History and reminiscences, from the records of Old settlers union of Princeville and vicinity; material comprised in reports of committees on history and reminiscences for years 1906-

HISTORY

AND

REMINISCENCES

Old Settlers' Union
of Princeville
and Vicinity

OECORDS OF

1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929

VOLUME IV

LIBRARY OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

977.352
Ollh
v. k

Illinois Historical Survey

■ >-=".

IIhrARY

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

URBANA

Donor of Cutter s Pioneer Grove.

VOLUME IV

HISTORY

AND

REMINISCENCES

FROM THE RECORDS OF

Old Settlers' Union of Princeville
and Vicinity

Material comprised in Reports of Committees on

History and Reminiscences for years 1923,

1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929

Published under the Auspices of

Old Settlers' Union of Princeville and Vicinity

PRINCEVILLE, ILLINOIS

August, 1929

PETER AUTEN
STEWART CAMPBELL
ODILLON B. SLANE

Publishing Committee

INTRODUCTORY

This volume is the fourth of the series begun
by the Old Settlers' Union in 1912. Like its fore-
runners, it is a compilation of historical sketches,
poems, etc., prepared by different persons of the
vicinity, and of interest to all those whose families
are connected by residence or association with the
early days of Princeville and surrounding Town-
ships.

A surprising amount of material on Princeville's
early days was brought to light by interviews with
forty or fifty of the older inhabitants, when Mr.
Edward Auten, Sr., and Mr. Peter Auten first wrote
the history of Princeville Township, several years
before the formation of the O. S. U. P. V. It was
planned to read several articles from the platform
at the Picnic each year; failing in that, the articles
and sketches, many of them developed into family
hisories, have been collected and published in these
four volumes.

Special attention is called to the comic and
richly humorous articles on Princeville life and
character in 1877-1889 by Paul Hull.

Following them are articles on general sub-
jects, then family histories in alphabetical order,
and then lists of burials in different cemeteries.

There are still about fifteen cemeteries in the
Townships covered by this Association, whose
burials have not been reported in this or earlier
volumes, the Streitmatter, Dunlap Catholic, Blue
Ridge, French Grove, West Hallock, Princeville
Apostolic Christian, Dickinson, Jubilee College,
Rochester, Sheets and others. Their lists should ap-
pear in a later volume.

DREAM OF OLD SONGS

I wonder why we muse and dream
As the years go rolling along;
Is it because we crave a new theme,
Or do we just want a new song?

Perhaps we walk again — as in days of yore,
The banks of "The Swanee River."
We hear sweet notes of "The Shining Shore "
Which set our dream hearts all a-quiver.

We dream we are by the "Old Fireside"
And we hear voices of the "Long Ago,"
Then into our vision "Dream Faces" glide
As they chant in tones "Sweet and Low."

Then come echoing voices from "The Land O'

the Leal."
"Oft in the Stilly Night," comes the sweet

refrain,
Then, we hear, as we reverently kneel,
"God Be With You Till We Meet Again."

— Phronia Owens Hall.

In every community there are certain objects or
landmarks that recall to memory the pioneer life,
its trials, its struggles, its adventures. The object
may be a massive oak that has stood amid the
storms and blasts of a century, and whose towering
branches sheltered alike the Indian savage and the
early settler. Perhaps the landmark is a huge rock
whose qualities adamantine express the character
of a faith enduring, a spirit indomitable, a purpose
unswerving. Such are the traits of character in the
lives of the pioneers of our country's history.

O. B. S.

Address of Welcome 5

ADDRESS OF WELCOME AT OLD SETTLERS'

PICNIC

By Odillon B. S!ane, 1925

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Twenty years ago the Old Settlers' Union of
Princeville came into existence. Its object then and
now, is "To perpetuate the memories of pioneer
days, foster a reverence for our forefathers, and
encourage a spirit of fellowship and hospitality."
In this spirit we extend to you the glad hand on
this occasion.

Hospitality was the leading spirit of the pioneer
days. It was the spirit of fellowship and hospitality
that led Daniel Prince to hang out the latch-string
to the traveling circuit-rider that he might enter
his cabin home and hold religious services there.

It was a spirit of hospitality in the early six-
ties that entertained the Ingersoll's, the Cratty's,
the Oglesby's and the Yates' at the Owens Hotel on
their return from many hunting trips along the
Spoon River bluffs. And while Mrs. Owens and her
helpers served to them the evening meal, — ah, the
flashes of wit, and humor, and repartee that flew
like sparks from the fire, which must have greeted
their ears.

The spirit of brotherhood was fostered by the
gathering in of the neighbors to visit the sick and
nurse them back to health and life. Right here let
me say, we should not fail to pay a tribute to the
pioneer women of that time, for they endured the
same hardships and privations as did the men.

Mother of the pioneers,

Queen of the cabin home,

Out where the dark forest clears,

And where the wild Indians roam.

6 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Where the backlog's blazing tongue
Warms up the hearth of stone,
And where the scout devours his meal
Of venison and pone.

What pictures of want, of hunger, of cold and
of stubborn courage! What faith, and hope, and
joy and love! We of this generation and time should
foster and encourage this same spirit of fellowship
and hospitality. For by so doing we may hasten the
day when all will acknowledge the Universal Fath-
erhood of God and establish the Brotherhood of
Man.

We are still in the aftermath of the Great War
— this nation is passing through the throes of a
new birth. Shall we rise to a higher spiritual plane
and live — is a question that we should all seriously
consider.

Great are the changes between the THEN and
the NOW. Gone is the log cabin with its fireplace, its
spinning wheel, and its trundle bed; gone is the
old mill dam and its water wheel; gone are the deer
and the buffalo; gone, the morning "hoog-a-la-goo"
of the prairie chicken, and gone the howl of the
wolf at sunset.

From the crack of the ox driver's whip to the
whirr of the aeroplane is spanned by a period of
evolution, of wonderful progress and development.
Changes in the social conditions, too! Why, in the
good old days, it only required one license to get
married; but now it takes two — a marriage license
and an automobile license.

One great accomplishment of the Old Settlers'
Society since its inception is its research work. We
have already published three volumes of "History
and Reminiscences" and have material well under
way for the fourth volume. No other Old Settlers'
Society in the state of Illinois has done this work.
These books comprise the life story of the pioneer,
written by himself, together with other matters of

Address of Welcome 7

interest to the student of history. Our County
Superintendent of schools, Mr. Hayes, has recom-
mended that these books be put into the school
libraries in our county, that the children may learn
the stories, traditions and history of those who
broke the virgin soil, and changed a wilderness of
prairies into beautiful gardens, felds, and homes
that they enjoy today.

Vol. Ill contains an account of a visit of Steph-
en A. Douglas to Princeville in 1857 written by
Phronia Owens Hall. It also contains the service
records of the veterans of the World's War. Vol. II
contains history of the Horse Thief Detective So-
ciety and many other thrilling stories, all true.

At the recurrence of these annual picnics, we
have somewhat mingled feelings. We note that
some are not here today that were with us last
year; and we remember that last year some were
absent who had been with us the year before; and
so it is throughout the years. Today, we cannot
help but recall the shadowed memories of the dear
ones resting in eternal slumber in our nearby ceme-
teries. The ranks of the pioneers are growing thin.
One by one Father Time is beckoning them on. May
a kind Providence spare them just a little longer
and may the bright halo of peace, joy, and content-
ment, consequent upon a well-spent life follow them
along the journey to the sunset — the twilight — and
the stars.

There is a little word of greeting,

That cheers the heart of all today,

A word at the Old Settlers' Meeting

Following the trail of years — all the way.

It is a word so timely spoken,

Each syllable — a heart throb sincere;

Ties that bind are still unbroken,

And WELCOME is the word to all that's here.

8 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

GREETINGS FROM STARK COUNTY TO
PRINCEVILLE OLD SETTLERS

Address by Mrs. Cecelia Colwell of Wyoming
Delivered at Princeville Picnic Thursday,
August 30, 1928

I am very happy today to be privileged to
bring to this meeting greetings from Stark county.
You see I am so placed that I owe a dual allegiance
to Stark and Peoria counties, and I find it not only
possible but very pleasurable on an occasion like the
present. I am a native of Peoria county and while
my youth was spent in Princeville Township, prac-
tically all my married life has been in Stark county.
My older children were graduated from your local
High school, while the younger ones are pro-
ducts of the Wyoming Stark county High school.
My husband's family is one of the real old time set-
tlers of Stark county — 1836 — while my immediate
relatives are all of Peoria county all of which ex-
plains the double allegiance before referred to.

My early recollections are mostly of the west
half of Princeville township and of the people who
foregathered in Monica in the late 70's and early
80's. Many, many changes have come with the pass-
ing years but I still have memories of the beauty
of the Collins girls, the sweet and lovely singing
voices of the Cook girls and the skill with which
Alice Gelling accompanied them; of the popularity
of the Hawver girls, the personality of the Miller
girls and the capability of the Cowan girls; of Abe
Conklin's inimitable drollery, the perfect mimicry
of the Walkingtons, of Frank Goodman's locally
famous oration on Corn; and of the real scholar-
ship of Jim Wrigley, although he had never seen the
inside of a higher place of learning than a district
school and that for only the meager few winter
months that at that time was all allowed the aver-

Greetings from Stark County 9

age farm boy. These are only a few of the memories
that come crowding in and I mention them to show
that I really have been identified with Princeville
Township.

Stark County as you probably know is one of
the smallest counties in Illinois but she holds up
her head with the best, and not without cause. She
has almost no urban population in the accepted
sense — Wyoming being her largest town. Like Peo-
ria county and I suppose nearly all Illinois her early
settlers were sturdy pioneers from widely separated
places, but all possessing the fundamental virtues
of industry, frugality, thrift and honesty, and they
prospered accordingly. In proof of this I will point
to the Irish in Valley, the Scotch in Elmira, and
settlers from the East mostly from New Jersey, in
West Jersey — others from different states and
countries.

Naturally many of these old families and
names have disappeared, but the results of their
untiring efforts are to be seen in the many broad
and fertile fields, the prosperous towns with their
beautiful homes, and the really fine churches and
schools of the county.

My one regret today is that Mr. Sandham, the
Grand Old Man of Stark county is unable to be here
and probably will never meet with you again. I
realize that I am a poor substitute for him as he is
a real authority on the early history and the old set-
tlers of Stark county. However I can and I do ex-
tend to this association heartiest greetings, good
will and best wishes from Stark county.

10 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

IN MEMORY OF THE DAY

The Fourth at Princeville

Triumphant Procession to the Grove Back of Widow

Edwards' House — The Orator of the Day —

The Dance at Hichcock's Hall

By PAUL HULL
(Special to The Chicago Daily News)

PRINCEVILLE, 111., July 5, 1879. — The
Fourth-of-July sun rose on Princeville as it always
does — warm, bright and still. About the peep of
day, when the sparrows had begun to chirp in the
maple trees in Doc Marcy's garden, the Klinck
boys' brass band drove into town in a spring
wagon. They stopped in front of the American
House, and Marion and Dug played a cornet duet
that awakened everybody in the village. A moment
later the report of a fire cracker was heard. This
was followed by the roar of the brass cannon on
the public square, and the day was formally in-
augurated.

An old flag waves idly from the top of the lib-
erty pole, and smaller ones hung, stiff and starchy,
from in front of Herron's drug store and Uncle
Johnny Ayling's restaurant. John Hammer, the
butcher, has been up early and he and Quilla have
killed a beef critter to feed the many visitors who
will be here. As the sun rises the citizens begin to
appear and the town assumes a livelier aspect.

is the first man on the street. It

has been a warm night and is dry. Dave

Herron stands in front of his drug store, erect and
rigid, his hands behind his back, smoking a cigar.
He says: "How are you?" emphasizing each word
to the passers-by. Elmer Hammer yawns as he
takes down the shutters from the front of Herb

\

In Memory of the Day 11

Simpson's store, while Fred Beach chews tobacco
solemnly and stands like a sentinel in the livery
stable door. By 8 o'clock the country people begin to
arrive. They exchange greetings with their town
friends. They haven't seen each other often in the
past month. The corn has been backward and needed
plowing.

At 9 o'clock the train from Peoria arrives
bringing the more notable visitors. Most prominent
among these is Eugene Baldwin, of Peoria, the ora-
tor of the day. Baldwin is a versatile gentleman.
Although he writes nearly everything in the Peo-
ria Journal that isn't clipped, he can, at will, ascend
to the other extreme of literary work, and deliver
a lecture before a church society or reel off a
Fourth of July oration.

Now that he has arrived the triumphant pro-
cession soon takes up its course toward the grove
back of the Widow Edwards' house, where the ex-
ercises of the day are held. The procession is headed
by the band playing "Wait Till the Clouds Roll By,
Jennie." The band wagon is beautiful today, being
covered all over with festoons of evergreens, woven
by the fair hands of the village maidens. Next in
order comes the Catholic priest, who is to read the
Declaration of Independence, riding in the same
carriage with Baldwin. (Think of it!) Then comes
John McGinnis and Boss Kerrick in a top buggy.
McGinnis is the politician of Princeville, and is
noted for his soft insinuating voice. Mr. Herrick is
an enterprising gentleman, and a leader in all public
events in Princeville. He would have been marshal
of the day and worn a red sash, and ridden a horse,
but for the fact that there is no horse in town
strong enough to carry him. He looks tired as he
sits by McGinnis as the latter is trying to explain
to him why Ben Butler will not be nominated at
Chicago. Next come four prancing horses, drawing
the car containing the goddess of liberty and the
thirteen original States. These are represented by

12 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

pretty girls, wearing white dresses and an abund-
ance of natural flowers. They smile and look ad-
miringly at each other, and enviously at the god-
dess who wears a pasteboard crown and is elevated
above the rest on a goods box.

According to the printed programmes, "citi-
zens in carriages" complete the procession. The car-
riages are principally lumber wagons drawn by
solid, Clydesdale horses, that prick up their ears
inquiringly at the sound of the band. The wagons
are filled with hay, small children, and lunch bas-
kets, and under each wagon trots a stub-tailed dog.
At the close of the procession comes Birdsey
Beach's dray, loaded with ice cream freezers, cases
of soda water, boxes of candy, crackers and other
good things with which to stock the refreshment
stands in the grove. On arriving at the grove the
band plays "Yankee Doodle," John McGinnis in-
troduces the reader of the declaration and takes the
opportunity to say that Ben Butler has no show on
earth at the Chicago convention, as Peoria county
is solid against him. Many locally prominent men
occupy the rostrum. Conspicuous among these is
Joe Barnum, editor of the Princeville Telephone.
His coat pockets are full of last week's Telephones,
while in his hand he carries his subscription book
and the manuscript of his last communicaton to the
Peoria Journal.

The audience is all expectation when Baldwin
is introduced. They have heard much of him and
this is his maiden effort at a Fourth of July
oration. As he proceeds, the oratory narrows
down to a contest between him, several dozens of
crying babies, and the caller on the dancing plat-
form, which adjoins the rostrum. Said Baldwin:
"The memories of Washington and Jefferson will

"Forward and back, and swing ladies to place,"
says the caller.

In Memory of the Day 13

"We will emulate their example," says Baldwin.
"We will ."

"Balance to yer partner and swing 'er all
around," cries the caller.

"Why are not the statesmen of today like the
statesmen of old?" shouts Baldwin.

"Why don't you dance?" yells the caller.

It is an unequal match and Baldwin retires.

After the speech-making the lunches are spread
on the grass and everybody feasts. The afternoon
is spent in shooting fire-crackers, riding in the
"merry-go-round," and dancing on the platform at
"10 cents a dance." Games are also indulged in,
and prizes are given the winners. The boy who suc-
cessfully climbs the greased pole does so after a
painful struggle, during which the grease runs off
the boy and the sweat runs down the pole.

It is said by everybody that Boogey Sheelor
had the best stand on the grounds. He gave more
peanuts and red lemonade for a nickle than any
other merchant. He makes $6.75 "clear money" on
the day's business and with some of this wealth he
hires in the evening Fred Beach's gray mare and
side bar buggy and drives out in the country after
his girl, to take her to the dance in Hitchcock's
hall.

Early in the afternoon the boys from the
Spoon river country begin to arrive. They come in
pairs, and drive running horses. They are all strap-
ping big fellows, and they come to town for a
racket. They wear slouch hats pulled down over
their eyes, and red handkerchiefs tied around their
necks. With their coats off and the outside foot
hanging between the wheels of the buggy, they
come into town with their horses on the run, and
bring up in front of Nate McCready's saloon with a
"Whoa" that is heard in Akron township.

The dance in Hitchcock's hall begins early as
it always does. No less than two hundred couples

14 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

are present, for this ball is the event of the season
for the surrounding country. Although the crowd
is large it is orderly for Frank Hitchcock says: "I
won't have no monkey business," and Al Wilson's
big form looms up in the doorway as a warning to
the hilarious. "Chief" Beach shows himself once in
a while, and his glittering star reminds the boys
that the calaboose is just across the street.

Although it is a hot night everybody dances
every set, and the handkerchiefs around the boys'
necks look limp. Charley Fast dances with Cash
Brockway's wife, while his wife Ida holds the baby,
and then Ida dances with Cash while Charley holds
the baby; and then Charley swears its the hottest
night he ever saw, but adds that he has seen just
such hot weather as this run on all summer, and
then turn around and get hotter.

Not until the sparrows again begin to twitter
in the maple trees in Doc Marcey's garden do the
"Arkansas Traveler" and the "Devil's Dream" cease
to inspire the feet of the dancers. In the early dawn
Bocgey Sheelor again gets out the gray mare and
the side bar buggy and takes his girl home, the
boys from Spoon river give a farewell whoop and
go" out of town with a furious clatter, everybody
else goes to bed, and quiet once more falls.

PRINCEVILLE MARRIAGE BELLS

(Special to The Chicago Daily News)

By PAUL HULL

PRINCEVILLE, 111., Nov. 7, 1889.— The social
season has fairly opened in Princeville, and the ap-
proaching winter promises a number of brilliant
events. In fact, for a year past our society people
have had much to divert them. Ever since Ed
Sheelor married Dode Rice last spring the entire
population of maidens and bachelors seem to have

Princeville Marriage Bells 15

turned their attention to marrying and being given
in marriage. Mr. Sheelor is a son of John Sheelor,
who, aided by his bay mare Fay, has so success-
fully carried the mail for the last ten years be-
tween Princeville and the West Hallock cheese fac-
tory. He is, also, brother to Boogey Sheelor, whom
your readers probably remember as being engaged
in Boss Herrick's harness shop. Miss Dora Rice, the
bride, is one of Princeville's most beautiful and ac-
complished daughters. She is also Jim Rice's daugh-
ter. Jim keeps the hotel, and is the most extensive
hog buyer in the town. This wedding broke the
matrimonial ice, so to speak, and marriages came
thick and fast.

The next wedding of any importance was that
of Birdsey Beach to Miss Mary Anderson. Birdsey
is in partnership with his brother Fred in the livery
stable. He is also brother to Harlow Beach, the
policeman. Birdsey's father is old Charley Beach,
who used to own the white horse Snowdrift. Snow-
drift is the sire of the brown horse which Charley
Fast drives on the off side of his sulky plow. This
marriage occasioned much anxiety on the part of
Birdsey's distant friends, many of whom wrote to
him inquiring if his wife was Mary Anderson, "the
actor woman." To the casual observer this might
appear to be the case at first thought, but is not
true. The present Mrs. Beach was born and
raised in the white oak timber.

Bob Hammer was the next to catch the fever.
Bob's marriage was a surprise to everybody. His
friends always said he was too wild and drank too
much Milwaukee beer to ever think of getting mar-
ried; but Bob met his fate. A gentleman named
Musick came to town with a stock of dry goods
which he was selling at auction. He brought with
him his beautiful daughter, Alice. She was cashier
at the auction sale. Bob attended the sale one night
and bought a pair of suspenders. When he paid for
them he met Alice. They loved and that settled it.

16 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Bob is keeping a butcher shop now in Al Wilson's
old stand, next door to Garrison's grocery, and
lives in the rear of the shop. It was Bob's half sis-
ter Lillie who married Everett Wear. They live out
on the Sam Rice farm. (Thos. Robert Metzel, who
was "Bob Hammer," was married April 23, 1884.)

Then young Charley Aten, who was always
thought to have grown too fast, married a Peoria
lady. But little is known of her, as Charley took
her up into Michigan somewhere, where his fath-
er lives. Old Charley is a carpenter, and was a sol-
dier in the war of the rebellion. He lost a finger in
the service, and received a pension.

After this marriage the matrimonial desire per-
vaded Spankum, a suburb of Princeville. That com-
munity was one day startled by the announcement
of the marriage of Bill Bigelow and Lizzie Boyd.
Lizzie is a daughter of old man Boyd, who lives
under the big cottonwood tree at the bend of the
road to the Stump quarter. Mr. Bigelow formerly
lived in the south end of the township, but since his
marriage he has been engaged in digging coal for
George Sandberg. Mrs. Bigelow is several years the
senior of her husband, and this fact was the occa-
sion of much gossip among the mischief makers of
the neighborhood. The idle talk in this regard has
been quieted by Charley Fast, who declares that in
matters of this kind it is "different when you both
love." Among the other recent and notable matri-
monial alliances in Spankum is that of Tom Debow
and Miss Kate Sandberg (Dec. 25, 1884,) and
George Kronick and Miss Nancy Wolf, of Jubilee.

It is said that all of these young couples are as
happy as possible, and the Princeville Telephone has
said editorially of each marriage: "We wish long
life and happiness to you both."

An unusual number of social events are in
prospect. Besides the usual dance on Christmas
night at Hitchcock's hall, and the Odd Fellows'
cove oyster supper at the town hall some time after

Tomorrow 17

the holidays, there are some special events on the
programme. Mel Moody has a ground hog in cap-
tivity, which he has announced will be turned loose
on the public square Thanksgiving morning. He has
issued a challenge to fight the ground hog against
all the dogs in town, barring the white bulldog at
the livery stable. On the afternoon of the same day
the livery stable bulldog is to fight a badger, owned
by a gentleman from Spoon River. The contest is
for $10 a side and a keg of Peoria beer, the bulldog
engaging to best or stop the badger in twenty
minutes. This will probably be one of the most in-
teresting happenings of the season, and will draw a
large delegation from the Spoon River country.

The Presbyterian Mite society has been reor-
ganized for the winter, with a new set of officers.
The first regular meeting will be held at the resi-
dence of Mrs. Godfrey next Saturday afternoon.
The members are requested to bring with them their
carpet rags and latest news. There will be a barn-
raising on Vaughn Williams' place before the snow
flies. Two barrels of cider are promised on this oc-
casion. A spelling school is also announced at the
Akron schoolhouse to occur some time in Febru-
ary.

The social programme so far announced is ex-
pected to keep society on the qui vive throughout
the winter, while an occasional funeral will add
zest to the festivities.

TOMORROW

By Odillon B. Slane, 1924

Yesterday is history,

Today is certainty,

Tomorrow, they say, is a dream;

In that mystery,

Dream of eternity —

Vision a star in the gleam.

18 HISTORY AN'D REMINISCENCES

IN THE GOOD OLD WAY
CHRISTMAS DAY AT PRINCEVILLE

The Wonderful Tree in the Methodist Church, the

Turkey Shoot in Old Man Tracey's Woods,

and the Dance in Hitchcock's Hall

By PAUL HULL

PRINCEVILLE, 111., Dec. 26, 1877.— The vil-
lage butcher, John Hammer, might have been seen
the day before yesterday struggling through the
snow in the direction of the Methodist church, car-
rying a smile and a sack of flour. The smile was in
behalf of humanity; the sack of flour was in be-
half of one of the two poor families in the village.
The sack was adorned on one side with a beautiful
blue moon and a green star, and was destined to be
one of the bright ornaments on the village Christ-
mas tree. Perhaps nowhere else in the world does
the custom prevail of hanging sacks of flour on
Christmas trees, but nothing is impossible in Prince-
ville. There is but one Christmas tree in Princeville,
and it is common property.

About one week ago our Methodist minister
shouldered his ax and went to the woods. He cut a
straight hickory tree six inches thick at the base.
He lopped the branches off smoothly and made the
piece twenty feet long. This timber was hauled to
town on a sled. With a carpenter's auger many
holes were bored into it, and into these holes were
driven straight poles of variable lengths. Thus a
symmetrical tree was erected, bearing more
branches than ever tree grew. On Tuesday all the
village maidens gathered at the church, and with
sprigs of evergreen and bits of bright colored paper
converted the tree from a dull mass of wood to a
thing of beauty. Tallow candles were also hung lib-
erally upon its branches. The candles were held in

In the Good Old Way 19

place by a novel tin holder, invented and donated by
Oliver Slane, the tinner.

On Wednesday the 509 inhabitants of the vil-
lage carried to the church the presents intended
for their friends. Everything was hung on the tree,
from the rubber rattle for Charlie Fast's baby to
the washtub and winger presented by some charit-
able ladies to old Mrs. Marley. When the church
doors were thrown open on Christmas eve the 509
inhabitants thronged in and viewed the tree with
more or less satisfaction. It was conceded to be
fully as beautiful and as heavily laden as the one of
last year. The minister's daughter sang, accompany-
ing herself upon the organ. The minister then de-
livered a long prayer, after which he appointed
John Bliss and Byron Wear to take the presents
from the tree, which operation was performed with
pitchforks, borrowed for the occasion from the
hardware store. John McGinnis was called on to
read the names written on the parcels. John has
performed this duty for years past, the insinuating
cadence of his voice being well adapted to the pur-
pose. There was much speculation as to who would
be the recipient of the first article as it was being
lifted from the tree. A hush fell upon the audience
as Mr. McGinnis adjusted his eye glasses. During
this silence the attention of the audience was for a
moment directed to Charlie Fast, who, in an audible
whisper, requested Ida to hold the baby a minute
while he got a chew of tobacco.

And thus Princeville received its Christmas
presents, and if every heart within the little church
was not made glad the sorrowing ones were not ex-
pressed among the happy faces that came forth in-
to the night when the last present had been
received.

But there was another duty that claimed the
attention of the citizens during Wednesday. There
was a "turkey shoot" down in old man Tracey's
woods. The "turkey shoot" hardly deserved its

20 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

name, for those of the contestants in the sport who
brought home turkeys "shot" them by their skill at
"seven up" or "pedro." To be sure the "turkey shoot"
began well, but it came to a sudden close, and re-
sulted in the projector of the sport getting severely
thrashed by the irate marksmen. In a wooden box
thirty feet from the scratch the turkey was placed,
its head appearing through a hole in the top of the
box. Six contestants then made up a pool of $1.50
as compensaion to the proprietor of the turkey.
The order of shots was then decided by lot, and he
was owner of the bird who killed it.

The first party of gentlemen who shot at the
turkey did so with growing amazement. They made
up four pools for the owner of the bird, and fired
four times each, and still the turkey's head ap-
peared above the box. Then Fred Beach looked
suspiciously at the gentleman with $6 in his pocket
as the price of one turkey; Vaughn Williams rubbed
his spectacles and 'lowed it was "tarnal curus,"
and Jim Rice swore by his Blue Bull filly that there
was "sumpin wrong bout that 'air bird." Then Fred
Beach held the owner of the turkey while Jim Rice
examined the fowl, which he found to be dead,
with a wire run up through its neck to hold its
head straight. It is said that the owner of the
turkey did not attend the dance at Hitchcock's hall
on Christmas eve.

This dance was as it always is, a success. There
was in attendance a large representation of the
Spoon river gentry, without whose presence any
social event in Princeville would lack flavor. There
is a freedom of action and a charming disregard of
stiff social forms about the gentleman from Spoon
river that makes his presence almost indispensable
at a Princeville soiree. The only happening of the
occasion worthy of mention was the appearance in
the ball room of Roy Wear in a dress coat. When
his friends had ceased admiring him he repaired to
the livery stable and changed his clothes, presenting

The Poet of Prince ville 21

the stable boy with the dress coat, minus the
"pigeon" tail. Another pleasing feature of the ball
was the revival of some of the old time figures in
dancing, the favorite quadrille of the evening be-
ing that one wherein the caller sings:

The first lady give the right hand 'cross
Mind you keep your step in time.

Swing right back,

Don't be slack,
Join your hands and balance in a line.

But the Christmas dawn approaches; the fid-
dlers' arms grow weary, and tired eyes demand
sleep. The farmer's boy, bidding his friends good-
night, walks slowly home along the country lane.
The moon, swinging from the rim of a silver cloud,
hangs low in the west and casts its phosphorescent
glitter on the unbroken fields of snow. The dis-
tant dog sends up his dismal cry. The barn-yard
fowl, instinctively divining the coming of the
dawn, sounds his clear clarion. The huddling quails,
surprised by approaching footsteps, peep and flut-
ter along the hedge, while a rabbit, roused from his
bed of snow, hops easily across the road, where,
startled by the whistle of the farmer's boy, he sits
upright and pulsating in the moonlight.

THE POET OF PRINCEVILLE

John Bowman Drops Into Verse About an
After-Dinner Smoke

(Special to The Chicago Daily News)

By PAUL HULL

PRINCEVILLE, 111., Jan. 25, 1888.— Mr. John
Bowman handed me the following poem yesterday,
with the request that I send it to the Daily News

22 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

for publication. I think it is a very good poem, and I
hope you will publish it:

AN AFTER-DINNER SMOKE

Get a good old Havana cigar,
And a real easy rocking chair,

And if bills and accounts molest you,
Blow them off with smoke in the air.

Let the day be clear, cold, and bright,

And the sun glinting through trees and
glass,

Your chair by a large open fire

What a pleasant half -hour you can pass.

Blow the smoke toward the window,

Look at it curl and twist,
Held like a cloud in the sunshine,

Then vanish with the grace of a mist.

One puff forms lakes and rivers,
Another is eddies and streams,

With whirlpools whirling and tumbling,
Floating off like the mem'ry of dreams.

Blow one whiff in the fireplace-

See how quick it follows its kind.
Has it found more congenial company?
Or is it forced to fall into line?

Spit in the fire and see it spatter.

To others throw trouble and care;
Let them think they can make this world

better

I am best pleased to blow mine in the air,

You may talk of your tariff and taxes —
Of Cleveland and Blaine and Lamar —

But to make this nation contented
Give us all a good, cheap cigar.

The Poet of Princeville 23

That is what I call a pretty fair poem, taking
everything into consideration. Of course there are
men who can write better poetry, but then — you
ought to know John. There isn't a man on earth
built like him who can write as good poetry as he
can. He is a great, big, handsome Scotchman, with
the form and strength of a Hercules. He is a stone
mason by trade, and a hard worker, but John is a
"thoroughbred" as Charley Fast says, and you can
speculate that there are no ants on John. He's a sly
one, John is — quiet, gentlemanly, never gets into
any fights or bad company, but don't think for a
minute that he ever gets left when there's any fun
on hand. He goes down to Peoria once in a while,
all by himself, and the Lord only knows what he
does while he is there.

I never had any idea John could write poetry,
but that only proves what I have been trying to
tell you — that we dont know John. Oh, he's a
smooth one!

His poem is open to criticism. I don't suppose
he would deny that himself. Now to begin with, he
says, "Get a good old Havana cigar." Where are you
going to get it? He can't get it in Princeville. There
never was a Havana cigar sold in the town. Uncle
Johnny Ayling doesn't keep them nor does Dave Her-
ron nor Sol Bliss. The best cigar Uncle Johnny sells
is called the "Nevertire," and Nate McCready keeps
the "Old 45." Both are good cigars, but neither
brand is made in Havana. John starts off on a
rather high key. All poets are liable to do this, but
he gets back home on the last line when he says:
"Give us all a good cheap cigar." Now, there's the
voice of a man. I have heard John utter those very
words many a time in Nate McCready's place when
there were six or eight men standing around. He's
so accustomed to saying this that he couldn't help
working it into his poem. I thought as I first read
this poem that he would come down and saw wood
before he quit, and he has. When a man calls for

24 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

"a good cheap cigar" in Princeville he is always
accommodated, but when he talks about "a good
old Havana" he will have to take the evening train
for Peoria.

"Spit in the fire and see it spatter." That's a
good thought, and the act itself is very entertaining
when a man is in a meditative mood. Did you ever
try it? It spatters more than when you spit on a
red-hot stove, but it spatters a good deal in the
manner John suggests. You can make a greater
spatter with a chew of tobacco than with a cigar.
I guess John didn't think of that.

There may be weak points in John's poetry,
but there are none in his muscle. He performed a
feat of strength here one night that everybody in
town remembers still. The only three-story build-
ing in town is the wagon and paint shop that stands
on the corner by the public well. One night some
years ago this building caught fire on the first
floor. We had no fire engine then and fought fires
with buckets. In case of fire it was considered every
citizen's duty to yell "Fire!" and bring his horse-
bucket with him. If he owned a ladder he was ex-
pected to bring that along with his bucket and his
voice. When the wagon shop was fired John was
there, and while the other men were fighting the
fire he conceived the idea of getting on the roof of
the building. The longest ladder available reached
to within about five feet of the eaves of the house.
John mounted to the top of the ladder, and then
seizing the edge of the sloping shingle roof with his
hands drew himself up on the roof. Think of it!
There is not one man in a million who can do it. Of
course, he didn't accomplish anything by getting
to the roof but an exhibition of marvelous strength.
No water could have been passed to him! he couldn't
get down the way he got up, and if the building had
burned he would either have had to stay where he
was and roast or jump off into the street and
break every bone in his body. After the fire was

The Ppet of Princeville 25

put out two ladders were spliced together, and John
came down to receive the congratulations of the
boys and to set up the drinks.

Now think of a man able to perform a feat like
that being also able to write poetry! There is no
doubt that either Lord Tennyson or Mr. Whittier
can write better, smoother poetry than John, but
there is no doubt that John can tie Lord Tennyson
and Mr. Whittier together in a bowknot and throw
them over the back fence.

(The following comments on the above are
contributed by Mr. Bowman. — Editors)

It seems to be up to me now to make some ex-
planation of this. I thought it was dead and in its
grave, because when Paul made a story and a joke
out of it, I made up my mind it was another of my
failures and I kept it a dead secret from the folks.
Now here is Brother O. B. Slane, one of the guests
at my 80th birthday, with Paul Hull's old scrap
book, reading the whole thing out to the other
guests as an after-dinner joke on me, and I must
say as to that it was a success.

You see Paul and I had smoked cigars together,
clinked glasses at the same bar, dealt cards at the
same table, etc., and he had progressed from
Princeville to the Chicago Daily News. I must have
had a sentimental spasm and tried poetry, expect-
ing Paul to give me a square deal and I guess he
did, but I remember well what my feelings were
when I got the paper. I had my mind made up to
give him a good licking the next time I saw him.

Well, two or three months after that he was
down in Princeville and going into Hitchcock's saloon
one day, there sat Paul, Charley Fast, Fred Beach,
Frank Hitchcock and others, and when I had
grasped Paul's outstretched hand and looked into
all those hilarious faces, I couldn't do anything but
say, "Well, boys, what are you going to have — it's
on me."

26 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

I don't want to spoil a good joke but do hate to
see it get too far from the truth when the thing is
passed to others. In the first place that ladder was
within about 3V2 feet of the roof — at any rate I got
both arms and one leg on the roof before I threw
myself clear of the ladder. As I remember now, I
made it easily. Second, that building was not on
fire at all. The fire was at the German buildings
across the street and the burning shingles were
blowing onto that old roof. The first story of it
was a wagon shop, the second a paint shop and
the third was the Masonic lodge, of which I was a
member, and we Masons were alarmed about our
records and paraphernalia. After I got up they
threw me a rope and I hauled water up and kept the
roof from taking fire. I know the heat was so great
I had to keep mostly on the north side of the roof.

JOHN BOWMAN.

(Note — Joe German says the fire was June 26,
1875.)

POLITICS AT PRINCEVILLE

By PAUL HULL
(Special to The Chicago Daily News)

PRINCEVILLE, 111., July 12, 1884.— Bill Alter
went into the post office last night, just after sup-
per. Bill is a quiet citizen, who finds more compan-
ionship in a plug of tobacco than in anything else.
He is one of our most important personages, being
telegraph operator, ticket agent, baggagemaster,
and express agent at the depot. As he walked into
the post office there was a sly smile on his face,
which extended clear down into his black beard.
Arch Edwards, the postmaster, was at that
moment selling a slate pencil to a little girl.

"Arch," said Bill, "if you'll give me a good
cigar I'll tell you the news."

"I'll go you once if I lose," said Arch, and he
handed out a fat 5-cent cigar. Bill lit it, puffed out
a long cloud of smoke, and said:

Politics at Princeville 27

"Cleveland and Hendricks have been nomi-
nated."

"Oh, ho!" said Arch; "they have, eh? Well
that's about what I expected all the time," and he
came from behind the counter, walked to the door,
and looked up and down the street. He was looking
for someone to whom to tell the news. The dusk
of the evening had come, and the street was al-
most deserted. Not a farmer's wagon could be seen
anywhere. A barefooted boy drove a cow past the
post office. The boy asked Arch for a stick of
chewing gum. A robin sang in the top of the Cot-
tonwood tree back of the milliner shop. A hog
grunted complacently, and rooted among the pea-
nut shells in front of Uncle Johnny Ayling's restau-
rant. The dog fennel waved luxuriantly in the
street, where 100 years ago, the wild fox bur-
rowed his hole unmolested, and could do so again,
if he only knew it. There was no one in sight.

"I must tell Boss Herrick," said Arch, and he
walked up to the harness shop. The Boss had his
specs on, and was sitting astride of a "horse,"
stitching a tug. "Cleveland and Hendricks have been
nominated, Boss," said Arch. The Boss looked over
his specs without saying a word. He laid down his
awl and wax, took off his apron, came to the door,
looked up and down the street, and said: "Where's
John McGinnis?" Then he went with Arch back to
the post office and on their way they called Lawyer
Hopkins, who joined them. On his way back to the
depot Bill Alter had spread the news, and quite
a crowd soon gathered at the post office. Joe Bar-
num, editor of The Telephone, sat at his office
window writing an editorial on Baldwin's Fourth
of July oration, but when he saw the crowd gather-
ing he also joined it. Charley Fast drove into town
about this time. He hitched his bay mare to a post
and, after he had carried the baby to the hotel and
given it over to its grandmother he came back to
discuss the situation.

28 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

"What do the big newspapers say about the
political outlook, Joe?" said one of the crowd ad-
dressing Mr. Barnum.

"Well, nothing definite, as yet," said Joe, as-
suming a wise aspect. "It is too early yet, but they
will all get down to work in a week or two. Wait till
the patent insides of next week's Telephones come
down from Chicago and I will be able to tell you
about how the election will result."

There was a short pause here, while two ladies
came in to get their mail.

"I think Cleveland is a strong man," said Ves
Slane. "He was elected to some office in New York
three or four years ago by 100,000 Republican ma-
jority, and I think that ought to fix him for being
president."

"Who is this feller Cleveland, anyway?" said
Charley Fast. "I never heard of him before this
campaign. He must be a kind of a mushroom poli-
tician. He came up quick, and he'll die just as
quick, I'm a bettin.' He's a pretty decent sort of a
fellow, though, I guess. I was down to Peoria the
other day and I saw one of his pictures hanging in a
saloon window. He's fat and looks like Doc Wilson
of Peoria. You all know Doc to be as good a fellow
for a politician as there is in the country."

This was listened to with much interest, and
some speculation followed as to Mr. Cleveland's
social character and personal appearance.

"I wish they had nominated Ben Butler," said
Dimick French. "He's smarter than the whole of
them. And then all of us country Democrats know
Ben, and I'll be blamed if many of us know Cleve-
land. I liked Ben's platform first rate, too; speci-
ally that part of it where he wanted to tax all the
luxuries brought over from the old country and let
in the common things free."

"I don't see but what that's square and right.
And yet the convention set down on Ben and his

Politics at Princeville 29

platform like he had been an outsider and had no
business there. Our party is always talking about
reform and tariff reform, and yet we never get
there, some way or another. If they don't call Ben's
resolutions reform I don't know what they want."
And Dimick sighed.

"I was reading in the Daily News yesterday
about some of the delegations passing resolutions
about sumptuary laws," said Arch Edwards.

"What in the tarnal is a sumptuary law, Joe?"

All eyes were turned toward Mr. Barnum, who,
as editor of the paper, was supposed to give a
prompt and satisfactory answer to this poser. Joe
again assumed a wise look, turned his face up
thoughtfully, and said: "A sumptuary law is a law
to regulate the importation and sale of sumptuary
things. Sumptuary is a Latin word and means
about the same as sumptuous — high living, rich for
the blood, you know."

"Oh yes!" said everybody in chorus.

"Hendricks is a well-known man," said Boss
Herrick, "and I expect he will strengthen the ticket
in Indiana. Although I am a Republican, I think a
great deal of Hendricks, and I understand "

"Indade, Mister Hindricks is a dacent mon,"
said Pat Culley, who had just come in and lit his
pipe. "There's a frind of moine visitin' me from In-
deana, an' he tills me that Mister Hindricks is a
foine mon, shure. He'll be a-drivin' along the
sthreet in his harse an' boogy, in Indenapolic, an'
he'll see a poor mon, an' he'll sthop an' give
'im a doime. An' thin he'll drive along a little fur-
ther, an' he'll see a little b'y, er a little gairl a-
croyin', an' shure, he'll sthop an' take em in his
boogy an' gev 'em a ride. That's the kind of a mon
we want for prisedint. Shure, I niver wud have
voted for Mister Hindricks if it hadn't a-been for
me friend from Indeana."

During the short silence which followed Pat's
remarks a voice was heard far down the street

30 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

shouting "No, sir! no sir! They'll never get there
in the world!" This was followed by a laugh which
caused a smile of recognition from the crowd in the
post office.

"There comes John McGinnis," said a dozen
voices. "Now we'll get it." John was soon in the
midst of them, smiling. He took off his hat,
laughed, and scratched his head. "I've heard it,
I've heard it," he said, "and I never was better sat-
isfied in my life. Why, it will be the greatest walk-
away for the Republican party that you ever heard
of. Now, if it had been Bayard or Thurman with
Slocum I might have had some doubt; but to head
their ticket with Cleveland, who is nothing but a
political accident, is too good! Why gentlemen, I
have been playing the part of a political physician
for twenty years, and I have studied the physical
condition of the Democratic party. It used to have
a healthy body and sound limbs, but year after
year its sinews have weakened, and it broke a ham-
string when Tilden dropped out. Let me tell you
that the Democratic party is almost a corpse. When
the cold winds of next November strike its emaci-
ated frame, it will yield up its life; and, gentlemen,
by the mustache of John A. Logan, I will assist in
giving it a decent burial!"

;When the applause had died Arch locked up
the post office, and the crowd went home. The
moonlight shone down upon the dog-fennel in the
street, and the tall liberty-pole pointed heaven-
ward, like a long finger, calling the moon's atten-
ion to the fact that Princeville was there.

Torches ant> Oil C?oth 31

TORCHES AND OIL CLOTH AND A SPEECH
FOR CLEVELAND

Mr. John Corbett Addresses the Democratic Hosts
... of Princeville Township and the Campaign
is Opened — The Result of Political
Calumny

Bv PAUL HULL

(Special to The Chicago Daily News)

PRINCEVILLE. 111., Sept. 6. 1884.— The
Democrats of Princeville and township opened the
campaign here last night in a vigorous manner.
Twenty-four couples of staunch Democrats wearing
black oil cloth capes and carrying torches, left
Hitchcock's hall at 7 o'clock and paraded down one
street of the town and up the other. The procession
was headed by Frank Hitchcock, fifer. Quilla Ham-
mer, snare drummer, and Jonah Pratt, bass drum-
mer, playing "The Rocky Road to Dublin." Carried
at the head of the column was a transparency,
reading :

The Democratic Party
The White Man's Party

This transparency is a relic of war times, and
was found recently in Hitchcock's hall, when a new
floor was laid. It was remarked with some appre-
hension by the Republicans that large as was the
procession there were no boys among its mem-
bers, every one being a voter. The demonstration
proper took place on the public square. A bonfire
of goods boxes and dry dog-fennel was started and
when it was well under way Mr. John Corbett,
formerly a leading citizen of Princeville, but now a
resident of Peoria, where he is identified with the

32 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Democratic leaders, was introduced as the orator of
the occasion. He reviewed the political situation
throughout the country, and dwelt largely upon the
indications of Democratic success at the November
election. He sad that, although it mght not be
generally known by his former townsmen, the
south was solid for the Democratic ticket. The peo-
ple of that section, he declared, knew little of Mr.
Cleveland, but they stood in, hand and glove, with
Mr. Hendricks. They were thoroughly conversant
with the war record of that grand old statesman;
they knew his secret love for the institutions of the
confederate government — conceived in pride,
aborted in blood — and they, as a people, would
vote for him as one man. He claimed for the
Democrats the states of New York, New Jersey,
Connecticut, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin, and
thought that these states, with a solid south, would
give the Democratic party a majority in the elec-
toral college, despite the frauds that would be prac-
ticed by the Republican machine. He reminded his
hearers that the gains in these states might be off-
set by the republican majorities in Dakota, Alaska,
Arizona, New Mexico and Lower California.

Here John McGinnis who has become notorious
for his attempts to break up every Democratic
meeting held in this township for years cried out:
"What's the matter with Maria Halpin?"

"There's nothing the matter with Maria, Mc-
Ginnis," retorted the speaker, his eyes flashing and
his lip curling like a pumpkin vine in the sun. "At
least there's nothing the matter with her now; and
I think it is a darned mean trick for a man like you,
with no children, to throw stones at Cleveland."
This was greeted with loud cheers, while Mr. Cor-
bett drank deeply from a tin bucket.

"I am glad this scandal about Mr. Cleveland
has been brought out," resumed the speaker. "The
Republicans think by it to do him harm, but on the
contrary it will win him votes. You have an ex-

Torches and Oil Clothes 33

ample before you, Democrats of Princeville Town-
ship, in the case of a certain democratic road sup-
ervisor elected in your township some years ago.
You know that his enemies circulated reports at
that time reflecting upon his conduct with his hired
girl. What was the result? Knowing that he had
shown himself to be a gallant gentleman in the mat-
ter referred to, and that he had done exacly what
you all would do should the opportunity present it-
self, you stood by him and elected him by the usual
majority. And, now, shall the Democrats of this
country set themselves up as such models of virtue
that they can conscientiously criticise Grover
Cleveland? Cries of "No! no!" and "You bet your
life!" Let every Democratic kettle beware how it
calls the pot black-face. (Applause.) To my mind,
this little incident in Mr. Cleveland's life proves him
to be a man of energy and nerve, just the sort of
man we want at the head of a great nation. And
now gentlemen I must close. Work earnestly
throughout the campaign. Let your watchword be:
"The Cleveland men of Princeville township must
stand together," and flaunt this device upon your
banners: "In hoc lignum vitae."

Amid tremendous applause Mr. Corbett again
drank from the tin bucket, wiped his brow, and
mingled with the crowd, shaking hands with every-
body. Later in the evening a reception was tendered
him at the post office, where a collation, consist-
ing of sardines, cove oysters and sweet crackers,
was laid on the counter. Several bottles of pop, a
box of 5-cent cigars, and three bunches of cigar-
ettes were opened.

The political situation in Princeville is such as
to imperatively demand great activity on the part
of the Democrats. Ever since the first administra-
tion of Grant they have held undisputed sway with
a strong majority of four votes in the township,
and have allowed the Republicans to do all of the
public speaking and to engineer all of the torchlight
processions. But time has wrought changes, Oliver

34 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Moody, an old time Democrat and township tax
collector, has of late years become a Prohibitionist.
Early in this campaign he declared himself for
Oglesby for governor, and chagrined his friends by
announcing that his presidential preferences were
with the republicans. This was bad enough but Ossa
has been piled on Pelion. Tom Slane, whose political
roots ran as deep in Democratic soil as any man's,
traded horses with Charley Fast last spring. With
Charley's usual foresight, Tom got in the trade an
old horse that was hip-shot, wind-broken and had
the stringhalt, besides being a "weaver." When he
discovered these bad qualities he was anxious to
"trade back," and it was here that Charley dis-
played a political sagacity worthy of a Tilden. He
agreed to take back his horse and to vote for the
Democratic nominee for school trustee if Tom
would vote Republican for president. In a moment
of political dim vision Tom signed a written agree-
ment to this effect. What the consequences have
been can be readily seen. There is a dead-lock in
the township and the destiny of a great nation
trembles in the balance. Under these circumstances
it is not strange that there is talk of political cor-
ruption. In fact, the Republicans do not deny it,
and carry on high handed bribery without a blush.
The Republican leaders here are making a strong

effort to influence the vote of , a

prominent democrat. The bribes which have been
offered this gentleman have increased from one
drink to ten gallons of whiskey, and it is thought

that as Mr. is no more than human he

cannot long withstand this strain. The democrats
still have hope of retaining his vote, for when ap-
proached on the subject he gently closes his off
eye and remarks: "In politics, as in life, gentlemen,
the still sow gets the swill."

Note: Yes, it is true John Corbett was a Re-
publican in his later years, but at the time of this
speech, he was a democrat.

Breaking the Trail 35

BREAKING THE TRAIL

By Mary Epperson Gillin, 1928

We followed the Trail toward the sunset

And travelled o'er hillside and vale;
We rode through city and hamlet,

Nor paused to hark to their tale.
Over deserts of rocks — God-forsaken —

We shrank with fear from the sight —
But the Trail wound ONWARD and UPWORD

Like ribbons of steel in the light.

Up the mountains we climbed where the storm
clouds

Had gathered to sorrow and weep —
Then back once again to the desert

That never a harvest may reap!
We were many a mile from the corn fields,

The orchards, and fields of wheat;
We had crossed the plains, the desert of sands

And will rest where the wild surges beat.

"Who blazed the Trail?" did I dream it?

Or maybe a whispered thought —
But I saw through the "haze" of the distance,

Before me the men that had wrought,
And had left their "Mark" that another

Might easier find the Trail —
They seemed like the "host of Gideon" —

And they knew not HOW to fail!

They move ahead with grim courage —

They make no pause to weep —
The Trail is marked by the "unmarked dead"

That will never awake from their sleep —

Who FIRST blazed the trail to the sunset,
Whose feet pressed the sod where it winds?

Could we call them to once again journey
What changes, today, would they find!

36 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

The Trails that begirt like a ribbon —

The Highways from Sea unto Sea —
Were once but a path full of danger

Where Death lurked continually.
Then Faith travelled first in her sandals

And left the Pathway marked "RED;"
Courage followed right soon thereafter —

Left bleaching her bones there instead!

Skill took up the task and calling

The ends of the earth to her aid,
She marshalled AN ARMY OF WORKMEN-

Both tools and the trail were then made.
Skill took the ore from the mountains —

The rocks from the "lasting hills" —
She tapped Earth's secret fountains

And power gushed forth at her will.

Then hail — all hail to the "vanguard"

That so valiantly lead the way;
When the Path is beset with danger

The Price of Progress they pay!
For whatever of skill, or of learning,

Or knowledge of Earth or of Sky —
The Trail has been "blazed" by someone

That was never afraid to die!

Oh the Faith, and the Skill, and the Courage

That have charted the Earth and the Sky-
Men follow the course of the eagle

And make them wings to fly.
Yet ever the trail leads UPWARD,

ONWARD though none may know
But the Trail leads on to the Sunset

And the Light is the Sunset Glow.

Locial Life in Monica 37

SOCIAL LIFE IN MONICA DURING THE "80'S"

By Stewart Campbell, 1929

(Historical value can hardly be claimed for
pictures of a time so recent that any middle-aged
person in the neighborhood could draw the same
pictures from memory. But we who are fifty years
old shall see the years blow away like leaves in the
wind; these reminiscences are here written out with
the purpose that they may be preserved against
the day when there shall be none left who could
tell them, and with the hope that some day some
one further down the procession may read them
with interest.)

There is a sense in which the social life of
Monica in the 80's and early 90's was not as it is
now. In so far as people's activities are ordered by
the means at their disposal, times change. In so far
as their activities spring from their inner desires,
it is as it was in the beginning, is now and ever
shall be. The children in the 80's prattled and
played, the young folks had their parties and their
courtships, the old folks delighted in companion-
ship and made merry or kept sedate each according
to his bent. It is our purpose to show how people
shaped their social needs to the circumstances of
those times, to draw pictures for those who wonder
how there could have been any fun before there was
any automobile, any radio, any phonograph, any
telephone, not even a basketball game!

There was in Monica no electrical device of any
kind except the telegraph at the depot and a few
toy magnets; no gasoline was used except a little
iin cooking stoves; musical instruments were a few
(organs, fewer pianos, plenty of violins; every child
jhad a "harp" which cost ten cents, one of the
|school boys had a portable hand organ that worked
Jwith paper rolls carrying holes and slots — forerun-
ner of many more modern mechanical players.
'Transportation? Most farmers had buggies and all

38 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

had wagons. No, we did not very often go as far
away as Wyoming; Peoria was accessible only by
the Q freight which so ran that the round trip
could be made in a day. There were special trains
for fairs, picnics, Fourth of July sometimes, big
political rallies, camp meeting, circus, and what not.
But these things are not the real difference be-
tween then and now.

The real difference is that not being able to go
away somewhere and kid ourselves into thinking
somebody was entertaining us, we entertained our-
selves. We made our own music and fun, we got up
our own entertainments, we made many more so-
cial occasions. It was a time of self-expression.

Without further comment let us recall in
simple narrative some of the ways in which people
got together and enjoyed the getting.

They danced. Whenever didn't young people
dance? The Monica dances were not elaborate, but
they were frequent There was not always an or-
chestra for plenty of the home boys could and did
play the fiddle. The dance then was essentially as
it is now. They danced in public halls, in houses, in
new barns, on temporary platforms at public
gatherings. Too often they drank whiskey and
fought. And they didn't go home till morning.

There was a good deal of religious prejudice
against the dance, and many young people who
wouldn't dance had house parties at which they
did other things. There were dancing games over
which there was much argument as to whether one
mightn't as well dance: Skip to my Lou, Old Dan
Tucker, Hey-Jim-Along, Buffalo Girls, We'll All Go
Down to Rouser's, and many more. There were
Needle's Eye and a dozen other games designed to
give the boys a chance to kiss the girls — and the
girls a chance to be kissed. Some folks objected to
that too; somebody is always taking the joy out of
life. There were yet other games without end. What

Social Life in Monica 39

mattered the game, the young folks were as-
sembled and they had a good time.

There were plays, little home talent dramas.
These were not equal in artistic standard to what
appear now in (some) movies; but they drew out
more self-expression than the paying of 35e to see
somebody else act. And they added immeasurably
more to community life. There was a great social
gain in both the final performance and in the many
meetings for preparation.

The Ladies Aid was a very live organization. It
usually met every two weeks. All the women and
little children went, and they consumed an awful
lot of chicken and mashed potatoes. The women
sewed, the hostess furnishing the work, which was
a great help to her in the days when ready-made
clothing of any sort was almost unheard of. The
hostess paid a nominal fifty or seventy-five cents
for the work, which money went to the church.
The amount of fun and neighborhood good feeling
which came out of this society was incalculable.
Now and then some incident would vary the pro-
gram, e. g., one time one of the men went for his
wife just as the party was breaking up and there
was the usual question of "Who wants it next?"
Nobody seemed to have any sewing ready. Mr. H.
said he would take it, furnish the work and pay the
fee. No doubt Mrs. H. had to get the dinner, but it
is on record that it was a long time before she had
to do any patching for her men folks.

The Methodist church was largely the center
of the neighborhood social life. The entertainments
at Christmas time, Easter and Children's Day were
much more elaborate than in later years. For Chil-
dren's Day especially the church was always gayly
decorated. There were enormous quantities of wild
and potted flowers, unbelievable yards of festoons
of white and red clover and other blossoms woven
by the children, in every window a cage of canaries ;
one year there was even a parrot who occupied a

40 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

place behind the pulpit and enlivened the occasion
by remarks that cost her any future invitations.
The preparation for these events took much time
that is now absorbed by modern inventions, but
there was no expense for gasoline and the results
in community spirit were very great.

One of the church activities of that day that is
now entirely gone was the "festible" as many of the
children and some of the adults called it. There
were always at least two each year, one at the
height of the strawberry season and one as soon as
settled cold weather turned the thoughts of men
to oysters. There might be an ice-cream festible'
most any time in summer, and there was always ice
cream along with the strawberries. The ice cream:
was home-made by hands of varying skill, and the*
recipe, too, varied according to who was in charge'
and what material was availble. How the joy of:
eating it could have been as great as the joy ofi
making it is hard to understand, but there is no
doubt that it was. i

The festible was always held at a hall and whilei
there might be some games or stunts the occa-
sion was not primarily one for entertainment, but
for eats and informal conversation. Everybody ofi
all ages was there, everybody ate whatever was
being served and paid the standard price. There
was a stand at which confectionery and peanuts]
could be had, sacked in five-cent lots. At the close]
of the evening there was always an auction of the
surplus cakes and other provisions. By the time]
this was over most of the little children were fast]
asleep, on the benches about the room; to wake
and wrap them for the journey home was no small
task for the parents and no small misery for the
children, but it was all part of the game. And the
young folks saw each other home and hoped the
next festible would come soon.

Since this is a discussion of social life in the
broadest sense of the term, the revivals and camp

Social Life in Monica 41

meetings should be included. One can easily be-
lieve that the present generation with its high
standards of charity and business ethics and gen-
eral sensitiveness to right and wrong is at heart at
least as religious as any that has preceded it ; but it
knows little of the emotional expression of a gen-
eration ago.

The winter revival was never omitted in Mon-
ica. Sometimes the preacher conducted the meeting
personally with such help as he could get from
leighboring pastors, sometimes he called in an
'evangelist" or two. If there were two, one was
lsually a singer, perhaps man and wife. The meet-
ngs began after farm work was done and lasted
several weeks. There would be preaching nearly
every night and often an afternoon meeting too.
The country folks came in for the day meetings,
ind part of each family would go home for the
mores, returning at evening. Others of the family
vould stay for supper with town friends and some
)f the aged country folks would often stay all
light, especially if the weather was bad. And so,
uiite aside from the religious side of it the revival
:ontributed much to the friendly sociability of
leighbors.

The camp meeting was the summer revival. It
asted about ten days, including two Sundays.
?here was one camp ground at Wyoming and
.nother at Oak Hill. There were board cottages,
acilities for tenting, a dining hall where meals were
I erved to all who chose to board there for one or
lore meals, a place for services called The Taber-
acle, and a corral with mangers for the horses of
hose who drove in. Many preachers and laymen
sed the camp meeting as a time of summer vaca-
ion. Various meetings of different church societies
nd activities were scheduled to be held at this
ime and place. These meetings and the frequent
ermons and devotional services were of course
rimarily religious, but they certainly made con-

42 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

tribution to the social needs of the people who at-
tended. Sunday was the big day. The final death of
camp meeting as an institution was due to the sub-
mergence of the religious in the festal use of Sun-
day, despite all the efforts of church authorities to
stem that tide. There are now no neighborhood
meetings which draw such crowds as a Sunday at
camp meeting. Most young couples and many
families hitched the horses to buggy or wagon early
Sunday morning and started for Oak Hill. Every
road for miles around was the scene of a proces-
sion. At the grounds the crowd of people and of
horses and vehicles was too large to be quiet; be-
sides there were too many who were there not for
reverence but for holiday. There was an admission
fee for man and beast, which was necessary, but it
commercialized the meeting. There was horse rac-
ing en route and it was hard to prevent the drink-
ing of hard liquor even within hearing of the
preacher's voice. Sheriffs recognized the need of
policing the meetings on Sunday. The church
authorities finally tried closing the gates on Satur-
day night and admitting no Sunday comers. But
the once useful camp meeting no longer served
sufficiently either religious or social need.

In those days young folks went to district
school to a greater age than they do now, and about
the school in a general way centered several social
activities. The most important of these was the
literary or debating society. This was a survival
or resurrection of the old Lyceum. There was for
many years at intervals at least such a society at
the Nelson school. This tended later to centralize
into Monica. The society met at the school house
weekly, probably on Tuesday evenings throughout
the fall and winter. The objects were entertainment
and intellectual benefits. There was a program
which was the best the home talent could afford,
music, essays, declamations, readings, and always a
debate. The arguments often were not deeper than

Social Life in Monica 43

store counter or goods box harrangues, but they
were always very much in earnest and they were
conducted formally and in strict accord with par-
liamentary usage. The best men debated, they took
their part seriously and prepared by reading all the
meager material available. Many a good book fil-
tered into a home because the man of the house
wanted to put up a creditable debate. The women
took no part in debate, but the program committee
with an eye to the future supply of debaters fre-
quently assigned one boy to each side, and those
boys who would, got some training in forensics.
The writer's introduction to a debating career of
many years was in the Monica literary society, on
the merits of prohibition — a question v/hich is said
to be claiming yet some attention. Most of the ques-
tions debated were timely issues of politics or pub-
lic policy, serious questions of philosophy, import-
ant local discussions, worth-while historical mat-
ters. The tariff, government ownership of rail-
roads, greenbacks and banking, the military skill
of Grant versus that of Lee, the good or harm done
by Oliver Cromwell or Napoleon. This last was in
principle a favorite subject, many great characters
being drafted for defense and criticism. Even, Re-
solved: That man will do more for the love of gold
than for the love of woman, was debated in all
seriousness. Not so much has been said about the
lighter parts of the program which were put on by
the young folks, but they were worth while. They
did not reach the artistic standard of things we
can buy now, but they were sincere, they were
self expressive, and in both delivery and prepara-
tion they were socially important. These programs
were attended to the full capacity of the school
house week after week all fall and winter for some
years.

Unfortunately the older men threw the mak-
ing of programs onto younger shoulders too rapid-
ly. The younger program makers, probably mostly

44 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

because of inefficiency, let the work degenerate
into frivolity. The literary society died not long
after the debate on Resolved: That a smoking
chimney is worse than a scolding wife.

The spelling bee had not entirely died out at
this time. There were a number of such evenings
sponsored by the literary society. This was just as
fertile a social event in Monica, Illinois as it was in
Hooppole Township, Posey County, Indiana, of
Hoosier Schoolmaster fame.

Lodges had small part in Monica life. The
Masons and Oddfellows and others belonged in
other towns. The Modern Woodmen were not or-
ganized here until at the close of the period dis-
cussed. There was for a short time a chapter of
the Independent Order of Good Templars who fos-
tered temperance and prohibition. The disrespect-
ful said that the initials stood for I Often Get
Tight: even in that golden age there were those
who scorned the thought of curtailing personal lib-
erty for the sake of the common weal. The lodge
with its ritualistic meetings was a rallying place
for those who believed in a cause that was already
making more rapid progress than either friend or
foe at that time supposed. But other organizations
soon proved to be serving the cause more efficiently
and the I. O. G. T. soon passed out.

This mention of a temperance society leads to
the saddest picture in Monica life. Although the
day was past when no threshing or harvest or barn
raising could be had without Little Brown Jug, and
drunkenness was no longer respectable, still there
was an awful lot of drinking. There was during one
year in the late 80's an open saloon in Monica, and
there never was a time when liquor could not be had
illegally, to say nothing of saloons in Princeville
and Brimfield. Individual cases of drunkenness
could be seen almost any time and there were
families in even little Monica who never knew when

Social Life in Monica 45

the father's home coming was to be dreaded. Every
holiday or public celebration was the signal for
whole gangs to get drunk. Those honest souls, and
many of them are honest, who think that condi-
tions are worse now after nine years of legal if not
yet actual prohibition than they were forty years
ago simply are either young or forgetful. We will
not draw the painful picture of the Monica of the
middle 90's that had in sheer self defense to or-
ganize a Law and Order League because of acts
done by men who, let us hope for their own sakes,
were not sober.

This is not preaching or propaganda. We are
drawing pictures of life in Monica at a certain time,
and all who were here then know that these pic-
tures are accurate. There is still drinking in Monica,
but it is not so prevalent as to require a Law and
Order League to make the streets safe, or to make
possible peaceful meetings after dark. And all who
are here now know that this picture too is ac-
curate. Honest people may differ in their explana-
tion of the cause, but every old resident knows
that here at least things are NOT "worse under
prohibition."

We are not here concerned v/ith whether men
took more or less interest in politics forty years
ago, but they certainly got more social kick out of
a campaign. Each party had its local clubs in every
hamlet, and there were such gatherings of men as
the radio has no doubt ended forever. Democrats
and Republicans had their clubs who marched in
uniform in torch light processions. A rally in Mon-
ica would bring all the faithful from Princeville on
foot in uniform and with band and torches. A rally
in Princeville called for a return visit. There were
flag poles in Monica from one hundred to one hun-
dred forty feet high at different times, the idea
probably being that he loved the Stars and Stripes
best who raised them nearest the sky. It really did
make a Republican heart swell against the vest

46 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

buttons to see Old Glory some hundred feet or more
in the air, with a Harrison and Morton streamer
just underneath. It made little Republican boys
carry chips on their shoulders and little Democrat
boys do just what little Democrat boys should be
expected to do under the circumstances.

All this was preliminary to the big meeting
in hall or out of doors where the spell binders
pointed with pride and viewed with alarm and
screamed and pled and promised. And if there was
a candidate for high office scheduled for a speech
in Galesburg or Peoria there would be special trains
and the marching clubs would fill the torch and put
in a new wick and don the uniform if there was one
that year, and go to the city and join in long night
parade supposedly to encourage one's own party,
and overawe the enemy; but really because every-
body thought it was fun; and it was.

After the election there was the ratification
meeting. This came a day or more afterward be-
cause there was no radio or telephone to send
everybody the news as fast as a few scattered pre-
cincts were counted. The result might be guessed by
a few at the telegraph office but mostly the news
came next day. Then the rally with its big bonfire
with the defeated side out in the shadows.

But to return to the everyday diversions.

There was roller skating. This craze swept
America as completely as did Mah Jong and Bunco,
and it lasted longer. The then hall in Monica, the
present Woodman Building had at that time its
fitting up with the fine hard maple floor laid entire-
ly around the room so that the skater would at no
time skate across the grain of the wood. The man-
ager charged an admission fee and he had skates
to rent or you could "roll your own."

There were picnics at Jubilee, at Slackwater,
and other places within driving distance. Of course
it took longer to get there than it does now with
autos, but that was an advantage. Picnics were often
held as far away as Mossville, Rome, or even Lake

Social Life in Monica 47

Senachwine for the express purpose of prolonging
the happy time spent coming and going.

There is one social institution that flourished
then that is now sadly eclipsed and in danger of
becoming extinct; that is the SLEIGH RIDE,,
whether with bob sled or one horse open sleigh.
Sleigh bells? Who ever hears them any more? A
whole string of them completely around the horse;
jingling their silvery tones on the frosty air and
stirring in the blood of all who hear it such a glow
as can be stirred by no other music that was ever
written.

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way,

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh.

No gasoline fixin' from Lizzie to Rolls-Royce
ever put into young hearts such a song as that.

And when the bobsled upset! There wasn't any
crash of glass, no call for the doctor, no hoping that
help would come soon, no wondering how much the
repairs would cost. None of that. The girls scream
as they go over, they squeal as the boys pick them
up and tuck them back among the blankets and
make sure their hands are warm ; and all sing
Got into a drifted bank,
And we, we got upsot.

And the driver is thinking about another ditch
flanked and hidden by a big drift about a mile
ahead.

Some of you young sprigs are saying, He's an
old fogy, sighing for the old times. No. Unless this
older generation has spent its life in vain we are
leaving the world better than we found it. But the
old days were good too, for a happy social life is
not dependent on one's material surroundings but
on clean and neighborly hearts.

Blessings on you, boy, with your shiny run-
about. But get up a crowd and take a bobsled ride
some moonlight night. And spill the girls.

48 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

WHITE'S GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

Historical Sketch Written for Golden Anniversary

By MABEL WALLIKER, 1922

Saturday afternoon, Dec. 9, 1871, thirteen
people met at the home of Isaac German near the
White's Grove Gchool house. After Scripture read-
ing and prayer the declaration of faith and coven-
ant were read and adopted.

E. M. Armstrong and John C. White were
elected deacons. The name selected was White's
Grove Baptist church. The members attending that
meeting were as follows:

Mrs. Louisa Walliker Armstrong,
Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Armstrong,
Mr. and Mrs. James Curry,
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac German,
Mr. and Mrs. John C. White,
Mr. and Mrs. William White,
Mr. Chas. Walliker, Sr.
Miss Emma McKay.

A council of recognition was then called which
met with this little band of Christians in the
White's Grove school house Jan. 2, 1872. This
council consisted of Elder Guy, Brethren Furnace
and Bruce, all of Brimfield, 111., and Elder Stick-
ney of Toulon, 111., Pastor Barton and A. D. Bump
represented the White's Grove church.

After a full hearing, the council decided to
recognize the body as a regular Baptist church in
full sympathy with them. The charge to the church
was given by Elder Guy. Recognition prayer by
Elder Stickney and hand of fellowship by the coun-
cil. Sisters Anna M. Walliker and Ellen T. Leaver-
ton were received at this meeting. Elder J. M.
Stickney acted as moderator and E. M. Armstrong
was clerk. (This part of record is copied from

White Grove Baptist'Church 49

church book and was recorded by E. M. Armstrong
who was the first church clerk.)

Since date of the organization, worship was
continued in the school house. During the year
1914, William D. Watson became pastor and the
following year 1915, the Baptist members of
Wyoming, 111., being few in number donated their
edifice to the people of White's Grove. Through
this splendid gift and with the financial aid of
many frends and neighbors in nearby towns and
communities at large, the members were able to
erect a modern rural church edifice which was dedi-
cated free of debt June 4, 1916.

The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated at the
church on Friday evening October 27, 1922, bad
roads and stormy weather having prevented the
celebration in January. A big crowd gathered early
and enjoyed the fried chicken supper served by
the ladies in the basement. This was followed by a
program in the auditorium at which the pastor
Rev. H. F. Jones presided.

The address was by Dr. L. C Trent pastor of
the First Baptist Church of Kewanee, 111 He took
for his text, Fear not, little flock; for it is your
Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom
(Luke 12;32) and urged the importance of sus-
taining the churches of the rural communities.

Charles Walliker, Sr., one of the charter mem-
bers was the last speaker and gave some interest-
ing reminiscences of the early days. Besides him
three others still live who were present at the first
meeting: Mrs. Ellen T. Leaverton of White's
Grove,, Mrs. Louise Armstrong, Maryville, Mo.,
and John C. White of Harbine, Nebr., who was also
one of the first deacons.

Much credit should be given the pioneer mem-
bers for the foundation so firmly builded and for
the sacrifices and faithful services rendered that
the work might grow. For over fifty years services
have been carried on and other members added.

50 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

SOCIAL LIFE AT "WHITE'S GROVE"

By Mary J. Smith, 1929

Reading Mr. Campbell' article on Monica, I
wish to supplement it by an account of the social
life a decade or two earlier, in the White's Grove
District. At the Mt. Zion church, at West Prince-
ville, before it was moved into Monica — that is, be-
fore there was any railroad or any Monica — great
revival meetings were held. I myself walked two
miles on foot to attend them, a number of times.
People came from far and near, and the crowd al-
most suffocated from being packed so tight in the
church building.

The Nelson school took delight in coming and
trying to spell down our District, the White's
Grove, and these spelling bees were very popular.
Allen Fast and Hattie Calhoun came when they
were courting; also Ed Calhoun and Maggie Rice,
Carleton Corn well and "Dial" Calhoun; and other
couples. Everett Cornwell was teacher at one time.
It is only fair to say that White's Grove school was
scarcely ever spelled down; and the champion spel-
ler was the present recording secretary of the
O. S. U. P. V.

Other young people of the day were the Arm-
strong boys, Joseph, James and Billy, and their
sisters, Mary, Elizabeth, Lucretia, Belle, Ellen,
Rose, Martha and Jennie; the McCutcheon girls,
Isabelle and Ella; the Buchanan's; the McGregor
boys; Walliker's; Gray's. Mary Ann White was
in the crowd, her brothers John and William, and
her sister Maria; Belle, Rachel, Mary and the
other Smith's. (Mary Elizabeth Armstrong mar-
ried Allen McMillen from Posey county, Indiana,
nicknamed "Posey.")

Other families in the neighborhood were
Hughes, Duncan McGregor, Henry Roney, Lambert,
Leaverton, Schaad, McNeal, Isaac German, David

Social Life at White's Grove 51

Mendell, James Morrow, Purcell, Camp, Pigg, Al-
bert Burgess, Whittington, later Charles and
Henry DeBord, Bowles, Frank Belford, LaMay,
James Currey, William Mann, James McMillen,
Weidner.

Ebenezer Armstrong, one of the teachers,
married Matilda (Martha) Walliker. Later he was
a preacher and gave a wonderful sermon on "Build-
ings," when the new school house was dedicated.
He spoke of John Bowman, who did the mason
work, having come across the ocean (from Scot-
land) to help build the school house.

Miss Elmira Jones was an earlier teacher, and
the Armstrong sisters, Margaret ( Peggy) and
Mary, are remembered as Sunday school teachers.
I still have in my possession a Bible that Miss
Mary Armstrong gave me in 1869, for reciting "by
heart" 588 Bible verses in one year.

The old school house, as I remember it, had
long desks against the wall, and long benches,
home made, facing the desks and the wall. All
pupils had to step or pull their feet over
the bench, to get in or out. The stove was in the
middle of the room, with pipe going straight up.
Teacher Everett Cornwell looked up one day and
shouted "She's a-fire, boys!" I remember helping
grab benches and books and carry them out — but
"she" didn't burn: the teacher and boys extin-
guished the flames. When this building was finally
replaced by the new building, the lot was in-
creased to a full acre. The building was set clear
back, making the large sized play ground or base-
ball field in front, which is used and enjoyed to the
present time.

The school house services were undenomina-
tional, or rather, preachers of the Presbyterian,
Methodist and Baptist faith preached as they hap-
pened to come, but after the church was built, the
Baptist services there were the only ones held in
the neighborhood.

52 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

We had neighborhood "sings" at various times
and places. The father of our recording secretary
led them with his tuning fork, gratis. Later John
McGinnis of Princeville organized a singing school
class, a pay affair. I remember one piece in parti-
cular he had them sing the closing night. I quote
it as showing the kind of music they had at singing
schools in those early days.

"A hunter early ranging
Along the forest wild,
Saw o'er the greensward tripping
Three maidens fair and mild.

Fair queenly Faith came foremost,
Next Love before him passed,
With Hope all bright and smiling,
The gayest and the last.

She said, now choose between us,
For one with thee will stay;
Choose well or thou mayest rue it,
When two have passed away.

Said he, all bright and smiling,
Oh, why must two depart?
Faith, Hope and Love come sweetly,
Possess and share my heart,
Possess and share my heart.

Eternity alone will reveal the good results that
came from those protracted meeings that were held
in the old school house, and fruit that was seeded
down by those early, earnest, Christian teachers,
who read each morning some portion of God's
Word, individually or in concert, and had the
Lord's prayer repeated in concert. This was at the
beginning of each day's school work. And the wall
mottoes, done with chalk, although they were ef-
faced when the old building was sold for a granary

Prospect Presbyterian Church of Dunlap 53

to make room for the new building, will never be
erased from the minds and hearts of the children
who daily went to school there. "Thou God Seest
Me," and "Dare to do Right — Dare to be True" will
live in the minds and hearts of the children, long
after that faithful Christian teacher, Miss Elmira
Jones, who placed them on the walls of that old
building, has gone to rest.

The new school house saw many religious
gatherings, until the present church was built on
the opposite corner but I venture to say that it has
never heard within its wall the soul-stirring ser-
mons, the earnest prayers, and the gospel of song
sung without accompaniment, but full of power and
sung to the glory of God and to win souls to right
ways of thinking and right ways of living, such
as echoed from the old school building. Crowds
would sit for hours in a cramped position, lined
up on the desks, benches too full often to rest one's
feet on them, and never complain that the minister
preached too long.

PROSPECT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF

DUNLAP

By Mrs. Belle Dunlap and Mrs. Bessie Gray, 1928

It was during the years 1848 and 1849 that a
number of Presbyterian families came from the
Panhandle section of the state of West Virginia and
settled on farms in the townships of Akron and
Radnor, Peoria county, Illinois.

After coming west these people at first united
with the Princeville Presbyterian church, whither
some of them drove as far as nine miles in lumber
wagons to attend services. There was a wide scope
of country through which they drove that was
open prairie and one of the old settlers recalled
that on a Sabbath day in the fall of '49, when they
were returning home from the Princeville church, a

54 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

prairies fire was observed coming up on a stiff gale
behind them. By whipping up the horses they were
able to keep ahead of the fire and reach a place of
safety in the creek timber, on the Hitchcock farm.

THE SCHOOL HOUSE CHURCH

The people decided the distance to Princeville
was too great to drive and as more families were
coming from the east, it was thought best to hold
services in a schoolhouse, in the district known as
Southhampton. After holding serivces in the
school house for some time, application was made
to the Presbytery for an organization. The request
was granted and a committee composed of Rev. A.
Coffey of Peoria, Rev. R. Breese of Princeville and
Elder Henry Schnebly of Peoria, met with the con-
gregation on June 8th, 1850, to effect the organiza-
tion.

The fifteen charter members of this school
house church were as follows: Joseph Yates, Sr.,
and Mary, his wife; John Yates, Sr., and Eleanor,
his wife; Thomas Yates and Mary, his wife; John
Hervey, and Sarah, his wife; Mies Margaretta
Yates; David G. Hervey and Jane, his wife; Adam
Yates and Sarah, his wife, Samuel Keady and
Eleanor his wife.

THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING

Four years later, in 1854, their first church, a
frame building. 36x48 ft. costing $1400., was erected
on a 5-acre lot which is the present site of Pros-
pect cemetery. In this church they continued to
worship until 1877.

By the year 1877, owing to the building of the
R. I. and P. Railroad the village of Dunlap had
sprung up, and in this new village, one mile south
of the first church, a new church costing $5,100
was erected.

Right here it would be interesting to relate
how this church came by the name it has borne for

Prospect Presbyterian Church of Dunlap 55

so many years. The story as taken from the Sou-
venir Report of Jubilee Exercises of Prospect
Presbterian church at Dunlap published in 1900, is
as follows:

"Before this church was organized, there was
much discussion as to the name by which it should
be known. Many names were proposed but none
agreed upon. After some time had been thus oc-
cupied, Dr. Yates said the remarks made were,
perhaps, unprofitable and certainly premature, as
they had nothing yet to name, for our church is
still in prospect. Whereupon the name PROSPECT
was proposed and unanimously agreed upon."

PARSONAGES

The first parsonage, located on a plot of 30
acres east of the country church, was built in 1867.
When the new church was built in Dunlap this
property was sold and a new 7-room parsonage
was built, in Dunlap in 1878. Both parsonage and
church are still in use, an annex having later been
added to the church for use as a Sunday school
room.

SONS IN MINISTRY

It is an interesting fact that three persons
have entered the ministry from the membership of
this church: Rev. George Dunlap, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Napoleon Dunlap; Rev. Thomas C. Winn,
missionary to Japan, son of Rev. John Winn, once
a pastor of the church; and Rev. Wm. Jones.

SOCIETIES

The Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society was
organized in 1872 and has been in successful opera-
tion since that time.

The Christian Endeavor Society came into be-
ing during the pastorate of Dr. Silas Cooke in 1889,
and such an organization exists at the present
time.

56 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

TEMPERANCE

These words are copied from "Reminiscences,"
a paper written by Mrs. Mary Kelly for the Golden
Jubilee held in Prospect Church in 1900:

"Dr. Cutter of Princeville was the first temp-
erance lecturer we had in the school house Church.
He advised us, truly enough, that alcohol is liquid
death, and urged us to put both feet on it, and to
set them on hard."

MINISTERS

The ministers who have served the church are
the following: The Revs. David Hervey, John Tur-
bitt, Thomas Smith, George Cairns, J. E. A. Simp-
son, A. S. Gardner, John Winn, Silas Cooke, V. D.
Nevins, Harry Smith, R. C. Townsend, Benjamin
Thomas, L. H. McCormick, C. P. Blekking, Wolfe,
Kortkamp, Mitchell, and at the time this is writ-
ten, Rev. Griscell.

BEQUESTS

A number of the members to whom the name
was dear, have made substantial bequests that the
name of "Prospect" may live through the years to
come.

EARLY DOCTORS OF PRINCEVILLE

By Laura C. Sentz, 1928

Dr. Thomas Waters, according to notes made
by S. S. Slane, was the first doctor in Princeville
and vicinity. He was a relative of the Morrow
family. The Peoria county records show that he
received a patent from the United States govern-
ment August 1, 1836 for the West V2 of the S. E.
% Section 19, Akron Township, 80 acres. This land
now belongs to the Kuntz estate. Dr. Waters sold
his claim and went to Iowa. He was sometimes
called a "water and herb doctor, chiefly water."

One of the Morrows about this same time was

Early Doctors of Princeville 57

sometimes called in to attend a neighbor but he
could not be called a regular physician.

Dr. Oscar Fitzalen Mott, a native of New York
state, came to Princeville the fall of 1837. He wa,s
an "herb doctor" and practiced his profession, tak-
ing what pay his patients were willing to give. He
was very successful in treatment of the commoner
diseases of his time, most of which were chills and
fever. He was the father of Washington Mott and
Josephine Mott, well known in Princeville for two
generations.

Dr. Moss (first name unknown) came from
New Orleans. It is not known why he left New Or-
leans to come to this locality, for it was said he
had a very extensive practice there — all that he
could possibly take care of. Many still living know
about the Moss liniment. Dr. Moss gave each of
his friends a receipe for it and one of these old re-
cipes has been dug up at this time, as follows :

Recipe for Moss Liniment

1 oz. origanum
1 oz. oil cedar
1 oz. gum camphor
1 oz. hartshorn
V2 pint turpentine
Vo pint alcohol
1 oz. oil of spike
1 oz. olive oil
1 oz. chloroform
1 teaspoonful sassafras oil

Dr. Moss said this would knock H 1 and

d-m-n-tion off the hinges.

Dr. Chas. Cutter came to Princeville some years
before 1850, a graduate of Harvard Medical school.
Of his work, his son at one time wrote as follows:
"His practice sometimes extended from Lawn
Ridge, in one direction, to French Grove in the
other; and his meager remuneration, when there

58 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

was pay at all, sometimes taking the bulky form of
corn in the ear, and even of labor in his own
fields, as return for successfully ushering into the
world infant Princevillians, and for other profes-
sional services." He was remembered also for his
activity as an abolitionist and assistance to run-
away slaves. His house in fact was considered a
station of the underground railway.

Next in order was Dr. Israel G. Harlan.

Dr. Robert F. Henry also came to Princeville
before 1850, one historical epidemic of smallpox in
the Clussman and McGinnis families, having been
handled by him in July 1849. After further study,
and graduating at Rush Medical College, Chicago,
in 1853, he practiced medicine in Princeville for
over fifty years. As one biographer has said: "The
pioneer physician needed to be a man of conse-
crated energy, for his patients were often many
miles away. The country was wild, and thinly set-
tled, and as no trained help was to be had in the
sick room, the doctor's resourcefulness met these
conditions successfully."

Dr. Luther M. Andrews practiced in Prince-
ville from about 1855 to 1875, during that period
serving three years as Assistant Surgeon in the
47th 111. Volunteers.

J3r. John E. Charles came to Princeville in
1861 and was a resident of the Village until 1881.
He had been a "Forty-niner" in California, and had
made a second trip across the plains to California
in 1852, but lost all he had in these ventures. When
he landed in Princeville his worldly possessions
were his medical books, surgical instruments,
household goods and less than $25 in cash. With
the self reliance and courage which had carried him
through many previous discouraging situations he
set about making acquaintances and incidentally
friends which he held through his life. His son Hal-
ler E. Charles is still living in Peoria, his daughter

Early Doctors of Princeville 59

Alice Maud was married to John Jay Hull, and
their only child June Hull Bird, wife of Wm. P.
Bird died at St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 11,
1925.

Dr. Geo. W. Emery was probably next in order,
a relative of the Riel family and coming to Prince-
ville from Canada.

Dr. R. H. Raney substituted for Dr. R. F.
Henry, while the latter resided in Galesburg a few
years

Dr. Thomas E. Alyea practiced in Princeville
beginning in the 1880's, for some twenty or thirty
years and he is still living in Earlville, 111.

Dr. Milton S. Marcy covered about this same
period, 1881 to 1891, his office and residence hav-
ing been on the corner now occupied by the C. H.
Wilcox store building, (used by Citron Department
Store) ; and Dr. Marcy recently died in Peoria.

Dr. Watkins Warren was located in Prince-
ville from about 1885 to 1899. He was a native of
Virginia, a typical southerner in many ways, and
an ex-surgeon in the Confederate army. He was
graduated from both William and Mary College,
and the Medical Institute at Richmond, Va. He
was peculiar at times and strong in his likes and
dislikes, but very highly educated and capable in
his profession; also a very genial friend to those
whom he chose for friends. Desiring milder winters
for himself and Mrs. Warren, he moved to Mt. Ver-
non, 111., in 1899, where Mrs. Warren died in 1900.
The doctor died at Thomasville, Georgia, Jan. 3,
1903, and was buried at Mt. Vernon, 111.

Dr. Collin H. Wilcox, Dr. Walter J. Price, Dr.
Elsie B. Merritt, Dr. E. E. Henson and Dr. M G
Cutler, besides a few of more temporary residence,
have brought the list down to date.

60 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

EARLY BLACKSMITHS OF PRINCEVILLE

By Odillon B. Slane, 1928

First: Ebenezer Russell Shop stood on Lot 7,
Block 11, east of hotel where garage is now. Date
1841. Neighbors turned out — cut down trees, hewed
logs, all helped to put up this log building, which
was first blacksmith shop in Princeville.

Second: Wm. Owens worked with Ebenezer
Russell a while, then started shop for himself on
Lot 7, Block 10, east of Town Hall, in 1845. Owens
worked here for 15 or 16 years, then went into the
hotel business. After leaving hotel he worked in a
shop west of Hitchcock's Hall; where he worked the
rest of his life.

Third: Thos. Van Camp about 1847, located in
shop where Dr. Charles used to live, now the Citron
store is there.

Fourth: Issac Edwards built shop where Wm.
Owens worked so long. He worked here till Na-
thaniel Mitchell bought him out, and moved shop
to where Mrs. Sam Morrow's house now stands.
Mitchell came to Princeville in 1850, the same year
the Henry family came to Princeville (See Henry
Family, Vol. II.)

Fifth: Nathaniel Mitchell was an expert
workman; he could make anything out of iron
from a fine needle to an anvil. He was a native of
Ohio, came from the same locality as the James
McDowell and Vaughn Williams family and the
same time — 1850. Nathaniel Mitchell moved to
Iowa in 1870.

Sixth: Levi Lapham and Thos. Russell, nephew
of Ebenezer Russell, kept a shop only a few
years.

Seventh: The Pratt Brothers, Spence, Abe and
Jonah, all of them blacksmiths, came to Prince-
ville soon after the Civil war, the first two being

Early Blacksmiths of Princeville 61

veterans of that war. They bought the Nahaniel
Mitchell shop (according to Howard Henry's recol-
lection of this date.) All three of them, as also
their brother, Newt, were members of the band.
Jonah moved to Iowa or somewhere in the west
perhaps about 1890, while Abe and Spence lived in
Princeville until their death in years 1905 and 1909
respectively.

Eighth: Evan Hibbs worked for a time with
Wm. Owens, and he located later on in Dunlap.
Thomas Johnson, a son-in-law of George I. McGin-
nis, operated a shop where the Champlin Oil sta-
tion now is, corner of Canton and Clark streets;
and John White and Frederick Kerns about time of
Civil war operated a shop next east of the Town
Hall.

Ninth: Milo Gillin, born in Wilkes Barre, Pa.,
1835, came to Kickapoo, 111., when 19 years of age.
Married to Susanna Craig who was a sister of
Samuel Craig, detective department, sheriff and
police force in Peoria. Mr. Gillin was a prominent
Odd Fellow and active member of Diligence Lodge
No. 129 in Princeville, 111, Followed trade of black-
smith 27 years. He was a first class workman:
worked in German-Friedman shop. Milo Gillin died
Feb. 2, 1902.

Tenth: Tommy McDowell, learned blacksmith
trade under Wm. Owens. Afterward worked for
himself a great many years. He was an expert
horse-shoer, as was Owens before him. Tommy
McDowell was a lover of horses, was kind to all
animals, was a great lover of hounds, and de-
lighted in wolf and coon hunts.

Wm. Gilmore, Thos. Sarsfield and others of
longer or shorter stay, bring the list down to mod-
ern times, when the old style of blacksmithing and
horseshoeing has almost been replaced by the
garage and heavy work machine shop.

62 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

FIRSTS AND SECONDS

By Howard Henry, 1924

The first white man to settle at the grove near
Princeville was Daniel Prince, 1821.

First man to move his family to Prince's
grove was Stephen French, 1828.

Dr. Thomas Waters, the first doctor of
Princeville or vicinity, 1836.

First Presbyterian minister, Rev. Calvin W.
Babbit, 1834.

First Methodist minister, Rev. B. C. Swartz,
1848.

First rector, Catholic church, Rev. Father
Murphy, 1867.

First Fourth of July celebration, 1844.

First burial in Princeville cemetery, child of
George I. McGinnis, 1844. Name, Temperance Mc-
Ginnis.

First blacksmith, Ebenezer Russell, 184-1.

Hugh Morrow, son of Thos. Morrow, was the
first white child born in Akron Township, April 14,
1832.

First Masonic funeral held in Princeville was
that of Leonard Klinck, 1852.

First private school was taught by Mrs. Han-
nah Breese, wife of Rev. Robert Breese, 1844.

First winter school, (subscription) was taught
by Theodore F. Hurd.

Second school was taught by Solomon Bliss.
1840 to 1844. (Approximately.)

First public school building; stone school house,
corner Canton and French streets.

Firsts and Seconds 63

Benj. F. Slane, was the first teacher to draw
public money for his services, 1847 to 1848.

Second teacher, public school, was John M.
Henry.

First town clerk of Princeville under township
organization was Jonathon Nixon.

First postmaster in Princeville was Stephen
French. Second postmaster, William Coburn.

First store was kept by Elisha Morrow.

First president of village, was Dr. R. F. Henry,
1869.

Dr. R. F. Henry started the first drug store in
Princeville. It was located south of where Mitchell's
blacksmith shop used to be, and south of Mrs.
Morrow's home now. After the Civil War, the build-
ing was moved to west of Cheesman's corner and
was occupied by Mary Simpson's millinery shop.

First barber shop in Princeville was kept by
Samuel Tabor, a young colored man. It was located
where Home State Bank is now. Tabor sold his
shop to Calvin McMillan.

First newspaper published in Princeville was
the "Princeville Weekly Citizen," by G. T. Gillman,
1868. Second newspaper, established by C. A. Pratt,
"The Princeville Times," 1868.

First hotel was Seth Fulton's Tavern, a log
building erected about 1830. Seth Fulton also kept
the first Tavern in Peoria.

First bank established in Princeville by Peter
Auten and Geo. W. Alter, 1872 under the firm
name of Auten & Alter.

First burying ground near Princeville was on
Section 25, near its north line, one mile south of
Princeville.

First Princeville band, 1850.

64

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

REGISTER OF VOTERS IN PRINCEVILLE
ELECTION DISTRICT

From Poll Book Dated August 31, 1869

(Spelling

George Auten
William H. Alter
Thomas Allwood
Joseph Armstrong, Sr.
Joseph Armstrong, Jr.
James Armstrong
John J. Armstrong
Ebenezer M. Armstrong
Ezra Adams
George Andrews
Samuel Avard
Henry Ayling
James Aylward
W. J. Alford

Moses Alford

L. M. Andrews

Wm. H. Andrews

Carlos Alford

Charles Aten

Lyman Andrews

James Ayh^ard

C. W. Ayling

John Andrews

Lemuel Andrews

Peter Auten

Edward Auten

T. P. Bouten

Hiram Bronson

B. M. Burgess

Daniel Brown

J. H. Blue

John Best

Isaac Bohrer

Jehiel Bouten

Copied Exactly)

David Barr

William Best

Wm. T. Brown

J. L. Blanchard

F. B. Blanchard

H. G. Burgess

Philander Bump

Solomon Bliss

O. C. Bliss

W. E. Bliss

Henry Bliss

Hiel Bronson

M. M. Blanchard

William H. Blanchard

Jacob Best

Green Burgess

Willis Burgess
S. T. Barret
Burr Bouten
B. H. Bowles
H. Harlo Beach
J. M. Beach
Henry Burgess
Abner Brittingha.
James Bradley
Rufus Benjamin
Henry A. Clusman
S. S. Cornwell
E. E. Cornwell
Hughs Cornwell
Jacob Cloas
James Campbell
William Cunningham
J. E. Charles

Princeville Voters' List, 1865

65

Robert Caldwell, Jr.
H. E. Calhoun
Jessy Carey
Henry Caldwell
Eliia Coburn
Frances Carroll
Thomas Collins
John Carter
Onias Cummins
George Cook
Henry Cook
Mark M. Curtis
Samuel Church
George Caldwell
Nathaniel Clark
Andrew Caldwell
Michael Cullen
M. C. Cornwell
Charles Cornwell
A. W. Camen
G. W. Champ
Job Carroll
Thomas Cummins
Gilbert Campbell
George B. Dotts
John P. Dake
E. F. Debord
John Debord
R. R. Debord
William H. Debord
Adam Dake
William Debolt
Ruben Deal
Peter Duffy
Wm. A. Dustin
Bernard Duffy
James M. Davis
R. L. V. Deal
Perry Debord
Charles W. Debord

John Dale
Thomas Drenen
T. J. Debord
Leonard Dawson
Thomas Dawson
Henry Davis
Patrick Drumm
J. M. Estep
George Eton
Russell Eton
J. D. Edwards
Benjamin Elis
John Evans
George W. Emery
J. A. Fast
Gotfrey Frits
Enos Fast
Steven French
Thomas Fox
D. W. French
James B. Furgeson
Samuel Frances
P. R. Ford
William Graves
Casper Glatfelter, Sr.
Frederick Glatferter
F. A. Griswold
John S. Goodman
James Gray
William Giles
John Giles
Isaac German
Simon S. Graves
Edward Gibbons
Jacob Gibbins
Joseph Gilling
B. F. Gilman
John Green
Casper Glatfelter, Jr.
R. F. Henry

66

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

John M. Henry
Michael Humm
Joseph Holmes
Richard Hardin
William Harrison
Evan Hibbs
C. S. Harrington
J. H. Harrington
R. W. Harrison
Clark Hill
Wm. P. Hauver
Henry Hammer
John Hammer
Richard Heberling
Israel Howell
Anthony Hullen
Edward Harrison
Charles Hardin
G. W. Hitchcock
F. C. Hitchcock
William Hughs
H. L. Hull
Daniel Howard
Charles Harwood
James Heavern
William Heavern
John E. Hansler
David W. Herron
Samuel Irwin
C. B. Ives
Henry F. Irwin
William Knipe
Cornelius Kelly
Graham Klinck
L. F. Lair
James W. Lynch

Charles Leaverton
B. F. Little
John Lansha
George Lansha

John H. Laber
J. H. Lowery
Reason Lair
John Lair
John W. Little
William Losey
E. C. Lincoln
William Lynch
William D. Lawrence
C. E. Lacy
William Mann
Washington Mott
J. P. Martin
Lott Mendell

A. Miner

James M. Mitchell
James W. Miller
Nathan Morrow
Moses Miller
Samuel Miller
J. W. McKee
Steven Martin
Daniel McCready
William McCready
Henry Motes
Thomas Miller
G. D. Miller
WTilliam Morrow
George McGregor
Erastus Morrow
Robt. McDaniels
William Mills
J. E. Moats

B. J. Moor
Henry Miller
J. B. Merritt
Ira Moody

T. Moody

William H. Mitchell

Oliver Moody

Prince ville Voters' List, 1869

67

William L. Miller
James McDowell
Joseph Mendel
N. Mitchell
William Melone
Wm. McDaniel
Stadden McDaniel

E. D. Mansfield
John McGinnis
Christian Miller
James McMillen
Allen McMillen
Mack Mendel
David Mendel
John Motes
Alexander McGregor
Duncan McGregor
William McGregor
James Morrow
Josephus Morrow

B. F. Merritt
Mathew Murdock
Lawrence McNome

F. Moffitt
Wm. P. Merritt
Jos. Mock
Daniel Nelson
A. J. Nail
John Nelson

Wm. H. Nickerson
J. J. Nace
Leroy Nash
Peter Nicholson
Wm. J. Norin
William Owens
Thomas Obrien
Henry Orr
John P. O'Connor

C. D. Perkins
Wm. Parnell, Sr.

Wm. Parnell, Jr.
John Parnell
Clem Pagett
James Parker
Joseph Parents
Elza Parish
J. A. Pratt
Thomas Parnell
W'JJiam Pepert
O. S. Pratt
Chas. Plummer
John T. Potts
Lewis G. Parker
James Rice
Samuel Rice
Henry Rice
Peter Roney
J. H. Russell
Henry Roney
Alza Rathburn
James Rathburn
J. W. Rowcliffe
N. D. Richmond
S. H. Reece
B. F. Randolph
J. T. Slane
S. S. Slane
B. Slane
John Sabin
Wm. C. Stevens
Miles J. Seery
Wm. P. Smith
J. Z. Slane
David Smith
John Smith
Arch Smith
Henry Smith
Wm. G. Selby
Jacob Shaad
B. S. Scott

68

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

John Sheeler
William Simpson
Jos. O. Smith
Pat Scanlan
William R. Sheeler
G. W. Sanders
A. D. Sloan
Sylvester Smith
Thomas Stevens
David Spragoie
Alonzo Santee
Alex C. Tebow
W. P. Thompson
R. R. Taylor
John Toy
Elijah Tracy
W. Vancil
Thomas Vancamp
A. D. Wear
F. Wall
Milton Willson
W. C. Wear
J. M. Willson
Wm. Whittington
James Wear

Robert Whittington
S. M. Whittington
John Wheeler
Jacob Walliker, Sr.
Jacob H. Walliker
S. H. Webb
Jos. H. Webb
J. T. White
Edwin Ward
J. C. White
Thomas Walch
Wm. H. Wisenberg
G. W. Whittington
S. T. Weston
Benjamin Wiggins
C. D. Wiggins
W. H. Warne
Theadore Willson
John Wills
William Wills
John E. White
Beverly Whittington
Valentine Webber
James Young

PERSONAL PROPERTY IN 1880 AND NOW

By Richard A. Auten, 1928

Those of you who have the statistical instinct
would enjoy a document saved from the Peoria
Transcript of 1880. It is the County Clerk's Certi-
ficate of the number of people and of their more
valuable chattels, in Peoria count}7, listed by town-
ships. Just imagine taking a census of automobiles,
binders, radios, electric irons, etc., in 1928!

The items listed in our 1880 census were: Per-
sons assessed, horses, cattle, mules and asses, hogs,
sheep, carriages and wagons, watches and clocks,
sewing and knitting machines, pianos, organs and

The Old Home is Sold 69

melcdeons, acreage improved and unimproved, and
dogs. The average value of each was given for each
township.

In 1880, Peoria County had 5952 people listed
for personal assessment. There were 12,501 horses,
2336 dogs, and over 25,000 cattle. The horses
averaged $25.12 in value, and the cattle $9.63.

There were, on the average, 150 watches and
clocks to the township, with an average value of
$3.96. The county contained 138 pianos outside of
Peoria, which alone had 441.

About 47,000 acres of land were unimproved,
valued at $7.53 per acre. The improved land
averaged $18.86 per acre. The whole county, im-
proved and unimproved, averaged $17.49 per acre.
The townships listing no unimproved land were
Brimfield, Princeviile, and Limestone.

THE OLD HOME IS SOLD
By Julia Moody Klinck, 192G

The old home is passing to strangers

And the home folks are moving away;
We are going to live in the city —

To me 'tis a sorrowful day;
For the home, our lov'd refuge and shelter

This many and many a year,
Seems just as much ours as ever —

Just as cozy and homelike and dear.

Why, never a tree that reaches

Its great arms over the lawn,
And never a rose that opens

Its dewy cup to the dawn;
And never a breeze that murmurs

And tells us that spring has come,
But wakens a memory olden

And tells us of home, sweet home.

70 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

There's the elm stump covered with ivy,

Which moss so deeply imbeds,
Which tells of the time when the cyclone

Took the roof off over our heads;
'Twas a terrible thing to happen,

And all were greatly alarmed;
But we'd cause enough for thanksgiving

When we found nobody was harmed;

And we saw how our Heavenly Father,

When sorrows seemed clcse to enfold,
Can turn our woes inside outward

And show us their linings of gold;
For amid the wreck and the ruin

Our neighbors came very next day
And spread us a brand new roof tree,

And this time they built it to stay.

So there's never a rafter nor shingle

Which kind hands so well interwove,
But is a true token of friendship,

A something to prize and to love.
Then there's the "Experiment Station,"

A beautiful spot which o'erfiows
With many rare things from the forest;

And ev'ry strange blossom that blows;

And holds up its face for inspection

Tells over and over the care
Of the two little lads who had loved them

And set all those field treasures there.
There's an eglantine climbing the trellis

Where tiny wrens dart out and in;
In the day lilies sweet by the door-stone

The honey bees keep up their din.

There's a fern fringe along the veranda;

And a tangle where creeping things come ;
And o'er the flame bright trumpet blossoms
The humming birds hover and hum.

Peoria County Soils 71

So all o'er the place there is written
The tale of home love and home care,

For the lives of a whole generation
Have left something of interest there.

Our father, so gentle and kindly,

And mother, so tried and so true,
Who had won by their toil sacrificial

All the comforts our family knew.
How bravely they carried their burdens;

They never gave up in the fight;
Their reward, but the hope and assurance

That their children would strive to do right.

And still round the place there will linger

Those memories tender and sweet,
Our highest and best — here inwoven,

With which the home place is replete;
Here eyes looked their first upon life;

And here raven locks have turned gray,
And many things cling to the homestead

Which ne'er may be taken away.

Note — Miss Julia Moody's name should have
been included in list of the "Awkward Squad" sing-
ing organization, recounted in Vol. 3, page 10, lines
3 to 5.

PEORIA COUNTY SOILS

Reprint from Booklet, "Peoria County Soils,"
Issued by University of Illinois Agricultural Ex-
periment Station in 1921

This geological history, the most ancient his-
tory there is of Peoria County will, we think, be
very interesting to farm owners. The text of the
Peoria County Soil book is supplemented by gla-
cial map and colored soil charts.

FORMATION

Peoria county is located in the northwest cen-
tral part of Illinois just west of the Illinois river. It

72 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES

lies in the upper Illinoisan and early Wisconsin
glaciations. In general, it varies in topography from
flat to slightly rolling in the northern and north-
wesern parts, to hilly along the Ilinois river and the
Kickapoo creek.

The variations in topography are due to three
causes — glaciers, streams, and wind. During the
Glacial period, snow and ice accumulated in the re-
gion of Labrador and to the west of Hudson Bay to
such an extent that the mass pushed outward from
these centers, especially southward, until a point
was reached where it melted as rapidly as it ad-
vanced. In moving across the country, the ice gath-
ered up all sorts and sizes of material, including
clay, silt, sand, gravel, ordinary boulders, and
even immense masses of rock. Some of these ma-
terials were carried for hundreds of miles and
rubbed against surface rocks or against each other
until largely ground into powder. When through the
melting of the ice, the limit of advance was reached,
the material carried by the glacier would accumu-
late in a broad undulating ridge or moraine. When
the ice melted more rapidly than the glacier ad-
vanced, the terminus of the glacier would recede,
and the material would be deposited somewhat ir-
regularly over the area previously covered. During
the Glacial period at least six distinct ice advances
occurred that were separated by long periods of
time. Between these advances the glacial material
deposited was transformed into soil in part and then
buried by other advances.

The material transported by the glacier varied
with the character of the rocks over which it
passed. Granites, sandstones, limestones, shales,
etc., were torn from their lodging places by the
enormous denuding power of the ice sheet and
ground up together. A pressure of forty pounds
per square inch is exerted by a mass of ice one hun-
dred feet thick, and these ice sheets may have been
hundreds or even thousands of feet in thickness.

Peoria County Soils 73

The material carried along in the ice, especially the
boulders and pebbles, became powerful agents for
grinding and wearing away the surface over which
the ice passed. Preglacial ridges and hills were
rubbed down, valleys were filled with the debris,
and the surface features were changed entirely. The
mixture of material deposited by the glacier is
known as boulder clay, till, glacial drift, or simply
drift. The average depth of this deposit over the
state of Illinois is estimated as 115 feet.

Previous to the ice invasion, this region gen-
erally was not well suited to agriculture because of
its rough and hilly character, as shown by borings
which indicate many preglacial valleys that later
were filled with drift. The general effect of the gla-
ciers then was to change the surface from hilly to
gently undulating. Streams subsequently did a
large amount of work, and as a result more than a
quarter of Peoria county has been cut up into hills
and valleys. This has reduced the value of the land
and rendered it unfit for ordinary agriculture, al-
though much of it is well adapted to pasturing.

A deposit of wind-blown dust, or loess, was
made during the Glacial period, to a depth of 5 to
15 feet over the upland. Since this deposit was re-
latively uniform, it modified the topography but
slightly. On the terrace in the northeastern part of
the county, the wind has formed sand dunes from
the sand deposited by the Illinois river, emphasizing
the irregularities that originally existed.

The Glaciations of Peoria County

Peoria county was first covered by the Illi-
noisan glacier, which left a deposit of boulder clay,
resulting in a partial leveling of the region. After
the recession of this Glacier, a long period elapsed,
during which a soil was formed by the incorpora-
tion of organic matter in the glacial material de-
posited. This soil is known as the Sangamon soil.
Then another advance occurred, known as the

74 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Iowan glacier, that did not reach Peoria county,
but during its melting the region now included in
Illinois was probably covered with a deposit of
windblown dust or loess from 10 to 15 feet thick,
burying the Sangamon soil. A new soil, called the
Peorian, was formed from the surface of the loess,
and after another long period had elapsed, a third
ice advance occurred, known as the early Wisconsin
glacier. This ice sheet covered the northeastern
third of the county, burying the Illinoisan drift and
the Sangamon soil still deeper, and covering the
Iowan loess and the Peorian soil.

This early Wisconsin glacier built up two ex-
tensive moraines, the west one, known as the Shel-
byville, and the eastern, the Bloomington. These
coalesce in Tazewell county before they cross the
Illinois river, then divide south of Dunlap into two
distinct ridges, and unite again in the extreme
northern part of Peoria county. The deposit of
glacial material in the vicinity of these moraines
varies from 150 to 200 feet in thickness. In some
parts, particularly along the lower Kickapoo creek,
this is made up largely of stratified gravel. In
places sufficient calcium carbonate has been de-
posited in this gravel to cement it together, thus pro-
ducing conglomerate. A smaller morainal ridge built
up by the Illinoisan glacier extends southwest near
the center of the western part of the county. The
moraines of the early Wisconsin glaciation are
about 100 feet higher than the general level of the
Illinois glaciation.

The early Wisconsin drift is covered with a de-
posit of loess from 3 to 6 feet deep, except on the
more rolling parts, where it has been largely re-
moved by erosion.

Physiography and Drainage

The altitude of Peoria county varies from 835
feet, the highest point, to below 436, the low water
mark in the Illinois river at Peoria.

Peoria County Soils 75

The alitudes of some places in the county are
as follows: Alta, 751 feet; Brimfield, 729; Chilli-
cothe, 490; Cramer, 765; Dimlap, 724: Edeistein,
781; Eden, 727; Edwards, 519; Elmwood, 626; Glas-
ford, 615; Hanna City, 732; Keller, 801; Kramm,
540; Laura, 732; Mapleton, 467; Maxwell, 594:
Monica, 772; Oak Hill, 557; Peoria (low water),
436; Peoria Heights, 768; Pottstown, 486; Prince-
ville, 745; Rome, 485; Trivoli, 748.

Peoria County Soils.

The entire county lies in the basin of the Illi-
nois river, but the northwest part is drained by
Spoon river, while Kickapoo creek drains the larger
part of the remainder of the county. The large
prairie region lies in the northern and western parts
of the county. The northeastern part of the county
includes a sand and gravel terrace with irregular
areas to the south along the river. The largest of
these outside of the Chillicothe area, is at Peoria.
The terrace at Peoria occupies at least two dis-
tinct levels, the one about 100 feet above the other.
The total prairie area comprises about 40 per cent
of the county.

The county contains a large amount of hilly
land, totalling about 28 per cent of the area. The
streams flow in deep valleys that are from 100 to
300 feet below the upland. The principal area of
this eroded land is along Kickapoo creek in the
central part, while Copperas and Lamarsh creeks
with their tributaries are responsible for a large
amount of hilly land in the south part. Spoon river
has produced an area of several square miles of
rough land in the northwest part of the county.
Another such area from one to four miles wide has
been formed along the Illinois river bluff north of
Kickapoo creek.

Soil Materials and Soil Types

While the two glaciers which reached Peoria
county left extensive deposits of boulder clay or

76 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

glacial drift, the soils as a rule are not formed from
this material. The boulder clay has been covered by
a deposit of loess or windblown material and this
constitutes the soil forming material. In some of
the more rolling areas the loess has been removed
and the glacial material is now exposed and con-
stitutes the different soil strata. In some cases,
however, sufficient loess still remains to form the
surface and subsurface and perhaps part or all of
the subsoil.

(The Booklet then continues with classification
and description of the various types of soil, with
analyses of plant food in each, suggestions for
handling and improving each type, etc.)

MILITARY RECORD OF JOHN G. CORBETT

(Compiled From Government Records, Prior to
Ills Death on June 22, 191G

THIS CERTIFIES THAT JOHN G. CORBETT
enlisted from Bureau County, Illinois on the 18th
day of February, 1864, to serve 3 years or during
the war, and was mustered into the U. S. Service
at Ottawa, 111. on the 20th day of March, 1864, as a
Private of Captain Robert R. Gibbons' Company
"B" 64th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry
(Sharpshooters), Colonel John Merrill command-
ing.

The 64th Illinois was known as "Yates' Sharp-
shooters" in honor of war governor, Richard Yates.
The first battalion of 6 companies was organized at
Camp Butler, Springfield, in December, 1861, and
on Jan. 10th, 1862 was ordered to Quincy where it
went into barracks and was supplied with arms and
equipments. It moved to Cairo, Feb. 16th and March
4, via Bird's Point, to New Madrid, Mo., and was
assigned to Morgan's Brigade, Payne's Division,
Pope's command. On January 15th, 1864, over
three-fourths of the battalion having re-enlisted, it

Military Record of John G. Corbett 77

moved north on veteran furlough for 20 days, and
reassembled at Ottawa, Feb. 14, 1864.

Four new companies were recruited and added
to the battalion, making a full regiment. On March
17th, 1864 it proceeded to Decatur, Ala., and was
assigned to 1st Brigade 4th Division, 16th Army
Corps. On May 4th it moved to Chattanooga and
joined General Sherman's army. In September 1864,
it was transferred to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 17th
Army Corps, Army of Tennessee.

During its service it participated in the follow-
ing engagements: New Madrid, Mo.; Siege of Co-
rinth; Chamber's Creek, Miss.; Tuscumbia, Ala.;
Iuka, and battle of Corinth, Miss.; Barton's Station;
Dalton; Resaca; Dallas; New Hope Church; Kene-
saw Mountain, Siege of Atlanta, Snake Creek Gap,
March to the Sea, and Savannah, Ga., Campaign of
Carolinas — including Pocotaligo, Combahee River,
Orangeburg and Cheraw, S. C.; Fayettesville and
and Bentonville, N. C, and a number of minor en-
gagements and skirmishes. After Johnson's sur-
render to Sherman the regiment marched via. Rich-
mond, Va., to Washington, D. C. where it took part
in Grand Review, May 24th, 1865. It was mustered
out of the service July 11th, 1865.

The said John G. Corbett enlisted as a recruit
and joined his regiment at Ottawa, 111. while veter-
ans were home on furlough.

He was ill in Hospital at Atlanta, Ga., after the
capture of that city and was later removed to his
home, where he remained until he recovered and
rejoined his regiment at Alexandria, Va., going by
way of New York and Hilton Head, S. C.

He bore a gallant part in engagements at Re-
saca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain
and Siege of Atlanta and at all times rendered faith-
ful and meritorious service.

He received an Honorable Discharge at Louis-

78 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

ville, Ky., on 11th day of July, 1865, by reason of
close of the war.

His brother William W. served in 69th and
139th Illinois Infantry during the Civil war.

He is the son of James and Evelyn Glasgow
Corbett and was born in Mifflin County, Pa., on the
13th day of December, 1845. He was united in mar-
riage to Sarah Rice at Princeville, Peoria county,
111., March 2nd, 1873 from which union were born
the following children: Maude, Mabel, Bessie and
Hazel, who grew to maturity and three children who
died in infancy.

He was a member of Bryner Post No. 67, De-
partment of Illinois, Grand Army of Republic. He
had assisted in the organization of the Post at
Princeville, 111.; and served as Commander several
terms. Mr. Corbett was also a member of A. F. &
A. M. and I. O. O F Lodges He held civil office as
postmaster in Putnam, 111., and was president of
Princeville, 111., Village Board for several years. The
last years of his life his home was in Peoria, where
he died on June 22, 1916.

CIVIL WAR VETERANS
By Peter Auten, 1929

Co. K. of the 86th Ills., Vol. Inf. was the dis-
tinctively Princeville Company of Soldier Boys in
the days of '61 to '65. This company held reunion
with all the other companies of the 86th Regt. each
year in Peoria, until the Reunion of 1923 v/as
voted to be the final one, and no officers were
elected for the future. The booklet containing min-
utes of this reunion listed 101 members still living
in all companies of the regiment.

Commander of the Regiment during the last
several reunions, was Lieut. E. C. Silliman of
Chenoa, 111., a native of Hallock Township, and well
known to many Princeville people in former years.

John F. French Fortress, Daughters op G. A. R. 79

Mr. Silliman wrote to the Princeville Telephone in
Oct. 1926, a letter for publication which stated that
the roll was then down to 60 members.

At this time, Mr. Silliman called attention to
the coming centennial of Wm. H. Auten, Big Bend,
Wis., the oldest man in the Regiment at time of en-
listment, and reaching the age of 100 years on Oct.
23, 1926. (Since died in spring of 1928 at age of
101.)

By this writing Aug. 1929, the number is
doubtless much smaller. Taps.

JOHN F. FRENCH FORTRESS NO. 17,
NATIONAL DAUGHTERS OF THE G. A. R.
Princeville, Illinois
By Lena Staples, Historian, 1929

This Fortress, named in honor of Captain John
F. French, who organized and commanded Company
K of the 86th Regiment from Princeville, in the
Civil war, was organized on August 21, 1928. Two
preliminary meetings had been held at home of
Mrs. Almina Kerns. The Fortress at Speer, Illinois
sponsored the Princeville Fortress and Mrs. Emma
McCraw from Speer, was the organizer.

At the August meeting when organization was
perfected, there were present 14 officers and mem-
bers from Perry L. Austin Fortress of Waukegan, Il-
linois, also members from Chicago, Antioch. Liberty-
ville, Speer and Woodstock Fortresses. This com-
pany gathered for a 6 o'clock dinner at the M. E.
church; then proceeded to the High School Gym
where the organization was perfected and officers
installed.

Two honorary charter members were admitted
as follows:

80 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Mrs. Emma Hammer, widow of Henry Ham-
mer.

Mrs. Mary J. Russell, widow of Joseph Rus-
sell.

And the following were charter members:

Almina Kerns, daughter of Andrew J. Lair.

Ethel Cheesman, daughter of Charles T. Phil-
lips.

Rebecca G. Smith, daughter of Isaac B.
Greenwood.

Lilly Sokop, daughter of Isaac Greenwood.

Grace Sokop, grand-daughter of Isaac B.
Greenwood.

Mary Cutler, daughter of David Potts.
Geneva Weaver, daughter of Emanuel Keller.
Jennie Delbridge, daughter of Emanuel Keller.
Irene Debord, daughter of Emanuel Keller.
Elzada Sentz, daughter of John Z. Slane.
Laura Sentz, grand-daughter of John Z. Slane.
Elza Slane, grand-daughter of John Z. Slane.
Maude Carman, daughter of Thomas Williams.
Goldie Smith, daughter of Thomas Williams.

Lucille Camp, grand-daughter of Thomas Wil-
liams.

Hilda Smith, grand-daughter of Thomas Wil-
liams.

Beatrice Smith, grand-daughter of Thomas
Williams.

Laura Wilson, daughter of John Miller.
Irene Potter, grand-daughter of John Miller.
Cora Nixon, daughter of Enos Frost.
Lydia Senior, daughter of Enos Frost.
Marietta Yates, daughter of John Yates.
Lena Staples, daughter of Frank Hitchcock.

Early Grist Mills 81

Florence Gaster, daughter of Albaugh Cut-
chall.

May Dusten, daughter of William Coburn.

Flora B. Schaad, daughter of Millard Buck.

Susie Hogaboom, daughter of Millard Buck.

Bessie Kinnah, daughter of Fred Gladfelter.

Emma Gourley, daughter of William Williams.

Anna Kinney, daughter of Matthew H. Rounds.

Carrie Taylor, daughter of James N. Phillips.
And the following member has been admitted since:

Mrs. Emma Shipley, daughter of William H.

Wisenburg.

Meetings have been held with more or less
regularity since organization. Mrs. Almina Kearns is
commander. The Fortress prizes flags which were
presented to it by Comrade McCraw from Speer;
a Bible presented by Dr. and Mrs. C. H. Wilcox in
memory of Mrs. Wilcox's father, James B. Fergu-
son; and a silk flag for the altar presented by
Comrade Sentz.

Up to time of this writing, two of the Charter
members have been taken in death, Mrs. May Dus-
ten and Mrs. Elzada Sentz.

EARLY GRIST MILLS

By Leverettie Mansfield, Sr.

"When through my boyhood's joys I passed,
And on through manhood sped,

My form in front no shadow cast,
The light was straight ahead."

"But now I cannot help but spy

My shadow on the plain,
And backward I must cast my eye,

To see that light again."

82 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

I am indebted for the earliest data on grist I
mills to W. H. Adams, a pioneer settler of Mill-
brook township. Mr. Adams says that a grist mill
was built at Rochester, (now Elmore) on Spoon
river, in the year 1836. John Smith, Jr., started to
build this mill, when Mr. Clarke Stanton from
Rochester, N. Y. purchased a half interest in the
mill property. It is presumed that this is the way
the village got its name.

The Rounds mill on Spoon river in West Jer-
sey township, Stark county, was built in 1837; and
at another point on Spoon river near Dahinda, a
grist mill was built in the early 40's. The Spring
Valley mill in Millbrook township was built by John
Carter in 1856.

Pictures of the long ago are recalled by the
stanzas of a poem written by Odillon B. Slane:

"The grist mill was surely a boon

On a bank of a river, the Spoon,

The old mill dam — its water-wheel span,

Is silent for many a moon."

"Near the pioneer's cabin home,

The buckwheat fields are sown,

And the slap-jack cakes in the oven bake

With the venison and the pone."

Oh my! oh me! how one recalls those stacks of
hot buckwheat cakes for breakfast on the cold
winter mornings. Well spread with honey or sor-
ghum and rich country butter, a feast for a king
could not taste better.

Of course the flailing out the grain, with flails
made for the purpose, was mighty hard work, yet,
the thought of what those three-cornered grains
would soon be turned into, gave more of zest and
zip to the flailing than there was in any other farm
work.

Early Grist Mills 83

To go to mill with a grist to get ground was
one of my greatest pleasures, even if I did have to
get up at 4 a. m. on such occasions. It was neces-
sary to start early so that "your turn" at the mill
would not come too late in the day.

The mill we generally took our grain to was
Cox's on Spoon river, about 2 miles from Duncan.
I recall, too, that each year after corn planting,
the Slane boys, Harrison boys, Frank Bouton and
my brother and myself would go fishing near the
Cox mill. We always got a whole lot more fun than
fish.

For several years we took our grist to the
Evans Mill, located on the east branch of Kicka-
pco creek, in Radnor township. The}' did not do as
large a business at that time as was done at the Cox
mill, so we did not have to wait so long for our
grist. If the roads were not too muddy, we went
south to the Asa Beall corner, then east to Mof-
fit's corner, past the John Harrison farm where
I saw my first wind mill. If the roads were muddy
we would take another route, viz: north to John
Slane's, east of the Warren Hall corner, thence
south and east to the mill. After getting our grist,
minus the toll, of course, which was the pay for the
grinding, we would start for home with the flour,
middlings and bran into which our load of wheat
had been changed.

J. R. Harrison, of Peoria, son of "William Har-
rison, whose farm joined the Mansfield farm on
the east, tells the following as one of the never-to-
be-forgotten trips to the Evans mill. A neighbor's
boy, Memce Curl, and "Jim" or "X. Y. Z." as the
boys called him, made this trip together, combin-
ing their loads in one wagon. Shortly after leaving
the mill with their flour, etc., on the journey home,
a terrific storm overtook them. With the heavy
downpour of the wind- driven rain and almost
blinding lightning, the team turned off into a by-
road, so that when the boys (11 or 12 years old)

84 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

realized that they were on the wrong road, they
knew not what to do. They were as completely lost
as if in a thousand acre forest. There was no ob-
ject in sight that gave them an idea as to the di-
rection of home.

Mr. Harrison, realizing that something might
happen in such a storm, saddled a horse and struck
out in search of them. Following the fresh wagon
tracks he soon found the boys and team. The flour
was but slightly injured, as it was well covered.
Soaked to the skin, the two boys were soon piloted
to the homes that never before nor since seemed
so dear to them.

In the olden days, life had its romance — its
joys as well as its hardships. At our parties where
the old folks with a religious turn of mind would
not permit dancing, we would sing and play:

"Happy is the miller who lives by himself,
As the wheel goes round he's againing in wealth,
One hand in the hopper, the other in the sack,
"Ladies step forward, and gents step back."

At the close of each verse there was a scramble
for partners and some ONE got left.

When the steam grist mill at Kickapoo was
started we made a few trips to that old village as
much through curiosity as anything else.

In '67 or '68 the "Hitchcock, Vorhees & Seed"
grist mill was built at Prince ville. This being three
miles from home, we took our grists there until it
was destroyed by fire in 1884.

John Bowman operated a saw mill for a num-
ber of years in the triangular piece of ground east
of the railroad, north of block one. In 1880 this
mill burned down.

The experiences that I have related, were by
no means uncommon or individual, except in details.
These are but a part of the common history during

Evan's Mill 85

the first part of the 19th century, in what was then
known as the Great Northwest of this country.

The old familiar mill stones have practically
ceased to exist, and have been replaced by the
grooved, chilled, iron rollers. In his "Recent Pro-
gress in Flour Manufacture," Dr. Friedrich Kick
says that more progress has been made in the flour
milling industry during the last forty years, than
during the previous forty centuries.

EVANS MILL

By Myrti-s Evans, 1924

In the early days of Illinois, when deer and

wolves were plentiful and prairie chickens were

common game, before steam and electricity had

supplanted the old-time machinery, water mills
were quite common in all parts of the state.

One of these mills, known all over the country
as the Evans Mill, stood on a fork of the Kickapoo
Creek, on Section Twenty-nine in Radnor Town-
ship, seven miles south and one mile east of Prince-
ville.

This mill was built about 1840 by a man named
Pierce.

It was constructed much upon the same prin-
ciple as many of the water mills in use at that
time. The frame was oak, put together with wooden
pins. A mill race about cne half mile in length ran
along cne side.

The grain was elevated, one sack at a time to
the second floor of the mill by means of a pulley
and rope, then was dumped into a hopper and
passd between the mill stones.

After a v/hile this mill came into the hands of
Evan Evans who had followed the milling business
in his native state of Pennsylvania. It was soon
after he came into possession of the property that

86 HISTORY AND KEMINISCEN'CES

it became known as the Evans Mill. Mr. Evans con-
tinued to operate the mill in connection with his
farming until his death in 1867.

After the death of the elder Evans, the milling
business was carried on b}' his sons Walter and
David until about 1870 when the railroads brought
the country in closer touch with the larger cities
and the operation of steam mills caused the old mill
to close down for want of business.

Many are memories and incidents that cluster
around the "Old Mill."

"Listen to the water-mill,
All the live-long day."

could not be said of the old Evans mill every day,
as the Kickapoo did not always contain a sufficient
supply of water to fill the mill race and produce
the necessary power to turn the water wheel which
was the motive power of the mill's machinery.

When the water was low the mill necessarily
closed down, and it was not an unusual thing for a
farmer to come from a distance of 25 or 30
miles and find that his corn or wheat had not been
ground on account of low water.

Under such circumstances, if the miller had a
stock of his own, he advanced the farmer meal or
flour and then replaced it out of the farmer's own
grain when the mill resumed operations.

"Going to mill" was one of the red letter days
on the farm especially for the small boys who were
allowed to go along.

Often one farmer would take all the grain for
a whole neighborhood in sacks to the mill and leave
it to be ground then another would call for the
grist after the miller had ground it into flour or
meal and taken out his toll.

The mill stood idle for many years, being one
of the last reminders of pioneer days.

Essex Township 87

Men and women who had "gone to mill' when
they were children came to the silent old mill to
wander about the long unused rooms and look upon
the rusty cobweb draped machinery, and they car-
ried away with them bits of yellowed bolting cloth,
old wooden pins that were used in putting the timb-
ers together and pictures of the mill taken with
their cameras, as souvenirs.

Being of no use to the present generation and
yielding to the onward march of progress, the old
mill was torn down in 1903 and the sturdy oak
timbers which had withstood the storms of many
years were used in building a barn, and the old mill
passed into a thing of memory.

There are still living a few people who at the
mention of Evans mill will recall the pioneer days
of Peoria County and will say, "After all, the flour
and meal produced by these old mills was of nearly
as good quality as that produced by the machinery
of today."

ESSEX TOWNSHIP

By Wm. R. Sandham, 1926

A part of the "Military Tract" set aside by
Congress after the war of 1812 for soldier's bonus
purposes, and a part of Putnam county until March
2, 1839 when Stark county was created, Essex
Township was surveyed into 36 square sections, or
144 quarter sections of 160 acres each. It was
named, when township organization was adopted in

1852, for Isaac B. Essex, and its first supervisor, in

1853, was Lemuel Dixon.

Of the 144 quarter-sections, 99 were given as
bounties to as many men who served in the war
of 1812, but apparently very few benefitted very
much from the gifts. Nearly all of the quarter sec-
tions were sold by the recipients for less than $100
each.

88 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

By a careful review of the names of those 99
soldiers and the records, I can find only one soldier
of the war of 1812 who came to Essex township
and lived on his bounty land. For his services in
that war Jarville Chaffee was awarded the South-
west quarter of Section 9. He came from Michigan
in 1834; built a house on his land and lived there
until his death in 1846; his body buried in the
Sheets cemetery about a mile from his home. That
Southwest quarter of Section 9 is now owned by
the Charles Henry Cox estate. All the Chaffees
known in Stark county are descendants of that Jar-
ville Chaffee, soldier of the war of 1812.

In December, 1828, there were no habitations
of white people in what is now Stark County. Even
the Indians did not have in it a permanent home. It
was to them only a hunting ground. But a change
was soon to take place, for on Section 15 of what is
now Essex Township, an enterprising pioneer named
Isaac B. Essex could be seen getting ready to build
a home in the wilderness. He was busy cutting
down trees, shaping the logs and preparing other
necessary materials. In April, 1829, assisted by
other pioneers from Peoria County, Mr. Essex put
the prepared logs in place for the walls of the
house. A roof was put on and a chimney built. The
pioneer home was ready for occupancy. Mr. Essex,
his wife and three children moved in, and in this
way became the famous first settlers of Essex
Township and of Stark County as well. In this
pioneer home on August 27, 1829 was born a son
named Simeon, remembered as the first white child
born in what is now Stark County.

In early winter 1830-1831, the father and
mother of Isaac B. Essex, six of their sons, their
only daughter and her husband. David Cooper,
came to Illinois from Virginia. They all lived until
spring at the Isaac B. Essex home, Mr. and Mrs.
Cooper sleeping in a covered wagon.

From 1831 to 1837 the population of the Town-

Essex Township 89

ship grew rapidly. Among those who came and
built houses I may recall John B. Dodge and fam-
ily, Benjamin Smith and three sons and their fami-
lies, who were among the first to come; the Graves,
Cox, Dixon and Colwell families from Ohio; Jarville
Chaffee and family from Michigan; Thomas Winn
and family from Indiana ; Captain Henry Butler and
family from Connecticut; General Samuel Thomas
and family from Pennsylvania, and several other
famlies whose names are not available. In 1832 a
man named Leek and his son came from east of
the Illinois river and built a sawmill and flour mill
on Spoon River, southwest of the present Wyoming.
A flood in 1836 washed away the dam and it was
never rebuilt.

On July 4, 1834 the people of the settlement
came together and built the historic first school
house in what is now Stark County, a short dis-
tance from the pioneer home of Mr. Essex. The first
teacher was Adam Perry, who was paid $55.50 for
a three-months term. The second teacher was Sab-
rina Chatfield, who was paid $13.00 for a three-
months term, and the third was Mary Lake, who
was paid $3.31 (or another record says $6.34) for
teaching six weeks and two days. The lumber for
the seats in that first school house was sawed at
the Leek mill.

In 1834-'35 the section was served by a weekly
mail route from Springfield to Galena via Peoria.
The settlers took turns at carrying the mail over
from the Illinois River bluffs, along which the route
passed. There was a sub-office in the home of Mr.
Essex.

From 1830 to 1840 there was a great mania for
land speculation, especially along the line of platting
town sites and, by extensive advertising, selling lots
for the highest possible profiteering prices. Three
such towns were platted in our Township of Essex
before the year 1840: Wyoming, Moulton and Mas-
sillon.

90 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Wyoming was laid out by General Samuel
Thomas in May, 1836, on the Northeast quarter of
Section 2. Wyoming has made a considerable
growth and progress. It has become famous as the
birthplace of the Order of the Eastern Star, and
also as the place where Charles E. Duryea went to
school four years between 1870 and 1880, and
where he conceived the idea of the automobile.

Moulton was laid out in August, 1836, by Rob-
ert Schuyler and others on the Southeast quarter
of Section 4. At one time it had several residences,
two or more stores, a blacksmith shop operated by
Stephen and Calvin Eastman, and one or two other
shops. There is a tradition that a building was to be
raised north of the stream called Jug Run, and it
was thought necessary to have some whiskey to
aid in the raising. A messenger was sent to Moulton
to get it. While he was away a heavy shower oc-
curred, and the water in Jug Run became both deep
and rapid. The messenger bravely rode his horse
into the raging current. In the crossing the filled
jug was dropped into the rushing water and was
seen no more. That is the way Jug Run received its
name. The town site of Moulton is now farm land
and is owned by John Allen.

Massillon was laid out by Stephen Trickle in
April, 1837, on the Northwest quarter of Section 32.
At one time Massillon had six or more houses, one
or two stores and a blacksmith shop. The Massil-
lon town site was formally vacated by Jefferson
Trickle, in October 1853, and is now farm land
owned by Mrs. Hattie Brockway Gettemy.

The muster rolls of the Black Hawk war show
that Thomas Essex, a brother of Isaac B. Essex,
served as a soldier in that war. It has been often
asserted that several residents of the township
served as soldiers in the Mexican War, but their
names are not given in any accessible records.

In 1837 Enoch Cox, a miller by trade, came to
Essex Township from Ohio, and built a saw mill

Essex Township 91

and a flour mill on Indian Creek, on Section 8. Both
of the mills had a good patronage, but on account
of inadequate supply of water in Indian Creek, it
became necesEary to build a flour mill where there
was more water. The new and larger flour mill was
built by Mr. Cox about 1842 on Spoon River, just
below the mouth of Camping Run, on Section 23.
Enoch Cox operated that flour mill until 1860, and
from that time until about 1885, it was operated
by his son William K. Cox. Both father and son
were known for many miles around as the honest
Spoon River Millers, and as a reward for that repu-
tation they had a profitable patronage. The mill
was torn down about 1890.

A saw mill was built by Myron Prince about
1842 at the Slackwater town site, just East of the
present covered "Slackwater" bridge. This mill,
which furnished lumber for a school house in
Princeville Township in 1844, v/as burned in 1847,
and rebuilt in 1848. A carding mill, also, was owned
and operated by Joei Hicks. Slackwater is said to
have had at one time, about a dozen houses, three
stores, a hotel, a brewery, five places where liquor
was sold, and two blacksmith shops, besides the
sawmill and carding mill; but, like the towns of
Moulton and Massillon, it disappeared from view
soon after the coming of the C. B. & Q. railroad
with the town of Duncan.

I have not been able to find any satisfactory
records of church history of the pioneer times in
Essex township. The circuit riders and other
itinerant preachers of that time made regular stop-
ping places at the homes of Isaac B. Essex and
General Samuel Thomas for church services, to
which the neighbors were always invited. Classes
were organized for the study of the Bible and for
prayer in the Essex settlement and in Wyoming.
John W. Agard and Adam Perry, the first public
school teacher in the county, and who afterwards
joined the Mormons, were the first leaders of the

92 niSTORY AND REMINISCENCES

classes. The meetings of those classes led to the or-
ganization of a Methodist Episcopal society that
held regular church services in the homes of the
members and in the school houses until a church
was built in Wyoming some time in the 1850's. A
United Brethren society was organized in the south
part of the Township, and that society built a
church in the year 1867. That church and the
church in Duncan are now the only church buildings
in Essex Township.

Essex Township is noted for several things for
which none of the other seven Townships are or
can be noted, namely: the first settlement in Stark
County; the first white child born in the county;
the first church services; the first saw mill and
flour mill; the first school house and the first pub-
lic school in the county; the first post office; the
first doctor; the first town site platted in the
county; and as imporant as any of the others, Es-
sex Township is the birthplace of the Order of the
Eastern Star.

VALLEY TOWNSHIP

A general history of Valley Township is
available in the volume of township histories col-
lected and published by Auten & Auten, bankers,
in 1906. However, more details and sidelights on
the subject have arisen since then, and we take the
opportunity to reproduce some of them here. Credit
is given to the "Stark Couny News," James A.
Nowlan, Editor. (Sept. 1927.)

April 2, 1831, Putnam county was divided into
four precincts, one of which, Spoon River Precinct,
included all the country south of the direct line
from the head of Crow Prairie to Six-Mile Grove,
thence northwest to the original county line, and
in this was included what is now called Valley town-
ship.

After much controversy, March 2, 1839, the
council of revision reported approval of the act and

Valley Township 93

Stark county was established out of six Congress-
ional townships of Putnam and two of Knox county.
The first settlers in the township were mostly
from the Emerald Isle who settled in the north
part. Some English settled in the south with just
enough Scotchmen and Germans to keep them peace-
able. One thing is noticeable about these good peo-
ple. They had a trade or occupation besides farming
and not a "picked up" one either for they had
served their apprenticeships.

There does not appear to be any mention of
the first settler or who built the first house but we
find that some of the farms have been in the same
family for years. The oldest record found is David
Hodges, in section 33, bought in 1851, and the fam-
ily have resided on and worked the farm for 76
years.

Valley is drained by three creeks and has fifty
bridges which will average fifty feet in length.
Valley never asked for county aid in the matter of
bridges until in 1924 when the big flood washed out
seventeen of these bridges.

In 1859 a little Irishman came to Valley with
nothing but a spade, but when he died a few years
ago he and his sons had paid for 1640 acres of land
and they had divided it themselves satisfactorily,
without any services of attorneys. He was a Col—
gan.

Valley township has had its history written by
county historians and has had favorable mention
of its good and bad qualities but we have never
seen mention of the "devil's lane," a road so called
and named by its early settlers. Those living in this
lane came from a country where the snakes had
been driven away, therefore they did not know the
danger of the rattler until they located where they
were thick. They at once began attempts to find a
remedy that would neutralize the poison of the
snake bites. They found it in the old red whiskey

94 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

which any of them could take with a relish and at
that time it was cheap. If they had a jug and thirty
cents, they could buy a gallon, enough for eight
doses.

In politics, Valley has been nearly evenly
divided between the two principal national parties.
When one hears that the Democrats won in Val-
ley he must know that the roads and mud holes
were so bad that the voters from the villages could
not get there, not having horses. But if the Repub-
licans win, one may know that the roads are fairly
good and an auto can go to the polls.

MANY OLD STARK COUNTY TOWNS ARE NOW

BUT MEMORIES

(From The Stark County News of March 30, 1927)

CAMP GROVE

Camp Grove is no longer in Stark county. It
was established at an early date on the line be-
tween Stark and Mashall counties, near the south-
east corner of Penn township. Among the early
business men were J. Townsend, Cyrus Bocock, R.
G. Fargo, William Evans, S. H. Nichols and W. J.
Townsend. When the Chicago & Northwestern rail-
road from Peoria to Nelson was built in 1902 it
passed a short distance east of old Camp Grove
and most of the business places "pulled up stakes"
and removed to the railroad.

DUNCAN

A few months later in the same year, on June
10, 1870, to be exact, Mr. Butler also platted the
town of Duncan for Dr. Castle in section 35 of
Essex township. The early business men were F.
F. Brockway, John H. Slater, George Fautz, Wil-
liam Heath, John Barker. Dr. T. C. Thomas was
probably the first resident physician and W. H.
Miller was the first postmaster.

Many Old Stark County Towns 95

SLACKWATER

Slackwater was a village of some importance
at one time as a trading point and neighborhood
center. It was located in section 33, Essex town-
ship, just east of Spoon River. The building of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad and the
founding of Duncan a mile and a half east, robbed
Slackwater of its prestige and it sank into insignifi-
cance.

SPEER

While the Peoria & Nelson branch of the Chi-
cago & Northwestern railroad was under construc-
tion, James A. Speers, who owned a farm on the line
of the railroad in section 36, Valley Township, con-
ceived the idea of founding a town. On December
5, 1901, Henry H. Oliver, county surveyor, platted
the town of Speer. Speer soon came into promin-
ence as a trading and shipping point for the south-
eastern part of the county.

STARK

Five miles Southeast of Wyoming, on the C. R.
I. & P. railroad, is the little village of Stark which
grew up soon after the railroad was completed, but
was never officially platted.

STRINGTOWN

In an atlas of Stark county is shown a thickly
settled neighborhood in the southwestern part of
Essex township which has long been known as
Stringtown. Its location is almost identical with that
of the old town of Massillon. A church and public
school are the only institutions left today.

WADY PETRA

This little town with the oriental name was
platted June 3, 1873, by Edwin Butler, county sur-
veyor, for Mrs. Anna K. Chase. This town also fell
short of the expectations of its founders and con-
sequently never grew to be very important.

96 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

WEST JERSEY

Early in the year 1856 Jacob Young employed
Carson Berfield, who had previously served as
county surveyor, to lay off a town almost in the
geographical center of West Jersey township
which town was named West Jersey. Among the
early industries and business houses of West Jer-
sey were Snedeker's mill, John Catton's coal mines,
Giwitts & Son's planing mill, W. H. Little's harness
shop, William Atkinson's blacksmith shop and W.
H. Johnson's store. A post office was established in
the village before the Civil war.

AN ANCIENT SKINNING KNIFE

By Josephine Bowman Wetzler

While excavating for a church in Kilbride
Parish, Lancashire, Scotland, in the year 1838,
workmen uncovered, with the bones of a man seven
feet tall, a flint agateized skinning knife, belonging
to the stone age. Robert Cameron was pastor of the
church being built. He later came to Princeville, 111.,
and was for many years pastor of the First Presby-
terian church of that town.

The skinning knife is now in the possession of
John Bowman, of Peoria, 111.

Down through the distant ages,

Deep in the hidden years,
Through toilsome halt and stages,

Through war, and love, and tears;
Written on far-flung pages,

The story of Man appears.

Workmen digging the footings
For the Church of a mighty Clan,

When the ring of shovel on flint-stone
Discloses the tool of a man!

Recognized such by its markings
Of purpose, and effort and plan.

PEORIA AND ROCK ISLAND DEPOT
AKRON AVENUE CROSSING, 1871.

Notice front of Dan Hitchco;k's cider ranch, now R. Cox & Son's
grain and lumber office, and the sidewalk on south side of Akron ave-
nue. Notice also top of Thos. Allwood residence, now home of Mr.
and Mrs. M. E. Waymire. Also the old town cannon is close to and
directly to right of locomotive.

This cut is from photo in possession of Mrs. Emma Alter Morrow,
daughter of Wm. H. Alter, first express and station agent of the "Rock
Island" in Princeville. He held this position from time road was
finished, and before depot was built, for twenty years or more.

Senachwine, Last Chief 97

There was no chance of mistaking,

Though crude and unskilled and untaught,

The mind of a man — a Creator,

That shape and that form had wrought,

And his primitive dream, through the ages
between
As a message to Man is brought.

We have tools now to measure the thousandth
inch,

Or the distance from sun to sun,
But our knowledge is yet as a little child's

And our lessons have only begun,
For Man was made to struggle and search

'Til the Law of Perfection is won.

The spider is spinning his web today

The same as he spun it when
This knife was cut; unchanged is the comb

Of the bee, or the nest of the wren;
But the tortuous path of creative thought

Belongs to the mind of Men.

SENACHWINE, LAST CHIEF OF THE
POTTAWATOMIES

By Odillon B. Slane

Senachwine Creek and Village in the northwest
part of Peoria county got their names from an In-
dian Chief of that name. This creek is near Chilli-
cothe, but farther up the Illinois River. Senach-
wine was the last chief of the Pottawatomie tribe.
He succeeded Gomo as Chief when the latter died.

The story is told that in 1832-33, M. B. Silliman
and Joel Hicks were in a boat one day going to
mill, about the mouth of Crow Creek, and they met
two Indians in a canoe with something under a
blanket. Our men hailed them and asked if it was
venison.

98 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

One of the Indians pointed to the blanket and
said: "Senachwine dead!" This was indeed true.
Senachwine was buried near the stream that bears
his name.

The following lines from J. H. Bryant are a
beautiful tribute to his memory:

"He slept beneath the spreading shade,
Where woods and wide savannahs meet,
Where sloping hills around have made
A quiet village green and sweet.

A stream that bears his name and flows
In glimmering gushes from the west
Makes a light mummering as it flows
Beside his lovely place of rest."

"Fading Glories," that wonderful painting by
Nicholas Brewer, might have been painted of
Senachwine himself. The scene represents an old
Indian chief in eagle feathers, standing alone and
in the silence looking meditatively toward the set-
ting sun.

HUNTING WILD TURKEYS

By Leverette Mansfield, Sr., 1924

Josiah Fulton was one of the earliest pioneer
settlers at Fort Clark (now Peoria.) Ten or twelve
years after our Civil War, he would occasionally
visit his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs.
Edward Mansfield, who lived south of Princeville.
At such times, he would also visit his old friend of
pioneer days, Benjamin Slane, who, too, lived south
of Princeville. (See Vol. 1, Page 20.)

As the two old men sat together, they liked to
go back into tha past and re-live their early ex-
periences at Fort Clark. The incident which I wish
to relate is of special interest because of its connec-

Mrs. Breese's Foetry 99

tion with some Indians near the Fort and because
it came very near to being a "wild goose chase"
instead of a turkey hunt.

In the early days turkeys were more plentiful
than they are now. They were wild and lived in the
woods where they roosted in trees and were either
shot or trapped by the settlers. A big holiday
among the pioneers was not complete without wild
turkey as one of the principal dishes upon the ban-
quet table.

Upon this trip, Mr. Fulton and Mr. Slane
tramped for three days through the woods, not even
seeing a turkey feather. They were about to give up
the search when they met some friendly Indians
near the close of the third day. The white men had
much difficulty at first in making the Indians un-
derstand their questions but finally after an ex-
change of something a little more concrete than
grunts and words, the Indian leader with many
grunts and gestures, pointed to a lone clump of
trees about a half a mile away, and said, "there —
turkey roost."

When feeding is good these big game birds go
to roost early, so our hunters had barely time to
hide in the brush within range of the roost when
the birds began to come in. In a short time the two
huntsmen, thanks to their skill with rifles, had two
turkey gobblers as fine as ever strutted through
the woods near the raging Kickapoo.

MRS. BREESE'S POETRY; WRITTEN 1846-'47

Mrs. Hannah Breese was a Sister of Dr. Charles

Cutter and Wife of Rev. Robt. F. Breese, See Vol. 1.)

Respected Directors:

Who should be the protectors

Of schools in our town;

We wish to address you,

But not to distress you,

So on us don't frown.

100 HISTORY AND REMINISCEBCES

Miss Harriet Booth,

(She tells us the truth

Which no doubt she has told,)

Since the weather is rougher,

Must sometimes needs suffer

Most keenly with cold.

And then she bewails

That confusion prevails,

And the breaking of laws,

From the very same cause,

Which no doubt is a crime.

Now these ills to arrest

We would humbly suggest:

Mr. Smith who's a squire

Should furnish wood well dried

To kindle the fire.

And then that the labor

Twixt him and his neighbor

May be well divided,

Perhaps Mr. Phelps

Some other good helps

Will see are provided:

Say a box for the coal,

Without any hole

Through which it can shake

And so strong that the boys

'Mid their tumult and noise

Cannot easily break.

The plan might be tried

To have one end wide,

And narrow the other;

The narrow end open,

Through the sides that are slopin'

A handle of leather.

For our teacher, we fear

From what we can hear,

May soon leave us the ground,

And hie far away

To the new Iowa;

Then where shall another be found?

Dr. Luther Madan Andrews 101

DR. LUTHER MADAN ANDREWS

By L. A. Blanchard, 1925

Luther Madan Andrews was born October 16,
1824, in the state of Ohio. He read Medicine with
Dr. Wright in Talmadge, Ohio. He married, in 1853,
Miss Fannie Robinson. After practicing two years
in Talmadge, he moved to Prince ville, Illinois. He
served three years as assistant surgeon in the 47th
Illinois Volunteers. While living in Illinois there
were born to Dr. and Mrs. Andrews five children,
John, Forest, Edwin, Fannie and Louise.

About the year 1875 they moved to Lewis,
Iowa and to Oregon about 1896. Dr. Andrews passed
away early in the year '98, his wife following him
a few years later. Fannie and Louise are the only
ones of the family living.

Fannie lives at Anevea, Oregon, and Louise at
Portland, Oregon.

John died in Lewis, Iowa, just after being ad-
mitted to the bar.

Forrest and his wife died while living on Fri-
day Island in Puget Sound. They were burned to
death. They left three children.

Ed married Miss Luella Warne, formerly of
Princeville. He died about three years ago in Ore-
gon City, Oregon. His wife and three children sur-
vive him.

HISTORY OF FREDERICK BOLIVER
BLANCHARD

By Mrs. Etta Blanchard Edwards, 1926

Thomas Blanchard, grandfather of Frederick
Boliver Blanchard, was born in Virginia, moving to
North Carolina and then to Kentucky, where he be-
came the owner of a large plantation. William Pat-
rick, Frederick Blanchard's father, was six years
old when taken to Kentucky, where he grew to ma-

102 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

turity. Here he married Mary Barham, daughter of
a Baptist minister.

William Patrick, being opposed to slavery, left
Kentucky and settled in Lawrence County, Illinois,
afterwards removing to Peoria County where he
died in Princeville in 1868, his wife having died the
year before.

Frederick Boliver Blanchard was born in
Lawrenceville, Illinois, April 3, 1835, and was
brought to Peoria County the next year. lie grew to
manhood on his father's farm southwest of Prince-
ville. His education was secured under great diffi-
culties. From early childhood he made his way
through rain, mud, slush and snow to a crude, cold
and uncomfortable school house. "When he had
finished the work offered by the district school, he
was ready for more advanced work then procur-
able, which equipped him well for the needs of his
time. He delighted in social activities and won dis-
tinction in the debating and singing schools of the
neighborhood.

At the age of twenty he purchased sixty acres
of land adjoining his father's farm and began busi-
ness for himself. He was married March 12, 1857,
to Amy Reeves, daughter of Jacob Reeves and
Hannah Schofield Reeves. Jacob Reeves had come
from New York, married Hannah Schofield in Ohio,
and they moved in 1837 to Spoon River, Stark
County, Illinois, and established the home where
their daughter Amy was born.

Mr. and Mrs. Blanchard began housekeeping
in the true pioneer spirit, with little besides dry
goods boxes for furniture and most meager equip-
ment for farming. These brave souls diligently
overcame many adversities and disappointments
and established a home, adding comforts as they
were able to procure them. They v/ere the parents
of eight children, three of whom died in childhood.
The five surviving are Mrs. Julia Etta Edwards of
Pasadena, California; Mrs. Hattie Wear, Prince-
ville; William Kinkaid and Lucius Boliver of Peo-

Frederick Boliver Blachard 103

ria, Illinois; and Mrs. Lois Ellen Butts of Detroit,
Michigan.

In 1863 Mr. Banchard located in Princeville
and engaged in mercantile business, and later
transferred his activities to grain and stock buy-
ing, lie was a successful business man, and, with
the help of his good wife whose love of home was
a marked characteristic, established a home which
was a joy to the many with whom they shared it.
He loved congenial companions and a good story,
and his office became headquarters for the discus-
sion of social and political topics of the day. The
playing of checkers was a favorite amusement in
which Mr. Blanchard became very proficient, tak-
ing great pride in contesting with many of the
champions of other localities.

He was public spirited and aggressive in every-
thing that was for the uplift of the community,
was a member of the first council elected in Prince-
ville, and was at one time mayor of Princeville.
When the C. R. I. and P. Railroad was surveyed
Mr. Blanchard spent much time in helping to se-
cure the route through Princeville. In politics he
was a staunch Republican, but he could deviate
from the lines of his party and vote for the man
whom he believed to represent the best interests of
the people.

In local affairs his position was always un-
reservedly against the saloon as it existed at one
time in Princeville, and at various times he gave his
entire time and much of his means in the prosecu-
tion of lawbreakers. He helped to organize the Red
Ribbon Club with the purpose of helping the youth
and others to secure amusements that were clean,
and take away the lure of the saloon by giving them
something better. He built the first sidewalk and
had the first telephone in Princeville and was ardent
for any improvement which appealed to him as a
benefit to the community. He was a charter mem-
ber of the Old Settlers Union and the annual Picnic
was to him a most enjoyable event.

101 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

SKETCH OF WM. W. CHURCH, CENTENARIAN

(Compiled From His Own Writing
By Peter Auten, 1928)

Mr. Church has been well known for years at
Brimfield Picnics, visiting with relatives there, and
was given a place on Princeville Old Settlers pro-
gram in 1926, his age at that time being almost 98.
His eyesight and hearing were both good, and his
wiry little body got around the grounds in good
shape.

Again he visited our Picnic, a guest of honor,
on Aug. 30, 1928, lacking the time only until Jan.
11, 1929 when he will be 100 years old. In his speech
of 1926, typewritten, and read for him while he
listened intently and nodded approval, he suggested
that with his white hair he might be taken for "Old
Santa," then adding the Biblical suggestion that
perhaps the audience came out to see him, an old
leaf shaken by the wind.

Mr. Church's father and mother both came
from Ireland, on different ships, and were married
in New Brunswick Province, Canada. He was
born in New Brunswick and came with his parents
first to Harrisburg, Pa.; then farther west by
covered wagon drawn by two horses. A large tent
and a spring wagon drawn by a single horse, were
extra possessions of the family. They started with
a cow, also, but sold her. The family lived for a
time in Peoria and then in Charleston (now Brim-
field.) Wm. W. was 12 years old when reaching
Brimfield in 1840 and lived there until, as a young
man with trade of wagon maker, he conducted a
shop at Knoxville, 111. For perhaps the last 50 years
he has lived around with his children at different
places, greatly enjoying the honors given him by
the Odd Fellows' Lodge and by Old Settlers' gath-
erings.

His speech refers to the "early 30'ties and

Wm. W. Church, Centenarian 105

40'ties" and recalls amongst others, the following
characteristics of Pioneer days:

He knew President Holmes' father and grand-
father.

His education at 12 years not much ahead of
what children at 5 and 6 have now.

Value of land at $2.00 per acre.

Refers to choice of groves for first homes;
and suggests Princeville one of the best groves
around, naming the varieties of trees.

Refers to use of walnut and wild cherry for
cabinet work, tables, beds and furniture; also to
hickory and sugar maple for farm implements.

Refers to splitting rails.

Refers to fur bearing animals such as otter,
mink, beaver, foxes and coons.

Refers to venison and prairie chicken as main
articles of diet, "until the prairie mantle was turned
upside down;" then refers to chopping axe, first
used in planting corn in unbroken sod.

Refers to use of grain cradle; also recalls the
Old Apple Tree Row west of grove.

Use of jack knives and flint for lighting a fire,
later "brimstone sticks;" this contrasted with
"large cities and streets now lighted by turning a
knob."

Refers to new methods and chance for farmers
to use their brains as well as their hands.

Refers to bread or "corn dodgers" baked in
Dutch ovens stone heated; the same ovens used in
scalding hogs; "boot boxes" used for children's
cradles, sheep skins for saddles. Horses and oxen
tramped out v/heat on the ground; bed sheets used
for table cloths when company was had; stools and
benches used, wooden pins for husking corn; locust
thorns for clothes pins and hair pins; grape vines
used for clothes lines; and underclothing "not used
until last of 40'ties."

Log cabins were built "as robins build their
nests, of mud and sticks" and also forts were used

106 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

for protection. These had stalls or rooms for six or
eight families, with earthen floors, and hazel brush
and leaves for bedding; all this from personal recol-
lection. Families lived on venison, wild fowls and
wild berries. Parents blazed trees and made paths
for future times, for their children and grand-
children and others.

Building log cabins was only small part of
what had to be accomplished: prairie mantle must
be turned under, rails made for fencing, wells dug,
stables, bridges, school houses and many other
things provided.

Mr. Church closed the address by appealing to
the children and grandchildren to appreciate what
their parents have done and to continue reverence
for their memory in pioneer picnics; also com-
mended their well kept cemetery.

Two or three times he referred to himself and
his talk as "home spun."

THE DANIEL CORBETT FAMILY
By Maude I. Corbett, 1924

Daniel Corbett came to Peoria County from
Genesee County, New York, in 1833, at the age of
twenty-four, covering the greater portion of the
journey on foot and securing a passage on boat by
working. His grandfather, Alexander Corbett, was
a sergeant in the regiment of the British Army
called the Duke of Argyle's, commanded by Colonel
Campbell. He was honourably discharged from ser-
vice, and with his family came to America in 1800,
from Paisley, Scotland, and settled at Pulman, N. Y.
William Corbett, his son, a mere lad when he came
to America, was later married to Miss Grace Mc-
Laughlin, and to this union were born two sons,
Daniel and William G. Corbett.

In 1832 the Corbett family moved to Pem-
broke, Genesee County, N. Y. The next year Daniel

Daniel Corbett Family 107

Corbett came to Peoria County, Illinois, and at first
located at Hale's Mills, Kickapoo Township, assist-
ing in the construction of the mill. Later he helped,
under the direction of Bishop Chase, in the con-
struction of the building of Jubilee College.

Preferring the hills to the low river land at
Peoria, in 1838 he purchased at the Quincy land
sale, the farm in Radnor Township known as "The
Old Corbett Place" located five miles south of
Princeville. In 1840, he began making improve-
ments; in 1842, he moved there; in 1843, he was
married to Miss Frances Gordon, a native of Sur-
rey County, North Carolina. He and his wife en-
dured all the privations of pioneer life, but ever
supported educational and religious institutions. In
1850, he built the brick house which is now stand-
ing (1924) with brick burned on the neighboring
farm belonging to the Wakefields.

The house was built at great sacrifice, and
through the sale of a quarter section tract in Knox
county. The wood work was bought in Chicago,
Mr. Corbett traveling the entire distance there and
back with a yoke of oxen. Mr. Ayling of Princeville
did the carpenter work, Graham Klinck and his
father were the brick masons, and the total cost
of the construction of the two- story brick house
was seven hundred dollars. The rooms were con-
sidered very spacious in comparison with the
limited quarters of the early settler's cabin, and
made such an impression that nephews and nieces
returning after years of absence were amazed at
their smallness. The attic was later a place of mys-
tery and wonder to the grandchildren, for there was
grandmother's discarded spinning wheel, and it was
a common source of amusement to put together the
wheels of the old wooden clock.

The Civil War brought on another siege of
privation. The father being in ill health was almost
unable to work, and as hired help was scarce, a
great portion of the farm work fell to the lot of

108 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

the only son, George, who was seven years of age
at the beginning of the war. He recalls vividly one
hot August morning in the early sixties, when a
woman accompanied by a young soldier came
across the field. He and a hired man with three
yoke of oxen were breaking prairie land, covered
with brush higher than their heads. The woman,
his mother, was very sad because her brother was
returning to fight in the very regions of their early
childhood home in North Carolina. The brother, a
gay young officer, Captain Tom Gordon, merrily
advised the boys to stop such hard work and go
South to shoot rebels — that it was far greater fun.
But, alas! he went forth to a conflict never to re-
turn.

Daniel Corbett was a member of the Methodist
church, and with the support of William Row-
cliffe, was a promoter in having Zion church built
on land adjoining his farm. He gave liberally to all
church activities; among them to Hedding College.
In politics he was a staunch Republican, and dur-
ing war times an ardent follower of Abraham Lin-
coln.

The survivors of the Daniel Corbett family
and those bearing the Corbett name are the daugh-
ters, Rebecca and Harriett of Dunlap, the son,
George W. Corbett, his wife, Alice I. Harden Cor-
bett, and their daughter. Maude I. of Princeville.
The sole survivor of the William G. Corbett family
bearing the Corbett name is Dr. Frank Corbett of
Washington, D. C, formerly of Minneapolis, Minn.

Grace Corbett Carr, eldest daughter of Daniel
Corbett, a teacher from 1868-'72, leaves the fol-
lowing children; Daniel W. Carr of Princeville, Al-
fred and George of Edelstein, Nettie G. of Peoria,
and Everett Carr, supervisor of Medina Town-
ship.

Lucinda Corbett Minkler, deceased 1895, left
no survivor. Howard Hardin Corbett, son of George
and Alice Harden Corbett, a teacher and farmer in

Captain David Dewolf 109

Illinois and Virginia died 1918 at the age of thirty-
one, at Evanston, 111. Both will be remembered for
their high Christian characters.

The faith in the Life Beyond which has ever
been characteristic of the family inspires all with
the hope of the final Reunion.

CAPTAIN DAVID DEWOLF

By Wri. K. Sandham, 1924

Among the California gold seekers of 1849,
and one of the minority who accumulated and re-
turned with a fairly good amount of wealth, was a
robust, healthy and ambitious man named David
Dewolf. He later became a well known resident of
Stark County, Illinois, and his tragic death in the
battle of Corinth, 1862 was among the first that
brought to the realization of the people of Stark
County that the country had entered into a great
war, and that the life of the nation was at stake.

David Dewolf, son of Simeon and Clarissa Al-
len Dewolf, was born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia,
April 1, 1822. His ancestor, Balthasar Dewolf, came
from France and settled in Wethersfield, Connecti-
cut, in 1664. Soon after the expulsion of the French
speaking people from Nova Scotia (Acadia) great
inducements were offered the people in New Eng-
land to move to Nova Scotia. Among those who
accepted the offers made and moved from New
England to Nova Scotia were the great grand
parents of David Dewolf in the year 1761.

David Dewolf's father and mother had six
sons, and fearing that some or all of those sons
would take to a sea faring life the mother induced
the family to move to the United States. They came
in a sea-going vessel to New York, thence on the
Hudson river and Erie canal to Buffalo, thence on
Lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio, settling in Clark
County, Ohio, in 1834. The father and sons engaged
in farming. On April 1, 1847, David Dewolf married

110 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Miss Matilda Allen Greenwood of Clark County,
Ohio, a niece of Lewis Bayley, who later came to
Stark County, Illinois (in 1849.)

When the exciting news of gold in California
reached the southwestern part of Ohio, a company
was organized and financed to take a large number
of eager and hopeful men to share in the benefit of
the wonderful discovery. Several young men from
Clark County joined the company, among them
David Dewolf who was one of the most hopeful,
leaving his wife and baby daughter in their home
in Ohio. The company left Cincinnati April 12, 1849.
They went by the way of the Ohio, Mississippi and
Missouri rivers to Independence, Missouri, a city of
historic fame as the beginning of the overland route
to Oregon, New Mexico and California.

The company of which David Dewolf was-a mem-
ber was unusually well organized. It was equipped
with well made wagons, the best of well trained
oxen, an ample supply of provisions, camping out-
fits and ammunition. The company was made up of
several divisions, each in charge of a captain, and
David Dewolf was made captain of one of the
divisions. One of the rules of the orgnization was
that they should do no traveling on Sunday, that
day to be observed as a day of rest for man and
beast.

David Dewolf kept a diary during the journey
to California, copies of which are now in the New-
berry Library of Chicago, Illinois, the H. E. Hunt-
ington Library of Pasadena, California, the Illinois
State Historical Library in Springfield, Illinois, and
the Public Library of Wyoming, Illinois. The com-
pany left Independence May 12, 1849, and arrived at
the newly discovered gold diggings in California the
first week in November, after an arduous and toil-
some journey of nearly six months.

Mr. Dewolf was fairly successful in the dig-
gings. He quit the work of a regular miner in July,
1850, and engaged in teaming, hauling provisions

Captain David Dewolf 111

and other supplies from San Francisco to the camps
of the gold miners. That work proved to be exceed-
ingly profitable. He left California some time in
1851, and returned to his home in Ohio by way of
the Isthmus of Panama.

About that time his wife's uncle Lewis Bayley,
visiting his mother and other relatives in Clark
County, Ohio, induced Mr. and Mrs. Dewolf to move
to Illinois. Mr. Dewolf became a contractor in con-
struction work on the Illinois division of what is
now the "Big Four" railroad, and in some other like
work.

In the early part of February, 1856, he bought
the north half of Section 24, in Essex Township,
Stark County, for which he paid $1200. It is a
tradition in the family that he paid for the land
with some of the gold brought from California. He
quit railroad construction work to become an Illi-
nois farmer, continuing farming until the call of
President Lincoln for aid in putting down armed
rebellion.

Soon after the first call for volunteers, leaving
his farm and five children in the care of his wife,
he assisted in the raising of a company for the 47th
Regt. 111. Vol. Inf. He was elected first lieutenant
of the company (Company K), and in a few months
was made captain. He was with General Grant in
the battles in Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee,
and was killed while bravely leading his company
in the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, October 3,
1862. His body was left on the battle field and
place of burial is not known. The tallest monument
in the beautiful Wyoming, Illinois, cemetery is in
memory of Captain Dewolf, and the Wyoming Post
of the Grand Army of the Republic was so named
in his honor. All the reports from his comrades
agree in saying that he was a very capable and
courageous officer, greatly beloved by the men of
his company, and held in the highest regard by the
officers and men of his regiment.

112 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Captain Dewolf' s widow died in Wyoming, Illi-
nois, Feb. 9, 1905. His son John Henry served a
term of four years as sheriff of Fulton County, Illi-
nois, and represented that County in the House of
Representatives, 46th Illinois General Assembly.
One-half of the land which Captain Dewolf bought
in Stark County, Illinois, in 1856, is still in posses-
sion of some of his grandchildren.

Captain Dewolf's experience on the Oregon-
California trail in 1849 is well exemplified in "The
Covered Wagon" by Emerson Hough, and even
more so in the moving picture that has been made
from that book.

THE EVANS FAMILY

By Leila C. Evans, 1924

The first ancestor of the Evans family in
America was Jenken Evans, who came from Wales
and settled in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,
about 1700. Here, his grandson Evan, a pioneer
settler of Radnor Township, was born on March 18,
1787. Growing to manhood, he was engaged as a
miller. In 1819 he was married to Amelia Morris. A
few years later, he brought his wife and three chil-
dren, Walter Morris, Elizabeth T., and David, to
Illinois, settling on a farm near Chillicothe. Here a
fourth child was born, who lived but a few weeks.
On Sept. 21, 1838 death again entered this home,
taking the wife and mother. She and her infant
son sleep in the old LaSalle cemetery, north of
Mossville, 111. After the death of his wife, Mr.
Evans returned to Pennsylvania. There he mas mar-
ried to Mary Ann Hill on March 18, 1841. Soon after
his second marriage he returned to Illinois and
bought the Pierce grist mill, located on Kickapoo
creek in Radnor Township. This mill he operated,
with the help of his sons, until his death.

Radnor Township at that time was part of
what was known as Benton Precinct, composed of

The Evans Family 113

Radnor and Kickapoo Townships. When the new-
township was organized, Mr. Evans proposed the
name Radnor — named for Radnor, Pennsylvania
and Radnorshire, Wales, the home of his ancestors.
He was one of the early supervisors of Radnor
Township.

In Pennsylvania, he and his wife were Bap-
tists. There was no Baptist Church near their new
home so with some friends they started what is
now the Baptist church at Kickapoo, Illinois.

Mr. Evans and his second wife were the par-
ents of three children, Sarah Jane, who died at the
age of eight years; Hannah Ann; and James
Jenken.

In his home on the banks of the Kickapoo,
Evan Evans spent the remainder of his long life.
On October 13, 1867, he was called from his earthly
home and laid to rest in the Kickapoo cemetery.
His wife followed him two years later.

Walter M. Evans was born April 11, 1820, in
Pennsylvania and died in Peoria County, March 28,
1879. He married Mary Ann Dickenson in 1850. She
died on October 9, 1899. They were the parents of
four sons: Adolphus, who died in Peoria, July 15,
1916; Evan, who died at Lamar, Mo., August 9)
1920; David Griffith, who died in Peoria, June 11,
1916; John Aaron, who died in Peoria, in 1910.

Elizabeth T. Evans was born in Pennsylvania,
May 17, 1821 and died at Chillicothe, Illinois, Octo-
ber 7, 1861. She was married April 4, 1844, to
Jesse Moffitt, who preceded her in death. They were
the parents of five children, two dying in infancy.
William C, the oldest, died in Texas in 1899. Sarah
Celia (Mrs. Geo. Hall) died in California, Sept. 9,
1922. David Jesse, died in Texas, April 26, 1917.

David Evans was born in Montgomery County
Pennsylvania, on October 11, 1829. He died in El
Paso, Illinois on October 28, 1897. He was married
to Mrs. Eunice Ryder on October 10, 1876. She died
in 1915.

114 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Hannah Ann Evans was born in Peoria County,
October 16, 1844. She was married to Daniel Gale
on February 22, 1872. They now live in Cullom, Il-
linois. One daughter and two sons were born to
them. Feliciti Ann died in Cullom, March 1, 1920.
Wilfred Evans lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado,
and Humbert Warren in Pontiac, Illinois.

James Jenken was born in Peoria County on
April 10, 1848. He was married to Keziah Bishop,
March 22, 1874. Both are now dead. They leave two
children, Laura Eunice and Harry David.

Aunt Hannah remembers hearing her father
say that he thought some day carriages would go
without horses. He did not expect to see it, but
thought she might. She has lived not only to see
automobiles, but enjoy riding in them.

THE FOX FAMILY

By Cyrus A. B. Fox, 1923

I am reminded that I promised to write a brief
history of our family's early entering into the citi-
zenship of Valley Township, Stark County.

My father, Carlton Augustus Fox, and my
mother, Laura Fox, a daughter of Z. G. Bliss, who
died in Princeville some years ago, were married
about 1842 near Northampton, Peoria County. They
settled in Galena, 111., where their first child was
born, a boy named William who soon died and was
buried in Galena. This caused the parents much
grief and they pulled up stakes and went to Potosi,
Washington County, Mo., where father worked as a
lead and zinc miner for three or four years. There
in a little old log cabin I was born Nov. 5, 1846.

When I was about three years of age, father
gave up mining and returned to Illinois, settling at
Chillicothe where he worked in a packing house.
About 1851 he took every cent he could spare and
purchased an 1812 Soldier's Warrant and lo-
cated it on the Valley Township quarter section.

THE FOX FAMILY 115

I was a very scrawny miserable little urchin
for the first three years we were on this land, af-
flicted with the fever and ague. Our house was just
a cabin boarded up and down and battened, with
the roof boards in place but no shingles for the
first two years. The only dry place in it was the
northeast corner where mother used to set me in
my chair. There I would shake, my very teeth rat-
tling till the fever became so violent that I had to
be laid in bed, which was about every other day for
almost three years. I surely was a burden on those
early pioneer hands.

Other children came, James, who lies in the
old cemetery on the farm; Marion and Bell and
Ella also lie in this cemetery along with father and
mother, six of them here in the old Fox cemetery
for all time. Brother Charles Henry is now living in
Bakersfield, Calif., where he has become a leading
dentist and an inventor of considerable note. Broth-
er James H. served in the 11th 111. infantry and
died in service near New Orleans; his remains were
sent home for burial in 1864. I had one more
brother, Lewis Amos, my beloved youngest brother,
who died very suddenly at Sioux City, Iowa, ten
years ago and lies entombed at the Mausoleum at
Rose (Hill?) Cemetery, Chicago.

I was too much emaciated in my army service
to stand the work on the farm and was compelled to
come north in order to build up. I had a hope of
living a natural life span, which hope has been ful-
filled to the number of three score and seventeen
years.

Note: Mr. Fox does not mention his own mili-
tary record. He was fifer boy in Co. H., 86th Ills.
Vol. Inf. He attended our Picnic in 1923, while on a
trip to attend, also, Reunion at Peoria of the 86th
Regiment — this Reunion having been the last offi-
cial gathering of the "old guard" of the Civil War
who are rapidly passing. Mr. Fox's home was in
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he died on April
10, 1926.

116 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES

THE GARRISON-CAMP FAMILIES

By Charles Frank Camp, 1927

The Garrisons came from England, and colon-
ized in New Jersey about 1640 on the Tuckahoe
River, the greater part of them "emigranting" to
Ohio in 1820. The author's grandfather and great
grandfather walked from New Jersey to Ohio, a
trip of 21 days.

Robert Garrison, Old Bobbj', came to Illinois in
1852, settling in the Trenton neighborhood West of
Spoon River in Knox county. He brought all his
children with him, except Susan, later Mrs. Hart,
who was born here. Joseph J. Camp, his cousin,
who had prospected Peoria County two years
earlier and O. K.'d it for the family, came with
him.

Robert Garrison had one brother, Ephraim
Garrison, who came later and settled across Spoon
River in Stark County. Also, had one sister Re-
becca Camp, wife of Daniel Camp, who settled in
Millbrook and one sister "Lot" Moore, who settled
near Rock Island.

Robert Garrison's father was Lemuel Garrison
a soldier of the War of 1812 and one of four broth-
ers to be in that war. It has always been a family
story, that Lemuel gave out on the march, and his
brother Parsons (pronounced Passons in New Jer-
sey) carried him for four days and kept up with
the rest of the company. Other stories were told of
this brother's unusual strength. The other two
brothers in War of 1812 were "Germy" and "Wine"
(Arwin.) Another brother, Little Ed, was too lit-
tle to go and a younger brother was Ben, besides
several girls.

Joseph J. Camp was son of Zephaniah Camp
and Prudy Garrison, the latter a sister of Lemuel
Garrison. Another uncle of his, Josiah Biggs,
helped Commodore Perry row the life boat away

THE GARRISON CAMP FAMILIES 117

from the burning vessel in War of 1812, on the
Great Lakes.

Numerous other Garrisons went from the Ohio
settlement as soldiers in every one of Uncle Sam's
wars and Joseph J. Camp enlisted in the Civil War
and went from Brimfieid. Joseph J. and his brother
Arwin were ready to go into the War with Mexico
on a certain Saturday evening: expected to start on
Monday, then got word they were not needed.

Robert Garrison married Rebecca Betson in
Ohio and they had children as follows:

Mary, who went back to Ohio and died there, a
spinster ;

Ruth, who married John Stubbs a brother of
Richard Stubbs, Sr.;

Jane, who married James Shockley, living be-
tween Toulon and Lafayette;

Maggie, who died single in Millbrook.
Maria, who married Linsey Barnes and died in
Millbrook.

Lucinda, who married Toby Moats, and died in
Nebraska.

Thomas B. who moved to Kearney, Nebr.
Besides the foregoing all born in Ohio as
stated, Susan was born in Illinois and became the
wife of Milton Hart, she having died some years
ago in Millbrook, the mother of a large family.

Joseph J. Camp married first Prudy Camp, a
distant relative and by her had four children, Ar-
win, James M., Mary (Albertson) who is still liv-
ing near Blanchester, Ohio, aged 79, and William.
After his trip to Illinois he went back to Ohio and
married a second wife Elizabeth Suttles, bringing
her and the four older children to Illinois. Born to
the second marriage were the following eleven chil-
dren:

Amanda, wife of John W. Shull, now deceased;

Rachel, who died when small;

Rebecca, wife of Al Kingen, now deceased;

118 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Naomi Ann who died when about 11 years old;

Lemuel Edward, who now lives near French
Grove ;

Dora Webber, wife of Zimri Webber, now living
in Galesburg;

Vi Kingen, wife of Geo. Kingen, deceased in
state of Washington.

Charles Frank Camp, residing in Princeville;
Jeanette, wife of Franz Wirt, living near
Laura.

Hayes, living in Kewanee.

Joseph J. Camp's brother Lemuel E. Camp,
married Betty German in Ohio and to them were
born the following:

Hiram, who lived at Chillicothe, 111., now de-
ceased ;

Janie, wife of Thomas B. Garrison;
Prudy, who died single;
Melissa, who married Joseph Webber;
Mary, who died single in Millbrook;
Mina, who died single in Nebraska;
Frank Marion, who was killed by a truck in
Peoria in 1925.

James M., living in California.

Joseph J. Camp's brother Arwin G. Camp mar-
ried Naomi Camp, a sister of Daniel Camp above
mentioned, in Ohio. They had four children born
in Ohio, as follows:

Joseph, who died when little;

Zepheniah "Jeff" who married Rebecca Weber.

William, who married Jennie Lines;

Mary, who married John Pigg.

Also, one daughter born in Indiana, Maria,
who married James Gray and now living in Chilli-
cothe, Illinois; one daughter born in Illinois, Etta,
is wife of Lew Conover.

A PRINCEVILLE INVENTOR 119

A PRINCEVILLE INVENTOR, JAMES R.
HARRISON

By II. E. Knoblauch, in Peoria Sunday Star, 1928

A grain weighing attachment has recently been
perfected by James R. Harrison of Peoria, for use
on the new "combine" harvester-thresher. Mr. Har-
rison was called on to perfect this device, because
of his former success with the first grain weighing
machine, used on threshing separators.

Mr. Harrison was born August 1st, 1854 on a
farm three miles south of Princeville, a son of Mr.
and Mrs. William Harrison who had moved to Illi-
nois from Virginia in 1849. He worked in the field
after he was twelve. At that time horse power was
the only power known to the farmer. It was slow,
plodding, tedious work to harvest the crop each
year. Harrison pondered. In the meantime he
married and had three children.

Then, about the year 1881 the first steam
thresher in Illinois appeared. Mr. Ott Brassfield
who farmed near Dunlap, purchased one of them.
Harrison studied the machine, admired it and de-
cided to try his hand at some kind of weigher that
would enable the men to keep up with the new form
of energy used on the farm. In 1883 he completed a
machine which he fastened to the top of the eleva-
tor. It was a cumbersome affair and weighed about
625 pounds The little room over the shoe shop
owned by Valentin Weber had been the work shop.
Mr. Weber in fact worked with Mr. Harrison and
was part owner of the patent obtained.

The grain was elevated from bottom of the
steam thresher to the top. Then it fell into a
measuring device which held one bushel on each
side of the trap. When one hopper was empty the
other was filling and the grain then dropped into
the conveyor, after being checked by an automatic
counter. » askliiaft&

120 HISTORY AND REMIXISCEXCES

"The first year I made four machines. Svvet
Ennis, a farmer near Monica, bought the first.
Charlie Blood, Wyoming got the second and the
third and fourth machines were purchased by
Newton of Wyoming and Farder of North Hamp-
ton. I don't recall their first names.

In 1884 Weber and I made 15 of these ma-
chines. We split the cost and divided the profits.
Each machine brought S125. The patents were se-
cured the following year.

"In 1886 the Selby-Starr & Co.. Peoria, made
200 of the weighers for us under contract, and a
year later started building them on a royalty basis.
This was kept up for 10 years; then the Selby-
Starr Company bought the patents and made them
for a few years, later selling out to the Hart Grain
Weigher Company, Peoria, which had organized in
the meantime.

"In 1898 I went to the J. I. Case Threshing
Machine Company. Racine, Wis., and stayed there
three years, studying weighers. I made what is
called the American weigher, and sold it to the
Hart people. I came back to Peoria as a partner in
this firm, and after a few years sold out my inter-
est to my associates.

"Then I built a weigher and a grader for the
Rumeley Company, LaPorte. Indiana, remaining
there one year. I rested awhile and then built a
weigher for the Bell City Manufacturing Company
of Racine. Shortly afterwards I retired, and would
have remained in retirement except for this" —
patting the new machine, which weighs only 15
pounds. "That's all there is to my pedigree, so
don't go spinning any fancy tales about me."

Approximately 50 patents have been secured
by Mr. Harrison. These cover a wide range of ar-
ticles, including sewer traps and grain shockers.
In addition, he had made any number of appliances
to shorten his own steps, and never offered them
for general use. For example:

A PRICEVILLE INVENTOR 121

On an automobile chassis he built a traveling
house, which had seats for 14, room for eight
around the table, beds for six, hot and cold running
water, electric lights, gas heater, two stoves,
shower and tub baths; yet weighed only 4200
pounds and was capable of a continuous speed of
50 miles per hour.

He will build, shortly, another house car
"which will combine many new principles and beat
anything on the road." Harrison has retired, yes,
but it's a different sort of retirement than one
would consider for a man of 74. He still does all the
repair work on a half dozen of his Peoria houses;
makes weekly trips of several hundred miles; keeps
track of his farms which are scattered throughout
the country and of his large holdings at Panama;
and does his own mechanical work on his car.

If this be retirement, you can gain some idea of
the life this "father of the grain weigher," as he
has been called, led when he was active.

THE HEINZ FAMILY OF KICKAPOO TOWNSHIP

Material Furnished by Max J. Heinz, 1928

Ancestors of this large family were Henry
Heinz and Katherine, his wife, of Nausdorf, Hesse
Cassel, Germany. They never came to America, but
five of their children came, as follows:

1. George Heinz, Sr., born March 28, 1813,
died Aug. 22, 1890 ; married Katherine Henline, who
was born July 20, 1813, died 1895 This couple
landed in the United States in 1839, after an ocean
trip of something more than ninety days by sail
ship. Going from New York probably by canal and
lake boats to Chicago, they came down the Illinois
River, by tow boat which was drawn with long rope
of some kind, by mule or oxen.

Landing at Peoria, Mr. Heinz worked for
"Captain Moss" at present site of Rome. His first

122 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

year he received $5.00 in cash: and the second
year, a cow and support of his family. Later he
farmed right at Peoria, then purchased a email
farm on Sec. 16, Kickapoo Township (now or form-
erly Wm. Cramer's;) and at time of his death
owned 360 acres of fertile land.

All furniture was hand made, all cloth was
hand spun. The first house was a log cabin, and in
later years, a brick house. Mr. Heinz' first plow
was a wooden mouldboard cutting 20 inches wide,
drawn by oxen. His first wagons were hewed out
of logs, and not a nail or iron of any kind used in
their making. The wheels were sawed out of a log
about three feet across; were eight or ten inches
wide, with hole for axle in the wheel, drilled with a
stone. For axle grease, soft soap. With these wag-
ons trips were made to Chicago and back, with
grain or dressed hogs to get money, as Peoria was
only a trading post at that time. The trip to Chi-
cago and back required six weeks time. Wagons
went in trains, and by the end of the journey, or
before, many wagons would be worn out, and some
of the oxen perished on the way. There were no
roads, only trails, and no bridges for crossing the
streams.

For lamps, a tin pan with grease or tallow, and
a rag or some kind of cord sticking out at one end
as a wick, served the purpose. There were no stoves
for cooking, baking or heating, only the open fire-
place.

To this union were born five boys:

Henry, born Sept. 26, 1840, died Aug. 22, 1881.

Frank, born Oct. 19, 1842, died Oct. 22, 1922.

George, born March 10, 1845.

Andrew, born Sept. 25, 1847.

John, born Dec. 30, 1849.

2. Andrew Heinz, Sr., born Feb. 16, 1823,

died , ; landed at New York in 1848,

and came to Peoria by way of the lakes to Chicago
and Illinois River. He worked for his brother

THE HEINZ FAMILY OF KICKAPOO TOWNSHIP 123

George, also in brickyard, cut wood and hauled it
to Peoria for 75c a load, and also worked for C. B.
& Q. railroad. Married Christina Reed in Kickapoo
Township, who was also a native of Germany, a
daughter of Morris Reed. There were seven chil-
dren of this marriage: Fred, Henry, Andrew,
George, Katie, Anna, and Theresa.

3. Frederick Heinz, Sr., born May 19, 1827,

died , ; landed in America 1848, and

came direct to Kickapoo Township, where he joined
his brother George. He married Eva Seibert from
Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, who had come to
America alone to live with her sister in Kickapoo
Township. She died July 6, 1894. Mr. Heinz first
purchased 80 acres of land, mostly timber, on Sec.
16, for $500. He cleared off the timber and built a
log cabin, which was later replaced with a brick
house. Mr. Heinz at different times served as
Supervisor, Road Commissioner and School Treas-
urer of his Township. One child was born of this
union, Anna M., who married John Brutcher.

4. Wendel Heinz, landed in America 1848,
worked for his brother George. He had team of
horses, harness and wagon; then went to St. Louis
to get some more things, but never returned and
no word ever heard from him.

5. Anna Margaret Heinz, born May 1, 1810,
died March 11, 1895; married William Berckler,
first husband, of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, who
was born in 1797; married Nicholas Hoffman, sec-
ond husband, of Scharchbach, Germany, who was
born Jan. 1, 1800 and died Nov. 30, 1868. Landed in
America July 3, 1853, and to this union were born
five children: John Hoffman, Maroa, Illinois;
Nicholas Hoffman, Pottstown, Illinois; Peter Hoff-
man, Iowa; Fred Hoffman, Maroa, Illinois; Eva
Hoffman Laszell, Maroa, Illinois.

The history of the Heinz family has been the
history of Kickapoo Township, and the sturdy
stock has spread and made its influence felt in

124

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

many other township and localities. An annual re-
union is held at Silverleaf pavilion and following is
the mailing list used for 1925 reunion:

MAILING LIST OF THE HEINZ REUNION, 1925

Mrs. Mary Heinz, 227 N.

Underhill St., Peoria, 111.
Mrs. Elizabeth Bienemann,

227 N. Underhill St., Peo-
ria, 111.
Sylvester Bienemann, 4203

Western Ave., Peoria, 111.
Mrs. Marie Hooley, Peoria,

111.
Andrew Heinz, 846 Linn St.,

Peoria, 111.
Felix J. Heinz, Burlington,

Colorado.
John Brutcher, Edwards, 111.
Bernard Heinz, Jr., Edwards,

m.

Henry DeWulf, Princeville,
111.

Peter Knecht, Dunlap, 111.

Frank A. Koch, Peoria, 111.

Mrs. Maggie Heinz, Prince-
ville, 111.

Miss Chrissie Heinz, Prince-
ville, 111.

Alexander P. Heinz, Ed-
wards, 111.

Edward G. Knecht, Dunlap,

ni.

Albert Best, Edwards, 111.
Wilbert Best, Peoria, 111.
Charles P. Heinz, Dunlap.

111.
Frank G. Heinz, Alta, 111.
Otho Heinz, Alta, 111.

Geo. F. Heinz, Edwards, 111.

Leo H. Heinz, Alta, 111.

Gleen Dodd, 2400 Lincoln
Ave., Peoria, 111.

Mrs. Eva Dodd, 2400 Lin-
coln Ave., Peoria, HI.

Frank Loescher, 1100 N.
Elizabeth St., Peoria, 111.

Mrs. Stacia Heckard, 215
Albion St., Peoria, 111.

Joseph F. Heinz, Princeville,
111.

Leo F. Heinz, 509 W. Mc-
Clure St., Peoria, 111.

Henry Speck, Jr., Edwards,
111.

Joseph German, Sr., Prince-
ville, ni.

Miss Annie Heinz, Prince-
ville, 111.

John Heinz, Edwards, 111.

Walter G. Heinz, Oak Hill,
111.

Walter Heinz, Edwards, 111.

Joseph Schuely, 905 Fourth
St., Peoria, 111.

Lawrence Daily, Sr., Alta,
HI.

William Gilles, R. R. 2, Peo-
ria, 111.

Fred H. Heinz, Oak Hill, 111.

Floyd Chambers, Alta, 111.

Phillip G. Heinz, Peoria, HI.

Edwards Jacobson, 221 El-

MAILING LIST OF TH HEINZ REUNION

125

lis St., Peoria, 111.
R. J. Heinz, 807 Peoria Ave.,

Ueoria, 111.
Fred Heinz, Sr., Edwards,

111.
Frank Heinz, Edwards, 111.
Anthony Heinz, Oak Hill,

111.
Geo. W. Stenger, Edwards,

111.
Mrs. Mary Kirchgessner, Ed-
wards, 111.
Clarence Best, Edwards, 111.
Emil V. Heinz, Edwards, 111.
Richard J. Heinz, Edwards,

111.

Arthur Heinz, Edlards, 111.

Joseph G. Heinz, Edwards,
111.

Edward Heinz, Edwards, 111.

Peter Heinz, Oak Hill, 111.

Frank German, Dunlap, 111.

Cletus M. German, Kamps-
ville, 111.

Henry Heinz, Sr., 733 W. Mc-
Clure St., Peoria, 111.

Gottlieb Heinz, 733 W. Mc-
Clure St., Peoria, 111.

Joseph AmRhein, Edwards,
111.

Andrew Am Rhein, 120 Col-
lege Ave., Peoria, 111.

Louis Meyer, Edwards, 111.

Alonzo Hoffman, Peoria, 111.
R. R. 2

Nicholas Hoffman, Jr., Peo-
ria, 111. R. R. 1.

Mrs. Annie Hoffman

Mrs. Kate Reinman

Joseph V. Best, Edwards, 311.

Edmund Best, 314 Gilbert

St., Peoria, 111.
Peter Best
Frank Densberger, 744 W.

McClure, Peoria, 111.
Randolph Densberger, Peo-
ria, 111.
Edward Doran, Alta, 111.
Andrew Heinz, Princeville,

111.
Chester F. Barfoot, 1121 W.

McClure, Peoria, 111.
Mrs. Anna M. Kranz, 107

Fishgate St., Peoria, 111.
Julius A. Heinz, Pesotum,

111.
Lucas Heinz, 504 E. Stough-

ten St., Champaign, 111.
Mrs. Mary Boschult, 424 W.

9th St., Long Beach, Calif.
Mrs. Kate Heinz, Cham-
paign, 111.
Delmar Heinz, 920 Evans

Ave., Pueblo, Colorado.
David Heinz, Lindsay, Nebr.,

R. R. 3.
Mrs. Vivian Green (Care

John Brutcher).
Fred Hoffman, Edwards, 111.
Mrs. Nellie Tenny Hoffman,

912 Jackson St., Peoria,

111.
William Stewart, Kewanee,

111.
David Peacock, Kewanee, 111.
Mrs. Nola Case, California
Mrs. Gertrude Olson
Lucas Heinz, Rohman Ave.,

Peoria, 111.
Mrs. Al Heinz, 821 Fourth

126

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

St., Peoria, 111.

Adam Heinz, Edwards, 111.

Mrs. Bertha Trigger, Ed-
wards, 111.

William Heinz, 600 E. Vir-
ginia Ave., Peoria, 111.

Harry Heinz, Dunlap, 111.

John Hoffman, Maroa, 111.

Mrs. Lizzie Miller, Maroa,
111.

Mrs. Eva C. Laszell, Maroa,
111.

Henry E. Laszell, Maroa
111.

William F. Laszell (Care
Eva Laszell.)

Nicholas Hoffman

Mrs. Kate Hoff

John Hoffman, Jr.

Frederick Hoffman, Maroa,
111.

Carl F. Hoffman

William A. Hoffman

Mrs. Elfrieda M. Dean

William DePriest, 1130 E.
Washington St., Clinton,

ni.

C. H. White, 315 S. Madison
St., Clinton, 111.

G. E. Heinz, 813 Frye Ave.,

Peoria, 111.
George L. Heinz, 813 Frye

Ave., Peoria, 111.
Mrs. Mary Antoinette Shelly.

Mrs. Adelia V. White

Mrs. Minnie D. Diming, Ma-
roa, 111.

Mrs. Bertha M. Diming, Ma-
roa, 111.

Miss Lottie Berkler and

mother, 214 Cayuga St.,

Storm Lake, Iowa
Mrs. Kate Haub, Palmyra,

Indiana.
William F. Eerkler, Storm

Lake, Iowa
Mrs. Nettie Myers, Storm

Lake, Iowa
Mrs. Lela Jones, Storm

Lake, Iowa.
Mrs. Ada Denise, Lytton,

Iowa
John D. Berkler, Lytton,

Iowa.
Fred M. Berkler, Lytton,

Iowa.
Mrs. Amelia Colburn, Sioux

Rapids, Iowa
Mrs. Esther Myers, Sulphur

Springs, Iowa
Mrs. Willis Betz, 812 Pack-
ard St., Decatur, 111.
Carl S. Berkler, Argenta,

111.
William Gardner, Rocheport,

Missouri.
Vincel Little, Woodland-

ville, Boone County, Mo.
John Gardner, Rocheport,

Mo.
Carl J. Gardner, Rocheport,

Mo.
Alvin McQuitty, Woodland-

ville, Boone Co., Mo.
William H. Gardner, Roche-
port, Mo.

Mrs. Elsie C. Myers
Frank J. Berkler, Lytton,
Iowa

MAILING LIST OF THE HEINZ REUNION

127

Samuel Berkler, Argenta,

111.
Leslie O. Mj'ers, Sulphur

Springs, Iowa
Howard C. Heinz, Pittsburg,

Pa.
Henry Heinz, Jr.
Mrs. Annie Knobloch, 416

Arcadia Ave., Peoria, 111.
Mrs. Kate Rutherford, Fib-

uron, Calif.
Mrs. Tillie Newton, 911 W.

Tremont St., Champaign,

111.
Ben Heinz, 419 Sherman St.,

Peoria, 111.
Mrs. Fred Barger, 1524 E.

Prairie St., Decatur, 111.

Mrs. Ray Walker, Argenta,
111.

Nicholas Berkler, Argenta,
111.

Mrs. Darivin Fesler, 1249 W.
Decatur St., Decatur, 111.

William Lazelle, Maroa, 111.

Frank Berkler, Gibson City,
111.

Mrs. Mary Baker, Emmets-
burg, Iowa

Mrs. Reese McCormick,
Scranton, Iowa.

Mrs. Sam Barger, Maroa,
111.

William Hoffman, East Peo-
ria, 111.

JULIUS H. HOPKINS

By Nina Adeane Dawson, 1927

Julius H. Hopkins was born in Peacham, Cale-
donia County, Vermont on March 30, 1845, and was
educated and graduated in the same town from
grammar school and academy. His ancestry dated
back to the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, in the
person of Stephen A. Hopkins, who came over in
the Mayflower. Julius H. with his brothers, Henry
H. and George L., were the only members of the
family who came West, all settling in Illinois.
Henry was judge of Peoria County for many years.

Julius H. came to Illinois in 1869, and v/as for
a time principal of the public schools in Prince-
ville, 111. He also taught music, both vocal and in-
strumental, for several years. On May 26, 1872, he
was married to Mary Levira Benjamin, who was
one of his music pupils at that time. He continued
teaching for many years, after which he took up

128 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

the study of law, being admitted to the bar about
1885 or 1886, and continuing his practice until his
last illness and death in 1906.

His family have for him the tenderest of mem-
ories as an upright and honorable man, devoted to
his family in an unusual manner, wise in counsel
and noble in training with purity and sympathy
always uppermost in his mind. The following poem
written by him in 1891, a tribute to his mother, re-
flects his love and admiration for ideal home life.

MY MOTHER

My mother, thou art gone to rest,
Now free from sorrow, pain and care.
I know that while thou wast on earth,

Of these thou surely hadst thy share.
I know that thou didst share my grief,

And kissed away my childish tears,
And with thy loving, gentle voice

Didst strive to calm my boyish fears.
When but a child, each Sabbath Day

You took me on your tired knee
And told me of the narrow way

Of Him who died for you and me.
You taught me from the "Holy Book"

Of Him who died on Calvary.
And pointed out the "Way of Life"

That leads to immortality.
And as I think o'er childhood days,

My heart doth sing this pleasing strain:
Thou never caused thy child a tear,

Or gave to him a moment's pain.
And when life's cares so weigh me down

They seem almost my soul to sever,
'Tis then my memory turns to thee,

My kind and gentle loving mother.
All that I am or hope to be,

I owe to thee, my patient mother.
Thou wast so true a friend to me

MY MOTHER 129

The world can ne'er give such another.
Tis true thy grave is far away;

The sacred spot I long to see
Where rests the cold and silent clay

Of one 't was always kind to me.
I know that thou must be in Heaven,

Arrayed in white, where angels be.
No sweeter life, no purer soul

E'er crossed the crystal sea.
And now, Farewell! my gentle mother,

Thou art not gone for evermore,
For if I live as thou taughtest me,

I'll meet thee on the other shore.

THE EBENEZER RUSSELL FAMILY
By Mrs. Mary J. Russell, 1928

Ebenezer Russell was the son of Thomas and
Mary Russell of Beaver County, Pa. He was the
eighth of a family of twelve children, and was born
in Little Beaver township, Lawrence County, Pa.,
on November 13, 1811.

At the age of eighteen he emigrated with his
brother James to Fredricksburg, Ohio, where he
went to work at blacksmithing.

In 1834 he was married to Edith, daughter of
Conrad and Sarah Emery of Holmes County, Ohio.
In 1837 he removed with his family to a farm
where he lived until the fall of 1840, when they
came to Stark County and spent the winter with
his father-in-law.

This long journey was made in a covered
wagon drawn by a team of horses. When they left
Ohio, Mrs. Russell was unable to sit up all day, and
could not get in and out of the wagon alone. But
before they got through she improved so fast that
she was able to walk two miles. Mr. Russell's sister
came with them and she had a pony tied behind the
wagon. Often when Mrs. Belle Palmer, then a child

130 HISTOTY AND REMINISCENCES

of six years, got tired of riding in the wagon, she
was allowed to ride the pony. They thought the old
family dog was left in Ohio, but somewhere in In-
diana the dog caught up to them. They were so
glad to see him that he was brought on to Illinois.

They were about one month making the trip.
When they got to Stark County they possessed _ a
team, wagon and four children, and five dollars in
money. Mrs. Russell did not like the prairies of
Stark County, though all her folks were there. She
would not consent to Mr. Russell's selling the team
and wagon, but wanted to go back to Ohio again.
After looking around for a location, he heard of
Princeville and that there was no blacksmith here.
The opening looked good to him, and as an induce-
ment Mr. Stevens gave him a lot where the Lin-
coln Highway filling station is now, or east of the
hotel.

When Mrs. Russell got as far as the hill out by
the cemetery and saw the young trees, then came
on further and saw the groves south, she at once
said "Yes, I can live here." The trees were so small
that deer could plainly be seen running around
anywhere.

When they moved down it was evening time.
They went to the home of Mr. Stevens. He then
lived where Mr. Edward Auten, Sr., lives now. They
were welcomed in a real pioneer way, the family
all coming out to the wagon and inviting them in
to stay ah night. The next day they moved to a
cabin that stood near where the Misses Edwards
now own, until a cabin and shop could be built.

They started to build a house where the M. E.
Parsonage now stands but Mrs. Russell decided
that town was no place to raise boys. So a carpenter
who had just come from the east said if they
would furnish men and horses he would take down
the house, and put it up again for five dollars, and
it was moved two miles east of town, and the fam-
ily settled thereon the eighty acre farm which

THE EBENEZER RUSPELL FAMILY 131

they owned up till their death. It was known as
the Russell homestead, and is now owned by Matt
McDermott.

Mr. Russell worked at his trade a long time.
His shop was close to the four corners. One night
when Mrs. Russell was caring for her sick child
she accidentally put the lard lamp in the window.
After awhile away into the night a man who was
lost on the prairies was guided to their home. After
that it was kept burning in the window for a long
time. They had their religion, and politics, and
later on the spelling and singing schools, apple and
pumpkin paring bees, and the all-day visits.

On one occasion the men, all but Dr. Cutter,
went to Peoria to a political meeting. The women
saw them off, and then decided the day would be
lonely and long — Why couldn't they celebrate, as
it was the Fourth of July? So Dr. Cutter said he
would build a bower of twigs and limbs, so they
would be in the shade, while the women fixed things
for dinner.

Mrs. Russell made and fried one bushel of
doughnuts for her part of the dinner; Mrs. Belle
Palmer and Jane Slane started out in the home-
made wagon to the home of Mrs. Coburn, Mrs.
May Dustin's mother, to bring her and the children
to the celebration. They all enjoyed the day very
much.

When Mr. Russell moved to the farm there
were only three or four families in the two miles.
Many were the hardships they endured. There is
passing now in my thought a beautiful panorama,
seen replete with memories of their early life and
mature years. Once more in their strength and
vigor, they are neighbors and friends sharing the
pleasures, hardships, and perils incident to a fron-
tier life. Together they toiled and worked and
planned while the wilderness and solitary places
quickly changed into a busy fruitful garden of
civilization.

132 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Mr. and Mrs. Russell were active members of the
Princeville M. E. Church for more than fifty-five
years. Their hands and prayers and thoughts inter-
mingled with others in shaping the future of this
community and in strengthening in form and fibre
its social and religious life. In their early day be-
fore the railroads came wild animals and Indians
were occasionally seen upon the fenceless prairies,
and long journeys by wagon and horse back were
necessary to reach the market places.

They truly were among the early pioneers of
Peoria County, members of that courteous, God-
fearing band that leveled the forests, broke the
virgin prairie, and laid the foundation for the un-
measured prosperity that has since come to the
great middle West.

Mr. and Mrs. Russell were the parents of thir-
teen children. Five of them died early in life. The
ones that married and settled were: First: Isabella,
who married Wilson Palmer. They lived for awhile
in Missouri and then came back to Princeville. Her
character in religious matters was a shining
example. She died June 18th, 1908. Mrs. Palmer
had three children, Russell Elsworth, Eva, who
died in infancy and Jane Arabelle. Mrs. Palmer in
her earlier days taught school.

(Mary E. was married to James Peters, and
moved to a farm near Menlo, Iowa, where they lived
till death claimed them. There were five children
born to this couple. One of the boys lived on and
now owns the old homestead in Iowa. Mrs. Peters
taught school before her marriage.

Conrad Emery married Matilda McMillin.
After a few years of farming on one of his father's
farms, this couple moved to a farm near Menlo,
Iowa and just across the road from his sister
Mary. Like the pioneers of Illinois, these people
struggled, and together with their neighbors helped
to make Iowa what it is today. To this union six

THE EBENEZER RUSSELL FAMILY 133

children were born, and one of the daughters lives
on the homestead.

Jane married John McGinnis and lived awhile
on their farm near Prince ville and finally moved to
Peoria where they made their home as long as they
lived. There were no children born to this union.
Mrs. McGinnis was a kind good neighbor and made
many friends.

Almina married John Giles. After a few years
of farming near Princeville they bought land near
Gilman, 111., and moved there. Mrs. Giles is still
living; her delight is to be active in Christian
work, building for eternity. Many kind deeds in car-
ing for the sick and needy are credited to her. She
is always looking on the bright side of everything.
These people have four children.

Clara married Philip Nelson. To this union four
children were born. They lived on a farm for a
number of years near Monica, 111., finally moving to
Princeville. After a few happy busy years Mrs.
Nelson passed away leaving her husband and four
young children, and sad was the home without the
loving wife and mother. And my memory goes back
to a visit in Iowa where she had visited and where
she sang a solo, in the church. The minister, years
afterwards commented on it, and said he would
never forget the song or the singer.

Joseph married Mary Jane Squire and moved
on to a farm until his father's death, when they
bought a farm near Winterset, Iowa, and lived there
till Mr. Russell's health began to fail. Then they
returned to Princeville, the home of the Russell's,
where he passed away during the last year of the
World War, in 1918. "

Melvin married Mary Moffitt and went to Iowa
to live near Sac City. He farmed there for a year,
when he sold out and moved to a farm near Stuart,
Iowa, partly to be near his brother and sister. They
have one daughter. Mell was a kind neighbor, ready
to help at any time. He died rather suddenly while

134 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

visiting his nephew in Peoria, after attending his
brother-in-law's funeral in Gilman, 111. So those who
read will see that all this family with the exception
of Mrs. Giles have passed on. When Father Russell
bought his second farm of a hundred and sixty
acres now owned by Fred Asal he gave just three
hundred dollars for the whole quarter. That was in
pioneer days; today I doubt if three hundred dol-
lars would buy one acre of it. Not much money
changed hands in those days; it was mostly trade.
Mr. Russell died Sept. 27, 1895; aged 83 years,
10 months, and 14 days. Mrs. Russell died March
22, 1896, aged 82 years, 6 months and 19 days.

THE WALLIKER FAMILY

By Jacob Walliker and William T. Walliker, 1928

Our father Jacob Walliker was born at Staffa,
Canton Zurich, Switzerland, Sept. 8, 1798. He lived
for some years in Munich, Bavaria working at his
trade of mason, and was married there in 1832.
Shortly afterward he and his bride came to America
landing after a sailing voyage of six weeks, in New
Arleans. The first few years in America they lived
in New Orleans, St. Louis, Beardstown, 111., and
"Bloomington," now Muscatine, la. Father was an
architect and draughtsman, as well as a mason ; quite
intellectual, a great reader, and possessed of a re-
markable memory, a faculty which he bequeathed
to all his children. He could talk and read the Ger-
man, French and English languages fluently; had
been a great reader of the Bible, and could quote a
large part of it upon occasion. The mother was born
near Munich; readily adapted herself to the new
country, America, and became a power for useful-
ness both with her own family, and helping the
neighbors in time of sickness. She helped bring
more children into the world than most of the doc-
tors in the vicinity.

THE WALLIKER FAMILY 135

Near Muscatine in 1835 they "took up" land
and built themselves the home of pioneer farmers.
They had a log cabin furnished as log cabins were
in those days; they got their food and fuel and
clothing in the primitive industrious pioneer ways.
There was only one other white person in the
County, but there were six hundred friendly In-
dians who roamed the prairies at will. This was
about three years after the Blackhawk War, and
our folks never suffered any great inconvenience
from them, except our mother, upon whom they
played many pranks. For instance, if the young
bucks spied her at any distance from the house,
they would chase her with their ponies in order to
see her run, and would then lay back on their ponies
and laugh at her fear.

At that time the only mill in the country was
at Buffalo, and it took our father two days to go
to the mill, have his grist ground, and return home.
It was during one of these pilgrimages to the mill,
that two Indians came to the cabin and asked our
mother for bread. She had baked the last flour she
had, and naturally wanted it for herself and child
and told them that she had none. She had previous-
ly hid it under her washed clothes. The Indians sat
very quietly for some time, when one of them
walked over to the clothes basket, and tipped it
over, when out rolled the bread, two loaves. Each
took a loaf, and ate it all, not leaving her a mouth-
ful.

Their trail led right by our cabin, and they
usually stopped both going and coming, and at
times there would be as many as twenty of them
staying over night, and sleeping on the floor of
the cabin. They were very friendly with father and
always insisted on his drinking with them. He
learned their language, and could converse with
them in their own vernacular.

The cabin consisted of one room with a loft,
and later had a lean-to on the south for wood

136 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

house, and another on the west for sleeping rooms.
Roof was clapboards split from oak, about 4 inches
wide and three feet long; these would warp and
curl, but would shed water. Plenty of ventilation in
time of now blizzards. Snow on the bedding was
probably conductive to good health and long life.
No stove, but instead, a large fire-place with two
cranes for hanging kettles, and a set of andirons on
which father would roll logs, often 1 ft. or Vfa ft.
in a diameter, and 4 ft. long. As can be imagined,
these logs made a good fire and the cabin was very
warm in the winter. Our mother possessed a Dutch
oven, which was considerably larger than a skillet,
round and deep, in which she did her baking.

When baking bread, she would put her dough
in the Dutch oven, put on the cover, place it in the
fireplace, cover it with burning coals, and leave it
until done.

In the early days she had to do as the In-
dians did, grind her corn for corn bread and corn
cakes, but she did this by grating it with a grater,
not having a mortar such as the Indians used. For
baking corn cakes she used a plain board, upon
which she plastered her dough and then stood it
up before the fire to bake.

For light we had a "tallow dip" which con-
sisted of an open iron utensil, not much larger than
a tea cup. This was filled with tallow or lard, into
which was laid a piece of tallow or cloth, the tip
having been first dipped in its contents, and then
lit with a coal from the fireplace, or by a stick
lighted therein. "A dim light, do you say?" Well, it
was all that we had, and long before the days of
tallow candles, camphene, gas, kerosene, gasoline or
electricity. These have all come marching along
during our time upon the earth.

We still remember our mother's old ash hop-
per, from which she distilled her lye for making
soap, both hard and soft. Although father had only
a log cabin for a residence, he was the possessor

THE WALLIKER FAMILY 137

of a good barn. This was built of hardwood timbers,
hewed from the native logs with broad axes, and
fitted with adzes and augers and the frames fas-
tened with wooden pins. This barn had two hay
mows, one on each side of a wide drive way. The
grain was first stacked in one mow, and threshed
in the other, the straw being carried out of the rear
door into the barnyard. In winter of 1853, father
butchered 35 hogs sold at $1.50 per cwt., dressed
weight and pay taken at the store in trade.

The early pioneers were a happy people. The
latch string always hung out, and a stranger was
always welcome to a meal and a night's lodging.
There were no invidious distinctions in this society,
no upper class, no middle class and no lower class;
all felt upon an equal footing, no man felt himself
better than, or superior to his neighbor. That most
despicable of human creatures, "the snob" had as
yet, not shown up in the western country.

The family lived in the log cabin near Musca-
tine for twenty years. Father took one trip to Kan-
sas, with view to locating there; instead, placed his
oldest son, with another man for partner, on a
claim bordering the Solomon River, a location that
seemed favorable for a mill. Threatening Indians
started the young men for home — and the family
then located, 1855, in Clinton, Iowa.

Brother Frederick had quite an experience,
1860-1861 in company with a certain Capt. Swan-
son, purchasing a flat boat, and taking a load of
potatoes, onions and honey to New Orleans. The
venture made no profit. Feeling was already strong
against the election of Abraham Lincoln for Presi-
dent, and Frederick and his partner had some
rough-house experience at Cape Girardeau, Mo., on
their way home; also the river steamer on which
Fred was taking the last lap of his journey home,
was fired upon by riflemen, when opposite Canton,
Mo.

In 1862 the family all came to the Southwest

138 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

quarter of Section 8, Princeville Township, which
has been a Walliker home ever since. There were
ten children in the family: Julia Ann, married
Charles Stengele; Frederick, who became a lawyer
in Muscatine; Louisa and Matilda (often called
Martha) who married brothers John J. and Ezen-
ezer M. Armstrong; Mary who married Captain
James Krom; Jacob Henry who became a lawyer
in Clinton, Iowa, and held various offices in that
city and County; Charles Minrod, who lives on the
home farm in Princeville Township; Anna Magdal-
ena who married Henry DeBord in 1877 and died
the next year; Arnold Winkelried who became a
lawyer at Clinton, Iowa; and William Theodore who
with his brother Charles are the two members of
the family who still live in the vicinity of Prince-
ville, now surrounded by children and grandchil-
dren.

Jacob Walliker, the father, died in 1870 and
sleeps in a grave on the Princeville Township farm
which was his home. The mother died on the same
farm in 1905. These two people had come in their
youth from their native land to America, in order
that their posterity might grow up in the new land
of opportunity. They gave their lives to their ten
children and lived to see them profit much by the
sacrifices they made. Schools were rudimentary
and not always near at hand. Yet somehow or other
the children got what was a good education for
their time. They went to High School, some of them
to higher institutions. The sons became prominent
in law and politics, or successful farmers. The
daughters married ministers and other useful men.

These ten children did not all stay in this com-
munity but most of them went elsewhere to share
in the building of some part of our Country. Only
Charles and William remained here. Both were
farmers. Each had that degree of financial success
that enabled him to do well by his family and to
carry on important community activities. They had
a full share in improving the school of the White's

THE WALLIKER FAMILY 139

Grove neighborhood. They were loyal and useful
members of the White's Grove Baptist Church that
has done so much to lift up the lives of three gen-
erations .

Charles married on March 16, 1880, Elizabeth
Dumbaugh, a native of Peoria County. They had
three daughters, Mabel, now deceased, Mrs. Edna
Fox and Elva. Mr. and Mrs. Walliker have lived
lives of quiet force and usefulness in home, church
and community.

William married on Nov. 22, 1883, Miss Susie
Stansbury of Brimfield, a prominent school teacher
of Peoria and Stark Counties. To them were born
seven children. The youngest, George Dewey, died
in infancy. Those living are Fred, Charles, Sadie,
Gladys, Reginald and Frances.

Mr. William T. Walliker's business instincts
expressed themselves in the purchase of land and
with the help of his good wife and children he added
to his holdings until he owned 450 acres. Besides
the attention he gave to his private business he was
always interested in public services, both local and
national. In 1892 he was unanimously nominated
for Congressman by the Populist Party. He was at
home harvesting oats at the time of his nomination,
but at once entered energetically into the campaign
in behalf of the cause the Populists held dear, poll-
ing more votes than any third party candidate had
ever polled. In the spring of 1898 he was elected
Supervisor of Princeville Township on the Demo-
cratic ticket and served two terms. During this
time he entered the race for State Representative
and was beaten for the nomination by George
Holmes of Akron Township by seven votes. He
was selected as President of the Old Settlers Union
of Princeville and vicinity and served for two
terms. Mrs Walliker passed away January 30,
1915, and five years later Mr. Walliker with his
daughter Sadie moved from the farm to Peoria
where he now resides.

140

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

BURIALS IN PRINCEVILLE TOWNSHIP
CEMETERY

Record Kept by Chas. J. Cheesman Since the Publishing of

Volume 3
Dates are Those of Burial, Not of Death

(Corrections and Additions Invited)

1922

May

29

Charles Albert

April

27

Mrs. Kate Stine

Collins

June

20

Daniel Klinck

May

31

Sarah Bertram An-

Aug.

1

Mrs. Eleanor Harri-

drews

son

June

23

Russell McKee

Aug.

14

Lemuel Auten

July

3

Sarah Slane

Sept.

16

Child of Mr. and

July

4 Infant Goodman

Mrs. Leroy Gru-

July

9

Wm. Fritz

ner

July

25

Lawson Fuller Lair

Sept.

20

Robert Hart Hardy

Aug.

13

Mae Humphries

Sept.

30

Martha D. Renegar

Corrington

Oct.

6

Wm. H. Rice

Aug.

20

George Dale Sniff

Oct.

7

John Martin

Sept.

7

Joseph W. Perkins

Oct.

16

Chas. Edward Sheel-

Sept.

10

Jessie Ellen Byers

or

Sept.

10

Mrs. Edwin Minkler

Dec.

11

Warren Richard

Sept.

27

Maude F. Sloan

Barrett

Sept.

28

John P. Bane

Oct.

22

Wm. Albert Thomp-

Dec.

31

Frederick Boliver

cnn

Blanchard

Oct.

24

OUIJ

Wm. Smitfc

1923

Oct.

26

Laura FU^j Huston

Jan.

13

Mrs. Ida N. Johnson

Nov.

4

Julia Simons

Jan.

18 Rebecca Dusten .

Nov.

27

Angie Catherine

Jan.

21

J. B. Ferguson

Mushbaugh

Feb.

13

Cecil L. Lair

Dec.

7

Willis Burgess

Feb.

13

Samuel Sylvester
Slane

Dec.
1924

17

Maria Henry

Feb.

27

Hannah Martin

Jan.

31

Earl S. Willard

Apr.

5

Lawrence Gedney

Feb.

5

Francis M. Beall

Apr.

13

Ida M. Fast

Feb.

23

Charlotte Sloan

Apr.

19

John A. Richmond

Feb.

23

Francis Moffitt

Apr.

29

Mrs. Rebecca Camp

Feb.

26

Mary M. Beall

May

4

Maggie Myrtle Sim-

Feb.

26

Emma Wasson

mons

Mar.

5

E. C. Bronson

May

6

Mrs. Sarah Hyde

Mar.

6 Chas. Matthew

May

22

Edwin Henry Sny-

Gillin

der

Mar.

12 Alice Duggins Aby

May

22

Eugene Earl Bur-

Mar.

29

Martha J. Ortley

gess

Apr.

2

Daniel Miller

May

24

Almira Stewart

Apr.

22

Cecil Mae Bale

May

25

Mrs. Alice Barrett

Apr.

25 Chas. Henry Colwell

BURIALS IN PRINCEVILLE TOWNSHIP CEMETERY

141

May
June
June
June
June
Aug.
Aug.

Aug.
Aug.
Sept.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
1925
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
June
July
July
July
July
July

Aug.

Aug.

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Oct.

Oct.

Nov.

Nov.

Nov.
Nov.

13 Sarah M. Thompson
7 Albert C. Stewart

14 Emma B. Ellis
16 Jane Aten

18 Louise B. Thompson
7 Rebecca Kingen
13 Leola Maud Mc-
Millen

22 Rachel S. Chase
26 Inez LaMay

11 Godfrey Fritz

18 Carrie Smith

16 Etta C. Bush

7 Frederick Oertley

30 Jennie Gordon

31 Susan Simmons
31 Lucinda McGinnis

9 Frederick Gladfelter

3 Mary A. Dowdall

8 Robert Coats

26 Richard C. Miller

5 Mina Nixon

17 James Telford Bliss

19 William Hammer

23 Elsie Gillin

24 Wells Ross Sheelor
16 Andrew Martin

2 Unknown Male
10 Sarah E. Parker

13 Amelia Best

14 Jas. Peacock

20 William Burke

Debord

15 Raymond Frederick

Kinnah

16 James Martin Wil-

liams
20 Caroline Parents

29 Donald E. Ellis
5 Isaac Stowell

5 Glen Coats
26 Jas. B. Stewart

4 Milton Lamberton
13 Betty Jane Hilst-

bold
16 Marguerite E. Ed-
wards

18 Harriett Thompson

Rowcliff

30 Caroline E. Meaker

Dec. 17 John Oertley
Dec. 27 Selina Blakewell
Dec. 31 Millard Howell Buck
1926

Jan. 18 John L. Stubbs
Jan. 20 George Albert Was-

son
Feb. 14 Kneer Babe
Unnamed
Feb. 14 Kneer Babe
Unnamed
Feb. 15 Julia Roach
Feb. 17 James Ford Row-
cliff
Feb. 20 Myrtle Ward Hotch-

kiss
Feb. 26 Elsie Belle Merritt
Mar. 7 Jane A. Williams
Mar. 12 William Taylor
Mar. 13 Josephine E. Bel-
ford
Apr. 2 Sarah Staples
Apr. 7 Elizabeth Rebecca

Walkington
Apr. 14 Albert J. Wilson
Apr. 20 James M. Gordon
May 17 Hugh Collins Cal-
houn
May 25 William Carleton
May 26 Jane Ellen Somsag
May 27 Mrs. Mary A. Cor-

ney
June 13 Agnes E. Tweddale
June 19 Lydia Streeter
July 17 Julia Elizabeth

Henry
July 26 Carroll Dwight Hale
July 26 Robert Montgomery
July 30 John Smith
Sept. 3 Edward Duffy
Sept. 22 Walter Smith
Oct. 16 Mrs. A. E. Miles
Nov. 19 Charles Burns
Nov. 23 Arta Holly
Dec. 4 George Coburn
Dec. 22 Olive Rachel Bing-
ham
Dec. 24 Charles Edward
Taylor

Dec. 26 Laura Annes Parker

142

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

1927

Nov.

Jan.

12

Vera Sophia Bale

Dec.

Jan.

14

Elphia Solinda

Gentry

Dec.

Jan.

19

Donald Eugene

Dec.

Mummert

Dec.

Jan.

25

Florline Mae Camp

1928

Jan.

27

Mary Augusta

Jan.

Romig

Jan.

Feb.

8

Francis Leroy Bane

E eb.

16

Julia Gladfelter

Jan.

Feb.

21

Isabella Martin

Feb.

Mar.

15

Ellen Rose Belford

Feb.

Mar.

18

Sarah Katherine

Feb.

Hayes

Mar.

Mar.

29

Jesse May DeRolf

Mar.

Apr.

8

George Frederick

Mar.

Challacomb

Apr.

Apr,

o

John Smith Kinnah

Apr.

Apr.

12

Mrs. Margaret
Barrett

Apr.

Apt\

30

George Rigdcn

May

May

9

Anna Barr Yates

May

May

11

Elnora Williams

May

May

25

Claude Lee Ham-

June

mer

June

June

5 Ola Clare Coburn

June

June

20 Francis Parnell

July

Reis

July

Julv

o
45

Mary H. Hodges

July

July

2

Josepb Meaker

Julv

Julv

5

Emma Geitner

July

July

16

Julia Auten Camp-

Aug.

bell

Sept.

July

20

Ella M. Wasson

Sept.

July

31

Aaron Williams

Aug.

18

George R. Campbell

Sept.

Aug.

24

Patricia Murphy

Sept.

Aug.

24

Jack William Mur-

Oct.

phy

Oct.

Sept.

5

Mrs. Jane Meaker

Sept.

6

Gust. Swanson

Oct.

Sept.

23

Zimri Weber

Oct.

Sept.

27

.Tames McGinnis

Oct.

19

Nathan Austin

Oct.

Henderson

Oct.

Nov.

14

Fannie Cutler

Nov.

18

Loren Morrow

Dec.

Nov.

25

Gottlieb Frederick

Dec.

Reicheneker

Dec.

27 Alexander D. Potts

3 Leroy Erwin Dug-

gins
17 Alfred Harrold
24 Sarah Jane Proctor

27 Jennie M. Bateman

4 Hazel E. Buck

14 Elizabeth Ann

Cooling

15 William M. Keck
8 Jas. O. Coburn

26 Walter F. Stewart
26 Melville L. Moody
14 David S. Gray
14 Emeline Taylor

30 Frank Mulally

3 James Adams

5 James A. Gray

22 Luther Clark Carle-
ton

8 Leighton L. Stewart
26 Esther R. Auten

31 Emma Gladfelter
1 Isabelle Burgess

22 Mary E. Whittaker
29 Robt. Wm. Sinclair

5 Henry Isaac Hart

13 C. W. Hollis

14 Sarah A. Tretheway
19 Ellen Edwards

26 Ida Kingen
10 Robert Taylor

4 Donald Lewis Gould

6 Sarah Maria Fergu-

son
14 Edwin Edwards
29 Mary A. Fritz
1 7 Wilbur P. Hill

23 Harry Stephen

Berry
23 James Albert

28 Mrs. Samuel Mor-

row

29 Warren Bouten

30 Clara Estella

Kinnah
1 Pearl Fussner
3 Thomas H. DeBovv

9 Martha Squire

BURIALS IN PRINCEVILLE TOWNSHIP CEMETERY

143

Dec.

10 Mrs. Ruth Burgess

Dec.

10 Gilbert Dale Wilson

Dec.

28 Sadie Adell Bliss

1929

Jan.

7 William LaMay

Jan.

7 Mabel Walliker

Jan.

8 Oscar Noard

Jan.

15 Ann Stephens

Jan.

16 Albert M. Kingen

Jan.

20 Ellen Lonsdale

Jan.

22 Louisa Mankle

Jan.

26 Isabelle Owen

Feb.

6 George W. Row-

cliff

Feb.

8 Otto F. Mahle

Feb.

25 Kathryn May Walk-

ington

Mar.

13 Archie Bennett

Ryan, Jr.

Mar.

16 Pluma R. Headley

Mar.

30 George W. Corbett

Apr.

1 Jos. Short

Apr. 2 Paul Kenneth Oert-

ley
Apr. 3 Lucinda Hollis
Apr. 5 Charles Sloan
Apr. 6 John W. Dusten
Apr. 6 Angeline Bertha

Searl
Apr. 18 May Belle Dusten
Apr. 23 William Wiley Sim-
mons.
Apr. 30 Winfield Scott

Weaver
May 16 Alice Claire Barrett
May 16 Mary Ward
May 18 Myrtle LaMay
May 24 Wilber H. LaMay
May 28 Beatrice May Hyde
May 29 Roy Owen Gilmore
May 31 Oliver Perry Owen
June 6 Elzada Sentz
July 17 Harold Alexander
Gray
Infant Parrott

BURIALS IN ST. MARY'S CEMETERY
PRINCEVILLE

From Parish Records, Since the Publishing of Vol. Ill
Dates Are Those of Burial, Not of Death.

(Corrections and Additions Invited.)

1922

1924

Aug.

7

Mrs. Kate Johnston

Jan.

12 Joseph Roger

Sept.

13

Mrs. Frank Kraus

Jan.

26 Mrs. Adam Rotter-

Sept.

13

Miss Brida O'Byrne

man

Oct.

14

Wm. Geitner

April

16 Wm. Dempsey

Oct.

18

Patrick Cully

May

31 Frank Kraus

Nov.

3

Mrs. A. L. Mc-

June

23 Mrs. Nicholas Crilly

Donnell

Oct.

10 M. J. Dempsey

1923

1925

Jan.

30

Mrs. Michael

May

2 Mrs. John Purcell

Noonen

May

2 Mrs. Merle McKown

Mar.

24

Mrs. M. C. Kelly

May

5 John Geitner

June

25

Infant child of
James Smith

July

7 Mrs. James Byrnes,
Sr.

June

28

Sherman Hill

July

9 Peter O'Conner

July

6

Andrew Murphy

Sept.

4 George Weber

144

HISTORY AXD REMIN'ISCEBCES

28

19

28

Oct. lr
Nov. 12
Dec.

1926
Feb.
May
June 17
Oct. 22
Nov. 26

1927
April 1
June 11
Aug. 1
Nov. 9

1928
Feb.
Feb.
April

6

20

2

April 21

Michael McDonna
Joseph B. Weber
Frank Christian

James Cunningham
John A. Nix
Mrs. John O'Conner
James Megan
Mrs. John Nix

John Morrissey
Margaret Carroll
Mrs. Mary Byrnes
L. S. Hofer

Wm. Hill
Thos. Byrnes
Elizabeth Duffy
J. P. Byrnes

May

22 Mrs. Julia Harmon

July

23 Mrs. Elizabeth

Boyle

Aug.

28 Mrs. Wm. Noonen

Sept.

13 Harold Weber

Dec.

27 Nicholas Crilly

Dec.

28 Mrs. Wm. Hill

1929

Jan.

1 Robt. Evelhoch

Jan

9 James Lynch

Feb.

28 Mrs. Walter Morris

sey

April 3 Thos. Kelly
April 23 Mrs. Barbara

Ger-

man

May 23 Sanford Hill
May 23 Michael McCarty
May 27 Jos. Friedman

BURIALS IN PROSPECT CEMETERY,
DUNLAP, ILL.

Compiled From Inscriptions on Monuments
By DAVID H. HERVEY, 1928

Corrections and Additions Invited

Vera Rogers 1918

Margaret Coomes La-
May 1916

Martha H., wife of Jo-
seph Schroeder, Nov.

4 _ 1915

Catherine Schroeder,

Jan. 9 1918

Vern E., son of A. and

G. Kuhn 1922

Justina Schmidt, Dec.

11 1908

Donald Elwood 1915

Infant Daughter 1904

Children of P. and E.
Stephens

Clarence E _ 1911

Vesta N - 1913

Children of E. and A. C.
Martin

Anna C. Martin 1928

Benjamin Frye 1925

Ellen Mary Frye _ 1927

Henry G. Wilson 1926

Fern H. Symonds, June

17 1913

Seba H. Harker 1913

Infant child of B. and

E. Tucker, Oct. 2 1912

Velma, daughter of M.

and M. Scheeler 1915

Walter Holtke, Oct. 25 1918
Herbert Holtke, Soldier 1918

William Holtke 1920

Fredericka Holtke 1922

Infant son. Holtke 1898

Floyd B. Harlan 1921

William H. Lee 1914

Ralph Lee 1917

Samuel Littick 1909

BURIALS IN PROSPECT CEMETERY

145

Cordelia A. Littick 1923

Oscar Littick 1909

Nettie L. (Shipley)

Knott -., 1924

John C. Jackson 1924

Ruby May Harker and

Infant daughter 1928

Anna Radley 1916

Marie Ballou 1916

Janet Lucile Ballou,

Feb 1920

Billy E. Goble - 1918

Gordon Harlan

Conrad W. Keller 1921

Salina B. Keller (wife) 1927

Carl L. Gienow 1926

Bertha E. Gienow 1914

Wilson N. Rogers 1918

Eva L. Rogers 1919

Lettie Faye Livingston 1917

William Dempsey 1911

Floyd, son of W. A. and

N. M. Streitmatter 1908

Edward C. Wilson 1911

Harriet C. wife of James

Kellar - 1901

John Kellar 1859

Esther Kellar 1880

C. E. Kellar, son of J.

G. and H. C. Kellar 1881

Oliver son of N. H. and

O. M. Kellar 1920

Infant son of N. H.

and O. M. Kellar 1920

Effie J. Potter, wife of

Walter Pullen 1918

Minnie A. daughter of
Devillo and Ellen Pot-
ter 1894

Asa G. Potter 1883

John S. Potter 1889

Ellen M. Potter 1899

Charlie and Noel J.,
children of J. S. and

Ellen Potter 1880

Lydia, wife of F. J. Pot-
ter 1890

Mabel M., daughter of
F. J. and Lydia Pot-
ter 1924

Mariam, wife of Thos.

H. Keach 1917

Lucy, daughter of T. A.

and M. Keach 1891

Clyde C. infant son of E.

E. and A. O. Kendall...l893

David Wolfe 1903

Lucy A. Wolfe (wife of

David) 1920

Lucy J. Snyder 1909

Mary A 1872

George C 1892

Children of John E. and

Lucy Snyder

Mother Snyder

John C. Meyer 1898

Sophia Meyer _ 1899

John C. E. Meyer 1908

John F. son of John C.

E. and Anna Meyer 1897

Infant daughter of J.

and A. Earnst 1892

Charles H. Keach „ 1896

Marian A. Keach „....„ 1920

Cora May, daughter of

C. H. and M. A.

Keach 1896

Nellie May, daughter of

G. and E. C. Holmes 1893

Beldin Cooper 1915

Cornelia B. Houston

(his wife) 1905

Alice Cooper 1892

Emma Rogers (wife of

A. J. Rogers) 1897

Marion B. infant son of

C. E. and L. Elyea. 1898

Jacob C. Judd 1898

Mary E. Judd 1917

William G. Judd _ 1901

Joseph Graze 1926

Myra E. Graze 1924

Luella R. Ditman 1902

Duella R. Ditman 1902

Nathaniel Richmond 1893

George A. Rogers _ 1899

Maria Rogers 1927

May I. Harrison 1922

Neva Ashbaugh 1920

Tohn J. Ashbugh 1927

146

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Sarah J. Ashbaugh 1914

William Hakes 1900

John W. LaMay 1904

Verna S. daughter of
J. L. and L. P. Stieg-

ele 1910

Wallace Matthews 1915

Mabel F., daughter of

E. and N. Matthews 1902

Helen Mar., daughter of
R. G. and J. G. Living-
ston 1918

Helen Mar. Glen 1907

Lucile Clark 1905

Clarence Clark 1892

Children of Walter and

H. B. Clark
Marian, daughter of H.
L. and M. K. Math-
ews 1907

Joseph A. Randall 1917

Infant son 1909

Children of F. and J.

Randall 1909

Sarah May Seelye 1926

Elliott L. Breese 1908

Sylvia B. Carter 1923

Pauline Carter daughter
of W. H. and Sylvia

Carter 1918

James B. Carlile 1914

Mary J. Carlile 1912

Dallas Carlile J.917

Infant daughter of J.
W. and C. Y. Potter 1912

Charles Bennett 1922

Gaylord 1910

Lauretta Cramer

Krause 1923

Eliza A. Matthews 1929

Rosalie B. Bootz 1910

Clifford Bootz 1922

William Pullen, Sr 1928

George A. Pullen

Jeanette Kuhn 1904

Eleanor L. Poplette

Allen Poplette 1924

Eliza A. Miller 1887

Ruth Miller

Bessie Miller

Albert G. Cline 1898

Lydia Hyde Cline 1903

Mattie A. Cline 1928

Robert Cline 1849

Harriet Cline

Catherine B. Fleming 1887

Alfred Paul Fleming 1880

William H. Fleming 1882

Rhoda Fleming 1881

Mary G. Winn 1878

Sherman Vaughn 1875

Benjamin E. Gates 1852

Mary G. P. Gates 1892

Perry DeBolt

Margaret A. Gates

B. J. Gates 1905

Charlie, infant son of
J. F. and E. R. Gates 1871

James H. Shane 1908

Martha G. Shane 1917

William Shane 1922

James F. Shane J.874

Sarah H. Shane, daugh-
ter of T. H. and M.

Shane 1880

Osmond L. Nelson 1883

Sarah Nelson 1807

Belle Nelson

Andrew Nelson, Sr 1903

Josephine A. Nelson 1925

Sarah B. Nelson 1895

Eva K. Nelson 1909

Ralph Nelson 1916

Mary A. Rogers 1879

James H. Rogers 1888

Sarah A. Rogers 1908

Irving Rogers 1902

Everett H. Rogers 1872

Mary S. Dunlap 1922

John A. Dunlap J.866

Addie E. Mooney 1925

Charles M. Case 1903

Thomas A. Artman 1875

Rachel Artman 1873

Sylvester M. Yates 1915

Mary J. Yates 1919

Anna Lura Yates 1872

John Martin 1891

Susanna Irwin Martin 1887

Henry Aydelott 1924

BURIALS IN PROSPECT CEMETERY

147

Anna Aydelott ,..1921

William H. Cline 1900

Libbie N. Cline 1924

Harvey B. Greene 1905

Margaret D. Greene 1910

Elma Rose Greene 1884

Infant (Greene) 1876

John H. Parks 1925

Dorothy G. Parks 1919

Gardines G. Parks 1869

Dora H. Parks 1879

Mary J. Parks 1885

Matthias W. Stine 1928

Ha.ttie G. Stine 1897

Harriet J. S. Armstrong 1898

AVyatt Rose 1878

Phebe Rose 1904

Judson Parrish 1878

Barbara K. Parrish 1920

Earl Robert Pullen 1906

Earnest John Pullen 1891

Alfred Joseph Pullen 1883

James Gratton 1928

Mary Jane Gaydon Grat-
ton 1891

Willie Gratton 1884

Mi not S. Rogers 1924

Charlotte A. Rogers 1908

Aquilla Huber 1926

Louisa Huber 1884

Anna M. Huber 18F9

John Z. Huber 1897

George W. Blake 1912

Sarah H. Blake 1918

Sarah E. Fossett 192^

Clara Koehler 1903

Ervin F. Koehler 1901

John Breer.e 1887

Wm. Wallace Breese 1874

Mary E. Moore 1873

Tesse Potts 1872

Sarah Alice Potts 1863

Cyrus Potts

Elizabeth W. Campbell 1858

Mary R. Hervey 1890

Mattie W. Hervey 1872

William Y. Hervey 1872

William G. Hervey 1871

Nancy E. Hervey 1871

Thomas H. Hervey 1864

Elizabeth J. Hervey 1862

Adda M. H. Bell 1856

Martha Parks 1869

Henry Hervey 1874

Mary Hervey 1889

Adam Yates 1865

Sarah W. Yates 1901

Irwin Yates 1850

Edwin Yates 1851

Adam E. Yates 1851

Thomas Yates 1840

Thomas A. Yates 1850

Children of Adam and Sarah
Yates

John Hervey 1890

Sarah Purcell Hervey .1856

Cynthia Brown Hervey 1902

John Will Hervey 1897

Sarah Ida Hervey 1883

James P. Hervey 1917

Ida M. Hervey

Clarence Ayling 1892

John H. Ayling 1870

Sarah B. Ayling 1871

James Dobson

Joseph Yates 1877

Elizabeth G. Yates 1889

Infant son (Yates) 1857

Lina Eleanor Yates 1865

Wm. H. Dutton 1863

Isaac Dutton 1861

Napoleon Dunlap 1902

Eliza Dunlap 1904

Thomas Dunlap _ 1850

Eliza E. Dunlap 1864

Walter Dunlap -

Emeline Comp 1925

Johnathan W. Rice 1865

Sarah M. Dennis Rice 1908

Elisha Rice 1918

Elizabeth Stewart Rice 1924

Francis Dennis 1920

James Rice 1925

Pauline Soboleski Rice 1901

John Benjamin 1867

Levira Benjamin 1886

William Fritts 1868

Polly Fritts 1868

Clinton Brown 1901

Elmina Adell Brown 1899

148

HISTORY AND UKMIXISCEXCES

Martha N. Bright 1870

Elsie Pearl Carter 1904

Baby Brother Carter 1905

George Purcell ...1871

Margaret Farrar Pur-
cell 1897

Samuel B. Keady 1914

Thomas Keady 1918

Rebecca Keady 1922

Alexander Keady 1926

Maggie Wilder Keady ...1883
Marion Keady Wilson 1901
James K. Large (Rev.) 1858
George Cairns (Rev.) 1863
Rebekah Eliza Town-
send 1897

William Hodge Town-
send * 1697

Jefferson J. Greene 1916

Mary Greene 1887

Peter Cline 1882

Miranda Cline 1907

Freddie E. Cline 1867

Thomas Shaw 1890

Hannah Shaw 1892

E. Jane Shaw 1909

Margaret M. Shaw 1909

Maria Shaw 1841

Annie E. Shaw 1883

Henry Shaw _ 1907

James Smithers 1891

George H. Hurst 1892

Phoebe Shaw Hurst 1912

Harry M. Hurst 1909

E. H. Clarke 1926

Abbie L. Green Clarke 1910

William Osmond Clarke 1901

Cora Belle Clarke 1905

Robert E. Campbell 1908

Donald F. Campbell 1906

Clara E. Campbell 1925

John R. Harrison 1911

Hannah A. Harrison 1920

Mary S. Harrison 1913

Jacob W. Watson 1918

James W. McKee 1911

Mary M. McKee 1911

George C. McKee 1920

Robert R. Gates 1912

Baby Gates _

Charles Edwards 1891

Julia Edwards 1887

Alice Edwards 1897

Maurice Edwards 1901

Amos Edwards 1839

James Pollock 1916

Melvina Cramer Pollock 1882
Mary McCullcugh Pol-
lock „ 1918

Thomas Reed Byers 1926

Mary Byers 1832

John Templeton 1865

George Overen 1924

Rose Overen 1880

Anna D. Wainwright 1867

John Wainwright

Marquis Wainwright 1879

Francis P. Edwards 1892

Francis H. Edwards 1887

Infant son Edwards 1875

Willard Edwards 1905

Elizabeth Grant Will 1927

Charles Will 1874

Blanch Irene Will 1876

Maude Elva Will .1880

Otho Grant Will 1880

Henry W. Keach 1892

Lucy Keach 1887

Rufus Keach 1863

Margaret E. Lytle 1884

Engcne Gramer 1853

Anna M. Johnson 1859

Alexander Cuthell 1859

Gecrge F. Cramer 1891

Margaret N. Cramer 1903

Mary E. Cramer 1897

Julia M. Cramer 1856

Louisa Cramer 1862

Denny Short 1922

Nancy Margaret Short 1919

William Yates 1883

John Yates 1879

Eleanor Yates 1895

Harriet Maria Yates 1921

Myrtle M. Yates 1875

Thomas Yates, M. D 1886

Mary Yates 1877

Twin Babies Yates

Mabel Lee 1903

John T. Whitson 1858

BURIALS IN PROSPECT CEMETERY

149

Charles Staples 1871

James M. White 1855

Hannah L. White 1887

Josiah McCoy 1868

Henry H. McCoy 1868

Samuel G. Keady 1853

Eleanor Keady 1881

Infant son Keady 1849

Kirk E. Brown 1867

Emma D. Keady Brown 1922

Peter Kelly 190S

Mary Faris Keady Kel-
ly 1925

Robert M. Hamilton 1858

Jane Y. Keady Hamilton

Martin 1903

Alice B. Bassett 1927

David G. Hervey 1889

Jane Yates Hervey 1854

Martha E. Hervey 1892

Alice M. Hildebrand

Hervey 1892

Wilma Fern Hervey 1918

Infant son Hervey 1879

Paul Dunlap 1882

Matthias Young 1902

Elizabeth Young 1898

Evan L. Hibbs 1924

Wilson Yates 1864

Lydia H. Yates 1860

George W. Yates 1854

H. Wilson Yates 1864

John Huey 1874

Margaret H. Huey 1890

Robert H. Huey 1866

Mary R. Huey 1880

Wm. Hervey Huey 1918

Margaret Isabella Huey 1920

Mary F. Manlove 1892

C. M. Wilson

Jennie A. Wilson 1904

Henry A. Wilson 1894

Wilma E. Yates 1900

Charles E. Rogers 1897

Danforth Seelye 1893

Emeline Seelye 1850

Ephriam Seelye 1855

Lyman D. Seelye 1928

Barnes Seelye 1859

William Wilcox 1916

Ruth S. Wilcox 1916

Infant Wilcox 1885

Edna Pearl Wilcox 1889

James Martin 1856

Byron Martin 1855

Fred B. Kilgore 1865

Calvin Blake _ 1881

Nancy Blake 1869

Abner Russell 1860

Sarah Russell 1857

Ensley B. Russell 1855

Edgar Russell 1853

Charlotte S. Russell 1850

Charlotte S. Russell 1854

Louisa A. Russell 1855

Newton H. Buck 1860

Charley A. Buck 1858

Hanabel G. Adkinson 1858

Levi R. Adkinson 1862

Oscar Arnold Johnson. 1904

Heinrich Stange 1899

Michael Birkholz 1898

Augustina Birkholz 1895

William H. Cassidy 1917

Sarah A. Cassity 1877

Susan L. Cassity 1914

Charles Allen ...Pyle 1918

Infant son Whelpley

Blanche Jackson 1903

Infant son Jackson 1894

Infant son Jackson 1902

Neva Holtke 1904

Infant Holtke

Augusta Yates 1925

Earl Robert Doe 1925

Laura H. Bennett 1926

Gordon Harlan 1926

Clara V. Kellar 1926

Mina E. Ca3e 1927

Elizabeth Bullen 1927

Sarah May Seelye 1926

Wm. Pullen 1925

John McMunn 1893

Elizabeth A. Cline

William Pollock 1885

Sarah Isabel Pollock 1888

Easton Clark - 1925

Mary Clark 1925

150

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Mabel Kuhn 1890

Laura E. Witt 1923

Eunice Whittamore

Shippy 1891

Sarah Shippy Lease 1894

Bertha Lease 1893

Martin Sturm _

William McFarland 1897

BURIAL LIST OF THE LAWN RIDGE
CEMETERY OF MARSHALL COUNTY, ILL.

Compiled From the Stone Markers in the Cemetery,

Aug. 1928

By MRS. WINNIFRED STEWART

Mary Stone -1849

Henrietta Smith 1850-1851

Sarah M. Grove 1792-1852

Addison Turk 1851-1852

Thomas Bell 1814-1853

Montgomery Grove 1847-1853
Charles Hopkins ...1831-1854
Thomas Ferbrach ...1829-1854

Peter Ferbrach 1798-1855

Laura Speers _ 1854-1855

Infant of Speers -1855

Aiva Winans (?) .1856-1856

Phoebe Webber 1826-1856

William Turk 1827-1856

Herman S. Briggs 1855-1856
William W. Gallop 1824-1856

Philip Dawyer 1801-1856

Rose Ella Dwyer 1852-1858

Infant of L. & M.

Kittridge -1858

Alvaro T. Conklin 1856-1856

John Zink 1856-1857

Rev. Jason Wells ...1809-1857

Mary Hathaway 1824-1857

Emma A. Brigg=s . -1857
Dr. Robert Webber 1801-1857
Mrs. Porter Lazell 1834-1857

Ida Wright 1829-1858

Edmund Swann 1839-1858

Caroline Brigers 1825-1859

Mary M. Hall -1859

Sarah M. Pro vines -1859

Saac P. Tavlor 18G0-1860

Ida L. Weidman 1859-1860
John Henry Powell 1847-1861

George P. Perkins 1852^

Carey Hathaway 1861'

Mary Hoadley 186L

Edward E. Delong 1850'

Emma Lyon

Charles Reynolds ...1861'

W. Allen Hurd I860'

Frank Reynolds 1862'

Hugh Crawford 1838

Florence A. Smith 1858

Nabby Hurd 1787

Agnes Shearer 1844

Elizabeth Ann Joh 1842
Heneretta Hath-
away 1832

William H. Dwyer

(Soldier) 1840

William Beaird 1827

Alfred F. Dubois 1863

Frank Little _..1861

Catherine Dwyer

Selden Gallup 1859

John Trowel (Sol-
dier) 1806

Lorcena Goodale 1852

Jesse O. Dewey 1821

Francis Lazell 1852

Mary Earl

Lucinda Faulkner 1821

Anna B. Peck 1863

Elan Dewey 1791

Calvin Burdick

(Soldier) 1S43

Levi Burdick (Sol-
dier) 1826

1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1861
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862
1862

-1862

1862
1862
1863
1863

-1863

1863
1863
1863
1863
1864
1864
1864
1865

1865

1865

BURIAL LIST OF LAWN RIDGE CEMETERY

151

Stephen Hurd 1787-1865

John Zink 1799-1865

John Grove 1786-1866

Lena E. Atkinson 1866-1866

Sarah Trim 1859-1866

Mary R. Kilgore 1865-1866

Nellie Wilson 1839-1866

Minerva Dawson 1865-1866

Hida Mallory 1865-1866

Mary A. Houser 1808-1866

George Houser 1865-1866

Betsy Berry 1789-1866

William Atkinson 1797-1866

Phebe Potter 1792-1866

Sarah Wiley 1805-1867

William Dawson

(Soldier) 1832-1867

Hannah Hoadley 1837-1867

William H. Kilgore.1862-1867
Lorenzo P. Webber 1823-1868

Amelia Ghert 1868-1868

Oliver C. Speers.., 1850-1868

Infant of J. M.

and N. J. Potter 1868-1868
Ruben Grove (Sol-
dier) 1847-1869

George W. Trim

(Soldier) 1818-1869

Wilhelminer Ghert 1868-1869

Anna Foreman 1869-1869

Mary Ann Burdick 1841-1869
Mrs. Lewis Nar-

more -1869

Daniel Swann 1792-1869

John Cooper ( Sol-
dier) 1818-1870

Louisa J. Cobb 1837-1870

Mary Hagadone 1837-1870

James T. Nixon 1856-1870

Ivory Butler (Sol-
dier 1812) 1795-1871

Pemelia Burdick 1801-1870

Mrs. Ivory Butler

Sumner Smith 1856-1871

Martin Wermer 1792-1871

Emma Perkins -1871

Mattie Wasson 1869-1871

Jennie Lowell 1867-1872

Emma L. Ghert 1870-1872

Jennie Burdick 1832-1873

Nora Wasson 1871-1873

Nettie Wasson 1874-1874

Alida Belle Stisser 1870-1874
Mary Jane Gates 1833-1874
Generva Whetmore 1824-1874

Ida S. Ghert 1875-1875

Francis Sweetman 1871-1875

Emma J. Losee 1851-1875

Amos Potter 1792-1876

Palmer R. Potter ...1872-1877

Angelia Perkins 1874-1877

Edna A. Clifton 1877-1877

Jennie M. Dawson 1876-1877
Delia May Hotal-

ing 1876-1877

Edward Amen 1869-1877

Evaline McVicker ...1815-1878

Florence Taylor 1876-1878

Anna Kelly 1854-1879

Louisa Schanck -1879

David Joh 1816-1879

Emma L. Gehrt 1874-1879

Rebbicca Swann 1796-1879

John Schanck 1823-1880

Louisa Hensel 1877-1880

Leroy Whetmore 1824-1881

Melchi Grove, (Sol-
dier) 1820-1881

Mary M. Weidman 1831-1881

James Brooks -1881

Elizabeth Wilson... 1813-1881

H. G. Hurd 1806-1882

Susan Hensel 1833-1882

Charlotte Zink 1815-1882

Arthur Youmans

Albert Amen 1879-1882

Mrs. Brown (Sol-
dier's Widow)

Harry Bayfield 1846-1882

Sherman Burdick 1865-1883

Harriet Webber 1803-1883

Robert Beaton 1806-1883

Jane Atkinson 1805-1884

Cyrenius Dewey

(Soldier) 1825-1884

Allen Thurman

Dowdall 1849-1884

George Bragg 1859-1884

Caleb S. Hall 1808-1884

William Dawson 1872-1884

152

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Thomas J. Faulk-
ner 1813-1885

Solomon Weidman 1811-1885

Oscar Roll 1859-1886

Maggie Dixon 1854-1886

John Dixon 1833-1886

Thomas M. Speers 1857-1886

S. H. Grove 1859-1887

Judith S. Joh 1880-1887

Eliza Wier 1873-1888

Dan F. Kendrick

(Soldier)

Catherine Green 1806-1888

Daniel Green J.797-1888

Eunice S. Blood 1815-1888

Adam Crawford 1806-1889

Mary Lyon 1818-1889

William R. Parker 1 Year

John Parker 1 Month

Alfred Scruton 1818-1890

Elvira R. Trim 1824-1890

Charles Preston

Gaumer 1890-1890

Sidney Lyon 1818-1891

Margaret Roll 1824-1891

Prescott Blood 1810-1892

Charles Stone 1813-1892

Daisy E. Gallup 1865-1892

John Speers 1822-1893

Sarah Speers 1819-1893

William Dunn, Sr 1825-1894

Louisa A. Stillman 1823-1894

James Pointon 1859-1895

Louisa Dewey 1837-1895

Jacob Wilson 1812-1895

Miriam Kittredge... 1813-1895

Sarah Kilgore 1831-1896

Miriam Speers ...1896-1896

Francis H. Green 1835-1897

David Shearer 1813-1897

Agnes Crawford 1813-1897
Samuel P. Perkins 1821-1897
Charles A. Har-

roon 1864-1897

Ida Alma Ghert 1877-1R98

Leonard Kittredge 1812-1898
Cornelia Whetmore 1824-1898

Margaret Stone 1813-1898

Lydia Scruton 1820-1899

Robert S. Kilgore 1830-1900

Perry C. Burdick ...1824-1900

C. Y. Brayton 1858-1900

Mrs. C. Y. Brayton

Maria Brooks -1900

Clara V. Speers 1868-1901

James L. Dawson 1826-1901
Charles P. Stisser 1828-1901

Stephen Cornell 1828-1901

Harry Cornell 1 Year

Roy H. Cornell 1 Year

L. V. Webber 1846-1901

Mary Rapp 1830-1902

Mary Dunn 1827-1902

James Shane 1884-1902

John Hensel 1819-1903

Frederick Bragg 1818-1903

Leona E. Coil 1903-1903

Infant Dau. of J.

E. & W. Stewart 1903-1903

Lydia Hankins 1836-1903

Edna G. Lyon 1891-1903

Christina Pfeiffer 1832-1904
Laura A. Sweet-
man 1838-1904

John W. Nickerson 1831-1904
Minnie Gehrt and

infant 1877-1904

George H. Pritch-

ard 1851-1904

Turman Shafer 1895-1904

John W. Dawson 1869-1904

Lydia Perkins 1820-1905

Anna E. Stocking 1829-1905

Thomas K. Swann 1830-1905
Harley E. Oertley 1905-1905

Robert A. Green 1827-1905

J. B. Hinman (Sol-
dier) 1846-1905

Mary Hall Sims 1836-1906

Harry M. Clark 1894-1906

Levi Hall 1839-1906

Charles Dawson 1866-1906

Nettie D. Stisser... 1880-1906

John E. Kilgore 1871-1907

Maurice P. Sims 1830-1907

Anton Pfeiffer 1827-1907

Jacob Amen „ 1838-1907

Mary Cooper 1821-1907

Ferdinand Krause 1839-1907
Caroline F. Stisser 1837-1908

BURIAL LIST OF LAWN RIDGE CEMETERY

153

John B. Phillips 1319-1'J08

Bertha Kelloge 1908-1908

Elizabeth Beaton ...1817-1908
E. Catherine

Speers 1860-1908

Jacob Shullaw 1828-1909

Charles Saxby 1819-1909

Leonard Krause 1909-1909

Blanch Kelloge 1910-1910

Myra Brayton 1891-1910

William S. Shul-
law 1865-1910

Charles H. Stone 1839-1910
Ann Felker Shul-
law 1824-1910

Jane Bassett

Bragg 1822-1910

Anna R. Trim 1861-1911

Julia Stone McCall 1843-1911

E. H. Hallory 1834-1911

Frank H. Hamilton 1874-1911

Richard Dunn 1862-1912

Lavenus Stillman 1827-1913
Calvin Stillman
Infant son of L. &

A. Peugh 1913-1913

Joseph Shafer 1868-1913

Jennie Shafer 1868-1913

Samuel J. Perkins 1875-1913

Amelia Grove 1821-1914

Maria Hanford

Cornell 1831-1915

Loretta Peck 1827-1915

Sarah J. Burdick 1831-1915

Katherine Ghert 1844-1915

Jennie Brodbeck ...1854-1916

Harold Muller 1915-1916

Hannah E. Hurd 1845-1916

John Sweetman 1831-1916

Horace Johnson -1916

Pearlie L. Webster 1906-1916
Gladys M. Kilgore 1897-1917

Alice Brooks 1865-1917

Homer Leland

Baker -1917

Saxton T. Kelloge

(Soldier) 1838-1917

Catherine Nicker-

son 1833-1918

Serena Amen 1838-1918

Angeline Dawson 1842

Emeline Phillips 1832

Baby Webb 1919

Mary Evelyn Hen-

sel 1919

Ambrose Gehrt

(Soldier) 1837

C. Robert Nelson 1919

William Foster 1852

Charles Neff 1874

Phillip Peck 1833

Herman J. Budde ...1849

Thomas Borttoff

Albert Speers 1849

Effie May Kepley

Mary E. Turk 1855

R. F. Stocking

(Soldier) 1828

Infant son of J. E.

and W. Stewart 1922

Milo Stocking 1867

Infant of Mr. and

Mrs. Clyde Mur-
ray

Joseph A. Peugh 1911

Albert Shane 1844

Marcella A. Stisser 1923

Mary Dawson 1869

Fern May Pritch-

ard 1894

Bessie M. Stisser 1881

Laura A. Powell 1850

Samuel P. Hankins

(Soldier) 1833

William Gray 1857

Mary Smith 1835

Mary Elizabeth

Gaumer 1858

John M. Gehrt 1834

Sumner Perkins 1857

Owen W. Hurd 1847

Harry Everett Coil 1900
June M. Libby, 2

days _

Jean M. Libby, 2

months

Jane Rayfield

Swann 1848

Merton E. Webster 1884
Anna Speers 1863

1918
1919
1919

1919

1920
1920
1920
•1920
1920
1921
1921
1921
1921
1922

1922
1923

1923
1923
1923
1924
1925

1925
1925
1926

1926
1926
1926

1926
1926
1927
1927
1927

-1927

-1927

1927
1928
1928

154

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Lucetta L. Stone ...1844-1928 Frank Blood

Joseph Carter (Soldier)
Mrs. Joseph Carter
Lizzie Carter
Clara Wenona Burdick, dau.

of G. and B. Burdick
Melvin Crone
George Johnson
Jas. B. Smith (Soldier)
Mrs. Jas. B. Smith
Jesse Gaumer
James Gaumer
Asher Gaumer
Jesse Hurd
Estella Shafer
Cecil Shafer
William V. Cooper
Ada Blood

Etta Hood

Erma Quigg

Henry Schenck

Chris Sickles

Mrs. Chris Sickles

Montgomery Sickles (Sol-
dier of 1812)

Infant of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Mitchell

Horace Hurd

Henrietta Smith was the
first one buried in the
cemetery

Mary Stone's body was
moved here from the
Stone Farm.

LIST OF BURIALS IN FOX CEMETERY

Near S. E. Corner Sec. 28, Valley Township

Inscriptions Copied From Stones
By STEWART CAMPBELL, 1928

Some read with difficulty, some stones buried, some
illegible and evidence that many graves have been moved
away in recent years.

George H. Hixson, Son of H. and S. J. Hixson, Died
1881, aged 10 Years.

John K., Son of P. and F. Felker, Died 1870, Aged 9
Years.

James Jackson, 1796-1871.

Elizabeth Jackson, wife of James Jackson, Died 1876,
Aged 80 Years.

George Jackson, 1821-1888.

In the same lot are two little stones marked J. J. and
E. J. J.

Nelson, Son of George and M. A. Jackson, Died 1864,
age not legible, probably 2 years.

Mattie H., daughter of J. and E. Jackson, Died 1874,
Aged 16 Months

Henry C, Son of J. and N. C. Birlingmair, Died 1859,
Aged 3 Weeks.

Sherman, Son of D. and N. Hodges, Died 1881, Aged 16
Years.

LIST OF BURIALS IN FOX CEMETERY 155

Lorenzo M., Son of I. (?) R. and R. L. Crane, Died
1862, Aged 1 Year.

Lovina Ann, wife of Wm. Eby, Died 1870, Aged 38
Years.

Sally, wife of Harry Hull. Died 1862, aged 56 years.

Carlton A. Fox, Died 1872, Aged 55 years.

Laura Fox, 1823-1883.

Francis M., Son of C. A. and L. Fox, died 1859, Aged
8 years.

Mabel, daughter of C. A. and L. Fox, Died 1860, Aged 10
Months.

James H., Son of C. A. and L. Fox. Died at Marine
Hospital, New Orleans, La., 1865, Aged 16 years. A sailor
or soldier in uniform is carved on the stone.

Ella Nora, daughter of C. A. and L. Fox, Died 1872.
Aged 10 Years.

BURIALS IN OERTLEY CEMETERY

S. E. \i Sec. 10, Akron Township

Copied From Stone Markers
By MRS. BARBARA CEHRT, 1928

Baltassar Egger, Born in Switzerland April 20, 1835;
died Sept. 4, 1860. Two wives of Baltassar Egger have no

Tt\ ft T* \c P I* S

Leonard Oertley, Died March 12, 1869, Aged 24 Years,
Co. D, 11th 111. Cavalry.

Henry Oertley, Born in Switzerland Aug. 19, 1806; died
May 12, 1865.

Anna, wife of Henry Oertley, formerly Grass, Born
in Switzerland 1807; died Sept. 6, 1880.

Catherine, wife of John Oertley, Died Jan. 25, 1881,
Aged 45 Years, 1 Month, 19 Days.

John Oertley, Born in St. Glarus, Switzerland, June 2,
1833; died Dec. 16, 1904.

Mable E., daughter of J. and M. Oertley, Born Aug.
13, 1891; died July 23, 1893.

Infants of F. and C. Oertley: Emma, Anna, William,
Anna.

Infant son of J. and C. Oertley: Henry.

Two infants of M. J. Steinman.

One infant of C. E. Oertley.

One infant of Amiel Streitmatter.

Amelia, daughter of Henry and Babetta Oertley, Born
May 8, 1872; died Oct. 11, 1880. Body removed to Prince-
ville Cemetery.

Infant son of Jacob Oertley; Born Sept. 1904; died
Sept. 1904. Body removed to Princeville cemetery.

156 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

BURIALS IN SCHIEBEL CEMETERY

Near School Yard, S. W. corner N. W.V4 Sec. 25, Essex

Township

Data From Stones Copied 1928

As Accurately as Possible

By HENRY KLEPFER and STEWART CAMPBELL

Gottlieb Schiebel, 1825-1908

Rosina, wife of Gottlieb Schiebel, Died 1892; Age 65
Years.

Frank Schiebel, 1884-1912.

Lizzie Schiebel, Died 1881; Age 17 Years.

Minnie, Daughter of G. and R. Shiebel (so spelled on
stone.) Date not legible; Age 8 Months.

Chas. O., son of J. G. and R. Scheibel (so spelled on
stone,) Died 1878; Age 3 Months.

Gottfried Fritz, 1824-1897.

Louisa, wife of Gottfried Fritz, 1827-1884.

Christian Fritz, 1819-1902.

Christian F. Fritz, Died 1874; Age 17 Years.

Mary, wife of John Fritz, Died 1877; Age 18 Years.

Also her two infant children.

Willie, son of J. and M. Fritz, 1S77-1878.

Dora B., daughter of J. and M. Fritz, 1899-1899.

Caroline E. Fritz, Died 1874; Age 15 Years.

Margaretha S. Fritz, Died 1874; Age 19 Years.

Charles F. Schultz, 1810-1893.

Juliana T., wife of Charles F. Schultz, 1815-1887.

Charles N. Hull, 1836-1892.

Calista E. Hull, 1845-1907.

Mabel Hull, 1875-1876.

Eugene D. Hull, 1876-1881.

Florence M. Hull, 1879-1881.

Emma Schiebel, wife of James Jackson, 1859-1904.

Infant of James Jackson, Died 1884.

Mamie B. Jackson, 1890-1905.

Frank E. Bailey, 1861-1863.

Arthur L. Bailey, 1868-1870.

Sons of T. and S. E. Bailey.

David Martin, 1846-1926, Co. D 47th regiment, 111. Inf.

Austie Martin, 1875-1894.

Sammie Martin.

Infant son.

The last three are sons of David and Eliza Jane Mar-
tin. Graves not marked.

John Axell Berg, 1850-1926.

HannahAlbertina Berg, wife of above, 1855-1919.

John Nelson, father of Mrs. Hannah Berg, Died 1907,
grave not marked.

Above three born in Sweden.

BURIALS IN SCHIEBEL CEMETERY

157

Joseph Eby, Died 1882; Age 85 Years.

William Dawson, Died 1885; Age 75 Years.

Amelia Dawson, Died 1893; Age 88 Years.

Minerva Dawson, 1837-1915.

Clarincla Dawson, daughter of W. M. Dawson, Nov. 10,
1844.

Rachel, wife of John Koerner, 1841-1880.

Sewell Smith, Died 1873; Age 63.

Sarah M., wife of S. Smith, 1817-1885.

Mary E., daughter of S. and S. M. Smith, Died 1858;
Age 1 Year.

Charles, son of S. and S. M. Smith, Died 1863; Age 5
Years.

Myra Mandana, daughter of S. and S. M. Smith, died
1853. Age 12 Years.

Edwin L. Smith, Died 1862; Age 21 Years, Co. K 86th
111 Volunteers.

Gottlieb Klepfer, 1832-1881.

Henrietta Klepfer, 1841-1897.

Albert Klepfer, Died 1831.

Lizzie Klepfer, Died 1881.

Matilda Klepfer, Died 1881.

Charles Klepfer, Died 1881.

Lulu, daughter of Wm. and Frederika Klepfer, Died
1898.

F. Gottlob Schulthriss, Geb. Feb., 13, 1871, Alter 31
Jahre.

BURIALS IN STRINGTOWN CEMETERY

Since 1915, Down to Sept. 1, 1928

From Records Kept by E. C. Gingrich, Overseer
(Corrections and Additions Invited)

1926

Nov. 2 W. H. Alms

1917

Feb. Mrs. F. F. Brock-

way

Feb. 25 James M. Estep

May 19 Maude M. Geary

Dec. 11 Eugene L. Graves

Dec. 29 Infant of Ben and
Nellie Newman
1918

Jan. 25 Oliver Guard

Jan. 30 Polly A. Armen-
trout

March 2 Clara E. Graves

Oct. 30 Gussie H. Springer

Oct.

18 Mona Corlett

Whitten

1919

April

6 Ray Porter

April

8 Nellie E. Newman

Aug.

Infant of Lee and

Martha Howell

Dec.

11 Noah Springer

Dec.

22 Robert L. Hungate

1920

Feb.

8 Joseph B. Armen-

trout

Mar.

11 Mason J. Brockway

April

14 Edith J. Sherman

Sept.

25 Fern Gingrich

Dec.

31 Wm. A. Mcintosh

158

HISTORY AND REMINISOEXCES

1921

1925

Jan.

16

Eunice M. Gelvin

Feb.

14

Elizabeth Estep

Jan.

17

Mary M. Jones

Feb.

14

Catherine Spencer

Mar.

10

Ruth Cox

White

March

Infant of Alice and

Feb.

25

Margaret Califf

Logan Best

Apr.

12

John Barler

Apr.

19

Frank B. Brady

July

19

Albert M. Mclntire

Dec.

11

Mary J. Graves

Sept.

7

Eldon E. Graves

1922
Aug.

22

D. M. Perrill

1926
Feb.

11

Mary Eckley
Howell

Oct.

9

Harlan H. Hotchkiss

Nov.

5

Virginia Brady

Mar.

8

E. Geraldine Ging-
rich

1923

June

13

Esther M. Armen-

Jan.

2

James Minton

trout

Mar.
May

28
3

Edgar J. Whitten
John T. Fox

June
1927

26

Henry Springer

July

3

Amy Graves Bam-

Mar.

3

Richard Callow

ber

July

18

Ollie M. Armen

July

16

Infant son of A. &
N. Fox

1928

trout

Sept.

8

Myrtle M. Colwell

Feb.

4

Martha Gelvin

Sept.

20

Miles W. Mcintosh

Mar.

10

Elizabeth Fox

Nov.

10

Elwin E. Large

June

1

Nellie B. Beach

1924

June

11

Charles Buskirk

July

14

Rufus W. Teets

June

16

Arminta Springer

Nov.

30

Wm. Whitten

July

6

Ruth Addis

BURIALS IN GARDEN ON "CHRIST WOERTZ"

FARM

Near S. E. Corner, S. W. \i Sec. 3, Akron Township
Inscriptions Copied From Stones

By STEWART CAMPBELL, 1928

Christian Kuhn, Died Dec. 12, 1865, Aged 61 Years.

Michael Streitmatter, Died Sept. 4, 1868, Aged 68
Years.

Christena, daughter of G. & E. Streitmatter, Died Sept.
15, 1864. Aged 1 Year.

Louisa, daughter of G. and E. Streitmatter, Died Nov.
10, 1865, Aged 11 Months.

Son of G. and M. Streitmatter, Born 1857, Died 1871.
(The name of the son is obliterated; stone is a little one,
and lies flat.

INDEX

PAGE

Address of Welcome 1925 5

Ancient Skinning Knife 96

Andrews, Dr. Luther Madan 101

Blacksmiths, Early, of Princeville 60

Blanchard, Frederick Boliver „ 101

Bowman, John, Drops into Verse 21

Breaking the Trail _ 35

Breese, Mrs., Poetry 99

Burials in Fox Cemetery 154

Burials in Lawn Ridge Cemetery 150

Burials in Oertley Cemetery 155

Burials in Princeville Twp. Cemetery 140

Burials in Prospect Cemetery, Dunlap 144

Burials in Schiebel Cemetery 156

Burials in Stringtown Cemetery 157

Burials in St. Mary's Cemetery 143

Burials in Woertz Farm Garden 158

Camp-Garrison Families 116

Church. Wm. W. Centenarian 104

Christmas Day at Princeville 18

Civil War Veterans 78

Corbet, Daniel, Family 106

Corbett, John G., Military Record 76

Daughters of G. A. R., John F. French Fortress 79

Dewolf, Captain David 109

Doctors, Early, of Princeville 56

Dream of Old Songs 4

Early Blacksmiths of Princeville 60

Early Doctors of Princeville j 56

Early Grist Mills of Princeville 81

Essex Township 87

Evans Family 112

Evans Mill « 85

Fox Family _ „ 114

Firsts and Seconds of Princeville 62

Fourth of July at Princeville 10

French, John F., Fortress, Daughters of G. A. R 79

Garrison-Camp Families „ 116

Greetings from Stark Co., 1928 „ 8

Harrison, James R., Princeville, Inventor 119

Heinz Family of Kickapoo Township , 121

Hopkins, Julius H _ 127

Hunting Wild Turkeys 98

In Memory of the Day — The Fourth at Princeville 10

In the Good Old Way 18

INDEX — Continued

PAGE

Military Record of John G. Corbett - 76

Old Home is Sold — Poem 69

Peoria County Soils 71

Personal Property in 1880 and Now 68

Port of Princeville, John Bowman, Etc 21

Politics at Princeville 26

Princeville Marriage Bells 14

Princeville Inventor, James R. Harrison 119

Prospect Presbyterian Church of Dunlap 53

Register of Voters in Princeville, 1889 64

Russell, Ebenezer, Family - 129

Senachwine, Last Chief of the Pottawatamies 97

Social Life in Monica During the 80's 37

Social Life at White's Grove - , - 50

Soils, Peoria County - 71

Stark Co., Towns Now But Memories 8

Tomorrow 17

Torches and Oil Cloth, and a Speech for Cleveland 31

Valley Township - - 92

Voters in Princeville Township, Register of 1869 64

Walliker Family 134

White's Grove Baptist Church 48

White's Grove Social Life 50

<££3#

J. W. FRANKS & SONS

PRINTERS

PEORIA, ILL.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
977 3520L1H C001

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES. FROM THE RECO

30112

025392678