  of  the  county,  and  located  on  sees.  20 
and  23  respectively.  In  1833  a  site  was  chosen  in  this  township 
by  a  special  commission  of  the  Legislature  for  the  location  of  the 
county  seat,  principally  because  of  its  being  more  nearly  in  the 
center  of  the  county,  and  a  desirable  and  healthy  location.  At  this 
place  the  principal  scenes  in  the  history  of  the  township  have  been 
enacted,  which  we  will  now  begin  to  chronicle. 

PITTSFIELD. 

Although  but  47  years  have  passed  since  the  town  of  Pittsfield 
was  founded,  it  is  difficult  to  realize  the  changes  that  have  been 
made  in  its  appearance  and  surroundings  since  then,  or  that  so 
much  has  been  accomplished  in  so  brief  a  period.  Where  now 
stand  stately  public  buildings,  school-houses  and  churches,  spacious 
stores  and  business  houses,  busy  mills  and  workshops,  elegant  res- 
idences, surrounded  with  evidences  of  refinement  and"  culture, 
tasteful  cottages,  the  homes  of  a  thrifty  and  contented  people,  miles 
of  well-graded  streets  and  sidewalks,  filled  with  all  the  busy  life  of 
an  energetic  and  prosperous  town,  but  a  little  over  a  generation 
ago  was  an  unpeopled  waste,  the  beauty  of  its  site  unknown  save 
to  an  occasional  hunter  or  the  Indian  nomads.  Many  are  still 
living  in  the  town  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  hale  old  age,  who  aided 
in  the  foundation  of  the  new  town  and  erected  some  of  its  first  rude 


650     i  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

buildings.  They  have  lived  to  see  the  log  cabins  replaced  by  large 
and  substantial  buildings  of  frame  or  brick,  have  seen  the  little 
town  spread  out  from  the  nucleus  around  "the  Square,"  until  its 
well-built  streets  extend  in  all  directions,  and  the  little  village  has 
become  an  important  business  mart,  the  center  of  a  thickly  settled 
and  wealthy  community. 

OEIGIN  OP  PITTSFIELD. 

Having  decided  to  locate  the  county-seat  in  the  center  of  the 
county,  George  W.  Hinman,  Hawkins  Judd  and  Benjamin  Barney 
were  selected  as  commissioners,  who  in  March,  1833,  laid  out  the 
site  of  the  town,  piirchasing  the  quarter  section  of  land  from  the 
United  States  Government  at  a  cost  of  $200.  The  first  sale  of  lots 
took  place  May  15,  1833,  11  lots  being  disposed  of  ou  that  day. 
Several  lots  were  reserved  for  public  purposes,  and  the  block  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  town,  immediately  north  of  the  present 
residence  of  Jas.  H.  Wheeling,  was  set  apart  as  a  burying-ground, 
and  a  number  of  interments  were  made  therein,  until  the  South 
Cemetery  was  opened,  and  later  the  West  and  Episcopal  Cemeteries, 
in  the  western  limits  of  the  town,  when  the  old  ground  was  no 
longer  used  for  its  original  purpose. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The  location  of  the  county-seat,  and  the  natural  beauty  of  the 
site,  gave  the  young  town  a  good  start,  and  from  the  first  its  growth 
has  been  steady.  It  was  named  "Pittsfield,"  after  the  city  of  the 
same  name  in  Massachusetts,  whence  many  of  its  earliest  and  best 
citizens  had  come;  and  that  infusion  of  Kew  England  enterprise, 
thrift,  morals  and  culture  has  helped  to  give  tone  to  its  people,  and 
aided  in  its  subsequent  career.  From  the  earliest  days,  when  no  regu- 
lar system  of  schools  was  yet  established,  it  is  an  evidence  of  the  pub- 
lic-spirited liberality  of  the  young  men  of  the  town,  that  they 
voluntarily  contributed  for  the  support  of  the  schools  first  opened 
for  the  education  of  the  children;  and  the  place  has  always  been 
noted  for  the  fostering  care  bestowed  on  this  important  branch. 

The  first  school  building  was  of  wood,  located  on  the  west  end 
of  the  lot  now  owned  by  Geo.  W.  Sanderson.  It  was  a  small  affair, 
and  painted  the  regulation  color,  red ;  and  many  a  man  who  has 
since  won  distinction  at  the  bar,  the  forum,  or  in  letters,  learned 
the  first  rudiments  within  its  noisy. portal.  As  the  town  grew,  ex- 
tended accommodations  were  needed,  and  several  other  small  schools 
were  started.  Later  the  lower  portion  of  the  Christian  Church  was 
rented  for  a  public  school.  In  1861-3  the  public  spirit  found  full 
expression  in  the  erection  of  the  present  spacious  and  beautiful 
building,  one  of  the  largest  and  best  in  the  Military  Tract.  Here, 
with  a  graded  system  and  a  large  and  efficient  corps  of  teachers, 
pupils  are  instructed  in  all  the  ordinary  branches,  the  High  School 
department  fitting  students  for  college.     A  large  clock  with  a  fine 


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652  HISTORY   OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

bell  attached,  was  placed  in  the  dome  shortly  after  the  completion 
of  the  building. 

The  town  also  has  a  Library  and  Free  Reading  Room,  organized 
by  the  ladies,  and  heretofore  supported  by  the  subscriptions  of  the 
members.  There  are  about  one  thousand  volumes,  many  of  them 
of  a  standard  character,  besides  a  number  of  papers  and  periodicals. 
At  the  election  last  year  the  citizens  voted  to  levy  a  small  tax  to 
support  the  institution,  and  extend  its  field  of  usefulness. 

NEWSPAPERS . 

In  1842  the  first  newspaper  was  started  by  Michael  J.  J!foyes, 
and  was  called  Tlie  Sucker.  This  was  succeeded  by  the  Free  Press, 
started  by  Garbutt  &  Abbott.  Later  it  was  edited  by  John  Gr. 
Nicolay,  now  Marshal  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court  at  Wash- 
ington, and  at  one  time  Private  Secretary  to  President  Lincoln, 
and  afterward  Consul  at  Paris.  The  Free  Press  was  followed  by 
The  Journal,  and  it  by  The  Old  Flag,  which  is  now  published  and 
is  in  a  prosperous  condition.  These  papers  Were  Free-Soil,  Whig 
and  Republican,  in  natural  succession. 

The  Sentinel  was  the  first  Democratic  paper,  and  was  started  in 
1846  by  Turnbnll  &  Smith.  It  was  followed  by  the  Union,  in 
1849,  and  it  by  the  Pike  County  Democrat,  in  1857,  which  still 
flourishes  as  the  organ  of  the  Democrats  of  the  county.  Several 
other  newspaper  ventu-res  were  made,  but  they  existed  only  for  a 
brief  period.  The  mail  facilities  now  enable  the  people  to  secure 
promptly  the  daily  papers  from  the  larger  cities,  and  a  large  num- 
ber are  circulated. 

STREETS. 

Those  who  now  admire  the  fine  condition  of  the  streets  of  the 
town,  the  easy  grades,  the  long  reaches  of  macadamized  and  grav- 
eled roads,  and  the  miles  of  broad  sidewalks,  can  hardly  realize  the 
primitive  character  of  the  thoroughfares  that  preceded  them.  The 
roads  and  streets  were  almost  impassable  in  rainy  weather,  and  the 
best  efforts  at  sidewalks  were  eighteen-inch'  logs  split  in  two  and 
laid  side  by  side,  the  round  side  down,  and  these  only  in  the  most 
favored  localities.  Elsewhere  pedestrians  did  the  best  they  could, 
and  on  dark  nights  they  had  a  hard  road  to  travel.  During  the 
past  two  years  the  corporation  has  spent  about  $10,000  in  the  im- 
provement of  the  streets  alone.  And  now,  with  public  lamps  in 
all  the  streets,  over  a  district  about  a  mile  and  a  half  square,  travel 
is  safe  and  comfortable. 

THE    PUBLIC    SQUARE   AND    BUILDINGS    AROUND   IT. 

A  description  of  the  Public  Square  and  the  short  streets  imme-'  • 
diately  around   it,  in  the   early  days,  should  prove  interesting. 
Nearly  all  the  old  buildings  have  been  pulled  down  or  removed, 
and  the  few  landmarks  that  still  remain  must  soon  meet  the  same 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  653 

fate.  On  the  north  side  of  the  Square  there  were  but  four  build- 
ings. A  grocery  or  saloon  occupied  the  corner  where  Shadel's 
meat  market  now  stands;  next  west  was  Thomas  Dickson's  small 
frame  store  which  long  occupied  the  place  of  the  present  two-story 
brick' edifice,  and  is  still  standing  in  the  rear  of  its  old  site;  next 
wais  the  Court-House/now  Joseph  Heck's  store,  and  next  a  one-story 
frame,  which  was  afterward  enlarged,  and  is  now  occupied  by 
Field's  jewelry  store.  In  the  lower  portion  of  the  lot,  where  the 
Pittsfield  House  now  stands,  was  the  house  of  Michael  McGuire. 
The  first  store  on  the  west  side  was  that  of  Green  &  Barber,  the 
building  now  occupied  by  Clayton's  hardware  store;  next  was  the 
store  of  Jacob  Hodgen,  who  afterward  built  the 'first  brick  store  in 
town;  and  next,  near  the  south  corner,  the  harness  shop  of  Hamil- 
ton Wills.  On  the  south  side  was  the  log  store  of  Jonas  Clark, 
which  stood  where  Seeley,  Lloyd  &  Co.'s  big  store  now  stands;  then 
the  store  of  Talcott  &  Co.,  and  then  the  Mansion  House,  which 
was  then  but  two  stories  high  and  having  about  half  its  present 
frontage.  East  of  this  was  Mrs.  Mary  M.  Heath's  house.  (Thi^ 
venerable  lac^y,  who  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  white  child  born 
in  Cincinnati,  O.,  is  still  living  in  the  town,  and  is  looked  upon  and- 
respected  as  one  of  the  few  living  links  connecting  the  present  with 
the  past  generation.)  East  of  Mrs.  Heath's  was  Frank  Spencer's 
blacksmith  shop.  On  the  east  side  of  the  Square,  and  occupying 
the  site  of  Winans  &  Platner's  furniture  store,  was  the  residence  of 
Miss  Bush,  and  north  of  that  J.  U.  Grimshaw's  store. 

The  Square  itself  was  an  unfenced  playground,  ornamented  with 
a  dense  growth  of  hazel-brush. 

OTHER    BUILDINGS. 

Scattered  at  some  distance  on  the  streets  running  from  the 
Square  were  the  dwellings  of  the  citizens,  none  of  them  presenting 
much  architectural  beauty.  The  large  two-story  frame  residence 
now  occupied  by  Thos.  Burt,  was  built  by  Col.  "Wm.  Ross,  when  he 
first  moved  to  the  town.  It  was  probably  at  that  time  the  finest 
private  dwelling  in  all  the  surrounding  country,  and  its  large 
rooms,  wide  halls  and  lofty  ceilings  were  the  admiration  of  all.  In 
1847  Col.  Ross  built  the  large  brick  residence  just  east  of  town, 
where  he  resided  up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  Mr.  Oran  Green,  a 
hale  and  active  veteran,  still  lives  to  boast  that  he  carried  all  the 
mortar  used  in  the  erection  of  that  fine  building. 

I^Tear  where  Hicks'  stable  now  stands  was  Turnbaugh's  Row,  a 
block  of  four  stores,  "all  on  the  ground,"  all  occupied  by  the  same 
firm,  and  filled  with  a  miscellaneous  stock. 

The  building  now  occupied  as  a  residence  by  Dr.  Worthington, 
situated  on  one  of  the  handsomest  sites  in  the  town,  and  surrounded 
by  beautiful  grounds,  was  intended  for  a  seminary  for  young  ladies, 
but  for  some  reason  the  attempt  to  establish  such  an  institution 
here  was  abandoned. 

Jas.  "Ward  and  Samuel  Smith  built  and  kept  a  livery  stable  north 


654  HISTORY    OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

of  the  present  postofSce.  Between  that  and  the  corner  of  the 
Square  was  a  deep  hollow,  overgrown  with  hazel  brush. 

Fletcher  &  Huckaborn  had  a  blacksmith  and  gun-shop  back  of 
Hunter's  present  shoe  shop,  Dorus  Bates  also  had  a  blacksmith 
shop  near  his  wagon  manufactory. 

Where  Shibley's  carriage  factory  now  stands,  was  erected  the 
first  carding-machine.  It  was  ran  by  horse  power,  and  was  a 
ponderous  concern,  with  broad  wooden  cog-wheels  and  beams. 
Here  a  child,  who  afterward  lived  to  assume  a  noted  manhood, 
had  a  miraculous  escape  from  a  horrible  death.  While  the  machin- 
ery was  under  full  headway,  he  climbed  upon  the  horse  power,  but 
slipped  and  fell.  His  head  was  caught  between  one  of  the  broad 
spokes  of  the  wheel  and  the  timber  of  the  frame.  It  was  crushed 
nearly  flat,  but  stopped  the  machine! 

The  child  recovered  and  grew  up  to  serve  his  country  gallantly 
and  well.  That  was  one  of  the  many  escapes  of  Major  D.  E. 
Bates. 

•  The  first  steam  flouring-mill,  now  known  as  the  "  Old  Mill," 
was  built  by  Jonathan  Frye  and  Stephen  Gay  in  1849,  and  for 
years  was  the  largest  in  this  section.  The  new  mill  was  built  iu 
1870  by  Shaw,  Eupert,  Adams  &  Chapman,  and  is  a  fine  large 
brick  building,  filled  with  the  best  machinery.  Both  mills  are 
doing  a  heavy  business,  and  Pittsfield  brands  of  fiour  command  a 
high  price  in  the  markets  of  New  York  and  Boston. 

The  oldest  building  in  the  town  was  erected  by  William  Watson. 
It  is  a  small  log  store,  and  is  now  standing  in  the  lot  in  the  rear  of 
the  Mansion  House.  Mr.  Watson  was  soon  followed  by  Messrs. 
E.  E,.  Greene  and  Austin  Barber,  who  built  and  occupied  the  store 
owned  by  W.  H.  Clayton. 

Mr .  John  TJ.  Grimshaw  had  the  first  regular  dry-goods  store  in 
town,  near  where  L.  Klemrae's  building  now  stands,  but  also  car- 
ried a  stock  of  miscellaneous  goods.  He  was  an  Irishman  by 
birth,  well  educated,  and  with  a  high  sense  of  business  integrity. 
He  has  been  dead  for  some  years. 

PEOMINENT   CITIZENS. 

The  name  of  Col.  William  Eoss  is  intimately  associated  with 
the  early  history  of  Pittsfield,  and  with  its  advancement  and  pros- 
perity, up  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  its  most  prominent 
citizen,  and  aided  nearly  every  enterprise.  He  was  born  in  Mas- 
sachusetts in  1792,  emigrated"  to  this  county  in  1820,  subsequently 
removing  to  the  new  town  of  Pittsfield.  A  good  sketch  of  his  life 
is  given  in  the  biographical  department  of  the  history  of  this 
township. 

Col.  D.  B.  Bush,  also  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  born  in  1790, 
settled  in  Pittsfield  a  year  after  the  town  was  laid  out,  and  has  been 
a  prominent  and  active  citizen  ever  since.  He  practiced  at  the 
Bar,  and  has  held  several  ofiices.    He  is  still  remarkably  healthy  tor 


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PITTSFIELD 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  657 

his  years,  and  can  be  seen  almost  daily  greeting  his  many  friends 
witii  genial  humor. 

Hon.  William  E.  Archer,  the  veteran  member  of  the  'Bar,  is 
still  in  active  practice.  He  was  born  in  New  York  in  1817,  and 
emigrated  to  Pittsfleld  in  1838.  He  has  repeatedly  represented 
this  district  in  the  State  Senate,  and  is  known  and  honored  through- 
out the  State.  He  has  a  numerous  family  of  sons  and  daughters, 
and  the  whole  community  call  him  friend. 

Mr.  Samuel  Crane,  who  conducted  the  Union  House  for  many 
years,  is  another  surviving  veteran,  who  can  be  seen  any  morning 
in  the  week,  basket  on  arm,  doing  his  own  marketing.  He  has  a 
neat  place  in  the  west  part  of  town,  and  is  a  noted  gardener. 

Mr.  Frank  Keys,  another  of  the  early  settlers,  is  about  to 
remove  to  Logan  count}'.  He  first  engaged  in  store-keeping  in 
Pittsfield,  but  later  devoted  his  attention  to  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  amassing  a  large  property.  He  is  of  Scotch-Irish  birth, 
and  has  all  the  energy  and  perseverance  of  that  canny  race. 

Squire  Hickerson,  who  lives  some  distance  east  of  town,  was 
probably  the  first  settler  in  that  vicinity.  He  is  still  a  very  active 
man,  and  is  now  serving  as  Collector  of  Newburg  township.  He 
has  a  remarkable  memory,  and  is  a  veritable  chronicle  of  the  early 
history  of  the  town  and  county. 

James  Ross  is  probably  the  oldest  living  resident  of  the  town. 
He  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  settled  at  Atla^  in  1826.  When 
Pittsfield  was  located  he  moved  here,  whei-e  he  has  since  resided. 

Thomas  Dickson,  who  is  a  native  of  the  island  of  Orkney, 
removed  from  'New  York  to  Pittsfield  in  1839.  He  acted  as  clerk 
in  William  Watson's  store  for  some  years,  and  then  engaged  in 
business  for  himself.  He  is  still  an  active  business  man,  and  gives 
promise  to  continue  so  for  many  years. 

Capt.  W.  N^.  Shibley,  another  Mexican  veteran,  who  is  still 
carrying  on  his  old  business  of  carriage-making,  was  among  the 
earlj'  settlers;  and  although  he  has  had  a  career  of  considerable 
adventure,  is  as  active  as  he  was  30  years  ago.  He  served  through 
the  Mexican  war,  and  later  spent  many  years  fighting  Indians  on 
the  Texas  plains.  He  still  has  in  his  possession  some  of  the  scalps 
taken  in  his  adventurous  days,  hideous  trophies  of  border  warfare. 

Hon.  Henry  Mudd,  now  a  prominent  citizen  of  Missouri,  was 
among  the  earliest  merchants  of  Pittsfield,  where  he  conducted  a 
successful  business  for  many  years. 

H.  Atkinson,  now  the  respected  Vice  President  of  the  Pike 
County  Bank,  was  an  early  comer.  He  came  from  Philadelphia 
and  opened  a  tailor  shop  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  Square. 
Afterward  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  and  later  had  a  furni- 
ture and  hardware  store . 

Col.  D.  D.  Hicks,  the  veteran  Cashier  of  the  First  National 
Bank,  has  long  been  a  resident  of  the  town,  and  has  been  a  suc- 
cessful business  man  and  popular  public  officer. 

Dr.  Campbell  and  Dr.  Worthington  were  the  first  physicians 

38 


658  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    CO0NTT. 

who  settled  here.  Both  were  skillful  practitioners  and  energetic 
men.  .  Dr.  Campbell  has  been  dead  for  some  years,  but  Dr.  Worth- 
ington  is  still  living.  Having  acquired  a  large  property,  he  has 
devoted  his.  later  years  to  the  study  of  geology  and  kindred  sub- 
jects, and  has  been  visiting  the'  Eocky  Mountains  for  some  time  in 
pursuit  of  his  favorite  studies.  Dr.  ]S"orris  and  Dr.  Oomstock 
came  some  time  later,  and  both  practiced  successfully.  They  have 
been  called  from  their  duties  for  many  years.  The  widow  of  Dr. 
Norris  still  survives  him,  and  is  enjoying  a  genial  and  graceful 
old  age.  Young  in  heart  and  joyful  in  feeling,  she  is  respected  by 
all,  and  is  especially  loved  by  the  young  people,  whose  friend  and 
confidant  she  is. 

Among  the  local  celebrities  whose  subsequent  career  has  been 
a  subject  of  pride  with  this  people,  is  Col.  John  Hay,  now  Assis- 
tant Secretary  of  State  at  Washington.  He  spent  his  boyhood 
here,  with  his  uncle,  Hon.  Milton  Hay,  now  of  Springfield."  His 
"  Pike  County  Ballads  "  have  associated  his  name  with  his  old  home, 
although  he  exercised  more  than  a  poet's  license  in  some  of  the 
pictures  he  drew.  The  hero  of  "  Banty  Tim,"  the  most  forcible  of 
the  ballads,  is  still  a  resident  of  this  town,  but  his  name  is  not  Til- 
man  Joy. 

But  probably  the  best  known  local  character  is  Capt.  Abe  Bntz, 
proprietor  of  the  Oregon  House.  A  native  of  Pennsylvania,  he 
came  West  in  early  manhood,  and  has  gone  through  a  long  life 
with  philosophical  cheerfulness.  looted  for  his  patriotism,  he 
observes  with  Migious  regularity  all  the  National  holidays,  anni- 
versaries of  battles,  etc.,  and  is  an  especial  admirer  of  Gen. 
Jackson,  for  whom  he  played ;  and  also  assisted  at  the  reception 
of  Gen.  Lafayette  at  Philadelphia  on  his  last  visit  to  this  country. 
Mr.  Butz  is  also  noted  for  his  kindliness  of  heart!  the  poor  always 
finding  in  him  a  charitable  friend. 

Mr.  Metcalf  opened  the- first  tin  shop  in  the  town,  and  for  a  long 
time  had  a  monopoly  of  that  trade.  L.  Bennett  had  one  of  the 
first  shoe  shops,  and  Samuel  Barber  a  tailor  shop. 

Robert  R.  Greene  and  Austin  Barber  came  from  Marietta,  Ohio, 
and  settled  in  Pittsfield  when  it  was  laid  out.  They  were  con- 
nected in  business  for  many  years,  the  store  of  Greene  &  "Barber 
being  known  throughout  the  whole  tract.  Both  partners  still  sur- 
vive. Mr.  Greene  has  been  an  invalid  for  some  years,  but  Mr. 
Barber  is  as  vigorous  and  active  as  many  younger  men. 

BRICK   KILN,  ETC. 

In  1843  the  first  kiln  of  brick  was  burned,  by  a  man  named  But- 
ler, his  yard  being  located  west  of  the  fair  grounds.  Later  a  brick 
yard  was  started  on  North  Monroe  street,  where  the  Haskell  prop- 
erty now  stands.  Since  then  the  business  has  grown  steadily,  until 
this  day,  when  brick,  tile,  pottery,  etc.,  form  an  important  item  in 
the  industries  of  the  town.    ■ 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTT.  659 


HOTELS. 


The  location  of  the  Court-House  here,  with  the  consequent  influx 
of  sftrangers  during  term  time,  made  hotels  a  necessity  at  an  early 
day.  The  Union  House,  kept  by  Samuel  Crane,  and  the  Mansion 
House,  met  the  demand  at  first.  Then  the  Kentucky  House,  now- 
known  as  the  Mansion  House,  was  built.  In  1870  the  spacious  and 
handsome  Pittsfield  House  was  built  by  a  stock  company.  The 
three  last  named  houses  are  still  open.  These,  with  Shibley's  es- 
tablishment and  the  Oregon  House,  amply  supply  the  town  with 
hotel  accommodations.  The  Union  House  was  a  frame  building  on 
the  north  side  of  the  Square.  The  lower  portion  of  the  building  is 
now  occupied  by  the  stores  of  M.  R.  Peckenpaugh  and  Dober  & 
Blades. 


MAIL    FACILITIES. 


The  first  postoffice  was  in  a  small  log  building  which  stood  op- 
posite the  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  kept  by  Merrill  E.  Rattan. 
Mails  arrived  and  departed  only  once  a  week,  by  horseback;  and 
although  communication  with  the  outside  world  was  limited,  it 
was  ample  enough  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  people.  About  1845  a 
tri-weekly  stage  was  run  to  Jacksonville  by  Hill  &  Watson,  carry- 
ing the  mails,  and  later,  tri-weekly  mails  were  extended  to  Win- 
chester, Beardstown  and  Quincy,  J.  Shastid  and  Jesse  French  being 
the  contractors.  They  were  afterward  bought  out  by  Thomas 
Burt,  who  continued  the  lines  for  some  time.  In  July,  1853, 
the  first  daily  mail  was  established  between  Naples  and  Hannibal, 
via  Pittsfield,  Uncle  Davie  Stanton  and  S.  P.  DuflBeld  being  the 
contractors.  Subsequently  connection  was  made  with  the  young 
and  growing  towns  throughout  the  county,  until  now  Pittsfield  is 
in  direct  communication  by  mail  and  telegraph  with  all  the  outside 
world. 

SHIPPING. 

When  the  old  Jacksonville  &  Naples  Railroad  was  extended  to 
Hannibal,  and  as  the  new  line  was  located  some  six  miles  north  of 
Pittsfield,  it  was  feared  it  would  retard  the  growth  of  the  town.  To 
prevent  this  possible  result,  in  1870  a  branch  line  was  built  from 
Pittsfield  to  Maysville,  connecting  with  the  Hannibal  &  Naples 
line,  and  is  now  familiarly  called  the  ''Bob-Tail."  The  road  is  oper- 
ated by  the  Wabash  Railroad  Company,  and  it  is  an  evidence  of 
the  prosperous  trade  and  importance  of  Pittsfield,  that  the  Compa- 
ny's returns  show  the  "Bob-Tail"  to  be  one  of  the  best  paying 
sections  operated  by  that  important  corporation. 

For  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  town,  Florence,  on  the  Illi- 
nois river,  some  twelve  miles  east,  was  the  regular  shipping  point 
for  Pittsfield,  nearly  all  the  goods  being  received  and  shipped  by 
wagon  to  the  steamboat's  landing  at  that  town.  In  1851  a  private 
corporation   constructed  a  plank  road,  connecting  Pittsfield   and 


660  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTS. 

Florence.  It  was  kept  in  good  repair  for  some  years,  and  proved  a 
great  convenience,  but  the  extension  of  lines  in  other  directions  di- 
verted a  portion  of  the  traffic,  and  it  was  afterward  thrown  open 
to  the  public.  In  the  early  days,  the  settlers  had"  not  learned  the 
economy  of  a  division  of  business,  or  lacked  the  means  and  facih- 
ties.  Then  nearly  every  man  who  raised  stock  did  his  own  slaugh- 
tering, the  product  being  sold  to  storekeepers,  who  shipped  it  to  St. 
Lonis.  Large  quantities  of  grain  and  live  stock  were  also  shipped 
in  the  same  way,  and  in  a  few  years  this  trade  became  so  important 
that  a  large  amount  of  capital  was  invented  in  the  business,  and  the 
warehouses  of  Pittsfield  and  Florence  were  filled  with  the  products 
of  the  surrounding  country.  'Now  the  facilities  of  transportation 
by  rail  and  river  have  given  a  different  feature  to  the  trade.  Much 
of  the  wheat  finds  its  way  to  the  far  Eastern  markets  in  the  form 
of  flour,  while  the  shipment  of  grain,  live  stock  and  provisions  is 
managed  as  separate  lines  of  business. 

PROTECTION    AGAINST    FIRES. 

Altliough  the  town  has  never  had  a  regularly  organized  fire  com- 
pany, an  engine  or  apparatus,  it  has  been  remarkably  exempt  from  de- 
structive fires.  But  few  buildings  have  been  destroyed  by  fire,  and  in 
each  instance  the  citizens  turned  out  and  worked  with  such  deter- 
mination that  the  fire  was  subdued  before  extending  beyond  the 
building  where  it  originated.  Although  the  town  has  been  so  for- 
tunate heretofore,  the  danger  of  fires  is  a  subject  of  solicitude 
among  thoughtful  citizens,  and  it  is  probable  that  a  company  will 
be  organized  and  properly  equipped,  in  anticipation  of  future  con- 


tingencies. 


TEMPERANCE. 


For  years  there  has  been  a  strong  temperance  sentiment  in  this 
community,  and  the  friends  of  the  cause  have  repeatedly  succeeded 
in  electing  an  anti-license  Board  of  Town  Trustees.  At  the  last 
two  elections,  however,  they  were  defeated  by  a  small  majority,  and 
four  saloons  have  been  licensed  at  a  tax  of  $1,500  each  per  annum. 
During  the  temperance  crusade  some  years  ago,  the  ladies  suc- 
ceeded in  arousing  public  sentiment,  and  license  jwas  abolished. 
Later,  when  the  Murphy  revival  was  inaugurated,  it  met  with  re- 
markable success  here,  several  hundred  persons  having  enrolled 
themselves  in  the  blue  ribbon  organization.  Within  the  past  few 
months  the  temperance  people  have  organized  a  new  society,  and 
already  accomplished  much  good.  The  present  movement  is  more 
quiet  in  its  character  than  the  crusade  or  Murphy  revival,  but  it 
gives  promise  of  accomplishing  the  end  aimed  at, — suppression  of 
legalized  traffic  in  liquors  within  the  town. 

MILITARY. 

After  the  passage  of  the  militia  law  by  the  State^  Legislature 
three  years  ago,  two  militia  companies  were  organized  in  Pittsfield, 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  661 

one,  the  Pittsfield  Guards,  and  the  other,  the  Pike  County  Guards. 
After  a  few  months  the  Adjutant  General  ordered  the  consolidation 
of  the  two  companies,  which  was  done,  the  organization  taking  the 
name  of  the  Pittsfield  Guards.  The  ofiicers  are  J.  "W".  Johnson, 
Captain;  "W.  Steinhauer,  1st  Lieut.;  and  Geo.  Barber,  2d  Lieut. 
The  company  is  uniformed  and  well  armed,  having  a  well  appointed 
armory  in  Dickson's  Hall. 

A  notable  day  in  'the  military  annals  of  the  town,  and  one  long 
to  be  remembered,  was  the  Annual  Reunion  of  Army  Yetsrans 
held  here  in  August,  1878.  Preparations  for  the  event  had  been 
in  progress  for  many  days,  all  classes  of  citizens  vieing  with  each 
other  in  efforts  to  make  the  celebration  worthy  of  the  occasion  and 
of  the  town,  and  the  result  more  than  realized  their  highest  ex- 
pectations. 

.  Daybreak  of  the  eventful  day  was  ushered  in  with  a  grand 
salute,  and  at  an  early  hour  the  streets  were  thronged  with  an  eager 
multitude,  gathered  from  all  the  surrounding  country.  The  build- 
ings around  the  Public  Square  and  on  the  principal  streets  were 
decorated  with  flags  and  patriotic  emblems,  while  the  Square  itself 
presented  a  novel  and  most  attractive  appearance.  On  either 
corner  decorated  platfoi-ms  were  erected,  on  which  were  living 
groups  of  young  girls  and  boys  representing  Liberty,  the  Army, 
the  Kavy,  Justice,  Industry,  Commerce,  Agriculture,  etc.,  each 
figure  in  appropriate  costume,  and  surrounded  by  implements  and 
emblems  illustrating  the  tableaux.  Near  the  southwest  corner  of 
the  Square  a  large  platform  was  also  erected  for  speakers  and  dis- 
tinguished •  guests,  and  literally  covered  with  flags,  evergreens, 
wreaths,  flowers,  pictures  and  statuary.  But  the  most  attractive 
quarter  was  the  north  and  east  sides  of  the  Square,  where  were 
spread  long  lines  of  tables  loaded  with  all  the  substantials  and  lux- 
uries a  bountiful  land  afforded,  while  snowy  covers,  and  glittering 
silver,  china  and  glass,  and  a  profusion  of  bouquets,  festoons  of 
flowers,  etc.,  beautified  the  scene.  These  tables  were  in  charge  of 
the  ladies,and  as  each  tried  to  excel  her  neighbor  in  the  luxury  and 
elegance  of  her  table,  the  result  was  such  a  banquet  as  was  prob- 
ably never  before  spread  on  a  similar  occasion. 

The  Pittsfield  Guards  and  the  Pike  County  Guards,  the  two  lo- 
cal companies,  were  under  arms  at  an  early  hour,  and  acted  as 
escort  to  the  veterans  and  their  families  arriving  from  abroad.  At 
10  o'clock  the  train  from  Springfield  arrived,  bringing  Governor 
Cullom,  Gen.  Eeese,  ex-Governor  Palmer  and  other  distinguished 
visitors,  with  the  Governor's  Guard  of  Springfield  as  honorary  es- 
cort, the  Winchester  Guards,  and  a  long  line  of  veterans  in  detached 
squads  from  Griggsville,  Barry  and  other  points.,  A  procession 
was  then  formed,  and  after  parading  through  the  principal  streets, 
mustered  in  the  Square  in  front  of  the  grand  stand,  where  they 
were  welcomed  in  an  eloquent  address  by  Eev.  H.  D.  Clark,  Pas- 
tor of  the  Christian  Church,  and  himself  a  gallant  soldier.  Gov- 
ernor Cullom  responded  in  an  appropriate  speech,  paying  a  fitting 


662  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

tribute  to  the  patriotism  and  gallantry  of  the  citizen  soldiery.  On 
the  platform  were  a  number  of  distinguished  veterans  of  the  Ee- 
bellion  and  the  Mexican  war,  and  a  small  group  of  honored  heroes 
of  the  war  of  1812.  After  appropriate  music  by  the  glee  clubs  and 
the  bands,  an  adjournment  was  had  for  dinner.  The  immense 
crowd  were  billeted  at  the  several  tables,  and  were  entertained  with 
profusion,  all  being  satisfied,— men,  women  and 'children, — and 
enough  left  over  to  feed  a  brigade.  After  dinner  there  w^s  a  gen- 
eral interchange  of  greetings  among  old  army  comrades,  and  many 
an  experience  of  the  march,  the  battle-field  and  the  Isivouac  re- 
newed and  recounted.  Speaking  was  then  resumed,  when  Col.  A. 
C.  Matthews  introduced  Gen.  Palmer  in  a  neat  address.  The  lat- 
ter was  greeted  with  cheers  and  spoke  for  over  an  hour,  giving 
many  amusing  anecdotes  of  army  life,  all  of  which  were  thoroughly 
enjoyed  by  the  "boys."  Short  addresses  were  made  by  other 
speakers,  followed  by  a  parade  and  drill  by  the  Governor's  Guard,, 
under  command  of  Maj.  E.  S.  Johnson.  The  remainder  of  the  day 
was  taken  up  in  a  general  jollification,  in  imitation  of  camp  hfe,. 
and  other  amusements.  As  the  evening  shadows  fell,  the  strangers 
from  abroad  departed  amid  the  cheers  of  the  people;  the  citizens 
returned  to  their  homes,  and  so  ended  one  of  the  most  memorable 
days  in  the  history  of  Pittsfield. 

PUBLIC  HALLS  AND  SOCIAL  MATTERS. 

The  first  public  hall  was  in  the  Mansion  House  block.  Before 
its  erection  the  fun-loving  folk  held  their  dances  and  social  gath- 
erings in  the  Court-House,  and  the- halls  supposed  to  be  sacred  to 
the  disciples  of  Blackstone  echoed  to  the  sounds  of  merry-making, 
while  an  occasional  Church  fair  threw  the  mantle  of  charity  over 
all.  The  whole  community  was  noted  for  its  sociability,  and 
pleasant  gatherings  were  of  frequent  occurrence.  The  young  men 
were  also  famous  for  their  skill  in  athletic  sports,  foot-racing  es- 
pecially being  very  popular,  and  many  a  youth  who  has  since 
grown  old  and  staid,  has  competed  in  contests  of  speed,  on  the 
"  track,"  along  the  south  side  of  the  Square.  The  prizes  usually 
awarded  would  not  be  sanctioned  by  the  friends  of  temperance. 
Horse-racing  also  was  very  popular,  and  is  still  a  favorite  pastime 
with  many. 

In  1845  a  number  of  the  young  men  org'anized  a  full  brass  band, 
and  thereafter  furnished  the  music  on  the  Fourth-of-July  and  other 
public  occasions.  Debating  and  literary  clubs  were  also  formed, 
and  a  taste  for  literature  of  a  high  order  was  developed  and  fostered.  ■ 

In  the  summer  of  1846  an  event  occurred  which  marked  a  new 
epoch  in  the  annals  of  the  young  town.  This  was  the  arrival  of 
Yan  Amburgh's  circus  and  menagerie.  It  was  the  first  regular 
"  show"  that  had  penetrated  so  far  among  the  outlying,  settlements, 
and  its  advent  was  hailed  with  wonder  and  delight  by  young  and 
old,  the  people  flocking  in  from  all  the  surrounding  country  to  see 
it.     Many  a  veteran  who  has  lived  to  see  scores  of  such  exhibitions 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  663 

still  remembers  with  pleasure  that  first  introduction  to  the  delights 
and  glories  of  the  saw-dust  ring.  This  was  soon  followed  by  others, 
and  shortly  afterward  regular  dramatic  companies  visited  the 
town,  and  were  well  received.  Now  there  is  no  dearth  of  public 
entertainments,  a  good  company  rarely  failing  to  draw  well. 

THE  MEXICAN  WAE. 

From  the  close  of  the  Indian  troubles  until  the  declaration  of 
war  with  Mexico,  the  people  of  Pittsfield  had  no  military  experi- 
ences, but  the  promptness  with  which  troops  were  raised  on  the  latter 
occasion  shows  their  military  and  patriotic  ardor.  Special  messen- 
gers who  had  been  sent  to  Springfield  hastened  back  with  the  news 
that  volunteers  were  called  for.  •  A  full  company  was  organized  in 
a  few  hours,  most  of  the  members  being  from  Pittsfield  and  the 
•immediate  vicinity.  They  started  at  once  for  Springfield,  arrived 
there  the  same  night,  and,  reporting  at  headquarters,  were  mustered 
in  as  company  K  of  the  5th  Eegiment,  Illinois  Yolunteer  Infantry. 
Nor  had  they  any  time  to  spare.  Next  day,  Springfield  was  thronged 
with  volunteers  from  the  surrounding  counties,  who  had  to  be  re- 
jected. Company  K  had  completed  the  quota.  When  organized 
the  officers  of  the  com^pany  were  :  I,  B.  Donaldson,  Captain;  — 
Bostwick,  1st  Lieut.;  Emmet  Hicks,  2d  Lieut.;  and  Wm.  Kinman, 
3d  Lieut.  On  the  organization  of  the  Regiment,  Capt.  Donaldson 
was  promoted  a  field  officer,  and  Lieut.  Kinman  was  made  Cap- 
tain. The  achievements  of  the  gallant  5th  are  a  part  of  the  history 
of  the  nation,  and  company  K  won  its  full  share  of  the  laurels. 
All  the  old  officers  have  answered  the  final  muster  save  only  Lieut. 
Hicks,  who  is  still  living  in  Pittsfield  hale  and  hearty,  and  who 
with  some  of  his  old  comrades  in  arms,  fights  over  his  old  battles, 
and 

"  Shoulders  his  cane, 

And  shows  how  fields  were  won." 

The  same  military  and  patriotic  spirit  was  manifested  by  the 
people  in  the  ■  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion.  Pittsfield  promptly 
sent  a  large  number  of  volunteers,  who  were  on  almost  every  battle- 
field of  the  South.  No  soldiers  ever  acquitted  themselves  more 
nobly  than  those  who  went  from  Pittsfield, 

COURT-HOUSE. 

Immediately  after  the  town  was  laid  out  the  first  Court-House 
was  erected,  the  order  thereTor  being  issued  by  the  County  Com- 
missioners in  June,  1833.  It  was  a  frame  building,  located  on  the 
north  side  of  the  Square,  and  was  not  remarkable  for  size  or  style. 
It  is  still  standing,  and  is  now  occupied  by  Joseph  Heck  as  a  store. 
The  coming  season  a  new  brick  building  is  to  take  its  place,  and 
the  old  landmark  will  be  removed.  The  present  Court-House  was 
erected  in  1838-9,  and  was  in  that  early  day  considered  a    spacious 


66  i  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

and  commodious  building.  The  offices  of  the  Circuit  and  County 
Clerks  are  in  atire-proof  building  west  of  the  Coui't-House.  The 
handsome  grounds  which  now  surround  it  were  then  an  uninclosed 
plat  covered  with  hazel-brush.  The  stately  trees  that  now  adorn 
the  grounds  were  planted  by  some  of  the  young  men  of  the  town, 
the  young  members  of  the  Bar  being  prominent  in  the  good  work. 
Their  tall  stems  and  wide-spreading  branches  stand  as  monuments 
of  their  enterprise  and  public  spirit,  and  those  who  now  enjoy  the 
grateful  shade  should  remember  with  gratitude  the  thoughtful 
planters. 

PKOMINENT    MEMBERS   OF   THE    BAR. 

From  the  first  organization  of  the  county  Courts  the  Bar  has 
been  noted  for  the  distinguished  men  who  have  ornamented  it. 
Within  its  walls  some  who  have  won  national  fame  earned  their 
earlier  forensic  laurels.  Among  its  graduates  were  Col.  E.  D. 
BaUer,  the  brilliant  orator,  the  cultivated  gentleman,  the  statesman 
and  the  hero,  whose  brilliant  life  was  untimely  ended  at  the  fatal 
battle  of  Ball's  Bluff;  and  Col.  Daniel  H.  Gilmer,  the  genial 
friend  and  able  lawyer,  who  fell  a  sacrifice  to  his  patriotism  at 
Stone  River;  and  Col.  Jackson  Grimshaw,  a  keen  and  able  lawyer, 
irresistible  in  debate,  now  gone  to  his  rest;  and  Maj.  Sam  Hayes, 
an  able  lawyer,  a  free-hearted  and  jovial  companion;  and  Archie 
Williams,  and  Dick  Richardson,  and  Isaac  N.  Morris,  and  James 
Ward,  and  J.  W.  Whitney,  are  among  the  members  of  the 'Bar 
who  have  passed  away. 

Here  in  the  early  day  such  lawyers  as  Lincoln,  and  Douglas,  and 
Browning  came  to  plead.  Of  the  living  representatives  who  have 
won  distinction  may  be  mentioned  Hon.  Milton  Hay,  now  of 
Springfield;  C.  L.  Higbee,  Judge  of  the  Appellate  Court;  Wm.  A. 
Grimshaw,  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Charities,  and  who  has 
filled  many  positions  of  honor  in  jthe  State;  Wm.  li.  Archer, 
State  Senator  for  many  years;  Col.  A.  C.  Matthews,  Member  of 
the  Legislature ;  Scott  Wike,  late  Member  of  Congress ;  Jas.  S. 
Irwin,  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  in  the  State;  Richard  B.  Atkinson, 
ex-County  Judge,  and  the  veteran  D.  B.  Bush.  There  are  younger 
members  of  the  Bar  who  bid  fair  to  emulate  the  example  of  their 
seniors.  Jefferson  Orr,  the  District  Attorney,  is  now  filling  his 
second  term,  and  has  proved  an  efi3.cient  and  industrious  officer. 
Hon.  Strother  Grigsby,  the  County  Judge,  has  long  been  identi- 
fied with  the  Bar.  In  his  present  position  he  has  accomplished 
good  work,  and  is  the  friendly  adviser  of  all  who  appear  in  his 
Court. 

JAIL. 

The  first  jail  was  built  near  the  site  of  the  present  town  cala 
boose.     It  was  not  a  pretentious  building,  but  was  sufficient  for  the 
wants  of  the  county  for  many  years.     It  was  afterward  sold,  and  was 
occupied  as  a  tobacco  factory,  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire.    The 


2'^i:^^^-z^    y. 


PITTSFItLD    Tf 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  667 

present  liandsoine  jail,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  Public 
Square,  was  erected  in  1861.  It  is  a  substantial  brick  building  with 
a  aouble  tier  of  cells,  necessary  offices,  and  residence  lor  the 
Sheriff. 

But  one  executioii  has  taken  place  in  the  Pittsfield  jail,  Bart. 
Barnes  having  been  hanged  December  29,  1871,  for  the  murder  of 
Mr.  Gresham  near  Pleasant  Hill.  The  execution  was  private, 
within  the  walls  of  the  prison,  but  so  great  was  the  public  curios- 
ity over  the  event  that  hundreds  of  persons  from  the  surrounding 
country  crowded  the  streets  around  the  jail. 

In  1878  an  attack  upon  the  jail  was  threatened,  and  at  one  time 
it  appeared  as  if  it  would  result  in  serious  loss  of  life.  A  Dr. 
Brown,  of  Milton,  was  found  dead  in  his  door-yard,  with  a  gun- 
shot wound  in  his  head;  and  it  was  supposed  he  had  been  mur- 
dered. Some  days  before  that  he  had  been  reported  drugged  and 
robbed,  and  a  man  named  McDonald,  a  supposed  tramp,  had  been 
arrested  and  lodged  in  jail,  being  suspected  as  one  of  the  robbers." 
His  trial  was  to  come  off  in  a  few* days,  and  just  before  that  event 
Dr.  Brown  was  found  dead,  as  stated,  and  it  was  thought  that  some 
friend  or  chum  of  McDonald  had  murdered  him  to  prevent  his  ap- 
pearing against  the  latter.  The  friends  and  neighbors  were  in- 
tensely excited  over  the  occurrence,  and  as  the  public  had  naturally 
become  alarmed  over  the  reiterated  reports  of  outrages  committed 
by  tramps  in  other  parts  of  the  country,  the  excitement  spread  rap- 
idly. A  rigid  search  was  instituted  for  the  supposed  murderer  and 
kept  up  for  days,  but  no  one  being  discovered,  the  friends  deter- 
mined to  wreak  summary  vengeance  upon  the  prisoner,  McDonald. 
A  number  of  them  mustered  a  short  distance  from  town,  with  the 
avowed  determination  to  march  in  after  nightfall,  break  open  the 
jail,  and  seize  and  lynch  the  prisoner.  It  was  impossible  for  the 
sheriff  to  remove  him  to  another  place  of  confinement,  as  the  roads 
were  watched;  whereupon  the  authorities  communicated  with  Gov- 
ernor Gallom,  and  by  his  authority  the  militia  companies  were 
called  out,  and  a  strong  force  placed  to  protect  the  jail.  For  the 
first  few  nights  the  alarm  was  kept  up,  but  fortunately^  the  prompt 
action  of  the  authorities  had  the  desired  effect.  No  attack  was  made, 
and  the  excitement  quieted  down.  The  result  of  the  trial,  which 
took  place  a  short  time  afterward,  proved  the  man  McDonald  en- 
tirely innocent  of  the  charge  of  robbing,  and  consequently  he  had 
no  motive  for  the  killing  of  Dr.  Brown,  and  he  was  discharged. 
This  was  the  first  serious  attempt  of  the  people  to  take  the  law  into 
their  own  hands,  and  the  result  of  the  trial  will  go  far  toward  pre- 
venting a  similar  occurrence  in  the  future.  Had  the  attempt  proved 
Buccessful  it  is  certain  that  an  innocent  man  would  have  been  sac- 
rificed. The  citizens  are  proverbially  law-abiding,  and  the  McDon- 
ald emeute  was  as  unexpected  as  it  was  unusual.  The  conduct  of 
the  militia  during  the  trying  occasion  elicited  the  praise  of  the 
community. 


668  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNXY. 

Several  attempts  have  been  made  by  prisoners  to  escape,  at  differ- 
ent times,  and  altlaough  some  of  them  have  succeeded  in  cutting 
their  way  out,  they  have  been  recaptured  after  a  short  pursuit. 

CHUECHES. 

The  history  of  the  Congregational  Church  is  intimately  associ- 
ated with  that  of  the  early  days  of  the  town.  It  was  organized 
with  a  membership  of  twelve,  and  first  worshiped  in  the  Court- 
House.  Rev.  William  Carter  was  the  first  minister  in  charge,  and 
devoted  long  years  of  faithful  and  earnest  work.  The  first  church 
building  was  erected  in  1838,  but  in  a  few  years  it  proved  too  small 
for  the  congregation.  The  Pastor,  aided  by  Col.  Ross  and  other 
members,  decided  to  erect  a  larger  edifice,  and  the  present  structure 
was  built  and  dedicated  in  1846.  They  were  assisted  in  the  good 
work  by  Eastern  friends.  A  project  is  now  on  foot  for  the  erection 
of  a  large  new  building,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  work  will  be 
accomplished  at  an  early  day.  Rev.  W.  W.  Rose  is  the  present 
Pastor,  and  is  an  earnest  worker. 

The  Christian  Church,  now  one  of  the  largest  and  most  pros- 
perous in  the  city,  was  organized  in  1839  with  twelve  members, 
the  first  Pastor  Jaeing  Elder  W.  H.  Strong.  At  first  they  wor- 
shiped in  a  small  frame  building  which  was  afterward  used  as  a 
school-house,  and  long  occupied  the  lot  in  the  rear  of  Judge  Hig- 
bee's  residence.  It  was  afterward  removed  to  the  lot  opposite 
Wm.  Henry  Harder's,  and  having  been  refitted  nicely,  it  is  now 
occupied  by  the  German  Lutheran  congregation.  The  present 
Christian  church  was  built  in  1856,  and  has  one  of  the  largest 
audience  rooms  in  the  city,  with  Sunday-school  rooms,  etc.,  in  the 
lower  story.  The  Church  has  no  Pastor,  Rev.  H.  D.  Clark,  the  late 
Pastor,  having   accepted  a  call   to   a  Church   in   Baltimore,  Md. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  at  about  the 
same  date  as  the  above  Church.  The  first  building  was  of  brick, 
small  and  unpretending^  and  occupied  the  site  of  the  present  hand- 
some edifice.  The  progress  of  the  Church  was  slow,  but  a  few 
faithful  ones  worked  on  hopefully.  The  present  building  was 
erected  in  18Y6,  at  a'  cost  of  about  $12,000,  Miss  Lucy  Winiams 
and  Mrs.  William  Wills,  two  earnest  Christian  women,  contribut- 
ing most  of  that  sura .  The  success  of  the  undertaking,  however, 
was  largely  due  to  the  energy  and  perseverance  of  the  Pastor,  Eev. 
W.  F.  Gillmore,  who  commenced  the  worTt  with  small  beginnings, 
but  remained  to  see  it  completed  and  dedicated.  The  Church  now 
has  a  large  membership,  is  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and  is 
blessed  with  an  efiicient  minister,  Rev.  M.  Auer. 

The  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  1839,  and  the  house  of 
worship  was  built  of  brick,  and  still  stands  upon  its  original  site.  For 
many  years  it  was  among  the  leading  Church  organizations  in  the 
town,  but  of  late  years  it  has  not  been  so  prosperous.     It  is  now 


^HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  669 

without  a  regular  Pastor,  but  meetings  are  regularly  held,  and  a 
call  has  been  extended  to  a  new  minister. 

St.  Stephen's  Episcopal  Churoh  was  built  in  1852,  Hon.  Wm. 
A.  Grimshaw  being  the  principal  patron.  Rev.  Mr.  Little  is  the 
Kector  of  the  Parish,  and  is  a  cultivated  gentleman  and  minister. 

The  first  Roman  Catholic  Church  was  built  in  1850,  Eev.  Mr. 
Dempsey  being  the  first  Priest  in  charge.  It  was  a  wooden  build- 
ing, which  was  subseqiiently  removed  to  make  room  for  the  new 
church,  and  is  now  on  a  lot  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  and 
used  as  J.  H.  Wheeling's  auction  room.  The  present  brick  build- 
ing was  erected  in  1869,  and  was  remodeled  during  the  past  year, 
and  the  steeple  erected.  The  Church  being  the  only  one  of  that 
faith  in  the  county,  has  a  large  membership,  and  is  well  attended. 
The  present  Pastor  is  Kev.  Father  Hoven,  a  man  of  ability  and 
energy.  It  is  probable  the  church  building  will  be  enlarged  at  an 
early  day,  to  accommodate  the  growing  congregation. 

The  Presbyterian  Church.,  which  had  been  closed  for  some  years, 
was  recently  re-opened,  with  Eev.  J.  P.  Dawson  as  Pastor.  The 
congregation  still  worships  in  the  building  first  erected,  and  now 
gives  promise  of  new  life  and  usefulness. 

The  Oerman  Methodist  Church  was  not  organized  until  1869, 
when  the  society  was  drawn  together,  and  the  present  brick  struc- 
ture erected.  It  is  now  in  a  very  prosperous  condition,  being  out 
of  debt  and  with  a  united  membership.  Eev.  M.  Thalenhorst  is 
the  Pastor,  who  is  proving  a  very  acceptable  minister. 

A  Church  of  Latter-Day  Saints  was  organized  in  1862  by  Elder 
Lytle.  Meetings  have  since  been  held  at  the  houses  of  the  mem- 
bers, but  now  the  society  is  erecting  a  church  building  which  will 
be  completed  and  dedicated  early  in  the  spring. 

The  Hebrews  number  several  families,  but  as  yet  have  no  regular 
place  of  worship.  On  the  11th  of  May,  1879,  they  organized  a 
Sabbath-school,  of  which  Mr.  Albert  Fishellis  Superintendent,  and 
L.  D.  Hirsheimer,  Secretary.  There  are  some  13  children  on  the 
rolls,  and  meetings  are  held  in  a  room  in  the  Odd  Fellows  building. 

SECRET    SOCIETIES. 

In  1848  Pittsfield  Lodge,  JSfo.  56,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized, 
the  first  Master  being  Michael  J.  Noyes,  for  many  years  a  promi- 
nent and  respected  citizen.  Union  Chapter  No.  10,  E.  A.  M.,  was 
organized  in  1869.  Ascalon  Commandery  K.  T.  was  organized  in 
1876,  F.  M.  Casal,  E.  C.  The  Masonic  bodies  are  in  a  very  pros- 
perous condition,  the  Lodge  and  Chapter  owning  a  fine  hall,  and 
the  Commandery  another  adjoining.  The  officers  of  the  Lodge 
now  are  "W".  B.  Grimes,  W.  M. ;  Thos.  Worthington,  jr.,  S.  W. ;  G. 
W.  Shaw,  J.  W.;  0.  E.  Lame,  Sec;  of  the  Chapter,  W".  B.  Grimes 
is  H.  P.;  Wm.  Steers,  E.  K. ;  J.  A.  Eider,  E.  S.  Secretary;  of  the 
Commandery,  F.  M.  Casal  is  E.  C.  and  V.  A.  Grimes,  Eec. 

The  Odd  Fellows  have  always  been  a  popular  order  in  this  city. 
Pittsfield  Lodge,  No.  95,  was  organized  in  1851  with  a  small  mem- 
bership.    The  first  officers  were  Samuel  Smith,  N.  G.;  E.  L.  How- 


670  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

ard,  Y.  G. ;  John  Hawkins,  Sec.  and  N.  Kelley,  Treasurer.  It  has 
since  grown  steadily,  and  now  has  a  large  number  of  members. 
Some  years  ago  a  German  Lodge  was  consolidated  with  the  present 
body.  The  oificers  are  J.  L.  'Dobbin,  JST.  G. ;  J.  H.  McClintock, 
Y.  G.;  B.  F.  Fisk,  Sec,  and  F.  L.  Shriver.  Treas.  The  Encamp- 
ment, which  was  organized  Oct.,  1866,  is  also  in  a  good  condition, 
but  the  increase  in  membership  has  been  slow.  The  Odd  Fellows 
own  their  hall,  which  is  the  handsomest  in  the  town,  being  beauti- 
fully decorated  and  furnished. 

The  A.  O.  U.  W.  also  have  a  very  flourishing  Lodge.  It  was 
organized  in  April,  1878,  with  a  membership  of  twenty-five.  Dr. 
C.  H.  Doss,  M.  W.  It  has  grown  steadily  since  then,  the  endow- 
ment feature  proving  a  very  popular  one.  The  present  officers  are 
B.  Hirsheimer,  M.  W.;  C.  W.  Rayburn,  Eec. 

The  I.  O.  M.  A.,  a  beneficial  society  also,  was  chartered  about  a 
year  and  a  half  ago.  Its  progress  has  been  slow  but  steady,  and  it 
has  good  material  among  its  membership. 

The  Knights  of  Honor  organized  a  Lodge  in  1879,  and  have  a 
good  membership,  mostly  young  men.  These  three  last  named 
societies  meet  in  Odd  Fellows  Hall. 

BIOGEAPHI04L  DEPARTMENT. 

As  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  town  and  township,  we  give  per- 
sonal sketches  of  the  old  settlers  and  leading  citizens. 

Isaiah  Adams,  farmer,  sec.  26;  owns  80  acres  of  land,  worth- $75 
per  acre;  is  a  native  of  'New  York  and  was  born  Jan.  5,  1806; 
came  to  this  State  in  1842,  and  settled  where  he  now  resides.  Feb. 
14,  1833,  he  married  Anna  Lester,  who  was  born  in  1809,  in  Con- 
necticut; they  are  the  parents  of  7  children,  5  living, namely,  Anna 
A.,  John  P.,  Martha  L.,  Buell  R.  and  Orilla  S.;  iSIancy  and  Isaiah, 
dec.  Mr.  A.  has  been  Road  Commissioner.  Is  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  Church,  and  a  Republican. 

Christopher  Apj>leton,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  sec.  11;  P.  0., 
Pittsfield;  is  the  owner  of  175  acres  of  fine  land,  worth  $75  per 
acre.  Mr.  A.  is  the  son  of  Christopher  and  Elizabeth  Appleton, 
natives  of  England,  and  was  born  Dec.  12,  1818;  came  with  his 
parents  to  America  in  1819  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  remaining 
17  years.  They  then  moved  to  Missouri,  and  in  1872  to  this 
county.  Mr.  Appleton  handles  about  100  head  of  cattle  per  year, 
and  raises  hogs  and  other  stock.  He  was  married  in  Missouri  in 
1845  to  Charlotta  Stennett,  born  in  Yirginia  in  1827,  and  they 
have  had  2  children,  only  1  living, — Anna  E.,  now  wife  of  J.  S. 
Sellsbery.    Mr.  A.  is  a  Baptist,  and  an  Odd  Fellow. 

Hon.  William  R.  Archer,  Attorney  at  Law  and  State  Senator, 
was  born  in  New  York  city  April  13, 1817;  his  parents  were  Rich- 
ard P.,  a  merchant,  and  Jane  (Alcock)  Archer,  a  native  of  Ireland. 
His  preliminary  education  was  obtained  at  Flushing,  L.  I.,  whence 
he  removed  to  New  York  city,  where  he  studied  law  under  John 


HISTOEY    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  671 

L.  Lawrence,  and  was  admitted  to  the  New  York  Bar  Feb.  23^ 
1838.  May  10  of  the  same  year  he  settled  in  Pittsfield,  where  in 
August  following  he  was  admitted  to  the  Illinois  Bar  and  soon  had 
an  extensive  practice;  in  1847  he  was  a  member  of  the  State  Con- 
stitutional Convention  from  Pike  county,  in  which  capacity  he 
evinced  sterling  qualities;  that  was  a  trying  time,  as  the  question 
of  township  organization  was  then  beginning  to  agitate  the  people. 
Mr.  Archer  was  Circuit  Clerk  and  Recorder  from  1856  to  1860. 
He  was  then  elected  Representative  in  the  State  Legislature  on  the 
Democratic  ticket  with  Benj.  F.  DeWitt,  and  represented  the 
counties  of  Pike  and  Brown;  in  1869  he  was  again  elected  to  the 
State  Constitutional  Convention,  which  met  the  following  year, 
and  in  1872  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  from  the  38th  District, 
comprising  the  counties  of  Pike,  Scott  and  Calhoun;  in  1876  he 
was  re-elected  to  the  sam6  position,  his  present  term  expiring  next 
November.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Joint  Commission  appointed 
by  the  Legislature  of  "1877  to  ascertain  the  damages  arising  to  pri- 
vate property  in  lands  by  the  construction  of  dams  ou  the  Wabash 
and  Illinois  rivers;  this  Commission  consisted  of  2  Senators  and  S 
Representatives,  and  they  held  sessions  from  July  9,  1877,  to  De- 
cember 10  of  the  same  year,  at  Springfield.  Out  of  $185,000  dam- 
ages claimed,  the  Commission  awarded  about  $30,000,  to  pay  which 
an  appropriation  was  made  by  the  last  session  of  the  Legislature. 
Subsequently  Mr.  Archer  discovered  a  law  passed  in  1847,  affecting 
claims  entirely  disconnected  with  the  work  of  this  Commission,, 
which  law  had  been  obsolete  for  10  years,  and  not  brought  forward 
in  the  revisions.  ,It  was  a  statute  of  limitations  which  had  the 
effect  to  bar  over  $2,000,000  of  claims  presented  to  the  Court  of 
Claims.  (This  court  consists  of  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  and  two  Circuit  Judges:)  This  statute,  with  a  written  argu- 
ment in  brief,  Mr.  A.  presented  to  the  Attorney  General,  and  at 
his  request  he  argued  the  case  before  the  Court,  which  sustained 
the  statute,  and  thus  barred  over  $2,000,000  of  the  claims.  For  all 
this  service  Mr.  A.  did  not  receive  a  single  dollar.  Mr.  Archer 
has  recently  been  nominated  for  Governor  of  the  State  by  several 
inSuential  newspapers,  and  the  Old  Flag,  an  opposition  paper  in 
politics,  says  that  Mr.  A.  is  too  good  a  man  to  be  set  up  by  a  mi- 
nority party,  simply  to  be  knocked  over. 

Feb.  1,  1838,  Mr.  Archer  married  Miss  Anna  Maria  Smith, 
daughter  of  Jonas  Smith,  a  former  resident  of  Long  Island,  N.  Y.; 
she  died  Sept.  26,  1859,  leaving  7  children,  5  of  whom  are  living; 
he  was  again  married  Dec.  IS,  1860,  to  Henrietta  E.  Sergeant, 
daughter  of  Col.  Aaron  Sergeant,  of  New  York  city,  and  they  have 
had  one  child. 

Samuel  Atvwod,  farmer,  sec.  26,  owns  240  acres  of  land  worth 
$60  per  acre;  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1821;  came  to  Pike  county 
1854,  and  settled  near  where  he  now  resides.  In  1851  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Eliza  J.  Chaffy,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1831;  they  are  the 
parents  of  10  children,  of  whom  6  are  living, — William  T.,  James 


672  HISTOBT   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

A.,  Charles  E.,  Alia  A.,  ISTannie  M.  and  Samuel  F.     Mr.  A.  is  a 
.  Democrat;  his  father  was  in  the  war  of  1812. 

Austin  Barher,  retired  farmer,  residence,  Pittsfield;  was  born 
in  Ohio  in  Oct.,  1809 ;  his  iirst  occupation  was  that  of  clerk  in  a 
dry-gobds  store;  came  to  Illinois  in  1833  and  settled  in  Pittsfield- 
he  established  one  of  the  first  dry-goods  houses  here,  which  business 
he  continued  until  1841,  th6n  went  to  Florence  for  5  years,  then 
returned  to  Pittsfield  again  and  purchased  a  farm,  comprising  160 
acres  of  fine  farm  land  one  mile  from  Pittsfield;  he  carried  on  farm- 
ing until  1870.  In  1838  he  married  Caroline  Johnson,  who  was 
born  in  Missouri  in  1819;  they  are  the  parents  of  6  children,  3  boys 
and  3  girls;  the  3  girls  are  deceased.  The  sons  all  served  in  the 
late  war,  Mr.  A.  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  a  Ee- 
publican. 

Edward  F.  Binns,  County  Clerk,  is  a  son  of  Eandolph  and 
Elizabeth  (McGlosson)  Binns,  both  natives  of  Yirginia.  They 
were  among  the  pioneers  of  this  county,  having  emigrated  here  as 
early  as  1835.  Edward  F.  was  born  in  this  county,  Jan.  23,  1841; 
he  passed  his  boyhood  days  u  pon  the  farm  and  attended  the  com- 
mon schools;  at  the  age  of  23  he  embarked  in  business  for  himself, 
beginning  at  that  time  to  buy  and  ship  stock,  cattle,  hogs,  sheep 
and  horses.  These  he  shipped  mostly  to  the  Chicago  market.  He 
then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  a  period  of  a  year  and 
a  half.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  township  Collector  and  Assessor, 
and  in  1877  was  elected  to  the  responsible  position  which  he  now 
holds.  In  1868  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Orpha  Norton, 
who  was  born  in  Indiana  in  April,  1840.  To  them  were  born  3 
children, — Louisa,  William  S.  and  Bertha.  Mr.  B.  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  an  active  and  prominent  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

E.  W.  Blades,  of  the  firm  of  Dober  &  Blades,  grocers,  established 
by  E.  "W.  Blades  ;  the  co-partnership  was  formed  in  1879  aud  is 
one  of  the  most  reliable  and  successful  firms  in  Pittsfield.  Mr.  B. 
is  a  native  of  Delaware  and  was  born  in  1834.  He  came  to  this 
county  in  1856  and  located  at  Barry,  where  he  remained  until  1876, 
during  which  time  he  was  engaged  in  the  dry-goods  business.  His 
present  location  is  on  the  north  side  of  the  Public  Square,  Pitts- 
field. He  was  elected  Sheriff  in  1876  and  served  with  credit  until 
Mr.  Kellogg,  the  present  Sheriff,  was  chosen.  He  was  married 
July  24,  1856,  to  Phcebe  A.  Hammond. 

James  P.  Blahe,  farmer,  sec.  14;  P.  O .,  Pittsfield ;  was  born  in 
this  county  in  1844;  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss  Melinda  Richards, 
a  native  of  this  county,  who  died  in  1876,  leaving  one  child,  Elnore. 
His  present  wife,  Caroline  Eookerd,  is  also  a  riative  of  this  county 
and  was  born  in  1854;  they  have  one  child,  Edward;  they  aVe  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church,  and  Mr.  Blake  is  well  known  through- 
out the  county  as  one  of  Pike's  enterprising  farmers. 

Henry  Blei,  farmer,  sec.  25;  is  a  riative  of  Ireland,  born  in  1826; 
came  to  America  in  1845  and  settled  in  Calhoun  county,  111.,  the 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  6T3 

same  year,  and  remained  16  years;  came  to  this  county  in  1864; 
owns  14:0  acres  of  land  worth  $60  per  acre.  In  1852  he  married  in 
Calhoun  county;  his  wife  died  iii  July,  1877,  leaving  a  family  of  8 
children,  of  whom  6  are  living.  Their  names  are,  Fred,  Henry  J., 
Katie  E.,  Emma  J.,  Frank  L.  and  Charles  E.  Mr.  B.  is  a  Demo- 
crat.   P.  0.,  PittsHeld. 

Bev.  Wm.  Carter,  for  many  years  Pastor  of  the  Congregational 
Church  of  Pittsfield,  was  an  eminent  man.  He  was  born  at  New 
Canaan,  Conn.,  Dec.  31,  1803.  His  parents  were  Ebenezer  and 
Ehoda  (Weed)  Carter.  He  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1828  and 
subsequently  at  the  theological  school  of  the  same  institution.  Pie 
and  several  fellow  students  soon  became  the  founders  of  the  Illinois 
College  at  Jacksonville,  111.,  and  Mr.  Carter  himself  took  charge 
of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Jacksonville,  the  first  church  of 
this  denomination  west  of  Ohio  (1833).  This  church  prospered 
greatly  under  his  pastoral  care,  but  in  1838  he  resigned  the  charge 
and  soon  afterward  became  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  of 
Pittsfield,  111.,  where  he  continued  until  1868,  laboring  acceptably, 
not  only  at  this  place  but  also  at  Summer  Hill  and  Rockport.  He 
died  Feb.  2,  1871,  at  Pittsfield,  and  his  death  was  mourned  by 
the  whole  community.  During  his  life  he  was  also  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Chicago  Theological  Seminary,  was 
one  of  the  organizers  of  the  General  Association  of  Illinois,  and 
held  many  other  responsible  positions.  He  is  regarded  as  the 
father  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Pittsfield.  His  widow  is 
still  living  in  Pittsfield. 

Dr.  ¥ .  M.  Casal,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Balti- 
more, Md.,  Sept.  20,  1842;  emigrated  in  1848  to  Palmyra,  Mo.; 
educated  in  the  public  high  school  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  Washing- 
ton University;  graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  in 
1864;  also  attended  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College,  and  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  New  York  city;  and,  after 
spending  three  and  a  half  years  on  the  Pacific  ocean,  he  located  in 
Pittsfield  in  the  summer  of  1868,  where  he  has  since  remained  in 
medical  practice.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Adams  County  Medical 
Society,  and  of  the  Illinois  State  Medical  Society.  The  Doc- 
tor has  also  been  a  member  of  the  Town  Board  for  three  years, 
and  President  of  the  Board  two  years.  In  the  Masonic  order, 
•  he  is  Past  Master  of  the  Lodge  of  Pittsfield,  No.  56,  High  Priest 
of  Union  Chapter  No.  10,  E..  A.  M.,  and  Eminent  Comman- 
der of  Ascalon  Commandery,  K.  T.  Aug.  9,  1870,  Dr.  Casal 
married  Amelia,  daughter  of  B.  H.  Atkinson,  of  Pittsfield, 
and  his  childj-en  are':  Mary,  born  Nov.  28,  1871;  Annie,  Jan.  27, 
1874;  and  Isabel,  August  24,  1877. 

Isaac  A.  Olare,  County  Surveyor,  son  of  Moses  F.  and  Mary 
(Brown)  Clare,  natives  of  Kentucky,  was  born  in  this  county  Sept. 
6,  1835.  At  the  age  of  16  he  devoted  his  time  and  attention 
to  civil  engineering,  for  which"  profession  he  had  received  a  thor- 
ough education.     In  1875  he  was  elected  County  Surveyor  of  Pike 


674  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

county,  and  subsequently  re-elected,  and  holds  the  position  at  the 
present  time.  He  was  married  in  this  county  in  1870,  to  Rebecca 
Welch,  a  native  of  Waterdale  county,  Ala.,  who  was  born  in  1847. 
They  have  had  a  family  of  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living. 
Their  names  are  Moses  N.  and  Alma.  Allen  is  deceased.  Mr.  0. 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  fraternities,  a  Uni- 
versalist  in  religion,  and  politically  a  Democrat. 

Moses  F.  Glare,  blacksmith,  Pittsfield,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
where  he  was  born  Oct.  28,  1811;  came  to  this  county  and  set- 
tled at  Atlas  as  early  as  1832,  where  he  remained  until  1835, 
when  he  moved  to  Pittsfield,  being  one  of  the  first  settlers 
here.  He  attended  the  first  sale  of  town  lots.  May  1,  1833.  He 
learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  St.  Louis.  In  June,  1833,  in  this 
county,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Maria  Brown,  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  They  are  the  parents  of  4  children, -2  living, — Isaac 
A.  and  Moses  H.  Those  deceased  were  Francis  0.  and  Henry  T. 
Mr.  C.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  0.  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Thomas  Glarhson,  fanner  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  29,  owning  180 
acres  of  land,  was  born  in  England  May  28,  1820;  raised  on  a  farm; 
married  in  England  in  1844,  to  Fanny  Kodgers,  born  in  England  in 
1818;  they  are  the  parents  of  4  children.  Mr.  Clarkson  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1851,  settling  in  this  county  ;  P.  0.,  Pitts- 
field.     Mr.  C.  is  a  Republican. 

0.  G.  Gline  is  a  farmer  by  occupation,  though  at  present  he  is 
Superintendent  of  the  Connty  Poor,  this  being  the  second  term  he 
he  has  held  the  office.  He  owns  100  acres  of  land  in  Martinsbnrg 
tp.,  sec.  3,  valued  at  $40  per  acre.  He  was  born  in  Scott  cqunty, 
111.,  March  26,  1843;  married  in  Pike  county  in  1849,  Lncretia^ 
Melton,  who  was  born  in  Yirginia.  They  have  4  children — Leon 
Lester,  Glenn  M.,  Alverdia  and  Fred  K.     P.  O.,  Pittsfield. 

Howard  Gohenour,  farmer,  sec.  1;  P.  0. ,  Pittsfield;  was  born  in 
1851,  in  this  county,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Jane  Oohenour,  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania,  who  emigrated  to  Pike  county  in  1836,  where 
they  remained  until  their  death.  April  2,  1872,  Mr.  G.  married 
Mary  A.  Cop,  who  was  born  in  Iowa  Dec.  29,  1852.  They  are  the 
parents  of  4  children,  vizj  Jacob,  Gertrude  E.,  "William  and  Ira 
S.  His  grandfather  on  his  father's  side,  was  in  the  war  of  1812. 
Mr.  C.  belongs  to  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

Albert  Goley,  blacksmith,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  born  in  1829, 
and  is  a  son  of  Wm.  B.  and  Elizabeth  (McOlane)  Coley,  the- 
former  a  native  of  Yirginia,  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  He 
came  to  this  county  in  1853,  first  settling  in  Atlas  tp.,  and  in  186T 
moved  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained  4  years,  then  came  back 
to  Pittsfield,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  learned  his  trade  at 
the  age  of  27  years,  which  he  has  always  followed.  In  1857  he  mar- 
ried Mary  A.  Sanders,  a  native  of  New  York,  born  in  1832,  and 
they  have  had  6  children;  2  are  living,  Minnie  J.  and  Charles  A. 
The  names  of  the  deceased   are  Lucy,  Ella,  George  and  Abigaih 


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HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  677 

Mr.  C.'s  father  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  for  which  he  received  a 
pension  through  life.  Mr.  C.  owns  3  lots  in  Pittsfield,  one  with  shop, 
and  2  with  dwelling  houses. 

James  Cosgrove,  farmer,  sec.  4;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  was  born  in 
Ireland  in  1812,  and  came  to  America  in  1849,  settling  in  Hart- 
ford, Oonn.,  until  1865,  when  he  moved  to  Pennsylvania^  where  he 
followed  teaming.  Two  years  afterward  he  settled  in  this  county, 
and  followed  farming  3  years.  By  frugality  and  energy  he  was 
enabled  to  purchase  his  present  farm  in  this  tp.,  where  he  has 
since  made  his  home.  In  1836  he  married  Miss  Margaret 
McDermott,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  they  have  7  children, — Ellen, 
Joseph,  Christopher,  Dora,  James,  Bridget  and  Thomas.  Mr. 
C.  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  a  staunch  Democrat. 

James  Coulter,  farmer,  sec.  19;  was  born  in  Ireland  March  6, 
1829,  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  United  States  in  1831,  and  at 
the  age  of  21  he  came  to  this  county.  Aug.  5,  1859,  he  married 
Mary  Jane  White.  His  father,  John  Coulter,  resides  on  the  farm 
now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  son  James.  Mr.  C.  owns  101 
acres  of  land,  worth  $50  per  acre.  He  has  been  School  Director 
for  9  years,  and  is  a  successful  farmer;  is  a  Democrat.  P.  O., 
Pittsfield. 

William  Coulter,  farmer,  sec.  l9;  was  born  in  Tuscarawas 
county,' 0.,  and  came  to  Pike  county.  111.,  in  the  spring  of  1853. 
Jan.  9,  1868,  he  married  Miss  Lydia  Hoskin,  and  they  have  6 
children,  namely:  Laura,  Anna,  Eliza,  Minnie  M.,  Letitia  and 
Charles  Sherman.  Mr.  C.  owns  160  acres  of  land  worth  $50  per 
acre.  Mr.  C.  takes  great  pride  in  raising  good  stock;  also  raises 
considerable  wheat  and  corn,  which  he  disposes  of  at  home  market. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.     P.  O.,  Pittsfield. 

A.  Q.  Crawford,  attorney,  is  the  second  son  of  J.  G.  Crawford, 
who  settled  in  this  county  in  1830,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  1854.  He  was  educated  in  the  Blackburn  University 
at  Carlinville,  and  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  the 
State's  Attorney  at  Pittsfield.  In  1875  he  entered  the  law  school 
at  Chicago,  at  which  institution  he  was  graduated  the  following 
year.  In  1876  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Dr.  W.  C. 
Doan,  who  died  in  Oct.,  1877.  Mr.  C.  is  yet  young  in  years,  and 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  but  his  native  ability  and  energy 
will  insure  him  success. 

Elder  W.  H.  Crow,  County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  was 
born  March  12,  1848,  in  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  son  of  Charles  and 
Margaret  (Hughes)  Crow,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
thelatter  of  Virginia,  who  settled  in  Wheeling  in  1845,  but  emigrated 
to  Huron  county,  Ohio,  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  very 
young;  in  1857  they  removed  to  Clark  county,  Mo.,  and  in  1859 
to  Macon  county,  111.  Mr.  Crow's  mother  died  two  years  ago,  and 
his  father  resides  in  Sullivan,  111.  At  the  age  of  17  W.  H.  left  the 
parental  domicile  to  take  care  of  himself,  and  graduated  in  1872  at 
Eureka  College,  Woodford  Co.,  111. ,  and  was  ordained  a  minister  of  the 

39 


678  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Gospel  in  the  Christian  Church,  shortly  after  which  he  became 
Pastor  of  the  Christian  Church  at  Barry,  this  county.  He  com- 
menced preaching,  however,  in  Macon  county,  in  1866.  Since 
1878  Mr.  Crow  is  byjelection,  County  Superintendent  of  Schools. 
In  1869  Mr.  C.  married  Miss  JST.  Clark,  a  native  of  Illinois. 
Eesidence,  Pittsfield. 

John  Curless,  sr.,  farmer,  sec.  9;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield:  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  and  was  born  in  1825;  came  to  this  State  in  1851 ;  was  mar- 
ried in  Ohio  in  1845,  to  Elizabeth  Girton,  who  was  born  in  Ohio 
in  1828.  They  have  7  children,  viz.:  George,  Timothy,  Sarah  A., 
John,  Stephen,  Thomas  and  Jesse.  Mr.  C.  is  a  Methodist,  and  a 
Democrat.     His  parents  were  natives  of  New  Jersey. 

Johrii  Curless,  jr.,  farmer,  owning  3  acres  of  land  with  a  nice 
dwelling  ;  he  is  a  son  of  Abiah  and  Anna  (Hill)  Curless.  He  is  a 
native  of  Ohio,  and  was  born  in  1854;  came  to  this  State  in  1860; 
was  married  in  1878  to  Emily  F.  Dell,  a  native  of  this  State,  born 
in   1860;  they  have  one  child,  Ina   Pearl,  born  Oct.,  1879.    Mr. 

C.  is  a  Eepublican. 

Osiorn  Davis,  farmer,  sec.  12;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield  ;  owns  160  acres 
of  land,  worth  $35  per  acre;  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1821; 
came  to  Illinois  in  1845,  located  the  same  year  in  Pittsfield",  where 
he  has  since  resided;  was  married  in  this  county  about  the  year 
1847,  to  Susan  Troutlett,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1825.  She  is 
deceased.  He  was  married  a  second  time,  namely,  to  Miss  Louisa 
Troutlett,  also  a  native  of  Ohio.  They  have  10  children,  only  4  of 
whom  are  living. 

Thomas  Dickson  c&  Son,  dealers  in  dry-goods  and  clothing;  the 
senior  member  of  this  firm  came  to  this  county  in  1837,  and  for 
14  years  worked  at  the  tailor's  trade.  In  1850  he  visited  the 
Kocky  Mountains;  after  returning,  he  clerked  for  Eoss  &  Gay, 
and  Watson  &  Abbott.  Subsequently  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
W.  Abbott.  Three  years  afterward  Watson  retired,  and  Gay  was 
admitted  to  the  firm.  In  i860  the  firm  dissolved,  and  he  opened 
his  present  place.  His  son  was  a  participant  in  the  late  war,  and 
was  admitted  as  partner  in  business  with  his  father  in  1872.     Mr. 

D.  is  a  native  of  Scotland,  where  he  was  born  in  1815,  and  is  the 
oldest  living  merchant  in  Pittsfield. 

Thomas  Dilworth,  farmer,  sec.  32;  P.  0.,  Pittsfield;  owns  an 
interest  in  160  acres  of  land,  worth  $60  per  acre;  his  brother 
George,  and  sister  Faith,  are  equal  partners  in  this  property.  They 
are  all  unmarried,  and  live  on  the  place  together.  They  have  raised 
a  girl  named  Mary  E.  Carroll ;  they  emigrated  to  this  county  with 
their  mother  in  1850,  where  they  have  since  resided.  All  are 
Democrats. 

J.  L.  DohUn,  attorney  at  law,  oflice  over  Harder's  drug  store, 
west  side  of  the  Square.  Will  practice  in  any  of  the  courts  of  the 
Eleventh  Judicial  Circuit,  and  attend  properly  to  all  legal  business 
entrusted  to  his  care. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  679 

0-  H.  Doss,  physician,  was  born  in  Franklin,  Simpson  Co.,  Ky., 
Feb.  19,  1834,  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  liis  father,  a 
resident  physician  at  Hopkinsville,  Ky.  Two  years  afterward  he 
came  to  Illinois,  and  completed  his  studies  in  the  office  of  Dr.  A. 
Bowman,  at  CarroUton,  111.  He  first  began  practice  at  Fayette- 
ville,  Greene  Co.,  111.,  where  he  was  successfully  engaged  for  5^ 
years,  when  he  moved  to  Manchester,  Scott  Co.,  and  followed  his 
profession  until  he  came  to  this  county  in  1876,  where  he  has  since 
made  his  home.  In  September,  1856,  he  married  Margaret  A. 
Thrasher,  a  native  of  Griggsville,  and  they  have  9  children,  the  eld- 
est a  graduate  of  Bennett  Medical  College,  Chicago.  The  Doctor 
was  made  a  charter  member  of  the  Illinois  State  Eclectic  Associ- 
ation in  1868 ;  also  served  as  Treasurer  in  1871  and  1872,  and  filled 
the  office  of  President  in  1873;  was  also  a  charter  member  of  the 
Eclectic  Medical  Association,  organized  in  Chicago  in  1870,  and  3 
times  represented  this  State  to  the  National  Eclectic  Association. 
He  has  given  much  attention  to  farming  and  stock-raising,  and 
owns  180  acres  of  land  3^  miles  from  Pittsfield,  where  he  has  estab- 
lished a  breeding  farm  for  horses;  he  has  some  fine  blooded  stock. 
Prominent  among  them  are  2  Hambletonian  colts  (stallions),  "Eich- 
ard"and  "  Kadiator;"  the  former  a  chestnut  sorrel,  white  hind 
feet,  16  hands  high,  and  weighs  1,200  pounds;  foaled  June  24, 
1874;  bred  by  S.^W.  Wheelock,  Moline,  111.  "Eadiator"— color, 
bright  bay,  16  hands  high,  star  in  forehead,  weighs  1,300  pounds, 
foaled  May  31,  1874,  and  bred  by  same  person.  The  pedigree  of 
the  above  named  stallions  descends  from  the  great  trotting  families 
of  Kentucky.  They  have  a  natural  gait,  and  show  a  flattering  rec- 
ord of  speed,  etc. ;  are  high-mettled  and  full  of  life,  yet  kind  and  safe 
to  handle. 

Augustus  Dow,  miller,  was  born  Oct.  9,  1841.  He  began  active 
life  as  clerk  in  a  dry-goods  store,  which  business  he  continued  to 
follow  until  1863,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  army,  serving  in  the 
Paymaster's  Department  3  years.  In  1872  he  came  to  Pittsfield 
and  embarked  in  the  milling  business  in  company  with  C.  P. 
Chapman,  and  they  now  conduct  one  of  the  largest  mills  in  the 
State.  Mr.  D.  was  married  in  this  county  in  1865  to  Jennie  S. 
"Weinand.  She  was  born  in  ISTew  Jersey  in  1841  and  died  in  1870. 
Mr.  D.  was  then  married,  in  1872,  in  St.  Louis,  to  Judith  W.  Mor- 
ton, who  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1840.  Harry  A.,  born  in 
April,  1877,  is  their  only  child. 

K  P.  Dow,  dealer  in  coal,  wood  and  lime,  is  a  native  of  Tol- 
land county,  Conn.,  where  he  was  born  in  1848;  came  to  this 
county  in  1865,  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business:  was  mar- 
ried in  1874  to  Miss  Florine  Hicks,  and  is  the  father  of  2  children. 
In  1878  he  established  himself  in  his  present  business,  where  he  is 
enjoying  a  fair  trade. 

John  Duran,  a  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Hamilton  county, 
Maine,  Jan.  16,  1800.  His  parents  were  John  and  Jane  (Davis) 
Duran.     He  came  to  this  county  IS'ov.  18,  1831,  and  settled  in 


680  HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

Newburg  tp, ;  was  married  in  1825  to  Miss  Rhoda  Ann  Riggs,  of 
Cincinnati,  Oliio,  and  they  have  had  12  children,  6  boys  and  Q 
girls,  10  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  D.  was  Road  Commissioner  for 
25  years  in  Newburg  tp. :  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  church,  also  of 
the  Masonic  Lodge,     r.  O,.,  Pittsfleld. 

G.  T.  Edwards,  proprietor  of  the  Pittsfield  House,  was  born  in 
Tennessee,  March  25,  1814;  he  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Ill- 
inois in  1828,  and  settled  in  Sangamon  county,  where  he  resided 
until  1835,  when  he  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Pittsfield 
where  he  engaged  in  teaming.  Two  years  afterward  he  was  elected 
Constable,  and  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  under  Col.  Seeley,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  for  several  years.  In  July,  1839,  he  married 
Miss  Eliza  M.  Allred,  a  native  of  Tennessee,  where  she  was  born 
Oct.  29,  1822.  They  had  1  son  and  1  daughter.  Mrs.  E.  died 
July  30,  1842.  The  following  year  he  married  Miss  Angeline 
Davis,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  she  was  born  in  1821,  and  t^ej' 
had  3  children.  She  died  Sept.  28, 1853.  His  present  wife,  Delilah 
(Groodwin)  is  a  native  of  this  State.  Mr.  E.  was  elected  Sheriff  of 
Pike  county  in  1854  and  served  2  years,  when  he  purchased  a 
farm  in  Newburg  tp.,  and  followed  farming  a  short  time,  then  en- 
gaged in  hotel-keeping  in  Pittsfield,  and  was  proprietor  of  stages 
and  mail  contractor.  In  1862  he  organized  Co.  A,  99th  111.  Inf , 
and  participated  in  many  of  the  principal  battles  of  the  war.  After 
a  year  of  service  he  was  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  poor 
health,  and  he  was  honorably  discharged.  Returning  to  his  family 
he  became  proprietor  of  a  hotel  at  Naples,  Scott  Co.,  and  at  Griggs- 
ville.  Pike  Co.  In  1869  he,  with  other  enterprising  citizens,  formed 
a  stock  company  and  erected  the  Pittsfield  House,  which  has  since 
been  under  his  supervision.  It  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best  kept 
hotels  in  the  West. 

Charles  A.  Elliott,  of  the  firm  of  Gano,  Shriver  &  Elliott,  dry- 
goods  dealers,  Pittsfield,  is  a  son  of  Abner  and  Ruth  ("Wells)  Elliott, 
the  former  a  native  of  Yirginia  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  Charles 
A.  is.  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  State,  where  he  was  born  in  1854; 
he  came  to  this  county  in  18T2,  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  Pittsfield  in  1879. 

George  Ellis,  fa.rmer,  sec.  32;  P.  O.,  New  Hartford;  owns  80 
acres  of  land  worth  $50  per  acre ;  he  was  born  in  this  county,  April 
5,  1850,  and  was  married  in  this  county  in  1871,  to  Amanda  Mc- 
Olintock,  also  a  native  of  this  county,  born  in  1852;  they  have  2 
children,  Orville  and  Ethel.  Mr.  E.  has  been  School  Director,  and 
is  a  Republican. 

Aaron  Enderhy,  farmer,  sec.  3;  P.  0.,  Pittsfield;  was  born  in 
Pike  county  in  1865,  is  a  son  of  Conrad  and  Jane  (Moore)  Enderby, 
natives  of  North  Carolina  and  early  settlers  of  this  county,  and 
grandson  of  Joel  Moore,  the  first  settler  in  Pittsfield  tp.,  where  he 
passed  a  life  of  usefulness.  Mr.  Enderby  resides  on  the  homestead 
with  his  parents,  and  owns  a  farm  of  120  acres  worth  $36  per  acre. 
The  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.     Mr.  E.  is  un- 


HI8T0ET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  681 

married  and  lends  his  industry  to  the  care  of  the  homestead  and  his 
aged  parents. 

Q-ano,  Shriver  c&  Elliott,  dealers  in  dry-goods  and  clothing. 
This  is  the  largest  hoase  of  the  kind  in  Pittsfield,  and  is  a  consolida- 
tion of  the  firms  of  Gano  and  Shriver  Brothers.  The  firm  has  had" 
an  experience  of  26  years  in  New  York  city,  and  Felicity,  Ohio, 
and  atpresent  carries  a  stock  of  $40,00C,  with  an  average  saleof  $85,- 
000  per  year.  The  store  is  100  feet  in  length  by  25  in  width,  and 
two  stories  high,  all  occupied.  A  custom  tailoring  department  is  con- 
nected with  it  on  the  upper  floor,  well  stocked  witli  goods.  This 
firm  has  been  identified  with  the  mercantile  interests  of  the  city  for 
many  years,  and  possesses  the  energy,  enterprise  and  reliability  of 
business  men. 

J).  H.  Gilmer,  deceased,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  Sept.  10,  1814; 
came  to  this  county  at  an  early  day,  and  was  the  partner  of  Milton 
Hay  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Pittsfield.  In  1861  he  enlisted 
as  private  in  the  38th  Reg.  I.  Y.  I.,  and  received  promotion  to  the 
position  of  Colonel  of  that  Eegiment.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Chicamauga,  Sept.  10,  1863.  He  was  at  one  time  Prosecuting 
Attorney  in  this  county.  In  1844  he  married  Miss  Louisa  M. 
Quinby.  Six  years  after  his  death  she  was  appointed  Postmistress 
of  this  city,  and  executed  the  important  duties  of  the  ofiice  until 
her  death,  in  1869.  She  was  succeeded  by  her  daughter,  Lizzie 
Gilmer,  the  present  incumbent,  who  fills  the  position  satisfactorily. 

George  Gooud,  farmer,  sec.  83,  owns  80  acres  of  land,  worth  $50 
per  acre.  He  is  a  native  of  England,  came  to  America  in  1836, 
settling  in  New  York,  and  came  to  Pike  countj'  in  1862;  was  mar- 
ried in  this  county  in  1864  to  Charlotte  Cressnol,  also  a  native  of 
England,  and  born  about  the  year  1843,  and  died  in  18T5;they  had 
2  children, — one  living,  Philip  R.  He  then  married  Amanda  E. 
Pringle,  born  in  New  York  city  in  1854;  they  have  one  child,  named 
EHzabeth.     Mr.  G.  is  a  Democrat.       • 

John  Gooud,  farmer,  sec.  33,  owns  80  acres  of  land,  worth  $50 
per  acre;  is  a  native  iof  England,  and  was  born  in  1830;  caine  to 
America  in  1836,  knd  settled  in  New  York,  where  he  was  married 
in  1856  to  Alice  Pringle,  also  a  native  of  England,  where  she  was 
born  about  the  year  1843.  They  have  had  6  children, — one  liv- 
ing, namely,  Susanna.  Mrs.  Gooud  had  2  children  by  a  former 
Ijusband;  their  names  are  Mary  A.  and  Sarah  J.  Mr.  G.  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 

Strother  Grigsly,  County  Judge,  born  in  Page  county,  Ya.,  in 
1819,  came  to  Illinois  in  1838,  and  settled  in  Adams  county,  where 
he  engaged  in  teaching  school  for  4  years,  then  came  to  this  county 
and  followed  the  same  calling  for  10  years  in  Pleasant  Yale  tp.  He 
subsequently  settled  in  Pittsfield  and  soon  after  was  called  by  the 
people  to  fill  the  ofiice  of  County  Treasurer.  He  also  served  4 
years  as  County  Clerk,  and  is  serving  his  present  position  the  second 
term.  He  has  also  given  time  and  attention  to  various  other  offices 
with  which  he  has  been  identified.    In  1845  he  married  Miss  Amanda 


682  HISTORY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

Parkis,  a  native  of  Missouri,  who  died,  leaving  4  children.    His 
present  wife,  Missouri  E.  Reel,  is  a  native  of  Jacksonville. 

Wm.  B.  Grimes,  Deputy  County  Clerk,  was  born  in  "White  Co., 
111.,  Nov.  25,  1828;  in  1834  his  parents  moved  with  him  to  this 
county;  in  1850  he  went  to  California  and  remained  two  years, 
meeting  with  good  success;  on  his  return  to  this  county  he  located 
at  Milton  and  built  the  first  saw-mill  in  that  place;  was  in  the 
lumber  business  about  one  year  and  then  followed  the  tinware  trade 
until  1869,  when  he  was  elected  County  Clerk.  Mr.  G.  is  now 
Depnty  County  Clerk,  has  been  Supervisor  of  Pittsfield  tp.,  and 
Chairman  of  the  Board  one  term.  The  past  four  years  he  has  also  been 
Grand  Lecturer  in  the  Masonic  order,  and  is  now  Grand  Examiner 
and  ex-offioio  Grand  Lecturer.  Mr.  Grimes  has  had  a  good  educa- 
tion, fine  musical  talent,  and  has  held  about  all  the  local  offices  in 
his  township.  In  1853  he  married  Amanda  A.  Shock,  who  died  in 
1861,  leaving  three  children  ;  in  1862  Mr.  G.  married  Nancy  J. 
Greathouse,  and  they  have  3  children  now  living.  The  cliildren 
are,  Delia,  born  in  1857,  now  the  wife  of  Mark  Hanes;  Ira 
A.,  born  in  May,  1859,  is  clerk  in  Lindsey  &  Co.'s  grocery;  both 
the  latter  are  in  Pittsfield ;  Henry  W.,  born,  1861,  died  at  the  age  of 
about  5  months;  Ida,  born  in  1863,  Alice  in  1865,  and  Laura  in 
1875. 

Hon.  Wm.  A.  Grimshaw,  attorney  at  law,  is  the  son  of  William 
Grimshaw,  who  was  an  early  and  distinguished  historian,  hav- 
ing written  and  published  the  first  History  of  the  United  States, 
a  History  of  South  America,  of  England,  of  France,  a  Life  of  Na- 
poleon and  other  works,  besides  compiling  histories  of  Greece,  Eorae,, 
etc.  It  is  said  that  at  one  time  he  had  an  income  from  his  works 
of  about  $4,000  a  year.  He  died  in  1851.  Wm.  A.'s  mother  was 
Harriet,  a  native  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  and  daughter  of  James^Milli- 
gan,  a  Captain  in  the  Pennsylvania  line  in  the  American  Kevolu- 
tion.  Mr.  Grimshaw  was  adjiiitted  to  the  bar  at  19  years  of  age,  in 
Philadelphia,  and  in  May,  1833,  he  arrived  in  Pike  county,  111.,, 
and  in  November  following  he  received  license  from  the  Supreme 
Court  to  practice  law.  This  year  he  was  also  appointed  Adjutant 
of  the  17th  Illinois  Militia,  and  he  often  held-  with  his  Colonel, 
Benj.  Barney,  regimental  and  battalion  trainings  in  this  county.. 
Mr.  G.  has  probably  held  more  commissions  from  State  Governors 
than  any  other  citizen  of  Pike  county, — from  Govs.  Reynolds, Yates, 
Oglesby,  Palmer  and  Cullom.  Although  a  Whig  in  early  day  and 
Republican  since,  he  has  generally  as  a  candidate  for  officerun  ahead 
of  his  ticket  and  sometimes  been  elected,  even  in  a  Democratic  dis- 
trict. In  1847  he  was  elected  delegate  to  the  Constitutional  Con 
vention,  the  only  Whig  along  with  the  three  Democrats,  Messrs. 
Archer,  Montgomery  Blair  and  Harvey  Dunn,  and  was  the  author 
of  that  provision  in  the  Constitution  against  dueling.  He  also 
favored  such  measures  in  that  body  as  caused  an  advance  in  the 
State  credit,  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal  bonds,  for  example,, 
going  up  from  18  to  65  during  the  session  of  the  Convention.     Mr. 


HISTOKT   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  683 

G.  was  also  a  delegate  to  both  conventions  which  nominated  Lincoln 
for  President,  and  to  other  conventions  ;  was  also  a  personal  friend 
of  Douglas,  praising  him  for  his  support  of  the  Union  cause.  As 
an  attorney  Mr.  Grimshaw  has  been  eminent,  defending  suits  for 
the  Sny  Levee  Commissioners,  the  T.,  W.  &  W.  and  0.  &  A.  E.  E,. 
Cos.,  and  the  Mississippi  Bridge  Company  at  Louisiana,  Mo.  For 
14  years,  ending  in  1857,  he  was  in  partnership  with  his  brother, 
the  late  Jackson' Grimshaw.  He  owns  fine  farms,  takes  great  in- 
terest in  the  welfare  of  the  county,  has  been  President  of  the  Ag- 
ricnltural  Society,  the  Antiquarian  Society,  etc.,  etc.  ;  has  been 
Trustee  of  the  State  Institution  for  the  Blind,  and  is  at  present  a 
member  of  the  State  Board  of  Charities. 

We  noticed  some  interesting  old  books  in  Mr.  Grimshaw's  library, 
as,  Les  Reports  de  Sr.  Oreswell  Levinz,  in  three  parts,  printed  in 
London  in  1702;  Law  Commentaries  or  Eeports  of  Edmund  Plow- 
den,  printed  at  London  in  1779  ;  Les  Eeports  des  Divers  Special 
Cases  argue  c&  adjuge  en  le  Court  del  Bank  Leroy  et  Auxy  en 
le  Co.  Ba.  &  V  Exchequer,  etc.,  printed  in  London  in  1714, — all 
these  in  the  JN'orman  or  Law  French  language  ;  also  a  copy  of  the 
Jurisoonsult  Exercitationes  in  which  is  contained  that  noted  senti- 
ment, "The  air  of  England  is  too  pure  for  slavery  to  breathe." 

William  S.  Grimshaw,  druggist,  original  house  of  J.  U.  Grim- 
shaw,  grandfather  of  the  present  proprietor,  who  established  him- 
self here  in  1835,  his  drug-store  being  the  first  in  the  city.  He 
died  in  this  city  in  1848  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  T,  C.  Grim- 
shaw, who  conducted  the  business  until  1868,  when  he  sold  out  to 
Thomas  Williamson  and  removed  to  the  homestead.  Subsequently 
the  store  fell  into  the  hands  of  Adolph  Fisher,  who  disposed  of  the 
stock  to  Wm.  S.  Grimshaw  in  1876.  The  house  carries  a  stock  of 
|6,000,  with  average  sales  of  $15,000  per  year.  It  controls  a  large 
trade,  and  is  one  of  the  prosperous  firms  of  the  city. 

Patrick  JSalpin,  proprietor  of  marble  yard,  Pittsfield,  came 
to  this  county  in  1850,  established  his  present  business  in  1856, 
where  he  has  a  fair  trade. 

C.  H.  Harder,  druggist,  succeeded  J.  H.  Crane  in  1871.  At 
present  he  carries  a  stock  of  $5,000.  He  came  to  this  county  in 
1851,  and  here  he  has  since  made  it  his  home.  He  was  married 
in  1872  to  Miss  Susan  Lorgby,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Frank. 

Henry  Harder,  carriage  and  wagon  manufacturer,  is  a  native  of 
Columbia  county,  New  York,  where  he  was  born  in  1822.  When 
of  age,  he  settled  in  Berkshire  county,  Mass.,  where  he  married 
Miss  Mary  E.  Grifiin-,  a  native  of  Eensellaer  county,  l^ew  York. 
He  came  to  this  county  in  1851  and  supervised  the  wood  depart- 
ment of  the  Batesman  factory  until  he  erected  his  present  building 
in  1869.  The  building  is  2  stories  high,  with  blacksmith  and  paint 
shops" and  store-room  connected.  He  at  present  employs  6  men; 
has  a  large  stock  on  hand, and  contracts  a  fair  trade.  Mr.  11.  has 5 
children. 


684  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

Adam  Harshman,  farmer,  sec.  8;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  owns  20  acres 
worth  $60  per  acre ;  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  1832 ;  came  to  this 
State  in  1840  ;  was  married  in  1857,  in  this  county,  to  Lucy  J.  Mc- 
Oune,  who  was  born  in  this  State  in  1836  and  died  in  1858,  leaving 
1  child,  Harner;  was  again  married  in  1860,  to  Esther  Aarbaw,  who 
was  born  in  this  State  in  1840.  They  have  4  children.  Chandler, 
Lawrence,  Leonora  and  Eliza.  Mr.  H.  has  been  Clerk  of  the 
School  Board  15  years,  and  is  a  Republican. 

Joseph  Heoh,  grocer,  baker  and  confectioner,  was  born  in  Durmers- 
heim,  Grossherzogthum  Baden,  Oberamt  Rastadt,  in  1822;  emi- 
grated in  1846  and  settled  in  Quincy  after  a  residence  in  Philadel- 
phia 2  years.  His  lirst  home  in  tliis  county  was  in  Perry  tp., 
where  he  resided  until  1855,  when  he  came  to  this  city  and  opened 
his  present  establishment.  He  carries  a  stock  of  $15,000  to  $18,000, 
and  is  one  of  the  oldest  houses  in  the  city,  occupying  the  old  court- 
house. 

John  Helme  was  born  in  Barnacre,  Lancashire,  England,  Dec. 
13,  1822.  His  grandfather,  John  Helme,  was  a  native  of  the  same 
place,  where  he  died;  his  father,  Wm.  Helme,  came  to  America  in 
1842,  via  New  Orleans  and  landed  at  St.  Louis  in  1843,  accompanied 
by  our  siibject,  then  20  years  of  age.  They  arrived  in  Pike  county 
in  April  of  the  same  year;  both  were  carpenters  and  builders  by 
'  trade,  and  the  iirst  work  they  did  in  this  county  was  to  make  rails, 
a  work  they  were  wholly  unaccustomed  to.  After  being  in  the 
county  about  |3  years,  John  Helme  married  Amelia  Wassell,  a  na- 
tive of  England.  The  next  year  he  settled  on  40  acres  of  land, 
given  to  him  by  his  father-in-law,  located  on  the  N.  E.  of 
sec.  24,  Derry  tp.,  built  a  frame  house  18x24  feet,  cultivated  25 
acres,  and  fenced  the  whole  piece.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  farming.  He  has  held  the  plow  and  driven 
the  team  for  breaking  over  1,000  acres  of  new  land,  600  acres  of  which 
he  himself  put  under  cultivation.  He  now  owns  447  acres,  having 
sold  several  hundred  acres.  His  residence  is  on  IST.  W.  J  of  sec.  30, 
Pittsfield  tp.,  the  home  farm  consisting  of  420  acres  in  one  body. 
He  raises  on  an  average  100  to  140  acres  of  wheat,  and  about  the 
same  of  corn,  and  feeds  from  100  to  200  head  of  cattle  per  year,  also 
150  sheep.  Mr.  Helme  is  the  largest  buyer  and  dealer  in  cattle  and 
hogs  for  shipment  there  is  in  the  county,  shipping  to  the  Chicago 
and  Buffalo  markets,  on  an  average,  150  car  loads  per  year,  40  of 
these  being  cattle,  and  110,  hogs. 

He  was  formerly  a  "Whig,  but  is  now  a  Republican  ;  has  been 
School  Director  over  20  years.  He  and  wife  are  both  members  of 
the  Christian  Church  of  JSTew  Hartford.  He  is  also  a  Mason. 
Mrs.  H.  died  Dec.  24,  1857,  leaving  5  children,— William,  Eliza- 
beth, John  A.,  Amelia  and  Susan.  The  latter  died  at  the  age  of 
20  years.  Mr.  H.  married  his  present  wife,  Hannah  Ann  Shinn, 
daughter  of  James  Shinn,  of  Salem  county,  N.  J.,  March  10,  1859, 
and  they  have  6  children,— Charles  E.,  Matthew  E.,  Sarah  E., 
James,  Mary  and  Lena  May. 


^i  ','W**f^^// 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  6S7 

Mr.  Helme  has  made  all  the  improvements  on  his  home  farm; 
has  built  a  commodious  frame  house,  32  b^'  54,  and  a  fine  barn 
with  a  rock  basement  8  feet  high.-  The  barn  is  45  by  60  feet  with 
20  feet  posts,  and  is  one  of  the  most  convenient  barns  in  the 
county.  His  father  followed  farming  in  this  county  many  years, 
and  died  in  1865,  in  Derry  tp. 

In  1850  Mr.  H.  made  a  trip  to  California,  worked  in  the  mines  3 
monthg,  and  returned  with  $2,500,  which  he  invested  in  200  acres 
of  land.  He  was  4  months  making  his  overland  trip,  and  the  same 
time  returning  by  the  Pacific  via  Nicaragua,  Central  America  and 
New  Orleans,  being  10  weeks  on  the  ocean.  We  give  Mr.  Holme's 
portrait  in  this  book. 

Ool.  D.  D.  Hicks,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  at  Pitts- 
field,  was  born  in  Bennington  Co.,  Vt.,  Aug.  12,  1812;  while  very 
young  the  family  removed  with  him  to  New  Yoi-k  State,  where 
they  remained  till  his  mother  died;  they  then  resided  in  Vermont 
until  1830,  then  in  New  York  State  again  until  1838,  when  they 
emigrated  to  Pittsfield,  111.,  near  which  place  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  taught  school  two  years;  after  spending  a  few  months  in 
the  East,  he  clerked  in  a  store  in  Pittsfield  till  1842,  when  he  was 
appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  by  Ephraira  Cannon  ;  after  serving  four 
years  in  this  capacity  he  was  Sheriff  for  four  years ;  subsequently 
he  served  four  years  as  County  Treasurer,  and  from  1850  to  1852 
he  followed  merchandising;  in  1865  he  went  into  the  First 
National  Bank  as  clerk  and  teller,  and  in  1867  was  elected  cashier 
of  the  institution.  His  father,  Truman  V.,  was  a  celebrated  phy- 
sician, a  member  of  the  New  York  Legislature  two  terms,  and  for 
a  time  was  Judge  of  Warren  county,  ]^.  Y.  His  mother's  maiden 
name  was  Barbara  Hayes,  a  native  of  Vermont.  Oct.,  1842,  he 
married  Mary  Jane  Burbridge,  of  Pike  Co. ;  Helen  M.  was  their 
only  child,  who  died  at  the  age  of  IS ;  Mrs.  H.  died  in  March, 
1844;  in  May,  1845,  he  married  Julia  Ann  Burbridge,  cousin  of 
his  first  wife;  of  their  7  children  all  are  living  in  Pittsfield, 
namely,  Frances,  now  the  wife  of  George  Barber;  Barbara  E.,  wife 
of  Henry  li.  Mills;  Robert  Truman,  assistant  cashier  in  the  First 
National  Bank;  Florine  E.,  wife  of  E.  P.  Dow;  Emma,  wife  of 
Harry  Higbee,  Esq.,  Laura  M.  and  James  W. 

Patrick  Higgins,  farmer,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  born  in 
County  Down,  Ireland,  in  1827;  came  to  America  in  1848,  and 
settled  on  his  present  estate  the  same  year,  which  was  then  an 
unbroken  wilderness.  Here  he  erected  a  rude  hut  composed  of 
poles  and  grass,  in  which  he  lived  6  mouths;  he  has  a  farm  of  160 
acres,  well  cultivated,  and  valued  at  ^75  per  acre.  He  was  mar- 
ried- in  this  tp.  to  Miss  Margaret  Reed,  a  native  of  Ireland,  and 
who  died  in  1877,  leaving  7  children,  all  now  living.  Mr.  H.  is 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  town  and  county,  and  well  known 
and  respected  by  all.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

Henry  Hoskins,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  owns  140  acres  of  land 
worth  $50  per  acre.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Brown) 
Hoskins,  natives  of  Ireland,  and  was  born  in  this  State,  Dec.  18, 


688  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

1842.  In  Oct.,  1866,  he  married  Bridget  Oaruey,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, born  April  6,  1844.  They  are  the  parents  of  6  children,  viz.: 
John,  Charley,  Catharine,  Elizabeth,  Henry  and  Isaac.  Mr.  H. 
has  been  School  Director  5  years,  and  belongs  to  the  M.  E.  Church. 
His  father's  father  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  Mr.  H.  deals  exten- 
sively in  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep. 

John  Hughes,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.  Pittslield;  owns  120  acres 
of  land,  worth  $60  per  acre;  he  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in 
1820,  and  came  to  America  in  1840;  settled  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  remained  3  years;  then  was  in  Missouri  2  years,  then 
came  to  this  county  in  1845,  where  he  has  since  resided.  In  1850 
he  married  Jane  Donnelly,  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  1820.  They  . 
are  the  parents  of  one  child,  born  in  1855.  They  are  both  Catho- 
lics, and  Mr.  H.  is  a  Democrat. 

Joseph  Hunter,  boot  and  shoe  maker;  born  in  Edinburgh,  Scot- 
land, in  1833,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1852.  Same  year  was 
married  to  Miss  Martha  Hunter,  by  whom  he  has  9  children. 
Opened  his  first  place  of  business  in  1869,  where  he  is  conducting 
a  good  trade.  Is  a  member  of  the  School  Board  and  City  Council, 
taking  an  active  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  the 
county. 

F.  W .  Hii/rseman,  boots  and  shoes.  Associated  himself  in  the  . 
business  circles  of  this  city  in  1871,  soon  after  his  voyage  from  the 
fatherland,  Germany,  where  he  was  born  in  1856.  Carries  a  stock 
of  $3,000,  with  average  sales  of  $5,000  per  year.  He  is  one  of  the 
active  young  merchants  of  the  city,  and  made  happy  by  a  lucrative 
trade. 

James  8.  Irwin,  attorney,  Pittsfield.  The  subject  of  this  notice 
was  born  in  "Woodford  county,  Ky.,  March  23,  1820.  He  gradu- 
ated at  Center  College,  Ky.,  with  the  class  of  1838,  and  in  the 
winter  of  1839  attended  one  course  of  medical  lectures  at  Lexing- 
ton. In  March  of  the  following  year  he  moved  to  Jacksonville, 
111.,  where  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Brown 
&  McClure,  and  Jan.  1,  1842,  he  received  license  to  practice  law. 
He  immediately  removed  to  Mount  Sterling,  where  he  remained  17 
years,  with  the  exception  of  a  short  period,  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  In  the  year  1849,  like  many  others,  he  caught  the 
California  gold  fever,  went  to  the  golden  shore  and  remained  till 
the  spring  of  1852,  when  he  returned  to  Mount  Sterling,  a  wiser  if 
not  a  richer  man,  and  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In 
the  year  1844  he  was  married  to  Miss  M.  P.  Giberson,  formerly  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  to  whom  four  children  have  been  born,  two  boys 
and  two  girls.  By  a  sad  and  unfortunate  accident  one  of  his  sons 
was  killed  by  a  gunshot  wound  while  hunting,  and  the  other-died 
while  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  giving  promise  of  a  brilliant  career. 
Mr.  Irwin  has  confined  himself  steadily  to  his  profession,  taking  no 
very  active  part  in  politics,  and  has  no  desire  for  office.  In  1856  he 
was  one  of  the  Fillmore  Electors,  and  was  in  the  Electoral  College 
in  18Y2,  where  he  cast  his  vote  for  Grant  and  Wilson. 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  689 

Jan.  1,  1861,  Mr.  I.  moved  his  family  to  Pittsfield,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  By  close  attention  to  business,  by  trying  to  do  his 
duty  to  his  friends  and  patrons,  he  has  acquired  a  fair  and  reputable 
practice,  and  a  sufficiency  of  this  world's  goods  to  place  him  in 
comfortable  circumstances.  He  was  one  of  a  family  of  16  children, 
all  of  whom  are  dead  except  one  sister  and  live  brothers.  Of  the 
survivors,  the  sister  is  the  wife  of  Col.  Q.  M.  Chambers,  of  Jack- 
sonville. The  eldest  brother,  William,  is  a  farmer  in  Brown 
county,  111.  ;  the  next  older,  Stephenson,  is  a  farmer  of  Kansas  ; 
and  two  brothers  are  physicians. 

D.  E.  James  d;  Co.,  dry-goods  dealers,  Pittsfield;  began  business 
in  the  spring  of  1878;  the  firm  are  active  members  of  the  business 
fraternity  of  Pittsfield,  and  control  a  large  and  reliable  trade. 

Henry  James,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield ;  was  born  in  Eng- 
land in  1817;  came  to  America  in  1851  and  stopped  in  Cincinnati 
one  year,  then  came  to  this  county,  where  he  has  since  resided ;  he 
has  bought,  sold  and  improved  5  difi'erent  farms,  and  now  owns  80 
acres  worth  $50  per  acre.  He  was  married  in  England  in  1850,  to 
Jennette  Francis,  a  native  of  Scotland,  born  in  1818,  and  they  are 
the  parents  of  3  children,  only  one  living,  Thomas  F.,  Alice  M. 
and  Wm.  G.,  deceased.  Mr.  James  has  been  Koad  Commissioner  6 
years,  and  served  several  years  as  School  Director.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  of  O.  F.,  an  Episcopalian  and  a  Democrat. 

T.  F.  James,  farmer,  was  born  in  Louisiana  Nov.  24, 1851 ;  came 
to  this  Stats  with  his  father  in  1852  and  settled  in  this  county, 
where  he  still  resides;  was  married  to  Margaret  Wilson,  a  native  of 
this  county,  and  who  was  born  Dec.  21,  1854.  They  are  the  parents 
of  2  children,  Jennette,  born  Dec.  24,  1875,  and  Elizabeth,  Dec.  1, 
1877.     Mr.  James  owns  60  acres  of  land  worth  $50  per  acre. 

Benjamin  Jellison,  farmer,  owns  60  acres  of  land  worth  $60  per 
acre;  is  a  native  of  Maine,  born  Jan.  24,  1804;  came  to  this  county 
in  1844;  was  married  in  Maine  May  7,  1827,  to  Mary  Wyman,  who 
was  also  born  in  Maine,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  5  children, 
only  3  of  whom  are  living:  Hiram,  Charles  H.  and  Mary.  Delilah 
and  Henry  are  deceased.  Mr.  S.  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church, 
and  a  Democrat. 

J.  W.  Johnson,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Lewis  Co.,  Mo., 
Nov.  24,  1845 ;  was  brought  up  at  Palmyra,  Mo.,  where  he  received 
a  good  education,  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1869; 
came  to  Pike  county.  111.,  in  1870;  taught  school  at  Eldara  and 
Wew  Canton  for  two  years;  came  to  Pittsfield  in  Sept.,  1873,  where 
he  has  since  remained,  most  of  the  time  in  the  practice  of  law;  is 
now  in  partnership  with  J.  S.  Irwin ;  from  1873  to  1877  he  was 
acting  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  this  county.  Dec.  18,  1867,  at 
Palmyra,  he  married  Miss  M.  Y.  JS^icol,  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Catharine  Nicol.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  is  a  son  of  Don  Q.  and 
Elizabeth  A.  (Rogers),  the  latter  of  Norfolk,  Va.,  whose  parents  emi- 

f rated  West  with  her  in  her  infancy.     Mr.  Johnson's  children  are 
Tina  E.,  born  July  25,  1869;  Leta"  J.,  born  Aug.  16,  1871;  Eliza- 


690  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTY. 

beth  A.,  Dec.  9,  1874;  Albert  Sidney,  Feb.  21,  1878,  and  James 
Irwin.  Oct.  2,  1879. 

J.  W.  Jones,  farmer,  sees.  8  and  9;  P.  O.,  Pittsfleld;  is  a  native 
of  Hamilton  Co.,  O.,  born  in  1818,  and  is  a  son  of  Jonathan  and 
Ann  (Wilmington)  Jones,  natives  of  Yirginia  and  Pennsjlvania. 
respectively.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  gunsmith  by  trade,  which  occupation 
he  followed  in  Mount  Sterling,  Morgan  county.  In  1843  he  settled 
in  Pike  county  near  his  present  home,  which  at  that  time  was  but 
a  wilderness*,  he  was  married  in  this  county  to  Miss  Martha  A. 
Preble,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  who  was  born  in  1827.  They  have 
had  7  children,  all  of  whom  are  living:  Mary,  Eliza,  Ann,  Oelestia, 
Harvey  P.,  Clara  and  John  J.  Mr.  Jones  is  one  of  Pike's  enter- 
prising farmers;  has  served  as  Supervisor  one  term,  and  Eoad Com- 
missioner 7'years.  He  had  the  first  horse-plow  used  in  the  State, 
and  relates  many  interesting  incidentsjof  early  life.  Politically  he 
is  a  Greenbacker. 

Timothy  Kane  was  born  in  Ireland  June  1,  1840,  son  of  Corne- 
lius and  Catherine  (Quinlan)  Kane.  He  came  to  America  July  4, 
1857,  and  to  this  county  the  following  summer  ;  has  resided  in 
this  tp.  ever  since.  March  1,  1864,  he  married  Miss  Ellen 
McElroy,  of  this  county.  She  was  born  in  1842.  They  have  had 
.  8  children,  6  boys  and  2  girls ;  3  boys  are  dead ;  the  children  liv- 
ing are  Patrick,  John,  Joseph,  Mary  and  Jane.  Mr.  Kane  owns 
110  acres  of  land,  most  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  and  worth 
$40  per  acre .  Both  are  Catholics,  and  Mr.  Kane  is  a  Democrat 
and  Greenbacker.     P.  O.,  Pittsfield. 

Nathaniel  Kellogg,  farmer,  sees.  21  and  22,  is  a  native  of  Massa- 
chusetts, born  in  1824;  remained .  there  until  1854,  when  he 
married  Miss  Sarah  M.  Brown,  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Lucy 
Brown,  born  in  the  same  State  in  1826.  Mr.  and  Mrs.,  Kellogg 
came  to  Pittsfield  in  1854,  where  they  now  reside.  Mr.  K.  is  the 
son  of  Charles  and  Mrs.  P.  (Foot)  Kellogg,  the  former  a  native  of 
Massachusetts,  born  in  1782,  and  died  in  the  same  State  in  1853, 
the  latter  also  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  born  in  1787;  she  came 
to  Illinois  with  her  son,  D.  F.  Kellogg,  and  died  at  his  house  in 
1868,  at  the  age  of  81  years.  Our  subject  is  a  well-to-do  farmer. 
P.  0.,  Pittsfield. 

Theodore  Kellogg,  Sheriff,  son  of  Ira  and  Lydia  Kellogg,  who 
settled  in  Naples,  Scott  county,  in  1833.  His  father  was  the  first 
pilot  on  the  Illinois  river;  came  to  this  county  in  1835,  and 
selected  a  home  near  Perry,  where  he  died  in  1856.  The  subject 
of  this  biography  was  born  in  Genesee  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1825. 
He  carried  the  mails  between  Quincy  and  Perry  for  5  years,  and 
was  proprietor  of  the  hotel  at  the  latter  place.  In  1860  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Sarah  J.  Cockill.  He  moved  to  Pittsfield  and  assumed 
the  proprietorship  of  the  Pittsfield  House,  and  the  following  year 
was  elected  to  his  present  ofiice,  which  he  ably  fills.  He  is  highly 
respected  by  all. 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  691 

Dr.  J.  H.  Ledlie,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Dublin, 
Ireland,  Feb.  14,  1833 ;  graduated  at  the  Koyal  dollege  of  Physi- 
cians and  Surgeons  in  that  city  in  1854,  when  he  emigrated  to 
Pittsfield,  111.,  where  he  has  remained  ever  since  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  except  the  4  years  he  was  surgeon  in  the  99th  regi- 
ment of  Illinois  volunteers  in  the  last  war;  during  his  service  in 
the  army  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  of  Staff  Surgeon  and 
Medical  Director  of  the  13tli  Army  Corps,  and  finally  Surgeon  in 
Charge  of  the  General  Hospital  at  Jefferson  City,  Mo. ;  he  was 
mustered  out  as  Lieut.  Col.  in  November,  1865,  when  he  returned 
to  Pittsfield.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Adams  County  Medical 
Society,  and  of  the  American  Medical  Association.  Dr.  Ledlie 
has  a  very  large  practice,  and  one  of  the  largest  and  best  arranged 
offices  in  the  country.  April  4,1856,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  he 
married  Elizabeth  Betterton,  a  native  of  England,  and  their  chil- 
dren are  Elizabeth  B.,  born  April,  1857,  Ann  F.,  born  in  1859,  and 
died  when  about  6  weeks  old,  James  C,  born  in  1861,  and  died 
Nov.,  1878,  and  Mary  H.,  born  in  1863. 

J.  C.  Lewis^  druggist.  This  house  was  opened  in  1877,  being  a 
copartnership  of  Lewis  &  Hyde,  who  carried  on  a  lucrative  trade 
for  15  months,  when  the  firm  dissolved.  Under  its  present  man- 
agement it  carries  a  stock  of  $4,000,  with  average  sales  of  $30,000 
per  year,  and  is  the  finest  and  largest  drug  store  in  the  county;  it  is 
located  on  the  north  side  of  the  Public  Square,  Pittsfield.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Scott  county.  111.,  in  1849,  and 
was  married  in  Jan.,  1878,  to  Miss  Fannie  Ray,  a  native  of  this 
county,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Huber)  Kay.  They 
have  one  child,  whom  they  have  christened  Ray,  born  April  13, 
1879.     Mr.  L.  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

J.  C.  Lindsay,  of  the  firm  of  Lindsay  &  Silvernail,  grocers,  Pitts- 
field. The  business  here  was  originally  carried  on  by  H.  H.  Thomas, 
passing  into  the  hands  of  his  successor,  J.  0.  Lindsay,  in  1876. 
In  1879  Alfred  Silvernail  was  admitted  to  the  firm,-  and  the 
concern  is  doing  a  thriving  business.  Mr.  L.  is  a  native  of  High- 
land county,  O.,  where  he  was  born  in  1842. 

William Lorett,  farmer,  sec.  22;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  is  a  native  of 
Vermont,  born  May  6,  1808;  was  married  in  Connecticut  in  1829 
to  Sarah  Graham,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  14  children,  10  girls 
and  4  boys;  the  latter  were  all  in  the  late  war.  Mr.  L.  owns  195 
acres  of  land  worth  $40  per  acre;  his  father  was  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.   He  belongs  to  the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

James  Manton,  farmer,  sec.  12;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  is  a  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  Manton,  both  natives  of  England,  where  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  born  Jan.  2, 1815.  He  came  to  America  in  1854, 
and  settled  in  this  county.  Fourteen  years  prior  to  his  coming'  to 
America  hewas  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Charlotte  Hamerton 
Shets,  who  is  also  a  native  of  England.  To  them  have  been  born  14 
children,  10  of  whom  are  living, — "William,  Thomas,  George,  Ma- 
ria, Lucy  A.,  James,  Nancy,  Anna,  Lizzie  and  Fannie.     The  de- 


692  HISTORY   OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

ceased  are  Eachel,  Mary  A.,  Emma  and  Charles.  Mr.  Manton  is 
one  of  the  largest  farmers  and  land-holders  in  this  county,  owning 
825  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $55  per  acre.  When  he  came'  to  Amer- 
ica he  was  the  possessor  of  but  $15,  and  by  energy,  application  and 
business  tact  he  is  able  to  rank  among  the  solid  men  of  Pike  county 
and  as  one  of  the  leading  and  prominent  citizens  of  the  county  we 
give  his  portrait  in  the  pages  of  this  volume. 

Hon.  A.  G.  Matthews,  attorney  at  law  and  Representative  from  the 
38th  District,  was  born  in  Pike  county.  111.,  in  1833 ;  brought  up  on  a 
farm ;  graduated  at  Illinois  College,  Jacksonville,  III,  in  1855 ;  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1858;  was  the  last  commanding  officer  (Colo- 
nel) of  the  99th  111.  Vol.  Inf.  in  the  late  war;  from  1869  to  1875 
was  Collector  of  Internal  Eevenne  in  the  9th  District  of  Illinois 
but,  resigning  this  position,  he  was  appointed  Supervisor  of  Inter- 
nal Revenue,  which  place  he  also  resigned  July  1,  1876,  when  he 
returned  to  the  practice  of  law;  but  in  November  following  he  was 
elected  as  a  Representative  in  the  State  Legislature,  receiving  12,- 
600  votes,  and  in  1878  was  re-elected  by  5,563^  votes. 

Azariah  Mays,  farmer,  sec.  32;  P.  O.,  New  Hartford;  is  a  na- 
tive of  Ohio,  born  in  1827,  and  was  married  there  in  1848,  to  Miss 
Rebecca  J.  Davis,  who  was  born  in  Aug.,  1828.  They  are  the  pa- 
rents of  3  children, — Marcellus,  EUie,  now  wife  of  Edward  Dun- 
ning, of  this  county,  and  William.  Mr.  M.  came  to  this  county  in 
1864;  owns  100  acres  of  land,  worth  $60  per  acre.  He  was  in  the 
late  war,  in' Co. -C,  49th  Reg.  O.  I.,  *id  served  2  months,  and 
was  discharged  in  consequence  of  disability.     He  is  a  Republican. 

J.  H .  McClintoch.  farmer,  sec.  25;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  is  a  native 
of  this  county,  born  April  28,  1839;  is  a  son  of  William  and  Bar- 
bara (Ribble)  McClintock,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  Indiana,  re- 
spectively. Aug.  28,  1874,  he  married  Catharine  Duffield,  who 
was  born  in  Indiana,  March  7,  1845,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  6 
children,  5  living;  their  names  are  Alice,  Wm.  F.,  Lucinda  A., 
James  L.,  Barbara  C.  and  Paul.  Mr.  M.  holds  the  office  of  Col- 
lector at  the  present  time,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  an  Odd  Fellow. 

Edward  MoOoitghey,  farmer,  sec.  11;  owns  120  acres  of  land, 
worth  $50  per  acre;  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  in  1819;  came  to 
America  in  1844,  and  settled  in  Rhode  Island;  was  married  in 
New  York  in  1850,  to  Anna  McCormick,  also  a  native  of  Ireland, 
,  and  was  born  in  June,  1830.  They  have  had  2  children,  one  liv- 
ing,— Patrick  P.  The  name  of  the  deceased  was  Sarah.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McO.  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church. 

Jordan  MoSpawn,  carpenter,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  he 
was  born  in  1816;  he  came  to  this  State  in  18S8;  the  same  year  he 
was'united  in  marriage  with  Mary  Badgely,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  she  was  born  in  1819.  To  them  have  been  born  7  childi^, 
6  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  McSpawn  has  served  as  Constable  four 
years,  and  Deputy  Sheriff  two  terms.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  politically  a  Republican. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  693 

.  H.  B.  Mills,  dealer  in  books  and  stationery,  Pittsfleld,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Ohio,  where  be  was  born  in  1853;  in  1869  he  was  united  in 
marriage  in  this  county  with  Miss  Barbara,  daughter  of  D.  D.  and 
Julia  (Burbridge)  Hicks.  Their  two  children  are  Arthur  H.  and 
Frank  W..  Both  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Church  of  the  Lat- 
ter-Day  Saints.  Mr.  M.  has  held  the  office  of  Town  Clerk  two 
terms.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

James  Mirrielees  &  Co.,  gi-ocers,  Pittsfield.  The  copartnership 
of  this  house  was  formed  in  1867,  and  the  firm  carry  a'stock  of 
$3,000,  with  annual  average  sales  of  $20,000,  and  enjoy  increasing 
trade.  Mr.  M.  is  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  was  born  in  1840; 
crossed  the  ocean  to  America  in  1863,  and  settled  in  St.  Louis, 
where  he  resided  until  he  came  to  this  county  in  1867. 

Bufug  M.  Murray,  County  Treasurer;  was  born  in  Kinderhook, 
Pike  county,  in  1837;  is  a  son  of  Eleazer  Murray,  who  settled  in 
that  tp.  in  1832,  and  died  in  1852.  Jan.  1,  1868,  Mr.  Murray  mar- 
ried Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Squire  "Wilson,  of  Kinderhook.  He  has 
filled  many  local  offices  iii  his  native  tp.,  where  he  resided  until 
called  to'falfill  the  duties  of  his  present  position.  He  is  one  of 
the  reliable  men  of  the  county,  and  has  many  warm  friends. 

0.  L.  Ohst,  photographer,  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  in 
1832;  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1849  and  settled  in  Baltimore, 
Md.,  where  he  engaged  in  decorative  painting.  Subsequently  he 
removed  to  York,  Pa.,  and  to  this  county  in  1857;  the  same  year 
was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Wildin,  and  they  have  one  child. 
He  established  himself  in  his  present  business  in  1859  and  is  en- 
jojing  a  fair  trade. 

Jeff  Orr,  State's  Attorney,  located  in  Pittsfield  Feb.  26,  1873, 
and  entered  upon  his  profession  the  same  year.  Nov.  7, 1879,  he 
married  Ella  M.  Yates.  He  is  a  hard  student  of  the  law  and  wed- 
ded to  his  profession ;  is  permanently  located  in  Pittsfield,  where  he 
expects  to  devote  the  remainder  of  his  life  to  his  vocation.  Ella 
M.  is  reading,  and  will  take  a  thorough  law  course,  to  assist  her 
husband  in  his  profession.  Mr.  Orr  is  a  native  of  Harrison  county, 
Ohio. 

C.  W.  Patterson  is  a  native  of  Berkshire  county,  Mass.,  and  was 
born  Jan.  9,  1829;  was  married  Sept.  10,  1848,  to  Mary  V.  Carpen- 
ter, a  native  of  the  same  county,  by  whom  he  has  2  children.  He 
is  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  followed  this  occupation  for  10  years 
after  settling  in  Pittsfield;  he  subsequently  officiated  as  Deputy 
Postmaster  2J  years,  and  assisted  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  J.  B.  Wal- 
mouth  until  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  in  which  capacity  he  has 
served  for  10  successive  years,  the  duties  of  which  he  has  always 
discharged  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  public. 

Marcellus  PecTcinpaw,  grocer ;  inaugurated  himself  in  business 
oa.-the  west  side  of  the  Sqiiare  in  1873,  in  company  with  John 
Boyd,  in  the  sale  of  tobacco,  etc.  Eighteen  months  afterward  the 
firm  dissolved,  and  Mr.  P.  carried  on  a  successful  trade  under  his 
own  name;  subsequently  he  formed  a  partnership  with  J.  C.  Lind- 


694  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

say,  to  whom  he  afterward  sold,  and  in  1878  he  purchased  a  new 
stock  and  opened  his  present  place;  lias  a  stock  of  $2,000. 

William  Fence,  farmer,  sec.  1  ;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield  ;  was  born  in 
Preble  county,  O.,  in  1839  ;  was  married  in  1866  to  Miss  Sarah 
Little,  and  they  have  2  children,  Thomas  A.  and  Ida  M.  Mr.  P. 
came  to  this  county  in  1856  and  settled  in  this  tp.,  where  he  has 
since  made  it  his  home  and  owns  70  acres  of  land  valued  at  $60 
per  acre.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat, 

G.  8.  Pennington,  ticket  and  station  agent,  Pittsfield;  born  in 
Greene  county.  111.,  in  1841,  where  his  father,  Joel,  settled  in  1839. 
Ten  years  afterward  the  family  came  to  this  city  where  Mr.  P.  en- 
gaged as  clerk  in  the  Circuit  Clerk's  office,  where  he  Remained  for 
some  years.  Subsequently  he  entered  the  Illinois  College,  at  Jack- 
sonville, for  the  study  of  law,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Ke- 
bellion  received  an  appointment  as  clerk  in  the  disbursing  office 
at  Springfield,  and  was  promoted  to  Chief  Clerk,  serving  until  the 
close  of  the  war;  returning  home  he  was  appointed  to  his  present 
position  in  1869,  and  the  same  year  married  Miss  Annette  Stout, 
who  died,  leaving  one  child,  Prank.  His  present  wife  is  Maggie, 
daughter  of  James  Sutton,  of  Springfield. 

George  B.  Purkitt  is  one  of  the  early  and  prominent  citizens  of 
Pike  county.  He  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  W.  (Tucker)  Pur- 
kitt, the  latter  of  whom  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  91 
years.  His  father  lived  to  the  age  of  92.  George  B.  is  a  native 
of  Massachusetts,  where  he  was  born  in  1809.  He  came  to  Illinois 
in  1831  and  settled  in  Jacksonville,  where  he  attended  college  as  a 
companion  of  Gov.  Yates.  The  following  year  he  came  to  Pike 
count3^  In  1836,  in  Morgan  county,  he  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Harriet  Provost,  a  native  of  New  York,  where  she  was  born  in 
1819;  she  died  in  1860;  by  this  union  two  children  were  born,  one 
of  whom,  a  son,  is '  living.  He  was  again  married  in  1865,  this 
time  to  Mrs.  Phimelia  Garbutt,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  State, 
and  was  born  in  1816.  Mr.  P.  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  and  is  one  of  the  early  and  honored  citizens  of  Pike 
county. 

William H.  Rafteri),  farmer,  sec.  21;  P.  0.,  Pittsfield;  owns  160 
acres  of  land  worth  $40  per  acre ;  he  is  a  native  of  this  county, 
born  Jan.  27,  1844;  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  had  but  limited 
means  to  commence  active  life  with,  but  by  industry  and  economy 
has  obtained  a  good  property.  He  has  been  Deputy  Sheriff,  dis- 
charging his  duties  acceptably.  "Was  married  in  this  county  in  1868- 
to  Nancy  E.  Mottley,  who  was  born  in  this  county,  Dec.  2,  1843. 
They  are  the  parents  of  5  children,  viz:  John,  William,  Thomas,. 
Kobert  E.  and  Clarence.     Mr.  K.  is  of  Irish  descent. 

Jason  A.  Rider,  Circuit  Clerk  and  Eecorder,  was  born  in  Barn- 
stable county,  Mass.,  in  1834;  came  West  with  his  parents  in  1852,, 
locating  at  Griggsville,  Pike  Co.  During  most  of  the  years  from 
1852  to  1864  he  was  engaged  in  steam-boating,  as  clerk,  with  his 
brother,  Capt.  Eider.     In  1858  he  married  Miss  Jfennie  E.  Oree, 


///>^7^H^  -t^^^i-^^^t^^^^ 


PITTSFIELD  TP 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  697 

whose  family  were  early  settlers  in  the  county.  From  1864  to 
1873,  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  Jbusiness  at  Griggsville;  in 
1874  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  that  town,  which  office  he 
held  until  elected  to  his  present  position  in  1876,  which  position 
he  fills  with  entire  acceptability  to  the  public.  He  has  5  children, 
the  oldest  of  whom,  Samuel  W.,  is  Deputy  Clerk. 

J.  Willis  Boherts,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  was  born  in  Martins- 
burg  tp.,  this  county,  Oct.  13,  1864,  son  of  J.  S.  Roberts,  editor  of 
The  Union,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Pittsfield;  Aug.  10,  1868, 
he  came  to  Pittsfield;  1873,  etc.,  he  taught  school  two  terms  in  this 
county;  from  June,  1875,  to  May,  1877,  he  spent  most  of  the  time 
in  Jersey  county,  and  since  then  has  been  again  a  resident  of  Pitts- 
field. Mr.  Roberts  has  a  good  education,  is  Clerk  of  Pittsfield 
Town  Board  of  Trustees,  and  Sept.  19, 1878,  he  was  elected  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  which  position  he  now  holds,  his  place  of  business 
being  on  the  north  side  of  the  Public  Square.  He  was  married 
Oct.  30,  1879. 

Charles  Rogers,  i'sirmer,  sec.  31;  P.  O.,  New  Hartford;  owns  102^ 
acres  of  land  worth  $50  per  acre  ;  is  a  son  of  David  and  Elizabeth 
(Sargent)  Rogers,  the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  the 
latter  of  South  Carolina.  He  was  born  in  Pike  countj'  in  1841 ;  in 
1862  he  enlisted  in  the  war  in  Co.  A,  99th  Reg.  I.  Y.  I.;  served  8 
months  and  was  mustered  out  in  Missouri;  was  married  in  Pike 
county  in  1867,  to  Harriet  West,  a  native  of  England,  who  was 
born  in  1842.  Their  children  are  David  R.  and  Anna  M.  Those 
deceased  are  Ellen  and  William.  Mr.  R.  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
■order,  and  is  a  Republican. 

Ool.  Wm.  Boss,  deceased,  was  born  April  24,  1792,  in  the  town 
of  Monson,  Hampden  county,  Mass.  His  father,  Miiiah  Ross,  in 
1805,  moved  to  Pittsfield,  Mass.  Upon  the  declaration  of  war  in 
1812,  William  Ross  obtained  a  commission  as  Ensign  in  the  21st 
regiment  United  States  Infantry,  commanded  by  Col.  E.  W.  Rip- 
ley, and  was  soon  after  ordered  on  recruiting  service.  In  the  spring 
of  1813,  he  was  directed  to  unite  his  men  with  those  of  his  brother, 
Capt.  Leonard  Ross,  of  the  same  regiment,  at  Greenbush,  IST.  Y., 
and  was  subsequently  dispatched  to  join  the  command  of  Major 
Aspinwall,  about  five  hundred  infantry  of  the  9th  Regiment,  who 
had  been  ordered  to  take  up  a  forced  march  for  Buffalo,  then 
threatened  by  the  enemy's  forces.  Arrived  at  Utica,  the  troops 
were  met  by  an  express,  informing  them  of  the  capture  and  de- 
struction of  Buffalo,  and  directed  their  immediate  march  to  Sackett's 
Harbor.  Accordingly,  proceeding  to  Oswego,  on  Lake  Ontario, 
they  embarked  in  fifty  open  row-boats,  and  set  out  for  the  harbor; 
but  hardly  had  they  made  Stony  Island  than  they  heard  the  roar 
of  cannon,  and  discovered  the  British  fleet,  with  gun-boats  and  In- 
dian canoes  in  the  rear.  They  at  once  attempted  to  run  the  gauntlet 
of  the  enemy's  armed  vessels,  and,  rushing  amid  the  fire  of  the  gun- 
boats, twenty-five  of  their  own  frail  craft  succeeded  in  reaching  the  - 
harbor,  the  remainder  being  captured  by  the  British.    Captain  Ross 

40 


698  HISTORY    OF   PIKE  COUNTr. 

and  the  young  Ensign  were  among  the  successful  ones.  The  next 
day  took  place  the  memorable  battle  of  Sackett's  Harbor,  in  which 
the  brothers  led  about,  one  hundred  men,  and  in  which  500  Ameri- 
cans drove  back  1,300  British.  Of  the  detachment  commanded  by 
the  Rosses,  one-third  was  either  killed  or  wounded  in  the  conflict. 

Soon  after  this  battle,  the  Rosses  were  transferred  to  the  40th 
Regiment,  infantry,  and  ordered  to  the  seaboard,  where  the  Captain 
took  command  of  Fort  Warren,  in  Boston  Harbor,  and  William 
Ross  was  detached  to  Marblehead,  to  drill  the  troops  of  that  post, 
and  subseq\iently  removed  to  the  Gurnet  fort,  near  Plymouth,  Mass., 
where  he  remained  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  to 
Pittsfield,  and  set  up  the  business  of  a  blacksmith,  hiring  work- 
men, however,  as  he  possessed  no  knowledge  of  the  trade  himself. 

In  the  summer  of  1820,  as  spoken  of  elsewhere  in  this  book,  in 
company  with  four  brothers,  and  a  few  other  families,  he  started 
for  what  was  then  known  as  the  Far  West^the  State  of  Illinois. 

For  awhile  the  prospects  of  these  settlers  were  very  flattering, 
but  afterward  sickness  and  death  entered  their  ranks.  Col.  Eoss 
lost  his  first  wife,  one  brother,  and  several  of  the  company,  the  first 
year.  Subsequently,  the  Colonel  visited  New  York,  and  married  a 
Miss  Adams,  of  that  State,  after  which  he  returned  to  Illinois,  laid 
out  a  town  embracing  his  first  location,  and  named  it  Atlas,  which 
afterward  became  the  county-seat;  of  the  county.  There  had 
previously  been  established  a  postoffice,  called  Ross  Settlement, 
but  this  designation  soon  gave  way  to  the  one  now  adopted  by  the 
Colonel,  who  soon  commenced  improving  a  farm,  and  built  a  mill, 
which  was  much  needed  at  the  time.  His  efforts  were  now  fol- 
lowed by  the  blessings  of  a  kind  Providence;  and  though  he  arrived 
in  Illinois  a  poor  man,  he  speedily,  through  economy  and  untiring 
energy,  began  to  realize  an  increase  of  property  and  popularity. 
He  became  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  county  of  Pike,  which  oflSce 
he  held  for  many  years,  enjoying  the  unbounded  confidence  of  the 
people.  He  also  served  as  clerk  of  the  Circuit  and  County  Courts, 
and  filled  with  credit  many  minor  offices,  among  which  were 
Colonel  of  Militia  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  in  all  of  which  he  won 
the  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens. 

In  April,  1832,  at  the  commencement  of  the  Black  Hawk  war, 
Col.  Ross  was  ordered  by  the  Governor  to  raise  a  company  out  of 
his  regiment  forthwith,  and  join  the  forces  at  Beardstown.  He 
received  the  order  on  Friday,  and  on  the  following  Tuesday  pre- 
sented himself  at  the  rendezvous,  in  Beardstown,  with  double  the 
number  of  men  designated  in  the  requisition.  He  was  selected  as 
aide  to  the  commanding  general,  served  with  much  popularity 
thi'oughout  the  campaign,  and  then  returned  once  more  to  private 
life,  devoting  himself  to  building  operations  and  the  improvement 
of  the  county  where  he  resided.  Prosperity  still  smiled  on  his 
every  effort.  In  1835  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  of  Illino-.s, 
and  while  a  member  of  this  body  procured  the  passage  of  a  law 
peculiarly  adapted  to  the  Military  Tract,  which  afterward  proved 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  699 

of  great  importance  to  that  section  of  country.  Col.  Eoss  was 
subsequently  chosen  to  the  Senate  several  terms,  serving  five  or 
six  sessions  in  that  body. 

In  private  life  the  Colonel  was  a  warm  friend,  and  willing,  more- 
over, te  forgive  his  enemies.  Punctual  in  his  business  relations, 
governed  by  strict  integrity,  and  zealous  in  all  his  labors,  he  won 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens  in  every  walk. 

As  early  as  1833,  it  became  evident  to  the  peoJDle  of  Atlas  that 
the  county-seat  would  at  no  distant  day  be  removed  to  some  point 
nearer  the  center  of  the  count3^  Col.  Ross  joined  heartily  in  this 
movement,  and  advanced  to  the  county  authorities  the  money  with 
which  to  enter  the  land  upon  which  Pittsfield  is  now  located. 
The  County  Commissioners — Col.  Barney,  George  Hinman,  and 
Hawkins  Judd — did  the  Colonel  the  honor  to  ask  him  to  name  the 
new  county-seat,  which  he  accordingly  did,  calling  it  Pittsfield,  in 
honor  of  his  old  home  in  Massachusetts.  In  this  beautiful  place 
he  erected  a  dwelling-house,  1835.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  no  public 
enterprise  in  the  county  ever  escaped  his  observation,  or  was  com- 
pleted without  his  aid. 

'  During  the  dark  days  of  our  late  civil  war,  though  incapacitated 
for  the  field  by  an  almost  total  loss  of  sight,  he  used  his  influence 
and  his  purse  to  raise  men  to  defend  the  flag.  He  assisted  largely 
in  getting  up  the  99th  Illinois  regiment,  and  other  organizations 
of  troops  raised  in  Pike  county.  We  give  Col.  Eoss'  portrait  in 
the  pages  of  this  volume. 

JR.  V.  Scanland,  Pittsfield,  was  born  in  Gallatin,  now  Carroll, 
county,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Kentucky  river;  came  to  this  county 
ill  1847  and  settled  in  this  city.  During  the  Eebellion  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  important  position  of  master  of  transportation  at 
Cairo,  which  office  he  so  well  filled  that  upon  his  resignation  he 
was  presented  with  a  beautiful  and  valuable  solid  silver  service  in- 
scribed "  Capt.  R.  C.  Scanland,  by  his  many  friends. "  Leaving 
Cairo  he  returned  to  Pittsfield  and  engaged  in  merchandising  until 
1870,  when  he  accepted  the  agency  of  the  Continental  and  other 
insurance  companies,  and  has  since  made  that  line  a  specialty^  and 
the  large  business  done  attests  his  devotion  to  it.  He  has  paid  in 
losses  over  $25,000  in  Pike  county.  Mr.  S.  was  married  to  Miss 
S.  A.,  sister  of  Hon.  H.  T.  Mudd,  of  St.  Louis,  who  lived  but  a  short 
time  after  marriage.  He  was  then  married  to  Miss  S.  J.,  daughter 
of  William  Watson,  who  died,  leaving  a  son  and  a  daughter.  His 
present  wife  was  Miss  C.  S.  Wicks,  a  native  of  Syracuse,  New  York. 

B.  S.  Sellee,  farmer,  sec.  34;  P.  0.,  Pittsfield;  owns  47 acres  of 
land  worth  $50  per  acre;  was  born  in  Missouri  April  11,  1858; 
married  in  this  county  in  1877,  to  Emily  0.  Willsey,  and  they  have 
1  child,  Mary  E.,  born  Jan.  13,  1878.     Mr.  S.  is  a  Democrat. 

Benjamin  Sellonj  furmer,  sec.  27,  owns  80  acres  worth  $50  per 
acre;  was  born  in  England  July  28,  1818;  came  to  America  with  his 
father  in  1821,  and  to  this  county  in  1836;  in  1861  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  D,  3d  Eeg.  Mo.  Inf.  and  served  2  years;  was  in  the  battle  of 


YOO  HISTORY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

Arkansas  Post,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  and  several  others.  He  was 
first  promoted  to  Orderly  Sergeant  and  then  to.  1st  Lieutenant" 
served  2  years  and  was  honorably  discharged.  He  then  organized 
a  E.eg.  of  colored  troops,  and  was  appointed  1st  Lieut.  He  was 
married  in  this  county  in  1848  to  Miss  Harriet — who  was  born  in 
Ireland  in  1816,  and  they  have  4  living  children, — John,  Harriet, 
William  G.  and  Charlotte  Maria.  Mr.  S.  has  held  the  of5ce8  of 
Assessor  and  Collector,  etc.  He  is  an  Episcopalian.  P.  0.,  Pitts- 
field. 

Dr.  T.  W.  Shastid,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  Sangamon 
county,  111.,  near  Petersburg  (near  where  Abraham  Lincoln  once  kept 
a  grocery),  Aug,  26,  1831,  son  of  John  G.  and  Elizabeth  B.  (Ed- 
wards), the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  a  farmer,  and  the 
latter  of  North  Carolina.  "When  T.  "W".  was  4|  years  of  age  the 
family  moved  to  Pittsfield,  where  Mrs.  S.  died  Dec.  8,  1863,  and 
Mr.  S.  Feb.  5,  1874.  The  subject  of  this  brief  biography  was  edu- 
•cated  in  his  boyhood  in  Pittsfield,  and  subsequently  received  his 
medical  education  with  Prof.  John  T.  Hodgen  of  Pittsfield,  and 
at  McDowell's  College,  which  was  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  the  State  of  Missoui-i  at  St.  Louis.  After  graduating 
he  first  settled  at  Pleasant  Hill,  practicing  there  for  o|-  years,  in 
partnership  with  Dr.  John  A.  Thomas  for  about  3  years;  since  then 
he  has  practiced  at  Pittsfield,  where  he  is  now  Examining  Surgeon 
for  [T.  S.  pensioners.'  Aug.  2,  1860,  he  married  Mary  F.  Edwards, 
by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Wm.  Edwards,  March  12, 1863.  Oct.  1 
1865,  he  married  a  second  time,  taking  Louise  M.  Hall,  and  their 
children  are,  Thomas  Hall,  born  July  19,  1866,  Jon  Shepherd, 
Jan.  20,  1870;  and  Joseph  Calvin,  April  IS,  1877. 

,  William  Shinn.  The  founders  of  the  Shinn  family  in  America 
were  3  brothers,  who  emigrated  from  England,  their  native  country, 
about  150  years  ago,  2  of  them  locating  in  New  Jersej'  near  Phila-^ 
delphia  and  1  in  Yirginia,  where  they  reated  families;  they  were 
prominent,  respectable  people,  many  of  them  being  in  the  ministry, 
principally  Methodists.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  descended 
from  the  JSTew  Jersey  branch  of  the  family.  His  father,  Daniel 
Shinn,  is  the  first  of  the  family  that  located  in  Pike  county,  and 
is  counted  as  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  respected  of  Pike 
county's  pioneers.  On  his  arrival  here  in  1820,  he  located  near 
the  present  town  of  Atlas.  He  brought  into  the  county  at  that 
time  the  first  wagon  that  ever  came  within  its  boundaries  ;  about 
2  years  afterwards  he  bought  a  farm  of  160  acres  on  the  N.  W.  } 
of  sec.  12,  Atlas  tp.,  on  which  he  immediately  erected  a  small  log 
house,  into  which  he  moved  with  his  wife  and  6  children.  He  was 
married  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey  to  Mary  Haskett,  who  was  of 
Scotch  descent,  and  the  6  children  born  to  them  before  they  came 
to  this  county,  were  all  born  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  their  names 
were  Benjamin,  John,  Eliza,  Mary,  Hannah  and  Phoebe.  The  first, 
third  and  last,  are  the  only  ones  now  living. 

The  farm   above  mentioned  was  wholly  in  a  wild  state,  in  the 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  701 

midst  of  heavy  timber,  no  improvements  of  any  kind,  and  conse- 
quently he  had  more  to  contend  with  than  many  in  a  new  country, 
but  he  was  endowed  with  that  indomitable  energy  and  perseverance 
so  necessary  to  the  pioneer,  and  went  bravely  to  work ;  his  means 
were  limited,  and  with  a  large  family  to  support,  it  was  no  small 
merit  to  obtain  success.  He  was  a  man  of  sti'ong  religious  convic- 
tions, generous  and  affable  to  all.  Pie  was  the  first  to  open  the 
house  for  religious  worship,  Methodist  meetings  being  held  there 
for  10  years.  ,  He  was  prosperous,  and  gave  his  sons  between  700 
and  800  acres  of  land;  he  died  in  March,  1852,  and  his  wife  in  Sept., 
1849;  they  had  a  family  of  13  children,  7  of  whom  were  born  in 
this  county, — Nancy,  Lydia,  Henry,  William,  Daniel,  Asa,  and  an 
infant,  deceased.  Of  these  7,  only  Nancy,  Lydia  and  "Williaim  are 
living. 

Wm.  Shinn,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  this  county 
Jan  7,  1827;  his  early  education  was  obtained  in  the  old-fashioned 
log  school-house,  with  split  logs  or  puncheons  for  seats  and  desks. 
He  was  principally  employed  on  his  father's  farm  during  his  boy- 
hood, where  he  acquired  habits  of  industry  and  application  necessary 
to  success. 

June  27,  1846,  he  married  Mary  Jane  Lytle,  at  the  residence  of 
her  father,  Andrew  Lytle.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  had  5  children,  4  of 
whom  are  living, — Elizabeth,  now  married  toWm.  Gay,  of  Atlas  tp., 
Albion,  married  to  Lucy  Woolfolk,  also  living  in  Atlas  tp.,  Wm.  D. 
and  Mary,  who  live  with  their  parents,  and  Daniel,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  6  years.  Mr.  Shinn  followed  farming  until  1850,  when  he 
went  to  California,  it  being  the  height  of  the  gold  excitement.  After 
an  absence  of  nearly  a  year  he  returned,  having  met  with  fair  suc- 
cess. He  went  the  overland  route,  and  remembers  well  talking  with 
companions  of  the  impossibility  of  the  railroad  ever  going  through 
that  vast  country.  He  again  resumed  farming,  and  has  followed  it 
ever  since.  He  has  been  prominently  identified  with  the  business 
interests  of  Pike  county,  as  an  extensive  buyer  and  shipper  of  cattle, 
hogs  and  sheep,  for  the  Chicago  and  St.  Louis  markets.  He  has 
been  engaged  in  this  business  for  30  consecutive  years,  is  now  one 
of  the  largest  farmers  in  Pike  county,  having  some  1,200  acres  of 
farm  land,  raising,  on'an  average,  200  acres  of  corn,  150  acres  of  wheat, 
and  handles  150  head  of  cattle,  and  from  400  to  500  head  of  sheep, 
turning  off  each  year  from  125  to  140  fat  sheep.  About  the  year 
1860  he  bought  his  present  residence  and  farm  on  sec.  32,  Pittsiield 
tp.,  then  consisting  of  110  acres.  To  it  has  since  been  added  so 
that  there  are  now  530  acres. 

Mrs.  Shinn's  father,  Andrew  Lytle,  and  his  wife,  ElizabBth  (Wag- 
oner) Lytle,  were  early  settlers  in  this  county,  dating  back  to  1837. 
He  was  a  native  of  Ross  county,  O.,  and  his  wife  of  Maryland. 

Augustus  Svmpkins  was  born  in  Marion  county,  Ind.,  in  1833- 
came  to  this  county  in  1856,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Martinsburg 
tp.  Three  years  afterward  he  went  to  Rockport  and  engaged  in 
merchandisino-,  where  he  remained  until  1S70,  when  he  was  ap- 


Y02  HISTOEY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

pointed  Deputy  Sheriff,  and  two  years  afterward  was  elected  Sheriff. 
Before  the  close  of  his  terra  he  leased  the  Mansion  House,  which 
he  kept  for  14  months,  then  sold  ont,  opening  his  present  place  of 
business.  He  was  twice  elected  constable  in  this  city,  and  Super- 
visor in  Martinsburg  tp.  and  Atlas,  also  a  member  of  the  Town 
Board  for  3  years,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  .county 
affairs.  In  1854  he  married  Nancy  J.  Francis,  and  they  have  5 
li-^ing  children. 

J.  A.  Smith,  stock-dealer,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  where  he  was  born 
in  1833;  was  reared  upon  a  farm  and  adopted  that  as  his  profession, 
which  he  followed  until  1861 ;  he  then  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business.  He  erected  a  large  mill  at  Time,  this  county,  in  1867, 
which. he  conducted  for  4  years.  He  now  owns  3  houses  in  that 
town  and  160  acres  of  land  in  Hardin  tp.,  an  interest  in  a  warehouse 
at  Montezuma,  etc:  He  buys  and  ships  cattle,  horses,  hogs  and 
sheep,  and  is  a  large  and  liberal  purchaser.  He  came  to  this  county 
in  1853,  and  2  years  later  was  married  to  Mary  Dinsmore,  a  na- 
tive of  this  State.  She  was  born  in  1838,  and  died  in  1871.  To 
them  were  born  4  children.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  L.  H. 
Allen,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1838.  Leslie  is  their  only 
child. 

Jeremiah  Pence,  farmer,  sec.  6;  P.  O.,  Pittsfleld;  was  born  in 
Rockingham  county,  Ya.,  in  1807;  is  a  sou  of  William  and  Chris- 
tina (Sellers)  Pence,  of  that  State.  He  was'  married  in  Ohio  in 
1832,  to  Margaret  A.  Brawly,  a  native  of  JSTorth  Carolina;  he  came 
to  this  county  in  1837,  and  the  following  year  he  selected  the  site 
of  his  present  home,  which,  from  an  unbroken  wilderness,  has  been 
transformed  to  a  well  cultivated  farm,  comprising  185  acres,  valued 
at  $40  per  acre.  Mr.  P.  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  the  county, 
and  a  staunch  Democrat.     Of  his  several  children  3  are  living. 

Dr.  Ahner  F.  8 fencer,  farmer,  sec.  7  ;  P.  0.,  Pittsfleld ;  son  of 
Isaac  and  lihoda  (Beadsley)  Spencer,  the  former  a  native  of  New 
York,  and  the  latter  of  Connecticut.  Abner  F.  is  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut, and  was  born  July  11,  1823;  emigrated  to  this  county  in 
1862,  and  settled  in  this  tp.  Dec.  12,  1850,  he  married  Mary  E. 
Sanders,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  who  was  born  in  1833,  and  they 
have  had  9  children,  7  living,  namely:  James  S.,  Mary  E.,  now 
wife  of  Miles  Cox,  of  Kentucky,  Elizabeth  P.,  Lewis  L.,  Martha 
B.,  Abner  F.  and  Abgora.  Those  deceased  are  Frank  and  Isaac. 
The  Doctor  commenced  his  medical  studies  in  1846,  graduating  at 
the  Sterling  Medical  College  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  in  1849,  and  com- 
menced practice  the  same  year  and  continued  it  until  1862.  ^  H'e 
now  owns  J  60  acres  of  land  worth  $50  per  acre.  In  religious  faith 
he  is  a  Swedenborgian,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

F .  StruUnger,  Pittsfleld,  was  born  in  Abbotstown,  Pa.,  in  1832; 
came  to  this  county  in  1863  and  settled  9  miles  west  of  this  city, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  working  at  his  trade,  plastering. 
Subsequently  he  visited  his  native  State  and  returned  to  this  city 
in  1866,  and  the  following  year  opened  the  market  now  occupied 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  703 

by  Mr.  Simpkins.     The  next  year  he  established  himself  in  his 
present  business. 

Jaodh  Strauss,  of  the  firm  of  Strauss  Brothers,  merchants,  west 
side  of  the  Square,  Pittsfleld,  where  they  carry  a  large  stock  of  dry- 
goods,  clothing,  etc.  Jacob  was  born  in  February,  1843,  and  came 
to  America  in  1853  and  settled  in  New,  York,  where  he  remained 
4  years,  during  which  time  he  clerked  in  a  dry-goods  store;  in  1863 
he  came  to  this  county  and  embarked  in  business,  where  he  has  an 
extensive  and  increasing  trade,  carrying  a  large  stock,  and  employ- 
iug  four  salesmen.  In  1873  he  was  united  in  marriage  at  Cincin- 
nati with  Minnie  Herman,  who  was  born  in  1853,  in  his  native 
country  in  Europe.     They  have  two  children,  Emanuel  and  Samuel. 

William  M.  Thompson,  teacher,  was  born  Oct.  19,1846,  in  Car- 
roll county,  Va. ,  and  is  a  son  of  Raleigh  Thompson,  of  Livingston 
county.  Mo.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Confederate  army,  and  since 
that  time  worked  by  the  month  to  obtain  money  to  defray  his  ex- 
penses while  attending  school  in  Pittsfield.  He  taught  3  years  at 
Fairview  school-house  near  Pittsfield,  and  is  now  teacher  of  Inde- 
pendence School,  Hardin  tp.,  and  is  very  successful  as  a  teacher, 
and  one  of  the  most  prominent  teachers  of  the  county. 

Augustus  Trombold,  blacksmith,  Pittsfield,  is  a  native  of  Ger- 
many, born  Nov.  22,  1847-;  came  to  America  in  1849,  remaining  7 
years  in  New  York,  thence  to  Iowa,  and  in  1869  to  Pittsfield,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  He  was  married  in  Brown  county  in  1873  to 
Miss  L.  C.  Bitter,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  1854,  and  they  have  3 
children:  Anna,  George  J.  and  Charles  A.  Mr.  T.  is  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  Church,  and  is  a  Democrat.  In  1863  he  enlisted  in 
an  Iowa  Cavalry  Eeg't,  serving  one  year. 

William  Watson,  born  in  Chester  Co.,  Pa.,  Feb.  26,  1798,  son  of 
Archibald  Watson  of  that  State,  who  emigrated  to  Missouri  in  1818, 
and  settled  in  Louisiana.  Ten  years  after,  he  moved  to  St,  Charles, 
where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  married  at  Galena  in  1828,  to  Miss  Diadema  McQuigg, 
a  native  of  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  where  she  was  born  in  1802.  After 
marriage  he  retxirned  to  St.  Charles,  and  in  1833  came  to  this  city, 
and  settled  temporarily  in  a  small  hut  or  shanty,  then  located  on  the 
present  site  of  the  city  Square,  being  the  first  settler  of  Pittsfield. 
Same  year  he  erected  a  dwelling  south  of  the  Mansion  House,  where 
he  opened  a  small  stock  of  goods.  Two  pilgrims  named  Greene 
and  Barber  wei'e  boarders  in  the  family  at  that  time.  This  edifice 
still  stands  the  test  of  time  and  as  a  living  monument  to  his  decay- 
ing memory  and  declining  years.  Five  years  later  he  built  the  Man- 
sion House,  which  he  conducted  successfully  for  14  years.  His 
mercantile  pursuit  of  21  years  was  crowned  with  prosperity,  and 
he  retired  from  the  active  field  of  life  with  considerable  wealth,  so 
that  his  old  age  can  be  spent  in  reaping  the  reward  of  a  well  di- 
rected industry.  He  was  at  one  time  Judge  of  the  Probate  Court, 
and  served  as  County  Treasurer  4  years.  He  is  residing  with 
only  living  child,  Ellen,  wife  of  Eev.  Dr.  Barrett,  deceased,  as 


704  '  HISTORY   OF    PIKE  COUNTY. 

of  the  pioneers  of  Pike  county,  a  worthy  and  venerable  citizen.  "We 
give  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Watson  in  the  pages  of  this  book. 

James  Wassell,  farmer,  sec.  31 ;  is  a  son  of  William  and  Su- 
sannah (Grray)  Wassell,  natives  of  England;  who  came  to  America 
in  1830,  where  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  born  in  1835.  His 
parents  brought  him  to  this  county  in  1837.  In  1857  he  married 
Sarah  E.  Mather,  who  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  this  State,  and 
after  becoming  the  mother  of  6  children,  died.  The  names  of  the 
children  are  Mary,  William,  Elmer,  Grant,  Georgia  and  Arthur.  In 
1879  Mr.  W.  married  Emma  Bentley,  a  native  of  this  county,  who 
was  born  in  1850.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
a  Republican  in  politics. 

ffon.  /Scoit  Wihe,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  April  6,  1834,  near 
Meadville,  Pa.,  son  of  George  and  Ann  (Grubb)  Wike,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  who  came  to  Quincy  in  1838,  and  to  Pike  Co.  in  the 
spring  of  1844.  Mr.  George  Wike  still  resides  near  Barry,  where 
he  formerly  was  a  woolen  manufacturer  at  the  "  Barry  Woolen 
Mills."  The  subject  of  this  sketch  studied  law  one  year  at  Har- 
vard University,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1858,  and  Oct.  8,  1859, 
he  located  in  Pittsfield  and  commenced  the  practice  of  law;  in  1862 
and  1864  he  was  elected  Kepresentative  in  the  State  Legislature 
from  Pike  and  Scott  counties;  and  in  1874  he  was  elected  lo  Con- 
gress. He  commenced  the  practice  of  .law  alone,  but  afterward 
formed  a  partnership  with  Milton  Hay  and  A.  0.  Matthews,  then 
with  0.  L.  Higbee  until  1861  andthen  wasaloneagain  until  February, 
1879,  when  he  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Matthews  and 
Harry  Higbee. 

George  Wilder,  farmer,  sec.  18;  P.  0.,  Pittsfield;  born  in  York 
Co.,  Pa.,  in  1827;  married  Caroline  Keener,  a  native  of  the  same 
State,  by  whom  he  has  4  children;  came  to  this  Co.  in  1857,  and 
settled  on  his  present  estate,  consisting  of  160  acres  well  cultivated 
land,  valued  at  $100  per  acre.  This  farm  and  improvements  may 
be  considered  the  finest  in  this  tp.  The  house  is  a  two- story  frame 
building,  with  all  modern  improvements,  and  occupies  a  sightly 
eminence  above  the  road,  commanding  a  fine  view  of  the  surround- 
ing country.  This  farm  is  now  open  for  purchase,  and  a  bargain 
for  a  first-class  farmer. 

John  H.  Wildin,  artist,  Pittsfield,  was  born  Feb.  14,  1844,  and 
is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  son  of  John  and  Magdalene 
(Stubinger)  Wildin.  Until  19  years  of  age  he  followed  farming; 
came  to  Illinois  in  1853,  and  settled  in  this  county,  and  for  the 
last  8  years  has  been  practicing  his  profession.  In  1876  he  mar- 
ried Hester  McFadden,  who  was  born  in  Missouri  in  1850.  Polit- 
ically he  is  a  Democrat. 

William  Elza  Williams  was  born  in  Detroit  township  near 
the  town  of  Detroit,  this  county.  May  5,  1857.  He  is  the  second 
child  of  David  Anderson  and  Emily  Adeline  Williams,  both  of 
whom  were  reared  in  Pike  county,  and  the  off'spring  of  hardy  pio- 
neer settlers.    His  great-grandfather  paterna, Williams,  came 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COtJNTY.  705 

to  this  country  from  England  previous  to  tlie  Eevolution,  and 
fought  for  his  adopted  country  throughout  that  war,  and  was 
at  tiie  surrender  of  Yorktown,  and  also  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812  from  North  Carolina.  The  grandfather,  John  Anderson  Wil- 
liams, was  born  in  Maryland  in  1799,  and  removed  with  his  father 
to  liTorth  Carolina  when  but  a  small  boy,  whence  he  came  to  Illi- 
nois with  a  large  family  in  1834.  He  settled  on  sec.  32,  Detroit 
township,  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  afterward  born. 
With  the  assistance  of  a  large  family  he  opened  up  an  extensive 
farm  and  became  a  wealthy  and  influential  citizen.  He  was  a  de- 
voted member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  a  firm  supporter  of  Jackson 
and  Douglas,  and  died  in  1876  at  a  ripe  old  age,  in  Sedalia,  Mis- 
souri. David  Anderson  Williams,  the  father,  was  born  in  North 
Carolina  in  July,  1832.  He  was  first  married  to  Miss  Martesia 
Scanland,  of  Pittsfield,  who  died  the  following  year  without  off- 
spring. On  the  10th  of  May,  1854,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emily 
Adeline  Hayden,  of  Newburg,  his  present  wife,  and  the  mother  of 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He  is  now  living  on  the  old  home 
place,  a  good  and  respectable  citizen  and  neighbor.  He  proudly  fol- 
lows in  the  footsteps  of  his  ancestors,  a  firm  and  unswerving  Demo- 
crat. The  mother  is  a  daughter  of  Louis  Elza  Hayden,  a  resident  of 
Newburg  township,  and  was  born  in  November,  1837,  in  Pike  county. 
Her  father,  who  came  to  Illinois  from  Missouri  in  1834,  was  born  in 
Kentucky  in  1809,  and  is  still  living,  a  spry,  active  old  man  71  years 
of  age.  His  grandfather,  Elisha  Hayden,  was  the  son*of  English  pa- 
rents and  was  borri  in  Virginia  in  1755.  He  was  a  Revolutionary 
hero  from  his  native  State,  where  his  body  now  lies.  His  son,  Elisha 
Hayden,  the  great  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
born  in  Yirginia,  removed  to  North  Carolina  and  afterward  to 
Kentucky,  where  he  entered  the  military  service  and  fought  gal- 
lantly through  the  war  of  1812. 

W.  E.  Williams  is  now  a  practicing  attorney  in  Pittsfield.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm  with  the-privileges  of  a  district  school  four 
months  in  the  year,  from  which  he  entered  Illinois  College  at  Jack- 
sonville, at  the  age  of  19.  He  immediately  became  a  member  of  a 
college  society,  and  from  the  first  exhibited  great  powers  as  a  de- 
bater, and  was  among  the  first  scholars  in  school.  During  his  last 
collegiate  year  he  commenced  the  study  of  law,  and  Aug.  12,  1878, 
entered  the  law  office  of  J.  W.  Johnson  at  Pittsfield,  and  became  a 
close  student.  After  the  formation  of  the  firm  of  Irwin  &  John- 
son with  James  S.  Irwin  the  following  year,  he  remained  under  the 
instructions  of  both  until  March  6, 1880,  when  he  passed  a  success- 
ful examination  before  the  Appellate  Court,  1st  District,  at  Chicago. 
On  the  24th  of  August,  1879,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Maggie 
Gallaher,  of  Pittsfield,  daughter  of  James  G-allaher,  editor  of  the 
Old  Flag,  and  was  born  in  N.  Y.  City  June  11,  1857. 

Alner  V.  Wills,  whose  portrait  may  be  found  in  this  volume, 
was  born  Feb.  14,  1849,  at  Summer  Hill,  this  county,  and  is  a  son 
of  the  well  known  Wm.  E.  Wills,  sr.     Mr.  Wills  is  at  present  one 


706  HT8TOET    OF    PIKE    COTTNTY. 

of  the  largest  farmers  in  Pike  county,  having  about  1,100  acres  of 
land.  He  raises  annually  on  an  average  200  acres  of  wheat,  300 
acres  of  corn,  and  turns  off  about  300  sheep,  of  which  he  keeps 
high  grades,  and  thorough- bred  stock  of  all  kinds,  and  in  which  he 
is  quite  extensively  engaged.  He  is  also  an  extensive  dealer  and 
trader  in  land,  etc.  His  own  residence  is  on  the  southwest  quarter 
of  sec.  21. 

March  22,  1868,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Helme, 
daughter  of  John  Helme,  and  they  have  a  family  of  6  children, 
namely,  John,  William,  Emily,  Mille,  Melinda  and  Emmet. 

Gha/rles  Wills ^  barber,  Pittslield;  born  in  Germany  in  1840; 
came  to  America  in  1854,  stopping  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he 
remained  until  he  came  to  this  city  in  1868,  when  he  established 
himself  in  business.  In  1863  he  married  Elizabeth  Stueck,  a 
native  of  Germany,  and  they  have  6  children.  Mr.  W.  is  an  enter- 
prising man,  and  has  a  fair  trade. 

William  JR.  Wills,  sr.,  whose  portrait  we  give  in  this  volume, 
was  born  inJSlew  York  in  1810;  at  the  age  of  8  his  parents  moved 
to  the  Buckeye  State,  where  they  remained  11  years;  when  19  years 
of  age  he  started  South  in  company  with  a  younger  brother,  A.  Y. 
Wills,  and  arrived  in  New  Orleans,  where  they  remained  for  sev- 
eral months;  W.  K.  then  returned  l^orth,  locating  in  Pike  county, 
where  he  worked  as  a  laborer  for  six  years.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  M.  Coles  in  1836.  She  was  born  in 
New  Hampshire  in  1810;  after  his  marriage  he  commenced  farm- 
ing on  a  rented  farm  in  Atlas  tp.  His  wife  died  in  July  of  the 
same  year.  Being  thus  left  alone  in  the  world,  he  sold  out  what 
effects  he  had,  and  went  East.  Here  he  remained  about  8  months; 
he  then  returned  to  Pike  county  and  engaged  in  trading  in  various 
ways  until  1838 ;  in  that  year  he  married  Miss  L.  D.  Scott,  who 
was  born  in  the  Empire  State  in  1812,  and  was  brought  to  Illinois 
in  1818.  Three  years  thereafter  he  purchased  a  farm  near  Summer 
Hill,  sec.  12,  Atlas  tp.  He  remained  there  for  six  years,  and  then 
sold  his  farm  and  bought  a  valuable  tract  of  land  on  sees.  20  and 
21,  Pittsfield  tp.  He  owned  at  one  time  at  least  4,000  acres  of  land 
in  this  county,  and  had  at  his  decease  about  2,000  acres;  and  he 
died  Aug.  6,  1872,  leaving  a  widow  and  three  children,  the  former 
of  whom  resides  in  Pittsfield.  The  children  are, — Williajn  R.,  jr., 
Abner  Yine  and  Lucy,  who  married  Jerome  D.  Chamberlain,  and 
now  resides  in  Franklin  county,  Kan. 

Mr.  W.  held  a  commission  as  Lieutenant  in  the  Black  Hawk 
war.  This' commission,  as  well  as  the  sword  he  used,  is  in  the 
possession  of  his  son,  Wm.  K.Wills,  jr.  He  filled  the  office  of  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  in  this  county,  and  always  took  a  prominent  part 
in  its  politics.  Perhaps  few  men  had  more  influence  in  moulding 
the  political  sentiment  of  the  public  than  he.  He  was  formerly  a 
Whig,  but  after  the  organization  of  the  Eepublican  party  hevoted 
with  it.  During  thenar  he  took  an  active  part  in  furnishing 
means,  encouraging  enlistments,  etc.,  for  its  prosecution.     Owmg 


_  ^s^ki^ 


HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  707 

to  the  prominent  and  firm  position  he  took  in  tliese  matters  he 
gained  many  enemies  among  the  opposition — so  bitter  indeed  at 
times  as  to  draw  out  threats  against  his  lite;  but  he  at  all  times 
fearlessly  followed  the  path  of  duty  and  patriotism.  He  was  for 
many  years  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  order,  and  that  society 
made  the  arrangements  for,  and  attended  his  funeral. 

Mr.  W.  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  traders  in  stock  and 
lands,  and  one  of  the  largest  farmers  that  ever  lived  in  Pike 
county.  It  is  stated  upon  good  authority  that  $25  was  about  the 
extent  of  his  capital  when  he  was  30  years  of  age.  At  his  death, 
aged  62,  ,he  was  estimated  to  be  worth  $140,000. 

Mrs.  Wills  is  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  super- 
intending the  Sunday-school  for  15  years  previous  to  her  husband's 
death.     She  gave  $3,000  toward  the  erection  of  their  church. 

William  B.  Wills,  jr.,  was  born  Oct.  27,  1844,  at  Summer  Hill, 
Pike  Co.,  111.,  and  is  a  son  of  Wm.  R.  Wills,  sr.,  whose  sketch  is 
given  above.  He  obtained  his  education  principally  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  but  graduated  at  the  Bryant  &  Stratton  Commercial 
College  at  St.  Louis.  July  23,  1868,  he  married  Elizabeth  J. 
Wells,'  daughter  of  Eobert  and  Mary  Wells,  of  Pittsfie'ld.  She 
was  born  in  this  county  Aug.  27,  1850.  Five  children  have  been 
born  to  them,  one  of  whom  is  deceased.  The  names  of  those  liv- 
ing are,  Lucy  E.,  Charles  H.,  Orion  E.  and  Isidora  I.  Ida  was  the 
name  of  the  deceased. 

Mr.  Wills  now  resides  on  sec.  20,  this  tp.,  where  he  is  exten- 
sively engaged  in  farming,  owning  about  820  acres  of  land.  •  He 
has  turned  his  attention,  especially  for  the  past  6  years,  to  the  rais- 
ing and  breeding  of  fine  stock,  such  as  Short-horn  cattle!,  Cotswold 
sheep,  Berkshire  hogs  and  fancy  fowls,  selling  and  shipping  them 
throughout  the  Western  States.  At  present  he  has  a  herd  of 
about  60  Short-horn  cattle,  all  of  which  are  thorough- bred,  and 
some  of  them  imported. 

Mr.  W.  is  a  Director  in  the  Pike  County  Agricultural  Society, 
and  one  of  its  most  active  and  enterprising  members.  He  is  also 
Director  and  Treasurer  of  the  Pike  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance 
Company.  It  has  been  in  active  operation  during  the  past  few 
years,  meeting  with  a  fair  degree  of  success,  not  having  cost  the 
policy-holders  over  15  cents  on  the  $100  for  a  period  of  four  years. 
He  is  also  a  Director  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Pittsfield,  and 
in  every  public  enterprise  he  takes  a  leading  part.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Odd  Fellows'  society  of  Pittsfield,  and  politically  a 
Kepublican.  As  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Pike  county,  we 
present  to  our  readers  the  portrait  of  Mr.  Wills. 

Barnett  J.  Willsey,  farmer,  sec.  29;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  was  born 
in  the  State  of  New  York  in  1835;  and  is  the  son  of  Barnett  Will- 
sey. In  1840  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  this  county,  who 
settled  on  the  present  estate,  now  consisting  of  240  acres,  valued  at 
$50  per  acre.  Here  he  has  lived  ever  since,  except  that  from  J.854 
to  1857  he  was  in  California,  in  the  mining  business,  in  which  he  . 


708  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

was  successful.  At  his  home  his  vocation  has  always  been  farminw 
and  in  this  occupation  has  been  prosperous,  being  now  one  of  th'e' 
most  enterprising  and  substantial  farmers  in  the  community.  He 
also  deals  in  stock  to  some  extent.  The  past  year  he  erected  a  fine 
two-story  frame-house,  with  L ;  also  a  large  frame  barn,  etc.  The  im- 
provements on  this  place  are  excelled  by  few,  and  the  farm  itself  is 
in  a  most  fertile  district.     In  1858  Mr.  Willsey  married  Eliza  Jane 

McOlintock,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  they  have  3  children  living, 

Emily  Alice,  Charles  L.  and  James  O. ;  one  child,  Mary  E.,  is  de- 
ceased.    We  give  Mr.  Willsey's  portrait  in  this  volnme. 

James  G.  Willsey.  The  first  of  the  Willsey  family  who  came 
to  this  county  was  a  parent  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  They 
were  natives  of  New  York  and  emigrated  to  Ohio  in  1837,  where 
they  remained  until  1840,  when  they  joined  the  tide  of  emigration 
westward  and  found  a  location  on  sec.  34,  Pittsfield  tp.  Their  names 
were  Barnett  and  Cornelia  (Kizer)  Willsey.  Upon  this  section 
they  established  themselves,  where  Mr.  Willsey  lived  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1868.  He  was  buried  on  the  old  home  farm. 
His  widow  still  resides  at  the  old  homestead.  James  G.  was  born 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  Feb.  28,  1830,'  and  was  therefore  about 
10  years  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  this  county,  with  whom 
he  remained  until  about  1851,  when  he  married  Miss  Melinda  Rog- 
ers; she  was  born  in  Greene  Co.,  111.,  in  1830,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  David  and  Fannie  Rogers,  early  settlers  in  Martinsburg  tp.  The 
former  died  in  1871;  his  wife  two  years  afterward. 

Immediately  after  James  G.  Willsey 's  marriage  he  settled  on  40 
acres  of  land  which  his  father  gave  him,  where  he  remained  until 
1854,  when  he  selected  and  purchased  the  northwest  quarter  of  sec. 
34,  Pittsfield  tp.,  which  is  one  of  the  most  fertile  sections  in  this 
county.  At  that  time  this  land  was  in  a  perfectly  wild  state  ;  not 
an  improvement  of  any  kind  had  been  placed  upon  it  by  the  hand 
of  man.  It  was  a  fine,  rolling  prairie,  interspersed  here  and  there 
with  patches  of  scrub  oak  and  hazel-brush.  The  first  land  culti- 
vated on  this  farm  was  in  the  summer  of  1854,  when  Mr.  W.  em- 
ployed a  man  to  break  40  acres,  which  he  did  with  oxen.  This  he 
sowed  in  wheat  that  fall.  The  next  season  he  planted  this  piece  in 
corn,  and  broke  another  40  acres  for  wheat.  This  land,  as  fast  as 
broken,  was  surrounded  with  an  eight-rail  fence,  Mr.  W.  hauUng 
the  rails  for  the  same  from  the  south  part  of  Martinsburg  tp.,  a 
distance  of  eight  miles.  In  1857  he  erected  a  log  cabin,  on  the 
north  part  of  his  farm,  16  feet  square.  It  contained  two  rooms,  one 
above  and  one  below.  Into  this  cabin  he  moved  his  family,  and 
although  rather  tight  quarters'  during  the  busiest  seasons,  found 
room  and  accommodations  for  as  many  as  nine  hired  hands  besides 
his  own  family.  During  the  years  1868-9  the  balance  of  the  160' 
acres  was  tenced  and  put  under  cultivation,  with  the  exception  ot 
50  acres  which  he  has  never  plowed,  but  which  he  set  aside  for 
pasture  for  stock,  there  being  several  never-failing  springs  of  pilre 
water  on  this.     Mr.  W.  ascribes  much  of  his  success  in  the  raising 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  709 

of  stock,  especially  hogs,  to  this  pasture,  and  the  fact  of  their  always 
being  able  to  procure  pure  spring  water.  He  states  that  during  the 
worst  seasons  of  cholera,  when  hogs  all  around  him  were  dying,  he 
lost  very  few. 

In  1860  Mr.  "W".  built  his  present  residence.  It  is  a  frame  stru  c 
ture,  two  stories  in  height,  the  main  part  18  by  32,  L  14  by  28;  it 
is  one  of  the  finest  farm  residences  in  the  county.  The  out-build- 
ings are  all  of  the  rriodern  construction  and  lirst-elass  in  every  way. 
Mr.  "W.  has  devoted  much  attention  to  floriculture,  and  has  a  fine 
greenhouse  in  addition  to  his  residence,  in  which  he  has  hundreds 
of  choice  plants,  including  exotics,  etc.  Take  it  all  in  all,  the  sur- 
roundings and  improvements  of  this  home  farm  render  it  one  of 
the  finest  and  most  pleasant  in  tlie  county. 

Seventeen  years  ago  he  purchased  the  southwest  quarter  of 
sec.  27.  It  was  partly  improved,  and  he  has  brought  it  into  a 
high  state  of  cultivation.  The  winter  of  1879-'80  he  erected  on 
this  place  a  very  fine  residence,  which  in  point  of  construction  and 
modern  conveniences  is  equaled  by  few.  From  the  observatory  on 
this  dwelling  one  of  the  finest  views  of  the  surrounding  country 
can  be  obtained,  extending  to  the  west,  to  Louisiana  and  Hannibal, 
a  distance  of  20  miles,  and  southeast  to  a  distance  of  about  24  miles. 
Mr.  W.'s  only  child  and  son,  William  Riley  Willsey,  who  was  born 
in  July,  1853,  now  resides  at  this  place. 

As  a  relaxation  from  active  business,  to  which  he  had  applied 
himself  with  scarcely  an  intermission  since  he  was  a  boy,  in  1875 
Mr.  Willsey  decided  on  making  a  visit  to  the  Pacific  slope  to  see 
the  country  and  visit  numerous  relatives,  also  with  some  idea  of 
locating  there,  if  the  golden  shore  should  prove  preferable  to  his 
old  home.  With  the  above  objects  in  view,  in  company  with  his 
wife  and  son,  he  started  on  this  trip,  via  the  Union  Pacific  P..  R. 
to  San  Francisco,  where  several  days  were  agreeably  spent  in 
viewing  the  metropolis  of  California,  when  he  departed  by  the 
steamer  "J.  L.  Stephens"  for  Portland,  Oregon,  and  from  there 
to  Oregon  City,  where  he  remained  some  ten  days,  and  also  visited 
the  State  Fair  at  Salem;  then  took  passage  up  the  Columbia  river 
to  Wallula,  Washington  Territory.  This  river  he  describes  as  fur- 
nishing the  most  beautiful  scenery  he  ever  beheld.  •  From  Wallula 
they  took  the  cars  to  Walla  Walla,  where  his  sister,  Mrs.  Richard 
Wells,  resided.  At  this  place  the  party  remained  some  four  weeks, 
visiting  and  viewing  different  parts  of  the  country,  when  they 
started  on  their  journey  homeward,  via  the  Columbia  to  Portland, 
where  they  took  the  cars  to  Harrisburg  ;  they  then  traveled  by  rail 
to  Roseburg,  then  to  the  northern  terminus  of  the  Oregon  and  Cali- 
fornia Railroad;  from  this  place  they  were  obliged  to  travel  270 
miles  to  |Reading.  During  this  stage  trip,  which  lasted  six  days 
and  six  nights,  it  rained  continuously.  On  several  oocasions  the 
coach  was  mired  down,  taking  much  time  and  all  hands  to  release, 
it.  The  fatigue  of  this  journey  was  so  severe  that  a  passenger,  an 
old  man,  became  temporarily  insane.     Our  party,  however,  arrived 


710  HISTORY    OF    PIKE   OOUNTT. 

safely  at  Reading,  where  they  took  tlie  railroad  for  Sati  Francisco  • 
then  took  the  U.  P.  R.  R.  ftir  liome,  where  they  arrived  about  four 
months  after  tlioy  had  left.  They  were  thorouij;lily  satisfied  with 
the  trip,  and  also  satisfied  that  they  found  no  better  place  than  at 
the  old  homestead  in  Piko.  They  traveled  between  5,000  and 
6,000  miles,  1,000  of  which  M'ere  on  tlio  Pacific  Ocean. 

Mr.  "Willsey's  ])(>rtrait  will  be  found  in  this  volume. 

William  B.  W'dheij^  farmer,  sec.  Si;  J'.  0.,  Pittsfield;  is  the 
owner  of  50  acres  of  land  worth  $60  per  acre;  is  a  native  of  this 
county  and  was  born  Aug-.  24,  1851;  was  married  in  tliis  county 
Aug.  9,  ISYO,  to  Miss  Locsu  W".  Iloyt,  a  native  of  Vermont,  and 
who  was  born  June  11,  1847.  They  iirc  the  parents  of  3  children, 
namely,— Charles  II.,  born  May  20,  1871,  Ora  C,  -Tan.  2, 1873,  and 
Eva  _M.,  Jan.  1,1876. 

WilliamW.  Willsey,  farmer,  sec.  34;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  is  a  son  of 
Barnett  and  (laroline  (Ivizer)  Willsey,  natives  oi'  New  York;  is  a 
native  of  this  county,  and  was  born  in  1848.  In  1868  he  married 
Frances  J.  Robinson,  also  a  native  of  Missouri,  and  was  born  in 
1848.  Tliey  have  3  children, — Perry  A.,  Almira  M.  and  Nancy  0.; 
both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  belong  to  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  W. 
owns  80  acres  of  land  worth  $60  per  acre,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

Conrad  Winand,  blacksmith;  born  in  Germany  in  1838;  cameto 
America  in  1854  and  settled  in  New  York,  where  he  remained  4 
years;  came  to  Pittsfield  in  1859;  married  in  this  county  in  1863  to 
Hannah  Purset,  a  native  of  Pike  county,  born  in  1848,  and  their  3 
children  are  Lewis  H.,  Franklin  C.  and  Bertie  E.  In  1861  Mr.  W. 
enlisted  in  Co.  K,  2d  Reg.  111.  Cav.,  and  served  3  years;  was  in 
several  hard-fought  battles;  had  a  horse  siiot  from  under  iiim  by  a 
musket  ball  without  injury  to  himself.  He  owns  one  lot  with  good 
dwelling  and  shop;  is  a  Tiicmber  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  a  Re- 
])ublican. 

Isaac  Wmans,  farmer,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  was  born  in 
Essex,  now  Union  Co.,  N.  J.,  in  1829.  Is  a  son  of  Jonas  and 
Saraii  (Stiles)  Winans,  of  that  State.  The  family  came  to  this 
county  in  1846,  and  settled  south  of  Pittsfield,  where  his  mother 
di6d  in  1858.  His  respected  father  lived  until  1878.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1851  to  Miss  Sarah  Webster,  a  native 
of  Massachusetts,  by  whom  he  has  8  children:  Norman  "W.,  William 
M.,  John  S.,  Isaac,  jr.;  Jonas  L.,  Elmer  R.,  Emma  P.  and  Horace 
G.  Mr.  W.  has  a  farm  of  400  acres  valued  at  $40  per  acre,  and  is 
one  of  the  enterprising  men  of  Pike  county,  and  a  Republican. 

Thomas  Worthington,  M.  D.,  was  born  near  Knoxville,  Tenn., 
June  10,  1808,  and  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  the  Worthington  and 
Calvert  (or  Baltimore)  families  of  England  and  Maryland.  His 
fatlier  having  died  soon  after  his  return  from  service  in  the  war  of 
1812,  Dr.  Worthington  removed  to  Illinois  at  an  early  day,  and 
soon  afterward  saw  service  in  the  Black  Hawk  war.  He  graduated 
,at  the  Medical  College  of  Cincinnati,  0.,  and  settled  in  Pittsfield 
for  the  practice  of  his  profession,  in  1835.     His  success  as  a  phy- 


lilKTORY   OIC   I'IKIi;  OOIINTV.  71  J 

gioian  was  very  jj;n;id.  In  Uic,  yoar  IKI'.T  lie  wh,h  rnurriod  to  AuKilia 
.!.,  yonii^'ost  daii(/lil.iM' oF  ()()!.  Andrdw  K.  Lonir,  of  iinlf.iirioni,  Md. 
In  addition  to  his  iirofoHHionul  diil.ioH,  lio  has  lakiiii  uii  active  intor- 
estin  politics,  wlioii  <|ii08tioMH  of  /i;rc,at  j)ul)llc,  itiUircHt  woro  invtdvod, 
and  twice  rojn'eHontod  Ihh  (liHtri<',t  in  tli(i  Kiatc,  Sonato.  In  tliig 
l)od}'  ho  wan  an  oarndHt  iidvocato  of  the,  "  two-mill  tiix,"  and  liis  ex- 
ortioiiH  largely  (MUitrihiitiid  to  gave  the  Stato  IVoui  rojmdiation. 
Fi'oni  being  a  "  l''roo-Boil  Wlii;^,"  Ini  lincariK!  ono  oC  tli(!  lirst  ami 
most  carnoHt  inemlxirH  .of  the  lio|)iil)lic,an  party  in  Illinois.  To  the 
support  ol'  itH  prinoiplos,  and  other  ciimhoh  in  which  ho  was  intei'- 
ested,  he  brought  powers  of  eloiincnco  and  a  broadth  of  information 
which  have  raroly  been  ('.((nalcd  in  tlm  State,  Having,' by  great 
ihdiiBtry  aecMmnbitoil  a  eoimidcirablo  iiroporty,  Ik;  is  enabled  to 
Bpetid  tli(^  grtMiter  [lart  <d'  his  time  in  tlio  invigorating  climHt(i  of 
the  Kocky  Mountains,  and  in  the  |iiirHiiit  of  tlio  I'avorito  study  of 
his  later  yearH —geology.  IIIh  inveHtiifations  upon  this  subject 
have  boon  eondneti^d  principally  in  the  Held,  in  idmowt,  all  jiartH  ol" 
tho  United  Stat<^H,  and  lin,ve  been  of  (^Hpeeial  value  in  iHd'erence  to 
tlie  "Glacial  Pei'iod.''  lie  contemplateH  pnbliHbing  their  results  in 
bonk  form.  Dr.  Worthington  has  long  ranke<l  as  one  of  tho  most 
intelligent,  upright  and  I'espocted  citizens  (tf   his  coiiniy  and  State. 

Thormrn  WortJUn/jf.dfii,  ]\\,  a  son  of  the  idiove,  was  born  in  S])en- 
cor,  Tunn.,  June  S,  iHfiO;  graduaJ.ed  with  distinction  at  Ooruell 
Univorsity,  Ithaca,  N.  Y.,  in  lH7li,  and  at  the  Union  Oollcge  of 
fjaw,  Ohiciigo,  in  1877.  lie  was  admitted  to  .the  bar  in  Sejitember 
of  the  latter  year,  and  Is  now  practicing  his  prolession  in  J'itts- 
field. 

VUi'imvvd.  YitUx,  attorney,  rittslield,  was  born  in  Pike  (;onnty, 
Sept.  'il,  I84(!.  lie  is  a  son  (d' (Uioi-ginind  Maria  (llinman)  Yates, 
the  Ibrnier  a  mitive  (d' Kentucky,  and  born  dan.  17,1807;  he  was 
the  second  sou  of  Sauiuel  Vales,  a  native  of  Virginia,  who  emi- 
grated in  a  very  early  day  to  Kentucky.  Oeorge  Yates,  who  was 
born  in  I'arreu  Co.,  Ky.,  in  1807,  came  to  IllinoiH  as  cai-ly 
ae  lS31],  and  spent  one  year  in  Washington  (!o.  I<'rum  there  be 
iiiiived  to  Moi'gan  Oo.,  settling  near  Naples,  which  is  now  in 
Soott  Oo.  In  tlu^  spring  of  IHIi;!  ho  eroSHod  tho  Illinois  rivei-  into 
Pike  Oo.  and  settled  on  sec.  <i,  Origgsville  tp.,  whore  he  resided 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Origgsville,  Aug.  i;i,  187S. 
When  at  the  age  of  IS  be  started  out  in  life  to  do  for  himself. 
lie  hired  to  a  geidJeman  by  the  luime  of  Thomas  Smith  for  $8 
per  iniuith,  one-baJf  in  ti-a,de.  Il((  worked  for  ;i  uu)nthH,  when  ho 
was  taken  sick.  The  elder  Va,tes  was  one  (d' those  persons  who  made 
of  life  a  success,  lie  was  charitable  and  liberid,  yet  accumulated 
cousidera.blo  property,  owning  at  one  time  about  I, ;{()()  acres  of 
laud  undei'  ii.  high  state  of  cidtivation.  Ilisliuuily  of  children, 
all  (d'  whom  an^  I'espected  for  their  enterprise,  genial  a.nd  social 
(lualities,  were  a  great  comlbrt  when  in  his  declining  years.  He 
was  a  num  (d'  Clbristian  integi'ity,  high  moi-al  principle,  beloved* 
and  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.      lie  was    |)lain    a.iul  inmstenta- 


712  HISTOEy  OF  PIKE  COUNTY. 

tioiis  in  his  manners,  a  kind  neighbor,  a  loving  father  and  a  faith- 
ful friend.  He  was  greatly  missed  and  deeply  mourned,  not  only 
by  his  family,  but  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  neighbors. 
Especially  was  he  missed  by  the  little  Church  (Hinman's  Chapel) 
of  which  he  was  a  member  and  pillar.  His  funeral,  which  took 
place  at  this  church,  was  largely  attended.  The  sermon  was  de- 
livered by  Elder  J.  P.  Dimmitt,  and  his  remains  were  laid  at  rest  by 
the  side  of  his  wife,  who  preceded  him  to  the  spirit  world  about  ten 
years. 

The  children  of  the  elder  Yates  are,  Nancy  Catharine,  now 
the  wife  of  Jerome  W.  Rush,  of  Fairmount  tp. ;  Wm.  H.  lives 
in  Grriggsville,  and  in  company  with  his  brother  Monroe,  owns  ■ 
the  old  homestead.  Wm.  H.  is  a  Director  in  the  Griggsville 
Eank;  Emeline,  the  wife  of  J.  W".  Fisher,  President  of  the  Chil- 
licothe  Savings  Bank,  and  resides  at  Chillicothe,  Mo.;  Ellen  M., 
BOW  the  wife  of  Jefferson  Orr,  Pittsfield.  Martha  F.,  who  lives  at 
the  old  homestead,  and  Edward,  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Edward  Yates,  whose  name  heads  this  sketch,  attended  the  Mc- 
Kendree,  Jacksonville  and  Quincy  Colleges,  receiving  a  collegiate 
education.  He  chose  the  legal  profession  for  his  life  labor,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  Dec.  29, 1869.  He  began  practice  with 
the  late  Hon.  Jackson  Grimshaw,  at  Quincy.  In  1871  he  moved 
to  Trenton,  Mo.,  where  he  practiced  until  January,  1875,  when  he 
returned  to  his  native  county  and  located  at  Pittsfield.  He  asso- 
ciated himself  in  his  profession  with  Jefferson  Orr,  present  State's 
attorney.  As  a  criminal  pleader  and  prosecutor  Mr.  Y.,  although 
a  young  man,  has  few  superiors  in  Illinois.  He  is  energetic,  and 
possesses  the  happy  faculty  of  making  friends  wherever  he  meets 
his  fellow  men. 


/"(".b  /  ff.  r 


^/V^i"^ 


PITTSntLD    Tr 


MAIITINSBURG  ■J'OWNBHII'. 

Tli(!  Burt'aco  of  this  towriHhip  is  generally  rolling,  and  beautifully 
timbered.  I'Voni  the  eminence  of  some  of  the  knolls  in  the  north- 
ern part  a  grand  and  magnificent  view  ineots  the  eye  from  every 
quarter.  For  miles  either  way  during  the  growing  season  the  eye 
beholds  verdant  fields  dotted  over  with  fine  farm  residences,  school- 
houses,  etc.  Before  the  hand  of  man  had  subdued  these  lands,  and 
when  the  prairies  and  woodlands  were  in  their  virgin  state,  the 
Hoenery  from  these  eminences  must  have  been  supremely  charming. 
With  Its  green,  flowery  carpet,  its  undulating  surface,  skirted  by 
beautiful  and  refreshing  groves  that  more  definitely  mark  the 
boundnries,  it  must  have  presented  to  the  eye  of  the  lone  traveler 
or  new  settler  a  scene  most  beautiful  and  sublimely  grand.  No 
doubt  Fisher  Petty,  the  first  settler  of  the  township,  was  attracted 
by  the  beauty  of  its  scenery,  the  fine  timber,  and  the  high,  rolling 
land  and  running  water.  These  were  important  things  to  be  con- 
sidered by  the  pioneer  in  making  a  selection  for  a  home.  "When 
Messrs.  retty  and  Nicholson  came  here  to  look  up  a  location,  this 
land  had  not  yet  been  offered  for  sale  by  Government.  They  were 
the  voiy  advance  of  the  on-coming  westward  flight  of  civilization. 
Mr.  Petty  ciune  in  182.5  and  located  on  sec.  15.  As  years  passed, 
the  groves  received  the  in-coming  settlers  until  about  1850,  when 
all  the  timbered  farms  were  being  worked.  About  that  time  some 
of  the  more  enterprising  pushed  out  upon  the  prairies.  It  is  not 
MOW  remembered  wlio  was  the  first  to  be  so  adventurous. 

Others  of  the  (iarly  pilgrims  to  this  locality  were  Joseph  and 
Robert  Goodin,  Wm.  Jiinns,  Isaac  Ilosldns,  Wm.  Hutler  and  Kob- 
ort  Richardson,  most  of  whom  were  well-known  in  the  early  history 
of  the  count}'.  Among  the  older  settlors  now  living  are  Ira  Rris- 
ooe,  Moses  Connor,  Mr.  McOlintock  and  others. 

The  first  children  born  in  the  township  were  Wm.  Ward  and 
Nancy  Shinn.  The  former  went  to  Texas,  where  he  met  his  death 
by  hanging,  in  1862.  He  was  a  loyal  Union  man,  and  because  he 
would  not  join  the  rebel  army,  was  hanged  by  a  band  of  outlaws. 
The  first  marriage  was  that  of  G-eorge  Williams  to  Miss  Nancy 
Nicholson,  Eev.  David  Hubbard  officiating.  The  first  preaching 
was  done  by  oldei-  John  Garrison,  of  the  Christian  denomination, 
and  the  first  sermon  was  at  the  house  of  Robert  (J-oodin. 

41 


716  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    CODNTY. 

The  preachers  of  the  gospel  soon  sought  out  and  found  the 
pioneers  in  their  new  homes,  as  above  mentioned.  JVor  were  they 
long  without  the  school-house  and  "  master."  The  former  was  a 
rude  log  cabin,  and  the  latter  fully  as  rude,  the  refractory  pupils 
thought,  and  not  well  versed  in  our  more  modern  studies.  Both 
school-house  and  master,  however,  were  well  adapted  to  the  times 
and  the  then  existing  surroundings.  The  first  school-building  was 
erected  on  sec.  T,  in  1827,  and  the  first  school  taught  by  Mr.  Morrow. 

The  first  church  structure  was  erected  by  the  Presbyterians  on 
sec.  18,  in  1839.     It  was  known  as  the  Bethel  Church. 

The  township  contains  two  towns,  five  churches  and  eight  school- 
houses.  The  system  of  education  adopted  by  a  majority  of  the 
schools  of  this  township  is  up  to  the  high  standard  of  any  part  of 
the  county.  Of  some  of  the  leading  teachers  we  speak  in  the  de- 
partment of  personal  sketches  given  in  connection  with  the  his- 
tory of  the  township. 

Six-Mile  creek,  with  its  small  and  numerous  branches,  traverses 
the  western  part  of  the  township  from  north  to  south.  There  are 
several  small  creeks  which  water  the  eastern  portion.  The  soil  is 
underlaid  with  a  heavy  bed  of  limestone,  and  is  better  adapted  to 
raising  wheat  and  fruit  than  general  farming. 

VILLAGES. 

Martinsburg. — During  the  speculative  period,  when  towns 
sprung  up  all  over  the  State,  this  village  was  ushered  into  exis- 
tence among  the' thousands  of  others.  It  was  laid  out  by  William 
Freeman  and  John  Kingsbury,  Aug.  24,  1836.  It  is  located  on 
sees.  22  and  27,  and  at  present  has  a  population  of  about  200.  It 
contains  one  general  store,  a  blacksmith  shop,  two  churches,  a 
school-house,  etc.  The  churches  are  of  the  Christian  and  Baptist 
denominations,  both  of  which  have  been  founded  for  several  ye^rs, 
and  are  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

Wew  Hartford. — As  a  rival  to  Martinsburg,  and  at  about  the 
■same  time  that  that  place  was  founded,  this  little  village  was  laid 
•out.  It  is  in  the  extreme  northwestern  corner  of  the'  township, 
and  in  the  midst  of  a  fertile  and  well-improved  part  of  the 
•county.  It  was  founded  by  Isaac  Hoskins,  Abner  Clark,  John 
Shinn  and  Nathan  Brown.  The  latter  kept  the  first  store,  and 
Mr.  Eathburn  was  the  first  blacksmith.  The  first  postmaster  was 
Wm.  Grimes.  It  now  has  two  stores,  two  cooper  shops,  a  black- 
smith shop,  a  school-house,  and  two  cliurches.  There  is  one  resi- 
dent physician.     The  place  contains  now  about  100  inhabitants. 

The  Methodist-  Episcopal  Church  at  New  Hartford  was  organ- 
ized about  1840,  by  Kev.  Mr.  Troy,  who  was  afterward  thrown 
from  a  horse  and  killed.  There  were  at  first  about  15  members. 
They  erected  a  house  of  worship  in  1850,  which  is  still  used  by 
the  Society.  Services  each  alternate  Sunday,  by  Eev.  Mr.  Drake, 
Pastor.     Present  number  of  communicants  about  75. 


HISTOEY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  717 

The  Christian  Church  at  this  place  was  first  organized  March 
19, 1851,  with  the  same  number  of  souls  that  went  into  Noah's 
ark,  by  Elders  James  Burbridge  and  David  Eoberts.  The  society 
built  a  church  in  1856.  Since  the  organization  there  have  been 
added  to  the  congregation  116  males  and  172  females.  Present 
number  of  communicants,  100.     Services  each  Sunday. 

BIOGEAPfllES. 

In  justice  to  the  pioneers,  to  those  who  have  opened  up  and  de- 
veloped this  township,  and  those  who  have  taken  a  prominent  part 
in  the  history  of  this  community,  we  give  a  department  of  per- 
sonal sketches  as  a  portion  of  the  history  of  the  township. 

Willard  And7'ews,  deceased,  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1813, 
the  son  of  Alanson  and  Phoebe  Andrews,  natives  of  the  Bay  State; 
received  a  common-school  education;  in  1846  he  married  Cornelia 
Brockway,  who  was  born  in  1825  in  New  York  State.  Mr.  An- 
drews came  to  this  county  in  1839,  settling  in  Atlas  tp.,  and  came 
into  this  tp.  in  1850.  By  trade  he  was  a  carpenter,  but  he  also 
carried  on  farming,  on  sec.  6.  He  died  Dec.  6,  1872,  leaving  a 
widow  and  children.  The  youngest  son  carries  on  the  farm.  Mrs. 
H.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.     P.  O.,  New  Hartford. 

A.  F.  Barnd,  nurseryman,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Martinsburg;  was 
born  in  Perry  county,  O.,  in  1815,  and  is  a  son  of  Christian  and 
Mary  Barnd ;  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1847  emigrated  to  this  State,  locating  in  McLean 
county,  where  he  resided  until  1861;  he  then  came  to  Pike  county, 
settling  in  this  township,  where  he  practiced  medicine  a  number 
of  years;  he  has  now  been  in  the  nursery  business  for  about  10 
years.  He  has  a  fine  nursery,  comprising  all  varieties  of  fruit 
trees  and  plants.  The  Doctor  also  still  attends  to  professional 
calls  to  some  extent. 

A.  M.  Bradbum,  farmer,  was  born  in  Ohio,  Nov.  1,  1827,  and 
is  a  son  of  Mark  and  Mary  (Keatley)  Bradburn,  natives  of  Ohio: 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio;  in  1853  he  married 
Emily  Jameson,  and  all  their  eight  children  are  living;  one  daugh- 
ter is  married.  David  N.  is  a  teacher.  Mr.  Bradburn  came  to 
Pike  county  in  1864.  In  Missouri  he  was  in  the  "  Shirt-tail " 
militia,  and  he  lost  money  while  in  that  State.  He  has  made  all 
he  has  by  hard  work  since  he  married,  now  owning  133  acres  of 
land.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.     P.  O.,  Pittsfield. 

Ira  Briscoe,  farmer,  sec.  28,  where  he  owns  240  acres  of  land; 
P.  0.,  Martinsburg;  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Ky.,  in  1798, 
the  son  of  Edward  and  Peggy  Briscoe;  his  father  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  his  mother  in  Ireland;  he  received  his  education  in  the 
subscription  schools  which  were  kept  in  log  school-houses  in 
pioneer  times  in  Kentucky,  with  greased-paper  windows,  mud-and- 
stick  chimneys,  etc.  In  1818  he  married  Miss  Polly  Crump,  who 
was  born  in  Virginia  in  1799;  in  1834  he  came  to  Pike  county. 


718  HI8T0ET    OF   PIKE   OOUNTT. 

settling  on  the  place  where  he  now  lives;  he  has  been  a  farmer  all 
his  life,  but  is  now  living  in  retirement.     P.  O.,  Martinsburg. 

Jasper  BroMw,  agriculturist,  sec.  17;  was  bora  in  Somerset 
county,  N.  J.,  Aug.  12,  1828,  and  is  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Sarah 
Brokaw,  deceased;  he  worked  with  his  father  in  the  wood-yard 
until  18  years  of  age;  came  to  Eastern  Illinois  with  his  parents 
in  1844,  and  in  1851  located  in  Pike  county,  and  this  year  also  he 
married  Miss  Martha  Maroon,  daughter  of  Wm.  Maroon,  deceased, 
and  they  had  6  children,  namely,  "William,  G-eorge,  John,  Sarah, 
Martha  and  Charley.  Mrs.  B.  died  in  March,  1863,  and  Mr.  B. 
the  next  year  married  Mrs.  Amelia  Toothaker,  and  they  have  had 
6  children:  Liona,  Priscilla,  Albert,  Elmer,  Cora  A.  and  Eva  V. 
Mr.  B.  is  a  farmer,  making  wheat-raising  a  specialty.  His  brother, 
Uriah,  served  over  a  year  in  the  late  war,  where  he  lost  his  life. 

John  L.  dnno/i,  djeea^el,  was  born  in  Pittsfield  tp.,  tliis 
county,  March  31,  1834,  and  was  the  son  of  Ephraim  and  Dorothy 
Cannon,  dec;  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common-school 
education.  Nov.  9,  1854,  he  married  Margaret  A.  Goodin,  daugh- 
ter of  Hardin  Goodin,  of  Martinsburg  tp.,  and  their  4  children 
were  Charles  E.,  Sarah  E.,  William  H.  and  Henry  O.  Mr.  C.  was 
a  respected  member  of  the  Christian  Church  for  18  years  previous 
to  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  Nov.  5, 1877. 
He  was  a  valuable  member  of  society  and  a  kind  husband  and 
father;  he  was  a  good-natured  man,  and  patient;  during  his  last 
illness  he  suffered  untold  misery  and  pain,  yet  he  bore  it  all  with 
Christian  fortitude  and  patience. 

James  Duffield  was  born  in  Chester  District,  S.  C,  Dec.  12, 
1796;  educated  in  a  subscription  school;  brought  to  Indiana  by 
his  parents  when  a  boy,  where  he  resided  until  a  man  grown; 
came  to  this  county  several  years  ago  and  engaged  in  farming  and 
raising  stock.  He  now  resides  on  sec.  3,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
S4  years.  Of  his  6  children  5  are  living.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  fought  under  Gen.  Jackson. 

I/ucinda  A.  Dyer,  nee  Thompson,  New  Hartford,  is  the  wife  of 
Eli  Dyer,  and  they  were  married  in  1840.  Of  their  9  children  5 
are  living, — Thomas  W.,  Franklin  W.,  Mary  E.,  "William  H.  and 
John  K.  Mr.  Dyer  was  a  farmer  prior  to  the  late  war,  in  which 
he  served  4  years ;  his  son  Franklin  was  also  in  the  war,  and  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Pilot  Knob.  The  Dyer  family,  while 
residing  in  Missouri,  were  Union  people,  and  suffered  many 
wrongs  at  the  hands  of  rebels  and  black-legs.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dyer 
are  both  natives  of  Fairfax  county,  Ya.,  and  he  was  slave  overseer 
in  Maryland  for  four  years;  in  1854  they  came  to  Pike  county, 
Mo.,  and  in  1864  to  this  county.  Mrs.  Dyer  is  proprietor  of  the 
best  store  in  New  Hartford,  which  is  conducted  under  the  firm 
name  of  T.  "W.  Dyer  &  Bro.  They  carry  a  stock  of  $1,500,  con- 
sisting of  dry-goods,  hats  and  caps,  boots  and  shoes,  groceries, 
hardware,  glass  and  queensware,  and  in  fact,  everything  usually 
kept  in  a  first-class  general  store.     Prices  the  very  lowest. 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  719 

Demd  Goodin,  farmer,aec.  4;  P.  O.,  Pittsfield;  was  born  in  this 
connty  in  1846,  the  son  of  Hardin  and  Rebecca  Goodin,  the  former 
a  native  of  Tennessee  and  the  latter  of  Indiana;  he  was  married  in 
1870  to  Mis3  Jearaes,  who  was  born  in  Missouri  in  1847;  their  two 
children  are  Benjamin  F.  and  William  H.  Mr.  Goodin  commenced 
life  in  very  limited  circumstances,  but  he  has  been  very  successful 
as  a  farmer,  now  having  180  acres  of  land.  He  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

J.  W.  Qrabael,  farmer,  sec.  19,  was  born  Dec.  14,  1840,  in  Mon- 
roe county,  Ind,,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Margaret  Grabael,  the 
former  a  native  of  Virginia  and  the  latter  of  North  Carolina.  At 
the  age  of  20  our  subject  came  to  this  county  and  for  a  time  lived 
near  Summer  Hill.  In  1865  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Maria  Stebbins,  a  native  of  this  tp.  and  whose  father  was  among 
the  first  settlers  of  the  county.  The  following  year  Mr.  G.  located 
in  this  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  are  the  parents  of  4  children, — 
Mary  E.,  Herbert,  Frank  and  Laura.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Congregational  Church  at  Summer  Hill.  During 
the  last  winter  Mr.  G.  unfortunately  met  with  two  men  from  whom 
he  purchased  the  right  of  territory  of  this  county  to  sell  the  "  Practi- 
cal Grubber  and  Stump-Puller,"  giving  his  note  for  the  payment 
of  over  $3,000,  with  the  understanding,  however,  that  they  would 
keep  the  note  nntil  he  could  make  the  money  by  selling  the  ma- 
chine; but  they  disiegarded  this  understanding,  and  immediately 
disposed  of  the  note,  causing  Mr.  G.  great  financial  embarrassment. 

/.  M.  Holloway.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  High- 
land county,  O.,  Dec.  9,  1850,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Ellen 
Holloway,  deceased,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1857;  our  subject 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common-school  education.  He 
was  married  Feb.  22,1872,  to  Miss  Kittie  Petty,  daughter  of  Alvin 
Petty,  of  Hardin  tp.  They  have  4  children, — Nora,  Adda,  Emma 
and  Athel.  Mr.  H.  resides  on  sec.  18,  this  tp.,  and  is  engaged  in 
farming  and  the  raisin "■  of  stock. 

Horace  Hoshina  was  born  in  Atlas  tp.,  this  county,  July  3,  1832, 
and  is  a  son  of  Isaac  Hoskins,  so  well  known  in  the  pioneer  days 
of  Pike  county,  and  who  is  now  deceased.  Mr.  H.  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  is  now  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  March  6,  1851, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  jwith  Miss  Lucinda  Loutzenhiser,  by 
whom  he  has  had  13  children,  9  of  whom  are  living:  William, 
Marshall,  John  M.,  Mary  J.,  Isaac,  Emily,  Orlando,  Alice  B.  and 
George  B.  McClellan.  Mr.  H.  served  3  years  in  the  late  war,  in 
Co.  G,  99th  III.  Inf.,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Hartsville, 
Mo.,  where  he  was  wonnded,  siege  of  Yicksburg,  etc.  He  was 
present  at  the  surrender  of  Mobile,  and  was  honorably  discharged 
Aug.  12, 1865. 

George  James  was  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England,  Aug.  12, 1836, 
and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  James,  deceased.  He  was 
educated  in  England,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1851;  he  went  to 
Nebraska  in  1865,  where  he  remained  two  years,  as  salesman  for 


Y20  HI8T0EY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Rolfe  &  Terry,  wholesale  merchants  in  Nebraska  City.  He  was 
engaged  in  Government  freighting  for  some  time;  he  went  from 
Nebraska  City  to  the  Black  Hills,  where  he  worked  on  the  North- 
ern Pacific  Kailroad  during  its  construction;  he  returned  to  Illinois 
in  January,  1869,  since  whicli  time  he  has  followed  farming,  on  sec. 
3,  this  tp..  June  li,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Andrews, 
daughter  of  Willard  G.  Andrews,  and  of  their  8  children  the  fol- 
lowing 5  are  living:  Salome,  Alicia,  Willard  G.,  Fred  and 
Gracie  Lee. 

John  W.  Zynch,  teacher  of  Highway  school,  was  born  in  Putnam 
county,  Ind.,  Feb.  19,  1843,  the  sonof  Caselton  and  Miriam  Lynch, 
the  latter  deceased.  He  was  educated  mostly  in  Pittsfield,  and 
began  teaching  in  1869  ;  is  now  teaching  the  second  yearat  High- 
land. In  18T8  he  married  Louisa  Brown,  by  whom  lie  has  one 
child,  Jennie.  As  a  teacher  Mr.  Lynch  is  particula;-ly  successful. 
His  pupils  keep  excellent  order  and  are  full  of  the  spirit  of  learn- 
ing. He  teaches  on  the  latest  normal  methods,  and  his  school- 
room is  a  pleasant  place  for  both  teacher  aud  pupils. 

James  IT.  McOory  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  his  parents  being  John 
and  Betsey  (Warman)  McCory;  he  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  Indiana,  and  by  occupation  is  a  farmer;  has  lived  with 
his  father  all  his  life,  who  also  is  a  farmer.  He  has  rim  a  thresh- 
ing-machine for  16  seasons.  He  came  to  Pike  county  in  1876;  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

Joseph  McDade,  farmer,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill;  was  born 
in  this  county  in  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  "William  and  Sarah  McDade, 
the  former  a  native  of  Butler  county,  Ky.,  and  the  latter  of  Indi- 
ana; when  7  years  old  he  went  to  Indiana,  returning  at  the  age  of 
9,  then  settled  in  Western  Missouri,  in  1866,  then  in  Scott  county 
in  1868,  and  then  back  to  this  county  in  1878.  In  1871  he  mar- 
ried Betsey  Ann  McDade,  who  was  born  in  1835,  in  this  county, 
and  they  have  two  children — Laura  A.,  dec,  and  Sarah  E.  Mrs. 
McDade  was  the  mother  of  5  children  when  she  married  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch.  Their  names  are  John  R.,  Franklin,  Charles, 
Mary  and  Nancy.  Mr.  McDade  is  a  successful  farmer,  owning  120 
acres  of  land,  all  fenced. 

Feter  McGuire,  farmer,  sec.  8;  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill;  was  born 
in  Ireland  in  1823,  the  son  of  John  and  Catharine  (Hughes)  Mc- 
Guire, natives  of  Ireland.  In  the  common  schools  of  that  country 
our  subject  was  educated ;  in  1851  he  married  Alice  Carrabry,  and 
they  have  two  sons  and  three  daughters.  They  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1849,  landing  in  New  York,  and  came  to  Pike  county  in 
1854.  When  he  first  came  here  he  was  worth  about  $18,  but  has 
now  172  acres  of  land.     In  politics  he  is  a  Greenbacker. 

Michael  McZanna,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Martinsburg;  was 
born  in  1865  in  county  Tyrone,  Ireland,  son  of  Patrick  and  Ann 
McKanua.  At  the  age  of  15  our  subject  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  with  a  friend,  locating  first  in  Rhode  Island ;  thence  to  New 
Orleans,  where  he  remained  12  years,  and  1849  to  this  county.    In 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  721 

1834  he  married  Miss  Catharine  Mediau,  also  a  native  of  Ireland, 
and  they  had  6  children.  Mrs.  McK.  died  in  1844;  Mr.  McK. 
again  married  in  New  Orleans,  in  1845,  Miss  Bridget  Sheridan,  also 
a  native  of  Ireland,  and  they  have  h.ad  8  children.  Mr.  McK.  was 
formerly  a  bleacher  in  print  works,  but  for  the  past  30  years  has 
followed  farming.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  Of  the  Catholic 
Church. 

S.  Q.  Miller^  farmer,  sec.  16:  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill;  was  born  in 
1817  in  Athens  county,  O.,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  S.  and  Sally  Mil- 
ler, natives  ot  Maryland;  educated  in  the  subscription,  school.     In 

1847  he  married  Martha  Bemiss,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and 
she  died  in  1851.  In  1853  he  married  Asenath  McCord,  who  was 
born  in  1824,  in  Massachusetts,  and  they  have  had  2  children, 
George  B.  and  Cora  E.  Mr.  Miller  followed  tailoring  for  24  years, 
but  since  1852  has  followed  farming,  with  good  success;  has  now 
132  acres  of  good  land,  well  improved.  He  came  to  this  county  in 
1845.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order,  and  Mrs.  M.  is  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  Church. 

/.  G.  Moore,  farmer,  sec.  18;  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill;  was  born  in 
Maine,  the  son  of  William  and  Margaret  Moore,  natives  also  of  the 
same  State;  came  to  Pike  county  in  1856,  settling  in  this  tp.     In 

1848  he  married  Hachel  Randolph,  who  also  was  born  in  Maine,  in 
1824,  and  they  have  had  8  children, — Marcellus,  Josephine  and 
Theodosia.  Mr.  M.  has  traveled  a  great  deal ;  transacted  business 
for  a  period  of  25  years  in  British  America  and  in  Bangor,  Me. 
Since  he  came  here  he  has  followed  farming  with  good  succesg,  now 
owning  nearly  300  acres  of  good  land,  well  improved,  but  when  he 
first  set  out  in  life  he  had  but  very  little.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  Church. 

Jardes  Posten,  farmer,  sec.  6;  P.  O.,  IsTew  Hartford;  was  born 
in  Morgan  county,  O.,  May  16,  1821,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and 
Mary  (Johnson)  Posten,  'who  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  En- 
ghsh  ancestry;  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Ohio,  and  came 
to  Pike  county  in  1843;  in  1849  he  married  Eachel  Lyton,  and 
they  have  had  2  children.  Mrs.  P.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  he  is  a  Democrat. 

W.  M.  /S'Acni^ow, farmer,  sec.  6;  P.  0.,  Summer  Hill;  was  born  in 
Ohio  in  1841,  the  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Twiford)  Shanton, 
natives  of  Ohio  and  of  German  descent.  He  came  to  Pike  county 
in  1842.  In  1865  he  married  Anna  Thompson,  and  they  have  one 
son  and  three  daughters.  Mrs.  S.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  Mr.  S.  is  a  Democrat. 

Oonrad  Shornhart,  farmer,  sec..l4;  P.  O.,  Martinsburg;  was  born 
in  1813  in  Germany;  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1836,  set- 
tling in  Indiana;  in  1849  he  married  Mary  Fisher,  and  they  have 
6  children,  viz  :  Harry,  Mary,  Margaret  J.,  John,  Sarah  and 
"Willie.  He  settled  in  this  county  in  1852,  where  he  still  resides, 
engaged  in  farpiing  and  the  raising  of  stock. 


722  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

J.  N.  Slade,  teacher  of  the  New  Hartford  school,  is  a  son  of  Dr. 
Slade,  of  New  Hartford,  and  has  been  teaching  most  of  the  tjrne 
for  10  years.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  the 
State  Normal  University  at  Normal,  111.  He  has  recently  had  to 
encounter  a  vexatious  variety  of  text-books,  but  now  has  the'pro- 
cess  for  overcoming  the  obstacle  under  good  headway.  At  the 
Jackson  school  he  taught  four  terms  in  succession,  and  is  desired 
to  return.  He  was  born  July  7,  1850,  in  Crittenden  county,  Ky., 
and  was  brought  by  his  mother  to  this  county  in  1852,  his  father 
having  preceded  them  about  six  months.  April  17,  1879,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Anna  Moore,  daughter  of  Robert  Moore,  of  Louisiana, 
Mo.,  and  born  in  Pittsfield,  Aug.,  1855. 

Humphrey  D.  Harlow,  deceased,  was  born  in  Albemarle  county, 
Va.,  Jan.  20,  1800,  and  was  the  son  of  Daniel  Harlow.  He  was 
raised  on  a  farm  but  early  learned  the  use  of  tools,  and  for  several 
years  after  he  settled  in  life  he  worked  in  wOod  work  of  various 
kinds,  in  connection  with  farming.  In  religion  he  was  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  was  always  respected  for  his 
consistency  and  zeal  in  the  Master's  cause.  He  died  Feb.  7, 1880, 
at  6  p.  M.  He  was  married  twice  during  life,  and  his  second  wife 
was  Mrs.  Amilda  (McKinney)  McCoy,  by  whom  he  has  one  child, 
Elizabeth,  now  Mrs .  Nathan  Zumwalt.  Mrs.  Harlow  has  2  chil- 
dren living,  and  Mrs.  Zumwalt  has  had  12  children,  of  whom  10 
are  living.  She  has  also  14  grandchildren.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H. 
emigrated  to  this  county  in  1836,  and  suifered  the  privations  of 
pionger  life. 

J.  W.  Varney  was  born  in  Clermont  county,  O.,  May  25, 1842, 
and  is  a  son  of  J.  N.  and  Matilda  Varney,  of  Hannibal,  Mo.  He 
came  to  this  county  in  1859,  and  in  1861  he  married  Rebecca  Con- 
ner, daughter  of  Moses  Conner,  who  now  resides  with  Mr.  Varney, 
in  his  81st  year.  Mr.  Conner  is  a  well  known  pioneer.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Varney  have  had  7  children,  of  whom  5  are  living,  namely, 
William,  Moses,  Charles,  John  and  Luetta.  Mr.  Varney  has  car- 
ried on  coopering  in  New  Hartford  for  20  years,  and  is  now  doing 
a  good  business,  employing  from  6  to  9  hands. 


PLEASANT  HILL  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township  consists  for  the  most  part  of  broken  land.  The 
blnifs  bordering  the  Mississippi  valley  extend  northwest  and 
southeast  through  the  township,  dividing  it  into  two  triangles  ; 
one  of  these  is  known  as  the  Hill  Triangle,  the  other  the  Bottom 
Triangle. 

The  township  was  first  settled  in  March,  1821,  by  Belus  and 
Egbert  Jones,  brothers.  They  located  on  sec.  25,  where  they 
erected  a  log  cabin  and  made  other  improvements.  Here  they 
kept  the  first  tavern  of  Pike  county,  and  here,  too,  the  first  liquor 
was  sold  in  the  county.  At  the  very  first  meeting  of  the  County 
Commissioners'  Court,  and  the  very  first  business  which  it  trans- 
acted, was  to  grant  these  brothers  license  to  sell  liquor.  They  also 
engaged  in  stock-raising,  but  were  veiy  much  annoyed  by  wolves 
and  other  wild  animals.  Egbert  Jones  lived  and  died  on  the  old 
homestead,  and  Belus  died  at  Hamburg,  Calhoun  county. 

The  next  settlement  in  the  county  was  made  by  James  W.  Whit- 
ney and  Thomas  Proctor,  both  prominent  characters  in  the  early 
history  of  Pike  county,  and  of  whom  we  speak  in  former  chapters 
in  this  work.  They  located  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  sec.  27, 
early  in  the  month  of  March,  1825;  in  May  of  the  same  year  Paul 
Harpole,  of  Ramsay  Creek,  Mo.,  came  over  and  rented  ground  of 
•the  Joneses,  raised  a  crop,  and  the  following  autumn  brought  his 
family  over  and  settled  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  sec.  35,  where 
he  resided  until  his  death.  In  the  fall  of  1825  Samuel  Brewster 
began  a  settlement  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  sec.  7.  The  next 
settlement  was  made  by  Thomas  Barton  and  Uriah  Holland,  in  the 
spring  of  1826.  They  first  rented  land  of  the  Joneses,  and  the  fol- 
lowing fall  settled  on  sec.  22,  near  the  ford  on  Bay  creek.  These 
settlers  came  from  Pike  county.  Mo.,  and  the  settlements  that  im- 
mediately followed  the  above  were'fmade  principally  by  people  from 
Pike  and  Lincoln  counties.  Mo. 

These  early  pioneei's  of  this  township  had  other  annoyances  be- 
sides those  given  by  the  wild  animals.  These  were  by  the  treach- 
erous and  troublesome  Indians,  who  were  here  in  large  numbers. 
The  farms  here  were  first  opened  by  ox  teams,  and  the  first  wagons 
consisted  of  wooden  wheels,  sawed  from  logs.  They  had  their  hard 
times  in  other  ways.     They  had  to  grind  corn  in  a  hominy  block 


724  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

and  in  hand-inills  at  first;  a  horse-mill  was  afterward  erected  on  a 
stump  near  Pittsfield.  The  first  mill  of  any  note  was  operated  by 
water  power,  and  was  erected  by  Elisha  Harrington  in  the  fall  and 
•  winter  of  1827,  on  the  S.  W.  J  of  sec.  8.  The  power  was  obtained 
through  a  race  cut  across  from  a  bend  in  Six-Mile  creek.  This 
mill  superseded  in  a  great  degree  the  hominy  block  and  spring- 
pole,  the  hand  and  horse-mill. 

E,egardleps  of  these  hardships  and  inconveniences,  the  pioneers 
of  this  township  were  noted  for  their  benevolence  and  hospitality. 

The  first  school  was  taught  in  the  spring  of  1828  by  Wm.  Howell 
in  a  private  house,  and  the  next  two  terms  of  school  were  taught 
by  Mr.  Bailey.  The  first  school-house  was  erected  in  1832,  on 
sec.  23. 

The  first  sermon  was  preached  in  the  house  of  Thomas  Barton, 
by  Rev.  Stephen  Ruddle,  a  Christian  ministei',  in  1826.  Every 
man,  woman  and  child  in  the  settlement  went  to  hear  this  sermon. 
Elder  Ruddle  and  his  brother  were  carried  away  by  the  liidians 
when  the  former  was  14  years  of  age,  and  kept  until  he  was  30. 
The  people  of  the  Baptist  faith  erected  the  first  Church  in  the 
village  of  Pleasant  Hill  in  1855.  The  first  Justice  of  the  Peace 
was  Felix  Collard,  and  the  first  Supervisor  was  Thomas  Collard. 

PLEASANT    HILL. 

The  village  of  Pleasant  Hill  is  very  pleasantly  located  on  sees. 
16  and  21,  and  is  on  the  line  of  the  Chicago  &  Alton  R.  R.  It  was 
laid  out  by  Eli  and  Charles  Hubbard  and  John  McMullen,  in  1836, 
and  was  incorporated  in  1869,  Dr.  John  A.  Thomas  being  its  first 
president.  It  contains  a  postofiSce,  stores,  blacksmith  shop,  etc. 

Pleasant  Hill  Baptist  Church. — The  Martinsbnrg  Church, 
from  which  the  Pleasant  Hill  Baptist  Church  emanated,  was 
organized  pursuant  to  previous  agreement  on  Saturday,  Feb. 
15,  1845,  at  the  school-house  in  Martinsburg.  After  an  ap- 
propriate sermon  by  Elder  David  Hubbard,  the  members  pro- 
ceeded to  organize  by  choosing  Joseph  Baker  Moderator,  and 
Jacob  Capps,  Clerk,  pro  tern.  The  number  of  members  that 
constituted  the  Church  at  that  time  was  only  16.  Jacob  Oapps 
was  invited  to  assist  Rev.  Hubbard  in  constituting  them  a  Church. 
They  then  unanimously  adopted  a  series  of  Articles  of  Faith  and 
Rules  of  Decorum,  which  the  Pleasant  Hill  Church  has  since 
adopted,  with  some  modifications. 

After  the  above  Church  was  organized  it  prospered  under  the 
pastoral  care  of  Elder  David  Hubbard  until  Feb.  22,  1851,  when 
Jacob  Capps  and  the  Pastor  held  a  series  of  meetings  at  Martins- 
bnrg, and  were  abundantly  blessed.  Fifteen  members  were  added 
to  the  Church.  The  meeting  was  then  removed  to  Pleasant  Hill 
and  continued  there  for  several  days  and  nights,  during  which 
time- 21  more  joined  the  Church.  The  Church  then  continued 
under  the  pastoral   care  of  Elder  Hubbard  until  Thursday,  week 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


Y25 


before  the  4th  Saturday  in  April,  1852,  when  a  protracted  meeting 
commenced  at  Pleasant  Hill.  The  meeting  was  conducted  by 
Elder  J.  F.  Smith,  of  Missouri,  and  Elder  Hubbard,  and  25  more 
were  added  to  the  Church,  which  made  a  majority  of  the  Church 
who  resided  at  and  near  Pleasant  Hill.  In  "consequence  of  this 
there  was  a  call  meeting  at  the  school-house  at  Pleasant  Hill  to 
devise  a  plan  for  establishing  a  branch  of  the  Martinsburg  Church 
at  Pleasant  Hill.  A  petition  was  sent  to  the  Martinsburg  Church, 
signed  by  37  members.  In  response  to  the  petition  it  was  decided 
best  for  the  members  to  remain  together  as  one  Church,  but  meet 
twice  per  month  instead  of  once,  at  Martinsburg  on  the  4th  Satur- 
day in  each  month,  and  at  Pleasant  Hill  on  the  2d  Saturday,  the 
Church  when  in  session  at  Pleasant  Hill  to  have  the  same  power 
to  transact  any  business,  as  at  Martinsburg. 

The  Church  flourished  under  the  above  arrangements,  and  un- 
der the  pastoral  care  of  Elder  Hubbard  until  the  spring  of  1853, 
when  the  much  esteemed  Pastor  left,  with  several  other  prominent 
members,  and'  removed  to  Oregon  Territory.  However,  destitute 
as  the  Church  was,  it  had  another  protracted  meeting  at  Pleasant 
Hill,  in  August,  1853,  conducted  by  Elder  Ingmire,  from  Pittsfield, 
and  Smith  and  Music  from  Missouri,  and  another  glorious  revival 
was  experienced,  during  which  23  more  were  converted. 

The  Church  now  continued  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Elders 
Inginire,  Music  and  Landrum,  until  the  spring  of  1857. 

The  members  near  Pleasant  Hill  wishing  to  be  constituted  an 
independent  Church  at  Pleasant  Hill  sent  a  petition  to  the  mother 
Church  at  Martinsburg,  which  was  granted  May  4,  1857;  where- 
upon the  following  persons  received  letters  of  dismissal  for  that 
purpose: 


*(x.  W.  Gregorj^ 
*Wm.  jfflitchell. 
*Susau  Mitchell. 
Joseph  D   Brooks. 
Mary  J.  Brooks. 
*Ijawson  Turner. 
*Susan  Turner. 
*John  Lapp. 
♦Frances  Lapp. 
*Jacob  Emmert. 
Eliza  Emmert. 
Mary  Collard. 
*John  Sapp. 
John  A.  Thomas. 
*Sarah  E.  Thomas. 
E.  T.  Gresham. 
*Elenor  Gresham. 

Those  marked  * 


NAMES. 

^arah  Simpson. 
Eliza  J.  Venable. 
Redman  Crews. 
*Winny  Crews. 
Ann  E.  Crews. 
*G.  W.  Bybee. 
Rhoda  C.  Bybee. 
*Jacob  Windmiller. 
Sarah  "Windmiller. 
*Wm.  Jackson. 
Frances  Triplett. 
Jacob  Turnbaugh. 
*Smith  W.  Leek. 
Wm.  E.  Smith: 
Mary  Smith. 
Elijah  Antery. 
L.  C.  Lewis. 
Elizabeth  Davis.  *John 

are  dead. 


Susannah  Lewis. 
S.  H.  Lewis. 
David  Wilson. 
Isaphena  Wilson. 
Keziah  Lewis. 
Lauretta  Smith. 
Daniel  Grossman. 
Nathan  Allison. 
Mary  Ann  Taylor. 
Abigail  Turnbaugh, 
Margaret  Craigmiles. 
John  N.  Collard. 
Mary  A.  Collard. 
G.  W.  Branson. 
*Lydia  Sinklear. 
*Wm.  Cannon. 
Joseph  S.  Davis. 
Sinklear. 


At  the  April  meeting,  after  letters  to  the  above  persons  were 
granted,  John  A.  Thomas  was  appointed  to  prepare  the  Articles  of 
Faith  and  Eules  of  Decorum,  and  advised  to  copy  from  the  Church 


726  HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTT. 

book  of  the  Martinsburg  Church.  Arrangements  were  also  made 
for  constituting  at  the  next  meeting  in  May  (1857),  and  M.  M. 
Modisett  and  Albert  Mitchell  from  Missouri  were  invited  to  attend 
and  assist  in  organizing  and  constituting  the  Church. 

The  following  are  the  Articles  of  Faith  upon  which  this  Church 
was  organized  and  constituted  at  Pleasant  Hill,  the  2d  Saturday 
in  May,  1857: 

ARTICLES    OF    FAITH. 

Art.  1.  That  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  are  the  infallible 
word  of  God. 

Art.  2.  That  there  is  but  one  only  true  God,  and  in  the  Godhead  or  divine 
essence,  there  are  Father,  Son,  and  Holy-Ghost. 

Art.  3.    That  by  nature  we  are  fallen,  depraved  creatures. 

Art.  4.  That  salvation,  regeneration,  sanctification  and  justification  are  by 
the  life,  death,  resurrection  and  ascension  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  operation  of 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

Art.  5.    That  the  saints  will  finally  persevere  through  grace  to  glory. 

Art.  6.  That  believers'  baptism  by  immersion  is  necessary  to  the  receiving  of 
the  Lord's  Supper. 

Art.  7.  That  the  salvation  of  the  righteous  and  punishment  of  the  wicked 
will  be  eternal. 

ECTLES    OF   DECORUM. 

Rule  1. — The  business  of  the  Church  to  be  done  the  2d  Saturday  in  each  month 
(unless  otherwise  determined  by  the  Church),  beginning  at  10  o'clock.  Every  male 
member  failing  to  attend  shall  be  accountable  to  the  Church  for  such  neglect. 

Rule  2. — A  Moderator  and  Clerk  to  be  chosen  by  a  majority  of  the  voices  pres- 
ent until  others  are  chosen.  The  Moderator  is  to  preside  in  the  Church  while  at 
business;  he  is  to  keep  order,  but  always  under  the  control  of  the  Church;  he  is 
to  withhold  his  own  opinion  until  all  other  members  who  wish  to  speak  have  spoken 
(except  by  request  of  the  Church).  He  shall  take  the  voice  of  the  Church  when 
called  on  for  that  purpose. 

Rule  3. — When  the  Church  has  met,  after  prayer,  members  of  sister  Churches 
to  be  invited  to  seats  in  council,  who  may  give  their  light  or  advice  on  any  sub- 
ject, but  shall  not  vote  in  decision  of  the  case. 

Rule  4.— The  door  of  the  Church  to  be  opened  for  the  reception  of  members. 

Rule  5. — The  Moderator  to  inquire  whether  all  are  in  peace  and  fellowship,  or 
any  one  has  any  matter  of  complaint  to  bring  forward  that  has  been  treated  in 
gospel  order. 

Rule  6.— The  unfinished  business  of  the  Church,  if  any,  to  be  now  attended  to. 

Rule  7. — Any  brother  having  a  motion  to  make  in  the  Church  shall  rise  to  his 
feet  and  address  the  Moderator  with  brotherly  respect ;  a  motion  thus  made  not  to 
be  attended  to  without  a  second. 

Rule  8.— No  brother  to  be  interrupted  while  speaking,  except  he  depart  froni 
the  subject,  on  which  the  Moderator  or  any  other  brother  may  call  to  order,  of 
which  point  of  order  the  Church  may  judge  when  applied  to  for  that  purpose. 

Rule  9. — No  brother  shall  speak  more  than  twice  to  any  subject  without  per- 
mission from  the  Church. 

Rule  10.— There  shall  be  no  laughing,  talking  or  whispering  in  time  of  public 
service.  Nor  shall  there  be  any  ungenerous  reflections  on  any  brother  that  has 
spoken  before. 

Rule  11.— All  the  business  of  the  Church  to  be  done  by  a  majority  o'f  the  mem- 
bers present,  except  receiving  and  excluding  members ;  the  former  must  be  unani- 
mous ;  two-thirds  may  exclude. 

Rule  12.— That  brotherly  1  ve  may  continue,  the  18th  of  Matthew  is  *»  ?e*f: 
tended  to  in  all  cases  so  far  as  practicable  in  treating  with  our  brethren,  and  in  all 
uncommon  cases  the  Church  to  be  the  judge,  and  in  all  public  transgressions  ac- 
knowledgments are  to  be  made  to  the  Church. 

Rule  13.— We  consider  it  the  duty  of  members  in  removing  their  residence  w 


HISTOBT    OF    PIKE    OOUNTl.  727 

distant  bounds  to  apply  to  the  Church  for  a  letter  of  dismission  and  join  some 
other  Church  with  speed,  or  as  soon  as  duty  and  prudence  will  dictate. 

Rule  14. — We  consider  it  our  duty  to  be  tender  and  affectionate  to  each  other 
and  study  the  happiness  of  the  children  of  God  in  general,  and  to  he  engaged 
singly  to  promote  the  honor  of  God. 
Rule  15. — We  consider  it  disorderly  to  attend  frolics,  plays,  horse-racing,  grog- 
ops,  and  charivaries. 

By  order  of  the  OSurch. 

John  A.  Thomas,  Church  Clerk. 

The  last  rule  was  introduced  by  Dr.  Thomas,  the  Clerk. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

The  further  details  of  the  history  of  Pleasant  Hill  township  are 
•  best  given  in  short  biographical  sketches  of  its  pioneers  and  prom- 
inent citizens.' 

William  Barton  is  engaged  in  farming  on  sec.  21 ;  P.  O.,  Pleas- 
ant Hill. 

Edward  Byhee,  farmer  and  trader,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill; 
was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Ky.,  in  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  George 
W.  and  Rhoda  C.  By  bee,  natives  also  of  Kentucky;  when  he  was 
very  young  his  parents  emigrated  with  him  to  this  county,  where 
he  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  a  common-school  education.  In 
1874  he  married  Fannie  Y.  Hubbard,  who  was  born  in  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  in  1852,  and  their  children  are  Minnie  E.,  Edna  E.  and 
Lenois  i).  Mr.  Bybee  has  been  prosperous  in  his  business,  and 
now  owns  160  acres  of  land,  mostly  in  the  Mississippi  Bottom, 
and  all  fenced.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church. 

Peter  Oraigmiles,  salesman  ajid  clerk  in  a  general  store  at 
Pleasant  Hill,  was  born  in  1838,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  son  of 
James  and  Margaret  Craigniiles;  in  1863  he  married  Sarah  Emert, 
who  was  born  in  Pike  county.  Mo.,  and  they  have  had  6  children, 
5  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  C.  is  well  known  in  the  vicinity  of 
Pleasant  Hill,  as  he  has  been  clerking  in  one  store  for  17  years, 
although  the  establishment  has  changed  hands  two  or  three  times; 
he  has  also  been  Town  Clerk,  Collector  and  Township  Treasurer. 

Ingham  Doman,  deceased,  was  born  May  31,  1813,  in  Hamp- 
shire county,  Ya.,  where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in 
a  subscription  school;  in  1839  he  married  Miss  Eve  Kurtz,  daugh- 
ter of  Martin  and  Mary  Kurtz;  she  was  born  Aug.  24,  1823;  of 
their  10'  children  these  8  are  living, — Mary  J.,  Sarah  C,  Jeremiah, 
Thomas  B.,  Margaret  C,  Kachel  M.,  Benjamin  F.  and  Delilah  A. 
A  son  named  John  W.  lost  hie  life  from  a  wound  received  while 
fighting  for  the  stars  and  stripes  in  the  war.  Mr.  Domau  emi- 
grated with  his  family  to  Illinois  in  1845,  settling  in  Madison 
county,  and  in  1857  he  came  to  this  county,  where  he  died  JSTov. 
17, 1872,  his  death  being  a  great  loss  to  his  family  and  to  the  com- 
munity. He  was  a  farmer  during  life.  His  father  also  was  a 
patriot,  being  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 


T28  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

Thomas  0.  Eddins,  farmer,  sec.  5;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill;  wa« 
born  in  Albemarle  county,  Ya.,  in  1838,  and  is  a  son  of  B.  E.  and 
Eliza  Eddins,  also  natives  of  Yirginia;  receiving  a  common-scliool 
education  and  growing  to  manhood,  he  emigrated,  in  1860,  to  this 
tp. ;  in  1865  he  married  Elizabeth  Furguson,  who  was  born  in  this 
county  in  1845,  the  daughter  of  EdVard  and  Catharine  Furguson, 
and  they  have  had  6  children.  Mr.  Eddins  served  3  years  in  Co! 
A,  8th  Mo.  Inf.,  and  fought  in  the  battles  of  Forts  Henry  and 
Donelson,  Shiloh,  Haines'  Bluff,  Arkansas  Post,  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg,  Champion  Hills,  Corinth,  Miss.,  and  Kenesaw  Mountain,  in 
all  of  which  he  did  not  receive  a  scratch.  He  now  owns  120  acres 
of  land,  worth  $50  per  acre,  having  been  successful  as  a  farmer. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  ]1.  Society,  and  his  wife  is  a  member 
of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Mrs.  Patience  W.  McElfresh,  sec.  18;  P.  0.,  Pleasant  Hill; 
was  born  in  1821  in  Pike  county.  Mo.,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Kich- 
ard  and  Ruth  Keer,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  She  came  to  this 
county  when  14  j^ears  of  age,  and  was  married  first  in  1837  to  Mr. 
James  Wells,  the  second  time  in  1846  to  Job  Smith,  and  the  third 
and  last  time  to  Aquila  B.  McElfresh.  Altogether  she  has  had  8 
children.  Her  first  and  second  husbands  were  farmers,  and  the 
last  a  Methodist  preacher.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
She  has  now  been  conducting  the  farm  for  17  years,  witli  a  family 
of  3  children.     Her  only  son  is  still  living  with  her. 

D?'.  IT.  D.  Fortune  was  born  in  1841  in  Pike  county,  Mo.,  and 
is  a  son  of  R.  C.  and  Mary  Fortune,  natives  of  Yirginia ;  he 
received  a  common-school  education;  at  the  age  of  19  began  the 
study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  C.  R.  Bankhead,  at  Painesvilie,  Mo.; 
attended  the  St.  Louis  Medical  College,  where  he  graduated  March 
1,  1865;  practiced  his  profession  at  Painesvilie  18  months;  then 
went  to  Prairieville,  Pike  Co.,  Mo.,  where  he  practiced  1\  years, 
and  in  1874  came  to  Pleasant  Hill,  where  he  has  been  enjoying  a 

f rowing  practice.  In  September,  1865,  he  married  Miss  E.  I. 
)ougherty.  who  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Mo.,  about  1842,  and 
they  h«ve  had  4  children.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  and  his  wife  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is  also  a  Free 
Mason,  and  a  member  of  the  Town  Board. 

William  S.  Freeman  was  born  in  Pulaski  county,  Ky.,  in  1851, 
and  is  a  son  of  Stephen  F.  Freeman,  now  of  Martinsburg,  where 
he  was  reared  from  the  age  of  4  years ;  April  8,  1874,  he  married 
Harriet  A.  Barton,  daughter  of  Uriah  Barton,  and  their  two 
children  are  Ida  A.  and  Flora  M.  Mr.  Freeman  has  taught  School 
during  the  winter  season  mostly  for  12  years,  with  great  success. 
He  now  follows  farming  during  the  summer  seasons. 

Joseph  B.  Galloway.,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  10;  was  born 
in  Lincoln  county,  Mo.,  April  28,  1826,  and  is  a  son  of  James  Gal- 
loway, deceased,  so  well  known -in  the  early  settlement  of  this 
county.  Joseph  B.  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  a 
subscription  school.     The  family  removed  to  this  county  in  1832, 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    CO0STY.  '  729 

and  have  therefore  experienced  the  sceues  of  pioneer  life  in  this 
wild  West.  One  day  Mr.  Galloway  witnessed  the  capture  of  a  fox 
by  the  school  boys  and  their  dogs.  So  many  dogs  canght  the  ani- 
mal at  once  that  they  held  him  stretclied  out  at  full  length  above 
the  ground  for  some  time,  which  was  a  rather  comical  situation, — 
that  is,  to  the  boys,  not  to  the  fox.  Mr.  G.  remembers  when  the 
only  wagons  used  here  were  of  the  old  Virginia  style,  and  there 
were  but  few  of  tliem.  The  plows  consisted  of  a  piece  of  iron  for 
a  point,  and  a  wooden  moldboard.  Mr.  Galloway  has  pounded  corn 
in  a  "  masher  mill,"  which  consisted  of  a  wooden  mortar  and  a 
pounder  attached  to  a  spring-pole.  He  once  went  to  where  Eldara 
now  stands,  a  distance  of  15  or  16  miles,  to  a  horse-mill  there  to 
get  some  corn  ground.  In  a  few  years  after  this  Mr.  Zumwalt 
erected  a  water  mill  on  Bay  creek.  James  Galloway  was  a  very 
strong  man.  Even  at  the  age  of  60  years  he  could  in  a  wrestle 
throw  men  of  24  years  of  age,  and  at  the  age  of  72  he  made  a  full 
hand  in  the  harvest  field.  He  was  an  industrious  farmer,  and  also 
worked  more  or  less  in  wood  work.  He  was  a  soldier  .in  the  Black 
Hawk  war,  as  also  were  his  two  elder  brothers,  William  and  Sam- 
uel. He  died  Nov.  17,  1872,  at  the  age  of  76  years.  He  leaves 
one  brother,  Zorobabel,  and  many  other  friends  to  mourn  his  loss. 
He  was  a  public-spirited  man,  and  did  much  for  the  improvement 
of  this  county.  Joseph  B.  was  married  Sept.  30,  1847,  to  Miss 
Sarah  Jennings,  and  their  12  children  are:  Mary  E.,  Tabitha  E., 
dec,  Thomas  S.,  James  D.,  Lydia  A.,  S.  Margaret,  Bales  H.,  Wil- 
liam H.,  Sarah  A.,  Ida  E.,  Joseph  F.  and  Nellie  Grant. 

J.  S.  Harl,  miller,  merchant,  grain-dealer,  etc.;  was  born  in 
Mason  county,  Ky.,  in  1841,  the  son  of  John  and  Mary  Harl,  na- 
tives also  of  the  same  State,  who  emigrated  to  Saline  county,  Mo., 
when  their  son  was  12  years  old;  in  1863  he  came  to  this  county, 
where  in  1865  he  married  Miss  Nancy  0.  Grimes,  who  was  born  in 
1845  in  this  county.  They  have  had  three  children.  Soon  after 
Mr.  Harl  settled  here  he  erected  a  mill  36  by  68  feet,  and  4  stories 
high,  with  a' capacity  of  50  barrels  of  flour  per  day;  the  machinery 
is  driven  by  a  40-horse  power  engine,  and  he  is  able  to  make  the 
highest  grade  of  flour.  His  miller,  Mr.  T.  J.  Mitchell,  has  been 
superintending  the  mill  ever  since  it  was  erected.  Mr.  H.  is  also 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  carrying  a  larger  assortment 
than  any  other  house  in  town,  selling  goods  at  the  lowest  cash  price. 
He  also  bays  and  ships  large  quantities  of  grain;  in  fact,  he  is  the 
most  enterprising  business  man  in  the  place.  He  is  a  noble-hearted 
man,  and  well  liked  by  all  who  know  him. 

Alexander  Hemphill,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill. 
This  man  was  born  in  Calhoun  county,  111.,  in  1847,  and  is  a  son 
of  A.  F.  and  Jennie  A.  Hemphill ;  when  he  was  quite  young  his 
parents  came  with  him  into  this  county,  where  he  received  a  com- 
mon-school education  and  grew  to  manhood  ;  in  1877  he  married 
Eliza  J.  Turnbaugh,  who  was  born  in  this  county  in  1852.  They 
have  one  child.     Mr.  H.  has  had  ordinary  success  as    a  farmer, 


730      '  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

owning  now  40  acres  of  land,  worth  $40  an  acre.     He  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  0.  O.  F. 

S.  W.  Hemphill,  deceased,  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Oct.  9 
1826,  and  was  a  son  of  Alex,  and  Margaret  Hemphill,  deceased- 
brought  up  at  farming,  he  has  pursued  the  occupation  through  life. 
He  went  overland  to  California  when  a  young  man,  and  returned 
the  following  year.  Oct.  26,  1854,  he  married  Sarah  Sapp,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  and  Nancy  Sapp,  deceased ;  she  was  born  Oct.  3,  1833, 
in  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  have  had  8  children,  of  whom  4 
are  living,  namely,  Nancy  M.,  Eobert  M.,  Louisa  C.  and  Austin 
E.  The  deceased  were  John  F.,  Jacob  A.,  Mary  L.  and  Sarah  L. 
Mr.  H.  died  Jan.  13,  1871,  a  great  loss  to  his  family  and  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  had  lived.  Mrs.  H.  resides  on  the  homestead, 
sec.  16. 

Mrs.  Cynthia  Hvher,  daughter  of  George  and  Rose  Ann  Sitton, 
was  born  in  this  county  in  1844;  she  received  a  common-school 
education,  and  in  1860  married  Jacob  Huber,  who  was  born  in 
this  county  in  1838,  and  they  had  7  children,  3  of  whom  are  living. 
Mr.  Hiiber  during  his  life  followed  the  cattle  trade,  and  died  in 
1876,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  Mrs.  Huber's  father  was 
born  in  1811  in  Yirginia,  and  her  mother  was  a  native  of  Ohio. 
P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill. 

Roswell  Ladow,  carpenter,  is  the  son  of  Charles  F.  and  Mary 
Ladow,  father  a  native  of  New  Jersey  and  mother  of  East  Yirginia; 
he  was  born  in  1831  in  Athens  county,  0.,  where  he  received  his 
education,  and  in  1852  married  Maria  Green,  a  native  of  Meigs 
county,  O.  They  had  two  children.  Mrs.  L.  died  May  18,  1877. 
Mr.  Ladow  tried  milling  a  while,  but  not  with  signal  success;  he 
does  much  better  at  carpentering.  He  owns  a  farm'of  45  acres  of 
good  laud  near  Kockport.  "While  he  lived  in  Atlas  tp.  he  was  for 
a  time  Constable.  He  now  resides  on  sec.  17,  this  tp.  P.  0., 
Pleasant  Hill. 

T.  J.  Mitchell  was  born  in  1835  in  this  county,  and  is  the  son 
of  William  and  Susan  (Craigmiles)  Mitchell,  natives  of  Tennessee; 
he  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  21  he  learned  tlie  mill- 
ing business,  in  which  capacity  he  worked  awhile  for  Brown,  Harl 
&  Co.  Mr.  Mitchell  married  Miss  A.  Huber,  who  was  born  in 
this  county  in  1836.  They  had  3  children.  She  died  in  1870,  and 
in  1875  Mr.  M.  married  Miss  M.  E.  Waugh,  who  was  born  in  1845 
in  this  county,  and  they  have  one  child.'  Mr.  Mitchell  has  held 
the  office  of  Township  Clerk,  Assessor,  Constable  and  Trustee. 
He  is  a  Freemason.     P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill. 

George  W.  Moore,  teacher,  was  born  in  Lincoln  county,  Mo., 
April  5,  1840,  and  is  a  son  of  Wm.  Moore,  whose  sketch  is  next 
given  and  who  now  lives  in  Pleasant  Hill.  Geo.  W.  has  taught  school 
ever  since  he  was  16  years  of  age,  except  four  years  during  the 
war.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Missouri  State  militia  for  9  months. 
Has  also  been  Riding  Constable  9  or  10  years  in  this  township, 
and  was  Town   Clerk  here  also  for  3  years.     Aug.  29,  1860,  he 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  733 

married  Miss  Sarah  J.  Allen,  daughter  of  Gary  Allen,  deceased, 
and  they  have  had  3  children,  of  whom  2  are  living, — Charles  H. 
and  Noble.  Mr.  Moore  resides  in  Pleasant  Hill,  and  is  teaching 
Ms  third  term  at  Jacobsville  school-house,  and  has  taught  8  terms 
in  the  Dodge  district,  near.  Pleasant  Hill. 

William  Moore,  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Frances  Moore,  was 
born  in  Madison  county,  Ky.,  Feb.  10,  1814.  In  1828  Mr.  Moore 
emigrated  to  Missouri,  and  in  Lincoln  county,  that  State,  Sept.  1, 
1833,  he  married  Miss  Margaret  Gilliland,  who  was  born  in  Simp- 
son county,  Ky.,  July  VI,  1815,  and  was  taken  to,  Missouri  when  a 
babe;  in  1861  they  came  to. this  tp.  Their  11  children  are,  John, 
De  Francis,  Goo,  W.,  Wm.  R.,  James  W.,  Benjamin  F.,  Margaret 
A.,  Henry  Clay,  Amy  June,  Mary  Louisa  and  Stephen  A.  Doug- 
las. Mrs.  M.  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  Mr.  M.  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace: 
was  also  Orderly  Sergeant  in  the  Black  Hawk  War.  He  is  a 
blacksmith  by  trade,  and  is  doing  a  good  business.  His  father  was 
at  Yorktown,  Va.,  at  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis. 

W.  R.  Moore,  wagon  and  buggy  manufacturer  and  undertaker. 
Pleasant  Hill,  is  the  son  of  William  and  Margaret  Moore,  natives 
qf  Kentucky',  and  was  born  in  Lincoln  county,  Mo.,  in  1841;  at  the 
age  of  20  he  emigrated  to  this  co^inty,  where  in  1863  he  married 
Miss  Nancy  M.  Mitchell,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1846;  of 
'their  5  children  4  are  living.  Mr.  Moore  has  followed  his  present 
business  in  Pleasant  Hill  since  1862.  He  served  6  months  in 
Co.  G,  5th  Mo.;  has  been  a  member  of  the  Town  Board  four 
times,  and  at  present  is  a  School  Trustee.  His  wife  died  in  1872, 
and  in  1875  he  married  Miss  Olivia  Carver,  who  was  born  in  1844 
in  this  county,  and  of  their  4  children  2  are  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
M.  are  members  of  the  Church. 

,ir.  L.  Page,  Principal  of  the  Pleasant  Hill  school,  was  born  in 
Menard  county,  HI.,  Jan.  23,  1848,  and  is  the  son  of  E.  L.  Page; 
he  was  reared  on  the  farm,  received  a  good  education,  began  teach- 
ing at  tlie  age  of  21,  and  lias  taught  school  11  years — 4  years  in 
Missouri,  and  7  in  this  county.  In  Shelby  county.  Mo.,  June  19, 
1869,  he  married  Anna  E.  Coniry,  and  their  4  children  are  Freder- 
ick L.,  Esther  A.,  Carrie  Y.  and  Arthur  I.  Mr.  Page  is  now 
teaching  his  second  year  in  Pleasant  Hill,  and  well  exemplifies  the 
principles  of  the  eminent  professor  of  the  same  name,  the  author 
of  the  "  Theory  and  Practice  of  Teaching." 

Albert  Pearson,  farmer,  sec.  22;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill;  was  born 
in  Brunswick  county,  Ya.,  in  1821,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and 
Mida  Pearson,  natives  also  of  the  Old  Dominion;  when  he  was  12 
.years  of  age  his  parents  moved  with  him  to  Ohio,  and  at  the  age  of 
25  he  moved  to  Missouri;  after  living  there  14  years  he  came  to 
this  county.  In  185i!  he  married  Elizabeth  Ralston,  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  and  they  had  3  children;  she  died,  and  he  subsequently 
married  Elizabeth  Murray,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1824. 

42 


73i      ■  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

and  of  their  8  children  4  are  living.     Mr.  P.  has  been   reasonably 
successful  as  a  farmer,  and  now  owns  74  acres  of  good  land. 

Ira  EobertSy  farmer,  sec.  5;  son  of  David  and  Lovina  Itoberts 
was  born  in  Ohio  in  1837;  his  father  was  a  native  of  Yermont  and 
his  mother  of  New  York  State,  and  they  moved  with  him  to  this 
county  when  he  was  2  years  old ;  here  he  grew  to  manhood,  re- 
ceiving a  common-school  education;  in  1867  he  married  Elizabeth 
Jeans,  who  was  born  in  1844  in  this  county,  and  they  have  had  4 
children.  Mr.  R.  spent  one  year  in  California,  to  examine  the 
country.  He  has  good  success  in  farming  here,  now  owning  122| 
acres  of  good  land,  mostly  under  cultivation,  and  he  has  good  farm 
buildings.  He  and  Mrs.  R.  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Mr.  R.'s  father  was  a  prominent  preacher  from  1839  to  his  death 
in  1855. 

Isaao  Shelby,  deceased,  son  of  Samuel  Shelby,  was  born  in  East 
Tennessee  Feb.  12, 1826;  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the 
common  school;  Feb.  17,  1846,  he  married  Miss  Leah  Capps, 
daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Capps,  dec,  who  was  also  born  in 
East  Tennessee,  Jan.  11,  1830;  in  the  spring  of  1847  they  emi- 
grated to  this  tp.,  where  10  children  were  born  to  them,  namely, 
Sarah  E.,  James,  Samuel  0.,  Orlando  C,  Isaac  M.,  Martin  H., 
William  M.,  Walter  S.,  Cynthia  L.  and  Frank  L.,  all  of  whom  are 
living, — a  rare  incident  indeed,  Mr.  Shelby  was  a  hard-working 
man,  following  farming  and  stock-raising,  in  which  he  was  sue-' 
cessful.  He  was  a  merchant  in  Martinsburg  3  years.  Pie  was  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  30  years  prior  to  his 
death,  which  occurred  Oct.  25,  1874.  In  his  death  the  commu- 
nity lost  a  valuable  citizen  and  the  family  a  kind  father.  Mrs.  S. 
resides  on  see.  11. 

Solomon  Shultz,  deceased,  was  born  Sept.  1,  1808,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania; reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  common-school  edHcation; 
Jan.  16,  1830,  he  married  Lovina  Taylor,  who  was  born  in  Frank- 
lin county,  O.,  Oct.  29,  1809,  and  they  had  9  children,  5  of  whom 
are  living,  to  wit:  Sarah  J.,  Margaret,  Eliza,  Thomas  J.  and  Nathan 
R.  Mr.  S.  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  a  gener- 
ous man,  aiding  all  charitable  institutions  and  the  prosperity  of 
schools. 

James  A.  Sitton,  farmer,  sec.  11;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill;  was 
born  in  1837  in  this  tp.,  and  is  a  son  of  J.  G.  and  Mary  A.  Sitton, 
his  father  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  his  mother  of  Kentucky;  he 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools;  in  1859  he  married  Christina 
Huben  who  was  born  in  1^39  in  this  county,  and  of  their  8  chil- 
dren the  following  6  are  living:  Anna  L.,  W.  R.,  Frankie  G.,  Min- 
nie S.,  John  F.  and  Jesse  P.  Mr.  Sitton's  father  came  to  this 
county  in  1S36,  and  is  the  oldest  settler  in  this  tp.  now  living  here. 
James  A.  is  a  .successful  farmer,  now  owning  212  acres  of  land, 
well  improved.  He  is  a  Freemason,  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  S.  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  735 

Thaddeus  Smith,  farmer,  sec.  13;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill;  was  bom 
in  1850  in  Jefferson  county,  Ind.,  and  is  a  son  ot  Barton  and  Eliza- 
beth Smith,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio; 
in  1874  the  famil}'  settled  near  jS'ew  Salem,  thiscounty.  In  1877  the 
subject  of  this  notice  married  Mary  E.  Dodge,  a  native  of  this 
county,  and  they  have  one  cliild.  Mr.  Smitli  has  followed  farming 
most  of  his  life,  though  he  has  clerked  in  a  dry-goods  and  grocery 
store  and  followed  the  agency  husiuefes  to  some  extent. 

8.  F.  Sutton,  farmer.  Her;.  9;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill;  was  bom  in 
1834  in  Barren  c<jurity,  Ky.,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth 
A.  Sutton,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  the  latter  of  Ver- 
mont; parents  moved  to  Boone  county,  Mo.,  when  our  subject  was 
3  years  old,  and  when  he  was  17  they  returned  to  Kentucky,  and 
in  1853  they  emigrated  to  Pike  county.  111.,  locating  in  this  tp.  In 
1856  Mr,  S.  F.  Sutton  married  Martha  J.  Cruise,  who  was  born  in 
1834  in  Kentucky,  and  of  their  9  children  8  are  living.  Mr.  S. 
has  followed  agriculture  through  life,  and  by  hard  work  has  ob- 
tained a  comfortable  home  of  100  acres  of  land,  with  the  stock  and 
buildings. 

John  A.  Thomas,  M.  D.  The  ancestors  of  Dr.  Thomas  were 
natives  of  Wales  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  about  40 
years  previous  to  the  Kevolution,  settling  in  Buckingham  county, 
Va.  Charles  Thomas,  a  grandfather  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
served  under  Gen.  Washington  during  the  war,  and  was  one  of  the 
army  which  secured  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis  at  York- 
town  ;  after  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  his  farm  in  Virginia, 
and  a  short  time  afterward  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Patrick 
county  in  that  State,  where  he  followed  farming;  he  also  acted  as 
Justice  for  many  years,  and  was  high  Sheriff  of  the  county  two 
terms;  he  died  about  1836,  at  the  advanced  age  of  93  years.  Dur- 
ing his  life  he  killed  300  deer,  65  bears  and  44  panthers — in  Pat- 
rick county.  Ke  left  a  family  of  8  children,  the  next  oldest  being 
Cornelius  Tliomas,  the  father  of  John  A.;  he  was  born  Oct.  16, 
177S;  followed  farming  in  his  native  county  until'  1831,  when  he 
moved  to  Pike  county.  Mo.,  with  his  wife  (whose  maiden  name  was 
Ehzabetli  Slaughterj  and  8  children, — Anna,  Susannah,  Joab,  John 
A.,  Martin,  Constantino,  Smith  S.  and  Francis  Marion,  the  latter 
two  being  twins,  In  1840  he  moved  into  Lincoln  county,  and  in 
1860  came  into  Pike  county,  III.,  and  lived  with  his  son,  Dr.  John 
A.,  where  he  died  in  1860,  aged  about  83.  His  wife  died  in  Lincoln 
county.  Mo.,  in  1857. 

Dr.  John  A.  Thomas  was  born  in  Patrick  county,  Va.,  April  8. 
1818;  iiis  early  years  were  employed  on  his  father's  farm,  attend- 
ing subscription  school  during  the  winter.  The  school-house  was 
a  common  log  building  daubed  with  mud,  having  a  dirt  floor, 
greased  paper  for  windows,  benches  made  of  split  logs,  and  desks 
of  the  same  material.  At  the  age  of  15  years  he  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine,  and  not  being  with  any  regular  physician  he 
borrowed  all  the  works  he  could  ;  at  the  age  of  17  he  commenced 


736  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

teaching  school  in  the  winter,  and  taught  four  successive  winters 
in  the  meantime  continuing  his  medical  studies,  and  taking  lec- 
tures from  Dr.  Ballard,  of  Louisiana,  Mo.     In  1843  he  married 
Sarah   GriflSth   near   Louisiana,   who  was    a  native   of    Bourbon 
county,  Ky.,  born  in  1824;    he  then  moved   to  the  spot  where 
Pleasant  Hill   now  stands,  where  only  three  families  were  then 
living,  and    from    that  time,  and  in  this   place,  the  Doctor  has 
continued   the  practice   of  medicine.     He  is  a  self-educated  man 
but   the   Missouri   Medical    College   at  St.  Louis   granted  him  a 
diploma  on  examination  in  1859,  and  he  has  also  been  granted  a 
certificate  by  the  Illinois  State  Board  of  Health.     He  has  one'  of 
the  finest  medical  libraries  in  the  county,  and  has  done  as  much 
riding  and  gratuitous  practice  as  any  physician  in  Pike  county. 
He  spent  several  years  in  lecturing  on  the  ph^^siology  of  the  brain, 
moral  philosophy,  etc.     He  has  also  been  an   ardent  and  zeal- 
ous advocate    of   the    temperance  cause,  and   a  devout    Sunday- 
school  man,  often  lecturing  on  both  topics.     He  had  the  honor  in 
1879  of  being  President  of  the  Pike  County  Sunday-School  Con- 
vention.    Tlie  Doctor  owns  840  acres  of  land  under  cultivation, 
and  200  acres  of  timber,  and  is  largely  interested   in   the  farming 
interests  of  the  connty.      His  residence   cost  $6,000.     His  first 
wife  died  in  1860,  who  had  6  children,  4  now  living.     The  Doctor's 
second  wife  was  Sophia  Blair,  who  was  born  May  3,  1836,  in  this 
county,  and  they  have  had  5  children,  4  of  whom  are  living.    His 
present  wife  is  a  graduate  of  the  Methodist  Female  College,  Jack- 
sonville, and  was  at  the  time  they  were  married  filling  the  Cliair 
of  Mathematics  in  that  institution,  although  she  was  then  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church,  and  the  only  Baptist  connected  witu  the 
college.     The  names  of  his  children   by  his  former   marriage  are 
Joel  Smith,  who  graduated  at  the  Ohio  Medical  College  in  1872, 
and  married  Mollie  "Wells;  Melissa  Margaret,  married  T.  J.  Shultz; 
Mary  Jane  C.  married  H.  0.  Moore,  and  Cornelius  John  A.,  who 
married  Miss  Dille  Bower.     The  names  of  his  children  by  his  pres- 
ent wife  are  Albert  Joab,  William  Sherman,  and  Clarence  Critten- 
den.    Dr.  Thomas  is  a  Freemason,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.     The  Doctor's  portrait  will  be 
found  in  this  book. 

Edward  B.  Venable,  deceased,  was  born  in  Pike  county.  Mo., 
in  1827,  and  was  the  son  of  John  and  Rachel  Venable,  natives  of 
South  Carolina;  when  he  was  16  years  of  age  his  parents  moved 
with  him  to  this  county;  in  1848  he  married  Eliza  Greshara,  who 
was  born  in  1828  in  Christian  county,  Ky. ;  and  of  their  8  children 
only  Louisa  is  living.  Mr.  Yenable  followed  farming  the  most  of 
his  life;  was  in  other  occupations  some.  He  died  Dec.  19,  1879,  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order.  During  life  he  was  a  Constable  and 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  two  terms  each.  Mrs.  V.  has  a  very  nice  res- 
idence in  Pleasant  Hill,  and  she  and  her  daughter  are  members  of 
the  Baptist  Church. 


III8T0EY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY,  '  737 

Ha/rmon  WeoAjer,  farmer,  sec.  1 ;  P.  O.,  Martinsburg;  was  born  in 
1816  in  Franklin  county,  O.,  and  is  a  son  of  Asa  and  Lucretia 
Weaver,  father  a  native  of  Connecticut,  and  mother  of  Pennsyl- 
vania; when  Harmon  was  16  years  of  age  his  parents  moved  with 
hitn  to  Delaware  county,  0.,  and  in  1839  they  came  to  this  county; 
they  settled  in  this  township  in  1851  or  1852.  In  1838  Mr.  Weaver 
married  Sarah  lioberts,  wiio  was  born  in  1820  in  Delaware  county, 
0.,  and  9  of  their  10  children  are  living.  Mr.  Weaver  has  been 
School  Director,  and  has  followed  farming  with  good  success,  now 
owning  280  acres  of  valuable  land.  lie  and  his  wife  are  members 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

Z.  T.  Webster,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill;  was  born 
in  1827  in  Washington  county,  Ky.,  the  s5n  of  James  and  Ada 
"Webster,  also  natives  of  Kentucky;  when  he  was  8  years  old  his 
parents  moved  with  him  to  Mc  Donough  county,  111.,  and  in  1842 
to  this  county,  locatipg  on  the  present  homestead.  In  1851  he 
married  Margaret  Briscoe,  who  was  born  in  18i'6  in  Kentucky, 
and  they  had  one  child,  who  is  now  dead.  Mrs.  B.  died  in  1852, 
and  Mr.  W.  married  again,  in  1854,  Margaret./.  Davis,  who  was 
born  in  this  county  in'  1830,  and  they  have  had  4  children,  all  now 
living.  Mr.  Webster  commenced  in  life  without  anything,  and  by 
honest  industry  he  has  now  a  comfortable  home  with  575  acres  of 
good  land,  455  of  which  are  on  the  Mississippi  bottom. 

Q.  W.  Wells,  farmer,  sec.  18;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill;  was  born  in 
1855  in  this  county,  and  is  a  son  of  Perry  and  Elizabeth  Wells, 
father  a'  native  of  Kentucky  and  mother  of  Missouri.  G.  W.  re- 
ceived a  common-school  education,  and  in  1876  he  married  Miss 
Miriam  Webster,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Ellen  Webster,  who  was 
born  in  1858  in  this  county.  Of  their  6  children  2  are  deceased. 
As  a  farmer  Mr.  Wells  has  had  fair  success,  now  owning  93  acres 
of  bottom  land. 

Perry  Wells^  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill.  This  gentle- 
man was  born  in  1814  in  Madison  county,  Ky.,  the  son  of  Kichard 
and  Mary  Wells,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter 
of  Kentucky.  When  Perry  was  young  his  parents  moved  with 
him  to  Missouri;  in  1837  he  came  into  this  county.  In  1840  he 
married  his  first  wife.  Miss  Elizabeth  J.  Kerr,  a  native  of  Missouri. 
They  had  6  children.  Mrs.  W.  died  in  1862,  and  he  was  again 
married  in  1863  (May  5)  to  Miss  Kate  Tisler,  who  was  born  in 
1836  in  this  county, -and  they  have  had  2  children.  Mr.  Wells 
commenced  in  life  in  very  limited  circumstances,  but  he  now  has 
1,200  acres  of  land.  The  family  are  all  members  of  the  M.  E. 
church  at  Stockland. 

F.  L.  Zerenberg,  farmer,  sec.  14;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill.  This 
man  was  born  in  1837  in  this  county,  and  is  the  son  of  Charles  and 
Christina  Zerenberg,  natives  of  Grermany,  who  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1832,  first  settling  in  Pennsylvaiiia,  afterward  (1834)  in 
Pike  county,  III.  The  subject  of  this  notice  obtained  a  comraon- 
fichool  education,  and  in  1858  he  was  married  to  Eliza  Venable, 


738  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

who  was  born  in  1838  in  Pike  county,  Mo.  They  have  had  two 
children,  but  one  has  died.  Mr.  Z.  has  lived  on  the  present  farm 
since  1862;  has  followed  farming  all  his  life;  he  now  owns  225 
acres  of  good  high  land.  In  respect  to  public  oflSce  Mr.  Z.  has 
been  School  Director,  Eoad  Commissioner,  Supervisor,  Collector 
and  Assessor.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 

William  Zerenherg,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  14;  was  born 
in  this  county  Feb.  27,  1843,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles  Zerenberg, 
deceased,  who  was  well  known  as  an  early  settler  in  Pike  county. 
Wm.  was  reared  on  a  farm.  At  the  age  of  18  he  enlisted  in  Co.  C, 
10th  Mo.  Inf.,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Champion  Hills,  siege 
of  Vicksburg,  Mission  Ridge,  siege  of  Corjuth,  etc.  He  was  hon- 
orably discharged  Aiig.  31,  1864.  In  1866  he  married  Mary 
E.  Galloway,  daughter  of  J.  B.  Galloway,  of  Pleasant  Hill  tp. 
Their  two  children  are  Laura  A.  and  Francis  B. 


HADLEY  TOWNSHIP. 

This  is  a  inagniflcent  township,  and  for  agricultural  purposes  is 
surpassed  by  few  in  the  Military  Tract.  It  is  what  may  be  properly 
termed  a  prairie  township.  The  sight  presented  to  the  early 
settler  must  have  been  pleasant  as  he  viewed  this  beautiful  nature's 
lawn,  now  thickly  studded  with  houses,  orchards,  hedges  and  all 
the  insignia  of  healthy  cultivation,  before  a  furrow  was  struck  or 
anything  to  disturb  the  eye  nearer  than  the  curling  smoke  of  three 
or  four  cabins  along  the  edges  of  the  timber. 

The  first  settler  .in  this  township  after  the  Indians  bad  been 
driven  Westward,  was  not  a  white  man,  but  a  colored  one.  He  was 
known  as  "  Free  Frank,"  and  came  with  his  wife  and  three  chil- 
dren to  this  township,  and  located  on  sec.  22,  in  1829.  He  was 
from  Kentucky,  and  had  spent  the  preceding  winter  in  Greene 
county,  111.  He  had  purchased  his  freedom  and  that  of  his  family. 
To  conform  to  the  custom  of  the  age  the  Legislature  gave  Free 
Frank  a  surname,  viz:  McWorter,  and  he  was  always  aftei"<|fard 
known  as  Frank  McWorter. 

After  Mr.  McWorter  had  been  recognized  by  the  Legislature,  in 
order  to' conform  to  the  law  he  must  be  re-married.  Accordingly 
he  and  his  wife  presented  themselves  for  that  purpose  before  Esq. 
Neeley.  When  McWorter  was  asked  if  he  would  live  with,  cherish 
and  support,  etc.,  his  wife,  he-replied,  "Why,  God  bless  your  soul! 
I've  done  that  thing  for  the  last  40  years." 

Mr.  McWorter  was  a  live,  enterprising  man,  a  reputable,  worthy 
citizen,  kind,  benevolent  and  honest.  He  labored  hard  to  free  his 
posterity  from  the  galling  yoke  of  Southern  slavery.  He  not  only 
purchased  his  own  freedom  and  that  of  his  wife  and  children,  but 
left  provision  in  his  will  to  buy  grandchildren,  which  was  done  by 
his  son.  He  died  in  1857  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  77.  His  wife  died 
in  1871,  at  the  very  advanced  age  of  99.  Many  of  their  descend- 
ants are  still  living  in  the  township. 

The  first  white  settler  to  locate  in  Hadley  was  Joshua  Woosley. 
This  veteran  still  resides  here,  living  on  his  farm,  on  sec.  19,  in  the 
suburbs  of  Barry.  He  came  in  1830,  cut  logs,  and  built  the  second 
house  in  the  township,  the  first  being  erected  by  McWorter.  Then 
came  Charles  Hazelrigg,  who  settled  on  sec.  33.  Dean  Peterson 
located  on  sec,  36.  Then  fallowed  Daniel  Clingensmith,  Reuben 
Shipman,   Anson    Gray,    Isaac  Moore,   James   Dutton,   William 


740  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Wilkinson,  Stephen  R.  "Watson,  Joseph  Shelley  and  William  Farmer. 
These  pioneers  were  all  Southerners,  mostly  from  Kentucky  and 
Tennessee. 

These  early  pilgrims  ofcen  had  their  ingenuity  taxed  to  its  utmost 
in  order  to  perform  needed  labor  with  the  existing  tools,  l^ecea- 
sity  being  the  mother  of  invention,  they  generally  found  some 
practical  way  to  do  their  work.  What  if  it  did  take  more  time  to 
perform  the  labor?  That  was  of  but  little  consequence,  as  time  in 
those  early  days  was  abundant.  The  pioneers  did  not  rush  along 
over  prairies,  through  dale  and  woodland  at  the  rate  of  40  miles  an- 
hour,  as  is  done  at  present.  Nor  could  they  cut  eight  and  ten  acres 
of  wheat  in  a  day;  indeed,  they  did  not  have  any  of  the  labor-saving 
imp-lements  so  common  now.  Joshua  Woosley  relates  that  in  the 
spring  of  1831  he  and  Mr.  Bradshaw  broke  some  prairie  together. 
They  tied  up  a  yoke  of  oxen  to  a  big  bar-sliare  plow  with  hickory 
bark,  not  having  chains  sufficient  or  any  other  better  article.  The 
plow  needing  sharpening,  he  was  compelled  to  go  to  Atlas,  a  dis- 
tance of  20  miles,  to  have  it  done.  The' charge  for  this  work  was 
not  large,  however,  as  he  tells  us  his  total  bill  for  the  work,  dinner, 
drinks,  etc.,  was  only  "  nine-pence  "  (12|  cents). 

Mr.  Woosley  used  the  first  grain  cradle  in  the  township,  charging 
a  bushel  of  wheat  per  acre  for  cutting.  This  new  method  of  cutting 
wheat  was  a  great  curiosity  to  the  settlers,  many  of  whom  came 
from  far  and  near  to  see  it. 

The  pioneers  did  not  have  a  well-stocked  store  of  provisions  always 
at  hand.  No,  often  the  last  particle  of  corn  meal  was  used  up 
before  another  supply  was  obtained.  Mills  were  then  far  away,  and 
so  crowded  that  often  customers  bad  to  wait  for  days  before  their 
turn  would  come.  Mr.  Woosley  tells  us  that  on  one  occasion  some 
men  came  to  stay  over  night  with  him.  It  happened  that  Ihey  had 
no  meal  prepared,  but  the  block  was  handy,  and  while  his  wife  was 
busying  herself  in  the  house,  he  went  out  and-  pounded  up  some 
corn  with  an  iron  wedge.  These  we  give  as  illustrations  of  the 
many  privations  and  inconveniences  under  which  these  pioneers 
were  compelled  to  live.  They  were  sturdy,  brave-hearted  people 
though,  and  conquered  all  of  these  obstacles  and  broughta  wild 
country  under  the  very  highest  state  of  cultivation. 

The  first  child  born  in  the  township  was  Jane,  daughter  of 
Joshua  Woosley.  She  was  born  in  1834,  and  married  Milton 
Deran.  Mrs .  jane  Gray,  wife  of  Anson  Gray,  was  the  first  person 
to  die.  The  first  marriage  ceremony  was  performed  in  uniting  A. 
M.  Eobinson  and  Miss  Mary  Gray  in  wedlock.  The  ceremony  was 
performed  by  Esq.  Woosley  at  the  house  of  Anson  Gray  in  1844. 

The  first  school  building  erected  in  the  township  was  on  sec.  19, 
in  1836.     The  first  teacher  was  James  Frier. 

The  Wabash  railroad  passes  through  the  township  and  has  a 
station  on  sec.  22,  or  on  the  line  of  sees.  21  and  22. 

The  town  -of  Philadelphia  was  laid  out  by  the  elder  McWorter 
in  1836,   on   the  northeast  quarter  of  sec.  27.     At  one  time  it 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  741 

had  great  promise,  but  the  railroad  passing  it  a  mile  distant,  and 
other  towns  springing  up,  has  killed  it.  At  present  there  is  not 
even  a  postoffice  at  the  place. 

The  township  is  well  supplied  with  churches  and  schools,  which 
indicate  the  high  moral  and  intellectual  standard  of  the  people. 

PERSONAL  SKETCHES. 

In  connection  with  and  as  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  township, 
we  will  give  personal  sketches  of  the  leading  and  representative 
people  who  reside  here. 

Barton  W.  Andre,  whose  portrait  we  present  in  this  volume, 
was  born  in  Pickaway  county,  O.,  March  4,  1823.  His  parents 
wei'eGreo.  and  Catharine  (Rush)  Alkire,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of 
German  descent.  G-eorge  Alkire  was  left  an  orphan-  at  10  years 
of  age,  and  he  then  found  his  way  to  Fleming  county,  Ky.,  where 
he  remained  until  he  was  17,  and  he  then  went  to  Ross  county,  O., 
and  thence  to  Pickaway  county;  here,  at  the  age  of  23,  he  married 
Miss  Catharine  Rush,  aged  16;  in  1841  they  emigrated  to  this  tp., 
settling  on  sec.  31,  and  bringing  with  them  four  children, — Mary, 
Rebecca,  Barton  "W".  and  Abner,  now  deceased.  They  left  four 
children  in  Ohio, — ^ Wesley  J.,  Lydia,  Gideon  and  Josiah, — who 
came  out  the  next  year.  During  his  life-time  Mr.  Geo.  Alkire 
owned  and  lived  on  his  farm  in  Hadley,  but  left  the  charge  of  it 
to  his  sons.  He  had  been  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  ever 
since  he  was  17  years  old,  and  for  a  long  period  before  his  death  he 
was  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  died  July  21, 1868,  and  his  sur- 
viving widow  died  April  9,  1873.  Barton  "W.  Alkire,  the  subject 
of  this  sketch,  is  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  by  occupation,  his  resi- 
dence and  farm  of  140  acres  being  on  sec.  31,  Hadley  tp.  He 
passed  his  early  years  on  his  father's  farm  in  Ohio,  and  in  this 
county,  obtaining  his  education  mostly  in  the  sclwols  of  Ohio.  He 
has  lived  on  his  present  place  since  1841,  except  1849-50  he  was 
in  California,  gold-mining,  in  which  he  was  quite  successful.  Mr. 
A.  is  one  of  the  solid,  substantial  and  representative  farmers  of 
Pike  county;  in  politics  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  his  town- 
ship as  Collector  several  terms.  He  is  still  a  bachelor,  his  two 
sisters,  Mary  and  Rebecca,  keeping  house  for  him.  They  are  very 
pleasantly  situated. 

James  W.  Bower,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  0.,Cool  Bank;  is  a  native 
of  Ohio  and  was  born  Jan.  25, 1836;  was  the  eldest  child  of  Joseph 
Bower,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1838  and  died  in  the  spring  of 
1844.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  this  county, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1857  married  Rebecca  Ann  Coshon,  a  native 
of  Indiana,  born  June  6,  1839.  Three  of  their  five  children  are 
living:  Rebecca  E.,  born  Dec.  18,  1860,  Sarah  Olive,  born  Aug. 
30,   1855,   and   George   "Washington,    born   July  10,   1869.     Mr. 


742  HISTOKY   OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

Bower  moved  to  Bourbon  county,  Kan.,  in  the  fall  of  1858. and  re- 
turned in  1863.  He  is  Director  of  the  district  in  which  he  lives, 
and  is  a  Republican. 

Orin  Oamphell  is  a  farmer,  and  resides  on  sec  21. 

J.  8.  Carson  is  following  the  vocation  of  agriculture  on  sec.  29. 

P.  H.  Cleveland  is  also  a  farmer,  and  lives  on  sec.  9,  this  town- 
ship. 

Marion  Clingensmith,  farmer,  sec.  19;.F.  0.,  Barry;  was  born 
Dec.  20,  1848,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  His  collegiate 
course  was  taken  at  Lombard  University,  Knox  county,  111.  June 
5,  1873,  he  married  Lucinda  E.  Graybael,  a  ^native  of  Monroe  Co., 
Ind.;  they  have  had  3  children,  2  of  whom  are  living:  Marcia  B., 
born  May  30, 1875,  and  Anna  M.,  born  May  27,  1878.  Mr.  0.  has 
been  a  School  Director  at  diiferent  times.  Is  a  JRepublican,  and  in 
religion  a  Universalist. 

George  Conrad,  farmer,  sec.  14;  P.O.,  Baylis;  was  born  in 
1820  in  Wayne  county.  Mo.,  and  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Sarah  Con- 
i:ad,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  who  emigrated  to  Missouri  the 
spring  before  George's  birth,  and  are  now  both  deceased.  Besides 
attending  the  public  schools  of  Missouri  the  subject  of  this  notice 
also  attended  for  7  years  the  Mission  Institute  at  Quincy,  lU.  He 
came  to  this  count}'  in  1851,  and  in  1857  he  went  to  Blue  Earth 
county,  Minn.,  and  in  1869  returned  to  this  county,  settling  on  sec. 
14,  this  tp.  In.  1851  he  married  Miss  M.  L.  Shipman,  who 
was  born  in  1821  in  Hartford  county.  Conn.  They  have  had  5 
children,  4  of  whom  are  living,  to  wit :  David  C,  0.  J.,  Jesse  B. 
and  A.  G.  At  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the  Sioux  in  Minnesota 
Mr.  C.  and  many  of  his  neighbors  left  their  homes  until  danger 
was  over,  and  in  their  absence  large  quantities  of  grain  and  other 
perishable  property  was  destroyed.  Mr.  Conrad  has  held  the  office 
of  Road  Commissioner  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  has  taught  school 
some,  but  his  occupation  has  principally  been  farming.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  C.  are  members  of  the  Congregational -Church. 

Orange  Cram,  farmer,  sec>  16,  of  Hadley ;  P.  0.,  Barry;  was  born 
in  Ackworth,  Sullivan  county,  N.  H.,  Feb.  16,  1803,  and  is  the  sec- 
ond son  of  Jesse  and  Lydia  Cram.  In  1823  he  moved  to  Concord, 
Lake  county,  O.,  where  he  was  married  in  1825  to  Susan  Carroll, 
a  native  of  that  county;  they  have  6  living  children.  In  1866,  Mr. 
C.  settled  in  this  tp. ;  has  been-a  Republican,  but  is  now  identified 
with  the  Greenback  party.  He  owns  40  acres  of  valuable  land  in  a 
good  state  of  cultivation. 

George  Cunningham,  farmer,  sec.  8;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Fayette  county,  Penn.,  Aug.  9,  1809.  In  1826  he  began  learning 
the  tanner's  trade,  and  in  1830  moved  to  Harrison  county,  0., 
where  he  started  a  tannery  of  his  own  and  continued  the  business 
for  12  years.  His  grandfather,  Barnett  Cunningham,  came  from 
Scotland  at  a  very  early  day.  His  father,  Joseph  H.  Cunningham,, 
was  born  in  the  house  where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared. 
In  1831  he    married   Mary  Ann  Humphrey,  who   died  March  3, 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  743 

1851,  leaving  7  children.  In  April  30,  1878,  he  married  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Hojle,  a  native  of  Warren  county,  O.,  born  Feb.  16, 1836. 
Mr.  C.  has  been  School  Director  9  years.  In  1866  he  came  to  this 
county  and  purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  of  O.  F.,  and  is  the  oldest  member  in  the 
county.  Politically,  he  is  a  staunch  Democrat. 
Jasper  Davis,  iaxmew  sec.  18;  P.  O.,  Barry;   was  born  on  his 

E resent  farm,  J^uly  19,  1843.  His  parents,  Wm.  and  Mary  E. 
>avis  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  Pike  county.  Mr.  W. 
Davis  was  born  in  Union  county,  111.,  Oct.  26,  1813,  and  Mrs.  D. 
was  born  in  Erie  county,  O.,  Oct.  1,  1820;  her  maiden  name  was 
Bushnell.  Her  family  emigrated  to  Fulton  county.  111.,  and  the 
town  in  McDonough  county  that  bears  the  family  name  was  named 
after  her  uncle.  Dec.  25,  1876,  Mr.  J.  Davis  married  Mai'garet 
Broady,  a  native  of  Adams  county.  111.,  born  April  15,  1846;  they 
have  one  child,  "Wm.- Calvin,  born  Nov.  25, 1877.  Mr.  D.  is  Com- 
missioner of  Public  Highways,  and  politically  a  Republican. 

John  S.  Davis,  farmer,  sec.  20;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  iu  Fay- 
eett  county,  Penn.,  June  1,  1835;  he  assisted  his  father  during 
summer  and  attended  district  school  during  winter,  until  he  was 
1%  years  old;  he  then  came,  with  his  father's  family,  to  this  town. 
John  H.  is  the  9th  of  11  children.  In  1859  be  married  Miss  Em- 
ma Ward,  who  died  4  years  after,  leaving  2  sons.  In  Dae.,  1865, 
he  inarried  Elizabeth  E.,  daughter  of  E.  D.  Kose,  of  Pittsfield, 
born  Feb.  4,  1839.  They  have  2  children.  Mr.  Davis  owns  143 
acres  of  valuable  land,  and  it  is  well  improved.  He  is  a  Republican, 
and  a  Methodist. 

Anthony  Dell,  farmer,  sec.  22;  P.  O.,  Cool  Bank;  was  born 
in  Madison  Co.,  111.,  Nov.  23,  1841;  came  with  his  father  to  Pitts- 
field  when  but  8  years  of  age;  in  1867  married  Miss  Jane  Crone, 
and  they  have  3  children.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  2d  111.  Cav- 
,  airy,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war.     He  is  a  Republican. 

Benjamin  Dulan,  farmer,  sec.  23;  P.  O.,  Baylis;  was  born  in 
Kalis  county,  Mo.,  in  March,  1828 ;  was  married  in  1848,  and  has 
7  children;  in  1863  moved  to  Adams  Co.,  and  to  Pike  Co.  the  fol- 
lowing March.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  member  of  the  Baptist 
Churcli. 

Squire  Dutoher  was  born  in  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  6, 
1806.  His  father,  Gideon  Dutcher,  was  a  farmer,  and  Squire  as- 
sisted him  in  the  summer  and  went  to  district  school  in  the  winter. 
At  the  age  of  11  his  father  moved  to  Chatham  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
.died,  leaving  a  widow  and  10  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the 
7th.  In  1823  or  1824  he  moved  with  his  mother's  family  toRensel- 
laer  county,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner.  In 
1827  he  married  Charlotte  Winchell,  who  died  in  1837.  They  had 
2  children.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  married  Eliza  A. 
Townsend,  and  they  had  3  living  children.  Mrs.  Dutcher  died 
July  29,  1879.  Mr.  D.'s  oldest  son,  Charles  H.,  is  professor  at  the 
South  Normal  School  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.    His  second  son,  Al- 


744  HISTOET   OF    PIKE    COTTNTY. 

bert,  is  in  the  jewelry  business  at  Kirksville,  Mo.  One,  Edgar, 
went  to  California  in  1849,  and  has  not  been  heard  from  in  a  num- 
ber of  years.*  Mr.  ]J)utcher  came  to  this  Co.  in  1839,  owns  a  beaati- 
ful  farm  of  66  acres  adjoining  the  city  of  Barry;  is  a  Eepublican, 
and  Adventist ;  has  been  Township  Collector  of  Hadiey. 

Stephen  M.  Dutcher^  farmer,  sec.  28 ;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born 
in  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y.,  April  5,  1810.  When  he  was  quite 
young  his  parents  moved  to  Columbia  county,  N.  Y.,  where  he 
received  his  education  during  the  winter  months  in  a  district 
school.  During  summer  he  assisted  his  mother  in  the  cultivation 
of  the  farm  until  he  was  16  years  of  age.  He  then  learned  the 
carpenter  and  joiner  trade.  In  1834  he  removed  to  Chenango 
county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  married  in  1835  to  Miss  Mary  Hunt, 
a  native  of  that  county,  born  May  6, 1808.  He  worked  at  his  trade 
until  1845,  and  then  came  to  this  county  and  purchased  his  pres- 
ent farm,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dutcher  have 
6  living  children, ^3  sons  and  2  daughters.  His  son  Henry 
enlisted  in  1861  in  the  99th  E.eg.  I.  Y.,  and  served  to  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  is  a  Green  backer,  and  member  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

Charles  J.  Ford  was  born  on  sec.  16,  Hadiey  tp.,  Sept.  7, 1843; 
educated  in  the  district  school;  Dec.  23,  1869,  he  married  Miss 
Keziah  Cunningham,  daughter  of  George  Cunningham,  of  this  tp., 
and  they  haive  3  children.  He  owns  80  acres  of  land  in  a  good 
state  of  cultivation;  he  is  School  Director  of  this  district. 
■  Jerry  Gelvin,  farmer,  sec.  21;  P.  O.,  Cool  Bank;  was  born  in 
Washington  Co.,  Va.,  June  27,  1818;  educated  in  the  same  county, 
in,  the  district  schools;  in  1838  he  moved  to  Wayne  Co.,  Ky.,  and 
in  1841  was  married  in  Pulaski  Co.,  Ky.,  to  Miss  Harriet  Quails, 
daughter  of  Judge  Tunstall  Quails,  who  was  a  member  of  the  25th 
Congress,  and  Judge  of  his  Circuit  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 
Six  of  their  9  children  are  now  living.  In  1852  he  moved  to  Pike 
county,  where  he  has  since  lived,  and  is  at  present  agent  of  the 
Wabash,  St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railroad  at  Hadiey  Station;  is  Post- 
master of  Cool  Bank  postoffice,  and  largely  engaged  in  buying 
grain.  He  owns  160  acres  of  very  valuable  land.  Politically  he 
is  a  Democrat. 

William  A.  Qordon,  deceased,  was  born  in  Ohio,  Feb.  15,  1817. 
In  early  life  he  assisted  his  parents  on  the  farm  ;  in  1838  he  came 
to  Piue  county,  where  he  was  married  in  1844  to  Sophia  R.,  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Elizabeth  Burbridge,  a  native  of  Pickaway  Co., 
O.;  was  born  Jan.  1,  1827.  Thev  have  one  son,  James  D.,  born 
Oct.  21, 1853,  and  now  married  to  Mary  E.  Wike,  and  who  have  one 
child,  Gertrude.  Mr.  Gordon  died  Sept.  26,  1874,  a  man  of  ster- 
ling worth. 

William  Grammer,  farmer,  sec.  30;  P.  O.,  Barry;  born  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  Jan.  8, 1822;  educated  in  Maiden,  Mass.;  in  1840  he  moved 
to  this  township,  settling  on  sec.  2,  where  he  has  lived  up  to  4  years 
ago.     In  1846  he  married  Eliza  Philpot,  a  native  of  England,  but 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  745 

a  resident  of  Perry,  111.  She  died  in  1866,  leaving  one  child,  Maria 
B.,  now  Mrs.  Blake.  In  January,  1874,  he  married  Mrs.  McTucker, 
widow  of  John  McT.  In  1851  he  was  elected  Snpervisftr  of  Hadley 
and  held  the  office  24  years.  In  1867  he  married  his  second  wife, 
Miss  Lucy  H.  Smith,  who  died  in  1872.     He  is  a  Eepublican. 

Benj.F.  Gray,  blacksmith  and  wagon  and  buggy  manufacturer, 
Philadelphia;  P.  O.,  Cool  Bank;  wal  born  in  1840  in  this  county, 
and  is  a  son  of  Anson  and  Jane  Gray,  who  came  from  Qhio  to  this 
place  in  early  day.  After  receiving  a  fair  public  school  education 
and  growing  to  manhood,  Benj.  F.  in  1868  married  Mary  Ann  Hall, 
and  by  her  had  one  child,  Sophia  A.  Mrs.  Gray  died  in  1869,  and 
Mr.  Gray  in  1870  married  Elizabeth  Ann  Mellon,  who  was  born  in 
1848  in  Washington  county.  Pa.,  and  they  have  had  3  children, 
Lena  May,  Gertrude  and  Nina  A.  Mr.  Gray  has  followed  farming, 
but  b)'  trade  is  a  blacksmith  and  manufacturer  of  wagons  and 
buggies,  which  business  he  has  followed  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  was  3  years  in  the  war,  in  Cb.  K,  99th  111.  luf.  Politically  he 
is  a  Republican. 

Howard  A.  Grayiael,  farmer,  sec.  31 ;  P.  O.,  Barry ;  was  born 
iu  Monroe  Co.,  Ind.,  June  22, 1842;  received  a  common-school  edu- 
cation; in  1864  removed  to  this  tp. ;  in  1870,  in  St.  Charles  Co., 
Mo.,  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Miller,  a  native  of  that  county;  they 
have  2  children,  Adella,  bprn  Aug.  27,  1872,  and  Lloyd,  Aug.  25, 
1879.  He  owns  80  acres  of  very  valuable  land,  as  fertile  as  this 
county  aflfords.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

James  M.  Green,  farmer,  sec.  31;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Barry  tp.,  June  13,  1845,  the  3d  son  of  9  children  of  P.  D.  S.  Green, 
of  Barry  tp.,  and  a  native  of  Rensellaer  Co.,  N.  Y.,  who  came  to 
this  county  in  early  day.  James  M.  took  two  courses  in  Lombard 
University  at  Galesburg,  111.  In  1866  he  married  Addie  M.  Hol- 
lenbeck,  who  died  Sept.  14,  1870,  leaving  one  child,  Nora.  In 
1874  he  married  Hannah  Tilden,  a  native  of  Franklin  Co.,  N.  Y., 
born  Sept.  23,  1848.  He  owns  120  acres  of  good  land,  and  is  a 
Republican. 

D.  p.  Guss,  farmer,  sec.  6;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  1841  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Eliza  Guss,  natives 
also  of  the  Keystone  State,  who  emigrated  to  this  county  when 
their  son  was  7  years  old,  and  are  still  living  in  this  county.  D.  P. 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  here.  In  1860  he  married 
Miss  Mary  J.  Lawton,  who  was  born  in  1845  in  this  county,  and 
they  have  2  children,  Charlie  E.  and  Ollie  M.  From  poverty  Mr. 
Guss  has  risen  to  become  the  owner  of  a  nice  home  of  160  acres 
of  land  worth  $35  an  acre.  He  is  a  Freemason,  and  in  politics  is  a 
Democrat. 

H.  L.  Eadsell,  farmer,  sec.  15;  P.  O.,  Barry.  This  gentleman 
was  born  in  1842,  in  this  county,  and  is  a  sou  of  IST.  V.  and  Eliza- 
beth J.  Hadsell,  both  natives  o^  New  York,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  1834,  thus  being  early  pioneers  here.  H.  L.  obtained  a 
public-school  education,  and  wJtien  19  years  of  age  he  enlisted  in 


746  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

t 

Co.  I,  28th  111.  Inf.,  as  private,  Aug.  3,  IS61,  and  was.  promoted  2d 
Lieutenant  in  October,  1862;  in  1863  he  was  again  promoted  Ist 
Lieutenant,  and  in  1864  he  was  promoted  Captain  of  Co.  F,  28th 
111.  Inf ,  under  Gen.  Grant.  His  first  engagement  was  at'' Belmont 
Mo.;  he  then  went  to  Paducah,  then  to  Fort' Henry,  Pittsburg  Land! 
ing,  Corinth,  Holly  Springs,  Vicksburg  during  the  siege,  Jack- 
son (where  he  engaged  in  a  iiard-fought  battle),  Natchez,  to  do 
provost  duty  on  account  of  meritorious  conduct,  where  he  remained 
one  year;  then  to  New  Orleans,  then  Mobile.  "While  on  the  wav 
to  Mobile  the  troops  were  shipwrecked,  but  no  one  was  lost;  took 
a  well  fortified  fort  at  Mobile  Point;  then  was  engaged  in  the 
siege  of  Spanish  Fort,  Ala.,  which  place  surrendered  after  a  month's 
siege;  then  he  was  in  the  siege  of  Fort  Blakely,  which  also  surren- 
dered in  1864,  these  places  being  the  key  to  Mobile,  already  taken. 
Gen.  Canby  took  Mobile,  under  whose  command  Capt.  Hadsell  was 
at  the  time;  then  the  Captain  with  his  force  was  ordered  to  Browns- 
ville, Texas,  where  he  remained  until  his  discharge,  April  6,1866. 
He  then  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  has  fol- 
lowed ever  since  with  success,  now  owning  200  acres  of  land  worth 
$60  per  acre.  lu  1866  he  married  Miss  Adda  Baker,  who  was  born 
in  1843  in'  Hamilton  county,  O.,  and  they  have  had  2  children,  to 
wit:  Laura  M.  and  Leon  Y.  The  Captain  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Free-will  Baptist  Church. 

John  D.  Hamilton,  farmer,  sec.  34;  P.  0.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Ayrshire,  Scotland,  Sept.  29,  1836.  In  1845  his  father  died, 
and  in  1850  his  mother,  with  a  family  of  4  children,  emigrated  to 
this  country  and  settled  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.  In  the  fall  of  1854 
John  D.  moved  to  Quincy,  111.,  and  in  1861,  to  Pike  Co.,  and  set- 
tled on  his  present  farm,  which  he  had  purchased  some  time  pre- 
viously. In  1870  he  married  Annie  Shaw,  a  native  of  this  county, 
and  they  have  3  children, — ^Thomas,  Ida  and  Alexander.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church  and  a  Republican. 

Albert  E.  Hays,  farmer,  sec.  16;  P.  O.,  Cool  Bank;  was  born 
in  Franklin  county,  O.,  Oct.  27,  1832.  In  1846  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  this  county,  and  in  1864  was  married  to  Margaret  Pierce, 
who  died  in  the  fall  of  1867,  leaving  one  child,  Wm.  In  1870  he 
married  Mabel  Norris,  and  their  children  are  :  Lillian,  May, 
Oscar  ]Sr.,  Kate  and  Bertie  E.  Mr.  H.  owns  80  acres  of  land,  and 
is  a  Greenbacker. 

Pulaski  Hays,  farmer,  sec.  9;  P.  0.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Frank- 
lin county,  O.,  April  13,  1845.  While  yet  in  his  infancy  bis 
parents,'  Richard  and  Catharine  Hays  came  to  this  county  and  set- 
tled in  Hadley  tp.  In  1868  he  married  Nannie  Qnarles,  and  their 
2  children  are  Harry  and  Clarence.  He.«wus  120  acres  of  land, 
and  is  a  Republican. 

Theodore  Hays,  farmer,  sec.  16;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Franklin  county,  O.,  in  1836 ;  came  West  in  1846,  and  with  his 
parents  settled  in  this  county,  wiiere  his  early  education  was  ob- 
tained.    In  1862  he  married  Miss  Mary  Johnson  and  they  have  6 


HISTORY    or    PIKE    COUNTY.  74t7 

children .     He  is  a  Republican  and  owns  120  acres  of  first-rate  land. 

/,  B.  mil  is  a  farmer,  residing  on  sec.  28. 

Harlow  Hwntley,  farmer,  sec.  10;  P.  0.,  Cool  Bank;  was  born 
in  Oneida  county,  N.'Y.,  July  19,  1806;  is  the  eldest  of  6  children 
of  Amos  and  Addie  Huntley,  early  settlers  of  that  county.  His 
grandfather,  Amos  Huntley,  sen.,  was  a  revolutionary  soldier.  Mr. 
H.  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Alleghany  county,  N.Y.,  when 
he  was  3  years  old.  Here  he  was  raised  and  educated.  He  assist- 
ed on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  20,  married  Elmira  Partridge,  a 
native  of  Hampshire  county,  Mass.,  who  died  Sept.  19,  1877,  leav- 
ing 10  children.  He  has  been  a  resMent  of  this  county  since  1843; 
in  1850  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Pea^ce  and  held  the  office  till 
1877,  and  is  at  the  present  time  Treasurer  of  this  tp.  During  his 
residence  here  he  has  accumulated  1,000  acres  of  land,  which  he 
has  divided  among  his  3  sons.  He  was  raised  a  Jackson  Demo- 
•orat,  bat  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Kebellion  he  aided  largely  in  the 
organization  of  the  Kepublican  party,  in  whose  ranks  he  was  found 
till  1878,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  zealous  Grreenbacker. 

George  B.  Kimball,  farmer,  sec.  4;  P.  0.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Worcester,  Norfolk  county,  Massi,  in  1831.  At  the  age  of  6  years 
Ins  "parents,  David  and  Rebecca  Kimball,  moved  to  this  county, 
where  he  was  raised  and  educated.  In  1854  he  married  Mary 
Osborn,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  Aug.  10,  1836,  and  they  have  4 
sons  and  4  daughters.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  owns  170  acres  of 
Jand. 

Francis  McCartney,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Eoss  county,  Ohio,  Sept.  22,  1811 ;  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  as- 
sisted his  father  until  1832,  when  he  married  Eliza  Johnson,  also  a 
native  of  Ross  county,  and  was  born  Aug.  30,  1811.  Of  their  10 
children  5  are  living.  In  the  fall  of  1850  Mr.  M.  moved  to  Pike 
Co.,  and  purchased  the  beautiful  farm  on  which  he  now  resides.  In 
1861  his  son  Charles  enlisted  in  the  99th  Reg.,  and  served  during 
the  entire  war.  His  son,  Milton,  enlisted  in  1865,  and  served  to 
the  close.     Mr.  M.  is  a  Democrat. 

John  a.  McClain,  farmer,  sec.  32;  P.  0.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Knox  countv,  Tenn.,  Nov.  12,  1844;  is  the  youngest  of  9  children. 
In  April,  18'62,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  6th  Reg.  T.  V.  I.,  and  served 
in  several  of  the  engagements  in  Slierman's  march  to  the  sea.  He 
was  mustered  out  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  1866,  after  which  he  re- 
turned home  for  a  short  time,  and  then  moved  to  near  Lexington, 
Kentucky.  In  the  fall  of  1870  he  came  to  this  county;  in  1871  he 
married  Sarah  E.  Shaw,  daughter  of  Daniel  Shaw,  of  Derry  tp., 
born  March  13.  1841.  They  have  3  children, — Annie  E.,  James 
D.  and  May.  Mr.  McOlain  is  cultivating  a  valuable  farm  in  Hadley 
and  Derry  tps.,  is  a  Republican  and  a  Baptist. 

Patrick  McMahan  is  a  farmer,  pursuing  his  calling  on  sec.  9, 

Jacol  Orehaugh,  farmer,  sec.  6 ;  P.  O. ,  Barry ;  was  born  in  Rock- 
ingham county,  Va.,  July  17,  1824;  at  the  age  of  five  years  he 
moved  with  his  parents  to  Highland  county,  O.,  where  he  was 


74:8  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    OOUNTl". 

raised  and  educated.  In  1846  he  married  Emma  Predmore,  a  na- 
tive of  N.  J.,  and  they  have  4  living  children.  In  1856  he 
settled  in  this  tp. ;  has  been  School  Director:  is  a  Baptist  and 
a  Republican. 

James  H.  Orebaugh,  farmer,  sec.  8;  P.  0.,  Barrj;  was  born  in 
Clermont  county,  O.,  June  9,  1852,  and  came  to  this  county  with 
his  parents  when  he  was  five  years  of  age.  When  15  years  old  he 
visited  8  or  10  different  States,  and  in  1876  came  home,  and  was 
married  Jan.  ^ ,  1878,  to  Sarah  0.  Matthews,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Matthews,  deceased,  of  Adams  county.  III.  They  have  one  child, 
Nellie  Maud,     lie  is  a  meinbei'of  the  G-erman  Baptist  church. 

David  H.  Fatten,  farmer,  sec.  14;  P.  O.,  Baylis;  was  born  in 
Belmont  county,  O.,  in  1841, 'and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Eliza 
Patten,  who  emigrated  to  this  county  about  38  years  ago,  and  have  ' 
since  died.  Receiving  a  common-school  education  and  growing  up 
to  manhood,  David  H.  in  1862  married  Miss  Alice' States,  who 
was  born  in  1847  iii  t^^is  county,  and  still  resides  on  the  old'home- 
stead.  Their  4  children  are  Charlie,  Lulu,  Merton  and  Harry. 
Mr.  P.  has  had  good  success  in  farming,  now  owning  320  acres  of 
first-rate  land,  well  improved.  In  politics  Mr.  P.  is  a  Democrat; 
is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Williain' A.  Peck,  farmer,  sec.  21;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Ross  county,  Ohio,  May  27,  1842;  came  to  this  county  when  5 
3'ears  old.  In  1864  was  married  to  Jessie  Wilson,  a  native  of  Scot- 
land. They  have  6  children.  He  is  at  present  School  Director, 
and  in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Dean  Peterson,  farmer,  sec.  36;  P.  O.,  Baylis;  was  born  in  1804, 
in  Salem  county.  Upper  Penn's  Neck,  N.  J.,  and  is  the  son  of 
Robert  and  Catharine  Peterson ;  his  father  was  a  native  of  Dela- 
ware and  his  mother  of  New  Jersey,  both  deceased.  In  1821  his 
parents  m»ved  with  him  to  Ohio  where  they  remained  until  1836, 
when  they  emigrated  to  this  connty  and  settled  on  sec.  36,  his 
present  residence.  The  subject  of  this  notice  being  a  pioneer  in 
this  section,  has  had  to  work  very  hard,  amid  many  privations; 
has  had  to  split  rails  at  25  cents  per  day;  by  littles  he  accumu- 
lated enough  to  enter  80  acres  of  land,  and  he  now  owns  120  acres. 
Sept.  18,  1834,  he  married  Miss  Catharine  Troy,  who  was  born 
in  Clermont  county,  O.,  and  they  have  had  11  children,  9  of 
whom  are  living.  Dean  first  learned  the  shoemaker's  trade,  but  not 
liking  that  business,  he  engaged  in  farming,  having  had  reasonable 
success'.  He  is  still  a  stout  man  for  his  years.  He  has  visited  the 
Pacific  coast.  He  has  been  Supervisor  and  School  Director,  and  in 
politics  is  a  Democrat. 

Josiah  W.  Richards,  deceased,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  Nov. 
21,  1811.  March  3, 1835,  he  married  Margaret  Phillips,  who  was 
born  July  16,  1812,  and  died  Oct.  3,  1849,  leaving  3  daughters. 
March  21.  1852,  Mr.  R.  married  Esther  Garraux,  who  was  born 
Oct.  23,  1817,  and  who,  by  her  first  marriage,  had  one  daughter. 


HADLEY   TF 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  751 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eichards  had  3  children.  la  1837  Mr.  E.  came  to 
Macoupin  Co.,  111.,  where  he  lived  4  or  5  years,  then  moved  to  St. 
Louis,  Mo.  Dec.  1,  1853,  he  again  moved  to  Illinois  and  settled 
in  this  county,  where  he  died  Jan.  4,  1866.     He  was  a  Eepublican. 

James  Uossell,  farmer,  sec.  29;  P.  O.,  Barry.  Mr.  E.  was  born  in 
1845  in  Pennsylvania;  his  parents  were  Joseph  and  Aditha  Eossell, 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania;  when  he  was  6  years  of  age  his  parents 
emigrated  with  him  to  this  county,  where  he  obtained  a  public- 
school  education  and  grew  to  manhood;  in  1870  he  married  Alice 
M.  Haycraft,  who  was  born  in  1850  in  this  county.  Mr.  E.  is  a 
farmer,  owning  181  acres  of  No.  1  land,  and  is  now  erecting  a 
dwelling  at  a  cost  of  $3,000.  He  is  also  a  stock-raiser,  and  some- 
times does  something  in  the  line  of  shipping  wheat. 

Ira  A.  Sweet,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  sec.  32;  P.  0;,  Barry.; 
was  born  in  Eensellaer  county,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  1,  1820,  and  is  the 
eldest  son  of  Ira  and  Sarah  (Hadsell)  Sweet,  _  also  natives  of  the 
Empire  State;  they  tirst  emigrated  to  Alleghany  county,  N.  Y.,  in 
1837,  and  then  in  May  of  the  following  year  to  this  county,  settling 
in  this  tp.,  where  in  1844  the  parents  died,  leaving  the  care  of  the 
property  with  Ira  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  the  latter  had  but 
limited  opportunities  for  an  early  education;  in  this  county,  Oct. 
30,  1856,  he  married  Miss  Martha  Hewitt,  who  was  born  in  Eoss 
county,  0.,  Sept.  6,  1821;  when  first  married  he  had  about  $15.00 
worth  of  property;  he  novv  owns  191  acres  of  land,  worth  $50  per 
acre.  He  raises  and  deals  in  young  cattle  and  other  stock.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Eepublican,  and  in  religion  a  Baptist.  His  por- 
trait appears  in  this  volume. 

Robert  H.  Taylor,  farmer,  sec.  36;  P.  O.,  New  Salem.  Mr.  T. 
was  born  in  1842  in  this  county;  his  parents  are  Matthew  M.  and 
Eliza  Taylor,  natives  of  Pennsylvania;  was  educated  in  this  county, 
and  in  1866  he  married  Sarah  A.  Sharer,  who  was  born  in  1847  in 
this  county.  Their  3  children  are  Jacob  E.,  Jesse  A.  and  Matthew 
R.  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  farmer  of  considerable  note,  owning  168  acres 
of  good  land,  where  he  raises  some  stock.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  are 
members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.     In  politics  Mr.  T.  is  a  Democrat. 

Thomas  H.  Thomas,  farmer,  sec.  33;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
St.  Louis  county.  Mo.,  Sept.  15,  1851;  is  the  son  of  Thomas 
'Thomas,  deceased,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1857.  He  was 
raised  in  slavery  by  Mr.  Pernod,  who  gave  him  his  freedom. 
Shortly  before  he  came  to  Illinois  he  purchased  the  freedom  of  his 
wife,  who  was  also  born  in  slavery  in  the  same  neighborhood.  Her 
name  was  Sophia  Patiese.  They  were  married  in  1850,  and  they  have 
5  living  children,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  being  the  oldest.  He 
was  married  Dee.  30,  1875,  to  Dasara  Ann  Lawson,  a  native  of 
Natchez,  Miss.,  born  Oct.  24,  1850,  and  they  have  2  children.  He 
is  a  Eepublican,.  a  Methodist,  and  owns  320  acres  of  valuable  land. 

Ansel  Vond,  farmer,  sec.  22;  P.  O.,  Cool  Bank;  was  born  in 
Monroe  county,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  12,  1828;  was  raised  and  educated  in 
his  native  county.     In  Nov.,  1857,  he  settled  in  this  county,  and 

43 


752  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

in  1858  lie  was  married  to  Lucy  Ann  McWorter,  daughter  of  Frank 
McWorter,  the  tirst  settler  in  this  township.  They  have  3  living 
children, — Lncy,  George  E.  and  Francis  Nero.  He  owns  82  acres 
of  land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation;  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  a  Republican. 

John  Walker,  farmer,  sec.  22;  P.  O.,  Cool  Bank;  was  born  a 
slave  in  Spottsylvania  county,  Ya.,  in  1802;  was  owned  by  several 
masters  up  to  1834,  when  he  purchased  his  own  freedom  from  David 
Van  Auefor  $300,  after  which, he  rented  ground  and  went  to  work 
for  himself.  According  to  the  laws  of  the  State  at  that  time,  a  free 
negro  was  not  allowed  to  remain  in  the  State  but  one  year;  but 
through  the  influence  of  a  friend  in  the  Legislature,  he  obtained  a 
permit  to  remain  3  years,  but  he  does  not  remember  whether  he 
staid  the  full  allotted  time  or  not.  By  working  hard  and  saving  money 
he  purchased  a  cheap  team,  which  he  sold  in  1838  and  canie  to  Ran- 
dolph county.  Mo.,  with  Wm.  E..  Dusen,  the  man  who  owned  his 
wife  and  children.  After  coming  to  Missouri,  he  had  money  enough 
to  purchase  80  acres  of  land  and  went  to  raising  tobacco,  corn  and 
hogs.  In  1850  he  purchased  the  freedom  of  2  of  his  children, 
Peter  and  Lettie,  and  in  1854  he  purchased  his  wife  Lucy  and  son 
Oregon.  His  wife  was  then  50  years  of  age  and  had  been  a  slave 
all  her  life.  His  son  was  then  about  18  years  of  age.  He  paid 
$1,100  for  both.  rHe  afterward  purchased  his  daughter  Louise  and 
her  2  children,  Charles  and  William,  for  whom  he  paid  $600.  In 
1861  he  owned  460  acres  of  land  and  a  considerable  amount  of  per-- 
sonal  property  which  he  sold,  and  came  to  this  countj'  and  settled 
on  sec.  22  in  this  tp.,  where  he  has  since  resided.  John  has  been 
the  father  of  16  .children, — only  3  of  whom  are  living, — Oregon, 
Archy  and  Peter.  The  balance  of  his  children  were  all  emanci- 
pated by  Lincoln's  proclamation.  His  descendants  are  numerous; 
he  is  one  of  the  wealthy  men  of  Pike  county,  and  has  accumulated 
all  his  property  by  his  own  honest,  industry.  Although  wholly 
uneducated  in  the  books,  he  has  a  rare  natural  ability;  is  very  lib- 
eral in  his  views,  even  recognizing  the  right  of  slavery;  says  he 
has  never  received  any  cruel  treatment  from  any  of  his  masters. 
He  is  highly  respected  in  his  neighborhood. 

Stephen  R.  Watson,  farmer,  sec.  18;  P.  0.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Newport,  Perkimer  county,  N.  Y.,  April  25,  1811;  in  1830  he  set- 
tled in  Atlas,  this  county,  where,  in  1834,  he  married  Miss  Ann 
Brown,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  who  died  in  June,  1879,  leaving 
one  son  and  three  daughters;  three  of  her  children  have  died. 
Having  learned  the  tailor's  trade  in  the  East,  Mr.  Watson  contin- 
ued in  the  business  of  merchant  tailor  in  Atlas.  In  1835  he  pur- 
chased the  beautiful  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  the  cultivation 
of  which  he  has  brought  to  a  high  degree.  Since  his  location  here 
he  has  dev^oted  his  attention  exclusively  to  farming.  He  is  a  TJni- 
rersalist,  a  Kepublican,  and  a  highly  respected  member  of  society. 

Joshua  Woosley,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Wilson  county,  Tenn.,  July  9,  1805;  when  he  was  9  years  old, his 


HISTOKT    OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  753 

parents  moved  with  him  to  Christian  countj',  Ky.;  Oct.  30,  1827, 
he  married  Margaret  Johnson,  daughter  of  William  Johnson,  of 
that  county ;  she  died  Sept.  8,  1868,  leaving  i  children ;  six  of  her 
children  had  died,  and  since  her  death  her  youngest  daughter  has 
died.  In  1828  Mr.  W.  settled  on  Sugar  Creek,  in  Sangamon  county, 
111.,  and  after  about  18  months  he  settled  on  the  place  where  he 
now  resides.  Nov.  4,  1869,  he  married  Mrs.  Augusta  Ann  Sidner, 
widow  of  John  Sidner,  of  this  tp.,  who  was  born  in  Madison  county, 
Ohio,  Oct.  2,  1815,  and  has  one  daughter  by  her  pi-evious  marriage. 
Mr.  Woosley  has  been  County  Commissioner  3  years,  Associate 
County  Judge  4  years.  Sheriff  2  years,  Tp.  Assessor  and  Collector 
several  terms,  Justice  of  the  Peace  12  years,  Constable  8  years, 
etc.,  etc.;  is  now  Assessor  and  Collector.  He  has  held  more  offices 
than  any  other  man  in  the  count}'.  He  is  the  oldest  citizen  of  this 
tp.,  and  is  perhaps  as  well  acquainted  with  the  political  history  of 
Pike  county  as  any  other  citizen. 


DERRY  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township  embraces  a  fine  farming  district.  It  is  especially 
well  adapted  to  the  raising  of  stock,  and  to  fruit-growing.  Very 
early  in  the  history  of  the  county  the  pioneer  was  attracted  hither. 
To  the  memory  of  David  W.  Howard  is  due  the  honor  of  being  the 
first  settler  of  Derrj  township.  He  came  here  as  early  as  1826, 
and  made  improvements  on  see.  28,  where  he  built  the  first 
house  in  the  township.  Soon  came  Charles  Martin,  the  second 
settler,  and  Isaiah  Cooper,  the'  third.  The  latter  settled  on  sec. 
20.  Then  followed  Uobert  McCliutock,  William  and  Joseph  Horn- 
back,  Charles  Hoskins,  James  and  Nineveh  Barnes,  Mr.  Kinne,  S. 
F.  Thomas,  Henry  Fesler  and  others,  who  also  made  improvements 
and  did  much  in  developing  the  native  resources  of  this  fine  agri- 
cultural district. 

Soon  after  the  arrival  of  the  above  pioneers,  settlers  began  to 
pour  in  so  fast  that  it  was  even  then  diflScult  to  keep  pace  with 
their  advent,  and  after  the  lapse  of  40  years  it  is  impossible  to 
speak  of  them  in  the  general  order  of  their  coming.  They  formed 
one  of  the  pleasantest  communities  to  be  found  in  the  State.  The 
early  pilgrims  were  well-disposed  persons.  Of  those  above  men- 
tioned none  are  now  living  in  the  township  except  Mr.  William 
Hornback.  The  descendants  of  many,  however,  are  numerous,  and 
they  are  in  general  of  the  same  disposition  as  that  of  their  fathers, 
only  more,  modernized.  It  is  hardly  too  much  to  say,  that  no  com- 
munity in  the  county  excels  this  in  this  respect.  The  present 
generation  is  largely  made  up  of  people  who  were  born  here, 
or  who  have  lived  here  from  their  childhood,  and  they  have 
nearly  all  fallen  into  the  good  ways  of  the  pioneers.  They 
are  honest,  moral,  religious,  social,  economical,  are  not  in  debt, 
have  but  few,  if  SLuy  paupers,  seldom  go  to  law,  are  generous 
to  each  other  in  misfortune,  have  no  aristocracy,  pay  their  bills, — 
in  fact,  form  a  well-regulated,  and  we  might  say  model,  community. 

Here  we  find  more  marked  than  in  any  other  township  almost, 
the  simplicity  and  good  habits  of  the  early  settlers,  uncontaminated 
by  modern  degenerate  practices.  There  are  no  large  towns  near 
enough  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  younger  people,  and  accord- 
ingly they  find  amusement  and  sociability  at  home,  and  grow  up 
purer  and  better  than  would  be  the  case  were  a  city  in  their  midst. 
Besides  this,  we  would  mention  the  f^ct  that   the  population  has 


HJSTOEY    Of    PIKE   OOUNTT.  755 

changed  le^f;  than  most  others,  is  made  up  more  of  the  families  and 
descendants  of  the  first  hottlers,  and  is  mingled  less  with  foreigners 
than  is  the  ease  in  most  places.  Fortunately,  the  foreigner-:  living 
here  are  nearly  all  of  the  religious,  careful,  economical  class,  whose 
mannera  and  customs  are  largely  in  harmony  with  tho-e  of  the 
balance  of  the  community. 

The  family  connections  of  the  Ilornbacks,  Hoskins,  Joneses, 
Parsleys,  Taylors,  .Martins,  Feslers,  Thomases,  etc.,  etc.,  form  some 
remarkable  circles  of  relatives,  living  in  good  circumstances,  moral, 
many  religious,  bringing  down  to  trie  present  generation  the  best 
qualities  of  the  early  pioneers. 

To  William  Homback,  the  only  one  of  the  earliest  pilgrims  now 
living  in  the  township,  we  are  indebted  for  the  greater  part  of  this 
gketch.  In  1829,  when  he  came  to  this  township,  there  were  but 
80  voters  in  Pike  county,  and  only  four  families  in  I)erry  township. 

During  those  early  days  the  Indians  were  numerous  in  this 
neighborhood.  It  is  true  the  great  body  of  aborigines  had  been 
driven  westward  across  the  Mississippi,  but  hundreds  lingered 
around  the  new  settlement,  loth  to  leave  the   beautiful  hunting 

f  rounds  where  they  had  enjoyed  so  many  happy  experiences.  They 
nally  Ijecarne  quite  troublesome,  and  annoyed  the  settlers  greatly 
by  their  constant  stealing.  They  became  a  great  nuisance,  and 
viewing  them  in  this  light  the  settlers  determined  to  rid  them- 
selves of  them.  Accordingly  an  army  was  raised  to  go  on  an  expe- 
dition against  these  pesky  natives.  It  is  true  it  was  a  small  army, 
numbering  only  15  men,  but  it  was  a  determined  one,  and  conse- 
quently was  victxjrious.  These  men  marched  out  and  notified  the 
red-skins  to  evacuate  their,camp  and  leave  the  neighborhood.  This 
some  of  them  refused  to  do.  Not  wishing  to  do  bodily  harm  to 
them  if  they  could  be  got  rid  of  without,  the  commander  of  the 
little  band  engraved  the  image  of  an  Indian's  head  on  a  tree,  and 
then  William  Ilornback  and  one  or  two  others  discharged  their 
guns  at  this  image.  This  was  the  signal  that  the  whites  would  fight, 
and  it  had  the  desired  effect;  for  the  Indians  immediately  left  the 
neighborhood,  and  have  never  more  intruded  upon  the  lands  of  the 
settlers  of  this  township. 

Wild  animals,  such  as  the  deer,  wolf,  coon,  and  the  wild  turkey, 
were  numerous  here  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  township.  There 
were  also  some  panthers,  catamounts,  wild  cats  and  lynx  found  here. 
For  the  pioneers  this  was  literally  a  land  of  "milk  and  honey," 
especially  the  latter.  Although  they  were  deprived  of  many  of 
the  advantages  and  comforts  that  are  enjoyed  by  their  posterity, 
yet  they  had  abundance  of  what  is  a  rare  luxury  to  the  latter  at  the 
present  day.  Wild  honey  and  venison  were  their  common,  every- 
day fare.  The  venison  was  preserved  by  drying.  Wm.  Ilornback 
found  a  tree  within  200  yards  of  his  house,  which  he  cut,  and  took 
from  it  several  bncketiuls  of  honey  on  Christmas  Day,  1829.  Mr. 
Hornback  also  tells  us  that  he  has  shot  many  turkeys  while  stand- 
ing in  the  door  of  his  house.     During  the  big  snow  in  the  win- 


756  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    OOUNTT. 

ter  of  1830-1,  the  wild  turkeys  congregated  in  such  large  numbers 
in  Mr.  Howard's  corn-field  that  he  had  to  call  upon  his  neighbors, 
among  whom  was  Mr.  Hornback,  to  assist  him  in  killing  them,  in 
order  to  save  his  corn.  Many  of  those  s-laughtered  on  the  occasion 
were  thrown  away,  while  some   were   preserved  and  used  for  food. 

As  Mr.  Hornback  is  the  oldest  settler  now  living  in  the  town- 
ship, we  give  a  bit  of  his  experience  during  the  memorable  winter 
above  alluded  to,  although  before  tlie  big  snow  fell.  In  the  fall  of 
1830  he  started  on  horseback  for  Rock  Island.  When  he  arrived 
at  Pope  creek,  however,  the  weather  turned  so  extrqmely  cold  that 
he  was  in  imminent  danger  of  freezing  to  death.  He  turned  his 
horse  homeward  to  retrace  his  steps.  To  add  to  the  already  great 
peril  in  which  he  was,  he  was  severely  attacked  with  the  bilious 
colic.  This,  together  with  the  cold,  nearly  caused  him  the  loss  of 
his  life.  It  began  to  snow  and  sleet  on  the  23d  of  December,  which 
made  traveling  very  difficult  and  slavish  upon  horses.  Mr.  Horn- 
back  arrived  at  Quincy,  on  his  return,  on  the  evening  of  Dec.  24. 
On  the  following  morning  the  ground  was  very  rough  and  the  ice 
so  thick  that  his  unshod  horse  could  hardly  travel.  As  it  was 
Christmas" and  but  one  blacksmith  shop  in  Quincy,  he  could  not 
get  his  horse  shod.  The  blacksmith  who  ran  that  shop  was  too 
religious  to  work  on  Christmas.  When  Mr.  Hornback  asked  him 
to  shoe  his  horse  he  replied  that  he  never  had  worked  on  Christ- 
mas and  he  would  be  d — d  if  he  ever  would.  After  a  hard  and 
tedious  day's  journey  Mr.  Hornback  arrived  at  home,  and  that 
night  the  big  snow  began  to  fall. 

Thomas  Proctor  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace.  The  first 
death  that  occurred  in  Derry  township  was  that  of  James  Horn- 
back.  The  first  marriage  was  that  of  Enoch  Cooper  to  Miss 
Esther  Cooper  in  182,9.  Miss  Cooper  was  the  adopted  daughter  of 
Isaiah  Cooper.  The  first  child  born  was  to  Daniel  and  Pauline 
Howard  in  1827. 

The  first  church  building  in  Derry  was  erected  in  1854,  in 
Eldara,  by  the  Methodist  people.  This  Society  was  organized 
in  the  pioneer  days  and  worshiped  in  school-houses  and  dwellings 
prior  to  this.  The  first  sermon  was  preached  bj^  Rev.  Mr.  Bogard, 
a  Methodist  minister,  in  1829,  at  the  house  of  William  Hornback. 
In  1830  the  renowned  Lorenzo  Dow  preached  a  sermon  in  the  same 
house,  at  which  time  he  baptized  William  L.  and  Hopeful  Horn- 
back,  children  of  William  Hornback,  of  whom  we  have  spoken  so 
freq uently  in  this  sketch . 

The  school  system  of  Derry  township  is  excellent,  and  great  in- 
terest is  manifested  by  the  parents  in  the  education  of  their  chil- 
dren. The  first  school-house  was  erected  on  sec.  20,  in  1837.  At 
present  there  are  nine  school  buildings  in  the  township,  in  which, 
as  a  rule,  excellent  schools  are  kept. 


HISTOKY  OF  PIKE  COUNTY.  757 

ELDAKA. 

This  beautiful  little  village  is  situated  near  the  suiinnit  of  a  fer- 
tile eminence,  overlooking  a  large  tract  of  undulating  land  skirted 
by  tihiber  on  both  the  north  and  south.  From  this  locality  is  pre- 
sented to  the  eye  a  view  as  beautiful  and  inviting  as  any  picture 
nature  offers  through  this  section  of  country.  Standing  upon  the 
summit  one  can  behold,  either  south  or  east  of  the  village,  the 
beauties  of  nature  and  the  wisdom  of  a  Divine  Creator. 

The  town  was  founded  in  1836  by  Nathaniel  Winters,  and  first 
named  Washington.  It  received  its  present  name  in  this  wise,  as 
related  by  Esq.  Underwood,  of  Barry,  but  who  fir  many  years 
was  a  prominent  citizen  of  Eldara.  When  he  was  in  Mexico,  dur- 
ing the  war  between  the  United  States  and  that  country,  he  and  his 
comrades  passed  tlirough  a  beautiful  little  town  called  Eldora. 
From  there  he  wrote  a  letter  back  to  his  home,  which  was  then  at 
the  old  town  of  Washington,  '  There  being  another  town  in  the 
State  (Washington,  Tazewell  county)  by  the  same  name,  the  Post- 
master-General notified  the  postmaster  at  this  poii^t  tliat  the  name 
must  be  changed.  The  settlers  could  think  of  no  suitable  name, 
but  when  Esq.  Underwood's  letter  came,  post-marked  Eldora,  that 
name  particularly  struck  their  fancy..  They,  however,  mistook  the 
spelling  of  it  slightly,  spelling  it  with  an  a  in  the  second  or  middle 
syllable,  instead  of  an  o,  according  to  the  true  Spanish.  The  mean- 
ing of  the  word  is  "gold."  The  Postmaster-General  was  notified 
of  the  change,  aud  since  then  (1847)  it  has  been  known  by  the 
beautiful,  modified  Spanish  name  of  Eldora. 

At  that  time  Mr.  Motley  platted  an  addition  to  the  town  of 
Washington,  and  to  it  he  gave  the  name  of  Eldara. 

The  town  now  contains  about  350  inhabitants.  There  are  located 
here  two  dry-goods  stores,  two  grocery  stores,  one  drug  store,  two 
shoe  shops,  two  blacksmith  shops,  one  wagon  shop,  three  churches 
and  one  school  building.  The  religious  denominatious  represented 
here  are  Methodist  Episcopal,  Christian,  and  a  new  sect  known  as 
the  Holiness.  The  Christian  congregation  erected  a  house  of  wor- 
ship in  1875,  and  the  Holiness  society  refitted  the  old  school  house, 
which  they  now  use  as  a  church. 

The  M.  E.  Church  building  was  struck  by  lightning  in  June, 
1869,  and  the  Christian  church  received  a  stroke  on  the  morning 
of  March  26,  1880,  damaging  it  considerably.  Tiiere  is  a.  theory 
among  some  of  the  citizens  that  tliere  is  a  mineral  in  the  ground 
at  this  point  that  attracts  the  current  of  atmospheric  electricity, 
for  not  only  these  buildings  have  been  struck  by  ligiitning,  but  a 
barn  also  received  a  stroke  a  few  years  ago.  It  took  fire  and  was 
consumed. 

There  is  a  lodge  of  each  of  the  orders  of  Freemasons  and  Odd 
Fellows  in  the  village.  Many  of  the  leading  citizens  throughout 
the  neighborhood  are  members  of  tliese  orders. 


768  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

/ 

I'EESONAL  SKETCHES. 

In  closing  the  history  of  the  township  and  village  we  wish  to 
speak  personally  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  both  town  and  coun- 
try.    This  we  will  now  do  in  alphabetical  rotation. 

William  F.  Baoon,  ■  druggist,  Eldara,  was  born  in  Berkshire 
county,  Mass.,  July  18,  1834,  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Mary 

A.  Bacon ;  the  former  is  deceased,  and  the  latter  is  at  Saratoga 
Springs,  N.  Y.  "Wm.  F.  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  received  a  com- 
mon-school education  in  his  native  State.  In  1866  he  came  to 
Coles  county,  111.,  where  he  remained  one  year  and  then  went  to 
Iowa;  was  one  year  in  Missouri ;  in  March,  1879,  he  came  to  this 
county,  settling  in  Eldara,  and  engaging  in  the  drug  business,  in 
which  he  had  4  years'  experience  before  coming  here.  Oct.  2, 
1862,  he  married  Sarah  E.  Plarkness,  and  they  have  one  daughter, 
Emma,  who  was  born  July  14,  1863.  Mr.  Bacon  served  10  months 
in  the  late  war,  in  Co.  D,  50th  III.  Inf.,  and  was  in  the  battle  of 
Shiloh,  where  he  was  wounded,  on  account  of  which,  and  sickness, 
he  was  discharged  in  June,  1862. 

Samuel  'Barley,  farmer,  sec.  22;  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
Sept.  25,  1843;  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1848;"  was  first  married 
to  Amelia  E.  Jacobs,  Dec.  31,  1863,  and  they  had  6  children — 
Gideon  McClellan,  born  May  5,  1864;  "William  Frederick,  born 
April  23,  1866,  and  died  in  infancy;  Sarah  Ellen,  born  Nov.  11, 
1867  ;  Amelia  Jane,  Feb.  10,  1870';  Samuel,  June  26,  1872;  and 
Bertha,  March  2,  1874.  For  a  second  wife  Mr.  Barley  married 
Mrs.  Malinda  H.  Leads,  a  native  of  this  county,  who  had  2  chil- 
dren by  a  former  husband, — David  M.,  born  Dec.  28,  1870,  and 
Ernest 'E.,  born  May  23,  1874.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barley  have  2  chil- 
dren; Ablera,  born  Dec.  8,  1877,  and  Leuon,  Dec.  15,  1879.    Mr. 

B.  is  not  a  partisan,  but  always  votes  for  the  best  men,  regardless 
of  party.     P.  0.,  Eldara. 

Jam,es  F.  Brawley,  P.  O..  Eldara;  was  born  in  Pittsfield  tp.,  in 
1849;  has  followed-  farming  most  of  the  time,  but  at  present  is  a 
trader.  In  1868  he  married  Martha  E.  Potter.  They  belong  to 
the  Christian  Church.  In  1876  Mr.jB.  was  Tax  Collector.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat.     He  is  also  a  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow. 

John  Brown,  farmer,  sec.  25;  P.  0.,  Hartford;  was  born  in  Ohio 
in  1832,  the  son  of  Alexander  and  Isabella  Brown,  of  Irish  descent; 
chances  for  early  education  fair;  in  1863  he  married  Nancy  Cheffy, 
and  they  had  6  children,  4  of  whom  are  living.  April  3, 1875.  he 
married  Anna  Hoskins.  He'  came  to  Pike  county  in  1854.  Be; 
sides  carrj'ing  on  farming,  Mr.  Brown  also  deals  in  stock.  He  owns 
80  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  both  himself  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Theodore  C.  Bunker,  farmer,  sec.  28;  P.  0.,  Eldara;  was  born 
June  26,  1839,  in  Penobscot  county,  Me.,  and  in  1859  went  to  Cali- 
fornia; Nov,.  19,  1868,  he  married"  Clara  Wood,  of  Derry  tp.,  and 
then  returned  to  California,  and  back  again  to  this  county  in  1870, 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  759 

and  has  since  resided  here.  He  owns  55  acres  of  land  on  sec.  28, 
worth  $65  per  acre;  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church;  has  been 
School  Director  in  his  district  for  the  last  three  years.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  B.  have  had  5  children;  only  three  are  living — Florence,  John 
Frederick,  Frank  Forest  and  Theodora  B.     Mr.  B.  is  a  Republican. 

Patrick  Carney,  farmer,  residing  on  the  east  half  of  the  north- 
east of  sec.  16,  was  born  in  Roscommon  county,  Ireland,  and  came  to 
America  with  his  father  in  1852  and  settled  in  this  tp.,  where  he 
now  resides.  Both  his  parents  died  in  this  county,  leaving  7  chil- 
dren, 6  of  whom  are  living — Mary,  Catharine,  Thomas,  Ellen, 
Bridget,  Patrick  and  Margaret.  Mr.  C.  owns  110  acres  of  land; 
he  raises  corn  and  live-stock.  Is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church 
in  Pittsfield,  and  is  a  Democrat.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 

Thomas  Carney,  farmer,  sec.  16,  was  "born  in  the  south  part  of 
Ireland,  June  22,  1842;  came  with  his  father  to  America  in  1849 
and  settled  in  Derry.  Feb.  26,  1877,  he  married  Katie  McGuire, 
daughter  of  Peter  McGuire.  He  owns  80  acres  of  land  worth 
about  $45  per  acre;  raises  wheat,  corn  and  stock.  He  and  wife 
are  both  members  of  the  Catholic  Churcli  in  Pittslield.  Mr.  0. 
has  been  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  is  a  Democrat.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 

James  W.  Chamberlain,  farmer,  sec.  34;  P.  O.,  Rockport;  was 
born  in  Butler  county,  O.,  May  12,  1828;  his  parents  emigrated  to 
this  county  in  1833  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides; 
was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Veal  when  24  years  of  age,  and  they  had 

4  children,  one  of  whom  is  dead.  Jan.  20, 1864,  he  married  Mary 
Frances  Harris,  and  they  have  2  children, — Laura,  now  14  years 
of  age,  and  Jennie,  10  years  of  age.  Mr.  C.  owns  140  acres  of 
land,  valued  at  $50  per  acre;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  or- 
der, has  filled  the  office  of  Assessor  and  Collector  in  this  tp.,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

Mrs.  Jane  Chamierlnin  was  born  in  Wayne  county,  Ind.,  Dec. 
1,  1821;  emigrated  to  this  county  with  her  parents  in  1836.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Gordon,  and  she  married  William  Chamberlain 
May  7,  1840,  and  thev  had  5  children, — Mary,  born  March  22, 
1841;  Aaron,  May  13^1843;  John,  Feb.  23,  1846,  and  died  Nov. 
22,  1871;  William,  born  Oct.  17,  1848,  and  Carrie,  Dec.  5,  1851. 
Mr.  C.  died  March  17,  1852,  deeply  regretted  by  all  who  knew 
him.  Mrs.  0.  still  occupies  the  old  homestead,  on  sec  33,  with  her 
youngest  son,  William,  who  takes  good  care  of  his  mother,  as  well 
as  of  the  farm.  Her  oldest  son,  Aaron,  was  iii  the  late  war  in  Co. 
A,  99th  Reg.  111.  Vol.,  and  served  for  3  years.  Mrs.  C.  is  the 
owner  of  120  acres  of  land,  wOrth  $30  per  acre.  She  is  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church  at  Barry.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 

Silas  8.  ClarJCy  teacher,  Eldara,  has  taught  school  for  10  years, — 

5  years  in  Pike  county,  and  at  present  resides  in  Eldara.  In 
March,  1874,  he  married  Miss  May  Sweet,  and  they  have  2  children. 
He  is  now  teaching  in  Taylor  school-house.     He  is  a  member  of 


7^0  HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  Orders  in  Eldara.     Both  he  and  hig 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Thomas  II.  Goley,  miller,  at  Eldara,  was  born  Dec.  21,  1836,  in 
Putnam  county,  Ind.;  came  to  this  county  Oct.,  1851,  and  set- 
tled iu  Martinsburg  tp.;  has  lived  where  he  now  resides,  sec.  21 
since  1870.  Sept.  30,  1860,  he  married  Martha  E.  Goodin,  and 
thej  have  8  children:  Mary  E.,  Lewis  H.,  William  L.,  Carrie  M., 
Lucius  A.,  Henry  Virgil,  Lillie  M.  and  Golda  R.  Mr.  C.  owns  80 
acres  of  land,  worth  $5,000.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  himself  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Robert  Diokson,  farmer,  sec.  23;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Morgan  county,  O.,  Aug.  20,  1836;  came  to  this  county  in  Dec, 
1854;  was  raised  on  a  farm,  worked  one  summer  at  the  tanning 
business;  Jan.  1,  1858,  married  Mary  Payne,  and  they  had  3  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  are  dead.  Mrs.  D.  died  in  Feb.,  1861.  In  Oct., 
1865,  Mr.  D.  married*  Lucy  Ann  Payne,  and  they  have  had  7  chil- 
dren, 5  of  whom  are  living:  Henry,  Alice,  Anni^,  Eveline  and 
Lucy.  Those  dead  are  Eugene  and  an  infant.  Mr.  Dickson  was 
in  the'  late,  war  in  Co.  G.  99th  Reg.  111.  Vol.,  enlisting  Aug.  23, 
1862.  Owns  274  acres  of  land,  worth  $30  per  acre;  has  been 
School  Director,  and  is  a  Republican. 

Charles  E.  Dodge,  farmer,  sec.  6  ;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Warren  county.  111.,  Nov.  10,  1838;  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall 
of  1874  and  settled  in  Pleasant  Vale  tp.,  resided  there  about  2 
years,  and  then  removed  to  where  he  now  lives,  March  1,  1876; 
Oct.  20,  1863,  he  married  Mary  Gard,  and  tliey  had  3  children: 
Lennie  M.,  born  April  14,  1865;  Peter  H.,Oct.  24, 1866;  and  Ber- 
tha M.,  Feb.  4,  1876.  Mr.  D.  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Chnreh 
at  Barry.  He  has  been  Constable  in  Bureau  county  for  4  years, 
and  Road  Overseer  and  School  Director  in  his  tp. ;  owns  95  acres  of 
land,  worth  $3,00*^.  While  living  in  Dunklin  county,  Mo.,  he 
was  conscripted  by  the  Confederate  Government  and  forced  to  serve 
in  the  rebel  army  under  Gen.  Jeff.  Thompson  until  the  first  day  of 
Oct.,  1861,  at  which  time  he  surrendered  to  Col.  R.  J.  Oglesby  at 
the  battle  of  Belmont,  when  Gen.  Grant,  who  was  in  command  of 
the  Federal  forces,  gave  him  a  free  pass  home.  When  he  was  con- 
scripted his  property  was  confiscated  and  he  was  threatened  with 
incarceration  because  he  asked  for  a  voucher  for  his  property,  which 
the  rebels  had  converted  to  their  own  use.  He  afterward  enlisted 
in  Co.  E,  37th  Reg.  I.  V.  I.,  served  4  months,  and  was  discharged 
because  of  ill  health.     Mr.  Dodge  is  a  Republican. 

Christopher  Dolbeare,  farmer,  sec.  15;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born 
March  7,  1852,  in  this  tp.;  his  father  was  Rozel  0.  Dolbeare,  and 
his  mother  was  Priscilla  (Hoover)  D.  His  uncle,  Aaron  Hoover, 
served  in  the  late  war.  Christopher  lives  near  Eldara,  and  4  years 
ago  took  a  pleasure  trip  tlirough  New  York,  Rhode  Island  and 
Connecticut,  visiting  friends,  and  then  went  to  Ohio  on  a  similar 
trip,  and  to  the  northern  part  of  Illinois  last  fall. 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  761 

.  John  Drummond,  farmer,  sec.  30;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  owns  a  farm 
of  79  I  acres  4  miles  from  Eldara;  was  born  in  Clermont  county, 
0.,  June  21,  1814;  came  to  Adams  county  in  1842,  remained  there 
4years  and  then  moved  to  Salem  tp.,  and  in  1853  to  where  he  now 
resides.  Sept.  20,  1835,  he  married  Deborah  Graham,  and  they 
have  had  17  children,  10  girls  and  7  boys.  His  grandfather,  John 
Drummond,  was  in  the  Revolution.  Mrs.  D.'s  mother  was  Eliza- 
beth Graham,  and  her  father  John  Graham,  who  was  in  the  war 
of  1812.  Her  mother  is  still  living,  at  the  age  of  89.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  D.  are  Methodists,  and  Mr.  D.  is  a  Republican. 

Moses  Easly,  farmer,  sec.  18;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in  Sulli- 
van county,  East  Tenn.,  Feb.  7,  1820;  in  1841  he  removed  to  Pike 
coimty  and  settled  in  this  tp.,  and  has  lived  on  his  present  farm  24 
years.  His  brother,  Thomas  Easly,  was  in  the  Mexican  war,  under 
Gen.  Taylor.  May  1,  1844,  he  married  Mary  Ann  Tittsworth,  of 
this  county,  and  they  have  liad  9  children,  7  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing,— T.  L.,  Amanda,  Alice,  William,  James,  Florence,  Idella  and 
Laura.  Mr.  E.  has  been  School  Director  of  his  district  4  years, 
and  Road  Commissioner  3  years.  He  owns  313  acres  of  land, 
worth  $20,000;  ships  his  produce,  and  raises  stock.  He  lives 
1^  miles  from  Eldara.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  his  wife  is  a  Metho- 
dist. 

T.  L.  Easly,  retired  farmer;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in  Pike 
county,  in  April,  1846;  his  fathers  name  was  Moses  Easly  and  his 
mother's  maiden  name  was  Mary  Tittsworth.  Nov.  20,  1869,  he 
married  Caroline  Eldridge,  of  this  county,  and  they  have  3  chil- 
dren; Frederick,  Mary  and  Maud.  He  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  in 
politics  a  Green bac'ker. 

Maberry  Evans,  farmer,  sec.  21;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Scott  county,  111.,  Jan.  14,  1829;  came  to  Pike  county  in  1847,  and 
lived  with  Elisha  Hurt  that  winter.  July  11,  1859,  he  married 
Julia  D.  Landrura,  and  they  have  had  7  children,  3  of  whom  are 
living, — Richard  F.,  Theodora  A.  and  Mary  E.  He  owns  200  acres 
of  land  in  this  tp.  and  120  acres  in  Pleasant  Yale  tp. ;  home  place 
worth  $50  per  acre.  He  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Super- 
visor; is  amember  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  in  politics  a  Demo- 
crat.    Hiswife  belongs  to  the  M.  E.  Church. 

William  Evans,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  21;  P.  0.,  Eldara; 
was  born  near  Winchester,  HI.,  April  6,  1832,  and«is  a  son  of  Rich- 
ard and  Annie  Evans,  dec. ;  natives  of  Kentucky.  .The  subject  of 
this  notice  was  once  offered  the  use  of  a  large  tract  of  land  where 
Jacksonville  now  stands,  in  exchange  for  a  horse.  He  came  to  this 
county  about  1850,  and  soon  afterward  went  to  California,  overland, 
where  he  remained  8  years;  he  then  returned  to  this  county.  JS^ov. 
30,  1863,  he  n)arried  Miss  Mary  A.  Strubinger,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Strubinger,  dec,  an  early  settler  of  this  county.  They  have  had  5 
children,  namely,  Anna  M.,  Joseph  M.,  Frank  W.,  Hattie  M.  and 
Nina.  Mr.  Evans  owns  198  acres  of  land  here,  and  160  acres  in 
Piatt  county.  Mo. 


762  HISTORY  OF  PIKE  COUNTY. 

Jacob  G.  Farmer,  blacksmith;  was  born  Dec.  9,  1842,  in  Harri-t 
son  connty,  O.;  came  to  this  county  with  his  father,  John  Farm- 
er, in  1846;  was  married  in  1864  to  Mary  McClosky;  they  had  2 
children,  only  Cora  living.  Mr.  Farmer  served  in  the  late  war  in 
Co.  G,  44th  Eeg.  I.  V.  I.  He  resided  in  Adams  county  15  years.  Is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  Greenbacker  in  politics. 
His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Henry  A.  Fester,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Derry  tp.  Aug.  4,  1850;  was  married  March  6,  1870,  to  Miss  Mary 
Phoebus,  and  they  had  4  children ;  Lei  a  May,  born  Aug.  2,  1872; 
Jacob  andEobert,  born  July  7,  1874;  and  Rosa,  born  Oct.  23,  1876, 
who  died  Nov.  9,  following.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fesler  both  had  good 
educational  advantages.  Mr.  F.  is  a  stock-raiser,  and  in  politics  is 
a  Democrat. 

Jacob  Fesler,  farmer,  sec.  30;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in  Clark 
county,  Xy.,  June  8,  1821 ;  came  to  Pike  county  in  1835  and  set- 
tled on  sec.  19;  he  owns  820  acres  of  land,  worth  $35  per  acre. 
Oct.  15,  1846,  he  married  Zerilda  Lyons,  and  their  6  children  are: 
Sarah  C,  born  Aug.  27, 1848;  Henry  A.,  Aug.  4,  1850;  Adelpha, 
Nov.  28,  1853;  Jane  Ann,  May  25,  1856;  John  R,  Aug.  2,  1860; 
Emma  E.,  Jan.  15,  1863.  Both  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
South,  and  Mr.  F.  is  a  Mason,  and  in  politics  a  Democrat. 

Bloomer  Fowler  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Ky.,  ISlov.  28, 
1830,  and  in  early  life  had  but  Mttle  time  to  devote  to  education; 
came  to  this  county  in  1861  and  settled  in  Derry  tp.  His  father's 
name  was  Benjamin  Fowler,  and  his  mother's  maiden  name  was 
Mary  Gordon.  Mr.  Fowler  is  now  engaged  in  buying  and  selling 
hides,  pelts  and  produce.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

James  II.  Gctrner,  farmer;  resides  on  the  N.  W.  quarter  of  sec. 
33,  this  tp.;  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ky.,  Dec.  27,  1824;  came 
to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1840  and  settled  in  Derry  tp.  He 
owns  286  acres  of  land  in  Derry,  and  320  acres  in  Atlas  tp.,  worth 
$20,000.  June  2,  1864,  he  married  Mary  E.  Williams,  and  they 
have  had  6  children,— William  J.,  Joseph  O.,  Ida,  Mary  A.,  Her- 
man and  Lovina.  Mr.  G.  has  been  School  Director  for  2  years  and 
Commissioner  of  Highways  for  several  years.  He  raises  grain  and 
produce  extensively,  and  ships  to  foreign  markets.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican.    P.  O.,  Eldara. 

A.  B.  Gates,  farmer,  sec.  11,  S.  i;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  near 
Columbus,  Ohio;  came  to  this  county  while  very  young  with  his 
father,  TSTehemiah  Gates,  and  has  resided  here  ever  since.  June  3, 
1862,  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Saylor  and  their  children  are,  Re- 
becca Ellen,  born  Mav  23,  1863;  Susan  A.,  June  15,  1864;  Jacob, 
March  1,  1865;  William,  Oct.  3,  1867;  Charles,  Sept.  20,  1869; 
Joseph,  Oct.  11,  1871;  George,  Feb.  7,  1875;  and  Mary,  April  6, 
1879.  Mr.  G.  owns  80  acres  of  land,  worth  $3,000;  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  C^™?, 

Theodore  Gates,  farmer,  sec.  5;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  i^P'^® 
county,  March  20,   1843,  and  Oct.  26,  1865,  married  Susan  Chase, 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  763 

daughter  of  Lewis  Chase,  of  Ohio.  They  have  2  children;  Lousiiia, 
torn  Oct.  6,  1867,  and  Jesse,  born  July  25,  1872.  Mr.  Gates  owns 
104f  acres  of  land,  worth  about  $3,000.  He  has  been  School  Di- 
rector one  term;  was  in  the  late  war,  in  Co.  D,  99th  Eeg.  I.  Y.  I., 
aud  served  3  years;  was  mustered  out  at  Baton  Rouge,  Louisiana. 

Timothy  Grady,  farmer,  sec.  25,  was  born  in  Kings  county,  Ire- 
land, about  the  year  1826;  arrived  in  America  May  11, 1849,  land- 
ing at  New  Orleans;  lived  18  years  in  Cincinnati,  then  removed  to 
this  county,  where  he  has  resided  for  about  18  years,  and  on  his 
present  farm  13  years.  Sept.  21, 1868,  he  married  Mary  O'Donnel, 
in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  their  living  children  are  Thomas,  Mary 
Ann  and  John.  Thomas  was  born  July  4,  1859;  Mary  Ann,  May 
6,  1864,  and  John,  April  10, 1867-  Mr.  G.  owns  120  acres  of  lancf, 
wor.th  about  $30  per  acre.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Catho- 
lic Church,  and  Mr.G.  is  a  Democrat. 

Warren  Green,,  farmer,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in  this 
county  near  Atlas,  Jan.  25,  1835,  and  has  resided  in  the  county 
ever  since.  He  was  first  married  Sept.  27, 1857,  to  Lucinda  Taylor, 
and  they  had  6  children, — Ida  Olive,  born  Auo'.  17,  1858,  and  died 
May  3,  1863;  Sarah  Elizabeth,  born  March  17,  1861;  Albert  War- 
ren^ Sept.  4,  1863;  Edwin  May,  July  8,  1866;  Cora  Luella, April 
14,  1868,  and  an  infant  daughter  born  April  4,  1860,  who  died  the 
same  day.  April  21,  1872,  Mr.  Green  married  Mrs.  Mary  E., 
widow  of  Thomas  H.  Pendleton,  and  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Es- 
ther McCaskill,  who  had  one  child,  John  A.  Pendleton,  born  Aug. 
10, 1859.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green  have  4  children,  Frederick  Koss, 
,  born  June  7, 1873;  Harry  Jay,  Jan.  16,  1875;  Archibald,  Jan.  28, 
'1877;PhebeE.,  May  7,  187'9.  Mr.  Green  owns  75  acres  of  land 
near  Eldara,  worth  $60  per  acre.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of 
the  Free  M.  E.  Church,  and  he  is  a  Licensed  Local  Preacher  for  his 
congregation.  He  has  held  several  responsible  offices  in  his  tp., 
and  in  politics  is  a  Republican, 

Henry  Hall,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Butler  county,  Ohio,  Jan.  Y,  1836 ;  came  to  this  county  Sept.  20, 
1855;  was  married  Aug.  20, 1859,  to  Mary  L.  Taylor,  and  they  have 
had  7  children, — Edwin  F.,  Jennie,  George  D.,  Ida,  Luelk,  Henry 
and  Freddie;  5  are  dead.  Mr.  H.  owns  160  acres  of  land,  worth 
$10,000;  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge,  raises  a  great  deal  of 
produce  and  patronizes  home  markets;  is  a  Republican. 

George  W.  Harris,  farmer,  sec.  26;  was  born  in_Goochland  county, 
Va.,  Oct.  23,  1814;  emigrated  to  Pike  county  in  the  spring  of  1843, 
and  settled,  temporarily  in  Pleasant  Yale  tp.,  and  in  3  months  set- 
tled where  he  has  now  resided  for  more  than  28  years.  March  3, 
1836,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Ann  Ripley,  and  of  their  9  children 
7  are  living,  namely:  Mary  Frances,  Thomas  S.,  Lucy  C,  Eliza- 
beth S..  Philena  J.,  James  H.,  Wm.  H.,  George  W.  and  Ann  Eliza. 
Mr.  IJarris  owns  280  acres  of  land,  worth  $40  per  acre.  He  ^nd 
wife  have  been  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church  for  more  than  40 
years ;  he  has  filled  several  important  tp.  offices.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 


764  HISTOBY   OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 

Samuel  Harris,  i&rmGY,  was  born  Oct.  6,  1840,  in  Tennessee- 
came  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1851 ;  was  married  to  Amanda 
Easly,  in  Sept.,  1866,  and  they  have  had  6  children,  all  of  whom  are 
living,  Ella,  Frank,  Mary,  Elbert,  Herman  and  Freddie.  His  father's 
name  is  Thomas  S.  Harris  and  his  mother's  name  was  Amanda; 
she  died  in  1871.     Mr.  Harris  is  a  Democrat. 

Joshua  B.  Havird,  farmer,  was  born  March  25,  1848,  and  is  a 
native  of  this  county;  May  1,  1869,  he  married  Margaret  Maher, 
and  tliey  have  had  6  children,  namelv:  Lorrence  W.,  born  Dec.  31, 
1869,  and  died  Oct.,  1877;  Fannie  Ellen,  born  July  25,  1871,  died 
Awg.  20,  1872;  Daniel,  born  June  11, 1873:  Annastatia,  born  May 
23,  1875;  Joshua,  born  March  23, 1877,  and' Leonard,  Sept.  1,  1878. 
Mrs.  Havird  was  born  Dec.  25,  1849,  and  died  Sept.  23,  1878.  Oct. 
*23,  1879,  Mr.  H.  was  married  to  his  present  wife,  Jennett  rarrick. 
Mr.  Havird  owns  81  acres  of  land,  worth  $3,000.  He  is  a  Demo- 
crat.    P.  O.,  Barry. 

Reuben  G.  Hendricks,  farmer,  sec.  6;  was  born  in  North  Caro 
lina,  Jan.  12,  1822;  was  married  to  Miss  Orra  Ann  Dnmford,  April 
7,  1844,  who  was  born  July  26,  1829,  and  they  have  had  11  chil 
dren, — Amanda  M.,  born  June  14, 1846;  Melinda  J.,  July  28, 1848 
and  died  Sept.  11,  1854;  Mary  E.,  born  May  6,  1852;  Eliza  B. 
Feb.  9,  1854;  Martha  A.,  May  6,  1856;  Samuel  S.,  Sept.  3,  1858^ 
and  died  March  31,  1872;  Wm.  I.,  born  Feb.  27, 1861 ;  Reuben  H. 
March  31,  1863,  and  died  Sept.  20,  1864;  George  M.,  born  Jan.  31 
1865;  Daniel  E.,  ISTov.  28,  1867,  and  Lydia  A.,  Aug.  24,1870 
Mr.  H.  owns  40  acres  of  fine  land,  worth  $45  per  acre.  He  is  a 
Democrat. 

John  L.  Hogan,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  owns  120  acres 
of  valuable  land,  on  which  he  resides  with  his  widowed  mother. 
He  was  born  March  7,  1847,  in  this  township,  and  was  married  to 
Lizzie  Buckingham,  Feb.  9,  1868,  and  they  have  2  children, — 
Harry,  born  Dec.  29,  1869;  and  Nina,  Dec.  1,  1876.  His  father, 
Adley  Hogan,  died  when  John  was  9  years  old,  since  which  time 
he  and  his  mother  have  struggled  together  until  they  have  accumu- 
lated considerable  property. 

R.  W.  Hornlack,  farmer,  sec.  20;  P.  0.,  Eldara;  owns  220  acres 
of  land,  worth  $60  an  acre.  Mr.  H.  was  born  in  this  county  Feb. 
1,  1837,  and  is  the  son  of  William  andLillie  (Lan  drum)  Horn  back; 
in  this  county  in  1866  he  married  Elizabeth  Freeman,  who  was 
born  in  this  county  in  1843.  Thej"^  have  had  8  children,  of  whom 
7  are  living.  Mr]  H.  is  in  prosperous  circumstances  as  a  farmer. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Solomon  Hornback,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  he 
was  born  July  3,  1810;  came  to  this  county  in  1836,  where  he  has 
lived  ever  since.  Being  thus  an  early  settler  he  has  witnessed 
wonderful  changes  in  the  development  of  this  county.  In  1836  lie 
married  Emily  Blackwell,  in  Kentucky,  who  is  a  native  of  that 
State.  Of  their  10  children  7  are  living.  Mr.  H.  is  one  of  the  old 
and  respected  citizens  of  Pike  county,  and  has  held  several  re- 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  765 

sponsible  offices.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  a 
Democrat.     His  father  served  in  the  war  of  1812. 

William  Hornlack,  retired  farmer;  P.  0.,  Eldara;  son  of  Solo- 
mon and  Sally  (Phillips)  Hornback,  the  former  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  the  latter  of  North  Carolina;  was  born  in  Kentucky, 
Jan.,  1808;  came  to  this  county  in  1829.  He  is  therefore  one  of  the 
oldest  pioneers  of  this  section.  In  1826  he  married  Sallie  W.  Laud^ 
rum,  who  was  born  in  1806,  and  died  in  1839.  Thev  bad  4  chil- 
dren,—Patsey  A.,  Wm.  F.,  S.  P.  and  R.  M.  In  May,  1840,  Mr. 
H.  married  Nancy  Swerer,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1808  and  died  in 
1868.  In  1859  he  married  Mary  A.  Landrum,  who  was  born  Oct.  4, 
1808.  Mr.  H.  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church:  owns  83  acres 
of  fine  farm  land  worth  $60  per  acre.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

Mrs.  Ann  J.  Hoskin  resides  on  the  S.  W.  quarter  of  sec.  26; 
was  born  in  Grig^sville,  Jan.  25,  1850.  Her  maiden  name  was 
Ann  J.  Richey.  April  20,  1873,  she  married  Daniel  Hoskin,  who 
was  born  April  11,  1832,  in  this  township.  In  1879  Mr.  H.  died, 
leaving  one  child, — Henry  Isaac,  born  June  18,  1875.  Mr.  H.  was 
a  member  of  the  I.  O.  of  O.  F.,  and  tilled  important  township  offices. 
He  left  120  acres  of  land  worth  $50  per  acre.  Mr.  Hoskin  was  a 
hi^lily  esteemed  citizen. 

Asa  Hoskin,  farmer,  sec.  23,  was  born  in  this  county  June  17,  '37. 
He  owns  120  acres  of  land  in  this  township,  worth  $35  per  acre. 
He  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and  is  now  very  extensively  engaged  in 
the  raising  of  hogs,  cattle  and  horses.  Jan.  1,  1863,  be  married 
Mary  A.  Moorhead,  daughter  of  I)r.  Moorhead,  of  Eldara,  and  their 
children  are  :  Ollie,  William,  Thomas  and  Belle.  He  has  been 
School  Director  one  year  in  his  township,  and  is  a  Democrat.  His 
uncle,  John  Sliinn,  served  in  the  Mexican  war  under  Gen.  Taylor. 
P.  0.,  Eldara. " 

Charles  M.  Hoskin,  farmer,  sec.  26;  was  born  in  this  township 
June  25,  1860;  was  the  eldest  of  6  children;  his  father  was  Isaac  A. 
Hoskin.  June  28,  1873,  he  married  Linda  Miles,  who  was  born  in 
Mercer  county,  Mo.,  and  they  have  2  c.hildren, — Mary  Abbie,  born 
Feb.  3,  1874,  and  Asa,  born  Aug.  1,  1876.  Mr.  H.  has  been  Eoad- 
Master  2  or  3  times  in  his  township:  is  a  Mason  and  a  Democrat. 
P.  0..  Eldara. 

John  Hoskin,  blacksmith,  Eldara;  owns  2  lots  with  dwelling  and 
shop;  was  born  Aug.  24,  1860,  and  Nov.  1,  1878,  married  Emeline 
Berry,  in  Adams  county.  111.,  who  was  born  Aug.  1,  1857,  in  Ohio. 
They  had  6  children, — Cora,  Eosa  M.,  Emma  and  2  infants.  The 
2  latter  are  deceased.  Mr.  H.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd 
Fellows  fraternities,  and  is  a  Republican. 

ir*7ZM!ffi  ^)sAi«,,  farmer,  resides  on  sec.  26;  was  born  in  this 
county,  within  \\  miles  of  where  he  now  lives,  Feb.  15,  1839; 
was  married  to  Sarah  Jane  Moorhead,  daughter  of  Dr.  Moorhead, 
of  Eldara,  Oct.  7,  1860 ;  have  had  3  children, — Mary  E,,  born  July 
25,  1861 ;  Margaret  Edna,  March  14,  1863,  and  Lizzie,  born  Dec. 
18,  1864,  and  died  Sept.  21,  1865.     Mr.  H.  owns  110  acres  of  land. 


766  HISTORY    OF   PIKE  OOUNTi'. 

worth  $40  per  acre ;  has  been  Eoad-Master  several  terms,  and  is  a 
Democrat. 

George  Howland,  farmer,  sec.  15;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
this  county  Dec.  29,  1847;  wlien  a  lad  he  entered  a  dry-goods  es- 
tablishmeot  as  clerk,  and  satisfactorily  filled  the  position  until  he 
commenced  farming  four  years  ago.  Feb.  4, 1869,  he  married  Vir- 
ginia Martin,  who  was  born  in  Missouri  Feb.  19,  1849.  Their 
two  children  are  Gertrude,  who  was  born  Oct.  6,  1870,  and  Maude, 
Sept.  19,  1878.  Mr.  Howland's  father  was  a  native  of  New  York 
State  and  his  mother  of  Illinois.     Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

P.  E.  Howland,  farmer,  was  born  in  New  York  Dec.  25,  1818, 
and  when  20  years  of  age  emigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Mar- 
tinsburg  tp..  Pike  county;  afterward  moved  3  miles  north  of 
Barry  and  resided  there  about  4  years,  and  in  June,  1876,  he  re- 
moved to  Eldara,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  married  at 
Martinsburg,  to  Miss  Harriet  Clark,  and  they  have  had  6  children, 
2  of  whom  are  living, — Caroline  and  Geo.  H.,  both  married.  Mr. 
H.  owns,  jointly  with  his  son,  93  acres  of  land  contiguous  to  the 
town,  worth  $6,000.  He  is  one  of  the  Town  Trustees  of  the  in- 
corporation, and  a  Democrat. 

David B.  Johnson,  farmer,  sec.  32;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Pickaway  county,  O.,  April  1,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  B.  and 
Miarj'  (Baker)  Jolinson;  the  former  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1806, 
and  of  German  and  English  ancestry,  and  the  latter  of  English  de- 
scent ;  came  to  Pike  county  in  1846,  with  his  parents,  where  he 
went  to  school  3  months — all  he  ever  went  in  his  life.  In  1861  he 
enlisted  in  Co.  I,  11th  Mo.  Inf.,  under  Captain  Barnum;  was  in  7 
battles,  and  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  was  wounded,  being  shot  through 
the  left  lung;  for  two  years  afterward  he  was  unable  to  dress  him- 
self. In  1859  he  married  Adelia  E.  Hadsell,  and  they  had  3 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living;  in  1870  he  married  Eura  J.  Wat- 
kins,  and  of  their  5  children  4  are  living.  He  and  his  present 
wife  are  Missionary  Baptists.     Politically  Mr.  J.  is  a  Democrsit. 

Thomas  J.  Jones,  farmer,  lives  on  sec.  8,  and  owns  240  acres  of 
land;  was  born  in  Eldara  tp.  Sept.  10, 1842;  was  married  in  March, 
1868,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Dolbeare,  and  they  have  had  6  children. 
one  boy  and  five  girls ;  one  of  the  girls  died  about  3  years  ago. 
Mr.  J.  and  wife  belong  to  the  Christian  Church.  The  names  of 
their  children  are,  Azalia,  Paul,  Jennie,  Rosa,  Lillie  and  Ida.  Mr. 
J.  served  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  C,  99th  Reg.,  and  was  discharged 
July  31,  1865;  his  brother  was  killed  at  Spanish  Fort.  He  is  one 
of  the  Directors  of  the  Barry  Mutual  Insurance  Company. 

William  Jones,  merchant,  Eldara;  is  a  native  of  this  county, 
where  he  was  born  March  29,  1834;  was  raised  on  a  farm  until  l8 
years  of  age,  then  commenced  teaching  school  and  continued 
teaching  for  20  terms;  he  settled  in  Eldara  in  1860  and  engaged  in 
the  mercantile  trade;  keeps  on  hand  a  good  stock  of  general 
merchandise,  and  is  doing  a  good  business.  At  present  he  is  Post- 
master at  Eldara  and  has  held  the  office  of  Town   Clerk  4  years. 


//?Jl/^ 


<::ey7'7^T-f 


DERRY    Tf 


HISTOiJY   OF    PIKE    COITNTT.  769 

In  1857  he  was  married  in  this  county  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Purcell, 
who  died  in  1872;  they  had  5  children, — Katie,  Martha,  Mattie,' 
Warner  and  Mary  J.  In  1874  he  married  Elizabeth  Eoseberry,  a 
native  of  Tennessee,  where  she  was  born  in  1838.  They  have  one 
child,  Sallie.     Mr.  J.  is  a  Republican. 

Jacob  Kendall^  grocer,  was  born  March  28,  1838,  and  settled  in 
Eldara  in  1875;  was  married  in  this  county  in  1860  to  Martha 
Haines,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee.  They  had  6  children, — Alvin, 
Mary,  Franklin  "W".,  Flora  (deceased),  Jerusha  and  Eva.  Mr.  K. 
has  been  Collector  one  term ;  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  Republican. 
His  parents  were  natives  of  New  Jersey. 

John  Kerr,  farmer,  sec.  4;  was  born  in  the  north  of  Ireland, 
county  Londonderry,  in  1816;  emigrated  to  America  in  1848  and 
settled  in  this  tp.  In  1842  he  married  Eliza  Torrens,  of  Ireland, 
and  they  have  had  7  children,  6  of  whom  are  dead, — Mary  E.,  died 
Jan.  15,  1874  ;  Sarah  Ann,  died  when  but  4  years  of  age  ;  Emily, 
died  in  March,  1873  ;  Margaret,  died  Bee.  12,  1878.  Sarah  Ann, 
the  youngest  child,  born  Dec.  19.  1856;  was  married  to  John  "Was- 
sell,  of  Hadley  tp.,  May  30,  1878,  and  they  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Kerr's  only  son,  John,  enlisted  in  the  late 
war  in  1862  in  the  99th  Reg.  I.  Y.  I.,  and  after  serving  3  years  was 
honorably  discharged  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.  Mr.  K.  owns  40  acres 
of  land,  worth  $50  per  acre.  He  and  wife  are  Congregationalists. 
Politics  Republican.     P.  O.,  Barry. 

John  Kerr,  jr.,  farmer,  was  born  Dee.  24,  1842,  in  Ireland;  was 
raised  on  a  farm;  came  to  America  in  1847,  and  has  lived  in  this 
tp.  for  32  years.  In  Aug.,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Co.  D,  99th  111,  Reg., 
and  was  mustered  out  July  31,  1865;  was  married  April  9,  1876, 
to  Miss  Rhoda  Dolbeare,  who  was  born  in  1849.  He  owns  120 
acres  of  land,  worth  $3,000;  is  a  member  of  the  Grange.  Resides 
on  sec.  4.     Is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

Albert  Landrum,  merchant,  Eldara. 

Alonzo  Lyons,  farmer,  resides  on  the  !N.  E.  of  the  S.  W.  quarter 
of  sec.  30  ;  was  born  Dec.  5,  1848,  in  this  tp.;  his  father,  John 
Lyons,  was  in  the  Black  Hawk  war;  his  mother's  maiden  name  was 
Susan  Harlow;  they  have  had  7  children,  2  of  whom  are  dead.  He 
owns  40  acres  of  land,  worth  about  $1,000  ;  raises  wheat,  corn  and 
stock;  sells  produce  at  home  market;  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order,  and  in  politics,  a  Democrat. 

Hutson  Martin,  farmer,  sec.  27  ;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  near 
Danville,  Vermillion  county.  111.,  July  16,  1832,  and  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Seraphina  (Wetherbee)  Martin,  natives  of  Kentucky 
and  New  York  State,  respectively.  Mr.  Martin's  father,  Hutson 
Martin,  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  probably  of  English  descent,  and 
was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812;  he  died  in  Oregon  in  1859,  whither 
he  had  moved  at  the  age  of  about  70  years.  The  subject  of  this 
notice  obtained  his  education  mostly  in  the  common  schools  of  this 
State.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1856  with  his  stepfather,  Samuel 
Purcell.     July  30,  1851,  he  married  Miss  Lydia  A.  Chamberlain, 

44 


770  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTT. 

a  native  of  Ohio,  and  a  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Rachel  Chamberlain 
the  former  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  they  have  5  children 
namely,  Willard  A..  Gilbert  N.,  Mary  J.,  Delia  E.  and  Lydia  A.', 
besides  2  deceased.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Martin  rented  land 
until  1856,  when  he  purchased  a  good  farm  on  sec.  27,  which  now 
consists  of  280  acres,  and  is  one  of  the  best  improved  farms  in  the 
township.  In  politics  Mr.  M.  is  a  Republican,  and  during  the  war 
did  all  he  could  in  support  of  the  Government.  He  is  also  a  prac- 
tical friend  of  educational  interests.  He  is  also  a  Freemason. 
We  give  a  portrait  of  Mr.  Martin  in  this  work. 

T.  W.  Martin,  farmer,  sec.  25;  was  born  in  Yermillion  county, 
111.,  May  20,  1833;  came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1845,  settling 
in  this  tp.,  and  resided  here  until  1852,  when  he  went  to  Califprnia 
and  remained  there  2  years;  from  there  to  Oregon,  where  he  was 
in  the  volunteer  service  to  suppress  the  Indian  outbreak;  was  in 
the  service  7  months;  in  1856  went  to  Texas,  and  in  1860  returned 
to  this  county,  where  he  has  since  remained.  Oct.  15,  1863,  he 
married  Mary  J.  Hogan;  they  have  had  one  child,  which  died  in 
infancy.  Mr.  M.  has  been  Overseer  of  Roads  for  3  years;  owns 
120  acres  of  land,  worth  about  $50  per  acre;  sells  his  produce  at 
home;  and  is  a  Republican  in  politics.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 

W.  A.  Martin,  farmer,  was  born  in  this  county,  and  is  a  son  of 
Hutson  and  Lydia  (Chamberlain)  Martin  ;  was  educated  in  the 
common -school.  In  Dec,  1878,  he  married  Miss  Kate  Taylor,  and 
they  have  one  child,  a  boy.  Mrs.  M.  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  Mr.  M.,  in  politics,  is  a  Republican.  For  a  time  he 
once  clerked  in  a  store  in  Pittsfield. 

James  M.  Mays,  farmer,  sec.  24;  owns  187  acres  of  land,  worth 
$50  per  acre;  was  born  in  Ross  county,  O.,  Feb.  12,  1830,  and  is  a 
son  of  Little  Barry  and  Mahala  Mays,  both'  natives  of  Virginia. 
In  1849  he  came  to  this  county,  and  in  1857  he  married  Sarah  A. 
Petty  of  Pike  county,  born  in  1831;  they  are  the  parents  of  9 
children, — Mary  J.,  Clara,  Alice,  Amanda,  Charley,  Dora,  Lucy, 
Henry  and  James ;  the  2  latter  are  deceased.  Mr.  M.'s  father  was 
in  the  war  of  1812.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

Mariah  Miller,  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in  Butler  county,  0., 
Sept.  26,  1837,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents,  Ijel  Stont  and 
Julia  Ann  Stont,  March  17,  1853.  They  settled  on  sec.  28,  this  tp., 
where  they  have  since  resided.  Her  father  and  mother  still  live 
with  their  daughter.  April  15,  1849,  she  married  Abraham  Mil- 
ler, who  died  in  4  months  and  26  days.  Mrs.  Miller  owns  80  acres 
of  land,  worth  $40  per  acre. 

Thomas  W.  Moorhead,  physician  and  surgeon,  is  a  native  of 
Ohio,  where  he  was  born  Jan.  14,  1814;  graduated  in  1848,  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  in  this  county  in  1851;  came 
to  this  county  in  1852;  lived  in  Pittsfield  one  year  and  then  came 
to  Derry;  he  has  160  acres  of  valuable  land,  and  one  lot  with 
dwelling  in  Eldara.  In  1838  he  married  Mary  Janette  Dickey,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  who  died   in   1851;  in   1858  he  married  Hannah 


mSTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  771 

Hulls,  a  native  of  JSTew  Jersey,  born  in  1827;  they  have  4  children. 
The  doctor  has  an  extensive  practice,  which  is  attended  with  good 
success. 

Jokn  Morrisaaoy,  farmer,  sec.  5  ;  P.  O.,  Eldara  and  Pittsfield; 
was  born  in  Ireland,  May  14,  1831;  emigjrated  to  America  in  1852; 
first  landed  at  ISTew  Orleans,  then  at  St.  Lonis,  Mo.;  thence  to  Pike 
county,  111.,  residing  near  Pittsfield  26  years;  Sept.  26,  1854,  mar- 
ried Margaret  Helm,  by  whom  he  has  had  5  children,  all  living, — 
Margaret,  Matthew  J.,  Ellen,  John  and  James.  Mr.  M.  owns  65 
acres  of  land,  worth  $1,700. 

J.  J.  Morrow,  farmer  and  blacksmith,  now  engaged  in  butcher- 
ing, was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Va.,  April  2,  1835;  came  to 
Pleasant  Hill,  this  county,  March  8,  1865,  and  April  8,  1878, 
removed  to  Eldara,  where  he  now  resides;  was  Constable  in  Pleas- 
ant Hill  tp.  4  years;  is  now  Justice  of  the  Peace.  Oct.  25,  1855, 
he  married  Ellen  E.  Ahalt,  of  Maryland,  and  2  of  their  3  children 
are  living.  April  26,  1864,  he  married  Nancy  E.  Colvin,  of  Pike 
county.  Mo.,  and  they  have  had  5  children,  2  of  whom  are  dead. 
He  is  a  Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow. 

Dillard  P.  Motley,  farmer,  residing  on  the  S.  E.  qr.  of  sec.  16; 
was  born  in  Putnam  county,  Ind.,  Oct.  6,  1838;  came  to  this 
county  with  his  father,  John  W.  Motley,  in  1839,  and  has  since 
resided  here.  April  3,  1879,  he  married  Eliza  E.  Dudley,  daugh- 
ter of  Jesse  and  Elizabeth  Dudley.  He  is  the  owner  of  120  acres 
of  land,  worth  $40  per  acre;  raises  grain  principally;  was  Consta- 
ble in  this  tp.  nearlj'  4  years,  and  has  filled  other  offices.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  iJemocrat  and  a  strong  partisan.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 

E.  R.  Motley,  farmer,  sec.  21;  P.O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in  this 
county  Feb.  23,  1842,  the  son  of  John  W.  and  Millie  [Pierce) 
Motley,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  descent;  received  his  ed- 
ucation partly  in  Indiana,  but  mostly  in  this  county.  April  15, 
1866,  he  married  Elizabeth  J.  Gragg,  and  of  their  8  children  6  are 
living.  He  has  resided  at  the  present  place  all  his  life,  and  as  a 
farmer  has  been  successful,  now  owning  360  acres  of  land,  ^ell  cul- 
tivated and  stocked.  He  excels  in  penmanship,  and  is  a  promi- 
nent Democratic  candidate  for  the  office  of  Circuit  Clerk;  he  has 
taught  school  a  part  of  each  year  for  20  years ;  has  been  School 
Director,  Assessor  and  School  Trustee. 

John  Moyer,  farmer  and  blacksmith,  residing  on  sec.  10,  Derry 
tp.;  was  born  in  Orange  county,  Ind.,  Sept.  -5,  1828,  and  came  to 
this  county  in  May,  1839,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Feb.  21, 
1860,  he  married  Sarah  Ann  Benson,  and]  their  children  are: 
Albert  Travis,  born  May  31,  1859;  Dimmitt  McNiel,  born  May 
31,  1864,  and  died  Dec.  7,  1865 ;  and  Mary  Emily  Jane,  born 
March  16,  1867.  He  has  been  School  Director  for  several  years 
and  School  Trustee  for  one  term;  he  is  now  Justice  of  the  Peace; 
also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He  is  well  versed  in  Masonic 
principles,  especially  in  the  lower  degrees,  having  spent  much  time 


772  '  HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

and  effort  in  their  study,  esteeming  them  essential  to  high  moral 
attainments.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 

Solomon  Moyer,  farmer,  sec.  9;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  Feb. 
22,  1840;  he  is  a  son  of  Moses  and  Martha  (Brothers)  Meyer, 
Dec.  24,  1863,  he  married  Emma  Johnon,  a  native  of  this  county, 
born  in  1846.  Their  children  are, — Delphia  L.,  Moses,  Martha  I., 
Parvin,  Charles  and  S.  R.,  and  Lucy,  deceased.  Mr  Moyer  has  held 
the  office  of  School  Trustee  7  years,  of  Collector  5  years.  When  he 
first  married  he  had  but  $15;  he  now  owns  200  acres  ofland,  worth 
$40  per  acre.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

William  H.  Moyer,  farmer,  sec.  11 ;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born 
about  three  miles  from  his  present  residence,  Sept.  6,  1843,  and  is 
the  son  of  Moses  and  Martha  (Brothers)  Moyer,  of  German  ances- 
try, the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  latter  of  Indi- 
ana; was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  this  connty.  In  1863 
he  married  Caroline  Persley,  and  the  following  are  their  children: 
William  T.,  born  Feb.  8,  1865;  Jacob  R.,  Sept.  25, 1866;  John  C, 
Jan.,  1869;  Ethel  J.,  March  17,  1871;  and  Orville,  Sept.  29, 1874 
Mr.  M.  was  again  married  April  13,  1878,  to  Eliza  Hilliard,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Martha,  born  April  4,  1879.  Mr.  Moyer  has 
250  acres  of  land.     Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Jaooh  Myers,  farmer,  was  born  in  Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  April 
11,  1818;  came  to  this  county  in  1837;  in  August,  1833,  he  mar- 
ried Hannah  A.  Williams,  a  native  of  Ohio,  now  deceased.  Her 
children  were  5  boys  and  5  girls.  In  August,  1871,  Mr.  Myers 
marrleid  Drusilla  Mummy,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1837.  Mr. 
M.  enlisted  in  1862,  in  Co.  B,  Mo.  Mil.  Cav.,  and  served  23  months, 
being  in  several  hard-fought  battles.  Belongs  to  M.  E.  Church, 
and  the  Masonic  order. 

James  H.  Nation,  farmer,  sec.  25;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Sangamon  county.  111.,  July  17,  1839;  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  had 
limited  educational  advantages.  March  4, 1858,  he  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  in  Kinderhook,  where  he  lived  nearly  4  years, 
and  May  13,  1866^-  removed  to  Derry  tp.  He  enlisted  in  the 
army  in  1861,  in  Co.  C,  3d  Reg.  Mo.  Cav.,  under  Col.  Glover; 
was  "discharged  Dec.  16,  1864,  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Sept.  26, 1867,  he 
married  Lurena  Hogan,  a  native  of  Derry  tp.,  and  they  have  2 
living  cliildren.  He  owns  40  acres  of  land,  worth  $35  per  acre;  is 
a  Republican. 

Frederich  Ottowa,  coroner,  Eldara,  was  born  in  Stendal,  Prus- 
sia, July  8,  1829;  came  to  America  July  6,  1855,  landing  in  New 
York  city ;  in  2  months  from  that  time  lie  went  to  Davenport, 
Iowa,  where  he  remained  4  years  ;  thence  he  removed  to  Hannibal, 
Mo.,  and  in  1861  he  came  to  Pike  county,  locating  first  at  Kinder- 
hook,  then  went  to  Barry,  and  finally  to  where  he  now  resides. 
May  25,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Caroline  Brandt,  and  they  have 
had  8  children,— Charles  L.  F.,  Lewis,  John,  Joshua,  James,  Car- 
oline and  Anna  Louisa.  Mr.  Ottowa  belongs  to  the  Odd  Fellows; 
United  Workmen;  was  elected  Coroner  in  1879.    He  and  wife  are 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  7Y3 

members  of   the    M.   E.  Church,   South.      In   politics  he    is   a 
Democrat. 

Thomas  J.  Owrtby  was  born  in  Adair  county,  Kentucky,  Dec. 
10, 1827;  came  to  this  county  with  his  father,  Thomas  Ownby,  in 
the  fall  of  1828,  and  settled  in  Detroit  tp.,  on  the  farm  owned  by 
Norton  Foreman;  afterward  moved  to  ITewbnrg  tp.,  lived  there 
several  years,  then  went  to  California;  was  gone  4  years,  then  back 
to  Newburg,  and  immediately  removed  to  Detroit,  where  he  lived 
4  years;  then  to  Derry  tp.,  where  he  has  since  resided  on  sec.  9. 
May  22,  1856,  Mr.  Ownby  was  married  to  Falissa  A.,  daughter  of 
Stewart  Lindsay,  and  they  have  had  10  children,  5  of  whom  are 
dead.  Their  names  are,— Emmet,  born  March  25,  1857,  died 
March  10,  1S73;  Clayton,  bom  Oct.  5,  1858,  died  Aug.  15,  1859; 
Mary  E.,  born  Oct.  11,  1860;  Stewart,  born  March  9,  1862,  died 
March  7,  1879 ;  Eliza  J.,  born  Mav  10,  1864 ;  Charles  L.,  born 
Aug.  29,  1867,  died  July  28,  1868-  William  B.,  born  Jan.  27, 
1870;  Oscar  O.,  born  Xov.  3,  1873;  Evelina,  born  March  12,1876, 
died  Dec.  11,  1877.  Mr.  Ownby  commenced  life  in  very  limited 
circumstances,  but  by  industry  and  economy  has  accumulated  a 
nice  property,  and  is  considered  one  of  the  heavy  property-holders 
in  the  community.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land,  worth  $10,000; 
has  iilled  several  important  offices  in  his  tp.,  and  is  an  ardent 
Eepnblican.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 

'William.  M.  Parher,  farmer,  sec.  31;  P.  0.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Coles  county,  111.,  June  26,  1829;  was  raised  in  Clark  county  and 
came  to  Pike  county,  Eov.  6,  1853;  was  married  March  27,  1851, 
to  Sarah  Daughetee,  of  Clark  county,  111.,  who  is  of  Scotch  and 
German  descent;  they  have  had  7  children,  5  of  whom  are  living, 
— Susan  E.,  Amanda  S.,  Mary  Eliza,  William  D.,  Leven  and 
Orlando.  Both  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church;  Mr.  P.  was 
Collector  in  his  tp.  in  1869,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

Tkomas  W.  Potter,  farmer,  sec.  29;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Warren  county,  Ky.,  Oct.  8,  1841,  came  to  Adams  county  in 
the  fall  of  1860,  and  to  Pike  in  March,  1861,  and  settled  in  Derry 
tp.,  on  X.  E.  of  sec.  32;  went  to  Kentucky  in  1863  and  returned  in 
the  spring  of  1864;  he  then  removed  to  Arkansas,  lived  there  7 
years,  then  returned  to  Pike,  where  he  now  resides.  June  1, 1865, 
he  married  Catharine  Pryor,  and  their  children  are:  Elizabeth, 
Pleasant  H.,  Anna,  Laura,  Xancy  L.,  Thomas  W.,  Emma  C,  Lucy 
and  Mary.  Mr.  Potter  owns  100  acres  of  land,  worth  $35  per  acre; 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  an  Odd  Fellow.  He  is  a 
Democrat.  His  father,  P.  H.  Potter,  served  as  captain  under 
Gen.  Houston  in  the  Texas  war. 

WilUam  H.  Pryor,  farmer,  sec.  19;  a  native  of  Tennessee;  was 
bom  Nov.  12,  1832;  came  to  Pike  county  in  the  fall  of  1838  and 
settled  in  Derry  tp.,  and  has  resided  here  ever  since.  Xov.  22, 
1855,  he  married  Susan  E.  Moyer,  and  their  children  are,  Delphina, 
Mary  L.,  Martha  E.,  Henry  D.,  Ollie,  Isaac  and  Wilbert.  Mr. 
Pryor  owns  160  acres  of  land,  worth  $40  per  acre;  is  a  member  of 


774  HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

the  Masonic  Lodge  at  Eldara;  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  South.  He  has  been  Eoad  Overseer  and  Commissioner  for 
3  years,  and  Tax  Collector  of  revenue  for  1877.  He  ships  his  pro- 
duce to  Quincy.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

Jacob  F.  Pursley  was  born  March  19,  1839;  a  native  of  Tike 
county,  111.;  May  9,  1861,  he  was  married  to  CatharineConnors  , 
and  tlie  names  of  their  children  are,  Fhila  Jane,  born  April  16, 
1862,  died  June  5,  1863;  Cora  Belle,  born  in  Dec,  1868,  and  died 
the  following  February;  FrankL.,born  Dec.  13, 1864;  Stephen  Doug- 
las, born  Jan.  1,  1866;  Anna  M.,  born  March  15,  1868,  and  Cora, 
born  May  25,  1871.  Mr.  Pursley  has  twice  been  Path-master  in 
his  road  district,  and  is  now  School  Director.  He  has  300  acres  of 
land  where  he  lives,  worth  $50  per  acre,  and  160  acres  in  Hadley 
tp.,  worth  $45  per  acre.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.   P.  0.,  Barry. 

John  Pursley,  farmer,  sec.  10;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  owns  200  acres 
of  land,  worth  $40  per  acre;  was  born  in  Pike  county.  Mo., 
May  1, 1831;  came  to  this  county  in  the  lall  of  1835,  and  located 
where  he  now  resides.  His  father,  Jacob  Pursley,  died  about  3 
years  ago.  His  mother's  maiden  name  was  Jane  Donovan,  who 
is  now  dead.  He  was  married  in  Feb.,  1854,  to  Charlotte  Sperry. 
They  are  both  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  he  has  been 
School  Director  16  years.  The  names  of  their  living  children  are, 
Jennie.  Etliel,  Floyd  and  Eugene.     Mr.  Pursley  is  a  Democrat. 

Michael  S.  Raftery,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Roscommon  county,  Ireland,  Jnly  6, 1843;  came  to  Aniericain  the 
fall  of  1852,  landing  at  l^ew  Orleans;  from  there  to  Eldara,  where 
he  has  since  resided.  Feb.  16,  1868,  he  married  Frances  V.  Land- 
rum.  He  owns  150  acres  of  land;  was  in  the  late  war  in  Co.  A, 
99th  Keg.  I.  y.  I.;  was  wounded  at  Vicksburg,  and  discharged  July 
15,  1864.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raftery  have  3  children,  namely, — Liiada, 
Laura  and  Thomas  Albert.  Mr!  R.  is  a  Democrat,  and  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  Lodge. 

Thomas  Raftery  resides  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  sec.  8;  was 
born  in  Martin's  Town,  Roscommon  Parish,  Ireland,  Jan.  6, 1815; 
came  to  America  June  24,  1851,  landing  at  New  Orleans ;  from 
there  he  followed  the  Mississippi  river  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  from 
there  to  Louisiana,  Pike  county.  Mo.,  thence  to  Pike  county,  III, 
where  he  settled  permanently  on  sec.  8.  Three  years  after  he  re- 
turned to  Ireland  and  brought  his  family  to  his  new  home.  Feb. 
4,  1840,  he  married  Bridget  Loftus.  Both  are  members  of  the 
Catholic  Church.  Their'living  children  are  Catharine,  Mary, 
Michael,  Margaret  and  Thomas.  Mr.  R.'  owns  160  acres  of  land, 
worth  $30  per  acre.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 

Benjamin  Sigsworth_  farmer,  sec.  15;  P.  0.,  Eldara;  was  born 
in  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  April  25,  1827;  at  the  age  of  three  years  came 
to  Lorain  county,  O.,  with  his  parents,  and  when  he  was  8  years 
old  they  moved  to  LaSalle  county,  111.,  and  the  next  year  to  Pike 
county.  His  father's  name  was  Joseph,  his  mother's  Ann  Sigs- 
worth,  nee  Coleman.     Jan.  28,  1858,  he  married  Sarah  A.  Badgley, 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE   COUMTT.  775 

and  tliey  have  had  6  children,  2  of  whom  are  living  ;  Sierra 
Nevada,  Benjamin,  John  B.,  Joseph,  Ana  Loretta  and  an  infant. 
Mr.  S.  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge;  owns  470  acres  of  land, 
worth  $12,000,  and  sells  his  produce  at  home.  He  was  in  Califor- 
nia 3  years.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr. 
S.  is  a  Republican. 

John  Stout,  farmer,  sec.  26;  P.  0.,  Eldara;  was  born  in  Butler 
county,  Ohio.  In  1852  came  to  this  county  and  settled  in  Derry 
tp.  Sept.  13,  1863,  he'married  Nancy  Hoskin  of  Pike  county,  and 
their  children  are, — Mary,  born  Aug.  12,  1864;  Andrew  W.,  born 
Jan.  15,  1866;  Julia  A.,  born  July  26,  1867;  Aaron,  born  Aug.  1, 
1870;  Otis  and  Oren,  born  April  26,  1876.  Mr.  Stout  owns  80 
acres  of  land,  worth  $40  per  acre.  He  lives  on  the  public  road 
leading  from  Pittsfield  to  Eockport.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

Joseph  E.  Struhinger,  farmer,  sec.  22;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born 
in  Delaware,  Aug.  26,  1835,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary 
(Clark)  Stnibinger;  father  a  native  of  Holland,  Germany,  and  mother 
of  Delaware;  he  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  this  place  in  1838, 
where  he  has  received  his  education.  In  1858  he  married  Lucy  C. 
Fryor,  and  his  children  are, — Henry  J.,  born  June  30,  1859;  Wil- 
liam A.,  Nov.  7,  1860;  and  Mary,  Oct.  22,  1862.  Mrs.  S.  was  a 
member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  died  Nov.  27,  1878.  Mr.  S.'s 
daughter  now  keeps  house  for  him.  As  a  farmer  he  has  been  sue-, 
cessful,  now  owning  268  acres  of  first-class  land.  His  residence 
cost  about  $4,500.  He  has  been  School  Director,  School  Trustee, 
and  Road  Commissioner  12  years.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Thomas  Clark  Struhinger,  whose  portrait  is  given-  in  this  volume, 
was  born  in  Wilmington,  Del.,  March  19,  1834;  his  parents  were 
Joseph  and  Mary  (Clark)  Struhinger,  the  first  a  native  of  Holland. 
They  arrived  in  Pike  county  April  17,  1838,  settling  on  the  south- 
east quarter  of  sec.  22,  Derry  tp.,  where  he  resided  for  many  years, 
and  which  he  owned  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a  prominent 
farmer,  owning  520  acres  of  land,  all  of  which,  except  80  acres,  came 
into  his  possession  in  a  perfectly  wild  state;  he  put  under  cultiva- 
tion the  whole  of  it.  He  left  a  family  of  6  children, — Michael, 
Thomas  C,  Joseph  H.,  Elizabeth,  Mary  and  Harriet,  all  living  ex- 
cept Elizabeth.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  Dec.  14, 
1862,  to  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  Adley  and  Nancy  Hogan,  natives 
of  Kentucky,  and  old  settlers  in  this  county ;  Mr.  H.  is  now  deceased. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  have  had  9  children,  6  of  whom  are  living,  as  fol- 
lows: a  babe,  born  and  died,  Aug.  22,  1863;  Tillie  M.,  born  Nov. 
13,  1864;  John  0.,  Sept.  12,  1866  ;  Edwin  Thomas,  March  14,1868; 
Henry  W.,  March  10,  1870,  and  died  Oct.  20,  1872;  Cora  C,  born 
April  30, 1873;  Lillie  J.,  March  12,  1875,  and  died  Aug.  2,  follow- 
ing ;  MaryE.,  born  April  23,  1876,  and  Burt  F.,  Oct.  25,  1877. 

Mr.  S.  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  common  log  school- 
house,  and  spent  his  early  years  on  his  father's  farm.  At  the  age 
of  25  he  bought  40  acres  of  land,  being  a  part  of  the  place  where  he 
now  resides,  sec.  34.     The  home  farm  at  present  consists  of  80  acres, 


776 


HISTORY    OF    PTKE    COUNTY. 


upon  which  are  the  finest  farm  residence  and  improvements  in  this 
county.  He  owns  380  acres  of  land  in  the  county,  and  is  one  of  the 
solid  representative  farmers.  On  an  annual  average  he  raises  75 
acres  of  wheat,  40  of  corn,  and  raises  considerable  stock.  He  has 
had  more  than  average  success.  He  is  a  Democrat,  but  does  not 
take  a  very  active  part  in  politics. 

Mrs.  Jane  Taylor.,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Hamilton  county,  Ohio,  in  1818;  she  remained  with  her  parents 
until  1838,  when  she  married  Simon  E.  Taylor,  and  in  April,  1839, 
they  caine  to  this  county  and  settled  on  the  place  where  Mrs.  Tay- 
lor now  resides.  Mr.  Taylor  was  a  wagon-maker  by  trade,  and 
worked  at  that  business  for  several  years  after  he  came  to  this  State; 
but  for  ten  years  previous  to  his  death  he  gave  his  attention  ex- 
clusively to  farming.  He  died  in  1867, leaving  4  children, — William, 
born  May  1,  1840;  Mary,  born  Aug  21,  1841;  Henry,  born  July 
3,  1843;  Lucy,  born  May  30,  1850,  and  an  infant,  born  Nov.  21, 
1858,  soon  deceased.  Mrs.  Taylor  owns  80  acres  of  land  worth  $50 
per  acre. 

T.  B.  Taylor,  farmer,  owns  150  acres  of  land;  was  born  Feb.  7, 
1834,  in  this  county;  was  married  Aug.  4,  1854,  to  Abigail  Lee,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  born  June  13,  1831.  They  are  the  parents  of  8 
children,  6  living.     Mr.  T.  is  a  prosperous  farmer. 

William,  E.  Taylor,  farmer,  resides  in  Eldara;  was  born  in  this 
\pp.  May  8,  1840;  has  always  lived  here;  was  raised  on  a  farm,  and 
June  1,  1868,  was  married  to  Caroline  Stout;  they  have  three  chil- 
dren, namely,  Dora,  John  and  Lewis.  Mr.  T.  is  a  member  of  the 
Odd  Fellow  and  Masonic  Lodges;  owns  35  acres  of  land,  worth  $25 
per  acre;  has  been  Commissioner  of  Highways  and  Road  Overseer, 
and  in  politics  is  a  Republican.  His  brother  Henry  was  in  the 
late  war  in  the  28th  Reg.  I.  Y.  L 

Rohert  O.  Temple,  farmer,  resides  on  the  west  ^  of  the  N.  E. 
qr.  of  sec.  3;  was  born  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  Sept.  4,  1821; 
came  to  this  county  in  March,  1854,  and  settled  near  the  town  of 
Perry  and  lived  there  7  years  ;  then  to  DeWitt  county  2  years  ;  to 
Perry  again  for  3  years ;  then  bought  the  farm  uppn  which  he  now 
resides.  There  are  96  acres,  worth  $50  per  acre.  Oct.  5,  1843,  he 
married  Adeline  Fisher,  a  niece  of  James  Ward,  of  Griggsville,  ex- 
County  Judge  of  Pike  county.  They  have  had  6  children,— Lucy 
A.,  born  Sept.  4,  1844;  Leonidas  C,  born  April  21,  1846,  and  died. 
Nov.  11,  1873;  Sarah  Alice,  born  Oct.  24,  1847;  Lizzie  A.,  born 
Dec.  22,  1850,  and  died  Feb.  11,  1853;  James E.,  born  Jan.  2, 1854, 
and  Thomas  H.,  Jan.  29,  1857.  Mr.  Temple  has  been  an  Odd  Fel- 
low for  over  30  years.  He  filled  acceptably  several  tp.  ofiSces;  has 
been  an  ardent  Democrat,  but  is  now  a  zealous  Greenbacker.  In 
religion  he  believes  in  the  final  restoration  of  all  mankind.  P.  O, 
Barry. 

Samuel  C.  Thomas,  farmer,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born  in 
Derry  tp.,  Dec.  2,  1842;  his  father's  name  was  Samuel  F.,  and  his 
mother's  Elizabeth  Thomas,  Tiee  Wells.     April  10,  1864,  he  was 


HISTORY    OF    riKE    COUNTY.  777 

married,  and  he  has  had  9  cliildren,  8  of  whom  are  living,  namely: 
Martha  Ann,  John  C,  Susan  F.,  Laura  Alice,  Charles  A.,  Harry 
E.,  Osa  May  and  Samuel  0.  Mr.  T's  uncle,  John  Wells,  was  in 
the  war  of  1812.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

FrwnMin  Tittsworth  is  a  farmer  on  sec.  13,  and  his  P.  O.  ad- 
dress is  Eldara. 

Thomas  J.  Tittsworth,  farmer,  sec.  19;  was  born  Aug.  19,  1855, 
in  Pleasant  Vale  tp..  Pike  county,  and  has  lived  here  ever  since; 
was  married  Jan.  15, 1874,  to  Miss  Jane  Fesler,  and  they  have  one 
child,  Addie,  born  July  30,  1876.  Mrs.  T.  is  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Fesler.  Her  2  uncles,  Jacob  and.  John  Browning,  were  both  killed 
in  the  late  war.  Mr.  T.  raises  corn,  wheat  and  stock,  and  sells  at 
home  market.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

Oharles  B.  Troutwine,  farmer,  sec.  18;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born 
in  Germany,  Feb.  17.  1832;  came  to  America  in  1841,  and  to  this 
county  in  1852;  has  lived  in. this  tp.  since  the  spring  of  1853;  Oct. 
1, 1854,  he  married  Lucinda  Moyer,  and  they  have  had  9  children; 
their  names  are,  Louisa  J.,  Martha  E.,  Austin  B.,  William  H., 
Charles  Wesley,  Marvin  V.,  Frederick  A.,  Harry  and  Moses.  Mr. 
T.  owns  160  acres  of  land,  worth  $40  per  acre.  He  is  a  Democrat, 
and  his  wife  is  a  Southern  Methodist. 

Frederick  Troutwine,  farmer,  sec.  30;  P.  O.,  Eldara;  was  born 
in  the  Kingdom  of  Wurtembnrg,  Germany,  July  15,  1829;  came 
to  America  in  1841'and  settled  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio;  lived  there 
until  1852,  and  then  removed  to  Pike  county.  111.;  was  married  in 
March,  1855,  to  Julia  Ann  Moyer,  who  was  born  in  Orange  county, 
Indiana.  Their  3  children  are:  John  H.,  born  March  28,  1856; 
Solomon  J.,  born  Feb.  11,  1860;  Albert  M.,  born  March  6,  1864. 
Mr.  T.  owns  240  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  Douglas  Democrat.  He 
and  wife  are  Methodists. 

Moses  -Wagoner 'v<f as  born  in  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Aug.  22> 
1815;  came  to  Pike  county.  111.,  in  1849;  April  7,  1855,  was  mar- 
ried to  Martha  J.  Duland,  and  they  have  one  child,  William  Henry, 
born  Aug.  14,  1853.  Mr.  Wagoner  is  the  owner  of  110  acres  of 
land,  worth  $50  per  acre,  which  he  desires  to  sell,  owing  to  ill 
health.  It  is  an  extra  good  wheat  farm;  Mr.  W.  cut  and  harvested 
from  26  acres  800  bushels  of  wheat,  and  Baised  80  bushels  of  corn 
to  the  acre,  in  the  year  1879.  There  is  situated  upon  the  farm  an 
elegant  two-storv  frame  dwelling;  good  barn,  stables  and  other 
buildings,  stock,  "wells  and  springs.  In  politics,  a  Eepublican.  P.  O., 
Barry . 

Jol  8.  Ware,  harness-maker,  Eldara;  was  born  in  the  city  of 
Philadelphia,  Aug.  28,  1830;  came  to  this  county  in  1838;  learned 
his  trade  at  Barry;  was  married  Oct.  10,  1852,  to  Sarah  Eobertson; 
they- are  both  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Their  living  chil- 
dren are:  Ida  Belle,  Lillie  G.,  William  I.,  Gertrude,  Harry  and 
Charles.  His  grandfather,  John  Hughs,  was  in  the  war  of  1812. 
He  is  a  Democrat. 


Y78  HI8T0EY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

James  H.  Wassell,  farmer,  sec.  33;  is  a  native  of  Derry  tp.,  born 
March  4,  1854;  was  raised  on  a  farm  and  had  limited  advantages  for 
education.  His  father,  Eobert  Wassell,  died  when  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  but  3  years  of  age.  Nov.  7,  1876,  he  married  May 
Tipler,  and  they  have  had  one  child,  Anna,  born  Oct.  18,  1877. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Lodge  at  Eldara.  Disposes  of 
his  produce  at  home  market.     P.  0.,  Eldara. 

Isaac  If.  Williams,  farmer,  sec.  31;  was  born  June  12,  1851; 
was  raised  a  farmer;  Jan.  13, 1876,  was  married  to  Eliza  Anu  Moore 
of  this  county,  and  they  have  2  children,  James  Henry  and  Stephen, 
E.  Mr.  W.  has  had  good  educational  advantages,  and  in  politics, 
is  a  Democrat.     P.  O.,  Eldara. 

Stephen  B.  Williams.  The  first  of  this  man's  ancestors  who 
settlediiu  America  came  from  Wales  previous  to  the  Revolution, 
and  settled  in  Maryland;  his  name  was  Edward  Williams,  and  he 
served  under  Washington  in  the  war,  at  the  close  of  which  he  re- 
moved to  Ohio  county,  Kentucky,  a  section  of  country  then  per- 
fectly wild,  savage  Indians  and  ferocious  beasts  holding  almost  com- 
plete sway.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  died  in  that 
county,  leaving  8  children,  one  of  whom,  Stephen,  was  the  grand- 
father of  the  subject  of  this  biographical  notice.  He  was  a  Baptist 
minister  for  over  50  years,  preaching  in  Kentucky,  Illinois  and 
Iowa.  He  died  in  Jefferson  'county  about  1868,  leaving  also  a 
family  of  8  children,  the  eldest  of  whom,  Isaac,  was  the  father  of 
Stephen  R.     He  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1800,  and  in  January, 

1819,  married  Sarah  Coleman,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Coleman,  of 
Ohio  county,  Ky.,  whose  father  was  a  Oerman  and  an  early  settler 
of  Kentucky.  Of  this  marriage  were  13  children,  of  whom  9  are 
living,  the  eldest  of  whom  is  Stephen  R.,  who  was  born  Nov.  12, 

1820,  in  Ohio  county,  Ky.  His  early  life  was  passed  on  his  father's 
farm  in  White  county,  111.,  whither  his  father  had  moved  when  his 
son  was  but  2  years  of  age.  Here  also  he  obtained  his  education 
in  the  old-fashioned  log  school-house,  with  a  w  ndow  of  greased 
paper  where  a  log  had  been  taken  out  for  the  purpose;  indeed,  Mr. 
W.  never  went  to  school  where  glass  windows  were  used.  June  22, 
1837,  he  married  Miss  Nancy  J.  Funkhouser,  daughter  of  Isaac 
Funkhouser,  in  White  county,  111.,  and  3  children  were  born  to 
them  in  that  county,  namely,  Sarah,  Yirgil  and  William.  In  1844 
he  moved  with  his  family  to  this  county,  settling  in  Pittsfield  tp., 
where  he  commenced  farming.  His  land  title  not  being  perfect, 
he  returned  his  claim  to  the  seller  in  1846,  and  removed  into  Derry 
township,  where  he  rented  farms  for  several  years.  In  1852  he 
bought  the  southeast  quarter  of  sec.  32,  this  tp.,  which  place  was 
slightly  improved,  having  on  it  a  log  house.  The  same  year  he 
moved  his  family  here.  He  has  since  put  under  fine  cultivation 
about  100  acres  at  this  place.  Here  he  lived  about  14  years,when 
he  moved  to  a  farm  which  he  bought,  the  southwest  quarter  of  sec. 
31,  this  tp.,  where  he  is  still  residing. 

In  1842  Mr.  Williams  joined  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  of 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  779 

which  he  has  ever  since  been  a  member.  He  is  a  man  of  deep 
convictions,  and  has  believed  it  his  duty  to  take  a  public  and  active 
part  in  the  cause  of  the  Church.  His  public  efforts  caused  his 
brethren  to  induce  him  to  become  a  regular  preacher,  and  with 
some  reluctance  he  complied  with  their  wishes,  and  was  ordained 
after  about  two  years'  preaching.  He  has  now  served  in  that  capac- 
ity 22  years.  He  has  never  preached  for  a  salary.  He  has  preached 
at  tlie  regular  annual  and  monthly  meetings  in  Missouri  and  Iowa, 
besides  this  State. 

At  present  he  owns  515  acres  of  land  in  this  tp.,  and  80  acres  in 
tp.  6  s.,  6  w.  He  has  4  children  living,  2  boys  and  2  girls.  Wra. 
v.  married  Angeline  Moore,  and  lives  on  one  of  his  father's  farms, 
on  sec.  32;  Isaac  married  Eliza  Jane  Moore,  and  lives  on  sec.  30, 
his  father's  farm  of  200  acres;  Sarah  married  Benj.  House  and 
Hves  in  Atlas  tp.;  Fanny  married  Charles  Drummond,  and  resides 
on  the  home  place.  He  has  had  8  other  children,  who  have  deceased, 
namely,  Mary,  who  died  after  she  was  a  married  woman ;  Henry, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  17;  Lucy  Ann  and  Martin,  who  died  very 
young,  and  3  others  died  in  infancy.  Although  Mr.  Williams  is 
interested  in  political  matters,  he  has  not  taken  a  very  active  and 
prominent  part.  He  is  a  Democrat,  has  been  Colle  ctor,  Commi- 
sioner,  Township  Trustee,  etc.  It  is  claimed  that  the  first  person 
ever  baptized  by  the  Green  river  (Ky.)  waters  was  Mrs.  Williams' 
great-grandmother  on  her  mother's  side.  Mr.  Williams'  postoffice 
address  is  Eldara.  His  portrait  is  given  in  this  book,  and  can  be 
found  by  reference  to  the  table  of  contents. 

H.  R.  Wood,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  sec.  29;  P.  O.,  Eldara; 
owns  22  acres,  worth  $40  per  acre;  was  born  in  Penn.,  Sept.  30, 
1825;  came  to  this  State  in  the  fall  of  1838,  settling  in  Morgan 
county,  where  he  remained  2  years,  thence  to  Pittsfleld  until  1854, 
then  settled  in  Derry;  went  to  California  in  1849  and  returned  in 
1852;  was  married  in  Missouri  in  1855  to  Lorinda  Yale,  who  was 
born  in  Missouri  and  died  in  1860.  They  had  2  children,  William 
and  Luella.  In  May,  1873,  he  married  Sarah  Shinn,  born  Jan.  25,  ■ 
1849.  In  addition  to  farming,  Mr.  W.  raises  and  handles  young 
stock  to  some  extent. 

Theodore  Wood,  grocer  and  confectioner  at  Eldara,  was  born  in 
Illinois,  Nov.  27,  1854;  was  married  in  this  county  to  Josephine 
Taylor,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  5  chil- 
dren,— 4  living.  Mr.  W.  owns  one  lot  with  dwelling,  and  in  his 
line  of  business  is  doing  well.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Lewis  iV.  WoTsham,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  was  born 
Jan.  15, 1836;  was  married  Oct.  26,  1862,  to  Cynthia  Williams,  also 
a  native  of  Illinois,  born  Aug.  11,  1840.  They  are  the  parents  of 
4  children:  Laura,  Oren,  and  2  infants,  deceased.  Mr.  W.  owns 
183  acres  of  land,  worth  $50  per  acre. 


ATLAS  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township  is  the  scene  of  the  more  important  early  history 
of  the  county.  For  some  years  here  was  situated  the  seat  of  empire, 
as  it  were,  the  metropolis  of  a  vast  region.  Here  was  not  only  the 
business  center,  but  the  social,  religious,  and  political  headquarters 
of  a  section  of  country  now  containing  many  thousands  of  people, 
and  millions  of  wealth.  Virtually,  the  first  few  chapters  in  this 
book  is  a  history  of  this  township,  and  therefore  it  will  not  be 
expected  that  we  should  repeat  what  we  have  already  recorded,  al- 
though much  of  it  is  essentially  local.,  or  township  and  village 
history. 

According  to  the  general  order  we  have  adopted  in  writing  these 
sketches,  we  will  speak  of  the  earliest  settlers  first.  The  first  legi- 
timate settler  of  the  county  located  in  this  township.  The  person 
to  whose  memory  this  honor  is  due,  was  Ebenezer  Franklin.  He 
came  in  March,  1820,  and  first  located  on  sec.  27,  near  where 
the  town  of  Atlas, now  is.  He  brought  his  family  and  for  a  time 
dwelt  in  a  tent.  Then  came  in  Daniel  Shinn,  who  became  his 
neighbor,  and  like  him  pitched  his  tent,  and  in  it  lived  until  May. 
At  that  time  both  these  sturdy  pioneers  erected  rude  log  cabins  on 
sec.  22,  and  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  Atlas. 

The  same  year  another  prominent  family  arrived  at  Atlas,  or 
rather  upon  the  site  of  Atlas,  for  of  course  there  was  no  town  there 
then.  The  family  we  refer  to  was  the  Eoss  family,  consisting  of 
Col.  William  Ross,  Captain  Leonard  Ross,  Dr.  Henry  J.  Ross,  and 
Clarendon  Ross.  These  were  married  men  and  brought  their  fami- 
lies with  them.  They  came  from  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  and  of  course 
during  the  existing  modes  of  travel  in  those  pioneer  times  they 
had  a  hard,  tedious  journey.  They  were  all  tired  out  when  they 
arrived  at  the  spot,  on  sec.  27,  that  they  were  to  call  home. 
The  country  in  its  virgin  state  was  beautiful  to  behold,  but  so  far 
in  the  wilderness  was  it  that  it  must  have  been  lonely  indeed  to 
them.  However,  they  were  glad  to  get  to  their  journey's  end,  and 
one  of  the  party  exclaimed,  as  tradition  has  it,  that  they  had  reached 
home  "  at  last,"  from  which  the  town,  and  latterly  the  township 
was  named. 

After  the  Rosses,  of  whom  we  speak  in  the  first  chapter  of  this 
volume  at  greater  length,  came  James  M.  Seeley,  who  played  an 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OODNTT.  781 

important  and  honorable  part  in  the  early  history  of  the  county. 
Then  came  Levi  Newman  and  Charles  McGiffin,  who  kept  a  ferry 
across  the  Mississippi  at  Louisiana,  John  and  Jeremiah  Ross, 
Rufus  Brown,  John  Wood  and  Willard  Kej-^es.  Brown  kept  a 
tavern  in  Atlas  for  a  time,  but  he,  with  these  two  Eosses,  and 
Wood  and  Keyes,  moved  to  Adams  county  ^nd  became  prominent 
in  the  affairs  of  that  community.  Then  came  Joseph  Petty,  Jolin 
M.  Smith,  Deacon  Snow,  Daniel  Husong,  Dexter  Wheelo'ck,  who 
kept  store  and  hotel  at  Atlas  for  a  time,  and  a  few  others. 

Among  a  few  others  of  the  leading  first  settlers  of  Atlas  we  will 
mention  Col.  Benj.  Barney,  Henry  Long,  Stephen  R.  "Watson, 
Benjamin  D.  Brown,  James  Ross,  etc.  As  many  of  the  early  pil- 
grims to  Atlas  were  scattered  in  various  parts  of  the  county  when 
the  county-seat  was  moved  from  there,  and  as  a  half  century  has 
almost  elapsed  since  the  village  of  Atlas  began  to  wane,  we  find  it 
impossible  to  get  anything  like  a  full  and  authentic  list  of  the  first 
settlers  here.  It  is  true  there  are  many  of  the  descendants  of  the 
early  pioneers  now  living  in  this  township,  but  of  these  we  speak 
among  the  personal  sketches  given  below. 

In  1824  the  public  buildings,  which  had  previously  been  at 
Cole's  Grove,  now  Calhoun  county,  were  moved  to  Atlas.  During 
the  following  decade  it  was  a  busy  commercial  center  and  had  great 
promise  of  becoming  the  most  important  town  in  this  section. 
At  one  time  it  was  thought  that  it  would  eclipse  Quincy,  but 
when,  in  183B,  the  county-seat  was  removed  to  Pittsfield,  it  suf- 
fered materially.  Indeed,  the  town  has  never  since  assumed  any 
prominence,  but  declined,  until  now  there  is  only  a  postoffice,  gen- 
eral store  and  a  blacksmith  shop  located  here.  At  that  time  the  more 
prominent  settlers  followed  the  public  buildings  to  Pittsfield,  and 
made  that  the  metropolis  of  the  county. 

The  first  death  to  occur  in  Atlas  township  was  that  of  Mr.  Hu- 
song. The  first  child  born  was  Nancy  Ross,  daughter  of  Col.  Wil- 
ham  Ross.  The  first  male  child  was  Marcellus  Ross,  who  now  resides 
in  Pittsfield.  Some  say,  however,  that  a  son  was  born  to  Ebenezer 
Franklin  prior  to  this,  and  others  that  a  child  of  John  M.  Smith's 
was  the  first  one  born.  The  first  parties  married  in  the  township 
were  Daniel  Barney  and  Miss  A.  L.  Husong.  The  first  sermon 
was  preached  by  tlie  celebrated  Lorenzo  Dow,  in  the  old  court- 
hovise,  in  1826.  The  first  school-house  was  erected  the  same  year 
upon  sec.  26. 

Before  Ross  township  was  cut  off  from  Atlas,  which  was  done 
in  1879,  it  was  by  far  the  largest  township  in  the  county.  It  then 
embraced  the  whole  of  one  and  parts  of  three  Congressional  town- 
ships. Much  of  it,  however,  was  bottom  land,  and  valueless  for 
cultivation  until  the  erection  of  the  great  Sny  Carte  levee.  This 
public  enterprise  has  redeemed  many  entire  sections  of  fine  land 
in  Atlas.  At  one  time  the  Sny  Carte  slough  was  so  high  that 
Col.  Ross  was  enabled  to  run  a  boat  up  to  Atlas.  This  is  what  is 
termed  a  timbered  township,  but  is  well  settled   and  improved. 


78 '2  HI8T0EY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

Here  we  find  some  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county.  The  Quincy, 
Alton  and  St.  Louis  Railroad  passes  through  the  township  from 
northwest  to  southeast. 

VILLAGES. 

There  are  in  this  township  tiiree  villages,  all  small,  but  pleasant- 
I3'  located.  They  are  Atlas,  Eockport  and  Summer  Hill.  The 
former  town  was  laid  out  in  1823  l)y  William  Ross  and  Rufus 
Brown.  It  was  the  first  town  laid  oif  in  the  county,  and  for  a  time 
first  in  point  of  commercial  advantages.  We  have  spoken  of  the 
village  so  often,  however,  that  anything  we  might  now  say  would 
merely  be  repetition.  We  therefore  will  refer  the  reader  to  the 
first  chapters  and  the  history  of  tlie  township  given  above. 

During  the  great  speculative  excitement  of  1836  and  the  few 
subsequent  years,  towns  were  projected  all  over  the  State.  During 
the  former  year  there  were  about  a  dozen  towns  laid  out  in  Pike 
county,  among  which  was  Rockport.  It  had  excellent  milling 
facilities,  and  a  project  to  erect  a  grist-mill,  then  greatly  needed  in 
the  county,  was  set  on  foot  by  Ross,  Scott  &  Oo.  About  1828  a 
saw-mill  was  erected  at  this  point  upon  the  Sny  Carte,  on  the 
southwest  quarter  of  sec.  17.  Later,  about  1830,  John  Warburton 
erected  a  fiouring-mill  at  the  same  site.  This  mill  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1846.  During  that  and  the  following  year  another  mill 
was  erected  upon  the  site  of  the  former.  This  mill  was  conducted 
successfully,  and  was  a  great  convenience  to  the  settlers  until  1853, 
when  it  shared  the  fate  of  the  former  and  went  up  in  the  flames. 
Undaunted,  however,  its  proprietors  set  about  to  erect  another, 
which  was  done  in  1855.  This  mill  was  run  for  12  years,  when  it 
was  burned.  In  1867-8  Shaw  &  Rupert  built  a  fourth  mill  at  this 
point,  with  a  capacity  of  300  barrels  a  day.  It  will  be  seen  that 
this  has  been  one  of  the  greatest  milling  points  in  this  section. 
Rockport  took  from  Atlas  about  all  of  the  business  that  was  left  it 
after  the  removal  of  the  county- seat  to  Pittsfield.  The  town  was 
laid  out  on  the  most  approved  plan  for  a  city  of  no  mean  dimensions. 
For  a  time  it  grew  rapidly  and  gave  great  promise  to  its  founders, 
but  the  financial  crash  which  followed  the  speculative  period  ?1- 
most  completely  stopped  immigration  to  the  State  for  a  few  years, 
and  all  of  the  new  towns  sufiered  materially. 

Rockport  is  located  on  sees.  17,  18  and  20,  on  the  Sny  Carte, 
and  contains  several  stores,  and  transacts  a  good  trade  in  a  local 
way.     It  is  situated  on  the  Quincy,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  Railway. 

The  village  of  Summer  Hill,  which  is  located  on  sec.  13  of  this 
township,  was  laid  out  March  11,  1845,  by  Lyman  Scott.  It  is 
situated  in  the  midst  of  a  beautiful  and  fertile  section  of  country. 
It  is  a  very  pleasant  country  town,  containing  two  nice  churches, 
two  or  three  stores,  postofiice,  etc. 

Summer  Hill  Congregational  Ohv/roh.  The  Congregational 
Church  of  Summer  Hill  was  organized  by  Rev.  Asa  Turner  at  Atlas 
in  Nov.,  1834,  under  the  name  of  the  Rockport  and  Atlas  Congrega- 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOUNTr.  783 

tional  Church.  Preaching  services  were  held  at  Eockport,  Atlas,  and 
later  at  Summer  Hill.  Gradually,  as  the  settlements  extended  back 
from  the  Mississippi  river,|the  Church  members  became  located  more 
and  more  at  Summer  Hill,  until  the  Church  had  migrated  from 
Eockport  and  Atlas  to  Summer  Hill.  This  change  was  gradual, 
extending  through  a  number  of  j'ears.  The  present  church  building 
at  Summer  Hill  was  completed  about  1866. 

This  Church  has  always  held  a  form  of  doctrine  common  to  the 
Congregational  Churches.  It  believes  in  the  new  birth  (•'  Except 
a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God");  in  the 
sinfulness  of  men  and  in  redemptiou  only  through  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Son  of  God;  in  the  sanctifying  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit; 
in  the  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Scriptures;  that  the  word  of  God  is 
the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  life;  in  the  endless  happiness 
of  the  righteous  and  misery  of  the  unregenerate.  It  teaches  and 
believes  in  a  pure  and  upright  life  consecrated  to  God. 

The  first  great  season  of  growth  came  under  the  pastorate  of 
E,ev.  Wm.  Carter  from  1834  to  1847.  During  this  period  of  nine 
years  the  Church  increased  from  10  or  12  members  to  100.  After 
1847  the  Church  suflPered  a  decline  until  1866,  when  it  numbered 
41  members.  The  second  period  of  growth  came  under  the  pres- 
ent Pastor,  Eev.  C.  E.  Marsh,  from  1868  to  the  present  time.  Dur- 
ing this  period  of  12  years  the  Church  increased  from  60  to  116 
members.  In  the  winter  of  1873-4  a  great  season  of  revival  was 
enjoyed,  when  48  were  received  into  the  Church.  The  past  winter 
(1879-80)  another  revival  has  been  enjoyed,  and  39  have  entered 
into  covenant  with  the  Church. 

The  following  persons  have  acted  as  Pastors  of  the  Church: 
Kev.  Warren  Nichols,  from  1835  to  1837;  Pev.  A.  T.  Norton,  from 

1837  to ;  Kev.  Wm.  Carter,  from  1838  to  1847;  Eev.  Gideon 

0.  Clark,  from  1847  to  1850;  Eev.  A.  H.  Fletcher,  from  1850  to 
1853;  Eev.  C.  S.  Cady,  ^from  1853  to  1855;  Eev.  J.  G.  Barrett, 
from  1856  to  1859;  Eev.  S.  E.  Thrall,  from  1859  to  1865;  Eev. 
Samuel  Dilley,  from  1865  to  1867;  Eev.  Wm.  Carter,  from  1867 
to  1868;  Eev.  Chas.  E.  Marsh,  from  1868  to  the  present  time. 

BIO&EAPHICAL. 

We  give  below  personal  sketches,  in  alphabetical  rotation,  of  the 
prominent  citizens  and  old  settlers  of  Atlas  township  and  its  vil- 
lages. 

/.  A.  Adams,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  0.,  Atlas;  was  born  in  1803  in 
Rensellaer  county,  N.  Y.,  the  son  of  James  and  Edna  Adams;  re- 
ceived a  fair  education  and  followed  sawing,  and  operating  cotton 
apd  woolen  mill  with  good  success;  he  quit  the  business  in  1843  and 
emigrated  West,  settling  on  the  present  homestead,  where  he  has 
lived  ever  since.  The  farm  is  well  improved.  Feb.  10,  1825,  he 
married  Harriet  Green,  who  was  born  in  1802  in  Eensellaer  county, 
N.  T.,  and  their  3  children  were  Cornelius,  deceased,  Jeremiah  and 
Edna.'   Mr.  Adams  first  occupied  about  500  acres  of  bottom  and 


784  HISTOET   OF    PIKE  COUNTT. 

up  land,  and.  since  has  obtained  about  500  acres  more.  He  has  seen 
the  bottom  opposite  his  residence  entirely  overflowed,  and  has  been 
in  a  steam-boat  over  the  land  he  now  cultivates.  Mr.  Adams 
has  been  Assessor  for  15  or  16  years.  The  house  now  occupied  by 
him  was  built  in  1822,  with  an  addition  in  1824.  It  is  a  substan- 
tial building,  and  bids  fair  to  stand  for  ages  yet.  The  first 
preacher  he  knew  was  Kev.  Wm.  Carter,  who  .was  in  Pittsfield  so 
long.  Mr.  Adams'  father  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  as  priva- 
teer at  sea.     He  distinctly  remembers  the  war  of  1812. 

Isaac  Barton,  farnier,  was  born  in  Kentucky,  June  7,  1825,  the 
son  of  William  and  Mary  (Brewer)  Barton,  natives  of  Tennessee; 
was  educated  in  the  Kentucky  subscription  schools;  his  early  life 
was  spent  in  mechanical  employment,  but  the  most  of  his  life  he  has 
been  a  farmer.  In  1846  he  married  Miss  K.  M.  Owsley,  a  native 
of  East  Tennessee,  and  of  their  11  children  8  are  living,  5  sons  and 
3  girls;  3  are  married.  Mr.  Barton  came  to  Pike  county  the  year 
he  was  married,  with  no  property  except  a  horse  and  saddle,  but  he 
is  now  in  comfortable  circumstances,  living  in  a  $3,000  house.  He 
has  held  nearly  all  the  township  offices,  and  is  in  several  official 
positions  at  the  present  time.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in 
religion  both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

Aaron  Baughmon  was  born  in  Ohio,  Dec.  11,  1835,  and  is  a  son 
of  Jacob  and  Catharine  (Wilhelm)  Baughmon,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  of  German  ancestry;  was  educated  mostly  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  this  county;  can  speak  German.  April  10,  1856, 
he  married  Sarah  Sapp,  daughter  of  Daniel  Sapp,  a  pioneer  of  this 
county;  of  tjieir  9  children  6  are  living.  Mr.  B.  came  to  this 
county  about  Christmas  in  1846,  and  worked  at  quarrying  rock  and 
burning  lime;  for  the  last  8  years  it  has  been  a  success.  He  ran  a 
threshing-machine  for  9  years,  and  in  that  business  lost  his  health, 
and  in  burning  lime  he  thinks  he  recovered  his  voice  which  he  had 
lost.  He  is  a  farmer,  residing  on  sec.  14,  where  he  owns  40  acres, 
besides  having  40  acres  on  sec.  16.  In  his  present  business  he  has 
been  successful.  Being  married  before  he  was  21  years  of  age,  his 
father  claimed  $150  for  his  time,  which  was  paid.  He  is  a  Eepub- 
lican,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 
P.  O.,  Summer  HiU. 

Monroe  Baughmon,  farmer,  sec.  11;  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill;  was 
born  in  this  county  Oct.  5, 1848,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Cath- 
arine W.  (Heler)  Baughmon,  who  were  married  in  1835  and  had  5 
children,  of  whom  Monroe  is  the  eldest.  The  latter  received  a 
common-school  education,  and  is  now  following  farming  in  Atlas  tp. 

Capt.  Uriah  Brook  was  born  in  Missouri  in  1820,  and  is  a  son 
of  Armstrong  and  Theresa  Angle  (Brown)  Brock,  the  former  of  En- 
glish descent  and  the  latter  of  German;  was  educated  in  the  subscrip- 
tion schools  of  the  time;  at  15  he  went  upon  the  river  and  worked 
at  cooking  and  pulling  oars  on  a  flat-boat-  in  1839  he  went  on  a 
steamer  to  learn  the  river  as  cub  pilot;  in  1840  he  was  promoted 
to  the  position  of  pilot  on  the  steamer  lone,  and  for  the  same  man 


'/2^g^6/ . 


i^<Q^^-^?-2- 


ATLAS    TP 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  787 

he  ran  steamers  for  7  years  on  the  Ohio  river,  making  10  years 
altogether  wliich  he  worked  for  one  man;  has  followed  the  river 
as  pilot  every  summer  since  he  learned  the  business,  and  expects 
to  as  long  as  he  can  see  and  turn  a  wheel.  ,He  Las  been  moderately 
Buccessfnl,  having  as  much  as  $2,500  for  one  summer's  work.  At 
present  he  gets  only  $600  for  a  season's  work.  He  married  Miss 
Caroline  Marsh  in  1855,  and  they  have  6  children,  all  living  in  this 
tp.,  where  he  spends  the  winter  with  his  family.  Four  of  the  chil- 
dren are  married.  He  has  a  neat  and  substantial  residence  in 
Summer  Hill,  and  12  acres  of  land.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republi- 
can, and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Congregational  Church. 
Mrs.  Brock's  father,  Sherman  Brown,  was  an  early,  settler  of  this 
county. 

David  W.  Deam,  farmer  and  stock-raiser;  is  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Susannah  (Kiser)  Deajn;  his  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  born  in  178^;  his  mother  was  born  in  the  StatQ  of  Ken- 
tucky in  1794;  they  emigrated  with  their  family  to  Ohio  in  an 
early  day,  where  both  of  them  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives; 
they  died  near  Dayton,  O.,  and  were  laid  at  rest  in  Bethel  township, 
Miami  county.  David  W.,  the  subject  of  this  biography,  was  born 
in  Montgomery  county,  0.,  in  1831;  in  1852  he  went  to  Bluffton, 
Mills  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  held  the  position  of  Deputy  County  Clerk 
for  one  year;  he  then  returned  to  the  Buckeye  State  and  remained 
until  1854;  he  was  then  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  C. 
Deal,  who  was  born  in  1831 ;  she  is  the  daughter  of  Philip  and 
Mary  (Boyer)  Deal,  both  natives  of  Maryland.  To  them  have 
been  born  4  children,  3  of  whom  are  living;  Mary  Alice  was  born 
.Jan.  3,  185?^,  in  Montgomery,  0.;  William  Lewis,  born  Sept.  25, 
1856;  Dora  Bell,  Jan.  31,  1858,  died  Feb.  24,1876,  and  Warren 
G.,  born  Jan.  29,  1864.  Wrn.  L.  married  Miss  Capps,  Oct.  9, 
1879,  and  Mary  A.  was  married  to  Uriah  A.  Brock,  March  23, 
1872.  Mr.  Deam  moved  with  his  family  to  Atlas,  this  county,  in 
1856,  first  locating  on  sec.  23,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until 
1867,  when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  a  fine  farm  on  sec.  13.  He 
now  ow::is  240  acres  of  land.  His  residence,  with  ground  attached, 
is  among  tlie  most  beautiful,  tasteful  and  convenient  in  the  county. 
It  is  situated  ^.a  the  outskirts  of  the  pleasant  little  village  of  Sum- 
mer Hill.  Mr.  Deam,  who  is  now  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  dealing  in  fine  graded  stock,  ranks  among  the  more  promi- 
nent, enterprising  and  substantial  citizens  of  Pike  county,  and  as 
one  of  her  representative  citizens  we  present  his  portrait  in  this 
volume. 

James  Brown.  -This  gentleman's  father,  Isaac  Brown,  was  born 
in  March,  1791,  in  Virginia,  moved  to  this  State  in  1828,  and  died 
in  1848;  his  mother  was  Susan  Brown.  The  subject  of  this  notice  was 
one  of  14  children,  and  was  born  in  April,  1833;  in  1856  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  Knapp,  who  was  born  in  June,  1839,  and  their  6  chil- 
dren are,  Zara,  born  in  1857;  Lloyd,  born  in  1859;  George,  born  in 
1862;  Frederic,  born  in  1865,  and  Lilly,  born  in  1872.    Mr.  Brown 

45 


788  HrHTUKY    OF    PIKK    COUNTY. 

has  always  been  a  fanner;  has  been  tn  Oalifornia  twioe.     In  rolig 
ion   he  is  a  (Jniversalist,  and  in  politics  a  Eepublican. 

Mrs.  Susan  J.  Cleveland,  nee  Baxter,  was  born  Aug.  2,  1860 
and  married  Galen  Cleveland  in  1853,  and  of  their  10  children 
only  2  are  living,  both  named  after  their  parents.  Mr.  Baxter  set- 
tled in  Missouri,  where  his  children  had  but  a  very  limited  educa- 
tion. 

J.  H.  Farrington.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Mil- 
ton, this  county,  Aug.  19,  1843,  and  is  a  bon  of  D.  11.  and  Martha 
(Shaw)  Harrington,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  his  father 
of  German  ancestry.  J.  H.  is  the  third  of  a  family  of  10  children, 
all  of  whom  are  boys.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  at  which  business 
he  was  successful.  Both  his  parents  are  living  in  Missouri  at  the 
present  time.  Our  subject  began  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  miller 
with  Francis  Frye  at  the  village  of  Time,  in  1870  ;  they  ran  the 
mill  in  partnership  until  Nov.  26,  1876,  when  it  was  destroyed  by 
fire,  at  a  loss  to  them  of  $10,000.  February  of  the  following  year 
he  came  to  Summer  Plill  and  became  a  partner  of  the  firm  of  Peters 
&  Co.  Their  mill  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county,  does  an  exten- 
sive local  trade,  and  has  a  good  reputation.  Their  favorite  brand 
of  flour  is  the  "  Golden  Eule."  April  10,  1863,  he  was  married  to 
Jeannette  Farrington,  who  was  born  July  18,  1845 ;  their  only 
child,  Thomas  Yirgil,  was  born  in  1865.  In  politics  Mr.  F.  is  a 
Democrat.  He  served  as  Supervisor  for  Hardin  tp.  for  the  years 
1875-76. 

James  H.  Ferguson,  druggist,  Summer  Hill,  was  born  in  Pike 
county,  March  27,  1855;  his  fathei',  James  11.  Ferguson,  isanntive 
of  Ireland,  and  his  mother,  Ann  Eliza  (Dodge)  Ferguson,  a  native 
of  Georgia.  James  H.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
Pike  county,  Pittsfleld  High  School,  and  Eureka  College;  until  he 
arrived  at  the  age  of  22  he  was  engaged  in  farming;  lie  then  went 
to  Nebo  and  engaged  in  the  study  of  medicine  for  a  time,  after 
which  he  bought  a  stock  of  drugs  at  GriggsvilJo,  and  also  has  an 
interest  in  another  store  in  the  same  town.  In  1879  he  came  to 
Summer  Hill  and  started  a  drug  store,  the  only  one  in  the  place.  The 
grandfather  of  our  subject  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  State. 
His  father,  who  was  a  graduate  as  a  civil  engineer,  in  Europe,  came 
to  Pike  county  in  an  early  day,  served  as  County  Surveyor,  and  held 
that  position  until  he  died,  in  1863.  He  was  the  owner  of  between 
500  and  600  acres  of  land  at  the  time. 

Solomon  Greengard  was  born  Sept.  14,  1830,  and  is  a  native  of 
Poland;  he  learned  the  trade  of  blacksmith  in  his  native  country, 
but  is  now  engaged  in  selling  tin-ware,  furs,  raigs,  etc.  In  1840  he 
was  married  to  Esth  Rachell.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  them, 
4  of  whom  are  living,  1  boy  and  3  girls. 

O.  M.  Ga/rner,  farmer,  sec.  10;  P.  0.,  Summer  Hill;  is  a  son  of 
Jonathan  and  Mary  (N  ewnham)  Garner,  the  former  a  native  of 
North  Carolina  and'the  latter  of  South  Carolina.  Our  subject  was 
born  in  Kentucky  in  1829,  and,  was  early  brought  to  this  county, 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  Y89 

where  he  received  a  good  common-school  education.  His  parents 
came  to  the  county  in  1840  and  settled  10  miles  west  of  Pittsfield. 
He  married  th-e  first  time  in  1856,  and  the  second  time,  1869,  he 
married  Oaroiine  McOlintock,  by  whom  he  has  had  4  children:  lie 
had  one  by  his  first  wife.  He  and  his 'present  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church;  he  is  a  Eepublican.  lie  has  260 
acres  of  land. 

James  <?ffly,  farmer,  sec.  12;  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill;  was  born  Feb. 
6, 1814,  in  Iredell  county,  N.  C,  and  is  a  sou  of  William  and  Anna 
(Rutledge)  Gay,  father  a  native  of  the  same  county  and  mother  a 
native  of  llowan  county,  N.  C,  both  of  Irish  ancestry.  His 
chances  being  very  poor  in  a  Southern  State,  he  came  to  Pike 
county.  111.,  where  he  graduated  in  a  log  cabin  14  by  14,  in  Pleas- 
ant Hill  tp.,  in  1834.  In  1839  he  married  Amelia  Yokem,  and 
they  have  had  9  children,  8  of  whom  are  living.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Gay  are  members  of  the  Congregational  Church.  Mr.  Gay  has 
been  a  itarmer  all  his  life,  and  coming  to  Pike  county  in  Feb., 
1834,  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  in  Atlas  tp.  The  first  night  he 
staid  in  Pike  couTity  he  had  only  half  money  enough  to  pay  his 
bill,  which  was  37^  cents.  Besides  this  he  had  a  horse  worth  $15, 
which  was  all  the  earthly  possession  he  could  call  his  own  at  that 
time.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  660  acres  of  land  in  Pike  county, 
and  has  an  interest  in  several  other  tracts  of  land.  AH  his  sons 
live  in  this  county  and  all  are  married,  the  eldest  of  whom  owns 
480  acres  of  land. 

William  H.  Gay,  farmer,  sec.  9;  P.  0.,  Rockport;  was  born  in 
this  tp.,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Amelia  (Yokem)  Gay,  above 
mentioned;  he  attended  the  common  schools  of  this  county  and 
began  teaching  at  the  age  of  18  years.  He  enlisted  May  4,  1861, 
in  the  16tli  111.  Inf.,  serving  as  Corporal  of  Co.  K,  and  participated 
in  all  the  battles  that  the  regiment  was  engaged  in  ;  he  was  dis- 
charged June  12,1864.  In  1867  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Elizabeth  Shinn,  and  to  them  have  been  born  5  children,  4  sons 
and  a  daughter.  Mr.  Gay  is  the  owner  of  480  acres  of  land,  320 
of  which  are  in  Pike  county. 

John  Ilelkey  was  born  on  the  German  ocean  in  December,  1848; 
was  united  in  marriage  with  Fanny  Adams,  who  was  born  in  July, 
1859.  In  1870,  Aug.  2d,  of  that  year,  a  son,  Charlie,  was  born  to 
them.  He  has  engaged  some  in  railroading,  but  at  present  is  fol- 
lowing blacksmithing  and  wagon -making,  which  he  expects  to 
continue  the  rest  of  his  life.  His  wife  received  a  good  common- 
school  education,  and  attended  the  Pittsfield  high  school. 

James  8.  Johnson  was  born  in  Pike  county  in  1846,  and  is  a  son 
of  Elisha  T.  and  Catherine  (Cook)  Johnson,  of  New  Jersey.  James 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  this  county,  engaged 
in  farming  and  coopering,  and  in  1864  enlisted  in  the  7th  111.  Inf., 
under  Capt,  Hubbard.  In  1865  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Eliza  Ann  Waters;  2  of  the  4  children  born  to  them  are  living. 
His  father,  who  was  a  moulder  in  early  life,  came  to  Pike  county 


790  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

in  1838,  and  engaged  in  farming ;  his  mother  died  in  1867,  and  his 
father  in  1873. 

Henry  A.  Long  was  born  July  6,  1774,  and  Emeline  Green 
March  4,  1804;  the  two  were  united  in  marriage  Aug.  .*>,  1822-  to 
them  were  born  5  sons  and  3  daughters.  Kennedy  Long  w.as  born 
March  14,  1826,  and  Oct.  13,  1852,  married  Phoebe  J.  Roasa,  who 
was  born  June  27,  1832;  by  this  union  5  children,, all  boys,  were 
born:  Henry  A.,  born  Jan.  21,  1854,  William  J.,  July  26,  1855, 
George  .P.,  Oct.  5,  1865,  L.  E.,  born  Nov.  14,  1868,  and  Philip 
E.,  Feb.  13, 1874.  Mr.  L.  came  here  with  his  parents  in  1831,  and 
located  in  Atlas,  then  the  county-seat  of  Pike  county.  He  has  been 
a  great  fisherman  and  at  the  present  lives  in  .the  oldest  house  in 
Atlas,  and  consequently  the  oldest  in  the  county.  The  floor  is  of 
puncheons,  hewed  on  one  side  and  rip-saVed,  and  is  still  of  good 
quality.  Mrs.  Long  is  a  member  of  the  M..E.  Church,  while  Mr. 
Long  is  liberal  toward  all  the  churches,  and  is  a  Republican. 

Mrs.  Lucia  Mace,  nee  Chamberlain,  was  born  June  27, 1826,  and 
in  1837  was.  brought  to  Illinois,  \^here  she  received  a  common- 
school  education;  Aug.  4,  1842,  she  married  John  Mace,  and  their 
3  children  are  D.  H.,  I).  A.  and  Kate.  Mr.  Mace  served  18  months 
in  the  Mexican  war.  "While  in  health  he  followed  carpentering. 
Mrs.  Mace  owns  good  property  in  the  village  of  Rockport. 

Rev.  O.  E.  Marsh  was  born  in  New  York,  March  4, 1837,  and  is 
a  son  of  James  and  Emeline  (Allen)  Marsh,  of  English  ancestry. 
He  attended  the  common  schools,  entered  Knox  College  at  Gales- 
burg,  where  he  remained  3  years,  and  alsp  graduated  at  Wheaton 
College,  111.,  near  Chicago.  His  father  during  his  early  life  was  a 
silversmith,  but  after  he  came  to  this  county,  which  was  in  1844,  he 
engaged  in  fa,rming.  Our  subject  passed  his  early  life  on  a  farm, 
but  since  he  graduated  in  1860  be  has  not  followed  that  vocation. 
At  the  age  of  21  he  united  with  the  Congregational  Church  at 
Galesburg,  111.;  in  Oct.,  1868,  he  was  installed  Pastor  at  Sum- 
mer Hill;  at  that  time  the  membership  was  60,  but  at  present 
numbers  116;  most  of  the  accessions  were  made  during  two  re- 
vivals, one  held. in  1873-4,  when  48  were  added,  the  other  in  1879- 
80,  when  39  joined  the  Church.  In  1860  Rev.  Marsh  was  united 
in  marriage  with  Belle  Robinson;  to  them  have  been  born  7  chil- 
dren, 5  sons  and  2  daughters,  the  two  latter  of  whom  are  deceased. 

Jonathan  Miller  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  married  Re- 
becca Span,  Sept.  7,  1824,  in  Indiana;  to  them  were  born  10  chil- 
dren: Calvin,  Luther,  Moses,  Houston,  Samuel,  James,  Jonathan, 
Mary  Jane,  Emeline,  Florence, — all  of  whom  are  married  except  the 
two  youngest.  ^ 

Moses  S.  Miller.  Jonathan  Miller,  his  father,  was  born  Aug. 
13,  1801,  and  his  mother,  Rebecca  (Span)  Miller,  was  born  in  1808. 
Mosss  S.  was  born  June  3, 1887;  the  same  year  his  parents  came 
to  this^State;  he  was  united  in  marriage  in  1856  with  Elizabeth 
Guthrie,  who  was  born  in  Missouri,  in  1831;  of  the  4  children  born 
to  them  only  one  is  living,  Julia  E.,  who  was  born  in  1857.    He 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  V91 

JB  engaged  in  farming,  began  with  no  other  help  but  his  own  hands, 
bat  now  owns  a  good  farm. 

Henry,  Morse,  farmer,  sec.  13;  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill;  was  born 
in  Boston,  Mass.,  April  2,  1817,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary 
(Fox)  Morse;  he  obtained  the  principal  part  of  his  education  at 
North-Wilbraham  Academy,  Mass.  Mr.  M.  has  been  thrice  mar- 
ried. He  united  with  his  present  wife,  Margaret  Jane  Smithers,  in 
1855;  she  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  At  the  age  of  16 
TSlr.  M.  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner,  and 
has  worked  successfully  at  it  for  many  years.  He  came  to  Pike 
county  from  Massachusetts  in  1834,  and  settled  at  Kockport;  he 
now  lives  on  a  farm  on  sec.  13,  6  S.,  5  W.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  D,  3d  Mo.  Inf.,  and  served  till  the  expiration  of  the  term. 

H.  Peters,  miller  at  Summer  Hill,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania, 
July  25,  1829;.  his  parents,  James  and  Infancy  (Culver)  Peters, 
were  natives  of  Canada  and  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  Our  sub- 
ject received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Wisconsin, 
attended  the  high  school  at  Beloit,  and  also  took  a  course  of  book- 
keeping. He  served  an  apprenticeship  at  blacksmithing  in  the 
same  town,  and  worked  6  years  in  a  plow  factory;  in  1849  he  came 
to  Quincy,  111.,  where  he  worked,  in  a  plow  factory  for  2  years, 
when  he  married  Elizabeth  Conyers;  they  then  lived  in  P^ilmyra, 
Mo.,  six  years,  when  they  removed  to  Pike  county,  where  they 
have  since  remained;  For  10  years  he  continued  the  manufacture 
of  plows,  when  he  sold  out  and  embarked  in  the  milling  business, 
and  is  now  of  the  firm  of  Peters  &  Co.,  millei-s.  Summer  Hill. 
Politically  he  is  a  Greenbacker,  and  a  'prominent  member  of  his 
party.  He  is  onp  of  the  two  delegates  from  Pike  county,  chosen 
in  March,  1880,  to  nominate  a  Greenback  candidate  for  the  Presi- 
dency. In  politics,  as  in  his  business,  he  is  energetic  and  well 
.posted  in  the  history  of  the  country  and  of  the  various  political 
parties.     He  has  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  3  years. ' 

Carson  JV.  Supert  wslb  born  in  1854,  and  is  a  farmer,  sec.  27; 
P.  0.,  Atlas;  Oct.  18,  1876,  he  was  nnited  in  raarria1s;e  with  Miss 
Mary  E.  Adams, ^who  was  born  in  1855;  and  they  have  one  child, 
a  girl. 

George  Schwartz  was  born  in  Switzerland  in  1813 ;  when  at  the 
age  of  20  he  emigrated  to  America;  his  parents,  Andrew  and  Mary 
Ann  (Shoemaker)  Schwartz,  were  "also  natives  of  Switzerland.  He 
attended  school  from  the  time  he  was  6  years  old  till  he  was  18,  and 
received  a  good  German  education;  he  never  attended  school  in 
America  any,  but  can  read  and  write  English  with  ease.  He 
located  in  Atlas  tp.  in  1833;  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life,  and 
worked  the  first  tvnS  years  after  he  arrived  here  by  the  month,  the 
first  year  receiving  $7,  and  the  second  year  $8  per  month .  He  was 
nnited  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Gay  in  1838,  and  of  the  5 
children  born  to  them  4  are  living.  James  Gay,  spoken  of  above, 
and  our  subject,  kept  bachelor's  hall  for  three  years  after  his  ar- 
rival here;  they  were  then  poor  boys,  but  are  to-day  leading  citi- 


792  HISTOEY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

zens  of  the  county.  Mr.  S.  owns  254  acres  of  land  in  Atlas  tp., 
and  has  a  handsome  and  substantial  residence  in  Summer  Hill. 
He  has  held  local  offices  in  this  tp.,  been  Sunday-school  Superin- 
tendent, Trustee  and  Deacon  in  the  Summer  Hill  Congregational 
church,  and  prominent  in  all  the  affairs  of  his  community. 

Dt.  Q.  W.  Schwartz,  Summer  Hill,  was  born  Feb.  17,  1846,  alid 
is  a  son  of  George  Schwartz,  above  mentioned.  The  Doctor  is  a 
graduate  of  the  St.  Louis  Medical  College,  and  began*  practice  in 
the  spring  of  1874  in  Milton,  Mo.,  and,  like  most  young  doctors, 
labored  under  many  disadvantages.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he 
removed  to  Summer  Hill,  where  he  has  built  up  a  fair  practice. 

G.  J.  Shaw,  Summer  Hill,  was  born  in  Massachusetts  Feb.  2, 
1816,  and  is  a  son  of  Walter  and  Marcia  (Cadwell)  Shaw,  the  form- 
er a-  native  of  Massachusetts,  and  of  Scottish  descent;  he  came  to 
Pike  county  in  1836,  and  settled  at  Atlas;  he  left  iiis  home  in 
Massachusetts  in  1832,  went  to  the  West  Indies,  thence  to  New 
Orleans,  and  then  to  Missouri.  He  learned  the  carpenter  and  join- 
er's trade,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  farming,  now  owning  300 
acres  of  land.  In  the  early  days  it  was  quite  difficult  to  get  money 
enough  to  pay  his  taxes.  The  principal  circulating  medium  was 
coon-skins.  He  had  only  $100,  when  he  was  married,  and  made 
his  start  by  making  window  sash.  He  tells  us  that  most  of  the 
land  between  Summer  Hill' and  Pittsfield  was  bought  for  $1.25  an 
acre.  He  further  says  that  it  was  no  uncommon  tiling  to  see  a 
crop  sell  for  more  than  the  land  cost.  Mr.  S.  was  married  in  1837 
to  Sophia  Kennedy,  and  to  them  have  been  born  5  children,  all  of 
whom  are  living. 

Henry  L.  Shaw,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill  ;  was  born 
Feb.  3,  1837,  within  300  yards  of  where  he  nov  lives,  and  is  a  son 
of  Luther  and  A.  B.  (Bemiss)  Shaw,  natives  of  Massachusetts;  at- 
tended the  public  school  some;  when  he  was  15  years  of  age  his. 
father  died  (1852),  leaving  the  care  of  a  large  family  on  him;  there 
were  10  children,  of  whom  Henry  was  the  eldest.  In  1872  he  mar- 
ried Mary  A.  Davis,  and  of  their  3  children  2  are  living.  Mr. 
Shaw  is  a  Republican,  and  both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Congregational  Church.  He  has  been  a  successful  farmer,  now 
owning  267  acres  of  land  in  this  county. 

M.  0.  Shaw,  farmer,  sec.  12;  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill;  was  born  July 
30,  1814,  in  Massachusetts,  and  is  the  -son  of  Solomon  and  Persis 
(Colon)  Shaw,  natives'also  of  Massachusetts,  and  father  a  farmer;^ 
the  subject  of  this  notice  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
the  Bay  State.  In  1836  he  married  Sarah  Andrews,  and  of  their  3 
children  2  are  living,— Charles  H.,  George  and  Eva  Myrtie,  deceased. 
Mr.  Shaw  came  to  Pike  county  in  1840,  and  th'^  foil  owing,  year  he 
settled  on  sec.  12,  where  he  now  owns  50  acres  of  land,  and  is  out 
of  debt.  He  has  worked  at  shoemaking  several  years.  In  1862 
both  his  boys  enlisted  in  Co.  A,  99th  111.  Inf.,  under  Capt  Edwards; 
George  W.  was  wounded  at  the  grand  charge  at  Yicksburg,  by  a 
shot  in  the  leg;  Clmrles  was  Sergeant,  and  the  boys  were  in  all  the 


HISTOEY   OF   PIKE   COUNTY,  793 

battles  in  which  the  Regiment  was  engaged,     Mr.  Shaw  has  been 
Collector,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

Luoim  W.  Shaw,  farmer,  sec.  12  ;  P.  O.,  Summer  Hill ;  was 
born  in  this  county  in  1839,  and  is  a  son  of  George  J.  and  Sophia 
(Kinney)  Shaw,  father  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  mother  of 
i^^ew  York,  and  both  of  English  descent;  he  obtained  a  common- 
gchool  education  in  this  county.  In  1864  he  married  Anna  M. 
Barney,  who  died  in  1874;  of  their  offspring  one  child  is  still  liv- 
ing; in  1875  Mr.  S.  married  Maria  Shaw,  and  they  have  3  children, 
all  living.  In  1862  Mr,  Shaw  enlisted  in  the  famous  Pike  county 
Regiment,  No.  99,  in  (Jo.  C,  under  Oapt.  Matthews,  and  was  elect- 
ed 2d  Lieutenant,  and  in  a  short  time  he  became  Ist  Lieutenant; 
he  was  in  five  battles  and  several  skirmishes;  in  1863  he  resigned 
on  account  of  sickness.  His  early  occupation  was  teaching  and 
farming.  Since  the  war  he  has  kept  store  some  of  the  time  and 
pursued  farming.  He  owns  190  acres  of  good  land.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  has  been  School  Trustee,  Tovra  Clerk  and  Justice  of 
the  Peace;  and  being  a  member  of  the  Congregational  Church,  he 
has  been  also  Deacon  and  Sunday-school  Superintendent,  the  latter 
for  10  years.     His  wife  is  also  a  member  of  the  same  Church. 

Hiram  Smith,  a  native  of  Madison  county,  111.,  where  he  was 
born  in  1830;  he  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  in  1861  enlisted  in 
Co.  D,  28tii  111.  Inf,in  the  United  States  service  to  defend  his  coun- 
try ;  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  he  was  shot  through  the  neck,  which 
proved  nearly  fatal;  he  partially  recovered  and  was  in  several  small 
skirmishes,  and  was  in  the  hard-fought  battles  of  Pea  Ridge  and 
Hatchie;  in  the  latter  battle  he  received  two  wounds,  one  from  a 
minie  ball  and  the  other  from  a  large  piece  of  shell ;  he  was  then 
consigned  to  a  hospital,  and  from  there  sent  to  Keokuk,  Iowa, 
where,  Jan.  2,  1863,  he  was  discharged.  He  was  married  Oct.  8, 
1863,  and  he  has  two  children,  H.  E.  and  James  W.  H. 

Edwin  C.  Tryon,  deceased,  was  born  in  1830  in  Connecticut, 
and  died  in  1872.  His  wife,  Louisa  B.  (Buell)  Tryon,  was  born  in 
New  York  city  in  1839;  they  were  united  in  marriage  in  1859;  to 
them  were  born  2  sons,  one  in  1861  and  one  in  1870.  Miss  Chris- 
tian R.  Rapp  was  married  to  Henry  Bnell,  of  New  York  city,  Jan. 
2,  1873;  by  this  marriage  one  son  was  born.  Her  parents  and 
grandparents  lived  to  a  good  old  age.     Slie  was  born  Aug,  6,  1818. 

G.  W.  Turnbaugh,  furmer,  sec.  23;  P.  0.,  Summer  Hill;  is  a  son 
of  Joseph  and  Luckey  (Rodgers)  Turnbaugh,  both  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky; he  received  his  education  in  the  subscription  schools  held 
in  the  old  log  school-houses  in  this  county;  in  1856  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Elizabeth  Shinn,  daughter  of  Daniel  Shinn,  one  of  the  very 
first  pioneers  in  this  county.  Mr.  T.  was  born  in  this  county  in 
1832,  and  has  lived  all  his  life  within  5  miles  of  where  he  was  born. 

Aha  8.  Warren,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Geneseo  county,  N.  Y., 
where  he  was  born  May  21,  1851.  Dec.  20,  1875,  Mr.  W.  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Hattie  A.,  daughter  of  J.  G.  Adams; 
she  was  born  in  1852.      Laura,  t>ieir  daughter,  was  born  Dec.  22 


794  HISTORY    OE'    PIKE    COUNTY. 

1877.     Mrs.  W.  attended  the  Metliodist  College  at  Jacksonville 
one  year,  Liberty  School,  Mo.,  and  the  Pittslield  high  school. 

John  M.  Williams  was  born  in  the  State  of  Ohio  in  1835,  and  is 
the  son  of  Richard  and  Theresa  Ann  (Thomas)  Williams,  father  of 
Welsh  and  mother  of  American  parents,  and  both  natives  of  the 
Buckeye  State;  he  came  to  Pike  county  in  1842,  and  has  resided 
in  Summer  Hill  10  years,  and  in  the  vicinity  for  30  yeajs.  He  has 
engaged  in  farming,  and  also  is  a  shoemaker.  In  1856  he  was 
united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Petty,  who  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


ROSS  TOWNSHIP. 

This  is  a  fractional  township,  and  was  formed  from  Atlas  town- 
ship in  18Y9.  It  includes  that  part  of  Atlas  known  as  7  south  and 
5  west.  Since  the  building  of  the  levee  much  of  the  heretofore" 
worthless  farm  land  has  been  put  under  cultivation. 

This  township  being  a  part  of  Atlas  from  the  earliest  period  of 
county  government  until  the  past  season,  its  history,  of  course,  is 
likewise  a  part  of  the  history  of  that  township.  As  a  township  of 
itself  it  has  no  history.     It  was  named  in  honor  of  Col.  Wm.  Koss. 

We  mention  the  following  prominent  gentlemen  of  this  neigh- 
borhood : 

Jesse  Long,  i&i'mer,  sec  1;  P.  O.,  Pleasant  Hill;  was  born  in 
Maryland,  May  14, 1823,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Emeline  (Green) 
Long,  father  a  native  of  Ireland  and  mother  of  Delaware;  was  edu- 
cated in  the  subscription  schools  of  this  county.  In  1850  he  mar- 
ried Caroline  liamsay,  and  of  the  9  children  which  they  had,  7  are 
living, — 4  boys  and  3  girls.  Coming  to  Pike'county  in  the  winter 
of  the  deep  snow,  Mr.  Long  has  been  a  citizen  here  half  a  cen- 
tury, and  has  witnessed  the  many  and  wonderful  changes  which  the 
country  has  passed  through.  When  he  first  came'  here  Indians 
were  still  around  and  deer  were  more  numerous  than  cattle  are  at 
the  present  day.  He  has  lived  on  his  present  farm  for  48  years. 
He  ownl  300  acres  of  land.  In  politics  he  is  a  "Kepublican,  and 
his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

F.  M.  Yokem,  farmer  and  carpenter,  sec.  1 ;  P.  O.,  Pleasant 
Hill;  was  born  in  Lincoln  connty.  Mo.,  in  1831,  and  is  the  son  of 
Solomon  and  Elizabeth  (Butler)  Yokem,  father  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  mother  of  Kentucky,  both  of  German  descent;  was  brought  to 
Pike  county.  111.,  in  1833  ;  was  educated  in  the  subscription  schools 
of  this  county;  in  1855  lie  married  Zerilda  Starr,  and  of  their  6 
children  only  2  are  living.  In  an  early  day  Mr.  Yokem  has  seen 
many  bears  and  deer  ;  has  seen 'as  many  as  100  deer  in  one  gang. 
He  has  been  successful  in  business,  and  now  owns  220  acres  of 
land.     Politically  he  is  a  Greenbacker. 


BAURY  TOWNSHIP. 

The  beauties  of  nature  as  presented  by  tliis  townsliip  to  Rev. 
David  Edwar'ds  and  Mr.  liadley,  the  first  settlers  of  Barry,  mnst 
have  been  magnificent.  Prior  to  tlitur  coining  not  even  a  tnrrow 
of  its  virgin  soil  or  even  a  spadeful  of  its  earth  (except  bv 
United  States  surveyors)  had  over  been  turned  by  man;  nor  even  a 
shanty  erected  except  the  rude  wigwam  of  the  Indians,  who  had 
for  many  years  roamed  free  and  undisturbed  over  these  fertile 
prairies  and  through  the  pleasant  groves.  Such  was  the  condition 
of  the  face  of  Barry  township  when  visited  by  the  above  named 
gentlemen  in  1824.     Mr.  Iladley  settled  on  sec.  21, 

Soon  after  these  men  came  tliere  appeared  licv.  Wm.  M.  Blair 
and  his  sons.  Those  who  afterward  took  an  important  part  in 
the  history  of  the  county,  were  John  N.,  Harry,  Samuel,  Mont- 
gomery and  "William  Blair,  Ilezekiah  McAfee,  Alfred  Grnbb  and 
Elijah  L.  McAfee.  Other  early  pilgrims  here  wore  Hull,  Taloott, 
Josiah  and  William  Lippincott,  and  old  man  Peabody,  who  died 
shortly  after  he  came.  Also,  Stephen  P.  Gray,  old  man  Rush, 
Burton  Gray,  John  Millhizer,  Levi  McDaniels  and  many  others 
whom  we  mention  during  the  personal  sketches.  Most  of  the 
above  mentioned  came  prior  to  or  during  the  year  1830.  Besides 
the  foregoing  there  were  Benj.  Barney,  who  came  to  Atlae^in  1826, 
Michael  and  Alonzo  Qard,  who  came  the  same  year,  as  also  did  W. 
L.  Chrysup.  A.  0.  Baker  came  in  1827,  Esq.  Joseph  Mclntire  in 
1831,  Wm.  McDaniels  in  1835,  N.  P.  Hart  in  1838,  Elisha  Hurt 
and  J.  L.  Gilmer  in  1S3!).  These  wore  all  excellent  settlers,  men 
of  more  than  average  ability,  as  shown  in  tiie  subsequent  career  of 
most  of  them. 

Wild  game  was  in  great  abundance  when  the  pioneers  first 
came.  Mr.  McDaniels  fells  us  he  has  seen  as  many  as  45  deer  in 
one  herd.  We  were  told  that  deer  were  so  numerous  and  tame 
that  they  were  known  to  enter  the  cabins  of  settlers,  and  were  killed 
with  axes  and  ctidgels. 

These  pioneers  were  employed,  as  were  all  pioneers  of  the  day, 
in  subduing  nature,  building  cabins,  clearing  land,  breaking  prairie, 
etc.,  but  with  all  this  labor  they  were  social  and  happy,  having  a 
care  fpr  the  morals  and  education  of  their  growing  families,  and 
making  for  the  time  one  of  the  pleasantest  settlements  in  the  new 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.      -  797 

and  growing  State.  There  were  displaj-ed  among  the  settlers  more 
than  the  usual  amount  of  warm-hearted  friendship  and  neighborly 
affection.  All  were  equal  in  social  station  and  dignity.  Fashion 
was  not'then  the  inexorable  goddess  we  are  accustomed  to  meet  in 
these  modern  days.  The  pioneers  were  proud  to  be  attired  in 
homespun  woven  by  the  busy  housewife  of  the  period,  while  such 
a  thing  as  a  carriage' or  buggy  was  unknown,  in  Barry.  Mr.  Mc- 
Daniels  tells  us  that  from  his  place  there  was  a  pathway  across  the 
prairie,  but  for  a  time  after  he  came  not  the  track  of  a  wagon 
could  be  seen, — indeed,  there  was  no  sucli  vehicle  in  the  township. 
Husbands  we»t  to  church  on  foot.  The  wives  rade  tlie  liorses, 
carrying  with  them  such  of  the  children  as  were  too  young  to  make 
their  way  by  walking.  If  the  good  wife  was  clad  in  a  calico  of 
durable  texture  and  fast  color,  she  was  as  happy  as  the  fine  ladies 
of  to-day,  robed  in  velvets  and  seal-skins.  The  religion  ot  the 
time  favored  a  very  rigid  and  severe  adherence  to  plain  and  un- 
adorned attire,  and  made,  as  it  would  almost  seem  to  us,  rather  a 
virtue  of  a  necessity,  although  a  few  years  later,  with  the  rapid 
accumulation  of  wealth,  display  was  rendered  a  matter  of  easy 
accomplishment.  We  now  find,  however,  large  numbers  of  pio- 
neers, from  motives  of  principle,  refraining  as  carefully  from  anj^ 
vain  show  or  unnecessary  ornament  as  they  did  in  the  primitive 
times  of  which  we  are  now  writing. 

The  earliest  pioneers,  those  who  came  prior  to  1830,  could  not 
obtain  a  legal  title  to  their  farms,  as  the  General  Government  did 
not  ofler  the  land  for  sale  before  that.  Before  that  time  all  tlie 
land  was  held  by  "  claims."  The  settlers  had  an  agreement 
among  themselves  by  which  they  allowed  a  man  to  "  claim  "  about 
as  much  timber  lar.d  as  he  might  need,  generally  not  over  160  acres, 
upon  which  he  might  build  his  cabin  and  make  his  other  improve- 
ments;,and  woe  unto  the  speculator  or  new-comer  who  should  at- 
tempt to  "claim  "  land  already  occupied  by  a  bona- fide  settler. 
Much  of  the  land  in  Barry  was  taken  by  those  claimants  before 
the  land  came  into  market.  These  claims  were  bought  and  sold, 
the  purchaser  coming  into  possession  of  the  improvements,  to- 
gether witli, whatever  rights  were  considered  appertaining  thereto. 
Many  quarrels  ensued  from  this  state  of  affairs,  as  might  naturally 
be  expected. 

When  the  land  sales  came  off  in  October,  1829,  at  Vandalia, 
there  was  a  gathering  of  pioneers  from  the  township  offered  for 
sale,  at  which  no  speculator  was  allowed  to  purchase  until  all  set- 
tlers had  made  their  selections, — rather  a  high-handed  proceeding, 
as  it  would  now  appear,  but  one  which  was  justified  by  the  exist- 
ing circumstances. 

■  "The  first  person  visited  by  the  cold  hand  of  death  in  this  town- 
ship  was  Mrs.  Amanda  Davis,  who  died  in  1831,  a  daughter  of  Eev. 
Wm.  Blair.  The  first  birth  was  a  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Lucy 
Blair,  the  first  couple  married  in  the  township. 

Barry  is  settled  by  an  excellent  class  of  agriculturists,  many  of 


798  ■         HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

wliom  we  make  personal  mention  of,  further  on  in  this  sketch.  The 
township  is  beautifully  divided  between  prairie  and  timber,  well 
watered,  the  soil  fertile  and  rich,  and  is  both  an  excellent  grain  and 
stock  country.  •       '  ^    " 

A  doctor  named  Ludley,  who  lived  in  the  bottom,  was  the  first 
physician  in  the  township.  The  earliest  doctors  were  about  all 
Thomsonians. 

BAEEY. 


This  city  is  beautifully  situated  on  the  north  half  of  sec.  25, 
and  upon  an  enainence  commanding  a  fine  view  of  the  surrounding 
country.  For  miles  either  way  there  is  presented  to  the  eye  a 
grand  panorama  of  nature's  beauteous  handiwork,  changed,  it  is 
true,  by  the  hand  of  man  from  what  it  was  half  a  century  ago,  yet 
a  charming  scene  it  is  to-day.  Where  once  grew  the  tall,  verdant 
prairie  grass  the  eye  now  beholds  waving  fields  of  corn,  wheat  and 
other  cereals.  The  wild  flowers  that  gave  to  the  dead  monotony  of 
undulating  grass  a  charm,  and  a  beauty  unrivaled  in  grandeur  by  any 
of  the  tine  scenes  now  presented  by  growing  fields,  have  long  since 
faded  away.  These  only  exist  in  the  memories  of  the  pioneers 
yet,  surviving.  These  tell  us  that  the  magnificence  and  beauty  of 
the  prairies  as  seen  in  their  native  condition,  can  never  be  ade- 
quately pictured  by  language. 

During  the  period  of  the  great  internal  improvement  system  of 
Illinois,  which  we  have  so  frequently  alluded  to,  and  during  which 
time  so  many  towns  were  platted  in  this  county,  as  well  as  all  over 
the  State,  the  city  ofjBarry  sprung  into  existence.  Fortunately,  it 
has  fared  better  than  many  of  the  other  towns  projected,  even  in 
Pike  county,  for  it  has  assumed  rank  among  the  small  cities  of 
this  p*"t  of  Illinois,  while  many  have  been  long  since  pronounced 
dead,  or  that  they  had  obtained  their  greatest  growth.  Barry  was 
laid  out  by  Calvin  R.  Stone,  of  the  firm  of  Stone,  Field  &  Marks, 
of  St.  Louis,  and  christened  "Worcester."  Mr.  Stone  was  killed 
by  the  explosion  of  the  boat  "  Montezuma,"  on  the  Mississippi.  It 
was  found  that  there  was  another  town  by  that  name  in  the  State, 
so  Worcester  was  changed  to  .Barry.  Mr.  Brown,  who  Jiad  lived  in 
Barre,  Vt.,  suggested  that  it  be  called  after  that  town.  A  petition 
to  this  effect  was  drawn  up  by  Dr.  Baker,  who  printed  the  name 
■  Barre  in  large  Roman  letters,  but  the  enrolling  clerk  spelled  it  with 
a  final  y,.  instead  of  an  e.  That  was  the  name,  however,  of  the 
Postmaster-General  under  President  Jackson,  so  it  was  accepted 
and  has  since  been  known  by  it. 

Bartlett  &  Birdsong,  who  laid  out  Barry,  as  the  agents  for  Stone, 
the  owner  of  the  land,  kept  the  first  store  in  the  place.  This  was 
in  a  little  log  cabin.  Stone,  Field  &  Marks  erected  a  mill  here  to 
grind  tlie  grain  for  the  settlers.  This  was  sold  to  Brown  &  Mc- 
Tucker,  in  1836.  In  1837  a  grist  mill  was  run  by  Mason  &  Ed- 
wards. It  was  a  little  overshot  water-mill,  located  in  a  log  building 
where  the  woolen   factory  now  stands.     The  next  one  below  it,  on 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.    '  799 

Hadley  creek,  was  by  Wm.  Lippincott..  B.  D.  Brown  and  Josiah 
Lippincott  erected  a  saw-mill  in  1838,  northeast  of  the  Public  Square, 
which  was  burned.  The  second  mill  was  erected  by  Isaac  Israel 
in  1845.  He  ran  it  three  or  four  years.  He  also  packed  pork,  and 
it  was  surrounded  by  18  dwellings,  a  pork  house,  3  large  stores  and 
a-saw  mill.  He  mortgaged  it  and  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  J. 
Clines;  arid  finally  Brown  &  McTucker  owned  it.  In  a  cave,  lo- 
cated where  the  woolen  factory  was  built  by  Wike  Brothers,  the 
skeleton  of  a  human  body  was  found  in  1841,  when.the  cave  was 
open^d.  Water-power  was  secured  from  the  water  that  came  from 
this  cave.  It  is  a  natural  curiosity,  and  has  been  entered  for  about 
300  yards.  The  source  of  the  water  above  mentioned  was  always 
unknown.     It  is  affected  by  the  rise  and  fall  of  water  in  the  streams. 

John  Grubb  and  Mr.  Wike,  while  improving  the  factory,  were 
quarrying  rocks  and  came  across  a  den  of  rattlesnakes  of  the  larg- 
est kindj  of  which  they  killed  great  numbers,  from  which  fact  this 
place  is  called  "  Snake  Holler  "  to  this  day. 

The  first  tavern  in  Barry  was  kept  by  Johnny  DeHaven.  The 
first  postmaster  was  Stephen  K.  Gray. 

The  Methodists  were  the  first  denomination  of  religious  people 
to  become  established  here,  and  erect  a  house  of  worship.  The 
Baptists  were  second,  who  built  a  church  about  the  same  time.  The 
building  is  now  torn  away.  The  Christians  were  third,  and  the 
Congregatiohalists  fourth. 

In  the  fall  of  '37  a  camp-meeting  was  held  near  Levi  McDariiels' 
farm-house,  which  lasted  12  days.  This,  it  is  said,  was  supported 
by  people  of  all  denominations,  and  all  were  united  in  the  great 
work.  Qui'te  a  number  joined  the  Church  during  this  meeting.  In 
1888  another  was  held  in  the  same  place.  Settlers  came  from  a 
distance  of  30  to  40  miles  to  attend  these  meetings. 

The  first  school  was  taught  in  the  Methodist  church  by  Deacon 
Mason.  Then  there  was  a  little  frame  school-house  erected  north 
of  Bright's  salQon.  It  was  moved  several  times  afterward,  and  a 
difiBrence  of  opinion  exists  in  regard  to  its  original  location. 

Barry  grew  and  prospered  at  times,  and  again,  like  other  towns, 
it  suffered  seasons  of  stagnation.  To-day  it  is  a  beautiful  little  city 
with  fine  church  edifices,  large,  magnificent  school  buildings,  good 
business  houses,  neat  and  beautiful  residences,  and  indeed  a  live, 
enterprising  little  city.  The  high  grade  of  society  existing  here  is 
something  worthy  the  boast  and  pride  of  its  residents.  The  courtlj"- 
Southerner,  the  careful  Easterner  and  th6  thrifty  New  Yorker  are 
met  here,  and  it  is  therefore  natural  that  a  social  system  should  be 
established  which  is  culled  from  the  high  standard  of  tbe  sections 
named.  These,  taken  with  the  enterprising  spirit  and  practical 
character  of  the  Westerner,  give  origin  to  a  new  society,  more  pleas- 
ant than  either,  with  the  best  social  ethics  of  all,  mingled  in  one 
common  fountain,  from  which  flow  the  elements  of  the  best  society. 

In  educational  matters  no  city  or  town  in  the  county  takes  a 
greater  interest.     In  religious  teachings  and  Christian  morality 


800  HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Barry  compares  favorably  with  those  towns  having  a  larger  num- 
ber of  church  spires  pointing  heavenward.  In  those  movements 
■to  raise  the  fallen  and  degraded,  to  heLp  the  poor,  to  encourage  the 
weak,  the  good  people  of  Barry  are  ever  engaged.  Some  grand 
eiforts  have  been  made  in  the  temperance  cause  by  the  noble  peo- 
ple of  this  city.  The  cause  of  temperance  is  like  that  of  Christian 
religion  in  this  respect,  that  it  is  found'  in  great  variety  of  shapes 
and  methods.  In  other  words,  it  has  taken  upon  itself  the  most 
remarkable  forms  in  the  way  of  organizations.  But,  unlike  Chris- 
tianity, which  is  historically  traced  through  the  narrow  sects  and 
societies,  the  cause  of  temperance  seems  to  run  through  the  most 
wonderful  changes.  As  soon  as  one  particular  form  of  labor  has 
lost  its  interest  to  the  public,  the  friends  of  temperance  re-organize,, 
and  are  found  laboring  in  a  different  manner.  Hence  we  find  it 
impossible  to  trace  properly,  in  the  short  space  allotted,  the  history 
of  the  different  forms  and  shapes  in  which  the  friends  of  temper- 
ance have  been  organized. 

With  the  enterprise  characteristic  of  the  city,  an  artesian  well 
was  begun  to  be  put  down  during  the  month  of  October,  1879. 
The  city  agreed  to  pay  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  foot  for  the 
first  1,600  feet,  and  after  that  depth  was  reached,  if  not  a  sufficient 
flow  of  wa,ter,  the  contractors  were  to  receive  three  dollars  per  foot 
for  the  next  500  feet.  The  city  had  appropriated,  up  to  March  20, 
1880,  $5,000  to  carry  on  the  work.  The  site  of  the  well,  which  is 
in  the  park  in  the  Public  Square,  is  the  highest  point  of  ground 
in  the  county,  and  therefore  a  great  depth  will  necessarily  have  to 
be  reached  before  an  abundant  supply  of  water  is  obtained.  At 
the  present  writing  Water  does  not  yet  flow,  and  work  still  goes  on. 
The  city,  we  are  told,  will  undoubtedly  go  2,500  feet  in  order  to 
obtain  a  supply.  The  top  cutting  is  six  inches  in  diameter,  di- 
minishing to  four  and  five-eighths  and  three  and  one-half. 

Barry  was  incorporated  as  ^a  town  in  1856.  An  election  was 
held  Jan.  14  of  that  year  to  vote  for  or  against  incorporation,  when 
92  votes  were  cast  for,  and  none  against  the  measure.  The  follow-- 
ing  Trustees  were  then  chosen  and  held  their  first  meeting  Jan.  31: 
A.  Grubb,  John  Watson,  N.  Cromwell,  J.  M.  Dabney  and  0.  S. 
Allen.  These  were  sworn  in  by  Justice  M.  Blair,  when  they 
elected  John  Watson  as  President  and  John  Shastid,  Clerk. 

ISTov.  18,  1872,  Barry  was  organized  as  a  city.  The  present  City 
Council  is  composed  of  the  following  gentlemen :  E.  K.  Burnham, 
Mayor;  J.  K.  Koward,  J.  Weber,  T.  Davis,  Matthew  Peterson,  S. 
Mors  and  James  Watson,  Aldermen ;  C.  C.  Koasa,  City  Clerk;  W. 
I.  Klein,  Oity  Attorney;  J.  0.  Brown,  Treasurer;  John  Whettleton, 
Marshal,  and  J.  E.  Haines,  Street  Commissioner. 

SCHOOL,  CHURCHES  AND   SOOIBTIES. 

The  fine  brick  school -building  of  the  city  was  erected  in  1874,  at 
a  cost  of  $15,000.  It  was  built  by  Wm.  T.  Mitchell,  of  Barry.  It 
is  beautifully  situated,  and  presents  to  the  stranger  as  he  enters  the 


HI8T0KY   OF    PJKE    COUNTT.  801 

citj'  by  rail  a  most  magnificent  view.  The  School  Directors  in 
1863  were  Calvin  Davis,  N.  P.  Hart  and  J.  H.  Mallory.  The  pres- 
ent Directors  are  E.  A.  Crandall,  N.  P.  If  art  and  Alexander  "White. 
There  are  enrolled  401  scholars.  The  principal  is  Prof.  J.  F.  Clark. 
The  teachers  are,  first  assistant.  Miss  E.  Greene;  first  grammar  de- 
partment, John  M.  Woodby;  second  grammar,  'Prof.  Geo.  "W. 
Smith;  intermediate,  Miss  Ella  McMahan  and  "Wm.  Triplett; 
primary,  Ida  Luthey  and  May  Poling. 

Eev.  A.  M;  Danely  is  Pastor  of  the  Methodist  Church.  There 
ig  connected  •  with  the  congregation  a  good  Sunday-school,  which 
meets  at  9:30  a.  m. 

Rev. "William  Greene  is  Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Churchy  Services 
are  held  on  the  second  and  fourth  Sundays  in  each  month. 

Elder  W.  E.  Berry  is  Pastor  of  the  Christian  Church.  Services 
are  held  every  Sunday  morning  and  evening.  Sunday-school  at 
9:30  a.m. 

Barry  Lodge,  No.  34,  of  the  Masonic  order,  was  organized  Aug. 
29, 1845.  Michael  Gard  was  the  first  Grand  Master;  Jos.  Jack- 
son, Sen.  W.,  George  Wike,  Jr.  W.;  W.  J.  Alkire,  Treasurer; 
Elisha  Hurt,  Secretary;  Eli  Longnecker,  Sr.  Deacon;  Josep'h  Al- 
kire, Jr.  Deacon;  Joseph  Lippincott,  Tyler.  These  constituted 
the  original  officers,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely, 
E.  Hurt  and  W.  J.  Alkire.  The  present  officers  are,  D.  "W.  Greene, 
W.  M:;  a.  E.  Gray,  Sr.  W.;  George  Wike,  Jr.  W.;  John  P. 
Grnbb,  Sr.  Deacon;  R.  D.  Osborne,  Jr.  Deacon;  B.  McConnell, 
Treasurer;  M.  G.  Patterson,  Sec'y. ;  M  Lane  and  John  Palmer, 
Stewards;  J.  F.  Phillips,  Chaplain,  and  J.  L.  Terry,  Tyler. 

Barry  Lodge,  No.  336,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized  Oct.  9,  1866. 
Alexander  White,  E.  M.  Call,  Alexander  Easly,  J.  B.  Keever,  R. 
B.  Higgins,  W.  B.  Clancy  and  J.  Rosenburgh  were  its  charter  mem- 
bers. The  present  officers  are — J.  W.  Mitchell,  N.  G.;  C.  C. 
Roasa,  V.  G.;  J.  E".  Widby,  R.  Sec'y;  Thomas  Retalic,  Financial 
Sec'y;  W.  Chrysup,  Treasurer.  The  present  membership 
numbers  116. 

The  Evening  Star  Lodge,  No.  21,  Daughters  of  Rebecca,  was 
organized  Oct.  11,  1870,  with  14  charter  members.  The  present 
officers  are — Alexander  Easlj',  First  JSf.  G.;  Miss  Nellie  Bingham, 
N.  G.;  Mrs.  G.  W.  Deyle,  Y.  G.;  Miss  Ella  Furniss,  Rec. 
Sec'y;  G.W.Smith,  Financial  Sec'y;  Miss  Lizzie  Furniss,  Treas- 
urer.    This  Lodge  has  a  membership  of  72. 

Progress  Encampment,  No.  163,  I.  O.  0.  F.,  was  organized  in 
October,  1876,  with  18  members.  At  ..present  the  officers  are — 
G.  D.  Mayes,  C.  P. ;  Z.  B.  Stoddard,  Scribe;  James  Smith,  Treasurer. 
Membership  45. 

Goodwill  Lodge,  No.  1,791,  K.  of  H.,  meets  on  the  first  and 
third  Mondays  of  each  month.    J.  Weber,  D.,  and  J.  S.  Gorton,  R. 

Barry  Chapter,  No.  88,  R.  A.  M.,  meets  Monday  night  on  or 
before  the  full  moon  in  each  month.  J.  J.  Topliff,  H.  P.;  F.  M. 
Dabney,  Sec'y. 


802  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COTTNTY. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  DEPARTMENT. 

In  connection  with,  and  as  a  part  of  the  history  of  Barry  town- 
ship and  city,  we  wish  to  speak  personally  of  the  old  settlers  and 
prominent  citizens,  .which  we  do  below,  arranged  in  alphabetical 
form. 

A.  B.  Mien,  jeweler,  Barry,  is  a  native  of  Monmouth  county, 
N.  J.,  where  he  was  horn  in  18M;  came  to  this  State  in  1853.  and 
settled  in  Lincoln;  subsequently  he  removed  to  Logan'  county, 
thence  to  Macoupin  county,  and  to  this  county  in  1873,  when  he 
established  hirhself  in  his  present  business,  and  where  he  has 
since  mad^  it  his  home.  He  was  married  in  1872  to  Miss  Mattie 
Harris,  a  native  of  this  State,  and  they  have  1  child  living,  Leata> 
Mr.  A.  is  a  man  of  considerableinventive  capacities,,  which  is  being 
used  to  practical  purposes.  He  has  a  fair  trade  and  is  a  good 
citizen. 

Lewis  Angle  was  born  in  Lynchburg,  Ya.,  Jan.  7,  1823.  He 
was  a  son  of  Alfred  and  Sarah  (Grreen)  Angle,  who  lived  for  many 
years  in  Lynchburg,  Ya.f  where  they  died  and  were  buried.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  resided  with  his  parents  until  his  18th  year, 
when  he  left  his  native  town  to  seek  a  home  in  the  West,  came  to 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  thence  to  Hannibal,  where  he  resided  until  1846, 
when  he  came  to  Barry.  In  March,  1852,  he  united  with  the 
Barry  Baptist  Church.  In  May,  1853,  he  was  elected  Deacon, 
which  /jfSce  he  held  to  the  day  of  his  death.  He  was  united  in 
marriage  July  19,  1852,  with  Miss  Harriet  E.  Crandall.  They 
have  3  children,  Alice  E.,  now  the  wife  of  John  L.  Cassidy;  they 
were  married  Oct.  20,  1877,  and  reside  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.;  Delia 
M.  and  Freddie  L.  Mr.  Angle  died  in  Barry  March  19,  1878, 
where  for  more  than  30  years  he  was  one  of  the  most  prominent 
and  energetic  business  men  of  the  county.  During  this  time  he 
was  engaged  extensively  in  the  dry -goods  and  grocery  trade,  pork- 
pficking  and  produce  buying;  a  partner  in  the  Barry  Woolen  Mills 
and  lumber  trade,  and  in  the  Barry  Exchange  Bank.  He  was  a 
model  man  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  kind-hearted,  benevolent, 
prompt  to  fulfill  all  the  duties  of  husband,  father,  friend,  Christian 
and  citizen.  The  church  lost  a  faithful  member,  the  community 
an  energetic  friend;  his  family  a  kind  husband  and  loving  father; 
the  poor  a  benefactor,  for  to  them  he  gave  work  by  which  they 
could  earn  something.  His  credit  was  unbounded,  integrity  un- 
tarnished, and  honesty  unimpeached.  He  was  buried  Thursday, 
March  20,  1878.  The  sermon  was  preached  by  his  Pastor,  Eev. 
Wm.  Green,  from  the  text,  John  xiv,  2,  last  clause:  "I  go  to 
prepare  a  place  for  you."  The  difterent  denominations,  Masons 
and  Odd  Fellows,  united  in  the  funeral  services.  His  body  was 
followed  to  the  grave  by  the  largest  concourse  of  people  ever  in 
procession  to  the  burying  ground  in  this  part  of  the  county.  A 
portrait  of  Mr.  Angle  will  be  found  in  this  work.  Mrs.  Angle 
still  resides  at  the  old  homestead  at  Barry. 


'^L^   ^i^^^-^'^^-^^-yy;^^ 


BARRY/ 


HISTOEY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  805 

Thomas  Ardron,  P.  O.,  Barry,  is  the  son  of  William  and  Ann 
(Booth)  Ardron,  natives  of  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  who  emigrated  to  this 
country  in  1848,  and  settled  in  Hadley  township  the  following  year, 
stopping  one  year  in  N.  T.  Traveled  from  N.  Y.  by  way  of  the 
eanal  and  lakes  to  Griggsville  Landing.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Yorkshire,  Eng.,  where  he  was  married  in  1837  to 
Miss  Ann  Broadhens,  a  natiA^e  of  Cheshire,  Eng.,  and  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Susannah  (Cheatham)  Broadhens.  Mr.  A.  began  the 
struggle  in  life  without  capital,  and  has  made  a  success.  He  is 
agent  for  Lyman  Brown's  Seven-Barks  medicine,  and  has  a  lucra- 
tive'trade. 

Jaooh  Auer,  farmer,  sec.  32;  P.  O.,  Kinderhook;  was  born  in 
Germany,  in  1833,  where  he  was  married  in  1847  to  Miss  Gotleben 
Hendte.  He  emigrated  to  America  in  1853;  she  came  in  1855, 
and  they  settled  in  Pennsj'lvania,  where  he  lived  until  1860,  when 
he  moved  to  this  county  and  settled  on  Bay  creek.  In  1864  he 
moved  on  his  present  farm  of  40  acres  and  a  large  vineyard,  from 
which  he  has  some  trade.  They  have  6  children,  Rosena  K.,  Char- 
lotte G.,  Mary,  Caroline,  Sally  and  Jennie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Auer 
are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church. 

A.  C.  Baker,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  London,  Eng.,  in  1813,  and  is 
a  son  of  Edward  and  Lucy  (Dickinson)  Baker,  who  emigrated  to 
thiis  Jjountry  in  1815  and  settled  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  engaged 
in  teaching,. until  1825,  when  he  moved  to  White  county.  111.  .Sub- 
sequently he  moved  to  Greene  county,  where  he  died  in  1835.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Worth- 
ington,  at  Pittsfield,  and  attended  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at 
Cincinnati,  where  he  was  graduated  in  1837.  He  began  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Pittsfield,  and  the  following  year  moved  to 
this  city,  where  he  has  since  been  in  constant  practice.  He  was 
married  in  1844  to  Miss  Martha  A.,  niece  of  John  Barney,  of 
Pittsfield,  and  daughter  of  West  Barney,  by  whom  he  has  five  chil- 
dren living.  In  the  winter  of  1850-1  he  went  with  laborers  to  Pa- 
•  nama  and  opened  the  Panama  railroad,  cutting  and  grading  it. 
Col.  Baker,  his  brother  who  was  killed  in  the  army,  had  the  con- 
tract for  this  work.  In  1853  he  crossed  the  plains  to  California 
with  a  herd  of  cattle  from  this  place,  and  returned  without  acci- 
dent the  following  year.  He  has  been  hunting  along  the  Humboldt 
river  in  the  midst  of  Indians,  and  was  always  well  treated.  He 
served  two  years  as  Surgeon  in  the  71st  Penn.  Reg.,  injCol.  Baker's 
Brigade.  He  is  the  oldest  practicing  physician  in  Barry,  and  one 
of  the  oldest  settlers  of  the  township. 

Ool.  JBenjamin  JBarney,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent 
citizens  of  Pike  county,  and  to  whom  reference  is  so  often  made  on 
the  pages  of  this  volume,  was  born  in  Berkshire  county,  Mass., 
Sept.  4,  1795.  The  first  of  his  ancestry  in  America  in  the  paternal 
line  was  William'Barney,  a  native  of  Ireland,  a  great-grandfather  of 
the  subject  of  this  biographical  notice,  who  emigrated  to  Massachu- 
setts about  200  years  ago ;  the  next  inline  wasWilliam  again,  and  then 

46 


806  HISTOEY   OF   PIKE   OOUNTT. 

Benjamin,  the  father  of  the  Colonel,  who  enlisted  in  the  Continen- 
tal army  under  Gen.  Washington  when  but  14  years  of  age;  at  the 
close  of  that  war  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Crape,  who  both  died 
at  the  age  of  60  years,  and  within  a  year  of  each  other.  They  had 
6  sons  and  5  daughters,  all  of  whom  grew  up  to  adult  years, 
namely,  Joseph,  Margaret,  Polly,  "West,  Ann,  Benjamin,  Hepsey, 
Marshall,  Manly,  Deborah  and  John.  Joseph  served  in  the  war  of 
1812,  and  was  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Sackett's  Harbor. 
He  was  Lieutenant,  but  during  that  action  was  serving  as  Captain. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch.  Col.  Barney,  first  came  to  Pike  county 
in  1826,  locating  at  Atlas,  then  the  county-seat;  He  was  a  btack- 
smith  by  trade,  and  thinks  he  started  the  first  blacksmith  forge  in 
the  county,  and  perhaps  made  the  first  plow.  In  1830  he  was 
elected  one  of  the  three  County  Commissioners,  the  other  two  being 
Charles  Stratton  and  Andrew  Phillips.  In  April,  1833,  the  county 
determined  to  move  its  capital  to  a  more  central  place,  and  finally 
it  was  decided  to  place  it  where  Pittsfield  now  stands,  when  arose 
the  difficulty  of  borrowing  the  necessary  $200  to  enter  the  quarter 
section.  The  money  was  eventually  obtained  on  the  individual 
notes  of  Col.  Barney  and  George  W.  Hinman,  in  April,  In  June 
the  land  was  surveyed  and  laid  off.  Col.  Barney  and  Messrs.  Hin- 
man and  Judd  reserving  lots  on  the  north  side  of  the  Square  for  the 
use  of  a  Court  House,  but  the  site  was  finally  changed  to  the  cen- 
ter of  the  Square,  as  it  is  now.  As  soon  as  the  survey  was  completed, 
the  lots  were  sold  at  auction,  bringing  enough  almost  to  complete 
the  county  buildings.  In  September,  1833,  the  Commissioners  had 
a  house  built  by  Mr.  Hurt,  in  which,  before  it  was  finished,  they 
held  a  session  of  their  court. 

In  April,  1832,  while  Col.  Barney  was  working  at  his  forge  in 
Atlas,  about  11  o'clock,  a.  m.,  he  was  notified  by  Col.  Ross  of  the 
Governor's  order  to  raise  a  company  of  100  men  to  serve  in  .the 
Black  Hawk  war,  and  to  report  at  Beardstown  the  following  Mon- 
day. He  immediately  started  on  horseback  to  rally  a  company, 
and  was  successful.  In  the  election  of  oflficers  the  next  day  Mr. 
Barney  was  made  1st  Lieutenant.  They  arrived  at  Beardstown 
about  4  p.  M.,  Tuesday,  where  the  company  was  divided  into  two, 
Mr.  Barney  being  elected  Captain  of  one,  and  receiving  his  com- 
mission from  Gov.  Rejmolds.  The  company  was  in  the  service  50 
days,  when  they  were  relieved  by  regular  U.  S.  troops.  In  the  fall 
of  1832  Col.  Ross  resigned,  and  Capt.  Barney  was  elected  Colonel 
of  the  16th  111.  Yol.  Mil.,  and  acted  fas  such  until  1838  or  1839. 
Politically  Col.  Barney  was  a  Whig  and  now  is  a  Republican.  The 
portrait  of  the  Colonel  given  in  this  book  is  from  a  photograph 
taken  when  he  was  74  years  of  age,  and  the  fac-simile  of  his  auto- 
graph from  his  writing  at  the  age  of  85. 

His  brother,  John  Barney,  of  Pittsfield,  has  been  Treasurer  of 
the  county,  and  is  several  times  referred  to  on  the  pages  of  this 
history. 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  807 

Calvin  D.  Blair,  farmer,  sec.  36;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  this 
tp.  Dec.  8,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Eliza  (Gose)  Blair, 
natives  of  Yirginia,  who  settled  in  this  township  in  1828.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1876  to  Miss  Dora  Blake,  a 
native  of  this  county.  He  settled  on  his  present  place  of  3|-  acres,  in 
1877.  Is  School  Director  at  present  time,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
descendants  of  Pike  county's  early  pioneers. 

Harvey  Blair,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  came  to 
this  county,  at  a  very  early  day,  where  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Millie  A.  Cunningham,  daughter  of  John  Cunningham,  an  early 
settler  in  Pleasant  Vale  tp.,  and  widow  of  Jas.  Lutteral.  Mr.  B. 
settled  on  his  present  estate  in  1840,  where  he  resided  until  his 
death  in  1879,  Mrs.  B.  has  a  farm  of  230  acres,  valued  at  $60  per 
acre  ;  also  25  acres  in  Pleasant  Vale  tp.,  where  her  father  is  a  resi- 
dent.    She  resides  on  sec.  35 ;  P.  O.,  Barry. 

Samuel  Blair,  farmer,  sec.  35;  P.  O.,  Barry;  is  a  son  of  William 
M.  and  Martha  (Quiet)  Blair,  natives  of  Kentucky,  who  came  to 
this  county  and  settled  in  Barry  tp.  in  1828,  where  they  both  died. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Madison  county,  O.,  Oct.  1, 
1806,  and  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents.  He  settled  on  his 
present  estate  in  lS3i,  consisting  of  110  acres,  valued  at  $75  per 
acre.  In  1830  he  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  Brewster,  a  native  of 
Few  York,  who  died  in  1840.  By  this  union  1  child  was  born, 
Louisa.  His  present  wife,  Eliza,  nee  Gose,  is  a  native  of  Yirginia.  To 
them  have  been  born  6  children,  3  boys  and  3  girls  :  Calvin  D., 
William  S.,  George  C,  Alta  C,  wife  of  G.  W.  Smith,  Lucina  and 
Martha  Q.  E.  Mr.  Blair  numbers  among  the  living  pioneers  of 
Barry  tp.  Politically  he  is  a  descendant  of  the  old  Democratic 
■  school,  and  is  well  known  throughout  the  county. 

Leander  Blake,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Cum- 
berland county,  Maine,  in  1814,  the  son  of  Ephraim  and  Desiah  P. 
(Higgins)  Blake,  natives  of  that  State,  who  came  to  this  county  in 
1847,  and  settled  on  the  present  place,  consisting  of  321  acres,  val- 
ued at  $40  per  acre.  He  resided  here  until  his  death  in  1875;  she 
died  in  1879,  both  86  years  of  age.  Leander  came  to  this  county 
in  1842  and  landed  in  Barry  with  but,  2  five-franc  pieces  in  his 
pocket.  His  first  work  was  at  rail  splitting,  for  which  he  was  paid 
5  bits  per  hundred,  taking  pork  in  payment  at  2  cents  per  lb.;  but 
by  economy  he  was  soon  enabled  to  purchase  a  little  land,  and  now 
owes  no  man  a  dollar.  His  present  farm  has  cost  him  $6,500  be- 
sides the  improvements.  He  was  married  in  Pennsylvania  in  1839 
to  Miss  Mary  Charles,  a  native  of  that  State,  where  she  was  born 
in  1819.  She  was  a  life-long  cripple,  and  died  of  the  efiiects  of  a 
fall  from  a  buggy  in  March,  1880.  They  had  8  children,  4  of  whom 
are  living, — Preston,  Ella,  Dora  and  Ebenezer.  Mr.  B.  had  a 
thorough  ISTew  England  schooling,  and  is  well  versed  in  the  differ- 
ent languages.  He  was  for  some  years  engaged  in  teaching  school 
in  his  native  State  and  Pennsylvania.  Btas  been  Assessor  one 
term,  and  has  held  other  official  positions.     In  politics  he  used  to 


808  HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

be  an  old-line  Whig  ;  was  a  strong  Douglas  man,  and  is  now  a 
thorough  Republican. 

A.  O.  Bliven,  farmer,  sec.  2;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Genesee 
county,  N.  Y.,  in  1830,  the  son  of  Samuel  G.  and  Mabel  M. 
(Wheeler)  Bliven,  natives  of  that  State,  who  emigrated  to  Illinois 
in  1834  and  settled  near  Quincy,  where  they  still  reside.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  this  county  in  1856  and  settled  on 
his  present  estate,  consisting  of  160  acres  valued  at  $50  per  acre; 
also  has  241  acres  in  Kichfield  tp.,  Adams  county.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  1853  to  Miss  Eleanor  Foster,  who  was  born  in  Hamilton 
county,  0.,  in  1830.  In  1862  he  enlisted  as  Orderly  Sergeant  in 
Co.  F,  118th  111.  Yol. ;  was  promoted  1st  Lieut.,  in  which  capacity 
he  served  until  he  resigned  by  reason  of  a  wound  received  at  Port 
Hudson,  La.,  April  7,  1864.  The  ball  entered  the  hip  and  lodged 
in  the  left  leg,  where  it  still  remains,  and  has  crippled  him  for  life. 
He  was  a  participant  in  the  battles  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  Port  Hudson,  Yermillionville,  Chickasaw  Bluffs,  Por- 
Gibson,  and  the  fitst  battle  at  Vicksburs;,  under  Sherman,  Arkant 
sas  Post,  and  all  engagements  in  which  the  Regiment  participated, 
Mr.  B,  is  confined  the  most  of  the  time  to  the  aid  of  crutches,  and 
is  a  living  relic  of  the  Rebellion.  His  home  was  burned  to  the 
ground  May  23,  1865,  and  Oct.  28,  1871,  his  barn  with  seven 
head  of  horses  and  mules  was  destroyed  by  a  supposed  incendiary. 
Notwithstanding  all  these  reverses,  Mr.  B.  has  successfully  over- 
come all  obstacles  and  trials,  and  through  his  perseverance  and 
energy  has  erected  a  fine  residence  on  the  same  site  of  ground, 
and  accumulated  a  good  landed  property.  His  opportunities  for 
education  were  limited,  but  his  principles  were  always  earnest  in 
the  cause  of  his  Government,  and  the  promulgation  of  Republican 
principles.  He  is  the  father  of  3  children,  Willis  E.,  Salina  A. 
and  Ida  M. 

Wm.  Bothwich,  farmer,  sec.  18;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Nova  Scotia  in  1832.  His  parents,  James  and  Mary  (Dilmon) 
Bothwick,  were  natives  of  England.  He  was  married  in  1859  to 
Miss  Martha  Likes,  a  native  of  this  county,  who  died  in  1873,  leav- 
ing him  7  children,  Mary,  Isabel,  Emma,  Minerva,  Barbara,  James 
and  William.  His  present  wife,  Isabel,  nee  Lane,  is  a  native  of 
Indiana.  Mr.  B.  came  to  this  county  in  1857,  and  settled  in  this 
section,  where  he  has  since  made  it  his  home;  moved  on  his  pres- 
ent farm  in  1878,  consisting  of  116  acres,  valued  at  $10,000.  Has 
been  Justice  of  the  Peace.  Is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order  and 
Methodist  Church.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

O.  E.  Bower  was  born  in  Madison  county,  Ohio,  in  1833,  and 
was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Pike  county,  111.,  settling  in  Derry 
tp.|  where  he  remained  until  1850,  when  they  moved  to  Barry  tp.; 
and  in  1852  Mr.  Bowers  crossed  the  plains,  driving  an  ox-team 
every  mile  of  the  way.  Was  engaged  in  farming  and  explored 
Oregon  at  that  time,  which  was  a  perfect  wilderness,  and  in  1857 
he  returned  home.     In  1858    he  married  Miss  Barbara  Wright, 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  809 

daughter  of  Abiah  Wright,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio.  They 
have  had  born  to  them  6  children,  '3  sons  and  3  daughters,  all  of 
whom  are  living.  Reuben  D.  is  the  eldest,  and  is  now  attending 
Lombard  University  at  Galesburg.  Mr.  B.  has  a  good  farm,  con- 
sisting of  over  200  acres  of  the  finest  land  in  old  Pike.  Mr.  B. 
made  a  trip  back  to  California  in  1879,  which  was  an  enjoyable 
tour.  He  is  a  self-made  man,  and  has  secured  his  present  position 
among  the  farmers  of  Pike  county  by  his  industry  and  energy. 

John  Brenner,  shoemaker,  Barry,  was  born  in  Ireland,  April  17, 
1820,  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  stopping  in  ISTew 
York  city  about  6  weeks;  then  stopped  at  Columbus,  0.,  about  a 
month;  then  was  in  Cincinnati  two  years,  making  shoes;  then  was 
in  Quincy,  III.,  several  years,  following  his  trade;  then,  in  1864,  he 
came  to  Barry,  where  he  worked  "with  Mr.  WendorflP,  a  shoemaker; 
in  1877  Mr.  Brenner  opened  shop  for  himself  and  is  now  prosecut- 
ing a  good  business.  In  1856  he  married  Margaret  Clark,  and  "oi 
the  8  children  born  to  them  7  are  living,  namely:  George,  Sarah, 
Thomas,  John,  Allena,  Katie  and  Edward. 

William  Bright,  proprietor  of  saloon,  Barry,  was  bprn  in  Prussia 
in  1824,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1849,  landing  at  Baltimore. 
Came  to  this  county  in  1855  and  settled  in  Barry.  Was  married 
in  St.  Louis,  in  1853,  and  is  the  father  of  8  children,  5  daughters 
and  3  sons,  6  of  whom  are  living.  He  is  located  in  business  on 
the  east  side  of  Bainbridge  street,  where  he  is  conducting  a  good 
trade. 

B.  D.  Brown,  retired  farmer,  sec.  25;  P.  O.,  Barry  ;  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Ann  (Dodge)  Brown,  natives  of  Massachusetts,  who 
emigrated  to  Illinois  from  Yermont  in  1848,  and  settled  in  this  tp., 
where  they  both  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Essex 
county,  Mass.,  in  Feb.,  1804;  was  married  in  1831  to  Miss  Mary 
Kellum,  a  native  of  Barre,  Yt.,  and  daughter  of  Charles  and  Ee- 
becca  (Rice)  Kellum.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1833  and  settled 
in  Atlas  tp. ;  soon  afterward  he  built  a  mill  at  Louisiana,  Mo.,  and 
engaged  in  milling  at  St.  Louis,  during  which  time  he  purchased 
his  present  estate  of  150  acres,  valued  at  $75  per  acre.  Here  he 
settled  in  1839,  and  for  several  years  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  this  city,  and  in  company  with  Mr.  McTacker  pur- 
chased the  mill,  where  he  was  extensively  engaged  in  milling  until 
he  retired  from  the  active  field  of  life  to  the  enjoyment  of  his  suc- 
cess. He  represented  Pike  county  in  the  Legislature  in  '41-2,  and 
has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  county. 
His  success  is  wholly  due  to  his  energy,  sagacity,  and  indomitable 
perseverance  in  overcoming  all  obstacles,  and  his  declining  years 
are  being  spent  in  the  comforts  of  his  pleasant  home,  the  result  of  a 
well-directed  industry.  His  political  opinions  are  based  upon  the 
principles  promulgated  by  the  old-line  Whigs,  and  indorsed  by  the 
Republican  party.     The  "city  of  Barry  was  named  in  honor  of  his 


810  HISTOET   OF   PIKE    OOUNTT, 

wife's  birthplace,  Barre,  Vt.     He  is  a  stockholder  of  the  banking 
institution  of  this  city. 

John  H.  'Brown  is  a  native  of  Pittsfield,  and  was  born  May  26, 
1847,  the  son  of  L.  H.  Brown,  of  Barry,  who  came  to  this  county 
in  early  day.  In  1870  he  married  Emma  D.  Westlake,  daughter 
of  Wm.  Westlake,  deceased,  and  they  have  2  children,  Norton  and 
Fred. 

Hector  Brownell,  farmer,  sec.  28;  P.  O.,  Barry;  son  of  Benja- 
min and  Jane  (Bickey)  Brownell,  natives  of  New  York,  who  emi- 
grated to  Pike  county  in  1840  and  purchased  the  homestead  farm, 
where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  29,  1872;  she 
died  the  following  week.  The  homestead  consists  of  160  acres, 
which  were  bid  off  by  Col.  Boss  for  taxes,  who  sold  to  Mr.  B.  It 
is  now  valued  at  $50  per  acre.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
in  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1833;  was  married  Jan.  1,  1855,  to 
JVliss  Anna  Bailey,  a  native  of  Philadelphia.  To  them  have  been 
born  3  children,  William,  James  and  Hattie.  Benjamin  Brownell 
was  a  local  Methodist  preacher  in  New  York  and  Illinois,  and  was 
widely  known  as  a  zealous  defender  of  the  faith  and  worker  in  the 
Master's  vineyard. 

E.  R.  BurnhaTn,  photographer,  and  the  present  Mayor  of  the 
city  of  Barry,  was  born  in  Thibodeaux,  parish  of  La  Fourche,  La., 
and  is  a  son  of  E.  T.  Burnham,  deceased,  a  native  of  Hartford, 
Oonn.,  who  died  Aug.  16,  1878.  He  was  in  New  Orleans  during 
the  Kebellion,  saw  Gen.  Butler  land  there,  saw  Mumford  tear  the 
natiojoal  flag  from  the  U.  S.  Mint,  and  saw  him  hanged.  In  1871 
Mr.  B.  married  Maggie  L.  Turner,  and  of  their  3  children  2  are 
living,  Clara  and  Edna.  As  a  photographer  Mr.  Burnham  is  doing 
a  good  business,  and  is  at  present  the  Mayor  of  the  city. 

G.  W.  Chrysup,  Postmaster  at  Barry,  was  born  in  Florence, 
Pike  Co.,  111.,  Feb.  1,  1845;  only  child  of  William  L.  and  Jane 
(Barney)  Chrysup,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1826,  and  resided 
here  until  1850,  when  the  family  removed  to  California,  going 
'  across  the  plains.  In  1857  they  started  on  the  return  voyage 
home,  and  his  parents  were  lost  by  the  explosion  of  the  steamer 
"  St.  Nicholas,"  which  occurred  April  24,  1859,  1^  miles  below 
Helena,  Ark.  Bendered  parentless  by  this  disaster,  he  lived  with 
his  grandfather,  Benjamin  Barney,  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in 
the  10th  111.  Inf.  for  three  months'  service.  He  then  re-enlisted  in 
Co.  B,  28th  111.  Inf.,  as  Corporal,  and  was  promoted  to  Captain  of 
that  Company,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Hatchie.  siege  of  Yicksburg,  Jackson, 
Miss.,  Spanish  Fort,  Mobile,  and  all  the  engagements  in  which  the 
Eegiment  took  part;  was  honorably  discharged;  returned 
home,  where  he  M'as  married  April  18,  1867,  to  Miss  Kate,  daugh- 
ter of  Lewis  and  Lucy  Hardy.  The  same  year  he  became  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  trade,  until  appointed  Postmaster  under  Hayes 
in  1878,  to  which  duties  he  is  devoting  his  time  and  attention.   He 


HI8T0ET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  811 

is  Treasurer  in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which  he  has  been  a  member  9 
years.     He  is  the  father  of  2  children,  Jennie  and  Helen. 

Asa  W.  Clarh,  farmer,  sec.  20,  P.  O.,  Barry;  born  in  Eocking- 
ham  county,  N.  H.,  in  1820,  son  of  Abner  and  Caroline  (Wicks) 
Olark,  natives  of  TSTew  Hampshire  and  Maine,  respectively,  who 
died  in  Buffalo,  JS(.  Y.  Asa  W.  was  married  in  1846  to  Mrs.  Caro- 
hne  Churchill,  a  native  of  Batavia,  N.  Y. ;  came  to  this  county  in 
1852  and  settled  on  the  bottom  lands  in  Kinderhook,  where  he 
lived  9  years;  moved  on  his  present  farm  in  1803,  consisting  of 
177  acres,  valued  at  $50  per  acre;  also  owns  other  lands  in  the  tp. 
His  opportunities  for  early  education  were  limited,  and  he  has  suc- 
ceeded only  by  his  energy  and  perseverance.  He  is  administrator 
of  the  estate  of  J.  R.  Young,  Trustee  of  the  Burying  Grounds  and 
Treasurer  of  the  Methodist  Church,  of  which  he  and  his  family 
are  members.  His  children  are  Herbert  C,  Libbie  C,  Mary  A. 
and  Franklin  A.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  Was  an  old-line 
Whig. 

John  H.  Oobh,  late  of  the  firm  of  Cobb  &  Watson,  of  the  Barry 
Adage,  was  born  in  Chautauqua  county,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  10,  1841,  and 
is  a  son  of  James  Cobb,  deceased;  he  came  to  this  county  in  August, 
1871,  and  in  November  established  the  Barry  Adage,  which  he 
conducted  as  an  independent  newspaper  until  May,  1878,  when  he 
sold  out,  and  in  May,  1879»  in  company  with  Wm.  Watson,  he 
re-purchased  the  same  establishment,  and  until  recently  they 
conducted  the  paper  under  the  firm  name  of  Cobb  &  Watson. 
Mr.  Cobb  married  Miss  Julia  E.  Prentice,  and  of  their  6  children 
these  3  are  living  :  Edward  P.,  Albertus  A.  and  Archie  H. 

E.  A.  Orandall,  merchant  and  banker,  Barry,  is  the  son  of  Joshua 
and  Fannie  (Burdick)  Crandall,  natives  of  New  York,  who  settled 
in  Barry  in  1839,  where  he  engaged  at  his  trade  in  the  boot  and 
shoe  business,  and  resided  until  his  death  in  1866.  His  wife  pre- 
ceded him  to  the  better  land  in  1855.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Rensellaer  county,  New  York,  1836,  and  came  with 
his  parents  to  this  county.  In  1854  he  formed  the  co-partnership 
of  Angle  &  Crandall  in  the  mercantile  trade  and  pork-packing, 
which  were  successfully  carried  on  until  1858,  when  the  firm  dis^ 
solved,  and  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  at  Washington,  D.  C .,  and 
attended  Columbia  College.  The  following  year  he  returned  home 
and  formed  the  second  partnership  with  Angle  and  carried  on  an  ex- 
tensive trade.  In  1860  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza,  daughter  of 
Capt.  Elisha  Hurt,  a  native  of  this  county,  who  died,  leaving  one 
child,  Fannie.  In  1862  the  firm  dissolved  and  Mr.  C.  turned  his 
attention  to  the  appeals  of  his  country,  and  raised  Co.  D,  99  th  111. 
Inf.;  was  afterward  appointed  Major  of  the  Regiment  andfserved 
two  years,— through  all  the  battles  in  which  that  Regiment  parti- 
cipated, and  was  honorably  discharged.  Returning  to  his  home, 
he  became  a  partner  in  the  woolen  mill,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Geo.  Wike  &  Co.,  which  was  changed  to  a  corporation  in  1876. 
He  was  again  married  in  1870  to  Miss  Jennie  G.  Gordon,  a  native 


812  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

of  New  York,  by  whom  he  has  one  son,  Louis.  The  same  year 
the  firm  of  Orandall  &  Smith  engaged  in  the  grocery  trade,  which 
forms  one  of  the  most  extensive  and  enterprising  houses  in  Pike 
county.  This  house  also  erected  a  large  elevator  in  1879,  and  is 
largely  engaged  in  the  grain  business.  Mr.  C.  is  President  of  the 
School  Board,  and  Supervisor  at  present,  and  is  one  of  the  most 
active,  thoroughgoing  business  men  in  Earry.  Strong  in  the  love  of 
his  country,  he  is  equally  so  in  the  principles  indorsed  on  the  broad 
platform  of  the  Republican  party. 

Davis  c&  Brown,  merchants,  Earry,  111.  This  firm  began  busi- 
ness under  the  above  firm  name  in  September,  1878,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Public  Square,  and  have  had  a  gradually  increasing 
trade,  carrying  now  a  stock  of  $10,000,  which  consists  of 'dry-goods, 
boots  and  shoes,  and  notions.  By  close  attention  to  business  and 
selling  at  low  rates  they  have  won  the  confidence  and  patronage  of 
the  public. 

Mj's.  Clara  H.  Davis,  widow  of  Samuel  Davis,  mentioned  fur- 
ther on,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  22, 1833;  in  1838  she  was 
brought  by  her  parents  to  this  county,  where,  Oct.  14,  1851,  she 
was  married. 

Nathaniel  Davis,  son  of  Samuel  Davis,  deceased,  was  born  in 
Pike  county  in  1857;  was  married  to  Miss  Lizzie  Jennings,  daugh- 
ter of  P.  Jennings,  Sept.  28j  1878,  and  they  have  one  child.  Mr. 
Davis  is  one  of  the  most  enterprising  business  men  of  Barry;  is  at 
present  a  member  of  the  City  Council,  and  just  now  is  closing  out 
the  old  business  of  S'.  Davis  &  Son.  His  father  was  one  of  the 
most  prominent  business  men  of  the  county,  and  no  man  ever  en- 
joyed the  confidence  of  the  people  of  the  county  more  than  did  Mr. 
Samuel  Davis.  He  was  engaged  for  years  in  pork-packing,  from 
which,  with  the  immense  amount  of  wheat  and  other  grain  he 
handled,  he  realized  a  handsome  benefit.  He  was  engaged  in  the 
general  mercantile  business  for  many  years,  in  the  firm  of  C.  &  S. 
Davis. 

Samuel  Davis  was  born  near  Barry,  Pike  county,  111.,  Oct.  27, 1829. 
His  parents  were  Robert  and  Amanda  (Blair)  Davis.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  commenced  his  business  career  in  the  town  of  Barry  in 
the  year  1849,  when  he  wa:s  but  20  years  of  age,  entering  the  store  of 
Mr.  M.  Blair  as  salesman,  which  position  lie  occupied  until  1852, 
when,  in  company  with  his  brother,  Calvin,  he  entered  into  partner- 
ship with  Mr.  Blair,  they  carrying  on  business  under  the  firm  name 
of  M.  Blair  &  Co.  Mr.  Blair,  retiring  from  the  firm  in  1859,  a  co- 
partnership was  formed  between  the  two  brothers,  Calvin  and  Sam- 
uel, under  the  style  of  C.  &  S.  Davis;  they  carried  on  business  suc- 
cessfully for  many  years,  built  up  a  large  trade  and  amassed  con- 
siderable wealth;  speculating  in  pork  and  wheat  extensively;  they 
were  generally  very  fortunate  in  these  dealings.  The  firm  of  C.  & 
S.  Davis  dissolved  partnership  in  the  spring  of  1877,  Calvin  taking 
the  fiouring  mill  they  were  running,  and  Samuel  retaining  the  stock 
of  merchandise.     Mr.  Davis  then  took  his  two  sons,  Stephen  A.  D. 


'Cuf<M.^iuJL 


-/^l-^'-ZyO 


BARRY 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    OOUTNTT.  815 

and  Nathaniel  R.,  into  the  business.  Tlie  business  was  conducted 
under  the  firm  name  of  Samuel  Davis  &  Sons  until  the  spring  of 
1880,  when  the  firm  sold  out. 

Mr.  Davis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Clara  H.  Hart  Oct. 
M,  1851.  Slae  is  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  where  she  was  born 
June  22,  1833,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Clarissa  (Hill) 
Hart,  both  natives  of  Massachusetts.  They  came  to  this  county  in 
1838,  and  still  are  living  in  Barry  tp."Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  were  the 
parents  of  8  children,  Stephen  A.  D. ;  Lelia  May,  now  the  wife  of  J. 
0.  Moon;  ]!^athaniel  R. ;  Earnest  H.,  deceased;  Clara  Belle;  Anna 
M.;  Samuel  C.  and  Daniel.  "  Mr.  Davis  died  Feb.  15,  1879,  and  was 
followed  to  his  last  resting  place  by  a  large  concourse  of  relatives 
and  friends.  He  had  not  been  actively  engaged  in  business  affairs 
for  several  years,  but  had  been  taking  matters  as  quietly  as  possible. 
He  was  shrewd,  energetic  and  determined,  and  one  of  the  best  busi- 
ness men  in  the  county.  His  acquaintance  was  extensive  in  com- 
mercial as  well  as  social  circles.  His  honesty  and  integrity  were 
unquestioned,  his  credit  unlimited.  He  was  a  fond  husband,  a 
kind  and  indulgent  father,  a  good  neighbor  and  staunch  friend.  We 
give  a  portrait  of  Mr.  .Davis  in  this  volume. 

John  Dewell,  farmer,  sec.  4;  P.  O.,  Barry;  son  of  Peter  and 
Catherine  (Brown)  Dewell,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  moved  to 
Ohio,  where  they  both  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
in  Greene  county.  Pa.,  in  1815,  and  emigrated  to  Pike  county  in 
1837,  and  settled  south  of  Barry,  where  he  lived  iintil  1842,  when 
he  moved  on  his  present  farm  of  120  acres,  valued  at  $65  per  acre. 
The  land  was  mostly  timbered  when  he  came  to  this  place.  He 
was  married  in  1834  to  Miss'  Rebecca  Wallace,  a  native  of  Mary- 
land. By  this  union  6  children  are  living, — Elizabeth,  James, 
John  N.,  Susan,  Harriet  and  Charles  C.  Mr.  D.  is  one  of  the 
original  pioneers  of  Barry  tp.,  and  is  a  Democrat. 

John  W.  E ekes,  farmer;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Frederick 
county,  Va.,  in  1834,  sou  of  David  and  Eva  Eckes,  natives  also  of 
that  State,  where  Mrs.  E.  died.  He  came  to  the  West  in  1858  and 
settled  in  Greene  county,  thence  moved  to  Ohio,  where  he  died  in 
1861.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1858  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Carrigan,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  They  came  to  this  county 
in  1877,  and  settled  on  the  farm  they  now  occupy.  Mr.  E.  is  a 
Democrat. 

Edward  Edom,  proprietor  of  the  National  Hotel,  Barry,  was 
bgrn  in  England  in  1812;  emigrated  toCanada  in  1830,  and  5  years 
afterward  moved  to  Scott  County,  111.,  where  he  resided  until  1840, 
when  he  moved  to  Lucas  county,  0.  In  1855  he  came  to  this  county, 
settled  in  Perry  township,  and  engaged  in  fanning.  Three  years 
afterward  he  moved  to  Griggsville,  thence  to  New  Salem  and  kept 
a  hotel  4  years,  when  he  moved  to  this  city,  where  he  is  running  a 
first-class  hotel.  He  was  married  in  1842  to  Miss  Mary  Mormoneny, 
a  native  of  Ohio.    To  them  have  been  born  7  children,  all  of  whom 


816  HISTORY  OF  PIKE  COUNTY. 

are  living.  Mr.  E.  has  been  a  prominent  citizen  at  New  Salem, 
and  knows  just  how  to  conduct  a  hotel. 

John  Farmer^  agriculturist,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
Lancaster  county,  Pa.,  in  1811;  son  of  Samuel  and  Hannah  Frazer, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  moved  to  Ohio,  where  he  died.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1837  to  Miss  Eliza  Nichols, 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Rethtial)  Nichols,  natives  of  New  Jersey 
and  Maryland,  respectively,  who  settled  in  Adams  county,  111.,  where 
he  died.  Mr.  F.  settled  in  this  tp.  in  1846.  The  following  year 
he  moved  to  Adams  county  and  lived  6  or  7  years,  when  he  returned 
and  settled  on  his  present  estate  of  160  acres,  valued  at  $50  per 
acre.  To  them  have  been  born  10  children,  8  of  wliom  are  living; 
Samuel  D.,  Joshua  N.,  Jacob  C,  Mary  J.,  James  F.,  Sarah  A., 
Lucy  E.  and  Eliza  B.;  the  deceased  are  George  L.  and  John  T. 
His  son  James  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  Order  of  the  United 
"Workmen ;  Joshua  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  Samuel  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F. ;  Jacob  0.  is  also  a  Mason,  and  Saiah  A.  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Eastern  Star.  Mr.  F.  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  but 
has  espoused  the  Greenback  cause.  The  family  are  among  the 
most  respected  and  enterprising  farmers  of  Barry  tp. 

ALonzo  Gard,  farmer,  sec.  31;  P.  O.,  Kinderhook;  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  O..  in  1822,  and  is  a  son  of  Mischel  and  Cla- 
rissa (Baker)  Gard,  who  settled  in  this  tp.  in  1826.  In  1829  he 
moved  his  family  here,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  Jan.  5, 1871, 
at  the  age  of  77  years.  She  died  April  10,  1863.  He  entered  the 
land  of  his  son's  estate,  consisting  of  88  acres,  now  valued  at  $50 
per  acre.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  among  the  earliest  set- 
tlers. The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1850  to  Miss 
Mary  J.  Yearly,  a  native  of  Cincinnati,  O.,  by  whom  he  has  3  chil- 
dren, Ellen,  Lucy  and  Sally.  Mr.  G.  is  School  Director,  and  the 
family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is  a  Republican  in 
politics,  and  one  of  the  oldest  living  settlers  of  Barry  tp. 

John  T.  Gilmer,  iarmer,  sec.  26;  P.  O.,  Barry;  is  a  son  of  David 
and  Eliza  (Gose)  Gilmer,  natives  of  Yirginia,  who  came]  to  this 
county  in  1839,  and  settled  in  this  section, where  hediediu  1847-  She 
is  stiil  living  in  this  tp.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Barry  tp.  in  1840,  and  settled  on  his  present  farm  in  1863,  consist- 
ing of  63  acres,  valued  at  $60  per  acre.  He  also  owns  42.  acres  in 
Pleasant  Yale  tp.  He  was  married  in  1864  to  Miss  Ellen,  daughter 
of  William  McDaniel,  who  died  in  1872,  leaving  2  children,  Charles 
and  Clara.  He  was  again  married  in  1874  to  Miss  Ella  Blake,  a 
native  of  this  county.  He  fills  the  office  of  Road  Supervisor  at  the 
present  time,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Politics, 
Democratic* 

D.  W.  Greene,  Police  Magistrate,  is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary 
(Madison)  Greene,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1837  and  settled  in 
Hadley  tp.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1875.  She  died  in  1840.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Rensellaer  county,  N.  Y.,  in  1826.   He  began  the  study 


HI8T0KT    OP   PIKE    COTJNTT.  817 

of  medicine  with  Dr.  Baker  of  this  city,  tauo;ht  school  winters,  and 
attended  the  Missouri  State  University  one  year  and  practiced  in 
Barry  3  years,  when  he  entered  upon  a  mercantile  pursuit,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  erection  of  the  Barry  Woolen  Mills,  where  he  was 
connected  for  3  years.  He  was  married  in  1850  to  Miss  Caroline 
Gordon,  a  native  of  Indiana.  Mr.  G.  has  filled  the  office  of  Town- 
ship Treasurer  some  years.  Is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 
and  of  the  Christian  Chui-ch.  Politically  he  is  a  stalwart  Repub- 
lican. 

;  John  P.  Grubl),  farmer,  sec.  23;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in 
jCumberland  county,  Pa.,  in  Oct.,  1815,  and  is  a  son  of  Jonas  and 
Sarah  (Wizer)  Grubb,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  settled  in 
Adams  county,  111.,  where  tliey  both  died.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  came  to  this  county  in  1844,  and  settled  on  this  section. 
In  1864  he  purchased  the  present  farm  of  124  acres.  Also  owns 
other  lands  in  the  tp.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  woolen 
mill  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  for  some  years.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  May,  1849,  to  Miss  Harriet  Stevens,  a  native  of  New  York 
State,  who  died  in  1866.  By  this  marriage  he  has  3  children 
living, — John  W. ,  Emeline  and  Eva.  His  present  wife  was  Beu- 
lah  Nations,  widow  of  John  Nations,  by  whom  he  has  3  children, — 
George,  Hattie  and  Oliver.  Two  step-children,  Norman  W.  and 
Florence,  complete  the  family  record.  Mr.  G.  is  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  town,  and  is  one  of  the  active 
business  men  and  farmers  of  Barry.  In  politics  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Martin  Van  Buren. 

B.  F.  Guss,  farmer,  sec.  3;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Juniata 
county.  Pa.,  in  1835,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Foltz) 
Guss,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  she  died.  Wm.  Guss  came  to 
this  county  with  his  family  in  1848,  and  settled  in  this  tp.,  where  he 
is  at  this  time  living.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in 
1859  to  Miss  Jane  Sellers,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  To  them 
have  been  born  4  children,  all  of  whom  are  living:  Rosaline,  Ed- 
win S.,  William  C.  and  Hattie  E.  He  settled  on  his  present  farm 
in  the  fall  of  1859,  consisting  of  .116  acres,  valued  at  $50  per  acre. 
Mr.  Guss  has  served  as  a  School  Director,  and  in  politics  is  a 
Democrat. 

Oeorge  Hack,  farmer,  sec.  80;  P.  O.,  Kinderhook;  was  born  in 
Germany  Feb.  19,  1819;  was  married  in  1844  to  Miss  Fernan- 
drJka  Auer,  a  native  of  Germany.  They  emigrated  to  this  coun- 
try in  1853  and  stopped  one  year  in  New  York  city,  thence  to 
Qnincy,  thence  to  this  county,  and  engaged  at  his  trade,  brewing 
and  coopering,  at  Kinderhook.  This  business  he  sold  and  pur- 
chased, in  1866,  his  present  farm,  consisting  of  over  500  acres  of 
land,  valued  at  $50  per  acre.  They  have  7  children:  Caroline, 
Frederick,  Daniel,  Rosena,  Jennie,  Harry  and  Annie.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hack  are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  and  he 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order. 


818  HISTOET   OF   PIKE  COUNTY. 

G.  A.  Hancock,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Lick- 
ing Co.,  O.,  in  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Cynthia  A.  (Ford) 
Hancock,  both  natives  of  that  State,  who  emigrated  to  Adams 
county,  thence  to  this  county,  in  1866,  and  are  at  this  time  living 
in  Barry.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1857  to  Miss 
Melissa  Shepard,  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  Shepard,  a  native  of  this 
county;  and  Charles  W.,  George  H.,  Mary  E.,  Ernestine,  Mary  B., 
Lena,  Lora  and  Frank,  are  their  living  children.  Mr.  Hancock  set- 
tled on  his  present  estate  in  1872,  consisting  of  160  acres,  valued 
at  $60  per  acre.     He  is  a  Democrat  and  a  thorough  farmer. 

George  H.  Hancock,  farmer,  sec.  21 ;  P.  O.,  Barry  ;  was  born  in 
Adams  Co.,  111.,  in  1855,  and  is  a  son  of  G.  A.  Hancock,  an  early 
eettler  of  this  county;  was  married  in  1876  to  Miss  Lizzie,  daughter 
of  John  McDaniel,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Arthur  A.  He  settled 
on  the  present  farm  of  his  father's  in  1877,  consisting  of  over  200 
acres  of  valuable  land.  Mr.  H.  is  one  of  the  busy  and  enterpris- 
ing young  farmers  of  Barry  tp. 

J.  W.  Hart,  farmer,  sec.  33;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Che- 
shire Co.,  E".  H.,  in  1830,  the  son  of  Joel  and  Anna  (Hardy)  Hart, 
natives  of  Massachusetts  and  ISTew  Hampshire,  respectively.  He 
came  to  this  county  in  the  fall  of  1836,  entered  land  in  this  tp,,  and 
returned  East.  The  following  year  he  brought  his  family  and  settled 
here.  Subsequently  he  purchased  the  estate  of  his  son,  where  he 
moved  and  spent  the  remainder  jof  his  life;  he  died  in  1877:  she 
died  in  1840.  He  was  a  Deacon  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  his  native 
place,  and  at  Barry,  holding  the  office  nearly  ever  since  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Church,  and  was  widely  known  through  the  county. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1860  to  Miss  Caroline, 
daughter  of  B.  F.  Brownell,  by  whom  he  has  3  children,  Henry 
E.,  Edward  L.  and  Jennie.  The  homestead  farm  consists  of  50 
acres,  valued  at  $60  per  acre.  He  also  owns  80  acres  on  sec.  29. 
Mr.  H.  is  a  Deacon  in  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  and  his 
family  are  members.  He  has  been  School  Director,  and  can  be 
counted  among  prominent  and  old  settlers  of  this  tp.  He  is  a 
Kepublican . 

N.  P.  Hart,  farmer,  sec.  26;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Ash- 
burton,  Mass.,  in  1826,  son  of  l^Tathaniel  and  Clarissa  (Hill)  Hart, 
who  came  to  this  tp.  in  1838,  where  they  still  reside.  He  enlisted 
in  18i6  in  Co.  K,  5th  Keg.  111.  Vol.,  and  served  18  months  in  the 
Mexican  war,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged.  He  returned  to 
his  home,  and  in  1850  was  married  to  Miss  Louisa,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Blair,  a  native  of  this  tp. ;  the  same  year  he  settled  on  his 
present  estate  of  100  acres,  valued  at  $75  per  acre.  He  also  owns 
400  acres  in  the  tp.  Mr.  H.  has  been  for  10  years  engaged  in  the 
brick  manufactory,  besides  attending  to  the  duties  of  his  extensive 
farming  interests.  He  has  served  as  Assessor  since  1862,  except- 
ing 2  years,  and  School  Director  most  of  the  time.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Odd  Fellows  order. 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COTJNTY.  81& 

Orlando  Hart,  diQC.esi%QA,  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1829,  and 
emigrated  to  this  county  quite  early.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Jen- 
nette  "Wirt,  who  died  leaving  one  child,  Alvin.  In  April,  1854,  he 
again  married,  this  time  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  Harvey  Blair. 
Of  their  children  7  are  living,— EUie,  John,  Charles  "W.,  Katie, 
Alfred  and  Nettie.  Mr.  H.  resided  on  the  homestead  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1879.  Mrs.  H.  has  on  sec.  33  a  farm  of 
80  acres,  valued  at  $40  per  acre.  P.  0.,  Barry.  Mr.  H.  was  a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellows,  and  a  man  highly  esteemed  by  all 
who  knew  him.' 

A.  C.  Sollenheck  <&  Son,  hardware  merchants,  Barry.  This 
firm  erected  the  building  of  their  present  location  and  established 
themselves  in  business  in  1870.  They  carry  a  stock  of  $5,000  to 
$6,000,  and  deal  largely  in  farm  machinery.  Mr.  H.  is  a  native  of 
Genesee  Co.,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  born  in  1820.  Pie  was  married 
in  1845  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Cram,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  1859,  settling  in  this  city.  He  was  appointed  Post- 
master in  1861,  re-appointed  under  Grant,  and  filled  the  oflBce  14 
or  15  years.  He  was  Mayor  one  term.  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and 
Alderman,  and  is  a  strong  adherent  of  the  temperance  cause,  and 
Eepublican  principles.  His  only  child,  C.  R.,  is  his  partner,  and 
the  firm  enjoy  a  large  trade.  Mr.  Hollenbeck's  parents  were 
Eujoff  and  Electa  (Ames)  HoUcnbeck,  natives  of  Massachusetts. 

William  IIoyt,jv.,fBixme,r,  sec.  28  ;  P.  O.,  Barry;  son  of  William  and 
Kancy  (Bayne)  Hoyt,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1845  and  settled 
in  this  tp.,  where  they  still  reside.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
married  in  1859  to  Miss  Millie,  daughter  of  Levi  McDaniel,  de- 
ceased. To  them  have  been  born  6  children, — Nancy  E.,  Elvira  E., 
"William  H.,  Levi  W.,  Eoscoe  S.  and  Floyd.  He  settled  on  his 
present  estate  in  1865,  consisting  of  160  acres,  valued  at  $40  per 
acre.  Mr.  H.  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  He  is  a 
School  Director,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  Is  a  zealous  tem- 
perance advocate. 

W.  G.  EJvMard,  farmer,  sec.  15;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Lin- 
coln county,  Mo.,  in  1829,  and  is  a  son  of  Eli  and  Margaret  (Myers) 
Hubbard,  who  came  to  this  State  in  1831,  and  are  now  residents  of 
Oregon.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1867  to  Miss 
Sarah  Selby,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  enlisted  in  1862  in  Co.  D, 
99th  I.  Y.  I.,  and  served  8  years,  participating  in  battles  of  Harts- 
ville,  Vicksburg,  Spanish  Fort,  and  all  the  battles  in  which  the 
Kegiment  was  engaged;  was  4th  Sergeant  and  promoted  to  1st  Ser 
geant.  He  served  as  Sheriff  of  the  county  2  years,  from  1866  t4 
1868;  is  a  School  Director  at  present  time.  He  is  the  father  of 
children, — Hattie,  William,  Mary  and  Lottie. 

Loran  J.  Huntley,  constable,  was  born  in  Ashtabula  county, 
0.,  July  5,  18?8;  parents  were  Harlem  and  Almira  (Partridge) 
Huntley,  natives  of  New  Yoi'k  and  Massachusetts,  respectively, 
who  came  to  this  county  in  1843,  and  settled  in  Hadley  tp.,  where 
he  died  March  6,  1880;  she  died  in   Sept.,  1877.     Loran  J.  was 


820  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTr. 

married  in  1861  to  Miss  Martha  M.,  daughter  of  Wm.  Davis.  He 
engaged  in  farming  until  1872,  when  he  accepted  a  position  as 
Deputy  Sheriff,  serving  3  years;  also  Constable  in  Hadley  4  years, 
and  elected  in  Barry  to  the  same  position  in  Aug.,  18T8;  is  also  a 
member  of  the  Government  detective  force,  in  which  he  has  been 
engaged  5  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  0.  F.  Politics, 
Democratic. 

Elisha  Hurt,  retired  farmer,  sec.  24;  P.  O.,  Barry;  is  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  where  he  was  born  May  26,  1809,  the  son  of  Joshua  and 
Sallie  (Davis)  Hurt,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  emigrated  to  Illinois 
at  an  early  day,  settling  in  Logan  county,  where  he  died  the  same 
year.  She  died  in  Tennessee.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to 
this  county  in  1839  and  settled  on  his  present  estate,  consisting  of 
one-half  section  of  land,  valued  at  $20,000.  He  was  married  in 
1838  to  Miss  Margaret  J.  Lee,  a  native  of  Morgan  county,  Ya., 
where  she  was  born  in  1818.  To  them"  have  been  born  11  children, 
7  of  whom  are  living, — Charles  C,  John  M.,  Elisha,  jr.,  Berryman,- 
Albert  Clay  and  Edwin.  Mr.  H.  was  commissioned  Captain  in  the 
28th  111.  Inf.  in  1861,  and  raised  Co.  I,  and  served  3  years.  He 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  where  he  was  wounded,  siege 
of  Yicksbu'rg,  Hatchie,  Corinth,  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  all  the  battles 
of  that  Regiment.  He  had  also  3  sons  in  the  war, — Charles,  Moses 
and  Elisha.  Moses  was  taken  prisoner  at  Jackson  and  confined  at 
Belle  Isle,  where  he  was  exchanged.  Charles  was  wounded  at 
Shiloh  through  the  arm  and  side,  but  held  his  place  in  the  ranks 
by  his  comrades.  Moses  was  also  wounded  at  Hatchie;  but  all 
escaped  through  the  siege  of  war,  and  returned  to  their  home. 
Mr.  H.  went  to  California  in  1849,  being  among  the  first  to  cross 
the  plains  in  that  year.  He  returned  in  1851  and  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  this  city  until  186],  when  he  retired  to 
the  quiet  of  his  beautiful  home.  His  opportunities  for  an  early 
education  were  limited.  Left  with  a  widowed  mother,  he  has  by 
his  energy  and  perseverance  attained  success.  Politically  he  is  a 
descendant  of  the  old-line  Whigs,  devoted  to  Republican  principles, 
and  an  ardent  admirer  of  Grant. 

Thomas  C.  Johnson,  farmer,  sec.  20;  P.  O.,  Kinderhook;  was 
born  in  Louisa  county,  Ya.,  in  1826.  His  parents  were  William 
F.  and  Eliza  Johnson,  natives  of  that  State,  who  emigrated  to  Mis- 
souri in  1835,  where  they  both  died.  Thomas  C.  came  to  this 
county  in  1859  and  settled  on  his  present  farm,  consisting  of  127 
acres,  valued  at  $2,000.  He  was  married  in  1853  to  Miss  Mary  E. 
Tyler,  a  native  of  Yirginia,  the  fruits  of  which  are  3  children, — 
William  T.,  Columbus  and  Wesley  M.  Mr.  J.  is  Class-Leader  and 
Trustee  in  the  Methodist  Church  at  Kinderhook,  and  he  is  well 
and  favorably  known. 

Z>.  B.  Kidwell,  clerk,  was  born  in  this  county  in  1841,  and  is  a 
son  of  William  and  Mahala  (Girard),  Kid  well,  natives  of  Ohio, 
who  emigrated  at  an  early  day  to  this  county,  and  settled  in  this 
tp.,  where  he  died  in  1851.     He  was  a  mechanic,  and  from  1845  to 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  82.1 

1861  was  engaged  ir  the  furniture  business  in  Barry.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1863  to  Miss  Matilda  J.  Dibens,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Lottie  M.  Mr.  K.  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  a  Republican,  and  a  man  highly 
esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 

S.  Xirtright,  saloon-keeper,  Barry,  was  born  in  Clermont  county, 
0.,  in  1834,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Sophia  (Troy)  Kirtright, 
natives  of  that  State,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1840,  and  settled 
in  Hadley  tp.,  where  they  both  died  in  1848.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  moved  to  New,  Salem,  where  he  lived  until  1872,  when  he 
came  to  this  city,  and  opened  a  market  in  which  he  continued  until 
1879,  when  he  engaged  in  his  present  business.  He  was  married 
in  1856  to  Miss  Nancy  E.  Walls,  a  native  of  this  county,  who  died 
in  1871.  His  present  wife  is  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  William  Hill,  an 
early  settler  of  this  county.  Mr.  K.  still  owns  his  homestead  and  4 
lots  in  Salem,  and  20  acres  of  other  land.  He  served  as  Constable 
'6  years,  and  City  Marshal  some  years.     Is  a  Kepublican. 

Major  Klein,  attorney  at  law,  Barry;  is  the  3d  son  of  Joseph 
Klein,  an  old  resident  of  this  city,  where  he  lived  for  more  than  20 
years,  following  the  profession  of  law,  in  which  he  became  promi- 
nent for  his  skill  and  ability.  He  died  at  his  home  in  this  city 
Feb.  26,  1869.  As  a  citizen  father  and  friend,  Mr.  K.  had  no  su- 
perior, and  he  left  a  large  circle  of  friends  throughout  the  county. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  graduate  of  the  University  at  Ann 
Arbor,  Mich.,  in  1878,  and  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1879.  In  1878 
he  was  married  to  Miss  JennieKlein,  of  Springfield,  111.,  and  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  was  elected  City  Attorney  in 
1879,  and  enjoys  a  lucrative  practice. 

Samuel  Kn.ox,  proprietor  of  livery  and  feed  stable,  Barry;  is  a 
son  of  James  and  Nancy  (Beaks)  Knox,  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  settled  in  Missouri  at  an  early  time,  where  he  died  in  1854. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Pike  county.  Mo.,  in  1851, 
and -with  his  widowed  mother  moved  to  this  county  in  1857,  and 
settled  2  miles  west  of  Barry ;  3  years  afterward  she  moved  to  Adams 
county,  where  she  is  now  living.  Mr.  K.  was  married  in  1875  to 
Miss  Leah  Hendricks,  a  native  of  Adams  county,  and  they  have 
one  child,  Flandy  D.  He  engaged  in  farming  until  Jan.,  1880,  at 
which  time  he  opened  his  present  place  of  business,  where  he  keeps 
on  hand  a  good  stock  of  horses  and  carriages,  carries  a  stock  of 
$2,000,  and  enjoys  a  good  trade.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

,' Alvah  O.  Laing,  attorney  at  law,  Barry,  is  a  native  of  New 
York,  where  he  was  born  Aug.  6,  1820;  commenced  the  study  of 
law  at  the  age  of  21  years;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Michigan  in 
1850;  came  to  this  county  in  1869  and  settled  in  Barry,  where  he 
has  continued  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  a  large  circle  of  friends.  He  is  the  father  of  7  children,  4 
boys  and  8  girls.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 


822  HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

M.  Lane,  harness-maker,  Barry,  came  to  this  city  in  1857,  wher& 
he  opened  a  place  of  business  the  following  year;  with  the  exception 
of  three  years'  residence  on  the  coast  of  California,  he  has  since 
been  a  resident  of  this  place.  Mr.  L.  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  where 
he  was  born  in  1838,  and  he  emigrated  with  his  parents,  John  and 
Mary  (Burns)  Lane,  who  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  where  they  still 
reside.     Mr.  L.  carries  a  stock  of  $1,000,  and  enjoys  a  good  trade. 

Jonathan  D.  Lewis,  engineer,  sec.  26;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born 
in  Pickaway  county,  O.,  in  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
(Wilgins)  Lewis,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  they  both  died. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  this  county  in  1859,  and  settled 
in  this  tp.,  and  followed  his  professional  calling  at  the  Woolen 
Mill,  where  he  is  still  engaged.  He  M^as  married  in  1857  to  Miss 
Mary  J.  O'Connor,  a  native  of  Ireland,  by  whom  he  has  S 
children, — Hannah  F.,  William  P.  and  Thomas  J.  Owns  a  house 
and  three  acres  of  land.     In  politics  he  is  a  strong  Greenbacker. 

John  Liggett,  of  the  firm  of  Liggett  &  Poasa,  grocers,  Barry, 
was  born  in  Carroll  Co.,  O.,  in  1847,  the  son  of  John  and  Nancy 
(Young)  Liggett,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  respectively. 
She  died  in. Indiana  in  1866.  He  is  a  resident  of  Allen  county, 
Ind.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  this  county  in  1872,  and 
engaged  in  farming  3  years,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
J.  C.  Moore  in  the  livery  business,  where  he  was  connected  until 
March,  1880,  at  which  time  the  present  concern  was  consolidated. 
He  was  married  in  1875  to  Miss  Dotha,  daughter  of  William  Da- 
vis, by  whom  he  has  2  children, — Charles,  and  one  not  christened. 
Mr.  L.  is  a  member  of  the  fire  company,  and  one  of  the  energetic 
young  business  men  of  Barry.     Politics,  Democratic. 

James  Likes,  far mer,  sec.  33;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Koss 
county,  O.,  in  1827,  and  is  a  son  of  William  C.  and  Dorcas  (Day) 
Likes,  natives  of  that  State,  who  settled  in  Indiana  at  an  early 
time,  from  which  State  he  came  to  Pike  county  and  settled  in 
Barry  tp.,  where  he  died  in  1859.  James  was  married  in  1848  to 
Miss  Hannah  Decker,  who  was  born  in  Wabash  county.  III,  in 
1828.  Mr.  L.  settled  on  the  present  farm  in  1864,  consisting  of 
160  acres  of  valuable  land,  where  he  has  since  made  it  his  home, 
and  numbers  among  the  enterprising  farmers  of  Barry  tp.  Mari- 
etta, William,  Telasco,  Melinda,  Scott,  Martha  and  Lovilla  are 
their  living  children. 

C  P.  Lippincott,  farmer,  sec.  22;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  this 
tp.  in  1839,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Delina  (Decker)  Lippin- 
cott,  natives  of  Hew  Jersey,  who  emigrated  from  Ohio  to  this 
county  at  an  early  day,  and  settled  in  Barry,  where  he  opened  the 
first  store  in  this  city.  He  also  erected  the  old  distillery  and  car- 
ried on  an  extensive  business,  and  was  engaged  in  milling  for 
some  years.  He  then  went  to  Cincinnati,  O.,  and  ran  a  saw-mill 
and  lumber  yard,  where  he  died  in  1851 .  His  wife  died  in  1867 
in  this  tp.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1867  to 
Miss  Ohloe  Bill,  a  native  of  this  county,  by  whom  he  has  5  chil- 


I)- 


9^a^c^/.J/^ 


BARRY 


HISTOEY  OF  PIKE  COUNTY.  825 

dren  living:  Ibbie,  William,  Olive  M.,  Charles  and  George.  Mr. 
L.  has  served  as  Road  Commissioner  and  Overseer  some  years. 
He  settled  on  his  present  estate  in  1867,  consisting  of  160  acres, 
valued  at  $'50  per  acre.     Is  a  Democrat  iupolitics. 

Thomas  J.  Long,  retired  farmer,  Barry,  was  born  in  Baltimore, 
Md.,  June  25,  1808,  where  he  was  reared  and  educated;  he  emi- 
grated to  this  countjf  in  1829,  arriving  at  Atlas  the  1st  day  of 
July,  and  the  same  day  becoming  acquainted  with  Benj.  Barney. 
Mr.  Long  followed  farming  until  1872,  when  he  retired  and  moved 
to  Barry,  where  he  now  resides.  In  June,  1834,  he  married  Miss 
Elizabeth  M.  Irwin,  by  whom  he  has  had  9  children,  8  now  living, 
namely:  Adelaide  j.,  Margarec  E.,  Mary  A.,  Wm.  H.,  Thomas  C, 
Isadore  E.,  Zillah  V.  and  Marion  E.  The  name  of  the  deceased 
was  Josephine  L. 

W.  H.  Long,  of  the  firm  of  Long  &  Koehler,  grocers,  Barry,  is 
a  native  of  Adams  county.  111.,  where  he  was  born  in  1846.  He 
was  married  in  IS'Tl  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Hendricks,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
where  she  was  born  in  1847.  In  1877  Mr.  L.  erected  the  building 
he  now  occupies,  and  formed  the  present  partrfership.  The  firm 
carry  a  stock  of  $1,500  to  $1,600,  and  although  a  young  firm  in  the 
business  circles  of  Barry,  they  have  a  lucrative  and  increasing 
business.  Mr.  L.  served  as  Constable  some  years,  and  is  the  father 
of  2  children,  Gracie  L.  and  Don  D. 

J.  H.  Mallory,  dealer  in  dry-goods,  clothing,  boots  and  shoes. 
This  house  was  established  in  1863  by  Louis  Angle,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Sweet  &  Mallory.  This  co-partnership  existed  until 
1879,  when  Sweet  retired.  Mr.  M.  carries  a  stock  of  $13,000  to 
$15,000,  and  controls  a  large  trade.  He  is  a  native  of  New  York 
city,  where  he  was  burn  Jan.  1,  1830;  came  to  this  county  in  1846, 
and  engaged  in  farming  until  he  entered  upon  a  mercantile  pursuit. 
In  1852  he  married  Miss  Annetta  E.  Brown,  a  native  of  New  York. 
Of  this  union  one  child  is  living,  George.  Mr.  M.  is  Trustee  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  is  one  of  the  solid,  enterprising  business  men 
of  Barry. 

T.  M.  Martin  was  born  in  Balls  county,  Mo.,  May  6,  1845,  and 
with  his  parents  came  to  Pike  county.  111.,  in  the  spring  of  1847. 
He  is  the  3d  son  of  George  and  Levica  A.  Martin.  His  father  is  a 
native  of  Virginia,  and  mother  of  Kentucky.  T.  M.  was  married 
to  Miss  Laura  A.  Wike,  Nov.  4, 1869.  He  is  a  farmer,  and  resides 
on  sec.  11.  His  wife  is  a  daughter  of  George  Wike.  They  have 
born  to  them  4  children,  2  girls  and  2  sons. 

Charles  Mason,  merchant,  Barry,  was  born  in  Liverpool,  Eng., 
in  1816;  at  the  age  of  21  years  he  moved  to  Manchester,  where  he 
was  extensively  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wall-paper,  until  the 
introduction  of  a  tariff  bill  by  Robert  Peel,  which  ruined  his  busi- 
ness. He  was  married  in  1838  to  Miss  Ann  Orton,  a  native  of 
England.  They  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1849  and  settled  in 
Barry,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  until  he  was  able  to  open  a 
small  place  of  business.     Subsequently  his  health  failed,  and  Mrs. 

47 


826  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

M.  opened  the  millinery  establishment  of  their  present  location, 
where  she  has  since  condacted  a  very  profitable  trade.  He  after- 
ward purchased  the  building  and  added  a  stock  of  dry-goods  and 
groceries,  carrying  a  stock  of  $4,000.  Both  stores  have  a  frontage 
of  40  feet.  Mr.  M.  was  the  first  man  in  his  line  of  business  in 
Barry,  and  nearly  all  the  churches  in  this  city  bear  the  work  of  his 
hand..  He  and  his  wife  returned  to  their  native  land  in  1864;  and 
were  met  by  a  generous  welcome  by  old  friends,  and  presented  with 
a  memorial  address  from  the  temperance  association  at  Longsight, 
in  which  cause  Mr.  M.  has  always  borne  an  active  part.  He  is  an 
Elder  in  the  Baptist  Church  of  this  city,  and  is  highly  esteemed  by 
a  large  circle  of  friends. 

Charles  E.  Mason,  deceased,  was  the  son  of  Deacon  Charles  E. 
and  Martha  (Carrolton),  M.,  natives  of  New  Hampshire,  who  came 
to  this  county  at  an  early  day,  and  settled  on  the  present  estate, 
where  the}'  resided  until  called  to  a  better  home.  He  was  born 
Sept.  10,  1800,  and  died  in  Barry  Dec.  10,  1849.  She  was  born  in 
1803  and  died  in  1833.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
Cheshire  county,  New  Hampshire,  in  1825,  and  came  with  his 
parents  to  this  county.  In  1849  he  went  overland  to  California, 
where  he  remained  one  year.  In  1855  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Nancy 
J.  Hammon,  who  was  born  in  Johnson  county,  Ind.,  in  1828.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  David  and  Tabitha  (Dehart)  Woodruff,  natives 
of  Indiana,  where  he  was  born  in  Brown  county,  in  1796.  To  them 
were  born  8  children,  6  of  whom  are  living:  Nancy  J.,  John,  Mary, 
David,  Henry  and  George.  Her  father  settled  in  this  coimty  in 
1843,  and  is  now  living  with  his  daughter  at  the  homestead.  Mr. 
Mason  was  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  died  in 
this  township  in  1877.  To  them  were  born  5  children, — 4  sons  and 
1  daughter, — 3  of  whom  are  living:  Henry  B.,  "Willard  B.  and 
Anna  B.,  Chas.  B.  and  Edson  B.,  deceased.  The  estate  of  Mrs.  M. 
consists  of  330  acres  of  land,  valued  at  $70  per  acre.  Her  residence 
is  on  sec.  35,  and  her  postofiice  address  is  Barry. 

Elijah  L.  MoAtee,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.  O.,  Barry;  is  the  youngest 
son  of  Hezekiah  and  Sarah  (Smith)  McAtee,  natives  of  Maryland 
and  North  Carolina  respectively,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1827, 
and  settled  on  the  present  farm,  consisting  of  300  acres,  valued  at 
$50  per  acre,  80  acres  of  which  he  entered,  and  Elijah  entered  the 
remainder  and  purchased  J  sec,  most  of  which  has  been  cleared. 
Two  brothers,  who  came  in  1826,  cleared  a  portion  of  it.  Heze- 
kiah lived  here  until  his  death  in  December,  1850.  Mrs.  McAtee 
died  in  1855.  They  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  tp.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ky.,  in  1811,  and 
was  married  in  1836  to  Miss  Luc}"-  E.,  daughter  of  Judge  Grubb,  a 
native  of  Kentucky.  To  them  have  been  born  8  children,  2  of 
whom  are  living:  Bell,  wife  of  Alfred  Leach;  and  Alfred,  who  mar- 
ried Ellen,  daughter  of  George  Hancock,  by  whom  he  has  3  children, 
Lottie,  Ennit,  and  one  not  yet  christened.  In  1849  Mr.  M.,  with 
his  brother  John  and  2  sons,  crossed  the  plains  to  California  with 


.^iSilli-. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  827 

an  ox  team.  In  Sacramento  and  San  Jose  he  became  prominent  as 
an  auctioneer,  in  selling  outfits,  and  the  party  all  returned  by  way 
of  the  Isthmus,  reaching  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  John  was  taken 
sick  and  died.  This  family  number  among  the  earlysettlers  of 
Barry  tp.  They  came  in  a  wagon  drawn  by  oxen,  and  erected  a 
rude  hut,  which  to  this  day  shelters  occupants  of  his  farm.  His 
first  vote  was  cast  for  Gen.  Jackson  before  he  was  21  years  of  age, 
and  he  has  always  voted  the  Democratic  ticket.  Mr.  McAtee  stands 
6  feet  3i  inches  in  his  stockings,  and  weighs  from  180  to  185  lbs. 

George  K.  MoDaniel,  farmer,  sec.  26;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born 
in  Pike  county,  111.,  July  24,  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  Levi  McDaniel, 
who  came  to  this  county  in  1836,  where  he  resided  until  his  death, 
March  1,  1877.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  to  Miss 
Lizzie  M.  Lippincott,  by  whom  he  has  5  children,  3  boys  and  2 
girls.  Politically  Mr.  McD.  has  ever  been  a  Democrat,  and  in 
1878  espoused  the  Greenback  cause. 

William  McDaniel,  farmer,  sec.  23;  P.  O.,  Barry;  is  a  son  of 
Levi  and  Elizabeth  (Jennings)  McDaniels,  natives  of  Edgefield 
District,  S.  C,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1836  and  settled  in 
Barry  tp.,  where  he  entered  260  acres  of  timbered  land  in  sec.  26, 
where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1876.  She  died  in  September, 
1878.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Edgefield  District, 
S.  0.,  in  1823.  He  was  married  in  1845  to  Miss  Angeline,  daugh- 
ter of  Ephraim  Blake,  an  early  settler  in  this  county  from  Pennsyl- 
vania, who  died  at  his  son's  residence,  Jerry  Blake.  By  this  mar- 
riage 9  children  have  been  born,  6  of  whom  are  living:  Lottie, 
wife  of  Hezekiah  Thompson ;  Henry  H. ;  Hattie,  wife  of  Henry 
Jones;  Martha,  JS"ancy  A.  and  William.  The  deceased  are  Ellen, 
Eddie,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  This  family,  with  4  others, 
numbering  35  souls,  left  South  Carolina  for  the  West  and  all  set- 
tled in  Barry  tp.  Mr.  McD.  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  interests  of  the  tp.,  and  the  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.     Politics,  Democratic. 

WilUam  Molntire,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Barry,  is  a  son  of  Jo- 
seph and  Joicy  (Gates)  Mclntire,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Alabama 
respectively,  who  emigrated  to  Pike  county  in  1831  and  settled  in 
Pleasant  Yale  township.  Some  years  afterward  he  removed  to 
Barry  tp.,  where  he  died  in  1873.  Mrs.  Mclntire  is  still  living,  in 
the  68th  year  of  her  age.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in 
this  county  in  1836.  He  served  as  Constable  19  years.  He  was 
married  in  1861  to  Miss  Diala,  daughter  of  Joel  Hart,  deceased. 
They  have  one  child,  Lillie  H.  Mr.  Mclntire  has  been  Mayor 
and  Alderman  a  number  of  terms,  and  has  always  taken  an  active 
part  in  the  interests  of  the  town  and  city. 

John  Millhizer,  farmer,  sec.  31;  was  born  Aug.  31,  1807,  in 
Ohio,  and  is  a  son  of  Philip  and  Elizabeth  (Delavan)  Millhizer, 
father  of  German,  and  mother  of  English  descent;  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools  of  Missouri;  learned  the  cooper's  trade  of  his 
father  when  17  years  of  age;  came  from  Pike  county.  Mo.,  to  this 


838  HISTOET   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

county  in  1826,  settling  on  sec.  31,  Barry  tp.,  and  has  made  his 
home  here  ever  since.  In  early  day  he  had  to  go  to  Quincy  to  get 
work,  although  that  place  was  scarcely  large  enough  to  be  called  a 
village.  'About  the  year  1833  he  married  Hester  Hampton,  and  of 
their  T  children  5  are  living,  all  married  but  one,  and  all  in  this 
county  but  one.  He  is  the  oldest  settler  living  in  this  tp.  at  the 
present  time,  and  remembers,  among  the  many  other  peculiarities 
of  pioneer  life  described  elsewhere  in  this  history,  that  hog-steal- 
ers  were  punished  by  a  thrashing  at  the  whipping-post.  He  com- 
menced a  poor  boy,  worked  at  the  cooper's  trade  12  years  in  this 
county,  and  now  has  270  acres  of  land,  well  improved,  100  acres  in 
cultivation.  March  20,  1864,  he  married  Lydia  Manker,  and  they 
have  had  one  child,  David,  who  was  born  Dec.  4,  1864.  Politi- 
cally Mr.  M.  is  a  Republican. 

John  O.  Moon,  proprietor  of  livery  and  feed  stable,  Barry,  was 
born  in  Brown  county,  O.,  in  1853,  son  of  Calvin  and  Delilah 
(Sewell)  Moon,  residents  of  that  State.  He  came  to  this  county  in 
18Y8,  and  opened  his  present  place  of  business,  carrying  now  a 
stock  of  $2,000,  and  controls  a  general  trade.  He  was  married 
Jan.  1,  1880,  to  Miss  Lelia,  daughter  of  Samuel  Davis,  deceased, 
an  early  settler  of  the  county.  Mr.  M.  keeps  constantly  on  hand 
a  good  assortment  of  buggies  for  sale,  having  had  much  experience 
in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  them. 

Dr.  P.  M.  Parker,  dentist,  Barry,  was  born  in  Cayuga  county, 
N.  Y.,  Jan.  15, 1822,  and  is  a  son  of  Samuel  B.  Parker,  well  known 
in  the  history  of  Pike  county;  his  school  education  was  obtained 
mostly  in  an  old  log  school-house  in  this  county;  in  1826  his  pa- 
rents moved  with  him  to  Trumbull  county,  O.,  and  in  1836  to  this 
county.  Dr.  P.  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  Higgins,  of  G-riggs- 
ville,  at  intervals  for  three  years,  chopping  cord-wood  in  the  mean- 
time to  obtain  money  to  pay  his  expenses.  He  is  a  graduate  of  the 
medical,  department  of  the  State  University  of  Missouri  at  St. 
Louis,  practiced  medicine  at  Ursa,  Adams  county.  111.,  from  1844 
to  1846;  at  New  Canton,  this  county,  from  that  time  to  1851; 
from  that  time  to  1853  in  the  country  five  miles  east  of  Pittsfield, 
and  then  at  Barry  from  1853  to  1864,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
engaged  in  dentistry,  which  he  follows  with  success.  He  helped 
to  build  one  of  the  first  log  school-houses  in  Pike  county,  namely, 
the  one  near  Blue  Eiver  Cemetery,  in  Detroit  tp.,  in  1843.  March 
21,  1850,  he  married  Celia  A.  Dunham,  daughter  of  John  Dun- 
ham, of  Newburg  Corners,  this  county,  and  they  have  had  but  one 
child,  which  died  about  7|-  months  old. 

M.  G.  Patterson,  railroad  and  express  agent  at  Barry,  was  born 
in  New  York  city  Feb.  9,  1848.  In  1870  he  was  united  in  wed- 
lock to  Miss  JSTettie  E.  Young,  a  native  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.  He  was 
appointed  to  his  present  position  in  1871,  and  moved  to  this  city, 
where  he  has  since  made  it  his  home.  He  is  also  extensively 
engaged  in  the  coal  and  grain  business.  To  him  belongs  the  honor 
of  introducing  the  use  of  anthracite  coal  in   this  county.    Large- 


HISTORY    OF    FIKE    COUNTY.  829 

shipments  are  constantly  coming  in  from  the  coal  mines  of  Scran- 
ton,  Pa.,  and  it  is  being  largely  used  in  various  portions  of  the 
cuunty.  He  is  Secretary  of  the  Masonic  order  of  this  city.  He 
has  two  children,  Carrie  and  Ada. 

0.  M.  Perry,  manufacturer,  was  born  in  Cumberland  county, 
Pa.,  in  1826,  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Mary  (Butts)  Perry,  natives  of 
that  State,  where  they  both  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came 
to  this  county  in  1848,  and '  engaged  in  the  woolen  manufactory. 
He  was  a  partner  in  the  company  of  six  that  erected  the  woolen 
mill  in  1864,  where  he  was  successfully  engaged  for  twenty  years. 
He  was  married  in  1856  to  Miss  Virginia  Watson,  a  native  of  New 
York,  who  died  in  1872,  leaving  2  children,  Thomas  and  Mary. 
His  present  wife,  nee  Lottie -Hart,  is  a  native  of  this  county  and 
daughter  of  Joel  Hart,  deceased.  To  this  union  1  child  has  been 
born,  Clarence.  Mr.  P.  has  a  pleasant  residence,  with  12^  acres  of 
land,  and  he  also  has  160  acres  in  other  parts  of  the  tp.  He  served 
as  Koad  Supervisor  11  years,  and  School  Director  many  years,  and 
has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  business  circles  of  Barry. 
His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  politics  he  is 
Democratic  always. 

Charles  Finger,  lumber  dealer,  Barry;  established  in  the  fall  of 
'76.  He  furnislied  the  means  for  the  erection  of  the  saw-mill  and 
buildings  in  1875,  prior  to  which  time  the  business  was  carried  on 
in  a  small  yard  through  his  agent.  He  first  began  business  at  Han- 
nibal on  a  small  capital,  and  increased  until  he  was  enabled  to  run 
6  yards.  He  shipped  over  100  car-loads  of  lumber  to  this  place. 
He  employs  from  12  to  20  men,  and  fills  contracts  for  furnisliing 
buildings  with  sash,  doors,  mouldings,  etc.,  all  of  which  are  made 
at  this  establishment.  Mr.  P.  is  a  native  of  Cincinnati,  O.,  where 
he  was  born  in  1848.  Mr.  P.  is  also  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business,  where  he  is  having  a  lucrative  trade,  and  is  one  of  the 
thorough  business  men  of  the  times.  He  was  married  in  1870  to 
Miss  Nettie,  daughter  of  John  Kice,  a  native  of  Ohio.  To  them 
have  been  born  4  children, — Harry,  Leo,  Lulu  and  Pearl. 

Charles  Roasa,  of  the  firm  of  Liggett  &  Roasa,  grocers,  Barry,  is 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  born  in  1852.  He  is  the 
sou  of  Charles  and  Elizabeth  Roasa,  natives  of  Germany,  who  emi- 
grated to  America  in  1840,  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and  are  at 
this  time  living  in  Lewis  count}',  Mo.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  married  in  1875  to  Miss  Nora  McDonald,  a  native  of  this 
county.  To  them  one  child  has  been  born,  Paulina.  Mr.  R.  fills 
the  office  of. City  Clerk,  and  is  one  of  the  active  young  business  men 
of  Barry.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Republican  in 
politics.  The  firm  of  which  he  is  a  member  succeeded  A.  "White 
in  1880,  and  they  now  carry  a  stock  of  $2,000  and  enjoy  a  fair 
trade. 

Dr.  J  S.  Rowand  (&  Son,  druggists,  Barry.  The  senior  partner 
of  thisfirni  was  born  in  Camden,  IST.  J.,  in  1813;  was  married  in 
1834  to  Miss  Ellen  B.  Haines,  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  where  he 


830 


HrSTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  patent  medicine  until  he  came  to 
this  county  in  1856,  and  commenced  his  present  business.  In  1876 
he  erected  the  building  he  now  occupies.  It  has  a  frontage  of  37 
feet  and  is  120  feet  deep.  The  firm  carry  a  stock  of  $3,000,  and 
have  a  large  and  lucrative  trade.  He  has  3  children  living:  John, 
the  junior  partner  of  the  house,  who  married  Miss  McTucker,  of 
this  city;  Horace  M,  and  Bathuel  H.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  K.  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church. 

G.  W.  Shields,  proprietor  of  lime  kiln;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  bprri 
in  Athens  county,  O.,  in  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Lydia 
Selby,  natives  of  Ohio,  who  emigrated  to  this  State  in  1848,  "and 
settled  north  of  Quincy,  where  he  lived  until  he  moved  to  this  tp., 
where  he  now  resides.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in 
1868  to  Miss  Martha  Freeman,  a  native  of  Illinois.  Mr.  S.  has 
been  engaged  in  his  present  business  4  years,  and  is  doing  a  fair 
trade.  Bessie,  Josie  and  Mabel  are  his  living  children.  Politics, 
Democratic. 

Eugene  Smith,  merchant  and  banker,  Barry,  is  a  son  of  Nathaniel 
and  Sylvania  (Sweet)  Smith,  natives  of  New  York  State,  who  emi- 
grated to  this  county  and  settled  in  Barry  tp.  in  1837,  where  he  is 
at  this  time  living.  She  died  in  1879.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  Pike  county,  111.,  in  1839,  and  during  the  early  years 
of  his  life  engaged  in  clerking,  until  called  to  fill  the  office  of 
cashier  in  the  Exchange  Bank  at  the  time  of  its  organization.  In 
1872  he  was  admitted  to  the  concern,  forming  the  present  partner- 
ship of  Smith, -Davis  &  Brown.  He  was  married  in  1879  to  Miss 
Helen,  daughter  of  Henry  Bonnel,  a  native  of  Griggsville.  Mr. 
Smith  is  also  a  partner  of  the  firm  of  Crandall  &  Smith,  grocers 
and  grain  dealers,  which  is  the  largest  house  of  the  kind  in  Pike 
county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  fills  the  office  of 
Dictator  in  the  Knights  of  Honor.  He  and  Mrs.  S.  are  members 
of  the  Baptist*  Church,  Probably  no  man  is  more  deserving  of 
success  than  Mr.  Smith,  for  close  attention  to  business,  energy, 
integrity,  and  the  possession  of  qualities  that  have  won  for  him 
an  active  and  responsible  position  in  this  county.  His  portrait, 
which  appears  in  this  work,  was  taken  at  the  age  of  40  years. 

George  W.  Smith,  teacher,  is  a  son  of  Jarae's  and  Sarah  Smith, 
of  Barry,  and  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  O.,  Feb.  8,  1851;  was 
brought  by  his  parents  to  this  county  in  1856;  was  educated  in 
Barry,  where  he  is  now  teaching  his  eighth  year  in  the  2d  gram- 
mar school;  he  taught  his  first  school  at  Summer  Hill,  this  county. 
In  1874  he  married  Miss  Alta  C.  Blair,  daughter  of  Samuel  Blair, 
of  Barry,  and  they  have  had  2  children, — George  L.,  deceased, 
and  Ida. 

J.  J.  Smith,  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes,  clotliing,  hats,  caps,  and 
gents'  furnishing-goods,  established  himself  in  grocery  business 
in  1869.  In  1870  Mr.  Crandall  was  admitted  and  they  formed  a 
partnership.  The  firm  dissolved  in  J  875.  The  following  year  he 
erected  the  building  of  his  present  location,  at  a  cost  of  $7,500. 


HISTOBT   OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  831 

Being  iu  poor  health,  he  spent  one  year  in  the  South,  and  in  1877 
returned  and  opened  his  present  business,  wlietre  he  enjoys  a  good 
trade.  He  is  a  native  of  Lynchburg  county,  Va.,  where  he  was 
born  in  1840.  He  was  married  in  Virginia  to  Miss  Sarah  F. 
Orninpton,  a  native  of  that  State.  Tbey  have  one  adopted  son, 
James  Y.  Mr.  S.  is  one  of  the  active  and  enterprising  merchants 
of  Barry,  and  is  well  and  favorably  known. 

M.  Strubinger  was  born  in  Delaware  in  1833,  and  is  the  eldest 
son  of  Joseph  Strubinger,  deceased,  whose  name  is  familiar  to  all 
of  the  people  of  PiKe  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
brought  by  his  parents  to  Pike  county  when  he  was  a  boy,  and  he 
commenced  the  battle  of  life  at  the  age  of  21,  working  on  the  farm 
by  the  month  until  he  was  about  30  years  of  age,  at  $15  per  month. 
He  worked  for  one  man  seven  years.  Mr.  Strubinger  was  married 
to  Miss  Mary  H.  Chamberlain  in  1862,  and  they  have  had  four 
children.  Mr.  Strubinger  camejto  Barry,  where  he  resided  for  live 
or  six  years,  and  now  resides  three-fourths  of  a  mile  south,  on  a 
farm  of  2:i5  acres  of  highly  improved  farm  lands.  He  has  the 
past  year  built  him  one  of  the  finest  farm  residences  in  the  county. 
He  has  in  all  about  1,200  acres  of  land.  He  is  a  thorough  farmer 
and  deals  extensively  in  stock. 

Dr.  Joseph  Jerome  Topliff.  Dr.  Topliff  was  born  in  Bridge- 
water,  Windsor  county,  Vermont,  Sept.  12,  1832.  He  remained  at 
home  until  the  age  of  16,  receiving  his  early  education  at  the  dis- 
trict school,  working  on  his  father's  farm  during  the  summer,  and 
attending  school  in  the  winter.  He  was  then  sent  to  Black  River 
Academy,  at  Ludlow,  Vt.,  where  he  remained  two  years,  and  then 
entered  the  G-reen  Mountain  Liberal  Institute,  at  South  Woodstock, 
Vt.,  closing  his  Academic  course  at  that  Institution,  where  he  entered' 
upon  the  study  of  medicine,  and  graduated  atDartmouth  College,  N. 
H.  In  April,  1856,  he  came  to  Illinois  and  located  at  Pittsfield,  Pike 
county,  and  the  following  year  was  elected  School  Commissioner  of  ^ 
the  county,  which  office  he  held  for  two  terms.  In  the  spring  of 
1862  he  moved  to  New  Salem,  and  devoted  his  attention  to  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  where  his  professional  and  untiring 
devotioij  to  his  patients  and  his  profession,  with  his  accustomed 
social,  courteous,  and  honorable  manner,  won  for  him  a  large  circle 
of  patrons  and  warm  friends.  He  wa^  elected  Clerk  of  the  Circuit 
Court  and  Recorder  of  the  county  in  the  fall  of  1868,  which  office 
he  held  for  4  years,  witii  ability  and  entire  satisfaction  to  the  peo- 
ple of  the  county ,.and  left  his  official  record  without  spot  or  blem- 
ish. Preparatory  to  resuming  the  practice  of  his  profession  he 
spent  the  fall  and  winter  of  1875-6  in  New  York,  pursuing  his 
professional  studies  at  Belle vue  Hospital  Medical  College  and  the 
College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  when  two  years  ago  he  asso- 
ciated himself  with  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  highly  esteemed 
practitioners  of  the  county.  Dr.  A.  C.  Baker,  of  Barry,  111.,  where 
we  find  him  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  full  confidence  of  his  profes- 
sional brethren,  and  a  large  and  increasing  demand  for  his  profes- 


832  HISTORY   OF    PIKE  COUNTY. 

sional  services.  Dr.  Topliff  was  married  to  Laura  E.  Lake,  South 
Woodstock,  Vt.,  in  1856,  and  they  have  had  4  children,  1  son  and 
3  daughters.  The  son  was  accidentally  shot  and  killed  when  14  years 
of  age;  the  wife  and  daughters  are  all  living. 

J.  L.  Underwood,  attorney  at  law,  Barry,  is  a  son  of  Eobert 
and  Martha  (Onderdonk)  Underwood,  the  former  born  in  New 
York  city,  March  7,  1803,  and  the  latter  born  Aug.  2, 1803.  They 
emigrated  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  Eidara,  where  he  died  Feb.  11, 
1878;  she  is  still  living  in  this  city.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  New  York  city,  May  16, 1826;  came  to  this  county  in  1836, 
where  he  has  since  made  it  his  home.  In  1847  he  enlisted  in  Oo. 
K,  5th  111.  Vol.,  for  the  Mexican  war,  and  served  nearly  two  years. 
In  the  spring  of  1849  he  went  overland  to  California;  returning  the 
following  year  he  was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  Lyons,  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Lyons,  a  native  of  this  State.  To  them  were 
born  10  children,  6  of  whom  are  living,  5  boys  and  a  girl.  He 
began  the  practice  of  law  in  this  city  in  1862;  was  appointed  under 
Lincoln  Inspector  of  Goal  Oils,  Liquors  and  Tobacco,  and  served 
in  that  capacity  until  removed  by  Andy  Johnson.  He  was  Justice 
of  the  Peace  4  j^ears  in  Derry,  and  Police  Magistrate  10  years,  and 
Supervisor  2  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and 
has  always  been  identified  with  the  interests  of  the  town  and 
county.  Mr.  U.  has  traveled  extensively  through  different  countries 
of  the  East,  and  is  well  informed  on  all  subjects.  His  mother  has 
for  50  years  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

John  Weber,  proprietor  of  the  Empire  House,  was  born  in  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  in  1843,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Margaret  Weber, 
natives  of  Germany,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1841  and  settled 
in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  from  which  State  they  moved  to  Adams  county, 
where  they  at  this  time  reside.  Mr.  John  Weber  was  married  in 
1867  to  Miss  Eosa,  daughter  of  Robert  High,  a  native  of  Adams 
county,  where  Mr.  W.  was  engaged  in  milling  and  merchandising 
until  he  came  to  this  county  in  1877.  Here  he  engaged  as  sales- 
man, until  he  took  the  Empire  House  in  the  winter  of  the  same 
year.  In  the  brief  experience  of  Mr.  W.  in  catering  to  the  travel- 
ing public  he  has  won  for  himself  an  extended  reputation.  Court- 
eous, kind,  and  obliging  at  all  times,  the  traveler  will  find  the 
"Empire"  a  place  of  welcome.  He  is  the  father  of  3  children, — 
Ealph  K.,  Harry  and  Nettie.  Mr.  Weber  is  an  Alderman  at  pre- 
sent. 

Henry  Wendorff,  furniture  dealer,  west  side  of  the  Square,  Barry, 
111.,  was  born  in  German}^,  June  18, 1828;  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  1856,  stopping"  at  Buffalo  one  year;  he  then  came  and 
started  in  business  in  a  small  building  only  16  by  24  on  the  west 
side  of  the  Square  in  Barry,  which  building  he  has  greatly  en- 
larged on  account  of  his  increasing  business.  He  keeps  constantly 
on  hand  the  best  line  of  goods,  selling  them  at  very  low  rates.  His 
capital  stock  is  now  about  $3,000.     In  1857  he  married  Caroline 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    OOtTJSITT.  833 

Hermon,  by  whom  he  has  had  7  children:  Henry,  Louise,  Anna, 
Carrie,  Mary,  May- and  Irene. 

Alex.  White,  retired  merchant,  Barry,  is  a  native  of  Scotland, 
where  he  was  born  in  1830,  and  emigrated  to  America  in  1850  with 
his  parents,  Thomas  and  Esther  (Watson)  "White,  who  settled  near 
Barry  and  engaged  in  farming.  They  afterward  moved  to  Quincy, 
where  they  both  died.  Mr.  W.  became  associated  with  his  brother 
in  the  mercantile  business  in  1864,  which  was  continued  until  the 
present  year,  when  the  firm  dissolved.  He  was  married  in  1853  to 
Miss  Mary  Ferguson,  a  native  of  Scotland,  by  whom  he  has  one 
child  Irving,  Alexandria  E..,  wife  of  Albert  Hurt,  residents  of  this 
city.  "  Mr.  W.  has  been  School  Director  9  years,  and  is  the  present 
Clerk  of  the  Board.  He  has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in 
school  matters,  and  other  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of  Barry. 
In  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  ^ 

W.  F.  White,  merchant,  Barry,  111.,  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Esther  (Watson) White,  natives  of  Scotland ;  with  their  family  they 
einigrated  to  this  country  in  1850  and  located  in  Quincy;  thence 
they  moved  to  Barry,  on  a  farm.  They  were  the  parents  of  12 
children,  11  boys  and  1  girl,  of  which  W.  E.  was  the  seventh  son, 
being  about  15  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this  city.  In  his 
early  life  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  and  superintended  the 
building  of  many  fine  houses  in  the  neighborhood;  and  by  strict 
perseverance  and  6conomy,  in  1857  he  embarked  in  the  mercantile 
business,  of  which  he  has  stood  at  the  head  (firm  of  W.  F.  White  & 
Brother)  for  23  years;  was  a  large  operator  in  grain  and  pork-pack- 
ing till  within  the  last  three  years;  is  now  engaged  in  mercantile 
business, — dry-goods,  boots  and  shoes,  hardware  and  agricultural 
implements,  and  doing  a  good  business.  He  also  holds  an  interest 
in  the  Opera  House,  which  was  commenced  by  his  energy,  also  in- 
terested in  many  buildings  and  dwellings,  etc.,  in  the  city.  He  has 
also  held  some  very  prominent  positions  before  the  people,  as  City 
Treasurer  and  Alderman;  has  served  the  township  as  Supervisor 
for  several  years,  with  great  credit  and  honor.  Is  a  prominent  Free- 
mason, in  which  order  he  has  held  many  offices  of  prominence;  is 
now  M.  E.  Scribe  of  Barry  Chapter  No.  88,  K.  A.  M. ;  is  an  un- 
flinching Democrat  in  politics,  and  now  a  prominent  candidate  before 
the  people  for  the  nomination  of  Circuit  Clerk  of  Pike  county.  He 
was  married  in  1862  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Bush,  daughter  of  Josiah 
Ensh,  and  they  have  had  two  children,  Caroline  and  William  A. 
Caroline  died  in  1864,  aged  15  months.  His  wife  Mary  died  in 
1866,  aged  33  years. 

D.  J.  Wike,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  Cumber- 
land county.  Pa.,  in  1821,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  George  and 
Mary  (Essig)  Wike,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  his  father  died 
in  1825.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  settled  in  Quincy  in  1842, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  woolen  business  for  2  years,  when  he  came 
to  this  tp.,  and  with  two  brothers,  George  and  Joseph,  and  P. 
Grubb,  erected  a  woolen  factory  on  sec.  23,  where  he  carried  on  an 


834  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

extensive  business  for  5  years;  then  he  sold  his  interest  and  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  New  Salem  tp.  Three  years  afterward  he  re- 
turned to  Barry,  and  in  1847  was  married  to  Drusilla,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Orr,  a  native  of  Eandolph  county,  111.,  where  she  was 
born  in  1828 ;  settled  on  his  present  estate  in  the  spring  of  1853, 
consisting  of  200  acres,  valued  at  $75  per  acre.  Mr.  "W".  has  been 
prominently  identified  with  the  interests  of  the  tp.,  and  was  the 
first  member  initiated  in  the  Masonic  Order  at  Barry,  in  1845. 
He  is  the  father  of  7  children,  6  of  whom  are  living, — Thomas  0.> 
Dallas,  William  M.,  Mary  E.,  Charles  ,S.  and  Louis  L. 

Thomas  0.  Wihe,  farmer,  sec.  34;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  this 
tp.  in  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  David  and  Drusilla  (Orr)  Wike,  early 
Barry  pioneers.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  in  1872 
to  Miss  Elmira  Uchran,  a  native  of  this  county.  Two  children 
are  the  fruits  of  this  marriage, — George  H.  and  Elizabeth  E.  Mr. 
Wike  has  a  farm  of  40  acres,  valued  at  $75  per  acre.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  one  of  the  pioneer  generation  of  Barry. 

J.  R.  Williams,  farmer,  sec.  36:  P.  O.,  Barry;  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Margaret  (Reno)  Williams,  natives  of  Tennessee,  who 
settled  in  Indiana  when  it  was  a  Territory,  where  he  died  in  1817. 
She  died  in  1833.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Overton, 
county,  Tenn.,  in  1817;  in  1834  he  went  to  Iowa,  then  the  Territory 
of  Wisconsin,  where  he  purchased  land,  which  he  afterward  sold, 
receiving  in  payment  Illinois  State  scrip,  payable  at  6  per  cent, 
interest,  which  was  never  redeemed.  This  was  valuable  time,  and 
labor  lost,  and  in  1842  he  evacuated  that  Territory  for  the  growing 
settlements  of  Illinois,  and  rented  a  farm  in  Pleasant  Yale  tp. 
He  was  married  March  10, 1845,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  A.  Baldwin,  a 
native  of  New  Yoi'k  State,  who  died  Nov.  15,  of  the  same  year. 
She  was  born  Aug.  6,  1828.  His  present  wife,  lately  Mrs. 
Mary  Blair,  widow  of  Hon.  Wm.  Blair,  who  died  in  the  State  Leg- 
islature in  1845;  was  born  in  New  York  State  Nov.  1,  1814.  Mr. 
W.  settled  on  his  present  farm  in  1845,  consisting  of  140  acres, 
valued  at  $70  per  acre.  Mr.  W.  has  been  prominently  identified 
with  the  interests  of  the  township  in  several  ofiices,  and  the  family 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Of  their  several  children  2 
are  living,  John  R.  and  Calvin  J.  Politically,  Mr.  W.  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 


PLEASANT  VALE  TOWNSHIP. 

Long  before  railroads  were  thought  of  in  the  "West,  and  when  the 
'red  man  and  wild  beasts  roamed  at  will  across  the  prairies  and 
through  the  forests  of  Illinois;  and  when  this  expanse  of  country  was 
one  vast  wilderness,  two  young  men  wended  their  way  into  this 
then  far  West,  and  took  up  their  dwelling  among  the  treacherous 
Indians  and  savage  beasts.  They  pitched  their  tent  iirst  on  sec.  16 
of  what  is  now  Pleasant  Vale  township.  These  men,  who  were 
then  youag  and  sturdy,  both  won  wealth,  position  and  honor,  in 
this  great  State.  They  were  John  Wood  and  Willard  Keyes,  both 
names  familiar  to  almost  every  man  in  this  part  of  the  State,  and 
the  former  of  whom  was  chosen  Lieutenant  Governor,  and  on  the 
■  death  of  Governor  Bissell  acted  as  Governor.  These  two  men  met 
about  this  time  and  formed  a  -friendship  which  was  never  broken 
until  the  death  of  Mr.  Keyes  in  1872.  They  lived  here  in  one  little 
cabin;  indeed,  they  had  much  in  common;  youth,  energy  and  am- 
bition,— common  aims  and  sympathies,  and  for  half  a  century  they 
watched  the  growth  and  gradual  development  of  the  city  they  had 
founded. 

Wood  and  Willard  soon  moved  from  sec.  16  to  the  southwest 
quarter  of  sec.  22,  where  they  made  the  first  improvements  that 
were  made  in  the  township.  They  soon  afterward,  however,  sold 
their  possessions  here  and  moved  to  Quincy  and  founded  that  city, 
where  Mr.  Wood  still  resides,  and  where  Mr.  Keyes  lived  until  his 
death. 

'  Amos  and  Joseph  Jackson,  David  Button,  Major  Hinckley,  Par- 
ley Jackson,  Daniel  Howard,  Mr.  Rice,  Mr.  Mitchell  and  Andrew 
Shearer  were  also  very  early  settlers  in  this  township,  and  did  much 
for  the  improvement  of  the  county. 

These  early  settlers  endured  many  hardships  ^nd  privations  in 
preparing  tlie  way  for  future  generations  and  future  prosperity, 
which  the  people  of  to-day  know  not  of.  They  ground  their  corn 
for  food  on  a  hand-mill,  and  at  times  crushed  it  in  a  hominy  block. 
The  latter  consisted  of  a  hole  burnt  in  a  stump  or  block  of  wood, 
in  which  corn  was  placed  and  crushed  with  an  iron  wedge  or  mallet. 
In  a  short  time,  however,  these  odd  and  rude  pieces  of  pioneer  ma- 
chinery were  replaced  by  horse-mills.  These  were  generally  situ- 
ated eight  or  ten  miles  ti-om  the  settlers  here,  and  although  they 
were  a  great  improvement  upon  the  hand-mills  and  hominy  blocks, 
the  process  of  grinding  would  be  considered  very  slow,  indeed,  bj 


836  ■  HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

the  people  of  this  day  and  age  of  steam-mills.  The  boys  then 
went  to  mill  on  horseback,  and  seldom  ever  returned  the  same  day. 
They  would  congregate  under  the  old  shed  of  the  horse-mill  while 
waiting  for  their  turn,  and  there  make  a  fire  and  parch  corn,  tell 
Jokes,  etc.  In  this  way  they  would  pass  the  night  very  pleasantly 
without  supper  or  sleep;  for  the  supper  could  not  be  had,  and  there 
was  no  place  to  sleep,  save  on  the  sacks  of  corn. 

Then  came  the  days  of  schools  and  churches. .  The  first  school- 
house  erected  by  the  settlers  was  on  sec.  22,  in  1825.  It  was  a  log 
cabin  with  a  clapboard  door,  puncheon  fioor,  slab  benches  for  seats 
and  a  huge  fire-place  at  one  end  of  the  room.  The  desks  consisted 
of  puncheons  supported  by  pins  in  the  wall;  the  fire-place  had  no 
chimney  except  above  the  roof;  there  were  two  doors,  one  at  each 
side  of  the  fire-place.  The  fuel  used  consisted  of  huge  logs,  which 
were  often  dragged  into  the  house  by  a  horse  coming  in  at  one  door 
and  passing  through  and  out  at  the  other.  Around  and  near  the 
fire-place  there  was  no  floor  except  the  ground,  the  puncheon  floor 
covering  the  back  part  of  theroom  only.  The  window  consisted  of  a 
log  removed  from  one  side  of  the  room,  with  greased  paper  pasted 
over  the  aperture.  The  first  teacher  here  was  a  Kv.  Rankin.  The 
pioneer  teacher  was  of  the  ox-driver  class,  and  generally  carried  a 
large  ''  gad  "  in  his  hands,  to  maintain  order  in  the  school. 

Religious  worship  was  early  instituted  in  the  first  settlement  of 
this  township.  The  first  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev,  Mr.  Hunter, 
of  the  Methodist  denomination,  and  the  first  regularly  organized 
religious  society  was  also  that  of  the  Methodists.  This  society  first 
worshiped  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Jackson,  and  afterward  in  the  school- 
house  on  sec.  22.  The  Mormons  also  figured  largely  in  a  Church 
organization  here  some  years  later.  They  at  one  time  had  a  soci- 
ety of  about  100  communicants,  and  erected  a  house  of  worship  in 
the  northwest  part  of  the  township.  When  the  Nauvoo  trouble, 
came,  however,  they  left  this  neighborhood  to  join  their  brethren 
at  that  place.  The  old  Mormon  church  was  afterward  moved  to 
the  Mississippi  river,  and  there  used  for  a  warehouse. 

The  first  white  child  born  in  the  tp.  was  Andrew  J.  Stanley,  in 
1823.  The  firstdeath  was  that  of  Mary  Jane  McDaniel  which  occurred 
in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year.  The  first  parties  married  were 
Potter  Saxhorn  and  Matilda  Stanley,  in  the  year  1825. 

In  those  early  days  the  wagons,  for  the  most  part,  were  rudely 
constructed  by  the  settlers  themselves,  and  consisted  wholly  of 
wood.  The  wheels  were  sawn  from  large  sycamore  trees,  and  holes  • 
were  bored  in  the  center,  in  which  to  insert  the  axletrees.  The 
farmers  often  used  these  wagons  in  going  to  mill,  hauling  their 
produce  to  market,  and  for  a  conveyance  in  which  to  attend 
Church. 

In  pioneer  times,  when  there  were  scarcely  any  fences,  and  not 
land  enough  ut;der  cultivation  to  stop  the  great  prairie  fires  which 
occurred  ;in  the  fall  of  the  ye^r,  they  proved  very  disastrous  to  those 
living  on  the  prairie.     This  township  consists,  for  the  most  part, 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    OOTJNTY.  837 

of  Mississippi  river  bottom  land,  a  large  portion  of  which  is  prai- 
rie. The  grass  on  this  bottom  land  grew  to  an  enormous  height, 
was  very  thick,  and  as  high  as  a  man's  head  while  on  horsebacfe. 
This  grass  was  so  heavy  and  thick  that  when  the  settlers  went  a-fish- 
ing  in  the  Sny  they  would  hitch  the  team  to  a  large  brush  or  tree 
and  drag  it  through  the  grass  and  mash  it  down,  to  make  a  road 
for  them  to  pass  over.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  this  luxuriant  growth 
of  grass  would  be  set  on  fire  by  the  Indians  or  hunters,  and  espe- 
cially when  the  wind  was  high,  would  sweep  resistlessly  over  the 
whole  country,  high  and  low,  destroying  a  great  deal  of  property. 

The  pioneers  early  learned  to  guard  against  this  destructive  ele- 
ment by  plowing  wide  strips  of  land  around  their  premises  and 
around  their  grain  and  hay.  As  soon  as  the  alarm  of  fire  was 
given,  each  settler  would  immediately  begin  to  "  back  fire."  This 
was  done  by  setting  the  grass  on  fire  next  outside  the  plowed  strip, 
which  would  burn  slowly  and  meet  the  rapidly  advancing  flames 
that  came  rolling  in  majestic  grandeur,  from  20  to  30  feet  in  the 
air. 

This  bottom  land  is  now  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and 
since  the  completion  of  the  levee  has  become  one  of  the  richest 
farming  districts  of  America.  The  land  lying  between  the  Sny 
and  the  Mississippi  is  timber  land,  and  as  fertile  as  the  prairie.  It 
is  now  rapidly  being  cleared  and  improved.  This  district  bears 
the  appearance  of  being  a  new  country,  however,  for  wild  animals 
are  quite  numerous  here,  and  also  the  gray  and  bald  eagle. 

Most  of  the  land  in  this  township  was  obtained  from  the  Gov- 
ernment at  $1.25  per  acre,  and  it  was  very,  readily  paid  for.  The 
fur-bearing  animals  were  very  plenty  here  then,  and  a  settler  woiild 
obtain  fur  enough  during  the  fall  and  winter  to  pay  for  160  acres 
of  land.  We  have  it  from  good  authority  that  it  was  not  an  un- 
>  common  occurrence  to  see  five  or  six  coons  in  one  tree  at  one  time 
during  those  pioneer  days.  Mr.  Francis  Jackson  related  to  us  that 
he  saw  at  one  time  nine  coons  in  one  tree.  Snakes  also  were  very 
numerous  and  annoying,  and  especially  the  rattlesnake.  The  Mis- 
sissippi bluffs,  which  extend  from  the  northwest  to  the  southeast^ 
through  this  township,  were  a  constant  den  for  the  timber  rattle- 
snakes, which  were  from  five  to  eight  feet  long.  The  settlers  were 
lasting  enemies  of  these  reptiles,  and  finally  adopted  a  plan  which 
resulted  in  their  almost  total  extermination.  They  fastened  beard- 
ed hooks  to  long  poles  and  thrust  these  into  their  dens,  drawing 
the  snakes  out  and  killing  them,  until  no  more  snakes  could  be 
found.  This  was  done  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  before  the  snakes 
could  crawl. 

"Wild  cats,  wild  hogs,  foxes,  wolves,  panthers  and  other  wild  ani- 
mals abounded  here  when  this  township  was  first  settled;  some  of 
which  species  remain  to  this  day. 

On  the  !N".  W.  qr.  of  sec.  29  is  a  salt  spring,  which  at  one  time 
afibrded  considerable  salt  water.  Mr.  Keyes  carried  water  from  this 
spring  to  his  home,  on  sec.  22,  a  distance  of  a  mile  and  a  half, 


838  HISTOET    OF    PtKE   COTTNTT. 

boiled  it  down,  and  made  salt  for  family  use  and  for  his  neighbors. 

As  the  bluffs  extend  from  the  northwest  to  the  southeast  through 
the  township,  the  up  land  is  divided  from  the  bottom  land,  form- 
ing a  triangular  section.  This  land  is  very  rough  and  broken,  and 
is  underlaid  with  a  heavy  bed  of  limestone,  and  is  consequentlv 
better  adapted  to  the  growing  of  small  grain  and  fruit  than  to  gen- 
eral farming.  There  is  some  excellent  farming  land  along  the 
course  of  Keyes  creek,  which  extends  along  the  eastern  portion  of 
the  township.  This  creek  was  named  in  honor  of  Mr.  Keyes,  of 
whom  we  have  spoken  in  the  first  part  of  this  sketch.  At  one  time 
this  creek  and  others  abounded  in  countless  numbers  of  fish,  and 
thus  aided  in  furnishing  the  settlers  with  the  necessaries  of  life. 
Although  the  pioneers  were  deprived  of  many  things  that  are  en- 
joyed at  the  present  day,  yet  they  always  had  abundance  to  eat 
and  wear.  If  their  store  clothes  or  homespun  gave  way,  they  would 
simply  construct  clothing  from  the  hides  of  animals. 

The  first  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  this  township  was  Major  Hinck- 
ley. James  Talbert  was  the  first  Supervisor.  Francis  Jackson  is 
the  oldest  settler  now  residing  in  the  township.  He  came  in  1825, 
and  is  the  only  man  now  living  who  went  from  this  locality  to  the 
Black  Hawk  War. 

NEW  CANTON. 

This  enterprising  town  is  situated  on  sees.  9  and  16,  Pleasant 
Vale  township.  It  was  founded  April  2, 1835,  by  Charles  T.  Brews- 
ter, Hiram  Smith  and  Jesse  Tittsworth.  It  contains  four  stores, 
four  blacksmith  shops,  two  wagon  shops,  two  carpenter  shops,  two 
boot  and  shoe  shops,  one  paint  shop,  one  cooper  shop,  one  excellent 
flouring  mill,  two  hotels,  one  livery  stable,  one  Iqdge  of  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  the  Mutual  Aid  Society,  which  was  established 
in  February,  1880,  with  a  membership  of  25  ;  and  is  the'  residence 
of  four  physicians.  The  present  population  of  the  town  is  about 
350. 

There  was  a  church  erected  here  in  1866,  which  is  known  as  the 
Union  Church.  It  is  not  owned  by  any  one  denomination,  but  by 
the  community  in  general.  There  are  two  Church  organizations 
here, — the  Methodists  and  the  Baptists.  The  former  is  a  remnant 
of  the  original  M.  E.  Church  that  was  organized  in  pioneer  days. 
The  Baptists  merged  the  old  society  into  a  new  one  in  1879.  The 
music  furnished  by  the  young  people  during  the  hours  of  worship 
is  excellent.  Considerable  interest  is  manifested  here  in  this  high 
art,  and  two  choirs  have  been  formed,  both  of  which  exhibit  supe- 
rior musical  talent. 

The  first  school  taught  where  the  village  now  stands  was  in  a 
dwelling  house,  by  Mr.  Hale  in  1832.  The  first  school-house  was 
a  log  structure  and  was  erected  in  1836.  The  present  building  is 
a  handsome  frame  structure,  and  was  erected  in  1866.  The  teacher 
at  present  is  Prof.  Warren  D.  Bigelow,  formerly  of  Ohio. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  839 


PEBSONAL  SKETCHES. 


Below  we  make  personal  mention  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the 
township. 

^  M.  M.  Aldrich,  farmer,  sec.  6;  P.  O.,  Hannibal,  Mo.;  was  born 
in  New  York  in  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  M.  M.  and  Mary  (Herring- 
ton)  Aldrich;  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Michigan,  in 
which  State  he  also  kept  store  from  1850  to  1856  ;  was  a  sailor 
on  the  lakes  6  years  ;  he  came  to  Pike  county  in  1860,  settling  on 
sec.  6,  this  tp.,  where  he  now  owns  350  acres  of  land;  all  lie  is  now 
worth  he  has  made  within  the  last  20  years;  he  has  a  splendid  farm 
in  the  Mississippi  bottom.  Mr.  A.  has  been  married  twice, — the 
first  time  to  Martha  Parnell,  and  they  had  3  daughters,  2  of  whom 
are  living.  Mrs.  A.  died  in  1860,  and  subsequently  Mr.  A.  married 
Catharine  Kendall,  and  of  their  7  children  5  are  living.  Politically, 
Mr.  A;  is  a  Democrat. 

John  E.  Alexander,  farmer,  sec.  23  ;  P.  0.,  Cincinnati;  was  born 
in  Indiana  in  1849,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Mary  Ann  CDyke) 
Alexander ;  was  educated  in  Iowa  ;  in  1873  he  married  Mary  E. 
Knight,  and  they  have  had  2  children,  one  of  whom  is  deceased. 
Mr.  A.  owns  a  good  farm,  and  has  the  reputation  of  being  an. 
honest,  industrious  man.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Jonas  Edward  Artz,  teacher  and  minister  of  the  Gospel,  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  is  a  son  of  Israel  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Eby) 
Artz,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  descent;  was  edu- 
cated at  Hamilton  College,  Hamilton  county,  111. ;  has  been  preach- 
ing 3  years  in  the  M.  E.  Church;  now  attends  two  or  three  appoint- 
ments every  Sunday,  besides  teaching,  in  which  latter  profession 
he  is  also  successful.     P.  O.,  New  Canton. 

Henry  B.  Atkinson,  merchant,  New  Canton ;  was  born  in  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  in  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  B.  H.  and  Harriet  (Morgan) 
Atkinson,  father  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  mother  of  Pennsyl- 
vania; educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Pike  county;  in  1868 
he  married  Orpha  M.  Witt,  and  they  have  had  3  children,  2  of 
whom  are  living;  commenced  mercantile  business  in  company  with 
his  father  at  Pittsfield  in  1863,  and  came  to  New  Canton  in  1876, 
where  he  has  succeeded  well,  dealing  in  drugs,  medicines,  groceries, 
farming  implements,  etc.;  also  buys  and  ships  grain.  New  Canton 
is  considered  by  many  to  be  the  best  grain  market  in  Pike  county. 

EUas  Baldwin,  farmer,  sec.  16;  P.  O.,  New  Canton;  was  born 
in  Connecticut  May  3,  1816,  and  is  a  son  of  Wm.  and  Clara  (Ives) 
Baldwin,  natives  also  of  that  State;  both  his  grandfathers  drew 
pensions  as  Eevolutionary  soldiers;  was  educated  in  Connecticut; 
came  to  this  county  in  1836.  In  1846  he  married  Permelia  Safer?, 
and  they  have  had  one  child,  Margaret,  who  is  still  at  home.  As  a 
farmer,  Mr.  B.  has  been  successful. 

George  Balzer,  butcher,  New  Canton ;  was  born  in  Bavaria  in 
1845,  the  son  of  George  and  Catharine  (Wizenberger)  Balzer,  na- 
tives of  the  same  country;  emigrated  to  Quincy,  111.,  in  1847,  and 


840  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

in  1864  to  Pike  county;  received  his  education  in  the  graded 
schools,  and  Kay  &  Yeriel's  Oonimercial  College  one  term,  and 
Baker's  three  terras.  In  1868  he  married  Orintha  Yearly,  and 
they  have  had  4  children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  ii.  com- 
menced his  present  business  two  years  ago,  and  so  far  has  pros- 
pered well  in  it.  He  commenced  clerking  at  the  age  of  10  years,  and 
continued  until  he  was  16,  when  he  passed  muster  in  the  27th  111. 
Inf.,  and  served  in  the  war  3  years;  was  in  every  battle  in  which 
the  Regiment  was  engaged,  and  was  discharged  in  1864. 

Warren  D.  £igelow,  principal  of  the  JS^ew  Canton  schools;  is  a 
native  of  Portage  county,  O.,  and- was  born  Jan.  29,  1845;  his  pa- 
rents were  Johnson  and  Mary  (Lewis)  Bigelow ;  he  received  a  com- 
mon-school education  in  Ohio,  and  came  to  this  county  in  1865; 
he  is  a  self-made  teacher,  having  obtained  the  greater  part  of  his 
education  while  lieaching;  has  now  pursued  his  chosen  occupation 
15  years,  and  at  present  has  charge  of  the  New  Canton  schools  the 
second  year,  adopting  the  latest  normal  plans.  He  has  been  mar- 
ried three  times  and  is  the  father  of  6  children,  of  whom  5  are  liv- 
ing; James  "W".,  Albert  D.,  Elbert  J.,  Mary  O.  and  Lela  Maud, 
the  last  3  by  his  present  wife.  His  first  two  wives  died  of  quick 
consumption. 

William  Bolin,  New  Canton;  was  born  in  Jefferson  county, 
Ind.,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Oelia  (Sharp)  Bolin,  the  latter  a 
native  of  Virginia;  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Indiana 
and  Kentucky.  He  first  married  America  Lawhorne,  and  by  her 
had  11  children,  4  of  whom  are  living;  she  and  3  of  the  children 
died  in  one  week.  Mr.  Bolin  afterward  married  Elizabeth  Vano- 
ver,  and  by  her  had  2  children,  one  of  whom  is  living;  this  Mrs. 
B.  died  in  1872,  and  for  his  third  wife  Mr.  B.  selected  Miss  Nancy 
M.  Sharp,  and  of  their  3  children  2  are  living. 

Charles  N.  Brammell,  farmer,  sec.  17;  P.  O.,  New  Canton; 
was  born  in  this  county  in  1847,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and 
Amelia  (Butler)  Brammell,  who  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1834; 
Charles  N.  now  has  charge  of  his  mother's  farm,  and  is  doing  well; 
he  was  brought  up  a  farmer,  and  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  this  county.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Charles  T.  Brewster,  deceased,  was  born  in  New  York  in  1811; 
remained  with  his  father  until  1832,  when  he  bought  a  piece  of 
land  on  sec.  27  in  this  tp.,  and  commenced  farming;  in  1849  he 
went  overland  with  an  ox  team  to  California,  and  engaged  success- 
fully in  gold  mining  for  2  years;  returning  home,  he  enlarged  his 
farming  operations,  adding  the  business  of  stock-raising.  He  ac- 
cumulated considerable  property  and  was  a  very  popular  man  in 
his  neighborhood;  always  paid  his  hands  good  wages,  and  promptly; 
one  man  worked  for  him  30  years;  was  Supervisor  many  years, 
and  held  other  local  offices.  In  1852  he  married  Miss  Melvina 
Percell,  and  of  their  8  children  3  are  living, — Charles  E.,  Anna  M. 
and  Minnie  M.  Mr.  B.  died  Sept.  3,  1875.  "We  present  Mr. 
Brewster's  portrait  in  this  volume. 


■iJv'  s^l 


/- 


NEW  CANTON 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  843 

Harrison  Brown,  farmer;  P.  O.,  New  Canton;  was  born  in 
Fike  county,  Mo.,  Feb.  6,  1828,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Nancy 
0.  (Bnllen)  Brown,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  both  born  in  1798, 
near  Lexington — father,  Aug.  18,  and  mother,  Sept.  17;  father  was 
of  Irish  descent,  and  mother  of  Scotch.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  third  child  (2d  son)  of  a  family  of  7  children,  and  is  the 
only  one  living  at  present;  a  brother  and  two  sisters  died  in  1856. 
Harrison  was  educated  in  this  tp.,  having  been  brought  here  by  his 
father  in  1829;  has  been  a  farmer  all  his  life,  except  4  years  in 
California  gold-raining,  1852-6.  Feb.  25,  1857,  he  married  Eliza 
C.  Shewe,  and  of  their  7  children  only  2  are  now  living:  Joseph, 
who  was  born  Oct.  25,  1861,  and  Mallie,  Nov.  3,  1868.  He  owns 
440  acres  of  land,  420  of  it  here  in  one  body.  Mr.  Brown's  por- 
trait is  given  in  this  volume. 

William  '8.  Ooon,  carpenter,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Fabius, 
Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  16,  1819,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and 
Lydia  Coon,  of  Dutch  ancestry ;  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools  of  New  York  State;  at  the  age  of  24  he  commenced  to 
learn  his  trade.  In  1853  he  married  Asha  A.  Ballan,  who  was 
born  in  the  town  of  Sandy  Creek,  Oswego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  in  1835,  and 
they  have  one  child,  Frank  E.,  who  was  born  in  1865.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Coon  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican.    P.  O.,  New  Canton. 

George  A.  Dutcher,  farmer,  sec.  17;  P.O.,  New"Canton;  was 
born  Aug.  7,  1840,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and  is  the  son  of 
Stephen  M.  and  Mary  (Hunt)  Dutcher,  natives  of  the  same  State, 
father  of  German  ancestry,  and  mother  of  English.  George  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  this  connty,  whither 
he  emigrated  'in  1844  or  1845.  In  1873  he  married  Sarah  A. 
Morey,  and  they  have  had  one  child,  Stephen  A.,  born  Dec.  25, 
1875.  Mr.  Dutcher  has  taught  school  7  or  8  terms  in  this  county, 
and  as  a  farmer  he  has  been  successful,  now  owning  160  acres  of 
land.     He  is  a  Kepublicah,  and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

P.  H.  Davis,  New  Canton,  was  born  in  Fountain  county,  Ind., 
in  1826,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Amanda  (Blair)  Davis,  the 
former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  mother  of  Indiana,  and  of  Scotch 
descent ;  was  brought  to  this  county  in  1829,  settling  in  Kinder- 
hook,  where  he  received  his  education.  In  1851  he  married  Eliza 
Shipman,  and  of  their  5  children  but  two  are  living.  The  same 
year  he  moved  to  New  Canton,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile 
business  until  1862,  when  he  was  elected  Sheriff;  serving  two  years 
in  that  office  he  resumed  his  mercantile  business  until  1878,  when 
he  sold  out.  Mr.  Davis  has  also  pleaded  law  to  some  extent,  with 
success.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  seen  this  county 
in  its  primitive  wild  state,  with  deer,  wolves,  etc.,  in  abundance. 

William  A.  Davis,  New  Canton,  was  born  in  .Marietta,  "Wash- 
ington Co.,  Ohio,  in  1820,  the  son  of  Stephen  and  Patience 
(Springer)  Davis,  natives  of  Maine.  Of  his  6  children  5  are  living, 
and  all  married  but  one;  4  reside  in  this  county,  and  one  in  Car- 

48 


S4A  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

roll  county,  Mo.  Most  of  his  life  Mr.  Davis  has  followed  the  river; 
piloted  a  flat-boat  for  20  years,  and  has  traveled  4,000  miles.  In 
his  younger  days  he  worked  2  years  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  and 
works  at  it  some  yet.  He  owns  40  acres  of  land,  besides  a  house 
and  lot.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

.  James  Emerson,  farmer,  sec.  8 ;  P.  O.,  New  Canton ;  was  born 
Dec.  21,  1836,  in  Ohio,  and  is  the  son  of  Ephraim  and  Elizabeth 
(Wallace)  Emerson,  father  a  native  of  Maryland,  and  mother  of 
Ohio,  and  of  German  descent;  was  brought  to  this  county  in  1838 
by  his  parents  in  emigration,  and  here  received  his  education  in 
the  common  school.  March  10,  1859,  he  married  Lydia  Yearly, 
and  their  3  children  are  all  living.  He  owns  60  acres  of  land,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

Cioero  Gard,  farmer,  sec.  10;  P.  O.,  New  Canton  ;  was  born  in 
Barry  tp.,  this  county,  in  1836,  and  is  the  son  of  M.  and  Clarissa 
(Baker)  Gard,  father  a  native  of  Yirginia,  and  of  English  and  Irish 
descent,  and  mother  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  of  English  descent; 
educated  at  Knox  College,  Galesburg,  111.  Oct.  23,  1860,  he  mar- 
ried Lydia  Halstead,  and  of  their  4  children  2  are  living.  He 
owns  80  acres  of  land,  and  as  a  farmer  he  has  been  successful.  In 
politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Lorenzo  Qard^  farmer,  brother  of  the  preceding,  was  born  in 
Washington  county,  O.,  April  15,  1818;  was  educated  mostly  in 
the  common  schools  of  this  county;  in  1841  he  taught  school  6 
months.  In  1843  he  married  Margaret  Yearly,  and  of  their  7  chil- 
dren 5  are  living,  one  single,  'and  all  living  in  this  county.  Mr 
Gard  came  to  Pike  county  in  1831  and  settled  near  New  Canton, 
where  he  still  lives.  When  his  father  came  here  he  had  only  6^ 
cents  in  money,  but  now  he  has  300  acres  of  laud.  Mr.  Gard  has 
seen  this  coimtry  in  its  wild  state,  and  has  experienced  the  poverty 
and  hardships  of  pioneer  times.     In  politics  he  is  a  Republican. 

Seth  Qard.  Prominent  among  the  business  men  of  New  Canton, 
is  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Mr.  Seth  Gard,  who  was  born  in  this 
county  in  1832,  and  although  comparatively  a  young  man  he  is 
classed  among  the  early  inhabitants  of  Pike  county;  is  the  son  of 
Robert  and  Martha  (Putnam)  Gard,  natives  of  Ohio.  In  1879  Mr. 
G.  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Ellen  Phillips,  who  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Mr.  Gard  started  in  life  without  much 
of  this  world's  goods,  or,  as  the  saying  is,  "bare-handed;"  he  first 
worked  by  the  month  on  a  farm,  but  at  present  is  the  Postmaster 
at  New  Canton,  and  keeps  a  grocery  store,  etc.  As  a  business  man 
he  is  prompt,  obliging,  and  enjoys  a  fair  share  of  the  trade  of  the 
place;  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  has  been  Postmaster  at 
New  Canton  since  1873. 

Eugene  Gray  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  was  born  in  1829; 
his  parents  were  Thomas  T.  and  Mary  F.  (Crandall)  Gray,  natives 
of  New  York,  who  came  to  Pike  county  the  year  of  his  birth.  Our 
subject  has  spent  the  most  of  his  life  in  mercantile  pursuits ;  he 
first  began  to  clerk  in  the  store  of  Mowry  &  Massie  at  New  Can- 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE   OOUNTT.  845 

ton,  and  since  1872  has  been  a  full  partner  with  Mr.  M.  D.  Massie, 
and  as  a  firm  they  have  met  with  success.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in 
the  68th  111.  Inf.,  and  the  following  year  entered  the  28th  111.  Inf., 
and  was  mustered  out  in  1866.  During  the  last  year  of  the  service 
he  was  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  and  prior  to  that  he  was  most  of 
the  time  on  detached  duty  as  Clerk.  Politically  Mr.  Q.  is  a  Ee- 
publican,  is  a  member  of  the  Town  Board  of  JSTew  Canton,  and 
Treasurer  of  Pleasant  Yale  tp.  Mr.  G.  was  married  in  1868  to 
Lydia  Ware,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

T.  A.  Hoyden,  i'armer,  sec.  8;  P.  0.,  Kew  Canton  ;  is  the  son  of 
J.  and  Elizabeth  (Barnard)  Hayden,  and  was  born  in  Missouri  in 
1844;  his  father,  who  was  of  Irish  ancestry,  and  also  his  mother, 
who  was  of  English  descent,  were  born  in  that  State .  He  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  State,  and  for  a 
time  engaged  in  teaching.  He  came  to  Pike  county  in  1873,  and 
embarked  in  farming;  in  1869  he  was  married  to  Clara  E.  Freeman, 
who  has  borne  him  9  children,  3  of  whom  are  living. 

E.  K.  Higiee,  farmer,  sec.  20;  P.  O.,  J?^ew  Canton;  was  born  in 
Adams  county,  111.,  April  6,  1839;  his  parents,  Elias  and  Sarah 
(Ward)  Higbee,  were  natives  of  Ohio ;  he  received  his  education  in 
the  common  schools  and  the  Griggsville  high  school.  He  form- 
erly engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Detroit  and  4  years  in 
Missouri,  and  in  1875  cam§  to  this  tp.,  where  he  is  fanning  3  quar- 
ters of  land.  In  1864  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Mana  L. 
Peebles,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Church.  Politically  Mr.  H.  is  a 
Democrat. 

John  B.  Hill,  farmer,  sec.  19;  P.  O.,  New  Canton.  The  parents 
of  our  subject,  Isaac  W.  and  Tabitha  Hill,  were  both  natives  of 
Franklin  county,  Va.,  and  of  Irish  ancestry.  John  B.  was  born  in 
Tennessee  in  1824,  received  his  early  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  Scott  county,  111.,  whither  his  parents  had  moved,  and 
was  married  to  his  first  wife,  Emily  A.  Smithson,  in  1843;  she  died 
in  1844,  and  the  following  year  he  was  married  to  Millie  E.  Taylor, 
and  they  have  12  children,  10  of  whom  are  living,  7  boys  and  3 
girls.    Mr.  H.  came  to  Pike  county  in  1866  and  engaged  in  farming. 

L.  O.  Hosford,  deceased,  was  born  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
Jan.  15,  1811,  and  obtained  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
that  State.  His  early  occupation  was  that  of  carpenter  and  mill- 
wright. He  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1842,  and  he  has  built 
several  mills  in  this  county;  he  followed  mining  in  California  3 
years,  between  1850  and  1854.  Dec.  19,  1844,  he  married  Mary 
Smith,  and  of  their  6  children  3  are  living ;  one  daughter  is  mar- 
ried to  Andrew  Cruse.  Mr.  H.  died  Nov.  18,  1874,  the  owner  of 
a  steam  saw-mill,  house  and  lot,  and  700  acres  of  land;  at  one  time 
during  life  he  owned  1,200  acres.  Politically  he  was  a  Democrat. 
Mrs.  Hosford,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Dnnkard  Church,  is  keeping 
a  first-class  boarding-house  in  New  Canton,  in  company  with  her 
daughter. 


846  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

Oeorge  W.  Souae,  farmer,  sec.  23,  6  S.,  6  W. ;  P.  0.,  New  Can- 
ton ;  was  born  in  Ohio  in  182.3,  the  son  of  Willard  and  Deborah 
(Emerson)  House,  naitives  of  Maryland,  father  of  German  and  Irish 
descent  and  mother  of  German  and  Scotch;  was  educatied  in  the 
common  schools  of  Ohio.  In  1853  he  married  Frances  Jane  Carter, 
and  they  have  had  6  children,  5  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  House  died 
Sept:  16,  1875.  He  came  to  Pike  county  in  1844,  and  now  owns 
178  acres  of  land.  He  worked  by  the  month  until  he  got  a  start. 
Has  worked  some  at  carpentering.  Spent  one  year  in  Arkansas 
and  Mississippi.     In  politics  Mr.  H.  is  a  Republican. 

James  S.  Hyde,  farmer.  New  Canton,  was  born  in  this  county  in 
1844,  and  is  the  son  of  J.  F.  and  Eliza  (Seeley)  Hyde;  educated 
in  the  Pittsfield  high  school;  by  occupation  is  a  farmer;  in  1878 
he  married  Rachel  Smith,  and  they  have  one  child,  Mary  E.  He 
owns  320  acres  of  land,  and  for  the  last  18  months  he  has  kept  a 
livery  stable  in  New  Canton.  He  has  just  bought  the  right  for 
the  State,  to  sell  the  patent  Baud-cutter,  to  cut  bands  of  the  sheaves 
of  grain  for  threshing-machines.  He  is  now  introducing  it,  and  it 
gives  entire  satisfaction,  it  being  superior  to  the  old  method  of  cut- 
ting with  knives,  which  was  always  a  dangerous  process.  Where 
this  cutter  is  used  the  feeder  can  safely  reach  for  the  bundles  with- 
out having  to  look  up  every  time  to  dodge  a  knife. 

F.  J.  Jackson^  farmer;  P.  0.,  New  Canton;  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1815,  and  is  the  son  of  Vincent  and  Jane  (Shearer)  Jack- 
son, father  from  Maryland  and  of  English  descent,  and  mother 
from  Pennsylvania  and  of  Irish  descent.  His  father  having  died 
when  he  was  but  6  years  old,  he  was  brought  up;by  a  kind  step- 
father, Mr.  Henry  Parker;  his  education  was  obtained  by  attending 
school  3  months  a  year  in  the  old-fashioned  log  school-house.  In 
1839  he  married  Louisa  Ferry,  and  of  their  7  children  2  are  living, 
both  married  and  living  in  this  county.  He  was  brought  to  this 
county  in  1825,  the  family  settling  on  sec.  21,  this  tp.  He  was  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war  under  Capt.  Petty.  As  a  farmer  he  has  been 
successful.  He  is  a  Republican  and  a  granger,  and  has  been  Com- 
missioner of  Highways,  Road  Overseer  and  School  Director. 

Eien  Jordan,  farmer,  sec.  27;  P.  O.,  Cincinnati;  was  born  in 
Maine  in  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Richard  and  Sarah  (Dotty)  Jordan, 
natives  also  of  Maine;  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  State.  In  1848  he  married  Mary  Wheeler,  and  of  the  9 
children  born  to  them  8  are  living,  6  boys  and  2  girls.  He  came 
to  Pike  county  in  1877,  from  Portland,  Me.  Mr.  Jordan,  although 
of  a  literary  turn  of  mind,  is  a  hard-working,  energetic  laborer  on 
his  farm,  where  he  is  doing  well.     In  polities  he  is  a  Democrat. 

John  Judd,  railroad  section  overseer,  New  Canton,  was  born  in 
Germany  in  1834,  the  son  of  Frank  Judd;  came  to  America  in 
1845  and  to  this  county  in  1851;  lived  at  Cincinnati  Landing  3 
years,  then  came  to  New  Canton,  where  'in  1861  he  married  Jane 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  847 

Saxbury,  and  they  have  had  3  children.  Mrs.  J.  is  a  daughter  of 
early  pioneers  of  this  county,  her  parents  being  the  first  couple 
married  after  the  county-seat  was  moved  to  Tittsfield.  Her  mother 
carried  the  banner  at  thetfld  settlers'  meeting  in  1879,  but  died  the 
same  year.  Mr.  Judd's  early  life  was  spent  in  a  tobacco  factory. 
Since  1873  he  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  C,  B.  &  Q.  R  K. 
Has  never  had  any  accident  happen  on  his  part  of  the  road.  Mrs. 
J.  is  a  raernber  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Charles  A.  Kendall,  formerly  school-teacher,  now  fanner,  sec. 
13 ;  P.  O.,  New  Canton;  was  born  in  Ohio  in  1833,  and  is  the  son 
of  Richard  and  Ann  (Brown)  Kendall,  natives  of  New  Jersey;  ob- 
tained his  education  mostly  by  his  own  exertions  outside  the 
school-room;  has  gone  to  scliool  but  2  months  since  he  was  10 
years  oj:'  age,  but  his  scholarship  entitles  him  to  a  first-grade  cer- 
tificate to  teach;  has  taught  school  20  years.  In  1860  he  married 
Eveline  Fesler,  and  of  their  8  children  6  are  living.  In  1852  he 
came  from  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  to  this  county,  on  the  steamer  "  Grolden 
Era,"  and  first  settled  at  Eldara.  He  owns  140  acres  of  land,  and 
has  been  farming  since  1862. 

H.  H.  KcBller,  jr.,  station  agent,New  Canton,  was  born  in  Perry 
this  county,  Feb.  10, 1855,  and  is  the  son  of  H.  H.  Koeller,  sr.,  the 
patentee  of  "  Kceller's  Corn-Planter."  The  latter  mentioned  and 
his  wife  emigrated  from  Germany  to  this  country  in  1848,  stopping 
at  first  with  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Thiele,  at  Perry.  Observing  the 
method  then  in  vogue  of  planting  corn  with  hoes,  he  set  to  work  in- 
venting a  machine  to  do  the  work  better;  he  succeeded,  and  com- 
menced the  manufacture  of  the  planters  at  Perry  on  a  small  scale  which 
was  greatly  enlarged,  an  extensive  establishment  being  put  up  and 
run  at  Camp  Point,  where  Mr.  Kceller  was  general  superintendent; 
but  the  company  there  becoming  insolvent,  Mr.  K.  went  into  other 
business  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  Leadville,  Col.,  which  was  more 
remunerative.  Mr.  Kceller,  jr.,  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  boy- 
hood with  his  uncle,  Mr.  Thiele,  his  mother  having  died  when  he 
was  an  infant;  he  afterward  joined  his  father  at  Camp  Point, 
where  he  received  his  education  in  the  Maplewood  High  School, 
and  later  at  the  Gem  City  Business  College,  Quincy,  111.  Return- 
ing to  Camp  Point  he  entered  the  service  of  the  company  as  trav- 
eling salesman;  in  2  years  lie  was  appointed  assistant  secretary, 
which  position  he  filled  until  the  company  became. insolvent  ;  he 
then  entered  the  grain  and  agricultural  implement  trade  at  Car- 
thage, 111.,  in  which  business,  however,  he  did  not  do  well  ;  he 
then  came  to  New  Canton  and  took  his  present  place.  July  15, 
1877,  he  married  Mary  Ziegier,  of  Camp  Point,  and  they  have  a 
son,  Walter  H. 

I)r.  John  8.  Lockwood  was  born  in  Kent  county,  Del.,  Jan.  10, 
1840,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Slay)  Lockwood,  of  Eng- 
lish descent.  Until  17  years  of  age  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
epent  his  time  on  the  farm,  in  store  and  at  school ;  graduated  in 
the  scientific  and   classical   courses   at   Fairfield  Seminary,   N  ew 


848  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

York;  then  visited  Missouri,  taught  school  2  months  in  Adams 
county,  111. ;  returned  to  New  York  and  spent  a  winter  studying 
at  Schenectady;  on  account  of  declining  health  he  abandoned  the 
collegiate  course  and  returned  to  Delaware,  where  he  entered  mer- 
cantile business,  which  he  followed  2  years;  commenced  as  sales- 
man in  a  wholesale  establishment  in  Philadelphia,  but  not  liking 
the  business  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Paine,  in 
the  Eclectic  Medical  College  in  that  city;  traveled  East  and  West 
in  search  of  a  medical  college  in  which  to  complete  his  studies, 
settling  on  the  Keokuk  College;  having  spent  nearly  all  his  means 
traveling,  he  confined  his  eating  to  dry  bread  and  beans  during 
the  first  term  of  study;  in  the  summer  of  1865  he  graduated  with 
honor,  but  not  having  the  means  to  commence  practice,  he  went 
into  Adams  county.  111.,  and  worked  on  a  farm  until  fall,  and  dur- 
ing the  winter  taught  the  Cliola  school;  then  entered  partnership 
with  Dr.  John  Torrence  at  Quincy  in  the  practice  of  his  profession; 
in  the  fall  of  1866  he  came  to  New  Canton,  where  he  lias  since 
resided.  In  1873  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia to  attend  medical  lectures,  and  in  the  spring  of  1874  grad- 
uated at  the  Jefilerson  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  and  the  Mis- 
souri Medical  College  at  St.  Louis.  In  December  of  that  year  he 
married  Miss  Ella,  daughter  of  Eben  Clauson,  a  pioneer  in  this 
section,  and  who  has  been  Supervisor  two  terms,  and  has  held  other 
important  town  offices.  The  Doctor  has  been  very  successful  as  a 
physician,  and  moderately  so  financially.  He  owns  several  houses 
and  lots  in  New  Canton,  is  entirely  free  from  debt,  and  has  money 
at  interest.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  religion  a  free- 
thinker, as  almost  all  doctors  are,  but  is  liberal  toward  all  sects  and 
parties.  What  he  has  accumulated  in  property  has  all  been  by 
his  own  unaided  exertions. 

Qapt.  M.  D.  Massie,  of  New  Canton,  was  born  in  Pittsfield, 
this  county.  Jan.  21,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  John  G.  and  Mary 
(Shaw)  Massie,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  New 
York;  parents  were  married  in  Derry  tp.,  in  1837.  Mr.  M.'s  boy-' 
hood  was  passed  in  Pike  county,  Mo.,  a,nd  Pike  county,  111.; 
received  a  common-school  education,, and  was  engaged  as  clerk  and 
book-keeper  until  1862,  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Pike 
county  regiment,  99th  111.  Inf ,  and  served  3  years;  was  promoted 
Captain,  and  also  acted  as  Adjutant;  was  in  all  the  battles  of  the 
Kegiment  save  one.  After  the  war  he  engaged  in  mercantile  bus- 
iness at  New  Canton,  dealing  in  a  general  assortment  of  goods, 
and  also  running  a  mill;  has  been  in  the  business  now  for  15  years, 
with  success.  In  1866  he  married  Mary  E.  Morey,  and  they  have 
had  3  children — all  now  living.  In  1872  he  was  "elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  28th  General  Assembly,  and  at  the  close  of  his  term  was 
offered  a  re-election,  but  refused  on  account  of  declining  health. 
We  give  Mr.  Massie's  portrait  in  this  volume. 

Joseph  MoFarland,  deceased,  was  born    in   Ireland    in    1840; 
lived  in  this  county  about  20  years,-when  he  died,  aged  39  years 


HISTOKY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  849 

and  7  months.  In  1872  he  married  Mary  Kelly,  daughter  of  Na- 
than Kelly,  and  they  had  2  daughters ,aud  1  son.  Mr.  Mc.  F.  held 
responsible  pnblic  positions,  followed  clerking  awhile,  and  farming 
for  a  portion  of  his  life.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  owned  SiTf 
acres  of  land,  besides^  property  in  town.  He  was  successful  in 
whatever  he  undertook.  Mrs.  Mc.  F.  resides  on  sec.  27;  P.  O., 
Kew  Canton. 

William.  H.  Odiorne,  merchant,  Cincinnati,  was  born  in  Pike 
county.  111.,  in  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Eben  and  Ann  (Wingert) 
Odiorne,  father  &  native  of  Massachusetts  and  mother  of  Ohio  ; 
received  his  education  at  Rockport,  111.,  and  at  Jones  Commercial 
College*at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  at  which  latter  place  he  graduated  in 
1864.  In  1876  he  married  Addie  C.  Hendricks,  and  their  only 
child,  Elmer,  died  when  one  year  old.  Mr.  O.  has  been  in  mer- 
cantile business  the  most  of  his  life,  and  been  successful.  He 
came  to  Cincinnati  in  1876,  where  he  is  Postmaster  and  ticket 
agent,  and  has  been  School  Treasurer  several  terms.  In  politics  he 
is  a  Republican. 

Samuel  Pfrimmer,  New  Canton,  was  born  in  Harrison  county, 
Ind.,  Jan.  16,  1837,  and  is  the  son  of  John  George  and  Sarah 
(Friedly)  Pfrimmer,  father  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Ger- 
man and  Fi-ench  descent,  and  mother  a  native  of  Indiana  and  of 
English  descent.  Has  attended  school  but  three  months  in  his 
life.  March  15,  1868,  he  married  Kate  Mosier,  and  they  have  had 
2  sons,  George,  born  Jan.  15,  1869,  and  Charles,  born  March  9, 
1870.  Mr.  P.  came  to  this  county  in  1844,  settling  on  sec.  23,  5  s., 
7  w.,  this  tp.  Has  been  a  farmer  most  of  his  life,  and  has  followed 
flat- boating  some.  He  now  owns  158  acres  of  land.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  and  has  been  School  Director  3  years;  has  had  charge 
of  the  light-house  one  mile  above  the  landing  at  Cincinnati,  this 
tp.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  28th  111.  Inf.,  under  Capt. 
Hurt,  and  was  discharged  in  1864;  was  in  all  the  battles  of  the 
Regiment. 

Alexander  K.  Boss,  farmer,  sec.  22;  P.  0., New  Canton;  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (McDaniel)  Ross,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Scotch  an- 
cestry; obtained  his  education  in  the  pnblic  schools  of  his  native 
State;  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1860;  in  1863  he  enlisted  in 
Co.  E,  78th  111.  Inf.,  and  was  discliarged  in  July,  1865,  having 
been  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Regiment  but  one;  was  3d  Sergeant. 
In  1878  he  married  Malvina  Brewster.  He  owns  100  acres  o 
land.     In  politics  is  a  Republican. 

Nathaniel  Shearer,  fAi-mer,  sec.  10;  P.  0.,  New  Canton;  was 
born  in  this  county  Dec.  26,  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  Andrew  and 
Harriet  (Parker)  Shearer,  the  former  of  Irish  descent  and  born  in 
1800,  and  the  latter  of  German  descent  and  born  in  1806;  they 
came  to  this  county  in  1822,  settling  on  the  present  homestead. 
Mr.  S.  died  May  13,  1863,  and  Mrs  S.  resides  with  her  son.  Na- 
thaniel was  educated  in  the  asylum  for  the  deaf  and  dumb  at  Jack- 


850  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

sonville,  111.  He  is  a  farmer,  now  owning  five  shares  in  80  acres 
of  land,  which  property  he  has  earned  by  his  own  exertions.  Sept. 
23,  1868,  he  was  married  at  Brighton,  111.,  to  Miss  Rebecca  Berry, 
by  whom  he  has  had  3  children,  Luther,  Ellen  and  Eddie  B.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  S.  are  deaf  and  dumb.  Her  father  is  a  carpenter  at 
Brighton,  and  she  has  one  brother  and  two  sisters  who  are  also 
deaf  and  dumb.  One  sister  married  James  "W".  Walker  and  resides 
in  Dakota,  Stephenson  county,  111.,  and  one  sister  is  niatron  of  the 
State  Asylum  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  at  Jacksonville.  Her  brother 
is  a  tobacco  dealer  at  Brighton; 

Alomo  8hewe,  New  Canton,  was  born  in  "Washington  county, 
O.,  in  1848,  and  is  the  son  of  Solomon  and  Ellen  (Willis)  Shewe; 
his  father  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  of  German  descent,  and 
his  mother  was  born  in  Virginia  and  of  Irish  descent;  he  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  in  this  county.  In  1866  he  married 
Miss  E.  Gillan,  and  they  have  3  children.  Mr.  S.  has  run  a  thresh- 
ing-machine ever  since  he  was  19  years  of  age;  at  present  he  uses 
a  steam  thresher  and  a  steam  wood  saw;  can  saw  10  to  12  cords 
of  wood  in  10  hours.  He  also  ran  the  first  patent  band-cutter 
ever  used  in  this  State.     In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

S.  P.  Shewe,  sec.  17;  F.  O.,  New  Canton;  was  born  in  Ohio  in 
1820  and  is  the  son  of  Martin  and  Leona  (Dunbar)  Shewe,  the 
former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  of  German  descent,  and  the  latter  of 
Yirginia  ;  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  State. 
His  fii-st  marriage  was  to  Caroline  Atkinson,  by  whom  he  had  4 
children,  only  1  now  living;  his  second  marriage  was  to  Sarah 
Baughman.  Mr.  Shewe  came  to  Pike  county  in  1844,  and  has 
lived  in  the  county  ever  since.  When  he  first  came  here  he  had 
but  76  cents,  but  is  now  worth  at  least  $2,000  ;  has  made  all  he 
owns  by  honest  labor;  politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

John  W.  Smith,  farmer,  sec.  6;  P.  O.,  Hannibal,  Mo.;  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania  in  1844,  being  the  son  of  Henry  and  Mary  (Olair) 
Smith,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  German  descent ;  was  edu- 
cated in  the  public  schools  of  Adams  county,  111.  In  1866  he 
married  Hattle  Breslar,  and  they  have  had  4  children.  He  came 
to  Pike  county  in  1868,  and  now  is  on  a  farm  of  120  acres.  He  is 
a  Democrat. 

J.  W.  Stephenson,  CiuQ,mr\&i\,  •vj?t.%  born  in  Kentucky  May  20, 
1816,.  the  son  of  James  and  Margaret  (Clinton)  Stephenson,  natives 
of  the  sunny  South  and  of  Irish  descent ;  was  brought  to  this  State 
by  his  parents  in  1819;  June  6,  1841,  he  married  Mary  Eliza 
Allen,  and  6  of  their  9  children  are  living.  In  1861  Mr.  S.  en- 
listed in  Co.  E,  27th  111.  Inf.,  and  was  wagon  master  of  the  Regi- 
ment. Mr.  S.  seems  to  like  frontier  life,  as  he  has  followed  close 
after  the  Indians  in  three  States;  but  he  is  a  quiet,  unassuming 
man.  In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  and  in  religion  he  is  a  Pres- 
byterian. His  wife,  who  was  also  a  Presbyterian,  died  March  6, 
1880. 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  851 

Amos  Stout,  farmer,  sec.  7;  P.  O.,  Haunibal,  Mo.;  was  born  in 
Butler  county,  O.,  in  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  Ijel  and  Julia  (Briant) 
Stout,  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  Grerman  descent;  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Ohio;  came  to  Pike  county  in  1851; 
was  married  in  1856  to  Miss  Kate  Hall,  and  they  have  4  children 
living.  Mr.  Stout  is  a  farmer,  occupying  500  acres  of  land,  and 
has  great  promise  of  success;  he  had  nothing  to  start  with.  Politi- 
■cally  he  is  a  Republican. 

Nicholas  Stimip,  farmer;  P.  O..  Cincinnati;  was  born  in  Ohio, 
in  1839,  the  son  of  George  and  Mary  (Risher)  Stump,  natives  of 
■Pennsylvania  and  of  German  descent;  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Iowa,  principally  in  Independence.  In  1860 
he  married  Ann  J.  Smith,  and  they  have  had  4  children.  In 
Iowa  Mr.  S.  was  in  the  mercantile  business  3  years.  He  came  to 
Pike  county  in  1875,  since  which  time  he  has  been  farming  and 
keeping  the  warehouse  at  Cincinnati  Landing;  has  been  successful 
in  his  business.  Has  been  School  Director,  and  politically  he  is  a 
Democrat.     Mr.  S.  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

Isaac  Tamsett,  shoemaker  and  cutter,  itfew  Canton,  was  born  in 
England  in  1815,  and  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Goodman) 
Tamsett;  fpther  was  commander  of  revenue  in  England.  The  subject 
of  this  notice  obtained  his  education  in  the  mother  land.  In  1836 
he  married  Sarah  Smith,  and  they  have  had  two  sons,  both  mar- 
ried, one  living  in  this  county  and  the  other  in  Missouri.  Mr.  T. 
came  to  America  in  1846,  landing  at  New  Orleans,  in  1849  to  Pitts- 
field,  and  in  1861  to  New  Canton.  He  has  traveled  a  great  deal, 
.and  has  worked  at  his  trade  in  England,  France,  Belgium  and  this 
country,  besides  visiting  Ireland,  "Wales  and  the  West  Indies;  once 
•suffered  shipwreck.  Mr.  T.  is  an  interesting  con verser,  having  seen  a 
great  deal  of  this  world.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  his 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

George  Tipler,  farmer;  P.  O.,  Barry;  was  born  in  England,  at 
Eckington,  Lincolnshire;  he  is  a  son  of  George  and  Sarah  Ann 
-(Baten)  Tipler;  although  he  never  attended  school  he  can  read  and 
write,  and  he  has  a  very  retentive  memory;  in  the  old  country  he 
was  a  shepherd  boy,  but  since  he  has  been  in  this  country  he  has 
followed  farming,  and  is  a  horse  and  cattle  doctor.  He  came  to 
America  in  1853,  settling  the  same  year  at  New  Canton.  At  first 
he  worked  by  the  month  at  $18  per  month,  and  his  wife  taught 
•school.  Her  maiden  name  was  Ann  Bunning,  and  they  were  mar- 
ried in  1846,  June  11.  Mr.  T.  now  owns  207  acres  of  good  land. 
In  religion  he  is  a  Latter -Day  Saint,  and  in  politics  he  votes  for 
the  best  man. 

Franklin  Tittsworth,  farmer,  sec.  15 ;  was  born  Jan.  12,  1826, 
in  Tennessee;  was  brought  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1831; 
went  to  California  in  1849  and  returned  in  1852;  June  9,  1853,  he 
married  Miss  Adeline  Browning.  Children:  Thomas,  Charles,  Al- 
bert, Mjram,  Elmer,  Franklin,  Frederic,  and  two  deceased,  Jessie 
and  an  infant.     Mr.  T.  owns  480  acres  of  land,  worth  $40  per  acre. 


852  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

and  he  resides  two  miles  west  of  Eldara,  which  is  his  P.  O.  address. 
Politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

Bradford  Upjoinghouse,  miller,  TsTew  Canton;  was  born  in 
Jackson  county,  Ind.,  in  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Me- 
linda  (Helms)  Uppinghouse,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  father  of  Ger- 
man and  mother  of  Scottish  descent;  obtained  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  State.  In  1847  he  married  Christi- 
na Clark,  and  their  6  children  are  all  living.  He  arrived  in  Pike 
county  Jnne  8,  1865,  and  has  been  in  j!!^^ew  Canton  most  of  the 
time  since.     Politically  he  is  a  Eepublican. 

James  Wallace,  farmer,  sec.  28;  P.  O.,  New  Canton;  was  born 
in  Ohio  in  1816,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Catharine  (Straira); 
father  a  native  of  V^irginia  and  Scottish  descent,  mother  born  in 
Pennsylvania  and  of  German  ancestry.  Nathaniel  Wallace,  a 
grandfather  of  James,  was  a  Scotchman  and  a  captain  under  Lord 
Cornwallis.  James  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Ohio;  he  married  Sarah  Ann  Blacklidge  in  1836;  of  their  12 
children  5  are  living,'all  married,  and  residing  in  this  county.  Mr. 
Wallace's  early  occupation  ^yas  that  of  a  stone-mason,  but  has  been 
farming  the  most  of  his  life,  in  which  business  he  has  well  suc- 
ceeded, and  now  owns  240  acres  of  land;  he  first  settled  on  sec.  24 
in  this  tp.,  but  is  now  on  sec.  28.  He  has  taken  10  degrees  in 
Masonry.  Politically  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  has  been  Supervisor 
9  years, Road  Commissioner  6  years.  School  Trustee  4years,  and  is 
now  School  Director.     Mrs.  W.  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

JoMies  WAeelan,  blacksmith,  sec.  1;  P.  O.,  New  Canton;  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  1836,  and  is  the  son  of  Eichard  and  Mary 
(Scully)  Wheelan;  came  to  America  in  1848;  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  came  to  Pike  county 
in  1855,  settling  in  New  Canton;  in  1856  he  married  Isabella 
Brown,  and  they  had  7  children;  she  died  in  1873;  in  1877  Mr. 
W.  married  Elizabeth  Brown,  a  cousin  of  his  first  wife.  He  also 
carries  on  farming,  owning  160  acres  of  land;  his  house  on  the  farm 
cost  $2,000.  He  has  been  successful  in  both  businesses.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  Democrat,  and  keeps  well  posted. 


KINDERHOOK  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township  lies  directly  west  of  Barry  and  north  of  Pleasant 
7ale,  and  consists  largely  of  Mississippi  bottom  land,  which  is  the 
most  fertile  land  in  Illinois.  Onr  description  of  the  land  as  ^iven 
in  the  sketch  of  Pleasant  Vale  township  will  apply  as  well  to  Kin- 
derhook.  The  first  settlers  of  this  township  were  David  Cole,  Bird 
Brewer,  Mr.  Lyle,  Amasa  Shinii,  Mr.  McCraney,  James  HuU^ 
Charles  Smith,  Charles  and  James  Stratton,  C.  Devoll,  Tliomas 
Orr  and  others.  Mr.  McCraney  made  improvements  in  the  center 
of  the  township  on  the  creek  which  has  since  borne  his  name. 

Great  credit  is  dne  these  pioneers  for  their  untiring  efforts  in 
settling  and  improving  this  country.  Indians  were  numerons 
here  then,  and  the  wild  animals  roamed  at  will  over  this  then  wild 
country.  The  settlers  had  to  go  to  Bear  creek,  above  Quincy,  to 
have  their  milling  done.  There  was  a  corn-mill  run  by  oxen  on 
fiadley  creek  two  miles  above  Kinderhook,  owned  by  W.  M.  Blair, 
which  proved  a  great  convenience.  These  early  pilgrims  first  lived 
in  log  cabins,  with  stick  chimneys,  puncheon  floors,  clapboard 
doors  fastened  together  by  wooden  pins,  and  with  only  a  single 
four-light  window.  Mr.  Thomas  Hull  first  lived  in  a  house  with 
no  window  at  all.  The  family  would  build  a  large  fire  and  leave 
the  door  open.  On  one  occasion  the  Indians  came  to  the  house  of 
Mr.  Hull,  when  Mrs.  Hull  was  alone,  begging  for  something  to  eat. 
Mrs.  H.,  however,  could  not  understand  them  and  would  not  let 
them  into  the  house.  They  pointed  to  some  pumpkins,  signifying 
their  desire  to  have  some  of  them.  Of  these  she  willingly  gave 
them  as  many  as  they  could  carry. 

Mr.  Orr  tells  us  that  he  has  killed  many  a  deer  and  wolf  in  his 
neighborhood.  He  saw  at  one  time  as  many  as  seven  deer  in  one 
herd.  The  wolves  were  very  troublesome  and  would  frequently 
run  the  sheep  to  the  house  during  the  day-time  ;  and  at  night,  Mr. 
Orr  states,  they  had  to  corral  the  sheep  at  one  end  of  the  house. 

In  the  pioneer  days  boys  very  frequently  met  with  encounters 
before  which  the  modern  boy  would  quail.  In  a  very  early  day 
Wm.  J.  Talbert,  of  this  township,  and  his  brother  Basil  were  sent 
some  distance  from  home  on  an  errand.  As  usual,  they  took  their 
dog  and  gun  (for  these  were  necessary  companions  in  those  days), 
and  started  on  their  journey  through  the  wild  country.  "When  near 
the  Sny,  in  the  Mississippi  valley,  they  encountered  a  huge  buck, 
with  immense  antlers;  and  although  a  boy,  William  could  not  re- 


854  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

sist  the  temptation  of  bringing  down  such  fine  game.  Re  shot 
him,  but  succeeded  only  in  breaking  one  of  his  legs.  Lest  the  deer 
should  hobble  off  beyond  reach  and  be  lost,  he  irainediately  rushed  . 
forward  and  caught  him  by  the  horns.  His  faithful  dog  soon  came 
to  his  assistance  and  laid  hold  of  one  of  the  deer's  ears.  In  this  way  all 
three  tussled  around  and  around  for  some  time,  neither  being  able 
to  gain  much  advantage.  At  last  William  took  out  his  old  knife, 
which  had  no  back  spring,  and  attempted  to  cut  the  deer's  throat, 
using  his  fingers  as  a  spring  to  support  the  blade.  In  this  attempt, 
however,  he  failed.  He  then  opened  the  little  blade,  plunged  it 
into  the  deer  and  it  broke  off.  He  again  returned  to  the  use  of  the 
big  blade,  using  his  fingers  for  a  back.spring,  as  before.  All  this 
time  the  deer  kept  tussling  and  bleeding,  while  the  faithful  dog  kept 
tugging  away  at  his  ear.  Basil  stood  a  few  rods  away,  calling  with 
all  his  might  to  his  brother  to  come  away,  fearful  that  the  deer 
would  kill  him.  "William  soon  got  astride  the  deer's  shoulders 
and  faithfully  jabbed  away  with  his  old,  backless  knife,  and,  with 
the  assistance  of  the  dog,  he  finally  succeeded  in  killing  the  deer. 
But  this  was  not  all.  If  they  left  their  game  there  the  wolves  would 
soon  devour  it,  and  it  was  too  heavy  for  them  to  carry  ;  and  so  the 
ingenuity  often  manifested  in  pioneer  times,  and  which  would  have 
been  commendable  in  older  heads,  was  manifested  by. these  young 
brothers  in  order  to  save  the  deer.  They  bent  a  sapling,  upon 
which  they  hung  the  deer,  and  when  straightened  it  lifted  the  deer 
6ome  distance  from  the  ground.  Then  William  hung  his  vest  up 
by  it,  which  had  the  desired  effect  of  keeping  all  animals  from  it, 
and  notifying  the  hunters  that  it  was  the  game  of  another  party. 

KINDERHOOK. 

The  town  of  Kinderhook  was  founded  in  1836  by  Chester 
Churchill  and  Bridge  Whitten.  The  first  settler  in  the  town  was 
Peter  Harper.  The  first  store  was  kept  by  Mr.  Churchill.  The 
village  now  contains  several  stores,  blacksmith  shops,  a  flour  mill, 
and  other  industries.  It  also  has  a  graded  school  and  two  church 
edifices  located  here.  Many  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Kinderhook 
have  passed  away,  and  it  is  with  difficulty  that  its  earlier  history'is 
obtained.  We  acknowledge  our  indebtedness  to  Samuel  Clark  and 
others  for  valuable  information  received  from  this  neighborhood. 

Kinderhook  Exohange  Mills. — This  establishment  was  erected 
in  1871  by  Blain  &  Steers,  who  operated  it  for  about  four  years. 
It  then  fell  into  the  hands  of  Elijah  McA.tee  and  Dr.  Penick.  This 
firm  sold  out  in  1877  to  E.  B.  Hyde  and  0.  C.  Colvin,  who  oper- 
ated it  about  two  years,  when  they  sold  it  to  J.  C.  Colvin,  who  a 
few  months  later  took  Wm.  Fantz  as  a  partner.  They  run  four 
sets  of  burrs,  and  do  a  large  business.  They  make  an  excellent 
quality  of  flour,  which  meets  with  a  ready  sale  in  the  New  York 
markets. 

Kinderhook  Puhlio  Schools. — The  high-school  department  ot 
the  Kinderhook  schools  is  in  an  excellent  running  order  under  the 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

management  of  Prof.  Elkanab  Sellers,  who  conducts  the  school  on 
the  latest  Normal  plan.  The  recitations  of  the  B.  class  in  geogra- 
phy are  given  in  writing  by  the  entire  class  upon  the  blackboard. 
This  work  is  examined  the  following  morning  and  criticised,  the 
pupils  generally  manifesting  great  interest  in  their  studies.  The 
school  building  is  a  large  two-storj  brick  structure,  and  contains 
three  rooms. 

CHURCHES. 

Kinderhooh  Baptist  Ghtcroh. — This  society  was  organized  Jan. 
28, 1859,  at  the  honse  of  David  Devol,  by  Elder  IS".  Kinne.  Mr. 
Kinne  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  Mr.  Devol  Clerk,  of  this  meeting. 
He  was  then  elected  permanent  Clerk,  and  shortly  afterward  S. 
Sprague  and  S.  B.  Gaines  were  chosen  Deacons.  Rev.  Wm.  Cleve- 
land was  called  as  their  first  Pastor.  The  congregation  erected  a 
house  of  worship  in  1864,  which  was  dedicated  in  October,  1865, 
by  Elder  N.  Kinne.  The  present  membership  is  200.  The  Church 
has  sustained  a  Sunday-school  ever  since  it  was  organized. 

Akers  M.  JE,.  Church. — This  Church  was  organized  over  40  years 
ago,  and  although  we  worked  assiduously  to  obtain  its  history,  as 
well  as  that  of  the  other  M!  E.  Church,  we  fail  to  receive  very  much 
satisfactory  information.  The  present  church  edifice  of  the  Akers. 
Society,  which  was  the  second  one  erected,  was  built  in  1868-9.  It 
is  constructed  of  brick,  and  cost  about  $6,500. 

hull's. 

This  town  is  located  on  sec.  21,  and  at  the  junction  of  the  Wabash- 
and  the  Quincy,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  Railroads.  It  was  laid  out  in 
December,  1871,  by  David  Hull,  Rensellaer  Sweet  and  "Williamv 
Bridge.  It  is  situated  in  the  midst  of  one  of  the  finest  agricultural 
districts  in  the  county,  and  has  promise  of  making  a  nice  local 
town. 

BIOGRAPHICAL   DEPARTMENT. 

In  alphabetical  order  we  speak  of  many  of  the  leading  citizens  of 
Kinderhook. 

James  B.  Allen,  druggist,  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  March 
18, 1824,  and  is  a  son  of  Josiah  Allen,  deceased.  He  came  to  Pike 
county  in  1850,  and  pursued  the  mason's  trade  until  1874,  when  he- 
engaged  in  his  present  business.  He  is  engaged  in  general  mer- 
chandising and  carries  a  stock  of  $4,090,  consisting  of  a  full  line  of 
drugs,  groceries,  boots  and  shoes,  queens  ware,  and  occupies  a  two- 
story  brick  block,  which  he  erected  in  1876  at  a  cost  of  about  $4,000. 
Mr,  Allen  did  the  mason  work  on  the  Barry  high-school  building. 
In  1852  he  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  the  late  Judge  Alfred  Grubb, 
of  this  county.  Mrs.  Allen  was  born  in  Kentucky,  April  2,  1828.. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allen  have  5  children,— Alfred,  Mary  E.,  Edward  C, 
Bessie  and  Fannie. 

Alexander  Anderson  was  born  in  Reading,  Berks  county,  Pa.^ 
and  is  a  son  of  Edward  Anderson,  deceased,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  1845.    Alex,  came  with  his  father  and  engaged  with  him. 


856  HISTOET   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

in  the  mercantile  business  in  Kinderhook  until  the  death  of  the 
latter,  which  occurred  in  1848.  Mr.  Anderson  then  engaged  in 
fanning  until  1878 ;  then  formed  a  partnership  with  Frank  Ester- 
gren,  but  in  1879  the  firm  dissolved,  and  Mr.  A.  went  into  business 
for  himself.  He  now  carries  a  general  stock  of  hardware,  furniture 
etc.,  and  also  has  a  harness  shop  attached  and  does  a  good  business. 
In  1847  he  married  Anice  Hull,  daughter  of  James  Hull,  deceased, 
an  early  pioneer  of  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  have  had 
9  children,  of  whom  6  are  living, — Elizabeth,  Edward,  Marks, 
James,  Charles  and  Alexander. 

Cleinent  V.  Aylesworth  was  born  in  New  York  in  1848,  lived 
there  until  he  was  5  years  old,  then.moved  with  his  parents  to  Pike 
county,  111.,  and  remained  there  until  1861;  then  moved  to  Wis- 
consin and  remained  there  until  1870,  then  returned  to  this  county. 
Jan.  26,  1871,  he  married  Sarah  Z.  Button  of  this  county.  Their 
2  children  are  Elbert  and  Myrtie;  they  are  both  members  of  the  M. 
E.  Church.  He  is  engaged  in  butchering,  also  carries  on  the  con- 
fectionery business.  He  owns  a  dwelling  house  and  two  lots  in 
Kinderhook,  and  is  an  enterprising,  industrious  business  man  and 
a  good  citizen.     In  politics  he  is  a  Kepublican. 

Susan  Benson  was  born  in  Butler  county,  O.,  in  1823,  and  lived 
there  until  she  was]  15  years  of  age,  when  she  moved  with  her 
parents  to  this  county.  At  the  age  of  21  she  married  Macom  Ool- 
man,  and  they  had  4  children, — James  Thomas,  John  Macom, 
George  and  Catharine.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Colman  Mrs.  C. 
married  Thomas  Benson  and  they  had  2  children,  Xydia  Margaret 
and  Linosa  Lee.  Mrs.  Benson  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
and  politically  is  a  Democrat.  She  owns  61  acres  of  land  and  fol- 
lows farming. 

Edmund  T.  Bridge  was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Va.,  Deo.  15, 
1837.  His  father  left  Augusta  county  and  moved  to  Lewis  county 
in  1847,  and  in  1853  moved  to  Fayette  county,  Ohio,  and  after 
living  there  one  year,  moved  to  Hancock  county.  111.,  and  when 
there  enlisted  in  the  119th  Reg.  of  111.  Yol.,  and  remained  until 
Aug.,  1865,  and  since  then  has  been  living  in  this  tp.  Feb.  14, 
1867,  he  married  Mary  A.  Sweet,  and  their  children  are  2  boys  ana 
1  girl.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
Mr.  B.  followed  farming  until  1872,  and  since  then  has  been  en- 
gaged in  merchandising  at  Hull's  Station,  and  is  an  enterprising 
business  man,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican.  Heowns  50  acres 
of  land,  three  houses  and  three,  lots,  and  a  dry-goods  store. 

Mrs.  Mary  C%««e,  farmer,  sees.  33  and  36;  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1821,  and  lived  with  her  parents  until  she  was  10  years 
old.  They  moved  to  Ohio  and  remained  there  until  1844,  then  to 
Indiana,  and  lived  there  2  years,  then  came  to  this  county,  where 
she  waj  inuTiel  N")v.  20,  1841,  to  Alonzo  Chase.  Their  chil- 
dren were,  Daniel,  William  Lanson,  Samantha,  Sarah.  Frances,  Alice 
Melvina  and  Isadora.  She  owns  134  acres  of  land,  and  is  a  Demo- 
crat. 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY,  85^ 

A.  '8.  ChurchiU  came  to  this  county  in  1833,  when  but  19  years 
of  age.  He  traveled  the  entire  distance  from  Batavia  in  a  one- 
horse  buggy  in  one  month  and  15  days.  Arrived  in  this  tp.  the 
15th  of  Oct.,  and  joined  his  father  and  brother,  who  had  preceded 
him.  In  the  spring  of  1834  he  returned  to  New  York  and,  Oct. 
20,  1835,  married  Mary  A.  Hunn,  daughter  of  Samuel  Hunn,  de- 
ceased. Mrs.  C.  is  a  native  of  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  was  born 
March  8, 1814.  They  have  had  7  children,  4  of  whom  are  living,^ 
James  A.,  Wm.  E.,  Hiram  S.  and  JSTancy  M.  They  removed  here 
in  1836,  and  Mr.  C.  kept  hotel  until  the  railroads  were  built.  When 
he  arrived  in  this  tp.  he  had  $250,  a  team,  a  wife  and  one  child . 
Now  he  is  comfortably  situated  and  has  given  his  children  each  a 
large  farm.  The  first  land  he  bought  here  he  secured  by  giving  a 
cloth  coat  for  his  claim  on  the  land.  He  went  to  Whipple's  mill 
for  flour,  a  distance  of  23  miles. 

William  E.  Churchill  was  born  May  2,  1847,  in  Barry  tp., 
and  is  a  son  of  the  preceding;  he  resides  on  sec.  9,  this  tp.,  and 
is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  married  March 
26,  1868,  to  Mary  Carr,  daughter  of  Solomon  Carr,  deceased,  and 
they  have  4  children,- — Charles  E.,  Ora  D.,  Eoy  S.  and  Edward  C. 

Samuel  Olarh  is  a  native  of  Harrison  county,  Ya.,  and  was 
born  Sept.  23,  1826,  and  is  a  son  of  Rev.  Samuel  Clark,  deceased, 
who  removed  to  this  county  with  his  family  in  1829.  Mr.  Clark 
was  raised  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  a  common  school.  In  1861 
he  was  married  to  Emma  Shinn,  daughter  of  Isaiah  Shinn,  de- 
ceased, who  came  to  this  State  in  1867.  Mrs.  Clark  was  born  Sept. 
8,  1831,  in  Harrison  county,  Ya.  They  have  had  7  children,  of 
whom  6  are  living, — Henrietta  A.,  Frances  Y.,  Sabra  E.,  Minnie, 
Cyrus  and  Florence  N.  Mr.  Clark  resides  on  sec.  3,  this  tp.,  and 
is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising. 

Alexander  Clutch,  farmer,  sec.  33,  was  born  in  Warren  county, 
0.,  in  1833,  and  lived  there  until  he  was  13  years  of  age,  then 
moved  to  Pike  county  with  his  parents,  who  were  farmers,  and 
lived  with  them  until  he  was  21  years  old;  he  then  went  to  Macon 
county  and  remained  2  years,  following  farming,  then  to  this  State, 
again  locating  in  McLean  county  for  14  years;  then  returned  to 
Pike  county  and  married  Christina  Fine,  who  had  been  previously 
married,  and  had  one  child  named  Wm.  Isaac.  Mrs.  Clutch  died 
and  Mr.  C.  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Halsfead,  who  had  7  children, — 
Henry  E.  and  Wm.  F.  Wilson,  Drusilla  J.,  Edith  M.  and  Susan 
Edna.  Her  children  by  her  first  husband  were  Rachel,  Ellen, 
Lomira  and  Emma.  By  his  first  wife  Mr.  Clutch  had  4  children, — 
Thomas  Marion,  Edward  Francis,  Anna  and  Clarissa.  He  and 
his  wife  are  Baptists,  and  politically  he  is  a  Democrat.  His  farm 
comprises  70  acres. 

John  Clutch  was  born  March  28,  1839,  in  Warren  county,  O., 
and  is  a  son  of  David  P.  and  Martha  Clutch,  deceased,  who  brought 
their  family  to  this  county  in  the  spring  of  1847,  landing  at  Quincy 
on  the  1st  day  of  April.     In    1852    he  was   married  to  Alvira, 


858  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

daugLter  of  Sylvanus  Baker,  deceased,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this- 
county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clutch  have  had  8  children,  of  whom  6  are 
living,  viz:  Warren,  Mary  E.,  John,  Sarah,  Ellen  and  Everett. 
Mr.  0.  engaged  in  farming  until  1876,  when  hfe  entered.into  the 
mercantile  business  in  Kinderhook.  He  carries  a  stock  of  $5,000, 
consisting  of  dry-goods,  hats  and  caps,  boots  and  shoes,  groceries,, 
queensware,  and  everything  usually  kept  in  a  first-class  mixed 
store.  He  also  deals  iu  agricultural  implements.  He  still  owns  a 
farm,  and  still  gives  some  attention  to  farming. 

Samuel  Oolgrove  was  born  in  Steuben  county,  N.  Y.,  June  24, 
1822,  and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Oolgrove,  of 
the  same  county.  Mrs.  C.  died  in  1871.  Samuel  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  had  but  limited  opportunities  for  an  education.  In  1843 
he  came  West,  traveling  through  Iowa,  Minnesota  and  Northern 
Illinois;  went  to  Lake  Superior  during  the  silver  excitement  in 
1845;  engaged  in  sawing  and  rafting  lumber  to  St.  Louis  for  4 
years ;  traveled  through  Indiana,  Ohio  and  Michigan  to  some  ex- 
tent. He  returned  to  New  York  in  1849,  where  he  remained  until 
1866,  except  what  time  he  was  in  the  war.  Aug.  2,  1851,  he  mar- 
ried Mary  P.  Marlatt,  and  moved  to  Huron  county,  0. ;  in  186T 
came  to  Adams  county.  111.,  and  3  years  afterward  he  came  into 
this  county,  where  he  resides  on  sec.  26,  farming  and  raising  stock. 
He  has  had  7  children,  viz:  Elizabeth  M.,  Olive  A.,  Emily  L., 
Samuel  A.,  Ira  M.,  George  D.  and  Lillie  M.  Mr.  0.  served  in  Go. 
H,  86th  ~E.  Y.  Inf.,  and  hence  was  in  the  army  of  the  Potomac. 
He  participated  in  the  second  battle  of  Bull  Kun;  became  disa- 
bled in  the  service,  and  was  discharged  Nov.  6,  1862.  , 

J.  G.  CoVoin  was  born  in  Hartford  county.  Conn.,  Oct.  19,  1823, 
a  son  of  Timothy  Colvin,  dec;  in  1854  he  came  and  settled  in  this 
tp.;  the  next  year  he  returned  to  Connecticut  and  married  Miss 
Ann  M.  Andrews,  and  returned  to  his  home  here.  Of  his  6  chil- 
dren Flora,  Charlotte  and  Joseph  A.  are  living.  After  farming  for 
9  years  Mr.  Colvin  has  followed  merchandising,  trading,  milling,, 
etc.     He  still  owns  a  farm. 

JoJin  Gook,  farmer,  sec.  24;  owning  280  acres  of  land  in  this  tp.^ 
was  born  in  Chatham  county,  N.  C,  July  5,  1800;  at  the  age  of  7 
years  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Davidson  county,  Tenn.,  where 
in  about  6  months  his  father  died ;  his  mother  then  moved  to  Rob- 
inson county  until  he  was  17  years  old,  when  they  moved  to  Trigg 
county,  Ky.,  and  there,  March  20,  1828,  he  married  Miss  Martha 
Kennedy;  in  1830  he  arrived  iu  Pike  county.  His  cjiildren  are 
John  K.,  Mary  E.,  Clarinda  Ann  and  Milly  Jane.  Mr.  0.  is  a 
Democrat. 

W.  R.  Davison  was  born  in  Wales  in  1842;  in  1846  the  family 
emigrated  to  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  in  1849  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1851  to 
Naples,  111. ;  he  served  18  months  in  the  8th  Eeg.  I.  V.  I.,  and  was 
honorably  discharged;  then  followed  steam-boatingfor  6years;  and 
for  the  last  6  years  he  has  been  in  Pike  county  conducting  a  hotel 
and  restaurant.     At  Naples  he  was   a  farmer.     May  4,  1868,  he 


^^-^ci  > ii.u/-  V     (r^^Ciy\ 


KINDERHOOK  t? 


HISTOET    OF    PJKE    COUNTY.  861 

married  Miss  Mary  E.  Smith,  and  they  have  one  child,  Annie  E., 
aged.  11.  Mr.  D.  is  a  Baptist  and  his  wife  a  Methodist.  In  poli- 
tics Mr.  D.  is  a  Denaocrat.  He  owns  2  houses  and  lots  at  Hull's 
Station. 

Moses  Decker  was  born  in  Knox  county,  Ind.,  Dec.  16,  1806,  son 
of  Moses  Decker,  who  was  born  in  1780  in  Washington  county, 
Pa.,  and  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  the  Northwestern  Territory 
in  1786 ;  he  was  raised  in  the  fort  at  Vincennes,  and  when  large 
enough  to  carry  a  gun  he  went  into  the  war  against  the  Indians ; 
he  died  in  1864.  Moses,  jr.  was  raised  on  a  farm  in  pioneer  style; 
education,  likewise,  being  in  the  usual  old-fashioned  log  school- 
house,  with  a  greased  deer-skin  for  a  window,  and  a  lire-place  for 
heating  the  room.  In  1827  he  married  Melinda,  daughter  of 
Tarleton  Boren,  dec.  In  1835  they  came  to  this  county,  settling 
on  sec.  1,  this  tp.,  where  he  still  resides,  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser. 
Of  his  11  children  these  9  are  living:  Hannah,  Martha,  Melinda, 
Christina,  Ezra,  Asher,  Amry,  Margaret  and  Emery.  Mrs.  D.  died 
May  25,  1877,  an  honored  member  of  society. 

David  Devol^  farmer  and  stock-raiser;  was  born  in  Washington 
county,  O.,  March  20,  1826,  the  son  of  Daniel  Devol,  dec,  who  was 
among  the  first  born  in  that  county.  Mr.  D.  came  to  Illinois  in 
^854,  settling  in  this  tp.,  where  he  still  resides.  He  has  mar- 
ried twice,  and  is  the  father  of  8  children.  He  is  a  descendant  of 
Daniel  Devol,  who  was  one  of  four  brothers  that  emigrated  to 
America  from  England  about  1760."  Their  name's  were  Stephen, 
Daniel,  Jonathan  and  Gilbert. 

Franh  Ester gren,  dealer  in  stoves  and  tin  ware,  was  born  in 
Sweden  !Nov.  4,  1844;  when  20  years  of  age  he  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica; worked  at  common  labor  a  few  months  at  Fall  Brook,  Pa. ; 
then  was  in  Minnesota  four  years  in  the  tin  business;  then  followed 
the  same  business  one  year  in  Wisconsin;  then  at  Hannibal,  Mo., 
3  months;  then  Kinderhook,  where  he  worked  as  journeyn^n  for  3 
or  4  years,  then  commenced  business  for  himself.  In  1874  he  mar- 
ried Amanda  McPherson.  and  they  have  2  children,  Joseph  Tim- 
othy and  Nellie  Josephine.  He  and  wife  are  Baptists,  and  he  is  a 
staunch  Democrat.  Is  the  owner  of  his  residence  and  business 
house  arfd  lots. 

Thomas  Fitzpatrich,  hotel-keeper  at  Kinderhook,  was  born  in 
1828,  in  Butler  Co.,  O. ;  at  the  age  of  9  years  he  moved  with  his 
parents  to  Pike  county;  they  were  farmers;  at  21  he  spent  13 
months  in  California;  then  returned  to  Pike  county  and  married 
Miss  Emily  Woolum,  of  this  county,  and  they  have  6  children, — ■ 
Josephine,  Laura  Ann,  Thomas,  Charlie,  Bartholomew  and  Eugene. 
He  has  been  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  for  16  years,  and  at  other 
times  he  has  followed  farming.  He  owns  his  hotel,  three  other 
buildings  and  IJ  acres  of  land-  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  his 
wife  are  Methodists. 

Samuel  B.  Oaines  was  born  in  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.,  April  19, 1821 ; 
his  father,  Ebenezer,  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  a  farmer,  who 

49 


862  HISTOKT    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

died  in  1825,  and  Mrs.  G.  soon  moved  to  Hartford  Co.,  Conn, 
where  Sam'l  B.  was  brought  up;  in  1842  he  moved  to  Ohio,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  clock  business  7  year?.  In  1844  he  married  in 
Huron  Co.,  Margaret  M.  Twaddle;  in  1847  they  removed  to  this 
countj',  where  in  the  following  year  Mrs.  G.  died;  in  1849  Mr.  G. 
married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  Thomas  Fitzpatrick,  an  early  set- 
tler of  this  county,  who  died  in  1850.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gaines  have 
had  10  children,  of  whom  6  are  living:  Lorinda  A.,  Mary  E.,  Lvdia 
A.,  Sylvester  S.,  Edward  N.  and  Minnie  M.  For  the  first  3  years 
in  Illinois  Mr.  G.*  engaged  in  the  clock  business,  and  since  that 
time  he  has  followed  farming  and  merchandising;  he  now  carries  a 
stock  of  $6,000,  which  consists  of  dry-goods,  boots  and  shoes, 
groceries,  notions,  hats  and  caps,  hardware,  etc.  He  owns  over 
500  acres  of  valuable  land  in  this  county.  He  now  (Feb.)  has  270 
acres  of  wheat  sown. 

A.  A.  Gose,  farmer,  sec.  14,  owning  152  acres  of  land,  was  born 
in  Kinderhook  tp.  June  24, 1836,  the  son  of  John  Gose,  deceased,  an 
early  pioneer.  Oct.  25,  1863,  he  married  Elizabeth  Bailey;  4  of 
their  5  children  are  living:  Ada  B.,  Harry  L.,  Elbert  and  Ella 
Myrtle. 

Charles B.  Gose  was  born  in  this  tp.  Sept.  4,  1837,  where  he  has 
since  resided ;  Oct.  20,  1863,  he  married  Miss  Cynthia  J.  Jone^; 
their  children  are  Ernest  B.,  born  Nov.  15,  1868,  and  Charles  J., 
Dec.  16,  1871.  He  owns  145  acres  of  land  and  follows  farming. 
He  is  Assessor  of  Kinderhook  tp.,  a  Democrat  and  a  Good  Templar. 
His  wife  is  a- "  Kepublican." 

Eliza  J.  Gose  was  born  in  Kussell  Co.,  Ya.,  Dec.  4,  1815;  when 
19  years  of  age  she  married  John  Gose  and  moved  to  this  tp.,  since 
which  time  she  has  remained  on  her  farm  of  300  acres.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Eliza  J.  Bickley.  She  has  4  children, — Abel  A.,  Charles 
B.,  George  C.  and  Frances.     She  is  a  Methodist. 

Barna  Hinds,  farmer,  sec.  25,  was  born  in  Brown  Co.,  0.,  March 
6,  1824,  the  son  of  James  Hinds,  of  this  tp. ;  was  reared  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  common  schools;  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Montgomery  Co.,  Mo.,  in  1843,  and  in  the  following  year  to  this 
county.  Dec.  31,  1849,  he  married  Elizabeth  Lomax,  a  daughter  of 
Theophilus  Lomax,  deceased,  who  came  to  this  county  in  1848. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hinds  have  3  children,— James,  John  and  Henry. 
James  married  Amanda  Gladson  and  resides  in  this  tp.;  John  mar- 
ried Helen  Lane  and  also  resides  in  this  tp.  Mr.  Hinds  has  been 
a  farmer  since  he  was  23  years  of  age;  he  owns  415  acres  of  valu- 
able land. 

Charles  8.  Hull,  deceased,  was  born  in  this  ,tp.  Jan.,26,  1843, 
the  sgn  of  Thos.  Hull,  deceased,  who  came  to  Southern  Illinois  in 
1822,  and  to  tljis  county  in  1829.  Charles  was  raised  on  a  farm 
and  educated  in  the  public  school;  June  4,  1868,  he  married  Louisa, 
daughter  of  Nathan  H.  Davis,  near  Griggsville.  Mr.  Hull  was  a 
farmer  and  stock-raiser,  and  resided  on  the  old  homestead  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  Jan.  11,  1879,  a  zealous  Methodist.    Mr. 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  863 

and  Mrs.  Hull  had  2  children,  Mary  A.  and  Sarah  A.  The  Hull 
farm  was  one  of  the  first  farms  settled  and  improved  in  this  tp. 
Mrs.  H.  still  resides  there  and  carries  on  the  farm. 

David  SuU,  deceased;  was  born  in  Pickaway  Co.,  O.,  Nov.  9 
1830,  and  emigrated  to  this  State  in  1836 ;  Oct."  16,  1858,  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  Sperry,  daughter  of  John  and  Catharine  Sperry;  the 
former  died  Oct.  3, 1878,  and  the  latter  resides  with  her  daughter 
at  Hull's  Station.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hull  had  5  children,  of  whom  3 
are  living,  Everett,  Mary  and  Minnie.  Mr.  Hull  was  a  prominent 
farmer  and  stock- raiser  in  the  Mississippi  valley,  and  was  the  founder 
of  Hull's  Station,  which  was  named  for  him.  He  died  March 
16, 1876,  a  devoted  Christian  man,  liberal,  public-spirited,  etc.  Two 
of  his  brothers,  James  and  Williamj'died  in  the  late  war.  Jan.  17, 
1878,  Mrs.  Hull  married  Stephen  Whitaker,  a  native  of  New  York, 
who  came  to  this  county  with  Benj.  Brown  in  1833.  Mr.  Whit- 
aker's  mother  died  when  he  was  but  a  small  boy,  and  he  was 
brought  up  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown.  He  resides  at  Hull,  engaged 
in  farming.  He  followed  broom-making  for  about  20  years,  with 
good  success.     We  give  Mr.  H.'s  portrait  in  these  pages. 

David  D.  Mull,  jr.,  merchant,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  born  in 
Barry  tp.  Sept.  25,  1844,  a  son  of  Tate  Hull.  In  his  18th  year  he 
•shouldered  a  gun  and  fought  for  Uncle  Sam  in  the  late  war,  in  Co. 
H,  99th  Reg.  I.  V.  I.,' for  about  two  years,  when  his  company  was 
consolidated  with  Co.  C.  He  was  in  the  Yicksburg  campaign,  the 
battles  of  Champion  Hills,  Raymond,  Fort  Blakeley,  Fort  Spanish, 
Mobile  and  others.  His  two  brothers,  Thomas  and  Albert,  also 
served  in  the  war.  In  1865  Mr.  Hull  married  Sarah  A.,  daughter 
of  Granville  Scott,  deceased;  and  they  have  had  6  children,  of  whom 
5  are  living:  Minnie  A.,  Norton  C,  Everett,  Wily  and  Hubert. 
As  a  merchant  Mr.  Hull  carries  a  general  line  of  goods. 

/.  N.Hull  was  born  Jan.  9,  1836;  the  son  of  Thomas  Hull,  an 
early  settler,  and  the  first  supervisor  of  this  tp.  J.  N.  owns  400 
acres  of  valuable  land,  and  has  260  acres  in  wheat  at  present.  He 
is  engaged  in  the  grain  business  at  Hull's  Station,  and  has  recently 
erected  a  grain  elevator  and  agricultural  warehouse,  24  by  56  feet. 
January,  1860,  he  married  Miss  Mary  M.  Sprague,  daughter  of 
Deacon  Seaman  Sprague,  of  Kinderhook  tp.,  and  they  have  had  6 
children,  of  whom  3  are  living:  Loyal  S.,  Jennie  B.,  and  James  L. 

Marietta  B.  Johnson  was  born  in  Berkshire  county,  Mass., 
where  she  resided  until  34  years  of  age.  She  married  George  Snow 
in  1857,  who  lived  but  3  years  afterward;  in  1870  she  married  Mr. 
L.  Johnson,  who  lived  6  years.  She  is  now  a  widow,  and  proprietor 
of  a  hotel  at  Hull's,  where  she  has  resided  for  7  years.  Her  maiden 
name  was  Marietta  B.  Stuitevan. 

Chmles  E.  Jones  was  born  in  Onondaga  county,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  11, 
1847,  and  is  the  son  of  Jeremiah  Jones,  of  that  State;  he  came  to 
this  county  in  1869,  and  was  assistant  foreman  on  the  Hannibal  di- 
vision of  the  Wabash  railroad  the  same  year.  May  25,  1872,  he 
married  Miss  Almira  E.  Steadman,  daughter  of  Revilo  B.  Steadman, 


864  HISTORY  or  pike  county. 

of  Hull's.  They  have  3  children:  Bertha  A.,  Althea  R.  and  Grace 
L.  Mr.  Jones  now  resides  at  Hull's,  and  is  foreman  on  the  0.  B. 
&  Q.  R.  R.,  which  position  he  has  held  for  9  years. 

James  P.  Journey  was  born  in  Adams  county,  111.,  April  10, 
1847,  a  son  of  Joseph  W.,  deceased,  an  early  settler  in  that  county. 
Aug.  22,  1869,  he  married  Nancy  A.  Wagy,  and  they  reside  on  the 
old  homestead,  sec.  5,  engaged  in  farming.  His  grandfather,  Peter 
Journey,  settled  in  Adams  county  prior  to  1825;  was  a  member  of 
the  first  Board  of  County  Commissioners  of  that  county,  and  mar- 
ried the  first  couple  that  were  married  by  license  in  that  county. 
The  license  was  written  on  brown  paper,  and  the  ceremony  was 
solemnized  July  26,  1825.  Joseph  W.  Journey  married  Caroline 
Young,  daughter  of  Austin  and  Margaret  Young,  Jan.  1,  1839, 
and  of  their  10  children  but  5  survive:  Peter,  James,  Andrew,  Dora 
S.  (now  Mrs.Wm.  Jellison)  and  Mary.  The  family  removed  to  Pike 
county  in  1853,  where  they  resided  until  after  his  death,  when  in 
1865  they  returned  to  Adams  county,  Peter  and  James  now  re- 
side in  this  county. 

Charles  H.  Kenady,  farmer,  sec.  10,  was  born  in  this  tp.  Dec. 
10,  1846,  the  son  of  Benj.  Kenady,  deceased,  an  early  settler.  April 
22,  1870,  he  married  Louisa  Toner,  daughter  of  Wm.  Toner,  of  this 
tp.,  and  their  children  are  Mary  and  Charlie. 

Jacob  Lease  y^2LS,  born  in  Hampshire  county,  Ya.,  April  30, 1813; 
was  reared  on  a  farm ;  came  to  Illinois  in  1860,  locating  in  Adams 
county,  and  in  1865  came  to  this  county.  He  is  now  living  with 
his  third  wife,  and  is  the  father  of  14  children;  12  of  these  are  liv- 
ing: MaryE.,  Phoebe  E.,  Joseph  T.,  Sarah  A,,  Susan  P.,  Emery  L., 
Wm.  H.,  Oliver  B.,  U.  S.  Grant,  Eva  D.,  Dora  and  Cyrus.  The 
5  eldest  are  married.     Joseph  married  Sophronia  Kennedy. 

Mifflin,  Dallas  Liggett  ^a.s,  horn  Dec.  27,  1846,  in  this  county, 
and  was  engaged  in  farming  until  1864,  when  he  learned  the  black- 
smith's trade,  which  he  is  still  following  in  Kinderhook.  In  1866 
he  married  Miss  Ellen  Beard,  of  New  York  State,  and  their  only 
child  is  George  D.,  aged  8  years.  Politically,  Mr.  L.  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  he  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow. 

D.  Lively,  farmer,  sec.  6,  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Ky.,  May 
10, 1812;  was  a  mechanic  by  trade;  came  to  Missouri  in  1837,  and 
to  this  county  in  1856. 

Harrison  MoKee  was  born  in  Holmes  county,  O.,  April  6,  1837, 
son  of  John  McKee,  deceased,  who  brought  his  family  to  Pike 
county  in  the  autumn  of  1841.  They  traveled  the  entire  distance 
of  800  miles  and  crossed  but  one  railroad.  There  were  7 
children,  of  whom  5  are  living,  Charles,  Lois,  Nancy  (now  Mrs. 
Bedwell)  Allen  and  Harrison.  Mrs.  McKee  is  living  on  the 
old  homestead,  at  the  age  of  QQ.  Harrison  follows  farming  in 
the  summer  time  and  teaches  school  in  the  winter.  He  has  taught 
for  17  successive  winters,  a  part  of  the  time  in  Adams  and  Morgan 
counties,  but  mostly  in  Pike. 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY.  865 

Samuel  E.  Morris  was  born  in  Ross  county,  O.,  in  1836;  moved 
to  Pike  county  with  his  parents  in  1851 ;  from  1867  to  1860  traveled 
to  California  and  through  the  West,  when  he  returned  to  Pike  county 
to  work  at  his  trade,  blacksmi thing.  In  May,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
the  16th  111.  Inf  YoL,  and  served  with  distinction  for  3  years;  in 
1864  he  married  Lucinda  F.  Bolin,  and  their  children  are  :  Zella, 
Minnie  B.,  America  IST.  and  Myrtle  May.  Mr.  M.  is  a  Greenbacker 
in  politics.  He  is  an  auctioneer  and  blacksmith,  and  owns  con- 
siderable city  property. 

James  T.  Murray,  attorney,  Kinderhook,  was  born  in  this 
■county,  April  19, 1839,  where  he  resided  until  1862  ;  followed  mill- 
ing 2  years  in  Minnesota,  then  the  mercantile  business  in  Quincy 
for  a  short  time,  and  then  commenced  the  study  of  law.  In  1869 
he  removed  to  Lewis  county.  Mo.,  where  he  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice; in  1872  he  returned  to  this  county,  settling  at  Kinderhook, 
where  he  has  since  practiced  his  profession.  Oct.  18,  1864,  he  mar- 
ried Belle  Sisler,  of  La  Grange,  Mo.,  and  the  names  of  their  chil- 
dren were  Mary  E.  and  Jennie  K. ;  both  of  whom  died  in  1872.  In 
politics  Mr.  M.  claims  to  be  a  Socialist. 

MilVy  Murray  was  born  in  Trigg  county,  Ky.,  in  1808  ;  her 
maiden  name  was  Milly  Kennedy;  she  came  to  this  county  with 
her  parents  in  1830.  In  1831  she  married  Eleazer  Murray,  who 
•died  in  1852,  leaving  4  children :  James  T.,  Rufus  M.,  Mary  Ann 
and  N"ancy  Ellen.  She  lives  on  her  farm  of  100  acres;  is  72  years 
old  and  in  good  health. 

ElTcanah  W.  Sellers,  school-teacher,  was  born  in  Barry  tp.,  Sept. 
27, 1857,  son  of  David  Sellers,  of  the  same  tp.,  who  brought  his 
family  to  this  county  in  1852.  Mr.  S.  received  a  part  of  his  educa- 
tion at  the  Christian  University,  Canton,  Mo.,  and  a  part  at  Chad- 
dock  College  at  Quincy,  and  is  the  present  principal  of  the  Kinder- 
hook schools. 

James  W.  Sperry,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  sec.  22,  was  born  in 
Ross  county,  O.,  May  24, 1842,  son  of  John  Sperry,  deceased.  At 
the  age  of  19  he  enlisted  in  Co.  H,  73d  Reg;  O.  Y.  I.,  and 
served  2  years  and  3  months  in  the  late  war,  being  in  the  battles 
•of  'rettysburg,  Chancellorsville,  Lookout  Mountain,  etc.  In 
November,  1867,  he  married  Nancy  L.,  daughter  of  Noah  Corey, 
of  Ross  Co.,  O.  Their  children  are  :  Cora,  Johnnie  N.,  Bessie  and 
Otis  O.  He  is  now  building  a  two-story  frame  house  32  by  54 
feet,  which  will  add  to  the  beauty  of  the  valley. 

Charles  C.  Sprague,  physician  aad  surgeon,  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton county,  Ohio,  Jan.  21,  1837;  educated  in  Beverly  College,  Ohio, 
and  is  a  graduate  of  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago;  came  to  this 
county  in  1860,  taught  a  term  of  school  in  Payson,  Adams  Co.,  the 
following  winter;  at  the  same  time  studying  medicine  under  Dr. 
M.  M.  Bane,  of  Quincy.  He  then  enlisted  in  the  war  as  Hospital 
Steward  in  Co.  C,  50th  I.  Y.  1.,  serving  3  years,  and  was  present 
at  the  battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Resaca,  etc., 
assisting  in  dressing  the  wounds  of  the  soldiers.  He  began  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  1865,  in  Kinderhook,  where  he  still  remains, 


866  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUHTT. 

with  a  large  practice.  In  1864  he  married  Frances  E.,  daughter  of 
Mrs.  Eliza  J.  Grose,  of  this  tp.  They  are  Baptists,  and  their  two 
living  children  are  Laura  and  Justin  L. 

Revilo  B.  SteadmMn,  farmer,  sec.  21,  was  born  in  Cortland  county, 
N.  Y.,  Nov.  14,  1816,  son  of  Joshua  and  Fatha  (Beach)  Steadman, 
Dec.  24,  1846,  in  Wilkesbarre,  Luzerne  Co.,  Pa.,  he  married 
Maria  A.  Beisel,  a  native  of  that  county,  who  was  born  JSfov.  18, 
1822.  Four  of  their  five  children  are  living — Peter  R.,  Almira  E. 
(now  Mrs.  Charles  E.  Jones,  of  Hull),  Hannah  M.  and  Alfred  B. 
Mr.  S.  came  to  Illinois  in  1862,  stopping  in  Barry  3  years,  when  he 
removed  to  Hull's.     They  are  Baptists. 

Rensellaer  Sweet  was  born  in  Rensellaer  county,  N.  Y.,  Feb. 
22,  1827,  and  is  a  son  of  Ira  Sweet,  deceased,  who  brought  his 
family  to  this  county  in  1847.  Mr.  Sweet  was  raised  on  a  farm 
and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  New  York. 
After  his  arrival  in  this  county,  his  educational  advantages  were 
very  limited,  the  present  free-school  system  not  being  in  vogue 
then.  He  was  married  in  1848  to  Rebecca  Hull,  daughter  of  the 
well  known  D.D.  Hull.  They  have  5  children,  of  whom  4  are 
living  :  Mary  A.,  Jane  A.,  Roscoe  A.  and  Delia  M.  The  one 
deceased  was  Eddie  E.  Mr.  S;  resides  in  Hull,  and  is  engaged  in 
general  farming. 

Thomas  0.  Talhert,  farmer,  sec.  10,  was  born  at  Kaskaskia,  111., 
Dec.  14,  1829,  son  of  Col.  James  Talbert,  a  pioneer  of  this  county. 
April  8,  1855,  he  married  Elizabeth  C,  daughter  of  Wm.  Crump, 
deceased,  also  an  early  settler  of  this  county. 

William  J.  Talbert,  farmer,  sec.  36,  was  born  in  Washington 
county,  Ya.,  July  12,  1818,  son  of  James  Talbert,  deceased,  who 
brought  his  family  to  the  American  Bottom,  on  Kaskaskia  river, 
in  1829,  within  a  mile  of  the  house  of  Gov.  Bond.  After  spending 
one  year  in  Missouri  he  came  back  to  Illinois  in  1831,  and  the 
same  year  removed  with  his  family  to  Atlas,  then  the  county-seat, 
where  he  kept  a  hotel  for  a  year;  he  then  removed  near  New  Canton, 
where  he  resided  until  1863,  when  he  retired  and  resided  in  Barry 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1865.  Wm.  J.,  being  a  pioneer, 
underwent  the  usual  privations  of  early  times ;  he  received  his 
school  education  in  an  old  log  school-house,  with  slab  benches,  the  . 
window  extending  the  entire  length  of  the  building,  it  being 
simply  the  absence  of  a  log;  the  fire-place  occupied  nearly  the  en- 
tire end  of  the  room ;  the  back-logs  were  drawn  in  by  a  horse,  there 
being  a  door  on  each  side  of  the  room  near  the  fire-place ;  the  floor 
consisted  of  mother  earth.  Nov.  24,  1844,  he  married  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Lewis  Hull,  deceased,  and  they  have  had  9  children,  of 
whom  6  are  living  :  Thomas  N.,  Martha  E.,  Mary  I.,  Charley  L., 
Hattie  and  Ettie  T.  Mr.  Talbert  was  the  second  tanner  in  Pike 
county,  having  run  a  tannery  near  New  Canton  for  several  years. 
He  was  jailor  while  in  Atlas,  and  witnessed  the  whipping  of  a  hog 
thief  by  "SheriiF  Col.  Seeley. 

Isaac  N.  Thompson,  farmer,  sec.  13,  was  born  in  Hampshire 
county,  Ya.,  Feb.  17,  1830,  son  of  Elisha  Thompson,  deceased;  in 


HISTOKT    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  867 

1854  he  removed  to  Missouri,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and 
merchandising  •  after  10  years  he  came  to  this  county;  in  1852  he 
married  Nancy  A.  Sperry,  in  Columbus,  O.  They  had  one  child, 
Wm.  A.,  now  dead.  In  1858  Mrs.  T.  died,  and  in  1859  Mr.  T.  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Edgar.  Of  their  8  children  7  are  living  :  Fannie 
M.,  John  H.,  Louisa,  Jennie,  Willy]  M.,  Berzelius  and  Rufus.  The 
name  of  the  deceased  was  Albert  L. 

J.  A.  Walch  is  a  native  of  Yan  "Wert  county,  O.,  where  he  was 
born  Aug.  19,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  J.  A.  Walch,  deceased;  he  came 
to  Illinois  with  his  mother  and  step-father  in  1858,  locating  in  Stark 
county,  and  to  Pike  in  1863.  March  18, 1869,  he  married  Charlofte 
Hull,  and  of  their  4  children  these  3  are  living  :  Frank,  Roy  and 
Charley.  Mr.  W.  owns  a  half  interest  in  a  steam  thresher,  corn- 
sheller  and  wood  saw,  which  keeps  him  continually  employed. 

Robert  D,  Warinner,  jeweler,  was  born  in  Casey  county,  Ky., 
Sept.  16,  1819;  in  1837  his  parents  moved  with  him  to  Ray  county, 
Mo. ;  followed  farming  until  he  was  24  years  old,  when  he  married 
Mary  Blane,  of  Kentucky,  and  in  1847  they  moved  to  Pike  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  storing  and  shipping  business  at  Cincin- 
nati Landing  for  2  years;  then  clerked  in  a  dry-goods  store  in  New 
Canton  for  2  years;  then  followed  merchandising  for  himself  in  New- 
burg  3  years;  then  back  to  New  Canton  in  the  same  business  until 
1859;  then  sold  out  and  returned  to  Missouri,  where  he  sold  goods 
2  years,  when  the  rebellion  broke  out  and  he  was  robbed  by  guer- 
rillas and  barely  escaped  with  his  life;  in  1862  he  returned  to  Pike 
county  and  engaged  in  the  sewing-machine  business  for  6  months; 
in  1863  went  to  Barry,  where  he  remained  until  1876;  engaged  in 
the  jewelry  business;  he  then  came  to  Kinderhook,  where  he  con- 
tinues in  that  line  of  work,  and  owns  a  residence  and  a  store.  In 
religion  he  is  a  "  Christadelphian,  "  and  in  politics  a  Republican. 

Wilson  Brothers.  These  enterprising  farmers  are  located  on 
sec.  27  this  tp.,  and  are  the  sons  of  John  A.  Wilson,  deceased, 
who  brought  his  family  from  Kane  county.  111.,  to  this  county  in 
1864.  Alexander  D.  was  born  Jan.  29,  1860,  and  William  was 
born  Oct.  3,  1854.  They  are  bachelors  and  prospering  in  business. 
Their  household  fs  presided  over  by  their  sister  Eliza,  who  was 
born  Feb.  22,  1860,  in  Kane  county,  111. 


LEVEE  TOWNSHIP. 

This  township  was  originally  a  part  of  Kinderhook  township,  but 
in  1875  the  citizens  of  the  island  petitioned  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors for  the  organization  of  a  separate  township.  This  was 
granted,  and  included  the  remainder  of  the  territory  west  to  the 
Mississippi  river,  reserving  enough  to  make  a  regular  "  Congres- 
sional township."  The  township  was  named  by  the  first  Super- 
visor, Mr.  Frank  Lyon,  for  the  levee  across  its  western  portion. 
This  levee  was  constructed  in  1872-4  by  a  company  organized  for 
the  purpose,  in  order  to  prevent  the  overflow  of  the  fertile  valley 
of  the  Mississippi.  It  is  51|-  miles  in  length.  In  the  year  1876 
it  gave  way,  and  the  valley  was  inundated,  and  a  large  amount  of 
property,  consisting  for  the  most  part  of  crops  and  fences,  was 
destroyed.  People  removed  to  Hannibal,  Mo.,  in  boats.  The  stock 
was  also  conveyed  away  in  boats  to  the  Missouri  side.  The  freshet 
in  1851  was  the  highest  ever  known  on  the  Upper  Mississippi  that 
we  have  any  record  of. 

In  some  parts  of  the  county  the  impression  has  gone  forth  that 
Levee  township  is  a  wilderness,  and  that  sickness  prevails  to  a 
great  extent.  In  confutation  of  this  erroneous  charge  we  refer  to 
Mr.  Marcus  Haj'dy,  the  present  Supervisor  of  this  township.  He, 
with  a  large  family,  has  resided  here  for  five  years,  and  has  incurred 
but  a  $5  doctor  bill  during  this  period.  Some  also  think  that  the 
people  here  see  some  hard  times  financially,  but  be  it  to  the  credit' 
of  Levee  township,  that  every  man  upon  whom  we  called  in  that 
township  subscribed  for  a  copy  of  the  History  of  the  County  with- 
out a  murmur.  Indeed,  the  people  of  Levee  township  are  prosper- 
ous, and  have  the  garden  spot  of  Illinois  for  producing  grain  of  all 
kinds.  , 

The  township  contains  three  tine  school  buildings,  two  of  which 
are  on  that  portion  known  as  ''  The  Island,"  which  lies  between  the 
Sny  and  the  Mississippi  river.  There  is  a  macadamized  road  pass- 
ing through  the  township,  owned  and  maintained  by  the  Ferry 
Company  at  Hannibal. 

BIOGEAPHICAL. 

Marcus  Hardy.  This  gentleman  was  born  and  raised  in  Mis- 
souri; came  to  Pike  county  in  1875,  and  now  has  the  charge  of  the 
farm,  bridge  and  macadamized  road  belonging  to  the  Ferry  Cora- 


PIISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  869 

pany.  He  was  married  in  1869  to  Ellen  Hagar,  by  whom  he  lias  6 
•children:  Susan,  Virginia,  Anna,  Hilera,  William  and  Ernest.  His 
P.  0.  address  is  Hannibal. 

J.  B.  Orr,  farmer,  sec.  26;  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  O., 
Sept.  26,  1833,  and  is  a  son  of  William  Orr,  of  Derry  tp.',  this 
county.  He  was  brought  to  Pike  county  in  183,9  by  his  parents; 
served  3  years  in,  the  late  war,  in  Co.  D,  '99th  111.  Inf.,  and  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Grand  Gulf,  Magnolia  Hill  (or  Port  Gibson), 
Champion  Hills,  Black  River,  siege  and  capture  of  Yicksburg,  etc. 
He  was  united  in  marriage  Aug.  31,  1854,  to  Lydia  A.  Pence,  by 
whom  he  has  had  5  children,  namely:  Mary  A.,  Herbert  S.,  Jerry 
J.,  deceased,  Theresa  B.,  Francis  M. 

Noah  8.  Rouse,  being  an  old  pioneer  in  these  parts,  is  entitled 
to  more  than  a  passing  notice  in  Pike  county's  history.  He  settled 
on  sec.  22,  on  what  is  commonly  known  as  "The  Island,"  in  1847. 
He  is  a  native  of  Madison  county,  Va.,  and  was  born  July  16, 1819. 
His  father,  Nicholas  Rouse,  was  also  a  native  of  Virginia  and  a 
farmer.  He  removed  to  Kentucky  with  his  family  when  our  sub- 
ject was  but  7  years  old,  and  remained  there  10  years,  and  then 
removed  to  Ralls  county.  Mo.  Here  in  1878  the  dder  Rouse  died. 
Our  subject  was  married  in  1840  to  Miss  Levise  Settle.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  names  of  the  children:  Margaret  A.,  now  Mrs.  Frank 
Leach,  William  M.,  Robert  A.,  Amanda  E.,  George  N.  and  Emma 
F.,  now  Mrs.  Alfred  James.  Mr.  R.  is  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising,  at  which  business  he  has  been  quite  successful. 
When  he  crossed  the  river  in  1847  he  did  not  possess  a  cent,  and 
was  $150  in  debt.  He  did  not  intend  to  remain  here  when  he  first 
•came,  expecting  to  leave  as  soon  as  he  had  fulfilled  a  contract  for 
manufacturing  some  staves.  He  prospered,  made  money  easy,  and 
the  longer  he  staid  the  better  he  liked  the  valley. 

William  Smiley  was  born  in  Ireland,  April  15,  1801;  in  1821 
he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Eliza  Tophan,  and  to  them 
were  born  12  children,  the  following  6  of  whom  are  living:  Letitia, 
'(now  Mrs.  Dennis  Green),  Joseph,  Benjamin,  Ann  (now  Mrs.  John 
Pratt),  David  and  John.  Mr.  Smiley  brought  his  family  to  America 
in  1838,  stopped  in  New  York  for  io  weeks,  went  to  New  Orleans, 
soon  after  came  to  Hannibal,  Mo.,  and  remained  there  for  9  years, 
when  he  removed  to  The  Island,  between  the  Snj^  and  the  Missis- 
sippi, where  he  still  resides  on  sec.  8,  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock-raising.  There  were  but  4  acres  of  land  improved  upon  his 
place  when  he  came.  There  were  no  churches  or  schools  on  The 
Island,  but  plenty  of  wild  hogs,  deer  and  other  game.  He  has  been 
in  all  the  high  waters  since  the  great  freshet  of  1851.  During 
these  periods  of  inundation  he  would  convey  his  family  and  stock 
to  the  Missouri  shore. 


CHAPTEK  XYII. 

COUNTY  OFFICIALS. 

A  list  of  the  County  Officers  of  Pike  county,  past  and  present, 
presents  an  array  of  names,  most  of  which  are  or  have  been  famil- 
iar to  every  resident  of  the  county.  Since  its  organization  in  1821, 
Pike  county  has  ever  been  represented  by  able,  shrewd  and  honest 
officials.  Many  names  will  be  noticed  in  the  following  list,  under 
the  different  headings,  that  are  familiar  to  the  people  of  the  entire 
county.  Many  of  these  men,  by  a  life  of  usefulness  and  honor,  have 
won  warm  and  a:^ectionate  places  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  of 
Pike  county.  Many  names  here  are  not  familiar  to  the  present 
generation,  but  were  almost  household  words  to  the  past.  Many 
of  these  veterans  have  long  since  ceased  life's  labors  and  left  to  the 
remaining  pioneers  and  to  posterity,  as  a  pleasa!nt  souvenir,  a  spot- 
less reputation. 

The  gentlemen  who  at  present  fill  the  various  official  positions 
of  this  county,  as  to  ability,  are  inferior  to  none  who  have  filled 
their  respective  positions  before  them.  They  are  courteous,  capa- 
ble and  faithful  as  officers,  honored  and  respected  as  citizens,  and 
enterprising  as  business  men.  To  some  of  thesej  especially  the 
County  and  Circuit  Clerks,  we  shall  ever  feel  grateful  for  the  kind 
and  courteous  manner  iu  which  they  treated  us  all  during  our  labors 
in  their  offices  during  the  compilation  of  this  work.  They,  as  all 
the  others,  evinced  an  interest  in  the  work,  and  were  ever  ready  and 
willing  to  give  the  information  and  lend  that  aid  which  are  so  nec- 
essary in  gathering  and  arranging  a  full  record  of  the  county's 
history. 

Eelow  we  give  as  full  and  complete  a  list  of  all  the  officers,  with 
the  years  of  serving,  as  it  was  possible  to  obtain.  In  most  cases 
the  figures  after  the  dash  signify  the  year  into  which  the  officer 
served.  In  .some  instances,  however,  they  only  served  to  the  be- 
ginning of  the  year  denoted. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COtJNTY. 


871 


COUNTY  COMMISSIONBRS. 


Leonard  Ross 

John  Sliaw 

William  Ward 

David  Dutton 

James  M.  Seeley 

Ossian  M.  Ross 

Amos  Bancroft* 

Ebenezer  Smith 

James  Nixon 

William  Metz 

Levi  Hadley 

Rufus  Br9wn 

James  M.  Seeley. ... 

James  M.  Seeley 

Garrett  Vandeusen.. . 

Thomas  Proctor 

Nathaniel  Hinckley. 
Joseph  W.  Petty  ... 
Thomas  Christian. . 

Ozias  Hale 

Benjamin  Barney. . . 

Andrew  Phillips 

Charles  Stratton 


•1831 

1833-3 

1833 

1834 

■1835 

1836 

1837 
1838  to 

Sept. 

1830. 
1830  to 

Sept. 

1833. 


*To  fill  vacancy  made  by  resignation 


Benjamin  Barney ]  1833  to 

Geo.  W.  Hinman V   Sept. 

Hawkins  Judd )     1834. 

Benjamin  Barney )  1834  to 

Geo.  W.  Hinman J-    Sept. 

Andrew  Phillips  ]    1836. 

James  D.  Moirison j  1836  to 

Richard  Wade [  Sept. 

Fisher  Petty )    1838. 

Alfred  Grubb ) 

John  W.  Burch [  1838 

John  Neeley ) 

Alexander  Starne 1839 

William  Blair 1840 

John  Neeley 1841 

Clement  Lippincott 1842 

Thomas  Bates 1843 

("Charles  Stratton 1843 

Bonaparte  G-reathouse 1844 

J.  M.  Blackerby ' 1844 

Wm.  McCormick 1845 

Joshua  Woosley 1846 

Henry  R.  Ramsey 1847 

J.  D.  Philbrick 1848 

of  O.  M.Ross. 


COUNTY  JUDGES. 


Abraham  Beck 1831 

Nicholas  Hainson 1831-33 

William  Ross 1838 

George  W.  Hagar 1835-27 

Wm.  Ross 1827-34 

M.  E.  Rattan 1835-87 

William  Watson 1837 

Daniel  B.  Bush 1838 

Parcin  Paullin 1839-43 

J.  B.  Donaldson 1843-47 


James  Ward 1847 

Wm.P.  Harpole i 

Joshua  Woosley, >■  1849 

Associate  Judges.     ) 

Charles  Harrington 1853-57 

Alfred  Grubb 1857-61 

John  W.  Allen 1861-65 

R.  M.  Atkinson 1865-73 

Strother  Grigshy 1^73 


CIRCUIT  CLERKS. 


James  W.  Whitney 1831-35 

George  W.  Hight 1825-27 

William  Ross 1837-35 

James  DaviB , .1885 

John  J.  Turnbaugh  1835-43 

P.  N.  0.  Thomson 1843-53 

James  Kenney 1853-56 


Wm.  R.  Archer 1856-60 

George  W.  Jones 1860-64 

J.  H.  Crane 1864^68 

J.  J.  Topliff 1868-72 

J.  A.  Rider 1873-76 

George  W.  Jones 1876 


COUNTY  CLERKS. 


James  W.  Whitney 1821 

George  W.  Britton 1835-36 

William  Ross 1836-34 

James  Davis 1834-36 

Asa  D.  Cooper 1836 

James  Davis 1837-38 

Wm.  H.Boling 1838-43 

Henry  T.  Mudd 1843-47 


John  J.  Collard 1847-49 

Peter  V.  Shankland 1849-53 

Austin  Barber 1853-57 

Strother  Grigsby , 1857-61 

William  Steers 1861-69 

Wm.  B.  Grimes 1869-73 

J.  L.  Frye 1873-77 

E.  F.  Binns 1877 


872 


HISTOKY   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 


COUNTY  TBBASURBRS. 


Nathaniel  Hinckley 1832 

Leonard  Eoss 1823 

Henry  J.  Eoss 1834 

Nathaniel  Shaw 1825 

John  Eoss 1827-29 

Isaac  Vandeventer 1829-30 

John  Barney 1834^37 

John  Britton 1888 

Jones  Olark 1839^3 

William  Watson 1848-47 

Samuel  L.  Crane 1847-49 

Charles  Mason 1849 


Samuel  L.  Crane 1850 

Jones  Clark 1850 

miliam  T.  Harper 1851-53 

Strother  Grigsby 1853-63 

E.  A.  McClintock 1863-65 

David  S.  Hill 1865-67 

L.  J.  Smitherman 1867-71 

Thomas  Gray 1871-73 

D.  Hollis 1873-75 

Thomas  Eeynolds 1875-77 

E.  M.  Murray 1877-79 

B.  W.  Flinn 1879 


SHERIFFS. 


Eigdon  C.  Fenton 1821 

Leonard  Eoss 1833-37 

LeviHadley 1837 

Leonard  Eoss. 1837-39 

James  M.  Seeley 1839-83 

Nathaniel  Hinckley 1883-84 

James  M.  Seeley 1884-40 

Alfred  Grubb , 1840 

Ephraim  Cannon 1842 

D.  D.  Hicks 1846-50 

Stephen  E.  Gray 1850 

H.  W.  McClintock 1853 


George  T.  Edwards 1854 

Wilson  8.  Dennis 1856 

John  Houston 1858 

Perry  H.  Davis 1862 

J.  B.  Landrum 1864 

W.G.  Hubbard 1866 

J.  J.  Manker 1868 

Joseph  McParland 1870 

Augustus  Simpkins 1874 

G.W.  Blades 1876 

Theodore  Kellogg 1878 


SCHOOL   COMMISSIONERS. 


Joseph  H.  Goodin 1832 

Lyman  Scott 1833 

D.B.Bush 1841 

T.  G.  Trumbull 1845 

James  F.  Hyde 1849 


M.  H.Abbott 1851 

John  D.  Thomson 1853 

Joseph  J.  ToplilF 1859 

J.  G.Pettingill .1861 


COUNTY  SCHOOL  BUPBBINTKNBBNTS. 


J.  G.  Pettingill 1865 

John  N.  Dewell 1869 


J.  W.  Johnson 1873 

Wm.  H.  Crow 1877 


SURVEYORS. 


Stephen  Dewey 1821-24 

James  W.  Whitney 1824 

Charles  Pollock 1884 

David  Johnston 1835-39 

Joseph  Goodin 1839 

David  Johnston 1841-49 


James  H.  Ferguson 1849 

A.  G.  Chamberlain 1853 

H.  P.  Buchanan 1857 


John  A.  Harvey. 
Hiram  J.  Harris. 


,1859 
.1863 


Isaac  A.  Clare 1875 


CORONERS. 


Daniel  Whipple 1833 

Israel  N.  Burt 1833 

Benj.  E.  Dunning 1834 

Stephen  St.  John 1838 

James  Brown 1843 

C.  H.  Brown ' '.  .1844 

Cyrus  B.  Hull 1846 

Edward  Connet 1850 

E.  S.  Underwood 1853 

Samuel  Sitton 1854 


William  Benn 1856 

H.St.  John 1857 

Lewis  E.  Hayden 1858 

G.  W.  Mollinix I860 

EliParris 1863 

Sherman  Brown 1868 

Martin  Camp  1872 

Martin  V.  Shive 1874 

A.  C.Peebles 1876 

Fred  Ottowa 1879 


CHAPTEE  XYIII. 

POLITICAL. 

During  the  first  few  years  of  the  county's  history  party  lines  in 
politics  were  not  drawn  nor  conventions  held,  and  no  organized 
mode  of  placing  candidates  in  the  field  adopted.  The  first  political 
meeting  ever  held  in  Pike  county  was  at  Montezuma  in  1834. 
This  meeting  was  conducted  by  Wm.  Ross  and  Bepj.  Barney;  the 
former  was  running  for  the  Legislature,  and  the  latter  for  County 
Commissioner.  There  were  perhaps  60  voters  present,  besides 
some  boys.  Col.  Ross  made  a  speech,  but  no  announcements  or 
appointipaents  were  made  for  future  meetings,  and  we  presume  none 
were  ever  held.  Col.  Barney  was  attacked  for  being  a  Universalisty 
and  was  told  by  one  man  that  he  would  not  vote  for  him  on  that 
ground. 

The  first  political  convention  where  nominations  were  made  for 
ofBce  was  h^eld  at  Pittsfield  in  1836,  when  the  main  issue  was 
"Jackson"  and  " anti- Jackson,"  referring  to  the*policy  of  the  late 
_President.  There  were  five  candidates  in  the  field  that  year,  one 
Democrat, — Martin  Van  Buren,  and  four  Whigs — W.  H.  Harri- 
son, Hugh  L.  White,  Daniel  Webster  and  Willie  P.  Mangum. 
After  that  period  political  conventions  were  regularly  held  by  all 
parties,  and  men  were  brought  out  in  that  way  to  run  for  a  particu- 
lar office. 

When  Pike  county  was  first  laid  dff  it  will  be  remembered  that 
it  embraced  the  vast  region  lying  between  the  Mississippi  and  Illi- 
nois rivers,  extending  east  to  the  Indiana  line,  and  north  to  the 
Wisconsin  State  line.  The  few  settlers  scattered  here  and  there 
over  this  large  territory  had  to  travel  long  distances  to  cast  their 
ballot.  At  the  first  election  in  the  county  only  35  votes  were 
polled,  even  though  it  did  extend  over  the  entire  northern  part  of 
the  State,  and  out  of  which  over  50  counties  have  since  been  made. 

As  before  remarked  party  lines  were  scarcely  recognized,  yet  an 
antagonism  existed  between  the  settlers  of  one  section  against  an- 
other, and  particularly  against  the  Eosses  and  some  of  the  people. 
The  several  members  of  this  family  were  from  New  York,  and  full 
of  enterprise,  and  desired  to  push  the  new  county  on  to  prosperity. 
They  wielded  great  influence,  and  were  almost  always  in  some  public 
position.  Naturally,  as  a  result,  they  received  the  censure  and  an- 
tagonism of  many  of  the  numerous  Southern  settlers. 


874 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTT. 


During  the  earliest  elections  it  will  be  noticed  in  the  returns 
given  below  that  the  Whigs  carried  the  day  without  difficulty. 
Soon,  when  the  two  great  parties  were  more  evenly  represented 
here,  the  contests  for  political  supremacy  sharpened,  until  the  old 
Whig  party  was  completely  dethroned,  and  the  Democrats  were 
for  years,  indeed  until  recently,  easy  victors. 

In  1834  and  1836  the  Democrats  elected  Hon.  Wm.  L.  May  to 
Congress,  in  this,  then,  Third  District.  In  1838  and  184l"the 
Whigs  elected  Hon.  John  T.  Stewart,  although  Douglas  received  a 
majority  of  94  in  this  county  during  the  former  year,  and  Ralston 
36  over  Stewart  at  the  election  of  1841.  Stewart  defeated  Douglas 
in  the  district  by  only  17  votes.  From  that  time  on  the  Democrats 
were  able  generally  by  good  management  to  carry  this  county  in 
general  and  local  elections,  with  majorities  ranging  from  12  to  2,000. 
Sometimes  the  majority  was  very  small,  and  occasionally  a  Dem- 
ocratic candidate  was  beaten.  This  state  of  things  continued  for 
several  years,  the  Democratic  majorities  gradually  increasing  as  the 
feeling  became  more  and, more  antagonistic  among  the  people  on 
the  subject  of  slavery.  In  those  days  Illinois  was  always  Demo- 
cratic, aided  very  materially  by  Pike's  votes.  In  1840  the  Whigs 
carried  the  county  by  a  small  majority,  owing  to  the  fact,  however, 
that  every  Mormon  in  the  county,  and  they  were  numerous,  voted 
for  Harrison. 

In  1854  came  the  time  to  try  men's  political  souls.  The  com- 
promise between  the  two  parties  in  Congress  that  year,  in  which  it 
was  agreed  not  .to  introduce  any  more  discussion  on  the  slavery 
question,  and  to  ignore  the  subject,  gave  dissatisfaction  to  many 
people  of  both  parties.  Their  attachment  to  party  began  to  loosen, 
and  there  was  uneasiness  on  all  sides.  A  feeling  that  there  was 
approaching  a  breaking  of  political  ranks  and  rallying  on  new 
issues,  and  under  new  leaders,  began  to  pervade  the  people  of  Pike 
county.  Hon.  A.  Williams,  Republican  candidate  for  Congress, 
received  a  majority  of  100  over  Hon.  W.  A.  Richardson,  Demo- 
cratic candidate,  and  Hon.  H.  K.  Sutphin,  Democratic  candidate 
for  State  Senator,  received  but  one  more  ballot  in  Pike  county  than 
did  Hon.  N.  M.  Knapp,  Republican. 

Properly  speaking,  we  think  the  people  of  this  county  have 
never  been  political  Abolitionists.  They  were  never  in  favor  of 
disturbing  the  constitutional  rights  of  the  people  of  the  South,  nor 
of  clandestinely  assisting  their  slaves  to  escape.  They  were  op- 
posed to  the  violent  and  premature  commotion  that  occasionally 
broke  out  on  the  subject,  hoping  that  some  peaceful  and  legal  way 
out  of  the  difficulty  might  be  found.  But  when  the  direct  question 
of  introducing  slavery  .nto  the  more  northern  and  free  territories, 
either  by  law,  by  indifference  or  by  violence,  was  broached,  the  people 
of  this  county  were  sharply  divided.  In  1856,  on  the  issue  of  allow- 
ing or  preventing  slavery  in  ITebraska,  Kansas  and  indefinitely  West, 
a  large  vote  was  called  out,  and  James  Buchanan  received  a  larger 
majority  than  any  candidate  ever  before  in  Pike  county. 


HISTOEY    OJf    PIKE    COUNTY. 


875 


On  the  death  of  the  old  Whig  party  about  this  time  (1856)  there 
sprang  up  two  parties,  neither  of  which  could  really  claim  to  possess 
any  of  the  vital  principles  that  gave  power  to  the  old  party.  The 
American  party,  believing  the  country  in  danger  by  the  influx  of 
foreigners  and  the  alarming  growth  of  the  Roman  Catholic  power, 
emblazoned  on  their  banners,  "Americans  must  rule  America  ;" 
"  Put  none  but  Americans  on  guard."  Republicans  pleaded  for 
"Equal  rights  to  all;  "  "Free  press  and  free  speech."  The  Ameri- 
can party  made  very  rapid  growth  in  many  States,  particularly  in 
the  South,  while  the  Republican  party  secured  a  foothold  only  in 
the  North,  its  principles  being  deemed  antagonistic  to  some  of 
the  peculiar  institutions  of  the  South.  In  1856  we  find  both  of 
these  parties  in  this  county  in  considerable  numbers,  each  striving 
for  power,  and  both  battling  against  a  common  enemy,  the  Demo- 
cratic party.  This  largely  accounts  for  the  heavy  majority  of  Bu- 
chanan, as  Fremont,  the  Republican  candidate,  and  Fillmore,  the 
American  candidate,  each  received  about  an  equal  number  of  votes 
here.  An  alliance,  however,  was  formed  between  them  for  the 
purpose  of  electing  local  officers. 

JSTo  other  Republican  succeeded  in  being  elected  to  office  in  this 
county  until  Judge  Grigsby  appeared  as  a  candidate.  He  was 
elected  by  a  majority  of  78.  County  Clerk  Binns,  however,  who 
is  a  Democrat,  was  elected  the  same  year  by  666  majority.  This 
is  owing  largely  to  the  personal  popularity  of  the  two  gentlemen. 
In  1878  Sheriff  Kellogg,  a  Republican,  was  elected. 

It  is  not  in  the  province  of  this  work  to  enter  into  a  minnte  de- 
-  tailed  history  of  the  political  workings  of  the  different  parties  of 
this  county.  To  unfold  the  secrets  of  the  caucus,  the  manipula- 
tions of  the  party  rings  and  cliques,  and  all  the  inside  history  of 
county  politics,  belongs  to  another  work.  Only  those  who  have 
taken  an  active  part  in  politics  here  are  capable  of  performing  such 
a  task.     That  such  a  work  would  be  interesting  none  will  doubt. 

Below  are  given  the  returns  of  every  election  ever  held  in  Pike 
county,  of  which  any  records  are  extant. 


ELECTION 

ELECTION  AUG.  4,  1828. 
Congress. 

Joseph  Duncan,  wliig 107  4 

George  Forquier 103 

SPECIAL  ELECTION  MAR.  7,  1831. 

Bhenf. 
James  M.  Seeley,  whig 117      117 

ELECTION  AUG.  1,  1831. 


32 


Joseph  Duncan,  whig. 137 

Edward  Coles,  wtig 137 

Sidney  Breese,  dem 115 


RETURNS. 

ELECTION  Aug.  6,  1833. 
Congress. 

Joseph  Duncan,  whig 337 

Jonathan  H.  Pugh 90 

Senator. 
Archibald  Williams,  whig..  .110 
Henry  J.  Ross,  whig. 393 


Pete.T-  Karges,  whig 318 

Thomas  Proctor,  dem 374 

County  Commissioners. 

George  W.  Hinman 364 

Benjamin  Barney,  whig 356 

H.  Judd,  whig 249 


337 


182 


39 


876 


HISTORY   OF   PIKE   COUNTY. 


Joseph  W.  Petty,  dem 89 

Joseph  JacksoD 23 

&.ndrew  McAtee 46 

Sheriff. 
Nathaniel  Hinckley 13        13 

Coroner. 
Israel  N.  Burt 314      314 

ELECTION  NOV.  9,  1833. 
Frendent. 

Andrew  Jackson 161        30 

Henry  Clay ; 131 

ELECTION  AUG.  4,  1834. 

Oongress. 

Benjamin  Mills 300        85 

Wm.  L.May 215 

Representatives. 

Wm.  Ross,  whig 644 

"Wm.  G.  Flood 69 

James  H.  Ralston,  dem 55 

Thomas  H.  Owens 531   ? 

Qo'oernor. 

Joseph  Duncan 499      341 

Wm.  Kinney 158 

County  Oom/miasioners. 

Benjamin  Barney,  whig 407 

George  W.  Hinman 334 

John  W.  Burch,  whig 375 

Andrew  Phillips,  dem 380 

Robert  Eells 150 

Joseph  H.  Goodin 181 

Hawkins  Judd,  whig 150 

James  Farrington ,..117 

Nebuzaradan  Coffey,  whig. .  46 
Sheriff. 

James  M.  Seeley,  whig 545      439 

Israel  N.  Burt 116 

Coroner. 
Benjamin  E.  Dunniway,  dem.384      119 
Elisha  W.  Hickerson,  whig.  .315 
Location  of  State  Capital. 

Alton 496      430 

Springfield ; 66 

Jacksonville 33 

Geographical  Center 63 

Peoria 4 

Vandalia 3 

SPECIAL  ELECTION  OCT.  37,  1834. 
Congress. 

Wm.  L.  May,  dem 135        11 

Benj. Mills 114 

ELECTION  AUG.  3,  1885. 

Recorder. 

Jno.  J.  Turnbaugh,  dem 309        62 

David  Seeley 347 


John  Lyster,  dem 173 

Francis  Webster 35 

Moses  Riggs 13 

Surveyor. 

David  Johnston,  whig 381       90- 

Joseph  H.  Goodin 191 

Solomon  Farrington •.  .135 

Joseph  W.  Barney 116 

Charles  Pollock 148 

ELECTION  AUG.  1,  1836. 

Congress. 

Wm.  L.  May,  dem 542      194 

John  T.  Stewart,  whig 348 

Senator. 

Wm.  Ross,  whig '. .  .491      116- 

Merrill  E.  Rattan,  whig 375 

Representatives. 

Alpheus  Wheeler,  dem 513 

Parvin  Paullin,  dem. . . , 403 

Thomas  Proctor,  dem 276 

John  W.  Burch,  whig., 294 

Daniel  B.  Bush,  dem 157 

Charles  Scott 183 

County  Commissioners. 

James  D.  Morrison,  dem 486 

Fisher  Petty,  dem 361 

Elisha  McEvars 340 

Isaac  Davis 338 

Charles  Stratton,  whig 367 

Edward  B.  Scholl 139 

Clement  Lippincott,  dem. . .  369 

James  Talbert 110 

Richard  Wade,  whig 375 

Slieriff. 

James  M.  Seeley,  whig 565      324 

John  Lyster,  dem 341 

Coroner. 

Benj.  C.  Dunniway,  dem 406      136 

AlfredGrubb 370 

E.  W.  Hickerson 41 

Cornelius  Jones 63 

ELECTION  NOV.  7,  1836. 

President. 

Martin  Van  Buren,  dem 366       35 

William  H.  Harrison 331 

ELECTION  AUG.  6,  1838. 


Stephen  A.  Douglas,  dem 857       94 

John  T.  Stewart,  whig 763 

Governor. 

Thomas  Carlin,  dem 865      118 

Cyrus  Edwards 747 

State  Senator.    ■ 

Wm.  Ross,  whig 833       93 

Alpheus  Wheeler,  dem 739 


'H^L^    ,('  -,f 


z?^^ 


PLEASANT  VALE    Tf 


HISTOET    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 


879 


Representatwes. 

Eichard  Kerr,  whig 803 

Peter  Karges,  whig 751 

Parvin  Paullin,  dem 796 

James  H.  McWilliams,  dem. 847 
County  Gommisaioners. 

Elisha  McEvers 683 

Nicholas  Hobhs,  whig 681 

John  W.  Burch 708 

Alfred  Grubb,  deni 810 

Charles  Scott 734 

John  Neeley,  dem 800 

Sheriff. 

James  M.  Seeley,  whig 817        43 

James  D.  Brentz 774 

Ooroner. 
Joseph  Jackson,  whig. ....  .704 

Stephen  St.  John,  dem 764        60 

County  Clerk. 

Wm.  H.  Bolin,  dem 486      103 

Ozias  M.  Hatch,  whig 383 

ELECTION  AUG.  5,  1889. 
County  Commissioner. 

Alex.  Starne 496  3 

James  Walker. 493 

Becor^r. 
John  J.  Turnbaugh,  dem.. . .  1133      938 

Wm.  Porter 304 

Henry  Taylor,  dem 83 

County  Clerk. 

Wm.  H.  Bolin,  dem 1179      985 

James  Daigh,  whig 194 

Probate  Justice. 

Parvin  Paullin,  dem 741      155 

Daniel  B.  Bush,  dem 586 

Treasurer. 

James  Clark,  dem 713      163 

Robert  R.  Greene 551 

SPECIAL  ELECTION  NOV.  35,  1839. 
Reptesentatives. 

Oscar  Love,  dem 306 

R.  Hatch 9 

R.  A.  Read 6 

eter  Karges 5 

ELECTION  AUG.  3,  1840. 
Representatives . 

Solomon  Parsons,  dem 1103 

Alpheus  Wheeler,  dem 1093 

Wm.  A.  Gfimshaw,  whig..  .1016 

Peter  Karges,  whig 1001 

County  Commissioner. 

Wm.  Blair,  dem 1118      130 

Samuel  H.  Nesmith,  whig-.  988 

50 


Sheriff. 

Alfred  Grubb,  dem 1108      114 

Isaac  W.  Evans,  whig 994 

Coroner. 

Stephen  St.  John,  dem 1100      131 

Joseph  Jackson 969 

ELECTION  NOV.  3,  1840. 
President. 

W.  H.  Harrison 1149      113 

Martin  VanBuren 1037 

ELECTION  AUG.  3,  1841. 
Congress. 

James  H.  Ralston,  dem 791        36 

John  T.  Stuart,  whig 755 

County  Commissioners. 

John  Neeley,  dem 714      409 

James  D.  Brentz,  dem 305 

Robert  Davis,  whig 337 

School  Commissioner. 

Daniel  B.  Bush,  dem 813      553 

Z.  N.  Garbutt,  whig 361 

ELECTION  AUG.  1,  1843. 
Oovernor. 

Thomas  Ford,  dem 1085        13 

Joseph  Duncan,  whig 1073 

State  Senator. 
Thomas  Worthington,  whig.  1065        53 

Wm.  R.  Archer,  dem 1013 

Representatives. 

Wm.  Blair,  dem 1187 

Alex.  Starne,  dem 1085 

Felix  A.  Collard.dem 855 

Benjamin  D.  Brown,  whig.  .1148 

Benj.  B.  Metz,  whig 1056 

John  Troutner.. 835 

County  Commissioners. 

C.  Lippincott,  dem 1038 

Thomas  Bates,  whig 1001 

Charles  Stratton,  whig 998 

James  Shinn,  dem 733 

John  Shinn,  dem 193 

Sheriff. 

Ephraim  Cannon,  dem 1179      445 

George  T.  Edwards,  whig. . .  734 
Coroner. 

E.  W.  Hickerson,  whig 910 

James  Brown,  dem 1058      148 

Surveyor. 

David  Johnston,  whig 1366      596 

James  B.  Johnson 670 

Convention  to  Amend  Constitution. 

For 1305      708 

Against 497 


880 


HI8T0ET  OF  PIKE  COUNTY. 


ELECTION  AUG.  7,  1843. 


O.  H.  Browning,  whig 1391      163 

Stephen  A.  Douglas,  dem..  .1239 
Oounty  Commissioner  a. 

Charles  Stratton,  whig 1181 

Thomas  Bates,  whig 1380 

Wm.  Morrison,  dem 1115 

C.  Lippincott,   dein 1139 

County  Olerh. 

Henry  T.  Mudd,  whig 1308      177 

Wm.  H.Bolin,  dem 1131 

Recorder. 
P.  N.  O.  Thompson,  dem  . . .  1319      '  77 
Charles  A.  Marsh,  whig. . .  .1143 
Probate  Judge- 

J.  B.  Donaldson 1414      437 

Alfred  Gordon,  whig 977 

Treasurer  and  Assessor. 

Wm.  Watson,  whig. 1367      3S0 

Edward  Kean,  dein 987 

Surveyor. 

David  Johnston ,  whig 1387      357 

James  H.  Ferguson,  dem . . .  1030 
School  Commissioner. 

Aaron  W.  Bemiss,  dem 1301      164 

Z.  N.  Garbutt,  whig 1037 

SPECFAL  ELECTION  FEB.  19,  1844. 

County  Commissioners.. 
N.  B.  Greathouse,  whig 477 

C.  C.  Beaven,  whig 174 

John  Lyster,  dem 59 

James  Brentz,  dem 206 

ELECTION  AUG.  5,  1844. 
Congress. 

D.  M.  Woodson,  whig 1322 

S.  A.  Douglas,  dem 1396        74 

R.  Eells,  free  soiler 5 

Representatives. 

B.  B.  Metz,  whig 1328 

D.H.Gilmer 1266 

A.  C.  Baker,  whig 1285 

Alex.  Starne,  dem 1341 

W.  Blair,  dem 1340 

D.  Wheelook 1235 

J.  Berdan 50 

County  Commissioner. 
N.  B.  Greathouse,  whig., . .  .1273 

J.  N.  Blackerby,  dem     1335        62 

Sheriff. 
Ephraim  Cannon,  dem 1416      190 

B.  D.  Brown,  whig 1226 

Coroner. 

C.H.Brown 1277 

J.  Brown 1330        53 


ELECTION  NOV.  4,  1844. 
President. 

James  K.  Polk,  dem 1456       45 

Henry  Clay,  whig. ..». 1411 

James  G.  Birney,  free  soiler.    11 

ELECTION  AUG.  4,  1845. 

County  Commissioner. 

Wm.  McCormick,  dem 930      335 

James  Mc Williams,  whig..  605 
School  Commissioner. 

T.  G.  Trumbull,  dem 841      334 

James  F.  Hyde,  whig.     ...  607 

ELECTION  AUG.  3,  1846. 

Congress. 

S.  A.  Douglas,  dem 1639      336 

Isaac  Vandeventer,  whig...  1403 

Governor. 
Augustus  C.  French,  dem.  .1636      339 

Thomas  L.  Kilpatrick 1407 

State  Senator. 
Hugh  L.  Sutphin,  dem. . . .  1601      303 
Thos.  Worthington,  whig. .  1398 


Thomas  Hull,  whig 1358 

Jon.  Frye,  whig 1374 

B.  B.  Metz,  whig 1416 

Alfred  Grubb,  dem 1563 

James  M.  Higgins,  dem. . .  1567 

Wm.  P.  Harpole,  dem. 1559 

County  Commissioner. 

Joshua  Woosley,  dem 1539      143 

Wm.  Dustin,  whig 1397 

Sheriff. 

D.  D.  Hicks,  dem 1540      164 

Robert  F.  Naylor,  whig. . .  1376 

Coroner. 

Cyrus  B.  Hull,  dem 1564     189 

Hazen  Pressy,  whig 1375 

ELECTION  APRIL  19,  1847. 
Constitutional  Convention. 

Montgomery  Blair,  dem . . .  999 

Wm.  R.  Archer,  dem 958 

Harvey  Dunn,  dem 924 

Wm.  A.  Grimshaw,  whig. .  887 

H.  N.  V.  Holmes,  dem. ...  813 

John  Barney,  whig 786 

Charles  Harrington,  whig.  741 

Parvin  Paullin,  dem 680 

N.  E.  Quinby,  dem 308 

D.  B.  Bush,  dem 343 

The  first  four  were  elected. 

ELECTION  AUG.  3,  1847. 


Wm.  A.  Richardson,  dem.  1583    1348 
N.  G.  Wilcox,  whig 234 


flISTOEY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


881 


Probate  Judge. 

James  Ward,  dem  1317        94 

D.  H.  Gilmer,  whig 1233 

Gounty  Commissioner. 
Henry  R.  Ramsey,  dem...  3530 
Gounty  Glerk. 

John  J.  Collard,  dem 1332        37 

0.  M.  Hatch,  whig 1295 

Recorder. 
P.  N.  0.  Thomson,  dem. . .  1379      161 
Marshall  W.  Barney,  whig.  1218 
Treasurer  and  Assessor. 

Samuel  L.  Crane,  dem 1649      768 

James  F.  Hyde,  whig 881 

Surveyor. 

David  Johnston,  whig 1414    1339 

Philip  Stoner,  dem 85 

School  Gommissioner. 

T.  G.  Trumbull,  dem 1395        77 

Michael  J.  Noyes,  whig. . .  1318 

ELECTION  NOV.  7,  1848. 
President. 

Zachary  Taylor,  whig 1401 

Lewis.Cass,  dem 1633      333 

Maitin  "Van  Buren,  free-soil    186 

ELECTION  NOV.  6,  1849. 
Gounty  Judge. 

James  Ward,  dem 1393        68 

Richard  Kerr,  whig 1334 

Associate  Justices. 

Joshua  Woosley,  dem 1380 

Wm.  P.  Harpole,  dem 1370 

B.  B.  Metz,  whig 1337 

John  Barney,  whig 1354 

Treasurer  and  Assessor. 

Charles  Mason,  dem 1439      184 

Wm.  Kinman,  whig 1255 

Gounty  Glerk. 
Peter  V.  Shankland,  dem. .   1407        69 

Austin  Barter,  whig 1338 

Surveyor. 
James  H.Ferguson,  dem..  1383        47 

David  Johnston,  whig 1336 

School  Gommissioner. 

James  F.  Hyde,  whig 1430      176 

John  L.  Ball,  dem 1354 

Township  Organization. 

For.... 1563    1246 

Against 317 

ELECTION  NOV.  5,  1850. 

Congress. 

0.  H.  Browning,  whig 1064 

Wm.  A.  Richardson,  dem. .  1131       bi 


State  Senator. 

John  Wood,  whig 1039 

Calvin  Warren,  dem 1126        97 

Representatives. 

Ozias  M.  Hatch,  whig 1109 

Wm.  D.  Hamilton,  whig. . .  1086 

James  Shinn,  dem 983 

Daniel  B.  Bush,  dem 866 

Sheriff. 
Stephen  R.  Cray,  ind.  dem.  1337      383 
Cyrus  B.  Hull,  dem 854 

Goroner. 
Edward  Connet,  ind.  dem..  1298      500 
Samuel  L.  Crane,  dem 798 

ELECTION  NOV.  4,  1851. 
Treasurer. 

Wm.  F.  Hooper,  dem 827      153 

James  F.  Hyde,  whig 674 

Jones  Clark,  dem 234 

Surveyor. 
James  H.  Ferguson,  dem. .     836        33 
David  Johnston,  whig. . . .      808 
A.  G.  Chamberlain,  whig. .     121 

School  Gommissioner. 
Milton  H.  Abbott,  dem....     875        10 
Reuben  H.  Scanland,  whig    865 

ELECTION  NOV.  2,  1853. 

President. 

Franklin  Pierce,  dem 1676      101 

Winfield  Scott,  whig 1575 

Gongress. 

O.  H.  Browning,  whig 1680        75 

Wm.  A.  Richardson,  dem..  1605 
Governor. 

Edwin  B.  Webb,  whig 1690  4 

Joel  A.  Matteson,  dem 1686 

Representatives. 

O.  M.  Hatch,  whig 1606 

Wm.  B.  Hamilton,  whig. . .  1585 

H.  L.  Sutphin,  dem 1601 

H.  P.  Buchanan 1588 

State's  Attorney. 

Daniel  H.  Gilmer,  whig. . .  2421      948 

John  8.  Bailey,  dem 1478 

Gircuit  Glerk. 

James  A.  Kenney,  whig 1627        59 

Joseph  M.  Bush,  dem 1568 

County  Glerk. 

John  J.  Collard,  dem 1623        61 

Austin  Barber,  whi^ 1561 

Goroner. 

Samuel  G.  Sitton,  whig. ...  1611 

R.  S.  Underwood,  dem 1675        64 


882 


flISTOEY    OF   PIKE  COUNTT. 


Elisha  Hurt,  whig 1496 

Harvy  W.  McClintock,  dem  1583 

ELECTION  NOV.  8,  1853. 
County  Judge. 
Charles  Harrington,  whig.  1323 
Kichard  M.  Atkinson,  dem  1181 
County  Cleric. 

Austin    Barber,  whig 1317 

John  J.  CollarJ,  dem 1386 

County  Treasurer. 
Strother  Grigsby,  whig. . . .  1389 

Wm.  F.  Hooper,  dem 1283 

School  Commissioner. 

Milton  H.  Abbott,  dem 1337 

John  D.  Thomson,  whig. . .  1295 

Surveyor. 
James  H.  Ferguson,  dem . .  1151 
A.  G.  Chamberlain,  whig. .  1369 

ELECTION  NOV.  7, 1854. 


87 


41 


31 


58 


218 


A.  "Williams,  rep 1714      100 

W.  A.  Richardson,  dem . . .  1614 

Senator. 

N.  M.  Knapp,  rep 1734 

H.  L.  Sutphin,  dem 1735  1 

Representatives. 

B.  L.  Matthews,  rep 1708 

D.  H.  Gilmer,  rep 1739 

C.  L.  Higbee,  dem 1677 

Jonathan  Dearborn,  dem . .  1693 

Shm-iff. 
George  T.  Edwards,  rep..  1779      110 
Wm.  Hooper,  dem 1669 

Coroner. 
Samuel  Sitton,  rep 1664    1664 

ELECTION  NOV.  6,  185?. 
Treasurer. 

g.  Grigsby,  rep 1065      433 

Tyre  Jennings,  dem 633 

School  Commissioner. 

J.D.Thomson 833      309 

James  F.  Hyde  633 

Surveyor. 
A.  G.  Chamberlain 1098    1098 

ELECTION  NOV.  4,  1856. 
President. 

James  Buchanan,  dem 3163    1110 

John  C.  Fremont,  rep 1053 

Millard  Filmore,  Amer 1010 

Congress. 

Isaac  N.  Morris,  dem 3388      296 

Jackson  Grimshaw,  rep .. .  1987 


Oomrnor. 
W.  A.  Richardson,  dem. . .  3231      283 

Wm.  H.  Bissell,  rep 1938 

State  Senator. 

Jacob  C.  Davis 2300      336 

Thomas  C.  Sharp 1964 

Hepresentatives. 

John  L.  Grimes,  dem 3194 

King  Kerley,  dem 3310 

B.  F.  Westlake,  rep 1993 

Benj.  H.  Irwin,  rep 1974 

State's  Attorney. 

John  S.  Bailey,  dem 3191      233 

Charles  C.  Warren,  rep 1968 

Sheriff. 

Wilson  S.  Dennis,  dem 3190      187 

John  S.  Brewer,  rep 2003 

Circuit  Clerk. 

Wm.  R.  Archer,  dem 3204      199 

James  A.  Kenney,  rep 2005 

Coroner. 

Wm.  Benn,  dem 3314     233 

E.  W.  Hickerson,  rep 1981 

ELECTION  NOV.  3,  1857. 

County  Judge. 

Alfred  Grubb,  dem 1785      169 

C.  Harrington,  rep 1616 

County  Clerk. 

J.  S.  Roberts,  dem 1711 

S.  Grigsby,  rep 1717         6 

Treasurer. 

D.  D.  Hicks,  dem 1884     358 

E.  Wooley,  rep 1526 

Surveyor. 
H.  P.  Buchanan,  dem.   ...  1816     218 
A.  G.  Chamberlain,  rep. . . .  1598 

School  Commissioner. 

Joseph  J.  TopliflF,  dem 1811      207 

John  D.  Thomson,  rep 1604 

Coroner. 

J.  N.  Griffin,  rep 1613 

H.  St.  John,  dem 1756      14,3 

ELECTION  NOV.  2,  1858. 
Congress. 

Isaac  N.  Morris,  dem 3471      480 

Jackson  Grimshaw,  rep. . .  1991 
State  Senator. 

C.  L.  Higbee,  dem 1000      347 

John  Moses,  rep 653 

Itepresentatives. 

Gilbert  J.  Shaw 3478 

King  Kerley 2473 

Benj.  D.  Brown 1995 

James  S.  Irwin 1993 


HISTOKT    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 


883 


Sheriff. 

John  Houston 3387      289 

Oeorge  T.  Edwards 3098 

Ooroner. 

Lewis  E.  Hayden,  rep 1963    1968 

ELECTION  NOV.  8,  1859. 
Treasurer. 

D.  D.  Hicks,  dem 3235      753 

Oeorge  T.  Edwards,  rep. .  .  1473 
School  Oommiisioner. 

J.  J.  TopIiflF,  dem 3592    1466 

F.  A.  Benton 1136 

Surveyor. 
John  A.  Harvey 3664    3664 

ELECTION  NOV.  8,  1860. 
President. 

Abraham  Lincoln,  rep 2553 

S.  A.  Douglas,  dem 3016      463 

Congress. 

W.  A.  Richardson,  dem 3031      436 

B.  M.  Prentiss,  rep 3595 

Governor. 

Richard  Yates,  rep 2576 

James  e.  Allen,  dem 3021      445 

Mepresentatives. 

B.  B.  Metz,  rep 2629 

Vandeventer,  rep 2583 

Wm.  R.  Archer,  dem 2947 

Benj.  F.  DeWitt,  dem 8007 

Circuit  Clerk. 

Mace,  rep 2621 

■George  W.  Jones,  dem 3991      870 

Sheriff. 

Bonnell,  rep. . .  ^ 2635 

Joshua  "Woot.ley,  dem 2945      310 

State's  Attorney. 

Thomas  E.  Morgan,  dem. .  3959    3959 

Coroner. 

York,  rep 3582 

'G.  W.  Mollinix,  dem 2890      308 

ELECTION  NOV.  7,  1861. 
County  Judge. 

John  W.  Allen,  dem 2300      427 

Wm.  E.  Smith,  rep 1873 

County  Clerk. 

Wm.  Steers,  dem 2330      451 

Harvey  Dunn,  rep 1869 

County  'I'reasurer. 

M.  H.  Abbott,  dem 3281      403 

James  L.  Adams,  rep 1879 

School  Commissioner. 

'  J.  G.  Pettingill,  dem 2839      974 

D.  L.  Freeman,  rep 1855 


County  Surveyor. 
James  H.  Ferguson,  dem. .  2318      655 
George  E.  Harvey,  rep 1363 

Against  the  Bank 4129    4129 

Constitutional  Con/sention. 

Alex.  Starne,  dem 2332 

Archibald  A.  Glenn,  dem  .■ .  2350 

Wm.  TurnbuU,  rep 1839 

David  K.  Watson,  rep 1655 

ELECTION  NOV.  4,  1862. 

Congress. 
State  at  Lor gv: 

James  C.  Allen,  dem 2600    1105 

E.  0.  Ingersoll,  rep 1495 

Ninth  District: 

Lewis  W.  Ross 2597    2531 

Wm.  Ross 76 

State  Senator. 

L.  E.  Worcester 3597    1095 

N.  M.  Knapp 1503 

Mepresentatives. 

Scott  Wike,  dem 3614 

A.  G.  Burr,  dem 2599 

B.  F.  Westlake,  rep  1464 

B.  E.  Haggard,  rep 1500 

Sheriff. 

Perry  H.  Davis,  dem 2654    1413 

W.  H.  Johnston 1241 

G.  W.  Mullinix  353 

Coroner. 

Eli  Farris  3574    1085 

J.  B.Johnston 1489 

ELECTION  NOV.  3,  1863. 
Treasurer. 
R.  A.  McClintock,  rep. . . .  1992        47 

R.  F.  Frazier,  dem 1945 

School  Commissioner. 

J.  G.  Pettingill,  dem 3035        79 

John  K.  Bashforth 1956 

Surveyor. 

Hiram  Harris,  dem  3024        58 

Nathan  Kifler 1966 

ELECTION  NOV.  8,  1864. 
President. 
George  B.  McClellan,  dem.  2857      523 
Abraham  Lincoln,  rep. . . .  2335 

Congress. 
At  large  : 

J.  0.  Alien,  dem 3859      503 

L.  W.  Moulton 3356 

Ninth  District  : 

L.W.Ross,  dem 2857      501 

H.  Fullerton,  rep 2856 


884 


HIBTOKT   OF   PIKE    COUNTT. 


Governor. 
James  C.  Eobinson,  dem. .  .3864      517 
Eichard  J.  Oglesby,  rep 2347 

Bepregentatives. 

8.  Wike,  dem 3854 

J.  F.  Curlis,  dem 3858 

A.  B.  Neall,  rep 2353 

S.  R.  Powell,  rep 2354 

Circuit  Clerk. 

J.  H.  Crane,  dem 3833      470 

L.  F.  Williams,  rep 3363 

Sheriff. 

3.  B.  Landrum,  dem 3859      514 

W.  W.  Burchard,  rep 3345 

State's  Attorney. 

T.  E.  Morgan,  dem 2859      505 

P.  0.  Stearnes,  rep 3354 

Coroner. 

Eli  Farris,  dem 2854      498 

L.  E.  Hayden,  rep 2356 

ELECTION  NOV.  7,  1865. 
County  Judge. 

R.  M.  Atkinson,  dem 3337      142 

— .  — .  Sever,  rep 3085 

County  Clerh. 

Wm.  Steers,  dem 2310        94 

— .  — .  Clark,  rep 3116 

Treasurer. 

David  S.  Hill,  dem 3222      127 

Erastus  Foreman,  rep 2095 

Superintendent  of  Schools. 

J.  G.  Pettineill,  dem 3332      136 

— .  — .  Goodrich,  rep 2096 

Surveyor. 

Hiram  J.  Harris,  dem 2337      172 

A.  G.  Chamberlain,  rep 2055 

ELECTION  NOV.  6,  1866. 
Congress. 
At  Large : 

T.  Lyle  Dickey,  dem 3963      250 

John  A.  Logan,  rep 3713 

Ninth  District: 

Lewis  W.  Ross,  dem 3971    1360 

C.  Lippincott,  rep 3711 

State  Senator. 

Wm.  Shepard,  dem 2978      263 

— .  — .  Miner,  rep 2711 

Representatives. 

James  H.  Dennis,  dem 2973 

Thomas  Hollowbush,  dem.  .2973 

— .  — .  Dunn,  rep 3695. 

— .  — .  Sears,  rep 3715 

Sheriff 

W.  6.  Hubbard,  dem 3955      348 

— .  — .  Jones,  rep 3707 


Coroner. 

G.  W-  Mullinix,  dem .3954      245 

— .  — .  Chapman,  rep 3709 

ELECTION  NOV.  5,  1867. 
Treasurer. 

L.  J.  Smitherman,  dem 3181      853 

R.  L.  Underwood,  rep 1338 

Surveyor. 

Hiram  J.  Harris,  dem 3191    3029 

A.  G.  Chamberlain,  rep 163 

ELECTION  NOV.  3,  1868. 

President. 

H.  Seymour,  dem 3319      544 

U.S.Grant,  rep 3775 

Oovernor. 

John  M.  Palmer,  rep 3778 

John  R.  Eden,  dem 3331      553 

Congress. 
At  large  : 

W.  W.  O'Brien,  dem 3330     553 

John  A.  Logan,  rep 2777 

Ninth  District: 

T.  W.  McNeeley,  dem 3334     559 

Lewis  W.  Ross,  dem 3775 

State's  Attorney. 

L.  W.  James,  dem 3336      561 

— .  — .  Sweeney 2775 

Representative. 

A.  Mittower,  dem 3834     532 

S.  Grigsby,  rep 3792 

Circuit  Clerk. 

J.J.  Topliff,  dem 3395    1586 

— .  — .  Lawton,  rep 3809 

Sheriff. 

J.  J.  Manker,  dem 8335     572 

R.  A.  McClintock,  rep 2768 

Coroner. 

Sherman  Brown,  dem 3338     560' 

— .  — .  Sanderson,  rep 2768 

Constitution. 

For 820 

Against 3534    1704 

ELECTION  NOV.  3,  1869. 
County  Judge. 

R.  M.  Atkinson,  dem 3081      545 

R.  H.  Griffin,  rep 1586 

County  Clerk. 

Wm.  B.  Grimes,  dem 2098     549 

— .  — .  Gray,  rep 1549 

Treasurer. 

L.  J.  Smitherman,  dem 3089      553 

Chas.  Philbrick,  rep 1586 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE    CODNTY. 


885 


School  Superintendent. 

John  M.  Dewell,  dem 2145      649 

Jon  Shastid,  rep 1496 

Surveyor. 
Hiram  J.  Harris 3094    2094 

ELECTION  NOV.  8,  1870. 
Ninth  District: 

Gongresa. 

T.  "W.  McNeeley,  dem 3181      543 

B.  F.  Westlake,  rep 1639 

State  Senators. 

Joseph  M.  Bush,  dem 3151 

Wm.  Shepard,  dem 3233 

George  E.  Warren,  rep 1635 

Thomas  E.  Flinn,  rep 1626 

Representatiiies. 

Albert  Landrum,  dem 2081 

Charles  Kenney,  rep 3175 

John  A.  Thomas,  dem 1718 

Thomas  H.  Dimmitt,  rep. .  .1658 

Sheriff. 
Joseph  McFarland,  dem....  3056      383 
Aaron  F.Hemphill,  ind.  dem. 1773 

Treasurer- 
Sherman  Brown,  dem 3330      605 

E.  W.  Hickerson,  rep 1635 

ELECTION  NOV.  7,  1871. 

Congress. 
At  large : 

S.  8.  Hayes,  dem 1873      375 

John  L.  Beveridge,  rep 1597 

State  Senator. 

Wm.  H.  Allen,  dem 1847      327 

Wm.  A.  Grimshaw,  rep 1620 

Treasurer. 

Thomas  Gray,  dem 1914      313 

Hamilton  Wills,  rep 1602 

Sur'oeyor. 

Hiram  J.  Harris,  dem 1937    1859 

A.  G.  Chamberlain,  rep 68 

ELECTION  NOV.  5,  1873. 

President. 

Horace  Greeley,  lib.  rep ....  3827      193 

U.S.Grant,  rep 2634 

Charles  O'Conor,  ind.  dem..   116 

Congress. 

Bleeenth  District : 

Robert  M.  Knapp,  dem 2849      130 

A.  C.  Matthews,  rep 2739 

Darrah 105 

State  Senator. 

Wm.  R.  Archer,  dem 3941      388 

Frost,  rep 3653 


Governor. 

G.  A.  Koerner,  dem 3939      391 

R.  J.  Oglesby,  rep 3638 

Representatives. 

Henry  Dresser,  dem 4319 

S.  G.  Lewis,  dem 4386"^ 

M.  D.  Massie,  rep 7963 

Circuit  Clerk. 

George  W.  Jones,  dem 3005      455 

P.  M.  Parker,  rep 3550 

John  C.  Hesley,  ind.  dem. . .  160 

Sheriff. 

Joseph  McFarland,  dem 3919      361 

J.  A.  Brown,  rep 3658 

J.  A.  Melton,  ind.  dem 110 

State's  Attorney. 

Jefferson  Orr,  dem 2891      178 

James  S.  Irwin,  rep 3713 

Coroner. 

Martin  Camp,  dem 3949      319 

Jean,  rep 3630 

Williams. Ill 

Animals  at  Large. 

For 3775    1809 

Against 1466 

ELECTION  NOV.  4,  1873. 
County  Judge. 

J.  G.  Pettingill,  dem  1676 

S.  Grigsby,  rep 1890      314 

County  Clerk. 

J.  L.  Frye,  dem 1936      391 

J.  H.  Allen,  rep 1645 

Treasurer. 

D.  Hollis,  dem 3074      557 

Wm.  Grammer,  rep 1517 

,  School  Superintendent. 

J.  W.  Johnson,  dem 1833      140 

J.  Pike,  rep • 1682 

In  this   election   the    townships  of 
Derry  and  Barry  were  thrown  out. 

ELECTION  NOV.  3,  1874. 

Congress. 

Scott  Wike,  dem 2089      669 

David  E.  Beatty,  rep 1430 

Bepresentatives. 

Joseph  T.  Harvey,  dem 3054 J^ 

James  Collans,  dem 3335 

John  Moses,  rep 3951 

Thomas  H.  Dimmitt,  rep.. .  786J^ 

Sheriff. 
Augustus  Simpkins,  dem. .  .3035      547 

Theodore  Kellogg,  rep 1488 

Thomas  H.  Wheeling,  ind..     93 


886 


HI8T0EY   OF    PIKE  COUNTY. 


Coroner. 

Martin  V.  Shive,  dem 3112      584 

B.  H.  Rowand,  rep . ". 1538 

ELECTION  NOV.  3,  1875. 

Treasurer. 

Thomas  Reynolds,  dem 1469      130 

Henry  Hall,  rep 1339 

Surveyor. 

Isaac  A.  Clare,  dem 1535      266 

R.  H.  Griffin,  rep 1359 

ELECTION  NOV.  7,  1876. 
President. 

R.  B.  Hayes,  rep 3055 

S.J.  Tilden,  dem 4040      985 

Feter  Cooper,  greenback.. . .     35 
Governor. 

8.  M.  Cullom,  rep 3065 

Lewis  Steward,  dem 4074    1009 

State  Senator. 

John  Moses,  rep 3055 

Wm,  R.  Archer,  dem 4052      997 

Representatives. 

A.  C.  Matthews,  rep 89561^ 

S.  R.  Powell,  dem 6018 

B.  J.  Hall,  dem 60221^ 

State's  Attorney. 

Joseph  Dobbin,  rep 3038 

JeflF.  Orr,  dem 4088    1050 

Circuit  Clerh. 

Philip  Donahoe,  rep 3338 

J.  A.  Rider,  dem 3766      438 

Sheriff. 

O.  S.  Campbell,  rep 3197 

E.  W.  Blades,  dem 3903      706 

Coroner. 

George  Barker,  rep 3075 

A.  C.  Peebles,  dem 4050      975 

ELECTION  NOV.  •e,  1877. 
County  Judge. 

R.  M.  Atkinson,  dem 3441 

S.  Grigsby,  rep 3519        78 


County  Clerk. 

E.  F.  Binns.  dem 3815      666 

Wm.  H.  Raftery,  gr.  &  rep.  .3149 

Treasurer. 

R.  M.  Murray,  dem 2633      284 

O.  H.  Barney,  gr 2389 

School  Superintendent. 

"Wm.  H.  Crow,  dem 3534      141 

Belle  Moore,  rep 3393 

ELECTION  NOV.  5,  1878. 

Congress. 

James  P.  Dimmitt,  rep 1972 

James  W.  Singleton,  dem.  .2685      713 
Wm.  H.  Pogue,  gr 886 

Representatives. 

A.  C.  Matthews,  rep 55631^ 

S.  R.  Powell,  dem 4115i| 

James  H.  Pleasants,  dem. .  .4258}| 
John  Kelley,  gr 3052i| 

Clerk  of  Appellate  Court. 

George  W.  Jones,  dem 3051    1322 

M.  M.  Duncan,  rep 1829 

Charles  E.  SchoflF,  gr 761 

Sheriff. 
Theodore  Kellogg,  rep.  &  gr.2940      237 
John  Colyer,  dem 2713 

Coroner. 

Allen  C.  Peebles,  dem 2885    1804 

Lewis  Farrington,  gr 1081 

ELECTION  NOV.  4, 1879. 
Treasurer. 

B.  W.  Flinn,  dem 2423      323 

Henry  Hall,  rep 3100 

Lewis  Farrington,  gr 600 

Surveyor. 

Isaac  A.  Clare,  dem 2836    2009 

Nathan  Kibler,  greenback.  837 

Coroner. 

Frederick  Ottowa,  dem 3445      575 

John  C.  Burger,  rep 1870 

B.  F.  Jones,   greenback 690 


r      '   r 

PITTSFIELD   Tf 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  PRESS. 

In  this  chapter  we  give  hrief  historical  sketches  of  the  various 
newspaper  enterprises  of  Pike  county. 

THE  OLD  FLAG. 

In  1842  Mr.  Michael  J.  Noyes  started  in  Pittsfield  The  Sucker 
and  Farmer's  Record,  the  first  paper  in  the  county.  It  was  a 
weekly,  and  was  edited  by  a  very  able  man.  In  1846  it  was  suc- 
ceeded by  The  Free  Press,  wliich  was  establislied  by  Z.  N.  Gar- 
butt,  who  had,  most  of  the  time  as  partner,  Mr.  M.  H.  Abbott. 
This  was  a  good,  paper,  having  had  at  its  head  as  much  talent  prob- 
ably as  any  paper  in  this  county  has  ever  had.  It  was  a  Whig 
paper,  with  strong  anti-slavery  and  temperance  inclinations.  Mr. 
Garbutt  retired  from  it  in  1849  and  went  into  other  business.  A 
sketch  of  his  life  will  be  found  on  pages  397-8  of  this  volume. 
Some  time  afterward  John  G.  Nicolay  and  Mr.  Parks  had  the  pa- 
per for  a  time,  and  then  ^icolay  alone. 

The  successor  of  The  Free  Press  was  The  Pike  County  Journal, 
established  by  Daniel  B.  Bush,  jr.  (the  second),  and  edited  by  him 
until  a  short  time  after  the  war  broke  out,  when  it  was  sold  to  Rob- 
ert McKee,  a  cousin  of  the  eminent  Wm.  McKee,  of  the  St.  Louis 
Glohe- Democrat,  who  recently  died.  In  1868  Messrs.  McKee  and 
"Wm.  A.  Grimshawgave  the  paper  its  present  name.  The  Old  Flag, 
which  is  indeed  a  very  appropriate  one  for  an  organ  which  so  boldly 
stands  up  for  the  flag  of  our  country.  The  material  of  the  office 
was  subsequently  owned  for  a  time  by  the  County  Republican  Cen- 
tral Committee,  and  in  turn  was  run  by  "Wm.  H.  Patterson  and 
Mr.  Hatch,  by  Patterson  alone,  by  Bailey  &  Reynolds,  by  Reynolds 
alone,  by  Maj.  T.  "W.  Jones,  and  finally  it  was  purchased  by  James 
Criswell  in  1868,  since  which  time  its  circulation  has  been  won- 
derfully increased,  and  the  paper  made  a  grand  success.  He  changed 
it  from  a  seven  to  an  eight-column  paper.  It  was  edited  for  a  time 
by  Robert  Criswell,  a  spicy  writer,  who  is  now  in  the  West;  since 
1874  the  gentlemanly  Mr.  Gallaher  has  led  in  the  editorial  columns. 
The  Old  Flag  is  a  home  paper,  none  of  it  being  printed  abroad. 
He  has  brought  to  bear  a  high  order  of  journalism  and  the  wisdom  of 


890  -  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

long  experience  as  a  journalist,  and  as  a  natural  consequence,  has 
made  of  The  Old  2'  lag  one  of  the  leading  Republican  papers  in 
Central  Illinois.  The  influence  for  Republican  doctrine  and  prin- 
ciples of  thi?  paper  has  been  felt  in  this  county.  The  party  has 
been  rallied  and  is  gaining  over  its  common  enemy,  the  Democratic 
party,  new  victories  here.  Mr.  Gallaher's  locals  are  crisp  and  fresh, 
and  in  thfese  columns  may  be  found  all  the  happenings  of  not  only 
Pittsfield  and  immediate  vicinity,  but  in  all  parts  of  the  country. 
A  good  job  office  is  run  in  connection  vrith  the  establishment. 

Michael  J.  Noyes,  founder  of  The  Suaker,  was  born  at  Landaff, 
Grafton  county,  N.  H.,  March  30,  1791;  graduated  at  college;  read 
law  for  some  time;  removed  to  St.  Charles  county.  Mo.;  then  to 
Pike  county,  in  that  State,  where  he  held  several  responsible  posi- 
tions as  County  and  Circuit  Clerks,  etc.  He  was  a  remarkable 
man,  of  frank  manners,  industrious,  honest,  shrewd,  of  fair  educa- 
tion, and  had  an  extraordinary  memory  of  names  and  faces  of  per- 
sons. As  a  land  surveyor,  in  early  life  he  laid  off  land  for  the 
United  States  Government  under  contract  when  large  surveys  were 
made.  After  quitting  the  paper  he  retired  to  a  nice  large  farm, 
near  Pittsfield.  He  died  in  May,  1868,  a  leading  officer  in  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  leaving  a  widow  and  several  children.  Those  "of 
the  latter  now  living  are:  Henry  J.,  in  the  insurance  business  in 
Pittsfield;  John,  at  Grimshaw's  drug  store,  in  the  same  place;  Mrs. 
Emeline  Mills,  also  in  Pittsfield;  W.  H.  D.,  at  Carthage;  Mrs. 
Harriet  Talcott,  Olympia,  W.  T.;  and  Mrs.  Annie  T.  Hodgen, 
Roodhouse,  111.     Ten  have  died. 

James  Oallaher,  the  present  editor  of  The  Old  Flag,  was  born 
in  Castlebar,  County  Mayo,  Ireland,  July  23,  1835;  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1851,  landing  at  New  York  city,  where,  Aug.  1, 
1856,  he  married  Miss  Lizzie  McHugh,  daughter  of  Capt.  M.  A.  T. 
McHugh,  of  the  60th  Royal  Rifle  Brigade,  British  army;  she  was 
born  at  Gibraltar.  Their  children  are:  Margaret  C,  now  Mrs. 
Williams,  of  New  York  city,  born  in  1857;  Harry  M.,  born  in 
1860;  Lizzie  M.,  in  1863;  and  Charles  J.,  in  1868;  the  last  three 
were  born  in  Springfield,  III.  Soon  after  landing  in  America  Mr. 
Gallaher  located  at  Bridgeport,  Conn.,  where  he  learned  "  the  art 
preservative  "  in  the  office  of  The  Standard,  at  that  time  a  staunch 
organ  of  the  "  silver-gray  Whigs."  He  shortly  afterward  returned 
to  New  York,  where  he  remained  until  the  financial  panic  of  1857, 
when  he  came  to  Illinois,  obtaining  employment  in  th.Q  State  Jour- 
nal office,  at  Springfield,  and  was  subsequently  promoted  to  the 
position  of  associate  editor,  with  Ed.  L.  Baker  as  chief,  and  had 
this  position  for  ten  years.  Here  he  had  the  good  fortune  to  be- 
come acquainted  with  Mr.  Lincoln,  Mr.  Yates,  Dr.  Wallace  and 
other  prominent  leaders,  and  had  his  Republicanism  strengthened. 
Later  he  became  connected  with  the  Quincy  Whig,  and  in  1874  as- 
sumed editorial  charge  of  The  Old  Flag,  where  he  gives  entire  sat- 
isfaction to  all  his  patrons.  He  has  had  a  large  and  varied  experi- 
ence in  travel  and  journalism.     He  has   visited   Europe   several 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  891 

times,  and  inhis  profession  has  been  within  the  inner  circles  of  the 
political  and  journalistic  headquarters  of  State  and  nation.' 

Jcmbes  Griswell,  proprietor  of  the  Old  Flag,  was  born  in  Ireland 
of  Scotch-Irish  parents,  May  7,  1810.  His  parents,  Eobert  and 
Mary  (Hamilton)  Griswell,  brought  him  to  America  at  the  early 
age  of  seven  years.  They  located  at  Shippensburg,  Pa.,  but  soon 
moved  to  Butler  county,  of  the  same  State,  and  began  farming. 
His  father,  who  was  a  great  deal  in  public  life,  died  in  1867  at  the 
advanced  age  of  89  years.  Our  subject  remained  in  Pennsylvania 
until  a  few  years  before  the  war;  he  moved  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where 
he  ran  a  rolling  mill.  His  mill  burned  in  1860,  when  he  went 
South.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he  started  for  the  JM^orth  and 
experienced  great  difficulty  in  making  the  trip.  He  brought  his 
children  to  Pittsfield,  that  they  might  be  wholly  out  of  danger,  and 
receive  the  benefit  of  good  schools,  and  then  entered  the  Union 
army,  where  he.  took  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  suppressing 
the  monster  Kebellion.  He  served  as  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Ma- 
chinery Department  of  the  army  of  the  Southwest,  with  rank  as 
Colonel.  In  1864  he  returned  to  Pittsfield  and  then  went  South 
to  Louisiana  and  opened  up  a  plantation.  He  met  Gen.  Sheridan, 
with  whom  he  was  personally  acquainte«l,  who  told  him  that  he  was 
heartily  glad  such  men  as  he  had  come  to  settle  in  the  South  and 
aid  in  developing  its  resources.  Mr.  C.  soon  was  appointed  Com- 
missioner of  Elections.  At  this,  however^  he  was  ordered  to  leave 
the  country,  merely  on  political  grounds,  of  course. ,  Having  in- 
fluence in  the  Legislature  he  had  his  parish  divided,  some  of  his 
neighbors  not  being  antagonistic  to  him.  He  was  then  appointed 
Sheriff  of  the  new  parish  by  Gov.  Warmouth,  but  only  accepted 
the  position  at  the  urgent  request  of  the  Governor  and  many  of 
the  citizens  of  the  parish.  He  appointed  two  deputies  and  came  to 
Pittsfield  after  his  family,  intending  to  remove  them  to  his  new 
home.  While  here,  however,  he  received  word  that  both  his  depu- 
ties had  been  killed.  This  was  not  encouraging  to  his  family,  and 
they  would  not  go  South.  He  returned,  however,  but  was  driven 
away  by  armed  and  masked  Kn  Klux,  who  came  to  his  house  to 
kill  him.  He  was  compelled  to  leave  to  save  his  life,  for  they  had 
killed  others  around  him,  and  he  too  well  knew  he  would  meet  with 
the  same  fate. 

Mr.  C.  returned  to  Pittsfield,  bought  out  The  Old  Flag  in  1868, 
and  has  since  owned  it  and  conducted  it  with  success.  His  present 
wife,  Hepsie  D.  Griswell,  nee  Eeed,  is  a  native  of  Kentucky. 

THE  PIKE  COUJSTTY  DEMOOEAT. 

In  tracing  the  ancestry  of  this  staunch  organ  of  the  Democratic 
party  in  this  county  we  find  that  the  first  paper  was  The  Pike 
Cownty  Sentinel,  which  was  started  in  the  year  1845  by  T.  G. 
Trumbull  and  G.  W.  Smith,  the  former  as  editor.  Under  their 
regime  it  flourished  until  April,  1849,  when  it  was  purchased  by 
John  S.  Koberts,  who  changed  its  name  to  The  Pike  County  Union, 


892  HISTOBT    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 

the  first  number  by  this  name  being  issued  April  25,  that  year.  In 
size  it  was  six  columns  by  24  inches,  and  published  at  $1.50  a  year. 
In  1851  Mr.  Eoberts  sold  it  to  M.  H.  Abbott,  who  on  the  30th  of 
May,  1857,  changed  its  name  to  The  Pike  County  Democrat,  smae 
which  time  it  has  retained  that  name.  For  a  short  time  it  was  in 
the  hands  of  Brown  &  Frazier,  then  of  Frazier  &  McGinnis,  then  of 
Frazier  (Robert  F.)  alone.  Aug.  10,  1865,  is  the  date  of  the  first 
issue  of  the  paper  under  the  control  of  the  present  proprietor,  J. 
M.  Bush,  when  its  circulation  was  only  350.  Mr.  Bush  by  his  en- 
ergy and  ability  has  made  of  it  one  of  the  leading  political  organs 
of  the  State,  and  has  increased  its  circulation  largely.  It  is  now  an 
8  column^ paper,  27  by  41  inches  in  size.  In  1862  it  was  a  6-column 
paper,  24  inches  to  the  column ;  in  1863,  probably  owing  to  the 
hard  times  produced  by  the  war,  it  was  somewhat  reduced  in  size. 
This  paper  has  always  been  issued  weekly,  and  lias  ever  been  a  firm 
advocate  of  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  the  very  first 
number  of  The  Union  declaring  itself  in  favor  of  "State  rights  and 
sovereignty." 

The  Democrat,  which  has  no  "  patent "  side,  but  is  all  printed  at 
home,  enjoys  a  liberal  advertising  patronage  and  a  large  circulation. 
Its  locals  are  abundant,  fresh  and  crisp.  Its  foreign  and  general 
news  are  such  as  the  public  desire  to  become  acquainted  with.  Its 
editorial  columns  are  ably  managed.  The  political  measures  and 
movements  of  the  day  are  discussed  fearlessly,  yet  dispassionately. 
The  principles  of  the  Democratic  party  are  ably  advocated,  and  all 
other  measures  that  its  editor  believes  for  the  welfare  of  the  gen- 
eral public. 

The  present  printing  establishment  connected  with  this  journal 
is  the  largest  in  the  county.  It  is  fitted  with  all  the  modern  con- 
veniences and  improvements,  among  which  is  a  steam-power 
press.  The  press  was  bought  about  3  years  ago,  and  the  engine 
»bout  1  year  ago.  H.  E.  Hanna,  nephew  of  M.  H.  Abbott,  a  former 
proprietor,  has  been  foreman  for  about  12  years.  They  are  pre- 
pared here  to  do  job  work  in  nearly  all  its  branches,  and  in  the  neat- 
est style.  We  will  now  speak  personally  of  the  leading  editors 
who  have  conducted  this  paper. 

T.  O.  Trumbull,  one  of  the  founders  of  this  paper,  was  an  attor- 
ney at  law  who  came  from  Connecticut,  and  was  a  nephew  of  the 
celebrated  painter,  Col.  Trumbull,  of  Washington's  military  fam- 
ily. He  had,  however,  but  little  business  at  the  Bar.  In  some 
respects  he  was  somewhat  peculiar.  For  exa,mple,  when  asked 
about  early  rising,  he  would  reply  that  it  was  not  best  to  be  about 
until  the  world  was  well  aired  by  the  uprising  sun.  His  health 
was  feeble,  his  instincts  were  gentlemanly,  his  education  good,  and 
he  was  a  man  of  retiring  habit.  He  died  many  years  ago  and  was 
buried  in  the  Pittsfield  cemetery,  leaving  no  relatives  in  this  vicinity. 

George  W.  Smith  went  from  here  to  Barry  and  started  The 
Barry  Enterprise,  but  soon  got  to  drinking  so  that  he  could  not 
control   himself,  and  in    Feb.,  1861  fell  out  of  a  window  of  the 


HISTOBT   OF   PIKE   COUNTY.  893^ 

Planter's  House  in  Hannibal  and  broke  his  neck.  He  was  a  bril- 
liant writer,  —indeed,  a  literary  genius,  and  his  flashes  of  wit  and 
rhetoric  have  seldom  been  surpassed  in  local  journalism. 

John  S.  Roberts  was  born  in  Southern  Pennsylvania  Nov.  19, 
1809;  came  to  this  State  about  the  year  1836,  stopping  first  at 
Shawneetown ;  afterward  he  and  his  brother  were  at  Springfield  and 
at  Jacksonville,  and  edited  a  paper  for  awhile;  also  followed  farm- 
ing. He  came  to  Pike  county  in  1849  and  bought  The  Pike 
Oowfhty  Sentinel,  as  above  stated.  In  1868  he  was  appointed  Col- 
lector of  Internal  Hevenue  for  this  District,  and  held  the  office  for 
a  year  or  two ;  was  also  Clerk  of  the  Legislature  for  several  ses- 
sions, was  Supervisor  of  Martinsburg  township  several  terms,  and 
was  Justice  of  the  Peace  from  1869  to  1878,  when  he  died,  leaving 
a  widow  {nee  Elizabeth  Twiford)  and  two  sons, — J.  "Willis  Roberts, 
now  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Pittsfield,  and  Town  Clerk,  and  Eich- 
ard  D.,  also  a  resident  of  Pittsfield. 

Milton  H.  Abbott  was  probably  a  native  of  this  State;  he  was 
married  in  Alton,  III.;  in  a  very  early  day  he  and  his  father  pub- 
lished hymn-books,  etc.,  in  Yandalia,  then  the  State  capital.  For 
stock  he  would  ride  horseback  all  the  way  to  St.  Louis  and  return.  Of 
course,  in  such  early  times  and  under  such  difiiculties,  he  could  not 
carry  on  a  very  extensive  business.  After  assisting  on  The  Free 
Press,  in  Pittsfield,  for  a  time,  he  went  to  Coldwater,  Mich.,  where 
a  storm  blew  down  his  dwelling,  when  he  returned  to  Pittsfield. 
He  commenced  to  edit  The  Pike  County  Democrat  Oct.  11,  1860. 
After  selling  out  the  paper  to  Mr.  Bush,  in  1865,  he  emigrated  by 
wagon  to  Oregon,  finally  settling  at  The  .Dalles,  where  he  is  now 
ublishing  The  Dalles  Democrat.  Since  going  to  that  place  he 
as  lost  his  wife  and  three  daughters.  His  brothers  are  not  now 
living," and  of  his  sisters  only  Mrs.  E.  J.  Hanna,  of  Terre  Haute,  • 
Ind.,  is  living. 

Joseph  Merrick,  Bush,  editor  and  proprietor  of  The  Pike  County 
Democrat,  was  born  Jan.  16,  1822,  in  Pittsfield,  Berkshire  county,. 
Mass.;  graduated  at  Williams  College  (Mass.)  in  1838,  and  re- 
moved the  same  fall  to  Pittsfield,  Pike  county.  111.,  where  he  has 
ever  since  resided.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar,  and  in  1848  he 
married  the  daughter  of  John  U.  Grimshaw,  and  devoted  the  most 
of  his  time  to  farming  up  to  1865,  when  he  purchased  and  took 
the  control  of  the  Democrat.  He  has  held  the  office  of  State 
Senator,  United  States  Commissioner  for  the  Southern  District  of 
Illinois,  Master  in  Chancery,  President  of  the  Board  of  Education, 
Pittsfield,  President  Pike  County  Agricultural  Society,  and  has 
taken  an  active  part  in  all  measures  looking  to  tfie  advancement  of 
the  public  interests.  He  has  four  sons,  three  of  whom  are  grown 
to  manhood,  and  two,  William  and  J.  M.,  jr.,  are  connected  with 
him  in  conducting  the  Democrat  and  its  job  rooms. 


I 


894  HISTOET    OF    PIKE    OOITNTY. 


GKIGGSVILLE    BEFLECTOE. 


The  history  of  founding  a  local  newspaper  is  almost  without  ex- 
ception a  story  of  unrealized  hopes,  misdirected  efforts  and  unpaid 
bills.  It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  more  failures  are  recorded,  in 
the  journalistic  profession  than  in  any  other.  Few  are  those  who 
attain  success  in  founding  a  country  or  a  city  newspaper.  Often 
it  is  not  for  want  of  literary  ability,  for  many  who  wield  an 
able  pen  fail,  but  it  takes  as  well  a  high  order  of  busii^ess  tact  and 
talent.  The  successful  editor  and  publisher  must  necessarily  be  a 
shrewd  business  man.  He  must  be  a  man  of  business  in, all  that 
that  term  implies,  for  in  this  field  of  labor  one  will  find  a  greater 
variety  of  influences  brought  to  bear  against'  his  efforts,  diffi- 
culties unknown  in  other  branches  must  be  surmounted,  the 
genius  of  dealing  with  people  indiscriminately  and  successfully 
must  be  possessed;  indeed,  the  successful  editor  of  to-day  must  be 
a  business  man  as  well  as  a  literary  scholar. 

There  are  few  journals  which  continue  long  under  their  original 
management,  seldom  longer  than  two  years.  Not  so  with  the 
Reflector,  however,  which  continues  under  the  control  and  man- 
agement of  its  founder,  Mr.  Strother.  He  came  to  Griggsville  in 
1871,  and  July  15  of  that  year,  sent  forth  the  first  number  of 
the  Reflector.  .  It  was  then  a  seven-column  folio,  and  presented  a 
neat  and  tasteful  appearance.  It  was  received  with  favor,  and  con- 
siderable encouragement  offered  the  editor.  He  being  a  practical 
printer,  was  able  to  take  advantage  of  many  influences  and  soon 
found  his  enterprise  upon  the  high  road  to  success.  At  the  end  of 
the  first  year  he  had  a  subscription  list  of  400.  This  was  steadily 
increased  until  at  present  it  numbers  upward  of  700.  The  Reflector 
is  purely  a  local  paper;  has  no  patent  side,  and  in  politics  and 
religion  is  neutral.  People  take  the  Reflector  because  it  is  not 
hampered  or  circumscribed  by  party  principles  or  .religious  creeds. 
It  is  free  to  applaud  or  condemn,  to  advoc-.e  or  oppose,  to  build 
up  or  tear  down,  any  measure  it  believes  beneficial  and  just,  or  in- 
jurious or  wrong.  Though  neutral  on  political  and  religious  ques- 
tions, yet  he  devotes  space  in  its  columns  to  the  discussion  of  both. " 
Mr.  Strother  is  avetera,n  in  the  printing  business,  having  begun  to 
learn  the  trade  at  the  early  age  of  13  years,  and  has  continued  it 
without  intermission  from  that  day  to  this.  Thus,  with  practical 
knowledge  of  his  business,  he  is  enabled  the  better  to  superintend 
and  carry  it  on  successfully.  As  a  writer  he  is  clear,  forcible  and 
logical,  and  has  made  of  the  Reflector  an  excellent  provincial  paper. 

F.  K.  Strothev,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Griggsville  Reflec- 
tor, was  born  in  G-ranville  county,  IST.  0.,  Sept.  30,  1823 ;  educated 
at  Ealeigh  ;  came  to  Adams  county.  111.,  in  1866,  and  here  pub- 
lished the  Clayton  Sentinel  (now  the  Enterprise)  until  1871,  when 
he  came  to  Griggsville  and  issued  the  first  copy  of  the  Reflector 
July  15  of  that  year,  which  he  still  publishes,  with  a  circulation  ot 
850.     January  18,  1851,  he  married  Miss  B.  Y.  House,  and  they 


HISTORY   OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  895 

have  6  children:  B.  L.,  Homolea,  Geneva  A.,  Cora  A.,  S.  K.  and 
F.  T.  Mr.  Strother  was  with  Gen.  Canby  in  the  South  in  1867-8  ; 
was  Government  printer  while  there,  where  he  remained  until  the 
reconstruction  of  the  States.  He  has  worked  in  the  printing  office 
most  of  the  time  since  he  was  14  years  of  age. 

THE   BABKY   ADAGE. 

The  newspaper  history  of  Barry  well  exemplifies  a  general  rule 
characteristic  of  the  profession  of  journalism.  "While  in  most  other 
branches  of  business  the  first  efforts  at  establishment  in  a  new  and 
growing  place,  are  generally  successful,  in  public  journalism  the 
charm  of  talking  to  the  people  in  print,  the  social  and  political 
influence  to  be  obtained  as  a  stepping-stone  to  power  and  emolu- 
ment, and  to  ease  and  luxury,  tempt  the  innumerable,  impecunious 
graduates  of  the  printing  office  to  seek  some  unoccupied  field  in 
which  to  establish  themselves  and  rise.  Hence  they  start  out,  and 
for  want  of  the  means  necessary  to  run  a  newspaper  a  year  or  two, 
with  but  very  little  pay,  they  try  a  new  place,  and  thus  continue  to 
rove ;  and  it  is  but  a  corroboration  of  this  remark  to  note  that  all,  or 
nearly  all,  the  newspapers  now  successfully  conducted  in  Pike 
county  are  owned  and  edited  by  old  residents  having  some 
property. 

The  first  attempt  to.establish  a  newspaper  in  Barry  was  made  by 
Geo.  W.  Sm,ith,  from  Pittsfield,  spoken  of  on  a  preceding  page. 
He  started  The  Barry  Enterprise,  but  the  office  here  was  discon- 
tinued and  the  material  was  moved  to  Louisiana,  Mo..  The  next 
move  to  establish  a  paper  here  was  made  by  Messrs.  Shaffner  & 
Goldsmith,  who  published  The  Barry  WeekVy  Dispatch.  The  next 
effort  was  made  by  L.  L.  Burke,  who  started  The  Barry  Observer, 
over  "White's  store.  This  was  run  about  a  year,  the  last  number 
being  issued  in  the  fall  of  1871.  In  October  of  this  year  Mr.  John 
H.  Cobb  took  the  same  rooms  and  established  The  Barry  Adage, 
in  spite  of  the  most  discouraging  obstacles.  The  people  of  the 
community  had  lost  all  faith  in  the  newspaper  business  as  a  Barry 
enterprise.  Mr.  Cobb  could  find  but  two  men  who  would  pay  as 
much  as  a  year's  subscription  in  advance,  and  not  one  who  would 
pay  a  cent  in  advance  for  advertising.  At  least  three-fourths  of 
those  who  were  approached  on  the  subject  would  refuse  to  pay  a 
cent  for  the  new  enterprise.  Many  men  would  go  into  a  saloon  or 
tobacco  store  and  spend  more  in  a  day  or  two  than  would  pay  for 
the  paper  a  whole  year,  then  refuse  even  a  single  dime  to  encourage 
Mr.  Cobb  in  his  laudable  enterprise,  in  which,  too,  he  finally  suc- 
ceeded. The  first  number  of  his  paper  was  issued  about  Nov.  1, 
1871.  In  1878,  however,  he  sold  out  to  Mr.  Colgrove,  who  ran  the  in- 
stitution for  a  short  time.  Mr.  Cobb,  in  company  with  "Wm.  Watson, 
bouo-ht  back  the  office  and  the  situation  and  conducted  it  together 
with  reasonable  success  until  recently,  when  Mr.  Cobb  retired,  leav- 
ing Mr.  "Watson  sole  editor  and  proprietor.  The  paper  is  printed 
on  both  sides  at  the  home  office,  is  a  weekly,  and  independent  in 


896  HISTOET    OF    FIKE    COUNTY. 

politics.  Price  only  $1.00  a  year,  which  is  certainly  quite  reasonable 
for  a  local  paper.  It  is  not  hampered  or  bound  by  any  political  fetters, 
but  is  strictly  speaking  an  organ  of  the- people,  and  for  the  people. 
While  it  enjoys  a  fair  advertising  patronage,  the  merchants  and 
business  men  of  Barry  are  not  fully  alive  to  their  best  interests 
when  they  fail  to  give  their  local  paper  a  hearty  and  liberal  sup- 
port. Towns  must  be  advertised  as  well  as  individuals  and  busi- 
nesses, and  this  can  only  be  done  through  the  medium  of  the  press. 

There  is  connected  with  this  paper  a  good  job  office. 
Mr.  Cobb  tried  a  daily  for  a  while,  at  Pittsfield,  but  that  city  was 
found  to  be  too  near  the  large  cities,  which  furnish  dailies  at  hand. 

WilUamWatson  was  born  in  Barry  Feb.  16,  1857,  and  is  a  son 
of  Jon  Watson,  deceased,  an  early  settler  in  Pike  county.  Mr. 
Watson's  future  success  with  The  Barry  Adage  is  very  promising. 
He  is  a  pleasing  writer  for  a  young  man,  and  gives  to  Barry  an  ex- 
cellent local  paper. 

THE    UNICOEN    aEEENBACK, 

After  The  Adage  had  been  under  way  four  or  five  years  there 
was  a  sheriff's  sale  of  a  press,  stationery,  etc.,  where  Mr.  Simeon 
Fitch  was  a  bidder,  and  he  rather  jestingly  remarked  that  he 
did  not  want  any  one  to  bid  against  him  on  the  press,  as  he 
wanted  to  run  a  paper  in  opposition  to  The  Adage.  He  also  had  a 
boy  whom  he  wished  to  learn  the  art  of  printing  and  thought  to 
purchase  the  press  and  material  for  this  purpose.  This  was  the  ex- 
citing cause  of  many  friends  encouraging  him  to  go  into  the  busi- 
ness of  printing  and  publishing  a  paper.  Thus  encouraged,  and 
having  a  love  for  literary  labor,  he  obtained  another  press  and  com- 
menced business,  issuingthe  first  number  of  The  TFnicorn  on  the 
6th  of  October,  1877.  He  subsequently  bought  the  press,  which 
was  offered  at  tlae  sheriff's  sale.  The  Unicorn  was  started  as  a  Re- 
publican paper,  but  it  soon  espoused  the  Greenback  cause  and 
changed  its  name  to  The  Unicorn  OreenbacJc.  The  Unicorn  is  a 
8  column  folio  and  filled  with  local  and  general  news,  discussions 
upon  the  political,  financial  and  social  issues  of  the  country  that 
agitate  the  public  mind,  and  a  general  miscellany  of  excellent  and 
instructive  reading  matter.  As  above  stated  it  is  a  Greenback 
paper,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  advocates  for  the  measures  and  prin- 
ciples of  the  Greenback  party  in  this  section.  The  Unicorn  is  also 
one  of  the  most  zealous  advocates  of  temperance  and  total  absti- 
nence from  the  use  of  tobacco  there  is  in  the  country.  No  smoking 
is  even  allowed  in  the  printing  office.  The  motto  heading  the 
newspaper  is, — 

"  Tobacco,  though  handy,  is  risky  to  use : 
Together  with  brandy  and  whisky,  refuse." 

Mr.  Fitch  is  pre-eminently  a  poetic  editor,  often  throwing  into 
rhyme  the  reports  of  proceedings  in  the  city,  and  thus  he  amuses 
while  he  teaches  and  instructs.     His  paper  has  a  much  larger  cir- 


HISTORY  OF  PIKE  COUNTY.  899 

• 

dilation  than  he  at  first  anticipated,  and  promises  to  be  one  of  the 
established  institutions  of  the  city  of  Barry.  Thus,  with  his  tem- 
perance and  anti-tobacco  principles  and  his  novel  way  of  rhyming 
locals,  he  is  enabled  to  present  to  his  readers  a  rare,  entertaining 
and  elevating  class  of  reading  matter.  He  will  not  taint  the 
morals  of  the  most  saintly,  and  it  grieves  him  greatly  to  see  so 
many  of  his  fellow  men,  and  especially  the  young,  polluting  them- 
selves by  the  use  of  liquors  and  tobacco.  It  will  take  him  a  long 
time  and  much  earnest  work  to  change  the  habits  and  customs  of 
this  people  in  this  respect,  and  that  his  influence  will  be  felt,  is  be- 
yond question.  No  man  ever  engaged  in  a  reformation  more  desired, 
and  more  earnestly  and  devotedly  than  Mr.  Fitch,  and  that  he  may 
live  to  see  a  radical  change  in  the  filthy  and  injurious  habits  so 
common,  we  most  heartily  wish.  He  has  a  most  potent  enemy,  and 
it  will  take  constant  hard  battling  to  conquer  it.  Mr.  Fitch,  however, 
appreciates  the  magnitude  of  iiis  labors,  yet  will  use  his  pen  and 
voice,  his  influence  and  purse  to  save  the  young  and  convert  those 
already  steeped  in  the  use  of  liquors  and  tobacco. 

Simeon  Fitch,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Unicorn  Greenback, 
Barry,  111.,  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  N.  Y.,  Dec.  2,  1818,  and 
is  a  son  of  Samuel  Fitch,  deceased;  was  educated  in  Franklin,  N. 
T.,  and  at  the  age  of  21  he  commenced  teaching  school,  which  pro- 
fession he  followed  10  years,  a  portion  of  the  time  engaging  in 
farming  during  the  summer  season.  He  emigrated  to  Pike  county 
in  April,  1842,  where  he  has  since  lived.  May  1,  1846,  he  married 
Lncinda  A.  Piper,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  since  deceased.  Mrs. 
Fitch  died  April  24,  1854,  and  Aug.  3  of  the  same  year  Mr.  F. 
married  Eliza  Kerr,  and  of  the  8  children  born  to  them  these  6  are 
living:  Ella,  Edward  E.,  Charles  S.,  Owen  L.,  Anna  and  Mary. 
Edward  attends  to  the  farm,  while"  Owen  L.  assists  his  father  in 
the  printing-office.  Ella  is  a  teacher,  and  is  now  Mrs.  Dr.  E.  T. 
Myers,  of  Farber,  Mo. 

MILTON  BEACON. 

This  is  one  of  the  leading  organs  of  the  Greenback  party  in  Illi- 
nois, and  wields  an  influence  second  to  none.  This  fact  is  evinced 
in  the  interest  manifested  by  the  people  of  Milton  and  vicinity  in 
this  late  political  movement,  and  also  in  the  fact  that  the  citizens 
in  this  district  are  uniformly  well  posted  in  political  matters. 
Constant  readers  of  this  journal  are  difficult  antagonists  to  contend 
with  in  argumentative  contests  on  political  questions.  They  have 
been  under  the  instruction  of  a  wise,  original  and  logical  tutor,  and 
have  gained  much  information  bearing  upon  the  great  and  im- 
portant political  questions,  especially  the  financial,  now  before  the 

public. 

The  Beacon,  although  comparatively  a  new  publication,  has 
proven  a  grand  success  under  its  present  able  management.  Dur- 
ing the  winter  of  1874-5  a  temperance  organization  known  as  the 
Milton  Moral  Eeform  Society  published  a  small  paper  called  the 

SI 


900  HISTOKT   OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

Milton  Reform.  This  sheet  was  issued  for  the  purpose  of  setting 
forth  the  aims  and  objects  of  the  order.  It  was  distributed  gra- 
tuitously, and  was  received  with  much  favor  by  the  citizens  of  the 
town.  The  effect  of  this  small  publication  was  to  create  a  demand 
for  a  larger  paper.  After  its  second  monthly  issue  Mr.  A.  G.  Lucas 
proposed  to  start  a  five-column  folio  paper,  providing  the  Society 
would  discontinue  the  publication  of  the  Reform,  and  turn  over 
the  advertising  already  secured.  This  proposition  was  accepted, 
and  on  the  16th  of  April,  1875,  the  Milton  Beacon  made  its  ap- 
pearance. It  came  forth,  however,  as  a  six-column  instead  of  a  ijve- 
column  paper,  as  originally  intended. , 

The  history  of  all  new  papers  is  one  of  a  hard  struggle  for  ex- 
istence; on  the  whole,  however,  \\ie  Beacon  has  been  unusually  suc- 
cessful. After  a  lapse  of  three  months  Mr.  Lucas  found  the  ex- 
penses incident  to  foi^nding  a  paper  greater  than  he  had  anticipated, 
and  suspension  was  likely  to  follow.  It  was  the  wish  of  the  busi- 
ness men  that  the  paper  should  continue.  Accordingly  in  order  to 
sustain  the  enterprise,  a  stock  company  was  formed.  This  com- 
pany consisted  of  F.  M.  Grimes,  T.  B.  Morton,  J.  O.  Bolin,  C. 
E.  Bolin,  J.  M.  Faris,  S.  Hudson,  W.  Hess,  W.  D.  Mitchell  and  L. 
N.  Hall.  Mr.  Grimes  was  chosen  President  of  the  company  and 
Mr.  Morton,  Secretary.  J.  M.  Faris  was  appointed  editor.  He 
forthwith  enlarged  it  to  a  seven-column  paper,  and  advanced  the 
subscription  from  $1.00  to  $1.50  per  year,  adopted  the  "  patent  out- 
side," and  continued  its  publication  until  "April,  1876.  On  that 
"date  the  paper  was  sold  to  F.  M.  Grimes,  its  present  editor,  who 
has  since  purchased  all  of  the  shares  except  two,  which  have  not 
yet  been  offered  for  sale. 

Mr.  Grimes  entered  upon  his  new  field  of  labor  with  considerable 
enthusiasm.  He  brought  to  bear  in  this  enterprise  a  well  stored 
mind,  a  ready  pen,  business  ability  and  personal  popularity,  and  as 
a  result  has  obtained  a  most  signal  success.  During  the  past  year 
(1879)  this  paper  reached  a  circulation  greater  than  that  ever  at- 
tained by  any  other  paper  published  in  Pike  county,  a  fact  of  which 
its  editor  may  well  be  proud. 

Mr.  Grimes  continued  the  patent  side  until  January,  1877.  when 
he  began  the  printing  of  the  entire  paper  in  the  office.  We  will 
remark  in  this  connection  that  in  point  of  equipment  this  office 
ranks  with  those  much  older.  It  is  supplied  with  a  large,  assort- 
ment of  the  best  material  and  modern  conveniences  of  the  preserva- 
tive art.  Mr.  Grimes  carries  a  full  line  of  job-printing  material, 
and  executes  some  fine  specimens  in  this  line. 

The  Beacon  was  started  as  a  neutral  paper,  politically.  But  the 
editor  believing  duty  called  him  to  do  battle  against  certain  measures 
which  he  considered  highly  detrimental  to  our  common  country, 
and  to  advocate  others  which  were  subservient  to  national  prosper- 
ity, he  unfurled  the  standard  of  the  Greenback  party  and  has  since 
done  valiant  service  in  its  behalf.  He  wields  a  powerful  pen,  and 
carries  conviction  to  almost  all  who  will  unprejudicedly  and  candidly 


HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  •       901 

follow  his  arguments.  As  an  antagonist  lie  is  dreaded  by  the  most 
influential.  As  an  advocate  he  is  earnest,  untiring  and  concen- 
trates his  unusual  powers  in  behalf  of  the  measure  or  person  that  he 
is  supporting.  "We  congratulate  the  people  of  Milton  and  vicinity 
in  having  in  their  midst  a  paper  conducted  with  the  ability  and 
enterprise  of  the  Beacon. 

Francis  Marion  Grimes,  editor  of  the  Beacon,  was  born  in 
Montezuma  township,  April  28,  1837.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and 
Nancy  (Davis)  Grimes,  well  known  early  settlers  of  Pike  county. 
His  father  was  born  in  County  Down,  Ireland,  Feb.  9,  1789,  and 
his  mother  in  Warren  county,  Ky.,  Feb.  15,  1797.  They  were 
united  in  marriage  Nov.  11,  1813,  and  came  to  Montezuma  town- 
ship in  1836.  His  father  died  Sept.  I9,  1873,  and  his  mother  still 
survives  at  a  ripe  old  age.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
received  a  good  common-school  education.  At  the  age  of  19  he  be- 
gan teaching  school  and  taught  for  20  consecutive  years  in  the 
schools  of  Montezuma  and  Pearl  townships,  this  county.  As  a 
teacher  he  was  eminently  successful,  as  attested  by  the  above,  and 
also  by  the  fact  that  he  never  held  any  other  than  a  first-grade  cer- 
tificate. He  quit  teaching  in  April,  1876,  and  took  possession  of 
the  editorial  chair  of  the  Beacon,  which  he  has  so  ably  filled  to  the 
present  time.  March  17,  1859,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Sarah  E.  Colvin,  the  sixth  child  of  Thomas  and  Eebecca  Colvin, 
now  deceased.  To  them  have  been  born  6  children,  namely, — 
Albert,  Luther,  Perry,  Henry,  Ina  and  Eollo.  Mr.  G.  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church  for  20  years,  and  a  zealous  worker 
in  the  temperance  cause  for  many  years.  He  now  also  holds 
membership  in  the  Masonic,  Odd  Fellows  and  Workmen  lodges. 
He  formerly  voted  with  the  Democratic  party,  but  paid  little  atten- 
tion to  politics,  believing,  however,  that  the  financial  question  was 
paramount  to  all  others  at  the  present;  has  for  the  past  year  devoted 
his  time  and  energies  to  the  interests  of  the  National  Greenback 
party. 

PEREY   PARAGRAPH. 

This  is  one  of  the  eight  newspaper  publications  of  Pike  county, 
and  like  the  others,  has  experienced  its  ups  and  downs.  It  is  con- 
ceded to  be  one  of  the  most  difficult  things  known  in  the  business 
world  to  establish  a  local  paper  upon  a  paying  basis.  It  requires 
more  energy,  patience  and  perseverance  to  found  one  than  almost  any 
other  business.  It  is  less  remunerative,  more  vexatious,  and  requires 
the  expenditure  of  greater  mental  and  physical  force  than  other 
enterprises.  Few  there  are  who  properly  appreciate  the  labors,  the 
trials  and  difficulties  of  a  country  editor.  He  enjoys  none  of  the 
advantages,  yet  he  is  expected  to  send  forth  a  sheet  that  will  com- 
pare favorably  with  the  large  dailies  of  cities. 

Mr.  Cobb,  the  editor  of  this  paper,  and  other  editors  can  appre- 
ciate the  force  of  these  remarks  perhaps  better  than  people  in  gen- 
eral.    He  recently  started  the  Paragraph,  and  has  met  with  fair 


902  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COtTNTT. 

success.  The  paper  is  independent  politically,  religioasiy  and  in 
everything  else.  It  is  free  to  advocate  or  oppose  any  measure  or 
view  brought  before  the  public. 

H.  O.  Oobb  was  born  in  Chautauqua  county,  !N".  Y.,  Aug.  20, 
1845,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Hale)  Cobb,  both  natives 
of  the  Empire  State.  Sis  father  is  of  Welsh  ancestry,  and  his 
mother  is  a  direct  descendant  of  Sir.  Matthew  Hale.  Mr.  0.  was 
united  in  marriage  Aug.  12, 1871,  with  Elizabeth  Purviance.  Three 
children  have  been  borne  to  them,  only  one  of  whom  is  now  living. 
Mr.  C.  learned  his  trade  in  New  York,  where  he  was  connected 
with  several  papers  in  the  State. 

THE  INDEPENDENT  PRESS. 

This  is  the  latest  newspaper  enterprise  of  Pike  county,  and  has 
promise  of  becoming  one  of  the  most  popular  and  influential.  It 
first  greeted  the  public  Dec.  11,  18T9,  an  eight-column  folio.  The 
typographical  appearance  of  the  Press  is  neat  and  tasty.  Indeed, 
it  would  reflect  honor  to  older  established  offices  to  send  out  such 
excellent  quality  of  work.  'The  Press  office  is  furnished  all  through 
with  the  best  material  and  presses,  and  for  mechanical  execution 
the  job  work  done  at  this  office  will  compare  favorably  with  that 
turned  out  from  the  larger  establishments  of  the  State.  Its  present 
editor,  A.  Hughes,  and  its  proprietors,  Hughes  &  Nelson,  are  thor- 
oughly enterprising  newspaper  men,  and  that  the  progress  they 
have  so  early  made  is  appreciated  by  the  general  public,  is  evinced 
by  the  unusual  success  attending  their  enterprise. 

The  Independent  Press,  which  is  published  at  Griggsville,  was 
founded,  as  its  name  implies,  as  an  independent  journal  so  far  as 
politics  or  religion  are  concerned.  Its  editor  believes  he  can  exert  a 
greater  influence  under  that  banner  than  under  any  other.  He  will 
not  be  influenced  by  party  or  sect.  He  advocates  such  measures, 
national,  municipal,  religious  and  social,  as  will  best  subserve  the 
interests  of  the  mass  of  the  community,  regardless  of  any  party, 
clique  or  individual.  As  such  a  journal,  it  deserves,  as  it  has,  the 
patronage  of  all  classes.  As  the  better  to  set  forth  the  principles 
of  this  paper,  we  quote  from  its  salutatory  a  remark  or  two  in 
reference  to  this  point.  The  editor  says  :  "  The  Press  will  not  be  a 
partisan  sheet  in  accordance  with  the  generally  accepted  tenets  of 
either  of  the  established  political  parties.,  Our  politics  and  religion 
will  be  independent  so  far  as  the  paper  is  concerned."  *  *  * 
"  In  our  advocacy  of  measures,  be  they  cosmopolitan  or  local,  we 
will  only  be  guided  by  what  we  conceive  to  be  the  right,  and  will 
best  conserve  the  true  interests  of  this  city,  county,  State  and 
nation.  In  the  interest  of  the  merchant  we  shall  advocate  the  best 
means  of  developing  trade  ;  in  the  interests  of  all  we  shall,  by 
using  every  means  in  our  power,  fight  against  rings,  monopolies, 
and  every  species  of  fraud  that  has  a  tendency  to  retard  or  lessen 
the  people's  interest." 

A  local  journal  established  upon  such  a  broad  and  liberal  plat- 


HISTOKT    OF   PIKE    COUNTY.  903 

form,  and  evincing  the  enterprise  and  public  spirit  the  Press  has, 
should  receive  the  undivided  support  of  men  of  all  parties,  creeds 
and  opinions.  It  is  not  hampered  or  circumscribed  by  partisan 
principles  of  any  nature,  save  truth  and  probity.  The  Press  is 
published  each  Thursday.     Subscription,  $1.50  per  year. 

Arnold  Hughes,  editor  of  the  Press,  is  a  native  of  Missouri,  grew 
•  up  attending  the  common  schools.  He  served  an  apprenticeship 
at  the  printer's  trade  in  Milwaukee,  "Wis.,  and  has  since  devoted 
himself  to  his  profession  with  zeal  and  energy.  As  a  writer  he  is 
original,  pointed  and  entertaining.  His  locals  are  fresh  and  crisp, 
his  editorials  are  able,  logical  and  convincing,  and  as  a  business 
man  possesses  much  practical  knowledge.  It  is  our  wish,  as  it  is 
that  of  the  general  public,  that  Messrs.  Hughes  &  !N"elson  will 
make  a  success  of  their  new-born  enterprise. 

OTHEE    PAPERS. 

The  Radical  for  a  brief  time  was  published  as  the  exponent  of  a 
sentiment.  It  was  edited  with  vim,  by  Charles  J.  Sellon,  who  was 
afterward  a  vigorous  and  useful  editor  of  the  Illinois  State  Jour- 
nal, at  Springfield.  He  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  but  was  dis- 
charged on  account  of  deafness.  He  died  a  young  man,  mourned 
by  his  family  and  many  friends.  He  was  buried  in  the  grave-yard 
of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  Pittsfield,  111. 

The  Radical  was  suddenly  reduced  to  The  Radi,  which  was 
conducted  by  O.  W.  Topliff  for  a  short  time,  and  then  was  discon- 
tinued altogether. 

A  Republican  paper  called  The  Morning  Star,  was  once  started 
by  Wm.  Overstreet,  in  Pittsfield,  but  did  not  last  long. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

EAILEOADS. 

The  railroad  is  comparatively  a  new  enterprise  to  Pike  county. 
In  reference  to  means  of  transportation  this  county  is  greatly 
favored  by  nature.  Indeed,  there  is  no  county  in  the  State  to 
which  nature  gave  such  abundant  and  convenient  channels  of  trans- 
portation as  to  Pike.  Here  are  two  of  the  finest  water  courses  in 
America  washing  its  shores,  and  no  portion  of  the  county  over 
half  a  day's  drive  from  one  of  them.  Without  a  railroad  many  of 
the  northern  counties  of  the  State  would  yet  be  in  their  native  con- 
dition. Yet  Pike  county  could,  and  did,  get  along  very  con- 
veniently without  a  railroad. 

As  early  as  May,  1860,  a  railroad  was  projected,  principally  by 
Messrs.  Starne  and  Hatch.  This  road  was  known  as  the  Pike 
County  Road,  and  later  as  the  Hannibal  and  JSfaples  road.  Some 
grading  was  done,  but  the  county,  at  a  general  election,  refused 
aid,  and  the  project  was  abandoned  until  after  the  war,  when, 
through  the  efforts  of  Judge  Higbee,  Scott  Wike,  James  S.  Irwin, 
Hon.  "Wm.  A.  Grimshaw,  "W.  Steers,  of  Pittsfield,  Messrs.  Brown 
and  Wike,  of  Barry,  and  Messrs.  Mc Williams,  Ward,  Philbrick 
and  others,  of  Griggsville,  the  enterprise  was  revived  and  pushed 
to  completion. 

Originally  about  $350,000  were  expended  on  the  old  Bike 
road  ;  and  of  this  sum  the  city  of  Hannibal  furnished  as  a  city 
$200,000,  the  townships  on  the  line  of  the  road  $70,000,  and  indi- 
viduals in  Hannibal  and  Pike  county  the  balance.  The  money 
subscribed  was  faithfully  expended  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
Starne,  the  President  of  the  road,  and  a  competent  engineer;  the 
war  commenced  and  the  road  failed,  as  did  most  of  the  public  en- 
terprises of  the  country.  It  was  at  that  time  in  debt  to  Mr. 
Clough,  one  of  the  engineers,  about  $1,000,  and  upon  a  suit  coni- 
menced  by  him  a  judgment  was  rendered  against  the  road  for  his 
debt.  The  friends  of  the  road  were  anxious  that  it  should  not  be 
sacrificed,  and  when  it  was  sold,  bid  it  in  in  the  name  of  Scott  Wike, 
for  $l,039,who  transferred  the  certificate  of  purchase  to  the  Directors 
of  the  old  road,  Messrs.  A.  Starne,  B.  D.  Brown,  O.  M.  Hatch,George 
Wike,  Geo.  W.  Shields,  J.  G.  Helme,  James  McWilliams  and  Scott 


HI8T0EY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  905 

Wike;  and  the  Sheriff  made  them  a  deed  Feb.  12,  1863.  They 
were  then  incorporated  as  the  Hannibal  &  Naples  Railroad  Com- 
pany. Mr.  Shields  was  the  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Hannibal,  and 
Mr.  Helme  a  large  property-holder  there.  They  were  directors  of 
the  old  road,  and  were  appointed  by  the  City  Council  to  look  after 
the  interests  of  the  city.  The  other  gentlemen  were  directors  in 
the  old  road  and  large  property-holders  in  Pike  county. 

When  the  agitation  incident  to  the  Rebellion  had  subsided  and 
the  people  again  turned  to  the  improvement  of  their  homes  and 
the  carrying  out  of  home  enterprises,  the  completion  of  this  road 
was  urged. 

Enthusiastic  meetings  were  held  throughout  the  county  in  De- 
cember, 1867.  The  proposition  by  the  Supervisors  to  bond  the 
county  was  defeated  by  a  popular  vote  Dec.  24, — 2,777  for,  to  2,841 
against,  one  of  the  largest  votes  ever  cast  in  the  county. 

At  a  railroad  meeting  held  at  the  court-house  in  Pittsfield  Dec. 
30,  1868,  resolutions  for  pushing  the  railroad  interests  of  the 
county  were  passed,  and  a  committee  appointed,  headed  by  Wm. 
A.  Grimshaw,  to  "  take  the  requisite  steps  to  carry  out  the  project 
of  railroad  connections  for  Pittsfield  and  Pike  county  with  the , 
Chicago  &  Alton,  or  the  Pennsylvania  Central,  or  any  other  roads 
interested  and  willing  to  co-operate  with  Pittsfield  and  Pike 
county." 

At  the  same  time  there  was  a  project  of  a  railroad  from  Loui- 
siana, Mo.,  to  run  west  to  the  Missouri  river,  headed  by  Thomas  L. 
Price,  then  a  railroad  king  in  the  West. 

Ten  miles  of  the  Hannibal  &  Naples  road  were  completed-  Feb. 
18,  1869,  namely,  to  Kinderhook,  and  a  banquet  and  great  rejoic- 
ing were  had  on  the  occasion,  in  a  car  at  Kinderhook. 

In  pursuance  of  an  official  call  a  railroad  meeting  was  held  at 
Pittsfield,  March  8,  1869,  with  R.  A.  McClintock  Chairman  and 
J.  M.  Bush  Secretary,  when  Col.  A.  C.  Matthews  explained  the  ob- 
ject of  the  meeting.  A  committee  was  appointed,  one  from  each 
township  represented,  to  assess  the  sum  of  $150,000  among  the 
various  townships  embraced  in  the  call.  The  meeting  passed  a 
resolution  indorsing  the  act  of  the  Legislature  providing  for  the  re- 
funding to  the  several  townships  and  counties,  the  contracting 
debts  for  railroads,  the  entire  taxes  on  such  railroad  property, 
and  the  excess  of  all  State  taxes  over  the  assessment  of  1868. 

Auo-ust,  1869,  the  Hannibal  &  Naples  road  reached  a  point 
within  2-^-  miles  of  New  Salem;  reached  Griggsville  in  September; 
railroad  completed  in  October;  crossed  the  Illinois  river  Jan.  20, 
1870-  Feb.  11,  finished  to  Pittsfield.  At  that  time  a  grand  free 
excursion  was  given,  when  the  following  incident  occurred:  The 
train  being  gone  about  three  hours  longer  than  was  expected,  par- 
ties who  had  been  left  behind  began  to  feel  uneasy .  One  man,  whose 
wife  and  son  were  with  the  excursionists,  with  his  remaining  son 
built  a  fire  near  the  track;  and  while  waiting  with  great  anxiety 
for  the  return  of  the  train,  the-little  boy,  started  toward  the  track. 


906  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COtTNTY. 

The  father  in  his  agony  said.  "  Don't,  my  son  ;•  don't  go  near  the 
track;  I'm  afraid  some  dreadful  accident  has  happened  and  you 
and  I  will  both  be  orphans."  When  the  train  at  last  arrived  all 
safe  and  sound,  there  was  great  rejoicing.  The  contract  for  build- 
ing the  railroad  from  Pittsfield  to  the  H.  &  N.  road  was  let  July 
24,. 1869,  to  Hon.  A.  Starne.  Work  was  immediately  begun  and 
before  a  year  had  passed  trains  were  running. 

After  the  Hannibal  &  Naples  Road  was  completed,  it  was  changed 
soon  after  to  the  Toledo,  Wabash  &  Western  Railway,  and  in 
March,  1880,  when  the  great  Wabash  line  came  in  possession  of 
the  T.,  P.  &  W.  Ry.  and  other  lines,  it  was  changed  to  the  Wa- 
bash, St.  Louis  &  Pacific  Railway.  About  the  time  of  the  com- 
pletion of  the  H.  &  'N.  road,  other  roads  were  projected.  In  May, 
1869,  a  line  was  surveyed  from  Rnshville,  via  Mt.  Sterling  to  Pitts- 
field. 

In  the  summer  of  1869  special  efforts  were  made  by  the  citizens 
of  the  county  to  complete  the  projected  railroads,  and  at  a  meeting 
of  the  citizens  of  Pittsfield  and  Newburg  townships  at  Pittsfield, 
June  17,  committees  were  appointed  to  devise  ways  and  means  to 
raise  the  amount  required  of  them,  namely,  $32,000.  0.  P.  Chap- 
man was  appointed  Chairman  of  said  committee. 

In  the  spring  of  1871,  everything  pertaining  to  the  railroad 
interests  of  the  county  seemed  to  be  lying  dead  or  asleep,  and  the 
suspicion  of  the  people  began  to  be  aroused  that  the  enterprise  was 
abandoned,  when  Gen.  Singleton,  President  of  the  Quincy,  Alton 
&  St.  Louis  road,  announced  that  that  company  were  waiting  to 
obtain  the  right  of  way  through  Quincy.  This  road  was  soon  com- 
pleted, following  the  line  of  the  Mississippi  from  the  northern  line 
of  the  county  to  the  southern  where  it  crosses  the  river  at  Louisiana. 

In  the  spring  of  1872  it  was  proposed  to  build  a  road  to  Perry 
Springs,  connecting  with  the  Bob-tail  to  Pittsfield.  At  this  time 
the  county  of  Pike  and  the  townships  of  Pittsfield  and  Newburg 
had  invested  $132,000  in  the  Pittsfield"  branch,  with  no  prospect 
of  dividends;  but  it  was  proposed  to  issue  county  bonds  of  $10,000 
to  $12,000  per  mile  on  the  Pittsfield  branch,  on  which  the  Wabash 
company  should  guaranty  the  interest,  thus  enabling  them  to  negoti- 
ate the  bonds  at  a  fair  rate. 

The  Quincy,  Payson  &  Southeastern  railroad  was  projected  to 
make  a  direct  line  to  Pittsfield  through  Payson,  thence  nearly 
directly  east  to  Efiingham,  to  connect  for  Cincinnati  and  the  East, 
but  nothing  definite  has  been  done. 

The  Chicago,  Alton  &  St.  Louis  ran  the  "  Louisiana,"  or 
"Kansas  City"  branch  through  the  southern  townships  of  this 
county  seven  or  eight  years  ago.  This  was  done  without  local  aid 
from  this  county,  but  received  help  from  the  city  of  Louisiana. 
This  is  a  first-class  road,  and  opened  up  a  most  prolific  part  of 
Pike  county.  At  this  time  a  railroad  bridge  was  built  across  the 
Mississippi -at~Louisiana.  Aug.  1,1871,  a  magnificent  bridge  was 
completed  across  the) same  river  af  Hannibal. 


BARRY 


HISTOET    OF    PIKE    COUNTY.  909 

SNT  ISLAND  LEVEE. 

Along  the  whole  of  the  west  side  of  Pike  county  there  runs  a 
bayou  of  the  Mississippi  river,  named  by  the  early  French  Chenal 
Ecarte  (crooked  channel)  but  in  English  generally  called  "Sny," 
for  short,  from  the  French  pronunciation  of  Chenal.  This  bayou 
commences  in  Adams  county  about  12  miles  below  Quiney,  and 
runs  southeasterly  somewhat  parallel  with  the  river,  until  it  ends 
in  Calhoun  county,  its  channel  being  generally  about  midway 
between  the  river  and  the  bluifs.'  The  low  land  drained  by  this 
"bayou,"  "channel,"  " slough,"  " creek,"  etc.,  as  it  is  variously 
jcalled,  comprises  about  110,000  acres.  This  was  subject  to  overflow 
every  spring,  and  being  the  most  fertile  ground  in  the  "West,  it  is 
very  important  that  it  be  reclaimed  if  possible.  Without  improve- 
ment it  is  entirely  useless,  and  even  a  source  of  malaria  and 
sickness. 

Consequently,  in  the  year  1870  a  movement  was  set  on  foot  to 
reclaim  this  vast  tract  of  rich  land  by  an  embankment  near  the 
river.  To  aid  in  this  great  enterprise  the  Legislature  passed  an 
act,  approved  April  24,  1871,  authorizing  the  issue  of  bonds,  to  be 
paid  by  special  assessments  on  the  lands  benefited.  To  carry  out 
the  provisions  of  this  act  "  The  Mississippi  Levee  Drainage  Com- 
pany "  was  organized  about  the  first  of  August,  1871,  by  a  meeting 
of  the  citizens  of  Pike  and  Adams  counties,  electing  a  board  of 
directors,  with  S.  M.  Spencer,  President,  other  officers,  and  a  board 
of  commissioners.  The  citizens  also  drew  up,,aud  signed  a  petition 
for  the  appointment  of  the  commissioners  according  to  law,  where- 
upon the  County  Court  (R.  M.  Atkinson,  Judge)  appointed  Geo. 
W.  Jones,  William  Dustin  and  John  G.  Wheelock,  Commissioners, 
Mr.  Dustin's  place,  after  his  death,  being  filled  by  Benjamin  F. 
Westlake.  For  the  construction  of  the  levee  they  issued  bonds,  bear- 
ing interest  at  10  per  cent.,  and  they  were  sold  mostly  in  the  East- 
ern markets,  some  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  the  interest  payable  annually. 
Accordingly  the  levee  was  constructed  in  1872-4:,  at  a  cost  of  about 
$650,000. 

But  the  manner  of  collecting  assessments  authorized  by  this  act 
was  called  in  question  by  a  case  brought  up  to  the  Supreme  Court 
from  the  Wabash  river,  where  similar  work  was  being  done,  and 
the  Court  decided  that  feature  of  the  act  to  be  unconstitutional.  A 
similar  case  went  up  to  that  tribunal  from  this  county,  and  the 
Court  re-affirmed  its  former  decision.  It  was  then  thought  expe- 
dient to  procure  an  amendment  to  the  State  Constitution;  the 
necessary  resolution  was  submitted  to  the  people  by  the  30th  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  and  it  was  adopted  by  an  overwhelming  majority. 
Thereupon  another  act  was  passed  by  the  31st  General  Assembly, 
to  make  the  law  conform  to  the  constitution  as,  amended,  and  under 
this  act  the  owners  of  lands  on  the  Sny  bottom  proposed  to  con- 
struct a  drainage  district  to  be  known  as  "  The  Sny  Island  Levee 
Drainage  District." 


910  HISTOBT    OF   PIKE    COUNTY. 

The  levee,  as  at  first  projected,  was  completed,  as  before  stated, 
but  it  has  proved  wholly  insufficient,  as  the  Mississippi  flood,  aided 
by  high  winds,  in  April,  1876,  broke  through  the  embankment,  and 
all  the  low  land  was  inundated,  destroj'ing  crops,  carrying  away 
fences,  and  driving  out  the  inhabitants.  No  one,  however,  was 
drowned,  but  planting  was  retarded.  The  breaches  were  soon 
repaired,  but  more  lately  a  new  company  has  been  organized  to 
improve  the  levee  and  make  it  perfect,  that  is,  capable  "of  protect- 
ing the  bottom  land  against  such  a  high  water  as  there  was  in  1851. 

This  levee  is  by  far  the  largest  above  Yicksburg,  being  about  52 
miles  in  length,  commencing  on  a  sand  ridge  in  Adams  county, 
and  extending  into  Calhoun  county.  It  is  constructed  of  the  sandy 
soil  along  its  line,  and  readily  becomes  sodded  and  overgrown  with 
willow  and  other  small  growth.  The  streams  which  formerly 
emptied  into  the  Mississippi  now  find  their  way  into  Bay  creek, 
and  then  into  Hamburg  bay,  in  Calhoun  county.  A  few  farms 
were  opened  in  the  bottom  before  the  construction  of  the  levee, 
but  since  that  work  was  completed  the  land  is  becoming  pretty 
well  covered  with  farms,  occupied  by  a  good,  industrious  class  of 
citizens.  The  time  may  come  when  the  dwellers  in  this  land  will 
become  a  power  in  the  county. 

We  desire  here  to  state  to  the  public,  with  some  emphasis,  that 
neither  the  county  nor  any  municipality  in  the  same  is  in  any 
manner  liable  for  the  bonds  issued  in  aid  of  the  construction  of  this  ^ 
levee.  Neither  the  State,  county  nor  towns  took  any  part  in  the 
issue  of  the  bonds,  or  in  the  construction  of  the  work.  The  enter- 
prise was  a  private  one,  and  the  fact  that  the  bonds  are  not  paid 
reflects  on  no  one.  The  law  under  which  they  were  issued  was 
declared  unconstitutional,  and  in  such  cases  the  bonds  must  fall 
with  the  law. 

On  the  completion  of  the  levee  the  source  of  water  supply  for 
the  Rockport  mills,  situated  on  the  Sny,  was  of  course  mostly  cut 
off.  Consequently,  about  Sept.  15,  1874,  the  proprietors  of  the 
mills,  Messrs.  Shaw  &  Rupert,  hired  parties  in  St.  Louis  to  come 
up  and  cut  the  levee,  having  been  advised  that  they  had  lawful 
authority  to  "  abate  the  nuisance  "  by  their  own  act.  Great  excite- 
ment was  occasioned  by  this  transaction,  and  during  the  ensuing 
litigation  the  mill  proprietors  obtained  a  mandamus  for  openiiig 
the  Sny;  but  a  settlement  was  finally  effected  by  a  compromise  with 
the  drainage  company,  the  latter  paying  the  former  $30,000.  The 
mil],  however,  was  subsequently  destroyed  by  fire. 


HISTOEY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 


911 


COUNTY   TEEASUEEb'S    EBPOBT   MADE    NOVEMBEE    30,    18T9. 

Behils. 

To  amount  on  hand  Dec.  1, 1878 $21,026.31 

To  tax  levied  on  all  property  for  1878 10,944.27 

To  money  collected  from  other  sources 4,243.55 


Total  debits $36,214.03 


County  Orders  and  jury  certificates  paid $23,834.21 

Other  credits 4,450.69 


Balance  cash  due  County  Dec.  1, 1879. 


$28,28490 
7,929.13 

$36,214.03 


MAEEIAGE    LICENSES. 


The  following  table  gives  the  number  of  Marriage  Licenses  annu- 
ally issued  since  1826: 


1827 

6 

1845 

159 

1863 

...  253 

1828 

19 

1846 

161 

1864 

...  260 

1829 

21 

23 

1847  

180 

1865 

1866 

...  380 

1830 

1848 

232 

...  370 

1831 

25 

1849 

1850 

203 

199 

1867 

1868 

...  357 

1832 

47 

...  374 

1833, 

34 

1851 

1853 

213 

346 

1869 

1870 

...  273 

1834 

50 

...  270 

1833 

49 

1853 

241 

1871 

...  258 

1836 

57 

1854 

230 

1872 

...  271 

1837 

100 

1855 

336 

1873 

...  250 

1838 

106 

1856 

375 

1874 

...  297 

1839 

110 

115 

1857 

377 

1875 

1876 

...  281 

1840 

1858 

359 

...  382 

1841 

121 

1859 

379 

1877 

...  385 

1842 

160 

1860 

258 

1878 

...  309 

1843 

147 

1861 

335 

1879 

. ..  313 

1844 

153 

1863 

337 

1880to  Jan.  26.... 

...  15 

AGEICULTUEAL  STATISTICS. 

In  1877  the  number  of  acres  of  corn  raised  in  Pike  county  were 
87,405;  number  of  bushels  produced,-  2,888,802;  winter  wheat  71,- 
219  acres;  yield,  982,453  bushels;  spring  wheat,  Q6  acres;  yield 
1,682  bushels;  oats,  5,559  acres;  yield  122,540;  rye,  414 acres ;  yield 
4,371  bushels;  barley,  16  acres;  yield  210  bushels;  buckwheat,  41 
acres;  yield  421  bushels;  beans,  33  acres;  yield  313  bushels;  Irish 
■potatoes,  1,122  acres;  yield  66,649  bushels;  sweet  potatoes,  3  acres, 
yield  243  bushels.  Apple  orchards  4,656  acres;  yield  168,535  bush- 
els; peach  qrchards  202  acres;  yield  2,313  bushels;  pear  orchards  5 
acres;  yield  4  bushels;  tobacco  70  acres;  yield 42,265  pounds;  broom- 
corn  2  acres;  yield  1,000  pounds;  timothy  meadow  14,200  acres ; 
yield  17,801  tons;  clover  3,302  acres;  yield  3,445  tons;  prairie 
meadow  283  acres,  yield  401  tons;  Hungarian  and  millet,  69  acres, 
yield  149  tons;  sorgho,  97  acres,  yield  8,520  gallons  of  syrup  made; 
vineyard  59  acres,  yield  7,345  gallons  of  wine  made;  turnips  and 
other  root  crops,  498  acres,  value  of  crops  produced  |2,037;  other 


912  HISTORY    OF   PIKE    COtTNTT. 

fruit  and  berries  not  included  above  or  in  orchard,  85  acres,  value 
$229;  other  crops  not  named  above,  1,950  acres,  value  $6,437. 
Pasture,  not  including  wood  land,  33,228  acres;  wood  land,  not  in- 
cluded as  pasture,  87,37.1;  uncultivated  land  not  included  as  wood 
land  or  pasture,  60,665  acres.  Area  in  city  and  town  real  estate 
not  included  above,  1,605  acres.  Number  of  sheep  killed  by  dogs, 
'791,  average  value  per  bead  $2.07;  number  of  pounds  of  wool 
sheared,  49,609;  number  of  fat  sheep  sold  2,378,  average  weight 
per  head  99  pounds;  number  of  cows  kept  6,062;  pounds  butter 
sold  78,430;  pounds  of  cheese  sold  325;  gallons  of  cream  sold  16; 
gallons  of  milk  sold  8,538;  number  of  fat  cattle  sold  4,747;  average 
gross  weight  1,002  pounds;  number  of  fat  hogs  sold  35,947;  aver- 
age weight  per  head  235 ;  number  of  hogs  and  pigs  died  of  cholera 
30,259;  average  weight  per  head  70  pounds.  Number  of  bushels 
timothy  seed  produced,  516;  of  clover  seed  977;  of  Hungarian  and 
millet  33;  number  of  pounds  of  grapes  61,715. 

In  1878  the  agricultural  returns  of  Pike  county,  were  as  follows: 
Corn,  74,552  acres,  and  2,314,209  bushels;  winter  wheat,  80,800 
acres  and  1,092,725  bushels;  spring  wheat,  66  acres,  168  bushels; 
oats,  6,650  acres,  136,433  bushels;  rye,  60  acres,  338  bushels;  buck- 
wheat, 19  acres,  217  bushels;  castor  beans,  1  acre,  4  bushels  ;  beans, 
10  acres,  67  bushels;  peas,  10  acres,  614  bushels;  Irish  potatoes, 
611  acres,  34,688  bushels ;  sweet  potatoes,16  acres,  420  bushels;  apple 
orchard,  4,290  acres,  fruit  60,847  bushels ;  peach  orchard,  49  acres, 
1,085  bushels;  pear  orchard,  1  acre,  10  bushels;  tobacco,  11  acres, 
5,500  pounds;  broom-corn,  19  acres,  16,000  pounds;  timothy 
meadow,  13,396  acres,  17,298  tons  of  hay  produced ;  clover  meadow, 
4,616  acres,  6,334  tons;  prairie  meadow,  33  acres,  29  tons  of  hay; 
Hungarian  and  millet,  65  acres,  74  tons;  sorgho,  152  acres,  11,017 
gallons  of  syrup  made;  vineyard,  71  acres,  958  gallons  of  wine 
made;  turnips  and  other  root  crops,  109  acres,  value  of  crop  raised, 
$1,094;  other  fruits  and  berries,  not  included  in  above  and 
orchard,  68  acres;  value  of  crops,  $734;  other  crops  not  named 
above,  2,284  acres;  value  of  crops,  $4,500;  pasture,  not  including 
woodland,  33,773  acres;  wood  land,  not  included  as  pasture,  65,644 
acres;  uncultivated  land,  not  included  as  wood  land  or  pasture, 
20,346  acres.  Number  of  sheep  killed  by  dogs,  958;  average  value 
per  head,  $1.83,  total  value,  $1,765;  number  of  pounds  of  wool 
shorn,  47,683;  number  of  fat  sheep  sold,  1,389;  average  weight  per 
head,  70  pounds;  number  of  cows  kept,  2,891;  pounds  of  butter 
sold,  30,941;  pounds  of  cheese  sold,  725;  gallons  of  cream  sold,  196; 
gallons  ot  milk  sold,  10,288;  number  of  fat  cattle  sold,  3,965,  aver- 
age weight  per  head,  945  pounds;  total,  3,745,527  pounds;  hogs, 
number  sold,  36,578;  average  weight  per  head,  240  pounds;  total, 
8,676,516  pounds;  number  of  hogs  and  pigs  died  of  cholera,  30,811; 
average  weight  per  head,  35  pounds;  total  number  of  pounds, 
1,070;901.  Number  of  bushels  of  timothy  seed  produced,  265; 
clover  seed,  1,827  bushels;  Hungarian  and  millet  seed,  33  bushels; 
number  of  pounds  of  grapes,  48,300. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY, 


9ia 


S' 


00  CO  00  GOOD  00  00  00  00  00  GO  00  CO  I 
CDQO-:iOsa(*i.COti>i-iOOCO-3  I 


r—  r—  ^'r—^'h— -r— -r— -r— -r— ■  ^—  r— 

Ol-^M-t-^l—tOtOOM-O  h-«-l-t| 

-3  to  OS -:i  CD  o  fco  C5  to  or       <©  C5  I 

f»d^  ^"^  ^T  ^b*»  '     L    x-.^   ,^^  ,-^   !»*>   f^,  jvn   I N      I 

CO  tt^  I 


— ^  »\J  us  — ^  'iJ  t_P   tW  (Ji   CiJ   *-" 

CDO-^ir0h-^C5OCSt0O 

05Cococc0^f*■to<:DC>■^co 


lo  CO  CO  to  to  ip  to  to  to  H^  to  h-i 

l->.|-».  )-t  to  to  h^  C7(  O  1-^  GO  H-^  OD 

oa -3  to -3  or  o  oi  CO  CO  CO  h-^  oo 

CO  Oi  1-^  O  05  o -^  oi  ^fi- Oi  toco 

or  to  CO  00  H-^  H-^  O  h-t- GO  CO  ht^  >K 


ij-iH-th-il-ii-iGOODO 
*■  CO  if!^  Cl  Ot  GO 

hF>-  CO  rf^ 
h-^-3CO 


3  l_L  l_L  05 
J  CO  00  CJI 
..  !-*■  CJI  GO 

J  o  -a  OD 


ht^  to  to  o 
-3S5i^  to 
-^  h-»-  or  O 

00  05  CJf  en 


>4^  C7(  M^ 

CO  to  oo 

CI  en  o 
to  o  o 


rf^  ^^.C^ 
or  -q  oi 

en  CO  C7( 

Oi  to  OS 


CO  O  to  ^P' 
OOrf^-3-3 
to  Ol  Oi  to 

to  CO  o  ^^^ 


GO-;? 

Ol  05 

to  o 


rf^  rfi>-  ht»- 

OS  05  o 
I-*-  to  GO 

O  or  GO 


hJ^ 


fe 


Ol 


^^  CO  i^co 
Oi  CO  O  f:© 

en  -^  fp-  GO 

O  CO  O  C7t 


OS  O 

>pi^  to 


0  05  OS  en  c 

5  CO  W-O!  <: 


Horses. 


Average  Value. 


Cattle. 


Average  Value, 


Sheep. 


Hogs. 


Carriages  &  Wagons 


Pianos. 


to  to  to  CO  CO  to 

O  CO  <:o 

o  en  CD 

CO  H-^  t*^ 
-Q  OOD 
t2  oo 


CO  CD  CD 
-^Oi-^ 
CD  CI  to 
hfi-Orf^ 
-30  -Q 


to  CO  CO  CO 
GOO  1-^  O 
'-^  '-'1  OS  GO 
—  ^-  )4^  CO 

CO  ot  coo 

CDO  GS  O 


COCO 
O  CO 

OD  or 
coot 


to  to  to  to  l-L  to  to  to  t-*  h-i.  )-t  I--- 

to  to  H^  o -3  I— t  to  o  CO  GO  coos 

CO  o  OS  Ol  OS  h^i- hjiw  CD  h^^ -3  en  OS 

CI  i_i  (:o  CD  OS  OS  OS  en  CO  to  --3  or 

CO  OS  CO  to  O  OS  OS  CO  to  I---  f*^  GO 

corfi>.eno^f;..-30i-JOo-3  encn 


Acres  of  Improved 
Land, 


Acres  of  Unimproved 
Land. 


OS  OS  OS  —5 
O  CO  CO  CD 

CO  o  to  o 
o  o  OS  c;fT 

O  1-^  !-»■  to 
OS  to  h-  rf^ 
00  ^^^-:t  O 


00  CO  1-1. 
CS  OS  hfa. 
hfxOS  OD 

H-i-  CO  OS 
to  -3  OS 

oo  or  OS 


to  to  to 

ODOO-3 
OS  CD  1-^ 
hp^-'  ot 
CSO»  o 
to  ^CD 
-ClOT  CO 


to  to 

>^Q0 
to  to  I 


Total  Value  of  Land 


to  to  to  CO  CO  )^i>- t-J- »-»■  H-L  H-1- 

coi-^cncDCOcn-3tococoen 

OS-:iCOtOOStOtOOS-30DI-L 

osi-»-en-30si-»--QOso-3cn 

COGOGOI-ttOCOCnGDi^i-^l^ 
CDOlCDOSOOCn-31-i-OOGOO 

rfi^csoirf^cncoht^cocnrf^rf^ 

OOOOOOOOOOO 
OOOOOOOOOOO 


Total  Value  of  Per- 
sonal  Property. 


-5  0S  -^ 
to  h^  to 
0?ht>-  GO 

HA  en  h-^ 

00)4^00 
-3 -3  to 


OS  CO  t-i  CO  to  H-i 

cooo  h-^  -30  en 

CO  OS  *^  O  O  i4^ 


CO  CD  O 

OS  *-^  to 

t-i  OS  H-^ 

00 -3  c:^ 

h4^C0  CO 
GO  OS  CD 
COCO  to 


l-i  to  >P^  -3 
OS  GO  CO  CO 

en  CO  O  hf^ 

GO  rf^GO  O 
00  J^  CO  to 

-3  en  -^  CO 
OS  to  00  o 


O  OD  OS 
l-i.  CO  -^ 
OS  CO  -3 

rfs.  en  CD 

-^-30 
-30  CO 


C7T  iji^  en 
I— I  I— ^  o 
en  en  CD 
to  ts  to 

GO  -3  00 
OS  CD  to 


CO  O  CO 
to  O  00 

0  o-^ 

l-ACD-3 

01  CO  CD 


rfi.  OS  CD 
CO  CO  GO 
O  -3  CD 


"3  OS  M^ 
O  -^  CD 
00  00  OS 

ht^cn  00 

-3  -^  M' 


OS  OS 

I—  t^i- 

GO -3 

OS  o 
CO  OS 


Total  Assessed 
Value  of  all  Property 


Acres  of  Corn. 


CD  -3  -3 
CO  CD  to 

CO  or  00 

-3  to  -3 
^^  M'  H^ 
cc  oo  CO 
-3f5^CO 

en  CD  ::3 

GO  OS  GO 
*30  to 


-3  CD  -3 

en  or  CD 

-3  CO  CD 

en  ooo 

OS  Ol  hf^ 


-3  OS  en 
I— t  CO  en 

f-i  to  -3 
Ot  OCD 
H-^  QO  -3 


or  CO 

M- to 
Ol  CD 
CO  CD 
-3  "3 


Acres  of  Wheat. 


CO  CO  to 
CO  rfi^  CO 
OS  en  OS 

h{^  CO  en 

-3  CO  (-'■ 


to  en  CO 

)-^00>-^ 
-^CO  Hi 

oocn 


Acres  Other  Products 


w 

CD 

p. 
o 

o 
> 

CO 
CD 

CD 
CD 

CD 

o 


o 


i2| 
o 

CD 


914 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE    CO0NTT. 


TABLE    OF    DISTANCES. 

On  the  next  page  is  -given  a  table  of  distances  between  all  the 
towns  of  this  county,  in  a  condensed  and  available  form.  The  names 
of  the  places  are  given  in  alphabetical  order  (except  one  in  each), 
and  the  table  is  arranged  like  the  multiplication  tables  of  the  old 
arithmetics  of  our  school  days  in  pioneer  times.  Therefore,  to 
find  the  distance  from  any  one  place  to  another,  you  trace  the 
column  of  figures  running  out  from  each  until  they  meet;  the  num- 
ber at  that  point  is  the  number  of  miles  by  wagon  road,  counting  on  a 
level,  as  surveyors  of  land  do,  between  the  two  designated  points. 


'O5j^_ooooc 


Valley  City. 


•-o  rf^oo>:i-ctascoosh 


5  tS  00  >j^  M=^  go  C 


Time. 


^hStf^oiccaiOiaiz 


tjummer  Hill. 


I  rf^  or  00  00  h^  CO  »■ 


Stewart. 


Rockport. 


5  ta  00  to  ':d  CJT  CO  c 


Pleasant  Hill. 


^oicDcD-^a»t>DO»i-^osgo<; 


Pittafield. 


Perry  Springs. 


Perry. 


.►f.-tOl-'  ! 


Pearl. 


5  05  C5  -Ci  CS  t-^  C 


New  Salem. 


^  C?T  Oi  or  >4s.  00  c 


5  -;i  00  c;!  i-t  ri 


New  Hartford 


New  Canton. 


Nebo. 


Montezuma. 


Milton. 


fc^OOh^^^C7^C7lOlOOC 


Maysville. 


Martinsburg. 


Kinderbook. 


Hull's. 


Griggsville 


Florence. 


Eldara. 


East  Hannibal 


Detroit. 


Cool  Bank. 


Chbwrow. 


Cbambersb'rg 


Bedford. 

Baylis. 

Barry. 


HISTORY    OF    PIKE   COUNTY. 


915 


Q 


S-g.p  i?  S.^  S  ^  d   c  S  S  5  S  »<lq  -B   f=  ?  a  £  3  ff 


BBS. 

E-»  e^  p. 


CO 

s 


o 


1^0.  Males  under  31. 


0  05  GO 
CD  03  hf=^ 


CO  O 


CK  to  CO  CO 
tOOGDO 
00I-'  Ot  Oi 


4^  CO  V-L 
>-J-  Ot  Oi 
05  to  CD 


CO  CO  to  C 
>4i>-rf^CDC 
to  CTT  05  C 


SCO  CO  to 
>  to  -^O 


No.Females  under  21, 


i  CO  0-3rf«- 
7  00  >fi>.  tfa.  GO 


-3-^  to 

gp  to  en 


OS  -q  Oi 
Oi  O  to 
OT  to  h-^ 


1-^  fcOCS 
CO  CO  1-^ 


to  o 

-3  Ol 


I  Total     No,  Persons 
under  21. 


ODl-^tOOCO^hfi^OGDGOOOCO^-^CDGOCO-QC^OOCO 


g  5;  I  Whole  No.  Districts. 


^      ^^.  i4^  00  a;  1-1. 
00  en -CI  i-i- OS  GO  00 

O6  >->-  CT  O  W-  O  rfit- 


^  05  OS  M-  c 
•.  H-i-  Ot  h-i-  c 
;  t<)  hfa^CO  t 


7  CO  GO  CO 


fcO  CO  to 
-:i05  r^ 
h-*- to  OS 


hf^OS 
OS  OS 


Whole     No. 
Enrolled. 


Pupils 


CD  h-i  00  -:i  -3  OS  CO-CO  CSGOOM-OD        OS--3l-i-OtOt-3as 


^3  I  No.  Male  Teachers. 


01  )->■  M^Co^f^ocog0^f^-^^(OICoos       ocnoicDCo-Jft^ 


gcD  I  No  .Female  Teachers, 


en  CO  O -3  go -3  H^  O  GO  "Ci  00  CO -3 -:t  CO  O  CO -^  Ol         CO  O  hpa. 


1:^  I  No.  School-houses. 


CO  M-*:! 
OS  h-i  O 
01  CO  OS 
to  CO  ClI 


CO  hl^  OS  to 
h-i-  to  to  o 

hfi-CCOOO 
to  OS  1-^  o 


OS  h^i^  O!  rf^  CO  rf*.  CO  t-"- h-i- to  CO  OS  CO  O  CO 
OOH^-^I-SOOS-SCOOOOCOOTgDOGOco 
to  OS  to  rfi-  OS  -3  CO'CJI  tO-Jt-^COh-'.Oh-'-os 
GOCOOSCOCD-^tOOlOOOOOltOCOOl-^i-i. 

50000000000000000 

5  o  o  o  o  000000000000 


Total  Receipts  for 
Year  Ending  Sept. 
30,  1878. 


o 
o 

I— ( 
GO 

o 

GQ 


to    to  to  h-i  CO  h-J- to  to  CO  to    M-    H-i- Ol    t-"- l-i  tO  t-^  Cl  oj 

0*^0'COOO-^tO-qCOh-^t4^0SCDt3COtO*3GOCOODCOl-i-ci, 
-q^iK  QOhti-OiCOOCOOGSCn-^OOOll— '0-30t0-3i— '■OScO) 

coOTh^oicoo-^faDto-^osoi-^toocoococnoooiOTZa 

00000000000000000000000 
0000000  0000000000000000 


Am't  Paid  Teachers. 


COC^  OS 
CO  to  o 
rf^GOht^ 


coOTi-'CJTCOht'-cofcoco       coco       tOtOCOtOGOcjal 

OlOSCOrfi*rfi^tOCn-:iCOCJtCOI-^COOCO>4i'l-'-COco 
ODCO-3CO)ii.-^l-*-l-i-l-».OShfxCOOSCOCOQO|^OSco 
OSOlOSCsCOOOSOS-^-^l-^OOSCDl-iCOOSw'foi 


Total  Expenses,  1878 


5000 

?ooo 


00 
00 


oooooooooc 
o  00000000c 


to  h-L  o 
h-i- to  to 

OTOOT 
OOi-' 


tOOO  -3  I-*- 

CO  oo>  O 
cm  OO'  o 
0000 


en  o  en 
000 

5000  < 

^ooo<: 


to  to 

CD  CO 

coo 
en  o 


OSCOI->-)-»-tO-5hl^CO 
rii^OSOSGOhP>-CnGOGO 

cncnosotoocncn 
00000000 

00000000 
00000000 


oS 

Ooi 
Oos 

00 
00 


i_L  j-i  !-•■  to  >-'■  !-»■  ht>.  to  1-^  rf^  h-^  >P^  hf^         to  l-i- rfi»- M  CD  CO 

-q  "ciT      en  h-t-cn  ^oarosotocDOsos^t-toGOto^cooso^c^T 

jfc^Cn         cDCD--3COOer(Oh^COtOCDCOtOCnOlCOCDCDtg-h-i 

CTcn   o^h^-^-^-^otooentOGOh4^0TCDCO-:icnoo::S 


00 

00 


00000000000000000000 
00000000000000000000 


Cnrfi^OSOS-QtOhf^GOCnOO)^CS 

OOtocn-^cncncnoooooT 

0000000000000 
0000000000000 


cn*-rf!>-osCn-3-3i-^cn 
enocnoooooo 

000000000 
000000000 


cocorfi^cocnrfi'rfs-rfi^cohfi-i^coh^ 
CKcnCTOCfcnocn-^enocno 

0000000000000 
0000000000000 


rfi.OT*^t^COCOi4:^OSi^ 

ocncnocnootoo 


to^i^co^^cc■^^^^^oeoo^col^to 
cnooocnoH-iocKOenoen 

0000000000000 
ooooo>oooooooo 


tOCCht^'rf^COtOhti'-tOtO 

ooocnocnoenen 

000000000 
000000000 


tOCOtOtOtOtOtOH-^tOtOh-i-tOtO 

OOTOCntooencnOTCTiGDcnen 

0000000000000 
ooooooooooooo 


tototototoi-1-tototo 

toooocn-3encoo 

000000000 
000000000 


Value  of  School 
Property. 


Principal    of    Town 

ship  Fund. 


Highest  Monthly- 
Wages  Paid 
Male  Teachers. 


Highest  Monthly 

Wages  Paid 
Female   Teachers. 


Lowest   Monthly 
Wages  Paid 
Male  Teachers. 


Lowest    Monthly 
Wages  Paid 
Female    Teachers . 


916  HISTORY    OF    PIKE    COUNTY. 

PIKE   COUNTY  AGEICULTUEAL  BOARD. 

The  "  Pike  County  Agricultural  Society  "  was  organized  March 
16,  1852,  at  Pittsfield.  D."  B.  Bash  was  called  to  the  chair  and 
Henry  T.  Mudd  was  chosen  Secretary.  A  constitution  was  adopted, 
under  which  Michael  J.  Noyes  was  elected  the  first  President.  In 
June  following  resolutions  were  passed  urging  upon  the  Legislature 
of  the  State  the  necessity  of  encouraging  agriculture,  and  of  estah- 
lishing  Agricultural  Schools,  and  recommending  that  model  farms 
be  immediately  purchased  or  reserved  from  sale  out  of  the  lands 
given  to  the  State,  on  which  these  schools  should  be  established,  etc. 

In  order  to  avail  themselves  of  the  benefit  of  the  act  of  1871  con- 
cerning the  re-organization  of  County  Agricultural  Societies,  in 
conformity  to  an  act  to  create  a  Department  of  Agriculture,  the 
name  of  the  society  was  changed  to  "  The  Pike  County  Agricultural 
Board,"  electing  E.  M.  Seeley,  President,  and  W.  H.  Johnston, 
Secretary,  and  other  oflacers. 

This  organization  has  held  a  fair  every  year  since  its  formation. 
It  first  enclosed  and  furnished  a  fair  ground  in  1858.  Before  that 
the  fairs  were  held  in  the  open  woods,  when  no  admission  fee  could 
be  charged.  Expenses  were  defrayed  by  subscriptions.  All  the 
fairs  have  been  held  at  Pittsfield  except  one,  which  was  at  Griggs- 
ville.  The  ground  is  just  south  of  Pittsfield,  and  comprises  nearly 
25  acres.     It  is  a  fine  enclosure. 

TheoflScers  for  1879  were:  Allen  0.  Kush,  President;  John 
Whittleton,  Yice- President;  J.  H.  Crane,'  Secretary;  S.  Grigsby, 
Treasurer.  Directors — C.  B.  Dustin,  Frank  Zerenberg,  Allen  0. 
Kush,  N.  P.  Hart,  Wm.  K.  Wills,  Dan  Bates,  Geor-ge  Watson,  E. 
N.  French  and  Henry  Hall. 

The  28th  annual  fair  was  held  in  September,  1879,  continuing 
four  consecutive  days.  The  total  of  the  premium  list  ofiered  is 
$5,000. 

The  society  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition. 


iZ/r     C^'      feS^^^^. 


HADLEY    TF 


DIGEST  OF  STATE  LAWS. 


LAWS. 

The  courts  recognize  two  kinds  of  law,  Statute  and  Common. 
Statute  law  is  that  which  is  enacted  by  the  Legislature.  Oommon 
law  consists  of  all  the  law  of  England, — whether  Statute,  or  Com- 
mon, which  was  in  force  in  that  country  at  the  time  of  our  inde- 
pendence, and  recognized  by  our  courts,  and  which  has  not  since 
been  repealed  or  disused.  * 

We  have  what  is  called  established  law.  For  this  branch  of 
common  law  there  is  no  authority  excepting  the  decisions  of  the 
courts;  hence  the  value  of  the  reported  decisions  which  are  pub- 
lished by  official  reporters.  The  law  presumes  that  every  body  is 
acquainted  with  it.  Mistakes  of  fact  can  be  corrected  by  the  courts, 
but  not  mistakes  of  law;  no  man  being  permitted  to  take  advantage 
of  a  mistake  of  the  law,  either  to  enforce  a  right,  or  avoid  an  obli- 
gation; for  it  would  be  dangerous  and  unwise  to  encourage  igno- 
rance of  the  law,  by  permitting  a  party  to  profit,  or  to  escape,  by  his 
ignorance.  One  is  required  at  his  peril  to  know  the  law  of  his  own 
country. 

JURISDICTION  OF  COURTS. 

Justices  have  jurisdiction  in  all  civil  cases  on  contracts  for  the 
recovery  of  moneys  for  damages,  for  injury  to  real  property,  or  tak- 
ing, detaining,  or  injuring  personal  property;  for  rent;  for  all  cases 
to  recover  damages  done  to  real  or  personal  property,  by  railroad 
companies;  in  actions  of  replevin;  of  actions  for  damages  for  fraud; 
in  the  sale,  purchase,  or  exchange  of  personal  property,  when  the 
amount  claimed  as  due  is  not  over  $200.  They  have  also  jurisdic- 
tion in  all  cases  for  violation  of  the  ordinances  of  cities,  towns,  or 
villages.  A  justice  of  the  peace  may  orally  order  an  officer  or  a 
private  person,  to  arrest  any  one  committing,  or  attempting  to  com- 
mit a  criminal  offense.  He  also,  upon  complaint,  can  issue  his 
warrant  for  the  arrest  of  any  person  accused  of  having  committed  a 
crime,  and  have  him  brought  before  him  for  examination. 


920  DIGEST   OF    STATE    LAWS. 

COUNTT  COURTS   . 

Have  jurisdiction  in  all  matters  of  probate  (except  in  counties 
having  a  population  of  one  hundred  thousand  or  over ),  settlement 
of  estates  of  deceased  persons,  appointment  of  guardians  and  con- 
servators, and  settlements  of  their  accounts;  all  matters  relating  to 
apprentices;  proceedings  for  the  collection  of  taxes  and  assesments, 
and  in  proceedings  of  executors,  administrators,  guardians,  and 
conservators,  for  the  sale  of  real  estate.  In  law  cases,  they  have 
concurrent  jurisdiction  with  Circuit  Courts  in  all  cases  where  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  now  have,  or  hereafter  may  have,  jurisdiction 
when  the  amount  claimed  shall  not  exceed  $1,000;  and  in  all  crim- 
inal offenses,  where  the  punishment  is  not  imprisonment  in  the  pen- 
itentiary or  death,  and  in  all  cases  of  appeals  from  justices  of  peace 
and  police  magistrates,  except  when  the  county  judge  is  sitting  as 
a  justice  of  the  peace. 

Circuit  Courts  have  unlimited  jurisdiction. 

COMMISSIONERS  OF  HIGHWAYS. 

The  commissioners  of  highways  in  the  different  towns,  have 
the  care  and  superintendence  of  highways,  and  bridges  therein. 
They  have  the  power  to  lay  out,  vacate,  regulate  and  repair  all  roads,, 
build  and  repair  bridges,  and  divide  their  respective  towns  into  as 
many  road  districts  as  they  shall  think  convenient.  This  is  to  be 
done  annually,  and  ten  days  before  the  annual  town  meeting.  In 
addition  to  the  above,  it  is  their  duty  to  erect  and  keep  in  repairs 
at  the  forks  or  crossing-place  of  the  most  important  roads,  post  and 
guide-boards,  with  plain  inscriptions,  giving  directions  and  dis- 
tances to  the  most  noted  places  to  which  such  roads  may  lead;  also 
to  make  provisions  to  prevent  thistles,  burdock,  cockle-burs,  mus- 
tard, yellow  dock,  Indian  mallow,  and  jimson  weed  from  seeding^ 
and  to  extirpate  the  same  as  far  as  practicable,  and  to  prevent  all 
rank  growth  of  vegetation  on  the  public  highways,  so  far  as  the 
same  may  obstruct  public  travel;  and  it  is  in  their  discretion  to 
erect  watering  places  for  public  use,  for  watering  teams  at  such 
points  as  may  be  deemed  advisable.  Every  able-bodied  male  inhab- 
itant, being  above  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  and  under  fifty,  ex- 
cepting paupers,  idiots,  lunatics,  trustees  of  schools  and  school  di- 
rectors, and  such  others  as  are  exempt  by  law,  are  required  to  labor 
on  highways  in  their  respective  road  districts,  not  less  than  one. 


DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS.  921 

nor  more  tHan  three  days  in  each  year.  Three  days'  notice  must 
be  given  by  the  overseer,  of  the  time  and  place  he  requires  such 
road  labor  to  be  done.  The  labor  mi;st  be  performed  in  the  road 
district  in  which  the  person  resides.  Any  person  may  commute 
for  such  labor  by  paying  the  equivalent  in  money.  Any  person 
liable  for  work  on  highways,  who  has  been  assessed  two  days  or 
more,  and  has  not  commuted,  may  be  required  to  furnish  team,  or 
a  cart,  wagon  or  plow,  with  a  pair  of  horses  or  oxen  and  a  man  to 
manage  them,  for  which  he  will  be  entitled  to  two  days'  work. 
Eight  hourss  is  a  days'  work  on  the  roads  and  there  is  a  penalty  of 
twenty-five  cents  an  hour  against  any  person  or  substitute  who 
shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  perform.  Any  person  remaining  idle,  or 
does  not  work  faithfully,  or  hinders  others  from  doing  so,  forfeits 
to  the  town  $2,  Every  person  assessed  and  duly  notified,  who  has 
not  commuted,  and  refuses  or  neglects  to  appear,  shall  forfeit  to  the 
town  for  every  day's  refusal  or  neglect,  the  sum  of  $2;  if  he  was 
required  to  furnish  a  team,  carriage,  man  or  implements,  and  neg- 
lects or  refuses  to  comply,  he  is  liable  to  the  following  fines:  1st, 
For  wholly  failing  to  comply,  $4  each  day;  2d,  For  omitting  to 
furnish  a  man  to  manage  team,  $2  each  day;  3d,  For  omitting  to 
furnish  a  pair  of  horses  or  oxen,  $1.50  each  day;  4th,  For  omitting 
to  furnish  a  wagon,  cart  or  plow,  75  cents  each  day.  The  commis- 
sioners estimate  and  assess  the  highway  labor  and  road  tax.  The 
road  tax  on  real  and  personal  property  can  not  exceed  forty  cents 
on  each  hundred-dollars'  worth.  The  labor  or  road  tax  in  villages, 
towns  or  cities,  is  paid  over  to  the  corporate  authorities  of  such, 
for  the  improvement  of  streets,  roads  and  bridges  within  their  lim- 
its. 

The  legal  voters  of  townships,  in  counties  under  township  organ- 
ization may,  by  a  majority  vote,  at  their  annual  town  meeting, 
order  that  the  road  tax  may  be  collected  in  money  only. 

Overseers. — Their  duties  are  to  repair  and  keep  in  order  the  high- 
ways in  their  districts ;  to  warn  persons  to  work  out  their  road  tax 
at  such  time  and  place  as  they  think  proper;  to  collect  fines  and 
commutation  money,  and  execute  all  lawful  orders  of  the  commis- 
•sioners  of  highways;  also  make  list,  within  sixteen  days  after  their 
election,  of  the  names  of  all  inhabitants  in  his  road  district,  liable 
to  work  on  highways.  For  refusal  to  perform  any  of  his  duties  he 
is  liable  to  a  fine  of  $10. 


922  DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS. 

As  all  township  and  county  officers  are  familiar  with  their  duties, 
it  is  here  intended  only  to  give  the  points  of  law  with  which  the 
public  should  be  familiar.  The  manner  of  laying  out,  altering,  or 
vacating  roads,  etc.,  will  not  be  here  stated,  as  it  would  require 
more  space  than  can  be  spared  in  a  work  like  this.  It  is  sufficient 
to  state  that  the  first  step  is  by.  petition,  addressed  to  the  commis- 
sioners, setting  out  what  is  prayed  for,  giving  the  names  of  the 
owners  of  the  lands,  if  known  (if  not  known,  so  state),  over  which  the 
road  is  to  pass,  giving  the  general  jeourse,  its  place  of  beginning, 
and  where  it  terminates.  It  requires  not  less  than  twelve  freehold- 
ers residing  within  three  miles  of  the  road,  who  shall  sign  the  peti- 
tion. Public  roads  must  not  be  less  than  fifty,  nor  more  than  sixty 
feet  wide.  Eoads  not  exceeding  two  miles  in  length,  if  petitioned 
for,  may  be  laid  out  not  less  than  forty  feet  wide.  Private  roads 
for  private  and  public  use  may  be  laid  out  three  rods  wide,  on  peti- 
tion of  the  pei'son  directly  interested;  the  damage  occasioned  there- 
by shall  be  paid  by  the  premises  benefited  thereby,  and  before  the 
road  is  opened.  If  not  opened  in  two  years,  the  order  shall  be  con- 
sidered recinded.  Commissioners  in  their  discretion  may  permit 
persons  who  live  on  or  have  private  roads,  to  work  out  their  road 
tax  thereon.  Public  roads  must  be  opened  in  five  years  from  date 
of  filing  order  of  location,  or  be  deemed  vacated. 

FENCES.  ' 

The  town  assessor  and  commissioners  of  highways  shall  be  fence 
viewers  in  their  respective  towns  in  counties  under  township  organ- 
ization. In  other  counties,  the  county  board  appoints  three  in  each 
precinct,  annually. 

A  lawful  fence  is  four  and  one-half  feet  high  and  in  good-repair, 
consisting  of  rails,  timbers,  boards,  stones,  hedges,  or  any  other 
material  the  fence  viewers  may  deem  sufficient.  The  electors  at 
any  annual  town  meeting  may  determine  what  shall  constitute  a 
legal  fence  in  the  town. 

Division  fences  shall  be  made  and  maintained  in  just  proportion 
by  the  adjoining  owners,  except  where  the  owner  shall  choose  to  let 
his  land  lie  open ;  but  after  a  division  fence  has  been  built  by  niu-  _ 
tual  agreement  or  otherwise,  it  shall  not  be  lawful  for  either  party 
to  remove  his  part  of  said  fence,  so  long  as  he  may  crop  or  use  such 
lands  for  farm  purposes,  or  without  giving  the  other  party  one 
year's  notice  in  writing,  of  his  intention  to  move  his  portion  of  the 


DIGEST    OF    STATE  LAWS.  923 

fence.  Adjoining  owners  should  endeavor,  if  possible,  mutually  to 
agree  as  to  the  proportion  that  each  shall  maintain  of  the  division 
fence  between  their  adjoining  lands;  and  the  agreement  should  be 
reduced  to  writing,  each  party,  taking  a  copy.  When  any  person 
shall  enclose  his  land  upon  the  enclosure  of  another,  he  shall  refund 
the  owner  of  the  adjoining  lands  a  just  proportion  of  the  value  at 
that  time  of  such  fence.  The  value  of  such  fence,  and  the  propor- 
tion thereof  to  be  paid  by  such  person,  and  the  proportion  of  the 
division  fence  to  be  made  aijd  maintained  by  him,  in  case  of  his 
inclosing  his  land,  shall  be  determined  by  two  fence  viewers  of  the 
town.  Such  fence  viewers  have  power  to  settle  all  disputes  between 
owners  as  to  fences  built  or  to  be  built,  as  well  as  con,cerning  repairs 
to  be  made.  Each  party  chooses  one  of  the  viewers,  but  if  the 
other  party  neglects,  after  eight  days'  notice  in  writing,  to  make 
his  choice,  then  the  other  party  may  select  both.  It  is  sufficient  to 
notify  the  tenant,  or  party  in  possession,  when  the  owner  is  not  a 
resident  of  the  town  in  which  such  fences  are  situated.  The  two 
fence  viewers  chosen,  after  viewing  the  premises,  shall  hear  the 
statements  of  the  parties.  In  case  they  can't  agree,  they  shall  se- 
lect another  fence  viewer  to  act  with  them,  and  the  decision  of  any 
two  of  them  shall  be  final.  The  decision  must  be  reduced  to  writ- 
ing, and  should  plainly  set  out  a  description  of  the  fence  and  all 
matters  settled  by  them,  and  must  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  town 
clerk. 

If  any  person  who  is  liable  to  contribute  to  the  erection  or  repa- 
ration of  a  division  fence,  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  make  or  repair 
his  proportion  of  such  fence,  the  party  injured,after  giving  sixty  days' 
notice,  in  writing,  that  a  new  fence  should  be  erected,  or  ten  days' 
notice,  in  writing,  that  the  repair  of  such  fence  is  necessary,  may 
make  or  repair  the  same  at  the  expense  of  the  party  so  neglecting 
or  refusing,  to  be  recovered  from  him  with  costs  of  suit;  and  the 
party  so  neglecting  or  refusing,  after  notice  in  writing,  shall  be  lia- 
ble to  the  party  injured  for  all  damages  which  shall  thereby  accrue, 
to  be  determined  by  any  two  fence  viewers.  "When  a  person  shall 
conclude  to  remove  his  part  of  the  division  fence  and  let  his  land 
lie  open,  and  having  given  the  year's  notice  required,  the  adjoining 
owner  may  cause  the  value  of  said  fence  to  be  ascertained  by  fence 
viewers  as  before  provided ;  and  on  payment  or  tender  of  the 
amount  of  such  valuation  to  the  owner,  it  shall  prevent  the  removal. 


924  DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS. 

A  party  removing  a  division  fence  without  notice  is  liable  for  the 
damages  accruing  thereby. 

Where  a  fence  has  been  built  on  the  land  of  another  through 
mistake,  the  owner  may  enter  upon. such  premises  and  remove  his 
fence  and  material  within  six  months  after  the  division  line  has 
been  ascertained.  Where  the  material  to  build  such  a  fence  has 
been  taken  from  the  land  on  which  it  was  built,  then  before  it  can 
be  removed,  the  person  claiming  must  first  pay  for  such  material, 
to  the  owner  of  the  land  from  which  it  was  taken ;  nor  shall  such  a 
fence  be  removed  at  a  time  when  the  removal  will  throw  open  or 
expose  the  crops  of  the  other  party;  a  reasonable  time  must  be 
given  beyond  fhe  six  months  to  remove  crops. 

The  compensation  of  fence  viewers  is  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents 
a  day  each,  to  be  paid  in  the  first  instance  by  the  party  calling  them; 
but  in  the  end  all  expenses,  including  amount  charged  by  the  fence 
viewers,  must  be  paid  equally  by  the  parties,  except  in  cases  where 
a  pa,rty  neglects  or  refuses  to  make  or  maintain  a  just  proportion  of 
a  division  fence,  when  the  party  in  default  shall  pay  them. 

DKAIMGE. 

Whenever  one  or  more  owners  or  occupants  of  land  desire  to  con- 
struct a  drain  or  ditch,  through  another  man's  land,  the  right  can 
be  had  only  under  legislative  authority,  or  is  granted  or  exists  by 
prescription  or  by  consent  of  the  owner. 

Dripping  water  from  one  house  upon  Another  can  be  allowed  only 
where  the  owner  has  acquired  the  right  by  grant  or  prescription; 
and  no  one  has  a  fight  to  construct  his  house  so  as  to  let  the  water 
drip  over  his  neighbor's  land. 

TRESPASS  OF  STOCK. 

Where  stock  of  any  kind  breaks  into  any  person's  inclosure,  the 
fence  being  good  and  sufiicient,-the  owner  is  liable  for  the  damage 
done;  but  where  the  damage  is  done  by  stock  running  at  large,  con- 
trary to  law,  the  owner  is  liable  where  there  is  not  such  a  fence. 
Where  stock  is  found  trespassing  on  the  inclosure  of  another  as 
aforesaid,  the  owner  or  occupier  of  the  premises  may  take  posses- 
sion of  such  stock  and  keep  the  same  until  damages,  with  reasonable 
charges  for  keeping  and  feeding,  and  all  costs  of  suit,  are  paid. 
Any  person  taking  or  rescuing  such  stock  so  held,  without  his  con- 
sent, shall  be  liable  to  a  fine  of  not  less  than  three  nor  more  than 


DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS.  925 

-Qye  dollars  for  each  animal  rescued,  to  be  recovered  by  suit  before 
a  justice  of  the  peace,  for  the  use  of  the  school  fund.  Within  twen- 
ty-four hours  after  taking  such  animalinto  his  possession,  the  per- 
son taking  it  up  must  give  notice  of  the  fact  to  the  owner,  if  known ; 
or  if  unknown,  notice  must  be  posted  in  some  public  place  near  the 
premises. 

ESTKATS. 
Stray  animals  are  those  whose  owner  is  unknown,  any  beasts,  not 
wild,  found  on  one's  premises,  and  not  owned  by  the  occupant.  Any 
animals  found  straying  at  any  time  during  the  year,  in  counties 
where  such  animals  are  not  allowed  to  run  at  large,  or  between  the 
last  day  of  October  and  the  15th  day  of  April  in  other  counties,  the 
owner  being  unknown,  may  be  taken  up  as  estrays.  A  party  who 
wishes  to  detain  property  as  an  estray,  must  show  an  exact  compli- 
ance with  the  law.  In  order  to  vest  the  property  of  the  stray  in 
him,  such  acts  must  appear  in  detail  on  the  record. 

No  person  not  a  householder  in  the  county  where  the  estray  is 
found  can  lawfully  take  up  an  estray,  and  then  only  upon  or  about 
his  farm  or  place  of  residence.  Estrays  should  not  be  used  before 
advertised,  except  animals  giving  milk,  which  may  be  milked  for 
their  benefit.  Notices  must  be  posted  up  within  five  days  in  three, 
of  the  most  public  places  in  the  town  or  precinct  in  which  the  es- 
tray was  found,  giving  the  residence  of  the  taker-up,  and  a  partic- 
ular description  of  the  estray,  its  age,  color,  and  marks  natural  and 
artificial,  and  stating  before  what  justice  of  the  peace  in  such  town 
or  precinct,  and  at  what  time,  not  less  than  ten  nor  more  than  fif- 
teen days  from  the  time  of  posting  such  notices,  he  will  apply  to 
have  the  estray  apprised.  If  the  owner  of  an  estray  shall  not  have 
appeared  and  proved  ownership  and  taken  the  same  away,  first 
paying  the  taker-up  his  reasonable  charges  for  taking  up,  keeping, 
•and  advertising  the  same,  the  taker-up  shall  appear  before  the  justice 
mentioned  in  above  notice,  and  make  an  aflSdavit  as  required  by 
law.  All  subsequent  proceedings  are  before  the  justice  who  is  fa- 
miliar therewith;  therefore  we  omit  them  here. 

Any  person  taking  up  an  estray  at  any  other  place  than  about  or 
upon  his  farm  or  residence,  or  without  complying  with  the  law,  shall 
forfeit  and  pay  a  fine  of  ten  dollars  with  costs.  Ordinary  diligence 
is  required  in  taking  care  of  estrays,  but  in  case  they  die  or  get 
away,  the  taker-up  is  not  liable  for  the  same. 


926 


DIGEST   OF    STATE    LAWS. 


If  a  man  finds  estrays  in  his  field  he  is  not  bound  to  retain  them 
for  the  owner,  but  may  drive  them  off'  into  the  highway  without 
being  liable  to  an  action.  But  a  person  who  chases  a  horse  out  of 
his  field  with  a  large  fierce  dog,  commits  an  unlawful  act,  and  is 
liable  for  any  injury  which  the  act  occasions.  A  person  who  takes 
anestray  to  keep  for  the  owner,  but  does  not  pursue  the  course  pre- 
scribed by  statute,  is  not  liable  to  an  action  unless  he  uses  the  same 
or  I'efuses  to  deliver  it  on  demand.  Riding  a  horse  to  discover  the 
owner  is  not  "use." 

HORSES 

Are  animals  of  a  domestic  nature.  Under  the  age  of  four  years 
they  are  called  colts.  A  borrower  of  ahorse  is  liable  ibr  negligence,, 
misuse,  or  gross  want  of  skill  in  use.  The  lender  is  liable  in  case 
the  animal  lent  is  unfit  or  dangerous,  as  he  thus  may  occasion 
injury.  The  animal  should  be  used  only  for  the  purpose  and  to  the 
extent  stipulated,  and  not  by  a  servant. 

If  he  dies  from  disease,  or  is  killed  by  inevitable  accident,  the  bor- 
rower is  not  liable.  Defects  which  are  manifest,  open  and  plain  to  an 
ordinary  observer,  and  those  also  which  are  known  to  the  buyer,  are 
not  usually  covered  by  a  general  warranty.  The  former  requires 
no  skill  to  discover  them,  and  the  latter  may  be  objected  to  or 
acquiesced  in  at  the  time  of  the  purchase.  In  the  case  of  latent 
defects  existing  in  such  a  condition  that  they  could  not  be  detected 
by  the  buyer,  and  are  known  to  the  seller,  who  fails  to  disclose  them 
to  the  buyer,  the  latter  practices  a  constructive  fraud,  unless  the 
animal  is  sold  "  with  all  faults."  By  consenting  to  purchase  the 
horse  "  with  all  faults,"  the  purchaser  takes  upon  himself  the  risk 
of  latent  or  secret  defects,  and  calculates  the  price  accordingly.. 
But  even  this  kind  of  a  purchase  would  be  voidable  if  the  seller 
had  purposely,  and  to  deceive  the  purchaser,  covered,  filled  up, 
patched,  plastered,  or  otherwise  practiced  fraud  to  conceal  any 
defects,  and  he  would  be  liable. 

Hiring  out  a  horse  and  carriage  to  perform  a  particular  journey, 
carries  with  it  the  warranty  of  the  person  letting  the  horse  and 
carriage,  that  each  of  them  is  fit  and  competent  for  such  journey; 
but,  if  a  horse  is  hired  for  one  purpose,  and  is  used  for  another  and 
is  injured,  the  hirer  is  liable  for  the  damage  sustained.  The  hirer 
is  in  all  cases  answerable  for  ordinary  neglect.  If  he  uses  the 
hired  horse  as  a  prudent  man  would  his  own,  he  is  not  liable  for 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS.  .927 

any  damage  which  the  horse  may  receive.  If,  however,  he  keeps 
the  hired  horse  after  a  stipulated  time,  or  uses  it  differently  from 
his  agreement,  he  is  in  any  event  liable.  If  the  hirer  sells  the  horse, 
the  owner  may  recover  its  value  of  the  purchaser,  though  the  pur- 
chaser had  in  good  faith  given  the  hirer  full  value  for  it,  as  the 
hirer  could  give  no  better  title  than  he  had  himself. 

Mischievous  animals  render  their  owners  liable  when  known  to 
them  to  be  so,  and  they  are  responsible  for  the  damage  they  may  do 
when  they  permit  them  to  go  at  large.  Any  person  may  justify 
the  killing  of  ferocious  animals. 

MARKS  ANIV  BRANDS. 

Owners  of  cattle,  horses,  hogs,  sheep  or  goats,  may  have  one  ear- 
mark and  one  brand,  which  shall  be  different  from  his  neighbors', 
and  may  be  recorded  by  the  county  clerk  of  the  county  in  which 
such  property  is  kept.  The  fee  for  such  record  is  fifteen  cents.  .The 
record  of  such  shall  be  open  to  examination  free  of  charge.  In 
cases  of  disputes  as  to  marks  or  brands,  such  record  is  prima-faoie 
evidence.  Owners  of  cattle,  horses,  hogs,  sheep  or  goats,  that  may 
have  been  branded  by  former  owners,  may  be  rebranded  in  presence 
of  one  or  more  of  his  neighbors,  who  shall  certify  to  the  facts  of 
the  marking  or  branding  being  done,  when  done,  and  in  what  brand 
or  mark  they  were  re-branded  or  re-marked,  which  certificate  may 
also  be  recorded  as  before  stated, 

ARTICLES  OF  AGREEMEJVT. 

An  agreement  is  virtually  a  contract  by  which  a  certain  person 
(or  persons)  agrees  or  contracts  to  perform  certain  duties  within  a 
specified  time.  Good  business  men  always  reduce  an  agreement  to 
writing,  which  nearly  always  saves  misunderstandings  and  long 
and  expensive  lawsuits.  No  particular  form  is  necessary,  but  the 
facts  must  be  clearly  and  explicitly  stated ;  and  there  must  be  a 
reasonable  consideration,  else  the  agreement  is  void. 

Unless  it  is  expressly  stipulated  that  the  agreement  is  binding  for 
a  longer  time,  the  contract  expires  at  the  end  of  one  year.  Every 
agreement  should  state  most  distinctly  the  time  within  which  its 
conditions  are  to  be  complied  with.  A  discovery  of  fraud,  or  mis- 
representation by  one  party  to  the  agreement,  or  changing  of  the 
date  renders  the  contract  void.  Each  party  should  retain  a  copy  of 
the  agreement. 


928  .  DIGEST   OF    STATE    LAWS. 

GENERAL  FORM  OF  AGEEEMENT. 

This  Agreement,  made  the  third  day  of  November,  1878,  between 
Damon  Clarke  of  Macomb,  county  of  McDonough,  State  of  Illinois, 
of  the  first  part,  and  William  Hays,  of  the  same  place,  of  the 
second  part. 

WITNESSETH,  That  the  said  Damon  Clarkte,  in  consideration  of 
the  agreement  of  the  pdrty  of  the  second  part,  hereinafter  contained, 
contracts,  and  agrees  to,  and  with  the  said  William  Hays,  that  he 
will  deliver  in  good  and  marketable  condition,  at  the  city  of  Gales- 
burg,  111.,  during  the  month  of  December  of  this  year,  nine  hun- 
dred bushels  of  corn,  in  the  following  lots,  and  at  the  following 
specified  times,  namely:  one  hundred  bushels  by  the  fifth  of  Decem- 
ber, three  hundred  bushels  by  the  fifteenth  of  December,  and  the 
balance  by  the  thirtieth  of  December. 

And  the  said  William  Hays  in  consideration  of  the  prompt  ful- 
fillment of  this  contract  on  the  part  of  the  party  of  the  second 
part,  contracts  to,  and  agrees  with  the  said  Damon  Clarke,  to  pay 
for  said  corn  fifty  cents  per  bushel  as  soon  as  delivered. 

In  case  of  failure  of  agreement  by  either  of  the  parties  hereto,  it 
is  hereby  stipulated  and  agreed  that  the  party  so  failing  shall  pay 
to  the  other,  one  hundred  dollars,  as  fixed  and  settled  damages. 

In  witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  the  day  and 
year  first  above  written :  Damon  Clarke, 

William  Hats. 

NOTES. 

A  note  is  legal,  worded  in  the  simplest  way,  so  that  the  amount 
and  time  of  payment  are  mentioned.    The  following  is  a  good  form: 
$100  Chicago,  III.,  May  1,  1879. 

Thirty  days  after  date  I  promise  to  pay  F.  M.  Chapmanj 
or  order,  one  hundred  dollars,  for  value  received. 

S.  T.  Lewis. 

To  make  a  note  payable  in  anything  else  than  money,  insert  the 
facts  instead  of  the  sum  of  money  alone;  unless  paid  when  due,  it 
is  payable  in  money.  To  hold  an  indorser  of  a  note,  due  diligence 
must  be  used  by  suit  in  collecting  of  the  maker,  unless  suit  would 
have  been  unavailing.  Notes  payable  to  person  named  or  to  order, 
in  order  to  absolutely  transfer  title,  must  be  indorsed  by  the  payer. 
Notes  payable  to  bearer  may  be  transferred  by  delivery,  and  when 
so  payable,  every  indorser  thereon  is  held  as  a  guarantor  of  pay- 
ment unless  otherwise  expressed. 

The  limit  of  time  in  which  action  may  be  brought  on  a  note  is 
10  years. 


DIGEST   OF    STATE    LAWS.  929 

If  the  note  is  payable  to  a  person  or  order,  or  to  a  person  or 
bearer,  to  a  person  or  his  assigns,  or  to  a  cashier  of  an  incorporated 
,  company,  such  notes  are  negotiable. 

When  transferring  a  note,  the  indorser  frees  himself  from  respon- 
sibility, so  far  as  the  payment  is  concerned,  by  writing  on  the  back, 
above  his  signature,  without  recourse  to  me  in  any  event. 

A  note  is  void  when  founded  upon  fraud.  Thus  a  note  obtained 
from  a  person  when  intoxicated,  or  obtained  for  any  reason  which 
is  illegal,  cannot  be  collected.     A  note  given  on  Sunday  is  also  void. 

No  defense  can  be  made  against  negotiable  paper  purchased 
before  maturity  for  good  consideration  in  the  usual  course  of  busi- 
ness, without  knowledge  of  facts  impeaching  its  validity,  except 
fraud  was  used  in  obtaining  the  same.  Thus  if  A  gives  his  note 
to  B  for  $150,  receives  in  consideration  a  shawl  and  five  pieces  of 
cloth.  The  former  was  represented  to  be  worth  $75,  and  the  cloth 
the  best  imported  English  goods.  When,  in  fac^  the  shawl  was 
only  worth  $8,  and  suits  made  of  the  cloth  wore  out  in  less  than 
six  weeks,  long  before  the  note  was  due.  B,  however,  had  sold  the 
note  to  C,  who  did  not  know  the  circumstances,  and  before  it  was 
due — A  would  be  obliged  to  pay  it. 

JUDGMENT  NOTE. 

For  value  received  I  promise  to  pay  Ewing  Summers,  of  Gales- 
burg,  or  order,  two  hundred  dollars,  with  interest,  on  the  first  day 
of  January  next.  And,  further,  I  do  hereby  empower  any  attorney 
of  any  court  of  record  in  Blinois,  or  elsewhere,  to  appear  for  me, 
and  after  a  declaration  filed  therefor,  to  confess  a  judgment  against 
me  in  the  above  sum,  as  of  last,  next,  or  any  subsequent  term,  with 
cost  of  suit,  release  of  error,  etc.,  with  stay  of  execution  until  said 
first  day  of  January. 

Witness  my  hand  and  seal  at  Galesburg,  111.,  this  sixth  day  of 
March,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy-nine. 
[seal]  John  Jones. 

INTEREST. 

Interest  is  the  compensation  which  is  paid  by  the  borrower  of 
money  to  the  lender  for  its  use.  When  the  debtor  expressly  under- 
takes to  pay  interest,  he  is  bound  to  pay  it;  but  if  a  party  has 
accepted  the  principal,  he  cannot  recover  interest  in  a  separate 
action.  During  the  course  of  dealings  between  parties,  a  promise 
to  pay  is  implied,  and  ^lie  debtor  is  bound  to  pay.     So  also  on  an 


930  DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS. 

account  stated,  whenever  the  debtor  knows  precisely  what  he  is  to 
pay,  and  when  he  is  to  pay  it,  after  a  demand  _ot'  payment;  but 
*  interest  is  not  due  on  a  running  account,  even  when  the  items  are 
all  on  one  side,  unless  otherwise  agreed  upon.  Where  the  terms  of 
'  a  promissory  note  are  that  it  shall  be  paid  by  installments,  and  on 
the  failure  of  any  installment  the  whole  is  to  become  due,  interest 
on  the  whole  becomes  payable  from  the  first  default.  "Where,  by 
the  terra,  of  a  bond  or  promissory  note,  interest  is  to  be  paid  annu- 
ally, and  the  principal  at  a  distant  day,  the  interest  may  be  recov- 
ered before  the  principal  is  due. 

Interest  is  collectible  in  the  following  cases:  For  goods  sold  and 
delivered  after  the  stipulated  term  of  credit  has  expired;  if  there  be 
no  credit,  then  from  the  time  of  sale;  on  judgment  debts,  from  the 
rendition  of  judgment;  on  money  obtained  by  fraud,  or  where  ii 
has  been  wrongfully  detained  (for  whoever  receives  money  not  his 
own,  and  detains  it  from  the  owner  unlawfully,  must  pay  interest 
therefor:  hence  a  public  officer  retaining  money  wrongfully  is  lia- 
ble for  the  interest);  on  money  paid  by  mistake,  or  recovered  on  a 
void  execution;  on  money  lent  or  laid  out  for  another's  use;  and 
rent,  from  the  time  that  it  is  due. 

When  the  rate  of  interest  is  specified  in  any  contract,  that  rate 
continues  until  full  payment  is  made.  A  debt  barred  by  the 
statute  of  limitations  and  revived  by  an  acknowledgment  bears 
interest  for  the  whole  time. 

Computing  Interest. — In  casting  interest  on  notes,  bonds,  etc., 
upon  which  partial  payments  have  been  made,  every  payment  is  to 
be  first  applied  to  discharge  the  interest;  but  the  interest  is  never 
allowed  to  form  a  part  of  the  principal,  so  as  to  carry  interest. 
When  a  partial  payment  is  made  before  the  debt  is  due,  it  cannot 
be  apportioned  part  to  the  debt  and  part  to  the  interest,  but  at  the 
end  interest  shall  be  charged  on  the  whole  sura,  and  the  obligor 
shall  receive  credit  for  the  interest  on  the  amount  paid  until  the 
interest  becomes  due. 

The  legal  rate  of  interest  is  six  per  cent.  Parties  may  agree  in 
writing  on  a  rate  not  exceeding  eight  per  cent.  If  a  rate  of  interest 
greater  than  eight  per  cent,  is  contracted  for,  the  penalty  is  a  for- 
feiture of  the  entire  interest,  and  only  the  principal  can  be 
recovered. 

In  computing  interest  or  discount  on  negotiable  instruments,  a 


DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS.  931 

month  shall  be  considered  a  calendar  month  or  twelfth  of  a  year, 
and  for  less  than  a  month,  a  day  shall  be  figured  a  thirtieth  part  of 
a  month.  Notes  bear  interest  only  when  so  expressed;  but  after 
due  they  draw  the  legal  interest,  six  per  cent.,  even  if  not  stated. 
Notes  payable  on  demand  or  at  sight  draw  no  interest  until  after 
presentation  or  demand  of  the  same  has  been  made,  unless  they 
provide  for  interest  from  date  on  their  face.  If  "with  interest"  is 
included  in  the  note,  it  draws  the  legal  rate  from  the  time  it  is 
made.  If  the  note  is  to  draw  a  special  rate  of  interest,  higher  than 
the  legal,  but  not  higher  than  the  law  allows,  the  rate  must  be 
specified. 

WILLS. 

The  legal  declaration  of  a  person's  mind,  determining  the  man- 
ner in  which  he  would  have  his  property  or  estate  disposed  of  after 
his  death,  is  termed  a  will.  No  exact  form  of  words  is  necessarv 
in  order  to  make  a  will  good  at  law,  though  much  care  should  be 
exercised  to  state  the  provisions  of  the  will  so  plainly  that  its  lan- 
guage may  not  be  misunderstood. 

Every  male  person  of  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  and  every 
female  of  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  of  sound  mind,  can  make  a 
valid  will.  It  must  be  in  writing,  signed  by  the  testator,  or  by 
some  one  in  his  or  her  presence,  and  by  his  or  her  direction,  and 
attested  by  two  or  more  credible  witnesses.  Care  should  be  taken 
that  the  witnesses  are  not  interested  in  the  will. 

The  person  making  the  will  may  appoint  his  or  her  executors ; 
but  no  person  can  serve  as  such  executor  if  he  or  she  be  an  alien  at 
the  time  of  proving  the  will,  if  he  be  under  twenty-one  years  ot 
age,  a  convict,  a  drunkard,  a  lunatic,  or  an  imbecile. 

Persons  knowing  themselves  to  have  been  appointed  executors, 
must,  within  thirty  days  after  the  death  of  deceased,  cause  the  will 
to  be  proved  and  recorded  in  the  proper  county,  or  present  it  and 
refuse  to  accept.  In  case  of  faih;re  to  do  so,  they  are  liable  to  for- 
feit the  sum  of  twenty  dollars  per  month.  Inventory  to  be  made 
by  executor  or  administrator  within  three  months  from  date  of  let- 
ters testamentary  or  administration. 

The  person  making  a  will  is  termed  the  "  testator  "  (if  a  female, 
the  "testatrix")- 

A  will  is  of  no  force  and  effect  until  the  death  of  the  testator. 


932 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS. 


and  can  be  cancelled  or  modified  at  any  date  by  the  maker.    The 
last  will  made  annuls  the  force  of  all  preceding  wills. 

A  will  made  by  an  unmarried  woman  is  legally  revoked  by  mar- 
riage; but  she  can  take  such  legal  steps  in  the  settlement  of  her 
property  before  marriage  as  will  empower  her  to  dispose  of  the 
same  as  she  may  choose  after  marriage.  No  husband  can  make  a 
will  that  will  deprive  the  wife  of  her  right  of  dower  in  the  prop- 
erty; but  the  .husband  can  will  the  wife  a  certain  amount  in  lieu  of 
her  dower,  stating  it  to  be  in  lieu  thereof.  Such  bequest,  however, 
will  not  exclude  her  from  her  dower,  provided  she  prefers  it  to  the 
bequest  made  in  the  will.  Unless  the  husband  states  distinctly 
that  the  bequest  is  in  lieu  of  dower,  she  is  entitled  to  both. 

In  case  a  married  woman  possesses  property  and  dies  without  a 
will,  her  husband  is  entitled  to  administer  upon  such  property  in 
preference  to  any  one  else,  provided  he  be  of  sound  mind. 

Notice  requiring  all  claims  to  be  presented  against  the  estate 
shall  be  given  by  the  administrator  within  six  months  after  being 
qualified.  Any  person  having  a  claim  and  not  presenting  it  at  the 
time  fixed  by  said  notice,  is  required  to  have  summons  issued  noti- 
fying the  executor  of  having  filed  his  claim  in  court.  Claims 
should  be  filed  within  two  years  from  the  time  administration  is 
granted  on  an  estate,  as  after  that  time  they  are  forever  barred,, 
unless  other  estate  be  found  that  was  not  inventoried.  Married 
women,  infants,  persons  insane,  imprisoned,  or  without  the  United 
States,  in  the  employment  of  the  United  States,  or  of  this  State, 
have  two  years  after  their  disabilities  are  removed  to  file 
claims.  Claims  are  classified  and  paid  out  of  the  estate  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner: 

1st.  Funeral  expenses. 

2d.  The  widow's  award,  if  there  is  a  widow ;  or  children,  if  there 
are  children  and  no  widow. 

3d.  Expenses  attending  the  last  illness,  not  including  the  physi- 
cian's bill. 

ith.  Debts  due  the  common  school  or  township  fund. 

5th.  All  expenses  of  proving  the  will  and  taking  out  letters 
testamentary  or  of  administration,  and  settlement  of  the  estate,  and 
the  physician's  bill  in  the  last  illness  of  the  deceased. 

6th.  Where  the  deceased  has  received  money  in  trust  for  any 
purpose,  his  executor  or  administrator  shall  pay  out  of  his  estate 
the  amount  received  and  not  accounted  for. 


DIGEST    OF    STATE  LAWS.  93S 

7th.  All  other  debts  and  demands  of  wliatsoever  kind,  without 
regard  to  quality  or  dignity,  which  shall  be  exhibited  to  the  court 
within  two  years  from  the  granting  of  letters. 

Award  to  the  widow  and  children,  exclusive  of  debts  and  legacies 
or  bequests,  except  funeral  expenses: 

Ist.  The  family  pictures-  and  wearing  apparel,  jewels  and  orna- 
ments of  herself  and  minor  children. 

2d.  School  books  and"  the  family  library  to  the  value  of  $100. 

3d.  One  sewing-machine. 

4th.  Necessary  beds,  bedsteads  and  bedding  for  herself  and 
family. 

5th.  The  stoves  and  pipe  used  in  the  family,  with  the  necessary 
cooking  utensils;  or,  in  case  they  have  none,  $50  in  money. 

6th.  Household  and  kitchen  furniture  to  the  value  of  $100. 

7th.  One  milch  cow  and  calf  for  every  four  members  of  her 
family. 

8th.  Two  sheep  for  each  member  of  her  family,  and  the  fleeces, 
taken  from  the  same,  and  one  horse,  saddle  and  bridle. 

9th.  Provisions  for  herself  and  family  for  one  year. 

10th.  Food  for  the  stock  above  specified  for  six  months. 

11th.  Fuel  for  herself  and  family  for  three  months. 

12th.  One  hundred  dollars'  worth  of  other  property  suited  to  her 
condition  in  life,  to  be  selected  by  the  widow. 

The  widow,  if  she  elects,  may  have  in  lieu  of  the  said  award,  the 
same  personal  property  or  money  in  place  thereof  as  is  or  may  be 
exempt  from  execution  or  attachment  against  the  head  of  a  family. 

GENEEAL  FOEM  OF  WILL  FOK  EEAL  AND  PEESONAL  PEOPBETY. 

I,  Samuel  T.  Lewis,  of  the  city  of  Chicago,  county  of  Cook, 
State  of  Illinois,  being  aware  of  the  uncertainty  of  life,  and  in 
failing  health,  but  of  sound  mind  and  memory,  do  make  and  declare 
this  to  be  my  last  will  and  testament,  in  manner  following,  to-wit: 

First.  I  give,  devise  and  bequeath  to  my  oldest  son,  Franklin 
M.  Lewis,  the  sum  of  Four  Thousand  dollars  of  bank  stock,  now 
in  the  First  National  Bank,  Chicago,  Illinois,  and  the  farm  owned 
by  myself,  in  Ontario  township,  Knox  county,  Illinois,  consisting 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  with  all  the  houses,  tenements,  and 
improvements  thereunto  belonging;  to  have  and  to  hold  unto  my 
said  son,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  forever. 

Second.  I  give,  devise  and  bequeath  to  each  of  my  daughters, 
LidaLouan  Lewis,  and  Fannie  Antionette  Lewis,  each  two  thousand 


934  DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS. 

dollars  in  bank  stock,  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  Illinois, 
and  also  each  one  quarter  section  of  land,  owned  by  myself,  situ- 
ated in  the  town  of  Delavan,  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  and  recorded 
in  my  name  in  the  E«corder's  office  of  said  county.  The  north  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  said  half  section  is  devised  to  my  elder 
daughter  Lida  Louan. 

Third.  I  give,  devise  and  bequeath  to  my  son,  Fred  Davis 
Lewis,  five  shares  of  railroad  stock,  in  the  0.,  B.  &  Q.  Eailroad, 
and  my  own  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  and  saw-mill 
thereon,  situated  in  Astoria,  Illinois,  with  all  the  improvements  and 
appurtenances  thereunto  belonging,  which  said  real  estate  is  re- 
corded in  my  name,  in  the  county  where  situated. 

Fourth.  I  give  to  my  wife,  Tryphena  Lewis,  all  my  household 
furniture,  goods,  chattels,  and  personal  property,  about  my  house, 
not  hitherto  disposed  of,  including  ten  thousand  dollars  in  bank 
stock,  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Chicago,  Illinois,  fifteen  shares 
in  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  Eailroad,  and  the  free  and 
unrestricted  use,  possession  and  benefits  of  the  home  farm,  so  long 
as  she  may  live,  in  lieu  of  dower,  to  which  she  is  entitled  by  law; 
said  farm  being  my  present  place  of  residence. 

Fifth.  I  bequeath  to  my  invalid  father,  Samuel  T.  Lewis,  Sr., 
the  income  from  the  rents  of  my  store  building,  at  Canton,  Illinois, 
during  the  term  of  his  natural  life.  Said  building  and  land  there- 
with revert  to  my  said  sons  and  daugliters  in  equal  proportions, 
upon  the  demise  of  my  said  father. 

Sixth.  It  is  also  my  will  and  desire,  that  at  the  deaj;h  of  my 
wife,  Tryphena  Lewis,  or  at  any  time  she  may  arrange  to  relinquish 
her  life  interest  in  the  above  mentioned  homestead,  the  same  may 
revert  to  my  above'  named  children,  or  to  the  lawful  heirs  of  each. 

And,  Lastly.  I  appoint  as  executors  of  this,  my  last  will  and 
testament,  my  wife  Tryphena  Lewis,  and  my  eldest  son,  Franklin 
M.  Lewis. 

I  further  direct  that  my  debts  and  necessary  funeral  expenses 
shall  be  paid  from  moneys  now  on  deposit  in  the  First  National 
Bank,  Pekin,  Illinois,  the  residue  of  such  moneys  to  revert  to  my 
wife,  Tryphena  Lewis,  for  her  use  forever. 

In  witness  thereof,  I,  Samuel  T.  Lewis,  to  this,  my  last  will  and 
testament,  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal,  this  third  day  of 
March,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy. 

[L.  S.]  Samtjel  T.  Lewis. 

Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  by  Samuel  T.  Lewis,  as  and  for  his 
last  will  and  testament,  in  the  presence  of  us,  who,  at  his  request, 
and  in  his  presence,  and  in  the  presence  of  each  other,  have  sub- 
scribed our  names  hereunto  as  witnesses  thereof. 

Fred  D.  Selleck,  Chicago,  Illinois, 
Erastus  Child,  Oneida,  Illinois. 


DIGEST    OF    STATE    LAWS.  935 


CODICIL. 


Whereas,  I,  Samuel  T.  Lewis,  did,  on  the  third  day  of  March, 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy,  make  my  last  will  and 
testament,  I  do  now,  by  this  writing,  add  this  codicil  to  my  said 
will,  to  be  taken  as  a  part  thereof. 

Whereas,  by  the  dispensation  of  Providence,  my  daughter  Lida 
Lonan,  has  deceased,  November  fifth,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy- 
four,  and,  whereas,  a  son  has  been  born  to  me,  which  son  is  now 
christened  Charles  J3archard  Lewis,  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  him 
my  gold  watch,  and  all  right,  interest  and  title  in  lands  and  bank 
stock  and  chattels  bequeathed  to  my  deceased  daughter  Lida  Louan, 
in  the  body  of  this  will 

In  witness  thereof,  I  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal,  this  fifth 
day  of  March,  eighteen  hundred  and  seventy-nine. 

[L.  S.]  Samuel  T.  Lewis. 

Signed,  sedled,  published  and  declared  to  us  by  the  testator, 
Samuel  T.  Lewis,  as  and  for  a  codicil,  to  be  annexed  to  his  last  will 
and  testament.  And  we,  at  his  request,  and  in  his  presence,  and  in 
the  presence  of  each  other,  have  subscribed  our  names  as  witnesses 
thereto,  at  the  date  hereof. 

Erastus  Child,  Oneida,  111. 
E.  C.  Johnson,  Chicago,  111. 

DESCENT. 

When  no  will  is  made,  the  property  of  a  deceased  person  is  dis- 
tributed as  follows: 

First.  To  his  or  her  children  and  their  descendants,  in  equal 
parts;  the  descendants  of  the  deceased  child  or  grand  child  taking 
the  share  of  their  deceased  parents,  in  equal  parts  among  them. 

Second.  Where  there  is  no  child,  no  descendant  of  such  child, 
and  no  widow  or  surviving  husband,  then  to  the  parents,  brothers 
and  sisters  of  the  deceased,  and  their  descendants,  in  equal  parts, 
the  surviving  parent,  if  either  be  dedd,  taking  a  double  portion; 
and  if  there  is  no  parent  living,  then  to  the  brothers  and  sisters  of 
the  intestate  and  their  descendants. 

Third.  When  there  is  a  widow  or  surviving  husband,  and  no 
child  or  children,  or  descendants  of  the  same,  then  one-half  of  the 
real  estate  and  the  whole  of  the  personal  estate  shall  descend  to 
such  widow  or  surviving  husband,  absolutely,  and  the  other  half  of 
the  real  estate  shall  descend  as  in  other  cases  where  there  is  no 
child  or  children,  or  descendants  of  the  same. 

Fourth.     When  there  is  a  widow  or  surviving  husband,  and  also 


936  DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS. 

a  child  or  children,  or  descendants  of  the  latter,  then  one-third  of 
all  personal  estate  to  the  widow  or  surviving  husband,  absolutely. 

Fifth.  If  there  be  no  child,  parent,  brother  or  sister,  or 
descendants  of  either  of  them,  and  no  widow  or  surviving  husband, 
then  in  equal  parts  to  the  next  of  kin  to  the  intestate  in  equal 
degree.  Collaterals  shall  not  be  represented  except  with  the 
descendants  of  brother  and  sister  of  the  intestate,  and  there  shall 
be  no  distinction  between  kindred  of  the  whole  and  the  half-blood. 

Sixth.  If  any  intestate  leaves  a  widow  or  surviving  husband 
and  no  kindred,  then  to  such  widow  or  surviving  husband;  and  if 
there  is  no  such  widow  or  surviving  husband,  it  shall  escheat  to  and 
invest  in  the  county  where  the  same  or  the  greater  portion  thereof 
is  situated. 

DEEDS. 

A  deed  is  a  sealed  instrument  in  writing,  conveying  lands  and 
appurtenances  thereon  from  one  person  to  another,  and  special  care 
should  be  taken  to  have  them  signed,  sealed,  delivered  and  properly 
acknowledged,  with  the  proper  seal  attached.  "Witnesses  are  not 
necessary.  The  law  in  this  State  provides  that  an  acknowledg- 
ment must  be  made  before  certain  persons  authorized  to  take  the 
same.  These  officers  are:  Master  in  Chancery,  Notary  Public, 
Circuit  or  County  Clerk,  Justice  of  th^  Peace.  United  States  Com- 
missioner, or  any  Court  of  Record  having  a  seal,  or  any  Judge, 
Justice  or  Clerk  of  any  such  court:  The  instrument  shall  be 
attested  by  the  official  seal  of  the  officer  taking  the  acknowledg- 
ment, and  when  taken  by  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  residing  out  of  the 
county  where  the  real  estate  to  be  conveyed  lies,  there  shall  be 
added  a  certificate  of  the  County  Clerk  under  his  seal  of  office,  that 
he  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the  county  at  the  time  of  taking 
the  same.  A  deed  is  good  without  such  certificate  attached,  but 
cannot  be  used  in  evidence  unless  such  a  certificate  is  produced  or 
other  competent  evidence  introduced.  Acknowledgments  made 
out  of  the  State  must  either  be  executed  according  to  the  laws  ot 
this  State,  or  there  should  be  attached  a  certificate  that  is  in  conform- 
ity with  the  laws  of  the  State  or  country  where  executed.  Where 
tliis  is  not  done  the  same  may  be  proved  by  any  other  legal  way. 
Acknowledgments  where  the  Homestead  rights  are  to  be  waived 
must  state  as  follows:  "  Including  the  release  and  waiver  of  the 
right  of  homestead." 


DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS.  93Y 

To  render  a  deed  valid,  there  must  be  a  sufficient  consideration. 
To  enable  a  person  to  legally  convey  property  to  another,  the  fol- 
lowing requisites  are  necessary;  1st,  he  or  she  must  be  of  age; 
2d,  must  be  of  sane  mind;  and,  3d,  he  or  she  must  be  the  rightful 
owner  of  the  property. 

Any  alterations  or  interlineations  in  the  deed  should  be  noted  at 
the  bottom  of  the  instrument,  and  properly  witnessed.  After  the 
acknowledgment  of  a  deed,  the  parties  have  no  right  to  make  the 
slightest  alterations.  An  alteration  after  the  acknowledgment  in 
favor  of  the  grantee  vitiates  the  deed.  The  maker  of  a  deed  is 
called  the  "grantor;"  the  person  or  party  to  whom  the  deed  is 
delivered,  the  "  grantee."  The  wife  of  the  grantor  must  ackowl- 
edge  the  deed,  or  else,  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  she  will  be 
entitled  to  one-third  interest  in  the  property,  as  dower,  during  her 
life.  Her  acknowledgment  of  the  deed  must  be  of  her  own  free 
will  and  accord. 

By  a  general  warranty  deed  the  grantor  engages  to  secure  the 
grantee  in  any  right  or  possession  to  the  property  conveyed  against 
all  persons  whatsoever.  A  quit-claim  deed  releases  what  interest 
the  grantor  may  have  in  the  land,  but  does  not  warrant  and  defend 
against  others.  We  do  not  give  form  for  a  deed,  as  printed  forms 
are  used  by  all.     Deeds  should  be  recorded  without  delay. 

MORTGAGES  AND  TRUST  DEEDS 

Are  conditional  conveyances  of  estates  or  property  by  way  of 
pledge  for  the  security  of  debt,  and  to  become  void  on  payment  of 
it.  Special  care  should  be  taken  to  have  them  signed,  sealed 
delivered,  and  properly  acknowledged,  with  the  proper  seal  attached. 
All  kinds  of  property,  real  or  personal,  which  are  capable  of  an 
absolute  sale,  may  be  the  subject  of  a  mortgage. 

Mortgages  of  personal  property  need  not  be  under  seal.  In  the 
absence  of  stipulation  to  the  contrary,  the  mortgagee  of  personal 
property  has  the  legal  title  thereto,  and  the  right  of  possession,  and 
he  may  have  an  action  against  any  one  taking  them  from  the  mort- 
gagor. And  although  the  mortgage  contains  no  express  stipulation 
that  the  mortgagor  shall  remain  in  possession  until  default  of  pay- 
ment, and  with  a  power  to  sell  for  the  mortgagee's  debt,  the  mort- 
gagee may  nevertheless  sustain  trover  against  an  officer  attaching 
the  goods  as  the  property  of  the  mortgagor. 


938  DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS. 

A  mortgage  must  be  in  writing  when  it  is  intended  to  convey  the 
legal  title.  It  must  be  in  one  single  deed  which  contains  the  whole 
contract. 

Redemption  must  be  made  within  one  year  from  the  sale. 
Wliere,  however,  the  mortgagee  takes  the  property  for  an  absolute 
discharge  of  the  debt,  then  the  equity  or  right  of  redemption  is 
barred.  Satisfaction,  or  release  of  a  mortgage,  may  be  made  on 
the  margin  of  the  record,  or  by  an  instrument  duly  acknowledged. 
The  wife  need  not  join  in  this  release. 

TKUST  DEEDS. 

Trust  deeds  are  taken  generally  in  preference  to  mortgages, 
especially  by  non-residents,  for  in  case  of  foreclosure  under  the 
power  of  sale  there  can  be  no  redemption.  Advertisement,  sale, 
and  deed  is  made  by  the  trustee. 

Mortgages  of  personal  property,  or  chattel  mortgages,  can  be 
given  for  a  period  of  only  two  years,  and  cannot  be  renewed  or 
extended.  Acknowledgment  may  be  had  before  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  of  the  town  or  district  in  which  the  mortgagor  resides.  If 
the  mortgagor  is  a  non-resident,  then  before  any  oflBcer  authorized 
by  law  to  take  acknowledgments.  Foreclosures  may  be  effected 
upon  default,  and  possession,  and  sale  of  the  property  taken  and 
made;  any  delay  will  invalidate  the  mortgagee's  lien. 

LIENS. 

Any  person  who  shall  by  contract,  expressed  or  implied,  or 
partly  both,  with  the  owner  of  any  lot  or  tract  of  land,  furnish 
labor  or  material,  or  services  as  an  architect  or  superintendent,  in 
building,  altering,  repairing,  or  ornamenting  any  house,  or  other 
building  or  appurtenance  thereto  on  such  lot,  or  upon  any  street  or 
alley,  and  connected  with  such  improvements,  shall  have  a  lien 
upon  the  whole  of  such  lot  or  tract  of  land,  and  upon  such  house 
or  building  and  appurtenances  for  the  amount  due  him  for  labor, 
material  or  services.  If  the  contract  is  expressed,  and  the  time  for 
the  completion  of  the  work  is  beyond  three  years  from  the  com- 
mencement thereof;  or,  if  the  time  of  payment  is  beyond  one  year 
from  the  time  stipulated  for  the  completion  of  the  work,  then  no 
lien  exists.  If  the  contract  is  implied,  then  no  lien  exists,  unless 
the  work  be  done,  or  material  furnished,  within  one  year  from  the 
commencement   of    the   work   or  delivery   of  the   material.    As 


DIGEST   OF   STATE   LAWS.  939 

between  different  creditors  having  liens,  no  preference  is  given  to 
the  one  whose  contract  was  made  first;  but  each  shares  pro  rata. 
Incumbrances  existing  upon  the  lot  or  tract  of  the  land  at  the  time 
the  contract  is  made  do  not  operate  on  the  improvements,  and  are 
only  preferred  to  the  extent  of  the  value  of  the  land  at  the  time  of 
making  the  contract.  The  above  lien-  cannot  be  enforced  unless 
suit  is  commenced  within  six  months  after  the  last  payment  for 
labor  or  materials  shall  have  become  due  and  payable.  Sub-con- 
tractors, mechanics,  workmen,  and  other  persons  furnishing  any 
material,  or  performing  any  labor  for  a  contractor,  as  above  speci- 
fied, have  a  lien  to  the  extent  of  the  amount  due  the  contractor  at 
the  time  the  following  notice  was  served  upon  the  owner  of  the 
land  who  made  the  contract: 

To :  You  are  hereby  notified  that  I  have  been  employed 

by [here  state  whether  to  labor  or  to  furnish  material, 

and  substantially. the  nature  of  the  demand]  upon  your  [here  state 
in  general  terms  description  and  situation  of  building],  and  that  I 
shall  hold  the  [building,  or  as  the  case  may  be],  and  your  interest 
in  the  ground  liable  for  the  amount  that  may  [is  or  may  become] 
due  me  on  account  thereof.  [Signature] . 

Dated, . 

If  there  is  a  contract  in  writing  between  contractor  and  sub-con- 
tractor, a  copy  of  it  should  be  served  with  the  above  notice,  and  such 
notice  must  be  served  within  forty  days  from  the  completion  of 
such  sub-contract,. if  there  is  one;  if  not,  then  from  the  time  pay- 
ment should  have  been  made  to  the  person  performing  the  labor 
or  furnishing  the  material.  If  the  owner  is  not  a  resident  of  the 
county,  or  cannot  be  found  therein,  then  the  above  notice  must  be 
filed  with  the  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court,  with  his  fee,  fifty  cents, 
and  a  copy  of  such  notice  must  be  published  in  a  newspaper  pub- 
lished in  the  county  for  four  successive  weeks. 

When  the  owner  or  agent  is  notified  as  above  he  can  retain  any 
money  due  the  contractor  sufiicient  to  pay  such  claim;  if  more 
than  one  claim,  and  not  enough  to  pay  all,  they  are  to  be  paid  pro 

rata. 

The  owner  has  a  right  to  demand  in  writing  a  statement  of  the 
contractor,  of  what  he  owes  for  labor,  etc.,  from  time  to  time  as  the 
work  progresses. 

The'  liens  referred  to  cover  any  and  all  estates,  whether  in  fee  for 


940  DIGEST   OF   STATE   LAWS. 

life,  for  years,  or  any  other  interest  which  the  owner  may  have. 

To  enforce  the  liens  of  sub-contractors,  suit  must  be  commenced 
within  three  months  from  the  time  of  the  performance  of  the  sub- 
contract, or  during  the  work  or  furnishing  materials. 

Hotel,  inn  and  hoarding-house  Jceejaers  have  a  lien  upon  the 
baggage  and  other  valuabjes  of  their  guests  or  boarders  brought 
into  such  hotel,  inn,  or  boarding-house,  by  their  guests  or  boarders 
for  the  proper  charges  due  from  such  guests  or  boarders  for  their 
accommodation,  board  and  lodging,  and  such  extras  as  are  furnished 
at  their  request. 

Stable-Tieejpers  and  other  persons  have  a  lien  upon  the  horses, 
carriages  and  harness  kept  by  them  for  the  proper  charges  due  for 
the  keeping  thereof,  and  expenses  bestowed  thereon  at  the  request 
of  the  owner,  or  the  person  having  the  possession  of  the  same. 

Agisters  (persons  who  take  care  of  cattle  belonging  to  others) 
and  persons  keeping,  yarding,  feeding,  or  pasturing  domestic  ani- 
mals shall  have  a  lien  upon  the  animals  agistered,  kept,  yarded  or 
fed  for  the  proper  charges  due  for  such  service. 

All  persons  who  may  furnish  any  railroad  corporation  in  this 
State  with  fuel,  ties,  material,  supplies,  or  any  other  article  or  thing 
necessary  for  the  construction,  maintenance,  operation  or  repair  of 
its  road  by  contract,  or  may  perform  worker  labor  for  the  same,  are 
entitled  to  be  paid  as  part  of  the  current  expenses  of  the  road,  and 
have  a  lien  upon  all  its  property.  Sub-contractors  or  laborers  have 
also  a  lien.  The  conditions  and  limitations,  both  as  to  contractors 
and  to  sub-contractors,  are  about  the  same  as  herein  stated,  as  to 
general  liens, 

BILL  OF  SALE. 

A  bill  of  sale  is  a  written  agreement  to  another  party  for  a  con- 
sideration to  convey  his  right  and  interest  in  the  personal  property. 
The  pui-chaser  must  take  actual  possession  of  the  property.  Juries 
have  power  to  determine  upon  the  fairness  or  unfairness  of  a  bill 
of  sale. 

COMMON   FOKM   OF   BILL   OF   SALE.  . 

Know  All  Men  by  this  instrument,  that  I,  B.  F.  Lewis,  of  Chi- 
cago, Illinois,  of  the  first  part,  for  and  in  consideration  of  six  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars,  to  me  paid  by  Columbus  C.  Chapman, 
Astoria,  Illinois,  of  the  second  part,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby 
acknowledged,  have  sold,  and  by  this  instrument  do  convey  unto 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS.  941 

the  said  Chapman,  party  of  the  second  part,  his  executors,  admin- 
istrators, and  assigns,  my  undivided  half  of  ten  acres  of  corn  on 
my  farm  in  the  town  of  Deer  Creek,  Illinois  ;  one  pair  of  horses, 
twenty  sheep,  and  five  cows,  belonging  to  me,  and  in  my  possession 
at  the  farm  aforesaid;  to  have  and  to  hold  the  same  unto  the  party 
of  the  second  part,  his  executors  and  assigns,  forever.  And  I  do, 
for  myself  and  legal  representatives,  agree  with  the  said  party  of 
the  second  part,  and  his  legal  representatives,  to  warrant  and  defend 
the  sale  of  the  aforementioned  property  and  chattels  unto  the  said 
party  of  the  second  part,  and  his  Ipgal  representatives,  against  all 
and  every  person  whatsoever. 

In  witness  whereof  I  have  hereunto  affixed  my  hand  this  tenth 
day  of  October,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy-nine. 

B.  F.  Lewis. 

DATS  OF  GEACE. 

No  check,  draft,  bill  of  exchange,  promissory  note,  order,  or 
negotiable  instrument,  payable  at  sight  or  on  demand,  or  on  pre- 
sentment, shall  be  entitled  to  days  of  grace.  All  other  bills  of 
exchange,  drafts  or  notes  are  entitled  to  three  days  of  grace.  All 
the  above-mentioned  paper  falling  due  on  Sunday,  New  Year's  day. 
Fourth  of  July,  Christmas,  or  any  day  appointed  or  recommended 
by  the  President  of  the  United  States  or  Governor  of  the  State  as 
a  day  of  fasting  or  thanksgiving,  shall  be  deemed  as  due  on  the 
day  previous ;  and  should  two  or  more  of  these  days  come  together, 
then  such  instrument  shall  be  treated  as  due  on  the  day  previous  to 
the  first  of  said  days. 

LIMITATION  OF  ACTION. 

The  limit  of  time  in  which  action  may  be  brought  on  certain 
things  is  as  follows:  Open  accounts,  five  years;  notes  and  written 
contracts,  ten  years;  judgments,  twenty  years;  partial  payments  or 
new  promise  in  writing,  within  or  after  said  period,  will  revive 
the  debt;  absence  from  the  State  deducted,  and  when  the  cause  of 
action  is  barred  by  the  law  of  another  State,  it  has  the  same  effect 
here;  assault,  slander,  libel,  replevin,  one  year;  personal  injuries, 
two  years;  to  recover  land  or  make  entry  thereon,  twenty  years;  and 
sealed  and  witnessed  instruments,  as  action  to  foreclose  mortgage 
or  trust  deed,  within  ten  years.  All  persons  in  possession  of  land, 
and  paying  taxes  for  seven  consecutive  years,  with  color  of  title,  and 
all  persons  paying  taxes  for  seven  consecutive  years,  with  color  of 
title,  on  vacant  land,  shall  be  held  to  be  the  legal  owners  to  the 
extent  of  their  paper  title. 


94:2  DIGEST   OF    STATE  LAWS. 

RECEIPTS. 

Eeceipts  should  always  state  when  received  and  what  for;  and  if 
receipt  is  in  full  it  should  be  so  stated.    We  give  two  forms: 

rOK   MONEY   ON    ACCOUNT. 

Eeceived,  Knoxville,  111.,  Nov.  10,  1878,  of  J.  C.  Cover,  sixty 
dollars  on  account.     $60.  J.  H.  Feanklin. 


FOE  MONET  ADVANCED  ON  A  CONTEACT. 

$100.  Galesbueg,  III.,  June  9,  1868. 

Received  of  Fernando  Eoss,  one  hundred  dollars,  in  advance,  on 
contract  to  build  for  him  a  brick  house  at  No.  76  Kellogg  street. 

Samuel  J.  Chapman. 

EXEMPTIONS  FROM  FORCED  SALES. 

The  following  personal  property  and  home  worth  $1,000, — Lot 
of  ground  and  buildings  thereon,  occupied  as  a  residence  by  the 
debtor,  being  a  householder  and  having  a  family,  to  the  value  of 
$1,000.  Exemption  continues  after  the  death  of  the  householder  for 
the  benefit  of  the  widow  and  family,  some  of  them  occupying  the 
homestead  until  the  youngest  shall  become  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
and  until  the  death  of  the  widow.  There  is  no  exemption  from  sale 
for  taxes,  assessments,  debt  or  liability  incurred  for  the  purchase  or 
improvement  of  said  homestead.  No  release  or  waiver  of  exemption 
is  valid  unless  in  writing  and  subscribed  by  such  householder  and 
wife  (if  he  has  one),  and  acknowledged  as  conveyances  of  real  estate 
are  required  to  be  acknowledged. 

The  following  articles  of  personal  property  owned  by  the  debtor 
are  exempt  from  execution,  writ  of  attachment,  and  distress  for  rent: 
The  necessary  wearing  apparel.  Bibles,  school-books  and  family  pic- 
tures of  every  person;  and  one  hundred  doUars'worth  of  other  prop- 
erty, to  be  selected  by  the  debtor,  and  in  addition,  when  the  debtor 
is  the  head  of  a  family  and  resides  with  the  same,  three  hundred  dol- 
lars' worth  of  other  property  to  be  selected  by  the  debtor, — provided 
that  such  selection  and  exemption  shall  not  be  made  hy  the  debtor 
or  allowed  to  him  or  her  from  any  money,  salary  or  wages  due  him  or 
her  from  any  person  or  persons  or  corporations  whatever.  When  the 
head  of  the  family  dies,  deserts,  or  does  not  reside  with  the  same, 
the  family  shall  be  entitled  to  and  receive  all  the  benefit  and  priv- 
ilege which  are  by  this  act  conferred  upon  the  head  of  a  family 
residing  with  the  same.     No  personal  property  is  exempt  from  exe- 


DIGEST   OF    STATE    LAWS.  943 

cution  when  judgment  is  obtained  for  the  wages  of  laborers  or  ser- 
vants. "Wages  of  a  laborer  who  is  the  head  of  a  family  cannot  be 
garnisheed  except  for  the  sum  due  him  in  excess  of  $25. 
LANDLOEDS  AND  TENANTS. 
The  principal  obligation  on  the  part  of  a  landlord,  which  is  in 
fact  always  to  be  implied  as  a  necessary  condition  to  his  receiving 
any  rent,  is,  that  the  tenant  shall  enjoy  the  quiet  possession  of  the 
premises, — which  means,  substantially,  that  he  shall  not  be  turned 
out  of  possession  of  the  whole  or  any  material  part  of  the  premises 
by  any  one  having  a  title  paramount  to  that  of  the  landlord,  or  that 
the  landlord  shall  not  himself  disturb  or  render  his  occupation  un- 
comfortable by  the  erection  of  a  nuisance  on  or  near  the  premises, 
or  otherwise  oblige  him  to  quit  possession.  But  if  he  be  ousted  by  a 
stranger, — that  is,  by  one  having  no  title,— or  after  the  rent  has 
fallen  due,  or  if  the  molestation  proceeds  from  acts  of  a  third  person, 
the  landload  is  in  neither  case  responsible  for  it.  Another  obligation 
which  the  law  imposes  on  the  landlord,  in  the  absence  of  any  ex- 
press stipulation  in  the  lease,  is  the  payment  of  all  taxes  chargeable 
upon  the  property,  or  any  ground  rents  or  interest  upon  mortgages 
to  which  it  may  be  subject.  Every  landlord  is  bound  to  protect  his 
tenant  against  all  paramount  claims.  And  if  a  tenant  is  compelled, 
in  order  to  protect  himself  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  land  in  respect 
of  which  his  rent  is  payable,  to  make  payment  which  ought,  as  be- 
tween himself  and  his  landlord,  to  have  been  made  by  the  latter,  he 
may  call  upon  the  landlord  to  reimburse  him,  or  he  may  deduct 
such  payment  from  the  rent  due  or  to  become  due.  But  the  land- 
lord is  under  no  obligation  to  make  repairs,  or  to  rebuild  in  case  the 
premises  should  be  burned;  nor  does  he  guaranty  that  they  are 
reasonably  fit  for  the  purpose  for  which  they  are  taken.  And  it  is 
not  in  the  power  of  a  tenant  to  make  repairs  at  the  expense  of  his 
landlord,  unless  there  be  a  special  agreement  between  them  author- 
izing him  to  do  so;  for  the  tenant  takes  the  premises  for  better  or 
worse,  and  cannot  involve  the  landlord  in  expense  for  repairs  without 
his  consent.  Even  if  the  premises  have  become  uninhabitable  by 
fire,  and  the  landlord,  having  i;isured  them,  has  recovered  the 
insurance  money,  the  tenant  cannot  compel  him  to  expend  the 
money  so  recovered  in  rebuilding,  unless  he  has  expressly  engaged 
to  do  so ;  nor  can  he  i  n  such  an  event  protect  himself  from  the  payment 
of  rent  during  the  unexpired  balance  of  the  term,  unless  exempted 


944  •  DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS. 

therefrom  by  statute  or  the  terms  of  the  lease.  The  uninhabit- 
ableness  of  a  house  is  not  a  good  defense  to  an  action  for  rent.  If 
the  landlord  expressly  covenanted  to  repair,  the  tenant  cannot  quit 
and  discharge  himself  of  rent  because  the  repairs  are  not  made,  un- 
less there  is  a  provision  to  that  effect;  and  if  a  landlord  is  bound  by 
custom  or  by  express  agreement  to  repair,  this  obligation,  and  the 
obligation  of  the  tenant  to  pay  rent,  are  independent  of  each  other, 
so  that  the  refusal  or  neglect  of  the  landlord  to  repair  is  no  answer 
to  a  demand  for  rent.  The  tenant  is  answerable  for  any  neglect  to 
repair  highways,  fences,  or  party  walls.  He  is  also  liable  for  all 
injuries  produced  by  the  mismanagement  of  his  servants,  or  by  a 
nuisance  kept  upon  the  premises,  or  by  an  obstruction  of  the  high- 
ways adjacent  to  them,  or  the  like.  One  of  the  principal  obligations 
which  the  law  imposes  upon  every  tenant,  independent  of  any  agree- 
•ment,  is  to  treat  the  premises  in  such  a  manner  that  no  substantial 
injury  shall  be  done  to  them,  and  so  that  they  may  revert  to  the 
landlord  at  the  end  of  the  term  unimpaired  by  any  willful  or  negli- 
gent conduct  on  his  part. 

A  tenancy  from  year  to  year  requires  sixty  days'  notice  in  writing 
to  terminate  the  same  at  the  end  of  the  year;  such  notice  can  be 
given  at  any  time  within  four  months  preceding  the  last  sixty  days 
of  the  year. 

A  tenancy  by  the  month,  or  less  than  a  year,  where  the  tenant 
holds  over  without  any  special  agreement,  the  landlord  may  termi- 
nate the  tenancy  by  thirty  days'  notice  in  writing. 

When  rent  is  due,  the  landlord  may  serve  a  notice  upon  the  ten- 
ant, stating  that  unless  the  rent  is  paid  within  not  less  than  five 
days,  his  lease  will  be  terminated;  if  the  rent  is  not  paid,  the  land- 
lord may  consider  the  lease  ended.  When  a  default  is  made  in  any 
of  the  terms  of  the  lease,  it  shall  not  be  necessary  to  give  more 
than  ten  days'  notice  to  quit  or  of  the  termination  of  such  tenancy; 
and  the  same  may  be  terminated  on  giving  such  notice  to  quit,  at 
any  time  after  such  default  in  any  of  the  terms  of  such  lease; 
which  notice  may  be  substantially  in  the  following  form : 

To ,  You  are  hereby  notified  that,  in  consequence  of  your 

default  [here  insert  the  character  of  the  default],  of  the  premises 
now  occupied  by  you,  being,  etc.,  [here  describe  the  premises],  I 
have  elected  to  determine  your  lease,  and  you  are  hereby  notified  to 
quit  and  deliver  up  possession  of  the  same  to  me  within  ten  days  of 
this  date  [dated,  etc]. 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS.  945 

The  above  to  be  signed  by  the  lessor  or  his  agent,  and  no  other 
notice  or  demand  of  possession  or  termination  of  such  tenancy  is 
necessary. 

Demand  may  be  made  or  notice  served  by  delivering  a  writteil  or 
printed,  or  partly  either,  copy  thereof  to  the  tenant,  or  leaving  the 
same  with  some  person  above  the  age  of  twelve  years,  residing  on 
or  in  possession  of  the  premises;  and  in  case  no  one  is  in  actual 
possession  of  said  premises,  then  by  posting  the  same  on  the  prem- 
ises. When  the  tenancy  is  for  a  certain  time,  and  the  term  expires 
by  the  terms  of  the  lease,  the  tenant  is  then  bound  to  surrender 
possession,  and  no  notice  to  quit  or  demand  possession  is  necessary. 

DISTRESS   FOE   BENT. 

In  all  cases  of  distress  for  rent,  the  landlord,  by  himself,  his  agent 
or  his  attorney,  may  seize  for  rent  any  personal  property  of  his  ten- 
ant that  may  be  found  in  the  county  where  the  tenant  resides.  The 
property  of  any  other  person,  even  if  found  on  the  premises,  is  not 
liable. 

An  inventory  of  the  property  levied  upon,  with  a  statement  of 
the  amount  of  rent  claimed,  should  be  at  once. filed  with  some 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  if  not  over  $200;  and  if  above  that  sum,  with 
the  Clerk  of  a  Court  of  Kecord  of  competent  jurisdiction.  Property 
may  be  released  by  a  party  executing  a  satisfactory  bond  for  double 
the  amount. 

The  landlord  may  distrain  for  rent  any  time  within  six  months 
after  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  lease,  or  when  terminated. 

In  ail  cases  where  the  premises  rented  shall  be  sub-let,  or  the 
lease  assigned,  the  landlord  shall  have  the  same  right  to  enforce 
lien  against  such  lessee  or  assignee,  that  he  has  against  the  tenant 
to  whom  the  premises  were  rented. 

When  a  tenant  abandons  or  removes  from  the  premises,  or  any 
part  thereof,  the  landlord,  or  his  agent  or  his  attorney  may  seize 
upon  any  grain  or  crops  grown  or  growing  upon  the  premises,  or 
part  thereof  so  abandoned,  whether  the  rent  is  due  or  not.  If  such 
grain  or  other  crops,  or  any  part  thereof,  is  not  fully  grown  or 
matured,  the  landlord,  or  his  agent  or  attorney  shall  cause  the  same 
to  be  properly  cultivated,  harvested  or  gathered,  and  may  sell  the 
same,  and  from  the  proceeds  pay  all  his  labor,  expenses  and  rent. 
The  tenant  may,  before  the  sale  of  such  property,  redeem  the  same 


946  DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS. 

by  tendering  the  rent  and  reasonable  compensation  for  the  work 
done,  or  he  may  replevy  the  same. 

EXEMPTION. 

The  same  articles  of  personal  property  which  are  by  law  exempt 
from  execution,  except  the  crops,  as  above  mentioned,  are  also 
exempt  from  distress  for  rent. 

If  any  tenant  is  about  to,  or  shall  permit,  or  attempt  to  sell  or 
remove  from  the  premises,  without  the  consent  of  his  landlord, 
such  portion  of  the  crops  raised  thereon  as  will  endanger  the  lien 
of  the  landlord  upon  such  crops,  for  the  rent,  it  shall  be  lawful  for 
the  landlord  to  distress  before  rent  is  due.. 

CRIMINAL  LAW 

Is  that  branch  of  jurisprudence  which  treats  of  criminal  offenses. 
The  extreme  importance  of  a  knowledge  of  criminal  law  is  self- 
evident;  for  a  mistake  in  point  of  law,  which  every  person  of  dis- 
cretion not  only  may  know,  but  is  bound  and  presumed  to  know,  is 
in  criminal  cases  no  defense.  This  law  is  administered  upon  the 
principle  that  every  one  must  be  taken  conclusively  to  know  it, 
without  proof  that  he  does  know  it.  This  doctrine  has  been  carried 
so  far  as  to  include  the  case  of  a  foreigner  charged  with  a  crime 
which  was  no  offense  in  his  own  country.  And  further,  the 
criminal  law,  whether  common  or  statute,  is  imperative  with  refer- 
ence to  the  conduct  of  individuals;  so  that,  if  a  statute  forbids  or 
commands  a  thing  to  be  done,  all  acts  or  omissions  contrary  to  the 
prohibition  or  command  of  the  statute  are  offenses  at  common  law, 
and  ordinarily  indictable  as  such.  "When  a  statute  punishes  a 
crime  by  its  legal  designation  without  enumerating  the  acts  which 
constitute  it,  then  it  is  necessary  to  resort  to  the  common  law  for  a 
definition  of  the  crime  with  its  distinctions  and  qualifications.  So, 
if  an  act  is  made  criminal,  but  no  mode  of  prosecution  is  directed 
or  no  punishment  provided,  the  common  law  (in  the  absence  of  a 
statute  to  the  contrary)  furnishes  its  aid,  prescribing  the  mode  of 
prosecution  by  indictment,  and  its  mode  of  punishment  by  fine  and 
inprisonment.  So  far,  therefore,  as  the  rules  and  principles  of  com- 
mon law  are  applicable  to  the'  administration  of  the  criminal  law, 
and  have  not  been  altered  or  modified  by  legislation  or  judicial 
decisions,  they  have  the  same  force  and  effect  as  laws  finally  enacted. 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS.  947 

The  following  are  some  of  the  leading  principles  of  the  criminal 
law: 

1.  Every  man  is  presumed  to  be  innocent  till  the  contrary  is 
shown;  and  if  there  is  any  reasonable  doubt  of  his  guilt,  he  is  en- 
titled to  the  benefit  of  the  doubt. 

2.  In  general,  no  person  can  be  brought  to  trial  till  a  grand  jury 
on  examination  of  the  charge  has  found  reason  to  hold  him  to  trial. 

3.  The  prisoner  is  entitled  to  trial  by  a  jury  of  his  peers,  who  are 
chosen  from  the  body  of  the  people  with  a  view  to  impartiality,  and 
whose  decision  on  questions  of  facts  is  final. 

4.  The  question  of  his  guilt  is  to  be  determined  without  reference 
to  his  general  character,  previous  history,  or  habits  of  life. 

5.  The  prisoner  cannot  be  required  to  criminate  himself,  nor  be 
compelled  even  to  exculpate  himself  by  giving  his  own  testimony 
on  trial. 

6.  He  cannot  be  twice  put  in  jeopardy  for  the  same  offense. 

7.  He  cannot  be  punished  for  an  act  which  was  not  an  oflfense  by 
the  law  existing  at  the  time  of  its  commission;  nor  can  a  serverer 
punishment  be  inflicted  than  was  declared  by  the  law  at  the  time  of 
its  commission. 

Crimes  are  sometjmes  classified  according  to  the  degree  of  pun- 
ishment incurred  by  their  commission.  They  are  more  generally 
arranged  according  to  the  nature  of  the  offense.  The  following  is, 
perhaps,  as  complete  a  classification  as  the  subject  admits: 

I.  Offenses  against  the  sovereignty  of  the  State — 1,  treason;  2 
misprision  of  treason. 

II.  Offenses  against  the  lives  and  persons  of  individuals — 1, 
murder;  2,  manslaughter;  3,  attempt  to  kill  or  murder;  4,  may- 
hem; 5,  rape  ;  6,  robbery;  7,  kidnapping;  8,  false  imprisonment; 
9,  abduction;  10,  assault  and  battery. 

III.  Offenses  against  public  property — 1,  burning  or  destroying 
public  property;  2,  injury  to  same. 

IV.  Offenses  against  private  property — 1,  arson;  2,  burglary; 
3,  larceny;  4,  obtaining  goods  under  false  pretenses;  5,  embezzle- 
ment ;  6,  malicious  mischief. 

T.  Offenses  against  fiMic  justice — 1,  perjury;  2,  bribery;  3, 
destroying  public  records;  4,  counterfeiting  public  ?eals  ;  5,  jail 
breach"  6,  escape;  7,  resistance  to  officers;  8,  obstructing  legal 
process;  9,  barratry;  10,  maintenance;  11,  champerty;  12,  con- 


948  DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS. 

tempt  of  court;  13,  oppression;  14,  extortion;  15,  suppression  of 
evidence;  16,  compounding  felony;  17,  misprision  of  felony. 

VI.  Offenses  against  the  publio  peace — 1,  challenging  or  accept- 
ing a  challenge  to  a  duel;  2,  unlawful  assembly;  3,  rows;  4,  riot; 
5,  breach  of  the  peace;  6,  libel. 

VII.  Offenses  against  chastity— I,  sodomy;  2,  bestiality;  3, 
adultery;  4,  incest;  5,  bigamy;  6,  seduction;  7,  fornication;  8, 
lascivious  carriage;  9,  keeping  and  frequenting  houses  of  ill-fame. 

VIII.  Offenses  against  public  policy — 1,  false  currency;  2,  lot- 
teries; 3,  gambling;  4,  immoral  shows;  5,  violation  of  the  right 
of  suffrage;  6,  destruction  of  game,  fish,  etc.;  7,  nuisance. 

IX.  Offenses  against  the  currency,  and  public  and  private 
securities — 1,  forgery;  2,  counterfeiting;  3,  passing  counterfeit 
money. 

X.  Offenses  against  religion  and  morality — 1,  blasphemy;  2, 
profanity;  3,  Sabbath-breaking;  4,  obscenity;  5,  cruelty  to  ani- 
mals; 6,  drunkenness;  7,  promoting  intemperance.  ^ 

XI.  Offenses  agai/nst  the  public^  individuals,  or  their  property 
— 1,  conspiracy. 

TAXES. 

The  owners  of  real  and  personal  property,  on  the  first  day  of 
March  of  each  year,  are  liable  for  taxes  thereon. 

Assessments  should  be  completed  before  the  fourth  Monday  in 
June,  at  which  time  the  Town  Board  of  Review  meets  to  examine 
assessments,  hear  objections,  and  make  such  changes  as  ought  to  be 
made.  The  County  Board  have  also  power  to  correct  or  change 
assessments. 

The  tax-books  are  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Town  Collector  on 
or  before  the  tenth  day  of  December,  who  retains  them  until  the 
tenth  day  of  March  following,  when  he  is  required  to  return  them 
to  the  County  Treasurer,  who  then  collects  all  delinquent  taxes. 

No  costs  accrue  on  real  estate  taxes  until  advertised,  which  takes 
place  on  the  first  day  of  April,  when  three  weeks'  notice  is  required 
before  judgment.  Cost  of  advertising,  twenty  cents  each  tract  of 
land,  and  ten  cents  each  lot. 

Judgment  is  usually  obtained  at  the  May  term  of  County  Court. 
Costs  six  cents  each  tract  of  land,  and  five  cents  each  lot.  Sale 
takes  place  in  June.     Costs,  in  addition  to  those  mentioned,  twen- 


DIGEST    OF    STATE    LAWS.  949 

ty-eight  cents  each    tract  of  land,  and  twenty-seven  cents  each 
town  lot. 

Real  estate  sold  for  taxes  may  be  redeemed  any  time  before  the 
expiration  of  two  years  from  the  date  of  sale  by  payment  to  the 
County  Clerk  of  the  amount  for  which  it  was  sold,  and  twenty-five 
per  cent,  thereon  if  redeemed  within  six  months,  fifty  per  cent,  if 
redeemed  between  six  and  twelve  months;  if  between  twelve  and 
eighteen  months,  seventy-five  per  cent.,  and  if  between  eighteen 
months  and  two  years,  one  hundred  per  cent. ;  and,  in  addition,  all 
subsequent  taxes  paid  by  the  purchaser,  with  ten  per  cent,  interest 
thereon;  also,  one  dollar  feach  tract,  if  notice  is  given  by  the  pur- 
chaser of  the  sale,  and  a  fee  of  twenty-five  cents  to  the  Clerk  for 
his  certificate. 

SUBSCEIPTIO!?. 

The  selling  of  books  by  subscription  is  so  frequently  brought 
into  disrepute  by  agents  making  representations  not  authorized  by 
the  publishers,  that  the  public  are  often  swindled.  That  there 
may  be  more  general  knowledge  of  the  relation  such  agents  bear 
to  their  principal,  and  the  law  governing  such  cases,  we  give  the 
following  rules,  which,  if  followed,  will  save  a  great  deal  of  trouble 
and  perhaps  serious  loss. 

A  subscription  is  the  placing  of  a  signature  below  a  written  or 
printed  engagement.  It  is  the  act  by  which  a  person  contracts,  in 
writing,  to  furnish  a  sum  of  money  for  a  particular  purpose:  as,  a 
subscription  to  a  charitable  institution,  a  subscription  for  a  book, 
and  the  like.  In  the  case  of  a  book,  the  consideration  is  concur- 
rent that  the  publisher  shall  publish  the  book  named,  and  deliver 
the  same,  for  which  the  subscriber  is  to  pay  the  price  named.  The 
prospectus  and  sample  should  be  carefully  examined  before  sub- 
scribing, as  they  are  the  basis  and  consideration  of  the  promise  to 
pay,  and  not  the  too  often  exaggerated  statements  of  the  agent, 
who  is  merely  employed  to  solicit  subscriptions,  for  which  he 
usually  receives  a  commission  for  each  subscriber,  and  has  no 
authority  to  change  or  alter  the  conditions  upon  which  the  sub- 
scriptions are  authorized  to  be  made  by  the  publishers.  Should 
the  agent  assume  to  agree  to  make  the  subscription  conditional,  or 
modify  or  change  the  agreement  of  the  publisher,  as  set  out  by 
the  prospectus  and  sample,  in  order  to  bind  the  publishers,  the 


960 


DIGEST   OF   STATE   LAWS. 


subscriber  should  see  that  such  condition  or  change  is  stated  over, 
or  in  connection  with  his  signature,  so  the  publishers  may  have 
notice  of  the  same.  > 

When  several  persons  promise  to  contribute  to  a  common  object, 
desired  by  all,  the  promise  of  each  may  be  a  good  consideration  for 
the  promise  of  others.  In  general  subscriptions  on  certain  condi- 
tions in  favor  of  the  party  subscribing,  are  binding  when  the  acts 
stipulated  are  performed.  Subscription  is  in  the  nature  of  a  con- 
tract of  mutual  promises.  All  persons  should  remember  that  the 
law  as  to  written  contracts  is,  that  they  can  not  he  altered^  varied,  or 
rescinded  verbally,  but  if  done  at  all,  must  be  done  in  writing.  •  It 
is  therefore  important  that  all  persons  contemplating  subscribing 
should  distinctly  understand  that  all  talk  before  or  after  the  sub- 
scription is  made  is  not  admissible  as  evidence,  and  is  no  part  of 
the  contract.  Persons  before  signing  their  names  to  any  subscrip- 
tion book,  or  any  written  instrument,  should  carefully  examine 
what  it  is;  if  they  cannot  read,  they  should  call  on  some  one  dis- 
interested who  can. 

Persons  who  solicit  subscriptions  are  known  to  the  trade  as  can- 
vassers. They  are  agents  appointed  to  do  a  particular  business  in 
a  prescribed  mode,  and  have  no  authority  to  do  it  in  any  other  way 
to  the  prejudice  of  their  principal,  nor  can  they  bind  their  principal 
in  any  other  matter.  They  can  not  collect  money,  or  agree  that 
payment  may  be  made  in  anything  else  than  money.  They  cani:y)t 
extend  the  time  of  payment  beyond  the  time  of  delivery,  nor  bind 
their  principal  for  payment  of  expenses  iiicurred  in  their  business. 

Where  you  pay  money  to  an  agent  you  should  satisfy  yourself  of 
his  authority  to  collect  money  for  his  employer. 

CONTRACT  FOR  PERSONAL  SERVICES. 

When  a  contract  is  entire  and  has  been  only  partially  fulfilled,, 
the  party  in  fault  may  nevertheless  recover  from  the  other  party  for 
the  actual  beiaefit  received  and  retained  by  the  other  party,  less  the 
damages  sustained  by  such  other  party  by  reason  of  the  partial 
non-fulfillment  of  the  contract.  This  may  be  done  in  all  cases 
where  the  other  party  has  received  benefit  from  the  partial  fulfill- 
ment of  the  contract,  whether  he  has  so  received  the  same  from 
choice  or  from  the  necessities  of  the  case.  Where  D  hired  B  to 
work  for  him  for  seven  months  at  $15  per  month,  and  B  worked 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS.  951 

for  D  only  fifty-nine  days,  and  then  quit  without  any  reasonable 
excuse  therefor,  it  was  held  that  B  might  nevertheless  recover  from 
T>  for  what  the  work  was  reasonably  worth,  less  any  damage  that 
D  may  have  sustained  by  reason  of  the  partial  non-fulfillment  of 
the  contract. 

NEWSPAPER  LIBEL. 

Allowing  the  most  liberal  rule  as  to  the  liability  of  persons  in 
public  employment  to  criticism  for  their  conduct  in  which  the 
public  are  interested,  there  never  has  been  a  rule  which  subjected 
persons,  private  or  public,  to  be  falsely  traduced.  No  publication 
is  privileged  except  a  bona  fide  representation,  made  without 
malice,  to  the  proper  authority,  complaining  on  reasonable  grounds. 
The  nearest  approach  to  this  license  is  where  the  person  vilified 
presents  himself  before  the  body  of  the  public  as  a  candidate  for  an 
elective  office.  But  even  then  there  is  no  doctrine  which  will  sub- 
ject him  without  remedy  to  every  species  of  malevolent  attack. 

TENDER. 

If  the  tender  be  of  money,  it  can  be  a  defense  only  when  made 
before  the  action  was  brought.  A  tender  does  not  bar  the  debt  as. 
a  payment  would,  for  in  general  he  is  bound  to  pay  the  sum  which 
he  tendered,  whenever  he  is  required  to  do  so.  But  it  puts  a  stop 
to  accruing  damages  or  interest  for  delay  in  payment,  and  saves 
the  defendant  costs.  It  need  not  be  made  by  the  defendant  person- 
ally; if  made  by  a  third  person,  at  his  request,  it  is  sufficient;  and 
if  made  by  a  stranger  without  his  knowledge  or  request,  a  subse- 
quent assent  of  the  debtor  will  operate  as  a  ratification  of  the 
agency,  and  make  the  tender  good.  Any  person  may  make  a  valid 
tender  for  an  idiot.  If  an  agent,  furnished  with  money  to  make  a 
tender,  at  his  own  risk  tender  more,  it  is  good.  So,  a  tender  need 
not  be  made  to  a  creditor  personally;  but  it  must  be  made  to  an 
agent  actually  authorized  to  receive  the  money.  If  the  money  be 
due  to  several  jointly,  it  may  be  tendered  to  either,  but  must  be 
pleaded  as  made  to  all.  The  whole  sum  due  must  be  tendered,  as 
the  creditor  is  not  bound  to  receive  a  part  of  his  debt.  If  the 
tender  be  of  the  whole  debt,  it  is  valid.  If  the  obligation  be  in  the 
alternative,  one  thing  or  another,  as  the  creditor  may  choose,  the 
tender  should  be  of  both,  that  he  may  make  his  choice.  To  make 
a  tender  of  money  valid  the  money  must  be  actually  produced  and 


952  DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS. 

proflFered,  unless  the  creditor  expressly  or  impliedly  waives  this 
production.  The  debtor  is  not  bound  to  count  out  the  money,  if  he 
has  it  and  offers  it.  No  conditions  must  be  annexed  to  the  tender, 
which  the  creditor  can  have  any  good  reason  whatever  for  objecting 
to;  as  for  instance,  that  he  should  give  a  receipt  in  full  of  all 
demands.  The  tender  should  be  made  in  money  made  lawful  by 
the  State  in  which  it  is  offered.  Generally,  a  tender  is  valid  and 
effectual  if  made  at  any  time  after  the  debt  is  due;  and  a  demand 
made  after  the  tender  if  for  more  than  the  sum  tendered,  will  not 
avoid  the  tender.  Certainly  not,  if  the  demand  is  for  more  than 
the  real  debt,  although  the  excess  was  for  another  debt  truly  due. 

Tender  of  Chattels. — The  thing  tendered  may  not  be  money,  but 
some  specific  article.  If  one  is  bound  to  deliver  chattels  at  a  partic- 
ular time  and  place,  it  may  not  be  enough  if  he  has  them  there;  they 
may  be  mingled  with  others  of  a  like  kind  which  he  is  not  to 
deliver.  Or  they  may  need  some  act  of  separation,  or  identifica. 
tion,  or  completion,  before  they  could  become  the  property  of  the 
other  party.  Generally,  if  no  time  or  place  be  specified,  the  articles 
are  to  be  delivered  where  they  are  at  the  time  of  the  contract, 
unless  collateral  circumstances  designate  a  different  place.  If  the 
time  be  fixed,  but  not  the  place,  then  it  will  be  presumed  that  the 
deliverer  was  to  bring  the  articles  to  the  receiver  at  that  time,  and 
for  that  purpose  he  must  go  with  the  chattels  to  the  residence  of  the 
receiver,  unless  something  in  their  very  nature  or  use,  or  some  other 
circumstances  of  equivalent  force,  distinctly  implies  that  they  are 
to  be  left  at  some  other  place.  It  may  happen,  from  the  cumbrons- 
ness  of  the  chattels  or  other  circumstances,  that  it  is  reasonable  and 
just  for  the  deliverer  to  ascertain  from  the  receiver,  long  enough 
beforehand,  where  they  shall  be  delivered;  and  then  he  would  be 
held  to  this  as  a  legal  obligation.  So,  too,  in  such  a  case,  the 
receiver  would  have  a  right  to  designate  to  the  detiner,  a  reasonable 
time  beforehand,  a  place  of  delivery  reasonably  convenient  to  both 
parties,  and  the  deliverer  would  be  bound  by  such  directions.  If 
no  place  be  iudicated,  and  the  deliverer  is  not  in  fault  in  this,  he 
may  deliver  the  chattels  to  the  receiver,  in  person,  at  any  place 
which  is  reasonably  convenient.  And  if  the  receiver  refuses  or 
neglects  to  appoint  any  place,  or  purposely  avoids  receiving  notice 
of  a  place,  the  deliverer  may  appoint  any  place,  with  a  reasonable 


DIGEST  OF    STATE    LAWS.  953 

regard  to  the  convenience  of  the  other  party,  and  there  deliver  the 
articles. 

If  the  promise  be  to  pay  at  a  certain  time,  or  deliver  certain 
chattels,  it  is  a  promise  in  the  alternative;  and  the  alternative 
belongs  to  the  promisor;  he  may  do  either  the  one  or  the  other,  at 
his  election;  nor  need  he  make  his  election  until  the  time  when  the 
promise  is  to  be  performed;  but  after  that  day  has  passed  without 
election  on  his  part,  the  promisee  has  an  absolute  right  to  the 
money,  and  may  bring  his  action  for  it.  A  contract  to  deliver  a 
certain  quantity  of  merchandise  at  a  certain  time  means,  of  course, 
to  deliver  the  whole  then.  If  by  the  terms  of  the  contract  certain 
specific  articles  are  to  be  delivered  at  a  certain  time  and  place  in  pay- 
ment of  an  existing  debt,  this  contract  is  fully  discharged  and  the 
debt  is  paid,  by  a  complete  and  legal  tender  of  the  articles  at  the 
time  and  place,  although  the  promisee  was  not  there  to  receive 
them ;  and  no  action  can  thereafter  be  maintained  on  the  contract. 
But  the  property  in  the  goods  has  passed  to  the  creditor,  and  he 
may  retain  them  as  his  own. 

DRUNKENNESS 
Is  the  condition  of  a  person  who  is  under  the  immediate  influence 
of  intoxicating  liquors.     This  condition  presents  various  degrees  of 
intensity,  ranging  from  a  simple  exhilaration  to  a  state  of  utter 
unconsciousness  and  insensibility. 

The  common  law  shows  but  little  disposition  to  afford  relief^ 
either  in  civil  or  criminal  cases,  from  the  immediate  effects  of 
drunkenness.  It  lias  never  considered  drunkenness  alone  as  a  sufli- 
cient  reason  for  invalidating  any  act. 

"When  carried  so  far  as  to  deprive  the  party  of  all  consciousness* 
strong  presumption  of  fraud  is  raised ;  and  on  that  ground  courts 
may  interfere. 

Courts  of  equity  decline  to  interfere  in  favor  of  parties  pleading 
intoxication  in  the  performance  of  a  civil  act. 

The  law  does,  however,  recognize  two  kinds  of  inculpable  drunk- 
enness viz. :  that  which  is  produced  by  the  "  unskillfulness  of  his 
physician,"  and  that  which  is  produced  by  the  "contrivance  of 
enemies."  To  this  may  be  added  cases  where  a  party  drinks  no 
more  liquor  than  he  has  habitually  used  without  being  intoxicated, 
and  which  exerts  an  unusually  potent  effect  on  the  brain  in  con- 
sequence of  certain  pathological  conditions. 


954 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS. 


MARRIAGE  CONTRACT. 

Marriage  is  a  contract,  made  in  due  form  of  law,  by  which  a  man 
and  woman  reciprocally  engage  to  live  with  each  other  during  their 
joint  lives,  and  to  discharge  towards  each  other  the  duties  imposed 
by  law  on  the  relation  of  husband  and  wife.  The  marriage  contract 
is  in  law  a  civil  contract,  to  which  the  consent  of  the  parties  is 
essential.  The  marriage  relation  can  only  be  entered  into,  main- 
tained, and  abrogated  as  provided  by  law.  It  is  dissolved  by  death 
or  divorce.  A  marriage  which  is  valid  by  the  law  of  the  country 
in  which  it  is  contracted,  is  valid  in  this  State.  To  make  a  valid 
marriage,  the  parties  must  be  willing  to  contract,  able  to  contract, 
and  have  actually  contracted.  All  persons  are  able  to  contract 
marriage  unless  they  are  under  the  legal  age,  or  unless  there  be 
other  disability;  the  age  of  consent  at  common  law  is  fourteen  in 
males  and  twelve  in  females.  When  a  person  under  this  age  mar- 
ries, such  person  can,  when  he  or  she  arrives  at  the  age  above  speci- 
fied, avoid  the  marriage,  or  such  person  or  both  may,  if  the  other  is 
of  legal  age,  confirm  it;  if  either  of  the  parties  is  under  seven,  the 
marriage  is  void.  If  either  of  the  party  is  non  compos  mentis  or 
insane,  or  has  a  husband  or  wife  living,  the  marriage  is  void. 

The  parties  must  each  be  willing  to  marry  the  other.  If  eitner 
party  acts  under  compulsion,  or  is  under  duress,  the  marriage  is 
voidable. 

The  husband  is  bound  to  receive  his  wife  at  home,  and  should  fur- 
nish her  with  all  the  necessaries  and  conveniencies  which  his  for- 
tune enables  him  to  do,  and  which  her  situation  requires,  but  this 
does  not  include  such  luxuries  as,  according  to  her  fancy,  she  deems 
necessaries.  He  is  bound  to  love  his  wife  and  bear  with  her  faults, 
and,  if  possible,  by  mild  means,  to  correct  them;  arid  he  is  required 
to  fulfill  towards  her  his  marital  promise  of  fidelity. 

Being  the  head  of  the  family,  the  husband  has  a  right  to  estab- 
lish himself  wherever  he  may  please,  and  in  this  he  cannot  be  con- 
trolled by  his  wife;  he  may  manage  his  afiairs  in  his  own  way,  buy 
and  sell  all  kinds  of  personal  property,  without  her  control,  and  lie 
may  buy  any  real  estate  he  may  deem  proper;  but  as  the  wife 
acquires  a  right  in  the  latter,  he  cannot  sell  it  without  her  consent. 

A  wife  is  under  obligations  to  love,  honor  and  obey  her  husband, 
and  is  bound  to  follow  him  wherever  in  the  country  he  may  go  and 
establish  himself,  provided  it  is  not  for  other  causes  unreasonable. 


DIGEST   OF    STATE    LAWS.  955 

She  is  under  obligation  to  be  faithful  in  chastity  to  her  marriage 
vow.  A  wife  has  the  right  to  tlie  love  and  protecting  care  of  her 
husband;  she  has  the  right  to  share  his  bed  and  board;  she  can  call 
upon  her  husband  to  provide  her  with  the  necessary  food  and 
clothing,  according  to  her  position  in  life,  and  if  he  neglects  or  re- 
fuses to  do  so,  she  can  procure  them  on  his  account. 

MAEEIED    WOMEN 

May  bargain,  sell,  and  convey  their  real  and  personal  property,  and 
enter  into  contracts  with  reference  to  the  same.  The  wife  may  be 
the  agent  of  the  husband,  and  transact  for  hjm  business,  making, 
accepting  or  endorsing  bills  or  notes,  purchasing  goods,  rendering 
bills,  collecting  money  and  receipting  for  the  same,  and  in  general, 
entering  into  any  contract  so  as  to  bind  him,  if  she  has  his  authority 
to  do  so.  And  while  they  continue  to  live  together,  the  law  con- 
siders the  wife  as  clothed  with  authority  by  the  husband  to  buy  for 
him  and  his  family  all  things  necessary,  in  kind  and  quantit}',  for 
the  proper  support  of  his  family;  and  for  such  purchases  made  by 
her  he  is  liable.  The  husband  is  responsible  for  necessaries  sup- 
plied to  his  wife,  if  he  does  not  supply  them  himself,  and  he 
continues  so  liable  if  he  turns  her  out  of  his  house  or  otherwise 
separates  himself  from  her,  without  good  cause.  But  he  is  not  so 
liable  if  she  deserts  him,  (without  extreme  provocation)  or  if  he 
turns  her  away  for  good  cause.  If  she  leaves  him  because  he  treats 
her  so  ill  that  she  has  good  right  to  go  from  him  and  his  house, 
this  is  the  same  thing  as  turning  her  a\\'ay ;  and  she  carries  with  her 
his  credit  for  all  necessaries  supplied  to  her.  But  what  the  mis- 
conduct must  be  to  give  tliis  right,  is  uncertain.  But  the  law  un- 
doubtedly is,  that  the  wife  is  not  obliged  to  stay  and  endure  cruelty 
or  indecency.  It  is  also  held,  that  if  a  man  lives  with  a  woman  as 
his  wife,  and  represents  her  to  be  so,  he  is  liable  for  necessaries  sup- 
plied to  her,  and  her  contracts,  in  the  same  way  as  if  she  were  his  wife- 
The  statutes  intend  to  secure  to  a  inarried  woman  all  her  rights. 
But  many  women  about  to  marry — or  their  friends  for  them — • 
often  wish  to  secure  to  them  certain  powers  and  rights,  and  to  limit 
these  in  certain  ways  or  to  make  sure  that  their  property  is  in  safe 
and  skillful  hands.  This  can  only  be  done  by  conveying  artd  trans- 
ferring the  property  to  trustees;  that  is,  to  certain  persons  to  hold 
the  same  in  trust. 


956 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS. 


A  married  woman  may  sue  and  be  sued.  At  the  death  ol'  the 
husband,  in  addition  to  the  widow's  award,  a  married  woman  has  a 
dower  interest  [one-third]  in  all  real  estate  owned  by  her  husband 
after  their  marriage,  and  which  has  not  been  released  by  her,  and 
the  husband  has  the  same  interest  in  the  real  estate  of  the  wife, 
after  her  death. 

SCHOOL  MONTH. 

NUMBER   OF   DATS    IN   A   SCHOOL    MONTH TEACHEES'    HOLIDAYS. 

The  law  of  this  State  says  that  a  school  month  shdll  comprise 
twenty-two  school  days,  actually  taught.  It  also  provides  that 
teachers  shall  not  be  required  to  teach  on  legal  holidays,  thanks- 
giving or  fast-days,  appointed  by  State  or  National  authority. 

SCHOOL   OHILDKEn's   STUDIES. 

The  rulings  of  courts  are  that  the  trustees  of  a  school  district 
may  prescribe  what  studies  sliall  be  pursued,  and  may  regulate  the 
classification  of  the  pupils ;  but  that  a  parent  may  select,  from  the 
branches  pursued,  those  which  the  child  shall  study,  so  long  as  the 
exercise  of  such  selection  does  not  interfere  with  the  system  pre- 
scribed for  the  school ;  that  the  child  cannot  be  excluded  from  onfe 
study  simply  because  he  is  deficient  in  another ;  the  rule  requiring 
his  exclusion  is  unreasonable,  and  cannot  be  enforced. 

INFANTS 

Can  make  a  binding  contract  for  necessaries  only.  An  infant  can 
never  bind  himself  even  for  necessaries  when  he  has  a  parent  or 
guardian  who  supplies  his  wants.  What  are  considered,  necessaries 
depend  upon  the  rank  and  circumstances  of  the  infant  in  the  par- 
ticular case.  All  his  other  contracts  are  considered  voidaile  and 
void.  An  infant's  contract  on  a  bill  or  note  is  voidable.  Hia 
liability  may  be  established  by  ratification  after  full  age. 

The  confirmation  or  ratification  must  be  distinct,  and  vi^ith  a  knowl- 
edge that  he  is  not  liable  on  the  contract.  A  mere  acknowledgment 
of  a  debt,  or  a  payment  of  a  part  of  it,  will  not  support  an  action 
an  such  a  contract.  When  an  infant  indorses  negotiable  notes  or 
bills  he  does  not  pass  any  interest  in  them  as  against  himself;  his 
act  is  voidable,  but  neither  the  acceptor  nor  subsequent  indorser 
can  oblige  his  infancy  to  evade  their  liability;  nor  can  the  drawer 
of  a  bill  set  up  the  infancy  of  a  payee  and  indorser  as  a  defense  to 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS.  957 

an  action  thereon  against  liimself.  An  infant  may  sue  on  a  bill, 
but  he  sues  by  his  guardian  or  next  friend,  and  payment  should 
accordingly  be  made  to  him. 

Parties  contracting  with  an  infant  assume  all  the  inconveniences 
incident  to  the  protection  which  the  law  allows  him.  In  law 
infanCv  extends  to  the  age  of  twenty-one  years. 

ADOPTION  OF  CHILDREN. 

Children  may  be  adopted  by  any  resident  of  this  State  by  filing 
a  petition  in  the  Circuit  or  County  Court  of  the  county  in  which 
he  resides,  asking  leave  to  do  so ;  and,  if  desired,  may  ask  that  the 
name  of  the  child  be  changed.  Such  petition,  if  made, by  a  person 
having  a  husband  or  wife,  will  not  be  granted  unless  the  husband 
and  wife  joins  therein,  as  the  adoption  must  be  by  them  jointly. 
The  petition  shall  state  name,  sex,  and  age  of  child,  and  the  new 
name,  if  it  is  desired  to  change  the  name;  also,  the  name  and  resi- 
dence of  the  parents  of  the  child,  if  known,  and  of  the  guardian, 
if  any,  and  whether  the  parents  or  guardian  consent  to  the 
adoption. 

The  Court  must  find,  before  granting  decree,  that  the  parents  of 
the  child,  or  the  survivors  of  them,  have  deserted  his  or  her  family, 
or  such  child,  for  one  year  next  preceding  the  application ;  or,  if 
neither  is  living,  that  the  guardian  (if  no  guardian,  the  next  of 
kin  in  this  State  capable  of  giving  consent)  has  had  notice  of  the 
presentation  of  the  petition,  and  consents  to  such  adoption.  If 
the  child  is  at  the  age  of  fourteen  or  upwards,  the  adoption  cannot 
be  made  without  its  consent. 

CHURCH   ORGANIZATIONS 

May  be  legally  made  by  electing  or  appointing,  according  to  the 
usages  or  customs  of  the  body  of  which  it  is  a  part,  at  any  meeting 
held  for  that  purpose,  two  or  more  of  its  members  or  trustees,  war- 
dens or  vestrymen,  and  may  adopt  a  corporate  name.  The  Chair- 
man or  Secretary  of  such  meeting  shall,  as  soon  as  possible,  make 
and  file  in  the  office  of  the  Recorder  of  Deeds  of  the  county  an 
aflidavit  substantially  in  the  following  form: 

State  of  Illinois,  ]  ^^ 

Cottnty.      f     ■ 

J ^  do  solemnly  swear  [or  affirm,  as  the  case  may  be] 

that  at  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  [here  insert  the  name  of 


958  DIGEST   OJ   STATE   LAWS. 

the  church,  society,  or  congregation,  as  known  before  organization] 

held  at  [here  insert  the  place  of  meeting],  in  the  County  of , 

and  State  of  Illinois,  on  the day  of ,  A.  J).  18 — ,  for 

that  purpose,  the  following  persons  were  elected  [or  appointed; 
here  insert  the  names]  trustees,  wardens,  vestrymen  [or  officers  by 
whatever  name  they  may  choose  to  adopt,  with  power  similar  to 
trustees],    according  to   the    rules   and   usages  of  such   [church, 

society,  or  congregation],  and  said adopted  as  its  corporate 

name  [here  insert  name],  and  at  said  meeting  this  affiant  acted  as 
[Chairman  or  Secretary,  as  the  case  may  be]. 

Subscribed  and  sworn  to  before  me  this  — '■ —  day  of , 

A.  D.  18—.  [Name  of  affiant] . 

Which  affidavit  must  be  recorded  by  the  Eecorder,  and  shall  be, 
or  a  certified  copy  made  by  the  Recorder,  received  as  evidence  of 
such  corporation. 

JSIo  certificate  of  election  after  the  first  need  be  filed  for  record. 

The. term  of  office  of  the  trustees,  and  the  general  government  of 
the  society  can  be  determined  by  the  rules  and  by-laws  adopted. 
Failure  to  elect  trustees  at  the  time  provided  does  not  work  a  dis- 
solution, but  the  old  trustees  hold  over.  A  trustee  or  trustees  may 
be  removed,  in  the  same  manner,  by  the  societ}'^,  as  elections  are 
held  by  a  meeting  called  for  that  purpose.  The  property  of  the 
society  rests  in  the  corporation.  The  corporation  raay  hold,  or 
acquire  by  purchase  or  otherwise,  land  not  exceeding  ten  acres,, for 
the  purpose  of  the  society.  The  trustees  have  the  care,  custody 
and  control  of  the  property  of  the  corporation,  and  can,  when 
directed  by  the  society,  erect  houses  or  improvements,  and  repair 
and  alter  the  same,  and  may  also  when  so  directed  by  the  society, 
mortgage,  encumber,  sell  and  convey  any  real  or  personal  estate 
belonging  to  the  corporation,  and  make  all  proper  contracts  in  the 
name  of  such  corporation.  But  they  are  prohibited  by  law  from 
encumbering  or  interfering  with  any  property  so  as  to  destroy  the 
eiFect  of  any  gift,  grant,  devise  or  bequest  to  the  corporation;  but 
such  gifts,  grants,  devises  or  bequests  must  in  all  cases  be  used  so 
as  to  carry  out  the  object  intended  by  the  persons  making  the  same. 
Existing  churches  may  organize  in  the  manner  herein  set  forth,  and 
have  all  the  advantages  thereof. 

GA.ME 

Consists  of  birds  and  beasts  of  a  wild  nature,  obtained  by  fowling 
and  hunting.     The  last  few  years  have  shown  a  general  interest  by 


DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS.  959 

the  people  in  having  wise  and  just  laws  passed  for  the  protection  of 
fish  and  game.  It  is  apparent  to  all  that,  unless  these  laws  are 
vigorously  enforced,  the  time  will  soon  come  when  fish  and  game 
will  be  so  scarce  as  to  be  within  the  reach  of  only  the  wealthy. 
Under  proper  regulations  our  streams  of  pure  running  water  would 
all  be  filled  with  fish,  as  in  other  years,  and  our  prairies,  fields  and 
forests  alive  with  their  great  variety  of  game.  It  is  a  question  that 
interests  all,  and  the  game  laws  should  be  enforced. 

The  following  are  sections  1  and  6  of  the  Game  Law  of  1873,  of 
this  State,  as  amended  by  the  act  approved  May  14th,  1877: 

Sec.  1.  That  it  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person  or  persons  to 
hunt  or  pursue,  kill  or  trap,  net  or  ensnare,  destroy,  or  attempt  to 
kill,  trap,  net,  ensnare,  or  otherwise  destroy  any  prairie  hen  or 
■chicken,  or  any  woodcock,  between  the  15th  day  of  January  and  the 
1st  day  of  September  in  each  and  every  year;  or  any  deer,  fawn, 
wild  turkey,  ruffed  grouse  (commonly  called  partridge),  or  pheas- 
ant, between  the  1st  day  of  February  and  the  1st  day  of  October 
in  each  and  every  year;  or  any  quail  between  the  1st  day  of  Feb- 
ruary and  the  1st  day  of  ]N"ovember  in  each  and  every  year;  or  any 
wild  goose,  duck,  snipe,  brant,  or  other  waterfowl  between  the  1st 
■day  of  May  and  the  15th  day  of  August  in  each  and  every  year: 
Provided,  That  it  shall  be  iinlawful  for  any  person  or  persons  to 
net  any  quail  at  any  time  after  this  act  shall  take  effect  and  be  in 
force:  and  provided  further.  That  it  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  per- 
son or  persons  who  is  or  are  non-residents  of  this  State  to  kill, 
•  ensnare,  net  or  trap  any  deer,  fawn,  wild  turkey,  prairie  heji  or 
chicken,  ruffed  grouse,  quail,  woodcock,  wild  goose,  wild  duck  or 
brant,  or  any  snipe,  in  any  county  of  this  State,  at  any  time,  for 
the  purpose  of  selling  or  marketing  or  removing  the  same  outside 
-of  this  State.  Every  person  who  violates  any  of  the  provisions  of 
this  section  shall,  for  each  and  every  offense,  be  deemed  guilty  of  a 
misdemeanor,  and  on  conviction  shall  be  fined  not  less  than  five  dol- 
lars ($5)  nor  more  than  twenty-five  dollars  ($25)  and  costs  of  suit  for 
•each  and  every  separate  bird  or  animal  of  the  above  enumerated 
list,  so  unlawfully  hunted  or  pursued,  killed,  trapped,  netted, 
ensnared,  or  destroyed  or  attempted  to  be  killed,  trapped,  netted, 
ensnared,  or  otherwise  destroyed,  and  shall  stand  committed  to  the 
■county  jail  until  such  fine  and  costs  are  paid,  but  such  imprison- 
ment shall  not  exceed  ten  days. 


960  DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS. 

Sec.  6.  No  person  or  persons  shall  sell  or  expose  for  sale,  or 
have  in  his  or  their  possession  for  the  purpose  of  selling  or  expos- 
ing for  sale,  any  of  the  animals,  wild  fowls  or  birds  mentioned  in 
section  1  of  this  act,  after  the  expiration  of  five  days  next  succeed- 
ing the  first  day  of  the  period  in  which  it  shall  be  unlawful  to 
kill,  trap,  net,  or  ensnare  such  animals,  wild  fowls  or  birds.  And 
any  person  so  offending  shall,  on  conviction,  be  fined  and  dealt  with 
as  specified  in  Section  1  of  this  act:  Provided,  That  the  provisions 
of  this  act  shall  not  apply  to  the  killing  of  birds  by  or  for  the  use 
of  taxidermists  for  preservation  either  in  public  or  private  collec- 
tions, if  so  preserved. 

The  fifteenth  of  January,  it  will  be  observed,  is  the  date  when  the 
prohibition  begins  to  work  as  to  prairie  chickens  and  woodcock; 
the  first  of  February  is  the  date  for  most  other  sorts  of  game, 
except  waterfowl.  And  five  days  after  the  prohibition  against  kill- 
ing goes  into  force,  it  becomes  unlawful  to  sell  or  expose  for  sale 
the  prohibited  game. 

PEESEEVATION  OF  OTHER    BIRDS. 

It  may  be  appropriate  to  mention  here  that  Sections  3  and  4  of 
the  act  of  1873,  which  are  not  changed  or  affected  by  the  act  of 
1877,  are  as  follows: 

Sec.  3.  No  person  shall  at  any  time,  within  this  State,  kill  or 
attempt  to  trap,  net,  ensnare,  destroy  or  kill  any  robin,  bluebird, 
swallow,  martin,  mosquito  hawk,  whippoorwill,  cuckoo,  woodpecker, 
catbird,  brown-thrasher,  red-bird,  hanging-bird,  buzzard,  sparrow, 
wren,  humming-bird,  dove,  gold-finch,  mocking  bird,  blue-jay,  finch, 
thrush,  lark,  cherry-bird,  yellow-bird,  oriole,  or  bobolink,  nor  rob  or 
destroy  the  nests  of  such  birds,  or  either  or  any  of  them.  And 
any  person  so  offending  shall  on  conviction  be  fined  the  sum  of  five 
dollars  for  each  and  every  bird  so  killed,  and  for  each  and  every  nest 
robbed  or  destroyed:  Provided,  that  nothing  in  this  section  shall 
be  construed  to  prevent  the  owner  or  occupant  of  lands  from 
destroying  any  of  the  birds  herein  named  on  the  same,  when  deemed 
necessary  for  the  protection  of  fruits  or  property. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person  or  persons  to  destroy 
or  remove  from  the  nests  of  any  prairie  chicken,  grouse  or  quail, 
wild  turkey,  goose  or  brant,  any  Qgg  or  eggs  of  such  fowl  or  bird, 
or  for  any  person  to  bu}',  sell,  have  in  possession  or  traffic  in  such 


DIGEST   OF    STATE    LAWS.  961 

eggs,  or  willfully  destroy  the  nest  of  such  hirds  or  fowls,  or  any  or 
either  of  them.  And  any  person  so  offending  shall  on  conviction 
be  lined  and  dealt  with  as  specified  in  Section  3  of  this  act. 

MILLERS. 

The  owner  or  occupant  of  every  public  grist-mill  in  this  State 
shall  grind  all  grain  brought  to  his  mill,  in  its  tiirn.  The' toll  for 
both  steam  and  water  mills,  is,  for  grinding  and  bolting  wheat,  rye, 
or  other  grain,  one-eighth  part;  for  grinding  Indian  corn,  oats,  barley, 
and  buckwheat  not  required  to  be  bolted,  one-seventh  part;  for  grind- 
ing malt,  and  chopping  all  kinds  of  grain,  one-eighth  part.  It  is 
the  duty  of  every  miller,  when  his  mill  is  in  repair,  to  aid  and  assist 
in  loading  and  unloading  all  grain  brought  to  his  mill  to  be  ground; 
and  he  is  also  required  to  keep  an  accurate  half-bushel  measure,  and 
an  accurate  set  of  toll  dishes  or  scales  for  weighing  the  grain.  The 
penalty  for  neglect  or  refusal  to  comply  with  the  law  is  $5,  to  the 
use  of  any  person  suing  for  the  same,  to  be  recovered  before  any 
Justice  of  the  Peace  of  the  county  where  the  penalty  is  incurred. 
Millers  are  accountable  (except  it  results  from  unavoidable  acci  - 
dents)  for  the  safe-keeping  of  all  grain  left  in  their  mill  for  the  pur- 
pose of  being  ground,  with  bags  or  casks  containing  same,  provided 
that  such  bags  or  casks  are  distinctly  marked  with  the  initial  letters 
of  the  owner's  name. 

PAUPERS. 

Every  poor  person  who  shall  be  unable  to  earn  a  livelihood  in  con- 
sequence of  any  bodily  infirmity,  idiocy,  lunacy  or  unavoidable 
cause,  shall  be  supported  by  the  father,  grandfathers,  mother,  grand- 
mothers, children,  grandchildren,  brothers  or  sisters,  of  such  poor 
person,  if  they  or  either  of  them  be  of  sufficient  ability;  but  if  any 
of  such  dependent  class  shall  have  become  so  from  intemperance,  or 
other  bad  conduct,  they  shall  .not  be  entitled  to  support  from  any 
relation  except  parent  or  child.  The  children  shall  first  be  called  on 
to  support  their  parents,' if  they  are  able;  but  if  not,  the  parents  of 
such  poor  person  shall  then  be  called  on,  if  of  sufficient  ability;  and 
if  there  be  no  parents  or  children  able,  then  the  brothers  and  sisters 
of  such  dependent  person  shall  be  called  upon;  and  if  there  be  no 
brothers  or  sisters  of  sufficient  ability,  the  grandchildren  of  such  per- 
son shall  next  be  called  on ;  and  if  they  are  not  able,  then  the  grand- 
parents.    Married  females,  while  their  husbands  live,  shall  not  be 


962  DIGEST    OF    STATE   LAWS. 

liable  to  contribute  for  the  support  of  their  poor  relations  except 
out  of  their  separate  property.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  State's  attorney 
to  rnake  complaint  to  the  County  Court  of  his  county  against  all  the 
relatives  of  such  paupers  in  this  State  liable  to  support,  and  prose- 
cute the  same.  In  case  the  State's  attorney  neglects  or  refuses  to 
complain  in  such  cases,  then  it  is  the  duty  of  the  overseer  of  the  poor 
to  do  so.  The  person  called  upon  to  contribute  shall  have  at  least 
ten  days'  notice  of  such  application,  by  summons.  The  court  has 
the  power  to  determine  the  kind  of  support,  depending  upon  the 
circumstances  of  the  parties,  and  may  also  order  two  or  more  of  the 
different  degrees  to  maintain  such  poor  person,  and  prescribe  the 
proportion  of  each,  according  to  his  or  her  ability.  The  court  may 
specify  the  time  for  which  the  relatives  shall  contribute;  in  fact  it 
has  control  over  the  entire  subject  matter,  with  pow«r  to  enforce  its 
order. 

Every  county  is  required  to  relieve  and  support  all  poor  and  in- 
digent persons  lawfully  resident  therein.  "  Residence  "  means  the 
actual  residence  of  the  party,  or  the  place  where  he  was  employed; 
or  in  case  he  was  in  no  employment,  then  it  shall  be  the  place  where 
he  made  his  home.  When  any  person  becomes  chargeable  as  a 
pauper  who  did  not  reside  in  the  county  at  the  commencement  of 
six  month's  immediately  preceding  his  becoming  so,  but  did  at  the 
time  reside  elsewhere  in  this  State,  then  the  county  becomes  liable 
for  the  expense  of  taking  care  of  such  person  until  removed;  and  it 
is  the  duty  of  the  overseer  to  notify  the  proper  authorities  of  the 
fact.  If  any  person  shall  bring  and  leave  any  pauper  in  any  county 
in  this  State  where  such  pauper  had  no  legal  residence,  knowing  him 
to  be  such,  he  is  liable  to  a  fine  of  $iOO.  In  counties  under  town- 
ship organization,  the  supervisors  in  each  town  are  ex-officio  over- 
seers of  the  poor.  The  overseers  of  the  poor  act  under  the  directions 
of  the  County  Board  in  taking  care  of  the  poor  and  granting  tem- 
porary relief;  also,  in  providing  for  non-resident  persons  not  pau- 
pers who  may  be  taken  sick  and  not  able  to  pay  their  way,  and,  in 
case  of  death,  causing  such  persons  to  be  decently  buried. 

PUBLIC  AND  PRIYATE  CONVEYANCES. 

When  practicable  from  the  nature  of  the  ground,  persons  travel 
ing  in  any  kind  of  vehicle  must  turn  to  the  right  of  the  center  of 
the  road,  so  as  to  permit  each  carriage  to  pass  without  interfering 


DIGEST    OF   STATE   LAWS.  963 

with  the  other.  The  penalty  for  a  violation  of  this  provision  is  $5 
for  every  offense,  to  he  recovered  by  the  party  injured;  but  to  re- 
cover, there  must  have  occurred  some  injury  to  person  or  property 
resulting  from  the  violation. 

The  owners  of  any  carriage  traveling  upon  any  road  in  this  State 
for  th6  conveyance  of  passengers,  who  shall  employ  or  continue  in 
their  employment  as  driver  any  person  who  is  addicted  to  drunken- 
ness, or  the  excessive  use  of  spirituous  liquors,  after  he  has  had 
notice  of  the  same,  shall  pay  a  forfeit  at  the  rate  of  $5  per  day ;  and 
if  any  driver,  while  actually  engaged  in  driving  any  such  carriage, 
shall  be  guilty  of  intoxication  to  such  a  degree  as  to  endanger  the 
safety  of  passengers,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  owner,  on  receiving 
written  notice  of  the  fact,  signed  by  one  of  the  passengers,  and  cer- 
tified by  him  on  oath,  forthwith  to  discharge  such  driver.  If  such 
owner  shall  have  such  driver  in  his  employ  within  three  months 
after  such  notice,  he  is  liable  for  $5  per  day  for  the  time  he  shall 
keep  such  driver  in  his  employment  after  receiving  such  notice. 

Persons  driving  any  ca'r^age  on  any  public  highway  are  prohib- 
ited from  running  their  horses  upon  any  occasion,  under  a  penalty 
•  of  a  fine  not  exceeding  $10,  or  im'prisonment  not  exceeding  sixty 
days,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court.  Horses  attached  to  any  car- 
riage used  to  convey  passengers  for  hire  must  be  properly  hitched, 
or  the  lines  placed  in  the  hands  of  some  other  person,  before  the 
driver  leaves  them  for  any  purpose.  For  violation  of  this  provision 
each  driver  shall  forfeit  twenty  dollars,  to  be  recovered  by  action 
commenced  within  six  months. 

It  is  understood  by  the  term  "  carriage  "  herein  to  mean  any  car- 
riage  or  vehicle  used  for  the  transportation  pf  passengers,  or  goods, 
or  either  of  them. 

WAGEKS  AND  STAKEHOLDERS. 

Wagers  upon  the  result  of  an  election  have  always  been  consid- 
ered as  void,  as  being  contrary  to  sound  policy,  and  tending  to  im- 
pair the  purity  of  elections.  Wagers  as  to  the  mode  of  playing,  or 
as  to  the  result  of  any  illegal  game,  as  boxing,  wrestling,  cock- 
fighting,  etc.,  are  void  at  common  law. 

Stakeholders  must  deliver  the  thing  holden  by  them  to  the  person 

titled  to  it,  on  demand.     It  is  frequently  questionable  who  is  en- 

t'tled  to  it.     Ill  case,  of  an  unlawful  wager,  although  he  may  be  jus- 


964r  DIGEST    OF    STATE    LAWS. 

tified  for  delivering  the  thing  to  the  winner,  by  the  express  or  im- 
plied consent  of  the  loser,  yet  if  before  the  event  has  happened  he 
has  been  required  by  either  party  to  give  up  the  thing  deposited 
with'  him  by  such  party,  he  is  bound  to  deliver  it;  or  if,  after  the 
event  has  happened,  the  losing  party  gives  notice  to  the  stakeholder 
not  to  pay  the  winner,  a  payment  made  to  him  afterwards  will  be 
made  to  him  in  his  own  wrong,  and  the  party  who  deposited  the 
money  or  thing  may  recover  it  from  the  stakeholder. 

SUNDAY. 

Labor  of  whatever  kind,  other  than  the  household  offices  of  daily 
necessity,  or  other  work  of  charity  and  necessity,  on  the  first  day  of 
the  week,  commonly  called  Sunday,  is  in  general  under  penalty  pro- 
liibited;  but  all  persons  do  not  come  under  prohibition.  If  a  con- 
tract is  commenced  on  Sunday,  but  not  completed  until  a  subsequent 
day,  or  if  it  merely  grew  out  of  a  transaction  which  took  place  on 
Sunday,  it  is  not  for  this  reason  void.  Thus,  if  a  note  is  signed  on 
Sunday,  its  validity  is  not  impaired  if  it  be  not  delivered  on  that  day. 

DEFINITION  OF  COMMERCIAL  TERMS. 

$  means  dollars,  being  a  contraction .  of  U.  S. ,  which  was  for- 
merly placed  before  any  denomination  of  money,  and  meant,  as  it 
means  now.  United  States  currency.  £  means  pounds,  English  , 
money.  @  stands  for  a^  or  fo/  "h  iov  pound;  bbl.,  for  barrel ;  and 
f  for  per  or  hy  the.  Thus,  butter  sells  at  20 @ 30c.  f  ft,  and 
flour  at  $6®  10  '^  bbl.     j„  stands  for  per  oent.,  and  ft  for  nurnber. 

In  the  example  "May  1 — wheat  sells  at  $1.05@1.10,  seller 
June,"  seller  June  means  that  the  person  who  sells  the  wheat  has 
the  privilege  of  delivering  ■  it  at  any  time  during  the  month  of 
June.  "  Selling  short "  is  contracting  to  deliver  a  certain  amount 
of  grain  or  stock  at  a  fixed  price  within  a  certain  length  _of  time, 
when  the  seller  has  not  the  stock  on  hand.  It  is  for  the  interest  pf 
the  person  selling  "  short "  to  depress  the  market  as  much  as  possi- 
ble, in  order  that  he  may  buy  and  fill  his  contract  at  a  profit. 
Hence  the  "shorts"  are  termed  "bears." 

LEGAL  WEIGHTS  AND  MEASURES. 

Whenever  any  of  the  following  articles  shall  be  contracted  for, 
or  sold  or  delivered,  ^nd  no  special  contract  or  agreement  shall  be 


DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS.  965 

made  to  the  contrary,  the  weight  per  bushel  shall  be  as  follows, 
to -wit: 

K)S.  lbs. 

Apples,  dried. 24  Hemp  seed - 44 

Barley,.,.     ., 48  Hair  (plastering) 8 

Beans,  white .60  Lime,  unslacke'S 80 

Beans,  castor.... 46  Onions 57 

Buckwheat. ; 52  Oats 33 

Bran 30  Potatoes,  Irish 60 

Blue-glass  seed 14  Peaches,  dried 33 

Broom-corn  seed 46  Potatoes,  sweet 55 

Coal,  stove 80  Rye 56 

Corn,  in  the  ear. 70  Salt,  fine 55 

Corn,  shelled  56  Salt,  coarse 50 

Corn  meal 48  Turnips 55 

Clover  seed 60  Timothy  seed 45 

Flax  seed  56  Wheat 60 

BEES. 

Bees,  while  unreclaimed,  are  by  nature  wild  animals.  Those 
which  take  up  their  abode  in  a  tree  belong  to  the  owner  of  the  soil 
in  which  the  tree  grows,  if  unreclaimed ;  but  if  reclaimed  and  identi- 
fied they  belong  to  their  former  owner.  If  a  swarm  has  flown  from 
the  hive  of  A,  they  are  his  so  long  as  they  are  in  sight,  and  may 
easily  be  taken ;  otherwise,  they  become  the  property  of  the  first 
occupant.  Merely  finding  on  the  land  of  another  person  a  tree 
containing  a  swarm  of  bees,  and  marking  it,  does  not  vest  the 
property  of  the  bees  in  the  finder.  They  do  not  become  property 
until  actually  hived. 

DOGS. 

Dogs  are  animals  of  a  domestic  nature.  The  owner  of  a  dog  has 
such  property  in  him  that  he  may  maintain  an  action  for  an  injury 
to  him,  or  to  recover  him  when  unlawfully  taken  away  and  kept  by 
another. 

When,  in  consequence  of  his  vicious  propensities,  a  dog  becomes 
a  common  nuisance  the  owner  may  be  indicted,  and  where  one 
commits  an  injury,  if  the  owner  had  knowledge  of  his  mischievous 
propensities,  he  is  liable  for  the  injury.  A  man  has  a  right  to 
keep  a  dog  to  guard  his  premises,  but  not  to  put  him  at  the 
entrance  of  his  house,  because  a  person  coming  there  on  lawful 
business  may  be  injured  by  him,  though  there  may  be  another 
entrance  to  the  house.  But  if  a  dog  is  chained,  and  a  visitor 
incautiously  goes  so  near  him  that  he  is  bitten,  he  has  no  right  of 
action  against  the  owner. 


966  DIGEST   OF    STATE   LAWS. 

CRUELTY   TO    ANIMALS. 

Whoever  shall  willfully  overdrive,  overload,  overwork,  torture,, 
torment,  beat,  deprive  of  necessary  and  proper  food,  drink,  or 
shelter,  or  cruelly  kill  any  such  animal,  or  work  an  old,  maimed, 
sick,  or  disabled  animal,  or  keep  any  animal  in  an  unnecessarily 
cruel  manner,  for  each  and  every  offense  shall  be  liable  to  a  tine  of 
not  less  than  $3  or  more  than  $200,  to  be  recovered  on  complaint 
before  any  Justice  of  the  Peace,  or  by  indictment.  The  word 
"animal"  used  shall  be  taken  to  mean  any  living  creature. 

NAMES. 

Any  person  desirous  of  changing  his  name,  and  to  assume  another 
namcj  may  file  a  petition  in  the  Circuit  Court  of  the  county  where 
he  resides,  praying  for  such  change.  Such  petition  shall  set  forth 
the  name  then  held,  and  also  the  name  sought  to  be  assumed) 
together  with  his  residence,  and  the  length  of  time  he  shall  have 
resided  in  this  State,  and  his  nativity.  In  case  of  minors,  parents 
or  guardians  must  sign  this  petition;  and  said  petition  shall  be 
verified  by  the  affidavit  of  some  credible  person.  A  previous  notice 
shall  be  given  of  such  intended  application  by  publisliing  a  notic& 
thereof  in  a  county  newspaper  for  three  consecutive  weeks,  the  first 
insertion  to  be  at  least  six  weeks  prior  to  the  first  day  of  the  term 
of  the  court  in  which  the  said  petition  is  to  be  filed.